cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns of deviant reaction: Some theoretical issues

Concepts of deviance analysis should be applicable toany form of deviant behavior. In sociology, they have been restricted to traditional social problems, leaving other forms of deviance without analytic surveillance from the sociology of deviance. Deviant religious sects, deviant social movements, and deviant social actors may have much in common by way of reacting to social sanctions. This conceptualization gives a greater measure of legitimacy to laboratory experimental work in this area, freeing it from traditional substantive ties. In the laboratory experiment reported here, some patterns of deviant reaction are isolated. A few of these suggest parallels in the behavior of deviant social movements, and it is hoped that these reaction patterns may prove to be relatively free of substance if not culture-free.
In Vitro Reconstitution of Chromaffin Granule–Cytoskeleton Interactions: Ionic Factors Influencing the Association of F-Actin With Purified Chromaffin Granule Membranes

Chromaffin granules are the secretory vesicles directly involved in exocytosis of catecholamines, enkephalins, and other components from adrenal medullary cells. The granules occupy a large portion of the cytoplasmic volume and thus may interact extensively with cytoskeletal elements such as actin. Indeed, using both sedimentation techniques and falling ball viscometry [Fowler et al: J Cell Biol 88: 388, 1981] to measure actin binding by membranes, we were able to show that chromaffin granules bind F-actin via a protein site on the membrane, and that these interactions are reversibly inhibited by raising the free calcium ion concentration to micromolar levels ([Ca++]free for half-maximal inhibition approximately 2.6 x 10(-7)M)[Fowler and Pollard: Nature 295:336, 1982]. Here, we show that F-actin-chromaffin granule interactions are unaffected by changes in pH between about pH 6.4 and 7.4 but are about 50% inhibited by raising the pH from 7.5 to 8.0. They are also 50% inhibited by increasing the KCl concentration to about 200 mM but are not significantly affected by increasing concentrations of K-glutamate up to 500 mM or by varying the MgCl2 concentration between 0 and 6 mM. The interactions between chromaffin granule membranes and F-actin are also reduced in the presence of ATP, AMP-PNP, or free pyrophosphate; cAMP and AMP are without effect. The ability of chromaffin granule membranes to interact with F-actin under conditions that may approximate the resting intracellular environment (neutral pH, low KCl, 1-2 mM MgCl2, 1 mM ATP, [Ca++]free less than 10(-7)M, 30 degrees C) suggests that these interactions may partially reconstitute naturally occurring associations between chromaffin granules and the cytoskeleton. Further, regulation of chromaffin granule membrane-actin interactions by ionic factors (pH, calcium, chloride ions, nucleotides) that vary intracellularly leads us to propose that associations between actin and the chromaffin granule membrane could influence the location and dislocation of these organelles in the cytoplasm.
The application of laser-induced Rayleigh light scattering to the study of turbulent mixing

This work describes the development and characterization of an experimental system employing laser-induced Rayleigh light scattering with digital data acquisition as a time-resolved quantitative concentration probe in the turbulent flow field of a binary gas mixture. Equations for the expected signal and noise levels are given. Estimates of these parameters for the experimental system used here are in satisfactory agreement with experiment. It is demonstrated that the laser Rayleigh-light-scattering technique provides measurements having high spatial and temporal resolution for various locations within the concentration flow field. Measurements at various positions in the flow field of an axisymmetric methane jet issuing into a slow flow of air are reported and, where possible, compared with appropriate literature results. The statistical properties of the turbulent concentration fluctuations are found to be in good agreement with other independent measurements. Conditionally sampled measurements are also reported and shown to behave in the same manner as the limited number of similar measurements in the literature. The capability of calculating power spectra and correlation functions for the time behaviour of the methane concentration is also demonstrated. Raman and Rayleigh scattering techniques are compared as measurement techniques of scalar values in turbulent flow fields.
Foraging of Rhagoletis pomonella flies in relation to interactive food and fruit resources

Up to this point, quantitative aspects of the resource foraging behavior of tephritid fruit flies have been examined at what has been termed the first level of a four-level hierarchical framework. This framework has been constructed to facilitate an operational approach to investigating foraging behavior within a dynamic, state-variable mode of analysis. First-level examination involves tracking the behavior of tephritids in situations comprised of a single type of essential resource where just a single factor shaping foraging behavior is manipulated experimentally. Here, we investigated the foraging behavior of Rhagoletis pomonella (Walsh) flies at the second operational level in the hierarchy: a semi-natural environment comprised of patches of potted host trees that simultaneously harbored two types of essential resources: food and oviposition sites. Mature, fed females that were marked and released into the center tree of five-tree patches remained significantly longer and laid significantly more eggs over two days in patches containing both food (protein and carbohydrate) and oviposition sites (hawthorn fruit) than in patches containing oviposition sites alone. Our findings lead us to speculate that odor of abundant natural food could result in accumulation of both sexes in species of trees whose fruit emit no attractive odor and are not permanent hosts of R. pomonella, but which could receive eggs and support larval development of temporary populations of food-seeking flies.
Residues of the eta function for an operator of Dirac type with local boundary conditions

Abstract Let M be a compact manifold with smooth boundary. Let P be a first order operator of Dirac type on M with suitable local boundary conditions. We compute the asymptotics of Tr L 2 ( Pe - tP 2 ). This is equivalent to evaluating the residues of the eta function for the corresponding boundary value problem.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Depression

CBT is a valuable treatment for mild, moderate, and severe forms of major depression. It is equally effective and more durable than medication alone, and the combination of medication and CBT may increase the response rate and extend durability when CBT is employed after pharmacotherapy is successful. Therapist competence has been shown to influence outcomes in CBT for depression. Practitioners who wish to learn more about CBT may access a wide variety of educational materials: basic texts, course offerings at major scientific meetings, and local and national training centers are available. The Academy of Cognitive Therapy website (www.academyofct.org) provides detailed information about obtaining training and certification in CBT.
Molecular and genetic characterization of human cell lines resistant to l -asparaginase and albizziin

Human cell lines resistant to L-asparaginase or albizziin were isolated by multistep selection of HT1080 fibrosarcoma and MIA PaCa-2 pancreatic carcinoma cells. Mutants were cross-resistant to both drugs, but more resistant to the drug used for selection. The drug-resistant cell lines expressed elevated levels of asparagine synthetase activity and protein, up to 17-fold over that of the parental cells. Enzyme overproduction was due to gene amplification in the albizziin-resistant cells, whereas increased expression without amplification was observed in L-asparaginase-resistant cells.
Positive killing and the irreversibly unconscious patient

Various arguments have been given against positive euthanasia, but little attention has been given to the question of whether these arguments are uniformly effective in all contexts. There appears to be a range of cases, involving non-voluntary killing of irreversibly unconscious patients, in which these arguments do not succeed. Various reasons have been given in support of positive killing in such cases. It can be argued that there is a range of cases for which a policy of allowing positive killing is morally required. However, currently there are legal obstacles to implementing such a policy.
Expressions of nonabandonment during the intensive care unit family conference.

Purpose: Palliative care consultants play an increasing role in assisting critical care clinicians with end-of-life communication in the intensive care unit (ICU). One of the ethical principles these consultants may apply to such communication is nonabandonment of the patient. Limited data exist concerning expressions of nonabandonment in the ICU family conference. This analysis examines expressions of nonabandonment during ICU family conferences. Our goal was to categorize these expressions and develop a conceptual model for understanding this issue as it arises in the ICU setting. Methods: We identified family conferences in the ICUs of four hospitals. Conferences were eligible if the attending physician believed that discussion about withholding or withdrawing life support or the delivery of bad news was likely to occur. Fifty-one conferences were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed using grounded theory. Results: We identified categories capturing expressions of nonabandonment in the ICU family conf...
Some observations on the mechanism of photic and photo-metrazol activation☆

Abstract Responses to flicker stimulation have been investigated with and without additional activation with Metrazol. The responses can be classified into photomyoclonic and photoconvulsive types. The parameters of the photomyoclonic response have been investigated. The photomyoclonic may be considered to be a normal response to high-intensity light stimulation.
Rule Extraction: From Neural Architecture to Symbolic Representation

This paper shows how knowledge, in the form of fuzzy rules, can be derived from a supervised learning neural network called fuzzy ARTMAP. Rule extraction proceeds in two stages: pruning, which simplifies the network structure by removing excessive recognition categories and weights; and quantization of continuous learned weights, which allows the final system state to be translated into a usable set of descriptive rules. Three benchmark studies illustrate the rule extraction methods: (1) Pima Indian diabetes diagnosis, (2) mushroom classification and (3) DNA promoter recognition. Fuzzy ARTMAP and ART-EMAP are compared with the ADAP algorithm, the k nearest neighbor system, the back-propagation network and the C4.5 decision tree. The ARTMAP rule extraction procedure is also compared with the Knowledgetron and NOFM algorithms, which extract rules from back-propagation networks. Simulation results consistently indicate that ARTMAP rule extraction produces compact sets of comprehensible rules for which accura...
UNENDANGERED DIALECT, ENDANGERED PEOPLE: THE CASE OF AFRICAN AMERICAN VERNACULAR ENGLISH

African American Vernacular English (AAVE) is not an endangered language variety; on the contrary, it is continuing to develop, as all languages, and to diverge from other varieties. The primary correlates of such divergence are residential segregation and poverty, which are part of a developing transgenerational cycle that includes also crime, shorter life spans, and low educational achievement. The most immediate challenge is creating more effective educational programs on a larger scale. In confronting residential segregation, we must be aware that its reduction will lead to greater contact between speakers of AAVE and speakers of other dialects. Recent research implies that, if residential integration increases significantly, AAVE as a whole may be in danger of losing its distinctiveness as a linguistic resource. While many of us would regret a decrease in the eloquent syntactic and semantic options of AAVE and its possible withering away, we must also consider that the loss of a dialect is a lesser evil than the endangerment AAVE speakers currently confront.
Strategic alignment and performance of market‐seeking MNCs in China

This study explores the environment–strategy–performance relation of foreign firms, especially those with a market-seeking mandate, in China. The results indicate that the Analyzer orientation is best suited to the turbulent Chinese market, which has been undergoing an economic transition in recent years. There is also a significant difference in financial performance among market-seeking MNCs depending on strategic orientations, with the Analyzer orientation producing the highest performance. The Prospector and the Defender orientations lead to poor financial performance because of the mismatch with China's market, which is highly dynamic and complex. Our findings reiterate the importance of understanding local market traits and opportunities and developing proper strategic configurations for market-seeking MNC subsidiaries, especially in an emerging economy like China. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mathematical Induction in Otter-Lambda

Otter-lambda is Otter modified by adding code to implement an algorithm for lambda unification. Otter is a resolution-based, clause-language first-order prover that accumulates deduced clauses and uses strategies to control the deduction and retention of clauses. This is the first time that such a first-order prover has been combined in one program with a unification algorithm capable of instantiating variables to lambda terms to assist in the deductions. The resulting prover has all the advantages of the proof-search algorithm of Otter (speed, variety of inference rules, excellent handling of equality) and also the power of lambda unification. We illustrate how these capabilities work well together by using Otter-lambda to find proofs by mathematical induction. Lambda unification instantiates the induction schema to find a useful instance of induction, and then Otter's first-order reasoning can be used to carry out the base case and induction step. If necessary, induction can be used for those, too. We present and discuss a variety of examples of inductive proofs found by Otter-lambda: some in pure Peano arithmetic, some in Peano arithmetic with defined predicates, some in theories combining algebra and the natural numbers, some involving algebraic simplification (used in the induction step) by simplification code from MathXpert, and some involving list induction instead of numerical induction. These examples demonstrate the feasibility and usefulness of adding lambda unification to a first-order prover.
Bronchogenic cyst with extrinsic pulmonary vein and left atrial compression presenting as exertional dyspnea.

A previously healthy 52-year-old male presented with a several week history of progressive exertional dyspnea. Physical examination and electrocardiogram were unremarkable. A transthoracic echocardiogram (TTE) was performed (Fig. 1). Initially it was thought that a membrane was within a large left atrium (LA). To further delineate the LA and its anatomy, peripheral injection of sonicated contrast (Optison, Amersham Health, Inc., Princeton, NJ) was performed (Fig. 2). A “contrast-free” cystic appearing structure became readily apparent. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest likewise demonstrated a cystic structure adjacent to the LA (Fig. 3). Transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) was then performed. In addition to the cystic mass (Fig. 4), the flow velocity profile in the left upper pulmonary vein (LUPV) was consistent with extrinsic pulmonary vein compression (Fig. 5). The patient subsequently underwent surgical resection of the mass, and had an uneventful recovery. The chief complaint of progressive exertional dyspnea resolved. Histopathology identified ciliated stratified epithelium, consistent with a bronchogenic cyst. A bronchogenic cyst is a congenital lesion that is a remnant from abnormal budding of the embryonic foregut. These cysts are usually single,
Anti—Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Monoclonal Antibody Cetuximab Plus Doxorubicin in the Treatment of Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer

Abstract Purpose An open-label, dose-escalating phase Ib/IIa trial was performed to establish a safety profile of ascending doses of cetuximab (IMC C225) in combination with doxorubicin administered weekly for 6 treatments in patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer. The secondary endpoint was to assess the efficacy of cetuximab in combination with doxorubicin as well as to determine the optimal biologic dose and the maximum tolerated dose. Patients and Methods Patients in 8 groups received escalating doses of cetuximab 20-300 mg/m 2 plus doxorubicin 15 or 20 mg/m 2 given intravenously weekly for 6 consecutive weeks, followed by a 1-week observation period. A treatment response was defined as a > 50% decline in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) or regression of radiographically measurable disease. Results Of the 36 treated patients, 25% had grade 2 neutropenia, 39% had leukopenia, and 44% had stomatitis at doxorubicin 20 mg/m 2 . Erythematous skin exanthema was seen in 38% of the patients. There was no significant regression of bone or soft tissue disease, but stable disease was observed in 20 (65%) of the 31 patients with bone disease and 14 (61%) of the 23 patients with lymph node disease. Declines in PSA were modest in the 36 patients, with 1 (2.7%) with an 80% decline from baseline, 2 (5.6%) with > 50% to Conclusion In a heavily pretreated population of men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer, this study of cetuximab/doxorubicin was associated with minimal PSA declines posttherapy, though median survival was longer compared to historical control groups. Further studies with cetuximab combined with more contemporary chemotherapy for castration-resistant prostate cancer might be warranted.
SU(N) group-theory constraints on color-ordered five-point amplitudes at all loop orders

Color-ordered amplitudes for the scattering of n particles in the adjoint representation of SU(N) gauge theory satisfy constraints arising solely from group theory. We derive these constraints for n=5 at all loop orders using an iterative approach. These constraints generalize well-known tree-level and one-loop group theory relations.
Maximum likelihood estimation of extreme value index for irregular cases

Abstract A method in analyzing extremes is to fit a generalized Pareto distribution to the exceedances over a high threshold. By varying the threshold according to the sample size [Smith, R.L., 1987. Estimating tails of probability distributions. Ann. Statist. 15, 1174–1207] and [Drees, H., Ferreira, A., de Haan, L., 2004. On maximum likelihood estimation of the extreme value index. Ann. Appl. Probab. 14, 1179–1201] derived the asymptotic properties of the maximum likelihood estimates (MLE) when the extreme value index is larger than - 1 2 . Recently Zhou [2009. Existence and consistency of the maximum likelihood estimator for the extreme value index. J. Multivariate Anal. 100, 794–815] showed that the MLE is consistent when the extreme value index is larger than - 1 . In this paper, we study the asymptotic distributions of MLE when the extreme value index is in between - 1 and - 1 2 (including - 1 2 ). Particularly, we consider the MLE for the endpoint of the generalized Pareto distribution and the extreme value index and show that the asymptotic limit for the endpoint estimate is non-normal, which connects with the results in Woodroofe [1974. Maximum likelihood estimation of translation parameter of truncated distribution II. Ann. Statist. 2, 474–488]. Moreover, we show that same results hold for estimating the endpoint of the underlying distribution, which generalize the results in Hall [1982. On estimating the endpoint of a distribution. Ann. Statist. 10, 556–568] to irregular case, and results in Woodroofe [1974. Maximum likelihood estimation of translation parameter of truncated distribution II. Ann. Statist. 2, 474–488] to the case of unknown extreme value index.
Further results on simultaneous confidence intervals for the normal distribution

Based on a random sample from the normal cumulative distribution function ϕ(x; μ, σ) with unknown parameters μ and σ, one-sided confidence contours for ϕ(x; μ, σ), −∞<x<∞, and simultaneous confidence intervals for ϕ(y; μ, σ)−ϕ(x; μ, σ), −∞<x<y<∞, are constructed using the method outlined in [3]. Small sample and asymptotic distributions of the relevant statistics are provided so that the construction could be completely carried out in any practical situation.
A Climatology of Mean Monthly Snowfall for the Conterminous United States: Temporal and Spatial Patterns.

Abstract Mean monthly snowfall data for 216 stations across the conterminous United States were analyzed to produce a climatology that identifies statistical, spatial and intraseasonal aspects. Geographic variations in the length of the snowfall season are characterized using two statistics: the number of months of snow and the Snow Concentration Index (SCI). The annual distribution of mean monthly snowfall is also examined using harmonic analysis. Snowfall across the conterminous United States generally peaks in February; earlier snowfall maxima are found in the Great Lakes area and in the Pacific Northwest, whereas late February or March maxima occur in the western High Plains. Stations with relatively high amounts of variance explained by the second harmonic indicate 1) areas with a short snowfall season such as the southeastern United States, or 2) areas with a long snowfall season that have a tendency toward a bimodal distribution. A climatology of the changing monthly patterns of snowfall is identif...
A Smooth Curvature-Defined Meanline Section Option for a General Turbomachinery Geometry Generator

The blade geometry design process is integral to the development and advancement of compressors and turbines in gas turbines or aeroengines. An airfoil section design feature has been added to a previously developed open source parametric 3D blade design tool. The second derivative of the mean-line (related to the curvature) is controlled using B-splines to create the airfoils. This is analytically integrated twice to obtain the mean-line. A smooth thickness distribution is then added to the airfoil with two options either the Wennerstrom distribution or a quartic B-spline thickness distribution. B-splines have also been implemented to achieve customized airfoil leading and trailing edges. Geometry for a turbine, compressor, and transonic fan are presented along with a demonstration of the importance of airfoil smoothness.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Inhibitors of EGFR Signaling Retard Cytotoxicity of Fenretinide in Rat Gliosarcoma Cells

Purpose Fenretinide, 4-(N-hydroxyphenyl) retinamide, (4-HPR) is a well tolerated analog of alltrans retinoic acid. The gangliosideGM3, is a non-specific inhibitor of EGF receptor autophosphorylation (EGFR-phos). Both compounds were found preferentially cytotoxic to malignant and proliferating cells when compared to non-proliferating normal brain cells. Some of the small molecule inhibitors of EGFR-phos are also known to inhibit growth of brain tumors at relatively non-toxic doses. The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate if 4-HPR and inhibitors of EGFR-phos could be used together in the treatment of brain tumors. Methods The 9L rat gliosarcoma cells were treated in vitro with 4-HPR either alone or in combination with the non-specific or specific inhibitors of EGFR-phos, GM3 or AG-1478, respectively. The relative viability of the control and treated cells was determined using 3-(4,5-imethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. The experimental data were analyzed for statistical significance. Results In contrast to the expected additive/synergistic effect on cell growth inhibition, the sub-toxic and toxic concentrations of 4-HPR protected GM3 treated cells. The viable cells were 3.86 times higher following GM3 plus 4-HPR treatments compared to GM3 treatment alone. Additionally, a specific inhibitor of EGFR-phos signaling, AG-1478 caused a concentration dependent protection of cells from the toxicity of 4-HPR. Our results show counteracting cytotoxic responses of 4-HPR and EGFR-phos inhibitors when used together in 9L rat gliosarcoma cells.
Racial Variation in the Quality of Surgical Care for Prostate Cancer

Purpose: Difference in the quality of care may contribute to the less optimal prostate cancer treatment outcomes among black men compared with white men. We determined whether a racial quality of care gap exists in surgical care for prostate cancer, as evidenced by racial variation in the use of high volume surgeons and facilities, and in the quality of certain outcome measures of care.Materials and Methods: We performed cross-sectional and cohort analyses of administrative data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project all-payer State Inpatient Databases, encompassing all nonfederal hospitals in Florida, Maryland and New York State from 1996 to 2007. Included in analysis were men 18 years old or older with a diagnosis of prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy. We compared the use of surgeons and/or hospitals in the top quartile of annual volume for this procedure, inpatient blood transfusion, complications, mortality and length of stay between black and white patients.Results: Of 105,...
Neuroprotection of Retinal Ganglion Cells in DBA/2J Mice With GDNF-Loaded Biodegradable Microspheres

This study aims to promote long-term retinal ganglion cell (RGC) survival in a spontaneous glaucoma model by injecting slow-release Poly(DL-lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) microspheres containing glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) into the vitreous. Microspheres (1 microL) suspended in PBS were injected in ipsilateral eyes while contralateral eyes served as untreated controls. Mice were injected at 2 months intervals (1-4 injections) depending on the protocol. ELISA assay indicated a cumulative GDNF release of 35.4 ng/mg over 71 days. The release was nonlinear with an initial burst of over 50%. Mice displayed a 30% drop in RGC density by 8 months (p = 0.013) and 80% drop by 10 months (p < 0.01). GDNF delivery increased RGC survival in all groups. Mice receiving early treatment showed up to 3.5 times greater RGC density than untreated mice at 15 months survival (p < 0.05). No significant effect was found in sham or lens injury groups. Microsphere-delivered GDNF significantly increases long-term RGC survival in a spontaneous glaucoma model, although the nonlinear release kinetics suggest that burst release may play a role in this rescue. Neuroprotection with slow-release polymers with improved release kinetics should be further studied as a potential therapy for glaucoma and other diseases involving the loss of central nervous system neurons.
Amino acid imbalance and incomplete viral replication

Four amino acids, lysine, leucine, tryptophane, and phenylalanine, at concentrations of 0.5 to 5.0 mg./ml. inhibit the production of influenza viral hemagglutinins and complement-fixing S antigen in Krebs 2 ascites cells suspended in a medium containing only glucose and glutamate as substrates. In Krebs 2 cells no new infectious virus is formed but the hemagglutinins and CF antigen are produced in high yield. The latter antigen is less sensitive than the hemagglutinin to amino acid imbalance. At minimal inhibitory concentrations of these amino acids formation of viral hemagglutinins was reduced to a much greater extent than cellular protein synthesis. Selective reversal of inhibition was demonstrated, except for leucine, by a survey of the effects of adding each of 18 other amino acids at non-inhibitory concentrations. The effective ratios of reversing amino acid to inhibitor varied from 1∶5 to 1∶100. Certain d-amino acids were much less active than the corresponding l-isomers as inhibitors or reversers. The kinetics of inhibition and reversal suggest that the principal effect of amino acid imbalance may be on the formation of enzymes essential to the initiation of viral replication, but, depending on the amino acid and its concentration, other mechanisms af action are possible.
Estimating the Proportion of Healthcare-Associated Infections That Are Reasonably Preventable and the Related Mortality and Costs

objective. To estimate the proportion of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in US hospitals that are “reasonably preventable,” along with their related mortality and costs. methods. To estimate preventability of catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), surgical site infections (SSIs), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), we used a federally sponsored systematic review of interventions to reduce HAIs. Ranges of preventability included the lowest and highest risk reductions reported by US studies of “moderate” to “good” quality published in the last 10 years. We used the most recently published national data to determine the annual incidence of HAIs and associated mortality. To estimate incremental cost of HAIs, we performed a systematic review, which included costs from studies in general US patient populations. To calculate ranges for the annual number of preventable infections and deaths and annual costs, we multiplied our infection, mortality, and cost figures with our ranges of preventability for each HAI. results. As many as 65%–70% of cases of CABSI and CAUTI and 55% of cases of VAP and SSI may be preventable with current evidence-based strategies. CAUTI may be the most preventable HAI. CABSI has the highest number of preventable deaths, followed by VAP. CABSI also has the highest cost impact; costs due to preventable cases of VAP, CAUTI, and SSI are likely less. conclusions. Our findings suggest that 100% prevention of HAIs may not be attainable with current evidence-based prevention strategies; however, comprehensive implementation of such strategies could prevent hundreds of thousands of HAIs and save tens of thousands of lives and billions of dollars.
Analysis of Bivariate Accelerated Life Test Data for the Bivariate Exponential Distribution

SYNOPTIC ABSTRACTAccelerated life testing of a product is commonly used to reduce test time and costs. Accelerated testing is achieved by subjecting the test units to conditions that are more severe than the typical ones. The results obtained at the more severe conditions are then extrapolated to typical conditions to obtain an estimate of life distribution under typical conditions. This problem is considered when the product is a 2-component system with the bivariate exponential distribution of Marshall and Olkin (1967); our interest is the joint analysis of data with two failure times.
4668 Is magnetic resonance cholangio-pancreatography with cholecystokinin useful in identifying patients with sphincter of oddi dysfunction?

Sphincter of Oddi manometry (SOM) is the standard method of diagnosing SOD. SOM is invasive, can be technically difficult and associated with complications. MRCP with CCK stimulation may provide useful information relating to sphincter of Oddi function. AIM: Evaluate the sensitivity/specificity of CCK-MRCP in predicting the results of SOM in patients with clinically suspected SOD (type III). METHOD: Data from consecutive patients referred for SOM who had CCK-MRCP prior to SOM were analyzed. All MRCP studies were reported by one radiologist who was blinded to the findings of SOM. Patients with prior therapy to the papilla or known pancreaticobiliary malignancy or stricture were excluded. Equivocal/failed MRCP or SOM were excluded from analysis. SOM was performed using a standard 5 F perfused, aspirating catheter (Wilson-Cook, Winston-Salem, NC); SOD was diagnosed if the mean pressure from two leads was greater or equal to 40 mmHg. MRCP was performed with oblique coronal singleshot breath-hold, 5cm slabs (8000/150//135), FOV-24 cm. Scans were performed before and 20 mins after initiation of the CCK infusion (0.02mcg/Kg, in 6ml saline, 0.1ml/sec). CCK-MRCP was abnormal if the common bile duct increased in diameter post-CCK. RESULTS: Of 25 patients (mean age 38yrs., range7-74yrs, M/F=5/20), 18 biliary and 18 pancreatic SOM studies were analyzed; CCK-MRCP was inadequate in 2 patients. Of all 12 patients, CCK MRCP was abnormal in 4 of 6 patients with abnormal biliary SOM (sensitivity 67%) and was normal in 7 of 12 patients with normal biliary SOM (specificity 58%). Of the 5 patients with an intact gallbladder, CCK-MRCP was normal in all 3 patients with normal biliary SOM and abnormal in both patients with abnormal biliary SOM. The sensitivity and specificity of CCK-MRCP in predicting abnormal biliary SOM in post- cholecystectomy patients was 50% and 44 % respectively. There was no association between pancreatic SOM and CCK-MRCP. CONCLUSION: 1] The overall sensitivity and specificity of CCK-MRCP in predicting abnormal biliary SOM was 67% and 58% respectively. 2] The sensitivity and specificity were 100% in the small sub-group of 5 patients with the gallbladder in situ. This study is on-going to further evaluate these novel findings.
Inhibition of the Photoreduction of Flavin Mononucleotide

IT has recently been suggested that 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea (CMU) changes specifically the reactivity of excited flavin molecules but has no effect on the photoreduction of other dyes such as phthaleine dyes or methylene blue1. It was argued that the formation of a CMU–flavin complex may be responsible for this effect, particularly since CMU and flavin have ‘similar structures’1,2, thus introducing specificity into the CMU–flavin interaction.
Training Community Pharmacy Technicians about Their Roles in the Provision of Medication Therapy Management Services

Background:Although increased patient access and reimbursement opportunities are available through medication therapy management (MTM), strategies must be employed to decrease barriers to providing MTM services in a retail pharmacy.Objective:To describe a program for training community pharmacy technicians about their role in the provision of MTM services while evaluating their attitudes about and understanding of MTM.Methods:A training program was developed for community pharmacy technicians, aimed at defining MTM and designating nonclinical skills that can be developed to decrease the burden on pharmacists who perform MTM. All pharmacy technicians within a zone of a supermarket chain were invited to participate in the training program. Immediately prior to the training program, participants completed a pretest survey. After the training program, technicians completed a posttest survey. Surveys were designed to capture technicians' understanding of MTM and their attitudes about performing functions in th...
Violence and Mental Illness — How Strong is the Link?

Dr. Richard Friedman asks whether people with mental illness are really more likely than others to engage in violent behavior. If so, which psychiatric illnesses are associated with violence, and what is the magnitude of the increase in risk?
The role of cAMP in mucosal adjuvanticity of Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin (LT)

Heat-labile enterotoxin (LT) produced by enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) and cholera toxin (CT) produced by Vibrio cholerae have been shown to function as potent mucosal adjuvants. A number of studies have examined the effects of different mutations at either the active site or the protease site of LT and CT and the influence of those mutations on toxicity and adjuvanticity. However, different observations reported by various groups using a variety of animal models with different antigens or different routes of immunization have provided contradictory findings and evoked many questions regarding the underlying mechanisms of mucosal adjuvanticity of LT and CT. In this study, the role of cAMP in mucosal adjuvanticity was examined by comparing three LT active site mutants (S61F, A69G, E112K), a protease site mutant (R192G) and recombinant LT-B for toxicity, cAMP activity and mucosal adjuvanticity using tetanus toxoid (TT) as a model antigen. While all mutants examined showed reduced toxicity, the effects of each mutation on its ability to function as an adjuvant varied. Following intranasal immunization, native LT as well as protease and active site mutants of LT induced serum anti-TT IgG and their responses were virtually indistinguishable from one another. In addition, LT-B was also able to enhance production of serum anti-TT IgG, though at a level significantly lower than that achieved by native LT and mutants. Following oral immunization, the best serum anti-TT IgG responses were obtained with native LT and mutants that retained the ability to induce accumulation of cAMP. Despite the nearly identical serum anti-TT IgG responses following intranasal immunization, there was a strong correlation between the ability to induce accumulation of cAMP in cultured Caco-2 cells and the ability to elicit production of antigen-specific Th1 or Th2 cytokines.
Poly-(L-alanine) expansions form core beta-sheets that nucleate amyloid assembly.

Expansion to a total of 11-17 sequential alanine residues from the normal number of 10 in the polyadenine-binding protein nuclear-1 (PABPN1) results in formation of intranuclear, fibrillar inclusions in skeletal muscle and hypothalamic neurons in adult-onset, dominantly inherited oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD). To understand the role that homopolymeric length may play in the protein misfolding that leads to the inclusions, we analyzed the self-assembly of synthetic poly-(L-alanine) peptides having 3-20 residues. We found that the conformational transition and structure of polyalanine (polyAla) assemblies in solution are not only length-dependent but also are determined by concentration, temperature, and incubation time. No beta-sheet complex was detected for those peptides characterized by n 15, the interconversion process from the monomeric to the beta-sheet complex was complete under any of the tested experimental conditions. Unlike the typical tinctorial properties of amyloid fibrils, polyalanine fibrils did not show fluorescence with thioflavin T or apple-green birefringence with Congo red; however, like amyloid, X-ray diffraction showed that the peptide chains in these fibrils were oriented normal to the fibril axis (i.e., in the cross-beta arrangement). Neighboring beta-sheets are quarter-staggered in the hydrogen-bonding direction such that the alanine side-chains were closely packed in the intersheet space. Strong van der Waals contacts between side-chains in this arrangement likely account for the high stability of the macromolecular fibrillar complex in solution over a wide range of temperature (5-85 degrees C), and pH (2-10.5), and its resistance to denaturant (< 8 M urea) and to proteases (protease K, trypsin). We postulate that a similar stabilization of an expanded polyalanine stretch could form a core beta-sheet structure that mediates the intermolecular association of mutant proteins into fibrillar inclusions in human pathologies.
Influences of commercial SiC and Al2O3-SiC synthesized from clay on the slag resistance of corundum material

The corundum based material was prepared, with fused white corundum, commercial SiC powder and superfine Al2O3-SiC powder synthesized from clay by carbothermal reduction reaction as raw materials. The influences of SiC and Al2O3-SiC powders on the slag penetration and corrosion resistance of the material were investigated, and the slag resistance mechanisms of the additives were also discussed. It was found that the slag resistance of the corundum material by adding Al2O3-SiC and SiC powders could be improved obviously. For improving the slag resistance of the corundum material, adding Al2O3-SiC was much better than adding commercial SiC. When the Al2O3-SiC powder contacted with the molten slag, Al2O3 in the additive could be dissolved into the molten slag immediately, while SiC remained, which caused the viscosity of molten slag to be increased. So, the slag penetration and slag corrosion into the corundum material could be effectively inhibited.
Pathology of the Conduction System in Cardiac Rejection

Correlation of electrocardiographic abnormalities occurring postoperatively with lesions of the conduction system found at autopsy was done in 20 dogs which had received cardiac homografts. The incidence of arrhythmias closely paralleled the severity of rejection injury found within the heart and specifically within the conduction system. Severe pathological changes in the conduction system (grade D) were uniformly associated with arrhythmias. These disturbances, as well as decrease in electrocardiographic voltage, have consistent anatomic correlates in acute rejection of cardiac homografts and are of primary importance in the clinical diagnosis of acute rejection.
Charge-symmetry breaking and the two-pion-exchange two-nucleon interaction

Charge-symmetry breaking in the nucleon-nucleon force is investigated within an effective field theory, using a classification of isospin-violating interactions based on power-counting arguments. The relevant charge-symmetry-breaking interactions corresponding to the first two orders in the power counting are discussed, including their effects on the ${}^{3}\mathrm{He}{\ensuremath{-}}^{3}\mathrm{H}$ binding-energy difference. The static charge-symmetry-breaking potential linear in the nucleon-mass difference is constructed using chiral perturbation theory. Explicit formulas in momentum and configuration spaces are presented. The present work completes previously obtained results.
Periodic health examination and screening tests in adults.

Whenever a patient presents for the annual xshealth examination, clinicians must choose from a plethora of screening tests and conflicting sets of guidelines. A discussion of the underlying issues leads to practical tips on how select and when to abandon screening tests and when to treat or not treat patients with marginally positive test results.
Concerns of Multiparas During the Second Postpartum Week

A study was conducted to identify concerns of multiparas during the early postpartum period. Twenty multiparas were interviewed at home 10 to 14 days postpartum. Family, mother, and baby items were sorted into three categories; worry, interest, and no concern. Meeting the needs of everyone at home and other family items were most frequently sorted as a concern. Feeding method, mother's educational level, yearly household income, sex of the newborn, and childbirth preparation were related to the number of concerns.
Constraint-induced movement therapy for recovery of upper-limb function following traumatic brain injury

A volunteer sample of 22 participants with chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI) (onset >1 year) and relative hemiplegia that revealed moderate disability in the more-affected upper limb (UL) participated. Constraint-induced (CI) movement therapy (CI therapy) was employed for a 2-week period; treatments included massed practice, shaping of the more-affected UL, behavioral contracts, and other behavioral techniques for affecting transfer to a real-world setting. We used the Wolf Motor Function Test, the Fugl-Meyer Motor Performance Assessment, and the Motor Activity Log to measure outcomes. All outcome measures improved significantly as a result of the intervention. More-adherent participants had more improvement compared with less-adherent participants. These preliminary results suggest that CI therapy may be effective for improving UL motor function following chronic TBI.
Lack of Gromov-hyperbolicity in small-world networks

The geometry of complex networks is closely related with their structure and function. In this paper, we investigate the Gromov-hyperbolicity of the Newman‐Watts model of small-world networks. It is known that asymptotic Erd ˝ os‐Renyi random graphs are not hyperbolic. We show that the Newman‐Watts ones built on top of them by adding lattice-induced clustering are not hyperbolic as the network size goes to infinity. Numerical simulations are provided to illustrate the eects of various parameters on hyperbolicity in this model.
Hybridization Kinetics and Thermodynamics of DNA Adsorbed to Individually Dispersed Single‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

Hybridization of DNA adsorbed to single-walled carbon nanotubes in solution has much slower kinetics than free solution DNA, and can be detected through a blue shift in the near-infrared nanotube fluorescence. Adsorption of the receptor DNA strand to the nanotube surface is consistent with models of polyelectrolyte adsorption on charged surfaces, introducing both entropic (46.8 cal mol(-1) K(-1)) and activation energy (20.4 kcal mol(-1)) barriers to the hybridization, which are greater than free solution values (31.9 cal mol(-1) K(-1) and 12.9 kcal mol(-1)) at 25 degrees C. The increased hybridization barriers on the nanotube result in exceedingly slow kinetics for hybridization with t(1/2)=3.4 h, compared to the free solution value of t(1/2)=4 min. These results have significant implications for nanotube and nanowire biosensors.
Euclidean condition and block relative gain: Connections, conjectures, and clarifications

Given an arbitrary nonsingular complex matrix, certain quantitative relationships between its Euclidean condition number and its associated block relative gains are established. In addition, an as yet unproven relation of this type is conjectured. The control theoretic implications of the established relations are briefly discussed, clarifying the role of the block relative gain concept in control theory.
Microarray analysis of peripheral blood lymphocytes from ALS patients and the SAFE detection of the KEGG ALS pathway

Background Sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (sALS) is a motor neuron disease with poorly understood etiology. Results of gene expression profiling studies of whole blood from ALS patients have not been validated and are difficult to relate to ALS pathogenesis because gene expression profiles depend on the relative abundance of the different cell types present in whole blood. We conducted microarray analyses using Agilent Human Whole Genome 4 × 44k Arrays on a more homogeneous cell population, namely purified peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs), from ALS patients and healthy controls to identify molecular signatures possibly relevant to ALS pathogenesis.