cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limb salvage after endovascular recanalization of native arterial occlusions in patients with failed lower extremity bypass grafts

Purpose Failed lower extremity bypass in patients with critical limb ischemia carries a high rate of amputation. Percutaneous revascularization of the native arterial occlusion can be performed as an alternative to redo bypass in patients who are poor surgical candidates. We set forth to investigate the feasibility, safety, and outcome of endovascular recanalization of chronic native occlusions in patients with failed bypass grafts. Materials and Methods We performed a retrospective review of 15 patients with failed lower extremity bypass who underwent recanalization of their native arterial occlusions between February 2009 and August 2012. Demographic, clinical, procedural and follow-up data were collected. Technical success was defined as the ability to recanalize the occlusion and restore flow with Results Fifteen lower extremities were treated in 15 patients (7 male) with a mean age of 68 years. The mean patency of the failed bypass grafts (53% venous, 47% prosthetic) was 23.4 months. All patients had TASC C or D lesions of the native circulation. Technical success of the endovascular procedure was achieved in all but one patient (93%) with the majority undergoing subintimal recanalization. Retrograde recanalization was required in 3 patients using a transpedal or transgraft approach. Stents were placed in all patients. The mean ABIs before and after treatment were 0.34 and 0.73, respectively. There were no major complications or emergency amputations. Mean patient follow-up was 13.8 months. The mean time to PTA failure was 6.1 months. Primary patency at 3, 6 and 12 months was 78%, 47%, and 16%. Successful secondary procedures were performed in 5 patients to recanalize restenotic or reoccluded lesions with secondary patency at 3, 6 and 12 months of 85%, 46%, and 17%. Limb salvage at 6, 12 and 24 months was 93%, 93%, and 62%. Amputation-free survival at 6, 12 and 24 months was 85%, 85% and 57%. Conclusion Endovascular recanalization of native arterial occlusions in patients with failed lower extremity bypass grafts is technically feasible, safe and results in acceptable limb salvage.
Effect of Fast Neutron Irradiation at Low Temperature on NbZr Coil Performance

The effects of exposure to fast neutron radiation on the performance of a superconducting NbZr solenoid are reported. The irradiations and tests were carried out with the coil held near its operating temperature. Performance was determined by measuring the maximum current at which the coil quenched. Secondary irradiation from the 60-in ANL Cyclotron (1.2 × 109 neutrons/cm2/s at 3-13 MeV, peaked at 8 MeV) had no measurable effect upon the operation of the coil. At the ANL CP-5 reactor, a total dosage of 7.2 × 1017 neutrons/cm2 (fission neutrons above 0.7 MeV) caused no deterioration in the coil. A slight enhancement (2 to 3%) of coil performance was observed but this annealed out at room temperature. An exposure rate of 8.3 × 1011 neutrons/cm2/s produced sufficient nuclear heating to give severe degradation in coil performance to 20% of the initial quench current.
WE-E-BRD-05: EGSnrc Benchmarking Against High-Precision Lateral Distributions of X-Rays Produced in Thick Targets

Purpose: The EGSnrc Monte Carlo code was benchmarked against newly measured angular distributions of x‐rays produced by electron beams stopping in thick targets. Method and Materials: The electron beam was generated using the National Research Council Canada (NRC) Vickers linear accelerator. Five materials: Be, Al,Cu,Ta and Pb, were used as targets and measurements were made at 20 MeV. The absolute absorbed dose was measured at different lateral positions with various ionization chambers (PTW 30013, Exradin A19, and NE2505/3) using various build‐up caps made of PMMA, Brass,Cu, Sn and W alloy. The BEAMnrc code was used to simulate the experimental setup. The geometry, beam and material properties were implemented in BEAMnrc, while the “cavity” user code was used to score the absorbed dose in the ionization chamber air cavity per incident electron up to angles of 25°. Results: For medium‐Z targets the shape agreement between measured and simulated distributions is better than 1 % for the entire scanning range. In terms of absolute dose, it was found that there are differences of up to 4 % related to the build‐up caps used for the ionization chamber. When considering the five targets, a trend with Z of the target material is noticed. For medium‐Z targets the ratio of calculated to measured dose has a variation below 1 %, for the Be target the ratio increases 12 % with the scanning position, while for the Pb target the ratio decreases 5 %. Conclusion: The present study shows that the EGSnrc code predicts x‐ray angular distributions with shapes in agreement with the measured data at the 1 % level for medium‐Z targets. There are still unresolved discrepancies in the absolute dose related to the build‐up cap used for the ionization chamber and the target material. Partial support from NIH R01 CA104777‐01A2.
Retinal microglial activation and chemotaxis by docosahexaenoic acid hydroperoxide.

PURPOSE. Peroxynitrite generated during the early phase of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) causes peroxidation of docosahexaenoic acid (22:6), a principal unsaturated fatty acid of the photoreceptor membrane, to its hydroperoxide (22:6HP). During this phase, microglia migrate to the site of photoreceptors. The effect of 22:6HP on the migration of isolated retinal microglia was investigated. METHODS. Retinal microglia were isolated and cultured from newborn Lewis rats and identified immunohistochemically by OX42 antibody staining. Chemotactic activity of the microglia toward 22:6HP was assayed and compared with 22:6 and other control cultures. The effect of 22:6HP on the organization of actin fibers and on the expression of Rac and Ibal in the microglia was studied by confocal microscopy. The gene and protein expression of Rac and Ibal in these microglia was analyzed by real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS. Ninety-five percent of isolated microglia stained for OX42 and a chemotactic assay showed that 22:6HP was a potent chemoattractant for these cells. Exposure to hydroperoxide resulted in reorganization of F-actin with intense staining within the lamellipodia. Ibal and Rac were upregulated in these activated cells and localized in the cell periphery and the lamellipodia. CONCLUSIONS. 22:6HP can activate retinal microglia and is a potent chemoattractant for microglial migration in response to the activation of Rac and reorganization of actin cytoskeleton. In EAU, microglial migration toward the photoreceptors may be mediated by 22:6HP formed in the photoreceptors, and these migrating cells could help modulate the inflammation.
Characterization of duck genome fragments containing beta and epsilon globin genes.

Abstract We have isolated two allelic duck-genomic DNA fragments containing β-type globin genes. The β- and e-globin genes are 1800 bp apart in both fragments, have second introns of 1100 and 1200 bp, respectively, and small first introns. We have also determined approx. 550 nucleotides of the sequence on the 5' side of the β-globin gene. Comparison with the chicken β-globin gene suggests sequences of possible significance to gene expression.
Regulation of the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor by phosphorylation at tyrosine 353

Abstract The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP3R) plays an essential role in Ca2+ signaling during lymphocyte activation. Engagement of the T cell or B cell receptor by antigen initiates a signal transduction cascade that leads to tyrosine phosphorylation of IP3R by Src family nonreceptor protein tyrosine kinases, including Fyn. However, the effect of tyrosine phosphorylation on the IP3R and subsequent Ca2+ release is poorly understood. We have identified tyrosine 353 (Tyr353) in the IP3-binding domain of type 1 IP3R (IP3R1) as a phosphorylation site for Fyn both in vitro and in vivo. We have developed a phosphoepitope-specific antibody and shown that IP3R1-Y353 becomes phosphorylated during T cell and B cell activation. Furthermore, tyrosine phosphorylation of IP3R1 increased IP3 binding at low IP3 concentrations (<10 nm). Using wild-type IP3R1 or an IP3R1-Y353F mutant that cannot be tyrosine phosphorylated at Tyr353 or expressed in IP3R-deficient DT40 B cells, we demonstrated that tyrosine phosphorylation of Tyr353 permits prolonged intracellular Ca2+ release during B cell activation. Taken together, these data suggest that one function of tyrosine phosphorylation of IP3R1-Y353 is to enhance Ca2+ signaling in lymphocytes by increasing the sensitivity of IP3R1 to activation by low levels of IP3.
Experimental counterflow ignition temperatures and reaction mechanisms of 1,3-butadiene

Abstract The ignition temperatures of nitrogen-diluted 1,3-butadiene by heated air in counterflow were experimentally determined for pressures up to 5 atmospheres and pressure-weighted strain rates from 100 to 250 s −1 . The experimental data were compared with computational results using the mechanism of Laskin et al. [A. Laskin, H. Wang and C.K. Law, Int. J. Chem. Kinet. 32 (10) (2000) 589–614], showing that while the overall prediction is approximately within the experimental uncertainty, the mechanism over-predicts ignition temperature by about 25–40 K, with the differences becoming larger at high pressure/low temperature region. Sensitivity analyses for the near-ignition states were performed for both reactions and diffusion, which identified the importance of H 2 /CO chain reactions, three 1,3-butadiene reaction pathways, and the binary diffusion between 1,3-butadiene and N 2 on ignition. The detailed mechanism, consisting of 94 species and 614 reactions, was then simplified to a skeletal mechanism consisting of 46 species and 297 reactions by using a new reduction algorithm combining directed relation graph and sensitivity analysis. The skeletal mechanism was further simplified to a 30-step reduced mechanism by using computational singular perturbation and quasi-steady-state assumptions. Both the skeletal and reduced mechanisms mimic the performance of the detailed mechanism with good accuracy in both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems.
An Ultrastructural Study of Subacute Combined Degeneration of the Spinal Cord in Vitamin B12-Deficient Rhesus Monkeys

Prolonged deprivation of vitamin B12 in rhesus monkeys produced changes in the central nervous system that were indistinguishable topographically and histologically from those of human subacute combined degeneration. Ultrastructural studies of early lesions of the spinal cord disclosed a degeneration of myelin characterized by separation of myelin lamellae and formation of intramyelinic vacuoles, leading eventually to complete destruction of myelin sheaths. At a later stage, there was degeneration and loss of axons, and marked gliosis. The theories of pathogenesis of subacute combined degeneration are reviewed in the light of these observations.
The population of the dorsal root ganglion cells which have central processes in ventral root and their immunoreactivity

Axonal transport of fluorescent dyes applied to the cut distal ends of rat L4 dorsal and ventral spinal roots was studied in order to characterize the population of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons emitting axons entering the ventral root. Ca. 9% of DRG neurons, principally of small or medium size, can be labeled from the ventral root, and 55% of these display immunoreactivity for the most ubiquitous DRG neuropeptide, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). Attempts to simultaneously label cut dorsal and ventral roots revealed that double labeling was exceedingly rare and that dorsal root labeling was markedly reduced. The results are consistent with previous reports of small DRG cells emitting axons which loop into the ventral root before entering the spinal cord via the dorsal root. The few cells labeled simultaneously from cut dorsal and ventral roots indicate that axonal bifurcation distal to the DRG is very rare.
A model of a human neuromuscular system for small isometric tensions

A model is constructed of the motor units in the human first dorsal interosseus (FDI) muscle. Each motorneuron is simulated using a pseudo-steady-state model that omits the membrane capacity and the events underlying the action potential. Properties of individual twitches in the corresponding muscle units are based on the data of Milner-Brown et al. for the FDI, while the transduction between steady firing rate and percentage of maximum tension in a muscle unit is based on the work of Rack and Westbury on the cat soleus muscle. Since we are concerned only with small isometric tensions, we ignore effects due to muscle spindles and to recurrent inhibition. The model allows one to to determine, by simulation, the tension-time functions produced by different "programs" of input to an entire pool of 120 motorneurons. Thus, for example, in order to produce tension rising linearly with time, it suffices to deliver to each neuron in the pool a non-linearly rising conductance; the conductance can be the same for all neurons in the pool, but can NOT be scaled in proportion to the surface area of the respective neurons. The input may be delivered to any part of the neuron's dendritic tree, as long as the electrotonic distribution of input is the same for all the neurons. For a linearly rising force produced in this way, most of the motorneurons yield similar slopes for their frequency-force curves, as observed by Milner-Brown et al. To produce tensions greater than about 1 kg, mechanisms not included in this model must come into play, i.e. perhaps introduction of phasic motorneurons. The most important data needed to improve this model are sets of isometric frequency-force curves for muscle units of different twitch tensions.
Rosuvastatin in the Prevention of Stroke Among Men and Women With Elevated Levels of C-reactive Protein: Justification for the Use of Statins in Prevention: An Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER)

Background— Prior primary prevention trials of statin therapy that used cholesterol criteria for enrollment have not reported significant decreases in stroke risk. We evaluated whether statin therapy might reduce stroke rates among individuals with low levels of cholesterol but elevated levels of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Methods and Results— In Justification for the Use of statins in Prevention: an Intervention Trial Evaluating Rosuvastatin (JUPITER), 17 802 apparently healthy men and women with low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels <130 mg/dL and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels ≥2.0 mg/L were randomly allocated to rosuvastatin 20 mg daily or placebo and then followed up for the occurrence of a first stroke. After a median follow-up of 1.9 years (maximum, 5.0 years), rosuvastatin resulted in a 48% reduction in the hazard of fatal and nonfatal stroke as compared with placebo (incidence rate, 0.18 and 0.34 per 100 person-years of observation, respectively; hazard ratio 0.52; 95% ...
A discussion of the causes of blistering of sintered nickel hydroxide electrodes

Abstract The blistering of sintered nickel hydroxide electrodes has been of continuing concern to users of long life batteries containing these electrodes. In this study it has been determined that blistering can be affected by many parameters that are sensitive to both the manufacturing processes and to the electrodes' operating conditions. Some of these parameters are the active material loading level and the ability of the electrode to vent gases due to overcharge. Also, the active material impregnation process can enhance blister formation. A mechanism for blister formation is proposed that primarily relies on the existence of mechanical shear stresses within the electrode. Microscopic studies of several blistered electrodes provide the basis of evidence supporting the proposed model.
Macro- and Nanoscale Observations of Adhesive Behavior for Several E. coli Strains (O157:H7 and Environmental Isolates) on Mineral Surfaces†

Subsurface biobarriers can be conceived to attenuate the migration of pathogens by adhesion to mineral surfaces. Candidate biobarrier materials of varied surface characteristics (dolomite, α-alumina, silica, pyrophyllite, and Pyrax (a composite form of pyrophyllite, mica, and silica)) were tested for Escherichia coli adhesive capacity in macroscale continuous-flow columns. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was used to determine nanoscale interaction energies. Predicted attractive interaction energies correlated well with macroscale adhesive behavior for tested E. coli strains. AFM measurements confirmed ExDLVO model predictions of attachment in the primary minima for E. coli O157:H7 and two environmental isolates E. coli (UCFL-339 and UCFL-348) with MOPS conditioned Pyrax. In macroscale column experiments, pyrophyllite and Pyrax demonstrated significantly higher bacterial retention, higher deposition coefficients and lower initial cell breakthrough values for E. coli O157:H7 than did α-alumina, silica, or dol...
Oligomerization pathways of dichlorodifluoromethane hydrodechlorination catalyzed by activated carbon supported Pt-Cu, Pt-Ag, Pt-Fe, and Pt-Co

Abstract Activated carbon-supported Pt-Cu, Pt-Ag, Pt-Co, Pt-Fe, and Pt catalyze the formation of oligomerization products from CF 2 Cl 2 and H 2 mixture (1:1 ratio) at 523 K. All catalysts deactivate with time on stream. The Pt-Co/C catalyst exhibits the highest selectivity toward C 2 –C 3 hydrocarbons (∼50%), whereas Pt-Cu/C is the most selective toward tetrafluoroethylene (∼20%). The other catalysts (Pt, Pt-Ag, Pt-Fe) exhibit negligible oligomerization activity, CH 4 and partially halogenated C 1 molecules are the main products. The performance of each catalyst is understood in terms of the difference in the stability of bimetallic particles toward segregation under dechlorination conditions.
Use of Self-Report Measures of Crime-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Substance Use Disordered Patients

Researchers have documented that approximately three-quarters of all patients in treatment for a substance use disorder (SUD) report a history of sexual or physical assault and that at least 25% of treatment-seeking SUD patients suffer from crime-related posttraumatic stress disorder (CR-PTSD). To address the pressing need to accurately evaluate symptoms associated with victimization, a battery of self-report instruments and a semi-structured interview were administered to 114 SUD patients. More than 90% of the SUD patients reported some type of victimization and approximately 38% met criteria for current CR-PTSD. The self-report battery correctly classified CR-PTSD status in 79% of the respondents with a sensitivity rate of 82% and a specificity rate of 74%. The results indicate that: (a) there is a high prevalence of CR-PTSD in SUD patients, (b) CR-PTSD should be evaluated in every SUD patient, and (c) the self-report battery utilized in the present study may serve as a valid tool for an initial CR-PTSD screening or to supplement a clinical interview.
The effect of dextrin on surface properties and the flotation of molybdenite

Abstract The effect of dextrin on molybdenite surface properties has been investigated experimentally through measurements of zeta potentials, adsorption densities, contact angles, Hallimond tube flotation and oil flotation response. These studies indicate that the adsorption of dextrin on molybdenite occurs through physical interaction with the surface, possibly due to hydrophobic bonding. The hydrophobic bonding mechanism is in accord with the magnitude of the adsorption free energy, which was estimated to be—5.4 kcal per mole of dextrin monomers. Dextrin was found to be a very effective depressant for the air flotation of molybdenite in the absence of a collector, whereas it does not effectively depress molybdenite in an oil flotation process using iso-octane. This has been discussed qualitatively from the contributions of electrical double layer repulsion, van der Waals' attraction, and hydration effects.
The effects of thermal annealing on commercial Nafion® membranes☆

Abstract The effect of thermal annealing as a pretreatment procedure for Nafion® membranes was investigated. Commercial membranes with different thicknesses and ages (all melt extruded films) were considered. After a short heat treatment at 165 °C, the proton conductivity, water permeability, equilibrium water sorption, and self-diffusion coefficient of water and protons increased in all films, with the greatest improvements occurring in thin films (
Determination of glucose using a coupled-enzymatic reaction with new fluoride selective optical sensing polymeric film coated in microtiter plate wells.

Abstract The determination of glucose in beverages is demonstrated using newly developed fluoride selective optical sensing polymeric film that contains aluminum (III) octaethylporphyrin (Al[OEP]) ionophore and the chromoionophore ETH7075 cast at the bottom of wells of a 96-well polypropylene microtiter plate. The method uses a dual enzymatic reaction involving glucose oxidase enzyme (GOD) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), along with an organofluoro-substrate (4-fluorophenol) as the source of fluoride ions. The concentration of fluoride ions after enzymatic reaction is directly proportional to the glucose level in the sample. The method has a detection limit of 0.8 mmol L−1, a linear range of 0.9–40 mmol L−1 and a sensitivity of 0.125 absorbance/decade of glucose concentration. Glucose levels in several beverage samples determined using the proposed method correlate well with a reference spectrophotometric enzyme method based on detection of hydrogen peroxide using bromopyrogallol red dye (BPR). The new method can also be used to determine H2O2 concentrations in the 0.1–50 mmol L−1 range using a single enzymatic reaction involving H2O2 oxidation of 4-fluorophenol catalyzed by HRP. The methodology could potentially be used to detect a wide range of substrates for which selective oxidase enzymes exist (to generate H2O2), with the high throughput of simple microtiter plate detection scheme.
Assessment of SS-A and SS-B in parotid saliva of patients with Sjögren's syndrome.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the sensitivity of parotid saliva to that of serum in detecting anti-SSA/Ro and anti-SSB/La autoantibodies in patients with Sjogren's syndrome. Methods: Forty patients and 20 controls participated in the study; all patients met the 1993 European Community criteria for the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome. Healthy controls were age- and sex-matched individuals with no signs or symptoms of Sjogren's syndrome. Serum and saliva samples were evaluated using AffiniTech SSA/Ro and SSB/La antibodies kits (AffiniTech, Ltd. Bentonville, AR, USA). The results were also compared with serological status of SS-A and SS-B as reported by an independent clinical laboratory. Results: Serum was significantly more sensitive than saliva in detecting SSA/Ro and SSB/La antibodies (P = 0.001). There was high agreement between the results with the AffiniTech kits and the independent laboratory (kappa = 0.80; P < 0.001). However, there was poor agreement between saliva and serum results (kappa = 0.174; P = 0.168). Conclusions: The overall results appear to support that serum analysis is effective method for evaluating the presence of SS-A and SS-B autoantibodies.
Branch-structure difference in starches of A- and B-type X-ray patterns revealed by their Naegeli dextrins☆

Abstract Naegeli dextrins and debranched Naegeli dextrins were prepared from native starches that display A- and B-type X-ray diffraction patterns. In comparison with their debranched counterparts, Naegeli dextrins prepared from the A-type starches consistently possessed substantially more singly branched molecules than those prepared from the B-type starches. The results indicated that the A-type starches had branch points scattered in both amorphous and crystalline regions. The branch linkages present in the crystalline region might be protected during the exhaustive acid hydrolysis. The B-type starch had most branch points clustered in the amorphous region, making them more susceptible to the acid hydrolysis. These models are consistent with the previously reported amylopectin structures that the A-type starch has more short A-chains (dp 6–12) than the B-type starch. The short A-chain is likely attached to a B-chain with the branch linkage located in the crystalline region. The branch linkages present in the crystalline region and the short double helices derived from the short A-chains provide the ‘weak points’, which are more susceptible to enzymatic hydrolysis and to generate pinholes and pits to the A-type starches. Banana starch, a C-type starch resistant to enzymatic hydrolysis, produced Naegeli dextrins with substantially less singly branched chains than the A-type starches. Naegeli dextrins prepared from starches that display A-, B-, and C-type X-ray patterns have different structures. The structures of the Naegeli dextrins indicate that the A-type starch amylopectin has a scattered branch structure and the B-type has a clustered branch structure.
President’s Page: American College of Cardiology Fellowship: Where Ideals and Personal Responsibility Intersect

![Figure][1] It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you into fellowship in the American College of Cardiology (ACC). You have achieved an important career milestone, an honor that will bring you respect and admiration from your colleagues, patients, and society. However, it is also an
Dishevelled links basal body docking and orientation in ciliated epithelial cells.

Some epithelia contain cells with multiple motile cilia that beat in a concerted manner. New tools and experimental systems have facilitated molecular studies of cilium biogenesis and the coordinated planar polarization of cilia that leads to their concerted motility. A recent elegant study using embryonic frog epidermis demonstrates that Dishevelled, a key regulator of both the Wnt–β-catenin and planar cell polarity pathways, controls both the docking and planar polarization of ciliary basal bodies.
Moral Problems in Nursing Practice

The ethos of modern nursing is profoundly shaped by its responsiveness to society. This responsiveness is the major force that has moved nursing into an age wherein we must accept accountability for the acts which affect the recipient of our practice. Included in accountability is moral responsibility. To clarify one point on moral responsiveness and responsibility of the nurse is the purpose of this article.
Pelvic embolization for intractable postpartum hemorrhage : long-term follow-up and implications for fertility

Abstract Objective To determine the long-term sequelae of pelvic embolization for postpartum hemorrhage and to study the effect on fertility and menses. Methods Twenty-eight consecutive patients who underwent pelvic embolization for postpartum hemorrhage between the years 1977 and 2002 were included in the study. Chart review and telephone interviews were conducted to gather data regarding the type of delivery, causative factors of the bleeding, preembolization treatments, total blood loss, length of time between delivery and embolization, complications, long-term side effects, and subsequent pregnancies. Results The average (± standard deviation) time to follow-up was 11.7 ± 6.9 years. The most common causes of hemorrhage were vaginal/cervical laceration, placenta accreta, and placenta previa. In only one case was the embolization unsuccessful, during which there was an accidental perforation of an internal iliac artery resulting in a retroperitoneal hematoma and subsequent total abdominal hysterectomy. All of the interviewed patients that desired to get pregnant after embolization were able to do so. Six patients reported a total of six uncomplicated pregnancies and deliveries in the years after their embolization. Of the remaining patients interviewed, none made subsequent attempts to get pregnant. The most commonly reported long-term side effects were transient buttock numbness (n = 2) and urinary frequency (n = 2). In no patients were the side effects severe enough to seek further medical attention. Conclusion Pelvic arterial embolization is a safe and effective procedure and offers patients a fertility-preserving alternative to hysterectomy for treatment of intractable postpartum hemorrhage.
A study of the high field conductance of three polyelectrolytes

Results of high field conductance measurements on solutions of polyacrylic acid, polystyrenesulfonic acid, and poly-4-vinyl-N-n-butylpyridinium bromide have been presented. All the samples studied required appreciable time to reach a steady conductance value after the application of field, this effect diminished with increasing field, was the largest for PSA samples, intermediate for PVPBuBr samples, and smallest for the PAA samples. The extrapolated relaxation times ranged from 2 to 20 microseconds. In the one case where the results for solutions with appreciably different molecular weight polymers could be extrapolated, it appeared that the time lag increased with increase in molecular weight. The high field conductance quotients increased linearly with increasing field in a manner characteristic of weak electrolytes such as acetic acid, but the observed conductance increases were from 6 to 55-fold larger than for acetic acid at the same field strength. The slopes of the conductance-versus-field curves varied as the degree of neutralization or quaternization was varied, indicative of differing degrees of association. In the one case, PAA, where there was appreciable change in the concentration of the samples studied, the high field conductance quotient decreased with increasing concentration, corresponding to an increase of association with increased concentration. Also with PAA, the Wien effect increased with increased molecular weight.
Mode-Specific Vibrational Energy Relaxation of Amide I′ and II′ Modes in N-Methylacetamide/Water Clusters: Intra- and Intermolecular Energy Transfer Mechanisms

The mode-specific vibrational energy relaxation of the amide I' and amide II' modes in NMA-d(1)/(D(2)O)(n) (n = 0-3) clusters were studied using the time-dependent perturbation theory at the B3LYP/aug-cc-pvdz level. The amide modes were identified for each cluster based on the potential energy distribution of each mode. The vibrational population relaxation time constants were derived for the amide I' and II' modes. Results for the amide I' mode relaxation of NMA-d(1)/(D(2)O)(3) agree well with previous experimental results. The energy relaxation pathways were identified, and both intra- and intermolecular mechanisms were found to be important. The amide II' mode was identified in the energy transfer pathways from the excited amide I' mode of NMA-d(1)/(D(2)O)(n) (n = 1-3) clusters. The modes associated with methyl group deformation were found to play a role in the mechanism of energy transfer from both excited amide I' and II' modes. The kinetics of energy flow in the cluster were examined by solving a master equation describing the vibrational energy relaxation process from excited system mode as a multistep reaction with the third order Fermi resonance parameters as the reaction rate constants. The intramolecular energy transfer mechanism was found to dominate the short time energy flow dynamics, whereas the intermolecular mechanism was found to be dominant at longer times.
Long Term Care Facilities are Reservoirs for Antimicrobial-Resistant Sequence Type 131 Escherichia coli

The global emergence of antimicrobial-resistant sequence type 131 (ST131) Escherichia coli has been well documented across the entire spectrum of healthcare settings [1–4]. Sequence type 131 E. coli causes diverse types of extraintestinal infection, including bacteremia, pneumonia, intraabdominal infection, meningitis, epididymo-orchitis, prostatitis, musculoskeletal infection, wound infection, and most commonly, urinary tract infection (UTI). The prevalence of ST131 among human clinical E. coli isolates varies by geographic region and host population, ranging from 12.5% to nearly 40% [2, 4–6]. Furthermore, ST131 and, more specifically, its H30 subclone (so-named for containing allele 30 of fimH, the type-1 fimbriae adhesin gene) account for the vast majority of fluoroquinolone-resistant (FQ-R) E. coli infections in the United States, whereas the H30-Rx subset within H30 is the main repository of the CTX-M-15 extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL) globally [7, 8]. It is not clear what has enabled ST131 to disseminate so widely and rapidly. Sequence type 131 is clearly more extensively antimicrobial-resistant than other E. coli and contains an abundance of virulence factors (VFs) [9]. However, whether increased virulence plays a role in ST131's success is controversial, because in animal models ST131 is not consistently more virulent than other E. coli clonal groups [10–13]. Alternatively, ST131 may have superior ability to be transmitted from host to host or to colonize the host intestine, a process that commonly precedes UTI [14, 15]. The prevalence and risk factors for intestinal colonization with ST131 in different host populations, possible differences between colonizing versus clinical ST131 isolates, and the reservoirs and transmission routes of ST131 have not been rigorously assessed [6]. Emerging evidence from the United States and Europe suggests that long-term care facilities (LTCFs) may be reservoirs of ST131 [16–20]. A population-based study performed in Olmsted County, Minnesota, found that the prevalence of ST131 as a cause of E. coli infections increases progressively with age [2]. In that study, ST131 accounted for half of all E. coli infections in persons >90 years old and for 76% of E. coli isolates from LTCF residents. Studies from Ireland, the United Kingdom, and France have identified a high prevalence of ST131 among LTCF residents [19, 21, 22]. To determine whether LTCF residents in Olmsted County are a reservoir for ST131, we conducted a cross-sectional study of intestinal colonization with ST131 E. coli in 2 local LTCFs. We also assessed for risk factors for ST131 intestinal colonization among LTCF residents and compared the VF and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) profiles of colonizing ST131 isolates with those of previously reported clinical ST131 isolates.
Current and future strategies for combined-modality therapy in pancreatic cancer

Treatment of pancreatic cancer remains a challenging task that often requires a multidisciplinary approach to confer optimal response and, ideally, maximize survival. A combination of locoregional approaches such as surgery and radiotherapy, along with systemic therapies for eradication of micrometastases, should be considered both for patients who are operative candidates and for those with locally advanced, unresectable disease. How best to combine these modalities in terms of schedule, timing, and choice of agents is a question that continues to be actively investigated. Some of these data are equivocal or conflicting; thus standards of care for combined-modality treatment have not been uniformly accepted to date. This article provides an overview of combined-modality therapy, focusing on the major studies that have guided our current approach to the treatment of pancreatic cancer and examining new strategies that are likely to improve outcomes and survival for patients in the future.
Family therapy research in applied community settings

This paper discusses family therapy research in applied settings and highlights those methodological issues relevant to the program evaluator as compared to those relevant to the basic researcher. Four general methodological issues are discussed: design adequacy, issues related to dependent measures, situational factors, and issues of generalization and duration of treatments. Two specific, wellvalidated applications of family therapy are elaborated; and finally several conclusions are drawn regarding future research strategies.
Tensile behavior of irradiated 12Cr-1MoVW steel

Abstract The effect of irradiation on the tensile properties of 12Cr-1MoVW steel given two different normalized-and-tempered heat treatments was determined for specimens irradiated in the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II) at 390. 450, 500 and 550°C to ~13 dpa. Tensile tests were conducted at the irradiation temperature and room temperature on the irradiated specimens, as-heat-treated specimens, and as-heat-treated specimens thermally aged 5000 h at the irradiation temperature. Irradiation at 390°C increased the 0.2% yield stress and ultimate tensile strength above the strength of the unaged and aged controls for both heat-treated conditions. The effect was greater for the steel heat treated with the shorter austenitization and tempering times. The increased strength was accompanied by a slight decrease in ductility. After irradiation at 450, 500 and 550°C the yield stress, ultimate tensile strength, and ductility were similar to the as-heat-treated and the thermally aged controls. Strength changes were discussed in terms of microstructural changes observed in other studies.
Correlates of HIV/STD Testing and Willingness to Test among Rural-to-Urban Migrants in China

This study investigates socio-demographic, behavioral, psychological, and structural factors associated with self-reported HIV/STD testing and willingness to test among 1,938 Chinese migrants. Overall, 6% and 14% of participants had ever been tested for HIV and STD, respectively. The results of multivariate analyses indicate that working at entertainment sectors, engaging in commercial sex, and utilization of health care were positively associated with both HIV and STD testing. Younger age, selling blood, perceived peer sexual risk involvement, and satisfaction with life were associated with HIV testing only. Female gender, early sexual debut, multiple sexual partners, and perceived vulnerability to HIV/STD were associated with STD testing only. Male gender, having premarital sex, perceived higher severity of and vulnerability to HIV/STD, and utilization of health care were associated with willingness to be tested for both HIV and STD. Interventions designed to raise the perception of vulnerability to HIV/STD and to improve access to and utilization of health care may be effective in encouraging more HIV testing in this vulnerable population.
Anal canal inflammation after ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. The need for treatment.

One technique used during restorative proctocolectomy to prevent loss of continence involves preservation of the anal canal. This technique retains a small amount of colonic mucosa and transitional mucosa that may become inflamed or develop dysplastic or neoplastic changes. PURPOSE: This study was designed to determine the presence and severity of anal canal inflammation and the need for treatment. METHOD: Records of 217 patients with mucosal ulcerative colitis who underwent restorative proctocolectomy with a stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis without anal mucosectomy from 1987 through 1990 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Anal canal inflammation was evident on both endoscopy and biopsy in 48 patients (22.11 percent); 18 patients (8.29 percent) had a normal ileal pouch (9 had symptoms; 5 required topical treatment), and 30 patients (13.82 percent) had associated ileal pouch inflammation (23 with symptoms requiring systemic treatment because of pouchitis; 10 patients had concomitant topical treatment). CONCLUSION: Symptomatic inflammation of the retained mucosa occurred in 32 (14.7 percent) patients. Nine (4.1 percent) patients had inflammation of the anal canal alone, and 23 (10.6 percent) had pouchitis in addition. The need for treatment occurred in 28 (12.9 percent) of the total ((2.3 percent) patients with anal canal inflammation and 23 (10.6 percent) with anal canal inflammation plus pouchitis).
Fertility of workers chronically exposed to chemically contaminated sewer wastes

Few studies have investigated the reproductive effects of exposure to chemical mixtures. The purpose of this study was to assess fertility in males exposed to mixed industrial and domestic wastes. A detailed reproductive history was obtained from the wives of 231 employees in order to evaluate fertility. Daily work records were used to define exposure status. To ascertain problems of infertility, the ratios of observed live births to expected live births (generated from U.S. birth probabilities) for exposed and nonexposed groups were calculated, and the ratios of these Standardized Fertility ratios (SRFs) were compared. Other analyses considered the couples' contraceptive history and preexposure versus postexposure experience. Though multiple statistical approaches were used to examine the data, the conclusion of this study was that exposure to chemical mixtures was not associated with a decrease in the couples' fertility.
Integrated immunoisolation and protein analysis of circulating exosomes using microfluidic technology

Developing blood-based tests is appealing for non-invasive disease diagnosis, especially when biopsy is difficult, costly, and sometimes not even an option. Tumor-derived exosomes have attracted increasing interest in non-invasive cancer diagnosis and monitoring of treatment response. However, the biology and clinical value of exosomes remains largely unknown due in part to current technical challenges in rapid isolation, molecular classification and comprehensive analysis of exosomes. Here we developed a new microfluidic approach to streamline and expedite the exosome analysis pipeline by integrating specific immunoisolation and targeted protein analysis of circulating exosomes. Compared to the conventional methods, our approach enables selective subpopulation isolation and quantitative detection of surface and intravesicular biomarkers directly from a minimally invasive amount of plasma samples (30 μL) within ~100 min with markedly improved detection sensitivity. Using this device, we demonstrated phenotyping of exosome subpopulations by targeting a panel of common exosomal and tumor-specific markers and multiparameter analyses of intravesicular biomarkers in the selected subpopulation. We were able to assess the total expression and phosphorylation levels of IGF-1R in non-small-cell lung cancer patients by probing plasma exosomes as a non-invasive alternative to conventional tissue biopsy. We foresee that the microfluidic exosome analysis platform will form the basis for critically needed infrastructures for advancing the biology and clinical utilization of exosomes.
Experimental model of pudendal nerve innervation of a skeletal muscle neosphincter for faecal incontinence.

Background Faecal incontinence is difficult to treat. A variety of reconstructive procedures has been described, but none is entirely satisfactory. This study evaluated the feasibility of cross-innervating a skeletal muscle neosphincter with the pudendal nerve in a canine model. Methods Thirty dogs were rendered surgically incontinent (the pudendal nerve was cut and the external sphincter was partially excised). A neosphincter was then created using the semitendinosus muscle. In ten dogs pudendal nerve transposition (PNT) to the nerve to the semitendinosus muscle was performed. Ten dogs were given a dynamic neosphincter by inserting a pulse generator at 6 weeks. The remaining ten dogs served as controls with passive semitendinosus wraps. Anal manometry was performed before operation and monthly for 5 months. Muscle biopsies, performed at the initial operation and at 5 months, were stained for slow- and fast-twitch fibres, and were examined histologically. Results At 1 month, mean sphincter function was 32 per cent of the preoperative value in the control animals, 34 per cent in the PNT group and 27 per cent in the electrostimulation group; all dogs were incontinent. At 5 months the mean recovery of sphincter function was 42 per cent of the preoperative value in controls, 100 per cent in dogs with PNT (P< 0.001) and 63 per cent in dogs having electrostimulation (stimulator on) (P = 0.02). Six dogs with PNT had squeeze pressures equal to or greater than preoperative levels. At 5 months the ratio of slow to fast fibres was significantly greater in all dogs (control P = 0.01, PNT P< 0.005, electrostimulation P< 0.001). Conclusion Use of the pudendal nerve to innervate a canine skeletal muscle anal wrap produced a functional anal sphincter that was superior to electrically stimulated and passive wraps.
Sampling Adaptively Using the Massart Inequality for Scalable Learning

With the advent of the "big data" era, the data mining community is facing an increasingly critical problem of developing scalable algorithms capable of mining knowledge from massive amount of data. This paper develops a sampling-based method to address the issue of scalability. We show how to utilize the new, adaptive sampling method in [4] to develop a scalable learning algorithm by boosting, an ensemble learning method. We present experimental results using bench-mark data sets from the UC-Irvine ML data repository that confirm the much improved efficiency and thus scalability, and competitive prediction accuracy of the new adaptive boosting method, in comparison with existing approaches.
Nomograms for clinically localized prostate cancer. Part II: radiation therapy.

Prostate cancer can be effectively treated with either external beam radiation techniques or with brachytherapy. This study was designed to address the methodology that is used to assess outcome data in the current radiation literature and to evaluate available nomograms that can be used to predict outcomes. A literature search was performed and 12 articles reviewed. Risk stratification was the most frequently used methodology to analyze data. This method encompasses disease-specific variables: the pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) value and the Gleason score are classified by using cut points into low, intermediate, and high-risk groups. Another methodology uses nomograms to predict outcome. The nomogram uses continuous values of each variable so that the outcome probability for a specific set of parameters is quite specific. The advantage of nomogram analysis over risk stratification analysis is presented. In conclusion, only 3 reports were identified in the radiation literature that used a nomogram to predict outcome. One of the nomograms is proprietary and difficult to interpret. The other 2 nomograms, 1 for 3-dimensional radiation and the other for brachytherapy, have been incorporated into hand-held devices that can be used at consultation with the patient to discuss outcome probabilities to assist in treatment decisions.