cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Randomized trial of percutaneous central venous lines versus peripheral intravenous lines.

To compare the occurrence of systemic infection or death in preterm infants with elective percutaneous central line (PCVL) placement versus peripheral intravenous catheter (PIV) placement. A total of 96 infants ⩽1250 g or ⩽30 weeks gestation were randomized by 4 days of age to elective placement of a PCVL or continued use of PIV catheters. The primary outcome of systemic infection (defined as a positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) culture treated for at least 5 days) or death was monitored until the infants did not require intravenous (iv) support for 7 consecutive days. Systemic infection or death occurred in 17/46 (39%) infants in the PCVL group and 14/50 (28%) in the PIV group (relative risk (RR)=1.32 with 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70, 2.53; risk difference (RD)=0.09 with 95% CI −0.10, 0.28). The PCVL group had significantly fewer skin punctures for iv access. There was no significant difference in systemic infection or death (expressed either as a combined outcome or as separate component outcomes) between the groups. The number of skin punctures was significantly reduced in the PCVL group.
Solid state interdiffusion reactions of Ni/Zr diffusion couples☆

Abstract We have monitored the formation of amorphous Ni/Zr alloy and the subsequent formation of an equiatomic NiZr intermetallic compound in Ni/Zr diffusion couples by cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. The reaction has been studied as a function of the different initial Ni/Zr interfaces. A discussion of the microscopic origin of the critical thickness of the amorphous phase is given.
Development of cilia in embryos of the turbellarian Macrostomum

Electron microscopy of Macrostomum hystricinum raised in culture shows that ciliogenesis in the worm’s epidermal blastomeres begins in embryos 39–41 h old with kinetosomal and de novo genesis of presumptive basal bodies, which are morphologically distinguishable from centrioles of the mitotic apparatus, and proceeds by the migration of basal bodies to the apical plasma membrane of the cells and their production there of ciliary axonemes by an age of 51–53 h when the bastomeres emerge between yolk cells on the embryo’s surface. Ciliogenesis continues throughout development with the addition of cilia virtually one by one to the expanding epidermal cells’ surfaces. At no time in ciliogenesis are stages seen that might show derivation of these multiciliated cells from the primitive monociliated cell type presumably present in the ancestors of the Turbellaria.
Imaging and Elastometry of Blood Clots Using Magnetomotive Optical Coherence Tomography and Labeled Platelets

Improved methods for imaging and assessment of vascular defects are needed for directing treatment of cardiovascular pathologies. In this paper, we employ magnetomotive optical coherence tomography (MMOCT) as a platform both to detect and to measure the elasticity of blood clots. Detection is enabled through the use of rehydrated, lyophilized platelets loaded with superparamagnetic iron oxides (SPIO-RL platelets) that are functional infusion agents that adhere to sites of vascular endothelial damage. Evidence suggests that the sensitivity for detection is improved over threefold by magnetic interactions between SPIOs inside RL platelets. Using the same MMOCT system, we show how elastometry of simulated clots, using resonant acoustic spectroscopy, is correlated with the fibrin content of the clot. Both methods are based upon magnetic actuation and phase-sensitive optical monitoring of nanoscale displacements using MMOCT, underscoring its utility as a broad-based platform to detect and measure the molecular structure and composition of blood clots.
Measurement of the Mode Mix Dependent Interfacial Fracture Toughness for a Ti/Si Interface Using a Modified Decohesion Test

The Modified Decohesion Test (MDT), developed by the authors, eliminates shortcomings of current interfacial fracture toughness testing methods. In this approach, a highly stressed super layer is used to drive delamination and create any mode mix at the crack tip. MDT uses the change in crack surface area to vary the available energy per unit area for crack growth and thus to bound the interfacial fracture toughness. Therefore, this technique uses a single sample to measure the interfacial fracture toughness, as opposed to the decohesion test that uses several samples to be able to bound the interfacial fracture toughness. Since the deformations remain elastic, a mechanics-based solution can be used to correlate test parameters to the energy release rate. Common IC fabrication techniques are used to prepare the sample and execute the test, thereby making the test compatible with current microelectronic or MEMS facilities. In this paper, the mechanics based solution used in the MDT to correlate test parameters to the fracture metrics is discussed and compared against other analytical models. Interfacial fracture toughness results are provided for a Ti/Si interface at several mode mixes.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Soil water recharge in a semi-arid temperate climate of the Central U.S. Great Plains

Abstract The amount of soil water at the beginning of the growing season has a large impact on crop yields in rainfed agriculture, especially in semi-arid regions and in years with below-average rainfall in more humid climates. Robust algorithms are needed to estimate soil water storage before planting to aid crop management decisions. The main objectives of this paper are to investigate soil water recharge during the non-growing season (October 20 to May 1) in a semi-arid, temperate ecosystem in south-central Nebraska (USA) and to evaluate empirical models to estimate soil water content at the beginning of the summer-crop growing season. A database of soil water content measurements collected over 5 years at nine locations in south-central Nebraska was used to estimate available water-holding limits in the soil profile and to determine the change in available soil water during the non-growing season. Regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship among soil water recharge, residual soil water (i.e., soil water content at the end of the previous growing season), total precipitation, and available water-holding capacity (AWHC) in the root zone to 1.5 m. Precipitation storage efficiency (PSE) was calculated as the quotient of soil water recharge and total non-growing season precipitation. Predictive models to estimate soil water content at the beginning of summer-crop growing season were derived from these analyses. A large portion of the variation in soil water recharge was explained by residual soil water and precipitation. PSE averaged 28% across site-years; low PSE values were associated with high residual soil water and/or low AWHC. Two predictive models (linear and linear-plateau) that used residual soil water, total precipitation, and AWHC as independent variables explained 75–80% of the variation in the measured soil water content at the beginning of the summer-crop growing season. These empirical models represent a new tool to estimate soil water content by planting date of summer crops. Site-management conditions such as residue amount and its architecture, tillage system, soil texture, and terrain slope are not currently accounted for in these models and would likely improve predictive capacity.
Memory for lateral asymmetries in well-known faces: evidence for configural information in memory representations of faces.

Two Experiments Were Carried Out To Determine Whether Configural Information About The Left-Right Organization Of A Face Is Represented In Memory. In Experiment 1, Subjects Consistently Chose Normal (Correct) Photographs as Better Likenesses of Familiar Faces than Mirror-Reversed photographs. This Effect Was Stronger For More Familiar Faces, and Did Not Depend On the Presence of Asymmetric Hairstyles Or Single, Asymmetrically Located Features (E.G., Moles, Warts). In Experiment 2, Subjects Were Asked To Decide Which of the Left and Right Composite Faces Was a Better Likeness of the Person. The Left Composite Is Normally Considered a Better Likeness In Perceptual Matching Tasks Where The Normal Photograph Is Present. Left Composites Were Regarded As Better Likenesses than Right Composites, Despite the Fact That This Bias Appeared To Compete With One in Favor of the More Realistic of the two Composites. The Results of Experiments 1 And 2 Suggest That Configural Information About The Left-Right Organization Of Faces Is Represented In Memory. The Right Hemiface Of A Familiar Face Was Considered More Expressive Than The Left Hemiface. This Is Opposite To The Normal Result for Unfamiliar Faces. The Implications of the Results For Models Of Face Representations and for Future Research Directions Are Discussed.
The Importance of Culture in Childbearing

Cultural beliefs affect every aspect of our lives, including behavior during childbearing. At some times in history and in some areas of the world, women considered themselves quite ill throughout pregnancy. In other groups pregnancy seems to bring very little change in day-to-day life. Understanding the role of cultural beliefs is important in achieving good care of mothers during pregnancy, labor and delivery. Nurses can contribute to changes in cultural beliefs about pregnancy.
Sulfur in Biosolids-Derived Fulvic Acid: Characterization by XANES Spectroscopy and Selective Dissolution Approaches

To better understand the chemistry of S-containing ligands in biosolids-derived fulvic acid (BFA), we used selective dissolution analysis and X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to estimate major classes of S (oxidized and reduced S) and oxidation states of S in BFA, respectively. The BFA was fractionated into two classestotal hydrophilic and hydrophobic acid fractionsusing XAD-8 resin and into molecular-weight classes by dialysis. The selective dissolution analyses show that oxidized S was the dominant class of S in the total hydrophilic fraction, whereas reduced S was dominant in the hydrophobic acid fraction. The XANES analyses also indicated that oxidized forms of S were dominant in the total hydrophilic fraction, whereas reduced forms of S were dominant in the hydrophobic acid fraction. BFA fractions separated by XAD-8 resin and dialysis contained distinct classes and oxidation states of S. The XANES analyses not only corroborated the traditional selective dissolution approaches...
Coating Evaluation and Purification of Monodisperse, Water-Soluble, Magnetic Nanoparticles Using Sucrose Density Gradient Ultracentrifugation.

Magnetic nanoparticles have numerous applications in biomedicine and biomedical research.1 The bioavailability of these nanomedicines is a complex function of several physicochemical and material properties, and, as such, requires tight control of various chemical and physical nanoparticle properties that include size, shape, flexibility, surface charge, and surface chemistry.2 The most widely used magnetic nanoparticles contain iron oxide nanocrystals because the toxicity, metabolism, and pharmacokinetics of intravenously injected iron oxide based nanoparticles have been extensively documented.3 However, increasing in vivo sensitivity and efficiency requires nanocrystals with specific compositions. Thus, recent research has focused on modifying the magnetic properties of iron oxide nanocrystals by doping with transition metal ions like cobalt, manganese, nickel, and zinc.4, 5
Pharmacologic characteristics of investigational and recently approved agents for the treatment of HIV.

Purpose of review Two agents from antiretroviral classes with novel mechanisms of action against HIV received regulatory approval in 2007. Maraviroc is the first in the class of chemokine coreceptor 5 antagonists and raltegravir is the first in the class of integrase inhibitors. There are other compounds in these two new classes in later stages of clinical development, as well as several protease inhibitors and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors that have been recently approved or are under investigation for use in treatment-experienced patients. The purpose of this article is to review the pharmacologic characteristics of these newly approved and investigational antiretroviral drugs, with particular emphasis on data presented or published within the past year. Recent findings Several pivotal studies describing the efficacy, safety, and pharmacologic properties of maraviroc, vicriviroc, etravirine, rilpivirine, raltegravir, elvitegravir, darunavir/ritonavir, and tipranavir/ritonavir have begun to emerge. Summary To date, these agents have demonstrated promising virologic activity with primarily excellent tolerability, but there is still much to learn about their pharmacology. Future studies should evaluate their potential for drug-drug interactions and elucidate their concentration-effect relationships. An appreciation for the pharmacology of these drugs is critical to their optimal use.
Large Eddy Simulation of the Developing Region of a Stationary Ribbed Internal Turbine Blade Cooling Channel

This study focuses on a Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of the entrance region of a gas turbine blade internal cooling duct. The square channel is fitted with in-line turbulators orthogonal to the flow. The rib height-to-hydraulic diameter ratio (e/Dh ) is 0.1, and the rib pitch-to-rib height ratio (P/e) is 10. A constant temperature boundary condition is imposed on the walls and the ribs; the flow Reynolds number is 20,000; and the rotation number is 0.3. Results from these calculations indicate that flow development length is much longer than in a stationary channel because of the large effect of rotational Coriolis forces on mean flow and heat transfer, which only begin to exert a substantial influence after 3 to 4 rib pitches from the entrance to the duct. During the development length, heat transfer augmentation increases on the trailing and smooth walls, while it decreases on the leading wall. At the ninth rib, the mean augmentation ratios are to within −12% and −14% of their fully developed values on the trailing and smooth walls, respectively. At both walls there is a gradual increasing trend which suggests that fully developed conditions have not been achieved by the heat transfer coefficient. On the leading wall, however, all results indicate that the heat transfer coefficient has achieved its fully developed augmentation ratio. The calculation clearly shows that the direct effect of Coriolis forces on turbulent structure and intensity have a much stronger effect on heat transfer augmentation than the effect of secondary flows.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
DEMONSTRATION OF HYDROXYINDOLE-O-METHYL TRANSFERASE, MELATONIN, AND SEROTONIN IN A METASTATIC PARENCHYMATOUS PINEALOMA.

PINEALOMAS have been associated with two endocrine syndromes: destructive, non-parenchymal lesions frequently produce precocious puberty in young boys; true parenchymatous tumours have been found in children with delayed pubescence1. Little is known about the biochemistry of these tumours, or about possible mechanisms by which they exert their pathological effects on gonad function.
Mutational analysis of the Streptomyces scabies esterase signal peptide

Ten site-directed mutations affecting the predicted 39-amino-acid signal peptide of the Streptomyces scabies esterase were used to examine start-codon usage and esterase secretion in S. lividans. The first of two in-frame AUG codons was preferred for translation initiation. Removal of 2 of the 4 positively charged amino acids at the amino terminus of the signal peptide reduced esterase expression more than 100-fold; however, deletion of all 4 charged residues reduced expression by only 2- to 5-fold. Deletion of 4 or 8 amino acids from the hydrophobic core of the signal peptide reduced esterase production more than 200-fold, and a signal peptide processing site deletion completely disrupted esterase expression. For all constructs in which a mutation in the signal sequence decreased esterase production, esterase mRNA levels were also reduced, suggesting that a defect in secretion or processing affected esterase transcript abundance.
Trans-generational priming of resistance in wild flour beetles reflects the primed phenotypes of laboratory populations and is inhibited by co-infection with a common parasite

Summary Trans-generational priming renders offspring of immune-challenged parents less susceptible to disease-induced mortality, and has been demonstrated in a variety of arthropod taxa under controlled laboratory conditions. However, relatively little is known about the applicability of these laboratory results to priming in wild populations, especially in the context of environmental variables like maternal co-infection and potential trade-offs with other life history traits. We performed nearly parallel trans-generational priming experiments on laboratory and wild strains of Tribolium beetles against the bacterial pathogen Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). We investigated the impact of maternal immune challenge on offspring survival and development time, as well as the correlation between development and survival by priming status. Furthermore, we manipulated wild beetle parental co-infection with a gregarine parasite that was prevalent in the wild population in order to determine the impact of co-infection on the efficacy of trans-generational priming. Trans-generational priming resulted in a large but birth order-dependent acceleration of offspring development time, and enhanced offspring survival against infection, in both laboratory and wild populations. However, adult parental co-infection with gut protozoa severely curtailed primed offspring survival against Bt infection. These results suggest that shifts in life history traits associated with trans-generational priming in laboratory model systems extend to wild populations. These traits, including survival, development, and interference from co-infection, are important parameters for predicting the impact of priming on disease dynamics in the wild.
IMPROVEMENT OF OXIDATIVE STABILITY OF ROASTED PEANUTS BY EDIBLE COATINGS AND ULTRASONICATION

In this study, an innovative method was developed to improve the shelf life of roasted peanuts. Sonication was combined with edible coating for enhancing the oxidative stability of roasted peanuts. Georgia green runner peanuts were roasted, subjected to sonication and then coated with whey protein isolate (WPI), ZEIN and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). Relative to the control, the oxidative stability of roasted-coated samples was improved by 80, 38 and 5% for CMC, WPI and ZEIN coating, respectively, while roasted-sonicated-coated samples were improved by 91, 52 and 27% for CMC, WPI and ZEIN coating, respectively. Sonication prior to coating resulted in 11, 14 and 22% improvement beyond the CMC, WPI and ZEIN coatings, respectively. Texture analysis showed there were no significant differences (P < 0.05) in peanut texture between the treated and the control. Color results showed the HunterLab color parameters L, a, and b for most of the treatments did not have significant differences (P < 0.05) compared with the control. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Edible coatings used in this study (carboxymethyl cellulose, whey protein isolate and ZEIN) were capable of acting as oxygen barriers to reduce peanut lipid rancidity. This research demonstrated the potential of power ultrasound to remove lipids from the peanut surfaces and improve coating adhesion. The texture and the color of coated peanuts did not change over the storage period. This study indicated that edible coatings in combination with sonication provided an alternative way for improving the oxidative stability and eventually the shelf life and quality of roasted peanuts.
Warfarin-Associated Intracerebral Hemorrhage Is Inadequately Treated at Community Emergency Departments

Background and Purpose—The purpose of this study was to investigate time delays, adherence to guidelines, and their impact on outcomes in patients with warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage transferred from community emergency departments to a comprehensive stroke center. Methods—We collected demographic, clinical, transfer time, treatment, and outcome data for patients transferred to our institution with warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage from community emergency departments. Results—Among 928 patients with intracerebral hemorrhage, 56 (6%) with warfarin-associated intracerebral hemorrhage (median international normalized ratio, 2.55) were transferred to the comprehensive stroke center. Twenty patients received no acute reversal therapy before transfer, only 4 of whom had international normalized ratios ≤1.4 in the community emergency department. Median time of emergency department stay was 3.66 hours and median time to initiation of acute reversal therapy was 4.48 hours. Those who recei...
Cooperative motion and hydrogen exchange stability in protein beta-sheets.

Protein molecules are dynamical structures due to the continual exchange of thermal energy between them and the solvent environment1,2. This dynamic behaviour is manifest in hydrogen exchange experiments, which reflect transient solvent accessibility of groups usually buried in the protein interior3,4. However, studies of hydrogen exchange kinetics in pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (PTI) reveal a small subset of amide protons which exchange very slowly5,6. Four of these groups form successive interchain hydrogen bonds in the central region of an antiparallel β-sheet7 (Fig. 1). Here I suggest that the unusual exchange stability of these β-sheet protons reflects the structure's intrinsic flexibility. This property allows transient energy fluctuations to be accommodated as cooperative motions which do not locally strain the interchain hydrogen bonds.
On-Site Water Contamination in an Urban Slum

ABSTRACT The provision of piped water has often been considered a major sanitation measure which will improve the general health of a given population. The associated problems of maintaining a functioning sewerage system so as to insure the quality of the piped water have received increasing recognition. From November 1978 to December 1979, and under varying meteorological conditions, water samples were drawn from ten taps of a piped water supply in an urban slum of Madras, Tamil Nadu, South India. Samples were tested for fecal coliform organisms as an indicator of fecal contamination of water at the taps. Regression analyses were performed on the data, using distance from the tap to the slum's boundary as the independent variable (x) and regressing average log concentration of fecal coliforms (y) during periods of dry and wetter weather, on x. It was found that during wet conditions there was a regression coefficient of +0.972 whereas during dry conditions the regression coefficient was +0.816. The linea...
Inferring Social Groups Using Call Logs

Recent increase in population of mobile phone users makes it a valuable source of information for social network analysis. For a given call log, how much can we tell about the person's social group? Unnoticeably, phone user's calling personality and habit has been concealed in the call logs from which we believe that it can be extracted to infer its user's social group information. In this paper, we present an end-to-end system for inferring social networks based on "only" call logs using kernel-based naive Bayesian learning. We also introduce normalized mutual information for feature selection process. Our model is evaluated with real-life call logs where it performs at high accuracy rate of 81.82%.
Velocity difference statistics in turbulence.

We unify two approaches that have been taken to explain the non-Gaussian probability distribution functions (PDFs) obtained in measurements of longitudinal velocity differences in turbulence, and we apply our approach to Couette-Taylor turbulence data. The first approach we consider was developed by Castaing and co-workers, who obtained the non-Gaussian velocity difference PDF from a superposition of Gaussian distributions for subsystems that have a particular energy dissipation rate at a fixed length scale [Castaing et al., Physica D 46, 177 (1990)]. Another approach was proposed by Beck and Cohen, who showed that the observed PDFs can be obtained from a superposition of Gaussian velocity difference PDFs in subsystems conditioned on the value of an intensive variable (inverse ``effective temperature'') in each subsystem [Beck and Cohen, Physica A 322, 267 (2003)]. The intensive variable was defined for subsystems assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium, but no method was proposed for determining the size of a subsystem. We show that the Castaing and Beck-Cohen methods are related, and we present a way to determine subsystem size in the Beck-Cohen method. The application of our approach to Couette-Taylor turbulence (Reynolds number 540 000) yields a log-normal distribution of the intensive parameter, and the resultant velocity difference PDF agrees well the observed non-Gaussian velocity difference PDFs.
Regulation of cAMP-responsive element-binding protein-mediated transcription by the SNF2/SWI-related protein, SRCAP.

Abstract SRCAP (SNF2-related CPB activator protein) belongs to the SNF2 family of proteins whose members participate in various aspects of transcriptional regulation, including chromatin remodeling. It was identified by its ability to bind to cAMP-responsive-binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP), and it increases the transactivation function of CBP. The phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) promoter was used as a model system to explore the role of SRCAP in the regulation of transcription mediated by factors that utilize CBP as a coactivator. We show that transcription of a PEPCK chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) reporter gene activated by protein kinase A (PKA) is enhanced 7-fold by SRCAP. In the absence of PKA this SRCAP-mediated enhancement does not occur, suggesting that SRCAP functions as a coactivator for PKA-activated factors such as CREB. Replacing the PEPCK promoter binding site for CREB with a binding site for Gal4 (ΔCRE (cAMP-responsive element) Gal4 PEPCK-CAT reporter gene) blocks the ability of SRCAP to activate transcription despite the presence of PKA. Expression of a Gal-CREB chimera restores the ability of PKA to regulate transcription of the ΔCRE Gal4 PEPCK gene and restored the ability of SRCAP to stimulate PKA-activated transcription. In addition, SRCAP in the presence of PKA enhances the ability of the Gal-CREB chimera to activate transcription of a Gal-CAT reporter gene that contains only binding sites for Gal4. SRCAP binds to CBP amino acids 280–460, a region that is important for CBP to function as a coactivator for CREB. Overexpression of a SRCAP peptide corresponding to this CBP binding domain acts as a dominant negative inhibitor of CREB-mediated transcription. Structure-function studies were done to explore the mechanism(s) by which SRCAP regulates transcription. These studies indicate that the N-terminal region of SRCAP, which contains five of the seven regions that comprise the ATPase domain, is not needed for activation of CREB-mediated transcription. SRCAP apparently has several domains that participate in the activation of transcription.
Using Arena for Simulation of Pedestrian Crossing in Roundabout Areas

The pedestrian crossing process in roundabout areas is modeled as a two-stage crossing demarked by a splitter island. A composite queuing system is used to describe the process. The system was simulated by using Arena, a general-purpose simulator chosen for its convenient flowchart modeling capability and vast built-in statistical analysis tools. The model outputs indicate that this composite model is able to provide basic insights into the pedestrian crossing process. Sensitivity analyses revealed that often-overlooked traffic parameters, such as the pedestrian holding space in the splitter island, could have significant impacts on pedestrian crossing performance and capacity.
Synthesis-enabled probing of mitosene structural space leads to improved IC₅₀ over mitomycin C

A DNA crosslinking approach, which is distinct but related to the double alkylation by mitomycin C, involving a novel electrophilic spiro-cyclopropane intermediate is hypothesized. Rational design and substantial structural simplification permitted the expedient chemical synthesis and rapid discovery of MTSB-6, a mitomycin C analogue which is twice as potent as mitomycin C against the prostate cancer cells. MTSB-6 shows improvements in its selective action against noncancer prostate cells over mitomycin C. This hypothesis-driven discovery opens novel yet synthetically accessible mitosene structural space for discovering more potent and less toxic therapeutic candidates.
Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Producing New Delhi Metallo- β -Lactamase at an Acute Care Hospital, Colorado, 2012

Objective. To investigate an outbreak of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)–producing carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) and determine interventions to interrupt transmission.Design, Setting, and Patients. Epidemiologic investigation of an outbreak of NDM-producing CRE among patients at a Colorado acute care hospital.Methods. Case patients had NDM-producing CRE isolated from clinical or rectal surveillance cultures (SCs) collected during the period January 1, 2012, through October 20, 2012. Case patients were identified through microbiology records and 6 rounds of SCs in hospital units where they had resided. CRE isolates were tested by real-time polymerase chain reaction for blaNDM. Medical records were reviewed for epidemiologic links; relatedness of isolates was evaluated by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole genome sequencing (WGS). Infection control (IC) was assessed through staff interviews and direct observations.Results. Two patients were initially identified with NDM-pr...
Structures of the T. brucei kRNA editing factor MRB1590 reveal unique RNA-binding pore motif contained within an ABC-ATPase fold

Kinetoplastid RNA (kRNA) editing is a process that creates translatable mitochondrial mRNA transcripts from cryptogene encoded RNAs and is unique for kinetoplastids, such as Trypanosoma brucei. In addition to the catalytic 20S editosome, multiple accessory proteins are required for this conversion. Recently, the multiprotein mitochondrial RNA binding complex 1 (MRB1) has emerged as a key player in this process. MRB1 consists of six core proteins but makes dynamic interactions with additional accessory proteins. Here we describe the characterization of one such factor, the 72 kDa MRB1590 protein. In vivo experiments indicate a role for MRB1590 in editing mitochondrial mRNA transcripts, in particular the transcript encoding the ATP synthase subunit 6 (A6). Structural studies show that MRB1590 is dimeric and contains a central ABC-ATPase fold embedded between novel N- and C-terminal regions. The N-terminal domains combine to create a basic pore and biochemical studies indicate residues in this region participate in RNA binding. Structures capturing distinct MRB1590 conformations reveal that the RNA binding pore adopts closed and open states, with the latter able to accommodate RNA. Based on these findings, implications for MRB1590 function are discussed.
A generic geometric calibration method for tomographic imaging systems with flat-panel detectors—A detailed implementation guide

Purpose: To present a generic geometric calibration method for tomographic imagingsystems with flat-panel detectors in a very detailed manner, in the aim to provide a useful tool to the public domain. Methods: The method is based on a projection matrix which represents a mapping from 3D object coordinate system to 2D projection image plane. The projection matrix can be determined experimentally through the imaging of a phantom of known marker geometry. Accurate implementation was accomplished through direct computation algorithms, including a novel ellipse fitting using singular value decomposition and data normalization. Benefits of the method include: (1) It is capable of being applied to systems of different scan trajectories, source-detector alignments, and detector orientations; (2) projection matrices can be utilized in image reconstructions or in the extraction of explicit geometrical parameters; and (3) the method imposes minimal limits on the design of calibration phantom. C++ programs that calculate projection matrices and extract geometric parameters from them are also provided. For validation, the calibration method was applied to the computer simulation of a cone-beam CTsystem, as well as to three tomosynthesis prototypes of different source-detector movement patterns: Source and detector rotating synchronizedly; source rotating and detector wobbling; and source rotating and detector staying stationary. Results: Projection matrices were computed on a view by view basis. Geometric parameters extracted from projection matrices were consistent with actual settings. Images were reconstructed by directly using projection matrices, and were compared to virtual Shepp–Logan image for CT simulation and to central projection images of CIRS breast phantoms for tomosynthesis prototypes. They showed no obvious distortion or blurring, indicating the high quality of geometric calibration results. When the computed central ray offsets were perturbed with Gaussian noises of 1 pixel standard deviation, the reconstructed image showed apparent distortion, which further demonstrated the accuracy of the geometric calibration method. Conclusions: The method is suitable for tomographic imagingsystems with flat-panel detectors.
Management of pediatric myxopapillary ependymoma: the role of adjuvant radiation.

Introduction Myxopapillary ependymoma (MPE) is a rare tumor in children. The primary treatment is gross total resection (GTR), with no clearly defined role for adjuvant radiation therapy (RT). Published reports, however, suggest that children with MPE present with a more aggressive disease course. The goal of this study was to assess the role of adjuvant RT in pediatric patients with MPE. Methods Sixteen patients with MPE seen at Johns Hopkins Hospital (JHH) between November 1984 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Fifteen of the patients were evaluable with a mean age of 16.8 years (range, 12-21 years). Kaplan-Meier curves and descriptive statistics were used for analysis. Results All patients received surgery as the initial treatment modality. Surgery consisted of either a GTR or a subtotal resection (STR). The median dose of adjuvant RT was 50.4 Gy (range, 45-54 Gy). All patients receiving RT were treated at the involved site. After a median follow-up of 7.2 years (range, 0.75-26.4 years), all patients were alive with stable disease. Local control at 5 and 10 years was 62.5% and 30%, respectively, for surgery alone versus 100% at both time points for surgery and adjuvant RT. Fifty percent of the patients receiving surgery alone had local failure. All patients receiving STR alone had local failure compared to 33% of patients receiving GTR alone. One patient in the surgery and adjuvant RT group developed a distant site of recurrence 1 year from diagnosis. No late toxicity was reported at last follow-up, and neurologic symptoms either improved or remained stable following surgery with or without RT. Conclusions Adjuvant RT improved local control compared to surgery alone and should be considered after surgical resection in pediatric patients with MPE.
Prospective remembering in younger and older adults: role of the prospective cue

In these studies, adult age differences in event-based prospective memory were examined using an adapted version of G.O. Einstein and M.A. McDaniel's (1990) task. In Experiments 1-3, we varied prospective cue specificity by assigning a specific target word or an unspecified word drawn from a given taxonomic category. In Experiment 3, we manipulated cue typicality by presenting low or high typicality target words. Results yielded positive effects of cue specificity on prospective performance. Age effects occurred when high typicality target words served as prospective cues (Exps. 1 and 3), but younger and older adults performed comparably with moderate and low typicality words (Exps. 2 and 3). Hierarchical regression analyses indicated that age accounted for a small but significant amount of variance in prospective memory, although the contribution of age was substantially reduced after statistically controlling for recognition memory. Implications of these data for current views on prospective remembering are discussed.
Polyelectrolyte Multilayers Fabricated from 'Charge-Shifting' Anionic Polymers: A New Approach to Controlled Film Disruption and the Release of Cationic Agents from Surfaces.

We report an approach to the design of ‘charge-shifting’ anionic polymers that provides control over the disruption of ultrathin polyelectrolyte multilayers in aqueous media. We demonstrate that the addition of citraconic anhydride to poly(allylamine) yields an anionic, carboxylate-functionalized polymer (polymer 2) that can be converted readily back to cationic poly(allylamine) in acidic environments. The incorporation of polymer 2 into polyelectrolyte multilayers thus provides an approach to the fabrication of films that are stable at neutral pH but that erode over a period of several days in acidic media (e.g., pH ∼ 5). Experiments using a structural analog of polymer 2 with carboxylate side chains that do not hydrolyze readily provided support for the view that the disruption of these films occurred as a result of polymer side chain hydrolysis and a resulting change in the net charge of the polymers. Because this approach is based upon the use of anionic polymers to induce film instability, it provides a platform for the design of multilayers that can be used to provide control over the release of cationic film components. As proof of concept, we demonstrated that ultrathin films ∼100 nm thick fabricated using polymer 2 sustain the release of fluorescently labeled PAH for up to four days when incubated at pH 5.0. The synthetic approach used here is modular and tunable and can be used to introduce anionic ‘charge-shifting’ character to a broad range of other polyamines. With further development, this approach could expand significantly the range of different cationic agents (e.g., cationic proteins, peptides, polymers, nanoparticles, etc.) that can be released or delivered from surfaces using polyelectrolyte multilayers.
Asymmetric Syntheses of l,l‐ and l,d‐Di‐myo‐inositol‐1,1′‐phosphate and their Behavior as Stabilizers of Enzyme Activity at Extreme Temperatures

Hitzeschutz: Die Totalsynthese von l,l-DIP und l,d-DIP (siehe Strukturen) beinhaltet als Schlusselschritt den komplexen Fall einer doppelten asymmetrischen Induktion. Die thermoprotektive Wirkung beider Isomere auf Enzyme wurde untersucht, und beide zeigen biologische Aktivitat.
Antigenic Relationship of Turkey Coronavirus Isolates from Different Geographic Locations in the United States

The purpose of the present study was to examine the antigenicity of turkey coronavirus (TCV) isolates from various geographic areas with antibodies to different viruses. Seventeen isolates of TCV were recovered from intestinal samples submitted to Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Purdue University, from turkey farms located in different geographic areas. The prototype TCV Minnesota isolate (TCV-ATCC) was obtained from the American Type Culture Collection. Intestinal sections were prepared from turkey embryos infected with different TCV isolates and reacted with polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies to TCV, infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), bovine coronavirus (BCV), transmissible gastroenteritis virus (TGEV), reovirus, rotavirus, adenovirus, or enterovirus in immunofluorescent antibody staining. All 18 TCV isolates have the same antigenic reactivity pattern with the same panel of antibodies. Positive reactivity was seen with polyclonal antibodies to the TCV Indiana isolate, the TCV Virginia isolate, TCV-ATCC, and the IBV Massachusetts strain as well as monoclonal antibodies to the TCV North Carolina isolate or the membrane protein of IBV. Antibodies to BCV or TGEV were not reactive with any of the TCV isolates. Reactivity of antibodies to unrelated virus, rotavirus, reovirus, adenovirus, or enterovirus with different TCV isolates was all negative, except positive response was seen between enterovirus antibody and a TCV western North Carolina isolate, suggesting coinfection of turkeys with TCV and enterovirus in that particular case. The results indicated that the TCV isolates from these geographic locations in the U.S. shared close antigenicity and were antigenically related to IBV.
Nanostructuring of Palladium with Low-Temperature Helium Plasma

Impingement of high fluxes of helium ions upon metals at elevated temperatures has given rise to the growth of nanostructured layers on the surface of several metals, such as tungsten and molybdenum. These nanostructured layers grow from the bulk material and have greatly increased surface area over that of a not nanostructured surface. They are also superior to deposited nanostructures due to a lack of worries over adhesion and differences in material properties. Several palladium samples of varying thickness were biased and exposed to a helium helicon plasma. The nanostructures were characterized as a function of the thickness of the palladium layer and of temperature. Bubbles of ~100 nm in diameter appear to be integral to the nanostructuring process. Nanostructured palladium is also shown to have better catalytic activity than not nanostructured palladium.
Negative-parity yrast states in /sup 150/Gd

High-spin states populated by the /sup 150/Sm(..cap alpha..,4n)/sup 150/Gd reaction have been studied by in-beam ..gamma..-ray and conversion-electron spectroscopy. Conversion-electron data for the decay of 5.8-min /sup 150/Tb to levels in /sup 150/Gd have also been obtained. The proposed level scheme for /sup 150/Gd includes 21 levels, 11 of which are previously unreported. A sequence of odd-spin negative-parity states from 17/sup -/ to 3/sup -/ carries most of the yrast-cascade intensity. This sequence is interpreted as containing two quasirotational bands. The states below 11/sup -/ represent a band built on an octupole vibration while those above 11/sup -/ constitute a band built on an ..nu.. (i/sub 13/2/h/sub 9/2/)11/sup -/ quasiparticle state. Other quasipartice states arising from the ..nu.. (i/sub 13/2/h/sub 9/2/) and ..nu.. (f/sub 7/2/h/sub 9/2/) configurations are proposed.
Preparation for the Twenty-First Century: The Educational Challenge

In my previous Presidential Addresses, I focused primarily on organizational and practice issues. There is another essential element of our profession that seldom receives major support, seldom is recognized for its accomplishments over the years, and seldom receives the attention it deserves from this Association. Because I strongly believe that our professional education programs represent a generic source of critical importance to the future of physical therapy, education will be the focus of my Address this year. Individually and collectively, we, as physical therapists, have a tendency to be somewhat schizophrenic in our behaviors and perspectives regarding our education programs and our academic colleagues, particularly those involved in entry-level education.…
The Correlation between Site of Infection and Maximal Concentrating Ability in Bacteriuria

employed to determine the site of infection, indicate that recurrent infection may not necessarily involve the upper tract and offer an explanation of why only some patients with chronic bacteriuria are unable to excrete a maximally concentrated urine [6, 7]. The present study was undertaken to compare the maximal urinary concentrating ability in patients with infection carefully localized to the bladder with patients in whom bacteriuria emanated from 1 or both upper collecting systems. In addition, the infected kidney and its noninfected counterpart were compared during maximal antidiuresis in patients with unilateral infection. Finally, patients with impaired function on the initial examination were reevaluated following antimicrobial therapy.
73 INHIBITION OF HEME OXYGENASE ACTIVITY FOLLOWING REPEATED HEME LOADS BY TIN MESOPORPHYRIN IN NEWBORN MICE.

Heme oxygenase (HO) is the rate-limiting enzyme in the degradation of heme and produces equimolar amounts of carbon monoxide (CO), iron, and bilirubin. Because excess bilirubin production due to increased heme loads (ie, hemolysis) can lead to the development of jaundice, the use of competitive HO inhibitors, such as tin mesoporphyrin (SnMP), may be an ideal treatment strategy for the prevention of pathologic neonatal jaundice (or hyperbilirubinemia). Our objective was to determine the effect of SnMP on HO activity following heme loading in newborn mice. Seven-day-old mice were administered 30 μM hemin (H) by subcutaneous (SQ) injection on day 1. On the second day, mice were administered with 30 or 3.75 μM SnMP (SnMP30 or SnMP3.75, respectively) or vehicle (V) by direct intragastric injections. On day 3, V or a second H load was injected SQ again. On the fourth day, mice were sacrificed and liver, spleen, and brain harvested for quantitation of HO activity using gas chromatography. %HO activity compared to the H-V-V Group (mean ± SD) for each group (n = 4-6 per group) is shown in the table below: In the H-SnMP30-V group, HO activity was significantly inhibited in all tissues. In the H-SnMP3.75-V group, liver and spleen were inhibited at the same level as that of the H-SnMP30-V group, but without inhibition of brain HO activity. Following a second heme load (H-V-H group), HO activity increased 36%, 27%, and 15% in liver, spleen, and brain, respectively. In the H-SnMP30-H group, HO activity was still significantly inhibited in all tissues. In contrast, for the H-SnMP3.75-H group, HO activity was no longer inhibited. We conclude the administration of 30 and 3.75 μM SnMP was similarly potent after a single heme load. However, after a second heme load, only SnMP at a dose of 30 μM was effective in inhibiting not only liver HO activity but also that of the brain. These findings show that low doses of SnMP do not exert long-term inhibition of HO activity in the context of repeated heme loads. This work was supported by National Institutes of Health grants #HL68703 and HD58013.
Interactive effects of thermal environment and dietary amino acid and fat levels on rate and efficiency of growth of pigs housed in a conventional nursery.

In four trials, 480 weanling pigs were housed in a conventional nursery maintained at 20 or 30 degrees C, which represented a cool and hot thermal environment, respectively. They were allowed ad libitum access to corn-soybean meal-dried whey diets containing .7, 1.0, or 1.3% lysine and 0 or 5% added fat (choice white grease). The pigs were weaned between 27 and 33 d of age (7.27 +/- .90 kg) and penned in groups of five for the duration of the 42-d trials. Pigs housed in the cool environment consumed more feed (P < .01), gained more weight (P < .01), and utilized feed more efficiently (P < .01) than those in the hot environment. As dietary lysine levels were increased in the 20 and 30 degrees C environments, daily weight gains and gain:feed ratios increased linearly (P < .01) from d 0 to 21 and quadratically (P < .01) from d 21 to 42. However, the magnitudes of the increases were less in the cool environment, resulting in temperature x lysine interactions (P < .05). As the pig's feed intake, body weight, and heat production increased over time, the 20 and 30 degrees C environments became progressively warmer relative to the animal's zone of thermoneutrality. The associated reductions over time in energy and lysine intakes relative to the pigs' maintenance needs resulted in an increase in the concentration of dietary lysine needed to maximize rate and efficiency of gain in the 30 degrees C environment but not in the 20 degrees C environment (temperature x lysine x period interaction, P < .10).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)