cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of the iron(III) complexes of tetra-(β,β'-tetramethylene)tetraphenylporphyrin, (TC6TPP)FeCl and (TC6TPP)FeONO2

The synthesis, NMR and EPR spectroscopic investigation as well as two crystal structures of (TC6TPP)FeX, where X- = chloride and nitrate are reported. The crystal structure of (TC6TPP)FeCl reveals an almost equal mixture of saddled and ruffled distortion of the porphyrin as judged by the coefficients of the lowest-frequency vibrational modes (calculated from Normal-Coordinate Structural Decomposition), while (TC6TPP)FeONO2 is mainly saddled and more distorted overall. This difference in core structure indicates high conformational flexibility of the TC6TPP porphyrin ligand. Overall, both (TC6TPP)FeX structures have smaller deviation from planarity as compared to five coordinate (OMTPP)FeCl and (OETPP)FeCl. Therefore, the nature and number of peripheral substituents as well as the axial ligand(s) control geometry and conformation of the porphyrins and fine-tune their spectroscopic properties. EPR data (4.2 K) indicate a predominantly high-spin (S = 5/2, 97.3%) ground state for (TC6TPP)FeCl and less pure high-spin state (S = 5/2, 80%) for (TC6TPP)FeONO2. The NMR results support an ideally saddled structure or rapid switching between saddled and ruffled conformations of (TC6TPP)FeX in solution. The flexibility of the porphyrin core was addressed by using dynamic NMR spectroscopy. The following kinetic parameters for ring inversion were obtained: ΔH‡ = 24(1) kJ.mol−1, ΔS‡ = −37(3) J.mol−1.K−1 and ΔH‡ = 36(1) kJ.mol−1, ΔS‡ = 20(4) J.mol−1.K−1 for (TC6TPP)FeCl and (TC6TPP)FeONO2, respectively. This results in low free energies of activation, ΔG298‡ = 35(2) and 30(2) kJ.mol−1, respectively, indicating extremely high flexibility of the porphyrin core in solution (kex298 > 4.2 × 106 and 3.8 × 107 s−1).
Role of Staphylococcus Aureus Exfoliative Toxin a in Neonatal Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome. • 1335

Role of Staphylococcus Aureus Exfoliative Toxin a in Neonatal Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome. • 1335
Cloud cover-adjusted ultraviolet B irradiance and pancreatic cancer incidence in 172 countries

Abstract Background Controversy exists regarding whether vitamin D deficiency could influence the etiology of pancreatic cancer. Several cohort studies have found that high serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are associated with low risk of pancreatic cancer, while others have not. Hypothesis Low ultraviolet B irradiance is associated with high incidence of pancreatic cancer. Methods Age-standardized pancreatic cancer incidence rates were obtained from GLOBOCAN in 2008. The association between cloud-adjusted UVB irradiance and age-standardized incidence rates of pancreatic cancer was analyzed using regression. Results Overall, the lower the cloud-adjusted UVB irradiance, the higher the incidence rate of pancreatic cancer. Residents of countries with low UVB irradiance had approximately 6 times the incidence rates as those in countries with high UVB irradiance (p Conclusions There was an inverse association of cloud-adjusted UVB irradiance with incidence of pancreatic cancer that persisted after adjustment. This result is consistent with an inverse association of overall vitamin D deficiency in countries with lower UVB irradiance with risk of pancreatic cancer. Further research on the role of 25(OH)D in reduction of pancreatic cancer in individuals would be desirable to expand the limited avenues available for prevention of this highly fatal disease. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘17th Vitamin D Workshop’.
Investors prefer entrepreneurial ventures pitched by attractive men

Entrepreneurship is a central path to job creation, economic growth, and prosperity. In the earliest stages of start-up business creation, the matching of entrepreneurial ventures to investors is critically important. The entrepreneur’s business proposition and previous experience are regarded as the main criteria for investment decisions. Our research, however, documents other critical criteria that investors use to make these decisions: the gender and physical attractiveness of the entrepreneurs themselves. Across a field setting (three entrepreneurial pitch competitions in the United States) and two experiments, we identify a profound and consistent gender gap in entrepreneur persuasiveness. Investors prefer pitches presented by male entrepreneurs compared with pitches made by female entrepreneurs, even when the content of the pitch is the same. This effect is moderated by male physical attractiveness: attractive males were particularly persuasive, whereas physical attractiveness did not matter among female entrepreneurs.
Stress and physical health: the role of neighborhoods as mediating and moderating mechanisms

Using data from the 1995 Detroit Area Study (N = 1106) in conjunction with tract-level data from the 1990 census, this paper evaluates the relationship between residential stability and physical health among black and white adults. Results suggest that neighborhood-level variation in health is primarily mediated by key sociodemographic characteristics of individuals (e.g., age, race, and socioeconomic status). However, a significant portion of health differentials across neighborhoods is due to disparate stress levels across neighborhoods. Further, high levels of neighborhood stability provide an important buffer to the otherwise deleterious effects of increased stress levels on adults' overall health.
The role of free choice in memory for past decisions

After choosing between different options, people tend to remember the features of the options in ways that favour the chosen alternative. The present experiment examined how limitations on freedom to choose between options affected this memory bias. Participants were given a series of two-option choices and were either allowed free choice between options or were assigned to an option. Participants assigned to an option were led to believe that either the selection was random or was made in their best interest based on their personality profile. Results indicated that the choice and best interest conditions demonstrated memory attributions that favoured their received options, whereas the assignment condition did not. These findings support the view that memory biases towards received options are not unique to free choice situations, but may stem from expectations and implicit theories about how and why the choice was made.
Effects of heroin deprivation on oral health

Abstract A study conducted in two geographically distinct correctional institutions indicates that there is no statistically significant difference between the oral health profiles of female former heroin addicts and those of nonaddicts who are incarcerated. Active heroin addicts have poorer oral hygiene than former heroin addicts at all age levels. They also have more periodontal disease than former heroin addicts. There was no statistically significant difference between DMFT scores for the active heroin addicts and former heroin addicts.
Cushing's Disease with Cyclic Hormonogenesis and Diabetes Insipidus

A cyclic excess of cortisol secretion was detected in a patient with diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus. The cycles of hypercortisolism were of 7 days' duration, but during the nadir of these cycles urinary excretion of corticosteroids and 17-ketosteroids was within the normal range. The radiological appearance of the sella turcica was normal; however, computerized axial tomography of the head revealed a small tumor immediately superior to the sella turcica. At operation a small chromophobe adenoma superior to the diaphragma sellae and involving the hypophysial stalk was partially resected. Postoperatively, the patient continued to have 7-day cycles of increased corticosteroid excretion, but the amounts excreted were less than they had been preoperatively. Other patients have been described in whom Cushing's disease has been due to cyclic hypercortisolism. These cycles have been remarkably regular in individual patients, but of variable duration in different patients. Furthermore, cyclic hormonogenesis probably occurs in a variety of endocrinopathies. (Neurosurgery, 5: 598--603, 1979).
All motors have to decide is what to do with the DNA that is given them.

DNA translocases are a diverse group of molec- ular motors responsible for a wide variety of cellular functions. The goal of this review is to identify common aspects in the mechanisms for how these enzymes cou- ple the binding and hydrolysis of ATP to their movement along DNA. Not surprisingly, the shared structural com- ponents contained within the catalytic domains of several of these motors appear to give rise to common aspects of DNA translocation. Perhaps more interesting, however, are the differences between the families of translocases and the potential associated implications both for the functions of the members of these families and for the evolution of these families. However, as there are few translocases for which complete characterizations of the mechanisms of DNA binding, DNA translocation, and DNA-stimulated ATPase have been completed, it is diffi- cult to form many inferences. We therefore hope that this review motivates the necessary further experimentation required for broader comparisons and conclusions.
Towards developing skylight design tools for thermal and energy performance of atriums in cold climates

This paper presents an analysis of the impact of selected design alternatives on the thermal and energy performance of atriums based on the methodology outlined in the accompanying paper. Computer simulation programs were used to predict the impact of the selected design alternatives on the design performance outputs of atriums. Design alternatives focused on fenestration glazing types, fenestration surface area, skylight shape, atrium type, and interaction of the atrium with its adjacent spaces. Design performance outputs, evaluated with respect to a basecase design, included seasonal solar heat gain ratio, cooling and heating peak load ratios and annual cooling, heating and total energy ratios. Design tools were developed to quantify the impact of the design alternatives on the performance outputs. The design tools were cast into two-dimensional linear relationships with the glazing U-value and SHGC ratios as independent parameters. The results for enclosed atriums showed that the annual cooling energy ratio increased at a rate of 1.196 per unit of SHGC ratio and decreased at a rate of 0.382 per unit of U-value ratio. However, the annual heating energy ratio increased at a rate of 1.954 per unit of U-value ratio and decreased at a rate of 1.081 per unit of SHGC ratio. Similar trends were also found for the three-sided and linear atriums. Pyramidal/pitched skylights increased the solar heat gain ratio by up to 25% in the heating season compared to flat skylights. The effect of the skylight shape on the annual cooling and heating energy may be positive or negative, depending on the glazing U-value and SHGC ratios and the atrium type. Atriums open to their adjacent spaces reduced the annual cooling energy ratio by up to 76% compared to closed atrium spaces. However, open atrium spaces increased the annual heating energy ratio by up to 19%.
Vowels and consonants as targets in the search of single words

Ss searched four- and six-letter words typed in uppercase for predesignated target letters, Reaction times to vowel targets were faster than to consonant targets for both stimulus lengths; this was true whether or not the target was contained in the stimulus word. The results are interpreted to indicate that an early stage in word perception is the location of vowels, as proposed by Hansen and Rogers, 1968.
Structure and Function of Biological Macromolecules in Solution: The Unique Role of Small-Angle Neutron Scattering

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) is a useful tool for investigating the structure of complex biological macromolecules in solution. Neutrons are very sensitive to the scattering from the light elements such as hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen and oxygen which are of central importance to all biological systems. In addition, hydrogen and deuterium have very different neutron scattering strengths so the isotopic substitution of D for H is routinely used to change the scattering from a system without affecting its biochemistry. The concept of SANS from biological macromolecules will be introduced, with an emphasis on how SANS can provide unique insight into macromolecular structure and function. Specific examples will be provided, including the use of D-H substitution and contrast variation to determine the structure of the individual components in a two-component complex.
Statin use and the risk of recurrence after radical prostatectomy in a cohort of men with inherited and/or early-onset forms of prostate cancer.

Objective To investigate whether the use of statin medications is associated with a reduced risk of biochemical recurrence (BCR) in men with inherited and/or early-onset prostate cancer who have been treated with radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP). Methods Study patients are men with inherited and/or early-onset prostate cancer enrolled in the University of Michigan Prostate Cancer Genetics Project. Men enrolled in Prostate Cancer Genetics Project were surveyed to determine statin medication use history from 1999 to 2009. Diagnosis and treatment data were taken from medical records. BCR was defined as a single increase in prostate-specific antigen level to ≥0.4 ng/mL after treatment with RRP. Statin use was modeled as a time-dependent variable, and BCR after RRP was both examined using crude Cox proportional hazards models and adjusted for known clinical prognostic factors. Results A total of 539 men treated with RRP were included in this study. Of these, 47.9% of men used statin medications, and 115 (21%) men experienced a recurrence. Ever-statin use was not associated with risk of recurrence in crude models (hazards ratio = 1.04, 95% confidence interval = 0.72-1.49, P value = .86) or in models adjusted for clinical characteristics (hazards ratio = 1.06, 95% confidence interval = 0.68-1.64, P value = .81). Furthermore, no association was observed when comparing men with high-Gleason grade cancers with those with low-Gleason grade cancers. Conclusion Statin use was not associated with a reduced risk of BCR after RRP in this study; however, these men at increased risk for prostate cancer represent a subgroup of men who may benefit from further study of statin medication use to slow or prevent BCR.
Do federal farm policies influence surface water quality

Federal government farm payments authorized by the Farm Bill accounted for 32% of the total U.S. net farm income in 2005. This study uses Census of Agriculture and nitrate-nitrogen (NN) data to ask whether there is a quantifiable relationship between the allocation of these farm payments and indicators of surface water quality using 29 independent watersheds covering 28% of the conterminous U.S. The analysis identifies a significant relationship between increasing government farm payments and: (1) increasing riverine NN concentrations, (2) more expansive fertilizer applications, (3) commodity specialization, and (4) reductions in cropland diversity. These results suggest that federal farm policies could be an important factor affecting water quality, and the authors present a working hypothesis that farm policies influence land use decisions that, in turn, ultimately influence water quality. These farm payments, subsequently, could be used as a potent policy instrument to influence alternative environmental and economic outcomes that protect soil and water resources.
Comparative rates of metabolism of pipecolic acid in several animal species.

Abstract 1. 1. The rate of metabolism of pipecolic acid, measured in liver and kidney, varied 1000 fold among 10 animal species. Degradation of l -pipecolic acid by kidney in rat and mouse was 0.11 and 0.31 pmoles/min/mg protein, respectively; in monkey and human, 3.0 and 6.5; in guinea-pig and rabbit 101 and 106. 2. 2. Activity with d -pipecolic acid was consistently 50–60% higher than the l -isomer except in the rabbit. 3. 3. Degradation of l -lysine, presumably through the saccharopine-α-aminoadipic acid pathway, was effective in all species, contrasting with the variable performance in the pipecolic acid-α-aminoadipic acid pathway.
Combinations of motor measures more strongly predict adverse health outcomes in old age: the rush memory and aging project, a community-based cohort study

Motor impairment in old age is a growing public-health concern, and several different constructs have been used to identify motor impairments in older people. We tested the hypothesis that combinations of motor constructs more strongly predict adverse health outcomes in older people. In total, 949 people without dementia, history of stroke or Parkinson's disease, who were participating in the Rush Memory and Aging Project (a longitudinal community-based cohort study), underwent assessment at study entry. From this, three constructs were derived: 1) physical frailty based on grip strength, timed walk, body mass index and fatigue; 2) Parkinsonian Signs Score based on the modified motor section of the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale; and 3) a motor construct, based on nine strength measures and nine motor performances. Disability and cognitive status were assessed annually. A series of Cox proportional-hazards models, controlling for age, sex and education, were used to examine the association of each of these three constructs alone and in various combinations with death, disability and Alzheimer's disease (AD). All three constructs were related (mean r = 0.50, all P < 0.001), and when considered individually in separate proportional-hazards models, were associated with risk of death, incident disability and AD. However, when considered together, combinations of these constructs more strongly predicted adverse health outcomes. Physical frailty, parkinsonian signs score and global motor score are related constructs that capture different aspects of motor function. Assessments using several motor constructs may more accurately identify people at the highest risk of adverse health consequences in old age.
Theories of permanently bound quarks

A relativistic theory of permanently bound quarks is studied. A covariant wave equation is formulated which describes a system of bound spin-0 constituents. The bound states of quarks are found to lie on approximately linear Regge trajectories. Locality and the cluster decomposition property are discussed in the context of these theories. Multimeson states are described. Procedures for calculating form factors and structure functions are outlined. This paper concludes that theories of permanently bound quarks are physically acceptable relativistic particle theories.
Synthesis of the major oligosaccharide components of murine haemangioendothelioma cells.

Abstract Murine haemangioendothelioma cells in culture synthesize lactosaminoglycan-type glycoproteins which are found both associated with cells and secreted into the culture medium. Pronase-derived glycopeptides, prepared from the [ 3 H]glucosamine-labeled glycoproteins that were secreted into the culture medium were found to contain about 10% of the labeled products as large size ( M r >5000) 3 H-labeled glycopeptides. In contrast, 40% of the cellular 3 H-glycopeptides were found to be of this large size class of glycopeptides. These large size glycopeptides did not bind to Con A-Sepharose but did bind to Datura stramonium -agarose, from which they were eluted with chitobiose. The glycopeptides which did not bind to Datura -lectin were sulfated complex-type oligosaccharides which were not degraded by endo-β-galactosidase. The glycopeptides which bound to Datura -lectin were degraded by endo-β-galactosidase (or keratanase) to yield Gal→GlcNAc→Gal and glycopeptides, which were resistant to further endo-β-galactosidase digestion and which no longer bound to Datura lectin-agarose. A major [ 3 H]glucosamine-labelled glycoprotein ( M r approx. 75 000) was found to be susceptible to endo-β-galactosidase degradation and is probably the major cellular constituent having lactosaminoglycan-type side chains in theses cells. An in vitro assay to measure leucocyte-haemangioendothelioma interactions indicated that treatment of haemangioendothelioma cells with endo-β-galactosidase reduced leucocyte binding to these cells by 80%.
Large Strain Behavior of Brain Tissue: Mechanical Testing and Preliminary Modeling

Understanding the mechanical response of brain tissue to dynamic loading conditions is critically needed for the development of realistic brain injury models. The characterization of the tissue behavior via mechanical testing and numerical modeling remains, however, challenging because of the strongly nonlinear time- and strain-dependencies inherent in the tissue response. While several studies [1–4] have uncovered some essential features of this response, the integration of all these features — nonlinearities, hysteresis, volumetric behavior — into one single constitutive framework remains an area of active research [5].Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Communication correlates of teacher clarity in the college classroom

Teacher clarity was found to be positively correlated with perceived nonverbal immediacy and socio‐communicative style of the instructor. It also was found to be associated with enhanced student affect toward the instructor and the course. Students who perceived the verbal and nonverbal communication of their instructors as being clear and understandable also perceived their instructors as being nonverbally immediate, assertive, and responsive.
Teachers' Ability to Accurately Identify Disordered Voices.

The present study investigated whether or not elementary school classroom teachers can, without special training, consistently identify children with disordered voices. Forty-five elementary school...
Microstructure-property relations in as-extruded ultrahigh-carbon steels

The microstructure and mechanical properties of as-extruded ultrahigh-carbon steels (UHCSs) are described. Extrusion ratios of 16:1 reduction were used at extrusion temperatures of 900 °C, 1025 °C, and 1150 °C. Air cooling followed the extrusion process. The compositions of the four UHCSs investigated ranged from 1.2 to 1.8 pct C and contained either aluminum or silicon and/or chromium as the principal alloying elements. The as-extruded microstructures were predominantly pearlitic. Detailed examination of the microstructures allowed determination of the composition and extrusion temperature at which grain-boundary carbide networks and graphite can be avoided. It is shown that the yield strength of the as-extruded bars, for a given UHCS alloy composition, correlates well with the interlamellar spacing, independent of the extrusion temperature. Ultimate tensile strengths ranged from 1000 to 1690 MPa, and elongations to failure ranged from 3 to 12.5 pct. The present results indicate that single-step mechanical working of UHCSs to achieve fully pearlitic structures, with no postworking heat treatment, can lead to a new class of ultrahigh-strength steels.
Hospital cost shifting revisited: new evidence from the balanced budget act of 1997

This paper analyzes hospital cost shifting using a natural experiment generated by the Balanced Budget Act (BBA) of 1997. I find evidence that urban hospitals were able to shift part of the burden of Medicare payment reduction onto private payers. However, the overall estimated degree of cost shifting is small and varies according to a hospital’s share of private patients. At hospitals where Medicare is a small payer relative to private insurers, up to 37% of BBA cuts was transferred to private payers through higher payments. In contrast, hospitals with greater reliance on Medicare were more financially distressed, as these hospitals saw large BBA cuts but were limited in their abilities to cost shift.
Expression of the transporter for antigen processing-1 (Tap-1) gene in subpopulations of human trophoblast cells

Heterodimers of transporter for antigen processing proteins, Tap-1 and Tap-2, are essential components of the pathway that leads to expression of conventional HLA-A, -B class I transplantation antigens on cell surfaces. In this study, expression of the Tap-1 gene in trophoblast cells, some of which display novel and unconventional HLA class I molecules that include HLA-G and an HLA-C-like antigen, was investigated by using in situ hybridization to identify Tap-1 mRNA and immunohistochemistry to detect Tap-1 protein. The experiments were done on semiserial sections of paraformaldehyde-fixed tissues. In first trimester placentas, expression of the Tap-1 gene correlated with expression of HLA class I antigens in trophoblast cells. HLA-G/C positive extravillous cytotrophoblast cells exhibited high intensity in situ hybridization signals for Tap-1 mRNA and strong staining with anti-Tap-1 whereas Tap-1 gene products were rarely detected in HLA class I antigen negative syncytiotrophoblast and villous cytotrophoblast cells. Relationships were less definitive in term tissues. Although Tap-1 protein was detectable in extravillous cytotrophoblast cells (chorionic cytotrophoblast cells) as expected, HLA class I negative syncytiotrophoblast contained low intensity hybridization and immunostaining signals. Collectively, the data suggest that (1) as with conventional HLA class I antigens in other types of cells, the pathway leading to expression of novel HLA class I antigens in trophoblast cells includes transport of peptides by Tap-1, and that (2) deficiencies in Tap-1 might account in (whole or in) part for the failure of some trophoblast cells to express HLA class I antigens.
Duration of Plant Damage by Host Larvae Affects Attraction of Two Parasitoid Species (Microplitis croceipes and Cotesia marginiventris) to Cotton: Implications for Interspecific Competition

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released by herbivore-damaged plants can guide parasitoids to their hosts. The quantity and quality of VOC blends emitted by plants may be affected by the duration of plant damage by herbivores, which could have potential ramifications on the recruitment of competing parasitoids. We used two parasitoid species, Microplitis croceipes and Cotesia marginiventris (Hymenoptera: Braconidae), to address the question of whether duration of plant damage affects parasitoid use of plant VOCs for host location. Both wasp species are larval endoparasitoids of Heliothis virescens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), an important pest of cotton. Attraction of the two parasitoid species to odors emitted by undamaged (UD), fresh (6 h infestation) damage (FD), and old (24 h infestation) damage (OD) cotton plants infested by H. virescens larvae was investigated using a headspace volatile collection system coupled with four-choice olfactometer bioassay. Both sexes of M. croceipes showed a preference for FD- and OD-plant odors over UD-plants. On the other hand, more C. marginiventris females were attracted to UD- and FD-plants than to OD-plants. GC/MS analyses showed qualitative and quantitative differences in the VOC profiles of UD, FD, and OD-plants, which may explain the observed preferences of the parasitoids. These results suggest a temporal partitioning in the recruitment of M. croceipes and C. marginiventris to H. virescens-damaged cotton, and may have potential implications for interspecific competition between the two parasitoid species.
Microstructure Evolution in Polymer Latex Coatings for Whole-Cell Biocatalyst Application

The microstructure evolution of two poly(vinyl acetate-co-acrylic acid) latex coatings was elucidated by cryogenic scanning electron microscopy (cryo-SEM) and atomic force microscopy. The stages documented are particle suspension, consolidation, deformation, partial coalescence into a coherent film, and rehydration of the latter. Of particular interest is formation of a porous polymeric matrix of desired porosity and permeability of remnant interstices between deformed and partially coalesced particles; the application is to biocatalytic coatings in which viable bacteria are imprisoned in porous latex coatings. Effects of drying condition and time, rehydration behavior of latex, and the presence of glycerol on the microstructure of latex coatings were revealed by time-sectioning and cryofracture techniques of cryo-SEM. Results showed that porosity and permeability can be controlled by choice of drying and rehydration protocols. Evidence showed that glycerol retarded particle deformation, compaction, and coalescence and that substantial amounts of glycerol were expelled to the surface of the coating as drying proceeded. Implications for design of bacteria-laden and bacteria-free coating layers are discussed.
Liberal Education as Part of the Hospitality Management Curriculum: Student and Alumni Perspectives

This article reports on a study to assess student and alumni perceptions about the liberal education component of the hospitality management curriculum. Findings suggest that hospitality management students and alumni like hospitality-specific courses significantly more than liberal education courses. Students and alumni are also more appreciative of the impact of hospitality-specific courses on their personal and professional development. Freshmen and sophomore students appreciated liberal education courses significantly more than junior and senior students and alumni were more appreciative of both types of courses than students. Implications, limitations and directions for future research are discussed.
Predictive value of susceptibility tests for the outcome of antibacterial therapy

A total of 510 charts of patients who received antibacterial agents were examined for clinical outcome and microbiology findings. A total of 382 patients (75%) had one or more specimens submitted for culture and susceptibility tests before the administration of the drugs; 298 (78%) of these had positive cultures and susceptibility tests were done. A total of 18 species were isolated. Of the 298 patients with organisms of known susceptibilities, 271 (91%) received antibacterial agents to which the respective organisms were susceptible and 219 of these patients (81%) improved (P less than 0.05). This high rate of good infectious diseases practice is probably due to two factors: (1) susceptibility tests results were available in most cases the next day after the submission of a specimen; (2) the medical board distributed guidelines for the use of antibiotics and monitored the compliance closely. The patients treated with antibacterial agents to which the bacteria were resistant improved in 3% and did not improve in 82% (P less than 0.05) of the patients. This study shows that choosing an antibacterial agent in accordance to the susceptibility test resulted in a high rate of improvement. When the choice of agent disregarded bacterial resistance in vitro, therapy almost always ended in failure. Therefore, susceptibility tests in vitro have a good predictive value for the outcome of antibacterial therapy.
Parathyroid hormone enhances fluid shear-induced [Ca2+]i signaling in osteoblastic cells through activation of mechanosensitive and voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels

Osteoblasts respond to both fluid shear and parathyroid hormone (PTH) with a rapid increase in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i). Because both stimuli modulate the kinetics of the mechanosensitive cation channel (MSCC), we postulated PTH would enhance the [Ca2+]i response to fluid shear by increasing the sensitivity of MSCCs. After a 3-minute preflow at 1 dyne/cm2, MC3T3-E1 cells were subjected to various levels of shear and changes in [Ca2+]i were assessed using Fura-2. Pretreatment with 50 nM bovine PTH(1-34) [bPTH(1-34)] significantly enhanced the shear magnitude-dependent increase in [Ca2+]i. Gadolinium (Gd3+), an MSCC blocker, significantly inhibited the mean peak [Ca2+]i response to shear and shear + bPTH(1-34). Nifedipine (Nif), an L-type voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channel (VSCC) blocker, also significantly reduced the [Ca2+]i response to shear + bPTH(1-34), but not to shear alone, suggesting VSCC activation plays an interactive role in the action of these stimuli together. Activation of either the protein kinase C (PKC) or protein kinase A (PKA) pathways with specific agonists indicated that PKC activation did not alter the Ca2+ response to shear, whereas PKA activation significantly increased the [Ca2+]i response to lower magnitudes of shear. bPTH(1-34), which activates both pathways, induced the greatest [Ca2+]i response at each level of shear, suggesting an interaction of these pathways in this response. These data indicate that PTH significantly enhances the [Ca2+]i response to shear primarily via PKA modulation of the MSCC and VSCC.
Density-functional study of edge stress in graphene

The definition of edge stress is introduced in order to quantify the energy cost to deform a pre-existing edge in a two-dimensional crystal. Using density-functional ab initio calculations, edge stresses, as well as edge energies, are determined for the armchair and zigzag edges in graphene. It is found that both edges are under compression along the edge and the magnitude of compressive edge stress of armchair edge is larger than that of zigzag edge. In addition, hydrogen termination results in stress-free state for both edges. This excess edge quantity is expected to contribute to understanding various edge-related phenomena in graphene such as edge reconstructions and edge functionalizations.
Clinical applications of body surface potential mapping

Accumulated evidence suggests that the electrocardiographic information provided by the standard 12-lead electrocardiogram can be improved by use of multilead electrocardiograms. The clinical utility of body surface potential mapping is related to the selective regional information provided by the increased number of leads. That clinical utility includes such things as improved localization of accessory pathways in preexcitation syndromes, improved localization of pacing sites within the ventricles, localization of late potentials, and improved recognition of acute myocardial ischemia. Recording equipment and interpretation schemes are available to make possible more widespread application of potential mapping.
Electrostatic contributions to protein-protein interactions: fast energetic filters for docking and their physical basis.

The methods of continuum electrostatics are used to calculate the binding free energies of a set of protein–protein complexes including experimentally determined structures as well as other orientations generated by a fast docking algorithm. In the native structures, charged groups that are deeply buried were often found to favor complex formation (relative to isosteric nonpolar groups), whereas in nonnative complexes generated by a geometric docking algorithm, they were equally likely to be stabilizing as destabilizing. These observations were used to design a new filter for screening docked conformations that was applied, in conjunction with a number of geometric filters that assess shape complementarity, to 15 antibody–antigen complexes and 14 enzyme-inhibitor complexes. For the bound docking problem, which is the major focus of this paper, native and near-native solutions were ranked first or second in all but two enzyme-inhibitor complexes. Less success was encountered for antibody–antigen complexes, but in all cases studied, the more complete free energy evaluation was able to idey native and near-native structures. A filter based on the enrichment of tyrosines and tryptophans in antibody binding sites was applied to the antibody–antigen complexes and resulted in a native and near-native solution being ranked first and second in all cases. A clear improvement over previously reported results was obtained for the unbound antibody–antigen examples as well. The algorithm and various filters used in this work are quite efficient and are able to reduce the number of plausible docking orientations to a size small enough so that a final more complete free energy evaluation on the reduced set becomes computationally feasible.
Die Guten, die Bösen und die Vertrauenswürdigen – Vertrauen im Organic Computing

In den meisten Organic Computing Systemen (OC-Systemen) ist die Welt einfach: alle Agenten sind sich Freund und ziehen an einem Strang, wenn es darum geht, das gemeinsame Ziel zu erreichen. Taucht einmal ein Boser auf, so ist dieser direkt als solcher zu erkennen und fuhrt nichts anderes im Schilde, als die Guten an der Ausfuhrung ihrer selbstlosen Taten zu hindern. Diese heile Welt ist in vielen Fallen das Resultat gezielter Abschottung: Fremde sind nicht erlaubt, schon gar nicht, wenn man ihnen nicht in die Karten gucken kann. ,,Bose“ Agenten sind damit auch eher ein Konstrukt der Systemdesigner zu Analysezwecken als echte Akteure. Offnet man aber die Grenzen und erlaubt es einem OC-System, in einer offenen Welt heterogener Agenten zu agieren und dort mit Hinz und Kunz zu verhandeln und diese Fremden sogar zu integralen Systembestandteilen zu machen, bedarf es einer neuen Herangehensweise an OC-Systeme und an den Umgang der Agenten untereinander. Die Forschergruppe OC-Trust hat es sich zur Aufgabe gemacht, diese Herangehensweise zu entwickeln und durch innovative Methoden, Modelle, Algorithmen und Benutzerschnittstellen die engen Systemgrenzen der OC-Welt einzureisen.
Inositol trisphosphate stimulates calcium release from peeled skeletal muscle fibers.

Abstract The effects of inositol phosphates (tris (Ins P 3 ), bis (Ins P 2 ), mono (Ins P )) on rabbit adductor magnus and soleus muscles were determined using mechanically peeled fibers (sarcolemma removed). Isometric force generation of each fiber was continuously monitored and was used along with 45 Ca to detect calcium release from internal fiber stores. All experiments were conducted at a physiological Mg 2+ concentration (10 −3 M) of the bathing solutions. The inositol phosphates did not directly activate the contractile apparatus. At bath concentrations of 100–300 μM, only Ins P 3 was capable of stimulating Ca 2+ release. In contrast, 1 μM Ins P 3 maximally and selectively stimulated Ca 2+ release when microinjected into the myofilament lattice. Calcium releasing effects of Ins P 2 and Ins P were manifested at 10 μM when they were microinjected. The end-to-end internal Ca 2+ release and subsequent fiber force generation stimulated by the locally applied microinjected Ins P 3 suggests that the Ins P 3 -induced Ca 2+ release mechanism may involve propagation, but not via the Ca 2+ -induced Ca 2+ release, since procaine did not inhibit this response. These findings support the possibility that Ins P 3 plays a role in skeletal muscle excitation-contraction coupling.
Numerical Simulation of Short Duration Hydrodynamic Impact

Numerical simulations of wedge impact experiments, undertaken by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division, NSWCCD, and more recently by the United States Naval Academy, USNA, Hydromechanics Laboratory, were performed using the computational fluid dynamics code Numerical Flow Analysis, NFA, to assess its capabilities in simulating the short duration hydrodynamic loading associated with free-surface impact. NSWCCD performed experiments using drop heights of 15.24 cm (6 in) and 25.4 cm (10 in), while the Naval Academy used drop heights of: 7.94, 12.7, 15.88, 25.4, 31.75, 38.1, and 50.8 cm (3.125, 5.0, 6.25, 10.0, 12.5, 15.0, and 20.0 in), measured from the keel of the wedge to the calm water surface. Simulations and comparisons were made at heights of 15.24 cm (6 in) and 25.4 cm (10 in) with the NSWCCD data, and 12.5 inches for the USNA data providing for a detailed examination of NFA’s ability to simulate and predict short duration hydrodynamic impacts.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
The coupling controversy.

Abstract Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) relies on the well-known phenomenon of coupling between neuronal activity and brain blood flow. For nearly a century, the presumption was that hemodynamics were coupled to neuronal activity via energy demand and oxidative metabolism. Early 15 O positron-emission tomographic (PET) studies challenged this theory, demonstrating a physiological “uncoupling” between brain blood flow and oxygen metabolism. These PET observations played a pivotal role in guiding the development of fMRI, by demonstrating which physiological parameters were most closely coupled to neuronal activity and by presaging the BOLD-contrast effect. Subsequent PET studies were crucial for constraining theories concerning the physiological mechanisms underlying hemodynamic/neuronal coupling and, thereby, guiding the development of models for quantification of oxygen metabolic rate %∆ from fMRI. A first-person account of the PET “coupling” studies and their influence on the development of fMRI is provided.
H, C, N, and O Isotopic Substitution Studies of the 2165 Wavenumber (4.62 Micron) “XCN” Feature Produced by Ultraviolet Photolysis of Mixed Molecular Ices

To better understand the chemical species that gives rise to the 2165 cm-1 (4.62 μm) "XCN" absorption feature seen toward embedded protostars such as W33A, we have performed laboratory studies using deuterium (2H) isotopic labeling. We report the observation of a small but significant deuterium isotope shift for the "XCN" peak which demonstrates that the atomic motion(s) causing the "XCN" band in the laboratory samples must involve hydrogen. We also report the results of 13C, 15N, and 18O labeling experiments that are consistent with previously reported values.
Improved outcomes of breast-conserving therapy for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ.

Purpose Patients treated for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with breast-conserving surgery (BCS) and radiation therapy (RT) at our center from 1976 to 1990 had a 15% actuarial 10-year local recurrence (LR) rate. Since then, improved mammographic and pathologic evaluation and greater attention to achieving negative margins may have resulted in a lower risk of LR. In addition, clinical implications of hormone receptor and HER-2 status in DCIS remain unclear. We sought to determine the following: LR rates with this more modern approach; the relation between LR and HER-2 status; and clinical and pathologic factors associated with HER-2 + DCIS. Methods and Materials We studied 246 consecutive patients who underwent BCS and RT for DCIS from 2001 to 2007. Of the patients, 96 (39%) were Grade III and the median number of involved tissue blocks was 3. Half underwent re-excision and 222 (90%) had negative margins (>2 mm). All received whole-breast RT (40–52 Gy) and 99% (244) received a tumor bed boost (8–18 Gy). Routine estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and HER-2 immunohistochemistry was instituted in 2003. Results With median follow-up of 58 months, there were no LRs. Seven patients (3%) developed contralateral breast cancer (4 invasive and 3 in situ ). Among 163 patients with immunohistochemistry, 124 were ER/PR + HER-2 − , 27 were ER/PR + HER-2 + , 6 were ER − /PR − HER-2 + , and 6 were ER − /PR − HER-2 − . On univariable analysis, HER-2 + was significantly associated with Grade III, ER − /PR − , central necrosis, comedo subtype, more extensive DCIS, and postmenopausal status. On multivariable analysis, Grade III and postmenopausal status remained significantly associated with HER-2 + . Conclusions In an era of mammographically identified DCIS, larger excisions, widely negative margins and the use of a tumor bed boost, we observed no LR regardless of ER/PR/HER-2 status. Factors associated with HER-2 + DCIS included more extensive DCIS, Grade III, ER − /PR − , central necrosis, comedo subtype, and postmenopausal status. Further follow-up and additional studies are required to confirm these results.
#97 Population-based case-control study of injury risk factors in the northridge earthquake

Abstract PURPOSE: Earthquakes pose a persistent but unpredictable health threat, causing many injuries and damage throughout the world each year. Researchers have identified personal, structural, and geophysical characteristics as risk factors for injuries, but no studies have examined these factors simultaneously. METHODS: A population-based case-control study was conducted to examine the role of age, gender, building characteristics, and ground movement on the risk of injury in the 1994 Northridge Earthquake. Cases were all earthquake-related fatal and hospital-admitted injuries that occurred in buildings in Los Angeles County (N = 102). Two sets of controls were drawn from a population-based random survey of LA County residents who reported no injury in the earthquake. The first control group was matched to cases by age and gender. The second control group was matched on closest location to the case during the earthquake. Information about buildings was obtained by linkage to building damage files. Ground motion was determined by geomapping case and control locations onto isoseismal maps. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate risk ratios. RESULTS: Individuals over age 65 had a 2.9 times higher risk of injury than younger people (95% CI = 1.2–7.4), and women had a 2.4 times greater risk than men (95% CI = 1.2–5.1). Location in multiple-unit residential and commercial structures at the time of the earthquake were each associated with higher risk of injury than location in single-unit residential structures, but the exact estimate varied depending on the control group used. With every increase in ground motion of 10%g, risk of injury increased 2.2-fold (95% CI = 1.6–3.3). CONCLUSION: Controlling for other factors, we found that individual, building, and seismic characteristics were independently predictive of increased injury risk. Prevention and preparedness efforts should focus on each of these as potential points of intervention.
Odors and the remembrance of things past.

Three experiments, using odors and incidental learning procedures, examined the effectiveness of odors as memory retrieval cues.
Quantitative analysis of chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation by PCR amplification of microsatellite markers and capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection: the Tuebingen experience.

Quantitative analysis of chimerism after allogeneic stem cell transplantation by PCR amplification of microsatellite markers and capillary electrophoresis with fluorescence detection: the Tuebingen experience
The dynamics of macroparasite host-self-infection: a study of the patterns and processes of pinworm (Oxyuridae) aggregation.

Objectives. Among parasites, Taylor's power law identifies a tight relationship in aggregation of macroparasite infection intensity with few exceptions; notably, the nematode family Oxyuridae tends to have higher than expected aggregation. Oxyuridae infect a wide range of mammalian hosts and have a unique reproductive strategy that involves conventional horizontal transmission, as well as re-infection of an already infected host. We asked the question, do the unique aspects of pinworm life-history explain an exception to the widely observed patterns of aggregation of parasite populations? Methods. We empirically examined the differences among Oxyuridae (genus: Syphacia) compared with other helminth (genus: Heligmosomoides) parasite aggregations in 2 rodent hosts with similar ecology: the yellow-necked mouse (Apodemus flavicollis) from Trento, Italy and the white-footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus) from Pennsylvania, USA. To investigate the effects of pinworm life-history characteristics on generating aggregation, we present a stochastic model that explores aggregation under a range of host-self-infection, parasite death, and transmission scenarios. Results. Oxyuridae parasites had consistently greater aggregation compared to other nematodes regardless of host or parasite species identity, and pinworm aggregation exceeded the range of macroparasite aggregation described previously. Conclusions. Our simulations demonstrate that host-self-infection, on its own, is sufficient to generate aggregation values greater than the predicted values.