cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-Guided Chemical Component Separation with Botulinum Toxin A prior to Surgical Hernia Repair.

Abstract US-guided chemical component separation (CCS) of the abdominal musculature using botulinum toxin A can facilitate the surgical repair of large or complex hernias. Eight patients (2 women and 6 men with median age of 54 years [range, 34–78 years]) underwent preoperative US-guided CCS with hydrodissection before planned surgical repair of large or complex ventral (n = 4), inguinal (n = 2), and flank (n = 2) hernias by 2 interventional radiologists. Technical success rate of US-guided CCS procedures was 100%, and all patients achieved surgical closure a mean 34.1 days (range, 14–48 days) after US-guided CCS.
Autocrine and paracrine interferon signalling as ‘ring vaccination’ and ‘contact tracing’ strategies to suppress virus infection in a host

The innate immune response, particularly the interferon response, represents a first line of defence against viral infections. The interferon molecules produced from infected cells act through autocrine and paracrine signalling to turn host cells into an antiviral state. Although the molecular mechanisms of IFN signalling have been well characterized, how the interferon response collectively contribute to the regulation of host cells to stop or suppress viral infection during early infection remain unclear. Here, we use mathematical models to delineate the roles of the autocrine and the paracrine signalling, and show that their impacts on viral spread are dependent on how infection proceeds. In particular, we found that when infection is well-mixed, the paracrine signalling is not as effective; by contrast, when infection spreads in a spatial manner, a likely scenario during initial infection in tissue, the paracrine signalling can impede the spread of infection by decreasing the number of susceptible cells close to the site of infection. Furthermore, we argue that the interferon response can be seen as a parallel to population-level epidemic prevention strategies such as 'contact tracing' or 'ring vaccination'. Thus, our results here may have implications for the outbreak control at the population scale more broadly.
Toward Standardizing Seniors Housing Industry Definitions by Project Type

Standardizing seniors housing industry definitions by project type would improve decision making in the industry. The problem is not a lack of definitions; rather, there is minimal agreement on precise definitions. This poses an immediate practical problem for seniors housing institutional investment. Inability to define the business prevents measurement of performance. If they cannot measure performance, investors will not be able to measure the risk and the return. Finally, owners and managers will not have the means to benchmark their performance with industry norms, therefore, standardized data is needed to enhance performance.
The Role of the Reticuloendothelial System in Viral Hepatitis

In the last decade it became apparent that the liver can be attacked by a number of viruses that have affinity for it, that the host responds in a complex manner to the viral insult, and that the tissue damage or recovery depends to a great extent on the host’s immune response. Thus, the reticuloendothelial system (RES) has a cardinal importance in the outcome of this disease. In this chapter the term reticuloendothelial system in not restricted to the mononuclear phagocyte system, but it is used in the more comprehensive sense to include a complex of macrophages, lymphocytes, and plasma cells, as well as cells involved not only in the clearance of infectious agents but also in the immune response (Friedman et al, 1980).
O OUTRO COMO UTOPIA NA LITERATURA PORTUGUESA CONTEMPORÂNEA

ESTE ESTUDO APONTA PARA UMA RECONFIGURACAO DO PENSAMENTO UTO- PICO EM ALGUMAS EXPRESSOES DA LITERATURA PORTUGUESA, DESTACANDO A RECENTE OBRA DE JOSE SARAMAGO. HISTORICAMENTE, SARAMAGO TEM-SE COMPROMETIDO COM VARIADOS ASPECTOS DO IDEARIO DA ESQUERDA INTERNACIONAL. POREM, DADA UMA SERIE DE MUDANCAS RADICAIS A NIVEL MUNDIAL DO PONTO DE VISTA HISTORICO, POLITICO E CULTURAL NAS ULTIMAS DECADAS, A SUA OBRA APRESENTA MODALIDADES ETICO-POLITICAS ALTERNATIVAS QUE FOGEM A PRAXE TRADICIONAL DO SOCIALISMO DE ESTADO DURANTE O PERIODO DA GUERRA FRIA.
Life Expectancy and Incidence of Malignant Disease: I. Carcinoma of the Breast

The determination of the life expectancy of patients with malignant disease is a subject of great importance and merits further consideration. Statistical studies of this nature have been made, but in general these have been unsatisfactory. Several factors are responsible for the inadequacy of previous estimations. One of the most important is statistical neglect of patients dying with cancer within a short period after treatment. Emphasis in recent years has been placed chiefly on reports of the number of five-year cures, which, after all, constitute a relatively small percentage of the total number of cases. It is essential in any study of prognosis to determine the exact length of life in those patients who die before the so-called “cancer cure” period is reached as well as that of the group who have passed beyond it. Furthermore, the most satisfactory data now available, furnished by life insurance tables, are known to be inaccurate in several respects. The inaccuracy of death certificates has been emphasized strongly by Bigelow and Lombard (1) and by Dublin (2).
Children's dietary needs: nutrients, interactions and their role in health.

Abstract: Children’s growth, development and health potentials are dependent on the nutrient quantity and quality of their diet. Insufficient intakes of macro-and micronutrients have deleterious, and in some cases permanent, effects on linear growth, early brain development, cognitive abilities and well-being. In contrast, children’s over-consumption of calories, fats, sugars and salt is contributing to alarming increases in obesity, Type 2 diabetes, hypertension and elevated cholesterol, and is raising concerns about the nature of foods being consumed. Given the potential consequences, collaboration among researchers, healthcare professionals, policy makers and the food industry is critical to developing food products that address children’s essential dietary and health needs.
Transverse momentum and Sudakov effects in exclusive QCD processes: Gamma* gamma pi0 form-factor

We analyze effects due to transverse degrees of freedom in QCD calculations of the fundamental hard exclusive amplitude of a ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{*}\ensuremath{\gamma}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ transition. A detailed discussion is given of the relation between the modified factorization approach (MFA) of Sterman et al. and standard factorization (SFA). Working in the Feynman gauge, we construct basic building blocks of the MFA from the one-loop coefficient function of the SFA, demonstrating that Sudakov effects are distinctly different from higher-twist corrections. We show also that the handbag-type diagram, contrary to naive expectations, does not contain an infinite chain of ${(M}^{2}{/Q}^{2}{)}^{n}$ corrections: they come only from diagrams with transverse gluons emitted from the hard propagator. A simpler picture emerges within the QCD sum rule approach: the sum over soft $\overline{q}G\ensuremath{\cdot}\ensuremath{\cdot}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathrm{Gq}$ Fock components is dual to $\overline{q}q$ states generated by the local axial vector current. We combine the results based on QCD sum rules with perturbative QCD radiative corrections and observe that the gap between our curves for the asymptotic and CZ distribution amplitudes is sufficiently large for an experimental discrimination between them.
Learning to Detect Adverse Traffic Events from Noisily Labeled Data

Many deployed traffic incident detection systems use algorithms that require significant manual tuning. We seek machine learning incident detection solutions that reduce the need for manual adjustments by taking advantage of massive databases of traffic sensor network measurements. First, we show that a rather straightforward supervised learner based on the SVM model outperforms a fixed detection model used by state-of-the-art traffic incident detectors. Second, we seek further improvements of learning performance by correcting misaligned incident times in the training data. The misalignment is due to an imperfect incident logging procedure. We propose a label realignment model based on a dynamic Bayesian network to re-estimate the correct position (time) of the incident in the data. Training on the automatically realigned data consistently leads to improved detection performance in the low false positive region.
Mathiness in the Theory of Economic Growth

Politics does not lead to a broadly shared consensus. It has to yield a decision, whether or not a consensus prevails. As a result, political institutions create incentives for participants to exaggerate disagreements between factions. Words that are evocative and ambiguous better serve factional interests than words that are analytical and precise. Science is a process that does lead to a broadly shared consensus. It is arguably the only social process that does. Consensus forms around theoretical and empirical statements that are true. Tight links between words from natural language and symbols from the formal language of mathematics encourage the use of words that are analytical and precise. For the last two decades, growth theory has made no scientific progress toward a consensus. The challenge is how to model the scale effects introduced by nonrival ideas. Mobile telephony is the update to the pin factory, the demonstration that scale effects are too important to ignore. To accommodate them, many growth theorists have embraced monopolistic competition, but an influential group of traditionalists continues to support price taking with external increasing returns. The question posed here is why the methods of science have failed to resolve the disagreement between these two groups. Economists usually stick to science. Robert Solow (1956) was engaged in science when he developed his mathematical theory of growth. But they can get drawn into academic politics. Joan Robinson (1956) was engaged in academic
Contrast ultrasonic blood flowmetry

In recent years, a number of contrast media have been developed for contrast echocardiography. The most notable are SHU 454 and Albunex. These agents are potentially useful for quantifying myocardial perfusion. However, the fact that these agents can also be utilized for quantitative blood flow has never been investigated. Initial results obtained on various approaches to exploring the feasibility of using Albunex for measuring average and instantaneous blood flow are presented and discussed. These results indicate that contrast ultrasonic blood flowmetry is a viable approach. >
Aesthetic surgery in adolescents: a suggestion informed by adolescent psychology.

Consider the following facts: The interval between menarche and marriage was approximately seven years in 1890. Today it is approximately twice that, extending to nearly 15 years, a phase of life in which body image is a paramount concern.1 This interval, now extended, is a time when one's sense of identity and future is in flux, when social approval of peers is a priority, and when alienation from parents' influence and counsel is strong.2 Teasing about appearance is a common experience among adolescent girls, and is a clear risk factor for body dissatisfaction. Body dissatisfaction in girls and young women is so rampant as to be almost normative, and it does not fade until the 30s and 40s, and even then, still clearly exceeds the body dissatisfaction of men (who, unlike women, experience an increase in body dissatisfaction from adolescence to middle-age, though they never average a level that approaches women's body dissatisfaction).3 Prominent theorists of human development have characterized adolescence as a time when, in the best case, a lot of testing and trying on of identity roles is occurring, and in the worst case, when extreme identity confusion emerges.4 A moment's reflection on one's own adolescence, or that of one's own children—as well as even the most cursory reading of the literature on developmental cognition—will attest that it is a …
The effects of mechanical vibration on bone development in the rat.

Abstract Biophysical properties of bone in the femur and tibia of the rat were measured during the life span of from 2–6 months during normal aging and exposure to 20 and 25 Hz mechanical vibration for 2 × 2·5 and 12 hr daily. Animals were successively sacrified at intervals of 20 and 60 days in order to determine the physical, mechanical and histological-physiological parameters of bone. Mineralization was traced by periodic administration of tetracycline. In normal aging the physical dimensions, density, rigidity, microhardness and ash content of bone increase. Bone porosity and total bone calcium content remain constant. Chronic vibration tends to increase stiffness and microhardness of bone. Modulus of elasticity and microhardness of vibrated bone are higher than those of non-vibrated bone. This is correlated to disorganization of mineral deposition: labeling by tetracycline shows that the regular zones of mineralization disappear under vibration and that mineral deposition becomes dispersed across the diaphysis. However, the ash and calcium contents of the femur are not affected by vibration. Bone porosity is also normal.
Cubic chain-of-rotators equation of state for polar fluids

Abstract Like the van der Waals and Redlich-Kwong equations, the Cubic Chain-of-Rotators (CCOR) equation of state is a perturbation type of equation expressing pressure as a difference between repulsive and attractive pressures. Unlike the previous cubic equations the repulsive pressure of the CCOR equation expresses the molecular dynamics results of hard spheres and the rotational contribution of polyatomic molecules. For non-polar fluids the equation is generalized in the form of corresponding states. For polar fluids specific values of the equation constants are determined for 45 substances. The equation accurately represents the vapor pressure of non-polar and polar fluids and the saturated liquid density of non-polar fluids. Vapor-liquid equilibrium of non-polar and polar fluid mixtures is described at pressures from the ambient up to elevated pressures. The cross interaction parameters change significantly with temperature for some high pressure polar mixtures.
Patellar dislocation in a 16-year-old athlete with femoral trochlear dysplasia.

Abstract Objective This case report discusses the diagnosis and conservative management of a patient with femoral trochlear dysplasia (FTD) and subacute patellar dislocation. Femoral trochlear dysplasia is characterized by an abnormally shallow trochlear groove. Disengagement of the patella from the shallow femoral trochlea is common in FTD and is a predisposing risk factor to recurrent patellar dislocation and subsequent premature osteoarthrosis. Accurate diagnosis is necessary to prevent recurrent patellar dislocations and damage of the patellofemoral joint cartilage and supporting structures. Clinical Features A 16-year-old male adolescent presented with pain, ecchymosis, and swelling about the right anterior knee approximately one month after a self-described dislocating event. Clinical and imaging findings, including magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography, demonstrated evidence of patellar dislocation with previously undiagnosed FTD. Intervention and Outcome After drainage of the knee effusion at a local hospital, the patient underwent a chiropractic treatment protocol consisting of stabilization with patellar tracking orthosis, customized orthotic support, and various muscular stabilization and strengthening exercises. After 6 weeks of treatment, the swelling and ecchymosis resolved. The knee ranges of motion were full without pain. Although the hypermobility of the patella demonstrated no interval change, the patient reported improved strength and stability of the right knee. Conclusion This case highlights a young athlete with subacute patellar dislocation and FTD who responded successfully to conservative management. Conservative stabilization and strengthening protocols improved patient outcome without surgical repair of the underlying FTD. Conservative management of FTD has not been reported and it makes the current case unique. However, the long-term outcome of conservative management is unknown at this point and further studies are necessary to evaluate treatment protocols.
Transseptal left heart catheterization: experience with a new technique in 520 pediatric and adult patients.

A new technique for transseptal left heart catheterization utilizing the Transseptal Introducer Set® in 520 patients is described in detail. The age range of these patients was 3 months to 40 years with 30% of the patients less than 2 years old and 28% less than 10 kilograms in weight. The safety and advantages of the technique are emphasized. The introducer set and new technique make transseptal left heart catheterization a safe, versatile, and dependable approach to all areas of the left heart, particularly in infants and children with complex congenital heart lesions.
Therapeutic enhancement: nursing intervention category for patients diagnosed with Readiness for Therapeutic Regimen Management

Aims. To present a new nursing intervention category called therapeutic enhancement. Background. Fewer than half of North Americans follow their physician's recommendations for diet and exercise, even when such are crucial to their health or recovery. It is imperative that nurses consider new ways to promote healthy behaviours. Therapeutic enhancement is intended to provide such a fresh approach. Traditional intervention techniques focusing on education, contracts, social support and more frequent interaction with physicians appear not to be effective when used alone. Successful strategies have been multidisciplinary; and have included interventions by professional nurses who assist patients to understand their disease and the disease process and that helps them to develop disease-management and self-management skills. Therapeutic enhancement incorporates The Stages of Change Theory, Commitment to Health Theory, Motivational Interviewing techniques and instrumentation specifically designed for process evaluation of health-promoting interventions. Method. This is a critical review of approaches that, heretofore, have not been synthesised in a single published article. Conclusions. Based on the commonly used Stages of Change model, therapeutic enhancement is useful for patients who are at the action stage of change. Using therapeutic enhancement as well as therapeutic strategies identified in Stages of Change Theory, such as contingency management, helping relationships, counterconditioning, stimulus control and Motivational Interviewing techniques, nursing professionals can significantly increase the chances of patients moving from action to the maintenance stage of change for a specific health behaviour. Relevance to clinical practice. Using the nursing intervention category, therapeutic enhancement can increase caregivers’ success in helping patients maintain healthy behaviours.
Low chromatic dispersion of ±16 ps/(nm·km) over a 550-nm wavelength range using a strip/slot hybrid silicon waveguide

We propose a dispersion-flattened silicon waveguide that exhibits a flat and near-zero dispersion within ±16 ps/nm/km over a 550-nm wavelength range. Averaged dispersion can be shifted from negative to positive with almost the same flatness.
Metabolic tumor imaging using magnetic resonance spectroscopy.

The adaptability and the genomic plasticity of cancer cells, and the interaction between the tumor microenvironment and co-opted stromal cells, coupled with the ability of cancer cells to colonize distant organs, contribute to the frequent intractability of cancer. It is becoming increasingly evident that personalized molecular targeting is necessary for the successful treatment of this multifaceted and complex disease. Noninvasive imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance (MR), positron emission tomography (PET), and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) are filling several important niches in this era of targeted molecular medicine, in applications that span from bench to bedside. In this review we focus on noninvasive magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) and their roles in future personalized medicine in cancer. Diagnosis, the identification of the most effective treatment, monitoring treatment delivery, and response to treatment are some of the broad areas into which MRS techniques can be integrated to improve treatment outcomes. The development of novel probes for molecular imaging—in combination with a slew of functional imaging capabilities—makes MRS techniques, especially in combination with other imaging modalities, valuable in cancer drug discovery and basic cancer research.
Sea Surface Temperature, Surface Wind Divergence, and Convection over Tropical Oceans

Large-scale convection over the warm tropical oceans provides an important portion of the driving energy for the general circulation of the atmosphere. Analysis of regional associations between ocean temperature, surface wind divergence, and convection produced two important results. First, over broad regions of the Indian and Pacific oceans, sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in excess of 27.5°C are required for large-scale deep convection to occur. However, SSTs above that temperature are not a sufficient condition for convection and further increases in SST appear to have little effect on the intensity of convection. Second, when SSTs are above 27.5°C, surface wind divergence is closely associated with the presence or absence of deep convection. Although this result could have been expected, it was also found that areas of persistent divergent surface flow coincide with regions where convection appears to be consistently suppressed even when SSTs are above 27.5°C. Thus changes in atmospheric stability caused by remotely forced changes in subsidence aloft may play a major role in regulating convection over warm tropical oceans.
Evaluation of clinical competence in nephrologists.

A formal process for voluntary certification of nephrologists was introduced by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) in 1972. Five years later, the ABIM published guidelines for the training of nephrologists in the recognition that individuals could be held to the standard implied by certification only if their training in nephrology was of high quality [1]. The training guidelines promulgated by the AIBM became the basis for an explicit mechanism whereby nephrology training programs that comply with published standards may now receive accreditation by the Residency Review Committee for Internal Medicine (RRC-IM) [2]. The American Board of Internal Medicine and its Subspecialty Board on Nephrology believe that more must be done to ensure that the public, by dint of the ABIM certification process, has the ability to identify nephrologists who have attained excellence as a result of their subspecialty training in an accredited program. Heretofore, the Subspecialty Board on Nephrology has limited its assessment of candidates who have satisfactorily completed the requisite period of training and who are deemed eligible for certification to an evaluation of knowledge and judgement in the context of a written examination. Other components of clinical competence have been deemed essential, but are not amenable to assessment by this means. These components include refined history taking, expert and focused physical examinations, humanistic qualities (including the application of ethical considerations to the care of the chronically ill patient), the abilities of a consultant to communicate and educate, the demonstration of professional attitudes and behavior, the provision of high quality medical care (including selection of appropriate tests), proficiency in selected procedures, and continuing commitment to scholarship. Each of these component skills can be assessed only by direct observation and appropriate documentation. Such assessment and documentation are required not only for a fully developed certification process but also to provide a basis for recommendations on behalf of former trainees seeking hospital privileges. Many have used Board certification as a basis for conferring clinical privileges to perform the procedures of the subspecialty. In the absence of a formal and systematic assessment process the certificate currently issued by the Board does not guarantee that evaluation, documentation and substantiation of these components of clinical competence, including procedural skills, have been carned out.
Crop root system response to irrigation

In the field, root systems develop in response to both endogenous plant design and soil environment. Downward penetration of root systems results primarily from the growth of monocot axes or of dicot taproots; root proliferation at a given depth results from the growth of laterals at that depth. Root length densities generally decline exponentially with depth under well-watered conditions. Root growth rates are partially controlled by soil conditions. Under irrigation, the most critical soil properties for root growth are oxygen diffusion rate, water content and soil strength and all of these properties are inter-related. Under excess irrigation, especially in heavy soils, root growth may be limited by oxygen diffusion rate. Under limited irrigation, root growth may be limited by lack of water or high soil strength. When irrigation maintains wet surface soils, most of the root system is found in the upper part of the profile where the majority of the water is also taken up.
Complete genome sequence analysis of an American isolate of Grapevine virus E.

The complete genome sequence of Grapevine virus E (GVE) collected from a red-berried wine grape cultivar (Cabernet Sauvignon) in Washington State was determined. The 7,568 nucleotide long genome of GVE is more similar in sequence identity with a GVE isolate from a wine grape cv. Shiraz from South Africa when compared with an isolate from “Aki Queen” grape from Japan. Like GVE isolates from South Africa and Japan, the Washington isolate encodes five open reading frames (ORFs) and the overall genome organization is identical among these isolates. In addition to AlkB domain, a DExD domain, belonging to the DEAD-like helicases superfamily, was present upstream of the helicase domain in the replicase ORF of the virus.
Statistics of lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN) activity determine the segregation of ON/OFF subfields for simple cells in visual cortex

The receptive fields for simple cells in visual cortex show a strong preference for edges of a particular orientation and display adjacent excitatory and inhibitory subfields. These subfields are projections from ON-center and OFF-center lateral geniculate nucleus cells, respectively. Here we present a single-cell model using ON and OFF channels, a natural scene environment, and synaptic modification according to the Bienenstock, Cooper, and Munro (BCM) theory. Our results indicate that lateral geniculate nucleus cells must act predominantly in the linear region around the level of spontaneous activity, to lead to the observed segregation of ON/OFF subfields.
Abdominoperineal resection for recurrent cancer following anterior resection

Cases are reviewed of 12 patients who had abdominoperineal resections for cancer recurrence subsequent to anterior resection. Although this procedure is technically more difficult, we experienced no mortality or significant morbidity, and the postoperative hospital stay was similar to that of patients who received an abdominoperineal resection as a primary procedure. Although we have no long-term cures, at least significant palliation can be achieved in selected patients who have no evidence of distant metastases
Design characteristics and fabrication of radioisotope heat sources for space missions

Abstract Radioisotope thermoelectric generators (RTGs) have been used by the United States to provide electrical power for spacecraft since 1961. All RTGs that have been launched by the U.S. have used heat sources fueled with the plutonium-238 isotope. Low-power (1 W thermal ) Light Weight Radioisotope Heater Units have also been used to maintain spacecraft equipment within their normal operating temperature range. Los Alamos National Laboratory is responsible for fabricating heat sources for current and future space missions. The 238 PuO 2 is purified by aqueous processing, fabricated into hot pressed pellets, encapsulated into precious metal cladding material, then the fueled clads are nondestructively tested. NASA currently plans for the potential use of radioisotope power systems for the Europa Orbiter and the Solar Probe missions, which are all scheduled for launch this decade. In addition several Mars Exploration missions over the next decade will employ radioisotope heater units.
The metric gradient in normed linear spaces

In this paper we give a definition for the gradient of a functional defined on a normed linear space which in the case of Hilbert space reduces to the usual definition. We also establish some interesting properties of the gradient which allow us to extend the well-known theorem of Curry to a large class of normed linear spaces.
Memory, catastrophe, destruction

For some time now, urban theorists have looked for inspiration to the pioneering metropolitan works of Walter Benjamin, the German Jewish literary critic who tragically took his own life in 1940 while attempting to flee Nazi‐occupied France. In this essay, philosopher Max Pensky examines some of the key components of Benjamin's description of modern, urban life. Specifically, he contrasts Benjamin's understanding of the modern capitalist city as a locus of both myth making and breaking with Sigmund Freud's attempt to equate the urban experience with psychic development itself. While both Freud and Benjamin suggest that the modern city is a site of collective memory, Pensky argues that Benjamin's dialectical approach is, in the end, more capable of capturing the redemptive, or utopian, potential of the urban environment. Despite surface similarities, Freud and Benjamin's analysis of urban psychic life are actually quite distinct and lead to very different conceptions of the city's relation to both individu...
half pint Regulates Alternative Splice Site Selection in Drosophila

Alternative splicing is used by metazoans to increase protein diversity and to alter gene expression during development. However, few factors that control splice site choice in vivo have been identified. Here we describe a factor, Half pint (Hfp), that regulates RNA splicing in Drosophila. Females harboring hypomorphic mutations in hfp lay short eggs and show defects in germline mitosis, nuclear morphology, and RNA localization during oogenesis. We find that hfp encodes the Drosophila ortholog of human PUF60 and functions in both constitutive and alternative splicing in vivo. In particular, hfp mutants display striking defects in the developmentally regulated splicing of ovarian tumor (otu). Furthermore, transgenic expression of the missing otu splice form can rescue the ovarian phenotypes of hfp.
Refined 2.5Åstructure of murine adenosine deaminase at pH 6.0

The X-ray structure of murine adenosine deaminase complexed with the transition-state analogue 6-hydroxyl-1,6-dihydropurine ribonucleoside has been determined from a single crystal grown at pH 4.2 and transferred to mother liquor of increasing pH up to a final pH of 6.0 prior to data collection. The structure has been refined to 2.5Ato a final crystallographic R-factor of 20 % using phases from the previously refined 2.4Astructure at pH 4.2. Kinetic measurements show that the enzyme is only 20% active at pH 4.2 whereas it is fully active between pH 6.0 and pH 8.5. The refined structures at either pH are essentially the same. Consideration of the p K a values of the key catalytic residues and the mechanism proposed on the basis of the structure suggests that the ionization state of these residues is largely responsible for the pH dependence on activity.
Matching actual treadmill walking speed and visually perceived walking speed in a projection virtual environment

When developing our Immersive Virtual Environment Rehabilitation Treadmill (IVERT) system (Figure 1), we observed the well known phenomenon of visuals feeling "too slow" compared to walking speed (Durgin 2005). The work reported here was motivated by needing a factor, the optical flow multiplier (OFM), to multiply by the treadmill speed to generate a viewpoint/visual speed that "felt right" to the IVERT users. Our most frequent use case will be the therapist setting the treadmill speed and then the program multiplying treadmill speed by the OFM to generate the viewpoint speed.
Minimax Predictors for Signals Having a Bonded kth Derivative

Abstract Predictors are derived which minimize the maximum possible mean-squared prediction error for signals observed in white noise and having a bounded kth derivative. Expressions are given for the resulting worst-case error and a suboptimal solution is presented which, for the case k = 2, performs nearly as well as the optimal and is far easier to implement.
The use of antimicrobial drugs in Nagpur, India. A window on medical care in a developing country.

Abstract The objective of the study was to determine the patterns of use of antimicrobial drugs in the general population of the large, industrial city of Nagpur, India. Interviews of pharmacists and clients were carried out in a stratified, random sample of 34 pharmacies to determine beliefs and practices in prescribing and self-prescribing of antibiotics by complaint, choice of drug, dose, duration, cost, age and sex of the consumers. The study showed that drugs were dispensed without prescription despite prohibition by the Indian Pharmaceutical Act. Sales of antimicrobial drugs accounted for 17.5% of 511 purchases and 23.3% of expenditures for drugs. Proprietary brands of penicillins, co-trimoxazole and tetracyclines were dispensed most often (64.8%). The most common indications were upper respiratory, gastrointestinal and nonspecific complaints. The median number of units obtained was 5.0 (95% range 1–20), at a median cost of $0.50 per purchase, usually taken for less than five days. Repeat purchases were made without consulting a physician. Almost two thirds of purchases (63.9%) were for males, mainly under the age of ten years. Clients had poor knowledge of the indications, side effects, adverse reactions and appropriate duration of therapy. The dispenser viewed himself as a businessman rather than a professional and rarely offered unsolicited advice. Co-prescribing of ‘tonics’ added to costs and decreased the purchasing power for antimicrobial drugs. Most purchases of antimicrobial drugs in community pharmacies in Nagpur were for minor indications and were limited by the purchasing power of the consumers. It is doubtful that the choice of drug and the short duration of therapy would be effective for serious infections. The more frequent use of antimicrobial drugs in males may reflect greater susceptibility to infectious diseases and/or sex bias. Constraints of poverty and culture severely limit effective medical care in this city.
An inverse problem in reaction kinetics

In this paper we investigate the problem of extracting information about chemical reactions involving multiple species from the time history of the concentration of each species. The mathematical model of the kinetic system leads to a system of ordinary differential equations. Our focus is to examine whether the species’ concentrations as functions of time are sufficient to determine what chemical reactions, and at what reaction rates, have occurred. We show that within the limitation of our model, there may be many candidate reaction systems that could explain the data. Using the notion of sparsity, we provide a quantitative assessment of the question of distinguishability. We further demonstrate that sparsity enforcing approaches, such as minimizing the l 1 or the l 0 norms are not reliable. Our conclusion is that additional knowledge about the kinetic system will be necessary to reliably solve this inverse problem.
Characterization of GDF-10 expression patterns and null mice.

Growth/differentiation factor-10 (GDF-10) is a TGF-beta family member highly related to bone morphogenetic protein-3. In order to determine the biological function of GDF-10, we carried out a detailed analysis of the expression pattern of GDF-10 and characterized GDF-10-null mice that we generated by gene targeting. During embryogenesis GDF-10 is expressed prominently in developing skeletal structures both in the craniofacial region and in the vertebral column. In adult animals, GDF-10 is expressed at high levels in the brain, where GDF-10 is localized primarily to cells in the Purkinje cell layer of the cerebellum, and in the uterus, where the expression levels of GDF-10 are regulated both during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. Despite the high levels of GDF-10 expression in these tissues, we found no obvious abnormalities in GDF-10-knockout mice with respect to the development of these tissues. These findings suggest either that GDF-10 plays no regulatory role in these tissues or that its function is redundant with that of other growth factor-like molecules.
Experimental and Theoretical Study of the Coordination of 1,2,4-Triazolato, Tetrazolato, and Pentazolato Ligands to the [K(18-crown-6)]+ Fragment

Treatment of 3,5-diisopropyltriazole, 3,5-diphenyltriazole, 3,5-di-3-pyridyltriazole, phenyltetrazole, pyrrolidinyltetrazole, or tert-butyltetrazole with equimolar quantities of potassium hydride and 18-crown-6 in tetrahydrofuran at ambient temperature led to slow hydrogen evolution and formation of (3,5-diisopropyl-1,2,4-triazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium (88%), (3,5-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazolato)(tetrahydrofuran)(18-crown-6)potassium (87%), (3,5-di-3-pyridyl-1,2,4-triazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium (81%), (phenyltetrazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium (94%), (pyrrolidinyltetrazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium (90%), and (tert-butyltetrazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium (94%) as colorless crystalline solids. (1,2,4-Triazolato)(18-crown-6)potassium was isolated as a hemi-hydrate in 81% yield upon treatment of 1,2,4-triazole with potassium metal in tetrahydrofuran. The X-ray crystal structures of these new complexes were determined, and the solid-state structures consist of the nitrogen heterocycles bonded to the (18-crown-6)pota...
Structure of (CuO) 2 double layers in superconducting YBa2Cu3O7

Since the report that multiphase mixture with the nominal composition La2−xBaxCCuO4−J, exhibit possible superconductivity1, research on this class of quaternary oxides has increased enormously. The superconducting compound in the original mixture was rapidly identified as La1.85Ba0.15CuO42, and subsequent research concentrated on the most suitable cation substitutions in this compound. A new oxide with a considerably higher critical temperature, Tc, was very soon found in the phase system Y2O3-BaO–CuO3, later identified by several groups as YBa2Cu3O7–δ; and now commonly known as the 1–2–3 compound. Intensive activity in structural characterization followed including reports of various planar defects. Here we report an analysis, using high-resolution electron microscopy of planar defects in superconducting YBa2Cu3O7, revealing the identity of a CuO double layer intercalation. Within this double layer, the Cu atoms remain in planar fourfold coordination with O, identical to their arrangement in the single CuO layers of the YBa2Cu3O7 matrix.
On the mechanism of directed, TiCl4-mediated aldol addition—an easy access to substituted 2.4-furandiols

Abstract Different results of directed TiCl4-mediated aldol additions in the presence of bases as well as in the absence of bases followed by an α-hydroxylation were obtained.
Amorphization and disordering of the Ni3Al ordered intermetallic by mechanical milling

The ordered fcc intermetallic compound Ni3Al was mechanically milled in a high energy ball mill. The severe plastic deformation produced by milling induced transformations with increasing milling time as follows: ordered fcc → 2; disordered fcc → 2; nanocrystalline fcc + amorphous. The milling time for complete disordering occurred at 5 h for stoichiometric Ni3Al milled at ambient temperature compared to 50 h for the first observation of an amorphous structure. The structural and microstructural evolution with milling time was followed by x-ray diffraction, TEM, hardness, and calorimetry. The major defect believed responsible for inducing the crystalline-to-amorphous transformation is the fine grain boundary structure with nanometer (∼2 nm diameter) dimensions. The calculated interfacial free energy of the grain boundaries is consistent with the estimated free energy difference between the fcc and amorphous phases in Ni3Al.
Recent Advances and New Challenges in Travel Medicine.

Recent advances in travel medicine include the use of computer resources to obtain information on outbreaks and recommendations to travelers, the introduction of atovaquone/proguanil as chemoprophylaxis and treatment for malaria, the use of azithromycin as an alternative in the self-treatment of traveler’s diarrhea, and the combination of hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccines. At the same time, new challenges continue to appear. Shifts in the distribution of infections, such as West Nile virus and dengue fever, underscore the need for up-to-date information. Well-known infectious diseases, such as polio, meningococcal meningitis, and influenza are appearing in unexpected ways and settings. It is increasingly clear that travelers, while at risk for infections, also play a role in the global dispersal of pathogens, such as certain serogroups of Neisseria meningitidis and influenza. Increasing drug resistance affects the choice of drugs for treatment and chemoprophylaxis, and decisions about use of vaccines. Newly identified adverse events associated with yellow fever vaccine have prompted enhanced surveillance after vaccination and careful scrutiny of appropriate indications for the vaccine.
The interaction of an isotropic field of acoustic waves with a shock wave

Moore's (1954) inviscid linear analysis of the interaction of a shock wave with a plane acoustic wave is evaluated by comparison to computation. The analysis is then extended to study the interaction of an isotropic field of acoustic waves with a normal shock wave. The evolution of fluctuating kinetic energy, sound level and thermodynamic fluctuations across the shock wave are examined in detail.The interaction of acoustic fluctuations with the shock is notably different from that of vortical fluctuations. The kinetic energy of the acoustic fluctuations decreases across the shock wave for Mach numbers between 1.25 and 1.8. For Mach numbers exceeding 3, the kinetic energy amplifies by levels that significantly exceed those found in the interaction of vortical fluctuations with the shock. Upon interacting with the shock wave, the acoustic waves generate vortical fluctuations whose contribution to the far-field kinetic energy increases with increasing Mach number. The level of sound increases across the shock wave. The rise in the sound pressure level across the shock varies from 5 to 20 dB for Mach number varying from 1.5 to 5. The fluctuations behind the shock wave are nearly isentropic for Mach number less than 1.5, beyond which the generation of entropy fluctuations becomes significant.
Neuroprotectant effects of LY274614, a structurally novel systemically active competitive NMDA receptor antagonist.

Antagonists for the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptor may have therapeutic potential as neuroprotectant agents in conditions of neuronal degeneration that include brain ischemia, Huntington's chorea, and Alzheimer's disease. Here we have investigated the pharmacological actions of LY274614, a structurally novel competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, for pharmacological selectivity and neuroprotectant effects following systemic administration. LY274614 potently displaced NMDA receptor ([3H]CGS19755) binding (IC50 = 58.8 +/- 10.3 nM), but had no appreciable affinity at [3H]AMPA or [3H]kainate receptor sites at up to 10,000 nM. NMDA-induced convulsions in neonatal rats or NMDA-induced lethality in mice are potently and selectively antagonized by i.p. or p.o. LY274614. Oral doses showed a delayed but prolonged duration of effect. In adult rats, the neurodegenerative effects (loss of choline acetyltransferase activity) following the intrastriatal infusions of NMDA or quinolinate, but not kainate, were prevented by LY274614 (2.5 to 20 mg/kg i.p.). LY274614 is an effective neuroprotectant agent against NMDA receptor-induced toxicity when administered systemically and is a promising therapeutic agent for conditions where glutamate plays a role in the pathology of neuronal degeneration.
NMR Studies of Fluorine in Aluminosilicate–Lanthanum Fluoride Glasses and Glass-Ceramics

NMR determinations of fluorine environments in transparent oxyfluoride glass-ceramics were made to learn about the crystallization of LaF3, as well as to ascertain the structural role of fluorine in the surrounding glassy matrix. The fraction of fluorine in LaF3 was measured as a function of heat treatments, demonstrating significant differences between glasses modified with barium and those containing sodium. The results of these measurements showed that not all of the fluorine formed LaF3 in these glass-ceramics, with resolution of additional fluoride sites at −135 and −185 ppm, due primarily to Si–F and Al–F bonding, respectively. Not only is the evidence of Si–F bonding unexpected, given the presence of aluminum, but the amount of Si–F bonding is sensitive to the type of modifier in the glass. Samples containing barium oxide as the modifier showed a higher fraction of Si–F bonding than those modified with sodium oxide.
Postcolonial theory and the specter of capital

Penny for the old guy.1Alexandre Aspel told me that I should always try to see what is best in what I read. Jacques Derrida taught us to say ‘yes’ twice to a text. I have tried to read Vivek Chibbe...
Phenyltin compounds inhibit digestive enzymes of Tribolium confusum larvae

Abstract The potency of dietary phenyltin compounds in inhibiting the growth of first and fourth instar Tribolium confusum L. larvae and the gut proteolytic activity of fourth instar larvae decreases in the order of triphenyltin chloride (Ph 3 SnCl) ⪢ diphenyltin dichloride (Ph 2 SnCl 2 ) ⪢ phenyltin trichloride or tetraphenyltin. The growth retardation, which prolongs the larval stage without affecting pupation or emergence, may result from an antifeeding effect involving gut protease inhibition by Ph 3 Sn + and Ph 2 Sn 2+ . Gut amylase and invertase activities are less sensitive than the protease activity to in vivo inhibition. Under in vitro conditions, relatively high concentrations of Ph 3 SnCl and Ph 2 SnCl 2 are required for inhibition, the order of enzyme sensitivity is protease > amylase > invertase, and Ph 2 SnCl 2 is more potent than Ph 3 SnCl. Proteins such as casein, albumin and hemoglobin, but not carbohydrates such as starch and sucrose bind Ph 3 Sn + so it is inaccessible for inhibition of digestive enzymes. The level of Ph 3 Sn + inhibiting gut protease in vivo is far below that necessary for in vitro inhibition of this enzyme activity. It is speculated that the in vivo inhibitory effects of Ph 3 Sn + and Ph 2 Sn 2+ on digestive enzymes may result from binding to the enzyme protein, its zymogen or to other proteins involved in production of the digestive enzymes.
Training for the Future in Norwich Union

A course is described which combines Action Centred Leadership and Outdoor Activities designed to develop managers in an insurance company. Specific exercises are described, first for building trust between participants and then to expose them to challenging physical activities.