cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dermatological effects of chronic exposure to 7,12-dimethylbenz[A]anthracene (DMBA) or N-methyl-N-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) in swine.

Purpose: To determine whether chronic exposure to DMBA or MNNG in combination with or without UVB exposure would induce skin carcinomas in swine. Methods: Eight gilts were exposed to 100 mJ of UVB in their left side, allowed to recuperate, and divided into two groups. Each gilt received identical high doses (DMBA 50 µM; MNNG 250 mM), low doses (DMBA 500 nM; MNNG 2.5 mM), carrier (DMSO), or nothing added treatments in the UVB and non-UVB sides. Animals were exposed weekly for 30 weeks and skin samples collected at 10, 20, and 30 weeks from initiation of exposure. An additional sample was collected 16 weeks following cessation of exposure. All samples were scored for dermal morphology, including intracellular epidermal edema, intercellular epidermal edema, papillary dermal edema, perivascular infiltrates, pyknotic stratum basale cells, collagen necrosis, and epidermal-dermal separation, and the data were analyzed by ANOVA. MNNG and UVB light had a significant effect on epidermal thickness and the number of ...
Liquid scintillation quench correction using 113mindium conversion electrons as an internal standard

Abstract A method of liquid scintillation quench correction is described using 113m In as an internal standard. A small amount of 113m In is added to each specimen bottle. The conversion electrons of 113m In create a sharp pulseheight spectral peak whose height is determined by spectral scanning with a narrow pulse-height window. The height of the pulse at this spectral peak is linearly related to the efficiency of light output (quench) of the liquid scintillation bottle. The specimen is counted for its beta emitter 12 to 24 hr later when the 113m In has decayed. This internal standard method is compared with more common method of automatic external standard quench correction using an external gamma emitter. The present method should allow an inexpensive, more precise, correction through a wide range of quenches.
“Customer Service” in the United States Agency for International Development An Example of Designing a Democracy Program in Bangladesh

The article assesses the experience of the U.S. Agency for International Development in Bangladesh (USAID/B) in its customer-focused design of a democracy program. It applies to the initiative criticisms of the principles of customer orientation in the public sector, most notably that it marginalizes citizenship, underestimates complexity, and leads to policy incoherence. The article observes that USAID/B effectively managed to sustain an effort to solicit, resolicit, and keep an eye on people’s/customers’ needs. The critical literature nevertheless has relevance in explaining some present limitations but more so potential problems of retaining a focus on customers. In the face of competing interests of stakeholders far more powerful than its customers (defined as “the poor and disadvantaged” of Bangladesh), USAID/B’s determination to persevere will be seriously tested.
Usefulness of QRS Axis Change to Predict Mortality in Patients With Left Bundle Branch Block

QRS duration correlates with poor prognosis in patients with left bundle branch block (LBBB), but the importance of left-axis deviation (LAD) is not well established. To determine if LAD confers a mortality risk in patients with LBBB, a single-center, retrospective, population-based cohort study was conducted. Included were all patients at 1 hospital with LBBB on electrocardiography from 1995 to 2005 over a 17-year follow-up period (n = 2,794, median follow-up duration 20 months, interquartile range 6 to 64). Half of all patients with LBBB had LAD. The all-cause mortality rate in the entire cohort was 15%. LAD was not associated with mortality, either as a single outcome (odds ratio [OR] 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.88 to 1.3, p = 0.50) or in time-to-event analysis (p = 0.40). Significant risk factors for mortality included high creatinine (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3), low hemoglobin (OR 1.2, 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3), history of atrial fibrillation (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3 to 2.1), electrocardiographic evidence of previous infarct (OR 1.5, 95% CI 1.2 to 1.9), and history of ventricular tachycardia (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.0 to 1.9). On bivariate analysis, LAD was associated with atrial fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, age, and congestive heart failure. Patients with LBBB who converted from normal axis to LAD had significantly higher mortality in time-to-event analysis (p = 0.02). In conclusion, in patients with LBBB, LAD does not confer significant mortality risk. However, those with normal axis who developed LAD during the study period had significantly higher mortality. Perhaps when LBBB and LAD develop concurrently, there is no increased risk over baseline LBBB development, but it may herald a worse prognosis if LAD develops against the background of previous LBBB, from an unknown mechanism.
Predictions of micelle-water partition coefficients and retention in micellar electrokinetic chromatography from solute structure. 2. Fragmental constant approach.

The fragmental constant approach (FCA) was used to calculate water−sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) micelle partition coefficients, Kmw, for uncharged solutes from their structure. Subsequently, the availability of Kmw values allows prediction of retention factor, k, in micellar electrokinetic chromatography (MEKC) using the simple relationship k = Kmwφ, where φ is the phase ratio. The FCA model describes a micelle−water partition coefficient as the sum of the partition coefficients of the constituent atomic/molecular fragments, measured by fragmental constant values, f i, as well as correction factors to account for various “intramolecular effects” that cause deviations from the predicted partition coefficients as, log Kmw = aif i + kiCm. The fragmental constants for a set of 41 fragments were determined using a training set of 229 aromatic solutes and 198 aliphatic compounds. The Kmw of the aromatic compounds in the training set were determined by MEKC, while the Kmw of the aliphatic solutes were estimated ...
Linear programming with multiple fuzzy goals

Abstract This paper describes the use of fuzzy set theory in goal programming (GP) problems. In particular, it is demonstrated how fuzzy or imprecise aspirations of the decision maker (DM) can be quantified through the use of piecewise linear and continuous functions. Models are then presented for the use of fuzzy goal programming with preemptive priorities, with Archimedean weights, and with the maximization of the membership function corresponding to the minimum goal. Examples are also provided.
PPM symbol synchronization in random data

The problem of achieving PPM (pulse position modulation) symbol synchronization using no reference marker but a finite span of slot observations is considered. The optimum maximum-likelihood (ML) decision statistics and the suboptimum, easily implementable maximum correlation decision statistics are derived for PPM symbol synchronization for the Poisson and Gaussian channels. Simulation results presented show that the PPM symbol synchronization probability performances of both decision statistics are practically identical for moderately high signal-to-noise ratios. >
Positionally Dependent Renal Artery Restenosis

A 63-year-old woman with extensive atherosclerotic vascular disease, including long-standing renal artery stenosis, was evaluated for newly uncontrolled hypertension with frequent headaches despite the use of 4 antihypertensive agents. Her blood pressure had been well controlled previously. She had a remote history of right renal artery occlusion and had undergone left renal artery stenting 9 years before presentation. In-stent restenosis had been treated twice with balloon angioplasty since that time. Repeat duplex ultrasound was ordered for suspicion of recurrent in-stent restenosis. Duplex ultrasound of the left renal artery with the patient in the supine position demonstrated peak …
Packet-level integration of fluid TCP models in real-time network simulation

We present a hybrid network traffic model that combines time-stepping fluid model with discrete-event packet-oriented simulation. We propose an integration scheme allowing packet flows to interact with fluid flows within each network queue. Different from previous schemes that require physical division of the virtual network between the fluid model and packet-oriented simulation, our hybrid model allows full integration of the two paradigms making it possible to dynamically change the composition of traffic flows to allow the simulation to keep up with real time. Experiments show that our model provides a good prediction of the network behavior. More important, as we increase the proportion of packet flows, the simulation is capable of capturing more detail of the network traffic behavior at the expense of more computing time. Hence the tradeoff.
A comparison of ant assemblages (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) on serpentine and non-serpentine soils in northern California

Summary In northern California, ant assemblages in 8 sites in serpentine chaparral habitat were compared with those occurring in 8 chaparral sites on adjacent non-serpentine soils. A total of 27 species of ants was found: 22 species were collected in non-serpentine chaparral and 20 species in serpentine chaparral. Seven species were collected exclusively in non-serpentine, and 5 species were found only in serpentine habitats. A Formica species, conspecific with or closely related to F. xerophila, was found only in serpentine chaparral. Subsequent collections suggest that in northern California, this species is confined to serpentine outcrops. Two other species significantly differed in frequency of occurrence in each habit: Camponotus hyatti, C. cf. vicinus. Five species showed marginal significant differences in their relative abundance between habitats: Camponotus hyatti, C. cf. vicinus, Formica moki, Prenolepis imparis, Leptothorax nevadensis, Stenamma diecki.
Ethanol and Vestibular Stimulation Reveal Simple and Complex Aspects of Cerebellar Heterogeneity

Unlike the cerebral cortex, the cerebellum is characterized by a simple histological organization that is relatively uniform throughout. However, molecular characteristics of its constituent elements create a high degree of heterogeneity and complexity resulting in the delineation of modules defined by both parasagittal and anteroposterior boundaries. Eccles notion of the cerebellum as “designed to process input information in some unique and essential manner” may relate to analysis of temporal elements involved in both motor and cognitive behaviors. The complexity of molecular heterogeneities may provide for subtle alterations in temporal processing and lead to behavioral perturbations seen after alcohol or other disruptive stimuli.
A Semiotic Account of Polysemy and Homonymy

It has always been a problem in linguistic theory to decide when two or more similar signs are polysemous or homonymous. A red flag, for instance; can mean danger or nonsale of gasoline. A ring can signify wedding, engagement, graduation, reward, etc. In these cases is it the same sign that stands for several things “polysemy”, or is it just an accident that signs which stand for these things happen to look like “homonymy”? In the English dictionary, there is one lexical entry, bachelor with four different meanings: (1) unmarried person, (2) somebody with a college degree, (3) young knight serving another knight, (4) young fur seal without a mate during the breeding time. But there are two lexical entries, bank l and bank 2: meaning bank of the river, and where the money is deposited, respectively. This paper shows that within a semiotic theory as outlined by Peirce the problem doesn’t arise, because the theory offers devices that can help the lexicographer to tell when the linguistic sign would be listed in the dictionary as polysemous or homonymous. Before this approach is outlined, we shall first discuss problems that are related to the polysemy/homonymy issue.
Fully implicit integration and consistent tangent modulus in elasto-plasticity

This paper deals with the numerical integration of a class of rate-independent elasto-plastic models. The backward Euler scheme is used to integrate the rate constitutive relations. The non-linear equations obtained are solved by the Newton method. The consistent tangent modulus is obtained by exact linearization of the algorithm. In the case of J 2 elastoplasticity with non-linear isotropic hardening and non-linear kinematic hardening (Chaboche-Marquis model), explicit formulas are derived, without any approximations
The FOS Transcription Factor Family Differentially Controls Trophoblast Migration and Invasion

Extravillous trophoblast invasion is a fundamental component of human placentation. Invading trophoblast cells promote blood flow to the conceptus by actively remodeling the uterine vasculature. The extent of trophoblast invasion is tightly regulated; aberrant invasion is linked with several obstetrical complications. However, the transcriptional networks responsible for controlling the extent of trophoblast invasion are not well defined. Previous studies have identified high levels of FOS (FOS, FOSB, FOS-like (FOSL) 1, and FOSL2) proteins in extravillous trophoblast cells. These proteins form part of the activating protein-1 (AP-1) transcription factor complex and are implicated in regulating gene networks controlling cellular invasion in diverse biological systems. Therefore, we hypothesized that FOS family proteins play a role in regulating trophoblast invasion. We assessed expression of FOS family proteins in trophoblast cell lines and human placentae at different gestational ages. FOS, FOSB, and FOSL1 proteins were robustly increased in trophoblast cells subject to wound-based migration assays as well as Matrigel-based invasion assays. FOS knockdown resulted in cessation of proliferation and an induction of migration and invasion concomitant with robust expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 1, MMP3, and MMP10. Conversely, FOSL1 knockdown abrogated trophoblast migration and invasion and inhibited the production of MMP1, MMP3, and MMP10. In human placenta, FOS was expressed in proximal anchoring villi in conjunction with phospho-ERK. FOSL1 was temporally expressed only in the distal-most extravillous trophoblast cells, which represent a migratory cell population. Therefore, FOS and FOSL1 exert opposing effects on trophoblast invasion.
Congestion Avoidance Based on Lightweight Buffer Management in Sensor Networks

A wireless sensor network is constrained by computation capability, memory space, communication bandwidth, and above all, energy supply. When a critical event triggers a surge of data generated by the sensors, congestion may occur as data packets converge toward a sink. Congestion causes energy waste, throughput reduction, and information loss. However, the important problem of congestion avoidance in sensor networks is largely open. This paper proposes a congestion-avoidance scheme based on lightweight buffer management. We describe simple yet effective approaches that prevent data packets from overflowing the buffer space of the intermediate sensors. These approaches automatically adapt the sensors' forwarding rates to nearly optimal without causing congestion. We discuss how to implement buffer-based congestion avoidance with different MAC protocols. In particular, for CSMA with implicit ACK, our 1/k-buffer solution prevents hidden terminals from causing congestion. We demonstrate how to maintain near-optimal throughput with a small buffer at each sensor and how to achieve congestion-free load balancing when there are multiple routing paths toward multiple sinks
The Impact of Communication Costs and Limitations on Price Wars in an Information Economy

Price wars - the iterative undercutting of prices to the marginal cost by competitors - have frequently emerged in models of economic systems populated by computational agents. In this paper, we explore the prevalence and severity of price wars in models of multiagent ecommerce systems that include costs and limitations on interagent communication. The empirical results we describe in this paper indicate that, for a stationary consumer population, limiting the rate of penetration of price information can reduce the severity of price wars, and that charging producer agents for communication can in fact curtail price-undercutting before prices (and profits) bottom out. Furthermore, prices (and profits) do not bottom out for non-stationary consumer populations, where in fact cyclic price wars can arise.
Effects of temporal lobe epilepsy on spatial and figural aspects of memory for a complex geometric figure

The preoperative delayed memory performance on the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (Lezak, 1983) of 54 patients with complex partial seizures of temporal lobe origin was analyzed using 3 different indices. One index (composite) was derived using a common scoring method that included both spatial and figural aspects of memory in its score. The other two indices were derived emphasizing either spatial or figural aspects of memory for the elements of the figure separately. All 3 indices distinguished between individuals with right-sided (RTLE) and left-sided (LTLE) seizure onset. However, spatial memory was significantly lower than figural memory in individuals with RTLE as compared to those with LTLE. Both the spatial and figural memory indices were significantly lower in the presence of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evidence for hippocampal selerosis in individuals with RTLE. Results suggest that while both the spatial and figural aspects of nonverbal memory are sensitive to right hippocampal dysfunction, figural memory may be less vulnerable to the effects of RTLE. (JINS, 1996, 2, 535–540.)
MEASUREMENT PROBLEMS AND FLORIDA PANTHER MODELS

Abstract Conservation planning is only as good as the science on which it relies. This paper evaluates the science underlying the least-cost-path model, developed by Meegan and Maehr (2002), for the Florida panther, Puma concolor coryi. It also assesses the resulting claim that private lands in central Florida are desirable for panther colonization (Maehr et al. 2002a, p. 187; Maehr 2001, pp. 3–4; Maehr and Deason 2002, p. 400). The paper argues that panther conservation planning, as proposed by Maehr, is flawed because of its (1) poor analysis of panther-habitat requirements, owing largely to use of only daytime telemetry, a black-box model, and failure to take account of spatial and temporal uncertainties; (2) use of stipulative and misleading definitions of key biological terms, such as “forest obligate” and panther “dispersal”; (3) employment of question-begging value judgments to rank habitat; (4) weak testing of the model; (5) inconsistency in evaluation of forest habitat; (6) inconsistency in evalu...
Pancreas Divisum: A Retrospective Review to Evaluate the Risk of Biliary Tract Neoplasms

Background—Congenital anomalies of the biliary tree are established risk factors for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). This review was done to assess the association of pancreas divisum (PD) with biliary tract neoplasms. Methods—A retrospective review of prospectively collected, computer data of all patients who had undergone endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) at the Indiana University Hospital (IUH). Results—A total of 10,339 ERCPs were performed on 7,809 patients between 1994 to 2001. Out of these, 5,570 patients underwent pancreatograms. The remaining were excluded from the review. Of the total sampled patients 875 (15.7%) had pancreas divisum. Out of all the ERCPs in both patients with or without divisum, a total of 73 cholangiocarcinomas, 46 ampullary carcinomas (ACA) and 42 ampullary adenomas were found. Of the total 73 CCA, 10 had PD (13.7%), of the 46 ACA, 8 had PD (17.4%), and of the total number of biliary tract malignancies, 18 had PD (15.1%). These figures did not differ significantly when compared to the number of biliary tract malignancies seen in patients without PD. On analysis, there was no statistically significant association found between biliary tract malignancies and PD. Sub-analysis was done after adding the 42 patients with ampullary adenomas in the cases. There was again no difference noted between the cases and the controls. Conclusions—There is no definite association between pancreas divisum and causation of biliary malignancies.
Predicting effects of noncoding variants with deep learning–based sequence model

Identifying functional effects of noncoding variants is a major challenge in human genetics. To predict the noncoding-variant effects de novo from sequence, we developed a deep learning-based algorithmic framework, DeepSEA (http://deepsea.princeton.edu/), that directly learns a regulatory sequence code from large-scale chromatin-profiling data, enabling prediction of chromatin effects of sequence alterations with single-nucleotide sensitivity. We further used this capability to improve prioritization of functional variants including expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) and disease-associated variants.
The Law and Economics of Environmental Information Regulation

Since the mid-1990s, there has been substantially increasing academic interest in use of information disclosure as a regulatory tool to affect environmentally related behavior by firms. This Article reviews recent scholarly literature on informational regulation in the environmental arena, focusing primarily upon work contained in major economics and legal journals. During the course of this review, various theories, frameworks, and principles underlying contemporary thinking and analysis on informational regulatory approaches to environmental protection will be identified and considered.
Archives and the Boundaries of Early Modern Science

AbstractThis contribution argues that the study of early modern archives suggests a new agenda for historians of early modern science. While in recent years historians of science have begun to direct increased attention toward the collections amassed by figures and institutions traditionally portrayed as proto-scientific, archives proliferated across early modern Europe, emerging as powerful tools for creating knowledge in politics, history, and law as well as natural philosophy, botany, and more. The essay investigates the methods of production, collection, organization, and manipulation used by English statesmen and Crown officers such as Keeper of the State Papers Thomas Wilson and Secretary of State Joseph Williamson to govern their disorderly collections. Their methods, it is shown, were shared with contemporaries seeking to generate and manage other troves of evidence and in fact reflect a complex ecosystem of imitation and exchange across fields of inquiry. These commonalities suggest that historia...
Centenary of the British Cooperative Movement

Although British experiments in consumer cooperation date back to I767, successful cooperation in Britain began on December 21, I844, when the Equitable Pioneers Society opened a shop in a back street, called Toad Lane, in the industrial weaving town of Rochdale.1 Twenty-eight poor men had accumulated, by saving a few pence weekly over the preceding year, the original capital of $I12, to which the largest single contribution was $2o.t With this capital, a stock consisting of 50 pounds of butter, 56 pounds of sugar, six hundredweight of flour, one hundredweight of oatmeal, and two dozen candles was purchased, and a small shop was rented for $50 a year. At
Reproductive performance and serum fatty acid profiles of underdeveloped beef heifers supplemented with saturated or unsaturated rumen bypass fat compared to an isocaloric control

Research involving fat supplementation to heifers has shown positive reproductive effects, but the effect of lipid composition has had little investigation. Heifers (n = 118) were blocked by age, breed, and BW and pen-fed alfalfa hay. Heifers were individually fed 1 of 3 isocaloric supplements: control (CON) or either half the CON diet with 0.2 kg of a rumenprotected unsaturated fatty acid source (USFA) or a rumen-protected saturated fatty acid source (SFA) fed 5 d/wk. Heifers received treatments for 3 wk before starting the 7-d controlled intravaginal drug release estrus synchronization protocol. Heifers remained on treatment for 28 d after AI. Pregnancy was determined at d 30 post-AI via transrectal ultrasonography and by rectal palpation at 150 d post-AI. Serum progesterone and leptin were measured by RIA and serum triglycerides; cholesterol was measured by colorimetric procedures. Heifers BW gain during supplementation was similar (P = 0.35) between treatment groups (32 ± 2 kg). Percentage of heifers cycling tended to be less (P = 0.08) for USFA heifers compared with CON and SFA treatments (36 vs. 55 and 56%, respectively). Pregnancy rates by AI of heifers detected in estrus were similar (P = 0.35) between treatments. Serum total and specific fatty acids, cholesterol, and triglycerides were greater (P < 0.05) at d 21 and 56 in fat-supplemented heifers compared with CON heifers. At d 56 of treatment, USFA had greater (P < 0.05) plasma leptin compared with SFA, with CON heifers having further reduced serum leptin concentration. Feeding rumen-protected fats to heifers increased circulating lipid and leptin, but did not influence reproduction rates.
440 DUSP5 IS DECREASED BY INTRAUTERINE GROWTH RESTRICTION IN THE THYMUS AND SPLEEN OF NEWBORN RATS.

Background IUGR infants have qualitative and quantitative abnormalities in lymphocyte function that persist into childhood, resulting in increased susceptibility to infections. Little is known about the underlying mechanisms; however, it is thought that epigenetic regulation of gene expression plays a major role in the long-term pathology associated with IUGR. We have previously shown that CD4+/CD8+ immature T cells in the thymus are disproportionately affected in IUGR. Recently, the dual-specificity phosphatase DUSP5 has been shown to be necessary for immature CD4+/CD8+ T-cell development in the thymus (Mol Immunol 2006 Feb). Interestingly, DUSP5 also manifests epigenetic alterations in the liver and brain of IUGR rats, with males more affected. Objective We therefore hypothesized that IUGR decreases DUSP5 mRNA levels in the thymus and spleen and decreases the number of CD4+/CD8+ cells in the thymus of newborn IUGR rats in a sex-specific manner. Design/Methods To prove this hypothesis, we used bilateral uterine artery ligation and sham surgery to produce IUGR and control rats (n = 6 in each group). Thymus and spleen were harvested at birth. Organ weight and total cell number were corrected for body weight differences. mRNA levels were measured in a sex-specific manner with real-time rtPCR in both the thymus and spleen at birth. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the number of CD4+/CD8+ immature T cells in the thymus at birth. Results DUSP5 mRNA levels were decreased in the spleen of both male and female rats at birth (78% and 66%, p conclusions We conclude IUGR decreases DUSP5 levels in the thymus and spleen in female rats at day 0. Male rats have decreased DUSP5 levels in the spleen but not the thymus at birth. This is intriguing because decreased DUSP5 levels are associated with impaired development of immature lymphocytes, which is also a hallmark of IUGR. We speculate that decreased perinatal DUSP5 levels lead to decreased development of immature lymphocytes in the thymus, which represents a pathway through which IUGR causes abnormalities in lymphocyte number. Supported by the Children9s Health Research Center.
Practical considerations for reliable stress and oxygen surface exchange coefficients from bilayer curvature relaxation measurements

The curvature relaxation technique is a new electrode-free method for simultaneously measuring a material’s chemical oxygen surface exchange coefficient and stress state under controlled atmosphere and temperature conditions. Provided certain conditions are met, this in situ/in operando technique can be used to accurately measure the oxygen surface exchange coefficients and stress states of dense, porous, thin, or thick film oxygen exchange materials. The present paper provides a detailed, practical discussion of these conditions and compares the curvature relaxation technique to alternative oxygen surface exchange coefficient measurement approaches.
Analysis of the Results of Separation and Antimicrobial Susceptibility Tests of Infant Eye Secretions of Streptococcus Pneumoniae

Objective:To understand the separation condition of infant eye secretions of streptococcus pneumoniae and their antimicrobial susceptibility tests, and provide evidence for clinical rational use of antimicrobial agents. Method:Children eye secretion specimens were cultured and antimicrobial susceptibility test results of detection of streptococcus pneumoniae were retrospectively analyzed from January 2008 to January 2014 in our hospital outpatient department of ophthalmology. Result:In the 838 secretion specimens of child patients of conjunctivitis, 45 pathogens were carried out streptococcus pneumoniae, with a positive rate of 5.4%. The sensitivity rates of Ofloxacin and Rifampin were higher, 77.8% and 75.6% respectively, while the drug resistance rate of Erythromycin was the highest, 66.7%. Conclusion:Streptococcus pneumoniae is one of the main pathogenic bacteria of ocular infections, according to the result of drug sensitivity test, fluoroquinolones eye drops can be used as the drug of choice for the treatment of pneumococcalinfections of the eye.
Clinical aspects of grief and bereavement.

SUMMARY Grieving, the normal reaction to the loss of a loved one, progresses from shock and denial to acute mourning and finally to resolution. If any of these stages is absent or unduly prolonged, mourning may be incomplete and the grief unresolved. Unresolved grief has been shown to be clinically common and to place those who experience it at risk not only for medical morbidity, mortality, and severe depression, but also for unnecessary medical treatments. Primary care physicians see many grieving patients with unresolved grief expressed as somatic discomfort or depression, and can therefore be influential in helping the bereaved through the grieving process. Once identified, unresolved grief can frequently be managed by “talk therapy” — the primary physician's directed discussion of the death with the bereaved, aimed at ushering them through all the stages of grief. Exploration with patients of their unresolved grief can provide, over time, an inexpensive intervention that may increase their chances of maintaining better physical and psychological health. If suicidal ideation accompanies depression or there is doubt about the diagnosis, psychological evaluation should be considered.
An Acoustics Operations Study for Loblolly Pine (Pinus taeda) Standing Saw Timber with Different Thinning History

There is currently a request from landowners in southeastern USA to provide a nondestructive tool that can differentiate the quality between stands of 25 and 30 years of age subjected to different thinning treatments. A typical site with various thinning regimes was used to vary the wood quality and to determine whether acoustics had the ability to separate for stiffness differences at a given age and local geography. A stand at age 29 with three different spacing (prior thinning) levels was chosen. Three hundred trees (100 per treatment) were randomly selected and acoustically tested for sound velocity using the Time-of-Flight (ToF) method for unthinned, thinned, and twice-thinned stands, respectively. The key finding of the study was that the estimated stiffness of the previously thinned treatments was actually greater than that of the unthinned group, despite having diameters as much as 28% larger. During a forest cruise, knowing that a higher-diameter stand is similar or higher in stiffness could raise the dollar value and harvest priority.
A High-Content, Phenotypic Screen Identifies Fluorouridine as an Inhibitor of Pyoverdine Biosynthesis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Virulence.

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen that causes severe health problems. Despite intensive investigation, many aspects of microbial virulence remain poorly understood. We used a high-throughput, high-content, whole-organism, phenotypic screen to identify small molecules that inhibit P. aeruginosa virulence in Caenorhabditis elegans. Approximately half of the hits were known antimicrobials. A large number of hits were nonantimicrobial bioactive compounds, including the cancer chemotherapeutic 5-fluorouracil. We determined that 5-fluorouracil both transiently inhibits bacterial growth and reduces pyoverdine biosynthesis. Pyoverdine is a siderophore that regulates the expression of several virulence determinants and is critical for pathogenesis in mammals. We show that 5-fluorouridine, a downstream metabolite of 5-fluorouracil, is responsible for inhibiting pyoverdine biosynthesis. We also show that 5-fluorouridine, in contrast to 5-fluorouracil, is a genuine antivirulence compound, with no bacteriostatic or bactericidal activity. To our knowledge, this is the first report utilizing a whole-organism screen to identify novel compounds with antivirulent properties effective against P. aeruginosa. IMPORTANCE Despite intense research effort from scientists and the advent of the molecular age of biomedical research, many of the mechanisms that underlie pathogenesis are still understood poorly, if at all. The opportunistic human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes a variety of soft tissue infections and is responsible for over 50,000 hospital-acquired infections per year. In addition, P. aeruginosa exhibits a striking degree of innate and acquired antimicrobial resistance, complicating treatment. It is increasingly important to understand P. aeruginosa virulence. In an effort to gain this information in an unbiased fashion, we used a high-throughput phenotypic screen to identify small molecules that disrupted bacterial pathogenesis and increased host survival using the model nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. This method led to the unexpected discovery that addition of a modified nucleotide, 5-fluorouridine, disrupted bacterial RNA metabolism and inhibited synthesis of pyoverdine, a critical toxin. Our results demonstrate that this compound specifically functions as an antivirulent.
Video segmentation using spectral clustering on superpixels

A spectral clustering based video object segmentation technique is proposed in this work. A foreground separation model is introduced which uses thresholding by different features to produce an initial labeling for each frame of the input sequence. We use a combination of color, optical flow, spatial-coordinates, spatiotemporal saliency and the initial foreground labeling to construct an interframe graph showing the relationship between superpixels of the entire video. The graph is solved using spectral clustering to obtain the final segmentation results. We compare our segmentation maps against state-of-the-art techniques and experimental results show that our solution is comparable to them.
Structure of Immunoglobulin D: Evidence for the Absence of an Extra Disulfide Bridge in the Fc Fragment

Abstract Molecular weight determinations of immunoglobulin D suggest the presence of an extra region in the δ chain. In an attempt to locate this region, an IgDλ myeloma protein (Gur), was digested with trypsin for 4 min at 56 ° and the Fc fragment isolated by ion exchange chromatography. N-terminal analysis of this fragment showed a heterogeneity in the site of splitting by trypsin. The Fc was digested with pepsin and trypsin and the cysteine containing peptides isolated by a two dimensional paper high voltage electrophoresis (diagonal map) at pH 3.5. Further purification of these peptides was carried out by HVE at pH 6.5 and 2.1 and their amino acid composition and partial sequence were determined. Only five cysteic acid peptides were obtained, one corresponding to the inter heavy-heavy bridge and the other four, to intra chain bridges. This finding would exclude the possibility of an extra « classical domain » in this region. The position of these peptides in the δ chain has been arranged based on homology with the other classes of immunoglobulins.
Reduced dose apixaban resolving dual cardiac chamber thrombi in a patient with ischaemic cardiomyopathy in sinus rhythm

Left atrial (LA) thrombus is a known sequela of atrial fibrillation (AF) but it is less frequently encountered in patients in sinus rhythm. Left ventricular (LV) dysfunction may predispose patients without evidence of atrial tachyarrhythmias to atrial thrombosis. Warfarin is the standard treatment for cardiac chamber thrombosis and prevention of the associated thromboembolic complications. Despite that apixaban was found to be superior to warfarin in prevention of stroke and systemic embolism in patients with AF, evidence for its use in treatment of cardiac chamber thrombi is scarce and is limited to case reports. We report a case of simultaneously occurring LV and LA thrombi successfully treated with reduced dose apixaban in a patient with ischaemic cardiomyopathy and in sinus rhythm. Although apixaban maybe a potential effective treatment for intracardiac thrombi, further studies are needed to demonstrate efficacy and safety of this agent in larger patient populations.
Coopetition and sustainable competitiveness in business ecosystem: a networks analysis of the global telecommunications industry

Over the past few years, academics and practitioners have started to pay more attention to a new ecology of coopetition and new kinds of business models which can be better defined on the basis of ...
Trends in mental health outcomes and combat exposure among US marines returning from Iraq, Afghanistan or other deployments, 2004-13.

Background As of 2015, more than 2.7 million US military Veterans have served in support of the Global War on Terror. The negative sequelae associated with deployment stressors and related traumas are well-documented. Although data on mental health issues are routinely collected from service members returning from deployment, these data have not been made publicly available, leaving researchers and clinicians to rely on convenience samples, outdated studies and small sample sizes. Methods Population-based data of US Marines returning from deployment between 2004 and 2013 were analyzed, using the Post-Deployment Health Assessment. Results Rates of Marines returning from Iraq who screened positive for depression ranged from 19.31 to 30.02%; suicidal ideation ranged from 0 to 1.44%. Marines screening positive for PTSD ranged from 3.00 to 12.41%; combat exposure ranged from 15.58 to 55.12%. Depression was indicated for between 12.54 and 30.04% of Marines returning from Afghanistan, while suicidal ideation ranged from 0 to 5.33%. PTSD percentages ranged from 6.64 to 18.18%; combat exposure ranged between 42.92 and 75%. Conclusion Our results support the heterogeneity of experiences and mental health sequelae of service members returning from deployments. Outcomes for Afghanistan and Iraq Veterans fluctuate with changes in OPTEMPO across theaters over time.
Effect of the Backbone Tether on the Electrochemical Properties of Soluble Cyclopropenium Redox-Active Polymers

Few reports to date have focused on the chemical and electrochemical reversibility of redox pendants assembled into soluble redox-active polymers (RAPs). Here we report a series of soluble RAPs for flow battery applications designed with cyclopropenium (CP) pendants. The tether length between CP and a polystyrene backbone was varied and found to influence electrochemical activity and stability. Different tether lengths of x methylene groups (x = 1–7) were simulated, and x = 1, 5, and 7 were synthesized to evaluate experimentally. This study illustrates that polymers with extended tether groups display an improved reversibility in cyclic voltammetry. The behavior is mirrored in the stability of the charged state tested in galvanostatic half-cells. When paired with a viologen polymer, these CP-based polymers produce a 1.55 V nonaqueous flow battery. The capacity decays for the polymers were structure-dependent, which provides empirical insight into materials design for high potential catholyte polymers.
Survey Methods for Assessing Social Impacts of Computers in Healthcare Organizations

In summary, the survey methods described in this chapter comprise an essential dimension in a multimethod approach to evaluating the impacts of computers on the functioning of healthcare organizations and the work life of the individuals within them. The chapter and the instruments included in the chapter appendix should provide investigators with standardized instruments, as well as guidance and examples for questionnaire design where no standardized measure exists. Although not intended as a complete review of the literature, this chapter also provides investigators with an overview of topics to consider when planning any investigation of the social impacts of computers in healthcare organizations.
The toxicity of recombinant human interleukin-2 in rats following intravenous infusion

Studies of recombinant interleukin-2 (RIL-2) administered by continuous intravenous infusion revealed hepatocellular toxicity and redistribution of lymphoid cells. This finding was different from the normal findings seen in rats receiving comparable infusions of the vehicle.
Pharmacology of Cannabinoids

Ever since the cloning of two distinct cannabinoid receptors and the discovery of lipids derived from arachidonic acid as endogenous ligands, cannabinoid pharmacology has received increased attention and yielded new insights in the understanding of the complex effects of smoking marijuana. Novel receptors offer the prospect of new therapeutics, and after decades of sparse research cannabinoid pharmacology is once again on the forefront of medical news. The use of molecular biology techniques, such as knockout mice, and the development of antagonists and agonists of the cannabinoid receptors are slowly unraveling a network of intricate physiological and neurological effects.
Conclusion: New Perspectives on Campus Life and Setting the Agenda for Future Research

The final chapter of this book, written by the editors, summarizes the collective contributions of this book’s various chapters. It considers what this anthology tells us about what it meant to be a college student and how students experienced college. The Conclusion explores common themes and strands in campus life across chronological periods, diverse student groups, and institutional types, and it discusses how the collection refines, challenges, expands, and/or critiques Helen Lefkowitz Horowitz’s 1987 Campus Life. Finally, it looks toward the future with questions still to be answered and avenues for research that remain unexplored.
Effect of k-space-weighted image contrast and ultrasound focus size on the accuracy of proton resonance frequency thermometry.

PURPOSE To construct a predictive model that describes how the duration and symmetry of a k-space-weighted image contrast (KWIC) window affects the temporal resolution of differently sized ultrasound foci when using a pseudo-golden angle stack-of-stars acquisition. METHODS We performed a modulation analysis of proton resonance frequency temperature measurements to create the temporal modulation transfer function for KWIC windows of different symmetry and temporal duration. We reconstructed simulated ultrasound heating trajectories and stack-of-stars k-space data as well as experimental phantom data using the same trajectories. Images were reconstructed using symmetric and asymmetric KWIC windows of 3 different temporal durations. Simulated results were compared against temporal modulation transfer function predictions, experimental results, and the original simulated temperatures. RESULTS The temporal modulation transfer function shows that temporal resolution with KWIC reconstructions depend on the object size. The KWIC window duration affected SNR and severity of undersampling artifacts. Accuracy and response delay improved as the KWIC window duration decreased or the size of the heated region within the KWIC plane increased. Precision worsened as the window duration decreased. Using a symmetric window eliminated the response delay to heated region size but introduced a large reconstruction delay. CONCLUSION The accuracy and precision of proton resonance frequency temperature measurements from a stack-of-stars acquisition using a sliding KWIC window reconstruction are dependent on the size of the KWIC window and the size and shape of the heated region. The temporal modulation transfer function of KWIC reconstructions for any object size can predict the temporal response to changes in signal being acquired, such as temperature and contrast enhancement.
Retinal and Preretinal Hemorrhages in a Patient Receiving Hyper-CVAD Chemotherapy for T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Hyperfractionated cyclophosphamide, vincristine, adriamycin, and dexamethasone (Hyper-CVAD) is an important chemotherapeutic regimen for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. We present a case of a 23-year-old male with T-cell ALL and visual acuity of 20/20 in the right eye and 20/25 in the left eye who developed significant changes in his vision after starting Hyper-CVAD therapy. The patient initially presented with cotton wool spots in the fundus shortly after starting the regimen. After going through the induction phase of chemotherapy, he had a sudden decline in his vision to light perception in the left eye. Posterior segment exam revealed retinal ischemia and multilayered hemorrhages in both eyes as well as a large preretinal hemorrhage obscuring the fovea in the left eye. Labs associated the appearance of these hemorrhages with a significant decrease in hemoglobin and a platelet count of 5 K/μL. A Nd:YAG laser applied in the left eye at the posterior hyaloid face allowed blood to drain into the vitreous cavity and brought the patient’s visual acuity back to baseline. Hyper-CVAD is an aggressive chemotherapy regimen that can cause severe thrombocytopenia secondary to myelosuppression. Frequent retinal evaluations and timely intervention is advisable in these cases as extensive intraretinal hemorrhages may cause irreversible damage.
Viewpoint: The costs and benefits of deception in economic experiments

Abstract The historical justifications typically given for the prohibition against deception in economic experiments are less relevant for today’s experiments that are often conducted in non-lab settings with non-student subjects. I describe a variety of research questions that might be most adequately answered with some form of deception, and call for a more nuanced view of the issue that requires a consideration of the importance of the research question relative to the potential costs of deception. For example, in the case of new food products that have not yet been developed, does the sin of hypothetical bias outweigh the sin of deceiving subjects in a non-hypothetical experiment? It is important for journals or professions, which ban the use of deception, to actually define what practices fall under the ban.