cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septal defect with arteriovenous shunts; a clinical and hemodynamic study of eleven patients.

Patients who have pulmonary stenosis and ventricular septal defect usually have a right-to-left intracardiac shunt. This paper presents hemodynamic and clinical data on 11 patients who have pulmonary stenosis, ventricular septal defect and left-to-right shunts. Four of these patients also have defects in the atrial septum, and three have demonstrable bidirectional shunts. The level and direction of shunts were determined by blood oxygen-saturation data and indicator-dilution studies. Choice of the form of treatment to be used in patients such as these should be based largely on hemodynamic considerations. Many resemble patients with tetralogy of Fallot who have had a successful pulmonary valvotomy.
Observation of two-mode binding to DNA by bipyridyl-(ethylenediamine)platinum(II): Isothermal titrational calorimetry and midinfrared absorption studies

The binding of bipyridyl-(ethylenediamine)platinum(II) to calf-thymus DNA has been studied in solution via isothermal titration calorimetry and in unoriented films via midinfrared spectroscopy. The calorimetric data reveal that the ligand binds to DNA at two different sites with the first binding site being filled by about one ligand for every five base pairs. The binding is entropically driven: +25 cal/mol K for the first site and +22 cal/mol K for the second site. Midinfrared absorption data $(400--1800 {\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1})$ from unoriented films show no dependence on the ligand content at relative humidities of 23% and 80%.
Cervical myelopathy due to migration of Torkildsen's shunt: case report

BACKGROUND Ventriculocisternal (Torkildsen's) shunts were used often in the past for the treatment of patients with obstructive hydrocephalus. Cisternal shunts may still be indicated in the management of syringomyelia. CASE DESCRIPTION Presented is a case of a patient developing cervical myelopathy due to migration of a Torkildsen's shunt placed 30 years before. Initially thought to have a malfunctioning shunt, he then underwent removal of the catheter, which was demonstrated on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to be compressing the cervicomedullary junction. The patient improved slightly after removal of the catheter. CONCLUSIONS Patients with cisternal shunts in whom a cervical myelopathy develops should be evaluated with MRI to rule out upper spinal cord compression caused by a migrated catheter.
Bullatacin — in vivo and in vitro experience in an ovarian cancer model

The cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of the acetogenin Bullatacin were evaluated in vitro in multiple ovarian cancer cell lines and in vivo in a murine ovarian teratocarcinoma (MOT) model in C3HeB/FeJ mice. The in vitro cytotoxicity of Bullatacin against four human ovarian epithelial tumor cell lines (OC-194, OC-222, OVCAR-3, and A-2780) was assessed in 48- and 72-h tetrazolium-dye (MTT) cytotoxicity assays. The percentage of cytotoxicity was determined on the basis of the mean optical density of the respective untreated cells and the dose effective against 50% of the cells (ED50) was calculated for each cell line. In vivo experiments were performed on adult female C3HeB/FeJ mice, which were injected i.p. with 10(5) MOT cells and varying amounts of Bullatacin given either in a single dose or in 5 subsequent doses over 72 h. All mice were observed for survival relative to that of the control groups, which were injected either with 10(5) MOT cells with or without serial injections of vehicle or with vehicle only. All four epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines displayed sensitivity to Bullatacin. The relative cytotoxic effects were very heterogeneous, with the ED50 value ranging between 10(-7) micrograms/ml for OC-194 and 4 micrograms/ml for the cisplatin-resistant cell line OVCAR-3 in a 72-h MTT cytotoxicity assay. All mice that had been injected i.p. with 10(5) MOT cells and 1.4 mg/kg or more of Bullatacin died within the first 24 h after injection, whereas all mice that had received 600 micrograms/kg of Bullatacin or less survived equally as long as the controls that had been injected with MOT only (21.1 +/- 0.9 days). Mice that had received Bullatacin at a dose ranging from 600 micrograms/kg to 1.4 mg/kg either died during the 1st day postinjection or survived, but not longer than the MOT control group. Serial i.p. injections of Bullatacin again either led to death of the mice within 24-48 h of the last dose of Bullatacin or did not have any effect on the survival of the mice as compared with the respective control groups, which had been injected with the tumor and serial injections of vehicle (22.5 +/- 2.2 days). In summary, Bullatacin showed no effect on MOT-caused animal death in C3HeB/FeJ mice at nonlethal dose ranges, whether it was given as a single i.p. dose or serially over 72 h. In vitro, however, it proved to be a very potent cytotoxic agent in a variety of ovarian cancer cell lines.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Fate of cationic liposomes and their complex with oligonucleotive in vivo

Abstract The present studies vescribe the biodistribution of cationic liposomes and cationic liposome/oligonucleotive complex following intravenous injection into mice via the tail vein. 111 In-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid stearylamive ( 111 In-DTPA-SA) was used as a lipid-phase radiolabel. Inclusion of up to 5 mol% DTPA-SA in liposomes composed of 3 β -( N -( N ′, N ′-dimethylaminoethane)carbomoyl)cholesterol (DC-Chol) and dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) did not influence liposome formation or size, nor the binding/uptake or fusion of the cationic liposomes with CHO cells in vitro. Moreover, nuclear velivery of oligonucleotive to CHO cells was unaffected by the probe. The biodistribution of liposomes with increasing concentration of DC-Chol (1:4−4:1, DC-Chol/DOPE, mol/mol) at 24 h post-injection revealed no vepenvence on lipid composition. Uptake was primarily by liver, and accumulation in spleen and skin was also observed. Comparatively little accumulation occurred in lung. Clearance of injected liposomes by liver was very rapid (∼ 84.5% of the injected dose by 7.5 h post-injection). Liposome uptake by liver and spleen were equally efficient in the dose range of 3.33 to 33.33 mg/kg body weight, yet possible saturation of liver uptake at a dose of 66.80 mg/kg may have allowed for increased spleen accumulation. Preincubation of cationic liposomes with phosphorothioate oligonucleotive induced a dramatic yet transient accumulation of the lipid in lung which gradually redistributed to liver. Similar results were observed when monitoring iodinated oligonucleotive in the complex. Immuno-histochemical studies revealed large aggregates of oligonucleotive within pulmonary capillaries at 15 min post-injection, suggesting the early accumulation in lung was due to embolism. Immuno-histochemical studies further revealed labeled oligonucleotive to be localized primarily to Kupffer cells at 24 h post-injection. Immuno-electron microscopy revealed localization of oligonucleotive primarily to the lumen of pulmonary capillaries at 15 min post-injection, and to phagocytic vacuoles of Kupffer cells at 24 h post-injection. By these methods, nuclear velivery of oligonucleotive in vivo was not observed. Increasing concentration of mouse serum inhibited cellular binding/uptake of cationic liposomes in vitro, without or with complexed oligonucleotive. We therefore postulate that interaction with plasma components, including opsonin(s), inhibits cellular uptake of the injected liposomes as well as the liposome/oligonucleotive complex, and mediates rapid uptake by Kupffer cells of the liver. These results are relehant to the vesign of cationic liposomes for efficient velivery of nucleic acid in vivo.
Diallel analysis of tolerance to aluminium in alfalfa

Acid soils having high levels of aluminium (Al) can drastically reduce yields in alfalfa and the most economically viable solution to the problem appears to be the development of Al-tolerant cultivars. To assist with the choice of a breeding method, a six-parent alfalfa diallel (crosses and reciprocals included but not parents) was evaluated in Al-toxic nutrient solution in terms of height (HT) and dry weight (DW). General combining ability was significant for both traits and constituted the majority of the genetic variation. Specific combining ability was significant only for HT and reciprocal effects were significant only for DW. Tolerance appeared to be at least partially dominant to sensitivity. Results indicate that a mass selection scheme, such as recurrent phenotypic selection, may be effective in increasing levels of tolerance in at least some alfalfa populations and that minor grains may also be achieved through exploiting non-additive genetic variation.
Frontiers in Reactor Engineering

The key challenge for reactor engineering is to establish the scientifically based sustainable technologies necessary for meeting the future energy, environmental, and materials needs of the world. This goal requires advancing our scientific understanding of multiscale kinetic transport interactions to enable better reactor choice and to ensure higher reactor and process efficiencies.
Mathematical models of foreign policy decision-making: Compensatory vs. noncompensatory

There are presently two leading foreign policy decision-making paradigms in vogue. The first is based on the classical or rational model originally posited by von Neumann and Morgenstern to explain microeconomic decisions. The second is based on the cybernetic perspective whose groundwork was laid by Herbert Simon in his early research on bounded rationality. In this paper we introduce a third perspective — thepoliheuristic theory of decision-making — as an alternative to the rational actor and cybernetic paradigms in international relations. This theory is drawn in large part from research on heuristics done in experimental cognitive psychology. According to the poliheuristic theory, policy makers use poly (many) heuristics while focusing on a very narrow range of options and dimensions when making decisions. Among them, the political dimension is noncompensatory. The paper also delineates the mathematical formulations of the three decision-making models.
An agenda for thinking about 'race' in development

This paper reveals some of the silences about ‘race’ in development ideologies, institutions and practices. It suggests that these mask the perpetuation of a racialized discourse in development, its complicity with broader historical and contemporary racial projects and the effects of ‘race’ on the processes and consequences of development. The paper provides an agenda for understanding development in terms of ‘race’ and identifies three potential areas for further investigation. The first is the continuing legacy of colonial constructions and the persistence of forms of racial difference and hierarchy in development. The second concerns the power of whiteness and specifically how authority, expertise and knowledge become racially symbolized. The third area for further examination is how ‘race’ is disguised through the use of specialized terminology and criteria in accounting for poverty and social exclusion. The paper concludes by suggesting that debates around multiculturalism and anti-racism could info...
Simulation study of a bottleneck-based dispatching policy for a maintenance workforce

Maintenance is important for production operations and for continuous improvement. Appropriate dispatching of the maintenance workforce to quickly respond to equipment failures and carry out preventive services can improve system productivity. The first-come-first-served policy is typically used in many manufacturing industries. In this paper, we present a priority-based dispatching policy, a dynamic bottleneck policy, based on the analysis of real-time data. In such a policy, priority is assigned to the bottleneck machine after a fixed time period, and the maintenance worker will service the high-priority machine (i.e. bottleneck machine) first when multiple service requests are received. It is shown by extensive simulation experiments that this policy can lead to a greater improvement in system throughput compared with the first-come-first-served policy. To implement such a policy, the appropriate time period for data collection and the frequency for carrying out bottleneck analysis are investigated. In addition, a sensitivity study suggests that the results obtained are insensitive to machine downtime, efficiency, and reliability models.
Policies on Police Officer Domestic Violence: Prevalence and Specific Provisions Within Large Police Agencies:

Research was conducted to determine the prevalence and specific provisions of policies regarding officer-involved domestic violence. First, a national sample of 78 large police agencies was surveyed, and 23 agencies (29%) indicated that they had such a specific policy. However, a number of factors suggests that this estimate is probably artificially high. Second, a total of 22 policies was analyzed with a coding structure based on the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Model Policy. The policies varied widely in their scope, focus, and specific provisions. The most common elements were that a supervisor be immediately notified and that officers have a duty to report knowledge of domestic violence involving themselves or other employees. Most policies included very few of the provisions from the model developed by the IACP.
CYCLES AND SYMMETRIES OF ZERO-DIVISORS

ABSTRACT There is a natural graph associated to the zero-divisors of a commutative ring In this article we essentially classify the cycle-structure of this graph and establish some group-theoretic properties of the group of graph-automorphisms We also determine the kernel of the canonical homomorphism from to
Adult CST-null mice maintain an increased number of oligodendrocytes

The galactolipids galactocerebroside and sulfatide have been implicated in oligodendrocyte (OL) development and myelin formation. Much of the early evidence for myelin galactolipid function has been derived from antibody and chemical perturbation of OLs in vitro. To determine the role of these lipids in vivo, we previously characterized mice lacking galactocerebroside and sulfatide and observed abundant, unstable myelin and an increased number of OLs. We have also reported that mice incapable of synthesizing sulfatide (CST-null) while maintaining normal levels of galactocerebroside generate relatively stable myelin with unstable paranodes. Additionally, Hirahara et al. (2004; Glia 45:269-277) reported that these CST-null mice also contain an increased number of OLs in the forebrain, medulla, and cerebellum at 7 days of age. Here, we further the findings of Hirahara et al. by demonstrating that the number of OLs in the CST-null mice is also increased in the spinal cord and that this elevated OL population is maintained through, at least, 7 months of age. Moreover, we show that the enhanced OL population is accompanied by increased proliferation and decreased apoptosis of oligodendrocytic-lineage cells. Finally, through ultrastructural analysis, we show that the CST-null OLs exhibit decreased morphological complexity, a feature that may result in decreased OL competition and increased OL survival.
Properties of serum high-density lipoproteins in the crab, Cancer antennarius Stimpson

Abstract 1. 1. Two classes of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) comprise virtually all the lipoprotein mass in female hemolymph. These lipoproteins have hydrated densities of 1.187 g/ml (HDL 3 ) and 1.112 g/ml (HDL 2 ). A third species (HDL 1 , density 1.080 g/ml) appeared in ovigerous crabs. The mean annual HDL protein concentration was 109 mg/dl of which 67% was HDL 3 . 2. 2. HDL proteins of both HDL 2 and HDL 3 were mostly insoluble in tetramethylurea. Three major components with apparent mol. wts of 185,000, 100,000 and 84,000 daltons were identified by gel electrophoresis in SDS. Amino acid compositions are reported. 3. 3. Electron microscopy indicated that the HDL are polymorphic and discoidal. Similarities in shape and differences in size of HDL 3 and HDL 2 particles were consistent with their lipid and protein composition. 4. 4. Phospholipids, mostly phosphatidylcholine, were the dominant lipid class (74%); no cholesteryl esters were detected. Palmitic and oleic acids were the major fatty acid components of esterified lipids.
Mean comparison : Manifest variable versus latent variable

Mean comparisons are of great importance in the application of statistics. Procedures for mean comparison with manifest variables have been well studied. However, few rigorous studies have been conducted on mean comparisons with latent variables, although the methodology has been widely used and documented. This paper studies the commonly used statistics in latent variable mean modeling and compares them with parallel manifest variable statistics. Our results indicate that, under certain conditions, the likelihood ratio and Wald statistics used for latent mean comparisons do not always have greater power than the Hotelling T2 statistics used for manifest mean comparisons. The noncentrality parameter corresponding to the T2 statistic can be much greater than those corresponding to the likelihood ratio and Wald statistics, which we find to be different from those provided in the literature. Under a fixed alternative hypothesis, our results also indicate that the likelihood ratio statistic can be stochastically much greater than the corresponding Wald statistic. The robustness property of each statistic is also explored when the model is misspecified or when data are nonnormally distributed. Recommendations and advice are provided for the use of each statistic.
Organic and metal contamination in marine surface sediments of Guánica Bay, Puerto Rico.

Land based sources of pollution have the potential to adversely impact valuable coral reef ecosystems. In Guanica Bay (Puerto Rico) sediment samples collected and analyzed in 2009 demonstrate unusually high concentrations of total chlordane, total PCBs, nickel and chromium. A variety of other contaminants (total DDT, total PAHs, As, Cu, Hg, and Zn) were also at levels which may indicate sediment toxicity. With the exception of chromium, all of these contaminants were detected in coral tissues (Porites astreoides), although it is unclear at what level these contaminants affect coral health. PCBs and chlordane are environmentally persistent and likely represent legacy pollution from historical uses in close geographic proximity to the Bay. We hypothesize that the high nickel and chromium levels are due to a combination of naturally high Ni and Cr in rock and soils in the watershed, and enhanced (human driven) erosional rates.
The impact of economic perceptions on status consumption: an exploratory study of the moderating role of education

Purpose – Given the economic downturn, the purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between economic perceptions and consumers' motivation to consume for status and if this relationship was moderated by education level. Design/methodology/approach – A stratified random sample of adult consumers in the southeastern USA were surveyed by telephone. The hypotheses were tested utilizing structural equation modeling. Findings – The results indicated that those consumers with a lower level of perceived economic welfare (i.e. see the economy and their family's financial situation as worse this year versus last year) were less motivated to consume for status. Furthermore, this relationship was positively moderated by education. No relationship was found between consumer confidence (i.e. consumers' perceptions of the economy in the future year) and status consumption. The results suggest that those consumers who perceive themselves to be financially better off this year versus last, particula...
Adsorption chromatography of cyclic nucleotides on silica gel and alumina thin-layer sheets

Abstract Several solvent combinations of graded polarity have been developed, capable of separating cAMP or cGMP, not only from related nucleotides but from bases and nucleosides on alumina and silica gel thin-layer sheets (tls). The solvent system chloroform (C), methanol (M), water (W) (40:20:3) gave effective separations of cAMP on silica gel TLS. Identical results were obtained when this adsorption chromatography method was compared with the ion-exchange chromatography method involving PEI for its effectiveness in the separation of [α- 32 P]cAMP formed from [α- 32 P]ATP by a preparation of bovine sperm cells. In addition, this solvent system effectively separates cAMP from inosine, hypoxanthine, xanthine, and uric acid which may be useful in determinations of cAMP arising from 3 H- or 14 C-prelabeled ATP. Effective separation of cGMP on silica gel tls was accomplished with C:M:W (30:30:5). On alumina tls, cAMP and cGMP were separated from related compounds with M:W combinations; the solvent M:W (50:50) gave the lowest blanks (0.02%) for cGMP and it may prove useful in cGMP determinations.
Theoretical studies of the temperature dependence of magnetic shielding tensors: H2, HF, and LiH

Abstract Shielding tensors are calculated for the nuclei in H2, HF, and LiH over a range of internuclear separations using single-determinant wavefunctions of molecular orbitals expressed as linear combinations of a polarized basis set of gauge-invariant atomic functions. Such data are fitted by least-squares techniques to a power series in the reduced coordinate ξ, yielding a shielding function σ(ξ). Expansion of the potential function V(R) as a Dunham series in ξ allows the expectation values of powers of ξ in different low energy vibration-rotation staes, i.e. (ξn)υj′ to be determined. Such values are combined with the shielding function data to calculate shielding tensor components, (σαω)υJ′ for different vibration-rotation states. Using these σcJ values, the shielding constant at temperature T, σ0(T), is calculated as a Boltzmann average over the thermally accessible vibration-rotation states. For the shielding at nuclei in H2 and HF, the agreement between calculated and experimental values of σ0(T) at 300 K is excellent. In addition, there is good agreement between calculated and experimental isotope shifts in H2, HD, D2, HF and DF. For 19F shielding in HF, σ0(T) is predicted to decrease with increasing temperature; in contrast, the 7Li shielding in 7LiH is predicted to increase slightly as the temperature is raised. These results are interpreted using simple molecular orbital ideas. In the temperature range accessible in the conventional NMR spectrometer, the temperature dependence of σ0(T) arises principally from the term linear in ξ in σ(ξ). Although the quadratic term is relatively independent of temperature, nonetheless, the calculations presented here suggest that it can make a significant contribution to σ0(T) even for proton shielding.
Metabolic adaptation to protein deficiency in rats: Histidine

Abstract The relationship between serum and brain concentrations of histidine and methionine were detewrmined in rats fed graded levels of protein, histidine and methionine. In each case, changes in tissue levels of the two amino acids were inversely proportional. In protein-deficient rats, histidine increases rapidly in brain and serum while methionine decreases. Glycine and methionine supplementation of protein-deficient diets lessen increases in histidine concentrations while glycine supplementation increases growth of depleted rats placed on normal diets. These findings implicate the pathway for one-carbon metabolism in the large increases seen in histidine levels in protein deficiency.
Development of the olfactory nerve: Its relationship to the craniofacies

Although absence of the olfactory bulbs is a relatively common occurrence seen in holoprosencephaly, in Kallman syndrome, and in a number of malformation syndromes, the extent to which it determines olfactory nerve development, as well as the part it plays in the morphogenesis of the nasal structures, is unknown. Cases of arhinencephaly ascertained at autopsy were studied in an effort to better understand the relationships between the olfactory nerve, bulb, and facies. Based on these studies, it is concluded that both olfactory receptor cells and olfactory nerves are present in arhinencephaly, that the olfactory nerves did not make contact with the brain in these cases, that the presence of olfactory nerves is independent of the severity of the central nervous system malformation, and that the shape of the nasal structures is not dependent on the presence of the olfactory nerve.
Determination of aromatic and aliphatic CH groups in coal by FT-i.r.: 1. Studies of coal extracts

Abstract A set of coal extracts have been characterized by FT-i.r. and proton n.m.r. spectroscopy. The n.m.r. measurements of aliphatic and aromatic hydrogen allow a direct calibration of the absorption coefficients of appropriate i.r. bands. This allows methods for calculating these coefficients based on relating i.r.-band intensities to elemental hydrogen to be tested directly. Reasonable agreement was obtained.
Toxicokinetics in preclinical evaluation

Toxicokinetic evaluation is both a regulatory and scientific requirement in the drug development process. However, as a fairly new term, its use within the industry is still confused. Toxicokinetics is the generation of kinetic data to assess systemic exposure, either as an integral component of preclinical toxicity studies, or in specially designed supportive studies. These data help to understand the relationship between observed toxicity and administered dose. They also play a role in the clinical setting, assisting in the setting of plasma limits for early human exposure and in the calculation of safety margins.
Constitutional Challenges to the Compulsory HIV Testing of Prisoners and the Mandatory Segregation of HIV-Positive Prisoners

Intravenous drug use is both a common aspect of the pre-imprisonment lifestyles of many American prisoners and a leading risk factor for contracting HIV—the virus that causes AIDS. Moreover, incarcerated inmates frequently engage in behavior that can spread the disease, particularly homosexual activity and intravenous drug use. Correctional officials face increasing pressure to protect inmates and staff from HIV infection, and some have responded by implementing policies requiring all inmates to undergo HIV testing and by housing HIV-positive inmates in separate units. Screening and segregation policies, however, have been challenged on constitutional grounds by HIV-positive prisoners. This article examines the leading constitutional developments in this emerging area of law and finds that most courts so far have been inclined to reject constitutional challenges to mandatory testing and segregation policies. There are enough unsettled issues, however, to warrant expanded appellate review and eventual U.S....
Treatment of HIV/AIDS associated cancers with immunotherapy targeting PD-1/PD-L1 instead of chemotherapy

The role of immunodeficiency in the pathogenesis of both AIDS-defining and non-AIDS defining cancers cannot be over-emphasized. Multiple studies and meta-analyses show that risk of these malignancies exponentially rises as the CD4 cell counts fall. Furthermore, treatment of these cancers in patients who have HIV/AIDS is complex and challenging due to the underlying immunosuppression and risk for infections. Often, the diagnosis of some of these malignancies is made at the same time as the diagnosis of HIV/AIDS, which further complicates treatment decisions, especially when CD4 counts are extremely low. The risks of giving chemotherapy in the setting of severe immunosuppression warrants a paradigm shift in how we should be treating malignancies in patients with HIV/AIDS. We hypothesize and propose that alongside combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), some patients with HIV/AIDS associated malignancies should be treated with immunotherapy targeting PD-1/PD-L1 pathway rather than chemotherapy. The rationale and basis for the new approach is presented.
Evaluating commercially available rodenticide baits for invasive Gambian giant pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus)

Gambian giant pouched rats (Cricetomys gambianus) are native to Africa, but they are popular in the pet industry in the United States. They were reservoir hosts during a monkeypox outbreak in the Midwestern United States in 2003. A free-ranging population became established on Grassy Key in the Florida Keys, apparently because of a release by a pet breeder. These rodents could cause significant damage to agricultural crops should they reach the mainland. Research under controlled conditions was needed to identify effective rodenticides for Grassy Key or other cases where an invasion of Gambian rats might occur. We tested 2 formulations of diphacinone baits and 1 formulation each of brodifacoum, zinc phosphide, bromethalin, and chlorophacinone baits with captive Gambian rats in multiple-choice food trials. Both the brodifacoum and zinc phosphide rodenticide baits were highly effective (100% mortality). Also, brodifacoum and zinc phosphide treatments performed similar to the Environmental Protection Agency's standard for toxicants of (i.e., 90% mortality in laboratory trials). The chlorophacinone, diphacinone, and bromethalin baits did not appear to be very effective at killing Gambian rats (� 50% mortality) in our study. Effective tools to combat Gambian giant pouched rats have been identified in a laboratory trial. Further field testing of commercially available brodifacoum and zinc phosphide baits may prove useful for controlling the potentially invading Gambian rats. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Appropriateness of Gram-Negative Agent Use at a Tertiary Care Hospital in the Setting of Significant Antimicrobial Resistance

Background. Practicing antimicrobial stewardship in the setting of widespread antimicrobial resistance among gram-negative bacilli, particularly in urban areas, is challenging. Methods. We conducted a retrospective cross-sectional study at a tertiary care hospital with an established antimicrobial stewardship program in New York, New York to determine appropriateness of use of gram-negative antimicrobials and to identify factors associated with suboptimal antimicrobial use. Adult inpatients who received gram-negative agents on 2 dates, 1 June 2010 or 1 December 2010, were identified through pharmacy records. Clinical data were collected for each patient. Use of gram-negative agents was deemed optimal or suboptimal through chart review and according to hospital guidelines. Data were compared using χ(2) or Fischer's exact test for categorical variables and Student t test or Mann-Whitney U test for continuous variables. Results. A total of 356 patients were included who received 422 gram-negative agents. Administration was deemed suboptimal in 26% of instances, with the most common reason being spectrum of activity too broad. In multivariable analysis, being in an intensive care unit (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], .49; 95% confidence interval [CI], .29-.84), having an infectious diseases consultation within the previous 7 days (aOR, .52; 95% CI, .28-.98), and having a history of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli within the past year (aOR, .24; 95% CI, .09-.65) were associated with optimal gram-negative agent use. Beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor combination drug use (aOR, 2.6; 95% CI, 1.35-5.16) was associated with suboptimal use. Conclusions. Gram-negative agents were used too broadly despite numerous antimicrobial stewardship program activities.
Development of a Guidelines Tool for Mobile Phone Interfaces

The cellular phone market has advanced rapidly and consequently has produced a variety of functional capabilities and interface designs. However, this same rapid proliferation has led to problems with the diffusion and organization of design guidelines. Given the current market demands on usability that include addressing the needs of users with disabilities, cellular phone developers need easy-to-access and comprehensible design guidelines. This study was conducted to develop a guidelines tool to support the development of usable cellular phone interfaces. The tool was developed on the basis of knowledge elicitation techniques of experts, including card sorting and category evaluation. Cluster and content analyses were used to analyze the quantitative and qualitative data. Categories of guidelines and their meanings are provided.
A Conserved Role for H15-Related T-Box Transcription Factors in Zebrafish and Drosophila Heart Formation

T-box transcription factors are critical regulators of early embryonic development. We have characterized a novel zebrafish T-box transcription factor, hrT (H15-related T box) that is a close relative of Drosophila H15 and a recently identified human gene. We show that Drosophila H15 and zebrafish hrT are both expressed early during heart formation, in strong support of previous work postulating that vertebrate and arthropod hearts are homologous structures with conserved regulatory mechanisms. The timing and regulation of zebrafish hrT expression in anterior lateral plate mesoderm suggest a very early role for hrT in the differentiation of the cardiac precursors. hrT is coexpressed with gata4 and nkx2.5 not only in anterior lateral plate mesoderm but also in noncardiac mesoderm adjacent to the tail bud, suggesting that a conserved regulatory pathway links expression of these three genes in cardiac and noncardiac tissues. Finally, we analyzed hrT expression in pandora mutant embryos, since these have defects in many of the tissues that express hrT, including the heart. hrT expression is much reduced in the early heart fields of pandora mutants, whereas it is ectopically expressed subsequently. Using hrT expression as a marker, we describe a midline patterning defect in pandora affecting the anterior hindbrain and associated midline mesendodermal derivatives. We discuss the possibility that the cardiac ventricular defect previously described in pandora and the midline defects described here are related.
The Unity and Diversity of Probability

Mathematical probability and its child, mathematical statistics, are relative newcomers on the intellectual scene. Mathematical probability was invented in 1654 by two Frenchman, Blaise Pascal and Pierre Fermat. Mathematical statistics emerged from the work of the continental mathematicians Gauss and Laplace in the early 1800s, and it became widely useful only in this century, as the result of the work of three Englishmen, Francis Galton, Karl Pearson, and R.A. Fisher. In spite of these late beginnings, probability and statistics have acquired a dazzling range of applications. Inside the university, we see them taught and used in a remarkable range of disciplines. Statistics is used routinely in engineering, business, and medicine, and in every social and natural science. It is making inroads in law and in the humanities. Probability, aside from its use in statistical theory, is finding new applications in engineering, computer science, economics, psychology, and philosophy.
Visual Simulation of Flow

We have adopted a numerical method from computational fluid dynamics, the Lattice Boltzmann Method (LBM), for real-time simulation and visualization of flow and amorphous phenomena, such as clouds, smoke, fire, haze, dust, radioactive plumes, and air-borne biological or chemical agents. Unlike other approaches, LBM discretizes the micro-physics of local interactions and can handle very complex boundary conditions, such as deep urban canyons, curved walls, indoors, and dynamic boundaries of moving objects. Due to its discrete nature, LBM lends itself to multiresolution approaches, and its computational pattern, which is similar to cellular automata, is easily parallelizable. We have accelerated LBM on commodity graphics processing units (GPUs), achieving real-time or even accelerated real-time on a single GPU or on a GPU cluster. We have implemented a 3D urban navigation system and applied it in New York City with real-time live sensor data. In addition to a pivotal application in simulation of airborne contaminants in urban environments, this approach will enable the development of other superior prediction simulation capabilities, computer graphics and games, and a novel technology for computational science and engineering.
The Neotropical Goblin Spiders of the New Genus Reductoonops (Araneae, Oonopidae)

ABSTRACT A new genus, Varioonops, is established for a group of species characterized by sexual dimorphism in abdomen morphology (with a dorsal scutum present in males but not females), male palps with a separate cymbium and bulb, and a patterned abdomen. The closest relatives of the new genus appear to be three similar, but as yet undescribed, Neotropical genera that share those characters, but the members of Varioonops are united by a putative synapomorphy that does not seem to occur in those undescribed groups: a granulated sternum. Attention is drawn to the cymbial cone, a structure (possibly a receptor) found near the tip of the cymbium in Varioonops, members of the Orchestininae, and at least some soft-bodied members of the Oonopinae. A total of 23 new species are described: V. cafista (the type species), V. velsala, V. montesta, V. spatharum, V. poas, V. varablanca, V. tortuguero, V. veragua, V. heredia, and girven from Costa Rica, V. ramila and V. sansidro from Costa Rica and Panama, V. funator an...
Pulmonary involvement in pediatric lymphoma

Background The prevalence of pulmonary lymphoma in the pediatric age group is not documented in the literature.
Nematode food webs associated with native perennial plant species and soil nutrient pools in California riparian oak woodlands

The Coast Range mountains in California (CA), USA, may harbor remnant communities of soil biota that no longer occur in the intensively-managed agricultural valleys nearby. Relationships between nematode communities, riparian vegetation, soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) pools, and other soil properties were studied at a reserve managed for biodiversity conservation. Differences between riparian habitats were assessed using nematode community identification and metabolic footprint analysis (a method that evaluates ecosystem functioning based on nematode biomass). Nematode communities and metabolic footprints were compared across 12 riparian sites. Those from the sites with evergreen shrubs had high levels of predators but few prey while communities from under deciduous trees were more metabolically balanced, with high levels of both predators and prey. To examine how leaf functional traits affected nematode community structure, metabolic footprints, and soil C and N pools, a second study focused on two riparian woodland sites. Bacterivore and predator metabolic footprints increased with proximity to the creek-bank, where deciduous trees were prevalent. Leaf litter C:N ratio, soil C:N ratio, and the ratio of predators:prey also varied with plant functional traits. Both the complexity of the nematode communities and soil C storage were higher than in previous studies conducted along riparian corridors within intensive agriculture. In these relatively undisturbed areas, stream hydrology has created a patchy distribution of soil texture classes and woody plant species, which in turn, has resulted in diverse nematode assemblages and soil food webs associated with high levels of soil organic matter.
Predicting Probationer Rates of Reincarceration Using Dynamic Factors from the Substance Abuse Questionnaire- Adult Probation III (SAQ-Adult Probation III)

Individuals incarcerated for violating the terms of their probation constitute a large portion of the prison population. Intervention programs designed to rehabilitate probationers have the potential to reduce prison populations and moderate the costs associated with incarceration. Unlike previous research, which has focused on demographic and static characteristics, the present study examined dynamic factors as predictors of probation revocation, as they may be more amenable to rehabilitation. The sample was comprised of 8,310 adult probationers and used scores from the SAQ-Adult Probation III. Poisson regression analyses showed that three dynamic factors, violence, antisocial behavior, and stress risk were positively related to the number of lifetime probation revocations. These results are discussed in light of potential rehabilitative benefits.
Phonetic detail and dimensionality in sound-shape correspondences: Refining the Bouba-Kiki Paradigm.

Sound symbolism is the process by which speakers link phonetic features with meanings non-arbitrarily. For instance, speakers across languages associate non-words with rounded vowels, like bouba, with round shapes, and non-words without rounded vowels, like kiki, with spiky shapes. Researchers have posited that this link results from a cognitive association between sounds and visual or proprioceptive cues made in their production (e.g. sounds of rounded vowels cue the image of rounded lips, which is mapped to rounded shapes). However, non-words used in previous studies differ from one another along multiple phonetic dimensions, some showing no clear iconic mapping to shape. This study teases apart these features, finding that vowel backness, consonant voicing, and consonant place of articulation each elicit a sound symbolic effect, which is amplified when these dimensions are combined. This investigation also probes object properties that can be involved in sound symbolic association, bringing the “bouba-...
Influence of Planting Date on Yield and Spotted Wilt of Runner Market Type Peanut

Abstract Date of planting and cultivar resistance are two primary control measures for spotted wilt of peanut. Current recommendations for the southeastern USA consider risk of spotted wilt to be h...
Chapter 14 Polarized Assembly of Spectrin and Ankyrin in Epithelial Cells

Publisher Summary The approximate disposition and role of proteins, such as actin, protein 4.1, protein 4.9, adducin, tropomyosin, and ankyrin in the red cell skeleton is now comprehensible. The predominant component is spectrin that is an antiparallel heterodimer of two subunits (α,β). Spectrin heterodimers self-associate through α to β subunit interactions at the amino terminus of the α-subunit and bind F-actin by an interaction near the amino terminus of the β-subunit. Spectrin also binds a number of accessory proteins that modify its interactions, with actin or the bilayer, and all the interactions, within the spectrin skeleton, appear subject to the several levels of post-translational control. The major role of the spectrin skeleton in erythrocytes is to enhance the structural stability and deformability of the plasma membrane. This chapter discusses the unexpected spatial polarization of the nonerythroid spectrin cytoskeleton, the interaction of spectrin and ankyrin, with basolateral NA + /K + -adenosine triphosphate (ATP)ase, whether polarized membrane skeletal assembly require ankyrin, and the models for the role of the nonermhroid spectrin–actin cytoskeleton. The nascent spectrin skeleton, topographically assembled, by either direct or indirect L-CAM interactions, becomes a “nucleating” center, about which other proteins needed for efficient transport or signal transductions are gathered. Thus, the key and most fundamental role of the spectrin skeleton may be that of an organizer of membrane transport and signaling complexes. Spectrin–ankyrin interaction may not be primarily involved with the assembly of the spectrin skeleton at the membrane.
Bedside ultrasound procedures: musculoskeletal and non-musculoskeletal.

The widespread availability of ultrasound (US) technology has increased its use for point of care applications in many health care settings. Foc used (point of care) US is defined as the act of bringing US evaluation to the bedside for real-time performance. These images are collected immediately by the practitioner, allowing for direct integration into the physician’s medical decision-making process. The real-time bedside diagnostic ability of US becomes a key tool for the management of patients. The purpose of this review is to (1) provide a general description of the use of focused US for bedside procedures; (2) specify the indications and common techniques used in bedside US procedures; and (3) describe the techniques used for each bedside intervention.
Aureomycin in staphylococcic meningitis complicating subarachnoid hemorrhage in sickle cell anemia.

The rare occurrence of a spontaneous subarachnoid hemorrhage in an 11 year old Negro boy with sickle cell anemia is recorded. Of the eight reported cases five have occurred in children. In the study of sickle cell anemia it is evident there is an increasing awareness of this as well as other neurologic complications. This patient developed staphylococcus albus meningitis which for 12 days resisted combined penicillin, streptomycin and sulfadiazine therapy. The response to aureomycin as a sole therapeutic agent was dramatic, and this represents the first reported case of meningitis treated with this drug. The use of aureomycin as the only antibiotic in this staphylococcic infection seems to have been fortunate in view of the laboratory findings. In vitro studies disclosed that when penicillin and aureomycin or streptomycin and aureomycin were combined, the result was a decrease in the effectiveness of either drug on staphylococci.
Balanced parabolic quotients and branching rules for Demazure crystals

We study a subset of a parabolic quotient in a simply laced Weyl group W--stable under an automorphism $$\sigma $$ź--which we call the balanced parabolic quotient. This subset describes the interaction between the branching rule for a Levi subalgebra, Demazure modules, and $$\sigma $$ź-invariant weight spaces in $$\sigma $$ź-stable simple modules for the corresponding Lie algebra. The Hasse diagram of the balanced parabolic quotient in types A and D under the Bruhat order is a directed forest with a remarkable self-similarity property, and its order is related to the Fibonacci sequence. We characterize an element of a balanced quotient on the level of the root system of W and find that the subalgebras of the Borel associated with these elements decompose into the direct sum of two subalgebras: one contained in the Borel for a Levi subalgebra and another consisting of $$\sigma $$ź-invariants.
A Directable Ashby System

A directable Ashby system is a system that may operate at several different hierarchical levels. Each level has a collection of laws or rules that are not reducible to other levels. In human systems, the distinct levels require views of humans that are dramatically different from each other. At some levels traditional scientific concepts and methods are applicable. A person may be said to have been caused to act in a certain way. At other levels, human choice and creativity must be accounted for by using neo-scientific concepts such as rule construction and rule governed activity. People may shift from one hierarchical level to another in so far as the essential variables, such as agency, have certain values. The scientific accounts at the two levels will be fundamentally different. A directable Ashby system is a system in which the values of the essential variables change as a result of the manipulation of control variables such as repression and lifeworld constructs.