cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peripheral Zone Enlargement: a newly described entity on MRI

Purpose: A retrospective study was performed to describe and characterize a previously unreported finding on T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of peripheral zone enlargement (PZE) associated with total prostatic enlargement without necessary association with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or lower urinary tract symptoms. Methods: T2-weighted MRI were reviewed from 2012-2018. Patients were referred for elevated serum prostatic specific antigen (PSA) levels, prostatic enlargement, or abnormal digital rectal examination (DRE) suggestive of adenocarcinoma. Enlargement of the thickness of the peripheral zone (PZ) was defined as a measurement of postero-lateral thickness (PLPZ) of ≥ 15.8 mm in the maximal transaxial plane. Endorectal coils were used in 2 patients. Microscopic pathology was described in 3 patients. Results: There were 22 patients who met the criteria out of 2871 subjects (
COVID-19 in MS: Initial observations from the Pacific Northwest.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is marked by a wide range and severity of symptoms. Most patients have mild to moderate symptoms, whereas 10%–15% require hospitalization. Mortality is higher with cardiovascular disorders, diabetes, and older age.1
Blockchain Technology-Based Solutions to Fight Misinformation: A Survey

Blockchain has been around since 2009, but it isn’t till the last few years that organizations have been looking into using blockchain for other applications than cryptocurrency. One of these areas is using blockchain for addressing the problem of misinformation. These emerging solutions that are being used to fight and prevent misinformation range from validating news articles, images, videos, and even entire social media platforms. Each blockchain technology-based solution has pros and cons and adopt different approaches on how they aim to prevent and fight misinformation in social media.
Improving Obstetric Provider Congenital Cytomegalovirus Knowledge and Practices.

Background. Congenital cytomegalovirus infection (cCMV) is the most common congenital infection. Antenatal education is proven to reduce cCMV risk. Little is known about obstetric provider knowledge and practice patterns around cCMV. Objectives. To evaluate obstetric provider knowledge and practice patterns regarding cCMV at baseline and again after a brief educational intervention. Methods. Obstetric providers ( ) at a US academic community hospital were invited to complete a survey regarding their knowledge and practice patterns around cCMV. Providers attended a brief presentation about cCMV and later were invited to repeat the same survey. Univariate statistics were calculated for baseline data, and prepost intervention comparison analyses were conducted. Results. Baseline cCMV knowledge was low at 49% ( out of a possible 36, SD 6.4), with most providers (51%) reporting never counseling pregnant patients about cCMV. Post intervention, overall cCMV knowledge increased to 80% ( , SD 4.1, ); provider intention to counsel about cCMV prevention increased to 100%. Conclusions. Obstetric provider knowledge about cCMV is low, which likely impacts their antenatal counseling. Educational initiatives to increase awareness about cCMV may increase antenatal education and thereby decrease the risk of cCMV.
Adoptive transfer of allogeneic gamma delta T cells promotes HIV replication in a humanized mouse model

Gamma-delta ({gamma}{delta}) T cells recognize antigens in an MHC-independent manner, with demonstrable cytotoxicity against cancer and virally infected cells. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection severely depletes the V{gamma}9V{delta}2 (V{delta}2) subset of these T cells in most infected individuals, with the exception of elite controllers. The capacity of V{delta}2 cells to kill HIV-infected targets has been demonstrated in vitro, but this has not been verified in vivo. Here, we examined the immunotherapeutic potential of V{delta}2 cells in controlling HIV replication in vivo and provide the first characterization of reconstituted {gamma}{delta} T cell subsets in the peripheral blood and lymphoid tissue in a humanized mouse model. We demonstrate the depletion of V{delta}2 cells and increase in V{delta}1 cells in the blood following HIV infection, similar to that observed in HIV-infected humans. The functionality of human V{delta}2 cells isolated from humanized mice was confirmed via ex vivo expansion in response to zoledronate and IL-2 treatment. The adoptive transfer of activated V{delta}2 cells failed to control HIV infection in vivo but instead exacerbated viremia by serving as early targets for HIV infection. Our findings suggest that V{delta}2 cells play a critical and unappreciated role as early HIV targets of infection to promote viral dissemination.
Phonetic & Phonological Salience Effects in Different Speech Processing Tasks

This paper provides evidence for both effects of both phonetic and phonological salience in speech processing. Results from three experiments are presented, each examining the relative processing of two speech sounds by speakers of two different languages. In each experiment, one of the two sounds is more phonetically salient and the other is more phonologically salient given the morphophonological patterning of one of the langauges. Phonetic salience effects emerged in shorter-term tasks and phonological salience effects emerged in tasks that were longer-term and that required more phonological processing.
Recurrent Chest Pain after COVID-19: Diagnostic Utility of Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

We report a case of myocarditis in an adult patient with recent COVID-19 infection presenting as recurrent ST-segment elevation, mimicking coronary vasospasm. This case highlights the wide range of presentations of COVID-19 related myocarditis. The novel teaching point is that COVID-19 myocarditis can present with acute manifestations such as chest pain and transient ST-segment elevation even several weeks after complete recovery from initial infection. CMR should be considered in patients with chest pain syndromes and angiographically normal coronary arteries as the presence of LGE and high T2 signal can be diagnostic. A follow up CMR may be used to assess resolution.
β-Arrestin-Biased Allosteric Modulator Potentiates Carvedilol-Stimulated β Adrenergic Receptor Cardioprotection.

β1 adrenergic receptors (β1ARs) are central regulators of cardiac function and a drug target for cardiac disease. As a member of G protein-coupled receptor family, β1ARs activate cellular signaling by primarily coupling to Gs proteins to activate adenylyl cyclase and cAMP-dependent pathways, and the multifunctional adaptor-transducer protein β-arrestin. Carvedilol, a traditional β-blocker widely used in treating high blood pressure and heart failure by blocking βAR-mediated G-protein activation, can selectively stimulate Gs-independent β-arrestin signaling of βARs, a process known as β-arrestin-biased agonism. Recently a DNA-encoded small molecule library screen against agonist-occupied β2 adrenergic receptors (β2AR) identified Compound-6 (Cmpd-6) to be a positive allosteric modulator for agonists on β2ARs. Intriguingly, it was further discovered that Cmpd-6 is positively cooperative with the β-arrestin biased ligand carvedilol at β2ARs. Here we describe the surprising finding that at β1ARs, unlike the case of β2ARs, Cmpd-6 is cooperative only with carvedilol and not agonists. Cmpd-6 increases the binding affinity of carvedilol for β1ARs and potentiates carvedilol-stimulated, β-arrestin-dependent β1AR signaling such as epidermal growth factor receptor transactivation and extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation, while having no effect on Gs-mediated cAMP generation. In vivo, Cmpd-6 enhances the anti-apoptotic cardioprotective effect of carvedilol in response to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. This anti-apoptotic role of carvedilol is dependent on β-arrestins, since it is lost in mice with myocyte-specific deletion of β-arrestins. Our findings demonstrate that Cmpd-6 is a selective β-arrestin-biased allosteric modulator of β1ARs and highlight its potential clinical utility in enhancing carvedilol-mediated cardioprotection against ischemic injury. Significance Statement In this study, we demonstrate the positive cooperativity of Cmpd-6 on β1ARs as a β-arrestin-biased positive allosteric modulator. Cmpd-6 selectively enhances the affinity and cellular signaling of carvedilol, a known β-arrestin-biased β-blocker for β1ARs, while having minimal effect on other ligands tested. Importantly, Cmpd-6 enhances the β-arrestin-dependent in vivo cardioprotective effect of carvedilol during ischemia/reperfusion injury-induced apoptosis. Our data support the potential therapeutic application of Cmpd-6 to enhance the clinical benefits of carvedilol in the treatment of cardiac disease.
Numerical simulation and experimental measurement of pressureless sintering of stainless steel part printed by Binder Jetting Additive Manufacturing

Abstract Binder Jetting-Metal Additive Manufacturing (BJ-MAM) is a powder bed-based additive manufacturing technology which deposits liquid binder droplets to join powder particles to form complex shaped structures (i.e., green parts). As the printing process is done around room temperature, BJ-MAM is largely immune to the distortion and cracking issues that can be prevalent in melting based powder bed processes. However, a main issue for BJ-MAM is the part shrinkage and distortion during high-temperature sintering. The densification and deformation behaviors during pressureless sintering of green parts printed by BJ-MAM were studied in this paper. Experimentally, cantilever- and bridge-shaped coupons with varying beam lengths were printed using 316L stainless steel powder; these coupons produced different extents of deformation after sintering. Based on the existing modeling approaches in the powder metallurgy literature, a finite element model was developed incorporating an elastic-viscoplastic constitutive equation for computing both uniaxial equivalent creep strain and volumetric swelling strain. Two methods, a viscosity based and a power-law creep based, were further evaluated for calculating the uniaxial equivalent creep strain. Material property data used in the constitutive equation such as viscosity and creep parameters were collected from the literature, critically reviewed, and then inputted into the model. Other salient features of the model included thermal-mechanical property data that were dependent on both relative density and temperature as well as frictional contact between the part surface and the furnace wall under gravitational load. The calculated quantities such as shrinkage, final relative density, and deformed shapes were compared with the respective experimental data across different part geometries.
Holism, Conceptual-Role Semantics, and Syntactic Semantics

This essay continues my investigation of `syntactic semantics': the theory that, pace Searle's Chinese-Room Argument, syntax does suffice for semantics (in particular, for the semantics needed for a computational cognitive theory of natural-language understanding). Here, I argue that syntactic semantics (which is internal and first-person) is what has been called a conceptual-role semantics: The meaning of any expression is the role that it plays in the complete system of expressions. Such a `narrow', conceptual-role semantics is the appropriate sort of semantics to account (from an `internal', or first-person perspective) for how a cognitive agent understands language. Some have argued for the primacy of external, or `wide', semantics, while others have argued for a two-factor analysis. But, although two factors can be specified–-one internal and first-person, the other only specifiable in an external, third-person way–-only the internal, first-person one is needed for understanding how someone understands. A truth-conditional semantics can still be provided, but only from a third-person perspective.
Permeability structure of young ocean crust from poroelastically triggered earthquakes

[1] Permeability is a primary control on fluid flow within mid-ocean ridge hydrothermal systems and strongly influences the transfer of energy and mass between the ocean and the lithosphere. Little is known about how this parameter might vary in zero-age crust even though such variations may determine the locations and areal extents of upflow and downflow zones. Typically, estimates of permeability in seafloor environments are given as a single value (or range of values) for entire systems. Here we model crustal stresses inferred from poroelastically triggered earthquake patterns to estimate the two-dimensional permeability structure within a hydrothermal system on the East Pacific Rise at 9°50′N. We show that permeability in young ocean crust may vary by several orders of magnitude over horizontal scales of hundreds of meters with values ranging from 10−13.4 to 10−9.4 m2. Such values are consistent with other estimates of permeability in ocean crust. These variations may prescribe the geometry of hydrothermal convection and should be considered in future models of these systems.
Depression, Abuse, Relationship Power and Condom Use by Pregnant and Postpartum Women with Substance Abuse History

Substance-abusing pregnant and postpartum women are less likely to maintain consistent condom use and drug and alcohol abstinence, which is particularly concerning in high HIV-prevalence areas. Data from 224 pregnant and postpartum women in substance abuse treatment were analyzed to examine effects of history of substance use, child abuse, and mental health problems on current substance use and condom-use barriers. Mediators were depression, relationship power and social support. Most participants (72.9 %) evidenced current depression. Less social support (-0.17, p < 0.05) and relationship power (-0.48, p < 0.001), and greater depression (-0.16, p < 0.05) predicted more condom-use barriers. History of mental health problems predicted condom-use barriers, mediated by recent depression and relationship power (0.15, p < 0.001). These findings suggest depression and diminished relationship power limit highest-risk women's ability to negotiate condom use and abstain from substance use, increasing their risk of acute HIV infection and vertical transmission.
Platelets in Tumor Progression: A Host Factor That Offers Multiple Potential Targets in the Treatment of Cancer

While platelets are well known to play a central role in hemostasis and thrombosis, there is emerging experimental evidence to suggest that they also mediate tumor cell growth, dissemination, and angiogenesis. An increase in platelet number (thrombocytosis) and activity is seen in patients with a wide spectrum of malignancies, and the former is correlated with a decrease in overall survival and poorer prognosis. Preclinical data suggest that circulating tumor cell partnerships with platelets in the blood facilitate tumor metastases through direct interactions and secreted bioactive proteins. Platelets form aggregates with tumor cells, thereby protecting them from host immune surveillance through physical shielding and induction of "platelet mimicry." There is also laboratory evidence to suggest that activated platelets interact with cancer cells within the tumor microenvironment through paracrine signaling and direct contact, thereby promoting tumor cell growth and survival. For example, platelets release mediators of both tumor angiogenesis and osteoclast resorption. The interplay between platelets and tumor cells is complex and bidirectional with involvement of multiple other components within the tumor microenvironment, including immune cells, endothelial cells, and the extracellular matrix. We review the role of platelets in tumor progression, emphasizing the opportunity these interactions afford to target platelets and platelet function to improve patient outcomes in the cancer prevention and treatment setting.
Wildland fire effects on forest structure over an altitudinal gradient, Grand Canyon National Park, USA

Summary 1 Restoration of wildland fire to forests is a challenge when historical fire regimes have been altered. We studied four fires that burned over approximately 7865 ha on an altitudinal gradient in Grand Canyon National Park, USA, in 2003. The fires met criteria for the current USA policy allowing the restoration of fire's ecological role in forest landscapes: Wildland Fire Use for Resource Benefits. 2 After the fires burned out, we remeasured 82 permanent pre-established monitoring plots burned by the fires plus 43 additional plots on unburned companion sites. 3 The maximum height of charring of tree boles and basal area mortality increased in mean value and variability with altitude. At a low-altitude Pinus–Quercus site, tree density declined significantly but basal area was unchanged. At a mid-altitude mixed-conifer site and a high-altitude Picea/Abies/Populus site, both density and basal area declined. 4 The thinning effect of fire was concentrated on smaller, shorter, fire-susceptible trees. Small-diameter trees (< 20 cm diameter) made up 79–95% of all tree mortality. Shade-tolerant conifers, particularly true firs and spruce, experienced disproportionate mortality (31–82% basal area decline), while fire-resistant ponderosa pine and Douglas fir tended to survive (2–8% basal area decline). Delayed mortality between the first and second years following the fires accounted for only 4·2% of trees dying at the low-altitude site but 15·6% and 11·2% at the mid- and high-altitude sites, respectively. Regeneration density was highly variable but forest floor and woody debris declined in burned areas. 5 Synthesis and applications. This study shows that, even after an unusually long fire-free period (1880–2003), at the mid- and high-altitude burned sites fire effects were consistent with restoration of historical patterns, moving the ecosystems closer to historical reference conditions. Fires simultaneously reduced the living, dead and ladder fuels that made the forest vulnerable to uncharacteristically severe fire. These effects make the forests more resistant to the expected increases in fire size and severity under future climate conditions. Even at longer-than-historical fire intervals, the wildland fire use policy can benefit Grand Canyon forests.
Exploitation and greater sage-grouse Centrocercus urophasianus: a response to Sedinger and Rotella

Kerry P. Reese & Edward O. Garton, Department of Fish and Wildlife Re­ sources, University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho 83844, USA ­ e­mail addresses: kreese@uidaho.edu (Kerry P. Reese); ogarton@uidaho.edu (Edward O. Gar­ ton) John W. Connelly, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 1345 Barton Road, Pocatello, Idaho 83204, USA ­ e­mail: jcsagegrouse@aol.com Michelle L. Commons­Kemner, Idaho Department of Fish and Game, 3101 South Powerline Road, Nampa, Idaho 83686, USA ­ e­mail: mcommons@idfg. idaho.gov
Evaluation of Adenosine Triphosphate-Bioluminescence Hygiene Monitoring for Trouble-Shooting Fluid Milk Shelf-Life Problems

An ATP-bioluminescence hygiene monitoring system was used to evaluate food contact surfaces in four fluid milk plants experiencing shelf-life problems. Postpasteurization surfaces, including gaskets, pipe fittings, valves, filler parts, and hand-washed items, were evaluated. Swab results, measured in relative light units proportional to total recovered ATP, were compared with results from the standard method of microbiological swab contact for adjacent sites of equal area. Microbiological procedures included standard plate count, coliform count, and Gram-negative bacteria count. Standard plate counts were 50 cfu in 65, 22, and 13% of swabbed sites of 150 RLU, respectively. Thirteen sites were found with standard plate counts >10,000 cfu per site and identified with the hygiene monitoring system (>150 RLU). Gram-negative bacteria were the dominant bacterial type in a majority of these samples. Gram-negative bacteria were detected in a total of 22 sites tested; mean counts were 2100 cfu per site for Gram-negative bacteria and 20 cfu per site for coliform bacteria. Although limited to use on accessible sites, the hygiene monitoring system proved to be an effective, rapid tool for identifying the possible sources of postpasteurization contamination in the fluid milk plants evaluated.
A Transmitter For Diagnostic Imaging

Several existing real-time systems for ultrasonic imaging are capable of producing impressive orthorgraphic images. However, analysis of their ideal performance shows that these systems are still not as sensitive as desirable for practical diagnostic use when it comes to imaging targets through thick regions. An imaging approach utilizing a scanning-focused-beam and piezoelectric detection possesses the best inherent sensitivity, and thus the potential to produce an effective image with the least tissue exposure to ultra-sound. A possible embodiment of a system based on this highly-desirable approach is being worked on. The key element is an opto-acoustic transducer (OAT) addressed by light carrying a focus-inducing pattern. The OAT must be carefully designed and evaluated before construction. Two basic types of OAT structures have been investigated by means of equivalent-circuit models and computer simulation, which takes into consideration the dependence of OAT performance on device geometry, amplitude and phase distortions, material properties and operating conditions. The simulations indicate that certain configurations with available materials have the proper characteristics to qualify as candidates for OAT construction. Designs for prototype OATs have been made. The construction and testing of the prototypes are underway.© (1976) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Inflammation, oxidation and venous neointimal hyperplasia precede vascular injury from AVF creation in CKD patients.

PurposeIntimal hyperplasia (IH), a well-recognized cause of dialysis vascular access failure, is generally believed to be an acquired pathologic lesion. Recent data suggests that IH is present prio...
Depression screening in a university campus pharmacy: a pilot project.

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate the usefulness of a depression screening tool in a university campus pharmacy. Design Uncontrolled study. Setting University campus pharmacy. Participants 25 individuals were screened while waiting for a prescription to be dispensed or while browsing in the pharmacy. Interventions Completion of a depression screening tool and a follow-up participant satisfaction survey to rate the usefulness of the depression screening tool. Main Outcome Measures Scores on the depression screening tool and descriptive analysis of participant satisfaction survey. Results One participant was rated as depressed and one participant as "borderline" depression on the screening tool. Overall, 64% (16/25) of participants rated the screening tool as very useful, 92% (23/25) felt very comfortable while completing the screening tool, 40% (10/25) were very likely to read the provided written information, and 60% (15/25) learned about depression or themselves by participating in the survey. Conclusion Depression screening is feasible in a university campus pharmacy. Participants reported feeling comfortable discussing depression with a pharmacist in a university campus pharmacy. In addition, they considered the information provided by the pharmacist on depression to be useful.
EEG activity during administration of low-concentration odors

Previous research has suggested that room air may contain odors that affect central nervous system activity. This research presumes that odors can produce significant changes in brain activity even though they are undetected. In the present study, we examined this hypothesis. Sixteen subjects were exposed to four concentrations of two odorants while EEG data were recorded. The concentrations used in the study were no odor, low (undetected in half the subjects), medium, and high. The results of the EEG period analyses indicated that the distribution of EEG theta activity differed as a function of odor concentration. In addition, more detailed analysis of the two lowest odor-presentation conditions revealed that EEG beta activity differed as a function of odor and concentration for the subjects who were unable to detect the presence of the odors. These subjects also reported being significantly less happy during the administration of the undetected odors. These results support the hypothesis that undetected odors, which may exist in room air, have the capacity to alter brain activity and possibly mood.
Stability and performance of infiltrated La0.8Sr0.2CoxFe1−xO3 electrodes with and without Sm0.2Ce0.8O1.9 interlayers

Abstract The chemical stability of composite electrodes produced by the infiltration of La 0.8 Sr 0.2 Co x Fe 1− x O 3 (LSCF) into a porous yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) scaffold were investigated as a function of the Co:Fe ratio in the LSCF and the LSCF calcination temperature. XRD and impedance spectroscopy results indicate that for an LSCF calcination temperature of 1123 K, reactions between the LSCF and YSZ do not occur to a significant extent. Reactions producing La 2 Zr 2 O 7 and SrZrO 3 at the interface were observed, however, for a calcination temperature of 1373 K and x values greater than 0.2. In addition to determining the conditions for which reactions between LSCF and YSZ occur, the effectiveness of infiltrated SDC interlayers in preventing reactions at the LSCF–YSZ interface and their influence on the overall performance of LSCF/YSZ composite electrodes was studied.
Event, Metaphor, Memory: Chauri Chaura 1922–1992

Event, Metaphor, Memory: Chauri Chaura, 1922–1992. Shahid Amin. Berkeley: Universty Of California Press, 1995. xiv + 256 pp., IIlustrations, appendix, notes, bibliography, Index.
Toxin variability in natural populations of Alexandrium fundyense in Casco Bay, Maine—evidence of nitrogen limitation

The dinoflagellate Alexandrium fundyense is a common, recurring harmful algal bloom (HAB) species in the Gulf of Maine. To date, most physiological measurements of phytoplankton in the field provide data on the entire community, yet efforts to obtain species-specific data are particularly important for understanding the ecological and physiological dynamics of HAB species, such as, Alexandrium. Alexandrium spp., do not usually dominate the planktonic community in the Gulf of Maine, but are of great interest due to the potent toxins produced. In order to determine the nutritional status of Alexandrium spp. in natural populations, indicators of nutrient deprivation need to be identified that are specific to that one species. To date, the saxitoxin content of A. fundyense is known to vary under different environmental conditions such as nitrogen and phosphorous limitation. However, in batch culture the composition of the toxin (the relative amounts of each saxitoxin derivative per cell) appears to be a stable quantity and thus is sometimes viewed as a biochemical marker of individual strains. In more recent studies, toxin composition has been shown to vary during progressive N- and Plimitation, once the cells are given time to achieve steady state in semi-continuous, nutrient-limited cultures. Using both the absolute toxin concentrations and relative proportion (mole % total toxin) of each toxin derivative, N- and P-limitation can be distinguished based on the observed trends in the different saxitoxin derivatives. In this study, we examine the toxin content and composition in natural A. fundyense populations during a spring bloom in Casco Bay, ME from April–June of 1998. This allows us to examine whether A. fundyense populations in the western Gulf of Maine are sufficiently homogenous to permit the detection of toxin composition and toxin content differences through time and space, and if so, to determine whether those changes are indicative of a particular nutritional state (e.g., N-limitation). Using both toxin composition and toxin ratios determined from field samples during an A. fundyense bloom, the ratios generally correlated with N-limitation in the Casco Bay region. r 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Providing reliability as an elastic service in cloud computing

Modern day data centers coordinate hundreds of thousands of heterogeneous tasks and aim at delivering highly reliable cloud computing services. Although offering equal reliability to all users benefits everyone at the same time, users may find such an approach either too inadequate or too expensive to fit their individual requirements, which may vary dramatically. In this paper, we propose a novel method for providing reliability as an elastic and on-demand service. Our scheme makes use of peer-to-peer checkpointing and allows user reliability levels to be jointly optimized based on an assessment of their individual requirements and total available resources in the data center. We show that the joint optimization can be efficiently solved by a distributed algorithm using dual decomposition. The solution improves resource utilization and presents an additional source of revenue to data center operators. Our validation results suggest a significant improvement of reliability over existing schemes.
Growth ofNeisseria gonorrhoeae in media deficient in iron without detection of siderophores

A disseminating strain ofNeisseria gonorrhoeae was grown in a liquid, defined medium containing different levels of a strong chelator of ferric iron, ethylenediamine-di (o-hydroxyphenyl acetic acid) (EDDA). The inhibition of growth produced by EDDA was relieved by addition of iron. Filtrates from cultures grown in the media deficient in iron were examined for presence of siderophores, microbial chelators of iron, by colorimetric tests for phenolates and hydroxamates and by two biological assays in which the filtrates were tested for ability to stimulate growth of small inocula and for ability to prevent bactericidal effects of normal human serum. By use of these methods, none of the filtrates displayed evidence of gonococcal siderophores.
Advanced chemical lasers

A review of recent advances in chemical laser technology is presented. New technology and concepts related to the Chemical Oxygen Iodine Laser (COIL), All Gas-phase Iodine Laser (AGIL), and HF Overtone Laser are discussed.© (2004) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Larval Description and New Nebraska Distribution Records for Nebraska's Tiger Beetle, Cicindela nebraskana Casey (Coleoptera: Carabidae)

ABSTRACT Adult Cicindela nebraskana Casey were captured and allowed to mate and oviposit in the laboratory. The resultant larvae provide the first formal description for all instars of this species. In 2008 and 2009, C. nebraskana was found at several new locations in Nebraska as well as in a previously unrecorded county (Dawes). Observations were made on its habitat preference, seasonality, and behavior.
Osteoradionecrosis prevention myths

Purpose: To critically analyze controversial osteoradionecrosis (ORN) prevention techniques, including preradiation extractions of healthy or restorable teeth and the use of prophylactic antibiotics or hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) treatments for preradiation and postradiation extractions. Methods: The author reviewed ORN studies found on PubMed and in other article references, including studies on overall ORN incidence and pre- and postradiation incidence, with and without prophylactic HBO or antibiotics. Results: Owing in part to more efficient radiation techniques, the incidence of ORN has been declining in radiation patients over the last 2 decades, but the prevention of ORN remains controversial. A review of the available literature does not support the preradiation extraction of restorable or healthy teeth. There is also insufficient evidence to support the use of prophylactic HBO treatments or prophylactic antibiotics before extractions or other oral surgical procedures in radiation patients. Conclusions: To prevent ORN, irradiated dental patients should maintain a high level of oral health. A preradiation referral for a dental evaluation and close collaboration by a multidisciplinary team can be invaluable for radiation patients. As with most other dental patients, restorable and healthy teeth should be retained in irradiated patients. The use of prophylactic HBO or antibiotics should be reconsidered for preradiation and postradiation extractions.
Body mass index has a linear relationship with cerebrospinal fluid pressure

Purpose. To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP), as low BMI and low CSFP have recently been described as risk factors for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).
Multiple‐parameter reduced basis technique for bifurcation and post‐buckling analyses of composite plates

A multiple-parameter reduced basis technique and a problem-adaptive computational algorithm are presented for the bifurcation and post-buckling analyses of composite plates subjected to combined loadings. The computational algorithm can be conveniently divided into three distinct stages. The first stage is that of determining the stability boundary. The plate is discretized by using displacement finite element models and the analysis region is reduced by exploiting the special symmetries exhibited by the response of the plate. The vector of unknown nodal displacements is expressed as a linear combination of a small number of path derivatives (derivatives of the nodal displacements with respect to path parameters), and a Rayleigh-Ritz technique is used to approximate the finite element equations by a small system of algebraic equations. The reduced equations are used to determine the stability boundary of the plate. In the second stage, a nonllnear solution in the vicinity of the stability boundary is obtained by using a bifurcation buckling mode as a predictor, and a set of reduced equations is generated. In the third stage, the reduced equations are used to trace post-buckling paths corresponding to various combinations of the load parameters. The potential of the proposed approach is discussed and its effectiveness is demonstrated by means of a numerical example of laminated composite plate subjected to combined compressive and shear loadings.
The second time around: accounting for retest effects on oral examinations.

Years of research with high-stakes written tests indicates that although repeat examinees typically experience score gains between their first and subsequent attempts, their pass rates remain considerably lower than pass rates for first-time examinees. This outcome is consistent with expectations. Comparable studies of the performance of repeat examinees on oral examinations are lacking. The current research evaluated pass rates for more than 50,000 examinees on written and oral exams administered by six medical specialty boards for several recent years. Pass rates for first-time examinees were similar for both written and oral exams, averaging about 84% across all boards. Pass rates for repeat examinees on written exams were expectedly lower, ranging from 22% to 51%, with an average of 36%. However, pass rates for repeat examinees on oral exams were markedly higher than for written exams, ranging from 53% to 77%, with an average of 65%. Four explanations for the elevated repeat pass rates on oral exams a...
Client-Side Relevance Feedback Approach for Image Retrieval in Mobile Environment

With the proliferation of handheld devices, the demand of multimedia information retrieval on mobile devices has attracted more attention. A relevance feedback information retrieval process usually includes several rounds of query refinement. Each round incurs exchange of tens of images between the mobile device and the server. With limited wireless bandwidth, this process can incur substantial delay making the system unfriendly to use. We address this issue by considering a client-side relevance feedback (CRF) technique. Since relevance feedback is done on client side, system response is instantaneous significantly enhancing system usability. Furthermore, since the server is not involved in relevance feedback processing, it is able to support thousands more users simultaneously. Our experimental results indicate that this scheme also effectively address the semantic gap in content-based image retrieval.
Identification of rat hepatic glucokinase after polyacrylamide disc electrophoresis

Abstract A method for the detection of glucokinase activity after polyacrylamide gel disc electrophoresis is described. The stability problems associated with acrylamide electrophoresis of glucokinase are overcome by taking advantage of known stabilizers of enzymatic activity. Gel polymerization in the absence of persulfate is a critical consideration. Hexokinase from yeast can also be detected by this procedure. In view of the similarity in eletcrophoretic mobilities of rat liver glucokinase and yeast hexokinase, the isoelectric point of glucokinase was determined. The observed value of 4.7 is similar to that reported for yeast hexokinase.
High brightness angled cavity quantum cascade lasers

A quantum cascade laser (QCL) with an output power of 203 W is demonstrated in pulsed mode at 283 K with an angled cavity. The device has a ridge width of 300 μm, a cavity length of 5.8 mm, and a tilt angle of 12°. The back facet is high reflection coated, and the front facet is anti-reflection coated. The emitting wavelength is around 4.8 μm. In distinct contrast to a straight cavity broad area QCL, the lateral far field is single lobed with a divergence angle of only 3°. An ultrahigh brightness value of 156 MW cm−2 sr−1 is obtained, which marks the brightest QCL to date.
Isolation and identification of morphine N‐oxide α and β‐dihydromorphines, β‐ or γ‐isomorphine, and hydroxylated morphine as morphine metabolites in several mammalian species

Abstract New morphine metabolites in the urine of guinea pigs, rats, rabbits, cats, monkeys, and humans were isolated with column chromatography, solvent extraction, and TLC and identified with TLC, GLC, and GLC–mass spectrometry. In addition to the known morphine metabolites, morphine N -oxide was isolated from the urine of guinea pigs, and α - and β -dihydromorphines were isolated or detected in the urine of guinea pigs, rats, and rabbits. Monohydroxymorphine was identified tentatively in the urine of guinea pigs, rats, rabbits, and cats. Dihy- droxymorphine was identified tentatively in the urine of guinea pigs, rats, and, possibly, rabbits. Finally, β - or γ -isomorphine was identified tentatively in the urine of guinea pigs. The newly described morphine metabolites may be involved in some long lasting pharmacological effects of morphine.
Economic Analysis of Spatial-Temporal Patterns in Corn and Soybean Response to Nitrogen and Phosphorus

Interactions among environmental factors, management decisions, and field characteristics cause temporal and spatial variability in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] yields. The objectives of this paper are (i) to test whether yield response of corn to N and P and of soybean to P are spatially and temporally stable, and (ii) to evaluate the profitability of a variable rate (VR) N and P fertility management strategy over a 5-yr, corn–soybean rotation using this response information. A field near Windom, MN, USA, was cropped with corn (1997, 1999, and 2001) and soybean (1998, 2000). Three replications of 13 N and P treatments were established in a split-plot arrangement of a randomized complete block design. Treatments were applied at constant rates in strips across the entire field. Fertilizer N treatments were 0, 67, 112, 157, and 202 kg ha 21 and P treatments were 0, 56, and 112 kg P2O5 ha 21 . The field was partitioned into sub-blocks for spatial analysis of yield response. Corn and soybean response to these inputs was estimated for each block, each year. Results indicate that spatial variation of crop response to these inputs is significant, and that response of corn and soybean to P is temporally stable in some parts of the field, but not others. Response to N was not temporally stable. Results of an ex post profitability analysis found that average returnsoverthe5-yrperiodfromtheVRNandPmanagementstrategy were $28 ha 21 higher than returns from a uniform application strategy.
A pore-level scenario for the development of mixed-wettability in oil reservoirs

Understanding the role of thin films in porous media is vital if wettability is to be elucidated at the pore level. The type and thickness of films coating pore walls determines reservoir wettability and whether or not reservoir rock can be altered from its initial state of wettability. Pore shape, especially pore wall curvature, is an important factor in determining wetting-film thicknesses. Yet, pore shape and the physics of thin wetting films are generally neglected in models of flow in porous rocks. This paper incorporates thin-film forces into a collection of star-shaped capillary tubes model to describe the geological development of mixed-wettability in reservoir rock. Here, mixed-wettability refers to continuous and distinct oil and water-wetting surfaces coexisting in the porous medium. The proposed model emphasizes the remarkable role of thin films. New pore-level fluid configurations arise that are quite unexpected. For example, efficient water displacement of oil (i.e, low residual oil saturation) characteristic of mixed-wettability porous media is ascribed to interconnected oil lenses or rivulets which bridge the walls adjacent to a pore corner. Predicted residual oil saturations are approximately 35 % less in mixed-wet rock compared to completely water-wet rock. Calculated capillary pressure curves mimic those of mixed-wet porousmore » media in the primary drainage of water, imbibition of water, and secondary drainage modes. Amott-Harvey indices range from {minus}0.18 to 0.36 also in good agreement with experimental values. (Morrow et al, 1986; Judhunandan and Morrow, 1991).« less
The growing teratoma syndrome

A 26-year-old man presented with multiple pulmonary nodules and a left testicular mass. Combination chemotherapy for a malignant, mixed germ cell testicular tumor resulted in shrinkage of the pulmonary nodules and normalization of the tumor markers (beta-HCG, LDH and AFP). Subsequent surgical excision performed for enlargement of the pulmonary nodules revealed mature teratomas, diagnostic of the GTS.
Brain stimulation reward is integrated by a network of electrically coupled GABA neurons.

The neural substrate of brain stimulation reward (BSR) has eluded identification since its discovery more than a half-century ago. Notwithstanding the difficulties in identifying the neuronal integrator of BSR, the mesocorticolimbic dopamine (DA) system originating in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) of the midbrain has been implicated. We have previously demonstrated that the firing rate of a subpopulation of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) neurons in the VTA increases in anticipation of BSR. We show here that GABA neurons in the VTA, midbrain, hypothalamus, and thalamus of rats express connexin-36 (Cx36) gap junctions (GJs) and couple electrically upon DA application or by stimulation of the internal capsule (IC), which also supports self-stimulation. The threshold for responding for IC self-stimulation was the threshold for electrical coupling between GABA neurons, the degree of responding for IC self-stimulation was proportional to the magnitude of electrical coupling between GABA neurons, and GJ blockers increased the threshold for IC self-stimulation without affecting performance. Thus, a network of electrically coupled GABA neurons in the ventral brain may form the elusive neural integrator of BSR.
Torsade de Pointes and Prolonged QT Interval From Surreptitious Use of Sotalol*: Use of Drug Levels in Diagnosis

Torsade de pointes is a well-established toxic effect of sotalol hydrochloride. In a patient presenting with torsade de pointes and a long QTc interval of unknown cause, a serum sotalol level was used to secure an otherwise difficult diagnosis.
Synthesis, Structure−Activity Relationship, and Biological Studies of Indolocarbazoles as Potent Cyclin D1-CDK4 Inhibitors

Novel substituted indolocarbazoles were synthesized, and their kinase inhibitory capability was evaluated in vitro. 6-Substituted indolocarbazoles 4 were found to be potent and selective D1/CDK4 inhibitors. 4d and 4h exhibited potent and ATP-competitive D1/CDK4 activities with IC50 values of 76 and 42 nM, respectively. Both compounds had high selectivity against the other kinases. These D1/CDK4 inhibitors inhibited tumor cell growth, arrested tumor cells at the G1 phase, and inhibited pRb phosphorylation.
Market monitoring and control of ancillary services

Abstract In this paper, the problems of market monitoring and control of ancillary services of future energy systems are presented. We envision that future system operation of electric power systems will evolve into completely unbundled ancillary service markets that are governed by spot price signals. The grid operators need to acquire ancillary services through competitive markets for control of the system operation. With the above vision of the future, this paper presents the control of ancillary services based on a frequency regulation/load following (LFC) market, a load regulating (RL) market, and a base load (BL) market. In the LFC market, the units dispatched for generation must have specific response characteristics as determined by the nature of system loads. These units will be controlled by the grid operator. It is envisioned that LFC will be multi-time scale and decentralized. In the RL market, the units dispatched for generation will not participate in LFC. These units are dispatched for specific period of time for regulating system load. The BL units are dispatched daily to satisfy the BL of the day on a weekly or monthly basis. The locational market power associated with generators participating in LFC and in RL is even more critical than that for generators participating in satisfying the BL, since these units are required for frequency regulation, voltage support and relief of overload conditions. To create an efficient market for these services, we will propose and formulate the use of incentive strategies for the BL, RL and the LFC markets.
Uranium enrichment and heavy water production

Abstract Estimates of demand for uranium enrichment and heavy water for use in nuclear fuel cycles in countries outside the centrally planned economies are balanced against current and planned additions to the capacity for these services. The demand estimates are based on recent OECD projections of nuclear power growth to the year 2025 and the possible mix of reactor types. Past experience indicates that such projections should be viewed with caution. However, a robust conclusion is that the expansion of nuclear power worldwide need not be constrained by a lack of capacity for either uranium enrichment or heavy-water production. The competition between current suppliers, as well as the desire on the part of several other countries to achieve an independent enrichment capability, will spur the development of advanced enrichment technologies. Based on studies to date, it appears that it will be possible to develop acceptable procedures for the efficient safeguarding of enrichment plants. Thus, from the proliferation perspective, the spread of a technology is probably a greater risk than the existence of a safeguarded commercial plant based on that technology. This argues for continued efforts to restrict access, particularly in the case of technologies that may be amenable to production of highly enriched uranium on a relatively small scale.