cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diabetic Foot Complications: Diagnosis and Management

Foot complications in patients with diabetes mellitus are a challenge to the health care industry. A great deal of expenditure is due to the management of diabetic foot complications. This places a great burden on the health care industry. It also places a great burden on those diabetic patients with foot complications and their families. Therefore, their effective management in an efficient manner is crucial to our patients. To deal with these problems, a dedicated, knowledgeable, and experienced multidisciplinary team is key. Intervention at the earliest possible time yields the best outcome. Prevention is the focus for those with no ulcerations. For those with ulcerations, prompt recognition and treatment is key. The importance of classifying ulcerations according to size, depth, presence or absence of infection, and vascular status can not be overstated. Proper offloading is vital for those with neuropathic lesions. Recognition of patients with a component of ischemia and vascular intervention to increase perfusion will aid in wound healing. Of course deep infection requires immediate drainage. All efforts of those in the multidisciplinary team are directed at the restoration and maintenance of an ulcer-free foot which is important in enabling our patients to maintain their ambulatory status.
Analysis of Phytic Acid in Foods by HPLC

A quantitative HPLC method for the analysis of phytic acid in foods was developed based on the precipitation of phytic acid with ferric chloride followed by conversion to sodium phytate before injection onto a C18 reversed-phase column. Standard food grade wheat bran samples were analyzed by the method of standard addition and recovery of phytic acid ranged from 99 – 103%. 3% H2SO4 was found to be as effective as 3% TCA in the extraction of phytic acid. AAS was shown to be potentially valuable as a metal specific detector for the HPLC of phytate-metal complexes.
Proteomic analysis of palmitoylated platelet proteins.

Protein palmitoylation is a dynamic process that regulates membrane targeting of proteins and protein-protein interactions. We have previously demonstrated a critical role for protein palmitoylation in platelet activation and have identified palmitoylation machinery in platelets. Using a novel proteomic approach, Palmitoyl Protein Identification and Site Characterization, we have begun to characterize the human platelet palmitoylome. Palmitoylated proteins were enriched from membranes isolated from resting platelets using acyl-biotinyl exchange chemistry, followed by identification using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. This global analysis identified > 1300 proteins, of which 215 met criteria for significance and represent the platelet palmitoylome. This collection includes 51 known palmitoylated proteins, 61 putative palmitoylated proteins identified in other palmitoylation-specific proteomic studies, and 103 new putative palmitoylated proteins. Of these candidates, we chose to validate the palmitoylation of triggering receptors expressed on myeloid cell (TREM)–like transcript-1 (TLT-1) as its expression is restricted to platelets and megakaryocytes. We determined that TLT-1 is a palmitoylated protein using metabolic labeling with [3H]palmitate and identified the site of TLT-1 palmitoylation as cysteine 196. The discovery of new platelet palmitoyl protein candidates will provide a resource for subsequent investigations to validate the palmitoylation of these proteins and to determine the role palmitoylation plays in their function.
Men in the Mirror The Role of Men’s Body Shame in Sexual Aggression

Because research on body shame has predominantly focused on women, the consequences of male body shame for gender relations have been under-investigated. Following up on preliminary findings suggesting that men high on body shame were hostile toward women, in two experiments, we uniquely observed that body shame predisposes men to sexual aggression when they react negatively to masculinity threats. In Experiment 1, men rejected by a female confederate for being unattractive showed rape proclivity to the extent they were high on both body shame and post-rejection negative affect. In Experiment 2, the same pattern emerged on the part of men rejected by a female (but not a male) confederate for ostensibly being gay. In concert, the findings suggest that men's body shame is an overlooked factor in sexual aggression, which has implications for extant rape theories and precarious manhood theory.
Characterization of Kevlar fiber surfaces using a newly developed infrared photoacoustic technique

A newly developed infrared photoacoustic technique has been used to obtain information about the orientation of the surface functional groups of Kevlar-49R fibers. This method involves the use of a highly polarizable gas in the photoacoustic cell and comparison of the spectra with a non-polarizable coupling gas. A highly polarizable inert gas, xenon, enhances the surface modes oriented parallel to the surface and suppresses the intensity of the perpendicular modes. This method shows differences in the structure of the skin and the core of the fibers. The polymer chains in the skin are oriented parallel to the surface, and in the core they are almost radially oriented.
Storytelling Slide Shows to Improve Diabetes and High Blood Pressure Knowledge and Self-Efficacy: Three-Year Results among Community Dwelling Older African Americans.

This study combined the African American tradition of oral storytelling with the Hispanic medium of Fotonovelas. A staggered pretest posttest control group design was used to evaluate four Storytelling Slide Shows on health that featured community members. A total of 212 participants were recruited for the intervention and 217 for the comparison group from residents of senior affordable housing complexes located in Washington, DC, and Maryland. Participants significantly increased their eating decision scores as well as their knowledge of high blood pressure between pre- and postassessment (both p values <.001) versus no change among comparison participants These findings suggest that participants mastered the importance of food selection, physical activity, and stress management. Self-efficacy was measured by two indexes, each containing 15 items on confidence in performing diabetes and high blood pressure management behaviors. Significant pre–post increases occurred in diabetes and in high blood pressur...
Hybrid versus Norwood procedure for hypoplastic left heart syndrome: contemporary series from a single center.

Objective Two different strategies have emerged in the initial palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome, the conventional Norwood operation and the so-called hybrid procedure. We have used each of these at our center. The purpose of the present study was to compare the outcomes of both procedures. Methods From 2007 to 2012, 40 patients presented to the Cardinal Glennon Children's Medical Center with hypoplastic left heart syndrome or 1 of its variants. Of the 40 patients, 24 underwent a hybrid procedure and 16 a Norwood procedure for initial palliation. The medical records, echocardiograms, and cardiac catheterization data were retrospectively reviewed. Standard statistical analysis was performed. Results The patients who underwent the hybrid procedure weighed less than those who underwent the Norwood procedure. Overall unadjusted survival was better in the Norwood group, although this did not reach statistical significance. Overall hospital resource usage was similar in both cohorts, taking into account both first and second palliation stages. Conclusions In our review, we found no statistically significant difference in survival or resource usage between those patients undergoing the Norwood procedure and those undergoing a hybrid procedure as initial palliation for hypoplastic left heart syndrome.
Surgical outcomes and safety of transnasal endoscopic resection for anterior skull tumors

Objective To report the surgical outcomes and safety of transnasal endoscopic resection (TER) for anterior skull base (ASB) tumors. Study Design and Setting A retrospective chart review to identify patients undergoing TER for ASB tumors at a tertiary care medical center between September 1997 and June 2006. Results Nineteen patients underwent TER for ASB tumors without open craniotomy. There were 17 malignant and two benign lesions. Olfactory neuroblastoma was the most common pathology, occurring in 53 percent of patients. One patient recurred locally, resulting in an overall local control rate of 94.7 percent for all neoplasms and 94.1 percent for malignant disease. It should be noted that the tumor control rate may be premature given the small sample size and limited follow-up. Overall, there were 16 complications, but only two of these, an orbital hematoma and a frontal lobe abscess, were considered major complications directly attributable to surgery. Conclusions TER for ASB tumors appears to be safe in properly selected patients. In light of the small sample size and limited follow-up, the major complication rate directly attributable to surgery was 11 percent, and the overall local control rate was 95 percent. A larger multi-institutional series with longer follow-up is warranted.
Natural history of prostatism: longitudinal changes in voiding symptoms in community dwelling men.

AbstractPurpose: We report the results of 3 contacts during 42 months of The Olmsted County Study of Urinary Symptoms and Health Status Among Men, a longitudinal cohort study of men 40 to 79 years old that was initiated in 1990 to describe changes in lower urinary tract symptom severity.Materials and Methods: At baseline and followup, men completed questionnaires that elicited urinary symptom severity with questions nearly identical to those of the American Urological Association symptom index.Results: Overall, there was an average increase in American Urological Association symptom index of approximately 0.18 (95 percent confidence interval 0.13 to 0.24) points per year of followup. The average annual symptom score slope and variability in slope increased with patient age at baseline from a mean of 0.05 plus/minus 1.06 (standard deviation) per year among men in the forties to 0.44 plus/minus 1.35 per year for men in the sixties and decreased to 0.14 plus/minus 1.42 per year for men in the seventies. The ...
A Servo-Method for Producing Equal-Quanta, Equal-Energy, or Equal-Response Spectra*

A servo-method is described which can provide an equal-energy or equal-quanta spectrum, as well as any other type of spectral energy distribution desired for biological or physical experiments, by installation of the appropriate empirically determined cam. A grating monochromator driven by a reversing motor provides a continuous spectrum which may be scanned repeatedly at selected bandwidths, the visible range being traversed in 15 sec with a maximum error of plus or minus 3%. Also the system can be made to produce spectra which elicit responses of arbitrarily fixed magnitude from retinal preparations, equal-response spectra. The results would be in terms of deviation from an equal-energy, equal-quanta, or any other type of chosen spectrum depending on the cam employed. This servo-method has the advantage of immunity to the aging of lamps and filters and permits replacement of a defective lamp by another of the same or of an entirely different type without calibration being required. An alternative to the use of mechanical cams, intended to produce similar results employing the photoformer principle, also is described briefly.
ANTIBODY TO RIBOSOMES IN SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS.

Antibody to ribosomes have been demonstrated in the sera of several patients with SLE. The specificity of the reaction appears to be related, at least in part, to soluble RNA. This reactivity appears to occur almost exclusively in the serum of patients with SLE. Anticorpore anti ribosomas esseva demonstrate in le seros de plure patientes con disseminate lupus erythematose. Le specificitate del reaction pare esser relationate, al minus in parte, con solubile acido ribonucleic. Iste reactivitate pare occurrer quasi exclusivemente in le sero de patientes con disseminate lupus erythematose.
Finding SZ clusters in the ACBAR maps

Abstract We present a new method for component separation from multi-frequency maps aimed to extract Sunyaev–Zeldovich (SZ) galaxy clusters from cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiments. This method is best suited to recover non-Gaussian, spatially localized and sparse signals. We apply our method on simulated maps of the ACBAR experiment. We find that this method improves the reconstruction of the integrated y parameter by a factor of three with respect to the Wiener filter case. Moreover, the scatter associated with the reconstruction is reduced by 30%.
Two-dimensional dynamic and three-dimensional fracture in viscoelastic materials

Abstract This paper presents a numerical scheme specially developed for 2-D and 3-D vis-coelastodynamic fracture problems. The method, referred to as the spectral scheme, is derived from a spectral form of the viscoelastodynamic boundary integral relation between the traction stresses acting on the fracture plane and the corresponding displacement discontinuities. It accommodates planar cracks of arbitrary shapes embedded in an infinite homogeneous viscoelastic medium and subjected to an arbitrary combination of time- and space-varying tensile and shear loading. A wide range of cohesive models can be incorporated to characterize the failure process taking place in the vicinity of the spontaneously propagating crack tip. Various viscoelastic dynamic fracture problems involving stationary and spontaneously propagating cracks are presented, including a study of the material-induced dissipative effect on the propagation of transient surface waves, and an investigation of the effects of a simple rate-dependent cohesive failure model on spontaneous crack propagation in elastic and viscoelastic materials.
Localization of streptomycin at the ciliary membrane region of the rotifer Asplanchna brightwelli

Abstract Streptomycin and dihydrostreptomycin are deposited in the regions of the coronal and antennal cell membranes of the rotifer Asplanchna brightwelli. The drugs appear dense and globular in the electron microscope. When magnesium and calcium are present during the time of streptomycin or dihydrostreptomycin treatment, deposition of the drugs does not occur. After pronase digestion to remove the cuticle from the hypodermis, the drugs are still deposited only at the ciliary membrane region.
Pulmonary response to hyperoxia: effects of magnesium.

Animals and humans rapidly develop respiratory failure and die within a few days when exposed to 100% oxygen. Postmortem examination of the lungs shows histopathologic features characteristic of di...
Scanning and transmission electron microscopy of human prostatic acinar cells.

Benign hyperplastic and neoplastic human prostate tissue samples were obtained by needle biopsy, transurethral resection or open prostatectomy. Acinar cells of both types of tissues were examined in the scanning electron microscope. It had been reported previously that adenocarcinoma acinar cells were more heterogenous in size and shape than BPH acinar cells; the purpose of this study was to determine if there were surface morphology differences between the two types of tissues. Acinar cells were found to be extremely heterogeneous in their surface morphologies; three major types of surface morphologies were present-microvillous, ruffled, and bare. Within each class of surface morphology there was heterogeneity, both in the size and density, of surface structures present. Microvillous, ruffled, and bare cells appeared to be present in normal, BPH, and neoplastic acini with no significant qualitative or quantitative differences in surface morphologies. Infrequently, it was possible to distinguish between well-differentiated and poorly-differentiated carcinomas because cells of the latter tissues were present in sheets rather than acini and appeared flat and totally devoid of surface detail. The SEM studies also sought to determine a marker to establish the origin of prostate tissue culture cells as normal, BPH or cancerous. Surface morphologies from tissues could be traced into the tissue cultures; again, three types of cells are presentbare, microvillous, and ruffled. However, since surface morphology does not appear to be a distinguishing feature of the pathology of the tissue if cannot provide a distinguishing marker for the origin of tissue culture cells. Scanning electron microscopy also provided an opportunity to observe possible secretory mechanisms and products in the prostate acinar cells.
The tumor suppressor protein menin interacts with NF-κb proteins and inhibits NF-κb-mediated transactivation

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 is an autosomal dominant tumor syndrome. Manifestations include neoplasms of the parathyroid glands, enteropancreatic neuroendocrine cells, and the anterior pituitary gland. The MEN1 tumor suppressor gene encodes menin, a 610 amino acid nuclear protein without sequence homology to other proteins. To elucidate menin function, we used immunoprecipitation to identify interacting proteins. The NF-kappaB proteins p50, p52 and p65 were found to interact specifically and directly with menin in vitro and in vivo. The region of NF-kappaB proteins sufficient for binding to menin is the N-terminus. Furthermore, amino acids 305-381 of menin are essential for this binding. Menin represses p65-mediated transcriptional activation on NF-kappaB sites in a dose-dependent and specific manner. Also, PMA (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate)-stimulated NF-kappaB activation is suppressed by menin. These observations suggest that menin's ability to interact with NF-kappaB proteins and its modulation of NF-kappaB transactivation contribute to menin's tumor suppressor function.
Microsatellite analysis of serum DNA in patients with head and neck cancer

We have shown previously that microsatellite alterations in serum DNA was predictive of distant metastasis in a study with 21 primary head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients. To further investigate serum microsatellite alterations as a prognostic tool, we carried out microsatellite analysis of serum DNA with 10 markers on 152 patients with head and neck cancer. Forty-five percent (68/152) of patients had microsatellite alterations of serum DNA identical to corresponding tumor DNA. In 16 patients that had distant metastasis, 11 patients had a positive serum test (microsatellite alterations detectable in their serum DNA with one or more markers). The difference in distant metastasis rates between the negative and positive serum tests (6.0% [5/84] vs. 16.2% [11/68], RR = 2.7) was clinically significant and almost reached statistical significance (p = 0.06). When the analysis was restricted to patients with recurrent disease, a positive serum test correlated with those who developed distant metastasis (p = 0.04). Other parameters, such as development of recurrence, stage of the cancer, disease-free survival and overall survival, were not associated with a positive serum test. Detecting tumor DNA in serum by microsatellite analysis may help identify patients at risk for distant metastasis. Therefore, circulating tumor cells may contribute to the presence of tumor DNA in the serum. In the future if a serum test is positive, therapeutic approaches may by intensified, such as platinum-based chemoradiation, to reduce distant failures. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Improving N-Glycan Coverage using HPLC-MS with Electrospray Ionization at Subambient Pressure

Human serum glycan profiling with mass spectrometry (MS) has been employed to study several disease conditions and is demonstrating promise in, for example, clinical biomarker discovery. However, the low glycan ionization efficiency and the large dynamic range of glycan concentrations in human sera can hinder comprehensive profiling. In particular, large glycans are problematic because they are present at low concentrations and are prone to fragmentation. Here we show that, following liquid chromatographic separation on graphite columns, subambient pressure ionization with nanoelectrospray (SPIN)-MS can expand the serum glycome profile in comparison with the conventional atmospheric pressure electrospray ionization (ESI)-MS with a heated capillary inlet. Notably, the ions generated by the SPIN interface were observed at higher charge states for approximately half of the annotated glycans. Out of a total of 130 detected glycans, 34 were only detected with the SPIN-MS, resulting in improved coverage of glycan families as well as of glycans with larger numbers of labile monosaccharides.
Characterization of CHOS compounds in rainwater from continental and coastal storms by ultrahigh resolution mass spectrometry

Abstract Rainwater from four continental and three coastal storms was collected and analyzed by (−) ESI Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FT-ICR MS). This study presents a comprehensive comparison of the CHOS molecular formulas of rainwater dissolved organic matter from these two different storm trajectories. There were 899 and 695 total molecular formula assignments in the continental and coastal storms respectively. Of these, 33% and 15% were unique to continental and coastal storms. Kendrick mass analysis of methylene units highlighted oligomers present in both storm types illustrating their ubiquitous occurrence in atmospheric waters. There was also evidence of organo-sulfate containing molecular formulas as well as highly condensed aromatic structures containing one sulfur and one oxygen. These condensed aromatic sulfur containing structures likely originate from fossil fuel sources and were only detected in continental derived rainwater.
Remarks on a Multivariate Transformation

The object of this note is to point out and discuss a simple transformation2 of an absolutely continuous k-variate distribution F(xi, …, x k ) into the uniform distribution on the k-dimensional hypercube. A discussion of related transformations has been given by P. Levy [1].
Forward estimation for game-tree search

It is known that bounds on the mmnnax values of nodes in a game tree can be used to reduce the computational complexity of minimax search for two-player games. We describe a very simple method to estimate bounds on the minimax values of interior nodes of a game tree, and use the bounds to improve minimax search. The new algorithm, called forward estimation, does not require additional domain knowledge other than a static node evaluation function, and has small constant overhead per node expansion. We also propose a variation of forward estimation, which provides a tradeoff between computational complexity and decision quality. Our experimental results show that forward estimation outperforms alpha-beta pruning on random game trees and the game of Othello.
Independent roles of the priming and the triggering of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the heart

Aims The NLRP3 inflammasome is activated in the ischaemic heart promoting caspase-1 activation, inflammation, and cell death. Ischaemic injury establishes both a priming signal (transcription of inflammasome components) and a trigger (NLRP3 activation). Whether NLRP3 activation, without priming, induces cardiac dysfunction and/or failure is unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the independent and complementary roles of the priming and the triggering signals in the heart, in the absence of ischaemia or myocardial injury. Methods and results We used mice with mutant NLRP3 (constitutively active), NLRP3-A350V, under the control of tamoxifen-driven expression of the Cre recombinase ( Nlrp3-A350V/CreT mice). The mice were treated for 10 days with tamoxifen before measuring the activity of caspase-1, the effector enzyme in the inflammasome. Tamoxifen treatment induced the inflammasome in the spleen but not in the heart, despite expression of the mutant NLRP3-A350V. The components of the inflammasome were significantly less expressed in the heart compared with the spleen. Subclinical low-dose lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 2 mg/kg) in Nlrp3-A350V/CreT mice induced the expression of the components of the inflammasome ( priming ), measured using real-time PCR and western blot, leading to the formation of an active inflammasome (caspase-1 activation) in the heart and LV systolic dysfunction while low-dose LPS was insufficient to induce LV systolic dysfunction in wild-type mice (all P < 0.01 for mutant vs. wild-type mice). Conclusion The signalling pathway governing the inflammasome formation in the heart requires a priming signal in order for an active NLRP3 to induce caspase-1 activation and LV dysfunction.
Middle cerebral artery occlusion in the mouse by intraluminal suture coated with poly-L-lysine: neurological and histological validation.

The present study was conducted to validate a modified method of temporary focal cerebral ischemia in the mouse; neurobehavioral function and histopathological infarction were quantitated following various periods of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo). Male C57BL/6 mice were anesthetized with 3% halothane in a mixture of 30%O2/70%N2O delivered by face mask and were subjected to 30- to 180-min of temporary middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) by an intraluminal suture coated with poly-l-lysine. Twenty-eight of 40 mice showed an initial high-grade neurological deficit (30-min MCAo, n=7; 60-min, n=8; 120-min, n=8; 180-min, n=5) when examined during MCAo; these were used for subsequent study. One day after MCAo, behavioral function was re-evaluated, and brains were perfusion-fixed and infarct volumes were measured. The initial neurological deficit improved at 24 h in mice with 30- or 60-min of prior MCAo but tended to persist in mice with 120- or 180-min insults. Following each duration of ischemia, mice exhibited ipsilateral infarcts. Small, inconsistent predominantly subcortical infarcts were present after 30-min MCAo, while longer occlusion periods gave rise to consistent foci of subcortical infarction involving striatum, septum, thalamus, and hippocampus, as well as areas of frontoparietal cortical infarction. The major advantages of the improved intraluminal MCAo model reported here, incorporating sutures coated with poly-l-lysine, include: a 100% incidence of infarction of predictable location and size in mice having an initial neurological deficit. Periods of 60- to 180-min MCA occlusion in this model yield sufficiently reproducible sequelae to permit the effects of various therapeutic agents on neurological outcome and size of infarction to be readily studied.
African American Women’s Perceptions of Depression and Suicide Risk and Protection A Womanist Exploration

This article reports the findings of a qualitative study that examined the perceptions of depression and suicide risk and protection among 40 African American women. Seven focus groups were conduct...
Elevated aromatic-l-amino acid decarboxylase in human carcinoid tumors

Abstract The carcinoid neoplasm is marked by excessive serotonin, synthesized by the conversion of tryptophan (Trp) to 5-hydroxytryptophan by tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) (EC 1.14.16.4) and decarboxylation of 5-hydroxytryptophan by aromatic- l -amino acid decarboxylase (AAAD) (EC 4.1.1.28). Because almost no biochemical data were available on human carcinoid TPH and AAAD, we have characterized these enzymes as a preliminary step to developing mechanism-based agents selective against carcinoid tumors. TPH was detected in all fourteen Carcinoids analyzed [Km = 185 ± 17 μM (mean ± SEM); Vmax = 2.4 ± 1.2 nmol/hr/mg protein]. AAAD was detected in thirteen tumors (Km = 45 ± 6.7 μM; Vmax = 11 ± 2.0 nmol/min/mg protein). In a subset of hepatic metastatic tumors obtained with adjacent normal liver, the KmandVmax of TPH (N = 6) and the Km of AAAD (N = 7) were comparable in both tissues. However, the Vmax of carcinoid AAAD was 50-fold higher (P 20-fold higher than in adjacent normal liver. These results suggest that AAAD might be an appropriate target for enzyme-activated cytotoxic agents for carcinoid tumors.
The topology of continua that are approximated by disjoint subcontinua

Suppose that {Yi}i=1∞ is a collection of disjoint subcontinua of continuum X such that limi→∞dH(Yi,X)=0 where dH is the Hausdorff metric. Then the following are true: (1) X is non-Suslinean. (2) If each Yi is chainable and X is finitely cyclic, then X is indecomposable or the union of 2 indecomposable subcontinua. (3) If X is G-like, then X is indecomposable. (4) If {Yi}i=1∞ all lie in the same ray and X is finitely cyclic, then X is indecomposable.
DM, but not cathepsin L, is required to control an aerosol infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Antigen presentation by class II MHC molecules in the uninfected host is a multi-step process involving key functions provided by spe- cific cathepsins (Cat) and the peptide editor DM. Herein, we examined the requirement for each of these components in mice to control a low-dose aerosol infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB). Mice lacking Cat B, -L, or -S were similar to wild-type in their ability to control the growth and dissemination of MTB. In contrast, DM / mice failed to limit MTB growth and showed 100- fold higher bacterial burden in the lung and spleen (5-6 weeks postinfection) as compared with wild- type and Cat-deficient mice. Histopathology re- vealed impaired cellular recruitment and altered granuloma formation in the lungs of MTB-infected DM / mice. Moreover, despite impaired thymic selection in Cat L / and DM / mice, MTB-spe- cific CD4 T cells were elicited only in the former. The lower numbers of MTB-specific CD4 T cells available in Cat L / mice as compared with wild- type animals were sufficient to control MTB growth and dissemination. In addition, DM / macro- phages infected with MTB in vitro were unable to stimulate pathogen-specific T cells. The data indi- cate that the majority of antigens derived from MTB is loaded onto nascent class II MHC mole- cules via the classical DM-dependent pathway. J. Leukoc. Biol. 84: 000-000; 2008.
Crystallization of a complex between human CDK6 and a virus-encoded cyclin is critically dependent on the addition of small charged organic molecules.

Human CDK6 plays an important role in controlling entry into the eukaryotic cell cycle. An activated complex of human CDK6 with a viral cyclin from herpesvirus saimiri was purified to homogeneity and crystallized using polyethylene glycol 3350 as precipitant. Crystallization was critically dependent on a narrow range of calcium acetate concentration and the presence of sulfo-betaine 201 as additive. Crystals belong to the hexagonal space group P6122 or P6522, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 70.14, c = 448.77 A, γ = 120°, and diffract X-rays to at least 3.1 A resolution.
Papillary muscle structure-function relations in the aging spontaneously hypertensive rat.

Isolated left ventricle papillary muscle mechanics and structure were studied in male spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats and two control, groups of aninals, the normotensive Wistar (NR) and the Wistar-Kyoto rat (WKY).Active tension and its first derivative (dT/dtmax) normalized for muscle cross-sectional area were increased in preparations from the SHR at all ages studied relative to control groups (p<0.01). However, when these parameters were normalized for myofibrillar cross-sectional area determined from electronmicroscopic point counting data, differences between groups were no longer significant. Force-velocity relations provided no evidence for a depression of shortening velocity at any load in the SHR at any age relative to the two control groups. The duration of mechanical activity, as determined by time-to-peak isometric tension and analysis of muscle force-velocity-time relations, was prolonged only in the 18 month old SHR (P<0.01).Thus, while changes in isolated muscle performance occur at a...
Application of a radar‐rainfall uncertainty model to the NWS multi‐sensor precipitation estimator products

Given the increasing interest in using radar-based rainfall estimates in hydrologic studies, efforts are critically needed to assess the applicability of recently-proposed methods that focus on quantitative modelling of radar-rainfall uncertainties. The current study reports on the implementation and assessment of an empirically-based approach (known as product-error driven (PED) method) for modelling uncertainties in radar-based rainfall products. In this study, the PED method is applied to a suite of operational radar-based products produced by the U.S. National Weather Service (NWS) Multi-Sensor Precipitation Estimator (MPE) algorithm. The tested MPE products range from a radar-only product, to other products that include various degrees of mean-field and local bias adjustments and gauge-radar optimal merging procedures. Data from an independent dense rain gauge cluster located in south-west Louisiana is used as a proxy for the unknown surface rainfall rates. The focus is on assessing the transferability of the PED across different radar-rainfall products and geographical regions, and the generality of the distributional and parametric assumptions of the PED method. The study also provides insight on the critical issue of the sampling variability and data requirements that govern the implementation, interpretation and possible future enhancements of the radar-error modelling methods.
Relationships between crystal structure and magnetic properties in Nd 2 Fe 14 B

Determination of the crystal structure of ${\mathrm{Nd}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Fe}}_{14}$B, a new ternary phase, is reported. It has recently been demonstrated that permanent magnets having large coercivities and energy products can be formed from this phase, underscoring its potential technological importance. We relate the crystal structure and intrinsic magnetic properties by considering analogies with previously known rare-earth---transition-metal materials.
From the Mines to the Streets: A Bolivian Activist´s Life. Benjamin Kohl and Linda C. Farthing, with Félix Muruchi .

Benjamin Kohl and Linda Farthing’s translation of Felix Muruchi’s testimonio , or oral history, From the Mines to the Streets: A Bolivian Activist’s Life , provides a rich and accessible text on Bolivian history, society, and culture since the National Revolution of 1952, told through the eyes of a Bolivian tin miner and labor activist. Coming on the heels of a number of books that focused on labor movements and politics in twentieth-century Bolivia, From the Mines to the Streets (which was recently translated as Minero con poder de dinamita. La vida de un activista boliviano , Plural Editores, La Paz, 2009), portrays the daily life and personal struggles of miners against exploitative mining companies and repressive governments. Muruchi describes his life and the Bolivian labor movement during the dictatorships that ruled from 1964 until the early 1980s, and the challenges that miners faced during the neoliberal era since the 1980s and under the current administration of Evo Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president.
Growth, Activity, and Survivorship from Three Sympatric Parthenogenic Whiptails (Family Teiidae)

Abstract We surveyed whiptail lizard populations for seven summers (2000–2006) in riparian forests along the Rio Grande in central New Mexico. We captured 5,382 individuals from three parthenogenic species (Aspidoscelis exsanguis, Aspidoscelis neomexicana, and Aspidoscelis uniparens) including 129 hatchlings (young-of-the-year) that were later recaptured as adults. Growth data were fit to a logistic growth model and compared using a likelihood ratio test. Comparisons of growth rates showed that A. exsanguis grew faster than both A. neomexicana and A. uniparens and attained a larger snout–vent length (SVL). Comparisons of capture rates showed that species had similar activity patterns during the summer. Captures of adults peaked in mid-June and decreased in August. Hatchlings became active at the end of July and captures peaked in September. Some individuals were captured several seasons indicating that lizards lived for at least 3–4 yr. Our study shows both similarities and differences in life-history cha...
Granger, C. W. J., and Paul Newbold. Forecasting Economic Time Series. New York: Academic Press, 1977, xiii + 333 pp., $22.00

Economic Theory, Econometrics, and Mathematical Economics, Second Edition: Forecasting Economic Time Series presents the developments in time series analysis and forecasting theory and practice. This book discusses the application of time series procedures in mainstream economic theory and econometric model building. Organized into 10 chapters, this edition begins with an overview of the problem of dealing with time series possessing a deterministic seasonal component. This text then provides a description of time series in terms of models known as the time-domain approach. Other chapters consider an alternative approach, known as spectral or frequency-domain analysis, that often provides useful insights into the properties of a series. This book discusses as well a unified approach to the fitting of linear models to a given time series. The final chapter deals with the main advantage of having a Gaussian series wherein the optimal single series, least-squares forecast will be a linear forecast. This book is a valuable resource for economists.
Improving Neurodevelopmental Surveillance and Follow-up in Infants with Congenital Heart Disease.

Objective We hypothesize that neurodevelopmental surveillance of targeted patients with congenital heart disease during the admission for their cardiac surgery would improve neurodevelopmental assessment and outpatient follow-up rates. Design All patients under 12 months of age who were operated on between October 2013 and October 2014 and were considered at risk for neurodevelopmental delay in accordance with the 2012 American Heart Association Scientific Statement were included. A protocol was implemented to increase surveillance of targeted patients during the hospitalization for their cardiac surgery. A historical control cohort was used from a 6-month period that preceded initiation of the program from July 2012 to December 2012. Univariate analysis assessed the effects of patient demographics, anatomy, postoperative course, and distance from clinic on inpatient screening and follow-up to evaluate areas for future improvement. Results Neurodevelopmental surveillance in the post-protocol period increased from 21% to 82% (P < .001) as did compliance rates for outpatient follow-up from 38% to 52% (P < .001). Patients receiving consultation were younger (median 1.2 months range 0.3–3.1 vs. 4.0 range 1.2–5.5, P = .002), had a longer intensive care unit duration (median 8 days range 4–13 vs. 4 range 3–8, P = .044), and a longer total hospital duration (median 14 days range 8–25 vs. 8 range 6–16, P = .023). The presence of single ventricle anatomy was associated with a lower follow-up rate at 29% than those with biventricular hearts at 64% (P = .009). Distance from the clinic did not have an effect on follow-up (P = .39). Conclusion The protocol described increased neurodevelopmental surveillance of high risk patients. Individuals that were younger and in the hospital longer were more likely to be successfully seen and comply with outpatient follow-up than those not receiving inpatient risk assessment. Patients with single ventricle anatomy may benefit from a modified follow-up schedule to improve compliance rates. Travel distance has no effect on likelihood of outpatient cardiac neurodevelopmental follow-up.
To Ph.D. or Not to Ph.D.? That is the Question!

Is a master's degree sufficient for a successful career in human factors, or is a doctoral degree necessary? This question has been a recent cause for discussion, especially among graduate students. In order to address this issue, the Old Dominion student chapter of the HFES developed some questions regarding the relative advantages of both degrees. Panelists were selected based on their experience with differing degrees. Megan Brown and Dieter Jahns are both practitioners who have master's degrees. Dieter is also Executive Director of the Board of Certification in Professional Ergonomics. Anthony Andre and Arnie Lund are practitioners, but both have doctoral degrees. Anthony is also an Adjunct Professor of Human Factors and Ergonomics at San Jose State University. In addition, Nancy Cooke and Tom Eggemeier are faculty members who have doctoral degrees. Tom teaches at a master's level institution while Nancy teaches at an institution that offers both master's and doctoral degrees. At the HFES panel sessio...
Malignant melanoma arising from a congenital pigmented naevus in a patient with sarcoidosis:Cause or coincidence?

A case is described of a 40-year-old man who developed sarcoidosis and at the same time malignant change in a congenitalpigmented naevus of his foot.It is proposed that the sarcoidosismay have acted as a predisposing cause of the melanomain this case.The difficulties of diagnosis and management of patients with coexistent malignant melanoma and sarcoidosis are discussed.
Investigating the European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) leaf characteristics along the vertical canopy profile: leaf structure, photosynthetic capacity, light energy dissipation and photoprotection mechanisms

Forest functionality and productivity are directly related to canopy light interception and can be affected by potential damage from high irradiance. However, the mechanisms by which leaves adapt to the variable light environments along the multilayer canopy profile are still poorly known. We explored the leaf morphophysiological and metabolic responses to the natural light gradient in a pure European beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) forest at three different canopy heights (top, middle and bottom). Structural adjustment through light-dependent modifications in leaf mass per area was the reason for most of the variations in photosynthetic capacity. The different leaf morphology along the canopy influenced nitrogen (N) partitioning, water- and photosynthetic N-use efficiency, chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence and quali-quantitative contents of photosynthetic pigments. The Chl a to Chl b ratio and the pool of xanthophyll-cycle pigments (VAZ) increased at the highest irradiance, as well as lutein and β-carotene. The total pool of ascorbate and phenols was higher in leaves of the top and middle canopy layers when compared with the bottom layer, where the ascorbate peroxidase was relatively more activated. The non-photochemical quenching was strongly and positively related to the VAZ/(Chl a + b) ratio, while Chl a/Chl b was related to the photochemical efficiency of photosystem II. Along the multilayer canopy profile, the high energy dissipation capacity of leaves was correlated to an elevated redox potential of antioxidants. The middle layer gave the most relevant contribution to leaf area index and carboxylation capacity of the canopy. In conclusion, a complex interplay among structural, physiological and biochemical traits drives the dynamic leaf acclimation to the natural gradients of variable light environments along the tree canopy profile. The relevant differences observed in leaf traits within the canopy positions of the beech forest should be considered for improving estimation of carbon fluxes in multilayer canopy models of temperate forests.
Creation of a Bariatric Surgery Medication Therapy Management Model.

Objective To describe how pharmacist-provided medication therapy management (MTM) services can be applied to bariatric surgery. Practice setting A pharmacy MTM consult service located in a multispecialty medical clinic with a bariatric department attached to a hospital where bariatric surgeries are performed. Practice description MTM bariatric surgery office practice where patients are seen before surgery by a pharmacist to identify medication problems and determine how best to administer alternative dosage forms post-operatively to patients. Practice innovation Practice innovations are a creation of a specialized service and accompanying specialized medication database within a pharmacotherapy practice. Main outcome measures Outcome measures are number of patients referred per month and polypharmacy consults scheduled downstream from the bariatric surgery. Improved patient outcomes and prescribing efficiency from usage of the newly developed database of drugs that can be crushed. Results All bariatric patients are now referred to the pharmacist MTM pharmacotherapy service for medication review before bariatric surgery. Conclusion Bariatric surgery is a source of another useful MTM practice model. Utilizing MTM pharmacists to consult with bariatric patients presurgery helps ease the physician burden of writing alternative dose prescriptions and helps identify medication problems with patients before their surgery.
Effects of cardiac work on electrical potential gradient across mitochondrial membrane in perfused rat hearts

The myocardium responds to alterations in cardiac work by changing its rate of O2 consumption. This reflects an increase in the oxidative synthesis of ATP to meet the contractile demand for ATP. Ho...
Porcine Sclera: Thickness and Surface Area

Purpose To assess the thickness and surface area of porcine sclera. Methods One hundred twenty-eight porcine globes were sectioned from the center of the cornea to the region of the optic nerve. Photographs of the sectioned sclera including a millimeter scale were taken. Photographic slides were projected onto blank paper, and the scleral silhouette was traced. Perpendicular thickness measurements were taken at 1-mm intervals from the limbus to the optic nerve. The sclera of 18 porcine eyes were cut into small pieces, and the surface area was calculated with computerized digital tracing software. Results The scleral thickness near the corneal scleral limbus was 0.83 +/- 0.2, 0.91 +/- 0.17, and 1.12 +/- 0.23 mm in the small-, medium-, and large-sized pigs, respectively. Thickness decreased to minimum of 0.31 +/- 0.07, 0.35 +/- 0.1, and 0.43 +/- 0.16 mm at a distance of 5 mm from the limbus in the small- and medium-sized pigs and 6 mm in the large-sized pigs, respectively. The mean scleral surface area was 7.78 +/- 0.66, 9.66 +/- 0.75, and 11.92 +/- 1.57 cm(2) in the small-, medium-, and large-sized pigs, whereas the corneal surface area was 1.09 +/- 0.07, 1.15 +/- 0.09, and 1.40 +/- 0.19 cm(2), respectively. Conclusions Porcine scleral thickness is very similar to human scleral thickness. The porcine model is an excellent model for studying transscleral drug delivery.
Advanced Selling: A Comprehensive Course Sales Project

A comprehensive project for the Advanced Selling course that has been tested at three universities is introduced. After selecting an industry and a company, students engage in a complete industry analysis, a company sales analysis, a sales-specific SWOT analysis, complete a ride day with a salesperson in that firm, then present their findings in a classroom oral presentation. Implications wish and suggestions for researchers and sales managers are provided as well as guidance for instructors who to use the project in their course.