cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantum Dots as Strain- and Metabolism-Specific Microbiological Labels

Biologically conjugated quantum dots (QDs) have shown great promise as multiwavelength fluorescent labels for on-chip bioassays and eukaryotic cells. However, use of these photoluminescent nanocrystals in bacteria has not previously been reported, and their large size (3 to 10 nm) makes it unclear whether they inhibit bacterial recognition of attached molecules and whether they are able to pass through bacterial cell walls. Here we describe the use of conjugated CdSe QDs for strain- and metabolism-specific microbial labeling in a wide variety of bacteria and fungi, and our analysis was geared toward using receptors for a conjugated biomolecule that are present and active on the organism's surface. While cell surface molecules, such as glycoproteins, make excellent targets for conjugated QDs, internal labeling is inconsistent and leads to large spectral shifts compared with the original fluorescence, suggesting that there is breakup or dissolution of the QDs. Transmission electron microscopy of whole mounts and thin sections confirmed that bacteria are able to extract Cd and Se from QDs in a fashion dependent upon the QD surface conjugate.
A proposed mechanism for the early development of the human tracheobronchial tree

The development of the lung in 25 human embryos and early fetuses up to 140 mm crown–rump length was studied by examination of serial histologic sections, morphometry, and selected reconstructions. The proportion of pulmonary tissue consisting of tracheobronchial tree increases during this period. Bronchial cross-sectional diameter, length of the most distal bronchial branches, and thickness of the distal mesenchyme decline during development. The results are consistent with the concept that the dichotomous branching of the growing tracheobronchial tree occurs because of resistance to forward growth of the bronchial branch by compressed mesenchyme, pleura, or adjacent structures. Division and further growth of the bronchus takes place in areas of lower resistance. This process produces a “filling in” of space available for lung development and brings the epithelial and mesenchymal elements into their definitive relationships.
Interactions between polymer containers and parenteral solutions: Correlating equilibrium polymer-water interaction constants with solute partition coefficients

Abstract The interaction between six polymeric materials (current or candidate parenteral product containers) and eight test marker solutes was evaluated. Test marker compounds used possessed variable ability to act as hydrogen bond donors. Polymers studied included two plasticized PVCs, two rubber materials and two polyolefin composites. Correlation between the equilibrium interaction coefficients ( E b ) and solute octanol-water ( P o-w ) or hexane-water ( P h-w ) partition coefficients was poor for all materials studied. However, when the Collander-type relationship between E b and the partition coefficients are augmented with a term relating to an empirically determined secondary interaction constant (targeting hydrogen bond interactions) excellent correlations between E b and the partition coefficients are obtained. Alternatively, a bivariate linear interaction model relating E b and both partition coefficients is proposed: log E b = a (log P o-w ) + b (log P h-w ) + c Such a model effectively mimics the interaction behavior of all polymers evaluated; however, the fit is somewhat poorer for the PVC materials. Apparently the two model solvent systems used interact with the acidic test marker compounds via a mechanism which is unavailable to the PVC. The utilization of the model to facilitate container compatibility assessments is demonstrated.
Primordial fluctuations, dark matter, and photon oscillations

Abstract We discuss some cosmological implications of the hypothetical gauge boson associated with a new low energy U(1) symmetry with non-trivial mixing with the U(1) of electromagnetism. In particular we point out a new relation between the frequency dependent oscillation in the temperature of the cosmic microwave background radiation and primordial energy density fluctuations. It suggests a new way to look for cosmic anisotropies.
Phase Behavior of Binary Homopolymer/Diblock Blends: Temperature and Chain Length Dependence

The phase behavior of binary blends of A homopolymer and symmetric AB diblock copolymer is studied within mean-field theory. The occurrence of lamellar, hexagonal, and body-centered-cubic phases is examined in the weak to intermediate segregation regime and over a wide range of homopolymer length relative to that of the diblock. This ratio is found to be a crucial parameter for the topology of the phase diagram. Several different classes of behavior are established, and comparisons are made with experiment.
Vacuum extraction : Does duration predict scalp injury?

Objective To identify variables that increase the chance of neonatal scalp injury during vacuum extraction. Methods We conducted a prospective observational study of 134 vacuum extraction-assisted deliveries at Olive View-UCLA Medical Center in 1995. Data collected included parity, gestational age, duration of first and second stages of labor, indication for operative delivery, station and position of fetal head, duration of vacuum application, number of “pop-offs,” neonatal weight, and descriptions of scalp marks or injury. Cranial imaging studies were obtained if clinically indicated. Results There were 28 infants with scalp trauma, including 17 superficial lacerations, six large caputs, and 12 cephalohematomata; one infant had subgaleal, subdural, and subarachnoid hemorrhages. Logistic regression analysis showed duration of vacuum application to be the best predictor of scalp injury, followed by duration of second stage of labor and paramedian cup placement. Duration of vacuum application ranged from 0.5 to 26 minutes, with a median length of 3 minutes. The proportion of injuries was greater for applications exceeding 10 minutes (6 of 9) than for those 10 minutes or shorter (22 of 121, P Conclusions Cosmetic scalp trauma occurred in 21% of our newborns delivered by vacuum extraction and was more common after longer vacuum applications, longer second stages, and paramedian cup placement.
Fitting Cross-Classification Table Data To Models When Observations Are Subject to Classification Error.

Individuals are classified in a cross-classification table where two behavioral observations on each individual determine the classification. The problem is to test certain structural models assumed to underlie the cross-classified observations. A minimum chi-square test procedure is proposed.
Effects of Nb2O5 as seeds and trisodium citrate as suppressing agent on LiNbO3 formation

Abstract This study is to understand the effect of Nb 2 O 5 on the formation and morphology of LiNbO 3 particles during hydrothermal synthesis. Trisodium citrate (Na 3 C 6 H 5 O 7 ) is for the first time used as a selective crystallographic growth suppressing agent. The morphology of LiNbO 3 is examined using scanning electron microscopy and the crystal structure of the material is characterized using X-ray diffraction. The morphology of LiNbO 3 evolves into novel flower structures as the synthesis time increases to 5 days. The crystal structures of the synthesized materials are consistent with the morphology evolution.
Cationic Nanogel-mediated Runx2 and Osterix siRNA Delivery Decreases Mineralization in MC3T3 Cells.

Background Heterotopic ossification (HO) may occur after musculoskeletal trauma, traumatic brain injury, and total joint arthroplasty. As such, HO is a compelling clinical concern in both military and civilian medicine. A possible etiology of HO involves dysregulated signals in the bone morphogenetic protein osteogenic cascade. Contemporary treatment options for HO (ie, nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs and radiation therapy) have adverse effects associated with their use and are not biologically engineered to abrogate the molecular mechanisms that govern osteogenic differentiation.
Evaluation of protein in foods. 8. Influence of quality and quantity of dietary protein on net protein utilization

The relation between the percentage of dietary Calories derived from protein (P) and the corresponding net protein utilization (N.P.U. or U) was studied with various proteins of different nutritional value. At P > 40 the experimental results (from rats) did not fit the Miller–Payne linear model. A semilogarithmic plot, however, accommodated all the data, ranging from P = 10 to P = 80. The new model yields, by extrapolation, values of maximum utilization that agree well with the protein (chemical) scores. A general prediction equation is given that enables N.P.U. to be calculated from a knowledge of P and of the chemical score of the protein or protein mixture at issue.
Giant African snail, Achatina fulica, as a snail predator

Individuals of Achatina fulica (Bowdich, 1822) were observed preying on veronicellid slugs at two sites on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. As such, the presence of A. fulica may pose a greater threat to terrestrial mollusc conservation than previously imagined. It is our hope that this note provides some impetus for other researchers to explore the possible predation impacts of introduced populations of A. fulica and to consider the possibility that other introduced snails and slugs may be having as yet unforeseen or unnoticed impacts.
Reconstructing the 20th century high‐resolution climate of the southeastern United States

[1] We dynamically downscale the 20th Century Reanalysis (20CR) to a 10-km grid resolution from 1901 to 2008 over the southeastern United States and the Gulf of Mexico using the Regional Spectral Model. The downscaled data set, which we call theFlorida Climate Institute-Florida State University Land-Atmosphere Reanalysis for theSoutheastern United States at 10-km resolution (FLAReS1.0), will facilitate the study of the effects of low-frequency climate variability and major historical climate events on local hydrology and agriculture. To determine the suitability of the FLAReS1.0 downscaled data set for any subsequent applied climate studies, we compare the annual, seasonal, and diurnal variability of temperature and precipitation in the model to various observation data sets. In addition, we examine the model's depiction of several meteorological phenomena that affect the climate of the region, including extreme cold waves, summer sea breezes and associated convective activity, tropical cyclone landfalls, and midlatitude frontal systems. Our results show that temperature and precipitation variability are well-represented by FLAReS1.0 on most time scales, although systematic biases do exist in the data. FLAReS1.0 accurately portrays some of the major weather phenomena in the region, but the severity of extreme weather events is generally underestimated. The high resolution of FLAReS1.0 makes it more suitable for local climate studies than the coarser 20CR.
Analytic Review as a Solution to the Misreporting of Statistical Results in Psychological Science

In this article, we propose analytic review (AR) as a solution to the problem of misreporting statistical results in psychological science. AR requires authors submitting manuscripts for publication to also submit the data file and syntax used during analyses. Regular reviewers or statistical experts then review reported analyses in order to verify that the analyses reported were actually conducted and that the statistical values are accurately reported. We begin by describing the problem of misreporting in psychology and introduce the basic AR process. We then highlight both primary and secondary benefits of adopting AR and describe different permutations of the AR system, each of which has its own strengths and limitations. We conclude by attempting to dispel three anticipated concerns about AR: that it will increase the workload placed on scholars, that it will infringe on the traditional peer-review process, and that it will hurt the image of the discipline of psychology. Although implementing AR will add one more step to the bureaucratic publication process, we believe it can be implemented in an efficient manner that would greatly assist in decreasing the frequency and impact of misreporting while also providing secondary benefits in other domains of scientific integrity.
Intertrial interval as a contextual stimulus

Four experiments with rats investigated whether the time between appetitive conditioning trials can serve as a discriminative cue for responding during the next conditional stimulus (CS). In Experiment 1, rats that received extinction trials with a 4-min intertrial interval (ITI) showed spontaneous recovery after a retention interval of 16 min, whereas rats that received extinction with a 16-min ITI did not. Experiments 2 and 3 investigated more explicit discriminations between the 4- and 16-min ITIs. When a 16-min ITI signaled that the CS would be reinforced and a 4-min ITI signaled that it would not, the ITIs modulated responding to the CS. But when the 4-min ITI signaled reinforcement and the 16-min ITI did not, there was less evidence of modulation by the ITIs. This asymmetry was due at least partly to a difficulty in performance rather than learning. Experiment 4 investigated similar discriminations with 1- and 4-min ITIs. Here the results took a different form: time in the reinforced ITI elicited responding directly, but did not modulate responding to the CS. ITI can function as a contextual cue, and the results suggest new similarities between the processes behind interval timing and associative learning.
Enacting relationships in marriage and family therapy: a conceptual and operational definition of an enactment

Enactments are a potential common clinical process factor contributing to positive outcomes in many relational therapies. Enactments provide therapists a medium for mediating relationships through simultaneous experiential intervention and change at multiple levels of relationships--including specific relationship disagreements and problems, interaction process surrounding these issues, and underlying emotions and attachment issues confounded with those problems. We propose a model of enactments in marriage and family therapy, consisting of three components--initiation operations, intervention operations, and evaluation operations. We offer a conceptual framework to help clinicians know when and to what purpose to use this model of enactments. We provide an operational description of each component of an enactment, exemplifying them using a hypothetical clinical vignette. Directions for future research are suggested.
In-Liquid Quality Factor Improvement for Film Bulk Acoustic Resonators by Integration of Microfluidic Channels

We demonstrate a significant improvement in the quality factor (Q) of film bulk acoustic resonators (FBARs) in liquid environments via the integration of microfluidic channels. Our device consists of a longitudinal-mode excited zinc oxide (ZnO) FBAR and parylene-encapsulated microfluidic channels. Considerable enhancement in the Q of the resonant system is obtained by confining the liquid in the microfluidic channels of thickness comparable to the acoustic wavelength. The improved FBAR achieves Q values of up to 120, which represents an improvement of a factor of eight over those of current state-of-the-art devices.
On the fictitious-domain and interpolation formulations of the matched interface and boundary (MIB) method

This work overcomes the difficulty of dealing with large curvatures in a high order matched interface and boundary (MIB) method proposed for solving elliptic interface problems. The MIB method smoothly extends the solution across the interface so that standard high order central finite difference schemes can be used without the loss of accuracy. One feature of the MIB is that it disassociates the discretization of the elliptic equation from the enforcement of interface jump conditions. The other is to make iterative use of only the lowest order jump conditions to determine the fictitious values on extended domains. It is of arbitrarily high order in convergence, in principle. However, its applicability was hindered by the lack of sufficiently many grid points to determine all the fictitious values required for high order schemes at the location where the curvature of the interface is relatively large. We remove this obstacle by introducing a new concept, the disassociation between the discretization and the domain extension. We show that the improved MIB method is robust for handling general irregular interfaces by extensive numerical experiments on the Poisson equation and the Helmholtz equation. To better understand the MIB method and other potential high order interface schemes, we propose an alternative interpolation formulation of the MIB method and show that the new formulation is essentially equivalent to the improved one.
Addressing the marketplace mentality and improving professionalism in dental education: response to Richard Masella's "Renewing professionalism in dental education".

Richard Masella has written a very thought-provoking article that makes many excellent arguments regarding critical issues about professionalism in dental education. Rather than focus on minor points of contention, this response to his article highlights two main areas for further discussion. The first is the impact of the “marketplace” mentality and how there needs to be a balance between fiscal responsibility and ethical and professional responsibility. Changes in language are suggested as a starting point. Instead of using the term “productivity” to describe the goal, we need to focus on the process of behaving ethically, effectively, and efficiently in the provision of care to patients as well as in general professional behavior. The second major emphasis is on recommendations for improving the ethical climate of the dental college community and the teaching, exhibition, and celebration of professionalism. Included in this area are discussions of white coat ceremonies and honor codes, as well as the importance of recognizing the impact of the hidden curriculum in dental ethical education. Masella has made a major contribution by bringing forth strong arguments for discussing whether dental education truly is committed to teaching professionalism in a way that has meaning and impact rather than simply complying with accreditation standards. While there are certainly several points that appear to be speculative and could be debated in Masella’s article, he has provided a valuable catalyst for discussion and introspection by identifying critical issues for both dental education and organized dentistry to address.
Numerical Simulations of Helicity Condensation in the Solar Corona

The helicity condensation model has been proposed by Antiochos (2013) to explain the observed smoothness of coronal loops and the observed buildup of magnetic shear at filament channels. The basic hypothesis of the model is that magnetic reconnection in the corona causes the magnetic stress injected by photospheric motions to collect only at those special locations where prominences form. In this work we present the first detailed quantitative MHD simulations of the reconnection evolution proposed by the helicity condensation model. We use the well-known ansatz of modeling the closed corona as an initially uniform field between two horizontal photospheric plates. The system is driven by applying photospheric rotational flows that inject magnetic helicity into the system. The flows are confined to a finite region on the photosphere so as to mimic the finite flux system of, for example, a bipolar active region. The calculations demonstrate that, contrary to common belief, coronal loops having opposite helicity do not reconnect, whereas loops having the same sense of helicity do reconnect. Furthermore, we find that for a given amount of helicity injected into the corona, the evolution of the magnetic shear is insensitive to whether the pattern of driving photospheric motions is fixed or quasi-random. In all cases, the shear propagates via reconnection to the boundary of the flow region while the total magnetic helicity is conserved, as predicted by the model. We discuss the implications of our results for solar observations and for future, more realistic simulations of the helicity condensation process.
A comparison of burn related injuries following the natural disaster Super Storm Hurricane Sandy to the National Burn Repository of the American Burn Association.

Burn related injuries from natural disasters are not well described and natural disasters are not identified as an etiology of burn injury in the National Burn Repository (NBR) of the American Burn Association. The natural disaster Super Storm Hurricane Sandy had devastating effects. Our goal was to detail the burn related injuries following this natural disaster and to compare the data to the NBR. This was a retrospective chart review of thirty four patients who sustained burn related injuries following Super Storm Hurricane Sandy (SSHS) and were managed at Staten Island University Hospital Burn Center. Institutional Review Board approval was obtained. Data variables included age, gender, race, past medical history (PMHx), burn type, percentage total body surface area (%TBSA), hospital length of stay (HLOS), and mortality. We compared data from SSHS to the 2003-2013 NBR. Categorical data were summarized using frequency counts, percentages and Clopper-Pearson 95 % confidence interval for proportion. Continuous outcome data were summarized by descriptive statistics. Data analyses performed with SAS® System Version 9.3 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC) and p < 0.05 was significant. In the SSHS group, average age was 36 + 24 years, range 1-80 years, and 44.1 % were males (15/34, 95 % CI: 27.2 - 62.1). Caucasians comprised 58.8 %, (20/34, 95 % CI: 40.7, 75.4) and 73.5 % had no PMHx (25/34, 95 % CI: 55.6, 87.1). The most common burn type was scald, 55.9 %, (19/34, 95 % CI: 37.9, 72.8) and %TBSA ranged 1 %–47 %, average of 7 % + 12 %. The average HLOS was 13 + 26 days, range of 1–113 days. Mortality was 2.9 % (1/34, 95 % CI: 0.07–15). In comparison, the NBR reported an average age of 32 years and 69 % were males. Caucasians comprised 59.1 %. The most common burn type was flame, 43.2 % and the %TBSA ranged 1 %–9.9 %. HLOS ranged 8.4–10.2 days and mortality was 3.4 %. We conclude that burn related injuries following a natural disaster differ as compared to those most commonly reported in the NBR.
Issues of Care in Long-Term Settings

Edelson and Lyons (1985), in the introduction to their excellent book Institutional Care of the Mentally Impaired Elderly, describe basic principles of working in institutional settings. They begin by admonishing readers not to confuse mental disease with “excess disability” that can be treated, particularly visual and auditory deficits. Care, they state must be “rehabilitative whenever possible, prosthetic whenever necessary, and at all times humane, identity-preserving, and ego-supporting” (p.XIX). They suggest that institutional arrangements “that support direct care staff (ie nursing staff) in establishing a supportive relationship with impaired residents focuses attention on how interdisciplinary teams work” (p. XXI). Indeed, their message here is that the main purpose of teams, and mental health practitioners is to help in the structuring of ongoing supportive relationships between nursing staff and individual residents. The usefulness of sophisticated practitioners they say, is less in their one-to-one interaction with residents than in their educating and structuring of interaction between staff and residents.
Ribosome Induces a Closed to Open Conformational Change in Release Factor 1

Bacterial translation termination is triggered when a stop codon arrives at the ribosomal A site. Stop codons are recognized by class I release factors (RF1 and RF2 in Escherichia coli), which bind to the ribosome and catalyze the release of the newly synthesized protein. Crystal structures showed that RF1 and RF2 are in an open conformation when bound to the ribosome but are in a closed conformation when not bound to the ribosome. It is not clear whether only the open form of RF1 and RF2 binds to the ribosome. Alternatively, the closed form of RF1 and RF2 may bind to the ribosome and undergo a conformational change to the open state upon binding. We used transition metal ion fluorescence resonance energy transfer experiments to monitor precisely the conformation of RF1 in the absence and presence of the ribosome. Our results indicate that RF1 undergoes a large conformational change from a closed to an open form upon binding to the ribosome. Our results are consistent with the mechanism, in which high termination fidelity is achieved by linking stop codon recognition by RF1 to the change in conformation from closed to open state.
A Novel Lymphokine Is Required for the Regulation of Autoaggressive Responses

Limiting dilution studies indicate that cells with the potential to lyse autologous target cells exist in the peripheral blood of all normal individuals. These cells are down regulated by a second less frequent cell population. When recombinant IL-2 is substituted for crude lymphocyte-conditioned medium in these experiments, autocytotoxicity develops normally. Under these conditions, however, the autocytotoxic response is not down regulated. Mixing crude lymphocyte-conditioned medium with recombinant IL-2 restores the regulation of autocytotoxicity normally seen at high-responder cell dose. These findings indicate that a second soluble factor present in the conditioned medium is necessary for either the activation, growth, or differentiation of the regulatory cell population. Gel filtration studies indicate that the molecular weight of this factor is between 60 and 80 kD. This factor appears to be distinct from known immunologically active cytokines. It is conceivable that deficiencies of this factor may be relevant to the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases or GVH responses.
Analysis of self-similar solutions of multidimensional conservation laws

This project focused on analysis of multidimensional conservation laws, specifically on extensions to the study of self-siminar solutions, a project initiated by the PI. In addition, progress was made on an approach to studying conservation laws of very low regularity; in this research, the context was a novel problem in chromatography. Two graduate students in mathematics were supported during the grant period, and have almost completed their thesis research.
A Critical Study of the Organisms Cultivated from the Lesions of Human Leprosy, with a Consideration of their Etiological Significance

CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. OCCASION AND SCOPE OF PRESENT PAPER. HISTORICAL. CRITICAL NOTE. AUTHORS' RECENT RESEARCHES. Brief Description of the Non-Chromogenic Acid-fast Organism from Leprous Lesions. Morphology. Cultural Features. Pathogenicity. Brief Characterization. Special Methods of Cultivation. Experimental Lesions Induced with Leprosy Cultures. Serological Tests with Different Strains of Organisms. GENERAL DISCUSSION. SUMMARY. CONCLUSIONS. INTRODUCTION.
The Effect of Grain Size and SiC Particulates on the Strength and Ductility of MoSi2

Monolithic MoSi2 and MoSi2 reinforced with SiC particulate reinforcements have been produced with widely varying grain sizes. Monotonie compression behavior of these materials has been examined in the temperature range of room temperature to 1200°C. Based on these results, the ductile-to-brittle transition temperature at low deformation rate of MoSi2 and its composite appears to be near 900°C and may decrease slightly with decreasing grain size. Tension and compression creep behavior of these materials were also studied between 1100 and 1400°C. Creep strength of the matrix decreases with decreasing grain size even in the nominally dislocation climb-glide regime. While 20 vol% SiC particulates provide a reasonable amount of creep strengthening of the fine grain MoSi2 matrix, strengthening due to coarser grain size can be significantly higher in these materials. These results parallel those on other intermetallics.
Resource allocation in multifacility emergency medical systems

As instruments of public policy, Emergency Medical Service Systems must not only make effective use of the available resources but also ensure that those resources are shared equitably by the systems' facilities. This paper develops a multifacility EMS system resource allocation model that enables its user to evaluate the equitability of resource allocation schemes. Recognizing and objectively defining the relationships between the consumption of system resources and the provision of EMS System services, this model is appropriate for use in both prospective and retrospective EMS System resource allocation analyses.
ON THE DEVELOPMENT TENDENCY OF FAMILY FIRMS

Family firms are those that family members control the ownerships and the managements. They evolve from original ones, pure ones to pan-ones and modern ones. Now, they will develop more diversely: some will introduce into professional managers, transfer the ownerships to non-members, and gradually become the non-family firms; some will borrow modern firm systems and become the modern firm organizations with the shell of family ones. Chinese family firms should choose suitable firm systems based on their own conditions and it is not necessary to separate the ownerships and the managements.
Leucine oxidation changes rapidly after dietary protein intake is altered in adult women but lysine flux is unchanged as is lysine incorporation into VLDL-apolipoprotein B-100

We measured the 13C enrichments of expired CO2 and deuterium enrichments of plasma free lysine and VLDL-apolipoprotein B-100 in five nulliparous women who received an oral bolus dose of [1-13C]leucine and a primed, constant infusion of [2H4]lysine on d 2 and 6 while consuming protein diets of 1.5, 1.0 and 0.4 g.kg-1 x d-1. Peak enrichments and cumulative percent recoveries of 13C in expired CO2 increased during the high, and decreased during the low protein periods within 24 h of altered intakes; these changes averaged 89% of that on d 6 of the high and low protein diets. The early changes in leucine oxidation showed significant relationships with urinary nitrogen excretion on d 6 of the dietary periods. The ratio of the isotopic enrichment of lysine in VLDL-apolipoprotein B-100 to that in plasma was unaltered by the level of protein intake. Thus, amino acid oxidation adapts rapidly to altered protein intakes in adult women and is useful to determine protein needs during rapidly changing physiologic conditions. However, 6-d periods of protein intake over the range of 1.5 to 0.4 g.kg-1 x d-1 do not affect the proportional use of dietary amino acids for hepatic secretory protein synthesis.
Outcome of Living Donor Transplant Kidneys With Multiple Arteries

Abstract Background Living donor transplantation (LDT) using kidneys with multiple arteries (MA) has previously been reported to be associated with increased complications and poorer outcomes in recipients. The objective of this study was to investigate outcomes of LDT with MA at the National University Hospital of Singapore, an institution with modest kidney transplant volumes. Methods From 2007 to 2014, a total of 109 consecutive living donor kidney transplantations were performed. Of the nephrectomies, 91% were left sided. A total of 19 cases involved MA, of which 7 with small polar vessels ( Results Mean warm ischemia time (minutes) was similar for kidneys with MA and SA (4.3 ± 3.2 vs 3.9 ± 3.2, P = .38). Operative time (minutes) in the recipients was also equivalent ( P > .05) for MA and SA (158 ± 39.2 and 145 ± 57.2, respectively). The MA kidney recipients had a lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) on postoperative day 5 compared to SA (56.6 ± 24.2 vs 74.1 ± 35.9 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , P = .058). However, eGFR at 1 year was the similar for both groups (64.9 ± 16.2 vs 66.4 ± 18.1 mL/min/1.73 m 2 , respectively, P = .76). Delayed graft function rates were 5.6% and 6.6% for MA and SA, respectively ( P = .9). There were no surgical complications for LDT recipients within the MA group. Patient and graft survival was 100% in the MA group compared with 98% in the SA group ( P > .05). Conclusions With current surgical techniques, LDT with MA can achieve equally good functional outcomes at 1 year as SA kidneys, with minimal surgical complications.
Local cholinergic mechanisms mediate nitric oxide-dependent flow-induced vasorelaxation in vitro.

To determine whether local cholinergic mechanisms evoke nitric oxide (NO)-mediated flow-induced vasorelaxation, canine coronary artery rings without endothelium were suspended beneath an organ chamber that contained a stainless steel tube and a femoral artery segment with endothelium. The rings were superfused at a basal rate of 1 ml/min with physiological salt solution that was bubbled with 95% O2-5% CO2 and maintained at 37 degrees C. They were stretched to optimal length and contracted with prostaglandin F 2 alpha (2 x 10(-6) M). When flow through the stainless steel tube (direct superfusion) was increased from the basal rate of 1 to 4 ml/min, coronary force did not change. Superfusion of the rings (n = 8) with effluent from the femoral segment (endothelial superfusion) at 4 ml/min to study flow-induced vasodilation caused a 67.3 +/- 10.8% relaxation. Treatment of the segment with the NO synthase blocker NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (10(-4) M) eliminated the relaxation seen during endothelial superfusion (...
Surface Analysis by Laser Desorption of Neutral Molecules with Fourier Transform Mass Spectrometry Detection

We have developed a new instrument that utilizes a pulsed laser to desorb neutral molecules from a surface and a Fourier transform mass spectrometer (FTMS) to detect ions that are produced by electron impact or laser ionization of the desorbed species [1,21. The Fourier transform detection method can acquire a complete mass spectrum after each laser pulse, and the mass resolution is 10 to 100 times greater than can be achieved with time-of-flight (TOF) detection. With FTMS the signal due to laser-desorbed ethylene (m/z 28.031) can be mass-resolved from that due to background nitrogen (m/z 28.006) or possible silicon (m/z 27.976) impurities in the crystal.
An Examination of the Drivers of E-Marketing Capability in the Digital Age: An Abstract

This paper aims to find out how marketing can play a more strategic role in helping firms improve performance in the Digital Age. Particularly, this paper investigates the drivers of e-Marketing capability and the impact of e-Marketing capability. This research studies how IT capability, marketing, and IT cross-functional collaboration and leadership emphasis can impact e-Marketing capability and thus improve customer relationship management and new product diffusion. In addition, the moderating effect of industry type is also investigated. Theoretical and managerial implications are discussed at the end.
Corn Silage to Beef Calculator

The Corn Silage to Beef calculator allows corn silagevarieties to be summarized in terms of the beef they willyield as a feedstuff. This software has been made availablet the general public through Iowa State Beef Center website as a free download athttp://iowabeefcenter.org/calculators.html
Measuring Economic Resilience

We illustrate the application of the definition with the following case study by Rose et al. (Peace Econ Peace Sci Public Policy 15(2):4, 2009), who estimated the national and regional economic impact of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attack on the World Trade Center (WTC). The researchers refined some available data indicating that more than 95 % of the businesses and government offices operating in the WTC area survived by relocating; the vast majority to Mid-town Manhattan or across the river in Northern New Jersey. Had all of these firms gone out of business, the potential direct economic loss in terms of GDP would have been $43 billion. However, relocation was not immediate, taking anywhere from a few days to as long as 8 months for the vast majority of firms. Rose et al. (Peace Econ Peace Sci Public Policy 15(2):4, 2009) calculated this loss in GDP at $11 billion. They were then able to apply the resilience definition provided in this Section to estimate that the effectiveness of relocation as a resilience tactic in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks was 72 % ($43 minus $11, divided by $43). This study highlights the importance of excess capacity as a resilience tactic. This more intensive use of resources is also the theme of the recovery in the current great recession in the U.S. and other countries, as employment recovery significantly lacks the recovery of output. The experience of New York thus signals a significant change in approaches to disaster recovery, which typically emphasized prompt rebuilding. Coupled with stronger requirements for mitigation, and hopefully some general accumulated wisdom, we are recovering less by reflex action and more by intelligent planning (see also Valle and Campanella, The resilient city: how modern cities recover from disaster. Oxford University Press, New York, 2005; Chang and Rose, Int J Mass Emerg Disasters 30(2):171–181, 2012).
Optimal M-switch surveillance policies for liver cancer in a hepatitis C-infected population

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common type of liver cancer and the fastest-growing cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States. Most HCC cases are attributed to chronic hepatitis C virus infection, which affects nearly 3 million Americans and 100 million people globally. Although surveillance for HCC in hepatitis C patients can improve survival, the optimal surveillance policies remain unknown. In this study, we develop a mixed-integer programming (MIP)-based framework to systematically analyze a rich set of policies and determine the optimal HCC surveillance policies that maximize societal net benefit. Our MIP-based framework addresses two problem features that make dynamic programming-based formulation computationally intractable. In particular, our proposed framework allows the formulation of (1) M-switch policies that are practical for implementation and (2) tailored surveillance policies with screening intervals stratified by the precursor disease states. We theoretically analyze ...
Paraquat-induced free radical reaction in mouse brain microsomes.

Paraquat has been implicated as an environmental toxin which may induce the syndrome of Parkinson's disease after exposure to this agent. However, the biochemical mechanism by which paraquat causes cell death and neurodegeneration has not been extensively studied. Paraquat was rapidly taken up by nerve terminals isolated from mouse cerebral cortices. It induced lipid peroxidation in a concentration dependent manner in the presence of NADPH and ferrous ion. The maximal stimulation effect was obtained at a paraquat concentration around 100 μM and the Kmvalue for paraquat was 46.7 μM. The lipid peroxidation required microsomal enzymes. Antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase, catalase and promethazine significantly inhibited paraquat-induced lipid peroxidation. Due to its structural similarity to the pyridinium compound MPP+(N-methyl-4-phenyl pyridium ion), it may be taken up by dopamine neurons and cause lipid peroxidation and cell death resulting in the manifestation of Parkinsonian syndrome.
Recent Developments in Assays for Taurine, Hypotaurine and Some Metabolic Precursors

The distinguishing chemical characteristics of taurine, hypotaurine and cysteinesulfinic acid that facilitate their separation are their charge and a reactive amine group. Their absorption of light is low and in the low UV range. They are non-fluorescent, they are not volatile, and they are not readily amenable to assay by enzyme-linked reactions. These features limit the detection methods available to the analyst. A brief synopsis of the methods that have been used are outlined below, together with attention to their relative advantages and disadvantages. Prospects for the future are discussed with a particular emphasis on capillary electrophoresis.
Molecular Epidemiology of Salmonella enterica and Subtyping Using Phenotypic and Genotypic Approaches

The aim of this study was to evaluate the discriminatory power of two phenotyping and three genotyping methods commonly used to subtype Salmonella in swine and other hosts. We found AFLP and PFGE to have the highest and comparable discriminatory power to each other. Among the 202 isolates analyzed in this study, using AFLP, 16 cluster types of S. Typhimurium were identified. Vertical spread in the production chain, from nursery to finishing farms and vertical as well as horizontal spread among finishing farms appeared to be important means of Salmonella serovar Typhimurium dissemination in swine units.
Psychotropic management of behavioral disorders after head trauma.

A rational basis for the psychopharmacologic management of behavioral disturbances after head trauma has been presented that is predicated on research in neurotransmitter changes that evolve subsequent to head trauma. The paucity of human studies in this area mandates the use of experimental models and evidence garnered from provocative challenges to suggest the underlying neurotransmitter profile in various behavioral abnormalities. Multiple neurotransmitter circuits exist that provide parallel, duplicate, and redundant systems for these behaviors. Certainly, alternative explanations could be offered for the examples cited above. Furthermore, measurement of neurotransmitter metabolite concentration in cerebrospinal fluid does not allow specific inferences to be made regarding topographic correlation and neurotransmitter function. Nor does it afford assessment of regional differences in psychotropic influence on neurotransmitter receptors. New imaging techniques (eg, positron emission tomography) will certainly aid in this determination. Current investigations, however, support the concept that neurotransmitter changes do occur after head injury, that these alterations exist during the time that "recovery" occurs, and that psychotropic agents influence this recovery process. Further research is needed to clarify neurotransmitter changes after head injury and to identify psychotropic intervention strategies that facilitate the recovery process. Language: en
Hardware enforcement of application security policies using tagged memory

Computers are notoriously insecure, in part because application security policies do not map well onto traditional protection mechanisms such as Unix user accounts or hardware page tables. Recent work has shown that application policies can be expressed in terms of information flow restrictions and enforced in an OS kernel, providing a strong assurance of security. This paper shows that enforcement of these policies can be pushed largely into the processor itself, by using tagged memory support, which can provide stronger security guarantees by enforcing application security even if the OS kernel is compromised.We present the Loki tagged memory architecture, along with a novel operating system structure that takes advantage of tagged memory to enforce application security policies in hardware. We built a full-system prototype of Loki by modifying a synthesizable SPARC core, mapping it to an FPGA board, and porting HiStar, a Unix-like operating system, to run on it. One result is that Loki allows HiStar, an OS already designed to have a small trusted kernel, to further reduce the amount of trusted code by a factor of two, and to enforce security despite kernel compromises. Using various workloads, we also demonstrate that HiStar running on Loki incurs a low performance overhead.
Abstract P055: Serum Calcium and Diabetes: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Introduction: Non-skeletal calcium serves a variety of functions. Pertinent to diabetes, an influx of calcium through calcium channels into pancreatic β-cells is required for insulin secretion. Previous cohort studies exploring the association between serum calcium and diabetes have not accounted for 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], or parathyroid hormone (PTH), and have had limited racial/ethnic diversity. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that serum calcium concentration would be positively and independently associated with diabetes incidence. Methods: A total of 12,800 black and white ARIC study participants without diabetes at baseline (visit 1, 1987-1989) were followed for incident diabetes. Serum calcium was measured at baseline, and corrected for serum albumin. Levels of 25(OH)D and PTH were assessed at visit 2. Diabetes was identified by glucose levels, self-report or medication use at any of three follow-up exams (each approximately 3 years apart). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: Mean age was 54, 23% were black and 56% female, mean serum calcium concentration was 9.87 mg/dL overall, and 9.96 mg/dL in blacks, and 9.84 in whites. During a median of 9 years of follow-up, 1516 cases of diabetes were identified. Baseline serum calcium was positively and independently associated with incident diabetes after adjustment for demographic and lifestyle characteristics (Table). This association was largely unchanged with further adjustment for biomarkers that may lie on the metabolic pathway (i.e. 25(OH)D, PTH, phosphorus). While there was not a significant race interaction (p-interaction > 0.25 in all models), the calcium-diabetes association was somewhat stronger among blacks than whites (Table). Conclusions: Consistent with prior studies, elevated serum calcium was associated with greater risk of type 2 diabetes. Further research is needed to understand the role calcium plays in the pathogenesis of diabetes.
Librarians Conducting Library Research: What Is Happening Outside the Academy?

This chapter discusses the facets and conditions for library research performed by practitioners—librarians who work in library and information institutions. We define the types of research that librarians perform, review the differences in publication behaviors of academics and practitioners, look at the scope of research in different types of library settings, and discuss the motivations for engaging in research, modes of dissemination of results, intended audiences, as well as training and support provided by library schools and institutions. Overall, most librarians are expected to engage in certain types of research as part of their job duties whether for publication or not, and the majority of them consist of practical research for assessment and improvement of services, programs, and workflows.