cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Usage of and Support for Information Centers: An Exploratory Survey

Much has been written in both academic and practitioner literature concerning the role, structure, operation and direction of the Information Center IC. The purpose of our study was to conduct an exploratory survey of ICs. On-site interviews, in 20 organizations, were conducted to determine the current status of the IC as well as its future direction. A semistructured questionnaire containing one hundred fourteen questions was used. Four areas were researched: the nature of the user community, the initial and current attitudes regarding the formation of ICs, the organizational impacts of the ICs, and issues of major concern for ICs. The most important finding of this survey is that the use of the IC increases as the ICs become older and this usage is not declining as user sophistication increases. The paper ends with a brief comparison of our findings with other empirical studies and an outline for future research.
Exclusive charged pion photoproduction in selected light nuclei

We investigate pion photoproduction in the A=6, 12, and 14 nuclei, using the effective one-body amplitudes determined from a fit to the low-momentum transfer electroweak observables. This reaction provides an independent test of the reliability of the one-body effective amplitudes in a process well described in the impulse approximation.
Evaluating Consumer Protection Laws: II. Promising Methods

Three quasi-experimental research designs which promise the possibility of yielding strong conclusions about the effects of consumer protection initiatives are reviewed. The threats to internal validity which face these designs are described and illustrated with specific studies. The broader implications of evaluation research for consumer protection are discussed.
DNA fingerprinting of the plant pathogenic fungusMycosphaerella graminicola (anamorphSeptoria tritici)

DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in the nuclear genome of the plant pathogenic fungus Septoria tritici were used to discriminate among different clones in a population. A sample of 93 isolates collected from a single field was examined for genetic variation using two restriction enzymes and eight anonymous DNA probes which hybridized to single RFLP loci and one probe which hybridized to two RFLP loci. Twenty-two of the 559,872 possible multilocus haplotypes were identified among the isolates. Isolates with identical multilocus haplotypes were clustered in the field, suggesting that they originated by clonal reproduction. Probe pSTL40, which hybridized to sequences present on 3–5 different chromosomes, differentiated 21 DNA fingerprint patterns among the 93 isolates. With three exceptions, isolates with identical multilocus haplotypes had identical DNA restriction fragment profiles when hybridized with pSTL40. The probe pSTL29, which hybridized to sequences present on 7–10 different chromosomes, identified 21 different DNA fingerprint patterns among the 22 multilocus haplotypes. Pairwise comparisons of genetic similarity among clones were calculated using proportion of shared alleles at individual RFLP loci and proportion of shared restriction fragments in DNA fingerprints. The two measures of genetic similarity were not correlated for any of the three DNA fingerprinting combinations tested, suggesting that DNA fingerprints may not provide an accurate measure of genetic similarity among clones in fungal populations.
Numerical Tabulation of the Distribution of Kolmogorov's Statistic for Finite Sample Size

(1952). Numerical Tabulation of the Distribution of Kolmogorov's Statistic for Finite Sample Size. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 47, No. 259, pp. 425-441.
The Wind- and Wave-Driven Inner-Shelf Circulation

The inner continental shelf, which spans water depths of a few meters to tens of meters, is a dynamically defined region that lies between the surf zone (where waves break) and the middle continental shelf (where the along-shelf circulation is usually in geostrophic balance). Many types of forcing that are often neglected over the deeper shelf—such as tides, buoyant plumes, surface gravity waves, and cross-shelf wind stress—drive substantial circulations over the inner shelf. Cross-shelf circulation over the inner shelf has ecological and geophysical consequences: It connects the shore to the open ocean by transporting pollutants, larvae, phytoplankton, nutrients, and sediment. This review of circulation and momentum balances over the inner continental shelf contrasts prior studies, which focused mainly on the roles of alongshelf wind and pressure gradients, with recent understanding of the dominant roles of cross-shelf wind and surface gravity waves.
The Effects of Choice Making on Toy Engagement in Nonambulatory and Partially Ambulatory Preschool Students

This study evaluated the effects of an experimenter-delivered choice-making procedure. Three nonambulatory and partially ambulatory preschoolers were given access to six teacher-nominated preferred toys in two conditions: child choice and interventionist choice. Using an alternating treatment design and a 10-second momentary time-sampling procedure, results showed that children were comparably engaged with the toys in both conditions. Results are discussed in terms of implementing choice procedures with very young children with severe disabilities. Suggestions for further study of the effects of choice using comprehensive preference assessment strategies and considerations of individual participant characteristics are discussed.
Clinical Microbiology of Bacterial and Fungal Sepsis in Very-Low-Birth-Weight Infants

Twenty percent of very-low-birth-weight (<1500 g) preterm infants experience a serious systemic infection, and despite advances in neonatal intensive care and antimicrobials, mortality is as much as threefold higher for these infants who develop sepsis than their counterparts without sepsis during their hospitalization. Outcomes may be improved by preventative strategies, earlier and accurate diagnosis, and adjunct therapies to combat infection and protect the vulnerable preterm infant during an infection. Earlier diagnosis on the basis of factors such as abnormal heart rate characteristics may offer the ability to initiate treatment prior to the onset of clinical symptoms. Molecular and adjunctive diagnostics may also aid in diagnosing invasive infection when clinical symptoms indicate infection but no organisms are isolated in culture. Due to the high morbidity and mortality, preventative and adjunctive therapies are needed. Prophylaxis has been effective in preventing early-onset group B streptococcal sepsis and late-onset Candida sepsis. Future research in prophylaxis using active and passive immunization strategies offers prevention without the risk of resistance to antimicrobials. Identification of the differences in neonatal intensive care units with low and high infection rates and implementation of infection control measures remain paramount in each neonatal intensive care unit caring for preterm infants.
Evaluation of International Terrestrial Reference Frame Colocated Ties through Compatibility Testing

Evaluation on the agreement between colocated ties and ties estimated from space geodesy techniques before the intertech- nique combination is essential to an accurate combination solution realization. Previous studies evaluate their agreement based on the magnitude of postfit residuals with normalized residuals during the intertechnique combination and magnitude of their differences through intratechnique combination from space geodetic measurement. This study formulates an alternative criterion based on the critical value of the chi-square test statistic through compatibility testing for the evaluation of both ties agreement. Individual terrestrial reference frame solution and corresponding colocated ties data within 14 colocated sites used in ITRF2000 realization were selected for the study. It was found that the devised criterion flagged and retained the same set of colocated ties in common with previous contribution results, which makes itself another alternative for further validation. Given the demand of the fusion of several groups of data for better derived information in geosciences and remote sensing, this criterion could also be applied to outlier detection for each group of data during the fusion process.
Tournaments of Weakly Heterogeneous Players

We consider three prominent tournament formats—contests, binary elimination tournaments, and round-robin tournaments—in the case when players are heterogeneous in their abilities but the heterogeneity is, in a well-defined sense, weak. Using linear approximation, we characterize equilibrium strategies and payoffs in the three tournament games and compare them to the benchmark symmetric case of identical players. We describe small deviations from the symmetric equilibria by elasticities of a player's equilibrium effort with respect to her own ability and the abilities of her rivals. Our results only require general symmetry and smoothness assumptions but not specific functional forms for the probabilities of winning in tournaments. We show that, in equilibrium: (i) a player's effort and payoff depend on her rivals' abilities in a model-independent way, either through the average ability of the field (for static games), or through the properly discounted average ability of the field (for dynamic elimination tournaments); (ii) players respond stronger to changes in their own relative abilities than to changes in their rivals' relative abilities; (iii) aggregate effort (dissipated rent) does not change compared to the benchmark case; (iv) it is not possible to manipulate aggregate effort through seeding in binary elimination tournaments, although optimal seeding schemes for other purposes can be identified; and (v) balanced seeding and a uniform distribution of relative abilities cancel out the dependence of a player's effort on her rivals' abilities in binary elimination tournaments.
Differential permeability of a human brain tumor xenograft in the nude rat: impact of tumor size and method of administration on optimizing delivery of biologically diverse agents.

To assess how to maximize drug delivery to intracerebral tumors and surrounding brain, this study examined the effects of route and method of administration and tumor size on the distribution of three agents in a nude rat intracerebral tumor xenograft model. Aminoisobutyric acid (M(r) 103), methotrexate (M(r) 454), and dextran 70 (M(r) 70,000) were administered i.v. or intra-arterially (i.a.) with or without osmotic blood-brain barrier disruption (BBBD) at 8, 12, or 16 days after tumor cell inoculation (n = 72). A 2.2- to 2.5-fold increase in delivery to tumor and surrounding brain was observed when i.a. was compared with i.v., and a 2.5- to 7.6-fold increase was observed when BBBD was compared with the saline control. The combined effect of i.a. administration and BBBD was to increase delivery 6.3-16.7-fold. The greatest benefit of BBBD was seen in animals with 8-day tumors, whereas BBBD had less benefit in improving delivery to intracerebral tumor and brain around tumor as the tumors grew larger. Regional delivery decreased as the molecular weight of the agent increased. Based on these results, we suggest that i.a. administration of antitumor agents may be adequate to obtain initial responses in large, very permeable, intracerebral tumors. However, in smaller, less permeable tumors or after an initial response to treatment, there may be a significant therapeutic advantage to i.a. agent administration and BBBD.
STUDIES ON THE MECHANISM OF IMMUNITY IN TYPHUS FEVER II. ALLERGIC AND TOXIC REACTIONS PRODUCED WITH RICKETTSIA PROWAZEKI

The intradermal inoculation of Mexican typhus virus into immune guinea pigs produces a local reaction which is similar in its appearance to the lesion observed in the skin of normal animals submitted to the same treatment. The reaction in the immune animal appears earlier and fades sooner than the lesion in the normal guinea pig. The inoculation of heat-killed or formalin-killed Rickettsiae produces no significant reactions at the site of the intradermal injection in typhus immune guinea pigs. The virus, inoculated intradermally, has been recovered from the local lesion 72 hours after the injection into typhus immune guinea pigs. Normal guinea pigs and persons without a history of typhus fever present a congestion and some swelling of the skin at the site of the intradermal injection of formalinized Mexican Rickettsiae. The reaction appears 24 hours after the inoculation and fades within 48 hours. Heating the formalinized Rickettsia suspensions at 70 degrees C. for 30 minutes renders them inactive in normal men and guinea pigs. From the experiments reported in this paper it seems that the reactions observed in typhus immune guinea pigs submitted to a second inoculation of typhus virus, belong to the group of reactions presented by tuberculous animals (Koch's phenomenon) and the accelerated takes shown by immune persons submitted to revaccination with vaccinia virus. A heat labile substance has been demonstrated in the formalinized Rickettsia bodies, which produces a reaction in the skin of normal men and guinea pigs.
Retirement Patterns and the Macroeconomy, 1992–2010: The Prevalence and Determinants of Bridge Jobs, Phased Retirement, and Reentry Among Three Recent Cohorts of Older Americans

Purpose of the study Older Americans contemplating retirement today face a very different economic environment than prior cohorts did. This article examines whether the retirement patterns of older Americans have changed as a result. Design and methods Using data from 10 waves of the Health and Retirement Study (HRS), we examine the prevalence of bridge jobs, phased retirement, and labor market reentry among 3 recent cohorts of older Americans, from 1992 through 2010. Determinants of retirement transitions are examined using bivariate comparisons and multivariate logistic and multinomial logistic regression models. Results We find that traditional one-time, permanent exits from the labor force continue to be the exception rather than the rule and that the retirement patterns of the Early Boomers, those on the cusp of retirement during the recent Great Recession, appear to be diverging from those of earlier cohorts. The Early Boomer women, in particular, were more likely than those in previous cohorts, the HRS Core and the HRS War Babies, to move to a bridge job prior to exiting the labor force completely and both Early Boomer men and women were more likely to leave their career jobs involuntarily, with layoffs being a key factor. Implications The "do-it-yourself" approach to retirement planning-with individuals managing a large portion of their retirement finances-is now common among older Americans. This change in the retirement environment, combined with a significant and persistent cyclical downturn, may have long-lasting effects and suggests that the concept of retirement in the United States will continue to evolve.
Carotenoid supplementation during adulthood, but not development, decreases testis size in mallards

Nutritional constraints on reproduction are well-characterized in female animals, but rarely have particular nutrients been linked to male reproductive investments. Carotenoid pigments promote egg-laying and fertility in several animals, and are displayed externally within secondary sex traits by males of many colorful species to attract mates, but it is unclear if or how carotenoids affect male primary sex traits. We manipulated carotenoid availability in the diet of male mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) during both development and adulthood to determine effects on size and carotenoid content of the testes. We found that developmental carotenoid manipulations did not affect testis size or carotenoid concentration, but that increased carotenoid dietary levels at adulthood resulted in more carotenoid-rich, but smaller, testes. This latter result was surprising, given positive correlations in mammals between testicle size and carotenoid concentration. We also found negative correlations between testis size and carotenoid concentration for individual ducks, regardless of dietary treatment. These results suggest that carotenoid deposition into testis tissue can reduce investment in gonad size (and thus overall sperm count), although the functional consequences of this relationship remain to be tested.
Development of the Action Potential of the Prenatal Rat Heart

Transmembrane action potentials were recorded from embryonic rat hearts at ages between 10½ days of gestation and birth (21 to 22 days). The resting potential averaged 30 to 40 mv at 10½ days and increased to around 80 mv by birth. Two periods of rapid increase in resting potential were noted: 1) from 10½ to 13½ days and 2) from 19½ days of gestation to birth. The maximal upstroke velocity of the action potential increased as the resting potential increased. The duration of the ventricular and atrial action potentials was inversely related to heart rate, and their rate sensitivity decreased with age. The atrial action potential lost its rate sensitivity by 13½ days of gestation and the ventricular action potential lost its by birth. At 10½ days diastolic depolarization was found in the area of the ventricle proximate to the A-V junction, the left and right atria, and the sinus venosus. The velocity of the diastolic depolarization was greatestin the sinus venosus and least in the ventricle. The diastolic depolarization decreased with growth and was lost by 13½ days of gestation.
W-band SiGe LNA using unilateral gain peaking

A 91 GHz low-noise amplifier (LNA) using a unilateral gain peaking design technique is presented. Parasitic capacitances from the layout of transistors are exploited in order to frequency shift the peak of Mason’s Unilateral Gain. This methodology enhances amplifier gain performance tremendously without additional power consumption or penalty in Noise Figure. The LNA was developed in IBM’s 8HP 0.12 μm, 200 GHz fT, SiGe technology. The measured results demonstrate a peak gain of 13 dB, an IIP3 of −5.4dBm, a Noise Figure of 5.1 dB with DC power consumption of only 8.1 mW at 91 GHz. The amplifier exhibits a 3-dB Gain Bandwidth of 16 GHz from 84 – 100 GHz with a minimum Gain of 10 dB and an average NF of only 5.5 dB. This device has the highest known reported figure of merit (28.9) for a silicon based W-Band LNA.
Vaccine strategies: targeting helper T cell responses.

Vaccine strategies need to take into account the balance of T helper subsets they induce. TH1 cells, which secrete IFN gamma and IL-2, are associated with CMI, rather than humoral responses, and afford protection against intracellular infections including parasites. In contrast, TH2 cells secrete IL-4, IL-5, and IL-10; elicit high-titer antibody responses and poor CMI; and are associated with susceptibility to infection with intracellular pathogens. Depending on the type of TH cell bias required, it is possible to manipulate the immune response to a protein or peptide by employing (1) different adjuvants, (2) conjugating the protein to various carriers, (3) immunizing in the presence of cytokines, (4) using alternative routes of administration, or (5) using different forms or doses of antigen. To apply these approaches to a particular vaccine, it is necessary to identify which component of the infectious agent (e.g., envelope protein or peptide) or allergen to target. Once the type of TH cell response that is protective is identified, it may be possible to combine a protein with an adjuvant or link it to a carrier that will promote responses towards the most advantageous TH subset.
Stray Light in Czerny-Turner and Ebert Spectrometers

Stray light due to undesired multiple dispersions has been investigated for Czerny-Turner and Ebert grating spectrometers. Both double dispersion and higher multiple dispersions are discussed in all orders of diffraction. Experimental and theoretical results are presented. An upper bound on the wavelength of this stray light is found as a function of the grating spacing. This shows that over any wavelength range of interest, the stray light due to multiple dispersion often can be eliminated by use of sufficiently finely ruled gratings. The results are also used to propose improvements on a previously suggested [ C. M. Penchina , Appl. Opt.6, 1029 ( 1967)] masking technique.
Multisite Light-Induced Phosphorylation of the Transcription Factor PIF3 Is Necessary for Both Its Rapid Degradation and Concomitant Negative Feedback Modulation of Photoreceptor phyB Levels in Arabidopsis

Plants constantly monitor informational light signals using sensory photoreceptors, which include the phytochrome (phy) family (phyA to phyE), and adjust their growth and development accordingly. Following light-induced nuclear translocation, photoactivated phy molecules bind to and induce rapid phosphorylation and degradation of phy-interacting basic Helix Loop Helix (bHLH) transcription factors (PIFs), such as PIF3, thereby regulating the expression of target genes. However, the mechanisms underlying the signal-relay process are still not fully understood. Here, using mass spectrometry, we identify multiple, in vivo, light-induced Ser/Thr phosphorylation sites in PIF3. Using transgenic expression of site-directed mutants of PIF3, we provide evidence that a set of these phosphorylation events acts collectively to trigger rapid degradation of the PIF3 protein in response to initial exposure of dark-grown seedlings to light. In addition, we show that phyB-induced PIF3 phosphorylation is also required for the known negative feedback modulation of phyB levels in prolonged light, potentially through codegradation of phyB and PIF3. This mutually regulatory intermolecular transaction thus provides a mechanism with the dual capacity to promote early, graded, or threshold regulation of the primary, PIF3-controlled transcriptional network in response to initial light exposure, and later, to attenuate global sensitivity to the light signal through reductions in photoreceptor levels upon prolonged exposure.
TRANSITION AND HEAVY METALS ASSOCIATED WITH ACID-IRON WASTE DISPOSAL AT DEEP WATER DUMPSITE 106

Liquid acid-iron waste has been discharged into the surface waters at Deep Water Dumpsite 106 in 4 × 106 liter quantities since 1976. Upon mixing with seawater hydrous ferric oxide precipitates and can scavenge potentially toxic metals (Cu, Cd, and Pb) and organic substances from the waste plume and the seawater. A series of water samples were collected at various times from 0.5 to 27 hours after a dump of acid-iron waste using a non-contaminating pumping system and acoustic backscattering to locate the waste plume in the mixed layer (upper 20 m). The samples were analyzed for total and particulate Fe, Cu, Cd, and Pb, as well as for pH, total suspended matter, phosphate, silicate, temperature and salinity. Because of the high Fe concentrations in the waste (0.5 molar), the total Fe concentration in the waste plume provides a good index of the dilution of the waste. During the first 27 hours after the dump the dilution occurred as a two stage process. There was rapid initial dilution by 104 in the first 0.5 hr followed by slower dilution to 105 after 27 hr. Correlation analysis of the metal concentrations in the waste plume showed that Fe and Pb disperse in a closely coupled fashion related to particulate matter. The Cd and Cu disperse at a slower rate than Fe and Pb and they are less associated with the particulate phase.
Alternative cleavage and polyadenylation in spermatogenesis connects chromatin regulation with post-transcriptional control

Most mammalian genes display alternative cleavage and polyadenylation (APA). Previous studies have indicated preferential expression of APA isoforms with short 3’ untranslated regions (3’UTRs) in testes. By deep sequencing of the 3’ end region of poly(A) + transcripts, we report widespread shortening of 3’UTR through APA during the first wave of spermatogenesis in mouse, with 3’UTR size being the shortest in spermatids. Using genes without APA as a control, we show that shortening of 3’UTR eliminates destabilizing elements, such as U-rich elements and transposable elements, which appear highly potent during spermatogenesis. We additionally found widespread regulation of APA events in introns and exons that can affect the coding sequence of transcripts and global activation of antisense transcripts upstream of the transcription start site, suggesting modulation of splicing and initiation of transcription during spermatogenesis. Importantly, genes that display significant 3’UTR shortening tend to have functions critical for further sperm maturation, and testis-specific genes display greater 3’UTR shortening than ubiquitously expressed ones, indicating functional relevance of APA to spermatogenesis. Interestingly, genes with shortened 3’UTRs tend to have higher RNA polymerase II and H3K4me3 levels in spermatids as compared to spermatocytes, features previously known to be associated with open chromatin state. Our data suggest that open chromatin may create a favorable cis environment for 3’ end processing, leading to global shortening of 3’UTR during spermatogenesis. mRNAs with shortened 3’UTRs are relatively stable thanks to evasion of powerful mRNA degradation mechanisms acting on 3’UTR elements. Stable mRNAs generated in spermatids may be important for protein production at later stages of sperm maturation, when transcription is globally halted.
Survey of osmolytes in renal cell lines

In renal medullas during antidiuresis, the extracellular fluid is hyperosmotic because of high concentrations of NaCl and urea. Under those conditions, the cells contain high concentrations of organic osmolytes, namely sorbitol, myo-inositol, glycerophosphorylcholine (GPC), and betaine to balance the extracellular hyperosmolality. These organic osmolytes increase cell osmolality without perturbing the intracellular milieu in ways that would degrade the function of cellular macromolecules. The present study surveyed a number of cell lines for the ability to survive in media with high concentrations of NaCl and/or urea and for the accumulation of organic osmolytes. Of the renal cell lines tested, MDCK, GRB-MAL1, and A6 cells proliferated in hyperosmotic media, but medullary interstitial cells LLC-PK1 and LLC-PK3 did not proliferate, nor did nonrenal HTC-BH cells, MDCK, LLC-PK1, and LLC-PK3 cells contained higher concentrations of myo-inositol, GPC, and betaine when cultured in media containing high NaCl (with or without high urea) and much lower or undetectable levels of these osmolytes when grown in isosmotic media. Sorbitol, and to a lesser extent myo-inositol, were elevated in GRB-MAL1 cells in media hyperosmotic with NaCl but not in isosmotic media. There was less accumulation of organic osmolytes when only urea was added to increase osmolality. Thus the same osmolytes were accumulated by one or another cell line in vitro as were previously found in renal medullas. These cell lines provide models for studying osmolyte accumulation.
Impact of legal regulations on the quality of clinical trials carried out in Spain

BACKGROUND In Spain since 1982 laws require that clinical trials involving drugs be approved before implementation. We studied the impact of regulations on the quality of published trials. METHODS Four sets of trials were chosen: trials implemented after 1982 and registered as approved; trials implemented after 1982 but not registered; trials implemented before 1982; and trials conducted outside Spain. Trials were identified via MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Indice Medico Espanol. Sets were compared with regard to indicators of quality, as obtained from the information in the published reports. The comparison was based on a total of 273 Spanish trials published between 1988 and 1990, 85 approved and 188 unregistered; 97 old trials, published between 1980 and 1982; and 152 non-Spanish trials published between 1988 and 1990. RESULTS Approved trials, compared to their unregistered and old counterparts, were more often informed randomised, more of their published reports included lists of reasons for exclusions and information on consent and achieved higher scores of a quality index. Approved trials, compared to non-Spanish trials, had lower proportion of sample size justification, greater discrepancies between randomised and analyzed cases and a trend to lower quality scores. Multiple logistic regression analysis of quality scores showed that approved trials had higher scores than unregistered trials when single-centre trials (odds ratio for reaching scores in the upper quartile: 2.90; 95% confidence interval: 1.27 - 6.64) and similar when multicentre trials. CONCLUSIONS Approved trials achieved better indicators of quality than unregistered trials but did not achieve the standards of quality prevailing in the international community.
In vitro potency of amikacin and comparators against E. coli, K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa respiratory and blood isolates

The purpose of this study was to define the potency of amikacin and comparator agents against a collection of blood and respiratory nosocomial isolates implicated in ICU based pulmonary infections gathered from US hospitals. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of amikacin, aztreonam, cefepime, ceftazidime, ceftolozane/tazobactam, ceftriaxone, ciprofloxacin, imipenem, meropenem, piperacillin/tazobactam and tobramycin were tested against 2460 Gram-negative isolates. Amikacin had 96 % susceptibility against the combined E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates and 95 % susceptibility against P. aeruginosa. Ninety-six percent of all of isolates tested were susceptible (i.e., MICs ≤16 mg/L) to amikacin by current laboratory standards which demonstrates a high level of activity to combat infections caused by these organisms including ESBL, MDR, β-lactam and fluoroquinolone resistant strains. Moreover, 99 % of all organisms had amikacin MICs ≤64 mg/L. Overall, these data highlight the continued potency of amikacin and suggest that the achievable lung concentrations of approximately 5000 mg/L with the administration of the amikacin by inhalation (Amikacin Inhale, BAY41-6551) will exceed the MICs typically observed for P. aeruginosa, E. coli and K. pneumoniae in the hospital setting.
Ganciclovir Suppresses Human T Lymphocyte Proliferation In Vitro.

Clinically significant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in allogeneic blood or marrow transplant recipients has dramatically declined in recent years by the strategy of early detection of reactivation and pre-emptive therapy with Ganciclovir (GCV). We have previously shown that even in the absence of overt CMV disease, persisting post-transplant antigenemia predicts for increased late relapse and treatment failure. (Nakamura, et al BBMT 2004) In other words, frequent CMV reactivation serves as a surrogate for impaired post-transplant immune reconstitution. To explain the observed association between CMV reactivation and relapse we also raised the possibility that several weeks of GCV therapy could exert a deleterious effect on a fragile immune system. Clinical association between GCV administration and impaired lymphocyte function has not received attention previously; perhaps because of confounding effects from the underlying conditions (HIV or post-transplant) that induce CMV reactivation. We examined the effect of GCV in vitro on normal human PBMCs. Human PBMCs were extracted from normal volunteers and subjected to mitogenic stimulation (PHA) in the absence or presence of varying concentrations of GCV. PHA-induced proliferation, measured by uptake of 3[H]-thymidine after 5 days incubation in RPMI-10% AB serum, was reduced by 35% at peak therapeutic concentrations (10mg/ml) of GCV as opposed to 73% by Tacrolimus (10ng/ml). GCV did not induce lymphocyte apoptosis in the presence or absence of stimulation. Flow cytometry-based BrdU incorporation assays show that GCV exerts a time-dependent impairment of DNA synthesis in lymphocytes. Collectively, these results show that GCV suppresses T-lymphocyte proliferation in vitro at therapeutic concentrations and the likely mechanism of action is inhibition of DNA synthesis. Further work is ongoing to evaluate the effect of GCV on proliferative responses to specific antigens and to confirm these effects in comparison to other drugs used in the transplant setting.
Containers with an End Flat Against the Side Wall or Bottom of a Retort: Effect on Heating Rate and the Sterilization Value1

In crateless retorts under certain conditions, it is possible for a few cans in the retort load to have an end flat against a solid wall. Cans under this condition will have a temperature response parameter, fh, larger than cans surrounded by the heating medium and a smaller sterilizing value (Fo). The fh and Fo-values of cans, both with an end flat against a solid wall and surrounded by the heating medium, are calculated to show the magnitude of the effect and the possible hazard when this condition exists and is ignored. It is recommended that the possibility of a wall effect be determined as part of the prevalidation inspection, and that the heat penetration test program be based on the results of this inspection.
Abstract 92: A Novel Role for Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 and Adenosine Deaminase in Regulating Macrophage and Dendritic Cell Function: Implications for Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes

Introduction: In addition to its powerful effects on glycemic control via enzymatic degradation of incretins, Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DDP4) also exerts non-metabolic functions. Despite the ubiquitous use of DPP4 inhibitors in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes (T2D), their effects on immune cell function are poorly understood. Hypothesis: In this study, we investigated the hypothesis that DPP4 may play a critical role in modulating T cell proliferation through its expression on dendritic cells (DCs) and further characterized its role in adipose inflammation in patients with morbid obesity. Methods: Monocytes were isolated from peripheral blood of healthy donors. DCs were induced from monocytes by rhGM-CSF and rhIL-4. DPP4 expression and T-cell proliferation were detected by flow cytometry. DPP4 knockdown was accomplished by transient transfection with DPP4-specific siRNA. Human visceral adipose tissues were used for stromal vascular fraction isolation. Results: 7.5±3.1% (n=10) of peripheral monocytes expressed DPP4. DPP4 dramatically increased when monocyte was differentiated to DC/Macrophage or activated by LPS. Interestingly, DPP4 expression was much higher on the DC/Macrophage in adipose tissue than that of peripheral blood. Furthermore, an increase of DPP4 on adipose tissue macrophages in obese patients was observed (13.2±2.4 vs. 7.9±1.6 for obese vs. lean, n=5). And there was a correlation between DPP4 expression and insulin level (y = 0.9094x-3.6088, R 2 =0.6943). Cell surface DPP4 was able to bind adenosine deaminase (ADA). The binding enhanced the capability of DCs to stimulate T-cell proliferation by relieving the suppressive effect of adenosine on T-cell proliferation. Knockdown of DPP4 on DCs by siRNA attenuated their ability to stimulate T-cell proliferation without influence on the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines by DCs. Conclusions: DPP4 on DCs mediates binding of ADA and may re-create a microenvironment suitable for T-cell proliferation. This interaction in DCs between ADA and DPP4 may promote adipose T-cell inflammation and play facilatatory role in T2D. Pro-inflammatory effects of DPP4 and the elucidation of its enzymatic v.s. non-enzymatic contributions may be of fundamental importance in the understanding of T2D.
Correlation between Subjective Nasal Patency and Intranasal Airflow Distribution.

Objectives(1) Analyze the relationship between intranasal airflow distribution and subjective nasal patency in healthy and nasal airway obstruction (NAO) cohorts using computational fluid dynamics ...
Surgical Release of Severe Flexion Contracture for Oncologic Knee Arthroplasty.

BACKGROUND Severe postoperative knee contractures after arthroplasty or megaprosthesis reconstruction occur rarely, but are devastating complications. Management of preoperative flexion contractures is well-described, but there is a paucity of literature for surgical treatment of postoperative contractures. A retrospective chart review was performed for a single surgeon of cases between 1996 and 2014. RESULTS Nine patients (5 of 66 for pediatrics; 4 of 95 for adults) underwent surgical release for severe stiffness after implantation of knee megaprosthesis. The total arc of motion was improved from a preoperative mean of 34° (range, 10° to 70°) to a postoperative mean 89° (63° to 125°). The amount of extension improved by a mean of 27° (range, -3° to +70°) and the amount of flexion improved by a mean of 28° (range, -10° to +75°). CONCLUSION Surgical release of severe postoperative knee contracture is a challenging procedure, but in most cases, the amount of extension and flexion can be improved, yielding a greater total arc of motion.
Lie Groups, Quantum Mechanics, Many-Body Theory and Organic Chemistry

Quantum mechanical perturbation theory provides a realization of the classical Lie groups [1): i) The Hamiltonian is a realization of an element in the covering algebra of the group. ii) The zero-order Hamiltonian is an element in the subalgebra spanned by the mutually commuting generators. iii) The perturbation Hamiltonian is a function of the “shift” operators. iv) The invariant space of the Hamiltonian is a realization of an irreducible subspace of the group space* and the quantum numbers are realizations of the label of the subspace. v) The zero-order states are realizations of that basis which is an eigenvector basis to the algebra of the commuting generators.
Linking functional diversity and ecosystem processes: A framework for using functional diversity metrics to predict the ecosystem impact of functionally unique species

Functional diversity (FD) metrics are widely used to assess invasion ecosystem impacts, but we have limited theory to predict how FD should respond to invasion. A key challenge to effectively using FD metrics is the complexity of conceptualizing alterations to multidimensional trait space, making it difficult to select a priori the most appropriate metric for specific ecological questions. Here, we provide expectations on how invasion should change four commonly used FD metrics—functional richness (FRic), evenness (FEve), divergence (FDiv) and dispersion (FDis)—and then test these expectations in a laboratory decomposition experiment. We simulate invasion of a forest by understorey plants by adding leaf litter from 18 natives and non-natives to a representative canopy tree litter mixture to test changes in FD and decomposition. All four metrics changed predictably with invasion. Species that were more functionally unique or when added at greater proportions had larger impacts on FD. Overall, FRic, FEve and FDiv were poor choices for understanding impacts of non-native species. FDis was the only metric that both changed predictably with addition of understorey litter and correlated intuitively with changes in carbon mineralization. Furthermore, ranking species based upon how much they changed FDis of the litter mixture provided a fair assessment of which species had the largest impact on decomposition. As such, functional dispersion may be a key tool for predicting a priori which non-natives will have the greatest impact on ecosystem processes. Synthesis. We highlight the need to assess the suitability of each functional diversity metric for the specific ecological question at hand. Our work reveals the pitfalls of considering multiple metrics or randomly choosing a single metric without suitability assessments. At the same time, it suggests a framework for metric assessment that should help lead to selection of a metric or metrics that provide robust a priori insights into how invasion by non-native species can impact ecosystem processes.
Effective magnetic pinning schemes for enhanced superconducting property in high temperature superconductor YBa2Cu3O7−x: a review

Enhanced superconducting properties under magnetic field in high temperature superconductors are critical for their technological applications and can be enhanced by both defect pinning and magnetic pinning. Different from defect pinning introduced by nonmagnetic pinning centers, magnetic pinning has some advantages over defect pinning, as it pins the magnetic flux rather than the normal core vortices. Various magnetic materials and different designed architectures have been demonstrated to provide magnetic pinning effect. Four major pinning schemes including metal/YBCO, oxide/YBCO, nanocomposite/YBCO and nanoparticle embedded YBCO have been reviewed. Representative literatures for each magnetic pinning scheme are discussed in detail to explore the pinning enhancement for each scheme. In addition, combined magnetic pinning and defect pinning schemes are proposed to further improve superconducting properties.
Synthesis and characterization of wide range mesogenic esters based on asymmetrical 2,5-disubstituted 1,3,4-thiadiazole

A homologous series of new 13 esters, 4-(5-(p-tolyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)-phenyl-4-alkoxybenzoate, (IVn), based on 1,3,4-thiadiazole core has been synthesized. The structures of these esters were...
Obesity and the Endocrine System, Part II: The Effects of Childhood Obesity on Growth and Bone Maturation, Thyroid and Adrenal Function, Sexual Development, and Bone Mineralization

The storage of excess body fat has profound effects on intermediary metabolism and endocrine function. Here, I review the effects of obesity on linear growth and bone maturation, thyroid function, sexual development, adrenal function, calcium homeostasis, and bone mineralization. Subsequent chapters in this volume discuss the implications of obesity for insulin production and action and the regulation of glucose tolerance, blood pressure, lipid metabolism, atherogenesis, sleep hygiene, and hepatic, renal, and neurologic function.
Subacute liver failure due to autochthonous hepatitis E virus infection in an elderly man in the United States

Abstract Hepatitis E virus (HEV) infection in immunocompetent individuals is uncommon in the United States. We report a case of elderly man who presented with jaundice, cholestatic hepatitis, and subacute liver failure with fatal outcome. The patient was started on steroids based on ANA positivity. Liver biopsy showed panlobular hepatitis with cholestasis. The histologic differential diagnosis included drug/toxic injury, biliary obstruction, and acute hepatitis C or hepatitis E. Drug/toxic injury was favored initially. However, subsequent serology was positive for anti-HEV IgM and IgG, and HEV RNA genotype 3 was detected in both serum and liver tissue. Awareness of autochthonous hepatitis E and its inclusion in the differential diagnosis is needed for early diagnosis and appropriate management.
Holy war and hagiography: views of the Ottoman Turks in the early vite of Pius V

AbstractThe vite (lives) of saints are useful ways of studying the beliefs and cultural practices of medieval and early modern society. Indeed, they often tell us more about the motives of their authors and patrons than about the actual lives of the saints they purport to depict. The early vite of Saint Pope Pius V are no different. Through a careful reading of these early vite, written from the late sixteenth century to the first decades of the seventeenth century, I will argue that in crafting an image of Pius as the true hero of Lepanto, his hagiographers provided an explanation for the Holy League’s victory. Rather than defeating the Ottoman Turks at Lepanto with superior weapons, it was the pope’s marshalling of divine assistance and the religiosity of the Holy League’s commanders and soldiers that won the battle. In creating this image, Pius’s hagiographers juxtaposed conflicting depictions of the two sides: the pious, disciplined, and zealous Christian soldiers, and the ambitious, faithless, and su...
Religiosity and Cancer Screening

Churches have been suggested as avenues to reach African-American populations with messages about health because of their strong participation in church activities. Membership in several religious denominations has been associated with healthy lifestyle practices that are associated with lower cancer-incidence rates and better coping strategies among cancer patients. Among African-American women, however, belief in God as their doctor might preempt seeking treatment for cancer. The goal of the present study was to examine the influence of church participation and religious beliefs on the utilization of breast and cervical cancer screening among low-income, predominantly African-American women. A cohort consisting of 290 women was surveyed at baseline and one year later to determine the association between screening rates in the past year and measures of religiosity. The majority of women were members of a church (88%), with fairly regular church attendance (51% reported weekly attendance), and strong beliefs regarding God's influence on their health (e.g. 88% agreed that God was their doctor). Church attendance was the only religious variable related to screening frequency in univariate analyses, with those reporting attending church 1–3 times per month more likely to receive mammography screening (p = .013). Churches can provide avenues to reach African-American women about cancer screening; strong religious beliefs do not, however, appear to keep women from receiving regular screening exams.
On the Interaction of 1-Propanamine with Cation-Containing MFI Zeolite

Abstract The interaction of 1-propanamine (1-PA) with H-MFI zeolite and its Ga, In, and Cu modifications, prepared by solid state ion exchange, has been studied by thermal analysis, high resolution gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, and catalytic reactor experiments. Two completely different desorption features have been observed when the H-MFI sample is first equilibrated with I-PA at 323 and 593 K and then heated to 823 K. These desorption features have been ascribed to the decomposition of propylammonium and dipropylammonium ions adsorbed at the proton sites of the zeolite. Catalytic experiments confirmed dipropylamine as the major product of 1-PA conversion at 593 K over an H-MFI catalyst. In contrast, a radical change in the interaction of 1-PA with the zeolite has been observed as a result of the replacement of the protons in MFI with Ga, In, or Cu cations. More than one I-PA molecule can be coordinated to a cation even at relatively high temperatures, facilitating both bimolecular transalkylation and dehydrogenation processes. The desorption features of 1-PA with cation containing MFI differ generally from those of pure H-MFI zeolite. NH3 product is desorbed at temperatures as much as 160 K below that of H-MFI. Nitriles, C2-C6 hydrocarbons, and some aromatics appear in appeciable amounts in the decomposition products. Gas-phase hydrogen inhibits the dehydrogenation processes and prevents the formation of a residue. Catalytic experiments in a gradientless batch recirculating reactor have revealed that different dehydrogenation reactions predominate depending on the nature of the zeolite cation. While a C6-imine appears as a major product of the reaction of 1-PA over In-MFI, more dehydrogenated N-containing compounds such as propionitrile and a C6-nitrile predominate over Ga-MFI and Cu-MFI, respectively. These differences can be interpreted in terms of the differing Lewis acid strengths and reducibilities of the Ga, In, and Cu cations.
Spirocyclic restriction of nucleosides. Synthesis of the first exemplary syn-1-oxaspiro[4.4]nonanyl member.

The potential benefits associated with the spirocyclic restriction of nucleosides are summarized. Following exploration of a π-allylpalladium route to 5‘-α- or syn-dideoxy examples, we evaluated MOM protection of the 5‘-hydroxyl as being suited to the synthesis of the first member of this new class of nucleoside mimic.
Structural and Electrical Characterization of Bi2Se3 Nanostructures Grown by Metal–Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition

We characterize nanostructures of Bi2Se3 that are grown via metal–organic chemical vapor deposition using the precursors diethyl selenium and trimethyl bismuth. By adjusting growth parameters, we o...