cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heteroresistant Staphylococcus aureus: Microbiologic, epidemiologic, and clinical implications

Abstract Strains of S. aureus with heteroresistance to PRPs detectable only by special laboratory methods (e.g., reduced incubation temperature and added NaCl) have been described. Some authorities have recommended that laboratories routinely screen for this form of resistance and lebel such strains MRSA. Form limited data, these strains more closely resemble methicillin-susceptible S. aureus than MRSA, both epidemiologically and clinicallty. Unlike infections caused by classical MRSA, preliminary studies indicate that infections caused by S. aureus with difficult-to-detect heteroresistance respond well to therapy with PRPs. The clinical relevance of strains with difficult-to-detect heteroresistance to PRPs should be examined by considering infections caused by such strains separately from infections caused by classical MRSA.
A parallel algorithm for global magnetic reconnection studies

Abstract A new algorithm is presented for the computation of two-dimensional magnetic reconnection in plasmas. Both resistive magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) and two-fluid models are considered. It has been implemented on several parallel platforms and shows good scalability up to 32 CPUs for reasonable problem sizes. A fixed, non-uniform rectangular mesh is used to resolve the different spatial scales in the reconnection problem. The resistive MHD version uses an implicit/explicit hybrid method, while the two-fluid version uses an alternating-direction implicit (ADI) method with high-order artificial dissipation. The technique has proven useful for comparing several different theories of collisional and collisionless reconnection.
Tax services implications of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002

Implications of the Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002 for the rendering of tax services by registered public accounting firms are discussed. Certain tax services performed for an audit client that might impair the independence of the audit firm are investigated. Disclosure requirements for tax service fees are presented. Also presented are potential conflict of interest situations for tax partners. In addition, international implications for tax and legal services are described.
ISIS: an information-efficient spectral imaging system

A specialized hyperspectral imager has been developed that preprocesses the spectra from an image before the light reaches the detectors. This "optical computer" does not allow the flexibility of digital post-processing. However, the processing is done in real time and the system can examine = 2 x 10{sup 6} scene pixels/sec. Therefore, outdoors it could search for pollutants, vegetation types, minerals, or man-made objects. On a high- speed production line it could identify defects in sheet products like plastic wrap or film, or on painted or plastic parts. ISIS is a line scan imager. A spectrally dispersed slit image is projected on a Spatial Light Modulator. The SLM is programmed to take the inner product of the spectral intensity vector and a spectral basis vector. The SLM directs the positive and negative parts of the inner product to different linear detector arrays so the signal difference equals the inner product. We envision a system with one telescope and =4 SLMS.
Phenol oxidation in supercritical water

Abstract The oxidation of phenol has been accomplished in subcritical and supercritical water. Seventy experiments were performed in an isothermal, plug-flow reactor at temperature from 300 to 420°C, pressures from 188 to 278 atm, and residence times from 4 to 111 seconds. The initial phenol concentrations ranged from 2.8 × 10−4 to 5.3 × 10−3 M, and the oxygen concentrations were between 6.5 × 10−5 and 6.4 × 10−2 M at reaction conditions. The oxidation experiments covered essentially the entire range of phenol conversions. The experimental results were consistent with the global reaction order for phenol being in the range of1/2and 1, and with the global reaction order for oxygen being greater than zero. The conversion increased with increasing pressure, which may either suggest that the reaction order with respect to water was greater than zero, or that the apparent activation volume was less than zero. A variety of reaction products were detected, including mono- and di-car☐ylic acids, dihydroxybenzenes, phenoxyphenols, and dibenzofuran, indicating that the oxidation of phenol in supercritical water may involve a complex set of multiple reactions. The concentrations of metals in the reactor effluent were very low, indicating that corrosion effects were likely not a complicating factor in this study. No metals were detected in the solid material collected in the reaction product filter, also indicating an absence of corrosion effects.
The influence of melatonin on the hippocampal glutamergic system

We have demonstrated previously that melatonin and its analog chloromelatonin depressed evoked potentials (EPSP and the population spike) recorded from hippocampal slices during stimulation of Schaffer collaterals (Hogan et al. J. Pineal Res. 2001, 30, 87–96). The effect was concentration- and receptor-dependent and occurred within minutes following melatonin application. Since Schaffer collaterals use glutamate as a neurotransmitter, we focused our research on the glutamergic system as a possible target of melatonin action. Experiments were performed on hippocamapal synaptosomes and/or synaptosomal membranes prepared from CD−1 mice. We evaluated the influence of melatonin on the binding of 3H-glutamate to the glutamergic receptors and synaptosomal uptake of 3H-D-Aspartate used as a marker of glutamergic neurotransmission. When synaptosomal membranes were incubated with 1 mm melatonin (30 min, 37°C), the binding of 3H-glutamate increased by 12.5 ± 7% (n = 7). In uptake studies the synaptosomes were exposed to 1 mm melatonin for 15 min at 37°C, and then the accumulation of 3H-D-Aspartate was tested at 5, 30, 60, 120 and 300 s. The incubation with 3H-D-Aspartate was followed by filtration and radioactivity absorbed on the filters was determined. Melatonin increased the uptake of 3H-D-Aspartate at all time intervals tested by 37.6 ± 5% (n = 5). Experiments are in progress to further characterize the melatonin actions and to evaluate melatonin effects on the release of 3H-D-Aspartate from synaptosomes. Supported partially by NIH grant RO1 ES011022-01A1.
Chapter 1 Mathematics curriculum reform in the united states: A historical perspective

Abstract In the United States by the turn of the 20th century, the basic precollege mathematics curriculum of arithmetic, algebra, and geometry was firmly in place. Since then, there have been changes but no substantial reform. The two most significant reform efforts during this century have been the move toward unified and applied mathematics as the century began and the modern mathematics movement of the 1950s and 1960s. Neither of these efforts had its intended effect on the school curriculum, though both left residues. In each case, however, the movement had a profound effect on the mathematics education community, particularly at the post-secondary level. Viewing curriculum reform as a technical rather than a moral and ethical process has led reformers to neglect the basic issues of curriculum discourse.
Aspects of the Early Life History of Gars (Lepisosteus) in Lake Texoma

(1972). Aspects of the Early Life History of Gars (Lepisosteus) in Lake Texoma. Transactions of the American Fisheries Society: Vol. 101, No. 1, pp. 106-112.
Craniofacial and temporal bone CT findings in cleidocranial dysplasia

Cleidocranial dysplasia (CCD) is a multistructural polyostotic genetic disorder that results from mutation of the CBFA1 gene. Hearing loss is a frequent finding in CCD. We describe the CT craniofacial findings in CCD and provide a comprehensive discussion of the CT temporal bone findings in these patients.
Microsomal metabolism and covalent binding of [3H/14C]-bromobenzene. Evidence for quinones as reactive metabolites

1. The metabolism and covalent binding of [3H/14C]bromobenzene has been investigated using liver microsomes from untreated and phenobarbital (PB)-pretreated rats. A model has been developed to relate the observed 3H/14C ratios in the covalently bound residues to the type of metabolite (epoxide versus quinone) responsible for their formation.2. With control microsomes metabolism was linear for 60 minutes, but with PB microsomes the time course showed a short-lived burst of rapid metabolism followed by a long phase with an overall rate comparable to control. With both types of microsomes covalent binding was synchronous with metabolism.3. The normalized 3H/14C ratios of recovered substrate and water-soluble metabolites was 1˙0, whereas that of the covalently bound material was only 0˙5. Such extensive loss of tritium implies that a considerable portion of the covalent binding arises from bromobenzene metabolites more highly oxidized than an epoxide (e.g. quinones).4. The normalized 3H/14C ratios for bromobe...
Hepatic Fibrosis After Long-Term Administration of Ethanol and Moderate Vitamin A Supplementation in the Rat

Rats were fed up to 9 months diets supplemented with vitamin A in an amount that, by itself, had no apparent adverse effect on the liver. When associated with chronic ethanol administration, vitamin A supplementation strikingly exacerbated ethanol-induced abnormalities: fat accumulation was increased and numerous giant mitochondria were observed. Furthermore, lesions appeared which ethanol alone does not produce in rats, namely necrosis, inflammation, and fibrosis. Vitamin A supplementation increased the number of fat storing cells (lipocytes) which positively correlated with vitamin A accumulation in the liver. However, when vitamin A supplementation was combined with ethanol administration, vitamin A levels in the liver and the number of fat storing cells decreased and numerous myofibroblasts appeared in association with abundant collagen fibers. There was also hepatic inflammation and necrosis, accompanied by a rise in serum glutamate dehydrogenase, SGOT, and SGPT and a decrease in retinol binding protein and vitamin A. We conclude that amounts of vitamin A, which by themselves appear harmless, may produce severe liver lesions when associated with chronic ethanol consumption.
Evaluating the quality of reporting occupational therapy randomized controlled trials by expanding the CONSORT criteria.

CONTEXT. Well-reported randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are necessary for evidenced-based practice in the field of occupational therapy. OBJECTIVE. The primary purpose of this study was to analyze the quality of reporting in selected RCTs relevant to occupational therapy by using the Nelson-Moberg Expanded CONSORT Instrument (NMECI). The interrater reliability of the NMECI was also tested. METHOD. The 201-sub-item NMECI was developed by the authors to clarify the 22-item CONSORT Statement, each item of which raises several issues. Fourteen RCTs obtained through the OTseeker database were analyzed independently by the authors. RESULTS. The 14 articles complied with slightly more than half of the sub-items of the NMECI (M= 104.2, SD= 32.9 for the main rater). The only area of full compliance involved reporting of objectives and hypotheses; areas of frequent noncompliance included reporting of adverse events, randomization, and blinding. The intraclass correlation coefficient assessing level of interrater agreement on the total NMECI score was .95, indicating strong agreement overall. For the 176 kappas that could be computed on individual sub-items, the median kappa was .85, with an inter-quartile range from .58 to 1, indicating high levels of agreement for most items. However, 29 kappasfell below the moderate level of agreement (.40). CONCLUSIONS. The field of occupational therapy needs increased sophistication in conducting and reporting RCTs. The NMECI shows promise in evaluating the quality of RCTs, given refinements to some items.
Edaravone Mitigates Hexavalent Chromium-Induced Oxidative Stress and Depletion of Antioxidant Enzymes while Estrogen Restores Antioxidant Enzymes in the Rat Ovary in F1 Offspring

Environmental contamination of drinking water with chromium (Cr) has been increasing in more than 30 cities in the United States. Previous studies from our group have shown that Cr affects reproductive functions in female Sprague Dawley rats. Although it is impossible to completely remove Cr from the drinking water, it is imperative to develop effective intervention strategies to inhibit Cr-induced deleterious health effects. Edaravone (EDA), a potential inhibitor of free radicals, has been clinically used to treat cancer and cardiac ischemia. This study evaluated the efficacy of EDA against Cr-induced ovarian toxicity. Results showed that maternal exposure to CrVI in rats increased follicular atresia, decreased steroidogenesis, and delayed puberty in F1 offspring. CrVI increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant (AOX) enzyme levels in the ovary. CrVI increased follicle atresia by increased expression of cleaved caspase 3, and decreased expression of Bcl2 and Bcl2l1 in the ovary. EDA mitigated or inhibited the effects of CrVI on follicle atresia, pubertal onset, steroid hormone levels, and AOX enzyme activity, as well as the expression of Bcl2 and Bcl2l1 in the ovary. In a second study, CrVI treatment was withdrawn, and F1 rats were injected with estradiol (E2) (10 μg in PBS/ethanol per 100 g body weight) for a period of 2 wk to evaluate whether E2 treatment will restore Cr-induced depletion of AOX enzymes. E2 restored CrVI-induced depletion of glutathione peroxidase 1, catalase, thioredoxin 2, and peroxiredoxin 3 in the ovary. This is the first study to demonstrate the protective effects of EDA against any toxicant in the ovary.
The relationship between the matched-filter operator and the target signature space-orthogonal projection classifier

An operator called the target signature space-orthogonal projection classifier (TSC) was recently introduced. The author shows that the TSC is actually a scaling of the familiar matched-filter operator. It is also proved that scaling the matched-filter operator does not alter its receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Therefore, the TSC has the same performance as the matched-filter operator but requires more computations.
Inhibin A is an endocrine stimulator of bone mass and strength

Gonadal function plays a major role in bone homeostasis. It is widely held that the skeletal consequences of hypogonadism are solely due to a loss of sex steroids; however, increases in bone turnover begin during perimenopause before decreases in serum estradiol levels. These data and our demonstration that inhibins acutely regulate bone cell differentiation in vitro led us to test whether inhibin A (InhA) regulates bone mass in vivo. Using a transgenic model of inducible human InhA expression, InhA increased total body bone mineral density, increased bone volume, and improved biomechanical properties at the proximal tibia in intact mice and also prevented the loss of BMD and bone volume and strength associated with gonadectomy at both the spine and proximal tibia. In addition, InhA increased mineral apposition rate, double-labeled surface, and serum osteocalcin levels in vivo and osteoblastogenesis ex vivo without affecting osteoclast number or activity. Together these results demonstrate novel stimulatory effects of InhA on the skeleton in vivo. These studies provide in vivo evidence demonstrating that gonadal factors other than sex steroids play an important role in regulating bone mass and strength and, combined with our previous clinical data, suggest that gonadal InhA may be a component of the normal endocrine repertoire that regulates bone quality in both the axial and appendicular skeleton.
Evolution of complexity in the integrin adhesome

Integrin-mediated adhesion is as ancient as multicellularity, but it was not always as complex as it is in humans. Here, I examine the extent of conservation of 192 adhesome proteins across the genomes of nine model organisms spanning one and a half billion years of evolution. The work reveals that Rho GTPases, lipid- and serine/threonine-kinases, and phosphatases existed before integrins, but tyrosine phosphorylation developed concomitant with integrins. The expansion of specific functional groups such as GAPs, GEFs, adaptors, and receptors is demonstrated, along with the expansion of specific protein domains, such as SH3, PH, SH2, CH, and LIM. Expansion is due to gene duplication and creation of families of paralogues. Apparently, these paralogues share few partners and create new sets of interactions, thus increasing specificity and the repertoire of integrin-mediated signaling. Interestingly, the average number of interactions positively correlates with the evolutionary age of proteins. While shedding light on the evolution of adhesome complexity, this analysis also highlights the relevance and creates a framework for studying integrin-mediated adhesion in simpler model organisms.
A summer research experience for undergraduates in biomedical engineering at Purdue University

It has been predicted that the highest demand for engineers through the year 2008 will be in the biomedical sector. To meet these needs, the objective of the present study was to increase undergraduate exposure and interest in BME through a research experiences for undergraduates (REU, sponsored by the National Science Foundation) site at Purdue University (https://engineering.purdue.edu/BME/REU/). In achieving these goals, 11 undergraduate student participants conducted BME-related research on the Purdue campus during the summer of 2004. Of these students, 9 were females or underrepresented minorities and 7 had not had hands-on BME experiences prior to the REU program. Each REU student visited 3 BME industries, observed the operating room/clinic, and partook in a bioethics series. In addition, research progress was conveyed through weekly lab meetings and presentation of both a research poster and a formal, 30-minute long, research seminar. To date, cutting-edge research conducted over this and previous summers (2001-2004 in total) has resulted in over 20 manuscripts and over 35 abstracts presented at national BME-related conferences. Finally, survey results provided evidence that REU participants were extremely pleased with the experience and were more likely to enroll in BME graduate programs at the conclusion of the REU program.
Forebrain arginine vasotocin correlates of alternative mating strategies in cricket frogs.

In cricket frogs, Acris crepitans, sexually active males can switch between calling and noncalling (satellite) mating strategies and injections of the neuropeptide arginine vasotocin (AVT) stimulate calling behavior. We report here that this behavioral variation of animals under field conditions is associated with variations in AVT-immunoreactive (AVT-ir) staining in distinct brain nuclei. In both calling and satellite males, one AVT-ir brain region was found in a continuous string of cells between the medial amygdala and the nucleus accumbens (ACC). Satellite males possessed significantly more AVT-ir staining in the brain (cells and fibers) than calling males at the level of the ACC, although not in the medial amygdala. This difference in AVT-ir staining in the ACC can, in part, be explained by differences in the density of staining within the cells and in cell size. In addition, satellite males had significantly higher AVT-ir staining in the fibers medial to the ACC than calling males. Because other studies have demonstrated that AVT stimulates calling behavior, a plausible hypothesis is that calling males are releasing more AVT from neurons in the ACC, depleting reserves within the cells, and that the released AVT elicits calling behavior. AVT immunoreactivity levels are also higher in the ACC in both calling and satellite males than in female cricket frogs, which do not call. Satellite males may therefore have AVT reserves that might allow them to call depending on the social conditions.
The disk loaded monopole antenna

The method of moments (MoM) is used to analyze the disk loaded monopole (DLM) antenna. Results were validated by comparison with mode-matching and wire-model methods as well as with measurements covering a wide range of electrical sizes. A quasistatic treatment is shown to be both rapid and accurate for the electrically small case. Equivalent circuits are obtained for predicting communication system performance. Parameters defining the fundamental limitations of electrically small antennas are extracted and shown to be accurate for system analysis and useful as design tools.
Fast estimation of the parameters of alpha-stable impulsive interference

We address the problem of estimation of the parameters of the recently proposed symmetric, alpha-stable model for impulsive interference. We propose new estimators based on asymptotic extreme value theory, order statistics, and fractional lower order moments, which can be computed fast and are, therefore, suitable for the design of real-time signal processing algorithms. The performance of the new estimators is theoretically evaluated, verified via Monte Carlo simulation, and compared with the performance of maximum-likelihood estimators.
Biochemical Evidence for the Role of the Waxy Protein from Pea (Pisum sativum L.) as a Granule-Bound Starch Synthase

Proteins were solubilized from starch extracted from developing pea (Pisum sativum L.) embryos and chromatography of these proteins on a Mono-Q column separated two peaks of starch synthase activity. The major activity peak comprised more than 80% of the total activity. This fraction contained only the Waxy protein, as shown by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate followed by staining for proteins or by immunoblot. A 77-kD polypeptide associated with the starch granules and presumed by others to be a starch synthase could not be detected in any of the active fractions. The native molecular weight of the solubilized starch synthase was 59,600 [plus or minus] 1700 as determined by sucrose density gradient. It is concluded that in pea seeds the Waxy protein and the starch synthase bound to the granule are the same protein.
DB2 Spatial Extender - Spatial data within the RDBMS

Much of the data that we encounter has a spatial (geographic locational) aspect yet this has not been readily exploited by traditional RDBMS. Over the past five years there has been a confluence of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology, RDBMS architecture and SQL standards that has fostered the implementation of spatial processing within the RDBMS. This paper will present a brief overview of spatial processing and the evolution of technology leading to the development of the IBM DB2 Spatial Extender that exploits the IBM DB2 Universal Database (UDB) object-relational support to implement a standards-based SQL spatial capability.
Affinity columns containing anti-DNA Id+ human myeloma proteins adsorb human epibodies from intravenous gamma globulin.

Objective. To study eluates of intravenous gamma globulin (IVGG) prepared from affinity columns of human cationic IgG myeloma proteins bearing anti-DNA idiotype (Id) markers 16/6, F4, 3I, and 8.12 for possible anti-Id (combining site) blocking activity. Methods. Anti-DNA idiotypic antibody activity was studied in 3 preparations of IVGG containing high, medium, and low levels of IgG anti-F(ab′)2, and in 4 other commercial IVGG preparations. Affinity-purified IgG anti-DNA (APAD) from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients was biotinylated, and binding to DNA coated on enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay plates was used to measure anti-DNA antibody activity. IVGG was adsorbed to Sepharose 4B affinity columns linked to a panel of cationic human IgG myeloma proteins positive for anti-DNA Id markers 16/6, F4, 3I, and 8.12. Material adsorbing to such columns was eluted at low pH (2.5) and after neutralization, tested for its ability to inhibit biotinylated APAD reacting with DNA. Results. Only 0.05–0.9% of IVGGs bound firmly to Id affinity columns. These IVGGs were then eluted, using pH 2.5 glycine-saline and eluates neutralized to pH 7.4. Column flowthrough and eluate fractions were compared for their ability to block SLE APAD reacting with DNA. Significant inhibition of SLE APAD combining sites was observed with eluates from anti-DNA Id affinity columns; however, no correlation between IVGG anti-F(ab′)2 activity and true anti-Id blocking of APAD was apparent. No residual anti-Id activity remained in column flowthrough fractions. No anti-Id blocking activity was recorded for IVGG eluates from human cationic myeloma columns devoid of the 4 anti-DNA Id markers. DNase treatment of IVGG or Id column eluates did not affect anti-Id blocking activity. Thus, all detectable anti-DNA idiotypic antibody capable of blocking SLE anti-DNA combining sites bound to Id+ affinity columns. Column eluates also showed some relative concentration of IgG anti-DNA activity, which was of lower affinity for DNA than antibodies also present in eluates which blocked anti-DNA combining sites. Conclusion. The presence of both anti-DNA and antiidiotypic (anti-combining site) activity in human anti-DNA Id column eluates indicates that epibodies from IVGG are relatively concentrated when this strategy is used. This approach may lead to a new strategy for treatment of SLE nephritis.
A format for scripted clinical oral examinations

Summary. A format for scripted clinical oral examination in general medicine is presented. Using this format, untutored pairs of teachers were consistent in grading third-year clerkship students. This measure of performance appeared to evaluate an aspect of clinical skills not assessed by the National Board Medical Examination or clinical performance assessments. Acceptance by teachers was good.
Electromagnetic dot sensor - calibration

The recently patented UNLV Electromagnetic (EM) dot sensor measures the rate of change of the electric flux density and the magnetic flux density at the same point in space simultaneously over time. This single device performs the function of two to four sensors distributed in space. The calibration setup of the EM-dot is presented ultimately leading to a pair of calibration factors.
Modeling in situ N mineralization in conservation tillage fields: comparison of two versions of the CERES nitrogen submodel

Knowing the amount of N available from crop residues and soil is important for determining the amount of fertilizer N needed by a crop. Nitrogen availability in conservation tillage systems is often difficult to assess because of uncertain interactions of surface residues with N mineralization processes. Estimates of residual N availability in cotton systems are more critical because both over- and underfertilization can reduce lint yields. The CERES plant growth models use a moderately complex N submodel to simulate many interacting factors influencing net N mineralization and could be useful as a tool to estimate N needs. Simulations of in situ net N mineralization under two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cover crop systems were conducted with the original N submodel (CERES-N) and a version modified to allow user input of soluble carbohydrate, cellulose, and lignin pool sizes (CERES-NP) and were then compared to field data. Both model versions indicated greater in situ net N mineralization following crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) than following rye (Secale cereale L.) cover crops. This agreed with results measured in a field study during 1997 and 1998. Simulations of in situ N mineralization were better with CERES-NP than for CERES-N and were improved for both versions when using decomposition parameters determined from data of a previous field study. Simulations of residue biomass and N loss from bagged residues in 1998 indicate that the original model tends to overpredict in situ net N mineralization which is most likely related to the overestimation of soil organic matter N mineralization. Results with CERES-NP indicate that it can be a better tool for estimating N needs for cotton in conservation tillage cover crop systems than the original CERES-N.
Fossil Fish Fauna from the Uppermost Graneros Shale (Upper Cretaceous: Middle Cenomanian) in Southeastern Nebraska

The Graneros Shale was deposited in the Late Cretaceous Western Interior Seaway of North America during the mid-Cenomanian (ca. 95 Ma). Vertebrate fossils are known to occur in the rock formation, but there is no detailed report collectively documenting the composition of the vertebrate fauna. In this study, we collected many remains of fossil fishes from the uppermost portion of the Graneros Shale in southeastern Nebraska. The fish fauna consists of at least 14 chondrichthyan and 10 osteichthyan taxa. The locality is characterized by the abundance of benthic taxa, indicative of a well-oxygenated, shallow marine environment. This paleoenvironmental inference based on fossil fish evidence is consistent with that made previously for the Graneros Shale based on lithological and invertebrate evidence.
Increased matrix metalloproteinase activation in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinomas (ESCC) are usually asymptomatic and go undetected until they are incurable. Cytological screening is one strategy to detect ESCC at an early stage and has shown promise in previous studies, although improvement in sensitivity and specificity are needed. Proteases modulate cancer progression by facilitating tumor invasion and metastasis. In the current study, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) were studied in a search for new early detection markers for ESCC. Protein expression levels of MMPs were measured using zymography in 24 cases of paired normal esophagus and ESCC, and in the tumor-associated stroma and tumor epithelium in one sample after laser capture microdissection (LCM). MMP-3 and MMP-10 transcripts in both the epithelium and stroma in five cases were further analyzed by quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Gelatin zymography showed bands corresponding in size to MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, and MMP-10 enzymes in each of the 24 cancer cases. MMP levels tended to be higher in tumors than paired normal tissue; however, only the 45 kDa band that corresponds to the activated form of MMP-3 and MMP-10 was strongly expressed in all 24 tumors with little or no expression in the paired normal foci. LCM-based analysis showed the 45 kDA band to be present in both the stromal and epithelial components of the tumor microenvironment, and that MMP-3 and MMP-10 mRNA levels were higher in tumors than paired normal tissues for each compartment. Increased levels of MMPs occur in ESCC suggesting their up-regulation is important in esophageal tumorigenesis. The up-regulated gene products have the potential to serve as early detection markers in the clinic.
Mitral Valve Libman–Sacks Endocarditis Visualized by Real Time Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography

Libman–Sacks endocarditis (LSE) is a common manifestation of valve disease in antiphospholipid syndrome. Mitral valve LSE is characterized by verrucous vegetations on the atrial surfaces of valve leaflets. In this report, mitral valve LSE was visualized by real time 3D transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). 3D TEE provides a unique en face view of the mitral valve akin to a surgical or autopsy view that allows for an accurate determination of the size, shape, and location of the vegetations. (Echocardiography 2012;29:E100-E101)
Feasibility of Accelerator Application for Pulsed MHD Power Generation

Prospects for pulsed electrical power output from a MHD self-excited accelerator driven generator is investigated. Feasibility is centered on exploring the magnitude of acceleration and energy conversion ratio in the accelerator channel subject to a spectrum of applied current impulses. Plasma conditions of moderate and high degree of ionizations are studied.
Architectural design influences the diversity and structure of the built environment microbiome

Buildings are complex ecosystems that house trillions of microorganisms interacting with each other, with humans and with their environment. Understanding the ecological and evolutionary processes that determine the diversity and composition of the built environment microbiome—the community of microorganisms that live indoors—is important for understanding the relationship between building design, biodiversity and human health. In this study, we used high-throughput sequencing of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene to quantify relationships between building attributes and airborne bacterial communities at a health-care facility. We quantified airborne bacterial community structure and environmental conditions in patient rooms exposed to mechanical or window ventilation and in outdoor air. The phylogenetic diversity of airborne bacterial communities was lower indoors than outdoors, and mechanically ventilated rooms contained less diverse microbial communities than did window-ventilated rooms. Bacterial communities in indoor environments contained many taxa that are absent or rare outdoors, including taxa closely related to potential human pathogens. Building attributes, specifically the source of ventilation air, airflow rates, relative humidity and temperature, were correlated with the diversity and composition of indoor bacterial communities. The relative abundance of bacteria closely related to human pathogens was higher indoors than outdoors, and higher in rooms with lower airflow rates and lower relative humidity. The observed relationship between building design and airborne bacterial diversity suggests that we can manage indoor environments, altering through building design and operation the community of microbial species that potentially colonize the human microbiome during our time indoors.
A simple method for predicting the cumulative failures of consumer products during the warranty period

In the design and manufacturing of both consumer and commercial products, an important design criteria is the length of the warranty period measured in calendar time. It is very important to know the expected number of failures during the warranty period. This paper provides an engineering tool that will predict the cumulative failures over the warranty period based on laboratory life data and the usage rate data for the products that are operated for only a limited fraction of the total available time. This method uses a joint distribution of the usage rate distribution and the laboratory life distribution to translate usage time to calendar time and not the mean usage since the product use in the field also follows a broad statistical distribution. The proposed technique permits an accurate calculation of the cumulative field failure over prospective warranty periods and thus is useful as an engineers' tool in design optimization as well as in decisions on product release.
Tetracyclines inhibit intracellular muscle proteolysis in vitro.

Abstract Tetracycline antibiotics (TETs) have a recently discovered novel action: inhibition of extracellular metalloproteinase activity, especially that of collagenase and gelatinase. This property, now confirmed in 8 different laboratories using >40 tissue sources, includes natural and semi-synthetic TETs as well as a chemically modified TET (CMT) devoid of antimicrobial activity. We have used 14 C-Tyr biosynthetically labelled intracellular proteins in L-6 myoblast culture as a test system to assess intracellular proteolysis. Starvation accelerates proteolysis, which can be suppressed by agents such as insulin or serum. Minocycline, doxycycline, and CMT all retarded the rate of intracellular protein degradation in a dose dependent manner. These agents also demonstrated marked synergism with insulin. A CMT derivative (pyrazole) stripped of one of its metal chelation sites and lacking anti-collagenase activity, also lost its antiproteolytic effect. CMT at physiologic concentrations (≤ 5 μg/ml) had no effect on protein synthesis, but at 15 μg/ml (pharmacologic), a suppressive effect was noted. These findings demonstrate that TETs can inhibit protein degradation as well as synthesis in a mammalian muscle-derived cell line.
Affirmatively Denied: The Detrimental Effects of a Reduced Grant Rate for Affirmative Asylum Seekers

After the events of September 11, 2001, there was a marked decrease in the number of asylum applications received in the United States as well as a drop in the asylum grant rate at both the Department of Homeland Security asylum offices and the Department of Justice immigration courts. However, while the asylum grant rate in the immigration courts had rebounded by 2004, the asylum grant rate at the asylum offices (the first stage of the process for affirmative asylum seekers) remained depressed. The impact of this incongruity is significant. Post 9/11, a greater proportion of asylum seekers who applied affirmatively at an asylum office were referred to immigration judges when an asylum officer decided not to grant asylum; yet, of those individuals referred by asylum officers to immigration judges, 51 percent were ultimately granted asylum by the immigration judge. In other words, more than half of all affirmative asylum seekers referred to immigration judges have valid claims, but are nevertheless forced to undergo a prolonged asylum process and the harmful consequences of that prolonged process.
Correlation between certain species of Puccinia and Uromyces

(1912). Correlation Between Certain Species of Puccinia and Uromyces. Mycologia: Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 194-204.
Nanocatalysts Can Change the Number of Electrons Involved in Oxidation–Reduction Reaction with the Nanocages Being the Most Efficient

Eosin Y (EY) is a fluorescein derivative dye that can be reduced by accepting either one or two electrons. The one- or two-electron reduction potentials have comparable values. The two-electron reduction pathway dominates when sodium borohydride is used, whereas the reduction pathway changes to a one-electron reduction pathway when gold solid (AuNS) or hollow (AuHS) nanosphere catalysts are used. The reduction reaction of EY by borohydride proceeds via one kinetic stage, whereas in the presence of gold nanocatalysts, three different stages are identified. The first stage has the same reaction rate as in the absence of the nanocatalyst, and no one-electron product is observed (absorption peak at 405 nm). The second stage starts when the rate of the disappearance of EY is suddenly increased; a new peak at 405 nm beings to appear. This stage ends when the rate of the disappearance of EY decreases. The third stage has a rate close to that of the first stage, and the EY is reduced again by accepting two electr...
Does Increased Access to Primary Care Reduce Hospital Readmissions

Background For chronically ill patients, readmission to the hospital can be frequent and costly. We studied the effect of an intervention designed to increase access to primary care after discharge from the hospital, with the goals of reducing readmissions and emergency department visits and increasing patients' quality of life and satisfaction with care. Methods In a multicenter randomized, controlled trial at nine Veterans Affairs Medical Centers, we randomly assigned 1396 veterans hospitalized with diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or congestive heart failure to receive either usual care or an intensive primary care intervention. The intervention involved close follow-up by a nurse and a primary care physician, beginning before discharge and continuing for the next six months. Results The patients were severely ill. Half of those with congestive heart failure (504 patients) had disease in New York Heart Association class III or IV; 30 percent of those with diabetes (751 patients) had end...
Research on Kill Limits of Antiaircraft Artillery Weapon System

Based on the analysis of artillery firing and from the perspective of full track kill probability,the thesis put forward the definition about kill limit of antiaircraft artillery weapon system.The some confusing concepts in the demonstration of how to join missile and artillery firepower range are corrected.The more reasonable connection rules are presented.The requirements of the rules are as follows: 1)The kill probability of missile system in its kill area matches full track kill probability of artillery system in its kill limit.2) The near range of kill area of missile system overlaps with the kill limit of artillery as possibly as it can.The rules presented in the paper are more reasonable and can be applied to such areas as missile-artillery integration demonstration and firepower distribution modeling.
Contribution of Aggregate States and Energetic Disorder to a Squaraine System Targeted for Organic Photovoltaic Devices.

Squaraine dyes have significant potential for use in organic photovoltaic devices because their chemical and packing structure tunability leads to a broad solid state panchromaticity. Nevertheless, broadening of the spectrum does not always give rise to increasing power conversion efficiencies. Furthermore, the same processing strategy used to make devices from different squaraines does not lead to the same optimized performance. In this work, by varying the environmental conditions of a set of anilinic squaraines, we demonstrate that spin-cast thin films are made up of a complex set of states, with each state contributing differently to the overall device efficiency. We demonstrate crystallochromy in that small changes in the packing structure give rise to dramatically different absorption spectra. Through a remarkable comparison between squaraines in poly(methyl methacrylate) solid solution and squaraine:PC60BM blends, we also show long-range and orientational disorder broadening, which distorts the abi...
Matching Privacy Policies and Preferences:Access Control, Obligations, Authorisations, and Downstream Usage

This chapter describes how users’ privacy preferences and services’ privacy policies are matched in order to decide whether personal data can be shared with services. Matching has to take into account data handling, i.e. does services handle collected data in a suitable way according to user expectations, and access control, i.e. do the service that will be granted access to the data comply with user expectations. Whereas access control describes the conditions that have to be fulfilled before data is released, data handling describes how the data has to be treated after it is released. Data handling is specified as obligations that must be fulfilled by the service and authorisations that may be used by the service. An important aspect of authorisation, especially in light of the current trend towards composed web services (so-called mash-ups), is downstream usage, i.e., with whom and under which data handling restrictions data can be shared.
Het begrip loyaliteit

In het dagelijks leven heeft de uitdrukking ‘loyaal zijn aan’ alles te maken met trouw. Wanneer iemand loyaal is aan zijn werkgever kan dat bijvoorbeeld betekenen dat hij niet op zoek gaat naar een andere werkplek, maar bij zijn eigen baas blijft. Maar ook wanneer iemand voor zijn baas opkomt wanneer er negatief over hem gesproken wordt, kan dat een uiting van loyaliteit zijn. Ook in vriendschappen kan loyaliteit een rol spelen. Iemand kan zo loyaal zijn aan zijn vrienden dat hij daarvoor andere vriendschappen of activiteiten laat schieten.
A comparison of strength for two continuous peripheral nerve block catheter dressings

Background: Despite the benefits of continuous peripheral nerve blocks, catheter dislodgment remains a major problem, especially in the ambulatory setting. However, catheter dressing techniques to prevent such dislodgment have not been studied rigorously. We designed this simulation study to test the strength of two commercially available catheter dressings. Methods: Using a cadaver model, we randomly assigned 20 trials to one of two dressing techniques applied to the lateral thigh: 1) clear adhesive dressing alone, or 2) clear adhesive dressing with an anchoring device. Using a digital luggage scale attached to a loop secured by the dressing, the same investigator applied steadily increasing force with a downward trajectory towards the floor until the dressing was removed or otherwise disrupted. Results: The weight, measured (median [10th–90th percentile]) at the time of dressing disruption or removal, was 1.5 kg (1.3–1.8 kg) with no anchoring device versus 4.9 kg (3.7–6.5 kg) when the dressing included an anchoring device (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Based on this simulation study, using an anchoring device may help prevent perineural catheter dislodgement and therefore premature disruption of continuous nerve block analgesia.
Editorial comment: "Psychiatric dimensions in mothers of children with primary nocturnal enuresis: A controlled study".

While much of the literature on nocturnal enuresis has focused on the psychopathology of the affected child, the novelty of this paper is the focus on the psychiatric make-up of their mothers. The authors found that mothers of children with monosymptomatic primary nocturnal enuresis (MPNE) had higher psychopathology, more abusive attitudes towards their children, and were more likely to have suffered childhood trauma than mothers without children with MPNE. They speculated that these factors are contributors to the etiology of enuresis, and concluded that assessment of the mother’s psychosocial characteristics should be an integral part of the evaluation and management of enuresis. While the authors’ findings are certainly provocative, flaws in study design and substantial limitations hamper this study. One major flaw is the failure to account for the role of fathers. Although the authors argue that, in their society, mothers are the primary caregivers, one cannot discount the influence of fathers in the family unit. As evident in the authors’ own data, mothers of children with MPNE reported higher rates of abuse of their children by their spouses. Likewise, a previous study showed the importance of the father’s role in finding that the highest incidence of enuresis occurred in families reporting an authoritarian paternal parenting style [1]. In this study, the authors found higher rates of psychopathology in mothers of children with MPNE and attributed this as a cause of their child’s enuresis. However, without details such as the severity and duration of enuresis, one cannot be certain that the higher maternal psychopathology found may be the
Spatial point pattern analysis of prehospital naloxone administrations

Objectives: The increasing problem in the United States with opioid dependence and overdose, often fatal, is well-recognized. As naloxone has only one clinical use---the treatment of opioid overdose---its administration by EMS personnel can serve as a surveillance indicator for opioid overdose. This study uses specific locations of EMS calls, and methods of point pattern analysis, to detect overall spatial clustering among EMS naloxone administrations compared to EMS calls in general. Study Design: A cross-sectional study of incident locations of EMS responses in a three-county EMS region in the United States. Methods: Repeated random samples from the spatial distribution of all EMS calls were used, in a Monte Carlo simulation, to represent the background inhomogeneity of the population. Observed F, G, and inhomogeneous K and L functions from the spatial distribution of naloxone-involved calls were compared to their null sampling distributions obtained from the Monte Carlo simulation. Results: Cases of naloxone administration demonstrated spatial clustering in the range of 0 to 5000 meters, and particularly around 2500 meters, beyond what could be attributable to the spatial heterogeneity of all EMS calls. Conclusions: Efforts to understand the fundamental nature of opioid overdose as a spatial point process could yield innovative public health interventions to control the epidemic.