cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bactericidal activity of hemolymph from the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus

Abstract Bactericidal activity was found in Limulus serum, with great individual variation in titers toward different bacteria and also among individual horseshoe crabs toward the same bacterial species. These titers varied between monthly determinations of activity. There were crabs with zero activity toward each bacterial species tested. Although environmental factors are likely influences on the bactericidal activity of Limulus serum, the marked variability within similarly treated groups indicates large individual differences in the horseshoe crab population. The highest titers were recorded against those Gram-negative bacilli found normally in the environment. Lower titers were found against those species found normally in warmblooded animals and present in water as contaminants. The serum bactericidal factor is probably released from the circulating amoebocytes during clotting since there was no activity in the “plasma” portion of the blood. Exposure to heat (56°C, 30 min) destroyed the bactericidal activity.
Strontium EXAFS Reveals the Proximity of Calcium to the Manganese Cluster of Oxygen-Evolving Photosystem II.

The oxygen-evolving complex of Photosystem II (PS II) in green plants and algae contains a cluster of four manganese atoms in the active site, which catalyzes the photoinduced oxidation of water to dioxygen. Along with Mn, calcium and chloride ions are necessary cofactors for proper functioning of the complex. A key unresolved question is whether Ca is close to the Mn cluster, within about 3.5 A. To further test and verify this finding, we substituted strontium for Ca and probed from the Sr point-of-view for any nearby Mn. Sr has been shown to replace Ca and still maintain enzyme activity (about 40% of normal rate). The extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) of Sr−PS II probes the local environment around the Sr cofactor to detect any nearby Mn. We focused on the functional Sr by removing nonessential, loosely bound Sr in the protein environment. For comparison, an inactive sample was prepared by treating the intact PS II with hydroxylamine to disrupt the Mn cluster and to produce nonfunctional ...
Surveys of elliptical crater populations on the saturnian satellites, Mercury, and Mars

Abstract Near-horizontal planetary impacts result in elliptical craters. The percentage of elliptical craters on a planet can be used to infer the impact angle at which craters become elliptical. Previous surveys of the Moon, Mars, and Venus indicated that planetary craters become elliptical at more vertical angles than experimental impacts into a strengthless medium, and this was attributed to a higher ratio of crater diameter to projectile diameter. Here we determined the percentage of elliptical craters on the mid-sized saturnian satellites and Mercury, bodies that represent Solar-System extremes of impactor velocity, target density, and target strength. On the saturnian satellites, 7.6% of the craters have ellipticities e (ratio of major to minor axis) greater than 1.2, but only 0.4% have e > 1.5, and no craters have e > 1.75. On Mercury, 3% of the craters have e > 1.2 and 0.5% have e > 1.5. The mercurian percentages are slightly lower than the other terrestrial planets, attributable to a higher crater diameter to projectile diameter caused by the higher impact velocities at Mercury. We attribute the high percentage of moderately elliptical craters on the saturnian satellites to the rugged target terrain on those bodies. We interpret enhanced crater collapse on the icy surfaces of the saturnian satellites as preventing craters with extremely high ellipticities like the lunar crater Schiller. Finally, a reexamination of the martian crater population shows its elliptical crater population to be consistent with the other planets, and we see little evidence for a large population of craters formed by inward-spiraling moonlets.
Image synthesis from a series of coherent frames of pupil intensity

Since it is known that the aperture of an imaging system limits spatial its resolution, it is desirable to form larger apertures. By taking advantage of the coherence properties of laser light, it is possible to form an optical synthetic aperture array from many smaller, monolithic apertures. By doing this, one can expect to obtain higher spatial resolution than from existing monolithic apertures. Since it is difficult to recover absolute phase of an optical field, it is desirable to form the synthetic aperture without interfering the light from the sub-apertures. This paper demonstrates a method of forming images using pupil plane intensity measurements of coherently illuminated scenes; a low resolution image will also be used to supply a starting estimate for the algortihm. From this data model, a maximum likelihood estimator is formed.
Role of beam divergence and ion-to-molecule flux ratio in ion-beam-assisted deposition texturing of MgO

The effect of process conditions on the biaxial texture of MgO films grown by ion-beam-assisted deposition (IBAD) was studied. The texture showed a strong dependence on the Ar+/MgO flux ratio, but a weak dependence on the divergence of Ar+ beam. One hundred-nanometer-thick epi-MgO on less than 10-nm-thick textured IBAD-MgO films that were grown on 7-nm-thick Y2O3 layers on fused silica, metal alloy tape, and polished Si substrates showed biaxial texture with in- and out-of-plane orientation distributions of less than 4° and 2°, respectively. These results strengthen the notion that the IBAD technique could serve as a universal technological process to integrate amorphous and polycrystalline substrates with various oxide and semiconductor films that need to be grown with good biaxial texture.
Cosa de Blancos: Cuban-American whiteness and the Afro-Cuban-occupied house

This article discusses representations of the “Afro-Cuban-occupied house” in Cuban-American autobiographical narratives of a 1990s return to Cuba. A trope in which island Afro-Cubans inhabit houses once owned or lived in by white Cuban-Americans, the Afro-Cuban-occupied house appears repeatedly in Cuban-American literary and film texts during the period. The article argues that the trope, more than another example of “literary Afro-Cubanness,” discloses Cuban-American whiteness and its constitutive element, privilege, thus inviting Cuban-American literary and cultural studies to engage in conversations along the lines of a critical Latino whiteness studies.
Analysis of exhaust from clean-fuel vehicles using FTIR spectroscopy

Exhaust from vehicles powered by reformulated gasoline and methanol/gasoline blends has been analyzed by FTIR spectroscopy in parallel with conventional techniques. Linear regression analysis of the data showed the following relationships between the FTIR and conventional measurements: methane (0.89X + 0.31, R2 equals 0.96), carbon monoxide (0.82X + 34, R2 equals 0.96), formaldehyde (0.84X + 0.003, R2 equals 0.97), methanol (0.72X + 4.0, R2 equals 0.86), nitric oxide (0.93X + 0.83, R2 equals 0.89), and total non- methane hydrocarbons (1.02X + 2.8, R2 equals 0.96), where the slope, intercept (ppm) and correlation coefficient are shown in parenthesis. With the exception of methanol, good linear correlations are indicated. The apparent non-linearity for methanol is most likely due to the coaddition of interferograms during large concentration transients. Although the validity of FTIR measurements must be assessed on a compound-by-compound basis, the results of this study indicate that valid measurements of motor vehicle exhaust components can be made with non specialized (non-real-time) FTIR instruments.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
TIGER: the universal biosensor

Abstract In this work, we describe a strategy for the detection and characterization of microorganisms associated with a potential biological warfare attack or a natural outbreak of an emerging infectious disease. This approach, termed TIGER (Triangulation Identification for the Genetic Evaluation of Risks), relies on mass spectrometry-derived base composition signatures obtained from PCR amplification of broadly conserved regions of the microbial genome(s) in a sample. The sample can be derived from air filtration devices, clinical samples, or other sources. Core to this approach are “intelligent PCR primers” that target broadly conserved regions of microbial genomes that flank variable regions. This approach requires that high-performance mass measurements be made on PCR products in the 80–140 bp size range in a high-throughput, robust modality. As will be demonstrated, the concept is equally applicable to bacteria and viruses and could be further applied to fungi and protozoa. In addition to describing the fundamental strategy of this approach, several specific examples of TIGER are presented that illustrate the impact this approach could have on the way biological weapons attacks are detected and the way that the etiologies of infectious diseases are determined. The first example illustrates how any bacterial species might be identified, using Bacillus anthracis as the test agent. The second example demonstrates how DNA-genome viruses are identified using five members of Poxviridae family, whose members includes Variola virus, the agent responsible for smallpox. The third example demonstrates how RNA-genome viruses are identified using the Alphaviruses (VEE, WEE, and EEE) as representative examples. These examples illustrate how the TIGER technology can be applied to create a universal identification strategy for all pathogens, including those that infect humans, livestock, and plants.
Mollusk Shell: Daily Growth Lines

Ridges forming the concentric sculpture on the shells of laboratory-grown specimens of Pecten diegensis Dall show daily periodicity. Missing growth lines account for all scatter in the data, so that the maximum, not the average, line count is most representative. The variation in spacing between growth lines can be correlated among specimens.
Gene mapping within the T/t complex of the mouse. IV: The inverted MHC is intermingled with several t-lethal genes

Using a combination of classical genetics, serology, and molecular genetics, we have mapped as many as possible of the MHC components in t haplotypes. Results indicate that the whole MHC is included in a simple inversion with the relative positions of its genes being intact. Furthermore, some of the t-lethal mutations map very near to, or are intermingled with, components of the MHC. At the centromeric end the t12 lethal maps between TL and H-2D in the Qa region, and distally the tw5 lethal is inseparable from H-2K.
Women in STEM networks: who seeks advice and support from women scientists?

Supporting and advancing women's science careers continues to be of interest to researchers, scientists, science funders, and universities. Similarly, professional advice and support networks are important to understanding the advancement of scientific careers. This research aims to marry these two lines of research to investigate and compare the ways in which men and women scientists seek advice and support from women in their networks. Using a sample of academic scientists in nonmedical biology, chemistry, computer science, earth and atmospheric sciences, electrical engineering, and physics we assess the extent to which women and men scientists seek advice and support from women in their networks. We find that field of science is the primary predictor for the presence of women in scientists' advice and support networks. We also find that citizenship, rank, age, and friendship are significantly related to the proportion of women in women's networks, but are not consistently significantly related to the proportion of women in men's networks. We conclude with a discussion of the findings and the distinctions between men and women scientists' advice and support networks.
Clustering schema elements for semantic integration of heterogeneous data sources

Interschema relationship identification (IRI), that is, determining the relationships among schema elements in heterogeneous data sources, is an important step in integrating the data sources. This article proposes a cluster analysis based approach to semi-automating the IRI process, which is typically very time-consuming and requires extensive human interaction. The authors apply multiple clustering techniques, including K-means, hierarchical clustering, and self-organizing map (SOM) neural network, to identify similar schema elements from heterogeneous data sources, based on a combination of features such as naming similarity, document similarity, schema specification, data patterns, and usage patterns. An SOM prototype the authors have developed provides users with a visualization tool for display of clustering results as well as for incremental evaluation of candidate similar elements.
Unusual luminescence behaviour of terbium phosphate glasses

While preparing a terbium-containing phosphate glass, an intense emission of green light was observed when the melt was poured into a metal mould. This emission was easily visible to the naked eye and was only observed on quenching of the melts. To our knowledge this phenomenon, termed ‘cooling-induced luminescence (CIL)’, has not previously been reported. Experimental evidence suggests that the CIL may be related to a thermally induced shift in the oxidation-reduction balance in the melt. A similar phenomenon was also observed with europium phosphate melts.
Detection of cytomegalovirus antibody in stored blood products using latex agglutination

The detection of antibody to cytomegalovirus (CMV) in donor sera is one effective method for the prevention of posttransfusion CMV infection in seronegative recipients. A passive latex agglutination test (CMV Scan, Hynson, Wescott & Dunning, Baltimore, MD) has been shown to be an acceptable method of screening sera from the blood donor population. The procedure for this test, however, does not permit the testing of stored donor blood products. To evaluate the feasibility of testing blood components at various times during storage, the authors examined 25 CMV-positive and 25-CMV negative samples of CPDA-1 plasma from 50 units each of platelets and red cells. Plasma samples from platelets stored at 22 degrees C were tested on each of the 5 days of storage. Samples from red cell units stored at 2 to 6 degrees C were tested on storage Days 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14. Of 250 tests done on plasma from platelet units, there were 123 true-positive and 123 true-negative results (sensitivity and specificity, 98.4%). Of 400 tests on plasma from red cell units, there were 200 true-positive and 198 true-negative results (sensitivity, 100%; specificity, 99.5%). These data show that the CMV Scan test can be used reliably to test segments of CPDA-1 plasma from platelets stored for up to 5 days and from red cells stored for up to 14 days.
Synthesis and biological evaluation of potent, selective, hexapeptide CCK-A agonist anorectic agents.

Cholecystokinin (CCK) is a 33-amino acid peptide with multiple functions in both the central nervous system (via CCK-B receptors) and the periphery (via CCK-A receptors). CCK mediation of satiety via the A-receptor subtype suggest a role for CCK in the management of obesity. The carboxy terminal octapeptide (CCK-8) is fully active in this regard, but is lacking in receptor selectivity, metabolic stability, and oral bioavailability. Inversion of the chirality of Asp7 in conjunction with N-methylation of Phe8 produces compound 5 which exhibits high affinity and 2100-fold selectivity for CCK-A receptors. Compound 6 (Hpa(SO3H)-Nle-Gly-Trp-Nle-MeAsp-Phe-NH2), derived from moving the N-methyl group from Phe to Asp, decreased CCK-B affinity substantially without affecting CCK-A affinity, giving a compound with 6600-fold selectivity for CCK-A receptors. These compounds inhibit food intake with nanomolar potency following intraperitoneal administration in fasted rats. In addition to greater potency, compound 6 pro...
Multiple leiomyomas of the esophagus

Multiple leiomyomas of the esophagus are rare. This is a report of such a case diagnosed by esophagram and confirmed at surgery.
Forecasting low-latitude radio scintillation with 3-D ionospheric plume models: 1. Plume model

[1] A three‐dimensional model has been developed for the plasma plumes caused by interchange instabilities in the low‐latitude ionosphere to describe the structure and extent of the radio scintillation generated by turbulence in and around the plumes (down to the scale sizes resolvable by the computer model). With the inclusion of the processes that determine the transport of plasma parallel to the geomagnetic field lines as well as transverse to them, the model can predict the extent in latitude of the plumes and their scintillation. To better reflect the day‐to‐day variability of the occurrence of the plumes, the model is closely coupled to a time‐dependent model of the ambient ionosphere to describe the changing conditions under which the plasma instabilities that cause the turbulence must act. Diagnostics presented here will illustrate the density structures found in the models of the plumes, including maps of airglow emissions which show the effect of the density depletions within the plumes. A companion paper presents a phase‐screen calculation of the amplitude scintillation caused by the plumes. Citation: Retterer, J. M. (2010), Forecasting low‐latitude radio scintillation with 3‐D ionospheric plume models: 1. Plume model, J. Geophys. Res., 115, A03306, doi:10.1029/2008JA013839.
Filler-reduced phonon conductivity of thermoelectric skutterudites: Ab initio calculations and molecular dynamics simulations

The phonon conductivities of CoSb3 and its Ba-filled structure Bax(CoSb3)4 are investigated using first-principle calculations and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, along with the Green–Kubo theory. The effects of fillers on the reduction of the phonon conductivity of filled skutterudites are then explored. It is found that the coupling between filler and host is strong, with minor anharmonicity. The phonon density of states and its dispersion are significantly influenced by filler-induced softening of the host bonds (especially the short Sb–Sb bonds). Lattice dynamics and MD simulations show that, without a change in the host interatomic potentials, the filler–host bonding alone cannot lead to significant alteration of acoustic phonons or lowering of phonon conductivity. The observed smaller phonon conductivity of partially filled skutterudites is explained by treating it as a solid solution of the empty and fully filled structures.
Evidence for air movement signals in the agonistic behaviour of a nocturnal arachnid (order Amblypygi).

Many arthropods possess filiform hair sensilla (termed trichobothria in arachnids), which are extremely sensitive detectors of medium particle displacement. Electrophysiological evidence in some taxa suggests that these sensilla can detect air particle displacements resulting from intraspecific communication signals. However, it has not yet been shown for any species that the air particle displacements detected by the filiform hairs are themselves perceived as a ‘signal’ (i.e. that individuals make behavioural decisions based upon the responses of these organs to the displays of conspecifics). We investigate the agonistic behaviour of the whip spider Phrynus marginemaculatus and the role of its trichobothria in receiving agonistic signals. Whip spiders have extremely elongated ‘antenniform’ first legs, which they vibrate close to their opponents during agonistic interactions, inducing air movements that excite their opponents' trichobothria. We find that ablation of the trichobothria causes significant increases in: (I) contest duration, and (II) the probability of contest escalation past aggressive displays to physical fighting. Therefore, in the absence of air movement-sensitive sensilla, contest assessment is impaired. This suggests that whip spiders exploit true air movement signals during agonistic interactions, and that these are received by the trichobothria. Furthermore, these results indicate that, in whip spiders, such signals help mitigate the cost of agonistic interaction.
Effects of numerical formulation on magnetic field computation using meshless methods

Meshless methods have some advantages over their counterparts such as the finite-element method (FEM). However, existing meshless methods for computational electromagnetic fields are still not as efficient as FEM. In this paper, we compare two meshless methods of discretizing the computational domain of Poisson-like problems; namely, the point collocation and Galerkin methods (which use the strong and weak forms of the governing equation respectively), and their effects on the computational accuracy and efficiency of the magnetic fields. We also discuss methods of handling discontinuities at the material interface. We present several examples, which also provide a means to validate and evaluate both meshless methods. Exact solutions and/or FEM are used as a basis for comparison. In addition, we also verify the results by comparing computed magnetic forces against those measured experimentally
Direct observations of reaction zone structure in propagating detonations

We report experimental observations of the reaction zone structure of self-sustaining, cellular detonations propagating near the Chapman-Jouguet state in hydrogen-oxygen-argon/nitrogen mixtures. Two-dimensional cross sections perpendicular to the propagation direction were imaged using the technique of planar laser induced fluorescence (PLIF) and, in some cases, compared to simultaneously acquired schlieren images. Images are obtained which clearly show the nature of the disturbances in an intermediate chemical species (OH) created by the variations in the strength of the leading shock front associated with the transverse wave instability of a propagating detonation. The images are compared to 2-D, unsteady simulations with a reduced model of the chemical reaction processes in the hydrogen-oxygen-argon system. We interpret the experimental and numerical images using simple models of the detonation front structure based on the “weak” version of the flow near the triple point or intersection of three shock waves, two of which make up the shock front and the third corresponding to the wave propagating transversely to the front. Both the unsteady simulations and the triple point calculations are consistent with the creation of keystone-shaped regions of low reactivity behind the incident shock near the end of the oscillation cycle within the “cell.”
Complications of peripheral nerve blocks

Summary Complications of peripheral nerve blocks are fortunately rare, but can be devastating for both the patient and the anaesthesiologist. This review will concentrate on current knowledge about peripheral nerve injury secondary to nerve blocks, complications from continuous peripheral nerve catheter techniques, and local anaesthetic systemic toxicity.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled, unforced titration parallel trial of quetiapine for dopaminergic-induced hallucinations in Parkinson's disease

We completed a single site, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design study of quetiapine for hallucinations in PD. Thirty-one subjects with PD and prominent visual hallucinations and Mini-Mental State Examination score >21 were randomly assigned in a 2:1 drug to placebo ratio, up to 200 mg daily of quetiapine or matching placebo given in two doses. They were seen at 3 weeks (100 mg/day) and 12 weeks (200 mg/day, with optional dose reduction). Evaluation included the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), the Baylor PD Hallucination Questionnaire, and a battery of neuropsychological tests. The demographics between subjects randomized to drug (n = 21) vs. placebo (n = 10) were similar. The final dose of active drug was 200 (n = 11), 150 (n = 2), 100 (n = 3), and 75 (n = 1) mg per day. All placebo subjects were on the equivalent of 200 mg per day. The UPDRS Activities of Daily Living and Motor scores did not significantly change compared to placebo. Compared to placebo, there were no significant changes in our hallucination questionnaire, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), or question 12 (hallucination item) of the BPRS. There were no significant changes on any of the neuropsychological measures. Adverse events on drug included sedation (n = 9), but no drug-related adverse events precipitated discontinuation and none were rated as serious. Quetiapine, up to 200 mg daily, was well tolerated and did not worsen UPDRS scores; however, there was no significant improvement in psychosis rating scales compared to placebo. Larger doses of drug and greater sample sizes might be considered in future studies.
Services Marketing Education: A Pragmatic Paradigm:

This article outlines a pedagogical model for teaching a graduate services marketing course with highly pragmatic applications for service professionals. The author has developed a methodology, based on active learning principles, that integrates the students' professional experiences into the course while emphasizing the practical, managerial applications of the services marketing literature. Integral to the model is a series of measures that evaluate the effectiveness of the course on an ongoing basis and provide timely feedback to enable the inclusion of new material relevant to the students' evolving professional needs.
Leukemia in Infants

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in infants have in common a high incidence of translocations of the MLL gene at chromosome band 11q23. Similar translocations occur in leukemias associated with chemotherapies that target DNA topoisomerase II. MLL has numerous different partner genes. The role of the many MLL fusion proteins in leukemogenesis is not yet understood. The t(4;11) translocation, the most common translocation in infant ALL, adversely affects the outcome. Additional genetic changes, especially Ikaros alterations, are found in infant ALL. Other forms of myeloid leukemia in infants present as myelodysplastic and myeloproliferative syndromes, which may be associated with constitutional disorders. This review will consider all leukemia in infants, but will focus on leukemias with MLL gene translocations.
Temporal variability of phytoplankton community structure based on pigment analysis

Algal chlorophyll and carotenoid distributions were measured periodically in the euphotic zone of Sta. ALOHA (22”45’N, 158”OO’W) between February 1989 and October 1991 to document the variability in phytoplankton abundance and composition. The annual mean depth-integrated (O-200 db) concentration of Chl a displayed significant interannual variability. Seasonal patterns in Chl a concentration were found to be depth-dependent. Elevated Chl a in the mixed layer is the result of photoadaptation as the mixed layer deepens in winter. Increases in Chl a at the deep chlorophyll maximum layer (DCML) in spring are explained by increased nutrient availability caused by a deepening of the DCML relative to the bg = 24.25 density surface. An algorithm based on the ratios of Chl a to diagnostic pigments present in specific algal taxa was used to estimate the contribution to total Chl a by the major algal groups represented within the DCML. Results indicate the presence of a phytoplankton community at the DCML with the following mean composition: Prochlorococcus spp. (39%), cyanobacteria (24%), prymnesiophytes (22%),and chrysophytes (13%). No single taxon is responsible for the springtime increase in Chl a observed in this habitat. Results from size fractionation and normal-phase high performance liquid chromatography confirm that Prochforococcus spp. are the principal contributors of Chl a to the DCML. The amplitude of the seasonal cycle in phytoplankton production and biomass is thought to be latitude-dependent with the smallest variations at low latitudes (Cushing 1959; Heinrich 1962; Sournia 1969). Consequently, mid- and low-latitude oceanic regions require robust sampling schedules and precise analyses to discern seasonal fluctuations in phytoplankton biomass and production from variability produced by stochastic events.
Understanding internal IS customer models of firm performance to identify potential high-impact projects

The CIO faces competing demands from internal customers for a variety of services, such as consulting, development, maintenance, and operations. S/he is also responsible for identifying new projects that will increase firm value. How can s/he identify potentially high-impact projects in the face of a deluge of requests, many for politically motivated, suboptimal projects? We adapt a personal constructs theory based method used in marketing research practice, to IS planning as the critical success chain (CSC) method. The CSC method uses knowledge distributed through the organization to develop socially constructed models of the relationships between new IS features, critical success factors (CSF), and firm goals. It uses these models to generate ideas for feasible high-impact IS projects. A case demonstrates CSC's usefulness for: making practical use of knowledge distributed throughout the organization for IS planning; and providing rich models to better understand the needs of the IS unit's customers.
The impact of left ventricular reconstruction on survival in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy

Objective: Left ventricular reconstruction (LVR) is performed to improve the morphologic structure and function of the heart in patients with heart failure. This procedure has been performed at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation since 1997. We assessed mortality, functional status, and predictors of outcome in these patients. Methods: Data were extracted from multiple prospectively acquired datasets on demographic, clinical, andoperativedetailsof220consecutivepatientswhounderwentLVRbetweenJuly1997andJuly2003,wheretheindicationforsurgerywasheart failure (of whom 66% had New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional class III or IV symptoms). Mortality, functional status, and postoperative complications were ascertained by reference to the clinical record, social security death index, and by phone contact. Mean preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was 21.5 � 7.3% and mean left ventricular end-diastolic diameter was 6.4 � 1.0 cm. The mean age was 61.4 � 9.0 years and 80% were male. The majority (86%) of patients underwent concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting and 49% underwent mitralvalvesurgery.Results:Thirty-daymortalitywas1%andsurvivalat1,3,and5 yearswas92%,90%,and80%,respectively.Of thesurvivorsfor whom data on NYHA functional class were available, 85% were in NYHA functional class I or II. Mortality was predicted by reduced preoperative ejection fraction <20% (unadjusted hazard ratio 1.53, p = 0.02), body mass index � 24 kg/m 2 (unadjusted hazard ratio 1.69, p = 0.01), QRS duration � 130 ms (unadjusted hazard ratio 1.66, p = 0.01) and the requirement for renal replacement therapy postoperatively (unadjusted hazard ratio 3.85, p < 0.01). Mean LVEF improved to 24.7 � 8.86% (p < 0.01) and left ventricular volumes were also significantly reduced. Conclusions: In selected patients with heart failure, LVR, in conjunction with revascularization and valve surgery, is associated with excellent survival, improved symptoms, and improved LVEF and left ventricular dimensions.
Repeat invitations to non-attenders increase uptake of colorectal cancer screening; incidence screening continues to detect important cancers

Commentary on: RJ Steele, I Kostourou, P McClements, et al.. Effect of repeated invitations on uptake of colorectal cancer screening using faecal occult blood testing: analysis of prevalence and incidence screening. BMJ2010;341:c5531.
Emerging Technologies: Public Health Educators’ Knowledge And Attitudes Toward Global Sensor Networks

The world-wide networking of sensing devices planned by some computer corporations will have major implications for socio-political systems including national security, public health, and environmental monitoring. The early acceptance or failure of these deployments will depend on first users’ knowledge and attitudes about it. Public health educators are on the forefront of environmental and global health research and policy and, as such, their involvement in development and implementation are critical to the public’s acceptance of this technology. This correlation study used two adapted instruments - one on knowledge of technology and one on attitudes - and captured demographic information on 155 public health faculty. The authors found that Public Health university educators were not very knowledgeable about sensor systems in general (76% with little to no knowledge); their highest level of knowledge was on benefits and uses of global sensor networks (22% had some or more knowledge), and lowest was on plans to deploy them. The sample had moderately positive attitudes (range 1-7) about the idea of global sensor deployment (M = 4.57, N = 155) and a slight positive correlation between knowledge and attitudes on global sensor networks.
Thermally tuned external cavity laser with micromachined silicon etalons: design, process and reliability

A broadly tunable external cavity laser, employing thermally tuned etalons and laser-welding manufacturing is presented. The design of the tunable laser module is based on the quasi-planar manufacturing technology that is used for multiple other Intel products such as 10 Gb/s transponders and transceivers for Sonet and Ethernet applications. The laser cavity is defined at the output end by the gain chip facet and by an external mirror at the other end. An intracavity filter comprises two micromachined thermally-tuned silicon etalons manufactured to have slightly different free spectral ranges. The output optics of the external cavity laser are similar to those found in single-channel lasers. The density of optical components and the alignment precision required presented challenges for the development of scalable component placement processes and packaging. However, excellent performance has been obtained as evidenced by short-term stability under thermal and mechanical stress tests and long-term stability under accelerated stress tests.
Software evolution and the moving picture metaphor

Software systems evolve over time. Currently we do not do a good job of documenting this evolution. This essay discusses the need to better document software evolution and introduces the Moving Picture Metaphor. Source Control Management systems are more like collections of still photographs than moving pictures. Still photography is not ideal when trying to capture evolutional changes. Moving pictures do a much better job. A storyteller can use moving pictures to tell compelling stories that are easier to digest than traditional documentation. We can learn a great deal from watching stories that document a system's evolution.
Early chemokine expression induced by interferon-gamma in a murine model of Hashimoto's thyroiditis

Chemokines represent a group of small, secreted proteins mainly involved in navigating leukocytes towards site of inflammation. Some chemokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases, which are characterized by an ectopic retention of leukocytes within the target organ, ultimately leading to loss of function. To determine the chemokines profile expressed in the thyroid gland upon chronic exposure to interferon-gamma (IFNγ), we analyzed C57BL6 transgenic mice that aberrantly express IFNγ under control of the thyroglobulin promoter. We compared by reverse transcriptase PCR the thyroidal expression of 10 chemokines (CCL1 through 5 and CXCL9 through 13) in thyr-IFNγ transgenics and wild-type littermates. We found that transgenics exclusively expressed CCL4, CXCL9, and CXCL11, and showed increased expression of CCL5 and CXCL10. This chemokine profile was associated with moderate mononuclear cell infiltration of the thyroid stroma that, however, decreased significantly after 2 months of age and did not organize into lymphoid structures. Our findings indicate that the isolated expression of IFNγ is capable of recruiting mononuclear cells but they do not progress to full lymphoid transformation of the thyroid.
Complejizando los conflictos ambientales en el altiplano guatemalteco

Durante los ultimos diez anos, los cambios en patrones de inversion minera en Latinoamerica han generado un alza en los conflictos ambientales entre comunidades campesinas y empresas transnacionales . E n Guatemala, la resistencia a los proyectos de mineria ha adquirido la forma de referendos municipales conocidos como “consultas comu nitarias ”. Con base en una encuesta y entrevistas realizadas en el municipio de Tectitan, del departamento de Huehuetenango, este estudio pretende profundizar en la comprension de los factores que motivan los conflictos ambientales y la resistencia de part e de las comunidades campesinas . Para formular este analisis se utilizo el marco conceptual de los conflictos de distribucio n ecologica, concluyendo que el poder aclaratorio de e ste marco para teorizar las dinamicas sociales que impulsan dichos conflictos, pued e extenderse al incorporar otras dinamicas, explicitamente, las de caracter politico y cultural
Partial element equivalent circuit (PEEC) method and its application in the frequency and time domain

The PEEC approach is a full wave electromagnetic electrical modeling technique for conductors embedded in arbitrary dielectrics in terms of equivalent circuits. The basic formulation is an electric field integral equation (EFIE) full wave solution to Maxwell's equations. The models can be used in both the time as well as the frequency domain. It facilitates the solution of problems which have both an electromagnetic part as well as a circuit part. Also, it leads to an intuitive understanding of electromagnetic problems.
A Differential Fluorescence-Based Genetic Screen Identifies Listeria monocytogenes Determinants Required for Intracellular Replication

Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram-positive, facultative intracellular pathogen capable of causing severe invasive disease with high mortality rates in humans. While previous studies have largely elucidated the bacterial and host cell mechanisms necessary for invasion, vacuolar escape, and subsequent cell-to-cell spread, the L. monocytogenes factors required for rapid replication within the restrictive environment of the host cell cytosol are poorly understood. In this report, we describe a differential fluorescence-based genetic screen utilizing fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) and high-throughput microscopy to identify L. monocytogenes mutants defective in optimal intracellular replication. Bacteria harboring deletions within the identified gene menD or pepP were defective for growth in primary murine macrophages and plaque formation in monolayers of L2 fibroblasts, thus validating the ability of the screening method to identify intracellular replication-defective mutants. Genetic complementation of the menD and pepP deletion strains rescued the in vitro intracellular infection defects. Furthermore, the menD deletion strain displayed a general extracellular replication defect that could be complemented by growth under anaerobic conditions, while the intracellular growth defect of this strain could be complemented by the addition of exogenous menaquinone. As prior studies have indicated the importance of aerobic metabolism for L. monocytogenes infection, these findings provide further evidence for the importance of menaquinone and aerobic metabolism for L. monocytogenes pathogenesis. Lastly, both the menD and pepP deletion strains were attenuated during in vivo infection of mice. These findings demonstrate that the differential fluorescence-based screening approach provides a powerful tool for the identification of intracellular replication determinants in multiple bacterial systems.
Innovative uses of thalidomide.

Thalidomide is approved for treating erythema nodosum leprosum and multiple myeloma, but it has also emerged as a useful treatment option for many refractory dermatologic disorders. Some of the innovative but off-label uses of thalidomide include aphthous stomatitis, Behcet's disease, lupus erythematosus, prurigo nodularis, sarcoidosis, actinic prurigo, graft-versus-host disease, Langerhans cell histiocytosis, erythema multiforme, lichen planus, Kaposi sarcoma, Jessner lymphocytic infiltrate, uremic pruritus, pyoderma gangrenosum, scleroderma, scleromyxedema, and necrobiosis lipoidica. This article reviews the background, pharmacology, and innovative uses of thalidomide in dermatology.
Introduction to a Symposium on Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia

AbstractThe discovery of the Philadelphia chromosome as a marker for chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in 1960 represented an important scientific breakthrough (1). It established for the first time that a specific chromosomal abnormality was associated with a specific malignancy. Unfortunately, this major event did not translate into direct clinical benefits for patients with this disease. Over the next 20-25 years, our understanding continued to grow while our clinical approach remained essentially unchanged. We know that the Philadelphia chromosome is the result of a translocation (2) and we understand the nature of aberrant and complex translocations (3). A consistent molecular event associated with the Philadelphia chromosome has been characterized (4,5). We understand that Philadelphia-negative CML may have the same molecular basis as Philadelphia-positive CML (6) and the relationship between this disease and Philadelphia-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) has also been clarified (7,8).
Mineral abnormalities and long-term graft function in pediatric renal transplant recipients: a role for FGF-23?

Background. Although current guidelines recommend the evaluation of mineral and bone metabolism in patients with all stages of chronic kidney disease (CKD), the prevalence of altered mineral ion homeostasis in the pediatric posttransplant population is unknown. Moreover, the contribution of abnormal mineral ion metabolism to graft outcomes in this population has not been evaluated. Methods. Serum calcium, phosphorus, 25(OH)vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2vitamin D, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF-23) levels were evaluated 4.9 ± 0.5 years after transplantation in 68 stable pediatric renal allograft recipients. Patients were subsequently followed for 2 years. Results. At baseline, mean estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 60 ± 2 mL/min/1.73m2. Serum calcium and phosphorus values were within the reference interval. PTH values were elevated but did not differ by CKD stage. 25(OH)vitamin D levels were low in nearly half of all subjects. Tubular reabsorption of phosphate and 1,25(OH)2vitamin D values were lower, while FGF-23 and PTH values were higher in more advanced stages of CKD. Thirty percent of patients with FGF-23 values >110 RU/mL had a decrease in GFR of >50% (P < 0.05) and FGF-23 values predicted future episodes of rejection. Conclusions. Despite normal serum calcium and phosphorus levels in the majority of prevalent pediatric renal transplant recipients, abnormalities in PTH, 25(OH)vitamin D and FGF-23 are common. FGF-23 levels may be associated with increased risk for deterioration of kidney function and episodes of rejection.
Improving Pregnancy Outcomes through Maternity Care Coordination: A Systematic Review.

Abstract Background Care during pregnancy is multifaceted and often goes beyond traditional prenatal care from an obstetrical care provider. Coordinating care between multiple providers can be challenging, but is beneficial for providers and patients. Care coordination is associated with decreased costs, greater patient satisfaction, and a reduction in medical errors. To our knowledge, no previous review has examined maternity care coordination (MCC) programs and their association with pregnancy outcomes. Methods Using a search algorithm comprised of relevant MCC terminology, studies were identified through a systematic search of PubMed, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov , and Google Scholar. Studies meeting eligibility criteria (e.g., defining the care coordination components and examining at least one quantitative outcome) were fully abstracted and quality rated using the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) checklist. Main Findings Thirty-three observational studies of MCC were included in this review. Quality scores ranged from 27% to 100%. Most studies included strategies with a team approach to decision making and/or individual case management. Social service referrals to outside organizations were also common. Twenty-seven studies reported infant birth weight as a main outcome; 12 found a significant improvement in birth weights among care coordination participants. Conclusions Roughly one-third of the included studies reported improved birth weights among care coordination participants. However, it remains unknown what effect care coordination strategies have on patient and provider satisfaction in the prenatal care setting, two aspects of maternity care that may advance the quality and utilization of prenatal health services.
Gangstas or Lager Louts? Working Class Street Gangs in Manchester

Presently there is still little known about street gangs in Britain. The British do not perceive street gangs as part of their “civilized” society, which partly accounts for the lack of coherent research into this subject. Crime in general and gangs specifically are often associated with an alien “Other” (cf. Pearson, 1983). Not surprisingly, a few reports on street gangs in Britain point to ethnic youths in inner city slum areas.
81 – Research in Orthopedic Surgery

This chapter provides an overview of orthopedic research using animal models, with emphasis on approaches that have dominated the field for the past 5–10 years. Some of the most successful orthopedic procedures, such as joint replacement, tendon healing, fracture treatment, use of biomaterials, and osteoporosis, to name a few, have relied heavily on animal experiments. There are, however, many orthopedic problems in humans that have not been solved because only relatively advanced stages of the disease can be studied and no proper control group is available. Furthermore, the basic mechanisms of some diseases are still unknown because of lack of animal models. Tissue engineering and gene therapy in orthopedics are rapidly emerging as individual disciplines, and the use of animal models will be essential before human clinical trials can be initiated. Orthopedic surgeons interested in pursuing an idea or hypothesis must first consider the appropriate animal model and understand interspecies differences. This means acquiring sound knowledge not only of the anatomy, biology (including response to different anesthetics and analgesics), biomechanics, and physiology of the various animals, but their general husbandry requirements, including appropriate nutrition and housing, as well.
Women and Heart Attacks.

Heart disease is the leading cause of death for women in the United States. There is a common misperception that heart disease is a man’s disease, but the same number of men and women die of heart disease each year. In 2009, >290 000 women died of heart disease, one-fourth of all deaths in women. Heart disease encompasses a broad spectrum of disease that includes heart attacks, irregular heart rhythms, and heart failure. We will focus on coronary artery disease and heart attacks. A 2012 American Heart Association survey of 2300 women found that only 56% of women identified heart disease as the leading cause of death in women. This was a marked improvement from 30% in 1997, but highlights that almost half of women still do not recognize the threat of heart disease to their health. Awareness is lower among ethnic minority women, with fewer than half of black and Hispanic women correctly identifying heart disease …