cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
William E. Ladd: Father of Pediatric Surgery.

A picture of William E. Ladd appears on this issue’s cover. The photograph is reprinted with permission from Springer-Verlag. It is from Bill AH. William E. Ladd, M.D.: Great pioneer of North American pediatric surgery. Progr Pediatr Surg. 1986;20:52-59. William E. Ladd (1880-1967) became a surgeon at the start of the twentieth century. Advances of the prior 100 years included the development of the stethoscope by Laennec in 1816, the introduction of ether anesthesia with Long’s and Morton’s independent discovery in the 1840s, the application of Pasteur’s germ theory with the development of antiseptic surgical techniques by Lister in 1865, and the expansion of diagnostic means by Roentgen’s discovery of x-rays in 1895. 1 Still, survival was rare for a newborn child with a significant congenital anomaly or any child requiring major surgery in the United States and abroad. 2 The prevailing conditions upon Ladd’s graduation from medical school were indeed primitive as we look back. Blood transfusions were not safe, intravenous fluids did not exist, and monitoring was not introduced into anesthetic management. There were no antibiotics to help prevent or treat infections, and there were few effective medications other than digitalis, aspirin, and opiates. Surgeons utilizing ether or chloroform anesthesia relied more on speed than on precision. The relatively few procedures performed concentrated on draining pus, relieving obstructions, and repairing broken bones. Major elective operations were more feared and talked about than performed. Furthermore, pediatric surgery was even more challenging than was adult surgery. In the words of Dr. C. Everett Koop, “Surgeons in general were frightened of children and distrusted anesthetists to wake them up after putting them to sleep.” 3 We will follow Ladd’s career through this era as he led the charge of the development of pediatric surgery, as we know it today.
Postpartum angiopathy with reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy.

Background Postpartum angiopathy (PPA) is a cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome of uncertain cause that affects large and medium-sized cerebral arteries. Postpartum angiopathy is frequently complicated by ischemic stroke. The reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome (RPLS) is a distinct clinical-radiological entity characterized by transient vasogenic edema on brain imaging. The pathophysiological features of RPLS are related to small-vessel dysfunction and breakdown of the blood-brain barrier. Objectives To report the coexistence of PPA and RPLS in 4 patients and to discuss possible interrelationships between these 2 entities. Design Four case reports and a review of the literature. Results Four women developed a clinical-radiological syndrome overlapping PPA and eclampsia shortly after an uncomplicated pregnancy. All had acute severe ("thunderclap") headaches and hypertension. Three developed seizures. All patients had reversible angiographic narrowing of large and medium-sized cerebral arteries. Serial magnetic resonance imaging showed transient nonischemic brain lesions, resembling the lesions described in patients with RPLS. The results of extensive tests for cerebral vasculitis were negative. Conclusion These cases, and the literature, suggest an interrelationship between RPLS and cerebral vasoconstriction syndromes such as PPA.
Vaccination with a genetically modified Brugia malayi cysteine protease inhibitor-2 reduces adult parasite numbers and affects the fertility of female worms following a subcutaneous challenge of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) with B. malayi infective larvae

Vaccination of Mongolian gerbils with Brugia malayi cysteine protease inhibitor-2 in which the amino acid Asn66 was mutated to Lys66 (Bm-CPI-2M) resulted in reduced parasite numbers of 48.6% and 48.0% at 42 and 90 days p.i. with B. malayi L3s. Fertility of female worms was also affected at 90 days p.i. In vitro killing of L3s observed in the presence of gerbil peritoneal exudate cells and anti-Bm-CPI-2M sera suggests antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity as a putative protective mechanism. These observations suggest that Bm-CPI-2M is a promising prophylactic and anti-fecundity vaccine candidate.
An Official American Thoracic Society/European Respiratory Society Statement: Research Questions in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

BACKGROUND: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and resource use worldwide. The goal of this Official American Thoracic Society (ATS)/European Respiratory Society (ERS) Research Statement is to describe evidence related to diagnosis, assessment, and management; identify gaps in knowledge; and make recommendations for future research. It is not intended to provide clinical practice recommendations on COPD diagnosis and management. METHODS: Clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates with expertise in COPD were invited to participate. A literature search of Medline was performed, and studies deemed relevant were selected. The search was not a systematic review of the evidence. Existing evidence was appraised and summarized, and then salient knowledge gaps were identified. RESULTS: Recommendations for research that addresses important gaps in the evidence in all areas of COPD were formulated via discussion and consensus. CONCLUSIONS: Great strides have been made in the diagnosis, assessment, and management of COPD as well as understanding its pathogenesis. Despite this, many important questions remain unanswered. This ATS/ERS Research Statement highlights the types of research that leading clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates believe will have the greatest impact on patient-centered outcomes.
The treatment of handwriting anxiety by an in-vivo desensitization procedure☆

A woman with a 50-year history of intense handwriting anxiety was treated wwith an in-vivo desensitization procedure. The technique was an adaptation of a method described by Janet in 1925. After only six sessions the subject was able to write in front of strangers without anxiety. Treatment effects were maintained at six month follow-up.
Cloud activation of single‐component organic aerosol particles

[1] The organic fraction of ambient aerosols is a complex mixture of hundreds of organic compounds varying in chemical structure and physical properties. The cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) activities of single-component organic particles were experimentally investigated. Activation diameters were determined using a Tandem Differential Mobility Analyzer and a thermal diffusion Cloud Condensation Nucleus Counter. Studies were performed at supersaturations of 0.3 and 1% with dry particle diameters ranging between 0.02 and 0.2 μm. The focus was on both hygroscopic secondary organics and hydrophobic primary organics. Laboratory experiments were performed with sodium chloride, ammonium sulfate, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pinonic acid, glutamic acid, leucine, cholesterol, pinic acid, norpinic acid, hexadecane, hexadecanol, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid. The results were compared with the classical Kohler theory and a theory that accounts for the limited solubility of many organics. It was discovered that organic species with bulk solubilities in water less than 0.01 g cm−3 can be a good source of CCN in the atmosphere if their contact angles with water are zero. Experiments confirmed that Kohler theory works well in predicting activation of soluble inorganic species and organics that are wettable by water, while an extension of the theory appears necessary to account for the low-solubility organic species that are not wettable by water.
Conventional linear tomography: Protocol for assessing endosseous implant sites

Proper implant dimension and implant site selection are two major factors that affect the eventual prosthodontic rehabilitation and long-term serviceability of the implant and prosthesis. Conventional linear tomography permits accurate measurements and assessment of available bone for both factors. A protocol for the use of conventional linear tomography for diagnostic assessment, evaluation of proposed implant sites, and the selection of proper implant type and dimension is presented.
Prenatal stress reduces maternal aggression by mice offspring.

Abstract Pregnant mice were subjected to the simultaneous stress of heat, restraint and bright lights during the last trimester of gestation whereas control mothers remained unhandled in the home cage. As adults, prenatally-stressed and nonstressed mice were mated and tested for maternal aggression. Compared with nonstressed controls, prenatally-stressed females bit intruder males on significantly fewer occasions. Prenatal stress therefore reduced maternal aggression by mice offspring. Prenatal stress also significantly reduced maternal and neonatal body weight. Because the appearance of maternal aggression characteristically has been associated with the postpartum period, prenatal stress may reduce maternal aggression in mice by disrupting gonadotropin secretions (possibly prolactin) associated with the lactational phase.
Evaluation of dimethyl sulphoxide effects on initial response to endotoxin in the horse

Summary Reasons for performing study: Endotoxaemia is one of the most severe and ubiquitous disease processes in horses. Although dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) is used clinically in horses, there is no study indicating its efficacy in endotoxaemic horses. Hypothesis: DMSO ameliorates the clinical response to i.v. lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration. Methods: Eighteen horses were assigned randomly to one of 4 groups: Normosol-LPS (0.2 μg/kg bwt, i.v.); DMSO (1 g/kg bwt, i.v.)-saline; high-dose DMSO (1 g/kg bwt, i.v.)-LPS; low-dose DMSO (20 mg/kg bwt, i.v.)-LPS. Horses participating in the DMSO-saline group were later assigned randomly to one of the LPS groups. Data for physical parameters, white blood cell counts, plasma TNF-α, and blood lactate and glucose concentrations were examined for the effect of treatment using a repeated-measures mixed-model ANOVA. A value of P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Endotoxaemia occurred in all horses receiving LPS, as indicated by the clinical score, physical parameters, haemoconcentration and leucopenia. High-dose DMSO ameliorated the effect of LPS on fever. DMSO, at either dose, but did not have a significant effect on LPS-induced changes in all other evaluated parameters. Conclusions: In this study, DMSO had minimal effects on clinical signs of induced endotoxaemia in horses. The effects were manifested by amelioration of LPS-induced fever. Potential relevance: DMSO does not appear to have a significant protective effect against induced endotoxaemia; however, since some protective effect appears to exist further studies are needed in order to determine the role of DMSO in the treatment of endotoxaemia.
Formation of sulfur and nitrogen cross-linked macromolecules under aqueous conditions

Polysulfides and ammonia are abundant in young depositional environments and play an important role in the formation of macromolecular structures such as protokerogen and humics. In this work, we study the co-incorporation of polysulfides and ammonia into simple carbonyl model compounds, octanal and trans 2-octenal, in order to study their effect on the formation of a cross-linked macromolecule and suggest a feasible mechanism. The reactions, performed in aqueous solutions at ambient temperature and pH ∼6 to 9, simulate formation of S and N cross-linked polymers in the natural environment. The complex S and N containing polymer was studied by 15N enrichment coupled to 2D NMR (1H, 13C, 15N) techniques and chemical degradation of S–S bonds followed by deuterium labeling and GC–MS analyses. In addition, molecular modeling techniques were used to provide theoretical interpretations and important insights at the molecular level. The results indicate that polysulfide out competes ammonia in the formation of Michael adducts while ammonia is equally competitive with polysulfides when the reaction is addition to the carbonyl position. The co-incorporation of ammonia and polysulfides into carbonyls rapidly forms N and S cross-linked polymers. The effects of ammonia and amines on the polymerization processes are by two means: (i) reaction with carbonyls through an imine functionality to form oligomers and polymers and (ii) catalysis of sulfur nucleophiles onto carbonyls by transfer of a proton which enhances the rate of polymerization. A similar catalytic effect is observed when glycine is used instead of ammonia. This mechanism is especially important under basic to neutral conditions like those that prevail in marine environments. The results show that ammonia and glycine or possibly other amino acids and/or peptides are intimately involved with sulfur nucleophiles throughout the polymerization processes that occur at low temperatures and thus are suggested as key reactants in diagenetic formation of protokerogen and humics.
COLOR STABILITY OF BETANIN

Some chemical and physical factors were evaluated for their effects on stability of betanin in model systems and in beet juice. Results indicate that the stability of betanin color is pH sensitive and generally is less than that of artificial dyes. The color of betanin is most stable between pH 4.0 and 6.0. Thermostability of betanin was pH dependent and was greatest between pH 4.0 and 5.0. The half-life of betanin at pH 5.0 and 100°C was 14.5 min, and increased in an unprotected model system to 1150 min at 25°C. The rate at which betanin degraded in model systems was affected by air and/or light. The cumulative effect of these two conditions was a reduction in the half-life of betanin by 28.6%. The half-life of betanin in beet juice at pH 5.0 was greater than in model systems. Despite limited stability of betanin in model systems, there are many foods in which betanin could be used as a colorant. Foods to be colored with betanin should have a pH between 4.0 and 7.0, be exposed to low temperatures and be protected from air and/or light to achieve maximum color stability.
Identifying and promoting social competence with African American preschool children: Developmental and contextual considerations

School psychologists and teachers are frequently asked to assess the level of social competence of preschool children as one indicator of their academic readiness. However, many assessment instruments available to psychologists working in early childhood settings fail to consider important contexts where children acquire social competencies. This study presents a comprehensive picture of multiple constructs that play a role in understanding African American preschool children's social competence. Domains of temperament, language, self-regulation, and peer play were assessed within a classroom context for a sample of 139 low-income African American children attending Head Start. Findings support the importance of considering both children's developmental stage and their gender when evaluating aspects of social competence, particularly temperament and interactive peer play abilities. As a group, younger boys experienced the greatest difficulties with initiating and sustaining play activities with classmates. Language abilities and self-regulation were significantly greater among older preschool children. Implications for school psychologists conducting preschool assessment, intervention, and outreach to parents and teachers within early childhood settings are discussed. © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The Effect of Restaging Transurethral Resection on Recurrence and Progression Rates in Patients with Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Treated with Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin

Purpose: We determined whether restaging resection before initiating induction intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin improves the recurrence-free rate in patients with high risk nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data on 1,021 patients treated at our institution with intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin for nonmuscle invasive high risk bladder cancer. All patients underwent a second resection except those already receiving bacillus Calmette-Guerin at the time of initial consultation and those who refused restaging resection. All patients were assessed every 3 to 12 months for a minimum of 5 years. Univariate and multivariate regression was used to identify predictors of 5-year recurrence.Results: Restaging transurethral resection was performed in 894 patients (87.5%). At restaging resection viable tumor was found in 496 patients (55.5%). At 3 months patients with a single resection had a 44.3% recurrence rate compared to 9.6% in those with restaging resec...
Collaborative action research and project work: Promising practices for developing collaborative inquiry among early childhood preservice teachers

Abstract Excerpts from case studies of two preservice teaching teams exemplify a new approach for merging research and practice within an introductory early childhood methods course. Through participation in cycles of collaborative action research focused on the joint task of implementing long-term projects, preservice teachers evidenced change in the ways they participated in and developed an inquiry-oriented teaching stance. In particular, changes included (1) an increased awareness of the value and need to share responsibility with teammates for making curriculum decisions, (2) early attempts to self-regulate teaching behaviors through reflection-in-action, and (3) an appreciation for and use of documentation in making visible and public the relationship between teacher thinking, practice, and children's learning. While changes in level of reflectivity and practice are noted and valued, the ways in which preservice teachers’ participation begins to change may be as valuable an indicator of preservice teacher development as the possession of new knowledge and skills.
RE-PLAN: a computational framework for REsponse PLan ANalysis

Lurking pandemics and ever-present bio-terror threats necessitate the design of contingency plans that address these bio-emergencies. Continuous changes in regional demographics and transportation infrastructure imply that response plans are not static, but undergo frequent revisions. These plans outline specific response scenarios attempting to meet federal mandated performance criteria. However, there are only few computational tools available that can aid in the analysis of response plan performance. REsponse PLan ANalyser (RE-PLAN), a computational framework with GIS capabilities, facilitates the analysis of response plans and their corresponding placement of resources. This paper introduces the RE-PLAN architecture and its underlying methodologies. The principles of plan analysis are demonstrated by applying RE-PLAN to a synthetically generated geographic region and the results of each analysis step are shown.
Focusing properties of an aberrated laser beam

A computation procedure using self-similar propagation modes is used to analyze the effect that nonlinear whole beam phase distortions have on the focusing properties of the beam produced by a high power solid state fusion laser. A comparison between the predicted and measured patterns for a prototype fusion laser is given.
Regional-scale river flow modeling using off-the-shelf runoff products, thousands of mapped rivers and hundreds of stream flow gauges

The permanent rivers and streams of the United States - i.e. the ''blue lines'' from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps - are available in a Geographic Information System dataset called NHDPlus in which network connectivity for approximately three million reaches is known. The USGS also measures stream flow at about twenty thousand gauges whose locations are known exactly on NHDPlus rivers. The Routing Application for Parallel computatIon of Discharge (RAPID) is a river network model that can be run on NHDPlus if given inflow to rivers from runoff. The second phase of the North American Land Data Assimilation System (NLDAS2) provides runoff estimates from four land surface models over the continent. One could therefore combine RAPID with NLDAS2 runoff to compute stream flow in all NHDPlus ''blue lines'' and compare computations with USGS observations over the United States. The work presented here investigates such a combination but focuses on the Texas Gulf Coast Hydrologic Region as a test case for regional-scale river flow modeling using off-the-shelf runoff products, thousands of mapped rivers and hundreds of stream flow gauges. Despite initial difficulties in the determination of water inflow from gridded NLDAS2 runoff datasets to NHDPlus rivers, the ''blue line'' approach is shown to be advantageous partly because hundreds of gauges are easily located on river networks and used throughout basins. Such use of a large number of gauges allows for new investigations related to the analysis of flow computations and to the optimization of model parameters thereby bridging the gap between continental-scale environmental modeling and local-scale planning and decision making. The quality of NLDAS2 runoff relative to locally-calibrated data is assessed through comparison between computed and observed river flow. With the exception of large outliers at a few gauges, the best NLDAS2 runoff products perform similarly to the regional dataset. Such outliers prevent the successful optimization of river model parameters but a careful selection of what stations to use for optimization is shown to overcome this difficulty. While river model parameters determined separately for each runoff dataset allow obtaining best results, a single set of parameters is sufficient to assess the relative quality of runoff datasets. The detailed NHDPlus description of river reaches also allows investigating the impact of increased spatial variability in model parameters which - following optimization of model computations - suggests that those parameters of reaches located on the main stems of large rivers tend to have the largest influence on the quality of flow simulations.
Metabolic control and quality-of-life self-assessment in adolescents with IDDM

OBJECTIVE To examine the relation between metabolic control and self-assessed quality of life in adolescents with IDDM. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The Diabetes Quality of Life (DQOL) questionnaire for youths was given to 69 subjects with IDDM aged 10-20 years at the time of their outpatient visit. Subjects with IDDM of 1c during the preceding year (long-term), by a single HbA 1c at the time of the visit (short-term), and by the number of acute events related to IDDM in the preceding year. RESULTS The DQOL score correlated with mean HbA 1c (β = 6.13, R 2 = 0.22, P = 0.0122) and single HbA 1c (β = 3.94, R 2 = 0.18, P = 0.05). Self-health assessment was the best predictor of DQOL score (β = −44.42, R 2 = 0.45, P 2 = 0.2, P = 0.006), but did not correlate with either HbA 1c level. Correlations of mean HbA 1c with the predictors were stronger than the correlations of single HbA 1c with the same predictors. CONCLUSIONS Metabolic control and quality of life are two important outcomes of IDDM care. In our study, adolescents in better metabolic control report better quality of life. Both components need to be addressed in developing successful diabetes treatment strategies for adolescents with IDDM.
Plasma Aerodynamic Flow Control for Hypersonic Inlets

Plasma aerodynamics represents an emerging field involving the generation and utilization of plasmas for aerodynamic flow control. Current areas of active interest include volume discharges (including plasma jets, DC, HF, microwave and electron beam discharges) for large-scale inlet flow control, surface discharges (including DC, sliding and surface microwave discharges) for near-surface plasma flow control, large-scale and local MHD flow control techniques, and MHD power extraction techniques in hypersonic inlets. In addition, plasma aerodynamic and MHD flow control techniques are being investigated for controlling the flowfield in leading edge regions for the purpose of reducing drag and heat transfer. This paper provides a survey of plasma aerodynamic and MHD flow control techniques as applied to hypersonic inlets together with recommendations for promising areas of future research.
plcR papR-Independent Expression of Anthrolysin O by Bacillus anthracis

Cholesterol-dependent cytolysins (CDCs) are secreted, pore-forming toxins that are associated with pathogenesis in a variety of gram-positive bacteria. Bacillus anthracis produces anthrolysin O (ALO), a CDC that is largely responsible for the hemolytic activity of culture supernates when the bacterium is cultured in appropriate conditions. B. cereus and B. thuringiensis, species closely related to B. anthracis, produce CDCs with significant amino acid sequence homology to ALO. Transcription of the B. cereus and B. thuringiensis CDC genes is controlled by PlcR, a transcription regulator that requires a pentapeptide derived from the papR gene product for binding to a consensus sequence (PlcR box) and transcriptional activation of downstream genes. A PlcR box precedes the B. anthracis alo gene, and the B. anthracis genome contains three plcR-like genes, one of which harbors a nonsense mutation that is predicted to result in a truncated, nonfunctional protein. We detected mRNA of alo, papR, and the three plcR-like genes in spleens of B. anthracis-infected mice, indicating gene expression in vivo. Analysis of alo transcription in batch culture revealed a potential transcription start located between the PlcR box and the translational start. Nevertheless, steady-state levels of alo transcripts and ALO protein were unaffected by deletion of papR or disruption of the PlcR box. Our data indicate that despite the presence of the transcriptionally active plcR and papR genes in B. anthracis and a PlcR box in the promoter region of the alo gene, alo expression is independent of this control system.
Characterization of a broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibody that targets the fusion domain of group 2 influenza A virus hemagglutinin

ABSTRACT Due to continuous changes to its antigenic regions, influenza viruses can evade immune detection and cause a significant amount of morbidity and mortality around the world. Influenza vaccinations can protect against disease but must be annually reformulated to match the current circulating strains. In the development of a broad-spectrum influenza vaccine, the elucidation of conserved epitopes is paramount. To this end, we designed an immunization strategy in mice to boost the humoral response against conserved regions of the hemagglutinin (HA) glycoprotein. Of note, generation and identification of broadly neutralizing antibodies that target group 2 HAs are rare and thus far have yielded only a few monoclonal antibodies (MAbs). Here, we demonstrate that mouse MAb 9H10 has broad and potent in vitro neutralizing activity against H3 and H10 group 2 influenza A subtypes. In the mouse model, MAb 9H10 protects mice against two divergent mouse-adapted H3N2 strains, in both pre- and postexposure administration regimens. In vitro and cell-free assays suggest that MAb 9H10 inhibits viral replication by blocking HA-dependent fusion of the viral and endosomal membranes early in the replication cycle and by disrupting viral particle egress in the late stage of infection. Interestingly, electron microscopy reconstructions of MAb 9H10 bound to the HA reveal that it binds a similar binding footprint to MAbs CR8020 and CR8043. IMPORTANCE The influenza hemagglutinin is the major antigenic target of the humoral immune response. However, due to continuous antigenic changes that occur on the surface of this glycoprotein, influenza viruses can escape the immune system and cause significant disease to the host. Toward the development of broad-spectrum therapeutics and vaccines against influenza virus, elucidation of conserved regions of influenza viruses is crucial. Thus, defining these types of epitopes through the generation and characterization of broadly neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) can greatly assist others in highlighting conserved regions of hemagglutinin. Here, we demonstrate that MAb 9H10 that targets the hemagglutinin stalk has broadly neutralizing activity against group 2 influenza A viruses in vitro and in vivo .
Improved Method of CO2 Laser Cutting of Aluminum Nitride

The traditional “evaporation∕melt and blow” mechanism of CO2 laser cutting of aluminum nitride (AlN) chip carriers and heat sinks suffers from energy losses due to its high thermal conductivity, formation of dross, decomposition to aluminum, and uncontrolled thermal cracking. In order to overcome these limitations, a thermochemical method that uses a defocused laser beam to melt a thin layer of AlN surface in oxygen environment was utilized. Subsequent solidification of the melt layer generated shrinkage and thermal gradient stresses that, in turn, created a crack along the middle path of laser beam and caused material separation through unstable crack propagation. The benefits associated with thermal stress fracture method over the traditional method are improved cut quality, higher cutting speed, and lower energy losses.
Effect of Geometry on the Leaflet Stresses in Simulated Models of Congenital Bicuspid Aortic Valves

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of geometric variations on the stresses developed in the leaflets of congenital bicuspid aortic valves (CBAV). We developed a model for the human tri-leaflet aortic valve based on the geometry and dimensions published in the literature. We also developed simulated CBAV geometry based on the most common geometry present in patients with CBAV that is published in the literature. We employed a constitutive relationship for the leaflet material from the previously published experimental data of fresh porcine aortic valve leaflet specimens for the analysis. We performed dynamic finite element (FE) structural analysis of the valves in the aortic position in order to compute the strain and stress distribution on the leaflets of the tri-leaflet valve and the CBAV models. Our results showed that large changes in the computed in-plane leaflet strain and stress occurred with variations in the geometry of the simulated CBAV whereas changes due to alterations in material constants were correspondingly less. The valve orifice area in the fully open position was significantly reduced in CBAV compared to that for the tri-leaflet valve. The changes in geometry of CBAV resulted in large changes in in-plane strain and stress and our results suggest that geometrical variations may be a potential risk factor inducing calcific aortic stenosis frequently present in patients with CBAV.
EWS/FLI-responsive GGAA microsatellites exhibit polymorphic differences between European and African populations.

The genetics of Ewing sarcoma development remain obscure. The incidence of Ewing sarcoma is ten-fold less in Africans as compared to Europeans, irrespective of geographic location, suggesting population-specific genetic influences. Since GGAA-containing microsatellites within key target genes are necessary for Ewing sarcoma–specific EWS/FLI DNA binding and gene activation, and gene expression is positively correlated with the number of repeat motifs in the promoter/enhancer region, we sought to determine if significant polymorphisms exist between African and European populations which might contribute to observed differences in Ewing sarcoma incidence and outcomes. GGAA microsatellites upstream of two critical EWS/FLI target genes, NR0B1 and CAV1, were sequenced from subjects of European and African descent. While the characteristics of the CAV1 promoter microsatellites were similar across both populations, the NR0B1 microsatellite in African subjects was significantly larger, harboring more repeat motifs, a greater number of repeat segments, and longer consecutive repeats, than in European subjects. These results are biologically intriguing as NR0B1 was the most highly enriched EWS/FLI bound gene in prior studies, and is absolutely necessary for oncogenic transformation in Ewing sarcoma. These data suggest that GGAA microsatellite polymorphisms in the NR0B1 gene might influence disease susceptibility and prognosis in Ewing sarcoma in unanticipated ways.
Affordances in Technology Modeling

Understanding the mechanisms of technology change is essential for planning multi-generational products, especially for complex systems where subsystem interaction plays a central role. Recently, affordance theory has been proposed as an alternative modeling perspective to the current function-based approach. Using the affordance formulation of Gibson and the technology model of Heidegger, we demonstrate an affordance-based approach providing novel analytical insight into the nature of technical artifacts. This model accounts for the core of function-based methods and provides insight into static and dynamic accounts of performance level, principle of operation, and technology architecture. Implications of this affordance approach are discussed and future research is proposed. Implications include the possibility of reconciling and integrating function and affordance theory, accounting for the fundamental nature of technology change, and augmenting technology theory with a number of affordance-derived analytical principles. Opportunities for future research include development of practical tools for analyzing over-time dynamics and exploration of affordance theory’s implications for modular and product family design.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Practical considerations for optic nerve location in telemedicine

The projected increase in diabetes in the United States and worldwide has created a need for broad-based, inexpensive screening for diabetic retinopathy (DR), an eye disease which can lead to vision impairment. A telemedicine network with retina cameras and automated quality control, physiological feature location, and lesion / anomaly detection is a low-cost way of achieving broad-based screening. In this work we report on the effect of quality estimation on an optic nerve (ON) detection method with a confidence metric. We report on an improvement of the method using a data set from an ophthalmologist practice then show the results of the method as a function of image quality on a set of images from an on-line telemedicine network collected in Spring 2009 and another broad-based screening program. We show that the fusion method, combined with quality estimation processing, can improve detection performance and also provide a method for utilizing a physician-in-the-loop for images that may exceed the capabilities of automated processing.
The Two Sources of Moral Standing

There are two primary traditions in philosophical theorizing about moral standing—one emphasizing Experience (the capacity to feel pain and pleasure) and one emphasizing Agency (complexity of cognition and lifestyle). In this article we offer an explanation for this divide: Lay judgments about moral standing depend importantly on two independent cues (Experience and Agency), and the two philosophical traditions reflect this aspect of folk moral cognition. In support of this two-source hypothesis, we present the results of a series of new experiments providing evidence for our account of lay judgments about moral standing, and argue that these results lend plausibility to the proposed causal link between folk moral cognition and the philosophical traditions.
Participation in child health and family planning activities in rural southern ghana.

A variety of child health and family planning activities, conducted by the Danfa Project in Ghana, were evaluated from a behavioral standpoint to determine features of programs which encourage participation by village mothers. Interest, intent to participate, and actual participation rates were measured. Contrary to expectations, activities which demand greater participation were more popular than more passive activities which involved lectures. Activities related to child health were better received than family planning activities alone. Barriers to participation which were best predictors of actual participation included “selling goods in town,” “cooking,” or “busy with housework.” That these were ranked by respondents as weak barriers suggests that it didn't take much to dissuade mothers from participation in those activities that they felt had little merit. Study findings suggest a need for greater integration of activities into village schedules, more systematic targetting of activities to high-risk ...
Identification of Residues 286 and 289 as Critical for Conferring Substrate Specificity of Human CYP2C9 for Diclofenac and Ibuprofen

Abstract Specificity of human CYP2C9 for two substrates, diclofenac and ibuprofen, was studied using chimeras and site-directed mutants of CYP2C9 and the highly related CYP2C19 expressed in Escherichia coli. Data were correlated with the presence of putative substrate recognition sites (SRS). A CYP2C19 chimera containing residues 228–340 (SRS 3 and 4) of 2C9 conferred both diclofenac hydroxylation and 2- and 3-hydroxylation of ibuprofen. The regiospecificity of this construct for metabolism of ibuprofen differed from that of CYP2C9 by favoring 2-hydroxylation over 3-hydroxylation. A CYP2C9 construct containing residues 228–340 of CYP2C19 lacked both diclofenac and ibuprofen hydroxylase activities. When residues 228–282 (containing SRS 3) of CYP2C9 were replaced by those of CYP2C19, the chimera retained appreciable activity for diclofenac and ibuprofen, and tolbutamide activity was inhibited by a specific CYP2C9 inhibitor, sulfaphenazole. This suggested that SRS 3 is not important in conferring specificity. CYP2C9 and CYP2C19 differ in five residues within the region 283–340 (within SRS 4). Mutations to analyze SRS 4 were made on a CYP2C19 chimera containing residues 228–282 of CYP2C9. A single I289N mutation conferred a dramatic increase in diclofenac hydroxylation and a small increase in ibuprofen 2-hydroxylation. A second mutation (N286S and I289N) increased diclofenac hydroxylation and conferred a dramatic increase in ibuprofen 2-hydroxylation. A V288E mutation did not increase activity toward either substrate and decreased activity toward the two substrates in combination with the I289N or the N286S, I289N mutants. Therefore residues 286 and 289 of CYP2C9 are important in conferring specificity for diclofenac and ibuprofen.
The Mixture Problem for Categorized Components

Abstract A method is developed for the design of experiments with mixtures in which the mixture components are categorized (acids, bases, etc.), and each category of components contributes a fixed proportion to the total mixture. The number of categories of mixture components is general (q < ∞), and each category is represented in every mixture by one or more of its member components. The experimentation is to be performed in an ellipsoidal region chosen by the experimenter, subject to the constraints placed on the components. A transformation is made to a spherical region in order that rotatable response surface designs and polynomial models can be used for estimating the response.
How empathy, egocentrism, Kohlberg's moral development, and Erikson's psychosocial development are related to attitudes toward war.

In this exploratory study 91 students took a questionnaire which measured their feelings of oneness with all humanity, their egocentrism, level of moral development according to Kohlberg, psychosocial development according to Erikson, and their attitude toward war, diplomacy, the Gulf war, civilians and soldiers in the Gulf area, etc. The hypothesis that empathy with humankind leads to concern about those involved and opposition to war was supported. These individuals were more likely to endorse values expressed in Kohlberg's Level 6. Students endorsing Level 4, law-and-order morality, especially if they had no friends overseas and used no news source other than the usual U.S. mass media, were more likely to be pro-war, believe President Bush and the military briefings, and oppose reliance on diplomacy. If people had experienced war, they were more frequently against it. However, hardship experienced, lack of egocentrism, believing in a greater good for a greater number of people (Kohlberg's Level 5), and...
New type of radio burst observed in Earth's magnetosphere

Myriametric radio emissions—radio emissions with wavelengths of 10 to 100 kilometers—coming from Earth's magnetosphere have been observed previously. Now a new type of myriametric radio emission known as a terrestrial myriametric radio burst (TMRB) has been reported.
SMO-based pruning methods for sparse least squares support vector machines

Solutions of least squares support vector machines (LS-SVMs) are typically nonsparse. The sparseness is imposed by subsequently omitting data that introduce the smallest training errors and retraining the remaining data. Iterative retraining requires more intensive computations than training a single nonsparse LS-SVM. In this paper, we propose a new pruning algorithm for sparse LS-SVMs: the sequential minimal optimization (SMO) method is introduced into pruning process; in addition, instead of determining the pruning points by errors, we omit the data points that will introduce minimum changes to a dual objective function. This new criterion is computationally efficient. The effectiveness of the proposed method in terms of computational cost and classification accuracy is demonstrated by numerical experiments.
Policy doesn't help us: Black feminist anthropology in the social work classroom

“Policy doesn't help us,” was a refrain I heard repeatedly from one of my School for Social Work graduate students in a family policy course where I teach students how to complete a family impact analysis. The objective is to help social work practitioners understand the ways in which policies overlap to create often dire circumstances for families in need and how variously situated families experience these circumstance differently. In this article, I highlight the experiences of three of my students, each an African American woman social work student between the ages 25 and 50. I use black feminist anthropology to explore primary themes that centralize the importance of understanding varied raced, classed, and gendered experiences when delivering family and children's services. I use student's critical engagement and family impact analyses to discuss the ways in which black women's roles as service providers impact policy analysis and implementation of social services. I also discuss the ways in which I use the social work classroom as a site for the translation of anthropological research findings into changes in public policy and practice. At the root of this focus is an eye toward social change and social justice that benefits all families.
Isolation of broadly neutralizing antibodies from single human memory B cell against human influenza A viruses (TECH2P.922)

During the past five years, broadly neutralizing antibodies (BnAbs) represent promising prophylactic and therapeutic treatments against influenza. Here, we have developed a novel method to isolate broadly neutralizing antibodies against influenza A virus from human memory B cells. Antigen-specific memory B cells were isolated from human PBMCs using tetramerized H3 (A/Brisbane/10/2007) hemagglutinin (HA) trimers. The H3-reactive single memory B cells were sorted into plates and stimulated in vitro. More than 40% sorted B cells produced on average 200 ng/ml IgG in the supernatant after 14 days. Supernatants from the expanded B cells were measured for their heterosubtypic binding specificity and neutralizing activity by MSD or a highly sensitive neutralization assay. The selective clones were recovered by single cell RT-PCR. Through screening 2688 memory B clones from 7 individuals, 11% clonable memory B cells were reactive with H3 hemagglutinin. Among them, H3/H7, H3/H7/H1 and H3/H7/H1/influenza B heterosubtypic binding population were 16%, 6.9% and 0.35%, respectively. A new broadly neutralizing Ab, 3I14 encoded by the IGHV3-30 germline gene, was further characterized and shown to possess cross-reactive binding and neutralization activity against both group 1 and group 2 influenza A viruses. Epitope mapping and competition assay revealed a highly conserved epitope located in the HA stalk. Passive transfer of this antibody also conferred in vivo protection.
Memory Systems and the Addicted Brain

The view that anatomically distinct memory systems differentially contribute to the development of drug addiction and relapse has received extensive support. The present brief review revisits this hypothesis as it was originally proposed twenty years ago (White, 1996) and highlights several recent developments. Extensive research employing a variety of animal learning paradigms indicates that dissociable neural systems mediate distinct types of learning and memory. Each memory system potentially contributes unique components to the learned behavior supporting drug addiction and relapse. In particular, the shift from recreational drug use to compulsive drug abuse may reflect a neuroanatomical shift from cognitive control of behavior mediated by the hippocampus/dorsomedial striatum toward habitual control of behavior mediated by the dorsolateral striatum (DLS). In addition, stress/anxiety may constitute a cofactor that facilitates DLS-dependent memory, and this may serve as a neurobehavioral mechanism underlying the increased drug use and relapse in humans following stressful life events. Evidence supporting the multiple systems view of drug addiction comes predominantly from studies of learning and memory that have employed as reinforcers addictive substances often considered within the context of drug addiction research, including cocaine, alcohol, and amphetamines. In addition, recent evidence suggests that the memory systems approach may also be helpful for understanding topical sources of addiction that reflect emerging health concerns, including marijuana use, high-fat diet, and video game playing.
Mitigation of Ergot Vasoconstriction by Clover Isoflavones in Goats (Capra hircus).

Ergot alkaloids produced by a fungal endophyte (Epichloe coenophiala; formerly Neotyphodium coenphialum) that infects tall fescue (Lolium arundinaceum) can induce persistent constriction of the vasculature in ruminants, hindering their capability to thermo-regulate core body temperature. There is evidence that isoflavones produced by legumes can relax the vasculature, which suggests they could relieve ergot alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction and mitigate the vulnerability to severe heat stress in cattle that graze tall fescue. To test if isoflavones can relieve alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction, two pen experiments were conducted with rumen fistulated goats (Capra hircus) to determine with ultrasonograpy if isoflavones can 1) promote vascular compliance by countering alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction, and 2) relieve already imposed alkaloid-induced vasoconstriction. Goats were fed ad libitum chopped orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) - timothy (Phleum pratense) hay prior to conducting the experiments. Measures of carotid and interosseous luminal areas were obtained pre- (baseline) and post-ruminal infusions in both experiments with goats being fed the hay, and for blood flow rate in the carotid artery in Exp. 2. Responses to infusion treatments were evaluated as proportionate differences from baseline measures. Peak systolic velocity, pulsatility index, and heart rate were measured on the last day of treatment (DOT) in Exp. 1, and on all imaging sessions during Exp. 2. For Exp. 1, rumens were infused with ground toxic fescue seed and isoflavones in Phase A and with only the toxic seed in Phase B. The infusion treatments were switched between phases in Exp. 2, which employed a fescue seed extract having an ergot alkaloid composition equivalent to that of the ground seed used in Exp. 1. During Exp. 1, luminal areas of carotid and interosseous arteries in Phase A did not deviate (P > 0.1) from baselines over 1, 2, 3, and 4 DOT, but the areas of both declined linearly from baselines over 1, 2, 3, and 4 DOT in Phase B. By 6, 7, and 8 DOT in Exp. 2, luminal areas of the arteries and flow rate declined from baselines with infusions with the only seed extract in Phase A, but luminal areas and flow rate increased over 4, 5, and 6