cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Treatment of life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias with nonguided surgery supported by electrophysiologic testing and drug therapy.

Abstract Forty-six patients who had coronary artery disease, left ventricular aneurysm and life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmia underwent surgical treatment to eliminate or facilitate control of the arrhythmia. Surgery was performed without the assistance of intraoperative mapping techniques. Forty-three patients underwent preoperative or postoperative electrophysiologic testing, or both, and antiarrhythmic therapy was added, when indicated, postoperatively. The patients had a mean age of 63 years, a mean preoperative left ventricular ejection fraction of 27 ± 9% and a mean preoperative left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of 23 ± 9 mm Hg. Twenty-one patients (46%) underwent surgical treatment within 2 months of their last myocardial infarction. The overall operative mortality rate was 6.5% (three patients). Eighteen of the 43 operative survivors were discharged from the hospital on no antiarrhythmic therapy, whereas 25 received additional antiarrhythmic treatment. During a mean follow-up period of 36 months (range 2 to 88), there were 13 deaths; eight patients died suddenly, three died of congestive heart failure, one of myocardial reinfarction and one from a noncardiac cause. The overall cumulative cardiac mortality rate at 1, 2 and 3 years was 16, 22 and 35%, respectively, whereas the sudden cardiac death rate was 5, 12 and 20%, respectively. This experience suggests that high risk patients who undergo nonguided surgery for life-threatening ventricular arrhythmia and left ventricular aneurysm have a relatively low surgical mortality and a better long-term survival than previously reported. However, if utilized, such an approach must be systematically supported by perioperative electrophysiologic testing to determine the need for supplemental antiarrhythmic therapy.
Measurements of methane hydrate heat of dissociation using high pressure differential scanning calorimetry

Abstract The methane hydrate heat of decomposition was directly measured up to 20 MPa and 292 K using a high pressure differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The methane hydrate sample was formed ex-situ using granular ice particles and subsequently transferred into the DSC cell under liquid nitrogen. The ice and water impurities in the hydrate sample were reduced by converting any dissociated hydrate into methane hydrate inside the DSC cell before performing the thermal properties measurements. The methane hydrate sample was dissociated by raising the temperature (0.5–1.0 K/min) above the hydrate equilibrium temperature at a constant pressure. The measured methane hydrate heat of dissociation (H→W+G), Δ H d , remained constant at 54.44±1.45 kJ/mol gas (504.07±13.48 J/gm water or 438.54± 13.78 J/gm hydrate) for pressures up to 20 MPa. The measured Δ H d is in agreement with the Clapeyron equation predictions at high pressures; however, the Clausius–Clapeyron equation predictions do not agree with the heat of dissociation data at high pressures. In conclusion, it is recommended that the Clapeyron equation should be used for hydrate heat of dissociation estimations at high pressures.
Impaired synaptic potentiation processes in the hippocampus of aged, memory-deficient rats.

Abstract A series of neurophysiological experiments was performed on the Schaffercommissural system of the hippocampus of aged and young anesthetized Fischer rats. The aged Fischer rats were previously found to exhibit retention performance deficits. No obvious differences were found between aged and young animals in amplitude, latency, stimulation threshold, or wave forms of typical synaptic responses when these were elicited by control (0.3 Hz) stimulation pulses. Further, the temporal curves of facilitation during a paired-pulse series were not different in aged and young animals. However, aged and young synapses showed consistently different responses during repetitive stimulation. Synapses of aged animals were deficient in frequency potentiation processes during 12 Hz stimulation; and the aged animals exhibited a delayed rise of post-tetanic synaptic potentiation following a 5 sec, 100 Hz stimulation train. Moreover, aged synapses ‘exhausted’ more rapidly during continous 4Hz stimulation. Throughout these studies a biphasic pattern of potentiation was observed during repetitive stimulation (brief potentiation, depression, renewed potentiation). Aged animals were deficient primarily in development of the second phase of potentiation. This pattern suggests an age-related impairment of some secondary process of potentiation. leading to an increased tendency to synaptic depression during and after stimulation. The possibility that the impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity may be related to reported deficient behavioral plasticity in the aged animals is considered.
Application of linked list technique for the enhancement of traditional random access files

Abstract Traditional random access file methods provide access to individual records just through the key attribute. For a more versatile query, a flexible file structure is desirable. The link list structure built on top of the traditional random access files provides a more flexible access path to a record. The purpose of this work is to examine various types of link list structures for application to data base query involving multiple keys. It is shown how the technique can improve the performance of traditional random access file for Grants Information System. This paper also illustrates the design and implentation of Grants Information System and concludes that the link list structure built on the top of the traditional random access files provides a more flexible path to a record. The language used in implementation was COBOL.
Glucose metabolism of embryos and endosperms from deteriorating barley and wheat seeds.

Changes in glucose utilization into CO(2) and ethanol-insoluble material were followed in whole seeds, embryos, and endosperms of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) which had reached different levels of deterioration through accelerated aging treatments. Excised embryos from deteriorated wheat seeds had reduced respiration and glucose utilization into ethanol-insoluble material but not into CO(2). These treatments had no effect on respiration of excised endosperms, although they reduced utilization of glucose into ethanol-insoluble material and CO(2). Changes in metabolic activity of whole seeds in response to deterioration treatments are difficult to interpret because they represent the sum of the changes that take place in the embryos and endosperms. Changes in respiration and glucose utilization in these two tissues neither proceed at the same rate nor go in the same direction during deterioration.Incubation of excised embryos and endosperms in glucose-(14)C under N(2), as compared to air, affects the utilization but not the uptake of glucose. Embryos produce more (14)CO(2) and less labeled ethanol-insoluble material under N(2) as compared to air. The responses of endosperms to N(2) are of a much lower magnitude than those of embryos.
Testing of Cylinders in Sheared Flow

It is desirable to develop a simple analytic method for the prediction of the drag of bodies in the boundary layer and for the design optimization of fairings and other bodies immersed in the boundary layer. This problem has been attacked by describing the sheared flowfield in terms of Poisson's equation, VV = -fPoisson's equation has been solved using a method of finite differences and by direct solution. These solutions which are basically perfect fluid methods, have been compared with the results of experiments conducted in a small wind tunnel in which the sheared flow was produced by means of contoured honeycomb blocks. The comparison indicates good agreement except for regions of separated flows.
Cell cycle and aging, morphogenesis, and response to stimuli genes are individualized biomarkers of glioblastoma progression and survival

Glioblastoma is a complex multifactorial disorder that has swift and devastating consequences. Few genes have been consistently identified as prognostic biomarkers of glioblastoma survival. The goal of this study was to identify general and clinical-dependent biomarker genes and biological processes of three complementary events: lifetime, overall and progression-free glioblastoma survival. A novel analytical strategy was developed to identify general associations between the biomarkers and glioblastoma, and associations that depend on cohort groups, such as race, gender, and therapy. Gene network inference, cross-validation and functional analyses further supported the identified biomarkers. A total of 61, 47 and 60 gene expression profiles were significantly associated with lifetime, overall, and progression-free survival, respectively. The vast majority of these genes have been previously reported to be associated with glioblastoma (35, 24, and 35 genes, respectively) or with other cancers (10, 19, and 15 genes, respectively) and the rest (16, 4, and 10 genes, respectively) are novel associations. Pik3r1, E2f3, Akr1c3, Csf1, Jag2, Plcg1, Rpl37a, Sod2, Topors, Hras, Mdm2, Camk2g, Fstl1, Il13ra1, Mtap and Tp53 were associated with multiple survival events. Most genes (from 90 to 96%) were associated with survival in a general or cohort-independent manner and thus the same trend is observed across all clinical levels studied. The most extreme associations between profiles and survival were observed for Syne1, Pdcd4, Ighg1, Tgfa, Pla2g7, and Paics. Several genes were found to have a cohort-dependent association with survival and these associations are the basis for individualized prognostic and gene-based therapies. C2, Egfr, Prkcb, Igf2bp3, and Gdf10 had gender-dependent associations; Sox10, Rps20, Rab31, and Vav3 had race-dependent associations; Chi3l1, Prkcb, Polr2d, and Apool had therapy-dependent associations. Biological processes associated glioblastoma survival included morphogenesis, cell cycle, aging, response to stimuli, and programmed cell death. Known biomarkers of glioblastoma survival were confirmed, and new general and clinical-dependent gene profiles were uncovered. The comparison of biomarkers across glioblastoma phases and functional analyses offered insights into the role of genes. These findings support the development of more accurate and personalized prognostic tools and gene-based therapies that improve the survival and quality of life of individuals afflicted by glioblastoma multiforme.
Quantum state control using multiple CW lasers

We present a quantum state control technique for enhancement of excited triplet populations. A strong laser field causes singlet-triplet mixing in the intermediate molecular states, which are then used as doorways for pure triplet excitation
Data transfer concepts and strategies in a psychological research environment

In this paper, we discuss the importance and problems of data transfer in psychological research environments. Discussion includes how simple text file transfer systems meet researchers’ needs. The systems’ shortcomings are also analyzed. Strategies for customizing systems, using pre-prepared software packages, point-to-point systems, and “networked” systems, are carefully analyzed.
The electrical nature of C ? H bonds and its relationship to infrared intensities

The charge distributions along the CH bonds of methane, ethylene, and acetylene have been obtained by numerical integration of 6-31G** wavefunctions. Several criteria for assigning electron populations to carbon and hydrogen lead to negative charge on H for methane and ethylene and a positive charge on H for acetylene. These results are contrasted with the charges derived from the μ obtained from infrared intensity measurements. The difference between the results from infrared intensities and from the electron density calculations has been shown to result from incomplete orbital following in the molecular deformation and the creation of a “bent-bond” moment. Its magnitude has been estimated.
Recalcitrance and initiative: US hegemony and regional powers in Asia and Europe after World War II

This paper challenges the conventional wisdom that US power and preferences following World War II led to bilateralism in Asia and multilateralism in Western Europe. It argues that the challenges facing the United States in both regions were similar, as were US policies meant to address them. With some lag, the United States supported the economic recovery of the regional powers it had defeated (Germany and Japan), saw the restoration of regional trade as a prerequisite, sought military bases to assure postwar security, and envisioned rearming its former foes as part of its security strategy. The outcomes in the two regions reflected the preferences and reservations of regional actors. The critical differences between the regions were structural. The existence of middle powers was critical in Europe, the return of colonial powers to Asia precluded regional arrangements in the short term, and geostrategic differences shaped the requisites for regional security.
Cost of care for subjective tinnitus in relation to patient satisfaction.

ObjectiveA consistent management algorithm for subjective tinnitus remains to be elucidated. Chronic tinnitus yields approximately US$2110 in annual health care costs per patient. However, it is unclear whether spending more in the management of tinnitus equates with greater patient satisfaction. Thus, the aim of this study is to correlate patient satisfaction with patient demographics, provider recommendations, and total health care–related expenditures.Study DesignA retrospective chart review and a patient satisfaction questionnaire.SettingAll data were collected from a large Midwestern hospital.Subjects and MethodsPatients were included who presented to the tinnitus clinic during the year 2011 and were between the ages of 18 and 89 years. They were excluded with diagnoses of Meniere’s disease, pulsatile tinnitus, acoustic neuromas, or autoimmune inner ear diseases. The retrospective data and satisfaction surveys were entered by 3 of the authors. Responses were based on Likert scales.ResultsOf the 692 p...
HEAT AND MOISTURE TRANSFER IN BAKING OF POTATO SLABS

ABSTRACT Heal and moss transfer in a slab of potato potato during baking were explained using a multiphase porous media model that includes internal evaporation and capillary, diffusive, and pressure driven transport of water and vapor. The model also includes the effect of the formation of a surface “skin” during baking. Model predictions were validated using experimental data. Most of the temperature drop in the material occurs in a relatively thin and dry surface region, while much of the interior stays at somewhat uniform temperature. Moisture content inside the material stays uniform except near the surface region where it drops to very low values. Evaporation occurs over a significant region, as opposed to at a sharp front. Baking time reduces significantly with thickness, however at d slower rate compared to conduction-only heating (no moisture transport). In addition, the surface temperature also reaches a higher value for a thinner material, which may help develop the often
Novel system for coupling to surface-plasmon polaritons

A novel system for coupling to surface-plasmon polaritons has been designed, fabricated, and assembled. Microcomputer controlled electronics provide for accurate and repeatable angular positioning of the waveguide coupler with respect to the incident beam and for precise angular registration of detector output signals. The optical components, combined with a retroreflecting spherical-surface coupling prism, give apertured control of the beam profile at the coupling interface.
Boundary Effects in Potential Vorticity Dynamics

Many aspects of geophysical flows can be described compactly in terms of potential vorticity dynamics. Since potential temperature can fluctuate at boundaries, however, the boundary conditions for potential vorticity dynamics are inhomogeneous, which complicates considerations of potential vorticity dynamics when boundary effects are dynamically significant. A formulation of potential vorticity dynamics is presented that encompasses boundary effects. It is shown that, for arbitrary flows, the generalization of the potential vorticity concept to a sum of the conventional interior potential vorticity and a singular surface potential vorticity allows one to replace the inhomogeneous boundary conditions for potential vorticity dynamics by simpler homogeneous boundary conditions (of constant potential temperature). Functional forms of the surface potential vorticity are derived from field equations in which the potential vorticity and a potential vorticity flux appear as sources of flow quantities in the same way in which an electric charge and an electric current appear as sources of fields in electrodynamics. For the generalized potential vorticity of flows that need be neither balanced nor hydrostatic and that can be influenced by diabatic processes and friction, a conservation law holds that is similar to the conservation law for the conventional interior potential vorticity. The conservation law for generalized potential vorticity contains, in the quasigeostrophic limit, the well-known dual relationship between fluctuations of potential temperature at boundaries and fluctuations of potential vorticity in the interior of quasigeostrophic flows. A nongeostrophic effect described by the conservation law is the induction of generalized potential vorticity by baroclinicity at boundaries, an effect that plays a role, for example, in mesoscale flows past topographic obstacles. Based on the generalized potential vorticity concept, a theory is outlined of how a wake with lee vortices can form in weakly dissipative flows past a mountain. Theoretical considerations and an analysis of a simulation show that a wake with lee vortices can form by separation of a generalized potential vorticity sheet from the mountain surface, similar to the separation of a friction-induced vorticity sheet from an obstacle, except that the generalized potential vorticity sheet can be induced by baroclinicity at the surface.
Constrained Peptides as Miniature Protein Structures

This paper discusses the recent developments of protein engineering using both covalent and noncovalent bonds to constrain peptides, forcing them into designed protein secondary structures. These constrained peptides subsequently can be used as peptidomimetics for biological functions such as regulations of protein-protein interactions.
Implant supported single crowns offer good 5-year survival, but with complications.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information A systematic review of the 5-year survival and complication rates of implant-supported single crowns. Jung, R. E., B. E. Pjetursson, R. Glauser, A. Zembic, M. Zwahlen and N. P. Lang (2008). Clin Oral Implants Res 19(2):119-30. Level of Evidence Level 1 (Good-quality, patient-oriented evidence) Strength of Recommendation Grade Grade A (Consistent, good-quality patient-oriented evidence) Purpose/Question What is the failure rate for, and how frequently do complications occur with implant-supported single crowns. Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Systematic Review
Reopening the Black Box: Toward a Limited Effects Theory

L'article aborde la question de l'analyse des effets de la communication de masse sur les individus et les institutions aux Etats-Unis, telle qu'elle est menee actuellement par les chercheurs dans le domaine de la communication. Pour l'A., ces effets revetent une importance d'autant plus grande que les medias sont constamment presents dans la vie sociale. L'A. identifie quels sont les facteurs des effets des medias sur les comportements et les attitudes des individus et sur les actions des institutions
Penetrating Boundaries: An Ethics of Anti-Perfectionism in Victorian Pornography

What do we talk about when we talk about an ethics of pornog raphy? The very proposition seems preposterous. A skeptic might put the case as follows: Victorian pornography glee fully portrays the rape, abduction, and subordination of women; it seldom alludes to the social problems that preoccupy mainstream litera ture; it focuses obsessively on the performance of conduct rather than on the adjudication of proper conduct; its characters are predominantly fungible placeholders without complex interiors. Seeking ethics in pornography would be like soliciting pet-care tips from a taxidermist. When I speak of ethics, I do not mean to imply that the vast genre of pornography, composed of unconsolidated and heterogeneous subject matter, dictates sound moral prescriptions. Nineteenth-century pornog raphy postulates neither a categorical imperative nor a set of rigid prin ciples. Rather, it allows the presence of certain themes, materials, and desires that were excluded, suppressed, distorted, and demonized within the major fiction of the century. George Eliot’s systematic extirpation of sodomy in Romola (1862–63)—which is made visible only through the symptoms of its repression—has the effect of casting a dark penumbra of unthinkability over the act and its associations (Henry 329). What does it
Do you want to know?: recommending strangers in the enterprise

Recent studies on people recommendation have focused on suggesting people the user already knows. In this work, we use social media behavioral data to recommend people the user is not likely to know, but nonetheless may be interested in. Our evaluation is based on an extensive user study with 516 participants within a large enterprise and includes both quantitative and qualitative results. We found that many employees valued the recommendations, even if only one or two of nine recommendations were interesting strangers. Based on these results, we discuss potential deployment routes and design implications for a stranger recommendation feature.
Microscale adaptive optics: wave-front control with a m-mirror array and a VLSI stochastic gradient descent controller

The performance of adaptive systems that consist of microscale on-chip elements [microelectromechanical mirror (µ-mirror) arrays and a VLSI stochastic gradient descent microelectronic control system] is analyzed. The µ-mirror arrays with 5 × 5 and 6 × 6 actuators were driven with a control system composed of two mixed-mode VLSI chips implementing model-free beam-quality metric optimization by the stochastic parallel perturbative gradient descent technique. The adaptation rate achieved was near 6000 iterations/s. A secondary (learning) feedback loop was used to control system parameters during the adaptation process, further increasing the adaptation rate.
Protein kinase C activators block specific calcium and potassium current components in isolated hippocampal neurons

Whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques were used to study the effects of the protein kinase C (PKC) activators phorbol esters and OAG on Ca and K currents in differentiated neurons acutely dissociated from adult hippocampus and in tissue-cultured neurons from fetal hippocampus. PKC activators had selective depressant effects on K currents, with persistent currents (IK and IK-Ca) being reduced and transient current (IA) being unaffected. In both cell types we recorded both high-voltage-activated, noninactivating (L-type) and high-voltage-activated, rapidly inactivating (N-type) Ca current. A low-voltage-activated, rapidly inactivating (T-type) Ca current was also recorded in tissue-cultured neurons but not in acutely dissociated neurons. PKC activators markedly reduced N-type current with less effect on L-type and no effect on T-type Ca current. Effects of PKC activators could be reversed with washing or with application of PKC inhibitors H-7 or polymyxin-B, an effect that could not be attributed to inhibition of cAMP-dependent protein kinase. The Ca/calmodulin inhibitor calmidazolium was ineffective in reversing the actions of PKC activators. Using whole-cell voltage-clamp techniques, we have demonstrated that hippocampal neurons possess 3 distinguishable components of calcium current. Distinct K currents were also observed. Our data strongly support the hypothesis that both Ca and K currents are selectively regulated by PKC and that these effects occur directly on the postsynaptic neuron.
Defender of Minorities: Germany in the League of Nations, 1926–1933

Germany under the Weimar Republic played the role of champion of minorities in Europe. A combination of revisionist hopes, volkisch arrogance, and humanitarian concern for the fate of lost kin motivated the Minderheitenpolitik of the Reich. Most historians have interpreted this episode as a link between the imperialism of Wilhelmian Germany and that of the Third Reich, a refinement—dictated by weakness—of Berlin's continuing efforts to dominate Eastern Europe.
Using the Theory of Reasoned Action and Structural Equation Modeling to Study the Influence of News Media in an Experimental Context

This study situates the theory of reasoned action (TRA) as a viable method for studying the impact of the news media on attitudes and behaviors. Specifically, the TRA is analyzed using structural equation modeling to determine the influence of a news story about the potential building of an Islamic community center on nearby media consumers. Results show the TRA, in combination with structural equation modeling, provides an acceptable model for examining the influence of news stories in an experimental context. The news media were found to significantly impact perceptions of the climate of opinion, as well as beliefs about how the news story content would affect the community. Moreover, prior attitudes toward the news story's subject (in this case, Islam) moderated the story's influence and may prove useful in future use of the TRA.
Taxation and Determinants of Legislative Representation in Africa

Subnational governments are increasingly important for the advancement of African democracy. State governments serve as mechanisms for participatory integration of ordinary people into governance and are charged with ‘the enhancement of representative grassroots democracy’ (Fajingbesi et al., 2004, 47). Subnational legislatures are endowed with the power to independently raise revenue, but they face growing duties. Given their varied obligations, what determines state legislators’ policy priorities?
The index of self-regulation: development and psychometric analysis.

This paper describes the development and initial psychometric evaluation of a measure of individual self-regulation in the maintenance of health behavior change. Items were developed from inductively generated data to index dimensions of self-regulation in behavioral change (Fleury, 1991). Quantification of Index of Self-Regulation (ISR) content validity was supported through the ratings of 10 experts, following criteria established by Imle and Atwood (1988). The instrument was tested in successive steps with 146 individuals who were participating in an outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program for reliability and validity, including internal consistency reliability and three forms of validity assessment (content validity, criterion-related validity, and construct validity). The three subscales of Stimulus Control, Reconditioning, and Behavioral Monitoring demonstrated internal consistency ranging from .73-.76. Total scale alpha was .87. Initial estimates of criterion-related and construct validity were documented with correlations between ISR subscales and theoretically related criterion measures (.20-.47). With refinement the ISR will provide a basis for tailoring and evaluating clinical interventions designed to enhance motivation in the maintenance of health behavior change.
Large Scale Molecular Dynamics Study of Amorphous Carbon and Graphite on Parallel Machines

Using a reactive empirical bond-order potential (REBOP) model for hydrocarbons 1 , large scale molecular dynamics simulations of carbon systems are carried out on parallel machines. Structural and dynamical correlations of amorphous carbon at various densities are studied. The calculated structure factor agrees well with neutron scattering experiments and the results of tightbinding molecular dynamics simulations. The dynamic behavior of crack propagation through graphite sheet is also investigated with the molecular-dynamics method. Effects of external stress and initial notch shape on crack propagation in graphite are studied. It is found that graphite sheet fractures in a cleavage-like or branching manners depending on the orientations of the graphite sheet with respect to the external stress. The roughness of crack surfaces is analyzed. Two roughness exponents are observed in two different regions.
Temperature Regulation in Baby Chicks

At environmental temperatures below 25° C. baby chicks of one to 3 weeks of age huddle together when they are not eating. This procedure may decrease their loss of heat and is then to be regarded as a type of temperature regulation. As it would be a matter of a higher biological unit than the single animal, it could be classified as social temperature regulation. It would be superimposed on the individual regulation, within which Rubner distinguished the chemical regulation at low and the physical regulation at high environmental temperatures. The social temperature regulation would be physical in its nature but effective only at low environmental temperatures, that is, in the realm of the chemical regulation.In order to determine whether such a possible influence really exists, the fasting metabolism (24 to 36 hours after the last feed) of baby chicks was determined in groups of 10 individuals, which were allowed to come together in one trial and were separated by divisions of chicken wire in the next tr...
Velocity anomalies: An alternative explanation

Material velocity changes have been reported to precede the last two magnitude 5 earthquakes along the San Andreas fault in central California. In both cases the anomalies were based on an increase of ~0.2 seconds in travel-time residuals from small regional earthquakes at one or more nearby seismic stations. A detailed reexamination of the data shows that the changes were more likely caused by differences in the depth and magnitude of the source earthquakes during the "anomalous" periods and were unrelated to any premonitory material property changes. Additional data are presented from sources chosen to minimize such problems. They show that travel times before the two magnitude 5 earthquakes were in fact stable to within a few hundredths of a second for rays that passed within a few kilometers of the hypocenters, Given the great latitude that can be exercised in the selection of data after the fact to define premonitory changes, such anomalies may not be of any significance unless it is explicitly shown that they are not due to some other change in the sources used or signals measured. "The ability of the human being to prove truth from coincidence is without bound" (Wrothall, 1977).
Detection of Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia spp. in ticks in northeast Missouri

We evaluated Amblyomma americanum (lone star tick) and Dermacentor variabilis (American dog tick) in northeast Missouri for the presence of Borrelia, Ehrlichia, and Rickettsia bacteria. We collected actively questing ticks from four sites within Adair County, Missouri. A total of 15,162 ticks were collected, of which 13,980 were grouped in 308 pools (lone star ticks, 288 pools; American dog ticks, 20 pools) and tested for presence/absence of bacteria using polymerase chain reaction. Infection rates were calculated as the maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Of the 308 pools tested, 229 (74.4%) were infected with bacteria and the overall MLE of the infection rate per 100 ticks was calculated as 2.9% (CI 2.61-3.21). Infection rates varied among life stages, 28.6% (CI 23.89-33.97) in adults, 7.0% (CI 5.10-9.86) in nymphs, and 1.0% (CI 0.75-1.20) in larvae. In the 116 adult lone star pools, infection rates were calculated for Borrelia lonestari (1.4%), Borrelia spp. (2.7%), Ehrlichia chaffeensis (6.1%), Ehrlichia ewingii (3.3%), Rickettsia amblyommii (18.3%), and Rickettsia montanensis (0.4%). Infection rates for the 52 nymphal lone star pools were calculated as B. lonestari (1.03%), Borrelia spp. (0.40%), E. chaffeensis (2.02%), E. ewingii (0.24%), and R. amblyommii (2.70%). In the 20 adult American dog tick pools, infection rates were determined as E. chaffeensis (9.47%), E. ewingii (5.47%), and R. montanensis (8.06%). Eight Borrelia samples were sequenced with five 99-100% identical to B. burgdorferi (s.l.) and three 99% identical to B. lonestari. Eight samples were sequenced for E. chaffeensis (all 99-100% identical) and one sample was sequenced for E. ewingii (99% identical). Seven samples were sequenced for Rickettsia and three were 99% identical to R. montanensis and four were 100% identical to R. amblyommii. This study demonstrates B. lonestari, E. chaffeensis, E. ewingii, R. amblyommii, and R. montanensis in northeast Missouri ticks for the first time. Understanding the presence and epidemiology of these causative (E. chaffeensis and E. ewingii) and suspected (B. lonestari and R. amblyommii) agents in Missouri should increase awareness of potential tick-borne disease in the medical community.
System Modeling of Lunar Oxygen Production Using Fission Surface Power: Mass and Power Requirements

A method for estimating the mass and fission surface power requirements of a lunar oxygen production facility is introduced. The individual modeling components involve the chemical processing and cryogenic storage subsystems needed to process a beneficiated regolith stream into liquid oxygen via ilmenite reduction. The power can be supplied from one of six different fission reactor-converter systems. A baseline system analysis, capable of producing 15 tonneslyr of oxygen, is presented. The influence of reactor-converter choice was seen to have a small but measurable impact on the system configuration and performance. Finally, the mission concept of operations can have a substantial impact upon individual component size and power requirements.
Celiac disease--a worldwide problem.

Celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis are caused by the alcohol soluble fractions of wheat, barley, and rye. Reliable serological tests are available for both mass and risk group screening and recent epidemiological studies on celiac disease suggest that the prevalence varies between 1 : 100–300 in different continents. The clinical manifestations of the disease has changed in the West and the classical symptomatic cases represent only approximately 1/7th of all diagnosed cases. Symptoms such as, anemia, short stature, dental enamel defect or osteoporosis can be the only manifestations of the atypical disease. There is an increased prevalence of celiac disease in patients with autoimmune diseases. Recent data suggest that there is a correlation between the prevalence of autoimmune diseases and the number of years that an individual consumes, gluten-containing foods. Genetic studies revealed a high prevalence of certain HLA antigens in celiac patients, however, there is likelihood that non-HIA genes are also important in the pathomechanism. An interesting new development is the recognition of tissue transglutaminase (tTG), an enzyme that probably forms an autoantigen with gluten. It is generally accepted that antibodies to tTG are identical to the previously described antiendomysium antibodies. Whether or not tTG is responsible for the initiation of an immunoreaction against prolamines or just exacerbates the immune response is a subject of further investigations.
Practical CVA Issues: Single- and Double-Random Wrong Way Risk Models

Practical aspects of single- and doubled-random WWR models for CVA are reviewed. Discussing the single-random WWR model conditioning the exposure on the random default time and suggesting modifications which help a) isolate WWR effect from RWR, and b) specify expectations about WWR trends with changing default rate. Further, overviewing the general CVA dependence on the default rate via developing clarifying approximations and analyzing conditions when CVA declines with growing default rate. Demonstrating then that although technically double-random WWR can reduce CVA in that area, the needed parameters are long maturities combined with atypically high default rates so that the effect is rather of an academic than practical interest.
Tubulovesicular transcytotic pathway in isolated rat hepatocyte couplets in culture. Effect of colchicine and taurocholate.

Abstract Isolated rat hepatocyte couplets in short-term culture (6 h) were labeled for 3 min with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) to characterize the transcytotic vesicle transport pathway in this cell culture system that retained an "apical" canalicular membrane polarity. Microtubules were identified with monoclonal antibodies to β-tubulin and fluorescein isothiocyanate-labeled goat-antimouse antibody and were concentrated in the apical domain, a structural polarity that was eliminated by pretreatment with colchicine. In control cells, HRP immediately labeled vesicles and tubules in the submembrane regions of the periphery of the cell. Within 10 min tubules and vesicles were prominantly labeled in pericanalicular regions, a process blocked by colchicine but not by lumicolchicine or taurocholate administration. A quantitative morphometric analysis utilizing a Zeiss Videoplan-2 image analyzer established that (a) HRP-containing structures increased in density, area, length, and diameter in the pericanalicular region by 10 min; (b) colchicine, but not lumicolchicine, pretreatment diminished their density, area, and length; and (c) taurocholate (50 IAM), a choleretic and biliary lipid-stimulating bile acid, had no effect on HRP density or percentage of area in the pericanalicular region, but decreased the diameter of the pericanalicular HRP-containing structures and increased the percentage of tubules containing HRP from 29% to 40%. Tubules were particularly prominent in thick sections (400 nm) in both peripheral and pericanalicular regions and were viewed as continuous anastomosing linear arrays in stereo-paired micrographs. These studies established that isolated rat hepatocyte couplets maintain a highly polarized tubulovesicular transcytotic pathway in short-term culture that is microtubule-dependent. Taurocholate stimulates the transformation of tubules from vesicles in this isolated rat hepatocyte couplet system.
STAT3-Activated GM-CSFRα Shuttles To The Nucleus and Protects CLL Cells From Apoptosis

Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) regulates the survival, proliferation, differentiation, and activation of hematopoietic cells, dendritic cells, and T cells. Upon GM-CSF binding, the α and β subunits of the GM-CSF receptor (GM-CSFR) dimerize and activate signaling. While exploring a possible role for GM-CSF in treating chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), we found that GM-CSF did not enhance the phosphorylation of STAT3, Akt, or ERK, suggesting that GM-CSF does not directly affect CLL cells. Indeed, as in normal B cells, flow cytometry analysis of CLL cells did not detect GM-CSFRβ. However, unlike in normal B cells, GM-CSFRα (CD116) was present in CLL cells. Using confocal microscopy, cell fractionation studies, and GM-CSFRα antibody epitope mapping, we detected GM-CSFRα not only on the surfaces but also in the cytosol and nuclei of CLL cells, suggesting that GM-CSFRα has functions that are unrelated to receptor-ligand interaction. Because STAT3 is constitutively activated in CLL cells and because the promoter of the GM-CSFRα gene harbors putative STAT3 binding sites, we hypothesized that STAT3 activates GM-CSFRα in CLL cells. Both chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) and electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) analyses revealed that STAT3 binds to the promoter of GM-CSFRα. We therefore cloned the GM-CSFRα promoter in multiple myeloma cell line MM1 and used luciferase assay we identified STAT3 binding activity. To investigate the function of GM-CSFRα, we induced the overexpression of GM-CSFRα in 293FT cells and analyzed the RNA and protein that co-immunoprecipitated with GM-CSFRα. We identified 7200 RNA transcripts that co-immunoprecipitated with GM-CSFRα, including SKI and MAFA oncogenes, two serine/threonine kinase genes, and DEFT1P2 and DEFP1P, which encode proteins that belong to members of the death effector domains family, known to have a role in modulating apoptosis. Overall, the transcripts that co-immunoprecipitated with GM-CSFRα belong to survival pathways, the JAK/STAT pathway, and hematopoietic lineage pathways. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that housekeeping proteins, chaperon proteins, KAP1, and ISG-15 co-immunoprecipitated with GM-CSFRα. We found that GM-CSFRα–bound KAP1 enhanced the transcriptional activity of STAT3, whereas GM-CSFRα–bound ISG-15 inhibited the nuclear factor-κB pathway. Nevertheless, overexpression of GM-CSFRα protected MM1 cells from dexamethasone-induced apoptosis, and GM-CSFRα-siRNA induced the apoptosis of CLL cells. Taken together, our data suggest that STAT3 induces the transcription of GM-CSFRα, which has distinct, ligand-independent, anti-apoptotic activities. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Residency Requirements and Guidelines

A residency is the first step to becoming a board-certified anesthesiologist in the United States. This postgraduate training period is the essential period when the newly graduated medical student trains to be an independent practitioner and specifically focuses on specialty training. Although residency programs in the United States vary widely, they all share basic requirements and guidelines that are required by a governing body, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). It should be noted that ACGME requirements for anesthesiology residencies in the United States are ever changing and are subject to change at any moment.
Modeling Electronic-Nuclear Interactions for Excitation Energy Transfer Processes in Light-Harvesting Complexes.

An accurate approach for computing intermolecular and intrachromophore contributions to spectral densities to describe the electronic–nuclear interactions relevant for modeling excitation energy transfer processes in light harvesting systems is presented. The approach is based on molecular dynamics (MD) calculations of classical correlation functions of long-range contributions to excitation energy fluctuations and a separate harmonic analysis and single-point gradient quantum calculations for electron–intrachromophore vibrational couplings. A simple model is also presented that enables detailed analysis of the shortcomings of standard MD-based excitation energy fluctuation correlation function approaches. The method introduced here avoids these problems, and its reliability is demonstrated in accurate predictions for bacteriochlorophyll molecules in the Fenna–Matthews–Olson pigment–protein complex, where excellent agreement with experimental spectral densities is found. This efficient approach can provid...
Recruitment and retention project team: Opportunities and outcomes

L'article decrit les differentes etapes du projet Recrutement et maintien developpe a l'Universite de l'Arizona, de sa planification strategique a sa mise en place. L'equipe responsable du projet a pour objectif d'encourager les bibliothecaires de groupes ethniques minoritaires a integrer des fonctions au sein de l'environnement academique, de promouvoir leurs candidatures, de surmonter les obstacles culturels et geographiques en favorisant le maintien des employes repesentatifs de minorites, et de creer un programme de parrainage pour tout le personnel.
CPT and Billing Codes

Billing and coding activities provide rehabilitation psychologists the opportunity to identify the services (procedures) that have been provided to a patient in the context of a presenting problem or disorder (diagnosis). The specific procedures and associated diagnosis determine how, and if, the clinician receives payment (reimbursement) for the services provided. Having a good understanding of billing and coding activities relative to clinical services provided is critical for the financial success of clinicians and health care organizations. Key concepts in understanding billing and coding activities in rehabilitation psychology are outlined as follows:
Kokesh Footnote 3 Notwithstanding: The Future of the Disgorgement Penalty in SEC Cases

Disgorgement of ill-gotten gains long has been a basic tool in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) penalty toolkit, despite a paucity of statutory authorization. Because disgorgement lacked a statutory framework, courts have had to flesh out the sanction via interstitial rulemaking. In Kokesh v. SEC, the US Supreme Court took up the seemingly technical—but surprisingly important—question of what statute of limitations applies to SEC disgorgement actions. More important, at least for present purposes, the Court’s opinion cast into doubt the validity of the seemingly well-established disgorgement sanction. Earlier cases based the SEC’s authority to seek and the courts’ power to impose disgorgement on the claim that it is a form of equitable ancillary relief. If disgorgement is a penalty, however, courts lack that power and the SEC lacks that authority. This conclusion follows necessarily from the basic premise that there are no penalties in equity and the complete absence of any statutory authority to impose disgorgement as a legal sanction. Now that the Supreme Court has made clear that disgorgement is, in fact, a penalty, the future of the disgorgement penalty looks bleak.
Abstract 14698: Does Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation Improve Cardiac Function in Patients With Systemic AL amyloidosis?

Introduction: Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is an effective therapy for prolonging survival in patients with systemic AL amyloidosis (ALA). Cardiac dysfunction due to amyloid involvement is a strong determinant of mortality. Whether ASCT can improve cardiac function is not well understood. Hypothesis: To assess changes in conventional echocardiographic parameters and global longitudinal strain (GLS) at baseline and 1 year post-ASCT and to determine predictors of 1 year mortality post-ASCT. Methods: Our study included fifty-one patients with newly diagnosed, biopsy-proven systemic AL amyloidosis undergoing ASCT. Cardiac biomarkers and echocardiographic measurements were obtained in all patients at baseline and at 1 year post-ASCT in 1 year survivors. Speckle-tracking global longitudinal strain (GLS) was retrospectively analyzed using vendor neutral software (TomTec Imaging Systems GmbH). Results: The mean age was 56.4 +/- 7.9 and 47.1% were female. Cardiac involvement was present in 68.6% based on consensus criteria. The mean baseline EF was 64.9 +/- 8.3. Complete hematologic response at 1 year was 55.8%. Mortality was 15.7% at 1 year. Long-term mortality was 27.5% (mean follow-up 4.0 +/- 2.6 years). Predictors of 1 year mortality were baseline GLS, troponin, BNP, septal thickness and E/A ratio. Age, gender and creatinine were not predictive. Among survivors at 1 year post-ASCT, there was no significant change in the biomarker or echocardiographic indices compared to baseline, regardless of hematologic response. Conclusions: Markers of cardiac dysfunction at baseline are predictive of 1 year mortality in patients with systemic ALA. Among those who survived to 1 year post-ASCT, there was no change in cardiac function assessed by echocardiography or biomarkers compared to baseline.