cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Long term outcome and EuroSCORE II validation in native valve surgery for active infective endocarditis in a South African cohort

Objectives: To evaluate the major risk factors for adverse short and long term outcomes in patients with active native valve infective endocarditis needing cardiac surgery and to validate the EuroSCORE II in our cohort of patients. Methods: We retrospectively studied 149 patients who underwent native valve surgery for infective endocarditis in June 2000 - May 2011 at our referral centre. Ninety-six patients met the inclusion criteria for the study: 29 aortic valve replacements (AVR), 27 mitral valve replacements (MVR), 28 aortic/mitral (double) valve replacements (DVR) and 12 mitral valve repairs (MV Repair). Results: Mechanical valves were implanted in 68 patients (70.8%), bioprosthetic valves in 16 (16.7%) and mitral annuloplasty rings in 12 (12.5%). The Cox proportional hazard model showed that the most important risk factors for early 30-day mortality were: critical preoperative state, emergency surgery, EuroSCORE II >12%, low cardiac output state (LCOS), HIV positive status, preoperative embolic episodes, vegetation size >1cm and postoperative ventilation >24 hours. The EuroSCORE II underestimated early mortality for the entire cohort. The discriminatory ability was evaluated with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve with an area under the curve of 0.796. The discriminatory ability in the subgroup analysis showed that the AUROC curve was poorer for MVR (0.696), 0.837 for DVR and better for AVR group (0.92). Conclusions: The EuroSCORE II underestimated mortality in the highest risk groups and overestimated mortality in the lowest risk groups. The discriminatory ability and model fit were evaluated to be good and a EuroSCORE II >12% predicted a signifi cantly higher early and medium term mortality.
Myeloblastic Leukemia Preceded by Prolonged Hematologic Disorder

A case with a prolonged period of blood disorder preceding the terminal development of myeloblastic leukemia is reported in some detail. The preleukemic period was characterized by anemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia. It extended over a period of almost nine years but was punctuated by a period of remission lasting four and one half years. In the initial phase, the marrow was hypoplastic but during the later stages, it was hyperplastic. Brief reference is made to somewhat similar cases that have been recorded and to the ideas expressed by the authors of these reports. It is suggested that further investigation is needed to determine whether the initial blood disease occurring in such cases is irrevocably linked to the subsequent leukemia.
Electron Beam CT of the Heart

Electron beam tomography (EBT) was developed by Douglas Boyd, PhD, and his associates at Imatron, starting in 1977; the first clinical installation was at University of California at San Francisco in 1984. The challenge was to design a CT scanner capable of imaging the heart without motion artifacts; this required data acquisition times of 100 ms or less. In order to study perfusion, covering most of the heart without moving the patient table was also necessary. Acquisition times of 100 ms or less required a design with no moving parts except for the patient table. The result is EBT, where an electron beam generates the X-ray views needed for CT by sweeping across fixed targets.
An Overview of Changes in Children’s Number Word Concepts From Age 2 Through 8

Young children’s early experiences with number words occur in many different specific situations. These situations fall into seven mathematically different kinds of situations: cardinal, measure, ordinal, counting, sequence, symbolic (numeral), and nonnumerical situations. These uses are described in chapter 1. In English the same number words are used for six of these kinds of situations. For ordinal situations, special ordinal modifications of these number words are used; most of these ordinal number words sound quite similar to the standard numbers words (having th on the end). Because the words are identical for most situations, and similar even in ordinal situations, it is fairly easy to relate uses of the same number word across these mathematically different situations. However, very young children show little understanding of any such relationships. Their initial uses of number words are confined to use within a given kind of situation. A major aspect of the learning that occurs throughout the period from age 2 through 8 concerns the increasingly complex relationships between different kinds of situations.
The Photochemical Addition of Amino Acids and Proteins to Nucleic Acids

When bacterial cells are irradiated with ultraviolet light, DNA and protein become photochemically cross-linked. This photochemical reaction appears to be the major lethal lesion in irradiated bacteria under certain experimental conditions. We have turned to in vitro model systems in order to gain some insight into the mechanism(s) by which DNA and protein are photochemically cross-linked in vivo. A survey was performed of the abilly of the 22 common amino acids to add photochemically (254 nm) to 14C-uracil. The 11 reactive amino acids were glycine, serine, phenylalanine, tyrosine, tryptophan, cystine, cysteine, methionine, histidine, arginine and lysine. The most reactive amino acids were phenylalanine, tyrosine and cysteine. We have isolated the cysteine adduct and have shown it to be 5-S-cysteine-6-hydrouracil. The analogous thymine adduct has also been isolated and its tentative structure is 5-S-cysteine-6-hydrothymine. We have studied the kinetics of the photochemical addition of 35S-cysteine to various synthetic and natural polynucleotides. Preliminary data on the tyrosine adducts to uracil are reported.
Proceedings of the 3rd annual conference on Systems, programming, and applications: software for humanity

Welcome to Tucson, Arizona and the 2012 Systems, Programming, Languages, Applications: Software for Humanity (SPLASH) conference! This is the third annual SPLASH conference. SPLASH is an umbrella conference containing OOPSLA, Onward!, and Wavefront. This year we also have the Dynamic Languages Symposium (DLS) and Pattern Languages of Programs (PLoP) co-located with us. The SPLASH conference grew out of OOPSLA, which started in 1986 and eventually grew to a SPLASH-like set of conferences (including Onward!) in 2009. Thus 2012 can be considered the 27th year of this great tradition. The rebranding of the conference as SPLASH recognizes the growth of this area beyond object-oriented programming. However, the conference as a whole retains a similar set of interests. These interests span many areas of programming, programming languages, and software engineering. I invite you to dive into the research papers at OOPSLA, find out about cutting-edge industrial ideas at Wavefront, and expand your horizons at Onward! This year we have continued making 5 day registrations available, so that you can easily sample all these conferences as well as a variety of workshops and the DLS. This year we are fortunate to have four keynote speakers who span different parts of the SPLASH tradition. Barbara Simons's keynote addresses the timely application area of electronic voting. Jim Coplien's keynote about the Data, Context, and Interaction paradigm will add to the SPLASH tradition of software design as well as offering a new perspective on how to design software for humanity. Rustan Leino's keynote promises to be at the intersection of programming languages and software engineering. Rob Pike's keynote on the Go language will address both programming language design and cutting-edge applications at Google.
Accuracy and Utility of Aircraft Flux Measurements

Strategies to assess long-term atmosphere-ecosystem exchange of CO2 and H2O must deal not only with time trends but also with spatial variability. Flux-towers, always limited in number, efficiently measure time trends but the representativeness of a tower site — or the significance of spatial Variation between sites — is best addressed through flux measurements from small aircraft (see Fig. B.10). Recent technological advances in aircraft and instruments allow airborne flux measurements to be made with enhanced precision, greater ease and lower cost. Challenges remain, however, in all aspects of the activity: instrumentation, data processing, and data interpretation.
Mobile health apps preferences and practice among ambulatory cardiovascular patients.

AIM To determine if patients in cardiology practices would be interested in or willing to use mobile health technologies. METHODS Patients seen at an ambulatory cardiology clinic for any indication were included. A paper survey was administered during pre-intake that assessed frequency of use, familiarity with and interest in mobile health applications. Data were analyzed using an exploratory logistic regression analysis to determine demographic predictors for technology utilization. RESULTS A total of 306 patients were included (a plurality, 39.3%, in age group 50-69; 62.7% male). Those from median household incomes between US$30,000 and US$74,999 and those 18-29 years old were more likely to have used a health app (0.53 and 1.21, respectively). Those between 18 and 29 years were less interested in virtual visits with their healthcare provider (-0.92) and those over age 70 were less comfortable using their phone apps (-0.80). CONCLUSION Age and income are important predictors of mobile health app adoption.
CLASSICIZING AND MEDIEVALIZING CHAUCER: THE SOURCES FOR PYRAMUS' DEATH-THROES IN THE LEGEND OF GOOD WOMEN

This article demonstrates that Chaucer based his version of the Pyramus and Thisbe story in the "Legend of Good Women" on Ovid's version in the Metamorphoses, rather than on Geoffrey of Monmouth's Historia Regum Britanniae, as has been suggested. Textual evidence can be found in a comparison of the "Legend" with the Metamorphoses and with the Ovide Moralise. Further evidence lies in the history of Pyramus' death-throes outside Ovid. Chaucer's episode does not show any special indebtedness to Geoffrey, for similar episodes also occur twice in the Aeneid, as well as in the Waltharius, in the Welsh Brut y Brenhinedd, and in the Anglo-Norman Brut. Chaucer's choice of names has also been put forward as evidence to support the Historia as a direct source but a broader survey of the above works points out variations that disprove this theory. Chaucer's source for this topos in the Pyramus tale must be the Metamorphoses, while his use of Geoffrey's Historia still remains unproven.
Convolutional neural network based proton stopping-power-ratio estimation with dual-energy CT: A feasibility study

Dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) has shown a great potential for lowering range uncertainties, which is necessary for truly leveraging the Bragg peak in proton therapy. However, analytical stopping-power-ratio (SPR) estimation methods have limitations in resolving the influence from the beam-hardening artifact, i.e. CT number variation of the same object scanned under different imaging conditions, such as different patient size and location in the field-of-view (FOV). We present a convolutional neural network (CNN)-based framework to estimate proton SPR that accounts for patient geometry variation and addresses CT number variation. The proposed framework was tested on both prostate and head-and-neck (HN) patient datasets. Simulated CT images were used in order to have a well-defined ground-truth SPR for evaluation. Two training scenarios were evaluated: training with patient CT images (ideal scenario) and training with computational phantoms (realistic scenario). For the training in ideal scenario, computational phantoms were created based on 120 kVp patient CT images using a custom-defined density and material translation curve. Then, 80 kVp and 150 kVp Sn DECT image pairs were obtained using ray-tracing simulation, and their corresponding SPR was calculated from the known density and elemental compositions. For the training in realistic scenario, computational phantoms were created based on the geometry of calibration phantoms. For both scenarios, evaluation was performed on the phantoms created from patient CT images. Compared to a conventional parametric model, U-net trained with computational phantoms (realistic scenario) reduced the SPR estimation uncertainty (95th percentile) of the prostate patient from 1.10% to 0.71%, and HN patient from 2.11% to 1.20%. With the U-net trained with patient images (ideal scenario) uncertainty values were 0.32% and 0.42% for prostate and HN patients, respectively. These results suggest that CNN has great potential to improve the accuracy of SPR estimation in proton therapy by incorporating individual patient geometry information.
The Behavior of the Various Personalities of Secondary Equity Investors: Big Five Personality Model

The personality of investors influences their behavior in terms of the behavioral biases exhibited and the returns earned in equity investments. By employing the Big Five personality model, the personality types of a sample of 436 secondary equity investors residing in Chennai, India, are identified, using the questionnaire survey method. The specific behavioral biases—mental accounting, anchoring, gambler’s fallacy, availability, loss aversion, regret aversion, representativeness, and overconfidence—are measured using scenario-based questions. Pearson correlation analysis is performed to identify the biases most likely to be displayed by each investor personality type. The personality dimensions of successful investors are determined using analysis of variance tests. The agreeableness and conscientiousness of investors yield high returns in the secondary equity market. A robust discriminant model is developed, with the investors’ financials and personality dimensions as predictors to discriminate between high and low returns. Wealth managers and financial advisers can apply the findings of the current article to customize trading strategies for their clients (investors) based on investor personality type. Such advisers can diplomatically caution clients to beware of the biases that they are likely to exhibit based on personality type. Financial managers and advisers can also focus more personalized attention on investor personalities that earn lower returns. TOPICS:Behavioral finance in wealth management, wealth management, emerging markets, quantitative methods, statistical methods Key Findings ▪ The personality of investors influences their behavior in terms of the behavioral biases exhibited and the returns earned in equity investments. ▪ Investors of each personality type are more likely to exhibit certain behavioral biases. ▪ Agreeable and Conscientious investors yield high returns in the secondary equity market.
What is visible across the visual field

It is sometimes claimed that because the resolution and sensitivity of visual perception are better in the fovea than in the periphery, peripheral vision cannot support the same kinds of colour and sharpness percepts as foveal vision. The fact that a scene nevertheless seems colourful and sharp throughout the visual field then poses a puzzle. In this study, I use a detailed model of human spatial vision to estimate the visibility of certain properties of natural scenes, including aspects of colourfulness, sharpness, and blurriness, across the visual field. The model is constructed to reproduce basic aspects of human contrast and colour sensitivity over a range of retinal eccentricities. I apply the model to colourful, complex natural scene images, and estimate the degree to which colour and edge information are present in the model's representation of the scenes. I find that, aside from the intrinsic drift in the spatial scale of the representation, there are not large qualitative differences between foveal and peripheral representations of 'colourfulness' and 'sharpness'.
Scenario-robust pre-disaster planning for multiple relief items

The increasing vulnerability of the population from frequent disasters requires quick and effective responses to provide the required relief through effective humanitarian supply chain distribution networks. We develop scenario-robust optimization models for stocking multiple disaster relief items at strategic facility locations for disaster response. Our models improve the robustness of solutions by easing the difficult, and usually impossible, task of providing exact probability distributions for uncertain parameters in a stochastic programming model. Our models allow decision makers to specify uncertainty parameters (i.e., point and probability estimates) based on their degrees of knowledge, using distribution-free uncertainty sets in the form of ranges. The applicability of our generalized approach is illustrated via a case study of hurricane preparedness in the Southeastern United States. In addition, we conduct simulation studies to show the effectiveness of our approach when conditions deviate from the model assumptions.
Quine and Observation

Observation is central to empiricism, whose leading idea is that all knowledge is ultimately conveyed to us through our perceptual experiences. Analytic philosophy is in part distinguished by its transformation of traditional philosophical questions into ones about language, and by its emphasis on the primacy of the sentence as linguistic vehicle. So it is no wonder that the notion of an observation sentence is central to W.V. Quine’s philosophy, which in many ways represents the zenith of empiricism as pursued in the analytic tradition. A proper understanding and assessment of his philosophy depends on a satisfactory construal of that notion, one that answers to all the roles he calls upon it to play. And yet, Quine has found “the notion of observation awkward to analyze” and has returned to its characterization again and again.1
Signal detection for time-varying vector channels

We look at the problem of signal detection over time-varying channels using spatio-temporal processing. We first derive a matched filter bound for a fading vector channel. Next, we derive an upper bound on the pairwise probability of error in fading vector channels and show that for perfect channel estimation we do not observe error-flooring. We present a signal detection algorithm which approximates the maximum likelihood joint channel-data estimator for vector channels. Finally we present some simulation results of this algorithm for fast time-varying vector channels.
Protein aging Extracellular amyloid formation and intracellular repair.

Soluble proteins can undergo spontaneous structural and conformational alterations that lead to their stable aggregation into amyloid fibrils. Amyloidogenic proteins have been implicated in several types of age-related pathologic changes. For example, transthyretin amyloid accumulation in the heart can lead to cardiac failure, while β-amyloid deposition within the microvasculature and gray matter of the brain is linked to cerebral hemorrhage and neuronal death. Over the course of evolution, protein structures have developed that largely resist such aggregation. Spontaneous chemical modifications correlated with the normal aging process, however, including the deamidation, isomerization, and racemization of asparaginyl and aspartyl residues, as well as the oxidation and glycation of various amino acid residues, may contribute to amyloid formation by altering protein structure. In fact, a recent chemical analysis of neuritic plaque and vascular β-amyloid deposits from the brains of Alzheimer's disease victims has revealed that the majority of the aspartyl residues in β-amyloid are in the isomerized and/or racemized configuration. Although enzymes exist that can reverse at least part of this damage for intracellular proteins, the accumulation of extracellular proteins containing altered residues might contribute to the deterioration of heart, brain, and other tissues that occurs with aging and disease.
Allan R. Millett: The War for Korea, 1945–1950: A House Burning

Allan R. Millett, a prominent military historian, is currently Director of the Eisenhower Center for American Studies at the University of New Orleans. A retired U.S Marine Corps Reserve colonel, h...
Multiple view scalability of presentations distributed to heterogeneous devices

We present a novel approach of distributing video lectures by capturing multiple regions of interest from a high definition camera and then distributing via a peer-to-peer network to participants' viewing devices. We show this approach is scalable and supports a broader range of viewing devices for participants. Our approach is more flexible than relying on a traditional camera operator to capture a single high bandwidth video stream. In addition, the solution supports a more active learning and inclusive environment by enabling views of additional streams such as audio captioning, video descriptions or optical character recognition of overheads and whiteboards for sensory disabled participants using personal devices.
Novel near-infrared Raman spectroscopy of biological fluids

Raman spectroscopy sensitivity in medical applications, is limited by the fact that most biological samples. are strongly fluorescent in the visible, which makes the much weaker Raman signals at the same wavelengths nearly impossible to detect. Our group is working to combine rapid wavelength modulation, which is important for overcoming drift noise, with multichannel wavelength detection, which is essential for high-throughput Raman spectroscopy systems. One essential component of our system is a wavelength-tunable diode laser. Early applications of this work have focused upon the detection of hemoglobin, myoglobin, and creatinine in urine samples. Urine fluoresces enough at 830 nm excitation that the Raman peaks of these chemicals are nearly invisible in a conventionally-obtained Raman spectrum.
A cross-sectional matched sample study of nonsuicidal self-injury among young adults: support for interpersonal and intrapersonal factors, with implications for coping strategies

Young adults are a high-risk group for nonsuicidal self-injury (NSSI). It is important to have a better understanding of these behaviors in order to facilitate effective research, intervention, and treatment. Models have been presented to explain these behaviors where emotion regulation, coping, and support play a role. Yet conflicting results have occurred based on demographic factors such as race and sex. While controlling for the observable demographic factors, this study sought to examine differences between individuals who currently engage in NSSI, engaged in NSSI in the past, and never engaged in NSSI related to emotions, coping strategies, interpersonal support, and ethnic identity and belonging. Participants were selected from freshman students at two universities, in geographically different locations in the United States (N = 282). Participants in this study were matched on demographic factors: race, sex, and university. This led to demographically matched groups (current, past, never engagement in NSSI; n = 94 per group). Groups were compared on intrapersonal factors (i.e., emotions: depression and anxiety; coping strategies: adaptive and maladaptive; interpersonal support: family, friend, and significant other; and ethnic identity and belonging). Descriptive statistics and ANOVA with post hoc Scheffe were utilized to explicate differences between groups. Individuals who never engaged in NSSI reported significantly higher levels of ethnic belonging and interpersonal support and lower levels of depression and anxiety than both groups who engaged in NSSI. Individuals who never self-injured used less adaptive and maladaptive coping strategies than participants who self-injured. Young adults who currently engaged in NSSI reported higher levels of depression and anxiety, higher levels of both types of coping, and perceived less support. It is important to understand the differences between individuals who self-injure in comparison to those who do not so that mental health clinicians can provide more effective services and preventative efforts.
Medicare disease management in policy context.

Interim results of the Medicare health support (MHS) demonstration projects suggest that commercial disease management (DM) is unable to deliver short-term medical cost savings. This is not surprising given the current DM program focus on compliance with process measures that may only lead to cost savings in the long term. A program focused on reducing near-term hospitalizations is more likely to deliver savings during the initial 3-year phase of MHS. If the early trends in MHS are indicative of the final results, CMS will face the decision of whether to abandon commercial DM in favor of other chronic care management strategies. This article supports the upcoming assessment by describing the characteristics of the current commercial DM model that limit its ability to deliver short-term medical cost savings and the changes required to overcome these limitations.
Autonomous Vehicle Navigation With Dynamic Adaptation and Complete Coverage of Unknown Environments

This paper presents a Statistical Mechanics-inspired navigation algorithm with dynamic adaptation and complete coverage of unknown environments, which is built upon the concept of generalized Ising model. The algorithm enables autonomous vehicles to cover all areas in the environment, avoid unknown obstacles and adapt to target neighborhoods. Potential applications of this algorithm are humanitarian de-mining, hazard detection and floor-cleaning tasks. The algorithm has been validated on a Player/Stage simulator with an example of minesweeping.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Synthesis of [11C]PBR06 and [18F]PBR06 as agents for positron emission tomographic (PET) imaging of the translocator protein (TSPO)

The translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO) is an attractive target for molecular imaging of neuroinflammation and tumor progression. [(18)F]PBR06, a fluorine-18 labeled form of PBR06, is a promising PET TSPO radioligand originally developed at NIMH. [(11)C]PBR06, a carbon-11 labeled form of PBR06, was designed and synthesized for the first time. The standard PBR06 was synthesized from 2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde in three steps with 71% overall chemical yield. The radiolabeling precursor desmethyl-PBR06 was synthesized from 2-hydroxy-5-methoxybenzaldehyde in five steps with 12% overall chemical yield. The target tracer [(11)C]PBR06 was prepared by O-[(11)C]methylation of desmethyl-PBR06 with [(11)C]CH(3)OTf in CH(3)CN at 80°C under basic condition and isolated by HPLC combined with SPE purification with 40-60% decay corrected radiochemical yield and 222-740 GBq/μmol specific activity at EOB. On the similar grounds, [(18)F]PBR06 was also designed and synthesized. The previously described Br-PBR06 precursor was synthesized from 2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde in two steps with 78% overall chemical yield. A new radiolabeling precursor tosyloxy-PBR06, previously undescribed tosylate congener of PBR06, was designed and synthesized from ethyl 2-hydroxyacetate, 4-methylbenzene-1-sulfonyl chloride, and N-(2,5-dimethoxybenzyl)-2-phenoxyaniline in four steps with 50% overall chemical yield. [(18)F]PBR06 was prepared by the nucleophilic substitution of either new tosyloxy-PBR06 precursor or known Br-PBR06 precursor in DMSO at 140°C with K[(18)F]F/Kryptofix 2.2.2 for 15 min and HPLC combined with SPE purification in 20-60% decay corrected radiochemical yield, >99% radiochemical purity, 87-95% chemical purity, and 37-222 GBq/μmol specific activity at EOB. Radiosynthesis of [(18)F]PBR06 using new tosylated precursor gave similar radiochemical purity, and higher specific activity, radiochemical yield and chemical purity in comparison with radiosynthesis using bromine precursor.
Testing of mattress composites in the cone calorimeter

An investigation of cone calorimeter test procedures was performed using two types of mattress composites with various specimen preparations and equipment configurations. The objective was to discover suitable procedures for testing mattress composites. Concurrent with this work a much larger and more sophisticated project known as CBUF was underway in Europe. One of CBUF's secondary objectives was to provide an appropriate test protocol for testing upholstered furniture composites, including mattresses. Most of the CBUF protocol was available at the time of this study and a modified form of the specimen preparation technique was used in this investigation. Preliminary tests found unacceptable test performance with some configurations. Subsequent testing examined variations of the established test protocols and other test procedures. The data sample was small, but observations of the data indicate trends that might be attributable to the use of the different procedures. Significantly it was determined that the edge frame used to hold specimens in place during the test does affect the test results. A modified CBUF protocol proved to be the best procedure, but it requires extensive experience with the CBUF specimen preparation method in order to be able to produce satisfactory specimens. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Parametrization of direct and soft steric-undulatory forces between DNA double helical polyelectrolytes in solutions of several different anions and cations

Directly measured forces between DNA helices in ordered arrays have been reduced to simple force coefficients and mathematical expressions for the interactions between pairs of molecules. The tabulated force parameters and mathematical expressions can be applied to parallel molecules or, by transformation, to skewed molecules of variable separation and mutual angle. This "toolbox" of intermolecular forces is intended for use in modelling molecular interactions, assembly, and conformation. The coefficients characterizing both the exponential hydration and the electrostatic interactions depend strongly on the univalent counterion species in solution, but are only weakly sensitive to anion type and temperature (from 5 to 50 degrees C). Interaction coefficients for the exponentially varying hydration force seen at spacings less than 10 to 15 A between surfaces are extracted directly from pressure versus interaxial distance curves. Electrostatic interactions are only observed at larger spacings and are always coupled with configurational fluctuation forces that result in observed exponential decay lengths that are twice the expected Debye-Huckel length. The extraction of electrostatic force parameters relies on a theoretical expression describing steric forces of molecules "colliding" through soft exponentially varying direct interactions.
Effect of food deprivation on glutathione and amino acid levels in brain and liver of young and aged rats

Abstract The effect of short-term food deprivation on glutathione (GSH) and amino acid levels in brain regions of young and aged rats was compared with changes observed in liver. Animals aged 3 months and 24 months were deprived of food for 48 h. GSH and amino acid levels from cerebral cortex, cerebellum, pons medulla, and liver were assayed and compared with levels in animals of the same age fed normal diets. In liver in both young and old rats, GSH levels fell 30%, from 13 μmol/g tissue to 8/7 μmol/g tissue. Significant changes were observed in other amino acids, including an increase of 30–50% in methionine, glycine, and glutamine, and a decrease of 30–50% in alanine in liver of both young and aged rats, and a 4-fold increase in taurine in young. In brain, little change was observed upon food deprivation. No decrease was observed in GSH, and only small changes were observed in other amino acids. In the aged animal aspartate, glutamate, and alanine levels were slightly lower; tyrosine in cerebellum was reduced by 30%, and both glycine and tyrosine in the pons medulla were reduced by 20–30%. In the brain areas examined, levels of GSH ranged from 1–2 μmol/g in young and 0.8–1.4 μmol/g in old; with levels in pons medulla being lower than those in cerebral cortex. In brain, in contrast to liver, levels were scarcely affected by short-term food deprivation. The relative stability of amino acids paralleled that of brain proteins, which did not significantly decrease even under conditions in which protein content of most other tissues was greatly reduced, indicating specific control of cerebral protein metabolism in protection in malnutrition.
Optimizing the Estimation of Renal Function in Lung Transplant Candidates

Purpose The Modified Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation is commonly used for GFR estimation, but has been questioned due to inaccuracy for GFR greater than 60ml/ (min * 1.73m2). The CKD-EPI and Wright equations have shown improved predictive capabilities in some patient populations. We compare these equations to determine which correlates best with direct GFR measurement in lung transplant candidates. Methods and Materials We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of 274 lung transplant cases at a single, high-volume lung transplant program. GFR was directly measured using intravenous Tc-99m DTPA. Results from the following equations were compared to direct GFR measurements: Normalized and BSA adjusted versions of MDRD and CKD-EPI, and Wright. Results The BSA dependent CKD-EPI equation provided the most consistent results with low Bias (Median Standard Error = 1.34), Relative Standard Error (Median RSE = 0.02), Mean Percentage Error (MPE = 4.14), Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE = 15.72%) and precision (IQR = 24.24). R^2 was highest for this equation at 0.45 and accuracy was 98.33%. MDRD parameters poorly correlated with the direct GFR measurements with R^2 = 0.36, accuracy = 98.13, Median SE = 0.77, Median RSE = 0.01, MPE = 7.15, MAPE = 18.60 and precision = 25.18. The Wright equation was least accurate with: R^2 = 0.40 and accuracy = 92.64. Bland-Altman analyses provide visual confirmation of results. [ figure 1 ] Conclusions In patients being evaluated for lung transplantation, the CKD-EPI equation is a better estimator of GFR than the more popular MDRD equation. Both CKD-EPI and MDRD perform better than the Wright formula. Pre-transplant evaluation and early postoperative management of lung recipients may be improved by the use of the CKD-EPI to estimate GFR.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 213

Abstract The available nuclear structure information for all nuclei with mass number A=213 is presented. Various decay and reaction data are evaluated and compared. Adopted data, levels, and spin and parity assignments are given.
Retailing as a career: A comparative study of marketers

Abstract This note reports how positions in retailing—particularly store-based positions—compare with other marketing-related positions. While much of the past literature concerning work experiences in retail settings is primarily perceptual and anecdotal, the results of this nationwide study are based on an examination of actual workplace experiences in marketing-related positions. The findings suggest that workplace experiences in corporate retailing are positive and equivalent to other marketing-related careers. However, workplace experiences in retail store management are less satisfying. The retail store managers studied were paid less, experienced less variety and autonomy on the job, felt less satisfied and committed to their work, and had greater turnover intentions compared to the other marketing managers studied. Managerial implications and recommendations are presented.
An iridescent virus of the bollworm Heliothis zea (Lepidoptera:Noctuidae)☆

Abstract Larvae of Heliothis zea exhibiting iridescent lavender-blue, blue, blue-green color were obtained in spring field collections in host plants on a road right-of-way in Bolivar County, Mississippi. An iridescent virus was isolated and purified from these larvae. Size range of the virus was 131 to 160 nm, with a mean ± SD of 145 ± 6.5. The nucleic acid content was: DNA, 13.97 ± 1.58% (0.139 μg of DNA/mg of viral protein); RNA, none. Experimental infection was not achieved per os, but the virus was highly virulent by intrahemocoelic injection. The virus from larvae killed in this way was of the same size and morphology as that obtained in the initial isolation.
Preparation and evaluation of particleboard bonded with a soy flour-based adhesive with a new curing agent

Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resin is one of the most commonly used wood adhesives for making particleboards. However, UF emits carcinogenic formaldehyde and is derived from nonrenewable petrochemicals. In this study, a new formaldehyde-free wood adhesive that is based on soy flour and a renewable material-based curing agent (CA) were prepared and evaluated for the preparation of M-2 grade particleboards. The new CA was derived from ammonia and epichlorohydrin that can be derived from renewable glycerol. The composition of the adhesive was soy flour/sodium hydroxide/CA at a dry weight ratio of 9/0.3/1.0. The modulus of rupture, modulus of elasticity, and internal bond strength met the minimum industrial requirements of M-2 particleboards using the following variables: hot-press temperature of 190 °C, hot-press time of 240 s, the adhesive usage of the face particles of 12 wt.%, the adhesive usage of the core particles of 10 wt.%, and the target particleboard density of 0.80 g/cm3.
BIMMER: A novel algorithm for detecting differential DNA methylation regions from MBDCap-seq data

DNA methylation is a common epigenetic marker that regulates gene expression. A robust and cost-effective way for measuring whole genome methylation is Methyl-CpG binding domain-based capture followed by sequencing (MBDCap-seq). In this study, we proposed BIMMER, a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) for differential Methylation Regions (DMRs) identification, where HMMs were proposed to model the methylation status in normal and cancer samples in the first layer and another HMM was introduced to model the relationship between differential methylation and methylation statuses in normal and cancer samples. To carry out the prediction for BIMMER, an Expectation-Maximization algorithm was derived. BIMMER was validated on the simulated data and applied to real MBDCap-seq data of normal and cancer samples. BIMMER revealed that 8.83% of the breast cancer genome are differentially methylated and the majority are hypo-methylated in breast cancer.
Möbius Syndrome with Dental Involvement: A Case Report and Literature Review

Abstract The clinicopathological findings on a 17-year-old female with the Mobius/Moebius syndrome are reported. The signs and symptoms of this neuromuscular condition include congenital bilateral or unilateral palsies of the facial and abducens cranial nerves and a broad scope of multisystem abnormalities. A case of unilateral deficiencies of cranial nerves VI and VII, congenital ectrodactyly of toes, and multiple congenitally missing primary and permanent teeth is reported. A review of the literature reveals various ideas regarding the diversity of symptoms and the etiology of the syndrome. The purpose of this article is to report oral manifestations, such as congenitally missing teeth, associated with Mobius syndrome.
Metabolites of the Palauan sponge dactylospongia sp.

Abstract A Palauan sponge of the genus Dactylospongia contained four new diastereoisomeric sesquiterpene cyclopentenones, dactylospongenones A-D (3–6) that are related through a ring-contraction to ilimaquinone (2), which was also isolated from the sponge. The same sponge also contained the known metabolite, dictyoceratin-A (7), and a new derivative, dictyoceratin-C (8).
Mitochondrial complex I inhibition produces selective damage to hippocampal subfield CA1 in organotypic slice cultures

The effects of mitochondrial respiratory chain inhibitors and the excitotoxinN-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) on cell death in hippocampal subfields CA1 and CA3 were examined in hippocampal organotypic slice cultures. Slice cultures, 2–3 week old, were exposed for 1 h to either the Complex 1 inhibitors, rotenone or 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridium (MPP+), the Complex II inhibitor 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP), or the excitotoxin NMDA. Cell death was examined 24 and 48 h following treatment, by measuring propidium iodide (PI) fluorescence. Treatment with 1 μM rotenone caused greater cell death in hippocampal subfield CA1 than CA3. Exposure of hippocampal slice cultures to 10 μM rotenone, to MPP+ or to NMDA resulted in damage to both CA1 and CA3 subfields. 3-NP produced little damage in either subfield. The data suggest that mitochondrial complex I inhibition can produce selective cell damage in hippocampus and in this regard is similar to that observed following hypoxia/ischemia.
Indirect Aggression: A Pragmatic Analysis of the Quarrel of the Queens in Völsungasaga , Þiðreks Saga , and Das Nibelungenlied

This article employs a pragmatic linguistic methodology to examine the verbal conflict in the so-called “Quarrel of the Queens” episode from the Nibelung Legend of Middle High German and Old Norse literature. Volsungasaga, Þiðreks saga af Bern, and Das Nibelungenlied portray the quarrel in sufficient detail to permit a comparative assessment of strategies of verbal conflict. Each source approaches the dialogue somewhat differently, but each relies heavily upon a strategy of verbal conflict that vacillates between indirectness in speech (speech that requires interpretation on the part of the listener) and directness in speech (speech that requires no interpretation). The arguer perceived (or who perceives herself) as holding the stronger position in the argument tends to maintain a veil of indirectness, while the arguer in the losing position may either attempt to gain the upper hand by intensifying indirectness or, conceding the weaker position, attempt to salvage her status by resorting to directness in speech. This strategy of verbal conflict thus appears to reflect a cultural principle that ought to find a comfortable home in a Germanic and Scandinavian heroic worldview: Indirectness reflects a position of strength, whereas directness reflects the weaker rhetorical and social status. Because these three sources were written during roughly the same period but in different cultural settings, any strategies of verbal conflict that remain consistent in all three texts indicate a pragmatic phenomenon that potentially transcends medieval Germanic and Scandinavian cultural boundaries.
Concurrence of Histologic Features of Steatohepatitis with Other Forms of Chronic Liver Disease

Steatohepatitis, of either alcoholic or nonalcoholic etiologies, is ultimately diagnosed by clinical-pathologic correlation and is characterized histologically by lesions that differ from the portal-based chronic inflammation and fibrosis of most other forms of chronic liver disease. With the increasing prevalence of steatohepatitis in our society, it is likely that some patients will have coexistent clinical and/or histopathologic findings of steatohepatitis concurrently with another form of liver disease. The aim of this study was to document clinical and histologic findings in biopsies in an academic referral center. Ninety-three non-allograft liver biopsies with lesions of both steatohepatitis and another liver disease were retrospectively identified in 85 patients. The finding of coexisting disease represented 5.5% of all hepatitis C biopsies and 4.0% of other forms of chronic liver disease in the 34 month time period. Clinical chart review of patients with concurrent disease showed the following: Group 1, patients with hepatitis C (n = 54); Group 2, patients with hepatitis C and prior or current history of more than 80 g/d alcohol consumption (n = 20); Group 3, patients with other forms of chronic liver disease (n = 11). Groups 1 and 3 had 30) was noted in 75%, 60%, and 33% respectively, while 94%, 87% and 100% of patients were considered overweight (body mass index > or = 25). Diabetes was reported in 35%, 25%, and 9%. The concurrence of clinical and histologic features of steatohepatitis with another chronic liver disease may be a reflection of the frequency of steatohepatitis in the population at large.
NYC condom use and satisfaction and demand for alternative condom products in New York City sexually transmitted disease clinics.

In 2007, via a high-profile media campaign, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (NYC DOHMH) introduced the “NYC Condom,” the first specially packaged condom unique to a municipality. We conducted a survey to measure NYC Condom awareness of and experience with NYC Condoms and demand for alternative male condoms to be distributed by the DOHMH. Trained interviewers administered short, in-person surveys at five DOHMH-operated sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Spring 2008. We systematically sampled eligible patients: NYC residents aged ≥18 years waiting to see a physician. We approached 539; 532 agreed to be screened (98.7% response rate); 462 completed the survey and provided NYC zip codes. Most respondents were male (56%), non-Hispanic black (64%), aged 18–24 years (43%) or 25–44 years (45%), employed (65%), and had a high school degree/general equivalency diploma or less (53%). Of those surveyed, 86% were aware of the NYC Condom, and 81% of those who obtained the condoms used them. NYC Condom users were more likely to have four or more sexual partners in the past 12 months (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 2.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.0–3.8), use condoms frequently (AOR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.3–3.6), and name an alternative condom for distribution (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3–3.9). The most frequently requested condom types respondents wanted DOHMH to provide were larger size (28%), ultra thin/extra sensitive (21%), and extra strength (16%). We found high rates of NYC Condom use. NYC Condom users reported more sexual partners than others, suggesting the condom initiative successfully reached higher-risk persons within the STD clinic population. Study results document the condom social marketing campaign’s success.
Dissecting the effects of endogenous brain IL-2 and normal versus autoreactive T lymphocytes on microglial responsiveness and T cell trafficking in response to axonal injury

Abstract IL-2 is essential for T-helper regulatory (Treg) cell function and self-tolerance, and dysregulation of both endogenous brain and peripheral IL-2 gene expression may have important implications for neuronal injury and repair. We used an experimental approach combining mouse congenic breeding and immune reconstitution to test the hypothesis that the response of motoneurons to injury is modulated by the combined effects of IL2-mediated processes in the brain that modulate its endogenous neuroimmunological milieu, and IL2-mediated processes in the peripheral immune system that regulate T cell function (i.e., normal versus autoreactive Treg-deficient T cells). This experimental strategy enabled us to test our hypothesis by disentangling the effect of normal versus autoreactive T lymphocytes from the effect of endogenous brain IL-2 on microglial responsiveness (microglial phagocytic clusters normally associated with dead motoneurons and MHC2 + activated microglia) and T cell trafficking, using the facial nerve axotomy model of injury. The results demonstrate that the loss of both brain and peripheral IL-2 had an additive effect on numbers of microglial phagocytic clusters at day 14 following injury, whereas the autoreactive status of peripheral T cells was the primary factor that determined the degree to which T cells entered the injured brain and contributed to increased microglial phagocytic clusters. Changes in activated MHC2 + microglial in the injured FMN were associated with loss of endogenous brain IL-2 and/or peripheral IL-2. This model may provide greater understanding of the mechanisms involved in determining if T cells entering the injured central nervous system (CNS) have damaging or proregenerative effects.