cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mobilization of Iron Stored in Bacterioferritin Is Required for Metabolic Homeostasis in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Iron homeostasis offers a significant bacterial vulnerability because pathogens obtain essential iron from their mammalian hosts, but host-defenses maintain vanishingly low levels of free iron. Although pathogens have evolved mechanisms to procure host-iron, these depend on well-regulated iron homeostasis. To disrupt iron homeostasis, our work has targeted iron mobilization from the iron storage protein bacterioferritin (BfrB) by blocking a required interaction with its cognate ferredoxin partner (Bfd). The blockade of the BfrB-Bfd complex by deletion of the bfd gene (Δbfd) causes iron to irreversibly accumulate in BfrB. In this study we used mass spectrometry and NMR spectroscopy to compare the proteomic response and the levels of key intracellular metabolites between wild type (wt) and isogenic ΔbfdP. aeruginosa strains. We find that the irreversible accumulation of unusable iron in BfrB leads to acute intracellular iron limitation, even if the culture media is iron-sufficient. Importantly, the iron limitation and concomitant iron metabolism dysregulation trigger a cascade of events that lead to broader metabolic homeostasis disruption, which includes sulfur limitation, phenazine-mediated oxidative stress, suboptimal amino acid synthesis and altered carbon metabolism.
Liver-Directed Therapies for Hepatic Metastases

Uveal melanoma has in the liver the most common site of metastases. Although there is no clear consensus about the management of metastatic uveal melanoma, therapy directed specifically toward secondary liver lesions has been associated with notable clinical utility.
Reliability and magnetic immunity of reflow-capable embedded STT-MRAM in 16nm FinFET CMOS process

We demonstrate the reliability and magnetic immunity of STT-MRAM embedded in 16nm FinFET CMOS process. The technology supports endurance cycles up to 105 for wide temperature range from -40°C to 125°C with low bit error rate and passes 106 cycles at the worst temperature case of -40°C. Data retention sustains three solder-reflow cycles and up to 10 years with less than 1ppm error rate at 234°C. Read disturb error rate is less than 10-20 per read. Magnetic immunity of standby and active mode can reach 550Oe for 10 years 1ppm error rate and 800Oe for 0.1ppm error rate per write at 125 °C, respectively.
Head and Neck Free Flap Reconstruction in an Academic versus a Community Setting.

BACKGROUND Head and neck free flap reconstructions are complex procedures requiring extensive resources, and have the potential to be highly morbid. As such, it is imperative that they should be performed in an appropriate setting, optimizing outcomes while limiting morbidity. The aim of this study is to identify any disparities in the treatment outcomes of patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction by a single surgeon in an academic versus a community hospital setting. METHODS A retrospective review of all patients who underwent head and neck free flap reconstruction for any indication by a single surgeon from 2009 to 2019 was conducted. All surgeries were performed at one of two hospitals: one academic medical center and one community hospital. Demographics and rates of partial or complete flap failure, medical complications, surgical complications, mortality, and other secondary outcomes were compared between the two settings. RESULTS Ninety-two patients who underwent head and neck free flap reconstruction were included. Fifty-seven (62%) of free flap reconstructions were performed in the academic medical center, while 35 (38%) were performed in the community hospital. There were no significant differences in complete flap loss, either intraoperative or postoperative (p = 0.5060), partial flap loss (p = 0.5827), postoperative surgical complications (p = 0.2930), or medical complications (p = 0.7960) between groups. The in-hospital mortality rate was 0% (n = 0) at the university hospital as compared with 5.7% at the community hospital (p = 0.0681). The mean operative time was 702.3 minutes at the university hospital and 606.3 minutes at the community hospital (p = 0.0080). CONCLUSION Head and neck free flap surgery can be performed safely in either an academic or a community setting, with no difference in primary outcomes of surgery. Preferential selection of either treatment setting should be based on consideration of patient needs and availability of auxiliary specialty services.
Bringing the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality Into Community Psychology

Religion and spirituality have been mainstay topics in psychology and many eminent psychologists, as far back as Williams James (1902), have written about them. Although there are debates about if ...
Non-Catalytic Interaction of CO with H2

A first insight into mechanistic aspects of the hydrogenation of carbon monoxide may be obtained by studying the coadsorption of CO and H2 under non-catalytic conditions, in particular at low pressure. Only the very first stages of the hydrogenation process(es) are amenable to observation under these conditions, since thermodynamics favor only one-carbon species at low pressure.
Flexible Querying of Personal Information.

The amount of personal data that users store and access in personal information systems has grown massively. Simple flexible search tools are a necessity for users to be able to access the data they need. In addition, the file organization that is typical in file systems is not a practical logical view anymore as applications may store information across files, or combine different objects into a single file. Users cannot be expected to know or remember the exact location and specific details about the data they are looking for; search techniques should allow for some approximation during query processing in order to return useful results while accounting for possible errors in the query. We present a scoring framework that takes into account approximation in both the content and structural dimensions of the data. Our query model extends the search to consider information across file boundaries. We implemented a prototype of our search techniques over a real data set and report on our experimental results.
Chapter 4 Radiation Thermometer Designs

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the instrument design and characterization of spot-radiation thermometers, capable of transferring temperature scales with the lowest uncertainties. Radiation thermometers can be calibrated using the International Temperature Scale of 1990 (ITS-90) or using absolute radiometry for thermodynamic temperature determinations, although the latter is still rare. The chapter discusses radiation thermometers that operate in the visible to the near-infrared wavelength regions. The choice of the detector, optimization of the detector for stability and linearity, and characterization of radiation thermometers for size-of-source effect (SSE) are discussed. The primary consideration in the design of a radiation thermometer is the desired range of operational temperatures. The chapter presents a figure that shows the Planck radiances for blackbodies ranging in temperatures from the freezing point of indium, or 430 K, to 3,000 K. Radiation thermometers typically has either a reflective optic or a refractive lens to collect the radiation and to define the angular field of view (AOV) and the target size. Photodiodes are photovoltaic detectors that usually have advantageous electronic and radiometric characteristics. The chapter also presents the simplest version of a widely used photocurrent meter. Radiation thermometers that operate in the visible or the near-infrared wavelength region are typically constructed using spectral filters to restrict the incident radiation on the diode to a selected wavelength region. The spectral filters can be constructed using interference layers deposited on glass substrates or using broadband absorbing glasses. The chapter also discusses radiation thermometry below the silver point, calibration of radiation thermometers using ITS-90, thermodynamic temperature measurements using radiometric techniques, and so on.
Privacy-Preserving Collaborative E-Voting

We propose a cooperative multi-party system where unrelated entities can both both vote and change their vote with continual accurate tabulation results while retaining vote privacy. The voting protocol presented uses homomorphic encryption, digital envelopes, Hamming weights, multiple parties to fulfill the needs of an e-voting system. The protocol is presented and limitations are explored.
Genetics-based control of a MIMO boiler-turbine plant

A genetic algorithm is used to develop an optimal controller for a nonlinear, multi-input/multi-output boiler-turbine plant. The algorithm is used to train a control system for the plant over a wide operating range in an effort to obtain better performance. The results of the genetic algorithm's controller are compared to the performance of an optimal controller designed from the linearized plant model at a nominal operating point. Because the genetic algorithm is well-suited to solving traditionally difficult optimization problems it is found that the algorithm is capable of developing the controller based on input/output information only. This controller achieves a performance comparable to the standard linear quadratic regulator. >
Total dose bias dependency and ELDRS effects in bipolar linear devices

Total dose tests of several bipolar linear devices show sensitivity to both dose rate and bias during exposure. All devices exhibited enhanced low dose rate sensitivity (ELDRS). An accelerated ELDRS test method for three different devices demonstrates results similar to tests at low dose rate. Behavior and critical parameters from these tests are compared and discussed.
Comments on Yael Bejarano's “A Cooperative Small-Group Methodology in the Language Classroom”

1. One of the three achievement tests used in the study, according to the recent report, was a "discrete-point [italics added] grammar and vocabulary test" (p. 490). The "discrete-point" test was actually a combination of two separate sections, according to the 1984 report. One section consisted of 5 items that required the formulation of interrogative sentences, and the other section included a 10-item cloze test.
Self-respect and public reason

In A Theory of Justice, John Rawls argues that self-respect is ‘perhaps the most important’ primary good and that its status as such gives crucial support to controversial ideas like the lexical priority of liberty. Given the importance of these ideas for Rawls, it should be no surprise that they have attracted much critical attention. In response to these critics, I give a defense of self-respect that grounds its importance in Rawls’s moral conception of the person. I show that this understanding of self-respect goes well beyond giving support to the lexical priority of liberty, also supporting Rawls’s still more controversial view of public reason. On my account, taking self-respect seriously requires the coercive enforcement of public reason. This is a novel argument for public reason, in that it grounds the idea in justice as fairness and mandates its coercive enforcement.
Comparison of irradiation hardening with dislocation velocity in copper single crystals electron irradiated at 100 K

Annealed single crystals of pure copper are irradiated at 100 K by 2 MeV electrons. The crystals are deformed in tension before and after the irradiation at a strain rate of 2.5 × 10−4 s−1 below 100 K. The results are compared with those obtained from the dislocation velocity measurement and the irradiation hardening is discussed in terms of the irradiation effect on the dislocation velocity. Getemperte Einkristalle von reinem Kupfer werden bei 100 K mit 2 MeV-Elektronen bestrahlt. Die Kristalle werden in Dehnung vor und nach der Bestrahlung mit einer Deformationsrate von 2,5 × 10−4 s−1 unterhalb 100 K deformiert. Die Ergebnisse werden mit denen verglichen, die aus den Versetzungsgeschwindigkeitsmessungen gewonnen werden, und die Strahlungshartung wird mit dem Bestrahlungseinflus auf die Versetzungsgeschwindigkeit diskutiert.
Selective cell loss in the lateral geniculate nucleus of adult cats following binocular lid suture.

Summary Two weeks of binocular lid suture in adult cats caused selective cell loss nn lamina A1 of the lateral geniculate nucleus. The loss was manifested as a shift in the latency distribution of LGN cell responses to optic chiasm shock. Proportionately fewer LGN cells with slowly conducting retinal afferents (X-cell range) were in evidence following binocular suture. This change was observed only in lamina A1 while laminae A and C retained normal latency distributions. These observations confirm and extend recent reports of the susceptibility of adult cat visual system to environmental modification.
Riemann Hypothesis forFp[T]

It has been shown by Wan [W1] that a version of the Riemann hypothesis for characteristicpvalued zeta functions, due to D. Goss, is satisfied forFq[T], withq=pbeing prime. We present another proof of this result.
A Bayesian comparison of different classes of dynamic models using empirical data

This paper deals with the Bayesian methods of comparing different types of dynamical structures for representing the given set of observations. Specifically, given that a given process y(\cdot) obeys one of r distinct stochastic or deterministic difference equations each involving a vector of unknown parameters, we compute the posterior probability that a set of observations {y(1),...,y(N)} obeys the i th equation, after making suitable assumptions about the prior probability distribution of the parameters in each equation. The difference equations can be nonlinear in the variable y but should be linear in the parameter vector in it. Once the posterior probability is known, we can find a decision rule to choose between the various structures so as to minimize the average value of a loss function. The optimum decision rule is asymptotically consistent and gives a quantitative explanation for the "principle of parsimony" often used in the construction of models from empirical data. The decision rule answers a wide variety of questions such as the advisability of a nonlinear transformation of data, the limitations of a model which yields a perfect fit to the data (i.e., zero residual variance), etc. The method can be used not only to compare different types of structures but also to determine a reliable estimate of spectral density of process. We compare the method in detail with the hypothesis testing method, and other methods and give a number of illustrative examples.
Simvastatin Normalizes Autonomic Neural Control in Experimental Heart Failure

Background— HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins) have been shown to beneficially affect outcomes in chronic heart failure (CHF). We hypothesized that statins exert effects on autonomic function, as assessed by plasma norepinephrine levels, direct recordings of renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA), and baroreflex function. Methods and Results— Normolipidemic CHF rabbits were treated with simvastatin or vehicle. CHF was induced by continuous ventricular pacing at 320 to 340 bpm for 3 weeks. Two to 3 days after instrumentation of the rabbits with renal nerve electrodes and arterial and venous catheters, blood samples and RSNA recordings were obtained in the conscious state. Baroreflex function was assessed after administration of sodium nitroprusside and phenylephrine. Mean baseline RSNA (±SEM) in normal rabbits was 19.3±3.8%; in CHF rabbits, 39.4±2.9% (P<0.05); in CHF rabbits on low-dose (0.3 mg · kg−1 · d−1) simvastatin, 39.8±8.3% (P<0.05); and in CHF rabbits on high-dose simvastatin (3 mg · kg−1 · d−...
Implantation of rAAV5-IGF-I transduced autologous chondrocytes improves cartilage repair in full-thickness defects in the equine model.

Cartilage injury often precipitates osteoarthritis which has driven research to bolster repair in cartilage impact damage. Autologous chondrocytes transduced with rAAV5-IGF-I were evaluated in chondral defects in a well-established large animal model. Cartilage was harvested from the talus of 24 horses; chondrocytes were isolated and stored frozen. Twenty million cells were cultured and transduced with 105 AAV vg/cell prior to implantation. Chondrocytes from eight horses were transduced with rAAV5-IGF-I, chondrocytes from eight horses with rAAV5-GFP, and chondrocytes from eight horses were not transduced. A 15 mm full-thickness chondral defect was created arthroscopically in the lateral trochlear ridge of the femur in both femoropatellar joints. Treated defects were filled with naive or gene-enhanced chondrocytes, in fibrin vehicle. Control defects in the opposite limb received fibrin alone. rAAV5-IGF-I transduced chondrocytes resulted in significantly better healing at 8 week arthroscopy and 8 month necropsy examination when compared to controls. At 8 months, defects implanted with cells expressing IGF-I had better histological scores compared to control defects and defects repaired with naive chondrocytes. This included increased chondrocyte predominance and collagen type II, both features of hyaline-like repair tissue. The equine model closely approximates human cartilage healing, indicating AAV-mediated genetic modification of chondrocytes may be clinically beneficial to humans.
Chronic psychological stress suppresses contact hypersensitivity: potential roles of dysregulated cell trafficking and decreased IFN-γ production.

Abstract Increasing evidence shows that psychological stress can have dramatic impacts on the immune system, particularly the cutaneous immune response in dermatological disorders. While there have been many studies examining the impact of acute psychological stress on contact hypersensitivity there are relatively few studies concerning the impact of chronic psychological stress. Furthermore, the local immunological mechanisms by which chronic psychological stress impacts contact hypersensitivity still remain to be explored. Here we show that restraint-induced chronic psychological stress stimulates activation of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis and delays weight gain in female BALB/c mice. We observed that chronic psychological stress reduces the cutaneous immune response as evidence by reduced ear swelling. This correlated with a significant decrease in the inflammatory cell infiltrate. On the other hand, chronic psychological stress does not influence T cell proliferation, activation, or sensitivity to corticosterone but does increase CD4 + and CD8 + T cell percentages in draining lymph nodes during a contact hypersensitivity reaction. Chronic psychological stress induces a decrease in overall circulating white blood cells, lymphocytes, and monocytes during a contact hypersensitivity reaction suggesting extravasation from the circulation. Finally, we found markedly reduced local IFN-γ production in chronically stressed animals. Based on these findings we propose that chronic psychological stress reduces contact hypersensitivity due to dysregulated cell trafficking and reduced production of IFN-γ.
The Effectiveness of an Educational Hearing Conservation Program for Elementary School Children

An educational hearing conservation (HCP) program was designed and presented to 45 normal hearing third- and fourth-grade children enrolled in regular education programs. Questionnaires assessing knowledge of hearing, noise-induced hearing loss, and hearing conservation practices were administered prior to and following a HCP which consisted of a lecture, film, hearing screening demonstration, question and answer and discovery learning periods, and distribution of earplugs and a handout. Most children reported that they did not participate in noisy activities; however, of those who did participate an average of only 5.5% (2.5) reported use of ear protection. Knowledge about noise and noise-induced hearing loss increased an average of 23% following the HCP and 91.1% reported that they "learned something" from the HCP. Post-HCP responses revealed that 96.7% of the children intended to use ear protection when engaged in the depicted noisy activities. Although students indicated their intentions to pursue hea...
Influence of Chelating Agents on Utilization of Calcium, Iron and Manganese by the Chick

Abstract SCOTT (1965) reviewed the role of chelating agents in animal nutrition and concluded that we must learn more about their action before we can use them effectively. It is recognized that EDTA 1 improves the biological availability of zinc (Kratzer et al., 1959), and that the influence of chelating agents on availability of zinc depends upon their stability constants (Vohra and Kratzer, 1964). The latter report also states that calcium disodium EDTA was less effective than free EDTA or disodium EDTA. O’Dell (1969) noted that when 100 p.p.m. EDTA was added to isolated soybean protein diets it had a growth promoting effect similar to that of 8 p.p.m. zinc. The effect of chelating agents on the availability of other mineral mutrients is not so well established. A number of specific applications of chelation are used to remove toxic quantities of minerals, including calcium and iron, from the human body (Soffer, 1964).…
Determination of Nickel Carbonyl by Charcoal Tube Collection and Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

Abstract A method for the determination of nickel carbonyl has been developed using acid-washed coconut shell charcoal for sample collection and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry for measurement. The estimated relative standard deviation of the method is 0.099 and recoveries averaged 93.0%. The working range is 2 to 50 μg Ni(CO)4/m3 (0.4 to 7 ppb) for a 20-L air sample taken at 0.2 Ipm or less. Eller, P. M.: Determination of nickel carbonyl by charcoal tube collection and furnace atomic absorption.
Does muscular weakness account for younger children's enhanced force variability?

This study examined the degree to which younger children's greater variability in force control is associated with muscular weakness. Children aged 6, 8, and 10 years and adults aged 18–22 years produced isometric force via index finger metacaro-phalangeal joint flexion to varying force levels (5%, 15%, 25%, and 35% maximal voluntary contraction). The force output of the younger children was more variable and had greater time dependent structure compared to that of the adults at all force levels. However, the effect of age on variability was significantly reduced, but not eliminated when absolute muscular strength was taken into account. It is concluded that age-related changes in children's force control result from a multitude of developmental processes including increases in muscular strength. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 49: 399–405, 2007.
LIQUID AMMONIA SOLUTIONS: XIII AMMONOLYSIS OF COORDINATED TRANSITION METAL CATIONS

Abstract The nature of the species present in liquid ammonia solutions of [Men3]I3 (M = Co, Rh, Ir) was investigated spectroscopically and using computer resolution techniques. [Coen3]I3 behaves as a weak acid (pKa = 7) in pure, anhydrous ammonia. Deprotonation of the ligand gives a species with a charge transfer band at 280 nm. Two equivalents of KNH2 produce a trans-deprotonated species [Coen(en-H2]+. The rhodium complexes behave similarly to those of cobalt in the presence of KNH2, spectra of the iridium complexes and their mixtures with KNH2 in liquid ammonia were featureless.
GABAA receptor-related chloride flux of rats receiving continuous intracerebroventricular infusion of pentobarbital

The in vitro receptor-stimulated synaptoneurosomal chloride uptake induced by pentobarbital or muscimol was studied in the brains of rats which had been rendered tolerant to or dependent on pentobarbital. In the chronic study, rats received continuous administration of sodium pentobarbital by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) infusion. In rats continuously infused with pentobarbital for 6 days or in rats which had the infusion terminated for 24 h, the basal synaptoneurosomal chloride uptake was not altered in either the cerebral cortex or the cerebellum. On the other hand, pentobarbital (500 µM)-stimulated chloride uptake was significantly decreased in both cerebral cortices and cerebella of rats which received pentobarbital for 6 days as compared with the saline control groups. Twenty-four hours after termination of pentobarbital infusion, this high concentration of pentobarbital-stimulated chloride uptake remained low in both cerebral cortices and cerebella of rats which had been infused with pentobarbital for 6 days. In addition, similar results were also obtained in muscimol (2.5 µM)-stimulated chloride uptake in the cerebral cortices of pentobarbital-infused animals. However, pentobarbital infusion failed to alter muscimol-stimulated chloride uptake in the cerebellum. These results suggest that the GABAA receptor regulated chloride uptake is downregulated after chronic pentobarbital administration. The results also suggest that down-regulation of the GABAA receptor chloride channel complex takes place at different recognition sites on the complex. It further substantiates the allosteric effects of GABA and barbiturate recognition sites.
Effects of constant illumination on vision in the albino rat.

Abstract The characteristics of photically-induced blinding in the albino rat were investigated with physiological (the electroretinogram — ERG) and behavioral (luminance discrimination) techniques. These indices were obtained both before and during exposure to constant illumination (2600 lux). In contrast to previous results, the findings of this study indicate that both the amplitude of the ERG and the ability to discriminate test lights decline rapidly and at approximately the same rate following the onset of constant illumination. These results, in conjunction with others already in the literature, lead to the suggestion that the degree of correspondence between behavioral and other measures of photically-induced blinding is dependent on the rate of retinal degeneration.
Micromechanisms of fatigue-crack advance in PVC

The fatigue-crack propagation characteristics in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) are examined in terms of fracture mechanics concepts where the crack growth rate is related to the applied stress intensity factor range. The microscopic details of fatigue crack extension are examined with the aid of light optical, scanning and transmission electron microscopes. The mechanism of crack advance is found to be that of void coalescence through craze material generated in advance of the crack tip. While the craze is shown to grow continuously with cyclic loading, the crack is found to grow discontinuously in several hundred cycle increments.
Spontaneous recovery from early glomerular inflammation is associated with resistance to anti-GBM glomerulonephritis: tolerance and autoimmune tissue injury

Abstract Different susceptibility to anti-GBM glomerulonephritis (GN) among animal strains has been reported. Using our rat model for T cell-mediated anti-GBM GN, this study initiated an investigation on the mechanism related with GN susceptibility. Anti-GBM GN was induced either through immunization with the nephritogenic T cell epitope pCol(28-40) from Col4α3NC1 or through the transfer of specific T cells. WKY rats were highly susceptible to GN while immuno-compatible LEW rats were GN-resistant. GN-resistance in LEW rats was not associated to the immune response to pCol(28-40). First, both strains mounted a Th1 T cell response to pCol(28-40) with identical specificities; transfer of T cells from LEW to WKY rats induced glomerular injury. Second, co-transfer of antibody from WKY to LEW failed to induce GN. Time-course studies revealed that LEW rats did develop T cell-mediated inflammation in glomeruli at early stages similar to WKY rats, as evidenced by histopathology, proteinuria, CD4 + T cell infiltration in glomeruli, and glomerular expression of inflammatory molecules. However, glomerular inflammation in LEW rats was transient followed by a full recovery. Thus, GN-resistance in LEW rats was due to its ability to contain early T cell-mediated autoimmune glomerular damage. Our model may reveal a potential tolerance mechanism after autoimmune tissue damage has been initiated.
Arrhythmia control and other factors related to sudden death in coronary disease patients at intermediate risk.

Thirty-three patients with coronary artery disease and frequent, complex ventricular arrhythmias (VA) were followed long-term to evaluate factors related to sudden death (SD). Patients with malignant VA (sustained ventricular tachycardia (VT), resuscitated SD, or acute myocardial infarction) were excluded. Baseline data included angiographic ejection fraction (EF), segmental wall motion, and Holter evidence of frequent (>30/hr) and complex (repetitive) ventricular premature beats (VPBs). Control of VA was attempted with conventional or experimental agents and was defined as ≥70% reduction in VPBs, ≥90% reduction in couplets, and abolition of nonsustained VT on two consecutive Holter tapes. After 24 ± 15 months of follow-up on the single most effective agent, 18 patients survived while 15 patients died suddenly. There was no difference between these groups with respect to age, sex, or baseline VA. Survivors had a higher EF (51% vs 34%, p < 0.001), fewer dyskinetic segments (0.05 vs 1.0, p < 0.01), and better VA control (83% vs 40%, p < 0.01) than nonsurvivors. By analysis of variance, VA control was not independent of EF (F = 6.98, p < 0.01). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year survival rates were 90%, 90%, and 82% for patients with EF ≥ 40% and 22%, 11%, and 11% for those with EF < 40% and uncontrolled VA. We conclude that left ventricular function and VA control are dependent determinants of sudden death, and this “intermediate” risk group consists of (1) low risk patients with EF ≥ 40% in whom a multicenter placebo-controlled trial may be justified and (2) high risk patients with EF <40% for whom no effective agent can be identified by noninvasive means and in whom a more aggressive approach may be needed.
Mycotic popliteal aneurysm rupture secondary to Campylobacter fetus.

Background Mycotic aneurysms of the popliteal artery are uncommon. Popliteal aneurysms rarely rupture. The authors present the second reported case of popliteal artery rupture as a result of Campylobacter fetus infection. This report confirms the arterial destructive potential of C. fetus infection in a peripheral artery. Methods An 85-year-old male who had previously undergone endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair in 2007 presented with positive blood cultures for C. fetus . No endocarditis was detected. No periprosthetic fluid to suggest aortic endograft infection was present. During hospitalization for sepsis, he developed acute right knee pain and swelling. A 5.2-cm popliteal aneurysm, with contained rupture, was found on ultrasound and confirmed by computed tomography and angiography. Recommendations for treatment and a literature review are provided. Results This patient was successfully managed with total excision of the aneurysm via a posterior approach with reconstruction through a medial approach using autologous saphenous vein bypass. Culture-directed antibiotic therapy (6 weeks of intravenous ertapenem) to eradicate the pathogen completed the therapy. The patient is doing well at 18- month follow-up. Conclusions Mycotic popliteal aneurysm associated with C. fetus is a rare but potentially fatal condition. Isolating C. fetus should alert the surgeon to the peripheral arterial destructive potential of this pathogen, as manifested by acute rupture in this patient. Traditional resection through a posterior approach and revascularization through noncontaminated tissue with culture-directed therapy are the treatments of choice.
Recombinant vaccinia immunization in the presence of passively administered antibody

Mice were injected with immune serum to vaccinia and/or influenza virus and then immunized by scarification with a recombinant vaccinia virus expressing the influenza haemagglutinin H1. The serum IgG antibody response to the foreign gene product, influenza H1, was suppressed by the passively administered anti-influenza antibody in a dose-dependent manner. Anti-vaccinia antibody alone had no effect on the anti-haemagglutinin antibody response to the recombinant vaccinia and did not suppress an anti-vaccinia antibody response. Secondary cytotoxic T-lymphocyte killing of influenza virus-infected target cells was relatively low in all animals that were immunized with the recombinant vaccinia, and showed some dose-dependent suppression by the passively administered antibody. The dose dependence of the inhibition suggests that while immunization with recombinant vaccinia viruses may not be effective at birth, they may be useful at several months of age.
Crisis on coral reefs linked to climate change

Since 1982, coral reefs worldwide have been subjected to an increased frequency of the phenomenon known as coral bleaching. Bleaching involves the dramatic loss of pigmented, single-celled endosymbiotic algae that live within the gastrodermal cells of a coral host that depends on this relationship for survival. Prior to the 1980s, and as early as the 1920s when coral reef research intensified, localized bleaching events were reported and attributed to factors such as extremely low tides, hurricane damage, torrential rainstorms, freshwater runoff near reefs, or toxic algal blooms [Glynn, 1993]. However, these early occurrences have recently been overshadowed by geographically larger and more frequent bleaching events whose impact has expanded to regional and global proportions.
Vanished evaporites: revisited

Detrital particles were found as a sand-silt layer in a deep-sea Messinian Stage (Upper Miocene) salt deposit in the Mediterranean Basin (Balearic Sea). These particles include worn and limonite-coated quartz, feldspar, glauconite, volcanic glass, reworked Messinian foraminifera and some lutecites. The lutecites are not original to the salt and taken in their association with the other detritus, especially the foraminifera, suggest syndepositional reworking of exposed Messinian evaporites.
Self-organized patterns in the workplace: Obstacles to awareness

Self-organized patterns of behaviour in the workplace can help or hinder corporate performance. To effectively handle such patterns, a manager must learn to detect them. However, detecting self-organized patterns is difficult. Drawing from a grounded theory study, this paper examines obstacles to consciousness of self-organized workplace patterns, which result in such patterns being misinterpreted or overlooked. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A SOCIOLOGY OF DEVIANCE IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM

The new millennium is commonly viewed as a historical marker as society advances. As society changes, norms and rules change, and, consequently, what is classified as norm-violating (i.e., deviance...
Potential Improvements in Means of Evaluation of Acute Myocardial Infarction

Effective capillary blood flow (ECF) through the myocardium was studied after experimentally produced myocardial infarction in 33 dogs, and after clinical acute myocardial infarction in nine human subjects. In dogs, ECF as measured by Rubidium-86, was compared to terminal vascular capacity (TVC) as measured by I-131 albumin in infarcted and noninfarcted portions of the myocardium. In man, ECF was determined from the myocardial uptake of Rubidium-84 by the double coincidence counting system. A discrepancy between ECF and TVC in animals became apparent by the tenth day after infarction, at which time TVC had attained control levels, whereas ECF had not; 2 months later, ECF was still 24% less than control. Studies in man demonstrated a significant decrease in ECF within 4 days of infarction; the low flow persisted in one patient 6 weeks after the initial injury. Low ECF in patients was present despite the insignificant changes in cardiac and stroke indices, and in mean aortic pressure. It is thought that the low values for ECF after acute myocardial infarction might reflect alterations in cellular metabolism leading to interference with tissue uptake of rubidium. The discussion that followed this paper appears after the paper by Dr. Richard Gorlin.
Geographical information systems and planning in the USA: selected municipal adoption trends and educational concerns

Abstract Practitioners and academics from many fields of study are currently facing numerous issues involving the diffusion of technologies from geographical information systems within their respective professions. This paper has two aims. The first is to report the partial results of a postal survey of selected municipal planning departments in the U.S.A. In measuring trends related to the adoption of computer and geographical information system technologies, the survey focuses on the availability of trained geographical information system and computer literate staff and on alternative means of training existing staff, as well as on the adequacy of collegiate education. The presentation of survey results is used to establish a framework for the principal discussion of this paper. The second part examines the relationship between planning and education in geographical information systems. Parallels within other disciplines and professions are derived. Curricula and training considerations within academic ...
The influences of fear, anxiety, and depression on the patient's adaptive responses to complete dentures. Part I.

The classification system of maladaptability presented in a previous paper was reviewed in the present one. Three major sources that significantly influence patient responses to tooth loss and subsequent dentures were discussed. They are parental influences, the symbolic significances of teeth, and current life circumstances. Each of the maladaptive categories is represented by these histories.
Barbiturate Protection in Acute Focal Cerebral Ischemia

We have found that anesthetic technique modifies the neurological and pathological sequelae of unilateral middle cerebral artery and internal carotid artery occlusion in dogs. Occlusion was performed in seven groups of six dogs during each of the following anesthetic regimens: light (0.8%) halothane, "awake," deep (1.9%) halothane, deep halothane with mean arterial pressure reduced to 55 torr, pentobarbital (56 mg per kilogram), light halothane plus 40 mg per kilogram thiopental begun just before cerebral artery occlusion, and light halothane plus 40 mg per kilogram thiopental begun 15 minutes after occlusion. Body temperature, arterial Pcoco2 Poo2 pH, and blood pressure (except as noted above) were maintained normal. Neurological examinations were performed daily. On the seventh day the dogs were killed and their brains removed for pathological study. Hemiparesis occurred in five of six dogs under light halothane and five of six awake dogs; a mean of 10.8% and 9.6%, respectively, of their right hemispher...
Assembly of normal and abnormal human hemoglobins

158 TIBS -June 1981 has been operationally separated into two distinct steps: an endonucleoytic cleavage of the pre-tRNA which produces the inter- vening sequence and two half-tRNA sized molecules and a ligation step in which the halves are joined to produce the mature- sized tRNA. This separation of activities has allowed us to characterize the products and inter- mediates of the splicing reaction and thereby to gain an insight into the mechan- ism of splicing. The cleavage of the precur- sor occurs by a simple scission of two phos- phodiester bonds leaving 5'-hydroxyl and Y-phosphate termini on the intervening sequence and the halves. The 3'-phosphate is required for the subsequent ligation of the 5'-half to its cognate 3'-half. The prob- able participation of this 3'-phosphate may be a common feature of all eukaryotic splic- ing reactions. In addition, the characterization of the products and intermediates of the splicing reaction and comparison of the known pre-tRNA sequences have shown common structural features among the precursors which may have significance for recogni- tion by the activities involved. References
Effect of Lexical Status on Phonetic Categorization

To investigate the interaction in speech perception between lexical knowledge (in particular, whether a stimulus token makes a word or nonword) and phonetic categorization, sets of [bVC]-[dVC] place-of-articulation continua were constructed so that the endpoint tokens represented word-word, word-nonword, nonword-word, and nonword-nonword combinations. Experiment 1 demonstrated that ambiguous tokens were perceived in favor of the word token and supported the contention that lexical knowledge can affect the process of phonetic categorization. Experiment 2 utilized a reaction time procedure with the same stimuli and demonstrated that the effect of lexical status on phonetic categorization increased with response latency, suggesting that the lexical effect represents a perceptual process that is separate from and follows phonetic categorization. Experiment 3 utilized a different set of [b-d] continua to separate the effects of final consonant contrast and lexical status that were confounded in Experiments 1 and 2. Results demonstrated that both lexical status and contextual contrast separately affected the identification of the initial stop. Data from these three experiments support a perceptual model wherein phonetic categorization can operate separately from higher levels of analysis.
Feline immunoglobulin E: Historical perspective, diagnostics and clinical relevance

Immunoglobulin E (IgE) plays a critical role in the immune response to parasitic infections and also mediates pathology in allergic disease. While the role of this antibody in both naturally developing and experimentally induced parasitic and allergic diseases of cats has been recognized for decades, the relatively slow development of reagents specific for feline IgE has hindered studies on clinically important IgE-mediated diseases in the cat. This review highlights the major advances which have been made and discusses the current literature demonstrating the role of IgE in feline parasitic infections and allergy.
The positive effect of targeted marketing on an existing uterine fibroid embolization practice

PURPOSE Although uterine fibroid embolization is an effective treatment option for symptomatic women, it is unclear what methods can be used to expand referrals in an already established practice. The authors tested the hypothesis that an advertising strategy focused on a defined target market can expand an existing uterine fibroid embolization practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS A market-driven planning sequence was employed. This included a determination of goals, an examination of current competition, determination of target market based on local environment and previous consumer use, pretest of product sample, and implementation of advertisement. Based on the analysis the authors determined that the target audience was professional black women aged 35 to 45. A specific weekly magazine was selected due to readership demographics. An advertisement was run for 8 consecutive weeks. The authors prospectively tracked patient inquiries, clinic visits, cases performed, and revenues generated for 3 months following the initial advertisement. All patients were seen in a fully staffed, preexisting fibroid clinic located within an urban, university-based academic practice performing 250 uterine fibroid embolizations annually. RESULTS Ninety calls were received directly related to the advertisement. There were 35 clinic visits, which resulted in 17 uterine fibroid embolizations and 52 total MR imaging procedures. Eighteen patients were not considered candidates based on established protocols. The 17 extra cases performed over 3 months represented a 27% increase in case volume. Total professional cash collections for these cases (including MR imaging) were $58,317. The cost of advertising was $8,000. As a result of existing infrastructure, no additional costs were necessary. This resulted in a net revenue gain $50,317 and a nonannualized rate of return of approximately 625%. CONCLUSION As Interventional Radiologists look to develop and expand existing practices, traditional marketing tools such as those utilized in this study can be used to facilitate practice growth for specific clinical programs, such as uterine artery embolization. Defining a target market can significantly expand an existing uterine fibroid embolization practice. The optimal choice of targeted media awaits verification from future studies.
Type I collagen as an extracellular matrix for the in vitro growth of human small intestinal epithelium.

Background We previously reported in vitro maintenance and proliferation of human small intestinal epithelium using Matrigel, a proprietary basement membrane product. There are concerns over the applicability of Matrigel-based methods for future human therapies. We investigated type I collagen as an alternative for the culture of human intestinal epithelial cells.
Sulindac sulfide inhibits the proliferation of colon cancer cells: diminished expression of the proliferation markers PCNA and Ki-67

We evaluated the effect of sulindac sulfide (SS), which reduces cell number and induces apoptosis in cultured colon cancer cells (CCCs), on expression of the proliferation markers PCNA and Ki-67 in HT-29 and HCT-15 CCCs; only the former express cyclooxygenases. DNA content and PCNA/Ki-67 expression were analyzed by bivariate flow cytometry. SS inhibited cell proliferation, determined by the reduced expression of PCNA and Ki-67, roughly by half at 72 h, and induced apoptosis (accounting for about two-thirds and one-third of the reduction in cell number, respectively). A similar effect of SS occurred in HT-29 and HCT-15 CCCs, and also in non-colonic cells, indicating that this rather general effect of SS on cultured cells is not dependent on inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis.
Connecting with Rice: Carolina Lowcountry and Africa

Though lasting less than 200 years, large-scale rice production in South Carolina and Georgia “probably represented the most significant utilization of the tidewater zone for crop agriculture ever ...
A comparison of Finite State Classifier and Mahalanobis-Taguchi System for multivariate pattern recognition in skin cancer detection

This project presents two methods for image classification for the detection of malignant melanoma: the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System and Finite State Classifiers. The Mahalanobis-Taguchi System is a diagnosis and predictive method for analyzing patterns in multivariate cases, while Finite State Classifiers are a state based machine learning technique. The goal of this study is to compare the ability of the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System and a Finite State Classifier to discriminate using small data sets. We examine the discriminant ability as a function of data set size using publicly available skin lesion image data. While analysis of the data shows a high degree of correlation, the Mahalanobis-Taguchi System performed poorly when trying to discriminate between Malignant Melanoma and benign lesions. Alternately, the Finite State Classifiers developed using evolutionary computation obtained over 85% correct classification of the malignant and benign lesions using the image data sets.
Large-scale ER-damper for seismic protection

A large scale electrorheological (ER) damper has been designed, constructed, and tested. The damper consists of a main cylinder and a piston rod that pushes an ER-fluid through a number of stationary annular ducts. This damper is a scaled- up version of a prototype ER-damper which has been developed and extensively studied in the past. In this paper, results from comprehensive testing of the large-scale damper are presented, and the proposed theory developed for predicting the damper response is validated.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.