cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photopolymerization of polymer-dispersed liquid crystals in microgravity

ABSTRACT Polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) materials are produced in a microgravity environment to investigate the gravitationalinfluence on the phase separated microstructure. PDLC materials contain a dispersion of micron-sized liquid crystal dropletsdispersed in a solid polymer. The dispersion is achieved by one of several phase separation methods. The phase separatedmicrostructure determines the operating parameters of PDLCs; therefore, a fttndamental understanding of phase separationprocesses is critically importance. Preparation of PDLC materials in a microgravity environment is advantageous forstudying the underlying processes ofphase separation that are masked in our terrestrial environment. We investigate the effectofgravity on the microstructure of PDLC materials using photo-polymenzable materials aboard NASA's KC435 aircraft. Keywords: liquid crystal, phase separation, microgravity INTRODUCTION Polymer dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) are promising new materials for spatial light modulators in projection displaysystems, vision products, optical interconnects for non-destructive testing applications, optical data storage, tunable reflectivedisplays, dynamically variable lenses, fiber optic switches, and attenuation of high intensity laser radiation. PDLC materialsoperate on the principle ofelectrically controllable light scattering. A normal mode PDLC is highly scattering in the OFF-stateand is highly transparent in the voltage applied ON-state. The weight percentage of liquid crystal in a PDLC material rangesfrom 30% to above 90%. The global microstructure is dependent on the weight percentage of liquid crystal in the initialmixture. Typically, a droplet dispersion is obtained when the liquid crystal is the minor component; and the polymericmembrane niicrostructure is prevalent when the liquid crystal is the major component. The critical operating parameters whichdetermine the successfl.il application ofPDLC materials are contrast, switching voltage, and switching time. PDLC switchingtimes range from sub-miffisecond to hundreds of milliseconds. The switching voltage and switching time depend on thefrequency dependent dielectric properties of the liquid crystal and polymer, the anchoring interaction at liquid crystal andpolymer interfaces, and the liquid crystal ordering.
The influence of inductive ligand electronics on the metrical parameters and redox potentials of a series of manganese(II) compounds

Abstract In order to assess the changes in the redox activity of a metal ion that result from inductive effects, three electronically modified derivatives of the ligand, N-benzyl-N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (LH), have been prepared: N-(4-nitro)benzyl-N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (LNO2), N-(4-chloro)benzyl-N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (LCl), and N-(4-methoxy)benzyl-N,N′-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-ethanediamine (LOMe). Due to the lack of a fully conjugated π-system between the 4-benzyl substituent and the N-donors, the electronic perturbation should influence a bound metal ion’s redox properties through primarily inductive pathways. The organic ligands react with MnCl2 to form mononuclear complexes with the general formula [Mn(LR)Cl2]. The parent ligand, LH, and its three derivatives each coordinate Mn(II) ions in a cis-α conformation, with the amine N-donors installed trans to the Mn–Cl bonds. Despite its distance from the metal ion, the electron-donating or – withdrawing group has a notable impact on both the metrical parameters of the Mn(II) compounds and the Mn(III/II) reduction potential. A single inductive perturbation can vary the reduction potential by as much as 50 mV.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of panitumumab plus mFOLFOX6 compared with bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 for first-line treatment of patients with wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer

Abstract Objective To investigate the cost-effectiveness of panitumumab plus mFOLFOX6 (oxaliplatin, 5-fluorouracil and leucovorin) compared with bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 in first-line treatment of patients with wild-type RAS metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). Design A semi-Markov model was constructed from a French health collective perspective, with health states related to first-line treatment (progression-free), disease progression with and without subsequent active treatment, resection of metastases, disease-free after successful resection and death. Methods Parametric survival analyses of patient-level progression-free and overall survival data from the only head-to-head clinical trial of panitumumab and bevacizumab (PEAK) were performed to estimate transitions to disease progression and death. Additional data from PEAK informed the amount of each drug consumed, duration of therapy, subsequent therapy use, and toxicities related to mCRC treatment. Literature and French public data sources were used to estimate unit costs associated with treatment and duration of subsequent active therapies. Utility weights were calculated from patient-level data from panitumumab trials in the first-, second- and third-line settings. A life-time perspective was applied. Scenario, one-way, and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed. Results Based on a head-to-head clinical trial that demonstrates better efficacy outcomes for patients with wild-type RAS mCRC who receive panitumumab plus mFOLFOX6 versus bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6, the incremental cost per life-year gained was estimated to be €26,918, and the incremental cost per quality-adjusted life year (QALY) gained was estimated to be €36,577. Sensitivity analyses indicate the model is robust to alternative parameters and assumptions. Conclusions The incremental cost per QALY gained indicates that panitumumab plus mFOLFOX6 represents good value for money in comparison to bevacizumab plus mFOLFOX6 and, with a willingness-to-pay ranging from €40,000 to €60,000, can be considered cost-effective in first-line treatment of patients with wild-type RAS mCRC.
The human T-cell receptor variable gene segment TCRBV6S1 has two null alleles

Abstract The extent of polymorphism in TCRBV6S1 was examined by screening 203 individuals of diverse ethnic backgrounds by using SSCP. Three alleles were detected, including two that were described previously (TCRBV6S1 ∗ 1 and s* 2P). The third allele (TCRBV6S1 ∗ 3P), identified in these studies, is a pseudogene because, similar to allele ∗ 2P, it contains a substitution of a highly conserved cystein residue near CDR3. Among a panel of 126 Caucasian donors, alleles ∗ 1, ∗ 2P, and ∗ 3P were observed to have frequencies of 0.71, 0.12, and 0.16, respectively. The extent of this survey suggests that it is unlikely for there to be additional common variants of TCRBV6S1. The approach used here enables rapid typing for polymorphism in a TCRBV gene that results in an allelically determined hole in the TCR repertoire.
A Predictive Study of an Experimental College Version of the Musical Aptitude Profile with Certain Music Achievement of College Music Majors

Pretraining scores from an experimental college version of the Musical Aptitude Profile (CMAP) were analysed as predictors of music major achievement. Scores were collected from 23 students over a ...
Distribution of indoor radon concentrations and uranium-bearing rocks in Texas

The purpose of this study was to compare regional patterns of indoor radon concentration with uranium-bearing rock zones and county populations in Texas. Zones yielding radon concentrations that are relatively high for Texas include shale and sandstone in northwest Texas; red beds in north-central Texas; felsic volcanic rocks in west Texas; and sandstone, limestone, and igneous rocks in central Texas. Located in northwest Texas, only five of the 202 counties evaluated have mean indoor radon concentrations above 4.0 pCi l–1. Two of those counties have populations above the state median of 20 115. The highest county mean concentration is 8.8 pCi l–1. Results of this study suggest that (1) regional geology influences indoor radon concentrations in Texas, (2) statewide, the radon concentrations are relatively low, (3) highly populated counties do not coincide with regions of high indoor radon concentration, and (4) regions that may warrant further monitoring include northwest Texas and, to a lesser degree, west and central Texas.
A pediatric case series of acute hemolysis after administration of intravenous immunoglobulin

Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) is commonly used as an immune-modulatory treatment for patients with autoimmune and inflammatory diseases [1]. Antibody-mediated hemolysis of red blood cells (RBCs) after IVIG infusion is a recognized but rare side effect [2]. This retrospective case series describes four pediatric patients at a single institution who developed significant hemolytic reactions after treatment with IVIG for either Kawasaki disease or acute inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy. Patients ranged in age from 5 months to 14 years. The mean decrease in hemoglobin level after IVIG was 5.1 ± 0.36 g/dL (mean ± SD). Three of the four patients required RBC transfusion, and all the patients recovered spontaneously within 1 month of IVIG infusion. This case series illustrates a relatively uncommon, but potentially severe side effect of IVIG treatment, and demonstrates the importance of monitoring hemoglobin levels after IVIG therapy.
Characterization and kinetic studies of a novel dye prepared from the oxidation of a water-soluble 1,1'-dimethylferrocene-2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin complex using immobilized bilirubin oxidase

Bilirubin oxidase, a commercially available copper-containing enzyme isolated from Myrothecium verrucaria, was observed to oxidize a yellow 1,1′-dimethylferrocene-2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin inclusion complex to a stable blue dye known as 1,1′-dimethylferricinium at pH 5–7. During the oxidation process, there was a noticeable increase in pH as a result of the consumption of both H+ and oxygen, and the molar ratio between 1,1′-dimethylferrocene and oxygen was established as 4:1. The enzyme was covalently immobilized onto either aminopropyl or arylamine glass beads to form an immobilized enzyme reactor which could be used for the repeated preparation of the blue dye. For bilirubin oxidase immobilized onto the aminopropyl beads, the reaction was much more efficient and was completed within 60–90 min, corresponding to a conversion yield of 84%. The blue dye was reduced instantaneously by ascorbic acid or uric acid to its original reduced form and was insensitive to a wide pH variation from 2 to 11. Application of the blue dye as a colorimetric assay reagent for glucose using β-d-glucose oxidase, hypoxanthine using xanthine oxidase, and lactate using lactate oxidase was successfully demonstrated. Kinetic studies revealed that the Michaelis-Menten constant for the blue dye with respect to glucose oxidase was noticeably higher than that of lactate oxidase or xanthine oxidase.
Chronic reductions in serotonin transporter function prevent 5-HT1B-induced behavioral effects in mice.

Background Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by intrusive thoughts, images, or impulses and/or repetitive stereotypical behavior. Obsessive-compulsive disorder patients exhibit reduced prepulse inhibition (PPI) and symptom exacerbation after challenge with 5-HT1B receptor agonists. Recently, gain-of-function alleles of the serotonin transporter (5-HTT) have been associated with OCD. We tested the hypothesis that reducing 5-HTT function chronically, either genetically or via serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SRI) treatment, attenuates PPI deficits and perseverative hyperlocomotion induced by 5-HT1B agonists in mice. Methods Mice received subchronic or chronic pretreatment with the SRI fluoxetine and acute treatment with RU24969 (5-HT1A/1B agonist) or 8-OH-DPAT (5-HT1A agonist) and were assessed for PPI, locomotor activity, and spatial patterns of locomotion. The same measures were evaluated in 5-HTT wild-type (WT), heterozygous (HT), and knockout (KO) mice after RU24969 treatment. The effects of WAY100635 (5-HTA antagonist) or GR127935 (5-HT1B/D antagonist) pretreatment on RU24969-induced effects were evaluated. Finally, 5-HT1B binding and functional coupling were assessed in 5-HTT-WT, -HT, and -KO mice, and normal fluoxetine-treated mice. Results Chronic, but not subchronic, fluoxetine treatment prevented RU24969-induced PPI deficits and perseverative hyperlocomotion. These RU24969-induced effects were mediated via 5-HT1B and not 5-HT1A receptors. 5-HTT-KO mice showed no effects of RU24969, and 5-HTT-HT mice exhibited intermediate phenotypes. 5-HT1B binding and functional coupling were reduced in the globus pallidus and substantia nigra of 5-HTT-KO mice. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that chronic, but not subchronic, fluoxetine treatment and 5-HTT knockout robustly attenuate 5-HT1B agonist-induced PPI deficits and perseverative hyperlocomotion. These results may have implications for the etiology and treatment of OCD.
Neuroendocrine tumors of the colon and rectum

Neuroendocrine tumors of the colon and rectum are also called hindgut carcinoids. They are slow growing and usually become symptomatic late in the course of the disease. Current incidence is about one per 100,000. Tumors are graded into three levels based on tumor cell proliferation. Appendiceal carcinoids are usually found incidentally on pathology following an appendectomy. Colonic NETs present late, as large tumors, often with extensive metastatic disease when the diagnosis is made. Rectal NETs can be found incidentally when patients are undergoing a colonoscopy but can present with hematochezia or anorectal symptoms like tenesmus. Tumors with locoregional involvement have the best outcomes with resection whenever possible. Optimal management requires a multidisciplinary approach and systemic therapy is limited.
A 37-Year-Old Man With Severe COPD, Rash, and Conjunctivitis

37-year-old Hispanic man with a 20-pack-year smoking history presented with a 4-day history of worsening shortness of breath (SOB). The patient reported that he has had SOB for several years but has noticed a significant increase over the last 1.5 years. Due to the severity of his symptoms, he had to quit his job as a commercial fisherman. The patient had several hospitalizations for presumed asthma exacerbations. The patient never required intubation. During these hospitalizations, he was treated with IV steroids and b-agonists with good responses. The patient reported intermittent episodes of conjunctivitis involving one or both eyes and an intermittent rash that he described as “hives.” Both symptoms predated his pulmonary problems. The eye symptoms started 4 years ago, and the findings of the cultures of the discharge from the patient’s eyes were negative. He also experienced intermittent photophobia. The rash began on his back but spread to his torso and extremities. It has resolved in the past when he has been given steroids for his pulmonary symptoms, but it recurs intermittently when he is weaned from the steroids.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE CABIBBO ANGLES theta/sub A/ AND theta/sub V/ AND THE DECAYS K $Yields$ 2$pi$ IN A COVARIANT QUARK MODEL.

Formulas for the amplitudes of the three weak hadronic decays ${K}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$, ${{K}_{1}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$, and ${{K}_{1}}^{0}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}2{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ are derived within the framework of a covariant quark model. The result is that for the explanation of the observed ${K}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}+{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ decay a slight difference between the Cabibbo angles ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{A}$ and ${\ensuremath{\theta}}_{V}$ is required. A sum rule for the three decay widths and a calculation of the ${{K}_{1}}^{0}$ decay width are in fairly good agreement with the experimental data.
DNA Repair Factor MRE11/RAD50 Cleaves 3′-Phosphotyrosyl Bonds and Resects DNA to Repair Damage Caused by Topoisomerase 1 Poisons

MRE11-RAD50 is a highly conserved multifunctional DNA repair factor. Here, we show that MRE11-RAD50 cleaves the covalent 3′-phosphotyrosyl-DNA bonds that join topoisomerase 1 (Top1) to the DNA backbone and that are the hallmark of damage caused by Top1 poisons such as camptothecin. Cleavage generates a 3′-phosphate DNA end that MRE11-RAD50 can resect in an ATP-regulated reaction, to produce a 3′-hydroxyl that can prime repair synthesis. The 3′-phosphotyrosyl cleavage activity maps to the MRE11 active site. These results define a new activity of MRE11 and distinguish MRE11-RAD50 functions in repair of Top1-DNA complexes and double-strand breaks.
Dissolved iodine in waters overlying and in the Orca Basin, Gulf of Mexico

Abstract The distribution and speciation of iodine, a biophilic redox-sensitive trace element, in waters overlying and in the Orca Basin, Gulf of Mexico, which contains hypersaline, anoxic and yet non-sulfide-bearing brine have been determined. The distribution of iodate and iodide in the oxic waters overlying the anoxic brine are similar to those reported in other oceans. However, in the oxic-anoxic mixing zone, iodate disappears while the concentration of iodide reaches a maximum of 8.1 μM, the highest concentration ever reported in open oceans. There is also a maximum in specific iodine of 30.7 nM‰−1 at this depth. Specific iodine in oxic seawater is only about 10–14 nM ‰−1. These features may be explained by the preferential dissolution of biogenic particles that have accumulated in a strong pycnocline. In the anoxic brine proper, the concentration of iodide is 3.8 μM and can be explained almost entirely by the simultaneous mobilization of chloride and iodide during the dissolution of evaporite beds as the specific iodine of 14.5 nM‰−1 is only slightly higher than those observed in the oxic waters.
Vectorization of an auction algorithm for linear cost assignment problem

Abstract Theoretical and computational studies have shown the Bertsekas' auction algorithm for the linear cost assignment problem is globally parallelizable and efficient on parallel or massively parallel processors. This paper presents a local vectorization of the algorithm. We discuss the design and implementation of the algorithm on an IBM 3090 with vector facility and present computational results. It is shown that the auction algorithm is locally vectorizable, at processor level, and on dense assignment problems having 250,000 to four million variables an average solution speedup of two can be realized. Hence, vectorization of the auction algorithm would approximately double the average solution speedup of parallel implementation.
Cardiac rhythm during temporal lobe seizures

We studied the neuroanatomic correlates of ictal tachycardia in 27 seizures from five patients with unilateral temporal lobe epilepsy being evaluated with bilateral temporal lobe depth electrodes and orbitofrontal subdural electrodes. There were 11 complex partial seizures, three simple partial seizures, and 13 subclinical seizures. For all seizures, heart rate (HR) increased in a graded fashion as new cortical regions anywhere in the brain were recruited into the seizure. HR plateaued at the new level despite EEG frequency changes until the next region became involved. Increases in HR did not correlate with increased duration of seizures but rather with volume of brain involved. Restricted amygdaloid seizure activity was generally insufficient to alter HR. We conclude that the amygdala has a limited role in modulating HR during seizures, and ictal tachycardia depends principally on the volume of cerebral structures recruited into a seizure.
Sea lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) infestations and the productivity of pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) in the Broughton Archipelago, British Columbia, Canada

The spread of salmon lice (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) from salmon farms may threaten some wild salmon populations. Infestations of wild juvenile pink salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) have been associated with high mortality and population decline. Using stock–recruit data for pink salmon from the central coast of British Columbia, we analyzed how fishing mortality and spatial covariation combine with louse infestation to affect pink salmon population dynamics. The results indicate substantial coherence in survival at nested spatial scales — large-scale regional covariation and smaller scale covariation within management areas. Populations exposed to salmon farms (those from the Broughton Archipelago) show a sharp decline in productivity during sea lice infestations relative to pre-infestation years. Unexposed populations (comprising four management areas) did not experience a change in productivity during infestation years and had similar productivity to exposed populations before infestations. Our results s...
Paired pacing after coronary artery ligation.

Abstract Experiments were designed to test the hazards and physiologic effects of paired pacing of the heart before and after coronary ligation. Sustained paired pacing was performed in 13 of 14 “normal” animals in which the left anterior descending coronary artery was identified but not ligated. The technique produced increased myocardial contractility, as manifested by augmented left ventricular dp/dt. Pacer-induced ventricular fibrillation occurred in 7 of 9 other dogs in which paired pacing was attempted after coronary artery ligation. In a third group of 14 dogs pretreated with propranolol, paired pacing was safely accomplished in 11 after coronary artery ligation. Propranolol did not interfere with the inotropic effects of paired pacing. Application of these data to the problem of the “power failure” syndrome associated with myocardial infarction is discussed.
Interactive design optimization of dynamic systems

Abstract This paper describes an interactive environment for dynamic response optimization problems. It is shown that with proper interactive facilities and designer intervention, the optimal design process can be more flexible, efficient and effective in solving practical design problems. The process can be initiated with a rough design model for the problem. As the iterations progress and insight is gained into the problem, the model can be interactively refined, without stopping the process, to obtain the final solution. Two example problems — a system dynamics problem and a control problem — are used to study and show advantages of the designer interaction. It is concluded that interactive optimum design capabilities offer more opportunities to the designer to obtain better designs.
Adrenal steroid receptor immunoreactivity in cells born in the adult rat dentate gyrus

Several lines of evidence indicate that cell birth in the adult rat dentate gyrus is regulated by adrenal steroids. The expression of adrenal steroid receptors by mitotic cells in the dentate gyrus would support the hypothesis that these hormones act directly on granule cell progenitors. We performed a survival time course of in vivo [3H]thymidine autoradiography combined with immunohistochemistry for mineralocorticoid receptors (MR) and glucocorticoid receptors (GR) and found that very few [3H]thymidine labeled mitotic cells express these receptors. By 4 weeks following [3H]thymidine administration, the vast majority of [3H]thymidine labeled cells were immunoreactive for MR and GR. These results suggest that adrenal steroids do not act directly on granule cell progenitors in the adult rat dentate gyrus.
Photoinitiation of vinyl polymerization by polysilanes

Polysilanes were found to photoinitiate the polymerization of a variety of vinyl monomers including methyl methacrylate, styrene, ethyl acrylate and acrylic acid. Polymerization initiated by polysilane photolysis is rather insensitive to oxygen inhibition, which may make it especially suitable for polymerization of thin films. The initiation efficiency of poly(phenylmethylsilylene) in styrene was determined from dilatometry data to be 1 × 10−3. This rather low efficiency is counterbalanced by the very high extinction coefficient of polysilane polymers, ca. 4–8 × 103 per silicon atom. Possible reasons for the low initiation efficiency and reduced oxygen inhibition of polysilane photoinitiators are discussed.
Biorthogonal sequences of solutions of the generalized feller equation

The generalized Feller equation is a linear, autonomous, parabolic equation of a positive space variable and a time variable. Its coefficients are power functions of the space variable, and they depend on four parameters. In general, the equation is singular at the origin and at infinity. It contains as special cases the special Feller equation, the Kepinski equation, and the standard heat equation. The main objective of the present paper is to establish series expansions of solutions of the generalized Feller equation in terms of the elements of two sequences of particular solutions. The elements of one of these sequences are particular initial condition solutions. The two sequences are biorthogonal. The main result is that a solution does have the desired expansion property if and only if it has the Huygens property in some neighborhood of the origin of the time variable.
Noteworthy Literature in Regional Anesthesia 2013

The regional anesthesia literature was quite active in the calendar year 2013. In typical fashion, the literature was composed of articles representing neuraxial analgesia, peripheral nerve blocks, patient outcomes, regional anesthesia adjuvant medications, and patient safety. The goal of this article is to summarize and present the most relevant articles from each of these arenas.
Effect of a Preoperative Decontamination Protocol on Surgical Site Infections in Patients Undergoing Elective Orthopedic Surgery With Hardware Implantation

Importance Surgical site infections (SSIs), commonly caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, specifically when hardware is implanted in the patient. Previously, we have demonstrated that a preoperative decontamination protocol using chlorhexidine gluconate washcloths and intranasal antiseptic ointment is effective in eradicating MRSA in the nose and on the skin of patients. Objective To examine the effect of a decontamination protocol on SSIs in patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery with hardware implantation. Design, Setting, and Participants A prospective database of patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery with hardware implantation at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, Texas, was analyzed from October 1, 2012, to December 31, 2013. Cohort groups before and after the intervention were compared. Interventions Starting in May 2013, during their preoperative visit, all of the patients watched an educational video about MRSA decontamination and were given chlorhexidine washcloths and oral rinse and nasal povidone-iodine solution to be used the night before and the morning of scheduled surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures Thirty-day SSI rates were collected according to the definitions of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance. Data on demographics, comorbidities such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and coronary artery disease, tobacco use, alcohol use, and body mass index were also collected. Univariate analysis was performed between the 2 groups of patients. Multivariate analysis was used to identify independent predictors of SSI. Results A total of 709 patients were analyzed (344 controls and 365 patients who were decolonized). Both groups were well matched with no significant differences in age, body mass index, sex, or comorbidities. All of the patients (100%) completed the MRSA decontamination protocol. The SSI rate in the intervention group was significantly lower (1.1%; 4 of 365 patients developed an SSI) than the SSI rate in the control group (3.8%; 13 of 344 patients developed an SSI) ( P = .02). Multivariate logistic regression identified MRSA decontamination as an independent predictor of not developing an SSI (adjusted odds ratio, 0.24 [95% CI, 0.08-0.77]; P = .02). Conclusions and Relevance Our study demonstrates that preoperative MRSA decontamination with chlorhexidine washcloths and oral rinse and intranasal povidone-iodine decreased the SSI rate by more than 50% among patients undergoing elective orthopedic surgery with hardware implantation. Universal decontamination using this low-cost protocol may be considered as an additional prevention strategy for SSIs in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery with hardware implantation and warrants further study.
Thermal response of Iapetus to an eclipse by Saturn's rings

Measurements of Iapetus as seen at 20 and 2.2 μm in the shadow of Saturn's ring are given, providing the thermal response to a rapidly varying heat input. The 20 μm thermal emission follows the 2.2 μm flux input closely. The observations, plus a simple diffusion calculation, imply that the surface of Iapetus is made of material having a very small thermal inertia, probably / ≾ 10Jm^(-2)s^(-½)K^(-1).
Keeping Kids in School: A Study Examining the Long-Term Impact of Afterschool Enrichment Programs on Students’ High School Dropout Rates

Despite the potential benefits of afterschool programs, much of the related research has been limited to an examination of only their immediate or short-term effects. The LA’s BEST afterschool program has been in operation for more than 20 years, providing researchers with a unique opportunity to explore the long-term effects of afterschool programming. This study examined the dropout rates of the LA’s BEST afterschool participants and compared them to a stratified random district sample that was matched to the characteristics of the afterschool students. The results indicated that students who had participated in the afterschool program for at least three years showed a significantly lower dropout rate than the district students overall.
Arsenic Poisoning in Bangladesh: a Geographic Analysis

Drinking of arsenic-contaminated tubewell water has become a serious health threat in Bangladesh. Arsenic contaminated tubewells are believed to be responsible for poisoning nearly two-thirds of this countrys population. If proper actions are not taken immediately many people in Bangladesh will die from arsenic poisoning in just a few years. Causes and consequences of arsenic poisoning the extent of area affected by it and local knowledge and beliefs about the arsenic problem - including solutions and international responses to the problem - are analyzed. Although no one knows precisely how the arsenic is released into the ground water several contradictory theories exist to account for its release. Initial symptoms of the poisoning consist of a dryness and throat constriction difficulty in swallowing and acute epigastric pain. Long-term exposure leads to skin lung or bladder cancer. Both government and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in Bangladesh foreign governments and international agencies are now involved in mitigating the effects of the arsenic poisoning as well as developing cost-effective remedial measures that are affordable by the rural people. (authors)
From Language to Time: A Temporal Expression Anchorer

Understanding temporal expressions in natural language is a key step towards incorporating temporal information in many applications. In this paper we describe a system capable of anchoring such expressions in English: system TEA features a constraint-based calendar model and a compact representational language to capture the intensional meaning of temporal expressions. We also report favorable results from experiments conducted on several email datasets.
WKB Estimates for Linear Dynamic Systems on Time Scales

We establish WKB estimates for linear dynamic systems with a small parameter on a time scale unifying continuous and discrete WKB method. We introduce an adiabatic invariant for dynamic system on a time scale, which is a generalization of adiabatic invariant of Lorentz_s pendulum. As an application we prove that the change of adiabatic invariant is vanishing as approaches zero. This result was known before only for a continuous time scale. We show that it is true for the discrete scale only for the appropriate choice of graininess depending on a parameter . The proof is based on the truncation of WKB series and WKB estimates.
Level of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein is predictive of 30-day outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction undergoing primary coronary intervention.

Background C-reactive protein (CRP) has been well recognized as a strong independent predictor of short-term and long-term mortality after non–ST-segment elevation acute coronary syndromes. However, limited studies have been conducted correlating CRP levels within 6 h following the onset of ST-segment elevation (ST-se) acute myocardial infarction (AMI) to mortality. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the predictive value of CRP measured by high-sensitivity CRP assay (hsCRP) on 30-day clinical outcomes in patients with ST-se AMI of onset Methods and results We conducted a prospective cohort study in 146 consecutive patients with ST-se AMI of onset 2.37 mg/L, n=73) and low (group 2: hsCRP ≤ 2.37 mg/L, n=73) hsCRP groups according to the median value of hsCRP after AMI. Univariate analysis demonstrated that the 30-day composite major adverse cardiac events (MACE) [death, recurrent ischemia, and re-occlusion] were significantly higher in group 1 than in group 2 (23.3% vs 4.1%, p=0.0008). Multiple stepwise logistic regression analysis demonstrated that high hsCRP (p = 0.001), cardiogenic shock (p = 0.0003), and low left ventricular ejection fraction (p = 0.032) were independent predictors of 30-day MACE Conclusions Prospective evaluation of the hsCRP in ST-se AMI of onset
Disruption of a Sox9–β-catenin circuit by mutant Fgfr3 in thanatophoric dysplasia type II

Mutations in fibroblast growth factor (FGF) receptors are responsible for a variety of skeletal birth defects, but the underlying mechanisms responsible remain unclear. Using a mouse model of thanatophoric dysplasia type II in which FGFR3(K650E) expression was directed to the appendicular skeleton, we show that the mutant receptor caused a block in chondrocyte differentiation specifically at the prehypertrophic stage. The differentiation block led to a severe reduction in hypertrophic chondrocytes that normally produce vascular endothelial growth factor, which in turn was associated with poor vascularization of primary ossification centers and disrupted endochondral ossification. We show that the differentiation block and defects in joint formation are associated with persistent expression of the chondrogenic factor Sox9 and down-regulation of β-catenin levels and activity in growth plate chondrocytes. Consistent with these in vivo results, FGFR3(K650E) expression was found to increase Sox9 and decrease β-catenin levels and transcriptional activity in cultured mesenchymal cells. Coexpression of Fgfr3(K650E) and Sox9 in cells resulted in very high levels of Sox9 and cooperative suppression of β-catenin-dependent transcription. Fgfr3(K650E) had opposing effects on Sox9 and β-catenin protein stability with it promoting Sox9 stabilization and β-catenin degradation. Since both Sox9 overexpression and β-catenin deletion independently blocks hypertrophic differentiation of chondrocytes and cause chondrodysplasias similar to those caused by mutations in FGFR3, our results suggest that dysregulation of Sox9 and β-catenin levels and activity in growth plate chondrocytes is an important underlying mechanism in skeletal diseases caused by mutations in FGFR3.
Control of DegP-Dependent Degradation of c-Type Cytochromes by Heme and the Cytochrome c Maturation System in Escherichia coli

c-type cytochromes are located partially or completely in the periplasm of gram-negative bacteria, and the heme prosthetic group is covalently bound to the protein. The cytochrome c maturation (Ccm) multiprotein system is required for transport of heme to the periplasm and its covalent linkage to the peptide. Other cytochromes and hemoglobins contain a noncovalently bound heme and do not require accessory proteins for assembly. Here we show that Bradyrhizobium japonicum cytochrome c550 polypeptide accumulation in Escherichia coli was heme dependent, with very low levels found in heme-deficient cells. However, apoproteins of the periplasmic E. coli cytochrome b562 or the cytosolic Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (Vhb) accumulated independently of the heme status. Mutation of the heme-binding cysteines of cytochrome c550 or the absence of Ccm also resulted in a low apoprotein level. These levels were restored in a degP mutant strain, showing that apocytochrome c550 is degraded by the periplasmic protease DegP. Introduction of the cytochrome c heme-binding motif CXXCH into cytochrome b562 (c-b562) resulted in a c-type cytochrome covalently bound to heme in a Ccm-dependent manner. This variant polypeptide was stable in heme-deficient cells but was degraded by DegP in the absence of Ccm. Furthermore, a Vhb variant containing a periplasmic signal peptide and a CXXCH motif did not form a c-type cytochrome, but accumulation was Ccm dependent nonetheless. The data show that the cytochrome c heme-binding motif is an instability element and that stabilization by Ccm does not require ligation of the heme moiety to the protein.
SCORPIO: a 36-core research chip demonstrating snoopy coherence on a scalable mesh NoC with in-network ordering

In the many-core era, scalable coherence and on-chip interconnects are crucial for shared memory processors. While snoopy coherence is common in small multicore systems, directory-based coherence is the de facto choice for scalability to many cores, as snoopy relies on ordered interconnects which do not scale. However, directory-based coherence does not scale beyond tens of cores due to excessive directory area overhead or inaccurate sharer tracking. Prior techniques supporting ordering on arbitrary unordered networks are impractical for full multicore chip designsWe present SCORPIO, an ordered mesh Network-on-Chip (NoC) architecture with a separate fixed-latency, bufferless network to achieve distributed global ordering. Message delivery is decoupled from the ordering, allowing messages to arrivein any order and at any time, and still be correctly ordered. The architecture is designed to plug-and-play with existing multicore IP and with practicality, timing, area, and power as top concerns. Full-system 36 and 64-core simulations on SPLASH-2 and PARSEC benchmarks show an average application runtime reduction of 24.1% and 12.9%, in comparison to distributed directory and AMD HyperTransport coherence protocols, respectivelyThe SCORPIO architecture is incorporated in an 11 mm-by-13mm chip prototype, fabricated in IBM 45nm SOI technology, comprising 36 Freescale e200 Power ArchitectureTMcores with private L1 and L2 caches interfacing with the NoC via ARM AMBA, along with two Cadence on-chip DDR2 controllers. The chip prototype achieves a post synthesis operating frequency of 1 GHz (833MHz post-layout) with an estimated power of 28.8W (768mW per tile), while the network consumes only 10% of tile area and 19 % of tile power.
Is higher-order uncertainty needed?

In the artificial intelligence and decision-making communities, there seems to be agreement on the calculations used in most problems that are solved using "higher-order uncertainty", but disagreement on the terminology used. The purpose here is to show that these problems can be modeled using traditional first-order beliefs, and that, when they are modeled this way, the calculations are the same as the "higher-order" calculations, The disagreements arise because researchers rephrase first-order beliefs in various guises of higher-order uncertainty. I argue that we should stay with the traditional first-order formulations of the problems.
Extent of Pelvic Lymph Node Dissection and the Impact of Standard Template Dissection on Nomogram Prediction of Lymph Node Involvement

Abstract Background Our current lymph node involvement (LNI) nomogram was created using patients receiving both limited and standard lymph node dissection (LND). Over time, refinements in technique could affect the diagnostic yield from LND. Objective Our aim was to validate our existing LNI nomogram or develop a new nomogram with updated prediction coefficients that reflect the current standard LND template during radical prostatectomy (RP). We hypothesized that the existing nomogram would demonstrate good discrimination but poor calibration in a contemporary series of standard LND. Design, setting, and participants A retrospective analysis of 4176 consecutive primary RP patients was performed, including open procedures (3097 patients from 2000 to 2008) and laparoscopic procedures (1079 patients from 2005 to 2008). After excluding 127 patients (3%) with limited LND, 10 (0.2%) with pretreatment prostate-specific antigen (PSA) >50 ng/ml, and 318 (8%) with incomplete data, the final cohort totaled 3721 patients. The nomograms were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic analysis, calibration plots, and decision-curve analysis. Interventions Patients received open or laparoscopic (conventional and robot-assisted) RP and standard LND in our center. Measurements Assessments were obtained using preoperative PSA, biopsy Gleason score, and clinical stage. Results and limitations The median number of nodes removed was 11, with ∼60% of patients having at least 10 nodes removed ( n =2224). Overall, 5.2% of patients ( n =194) had positive lymph nodes. The new nomogram had very high discriminative accuracy (area under the curve: 0.862). The decision-curve analysis showed that the new nomogram had the highest clinical net benefit for all reasonable threshold probabilities. Conclusions The new nomogram shows improved calibration when predicting lymph node invasion in a contemporary cohort of patients with prostate cancer exclusively treated with RP and standard LND. This nomogram will be used as the preferred predictive model for counseling patients and developing studies at our institution.
Bioavailability of vitamin B-6 in young and older men

Various indexes of vitamin B-6 status have been shown to be reduced with aging. The cause for the apparent reduced vitamin B-6 status is not well understood. For direct assessment of how the bioavailability of vitamin B-6 is affected by aging, (2H)pyridoxine was orally administered to healthy men, aged 20-30 and 60-70 y, who were fed a controlled diet. No differences were observed in plasma pyridoxal 5'-phosphate con- centration, erythrocyte aspartate aminotransferase activity, or plasma alkaline phosphatase activity between the two age groups. There were no age-related differences in the urinary excretion of total or 12H)4-pyridoxic acid during a 3-d collection period. Re- suIts from this study indicate that the bioavailability of vitamin B-6 is not altered with aging in free-living, healthy adult men. Am J C/in Nuir 1994;60:68-7l.
Amyloid Deposits: Protection Against Toxic Protein Species?

Neurodegenerative diseases ranging from Alzheimer disease and polyglutamine diseases to transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are associated with the aggregation and accumulation of misfolded proteins. In several cases the intracellular and extracellular protein deposits contain a fibrillar protein species called amyloid. However while amyloid deposits are hallmarks of numerous neurodegenerative diseases, their actual role in disease progression remains unclear. Especially perplexing is the often poor correlation between these deposits and other markers of neurodegeneration. As a result the question remains whether amyloid deposits are the disease-causing species, the consequence of cellular disease pathology or even the result of a protective cellular response to misfolded protein species. Here we highlight studies that suggest that accumulation and sequestration of misfolded protein in amyloid inclusion bodies and plaques can serve a protective function. Furthermore, we discuss how exceeding the cellular capacity for protective deposition of misfolded proteins may contribute to the formation of toxic protein species.
On Publishing Extended Abstracts, and Reviews

Abstract A suggestion is made that scientific journals should publish only extended abstracts of research papers and full-length review-style papers.
Complement factor H: spatial and temporal expression and localization in the eye.

PURPOSE. Complement factor H (CFH) is a component of the mammalian complement system, which regulates the alternative pathway of complement activation and protects the host cell from inappropriate complement activation. CFH is a key regulator of innate immunity, and CFH deficiency leads to membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II. A variation in human CFH, Y402H, has been shown to be associated with an increased risk for age-related macular degeneration. The authors describe studies on the spatial and temporal expression of the CFH gene and localization of this protein in ocular tissues to gain insight into its role in the eye. METHODS. CFH expression in human and mouse tissues was studied by quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, and localization of CFH was studied by immunohistochemical analysis followed by fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS. In human and mouse, CFH expression was found to be similar to the highest level of expression in the liver. In ocular tissue, CFH was detected in the distalmost optic nerve (3 mm) cut from the scleral surface of the eyeball, sclera, RPE-choroid, retina, lens, and ciliary body. In mouse, Cfh expression was observed from early embryonic stages, and in the eye its expression increased with age. CONCLUSIONS. A significant level of CFH expression is maintained in different ocular tissues during development and aging. Sustained high levels of CFH expression in eye tissues suggest that this protein may play a role in protecting these tissues from indiscriminate complement activation and inflammatory insult.
Measuring dispersal in a metapopulation using stable isotope enrichment: high rates of sex-biased dispersal between patches in a mayfly metapopulation

Dispersal affects a wide array of ecological and evolutionary processes, but has been difficult to estimate empirically. A 15 Nitrogen stable isotope enrichment technique was used to passively mark all developing Callibaetis ferrugineus hageni (Eaton) mayfly larvae in a beaver pond that had previously been shown to be a patch in a source-sink metapopulation. After enrichment during the larval stages, dispersal among ponds by adult females was demonstrated by the presence of unmarked females ovipositing in the labeled pond, and marked females in an unlabeled pond. Observed frequencies of marked females suggested incomplete mixing between ponds. In contrast, males rarely dispersed from their natal pond, which was consistent with the unusual mating system in this species - adult Callibaetis are short-lived, do not feed, and females are sexually receptive immediately after emerging from the larval habitat. The frequent dispersal demonstrated using the stable isotope technique was a critical component of the source-sink dynamic observed in this metapopulation, and further use of this technique will provide insights into patterns of dispersal in spatially structured habitats.