cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PTLD in Intestinal Transplant Recipients

Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD), a lethal disease, is a direct consequence of modulation of recipient’s immune system by immunosuppression. Intestinal transplant recipients are at particular risk given the intensity of necessary immunosuppression and the volume of transplanted lymphoid tissue. PTLD and rejection can occur simultaneously in this unique patient population which increases the complexity of management. This chapter brings out the characteristic features of PTLD in intestinal transplant recipients and outlines strategies around diagnosis and management of this complex and varied disorder.
Biofilm Time-Kill Curves to Assess the Bactericidal Activity of Daptomycin Combinations against Biofilm-Producing Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus faecium and faecalis.

Introduction: E. faecium and E. faecalis are responsible for 13.9% of hospital-acquired infections with frequent resistance to vancomycin (82.6% of E. faecium, 9.5% of E. faecalis). Medical device infections secondary to enterococci often require combination therapy due to impaired activity against biofilm embedded cells. In vitro data demonstrate synergistic activity of daptomycin combinations. Using a novel, biofilm time-kill approach, we evaluated whether daptomycin combinations maintained synergy against biofilm-producing E. faecium and E. faecalis. Methods: Broth microdilution (BMD) and biofilm MIC (bMIC) values for daptomycin, ampicillin, ceftriaxone, fosfomycin, and rifampin were determined against biofilm-producing E. faecium and E. faecalis. Daptomycin combination bMIC values were determined in the presence of biologic concentrations of other antimicrobials. Synergy was evaluated against two E. faecalis (R6981, R7808) and two E. faecium (5938 and 8019) using a previously described biofilm time-kill method. Synergy was defined as ≥2 log10 CFU/cm2 reduction over the most active agent alone. Bactericidal activity was defined as ≥3 log10 CFU/cm2 reduction. Results: Daptomycin bMICs were 2–8-fold higher than BMD. In the presence of other antimicrobials, daptomycin bMICs were reduced ≥ two-fold in dilutions. Ceftriaxone and ampicillin demonstrated the most potent combinations with daptomycin, yielding synergy against three of four strains. Daptomycin plus rifampin was synergistic against E. faecium 5938 and E. faecalis 6981 and produced bactericidal kill. The combination of daptomycin plus fosfomycin displayed synergy solely against E. faecalis 6981. Conclusions: Daptomycin combinations with beta-lactams demonstrated promising synergistic activity against both E. faecium and E. faecalis. While daptomycin plus rifampin yielded bactericidal results, the effect was not seen across all organisms. These combinations warrant further evaluation to determine the optimal dose and response.
Randomized clinical trial to compare the efficacy of two different antimicrobials on cure, milk production, and reproductive performance of dairy cows diagnosed with metritis

Two systemic antimicrobials are currently labeled in the United States for the treatment of metritis, ceftiofur and oxtetracycline. However, veterinarians may choose an alternative to ceftiofur, a third generation cephalosporin, because of concerns about the potential development of antimicrobial resistance. Ampicillin sodium is often used in an extra-label manner in the field to treat metritis in dairy cows, but there is little work published to support its use for this purpose. The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of two antimicrobial treatments (ceftiofur hydrochloride versus ampicillin sodium) for resolution of clinical signs, reproductive performance, culling, and milk yield in dairy cows diagnosed with acute puerperal metritis.
Discrimination and internalizing symptoms in rural Latinx adolescents: An ecological model of etiology

Abstract Introduction There is a well-documented relationship between perceived discrimination and internalizing symptoms among Latinx adolescents. However, few studies have examined how this psychosocial stressor relates to multiple domains of functioning in rural Latinx adolescents simultaneously. This study tested a spillover model of internalizing symptom development, where the negative effects of perceived discrimination are experienced through peer and family relationships. Methods Rural Latinx adolescents (n = 639; Mage = 15.62, SDage = 1.09; 53% female) provided information on social, familial, and individual risk and resilience factors that affect adolescents’ mental health. A serial mediation model was conducted using structural equation modeling. Exploratory analyses examined whether these effects varied based on adolescents’ age, gender, and acculturation level. Results Perceived discrimination was significantly associated with peer victimization. In turn, higher peer victimization was significantly associated with lower familism, where higher familism was significantly associated with lower internalizing symptoms. The serial indirect effect (i.e., perceived discrimination → peer victimization → familism → internalizing symptoms) was statistically significant, indicating a pathway through which perceived discrimination affects peer and family domains of functioning. Age emerged as a significant moderator of the indirect effect specifically by moderating the discrimination → peer victimization path. Conclusions The results are consistent with a spillover model where perceived discrimination increases risk for peer victimization, which in turn erodes protective family-oriented values such as familism, especially among older adolescents. These findings highlight a potential etiological model by which experiences of discrimination may lead to the development of internalizing symptomatology.
Factors associated with ejaculatory and orgasmic dysfunction in men with erectile dysfunction: analysis of clinical trials involving the phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor tadalafil

Study Type – Prognosis (cohort series) Level of Evidence 2a What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Many men with ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) or orgasmic dysfunction (OD) do not seek medical attention. In fact, relatively high proportions of men with erectile dysfunction (ED) have abnormal EjD or OD, and even mild ED is associated with them. Because of the overlap of ED, EjD, and OD, the presence of any one condition should prompt questions about, or a work-up for, the other two. OBJECTIVE • To determine frequencies of, and risk factors for, ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) and orgasmic dysfunction (OD) in men with different degrees of erectile dysfunction (ED). PATIENTS AND METHODS • Baseline data from 28 ED trials were integrated and analysed. • The International Index of Erectile Function Question 9 (IIEF-Q9; ‘When you had sexual stimulation or intercourse, how often did you ejaculate?’) and IIEF-Q10 (‘How often did you have the feeling of orgasm with or without ejaculation?’) were used to evaluate ejaculatory and orgasmic functions. • Responses of ‘almost never or never’ or ‘a few times (much less than half the time)’ were taken as evidence of EjD or OD, respectively, whereas responses of ‘almost always or always’ or ‘most times (much more than half the time)’ were taken as evidence of normal function. • Estimates of the relative risks (RRs) of EjD or OD were determined for multiple patient characteristics. RESULTS • Among 12 130 study participants with available data, only 5117 (42.2%) reported normal ejaculatory function, and 4321 (35.6%) normal orgasm, regardless of ED severity. • Among subjects with poor ejaculatory function, 16.7% had mild ED, and among subjects with poor sensation of orgasm, 21.9% had mild ED. • Frequencies of EjD and OD increased with increasing ED severity. Of the 5117 individuals with normal ejaculatory function, 796 (15.6%) had poor sensation of orgasm. Of the 4321 subjects with normal orgasm, 226 (5.2%) had poor ejaculatory function. • Men with (vs without) EjD or OD tended to be younger: 53.7 vs 56.9 years and 54.2 vs 56.2 years, respectively. • Factors associated with increased RRs of EjD and OD included cardiomyopathy (RR for EjD 1.74; RR for OD 1.59); cardiac failure (RR 1.40; 1.22); and baseline use (or history of use) of antipsychotics (RR 1.45; 1.30), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (RR 1.31; 1.27), and tricyclic antidepressants (RR 1.34; 1.28). CONCLUSIONS • EjD and OD occurred at baseline in more than one in three men enrolled in tadalafil trials. Even men with mild ED reported EjD or OD. • Further studies are warranted to better understand the impacts of EjD and OD on male sexuality and quality of life.
Comparative Effects of All-trans and 13-cis Retinoic Acid Administration on Serum and Liver Lipids in Rats

The effects of all-trans and 13-cis retinoic acid upon serum and liver lipids were investigated in Sprague-Dawley rats. Groups of rats were fed daily with 105, 210 and 315 micrograms/g diet of one of the retinoids for periods of up to 8 days. Other groups were injected intraperitoneally (I.P.) daily with retinoids at levels equivalent to the daily intake of rats receiving 105 or 210 micrograms of retinoid/g diet. All dietary concentrations of all-trans retinoic acid induced hypertriglyceridemia, however, only the highest dietary concentration of the 13-cis form caused this response. Injection of the all-trans form consistently increased serum triglycerides, while 13-cis retinoic acid did so in only one case. Retinoid-fed rats fasted for 6 hours before blood sampling demonstrated similar increases in serum triglycerides compared to their respective controls. Also, retinoid administration reduced serum retinol at all levels tested with the all-trans form appearing to be more potent. Growth and feed intake was somewhat reduced in rats receiving the highest level of all-trans retinoic acid. Liver analysis did not reveal fatty liver or alterations in phospholipid, cholesterol, or vitamin A content in any groups monitored. Our previous studies have shown induction of hypertriglyceridemia when rats were fed as low as 26 micrograms/g diet of all-trans retinoic acid. The current studies would indicate that feeding 315 micrograms/g diet of the 13-cis isomer was required to elicit a similar response.
Intestinal intraepithelial lymphocytes are a distinct set of γδ T cells

Lymphocytes are most reliably subdivided on the basis of their receptors for antigen at the cell surface. Three subtypes of lymphocytes are well defined: B cells that bear surface immunoglobulin and make antibody, CD4+T cells with CD3 alpha beta receptors specific for antigen associated with class II major histocompatibility complex molecules, and CD8+T cells with CD3 alpha beta receptors specific for antigen associated with class I MHC molecules. These T cells are responsible for known forms of cell-mediated immunity. The discovery of a third rearranging T-cell specific gene called gamma (refs 1 and 2) has revealed the presence of a new class of T cells bearing a new receptor type, CD3 gamma delta (refs 3-7). To date, neither the function nor the specificity of cells bearing this receptor has been determined. Because gamma delta T cells are the main lymphocyte of epidermis, it was proposed that such cells could be important in surveillance of all epithelia. We have isolated intraepithelial lymphocytes from murine small intestine, and shown that they predominantly or exclusively express CD3 gamma delta receptors. Unlike the epidermal lymphocytes, these cells also express CD8, and they use a different V lambda gene to form their receptor. This strongly suggests that gamma delta T cells home in a very specific manner to epithelia, where they presumably mediate their function.
Assessing gynecologic and breast cancer survivors' sexual health care needs

BACKGROUND: The objective of this study was to identify patterns of interest in receiving care for sexual concerns among women who were survivors of gynecologic and breast cancers. METHODS: Survey and medical records data were collected from June 2008 to March 2009 from 261 gynecologic and breast cancer patients. Logistic regression was used to estimate the effect of age and months since treatment on interest in receiving sexual healthcare. RESULTS: The mean participant age was 55 years (range, 21-88 years). Only 7% of women had recently sought medical help for sexual issues, yet 41.6% were interested in receiving care. Greater than 30% responded that they would be likely to see a physician to address sexual matters, and 35% of all women were willing to be contacted if a formal program was offered. Compared with older women (aged >65 years), younger women (ages 18-47 years) were significantly more likely to report interest in receiving care to address sexual issues (odds ratio [OR], 2.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.14-7.54) and to see a physician to address sexual matters (OR, 4.51; 95% CI, 1.51-13.43), and they were more willing to be contacted for a formal program (adjusted OR [AOR], 5.00; 95% CI, 1.63-15.28). Compared with women who were currently in treatment, women who last received treatment >12 months previously were significantly more interested in receiving care (AOR, 2.02; 95% CI, 1.02-4.01) and were more willing to be contacted (AOR, 2.49; 95% CI, 1.18-5.26). CONCLUSIONS: Greater than 40% of survivors expressed interest in receiving sexual healthcare, but few had ever sought such care. The current results indicated that there is an unmet need for attention to sexual concerns among women with gynecologic and breast cancers. Cancer 2011;. © 2010 American Cancer Society.
Production variability in manufacturing systems: Bernoulli reliability case

The problem of production variability in serial manufacturing lines with unreliable machines is addressed. Bernoulli statistics of machine reliability are assumed. Three problems are considered: the problem of production variance, the problem of constant demand satisfaction, and the problem of random demand satisfaction generated by another (unreliable) production line. For all three problems, bounds on the respective variability measures are derived. These bounds show that long lines smooth out the production and reduce the variability. More precisely, these bounds state that the production variability of a line with many machines is smaller than that of a single machine system with production volume and reliability characteristics similar to those of the longer line. Since all the variability measures for a single machine line can be calculated relatively easily, these bounds provide analytical tools for analysis and design of serial production lines from the point of view of the customer demand satisfaction.
Key Implementation Issues and Lessons Learned with Design-Build Projects

Public agencies across the country are pursuing the design-build (DB) project delivery method to improve cycle-time performance on projects, and numerous transportation departments are currently using DB for highway construction. This paper outlines the findings of two studies of design-build projects for the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). The first of these studies included the development of a DB implementation guide for TxDOT and related key implementation issues needed to perform DB on transportation projects. The second involves an on-going investigation into lessons-learned during planning, procurement and execution phases of the State Highway 130 (SHI30) project currently underway in Central Texas. The SHI30 project is a 49 mile-long toll road being constructed under a Comprehensive Development Agreement (CDA). The project includes design, construction, and maintenance of a four-lane expressway within the specified corridor with a cost of approximately $1.3 billion and a scheduled completion date in 2007. the first DB project and the largest single highway project undertaken by TxDOT. This paper outlines critical success factors of design-build transportation projects for TxDOT, as well as early lessons-learned on the SHI30 project with particular attention given to enabling management issues, contract management, rightof way and utility relocation issues, and critical relationship factors.
Free Will Ideology: Experiments, Evolution and Virtue Ethics

The concept of free will in criminal justice is highly problematic.First of all, free will could never have evolved in a world of ordinary biological forces. There is, moreover, substantial experimental evidence against it. This evidentiary situation is a serious moral concern because free will ideology plays a key role in justifying punishment in criminal law. People draw a sharp distinction between the suffering of innocents and suffering that is deserved. As a basis for criminal punishment, the very concept of just deserts usually presupposes that wrongdoers have a choice in what they do.The essay proceeds from the assumption that hurting people is presumptively wrong and therefore requires justification. If this assumption is true, then the factual dubiousness of free will presents a serious problem for current penal practices. Because the evidence makes free will unlikely and the logic of evolution makes it impossible, an important underpinning of the criminal law appears to fail. A variant of free will, so-called compatibilism, does not solve or avoid the problem of justification. To the contrary, it seems on closer analysis to be merely a repackaging of an ancient form of virtue-ethics under which people are deemed to deserve to suffer because they are what they are.
The Economics of Single Parenthood

An increasing proportion of children in the United States are residing with a single parent. The economic status of single-parent situations is therefore of great importance. This paper reviews the literature on the economics of single parenthood. Re- search on the economics of becoming a single parent is first re- viewed. Studies on the income, expenditures, and assets and liabili- ties of single-parent situations are then addressed. Possible future research directions are discussed in the final section.
Fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in Meat

In the United States, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that the number of foodborne illnesses annually is approximately 76 million cases, resulting in 325,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths. Of those, almost 14 million cases of foodborne illness, 60,854 hospitalizations, and 1,800 deaths are caused by known foodborne pathogens (Mead et al., 1999). The cost of human illness, medical expenses, and productivity losses associated with the six most dominant foodborne pathogenic bacteria has been estimated to be between $2.9 and $6.7 billion dollars per year (Buzby et al., 1996). For decades the meat industry has been the center of some of the most costly outbreaks in world history. Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been a major concern in the meat industry for decades and has increasing concerns with the development of new processing techniques. E. coli O157:H7 has been associated with food since 1982, but E. coli O157 is naturally found in the intestinal tract of cattle and in cattle feces (Rodriquez & McLandsborough, 2001). A cascade effect of E. coli O157:H7 can be seen during the slaughter and production process. E. coli O157:H7 in the feces of cattle can be transferred to the hide. The feces on the hide are transferred to the carcasses during the de-hiding process and from the carcass the knives and saws become a vector to transfer E. coli O157:H7 onto other cuts of meat. The contaminated cuts of meat are then ground and added to other animal’s cuts of meat. This is a possible cascade of events that can lead to massive amounts of ground products contaminated with E. coli O157:H7. The Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) system and other quality programs have been established to reduce the risk of possible pathogenic contamination during manufacturing process. According to Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) in 2007, E. coli O157:H7 was linked to 21 recalls
Brain-acetylcholinesterase inhibition in a marine teleost during lethal and sublethal exposures to 1,2-dibromo-2,2-dichloroethyl dimethyl phosphate (naled) in seawater☆

Abstract To determine if brain-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition in a marine teleost Lagodon rhomboides (pinfish) by an organophosphate pesticide (naled) is specific enough to diagnose anticholinesterase poisoning, brain-AChE inhibition by sublethal exposure in seawater was compared to brain-AChE inhibition caused by lethal exposure. A sublethl exposure did not inhibit brain-AChE as much as lethal exposure in periods of 24, 48, and 72 hr. Consistent levels of inhibition (84–89% inhibition) occurred when 40–60% of an exposed population of pinfish was killed. This correlation of brain-AChE inhibition with exposure and death in a fish population shows that brain-AChE measurements are of value in diagnosing anticholinesterase poisoning in a marine fish.
Sarcopenia Adversely Impacts Postoperative Complications Following Resection or Transplantation in Patients with Primary Liver Tumors

Background Sarcopenia is a surrogate marker of patient frailty that estimates the physiologic reserve of an individual patient. We sought to investigate the impact of sarcopenia on short- and long-term outcomes in patients having undergone surgical intervention for primary hepatic malignancies.
VCO jitter reduction with bandpass filtering

The addition of a bandpass filter following the VCO in a conventional PLL (phase-locked loop) has already been proposed as a means of reducing jitter. The author provides an analysis to verify and quantify this approach and concludes that jitter may be reduced by a factor pi /2Q, where Q is related to the selectivity of the bandpass filter employed.
Nitrous oxide depresses electroencephalographic responses to repetitive noxious stimulation in the rat

Background Although N2O has been widely used as an anaesthetic adjuvant its effect on electroencephalographic (EEG) activity is poorly understood because it is usually studied in the presence of additional anaesthetics, including inhaled anaesthetics. We examined the EEG effects of N2O in rats using a hyperbaric chamber that permitted N2O to be the sole anaesthetic. Methods Rats (n=10) were anaesthetized with isoflurane and EEG activity was recorded from skull screws. The rats were placed into a hyperbaric chamber and mechanically ventilated. Isoflurane was eliminated while the chamber was pressurized with N2O. The minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) was determined in five rats by adjusting the chamber pressure and N2O concentration, and applying a tetanic noxious stimulus to the tail via an electrical pass-through. EEG responses to noxious stimulation (20 electrical pulses at 40 V applied to the tail at 0.1, 1 and 3 Hz, and 50 Hz tetanic stimulation at 60 mA applied for 30 s) were determined at 1.5 and 2 atm N2O. Results The N2O MAC was 1.7±0.1 atm. No consistent EEG activation occurred during electrical stimulation at either partial pressure of N2O, although spontaneous EEG activation often occurred. Blood pressure increased after the 3 and 50 Hz stimuli. Four other rats anaesthetized with isoflurane had EEG activation with the 3 and 50 Hz stimuli. Conclusions These data indicate that N2O at peri-MAC partial pressures prevents EEG activation resulting from noxious electrical stimulation. Unlike the situation with isoflurane, stimulus-evoked EEG activation did not occur at peri-MAC anaesthetic concentrations, suggesting that N2O potently blocked ascending nociceptive transmission.
Detection and quantification of 2-methyltetrols in ambient aerosol in the southeastern United States

Abstract Filters collected from the Southeastern Aerosol Research and Characterization (SEARCH) air monitoring network were analyzed for the presence of 2-methyltetrols, namely 2-methylthreitol and 2-methylerythritol, two compounds that are products of the photooxidation of isoprene and have been detected in aerosol at a variety of sites around the globe. The 2-methytetrols were detected in ambient filter samples collected at the four SEARCH sites, Birmingham, AL, Centreville, AL, Pensacola, FL, and at Jefferson Street in Atlanta, GA, in late June 2004. Average atmospheric concentrations of 11.9 and 4.8 ng m −3 were measured for 2-methylerythritol and 2-methylthreitol, respectively, at the inland sampling sites, whereas average concentrations of 4.9 and 1.6 ng m −3 were measured at the coastal sampling location (Pensacola). On average, the aerosol loading from these two compounds accounts for approximately 0.42% and 0.21% of the organic mass collected on a given sampling day at the inland and coastal sites, respectively. The present data on these compounds, which are particulate-phase fingerprints of isoprene photooxidation, add to the growing body of ambient data on secondary organic aerosol from isoprene.
ϱ dominance and Regge coupling in inclusive reactions

Abstract The ϱ Regge pole residues are calculated under the assumption of ϱ dominance of the isovector, even G parity component of inclusive reactions. The calculated residues compare well with total cross section data and allow successful predictions of the charge dependence of pion production in the central region. Serious difficulties are encountered with the assumption of P + f dominance of the isoscalar even G parity component.
Quantum Physics With an Eastern Eye

The Story of Spin . SIN-ITIRO TOMONAGA. Translated from the Japanese edition (1974) by Takeshi Oka. University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 1997. xii, 258 pp., illus. $50 or £39.95. ISBN 0-226-80793-2.
Structures and Properties of Nanoparticle Thin Films Formed via a One-Step Exchange−Cross-Linking−Precipitation Route

This paper describes the characterizations of structural and electrochemical properties of nanoparticle thin films derived by a one-step exchange−cross-linking−precipitation route. While there exists a stepwise layer-by-layer construction method, our motivation stems from seeking an alternative and simpler pathway to prepare such thin films as electrode nanomaterials. The model system consisting of thiolate-encapsulated gold nanocrystals and α,ω-alkanedithiol cross-linkers was studied. The mixing of these two components in solutions allowed sequential exchanging, cross-linking, and eventual precipitation of the dithiol-cross-linked nanocrystals as thin films on almost any substrates. A series of comparative microscopic, spectroscopic, and electrochemical analyses were performed on thin films derived from nanocrystals of 2- and 5-nm core sizes. The 5-nm particles were fabricated by size and shape evolution of preformed 2-nm particles. The films were specularly reflecting, electronically continuous, and rem...
Coping effectiveness and coping diversity under traumatic stress.

The effectiveness of different strategies of coping and the impact of coping diversity were tested under traumatic stress conditions. Participants were 632 U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq (mean age = 27.7, 98% male). Results indicate that four of nine functional coping strategies (including some emotion-focused coping) as defined by the COPE scale were inversely related to psychological symptom, whereas five of six dysfunctional strategies were positively related. Overall, in comparison to the norm group, soldiers showed a depressed level of functional coping strategies. Hierarchical regression, used to control for demographics and coping strategy intercorrelations, indicated that positive reinterpretation, emotional social support, and humor were most strongly related to lower psychological symptoms, whereas venting emotions, denial, mental disengagement, behavioral disengagement, and alcohol and drug use were related to higher levels of psychological symptoms. Two indices of coping diversity were tested. The index more strongly related to higher psychological adjustment was the sum of deviations from the mean of specific coping strategies combined with the alignment of functional and dysfunctional strategy clusters. Implications for research and application were discussed.
Volcanic aerosols, El Niñmo and the Southern Oscillation

In this paper some of the questions raised by Nicholls (1988) concerning the relationship of volcanic aerosols to the El NinMo/Southern Oscillation are examined and answered. Using Monte Carlo techniques, the statistical significance of the composite sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies and the Southern Oscillation Index (SOI) are reexamined both before and after the eruption of a set of low-latitude volcanic eruptions. Significantly warmer SST and negative SOI anomalies are found in the composites immediately following the eruption period. These significant anomalies after the composite eruption season are found not to depend on the appearance of cooler SST and positive SOI before the key season, a possibility suggested by Nicholls (1989). This result is in agreement with Parker (1988). The volcanic hypothesis states that low-latitude volcanic aerosols are the immediate and only cause of warmer than normal SST or El NinMo. This implies that when no low-latitude aerosol is present the SST should be cooler than normal. Both of these aspects of the volcanic hypothesis are found to be satisfied to a very high level of statistical significance by the observed SST and SOI data.
Roof Isolation System to Reduce the Seismic Response of Buildings: A Preliminary Assessment

Abstract A roof isolation system is proposed as a means to reduce the detrimental effect of earthquakes in buildings. This roof isolation system entails the insertion of flexible laminated rubber bearings between a building's roof and the columns that support it, and the addition of viscous dampers connected between the roof and the rest of the building. The properties and dimensions of the rubber bearings and viscous dampers are selected in a way that makes the roof, bearings, and dampers form a highly damped vibration absorber. Presented also is a comparative study with a simple five‐story steel building under a strong earthquake ground motion that is carried out to assess the effectiveness of the proposed system. In this comparative study, it is found that the roof isolation scheme reduces the floor displacements and interstory drifts of the analyzed building by as much as 83 percent. On the basis of these results and in view of its simplicity, it is concluded that the proposed roof isolation system ha...
Pattern generator system as a versatile visual stimulator.

Abstract We have designed and implemented a Motorola 68000 microprocessor-based pattern generator system (PGS) that uses a color video display terminal (VDT) to provide light stimuli to the intact vertebrate retina. This communication is intended for those who are considering acquisition of a commercial retinal stimulator or those who are custom designing their own pattern generator system. The discussion surveys the features to be included as well as design factors which must be considered in such a device. The memory organization of the PGS allows as stimuli multiple, complex patterns consisting of one or more disks, annuli, bars or gratings to flash or modulate in intensity according to a pre-defined function. In addition, patterns can move smoothly in any direction at selectable, uniform speeds without the re-drawing of video memory. The presence of a 12-bit A/D converter internal to the PGS allows a dynamic change in stimulus position, speed or pattern based upon physiological feedback. A physically realistic image size (0.9 cm 2 ) and resolution (20 μ/pixel) in the retinal plane are achieved with simple intervening optics. The video field rate of 60 Hz is above the flicker fusion frequency for most vertebrate animals and does not induce artifacts in cellular responses. The PGS operating in a PC-based environment meets the requirements of a versatile optical stimulator for investigations in retinal electrophysiology.
Life threatening sepsis and mortality following stapled hemorrhoidopexy.

Background Stapled hemorrhoidopexy (SH) was conceived and developed in Europe. Over the past decade, there have been reports of severe, life-threatening complications and 2 deaths. These are the first such cases from the Americas including the third known mortality. Methods Two case reports from US surgeons are combined with eleven reports from the medical literature (both English and non-English speaking journals) for review. Only complications which required emergency abdominal operative intervention with fecal diversion were included. Results These 2 cases occurred early in the surgeons' experience with SH (under 10 cases). Incomplete rings (doughnuts) of excised rectal tissue were noted in both patients. There have been a total of 13 patients reported from seven countries across three continents requiring emergency abdominal exploration and fecal diversion for complications related directly to SH. The complications noted in these 13 patients include: 9 cases of perforation, 6 cases of sepsis, 2 cases each of obstruction and Fournier's gangrene, and 1 case each of rectovaginal fistula and intra-abdominal hemorrhage. Seventy per cent of patients underwent abdominal exploration within 3 days of SH, 90% within 5 days. The age range was 24 to 77 years. Two of the 3 oldest patients did not survive the complication (68 and 77 years of age). Three patients succumbed to sepsis in the immediate postoperative period: one on postoperative day 4 after SH (Germany),one on postoperative day 6 after SH (Spain) and the third on postoperative day 10 after SH (US). The 2 mortalities from Europe occurred immediately after colostomy 4 days after SH (Germany) and immediately after re-exploration 6 days after SH and 5 days after initial colostomy (Spain). There have been a few reports of successful, non-operative management in select patients. Symptoms of abdominal pain, urinary retention, and fever after SH frequently herald these severe life-threatening complications. Conclusions SH has resulted in potential serious morbidity and even mortality in the immediate postoperative period. As the procedure has spread in popularity around the world, so too, it appears, have these severe, life-threatening complications. These complications are often heralded by abdominal pain, urinary retention, and fever. Surgeons should be aware of all of the potential complications (and associated warning signs and symptoms) of SH.
Trust and the Health of Organizations

1. The Decline of Trust. 2. Trust in Persons. 3. Trust in Organizations. 4. Trust and the Lifecycle of Organizations. 5. How Trust and Distrust Work in Organizations. 6. Challenges to Trust During Change and Crises. 7. The Culture That Wouldn't Budge: A Case Study. 8. The Health of Organizations. 9. The Ethical Organization. Index.
The origins of cellular life

All life on earth can be naturally classified into cellular life forms and virus-like selfish elements, the latter being fully dependent on the former for their reproduction. Cells are reproducers that not only replicate their genome but also reproduce the cellular organization that depends on semipermeable, energy-transforming membranes and cannot be recovered from the genome alone, under the famous dictum of Rudolf Virchow, Omnis cellula e cellula. In contrast, simple selfish elements are replicators that can complete their life cycles within the host cell starting from genomic RNA or DNA alone. The origin of the cellular organization is the central and perhaps the hardest problem of evolutionary biology. I argue that the origin of cells can be understood only in conjunction with the origin and evolution of selfish genetic elements. A scenario of precellular evolution is presented that involves cohesion of the genomes of the emerging cellular life forms from primordial pools of small genetic elements that eventually segregated into hosts and parasites. I further present a model of the coevolution of primordial membranes and membrane proteins, discuss protocellular and non-cellular models of early evolution, and examine the habitats on the primordial earth that could have been conducive to precellular evolution and the origin of cells.
Big data and cloud computing: new wine or just new bottles?

Cloud computing is an extremely successful paradigm of service oriented computing and has revolutionized the way computing infrastructure is abstracted and used. Three most popular cloud paradigms include: Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), and Software as a Service (SaaS). The concept however can also be extended to Database as a Service and many more. Elasticity, pay-per-use, low upfront investment, low time to market, and transfer of risks are some of the major enabling features that make cloud computing a ubiquitous paradigm for deploying novel applications which were not economically feasible in a traditional enterprise infrastructure settings. This has seen a proliferation in the number of applications which leverage various cloud platforms, resulting in a tremendous increase in the scale of the data generated as well as consumed by such applications. Scalable database management systems (DBMS) -- both for update intensive application workloads, as well as decision support systems for descriptive and deep analytics -- are thus a critical part of cloud infrastructures.
Nature as Living Icon: Ecological Ethos of Eastern Orthodoxy

The Eastern Orthodox tradition perceives nature as sacred in two distinct ways: as the manifestation of God’s immanence and presence in creation, and as a transcendent unknowable being that can be sensed in the mystical encounter with creation. This paper illustrates how Orthodoxy expresses this paradoxical belief and outlines its potential resonance with our contemporary understanding of humankind’s responsibilities towards the environment. It discusses the theological principles that inform the Orthodox’ spiritual perception of the natural world including: the Holy Spirit as the source of the innate goodness and vitality of matter; Divine Wisdom, or ‘Sophia’, as the embodiment of this vitality on the Earth; the unique role assigned to humankind, as the link between the rest of creation and God’s Divine Word, or Logos. These concepts are illustrated through expressions of the holy found in imagery taken from nature and used in prayers, hymns and icons; and in the physical presence of water, incense, fruit, and flowers in various rites and customs of Orthodox ritual. Faith in the sanctity— though never divinity— of nature is exemplified in the case of Balkan folk belief, which includes areas of overlap between Muslim and Christian worship, such as natural sites of grace, or ‘barakah’, like caves and springs. The paper concludes with a brief summary of the position on the environment taken by Patriarch Bartholomew, the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople and honorary head of the Eastern Orthodox Church— also known to the press as “the green patriarch.” The paper reflects His All Holiness’ argument that Orthodoxy can make a valuable contribution to finding a solution to the environmental crisis facing us today, by modelling behaviour through the unique “liturgical and ascetical” ethos of this ancient faith.
Modelling aqueous solutions near the critical point of water

We review the thermodynamic properties of dilute solution near the critical point of the solvent. Two examples are discussed, a solution of a non-electrolyte and a solution of an electrolyte. The limiting behavior of the electrolyte solutions is modelled with a Debye-Huckel term in the Helmholtz free energy. The partial molar properties, in particular the volume and isobaric thermal expansion are examined in detail. The derivation of these properties is introduced by considering the geometry of the thermodynamic surfaces near to and far from the critical point of the solvent. We conclude that the properties of solutions near the solvent critical point are dominated by that feature; solution properties cannot be adequately modelled without including the functional forms associated with the critical point.
Amyloid deposition and influx transporter expression at the blood-brain barrier increase in normal aging.

Aging is the most important single risk factor for developing Alzheimer disease. We measured amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) levels in rat cerebral cortex and hippocampus during normal aging of Brown-Norway/Fischer rats. Amyloid-β accumulation was associated with expression of the Aβ influx transporter, the receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGEs) at the blood-brain barrier. Rats at selected ages from 3 to 36 months were analyzed by 1) immunohis-tochemistry for amyloid deposition and quantitative microvessel surface area RAGE expression, 2) ELISA for cortical Aβ40 and Aβ42 concentrations, and 3) Western blotting of microvessel proteins for RAGE expression. Immunohistochemistry showed increasing accumulation of brain Aβ with aging. By ELISA analysis, both Aβ40 and Aβ42 concentrations in cortical homogenates rose sharply from 9 to 12 months. The Aβ42 continued to rise up to age 30 months, whereas Aβ40 stabilized after 12 months. The expression of RAGE initially decreased between 3 and 12 months but then increased between 12 and 34 months by immunohistochemistry. On immunoblotting, RAGE decreased up to 9 months and then progressively increased up to 36 months. These data indicate an association between amyloid and microvessel RAGE during aging. An increase in capillary RAGE expression seems to play a role in the later Aβ accumulation but not in the initial increase.
Automated skin segmentation in ultrasonic evaluation of skin toxicity in breast cancer radiotherapy.

Skin toxicity is the most common side effect of breast cancer radiotherapy and impairs the quality of life of many breast cancer survivors. We, along with other researchers, have recently found quantitative ultrasound to be effective as a skin toxicity assessment tool. Although more reliable than standard clinical evaluations (visual observation and palpation), the current procedure for ultrasound-based skin toxicity measurements requires manual delineation of the skin layers (i.e., epidermis-dermis and dermis-hypodermis interfaces) on each ultrasound B-mode image. Manual skin segmentation is time consuming and subjective. Moreover, radiation-induced skin injury may decrease image contrast between the dermis and hypodermis, which increases the difficulty of delineation. Therefore, we have developed an automatic skin segmentation tool (ASST) based on the active contour model with two significant modifications: (i) The proposed algorithm introduces a novel dual-curve scheme for the double skin layer extraction, as opposed to the original single active contour method. (ii) The proposed algorithm is based on a geometric contour framework as opposed to the previous parametric algorithm. This ASST algorithm was tested on a breast cancer image database of 730 ultrasound breast images (73 ultrasound studies of 23 patients). We compared skin segmentation results obtained with the ASST with manual contours performed by two physicians. The average percentage differences in skin thickness between the ASST measurement and that of each physician were less than 5% (4.8 ± 17.8% and −3.8 ± 21.1%, respectively). In summary, we have developed an automatic skin segmentation method that ensures objective assessment of radiation-induced changes in skin thickness. Our ultrasound technology offers a unique opportunity to quantify tissue injury in a more meaningful and reproducible manner than the subjective assessments currently employed in the clinic.
Controlled synthesis of platinum submicron and nanometric particles with novel shapes

Metal nanostructures have drawn increasing interest due to their potential uses in catalysis, biological sensors, and nanoelectronics among others. As these materials have at least one dimension between 1 nm and 100 nm, interesting properties arise due to phenomena such as quantum confinement and high surface-to-volume ratio. Platinum stands as one of the most important metals for several industrial applications. As the physicochemical properties of noble-metal nanostructures are strongly dependant upon shape and size, many efforts towards the development of reliable synthesis methods for the production of nanocrystals with well defined size and morphology have been done, including platinum. On the other hand, submicron spherical Pt powders with narrow size distribution are also needed for the electronics industry. However, colloidal synthesis of such powders is a challenging task since many of the available techniques produce fine particles in the nanoscale. Independently of the great progress that many recent techniques have shown, there is still a necessity to develop chemical methods that can tailor the morphology of Pt crystals at different scales, i.e. nano- and micro-metric. In the present report, we describe how by using a cationic polyelectrolyte (poly-diallyl dimethyl ammonium chloride) the reduction kinetics of a platinum precursor in a polyol process can be controlled. As a result, Pt particles with different morphologies and crystallinity can be produced over a large scale range.
SYSTEMATIC DREAM STUDIES: CLINICAL JUDGMENT AND OBJECTIVE MEASUREMENTS OF EGO STRENGTH.

Summary A 12 category ego rating system for dreams was constructed on the basis of psychoanalytic theory, empirical evidence from dreams and group judgment by a seminar of experienced analysts and psychologists. When applied by 2 judges to the dreams of 28 psychotic and 30 nonpsychotic subjects, the scores on the ego rating system differentiated between the 2 groups to a statistically significant degree. By contrast, 1 psychiatrist and 2 psychologists unfamiliar with the rating system were unable to distinguish between the 2 groups. The ego rating system of evaluating dreams appears to be promising enough to justify further testing, refining, and application to other psychological data.
Effect of Plasma Protein Binding on Elimination of Warfarin

Abstract Studies in humans and rats have shown pronounced intersubject variation in the elimination of the coumarin anticoagulants dicumarol and warfarin (1–4). Detailed investigations in rats revealed that this intersubject variation may be associated with large differences in the distribution of these drugs in the body (3, 4).
GABRR1 and GABRR2, encoding the GABA-A receptor subunits ρ1 and ρ2, are associated with alcohol dependence

The genes encoding several GABA-A receptor subunits, including GABRA2, have been associated with alcoholism, suggesting that variations in gaba signaling contribute to risk. Therefore, as part of a comprehensive evaluation of the GABA receptor genes, we evaluated the potential association of GABRR1 and GABRR2, which encode the rho1 and rho2 subunits of the pentameric GABA-A/GABA-C receptors. GABRR1 and GABRR2 lie in a head to tail orientation spanning 137 kb on chromosome 6q14-16. We genotyped 73 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), covering both genes and extending 31 kb upstream of GABRR2 and 95 kb downstream of GABRR1, in a sample of 1923 European Americans from 219 multiplex alcohol-dependent families. Family-based association analyses demonstrated that SNPs in both GABRR1 and GABRR2 were significantly associated with alcohol dependence. Among the associated SNPs was rs282129, a coding SNP (Met430Thr) in GABRR2. Secondary analysis using a median split for age of onset suggests that the association is strongest when the analysis is focused upon those with earlier onset of alcohol dependence. Haplotypes in each gene were significantly overtransmitted to family members who did not meet criteria for alcohol dependence (P < 0.04), and a haplotype in GABRR2 was significantly overtransmitted to family members who met a broader definition of alcoholism (P = 0.002) as well as DSM-IV dependence (P = 0.04).
Generalized group velocity description of dispersive attenuative pulse propagation

The group velocity description of dispersive pulse propagation, strictly valid for lossless media, is generalized to include dispersive attenuative media, reducing to the classical group velocity approximation in the limit of vanishing loss while describing the precursor fields when causality is maintained.