cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infections caused by Moraxella, Moraxella urethralis, Moraxella-like groups M-5 and M-6, and Kingella kingae in the United States, 1953-1980.

From 1953 to 1980 the Centers for Disease Control received 933 isolates of bacteria belonging to species of the genus Moraxella, Moraxella-like Moraxella urethralis, now renamed Oligella urethralis, unnamed groups M-5 and M-6, and Kingella kingae. Ordinarily sterile sites were the source of 233 isolates. Moraxella nonliquefaciens, the most common isolate (356 strains), was recovered from upper respiratory or ocular sites in 208 (58%) of the cases. Moraxella osloensis was next most common (199 strains) but was the most frequent blood isolate (44 cases). K. kingae appeared especially invasive, with 58 of 78 isolates from blood, bone, or joint. Of the K. kingae strains, 75% were recovered from children under 6 years, compared with 23% of the other strains from that age group (P less than .01). Of the 74 isolates of group M-5, 53 were from wounds caused by dog bites; no other organism in this series was recovered from such wounds. Sixteen of the 28 M. urethralis isolates were from urine. Cases occurred as single infections, with no evidence of clusters. Of patients with infection of ordinarily sterile sites, 9.3% died; only bacteremia, meningitis, and empyema caused fatalities. Most referring laboratories (98%) had not identified the organisms to species, and only 30% had identified them to correct genus. Susceptibility testing by broth dilution revealed low MICs of penicillin (mean, 0.3; 64% less than 1 micrograms/mL). Moraxella, M. urethralis, M-5, M-6, and Kingella are important but frequently misidentified pathogens for humans; penicillin appears to be the treatment of choice.
N -(2-( N ’, N ’-Diethylamino)ethyl)perylene-3,4-dicarboximide and its Quaternized Derivatives as Fluorescence Probes of Acid, Temperature, and Solvent Polarity

In this manuscript, we report the fluorescence properties of N-(2-(N’,N’-diethylamino)ethyl)perylene-3,4-dicarboximide (1) and its quaternized derivative N-(2-(N’,N’- diethyl-N’-methylammonium)ethyl)perylene-3,4-dicarboximide tosylate (2) in organic solvents. The effects of carboxylic acids and amines on the fluorescence properties of these compounds were investigated. In addition, we studied the aggregation and fluorescence properties of (2) and its 9-bromo-substituted derivative (3) in aqueous solution. The fluorescent properties of these compounds change dramatically with the extent of aggregation, thus allowing these compounds to be used as fluorescent probes for changes in temperature and solvent polarity. For instance, the fluorescence emission intensity of 3 increases by about 28 times as the temperature of the solution increases from 10°C to 85°C. The fluorescent intensities of 2 and 3 in methanol are higher than that in water by about 8 and 25 times, respectively.
Female, but not male, agonistic behaviour is associated with male reproductive success in stable bluebanded goby (Lythrypnus dalli) hierarchies

In many social species, there are important connections between social behaviour and reproduction that provide critical insights into the evolution of sociality. In this study, we describe associations between agonistic behaviour and male reproductive success in stable social groups of bluebanded gobies (Lythrypnus dalli). This highly social, sex-changing species forms linear hierarchies of a dominant male and multiple subordinate females. Males reproduce with each female in the harem and care for the eggs. Since aggression tends to be associated with reduced reproduction in social hierarchies, we hypothesized that males in groups with high rates of aggression would fertilise fewer eggs. We also hypothesized that a male’s agonistic behaviour would be associated with his reproductive success. Dominants often exert substantial control over their harem, including control over subordinate reproduction. To address these hypotheses, we quantified egg laying/fertilisation over 13 days and observed agonistic behaviour. We show that there was a significant, negative association between male reproductive success and the total rate agonistic interactions by a group. While no male behaviours were associated with the quantity of eggs fertilised, female agonistic behaviour may be central to male reproductive success. We identified a set of models approximating male reproductive success that included three female behaviours: aggression by the highest-ranking female and approaches by the lowest-ranking female were negatively associated with the quantity of eggs fertilised by males in their groups, but the efficiency with which the middle-ranking female displaced others was positively associated with this measure. These data provide a first step in elucidating the behavioural mechanisms that are associated with L. dalli reproductive success.
Validation of a mechanism for use in modeling CH2Cl2 and/or CH3Cl combustion and pyrolysis

A detailed kinetic reaction mechanism based upon fundamental thermochemical and kinetic principles, Transition State Theory and evaluated literature rate constant data was developed to calculate the stable species concentration profiles in CH 3 Cl and CH 2 Cl 2 combustion and pyrolysis environments. The model results show good agreement to a wide range of methyl chloride and di-chloromethane oxidation and pyrolysis experiments. Use of the model for incineration conditions shows that combustion inhibition by chlorocarbons occurs by loss of OH through the fast reaction OH+HCl→H 2 O+Cl; and that CO conversion through reaction with HO 2 and ClO become more important. Phosgene and other PICs are formed in the cool down regions from stepwise addition of Cl atoms to CO and other unsaturates. We also predict that water vapor (steam) addition improves fuel lean combustion of chlorocarbons.
Problems in the Use of the Woodcock-Johnson Suppressors

The Woodcock-Johnson Cognitive Battery contains two cognitive clusters that use suppressor scores. This paper reviews the purpose and function of these suppressors and points out how their use may confuse the interpretation of the test results. A case example illustrates how this problem may occur.
Heteromultimeric assembly of human potassium channels. Molecular basis of a transient outward current

To gain insight into the molecular basis of cardiac repolarization, we have expressed K+ channels cloned from ventricular myocardium in Xenopus oocytes. A recently identified human cardiac K+ channel isoform (human Kv1.4) has properties similar to the 4-aminopyridine-sensitive calcium-insensitive component of the cardiac transient outward current. However, these channels recovered from inactivation much slower than native channels. Hybrid channels consisting of subunits from different K+ channel clones (delayed rectifier channels [Kv1.1, Kv1.2, and Kv1.5] and Kv1.4) were created by coinjection of cRNAs in oocytes. Multimeric channels consisting of Kv1.4:Kv1.1, Kv1.4:Kv1.2, and Kv1.4:Kv1.5 were expressed and compared. The hybrid channels displayed characteristics of heterotetrameric channels with kinetics that more closely resembled a native cardiac transient outward current. The inactivation and recovery from inactivation of the heteromeric channels indicated that the presence of a single inactivating subunit (Kv1.4) was probably sufficient to cause channel inactivation. The results demonstrate that expression of different K+ channel genes can produce channel protein subunits that assemble as heteromultimers with unique properties. It is shown that certain combinations of voltage-gated K+ channels probably do not contribute to native transient outward current. However, one combination of subunits could not be excluded. Therefore, this mechanism of channel assembly may underlie some of the functional diversity of potassium channels found in the cardiovascular system.
Interspecies and Interkingdom Signaling via Quorum Signals

Quorum sensing (QS) is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism of cell-to-cell communication utilized by hundreds of different species of microbes. QS is mediated by small molecules and their corresponding receptors, many of which are similar in structure and function. Consequently, microbes have developed ways to detect signals produced by their prokaryotic and eukaryotic neighbors and alter their behavior accordingly. These interactions have been termed interspecies and interkingdom signaling, respectively. In most described cases, bacteria use this sensory information to either up-regulate their own virulence or down-regulate the virulence of their neighbor. In this review, we describe many of the known interspecies and interkingdom signaling events that are mediated by quorum signals, and discuss the impact these may have on the ability of microbes to interact with each other and with their hosts.
Bubble coalescence dynamics

Coalescence of electrolytically-generated, 50- to 600– μm-diameter gas bubbles was observed using an optical technique that employs a linear photodiode array to detect interface movement with a resolution of 10−6s. When two bubbles coalesce, the surface energy that is released causes interface velocities of 2 to 4 m/s; these are followed by large-amplitude damped oblate–prolate oscillations. Within the viscosity range studied, the oscillation period is insensitive to the viscosity and damping is insensitive to surface tension, in agreement with a scaling analysis based on a damped harmonic oscillator. Surface waves are superimposed on the motion. Finite-element solutions of the free-surface, nonlinear Navier-Stokes equations are consistent with the experiments.
Quantitative EEG monitoring for patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage

We evaluated the sensitivity of continuous quantitative EEG in 11 patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). We correlated compressed spectral array (CSA) and trend analysis (TA) of total power (1-30 Hz), frequency centroid (1-30 Hz), alpha ratio and percent delta power with clinical and radiological findings. For all ischemic events (n = 11), the most sensitive TA parameter was a change in total power (91%), followed by changes in alpha ratio (64%), frequency centroid (55%), and percent delta (45%). Comparable CSA features were changes in power (44%) and slowing (39%). Total power and frequency varied independently. In 4 cases, EEG findings on TA appeared before clinical changes. Continuous quantitative EEG may be useful for monitoring and predicting ischemia following SAH. TA of individual EEG parameters is more sensitive than CSA, and total power is the most sensitive.
Dewar benzene as a protecting group? Demonstration of photolithographic crystallization.

The concept of Dewar benzene as a supramolecular protecting group for solid-state aryl−aryl interactions is reported. Photoisomerization of 1,4,5,6-tetramethyl-bicyclo[2.2.0]hexa-2,5-diene-2,3-dicarboxylic acid dimethyl ester (1) to the corresponding benzene isomer proceeds with rapid crystal formation. Herein this property is applied to the photolithographic patterning of crystal domains on a surface.
Designing a pilot sequential multiple assignment randomized trial for developing an adaptive treatment strategy

There is growing interest in how best to adapt and readapt treatments to individuals to maximize clinical benefit. In response, adaptive treatment strategies (ATS), which operationalize adaptive, sequential clinical decision making, have been developed. From a patient's perspective an ATS is a sequence of treatments, each individualized to the patient's evolving health status. From a clinician's perspective, an ATS is a sequence of decision rules that input the patient's current health status and output the next recommended treatment. Sequential multiple assignment randomized trials (SMART) have been developed to address the sequencing questions that arise in the development of ATSs, but SMARTs are relatively new in clinical research. This article provides an introduction to ATSs and SMART designs. This article also discusses the design of SMART pilot studies to address feasibility concerns, and to prepare investigators for a full-scale SMART. We consider an example SMART for the development of an ATS in the treatment of pediatric generalized anxiety disorders. Using the example SMART, we identify and discuss design issues unique to SMARTs that are best addressed in an external pilot study prior to the full-scale SMART. We also address the question of how many participants are needed in a SMART pilot study. A properly executed pilot study can be used to effectively address concerns about acceptability and feasibility in preparation for (that is, prior to) executing a full-scale SMART.
Modeling mobile network connectivity in the presence of jamming

The Network Connectivity Analysis Model (NCAM) is a general purpose radio frequency (RF) event-based simulator that addresses the physical layer of the International Organization for Standards (IOS) Open System Interconnect (OSI) 7-layer model for wireless communication systems. With a modular design hierarchically organized to emulate an actual physical test setup, NCAM provides the U.S. Army with an extremely flexible modeling and simulation capability that could predict the impact of RF interference on mobile tactical communication networks. NCAM can simulate any number of radios or jammers in ground-based platforms. This paper describes the algorithms of each module in the model and the capabilities and features of its event-based simulation that supports dynamic state changes such as antenna swap, antenna height adjustment, radio on/off, etc. It can also pause, save, and resume simulation at a later time, for classified runs. Verified and validated by the Communication-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), NCAM has been used to support tactical communication networks analysis.
Ensemble Monte Carlo study of electron transport in wurtzite InN

Electronic transport in wurtzite phase InN is studied using an ensemble Monte Carlo method. The model includes the full details of the first five conduction bands derived from the pseudopotential method and a numerically calculated impact ionization transition rate using a wave-vector- dependent dielectric function. Calculated results for electron transport at both low and high electric field are presented and compared with available results from simpler methods. The dependence of the relevant transport properties on the parameters is discussed, in particular in regards to the uncertainties in the band structure and coupling constants. It is found that at a field of 65 kV/cm that the peak electron drift velocity is 4.2×107 cm/s. The peak velocity in InN is substantially higher than in GaN. The velocity field curve presents a noticeable anisotropy with respect to field direction. The peak velocity decreases to 3.4×107 cm/s for a field of 70 kV/cm in the direction perpendicular to the basal plane. The elect...
Platelet interactions with plasma-polymerized ethylene oxide and N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone films and linear poly(ethylene oxide) layer)

Dimethyldichlorosilane (DDS)-treated glass (DDS-glass) was modified with either poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) films or poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PNVP) films by plasma polymerization. The thickness of the plasma polymerized films was varied between 40 and 700 nm. The results showed that the hydrophilic plasma polymerized PEO and PNVP films on DDS-glass did not prevent platelet adhesion and activation. The film thickness had only marginal influence on the prevention of platelet activation. In contrast, platelet adhesion was prevented on DDS-glass adsorbed with a PEO-containing block copolymer (Pluronic® F-108 surfactant) even at a calculated thickness of the PEO layer of less than 40 nm. This study shows that surface hydrophilization is not sufficient for prevention of platelet adhesion and activation. The contrasting results in platelet adhesion between cross-linked plasma polymers and linear PEO-containing block copolymers may be explained qualitatively by a steric repulsion mechanism that is achieved by ...
Method for the experimental determination od distribution of concentrations at phase interface during mass transfre in liquid—liqiud system with intensive agitation

Abstract The question of the existence of equilibrium at interfaces is ors of the central questions both for the construction of various models of mass transfer and for the following practical calculations: (a) of phase resistances from the additivity formulas (which are valid only in the case of the presenee of equilibrium), (b) to reveal the so-called “surface resistance” to mass transfer (which is determined from the deviation from the additivity equation), and (c) of the appearance of interface turbulence. Therefore, this question Is very important, but it has not been resolved. since there are no direct experimental methods for determination of distribution of the concentrations at the phase interface during mass transfer. We formulated a new equation for this distribution. We then compared this equation with other experimental findings and determined the limit of its application. It is shown that this equation may be used for calculating the ratio of the concentrations at the phase interface when there are considerable (big or small) deviations from equilibrium in liquid—liquid systems.
Role of the major histocompatibility complex region in reproduction, cancer, and autoimmunity.

PROBLEM : A diverse body of evidence indicates that there is an association among reproductive failure, development, cancer, and autoimmunity. The evidence for the relationship of genes linked to the major histocompatibility complex to these diseases will be evaluated. METHODS : The published results of both experimental studies in animals and of clinical observations in humans will be summarized and analyzed. RESULTS : Experimental studies in the rat have demonstrated a relationship between the MHC-linked region and growth, development, and susceptibility to chemical carcinogens. Data from other species support these observations. Clinical studies in humans have demonstrated an association between the MHC region and recurrent spontaneous abortions and a variety of other diseases ; between recurrent spontaneous abortion and several autoimmune diseases ; and between isolated populations and deficiencies of HLA homozygotes. CONCLUSIONS : Genes in the MHC-linked region play an important role in the control of reproduction, growth and development, and susceptibility to a variety of diseases.
Are Physicians and Patients in Agreement? Exploring Dyadic Concordance

Dyadic concordance in physician-patient interactions can be defined as the extent of agreement between physicians and patients in their perceptions of the clinical encounter. The current research specifically examined two types of concordance: informational concordance-the extent of agreement in physician and patient responses regarding patient information (education, self-rated health, pain); and interactional concordance-the extent of physician-patient agreement regarding the patient's level of confidence and trust in the physician and the perceived quality of explanations concerning diagnosis and treatment. Using a convenience sample of physicians and patients (N = 50 dyads), a paired survey method was tested, which measured and compared physician and patient reports to identify informational and interactional concordances. Factors potentially related to dyadic concordance were also measured, including demographic characteristics (patient race, gender, age, and education) and clinical factors (whether this was a first visit and physician specialty in family medicine or oncology). The paired survey showed informational discordances, as physicians tended to underestimate patients' pain and overestimate patient education. Interactional discordances included overestimating patients' understanding of diagnosis and treatment explanations and patients' level of confidence and trust. Discordances were linked to patient dissatisfaction with physician listening, having unanswered questions, and feeling the physician had not spent enough time. The paired survey method effectively identified physician-patient discordances that may interfere with effective medical practice; this method may be used in various settings to identify potential areas of improvement in health communication and education.
Freezing Bovine Semen. III. Effect of Freezing Rate on Bovine Spermatozoa Frozen and Stored at −79° C,

Summary These experiments show the effect of various freezing rates on the decreases in the percentages of motile spermatozoa during freezing and storage at −79° C. Spermatozoa diluted in heated fresh skimmilk showed a progressive decline in motility, irrespective of freezing rate when ampules were removed at −10, −15, −20, −35, −50, and −79° C. Greatest losses in motility with 12 freezing rates occurred between −10 and −35° C. Samples thawed immediately after reaching −79° C. showed the highest motility when a rate of 10° C. per minute from −15 to −50° C. was used. However, following storage for ten days at −79° C. there was a smaller loss of motile spermatozoa with a rate of 5° C. per minute. Very rapid freezing (70° C. per minute) was extremely detrimental; 75% of the total motile spermatozoa present before freezing were lost during freezing and storage for ten days, as compared to only 40% with a freezing rate of 10° C. per minute from −15° C. Similar, but less pronounced, harmful effects were observed when semen diluted in whole milk and yolk-citrate was frozen rapidly. In a storage trial for 0, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 wk., the optimum freezing rate for semen diluted in fresh skimmilk or homogenized milk was 1° C. per minute from +5 to −15° C., 5° C. per minute from −15 to −50° C., and rapidly (approximately 20° C. per minute) from −50 to −79° C. The optimum rate for semen diluted in 1:4 egg yolk-citrate was 3° C. per minute from +5 to −15° C. and 5 or 10° C. per minute from −15 to −50° C. The greatest decline in spermatozoan survival occurred during the first 4 wk., regardless of diluents or freezing rates.
Contact zones, problem posing and critical consciousness

In this article, I share the shape and findings of a participatory action research project with newcomer youths on the contours of status in society. This project was nested in a professional internship experience for newcomer youth, and this experience provided the context in which we explored how privilege and status are afforded in American society. I use here Mary Louise Pratt's concept of contact zones to frame the interactions experienced by the youth in their research and with each other. I provide implications for educators to re/consider the contrast of a project deliberately shaped to interrupt societal patterns of privilege with the patterns more traditionally found in schooling.
Potassium absorption into the graphite (0001) surface: Intercalation

Evaporation of potassium onto the graphite (0001) surface results in intercalation when potassium is evaporated from a hot molecular-beam source onto a graphite sample with high surface step density. Low-energy electron-diffraction (LEED) and Auger-electron spectroscopy (AES) studies indicate that after initial absorption of potassium from a hot source, the graphite surface structure became $\frac{A}{\mathrm{ABAB}}\ensuremath{\cdots}$ stacking (where "/" indicates potassium), with a disordered potassium layer intercalated between two graphite layers which have been shear shifted and expanded to a separation of 5.35 \AA{}. Further adsorption of potassium onto the sample surface results in $\frac{A}{\frac{A}{\mathrm{ABAB}}}\ensuremath{\cdots}$ stacking with 5.35 \AA{} separation between each of the three top graphite layers, indicating the formation of a stage-1-like intercalate within the surface region although with disordered potassium. These structures indicate that potassium intercalates into the graphite (0001) surface in a layer-by-layer fashion.
Radioisotope incorporation into ribosomal proteins during the life cycle of Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract The incorporation of 3H-leucine into ribosomal proteins during the preadult and adult phases of the Drosophila life cycle has been examined. Labeled ribosomes from newly eclosed adults contain proteins that rapidly decline in specific activity as the adult feeds on unlabeled medium. Newly synthesized proteins are incorporated into ribosomes as the young adult feeds. Incorporation during adulthood varies linearly with the concentration of radioisotope administered. The efficiency of this incorporation is greater in adult females than in adult males and can be greatly enhanced by making the isotope available as the fly drinks. Thus, an efficient means of labeling adult ribosomal proteins has been demonstrated. Further experimentation into the role of ribosomal proteins during the development and differentiation of Drosophila is discussed.
Radiation Transfer In Medical X-Ray Intensifying Screens

An experimental technique has been developed for characterizing the complex light absorption and transmission (radiative transfer) properties of any phosphor-binder composite in terms of the mean free photon scattering length (Xs), the mean free path before photon capture (A ), and the average cosine of the scattering angle . These properties are determinedcfor arbitrary phosphor crystal size, phosphor and binder refractive indices, phosphor-binder volume ratio, phosphor emission wavelength, and binder absorption spectrum. The technique requires the measurement of total reflectance and transmission, using an integrating sphere, of a self-supporting screen series differing only in thickness. The experimental data is then used to find As,A , and by means of a nonlinear least squares fit to the 'enhanced' "6-flux" radiative transfer model developed by Richards and Mudgett. The radiation transfer data can then be used in Monte Carlo methods or Swank's neutron diffusion theory models to help predict speed, MTF and noise properties of practical X-ray screens constructed from the same phosphor-binder composite. We have found that, for a given binder and binder-phosphor volume ratio, scattering (A a) is primarily determined by mechanical factors such as phosphor crystal size, crystal habit, and packing density. Absorption (A ) is primarily determined by the phosphor's emission wavelength relative to the binder's spectral absorption. We also confirm Swank's results that light scatter within the screen reduces image spread and increases image sharpness.
Good-risk-advanced germ cell tumors: historical perspective and current standards of care.

Outcomes for patients with metastatic germ cell tumors have improved dramatically over the last 30 years with today’s cure rates approaching 80%. A critical contribution to the treatment of metastatic disease was the development of the universally accepted international germ cell cancer collaborative group (IGCCCG) outcome prediction model. With this system, patients are classified into good, intermediate, and poor-risk groups, each with a significantly different likelihood of cure. Not only are outcomes more favorable in the good-risk group, the intensity of treatment required to achieve these outcomes is also less. Therefore, the physician’s goal in treating good-risk patients is to minimize the short- and long-term therapy-related toxicities, while maintaining the excellent cure rates. Through well-conducted clinical trials, four cycles of etoposide + cisplatin (EP×4) and three cycles of bleomycin + etoposide + cisplatin (BEP×3) have emerged as the two optimal treatment regimens for good-risk patients. Cure rates with either regimen with or without surgery approximate to 90%. Attempts to further diminish the toxicity of either regimen have been unsuccessful due to the resulting reductions in efficacy. The authors discuss the trials which led to the establishment of EP×4 and BEP×3 as today’s treatment standards as well as the development of the IGCCCG prognostic model.
Quantifying Product Favorability and Extracting Notable Product Features Using Large Scale Social Media Data

Some of the challenges that designers face in getting broad external input from customers during and after product launch include geographic limitations and the need for physical interaction with the design artifact(s). Having to conduct such user-based studies would require huge amounts of time and financial resources. In the past decade, social media has emerged as an increasingly important medium of communication and information sharing. Being able to mine and harness product-relevant knowledge within such a massive, readily accessible collection of data would give designers an alternative way to learn customers' preferences in a timely and cost-effective manner. In this paper, we propose a data mining driven methodology that identifies product features and associated customer opinions favorably received in the market space which can then be integrated into the design of next generation products. Two unique product domains (smartphones and automobiles) are investigated to validate the proposed methodology and establish social media data as a viable source of large scale, heterogeneous data relevant to next generation product design and development. We demonstrate in our case studies that incorporating suggested features into next generation products can result in favorable sentiment from social media users.
Differential games: Their scope, nature, and future

There is a profound distinction between classical mathematical analysis and game theory which comes into especial prominence with the advent of differential games. There is a hierarchy of theories of applied mathematics in which the classical theory is the bottom row. Thus, it is important in the inevitable pending developments of higher forms of game theory to be prepared for ideas and concepts which break with tradition. These general thoughts, not at present widely understood, are expounded here with some simple examples which already illustrate the novelties of future research.
Unintentional Voter Mobilization: Does Participation in Preelection Surveys Increase Voter Turnout?

Survey researchers have long been concerned with the question of whether participation in preelection surveys increases voter turnout. This article presents findings from three large-scale field experiments conducted during the 2002 general election in Maryland, New York, and Pennsylvania. Unlike early studies, which found that participation in preelection surveys increased voter turnout, this study finds no significant effect. The author argues that the rigorous experimental methodology and large sample size in these three experiments should allay concern that survey participation affects turnout.
The use of helical computed tomography in pregnancy for the diagnosis of acute appendicitis

Abstract Objective: Accurate diagnosis of acute appendicitis in pregnancy by clinical evaluation is difficult. A safe, reliable test was sought to decrease a delay in diagnosis and to avoid unnecessary invasive procedures. A helical or spiral computed tomographic technique has proven to be a very accurate test in the nonobstetric population for the identification of acute appendicitis. We report its use in pregnant patients with suspected acute appendicitis. Study Design: All pregnant patients who were undergoing helical computed tomography at our institution from April 1997 to February 1998 for the suspected clinical diagnosis of acute appendicitis were retrospectively reviewed. Helical computed tomography was performed by standard departmental protocol. A positive study was reported if an enlarged appendix, which did not fill with contrast material, was present with periappendiceal inflammatory changes. Outcomes were determined by the results of surgery and pathologic examination or clinical follow-up. Results: Seven patients were identified in the study period. Two patients had positive findings on helical computed tomography, and acute appendicitis was confirmed at laparotomy and by pathologic inspection. There were no further prenatal complications and both patients delivered at term. Five patients had a normal-appearing appendix on helical computed tomography, and all of these patients had resolution of their pain and symptoms. Conclusion: Helical computed tomography appears to be a useful, noninvasive test to accurately diagnose acute appendicitis in pregnancy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:954-7.)
Polarization-entangled photon-pair generation in commercial-grade polarization-maintaining fiber

We demonstrate a fiber-based source of polarization-entangled photon pairs at visible wavelengths suitable for integration with local quantum-processing schemes. The photons are created through birefringent phase-matching in spontaneous four-wave mixing inside a Sagnac interferometer. We address entanglement due to temporal distinguishability of the photons to enable the generation of a spectrally unfiltered polarization-entangled photon-pair state with 95.86±0.10% fidelity to a maximally entangled Bell state, evaluated with a tomographic state reconstruction without applying any corrections or background subtractions. Owing to the large birefringence of the fiber, photons are created far detuned from the pump, where Raman contamination is negligible. This source’s spatial mode and ability to produce spectrally uncorrelated photons make it suitable for implementing quantum information protocols over free-space and fiber-based networks.
Factorial validity of imagery measures.

Abstract Two correlational studies and related factor analyses (N = 70. N = 76) were addressed to four psychometric hypotheses derived from the imagery-desensitization literature. Consistent with prior research, self-ratings of imaginal vividness correlated moderately positively across sense modalities. Vividness ratings were inconsistently related to imagery control scores however. The question of the extent to which imagery scales reflect the influences of response sets and general intelligence has been raised recently in this journal Behav. Res. and Therapy 10, 137 (1972). Acquiescence tendency does not appear to influence imagery questionnaire results and there is only a small contamination effect from the social desirability response style, thus suggesting that these questionnaires are substantially free of response bias invalidation. Verbal intelligence is unrelated to researched imaginal attributes, as measured by self-report scales and several behavioral measures, including location memory and spatial visualization. These behavioral measures, in turn, do not correlate with ratings of imagery characteristics, a finding in accord with previous literature. Although self-report imagery questionnaires stand up better to psychometric scrutiny than might have been expected, and thus prior research employing them cannot be dismissed summarily, it is argued that these questionnaires may not tap the variables most relevant to desensitization outcome or mediation. The necessity of using state rather than trait measures, and of relating these to physiological indices, is highlighted.
Up-regulation of Type XIX Collagen in Rhabdomyosarcoma Cells Accompanies Myogenic Differentiation

Abstract Rhabdomyosarcomas are known to recapitulate some of the early events in skeletal muscle embryogenesis, and cultures derived from these tumors have been extensively used to elucidate processes associated with the differentiation of primitive mesenchymal cells. These neoplasms have also provided important systems for studying different collagen types. This aspect is particularly relevant to type XIX collagen, which was originally identified from rhabdomyosarcoma cDNA clones. Although this collagen has been localized in vivo to basement membrane zones in a wide variety of tissues, including skeletal muscle, the tumor cells appear to be a unique source of its expression in vitro. We have found that one particular cell line—derived from a peritesticular embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma—produced relatively large amounts of type XIX collagen, especially in those rare instances in which these cells appear to spontaneously differentiate. To characterize this phenomenon, tumor cells were grown under conditions known to induce differentiation in normal myoblast cultures. In response to this treatment, the typical tumor cell morphology consistently and reproducibly switched from polygonal to round/spindle-shaped with the subsequent appearance of some structures resembling myotubes. Concurrently, the cultures commenced a dramatic up-regulation of type XIX collagen and skeletal muscle myosin heavy chain and α-actinin in a time-dependent fashion, whereas protein and mRNA levels of other matrix proteins were either decreased or unchanged. Moreover, immunocytochemical analysis revealed that only a subpopulation of the cells was responsible for the increased synthesis of type XIX collagen, α-actinin, and myosin, and that the same cells which stained positive for the collagen also stained positive for the muscle proteins. Taken together, the results suggested that type XIX collagen may be involved in the initial stages of skeletal muscle cell differentiation.
Recent progress in protein drug design and discovery with a focus on novel approaches to the development of anticocaine medications

Cocaine is highly addictive and no anticocaine medication is currently available. Accelerating cocaine metabolism, producing biologically inactive metabolites, is recognized as an ideal anticocaine medication strategy, especially for the treatment of acute cocaine toxicity. However, currently known wild-type enzymes have either too low a catalytic efficiency against the abused cocaine, in other words (-)-cocaine, or the in vivo half-life is too short. Novel computational strategies and design approaches have been developed recently to design and discover thermostable or high-activity mutants of enzymes based on detailed structures and catalytic/inactivation mechanisms. The structure- and mechanism-based computational design efforts have led to the discovery of high-activity mutants of butyrylcholinesterase and thermostable mutants of cocaine esterase as promising anticocaine therapeutics. The structure- and mechanism-based computational strategies and design approaches may be used to design high-activity ...
Immunophysiological role and clinical implications of non-immunoglobulin soluble products of immune effector cells

Summary Recent advances in cellular immunology have uncovered the existence of soluble immune products distinct from immunoglobulins. These soluble immune products have diagnostic relevance because they are significantly elevated in disease states involving immune activation (e.g. autoimmune disease, HIV infection). This paper explores the possibility that soluble immune products play a physiologically relevant regulatory role, in addition to their diagnostic validity. It is proposed that soluble forms of homing receptors and adhesion molecules should be elevated in HIV infection and other pathological states characterized by immune activation. An immunoregulatory role for soluble homing and adhesion receptors is proposed.
Activation of orotidine 5'-monophosphate decarboxylase by phosphite dianion: the whole substrate is the sum of two parts.

We report that the binding of phosphite dianion to orotidine 5‘-monophosphate decarboxylase (OMPDC) results in an 80 000-fold increase in kcat/Km for decarboxylation of the truncated substrate, 1-(β-d-erythrofuranosyl)orotic acid (EO), which lacks a 5‘-phosphodianion moiety. The intrinsic binding energy (IBE) of phosphite dianion in the transition state is 7.8 kcal/mol, which represents a very large fraction of the 11.8 kcal/mol IBE of the phosphodianion group of the natural substrate orotidine 5‘-monophosphate (OMP). The data give kcat = 160 ± 70 s-1 for turnover of EO in the active site of OMPDC containing phosphite dianion, which is significantly larger than kcat = 15 s-1 for turnover of OMP. Despite the weaker binding of the individual EO and HPO32- “parts” (KmKd = 0.014 M2) than of OMP (Km = 1.6 × 10-6 M), once bound, OMPDC provides a slightly greater stabilization of the transition state for reaction of the parts than of the whole substrate. Thus, the covalent connection between the reacting portion...
SPC12-6: Signal Processing Aided Opportunistic Decoding for Wireless Networks

In general, the instantaneous signal-to-interference- plus-noise ratio varies across a received frame. This variation is considerable in wireless systems in particular, due to the time- varying nature of wireless channels and interference. To exploit this variation, we divide the received frame into a number of constituent mini-frames, each mini-frame containing the received versions of every symbol in the frame. We select a subset of these mini-frames, combine them and attempt to decode the frame. If this attempt fails, we select another subset of the mini-frames and make another attempt. We continue the process until the frame is decoded without errors or all predetermined subsets have been exhausted. We implement the proposed protocol in a code division multiple access (CDMA) system. Our study shows that deploying our protocol in a CDMA system results in a significant reduction in the frame error rate (FER).
Oysters as biomonitors of butyltins in the Gulf of Nexico

Abstract The concentration of total butyltins and tributyltin in oysters has been measured at 59 Gulf of Mexico sites. The concentration has decreased at 85% of the sites after passage of the Organotin Paint Control Act. At 5% of the sites there was no measurable decrease in butylin concentration, and 10% had increases in concentration between 1989 and 1990. It appears that the limitation on butylin usage in anti-fouling paints is causing a measurable reduction in its environmental loading. Estimates of the rate of environmental decrease and determination of the new level of environmental loading resulting from butyltins usage on larger vessels will require continued sampling.
Simulation of Various Turrets at Subsonic and Transonic Flight Conditions Using OVERFLOW

In this work, the flowfields associated with two canonical turret geometries, a fully exposed hemisphere on a flat plate and a 50% submerged hemisphere on a flat plate, were simulated using the OVERFLOW 2 flow solver. Both turret geometries use a flat-window aperture with an aperture ratio (ratio of the aperture diameter to the turret diameter) of 0.295 and an elevation angle of 57 deg. The forward field of regard was the particular focus in this study, and both symmetric (azimuth angle of 0 deg) and asymmetric (azimuth of 45 deg) window orientations were examined. Two flight conditions were also studied: a subsonic case with M=0.45 and ReD=6.30×106 and a transonic case with M=0.85 and ReD=9.53×106. The flowfield was simulated using the delayed detached-eddy simulation capability of OVERFLOW in conjunction with the spatially fifth-order weighted essentially nonoscillatory scheme to capture the off-body vortical structures. The impact of the turret aerodynamics on the performance of the turrets for directe...
Steam-assisted biomass fractionation. Part III: a quantitative evaluation of the “clean fractionation” concept

Abstract An arithmetic approach was taken to the accounting of mass fractions and chemical components during the fractionation of red oak (Quercus rubra) wood chips into fibers and polymer products representing biomass constituents. The fractionation involved sequential treatments by steam explosion, water washing, and lignin (incl. lignin-like extractives, esp. tannins and carbohydrate degradation products, esp. furans)-extraction with either aqueous alkali, aqueous acetic acid, or aqueous ethanol. Cleanness of fractionation was assessed in terms of the release of constitutive component mass from a solids fraction during each processing step. Fractionation behavior was studied in relation to different steam treatment severities. The results indicate that best fractionation conditions for hemicelluloses are reached at low treatment severities (R0 ca. 10,000) where up to 72% of this component may be collected in the water extract; and that best lignin/tannin yields are achieved at high treatment severities (R0 ca. 35,000) where 82% of theory may be harvested in the alkali-soluble fraction. Best results require the elimination of all fiber losses during steam explosion, a condition not reached in the present study. The fractionation performance in either organic solvent mixture, 80% acetic acid or 70% ethanol resulted in 20% less delignification. Lignin is progressively contaminated with associated furfural as severity increases. Above a severity of R0 10,000, water extracted fiber solids are virtually hemicellulose-free.
Some observations on the morphology and fracture characteristics of knit lines

The morphology of isotactic polypropylene in molded plaques containing a knit line is described in detail. The effects of mold temperature and flow on the size and orientation of spherulitic and transcrystalline regions are discussed. Deformation at the weld line under uniaxial tensile stress is analyzed by optical microscopy.
Movement disorders in bacterial meningitis.

Movement disorders developed in five children, ages 6 to 21 months, during the course of bacterial meningitis caused by Hemophilus influenzae (one), Streptococcus pneumoniae (one), Neisseria meningitidis (one), or Mycobacterum tuberculosis (two). Athetosis, choreoathetosis, and hemiballismus occurred, ranging in duration from hours to months. Cranial computed tomography, performed in four cases, showed no lesion of the basal ganglia. The movements were of such abrupt onset and severity that in four cases they were initially misinterpreted as seizures, and anticonvulsant therapy was contemplated. It is important to recognize the potential development of movement disorders during the acute phase of bacterial meningitis to preclude the inappropriate administration of anticonvulsant medication.
Data synthesis and tool development for exploring imaging genomic patterns

Recent advances in brain imaging and high throughput genotyping techniques enable new approaches to study the influence of genetic variation on brain structure and function. However, major computational challenges are bottlenecks for comprehensive joint analysis of these high-dimensional image and genomic data. We report our initial progress in developing an imaging genomic browsing system for integrated exploration of neuroimaging and genomic data. We describe a method for synthesizing a set of realistic neuroimaging and genomic data, where the relationships between imaging phenotypes and genotypes are known. This data set is used to demonstrate the functionality of our system, which is designed for effectively exploring the neuroanatomical distribution of statistical results that measure the associations between brain imaging phenotypes and genotypes on a genome-wide scale. The proposed system has substantial potential for enabling discovery of important imaging genomic associations through visual evaluation and can be extended towards several directions.
Increased anxiety of mice lacking the serotonin1A receptor

Brain serotonin (5-HT) has been implicated in a number of physiological processes and pathological conditions. These effects are mediated by at least 14 different 5-HT receptors. We have inactivated the gene encoding the 5-HT1A receptor in mice and found that receptor-deficient animals have an increased tendency to avoid a novel and fearful environment and to escape a stressful situation, behaviors consistent with an increased anxiety and stress response. Based on the role of the 5-HT1A receptor in the feedback regulation of the 5-HT system, we hypothesize that an increased serotonergic neurotransmission is responsible for the anxiety-like behavior of receptor-deficient animals. This view is consistent with earlier studies showing that pharmacological activation of the 5-HT system is anxiogenic in animal models and also in humans.