cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical predictors of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection in out-patients.

Summary Background Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) recurs in 20–30% of patients. Aim To describe the predictors of recurrence in out-patients with CDI. Methods Out-patient cases of CDI in Olmsted County, MN residents diagnosed between 28 June 2007 and 25 June 2010 were identified. Recurrent CDI was defined as recurrence of diarrhoea with a positive C. difficile PCR test from 15 to 56 days after the initial diagnosis with interim resolution of symptoms. Patients who had two positive tests within 14 days were excluded. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association of clinical variables with time to recurrence of CDI. Results The cohort included 520 out-patients; 104 had recurrent CDI (cumulative incidence of 17.5% by 30 days). Univariate analysis identified increasing age and antibiotic use to be associated with recurrent CDI. Severe CDI, peripheral leucocyte count and change in serum creatinine >1.5-fold were not. In a multiple variable model, concomitant antibiotic use was associated with risk of recurrent CDI (HR = 5.4, 95% CI 1.6–17.5, P = 0.005), while age (HR per 10 year increase = 1.1, 95% CI 0.9–1.3, P = 0.22); peripheral leucocyte count >15 × 109/L (HR = 1.0, 95% CI 0.5–2.1, P = 0.92); and change in serum creatinine greater than 1.5-fold (HR = 0.8, 95% CI 0.4–1.5, P = 0.44) were not. Conclusions Antibiotic use was independently associated with a dramatic risk of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection in an out-patient cohort. It is important to avoid unnecessary systemic antibiotics in patients with Clostridium difficile infection, and patients with ongoing antibiotic use should be monitored closely for recurrent infection.
Intracranial venous aneurysms: Vein of galen and other similar vascular anomalies

Abstract Aneurysmal dilatation of the vein of Galen is peculiar to arteriovenous malformation around the midbrain. Similar venous aneurysms may rarely occur in other regions. This paper deals with the radiographic findings in three cases of vascular malformation associated with giant venous aneurysms. The pathophysiology resulting in aneurysnlal venous dilatation is discussed based on our material and those previously reported.
Aggregation of chemically dissociated sponge cells in the absence of protein synthesis.

Puromycin and ethionine immediately inhibit protein synthesis more than 90% in chemically dissociated sponge cells. Initial aggregation proceeds normally in the presence of both inhibitors, indicating that protein synthesis is not necessary for the aggregation of these cells. After six hours in puromycin, the cells stop aggregating and die. In ethionine, the cells aggregate and remain aggregated for at least 48 hours, although protein synthesis remains repressed. Thus protein synthesis is not necessary for producing the material which binds these cells together. Although the aggregation is not dependent on concurrent protein synthesis, it was conceivable that protein which was stored in the cell was secreted during aggregation. However, sponge cells could aggregate over and over in ethionine, indicating that the cells were not dependent on a stored supply of material.
IMPACT ON CHILDREN OF ABDUCTION BY A PARENT: A Review of the Literature

It is estimated that 350,000 children are abducted by members of their families annually. A review of the published research reveals that little is known about the impact of this traumatic event on the children. Factors reported to affect their functioning after recovery by the searching parent are identified, and implications for further research are suggested.
B-type natriuretic peptide monitoring in the Pediatric ICU population.

Summary The natriuretic peptide system plays an active role in the regulation ofﬂuid balance and systemic vascular resistance. Assays of thesepeptides are now available and may be used for both diagnostic andprognostic purposes. Despite its primary use in adults, it may have adiagnostic role in the Pediatric ICU as well. The basic physiology ofthe natriuretic system is discussed and the potential applications ofB-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) monitoring as a diagnostic tool invarious clinical scenarios in infants and children in the Pediatric ICUsetting is reviewed.Keywords: natriuretic peptides; septic shock; congestive heart failure;congenital heart disease; cardiomyopathy Introduction In the critically ill infant or child, alterations invarious aspects of intravascular volume, myo-cardial function or systemic vascular resistancemay occur. The natriuretic peptide system has beenshown to play an active role in the regulation ofﬂuid balance and systemic vascular resistance.Peptides of the natriuretic system producedthrough recombinant DNA technology are nowavailable for clinical use (1–4). Additionally, assaysof these peptides are now available and may beused for both diagnostic and prognostic purposes(5–7). Despite its primary use in adults, it may havea diagnostic role in the Pediatric ICU population aswell. Two clinical scenarios from a Pediatric ICUpopulation are presented to illustrate the potentialapplications of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)monitoring as a diagnostic tool. The basic physio-logy of the natriuretic system is presented andprevious reports regarding the use of BNP inchildren are reviewed.
Developmental patterns of insulin-like growth factor-I and -II synthesis and regulation in rat fibroblasts.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and IGF-II are chemically similar polypeptides with related receptor specificity and in vitro biological activity1. IGF-I and IGF-II have a 62% amino acid sequence identity and are 38–48% homologous with the A and B domains of human proinsulin. They can be distinguished by specific radioimmunoassays, appear to have different patterns of hormonal regulation, and presumably serve different in vivo biological functions. Plasma IGF-I levels reflect circulating concentrations of pituitary growth hormone (GH), and exogenous IGF-I substitutes for GH in inducing somatic and skeletal growth in GH-deficient rats2. Several recent observations in rats have suggested a possible role for IGF-II in fetal growth. IGF-II levels are 20- to 100-fold higher in fetal rat serum than in maternal serum and decline within days after birth3. IGF-I exhibits the reciprocal developmental pattern—low in the early neonate, rising to adult levels by approximately 4 weeks of age4,5. We recently reported6 that cultured rat embryo fibroblasts synthesize large amounts of multiplication-stimulating activity (MSA or rIGF-II), the rat homologue of human IGF-II7. We now demonstrate that fibroblast cultures established from rats 2 to 50 days of age mimic the developmental switch from IGF-II to IGF-I production observed in serum. In addition, we show that placental lactogen (PL) but not GH stimulates IGF-II synthesis in fetal fibroblasts. By contrast, both GH and PL stimulate IGF-I synthesis in fibroblasts from older rats with no effect on IGF-II synthesis. Stimulation of IGF-II synthesis in fetal fibroblasts by PL provides a mechanism whereby PL may regulate fetal growth.
PITUITARY FUNCTION IN ADIPOSO GENITAL DYSTROPHY (FRÖHLICH)11

SINCE THE syndrome of dystrophia adioposogenitalis was first described by Frohlich (1)in 1901, its pathogenesis was generally assumed to be inherent in some aberration of the pituitarygland. As early as 1909, objections to the pituitary origin of the disease were heard (2). Pathologic reports have demonstrated lesions of the hypophysis, of neighboring cephalic structures suchasthe infundibulum or infundibulo-hypothalamic region and indeed cases with no demonstrable organicdisease. In the light of more recent knowledge a wider approach to the pathogenesis of Frohlich'ssyndrome becomes possible. A series of children displaying a typical pic ture of the disease were studied from the point of view of (a) fat metabolism hormone concentration of the blood; (b) carbohydrate metabolism as reflected not alone in the dextrose tolerance test but in their sensitivity to insulin, their hyperglycemic re sponse to epinephrin and their response to the Staub-Traugott effect; (c) sensitivity to the induction of ketonemia o...
No License Required: Severe Pediatric Motorbike-Related Injuries in Ohio

OBJECTIVE: Motorbikes (MBs), including motorcycles and dirt bikes, are becoming increasingly popular among children and adolescents. MBs are intended for off-road use. Although children who are younger than 16 years cannot be licensed to drive cars, they can drive MBs off-road without licenses. The objective of this study was to determine the epidemiology of severe MB injuries to children who are younger than 16 years in Ohio. METHODS: Eight hospitals that admit the majority of pediatric trauma patients in Ohio were approached to participate. Cases were identified using hospital trauma registries and were defined as any hospitalized child who was younger than 16 years and sustained MB injuries between January 1, 1995, and December 31, 2001. RESULTS: Six hospitals participated. A total of 182 children were hospitalized with a mean age of 11.4 years (range: <1-15 years). A total of 89.6% were male, 89.0% were white, 68.7% had commercial medical insurance, and 71.4% were from urban areas. From 1995 to 1997, there were an average of 20 annual admissions; however, from 1998 to 2001, there were an average of 30 per year. Of the 85% of patients with injury events documented, 35.5% were riding in streets and 53.3% were unhelmeted. One patient died; 8 required rehabilitation. The mean injury severity score was 9.9 (median: 9), and mean length of hospitalization was 4.6 days (median: 3). Unhelmeted riders had significantly higher injury severity scores than helmeted ones (11.5 vs 8.4). The difference in mean length of hospitalization of unhelmeted compared with helmeted riders approached statistical significance (6.1 vs 3.7 days). Of the 163 patients with documented diagnoses, there were 510 injuries; 68.7% of patients sustained multiple injuries. Of all injuries, the most commonly injured body parts were lower extremity (23.4%), head (22.2%), abdomen/pelvis (13.4%), upper extremity (12.4%), and face (11.8%). The most common injuries were fractures (37.1%), abrasions/contusions (24.4%), lacerations (13.4%), intracranial injuries (7.5%), and solid abdominal organ injuries (7.5%). Central and Southwest Ohio had higher numbers of hospitalized injuries than other areas. CONCLUSION: Urban, white boys with commercial medical insurance predominated among children with MB-related injuries in Ohio. Most injured children did not wear a helmet and sustained multiple injuries. Not wearing a helmet resulted in significantly increased injury severity and a trend toward increased lengths of stay in the hospital. MB-related injuries increased by approximately 50% during the study period. Children should not operate MBs until they are old enough to obtain a motor vehicle driver's license, which occurs at a minimum of 16 years of age. High-risk populations need to be targeted to reduce these injuries, and requiring helmet use while operating MBs should be pursued.
Correlation of late glacial pollen stratigraphy and environments in the northeastern U.S.A.

Abstract Correlation of the pollen stratigraphy from sedimentary sections located on or near the southern glacial margin in the northeastern U.S.A., where the record is more nearly complete, aids in the reconstruction of climatic and vegetational trends associated with Late Wisconsin glacial recession. The southern limit of this glaciation is represented by moraines of Olean and Kent age in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey and southern New England. Glacial recession is represented by glacial drift of Kent and Port Huron age north of the glacial margin. The Late Glacial Herb Pollen Zone subzones (the F, W, and V sequences) indicate the presence of tundra-like vegetation, often park tundra succeeded by tundra, in the vicinity of and following recession from the terminal moraines. Tundra conditions are recorded in the T subzones in southern New England in Kent and Early Port Huron time, and in the L subzones in northern Maine in Late Port Huron time. The Herb Pollen Zone appears to transgress Late Glacial time and to re the Spruce Pollen Zone, comprised of varying proportions of spruce and pine, as early as Late Kent time in the region of the terminal moraines.
Purification and phosphorylation of human initiation factor eIF-2

Summary We have purified human initiation factor 2 (eIF-2) from HeLa cells to near homogeneity. The three major peptide bands seen on a one-dimensional gel of human eIF-2 after rRNA cellulose chromatography are coincident with the three major peptides of rabbit eIF-2. We have shown that the α subunit of human eIF-2 can be phosphorylated by the rabbit hemin controlled repressor. Human and rabbit eIF-2α migrate identically on two-dimensional acrylamide gels.
Schellackia occidentalis n.sp., a Blood‐inhabiting Coccidian Found in Lizards in Southern California

SUMMARY. Schellackia occidentalis n. sp., is described from the following lizards from southern California: Sceloporus occidentalis becki, S. o. biseriatus, and Uta stansburiana hesperis. Evidence is presented to show that lizards become infected by ingestion of the lizard mite Geckobiella texana. The mite acts as a passive vector by swallowing infected erythrocytes. After ingestion of the mites carrying parasitized red cells, the lizard is infected by migration of the sporozoites into the lizard's intestinal epithelial cells. Schizogony and sporogony occur in the intestinal wall of the lizard. Sporozoites appear in the peripheral blood from 30 to 45 days after ingestion of infected mites. This is the first species of the genus Schellackia to be described in the Western Hemisphere.
K − Mesonic X Rays and the K ¯ − N Scattering Lengths

${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ mesonic x rays from helium have recently been observed and their energies and intensities measured. The strong-interaction effects on these lines appear to be an order of magnitude smaller than expected on the basis of simple considerations. We discuss a model for the strong ${K}^{\ensuremath{-}}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\alpha}$ interaction effects assuming dominance of two-body $\overline{K}\ensuremath{-}N$ interactions and based upon the representation of the $\overline{K}\ensuremath{-}N$ interactions by complex central Yukawa potentials adjusted to the experimental scattering lengths. For ranges associated with any known particle exchanges, the results, although very different from those obtained previously in Born approximation, still disagree by an order of magnitude with experiment. After considering various alternative explanations of this disagreement, we note that a $\overline{K}\ensuremath{-}N$ scattering-length solution having a value for Im ${A}_{1}$ considerably smaller than that currently favored would allow agreement of our model with experiment.
Patrifocality and the entry of women into science

In this article, Lalita Subrahmanya explores some of the factors that have contributed to the choice of science as a specialization by a group of academic women scientists at the University of Madras in South India. She looks at two aspect of women's entry into science: the encouragement they received to pursue education to the highest level, and the circumstances that led to their pursuit of science as a specialization. Research in India has shown that within the context of a patrifocal family structure characteristic of many parts of the society, educational decisions are not made by individuals but by families. Moreover, they are different for sons and daughters, most often in favor of the former. This study illustrates how such a patrifocal family structure and ideology affect decisions regarding women's entry into education in both ways: negatively, by creating obstacles to their progress, but also under special circumstances very positively.
Pain Threshold and Discrimination of Pain Intensity during Brief Exposure to Intense Noise

Neither pain threshold nor the capacity to discriminate intensity of mild pain was significantly altered during simultaneous stimulation by intense "white" noise. These observations indicate that the reported clinical usefulness of such auditory stimulation during painful therapeutic procedures does not result from an alteration in the capacity to perceive pain.
Co-combustion performance of poultry wastes and natural gas in the advanced Swirling Fluidized Bed Combustor (SFBC)

Co-combustion of poultry wastes with natural gas in an advanced Swirling Fluidized Bed Combustor (SFBC) has been carried out to investigate the performance of poultry wastes combustion. Wastes burnt were poultry litter, poultry manure and sawdust. This paper presents the effect of three different wastes, excess air ratio, and secondary/total air ratio on the combustion characteristics. These characteristics include temperature distributions, carbon combustion efficiency, major gaseous pollutants emissions and heat recovery efficiency. The results indicate that, with the given moisture and ash contents in wastes, the excess air and the secondary air play important roles in achieving stable combustion. The carbon combustion efficiency could increase by 8-10% when the excess air is increased to 25% with the secondary air being at 20% and having a low injection height. However, the carbon combustion efficiency for the sawdust, which is 92% on average, is much higher than that of the poultry litter and manure, which is 81% and 76% on average, respectively. Differences regarding temperature distribution and pollutants emission were also observed with different combinations of the excess air, the secondary air and the secondary air injection height. The NO(x) emission was very low even though the materials contain high levels of nitrogen. In addition, the heat recovery efficiency aiming at the commercial use of the SFBC system for the farm industries was also evaluated.
QUANTITATIVE STUDY OF COLLAGEN CONTENT IN EXPERIMENTAL CIRRHOSIS

Quantitative determinations of collagen were carried out on rat livers showing cirrhosis due to p-dimethylaminoazobenzene and carbon tetrachloride. A twofold increase in collagen content occurred in cirrhosis due to p-dimethylaminoazobenzene. The average total hepatic collagen as well as the per cent collagen content were doubled. The collagen content after 1(1/2) months of normal diet had fallen to normal levels. In cirrhosis due to carbon tetrachloride, the collagen content underwent about a fourfold increase. Partial reversal with significant decrease in collagen content occurred after stopping the carbon tetrachloride. The incomplete resorption of collagen in this group can be attributed to impaired hepatic regeneration following the prolonged administration of the compound. The chemical values for collagen parallel the quantitative evaluations of collagen content, based on microscopic examination of liver sections stained for reticulum. Deposition of collagen in hepatic cirrhosis is not necessarily an irreversible phenomenon.
Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection and Brain Clefting

Abstract Background Human cytomegalovirus, a major cause of permanent neurodevelopmental disability in children, frequently produces intracranial abnormalities, including calcifications and polymicrogyria, in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infections. This report describes the features of cerebral cortical clefting, including schizencephaly, in children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection. Methods This is a retrospective review of the medical records of infants and children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection evaluated at Primary Children's Medical Center, Salt Lake City, Utah, between 1999 and 2008. Findings Twenty-five children with congenital cytomegalovirus infection were identified during this 10-year period; 23 (92%) had computed tomography and 17 (68%) had magnetic resonance imaging. Imaging was obtained at a median age of 6 months (mode 1 month or less). Of 15 children with confirmed congenital infections, 10 (66%) had polymicrogyria or abnormal gyral patterns, five (33%) had cleft cortical dysplasia, and two (13%) had schizencephaly. Of 10 children with suspected congenital cytomegalovirus infection, eight (80%) had polymicrogyria, two (20%) had cleft cortical dysplasia, and one (10%) had bilateral schizencephaly with calcifications. Seventeen of the 25 infants (68%) had intracranial calcifications. Interpretation These results indicate that clefting, either as cleft cortical dysplasia or schizencephaly, is an important feature of congenital cytomegalovirus infection.
A Pattern Recognition Model for Forecasting

Corporate planning has been increasingly assisted by advances in the three major areas of economic forecasting: 1 econometric models, 2 time-series analysis, and 3 business cycle indicators. The purpose of this article is to examine the effect of pre-classifying economic observations into more homogeneous groups “patterns”. It will be shown that the formation of these groups adds further power to our more standard techniques of statistical inference. Early work in pattern recognition began with the development of computer programs for playing chess and checkers. After a brief description of pattern-recognition methodology, a procedure will be presented for pre-classifying economic events into subgroups. Empirical testing and results will be presented, as well as the refinements of this tool for better economic forecasting and planning.
An Implanted Telemetry Unit for Ambulatory Animals

An implanted physiological-signal telemetry unit for an ambulatory animal is described. It uses a single 1.35 V mercury cell, is 1 \times 2.5 \times 4 cm in size, and weighs 15 g. Transcutaneous RF turn-on and magnetic turn-off are used to conserve battery power. The battery can operate 175 h before replacement. An integrated circuit amplifier supplies a voltage gain of 250 over a nominal band from 0.2 Hz to over 4 kHz. With 2 mV peak input, it yields 75 kHz peak deviation of a 20 MHz carrier. Relations between frequency, Q , receiving antenna voltage, and implant coil diameter are derived. Circuits are also given for a "turn-on" device, a 20 MHz converter, and the sequential gating of three mutually perpendicular antennas to avoid dropouts as the animal moves within the cage.
Survivable GMPLS networks with QoS guarantees

A scheme is proposed to provide multiple QoS guarantees for survivable generalised multiprotocol label switching (GMPLS) networks. The shared risk link group (SRLG) information is considered to provide failure-independent protection. Based on the problem formulation, the service level agreement (SLA) parameters, such as the expected recovery failure probability, the expected recovery time and the expected signal loss are analysed to reveal the bound of the backup path length. Under the constraint of such a backup path length limit, a heuristic algorithm is further proposed for online path configuration. The simulation results demonstrate that the heuristic algorithm provides recovery quality guaranteed backup paths with high bandwidth multiplexing gain.
Interferon-γ reduces cyclooxygenase-2-mediated prostaglandin E2 production from primary mouse astrocytes independent of nitric oxide formation

Nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandins (PGs) modulate inflammatory and immune responses in the central nervous system (CNS). Both NO and PG synthesis have been described in appropriately stimulated astrocytes. In other systems, both positive and negative modulation of cyclooxygenase (COX) activity, hence PG synthesis, have been described by NO. Since interferon (IFN)-γ is known to upregulate the production of NO from astrocytes, the present study was designed to investigate the effect of IFNγ on PG production from activated astrocytes and to determine whether this effect is mediated by NO. Astrocytic PG production was induced by exposure of murine cortical cultures to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). This induction was time- and concentration-dependent, and prevented by inhibitors of transcription and translation, as well as the selective COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398. LPS-induced expression of COX-2 mRNA and protein was confirmed by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis, respectively. Exposure of LPS-treated astrocytes to IFNγ resulted in a concentration-dependent decrease in PGE2 accumulation which was accompanied by a striking parallel increase in NO formation. However, the NOS inhibitors, NG-nitro-l-arginine or N6-(1-iminoethyl)-lysine, failed to reverse the IFNγ-mediated diminution of LPS-induced PGE2 production, indicating that the IFNγ-mediated reduction in COX-2-dependent PGE2 production occurred independent of NO formation. Additional experiments demonstrated that IFNγ acted mainly by downregulating the expression of COX-2 protein. Present results indicate that PG and NO synthesis in mouse cortical astrocytes in vitro are under the direct reciprocal control of IFNγ.
Kinetoplast DNA in Trypanosoma equinum1

Identification and characterization of kDNA is described in the naturally occurring totally dyskinetoplastic species Trypanosoma equinum. Fluorescence microscopy of live cells, using the highly sensitive and specific probe DAPI (4,6-diamidino-2-phenyl-indole), showed the presence of a diversity of extranuclear fluorescent bodies scattered along the length of the organism. Transmission electron microscopic studies revealed a close similarity between the distribution of these DAPI-fluorescing particles and of dense aggregates of nonfibrillar material resembling the kDNA of dyskinetoplastic strains of other species. Variable sized remnants of kDNA, occurring singly or in clusters, were found scattered throughout the mitochondrion. Analytical cesium chloride ultracentrifugation of total cellular DNA extracts showed a kDNA banding profile at a buoyant density equal to 1.691 gm/cm3, representing approximately 11% of the total cellular DNA content. Molecular spreads of isolated kDNA revealed a population of open circular molecules ranging in contour length from 0.11-9.69 micrometer.
Impact of resident participation in cataract surgery on operative time and cost.

Objective To investigate the impact of resident participation in cataract surgery on operative time and cost. Design Retrospective chart review. Participants All patients who underwent phacoemulsification cataract surgery by an attending or resident surgeon of the Penn State Hershey Eye Center between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2007. Methods Operating room records of all phacoemulsification surgeries performed at a single academic center between July 1, 2004, and June 30, 2007, were reviewed. Main Outcome Measures Operative case length in minutes and cost of operating room time. Results The primary surgeon was an attending physician in 474 cases and a senior resident physician in 473 cases. Phacoemulsification surgeries took an average of 12 minutes 41 seconds longer per eye when performed by a senior resident compared with an attending surgeon (95% confidence interval [CI], 1 minute 48 seconds to 23 minutes 35 seconds; P = 0.027). Resident cases averaged 63 minutes in July, and decreased to an average of 27 minutes in June. Every month from July through December of the academic year, the monthly mean operative case length for resident cases was significantly longer than the mean operative case length for attending cases ( P P = 0.057). From January through June, there was no difference. Using the nonsupply cost of running the operating room at our institution ($8.30 per operating minute), resident participation added $105.40 to the average phacoemulsification case. This cost totaled $8293.23 per resident per year. Conclusions Resident participation is associated with significantly increased phacoemulsification operative times and costs during the first half, but not the second half, of the academic year. The time and cost per resident may be important to consider when allocating resources for preclinical training. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.
Preference values associated with stage III colon cancer and adjuvant chemotherapy

To elicit preference values for health states associated with Stage III colon cancer (CRC) and to explore the effect of neuropathy associated with current adjuvant treatment. We used time trade-off (TTO) techniques to elicit preferences from 49 CRC patients and 49 community members. We elicited preferences for 7 health states: remission; adjuvant therapy with no, mild, moderate, and severe neuropathy; metastatic stable; and metastatic progressive disease. Mean TTO values were adjusted for the covariates age, education, and current health. Patients’ adjusted mean TTO value for remission was 0.83; adjuvant chemotherapy health states ranged from 0.48 to 0.61. Significant differences were observed for both patient and community groups between TTO for remission and all adjuvant health states (P < 0.001), and between adjuvant therapy with no neuropathy and metastatic health states (P ≤ 0.001). Across all health states, patients’ values were on average 0.12 higher than community members (P < 0.05). The findings highlight the trade-offs between the disutility of adjuvant treatment, the higher utility of remission, and the severe utility loss during metastatic disease. The preference values obtained from this study will be useful for informing patients’ treatment decisions and payer cost-utility analyses of adjuvant treatment for colon cancer.
A composite model for the grain-size dependence of yield stress of nanograined materials

Based on the observation that, in a nanograined material, a significant portion of atoms resides in the grain-boundary region and grain-boundary activity plays a key role for its plastic behavior, a micromechanics-based composite model is developed to calculate the transition of yield stress as the grain size decreases from the coarse grain to the nanograin regime. The development makes use of a generalized self-consistent scheme in conjunction with the secant moduli of the constituent phases and a field-fluctuation approach. The constituent grains are modeled by inclusions with a grain-size-dependent plastic property and, in order to reflect the atomic sliding inside the grain boundaries observed in molecular dynamic simulations, the grain-boundary phase is modeled as a soft, ductile material with a pressure-dependent property. Applications of the developed model to a high-density copper showed the distinctive—some experimentally observed—features: (1) the yield stress initially increases following the Hall-Petch equation, but as the grain size reduces to the nanorange, it will depart and decrease; (2) when the grain size drops to a critical value (called the critical equicohesive grain size), the slope turns negative, (3) there is a tension-compression asymmetry (or strength-differential effect) in the yield stress, and (4) parametric calculations for materials whose grains deform only elastically indicate that the Hall-Petch plot will exhibit a continuously decreasing negative slope over the entire range of grain size. Further application of the theory to palladium in the nanorange shows a continuous decrease of the yield strength with decreasing grain size. It can be generally concluded that the range following the Hall-Petch equation is dominated by the deformation of the grains, and the range with a negative slope is controlled by the plasticity of the grain boundaries. During the transitional stage, both grains and grain boundaries deform competitively.
Ernst Mayr's influence on the history and philosophy of biology: A personal memoir

Mayr has made both conceptual and professional contributions to the establishment of the history and philosophy of biology. His conceptual contributions include, among many others, the notion of population thinking. He has also played an important role in the establishment of history and philosophy of biology as viable professional disciplines.
Loss of tumor-suppressive function during chemically induced neoplastic progression of Syrian hamster embryo cells

Cell hybrids between normal, early-passage Syrian hamster embryo cells and a highly tumorigenic, chemically transformed hamster cell line, BP6T, were formed, selected, and analyzed. Tumorigenicity and anchorage-independent growth were suppressed in the hybrid cells compared to the tumorigenic BP6T cells. These two phenotypes segregated coordinately in these cells. To determine at what stage in the neoplastic process this tumor-suppressive function was lost, two chemically induced immortal cell lines were examined at different passages for the ability to suppress the tumorigenic phenotype of BP6T cells following hybridization. Hybrids of BP6T cells with the immortal, nontumorigenic cell lines at early passages were suppressed for tumorigenicity and anchorage-independent growth. This tumor-suppressive ability was reduced in the same cells at later passages and in some cases nearly completely lost, prior to the neoplastic transformation of the immortal cell lines. Subclones of the cell lines were heterogeneous in their ability to suppress tumorigenicity in cell hybrids; some clones retained the tumor-suppressive ability and others lost this function. The susceptibility to neoplastic transformation of these cells following DNA transfection with the viral ras oncogene or BP6T DNA inversely correlated with the tumor-suppressive ability of the cells. These results suggest that chemically induced neoplastic progression of Syrian hamster embryo cells involves at least three steps: induction of immortality, activation of a transforming oncogene, and loss of a tumor-suppressive function.
Waking the Sleeping Giant: Engaging and Capitalizing on the Sociocultural Strengths of the Latino Community

Abstract Putting together the language minority community's initiatives and talents into educational programs awakens the community's “sleeping giant” and untaps powerful resources for our school systems. Adopting a sociocultural perspective and using Arlington's Empowering Families Through Literacy as a case, this article analyzes an example of an educational project designed and implemented in an increasingly diverse, multicultural, and multilingual community by a group of grassroots organizations. Implementing lessons learned from research, theory, and standards for an effective pedagogy, and recognizing and building upon the students' first language and culture, this study exemplifies the conscious efforts of immigrant communities to join efforts to academically succeed in America.
Evaluating the thermostability of commercial fast real-time PCR master mixes.

There is an increasing need for affordable, thermostable PCR reagents that can be used for diagnostic testing in resource limited settings. The development of point-of-care devices in such settings is highly dependent on the availability and efficacy of thermostable reagents. Here, we assess the thermostability of commercial, intercalating dye-based real-time PCR master mixes. We show that several of these master mixes have thermostability and robust performance at 20 °C, 40 °C, and 45 °C for 6, 4 and 2 weeks, respectively. However, none of the master mixes that we evaluated was able to withstand more than 1 month at 45 °C incubation. Our findings have implications for clinical diagnostics in the developing world where cold-chain delivery of diagnostic assays is difficult to guarantee.
Antagonism of the direct fungicidal action of miconazole by miconazole fungistasis.

A weakly fungistatic concentration of miconazole in lag phase yeast cultures of Candida albicans antagonized development of phenotypic susceptibility to the direct fungicidal action of high-level (i.e. greater than 10(-5) M) miconazole. After development in the absence of drug, maintenance of susceptibility upon continued incubation was also antagonized by low levels of miconazole. This auto-antagonistic effect has important clinical implications.
Use of smectic liguid crystals for the gas-liquid chromatographic separation of positional isomers

Abstract The smectogenic compounds terephthal-bis-n-butylaniline and 4-(4-n-hexyloxybenzylideneamino)azobenzene were prepared and used as stationary phases for the gas-liquid chromatographic separation of positional isomers of dibromobenzenes, chloroacetophenones, chloronaphthalenes and methybiphenyls. These solute isomers cannot be sharply separated in the smectic B state whereas a complete separation was achieved in both the smectic A and C phases. It is suggested that the unique selectivity of the smectic A and C states relative to the smectic B state can be explained by the difference in the molecular packing in the layer between the smectic B and the smectic A or C state.
Suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid combined with gemcitabine enhances apoptosis in non–small cell lung cancer

Background We have shown that non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is resistant to the histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDI) suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) through upregulation of the antiapoptotic transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB). HDIs also promote chromatin remodeling, potentially making the DNA more accessible to chemotherapy. We hypothesize that combined SAHA and gemcitabine sensitizes NSCLC to apoptosis. Methods Three NSCLC cell lines (A549, H358, H460) were untreated, or treated with SAHA, gemcitabine, or both agents. NF-κB–dependent transcription was determined by reporter gene assays, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction RT-PCR, and Western blot analysis for the NF-κB–regulated antiapoptotic gene MnSOD. Survival of NSCLC cells overexpressing Bfl/A1, Bcl-X L , or MnSOD and treated with SAHA and gemcitabine was determined in the presence or absence of NF-κB. Survival of treated cells overexpressing HDAC-1, 2, 3 or p/CAF was determined. Apoptosis was determined by fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, DNA fragmentation, and caspase-3 activity. Colony formation assays were performed on cells treated concurrently and sequentially with SAHA and gemcitabine. Assays were performed in triplicate, and the Student t test was applied as appropriate. Results SAHA-activated NF-κB ( P ≤ .05) and gemcitabine inhibited these effects ( P ≤ .01). Increased cell survival was observed after overexpression of antiapoptotic genes, as well as in cells overexpressing HDAC-1, -2, and -3. Fluorescence-activated cell sorter analysis, DNA fragmentation, and caspase-3 assays all showed enhanced apoptosis with combined therapy, compared with single-agent therapy ( P ≤ .01). Sequential treatment offered no improvement over concurrent treatment. Conclusions Combined SAHA and gemcitabine sensitized NSCLC cells to apoptosis. Potential “proapoptotic” mechanisms for this finding include gemcitabine inhibition of SAHA-induced NF-κB activation and chromatin remodeling mediated by the inhibition of histone deacetylases.
Mutant for Monascus-Pigment Production

A mutant, Monascus purpureus G1, was isolated from a wildtype which had been transferred for several times after ultraviolet irradiation. This new strain is extremely dark red in color and also releases more pigment into the yeast extract cultural medium. Unlike strain N11S, another strain of high pigment productivity, G1 is extremely low in antibacterial activity. Sonification for 30 min increased the rate of pigment extraction.
Use of Outdoor Living Spaces and Fink’s Taxonomy of Significant Learning in Sustainability Engineering Education

Previous sustainability engineering education studies have suggested the importance of problem-based learning, project-based learning, team-based learning, and interdisciplinary learning. Place-based learning, interacting with outdoors, and building sustainable communities are also important aspects of sustainability education, yet relatively little has been published on how to use these pedagogical approaches in engineering education. The goal of this paper was to illustrate the implementation of all these pedagogical approaches in a graduate-level sustainability engineering education class. Fink’s taxonomy of significant learning and the University of Toledo’s Outdoor Classroom Garden provided the framework for this implementation. Throughout the semester, sustainability engineering students worked toward an engineering solution for how to water the University of Toledo’s outdoor classroom garden. They also estimated the life-cycle cost and environmental impacts of their proposed solutions. The garden p...
1995 atmospheric trace molecule spectroscopy (ATMOS) linelist

The Atmospheric Trace Molecule Spectroscopy (ATMOS) experiment uses a Fourier-transform spectrometer on board the Space Shuttle to record infrared solar occultation spectra of the atmosphere at 0.01-cm^(-1) resolution. The current version of the molecular spectroscopic database used for the analysis of the data obtained during three Space Shuttle missions between 1992 and 1994 is described. It is an extension of the effort first described by Brown et al. [Appl. Opt. 26, 5154 (1987)] to maintain an up-to-date database for the ATMOS experiment. The three-part ATMOS compilation contains Line parameters of 49 molecular species between 0 and 10000 cm^(-1), The main list, with nearly 700,000 entries, is an updated version of the HITRAN 1992 database. The second compilation contains supplemental line parameters, and the third set consists of absorption cross sections to represent the unresolvable features of heavy molecules. The differences between the ATMOS database and other public compilations are discussed.
Hemoglobin of mice with radiation-induced mutations at the hemoglobin loci.

Abstract Chemical analyses were done on the abnormal hemoglobins of five (101 × SEC)F1 offspring of X-irradiated adult SEC mice to determine which hemoglobin genes were expressed in each hemoglobin variant. Three offspring of irradiated SEC males did not express either of the two kinds of α-chains normally found in all SEC mice. The deficient α-chain synthesis caused these mice to exhibit an α-thalassemia similar to human α-thalassemia. Scanning electron microscopy was used to show that many erythrocytes of mice with α-thalassemia have bizarre shapes; e.g. many erthrocytes appeared flattened or had thorny projections (acanthocytes). One mutant with a tandem duplication of a segment of chromosome 7 (site of locus determining β-chain structure) produced twice as much SEC as 101 β-chain polypeptides. One mutant that probably arose by non-disjunction of chromosome 7's in its unirradiated 101 mother and loss of chromosome 7 from the gamete of its irradiated SEC father did not express the SEC β-chain gene.
Value Judgment: Why Do Americans Support Israel?

Many theories purport to explain American support for Israel, from strategic considerations to ideological affinity to a strong pro-Israel lobby that has captured Congress. This article argues that domestic politics play a large role not due to the influence of a lobby, but through voter preferences translating into official support. First, the paper documents high levels of public affinity for Israel and demonstrates that policy toward Israel is driven primarily by public opinion rather than by an Israel lobby. Second, it uses five case studies to demonstrate that public support for Israel is based on ideological, rather than strategic, grounds. Finally, it uses these conclusions to make some observations about the future of American support for Israel.
Optimum release time for software systems based on reliability and cost criteria

The problem of determining the optimum time when testing can stop and the system can be considered ready for operational use is considered. This decision, of course, depends on the model for the software failure phenomenon and the criterion used for evaluating system readiness. With the time dependent error detection rate model of Goel and Okumoto, two criteria are investigated: software reliability and total expected cost. Based on the cost criterion, an optimum release policy is derived and its sensitivity to the model parameters is studied. The results are illustrated by numerical examples.
Continuous quality improvement: focus on orthopaedic excellence.

N 2002, MY HOSPITAL network appointed ultiple work teams to accomplish specific hort-term goals. The directives were straightorward and clear. Each team was to update and efine nursing kardexes/working care plans, nd physician order sets for surgical and medial procedures. The task was fairly simple, as he nursing and medical literature was reiewed, and most changes were readily acepted by the teams. The multidisciplinary eams included nursing representation from linical practice and education, as well as phyicians who were experts in specific medical or urgical practice. Teams also included represenation from departments such as Pharmacy, Perormance Improvement, Physical Therapy, and ischarge Planning as needed. Specific meetngs would include invited guests from departents or clinical units to address particular roblems or ongoing issues in an attempt to oster interdisciplinary collaboration.
The production and generalization of large-magnitude heart rate deceleration by contingently faded biofeedback.

Eight subjects were taught to decrease their heart rates via biofeedback training. Four of these received contingently faded, beat-by-beat analogue feedback and contingent reinforcement each time their performance met a specified and adjusting criterion. The other four received continuous, beat-by-beat analogue feedback, but not the contingent reinforcement. Subjects in the two groups were yoked to ensure equal densities of reinforcement. Subjects in the first group were asked to decrease heart rates 15% from baseline and were then trained using only 75%, 50% and 25% of beat-by-beat feedback. It was hypothesized that the immediate reinforcement of appropriate behavior and the contingent fading(following mastery) of feedback would aid in the generalization of the response. Following completion of all criterion steps or 10 training sessions, whichever came first, all subjects were tested with no feedback and no contingent reinforcement. The group receiving contingently faded feedback training showed a significantly greater heart rate decrease in the training sessions and also the test session. These results were interpreted as indicating that biofeedback can be conceptualized as an operant conditioning paradigm, and that the use of operant techniques may help subjects produce clinically significant changes.
Development of a novel cryptography tool for personal communication

Many excellent techniques have been developed for protecting information confidentiality and integrity over the centuries. Unfortunately, many of these techniques are difficult or expensive for protecting personal communication. In this paper, we introduce a novel light weight cryptographic tool we developed for enhancing the security of personal communication. The new technique encrypts information with equal character frequencies and with a totally new character set. By building the cipher text with even character distribution, the technique protects the encrypted information against a common character frequency analysis. The self-created character set is not available anywhere else for obfuscating information in a unique way. The tool we developed can build a completely new character set within only a few minutes and vast amounts of data to obfuscate messages can also be generated rather quickly. Since the new design of the cryptographic technique and the character set are unknown to attackers, the technique provides a reasonable security enhancement for personal communication. The case study discussed in this paper has shown the effectiveness and efficiency of the technique.