cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Improving breastfeeding duration through creation of a breastfeeding-friendly pediatric practice.

Background Breastfeeding is the gold standard for infant feeding. In the United States, 83.2% of women initiate breastfeeding on their infant's birth. When the infant reaches 6 months of age, however, only 57.6% of mothers are still breastfeeding, and a mere 24.9% are breastfeeding exclusively. Local problem Breastfeeding rates in rural areas are below the national averages. The greatest disparities exist in minorities and individuals with lower educational and socioeconomic status. Methods A preintervention/postintervention design was used for this quality improvement project. The Model for Improvement's Plan, Do, Study, Act cycle guided the project processes. Breastfeeding rates were obtained at each well-child visit from newborn through 4 months of age. On completion, mean preimplementation and postimplementation breastfeeding rates were compared to determine effectiveness. Interventions A breastfeeding support initiative was implemented at a multisite rural Illinois pediatric practice. An evidence-based breastfeeding policy was developed, staff education sessions were conducted, private lactation rooms were created, and breastfeeding photographs/posters were displayed throughout the offices. Lactation support services were publicized via signs and social media postings. Results Overall breastfeeding rates were higher at each time point after implementation. Statistically significant increases occurred at the newborn and 1-month visits, with a modest improvement at 2 and 4 months. Conclusions This project demonstrated an improvement in breastfeeding duration rates. It is anticipated that this practice-wide standard of care change will promote breastfeeding throughout the first 12 months of life.
The effect of cassette order on gene expression knockdown by triple tRNA-shRNA constructs designed for anti-HIV gene therapy (749.6)

Gene therapy utilizing RNA interference (RNAi) directed against HIV-1 is being studied as an alternative to small-molecule antiretroviral drugs. Because HIV-1 is a rapidly mutating virus, it is advantageous to utilize multiple gene therapies at once to effectively prevent the virus from replicating and infecting new cells. Previous research has shown that it is possible to fuse a tRNA together with a short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) to create a tRNA-shRNA chimera capable of knocking down the expression of target genes. In this project, triple chimera constructs were created consisting of three different tRNA-shRNA chimera cassettes on a single plasmid. The effect of differing the order of the tRNA-shRNA chimeras on the plasmid was investigated using a dual-luciferase assay with HCT116 cells and the relative knockdown efficiency was compared for each target. The long-term goal of this project is to optimize a multiplexing strategy for anti-HIV gene therapy.
Model reduction for axisymmetric Tokamak control

We deal with the problem of reducing a complicated electromagnetic passive structure model coupled to a linear plasma response model to a size that allows rapid calculations of gains for plasma position and shape control. We find that model reduction through eigenmode decomposition does not reproduce the input-to-output relationship of the system, unless one has a good idea of which eigenmodes are important. Hankel singular mode decomposition, on the other hand, provides an orthogonal basis for the system response, where the modes are ordered by their importance to the input-to-output relationship. A perturbed equilibrium plasma response model is used together with an electromagnetic model of the Alcator C-MOD passive structure to assess the performance of different model reduction schemes. We find that between 10 and 20 modes are required to give an adequate representation of the passive system. Emphasis is placed on keeping the reduction process independent of the parameters of the plasma we are trying to control.
Photoreactivation studies on yeasts. I. Ultraviolet inactivation and photoreactivation of respiration-sufficient and respiration-deficient yeasts.

Abstract This study compares the ultraviolet inactivation and photoreactivability of respiration-sufficient (AER) and respiration-deficient (cytochrome-deficient) (aer) yeasts. Attention is focused (a) on the effect of different doses of photoreactivating light on the survival of irradiated cells of each type and (b) on photoreactivation rate curves. AER cells were more resistant than the aer type to ultraviolet inactivation. The killing effect of ultraviolet on both AER and aer cells was partially reversed by photoreactivating light. The maximum per cent photoreactivation was approximately the same for both AER and aer cells and for young and stationary phase cultures. Thus a functional respiratory mechanism, and the cytochromes and respiratory enzymes lacking in the variant, are not obligatory components of the photoreactivation mechanism in yeast. The survival ratio of irradiated cells increased as an approximate exponential function of the dose of photoreactivating light until a plateau (maximum photoreactivation) was reached. With low doses of photoreactivating light, the survival ratio of aer cells increased at a rate twice that of AER cells. Photoreactivation rate curves also indicate that inactivated aer cells are reactivated more rapidly than inactivated AER cells. The decrease in frequency of aer variants induced by ultraviolet [13] cannot be accounted for by a difference in the photoreactivablity of the inactivation damage in AER and aer cells. Photoreactivation rate curves for haploid and tetraploid yeasts are multiple-hit in character, indicating that photoreactivation of the inactivation damage involves a complex mechanism.
Protective action of nitrone-based free radical traps against oxidative damage to the central nervous system.

Publisher Summary Considerable evidence indicates that oxidative damage to central nervous system (CNS) contributes to the etiology of several neurodegenerative diseases. α-Phenyl-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), a commonly used nitrone-based free radical trap (NFT), has been shown to protect in several experimental models of neuro-degenerative disease. The actions of PBN are trapping of crucial directly damaging reactive free radicals and rendering them unreactive and preventing the induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) by reactive oxygen species, thus preventing the formation of large tissue levels of nitric oxide (NO). This explains its potent neuroprotective action, especially when it is considered that higher levels of NO are neurotoxic. Many neurodegenerative problems that develop with age appear to be related to increase or altered cytokine changes in brain, known to cause increased NO formation. This implicates that the suppression of iNOS gene expression by PBN and related compounds or the prevention of excess glutamate-mediated NO formation may prove therapeutically useful to protect in a wide range of neurodegenerative diseases. There is discussion on how CNS is sensitive to oxidative damage. Three important points have been put forward: brain is sensitive to oxidative damage, older brain is more sensitive to oxidative damage than younger brain, and age-related lesions in brain mitochondria are related to the increased sensitivity of older brain to oxidative damage. The chapter details the spin-trapping reactions of nitrone-based free radical traps, antioxidant activity of PBN and its protective activity in septic shock models, how PBN and related compounds are neuroprotective, the pharmacology studies of PBN and related compounds, how PBN prevents LPS-mediated NO formation in liver, and the NO chemistry and its potential neurotoxic action. Mentioned is a hypothesis to explain the neuroprotective action of PBN. PBN exhibits neuroprotective action in brain because it prevents the induction of iNOS.
a Refinement of the Kato-Rosenblum Lemma and its Applications in Scattering Theory: Relativistic Potential Scattering, High Energy Behaviour of Scattering Cross Sections and the Time-Delay Operator

In the mathematical theory of scattering processes the condition that certain pertinent operators are of trace-class plays a central role. For instance, it is shown by Kato [1], Birman and Krein [2] and others that a sufficient condition for the existence, completeness and the “invariance property” of the Moller wave operators is that the difference \(R_z - R_z^0 \) of the resolvents of the total and the unperturbed Hamiltonians is of trace-class (or more generally \(R_z^n - R_z^{0n} \) is of trace-class for some integer n).
Differential regulation of sphingosine-1-phosphate- and VEGF-induced endothelial cell chemotaxis. Involvement of G(ialpha2)-linked Rho kinase activity.

We compared stimulus-coupling pathways involved in bovine pulmonary artery (PA) and lung microvascular endothelial cell migration evoked by sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P), a potent bioactive lipid released from activated platelets, and by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a well-recognized angiogenic factor. S1P-induced endothelial cell migration was maximum at 1 μ M ( ∼ 8-fold increase with PA endothelium) and surpassed the maximal response evoked by either VEGF (10 ng/ml) ( ∼ 2.5-fold increase) or hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) ( ∼ 2.5-fold increase). Migration induced by S1P, but not by VEGF, was significantly inhibited by treatment with antisense oligonucleotides directed to Edg-1 and Edg-3 (endothelial differentiation gene) S1P receptors and by G protein modification. These strategies included pretreatment with pertussis toxin, or transfection with mini-genes encoding a βγ subunit inhibitory peptide of the β -adrenergic receptor kinase, or an 11-amino-acid peptide that inhibits G1 α 2 signali...
The diagnosis of cancer of the pancreas, biliary tract, and duodenum by combined cytologic and secretory methods. II. The secretin test.

Summary The diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas, biliary system and duodenum may be facilitated by a combined study of the secretin test for pancreatic function and cytologic examination of the duodenal fluid. The technique requires proper placement of a double-lumen gastroduodenal tube as described in part 1. The volume of duodenal fluid should exceed 1.1 ml. per kg. in the 30-minute collection period following secretin injection; the bicarbonate concentration should be 90 mEq. or greater in at least one of the three 10-minute collections. The secretin test is most sensitive in tumors of the head and body of the pancreas. Abnormal results should always be interpreted with caution, as other disease entities or improper technique may give rise to "false positive" findings. Analysis for pancreatic enzymes does not add appreciably to the diagnosis of pancreatic malignancy and its omission will simplify the technique. Although slightly less sensitive than the secretin test, exf oliative cytology is important because of its high degree of specificity. For tumors of the biliary tract outside the pancreas, cytologic examination is an excellent method of establishing the diagnosis. An 86 per cent accuracy of diagnosis of carcinoma of the pancreas and biliary system was obtained through the combined use of the secretin test and exf oliative cytology.
Leaching characteristics of arsenic and selenium from coal fly ash: role of calcium

Understanding the leaching behavior of arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) in coal fly ash is important in evaluating the potential environmental impact of coal fly ash. Batch experiments were employed ...
SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT AND THE PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PROCESS

Abstract This paper distinguishes between Social Impact Assessment (SIA) and the Public Involvement (PI) process and makes a case for PI as an integral part of SIA. PI is seen as activity within the SIA process that provides the social impact assessor with a means to obtain quantitative information regarding social impact assessment variables. In North America during the 1970s SIA began to evolve both separately and as a component of environmental impact assessments. However, the utilization and implementation of SIA procedures have moved forward in an uneven manner among federal agencies. Furthermore, the practice of SIA at the federal or ministerial level has been hindered by the unfortunate equating of SIA with public participation and public involvement. This chapter details the rationale and the methodology for Public Involvement as a component of the SIA process.
DNA bending propensity in the presence of base mismatches: implications for DNA repair.

DNA bending is believed to facilitate the initial recognition of the mismatched base for repair. The repair efficiencies are dependent on both the mismatch type and neighboring nucleotide sequence. We have studied bending of several DNA duplexes containing canonical matches: A:T and G:C; various mismatches: A:A, A:C, G:A, G:G, G:T, C:C, C:T, and T:T; and a bis-abasic site: X:X. Free-energy profiles were generated for DNA bending using umbrella sampling. The highest energetic cost associated with DNA bending is observed for canonical matches while bending free energies are lower in the presence of mismatches, with the lowest value for the abasic site. In all of the sequences, DNA duplexes bend toward the major groove with widening of the minor groove. For homoduplexes, DNA bending is observed to occur via smooth deformations, whereas for heteroduplexes, kinks are observed at the mismatch site during strong bending. In general, pyrimidine:pyrimidine mismatches are the most destabilizing, while purine:purine...
Agriculture and the Environment – The Problem of Soil Erosion

ABSTRACT Soil erosion has both on-farm and off-farm impacts. Reduction of soil depth can impair the land's productivity, and the transport of sediments can degrade streams, lakes, and estuaries. Since 1933, soil conservation policies have existed in the United States. Originally they focused on the on-farm benefits of keeping soil on the land and increasing net farm income. Beginning in the 1980s, however, policy goals increasingly included reductions in off-site impacts of erosion. As a consequence of conservation efforts associated with explicit U.S. government policies, total soil erosion between 1982 and 1992 was reduced by 32 percent and the sheet and rill erosion rate fell from an average of 4.1 tons per acre per year in 1982 to 3.1 tons per acre in 1992 while the wind erosion rate fell from an average of 3.3 tons per acre per year to 2.4 tons per acre per year over the same period. Still, soil erosion is imposing substantial social costs. These costs are estimated to be about $37.6 billion annually...
Connecting estrogen receptor function, transcriptional repression, and E-cadherin expression in breast cancer

A recent paper in Cell (Fujita et al., 2003) demonstrates that MTA3, a novel component of the Mi-2/NuRD transcriptional repression complex, is an estrogen receptor-regulated inhibitor of the Snail zinc finger transcription factor in breast cancer. Given the important role of Snail in repressing E-cadherin transcription and the function of E-cadherin as a tumor suppressor protein and regulator of epithelial architecture, the findings offer potentially significant new insights into cancer pathogenesis.
Peering into the pharmaceutical “pipeline”: Investigational drugs, clinical trials, and industry priorities

In spite of a growing literature on pharmaceuticalization, little is known about the pharmaceutical industry's investments in research and development (R&D). Information about the drugs being developed can provide important context for existing case studies detailing the expanding--and often problematic--role of pharmaceuticals in society. To access the pharmaceutical industry's pipeline, we constructed a database of drugs for which pharmaceutical companies reported initiating clinical trials over a five-year period (July 2006-June 2011), capturing 2477 different drugs in 4182 clinical trials. Comparing drugs in the pipeline that target diseases in high-income and low-income countries, we found that the number of drugs for diseases prevalent in high-income countries was 3.46 times higher than drugs for diseases prevalent in low-income countries. We also found that the plurality of drugs in the pipeline was being developed to treat cancers (26.2%). Interpreting our findings through the lens of pharmaceuticalization, we illustrate how investigating the entire drug development pipeline provides important information about patterns of pharmaceuticalization that are invisible when only marketed drugs are considered.
Acquiring Subject Knowledge to Provide Quality Reference Service

A reference librarian frequently provides assistance in disciplines with which he is not well acquainted as to terminology or fundamental principles. Whether an advanced subject degree has been obtained or not, reference librarians have an obligation to themselves and the community they serve to broaden and expand their subject knowledge continually. This article outlines the justifications for gaining subject knowledge and the kinds of subject knowledge that reference librarians should possess, as well as offering practical suggestions for its acquisition.
Interleukin-6 is associated with cognitive function: the Northern Manhattan Study.

Inflammation has been linked to cognitive decline and dementia, but the mechanism for this is not clear, and few studies have included Hispanic and black subjects who may be at increased risk for these disorders. We performed a cross-sectional analysis of the association between inflammatory marker levels and cognition in the stroke-free population-based cohort of the Northern Manhattan Study. Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores were the continuous outcome, and we adjusted for sociodemographic and vascular risk factors as well as subclinical atherosclerosis. Of the inflammatory markers, only interleukin (IL)-6 levels were associated with the MMSE. In univariate analysis, age, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, moderate alcohol use, total homocysteine, carotid intima media thickness, and body mass index were positively associated with IL-6 levels. Hispanic ethnicity, less than a high school education, hypertension, cardiac disease, and total homocysteine were associated with lower MMSE scores. In a multivariate linear regression model, IL-6 was negatively associated with MMSE score adjusting for sociodemographic and vascular risk factors. We conclude that IL-6 levels were negatively associated with performance on the MMSE in this multiethnic cohort. Adjusting for vascular disease and subclinical atherosclerosis did not attenuate the association, suggesting a direct effect on the brain.
Allozyme evaluation of upright common bean genotypes

In common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) the diaphorase (DIA) allozyme variant Diap-2 105 is frequently present in plants with upright, type II plant architecture. The genetic relationship between upright plant architecture and Diap-2 105 was investigated in eight F2 populations derived from crosses between navy bean and pinto bean parental lines differing for type I, II, and III growth habit and DIA genotype. Segregation at the Diap-2 locus followed the expected 1:2:1 ratio in all eight F2 populations and when pooled across F2 populations. F2 data from 1345 individuals indicated that plant architecture and the Diap-2 locus are not linked (r=0.03, P=0.333). However, the Diap-2 105 allozyme was present in 71% of advanced navy, pinto, and great northern genotypes with type II plant architecture. Due to random drift, Diap-2 105, initially associated with type II architecture through founder effect, may be maintained in such genotypes without providing greater fitness or without being associated with a locus or linked loci governing upright plant architecture.
Preschool Anxiety Disorders Predict Different Patterns of Amygdala-Prefrontal Connectivity at School-Age

Objective In this prospective, longitudinal study of young children, we examined whether a history of preschool generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and/or social phobia is associated with amygdala-prefrontal dysregulation at school-age. As an exploratory analysis, we investigated whether distinct anxiety disorders differ in the patterns of this amygdala-prefrontal dysregulation. Methods Participants were children taking part in a 5-year study of early childhood brain development and anxiety disorders. Preschool symptoms of generalized anxiety, separation anxiety, and social phobia were assessed with the Preschool Age Psychiatric Assessment (PAPA) in the first wave of the study when the children were between 2 and 5 years old. The PAPA was repeated at age 6. We conducted functional MRIs when the children were 5.5 to 9.5 year old to assess neural responses to viewing of angry and fearful faces. Results A history of preschool social phobia predicted less school-age functional connectivity between the amygdala and the ventral prefrontal cortices to angry faces. Preschool generalized anxiety predicted less functional connectivity between the amygdala and dorsal prefrontal cortices in response to fearful faces. Finally, a history of preschool separation anxiety predicted less school-age functional connectivity between the amygdala and the ventral prefrontal cortices to angry faces and greater school-age functional connectivity between the amygdala and dorsal prefrontal cortices to angry faces. Conclusions Our results suggest that there are enduring neurobiological effects associated with a history of preschool anxiety, which occur over-and-above the effect of subsequent emotional symptoms. Our results also provide preliminary evidence for the neurobiological differentiation of specific preschool anxiety disorders.
A process engineering approach to remedy an environmental problem of fugitive lead emissions during lead refining

The refining of lead blast furnace bullion involves the transfer and handling of hot impure lead bullion. Fugitive emissions of lead-containing fumes create a plant hygiene problem. The cause of the emissions is the high vapor pressure of lead and its compounds when lead blast furnace bullion is transferred in an open ladle at ∼1000 °C from the blast furnace and poured into the drossing kettle, and later during the manual skimming of powdery dross. A laboratory study was conducted on a new concept for lead refining that eliminates contact between hot lead and the cnvironment, and thus abates fugitive lead emissions. The new process takes place in two steps: controlled solidification of bullion as it flows from the blast furnace, followed by remelting in a closed centrifuge to separate lead and dross. Refined lead was produced with <0.05% copper and <0.01% of all other impurities. Suggestions are outlined for implementing the process.
A call to action look beyond the horizon

Today's attacks exploit code-level flaws such as buffer overruns and type-invalid input. Now we should turn to tomorrow's attacks, and think beyond buffer overruns, code levels, and the horizon. This article is a call to arms to the research community to look toward the future.
Interlaminar G(IIc) evaluation of toughened-resin matrix composites using the end-notched flexure test

The usefulness of the end-notched flexure (ENF) test for measuring G(IIc) for toughened composites was evaluated. Calculations were made using the measured flexural compliance from the ENF test and the measured axial modulus. Tests were conducted on three different composite materials, using laminates with two different span lengths and insert sizes. The error associated with neglecting nonlinear terms in the displacement-curvature relationship was analyzed to demonstrate the influence of specimen geometry on G(IIc) measurement. It is concluded that G(IIc) measurement may vary with the method of calculation, span length, or insert thickness, but these effects are minor compared to the large differences in measurements obtained for different materials. Hence, the ENF test is a valid one for screening materials for improvements in interlaminar shear fracture toughness.
Theoretical studies of hydrogen impurities in palladium and hydrogen vacancies in PdH using the muffin tin Green's function method

Abstract The extended-charge single-site muffin tin (MT) Green's function method is used to study the effects of dilute amounts of hydrogen at octahedral or tetrahedral sites in f.c.c. palladium or hydrogen vacancies in PdH. The impurity calculations use the results of self-consistent MT augmented plane wave (APW) energy band calculations for the host lattice which is palladium with empty octahedral and tetrahedral MTs or PdH. Calculated impurity charge and state densities are compared with previous work and experiment and with the present APW results for the stoichiometric monohydrides and dihydrides. Results for impurity residual resistivities, Knight shifts and spin-lattice relaxation rates are also presented and are shown to compare favorably with experiment. Similarities between our results for the isolated octahedral hydrogen impurity in palladium and hydrogen in stoichiometric PdH emphasize the “local” nature of hydrogen in palladium.
Spontaneous Activation of CO2 and Possible Corrosion Pathways on the Low-Index Iron Surface Fe(100)

Spin-polarized density functional theory (DFT) calculations and periodic slab models were used to study the reactive pathways leading to corrosion products on the low-index (100) surface of iron. We determined the binding energies of CO2 and the barrier to decomposition of adsorbed CO2 to O + CO, as well as to the formation of adsorbed CO32− and H2CO3 on the Fe(100) surface. The barriers of these pathways were determined with nudged elastic band (NEB) calculations. Short trajectories with DFT-based dynamics were employed to identify the most important species. These simulations (up to 0.5 ML coverage) show that CO2 is spontaneously activated and can bind with two or all three atoms assuming bent configurations strongly reminiscent of the radical CO2−. This spontaneous activation of CO2 is possible through charge rearrangement of the slab density. The CO2 decomposition to O + CO has a barrier of 5.0 kcal/mol. The subsequent formation of CO32− by reaction with an incoming CO2 is strongly favored thermodynam...
A technical aid for vasovasostomy.

Abstract We describe a technical aid for precise placement of suture material through the lumen of the vas in vasovasostomy.
Structures, Spectra, and Lasing Properties of New (Aminostyryl)pyridinium Laser Dyes

Recent work from our Photonics Research Laboratory has shown that a new class of hydroxy amino styryl pyridinium derivatives exhibit both one- and two-photon pumped lasing. Because of the exciting prospect of up-conversion lasing by direct two-photon excitation, we have conducted a thorough study of the spectroscopic and lasing properties of a group of related compounds with the objective of understanding the structure−spectroscopic properties relationship. These dyes were found to have two mesomeric forms, one predominant in the ground-state and the other in the excited-state, leading to a large Stokes shift. A low fluorescence quantum yield was observed for all the studied dyes and could be possibly attributed to two factors: (1) the presence of a counterion, iodide, which increases the singlet-to-triplet intersystem crossing transition, and (2) a twisted intramolecular charge-transfer (TICT) geometry derived from the rotation of the amino moiety. However, significant lasing efficiencies were observed ...
Interference between pictorial symbols and arrows in highway guidance signs

Pictorial symbols are used on highway guidance signs to indicate roadside destinations (airports, train stations, parks, rest facilities, etc.). Symbols which have strong inherent directional information (e.g., a jet air craft to designate an airport) may conflict with the sign's routing arrow itself. The directional nature of pictorial symbols was examined as a potential source of conflict with intended route information. It was predicted that disagreement between the symbol's “direction” and that of the route arrow would increase processing time. Four existing symbols were selected for examination (airport, ski trail, Amtrak station, Montreal metro). Semantic differential ratings and reaction times were measured. Results of the two methods were in substantial agreement. Only reaction time measures are reported in the present paper. When the direction of the symbol and the guidance arrow agreed, latencies to airport and Amtrak signs were significantly faster than when they disagreed. In contrast, no effe...
Radio-isotopic determination of hydrogen peroxide in aqueous humor and urine.

Abstract The concentrations of hydrogen peroxide in the aqueous humor and urine of several animal species and humans have been determined. The determinations are based on peroxide-dependent decarboxylation of I-[ 14 C]-α-ketoglutaric acid and measurement of the resulting 14 CO 2 by quantitating the radioactive disintegration. The levels of H 2 O 2 in most animals varied between 5·0 and 41 μ m for aqueous, and 115 and 187 μ m for urine. The levels of peroxide in the urine of steer, cat and baboon were lower and fell out of the above range. In the aqueous of humans with cataracts, the levels ranged from 33 to 324 μ m , the overall average being 189 ± 88 μ m . The source of such high levels in the aqueous of cataract patients is currently being studied.
Money, Oil, and Empire in the Middle East: Sterling and Postwar Imperialism, 1944–1971

Money, Oil, and Empire in the Middle East: Sterling and Postwar Imperialism, 1944–1971, Steven G. Galpern, Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2009, $93.00, ISBN 978-0-521-76790-3, 345pp. Given ...
Minimal invasive posterior total hip arthroplasty: are 6 weeks of hip precautions really necessary?

Postoperative hip dislocations have been reported in 0.5 to 10.6 % of patients after primary posterolateral total hip arthroplasty (THA). Hip precautions are currently recommended for 6 weeks postoperatively to reduce early dislocation and facilitate healing of the posterior soft tissue repair. To determine the impact of a modified 4-week precaution protocol on the dislocation rate, 698 consecutive patients (797 hips) operated by a single surgeon between September 2008 and December 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. All patients had a standard THA using a minimal invasive posterior approach with posterior soft tissue repair and 28–36-mm head size. 98.7 % of the patients were available for follow-up. There were eight (1 %) dislocations in 797 hips in the first 12 months after surgery with 4 weeks of hip precautions. The average time to dislocation was 7.5 weeks after surgery (range 1.0–16.9 weeks); two dislocations (25 %) took place in the first 4 weeks. Shortening the time of posterolateral hip precautions from 6 to 4 weeks after surgery does not increase the risk of postoperative dislocation.
Linkage between the Centromere and a Gene Producing Nucleocytoplasmic Compatibility in Durum Wheat

Species cytoplasm specific (scs) genes on chromosome 1A (1A scs ) derived from Triticum timopheevii Zhuk. and chromosome 1D (1D scs ) derived from common wheat improve compatibility between the durum wheat (T. turgidum L. var. durum) nucleus and Aegilops longissima S.& M. (lo) cytoplasm. The (lo) scs durum lines thus produced are male sterile and when crossed with durum produce viable plump seeds carrying scs and inviable shriveled seeds without scs. Objectives of the present study were to determine centromere-scs linkage distances and viability and transmission of female gametes carrying one or both scs genes. The (lo) scs durum heterozygous for 1A/1A scs was crossed with the Langdon (LDN) durum disomic substitution line 1D scs (1A) in which the 1A chromosome pair is substituted by a 1D scs pair. Two types of 1A + 1D double monosomic F 1 s were recovered, (lo) durum 13 + 1'1A scs + 1'1D scs , and (lo) durum 13 + 1'1A + 1'1D scs , which were confirmed in progeny tests with normal durum. For centromere mapping, these lines were crossed with LDN double ditelosomic 1A (LDN dDt 1A; 2n = 30; 13 + t1AS + t1AL) and progeny examined for meiotic chromosome constitution. No telecentric t1AL scs arising from recombination with 1A scs was detected, indicating that scs is tightly linked to the centromere on chromosome 1A. To determine the transmission of female gametes carrying one or both scs genes, (lo) durum 13 + 1'1A scs + 1'1D scs was crossed with LDN dDt 1A and control durum. The functional female gametes carried one or both scs genes. Crosses of (lo) durum 13 + 1'1A + 1'1D scs to LDN dDt 1A produced several plants with a T1AL.1DL translocation chromosome. The formation of this chromosome was coupled with strong selection for the scs gene on 1DL.
Filamentous fungal-specific septin AspE is phosphorylated in vivo and interacts with actin, tubulin and other septins in the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus

We previously analyzed the differential localization patterns of five septins (AspA-E), including a filamentous fungal-specific septin, AspE, in the human pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus. Here we utilized the A. fumigatus strain expressing an AspE-EGFP fusion protein and show that this novel septin with a tubular localization pattern in hyphae is phosphorylated in vivo and interacts with the other septins, AspA, AspB, AspC and AspD. The other major proteins interacting with AspE included the cytoskeletal proteins, actin and tubulin, which may be involved in the organization and transport of the septins. This is the first report analyzing the phosphorylation of AspE and localizing the sites of phosphorylation, and opens opportunities for further analysis on the role of post-translational modifications in the assembly and organization of A. fumigatus septins. This study also describes the previously unknown interaction of AspE with the actin-microtubule network. Furthermore, the novel GFP-Trap® affinity purification method used here complements widely-used GFP localization studies in fungal systems.
Additional alpha applications

Modern radioimmunotherapy, the use of monoclonal antibodies to deliver radioisotopes to tumor cells, has been under development for 2 decades. Nearly all of this work has focused on the use of agents that carry beta particle–emitting isotopes. Beta particles have relatively low energy and long
A Bias Function Generator for the Zero Gradient Synchrotron

An Analog function generator producing a biasing current for the permeability-tuned master oscillator of the zero gradient synchrotron is described. It produces the bias function with a precision of ± 0.02 per cent and is capable of delivering about 3 amperes of current into a predominantly resistive load of a quarter of an ohm. The input information to the function generator is obtained from proton accelerator parameters such as the magnetic guide field Bg and ?g and the guide magnet current Ig and ?g. The total bias function is obtained as a result of adding outputs from the 1) Bg read-out, 2) hump generator, and 3) biased diode network. A specially developed electronic system and an analog-to-digital converter have been employed to make static and dynamic measurements with a view to determining the precision of the function generator.
The Courtier Bishop in Vitae from the Tenth to the Twelfth Century

The vitae of bishops who came to office via service in the royal chapel of the Ottonian-Salian kings regularly contain a description of the court service of the young cleric, of his appearance, personality, and character. From these descriptions, which are at the same time vivid revelations of court life and manners, there emerges a picture of the aristocratic cleric as royal servant and future bishop in the imperial church. The circumstances that brought the figure of the "courtier bishop"' to prominence in the Ottonian empire are well known, but they are so closely tied to the subject of this paper that it will be useful to summarize them briefly.2 The close connection between court service and the bishop's office originated in the influence that rulers exerted on the appointment of bishops. Service to the ruler had been an avenue to the episcopate since late antiquity, and this continued in Carolingian times. But the frequency of this route, as well as its political importance, changed radically under Otto the Great and his successors. Otto built the episcopal office into an important political instrument, a buffer against the opposition of the feudal nobility. Loyal bishops could become powerful secular lords while holding ecclesiasti-
Resistance to Erythropoietin: Immunohemolytic Anemia Induced by Residual Formaldehyde in Dialyzers

Because of inadequate renal synthesis of erythropoietin, the anemia associated with chronic renal failure has been treated successfully in most patients on hemodialysis with recombinant human erythropoietin. Hemolysis due to anti-Nform antibody in dialysis patients with the reused dialyzer may be one of the factors that cause refractoriness to erythropoietin therapy. Patients who do not respond to erythropoietin administration should be screened for anti-Nform antibody.
Sleepwear acquisitions and attributes: preferences related to personality types

While sleepwear has been more stable than other facets of the apparel industry, sales have decreased. This research explored acquisition of sleepwear by college women, desired attribute characteristics, and preferred styles using an author-developed questionnaire. Most sleepwear was self-selected from department stores. Preferences were for natural fibres and knit fabrics, followed by satin. Comfort was the attribute ranked highest; brand and sexiness were ranked lowest. Preferred styles were: tops (crop and camisole) and pants [short and tap (French knickers style)], T-shirts, and man-tailored shirts. Personality types were determined using the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI); most of the participants were intuitive-feeling types. No significant relation between sleepwear preference and personality type was found. Manufacturers and retailers need to be aware of the market diversity and capable of adapting to consumer needs, identifying consumer needs and preferences and effectively targeting markets are crucial to economic success. Implications are discussed.
Hardness of Coloring 2-Colorable 12-Uniform Hypergraphs with exp(log^{Omega(1)} n) Colors

We show that it is quasi-NP-hard to color 2-colorable 12-uniform hypergraphs with 2(log n) O(1) colors where n is the number of vertices. Previously, Guruswami et al. [1] showed that it is quasi-NP-hard to color 2-colorable 8-uniform hypergraphs with 22 O(vlog log n) colors. Their result is obtained by composing a standard Outer PCP with an Inner PCP based on the Short Code of super-constant degree. Our result is instead obtained by composing a new Outer PCP with an Inner PCP based on the Short Code of degree two.
Digital Subtraction Angiography in Angioplasty of Total Coronary Artery Occlusion

This report describes a digital subtraction angiographic technique used to simultaneously display the proximal and distal segments of three totally occluded coronary arteries in two patients undergoing percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). The advantage of this technique over routine cineangiography for PTCA of total occlusions is illustrated.
Transmission Electron Microscopy of Boundary-Lubricated Bearing Surfaces. Part II: Mineral Oil Lubricant with Sulfur-and Phosphorus-Containing Gear Oil Additives

Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was performed on cross-sectional samples of tapered roller bearing cone surfaces that were tested at two levels of local boundary lubrication severity, Λ ∼ 1.1 and 0.3. Unlike our previously reported work in which a base mineral oil was used, the bearing tests were conducted in mineral oil with sulfur- and phosphorus-containing gear oil additives. Structural and compositional characterization of undetached antiwear surface layers on the base steel (cone raceway) revealed that the films contained crystalline and amorphous regions. A sharp interface (<∼10 nm) that separated the surface layer and base steel was imaged. The surface layer for the cone tested at Λ ∼ 1.1 consisted of Fe, O, and P, whereas that for the cone tested at Λ ∼ 0.3 consisted of Fe, O, P, C, Ca, and S. Various TEM analytical techniques were used to study the segregation of these elements throughout the antiwear surface layer volume.
Synthesis, properties and reactions of 3β-benzoyloxy-7α-15β-dichloro-5α-cholest-8(14)-ene

Abstract Treatment of 3β-benzoyloxy-14α,15α-epoxy-5α-cholest-7-ene (I) with gaseous HCl in chloroform at −40°C gave, in 87% yield, 3β-benzoyloxy-7α,15β-dichloro-5α-cholest-8(14)-ene (III). Reduction of the latter compound with lithium aluminum hydride in ether at room temperature for 20 min gave, in 86% yield, 7α-15β-dichloro-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol (IV). The latter compound was fully characterized and assignments of the individual carbon peaks in the 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of this sterol have been completed. Reduction of III with excess lithium aluminum hydride in refluxing ether for 4 days gave, in 74% yield, 5α-cholesta-7,14-dien-3β-ol (VI). Reduction of the dichloro-steryl benzoate III with lithium triethylborohydride in tetrahydrofuran gave, in 88% yield, 5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol (VII). A similar reduction using lithium triethylborodeuteride led to the formation of [7β,15ξ- 2 H 2 ]-VIIa. Treatment of III with concentrated HCl in a mixture of chloroform and methanol gave, in 79% yield, 3β-benzoyloxy-5α-cholest-8(14)-en-15-one (II) which was characterized as such and as the corresponding free sterol.
Elevation in tongue-flick rate after biting prey in the broad-headed skink,Eumeces laticeps

A postbite elevation in tongue-flicking (PETF) rate occurs in adult male broad-headed skinks,Eumeces laticeps. Males having bitten neonatal mice showed significantly higher tongue-flicking rates in the 2 min following experimental removal of the prey than did males in several control conditions. In a second experiment designed to separate the effects of tactile and chemical stimulation of the oral cavity during biting, males tongue-flicked at significantly higher rates in response to swabs bearing surface chemicals from neonatal mice than to identical swabs lacking the surface chemicals. These findings agree with previous data showing that PETF and searching movements occur in those families of lizards that can detect prey chemicals and use the tongue to do so during active foraging. The occurrence of PETF and putative searching movements supports the interpretation that PETF represents an attempt to relocate lost prey by chemosensory means. PETF was much briefer inE. laticeps than in many snakes and in a representative species from another lizard family and was not detectable after the first minute. This brevity is consistent with the prediction that PETF should be brief in squamates that feed on prey not likely to be located by scent-trailing.
Peritoneal Dialysis: From Basic Concepts to Clinical Excellence

Body Composition Monitoring in Peritoneal Dialysis Fundamentals of Peritoneal Dialysis Biology of Peritoneal Membrane Peritoneal Dialysis Solutions Cardiovascular Aspects of Dialysis Inflammation and Nutrition Adequacy in Peritoneal Dialysis: Kt/V and Beyond Complications of Peritoneal Dialysis and Their Management Calcium Phosphorus, Vitamin D Receptor and Peritoneal Dialysis Peritoneal Dialysis as a First-Choice Treatment: Advantages and Barriers Peritoneal Dialysis in Special Settings The Present and Future of Peritoneal Dialysis.
Some Waiting Time Distributions for Redundant Systems with Repair

In the design of systems with redundant components it is of major interest to have a quantitative measure of the relation between the number of redundant components and the reliability of the system. Various quantitative measures of reliability could be used but perhaps the most meaningful is the waiting time distribution between system failures. The relevance of such a distribution to a real system will, of course, depend on the extent to which our assumptions are an adequate description of the system, but even results obtained with simplifying assumptions should have considerable heuristic value. In specifying a system model there are many possibilities. For example, in addition to specifying a given redundancy, one may specify that components which fail are repaired. If one imposes this further specification, there are various assumptions one might make describing how repair takes place. Thus, a recent paper by Weiss [7], discussing systems which operate at discrete times, considers the situation where any component failure is surely repaired by the next time of operation of the system. Plausible variations of this specification that come easily to mind are that the time of repair for a component follows some probability distribution or that, more restrictively, repair time has some distribution and repair facilities are limited. Further amplification of a systems model might be to introduce a "repair dead time" representing the minimum time required for repair of a component, repair time being random otherwise; still another specification that might be considered is that of some schedule of preventative maintenance. In this paper we investigate waiting time distributions between system failures for several models involving some of the considerations above with the extremely simplifying assumptions of exponential failure and repair laws. 2. SUMMARY Two types of system models are considered which we shall designate as models A and B. For model A we make the following assumptions: A . The system is composed of N identical components, each independently
Accuracy of the 7-8-9 Rule for endotracheal tube placement in the neonate.

To determine accuracy of the 7-8-9 Rule in a cohort of neonates. This study was cross-sectional in design. Seventy-five consecutive neonates who required oral intubation from June 2004 to November 2004 for cardiopulmonary failure, respiratory distress, or surfactant administration were the subjects of this study. The initial endotracheal tube (ETT) depth of insertion was determined using either an estimated birth weight or actual weight in the 7-8-9 Rule calculation followed by auscultation and subsequent adjustment if necessary. Midtracheal position was identified as the point halfway between the inferior clavicle and carina on a chest radiograph. The initial depth was compared to the midtracheal depth to determine clinical accuracy of the 7-8-9 Rule. The depth predicted by the 7-8-9 Rule was also calculated using only actual weights. This predicted depth was compared to the midtracheal depth to determine true accuracy of the 7-8-9 Rule. Accuracy was determined using mean paired differences with 95% confidence intervals (CI) between initial or predicted depth and ideal, midtracheal ETT depth. Linear regression was used to adjust for confounding variables. Mean (range) gestational age was 32 weeks (23 to 44 weeks) and weight was 2001 g (490 to 4400 g). Eighteen (24%) infants weighed 1000 g or less, 20 (27%) weighed between 1001 and 2000 g, 21 (28%) weighed between 2001 and 3000 g, 15 (20%) weighed between 3001 and 4000 g, and one (1%) weighed more than 4000 g. Thirteen of the 18 extremely low birth weight infants weighed <750 g. The initial depth of insertion was 0.004 cm above midtracheal position (95% CI −0.13 to 0.14, P=0.96). After controlling for head position, the initial depth did not significantly differ from the midtracheal position among weight groups. Predicted depth using the 7-8-9 Rule placed the ETT 0.12 cm above midtracheal position (95% CI −0.30 to 0.06, P=0.20). However, after controlling for head position, the 7-8-9 Rule positioned the ETT significantly below midtracheal position in infants weighing <750 g (mean 0.62 cm; 95% CI 0.30 to 0.93, P=0.002). The 7-8-9 Rule appears to be an accurate clinical method for endotracheal tube placement in neonates weighing more than 750 g. When the 7-8-9 Rule is applied to infants weighing <750 g, caution is warranted. The current rule may lead to an overestimated depth of insertion and potentially result in clinically significant consequences.