cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
FEEDING INTOLERANCE FOLLOWING THE OPHTHALMOLOGIC EXAMINATION OF NEONATES

Reports of isolated cases of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) following mydriatic administration and ophthalmologic examination prompted a comparison of the incidence of feeding difficulties 24 hours prior to (pre-exam) and 24 hours following (post-exam) the ophthalmologic examination of 51 newborns. All 51 infants had received 3 doses of 0.5% cyclopentolate and 2.5% phenylephrine drops prior to examination.The following data were obtained on critical review of the nursing notes: Sixteen infants (31%) had one or more symptom of feeding intolerance prior to the examination and 28 (55%) had symptomatology after the examination (p<.005). More abdominal x-rays were obtained (3 pre-exam, 9 post-exam) and more feedings were temporarily discontinued (1 pre-exam, 6 post-exam) following the examination. One infant had feeding intolerance 2 hours after examination and developed NEC during the 24 hour post-exam period. This study demonstrates the risks of feeding intolerance following the ophthalmologic examination of neonates. These risks may be due to known side-effects of mydriatics (cyclopentolate: atropine-like effects; phenylephrine: increased blood pressure), to the physical stress of the examination, or to a combination of both.
Liver regeneration, growth factors, and amphiregulin.

The sequence of events triggering liver regeneration after acute loss of hepatic mass has been the subject of much investigation during the past 20 years.1 Rapid changes in gene expression and activation of receptors and transcription factors occur immediately after partial hepatectomy (PHx).2,3 Several potential signaling stimuli are released in the liver or in circulation after the loss of hepatic parenchyma. These stimuli have effects on liver and on hepatocytes (or other hepatic cells) in culture. Such stimuli include cytokines (eg, tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-6, norepinephrine, transforming growth factor [TGF]-β 1) and several growth factors. Cytokines are not direct mitogens for hepatocytes in culture and, after removal of their effects (eg, in mouse genetic models or by pharmacologic agents), liver regeneration is retarded or decreased, but hepatic mass is eventually restored nonetheless. Although this may suggest that the role of cytokines is not critical or essential, this should not imply that the events they mediate are not important or that they do not actually occur. The preponderance of evidence suggests that the cytokine effects facilitate optimal timing and orchestration of the early signaling events after PHx, summarized under the term priming of hepatocytes.4
Site-Specific Protein Labeling using Reversible Transition Metal Ion Binding

Fluorescence spectroscopy is a powerful tool for studying the structure and conformational dynamics of protein molecules both in isolation and in their cellular context. Fluorescence experiments frequently employ small, cysteine-reactive fluorophores. However, it can be difficult to obtain specific labeling of a desired cysteine in proteins with multiple cysteines or in a protein's native environment in which many cysteine-containing proteins are present. To obtain specific labeling, we have developed a method where a desired cysteine can be reversibly protected by binding transition metal ions (e.g. Cd2+ and Zn2+) while background cysteines are blocked with non-fluorescent covalent modifiers. Following removal of transition metal ions, the deprotected cysteine is then available to specifically react with a fluorophore. In order to protect specific cysteines, the affinity for metal binding was increased by placing metal binding residues nearby in regions of known secondary structure (e.g. an alpha-helix) to act as coordination partners in a metal binding site. The placement of histidine residues next to or one turn away from a cysteine in an alpha-helix increased the metal binding affinity of that cysteine. This allows for protection of a particular cysteine at much lower metal concentrations. Using pairs of cysteines, rather than a combination of cysteines and histidines, further stabilized metal binding. Finally, we demonstrate the ability of this technique to selectively label a particular cysteine in mixtures of proteins containing cysteines. These motifs are simple, can be introduced into proteins with minimal perturbation, and allow for selective labeling of sites within a protein, specific proteins in a mixture, or proteins in a native environment. This technique has great potential for use in patch-clamp fluorometry studies of ion channels in which non-specific labeling of patch-associated proteins makes it difficult to resolve fluorescence from channel proteins.
Reactions of Nbn+ (n = 1−15) with Propene and 1-Butene: Product Distribution as a Function of Cluster Size

The reactions of niobium cluster cations (Nbn+, n = 1−15) with propene and 1-butene are studied using Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR) mass spectrometry. Reaction product distributions as a function of cluster size are presented. The branching ratios of paths corresponding to single and multiple dehydrogenations in the primary reactions are reported and interpreted qualitatively in terms of the bonding between the ligands and the metal cluster centers. The bonding in products of higher order reactions are addressed by discussing the trends in the reaction saturation limits and the presence of C−C bond cleavage products in some reactions.
Variation as accessing ' non-optimal ' candidates*

This paper argues that rather than just select the best candidate, EVAL imposes a harmonic rank-ordering on the full candidate set. Language users have access to this enriched information, and it shapes their performance. This paper applies this idea to variation. The claim is that language users can access the full candidate set via the rank-ordering imposed by EVAL. In variation, more than one candidate is well-formed enough to count as grammatical. Consequently, language users will access more than just the best candidate from the rank-ordering. However, the accessibility of a candidate depends on its position on the rankordering. The higher the position a candidate occupies, the more likely it is to be selected. In a variable process, variants that appear higher on the rank-ordering (i.e. are more well-formed) will therefore also be the more frequent variants. This model is applied to variation in the phonology of Faialense Portuguese and Ilokano.
Risk factors and emergence from refuge in the lizard eumeces laticeps

I studied effects of three risk factors, predator proximity, persistence in attacking, and speed, on latency to emerge after entering a refuge in the scincid lizard Eumeces laticeps. I simulated a predator by directly approaching a lizard until it took refuge, usually a tree hole. Costs per unit time of lost opportunities to forage or engage in other activities enhancing fitness did not vary with risk factors. Skinks remained in refuges longer when I stayed near the refuges than when I withdrew to a greater distance. At both distances, skinks monitored my presence visually from positions at or near refuge entrances. Skinks remained in refuges longer after the second of two successive similar approaches at the same speed than after the first, suggesting that they perceived increased risk due to persistence by an individual predator, but the assessment might have been based on attack rate without individual recognition. Latency to emergence increased with predator approach speed, giving another indication of response to higher risk. If lizards were approached twice in succession, latency to emergence was much greater when predator speed was faster during the second approach. When the second approach was slower, there was no significant difference in latency between trials. Risks associated with speed and persistence thus simultaneously affect risk assessment. A recent model (Sih, 1992) of emergence from refuge supposes that decisions affecting latency to emerge are based on a balance of costs of remaining in refuge (often predominantly costs of lost opportunities for feeding or mating) against risk of predation. All data are consistent with a generalized view of Sih's (1992) model, but studies are needed to assess effects of cost and limited information about predator presence.
Effects of annealing on the electrical properties of highly resistive float zone p-type silicon

Abstract This paper reports effects of heat treatment in nitrogen or forming gas ambient on the electrical properties of highly resistive float zone p-type silicon (Si). Capacitance–voltage and Hall Effect measurements were used to examine role of impurities associated with annealing. A reduction in the free carrier density was observed for both the nitrogen and forming gas anneals. In addition, temperature-dependent capacitance measurements revealed the appearance of deep traps with a concentration of 2×10 11 cm −3 , following the nitrogen anneal.
Ras Signaling in Yeast

Since the study of yeast RAS and adenylate cyclase in the early 1980s, yeasts including budding and fission yeasts contributed significantly to the study of Ras signaling. First, yeast studies provided insights into how Ras activates downstream signaling pathways. Second, yeast studies contributed to the identification and characterization of GAP and GEF proteins, key regulators of Ras. Finally, the study of yeast provided many important insights into the understanding of C-terminal processing and membrane association of Ras proteins.
Use of Krypton85 for the Measurement of Cardiac Output by the Single-Injection Indicator-Dilution Technique

When krypton 85 in saline solution is injected into the left side of the heart and sampled from a systemic artery, or is injected into a peripheral vein and sampled from the pulmonary artery, only the primary time-concentration curve is obtained. Recirculation is eliminated by the diffusion of this indicator into the extravascular space and its loss from the pulmonary capillary bed. Determination of the radioactivity in a single blood sample, withdrawn at a constant rate throughout the period during which the Kr 85 passes across. the sampling site, permits calculation of the average concentration of Kr 85 during the inscription of the primary curve. The validity of this technique was tested in a circulatory model against actual flow determined by timed collection. One standard deviation of the differences in 27 trials equaled 5.1 per cent. In 26 comparisons of cardiac output determined simultaneously in dogs by a rotameter and the Kr 85 technique, one standard deviation of the differences equaled 8.4 per cent. In 19 comparisons of cardiac output in patients, determined by dye-dilution and Kr 85 techniques, one standard deviation of the differences equaled 11 per cent. The Kr 85 technique is simpler technically and requires less blood, instrumentation, and calculation than the standard dye techniques.
Transcending the power of hierarchy to facilitate shared leadership

Purpose – Although communal forms of leadership are being called for to provide contemporary organizations with more responsive leadership platforms, the paper can find no compelling description as to how such leadership might develop in a world of hierarchy. The purpose of this paper is to fill this void. Design/methodology/approach – Attempting to comprehend the sharing of leadership will require contemplation of unconventional approaches in opposition to the dominant logic associated with conventional organizational leadership. One current example of such unorthodox deliberation is the emerging awareness of the Grateful Dead's influence on business management and leadership. Accordingly, the paper examined and interpreted the experiences and expressed beliefs of Jerry Garcia of the Grateful Dead to offer a conceptualization of how shared leadership could emerge in traditional organizational settings. Findings – The analysis indicates that Jerry Garcia exhibited aspects of transformational leadership, s...
Comparison of Additive and Multiplicative Models of Regional Variation in the Decline of Stroke Mortality in the United States

Background and Purpose Although previous studies have shown that geographic variation in the decline of stroke mortality rates may be an important contributor to the changing geographic distribution of stroke mortality in the United States, some concern has been raised that this phenomenon may be model dependent. This study examines the geographic variation in the decline of stroke mortality rates in the United States with the use of both additive and multiplicative models. Methods National Center for Health Statistics and Bureau of the Census data were used to assess regional-level temporal trends of underlying-cause stroke mortality rates in the United States for 1979 through 1989. Both additive and multiplicative models were fit to the data. Results Underlying-cause stroke mortality rates have declined fairly steadily in all regions of the United States and for all race-sex groups, although there was significant regional variation in the rate of decline during the period 1979 through 1989. The South, w...
Fiber Bragg grating high-magnetic-field probe

We describe a novel fiber probe for monitoring a.c. high magnetic fields which is based on detecting the shift in the Bragg condition of a fiber Bragg grating due to magnetically induced circular birefringence. The technique should be usable over a wide range for fields above 1 Gauss.
Emotional content of talk to the fetus and healthy coping behaviors during pregnancy

This study examined whether the emotional content of talk to the self and to the fetus were related to health behaviors and psychosocial factors during pregnancy. One hundred fifty-two third-trimester pregnant women attending childbirth preparation classes completed a survey containing the Intrapersonal Communication Questionnaire, which sampled spontaneous talk to the self (self-talk) and to the fetus (baby-talk), and which yielded ratings of emotional valence of talk quotations into positive, negative, neutral, and mixed categories; the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale; and indices for life stress, social support, and consumption behaviors. Baby-talk was more positive whereas self-talk was more negative, or emotionally distressed. More mixed baby-talk occurred with more medicine consumption, and medicine consumption was also related to lower self-esteem and more life stress. More negative baby-talk occurred when cigarette and caffeine consumption was higher. Emotional content of maternal talk to the fetus might indicate development of maternal bonding, and specific emotional contents might be related to health-relevant coping behaviors, for example, consumption of cigarettes and caffeine. Clinical implications for maternal behaviors after birth are discussed. Cette etude a examine dans quelle mesure le contenu emotionnel du dialogue avec soi et le foetus etaient lits a des comportements sains et a des facteurs psychosociaux pendant le grossesse. 150 femmes dans leur troisieme trimestre de grossesse se rendant A des cours de preparation a l'accouchement ont repondu a une enquěte contenant 1 le Questionnaire de Communication Intrapersonnelle qui echantillonait des dialogues spontanes avec le soi (dialogue avec soi-měme) et avec le foetus (dialogue-bebe) et qui presentait des classements de valence emotionnelle d'extraits de dialogue en categories positive, negative, neutre, mixte; 2 1'Echelle de Confiance en Soi Rosenberg; 3 des indices de stress, de soutien social, et des comportements de consommation. Le dialogue-bebe etait plus positif, alors que le dialogue avec soiměme etait plus negatif, ou emotionnellement douloureux. Plus de dialogue-bebe mixte avait lieu avec plus de consommation de medicaments, et la consommation de medicaments etait aussi liee a une confiance en soi moindre et a un stress plus important. Plus de dialogue-bebe negatif avait lieu quand la consommation de cigarette et de cafeine etait plus elevee. Le contenu emotionnel du dialogue maternel avec le foetus pourrait indiquer le developpement du lien maternel, et des contenus emotionnels speifiques pourraient ětre lies a des comportements d'adaptation ayant rapport a la sante comme par exemple la consommation de cigarettes et de cafeine. Des implications cliniques de comportements maternels apres la naissance sont discutees.
Antibody drug conjugates.

Purpose of review Antibody conjugates are a diverse complex class of therapeutics, consisting of a potent cytotoxic agent linked covalently to an antibody or antibody fragment directed toward a specific cell surface target expressed by tumor cells or an extracellular target, that are having impact in the clinic. The notion that antibodies directed toward targets on the surface of malignant cells could be used for drug delivery is not new. The more than 30-year history of antibody conjugates is marked by hurdles that have been identified and overcome. Recent findings Technology is continuing to evolve the protein and small molecule components, and it is likely that soon single-chemical entities will be the norm for antibody drug conjugates. More than 20 antibody conjugates are currently in clinical trials. Summary The time has arrived for this technology to become a major contributor to improving treatment for cancer patients.
Role of the Yersinia pestis Hemin Storage (hms) Locus in the Transmission of Plague by Fleas

Yersinia pestis, the cause of bubonic plague, is transmitted by the bites of infected fleas. Biological transmission of plague depends on blockage of the foregut of the flea by a mass of plague bacilli. Blockage was found to be dependent on the hemin storage (hms) locus. Yersinia pestis hms mutants established long-term infection of the flea's midgut but failed to colonize the proventriculus, the site in the foregut where blockage normally develops. Thus, the hms locus markedly alters the course of Y. pestis infection in its insect vector, leading to a change in blood-feeding behavior and to efficient transmission of plague.
Vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal inoculum potential affects the growth of Stryphnodendron microstachyum seedlings in a Costa Rican human tropical lowland

This study used a plant bioassay to investigate the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) inoculum potential of soil from three vegetation types (fern, secondary forest, and grass) in an abandoned pasture in the tropical humid lowlands at La Selva, in northeastern Costa Rica. Growth, measured as seedling height, number of leaves, and total (above- and belowground) biomass, of Stryphnodendron microstachyum Poepp. et Endl. (Synon. S. excelsum Harms) seedlings was significantly lower when grown in soil inoculum from the fern areas than in soil inoculum from the forest and grass areas. However, S. microstachyum seedlings grown in the fern inoculum had significantly greater VAM colonization than seedlings grown in the forest and grass inoculum. In addition, roots collected from a dominant plant species from each of the three vegetation types showed that the fern (Nephrolepsis biserrata) had significantly greater mycorrhizal colonization than the tree (Pentaclethra macroloba (Willd.) Kuntze or the grass (Brachiaria spp.). The results of this study suggest that differences in mycorrhizal inoculum potential among vegetation types and its effects on seedling growth may have important implications for the restoration and management of degraded lands.
Methylene: A study of the X̃ 3B1 and ã 1A1 states by photoelectron spectroscopy of CH−2 and CD−2

Photoelectron spectra are reported for the CH2(X 3B1)+e−←CH−2 (X 2B1) and CH2(a 1A1)+e−←CH−2 (X 2B1) transitions of the methylene and perdeuterated methylene anions, using a new flowing afterglow photoelectron spectrometer with improved energy resolution (11 meV). Rotational relaxation of the ions to ∼300 K and partial vibrational relaxation to <1000 K in the flowing afterglow negative ion source reveal richly structured photoelectron spectra. Detailed rotational band contour analyses yield an electron affinity of 0.652±0.006 eV and a singlet–triplet splitting of 9.00±0.09 kcal/mol for CH2. (See also the following paper by Bunker and Sears.) For CD2, results give an electron affinity of 0.645±0.006 eV and a singlet–triplet splitting of 8.98±0.09 kcal/mol. Deuterium shifts suggest a zero point vibrational contribution of 0.27±0.40 kcal/mol to the observed singlet–triplet splitting, implying a Te value of 8.7±0.5 kcal/mol. Vibrational and partially resolved rotational structure is observed up to ∼9000 c...
An experiment in the education of the preprofessional mental health worker: The Purdue program

Purdue University has initiated and is researching an associate degree program to educate a middlelevel generalist for the field of mental health. There is evidence of an upsurge of interest in this type of program across the country. The background, rationale, objectives, present status, and other relevant parameters of this pilot project are reviewed. The implications of the impact of this type of worker upon mental health theory and practice are discussed as are certain constraints and problems encountered.
Validation of model of external-cavity semiconductor laser and extrapolation from five-element to multielement fiber-coupled high-power laser

The model used to explain the operation of an external cavity containing five discrete antireflection (AR)-coated semiconductor lasers and a spatial filter to assure coherent output from the cavity has been experimentally validated. This model predicts that the external cavity will operate as a coherent source with a multitude of discrete individual lasers and/or monolithic arrays. Control by an external cavity of the series combination of an optical fiber and an AR-coated semiconductor laser has previously been demonstrated. For systems requiring high average-power operation, distributed AR-coated lasers that are fiber-coupled into an external cavity provide a potential alternative to broad-area lasers or monolithic laser arrays with high density of power dissipation which must use thermoelectric or other cooling. An annular input to the external cavity from an array of fibers is proposed for high beam quality. >
Host response in the white shrimp, Penaeus setiferus, to infection by the larval trypanorhynchid cestode, Prochristianella penaei

Abstract White shrimp, Penaeus setiferus, infected by the plerocercoid larva of the trypanorhynchid cestode, Prochristianella penaei, respond to infections in the heptaopancreas by developing a progressively denser cyst, composed of hemocytes, fibroblasts, and collagenlike fibers, around the parasite. The pleocercoid is eventually destroyed and resorbed leaving a dense fibrous capsule in the hepatopancreas. Worms in the adjacent hemocoel are encapsulated by a thin host cyst and a less intense infiltration of cells and deposition of fibers, insufficient to destroy the pleroceroid. It is believed that the resorption process explains the drop in intensity of infection in juvenile white shrimp after a certain size is attained.
An analytical-numerical alternating method for elastic-plastic analysis of cracks

A new algorithm based on the Schwartz-Neumann alternating technique is developed for the solution of elastic-plastic fracture mechanics problems. An analytical solution for an elastic crack, with arbitrary crack-face loading, is used inside an initial stress iterative procedure as an addition to the finite element solution for the uncracked body. Iteration processes of the alternating method and of the initial stress method are performed simultaneously. Numerical examples show that the proposed elastic-plastic alternating method in conjunction with the equivalent domain integral method provides reasonable values of the J-integral.
Global Darwin: Contempt for competition.

Darwin's idea of the 'struggle for existence' struck a chord with his fellow countrymen. But Russians rejected the alien metaphor, says Daniel Todes, in the second of four weekly pieces on reactions to evolutionary theory.
Laparoendoscopic single site surgery can be performed completely with standard equipment.

Purpose To determine the feasibility of laparoendoscopic single site surgery (LESS) with nonarticulating instruments and conventional trocars. Methods After Institutional Review Board approval, a prospective database was used to identify 30 patients who underwent LESS. All procedures were begun using three 5 mm trocars, nonarticulating instruments, and a 5 mm, 30-degree laparoscope. Results Twenty-six patients underwent LESS cholecystectomy. Four patients underwent LESS appendectomy; 2 for acute appendicitis and 2 for interval appendectomy. The mean patient age was 37.1 ± 14 years for the cholecystectomy group and 29.3 ± 2.2 years for the appendectomy group. Mean body mass index was 28.4 ± 7 kg/m2 for the cholecystectomy group and 25 ± 5.6 kg/m2 for the appendectomy group. Eight patients (31%) undergoing LESS cholecystectomy required an additional 5 mm port; 6 (26%) required 1 additional port for gallbladder retraction, 1 case (4%) required 2 additional ports to control cystic artery bleeding, and 1 case (4%) was converted to a traditional 4 trocar cholecystectomy because of chronic inflammation and multiple adhesions. None of the patients in the appendectomy group required an additional port. The mean operative time was 94 ± 19 minutes for cholecystectomy and 65 ± 19 minutes for appendectomy. Ninety-two percent (N=24) of patients in the laparoscopic cholecystectomy group were discharged within 24 hours. One patient underwent postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with bile duct stone removal and was discharged after 48 hours. One patient remained until postoperative day 2 for pain control. All patients in the LESS appendectomy group were discharged within 24 hours. There were no postoperative complications. Conclusions Although operative time for LESS is increased compared with laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendectomy, LESS can be performed safely. In our institutional experience, LESS was successfully performed using standard laparoscopic instruments, laparoscope, and trocars. Although longer follow-up is necessary, early data supports the feasibility and safety of LESS. A low threshold should exist for the addition of extra trocars, especially during a surgeon's early experience with LESS.
Electricity pooling markets with elastic demand: A mechanism design approach

In the restructured electricity industry, electricity pooling markets are an oligopoly with strategic producers possessing private information (private production cost function). We focus on pooling markets where aggregate demand is represented by a non-strategic agent. We consider demand to be elastic. We propose a market mechanism that has the following features. (F1) It is individually rational. (F2) It is budget balanced. (F3) It is price efficient, that is, at equilibrium the price of electricity is equal to the marginal cost of production. (F4) The energy production profile corresponding to every nonzero Nash equilibrium of the game induced by the mechanism is a solution of the corresponding centralized problem where the objective is the maximization of the sum of the producers' and consumers' utilities. We identify some open problems associated with our approach to electricity pooling markets.
Strong natural selection during plant restoration favors an unexpected suite of plant traits

Restoration is an opportunity to study natural selection: One can measure the distribution of traits in source propagules used to found populations, compare this with the distribution of traits in successful recruits, and determine the strength and direction of selection on potentially adaptive traits. We investigated whether natural selection influenced seedling establishment during postfire restoration in the Great Basin, an area where large-scale restoration occurs with a few widely available cultivars planted over a large range of environmental conditions. We collected seeds from established plants of the perennial grass Elymus elymoides ssp. californicus (squirreltail) at two restoration sites and compared the distribution of phenotypic traits of surviving plants with the original pool of restoration seeds. Seeds were planted in common gardens for two generations. Plants grown from seeds that established in the field were a nonrandom subset of the original seeds, with directional selection consistently favoring a correlated suite of traits in both field sites: small plant and seed size, and earlier flowering phenology. These results demonstrate that natural selection can affect restoration establishment in strong and predictable ways and that adaptive traits in these sites were opposite of the current criteria used for selection of restoration material in this system.
Social media infrastructure: supporting communication practices from behind the scenes

In this poster, I propose a design for a communication infrastructure to support social media practices in businesses and organizations. Many professional social media efforts are poorly conceived and executed due to a limited understanding of how social media should function for professional purposes. Yet, through a simple model that begins with the development of policies and strategic plans, and includes audit, legal considerations, and style, many of the risks and uncertainties of social media can be mitigated. The poster presented here outlines key areas for this communication infrastructure and seeks input as to how the model could be expanded.
Comparing a MWIR and LWIR polarimetric imager for surface swimmer detection

Previously, we have investigated the use of Long-Wave Infra-Red (LWIR) polarimetric imaging for the detection of surface swimmers in a maritime environment. While better contrast and longer range are expected with Mid-Wave Infra-Red (MWIR) polarimetric imaging, the cost of such a system is higher than a polarimetric imager operating in the LWIR due to the advent of higher-performance micro-bolometer imaging arrays. The actual performance of a MWIR polarimetric imager to detect a person in the water is presented. A comparative analysis of system cost between MWIR and LWIR systems is also discussed.
Microbial iron respiration: impacts on corrosion processes

In this review, we focus on how biofilms comprising iron-respiring bacteria influence steel corrosion. Specifically, we discuss how biofilm growth can affect the chemistry of the environment around the steel at different stages of biofilm development, under static or dynamic fluid regimes. We suggest that a mechanistic understanding of the role of biofilm metabolic activity may facilitate corrosion control.
HIV-infected patients show impaired cellular immune response to influenza vaccination, compared to healthy subjects

Detailed data on cellular immune response to influenza vaccination in HIV-infected patients are lacking. We analyzed cellular (IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IFN-γ, TNF-α, GM-CSF) and humoral (IgG and IgM) immune response in 81 HIV-infected and 30 HIV-negative subjects, before (T0) and 4 weeks (T1) after receiving a single dose of trivalent MF59-adjuvanted influenza vaccine. No difference in humoral response (IgG or IgM) was demonstrated between the two groups. While an increase in most cytokines from T0 to T1 was observed in HIV-uninfected subjects, cytokines production did not significantly increased in HIV-infected patients. Exploring Th1 response, higher CD8 cells count was significantly associated with lower post-vaccination IFNγ levels, while a higher CD4 cells count was associated with a greater response. Exploring Th2 response, higher HIV viral load was significantly associated with reduced post-vaccination IL-10 levels. In conclusion, in HIV-infected patients influenza vaccination could have good efficacy in sustaining humoral response but cellular response appeared impaired.
The hexose monophosphate pathway in ethylnitrosourea induced tumors of the nervous system.

— Respiration studies in vitro, in which tissue slices were incubated with [1-14C]glucose or [6-14C]glucose and 14CO2 collected, resulted in C-1/C-6 14CO2 ratios that were higher in slices of tumor and newborn brain than in slices of adult brain. In adult brain, the C-1/C-6 14CO2 ratio averaged close to unity. In slices of tumor and newborn brain however, the mean C-1/C-6 ratio was greater than three. Addition of phenazine methosulfate (PMS) increased conversion of [1-14C]glucose to 14CO2 in slices of normal adult brain 5-fold, and in slices of newborn brain and tumor, approx 12-fold. Injection of animals with 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN) decreased conversion of [1-14C]glucose in slices of normal brain 30% but decreased conversion in tumor slices by 80%. Evidence supports the presence of an active hexose monophosphate pathway (HMP) in tumors of the nervous system regulated in part by available NADP+ levels. Inhibition by 6-AN was more effective in tumors than in normal adult brain.
Enhancement of the Aharonov-Bohm effect of neutral excitons in semiconductor nanorings with an electric field

This work demonstrates that the Aharonov-Bohm effect for excitons, practically indistinguishable from the numerical noise without an applied electric field, becomes clearly evident in the optical absorption once the electric field is applied in the plane containing the nanoring. The enhancement arises as a result of the field-induced delocalization of the relative electron-hole motion around the entire ring. The excitonic effects are essential to describe even qualitatively the absorption spectra.
Coolant mixing and subchannel velocities in an LMFBR fuel assembly

Abstract Experimental mixing studies were conducted using water with a 91-pin wire-wrapped fuel assembly to establish a data base for calibrating thermal-hydraulic codes and to supplement and clarify existing mixing data. An electrolytic tracer was employed in conjunction with an isokinetic sampling technique which permitted mixed mean subchannel concentrations and flowrates to be measured without incurring errors resulting from local subchannel gradients. Emphasis was placed upon the behavior of peripheral subchannels. A complete set of mixing data was obtained which can be used to calibrate thermal-hydraulic codes. Isokinetic velocity measurements revealed that the pitch-average corner, edge, and central subchannel velocities were nearly equal to the bundle average velocity. It was shown that the average peripheral swirl velocity was approximately 1.2 times greater than predicted assuming the fluid follows the wire-wraps. Also the magnitude of the average swirl flow decreases with increasing bundle size. Parametric studies revealed that neither the velocity nor concentration profiles were sensitive to Reynolds number in the range Re = 9000–24000.
Medicaid Managed Care and Health Care Access for Adult Beneficiaries with Disabilities

After more than a decade of experimentation with Medicaid managed care (MMC) for adults with disabilities (AWD), there is little evidence about how this policy change influences beneficiaries' access to health care (Ireys, Thornton, and McKay 2002). Yet the health and quality of life of persons with disabilities is particularly sensitive to the accessibility of their health care (Iezzoni 2002; Lawthers et al. 2003; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 2005; Iezzoni and O'Day 2006;). While the relative effects of MMC on care access for nondisabled adults have been well studied (Zuckerman, Brennan, and Yemane 2002; Garrett, Davidoff, and Yemane 2003; Garrett and Zuckerman 2005; Kaestner, Dubay, and Kenney 2005; Le Cook 2007;), scholars caution against generalizing from such research to a population with a substantially different health profile (Rowland et al. 1995; Sisk et al. 1996; Currie and Fahr 2005;). Recognizing this gap between research and practice, Medicaid programs and the research community are building an evidence base to inform decisions about how best to care for this population (Landon et al. 2004; California Department of Health Services 2005; Volpel, O'Brien, and Weiner 2005; Center for Health Care Strategies Inc. 2006;). This study contributes to that effort by assessing health care access and preventive care use for AWDs in Medicaid managed care organizations (MCOs) relative to fee-for-service (FFS). I apply two evaluation strategies to a nationally representative sample in an effort to reconcile the extant population-specific findings (Lo Sasso and Freund 2000; Coughlin, Long, and Graves 2009;). First, I assess the effect of being enrolled in an MCO relative to FFS, an evaluation perspective that may be most relevant to beneficiaries, advocacy groups, and to the program staff who monitor health plan performance (Highsmith and Somers 2003). The second evaluation strategy adopts the state's perspective and assesses the effect of MCO implementation on the total eligible population, including beneficiaries who opt out of MCOs or choose FFS where it is an option. This perspective may be particularly relevant to policy makers within, and outside of, Medicaid programs because it captures the overall impact of this programmatic change, including any potential spillover effects (Currie and Fahr 2005).
An auxiliary power unit for advanced aircraft electric power systems

Abstract This article presents a comprehensive model and characterization of the Advanced Aircraft Electric Power Systems (AAEPS) with a hybrid Fuel Cell (FC)/battery Auxiliary Power Unit (APU). A model of fully controlled AAEPS for Boeing 767 is implemented in PSIM9 software environment. Also, a circuit model representation of the hybrid Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) FC/battery APU is developed and integrated into the main power channel of a Variable Speed Constant Frequency (VSCF) aircraft electric power system at the main DC bus. The transient performance of the interconnected electric power system is studied under a large share of nonlinear loads. Moreover, the fuel cell based APU integrated model is extended to investigate the dynamic behavior of the AAEPS under various loading configurations. The entire system's stability is analyzed while different loading scenarios are taken into account. Several case studies are performed in order to measure the effectiveness and applicability of the proposed hybrid APU in an advanced aircraft operation. The time-domain analysis corresponding to each study is performed. Also, the obtained voltage and current data are validated using applicable aircraft electric power system's standards [20] . Finally, a bench model is developed for the hybrid APU to verify the simulation results from PSIM9 model.
p21-activated Protein Kinase γ-PAK Suppresses Programmed Cell Death of BALB3T3 Fibroblasts

In response to stress stimulants, cells activate opposing signaling pathways for cell survival and programmed cell death. p21-activated protein kinase γ-PAK is involved in both cell survival and cell death pathways. Many stress stimulants activate γ-PAK as a full-length enzyme and as a proteolytic fragment. Caspase-mediated proteolytic activation parallels cell death and appears to be a pro-apoptotic factor in stress-induced cell death. Here, we show that activation of full-length γ-PAK promotes cell survival and suppresses stress-induced cell death. Expression of constitutively active γ-PAK-T402E, which mimics activated full-length γ-PAK, stimulates cell survival of BALB3T3 fibroblasts in response to tumor necrosis factor α, growth factor withdrawal, and UVC light. This stimulation of cell survival is mainly due to protection of cells from cell death rather than by stimulation of proliferation. Expression of γ-PAK-T402E increases phosphorylation of the pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family protein Bad and protects from cell death induced by ectopic expression of Bad. In response to tumor necrosis factor α, expression of γ-PAK-T402E increases the early but reduces the late activation of ERK, JNK, and p38. Our results indicate that the ubiquitous γ-PAK may have a crucial function in cell survival by regulating the pro-apoptotic activity of Bad and the stress-induced activation of ERK, JNK, and p38 pathways.
Does the emergency exception from informed consent process protect research subjects

Although subject protection is the cornerstone of medical ethics, when considered in the context of research using emergency exception from informed consent, its success is debatable. The participants of a breakout session at the 2005 Academic Emergency Medicine Consensus Conference discussed the issues surrounding subject protection and advanced the following recommendations. 1) There are no outcome measures that define ‘‘protection’’; therefore, it is not currently known whether or not subjects are protected under the current rules. 2) Care must be taken to protect not only the individual from harm during research but also to protect society from unregulated research in other countries and an inability to appropriately advance medical knowledge. 3) Some surrogate markers/methods of protection whose efficacies are debatable include data safety monitoring board activity, the community consultation and public notification (CC/PN) process, and institutional review board approval. 4) Minimal-risk studies should be held to different standards of protection than those that involve more significant risk to the subject. 5) A handful of studies have been published regarding community consultation and notification, and the majority are case studies. Those that are specifically designed to discover the mostsuccessfulmethodsarehinderedbyalackofformaloutcomes measures and tend to have negative results. 6) Followup data from the CC/PN process should be disclosed to the Food and Drug Administration and incorporated into study designs. 7) Focus groups and/or random-digit dialing have been suggested as promising methods for fulfilling the CC/PN requirements. 8) Studies need to be funded and performedthatformallyinvestigatethebestmeansofCC/PN.9) More funding for this research should be a priority in the emergency medicine and critical care communities. More data regarding terminated studies should be made available to the research community. 10) Quantifiable markers of success for CC/PN must be validated so that research may determine the most successful methods. 11) Data regarding subjects’ and family members’ experiences with exception from informed consent studies need to be obtained. Key words: informed consent; ethics; medical research; emergencies; resuscitation; emergency medicine. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2005; 12:1056‐1059.
Scattering from two-dimensional objects embedded in multilayered media

The paper presents a hybrid numerical model for simulating electromagnetic scattering from a two dimensional object embedded in multilayered media. The domain is first divided into interior and exterior regions using a cylindrical surface. Finite element formulation is used to solve for the field in the internal region, and the solution of the field is used to find the induced current in the elements that discretize the 2D object. The scatterer is represented as a summation of line sources embedded in multilayered media, and the scattered field is found by summing the contributions from these sources. Simulation results are presented. >
New infrastructural needs for improving efficiency of future distribution systems

Summary form only given. The deregulation of electric utility systems all around the world has created the need to plan and operate distribution companies efficiently and effectively. Fortunately the infusion of new technologies have provided avenues to achieve desirable levels of performance. The technologies that are being actively explores include distributed energy resources, high power electronic devices, communication and information systems, microsensors and latest control and protection schemes. Distribution companies are aggressively exploring all available options to arrive at both short- and long-term solutions to achieve proper balance between economy and efficiency. This presentation will address approaches pursued by specific distribution utilities in the U.S. and in India on a comparative basis. The drivers in each utility case depend on the location, size, density, capacity, cost and other relevant parameters.
Simultaneous Minor Component Extraction via Weighted Inverse Rayleigh Quotient

New criteria are proposed for extracting multiple minor components associated with the covariance matrix of an input process. The proposed minor component analysis (MCA) algorithms are based on optimizing a weighted inverse Rayleigh quotient so that the optimum weights at equilibrium points are exactly the desired eigenvectors of a covariance matrix instead of an arbitrary orthonormal basis of the minor subspace. Variations of the derived MCA learning rules are obtained by imposing orthogonal and quadratic constraints and change of variables. Some of the proposed algorithms can also perform PCA by merely changing the sign of the step-size. These algorithms may be seen as MCA counterparts of Oja's and Xu's systems for computing multiple principal component analysis. Simulation results to demonstrate algorithm performance are also presented.
Femtosecond X-ray pulses from a spatially chirped electron bunch in a SASE FEL

We propose a simple method to produce short x-ray pulses using a spatially chirped electron bunch in a SASE FEL. The spatial chirp is generated using an rf deflector which produces a transverse offset (in y and/or y') correlated with the longitudinal bunch position. Since the FEL gain is very sensitive to an initial offset in the transverse phase space at the entrance of the undulator, only a small portion of the electron bunch with relatively small transverse offset will interact significantly with the radiation, resulting in an x-ray pulse length much shorter than the electron bunch length. The x-ray pulse is also naturally phase locked to the rf deflector and so allows high precision timing synchronization. We discuss the generation and transport of such a spatially chirped electron beam and show that tens of femtosecond long pulse can be generated for the linac coherent light source (LCLS).
Assessment of β-Cell Mass and α- and β-Cell Survival and Function by Arginine Stimulation in Human Autologous Islet Recipients

We used intravenous arginine with measurements of insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon to examine β-cell and α-cell survival and function in a group of 10 chronic pancreatitis recipients 1–8 years after total pancreatectomy and autoislet transplantation. Insulin and C-peptide responses correlated robustly with the number of islets transplanted (correlation coefficients range 0.81–0.91; P < 0.01–0.001). Since a wide range of islets were transplanted, we normalized the insulin and C-peptide responses to the number of islets transplanted in each recipient for comparison with responses in normal subjects. No significant differences were observed in terms of magnitude and timing of hormone release in the two groups. Three recipients had a portion of the autoislets placed within their peritoneal cavities, which appeared to be functioning normally up to 7 years posttransplant. Glucagon responses to arginine were normally timed and normally suppressed by intravenous glucose infusion. These findings indicate that arginine stimulation testing may be a means of assessing the numbers of native islets available in autologous islet transplant candidates and is a means of following posttransplant α- and β-cell function and survival.
When Human Rights and Cultural Values Collide What Do We Value

This reaction article commends the authors of the Major Contribution articles for their courage and creativity in responding to a tension in the field of multicultural training. In an effort to extend the conversation on how the field should respond when cultural values collide in the training of psychologists, this reaction highlights some of the most provocative points raised in the Major Contribution and, in particular, expands on what are arguably the most contentious aspects of reconciling cultural conflicts in the training process: those conflicts involving religious beliefs.