cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of fluconazole, amphotericin B and flucytosine in treatment of a murine model of disseminated infection with Candida glabrata in immunocompromised mice

Candida glabrata is an emerging opportunist pathogen in immunosuppressed patients. C. glabrata is resistant to many antifungal agents and until recently, there have been no standard treatment regimens for this organism. A mouse model was established using mice immunosuppressed with 5 fluorouracil to evaluate amphotericin B, flucytosine, fluconazole and their combinations to treat an intravenously induced C. glabrata infection. Treatment with fluconazole, flucytosine, amphotericin B or a combination was begun one day after infection. Following 5 days of treatment, the mice were killed for fungal counts in kidneys and spleen. At the doses used, amphotericin B was superior to fluconazole or flucytosine alone in the treatment of C. glabrata infections. Flucytosine reduced the fungal burden in the kidney for only two of four isolates of C. glabrata. The combination of fluconazole and flucytosine was superior to these agents alone in reducing the tissue burden in the kidney for one isolate of C. glabrata. High doses of fluconazole alone produced modest reductions in kidney counts but did not reduce spleen tissue counts. There was poor correlation between in-vitro MICs and in-vivo results.
Water spray mitigation of hydrofluoric acid releases

Abstract Two series of tests were conducted in flow chambers to assess the effectiveness of water spray in mitigating releases of hydrogen fluoride (HF). Bench scale experiments identified key variables for testing in a larger facility. The larger scale field tests demonstrated that HF releases can be mitigated with water, and also quantified the impact of numerous design variables on mitigation effectiveness. HF removal efficiencies of 25–90% were demonstrated at water to HF liquid ratios of 6:1 to 40:1.
The impact of information systems on organizations and markets

The adoption of information technology (IT) in organizations has been growing at a rapid pace. The use of the technology has evolved from the automation of structured processes to systems that are truly revolutionary in that they introduce change into fundamental business procedures. Indeed, it is believed that “More than being helped by computers, companies will live by them, shaping strategy and structure to fit new information technology [25].” While the importance of the relationship between information technology and organizational change is evidenced by the considerable literature on the subject,1 there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of these issues from the economic perspective. The aim of this article is to develop an economic understanding of how information systems affect some key measures of organization structure.
Ignition of hydrogen-enriched methane by heated air☆

Abstract This study investigates experimentally and computationally the effects of hydrogen addition on ignition in nonpremixed, counterflowing methane vs. heated air jets for ambient pressures between 0.2 and 8.0 atm, hydrogen concentrations in the range 0–60% by volume, and pressure-weighted strain rates of 150, 300, and 350 s−1. The effect of flow strain rate was further investigated computationally for strain rates between 100 and 10,000 s−1. Hydrogen addition was found to significantly improve methane ignition through a mechanism of increased radical production and weakening of kinetic inhibition by diffusive separation of branching and termination reactions. Three ignition regimes were identified, depending on the H2 concentration: 1) hydrogen-assisted methane ignition, 2) transition, and 3) hydrogen-dominated ignition. Both experiments and modeling indicated two-stage ignition within the first two regimes, with the first stage controlled by radical runaway, and the second stage involving thermal feedback. The controlling chemistry within the three ignition regimes was investigated using the Computational Singular Perturbation (CSP) method applied to conditions within an ignition kernel identified similar to previous studies on counterflow ignition. Chemical heat release was shown to be indispensable at ignition in the first two regimes, but negligible within the third, kinetically dominated regime, except at high pressures. Similarly, transport effects were found to be significant in regimes 1) and 2), but the ignition temperatures were largely insensitive to strain within the third regime. Methane addition to the H2/N2/air system was found to inhibit ignition at low and moderate pressures, while facilitating it at pressures greater than ∼ 5 atm, primarily because of the interaction with the HO2/H2O2 chemistry which is dominant in these regimes. A CSP-derived skeletal mechanism was found to represent, within a 3% deviation, the ignition temperatures and species concentrations calculated using the full mechanism.
A comparison of the bremsstrahlung yields from 53 keV electrons on gold targets produced by PENELOPE and experiment

We compare the predictions for the bremsstrahlung probability densities for 53 keV electrons on gold targets produced by the Monte Carlo program, PENELOPE, to experimental results. A comparison of the results indicates that bremsstrahlung produced by solid targets is best described by ordinary bremsstrahlung alone and that there are no significant polarizational bremsstrahlung contributions.
Emerging resistive switching memory technologies: Overview and current status

Resistive memory technologies, in particular redox random access memory (ReRAM), are poised as one of the most prominent emerging memory categories to replace NAND flash and fill the important need for a Storage Class Memory (SCM). This is due to low switching energy, low current switching, high speed, outstanding endurance, scalability below 10 nm, and excellent back-end-of-line CMOS compatibility. Furthermore, the analog aspects of memristors have opened the door for many novel applications such as analog math accelerators and neuromorphic computers. This paper provides an overview of resistive memory technologies and their current status, with a focus on redox RAM (ReRAM).
Damage detection using multivariate recurrence quantification analysis

Abstract Recurrence-quantification analysis (RQA) has emerged as a useful tool for detecting subtle non-stationarities and/or changes in time-series data. Here, we extend the RQA analysis methods to multivariate observations and present a method by which the “length scale” parameter e (the only parameter required for RQA) may be selected. We then apply the technique to the difficult engineering problem of damage detection. The structure considered is a finite element model of a rectangular steel plate where damage is represented as a cut in the plate, starting at one edge and extending from 0% to 25% of the plate width in 5% increments. Time series, recorded at nine separate locations on the structure, are used to reconstruct the phase space of the system's dynamics and subsequently generate the multivariate recurrence (and cross-recurrence) plots. Multivariate RQA is then used to detect damage-induced changes to the structural dynamics. These results are then compared with shifts in the plate's natural frequencies. Two of the RQA-based features are found to be more sensitive to damage than are the plate's frequencies.
Expression of Scavenger Receptor Class B, Type I, by Astrocytes and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Normal Adult Mouse and Human Brain and in Alzheimer’s Disease Brain

In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), fibrillar β-amyloid protein (fAβ) accumulates in the walls of cerebral vessels associated with vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs), endothelium, and pericytes, and with microglia and astrocytes in plaques in the brain parenchyma. Scavenger receptor class A (SR-A) and class B, type I (SR-BI) mediate binding and ingestion of fAβ by cultured human fetal microglia, microglia from newborn mice, and by cultured SMCs. Our findings that SR-BI participates in the adhesion of cultured microglia from newborn SR-A knock-out mice to fAβ-coated surfaces, and that microglia secrete reactive oxygen species when they adhere to these surfaces prompted us to explore expression of SR-BI in vivo. We report here that astrocytes and SMCs in normal adult mouse and human brains and in AD brains express SR-BI. In contrast, microglia in normal adult mouse and human brains and in AD brains do not express SR-BI. These findings indicate that SR-BI may mediate interactions between astrocytes or SMCs and fAβ, but not of microglia and fAβ, in AD, and that expression of SR-BI by rodent microglia is developmentally regulated. They suggest that SR-BI expression also is developmentally regulated in human microglia.
Status report on flood warning systems in the United States

One of the major changes in flash-flood mitigation in the past decade is the number of communities that have implemented warning systems. The authors conducted a survey of 18 early-warning systems in the United States developed by communities or regions to provide protection against flash floods or dam failures. Problems revealed by the study included the following: equipment malfunctions, inadequate maintenance funding, inconsistent levels of protection and expenditure, inconsistent levels of expectations and formalization, varying levels of local commitment to the systems, underemphasis on response capability, and a tendency to over-rely on warning systems. The study also revealed some unanticipated benefits experienced by the survey communities: the warning systems serve as valuable data collection tools, a great deal of interagency cooperation has been demonstrated, and warning systems offer increased alternatives to structural modification projects. The interjurisdictional nature of drainage basins, the evolving roles of the various federal agencies involved in flood mitigation, and the lack of governmental standards of operations for flood warning systems are issues that must be considered as communities make decisions regarding the adoption of warning systems. The record on these systems is too short for a precise assessment of how successful they are; however, results of the study indicate that if the goal of reducing loss of life and property from flooding is to be achieved, warning systems must be only one part of a comprehensive flood loss reduction program.
Nd isotopic evidence from Wopmay orogen for 2.0−2.4 Ga crust in western North America

Abstract Nd isotopic data from the 1.9 Ga Wopmay Orogen, N.W.T., Canada, strongly suggest the involvement of crust in the range of 2.0–2.4 Ga. Remnants of three compositionally diverse magmatic arcs (1940–1902 Ma, 1890–1880 Ma, and 1875–1840 Ma) are preserved in Wopmay Orogen. Each of the three arcs originated west of the limit of exposed Archean crust. Nineteen samples of plutonic and volcanic rocks from the three arcs yield a narrow range of initial eNd from −1.8 to +0.3. There is no apparent correlation between eNd and geographic distribution, nor with whole-rock chemistry (SiO2 = 54–75%). Two basalt samples from west of the Archean have initial eNd's between +2 and +3. Two 1.87 Ga granites which intrude through Archean crust have much lower initial eNd's of −5.9 and −8.6. The data from the three magmatic arcs are best interpreted in terms of a source region which had a very limited range of eNd at 1.9 Ga which we interpret as 2.0–2.4 Ga crust, presumably Hottah Terrane basement; Wopmay Fault Zone is therefore the surface manifestation of a suture between 2.0–2.4 Ga Hottah Terrane and the Archean Slave Craton. There is a growing body of data which suggests that much of western North America may be underlain by 2.0–2.4 Ga crust. Geochronologic and isotopic data from other Precambrian cratons also suggest that 2.0–2.4 Ga crust may be much more widespread than previously thought. Models of crustal growth which interpret 1.9–1.7 Ga crust as mixtures of Archean crust and Proterozoic depleted mantle may be overestimating the amount of juvenile material added to the crust in this time period.
Overview of International Society for Impotence Research

The anatomy and physiology of erection and the pathophysiology and diagnosis of impotente were wel1 covered in this meeting. Some important advances toward the development of a unified theory of the physiology of erection were presented. Torn Lue, of the United States, presented convincing evidente that the sinusoids and arterioles of the corpora cavernosa are in a contracted state, and the penile veins are open during penile flaccidity. During erection, the arterioles and sinusoids relax, distending the sinusoidal spaces and compressing the subtunical venous plexus against the undersurface of the tunica albuginea. This is one model for the closing mechanism of the corpus cavernosum. Lue suggested that venogenic impotente due to a corporeal leak could develop from congenital anomalies of the caverneus veins, fibrosis of the sinusoids due to aging, or inadequate production of caverneus neurotransmitters. In addition, it was shown by several authors that arterial inflow to the corpus cavernosum produces intracavernous pressures of up to systolic levels but no higher. Superimposed on this,
Site specific induction of gene conversion: the effects of homozygosity of the ade6 mutant M26 of Schizosaccharomyces pombe on meiotic gene conversion.

The ade6 mutant M26 of the yeast Schizosaccharomyces pombe uniquely influences both intragenic recombination and gene conversion of markers within its locus. To determine whether the marker effect of M26 is triggered by informational heterozygosity at that site, tetrads from the cross mat1-P mat2-P ade6-M26 Sup9 ura5xmat1-M mat2-O ade6-M26-M210 Sup9 ura5+ were analyzed and the conversion of the distal marker M210 scored. In a sample of 1005 tetrads 14 conversion tetrads were observed 8 of which were 3M26: 1M26-M210, 5 of which were 1M26:3M26-M210 and one of which was 2M26:1M26/M26-M210:1M26-M210. Since the 15.5 aberrant asci expected (frequency of an event at M26 X the probability that the M210 site will be included or (0.031+0.031) (0.25) (1005)=15.5) are not different from the 14 observed, the two doses of M26 act in an additive fashion in this cross. These results are consistent with an interpretation that conversion results from a sequence of events involving site specific breakage at M26, degradation of the broken strand, and the availability of an appropriate template which introduces new information as synthesis proceeds. This is congruent with the parity that is observed reflecting the fact intragenic recombination is signaled with equal probability on each of the strands due to the homozygosity of M26 in this cross. In addition, the single p.m.s. tetrad may be explained on the basis that hybrid DNA is formed, although its production is secondary and not a direct consequence of the processes leading to gene conversion. Given these results, it is possible to conclude that this marker effect is a result of the M26 leision itself and is not signaled as a consequence of specialized interactions involving the corresponding wild type nucleotide sequence.
Pressure coefficients of band gaps in semiconductors

Abstract A first principles pseudopotential method within the local density approximation is used to calculate the pressure coefficients for band gaps in several diamond and zincblende semiconductors. Despite the underestimation of the band gaps found in almost all local density calculations, the predictions for the linear pressure coefficients and the critical pressures for conduction band inversion are consistent with experiment for all cases considered.
Predicting the outcome of newborns with gastroschisis

Abstract Objective The objective of the study was to determine factors predicting outcome in newborns with gastroschisis. Methods A retrospective analysis of 155 consecutive cases admitted from 1 January 1990 to 31 December 2007 was performed. Prenatal ultrasound findings were available for 89 of 155 (57%) patients and were compared with final outcome. Both univariate and multiple regression analyses were used. Results All patients survived to discharge home. The primary outcome measure was length of stay. Multiple regression identified 4 factors associated with length of stay: (1) gestational age ( P = .004), (2) nonelective silo ( P P P = .029). Non-GI anomalies occurred in 17 of 155 (11%) patients and tended to increase the risk of a nonelective silo or GI complication (59% vs 39%, P = .190). Dilated bowel (>10 mm) on prenatal ultrasound was associated with GI complications (22% vs 3%, P = .010). However, 78% of patients with dilated bowel on prenatal ultrasound did not have a GI complication. The absence of dilated bowel on prenatal ultrasound accurately predicted the absence of GI complications in 97% of cases. Conclusion Prematurity, nonelective silo, GI complications, and non-GI anomalies predict the short-term outcome of newborns with gastroschisis. Prenatal ultrasound serves primarily to predict the absence of GI complications.
Letter by Small Regarding Article, “Careers in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research”

To the Editor: As program manager of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Health Services Research and Development (HSR&D) Service Career Development Program for the last 10 years, I read the July 7th article “Careers in Cardiovascular Outcomes Research”1 with great interest. The authors’ point that “training in outcomes research is a lifelong endeavor” and the conceptual model of the transition from trainee to independent research are, in my experience, very on the …
A clinical report of a patient with two abnormal cell lines: 46,XX,del(21)(q22.1) and 47,XX,+3

Mosaicism for two chromosomally abnormal cell lines in the absence of a normal cell line is exceedingly rare. We report a patient with developmental and growth delay, mild dysmorphic features, a history of hypertension and hepatoblastoma who was found to be mosaic for two chromosomally abnormal cell lines. The cell lines, one containing a terminally deleted chromosome 21, the other trisomy 3, were found in her blood. Fibroblasts and hepatoblastoma tumor cells revealed only the presence of the deleted 21 cell line. Microsatellite marker analysis suggests a mosaic rather than chimeric etiology for the cell lines. This case is exceptional in that the presence of either of these two cell lines alone is uncommon; finding both of these cell lines in an individual appears to be unique.
Diffeomorphic brain mapping based on T1-weighted images: improvement of registration accuracy by multichannel mapping.

Purpose: To improve image registration accuracy in neurodegenerative populations. Materials and Methods: This study used primary progressive aphasia, aged control, and young control T1-weighted images. Mapping to a template image was performed using single-channel Large Deformation Diffeomorphic Metric Mapping (LDDMM), a dual-channel method with ventricular anatomy in the second channel, and a dual-channel with appendage method, which utilized a priori knowledge of template ventricular anatomy in the deformable atlas. Results: Our results indicated substantial improvement in the registration accuracy over single-contrast-based brain mapping, mainly in the lateral ventricles and regions surrounding them. Dual-channel mapping significantly (P < 0.001) reduced the number of misclassified lateral ventricle voxels (based on a manually defined reference) over single-channel mapping. The dual-channel (w/appendage) method further reduced (P < 0.001) misclassification over the dual-channel method, indicating that the appendage provides more accurate anatomical correspondence for deformation. Conclusion: Brain anatomical mapping by shape normalization is widely used for quantitative anatomical analysis. However, in many geriatric and neurodegenerative disorders, severe tissue atrophy poses a unique challenge for accurate mapping of voxels, especially around the lateral ventricles. In this study we demonstrate our ability to improve mapping accuracy by incorporating ventricular anatomy in LDDMM and by utilizing a priori knowledge of ventricular anatomy in the deformable atlas. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2013;37:76–84. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Quantitative determination of lead in mixtures of lead(II) halides using solid-state 207Pb NMR spectroscopy

We demonstrate a multi-spectrum technique for facile, quantitative determination of lead in solid materials using solid-state 207Pb NMR that avoids the major problem of uniform excitation across a wide spectral range; the method can be employed without chemical separation or other chemical manipulations and without any prior sample preparation, resulting in a non-destructive analysis, and producing results that are in agreement with gravimetric analyses of mixed samples of the lead halides.
The strength of Einstein's equations

The strength of Einstein's empty-space field equations is computed anew and shown to be equal to the amount of initial data required for a local solution of the equations. This same amount of initial data is shown to be precisely that required for a set of 16 unknown first-order differential equations containing 10 field variables and having six identities of second order. The 10 field variables must be functions of second order in the metric coefficients. The 16 field equationsC αβμσ ,α = 0 whereC αβμσ is Weyl's conformal tensor, are shown to have the same properties as those of the unknown equations, suggesting thatC αβμσ = 0 is a satisfactory local first-order formulation of Einstein's second-order empty-space field equations.
Tutorial: waveguide-based optical cross-connect switches

Summary form only given, as follows. Photonic switch arrays utilizing waveguide devices address numerouswavelength division multiplexing applications. They possess scveral advantages, including small size, permanent optical alignment, insensitivity to vibration and straightforward integration. Switches based on optical interference, total internal refleaion and amplification will be discussed, with emphasis on devices that change state on the millisecond time sale.
The long-term effect of pelvic osteotomy on birth canal size

The effect of pelvic osteotomy on birth canal size at skeletal maturity is unknown. This information would be useful to counsel women of reproductive age who have undergone pelvic osteotomy. It was the purpose of this study to answer that question. A retrospective review of girls who had undergone pelvic osteotomy in the period 1980-1999 was performed. Transverse plane birth canal dimensions (inlet, mid-pelvis, and outlet) were measured from radiographs before and after osteotomy and at final follow-up. Final follow-up diameters were compared to threshold values (obstetric pelvimetry and clinical guidelines). There were 37 patients (40 osteotomies: 31 Salter, 5 Steel, 2 Chiari, and 2 Ganz). The average age at osteotomy was 7.5 +/- 5.3 years (range 2.0-21.3 years), and at final follow-up was 16.0 +/- 4.7 years (range 2.9-25.7 years); the average follow-up was 8.5 +/- 5.2 years (range 0.5-17.6 years). The effect of osteotomy at skeletal maturity was investigated by analyzing the 30 children > or = 14 years of age at the final follow-up. The pelvic inlet was above the threshold for all 30 children. The mid-pelvis was below the low normal threshold (9.5 cm) in 3 of 21 Salter, 2 of 5 Steel, and 1 of 2 Chiari osteotomies. The pelvic outlet was below the threshold in 2 of 21 Salter and 2 of 5 Steel osteotomies. The mid-pelvis dimensions were narrower in those who underwent osteotomy when older: 7.1 +/- 4.9 years (n = 24) and 11.9 +/- 7.9 years (n = 6) (p = 0.06) for those above and below the 9.5 cm mid-pelvis threshold, respectively. In conclusion, 6 of the 30 cases had a mid-pelvis which was below threshold at skeletal maturity. If the transverse mid-pelvis diameter at skeletal maturity is < 9.5 cm, then the likelihood of Cesarean section is increased, and this information should be given to the patient.
The Traditions and Travails of Career Diplomacy in the United States

The US Department of State has embarked on a significant expansion of personnel, yet still grapples with the consequences of severe cutbacks in the 1990s that now hamper its ability to fulfill more expeditionary tasks in the wake of 9/11. Historical factors slowed the development of career diplomacy in the US up to 1924, and in recent decades the State Department has been impacted by greater Congressional assertiveness in foreign affairs, an expanded role for other US agencies and the military, and increased security restrictions in the face of terrorist threats. Numerous studies have called for a greater emphasis on civilian diplomacy amid US military involvements in Iraq and Afghanistan. Current US strategy documents evoke a ‘whole of government’ approach to nation-building as the primary context for devoting more resources to diplomacy and development. Over time, however, global trends toward multi-polarity and US fiscal limitations may require a more fundamental re-evaluation of the role and importance of career diplomacy in US foreign policy.
Unique Enamel Phenotype Associated with Amelogenin Gene (AMELX) Codon 41 Point Mutation

Different mutations in the amelogenin gene (AMELX) result in the markedly different enamel phenotypes that are collectively known as amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). We hypothesize that unique phenotypes result from specific genetic mutations. The purpose of this study was to characterize the enamel compositional and structural features associated with a specific AMELX mutation in three families with X-linked AI. We performed mutational analysis by amplifying AMELX exons and sequencing the products. Permanent and primary affected (N = 6) and normal (N = 3) teeth were collected and examined by light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Enamel proteins were evaluated by immunolocalization of amelogenin and amino acid analysis. AI-affected individuals all shared a common AMELX point mutation (C to A change at codon 41). The dental phenotypic findings were remarkably consistent in all affected individuals. The AI enamel was opaque, with numerous prism defects or holes encompassing the entire prism width. Affected crystallites appeared more radiolucent and morphologically less uniform, compared with that of normal enamel. Immunogold labeling with anti-amelogenin antibodies localized amelogenin to the crystallites but not to the inter-crystalline spaces. No immunogold labeling was seen in normal enamel. There was an increased and amelogenin-like protein content in AI enamel (0.95%) compared with normal enamel (0.13%). We conclude that this codon 41 C to A missense point mutation, in a highly conserved region of the AMELX gene, results in a remarkably consistent phenotype.
The Perceptions of Welfare Reform by Michigan Families Whose Children Have Disabilities and Welfare Caseworkers

Abstract This article examines family and caseworker perceptions of welfare reform and services as they relate to families who have a child with a disability. Interviews were conducted with 39 families and 77 caseworkers. Family questions addressed their perceptions of the welfare system, factors impacting their self-sufficiency, and their perceptions of needed program changes. Caseworker questions addressed their perceptions of welfare practices and policies and their education needs related to serving families who have children with disabilities. Familial perceptions of the welfare system were validated by caseworker reports. Implications for service improvement are discussed.
Laser Scanning for Safe Equipment Design That Increases Operator Visibility by Measuring Blind Spots

One-fourth of construction industry fatalities are caused by worker collisions with construction equipment. Nonvisible areas (blind spots) for equipment operators are contributing factors to many of these fatalities because equipment operators are unable to see ground personnel at certain locations around their equipment. Presented are the design and validation of a unique technique for measuring blind spots by using laser scanning data. The work demonstrates how the design of construction equipment impacts the visibility of its operator. The contribution of the developed technique to the body of knowledge is that it can precisely evaluate and compare different equipment models and design characteristics. The blind spot measurement data for several similar pieces of equipment provides design suggestions that increase operator visibility. By increasing operator visibility through advanced equipment design, safety can be promoted on construction sites and in any other work environment, particularly with nearby ground workforce equipment.
Differences in attitudes toward romantic love of French and American college students

Abstract University students from France and the United States completed the Hobart (1958) and Knox-Sporakowski (1968) scales measuring attitudes toward romantic love. Significant differences between the two samples were found, with the French placing higher value on chivalrous behavior by men and on jealousy as a measure of commitment. The French were also significantly more likely than the Americans to perceive love as irrational and as a cause of jealousy and clouded judgment, agreeing that it is too emotional an experience to be studied objectively. Gender differences interacted with cultural perspectives on several measured dimensions of romantic love.
Diffusion-weighted MR imaging for determination of hepatocellular carcinoma response to yttrium-90 radioembolization.

Early detection of the response of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) to yttrium-90 radioembolization therapy may be important to permit repeat radioembolization or alternative treatment options. Water-mobility measurements with use of diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging are useful for noninvasive interrogation of microstructural tissue properties. Findings of DW MR imaging may serve as an early biomarker of HCC response. This study tested the hypothesis that DW MR imaging can detect changes in tumor tissue water diffusion in response to 90Y therapy. In each of six patients with HCC included in the study, tumor water diffusion increased significantly after therapy. DW MR imaging is a promising technique for noninvasive assessment of tumor response to 90Y radioembolization.
Text mining and manual curation of chemical-gene-disease networks for the comparative toxicogenomics database (CTD).

Background The Comparative Toxicogenomics Database (CTD) is a publicly available resource that promotes understanding about the etiology of environmental diseases. It provides manually curated chemical-gene/protein interactions and chemical- and gene-disease relationships from the peer-reviewed, published literature. The goals of the research reported here were to establish a baseline analysis of current CTD curation, develop a text-mining prototype from readily available open source components, and evaluate its potential value in augmenting curation efficiency and increasing data coverage.
Modulating Protein–Protein Interactions with Small Molecules: The Importance of Binding Hotspots

The modulation of protein–protein interactions (PPIs) by small drug-like molecules is a relatively new area of research and has opened up new opportunities in drug discovery. However, the progress made in this area is limited to a handful of known cases of small molecules that target specific diseases. With the increasing availability of protein structure complexes, it is highly important to devise strategies exploiting homologous structure space on a large scale for discovering putative PPIs that could be attractive drug targets. Here, we propose a scheme that allows performing large-scale screening of all protein complexes and finding putative small-molecule and/or peptide binding sites overlapping with protein–protein binding sites (so-called “multibinding sites”). We find more than 600 nonredundant proteins from 60 protein families with multibinding sites. Moreover, we show that the multibinding sites are mostly observed in transient complexes, largely overlap with the binding hotspots and are more evolutionarily conserved than other interface sites. We investigate possible mechanisms of how small molecules may modulate protein–protein binding and discuss examples of new candidates for drug design.
Improved long-term glucose control in neonatal diabetes mellitus after early sulfonylurea allergy.

BACKGROUND Activating mutations of the ABCC8 gene can lead to permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus (PNDM). Glucose variability in infants with NDM treated with insulin can be extreme. We report long-term glycemic control in a patient with PNDM on sulfonylurea therapy, despite initial allergic reaction. METHODS A Chinese girl presented on the first day of life with persistent hyperglycemia. Despite treatment with various insulin regimens, hemoglobin (Hb)A1c (normal 4.8%-6.3%) increased from 5.0% at 14 days of age to a peak of 9.7% at 15 months of age. Her average insulin dose was 0.5 units/kg/day. Genetic analysis revealed two novel ABCC8 gene activating mutations encoding the beta-cell sulfonylurea-1 receptor of the ATP-sensitive potassium channel. At age 3 years 2 months, transition from insulin to the oral sulfonylurea glyburide was initiated. After 8 days, she developed urticaria, palmar erythema, and a diffuse maculopapular rash, which resolved when medication was discontinued. At age 3 years 11 months, glyburide was reintroduced at a very low dose and was increased with concomitant weaning of insulin over the following 6 months. RESULTS Normoglycemia (HbA1c 5.6%) was achieved on glyburide without any further allergic reaction at the age of 4 years 5 months with improved metabolic control. For the next 3 years, HbA1c measurements, and glucose means and variability were significantly lower compared with values during insulin therapy. CONCLUSIONS As compared with subcutaneous insulin, oral sulfonylureas improved long-term metabolic control in a patient with NDM caused by novel activating mutations in the ABCC8 gene. Desensitization permitted safe oral sulfonylurea therapy in our patient with NDM despite initial allergic reaction. Fewer episodes of hypoglycemia occurred on sulfonylurea than on insulin therapy, which is an advantage in a very young child.
Aladdin processor: a miniaturized target recognition processor with multi-GFLOP throughput

Alliant Techsystem's Aladdin processor is a real-time automatic target recognition processor that provides 2 GFLOPS of 32-bit floating point operations and 1 GOP of 16-bit fixed point operations simultaneously in a soup-can size package only 4.5 inches in diameter by 6.0 inches long. It is highly modular, and can be scaled up to 50 GOPS + 8 GFLOPS to satisfy target recognition and tracking needs using sensors as large as 2048 X 2048 pixels suitable for helicopters and aircraft, or down to 66 MFLOPS on a 2 square inch multichip module for a minimum hardware configuration suitable for missiles and smart munitions. A 6U VME chassis configuration is also available. All hardware configurations are Ada- programmable and share a common Ada software development environment and Ada runtime system for cost-effective life-cycle operation. This paper describes the hardware architecture of the processor along with the Ada runtime system, the software development environment, and the software programming methodology. Typical system applications are included to illustrate the versatility and cost effectiveness of the processor.
RPA classification has prognostic significance for surgically resected single brain metastasis

Purpose: To retrospectively evaluate prognostic factors that correlate with overall survival among patients with a surgically resected single brain metastasis. Methods and Materials: An Institutional Review Board-approved database of Cleveland Clinic Brain Tumor Institute was queried for patients with a single brain metastasis treated by surgical resection between February 1984 and January 2004. The primary endpoint was overall survival from the date of surgery by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results: A total of 271 patients were included. Statistically significant variables for improved survival on multivariate analysis included age <65 years, lack of extracranial metastases, control of primary tumor, histology (non-small-cell lung carcinoma), and use of stereotactic radiosurgery. The median survival for all patients was 10.2 months. Survival of patients in recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) class 1 was better (21.4 months) than those in RPA class 2 (9.0 months, p < 0.001), RPA class 3 (8.9 months, p = 0.15), or the combined group of RPA classes 2 and 3 (9.0 months, p < 0.001). Patients had a median survival of 10.6 months after documented gross total resection and 8.7 months after subtotal resection, which approached statistical significance (p 0.07). Those who were treated with stereotactic radiosurgery had a median survival ofmore » 17.1 months, which was greater than patients who were not treated with stereotactic radiosurgery (8.9 months, p = 0.006). Conclusions: This analysis supports the prognostic significance of the RPA classification in patients with a single brain metastasis who undergo surgical resection and adjuvant therapy. RPA class 1 patients have a very favorable prognosis with a median survival of 21.4 months.« less
A case of colovesical fistula caused by the eroded rectal stent.

A 59-year-old man with squamous cell carcinoma of the anus diagnosed and treated with wide local excision followed by chemotherapy and pelvic radiation in 2008 presented 4 years later with constipation. Colonoscopy revealed rectosigmoid stricture for which the patient underwent balloon dilation and colonic stent placement. Biopsy results were negative for tumour recurrence. After stent placement, the patient had been admitted several times with rectal pain with the most recent one being 1–2 months before. That time, colonoscopy did not show any stent malfunctioning, and biopsy was negative for malignancy and diverticulitis. This time the patient presented complaining of dysuria, frequency and fecaluria accompanied by abdominal pain for several weeks. Urine analysis showed pyuria, bacteria and positive nitrite. A …
Short- and long-term outcome of narrowed saphenous vein bypass graft: A comparison of Palmaz-Schatz stent, directional coronary atherectomy, and balloon angioplasty☆☆☆

Abstract Percutaneous treatment of saphenous vein graft (SVG) stenosis has been established as an alternative to repeat coronary artery bypass grafting. Intracoronary Palmaz-Schatz stent (PSS) and directional coronary atherectomy (DCA) have been suggested to provide better short- and long-term results than balloon angioplasty. Records of 840 patients with 931 SVG lesions treated with PSS (121 patients, 132 lesions), DCA (103 patients, 107 lesions), and balloon angioplasty (616 patients, 692 lesions) were reviewed. Inhospital and long-term outcome were compared among treated groups. The groups had similar clinical and angiographic baseline characteristics except for higher previously dilated grafts in the stent group and graft location among devices. Stent placement was angiographically successful in 99%, DCA in 95%, and balloon angioplasty in 93% of the lesions ( p = 0.03). Quantitative angiography revealed a larger lumen diameter after procedure after PSS (3.2 mm) and DCA (3.1 mm) compared with 2.4 mm after balloon angioplasty ( p = 0.0001). Angiographic complications (abrupt closure, severe dissections, or distal embolization) were evident in eight (6.1%) lesions after PSS placement, in 17 (15.9%) after DCA, and in 61 (8.8%) after balloon angioplasty. Serious in-hospital clinical complications (death, emergency coronary artery bypass grafting, or Q-wave myocardial infarction) were similar among devices. Survival rates were similar among the groups ( p = 0.15). Repeat revascularization at follow-up was reported in 58 (60.4%) of patients after PSS, in 48 (51.1%) after DCA, and in 280 (49.4%) after balloon angioplasty. Correlates of additional revascularization at follow-up were older grafts, calcific lesions, previously dilated grafts, longer lesions, and patients with lower ejection fractions (odds ratio 1.06, 1.34, 1.43, 1.04, and 1.01, respectively). Correlates of mortality rate at follow-up were older patients, patients with lower ejection fractions, and distal embolization (odds ratio 1.04, 1.04, and 1.92, respectively). These data suggest that in patents with SVG stenosis the initial success and morbidity rates are similar when comparing PSS and DCA with balloon angioplasty. Although a larger lumen is obtained with PSS and DCA, patients who underwent balloon angioplasty had similar rates of cardiac events and requirements for additional procedures at follow-up. (Am Heart J 1997; 134:274-81.)
Creep damage nucleation sites in ferrous alloys

Abstract The effect of impurities on creep damage nucleation in, and the hot ductility of, ferrous alloys was investigated. It was found that cavities will preferentially nucleate on sulfide particles, may nucleate on oxide and nitride particles depending on the chemistry of the particle-matrix interface, and never nucleate on carbide particles. Careful control of composition can therefore be used to decrease an alloy's susceptibility to creep damage nucleation. Further work should concentrate on quantifying the distribution of grain boundary sulfides and correlating this distribution with accumulated damage in components. This information can then be used for life prediction. A microradiographic technique utilizing synchrotron radiation was used to image grain boundary damage in several ferrous alloys. The main advantage of this technique is its ability to examine the volume of a bulk sample (1–2 mm thick) with reasonable resolution. Statistically significant results on the size and spatial distribution of creep damage can therefore be obtained from one sample. Predictions of damage accumulation models can be compared with experimental results on the distribution of damage using a combination of microradiography and image analysis.
Synthesis of a carotenobenzoporphyrin from a meso-diphenylporphyrin

Abstract A carotenobenzoporphyrin has been prepared by covalently joining a benzoporphyrin derivative and an anilinocarotenoid by an amide linkage. A synthetic meso-diphenylporphyrin is the precursor of the benzoporphyrin moiety. The carotenobenzoporphyrin is highly fluorescent and does not sensitize measurable amounts of singlet oxygen.
Treatment of sacral pressure ulcers in an adolescent with Hodgkin's disease

A 16-year-old male adolescent with Hodgkin's disease and two sacral pressure ulcers was treated at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York. Despite the patient's diagnosis of Hodgkin's disease, with its associated high risk of infection, the complex sacral pressure ulcers were healed in approximately 3 months. This article describes how the choice of wound care products, meeting the educational needs of the patient and family for wound care techniques, and the inspirational determination and compliance of the patient combined for a positive clinical outcome.
Economic agents and the level of pollution control

At the outset several propositions were stated regarding the logic of support by economic agents for strict setting of environmental standards and levels of enforcement. By focusing on potential rents generated by output restrictions, particular groups of gainers and losers were identified. The statistical test of the propositions lends support to the notion that rent-seeking behavior matters.
Effects of nitroglycerin and indomethacin on fetal-maternal circulation and on fetal cerebral blood flow and metabolism in sheep

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to evaluate the effects of maternal administration of nitroglycerin and indomethacin on maternal and fetal hemodynamics and on fetal cerebral blood flow and metabolism in sheep. Study Design: Invasive vascular and fetal carotid flow monitoring was established in 12 gravid ewes. Isotonic sodium chloride solution, nitroglycerin, and indomethacin were infused maternally, and maternal and fetal heart rate, blood pressure, blood gas values, fetal carotid blood flow, and flow variability were measured. Fetal cerebral uptake of oxygen, glucose, and lactate were calculated. Results: Nitroglycerin infusion caused a significant increase in maternal and fetal heart rate and a significant decrease in maternal and fetal mean arterial pressure at a dosage of 10 μg/kg per minute, without a change in blood gas values. Neither drug had any effect on fetal carotid blood flow, flow variability, or cerebral substrate metabolism. Conclusion: Maternal administration of nitroglycerin and indomethacin caused no adverse maternal or fetal circulatory changes and did not alter fetal carotid blood flow or substrate metabolism. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1999;181:440-5.)
The structure of the human symphysis pubis with special consideration of parturition and its sequelae

Review of the structure of the symphysis pubis, based on my extensive study of the pelvic joints ('31) shows changes from age, function, pregnancy hormones and stress of parturition. Primary physiologic shearing clefts and secondary traumatic clefts in cartilage are more frequent in females. Interdigitations in the young osteocartilaginous border secure the vulnerable growth cartilage against increasing shearing forces. The retropubic eminence, ligamentous or cartilaginous, forms earlier in females, later, due to bony lipping in males, secondary to extrusion of disc cartilage. Ovarian and placental hormones in pregnancy cause remodeling and resorption of the posterior margin of the pubic facette and adjacent cortex, making a (variably) deep bony groove for greatly hypertrophied transverse ligaments. Delivery of a mature infant produces traumatic changes leading to extrusion of torn fibrocartilage in any direction, progressively loosening the symphysis, producing cartilage nodules, cysts and reactive bone formation. Older age degenerative arthritis is more frequent in parous females.
Validating the LASSO algorithm by unmixing spectral signatures in multicolor phantoms

As hyperspectral imaging (HSI) sees increased implementation into the biological and medical elds it becomes increasingly important that the algorithms being used to analyze the corresponding output be validated. While certainly important under any circumstance, as this technology begins to see a transition from benchtop to bedside ensuring that the measurements being given to medical professionals are accurate and reproducible is critical. In order to address these issues work has been done in generating a collection of datasets which could act as a test bed for algorithms validation. Using a microarray spot printer a collection of three food color dyes, acid red 1 (AR), brilliant blue R (BBR) and erioglaucine (EG) are mixed together at dierent concentrations in varying proportions at dierent locations on a microarray chip. With the concentration and mixture proportions known at each location, using HSI an algorithm should in principle, based on estimates of abundances, be able to determine the concentrations and proportions of each dye at each location on the chip. These types of data are particularly important in the context of medical measurements as the resulting estimated abundances will be used to make critical decisions which can have a serious impact on an individual's health. In this paper we present a novel algorithm for processing and analyzing HSI data based on the LASSO algorithm (similar to "basis pursuit"). The LASSO is a statistical method for simultaneously performing model estimation and variable selection. In the context of estimating abundances in an HSI scene these so called "sparse" representations provided by the LASSO are appropriate as not every pixel will be expected to contain every endmember. The algorithm we present takes the general framework of the LASSO algorithm a step further and incorporates the rich spatial information which is available in HSI to further improve the estimates of abundance. We show our algorithm's improvement over the standard LASSO using the dye mixture data as the test bed.