cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Etiology of Recurrent Abdominal Pain in Children

Introduction: Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints during childhood and most frequent presentation in paediatric clinics. RAP has been classified etiologically into two broad groups: organic and functional. Functional causes of RAP were reported to be present in 90% of cases in the past. Because of the new diagnostic tools and an improved knowledge, the prevalence of RAP has been now increasing. The current study was done to find out the etiology of RAP in Nepalese children. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective study conducted in Civil Services Hospital, Paediatric department from April 2010 to March 2011 in children aged between 4 and 15 years, attending the outpatient department. All the children with RAP, who fulfilled the Apley’s criteria were included in this study. Results: Out of 47 children with RAP, organic causes were found in 41 children while non-organic causes, in 6 children. Parasitic infestation was the commonest organic cause of RAP, followed by idiopathic chronic constipation. Other causes were culture proven urinary tract infection, antral gastritis and H. pylori infection. Conclusion: Organic disorder is still the commoner cause of RAP in our part of the world. The key step in the management of RAP is to first investigate for the organic cause based on the symptoms. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/jnps.v33i1.7413 J Nepal Paediatr Soc. 2013;33(1):31-33
Congenital complex corneal choristoma associated with unilateral bony calvarial defects, subcutaneous nodules, and alopecia

Complex corneal choristoma is a rare finding and its relationship with systemic disease is poorly understood. We present a 3-day-old boy with the constellation of left-sided congenital complex corneal choristoma, limbal dermoid, ipsilateral bony skull defects, and bilateral subcutaneous vascularized nodules with overlying alopecia and scalp nevi. To our knowledge this is the first case of complex choristoma involving the presence of associated bony calvarial defects. This presentation may contribute to a greater understanding of the systemic findings associated with the condition. Furthermore, it may shed light on the possible syndromic spectrum associated with complex choristoma and its underlying pathophysiology.
The effect of Sr2+ on swelling and ATP-linked contraction of mitochondria

Abstract 1. 1. Although Sr 2+ and Ca 2+ are actively accumulated by rat-liver mitochondria during respiration by a common mechanism, Ca 2+ is a very potent swelling agent at low concentrations, whereas Sr 2+ shows no swelling activity. In fact, Sr 2+ protects mitochondria against spontaneous swelling or that induced by Ca 2+ , thyroxine, oleate, or phosphate. The protective action of Sr 2+ in some respects resembles that of bovine serum albumin, and in other respects that of Mg 2+ . When Sr 2+ protects mitochondria against swelling caused by phosphate, some Sr 2+ is accumulated from the medium. 2. 2. Sr 2+ supports maximum contraction of swollen mitochondria induced by ATP. Sr 2+ may completely replace both Mg 2+ and bovine serum albumin in supporting ATP-linked reversal of Ca 2+ -induced swelling. Sr 2+ also prevents reswelling of ATP-contracted mitochondria. When Sr 2+ is added to Ca 2+ -swollen mitochondria together with ATP, contraction is accompanied by accumulation of Sr 2+ , and by inhibition of Ca 2+ accumulation; no reswelling then occurs. The production of U factor or free fatty acids, which is accelerated by Ca 2+ , is not influenced by Sr 2+ . However, Sr 2+ does appear to block the normal swelling action of free fatty acids. Sr 2+ thus differs sharply from Ca 2+ in its action on the structural state of mitochondria, although active uptake of both ions shows the same stoichiometric relationship to respiration. 3. 3. Sr 2+ depresses the resting and the Ca 2+ -stimulated ATPase activity of rat-liver mitochondria. It also inhibits the Mg 2+ -stimulated ATPase activity of aged rat-liver-mitochondrial preparations. The 32 P i -ATP exchange activity was also found to be very markedly inhibited by Sr 2+ .
Molecular-dynamics simulation of molecular-beam epitaxial growth of the silicon (100) surface.

We have simulated the growth of a Si(100) surface by deposition of silicon atoms from a molecular beam. A molecular-dynamics technique is employed where the equations of motion of 256 bulk particles and up to 256 additional adsorbed surface particles are solved exactly. We have used the Stillinger-Weber two- and three-body interaction potential to compute the forces between silicon atoms. Temperature and surface-reconstruction effects on the growth rate and surface morphology are studied. Bulk samples of Si are prepared at two temperatures, ${T}_{\mathrm{low}=(1/8{T}_{\mathrm{melt}}}$ and ${T}_{\mathrm{high}=(2/3{T}_{\mathrm{melt}}}$, and after a period of equilibration the beam is directed at the (100) surface. Prior to the deposition of new silicon and after the truncated bulk has come into equilibrium, the 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 dimer reconstruction is seen to have occurred. We observe the growth of an amorphous overlayer and the persistence of surface reconstruction at ${T}_{\mathrm{low}}$. For the ${T}_{\mathrm{high}}$ case the growth is characterized by the formation of more ordered epilayers and the disappearance of the 2\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}1 surface reconstruction. These results are in qualitative agreement with experimental studies of the molecular-beam epitaxial (MBE) growth of the Si(100) surface.
Bactericidal action of nafcillin, vancomycin, and three cephalosporins against nafcillin-susceptible and nafcillin-resistant coagulase-negative staphylococci

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (S. epidermidis, 43 strains; S. warneri, 16 strains; S. haemolyticus, five strains; and others, four strains) were tested by the agar dilution method for nafcillin susceptibility: 53 were susceptible with a minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) of less than or equal to 2 micrograms/ml; four were of indeterminate susceptibility, MIC = 4-16 micrograms/ml; and 11 were resistant, MIC greater than or equal to 32 micrograms/ml. The bactericidal activities from 0 to 24 hr for nafcillin, vancomycin, cephalothin, cefazolin, and cefamandole, each at 16 micrograms/ml in broth, were determined for all the isolates. The data indicate that a nafcillin agar dilution susceptibility test result of resistance does not consistently predict lack of killing activity by the cephalosporins. It is likely that each cephalosporin would have to be tested against individual coagulase-negative staphylococci in order to determine a suitable therapeutic or prophylactic cephalosporin, if a cephalosporin were to be used. Vancomycin was bactericidal for all the nafcillin-resistant coagulase-negative organisms tested.
Some impacts of clinical investigation on immunology. Surface IgD, IgE, and heavy-chain variants.

The interdependence of physiology and medicine is nowhere more obvious than in the field of immunology. Numerous examples can be cited in which careful clinical observation and study of materials o...
A reciprocal theorem for a mixture of interacting continuous media

Using a linearized theory of interacting continuous media composed of linear elastic solid and linear viscous fluid, a reciprocal theorem is derived which relates the solution of one initial-boundary value problem to another. As an illustration of the reciprocal theorem, we obtain the early time displacement and velocity field of a mixture occupying an infinite region and subjected to an impulsively applied moving point load acting on the solid constituent.
Proteomic analysis of isolated Chlamydomonas centrioles reveals orthologs of ciliary-disease genes

Summary Background: The centriole is one of the most enigmatic organelles in the cell. Centrioles are cylindrical, microtubule-based barrels found in the core of the centrosome. Centrioles also act as basal bodies during interphase to nucleate the assembly of cilia and flagella. There are currently only a handful of known centriole proteins. Results: We used mass-spectrometry-based MudPIT (multidimensional protein identification technology) to identify the protein composition of basal bodies (centrioles) isolated from the green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii . This analysis detected the majority of known centriole proteins, including centrin, epsilon tubulin, and the cartwheel protein BLD10p. By combining proteomic data with information about gene expression and comparative genomics, we identified 45 cross-validated centriole candidate proteins in two classes. Members of the first class of proteins (BUG1–BUG27) are encoded by genes whose expression correlates with flagellar assembly and which therefore may play a role in ciliogenesis-related functions of basal bodies. Members of the second class (POC1–POC18) are implicated by comparative-genomics and -proteomics studies to be conserved components of the centriole. We confirmed centriolar localization for the human homologs of four candidate proteins. Three of the cross-validated centriole candidate proteins are encoded by orthologs of genes ( OFD1 , NPHP-4 , and PACRG ) implicated in mammalian ciliary function and disease, suggesting that oral-facial-digital syndrome and nephronophthisis may involve a dysfunction of centrioles and/or basal bodies. Conclusions: By analyzing isolated Chlamydomonas basal bodies, we have been able to obtain the first reported proteomic analysis of the centriole.
Immune Complexes and Reticuloendothelial System Function in Human Disease

The interrelation between the presence of circulating antigen-antibody complexes and the functional status of reticuloendothelial system Fc-receptors was studied in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome. Both groups of patients had a high prevalence of circulating immune complexes as detected by the 125I-Clq binding assay and the Raji cell radioimmune assay. A number of patients with both diseases were found to have abnormal reticuloendothelial system Fc-receptor function, as measured by the clearance of IgG-sensitized, 51Cr-labeled autologous erythrocytes. In patients with systemic lupus erythematosus there was a high correlation between the presence and levels of immune complexes and abnormal clearance rates. In Sjogren's syndrome on the other hand there was no correlation between the presence or levels of immune complexes and clearance rates. In this disease patients with normal rates of clearance tended to have disease limited to exocrine glands, while patients with abnormal clearance had evidence of more widespread tissue damage. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that defective reticuloendothelial system function may lead to the prolonged circulation of immune complexes, thereby contributing to tissue damage.
The dipole phase in the two-dimensional hierarchical Coulomb gas: Analyticity and correlations decay

We illustrate the mechanism producing the dipole phase in a two dimensional Coulomb system by a detailed analysis of a hierarchical model. We prove the analyticity of the pressure and of the correlations for α2≡βe2>8π (i.e. right above the usually conjectured value for the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition). We find also a power law decay for the correlations with exponent α2/2π as the hierarchical distance goes to infinity.
Seeing the silver lining: potential benefits of trauma exposure in college students

Abstract In the current study we compare college students exposed to a potentially traumatic event (PTE) meeting self-report criteria for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), PTE-exposed students not meeting criteria for PTSD, and non-exposed students on measures of perceived social support, self-esteem, and optimism (i.e., personal resources) and report use of specific coping strategies. Results indicate that the PTE-exposed/probable PTSD group reported fewer personal resources, greater use of avoidance-focused coping, and less use of approach-focused coping than the other two groups. The PTE-exposed/no PTSD group reported greater perceived social support and less use of avoidance-focused coping than the non-exposed group. We discuss the findings’ implications for the prevention and treatment of trauma-related psychopathology.
Ethical Issues Concerning Research in Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) has grown dramatically in recent years, as has research on the safety and efficacy of CAM treatments. Minimal attention, however, has been devoted to the ethical issues relating to research on CAM. We argue that public health and safety demand rigorous research evaluating CAM therapies, research on CAM should adhere to the same ethical requirements for all clinical research, and randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials should be used for assessing the efficacy of CAM treatments whenever feasible and ethically justifiable. In addition, we explore the legitimacy of providing CAM and conventional therapies that have been demonstrated to be effective only by virtue of the placebo effect.
Developing an argument for bundled interventions to reduce surgical site infection in colorectal surgery

Background Surgical site infection (SSI) remains a costly and morbid complication after colectomy. The primary objective of this study was to investigate whether a group of perioperative care measures previously shown to be associated with reduced SSI would have an additive effect in SSI reduction. If so, this would support the use of an “SSI prevention bundle” as a quality improvement intervention. Methods Data from 24 hospitals participating in the Michigan Surgical Quality Collaborative were included in the study. The main outcome measure was SSI. Hierarchical logistic regression was used to account for clustering of patients within hospitals. Results In total, 4,085 operations fulfilled inclusion criteria for the study (Current Procedural Terminology codes 44140, 44160, 44204, and 44205). A “bundle score” was assigned to each operation, based on the number of perioperative care measures followed (appropriate Surgical Care Improvement Project-2 antibiotics, postoperative normothermia, oral antibiotics with bowel preparation, perioperative glycemic control, minimally invasive surgery, and short operative duration). There was a strong stepwise inverse association between bundle score and incidence of SSI. Patients who received all 6 bundle elements had risk-adjusted SSI rates of 2.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 7.9–0.5%), whereas patients who received only 1 bundle measure had SSI rates of 17.5% (95% CI, 27.1–10.8%). Conclusion This multi-institutional study shows that patients who received all 6 perioperative care measures attained a very low, risk-adjusted SSI rate of 2.0%. These results suggest the promise of an SSI reduction intervention for quality improvement; however, prospective research are required to confirm this finding.
Binding of concanavalin A to nuclei of unsynchronized and synchronized HeLa cells.

Abstract Purified, intact HeLa cell nuclei were examined for specific Concanavalin A binding using a quantitative binding assay with novel refinements. The result was compared with the specific binding per micron2 of Con A to RBC's and to HeLa plasma membranes. Con A binding to nuclei isolated from synchronized cells at several phases of the cell cycle was assessed and nuclei sized by Coulter Counter analysis. The Con A binding sites appear to be at the highest density just subsequent to mitosis, decreasing in density between early G1 and late G1 and rapidly decreasing between S and G2. Mechanisms to explain this phenomenon are suggested:
Structure of chaparramarin, a quassinoid from Castela tortuosa

Abstract A new quassinoid, chaparramarin has been isolated and identified as an insect growth inhibitor against the lepidopteran pest insect, Heliothis virescens (tobacco budworm), from the bark of Castela tortuosa.
Lorentz and CPT tests in matter and antimatter

A review of recent theoretical work investigating tests of Lorentz and CPT symmetry in atomic and particle systems is presented. A variety of tests in matter and antimatter are discussed, including measurements of anomalous magnetic moments in Penning traps, comparisons of atomic-clock transitions, high-precision spectroscopic measurements of hydrogen and antihydrogen, experiments with muons, experiments with mesons, and tests of Lorentz symmetry with a spin-polarized torsion pendulum.
Interactions between Vairimorpha necatrix, Vairimorpha sp., and a nuclear polyhedrosis virus from Rachiplusia ou in Agrotis ipsilon larvae☆☆☆

Vairimorpha sp. and V. necatrix were assayed in combination with one another, and independently, with a nuclear polyhedrosis virus (RoMNPV) from a mint looper, Rachiplusia ou, against neonate and third-stage black cutworm larvae, Agrotis ipsilon. Initially the effect of Vairimorpha sp. was subadditive, additive, or slightly inhibiting to the V. necatrix in the dual microsporidian assays; later, V. necatrix antagonized the effect of the Vairimorpha sp. In combination with Vairimorpha sp. gradients, V. necatrix significantly (P < 0.05) reduced, in most instances, the LT50 values in both neonate and third-stage larval assays. RoMNPV assayed against neonate and third instars, in combination with either Vairimorpha sp. or V. necatrix gradients, usually significantly reduced the LT50 values (P < 0.05). RoMNPV, when combined with either Vairimorpha species, had varying effects on its pathology. In all assays, the particular relationship that was expressed seemed to be a function of the concentration of each pathogen, which may indicate that the two microorganisms compete for entry and/or infective sites within the larval host. Larval size, which was significantly reduced (P < 0.05) by both microsporidia, would be involved in such competition because it would limit the tissue mass available for infection. Histological examinations of larvae with dual infections revealed pathogens in the tissues that they normally infect. Vairimorpha sp. primarily infected epithelial, fat body, and Malpighian tubule tissue and, occasionally, muscle tissue. Viral polyhedral inclusion bodies were found in the same fat body tissues as the Vairimorpha spores.
148. Glucocorticoids and the chromatin landscape: A role of epigenetics and nuclear architecture proteins

Emotional distress activates the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal axis resulting in an increase in glucocorticoid production. We have modeled the impact of glucocorticoids on immune function by treatment of an NK cell line with dexamethasone, which reduces natural killer cell function though epigenetic modification of effector gene regulatory region accessibility. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effect of glucocorticoids on the chromatin landscape by measurement of the intensity and localization of nuclear architectural proteins and transcriptionally repressive epigenetic marks. Detection of H3K9me3 and H3K27me3 was increased and each was found to significantly accumulate at the nuclear periphery (consistent with lamina associated DNA). For the architectural proteins, glucocorticoid treatment increased detection and aggregation of Med1 (mediator) and SMC-1 (cohesion) with no effect on CTCF. Similar to the epigenetic marks, Med1 localized to the nuclear periphery while SMC-1 localized to the nuclear center after glucocorticoid treatment. These results demonstrate the effect of glucocorticoids on the chromatin landscape and associate such effects with the impact of glucocorticoids on immune function. Future studies can translate these findings to advance understanding of the effects of glucocorticoids upon the immune system.
Mythos and logos: Parallel accounts of sociocultural evolution

Recent multidisciplinary research suggests a conjunction of two distinct historical perspectives—especially among ecological theorists—that may be integrated to form a remarkable global picture of ...
Effect of porcine stress syndrome genotype on the maternal performance of a composite line of stress‐susceptible swine

Summary Reproductive data was collected on 61 porcine stress syndrome (PSS) normal (NN), 140 PSS carrier (Nn), and 132 PSS positive (nn) composite line females farrowing 145, 358, and 362 litters, respectively. Data were adjusted for parity, number after transfer (pigs cross-fostered 1 to 3 days after farrowing) and age of litters not weighed exactly at 21 days of age by using established adjustment factors and analysed using a mixed-model, derivative-free REML and best linear unbiased prediction or best linear unbiased estimation procedures fitting the sows' PSS genotype as a fixed effect in the model. PSS-carrier (Nn) females farrowed more pigs per litter (p < 0.05) than either normal (NN) or positive (nn) females. PSS-NN females had more pigs (p < 0.05) at 21 days than nn females. Litters from PSS-NN females were heavier (p < 0.05) at 21 days than litters from Nn or nn females. Additionally, PSS-Nn females had heavier litters (p < 0.05) at 21 days than nn females. PSS-NN females raised a higher proportion (p < 0.05) of pigs from transfer to 21 days than either Nn or nn females and NN females had more pigs, heavier litters and raised a higher proportion of their pigs to 42 days than did nn females (p < 0.05). PSS-Nn females produced heavier litter weights (p < 0.05) and a higher proportion of pigs raised to 42 days (p < 0.05) than nn females. The results of this study indicate that the detrimental effects of the PSS n allele preclude its use in commercial production-maternal lines. Zusammenfassung Porciner Stress Syndrome Genotyp und Mutterleistung einer gemischten Linie stress-empfindlicher Schweine Reproductive Daten Stammen von 61 stress syndrom (Pss) normalen (NN), 140 Pss Traegern (Nn) und 132 Pss positiven (nn) Sauen mit 195, 358 und 362 Wuerfen. Die Daten wurden fuer Wurffolge, Zahl nach Transfer und Wiegealter korrigiert und mit gemischt modell, derivativ freinem REML analysiert, mit Pss der Sau als fixe Groesse. BLUP und BLUE wurden geschaetzt. Nn Sauen hatten groessere Wuerfe als NN und nn Tiere (p < 0.05), NN-Sauen bei 21 Tagen mehr als nn und ihre Wuerfe waren schwerer (p < 0.05) als die der anderen. Pss-Nn Sauen uebertrafen in 21-Tage Wurfgewicht nn Sauen. Bei Pss-NN Tieren ueberlebten mehr Transfer Ferkel bis 21 Tagen als bei der andern Genotypen, sie hatten mehr Ferkel, schwerere Wuerfe und hoehere Ueberlebensraten bis 42 Tagen als nn Sauen. Nn Sauen uebertrafen diese in 42-Tagen Wurfgewicht und Ueberlebensrate (p < 0.05). Die unguenstigen Wirkungen des Pss n alleles sprechen gegen seine verwendung in maternalen Linien.
Flow Immunoassay Using Solid-Phase Entrapment

A flow injection immunoassay was performed using a column packed with reversed-phase sorbents to effect separation of the immunoreacted species by entrapping free analyte and allowing antibody-conjugated analyte to pass unretained. Fluorescein-labeled analyte was measured in a competitive assay for the anticonvulsant drug phenytoin. The simplicity of the assay was the greatest advantage of the technique, which allowed for measurement of phenytoin in a 2-min assay time. The reliable detection limit for the assay was 5 nmol L-1 of phenytoin in serum. The columns were regenerated with periodic injections of ethanol solutions to remove the entrapped analyte and prepare the column for subsequent analyses.
Spatial properties of large-area crossed-strip CZT detectors

ABSTRACT We present results of detailed characterization of the spatial properties of large area crossed strip CZT detectors nowunder development at CASS/UCSD for use in coded aperture astrophysical hard X-ray instrumentation. We address thevolumetric uniformity of spectral response for these detectors as determined by charge sharing and loss, diffusion, andelectron trapping. Results are presented for our prototype detector having 500 m pitch and collecting area 32x32 mm 2 ;however, we also explore these characteristics as they effect performance of larger and smaller pitch detectors of similardesign.Keywords: Hard X-ray Detectors, CdZnTe, CZT, Crossed Strip Detectors 1. INTRODUCTION In this paper, we demonstrate that the basic physical processes occurring in the UCSD CZT Crossed-Strip Detector(CZTCSD) are well understood and show that the detector meets the practical requirements for its intended applicationin High Energy Astrophysics. Based upon this understanding we can also, with reasonable confidence, judge the limitsin spatial and spectral performance for detectors using the present design principles over a wide range of strip pitch,thickness and crystal properties.. We study the "spatial efficiency" of our CZTCSDs as a fundamental parameter relatingto its performance in an imaging system. In particular, we emphasize performance issues above 100 keV where fullvolume response of the detector must be considered and explore the implications of using CZT material with less thanoptimal electron transport as a practical economy.CZTCSDs are currently under development for applications using large area arrays as part of coded aperture imagingsystems, such as the MIRAX high energy X-ray imager for X-ray and Gamma-ray astronomy
Cardiac Surgery in the Community Hospital

Abstract The performance of cardiac surgery in the community hospital not concerned with postgraduate medical education has not been encouraged. It has been stated that the moderate-sized community hospital cannot offer sufficient support or patient volume to maintain a cardiac surgical team. The advent of a successful myocardial revascularization procedure has been instrumental in altering this concept. The first procedure requiring cardiopulmonary bypass in a Lubbock, Texas, hospital was performed on November 24, 1970. To date, 550 cardiac procedures requiring total cardiopulmonary bypass have been performed at Methodist Hospital, Lubbock. The cumulative mortality for this group of patients has been 2.9%. The development of a comprehensive cardiac surgical program has been very well accepted, and it is our consensus that it has been not only a feasible undertaking but a strong asset to the community.
A startup procedure for process industries using a multiple objective nonlinear program

We develop a multiple objective nonlinear program to determine optimal set points for the startup period of a continuous mix manufacturing process. We model the objectives and constraints dictated by the problem formulation and solve the model. We discuss why and how process adjustments are made at the startup of operations. To advance the model, we develop a startup adjustment methodology. This methodology guides the process for startup conditions and real-time operation of the system. It is demonstrated on data from a breakfast cereal manufacturing process where the startup process under conventional approaches spans several days. We close the paper with discussions on process adjustments after steady state has been achieved and strategic issues in process regulation.
The selection of closed-class words in noun phrase production: The case of Dutch determiners

In three experiments we tested the predictions of two models of determiner selection in the production of Dutch noun phrases (NPs). In Experiment 1, participants named pictures using plural and unmarked determiner + noun NPs. In Experiment 2, participants named pictures using diminutive and unmarked determiner + noun NPs. In both experiments, we found that production latencies for plural and diminutive NPs relative to their unmarked baselines were affected by the gender of the base noun even though this feature of nouns is logically unnecessary in the selection of determiners in these types of NPs. In Experiment 3, we replicated the findings of Experiments 1, and generalized the observed pattern of results to a new condition: plural-diminutive NPs. This pattern of results, showing that the gender of the base noun is visible to the determiner selection process even when this information is logically superfluous, finds a ready explanation in frame-based models of determiner selection and is inconsistent with hierarchical models of determiner selection.
Compositional and Functional Features of the Gastrointestinal Microbiome and Their Effects on Human Health

The human gastrointestinal tract contains distinct microbial communities that differ in composition and function based on their location, as well as age, sex, race/ethnicity, and diet of their host. We describe the bacterial taxa present in different locations of the GI tract, and their specific metabolic features. The distinct features of these specific microbial communities might affect human health and disease. Several bacterial taxa and metabolic modules (biochemical functions) have been associated with human health and the absence of disease. Core features of the healthy microbiome might be defined and targeted to prevent disease and optimize human health.
Pathogen Recognition and Signal Transduction by the Pto Kinase

In tomato, the disease resistance genePto confers resistance to bacterial speck disease by recognizing the expression of a corresponding avirulence gene,avrPto, in the pathogenPseudomonas syringae pv.tomato (Martinet al. 1993). Similar “gene-for-gene” interactions occur in many plant-pathogen associations (Flor 1971). Such recognition events often lead to the activation in the plant of a variety of defense responses including a rapid induction of localized necrosis at the site of infection (the hypersensitive response, HR), increased expression of defense-related genes, production of antimicrobial compounds, lignin formation, and the oxidative burst (Lambet al. 1989, Mehdy 1994). As a result, the pathogen is contained at the infection site and its growth is inhibited.Pto encodes a serine/threonine protein kinase and belongs to a clustered multigene family. Another member of thePto family calledFen confers no known disease resistance, but mediates a hypersensitive-like reaction in the plant to the insecticide fenthion (Martinet al. 1994). We are interested in a number of fundamental questions concerning the Pto signaling pathways. What is the molecular basis of thePto-avrPto gene-for-gene interaction? What are the components involved in thePto-mediated signal transduction chain? How does thePto kinase activate complex defense responses? This paper summarizes our recent progress towards understanding these questions.
Fractures of the atlas vertebra

In a series of 400 patients with fractures and dislocations of the cervical spine, 5% involved the atlas. There are nearly equal numbers of fractures of the posterior arch, bursting fractures of Jefferson, and horizontal fractures of the anterior arch. Atlas fractures are rarely associated with neurologic deficit, but they may be the cause of severe pain. Hypotheses concerning the mechanism of injury in each type of fracture are discussed. The characteristic roentgenographic findings and the differential diagnoses are reviewed.
The intensification and resolution of blocked affect in an experiential psychotherapy

Focused Expressive Psychotherapy is a Gestalt-based method of psychotherapy which is designed to facilitate the resolution of constricted emotion in patients. This form of therapy is described as a five-step process. The present article addresses the steps of that process which relate specifically to the intensification and resolution of emotions. The importance and rationale for intensification are discussed and related to the concept of restructured schematic memories. Markers of resolution are identified as changes in ‘benchmarks’, changes in patient behaviour or attitude, and/or a re-evaluated stance towards past events. We conclude by citing one of our recent research efforts that demonstrates a relationship between the intensification of emotion and positive therapy outcome.
Mercuric salt-catalyzed removal of unsaturated glucuronic acid from chondroitinase-treated proteochondroitin sulfate.

Abstract Aggrecan (PG) was isolated from Swarm rat chondrosarcoma and the chondroitin 4-sulfate removed with chondroitinase ABC (ABC) or ACII (AC), leaving a 4-deoxy-β- d -gluc-4-enuronosyl (ΔGlcA) residue on the nonreducing terminus of the attached chondroitin sulfate chains. Mercuric acetate (as low as 5 m m ) removed the ΔGlcA from the PG-ABC within 10 min at 25°C at pH 5.0, and the rate was pH independent between pH 3.0 and 5.0. The reaction was readily monitored by following the loss of reactivity to the monoclonal antibodies specific for 4-sulfated and nonsulfated unsaturated disaccharides in ELISA. After mercury treatment, there was a loss of carbazole-positive material and a decrease in the size of the linkage region oligosaccharides consistent with ΔGlcA being removed. Aside from the loss of ΔGlcA, neutral sugar composition and sialic acid content remained unchanged. After electrophoresis in a 4% polyacrylamide gel, Hg-treated PG-ABC and PG-AC migrated as single major bands, but with reduced mobilities, which is consistent with a loss of charge. There was a loss of reactivity to specific monoclonal antibodies. Treated aggrecan did not bind hyaluronic acid. This loss was not completely prevented by being present in a complex with link protein and hyaluronic acid. However, link protein could partially restore the hyaluronic acid interaction, so the effect of mercuric acetate on biological function will have to be assessed on an individual basis. Treatment with mercuric acetate is an effective, rapid, reproducible way of removing ΔGlcA from both chondroitinase ABC and ACII-digested proteoglycan.
Nucleotide sequences of the trpG regions of Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae, Salmonella typhimurium and Serratia marcescens.

Abstract The nucleotide sequences of Serratia marcescens trpG and the corresponding regions of Escherichia coli, Shigella dysenteriae and Salmonella typhimurium trpD have been determined. Analysis of the nucleotide sequence divergence suggests the following evolutionary relationships: Serratia-[Salmonella, (Escherichia, Shigella)]. Partial reconstruction of ancestral nucleotide sequences and subsequent analysis of nucleotide substitutions show that the majority of nucleotide substitutions in the evolution of trp(G)D are transitions that result in a reduction of G + C content. Since most of the nucleotide substitutions are in the third position of codons, bias in synonymous codon usage also reflects G + C content. The trpE-trp(G)D junction in the four organisms is characterized by overlapping translation termination and initiation codons. The relative positions of trpE and trp(G)D thus became fixed in evolution before the fusion of trpG and trpD. Nucleotide sequences representing the fusion of trpG and trpD in Escherichia, Shigella and Salmonella are not more nor less divergent than other portions of the trp(G)D coding sequences.
Error-resilient compression and transmission of scalable video

Compressed video bitstreams require protection from channel errors in a wireless channel and protection from packet loss in a wired ATM channel. The three-dimensional (3-D) SPIHT coder has proved its efficiency and its real-time capability in compression of video. A forward-error-correcting (FEC) channel (RCPC) code combined with a single ARQ (automatic- repeat-request) proved to be an effective means for protecting the bitstream. There were two problems with this scheme: the noiseless reverse channel ARQ may not be feasible in practice; and, in the absence of channel coding and ARQ, the decoded sequence was hopelessly corrupted even for relatively clean channels. In this paper, we first show how to make the 3-D SPIHT bitstream more robust to channel errors by breaking the wavelet transform into a number of spatio-temporal tree blocks which can be encoded and decoded independently. This procedure brings the added benefit of parallelization of the compression and decompression algorithms. Then we demonstrate the packetization of the bit stream and the reorganization of these packets to achieve scalability in bit rate and/or resolution in addition to robustness. Then we encode each packet with a channel code. Not only does this protect the integrity of the packets in most cases, but it also allows detection of packet decoding failures, so that only the cleanly recovered packets are reconstructed. This procedure obviates ARQ, because the performance is only about 1 dB worse than normal 3-D SPIHT with FEC and ARQ. Furthermore, the parallelization makes possible real-time implementation in hardware and software.
Registration and fusion of SPECT, high-resolution MRI, and interventional MRI for thermal ablation of prostate cancer

We are investigating interventional MRI (iMRI) guided radiofrequency thermal ablation for the minimally invasive treatment of the prostate cancer. Nuclear medicine can detect and localize tumor in the prostate not reliably seen in MRI. We intend to combine the advantages of functional images such as nuclear medicine SPECT with iMRI-guided treatments. Our concept is to first register the low-resolution SPECT with a high-resolution MRI volume. Then by registering the high-resolution MR image with live-time iMRI acquisitions, we can, in turn, map the functional data and high-resolution anatomic information to live-time iMRI images for improved tumor targeting. For the first step, we used a three-dimensional mutual information registration method. For the latter, we developed a robust slice to volume (SV) registration algorithm with special features. The concept was tested using image data from three patients and three volunteers. The SV registration accuracy was 0.4 mm /spl plusmn/ 0.2 mm as compared to our volume- to-volume registration that was previously shown to be quite accurate for these image pairs. With our image registration and fusion software, simulation experiments show that it is quite feasible to incorporate SPECT and high-resolution MRI into the iMRI-guided minimally invasive treatment procedures.
Clinical Trial Subgroups Challenges and Opportunities in Describing the Benefits of Therapy

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women in the United States.1 To combat this phenomenon, professional guidelines for primary and secondary prevention as well as sex-specific guidelines for women have been developed and promulgated.2–4 Despite these efforts, there remains some controversy surrounding the benefits of statin therapy in women,5 although a 2004 meta-analysis clearly demonstrated benefits for secondary prevention on nonmortal cardiovascular events.6 In light of these data, current secondary prevention guidelines endorse statin therapy as a class IA recommendation for all patients recovering from an acute coronary syndrome, not just men.7 Article see p 328 Despite these recommendations for the use of statin therapy as an effective means for secondary prevention, it remains unclear whether the intensity of lipid-lowering therapy is important. In fact, the entire concept of treating patients to target lipid values, rather than treating on the basis of risk, has been questioned.8 In light of this concern, the current study by Truong et al,9 in this issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes , examines the sex-specific benefits of more-intensive statin therapy after acute coronary syndromes in women. Using data from the PROVE-IT (Pravastatin or Atorvastatin Evaluation and Infection Therapy) trial,10 the authors conducted a thorough analysis of outcomes stratified by sex and extended the existing literature by exploring treatment effects among women according to …
THE IMPACT OF TERRORISM AND CONFLICTS ON GROWTH IN ASIA

This paper quantifies the impact of terrorism and conflicts on income per capita growth in Asia for 1970–2004. Our panel estimations show that transnational terrorist attacks had a significant growth-limiting effect. An additional terrorist incident per million persons reduces gross domestic product per capita growth by about 1.5%. In populous countries, many additional attacks are needed to achieve such a large impact. Transnational terrorism reduces growth by crowding-in government expenditures. Unlike developing countries, developed countries are able to absorb terrorism without displaying adverse economic consequences. An internal conflict has the greatest growth concern, more than twice that of transnational terrorism. Conflict variables are associated with smaller investment shares and increased government spending, with the crowding-in of government spending being the dominant influence.
Practice in a Second Language: Perspectives from Applied Linguistics and Cognitive Psychology edited by DEKEYSER, ROBERT M.

The article reviews the book "Practice in a Second Language: Perspectives From Applied Linguistics and Cognitive Psychology," edited by Robert M. Dekeyser.
Surgical anatomy of the diaphragm in the anterolateral approach to the spine: a cadaveric study.

Study design Laboratory cadaveric study. Objective To delineate the pertinent surgical anatomy of the diaphragm during access to the anterolateral thoracolumbar junction. Summary of background data The general anatomy of the thoracic diaphragm is well described. The specific surgical anatomy as it pertains to the lateral and thoracoabdominal approaches to the thoracolumbar junction is not well described. Methods Dissections were performed on adult fresh cadaveric specimens. Special attention was paid to the diaphragmatic attachments to the lower rib cage and to the spinal thoracolumbar junction. Results The pertinent diaphragmatic attachments to the rib cage are at the 11th and 12th ribs. Whether the diaphragm is incised or mobilized ventrally, the pertinent spinal attachments are the lateral and medial arcuate ligaments. Identifying and sectioning these structures allows for direct access to the thoracolumbar junction, particularly the L1 vertebral body. Conclusions An understanding of the diaphragmatic-costal and diaphragmatic-spinal attachments is key for the safe and effective implementation of diaphragm mobilization during the lateral and thoracoabdominal approaches to the spine.
A new conceptual paradigm from genetics and psychobiology for the science of mental health.

Objective: The assumptions and goals underlying current systems of classification are critically examined.Method: Current systems of classification are based on assumptions that health can be adequately defined as the absence of disorders and that psychiatric disorders are discrete disease entities that can be categorically defined. These assumptions appear to be inconsistent with available knowledge of the psychobiology, genetics, development and evolution of thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.Results: An alternative psychobiologically based paradigm is described based on the model that mental health and its disorders are emergent properties of complex interactions among multidimensional neuroadaptive systems.Conclusions: This permits an explicit definition of optimum mental health and a descriptive system that is more effective for professionals, individuals, and society in understanding and achieving increased adaptive fitness.
Clinical features, diagnostic findings, and treatment of Susac syndrome: a case series

Abstract Background Susac syndrome (SS) is a rare, presumed autoimmune condition characterized by the clinical triad of branch retinal artery occlusions (BRAOs), encephalopathy, and sensorineural hearing loss. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical features, diagnostic results, treatment, and outcomes in SS. Methods Five patients with SS were referred to three tertiary care centers in Boston. The observation period across these patients was 7–57months. Results At initial presentation, none of the patients demonstrated the complete triad of BRAO, sensorineural hearing loss, and encephalopathy. The interval between symptom onset and diagnosis of SS was 4–30weeks. Brain MRI findings thought to be characteristic of SS (including callosal fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) hyperintense and T1 hypointense lesions) were frequently absent. Microinfarcts noted on diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), BRAOs and vessel wall hyperfluorescence on fluorescein angiography (FA) were present in all cases in the acute encephalopathic phase. All patients treated with glucocorticoids and intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIg) alone experienced further clinical progression until additional immunosuppressive therapy was instituted. Conclusions The rarity of SS, its incomplete and variable presentation, and the nonspecific imaging findings invariably led to delayed diagnosis. DWI and FA should be used to identify the acute microvascular injury and monitor treatment response. Immunomodulatory agents more potent than glucocorticoids and IVIg might be required to control the disease.
Do US tour operators' brochures educate the tourist on culturally responsible behaviours? A case study for Kenya

This exploratory study examined the extent to which US tour operators promote culturally responsible behaviours to tourists who plan trips to Kenya. An examination of the travel brochures containin...
Haptic guidance: experimental evaluation of a haptic training method for a perceptual motor skill

In this paper we investigate a use of haptics for skills training which we call haptic guidance. In the haptic guidance paradigm, the subject is physically guided through the ideal motion by the haptic interface, thus giving the subject a kinesthetic understanding of what is required. Subjects learned a complex 3D motion under three training conditions (haptic, visual, haptic and visual) and were required to manually reproduce the movement under two recall conditions (with vision, without vision). Performance was measured in terms of position, shape, timing, and drift. Findings from this study indicate that haptic guidance is effective in training. While visual training was better for teaching the trajectory shape, temporal aspects of the task were more effectively learned from haptic guidance. This supports a possible role for haptics in the training of perceptual motor skills in virtual environments.
The Effects of a Social Learning Experiment on Attitudes and Behavior toward Environmental Conservation

This investigation studied the general relationship of expressed attitude and overt behavior by applying an attitude and behavior change model, social learning theory, to issues and activities of environmental conservation. The research question tested was: will a "change-agent role-playing" social learning treatment have a significant positive effect on college geography students' attitude and/or behavior toward a sample of environmental conservation issues? With the experimental design and controls applied in this study, it was concluded that behavior over a ten-week period was changed positively. Social learning theory has postulated that once a new behavior has been established it was translatable to other issues. For affectively oriented instruction this postulation would be very useful if new positive behavior toward the environment would also enhance behavioral patterns toward other social issues learned and discussed in the public school classroom.
An Exploratory Approach To e-Commerce Strategy In The 21st Century

This exploratory study analyzes the critical success antecedents that contribute to effective e-Commerce consumer sites. Focused on key firms in selected industry sectors, the study examines factors that have enabled either failure or success in the strategies of the firms to market, sell and service products on the Web. Important to firms eventually successful in e-Commerce is their integration of leading edge technologies to enhance business factors of site strategies. The study imputes business model, content and design, brand image, promotion, community, customer service, traffic management, scalability, performance management and partnership as the continued critical success antecedents that enable effective commerce sites. This study, in its closer examination of the industry sectors of the firms, will be helpful to business managers considering expanded investment in consumer sites in the increasingly improved economy.