cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pathogenicity of Paecilomyces fumosoroseus isolates to diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella: correlation with spore size, germination speed, and attachment to cuticle

Infectivity to larvae of the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella, was compared among eight Paecilomyces fumosoroseus isolates. Isolate infectivity was assessed for correlation with spore length and germination speed. Four isolates applied to P. xylostella cuticle were also compared for number of spores remaining on the cuticle after washing and for percentage germination after 36 h. Infection of larvae inoculated with the different isolates at an average dosage of 4000 conidia/cm2 ranged from 2 to 47%. The correlation of infectivity with spore length and germination speed in broth was highly significant. Fewer spores of the least infective isolate, ARSEF 1576, attached to larval cuticle compared to spores of the more infective isolates ARSEF 3682, 4461, and 4482 (P < 0.05). After 36 h on larval cuticle, the percentage of spores germinated for isolates 1576 and 3682 was 3 and 95%, respectively. Spores of isolate 1576 were smaller, germinated more slowly, and attached to cuticle in smaller numbers than spores of the more infective isolates. Further research will expand our understanding of the mechanisms of virulence among isolates of P. fumosoroseus.
The problem of the displaced scalar meson states

Abstract It is argued that the absence of qq scalar mesons in the 1 to 1.2 GeV region would pose serious problems for the non-relativistic quark model description of the spin-dependence of both meson and baryon spectra. Since the lattice gauge calculations of Hamber and Parisi predict that the light qq scalar mesons lie below the axial vector mesons in the same multiplet, this issue may have wider implications.
Superiority of activated charcoal alone compared with ipecac and activated charcoal in the treatment of acute toxic ingestions.

A prospective, randomized clinical trial compared the clinical effectiveness of syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal to that of activated charcoal alone in the treatment of acute toxic ingestions. Two hundred adult patients with mild to moderate oral overdoses were entered into the trial. Patients receiving only activated charcoal were discharged from the emergency department in significantly ( P ⩽ .05) less time than those receiving both syrup of ipecac and activated charcoal (6.0 ± 0.3 vs 6.8 ± 0.2 hours, respectively). The percentage of patients requiring nonpsychiatric hospitalizations was not significantly different between the two groups (11.2% vs 14.0%, respectively). For the hospitalized patients, the length of time spent in the ICU and in the hospital was not statistically different between the two groups. A complication rate of 5.4% was found with the ipecac and activated charcoal treatment compared with a 0.9% complication rate in the activated charcoal group ( P ⩽ .05). Three episodes of aspiration pneumonitis occurred after administration of ipecac and activated charcoal, while no episodes of aspiration were noted after treatment with only activated charcoal. Together, these data are consistent with the recommendation that ED treatment with activated charcoal alone be the gastrointestinal decontamination procedure of choice for the routine mildly-to-moderately orally poisoned adult patient.
RNA aptamers to the adenosine moiety of S-adenosyl methionine: structural inferences from variations on a theme and the reproducibility of SELEX

We used in vitro selection (SELEX) to isolate RNA 'aptamers' to S-adenosyl methionine (SAM). Individual aptamer sequences conform to the structural element noted previously for adenosine binding in selections for aptamers to ATP and NAD+. When we compare the patterns of sequence conservation among 65 adenosine-binding sequences to the published structure of the adenosine aptamer, we find that the most highly conserved nucleotides contact the bound adenosine directly, and that one conserved nucleotide outside the binding pocket is in position to stabilize nucleotides within the binding pocket. The aptamer's ability to bind diverse adenosine-containing cofactors is easily understood in terms of its mode of binding, which leaves the 5'position exposed to solvent. We propose that aptamers that bind their targets away from the reactive moiety may be particularly well suited for catalysis. Finally, we estimate that one sequence in 10(11) may be able to form this structural motif, and that there may be many other adenosine-binding motifs that have escaped detection because of their lower representation in the starting random pools.
Individually distinctive odors in an invertebrate

Males of Lasioglossum zephyrum demonstrated that females have odors which are characteristic of individuals. In a sequence of presentations of odors of individual females, male response toward odor of a given female decreased with time. However, renewed response resulted from the presentation of odor of another female. Furthermore males of this species are capable of “remembering” individual odors of females in nature, since in the laboratory they remained habituated to odors of individual females for at least 60–135 min.
Abscisic Acid Inhibition of Kinetin Nucleotide Formation in Germinating Lettuce Seeds

Imbibing ‘Grand Rapids’ lettuce (Lactuca saliva L.) seeds take up 14C-kinetin, and metabolize this cytokinin to the 5′-nucleotide. The identity of the labeled nucleotide in seed extracts was verified by Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, paper and thin layer chromatography, and high voltage paper electrophoresis. Incubations with kinetin in the presence of abscisic acid lead to an apparent specific inhibition of kinetin nucleotide formation. ABA has no effect on kinetin uptake, and does not inhibit kinetin nucleotide synthesis in vitro by a cell-free preparation from lettuce seeds. Additionally, ABA does not inhibit adenylate synthesis from exogenously supplied adenine. These results represent a specific cytokinin-ABA interaction, which might play a significant role in the hormonal regulation of lettuce seed germination.
Balancing the benefits and risks of antiplatelet agents in patients with non-ST-segment elevated acute coronary syndromes and undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention

Selecting appropriate antiplatelet therapy requires close attention to the delicate balance between reducing risk of ischemic events while minimizing bleeding risk. The broad range of available agents, while permitting tailoring of pharmacotherapy to individual patients, also complicates selection of optimal regimens. Platelet physiology provides an underpinning for the rationale behind pharmacotherapeutic strategies for patients with non-ST-segment elevated acute coronary syndromes (NSTE ACS) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). The same mechanisms of action that confer anti-ischemic benefit with antiplatelet agents may also be associated with increased risk. In the context of ACS and PCI, antiplatelet agents are used in complex strategies and combinations with other pharmacotherapies targeted at alleviating ischemic symptoms and reducing ischemic risk. Accounting for individual patient risk factors, timing of treatment, and dosage of antiplatelet medications minimizes risk while optimizing outcomes. This review examines results from clinical trials of thienopyridines (clopidogrel, ticlopidine, and the newer prasugrel), the new P2Y12 antagonists ticagrelor and cangrelor, glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors (abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban), and the direct thrombin inhibitor bivalirudin. Recommendations include clopidogrel for use upstream if discontinued 5 days before coronary angiographic bypass graft. Bivalirudin remains a reasonable treatment choice in patients at low to moderate risk; and glycoprotein IIb-IIIa inhibitors confer anti-ischemic benefit with little incremental bleeding risk when individual patient factors are taken into account for their dosing. Increased awareness of the factors contributing to risks and benefits associated with the available antiplatelet agents will help guide physicians in choosing optimal regimens for all patients.
Dislocation kinetics and the acoustic wave aproximation for liquids

Abstract A dislocation dependent model for liquids describes the lattice deformation and the fluidity deformation as additive deformations. The lattice deformation represents distortions of an atom's potential energy structure and is a recoverable deformation response. The fluidity deformation represents discontinuous repositioning of atoms by dislocation kinetics in the lattice structure and is a nonrecoverable deformation response. From this model, one concludes that in liquids the acoustic wave approximation is a description of a recoverable oscillation deformation that has dissipation because of dislocation kinetics. Other more complex waves may exist, but such waves would rapidly disappear because of the small thermodynamic potential for dislocation kinetics in liquids.
Temperature Created by a Tilted Moving Heat Source: Heating Line and Cylinder

Temperatures created by a moving tilted line and a moving tilted cylinder are considered. Analytical expressions for low Peclet (Pe ≪ 1) and high Peclet (Pe ≫ 1) numbers are obtained for the whole range of possible tilt angles. These expressions almost overlap: It is shown that these analytical expressions describe very well the results of numerical calculations at any Peclet numbers except for a very narrow range of Pe close to unity. A method of calculation of the cut shape (variation of the tilt angle inside the cut) is discussed.
Efficient rate control for video streaming

With the increasing importance of heterogeneous networks and time-varying communication channels, such as packet-switched networks and wireless communications, fine scalability has become a highly desirable feature in both image and video coders. A single highly scalable bitstream can provide precise rate control for constant bitrate (CBR) traffic and accurate quality control for variable bitrate (VBR) traffic. In this paper, we propose two methods that provide constant quality video under buffer constraints. These methods can be used with all scalable coders. Experimental results using the Motion JPEG2000 coder demonstrate substantial benefits.
A Model for Allocating Resources to Research Programs by Evaluating Technical Importance and Research Productivity

AbstractResearch management requires practical and effective decision tools to support selection of investment alternatives. In recent years, many research organizations have changed from a discipline orientation to a focus on integrated programs and related outcomes. For managers of these high-profile research programs, it is critical to understand which activities are most important, considering both technical impact and cost-effectiveness. This article proposes a model that integrates quality function deployment and data envelopment analysis to perform this essential task. Based on information from these two decision science tools, the model develops a two-axis evaluation space for research alternatives. By locating particular activities in this decision space, a program manager can compare and prioritize alternative research investments.
Putting science on the map

National Geographic Research. Editor Harm J. de Blij. National Geographic Society. 4/yr. US$40; Canada $61.85; elsewhere $45 (surface), $60 (air).
Some constraints of current conservation on two particle radiative scattering

Abstract The bremsstrahlung scattering amplitude is considered to lowest order in α for two spinless particles. It is shown that the purely off-mass-shell derivatives from the usual pole or external radiation terms cancel exactly with corresponding terms from the internal scattering amplitude to all orders in the photon momentum K . To order K 0 , this is simply a form of the familiar low-energy theorem. Constraints for the on-shell as well as the mixed derivatives are derived. By using the constraints, the bremsstrahlung amplitude may be expressed in terms of internal scattering contributions and on-shell derivatives of the pole terms.
Fiberoptic intubation using intraoral glossopharyngeal nerve block in a patient with severe preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome

Summary Rationale and technique for use of intraoral glossopharyngeal nerve block is described in a parturient with severe preeclampsia and a past history of difficult intubation. Indications and contraindications for administration of other forms of airway anesthesia are discussed.
Rhodium(I) catalyst supported on polymer crystal surfaces: Further hydrogenation studies

Catalysts bound to polymers in the form of crosslinked beads have been demonstrated to have a number of advantages over homogeneous catalysts. However, there are several problems that exist due to the polymer support being in the form of a bead. The rate of reaction depends on the presence of solvents that adequately swell the bead in order to allow access to the catalytic sites. Differences in polarity and reactant size can inhibit diffusion into the bead. Recently a new system has been developed whereby tris(triphenyl phosphine) chlororhodium (I) (Wilkinson's catalyst) is bound to the surface of polyethylene single crystals. Polyethylene single crystals have a very high surface to volume ratio allowing for greater ease of reaction compared to a bead system. In a previous paper we showed that there is a dramatic increase in catalytic activity and that the reaction rate increased as the polarity of solvent was increased, even in ethanol where the homogeneous catalyst is not soluble and the polystyrene bead support would not swell. In this letter we are describing the activity of hydrogenation of olefins contained in both large and/or polar molecules. The results demonstrate the advantages of supported catalysts on polyethylene single crystals rather than on polymer beads.
Age at first birth and family size: evidence from a longitudinal study.

The relationship of age at 1st birth and subsequent fertility was examined by introducing into the analysis some measures of orientation toward family roles not usually available in other studies. The data source was a longitudinal study spanning the 1962-77 period. The sample drawn from 1961 birth and marriage registrations constitutes a probability sample of all white women in the Detroit metropolitan area who had just married or who had just had a 1st 2nd or 4th birth. 5 interviews were completed during this period. Excellent response rates were obtained throughout the study with 1157 women constituting 89% of the original sample still participating in 1977. The findings confirmed the expected negative association between age at 1st birth and completed family size. For the sample as a whole the average number of children ever born in 1977 declined monotonically with age at 1st birth. Within separate parity groups the relationship of fertility to age at 1st birth was not as strong and somewhat less regular but a monotonic inverse relationship again appeared within parity groups (with 1 minor exception) when respondentss background (wifes education religion and number of siblings; respondents fathers education and occupation) were controlled. Of the background variables wifes religion exerted the strongest effect on the relationship between fertility and age at 1st birth. Catholic women had larger families than other women and also married at older ages. Work experience between marriage and 1962 including current work was associated positively with age at 1st birth. The differentials in the proportion with some work since marriage associated with age at 1st birth were sizable and the differences were statistically significant for parities 0 1 and 2. The combined index of sex role attitudes had no regular relationship to age at 1st birth. Women who were very young at 1st birth (under age 20) in every parity group did express more traditional attitudes but there were no attitudinal differentials associated with later ages at 1st birth. When the 3 role orientation variables were added to the regression analysis they had no effect on the age at 1st birth/fertility relationship beyond that accounted for by the background variables. Neither home oriented behavior nor traditional sex role attitudes accounted for the higher fertility of women who had their 1st birth at an early age. Women who had an early 1st birth went on to have larger families than women who postponed childbearing longer.
Full-Wave Analysis of Microstrip Open-End and Gap Discontinuities

A solution is presented for the characteristics of microstrip open-end and gap discontinuities on an infinite dielectric substrate. The exact Green's function of the grounded dielectric slab is used in a moment method procedure, so surface waves as well as space-wave radiation are included. The electric currents on the line are expanded in terms of longitudinal subsectional piecewise sinusoidal modes near the discontinuity, with entire domain traveling-wave modes used to represent incident, reflected, and, for the gap, transmitted waves away from the discontinuity. Results are given for the end admittance of an open-ended line, and the end conductance is compared with measurements. Results are also given for the reflection coefficient magnitude and surface-wave power generation of an open-ended line on substrates with various dielectric constants. Loss to surface and space waves is calculated for a representative gap discontinuity.
Verbal Decision Analysis: Foundations and Trends

The primary goal of research in multiple criteria decision analysis is to develop tools to help people make more reasonable decisions. In many cases, the development of such tools requires the combination of knowledge derived from such areas as applied mathematics, cognitive psychology, and organizational behavior. Verbal Decision Analysis (VDA) is an example of such a combination. It is based on valid mathematical principles, takes into account peculiarities of human information processing system, and fits the decision process into existing organizational environments. The basic underpinnings of Verbal Decision Analysis are demonstrated by early VDA methods, such as ZAPROS and ORCLASS. New trends in their later modifications are discussed. Published applications of VDA methods are presented to support the findings.
The Poetry Corner

Letters from: [ Jonathan Knight ][1] [ Martin Grayson ][1] Two readers, inspired by exciting developments in the biological and physical sciences (Random Samples, 28 Feb., [p. 1271][2]; L. Spruch, “Long-range (Casimir) interactions,” 7 June 1996, [p. 1452][3]), offer the following verse
Off-resonance properties of a Photoelastic Modulator

Polarization modulation in photo-elastic modulators (PEM) driven on and off resonance has been investigated for a commercially available PEM using a high speed infrared (lambda=1550 nm) polarimeter. Off-resonance operation was explored in the hope of finding a slower operating mode than the primary resonance. The primary resonance, used for normal PEM operation, was 5 Hz wide with a Q of 8500. The phase transfer function was well behaved and typical of electrical resonances. Device startup and shutdown had smooth amplitude changes occurring over 1/3rd of a second. The photo-elastic modulator was examined at drive frequencies significantly below the resonant frequency. Driving the PEM with several odd sub-harmonics generated resonance at the fundamental frequency. Three other lower frequency resonances were discovered, but all at an oscillation amplitude more than 12 db below the amplitude of the fundamental resonance. Thus a practical configuration to allow slower operation of the PEM was not found.
Sea Hunters or Sea Farmers? Transitions in Chilean Fisheries

Coastal communities are facing inevitable social-ecological change as aquaculture gains prominence as a major economic industry, and as wild-capture fisheries decline. This paper provides an analysis of this shift through the systematic measurement of indicators of social-ecological resilience in a coastal community on Chiloe Island, Chile, that is undergoing a transformation from small-scale fisheries to wage labor in aquaculture firms. This paper is a presentation of an innovative method to empirically measure indicators of social-ecological resilience, with the intention that the method may be used by other researchers who are attempting to understand a community's capacity for resilience in a variety of settings.
Increasing dose gradient and uniformity in small fields using modulation: Theory and prototypes for cone-based stereotactic radiosurgery

Purpose: To investigate the theoretical limits to the tradeoff between dose gradient and uniformity when modulation is used in the context of cone based SRS, and to design a prototype collimation device that allows for steeper dose gradients and/or higher target uniformity as compared to a standard circular collimator. Methods: An inverse planning optimization is performed in the context of idealized phantom geometry to determine the ideal fluence pattern that best approximates a “rect function” dose distribution. Ideal fluence patterns were approximated in a prototype device and radiochromic film dosimetry was utilized to compare the prototype device to a standard circular collimator. Results: For choices of prescription isodose lines above approximately 50%, utilizing modulation allows for an improved tradeoff between dose gradient index and dose heterogeneity index. Compensators placed within the circular collimator can achieve the necessary modulation. Conclusions: Using modulation with features on a submillimeter distance scale, it is possible to increase the dose gradient and/or uniformity in small fields.
The invertebrate growth factor/CECR1 subfamily of adenosine deaminase proteins.

Abstract Adenosine deaminase (ADA) catalyzes the hydrolysis of adenosine to inosine. Its lack determines severe combined immunodeficiency in mammals, possibly due to accumulation of extracellular adenosine, which induces apoptosis in lymphocytes ( Franco et al., 1998 ). Thus, presence of normal levels of ADA leads to normal growth and proliferation of lymphocytes. Several vertebrate and microbial ADA amino-acid sequences are known, with substantial similarity to each other. On the other hand, there are invertebrate growth factors as well as a candidate gene for the human cat eye syndrome (CECR1) ( Riazi et al., 2000 . Genomics 64, 277–285), which share substantial similarity to each other, and also to ADA. In this study, we report the expression and ADA enzymatic activity of a cDNA from the salivary glands of Lutzomyia longipalpis, a blood-sucking insect, with substantial similarity to insect growth factors and to human CECR1. We also demonstrate the existence of a subfamily of the adenosine deaminase family characterized by their unique amino-terminal region. Both Drosophila melanogaster and humans have both types of adenosine deaminases. Results indicate that these invertebrate proteins previously annotated as growth factors, as well as the human CECR1 gene product, may exert their actions through adenosine depletion. The different roles played by each type of adenosine deaminase in humans and Drosophila remains to be fully investigated.
Ferroelectric-thermoelectricity and Mott transition of ferroelectric oxides with high electronic conductivity

Abstract This paper reviews ferroelectric oxides in the unusual condition where the concentration of electronic carriers is close to a metal–insulator transition; in certain structures and compositions these materials have properties of interest for oxide based thermoelectric applications. In relaxor ferroelectrics, nanopolar regions associated with intrinsic localized phonon modes provide glass-like phonon characteristics due to the large levels of phonon scattering. The (Sr1−xBax)Nb2O6−δ relaxor ferroelectric single crystals have a high thermoelectric power factor, S2σ ∼ 40 μW/cm K2 at 277 °C along the c-axis, which is competitive with the best thermoelectrics. In the heavily reduced, nonstoichiometric n-type perovskite BaTiO3−δ and tungsten bronze (Sr1−xBax)Nb2O6−δ, it is shown that metallic-like conductivity occurs in the paraelectric phase and the onset of ferroelectricity stabilizes semiconducting character. Both the phase transition temperature dependence on the carrier concentration and evidence for polarization coupling to the conductivity mechanism will be discussed.
Prediction of concentration polarization and flux behavior in reverse osmosis by numerical analysis

Abstract A Galerkin finite elements program was developed to compute the concentration profiles throughout a reverse osmosis membrane module to predict the performance of the module. Parametric studies were performed to establish program consistency. Diffusivity was taken as a function of concentration, and the error of assuming an isotropic diffusivity is discussed. Multicomponent solutions were studied assuming no interactions between solutes. The finite element method allowed rapid evaluation of various membrane module configurations, such as tapered cell geometry and channels containing spacers. A spiral wound module was approximated using a straight channel with spacers, and the results obtained were closer than previously published approximate solutions when compared with experimental data. Computer analysis was also extended from a Newtonian fluid to a Bingham fluid.
Giorgio Amendola: La politica economica e il capitalismo italiano, edited by Gianni Cervetti

Giorgio Amendola: La politica economica e il capitalismo italiano, edited by Gianni Cervetti, Milan, Angelo Guerini e Associati, 2007, 199 pp., [euro]18.00 (paperback), ISBN 978-88-8335-979-8 This ...
The Calibration and Stability of a 1200°F Permanent Magnet In-Core Sodium Flowmeter

A previously described, permanent magnet (PM), in-core flowmeter for use in sodium cooled reactors has been fabricated and installed in the Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) Sodium Flowmeter Calibration Loop. The calibration test facility and procedures are described and a typical family of flowmeter calibration curves are presented. The measured sensitivity is compared to that theoretically predicted and the discrepancies are discussed. Long term performance of the flowmeter is discussed.
Segmenting international industrial markets

This study “links” Japanese purchasing agents’ attitudes of the United States and U.S. suppliers of products to buyer intentions. A Multiple Analysis of Variance procedure (MANOVA) is utilized to detect similar variances between attitudes and homogeneous demographics. The result of the research is a method that defines industrial market segments in Japan.
Interaction of immunoglobulin G with N,N,N',N'-ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid-modified zirconia.

Abstract Zirconia beads (25–38 μm in diameter) were modified with N,N,N′,N′-ethylenediaminetetramethylenephosphonic acid to generate a pseudo-biospecific support, r_PEZ. To better understand the force of interaction between the IgG and the r_PEZ, the equilibrium dissociation constant ( K d ) was determined by static binding isotherms, as a function of temperature and by frontal analysis at different linear velocities. Temperature had no significant impact on the maximum static binding capacity ( Q max ) and the equilibrium-binding constant ( K d ), whereas pH and the salt concentration had a noticeable impact on both Q max and K d values. Q max was found to be in the range of 55–65 mg IgG per ml of beads and unaffected by temperature. The maximum dynamic binding capacity ( Q x ) was found to be in the range of 20–12 mg IgG per ml of beads. The adsorption rate constant ( k a ) was determined by a split-peak approach to be between 982 and 3242 l mol −1 s −1 depending on the linear velocity. Adsorption rate of IgG on r_PEZ was studied as a function of both feed concentration and linear velocity. The standard enthalpy and entropy values were estimated for the interaction of IgG with this novel support. The binding constants were also determined by modeling the batch protein-uptake data.
Afterslip no longer an afterthought

Measuring the imperceptible motion of tectonic plates has become possible with sub-centimetre positioning from satellite data. Such measurements show that postseismic creep can release as much energy as violent earthquakes.
Neuronal activation by GPI-linked neuroligin-1 displayed in synthetic lipid bilayer membranes.

We have characterized, in vitro, interactions between hippocampal neuronal cells and silica microbeads coated with synthetic, fluid, lipid bilayer membranes containing the glycosylphosphatidyl inositol (GPI)-linked extracellular domain of the postsynaptic membrane protein neuroligin-1. These bilayer−neuroligin-1 beads activated neuronal cells to form presynaptic nerve terminals at the point of contact in a manner similar to that observed for live PC12 cells, ectopically expressing the full length neuroligin-1. The synthetic membranes exhibited biological activity at neuroligin-1 densities of ∼1 to 6 proteins/μm2. Polyolycarbonate beads with neuroligin-1 covalently attached to the surface failed to activate neurons despite the fact that neuroligin-1 binding activity is preserved. This implies that a lipid membrane environment is likely to be essential for neuroligin-1 activity. This technique allows the study of isolated proteins in an environment that has physical properties resembling those of a cell sur...
Course and follow-up of solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyps: a case series.

Abstract Background and aims. Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS) is a rare, autosomal-dominant disease characterized by hamartomatous polyps of the alimentary tract, hyperpigmentation of the skin, and family history of PJS. Rarely, solitary Peutz-Jeghers polyps (PJP) arise in patients without other features of PJS. Patients and methods. We reviewed eight patients since 1979 with solitary PJP, six men and two women. Results. The average age at diagnosis was higher (56±13 years) than that of PJS patients in the literature. Polyps were found in the sigmoid colon (n=4), cecum (n=1), stomach (n=1), and duodenum (n=2). The colonic polyps were diagnosed and removed endoscopically. Indications for colonoscopy included routine screening (n=4) or rectal bleeding (n=1). The duodenal and gastric polyps were diagnosed and removed during gastroduodenoscopic examinations, which were performed for nonspecific dyspepsia (n=2) or gastrointestinal bleeding (n=1). The median size was 20 mm (range 2 mm-25 mm). Patients were followed for a median of 11.5 years (range 3–22) without another PJP or cancer. Three patients died of causes unrelated to PJP. Five patients are alive and polyp free. Conclusion. Solitary PJP do not carry a risk of gastrointestinal cancer and are not an indication for specific high-risk screening.
Traditional rulers and development administration: Chieftaincy in Niger, Nigeria, and Vanuatu

Although the paramountcy of chiefs was undone by colonial rule, traditional rulers have served as important adjuncts in the administration of post-colonial government in both Africa and Oceania. This paper examines the evolution of the chieftaincy, particularly as an agent of administration, in West Africa (Niger and Nigeria) and Melanesia (Vanuatu). Although French and British colonial regimes had distinctive policies regarding the use of “their” chiefs, post-colonial Nigerien, Nigerian, and ni-Vanuatu governments have all come to rely on traditional rulers to aid in development activities. The degree of autonomy retained by traditional rulers varies, however: it is highest in Vanuatu, lowest in Niger. Differing conceptions and uses of tradition and “custom” help explain these variations. Five modern functions of traditional rulers are identified as contributing to development administration: 1) linkage or “brokering” between grassroots and capital; 2) extension of national identity through the conferral of traditional titles; 3) low-level conflict resolution and judicial gate-keeping; 4) ombudsmanship; and 5) institutional safety-valve for overloaded and subapportioned bureaucracies. Creating educated chieftaincies significantly enhances the effectiveness of traditional rulers' contributions to development and administration.
A Vacuum Control Subsystem for the Fermilab Tevatron

The CAMAC 170 module and CIA crate provide a convenient, cost effective method of interfacing any system requiring a large number of simple devices to be multiplexed into the Accelerator Control System. This system is ideal for relatively slowly changing systems where ten bit analog to digital conversions are sufficiently accurate. Together with vacuum interface CIA cards and prom-based software resident in the 170, this system is used to provide intelligent local monitoring and control for the Tevatron vacuum subsystems. Although not implemented in the vacuum interface, digital to analog converters could be included on the plug in modules as well, providing a total digital and analog multiplexing scheme.
Ear packing after ear surgery: is it really necessary?

Objective: We question the need for packing of the ear canal after ear surgery. For several years, it had not been the first author's standard practice to use post-operative ear packing. During this period, few problems or complications had been encountered. Setting: Tertiary referral, academic, paediatric hospital. Materials and methods: A retrospective review of all children who had undergone major ear surgery in our unit over the last year was carried out. These cases represented a full range of otological procedures. Post-operative complications and infections in the first six post-operative weeks were recorded. Results: A total of 135 ears were operated upon in 107 patients ranging in age from 11 months to 19 years (mean 9.5 years). During this time period, eight children (7.5 per cent) developed a post-operative ear infection. No cases of tympanic or meatal granulations, problems with the tympanomeatal flap, or meatal stenosis were encountered. All infections were successfully managed with topical antibiotics. Discussion: We conclude that packing after ear surgery may be safely abandoned. This would not only save valuable operating time, but would also obviate the need for pack removal, always a source of discomfort and anxiety. This is especially important in children, who may subsequently require a further general anaesthesia in order to remove the pack.
Angiotensin signaling and receptor types in teleost fish

Abstract Despite advances characterizing mammalian angiotensin receptors, the phylogeny of fish angiotensin receptors remains unclear. Three aspects of receptor function: (1) the nature of the ligand; (2) the second messenger system activated by it; and (3) the pharmacological profile of specific antagonists, are examined to provide insight into the fish receptor. (1) The octapeptide sequences of fish and mammalian angiotensin II (ANG II) are nearly homologous, differing only at the first and fifth residues. Both peptides are almost equally efficacious and equipotent in heterologous systems and both contain key agonist switches Tyr4 and Phe8 necessary to activate mammalian AT1-type receptors. (2) ANG II increases inositol trisphosphate production, and elevates intracellular calcium in fish tissues consistent with activation of the AT1 receptor. (3) However, the specific mammalian sartan-type AT1 antagonists, e.g. losartan, produce inconsistent results in fish often acting as partial agonists, or inhibiting only at elevated concentrations. Because sartans and ANG II act at distinct sites on the AT1 receptor, we propose that the teleost receptor is an AT1-type receptor that is fairly well conserved with respect to both the ANG binding site and coupling to the second messenger system, whereas the sartan binding site has been poorly conserved. The evidence for non-AT1 type ANG II receptors in teleosts is limited. Mammalian AT2 receptor antagonists are generally ineffective but may block at elevated, non-specific doses. Truncated ANG II fragments, ANG III and ANG IV, are often less potent than ANG II, however, their receptors have not been examined. Preliminary studies in trout indicate that angiotensin 1–7 may have a mild vasodilatory effect; additional work is needed to determine if non-AT1-type receptors are involved.
Bacteremias in liver transplant recipients: Shift toward gram‐negative bacteria as predominant pathogens

During the 1990s, gram-positive bacteria emerged as major pathogens after liver transplantation. We sought to determine whether the pathogens associated with bacteremias in liver transplant recipients have changed. Patients included 233 liver transplant recipients transplanted between 1989 and 2003. The proportion of all infections due to bacteremias increased significantly over time (P <.0001). Of other major infections, a trend toward a decrease in fungal infections (P =.089) and a significant decrease in cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease (P =.0004) were documented. Whereas the proportion of bacteremias due to gram-negatives increased from 25% in the period of 1989-1993 to 51.8% in 1998-03, that of gram-positive bacteria decreased from 75% in the period of 1989-93 to 48.2% in the period of 1998-2003. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the most frequent pathogens in bacteremic patients. The incidence of bacteremias due to MRSA and Pseudomonas aeruginosa has remained unchanged (P <.20); however, that due to enteric gram-negative bacteria, particularly Klebsiella pneumoniae has increased (P =.02). Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates in the current quartile were not clonally related. In conclusion, bacteremias as a proportion of all infections in liver transplant recipients have increased significantly over time, due in part to a decline in infections due to other major pathogens, e.g., fungi, primarily Candida species, and CMV. Gram-negative bacteria have emerged as predominant pathogens in bacteremic liver transplant recipients.
Big bang theory of stem-like T cells confirmed

In this issue of Blood , Stemberger et al show that the progeny of a single CD62Lhi cell can provide protection against bacterial challenge and that ultra-low doses of cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8+ T cells can expand greatly in humans.[1][1] ![Figure][2] Current model of CD8+ T-cell
The Genetic Regulation of ADPRT/PARP-1 in Aging and Cancer Susceptibility

The ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT) gene encodes the poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1 (PARP-1) enzyme, which plays critical roles in DNA-damage signaling and repair, cell death, maintenance of genomic stability, and carcinogenesis. It may also serve as a potential target for cancer therapy. In this review, we evaluate findings from animal model systems and molecular epidemiological studies to demonstrate the potential role of ADPRT/PARP-1 in aging and carcinogenesis. With increasing interest in associating human cancer risk with single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and/or dysfunction of ADPRT/PARP-1, several important technical challenges will need to be overcome. These challenges include developing specific functional assays, selecting SNPs with potential functional impact, and exploring statistical methods for gene-gene and gene-environmental interactions. Therefore, this review also highlights strategies to evaluate the functional significance of ADPRT/PARP-1 SNPs in human cancer risk assessment. In summary, dysfunction of PARP-1 may play a critical role in abnormal cellular functions; its molecular mechanism in aging and cancer susceptibility is an issue which needs urgently to be elucidated.
Bayesian Browsing Model: Exact Inference of Document Relevance from Petabyte-Scale Data

A fundamental challenge in utilizing Web search click data is to infer user-perceived relevance from the search log. Not only is the inference a difficult problem involving statistical reasonings but the bulky size, together with the ever-increasing nature, of the log data imposes extra requirements on scalability. In this paper, we propose the Bayesian Browsing Model (BBM), which performs exact inference of the document relevance, only requires a single pass of the data (i.e., the optimal scalability), and is shown effective.We present two sets of experiments to evaluate the model effectiveness and scalability. On the first set of over 50 million search instances of 1.1 million distinct queries, BBM outperforms the state-of-the-art competitor by 29.2p in log-likelihood while being 57 times faster. On the second click log set, spanning a quarter of petabyte, we showcase the scalability of BBM: we implemented it on a commercial MapReduce cluster, and it took only 3 hours to compute the relevance for 1.15 billion distinct query-URL pairs.
Modeling the polymerization behavior of vegetable‐oil‐derived macromonomers in solution by computer simulation

A computer simulation model was used to study the polymerization behavior of multifunctional, vegetable-oil-derived macromonomers. Mixtures of olefins (A) and acrylates (B) were initially randomly dispersed on a cubic lattice of size L3. Interactions between A, B, and the solvent sites were considered with respect to their relative proximity, mobility and some kinetics. The Metropolis algorithm was used to move each functional group (A and B). Stirred and equilibrated samples were prepared before reaction initiation. Reactions between the functional groups were implemented with a bonding probability kαβ, which was subject to the availability of unsaturated bonds. The conversion factor, that is, the growth of A–B bonds, was analyzed for a range of polymer concentrations (p = 0.2–0.8) with different reaction probabilities (i.e., kαβ). A stirred (nonequilibrium) sample did not allow sufficient time for the functional groups to arrange according to the interaction parameters. Therefore, the simulations were rerun with equilibrated samples and were found to be consistent with experimental observations. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1164–1172, 2004
Leveraging Learning to Improve Disaster Management Outcomes

Disaster management agencies should be exemplars of learning given the volatility of their operating environment. However, there are cognitive, social, and organizational barriers that prevent these organizations from learning. The purpose of this article is to use the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) as an example of an organization that achieves double-loop learning in spite of known barriers. This research shows significant learning variations in the CDEMA organization from the regional to the national level. The results demonstrate that the CDEMA Coordinating Unit and a few national member agencies achieve double-loop learning, while the opposite is true for many national disaster offices. Analysis of this variation is one contribution to the disaster management and organizational learning literature. The article also suggests that organizational culture is an important precursor to learning and adds a much needed case example to the management and learning literature. The study ends with a proposal for future research in the area of disaster management, culture and learning, and propositions for national disaster offices to consider in order to enhance double-loop learning.
System-Size Dependence of Diffusion Coefficients and Viscosities from Molecular Dynamics Simulations with Periodic Boundary Conditions

We study the system-size dependence of translational diffusion coefficients and viscosities in molecular dynamics simulations under periodic boundary conditions. Simulations of water under ambient conditions and a Lennard-Jones (LJ) fluid show that the diffusion coefficients increase strongly as the system size increases. We test a simple analytic correction for the system-size effects that is based on hydrodynamic arguments. This correction scales as N-1/3, where N is the number of particles. For a cubic simulation box of length L, the diffusion coefficient corrected for system-size effects is D0 = DPBC + 2.837297kBT/(6πηL), where DPBC is the diffusion coefficient calculated in the simulation, kB the Boltzmann constant, T the absolute temperature, and η the shear viscosity of the solvent. For water, LJ fluids, and hard-sphere fluids, this correction quantitatively accounts for the system-size dependence of the calculated self-diffusion coefficients. In contrast to diffusion coefficients, the shear viscos...
Gestational hypercalciuria causes pathological urine calcium oxalate supersaturations

Gestational hypercalciuria causes pathological urine calcium oxalate supersaturations. Although normal pregnant women are more hypercal-ciuric than women with calcium oxalate nephrolithiasis (243 ± 23 mg/day vs. 194 ± 5 mg/day), pregnancy is not an established stone-forming state and pregnant women do not exhibit pathological crystalluria. One hypothesis to explain their lack of overt stone formation and pathological crystalluria is that pregnancy does not raise urine supersaturation with respect to stone forming salts such as calcium oxalate or calcium monohydrogen phosphate (brushite) to levels as high as in stone forming women. To test this hypothesis, we studied eleven normal women during each trimester of pregnancy, and between six and eight weeks post-partum. During pregnancy, hypercalciuria occurs with unchanged urine volume, citrate and magnesium excretions do not increase proportionally with calcium excretion, and urine pH increases. Supersaturations with respect to calcium oxalate (CaOx) and brushite (Br) are as high as those of women with calcium nephrolithiasis. The lack of pathological crystalluria and stones during pregnancy is not due to a failure of supersaturations to increase; urinary potential for crystallization is as high as in patients with established stone disease.
[3H]Nimodipine specific binding to cardiac myocytes and subcellular fractions

Abstract [3H]Nimodipine binding was studied in isolated myocytes from rat heart and in partially purified sarcolemma, sarcoplasmic reticulum and mitochondrial fractions from dog heart. In isolated myocytes, the density of [3H]nimodipine specific sites (106 per cell) was close to the density of [3H]QNB sites (0.8 × 106 per cell) and higher than that of [3H]DHA sites (0.2 × 106 per cell). During subcellular fractionation, [3H]nimodipine binding did not copurify with plasma membrane markers. The highest densities were found in fractions enriched in sarcolemma or in sarcoplasmic reticulum. No specific binding was found in mitochondria. These results indicate that the localization of [3H]nimodipine sites is not restricted to areas of the plasma membrane rich in β-adrenoceptors, muscarinic receptors and sodium pump sites.
Dispersion of Gold Nanoparticles in UV-Cured, Thiol−Ene Films by Precomplexation of Gold−Thiol

Alkyl thiols and alkenes (enes) polymerize via an extremely rapid step-growth, free-radical chain process, uninhibited by air, to give high-density networks with excellent mechanical and physical properties. These thiol−ene coatings are potentially useful for a wide variety of coatings, adhesives, and optical applications. In this work, a series of nanogold-containing UV-cured, thiol−ene coatings were prepared from trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate) (trithiol) and pentaerythritol allyl ether (triene) monomers using a unique procedure which facilitates precomplexation of the gold−thiol prior to photocuring. Irgacure 651 (1 wt %) was used as a photoinitiator, and nanogold was incorporated at 0−1 wt %, average ∼10 nm size particles by TEM. Physical and mechanical properties were characterized using bulk tack analysis and other standard techniques: DSC, TGA, pencil hardness, and gel fractions. In general, films were found to be low absorbing in the visible range and highly uniform and to contain we...