cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies on ribosomes of rat spleen during the immune response

Abstract Microsomes and ribosomes (i.e., microsomes treated with sodium deoxycholate) have been prepared from homogenates of spleens of nonimmunized rats and rats that were immunized to sheep erythrocytes. The method used to prepare microsomes allows the release of ribosomes from endoplasmic reticulum without the aid of detergent. Particles thus obtained were sedimented by zonal centrifugation through a sucrose gradient. Six peaks of optical density of 254 mμ were observed that represented 65S, 81S, 105S, 120S, 154S, and 175S. The predominant peak was 120S. Similar optical density profiles were found with both microsomes and ribosomes from spleens of all rats, immunized and nonimmunized. Labeling in vivo with 32 P of RNA associated with ribosomes from immunized rats showed that the relative specific activity increased to a maximum of about twofold at 72 hours after injection of antigen over that found in nonimmunized animals. The relative amount of amino acid incorporated in a cell-free system by microsomes or ribosomes increased with immunization. With ribosomes, this amount reached a maximal twofold at 3 days after injection of antigen; with microsomes, it was a maximal 1.3-fold at 2 days after immunization. Zonal centrifugation of incubation mixtures showed loss in the 120S region, and larger polysomes with concurrent increase in 81S with time.
Plaçage and the Performance of Whiteness: The Trial of Eulalie Mandeville, Free Colored Woman, of Antebellum New Orleans

Depictions of placage, a type of concubinage found in pre-Civil War New Orleans, have tended toward the romantic. A group of scholars have shown recently that, contrary to popular perception, many placage unions were no different from common-law marriages. This article takes a case-study approach to examine one such relationship in detail – one that was the subject of a legal challenge involving the fortune of perhaps the wealthiest free black woman in Louisiana. I apply Ariela J. Gross's theory of “performance of whiteness” to demonstrate why free woman of color Eulalie Mandeville won her case over her white partner's numerous white relatives at a time when free blacks in Louisiana and the rest of the nation were losing rights.
Differentiating the rapid actions of cocaine

The subjective effects of intravenous cocaine are felt almost immediately, and this immediacy plays an important part in the drug's rewarding impact. The primary rewarding effect of cocaine involves blockade of dopamine reuptake; however, the onset of this action is too late to account for the drug's initial effects. Recent studies suggest that cocaine-predictive cues--including peripheral interoceptive cues generated by cocaine itself--come to cause more direct and earlier reward signalling by activating excitatory inputs to the dopamine system. The conditioned activation of the dopamine system by cocaine-predictive cues offers a new target for potential addiction therapies.
Photocatalytic transformation and mineralization of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) in TiO2 slurries

An analysis of the photodegradation of TNT in a TiO2 slurry reactor is presented. The rates and extent of TNT transformation and mineralization are compared for photocatalytic and direct photolytic reactions under conditions of varying light energies and in the presence and absence of oxygen. Certain initial organic transformation products are identified for both photocatalytic and photolytic reactions. Nitrate, nitrite, and ammonium ions are analyzed and the possibility of semiconductor sensitization by colored compounds is considered. TNT was transformed rapidly under each set of photochemical conditions but destruction was faster and more complete with TiO2 photocatalysis. Transformation by-products were destroyed readily under oxygenated photocatalytic conditions and were observed to be more refractory under direct photolytic conditions. Mass balances performed on carbon and nitrogen revealed that when the TiO2 photocatalyst was utilized in the presence of oxygen and near u.v. radiation (λ > 340 nm) approx. 90% of the TNT was mineralized and 35% of the total nitrogen was recovered as ammonium ion after 120 min. Among the large number of organic transformation products produced photocatalytically, trinitrobenzoic acid, trinitrobenzene and trinitrophenol have been identified as oxidative intermediate species and dinitroaniline as a reduction product. The photocatalytic transformation of TNT appears to involve both oxidative and reductive steps and sensitization by colored compounds plays no detectable role in degradation.
Characterization of interfaces in C fiber-reinforced laminated C–SiC matrix composites

Abstract Interfacial studies of carbon fiber-reinforced laminated matrix composites (LMCs) of alternating matrix layers of SiC and carbon prepared by forced-flow thermal-gradient chemical vapor infiltration (FCVI) have been undertaken by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The carbon–carbon interfacial region consistently displayed distinctive features that enabled the microstructures of the fiber carbon, a thin carbon layer deposited as fiber coating, and the matrix carbon to be distinguished. A thin discontinuous layer of relatively lower graphitic degree was observed at the interface of the fiber and its carbon coating, whereas the interface between the fiber coating and the first carbon layer of the matrix displayed a thin, patchy, and partially ordered layer. At the C–SiC interfaces within the matrix, the interface was observed to be well-defined on one side with the c -axis of the pyrocarbon layers nearly perpendicular to the interface, but, at the other end, the interface appeared rough and somewhat diffuse due to the nature of SiC growth during CVI.
Demand response for chemical manufacturing using Economic MPC

The notion of demand response in electric power systems is to use time varying electricity price structures to encourage consumers to track generation availability. Specifically, when available generation is low, either due to high demand or a lack of renewable sources, an increase in electricity rates is intended to encourage smart grid participants to reduce consumption. Similarly, when on-line generation is higher than demand, smart grid participants may benefit from low electricity rates. While many think of smart grid participants as residential consumers, the commercial building and industrial sectors will likely result in a higher grid impact to implementation cost ratio. In this work we investigate potential demand response mechanisms from the chemical manufacturing industry. It will be shown that depending on the type of upgrade hardware selected the smart grid operating policy will either be an application of Real-Time Optimization (RTO) or Economic Model Predictive Control (EMPC). In the case of EMPC the impact of prediction horizon size will be highlighted.
13C NMR studies of methylnucleosides

The 13C chemical shifts of 22 methylated ribonucleosides and deoxyribonucleosides have been measured and assigned. The chemical shift differences between methylated and unmodified nucleosides are correlated with their characteristic modifications of structure. The significance of the chemical shift and tautomeric variations is discussed.
Symptom prevalence and physiologic biomarkers among adolescents using a mobile phone intervention following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Children undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) have reported treatment-related symptoms as the worst part of their cancer experience, which create difficulties with other life events and are remembered long after treatment ended (Enskar, Carlsson, Golsater, & Hamrin, 1997; Woodgate & Degner, 2003). Nausea, vomiting, fatigue, pain, anorexia, diarrhea, dry mouth, and taste changes develop immediately after HSCT and persist for months (Barker, Anderson, Sauve, & Butzner, 2005; Rodgers et al, 2008), increasing the need for medical care and negatively affecting patients’ development, compliance to treatment, and quality of life (Erickson et al, 2012; Cohen et al, 2012). The Eating After Transplant (EAT!) mobile phone application (app) was developed to provide adolescent HSCT patients with descriptive information and useful strategies regarding common symptoms and eating issues during the first 100 days post HSCT (Rodgers, Krance, Street, & Hockenberry, 2013). To meet the expressed needs of patients recovering from HSCT to participate in self-care activities, manage their symptoms, and have available information delivered in a practical method (Larson, 1995), EAT! provides descriptions of common gastrointestinal (GI) problems and self-care strategies in an easily accessible format for mobile phones. The app has demonstrated acceptability and usability, and HSCT patients were immediately competent with the app following orientation (Rodgers, Krance, Street, & Hockenberry, 2013). The current study extends those findings by assessing whether the EAT! app is associated with decreased symptom prevalence or distress or with improved biomarkers, thereby enhancing well-being.
Twelfth Enzyme Mechanisms Conference

Abstract The twelfth biennial conference on enzyme mechanisms, organized by J. J. Villafranca (Chairman), R. Armstrong, D. Estelle, R. Matthews and S.-C. Tu, was held on January 4–6, 1991, at the Catamaran Resort Hotel in San Diego, California. The meetings were organized into sessions on the general topics: (1) Enzyme Mechanisms; (2) Enzyme Structure and Intermediates; (3) Enzyme-Substrate Interactions; (4) Biological Oxidations; and (5) Molecular Recognition. A keynote lecture was delivered on Molecular Studies of the Cyclophilin Class of Isomerases. A poster session was held throughout the meeting, with over 60 posters presented, covering a wide range of mechanistic enzymology. A brief synopsis of each of the major talks is given, including some relevant references to provide an entry into the current work in these areas. A complete listing of the titles and authors of the poster presentations is also included.
Norovirus GII.4 Strain Antigenic Variation

Noroviruses are the principal cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. Multiple reports have concluded that the major capsid proteins of GII.4 strains, which cause 80% of norovirus infections worldwide, are evolving rapidly, resulting in new epidemic strains. Surrogate neutralization assays using sera from outbreaks and from immunized mice suggest that, as with influenza virus, antigenic variation maintains GII.4 persistence in the face of human population herd immunity. To test this hypothesis, mice were hyperimmunized with virus-like particles (VLPs) representing an early (GII.4-1987) and a contemporary (GII.4-2006) GII.4 strain. Anti-GII.4-1987 IgG monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) strongly reacted with GII.4 VLPs derived between only 1987 and 2002. Ligand binding blockade was more efficient with GII.4-1987 and GII.4-1997 VLPs than with GII.4-2002. Anti-GII.4-2006 IgG MAbs recognized either a broad panel of GII.4 VLPs (1987 to 2006) or a subset of contemporary (2004 to 2006) VLPs. Most 2006 antibodies did not recognize or only poorly recognized GII.4 VLPs of 2007 or 2008, documenting rapid antigenic evolution of GII.4 capsids. Generally, 2006 MAbs blocked homotypic VLP-ligand binding but were unable to block VLPs representing strains primarily circulating during or earlier than 2002. These analyses demonstrate that both subtle and significant evolutionary change has occurred within antibody epitopes between epidemic strains, providing direct evidence that the GII.4 noroviruses are undergoing antigenic variation, likely in response to herd immunity. As with influenza virus, HIV, and hepatitis C virus, norovirus antigenic variation will significantly influence the design of efficacious vaccines and immunotherapeutics against these important human pathogens.
Function of parietal and frontal shunts in childhood hydrocephalus

This study was performed to determine if cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunts inserted via the frontal and parietal regions function for similar lengths of time. The medical records of 114 children with CSF shunts were reviewed. In 83 of these cases computerized tomography scans were also available. Ninety percent of the operations were to insert the child’s first shunt. The site of insertion, cause of hydrocephalus, patient’s age, surgeon, duration of function (time from insertion to malfunction or to latest follow-up evaluation), presence of infection, catheter location within the ventricle, and duration of function of the subsequent shunt were recorded. Data were analyzed by the chi-square, logistic regression, and life-table methods. Shunts had been inserted via the frontal route in 62 children and via the parietal route in 52. The children’s ages, causes of hydrocephalus, and infection rates were similar in both groups. Duration of shunt function was predicted by the site of shunt insertion and the catheter position within the ventricles; shunts inserted via the frontal region functioned significantly longer than parietally inserted shunts, both as the initial shunt (Wilcoxon, p=0.0008) and after a malfunction, and catheters positioned within the ipsilateral frontal horn functioned significantly longer than those in other ventricular locations (Wilcoxon, p=0.03). (J Neurosurg 69: 883–886, 1988)
Effect of Grain‐Boundary Phase on Dynamic Compression Fatigue in Hot‐Pressed Silicon Nitride

Two types of hot-pressed silicon nitride, one having an amorphous grain-boundary phase (6 wt% yttria, 3 wt% alumina) and the other having a predominantly crystalline grain-boundary phase (8 wt% yttria, 1 wt% alumina), were tested on a split Hopkinson pressure bar with a momentum trap, such that, in each test, the sample was subjected to a single predefined stress pulse and then recovered without being subjected to any other loads. The specimens were loaded repeatedly with a triangular pulse of 3.2 GPa amplitude at a strain rate of approximately 400/s. The dynamic fatigue life of amorphous grain-boundary-phase silicon nitride was observed to be higher than that of the corresponding fatigue life of crystalline grain-boundary-phase silicon nitride. The difference in fatigue lives is correlated to the microstructural damage occurring in both materials.
The Assembly of Nano-Materials Using Bio-Scaffolding

Bio-assembly strategies may allow formation of high-density nano-electronic architectures possessing unique electronic properties. These bio-nanomaterial hybrids should exhibit bio- compatibility and bio-viability. Therefore, contingencies of maintaining tertiary structure in the presence of nanometer-sized particles are a potential fatal flaw in bio-scaffolded assemblies. In this manuscript we investigate the assembly of bio-scaffolded nanomaterial constructs, specifically polypeptides, while probing the issue of bio-compatibility and viability by TEM imaging.
Abstract Modular Inference Systems and Solvers

Integrating diverse formalisms into modular knowledge representation systems offers increased expressivity, modeling convenience and computational benefits. We introduce the concepts of abstract inference modules and abstract modular inference systems to study general principles behind the design and analysis of model-generating programs, or solvers, for integrated multi-logic systems. We show how modules and modular systems give rise to transition graphs, which are a natural and convenient representation of solvers, an idea pioneered by the SAT community. We illustrate our approach by showing how it applies to answer-set programming and propositional logic, and to multi-logic systems based on these two formalisms.
Comparing smoking treatment programs for lighter smokers with and without a history of heavier smoking.

The study examined the impact of counseling intensity (high vs. low) combined with either bupropion or the nicotine patch. Two hundred sixty participants smoking 6 to 15 cigarettes per day (cpd) were enrolled in a yearlong study to examine the effects of treatment. Four groups of smokers under medication-blinded conditions were compared for treatment completion and abstinence at three follow-up points from the initiation of treatment (Weeks 12, 26, and 52). Both counseling groups had similar treatment completion rates (i.e., defined by a combination of counseling attendance and medication adherence levels). There was a main treatment effect for abstinence favoring the high counseling condition in early follow-up (Week 12) and for continuous abstinence. Participants with a history of heavier smoking (≥20 cpd) and African American smokers were least likely to be smoke free at the end of the study. The study has implications for identifying the treatment needs of lighter smokers.
Evaluating Awareness of Registered Sex Offenders in the Neighborhood

The goal of sex offender registration is to protect residents from recidivistic sexual offenders by providing public information about local offenders. This study determines what percentage of residents living near registered sex offenders are aware of the offenders and the predictors of awareness. The investigational group includes randomly selected residents, who completed surveys, living within one-tenth of a mile of registered sex offenders. A control group—those without sex offenders nearby—is included to see if residents believe offenders to be in every neighborhood. Significantly more investigational group respondents report that a sex offender lives in the neighborhood (31% vs. 2%). Hierarchical linear modeling confirms both individual and neighborhood predictors of awareness.
Effect of single- and multiple-dose 0.5% timolol maleate on intraocular pressure and pupil size in female horses.

Objective To determine the effect of single and multiple-dose 0.5% timolol maleate on intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil size between 8 am and 8 pm. Animals Nine female horses with normotensive eyes. Procedure IOP, horizontal and vertical pupil size were measured on a single day, between 8 am and 8 pm at hours 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. A single dose of 0.5% timolol maleate was applied to both eyes immediately after the first measurement at 8 am. IOP and pupil size were measured at 8 am and 4 pm in a 5-day experiment of twice-daily application of 0.5% timolol maleate. Results A significant decrease in IOP from 24.9 ± 4.2 mmHg prior to application of timolol maleate to 20.7 ± 3.1 mmHg (4.2 mmHg = 17%) was observed 8 h after single-dose application. A significant decrease in horizontal pupil size (2.0 mm = 11%) was present 6 h after single-dose application. In the multiple-dose experiment, a significant decrease in IOP was present on days 4 and 5 as compared to IOP measured prior to application of timolol maleate. A significant decrease in horizontal and vertical pupil size was present throughout the 5-day study as compared to the values obtained prior to treatment. Conclusions 0.5% timolol maleate significantly decreased IOP and pupil size in normo-tensive eyes of this group of female horses in both single and multiple twice daily applications.
The efficacy of routine central venous monitoring in major head and neck surgery: a retrospective review.

Abstract Study Objective: To further define the efficacy of routine central venous catheter placement for major head and neck surgery from the standpoint of fluid and blood administration, and various other parameters of perioperative management. Design: Randomized, retrospective chart review. Setting: University-affiliated medical center. Patients: 104 patients who had undergone major head and neck surgery (defined as surgery lasting longer than 4 hours with a predicted blood loss of 500 ml or greater) at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between 1985 and 1992. Measurements and Main Results: Central venous monitoring was used in 51 of the 104 (49%) procedures. Patients with and without central monitors did not differ in age, weight, preoperative laboratory values (i.e., hemoglobin (Hb), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine), incidence of significant cardiac or renal disease, or a smoking history exceeding 30 pack years. In addition, these patients did not differ with respect to the following intraoperative characteristics: general type of anesthetic; duration of surgery; estimate of blood loss; Hb values; lowest urine output per hour; development of oliguria; total urine output; amount of replacement of blood, colloid, or crystalloid; development of systolic blood pressure less than 70 mmHg; or use of a myocutaneous flap. Patients also did not differ with respect to the following postoperative characteristics: duration of stay in the surgical intensive care unit or hospital, BUN or creatinine values on days 1 and 2, total urine output or the development of oliguria on days 1 through 3, incidence of reintubation, fever on days 1 through 5, wound dehiscence, death, myocardial infarction, or the development of pneumonia, pulmonary edema, or sepsis. Patients with central monitors had a greater incidence of having a tracheostomy performed and a slightly lower Hb level on the first postoperative day than those without central monitors. Conclusions: The study raises doubt about the efficacy of routine central venous catheter placement as a necessary guide for fluid and blood administration for these procedures, or as a necessary adjunct for several other parameters of perioperative management. It suggests the need for a randomized, prospective evaluation.
Bayesian inference based upon fuzzy events

The purpose of the paper is to show that, contrary to the claims of some probabilists of the Bayesian trade, probability theory relates to fuzzy set theory in a similar way as it relates to classical set theory. Examining the well known proof by R.T. Cox (1946), whose aim is to justify the rules of classical Bayesian inference, we point to some weaknesses of the proof and show that it does not exclude the possibility of alternative rules of Bayesian inference based on fuzzy events.
Invited commentary: Is it a mistake to focus on errors?

SINCE PUBLICATION OF THE INSTITUTE OF MEDICINE report To Err is Human, 1 medical error has been a hot topic in medicine, and because a large proportion of errors occurs in the context of surgical care, it probably should be a hot topic for surgeons. The precise number of deaths attributable to medical errors is debated, but all agree that the issue is serious. Unfortunately, efforts to reduce the frequency of errors have been hindered by a lack of information about the epidemiology of surgical errors. The study by Gawande et al in this issue of Surgery helps to fill this knowledge gap. 2 The authors interviewed 45 randomly selected surgeons at three Massachusetts teaching hospitals. The surgeons were involved in the care of approximately 146 patients, each of whom was judged to have experienced an adverse event that resulted from a management error. Almost half these incidents resulted in death or disability. The large majority (77%) were related to operations and other invasive interventions, and most occurred in the operating room. Of a broad number of factors potentially related to these adverse events, the authors identified three variables as being particularly important: inexperience/lack of competence, communication breakdowns between personnel, and fatigue/excessive workload. The retrospective nature of the study and the
Robust bee tracking with adaptive appearance template and geometry-constrained resampling

Studying and analyzing inter-communication among bees requires tracking of many bees. Manual labeling of bees over many frames is painstaking and time-consuming. Automated tracking is challenging because of the appearance change and unreliable features. This problem is magnified when tracking for a longer period of time is required. We present a method for tracking bees that minimizes the accumulation of error over time by using (1) static and adaptive appearance templates for handling appearance change, and (2) geometry-constrained resampling of particles for handling unreliable features. Evaluation against manually-labeled ground truth demonstrates that our method tracks bees with an RMSE of 8.7 pixels (typical bee length is ≫100 pixels), and 75% position and 58% angular error improvement over a particle filtering based tracking with gaussian modeling of appearance.
Measurement, analysis and improvement of supply noise in 3D ICs

Supply noise measurements from a 3D IC have been presented for the first time. IR noise rather than Ldi/dt noise is shown to be dominant due to the fewer supply pins and the additional resistance from the through-silicon vias (TSVs). Kelvin probing for IR noise reveals that the effect of pins is significantly more than TSVs. A novel multi-story power delivery is demonstrated for a 393kb SRAM suppressing the IR noise by 30–70%.
Factors influencing atmospheric deposition, stream export, and landscape accumulation of trace metals in forested watersheds

Wet and dry deposition inputs and streamflow output of Cd, Mn, Pb, Zn, and Al were measured intermittently at four deciduous forested watersheds in the southeastern United States between 1976 and 1982. Atmospheric inputs to each site were similar, varying by factors of 1.1 to 2.2 for the different metals. Metal levels in precipitation indicate that these sites are representative of rural, continental areas. Metals in rain exhibit significant temporal and spatial trends, with concentrations generally higher during summer than winter at all sites and generally lowest at the more remote site. The concentrations of Cd and Pb in both wet and dry deposition decreased between the period 1976 to 1977 and 1981 to 1982. Ion ratios and enrichment factors suggest that Mn is largely soil derived in atmospheric samples while Cd, Pb, and Zn are enriched over typical soil levels. Factor analysis indicates that soil components influence both Al and Mn while fine aerosol components influence Cd in wet and dry deposition. Both components influence the behavior of Pb. Dry deposition dominated the input of Mn and Al to each site, while wet deposition was the major input process for the other metals (54 to 85% of total). On an annual basis, deposited Cd, Pb, and Zn are strongly retained in each watershed: 2% of the Pb, 8 to 29% of the Cd, and 8 to 34% of the Zn inputs were transported in stream flow. Deposited Mn and Al are retained to a lesser degree and show a net loss from two sites. Metal export is controlled by stream pH, organic carbon, bedrock geology, and hydrologic characteristics of each site.
Advances in spinal fusion

Since its initial description about a century ago, spinal fusion has become a common surgical intervention in the treatment of various debilitating spinal disorders. However, given the complexities and demands of the procedure, patient selection remains a key component in the success of the operation. In this article, we will review the various indications for spinal fusion, the current advances in fusion techniques, as well as the potential complications associated with the procedure.
7TMRmine: a Web server for hierarchical mining of 7TMR proteins.

Seven-transmembrane region-containing receptors (7TMRs) play central roles in eukaryotic signal transduction. Due to their biomedical importance, thorough mining of 7TMRs from diverse genomes has been an active target of bioinformatics and pharmacogenomics research. The need for new and accurate 7TMR/GPCR prediction tools is paramount with the accelerated rate of acquisition of diverse sequence information. Currently available and often used protein classification methods (e.g., profile hidden Markov Models) are highly accurate for identifying their membership information among already known 7TMR subfamilies. However, these alignment-based methods are less effective for identifying remote similarities, e.g., identifying proteins from highly divergent or possibly new 7TMR families. In this regard, more sensitive (e.g., alignment-free) methods are needed to complement the existing protein classification methods. A better strategy would be to combine different classifiers, from more specific to more sensitive methods, to identify a broader spectrum of 7TMR protein candidates. We developed a Web server, 7TMRmine, by integrating alignment-free and alignment-based classifiers specifically trained to identify candidate 7TMR proteins as well as transmembrane (TM) prediction methods. This new tool enables researchers to easily assess the distribution of GPCR functionality in diverse genomes or individual newly-discovered proteins. 7TMRmine is easily customized and facilitates exploratory analysis of diverse genomes. Users can integrate various alignment-based, alignment-free, and TM-prediction methods in any combination and in any hierarchical order. Sixteen classifiers (including two TM-prediction methods) are available on the 7TMRmine Web server. Not only can the 7TMRmine tool be used for 7TMR mining, but also for general TM-protein analysis. Users can submit protein sequences for analysis, or explore pre-analyzed results for multiple genomes. The server currently includes prediction results and the summary statistics for 68 genomes. 7TMRmine facilitates the discovery of 7TMR proteins. By combining prediction results from different classifiers in a multi-level filtering process, prioritized sets of 7TMR candidates can be obtained for further investigation. 7TMRmine can be also used as a general TM-protein classifier. Comparisons of TM and 7TMR protein distributions among 68 genomes revealed interesting differences in evolution of these protein families among major eukaryotic phyla.
Immunogenicity and Pathogenicity of Chimeric Infectious DNA Clones of Pathogenic Porcine Circovirus Type 2 (PCV2) and Nonpathogenic PCV1 in Weanling Pigs

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) is the primary causative agent of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), whereas the ubiquitous porcine circovirus type 1 (PCV1) is nonpathogenic for pigs. We report here the construction and characterization of two chimeric infectious DNA clones of PCV1 and PCV2. The chimeric PCV1-2 clone contains the PCV2 capsid gene cloned in the backbone of the nonpathogenic PCV1 genome. A reciprocal chimeric PCV2-1 DNA clone was also constructed by replacing the PCV2 capsid gene with that of PCV1 in the backbone of the PCV2 genome. The PCV1, PCV2, and chimeric PCV1-2 and PCV2-1 DNA clones were all shown to be infectious in PK-15 cells, and their growth characteristics in vitro were determined and compared. To evaluate the immunogenicity and pathogenicity of the chimeric infectious DNA clones, 40 specific-pathogen-free (SPF) pigs were randomly assigned into five groups of eight pigs each. Group 1 pigs received phosphate-buffered saline as the negative control. Group 2 pigs were each injected in the superficial inguinal lymph nodes with 200 μg of the PCV1 infectious DNA clone. Group 3 pigs were each similarly injected with 200 μg of the PCV2 infectious DNA clone, group 4 pigs were each injected with 200 μg of the chimeric PCV1-2 infectious DNA clone, and group 5 pigs were each injected with 200 μg of the reciprocal chimeric PCV2-1 infectious DNA clone. As expected, seroconversion to antibodies to the PCV2 capsid antigen was detected in group 3 and group 4 pigs. Group 2 and 5 pigs all seroconverted to PCV1 antibody. Gross and microscopic lesions in various tissues of animals inoculated with the PCV2 infectious DNA clone were significantly more severe than those found in pigs inoculated with PCV1, chimeric PCV1-2, and reciprocal chimeric PCV2-1 infectious DNA clones. These data indicated that the chimeric PCV1-2 virus with the immunogenic ORF2 capsid gene of pathogenic PCV2 cloned into the nonpathogenic PCV1 genomic backbone induces a specific antibody response to the pathogenic PCV2 capsid antigen but is attenuated in pigs. Future studies are warranted to evaluate the usefulness of the chimeric PCV1-2 infectious DNA clone as a genetically engineered live-attenuated vaccine against PCV2 infection and PMWS.
Determination and analysis of the complete genomic sequence of avian hepatitis E virus (avian HEV) and attempts to infect rhesus monkeys with avian HEV

Avian hepatitis E virus (avian HEV), recently identified from a chicken with hepatitis-splenomegaly syndrome in the United States, is genetically and antigenically related to human and swine HEVs. In this study, sequencing of the genome was completed and an attempt was made to infect rhesus monkeys with avian HEV. The full-length genome of avian HEV, excluding the poly(A) tail, is 6654 bp in length, which is about 600 bp shorter than that of human and swine HEVs. Similar to human and swine HEV genomes, the avian HEV genome consists of a short 5' non-coding region (NCR) followed by three partially overlapping open reading frames (ORFs) and a 3'NCR. Avian HEV shares about 50 % nucleotide sequence identity over the complete genome, 48-51 % identity in ORF1, 46-48 % identity in ORF2 and only 29-34 % identity in ORF3 with human and swine HEV strains. Significant genetic variations such as deletions and insertions, particularly in ORF1 of avian HEV, were observed. However, motifs in the putative functional domains of ORF1, such as the helicase and methyltransferase, were relatively conserved between avian HEV and mammalian HEVs, supporting the conclusion that avian HEV is a member of the genus Hepevirus. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that avian HEV represents a branch distinct from human and swine HEVs. Swine HEV infects non-human primates and possibly humans and thus may be zoonotic. An attempt was made to determine whether avian HEV also infects across species by experimentally inoculating two rhesus monkeys with avian HEV. Evidence of virus infection was not observed in the inoculated monkeys as there was no seroconversion, viraemia, faecal virus shedding or serum liver enzyme elevation. The results from this study confirmed that avian HEV is related to, but distinct from, human and swine HEVs; however, unlike swine HEV, avian HEV is probably not transmissible to non-human primates.
Charlie the Freethinker: Religion, Blasphemy, and Decent Controversy

This comment examines the tension between freedom of expression and freedom of religion by embedding the Charlie Hebdo cartoons in a wider, century-old European tradition of publications mocking religion, including Christianity. It describes, and draws lessons from, the 19th century blasphemy case against the British Freethinker newspaper, whose “technique of offense” was similar to that of Charlie Hebdo. Finally, the comment tackles the problem of violent response to text or images that mock religion, pointing out that malicious intermediaries often carry such messages between social groups or across national borders—greatly escalating the risk of violence.
Educational Evaluation and Research: Similarities and Differences

(1972). Educational Evaluation and Research: Similarities and Differences. Curriculum Theory Network: Vol. 3, Monograph Supplement: Curriculum Evaluation: Potentiality and reality, pp. 149-165.
A model for managing service encounters for neo-luxury consumers

Purpose – This paper aims to explore a theoretical relationship among perceptions of consumer social class, the perceived legitimacy of customer requests for service and the delivery of intangible services. It focuses the discussion on service firm encounters with non-traditional consumers seeking to purchase from luxury brands. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reviews the literature for current trends in strategies of luxury brands and characteristics of evolving global and Asian consumer markets for luxury and neo-luxury goods and draws a theoretic model with propositions. Findings – Evidence suggests that service providers can improve efforts to expand services to the newly rich and trading-up neo-luxury consumer markets by focusing on the intangible elements of the service delivery system. Particular emphasis is placed on enhancing employee treatment of neo-luxury customers during service encounters by understanding the influence of employee perceptions of consumer social class and evaluations ...
The Impact of Schools and Education on Antisocial Behavior over the Lifecourse

Lifecourse/developmental (LCD) perspectives and theories have gained a prominent role in the examination of antisocial behavior over the last two decades. However, much of this work does not thoroughly investigate the influence of schools and education. Although there is a large body of work investigating school-related risk factors of antisocial behavior, an area of research that aligns well with the LCD perspective, education is not a primary focus in the majority of the established LCD theories. In addition, there is little work that examines the role of schools and education through a general LCD lens. This chapter will review the research that has been conducted in each of these areas and discuss possible directions for future theoretical and methodological analysis of antisocial behavior within the LCD perspective.
Impact of educational messages on patient acceptance of male medical students in OB-GYN encounters.

AbstractIntroduction: Although training in obstetrics and gynecology is a key part of medical education, male students receive less extensive experience, due in part to patient refusals. However, there is limited work seeking to reduce patient refusal rates of male students. The current study examined the efficacy of two messages at increasing male medical student acceptance into a well-woman visit. Methods: A total of 656 college women participated in a simulation study where they viewed a video of a nurse asking for permission to have a male medical student participate in their well-woman visit. The 30.5% of women who refused student participation (n = 181) were randomly assigned to view a video of the nurse either describing students’ medical knowledge and technical skills training (e.g. training in performing pelvic exams) or empathic skills training (e.g. training in communication about sensitive issues). They were again asked if they would be willing to have the student participate. Results: Both me...
Where's the ulcer? Spontaneous bleeding from Zenker's diverticulum

An 89-year-old man with a history of coronary artery disease status post coronary artery bypass grafting and atrial fibrillation on aspirin and warfarin, presented to the emergency department with a symptom of haemoptysis. He reported a history of dysphagia for 3 months prior to presentation, but had yet to seek medical attention. On presentation, he was hypotensive and tachycardic with a haemoglobin of 6.6 g/dL and an International Normalised Ratio (INR) of 3.9. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed and showed active bleeding from Zenker9s diverticulum. The patient9s INR was reversed with fresh frozen plasma and his anaemia was treated with packed red blood cells. The bleeding stopped after reversal of his INR. A barium swallow confirmed a 9 cm Zenker9s diverticulum. The patient had a diverticulectomy and cricopharyngeal myotomy. Histology showed mild chronic inflammation of the mucosa, but no ulceration. The patient was discharged without any further bleeding episodes.
Using The Discipline for integrative ministry formation.

SUMMARY One United Methodist Annual Conference has begun a program of ministry formation education for probationary, first-appointment ministers in conjunction with Emory Clergy Care, Atlanta. This program uses an adaptation of The Discipline as an integral part of their ongoing formation education. Participants have learned the basics of planned pastoral care delivery, family and congregational systems thinking and self-supervision. Using The Discipline, they have been effectively adapting it to their local church settings and ministries.
Research Note: The Absence of Sex and Age Effects on the Corticosterone Response of Turkey Poults to Adrenocorticotropic Hormone and Temperature Stressors

Abstract A study was undertaken to assess the role of sex and age on the adrenal cortical response of turkey poults during the time period associated with idiopathic poult mortality. Three and 14-day-old tom and hen turkey poults were subjected to the following treatments: saline injection (control), cool water immersion (20 C) for 1 min, cold water immersion (5 C) for 1 min, and 1 IU/kg adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) injection. Blood was collected 1 and 4 h posttreatment for plasma corticosterone (CS) assay. Temperature treatments did not affect plasma CS in either age or sex. Plasma CS was increased by ACTH after 4 h postinjection in both sexes and at both ages. The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal cortical axis of the turkey poult was functional but appeared to be insensitive to temperature stress.
Biofilm community dynamics in bench-scale annular reactors simulating arrestment of chloraminated drinking water nitrification.

Annular reactors (ARs) were used to study biofilm community succession and provide ecological insight during nitrification arrestment through simultaneously increasing monochloramine (NH2Cl) and chlorine to nitrogen mass ratios, resulting in four operational periods (I–IV). Analysis of 16S rRNA-encoding gene sequence reads (454-pyrosequencing) examined viable and total biofilm communities and found total samples were representative of the underlying viable community. Bacterial community structure showed dynamic changes corresponding with AR operational parameters. Period I (complete nitrification and no NH2Cl residual) was dominated by Bradyrhizobium (total cumulative distribution: 38%), while environmental Legionella-like phylotypes peaked (19%) during Period II (complete nitrification and minimal NH2Cl residual). Nitrospira moscoviensis (nitrite-oxidizing bacteria) was detected in early periods (2%) but decreased to <0.02% in later periods, corresponding to nitrite accumulation. Methylobacterium (19%) a...
Modification of impulse generation during piqué turns with increased rotational demands.

During initiation of a pique turn, a dancer generates impulse to achieve the desired lateral translation and whole-body rotation. The goal of this study was to determine how individuals regulate impulse generation when initiating pique turns with increased rotational demands. Skilled dancers (n=10) performed single (∼360°) and double (∼720°) pique turns from a stationary position. Linear and angular impulse generated by the push and turn legs were quantified using ground reaction forces and compared across turn conditions as a group and within a dancer using probability-based statistical methods. The results indicate that as the rotation demands of the pique turn increased, the net angular impulse generated increased whereas net lateral impulse decreased. Early during turn initiation, the free moment contributed to angular impulse generation. Later during turn initiation, horizontal reaction forces were controlled to generate angular impulse. As rotational demands increased, the moment applied increased primarily from redirection of the horizontal reaction force (RFh) at the push leg and a combination of RFh magnitude and moment arm increases at the turn leg. RFh at each leg were coordinated to limit unwanted net linear impulse. Knowledge of observed subject-specific mechanisms is important to inform the design of turning performance training tools.
Changs of B7 Family Costimulatory Molecules and Their Receptors Expression in Children with Asthma

Objective To explore the possible role of B7 family cell surface costimulatory molecules and their receptors in immunopathogenesis in children with asthma.Methods Forty children with acute exacerbation of asthma and 36 cases of age-matched healthy children were enrolled in the study.Interferon(IFN-γ),IFN-γ and lipopolysaccharide(LPS),phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate and ionomycin or zero were used to stimulate peripheral blood mononuclear cells,flow cytometry was used to detect B7-1 and B7-2,B7H1,B7DC and B7H expression on CD14+ cells;CD4+ cells were separated by immune beads and stimulated by phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate and ionomycin and fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect CD28,cytotoxic lymphocyte associated antigen-4(CTLA-4),programmed death-1(PD-1)and inducible costimulator(ICOS) mRNA expression.Results 1.The levels of B7-1 and B7-2 expression in children with asthma were higher than those of healthy control group [B7-1:(6.68±3.97)% vs(1.74±0.69)%;B7-2:(10.87±5.99)% vs(1.58±0.75)% Pa0.01].The levels of CD28 and the receptors for B7-1 were significantly increased [(0.761±0.590)% vs(0.170±0.080)% P0.01],the CTLA-4 expression and the receptors for B7-2 were lower [(0.42±0.23) vs(3.14±2.03) P0.01].2.Compared with healthy contnol group,in asthma group,the levels of B7H1,B7DC,B7H expression were significantly decreased [B7H1(25.48±14.30)% vs(75.97±25.44)% P0.01;B7DC(1.31±0.29)% vs(5.86±2.69)% P0.01;B7H(1.39±0.37)% vs(10.46±4.69)% P0.01],the expression of PD-1,the receptor for B7H1 and B7DC,was lower[(0.18±0.05) vs(18.31±9.46) P0.01],the expression of ICOS,the receptor for B7H,was significantly higher [(11.52±5.42) vs(2.53±1.85) P0.01].Conclusion Abnormal expression of B7 family cell surface costimulatory molecules might be involved in complex immunopathogenesis of asthma through inducing T cell and monocytes/macrophages excessive activation as well as promoting Th2 differention.
Decentralized wastewater management: challenges and opportunities for the twenty-first century

Decentralized wastewater management (DWM) may be defined as the collection, treatment, and reuse of wastewater from individual homes, clusters of homes, subdivisions, and isolated commercial facilities at or near the point of waste generation. In some areas, the liquid portion could be transported to a central point for further treatment and reuse. At the time of writing (2002), more than sixty million people in the United States live in homes where individual decentralized systems are used for wastewater management. Further, the U.S. EPA now estimates that about 40 percent of the new homes being built are served with onsite systems. In the early 1970s, with the passage of the Clean Water Act, it was often stated that it was only a matter of time before sewerage facilities would be available to almost all residents of the continental United States. Now, more than 25 years later, it is recognized that complete sewerage of the entire U.S. may never be possible, due to both geographic and economic constraints. Because complete sewerage is unlikely in the foreseeable future, it is clear that DWM systems are needed for the protection of public health and the environment and for the development of long-term strategies for the management of our water resources. The challenges and opportunities for DWM systems in the twenty-first century are discussed in this paper.
The molecular basis for the inhibitory action of 6-(arylhydrazino)-pyrimidines on the replication-specific DNA polymerase III of Gram-positive bacteria

6-(p-Hydroxyphenylazo) uracil (HPUra, Fig. 8.1), 6-(p-hydroxy phenylazo) 2-amino 4 oxo pyrimidine (HPlsocytosine, Fig. 8.1) and several related 6 (arylazo)pyrimidines were conceived and synthesised by Bernard Langley of Imperial Chemical Industries, Ltd in the early 1960s. Langley and his colleagues, in their initial studies of biological activity of the arylazopyrimidines, observed that they were potent inhibitors of the growth of Gram-positive bacteria and that they possessed little or no toxicity for Gram-negative organisms or for animal cells.
COPD is er nooit alleen – ook altijd medicatie

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is een verzamelnaam voor ontstekingen, vernauwing van de kleine luchtwegen en weefselverlies, die samen maar ook onafhankelijk van elkaar optreden.