cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subcuticular Incision Versus Naturally Sourced Porcine Collagen Filler for Acne Scars: A Randomized Split-Face Comparison

BACKGROUND Subcuticular incision is performed to release fibrotic bands beneath acne scars and to stimulate neocollagenesis. Naturally sourced porcine collagen has been approved for filling moderate to deep facial wrinkles and nasolabial folds. To our knowledge, naturally sourced porcine collagen filler has not yet been tried as a treatment for correcting atrophic acne scars. OBJECTIVE To objectively assess and directly compare the efficacy and safety of subcuticular incision versus naturally sourced porcine collagen dermal filler in correcting atrophic and rolling acne scars. MATERIALS AND METHODS We performed a prospective, randomized, split-face, single-blind study to evaluate intermediate long-term efficacy of subcision and collagen dermal filler on 20 unilateral faces. Patients and blinded physicians evaluated results. RESULTS Patients rated subcision as superior to collagen dermal filler at 3 months (p=.03). At 6 months, subcision had a slightly higher rating than collagen dermal filler (p=.12). Blinded evaluators leaned toward subcision at 3 months (p=.12) and at 6 months showed no preference (p=.69). CONCLUSION Subcuticular incision and naturally sourced porcine collagen dermal filler appear to be efficacious for improving atrophic and rolling acne scars. Patients may prefer subcuticular incision over collagen dermal filler. Blinded evaluators found no significant difference between the treatments. The authors indicate no significant interest with commercial supporters.
Study of peptide–sugar non‐covalent complexes by infrared atmospheric pressure matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization

Infrared atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometry was applied to the study of siglec binding to oligosaccharide ligands. Peptides were designed to mimic the binding sites of three members of the siglec family: sialoadhesin, MAG and CD22. These peptides were tested for their ability to complex with their carbohydrate ligands 3'-sialyllactose (3'SL) and 6'-sialyllactose (6'SL). All peptides demonstrated the ability to bind to the carbohydrates, with the peptide representing sialoadhesin maintaining its binding specificity for 3'SL in preference to 6'SL. This technique can be used to study other protein-sugar interactions and can be expanded to create high-throughput screening techniques.
Coupled Two-Electron/Halide Transfer Reactions of Ruthenoceniums and Osmoceniums

Rate constants for the coupled two-electron/halide transfer self-exchange reactions of [Cp2MX]+ with Cp2M (M = Ru, Os; X = Cl, Br) have been measured in CD3CN at 298 K by 2D NMR spectroscopic techniques. Including data for the iodo complexes, the rates vary over 6 orders of magnitude depending on the metal and the halide, with the relative orderings I > Br > Cl and Ru > Os. The relative reactant state free energies for the ruthenium complexes have been determined from halide substitution equilibria and indicate that the reactant state energy ordering is Cl < Br < I. From these data and the free energies of activation for the self-exchange reactions, the relative transition state energies have been determined. A reaction coordinate and orbital correlation is proposed which rationalizes the observed data.
Hotspot formation in shock-induced void collapse

We present results from molecular dynamics simulations of shock-induced hydrodynamic void collapse in a model energetic crystal. During void collapse, hotspot formation is observed that leads to subsequent detonation. The hotspot formation mechanism is identified as shock energy focusing via jetting. There is another initiation mechanism that arises from the interaction of reflected shock waves with the rigid piston, which is considered to be an artifact. Such artifact can be eliminated by altering the location of the void. The detonation threshold as a function of the velocity of the driven piston is determined for various void geometries. It is found that a system containing a void has a lower detonation threshold than that of a perfect energetic crystal. The amount of reduction of the detonation threshold depends on the geometry of the void. For square voids, there exists a minimum size above which reduction of the detonation threshold occurs. Among voids that have an equal volume, the void that is elongated along the shock direction gives the lowest detonation threshold.
Anisotropy of optical phonons and interface modes in GaAs-AlAs superlattices.

In this paper phonon properties of GaAs-AlAs superlattices are studied with an 11-parameter rigid-ion model. Short-range interactions up to the second neighbors are included, and the long-range Coulomb interaction is calculated exactly. Modes propagating both normally (${k}_{?}$=0) and obliquely (${k}_{?}$\ensuremath{\ne}0) to the interfaces are studied for a number of GaAs-AlAs superlattices. Anisotropy of zone-center optical phonons is examined in detail. Phonon dispersion relations of large-size GaAs-AlAs superlattices are calculated and many interface modes are identified. All results are compared with the existing experimental data with favorable agreement.
Rerum Novarum and the Modern Corporation

This paper argues that Rerum Novarumis a classic text. The classic character of Rerum Novarumis evident in relation to contemporary business ethics, particularly when Pope Leo addresses questions concerning the moral workplace and the moral economic order. The paper is in three parts. The first section explores Rerum Novarumand Pope Leo's model for creating the moral workplace. The second section argues that Rerum Novarumanticipates, both conceptually and normatively, the thrust of much contemporary work in business ethics. Conceptually the encyclical responds to issues on the micro and macro arenas as does contemporary business ethics. Normatively the encyclical argues that moral reasoning ought to be a part of management decisions. Rerum Novarumappeals to personal forces and calls upon the conscience of managers. The third section suggests that the decisions of some modern corporations are consistent with the insights of Leo XIII. Three cases are used to illustrate themes in Rerum Novarumthat are morally significant today.
Clinical review: Pituitary carcinoma: difficult diagnosis and treatment.

Context: Although pituitary tumors are common, pituitary carcinoma is very rare and is only diagnosed when pituitary tumor noncontiguous with the sellar region is demonstrated. Diagnosis is difficult, resulting in delays that may adversely effect outcome that is traditionally poor. Barriers to earlier diagnosis and management strategies for pituitary carcinoma are discussed. Evidence Acquisition: PubMed was employed to identify relevant studies, a review of the literature was conducted, and data were summarized and integrated from the author's perspective. Evidence Synthesis: The available data highlight the difficulties in diagnosis and management and practical challenges in conducting clinical trials in this rare condition. They suggest that earlier diagnosis with aggressive multimodal therapy may be advantageous in some cases. Conclusions: Although pituitary carcinoma remains difficult to diagnose and treat, recent developments have led to improved outcomes in selected cases. With broader use of molecu...
Effect of bone biopsy in guiding antimicrobial therapy for osteomyelitis complicating open wounds.

ABSTRACT Background Osteomyelitis associated with infected overlying wounds represents a difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problem; bone biopsies can be done during debridement of the overlying wounds, but it is unclear how often the results of these bone cultures actually affect subsequent antibiotic decisions. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of bone biopsies in guiding antibiotic therapy for this type of osteomyelitis. Methods Culture results of 44 bone biopsies taken during surgical debridement in 41 patients over the period from June 1994 to August 1998 were compared with those from the overlying wounds to determine whether the data affected the subsequent choice of antibiotics. The study design was that of a retrospective chart review in which the standard operative and microbiological procedures in place at the Milwaukee Veterans Affairs Medical Center were used. Results Sixty-one wound and 55 bone isolates were obtained during this study. Thirty-one isolates were found in bone, but not the overlying wound; diphtheroids were the most common organism obtained in this fashion. Correlation between wound and bone isolates was generally poor. Antibiotics were subsequently changed in 20 of the 44 cases after results of the bone biopsy became known, with the bone isolates already being covered in 10 cases and the bone biopsy results ignored in 14 cases. Conclusion Because bone biopsy results seem to aid in tailoring antibiotic therapy in almost half the cases when bone is sampled during wound debridement surgery, this technique may be very helpful in certain cases and should be regularly undertaken when these procedures are carried out.
Effective Implementation of a Parallel Language on a Multiprocessor

A new multiprocessor execution environment integrates semantics of parallel control with mechanisms for synchronization of concurrent tasks.
2-Deoxy-2-iodo-β-glucopyranosyl Fluorides: Mild and Highly Stereoselective Glycosyl Donors for the Synthesis of 2-Deoxy-β-glycosides from β-Hydroxy Ketones

2-Deoxy-2-iodo-β-glucopyranosyl fluoride 14 is a highly stereoselective glucopyranosyl donor that may be activated under mild conditions. Application of this new glycosyl donor to the glycosidation reactions of a variety of acceptors including β-hydroxy ketones affords β-glycosides with high efficiency and stereoselectivity.
Joint Confidence Regions for Multiple Regression Coefficients

(1954). Joint Confidence Regions for Multiple Regression Coefficients. Journal of the American Statistical Association: Vol. 49, No. 265, pp. 130-146.
Influence of Sodium and Potassium Content on Arterial Responsiveness

Vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine were determined during constant flow perfusion with warm Krebs solution in dog mesenteric arteries. The arteries were then stored 20-24 hours at 3°C in one of the following isosmotic solutions: Krebs, complex K (KC1, CaCl 2 , KHCO 3 and glucose), NaCl, KCl, sucrose, or mannitol. After storage, arteries were again perfused with warm Krebs solution, and vasoconstrictor responses to norepinephrine compared to prestorage control responses. Tissue levels of Na + and K + were determined before cold storage and after 0-35 minutes of poststorage perfusion with warm Krebs solution. Storage of arteries in mannitol or sucrose solution reduced their Na + and K + content, and during poststorage perfusion with warm Krebs solution their responsiveness gradually improved as they rapidly (within 5 minutes) regained Na + and slowly regained K + . Arteries stored in NaCl solution were initially more responsive than those stored in electrolyte- free solutions during poststorage perfusion with warm Krebs solution, and their responsiveness also improved as they regained K + . Arteries cold-stored in K + containing media (KCl and complex K solutions) quickly regained Na + , and their responsiveness exceeded prestorage values with 11 minutes of poststorage perfusion with warm Krebs solution. Since these data indicate that artery responsiveness may be related to tissue levels of both Na + + and K + efforts were made to establish minimal levels of each ion required for "normal" responsiveness. The critical level of Na + appears to be approximately 30 µEq Na/g dry weight; the minimal effective K + content is apparently near 20 µEq K/g dry weight. If arteries contain at least minimal levels of K + and an excess (over 100 µEq/g) of Na + the magnitude of theft responses to vasoconstrictor stimuli is exaggerated
THE LABORATORY APPROACH: A VEHICLE FOR FACILITATING AMERICAN INDIAN EDUCATION

The Research and Guidance Laboratory at the University of Wisconsin, Madison is a center for advanced study and development of procedures for education and guidance of promising students as they progress through high school and college and into adult citizenship. The Laboratory was founded in 1957 on the tenet that the problem of identifying and providing for such students is basically an obligation of the schools. The Laboratory attempts to stimulate and assist high school faculties to develop effective local practices which meet this obligation. At the same time it carries on research on methods of discovery and development of youth of superior promise in any field. The Laboratory is a research-through-service organization which attempts to demonstrate what a joint attack by a university, public schools, and parents can accomplish in the conservation and development of human resources. (Rothney & Sanborn, 1966)
Appropriateness of disclosure of HIV testing information: The perspective of PLWAs

Abstract This paper explores perceptions of the appropriateness of disclosure of HIV testing information from the perspective of people living with HPV/AIDS (PLWAs). A systems framework, communication boundary management, is employed as a theoretical approach. Seventy‐seven HIV‐positive individuals responded to a questionnaire asking if they thought particular individuals (also labeled targets or recipients) should have access to results of HIV tests. Results indicated PLWAs created three grouping of recipients based on perceptions of who should have access to this information. As expected, participants reported most desire for access to results of HIV testing information to the immediate family subsystem (e.g., spouses, fathers), next most to the extended family (e.g., aunts, grandfathers), and least access to non‐family (e.g., employers, teachers); actual disclosure patterns were similar. HIV‐positive individuals also reported there should be less overall disclosure of HIV testing information than other...
Modification of cyanide toxicodynamics: mechanistic based antidote development

Cyanide's actions are complex and cannot be attributed solely to inhibition of oxygen utilization. Recent mechanistic studies show that cyanide inhibits multiple enzymes and alters several vital intracellular processes to produce the intoxication syndrome. By understanding the intracellular targets and the mechanisms underlying the toxicity, it is proposed that more effective antidotal regimens can be achieved. A mechanistic based, multi-step in vitro model was developed for screening potential cyanide antidotes. A series of compounds was screened for their ability to reverse the effect of cyanide on six neurochemical markers in the PC12 cell line (neuronal cell model). Each compound was assigned a composite score based on the six assays; several compounds were identified which then exhibited efficacy in animal testing. Additional mechanistic based studies show that antioxidants and nitric oxide generators have promise as anti-cyanide agents. It is concluded that mechanistic based antidote design can be used to identify new compounds for testing in animal models.
Building bridges from the margins: The work of leadership in social change organizations

Abstract Attention to the relational dimensions of leadership represents a new frontier of leadership research and is an expression of the growing scholarly interest in the conditions that foster collective action within and across boundaries. This article explores the antecedents of collaboration from the perspective of social change organizations engaged in processes of collaborative governance. Using a constructionist lens, the study illuminates the question how do social change leaders secure the connectedness needed for collaborative work to advance their organization's mission? The article draws on data from a national, multi-year, multi-modal qualitative study of social change organizations and their leaders. These organizations represent disenfranchised communities which aspire to influence policy makers and other social actors to change the conditions that affect their members' lives. Narrative analysis of transcripts from in-depth interviews in 38 organizations yielded five leadership practices that foster strong relational bonds either within organizations or across boundaries with others. The article describes how these practices nurture interdependence either by forging new connections, strengthening existing ones, or capitalizing on strong ones.
Cyanidin-3-glucoside, a Natural Product Derived from Blackberry, Exhibits Chemopreventive and Chemotherapeutic Activity

Epidemiological data suggest that consumption of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a lower incidence of cancer. Cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), a compound found in blackberry and other food products, was shown to possess chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic activity in the present study. In cultured JB6 cells, C3G was able to scavenge ultraviolet B-induced *OH and O2-* radicals. In vivo studies indicated that C3G treatment decreased the number of non-malignant and malignant skin tumors per mouse induced by 12-O-tetradecanolyphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) in 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene-initiated mouse skin. Pretreatment of JB6 cells with C3G inhibited UVB- and TPA-induced transactivation of NF-kappaB and AP-1 and expression of cyclooxygenase-2 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha. These inhibitory effects appear to be mediated through the inhibition of MAPK activity. C3G also blocked TPA-induced neoplastic transformation in JB6 cells. In addition, C3G inhibited proliferation of a human lung carcinoma cell line, A549. Animal studies showed that C3G reduced the size of A549 tumor xenograft growth and significantly inhibited metastasis in nude mice. Mechanistic studies indicated that C3G inhibited migration and invasion of A549 tumor cells. These finding demonstrate for the first time that a purified compound of anthocyanin inhibits tumor promoter-induced carcinogenesis and tumor metastasis in vivo.
On the derivation of a mean growth equation for cell cultures.

IfN(t) is the expected number of cells in a culture at timet, $$\dot N(t)$$ the corresponding time derivative, andf(t−τ)dt the probability that a cell of aget−τ at timet will divide in the succeeding time intervaldt, then according to Hirsch and Engelberg (this issue) there obtains the integral equation $$\dot N(t) = 2\int_{ - \infty }^t {f(t - \tau )\dot N(\tau )d\tau }$$ for describing the dynamics of the cell population. It is the purpose of this note to give two alternative derivations of this equation, one based on the age density equation of Von Foerster, and the other based on a generalized form of the Harris-Bellman equation describing the first moment of an age dependent, branching process. In addition, a probability model is posed from which the Von Foerster equation and, hence, the Hirsch-Engelberg equation readily follows.
The Automated Aircraft Rework System (AARS): A system integration approach

The Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), under contract to the United States Air Force (USAF) since 1989, has been actively involved in providing the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center (WR-ALC) with a robotic workcell designed to perform rework automated defastening and hole location/transfer operations on F-15 wings. This paper describes the activities required to develop and implement this workcell, known as the Automated Aircraft Rework System (AARS). AARS is scheduled to be completely installed and in operation at WR-ALC by September 1994.
A competing hazard model of household vehicle transaction behavior with discrete time intervals and unobserved heterogeneity

AbstractThe analysis of household vehicle ownership behavior is considered as one of the most important elements of household travel behavior studies. Several different modeling frameworks have been employed to develop vehicle ownership models. Among these models, applications of hazard based duration models have drawn particular attention in recent years. Hazard models of vehicle transactions often have overlooked the effects of unobserved heterogeneity in the model. This study attempts to address this limitation by formulating and estimating a discrete competing hazard model of vehicle transaction with multiple outcomes that also accounts for unobserved heterogeneity. Three transaction decisions of purchasing, trading, or disposing of a vehicle are considered and competing duration models, with and without unobserved heterogeneity are estimated and compared. The modeling framework is flexible enough to consider transaction times that are not continuous and the failures that occur within discrete time in...
Chemical evolution of metal in refractory inclusions in CV3 chondrites

Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) was used to measure distributions of the siderophile elements V, Fe, Co, Ni, Mo, Ru, Rh, Pd, W, Re, Os, Ir, Pt, and Au in Fremdlinge with a spatial resolution of 15 to 25 m. A sulfide vein in a refractory inclusion in Allende (CV3-oxidized) is enriched in Rh, Ru, and Os with no detectable Pd, Re, Ir, or Pt, indicating that Rh, Ru, and Os were redistributed by sulfidation of the inclusion, causing fractionation of Re/Os and other siderophile element ratios in Allende CAIs. Fremdlinge in compact Type-A inclusions from Efremovka (CV3-reduced) exhibit subsolidus exsolution into kamacite and taenite and minimal secondary formation of V-magnetite and schreibersite. Siderophile element partitioning between taenite and kamacite is similar to that observed previously in iron meteorites, while preferential incorporation of the light PGEs (Ru, Rh, Pd) relative to Re, Os, Ir, and Pt by schreibersite was observed. Fremdling EM2 (CAI Ef2) has an outer rim of P-free metal that preserves the PGE signature of schreibersite, indicating that EM2 originally had a phosphide rim and lost P to the surrounding inclusion during secondary processing. Most Fremdlinge have chondrite-normalized refractory PGE patterns that are unfractionated, with PGE abundances derived from a small range of condensation temperatures, 1480 to 1468 K at Ptot 10 3 bar. Some Fremdlinge from the same CAI exhibit sloping PGE abundance patterns and Re/Os ratios up to 2 CI that likely represent mixing of grains that condensed at various temperatures. Copyright © 2003 Elsevier Ltd
Impacts of organic carbon availability and recipient bacteria characteristics on the potential for TOL plasmid genetic bioaugmentation in soil slurries.

Abstract The effectiveness of genetic bioaugmentation relies on efficient plasmid transfer between donor and recipient cells as well as the plasmid’s phenotype in the recipient cell. In the present study, the effects of varying organic carbon substrates, initial recipient-to-donor cell density ratios, and mixtures of known recipient bacterial strains on the conjugation and function of a TOL plasmid were tested in sterile soil slurry batch reactors. The presence of soil organic carbon was sufficient in ensuring TOL plasmid transconjugant occurrence (up to 2.1 ± 0.5%) for most recipient strains in soil slurry batch mating experiments. The addition of glucose had limited effects on transconjugant occurrence; however, glucose amendment increased the specific toluene degradation rates of some Enterobacteriaceae transconjugants in soil slurry. Initial cell density ratios and mixtures of recipient strains had smaller impacts on plasmid conjugation and resulting phenotype functionality. These observations suggest that genetic bioaugmentation may be improved by minimal altering of environmental conditions.
A new method for regularization of the inverse problem of electrocardiography

Abstract The inverse problem of electrocardiography (specifically, that part concerned with the computation of the ventricular surface activation isochrones) is shown to be formally equivalent to the problem of identification and measurement of discontinuities in derivatives of body surface potentials. This is based on the demonstration that such measurements allow localization of the relative extrema of the ventricular surface activation map (given a forward problem solution), which in turn restricts the space of admissible solution maps to a compact set. Although the inverse problem and the problem of identifying derivative discontinuities are both ill-posed, it is possible that the latter may be more easily or justifiably resolved with available information, particularly as current methods for regularizing the inverse problem typically rely on a regularization parameter chosen in an a posteriori fashion. An example of the power of the approach is the demonstration that a recent Uniform Dipole Layer Hypothesis-based method for producing the ventricular surface activation map is largely independent of that hypothesis and capable in principle of generating maps that are very similar in a precise sense to those that would result from the usual epicardial potential formulation (assuming the latter were capable of producing intrinsic deflections in computed epicardial electrograms sufficiently steep to accurately compute the activation map). This is consistent with the preliminary success of the former method, despite the significant inaccuracy of its underlying assumption.
Myelomeningocele: the management of the associated hydrocephalus

The pathogenesis of the hydrocephalus associated with myelomeningocele (MMC) has been the subject of an extensive number of studies. The contemporary reduction of the incidence of the Chiari II malformation and of the associated active hydrocephalus after closure of the spinal defect in utero is in line with previous studies suggesting a prominent role of the posterior cranial fossa abnormalities, where even the increased venous pressure might be at least mostly a consequence of the constriction of the posterior cranial fossa structures. Pure absorptive abnormalities however coexist, the main ones documented to be abnormal cisternal spaces and peculiar cerebrospinal fluid chemical features. We reviewed the pertinent literature concerning the pathogenesis and management of the hydrocephalus associated to MMC. We also reviewed our personal experience in managing the hydrocephalus in such patients through an endoscopic third ventriculostomy. The literature review demonstrated an overall reduction in more recent series of children with MMC needing to be treated for the associated hydrocephalus postnatally, questioning the role of the prenatal care of the disease in this context. Less severe conditions and a more conservative neurosurgical attitude have certainly contributed to the reduction of the reported active postnatal hydrocephalus rate. Long-term cognitive evaluation of the children with MMC that we managed with an endoscopic third ventriculocisternostomy (ETV) as primary as well as secondary procedure did not demonstrate significant differences in the outcome compared with non-complicated extrathecally shunted children, favouring ETV as a valuable option in this subset of patients.
SOME NEW NORTH AMERICAN SPECIES OF DELTOCEPHALOID LEAFHOPPERS

Resembling caperatus in size and general appearance but without color markings, apparently more closely related to apicatus and alboneura but with short wings. Length 2-2.5 mm. Vertex bluntly angled, a little longer on middle than basal width between eyes. Elytra short covering only first four or five basal segments of abdomen, apical cells very small. Color straw yellow, frequently unmarked. Ocelli black. 111 dark specimens with faint markings on vertex. Four large brown spots on anterior margin of pronotum and veins of elytra heavily infuscated.
Deconstructing Signaling in Three Dimensions

Cells in vivo exist within the context of a multicellular tissue, where their behavior is governed by homo- and heterotypic cell-cell interactions, the material properties of the extracellular matrix, and the distribution of various soluble and physical factors. Most methods currently used to study and manipulate cellular behavior in vitro, however, sacrifice physiological relevance for experimental expediency. The fallacy of such approaches has been highlighted by the recent development and application of three-dimensional culture models to cell biology, which has revealed striking phenotypic differences in cell survival, migration, and differentiation in genetically identical cells simply by varying culture conditions. These perplexing findings beg the question of what constitutes a three-dimensional culture and why cells behave so differently in two- and three-dimensional culture formats. In the following review, we dissect the fundamental differences between two- and three-dimensional culture conditions. We begin by establishing a basic definition of what "three dimensions" means at different biological scales and discuss how dimensionality influences cell signaling across different length scales. We identify which three-dimensional features most potently influence intracellular signaling and distinguish between conserved biological principles that are maintained across culture conditions and cellular behaviors that are sensitive to microenvironmental context. Finally, we highlight state-of-the-art molecular tools amenable to the study of signaling in three dimensions under conditions that facilitate deconstruction of signaling in a more physiologically relevant manner.
Fixed Volume or Fixed Pressure: A Murine Model of Hemorrhagic Shock

It is common knowledge that severe blood loss and traumatic injury can lead to a cascade of detrimental signaling events often resulting in mortality. These signaling events can also lead to sepsis and/or multiple organ dysfunction (MOD). It is critical then to investigate the causes of suppressed immune function and detrimental signaling cascades in order to develop more effective ways to help patients who suffer from traumatic injuries. This fixed pressure Hemorrhagic Shock (HS) procedure, although technically challenging, is an excellent resource for investigation of these pathophysiologic conditions. Advances in the assessment of biological systems, i.e. Systems Biology have enabled the scientific community to further understand complex physiologic networks and cellular communication patterns. (14) Hemorrhagic Shock has proven to be a vital tool for unveiling these cellular communication patterns as they relate to immune function. This procedure can be mastered! This procedure can also be used as either a fixed volume or fixed pressure approach. We adapted this technique in the murine model to enhance research in innate and adaptive immune function. Due to their small size HS in mice presents unique challenges. However due to the many available mouse strains, this species represents an unparalleled resource for the study of the biologic responses. The HS model is an important model for studying cellular communication patterns and the responses of systems such as hormonal and inflammatory mediator systems, and danger signals, i.e. DAMP and PAMP upregulation as it elicits distinct responses that differ from other forms of shock. The development of transgenic murine strains and the induction of biologic agents to inhibit specific signaling have presented valuable opportunities to further elucidate our understanding of the up and down regulation of signal transduction after severe blood loss, i.e. HS and trauma. There are numerous resuscitation methods (R) in association with HS and trauma. A fixed volume resuscitation method of solely lactated ringer solution (LR), equal to three times the shed blood volume, is used in this model to study endogenous mechanisms such as remote organ injury and systemic inflammation. This method of resuscitation is proven to be effective in evaluating the effects of HS and trauma.
ARCHAEOLOGY, ECOLOGICAL HISTORY, AND CONSERVATION

AbstractEcologists have increasingly turned to history, including human history, to explain and manage modern ecosystems and landscapes. The imprint of past land use can persist even in seemingly pristine areas. Archaeology provides a long-term perspective on human actions and their environmental consequences that can contribute to conservation and restoration efforts. Case studies illustrate examples of the human history of seemingly pristine landscapes, forest loss and recovery, and the creation or maintenance of places that today are valued habitats. Finally, as archaeologists become more involved in research directed at contemporary environmental issues, they need to consider the potential uses and abuses of their findings in management and policy debates.
Indifference-zone selection procedures for choosing the best airspace configuration

We present a real-world application of a ranking and selection procedure for selecting the best of a number of competing systems. We concentrate on an indifference-zone normal means procedure. Our example involves the selection of an airspace configuration which minimizes airspace route delays.
Multi-Drug Resistant Acinetobacter baumanii Cluster in a Burn Center: Interventions for Successful Control

PROJECT: Upon identification of the first cases of MDRA through active surveillance and physician queries, an outbreak investigation was initiated. A line listing of patients, bed tracking chart, and antibiogram were created. The antibiogram showed most of the isolates were resistant to carbapenems, cephalosporins, piperazillin/ tazobactam, and aminoglycosides, and susceptible to minocycline. The bed tracking chart (figure) was invaluable in visualizing the flow of patients. We identified the surgical-trauma ICU as the area of highest concentration of cases and as a potential site for cross-contamination as patients passed through. We also identified that cases were mostly occurring in other surgical ICUs and their step-down units. We then focused our efforts in interrupting transmission in that unit and in the OR. The following steps were taken: 1) A pseudo-outbreak related to a change in susceptibility testing techniques was ruled out by the microbiology laboratory. 2) Patients in the unit were screened (sputum, urine, and wounds) and six new cases were identified. 3) Patients in the unit were placed on modified contact precautions (long sleeved gowns and gloves to be worn for all patient contact). 4) The unit was terminally cleaned, relocating all patients temporarily to a terminally-cleaned step-down unit. 5) All ORs and anesthesia carts were terminally-cleaned. 6) Overstocking of bedside supplies and of anesthesia carts was identified as a potential opportunity for cross-contamination and this practice was discontinued. 7) Debriefings and in-services were carried out for all nursing, medical, and ancillary staff. 8) Selected equipment and supplies, as well as water, were cultured. 9) Cases in other units were promptly placed on appropriate precautions.
A Microphysics-Based Simulator for Advanced Airborne Weather Radar Development

Incorporating dual-polarized operation and microphysics-based processing is becoming a challenge to future scientific and commercial airborne weather radars. This paper introduces a Monte Carlo simulation-based approach to address the theoretical basis and uncertainties of hydrometeor scattering along with sensor platform properties. Detailed characterizations of mixed-phase aviation hydrometeor hazards (rain, snow, hail, and mixtures) and the impact of melting on polarimetric radar signature at X-band frequency are discussed. A “single resolution cell” Monte Carlo dual-polarization variable simulation technique is described and then applied in different radar scanning scenarios based on numeric weather prediction model output weather fields. The produced dual-polarization signatures of an X-band array radar for different scan scenarios are analyzed.
Imaging Lipid Metabolism in Live Caenorhabditis elegans Using Fingerprint Vibrations

Quantitation of lipid storage, unsaturation, and oxidation in live C. elegans has been a long-standing obstacle. The combination of hyperspectral stimulated Raman scattering imaging and multivariate analysis in the fingerprint vibration region represents a platform that allows the quantitative mapping of fat distribution, degree of fat unsaturation, lipid oxidation, and cholesterol storage in vivo in the whole worm. Our results reveal for the first time that lysosome-related organelles in intestinal cells are sites for storage of cholesterol in C. elegans.
Relationship of Job Stress to Job Performance: A Study of Managers and Blue-Collar Workers

Four types of relationships were proposed between job stress and performance: curvilinear/U-shaped, negative linear, positive linear, and no relationship between the two. Data were collected from middle managers (N = 227) and blue-collar workers (N = 283) employed in a large Canadian organization. Bivariate multiple regression and hierarchical multiple regression analyses generally supported the prevalence of a negative linear relationship between job stress and supervisory ratings of performance. Employees' organizational commitment significantly moderated over 50% of the relationships between job stress and measures of job performance in both managerial and blue-collar samples. Implications of the findings are discussed for future research in the area of job stress.
A 2-year prospective study assessing the emotional, sexual, and quality of life concerns of women undergoing radical trachelectomy versus radical hysterectomy for treatment of early-stage cervical cancer.

Objective To prospectively assess and describe the emotional, sexual, and QOL concerns of women with early-stage cervical cancer undergoing radical surgery.
Unplanned Reoperations Affect Long-Term Outcomes in Adult Spinal Deformity Patients Undergoing Long Fusions to the Sacrum.

Abstract Study Design Retrospective clinical cohort study. Objective To compare the long-term complications and outcomes scores of primary and revision surgeries for adult spinal deformity of patients treated with long fusions to the sacrum. Summary of Background Data Long fusions in patients with adult spinal deformity are fraught with complications and the need for reoperation that can significantly impact patient health-related quality of life. Methods Data from 134 consecutive patients who underwent spinal fusion from the thoracic spine to the sacropelvis and had a minimum of 5-year follow-up were analyzed. Patients were classified as primary surgery (PS) and index revision (IR) surgery; they were then subdivided based on whether they returned to the operating room (RTO) or not (NRTO). RTO complications were classified as 1) infection, 2) neurologic, 3) fusion status, 4) implants, and 5) global alignment and stratified as 2 years. Final Scoliosis Research Society Patient Questionnaire (SRS 22r) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) scores were compared between subgroups. Results Seventy-one PS and 63 IR were included in the analysis. Mean age at surgery was 54.9 years (30–78), mean follow-up 5.8 years (4.9–12.8). RTO rates were 21.1% and 34.9%, respectively, for PS and IR (p = .16). 43.8% of patients requiring reoperation did so on multiple occasions. Fifty PS and 41 IR cases had complete SRS 22 and ODI scores. Final SRS 22 total scores were 3.74 and 3.41 (p = .02) for the respective groups. ODI scores were 25.4% and 34.0% (p = .02). Conclusions Both groups had a significant number of revision surgeries performed by 5 years of follow-up. Unplanned reoperation significantly affected ODI and SRS 22 outcomes scores in the individual domains of pain, function, and overall satisfaction as well as total score at the 5-year follow-up regardless of PS or IR status. Overall, the PS group had improved outcomes when compared to the IR group.
A Neural Model of the Scintillating Grid Illusion: Disinhibition and Self-Inhibition in Early Vision

A stationary display of white discs positioned on intersecting gray bars on a dark background gives rise to a striking scintillating effect—the scintillating grid illusion. The spatial and temporal properties of the illusion are well known, but a neuronal-level explanation of the mechanism has not been fully investigated. Motivated by the neurophysiology of the Limulus retina, we propose disinhibition and self-inhibition as possible neural mechanisms that may give rise to the illusion. In this letter, a spatiotemporal model of the early visual pathway is derived that explicitly accounts for these two mechanisms. The model successfully predicted the change of strength in the illusion under various stimulus conditions, indicating that low-level mechanisms may well explain the scintillating effect in the illusion.
Pericyte-Derived MFG-E8 Regulates Pathologic Angiogenesis

Objective—MFG-E8 (also called lactadherin and SED1) is a secreted glycoprotein that has been previously implicated in enhancement of vascular endothelial growth factor–dependent angiogenesis. Major sources of MFG-E8 in vivo and precise mechanisms of MFG-E8 action remain undetermined. The objective of this study was to identify important sources of MFG-E8 in vivo and further elucidate the role(s) of MFG-E8 in the regulation of angiogenesis. Methods and Results—We used knockout mice and anti-MFG-E8 antibodies to study MFG-E8 function in vivo. In melanomas and in retinas of mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy, MFG-E8 colocalized with pericytes rather than endothelial cells, and platelet-derived growth factor receptor β+ pericytes/pericyte precursors purified from tumors contained large amounts of MFG-E8 mRNA. Tumor- and retinopathy-associated angiogenesis was diminished in MFG-E8 knockout mice, and pericyte coverage of neovessels was reduced. Inhibition of MFG-E8 production by 10T1/2 cells (surrogate pericy...
Capital, power and business associations in the African political economy: a tale of two countries, Ghana and Nigeria

In this era of neo-liberal capitalist economics in Africa, has organised private capital in the form of business associations (BAs) become more active in public life or developed influence in public policy formation or implementation? This analysis examines the impact of five key factors to explain varying activity levels and influence of BAs in Ghana and Nigeria since independence: levels of capitalist development and hence size of the capitalist class; strength and autonomy of the capitalist class; strength of capitalist ideology; democratic vs. authoritarian rule; and impact of external hegemonic powers and ideologies. The paper finds that Nigeria's BAs are more highly developed, have had higher activity levels, and had more influence, however limited, than Ghana's. Externally generated economic liberalisation has stimulated higher levels of BA activity, but not necessarily the political space for BA autonomy. Political democratisation appears to increase political space, BA access to the state, and policy influence.
What Is Life? What Was Life? What Will Life Be?

Our laboratory is exploring self-assembly processes and polymerization reactions of organic compounds in natural geothermal environments and related laboratory simulations. Although the physical environment that fostered primitive cellular life is still largely unconstrained, we can be reasonably confident that liquid water was required, together with a source of organic compounds and energy to drive polymerization reactions. There must also have been a process by which the compounds were sufficiently concentrated to undergo physical and chemical interactions. In earlier work we observed that macromolecules such as nucleic acids and proteins are readily encapsulated in membranous boundaries during wet-dry cycles such as those that would occur at the edges of geothermal springs or tide pools. The resulting structures are referred to as protocells, in that they exhibit certain properties of living cells and are models of the kinds of encapsulated macromolecular systems that would have led toward the first forms of cellular life. However, the assembly of protocells is markedly inhibited by conditions associated with extreme environments: High temperature, high salt concentrations, and low pH ranges. From a biophysical perspective, it follows that the most plausible planetary environment for the origin of cellular life would be an aqueous phase at moderate temperature ranges and low ionic strength, having a pH value near neutrality and divalent cations at submillimolar concentrations. This suggestion is in marked contrast to the view that life most likely began in a geothermal or marine environment, perhaps even the extreme environment of a hydrothermal vent. A more plausible site for the origin of cellular life would be fresh water pools maintained by rain falling on volcanic land masses resembling present-day Hawaii and Iceland. After the first cellular life was able to establish itself in a relatively benign environment, it would rapidly begin to adapt through Darwinian selection to more rigorous environments, including the extreme temperatures, salt concentrations and pH ranges that we now associate with the limits of life on the Earth.
Defense-Related Transcript Accumulation in Phaseolus vulgaris L. Colonized by the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith

Accumulation of mRNAs for the defense-related genes phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), chalcone synthase, chitinase (CHT), glucanase, and hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein were examined in roots of dark red kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L. cv Moncalm) colonized by the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Glomus intraradices Schenck & Smith. In three separate experiments the root length colonized ranged from 28 to 55% by 28 d after planting and inoculation. RNA blot analysis revealed little change in the accumulations of PAL, chalcone synthase, CHT, glucanase, and hydroxyproline-rich glycoprotein transcripts from the 28-d mycorrhizal roots compared to the uninoculated controls. Normalizing the ratios of defense-related transcript accumulation against RNA pools regarded as being constitutively expressed, actin mRNA, 25S rRNA, and 18S rRNA, indicated that changes in the ratios of up to 20% occur according to the RNA pool used for normalization. In situ hybridizations of colonized roots using probes for PAL and CHT showed that accumulations of both transcripts occurred only in arbusculated cells. Both young, finely branched arbuscules and older, clumped arbuscules displayed PAL and CHT message accumulations. The PAL and CHT mRNA accumulations were greater in cortical cells containing young arbuscules than in cells containing clumped arbuscules. Intercellular hyphae and vesicles elicited no response.