cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Pif1p subfamily of helicases: region-specific DNA helicases?

Abstract DNA helicases are required for DNA replication, recombination and repair. Despite a common enzymatic function – the ability to unwind duplex DNA – most helicases share only limited amino acid sequence similarity. Helicases that have significant sequence similarity define a subfamily. It remains unclear, however, how this sequence similarity relates to helicase function. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Pif1p helicase is the prototype member of a helicase subfamily that is conserved from yeasts to humans. As the two Pif1p subfamily members studied to date affect the same DNA sequences, the amino acid similarity that defines this subfamily might reflect common substrates.
Local bonding behavior and domain size relation for vacancy lines on Si(001)

Using a highly accurate tight-binding total-energy approach applied to large supercells, we have studied the local bonding behavior and the domain size relation for vacancy lines (VL's) on Si(001) over a wide range of surface dimer vacancy density $\ensuremath{\Theta}.$ For VL's perpendicular to surface dimer rows, strong local bonding interactions exist at the VL edges and between neighboring VL's. Delicate balance between strain release and rebonding leads to sensitive dependence of local bonding configurations on $\ensuremath{\Theta}.$ On the other hand, for VL's parallel to surface dimer rows all excessive dangling bonds rebond, leading to much weaker interactions between VL's and a distribution pattern drastically different from that of perpendicular VL's. Further examination of the VL domain size relation reveals an effective long-range interaction decaying as ${1/r}^{2}$ for perpendicular VL's, but not for parallel VL's.
Infrared Spectra of Zinc Sulfinates

The infrared spectra of 15 aliphatic and aromatic zinc sulfinates are given. With zinc p-toluene-sulfinate, run neat as an extremely thin, flat crystal, the symmetric and asymmetric S → 0 peaks were clearly visible at 10.1 μ (990 cm−1) and 10.6 μ (943 cm−1), respectively, and similar absorptions were obtained for the other sulfinates run as Nujol mulls. In distinction to sulfonic acid salts, the sulfinates have practically no absorption in the 8-9 μ (1250-1110 cm−1) region, whereas the sulfonates have no absorption in the 10-11 μ (1000-910 cm−1) thus indicating the analytical value of the spectra in distinguishing these two groups of compounds.
Whose Role Is It Any Way

The august group of scholars who developed the recommendations and co–wrote the article “Five Essential Elements of Immediate and Mid–Term Mass Trauma Intervention: Empirical Evidence” took on a very daunting task. They have attempted, in the absence of a clear model, to distill from decades of research on coping, disaster, and general psychology, a set of recommendations about the goals for immediate and shorter term intervention in the face of mass violence or disaster. This article does a wonderful job pulling together, from the best information and best experts available, the basic components that should comprise psychosocial intervention in the aftermath of disasters and mass violence: to promote a sense of safety, calming, self– and community efficacy, connectness, and hope. An overarching model for basic achievable goals has been needed ever since mental health professionals began trying to assist in disaster response in the 1980s. For decades, mental health professionals have wanted to help in times of disaster, and they frequently traveled to disaster locations to provide the best counseling/therapy they had available. They often arrive assuming that someone is in charge, will tell them how they can help, and put them to work. They come armed with compassion and eagerness to help but no sense of whether or how they are needed or what they should do. They often find themselves in chaotic situations where there is no one in charge, or at least no one who seems to know anything about mental health needs in this type of situation. Some end up doing what other disaster workers are doing, assisting with the delivery of basic resources such food and water; some serve as good listeners if someone wants to talk. Some attempt to do therapy or counseling. In the absence of a good model of intervention, mental health professionals may fall back onto what they have been trained in most, the study and treatment of psychopathology. What was notably absent in “Five Essential Elements” was the delivery of traditional psychotherapy in the immediate and mid–term phases post–trauma as a standard intervention. The focus here was on primary and secondary prevention and community-level interventions. What is the role of mental health professionals in these situations, especially if they have been trained in clinical psychology or psychiatry with its emphasis on individual psychopathology, Psychiatry 70(4) Winter 2007 350
Cell differentiation in the embryonic midgut of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta.

Abstract While the larval midgut of Manduca sexta has been intensively studied as a model for ion transport, the developmental origins of this organ are poorly understood. In our study we have used light and electron microscopy to investigate the process of midgut epithelial cell differentiation in the embryo. Our studies were confined to the period between 56 and 95 hr of embryonic development (hatching is at 101 hr at 25 °C), since preliminary studies indicated that all morphologically visible differentiation of the midgut epithelium occurs during this time. At 56 hr the midgut epithelium is organized into a ragged pseudostratified epithelium. Over the next 10 hr, the embryo molts and the midgut epithelium takes on a distinctive character in which the future goblet and columnar cells can be identified. With further differentiation, closed vesicles in the goblet cells expand and subsequently communicate to the outside by way of a valve. The columnar cells form numerous microvilli on their apical surfaces that extend over the goblet cells. Both cell types form basal folds from a series of plasmalemmal invaginations. Differentiation occurs concurrent with a six-fold elongation of these cells.
Starving Where People Can See The 1939 Bootheel Sharecroppers' Demonstration

Beginning on 10 January 1939, Missouri sharecropping families — 1,300 women, men, and children — lived in makeshift shelters and out in the open on US highways 60 and 61. Their strategy of in situ exhibition manipulated conventions of minstrelsy through which media recognized them, successfully shaming landowners as violators of the moral economy.
Uniform geometric estimates of sublevel sets

This paper reconsiders the uniform sublevel set estimates of Carbery, Christ, and Wright [7], Phong, Stein, and Sturm [23], and Carbery and Wright [8] from a geometric perspective. This perspective leads one to consider a natural collection of homogeneous, nonlinear differential operators, which generalize mixed derivatives in ℝ d . As a consequence, it is shown that, in comparison to these previous works, improved uniform estimates are possible in all but certain explicitly “flat” situations.
Regulation of RNA Polymerase III Transcription Involves SCH9-dependent and SCH9-independent Branches of the Target of Rapamycin (TOR) Pathway

Maf1 is a conserved repressor of transcription that functions at the downstream end of multiple nutrient and stress signaling pathways. How these different signaling pathways converge on Maf1 is not known. Previous work in yeast indicates that protein kinase A (PKA) regulates RNA polymerase (pol) III transcription, in part, by phosphorylating multiple sites in Maf1. Here we present additional evidence for this view and show that a parallel nutrient and stress-sensing pathway involving Sch9, an homologous kinase to metazoan S6 kinase, targets Maf1 at a subset of PKA sites. Using ATP analog-sensitive alleles of PKA and Sch9, we find that these two kinases account for the bulk of the phosphorylation on consensus PKA sites in Maf1. Deletion of Sch9 reduces RNA pol III transcription in a Maf1-dependent manner, yet the cells remain susceptible to further repression by rapamycin and other treatments. Because the rapamycin-sensitive kinase activity of the TORC1 complex is necessary for Sch9 function in vivo and in vitro, our results show that transcriptional regulation of RNA pol III and the coordinate control of ribosomal protein genes can be achieved by Sch9-dependent and -independent branches of the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway.
Enriching user experience with intuitive interactions and immersive environments

Will it not be nice if we can "walk into" a video game and "punch the monster" - without using any joy stick or remote controllers? Or play a music title by waving your hand towards the computer screen? Intuitive interfaces have been a fascination for young and elderly alike: young - for doing "cool" things such as a video game interaction, and for the elderly to handle technology as well as to overcome any physical limitation they may have. Researchers have been trying to use video-based and body sensor based technologies for this purpose of understanding human gesture.Providing immersive environments within which humans can interact - among themselves, with other objects, or the computer - is another research area that raise the level of user experience when combined with the above mentioned intuitive human gesture recognition. Researchers have been developing streaming 3D environments and deformable 3D models to meet this goal.In this talk, we discuss the state-of-the-art in the technologies used for video-based and sensor-based human gesture recognition. We dwell on the similarities and differences between the two approaches (vision-based and sensor-based) and talk about the algorithms and techniques that can be employed. We also describe the possibilities for creating immersive environments by looking at techniques for 3D streaming.
Impact of Contact Isolation on FIM Score Change, FIM Efficiency Score, and Length of Stay in Patients in Acute Inpatient Rehabilitation Facility

Objectives To explore the impact of contact isolation on the change in functional independence measure (FIM) score, FIM efficiency score, and length of stay. Design Retrospective matched case control study. Setting Tertiary care hospital (academic medical center). Participants Persons admitted to an acute inpatient rehabilitation facility at a tertiary care hospital from July 2009 through December 2010. Methods Retrospective chart review by obtaining patient data regarding contact isolation status, patient demographics, and rehabilitation diagnosis. Two hundred charts were reviewed, which resulted in identification of 20 patients in contact isolation. These patients subsequently were matched to patients not in contact isolation based on age, rehabilitation diagnosis, and type of insurance. Admission and discharge FIM scores were obtained for these 40 study subjects (20 cases and 20 matched controls). Main Outcome Measurements The primary study outcome measurements were change in FIM score (discharge FIM score minus admission FIM score), FIM efficiency score (change in FIM score divided by length of stay), and length of stay. Results Compared with patients not in contact isolation, patients in contact isolation showed no statistically significant difference in FIM score change, a lower FIM efficiency score ( P = .010), and a 39% longer length of stay ( P = .017) when adjusting for confounders. Conclusions This study identifies contact isolation as a likely variable that is associated with increased length of stay and decreased FIM efficiency score in patients in an acute inpatient rehabilitation facility. Further study is needed to identify the role or mechanisms by which contact isolation is involved in these adverse effects so that interventions may be developed to counteract them.
Reactions of vinyl azides and β-haloalkyl azides with active methylene compounds. Synthesis of 1-vinyl-1,2,3-triazoles†

A general synthetic approach to the yet unknown class of 1-vinyl-1,2,3-triazoles is the condensation of active methylene compounds with vinyl azides or their precursors, the β-haloalkyl azides, in the presence of an alkoxide. Triazole-4-carboxylic acids prepared in this manner are decarboxylated smoothly on heating above their melting point. The use of NMR spectra in the structure assignment of some of the triazoles is discussed.
Increased portal venous resistance hinders portal pressure reduction during the administration of β-adrenergic blocking agents in a portal hypertensive model

We have recently shown that maintenance of portal hypertension in rats is highly dependent on high portal blood flow. This study attempts to determine whether portal hypertension, induced in the rat by partial constriction of the portal vein, can be reduced by lowering portal blood flow with a beta blocking agent. Portal hypertensive rats treated with propranolol had a reduction in portal blood flow to 0.89 +/- 0.13 ml X min-1 X gm-1 accompanied by reduction in portal pressure to 12.6 +/- 1.00 mm Hg, disproportionately small because of a rise in portal-collateral vascular resistance to 12.52 +/- 1.63 dyne X sec X cm-5 X gm X 10(5) accompanying the portal blood flow reduction. Similarly, portal hypertensive rats receiving beta-blockade with H35-25, an experimental beta-blocker, demonstrated a 49% reduction in portal blood flow accompanied by only a 14% reduction in portal pressure, also disproportionately low because of a complicating 77% rise in portal-collateral vascular resistance. Normal rats were then given saline infusion to achieve similar blood flow elevations to that of portal hypertensive animals.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nasal tip projection

The nasal tip and its dynamics continue to challenge rhinoplasty surgeons. We present our techniques for managing one aspect of nasal tip surgery—tip projection. Techniques for maintaining, increasing, and decreasing tip projection are presented.
The Fanconi anaemia/BRCA pathway

Fanconi anaemia (FA) is a rare genetic cancer-susceptibility syndrome that is characterized by congenital abnormalities, bone-marrow failure and cellular sensitivity to DNA crosslinking agents. Seven FA-associated genes have recently been cloned, and their products were found to interact with well-known DNA-damage-response proteins, including BRCA1, ATM and NBS1. The FA proteins could therefore be involved in the cell-cycle checkpoint and DNA-repair pathways. Recent studies implicate the FA proteins in the process of repairing chromosome defects that occur during homologous recombination, and disruption of the FA genes results in chromosome instability--a common feature of many human cancers.
Association of articular cartilage degradation and loss of boundary‐lubricating ability of synovial fluid following injury and inflammatory arthritis

Objective To study the relationship between the boundary-lubricating ability of synovial fluid (SF) and articular cartilage damage in a rabbit knee injury model, to correlate collagen markers of such damage with SF boundary-lubricating ability and elastase activity, and to examine the lubricating ability of SF, together with collagen markers of articular cartilage damage, under the inflammatory conditions of knee joint synovitis (KJS) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods SF was aspirated weekly from the affected knee joints of 10 adult rabbits following transection of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. The boundary-lubricating ability of SF was determined in vitro using a previously described friction apparatus. Lubricin concentrations and type II collagen (CII) peptides were quantified by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs). Levels of the C-terminal neoepitope 9A4 (derived from collagenase degradation of CI, CII, and CIII) and of epitope 5-D-4 of keratan sulfate (a marker of proteoglycan depletion) were quantified by inhibition ELISAs. Elastase activity was measured spectrophotometrically. The sensitivity of purified human lubricin to digestion by neutrophil elastase (NE) was examined by Western blotting. Results The lubricating ability of SF from injured rabbit knees was significantly decreased at weeks 2 and 3 compared with week 1 after injury. Lubricin concentrations were significantly higher at week 1 than at weeks 2 and 3. CII peptide concentrations increased significantly at weeks 2 and 3 compared with week 1, while 9A4 neoepitope concentrations increased significantly at week 3 compared with weeks 1 and 2. There were no significant differences in epitope 5-D-4 concentrations among the 3 weeks. Elastase activity in SF increased significantly at weeks 2 and 3 compared with week 1. Elastase activity correlated significantly with diminishing lubrication at weeks 1, 2, and 3. SF from patients with KJS or RA exhibited deficient lubrication and elevated levels of CII peptides compared with SF from normal controls. NE was shown to completely degrade purified human lubricin in vitro. Conclusion Loss of boundary-lubricating ability of SF after injury is associated with damage to the articular cartilage matrix. This can be attributed to inflammatory processes resulting from the injury, particularly in the early phases. This association also exists in patients with acute knee injuries or progressive chronic inflammatory arthritis.
A random perturbation-based scheme for pairwise key establishment in sensor networks

A prerequisite for secure communications between two sensor nodes is that these nodes exclusively share a pairwise key. Although numerous pairwise key establishment (PKE) schemes have been proposed in recent years, most of them have no guarantee for direct key establishment, no resilience to a large number of node compromises, no resilience to dynamic network topology, or high overhead. To address these limitations, we propose a novel random perturbation-based (RPB) scheme in this paper. The scheme guarantees that any two nodes can directly establish a pairwise key without exposing any secret to other nodes. Even after a large number of nodes have been compromised, the pairwise keys shared by non-compromised nodes remain highly secure. Moreover, the scheme adapts to changes in network topology and incurs low computation and communication overhead. To the best of our knowledge, the RPB scheme is the only one that provides all these salient features without relying on public key cryptography. Through prototype-based evaluation, we show that the RPB scheme is highly efficient and practical for current generation of sensor nodes. In particular, to support a sensor network with up to 216 nodes, establishing a pairwise key of 80 bits between any two 8-bit, 7.37-MHz MICA2 motes only requires about 0.13 second of CPU time, 0.33 KB RAM space, and 15 KB ROM space per node.
Green's function simulation of quantum structures including magnetic field

Practical simulation of quantum structures requires considerable development of numerical tools and physical models, in order to approach the level of functionality of established methodologies for classical devices. We have realized a general procedure for multidimensional nonequilibrium Green's functions (NEGF) simulation, coupled to a variety of Schrodinger and Poisson solvers for different applications. Here, we describe the extensions of the model to include the effect of magnetic field and extend the simulation to multiterminal structures. We outline a procedure for the proper evaluation of the self-energy in all open terminals by using a suitable gauge transformation which is required by the nonhermitian Hamiltonian. We apply the method to the simulation of structures used for quantum-Hall effect which provide a well-tested benchmark for theoretical models and simulations including the magnetic field.
A Novel Alternating-Current Voltmeter

This paper describes an improved thermo-voltmeter, which may be used at all frequencies up to and including 1,000,000 cycles. This meter retains the usual high sensitivity of thermovoltmeters so that it requires a very small current?for full scale deflection about 2 milliamperes. At present it is made in ranges from 1 to 20 volts inclusive. Higher voltage ranges can be made but probably at the expense of lowering somewhat the upper limit of frequency at which the instrument is still accurate.
Quantum-dot cellular automata: an architecture for molecular computing

The quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA) paradigm is a revolutionary approach to molecular-scale computing which represents binary information using the charge configuration of nanostructures in lieu of current switching devices. The basic building-block of QCA devices is the QCA cell. Electrostatic interaction between neighboring cells allows the design of QCA wires, logic devices and even simple microprocessors. The geometry of molecular six-dot QCA cells enables the clocking of QCA devices via an electric field generated by a layout of clocking wires. Thus, precise control over the timing and direction of data flow in QCA circuits is possible. The design of QCA circuits now lies not only in the logic structure of the cells, but also in the layout of clocking wires. We discuss the clocking of QCA devices and connect layout to architecture.
Signal detection in power-law noise: effect of spectrum exponents.

Many natural backgrounds have approximately isotropic power spectra of the power-law form, P(f)=K/fβ, where f is radial frequency. For natural scenes and mammograms, the values of the exponent, β, range from 1.5 to 3.5. The ideal observer model predicts that for signals with certain properties and backgrounds that can be treated as random noise, a plot of log (contrast threshold) versus log (signal size) will be linear with slope, m, given by: m=(β−2)/2. This plot is referred to as a contrast-detail (CD) diagram. It is interesting that this predicts a detection threshold that is independent of signal size for β equal to 2. We present two-alternative forced-choice (2AFC) detection results for human and channelized model observers of a simple signal in filtered noise with exponents from 1.5 to 3.5. The CD diagram results are in good agreement with the prediction of this equation.
External Validation of the Medication Taper Complexity Score for Methadone Tapers in Children With Opioid Abstinence Syndrome

Background: Methadone is commonly prescribed for children with opioid abstinence syndrome (OAS) as a taper schedule over several days to weeks. The Medication Taper Complexity Score (MTCS) was developed to evaluate outpatient methadone tapers. Objective: To further validate the MTCS and determine if it is a reliable tool for clinicians to use to assess the complexity of methadone tapers for OAS. Methods: An expert panel of pediatric clinical pharmacists was convened. Panel members were provided 9 methadone tapers (ie, “easy,” “medium,” and “difficult”) to determine construct and face validity of the MTCS. The primary objective was to further establish reliability and construct/face validity of the MTCS. The secondary objective was to assess the reliability of the MTCS within and between tapers. Instrument reliability was assessed using a Pearson correlation coefficient; with 0.8 as the minimum acceptable coefficient. Construct (divergent) validity was assessed via a repeated-measures ANOVA analysis (Bonfe...
Metabolic Abnormalities and Risk for Colorectal Cancer in the Physicians' Health Study

Background: Obesity and diabetes are established risk factors for colorectal cancer but have mainly been assessed independently. There are few data about whether the metabolic syndrome, which refers to a clustering of cardiovascular disease risk factors thought to be related to insulin resistance, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hypertension, is associated with colorectal cancer risk. Methods: During and after the randomized trial of aspirin and β-carotene, 22,071 healthy male physicians, initially ages 40 to 84 years, reported overweight (body mass index, ≥27 kg/m2), diabetes, elevated blood pressure (≥130/85 mmHg or use of antihypertensive medication), hypercholesterolemia (≥240 mg/dL or use of lipid-lowering medication), and occurrence of cancer on annual questionnaires. Adjusted relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) for time-varying metabolic abnormalities and colorectal cancer were estimated using a multivariable proportional hazards model. Results: During 369,966 person-years of follow-up (median, 19 years), 494 physicians developed colorectal cancer. With aging of the cohort, the prevalence of having two or more abnormalities increased from 13% to 35%. Overweight (RR, 1.4; 95% CI, 1.1-1.7) and diabetes (RR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.1-2.0) were associated with increased risk for colorectal cancer, whereas elevated blood pressure (RR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.9-1.3) and hypercholesterolemia (RR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.7-1.1) were not. This model assessing metabolic abnormalities independently was more predictive for colorectal cancer than a model based on the number of abnormalities (each additional abnormality RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.05-1.29). Conclusions: Out of the markers of the metabolic syndrome assessed, overweight and diabetes are risk factors for colorectal cancer, whereas, in contrast to their role in cardiovascular disease, elevated blood pressure and hypercholesterolemia are not. (Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15(12):2391–7)
Nanotechnology, quantum information theory and quantum computing

Significant progress has been made in various applications of nanotechnology, and much efforts have been concentrated on the theory of nanocomputers. There are the need to examine nanocomputer architectures which include the following major components: the arithmetic-logic unit, the memory unit, the input/output unit, and the control unit. The recent results illustrate that novel logic and memory nanoscale integrated circuits can be fabricated and implemented. This progress is primarily due to the application of nanotechnology. Fundamental and applied results researched in this paper further expand the horizon of nanocomputer theory and nanotechnology practice. It is illustrated that novel nanocomputer architectures and organizations must be discovered and examined to ensure the highest level of efficiency, flexibility and robustness.
Fiber Constituents and Fibrous Food Residue Effects on the In Vitro Enzymatic Digestion of Protein

In vitro digestibility of casein was significantly (P xylan > pectin > lignin > holocellulose. The order of reduction by fibrous food residues ranked as follows: kernel corn > blackeye pea > broccoli > brown rice > wheat bran. Gel filtration profiles of casein hydrolysates were generally not affected by the fiber constituents whereas significant alterations to greater molecular weight peptides occurred in the presence of food residues. The data supported the interaction of dietary fiber components by interference of the enzyme-substrate complex formation in proteolytic digestion.
Effects of eating on vection-induced motion sickness, cardiac vagal tone, and gastric myoelectric activity

This study investigated the effect of food ingestion on motion sickness severity and its physiological mechanisms. Forty-six fasted subjects were assigned either to a meal group or to a no-meal group. Electrogastrographic (EGG) indices (normal 3 cpm activity and abnormal 4-9 cpm tachyarrhythmia) and respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA) were measured before and after a meal and during a subsequent exposure to a rotating drum in which illusory self-motion was induced. The results indicated that food intake enhanced cardiac parasympathetic tone (RSA) and increased gastric 3 cpm activity. Postprandial effects on motion sickness severity remain equivocal due to group differences in RSA baseline levels. During drum rotation, dysrhythmic activity of the stomach (tachyarrhythmia) and vagal withdrawal were observed. Furthermore, high levels of vagal tone prior to drum rotation predicted a low incidence of motion sickness symptoms, and were associated positively with gastric 3 cpm activity and negatively with tachyarrhythmia. These data suggest that enhanced levels of parasympathetic activity can alleviate motion sickness symptoms by suppressing, in part, its dysrhythmic gastric underpinnings.
Toward a Transdisciplinary Rural Education Research Agenda

This paper examines the representation of rural education research orientations—defined in terms of methodological approach, academic focus and place-consciousness—within the literature and across academic disciplines. A content analysis of 155 abstracts from articles published in the Journal of Research in Rural Education and Rural Sociology between 1997 and 2008 reveals that most rural education research is not quantitative, not academically-oriented and not place-conscious. Furthermore, the abstracts show that Rural Educators are underrepresented in academically-oriented research while Rural Social Scientists are overrepresented in that dimension. The implications of these findings for collaboration are discussed and a policy-relevant, innovative, transdisciplinary research agenda is outlined.
`Triangulation', Marital Discord and Child Behaviour Problems

Studies have so far provided little understanding of mechanisms underlying observed associations between marital discord and child behaviour problems. I argue that recent findings pointing beyond the parent-child dyad should lead us not only to look at other `parts' of the family, but also to develop conceptual and methodological approaches that depart from those that have so far guided studies of dyadic relationships. I present an overview of a programme of research that investigates marital discord-behaviour problem relationships in terms of the family therapy concept of triangulation. The goals of the article are to describe one response to one issue in the `beyond the dyad' area (the issue of mechanisms) and to provide general guidelines for developing family level research strategies to investigate other issues in this area.
Predicting the likelihood of a persistent bile duct stone in patients with suspected choledocholithiasis: accuracy of existing guidelines and the impact of laboratory trends

Background Existing guidelines aim to stratify the likelihood of choledocholithiasis to guide the use of ERCP versus a lower-risk diagnostic study such as EUS, MRCP, or intraoperative cholangiography. Objective To assess the performance of existing guidelines in predicting choledocholithiasis and to determine whether trends in laboratory parameters improve diagnostic accuracy. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary-care hospital. Patients Hospitalized patients presenting with suspected choledocholithiasis over a 6-year period. Interventions Assessment of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) guidelines, its component variables, and laboratory trends in predicting choledocholithiasis. Main Outcome Measurements The presence of choledocholithiasis confirmed by EUS, MRCP, or ERCP. Results A total of 179 (35.9%) of the 498 eligible patients met ASGE high-probability criteria for choledocholithiasis on initial presentation. Of those, 99 patients (56.3%) had a stone/sludge on subsequent confirmatory test. Of patients not meeting high-probability criteria on presentation, 111 (34.8%) had a stone/sludge. The overall accuracy of the guidelines in detecting choledocholithiasis was 62.1% (47.4% sensitivity, 73% specificity) based on data available at presentation. The accuracy was unchanged when incorporating the second set of liver chemistries obtained after admission (63.2%), suggesting that laboratory trends do not improve performance. Limitations Retrospective study, inconsistent timing of the second set of biochemical markers. Conclusion In our cohort of patients, existing choledocholithiasis guidelines lacked diagnostic accuracy, likely resulting in overuse of ERCP. Incorporation of laboratory trends did not improve performance. Additional research focused on risk stratification is necessary to meet the goal of eliminating unnecessary diagnostic ERCP.
Neurophotonics applications to motor cortex research: a review

Neurophotonics methods offer powerful ways to access neuronal signals and circuits. We highlight recent advances and current themes in this area, emphasizing tools for mapping, monitoring, and manipulating excitatory projection neurons and their synaptic circuits in mouse motor cortex.
Porin-Mediated Antibiotic Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae: Ion, Solute, and Antibiotic Permeation through PIB Proteins with penB Mutations

Neisseria gonorrhoeae has two porins, PIA and PIB, whose genes (porA and porB, respectively) are alleles of a single por locus. We recently demonstrated that penB mutations at positions 120 and 121 in PIB, which are presumed to reside in loop 3 that forms the pore constriction zone, confer intermediate-level resistance to penicillin and tetracycline (M. Olesky, M. Hobbs, and R. A. Nicholas, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 46:2811-2820, 2002). In the present study, we investigated the electrophysiological properties as well as solute and antibiotic permeation rates of recombinant PIB proteins containing penB mutations (G120K, G120D/A121D, G120P/A121P, and G120R/A121H). In planar lipid bilayers, the predominant conducting state of each porin variant was 30 to 40% of the wild type, even though the anion selectivity and maximum channel conductance of each PIB variant was similar to that of the wild type. Liposome-swelling experiments revealed no significant differences in the permeation of sugars or beta-lactam antibiotics through the wild type or PIB variants. Although these results are seemingly contradictory with the ability of these variants to increase antibiotic resistance, they are consistent with MIC data showing that these porin mutations confer resistance only in strains containing an mtrR mutation, which increases expression of the MtrC-MtrD-MtrE efflux pump. Moreover, both the mtrR and penB mutations were required to decrease in vivo permeation rates below those observed in the parental strain containing either mtrR or porin mutations alone. Thus, these data demonstrate a novel mechanism of porin-mediated resistance in which mutations in PIB have no affect on antibiotic permeation alone but instead act synergistically with the MtrC-MtrD-MtrE efflux pump in the development of antibiotic resistance in gonococci.
Measuring the gas clumping in Abell 133

This paper continues a series in which we developed a non-parametric method to measure inhomogeneities in the gas distribution from X-ray observations of galaxy clusters. In this work, we apply our method to Chandra X-ray observations of Abell 133 and present the determination of the gas clumping factor from X-ray cluster data. We find that the gas clumping factor in Abell 133 increases with radius and reaches � 2 3 at 0.9R200. This is in good agreement with the predictions of hydrodynamical simulations and our previous determination. We then observe a general trend of steepening in the radial profiles of the clumping-corrected gas density beyond 0.3R200, with a logarithmic slope of � 2.6 at 0.9R200. The observed density profiles appear to be flatter compared to simulations, but in agreement with previous observational findings. In addition, we observe that the measured temperature decreases steadily with radius toward the outskirts of A133, while the entropy increases monotonically with radius, gently flattening in the outer volumes. With respect to theoretical predictions from pure gravitational collapse, the results presented here point to an entropy excess in the central regions, which extends out to large radii. These results suggest that gas inhomogeneities should be treated properly when interpreting X-ray measurements in the envelope of galaxy clusters. We finally discuss how the brightness distribution keeps a record of the large-scale structures formation scenario, providing a snapshot of the ’melting pot’ in the virialization region.
Adaptive stereotactic body radiation therapy planning for lung cancer.

Purpose To investigate the dosimetric effects of adaptive planning on lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Methods and Materials Forty of 66 consecutive lung SBRT patients were selected for a retrospective adaptive planning study. CBCT images acquired at each fraction were used for treatment planning. Adaptive plans were created using the same planning parameters as the original CT-based plan, with the goal to achieve comparable comformality index (CI). For each patient, 2 cumulative plans, nonadaptive plan (P NON ) and adaptive plan (P ADP ), were generated and compared for the following organs-at-risks (OARs): cord, esophagus, chest wall, and the lungs. Dosimetric comparison was performed between P NON and P ADP for all 40 patients. Correlations were evaluated between changes in dosimetric metrics induced by adaptive planning and potential impacting factors, including tumor-to-OAR distances ( d T-OAR ), initial internal target volume (ITV 1 ), ITV change (ΔITV), and effective ITV diameter change (Δ d ITV ). Results 34 (85%) patients showed ITV decrease and 6 (15%) patients showed ITV increase throughout the course of lung SBRT. Percentage ITV change ranged from −59.6% to 13.0%, with a mean (±SD) of −21.0% (±21.4%). On average of all patients, P ADP resulted in significantly ( P =0 to .045) lower values for all dosimetric metrics. Δ d ITV / d T-OAR was found to correlate with changes in dose to 5 cc (ΔD5cc) of esophagus (r=0.61) and dose to 30 cc (ΔD30cc) of chest wall (r=0.81). Stronger correlations between Δ d ITV / d T-OAR and ΔD30cc of chest wall were discovered for peripheral (r=0.81) and central (r=0.84) tumors, respectively. Conclusions Dosimetric effects of adaptive lung SBRT planning depend upon target volume changes and tumor-to-OAR distances. Adaptive lung SBRT can potentially reduce dose to adjacent OARs if patients present large tumor volume shrinkage during the treatment.
A Parent-Partner Status for American Family Law

1. The disconnect between the facts and the law 2. The absence of the 'parent-partner' status 3. The inadequacy of existing constructs 4. Reform efforts: slowly moving forward 5. The new status in theoretical perspective 6. The benefits of the new status for children 7. The benefits of the new status for the community 8. Ambitions for the new status 9. New non-monetary obligations 10. A new relationship work obligation 11. New obligations with financial implications 12. Possible concerns about the status.
Large-Area Compositional Mapping of Cu(In $_{1-x}$ Ga $_{x}$ )Se $_{2}$ Materials and Devices with Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

A spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) capability having the potential to scan production-scale areas at high speed has been developed and successfully applied to map the alloy composition of copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (CuIn 1−x Ga x Se 2 : CIGS) thin films. This technique not only generates a compositional map but simultaneously provides maps of the more typical SE-determined properties as well, including bulk layer and surface roughness layer thicknesses. As a result, the methodology is suitable for characterization in online production-scale applications. In order to develop the mapping capability, CIGS films having different molar Ga contents x and fixed copper stoichiometry were deposited and measured in situ by SE in order to extract the complex dielectric functions (e = e 1 +ie 2 ) of these films. For mathematical interpolation between the available alloy contents, the (e 1 , e 2 ) spectra were parameterized using an oscillator sum. Best-fitting equations were obtained that relate each oscillator parameter to the Ga content x, as determined by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. This approach reduces the number of fitting parameters for (e 1 , e 2 ) from several to just one: the Ga content x. Because (e 1 , e 2 ) is now represented by this single parameter, the chances of parameter correlations during fitting are reduced, enabling production-scale compositional mapping of chalcopyrite films by SE.
Headaches, Traumatic Brain Injury, and Concussion

Concussion is considered a subset of traumatic brain injury (TBI) resulting in a transient disturbance in brain function, due to a direct or indirect blow to the head. Head-trauma-related symptoms are quite common and varied. Eighty to ninety percent of individuals recover neurologic function within 10 days of injury.
A Reconstruction Space Which does not Contain the Objective Function

The idea which transforms the problem of reconstruction from projections into a solvable problem is the use of a reconstruction space which is different from the space within which the objective function, f, lies. For practical purposes it will be sufficient to reconstruct f (or find an approximation to f) with finite resolution. Any picture in the real world has finite resolution, anyway.
The cytology of apocrine sweat glands

The secretory cells of human apocrine sweat glands are characterized by the presence of large mitochondria, which have scant cristae and an electron opaque matrix. Electron opaque granules, presumed to be a keratin, are present in the supranuclear cytoplasm. The keratin granules contain histochemically demonstrable SH, SS, and lipid groups, and they have a typical appearance by electron microscopy. Secretory vacuoles containing mucopolysaccharide are formed in association with the Golgi apparatus and are liberated from the cytoplasm by a merocrine mechanism. The duct cells of human apocrine glands contain few organelles and are presumed to alter the secretion little, if at all. The term “apocrine” should be retained, although the cells secrete by a merocrine mechanism, and used in a generic sense to designate a defined group of epidermally derived glands.
Issues in cerebrospinal fluid management. CSF Venereal Disease Research Laboratory testing.

Three policies for decreasing unnecessary cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) management Veneral Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) tests were compared. The first policy attempted to educate physicians about the use of serologic tests for diagnosing neurosyphilis but allowed the CSF VDRL to be performed either as a screening test or as a retrospective test. The second policy required that the CSF VDRL be performed as a retrospective test without regard to the patient's serologic status. The third policy required that a patient be seropositive by either rapid plasma reagin (RPR) or fluorescent treponemal antibody absorbance (FTA-ABS) before a CSF VDRL could be performed. Before these policies were instituted, VDRL testing was performed on 18.2% of all CSF samples. The optional and required retrospective policies decreased the CSF VDRL rate to 13.0% and 8.5%, respectively, but the percentages of seropositive patients for whom these procedures were performed were only 7.3% and 12.9%. The third policy decreased the CSF VDRL test rate to 1.8% (P < 0.001) with seropositivity improving to 90%. To assure serologic tests are obtained in the evaluation of neurosyphilis, requirement for seropositivity must be implemented with the use of retrospective CSF VDRL testing.
Cross Validation in Analytical Method Validation of Biological Samples

OBJECTIVE:To confirm the role,status and necessity of cross validation in analytical method of biological sample.METHODS:Referring to guidance principle and literatures of international method validation,the importance and necessity of cross validation of analytical method in biological sample were analyzed and summarized.We developed the procedure of analytical method cross-validation base on the practical case.The limit of operational procedure was investigated.RESULTSCONCLUSION:Results of cross validation indicate that there is difference in analytical results among different laboratories while the difference is up to the acceptable criteria.Cross validation play an important role in biological sample analytical methods,great importance should be attached to it and the establishment of operational procedure and assessment standards.
The Analysis of Factors Affecting SO_2 Emission of Chinese Industry Based on the New Decomposition Model

In this paper,the decomposition model of factors affecting industrial pollution is constructed by combining Grossman decomposition model with the Logarithmic Mean Divisia Index( LMDI). With time from 2005 to 2008 as the analysis period,and SO2emission of Chinese industry as well as its internal industry as the research object,factors affecting the research object are decomposed by using the model we built. For Chinese industrial and its internal industry within the analysis period,the main factor affecting SO2emission is the scale effect. Scale change is unfavorable for the decrease of SO2emission,but structural change is favorable for that. So improving the effectiveness of clean technology or pollution control is an efficient way to decrease SO2emission and only lowering SO2emission in key industries can make the effect of decreasing SO2more obvious.
P18.09 Community-based support groups engagement in hiv prevention and economic empowerment in rural kenya

Background Support groups’ important role in destigmatizing HIV/AIDS and addressing social-psychological needs of persons living with HIV (PLWH) is well documented. However, the impact of support groups in economic activities is less studied. Our study compares HIV- and non-HIV- support groups in providing social-psychological and economic empowerment for PLWH or at-risk groups in rural Kenya. Methods We recruited 72 participants in 12 support groups (42 women, 30 men; 6 HIV, 6 non-HIV). Interviews lasted 1.5–4 h. Participants were asked to describe the benefits and challenges of support groups. We used MAXQDA qualitative software. We used thematic analysis informed by Grounded Theory principles to develop themes. Results HIV- and non-HIV groups provided socio-psychological benefits to members. However, HIV groups engaged in community-based HIV testing promotion, and empowered members on fight HIV-stigma and to disclose HIV-status. HIV-groups—mostly donor-financed—had challenges related to financial mismanagement and lack of transparency of disbursements. Non-HIV groups—mostly micro-financing initiatives—offered financial assistance (e.g., school fees, hospital expenses), start-up capital for business projects, and improved the standard of living for members. Non-HIV-groups had challenges related to marital conflict and violence about finances, high rate of loan-default among members; and high direct (e.g., membership financial contribution, transport costs) and indirect (e.g., time commitments) costs of group participation. Conclusion HIV-support groups are underutilised in economic empowerment initiatives for PLWH, and face challenges of sustainability, in part due to poor leadership, financial mismanagement and high financial dependency on external funding. Non-HIV groups are underutilised as venues for community-based HIV prevention efforts. Before engaging in micro-finance activities, support groups should receive leadership and financial training to ensure their long-term sustainability and increase group effectiveness in uplifting the quality and standards of living for persons living with or at-risk for HIV in rural communities. Disclosure of interest statement This study was funded by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee College of Nursing Start-Up funds, U. S. A. No pharmaceutical grants were received in the development of this study.
Mormyromast electroreceptor organs and their afferent fibers in mormyrid fish. III. Physiological differences between two morphological types of fibers.

1. Mormyromast electroreceptor organs in electric fish of the family Mormyridae have two types of separately innervated sensory cells, the A and B sensory cells of Szabo and Wersall. The first pape...
Digitalis for treatment of congestive heart failure in patients in sinus rhythm.

Adding digitalis to treatment with angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors and diuretics will reduce hospitalization rates and improve clinical status in patients in normal sinus rhythm with left ventricular systolic dysfunction (LVSD) and symptoms of CHF on moderate or mild exertion (New York Hospital Association [NYHA] class II or III). However, the addition of digitalis to ACE inhibitor or diuretic therapy will not reduce the risk of death. The incremental benefit of adding digitalis to regimens already including ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and spironolactone (Aldactone) is unclear.