cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Invasive infection with multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype typhimurium definitive type 104 among HIV-infected adults

Background. Multidrug-resistant Salmonella enterica serotype Typhimurium definitive type 104 (MRDT104), with resistance to at least ampicillin, chloramphenicol, streptomycin, sulfamethoxazole, and tetracycline (R-type ACSSuT), was first detected in the United States in 1985 [1], and the prevalence increased to account for nearly 7% of Salmonella infections in 1998 [2]. Methods. A retrospective study of S. Typhimurium infections in an urban health care system assessed whether infection with an antibiotic-resistant strain-and specifically MRDT104-was associated with invasive disease or HIV infection. Sixty cases of S. Typhimurium infection were identified. Results. Of the 50 isolates available for analysis, 30 (60%) were MRDT104. Pathogens were isolated from blood in 25 (83%) of 30 patients infected with MRDT104, compared with 10 (50%) of 20 patients who were infected with non-MRDT104 strains (P = .01). Among isolates obtained from 32 HIV-infected patients, 19 (95%) of 20 MRDT104 isolates were from blood specimens, compared with 8 (66%) of 12 non-MRDT104 isolates (P = .05). Conclusions. MRDT104 accounted for the majority of S. Typhimurium infections in this patient population, and MRDT104 infections were more invasive than non-MRDT104 infections, particularly in HIV-infected persons.
Field Evaluation of Biodiesel (B20) Use by Transit Buses

The objective of this research project was to compare B20 (20% biodiesel fuel) and ultra-low-sulfur (ULSD) diesel-fueled buses in terms of fuel economy, vehicle maintenance, engine performance, component wear, and lube oil performance. We examined 15 model year (MY) 2002 Gillig 40-foot transit buses equipped with MY 2002 Cummins ISM engines. The engines met 2004 U.S. emission standards and employed exhaust gas recirculation (EGR). For 18 months, eight of these buses operated exclusively on B20 and seven operated exclusively on ULSD. The B20 and ULSD study groups operated from different depots of the St. Louis (Missouri) Metro, with bus routes matched for duty cycle parity. The B20and ULSD-fueled buses exhibited comparable fuel economy, reliability (as measured by miles between road calls), and total maintenance costs. Engine and fuel system maintenance costs were also the same for the two groups after correcting for the higher average mileage of the B20 group. Fuel filter plugging during unseasonably cold temperatures was more prevalent for the B20 group. Lube oil samples were collected over a wide range of mileage within the drain interval, and analyses indicate reductions in soot loading and wear metals in the B20 buses. Viscosity loss and lead corrosion were greater in the B20 group, while the total base number (TBN) loss was not significantly changed.
MicroRNA-21 plays a role in hypoxia-mediated pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell proliferation and migration

Hypoxia stimulates pulmonary artery smooth muscle cell (PASMC) proliferation. Recent studies have implicated an important role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in hypoxia-mediated responses in various cellul...
American Society of Biomechanics Clinical Biomechanics Award 2013: Tibiofemoral contact location changes associated with lateral heel wedging—A weight bearing MRI study

Abstract Background Vertically open magnetic resonance imaging permits study of knee joint contact during weight bearing. Lateral wedging is a low cost intervention for knee osteoarthritis that may influence load distribution and contact. This study assessed the ability of feedback-assisted weight bearing magnetic resonance imaging to detect changes in tibiofemoral contact associated with lateral wedging. Methods One knee in each of fourteen subjects with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis was studied, without specification of compartmental involvement. Knees were imaged during upright standing and at 20° knee flexion. Bilateral external heel wedges were used to provide non-wedged and 5° lateral wedging conditions. Computer modeling was used to measure the medial and lateral compartment contact patch center coordinates on the tibial plateau and the respective contact areas. Findings Lateral heel wedging in flexion was associated with a significant anterior shift of the contact patch of the lateral femoral condyle. Changes with knee flexion were similar to previous reports: both medial and lateral contact centers moved posteriorly with flexion, and lateral condyle contact also moved laterally. Lateral condyle contact area significantly reduced with flexion, while lateral wedging did not significantly affect contact areas. Interpretation In symptomatic knee osteoarthritis patients standing in knee flexion, weight bearing magnetic resonance imaging recorded an anterior shift of lateral condyle contact in response to lateral heel wedging. Future studies may investigate lateral wedging effects more specifically in candidates for this clinical intervention.
Structure–Side-Effect Sorting of Drugs II: Skin Sensitization

A computerized sorting program was used to sort out 120 drugs that have been reported to cause skin sensitization from a data bank of 540 clinically useful drugs. Based on an analysis of functional groups, a number of unique common denominators were found for skin sensitization due to covalent bond formation with body proteins. These include potential epoxide-forming groups such as an electron-deficient benzene ring, a vinyl group, hydroxylamine and N-oxide precursors, drugs capable of forming a benzylic radical, β-lactam derivatives, and α,β-unsaturated ketones. By using multiple-regression analysis, the quantitative structure–activity relationship for skin-sensitizing properties of 3-alkyl catechols and 2,4-dinitrobenzene derivatives are also reported.
Magnetic field alignment of block copolymers and polymer nanocomposites: Scalable microstructure control in functional soft materials

Block copolymers (BCPs) offer an exciting range of structures and functions that are of potential utility in existing as well as emerging technologies. Although this is generally acknowledged, with few exceptions, viable strategies for establishing scalable and robust control of BCP microstructure are underdeveloped. Magnetic field alignment offers great potential in this regard. The physics bears much in common with electric field alignment, but the absence of dielectric breakdown concerns and the more flexible, space pervasive nature of magnetic fields make it possible to design processes for high-throughput fabrication of well-ordered films with appropriate materials. In this perspective, we highlight the use of magnetic fields for control of microstructure in BCPs as well as polymer nanocomposites involving anisotropic nanomaterials. A brief review of efforts to date is given. Open questions related to field-polymer interactions and future directions for magnetic alignment of these systems are discussed. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys, 2011
He Said, She Said: Gender Differences in Mother – Adolescent Conversations about Sexuality

This study examined gender differences in self-reported and observed conversations about sexual issues. Fifty mother –adolescent dyads reported on their conversations about sexual issues and participated in videotaped conversations about dating and sexuality in a laboratory setting. Gender differences (more mother – daughter than mother –son) were found in the extent of sexual communication based on adolescents’ reports, but no gender differences were found based on mothers’ reports, or on observations of conversations. Aspects of laboratory interactions, however, did distinguish mother– daughter and mother – son dyads, and related to self-report measures. Girls’ reported sexuality communication frequency related to behavior in the laboratory setting. During mother – son conversations, one person usually took on the role of questioner, whereas the other did not. In contrast, there was evidence for mutuality of positive emotions for mother – daughter dyads, but not for mother – son dyads.
The Spirit of Capitalism: Nationalism and Economic Growth. By Liah Greenfeld, Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2001. 541p. $45.00.

In this book Liah Greenfeld tackles the problem that preoccupied Max Weber in The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism (1930). Like many others, she disputes Weber's claim that modern capitalism emerged uniquely in Northwest Europe because of the attitudes and behavior promoted by Protestant Christianity, especially in its Calvinist variety: The “worldly asceticism” and peculiar form of economic rationality involved spawned an economic system that eventually helped change the world. Critical of this precise argument, Greenfeld is in the Weberian camp in centering the problem where he did and in stressing the differences between modern capitalism and age-old commercial profit making found virtually in all civilizations. Similarly sound is Weber's methodological posture that sees culture, that is, ideas, ideals, and values dramatically influencing the emergence, growth, and durability of economic systems. Those who, like the whole Marxist tradition, maintain that underlying “structural” factors such as technology and environment are the prime movers of history have succumbed to untenable deterministic philosophies. History and social structures, unlike the works of simple nature, are constructed by human agency, which itself is often provided by outstanding thinkers and doers.
Measurement and Simulation of Partial Contact at the Head/Tape Interface

Partial contact at the head/tape interface is investigated as a function of changes in the head/tape spacing due to asperity compression during contact. A model of head/tape contact, based on measurements of average contact pressure versus average head/tape spacing, is developed and incorporated into a numerical simulation of the head/tape interface. Numerical calculations of head/tape spacing with partial contact are verified by interferometric measurements
Computationally efficient techniques for real time surgical simulation with force feedback

In this paper, we present computationally efficient algorithms for the real time simulation of minimally invasive surgical (MIS) procedures. To develop a surgical simulator for training medical personnel, due to high computational speed required for realistic simulation in real time, there is a fundamental trade-off between realism and processing speed of the simulator. Our research focuses on how we can optimally utilize computing resources in the presence of constraints related to real time performance. We first present a novel approach, to rapid collision detection so as to maximize the available time for computing collision response. We then present a real time tissue model that computes visual rendering of deformations and haptic rendering of interaction forces by using a newly developed meshless numerical scheme. By integrating these techniques with a force-feedback device and a visual display connected to PC, we simulate a specific procedure (palpation) with update rate of 1 KHz for force and 30 Hz frame rate for graphics.
Ruminal Fermentation and Amino Acid Flow in Holstein Steers Fed Whole Cottonseed with Elevated Concentrations of Free Fatty Acids in the Oil

The influence of feeding whole cottonseed (WCS) containing elevated concentrations of free fatty acids (FFA) in the oil on ruminal fermentation and amino acid (AA) flow to the abomasum was evaluated in a 4 x 4 Latin square trial. Four ruminally and abomasally cannulated Holstein steers were fed diets containing 12.5% of dry matter as WCS with concentrations of 8.0, 11.3, 14.7, or 18.0% FFA in the oil. Intake, ruminal digestibility, and flow to the abomasum of dry matter, organic matter, and acid detergent fiber were not affected by FFA level of WCS. Intake of neutral detergent fiber and total kilograms of neutral detergent fiber digested in the rumen were similar for all treatments. Ruminal neutral detergent fiber digestibility was lower for 8 and 14.7% FFA, resulting in a cubic effect on flow to the abomasum. Ruminal pH, molar proportions of isobutyrate, and total branched-chain volatile fatty acids (VFA) decreased linearly, whereas molar proportions of acetate and acetate:propionate ratio increased linearly as FFA in WCS increased. Total VFA were lower, and molar proportions of propionate were higher, for 8 and 14.7% FFA, resulting in a cubic effect. Intake of N, total N flow, and nonmicrobial N flow to the abomasum were similar among treatments. Flow of microbial N was lower for the 11.3% FFA treatment, resulting in a quadratic response. Only nonsignificant differences were observed in AA flow to the abomasum. Results of this trial indicate that WCS with FFA up to 18% may result in small changes in rumen fermentation.
Increased flow speed on a large East Antarctic outlet glacier caused by subglacial floods

Large ice streams and outlet glaciers drain Greenland and Antarctica. An observed acceleration of ice velocity in one of these outlet glaciers, Byrd Glacier, East Antarctica coincides with a large water discharge from two subglacial lakes, allowing direct attribution of the change in glacier dynamics to the water drainage network beneath the ice.
Pretreatment serum albumin as a predictor of cancer survival: A systematic review of the epidemiological literature

Background: There are several methods of assessing nutritional status in cancer of which serum albumin is one of the most commonly used. In recent years, the role of malnutrition as a predictor of survival in cancer has received considerable attention. As a result, it is reasonable to investigate whether serum albumin has utility as a prognostic indicator of cancer survival in cancer. This review summarizes all available epidemiological literature on the association between pretreatment serum albumin levels and survival in different types of cancer. Methods: A systematic search of the literature using the MEDLINE database (January 1995 through June 2010) to identify epidemiologic studies on the relationship between serum albumin and cancer survival. To be included in the review, a study must have: been published in English, reported on data collected in humans with any type of cancer, had serum albumin as one of the or only predicting factor, had survival as one of the outcome measures (primary or secondary) and had any of the following study designs (case-control, cohort, cross-sectional, case-series prospective, retrospective, nested case-control, ecologic, clinical trial, meta-analysis). Results: Of the 29 studies reviewed on cancers of the gastrointestinal tract, all except three found higher serum albumin levels to be associated with better survival in multivariate analysis. Of the 10 studies reviewed on lung cancer, all excepting one found higher serum albumin levels to be associated with better survival. In 6 studies reviewed on female cancers and multiple cancers each, lower levels of serum albumin were associated with poor survival. Finally, in all 8 studies reviewed on patients with other cancer sites, lower levels of serum albumin were associated with poor survival. Conclusions: Pretreatment serum albumin levels provide useful prognostic significance in cancer. Accordingly, serum albumin level could be used in clinical trials to better define the baseline risk in cancer patients. A critical gap for demonstrating causality, however, is the absence of clinical trials demonstrating that raising albumin levels by means of intravenous infusion or by hyperalimentation decreases the excess risk of mortality in cancer.
The fracture mechanics of cantilever beams with an embedded sharp crack under end force loading

Abstract Motivated by the need to develop model and non-model based methods for damage and crack detection in components and structures, this paper aims at establishing the near-tip mechanics of cantilever beams containing a fully embedded, through thickness sharp crack and subjected to an end force. Finite element (FE) models of the cracked beams were established with the aid of a specialized 2-D adaptive meshing algorithm. Beam geometries with a crack placed at various depths and locations along the beam axis and at various orientations have been modeled. Linear elastic and isotropic conditions were assumed throughout the homogeneous beam domain. Broad parametric studies were conducted to study the effects of crack length, crack orientation and crack location on the fracture characteristics dominating both the left and right crack tips. As such extensive results are reported for the near tip energy release rates and the associated Mode I and Mode II stress intensity factors and mode mixity. The study suggests that the near-tip conditions for both the left and right crack tips in systems with non-horizontal cracks are dominated by mixed mode conditions. Physically inadmissible crack surface interpenetrations are predicted associated with negative Mode I stress intensity factor component for at least one of the two crack tip regions for all incline cracks. The extent of crack surface interpenetration is shown to depend on the crack plane orientation relative to the beam axis. For beams containing a horizontal crack, i.e., cracks aligned with the beam axis, the simulation results suggests that such cracks are dominated by Mode II conditions at both crack tips regardless of its length and crack location in the beam. The findings of this study along with other related results regarding the deformation of a beam with an embedded horizontal crack form the foundation for the development of analytical models capable of capturing the overall deformation as well as the near-tip fracture characteristics of such cracked structures. In addition, the findings can assist in furthering our understanding of delamination processes in laminate systems and in developing model and non-model methods for damage and crack detection.
Gender and Migration

A retrospective of the migration literature in various disciplines obscures women's participation in migration. In spite of all of the "women on the move" throughout the twentieth century, with few exceptions, research strategies in the same period have focused largely on men. Initial attempts to focus on women migrants in the 1970s were met at best with indifference, and at worst, with vitrioUc hostility. In a 1976 article commenting on one of the first conferences on women and migration, the British urban anthropologist Anthony Leeds opined that "the category of 'women' seems to me a rhetorical one, not one which has (or can be proved to have) generic scientific utility" and he decried this focus as "individualistic, reductionist, and motivational." Leeds argued that focusing, on women would deflect attention away from structural processes of capitalist exploitation. That in itself is telling, as it encodes the assumption that women do not act in economic or structural contexts, that women are somehow cloistered and sheltered from capitalist institutions. Androcentric biases, assumptions that women are "too traditional" and culture bound, or that they only migrate as family followers or "associational migrants" for family reunification, weigh heavily in the literature.
On the Epistemic Utility of What is Said

Given a speaker who performed an assertoric speech act, what the speaker can be reported to have said (by way of a speech report of the form ‘S said that p’) depends on the context of the report. Insofar as the notion of what is said captures the content dimension of such reports, the result is that this notion is of little use to epistemology, and in particular cannot be used to capture the content dimension of those speech acts that are apt for the testimonial communication of knowledge. To capture such a dimension, we ought to replace the notion of what was said, with that of what was strictly said. I argue that there are epistemic intuitions, pertaining to speakers’ epistemic responsibilities in producing testimony, that can be used to constrain what counts as the ‘strictly said’ content.
Breaking the Environmental Logjam: The International Dimension

The need to reframe environmental law is great, not only domestically but internationally, where an effective worldwide response to issues that transcend national borders is urgently required. This article reviews the performance of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and other international bodies and urges their replacement with a new, streamlined international body: a Global Environment Organization that is more focused, network-based, and largely virtual. The GEO would address problems of global scale that transcend national boundaries, including management of the oceans, atmosphere, and other global commons resources. It would serve as a convening authority, engaging not only governments but also civil society at large, including business and NGO leaders, with the aim of mobilizing technological and policy innovation for environmental protection. The author also urges adoption of innovation as a fifth logjam principle, and broad adoption of global price-based incentive systems to address global environmental problems.
Preparation and Solubility of Hydroxyapatite.

Two portions of a synthetic hydroxyapatite (HA), Ca5OH(PO4)3, fully characterized by x-ray, infrared, petrographic, and chemical analyses, were heated at 1,000 °C in air and steam atmospheres, respectively. Solubility isotherms for these two samples in the system Ca(OH)2-H3PO4-H2O were determined in the pH range 5 to 7 by equilibrating the solids with dilute H3PO4 solutions. Both samples of HA dissolved stoichiometrically. The activity products (Ca++)5(OH-)(PO4≡)3 and their standard errors-obtained by a least squares adjustment of the measurements (Ca and P concentrations and pH of the saturated solutions) subject to the conditions of electroneutrality, constancy of the activity product, and stoichiometric dissolution - were 3.73 ± 0.5 × 10-58 for the steam-heated HA and 2.51 ± 0.4 × 10-55 for the air-heated HA. Allowance was made in the calculations for the presence of the ion pairs [CaHPO4]0 and [CaH2PO4]+. The higher solubility product for the air-heated HA is ascribed either to a change in the heat of formation brought about by partial dehydration or to a state of fine subdivision resulting from a disproportionation reaction. The solubility product constants were used to calculate the points of intersection (i.e., singular points) of the two HA solubility isotherms with the isotherms of CaHPO4 · 2H2O and CaHPO4; it was found that the pH's of the singular points for the air-heated HA were a full unit higher than those of the steam-heated preparation. Conditions are described for the precipitation of HA crystals suitable for solubility measurements.
A Case of Myositis Ossificans Progressiva

We experienced a rare case of myositis ossificans progressiva complicated by bilatelal hallux valgus, multiple exostosis and synostosis of the forearm and obstructive deafness.He was admitted february 5, 1971 at 5 years of his age. During the past 5 years, ossification of the neck, spine and shoulder joints were progressive.Particulalry the neck and spine have been ankylosed. However, cardiac muscle, diaphlagma, tongue, larynx and sphincters were not involved.
Spectrum of Relaxation Times in GeO2 Glass.

Index-of-refraction versus time isotherms have been established for germania glass. Using the crossover technique with air-quenched samples and applying the two relaxation time model previously reported for borosilicate glass, it was found that the width of the spectrum of relaxation times for germania glass was temperature dependent. Upon analyzing this in terms of a distribution of activation energies, the results showed that, similarly to B2O3, activation energies smaller than the activation energy present in the Arrhenius region appear at low temperatures. Extensive viscosity measurements by the fiber elongation method were made from 1011 to 6 × 1014 poises. From this data a lower and more precise value of the activation energy (E η = 72.3 kcal/mol) was obtained in the annealing range.
ANTIPLATELET AND ANTITHROMBOTIC THERAPY IN ATRIAL FIBRILLATION PATIENTS IN THE SETTING OF ACUTE CORONARY SYNDROME AND/OR AFTER PERCUTANEOUS CORONARY INTERVENTION: EVIDENCE FROM META-ANALYSIS

Atrial fibrillation (AF) patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are very challenging to manage. Studies have proposed different treatment regimens including dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT: Aspirin and Clopidogrel) and triple therapy (
In the Mind's Eye: Eye­Tracking and Multi­modal Integration During Bilingual Spoken­Language Processing

The human language system integrates information from multiple sources and modalities. Bilinguals, who experience increased processing demands due to competition between their two languages, may be especially likely to rely on cues from multiple modalities. The cross-modal integration involved in language processing has been frequently studied using eye-tracking, an approach that can accommodate the simultaneous presence of both auditory and visual inputs. Eye-tracking research has demonstrated that bilinguals activate both of their languages in parallel (e.g., Spivey and Marian 1999; Weber and Cutler 2004), leading to competition both within (e.g., the English word “marker” competes with the phonologically similar word “marble”) and between (e.g., the English word “marker” competes with the Russian word “marka”) their two languages (Marian and Spivey 2003a, b). Interestingly, this competition arises even when languages do not share phonology (e.g., bimodal bilinguals; Shook and Marian 2012) and in the absence of explicit linguistic input (Chabal and Marian 2015), demonstrating the highly interactive nature of bilingual language processing. This interactivity in the language system yields changes to bilingual cognitive function. For example, bilinguals’ need to control phonological competition is associated with enhanced executive control (Blumenfeld and Marian 2011), and their experience suppressing information from the non-target language improves their ability to learn novel vocabulary (Bartolotti and Marian 2012). We conclude that multi-modal investigations of language processing such as those employing eye-tracking are not only ecologically valid, as they closely resemble real-world multi-modal situations, but also can demonstrate how language interacts with other cognitive and perceptual functions in a non-modular mind.
Muliti-Sensor Digital Video Monitoring System Based on DSP

This paper introduces a digital surveillance system with novel structure and good expansibility.This system consists of multi-sensor(video processing board) which can run multi-channel intelligent surveillance algorithm and interact with host via PCI bus.In the host,sensors are managed using.NET Remoting,thus the whole system can provide video surveillance service to customers in the local area network.And this system also supports both local analog image and remote IP camera image as video input.
Use of a synthetic homologue of human fibrinopeptide A for production of a monoclonal antibody specific for the free peptide

It has been shown that epitopes reactive with one group of rabbit antibodies to human fibrinopeptide A (hFPA, A alpha 1–16) are included in its COOH-terminal region (A alpha 7–16). It was further established that Asp-7, Phe-8, and Arg-16 contribute to immunoreactivity and that intact fibrinogen and hFPA-containing fragments react poorly with such antibodies. The purpose of this investigation was to prepare a synthetic peptide corresponding to A alpha 7–16 and use it for generation of FPA-specific monoclonal antibodies (MoAbs). Such probes would allow for development of assays that could measure hFPA directly in plasma. In our approach, an ovalbumin-conjugate of the hFPA homologue served as immunogen. Mouse spleen cells were fused with the immunoglobulin nonsecretor myeloma (P3X63Ag8.653). A hybridoma (8C2–5) has been isolated that secretes an antibody (MoAb/8C2–5) with the following characteristics: (a) IgG1, kappa isotype; (b) equilibrium dissociation constant of 1.5 +/- 0.2 x 10(7) L/mol with the [125I]- labeled N-tyrosyl derivative of hFPA [( 125I] Tyr-hFPA) as ligand; (c) reacts with hFPA and dog FPA (dFPA) but not with the des Arg (A alpha 1– 15) or shorter peptides; (d) does not react with intact fibrinogen or A alpha-chain of human or dog origin; (e) does not react with the elastase-generated hFPA-containing peptide A alpha 1–21. Enzyme-based immunoassays (EIAs) have been developed for measuring plasma hFPA levels in the range 3 x 10(-8) to 5 x 10(-7) mol/L. Since it has already been shown by a number of investigators that hFPA levels in patients with overt defibrination fall into this range, we propose that the MoAb/8C2–5-based assays may serve as useful clinical tools in screening patients at risk of thrombosis. The 8C2–5 antibody may also be helpful in studies dealing with congenital dysfibrinogenemias, particularly in identifying heterozygous propositi with amino acid substitutions at any position within the A alpha 7–16 region. Finally, due to its cross-reactivity with dFPA, assays using this antibody should also be valuable in the canine experimental thrombosis model studies.
Cells and signaling in oligodendrocyte development.

The myelin-synthesizing oligodendrocyte is compromised in many neuropathological diseases, including demyelinating diseases (e.g. multiple sclerosis), metabolic diseases (e.g. Pelizaeus-Merzbacher), infectious diseases (e.g. progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy), neurodegenerative diseases (e.g. multisystem degeneration), and possibly neoplasms (e.g. oligodendrogliomas). Understanding the development of the oligodendrocyte has important implications for both the pathogenesis of these diseases and also potential therapy. Over the past 20 yr, research in oligodendrocyte development has delineated a pathway from progenitors to mature oligodendrocytes. In fact, the oligodendrocyte has served as a model for lineage development in part due to the identification of specific phenotypic stages during maturation. From this has come the identification of numerous signaling molecules that instruct oligodendrocyte development. More recently, transgenic and targeted mutagenesis studies have begun to identify new factors involved in oligodendrocyte development and have questioned some of the older observations. This review will attempt to update the current state of research on the progression of the oligodendrocyte lineage. Oligodendrocytes develop from proliferating precursor cells migrating out of germinal zones in the brain and spinal cord. When the cells reach their final destination in the brain parenchyma, they become postmitotic, extend processes, and begin to synthesize the components of myelin as extensions of their plasma membranes. In most animals, this occurs relatively late in CNS development during late embryonic and early postnatal life, after neurons and astrocytes are formed. This myelin forms an insulating sheath around axons, serving dual functions in the nervous system. Historically, myelin was recognized as critical because it facilitates rapid propagation of nervous impulses through very small spaces, thus permitting axons to be of small caliber (1). More recently, myelin has been found to modulate axonal structure and support axonal integrity, as well (2). The oligodendrocyte has become a model CNS cell type for the study of lineage development due …
Gauge theory of Backlund transformations, I

Backlund transformations are obtained as gauge transformations for Hamiltonian hierarchies over sl(2,C) for potentials in so(2) or su(2). The transformation of the scattering data is calculated, and it is shown how these transformations create or annihilate a pair of eigenvalues in the scattering data, hence create or annihilate a soliton in the potential Q. Repeated Backlund transformations are constructed which introduce higher order poles in the scattering data; and the structure of the higher order singularities is described. It is shown how an arbitrary set of poles in the scattering data may be removed by a sequence of Backlund transformations.
Percutaneous rotational osteotomy of the femur utilizing an intramedullary rod.

The purpose is to describe the technique and report the results and complications of percutaneous femoral rotational osteotomy, secured with a trochanteric-entry, locked intramedullary rod, in adolescents with femoral anteversion. Our series comprised an IRB approved, retrospective, consecutive series of 85 osteotomies (57 patients), followed to implant removal. The average age at surgery was 13.3 years (range 8.8–18.3) with a female-to-male ratio of 2.8:1. The minimum follow-up was 2 years. Eighty-three osteotomies healed primarily. Two patients, subsequently found to have vitamin D deficiency, broke screws and developed nonunions; both healed after repeat reaming and rod exchange and vitamin supplementation. Preoperative symptoms, including in-toeing gait, tripping and anterior knee pain or patellar instability, were resolved consistently. We did not observe significant growth disturbance or osteonecrosis. We noted a 12.5 % incidence of broken interlocking screws; this did not affect the correction or outcome except for the two patients mentioned above. This prompted a switch from a standard screw (core diameter = 3 mm) to a threaded bolt (core diameter = 3.7 mm). These results have led this technique to replace the use of plates or blade plates for rotational osteotomies.
A chemical mechanism for inactivation of anticancer drugs by metallothionein

A role for inducible metallothionein in acquired drug resistance has been proposed by several laboratories [1, 2 and others]. We have undertaken to test the hypothesis that deactivation of therapeutic alkylating agents occurs by covalent sequestration by metallothionein. We propose that these reactions make zinc more available to activate the regulatory elements that control transcription and, in turn, the synthesis of more protein. It should be pointed out that other inducible proteins are already considered to act in acquired drug resistance, including glycoprotein-53, and the glutathione-S-transferase family. The latter inactivates therapeutic nitrogen mustards by catalyzing covalent bond formation with the thiol group of the cofactor glutathione.
Emergency radiology and mass casualty incidents—report of a mass casualty incident at a level 1 trauma center

The aims of this article are to describe the events of a recent mass casualty incident (MCI) at our level 1 trauma center and to describe the radiology response to the event. We also describe the findings and recommendations of our radiology department after-action review. An MCI activation was triggered after an amphibious military vehicle, repurposed for tourist activities, carrying 37 passengers, collided with a charter bus carrying 45 passengers on a busy highway bridge in Seattle, WA, USA. There were 4 deaths at the scene, and 51 patients were transferred to local hospitals following prehospital scene triage. Nineteen patients were transferred to our level 1 trauma center. Eighteen casualties arrived within 72 min. Sixteen arrived within 1 h of the first patient arrival, and 1 casualty was transferred 3 h later having initially been assessed at another hospital. Eighteen casualties (94.7 %) underwent diagnostic imaging in the emergency department. Of these 18 casualties, 15 had a trauma series (portable chest x-ray and x-ray of pelvis). Whole-body trauma computed tomography scans (WBCT) were performed on 15 casualties (78.9 %), 12 were immediate and performed during the initial active phase of the MCI, and 3 WBCTs were delayed. The initial 12 WBCTs were completed in 101 min. The mean number of radiographic studies performed per patient was 3 (range 1–8), and the total number of injuries detected was 88. The surge in imaging requirements during an MCI can be significant and exceed normal operating capacity. This report of our radiology experience during a recent MCI and subsequent after-action review serves to provide an example of how radiology capacity and workflow functioned during an MCI, in order to provide emergency radiologists and response planners with practical recommendations for implementation in the event of a future MCI.
Secreted Glioblastoma Nanovesicles Contain Intracellular Signaling Proteins and Active Ras Incorporated in a Farnesylation-dependent Manner

Glioblastomas (GBMs) are malignant brain tumors with a median survival of less than 18 months. Redundancy of signaling pathways represented within GBMs contributes to their therapeutic resistance. Exosomes are extracellular nanovesicles released from cells and present in human biofluids that represent a possible biomarker of tumor signaling state that could aid in personalized treatment. Herein, we demonstrate that mouse GBM cell-derived extracellular nanovesicles resembling exosomes from an H-RasV12 myr-Akt mouse model for GBM are enriched for intracellular signaling cascade proteins (GO: 0007242) and Ras protein signal transduction (GO: 0007265), and contain active Ras. Active Ras isolated from human and mouse GBM extracellular nanovesicles lysates using the Ras-binding domain of Raf also coprecipitates with ESCRT (endosomal sorting complex required for transport)-associated exosome proteins Vps4a and Alix. Although we initially hypothesized a role for active Ras protein signaling in exosome biogenesis, we found that GTP binding of K-Ras was dispensable for its packaging within extracellular nanovesicles and for the release of Alix. By contrast, farnesylation of K-Ras was required for its packaging within extracellular nanovesicles, yet expressing a K-Ras farnesylation mutant did not decrease the number of nanovesicles or the amount of Alix protein released per cell. Overall, these results emphasize the primary importance of membrane association in packaging of extracellular nanovesicle factors and indicate that screening nanovesicles within human fluids could provide insight into tissue origin and the wiring of signaling proteins at membranes to predict onset and behavior of cancer and other diseases linked to deregulated membrane signaling states.
The Language Question in Modern Greece

(1964). The Language Question in Modern Greece. WORD: Vol. 20, Papers in Memory of George C. Pappageotes, pp. 53-59.
Social Media Propagation of Content Promoting Risky Health Behavior.

Abstract While social media have been found useful in providing social support and health information, they have also been home to content advocating risky health behavior. This study focused on how content defending and even celebrating anorexia as a lifestyle are circulated among social media users, and investigates the characteristics that promote wide propagation of such messages. We captured anorexia-related content on Tumblr, a popular blog for talking about eating disorders, during a one-month period. Among the 35,432 posts collected, we examined the most highly propagated posts and coded them for message characteristics. Our findings revealed that posts in which the source of a narrative (“testimony”) was identified (was either from an anorexic poster or about another's anorexia) and which were positive toward the pro-anorexia perspective were more likely to be propagated on Tumblr. In addition, posts containing content that references an anorexic person and contains an affective tone were more li...
Chapter Three - Hypervalent Heterocycles

This chapter provides an overview of recent literature on heterocyclic molecules incorporating an atom of a hypervalent main-group element. The term “hypervalent” has been suggested for derivatives of main-group elements with more than eight valence electrons, and the concept of hypervalency is commonly used in synthetic works despite criticism from theoretical chemists. Typical hypervalent heterocycles include polycoordinated 10-electron or 12-electron centers with distorted trigonal-bipyramidal or pseudooctahedral geometry, respectively. In general, heterocyclic compounds of elements with double bonds are not classified as hypervalent molecules because of the ylidic, zwitterionic nature of such bonds resulting in the classical 8-electron species. Despite the lack of aromatic conjugation, hypervalent heterocycles often have a considerably higher thermal stability compared to their acyclic analogs, which is especially important in the chemistry of polyvalent bromine and iodine. This review is centered mainly on hypervalent heterocyclic derivatives of nonmetal main-group elements, such as, boron, silicon, phosphorus, sulfur, selenium, bromine, and iodine, with emphasis on structural and synthetic aspects of their chemistry.
Optimizing twin-screw food extrusion processing through regression modeling and genetic algorithms

Abstract Response surface analysis has become a standard for characterization of extrusion experiments in recent years. While response surface experiments provide large amounts of useful data, the problem persists in how data can be used to successfully design specified products for a consumer. The use of genetic algorithms was explored as a potential tool that can help solve response surface data to identify extrusion conditions needed for desired product design. Response surface regression was conducted on five varieties of peas and the regression equations were used to create a way of measuring fitness in a genetic algorithm model routine. In doing so, extrusion conditions of screw speed and temperature for were successfully predicted for response factors (radial expansion, density, WAI, WSI, pressure, motor torque, SME, and color) of all the pea varieties with strong fitness (>0.90). Results suggest that optimization using genetic algorithms can have a beneficial impact selecting extrusion conditions.
The Use of Simulation in the Training for Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy for Amygdalo-hippocampectomy for Mesial Temporal Lobe Epilepsy

Learning surgical skills is the main task for neurosurgery residency training, in which technical errors may result in poor or even devastating consequences. Recently simulation technology has been developed as adjunctive means for neurosurgical training and may provide residents with abilities to acquire surgical skills in a safe environment. Magnetic resonance-guided laser interstitial thermal therapy has been shown to be a minimally invasive and effective alternative treatment for selected patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. However, high levels of functioning in the patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and esoteric interventions of laser ablation procedures performed in fewer medical centers have prevented hands-on training for surgeons. Moreover, working-hour restrictions of neurosurgery residency makes it necessary to deliver high-quality and time-effective training to surgeons in less time while ensuring optimal patient outcomes. This chapter focuses on the simulation of laser ablation amygdalo-hippocampectomy for treatment of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy.
Techniques of Office-Based Endoscopy: Unsedated Transnasal Endoscopy

Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) has been widely accepted as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for the evaluation and management of foregut disease. Most of procedures are currently performed under conscious sedation in an outpatient setting to reduce patient discomfort. Conscious sedation, commonly achieved by moderate sedation with analgesia such as fentanyl and midazolam, is a depressed level of consciousness that allows patients to respond purposefully to verbal commands while continuously maintaining their own airway. However, most of the morbidity associated with EGD is related to sedation with narcotics and sedative agents (especially in older patients with cardiopulmonary disease), potentially leading to hypoxia, hypotension, cardiac arrhythmia, and respiratory failure. Sedation also requires the infrastructure and resources of specialized facilities and monitoring both during and after the procedure, which lead to significant associated cost and resource expenditure (direct costs).
On the NP-hardness of deciding emptiness of the split closure of a rational polytope in the 0,1 hypercube

Abstract Split cuts are prominent general-purpose cutting planes in integer programming. The split closure of a rational polyhedron is what is obtained after intersecting the half-spaces defined by all the split cuts for the polyhedron. In this paper, we prove that deciding whether the split closure of a rational polytope is empty is NP-hard, even when the polytope is contained in the unit hypercube. As a direct corollary, we prove that optimization and separation over the split closure of a rational polytope in the unit hypercube are NP-hard, extending an earlier result of Caprara and Letchford.
Childbearing and Family Leave Policies for Resident Physicians at Top Training Institutions.

Author(s): Magudia, Kirti; Bick, Alexander; Cohen, Jeffrey; Ng, Thomas SC; Weinstein, Debra; Mangurian, Christina; Jagsi, Reshma
MetFish: A Metabolomics Platform for Studying Microbial Communities in Chemically Extreme Environments

Metabolites have essential roles in microbial communities, including as mediators of nutrient and energy exchange, cell-to-cell communication, and antibiosis. However, detecting and quantifying metabolites and other chemicals in samples having extremes in salt or mineral content using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS)-based methods remains a significant challenge. Here we report a facile method based on in situ chemical derivatization followed by extraction for analysis of metabolites and other chemicals in hypersaline samples, enabling for the first time direct LC-MS-based exo-metabolomics analysis in sample matrices containing up to 2 molar total dissolved salts. The method, MetFish, is applicable to molecules containing amine, carboxylic acid, carbonyl, or hydroxyl functional groups, and can be integrated into either targeted or untargeted analysis pipelines. In targeted analyses, MetFish provided limits of quantification as low as 1 nM, broad linear dynamic ranges (up to 5-6 orders of magnitude) with excellent linearity, and low median inter-day reproducibility (e.g. 2.6%). MetFish was successfully applied in targeted and untargeted exo-metabolomics analyses of microbial consortia, quantifying amino acid dynamics in the exo-metabolome during community succession; in situ in a native prairie soil, whose exo-metabolome was isolated using a hypersaline extraction; and in input and produced fluids from a hydraulically fractured well, identifying dramatic changes in the exo-metabolome over time in the well.
Stochastic partial differential equations in Hölder spaces

We prove the existence and regularity of solutions to stochastic partial differential equations of parabolic Ito type in Holder spaces under the usual sublinear growth and local Lipschitz conditions. Some examples are given to which our main theorems apply.