Compact high-order schemes for the Euler equations

An implicit approximate factorization (AF) algorithm is constructed, which has the following characteristics.

Protozoal infections in the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

Several protozoa have emerged as the major opportunistic infections and cause of death in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia is the leading cause of death in AIDS patients. Electron microscopy (EM) usually shows numerous trophozoites and cysts of Pneumocystis filling up the entire alveolar space, while only cysts are seen under the light microscope. The focal thickening of cyst wall of Pneumocystis, as demonstrated by EM and manifested as a “parentheses” shaped structure with silver stain, serves as a diagnostic marker for Pneumocystis. Freeze-fracture EM has demonstrated the intimate contact between Pneumocystis trophozoites and the type I pneumocytes, which may contribute to the alveolar-capillary block, leading to severe respiratory distress. However, EM is seldom needed for the diagnosis of this infection. Toxoplasma encephalitis, which is an unusual clinical manifestation in cases of toxoplasmosis reported previously, has become a common complication and one of the major causes of death in patients with AIDS. Because subclinical infection by Toxoplasma is common, serologic tests usually offer no definite answers as to whether the infection is acute or chronic, active or past. The small size and its non-specificity in both morphology and tissue affinity make light microscopic diagnosis of toxoplasmosis difficult. Only immunologic staining, such as immunoperoxidase and immunofluorescence, can help to achieve a definite positive identification of the organism. When special antibodies or facility for such staining is not available, EM is the final resort for identifying Toxoplasma by showing the apical complex with the characteristic sausageshaped rhoptries. Cryptosporidiosis, practically unknown before the AIDS outbreak, has become one of the most common intestinal protozoa in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent patients. The protracted and sometimes fatal course of cryptosporidiosis in immunocompromised patients can be explained by the presence of autoinfective oocysts (thin-walled oocysts), as detected by EM, and by recycling of first-generation schizonts observed experimentally. While diagnosis of cryptosporidiosis can be made by detection of oocysts in stools in most cases, EM is still the last resort for a definitive identification of Cryptosporidium species. While the incidence of isosporiasis is still low, it has been found more frequently in patients with AIDS than in the general population. The parasite, Isospora belli, being a coccidian as is the Cryptosporidium species, is similar to the latter in its life cycle and clinical manifestations. However, the morphology of its diagnostic stage, the oocyst, is quite different from Cryptosporidium and it is much larger than the latter. The oocyst of Isospora belli, usually containing one sporoblast, can be detected by light microscopy in stools. Microsporidiosis, having been known only recently, is also relatively common in immunocompromised patients, including four patients with AIDS. Although this protozoan can be detected by light microscopy and its polar granules, identified by the periodic acid-Schiff or methenamine silver stain, are characteristic, a definitive diagnosis of microsporidiosis still depends on EM.     

Enrichment of humic material with hydroxybenzene moieties intensifies its physiological effects on the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans

Dissolved humic substances are taken up by organisms and interact on various molecular and biochemical levels. In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, such material can promote longevity and increase its reproductive capacity; moreover, the worms tend to stay for longer in humic-enriched environments. Here, we tested the hypothesis that the chemical enrichment of humic substances with hydroxybenzene moieties intensifies these physiological effects. Based on the leonardite humic acid HuminFeed (HF), we followed a polycondensation reaction in which this natural humic substance and a dihydroxybenzene (hydroquinone or benzoquinone) served as reaction partners. Several analytical methods showed the formation of the corresponding copolymers. The chemical modification boosted the antioxidant properties of HF both in vitro and in vivo. Humic substances enriched with hydroxybenzene moieties caused a significantly increased tolerance to thermal stress in C. elegans and extended its lifespan. Exposed nematodes showed delayed linear growth and onset of reproduction and a stronger pumping activity of the pharynx. Thus, treated nematodes act younger than they really are. In this feature the modified HF replicated the biological impact of hydroquinone-homopolymers and various plant polyphenol monomers, thereby supporting the hydroxybenzene moieties of humic substances as major effective structures for the physiological effects observed in C. elegans.     

Acute gastric dilatation with infarction and perforation. Report of fatal outcome in patient with anorexia nervosa

This is a report of a 22-year-old woman with treated anorexia nervosa who died of complications of acute gastric dilatation-that is, infarction and perforation with severe and irreversible shock. Binge eating and drinking, precipitated by emotional crises, contributed to her acute gastric dilatation. This complication of anorexia nervosa has been previously reported, but, unlike the others, this case ended fatally. The literature is reviewed.     

The distribution and possible competition between Melanoides tuberculata and Tarebia granifera (Prosobranchia: Thiaridae) in Lake Hanabanilla, Cuba

A case of progressive supranuclear palsy in association with vascular and senile brain changes in a 70-year-old woman is described. Neuropathological study with immunocytochemistry anti-tau-1 revealed widely distributed neurofibrillary tangles (NFT) and neuropil threads (NT) in several subcortical nuclei, including pallidum, subthalamic nucleus, substantia nigra, brain stem tegmentum and, to a lesser extent, in cerebral cortex. Moreover, the tau-1 positive NT were observed in many fiber bundles of the subcortical white matter. All NFT and NT were immunonegative against ubiquitin. Electron microscopic study disclosed straight filaments of about 15 nm diameter in the axoplasm of large myelinated fibers. Ultrastructural findings and appearance of abnormal tau in the white matter indicate an extension of characteristic cytoskeletal pathology with subcortical projection fibers involvement in the presented case.     

Clinical psychology training and psychotherapy interview performance.

Examined the effect of graduate training in clinical psychology on interview skills by comparing the analog interview performance of graduate students with 0–3 yrs of clinical training over time and with that of graduate students in other specialties. Although clinical training per se had no effect, Ss with psychotherapy training were more empathic and accepting, used more reflections, asked fewer questions, used fewer explanations, and gave less advice. These characteristics were particularly pronounced in Ss with psychotherapy process training. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Mechanical and thermal properties of polypropylene/montmorillonite nanocomposites using stearic acid as both an interface and a clay surface modifier

The effects of stearic acid treatment on the crystallization, morphology, thermal, and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/montmorillonite (Mm) nanocomposites were investigated. Stearic acid was used as a new surface modifier for Mm, and also small amounts of this acid were used as a new interface modifier. Nanocomposites containing 1.5, 2.5, 5, and 10% in weight of the unmodified and modified Mm were prepared by melt blending. The tensile and impact properties of nanocomposites were evaluated. Wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction was used to study both the generated PP β crystals and the dispersion state of the nanocomposites. Differential scanning calorimeter was used to detect the melting and crystallization behavior of the samples. The toughness of some nanocomposites was higher than the pure PP. β phase of PP was observed with the addition of Mm. Stearic acid favored the dispersion of the nanocomposites when used as interface modifier. Nanocomposites with better dispersion exhibited crystallization temperatures similar to pure PP. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:1–9, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers