bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chair-Based Exercises for Frail Older People: A Systematic Review
Authors: Anthony Kevin , Robinson Katie , Logan Philippa , Gordon Adam L. , Harwood Rowan H. , Masud Tahir
Published: September 2013

Introduction. Frail older people are often unable to undertake high-intensity exercise programmes. Chair-based exercises (CBEs) are used as an alternative, for which health benefits are uncertain.Objective. To examine the effects of CBE programmes for frail older people through a systematic review of existing literature.Method. A systematic search was performed for CBE-controlled trials in frail populations aged ≥65 years published between 1990 and February 2011 in electronic databases. Quality was assessed using the Jadad method.Results. The search identified 164 references: with 42 duplicates removed, 122 reviewed, 116 excluded, and 6 analysed. 26 outcome measures were reported measuring 3 domains: mobility and function, cardiorespiratory fitness, mental health. All studies were of low methodological quality (Jadad score ≤2; possible range 0–5). Two studies showed no benefit, and four reported some evidence of benefit in all three domains. No harmful effects were reported; compliance was generally good.Conclusion. The quality of the evidence base for CBEs is low with inconclusive findings to clearly inform practice. A consensus is required on the definition and purpose of CBEs. Large well-designed randomised controlled trials to test the effectiveness of CBE are justified.
Revascularization of Transplanted Pancreatic Islets and Role of the Transplantation Site
Authors: Pepper Andrew R. , Gala-Lopez Boris , Ziff Oliver , Shapiro A. M. James
Published: September 2013

Since the initial reporting of the successful reversal of hyperglycemia through the transplantation of pancreatic islets, significant research efforts have been conducted in elucidating the process of revascularization and the influence of engraftment site on graft function and survival. During the isolation process the intrinsic islet vascular networks are destroyed, leading to impaired revascularization after transplant. As a result, in some cases a significant quantity of the beta cell mass transplanted dies acutely following the infusion into the portal vein, the most clinically used site of engraftment. Subsequently, despite the majority of patients achieving insulin independence after transplant, a proportion of them recommence small, supplemental exogenous insulin over time. Herein, this review considers the process of islet revascularization after transplant, its limiting factors, and potential strategies to improve this critical step. Furthermore, we provide a characterization of alternative transplant sites, analyzing the historical evolution and their role towards advancing transplant outcomes in both the experimental and clinical settings.
Predictors for Increasing Eligibility Level among Home Help Service Users in the Japanese Long-Term Care Insurance System
Authors: Kamiya Kuniyasu , Sasou Kenji , Fujita Makoto , Yamada Sumio
Published: September 2013

Objectives. This cross-sectional study described the prevalence of possible risk factors for increasing eligibility level of long-term care insurance in home help service users who were certified as support level 1-2 or care level 1-2 in Japan.Methods. Data were collected from October 2011 to November 2011. Variables included eligibility level, grip strength, calf circumference (CC), functional limitations, body mass index, memory impairment, depression, social support, and nutrition status.Results. A total of 417 subjects (109 males and 308 females, mean age 83 years) were examined. There were 109 subjects with memory impairment. When divided by cut-off values, care level 2 was found to have higher prevalence of low grip strength, low CC, and depression.Conclusions. Some potentially modifiable factors such as muscle strength could be the risk factors for increasing eligibility level.
Convergence Analysis of an Iterative Method for Nonlinear Partial Differential Equations
Authors: Ke Hung-Yu , Chen Ren-Chuen , Li Chun-Hsien
Published: September 2013

We will combine linear successive overrelaxation method with nonlinear monotone iterative scheme to obtain a new iterative method for solving nonlinear equations. The basic idea of this method joining traditional monotone iterative method (known as the method of lower and upper solutions) which depends essentially on the monotone parameter is that by introducing an acceleration parameter one can construct a sequence to accelerate the convergence. The resulting increase in the speed of convergence is very dramatic. Moreover, the sequence can accomplish monotonic convergence behavior in the iterative process when some suitable acceleration parameters are chosen. Under some suitable assumptions in aspect of the nonlinear function and the matrix norm generated from this method, we can prove the boundedness and convergence of the resulting sequences. Application of the iterative scheme is given to a logistic model problem in ecology, and numerical results for a test problem with known analytical solution are given to demonstrate the accuracy and efficiency of the present method.
Dual Quaternion Functions and Its Applications
Authors: Lim Su Jin , Shon Kwang Ho
Published: September 2013

A dual quaternion is associated with two quaternions that have basis elementse0,e1,e2,e3, andε. Dual numbers are often written in the formz=ζ+εζ*, whereεis the dual identity and has the propertiesε2=0  (ε≠0). We research the properties of some regular functions with values in dual quaternion and give applications of the extension problem for dual quaternion functions.
Fitness Cost ofLitomosoides sigmodontisFilarial Infection in Mite Vectors; Implications of Infected Haematophagous Arthropod Excretory Products in Host-Vector Interactions
Authors: Nieguitsila Adélaïde , Frutos Roger , Moulia Catherine , Lhermitte-Vallarino Nathaly , Bain Odile , Gavotte Laurent , Martin Coralie
Published: September 2013

Filariae are a leading cause of infections which are responsible for serious dermatological, ocular, and vascular lesions. Infective third stage larvae (L3) are transmitted through the bite of a haematophagous vector.Litomosoides sigmodontisis a well-established model of filariasis in the mouse, with the vector being the miteOrnithonyssus bacoti. The aim of the study was to analyse the filarial infection in mites to determine the consequences of filarial infection in the blood-feeding and the reproduction of mites as well as in the regulation of vector-induced inflammation in the mouse skin. Firstly, L3 are unevenly distributed throughout the host population and the majority of the population harbours a moderate infection (1 to 6 L3). Filarial infection does not significantly affect the probing delay for blood feeding. The number of released protonymphs is lower in infected mites but is not correlated with the L3 burden. Finally, induced excreted proteins from infected mites but not from uninfected mites stimulate TNF-αand the neutrophil-chemoattractant KC production by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Altogether, these results describe the modification of the mite behavior under filarial infection and suggest that the immunomodulatory capacity of the mite may be modified by the presence of the parasite, hindering its defensive ability towards the vertebrate host.
Electron Transport Characteristics of Wurtzite GaN
Authors: Abou El-Ela F. M. , Mohamed A. Z.
Published: September 2013

A three-valley Monte Carlo simulation approach was used to investigate electron transport in wurtzite GaN such as the drift velocity, the drift mobility, the average electron energy, energy relaxation time, and momentum relaxation time at high electric fields. The simulation accounted for polar optical phonon, acoustic phonon, piezoelectric, intervalley scattering, and Ridley charged impurity scattering model. For the steady-state transport, the drift velocity against electric field showed a negative differential resistance of a peak value of 2.9×105 m/s at a critical electric field strength 180×105 V/m. The electron drift velocity relaxes to the saturation value of 1.5×105 m/s at very high electric fields. The electron velocities against time over wide range of electric fields are reported.
Effective Single-Step Posttranscriptional Dynamics Allowing for a Direct Maximum Likelihood Estimation of Transcriptional Activity and the Quantification of Sources of Gene Expression Variability with an Illustration for the Hypoxia and TNFαRegulated Inflammatory Pathway
Authors: Frank T. D. , Collins A. J. F. , Cheong A.
Published: September 2013

Data analysis methods for estimating promoter activity from gene reporter data frequently involve the reconstruction of the dynamics of unobserved species and numerical search algorithms for determining optimal model parameters. In contrast, we argue that posttranscriptional dynamics effectively behave like a singlestep stochastic process when gene expression variability is relatively low and, half-lives of the unobserved species are relatively small compared to characteristic observation time scales. In this case, by means of maximum likelihood estimators, for which analytical expressions exist, transcriptional activity of gene promoters can be estimated directly from observed gene reporter data without the need for numerical search algorithms and the reconstruction of unobserved variables. In addition, the model-based data analysis approach yields a single variable that measures the effective strength of the sources that give rise to gene expression variability. The approach is applied to conduct a model-based analysis of the inflammatory pathway under hypoxia condition and stimulation with tumor necrosis factor alpha in HEK293 cells.
New Oscillation Criteria for Second-Order Forced Quasilinear Functional Differential Equations
Authors: Pašić Mervan
Published: September 2013

We establish some new interval oscillation criteria for a general class of second-order forced quasilinear functional differential equations withϕ-Laplacian operator and mixed nonlinearities. It especially includes the linear, the one-dimensionalp-Laplacian, and the prescribed mean curvature quasilinear differential operators. It continues some recently published results on the oscillations of the second-order functional differential equations including functional arguments of delay, advanced, or delay-advanced types. The nonlinear terms are of superlinear or supersublinear (mixed) types. Consequences and examples are shown to illustrate the novelty and simplicity of our oscillation criteria.
Existence of Positive Solutions for Higher Order(p,q)-Laplacian Two-Point Boundary Value Problems
Authors: Kapula Rajendra Prasad , Murali Penugurthi , Rajendrakumar Kona
Published: September 2013

We derive sufficient conditions for the existence of positive solutions to higher order(p,q)-Laplacian two-point boundary value problem,(-1)m1+n1-1[ϕp(u(2m1)(t))](n1)=f1(t,u(t),v(t)),t∈[0,1],(-1)m2+n2-1[ϕq(v(m2)(t))](2n2)=f2(t,u(t),v(t)),t∈[0,1],u(2i)(0)=0=u(2i)(1),i=0,1,2,…,m1-1,[ϕp(u(2m1)(t))]at t=0(j)=0,j=0,1,…,n1-2;[ϕp(u(2m1)(1))]=0,[ϕq(v(m2)(t))]at t=0(2i)=0=[ϕq(v(m2)(t))]at t=1(2i),i=0,1,…,n2-1,v(j)(0)=0,j=0,1,2,…,m2-2, andv(1)=0, wheref1,f2are continuous functions from[0,1]×ℝ2to[0,∞),m1,n1,m2,n2∈ℕand1/p+1/q=1. We establish the existence of at least three positive solutions for the two-point coupled system by utilizing five-functional fixed point theorem. And also, we demonstrate our result with an example.
Thermal Diffusivity Identification of Distributed Parameter Systems to Sea Ice
Authors: Shi Liqiong , Li Zhijun , Feng Enmin , Bai Yila , Yang Yu
Published: September 2013

A method of optimal control is presented as a numerical tool for solving the sea ice heat transfer problem governed by a parabolic partial differential equation. Taken the deviation between the calculated ice temperature and the measurements as the performance criterion, an optimal control model of distributed parameter systems with specific constraints of thermal properties of sea ice was proposed to determine the thermal diffusivity of sea ice. Based on sea ice physical processes, the parameterization of the thermal diffusivity was derived through field data. The simulation results illustrated that the identified parameterization of the thermal diffusivity is reasonably effective in sea ice thermodynamics. The direct relation between the thermal diffusivity of sea ice and ice porosity is physically significant and can considerably reduce the computational errors. The successful application of this method also explained that the optimal control model of distributed parameter systems in conjunction with the engineering background has great potential in dealing with practical problems.
Effectiveness of Naltrexone in the Prevention of Delayed Respiratory Arrest in Opioid-Naive Methadone-Intoxicated Patients
Authors: Aghabiklooei Abbas , Hassanian-Moghaddam Hossein , Zamani Nasim , Shadnia Shahin , Mashayekhian Mohammad , Rahimi Mitra , Nasouhi Soheil , Ghoochani Ahmad
Published: September 2013

Acute methadone toxicity is a major public health concern in Iran. Methadone-intoxicated patients are in a great risk of recurrent or delayed respiratory arrest despite the prescription of initial doses of naloxone. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of oral naltrexone in the management of acute methadone overdose in opioid-naive patients and check if it could be a substitute of continuous infusion of naloxone in maintaining adequate ventilation. In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, a total of 54 opioid-naive patients with acute methadone toxicity were enrolled. The patients received either oral naltrexone or placebo capsules after awakening by naloxone. All patients underwent close monitoring of respiration. Frequency of respiratory depression or arrest, need for another dose of naloxone, duration of hospital stay, and adverse outcomes compared between the two groups. The incidence of respiratory depression was significantly less in those who had received naltrexone. Our results show that single oral dose of naltrexone is quite efficient in the prevention of recurrent or delayed respiratory arrest in opioid-naive methadone-intoxicated patients. It can shorten the duration of hospitalization and, as a consequence, decreased the risk of complications. Further studies are warranted before the generalization of this approach to other patient populations.
Application of Chemokine CXC Motif Ligand 12 as a Novel Diagnostic Marker in Preoperative Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy for Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Jung Yoon Yang , Park In Ae , Kim Min A , Min Hye Sook , Won Jae Kyung , Ryu Han Suk
Published: September 2013

Objectives: A panel composed of three immunomarkers, cytokeratin 19, HBME-1 and galectin-3, is recommended for improving the accuracy of diagnosing papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC), but the results are sometimes inconsistent and difficult to interpret. We used immunocytochemistry to assess the utility of chemokine CXC ligand 12 (CXCL12) as a novel diagnostic marker for PTC employing paraffin-embedded cell blocks. Methods: We analyzed the expression of CXCL12 using immunocytochemical staining in 82 cases of thyroid lesions (47 PTCs and 35 thyroid lesions other than PTC). To determine the optimal cut-off value for the assessment of CXCL12 positivity, we used receiver operating characteristics (ROC). Results: ROC curves showed that the optimum diagnostic cut-off was 10% (area under the curve 0.950, 95% confidence interval 0.891-1.008), with exclusive CXCL12 expression in PTC compared to other thyroid lesions (p < 0.001). In total, more than 90% of the PTCs were associated with CXCL12 immunohistochemical staining, while only up to 11.4% of thyroid lesions other than PTC were positive for CXCL12. The follicular variant PTC showed 90% CXCL12 expression compared to 10.5% positivity in follicular neoplasm. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that CXCL12 may be an effective supplementary diagnostic marker for PTC in preoperative fine-needle aspiration cytology using the cell block method.
Clinical Utility of Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration in the Diagnosis of Mediastinal and Intra-Abdominal Lymphadenopathy
Authors: Mehmood Shafqat , Loya Asif , Yusuf Muhammed Aasim
Published: September 2013

Introduction: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) has proven to be helpful in obtaining tissue samples from enlarged mediastinal and intra-abdominal lymph nodes. This is especially beneficial in the diagnosis and staging of malignancy. We retrospectively reviewed the clinical utility of this method at a tertiary care cancer hospital in Pakistan. Patients and Methods: The medical records of 183 consecutive patients referred to the gastroenterology service from August 2008 to March 2012 were reviewed in this retrospective study. The mean age of the patients at presentation was 46.7 years (range 6-87; 62% males); 119 patients had mediastinal and 64 had intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. Major indications for referral were diagnosis of lymphadenopathy of unknown origin detected on CT scan or PET-CT, to exclude lymph node metastasis in patients with a known primary tumor and to rule out relapse of lymphoma following treatment or during follow-up. Rapid on-site evaluation (ROSE) was performed in all patients to confirm the adequacy of sampling, followed by definitive cytopathological evaluation. Results: EUS-FNA with ROSE obtained adequate tissue for cytology in 97.3% of the patients in this cohort. These results were further confirmed on final cytopathological analysis in 96.2% of patients. Two patients (1.1%) had inadequate specimens for final interpretation (97.3 vs. 96.2; p = 0.001). Clinical utility was 95% for mediastinal lymphadenopathy and 98.4% for intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy. Only 1 patient had a serious complication requiring hospitalization and this was successfully managed conservatively. Conclusion: EUS-FNA is safe and has a high clinical utility in diagnosing unexplained mediastinal and intra-abdominal lymphadenopathy.
‘Suspicious for a Follicular Neoplasm' before and after the Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology: Impact of Standardized Terminology
Authors: Boonyaarunnate Thiraphon , Olson Matthew T. , Ali Syed Z.
Published: September 2013

Background: The Bethesda System for Reporting Thyroid Cytopathology (TBSRTC) standardized the terminology for indeterminate diagnoses, but the performance of the indeterminate categories before and after TBSRTC has not been compared. This study evaluates the ‘suspicious for a follicular or Hürthle cell neoplasm' (SFN/HCN) category before and after the introduction of TBSRTC at a single institution and in a meta-analysis of the literature. Methods: A meta-analysis compiled findings from publications on SFN/HCN or similar diagnoses before and after the introduction of TBSRTC. The pathology database at our institution identified all SFN/HCN or similar diagnoses in the 8 years surrounding the introduction of TBSRTC, and those cases were correlated with the surgical follow-up. Results: In the meta-analysis, the fraction of cases called SFN/HCN or the equivalent increased from 6.1 to 7.4% (p = 0.0002); the surgical follow-up rate increased from 55 to 61% (p < 0.00001), and the histological malignancy rate among the cases that were resected increased from 22 to 28% (p = 0.03) after TBSRTC. In our institutional experience, the introduction of TBSRTC did not coincide with any significant changes. Conclusion: Standardized terminology clearly coincided with increases in follow-up and the malignancy rate of SFN/HCN. A change in the same statistics was not seen in our institutional experience.
Eastward-Propagating Intraseasonal Oscillation Represented by Chikira–Sugiyama Cumulus Parameterization. Part I: Comparison with Observation and Reanalysis
Authors: Chikira Minoru , Sugiyama Masahiro
Published: September 2013

The eastward-propagating intraseasonal oscillation represented by the Chikira–Sugiyama cumulus parameterization in an atmospheric general circulation model is compared with observations and reanalyses. The scheme is characterized by state-dependent entrainment rates that vertically vary affected by the environment. The zonal wavenumber–frequency power spectrum shows a strong signal corresponding to the Madden–Julian oscillation. The eastward-propagating feature of the convective region and accompanying anomalous zonal wind structure is well extracted by the first and second modes of the combined empirical orthogonal function (CEOF) with a reasonable explained variance for the first mode, though the second mode is not sufficiently reproduced. The basic features of the composited anomalous fields including moisture, temperature, and vertical and zonal winds resemble those of the reanalysis in both the free troposphere and surface air. The anomalous free-tropospheric moisture exhibits its westward tilt and the peak moist static energy of the surface air is shifted eastward as in the reanalysis. The anomalous low-level zonal wind changes its direction to the east of the convective center. The model’s outstanding deficiencies include the weak convective activity over the Indian Ocean, weaker westward tilt, and seemingly underestimated shallow convection.
Comparison of Two Convective/Stratiform Precipitation Classification Techniques: Radar Reflectivity Texture versus Drop Size Distribution–Based Approach
Authors: Penide Guillaume , Protat Alain , Kumar Vickal V. , May Peter T.
Published: September 2013

C-band polarimetric radar measurements spanning two wet seasons are used to perform a critical evaluation of two algorithms for the classification of stratiform and convective precipitation. The first approach is based on the horizontal texture of the radar reflectivity field (two classes: stratiform, convective), and the second approach is based on the properties of the drop size distribution (DSD) parameters as derived from a set of polarimetric variables (three classes: stratiform, mixed, convective). To investigate how well those two methods compare quantitatively, probability density functions of reflectivity, rain rate, 5-dBZ echo top height, and DSD parameters (namely, the median volume diameter and the “generalized” intercept parameter) are built. The study found that while the two methods agree well on the identification of stratiform precipitation, large differences are obtained for convective rainfall. The texture-based approach seems to classify too many points as being of convective nature compared to the DSD-based method. Among the points that are classified as convective by the texture-based approach, 25% correspond to low concentration of relatively small particles associated with rain rates below 10 mm h−1. This large proportion of unrealistically low convective rain rates is not produced by the DSD-based approach, which only classifies 4% of the convective points with rain rates below 10 mm h−1. These points were found to be mainly isolated points embedded within stratiform precipitation and associated with low cloud-top height, suggesting a misclassification of the texture-based approach. Thus, to improve the statistics of the convective class, three modified equations of the peakedness criterion used in the radar-based algorithm are proposed to decrease the number of misclassified points.
Eddy Seeding in the Labrador Sea: A Submerged Autonomous Launch Platform Application
Authors: Furey Heather H. , Femke de Jong M. , Valdes James R. , Bower Amy S.
Published: September 2013

Two submerged autonomous launch platforms (SALPs) were deployed at 500-m depth on a deep-water mooring in the northeastern Labrador Sea from 2007 to 2009 to automatically release profiling floats into passing warm-core anticyclonic Irminger Rings (IRs). The objective was to investigate the rings’ vertical structure and evolution as they drifted from their formation site near the western coast of Greenland to the area of deep convection in the south-central part of the basin. Mechanically and electronically, the SALP worked well: 10 out of 11 floats were successfully released from the mooring over 2 years. However, getting floats trapped in eddy cores using a preprogrammed release algorithm based on temperature and pressure (a proxy for current speed) measured by the SALPs met with limited success mainly because 1) the floats settled at a park pressure that was initially too deep, below the volume of water trapped in the eddy core; 2) the eddies translated past the mooring much more quickly than anticipated; and 3) there is a seasonal cycle in both background and eddy core temperature that was not known a priori and therefore not accounted for in the release algorithm. The other mooring instruments (100–3000 m) revealed that 12 anticyclones passed by the mooring in the 2-yr monitoring period. Using this independent information, the authors assessed and improved the release algorithm, still based on ocean conditions measured at one depth, and found that much better performance could have been achieved with an algorithm that allowed for faster eddy translation rates and the seasonal temperature cycle.
Not by Word Alone: Food in the Hebrew Bible
Authors: Mann Thomas W.
Published: September 2013

In the Hebrew Bible, food assumes a sacramental dimension as the physical manifestation of God’s grace and blessing. YHWH requires Israel to eat responsibly according to the rules of YHWH’s fief, acknowledging YHWH’s provision with gratitude, abstaining from prohibited food, and distributing the bounty of the earth equitably.
Seeking Food Justice
Authors: Hartman Laura M.
Published: September 2013

Seeking justice, as Christians, means seriously reconsidering our food consumption in light of multiple instances of injustice: maltreatment of workers, animals, and the environment; and misdistribution of food both globally and domestically. A variety of solutions—including boycotts, labeling, local consumption, generous donations, and Food Sovereignty—would lead to a more just food system.
Food for Theologians
Authors: Wirzba Norman
Published: September 2013

In this essay, I present eating as a vital theological concern and an integral part of the church’s ministries and mission in the world. I argue that food is not reducible to the status of a commodity but is instead God’s love made delectable. The production and the sharing of good food is a witness to God’s presence among us.
Knowing the Standard American Diet by Its Fruits: Is Unrestrained Omnivorism Spiritually Beneficial?
Authors: Halteman Matthew C.
Published: September 2013

This essay aims to challenge the standard [North] American diet’s (SAD) default status in church and among North American Christians generally. It attempts to allay some common concerns about the suitability of food ethics as a topic for serious Christian discernment, and argues that SAD is not spiritually beneficial, drawing support from five traditional sources for Christian moral deliberation, including and especially general revelation and discernment of the fruits of the spirit.
Dignity, Honour, and Human Rights
Authors: Bayefsky Rachel
Published: September 2013

Kant is often considered a key figure in a modern transition from social and political systems based on honour to those based on dignity, where “honour” is understood as a hierarchical measure of social value, and “dignity” is understood as the inherent and equal worth of every individual. The essay provides a richer account of Kant’s contribution to the “politics of equal dignity” by examining his understanding of dignity and honour, and the interaction between these concepts. The essay argues that Kant appeals to multiple varieties of dignity and honour, that he does not reject honour in favour of dignity, and that he sees some versions of honour as conducive to respect for dignity. Furthermore, the complexity of Kant’s views on dignity and honour has implications for the theory and practice of human rights in the current day.
The Idiōtēs and the Tyrant
Authors: Landauer Matthew
Published: September 2013

Athenian democracy is rightly recognized for its extensive network of accountability institutions. This essay focuses instead on popular unaccountability in democratic Athens: ordinary citizens participating but not speaking in the Courts and the Assembly were unaccountable. I explore possible justifications of popular unaccountability, including arguments from democratic sovereignty and epistemic arguments, and stress the importance of a third strand: the identification of jurors and assemblymen with deservedly unaccountable, because comparatively weak and powerless, idiōtai (private citizens), whose political activity failed to reach a level requiring intense scrutiny and control. Nonetheless, such a justification was always tenuous in light of the power jurors and assemblymen collectively wielded in the city. As I show through a reading of Aristophanes’s Wasps, it was always possible to destabilize the juror idiōtēs identity and replace it with a much more troubling image: the identification of the juror with the dangerously unaccountable tyrant.
Psychological Science in the 21st Century
Authors: Cacioppo John T.
Published: September 2013

Science is constantly changing. If one hopes to keep pace with advances in science, one cannot simply repeat what one has done in the past, whether deciding how to invest limited research funds, searching to replace a retiring colleague, or teaching introductory psychology. Psychological science in the 21st century is more central and integrated than it was in the 20th century; yet, these changes are not always reflected in introductory psychology. In this essay, I identify several clear trends in psychological science based on where we have been and where we are currently as a science. I also examine the implications of these trends for how we teach psychology and train our students.
The Massachusetts Blood Pressure Study, Part 1 Elevated Levels of Sodium in Drinking Water and Blood Pressure Levels in Children
Authors: Calabrese Edward J. , Tuthill Robert W.
Published: September 2013

Continuing epidemiologic studies at the University of Massachusetts have examined the hypothesis that elevated levels of sodium (Na) in drinking water contribute to elevations of blood pressure (BP). Comparing tenth graders from a town with 107 mg Na/L in the drinking water to those from a town with 8 mg Na/ L revealed statistically significant and medically important higher BP distributions among the high Na town students relative to their low Na town peers for both systolic and diastolic BP in both boys and girls. The differences were upheld when potentially confounding factors, including dietary Na intake and other water factors occurring differentially in the two water supplies, were controlled in the analysis. A replication study among third graders in the same communities showed similar results.
The Massachusetts Blood Pressure Study, Part 4. Modest Sodium Supplementation and Blood Pressure Change in Boarding School Girls
Authors: Tuthill Robert W. , Calabrese Edward J.
Published: September 2013

Based upon the results of the earlier work, a sodium supplement study was designed and carried out at a private boarding school. Two hundred and sixteen 9th-12th grade girls were randomly assigned to one of three groups while continuing to eat their regular meals at the dining commons. All participating students took two capsules, under supervision, both mid-morning and subsequent to the evening meal. One group received placebos at both times, one group received 2 G of salt in the morning and a placebo in the evening, and the final group received a placebo in the morning and 2 G of salt in the evening. One week of baseline data and eight weeks of follow-up data were collected twice weekly for BP, pulse, 24-hour urine specimen, and stress of daily events.

Repeated measures analysis of variance failed to detect a significant difference in change in systolic and diastolic BP between groups. Extensive analysis of other variables did not uncover any negative confounding or interaction. Drop out rates were very low and compliance rates very high. The urinalysis clearly demonstrated that the Na excretion in the two supplement groups was similar and significantly elevated over the placebo group, thus documenting the high Na supplement compliance rates.
Sodium Bisulfite Protects Against Radiogenic and Chemically Induced Transformation in Hamster Embryo and Mouse C3H/10T-1/2 Cells
Authors: Borek Carmia , Ong Augustinus , Mason Herbert
Published: September 2013

Pretreatment of hamster embryo cells or mouse C3H/10T-1/2 cells with sodium bisulfite (0.5, 2.5, 5.0 and 100 ppm) inhibits the oncogenic transformation of the cells following their exposure to x-rays or benzo(a)pyrene. The results suggest that low doses of bisulfite, a widely used food additive, can serve as a radioprotective and chemopreventive agent with anticarcinogenic potential.
Thallium Induced Changes in Behavioral Patterns: Correlation With Altered Lipid Peroxidation and Lysosomal Enzyme Activity in Brain Regions of Male Rats
Authors: Brown David R. , Callahan Barbara G. , Cleaves Mark A. , Schatz Robert A.
Published: September 2013

The effects of exposures to low levels of heavy metals is a complex and serious problem. Thallium is a metal which produces behavioral sequelae in human poisoning and is potentially hazardous with low level exposures. A test battery is presented which utilizes biochemical and behavioral testing to assess the effects of low levels of thallium on central nervous system chemistry and function in rats. The doses of thallium used (4 and 8 mg/kg) produced no overt signs of behavioral toxicity but did produce dose-related increases in lipid peroxidation and activation of the lysosomal enzyme beta-galactosidase in selected brain regions. At these dose levels, thallium also selectively altered the patterns of behavior. The study suggests that the target regions of thallium in the brain include the cortex, the cerebellum and the brainstem. The dose-response relationships, found for certain pairs of behavioral acts, were correlated with biochemical changes in one or more brain regions.
Response of Pulmonary Energy Metabolism To Phosgene
Authors: Currie William D. , Pratt Philip C. , Frosolono M.F.
Published: September 2013

Rats were exposed to phosgene at a concentration of 1.0 ppm for 4 hours in a Rochester-type chamber. At intervals thereafter over a 4 day period, lungs were obtained for histological and biochemical assessments. Edema was estimated by histological examination and by measurement of lung wet and dry weights. In parallel studies, pulmonary mitochondrial respiratory activity was measured using Clark oxygen electrodes. The significant reduction in respiratory control index (State 3 respiration/State 4 respiration)found immediately following phosgene exposure coincided with the highest level of % lung water. There was a concomitant decrease of A TP concentration that persisted on the third day after exposure. Na-K-A TPase activity was reduced 1 day after exposure, thus a lowered A TP level preceded a reduction in Na-K-ATPase or sodium pump activity. The reduction in A TP level and Na-K-A TPase activity may play a major role in damage to lung tissue following exposure to phosgene.
Acute Responses To Phosgene Inhalation and Selected Corrective Measures (Including Surfactant)
Authors: Mautone Alan J. , Katz Zvi , Scarpelli Emile M.
Published: September 2013

We exposed 22 mongrel dogs to 94 ppm phosgene for 20 min from a non-rebreathing system. We expressed exposure to phosgene as ppm.I ·min.kg1, i.e., the amount of gas containing a known phosgene concentration that was actually inhaled per min standardized to body weight, the "exposure index" (EI). In contrast, the conventional expression of exposure, i.e., ppm·min, fails to take volume inhaled (VI) and body weight into account.

Five dogs received no intervention and served as controls. Fourteen dogs received basic therapy of oral cortisone (40 mg/kg) and NaHCO3 (3 mEq/kg) plus 100% O 2 (FiO2 = 1.0)for 30 min after the exposure period. These animals were further divided according to the following selected additional therapies, which were started 30 min after exposure: (1) Theophylline, 5 mg/kg iv for 20 min followed by 1 mg/kg/hr for 70 min (n = 5). Three dogs of this group were given a trial of 5 cm H20 expiratory resistance during the period of basic therapy. Because of the untoward response, expiratory resistance was discontinued and not used in other experiments. (2) PGE2-hi, [1 μg/kg/min] iv for 90 min (n = 3). (3) PGE1-lo, [0.04 μg/kg/min]iv for 90 min (n = 3). (4) Atropine, 0.5 mg/kg iv at 30 and 50 min after exposure (n = 3). Three dogs [group 5] received oral cortisone and NaHCO3 plus inhaled supplementary surfactant, 2.7 mg/min ultrasonically nebulized (FiO2 = 0.5; phosphate buffer), for 30 min after exposure. All treated dogs, groups [1] through [4] and the surfactant group [5], received cortisone (40 mg/kg/hr iv), NaHC03 to correct base deficit, and O2 to correct hypoxemia from 30 min to 120 min after exposure. Because of its clearly beneficial effect in group [1], theophylline was also given to all other treatment groups during this period. At the end of the study, all lungs were excised, examined and prepared for light microscopy.

We found that EI, which varied among subjects because of spontaneous variations ofI during exposure, correlated significantly with the changes in base deficit induced by phosgene inhalation. We also found that the change in minute ventilation, Δ I·kg-1, correlated significantly with changes in lung compliance, peak flow and base deficit.

Evaluation of the various therapeutic modalities revealed the following: Immediate therapy with 02 is vital and and FiO2 of 0.4 to 0.5 is sufficient. NaHCO3 iv corrects base deficit and should be given as soon as possible. Theophylline improves cardiovascular function but has little effect on expiratory flow. Supplemental surfactant improves compliance and seems to minimize the alveolar response to phosgene. There was no apparent acute benefit from oral cortisone and NaHC03. Expiratory resistance is contraindicated and PGE1-hi is not recommended. We found no evidence that either PGE1-lo or atropine produced any effect.
Health Hazard Assessment for Chlorinated Dioxins and Dibenzofurans Other Than 2, 3, 7, 8-Tcdd
Authors: Bellin Judith S. , Barnes Donald G.
Published: September 2013

EPA is faced with the need to perform health risk assessments of environmental materials containing mixtures of chlorinated dioxins and -dibenzofurans. Preferably, such an assessment must be based on the direct evaluation of chronic health effects of the mixture or on a knowledge of the toxic effects of each of the components. In the absence of such data, the authors have developed two pragmatic approaches that can reasonably be applied to mixtures such as flyash or contaminated soil. The details of these approaches, viewed as interim procedures, are compared and contrasted with those used by other regulatory and public health authorities.
The Effect of Cadmium Pretreatment On the Disposition and Excretion of Methylmercury and Trace Elements (Zinc, Copper) in Rats
Authors: Komsta-Szumska Elizabeth , Miller Donald R.
Published: September 2013

Cadmium chloride (Cd) was injected s.c. into male rats at a dose rate of 3mgCd/kg 3 times a week for 4 weeks. The animals were maintained for administration of methylmercury (203 Hg) chloride at a dose of 3 mg CH3 Hg/kg given p. o. 3 times a week for 2 weeks, followed by 3 weeks of recovery period. Animals were sacrificed 24 h after the final dose of MeHg, or 5 weeks after cessation of Cd administration. Cd-pretreat ment significantly decreased total Hg concentration in the kidney and RBC and almost completely inhibited demethylation of MeHg in the kidney (from 32% to 3% of inorganic Hg). Cd-pretreatment did not affect urinary excretion of total Hg, but significantly increased daily excretion of total Hg infeces. MeHg given alone significantly increased renal but not hepatic copper levels and decreased copper in the plasma and brain. In Cd-pretreated rats, both renal and hepatic copper con centration were in the normal ranges. Zinc levels in Cd-pretreated rats significantly increased in the kidney, liver and brain but decreased in plasma (compared to control and MeHg-alone treated animals). From these results it can be concluded that Cd-pretreatment may decrease MeHg toxicity by increasing the fecal mercury excretion and by inhibiting the formation of inorganic mercury in the kidney, which is a more potent renal toxin than MeHg.
Systemic Toxicity From Subchronic Dermal Exposure, Chemical Characterization, and Dermal Penetration of Catalytically Cracked Clarified Slurry Oil
Authors: Cruzan George , Low Lawrence K. , Cox George E. , Meeks J. Ralph , Mackerer Carl R. , Craig Peter H. , Singer Edward J. , Mehlman Myron A.
Published: September 2013

Clarified slurry oil (CSO), the heavy residual fraction from the fluidized catalytic cracker, was applied to the shaven backs of groups of 10 male and 10 female Sprague-Dawley rats 5 days/week for 13 weeks at doses of 8, 30, 125, or 500 mglkglday, and to another group for 2 weeks at doses of 2000 mg/kg/day. The rats were fitted with cardboard Elizabethan collars to minimize the ingestion of the test material, which was applied undiluted and remained uncovered on the skin. A similar group of rats served as controls; they were treated in the same manner except that no CSO was applied to their skin. There was a dose-related mortality and depression of body weight gain in the rats treated with CSO at doses of 30 mg/kg/day or greater; none of the rats dosed at 2000 mg/kg/day survived more than 2 weeks. The primary target organs ofCSO toxicity were the liver, thymus, and bone marrow. The effects on the liver included increased weight (250% at 500 mg/kg/day), cholangiolitis, diffuse liver cell degeneration and hypertrophy, necrosis, fibrosis, decreased serum glucose, increased levels of alkaline phosphatase, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine amino transferase, bilirubin, and triglycerides. The thymus was found to be small and upon microscopic examination to be atrophic or hypoplastic. Erythroid hypo plasia was found in the bone marrow of some of the rats dosed at 30 mg/ kg/day and increased in severity with increasing dose. The erythroid hypoplasia was accompanied by a dose-related anemia. Even in the rats dosed at 8 mg/kg/day, very slight abnormalities in the bile ducts were observed upon microscopic examination of the liver. Chromato-graphic separation and analyses demonstrated that CSO contains about 58% 3- to 5-ring polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHS) and ap proximately 8-10% carbazole derivatives. In vitro and in vivo skin penetration studies demonstrated that the carbazole materials penetrate through the skin to a considerable extent (about 44 %) ; less penetration was observed with 2- or 3-ring (8-13%) or 5-ring PAHs (3%).
Alteration of Erythrocyte Membrane Fluidity by Heavy Metal Cations
Authors: Amoruso Marie A. , Witz Gisela , Goldstein Bernard D.
Published: September 2013

Fluorescence polarization measurements were carried out on ery throcyte ghosts treated with heavy metal cations. Membranes labelled with the fluorescent lipid probe all-trans 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5- hexatriene (DPH) had increased DPH polarization (P) values, con sistent with increased membrane lipid viscosity, when treated with 10-3 -10-2 M of the chloride salts of cadmium, zinc or lead for 1 hour at 37° C, but not with calcium. Using cadmium as a prototype heavy metal, additional studies showed that exposure of ghosts to cadmium also increased the native protein fluorescence polariza tion. These increases in P values were observed at temperatures ranging from 15-40° C. These data suggest that interaction of cad mium and other heavy metals with cellular membranes may alter membrane lipid and possibly membrane protein fluidity, which may contribute to abnormal cellular function.
Peroxisome Induction Studies On Di(2-Ethylhexyl)Terephthalate
Authors: Topping Douglas C. , Ford Graham P. , Evans John G. , Lake Brian G. , O'Donoghue John L. , Lockhart Haines B.
Published: September 2013

Groups of five male and five female rats were fed diets containing from 0% to 2.5% di(2-ethylhexyl)terephthalate (DEHT) or 1.2% di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (DEHP) for 21 days. Feed consumption and body weight gains were collected and, at study termination, animals were examined for alterations in body weight, differences in serum lipids, changes in the activities of certain enzymes associated with fat metabolism, and proliferatiort of hepatic peroxisomes. Feed consumption and weight gain were greatly decreased in DEHT-fed animals only at 2.5%. No biologically significant alterations in absolute liver weight occurred with DEHT. Relative liver weights were increased at 2.5% in both sexes and at 1.0% and 1.2% in females. The alterations were due wholly to decreased terminal body weights. Serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels were not found useful in interpreting the effects of DEHT Cyanide-insensitive palmitoyl CoA oxidation and lauric acid 11- and 12-hydroxylation were increased in animals cortsuming 2.5%, but no lower levels of DEHT. Induction of hepatic peroxisomes did not occur at 1.2% DEHT. Interpretation of minimal peroxisomal effects with 2.5% DEHT ivas confounded by reduced feed consumption. Slight decreases in weight gain occurred in males consuming the 1.2% DEHP diet, but differences were minor relative to effects observed at 2.5% DEHT. Results with DEHP contrasted with those obtained with DEHT. Absolute and relative liver weights, activities of enzymes of lipid metabolism, and peroxisorne content were all significantly increased at 1.2% DEHP. Reduction of feed intake was implicated in the effects observed at 2.5% DEHT, since the amount of DEHT consumed by 2.5% animals ivas only 1.4 times as much as by 1.2% animals. A possible explanation for the observed differences between DEHP and DEHT was related to the results of a metabolic fate study on DEHT. Metabolism of DEHT by the rat appears to occur via rapid hydrolysis of both ester linkages to give two moles of 2-ethylhexanol and one mole of terephthalic acid. Although 2-ethylhexanol has been shown to induce peroxisome proliferation, it appears to be less active in this respect than the monoester of DEHP. The relatively smaller amounts of monoester produced during the metabolism of DEHT may explain the differences seen in these experiments.