cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Agenesis of the Mesencephalon and Metencephalon with Cerebellar Hypoplasia: Putative Mutation in the EN2 Gene—Report of 2 Cases in Early Infancy

Congenital absence of the midbrain and upper pons is a rare human malformation. We describe two unrelated infants with this anomaly and cerebellar hypoplasia who were born at term but died in early infancy from lack of central respiratory drive. MRI in both cases disclosed the lesions during life. Neuropathological examination, performed in one, included immunocytochemical studies of NeuN, synaptophysin, vimentin, and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Autopsy revealed a thin midline cord passing through the clivus, in place of the midbrain; it corresponded to hypoplastic and fused corticospinal tracts with ectopic neural tissue in the surrounding leptomeninges. Some ectopia were immunoreactive for synaptophysin and NeuN and others were nonreactive. The neural surfaces facing the subarachnoid fluid-filled space left by the absent midbrain and upper pons were lined by an abnormal villous ependyma. The architecture of the cerebellar cortex was imperfect but generally normal, and Bergmann glial cells had normal radial processes shown by vimentin and GFAP. Structures of the telencephalon, diencephalon, lower brainstem, and spinal cord were generally well formed, but inferior olivary and dentate nuclei were rudimentary and the spinal central canal was dilated at lumbar levels. The cerebral cortex was normally laminated, but pyramidal neurons of layer 5 were sparse in the frontal lobes. The hippocampus, olfactory system, and corpus callosum were formed. An ectopic lingual thyroid was found and had been associated with hypothyroidism during life. A murine model resembling this dysgenesis is demonstrated by homozygous mutations of the organizer genes Wnt1 or En1, also resulting in cerebellar aplasia, and En2, associated with cerebellar hypoplasia. These genes are essential to the formation of the mesencephalic neuromere and rhombomere 1 (metencephalon or upper pons and cerebellum). Pax8 has binding sites in the promoter for En2 and is essential for thyroid development. We speculate that in the human, the failure to form a mesencephalon and metencephalon, with cerebellar hypoplasia, results from a mutation or deletion in the EN2 (Engrailed-2) gene.
Numerical basin modelling of the Sleipner field, North Sea

Both one-dimensional (1-D) and two-dimensional (2-D) basin modelling has been carried out in the Sleipner area in the North Sea. Thermal refraction by salt and more minor convection by fluid transport combine to provide a temperature regime which is hotter at the Sleipner East field relative to the Sleipner West field by approximately 5°C at the same sub-surface depth. These results are obtained only with 2-D modelling, and show that such simulations are necessary to explain the spatial variations of temperature distribution at the least. Modelling of hydrocarbon generation in the Sleipner kitchen shows that the source rocks are presently in a late gas generation state, and that a gas-condensate is to be expected in fields draining this kitchen. Such hydrocarbon phases are encountered in the Sleipner field, confirming that the model can simulate satisfactorily hydrocarbon generation in the Sleipner area.
Stimulation with cytokines enhances penetration of azithromycin into human macrophages.

Abstract An effective intracellular concentration of an antimicrobial agent is essential for therapy of infections caused by organisms of the Mycobacterium avium complex. We previously reported on the effect of the combination of azithromycin and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) against M. avium infection in macrophages. We now report that stimulation of macrophages either with recombinant human gamma interferon (IFN-gamma, 10(2) U/ml) or with recombinant human TNF-alpha (10(2) U/ml) resulted in an increase in the intracellular concentration of azithromycin by approximately 200% within 3 h, compared with the concentration in unstimulated macrophages. Infection of macrophages with M. avium complex led to a decrease in the uptake of [14C]azithromycin by infected cells, compared with that by uninfected controls. Stimulation of infected macrophages with recombinant IFN-gamma or TNF-alpha overcame the inhibitory effect associated with infection. These results suggest that the increased bactericidal activity of the TNF-alpha-azithromycin or IFN-gamma-azithromycin combination against M. avium is related to enhanced uptake of the antibiotic by the stimulated phagocyte.
Oxidative inactivation of the lipid phosphatase phosphatase and tensin homolog on chromosome ten (PTEN) as a novel mechanism of acquired long QT syndrome.

The most common cause of cardiac side effects of pharmaco-therapy is acquired long QT syndrome, which is characterized by abnormal cardiac repolarization and most often caused by direct blockade of the cardiac potassium channel human ether a-go-go-related gene (hERG). However, little is known about therapeutic compounds that target ion channels other than hERG. We have discovered that arsenic trioxide (As2O3), a very potent antineoplastic compound for the treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia, is proarrhythmic via two separate mechanisms: a well characterized inhibition of hERG/IKr trafficking and a poorly understood increase of cardiac calcium currents. We have analyzed the latter mechanism in the present study using biochemical and electrophysiological methods. We find that oxidative inactivation of the lipid phosphatase PTEN by As2O3 enhances cardiac calcium currents in the therapeutic concentration range via a PI3Kα-dependent increase in phosphatidylinositol 3,4,5-triphosphate (PIP3) production. In guinea pig ventricular myocytes, even a modest reduction in PTEN activity is sufficient to increase cellular PIP3 levels. Under control conditions, PIP3 levels are kept low by PTEN and do not affect calcium current amplitudes. Based on pharmacological experiments and intracellular infusion of PIP3, we propose that in guinea pig ventricular myocytes, PIP3 regulates calcium currents independently of the protein kinase Akt along a pathway that includes a secondary oxidation-sensitive target. Overall, our report describes a novel form of acquired long QT syndrome where the target modified by As2O3 is an intracellular signaling cascade.
Intraperitoneal hyperthermic perfusion with mitomycin C for colorectal cancer with peritoneal metastases.

Background: Intraperitoneal (i.p.) metastases pose a special problem for surgical treatment because of their multiplicity and microscopic size. This study was designed to examine the feasibility and safety of i.p. hyperthermic perfusion (IPHP) with mitomycin C (MMC) for treating recurrent colorectal cancer.
A live-cell assay to detect antigen-specific CD4+ T cells with diverse cytokine profiles.

Recently activated, but not resting, CD4+ T cells express CD154, providing costimulatory signals to B cells and antigen-presenting cells (APCs). Therefore, de novo CD154 expression after stimulation identifies antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. Previous assays were limited by the transient nature of surface CD154 expression; we overcame this by including fluorescently conjugated CD154-specific antibody during stimulation. Our assay is fully compatible with intracellular cytokine staining, and can be used for stimulations as long as 24 h. Notably, it is nonlethal, providing a means to purify viable antigen-specific CD4+ T cells for further analysis. Using this assay, we found that stimulated cells expressing tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-2 or interferon (IFN)-γ were predominantly CD154+. Furthermore, some cells expressing none of these cytokines also expressed CD154, suggesting that CD154 marks cells with other effector functions. For vaccine- or pathogen-specific responses, we found substantial heterogeneity in expression of CD154 and cytokines, suggesting previously unrecognized diversity in abilities of responding cells to stimulate APCs through CD40.
EARS: an online bibliographic search and retrieval system based on ordered explosion

Abstract Ergonomics Abstracts Retrieval System (EARS) is an online bibliographic information search and retrieval system using the hierarchical subject classification of the Ergonomics Abstracts . EARS is designed using an inverted file organization and is implemented on CDC-Cyber. The data base of abstracts is organized using a fixed-length record format, where each logical record corresponds to a variable number of fixed-length physical records. Accordingly, an index for the identification of physical records from the logical records is used. The data base is inverted on a three-level hierarchical classification scheme and postings files are used for data base inversion. The data base is accessed after selectively traversing a 4-layer structure of indexes and postings files. EARS provides facilities to perform combinations of searches, limited searches, and certain editing functions. The system is currently used extensively by the Western New York Human Factors research community. The logical and physical designs of EARS, its interactive operational features, and its current expansions are described in this paper.
Racial differences and the genetics of hypertension

Variation in the prevalence of hypertension among human populations has been used to examine a wide range of research questions. The best known example has always been the twofold greater prevalence among blacks, which has provoked a debate about the relative importance of environmental and genetic factors. This problem is complicated because it requires an understanding of both the genetics of hypertension and the genetic basis of variation among populations. Molecular data accumulated over the past year are beginning to provide new insights into this old question. Modest progress has now been made in the genetics of hypertension. Important advances have been made in understanding rare hypertension syndromes, and large-scale studies of the general population are under way, although the results to date are inconclusive. Markers used to search for hypertension genes can also provide estimates of between-population variability. These data, which are based on genetic variants used for etiologic research, confirm previous evidence of group-specific variation, while underscoring the limited magnitude of this variation. Despite rapid progress, this work is still in its infancy and raises more questions than it answers.
A linear decision analysis model of optimal portfolio investments

The paper develops a decision analysis model to determine the optimal portfolio investment under uncertainty. The model extends Sharpe'a simplified model by assuming a stochastic linear equation sy...
On the Representation of Band Limited Functions Using Finitely Many Bits

In this paper, we consider the question of representing an entire function of finite order and type in terms of finitely many bits, and reconstructing the function from these. Instead of making any further assumptions about the function, we measure the error in reconstruction in a suitably weighted Lp norm. The optimal number of bits in order to obtain a given accuracy is given by the Kolmogorov entropy. We determine this entropy in the case of certain compact subsets of these weighted Lp spaces and obtain constructive algorithms to determine the asymptotically optimal bit representation from finitely many samples of the function. Our theory includes both equidistant and non-uniform sampling. The reconstructions are polynomials, having several other optimality properties.
The Euro deposit market in a global perspective

Abstract This paper examines whether causal relationships between Euro money markets in Germany and three other international money markets are different from causal relationships that existed amongst the German Mark in international money markets prior to the introduction of the Euro. It investigates connections between interest rate yields on Euro-denominated assets by analyzing the magnitude and direction of causal relationships across geographic markets. Anticipated similarities in behavior between the Euro and the German Mark are not confirmed, but the short period of existence for the Euro may not allow accurate determination of long run relationships.
Faculty reflections on the process of building an integrated preclerkship curriculum: a new school perspective

This is a reflective essay based on the experience of developing a structure and function module within a new integrated medical curriculum. Our hope is that the insights we gained during a 4-yr journey in a new medical school will be transferable to others engaged with curriculum development. Here, we present an interpretive analysis of our personal experiences together with some original research data and a synthesis of the literature. We will argue that a focus on teaching faculty is the key to successful curriculum integration and suggest an agenda for faculty development. Our essay begins by exploring what curriculum integration really means and what its purpose might be. Our case study explores the challenges of building a shared understanding among stakeholders and of negotiating learning outcomes and methods of teaching as well as the process of developing content and assessment. We feel that many of our experiences in the new medical school are applicable in other settings, such as curriculum reform in established schools and for developers of competency-based premedical curricula. We conclude with recommendations to assist other curriculum planners and teachers by offering some benefits of hindsight.
Neuroleptic-Induced Parkinsonism in Elderly Patients Diagnosed With Psychotic Major Depression and Dementia of the Alzheimer Type

The authors prospectively examined elderly patients diagnosed with major depression with psychotic features (MD-P) and patients diagnosed with dementia of the Alzheimer Type (DAT) for neuroleptic-induced parkinsonism (NIP) during perphenazine treatment. Baseline parkinsonian symptoms did not differ between groups. With treatment, mean NIP score doubled in DAT patients but remained unchanged in the MD-P group. The difference between groups was highly significant and remained so after the effects of age, perphenazine dose, and duration of perphenazine treatment were controlled. Although the mechanisms underlying these differences in NIP development remain to be determined, clinical guidelines for neuroleptic dosages in elderly patients need to account for variability in neuroleptic tolerance between diagnostic groups.
Fuzzy Logic Control for an Autonomous Underwater Crawler

Current underwater crawling vehicles could benefit by using rotating head sonar data to avoid collisions with obstacles. We have developed and optimized a fuzzy logic controller using software for simulation of an underwater environment. The optimization results show near an order of magnitude increase in performance over both straight line and lawnmower search patterns with relatively small changes in the system parameters. The fuzzy logic controller has the capability of navigating a crawler safely and quickly between mission specific points.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
Control systems in supplier-retailer relationships and their impact on brand performance

Abstract This paper examines the impact of retailer behavior control systems on brand performance. Brand performance is measured from the retailer's perspective and consists of two factors; brand profitability and brand sales volume. This paper proposes alternative forms of control systems and their impact on performance. Cluster analysis results show that high levels of control do not necessarily lead to higher performance. Furthermore, alternative strategies that achieve moderate levels of behavior control yield similar performance outcomes.
Information sources of elderly for vacation decisions

The travel industry is discovering a new love: elderly travelers. People over 65 constitute a perfect market for the travel industry because many senior citizens have the time to travel and are willing to spend an appreciable amount of their income for this purpose. The older market also holds a large share of the country’s discretionary income because their children are usually grown and their house payments are complete. In addition, the over 65 market can fill the peaks and valleys for airlines and hotels because of the flexibility of their travel schedules. Moreover, older persons like to travel. A 1977 National Travel Survey indicated that more than 50 percent of all persons over 65 took a vacation the previous year (Allen and Bretman 1981:50). Another factor that makes this market attractive is that older people spend more money than average on vacation travel, entertainment, and restaurant needs (W&L StreetJournal 1983). The purpose of this research is to identify the demographic and psychographic characteristics that are significantly related to the perceived importance of information sources regarding the selection of a vacation trip destination among the elderly. This investigation is designed to be more exploratory than definitive because of the lack of theoretical or empirical grounds on which to base expectations at the nature of these relationships. Not much is known regarding the relative importance of different sociodemographic and psychographic variables in explaining the perceived importance of pre-purchase information sources for the elderly. However, knowledge of consumers in general provides some indication as to what might be expected. Generally-consumers that are information seekers, more self-confident, more open-minded, better educated, higher socioeconomic status, and lower in age engage in more information search (Hawkins, Best, and Coney 1986:587).
Self-similar, slightly compressible, free vortices

Exact and numerical similarity solutions for compressible perturbations to an incompressible, two-dimensional, axisymmetric vortex reference flow are presented. The reference flow consists of a set of two-dimensional, self-similar, incompressible vortices. Similarity variables, which give explicit expressions for the decay rates of the velocities and thermodynamic variables in the vortex flows, are used to reduce the governing partial differential equations to a set of ordinary differential equations. The ODEs are solved analytically and numerically for a Taylor vortex reference flow, and numerically for an Oseen vortex reference flow. The solutions are employed to study the dependences of the temperature, density, entropy, dissipation and radial velocity on the Prandtl number. Additionally, several integral relations, which allow one to trace the energy transfer in a slightly compressible vortex, are derived.
Building stem cell niches from the molecule up through engineered peptide materials

The native stem cell niche is a dynamic and complex microenvironment. Recapitulating this niche is a critical focus within the fields of stem cell biology, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine and requires the development of well-defined, tunable materials. Recent biomaterial design strategies seek to create engineered matrices that interact with cells at the molecular scale and allow on-demand, cell-triggered matrix modifications. Peptide and protein engineering can accomplish these goals through the molecular-level design of bioinductive and bioresponsive materials. This brief review focuses on engineered peptide and protein materials suitable for use as in vitro neural stem cell niche mimics and in vivo central nervous system repair. A key hallmark of these materials is the immense design freedom to specify the exact amino acid sequence leading to multi-functional bulk materials with tunable properties. These advanced materials are engineered using rational design strategies to recapitulate key aspects of the native neural stem cell niche. The resulting materials often combine the advantages of biological matrices with the engineering control of synthetic polymers. Future design strategies are expected to endow these materials with multiple layers of bi-directional feedback between the cell and the matrix, which will lead to more advanced mimics of the highly dynamic neural stem cell niche.
Update on urticaria and angioedema (hives)

The update on urticaria involves new concepts on the pathogenesis and the treatment of severe hives that are unresponsive to conventional treatments. A newly described autoantibody IgG against IgE receptor has been identified in some severe chronic urticaria patients. Anti-inflammatory and immunomodulating agents are being used with increasing frequency by academic faculty and other physicians in severe chronic idiopathic urticaria (CIU).
The Optics Program in the Optical Physics Division at NBS

Optics has been an important part of the research programs at the National Bureau of Standards since its first laboratories began operating in 1904, and we appreciate the opportunity to present to the readers of Optical Engineering some samples of our current work in optics.
Lymphocyte Stimulation: Selective Destruction of Cells during Blastogenic Response to Transplantation Antigens

The blastogenic response of human lymphoid cells toward any individual's transplantation antigens can be deleted by the addition of tritiated thymidine of high specific activity during the incubation of the lymphoid cells in mixed leukocyte culture. After the immunocompetent clones which responded to histocompatibility antigens had been destroyed, the remaining population still retained its capacity to respond to unrelated antigens, including other transplantation antigens.
Dual secured nano-melittin for the safe and effective eradication of cancer cells

The clinical application of natural and synthetic amphipathic peptides (e.g., melittin) for cancer therapy is hindered by their notorious side effect, lysing red blood cells. To safely deliver a therapeutic peptide to the tumor tissue and kill cancer cells, we developed an environment-sensitive peptide delivery system, dual secured nano-sting (DSNS), through the combination of a zwitterionic glycol chitosan and disulfide bonds. Melittin loaded DSNS could kill almost 100% of MCF-7, HCT-116, SKOV-3, and NCI/ADR-RES (multidrug resistant) cancer cells at the concentration of 5 μM, while not showing any hemolytic effect.
Chronic septal hepatitis

A type of chronic hepatitis designated as chronic septal hepatitis was distinguished morphologically from chronic aggressive and chronic persistent hepatitis: 18 cases were separated from chronic aggressive hepatitis by the absence of destruction and inflammatory infiltration of the limiting plate and from chronic persistent hepatitis by the presence of connective tissue septa. Clinically, many patients were asymptomatic despite hepatomegaly and elevated serum transaminase activities while immune markers were usually absent from the serum. Chronic septal hepatitis was often seen after corticosteroid therapy of chronic aggressive hepatitis, but it also occurred de novo. Transition to cirrhosis was not observed during follow-up for 5 years to 2 months except in one case with high serum gamma-globulin. Until a classification based on etiology becomes available chronic septal hepatitis might be separated from other types of chronic hepatitis.
Prenatal infection and cavum septum pellucidum in adult schizophrenia

Increased length of the cavum septum pellucidum (CSP) and in utero infection are each associated with increased risk of schizophrenia. Hence, we examined whether prenatal infections are related to CSP length in schizophrenia patients. In a well-characterized birth cohort, in utero infection was assessed using serologic biomarkers or physician diagnoses. Magnetic resonance images were acquired, and CSP length was quantified by a standard protocol. In utero infection was associated with increased CSP length in exposed schizophrenia cases compared to unexposed cases, suggesting that prenatal infection plays a role in a neurodevelopmental morphologic anomaly that has been related previously to schizophrenia.
Employer Characteristics and Discharge-Related Discrimination Against People With Disabilities Under the Americans With Disabilities Act:

This article describes findings from a causal comparative study of the characteristics of employers against whom allegations of discrimination related to unlawful discharge were filed with the U.S....
Developing communications about CCS: three lessons learned

To curb the risks of climate change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change posits that global CO2 emissions from the energy supply sector must be reduced to 90% below 2010 levels between 2040 and 2070. Electricity generation is the largest contributor to emissions from the energy supply sector. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) holds the promise of helping to reduce CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants, as part of a low-carbon portfolio that could also include energy efficiency, natural gas, renewables and nuclear power. To inform people’s decisions about whether or not to support the implementation of CCS, our team created brochures about 10 low-carbon technologies as well as a computer tool that helped users to develop technically realistic low-carbon portfolios. Here, we highlight three main lessons we learned in developing these communications about CCS: (1) when learning about CCS people also want to know about other alternatives; (2) using simple wording improves understanding, even abo...
Drug sharing among heroin networks: implications for HIV and hepatitis B and C prevention.

Qualitative and quantitative findings from the baseline survey of a longitudinal, socially-focused blood-borne disease intervention study among 611 heroin IDU in Denver indicate that high risk injection practices-the sharing of contaminated drug solution in particular-often occur as a consequence of how heroin is obtained, the quantity obtained and the setting where it is injected. Contamination occurs if a contaminated syringe is used to liquefy and apportion the shared drug. In our cohort of 304 heroin injecting networks there was at least one member who, when asked to describe their last injection, reported dividing the drug as a liquid (82%), using a reservoir of water that syringes had been rinsed in to mix drugs (67%), using a common cooker (86%)-a proxy for drug sharing-and beating a shared cotton filter (58%). In contrast, only 22% reported syringe sharing. Variables associated with various injection practices included location of the last injection episode, quantity of drug injected, dope sickness, and years injecting. When compared to those who injected in a safe setting, those in an unsafe location had almost three times the odds (OR = 2.9; 95% CI: 1.9, 4.6) of being part of an injection episode where there was cooker sharing; and the smaller the quantity of heroin ( 1/4 gram) present at the episode, the greater the odds that cooker sharing occurred (OR = 1.8; 95% CI: 1.2, 2.6). Use of a used, unbleached syringe to prepare shared drugs had twice the odds of occurring in "unsafe" v. safe settings (OR = 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3, 4.0) and in episodes in which a participant was dopesick (OR = 2.1; 95% CI: 1.2, 3.6). In summary, risky injection practices occur within an injection process that is, in part, a response to a structurally imposed risk environment. Lessening the blood-borne disease risks embedded within this process requires interventions designed to mitigate the environmental factors that influence it, including syringe accessibility, law enforcement strategies and the settings where IDU inject drugs.
convicted by the holy spirit: the rhetoric of fundamental Baptist conversion

Born-again Christian belief follows conversion, an inner transformation that quickens the supernatural imagination. Among fundamental Baptists, rhetoric, not ritual, is the primary vehicle of conversion. Witnesses “speak the gospel,” the ramifying discourse and narrative of Christ. Listeners “come under conviction” as they appropriate the gospel in their inner speech. At “the moment of salvation,” listeners become public speakers of the gospel. They “believe” in the sense of embracing a narrative tradition that rewords their experience in terms of a personal, triune Cod who intervenes in daily life and in history.
Topography-guided hyperopic and hyperopic astigmatism femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK: long-term experience with the 400 Hz eye-Q excimer platform.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of topography-guided ablation using the WaveLight 400 Hz excimer laser in laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for hyperopia and/or hyperopic astigmatism. METHODS We prospectively evaluated 208 consecutive LASIK cases for hyperopia with or without astigmatism using the topography-guided platform of the 400 Hz Eye-Q excimer system. The mean preoperative sphere value was +3.04 ± 1.75 (range 0.75-7.25) diopters (D) and the mean cylinder value was -1.24 ± 1.41 (-4.75-0) D. Flaps were created either with Intralase FS60 (AMO, Irvine, CA) or FS200 (Alcon, Fort Worth, TX) femtosecond lasers. Parameters evaluated included age, preoperative and postoperative refractive error, uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, flap diameter and thickness, topographic changes, higher order aberration changes, and low contrast sensitivity. These measurements were repeated postoperatively at regular intervals for at least 24 months. RESULTS Two hundred and two eyes were available for follow-up at 24 months. Uncorrected distance visual acuity improved from 5.5/10 to 9.2/10. At 24 (8-37) months, 75.5% of the eyes were in the ±0.50 D range and 94.4% were in the ±1.00 D range of the refractive goal. Postoperatively, the mean sphere value was -0.39 ± 0.3 and the cylinder value was -0.35 ± 0.25. Topographic evidence showed that ablation was made in the visual axis and not in the center of the cornea, thus correlating with the angle kappa. No significant complications were encountered in this small group of patients. CONCLUSION Hyperopic LASIK utilizing the topography-guided platform of the 400 Hz Eye-Q Allegretto excimer and a femtosecond laser flap appears to be safe and effective for correction of hyperopia and/or hyperopic astigmatism. The results are impressive for refractive error correction and stability and for improvement of both uncorrected and corrected distance visual acuity.
The relationship between the ability to solve practical nutrition problems in an adult population and piagetian cognitive levels

Making food and nutrition related decisions has become an increasingly complex chore for consumers. Piagetian research suggests that the development of formal reasoning skills may be important in making many such decisions. The purpose of this study was to establish the relationship between an individual's ability to solve practical nutrition problems and his/her cognitive or reasoning level. Piagetian paper-and-pencil tasks, used to assess cognitive levels, were administered to 271 adults attending various community colleges. At a later time, they were given a practical nutrition test which required nutrition knowledge as well as reasoning skills. Other demographic information was also collected. The results indicated that an individual's cognitive level (nonformal, early formal and formal) has a correlation with his/her ability to answer knowledge questions, but is more highly correlated with the individual's ability to answer reasoning questions (p <.005 for correlations and ANOVA). The variables of age, gender, education level, high school math and science, college math and science, and food purchasing/meal preparation experience had little or no relationship either to the measurable cognitive level or to the scores on the nutrition test. Stepwise regression analysis showed that composite cognitive factors accounted for 44% of variance on the nutrition test while other variables accounted for 1% of variance. Nutritionists may need to take cognitive level factors into account to facilitate educating for better decision-making about food and nutrition.
Renal Artery Stenosis: Optimizing Diagnosis and Treatment

Renal artery stenosis (RAS) is the most commonly caused by atherosclerosis, with fibromuscular dysplasia being the most frequent among other less common etiologies. A high index of suspicion based on clinical features is essential for diagnosis. Revascularization strategies are currently a topic of discussion and debate. When revascularization is deemed appropriate, atherosclerotic RAS is most often treated with stent placement, whereas patients with fibromuscular dysplasia are usually treated with balloon angioplasty. Ongoing randomized trials should help to better define the optimal management of RAS.
Meditation acutely improves psychomotor vigilance, and may decrease sleep need

Background: A number of benefits from meditation have been claimed by those who practice various traditions, but few have been well tested in scientifically controlled studies. Among these claims are improved performance and decreased sleep need. Therefore, in these studies we assess whether meditation leads to an immediate performance improvement on a well validated psychomotor vigilance task (PVT), and second, whether longer bouts of meditation may alter sleep need. Methods: The primary study assessed PVT reaction times before and after 40 minute periods of mediation, nap, or a control activity using a within subject cross-over design. This study utilized novice meditators who were current university students (n = 10). Novice meditators completed 40 minutes of meditation, nap, or control activities on six different days (two separate days for each condition), plus one night of total sleep deprivation on a different night, followed by 40 minutes of meditation. A second study examined sleep times in long term experienced meditators (n = 7) vs. non-meditators (n = 23). Experienced meditators and controls were age and sex matched and living in the Delhi region of India at the time of the study. Both groups continued their normal activities while monitoring their sleep and meditation times. Results: Novice meditators were tested on the PVT before each activity, 10 minutes after each activity and one hour later. All ten novice meditators improved their PVT reaction times immediately following periods of meditation, and all but one got worse immediately following naps. Sleep deprivation produced a slower baseline reaction time (RT) on the PVT that still improved significantly following a period of meditation. In experiments with long-term experienced meditators, sleep duration was measured using both sleep journals and actigraphy. Sleep duration in these subjects was lower than control non-meditators and general population norms, with no apparent decrements in PVT scores. Conclusions: These results suggest that meditation provides at least a short-term performance improvement even in novice meditators. In long term meditators, multiple hours spent in meditation are associated with a significant decrease in total sleep time when compared with age and sex matched controls who did not meditate. Whether meditation can actually replace a portion of sleep or pay-off sleep debt is under further investigation.
The metabolic effects of surgical trauma on growing rats.

The metabolic effects of surgical trauma on growing fe male rats were investigated. In the first experiment three groups of rats were included: a control group (no treatment), an operated group (uteri removed), and a sham-operated (incision only). In a second experi ment, including the operated group and sham-operated groups, another group was added; a sham-operated food restricted group (SOFR). The rats in the SOFR group were sham-operated but their food was restricted to the amount of food consumed by the operated group. In the first experi ment, rats lost body weight following the surgery, but were able to regain the lost weight. Normal weight levels were achieved by 6 days post opera tion by increasing the efficiency of food utilization. In the second experi ment, the SOFR were unable to maintain normal body weight gain. Nitrogen balance was significantly greater in operated rats compared to unoperated and sham-operated rats on the first day following surgery in the first experiment. In the second experiment nitrogen balance was similar in operated and SOFR rats, but less than in the sham-operated controls. Plasma RNase levels were significantly elevated in the operated rats on the first day following surgery (POI). Plasma glucose levels on any post operative day were not significantly different from the control groups, but were higher on POI than on PO2, PO3, and PO4. The plasma ketone levels were not significantly affected by the surgical trauma. The plasma total amino acid level was lowest on PO3 and was higher than the control on PO6. The increase in amino acid levels in the operated groups correlated with the rapid weight gain from PO3 to PO6. Following surgery total acidic amino acids and ketogenic amino acids were unaltered. The gluco- genic, sulfur, and non-essential amino acids contributed more to the in crease in the PO6 group of rats than did the basic, essential and acidic amino acids. The mechanism of altered plasma amino acids probably re lates to their use as precursors and substrates for gluconeogenesis. J. Nutr. 108: 1830-1841, 1978.
The Relationship Between State and District Content Standards:Issues of Alignment, Influence and Utility

At the core of standards-based reform are content standards--statements about what students should know and be able to do. Although it is state standards that are the focus of much public attention and consume substantial resources, many local school districts have developed their own content standards in the major subject areas. However, we know very little about the role state standards have played in local standards efforts. In this article we report on a study of the relationship between state and local content standards in reading in four states and districts. Through interviews with key personnel in each state, and district and analyses of state and local content standards in reading, we explored the alignment between state and district content standards, the path of influence between the two, and the role of high-stakes tests in state and districts reform efforts. Our findings suggest that alignment had multiple meanings and that state standards had differential utility to districts, ranging from helpful to benign to nuisance. This wide variability was influenced by the nature of the standards themselves, the state vision of alignment and local control, districts’ own engagement and commitment to professional development, and student performance on high-stakes tests. We explore implications for the future of content standards as the cornerstone of standards-based reform and argue that states must promote district ownership and expand accountability if state content standards are to have any relevance for local efforts to reform teaching and learning.
High Surface Area Nanomacroporous Bioactive Glass Scaffold for Hard Tissue Engineering

Formation of sufficiently large three-dimensional (3D) nanomacroporosity in bone scaffolds remains a challenge in spite of several methods reported in literature. It is required for tissue ingrowth and for the concurrent degradation of implanted structure. We report a new technique for fabricating superior high surface area, nanomacroporous bioactive glass scaffold, which combines the sol-gel process and polymer sponge replication method. The formation of 3D structure is demonstrated in 70 mol% SiO 2 -30 mol% CaO glass composition as an example, which is uniform across the sample. It consists of open, interconnected macropores with size from 300 to 600 μm, as desired for tissue ingrowth. At the same time, coexisting nanopores provide high-specific surface area (~ 184 m 2 /g), which is needed for enhancing the structure's degradation rate. These bioscaffolds hold promise for applications in hard tissue engineering.
Planning and Evaluation of Assurance Services for Sustainability Reporting: An Evidential Reasoning Approach

ABSTRACT: This study develops a framework for planning, performing, and evaluating evidence obtained to assess and control the risks of providing assurance on sustainability reports. Sustainability reporting, or corporate sustainability reporting (CSR), provides stakeholders with important information on both financial and non-financial factors related to environmental, social, and economic performance. Importantly, the presented framework is developed from both a Bayesian (probability-based theory) and Belief Function (Dempster-Shafer theory) perspective. This facilitates application of the framework to cases where the assurance provider prefers to assess risk in terms of probability versus in terms of beliefs. To demonstrate the application of this framework we evaluate assertions, sub-assertions, and audit evidence relevant to CSR based on the G3 Reporting framework developed by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). The paper contributes to the literature in three main areas. First, it demonstrates ho...
Targeting Immune Suppression with PDE5 Inhibition in End-Stage Multiple Myeloma

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSC) play a significant role in tumor-induced immune suppression. Targeting their function could improve antitumor therapies. Previously, we demonstrated that phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibition in MDSCs augmented antitumor immunity in murine models. Here, we show how the addition of the PDE5 inhibitor, tadalafil, in a patient with end-stage relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma reduced MDSC function and generated a dramatic and durable antimyeloma immune and clinical response. Strategies targeting MDSC function with PDE5 inhibitors represent a novel approach that can augment the efficacy of tumor-directed therapies.
Growing gratitude in undergraduate nursing students: Applying findings from social and psychological domains to nursing education

Millennial students are often characterized as technology focused multitaskers, yet young nursing students are expected to focus on and thoughtfully engage with the person at the center of their caring efforts. Developing gratitude practices requires quiet contemplation and focus. Cultivating an attitude of gratitude in millennial nursing students may be one avenue to address concerns surrounding the provision of relationship based person-centered care by young nurses. In other disciplines, gratitude work has been studied extensively and is associated with several positive outcomes. Assignments included in most nursing programs can easily be modified to include a gratitude focus. Examples of gratitude assignments and the student reflection of these assignments are included here as a call for nurse educators to further study this concept.
BIOCHEMICAL HETEROPHYLLY AND FLAVONOID EVOLUTION IN NORTH AMERICAN POTAMOGETON (POTAMOGETONACEAE).

Morphologically heterophyllous species of Potamogeton also commonly display biochemical heterophylly with respect to flavonoid compounds. Generally, floating leaves contain an assortment of flavonoids, whereas submersed leaves often exhibit reduced flavonoid profiles. In strictly submersed (homophyllous) species, two patterns occur. Linear-leaved species have few flavonoids and their biochemical profiles resemble those of submersed leaves of heterophyllous species. Broad-leaved homophyllous species possess flavonoid profiles more similar to those of the floating leaves of heterophyllous species. Numerical analysis of these chemical data is consistent with phylogenetic relationships within the genus derived independently on the basis of morphological and chromosomal data. Glycoflavones, which are probably maintained in floating leaves because of their UV filtering ability, exhibit the most pronounced biochemical heterophylly in Potamogeton. The lack of glycoflavones in submersed leaves of heterophyllous species and in linear-leaved homophyllous species is attributable to the ability of naturally colored water to significantly absorb harmful UV radiation. These observations provide strong support for earlier hypotheses suggesting the importance of flavonoid evolution in the conquest of exposed terrestrial habitats by plants.
Race, Reward, and Reform: An Implicative Examination of the Florida School Recognition Program

The Florida School Recognition Program (FSRP) was created by the Florida legislature in 1997 to provide an incentive to schools that achieve specific standards-based goals. Achievement is measured primarily through the state's high-stakes test, the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test. Through analysis of FSRP awards, it is established that poverty and race influence these awards. This analysis considers the larger context and implications of this influence. Ultimately, it is asserted that such policies may act to legitimate and further entrench social stratification.
Numerical Study of Flowfields About Asymmetric External Conical Corners

A numerical study of the flowfield about asymmetrical external axial corners formed by the juncture of swept compressive wedges is presented. The geometrical configuration allows a unified treatment of external corners typical of delta wings and rectangular inlets. The study investigates how the flow transitions from a symmetrical flowfield with a cross-flow stagnation point at the corner to an asymmetrical flowfield for which the flow spills over the corner. The effects of leading-edge sweep, wedge compression, and corner radius are investigated.
S-Match: An efficient privacy-preserving profile matching scheme

Profile matching is a fundamental and significant step for mobile social services to build social relationships and share interests. Given the privacy and efficiency concerns of mobile platforms, we propose a cost-effective profile matching technique called S-Match for mobile social services in which matching operations are achieved in a privacy-preserving manner utilizing property-preserving encryption (PPE). Specifically, in this poster, we first analyze the challenges of directly using PPE for profile matching. Second, we introduce a solution based on entropy increase. Our initial results, with three real-world datasets, show that S-Match achieves at least an order of magnitude improvement over other relevant schemes.
Flywheel magnetic suspension developments

The authors provide an overview of many areas of the flywheel magnetic suspension (MS) R&D being performed at the Texas A&M Vibration Control and Electromechanics Lab (TAMU-VCEL). This includes system response prediction, actuator optimization and redundancy, controller realizations and stages, sensor enhancements and backup bearing reliability.
Post-Freirean Adult Education: A Question of Empowerment and Power.

The oppressors, who oppress, exploit, and rape by virtue of their power, cannot find in this power the strength to liberate either the oppressed or themselves. Only power that springs from the weakness of the oppressed will be sufficiently strong to free both.(Freire, 1970, p. 28)I would like to underline the fact that the state's power (and that's one of the reasons for its strength) is both an individualizing and a totalizing form of power. Never, I think, in the history of human societies-even the old Chinese society-has there been such a tricky combination in techniques, and of totalization procedures.(Foucault, 1982, p. 213)