cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Seasonal Progress of Charcoal Rot and Its Impact on Soybean Productivity

Mengistu, A., Smith, J. R., Ray, J. D., and Bellaloui, N. 2011. Seasonal progress of charcoal rot and its impact on soybean productivity. Plant Dis. 95:1159-1166. The seasonal progress of charcoal rot (caused by Macrophomina phaseolina) was measured over two growing seasons in four separate experiments: irrigated infested, irrigated non-infested, non-irrigated infested, and non-irrigated noninfested. Disease was assessed at V5, R1, R3, R5, R6, and R7 growth stages based on colony forming units (CFU) of M. phaseolina recovered from the lower stem and root tissues and the area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC). The population density of M. phaseolina increased slowly from the V5 to R6 growth stages and then rapidly from the R6 to R7 growth stages for all genotypes in all four experiments. Yield loss due to charcoal rot ranged from 6 to 33% in irrigated environments. The extent of yield loss was affected by severity of charcoal rot, which in turn was affected by year. Yield loss due to charcoal rot was consistently measured in all paired comparisons in irrigated environments, suggesting that charcoal rot can be an important disease in irrigated environments. Disease severity based on CFU accounted for more yield loss variation (42%) than did the AUDPC (36%) when used to assess disease. Growth stage R7 was found to be the optimum stage for assessing disease using CFU. In addition, screening soybean genotypes under irrigation environment may have utility in breeding programs where there is a need for evaluating soybean genotypes for both disease resistance and yield. Charcoal rot of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.), caused by Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid., is a disease of economic
Stimulant and atypical antipsychotic medications for children placed in foster homes

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to examine the use of prescribed psychoactive medications in a prospective cohort of children shortly after they entered foster homes; and to identify demographics, maltreatment history, psychiatric diagnoses including ADHD comorbidity, and level of aggression that contribute to prescribed use of stimulant and atypical antipsychotic medication over time. METHODS: The sample included N = 252 children (nested in 95 sibling groups) followed for three years up to 4 yearly waves. RESULTS: Nearly all (89%) met criteria for at least one of eight psychiatric diagnoses and 31% (75/252) used one or more prescribed psychoactive medications. Over half (55%) were diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); of these 38% used stimulants and 36% used atypical antipsychotics. Of the 75 medicated children, 19% received ≥3 different classes of drugs over the course of the study. Stimulants (69%) and atypical antipsychotics (65%) were the most frequently used drugs among medicated children. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) showed that male gender (AOR = 3.2; 95% CI = 1.5-9.3), African American vs Latino ethnicity (AOR = 5.4; 95% CI = 2.1-14.2), ADHD regardless of Oppositional Defiant (ODD) or Conduct (CD) comorbidity (AOR = 6.0, 95% CI = 1.3-27.5), ODD or CD (AOR = 11.1, 95% CI = 2.1-58.6), and Separation Anxiety (AOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.0-4.0) psychiatric disorders were associated with the use of prescribed stimulants; while male gender (AOR = 3.8, 95% CI = 1.5-9.3), African American vs Latino (AOR = 5.1, 95% CI = 1.2-9.2) or Mixed/Other ethnicity (AOR = 3.3, 95% CI = 1.9-13.7), ADHD regardless of ODD or CD comorbidity (AOR = 5.8, 95% CI = 1.2-28.7), ODD or CD (AOR = 13.9, 95% CI = 3.3-58.5), Major Depression/Dysthymia (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.1-6.7) psychiatric disorders, and history of sexual abuse (AOR = 4.6, 95% CI = 1.3-18.4) were associated with the use of prescribed atypical antipsychotics. CONCLUSION: The aggressive use of atypical antipsychotics, which has unknown metabolic risks, suggests that the efficacy and safety of such treatment strategies for psychiatrically ill children in foster care should be monitored. Language: en
Thermodynamic characteristics of brayton cycles for space power

for planetary landing missions," TR 32-231, Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, Calif. (May 1, 1962). 3 Speiser, E. W., "Performance of nuclear-electric propulsion systems in space exploration," TR 32-159, Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, Calif. (December 15, 1961). 4 Stearns, J. W., "Electric propulsion requirements for planetary and interplanetary spacecraft," TR 32-403, Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, Calif, (to be published). 5 Hayes, R. J., Hoffman, M. A., and Stuhlinger, E., "The manned electric rocket challenge," Preprint 2222-61, ARS Space Flight Report to the Nation, New York (October 1961). 6 Melbourne, W. G. and Sauer, C. G., "Optimum thrust programs for power-limited propulsion systems," TR 32-118, Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, Calif. (June 15, 1961). 7 Volkoff, J. J., "Protection requirements for the resistance of meteorite penetration of interplanetary spacecraft systems," TR 32-410, Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, Calif, (to be published). 8 Davis, J. P., "A nuclear reactor concept for electric propulsion application," TR 32-385, Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, Calif. (March 4, 1963).
Quality of Life in Obese Youth With and Without Sleep Problems

This study compared quality of life (QOL) and psychosocial functioning of youth who are overweight and obese, with and without sleep troubles. A total of 80 youth (8-17 years) and their parents completed questionnaires assessing child QOL, psychosocial functioning, and sleep during an outpatient Obesity Clinic appointment. Twenty-nine percent of children reported sleep troubles. Youth with sleep troubles reported lower QOL and more internalizing problems than youth without sleep troubles. Longitudinal research with repeated measurement and use of validated measures of sleep is warranted. These preliminary data suggest improved sleep may help increase behavioral and psychosocial functioning in obese youth.
Genetic and biochemical studies of distinct sulfate permease species in different developmental stages of Neurospora crassa

Abstract The uptake of inorganic sulfate in Neurospora crassa occurs by a transport system that is energy-dependent, highly temperature-dependent, and under a complex system of controls. Sulfate transport is repressed during growth on medium replete with methionine, but neither methionine nor other end products of the pathway are external inhibitors of the transport process. Two separate sulfate-transport systems, encoded by unlinked genes, predominate in different stages of the life cycle. Permease I, which has a relatively high K m for sulfate, is present in conidia while sulfate permease II replaces the earlier species when outgrowth into the mycelial phase occurs. Mutants that individually lack either of the permease systems can still transport sulfate to some extent and grow at a wild-type rate on minimal medium. Mutant strains lacking both sulfate-transport systems are unable to utilize inorganic sulfate and completely fail to transport this anion, but otherwise appear to have an intact assimilatory pathway for sulfate. Evidence is given that the first enzyme of the pathway, ATP-sulfurylase, is not controlled in a manner like the sulfate permeases.
Magnesium ingestion and bone magnesium concentration in paleodietary reconstruction: cautionary evidence from an animal model

Abstract Elemental analysis of archaeological bone has been used in attempts to reconstruct aspects of paleodiet. For magnesium, however, the results have been disappointing, perhaps because the underlying assumption that bone concentration directly reflects dietary intake is not valid. Cortical bone samples from two groups of swine raised on diets that were identical except for magnesium content were analysed for magnesium. Mean bone magnesium concentration was slightly, but not significantly, higher in the magnesium supplemented group. It is suggested that typical human dietary differences would not be detected by differences in bone magnesium concentration.
Statistical adaptive modulation with TCOI-Tx

If a channel fades fast and the feedback rate of a wireless communication system is low, exploiting long-term channel statistics at the transmitter is more often practical than exploiting instantaneous channel state information. Statistical adaptive modulation scheme based on tap correlation information at the transmitter assuming an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system with fast mobiles has been proposed. The proposed scheme improves the system performance compared with uniform bit loading scheme. It has been shown that at low SNR, statistical adaptive modulation applied to a channel with high tap correlation results in better performance than that applied to a channel without tap correlation.
Do part-time/full-time compensation differentials for nurses vary between the private and public sector?

This study examines whether, compared to their private sector counterparts, public sector health care employers are at a disadvantage using part-time (PT) nurses to lower labour costs. Findings reveal a lack of a PT wage differential. Public and Private sector PT nurses are less likely to receive health care and pension coverage compared with full-time (FT) nurses. Yet, these PT/FT nonwage compensation coverage differentials do not vary across sectors. The nonwage findings are interpreted as suggesting that public sector health care employers are just as likely as private sector health care employers to benefit from cost savings associated with lower nonwage coverage for PT nurses.
Effects of estradiol and prolactin on incertohypothalamic dopaminergic neurons in the male rat.

Abstract The activity of incertohypothalamic, tuberoinfundibular, mesolimbic and nigrostriatal dopamine (DA) neurons was estimated by measuring the rate of turnover of DA (decline of DA after α-methyltyrosine) in brain regions containing the cell bodies and terminals of these neurons. Estradiol benzoate (25 μg/kg/day × 3; s.c.), markedly increased the concentration of prolactin in plasma and increased the rate of turnover of DA in median eminence, but failed to alter DA neuronal activity in the striatum or nucleus accumbens. An intracerebroventricular injection of prolactin (10 μg/rat, 12 h) mimicked the effect of estradiol on the turnover of DA in the median eminence. Within the incertohypothalamic DA system, both estradiol and prolactin increased DA turnover in the dorsomedial nucleus but decreased DA turnover in the rostral periventricular, medial preoptic and preoptico-suprachiasmatic nuclei. Hypophysectomy decreased the tonic activity of tuberoinfundibular DA neurons, but failed to alter the activity of incertohypothalamic DA neurons. The stimulatory effects of estrogen on DA turnover in the median eminence and dorsomedial nucleus, and the inhibitory effects of this hormone on rostral hypothalamus DA neurons were blocked by hypophysectomy. Taken together these results suggest that estradiol-induced changes in intact male rats are mediated by prolactin. Estradiol increased incertohypothalamic DA neuronal activity in the medial preoptic and preoptic-suprachiasmatic nuclei of hypophysectomized rats suggesting that in the absence of circulating prolactin, estradiol has a direct stimulatory effect on incertohypothalamic DA neurons in the rostral, periventricular hypothalamus. Thus, while incertohypothalamic DA neurons resemble the major ascending extrahypothalamic DA neurons in their responsiveness to DA agonists and antagonists, they differ from the mesolimbic and nigrostriatal DA neurons in that they are also responsive to estrogen and prolactin, and in this regard resemble tuberoinfundibular DA neurons.
Error Analysis of the TempEval Temporal Relation Identification Task

The task to classify a temporal relation between temporal entities has proven to be difficult with unsatisfactory results of previous research. In TempEval07 that was a first attempt to standardize the task, six teams competed with each other for three simple relationidentification tasks and their results were comparably poor. In this paper we provide an analysis of the TempEval07 competition results, identifying aspects of the tasks which presented the systems with particular challenges and those that were accomplished with relative ease.
Symbolic representation of three-dimensional objects to aid local and global shape analysis for defect prediction of casting design

Part descriptions of a 3-D computer-aided design model are in a form of basic geometry and topology to which manufacturing process and engineering analysis cannot be directly applied. A formalism for symbolic representation of a three-dimensional pattern model is presented to aid local and global shape analysis of casting design. Local shape analysis is carried out based on symbolic representation and global shape analysis is performed by analyzing the extracted skeleton from a discretized object.
Reasons for Mother–Infant Bed-Sharing: A Systematic Narrative Synthesis of the Literature and Implications for Future Research

Mother-infant bed-sharing has been a common practice for centuries. Understanding the reasons parents choose to bed-share can help tailor safe sleep education. The purpose of this article was to systematically review the international literature on: (1) reasons parents bed-share, (2) the cultural context of bed-sharing, and (3) implications for interventions and future research. The search occurred August-September 2013 via PubMed, CINAHL, and Psyc INFO using the terms: "infant," "sleep," "bed shar*," "co sleep*," "sleep location," "sleep practices," and "sleep arrangements," alone or in combination. Google Scholar was searched using: "bed share," "bed sharing," "co sleep," and "co sleeping." Inclusion criteria were: (1) referenced bed-sharing with infants 12 months or younger; (2) provided reasons for bed-sharing; and (3) published between 1990 and 2013. Studies were excluded if they focused on disorders such as epilepsy, breathing disorders, or among multi-gestational infants. Narrative synthesis was used to summarize findings. Thirty-four studies met inclusion criteria. The main themes around bed-sharing based on this synthesis included: (1) breastfeeding, (2) comforting, (3) better/more sleep, (4) monitoring, (5) bonding/attachment, (6) environmental, (7) crying, (8) tradition, (9) disagree with danger, and (10) maternal instinct. Findings suggest that future research should examine parents' decision-making process on infant sleep location, including how they weigh personal reasons and sources of advice. Public health interventions should incorporate the particular reasons of the population they are targeting. Clinicians should discuss infant sleep environment with each family, along with their motivations for choosing this environment, and work within that framework to address the safety of the sleep environment.
Simultaneous bilateral magnetic resonance imaging of the femoral arteries in peripheral arterial disease patients.

Purpose: To image the femoral arteries in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) patients using a bilateral receive coil. Materials and Methods: An eight-channel surface coil array for bilateral MRI of the femoral arteries at 3T was constructed and evaluated. Results: The bilateral array enabled imaging of a 25-cm segment of the superficial femoral arteries (SFA) from the profunda to the popliteal. The array provided improved the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) at the periphery and similar SNR in the middle of a phantom compared to three other commercially available coils (4-channel torso, quadrature head, whole body). Multicontrast bilateral images of the in vivo SFA with 1 mm in-plane resolution made it possible to directly compare lesions in the index SFA to the corresponding anatomical site in the contralateral vessel without repositioning the patient or coil. A set of bilateral time-of-flight, T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and proton density-weighted images was acquired in a clinically acceptable exam time of ≈45 minutes. Conclusion: The developed bilateral coil is well suited for monitoring dimensional changes in atherosclerotic lesions of the SFA. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2011;. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Induction of apoptosis and potentiation of ceramide-mediated cytotoxicity by sphingoid bases in human myeloid leukemia cells

Prior studies demonstrated that ceramide promotes apoptotic cell death in the human myeloid leukemia cell lines HL-60 and U937 (Jarvis, W. D., Kolesnick, R. N., Fornari, F. A., Jr., Traylor, R. S., Gewirtz, D. A., and Grant, S. (1994) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 91, 73-77), and that this lethal process is potently suppressed by diglyceride (Jarvis, W. D., Fornari, F. A., Jr., Browning, J. L., Gewirtz, D. A., Kolesnick, R. N., and Grant, S. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 31685-31692). The present findings document the intrinsic ability of sphingoid bases to induce apoptosis in HL-60 and U937 cells. Exposure to either sphingosine or sphinganine (0. 001 10 microM) for 6 h promoted apoptotic degradation of genomic DNA as indicated by (a) electrophoretic resolution of 50-kilobase pair DNA loop fragments and 0.2-1.2-kilobase pair DNA fragment ladders on agarose gels, and (b) spectrofluorophotometric determination of the formation and release of double-stranded fragments and corresponding loss of integrity of bulk DNA. DNA damage correlated directly with reduced cloning efficiency and was associated with the appearance of apoptotic cytoarchitectural traits. At sublethal concentrations (</=750 nM), however, sphingoid bases synergistically augmented the apoptotic capacity of ceramide (10 microM), producing both a leftward shift in the ceramide concentration-response profile and a pronounced increase in the response to maximally effective levels of ceramide. Thus, sphingosine and sphinganine increased both the potency and efficacy of ceramide. The apoptotic capacity of bacterial sphingomyelinase (50 milliunits/ml) was similarly enhanced by either (a) acute co-exposure to highly selective pharmacological inhibitors of protein kinase C such as calphostin C and chelerythrine or (b) chronic pre-exposure to the non-tumor-promoting protein kinase C activator bryostatin 1, which completely down-modulated total assayable protein kinase C activity. These findings demonstrate that inhibition of protein kinase C by physiological or pharmacological agents potentiates the lethal actions of ceramide in human leukemia cells, providing further support for the emerging concept of a cytoprotective function of the protein kinase C isoenzyme family in the regulation of leukemic cell survival.
Serial evaluations at an indium-tin oxide production facility

Background We evaluated the effectiveness of workplace changes to prevent indium lung disease, using 2002–2010 surveillance data collected by an indium-tin oxide production facility. Methods We assessed pulmonary function using lower limits of normal. Blood indium concentration and personal air sampling data were used to estimate exposure. Results Abnormalities were uncommon at hire. After hire, prevalence of spirometric restriction was 31% (n = 14/45), about fourfold higher than expected. Excessive decline in FEV1 was elevated at 29% (n = 12/41). Half (n = 21/42) had blood indium ≥5 µg/l. More recent hires had fewer abnormalities. There was a suggestion that abnormalities were more common among workers with blood indium ≥5 µg/l, but otherwise an exposure-response relationship was not evident. Peak dust concentrations were obscured by time averaging. Conclusions Evolving lung function abnormalities consistent with subclinical indium lung disease appeared common and merit systematic investigation. Traditional measures of exposure and response were not illustrative, suggesting fresh approaches will be needed. Workplace changes seemed to have had a positive though incomplete impact; novel preventive interventions are warranted. Am. J. Ind. Med. 56:300–307, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Readiness and the optimal redeployment of resources

Abstract : The paper considers the problem of the optimal redeployment of a resource among different geographical locations.
Characterization of creep-fatigue crack growth behavior under trapezoidal waveshape using C t -parameter

An experimental study of creep-fatigue crack growth behavior of 1.25Cr-0.5Mo steel at 538°C (1000°F) under trapezoidal loading waveshapes has been carried out on compact type specimens. In creep-fatigue crack growth experiments, hold times ranged from 0 seconds to 24 hours with intermediate conditions of 10 seconds, 98 seconds, 10 minutes and 15 minutes. Time-dependent crack growth rate during the hold period, (da/dt)avg, is correlated with (C t )avg. The values of (C t )avg are estimated using the equation recently proposed for elastic-cyclic plastic-secondary creeping (EL-CPL-SC) materials. The (da/dt)avg vs. (C t )avg data fall on a single trend which matches with the trend of da/dt vs. C t creep crack growth data for the same material. A model is proposed for predicting both the creep crack growth behavior and the creep-fatigue crack growth behavior. The model is suitable for assessing the residual life and/or the safe inspection intervals of high-temperature components such as steam headers. Transition of crack tip damage patterns from oxidation to creep cavitation across the range of hold times examined is also discussed.
Co-creation of experiential qualities

Cognitive sciences have been interminably in search for a consistent philosophical framework for the description of perceptual phenomena. Most of the frameworks in usage today fall in-between the extremes of constructivism and objective realism. However, whereas constructivist cognitive theories face difficulties when attempting to explain the experiential commonality of different cognitive entities, objectivistic theories fail in explaining the active role of the subject in the formation of experiences. This paper undertakes to compare and eventually combine these two major approaches to describing cognitive phenomena. It is argued that constructivist explanations inevitably refer to a ‘hidden’ ontological source of experience, and that a compromise between the constructivist and realistic standpoints presents a natural basis for understanding cognitive phenomena. A view of all experiences as co-created through an interplay between a constructivist creativity and a realistic source of perceptual stimuli is proposed. A middle ground between the hardly compatible constructivist and objectivistic approaches to experiential realities is proposed from the standpoint of experiential co-creation. Traditionally divided, idealistic and realistic philosophical stances may thus become merged into a single consistent epistemological framework. Many favorable cognitive and psychosomatic consequences may arise from acknowledging the balance between ‘inner’ and ‘outer’ creativity proposed by the co-creational thesis.
Nonviral gene delivery with indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase targeting pulmonary endothelium protects against ischemia-reperfusion injury

Pulmonary endothelial dysfunction induced by inflammation and inflammation-associated reactive oxygen species is a central component in the pathophysiology of lung transplant ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury. Indoleamine-2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) is a unique cytosolic enzyme possessing both immune modulating and antioxidant properties. This study investigated whether enhanced pulmonary endothelial IDO activity by a targeted nonviral gene transfer approach ameliorates lung IR injury. Orthotopic syngeneic lung transplants were performed in Lewis rats. A human IDO (hIDO)-expressing plasmid driven by an endothelial cell-specific endothelin-1 promoter was generated and intravenously delivered to donor lung using cationic polymer polyethylenimine. This nonviral gene transfer approach augmented hIDO expression specifically in endothelial cells within lung grafts. Importantly, enhanced IDO activity induced by the hIDO transgene prevented endothelial cell apoptosis, reduced vascular permeability and leukocyte extravasation, and consequently improved graft function and histologic appearance. Furthermore, our in vitro studies showed that increased IDO activity in endothelial cells protected its mitochondrial function and ultrastructure from oxidative stress through stabilization of intracellular redox status. The approach used in these experiments has properties that could eliminate the inherent side effects associated with viral vectors and/or antibody-directed targeted therapy, and thus may represent a potential therapeutic strategy against lung IR injury in patients.
Effect of Silicon Oxidation on Long-Term Cell Selectivity of Cell-Patterned Au/SiO2 Platforms

Cellular patterning on silicon platforms is the basis for development of integrated cell-based biosensing devices, for which long-term cell selectivity and biostability remain a major challenge. We report the development of a silicon-based platform in a metal-insulator format capable of producing uniform and biostable cell patterns with long-term cell selectivity. Substrates patterned with arrays of gold electrodes were surface-engineered such that the electrodes were activated with fibronectin to mediate cell attachment and the silicon oxide background was passivated with PEG to resist protein adsorption and cell adhesion. Three types of oxide surfaces, i.e., native oxide, dry thermally grown oxide, and wet thermally grown oxide, were produced to illustrate the effect of oxide state of the surface on long-term cell selectivity. Results indicated that the cell selectivity over time differed dramatically among three patterned platforms and the best cell selectivity was found on the dry oxide surface for up to 10 days. Surface analysis results suggested that this enhancement in cell selectivity may be related to the presence of additional, more active oxide states on the dry oxide surface supporting the stability of PEG films and effectively suppressing the cell adhesion. This research offers a new strategy for development of stable and uniform cell-patterned surfaces, which is versatile for immobilization of silane-based chemicals for preparation of biostable interfaces.
Studies of anterior pituitary-grafted rats: II. Normal growth hormone secretion.

Abstract Of the various animal models used to study chronic hyperprolactinemia, the otherwise intact rat implanted with extra anterior pituitary glands (AP) under the kidney capsule is assumed to be normal except for excess circulating prolactin (PRL). Since the ectopic glands contain numerous somatotropes in addition to abundant and active lactotropes, it was important to assess growth hormone (GH) secretion as well in this model of hyperprolactinemia. The structural and functional similarities of PRL and GH are such that it is necessary to demonstrate that metabolic abnormalities noted in AP-implanted rats are due to hyperprolactinemia and not to altered GH secretion. AP-implanted female rats have significantly higher resting serum PRL concentrations when compared to sham-operated control rats, but baseline serum GH levels are similar in normal and pituitary-grafted rats. Suppression of GH by insulin and clonidine is comparable in AP-implanted and control rats. The intrasellar pituitary GH concentration is also similar (ca. 20 μg/mg wet weight) in hyperprolactinemic and normal rats. We conclude that GH secretion is normal in the non-hypophysectomized AP-implanted rat, in contrast to the hypophysectomized AP-implanted rat model which has been reported to have diminished GH secretion. Despite the presence of recognizable somatotropes, the ectopic anterior pituitary does not appear to secrete significant amounts of GH, making the intact rat bearing multiple pituitary grafts an excellent model of chronic hyperprolactinemia.
Definitive surgical management of antenatally diagnosed exomphalos

Abstract Background/Purpose The management of exomphalos is controversial with many centers in the United Kingdom and elsewhere advocating a conservative nonsurgical approach for the larger examples. Nevertheless, this approach is not without problems or complication. The aim of the study was to ascertain the outcome of all infants with an antenatally diagnosed exomphalos treated recently at our institution using a policy of aggressive abdominal wall closure. Methods This is a retrospective review of all infants with exomphalos treated from January 1995 to September 2002. Results There were 35 infants, all of whom underwent surgery. These were separated into 3 groups: group A (all exomphalos minor) underwent primary closure (n = 11), group B (exomphalos major) underwent primary closure (n = 13), and group C (exomphalos major) underwent staged closure involving a silo (n = 11). Infants in group C had a lower birth weight ( P = .05) and were less mature ( P = .06). They required longer periods of ventilation ( P P = .001), and a longer period to achieve full enteral feeds ( P Conclusions An aggressive surgical approach in infants with exomphalos is a safe option resulting in effective abdominal wall closure. This requires a skilled multidisciplinary approach and possibly greater resources than other options.
Real refractive indices of α- and β-pinene and toluene secondary organic aerosols generated from ozonolysis and photo-oxidation

[1] The refractive index is the fundamental property controlling aerosol optical properties. Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) real refractive indices (mr) were derived from polar nephelometer measurements using parallel and perpendicular polarized 670 nm light, using a genetic algorithm method with Mie-Lorenz scattering theory and measured particle size distributions. The absolute error associated with the mr retrieval is ±0.03, and the instrument has sufficient sensitivity to achieve reliable retrievals for particles larger than about 200 nm. SOA generated by oxidizing α-pinene, β-pinene, and toluene with ozone and NOx/sunlight are explored. Retrieved refractive indices for the SOA vary between 1.38 and 1.61, depending on several factors. For α- and β-pinene ozonolysis, SOA mr ranges from 1.4 to 1.5 and, within the resolution of our method and bounds of our experiments, is not affected by the addition of an OH scavenger, and is only slightly dependent on the aerosol mass concentration. For photochemically generated SOA, mr generally increases as experiments progress, ranging from about 1.4 to 1.53 for α-pinene, 1.38 to 1.53 for β-pinene, and 1.4 to 1.6 for toluene. The pinene SOA mr appear to decrease somewhat toward the end of the experiments. Aspects of the data suggest aerosol mass concentration, oxidation chemistry, temperature, and aerosol aging may all influence the refractive index. There is more work to be done before recommendations can be made for atmospheric applications, but our calculations of the resulting asymmetry parameter indicate that a single value for SOA refractive index will not be sufficient to accurately model radiative transfer.
Prophylactic therapy of retinal breaks

Prophylaxis of selected retinal breaks is effective in preventing detachment. Most retinal breaks, however, will not cause detachment and can be safely followed without treatment. This paper reviews the evidence for and against prophylactic treatment of commonly encountered retinal breaks in an effort to arrive at typological guidelines for treatment. Education of patients with high risk of detachment is probably of equal value to cryotherapy or photocoagulation in preserving visual acuity.
Can Xun Zi’s Proposition on “Establishing Ritual Practices in Accord with Qing” Be Validated?*

AbstractWang Guowei expressed doubts about Xun Zi’s proposition on “establishing ritual practices in accord with qing,” arguing that it was in direct conflict with the philosopher’s famous thesis that “human natural tendency is evil.” The word qing (情) has several connotations in the Xunzi: it may refer to factual truth (实情), sincerity (诚实) or emotions (情感). Readers of the Xunzi tend to view the emotional connotation of qing in a negative light, but in actuality qing as human emotions can also be understood in a commendatory or neutral sense in the Xunzi. I argue that Xun Zi’s proposition on “establishing ritual practices in accord with qing” can only be consistent with his view that “human natural tendency is evil” when qing is used in the neutral sense. In other words, “establishing ritual practices in accord with qing” means to establish, on the basis of actual circumstances, ritual practices and rules that adequately satisfy people’s normal feelings. Xun Zi’s propositionon “establishing ritual practic...
Homologous Genomic Fragments in the Mouse Pre-T Cell Receptor α (pTa) and Xist Loci ☆

Abstract We recently characterized a genomic region located upstream of the mouse pre-T cell receptor α ( pTa ) gene, which controls pTa expression in pre-T cells. We now report an unexpected homology between this region and a region in the mouse X chromosome inactivation center between the 3′ end of the Xist gene and the start of an antisense transcript Tsix. The homology is extended over 4 kb of genomic sequence split by an expanded repeat region and is observed only in the mouse, not in the rat. Despite high sequence similarity to the pTa transcriptional enhancer, the homologous X chromosome fragment appears to have lost its enhancer activity. These data underscore the complex organization of the mouse genome and, in particular, of the X chromosome inactivation center.
Calibration and Downscaling Methods for Quantitative Ensemble Precipitation Forecasts

Abstract Two approaches for downscaling and calibrating error estimates from ensemble precipitation forecasts are evaluated; the two methods are intended to be used to produce flood forecasts based on global weather forecasts in ungauged river basins. The focus of this study is on the ability of the approaches to reproduce observed forecast errors when applied to daily precipitation forecasts from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) for a 10-day forecast period. The two approaches are bias correction with spatial disaggregation (BCSD) and an analog technique. Mean forecast errors and skills are evaluated with respect to Tropical Rainfall Monitoring Mission (TRMM) observations over the Ohio River basin for the period 2002–06 for daily and 5-day accumulations and for 0.25° and 1° spatial resolutions. The Ohio River basin was chosen so that a relatively dense gauge-based observed precipitation dataset could also be used in the evaluation of the two ...
Identification and Analysis of Signaling Networks Potentially Involved in Breast Carcinoma Metastasis to the Brain

Brain is a common site of breast cancer metastasis associated with significant neurologic morbidity, decreased quality of life, and greatly shortened survival. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underpinning brain colonization by breast carcinoma cells are poorly understood. Here, we used 2D-DIGE (Difference in Gel Electrophoresis) proteomic analysis followed by LC-tandem mass spectrometry to identify the proteins differentially expressed in brain-targeting breast carcinoma cells (MB231-Br) compared with parental MDA-MB-231 cell line. Between the two cell lines, we identified 12 proteins consistently exhibiting greater than 2-fold (p<0.05) difference in expression, which were associated by the Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) with two major signaling networks involving TNFα/TGFβ-, NFκB-, HSP-70-, TP53-, and IFNγ-associated pathways. Remarkably, highly related networks were revealed by the IPA analysis of a list of 19 brain-metastasis-associated proteins identified recently by the group of Dr. A. Sierra using MDA-MB-435-based experimental system (Martin et al., J Proteome Res 2008 7:908–20), or a 17-gene classifier associated with breast cancer brain relapse reported by the group of Dr. J. Massague based on a microarray analysis of clinically annotated breast tumors from 368 patients (Bos et al., Nature 2009 459: 1005–9). These findings, showing that different experimental systems and approaches (2D-DIGE proteomics used on brain targeting cell lines or gene expression analysis of patient samples with documented brain relapse) yield highly related signaling networks, suggest strongly that these signaling networks could be essential for a successful colonization of the brain by metastatic breast carcinoma cells.
Macroeconomics: An Introduction to the Non-Walrasian Approach

Macroeconomics: An Introduction to the Non-Walrasian Approach provides the approach to macroeconomic theory based on the non-Walrasian method. This book presents the microeconomic concepts that can be applied in a simple and relevant manner to the fundamental topics of macroeconomic theory. Organized into five parts encompassing 14 chapters, this book begins with an overview of the fundamental concepts, describing the functioning of nonclearing markets, the role of expectations, the setting of prices by decentralized agents, and the derivation of optimal demand and supplies. This text then studies various non-Walrasian equilibrium concepts. Other chapters compare the classical and Keynesian theories of unemployment in the framework of a model. This book discusses as well the asymmetric price flexibility into the basic model. The final chapter deals with a dynamic model with explicit expectations, which allows a comparison of the employment effects of various expectations schemes and their realism. This book is a valuable resource for economists.
Stability of children’s insurance coverage and implications for access to care: evidence from the Survey of Income and Program Participation

Even as the number of children with health insurance has increased, coverage transitions—movement into and out of coverage and between public and private insurance—have become more common. Using data from 1996 to 2005, we examine whether insurance instability has implications for access to primary care. Because unobserved factors related to parental behavior and child health may affect both the stability of coverage and utilization, we estimate the relationship between insurance and the probability that a child has at least one physician visit per year using a model that includes child fixed effects to account for unobserved heterogeneity. Although we find that unobserved heterogeneity is an important factor influencing cross-sectional correlations, conditioning on child fixed effects we find a statistically and economically significant relationship between insurance coverage stability and access to care. Children who have part-year public or private insurance are more likely to have at least one doctor’s visit than children who are uninsured for a full year, but less likely than children with full-year coverage. We find comparable effects for public and private insurance. Although cross-sectional analyses suggest that transitions directly between public and private insurance are associated with lower rates of utilization, the evidence of such an effect is much weaker when we condition on child fixed effects.
Performance audits and laboratory comparisons for SCOS97-NARSTO measurements of speciated volatile organic compounds

Abstract Performance audits and laboratory comparisons were conducted as part of the quality assurance program for the 1997 Southern California Ozone Study (SCOS97-NARSTO) to document potential measurement biases among laboratories measuring speciated nonmethane hydrocarbons (NMHC), carbonyl compounds, halogenated compounds, and biogenic hydrocarbons. The results show that measurements of volatile organic compounds (VOC) made during SCOS97-NARSTO are generally consistent with specified data quality objectives. The hydrocarbon comparison involved nine laboratories and consisted of two sets of collocated ambient samples. The coefficients of variation among laboratories for the sum of the 55 PAM target compounds and total NMHC ranged from ±5 to 15 percent for ambient samples from Los Angeles and Azusa. Abundant hydrocarbons are consistently identified by all laboratories, but discrepancies occur for olefins greater than C 4 and for hydrocarbons greater than C 8 . Laboratory comparisons for halogenated compounds and biogenic hydrocarbons consisted of both concurrent ambient sampling by different laboratories and round-robin analysis of ambient samples. The coefficients of variation among participating laboratories were about 10–20 percent. Performance audits were conducted for measurement of carbonyl compounds involving sampling from a standard mixture of carbonyl compounds. The values reported by most of the laboratories were within 10–20 percent of those of the reference laboratory. Results of field measurement comparisons showed larger variations among the laboratories ranging from 20 to 40 percent for C 1 –C 3 carbonyl compounds. The greater variations observed in the field measurement comparison may reflect potential sampling artifacts, which the performance audits did not address.
Menstrual and reproductive factors in relation to mammographic density : the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN)

Menstrual and reproductive factors may increase breast cancer risk through a pathway that includes increased mammographic density. We assessed whether known or suspected menstrual and reproductive breast cancer risk factors were cross-sectionally associated with mammographic density, by measuring area of radiographic density and total breast area on mammograms from 801 participants in the Study of Women’s Health Across the Nation (SWAN), a multi-ethnic cohort of pre- and early perimenopausal women. From multivariable linear regression, the following menstrual or reproductive factors were independently associated with percent mammographic density (area of dense breast/breast area): older age at menarche (β = 10.3, P 13 vs. <12 years), premenstrual cravings and bloating (β = −3.36, P = 0.02), younger age at first full-term birth (β = −8.12, P < 0.01 for ≤23 years versus no births), greater number of births (β = −6.80, P < 0.01 for ≥3 births versus no births), and premenopausal status (β = 3.78, P < 0.01 versus early perimenopausal). Only number of births remained associated with percent density after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, study site, body mass index (BMI), and smoking. In addition, stratified analyses revealed that the association with number of births was confined to women within the lowest BMI tertile (β = −12.2, P < 0.01 for ≥3 births versus no births). Our data support a mechanism for parity and breast cancer that involves mammographic density among pre- and early perimenopausal women that may be modified by body size.
Ultrasonography and Electrodiagnosis: Are They Complementary Techniques?

In this review, the role of high-resolution ultrasound in the diagnosis of neuromuscular disease as a tool complementary to electrodiagnostic techniques will be discussed, including indications, advantages, limitations, and potential for future research. Ultrasound-guided needle placement can be used to increase accuracy and safety of nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography. Ultrasound imaging of nerve and muscle can provide additional diagnostic information when performed in conjunction with nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography in the setting of nerve entrapment, nerve inflammation, and muscle disease. Its unique features include the ability to image structures dynamically in real time and the technique of sonopalpation. Because neuromuscular ultrasound is a rapidly evolving diagnostic tool with significant changes in technology, which facilitates its increased use, there is a steadily growing body of literature in this area. However, there remains an ongoing need for high-quality studies that evaluate the role and cost-effectiveness of neuromuscular ultrasound, both when used alone and in combination with electrodiagnosis.
INORGANIC FOULING AT QUARTZ:WATER INTERFACES IN ULTRAVIOLET PHOTOREACTORS—II. TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL DISTRIBUTIONS

The second paper of this series has been developed to present the results of a study of the temporal and spatial distributions of fouling materials at quartz-water interfaces in UV photoreactors. Fouling processes were monitored using in situ UV intensity measurements to determine the decrease in optical transmission through quartz jackets during the experiments; chemical analysis of fouling ma- terials and eCuents was used to characterize the temporal/spatial distributions of fouling materials. Temporal analyses of fouling materials indicated that fouling was a zero-order process following an in- duction period. Fouling reactions were found to be capable of causing substantial (ca. 50%) reductions in local UV intensity within the irradiated zone over a period of 1-28 days, depending on site-specific water characteristics and operating conditions. Increasing accumulation of fouling materials in the longitudinal direction and the observation of zero-order fouling kinetics supported the hypothesis that thermally-induced (co)precipitation plays an important role in the accumulation of fouling materials. A second mechanism, impaction of preexisting particles and quartz surfaces, resulted in heterogeneity in spatial accumulation around quartz jackets. Time-course UV intensity measurements indicated that iron and aluminum-based treatments (e.g. for phosphorous removal) accelerated fouling processes sub- stantially. Fluid shear also played a role in inorganic fouling in that it influenced the agglomeration of colloidal particles. In the absence of radiation from the lamps, lamp jackets were found to foul quickly with organic materials. As compared with inorganic fouling materials, the organic constituents were found to be loosely held to the quartz surface. Illumination of UV lamps was found to rapidly diminish organic accumulation and promote inorganic fouling. # 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved Key words—disinfection, inorganic fouling, inverted solubility, quartz, temporal/spatial distributions, thermally-induced precipitation, ultraviolet, wastewater
Time to Invasive Airway Placement and Resuscitation Outcomes After Inhospital Cardiopulmonary Arrest

Abstract Background Clinicians often place high priority on invasive airway placement during cardiopulmonary resuscitation. The benefit of early vs. later invasive airway placement remains unknown. In this study we examined the association between time to invasive airway (TTIA) placement and patient outcomes after inhospital cardiopulmonary arrest (CPA). Methods We analyzed data from the National Registry of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (NRCPR). We included hospitalized adult patients receiving attempted invasive airway placement (endotracheal intubation, laryngeal mask airway, tracheostomy, and cricothyrotomy) after the onset of CPA. We excluded cases in which airway insertion was attempted after return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). We defined TTIA as the elapsed time from CPA recognition to accomplishment of an invasive airway. The primary outcomes were ROSC, 24-h survival, and survival to hospital discharge. We used multivariable logistic regression to evaluate the association between the patient outcome and early ( Results Of 82,649 CPA events, we studied the 25,006 cases in which TTIA was recorded and the inclusion criteria were met. Observations were most commonly excluded for not having an invasive airway emergently placed during resuscitation. The mean time to invasive airway placement was 5.9min (95% CI: 5.8–6.0). Patient outcomes were: ROSC 50.3% (49.7–51.0%), 24-h survival 33.7% (33.1–34.3%), survival to discharge 15.3% (14.9–15.8%). Early TTIA was not associated with ROSC (adjusted OR: 0.96, 0.91–1.01) but was associated with better odds of 24-h survival (adjusted OR: 0.94, 0.89–0.99). The relationships between TTIA and survival to discharge could not be determined. Conclusions Early invasive airway insertion was not associated with ROSC but was associated with slightly improved 24-h survival. Early invasive airway management may or may not improve inhospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcomes.