cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Orthomolecular therapy: its history and applicability to psychiatric disorders.

Orthomolecular therapy has had much support and much opposition, and yet there remain a number of professionals and parents who continue the quest for its effective application in the amelioration of psychiatric disorders. The popular press has again been the forum for heated debate between those who debunk its possibilities and those who attest to its operative use. Because the parents of mentally retarded and mentally ill children are particularly vulnerable to the raising or dashing of their hopes against claims being made either way, this paper provides an overview and history of orthomolecular therapy, its application to both mental illness and mental retardation, as well as toxicity considerations relative to megavitamin treatment, in the hope that such information will provide mental health professionals with concise an swers to the challenging questions currently being asked by their patients.
The mean magnetic field of the Sun: observations at Stanford.

A solar telescope has been built at Stanford University to study the organization and evolution of large-scale solar magnetic fields and velocities. The observations are made using a Babcock-type magnetograph which is connected to a 22.9 m vertical Littrow spectrograph. Sun-as-a-star integrated light measurements of the mean solar magnetic field have been made daily since May 1975. The typical mean field magnitude has been about 0.15 G with typical measurement error less than 0.05 G. The mean field polarity pattern is essentially identical to the interplanetary magnetic field sector structure (see near the Earth with a 4 day lag). The differences in the observed structures can be understood in terms of a ‘warped current sheet’ model.
Some comments on passive microwave measurement of rain

It is argued that because microwave radiation interacts much more strongly with hydrometeors than with cloud particles, microwave measurements from space offer a significant chance of making global precipitation estimates. Over oceans, passive microwave measurements are essentially attenuation measurements that can be very closely related to the rain rate independently of the details of the drop-size distribution. Over land, scattering of microwave radiation by the hydrometeors, especially in the ice phase, can be used to estimate rainfall. In scattering, the details of the drop-size distribution are very important and it is therefore more difficult to achieve a high degree of accuracy. The SSM/I (Special Sensor Microwave Imager), a passive microwave imaging sensor that will be launched soon, will have dual-polarized channels at 85.5 GHz that will be very sensitive to scattering by frozen hydrometeors. Other sensors being considered for the future space missions would extend the ability to estimate rain rates from space. The ideal spaceborne precipitation-measurement system would use the complementary strengths of passive microwave, radar, and visible/infrared measurements.
EFFECT OF ULTRAMICROELECTRODE ARRAY STRUCTURE AND ANALYTE PROPERTIES ON THE DETECTOR RESPONSE IN FLOW-INJECTION ANALYSIS

Abstract A tetrathiafulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethane (TTF-TCNQ) microarray electrode was tested as a surface for amperometric electrochemical detection of simple biomolecules in a flow cell. The behavior of this electrode was compared with that of other arrays, glassy carbon polished with alumina and electrochemically pretreated glassy carbon. Hydroquinone, dopamine and ascorbic acid were selected as test probes. The results show that the fraction of active electrode area and the kinetics of the analytes determine the analytical sensitivity. Under flow-injection conditions the dependence of analyte response on flow-rate does not follow theoretical predictions. In the presence of a liquid chromatographic column a different (and very small) dependence on flow-rate is observed, which is consistent with the predictions for microarray detectors.
Psychosocial Debriefing After Operation Desert Storm: Marital and Family Assessment and Intervention

This article provides an overview of and initial empirical findings from a preventive clinical/educational model for psychosocial assessment and intervention with the families of Operation Desert Storm (ODS) veterans. Interview and questionnaire data were obtained (a) 2–6 months after demobilization from ODS from veteran/veteran or veteran/civilian spouse couples who received conjoint time-limited therapy and veterans from the same Reserve and National Guard Units who received one-to-one time-limited therapy and (b) 12–15 months after demobilization from veterans deployed during ODS with the same military units. Principal findings are as follows: (1) the trauma and strain of war-zone military service, family separation, and subsequent family and community readjustment take a toll on a significant minority of ODS veterans and their families that is directly related to the stress symptomatology experienced by the veteran; and (2) with timely psychosocial intervention—based on life-span developmental and self-psychology, family systems theory, and a communitarian social integration model—veterans and families in distress are able to substantially resolve symptoms of psychosocial malfunctioning and even begin to accrue personal and systemic benefits from their ODS stressor experiences.
Alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors among individuals infected with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis 2012 to early 2013

The purpose of this meta-analytic study is to summarize the current science concerning the (a) prevalence of alcohol use, (b) prevalence of sexual risk behaviors, and (c) association between alcohol use and sexual risk behaviors among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Studies were included if they sampled PLWHA, evaluated both alcohol use and sexual risk behavior (e.g., condom use, multiple partners), and were published between January 1, 2012, and April 1, 2013. Comprehensive electronic database searches located 728 published studies with relevant keywords; 17 studies (k = 19 reports) were included. Findings indicate that a substantial proportion of PLWHA use alcohol and engage in sexual risk behaviors. Among PLWHA, alcohol use was significantly associated with unprotected sex (d + = 0.23, 95 % CI = 0.05, 0.40; k = 5). Secondary prevention programs for PLWHA that address alcohol use in the context of sexual behavior are needed.
A Rotary Mechanism for Coenzyme B12 Synthesis by Adenosyltransferase

Adenosyltransferases (ATRs) catalyze the synthesis of the reactive cobalt−carbon bond found in coenzyme B12 or 5′-deoxyadenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl), which serves as a cofactor for a number of isomera...
Multimodal estimation of user interruptibility for smart mobile telephones

Context-aware computer systems are characterized by the ability to consider user state information in their decision logic. One example application of context-aware computing is the smart mobile telephone. Ideally, a smart mobile telephone should be able to consider both social factors (i.e., known relationships between contactor and contactee) and environmental factors (i.e., the contactee's current locale and activity) when deciding how to handle an incoming request for communication.Toward providing this kind of user state information and improving the ability of the mobile phone to handle calls intelligently, we present work on inferring environmental factors from sensory data and using this information to predict user interruptibility. Specifically, we learn the structure and parameters of a user state model from continuous ambient audio and visual information from periodic still images, and attempt to associate the learned states with user-reported interruptibility levels. We report experimental results using this technique on real data, and show how such an approach can allow for adaptation to specific user preferences.
The Persistent Problem of Colorism: Skin Tone, Status, and Inequality

Colorism is a persistent problem for people of color in the USA. Colorism, or skin color stratification, is a process that privileges light-skinned people of color over dark in areas such as income, education, housing, and the marriage market. This essay describes the experiences of African Americans, Latinos, and Asian Americans with regard to skin color. Research demonstrates that light-skinned people have clear advantages in these areas, even when controlling for other background variables. However, dark-skinned people of color are typically regarded as more ethnically authentic or legitimate than light-skinned people. Colorism is directly related to the larger system of racism in the USA and around the world. The color complex is also exported around the globe, in part through US media images, and helps to sustain the multibillion-dollar skin bleaching and cosmetic surgery industries. Racial discrimination is a pervasive problem in the USA. African Americans, Latinos, Asian Americans, and other people of color are routinely denied access to resources and fair competition for jobs and schooling. Despite this pattern of exclusion, people of color have made great progress in combating persistent discrimination in housing, the labor market, and education. However, hidden within the process of racial discrimination is the often overlooked issue of colorism. Colorism is the process of discrimination that privileges light-skinned people of color over their dark-skinned counterparts (Hunter 2005). Colorism is concerned with actual skin tone, as opposed to racial or ethnic identity. This is an important distinction because race is a social concept, not significantly tied to biology (Hirschman 2004). Lighter-skinned people of color enjoy substantial privileges that are still unattainable to their darker-skinned brothers and sisters. In fact, light-skinned people earn more money, complete more years of schooling, live in better neighborhoods, and marry higher-status people than darker-skinned people of the same race or ethnicity (Arce et al. 1987; Espino and Franz 2002; Hill 2000; Hughes and Hertel 1990; Hunter 1998, 2005; Keith and Herring 1991; Murguia and Telles 1996; Rondilla and Spickard 2007).
An Accelerated Intergranular Corrosion Test for Detecting Sensitization in Low Chromium Ferritic Stainless Steels

Abstract The procedure for developing an accelerated corrosion test which would aid in assessing the sensitization resistance of low chromium ferritic stainless steels is described. Immersion corro...
Global patterns of ectomycorrhizal introductions

Plants have often been moved across the globe with intact root systems. These roots are likely to have housed symbiotic ectomycorrhizal (EM) fungi and the movement of plants may have facilitated the introduction of EM fungi.Here, we report data compiled from a newly created database of EM fungal introductions.We estimate the magnitude of EM fungal introductions around the world and examine patterns associated with these introductions. We also use the data to develop a framework for understanding the invasion biology of EM fungi.At least 200 species of basidiomycete and ascomycete EM fungi have been moved from native ranges to novel habitats. The majority of recorded introductions are associated with Pinus or Eucalyptus plantations in the southern hemisphere. Most introduced species appear to be constrained from spreading in novel habitats and associate only with their introduced hosts. Aspects of life history, including host range, may influence the ability of EM species to establish or invade. Human-caused introductions of EM fungi are a common and global phenomenon.The mechanisms controlling EM fungi in novel habitats and potential impacts of EM fungal introductions are almost entirely unknown.
Grassmann numbers and Clifford-Jordan-Wigner representation of supersymmetry

The elementary particles of Physics are classified according to the behavior of the multi-particle states under exchange of identical particles: bosonic states are symmetric while fermionic states are antisymmetric. This manifests itself also in the commutation properties of the respective creation operators: bosonic creation operators commute while fermionic ones anticommute. It is natural therefore to study bosons using commuting entities (e.g. complex variables), whereas to describe fermions, anticommuting variables are more naturally suited. In this paper we introduce these anticommuting- and at first sight unfamiliar- variables (Grassmann numbers) and investigate their properties. In particular, we briefly discuss differential and integral calculus on Grassmann numbers. Work supported in part by DOE contracts No. DE-AC-0276-ER 03074 and 03075; NSF Grant No. DMS-8917754.
The effect of interval and number on masking with dot bursts

Bursts of dotted visual noise can interfere with the recognition of dotted alphabetic characters during the period following the presentation of the character. The magnitude of this interference is a function of both the number of dots and the interval between the character and the visual noise burst. The nature of this interaction is explored in this paper and, on the basis of the results obtained, an attempt is made to clarify current notions of the period of interaction surrounding real time visual events.
Metabolism of platelet-activating factor in the guinea-pig heart.

Platelet-activating factor (PAF; 1-alkyl-2-acetyl-glycerophosphocholine) is a biologically active phospholipid which is synthesized by a variety of blood cells and organ systems. PAF exerts many effects on the cardiovascular system including hypotension, depression of myocardial contractility and coronary constriction. The present study has examined the capacity of the guinea-pig heart to regulate the levels of exogenous PAF in two different models: isolated perfused heart and isolated ventricular myocytes. In the first model, isolated hearts were perfused with labeled PAF (10−10 m) in a recirculating manner at flow rates of 15 ml/min (normal flow perfusion; NFP) and 2 ml/min (low flow perfusion, LFP). Exogenously provided PAF appeared in the tissue in a time-dependent manner. The rate of extraction of PAF was higher during LFP than during NFP. PAF was metabolized by the heart to two major products, lyso-PAF and 1-alkyl-2-acyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (1-alkyl-2-acyl-GPC). Lyso-PAF was found primarily in the perfusion buffer while both lyso-PAF and 1-alkyl-2-acyl-GPC were detected in the tissue. No qualitative difference in the metabolic products derived from PAF catabolism was observed between hearts undergoing NFP and LFP. Acetyl hydrolase activity was detected in the perfusion fluid at both flow rates, probably accounting for the formation of lyso-PAF in the perfusate. However, perfusion fluid from LFP contained a higher acetyl hydrolase activity per μg of protein as compared to fluid from NFP. Isolated ventricular myocytes incubated with labeled PAF (3 × 10−9 m) also converted it to 1-alkyl-2-acyl-GPC. Kinetic experiments suggested that PAF was initially deacetylated to form lyso-PAF and that this intermediate was then rapidly reacylated with a fatty acyl moiety at the sn-2 position. HPLC analysis of the fatty acids inserted at the sn-2 position of 1-alkyl-2-acyl-GPC revealed that the myocytes reacylated lyso-PAF predominantly with arachidonic acid. These data indicate that the guinea-pig heart may regulate PAF levels by at least two mechanisms: (1) it may release acetyl hydrolase into the vascular compartment, particularly under low flow conditions; and (2) the ventricular myocyte has the capacity to take up PAF and catabolize it to inactive products.
A GIS-based methodology to delineate aquifer recharge areas

A GIS-based methodology to delineate risk areas for contamination of groundwater resources is presented by identifying recharge conditions to the aquifer. Identifying the recharge areas is based upon surface and subsurface geologic conditions that may control the risk of potential oil spill contaminants into the aquifer. This study uses the Chicot aquifer system in southwest Louisiana as a pilot study area. The state geologic map, available borehole geophysical logs, water well drillers logs, soil map on or near the surface (SSURGO), land use/land cover data and recent light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data are investigated and found to be useful to delineate aquifer recharge areas. The study investigated geologic information regarding pipeline protection in the region. The geologic information includes soil type, fault zones, seismic impact zones, and unstable areas, etc. The output map can be used as a guideline to render oil and gas infrastructure permission and pipeline activities.
Dynamic Finite Element Analysis of a Highly Parallel Robotic Surface

A novel three-dimensional robotic surface is devised using triangular modules connected by revolute joints that mimic the constraints of a spherical joint at each triangle intersection. The finite element method (FEM) is applied to the dynamic loading of this device using three dimensional (6 degrees of freedom) beam elements to not only calculate the cartesian displacement and force, but also the angular displacement and torque at each joint. In this way, the traditional methods of finding joint forces and torques are completely bypassed. An effiecient algorithm is developed to linearly combine local mass and stiffness matrices into a full structural stiffness matrix for the easy application of loads. An analysis of optimal dynamic joint forces is carried out in Simulink® with the use of an algebraic Ricatti equation.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Breast reduction: safe in the morbidly obese?

Background: With an increasing obese population, plastic surgeons are consulted by women requesting larger breast reductions, with body mass indices in the obese to morbidly obese range (30 to ≥40 kg/m2) and breasts considered gigantomastic (>2000 g resected from each breast). There have been few descriptions of outcomes in the morbidly obese population. Previous literature reports high complication rates in obese women and large-volume breast reductions. Methods: Retrospective investigation of 179 reduction mammaplasty patients was performed out to determine whether reduction mass, age, body mass index, smoking, method used (i.e., vertical pedicle, inferior pedicle/central mound, or free nipple graft), and comorbidities influenced complication rates. The patients were categorized by size of reduction, age, and body mass index. Results: The overall complication rate was 50 percent. There was no statistical difference in the incidence of complications attributable to size of reduction, age, or body mass index (p = 0.37, p = 0.13, and p = 0.38, respectively). Also, smoking status, method used (p = 0.65 and p = 0.17, and p = 0.48 and p = 0.1, respectively) and comorbidities had no effect on complication rates (reduction size, p = 0.054; age, p = 0.12; and body mass index, p = 0.072). There was no significant increase in the rate of complications for each body mass index group based on the reduction mass (p = 0.75, p = 0.89, p = 0.23, and p = 0.07). Conclusion: It is as safe to perform large-volume breast reductions in the morbidly obese patient with comorbidities as in anyone else.
SnapShot: neural pathways that control feeding.

This SnapShot provides an overview of brain systems such as the hypothalamus and brainstem that sense and integrate nutritional signals controlling eating.
Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein (PTHrP) in Tracheal Aspirates of Newborn Infants 1597

PTHrP is expressed in a variety of normal and malignant tissues, including fetal bronchiolar epithelium in a gestationally-dependent manner. PTHrP stimulates phosphatidylcholine synthesis in rat fetal lung explants, and increases the number of lamellar bodies per adult rat alveolar type II cell. Thus PTHrP may play a role in fetal type II alveolar cell maturation and surfactant production. There are currently no studies on PTHrP levels in tracheal aspirates (TAs) of intubated human newborns. Methods We collected TAs from 39 intubated NICU patients within the first 48 hours of life. TAs were collected in a mucus trap and kept frozen prior to analysis. PTHrP was measured by a radioimmunoassay using rabbit antisera to PTHrP 38-64. Total protein (TP) was measured by the Coomassie Blue method. Results Population statistics: average gestational age (GA), 32.2 weeks; average birthweight (BW), 2069 g; and male/female, 17/22. Using the Mann-Whitney test for nonparametric data, differences in PTHrP/TP levels were statistically significant for GA, BW, RDS and gender (<33 weeks gestation)(table). No differences were noted for maternal steroids and diabetes, pregnancy-induced hypertension or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. Conclusion/Speculation PTHrP correlates with and may modulate fetal/neonatal lung maturation.
Order completion monads

Categories of partially ordered sets that are complete under least upper bounds of subsets of a given form (finite, chains, etc.) are characterized as categories of algebras for submonads of the monad of complete semilattices. A general completion construction is given, and several structural properties, such as tensor products, colimits, and factorizations, are studied.
Spectral line changes in RR Telescopii, 1961–72

Spectrophotometric measurements of the nova-like variable RR Tel secured at Cerro Tololo in 1972 with a photoelectric spectrum scanner are compared with previously reported photographic measurements and some photoelectric spectrum scans obtained at Mt. Stromlo in 1961. We have attempted to use these data to calibrate the photographic measurements which had much higher spectral resolution. This effort is complicated by the change of the spectrum with time; [Fevii] and [Nev] seem to be increasing with respect to Hβ, while [Fevi], [oiii], and [Neiii] appear to be weakening.
Horizontal integration of OMIM across the medical school preclinical curriculum for early reinforcement of clinical genetics principles

With the relentless expansion of genetics into every field of medicine, stronger preclinical and clinical medical student education in genetics is needed. The explosion of genetic information cannot be addressed by simply adding content hours. We proposed that students be provided a tool to access accurate clinical information on genetic conditions and, through this tool, build life-long learning habits to carry them through their medical careers. Surveys conducted at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine revealed that medical students in all years lacked confidence when approaching genetic conditions and lacked a reliable resource for accurate genetic information. In response, the school created a horizontal thread that stretches across the first-year curriculum and is devoted to teaching students how to use Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) ( http://omim.org ) and the databases to which it links as a starting point for approaching genetic conditions. The thread improved the first-year students’ confidence in clinical genetics concepts and encouraged use of OMIM as a primary source for genetic information. Most students showed confidence in OMIM as a learning tool and wanted to see the thread repeated in subsequent years. Incorporating OMIM into the preclinical curriculum improved students’ confidence in clinical genetics concepts. Genet Med 17 2, 158–163.
The political feasibility of full ownership property rights: The cases of pollution and fisheries

The present paper investigates the political feasibility of policies to control pollution and fishing. It first hypothesizes the following: when common or usufruct property rights are changed to full ownership, the new policy is not an unadulterated charge or auctioned license because of the implied wealth transfer. This hypothesis is “tested” by reviewing the cases in which full ownership rights have been established and is found to be consistent with the evidence. The paper then investigates the conditions that facilitate the development of full ownership rights. It concludes that proposing policies that are simple and incremental increases political feasibility, in large part because of greater understanding by fishermen and polluters.
A novel flow cytometric high throughput assay for a systematic study on molecular mechanisms underlying T cell receptor-mediated integrin activation.

Lymphocyte function-associated antigen 1 (LFA-1), a member of β2-integrin family, exerts multiple roles in host T cell immunity and has been identified as a useful drug-development target for inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. Applying the findings that primary resting T cells absorb nanometric membrane vesicles derived from antigen presenting cells (APC) via dual receptor/ligand interactions of T cell receptor (TCR) with cognate peptide-major histocompatibility complex (MHC) complex (pMHC) and LFA-1 with its ligand, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), and that signaling cascades triggered by TCR/pMHC interaction take a part in the vesicle-absorption, we established a cell-based high throughput assay for systematic investigation, via isolation of small molecules modulating the level of vesicle-absorption, of molecular mechanisms underlying the T cell absorption of APC-derived vesicles, i.e., structural basis of TCR/pMHC and LFA-1/ICAM-1 interactions and TCR-mediated LFA-1 activation. As primary T cells along with physiological ligands expressed in biological membrane are used and also individual cells in assay samples are analyzed by flow cytometry, results obtained using the assay system hold superior physiological and therapeutic relevance as well as statistical precision.
Primary Care, Generalism, Public Good: Déjà vu? Again!

We must convince people that primary care is a public good worth supporting. The ingredients of success include credible scientific evidence of effectiveness; impassioned, sustained advocacy; and a...
Parasympathetic neurons in the cranial medial ventricular fat pad on the dog heart selectively decrease ventricular contractility.

We hypothesized that selective control of ventricular contractility might be mediated by postganglionic parasympathetic neurons in the cranial medial ventricular (CMV) ganglion plexus located in a fat pad at the base of the aorta. Sinus rate, atrioventricular (AV) conduction (ventricular rate during atrial pacing), and left ventricular contractile force (LV dP/dt during right ventricular pacing) were measured in eight chloralose-anesthetized dogs both before and during bilateral cervical vagus stimulation (20-30 V, 0.5 ms pulses, 15-20 Hz). Seven of these dogs were tested under beta-adrenergic blockade (propranolol, 0.8 mg kg(-1) i.v.). Control responses included sinus node bradycardia or arrest during spontaneous rhythm, high grade AV block or complete heart block, and a 30% decrease in contractility from 2118 +/- 186 to 1526 +/- 187 mm Hg s(-1) (P 0.05) decrease in contractility but still elicited the same degree of sinus bradycardia and AV block (N = 8, P < 0.05). Five dogs were re-tested 3 h after trimethaphan fat pad injection, at which time blockade of vagally-induced negative inotropy was partially reversed, as vagal stimulation decreased LV dP/dt by 19%. The same dose of trimethaphan given either locally into other fat pads (PVFP or IVC-ILA) or systemically (i.v.) had no effect on vagally-induced negative inotropy. Thus, parasympathetic ganglia located in the CMV fat pad mediated a decrease in ventricular contractility during vagal stimulation. Blockade of the CMV fat pad had no effect on vagally-mediated slowing of sinus rate or AV conduction.
Death anxiety in persons with HIV/AIDS: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

One of the most commonly cited psychological sequelae of HIV/AIDS is anxiety regarding death due to the illness (i.e., death anxiety; DA). However, extant research is inconclusive on several empirical issues, such as DA's relation to HIV/AIDS diagnostic status, the impact of illness-related symptoms on DA, and factors that may protect against DA. We conducted a systematic review of the empirical literature and meta-analysis to answer specific questions concerning correlates of DA in persons with HIV/AIDS and important factors that may help explain variability in effect size estimates. The meta-analysis included 18 studies (N = 1,757) examining DA in adults with HIV/AIDS. Meta-analytic findings indicated a small-to-medium effect of HIV/AIDS diagnostic status on DA, which was moderated by duration since diagnosis and by relation to the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy. Results also indicated a small effect of illness-related symptoms on DA, which was moderated by participant age. Social suppor...
Use of Holland's vocational theory with potential high school dropouts

Abstract The construct validity for potential high school dropouts of Holland's theory of vocational choice as measured by the Vocational Preference Inventory (VPI) was studied. The hexagonal arrangement proposed by Holland of the constructs in factor space for potential high school dropouts was supported using the model-testing procedure of Wakefield and Doughtie ( Journal of Counseling Psychology , 1973 , 20 , 513–518). The correspondence of the constructs measured by the VPI for potential high school dropouts and college students was found to be substantially the same using the factor-relating procedure of Kaiser, Hunka, and Bianchini (In H. J. Eysenck & S. B. G. Eysenck (Eds.), Personality structure and measurement . San Diego, Calif.: Knapp, 1969 , pp. 333–343). These results indicate that Holland's theory is appropriate for potential high school dropouts and, by implication, for other high school students.
Clinical features of obsessive-compulsive disorder in elderly patients.

There has been no systematic study of the clinical features of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in elderly patients. This study describes the symptoms and characteristics of OCD among 32 outpatients age 60 or older and 601 younger patients meeting DSM-III-R criteria and given the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale (YBOCS), NIMH scale, and a 41-item symptom questionnaire. Elderly patients had a later age at onset compared with younger patients. No differences were found in severity of symptoms on the YBOCS. Elderly patients had fewer concerns about symmetry, need to know, and counting rituals. Hand-washing and fear of having sinned were more common. There were few differences in clinical features of OCD among the elderly patients compared with younger OCD patients.
Copper intoxication inhibits aerobic nucleotide synthesis in Streptococcus pneumoniae

Copper is universally toxic in excess, a feature exploited by the human immune system to facilitate bacterial clearance. The mechanism of copper intoxication remains unknown for many bacterial species. Here, we demonstrate that copper toxicity in Streptococcus pneumoniae is independent from oxidative stress but, rather, is the result of copper inhibiting the aerobic dNTP biosynthetic pathway. Furthermore, we show that copper-intoxicated S. pneumoniae is rescued by manganese, which is an essential metal in the aerobic nucleotide synthesis pathway. These data provide insight into new targets to enhance copper-mediated toxicity during bacterial clearance.
Avoiding and Treating Perioperative Complications of Distal Radius Fractures

Numerous methods of treatment are available for the management of distal radius fractures, with modern trends favoring volar fixed-angle distal radius plates. Whatever the method of fixation, recognition, management, and prevention of the known associated complications are essential to achieve a good outcome. This article reviews the common preventable complications that are associated with operative treatment of distal radius fractures, including tendon injuries, inadequate reduction, subsidence or collapse, intra-articular placement of pegs or screws, nerve injuries, complex regional pain syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and compartment syndrome.
Design and evaluation of a sketch-based gesture animation tool

Hand gestures are one of the most important components of nonverbal communication, conveying both affective and pragmatic information. They involve the path the hand takes through space, the orientation of the hand and the shape of the hand over time, the latter defined by the angles of the finger joints. Being able to rapidly produce gesture animation is important for two distinct tasks. First, it is important for authoring animations when characters are in conversation, a very common task. Second, there is a growing set of animation tools that are designed to create motion for characters that can gesture autonomously in interactive settings and games [Thiebaux et al. 2008; Heloir and Kipp 2009; van Welbergen et al. 2010; Neff et al. 2008]. These tools generally rely on libraries of gesture animations and it is important to be able to generate large numbers of such animations quickly and at low cost in order to build libraries for particular characters and tasks. This paper presents a tool designed to achieve both goals.
Computational accuracy and mesh reynolds number

The steady-state Burgers' equation uux = (I /Re) uxx (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 1) with boundary values u(0) = 0 and u(1) = -1 is employed as a model equation for fluid dynamics. It is shown how different conservative discretizations of the nonlinear term uux govern the discretization error in computational results, especially when the mesh Reynolds number Re Ax is not small. For a particular choice of the nonlinear discretization, the maximum error in the computed result can attain a value at some fairly large Redx comparable to that expected at a much smaller ReΔx. The formal order of accuracy of an algorithm, in terms of either Δx or ReΔx, does not reflect the accuracy of computational results, especially when the mesh is coarse.
Identification of Human Intestinal Carboxylesterase as the Primary Enzyme for Activation of a Doxazolidine Carbamate Prodrug

Doxazolidine (Doxaz), a formaldehyde-doxorubicin (Dox) conjugate, exhibits markedly increased tumor toxicity with respect to Dox without a concurrent increase in toxicity to cardiomyocytes. Pentyl PABC-Doxaz (PPD) is a Doxaz carbamate prodrug that is hydrolyzed by carboxylesterases. Here, we identify human intestinal carboxylesterase (hiCE) as the agent of activation for PPD. Upon prodrug treatment, cells that express higher levels of hiCE responded with lower IC50 values for growth inhibition. Exposing MCF-7 human breast cancer cells, which respond poorly and express little hiCE, to PPD together with hiCE resulted in a dramatic decrease in the IC50, a decrease that was absent when human carboxylesterase 1 was added to prodrug treatment. Finally, U373MG glioblastoma cells overexpressing hiCE displayed approximately 100-fold reduction in the IC50 for PPD compared to cells lacking the carboxylesterase. Overall, our studies indicate that PPD is selectively hydrolyzed to the active metabolite by hiCE.
The genetics of variation in gene expression

The genetic basis of variation in gene expression lends itself to investigation by microarrays. For genetic analysis, we view the expression level of a gene as a quantitative or 'complex' trait, analogous to an individual's height or cholesterol level, and, therefore, as an inherited phenotype. Several genetic analyses of 'gene expression phenotypes' have been carried out in experimental organisms, and initial steps have been taken toward similar studies in humans--although these present challenging technical and statistical problems. Further advances in the genetic analysis of variation in gene expression will contribute to our understanding of transcriptional regulation and will provide models for studying other quantitative and complex traits.
Catalytic reactions of methylrhenium trioxide on solid oxide supports

Methylrhenium trioxide (MTO), supported on niobia, acts as an effective heterogeneous catalyst for certain chemical reactions. These include reactions of ethyl diazoacetate, which are equivalent to carbene-transfer processes, and selective oxidations that utilize hydrogen peroxide. Both groups of reactions, which are known to occur homogeneously, proceed efficiently and in good yield on the supported catalyst.
Electrospun Ce–Ni–O composite nanofibers for highly selective propane detection at high temperature based on its rapid reaction kinetics

Ce–Ni–O composite nanofibers (NFs) were successfully prepared by electrospinning and a subsequent calcination process. The morphology, composition and crystal structure of the as-prepared nanofibers were characterized in detail. Ce–Ni–O NFs, with a close to equal atomic ratio of Ce and Ni, possess an average diameter of 89 ± 10 nm. The backbone of nanofibers comprises well-distributed CeO2, highly dispersed NiO, and solid solution of Ce1−xNixO2. In addition, aggregated NiO nanoparticles with an average size of 25 ± 7 nm are also observed to decorate on the surface of nanofibers. The gas sensing performance of a Ce–Ni–O NF-based sensor towards CO, CH4 and C3H8 was investigated at 800 °C, which shows excellent sensitivity and selectivity towards C3H8. The sensing mechanism of the enhanced selectivity for C3H8 is proposed. Different reaction kinetics of different reducing gases on Ce–Ni–O NFs and the response offset effect of n-CeO2 and p-NiO on Ce–Ni–O composite nanofibers are ascribed to be responsible for the excellent selectivity to C3H8 over CO and CH4 under the tested conditions.
Maximum entropy stochastic realization and robust filtering via convex optimization

We consider the problem of maximum entropy stochastic realization given partial, uncertain covariance data of an observed time series. The covariance uncertainties are described by upper and lower bounds on the covariance sequence and the associated power spectral density. Such a problem does not have an analytic solution in general; however, it can be formulated as a nonlinear convex optimization problem which can be solved globally and very efficiently by recently developed interior-point methods. Maximum entropy realization can be applied in robust filtering in the context of designing the linear estimation filter that minimizes the worst-case mean square error given uncertain covariances. We give an example of robust Kalman filter design to illustrate the ideas.
ViewDock TDW

Summary:ViewDock TDW is a modification of the pre-existing ViewDock Chimera extension ( http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/chimera/) used to visualize results of virtual screening experiments. By combing TDW hardware and an enhanced ViewDock interface, dozens of ligand–protein complexes are rendered simultaneously to parallelize the analysis of candidate ligands. The ViewDock TDW GUI allows the user to easily and interactively manipulate the molecules on the TDW as an entire set, a selected subset or a single ligand–protein complex and preserves all Chimera functionality. Availability and Implementation:ViewDock TDW is an open source software; freely available on the web at http://www.tdw-prime.webs.com. Chimera UCSF is also available, free of charge, at http://www.cgl.ucsf.edu/chimera/ Contact: [email protected]
Island theory, matrix effects and species richness patterns in habitat fragments

Island biogeography theory, created initially to study diversity patterns on islands, is often applied to habitat fragments. A key but largely untested assumption of this application of theory is that landscape matrix species composition is non-overlapping with that of the islands. We tested this assumption in successional old field patches in a closely mowed matrix, and because our patches are appropriately viewed as sets of contiguous habitat units we studied patterns of species richness per unit area. Previous studies at our site did not find that diversity patterns on patch ‘islands’ conformed to predictions of island biogeography theory. Our results indicate that when matrix species are removed from the patch samples, diversity patterns conform better to theory. We suggest that classical island theory remains an appropriate tool to study diversity patterns in fragmented habitats, but that allowances should be made for spill-over colonization of ‘islands’ from the ‘sea’.
Secondary Science Teachers' Use of Technology in the Classroom during Their First 5 Years.

AbstractThis study examined the technology use of beginning secondary science teachers and explored factors facilitating or inhibiting their use of technology. The researchers collected and analyzed interviews and observational data from 95 teachers over a 5-year period. The results show that teachers used PowerPoint the most and other software the least over time. This pattern was consistent over the 5 years of observation, increasing in frequency of usage only slightly each year. The use of PowerPoint was statistically significant when compared to the use of lecture and procedural laboratories. One-way ANOVAs yielded several statistically significant results, in that induction treatments, teacher’s gender, and SES populations were significantly correlated to the use of technology. This study urges that the value of technology used in science classrooms should be redefined to enhance inquiry-based science teaching and learning.
Content Analysis of Tobacco-related Twitter Posts

Results of a content analysis of tobacco-related Twitter posts (tweets), with particular reference to e-cigarette and hookah related tweets. Descriptive results reveal more positive than negative sentiment toward tobacco among Twitter uses, as well as several apparent disconnects between public perception and tobacco-related health research, presenting opportunities for improved outreach and education. Additionally, machine classification of tobacco-related posts shows a promising edge over strictly keyword-based approaches, paving the way for automated tobacco surveillance applications.
ARE ONLINE PHARMACY PRICES REALLY LOWER IN MEXICO

Empirical research on international pharmaceutical prices has uncovered numerous interesting commonalities and differences across international markets. This study examines price differences for brand name medicines sold over the Internet in the United States and Mexico. Web sites in both countries advertise their services in English and price their products in dollars. Sample data for 50 top selling medicines are from October 2011 for equal dosages on a per unit basis, exclusive of shipping fees, handling charges, and taxes. For a few medicines, the savings available to consumers who purchase them from companies in Mexico are very large. For most medicines in the sample, the savings are comparable to those available from Internet sources in other countries. Non-parametric test results indicate that the price differences are statistically significant.
Ceramide Content Is Increased in Skeletal Muscle From Obese Insulin-Resistant Humans

Increased intramyocellular lipid concentrations are thought to play a role in insulin resistance, but the precise nature of the lipid species that produce insulin resistance in human muscle are unknown. Ceramides, either generated via activation of sphingomyelinase or produced by de novo synthesis, induce insulin resistance in cultured cells by inhibitory effects on insulin signaling. The present study was undertaken to determine whether ceramides or other sphingolipids are increased in muscle from obese insulin-resistant subjects and to assess whether ceramide plays a role in the insulin resistance of Akt in human muscle. Lean insulin-sensitive and obese insulin-resistant subjects (n = 10 each) received euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps with muscle biopsies basally and after 30, 45, or 60 min of insulin infusion. The rate of glucose infusion required to maintain euglycemia (reflecting glucose uptake) was reduced by >50%, as expected, in the obese subjects at each time point (P < 0.01). Under basal conditions, total muscle ceramide content was increased nearly twofold in the obese subjects (46 +/- 9 vs. 25 +/- 2 pmol/2 mg muscle, P < 0.05). All species of ceramides were increased similarly in the obese subjects; in contrast, no other sphingolipid was increased. Stimulation of Akt phosphorylation by insulin in the obese subjects was significantly reduced after 30 min (0.96 +/- 0.11 vs. 1.84 +/- 0.38 arbitrary units) or 45-60 min (0.68 +/- 0.17 vs. 1.52 +/- 0.26) of insulin infusion (P < 0.05 for both). Muscle ceramide content was significantly correlated with the plasma free fatty acid concentration (r = 0.51, P < 0.05). We conclude that obesity is associated with increased intramyocellular ceramide content. This twofold increase in ceramide may be involved in the decrease in Akt phosphorylation observed after insulin infusion and could theoretically play a role in the reduced ability of insulin to stimulate glucose uptake in skeletal muscle from obese subjects.
Risk Factors for Conversion to Neovascular Age-related Macular Degeneration Based on Longitudinal Morphologic and Visual Acuity Data

Purpose To use longitudinal quantitative morphologic and visual acuity (VA) data to investigate the risk of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) event occurrence in eyes with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Design Prospective observational study. Participants A total of 513 participants (844 eyes) followed longitudinally in one center enrolled in the Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) or the Prophylactic Treatment of AMD Study (PTAMD). Methods We assessed images of previously obtained fundus photographs for the presence of macular pigmentation, drusen area, and drusen distribution (number and size), and fellow eye CNV status at baseline. Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) best-corrected visual acuity at each visit and the age of each subject were obtained. We used a longitudinal logistic mixed-effects model with random intercepts fitted to event occurrences to assess risk on a per eye basis. Main Outcome Measures Odds ratios for CNV event. Results Thirty-one subjects (6.0%) had events. Only VA changes over time and follow-up interval showed statistically significant effects. Several statistical models that included VA at the previous visit were used. In 2 models, 3 categories of VA were used: ≤75 letters, >75 and ≤85 letters, and >85 letters. Two categories were used for follow-up: ≤3 years versus >3 years or ≤1 year versus >1 year. In the first model with categorization at 3 years, a decrease in acuity from the >85 letter category to ≤75 letters increased the odds of CNV by 16.9 times ( P = 0.022). In the model with categorization at 1 year, a decrease in acuity from the >85-letter category to ≤75 letters increased the odds of CNV by 21.4 times ( P = 0.0175). Differences between the follow-up intervals were significant ( P = 0.043) and indicated a more than 7-fold increase in the odds. Changes in morphologic features of the macula did not show significant effects. Conclusions A decrease in VA to ≤75 ETDRS letters in an eye with an initial ETDRS baseline acuity of >85 letters increases the likelihood of CNV by approximately 20-fold. This likelihood also increases with aging. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Emergencies in Patients With Inherited Hemoglobin Disorders—An Emergency Department Perspective

Hemoglobin (Hb) disorders presenting to the emergency department (ED) can be a diagnostic and management problem if not properly recognized. It is important to understand the nomenclature and pathophysiology of these entities. Common Hb disorders presenting to the ED include sickle cell disease, thalassemias, and methemoglobinemia. Complications of sickle cell disease comprise the majority of illness from Hb disorders seen in the ED or outpatient setting. These complications include pain crisis, sepsis, acute chest syndrome, and cerebrovascular accidents. Rapid diagnosis and treatment are necessary to minimize morbidity and mortality. In a case-based format, the clinical presentation, assessment, and management of the above will be discussed to help clinicians practice in an evidence-based fashion.