cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Frailty Measurements are Poor Predictor of Lung Transplantation Outcomes

Purpose Lung transplantation is a lifesaving therapy in patients with advanced lung disease. However, frail lung transplant candidates are more likely to be delisted or die on the waitlist. It is not clear if currently used frailty tools can predict outcomes after lung transplantation. We investigated the correlation between frailty measurements and outcomes after lung transplantation. Methods We prospectively assessed frailty in 25 consecutive lung transplant candidates using the Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP), Short physical performance battery (SPPB) tools, and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). We evaluated the correlation between frailty measurement and lung transplant outcomes such as death, length of stay in the hospital, number of rejection episodes, and pulmonary function tests (PFT) one year after lung transplantation. The data was analyzed using R 4.0.2 (The R Foundation for Statistical Computing http://www.R-project.org) Packages PerformanceAnalytics and ggplot2 were used in addition to core R. Results We evaluated 25 lung transplant patients with an average age of 56. Both “Frail” and “Pre-frail” frailty phenotypes had 11 (44%) patients. The remaining 3/25 (12%) had a “Robust” phenotype. There was no clear relationship between frailty score and mortality (p=0.23), length of stay (p=0.5), number of rejections episode (p=0.83), and PFT after one year (FVC p=0.71 and FEV1 p=0.78). Age has a strong trend for association with frailty however, it did not reach statistical significance (p=0.16). Among used frailty tools, MOCA had the strongest association with mortality after one year (p=0.17). Conclusion Frailty score, as assigned by three phenotypes pre-frail, frail, and robust, had no significant relationship with outcomes after lung transplantation. Interestingly amongst used frailty instruments, MOCA has the strongest correlation with mortality one year after lung transplantation. Larger studies are needed to understand better if frailty measurements can predict outcomes after lung transplantation.
Economic Evaluations of Pharmacologic Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder: A Systematic Literature Review.

Abstract Objective The crisis of opioid use puts a strain on resources in the United States and worldwide. There are 3 US Food and Drug Administration–approved medications for treatment of opioid use disorder: methadone, buprenorphine, and injectable extended-release naltrexone (XR-NTX). The comparative effectiveness and cost vary considerably among these 3 medications. Economic evaluations provide evidence that help stakeholders efficiently allocate scarce resources. Our objective was to summarize recent health economic evidence of pharmacologic treatment of opioid use disorder interventions. Methods We searched PubMed for peer-reviewed studies in English from August 2015 through December 2019 as an update to a 2015 review. We used the Drummond checklist to evaluate and categorize economic evaluation study quality. We summarized results by economic evaluation methodology and pharmacologic treatment modality. Results We identified 105 articles as potentially relevant and included 21 (4 cost-offset studies and 17 cost-effectiveness/cost-benefit studies). We found strengthened evidence on buprenorphine and methadone, indicating that these treatments are economically advantageous compared with no pharmacotherapy, but found limited evidence on XR-NTX. Only half of the cost-effectiveness studies used a generic preference-based measure of effectiveness, limiting broad comparison across diseases/disorders. The disease/disorder-specific cost-effectiveness measures vary widely, suggesting a lack of consensus on the value of substance use disorder treatment. Conclusion We found studies that provide new evidence supporting the cost-effectiveness of buprenorphine compared with no pharmacotherapy. We found a lack of evidence supporting superior economic value for buprenorphine versus methadone, suggesting that both are attractive alternatives. Further economic research is needed on XR-NTX, as well as other emerging pharmacotherapies, treatment modalities, and dosage forms.
At the risk of thinking: an intellectual biography of Julia Kristeva: by Alice Jardine, edited by Mari Ruti, New York, London, Oxford, New Delhi, Sydney, Bloomsbury Academic, 2020, 385 pp., (hardback), ISBN: 9781501341342, $26.95 (paperback), ISBN: 9781501341335

Julia Kristeva is prominent as a Bulgarian-French “cosmopolitan” (Jardine, 10) public intellectual and a brilliant polymath. Her fields of immersion cover a vast range: philosophy, anthropology, cu...
Earnings and cash flow comparability in executive compensation

We examine whether cross-firm comparability of earnings and operating cash flows influence the usefulness of earnings and cash flows in CEO compensation. We find that earnings (cash flow) comparabi...
The Efficacy of Topical Treatment with Lincomycin HCl for Papillomatous Digital Dermatitis

Twenty-five cows were allotted to 3 groups : 1) treated with 10 g Lincomix® Soluble Powder (n=11), 2) treated with Terramycin-343® Soluble Powder (n=11), or 3) no treatment (n=3). Cows were placed on a hydraulic tilt-table at enrollment (d 1) and feet were examined. Cows with papillomatous digital dermatitis (PDD) on one or both rear feet were enrolled in the study.
The beginning and the end of urban population deconcentration in the United States: New insights from application of the Density Distribution Index

Abstract When did U.S. urban areas begin to experience substantial population deconcentration? Has the deconcentration trend recently ended? These questions have been difficult to answer, in part because many researchers have relied on the density gradient of the negative exponential density-distance function as a valid indicator of population concentration. This article describes an alternative, the Density Distribution Index [DDI], calculated from the density gradient and the central density. Unlike the gradient, the DDI is both mathematically and empirically orthogonal to population size, and thus is unaffected by differing rates of urban growth. This article first calculates DDI scores for metropolitan districts from 1900 to 1970, based on Edmonston's estimates of their density functions (1975). The results indicate that the deconcentration trend took off in earnest at the conclusion of World War II. DDI estimates for SMSAs 1950–1980 (Guterbock, 1990a) show the deconcentration trend continuing strongly through 1980. New density functions are calculated for 119 U.S. urban areas for 1990 to 2015, based on small area data aggregated into annular rings. These data show that average concentration levels 1990–2015 were virtually unchanged. Two-thirds of the urban areas had higher levels of concentration in 2015 than they had earlier, and this was true of over 90% of the largest cities. It can be seen that urban population deconcentration, one of the master trends of the twentieth century, ended for most U.S. urban areas sometime near the start of the twenty-first. The results demonstrate the broader utility of the DDI as a measure of urban concentration.
Cognitive fatigue in traumatic brain injury: a pilot study comparing state and trait fatigue.

OBJECTIVE Cognitive fatigue is a common and disabling symptom following a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Literature on cognitive fatigue has distinguished between two types of fatigue: "state" fatigue refers to the acute experience of fatigue, whereas "trait" fatigue refers to the susceptibility to fatigue over an extended period. However, it is not clear whether state and trait fatigue are distinguishable constructs. Here, we examine the relationship between state and trait fatigue in individuals with TBI, hypothesizing that trait and state measures assess different constructs. PARTICIPANTS Twenty-one participants with moderate-severe TBI were recruited. DESIGN Participants underwent a cognitively fatiguing task while in an MRI scanner and completed self-report measures examining trait and state fatigue. RESULTS No correlation was found between state and trait fatigue. However, the two measures of trait fatigue, Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) and the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale (MFIS), correlated with one another; additionally only trait fatigue correlated with depression scores, consistent with the literature. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that trait and state fatigue may not be interdependent and that it is important to carefully define the type of fatigue under consideration when assessing fatigue in individuals with TBI.
“Simultaneous and Complementary Advances”: Mid-century Expectations of the Interaction of Fisheries Science and Management

The simultaneous development of fisheries science and fisheries management that Ray Beverton and Sydney Holt envisioned in 1957 is argued not to have occurred over the past 40 years. The causes of the many failures of fisheries management have been too frequently a matter of informal debate, and almost never a matter of scientific testing of hypotheses. A broader scope for fisheries science is suggested that would be required as a basis for testing hypotheses about the causes of the failure of “simultaneous and complementary advances” of the science and management of fisheries. The history of the science and management of the International Whaling Commission is used as an example of the scientific scope required to adequately test hypothesized causes of the failures of fisheries management, and to emphasize the relevance of such testing to evaluating the likely success of current management proposals.
Forcing and Generic Models

One of the consequences of Gode’s proof of consistency of the axiom of constructibility is that one cannot prove in ZFC that there is more than one transitive model of set theory, namely the constructible universe L. And L satisfies the generalized continuum hypothesis. Thus if we wish to show, e.g., that the continuum hypothesis is unprovable in ZFC we cannot just look for a transitive model 𝔐 that would satisfy 2N0 > N1. What is needed is a different way of constructing models of set theory. There are several possible approaches to this problem: (a) to construct a model 𝔐 = (M, E) where E is not well-founded (a nonstandard model); (b) to make an assumption that there exists a countable transitive model 𝔐 of ZFC and extend 𝔐 by adjoining a set G ∉ 𝔐 to obtain a model 𝔐[G] of ZFC such that Ord𝔐 = Ord𝔐[G]; (c) to introduce “imaginary” sets and adjoin an imaginary set G to the universe to obtain an extension V[G] that is a model of ZFC; (d) to generalize the notions of model and satisfaction and construct a “ generalized “ model of ZFC.
A Process oriented monitoring framework

Quality of product is an important consideration in engineering design activity, certain levels of which can be obtained by utilizing the available resources. Traditionally, a demand for increased levels of quality in the product required the deployment of additional resources. However, it has been reported earlier that it may be possible to increase the product quality, without increasing the resources, by improving the process [1]. Therefore, fundamental effort of this study is in the direction of improving the design process in the design level by offering a feedback tool in the evaluation of the processes called Design Process Monitoring (PROMO) [2]. The purpose of this tool is to monitor the design level activities of a process. The model can be classified as descriptive, or analytical rather than prescriptive; the goal is to study and understand the nature of the design process. In contrast, prescriptive models are for describing the processes which guide the future execution.
An evaluation of the impact of visual embellishments in bar charts

As data visualization becomes further intertwined with the field of graphic design and information graphics, small graphical alterations are made to many common chart formats. Despite the growing prevalence of these embellishments, their effects on communication of the charts' data is unknown. From an overview of the design space, we have outlined some of the common embellishments that are made to bar charts. We have studied the effects of these chart embellishments on the communication of the charts' data through a series of user studies on Amazon's Mechanical Turk platform. The results of these studies lead to a better understanding of how each chart type is perceived, and help provide guiding principles for the graphic design of charts.
Defensive role of pleural mesothelial cell sialomucins in tumor metastasis.

Study objectives Sialomucin complex (SMC) is a heterodimeric glycoprotein, and is found on the surfaces of the mesothelia of the pleura, pericardium, and peritoneum. Sialomucins play a significant role in adhesion as well as in defense. In this study, we hypothesized that pleural mesothelial cells (PMCs) express SMC and thus prevent the adherence of ovarian cancer cells (HTB-77) to the pleura. Methods PMCs were plated, and the adherence of HTB-77 cells was observed using a cytofluor. The PMC monolayer was pretreated with sialidase, and HTB-77 adherence was observed using cytofluor. In another set of HTB-77 cells, adherence was observed when the PMC monolayer was pretreated with supernatants of HTB-77 cells. Last, supernatants of HTB-77 cells were assayed for sialidase activity. Results The removal of SMC by sialidase greatly increased the adherence of HTB-77 cells to the PMC monolayer, which was statistically significant (p Conclusions The presence of SMC on the PMC acts as a defense layer, and its removal by sialidase increases the susceptibility of the PMC layer to the adherence of malignant cells and to increased metastasis. HTB-77 cells also express sialidase, which by its action on the monolayer aids in the adherence of tumor cells to the pleural surface.
Supporting ontology-based semantic matching in RDBMS

Ontologies are increasingly being used to build applications that utilize domain-specific knowledge. This paper addresses the problem of supporting ontology-based semantic matching in RDBMS. Specifically, 1) A set of SQL operators, namely ONT_RELATED, ONT_EXPAND, ONT_DISTANCE, and ONT_PATH, are introduced to perform ontology-based semantic matching, 2) A new indexing scheme ONT_INDEXTYPE is introduced to speed up ontology-based semantic matching operations, and 3) System-defined tables are provided for storing ontologies specified in OWL. Our approach enables users to reference ontology data directly from SQL using the semantic match operators, thereby opening up possibilities of combining with other operations such as joins as well as making the ontology-driven applications easy to develop and efficient. In contrast, other approaches use RDBMS only for storage of ontologies and querying of ontology data is typically done via APIs. This paper presents the ontology-related functionality including inferencing, discusses how it is implemented on top of Oracle RDBMS, and illustrates the usage with several database applications.
AREAS OF ATTACHMENT BETWEEN DEVELOPING BLOOD CELLS.

Red blood cells of the chicken embryo have been described as having desmosome-like attachments in the blood island stage.
Variable target mass‐exchange network synthesis through linear programming

A mass-exchange network (MEN) synthesis problem is considered with streams whose target compositions are allowed to vary between upper and lower bounds. The design task is to determine the minimum mass separating agent (utility) cost needed for the transfer of a single component from the rich to the lean streams. The mathematical formulation of this synthesis problem leads to a mixed integer nonlinear program. In this work, we propose a novel formulation of the problem that leads to a linear program. Stream decomposition is employed in attaining this novel linear programming formulation and rigorous proofs are presented which establish that the two formulations have the same solution. The linear programming formulation reduces the complexity of the considered MEN synthesis problem, thus making feasible its solution even for large-scale problems. Two examples, illustrating the procedure, are presented. Both demonstrate that significant utility cost savings can be achieved over the fixed composition MEN synthesis problem.
Distinct Mechanisms of Upregulation of Type 1A Angiotensin II Receptor Gene Expression in Kidney and Adrenal Gland

Abstract We previously demonstrated that type 1A angiotensin II (Ang II) receptor (AT1A) is the predominant renal subtype and is upregulated by a low sodium diet. We have now tested the hypothesis that upregulation of AT1A mRNA induced by sodium deficiency is renal specific and is mediated by activation of type 1 Ang II receptor (AT1). Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n=5 each) and treated for 2 weeks with normal sodium diet (0.5%), normal sodium plus 3 mg/kg per day losartan, low sodium diet (0.07%), or low sodium diet plus losartan. At the end of the 2 weeks, body weight and mean arterial pressure were not different among the four groups ( P >.05). Plasma renin activity was elevated by losartan treatment, sodium restriction, or the combination of the two versus control ( P <.05). Northern blot analysis showed that the ratio of renal AT1A to glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) mRNA was increased by losartan treatment, sodium restriction, or the combination of the two versus control ( P <.05). In contrast, the ratio of adrenal AT1A to GAPDH mRNA was increased only by sodium restriction versus three other groups ( P <.05). Thus, sodium deficiency increases AT1A mRNA in both kidney and adrenal gland, while Ang II receptor blockade by losartan prevents low sodium–induced AT1A mRNA only in adrenal gland. We conclude that the increase in AT1A mRNA induced by sodium deficiency is not renal specific and that different mechanisms of regulation exist, ie, in adrenal gland, low sodium–induced upregulation of AT1A is dependent upon Ang II activation of the AT1 receptor, while in kidney, a non-AT1–dependent mechanism is operant.
Building, Sustaining, and Expanding the Education Doctorate at Peabody College: An Administrative View.

This article examines the operational and administrative underpinnings of Vanderbilt University's Ed.D. program. It explores the ways in which the admissions process, program orientation, and other academic and support services were reconceived when Peabody College formally launched its redesigned Ed.D. program in the summer of 2004. Further, it situates the mission of Peabody's education doctorate—the training and preparation of practitioner-scholars in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary settings—within the context of program administration.
Immobilized biofilm used as seeding source in batch biohydrogen fermentation

Abstract Anaerobic hydrogen fermentation converting carbohydrate-rich biomass to clean hydrogen energy is a renewable technology for hydrogen production. Applying immobilization technology on hydrogen fermentation could increase the cell concentration, hydraulic loading and organic loading. This study developed a novel technology to immobilize hydrogen producing bacteria in a thin film and attached on a carrier by polymer. The thin attached biofilm provides a stable hydrogen producing bacteria seeding source and makes the good hydrogen production performance. After 115 days, 9 generation transfer culture, the hydrogen yield could maintain a yield over 1.8 mol-H2/mol-hexose. Moreover, immobilized biofilm decreased the lag phase for proximately 65–70%. The bacteria wrapped in the immobilized biofilm could grow through the biofilm and then cover the surface of biofilm. The immobilized biofilm provides seed bacteria to bulk solution continuously. Therefore, immobilized biofilm could be a promising immobilization technology and a good seeding source for biohydrogen fermentation.
Art of defense: a collaborative handheld augmented reality board game

In this paper, we present Art of Defense (AoD), a cooperative handheld augmented reality (AR) game. AoD is an example of what we call an AR Board Game, a class of tabletop games that combine handheld computers (such as camera phones) with physical game pieces to create a merged physical/virtual game on the table-top. This paper discusses the technical aspects of the game, the design rationale and process we followed, and the resulting player experience. The goal of this research is to explore the affordances and constraints of handheld AR interfaces for collaborative social games, and to create a game that leverages them as fully as possible. The results from the user study show that the game is fun to play, and that by tightly registering the virtual content with the tangible game pieces, tabletop AR games enable a kind of social play experience unlike non-AR computer games. We hope this research will inspire the creation of other handheld augmented reality games in the future, both on and off the tabletop.
Volatile Ester Equilibria in Plant Tissuea

SUMMARY Variations in the apparent dissociation constants of ethyl acetate for several different samples of banana pulp are noted. It is hypothesized that the variations might he due to the involvement of coupled reactions that supply or delete one or more of the reacting species at a rate faster than that at which the tissue esterases function to establish equilibrium. In the same samples, the constants for methyl acetate and iso-amyl acetate remained relatively constant.
POTENTIAL IMPACT OF OIL SPILLS ON CALIFORNIA SEA OTTERS: IMPLICATIONS OF THE EXXON VALDEZ SPILL IN ALASKA

Based on the survival of sea otters held at rehabilitation centers during the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska, we built two models of otter mortality. One was based on the relationship between mortality and distance from spill origin, the other was based on the relationship between mortality and time from the spill origin. These models are simplistic and are meant as first steps in arriving at realistic risk estimates and in providing a conceptual framework for relating oil spills and sea otter mortality. Using the distance model, we simulated the impact of an Exxon Valdez event occurring at different locations along the California coast. A spill at the Monterey Peninsula had the greatest impact, exposing 90% of the California sea otter population to oil and killing at least 50% of the individuals. The time model was used to predict the mortality of otters exposed to oil of various ages and for various periods of time. It suggested that efforts to rehabilitate otters should be discontinued 20-30 d after a spill. The limitations of the data available from the Exxon Valdez spill emphasize the importance of being prepared to conduct appropriate research during the next oil spill in sea otter habitat.
Action Spectra for Effects of Light on Hydroxyindole-O-Methyl Transferases in Rat Pineal, Retina and Harderian Gland

The relations between the spectrum emitted by a particular light source and the modifications in pineal, retina and harderian gland hydroxyindole-O-methyl transferases (HIOMT) were examined by exposing rats previously maintained for 7 days in darkness to each of 7 different light environments for 0 to 96 hr. Exposure to green, blue or yellow bulbs caused time-related decreases in pineal HIOMT activity; green light was most effective. No significant changes in pineal HIOMT were observed among rats exposed to red light; UV produced a transient stimulation of the pineal enzyme. Common fluorescent light (cool-white) was more effective than a light source that simulates natural sunlight (Vita-Lite) in decreasing pineal HIOMT. Retinal HIOMT was significantly inhibited in rats exposed to green, cool-white, and Vita-Lite bulbs for up to 96 hr; blue light produced a biphasic effect, i.e., inhibition for the first 48 hr and stimulation afterwards. Harderian gland HIOMT activity was not modified by any of the light ...
Mistakes were made: misperception as a barrier to reducing overweight.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the agreement between individuals' weight status as measured by their body mass index (BMI) and their perceptions of their weight status in the US population. DESIGN: Data from the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988–94 (NHANES III), were used to cross-tabulate actual weight status and self-assessed weight status, identifying population proportions that underassessed or overassessed weight status. The study accounts for gender and socioeconomic and demographic variables to identify subpopulations in which relatively large numbers of individuals misperceive their weight status. MEASUREMENTS: Survey data included clinically measured height and weight. BMI was categorized (overweight, healthy weight, or underweight) following conventional cutpoints. In addition, each surveyed individual was asked to assess their own (categorical) weight status. SUBJECTS: NHANES III is representative of the US population. The sample included 7758 males and 8451 females aged 20?y or above after excluding women who were pregnant or breastfeeding. RESULTS: We show that large segments of the US population misperceive their weight status. The mix of misperceptions differs by gender, with men who are obese or overweight more likely than obese or overweight women to underassess their weight status. Women who are healthy weight/underweight are more likely than men to believe they are overweight. In addition to the gender differences, underassessors are more frequently found among those aged 65?y and over, individuals with relatively low education levels, lower income levels, and among non-Hispanic black subjects. Overassessors are more frequently found among women less than 65?y old (between the ages of 35 and 64?y for men), individuals with higher education levels, higher income levels, and among non-Hispanic white subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Information programs linking overweight and obesity with health risks might fail to induce diet and lifestyle changes if individuals fail to recognize they are overweight or obese. While there are large number of individuals who fail to recognize their overweight or obese status, there are indicator variables that can help identify this subpopulation. Thus, it is possible to first target a message that would attempt to correct misperceptions. If successful, the size of the population susceptible to a weight–health risk information program could increase.
The role of radiation therapy in the treatment of colorectal cancer

Radiation therapy plays an important role in the treatment of patients with colorectal cancer. Randomized trials show that patients with rectal cancer have an 8% improved local control rate with postoperative radiation and an 11-13% improved local control rate with combined postoperative radiation and chemotherapy. Survival is also improved for these patients. Ongoing randomized trials may clarify the role of postoperative radiation therapy for patients with colon cancer. Although there is little specific information regarding the tolerance and response of the older patient to radiation therapy, there is no reason to believe that cancer in the older patient is more sensitive to ionizing radiation. Therefore, treatment decisions should be based on the available data
Regional myocardial flow estimation using computed tomography

A novel method is presented for estimating regional myocardial blood flow (RMBF) using x‐ray computed tomography(CT). Two major setbacks are removed from the existing methods; namely, the requirement for intra‐arterial bolus injection of tracer, and the inability to determine regional volumes of tracer distribution when the corresponding partition coefficients are unknown. The mathematical model developed for RMBF estimation combines both the tracer dispersion process and the CTmeasurement process. Intravenously administered contrast media (tracer) is assumed to be perfectly mixed by the myocardium. Tracer dynamics, as measured by CT (CT♯s. vs time curves) in the myocardial regions and in the left ventricular chamber, can then be used to compute cardiac output, regional volumes of tracer distribution, and absolute RMBF. These computations use the zeroth and the first moments of the measured CT♯s. vs time curves. Errors due to partial volume effects, and methods for their correction, are analysed. This formulation is readily adapted to existing computed tomographic systems having the capability to produce multiple sequential CT scans.
Column chromatography of human plasminogen on diethylaminoethyl cellulose

Abstract The chromatography of acid-extracted samples of human plasminogen on DEAE-cellulose columns at 0°–4°, employing step-wise elution schemes, shows the grossly heterogeneous nature of such preparations. Quantitative analysis shows complete recovery of the total protein, but only 60–80% of the caseinolytic units applied to the column are recovered. The chromatography has been done in ammonium acetate buffers, containing 0.01 M l -lysine; such conditions have give rise to 6 peaks in the effluent pattern. Proteolytic assays indicate that approx. 40% of the original preparation is plasminogen. A dramatic change in the chromatogram took place when the concentration of l -lysine was raised to 0.05 M. The specific activity was increased by 5–10 times in one fraction. The chromatography has also been done with 6 M urea. These conditions have given 3 peaks in the resulting chromatogram, and complete recovery with respect to the total protein, but there was a partial loss of caseinolytic activity.
No requirement of cyclic conformation of antagonists in binding to vasopressin receptors

Early reports that acyclic analogues of oxytocin and vasopressin (AVP) have drastically reduced agonistic activities established as dogma that an intact hexapeptide ring structure is essential for the pharmacological activities of analogues of neurohypophysial hormones. Thus, virtually all the many hundreds of agonistic and antagonistic analogues of the neurohypophysial peptides that have been reported contain an intact ring. Here we report that an intact ring is not essential for binding of antagonistic AVP analogues to vasopressor (V1) or antidiuretic (V2) AVP receptors. In fact, one acyclic AVP analogue seems to be about as potent as any previously reported cyclic V2 antagonist. This finding suggests new possibilities for the design of AVP analogues as pharmacological probes and for therapeutic use. Similar modifications might be useful in the design of analogues of other cyclic peptides, such as calcitonin, somatostatin and the atrial natriuretic factors.
Core-satellite species hypothesis and native versus exotic species in secondary succession

A number of hypotheses exist to explain species’ distributions in a landscape, but these hypotheses are not frequently utilized to explain the differences in native and exotic species distributions. The core-satellite species (CSS) hypothesis predicts species occupancy will be bimodally distributed, i.e., many species will be common and many species will be rare, but does not explicitly consider exotic species distributions. The parallel dynamics (PD) hypothesis predicts that regional occurrence patterns of exotic species will be similar to native species. Together, the CSS and PD hypotheses may increase our understanding of exotic species’ distribution relative to natives. We selected an old field undergoing secondary succession to study the CSS and PD hypotheses in conjunction with each other. The ratio of exotic to native species (richness and abundance) was observed through 17 years of secondary succession. We predicted species would be bimodally distributed and that exotic:native species ratios would remain steady or decrease through time under frequent disturbance. In contrast to the CSS and PD hypotheses, native species occupancies were not bimodally distributed at the site, but exotic species were. The exotic:native species ratios for both richness (E:Nrichness) and abundance (E:Ncover) generally decreased or remained constant throughout supporting the PD hypothesis. Our results suggest exotic species exhibit metapopulation structure in old field landscapes, but that metapopulation structures of native species are disrupted, perhaps because these species are dispersal limited in the fragmented landscape.
Tritiated corticosteroid metabolism in intact and adenohypophysectomized ducks (Anas platyrhynchos).

Abstract The biological half-life of [1,2- 3 H]corticosterone was 7.5 min in intact ducks and 24.9 min in the adenohypophysectomized birds. The corresponding values for [1,2- 3 H]-aldosterone-injected birds were 6.2 min and 60.7 min. In the adenohypophysectomized birds the metabolic clearance rates of [1,2- 3 H]corticosterone and [1,2- 3 H]aldosterone were one-third and one-eighth, respectively, of the corresponding values in the intact birds. After injection, the plasma concentrations of labeled corticosterone metabolites and labeled aldosterone metabolites started to increase, and maximum values were observed at between 10 and 20 min. Thereafter, the plasma concentrations of metabolites declined steadily, and at 60 min the concentrations in the [1,2- 3 H]corticosterone-injected and the [1,2- 3 H]aldosterone-injected birds represented, respectively, 5.4% and 1.5% injected tritium per 100 ml plasma. In contrast, the plasma concentrations of labeled corticosterone metabolites and labeled aldosterone metabolites in the adenohypophysectomized birds continued to increase throughout the experimental period and at 60 min represented, respectively, 10.5 and 7.6% injected tritium per 100 ml plasma. The metabolites in plasma of intact ducks were purified chromatographically and analyzed by enzymatic and acid hydrolysis. Approximately 7% of the labeled corticosterone metabolites and 25% of the labeled aldosterone metabolites were conjugated as steroid ester sulfates. None of the sulfate was conjugated to free [1,2- 3 H]corticosterone, and less than two-thirds was conjugated to free [1,2- 3 H]aldosterone.
Surveying DC White Dwarfs for Magnetic Fields

A survey of 52 DC white dwarf stars was conducted in circular spectropolarimetry to search for magnetic fields 30 kG. Four DC stars were discovered with magnetic fields above 30 kG: G111-49 with Be ~ -220 MG, G183-35 with Be = +6.8 ± 0.5 MG, G256-7 with Be = +4.9 ± 0.5 MG, and G234-4 with Be = +39.6 ± 11.6 kG. A new magnetic DB white dwarf was also discovered, LB 8827 with Be = 1.0 ± 0.5 MG. A total of 15% of the white dwarfs in the survey have a magnetic field >30 kG. This value is far larger than the 2% of DA stars, but more than half of the DC stars were originally misclassified. Only 5% of the reclassified DC stars have magnetic fields above 30 kG. Non-white dwarfs were also observed: the two BL Lacs are unpolarized in circular polarization and an extreme carbon star was discovered. Three magnetic stars from the DC white dwarf survey were reobserved to investigate the possibility of rotation. Two are definitely rotating: LHS 1734 with 16 minutes P < 1 yr and G158-45 (=LHS 1044) with a probable period P ~ 11 hr but a definite period P ≤ 1 day or P ~ a few days. G183-35 might be rotating with 50 minutes P < a few yr.
Seismic Repair of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns: Review of Research Findings

AbstractRepair has become a viable option for restoring the use of earthquake-damaged RC elements, even those that have been severely damaged. To select and design an appropriate repair system for damaged RC bridge columns, it is important that results from previous studies are known. This paper presents a comprehensive summary and review of techniques to repair earthquake-damaged RC bridge columns, as well as numerical methods for analyzing the response of repaired columns. Repair of columns with and without fractured longitudinal reinforcing bars is discussed. Studies are reviewed in terms of the apparent damage, repair technique, and performance of the repair. Advantages and disadvantages associated with each repair technique are discussed.
Four-Electron Photochemistry of Dirhodium Fluorophosphine Compounds

The singly bonded dirhodium(II) complex, Rh2(dfpma)3Br4 (dfpma = bis(difluorophosphine)methylamine, CH3N(PF2)2), photoreacts when irradiated with UV or visible light. The mixed-valence LRh0RhΙΙX2 species, Rh2(dfpma)3Br2(L), is obtained quantitatively when THF solutions containing Rh2(dfpma)3Br4 and excess L = dfpma or PR3 are photolyzed (λexc > 436 nm). The photoreaction quantum yield is ∼10-2 over the near-UV absorption manifold, decreasing slightly as the excitation wavelength is extended into the visible region (φp313-405 = 0.022(3), φp436-468 = 0.012(1)). Continued irradiation with excitation wavelengths coincident with the absorption manifold of the LRh0RhΙΙX2 complex results in a second two-electron elimination reaction to give the LRh0Rh0L dimer, Rh2(dfpma)3L2, again in quantitative yield but with an attenuated quantum efficiency (φp313-365 = 0.0035(3), φp405-436 = 0.0017(3)). For photoreactions performed in THF, the bromine photoproduct is HBr, which may be trapped with 2,6-lutidine. NMR experimen...
Bioprinting living structures

Present efforts in tissue engineering are aimed at building living structures by employing the self-organizing properties of cells and tissues and automated technologies. One such technology is bioprinting that utilizes three-dimensional delivery devices for the rapid and accurate placement of biological materials into biocompatible environments, where post-printing self-assembly takes place. This Application article summarizes the scientific basis of this approach and some of the recent developments.
Vascular TRP Channels: Performing Under Pressure and Going with the Flow

Endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells of resistance arteries mediate opposing responses to mechanical forces acting on the vasculature, promoting dilation in response to flow and constriction in response to pressure, respectively. In this review, we explore the role of TRP channels, particularly endothelial TRPV4 and smooth muscle TRPC6 and TRPM4 channels, in vascular mechanosensing circuits, placing their putative mechanosensitivity in context with other proposed upstream and downstream signaling pathways.
Predicting image blur in proton radiography: comparisons between measurements and Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract Given the cost and lead-times involved in high-energy proton radiography, it is prudent to model proposed radiographic experiments to see if the images predicted would return useful information. We recently modified our raytracing transmission radiography modeling code HADES to perform simplified Monte Carlo simulations of the transport of protons in a proton radiography beamline. Beamline objects include the initial diffuser, vacuum magnetic fields, windows, angle-selecting collimators, and objects described as distorted 2D (planar or cylindrical) meshes or as distorted 3D hexahedral meshes. We describe the algorithms used for simulations through typical 2D and 3D meshes. We calculate expected changes in image blur as scattering materials are placed upstream and downstream of a resolution test object (a 3 mm thick sheet of tantalum, into which 0.4 mm wide slits have been cut), and as the current supplied to the focusing magnets is varied. We compare and contrast the resulting simulations with the results of measurements obtained at the 800 MeV Los Alamos LANSCE Line-C proton radiography facility.
Positive Organizational Scholarship: A Critical Theory Perspective

Positive organizational scholarship (POS) is considered an alternative approach to studying organizations; it is argued that POS plays a critical theory role in contemporary organizational scholarship. By using essays on critical theory in organizational science to consider POS research, and drawing from the principles of Gestalt psychology, it is argued that the important distinctions between POS and traditional organizational scholarship lie in POS's emphasis on positive processes, on value transparency, and on extending the range of what constitutes a positive organizational outcome. In doing so, it is concluded that the primary contribution of POS is that it offers an alternative to the deficit model that shapes the design and conduct of organizational research.
Applying informetric characteristics of databases to IR system file design, Part I: informetric models

Abstract This study examines how informetric characteristics of information retrieval (IR) system databases can be used to help the systems designer decide what types of file structures would provide the best performance for a given type of information system environment. In this first of two papers, the development of appropriate models describing database contents, to be used later in a simulation study, are dealt with. Database characteristics for which data were collected include: the index term frequency distribution, the distribution of terms used per query, and the distribution of term frequency selections. A shifted generalized Waring distribution was found to provide the best fit for the index term distributions with the large data sets used. For the terms used per query, a shifted negative binomial was found to provide a reasonable fit. A complex relationship was observed for the term selection distribution data, for which the empirical distribution is used. As well, four other hypothetical term selection relationships are presented. With this information, a simulation study examining system performance under different informetric environments can be undertaken.
Erosion of MgO by solid particle impingement at normal incidence

A study has been made of the erosion of almost fully dense, fine-grained MgO by millimeter-scale WC-6 wt% Co spheres impinging at normal incidence with velocities between 10 and 90 m sec−1. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the damage consisted of a central crater surrounded by an array of intergranular radial and/or median and/or lateral cracks characteristic of an elastic-plastic impact. The crater had a thin lining of plastically deformed material, but appeared to have been formed primarily by localized transgranular and integranular fracture processes, suggesting that any mode of irreversible deformation in the contact region will suffice to produce the changeover from Hertzian cracking to radial, median and lateral cracking. The accompanying gravimetric studies showed that mass loss, which was caused primarily by intersection of lateral cracks with the free surface and with radial and/or median cracks, increased threefold during the short incubation period in which the as-received surface evolved into its steady-state eroded condition. During this period the exponent relating erosion to impact velocity decreased asymptotically towards a value smaller than that predicted by any current theory of erosion in the elastic or the elastic-plastic impact regime. Nor are these theories any more successful at explaining the observed particle-size dependence of the erosion of polycrystalline MgO.
Technical analysis of cDNA microarrays.

Background There is extensive variation in gene expression among individuals within and between populations. Accurate measures of the variation in mRNA expression using microarrays can be confounded by technical variation, which includes variation in RNA isolation procedures, day of hybridization and methods used to amplify and dye label RNA for hybridization. Methodology/Principal Findings In this manuscript we analyze the relationship between the amount of mRNA and the fluorescent signal from the microarray hybridizations demonstrating that for a wide-range of mRNA concentrations the fluorescent signal is a linear function of the amount of mRNA. Additionally, the separate isolation, labeling or hybridization of RNA does not add significant amounts of variation in microarray measures of gene expression. However, single or double rounds of amplification for labeling do have small but significant affects on 10% of genes, but this source of technical variation is easy to avoid. To examine both technical and stochastic biological variation, mRNA expression was measured from the same five individuals over a six-week time course. Conclusion There were few, if any, meaningful differences in gene expression among time points. Thus, microarray measures using standard laboratory procedures can be precise and quantitative and are not subject to significant random biological noise.
Aberrant patterns of cellular communication in diabetes-induced embryopathy I. Membrane signalling

Objective: Our purpose was to investigate the role of membrane signalling in the mechanism of diabetes-induced embryopathy. Methods: Three groups of 70-90-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were employed in our study: group 1 was normal control rats receiving a normal diet; group 2 represented experimentally induced diabetic rats with malformed offspring (intravenous injection of 65 mg/kg streptozotocin on pregnancy day 6) and group 3 included streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats with normal offspring. Embryos were examined on day 12 under light microscopy, categorized as morphologically normal or defective, and yolk sac cells were harvested from each group. Activities of ERK1 and 2, Raf-1, JNK 1 and 2 in yolk sac cells were analyzed by Western blot with primary antibodies specific to the phosphorylated kinases, respectively. Results: A strong link between hyperglycemia and congenital malformations was confirmed. Key mitogen-activated protein kinases serve as syllabic intermediates: increased activities of Jun-a...
An Alternative Procedure for the Aluminum-Mediated Conversion of Esters to Amides

Abstract A convenient method has been developed for directly converting esters to amides using reagents derived from the reaction of trimethylaluminum with ammonium chloride, methylamine hydrochloride or dimethylamine hydrochloride.
Abstract B33: Serum hormone concentrations in women who yield breast nipple aspirate fluid (NAF) and those who do not

Objective: Determine whether differences in serum hormone concentrations explain the lack of NAF yield among women participating in a study of NAF hormone concentrations in breast cancer cases and screening controls. Methods: 80 NAF yielders (Y) and 80 non-yielders (NY) were randomly selected from women who had completed participation in an ongoing case-control study, equally divided by menopausal status and case-control status (only the contralateral breast was aspirated in cases). Average age of premenopausal women was 45.95 years and of postmenopausal women was 57.54 years. The percentage of African American and Caucasian subjects was similar among those who yielded NAF and those who did not. Serum was collected on the same day that nipple aspiration was attempted and the serum was assayed for estradiol, progesterone, and FSH by standard immunoassays. Hormonal concentrations were compared among 80 subjects who produced >2 microliters of NAF and 80 who did not. Wilcoxon tests were used to compare rank distributions of the values for yielders and non-yielders within each menopausal and case/control category. Results: Hormonal data were analyzed in quintiles with the following comparisons: premenopausal cases Y vs NY; postmenopausal cases Y vs NY; premenopausal controls N vs NY; postmenopausal controls N vs NY. Among premenopausal cases estradiol was significantly greater at the P = 0.0067 level among those who did not produce NAF. This remained significant after correction for multiple comparisons. The difference remained significant after combining cases and controls at the P = 0.021 level. The other comparisons were not significant. Analyses of progesterone and FSH yielded no significant differences. Discussion: The inhibition of breast fluid accumulation by estradiol is consistent with the effect of ovarian steroids on milk secretion observed after parturition. The observation that this effect was greater in cases is interesting and will be investigated further to ascertain whether other factors associated with breast cancer may play a role in the observed inhibition. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):B33.