cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sex-specific IKAS activation in rabbit ventricles with drug-induced QT prolongation.

Abstract Background Female sex is a known risk factor for drug-induced long QT syndrome (diLQTS). We recently demonstrated a sex difference in apamin-sensitive small-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ (SK) current (IKAS) activation during β-adrenergic stimulation. Objective To test the hypothesis that there is a sex difference of IKAS in the rabbit models of diLQTS. Methods We evaluated the sex differences in ventricular repolarization from 15 male and 22 female Langendorff-perfused rabbit hearts with optical mapping techniques during atrial pacing. HMR1556 (IKs blocker), E4031 (IKr blocker) and sea anemone toxin (ATX-II, INaL activator) were used to simulate types 1-3 LQTS, respectively. Apamin, an IKAS blocker was then added to determine the magnitude of further QT prolongation. Results HMR1556, E4031 and ATX-II led to APD80 prolongation in both male and female ventricles at pacing cycle lengths (PCLs) of 300-400 ms. Apamin further lengthened APD80 (in PCL350 ms) from 187.8±4.3 to 206.9±7.1 (p=0.014) in HMR1556 treated, from 209.9±7.8 to 224.9±7.8 (p=0.003) in E4031 treated, and from 174.3±3.3 to 188.1±3.0 (p=0.0002) in ATX-II treated female hearts. In contrast, apamin did not further lengthen the APD80 in male hearts. Compared with the baseline, the Cai transient duration (CaiTD) was significantly increased in diLQTS but without sex differences. There were no significant effects of apamin on CaiTD. Conclusion We conclude that IKAS is abundantly increased in female but not in male ventricles with diLQTS. Increased IKAS helps preserve the repolarization reserve in female ventricles treated with IKs and IKr blockers or INaL activators.
Reverse genetics systems of plant negative-strand RNA viruses are difficult to be developed but powerful for virus-host interaction studies and virus-based vector applications

Plant virus-induced diseases cause significant losses to agricultural crop production worldwide. Reverse genetics systems of plant viruses allow gene manipulation on viral genomes, which greatly facilitates studies of viral pathogenesis and interactions with host organisms. In addition, viral infectious cDNA clones have been modified as versatile recombinant vectors for virus-mediated protein overexpression, virus-induced gene silencing, and gene editing. Since genome RNAs of plant positive-strand RNA viruses are directly translatable, recovery of these viruses has been achieved more than three decades ago by simply expressing viral genome RNA or viral genome-derived in vitro synthesized transcripts in planta. In contrast, genomes of plant negative-strand RNA (NSR) viruses are complementary to their mRNAs and cannot be translated directly. Therefore, rescue of infectious plant NSR viruses from cDNA clones strictly requires the core replication proteins together with their genome RNAs which can assemble into nucleocapsid (NC) complexes as minimal infectious units. However, it is a major challenge to deliver multiple essential components in single cells and to assemble the NC complexes in vivo. Major breakthroughs in reverse genetics systems of plant non-segmented and segmented NSR viruses were just achieved in recent 5 years through various strategies, such as agroinfiltration, minireplicon systems, insect transmission and airbrush inoculation assays. In this review, we summarized critical steps toward developing reverse genetics systems for recovery of several plant NSR viruses in plants and insects. We also highlighted important applications of these reverse genetics of NSR viruses in viral gene function analyses, investigation of virus-insect-plant interactions, and genomic studies of insect vectors and host plants.
A Nursing Perspective on Infant Bed-Sharing Using Multidisciplinary Theory Integration

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends against bed-sharing between infants and caregivers due to an association with suffocation. Caregivers continue to share a bed with their infant despite these recommendations for a multitude of reasons. A close examination of the bed-sharing literature reveals that the debate is fundamentally about theoretical differences. The major theories used to frame this problem include the triple risk model of bed-sharing and evolutionary theories. Nurses are masters of multidisciplinary collaboration and are well positioned to unify the triple risk and evolutionary views of infant bed-sharing to guide future innovations in health care practice and research.
Developing a new behavioral framework for dementia care partner resilience (CP-R): A mixed research synthesis.

Background and objectives Caring for a person living with dementia requires resilience, the capacity to recover and grow from challenging situations. Despite the increasing interest in assessing and promoting resilience for dementia care partners, behaviors that indicate this attribute are not well known. The goal of this study is to synthesize the literature to identify resilience-related behaviors and develop a new framework for future validation and intervention research. Research design and methods We searched English-language peer-reviewed articles (January 1991 - June 2019) reporting qualitative or quantitative descriptions of resilience-related behaviors among dementia care partners. Thematic analysis was used to categorize behaviors into domains, identify the relationships among them, and generate a thematic map. Results Sixteen articles were identified according to predefined inclusion criteria. Four domains emerged: (1) problem-response behaviors (problem-solving, problem-distancing); (2) self-growth behaviors (self-care activities, spiritual-related activities, and developing and maintaining meaningful social relationships); (3) help-related behaviors (help-seeking and help-receiving), and (4) learning-related behaviors (learning from others and reflection). Definitions of each domain, identification of corresponding behaviors, and formulation of Care Partner Resilience (CP-R) behavioral framework were informed by this mixed research synthesis and other relevant literature. Discussion and implications The CP-R framework emerged as a result of a new focus on identifying and cultivating strengths instead of evaluating strain and burden. It serves as a useful foundation for understanding the impact of specific behaviors on dementia care partner resilience. Once validated, this framework will inform the development of future measures, research, interventions, and policies for dementia care partners.
Theragnostic chromosomal rearrangements in treatment‐naive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas obtained via endoscopic ultrasound

A crucial mutational mechanism in malignancy is structural variation, in which chromosomal rearrangements alter gene functions that drive cancer progression. Herein, the presence and pattern of structural variations were investigated in twelve prospectively acquired treatment-naive pancreatic cancers specimens obtained via endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). In many patients, this diagnostic biopsy procedure and specimen is the only opportunity to identify somatic clinically relevant actionable alterations that may impact their care and outcome. Specialized mate pair sequencing (MPseq) provided genome-wide structural variance analysis (SVA) with a view to identifying prognostic markers and possible therapeutic targets. MPseq was successfully performed on all specimens, identifying highly rearranged genomes with complete SVA on all specimens with > 20% tumour content. SVA identified chimeric fusion proteins and potentially immunogenic readthrough transcripts, change of function truncations, gains and losses of key genes linked to tumour progression. Complex localized rearrangements, termed chromoanagenesis, with broad pattern heterogeneity were observed in 10 (83%) specimens, impacting multiple genes with diverse cellular functions that could influence theragnostic evaluation and responsiveness to immunotherapy regimens. This study indicates that genome-wide MPseq can be successfully performed on very limited clinically EUS obtained specimens for chromosomal rearrangement detection and potential theragnostic targets.
Effect of social information on an individual's assessment of its environment

That observed behaviours conflate information processing with resulting responses presents a challenge for understanding how social information contributes to adaptive behaviour in animals. Here, we develop a mathematical model that isolates how individuals assess their environment and use it to examine how social information impacts those assessments. We consider the influences of personal and social sampling efforts, how individuals combine these sources of information, group size, social sampling practices and types of environmental variation. Our analyses lead to predictive formulas that show that social information often improves but sometimes impairs environmental assessments and that the magnitude of improvement or diminishment increases with the extent of environmental variation. We also show that the weight an individual gives to social information affects both whether it improves or degrades its assessment as well as the size of that effect. Simulation results show that group size does not affect the influence of social information on average but does affect the variability of those influences.
Development Finance and Distributive Politics: Comparing Chinese and World Bank Finances in sub-Saharan Africa

Academic literature has dedicated limited attention to the subnational allocation of development finance. The limited literature has highlighted the role of donor interests and regime type in foreign finance allocation. In this paper, I examine both factors using geocoded data on China and the World Bank’s grant and loan flow to 48 African countries from 2000 to 2012. In contrast to most of the existing empirical research, I found that the more democratic a regime is, the more likely co-ethnic regions of the incumbent leader are to receive development finance. I then focus on case studies of elections in a hybrid regime, Zambia, and an autocratic regime, Ethiopia. The core argument is that domestic politics play a bigger role than donors’ conditionality in the subnational distribution of development finance. The widespread competitive clientelism in many African countries puts more political survival pressure on democratic leaders to target their co-ethnic regions, while autocratic leaders only need to secure the support of a small circle of elites. This research has broader implications for understanding how political competition feeds clientelism in weak institutions.
Subtype-selective Positive Modulation of K Ca 2 Channels Depends on the HA/HB Helices

Background and purpose In the activated state of small-conductance Ca2+ -activated potassium (KCa 2) channels, calmodulin interacts with the HA/HB helices and the S4-S5 linker. CyPPA potentiates KCa 2.2a and KCa 2.3 channel activity but not the KCa 2.1 and KCa 3.1 subtypes. Experimental approach Site-directed mutagenesis, patch-clamp recordings and in silico modelling were utilised to explore the structural determinants for the subtype-selective modulation of KCa 2 channels by CyPPA. Key results Mutating residues in the HA (V420) and HB (K467) helices of KCa 2.2a channels to their equivalent residues in KCa 3.1 channels diminished the potency of CyPPA. CyPPA elicited prominent responses on mutant KCa 3.1 channels with an arginine residue in the HB helix substituted for its equivalent lysine residue in the KCa 2.2a channels (R355K). KCa 2.1 channels harbouring a three-amino-acid insertion upstream of the cognate R438 residues in the HB helix showed no response to CyPPA, whereas the deletion mutant (KCa 2.1_ΔA434/Q435/K436) became sensitive to CyPPA. In molecular dynamics simulations, CyPPA docked between calmodulin C-lobe and the HA/HB helices widens the cytoplasmic gate of KCa 2.2a channels. Conclusion and implications Selectivity of CyPPA among KCa 2 and KCa 3.1 channel subtypes relies on the HA/HB helices.
Agreements between speech language pathologists and naïve listeners' judgements of Intelligibility in children with cleft palate.

Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) working in interdisciplinary craniofacial teams need to know how much their judgments of speech intelligibility could predict the patient's communication difficulties with non-clinical communicative partners. This study examines the relationship between experienced SLPs and naive listeners in judgments of speech intelligibility in speakers with cleft palate. A speech perception study was conducted using speech samples from 20 speakers with velopharyngeal insufficiency (VPI) following cleft palate. Speech samples were presented to 70 naive listeners and 10 SLPs who were experts in cleft palate treatment. Speech intelligibility scores from naive listeners' orthographic transcriptions were obtained as the percentage of correctly identified words. Speech intelligibility scores from SLPs were obtained using a five-point rating scale. Spearman rank correlation indicated a very high level of overall agreement between naive listeners and SLPs at the speaker level scores (rs = -.94, p < .001). While the listeners' judgment seems highly related across highly intelligible speakers, the differences in agreements increase when the speaker is unintelligible. The high correlations between scores for naive listeners and SLPs suggest that speech intelligibility in children with VPI could be predicted by ratings done in the clinic by expert SLPs.
Kierkegaard and the Treachery of Love

Introduction 1. The call to confession in Kierkegaard's Works of Love 2. Provoking the question: deceiving ourselves in Fear and Trembling 3. The poet, the vampire, and the girl in Repetition with Works of Love 4. The married man as master thief in Either/Or 5. Seclusion and disclosure in Stages on Life's Way 6. On the way.
Traumatic Grief: Diagnosis, Treatment, and Prevention

Attachment Behavior and Therapy Definition of Traumatic Grief as a Disorder Diagnosis of Traumatic Grief Co-Morbidity: Associated Psychiatric Disorders Treatment of Traumatic Grief Epidemiology and Prevention of Traumatic Grief Conclusion.
Healing Rituals for Couples Recovering from Adultery

Recovery from the trauma of adultery is a process that is fullofpointswherethecouplecangetstuck.Wedescribeanexperiential model that utilizes healing rituals. We start with a general exploration of the use of rituals in marriage and family therapy. The key elements of effective rituals are described. We describe stuck points in these relationships including: 1) knowing the details, 2) releasing the anger, 3) showing commitment, 4) rebuilding trust, and 5) rebuilding the relationship. Ritualized interventions are described for each of these stuck points.
Character formulas for discrete series on semisimple Lie groups

Let G be a connected, semisimple real Lie group with finite center, K a maximal compact subgroup of G. Assume rank G = rank K . Let be the Lie algebra of G , its complexification. If G c is the simplyconnected complex analytic group corresponding to assume G is the real analytic subgroup of G c corresponding to .
The mechanism for hydrogen adsorption on platinum electrodes from acidic aqueous media: Part II. A consideration of potential step relaxation data

Abstract A mechanism is proposed for adsorption of hydrogen in states that exhibit fast kinetics. The mechanism involves “instantaneous” surface equilibration between several different adsorption states. Evidence supporting the proposed mechanism comes from the dependence of adsorption kinetics on electrode crystal face, electrode potential, and solution pH.
Backscattering and attenuation during the propagation of ultrasonic waves in duplex titanium alloys

This dissertation reports results from studies of the interactions between the microstructure/macrostructure of titanium alloys and propagating ultrasonic waves. Attention is focused on the interactions which cause backscattering and attenuation. Experimental studies will be reported which show that the phase aberration contribution to attenuation does not remove energy from the propagating beam, and a physical picture is developed. A simple ray model which encompasses the ideas presented in the physical picture is used to predict attenuation for propagation in single phase materials with elongated grains. In addition, a general theory for attenuation that includes some degree of multiple scattering is presented that can allow for texture effects and duplex microstructures in its most general form. Numerical predictions from the general attenuation theory and an existing backscattering theory are then compared with experimental measurements of the attenuation and backscattering coefficient in a Ti-6Al-4V specimen that contains elongated macrograins consisting of colonies that are modeled as ellipsoids. Agreement between the experimental and theoretical determination of the backscattering coefficient is extremely good if the effects of texture is included. Agreement with attenuation is favorable.
Application of Trend Impact Analysis for predicting future fruit consumption.

SummaryKnowledge of those aspects that motivate consumers towards more fruit consumption is necessary in order to implement policies to stimulate fruit consumption. To predict future fruit consumption based on such knowledge from experts, and based on historic consumption data, the method of Trend Impact Analysis (TIA) was applied to four countries. From the historic data, a trend or baseline has been estimated. TIA combines this information with expert knowledge to forecast future consumption. A Monte Carlo simulation was used to handle uncertainty in the TIA model thus developed. Despite the disadvantages of TIA, the method is suitable to explain a trend by means of impact factors, and offers an opportunity to deal with uncertain prognoses by experts. TIA is a relatively unknown method and requires more research and experience to judge if it is widely applicable, and if it provides a good alternative to more traditional forecasting methods.
Supply of Dissolved Organic Matter to Aquatic Ecosystems: Autochthonous Sources

1. Trophic polymorphism is a common phenomenon in many species. Trade-offs in foraging efficiency on different resources are thought to be a primary cause of such polymorphism.2. To test for a tr ...
The Coming of Materials Science

Introduction. The Emergence of Disciplines. Precursors of Materials Science. The Virtues of Subsidiarity. The Escape from Handwaving. Characterization. Functional Materials. The Polymer Revolution. Craft Turned into Science. Materials in Extreme States. Materials Chemistry and Biomimetics. Computer Simulation. The Management of Data. The Institutions and Literature of Materials Science. Epilogue. Name Index. Subject Index.
Cosmic ray studies with an interstellar probe

Among the NASA mission concepts that have been suggested for the 21st century is an Interstellar Probe that might be accelerated to a velocity of ∼10 to 20 AU/yr, allowing it to leave the heliosphere, ultimately reaching a radial distance of ∼500 to 1000 AU in ∼50 years. We discuss briefly previous studies of such a mission, and its potential significance for cosmic ray studies, both within the heliosphere, and beyond, in interstellar space.
Pressure generation and screw design in corotating twin screw extruders

In order to properly design the screws and to locate feed and devolatilization ports, it is necessary to determine the extent of filled zones and to evaluate the pumping and mixing efficiency of different kneading sections. This paper presents an experimental study of the pumping efficiency of forward and backward pumping screws and kneading sections. Results indicate that the pumping efficiency is generally greater than that predicted by 2D inelastic models and that left-handed elements do not necessarily fill entirely, especially at their downstream end where backward pumping and forward pumping flights meet.
Understanding the metabolism of urban-rural ecosystems

A Multi-sectoral Systems Analysis (MSA) methodology is presented as a tool for identifying the level of importance of flows of energy and materials (water, nitrogen, phosphorus, and carbon) as they pass through an anthropogenically manipulated system. That system comprises a web of processes, across a total of five industrial sectors: water, forestry, food, energy and waste management. Given the heterogeneous nature and quality of data sources, the propagation of data uncertainty is considered through a Regionalized Sensitivity Analysis (RSA) procedure, based on the Monte Carlo simulation approach. The MSA reveals the advantages of studying different material cycles simultaneously, in addition to interpreting them individually, while gaining insight into the magnitude of the associated flows. The proposed framework is illustrated for a case study of the Upper Chattahoochee Watershed, in which parts of Metro Atlanta are located. Results show that natural flows are predominant in the water and energy cycles. Direct human manipulations of water, i.e., withdrawals for public supply and power generation, are less than 25% of the amount received as precipitation. Solar input is 200 times the total demand for electricity. Apart from sun-light, gasoline for transportation is the flow with the largest content of energy; it is responsible for providing 71% of the total demand of fuels for uses other than power generation. In contrast, cycles of nutrients such as N and C are strongly related to the flows of fuels, mainly coal and natural gas. In a second tier, fertilizer use and the poultry industry in the region are significant for the use of nitrogen. Phosphorus fluxes are similarly dominated by the food sector and, as a consequence, to a lesser extent by the water sector, because of water’s role as a waste-conveyance medium.
Perceptions of Joint Family Storytelling as Mediators of Family Communication Patterns and Family Strengths

Using family communication patterns theory, this study tested the degree to which perceptions of joint family storytelling mediate the relationship between family communication patterns (i.e., conversation and conformity orientations) and family strengths. Participants included 267 young adults from first-marriage families. Results indicated that conversation orientation is positively associated with the interactional sense-making (ISM) behaviors that characterize jointly told family stories (i.e., engagement, polite turn-taking, perspective-taking and coherence) and family strengths, while conformity orientation is negatively associated with ISM behaviors and family strengths. Indirect effects emerged for conversation and conformity orientations on family strengths through perceptions of ISM behaviors. Specifically, perceptions of storytelling engagement and polite turn-taking mediated the positive association between conversation orientation and family strength, while engagement, perspective-taking, and...
Microconcrete for model drilled shaft foundations

A special microconcrete was developed for constructing and simulating model drilled shaft foundations in large laboratory deposits of clay and sand. Specific attention was given to defining the structural properties of the microconcrete while young (1,2,4 and 11 days) and under special curing conditions, because these could affect the relative rigidity of the soil-shaft system. This paper presents a review of the mix design, testing programme on cylinders and beams, and concrete properties including: compressive strength ( f c ), flexural strength ( f r ), static elastic modulus ( E 40 ) and dynamic modulus ( E d ). After several trial-and-error iterations in testing, a favourable mix with the desired performance for rigid model testing was attained. The laboratory testing programme indicated that commonly used correlations for estimating modulus based on f c at 28 days significantly overpredict the value of E 40 for young concrete. Non-destructive evaluation of E d by ultrasonics proved capable as an index for mapping strength gains with time for both compression and flexural tests.
Treatment of adult chickenpox with oral acyclovir.

• Thirty-one late adolescents and adults with varicella were studied. Patients identified within 72 hours of varicella exanthem were offered open treatment with acyclovir (4 g/d), and those patients identified after 72 hours of exanthem were followed up but not treated. Twenty-two patients were treated with acyclovir. Nine patients were not treated. No severe complications occurred in any of the 31 patients. Minor complications, including prolonged fever, localized secondary infections, persistent cough, and prolonged fatigue were more frequent in the untreated group. If the acyclovir therapy was begun within the first 24 hours of varicella exanthem, then the rash and clinical illness were dramatically lessened. Treatment with oral acyclovir should be considered for varicella in adults who are identified within the first 24 hours of exanthem. (Arch Intern Med.1990;150:2061 -2065)
The relationship between a twelve minute wheelchair push test and VO2peak in women wheelchair athletes

Field testing of able‐bodied individuals to predict cardiorespiratory endurance has been used extensively. A modification of the popular twelve‐minute walk‐run field test for individuals who use wheelchairs has been recently reported. The purpose of the present study was to assess the relationship of a twelve‐minute wheelchair push test (12WPT) in women wheelchair basketball athletes with their cardiorespiratory endurance (VO2peak). Thirteen women wheelchair basketball athletes (mean age ± SD: 26 ± 6 yr) volunteered to participate in this study. These athletes were all members of the U.S. National Women's Basketball team sent to the International Federation Games and classified for wheelchair basketball (BBC) according to the National Wheelchair Basketball Association from class 1 to 3. The group mean (± SD) subject weight was 62.5 ± 9.5 kg, percent body fat, 23.3 ± 4.6%, and years of basketball experience, 6.8 ±5.7 yr, respectively. Each subject performed a maximal incremental exercise test using an Cybe...
Disparities in Mental Health Care among HIV-Infected Youth

Objective:Untreated psychiatric illness is detrimental to the health and well-being of HIV-infected youth. This study examines the relationships between social and demographic variables and the rates of psychiatric treatment among HIV-infected youth.Methods:Analyses are from a cross-sectional survey of 1706 HIV-infected youth (13-26 years) in care at treatment sites or affiliates of the Adolescent Medicine Trials Network for HIV/AIDS Interventions from 2010 to 2011. Among the youth who reported recent significant mental health symptoms, comparisons on demographic variables (including race, ethnicity, language spoken, level of education, sexual orientation, and household income) were made.Results:Psychiatrically symptomatic black youth were significantly less likely than symptomatic nonblack peers to receive mental health care (37.4% versus 48.6%) and psychiatric medications (19.3% versus 26.9%).Conclusion:Care providers should be alerted to the potential disparities in mental health care treatment that ex...
Stepwise multiple comparisons with the best

Abstract Multiple comparisons with the best (MCB) compares each treatment with the best of the other treatments. The parameters of interest in MCB are the differences between each treatment and the best of the other treatments. The simultaneous confidence intervals constructed in Hsu ( Ann. Statist. 9 , 1981, Ann. Statist. 12 , 1984) for these differences are closed intervals constrained to contain zero, which may seem undesirable to some users. This article derives a stepwise MCB method where the first step is Tukey's all-pairwise comparison method, and the last step is the original 1-step MCB method. At the same confidence level, stepwise MCB will always infer at least as many treatments to be strictly not the best as Tukey's method, often more. Open confidence intervals for the differences between each treatment and the best of the other treatments associated with the stepwise MCB are also derived. Thus, the common perception that stepwise procedures have no corresponding confidence sets (Lehmann, Testing Statistical Hypothesis , 1986, p.388) is not true for the MCB problem of this article.
Nonstationary Time Series, Cointegration, and the Principle of the Common Cause

Elliot Sober ([2001]) forcefully restates his well-known counterexample to Reichenbach's principle of the common cause: bread prices in Britain and sea levels in Venice both rise over time and are, therefore, correlated; yet they are ex hypothesi not causally connected, which violates the principle of the common cause. The counterexample employs nonstationary data-i.e., data with time-dependent population moments. Common measures of statistical association do not generally reflect probabilistic dependence among nonstationary data. I demonstrate the inadequacy of the counterexample and of some previous responses to it, as well as illustrating more appropriate measures of probabilistic dependence in the nonstationary case. 1 A challenge to the principle of the common cause 2 Sober's argument and the attempts to rescue the principle 3 Probabilistic dependence 4 Nonstationary time series 5 Probabilistic dependence in nonstationary time series 6 Do Venetian sea levels and British bread prices violate the principle of the common cause?
Oxygen therapy and hyaline membrane disease: The effect of hyperoxia on pulmonary superoxide dismutase activity and the mediating role of plasma or serum

In vitro and in vivo hyperoxic exposure of the lungs of normal immature animals resulted in a rapid increase of pulmonary superoxide dismutase activity. The increase of pulmonary SOD activity with in vitro hyperoxic exposure requires the presence of plasma or serum in the incubation medium. Twenty-three out of 26 plasma samples from premature infants without hyaline membrane disease were found to support the hyperoxic increase of pulmonary SOD activity, whereas only five of 15 plasma samples from infants with HMD were effective. A defective plasma-lung interaction in infants with HMD may result in an inability to increase pulmonary levels of this presumed protective enzyme during hyperoxic therapy.
Mapping Settlements in the Wildland–Urban Interface: A Decision Tree Approach

The wildland–urban interface (WUI) is the area where human-built structures intermingle or abut wildland vegetation. Maps of the WUI are important for resource management, particularly related to wildfire mitigation, but are often based on spatially coarse data such as housing counts from census blocks. Here, three decision tree models are used to create maps of human settlements for use in delineating the WUI. The first model uses statistics derived from image objects; the second model uses data related to topography, amenities, and accessibility; and the third model uses all available data. The accuracy of the models was evaluated in terms of the percentage of actual structures that fall within the area delineated as settlements. Overall, the three decision models performed similarly, although the third decision tree model was the best. For delineating settlements, all three decision tree models represent an improvement over a null model and the Radeloff et al. (2005) WUI mapping methodology and perform...
Long-term history of chemoautotrophic clam-dominated faunas of petroleum seeps in the Northwestern Gulf of Mexico

Chemoautotrophic clam-dominated assemblages are commonly associated with petroleum seepage on the continental slope of the Gulf of Mexico. We examine the persistence and resilence of these communities by evaluating downcore trends in abundance, biomass, and trophodynamics in communities from four separate petroleum seep sites on the Louisiana continental slope. Some petroleum seep sites retained optimal habitat for some species continuously over geologically-relevant periods of time. More commonly, however, habitat optimality varied substantially over time scales of hundreds of years. Thus, one important characteristic of these sites was the degree of persistence of the chemoautotrophic biota. A fauna typically was persistent over a time span of a few hundred years, but was typically not persistent over a longer time span. The mechanisms producing local extinction remain unclear, however temporal variations in juvenile survivorship seem to be substantially larger than temporal variations in larval settlement, to the extent that the heavily taphonomically-biased record of juvenile individuals permits such a conclusion. When local extinctions occurred in the chemoautotrophic biota, the biota was replaced by a normal slope biota or a mixture of a normal slope biota and the juveniles of chemoautotrophic species that failed to survive to adulthood. Thus, the only faunal transitions were between specific chemoautotrophic faunas and the non-chemoautotrophic fauna. Not one distinctive faunal transition between two chemoautotrophic faunas was observed. Accordingly, each discrete chemoautotrophic fauna was resilient over long time scales; time scales of geological importance.
Orange pulp improves antioxidant status and suppresses lipid peroxidation in orchidectomized male rats

Abstract Objective Oxidative stress is linked to an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease in men. The objective of this research was to delineate whether daily consumption of orange pulp (OP) modifies antioxidant status and decreases cardiovascular risk factors in orchidectomized rats. Methods In the present study, 45 1-y-old male rats were randomized to a sham-control group ( n = 9) and an orchidectomized group ( n = 36). The orchidectomized group was equally divided among the following five treatments: orchidectomy (ORX), ORX + 2.5% OP, ORX + 5% OP, and ORX + 10% OP. One hundred twenty days after the study began, all rats were sacrificed and plasma was harvested for its antioxidant status, C-reactive protein (CRP), lipid profile, and indices of peroxidation. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase activities in the liver were also monitored. Results Orchidectomy decreased ( P P P P P P > 0.1) on plasma CRP or lipid profiles. Conclusion The beneficial effect of eating an orange is demonstrated by the increasing antioxidant status and by the decreasing peroxidation independent of plasma triacylglycerol, cholesterol, or CRP concentrations.
Novel concerted fragmentation upon alcoholysis of a urazole.

Instead of yielding the expected hydrazine, alcoholysis of the above heterocycle results in fragmentation via a highly unusual pathway.
Control of macrosegregation during the solidification of alloys using magnetic fields

Abstract Numerical modeling of convection damping and macrosegregation suppression during solidification of alloys with prominent mushy zones through the use of tailored magnetic fields is demonstrated here. Macrosegregation leads to commonly observed defects such as freckles, channels and segregates in cast alloys that severely affect the performance and suitability of the alloy for further applications. The current work demonstrates the successful use of magnetic fields in suppressing thermosolutal convection and eliminating some of these defects in solidifying metallic alloys. The computational model presented utilizes volume-averaged governing transport equations and stabilized finite element techniques to discretize these equations. A finite-dimensional optimization problem, based on the continuum sensitivity method is considered to design the time history of the imposed magnetic field required to effectively damp convection. The coefficients that determine this time variation are the main design parameters of this optimization problem. Continuum sensitivity equations are derived by design-differentiating the governing equations of the direct problem. The cost functional here is given by the square of the L2 norm of an expression representing the deviation of the volume-averaged velocity corresponding to conditions of convection less growth. The cost functional minimization process is realized through a non-linear conjugate gradient algorithm that utilizes finite element solutions of the continuum direct and sensitivity problems. Design of the time history of the imposed magnetic field is highlighted through different examples with the main objective being the suppression of convection and macrosegregation during alloy solidification.
Drift in high-temperature FBG sensors

Fiber Bragg gratings are reported that are optimized for low wavelength drift, making them suitable for high- accuracy temperature measurements over extended periods of time. Our gratings show drift in the order of a few 10's of pm over 1,300 h at up to 650°C.
Applying Gaming Principles to Virtual Environments for Upper Extremity Therapy Games

Home-based care modalities may yield many advantages in therapy and rehabilitation. Virtual systems for rehabilitation are an emerging technology that may be used to enhance the effectiveness of home-based care while simultaneously increasing the number of patients that physical therapists can provide care for. In this paper, we discuss a system that utilizes game design principles to develop a therapy game for upper extremity rehabilitation. We provide an overview of the system and show evidence based on assessments from adults and children using our virtual environment. Results indicate that the system we have developed can engage and encourage the target demographic by adhering to principles common in successful entertainment games.
Toward Sociocultural Sensitivity in Rhetorical Studies of Analogy: Theoretical and Methodological Considerations

In their macroscopic approach to analogy, rhetorical studies project the latent assumption that sound analogical reasoning is a universal property of human consciousness rather than a socioculturally inherited practice that varies over time and place. After drawing briefly from landmark work in the social sciences to show notable cases of cultural variation in analogical reasoning, I present Lev Vygotsky's concept of internalization and Dedre Gentner's structure mapping theory of analogy as fruitful theoretical and methodological avenues through which to detect sociocultural variation in analogical reasoning practices in science.
Risk factors for development of sterile haemorrhagic cystitis in canine lymphoma patients receiving oral cyclophosphamide: a case–control study

Sterile haemorrhagic cystitis (SHC) is a known risk of cyclophosphamide treatment; however, most canine reports are case series. This case-control study examined risk factors for SHC in dogs with lymphoma receiving oral cyclophosphamide. Twenty-two dogs with SHC and 66 control dogs were identified. On univariate analysis, SHC risk factors included age (P = 0.041), induction protocol (P = 0.021) and cumulative cyclophosphamide dose (P = 0.002). On multivariate analysis, increasing cumulative cyclophosphamide dose was associated with increased risk of SHC and the 'short' induction protocol (protocol 1) was associated with decreased risk. Controlling for age and induction protocol, odds of SHC increased by 2.21 per 750 mg m(-2) increase in cyclophosphamide dose (P = 0.001). SHC from oral cyclophosphamide is a predominately delayed toxicity resulting from high cumulative doses.
Response to repetitive cycles of ovulation induction in the same women

It has been theorized that the administration of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in consecutive menstrual cycles will result in a poor follicular response in the second cycle. To examine this, 50 women undergoing ovulation induction in two consecutive cycles were assessed, using in each the same induction regimen during the initial 5 days. The remainder of each cycle was individualized according to their response. Nine women were anovulatory, 19 were oligoovulatory, and 22 ovulated regularly in unstimulated cycles. In repeat cycles only 3 of 50 had poor follicular development and did not receive human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG); all were anovulatory. Forty-two of 50 of the first cycles had continually rising estradiol (E2), while 43 of 47 of the second cycles had rising E2 patterns. Grouping the peak E2 prior to hCG in the ranges <300, 300–699, 700–1099, and ⩾1100 pg/ml, peaks in the second cycle were similar in 25 of 50, lower in 16, and higher in 9. Only 3 of 9 anovulatory women had similar peaks, as compared to 22 of 41 of the oligoovulatory and regularly ovulating women. Comparing the second to the first cycle, the day of hCG was within 1 day in 28 of 50 women, 2 or more days less than the first cycle in 6, and 2 or more days greater than the first cycle in 11. We conclude that in a successive cycle of ovulation induction (i) the follicular response is impaired in anovulatory women, but (ii) in oligoovulatory or regularly ovulating women, clinically significant differences in the estradiol response do not occur.
Isolation of Salmonella from alfalfa seed and demonstration of impaired growth of heat-injured cells in seed homogenates

Abstract Three major foodborne outbreaks of salmonellosis in 1998 and 1999 were linked to the consumption of raw alfalfa sprouts. In this report, an improved method is described for isolation of Salmonella from alfalfa seed lots, which had been implicated in these outbreaks. From each seed lot, eight samples each containing 25 g of seed were tested for the presence of Salmonella by the US FDA Bacteriological Analytical Manual (BAM) procedure and by a modified method applying two successive pre-enrichment steps. Depending on the seed lot, one to four out of eight samples tested positive for Salmonella by the standard procedure and two to seven out of eight samples tested positive by the modified method. Thus, the use of two consecutive pre-enrichment steps led to a higher detection rate than a single pre-enrichment step. This result indirectly suggested that Salmonella cells on contaminated seeds might be injured and failed to fully resuscitate in pre-enrichment broth containing seed components during the first 24 h of incubation. Responses of heat-injured Salmonella cells grown in buffered peptone water (BPW) and in three alfalfa seed homogenates were investigated. For preparation of seed homogenates, 25 g of seeds were homogenized in 200 ml of BPW using a laboratory Stomacher and subsequently held at 37 °C for 24 h prior to centrifugation and filtration. While untreated cells grew at about the same rate in BPW and in seed homogenates, heat-injured cells (52 °C, 10 min) required approximately 0.5 to 4.0 h longer to resuscitate in seed homogenates than in BPW. This result suggests that the alfalfa seed components or fermented metabolites from native bacteria hinder the repair and growth of heat-injured cells. This study also shows that an additional pre-enrichment step increases the frequency of isolation of Salmonella from naturally contaminated seeds, possibly by alleviating the toxic effect of seed homogenates on repair or growth of injured cells.
Imagewise poled ferroelectric layers for printing application

Abstract At the surface of poled ferroelectric (FE) material high electric fields are able to attract or repel charged toner particles. This property can be used for high speed printing applications. A simplified model of free FE surfaces (without electrodes) shows that screening charges are responsible for short range but intensive fields above the surface. Material properties and contrast enhancement for FE-printing are discussed.
Lipid metabolism by muscle of diabetic rats.

This study was undertaken to ascertain whether enhanced oxidation of intracellular lipids could explain the impaired carbohydrate metabolism of diabetes. Pieces of diaphragms removed from diabetic (60–75 mg/kg streptozotocin i.v.) and control rats were incubated for 1 h with palmitate-1-14C. Tissue lipids from one piece were separated on silicic acid columns and the amount and specific activity of free fatty acids (FFA), triglycerides (TG) and phospholipids (PL) were measured.14CO2 production was also assessed in some experiments. The other pieces of tissue were incubated for a subsequent hour (without radioactivity) at which time measurements of tissue lipid content and specific activity and14CO2 production were again performed. FFA incorporation into CO2, tissue TG and PL was normal. TG content was moderately and PL content was slightly reduced in diabetic tissue. Changes in diaphragm TG and PL content and specific activity during the 2nd h of incubation strongly suggested that most of the14CO2 produced during this period was derived from TG. Approximately 25% of tissue TG in both control and diabetic muscle was oxidized to CO2 during the 2nd h of incubation. In diaphragms from diabetic rats, (+)-octanoylcarnitine (an inhibitor of FFA oxidation) decreased TG oxidation considerably but had no effect on the impaired glucose uptake. Thus, these data do not support the hypothesis that the glucose-fatty acid cycle (utilizing either extra- or intracellular lipids) may account for the altered carbohydrate metabolism of diabetic muscle.
The need for randomization in the study of intended effects

The need for randomization as a means of controlling confounders is accentuated in the study of intended effects (efficacy) as compared with unintended ones (toxicity). The basic reason is that the indication for intervention is inherently a confounder in the study of efficacy but not of toxicity, whereas contraindications represent only a minor confounder even in toxicity research. Moreover, control of the indication in non-experimental terms is commonly infeasible owing to the complexity and subtlety of the indication.
The lumped constant in the deoxyglucose procedure declines with age in fischer-344 rats

Concentrations of [14C]2-deoxy-D-glucose ([14C]DG) and of glucose were measured in plasma of arterial and sagittal sinus venous blood from awake Fischer-344 rats at 3, 12, and 24 months of age, during continuous intravenous infusion of [14C]DG and after a steady-state arterial plasma concentration of [14C]DG was reached. Brain extraction, i.e., the difference between arterial and venous plasma concentrations divided by the arterial plasma concentration, was calculated for both [14C]DG and glucose. Because exchange of both substances between rat plasma and erythrocytes is slow, the ratio of the brain extraction of [14C]DG to that of glucose is identical to the lumped constant in the deoxyglucose procedure of Sokoloff et al. [J. Neurochem. 28, 897-916. (1977)]. This ratio equaled 0.502 +/- 0.015 (SEM) at 3 months, 0.456 +/- 0.007 at 12 months, and 0.418 +/- 0.006 at 24 months of age (n = 15); the means differed significantly from each other (p less than 0.05). The results indicate that the lumped constant declines between 3 and 24 months of age in awake rats, and suggest that many reported age reductions in regional cerebral glucose utilization, of 15-25%, are artifactual.
Alcohol Abuse as a Rite of Passage: The Effect of Beliefs about Alcohol and the College Experience on Undergraduates' Drinking Behaviors:

Qualitative studies of alcohol's ritual influences indicate that college undergraduates who drink heavily tend to view alcohol use as integral to the student role and feel entitled to drink irresponsibly. Our analyses, based on a standardized measure of these beliefs administered to approximately 300 students, confirmed these findings. Among our sample, beliefs about alcohol and the college experience had an effect on levels of alcohol consumption similar in magnitude to that of other variables commonly associated with a risk for heavy drinking. Moreover, the alcohol beliefs index moderated the effects of three risk factors--gender, high school drinking, and friends' use of alcohol--on respondents' drinking behaviors. These findings are discussed within the context of the anthropological literature on liminality and rites of passage and with regard to strategies for intervention that address the structural roots of the widespread abuse of alcohol on college campuses.