cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reducing the Burden of Diabetes Treatment: A Review of Low-cost Oral Hypoglycemic Medications.

BACKGROUND The vast majority of individuals diagnosed with diabetes are low/middle income and may have access to only three of the 11 oral hypoglycemic medications (OHMs) due to cost: metformin intermediate release (IR) or extended release (ER), sulfonylureas (glimepiride, glipizide, glyburide), and pioglitazone. Sulfonylureas and pioglitazone have had significant controversy related to potential adverse events, but it remains unclear whether these negative outcomes are class, drug, or dose-related. OBJECTIVE We conducted a narrative review of low-cost OHMs. METHODS We evaluated the maximum recommended (MAX) compared to the most effective (EFF) daily dose, time-to-peak change in HbA1c levels, and adverse events of low-cost oral hypoglycemic medications. RESULTS We found that the MAX was often greater than the EFF: metformin IR/ER (MAX: 2,550/2,000 mg, EFF: 1,500-2,000/1,500-2,000 mg), glipizide IR/ER (MAX: 40/20 mg, EFF: 20/5 mg), glyburide (MAX: 20 mg, EFF: 2.5-5.0 mg), pioglitazone (MAX: 45 mg, EFF: 45 mg). Time-to-peak change in HbA1c levels occurred at weeks 12-20 (sulfonylureas), 25-39 (metformin), and 25 (pioglitazone). Glimepiride was not associated with weight gain, hypoglycemia, or negative cardiovascular events relative to other sulfonylureas. Cardiovascular event rates did not increase with lower glyburide doses (p<0.05). Glimepiride and pioglitazone have been successfully used in renal impairment. CONCLUSION Metformin, glimepiride, and pioglitazone are safe and efficacious OHMs. Prescribing at the EFF rather than the MAX may avoid negative dose-related outcomes. OHMs should be evaluated as individual drugs, not generalized as a class, due to different dosing and adverse-event profiles; Glimepiride is the preferred sulfonylurea since it is not associated with the adverse events as others in its class.
Improved representation of uncertainty in farm-level financial cost-benefit analyses of supplemental irrigation in humid regions

Abstract In recent years, there has been increasing interest in and adoption of supplemental irrigation in humid regions that have traditionally relied on rainfed agriculture. In these regions, irrigation typically supplements rainfall and serves as a risk management strategy to avoid losses in years with low precipitation. However, the higher returns achieved with irrigation may not be sufficient to offset its investment and operational costs. The question of whether supplemental irrigation is profitable for a given farm is subject to many sources of uncertainty, such as system costs, energy requirements, and yield response, as well as year-to-year variability in weather, energy, and commodity prices. Previous research on financial outcomes of irrigation rarely considers this uncertainty and variability in a comprehensive manner, limiting their practical use for agricultural decision making. The objective of this work is to present a novel approach to representing uncertainty and variability in farm-specific cost-benefit analyses of supplemental irrigation based on two levels of Monte Carlo simulation. The first level estimates annual returns for each year of an irrigation system’s useful life based on multiple realizations of historic weather, crop prices, and energy prices to demonstrate year-to-year variability in financial returns. The second level repeats this process under different assumptions regarding system investment and operational costs to represent epistemic uncertainty in these factors. This approach is demonstrated with a simple decision-support tool that estimates financial costs and benefits of irrigation for four commodity crops in Virginia and shows how this uncertainty and variability can be presented for a general audience. This approach can be used to assess irrigation profitability for different crops and irrigation systems, and highlight how factors such as the fuel source or irrigation scheduling method used can impact profitability.
A virtual issue highlighting animal studies of eating disorders as valuable tools for examining neurobiological underpinnings and treatment of eating disorders

While studies in humans suggest a role for psychosocial factors as well as biological and genetic processes in the development of eating disorders, the specific etiologic mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this virtual issue, we present a collection of 14 archived articles from the International Journal of Eating Disorders to highlight the utility of animal studies of eating disorders to advance our understanding of eating disorder etiology. Selected articles establish animal studies as valid tools to study disordered eating behavior, offer insight into potential neurobiological mechanisms, and highlight novel targets for future pharmacological treatments. Clinical implications of each article's findings are included to demonstrate the translational value of animal studies for the eating disorders field. We hope that the exciting concepts and findings in this issue inspire future animal studies of eating disorders.
Human Rights, Collaborative Advocacy, and a Global Approach to Practice: Lessons from a Field Experience in Indonesia

The concept of human rights is often referenced within social justice initiatives, social work practice, and advocacy campaigns. However, human rights as a foundational concept can have differing meanings, understandings, and vary in how it might be applied across social movements, organizations, nations, and cultures. In social work, there is more work to do in adopting a nuanced and critical approach to human rights that can hold these tensions between universalism and relativism. Using the first author’s international social work field placement experience, this article addresses these complexities that surround understanding human rights in context and how a perspective that embraces this nuanced approach can facilitate and inform a social work approach to collaborative advocacy and practice. We also discuss the importance of cultivating a more open and decolonized understanding of social work practice during the learning process in order to prepare students to practice internationally. Fundamental to this approach of collaborative advocacy and practice is a mutual exchange of knowledge, resources, and experience. The preparation process for international internships must create space for not only incorporating a human rights framework but also for discussions of nuanced ways in which the universality of human rights is carried out within the peculiarity of local contexts.
Commissioning cranial single-isocenter multi-target radiosurgery for the Versa HD.

Purpose Brainlab's Elements Multiple Brain Mets SRS (MBMS) is a dedicated treatment planning system for single-isocenter multi-target (SIMT) cranial stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) treatments. The purpose of this study is to present the commissioning experience of MBMS on an Elekta Versa HD. Methods MBMS was commissioned for 6 X, 6 FFF, and 10 FFF. Beam data collected included: output factors, percent depth doses (PDDs), diagonal profiles, collimator transmission, and penumbra. Beam data were processed by Brainlab and resulting parameters were entered into the planning system to generate the beam model. Beam model accuracy was verified for simple fields. MBMS plans were created on previously treated cranial SRS patient data sets. Plans were evaluated using Paddick inverse conformity (ICI), gradient indices (GI), and cumulative volume of brain receiving 12 Gy. Dosimetric accuracy of the MBMS plans was verified using microDiamond, Gafchromic film, and SRS Mapcheck measurements of absolute dose and dose profiles for individual targets. Finally, an end-to-end (E2E) test was performed with a MR-CT compatible phantom to validate the accuracy of the simulation-to-delivery process. Results For square fields, calculated scatter factors were within 1.0% of measured, PDDs were within 0.5% past dmax, and diagonal profiles were within 0.5% for clinically relevant off-axis distances ( 10 mm. Average point doses of the MBMS plans, measured by microDiamond, were within 0.31% of calculated (max 2.84%). Average per-field planar pass rates were 98.0% (95.5% minimum) using a 2%/1 mm/10% threshold relative gamma analysis. E2E point dose measurements were within 1.5% of calculated and Gafchromic film pass rates were 99.6% using a 5%/1 mm/10% threshold gamma analysis. Conclusion The experience presented can be used to aid the commissioning of the Versa HD in the Brainlab MBMS treatment planning system, to produce safe and accurate SIMT cranial SRS treatments.
Diagnosis of COVID-19 in children guided by lack of fever and exposure to SARS-CoV-2.

Background The objective of this study is to test how certain signs and symptoms related to COVID-19 in children predict the positivity or negativity of the SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab in children. Methods We review the data of children who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 for a suspected infection. We compared the clinical characteristics of the subjects who tested positive and negative, including the sensibility, positive and negative predictive value of different combination of signs and symptoms. Results Of all the suspected infected, 2596 tested negative (96.2%) and 103 tested positive (3.8%). The median age was 7.0 and 5.3 years for the positive and negative ones, respectively. The female to male ratio was ~1:1.3. Fever and respiratory symptoms were mostly reported. Most positive children had a prior exposure to SARS-CoV-2-infected subjects (59.2%). A total of 99.3% of patients without fever nor exposure to the virus proved negative to the SARS-CoV-2 test. Conclusions Our study suggests that a child without fever or contact with infected subjects is SARS-CoV-2 negative. If this were to be confirmed, many resources would be spared, with improved care of both COVID-19 and not COVID-19-affected children. Impact Key message: lack of fever and exposure to SARS-CoV-2-infected people highly predicts a negative results of the SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab in the paediatric population. Added value to the current literature: this is the first article to prove this point. Impact reduction of emergency department accesses of children with suspected SARS-CoV-2 infection; increased outpatient management of children with cough or other common respiratory symptoms of infancy; sparing of many human and material health resources.
Safety considerations for esophageal dilation by anesthetic type: A systematic review.

Abstract Objectives Esophageal dilation (ED) may be performed in the office under local anesthesia or in a procedure/operating room under general anesthesia or intravenous (IV) sedation. However, indications for type of anesthesia during these procedures have not been established. The purpose of this review is to assess outcomes of esophageal dilation performed using different types of anesthesia to assess the safety of office-based techniques. Methods We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the outcomes of anesthesia techniques for ED in adults. Exclusion criteria included reviews, small case series, use of stents, diagnoses with high morbidity, and rare diseases. A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, CINAHL, and EMBASE databases was performed for articles relating to esophageal dilation. Results 876 papers were identified of which 164 full text studies were assessed and 25 were included in the analysis using the PRISMA guidelines. Data regarding demographics, dilation technique, and adverse events were extracted. The DerSimonian-Laird random-effect models with inverse-variance weighting were fit to estimate the combined effects. There were no statistically significant differences among mortality, perforation, or bleeding based on anesthetic. Conclusions With office-based procedures gaining popularity in laryngology, there is a need to profile their safety. Office-based ED appears to have equivalent safety to general and IV sedation, although further research is necessary to define indications favoring office-based techniques.
Lyme borreliosis: host responses to Borrelia burgdorferi.

The chronic inflammatory condition that develops after infection by B. burgdorferi is a complex process resulting from host responses to a limited number of organisms. Amplification mechanisms driven by potent proinflammatory molecules, i.e., IL-1, may explain the vigorous response to a paucity of organisms. Spirochete dissemination to distant locations involves adherence to and penetration across endothelium and may be facilitated by host responses that increase vessel permeability. The apparent lack of tissue tropism in Lyme disease is reflected in the organism's ability to adhere to different eucaryotic cell types in vitro and the wide distribution of B. burgdorferi in various organs of infected humans and experimentally infected animals. While phagocytosis and complement activation have been observed in vitro, the specific immune response that develops in humans is inefficient in eradicating the organisms, which may possess some mechanism(s) to evade this response. There is significant evidence for host autoreactivity based on antigenic cross-reactivity between the 41-kDa flagellar subunit and stress proteins of the spirochetes and endogenous host cell components. Although the outer surface proteins appear to be suitable candidates as targets for vaccination in animal studies, fundamental differences in the immune response to spirochetal components may preclude their use in humans.
Local Narratives of Distress and Resilience: Lessons in Psychosocial Well-Being among the K'iche' Maya in Postwar Guatemala

En Guatemala, las intervenciones psicosociales son fundamentales para el proceso de reconstruccion posguerra, pero la definicion y comprension de las nociones de angustia y bienestar en las comunidades indigenas sigue siendo problematica. Este articulo propone que, a fin de evitar la victimizacion o la generalizacion hacia las cuestiones de salud mental en epocas de posguerra, tales intervenciones deben tener en cuenta los discursos individuales y de la colectivos sobre la vulnerabilidad y la resiliencia, que estan conformadas por las historias y ecologias locales por un lado, y por las mas amplias desigualdades estructurales por otro. Al proporcionar una descripcion etnografica de las fuerzas historicas que han contribuido a la situacion social y psicologica en la comunidad k'iche' de Tululche, la autora sugiere nuevas formas de pensar acerca de las conexiones entre violencia, cultura y salud mental en las zonas rurales que siguen en una situacion de exclusion social. En particular, ella muestra como la acumulacion de ambos procesos�procesos traumaticos y procesos de fortaleza�forman parte tanto de la memoria colectiva e individual que de las esperanzas futures, que juntas son la base del bienestar psicosocial
Assessment of self‐restraint using a functional analysis of self‐injury

When self-restraint and self-injurious behavior (SIB) co-occur, self-restraint might be maintained by negative reinforcement through the removal of SIB. The current study evaluated this possibility with an individual who exhibited hand-to-head SIB. Three functional analyses of SIB were conducted: (a) no consequences for self-restraint, (b) self-restraint blocked, and (c) hypothesized aversive effects of SIB blocked. The outcomes of the 3 analyses suggested that self-restraint was maintained by negative reinforcement.
Insights into Migration and Development of Coral Black Band Disease Based on Fine Structure Analysis

In many diverse ecosystems, ranging from natural surfaces in aquatic ecosystems to the mammalian gut and medical implants, bacterial populations and communities exist as biofilms. While the process of biofilm development has been well-studied for those produced by unicellular bacteria such Pseudomonas aeruginosa, little is known about biofilm development associated with filamentous microorganisms. Black band disease (BBD) of corals is characterized as a polymicrobial biofilm (mat) community, visually-dominated by filamen- tous cyanobacteria. The mat migrates across a living coral host, completely lysing coral tissue and leaving behind exposed coral skeleton. It is the only known cyanobacterial biofilm that migrates across a substratum, thus eliciting questions about the mechanisms and unique characteristics of this system. Fragments of the coral Montastraea annularis, five artificially infected with BBD and two collected from a naturally BBD-infected colony, were used to address these questions by detailed examination using scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). In areas close to the interface of coral tissue and the mature disease band two types of clusters of cyanobacteria were observed, one with random orientation and one with parallel orientation of filaments. The latter exhibited active secretion of extracellular polysaccharide (EPS) while the randomly oriented clusters did not. Within the well developed band cyanobacterial filaments were observed to be embed- ded in EPS and were present as layers of filaments in parallel orientation. These observations suggest that BBD cyanobacteria orient themselves and produce EPS in a sequential process during migration to form the complex BBD matrix. Rev. Biol. Trop. 60 (Suppl. 1): 21-27. Epub 2012 March 01.
Mastery motivation in infants and toddlers: Is it greatest when tasks are moderately challenging?

Abstract We examined the effects of the difficulty level of a task on two measures of mastery motivation: task persistence and task pleasure. Children of three age groups (12, 24, and 36 months) were given six puzzles of varying difficulty levels to complete. The results reveal that task persistence varied with the difficulty of the task. Infants and toddlers showed greater persistence at moderately challenging tasks as compared to difficult tasks. There was no effect of difficulty level upon degree of task pleasure; however, a significant increase in task pleasure did occur between 24 and 36 months. We hypothesized that the transition from sensorimotor to preoperational intelligence allows the infant to gain greater pleasure from the perception of his or her own effectance in acting upon the environment. Correlations between persistence and cognitive measures decreased with age, suggesting that motivation and cognition may become less interrelated with development. Implications for cognitive-motivational assessment are also discussed.
Brain temperature in pigeons: Effects of anterior respiratory bypass

During heat stress in domestic pigeons (Columba livia, mean mass 0.43 kg) brain temperature (TB) varied in parallel with colonic temperature (Tc). The difference between these (TC−TB=ΔT) averaged 0.7°C and was not significantly altered when the animal breathed through a trachael cannula bypassing the buccopharyngeal cavity. When we sealed the nares and beak in bypass animals, ΔT was significantly reduced but was nevertheless maintained at 0.4°C. When the eyes were sealed as well, however, ΔT was reversed, amounting to −0.4°C. Conversely, with eyes sealed but beak and nares open, ΔT was indistinguishable from that in controls. These results suggest a role for the cornea in evaporative cooling, at least when respiratory evaporation is impaired, and are consistent with the hypothesis that buccopharyngeal and corneal evaporation are coupled to brain cooling. The probable mechanism for this coupling is the flow of venous blood from evaporative surfaces through theretia mirabilia in the temporal areas. Here heat is transferred from the warmer arterial blood flowing through theretia toward the brain to the centrally flowing, cooler venous blood.
Islands Coming Out of Concealment: Traveling to Haida Gwaii on the Northwest Coast of North America

ABSTRACT Haida Gwaii is the most remote island archipelago of the Northwest Coast of North America. During the AD 1700s, the Kaigani Haida migrated from their homeland on Haida Gwaii north to the Prince of Wales Archipelago by canoeing across the open waters of Dixon Entrance. Since First Nations people have lived in this region for over 10,000 years, earlier seafarers made comparable journeys. This paper explores the logistics and oral history of late prehistoric crossings along with sea level history to better understand the conditions faced by early mariners. Initial settlement dates to the late Pleistocene, when Haida Gwaii was connected to the mainland. After the Younger Dryas, water crossings may have been less constrained seasonally. Available evidence suggests that the middle Holocene was a period of relative isolation, but by 3000 years ago, redcedar was established on the islands, making possible the construction of large dugout canoes. This gave rise to the distinctive ocean-going societies doc...
Effects of ACTH on organelle interrelationships in the corpus luteum of the pregnant deermouse.

This study was undertaken to elucidate quantitative changes in cytoplasmic organelles of corpora lutea cells of Peromyscus maniculatus during pregnancy. In addition, the role of low, physiologic doses of ACTH in disrupting relationships of organelles in lutein cells was investigated. Corpora lutea from deermice were collected on days 1, 2, 3, 7, 14, and 21 (term). Quantitative analysis of the ultrastructure of lutein cells was carried out by pointcounting volumetry. Lutein progesterone was measured by competitive protein binding.
Seabird use of discards from a nearshore shrimp fishery in the South Atlantic Bight, USA

Shrimp trawling is common throughout the southeastern and Gulf of Mexico coasts of the USA and is the primary contributor to fisheries discards in these regions. Tens of thousands of nearshore seabirds nest near shrimp trawling grounds in the USA, but to date, there has been no assessment of the relationship between seabirds and shrimp trawlers. We examined the taxonomic composition of bycatch, rate at which seabirds scavenged bycatch, and energy density of discarded bycatch in a nearshore commercial shrimp fishery. Bycatch was primarily comprised of demersal fish that are not typically accessible to the plunge-diving and surface-feeding seabirds that occur in the area. Hence, seabird diets in the region appear to be broadened taxonomically by the availability of discards. Results from discard experiments indicated that 70% of the nearly 5,500 items discarded by hand were scavenged by seabirds and that the fate of a discarded item was most strongly predicted by its taxonomic order. Laughing gulls scavenged the greatest proportion of discards, although brown pelicans were the only species to scavenge more discards than predicted based upon their abundance. Because this is the first such study in the region, it is difficult to ascertain the extent or intensity of the impact that discards have on nearshore seabirds. Nonetheless, our results suggest that it will be difficult for managers to clearly understand fluctuations in local seabird population dynamics without first understanding the extent to which these species rely upon discards. This may be especially problematic in situations where seabird populations are recovering following natural or anthropogenic stressors.
The design and testing of a silica sol–gel-based hybridization array

Abstract An approach for building DNA hybridization arrays has been developed, in which silica aquogel arrays are produced using micropiezoelectric printheads. When supercritically dried, the pads in these gel arrays have a footprint size of 0.4 ± 0.1 mm in diameter in which the porous silica has a density of 0.045 g cm −3 , pore diameters ranging between a few nanometers and 0.5 μm, and internal surface areas >800 m 2 g −1 (5 × 10 −4 m 2 per pad). This enormous internal surface area, combined with reasonable accessibility to internal binding sites, makes aquogel pads ideally suited for hybridization arrays. Silanized probe DNA was immobilized within the gel pads during gelation, and hybridization was carried out with fluorescently labeled target DNA. The array sites containing probe DNA and the control sites without probes are readily distinguishable using laser-assisted fluorescent scanning.
The Information Content of High-frequency Seismograms and the Near-Surface Geologic Structure of “Hard Rock” Recording Sites

Due to hardware developments in the last decade, the high-frequency end of the frequency band of seismic waves analyzed for source mechanisms has been extended into the audio-frequency range ( > 20 Hz). In principle, the short wavelengths corresponding to these frequencies can provide information about the details of seismic sources, but in fact, much of the “signal” is the site response of the nearsurface. Several examples of waveform data recorded at “hard rock” sites, which are generally assumed to have a “flat” transfer function, are presented to demonstrate the severe signal distortions, including f max, produced by near-surface structures. Analysis of the geology of a number of sites indicates that the overall attenuation of high-frequency ( > 1 Hz) seismic waves is controlled by the whole-path-Q between source and receiver but the presence of distinct f max site resonance peaks is controlled by the nature of the surface layer and the underlying near-surface structure. Models of vertical decoupling of the surface and nearsurface and horizontal decoupling of adjacent sites on hard rock outcrops are proposed and their behaviour is compared to the observations of hard rock site response. The upper bound to the frequency band of the seismic waves that contain significant source information which can be deconvolved from a site response or an array response is discussed in terms of f max and the correlation of waveform distortion with the outcrop-scale geologic structure of hard rock sites. It is concluded that although the velocity structures of hard rock sites, unlike those of alluvium sites, allow some audio-frequency seismic energy to propagate to the surface, the resulting signals are a highly distorted, limited subset of the source spectra.
Parameterization of NDDO wavefunctions using genetic algorithms. An evolutionary approach to parameterizing potential energy surfaces and direct dynamics calculations for organic reactions

Abstract We used a genetic algorithm to fit a set of energy differences obtained by neglect-of-diatomic-differential-overlap (NDDO) molecular orbital theory to reference ab initio data, yielding a set of specific reaction parameters (SRP) for the reaction Cl + CH4. Only a small number ab initio points along a distinguished-coordinate path were used as input, but the surface is well fit both on and off the reaction path over a range of energies three times wider than the input range. The resulting NDDO-SRP potential energy surface is almost four orders of magnitude less expensive to evaluate than the reference ab initio surface and is well suited for direct dynamics calculations.
Driver route-following and safety errors in early Alzheimer disease.

Objective: To assess navigation and safety errors during a route-following task in drivers with Alzheimer disease (AD). Design/Methods: Thirty-two subjects with probable AD (by National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders criteria) of mild severity and 136 neurologically normal older adults were tested on a battery of visual and cognitive tests of abilities that are critical to safe automobile driving. Each driver also performed a route-finding task administered on the road in an instrumented vehicle. Main outcome variables were number of 1) incorrect turns; 2) times lost; and 3) at-fault safety errors. Results: The drivers with mild AD made significantly more incorrect turns, got lost more often, and made more at-fault safety errors than control subjects, although their basic vehicular control abilities were normal. The navigational and safety errors were predicted using scores on standardized tests sensitive to visual and cognitive decline in early AD. Conclusions: Drivers with Alzheimer disease made more errors than neurologically normal drivers on a route-following task that placed demands on driver memory, attention, and perception. The demands of following route directions probably increased the cognitive load during driving, which might explain the higher number of safety errors.
Benzo(a)pyrene-Induced Alterations in Growth-Related Gene Expression and Signaling in Precision-Cut Adult Rat Liver and Kidney Slices

Benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and related aromatic hydrocarbons are suspected carcinogens; however, the molecular basis underlying tumorigenesis remains unclear. To identify acute molecular targets of BaP within the liver and kidney, precision-cut slices harvested from naive, adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were challenged with BaP (0.3-30 microM) for 0.5 to 24 h. BaP did not elicit cytotoxicity, as assessed by intracellular K+ and ATP content and histological evaluation over the 24-h period. To determine if molecular signaling pathways were maintained in precision-cut slices, induction of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) pathway was assessed following BaP challenge. Induction of cytochrome P450IA1 (P450IA1) mRNA and protein expression was observed in both liver and kidney slices. c-fos and c-Ha-ras gene expression was enhanced in liver, but not kidney, slices by BaP. c-jun mRNA levels were decreased in liver and kidney slices, although the effect was earlier (0.5 h) in liver slices compared to kidney slices. BaP increased the DNA binding of nuclear proteins to the AP-1 consensus recognition element in liver, but decreased DNA binding in kidney slices. In contrast, DNA binding of NF-kappa B was not affected by BaP in either liver or kidney slices. These results suggest that acute BaP challenge is associated with altered expression of several growth-related genes and AP-1 signaling and establish precision-cut slices as a useful in vitro system to investigate the molecular basis of BaP-induced tumorigenesis, including organ-specific differences.
Salinity effects on growth, photosynthetic parameters, and nitrogenase activity in estuarine planktonic cyanobacteria.

Salinity has been suggested as being a controlling factor for blooms of N 2 -fixing cyanobacteria in estuaries. We tested the effect of salinity on the growth, N 2 fixation, and photosynthetic activities of estuarine and freshwater isolates of heterocystous bloom-forming cyanobacteria. Anabaena aphanizomenoides and Anabaenopsis sp. were isolated from the Neuse River Estuary, North Carolina, and Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii from Lakes Dora and Griffin, central Florida. Salinity tolerance of these cyanobacteria was compared with that of two Nodularia strains from the Baltic Sea. We measured growth rates, N 2 fixation (nitrogenase activity), and CO 2 fixation at salinities between 0 and 20 g L -1 NaCl. We also examined photosynthesis-irradiance relationships in response to salinity. Anabaenopsis maintained similar growth rates in the full range of salinities from 2 to 20 g L -1 NaCl. Anabaena grew at up to 15 g L -1 , but the maximum salinity 20 g L -1 NaCl was inhibitory. The upper limit for salinity tolerance of Cylindrospermopsis was 4 g L -1 NaCl. Nodularia spp. maintained similar growth rates in the full range of salinities from 0 to 20 g L -1 . Between 0 and 10 g L -1 , the growth rate of Nodularia spumigena was slower than that of the Neuse Estuary strains. In most strains, the sensitivity of nitrogenase activity and CO 2 fixation to salinity appeared similar. Anabaenopsis, Anabaena, and the two Nodularia strains rapidly responded to NaCl by increasing their maximum photosynthetic rates (P max ), Overall, both Neuse River Estuary and Baltic Sea strains showed an ability to acclimate to salt stress over short-(24 h) and long-term (several days to weeks) exposures. The study suggested that direct effect of salinity (as NaCl in these experiments) on cyanobacterial physiology does not alone explain the low frequency and magnitude of blooms of N 2 -fixing cyanobacteria in estuaries.
Task Definition and Immediate Knowledge of Results in Monitoring Performance

Summary.-The influences of msk definition (test oc exercise) and immediate knowledge of results on visual monitoring were examined with 168 university students. A 2 x 2 x 2 analysis of variance showed that the only significant effect was a deterioration in recognition over time (p < .01). An a posteriori analysis, however, indicated that test definition coupled with immediate knowledge depressed high performance (p < .05 ) . Although several researchers including Hardesty, et al. ( 1963) and Wiener and Attwood ( 1968) have found that immediate knowledge of results facilitates ongoing monitoring behavior, Locke, et al. ( 1968) concluded that knowledge of results facilitates only if it motivates Ss to set performance goals. Locke further cited several such motivating dimensions of knowledge of results, including knowledge of previous performance and extrinsic, reinforcement when linked to ongoing behavior. It was the aim of the current study to assess another potentially motivating dimension, task definition, specifically the influence of immediate knowledge upon performance of a perceptual monitoring task portrayed as a test versus an experimental exercise. The task required scanning a 14-in. X 18-in. viewscreen to find clusters of lighted circles which appeared briefly at preprogrammed times. Ss were 168 university students who participated as a course requirement. Although they were randomly assigned to one of four conditions, they viewed the same sequence of 24 stimuli presented during two consecutive 25-min. sessions. Each session had an equal number of stimulus presentations and nearly equal representations of cluster sizes (clusters were comprised of from 1 to 5 individually lighted circles 1/16 in. in diameter located within an area not in excess of 1 in. in diameter). The order and time for each stimulus presentation in a series was determined randomly before the study began. Each stimulus appeared on the screen for .4 sec. and S had 8 sec. thereafter to close a switch indicating recognition of the number of lights in that display. Before sessions Ss were given a practice stimulus to familiarize them with the task. Farsighted Ss were excluded. During sessions, Ss in the first two conditions were told that the task was an experimental exercise. In Condition 1, there was no knowledge; in Condition 2, knowledge of results was immediate. Ss in Conditions 3 and 4 were told that they were participating in a perceptual test and their scores would be mailed to them shortly. In Condition 3, no knowledge was given, while in Condition 4 it was. With immediate knowledge Ss were informed as to correct and incorrect
Sugaring off: enduring insights from long-term research on environmental governance

This article presents the results of an effort to identify the most important contributions I have been able to make in the course of a lifetime of thinking about the roles that social institutions play in governing human–environment relations. Some of the resultant propositions are general in the sense that they apply to environmental governance at all levels of social organization. Others are specific to the international level or to what we generally think of as international environmental governance. The basic message is that institutions are important determinants of human–environment relations but that they typically operate in conjunction with a variety of other drivers in a pattern best described as complex causation. As we move deeper into the Anthropocene, an era characterized by human domination of biophysical systems, the need to improve our understanding of environmental governance has become increasingly urgent.
Empirically Evaluating Divergence Rates of Atmospheric Trajectories.

Abstract Observed Northern Hemisphere divergence rates of phase-space trajectories initially emanating from neighboring points are estimated, using a simple, seasonal, weakly GCM-dependent linear method applied to Ertel potential vorticity on the 315-K isentrope. Using the same data and essentially the same method, atmospheric persistence, the rate of trajectory departure from an initial state, is also estimated. With the results applying only to the truncated state considered (comprising only a single variable observed at a single level), it is found that the time scale for divergence of two, initially reasonably similar, trajectories is about 4–6 days, between the time scales of cyclogenesis and blocking. It is also found that the time scale for divergence of a given trajectory from an earlier point along it is about 3–5 days.
Hypoalbuminemia and Lymphocytopenia in Patients With Decompensated Biventricular Failure

Abstract Background In patients hospitalized with decompensated biventricular failure having hypoalbuminemia and lymphocytopenia without underlying hepatic or renal disease, we addressed the presence of a protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Methods We studied 78 patients having a dilated cardiomyopathy, who were hospitalized with congestive heart failure (CHF) and hypoalbuminemia of uncertain origin. In the first 19 patients, we investigated the presence of PLE using Tc-Dex 70 scintigraphy together with serum albumin 2 to 4 weeks later when compensation had been restored. In the next 59 patients, presenting with reduced serum albumin and relative lymphocyte count at admission, these parameters were again monitored (2–4 weeks) later when symptoms and signs of CHF had resolved. Results PLE, documented by Tc-Dex 70 scintigraphy, was found in 10 of 19 patients and whose hypoalbuminemia (2.7 ± 0.1 g/dL, mean ± standard error of mean) were corrected (3.3 ± 0.1 g/dL; P P P Conclusions Enteral losses of albumin and lymphocytes account for the reversible hypoalbuminemia and lymphocytopenia found in patients hospitalized with CHF having splanchnic congestion.
Dynamic thermomechanical response of bimaterial microcantilevers to periodic heating by infrared radiation.

This paper investigates the dynamic thermomechanical response of bimaterial microcantilevers to periodic heating by an infrared laser operating at a wavelenegth of 10.35 μm. A model relates incident radiation, heat transfer, temperature distribution in the cantilever, and thermal expansion mismatch to find the cantilever displacement. Experiments were conducted on two custom-fabricated bimaterial cantilevers and two commercially available bimaterial microcantilevers. The cantilever response was measured as a function of the modulation frequency of the laser over the range of 0.01–30 kHz. The model and the method of cantilever displacement calibration can be applied for bimaterial cantilever with thick coating layer. The sensitivity and signal-to-noise of bimaterial cantilevers were evaluated in terms of either total incident power or incident flux. The custom-fabricated bimaterial cantilevers showed 9X or 190X sensitivity improvement compared to commercial cantilevers. The detection limit on incident flux...
Acculturation and psychosocial adjustment of Chinese international students: Examining mediation and moderation effects

Abstract This study examined mechanisms through which acculturation influenced psychosocial adjustment of Chinese international students. Specifically, these mechanisms refer to the mediating and moderating effects of social interaction and social connectedness with host nationals upon the acculturation–adjustment linkages. Chinese international students from four universities in Texas responded to a web-based survey (N = 508). Results from regression analyses showed social connectedness with Americans mediated the links between adherence to the host culture (acculturation dimension) and psychosocial adjustment (i.e., depression and sociocultural adjustment difficulties). Social interaction with Americans moderated the association between adherence to the home culture (acculturation dimension) and depression. We discussed implications for theory and health promotion practice, and presented directions for future research.
RbSr ages of Precambrian sedimentary rocks in the U.S.A.

Abstract Dating of Precambrian sedimentary rocks to determine the age of deposition has not been pursued as diligently in the U.S.A. as in other areas. Ages (which must be regarded as tentative) are summarized for the younger Precambrian stratified rocks of the Grand Canyon (Arizona), the Nonesuch Shale of the Keweenawan Series (Michigan), the Uinta Mountain Group (Utah), and the Belt Supergroup (Idaho-Montana). An important question of interpretation is whether the ages correspond to times of deposition or of later diagenesis.
On retrieving information from visual images

What shape are a German shepherd's ears? By way of developing a set of common intuitions, it would be appreciated if the reader would answer this query. Most people report that in order to answer this question (answer: pointed), a visual image of the dog's head was generated and the ears inspected. The present paper is concerned with this phenomenon, with how information is represented in, and later extracted from, visual images. The present theoretical framework is in part presented in Kosslyn (in press), which unfortunately is not available for public consumption at the time of this writing. Thus, it seems valuable at present to reiterate briefly these ideas in the course of further developing them.
Acute kidney injury in major gynaecological surgery: an observational study.

Objective To assess the prevalence, outcomes and cost associated with acute kidney injury (AKI) defined by consensus risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage kidney (RIFLE) criteria after gynaecologic surgery. Design Retrospective single-centre cohort study. Setting Academic medical centre. Sample Two thousand three hundred and forty-one adult women undergoing major inpatient gynaecologic surgery between January 2000 and November 2010. Methods AKI was defined by RIFLE criteria as an increase in serum creatinine greater than or equal to 50% from the reference creatinine. We used multivariable regression analyses to determine the association between perioperative factors, AKI, mortality and cost. Main outcome measures AKI, combined major adverse events (hospital mortality, sepsis or mechanical ventilation), 90-day mortality and hospital cost. Results Overall prevalence of AKI was 13%. The prevalence of AKI was associated with the primary diagnosis. Of women with benign tumour surgeries, 5% (43/801) experienced AKI compared with 18% (211/1159) of women with malignant disease (P < 0.001). Only 1.3% of the whole cohort had evidence of urologic mechanical injury. In a multivariable logistic regression analysis, AKI patients had nine times the odds of a major adverse event compared to patients without AKI (adjusted odds ratio 8.95, 95% confidence interval 5.27–15.22). We have identified several readily available perioperative factors that can be used to identify patients at high risk for AKI after in-hospital gynaecologic surgery. Conclusions AKI is a common complication after major inpatient gynaecologic surgery associated with an increase in resource utilisation and hospital cost, morbidity and mortality.
Calcium phosphate saturation levels in ultrafiltered serum

Calcifications occurring in arteriosclerotic plaque and other pathological deposits are important health concerns, and the nature of these deposits and their mechanisms of formation warrant investigation. Crystals of the relevant calcium phosphates were equilibrated with the undiluted ultrafiltered human serum (u.f.s.) at 37°C by constant stirring and periodically removing samples for calcium and phosphate analysis and for pH measurement. The solubility measurements were carried out both with and without a 5.5% CO2 atmosphere, the physiological partial pressure of CO2. The apparent ion activity products of well-crystallized dicalcium phosphate dihydrate (DCPD), octacalcium phosphate (OCP), and hydroxyapatite (OHAp) equilibrated, in u.f.s. were calculated from the calcium and phosphate concentrations and pH in each case for comparison with their known, solubility products. In this way the well-crystallized calcium phosphates serve as fiducial solubility standards, thereby minimizing errors due to complexing of calcium and phosphate ions by u.f.s. constituents. Under 5.5%, CO2 native u.f.s. was found to be substantially undersaturated with respect to DCPD, slightly supersaturated with respect to OCP, and highly supersaturated with respect to OHAp. The ion activity product of DCPD in DCPD-saturated u.f.s. was 2.4×10−7, and the ion activity product of OCP in OCP-saturated u.f.s. was 4×10−49, slightly above their solubility products (Ksp(DCPD)=2.3×10−7, Ksp(OCP)=2.5×10−49). The ion activity products of DCPD and OCP in u.f.s. under CO2 indicate that the concentrations of calcium and phosphate complexing agents (except bicarbonate) are quite low. The u.f.s. remained supersaturated with respect to OHAp even after 2 months of equilibration. This is attributed to the presence of crystal growth inhibitors in u.f.s.
Serum insulin, glucose and triglyceride response of Zucker obese and lean rats to cholecystokinin

Abstract Zucker obese rats are less sensitive to cholecystokinin (CCK), a putative satiety agent which also stimulates insulin and glucagon release. Changes in serum insulin, glucose and triglycerides, which are elevated in the obese rat, were compared with those in lean rats after saline and CCK-8 injection in fed and non-fed rats. Serum insulin increased 15 min after injection of CCK-8 in both lean and obese rats. In lean rats only, insulin subsequently decreased in both fed and non-fed rats. In both lean and obese rats injected with CCK-8 serum glucose did not change with feeding and was less than in saline-injected rats. While triglyceride concentrations were unaffected by either treatment in lean rats, in obese rats they were increased 100% 15 min after injection of CCK-8 and subsequently decreased in both fed and non-fed rats. Thus, CCK-8 elicited changes which were different from those which occur during normal feeding. Increased serum insulin, glucose and triglycerides which occurred 15 min after injection of saline only in obese rats may be due to increased susceptibility to the stress of being injected and may account for the decreased satiety effect of CCK-8.
Crystal structure of Ytterbium ultraphosphate, YbP5O14

Abstract The structure of monoclinic YbP5O14, space group C2/c (No. 15), a = 12.830(3) A , b = 12.676(3) A , c = 12.337(3) A , β = 91.25(2)°, z = 8 , has been determined from single-crystal data. Isolation of the rare-earth sites gives a relatively long distance (5.686A) between near-neighbor Yb+3 ions. Comparison with the two other ultraphosphate structures shows that such long distances are an important characteristics of the data phosphate structures having long fluorescence lifetimes.
Temperature Effect on Growth and Development of Cotton During the Fruiting Period

(...) The purpose of this research was to quantify plant responses to temperatures, so that these responses could be incorporated into plant growth models used to manage cotton crops. Plants, initially grown out of doors in pots, were moved into sunlit, temperature-controlled growth chambers 5 d prior to initial bloom. Growth and development were studied in 20/10, 25/15, 30/20, 35/25, and 40/30 °C day/night temperature regimes from initial bloom. Temperature significantly affected phenology, leaf expansion, internode elongation, biomass production and the partitioning of assimilates to different plant parts (...)