cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Medical Protestants: The Eclectics in American Medicine, 1825-1939

John S. Haller, Jr., provides the first modern history of the Eclectic school of American sectarian medicine. The Eclectic school (sometimes called the "American School") flourished in the mid-nineteenth century when the art and science of medicine was undergoing a profound crisis of faith. At the heart of the crisis was a disillusionment with the traditional therapeutics of the day and an intense questioning of the principles and philosophy upon which medicine had been built. Many American physicians and their patients felt that medicine had lost the ability to cure. The Eclectics surmounted the crisis by forging a therapeutics based on herbal remedies and an empirical approach to disease, a system independent of the influence of European practices. Although rejected by the Regulars (adherents of mainstream medicine), the Eclectics imitated their magisterial manner, establishing two dozen colleges and more than sixty-five journals to proclaim the wisdom of their theory. Central to the story of Eclecticism is that of the Eclectic Medical Institute of Cincinnati, the "mother institute" of reform medical colleges. Organized in 1845, the school was to exist for ninety-four years before closing in 1939. Throughout much of their history, the Eclectic medical schools provided an avenue into the medical profession for men and women who lacked the financial and educational opportunities the Regular schools required, siding with Professor Martyn Paine of the Medical Department of New York University, who, in 1846, had accused the newly formed American Medical Association of playing aristocratic politics behind a masquerade of curriculum reform. Eventually, though, they grudgingly followed the lead of the Regulars by changing their curriculum and tightening admission standards. By the late nineteenth century, the Eclectics found themselves in the backwaters of modern medicine. Unable to break away from their botanic bias and ill-equipped to support the implications of germ theory, the financial costs of salaried faculty and staff, and the research implications of laboratory science, the Eclectics were pushed aside by the rush of modern academic medicine.
Comparison of Nutritional Risk Indicators and Levels Among a Continuum of Independent-dependent Elderly in Northeast Indiana

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To compare nutrition risk and indicators of risk in elderly participants of regional health fairs, congregate meal sites, and home delivered meal programs. Identifying various factors that compromise nutritional status of the elderly can aid in decreasing risk of disease and improve overall health. The Nutrition Screening Initiative DETERMINE Checklist can be used to identify groups of elderly who may benefit from appropriate nutrition intervention. Although the Checklist has been used extensively in congregate and home delivered meal programs, its use among independent-living elderly has been limited. Thus, the purpose of the study is to compare indicators of nutritional risk and risk levels within a continuum of independent-dependent elderly. The DETERMINE Checklist and accompanying questionnaire were completed by participants in three community settings in northeast Indiana: 848 people at regional Focus on Health Fairs (HF); 531 at congregate meal (CM) sites; and 354 in home delivered meal (HD) programs. Additional data were collected on age, gender, education, marital status, and use of formal and informal community resources. The age range of the respondents was 60-101 years. HF participants were the youngest in age and HB the oldest. Subjects were classified into nutrition risk categories. The percent of high risk HF participants was 4.7%; 20.8% were at moderate and 74.5% at low risk. The respective percentages for CM were 20.3%, 30.5% and 49.2% and for HB were 44.4%, 35.2% and 20.4%. Among the groups, HF were more educated and less likely to live alone. The questions screening for an illness or condition, eating alone, and multiple medications were among the top problems for all groups. The DETERMINE Checklist provides guidance in regard to the need for further nutrition assessment of various groups of elderly, particularly homebound. Based on the results, congregate meal participants and older people attending health fairs could benefit from nutrition education focusing on nutrition risk prevention.
Some Problems in Low-Temperature Pyrometry

Some of the problems arising in low-temperature pyrometry are considered, with special reference to the measurement of small temperature differences. In particular, the influence of changes in emissivity and the general spectral distribution of the energy exchange between two bodies at nearly the same temperature are discussed, and curves are given which are considered to be useful in the practical application of low-temperature pyrometry.
The use of microorganisms for the study of drug metabolism.

The potential for the use of microorganisms as tools in the study of drug metabolism appears to be unlimited. The selected examples cited here are only the beginning of what could develop into a widely accepted alternative in vitro model system for studying drug metabolism in humans. As with any other in vitro model system, it is not expected that microbial systems could ever replace animals in biomedical research. The acquisition of data regarding absorption, distribution, and excretion will still require whole animal systems. However, it is clear from the examples cited that microbial systems offer a reliable, reproducible alternative to small animal models for preliminary drug metabolism studies. Due to significant species variation, small animal models may, in many cases, be less reliable than microorganisms as predictive models of human metabolism. It has been estimated that approximately 70 million animals are used each year in the U.S. for biomedical research. The development of any techniques which curtail the sacrifice of such large numbers of animals is welcomed both by animal welfare groups who wish to ensure the humane treatment of laboratory animals and by researchers who additionally appreciate the more practical and economical benefits of such alternatives.
Setting the standard in synthetic biology.

Standards for characterization, manufacture and sharing of information about modular biological devices may lead to a more efficient, predictable and design-driven genetic engineering science.
Cyclic fatigue crack growth and fracture in knitted randomly oriented short-fiber composite

Cyclic fatigue crack growth and fracture behavior in a chopped-mat E-glass-fiber-reinforced hybrid resin composite knitted with continuous poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers is investigated. Fatigue experiments are conducted on notched composite specimens cycled under tensile loading. The fatigue crack growth in the composite is found to exhibit an unusual, recurring crack acceleration-retardation-deceleration process, owing to the complex reinforcement configurations and material systems. The various crack-growth mechanisms involved in the composite fatigue are studied using SEM observations.
Alcohol dehydrogenase genes: restriction fragment length polymorphisms for ADH4 (pi-ADH) and ADH5 (chi-ADH) and construction of haplotypes among different ADH classes.

Of the five human alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) genes located in the region q21–25 of chromosome 4, genetic markers have been reported previously only for class I enzymes, ADH1-3. Here, new restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) are described for the genes of two other classes, ADH4 (π) and ADH5 (χ or formaldehyde dehydrogenase, FDH). The frequencies and modes of inheritance of these RFLPs were determined with DNA both from unrelated individuals and from families. A polymorphic PstI site is assigned to the fourth intron of the ADH4 gene. Pairwise linkage disequilibrium calculations for these new RFLPs and already known RFLPs at the ADH2 and ADH3 loci establish strong linkage disequilibria between polymorphic MspI and BstXI sites in the ADH5 gene as well as between XbaI and MspI sites in the ADH3 gene. Furthermore, linkage disequilibria were detected between RFLPs of the ADH2 and ADH3 genes as well as between those of the ADH4 and ADH5 genes. The latter disequilibrium implies a hitherto unknown physical proximity of two genes belonging to different ADH classes. The RFLPs were used to construct chromosomal haplotypes that include three ADH classes. Of the 16 possible haplotypes for four RFLP markers used here, 10 were experimentally detected. The potential application of the ADH RFLPs and haplotypes in linkage or association studies of inherited diseases such as familial “alcoholism” is discussed.
Abstract 5577: The role of age-related enhancements of IL-17 in prostate cancer initiation and progression

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Background: Age is the single greatest risk factor for prostate cancer development. As men pass age 40, their chance of developing prostate cancer increases exponentially each year. The mechanism by which age influences the risk of prostate cancer remains largely unknown, hindering the development of effective preventive approaches. While local events are known to contribute to age-related prostate tumorigenesis, the role of the aging immune system in prostate cancer development has been largely understudied. The aging process affects the adaptive cell-mediated immune response and at the same time there is a shift to a more inflammatory cytokine profile. Recent studies have shown that age-related enhancements of Th17 might contribute to changes in immune function and prostate cancer development. The age-related shift in T-lymphocyte cytokine profile and the enhancement of TH17 generation might be significant contributing factors to the association between age and prostate tumorigenesis. Methods: For our studies we have been using a unique animal model, the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase-1 (GPAT-1) knock out mouse. The GPAT-1 KO young mouse T lymphocyte phenotype mimics old (> 18 m) wild type mice. Preliminary data suggested that cytokines secreted from the GPAT-KO aging mimic T-lymphocytes can promote activation of the STAT3/NF-kB pathways. In order to test if IL-17 was responsible for the strong induction of NF-kB and STAT3, we repeated previous experiments that measured the activation of NF-kB and STAT3, but supplemented the experimental sera and conditioned media with depleting antibodies to IL-17. Successful inhibition of the NF-kB and STAT3 pathways was assessed by Western Blot analysis. Conclusions: Depleting IL-17 in the GPAT-1 KO sera and conditioned media decreased NF-kB activity to the levels of the cells treated with wild-type sera. Sera from the old and GPAT-1 KO mice induced activation of downstream targets of IL-17. These results suggest that circulating factors from the GPAT-1 KO mice mimic those in aging mice and strongly induced signaling pathways involve in the development of prostate cancer. The age-related enhancements of IL-17 may play a key role in prostate cancer initiation and progression. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5577. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5577
X-RAY EMISSION FROM THE BASE OF A CURRENT SHEET IN THE WAKE OF A CORONAL MASS EJECTION

Following a coronal mass ejection (CME) which started on 2002 November 26, RHESSI observed for 12 hr an X-ray source above the solar limb, at altitudes between 0.1 and 0.3 RS above the photosphere. The Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite baseline was remarkably high throughout this event. The X-ray source's temperature peaked around 10-11 MK, and its emission measure increased throughout this time interval. Higher up, at 0.7 RS , hot (initially >8 MK) plasma has been observed by Ultraviolet Coronograph Spectrometer on Solar and Heliospheric Observatory for 2.3 days. This hot plasma was interpreted as the signature of a current sheet (CS) trailing the CME. The thermal energy content of the X-ray source is more than an order of magnitude larger than in the CS. Hence, it could be the source of the hot plasma in the CS, although CS heating by magnetic reconnection within it cannot be discounted. To better characterize the X-ray spectrum, we have used novel techniques (back-projection-based and visibility-based) for long-integration (several hours) imaging spectroscopy. There is no observed nonthermal hard X-ray bremsstrahlung emission, leading to the conclusion that there is either very little particle acceleration occurring in the vicinity of this postflare X-ray source, or that either the photon spectral index would have had to be uncharacteristically (in flare parlance) high (γ 8) and/or the low-energy cutoff very low (Ec 6 keV).
Regulation of grasshopper fecundity, longevity and egg viability by plant growth hormones.

Abscisic acid, a plant growth hormone, added in water to the grass diet of a grasshopper, greatly reduces the reproductive rate, as does gibberellin A3 at doses 10 times greater. Reciprocal seasonal variations in quantities of these hormones could synchronize the growth and reproduction of insects with their host plants in the field.
Development of Self-Interrogation Neutron Resonance Densitometry to Quantify the Fissile Content in PWR Spent LEU and MOX Assemblies

A new nondestructive assay technique called self-interrogation neutron resonance densitom- etry (SINRD) is currently being developed at Los Alamos National Laboratory to improve existing nuclear safeguards and material accountability measurements for light water reactor fuel assemblies. The viability of using SINRD to quantify the fissile content ( 235 U and 239 Pu) in pressurized water reactor 17 × 17 spent low-enriched uranium and mixed-oxide fuel assemblies in water was investigated via Monte Carlo N-particle extended transport code simulations. SINRD utilizes 244 Cm spontaneous fission neutrons to self-interrogate the fuel pins. The amount of resonance absorption of these neutrons in the fuel can be quantified using 235 U and 239 Pu fission chambers placed adjacent to the assembly. The sensitivity of this technique is based on using the same fissile materials in the fission chambers as are present in the fuel because the effect of resonance absorption lines in the transmitted flux is amplified by the corresponding (n,f) reaction peaks in the fission chamber. SINRD requires calibration with a reference assembly of similar geometry. However, this densitometry method uses ratios of different fission chambers so that most systematic errors related to calibration and positioning cancel in the ratios.
High-resolution calibration of Eocene strata: 40Ar/39Ar geochronology of biotite in the Green River Formation

The Sixth tuff of the Wilkins Peak Member of the Green River Formation is an important potential calibration point for magnetic stratigraphy, mammalian evolution, and lacustrine processes. However, two recent 40 Ar/ 39 Ar ages based on laser fusion of biotite from this important bed are not in agreement with one other. Most large, euhedral biotite from the basal 1 cm give concordant age spectra when incrementally heated. However, some crystals yield discordant age spectra and have plateau and integrated ages that are scattered toward both older and younger apparent ages. Electron-probe microanalysis indicates that intergrown alteration phases occur in a small fraction of Sixth tuff biotite crystals, and likely contributed to open-system processes that led to the observed discordance and age scatter. A new age of 49.62 ± 0.10 Ma is obtained from 22 concordant incremental-heating experiments. This age agrees with a new 49.78 ± 0.08 Ma age for the sanidine from the Layered tuff, which is stratigraphically 24 m below the Sixth tuff.
Synthesis and in vitro opioid receptor functional antagonism of analogues of the selective kappa opioid receptor antagonist (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-((1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (JDTic).

In previous structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies, we identified (3R)-7-hydroxy-N-((1S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethyl-1-piperidinyl]methyl}-2-methylpropyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydro-3-isoquinolinecarboxamide (JDTic, 1) as the first potent and selective κ opioid receptor antagonist from the trans-3,4-dimethyl-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)piperidine class of opioid antagonist. In the present study, we report the synthesis and in vitro opioid receptor functional antagonism of a number of analogues of 1 using a [35S]GTPγS binding assay. The results from the studies better define the pharmacophore for this class of κ opioid receptor antagonist and has identified new potent and selective κ antagonist. (3R)-7-Hydroxy-N-[(1S,2S)-1-{[(3R,4R)-4-(3-hydroxyphenyl)-3,4-dimethylpiperidin-1-yl]methyl}-2-methylbutyl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroisoquinoline-3-carboxamide (3) with a Ke value of 0.03 nM at the κ receptor and 100- and 793-fold selectivity relative to the μ and δ receptors was the most potent and selective κ opi...
Narrative analysis: Filtering individual differences in competence☆

Abstract The choice of methods of analysis, in large part, determines judgments about children's narrative competence. If narratives are seen as a window on the mind, then narrative analysis is the filter for revealing relationships between universal categories and sociocultural variation in narrative production. This article begins with a discussion of narratives as a way of thinking, including the universal and particular aspects. Second, two different perspectives for analyzing narratives are introduced and illustrated with data collected from one adolescent who exemplifies an increasingly common dilemma for language educators and clinicians: When does a sociolinguistic difference in narrative style indicate a learning impairment? Finally, a discussion of the implications of narrative analyses for the practice of teaching, learning, and assessment is given.
Outcomes of resection of extra-adrenal pheochromocytomas/paragangliomas in the laparoscopic era: a comparison with adrenal pheochromocytoma.

Introduction Laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA) is the standard for removal of adrenal pheochromocytomas (pheos), but laparoscopic (LAP) resection of paragangliomas (PGs) is controversial. This study analyzes our results of resection of PGs in the LAP era.
Survey of Bioterrorism Risk in Buildings

Due to the lack of data and experience with designing buildings for a bioterrorism hazard, it is important for civil engineering professionals to understand both the way that risk is currently accounted for in the design of a building for a bioterrorism hazard and the methods for analyzing risks to buildings that can be borrowed from risk analysis professionals. This paper provides a literature survey of four subject areas dealing with the risk analysis of bioterrorism applied to buildings: 1 perception of the risk of bioterrorism; 2 risk analysis of bioterrorism; 3 risk management of bioterrorism risks; and 4 risk communication of bioterrorism risks, and includes an example of a simple risk analysis process for a hypothetical building. Bioterrorism presents building design engineers with new chal- lenges. It is a very unpredictable hazard, and very little data exist to guide building designers and decision makers in protecting buildings from this hazard. Designing a building with bioterrorist attacks in mind involves many different disciplines, including, for example, structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering, architecture, landscape architecture, security design professions, and law enforcement. Large consequences are possible in the event of a successful attack, and many building design engineers have little or no experience with defending against a bioterrorist attack. It is important that a reasonable process for analyzing and dealing with these risks be established, and that the process include issues of risk perception and communication within the risk analysis framework.
Nutritional requirements for larval development of the dry wood borer Trichoferus holosericeus (Rossi) in laboratory cultures

Despite the dangerousness of the dry wood-boring beetle Trichoferus holosericeus (Rossi) (=Hesperophanes cinereus (Villiers)) (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae), little is known about its biological and nutritional requirements. The aim of this research was therefore to investigate into the dietary preferences of this insect, in order to determine if carbohydrates can be considered as its main nutritional source, to clarify whether this cerambycid is specialised on hardwoods and finally to select a suitable diet for laboratory cultures. Different substrates were tested and the decay grade, as well as the survival of larvae, was recorded after 3 and 6 months. Chemical analyses were also carried out on excrements, residues of wood after larvae excavation and sound wood. Results indicated that T. holosericeus fed mainly on glucose and peptone added to an artificial diet, while on natural wood it preferred structural carbohydrates constituting the hemicelluloses and the non-crystalline cellulose. Furthermore, Scots pine sapwood had no toxic effect to the beetle. In terms of number and dimensions of emerged larvae, the artificial diet resulted to be the most suitable substrate for laboratory cultures of T. holosericeus among those tested.
Analyzing Sharing in Peer-to-Peer Networks Under Various Congestion Measures

Historically, the use of peer-to-peer (P2P) networks has been limited primarily to user-initiated exchanges of (mostly music) files over the Internet. This traditional view of P2P networks is changing, however, and the use of P2P networks has been suggested for delivering general-purpose content over the Web (or corporate intranets), even in real time. We analyze sharing in a P2P community in this new context under three different congestion measures: delay, jitter, and packet loss. Sharing is important to study in the presence of congestion because most existing research on P2P networks views congestion in the network as a relatively insignificant criterion. However, when delivering general-purpose content, congestion and its relationship to sharing is a critical factor that influences end-user performance. This paper looks at P2P networks from this new perspective by explicitly considering the effects of congestion on user incentives for sharing. We also propose a simple incentive mechanism that induces socially optimal sharing.
The potentiating influence of imipramine on ganglionic effects of catecholamines

Abstract The actions of imipramine on the inhibitory effects of the catecholamines norepinephrine, epinephrine and dopamine on transmission in the superior cervical ganglion of the cat were studied, in order to observe its influence on adrenergic sites at the synaptic level. Lower doses of imipramine potentiated only the inhibitory effects of norepinephrine, although with higher doses the potentiation of epinephrine action was also noted. The effects of dopamine were not changed significantly. Imipramine was found to depress ganglionic transmission, and it is suggested that it increases the amount of free norepinephrine acting on neurones involved in cholinergic transmission.
Influences of un-modulated acoustic inputs on functional maturation and critical-period plasticity of the primary auditory cortex

Sensory experiences contribute to the development and specialization of signal processing capacities in the mammalian auditory system during a "critical period" of postnatal development. Earlier studies have shown that passive exposure to tonal stimuli during this postnatal epoch induces a large-scale expansion of the representations of those stimuli within the primary auditory cortex (A1) [Zhang LI, Bao S, Merzenich MM (2001) Persistent and specific influences of early acoustic environments on primary auditory cortex. Nat Neurosci 4:1123-1130]. Here, we show that exposing rat pups through the normal critical period epoch and beyond to continuous, un-modulated, moderate-level tones induces no such representational distortion, and in fact disrupts the normal development of frequency response selectivity and tonotopicity all across area A1. The area of cortex responding selectively to continuously exposed sound frequencies was actually reduced, when compared with rats reared in normal environments. Strong exposure-driven plasticity characteristic of the critical period could be induced well beyond the normal end of the critical period, by simply modulating the tonal stimulus. Thus, continuous tone exposure, like continuous noise exposure [Chang EF, Merzenich MM (2003) Environmental noise retards auditory cortical development. Science 300:498-502], ineffectively induces critical period plasticity, and indefinitely blocks the closure of a normally-brief critical period window. These findings again demonstrate the crucial role of temporally structured inputs for inducing the progressive cortical maturational changes that result in the closure of the critical period window.
Order-disorder transitions on surfaces: A summary of recent activity

Order-disorder transitions on surfaces can occur in several universality classes of current interest. These are the classes of the ferromagnetic Ising model, three- and four-state Potts model, the x-y model with cubic anisotropy, and the Heisenberg model with cubic anisotropy. Each of these classes is illustrated with recent or proposed experiments.
Cancer pain assessment and management by housestaff

Abstract Pain control for cancer is a significant problem in health care, and lack of expertise by clinicians in assessing and managing cancer pain is an important cause of inadequate pain management. This study was designed to use performance-based testing to evaluate the skills of resident physicians in assessing and managing the severe chronic pain of a cancer patient. Thirty-three resident physicians (PGY 1–6) were presented with the same standardized severe cancer pain patient and asked to complete a detailed pain assessment. The residents then completed questions related to management of the cancer pain patient. In the cancer pain assessment, residents did well in assessing pain onset (70%), temporal pattern of pain (64%), and pain location (73%). However, only 33% and 45% physicians adequately assessed the pain description and pain intensity, respectively, and assessment of pain-relieving factors, previous pain history, and psychosocial history was done poorly or not at all by 70%, 88%, and 94% of residents. Only 58% of the residents were judged to be competent in this clinical cancer pain assessment. In the cancer pain management section, opioid analgesic therapy was prescribed by 98% of residents, and 91% used the oral route. However, only 18% of prescriptions were for regular use and 88% of residents did not provide analgesics for breakthrough pain. A significant number of graduated physicians were judged to be not competent in the assessment and management of the severe pain of a standardized cancer patient. Opioids and NSAIDs were the analgesics of choice; however, most were prescribed on a PRN basis only. Co-analgesics were rarely prescribed. Few physicians managed persistent, severe cancer pain according to the WHO guideline of increasing the opioid dose. The lack of significant difference in scores between junior and senior residents suggest that adequate cancer pain management is not being effectively taught in postgraduate training programs.
The characterization and structure-property relations of epoxies†

Relation structure-deformation/fissuration de composites fibreux produits soit a partir de prepregs epoxyde-fibre de carbone soit par enroulement filamentaire
Joint MIMO-OFDM and MAC design for broadband multihop ad hoc networks

Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) and orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) are very promising techniques to exploit spatial diversity and frequency diversity in the physical layer of broadband wireless communications. However, the application of these techniques to broadband multihop ad hoc networks is subject to inefficiencies since existing medium access control (MAC) schemes are designed to allow only one node to transmit in a neighborhood. Therefore, adding more relays to increase the transmission range decreases the throughput. With MIMO-OFDM, multiple transmissions can coexist in the same neighborhood. A new transceiver architecture with MIMO-OFDM and MAC scheme is proposed in this paper. The new MAC scheme multiple-antennas receiver-initiated busy-tone medium access (MARI-BTMA) is based on receiver-initiated busy-tone medium access (RI-BTMA) and uses multiple out of band busy tones to avoid the collision of nodes on the same channel. With the proposed MAC scheme, multiple users can transmit simultaneously in the same neighborhood. Although basic MARI-BTMA shows good performance at high traffic load, to improve the performance at low traffic loads, 1-persistent MARI-BTMA is proposed so that users can choose different MAC scheme according to the statistical traffic load in the system. In this paper, both theoretical and numerical analysis of the throughput and delay are presented. Analysis and simulation results show the improved performance of MARI-BTMA compared with RI-BTMA and carrier sensing medium access/collision avoidance (CSMA/CA).
Novel Treatments for NEC: Keeping IBD in Mind

Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is an inflammatory intestinal disease of premature newborns, thought to result in part from overactivity of the innate immune system. NEC has been well-studied from the perspective of prevention; however, after the disease onset, there are limited treatment options to control its progression. This review discusses four potential therapies that target the overactive immune response in NEC: pentoxifylline, platelet activating factor modulators, glucocorticoids, and vasoactive substances. In addition, given the similar pathogenesis of NEC and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we propose that IBD therapies could provide promising leads for novel strategies with which to treat NEC.
A technique for simulating visual field losses in virtual environments to study human navigation.

The following paper describes a new technique for simulating peripheral field losses in virtual environments to study the roles of the central and peripheral visual fields during navigation. Based on Geisler and Perry’s (2002) gaze-contingent multiresolution display concept, the technique extends their methodology to work with three-dimensional images that are both transformed and rendered in real time by a computer graphics system. In order to assess the usefulness of this method for studying visual field losses, an experiment was run in which seven participants were required to walk to a target tree in a virtual forest as quickly and efficiently as possible while artificial head and eye-based delays were systematically introduced. Bilinear fits were applied to the mean trial times in order to assess at what delay lengths breaks in performance could be observed. Results suggest that breaks occur beyond the current delays inherent in the system. Increases in trial times across all delays tested were also observed when simulated peripheral field losses were applied compared to full FOV conditions. Possible applications and limitations of the system are discussed. The source code needed to program visual field losses can be found at lions.med.jhu.edu/archive/turanolab/Simulated_Visual_Field_Loss_Code.html.
Statistics of X and S-band low grazing angle radar sea scatter

Presents results of low grazing angle sea scatter experiments conducted using horizontally polarized, X and S-band radars for relatively calm seas and light winds. Comparisons are shown of the cumulative distributions of normalized radar cross section (NRCS) as a function of grazing angle. Differences at large NRCS suggest that scattering mechanisms in addition to Bragg scatter are more important at X-band than S-band. >
Distributed multi-robot task assignment and formation control

Distributed task assignment for multiple agents raises fundamental and novel problems in control theory and robotics. A new challenge is the development of distributed algorithms that dynamically assign tasks to multiple agents, not relying on a priori assignment information. We address this challenge using market-based coordination protocols where the agents are able to bid for task assignment with the assumption that every agent has knowledge of the maximum number of agents that any given task can accommodate. We show that our approach always achieves the desired assignment of agents to tasks after exploring at most a polynomial number of assignments, dramatically reducing the combinatorial nature of discrete assignment problems. We verify our algorithm through both simulation and experimentation on a team of non-holonomic robots performing distributed formation stabilization and group splitting and merging.
Low Temperature Synthesis of MO2C/W2C Superlattices via Ultra-Thin Modulated Reactants

The authors report here a synthesis method of preparing carbide superlattices using ultra-thin modulated reactants. Initial investigations into the synthesis of the binary systems, Mo{sub 2}C and W{sub 2}C using ultra-thin modulated reactants revealed that both can be formed at relatively low temperatures (500 and 600 C respectively). DSC and XRD data suggested a two step reaction pathway involving interdiffusion of the initial modulated reactant followed by crystallization of the final product, if the modulation length is on the order of 10 {angstrom}. This information was used to form Mo{sub 2}C/W{sub 2}C superlattices using the structure of the ultra-thin modulated reactant to control the final superlattice period. Relatively large superlattice modulations were kinetically trapped by having several repeat units of each binary within the total repeat of the initial reactant. DSC and XRD data again are consistent with a two step reaction pathway leading to the formation of carbide superlattices.
Memory bandwidth optimizations for wide-bus machines

The authors describe and evaluate the effectiveness of some code improvement techniques that are designed to take advantage of wide-bus machines (WBMs): that is, a microprocessor with a memory bus width at least twice the size of the integer data type handled by the processor and assumed by the programmer. They discuss some compiler optimizations that take advantage of the increased bandwidth available from a wide bus. The investigations show that WBMs can expect reduction in memory bus cycles on the order of 5 to 15%. Using new code improvement algorithms designed to exploit the availability of a wide bus, the studies show that, for many memory-insensitive algorithms, it is possible to reduce the number of memory loads and stores by 30 to 40%. >
Effect of Direct and Indirect Cues of Predation Risk on the Foraging Behavior of the White-footed Mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)

Understanding predator-prey dynamics requires an understanding of how prey assess predation risk. This study tested the effect of microhabitat, moon stages, and mammalian predator urines (Vulpes vulpes [Red Fox], Mustela vison [Mink], and Procyon lotor [Raccoon]) on the degree of predation risk perceived by Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed Mouse). Giving-up densities from artificial food patches were used to quantify perceived predation risk. White-footed Mice exhibited a strong preference for cover microhabitat and for the new moon stage. However, the mice did not significantly alter their foraging behavior in response to the predator urines compared to a water control. Additionally, mice foraged less on colder nights. The results suggest that mammalian predator urines may not provide reliable information on actual predation risk for the White-footed Mice and that the mice extensively use indirect cues to assess predation risk.
Sex-related Differences in Mast Cell Activity and Doxorubicin Toxicity: A Study in Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats

Clinically, girls appear to be more sensitive than boys to the cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin, whereas the opposite may be true for adults. To identify and characterize potential sex-related differences, adult male and female spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR; some ovariectomized [OVX]) received 1 mg/kg of doxorubicin or saline iv weekly for 9, 10, or 12 weeks. Weight gain was slower in treated males. Serum concentrations of cholesterol and triglycerides increased and those of albumin decreased in both sexes, but changes were more pronounced in treated males. Treated males had significantly more severe cardiomyopathy scores and higher serum levels of cTnT than females. The increased cardiotoxicity was accompanied by higher numbers of cardiac mast cells (MCs) and percentage of cardiac MCs undergoing degranulation. Doxorubicin-treated OVX animals had significantly increased numbers of cardiac MCs, more severe myocardial lesions, and elevated serum concentrations of cTnT compared to doxorubicin-treated normal female SHR. The severity of cardiac lesions in the OVX female was similar to that observed in doxorubicin-treated males. This study demonstrated the presence of sex-related differences in the cardiotoxic effects elicited by doxorubicin and identified variations in the level of cardiac MC activity as a factor which could possibly contribute to the male-female dissimilarity.
IS Project Management: Size, Complexity, Practices and the Project Management Office

The current research is an exploratory investigation into current IS project management practices related to projects of varying size and complexity across diverse industries Survey data on a broad range of project management issues was collected from 129 IS project managers. The relationships between project size and complexity with 13 project management practices and 3 project performance measures were analyzed. In addition, the influence of a PMO on the use of standardized project management practices and project performance was empirically tested. Our findings suggest that IS project size influences budget and project quality, while project complexity influences the use of specific project management practices. The PMO is empirically linked to project budget.
Electrical characterization of a charged workpiece grounded-sprayer electrostatic painting system

In situations where paint resistivity is low, as it is with waterborne paints, it is not possible to use conventional electrostatic painting systems without isolating the sprayer, the fluid handling system, and the paint containers. An alternative technique is to apply high voltage to the workpiece and ground the sprayer. The electrical characteristics of such a system are evaluated and compared with those of the conventional electrostatic spraying system using computer simulations. It is shown that a charged workpiece grounded-sprayer system can achieve a transfer efficiency that is comparable to that of a conventional electrostatic system. The results also predict an enhancement in the film build along curved surfaces and strong wraparound. These predictions have been confirmed experimentally. Furthermore, the analysis indicates that there is no improvement in the paint deposition for recessed surfaces. >
A decade of melanomas: identification of factors associated with delayed detection in an academic group practice.

BACKGROUND Melanoma incidence is increasing, but the effect of various clinical factors on tumor stage is unclear. OBJECTIVE To review histologic and clinical features of melanomas diagnosed in our group over a 10-year period to determine trends in diagnosis and lesion derivation, predictive value of clinical lesion size, and effect of physician and patient concerns before biopsy. METHOD Relevant pathology reports and physician clinic notes were reviewed for 572 melanomas. RESULT From 1999 to 2008, melanoma biopsies increased significantly more than nevus biopsies and patient visits. Melanomas predominantly (81%) arose de novo, with remaining lesions as likely to arise from common as dysplastic nevi. Melanomas were detected at twice the rate, and at earlier stage, in established as in new patients. Clinical size of invasive melanomas was related to lesion depth. For 64% of melanomas, patient and physician concern drove the decision to biopsy, whereas 1.4% of melanomas were biopsied only for patient concern. CONCLUSION The increase in melanoma diagnoses was largely due to increases in cases of lentigo maligna on the head and neck. Delayed detection was associated with location on trunk and extremities, new patient status, patient concern before biopsy, and physician suspicion of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Doug Grossman is supported by the Department of Dermatology, the Huntsman Cancer Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health.
The Clinical and Ethical Implications of the Changing Legal Climate Concerning Palliative Options of Last Resort (422)

Moral Distress: A Common Part of the Palliative Care Terrain (421) Karen Stanley, MSN AOCN FAAN, Stamford Hospital, Wilton, CT. Timothy Quill, MD FACP FAAHPM, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY. (All speakers for this session have disclosed no relevant financial relationships with the following exceptions: Stanley is on the speakers bureau and advisory board, and received an honorarium and consultant fees from Meda Pharmaceuticals.)
THE FEMINIST SELF-DEFENSE MOVEMENT: A Case Study

This article discusses feminist self-defense as a victim-prevention strategy, describes the nature and scope of the self-defense movement, examines a case history of a women's self-defense organization, and analyzes the mobilization and organizational dilemmas that confronted that organization. We compare self-defense services with victim services to help explain the development of the women's self-defense movement, and in particular, its feminist component.
Using information mining of the medical literature to improve drug safety.

Objective Prescription drugs can be associated with adverse effects (AEs) that are unrecognized despite evidence in the medical literature, as shown by rofecoxib's late recall in 2004. We assessed whether applying information mining to PubMed could reveal major drug–AE associations if articles testing whether drugs cause AEs are over-represented in the literature. Design MEDLINE citations published between 1949 and September 2009 were retrieved if they mentioned one of 38 drugs and one of 55 AEs. A statistical document classifier (using MeSH index terms) was constructed to remove irrelevant articles unlikely to test whether a drug caused an AE. The remaining relevant articles were analyzed using a disproportionality analysis that identified drug–AE associations (signals of disproportionate reporting) using step-up procedures developed to control the familywise type I error rate. Measurements Sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) for empirical drug–AE associations as judged against drug–AE associations subject to FDA warnings. Results In testing, the statistical document classifier identified relevant articles with 81% sensitivity and 87% PPV. Using data filtered by the statistical document classifier, base-case models showed 64.9% sensitivity and 42.4% PPV for detecting FDA warnings. Base-case models discovered 54% of all detected FDA warnings using literature published before warnings. For example, the rofecoxib–heart disease association was evident using literature published before 2002. Analyses incorporating literature mentioning AEs common to the drug class of interest yielded 71.4% sensitivity and 40.7% PPV. Conclusions Results from large-scale literature retrieval and analysis (literature mining) compared favorably with and could complement current drug safety methods.
Contemporary and Projected Biogenic Fluxes of Methane and Nitrous Oxide in North American Terrestrial Ecosystems

Accurately estimating biogenic methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems is critical for resolving global budgets of these greenhouse gases (GHGs) and continuing to mitigate climate warming. Here, we assess contemporary biogenic CH4 and N2O budgets and probable climate-change-related impacts on CH4 and N2O emissions in terrestrial North America. Multi-approach estimations show that, during 1990–2010, biogenic CH4 emissions ranged from 0.159 to 0.502 petagrams of carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalents per year (Pg CO2eq yr−1, where 1 Pg = 1 × 1015 g) and N2O emissions ranged from 0.802 to 1.016 Pg CO2eq yr−1, which offset 47–166% of terrestrial CO2 sequestration (0.915–2.040 Pg CO2eq yr−1, as indicated elsewhere in this Special Issue). According to two future climate scenarios, CH4 and N2O emissions are projected to continue increasing by 137–151% and 157–227%, respectively, by the end of this century, as compared with levels during 2000–2010. Strategies to mitigate climate change mu...
Arctic Mustard Flower Color Polymorphism Controlled by Petal-Specific Downregulation at the Threshold of the Anthocyanin Biosynthetic Pathway

Intra- and interspecific variation in flower color is a hallmark of angiosperm diversity. The evolutionary forces underlying the variety of flower colors can be nearly as diverse as the colors themselves. In addition to pollinator preferences, non-pollinator agents of selection can have a major influence on the evolution of flower color polymorphisms, especially when the pigments in question are also expressed in vegetative tissues. In such cases, identifying the target(s) of selection starts with determining the biochemical and molecular basis for the flower color variation and examining any pleiotropic effects manifested in vegetative tissues. Herein, we describe a widespread purple-white flower color polymorphism in the mustard Parrya nudicaulis spanning Alaska. The frequency of white-flowered individuals increases with increasing growing-season temperature, consistent with the role of anthocyanin pigments in stress tolerance. White petals fail to produce the stress responsive flavonoid intermediates in the anthocyanin biosynthetic pathway (ABP), suggesting an early pathway blockage. Petal cDNA sequences did not reveal blockages in any of the eight enzyme-coding genes in white-flowered individuals, nor any color differentiating SNPs. A qRT-PCR analysis of white petals identified a 24-fold reduction in chalcone synthase (CHS) at the threshold of the ABP, but no change in CHS expression in leaves and sepals. This arctic species has avoided the deleterious effects associated with the loss of flavonoid intermediates in vegetative tissues by decoupling CHS expression in petals and leaves, yet the correlation of flower color and climate suggests that the loss of flavonoids in the petals alone may affect the tolerance of white-flowered individuals to colder environments.