cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gaps in patient-physician communication at the time of malignant bowel obstruction from recurrent gynecologic cancer: a qualitative study.

We sought to investigate the patient and physician approaches to malignant bowel obstruction (MBO) due to recurrent gynecologic cancer by (1) comparing patient and physician expectations and priorities during a new MBO diagnosis, and (2) highlighting factors that facilitate patient-doctor communication. Patients were interviewed about their experience during an admission for MBO, and physicians were interviewed about their general approach towards MBO. Interviews were analyzed for themes using QDAMiner qualitative analysis software. The analysis utilized the framework analysis and used both predetermined themes and those that emerged from the data. We interviewed 14 patients admitted with MBO from recurrent gynecologic cancer and 15 gynecologic oncologists. We found differences between patients and physicians regarding plans for next chemotherapy treatments, foremost priorities, communication styles, and need for end-of-life discussions. Both patients and physicians felt that patient-physician communication was improved in situations of trust, understanding patient preferences, corroboration of information, and increased time spent with patients during and before the MBO. Gaps in patient-physician communication could be targeted to improve the patient experience and physician counseling during a difficult diagnosis. Our findings emphasize a need for patient-physician discussions to focus on expectations for future cancer-directed treatments, support for patients at home with home health or hospice level support in line with their wishes, and acknowledgement of uncertainty while providing direct information about the MBO diagnosis.
Spanish se as a High and Low Verbalizer

The clitic se in Spanish appears in a number of different constructions, including the reflexive, anticausative and antipassive. It even appears with certain unergative verbs. So far, a unified explanation for the polyfunctionality of se has remained elusive. In this paper, I propose that se functions as a verbalizer (see also Kallulli D, (Non-)canonical passives and reflexives. In Alexiadou A, Schafer F. Non-canonical passives. Amsterdam: John Benjamins, 337–358, 2013) in two different domains. When it merges low, it functions to verbalize a nominal element and introduces an external argument. In this instance we see the clitic se in an unergative structure. In the second domain, the clitic merges higher and takes as its complement a Predicate Phrase (PredP) that contains in its specifier the derived position of the internal argument. This PredP semantically does not denote a predicate of events but a predicate of individuals. In this higher position, the clitic (re)verbalizes the structure, taking the predicate of individuals and creating a predicate of events. By creating a predicate of events, the verb can interact with tense and other verbal functional elements in the clause. The polyfunctionality of the clitic se results because of its verbalizing function.
Caregiver Satisfaction and Perceptions of Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Although caregivers have been found to be critical to children’s healing, little has been documented about caregivers’ experiences in Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT). The current study describes caregivers’ satisfaction with and perceptions of TF-CBT. Caregivers (n = 431) of children/adolescents (n = 496) who completed TF-CBT filled out pre-treatment questionnaires on demographics and perceived aloneness in facing their child’s trauma, and posttreatment questionnaires on treatment satisfaction and perceptions of TF-CBT. Caregivers rated treatment satisfaction an average of 30.59 (SD = 3.15) out of a maximum score of 32 on the Client Satisfaction Questionnaire-8. The majority of caregivers endorsed that talking about their child’s trauma was more helpful than discussing other current problems, they spoke frequently with their child’s therapist about their child’s trauma, they reported information/skill building in therapy were more helpful than support received, they felt understood by their therapist, treatment helped them more effectively parent, and treatment helped improve their relationship with their child. Perceptions were associated with overall treatment satisfaction. There was a significant reduction in caregivers’ feelings of aloneness in facing their child’s trauma from pre- to posttreatment, which was also related to overall treatment satisfaction. Caregivers reported high satisfaction with TF-CBT, and identified talking about their child’s trauma as more helpful than talking about problems not related to the trauma. Caregivers endorsed benefits of participating in TF-CBT, including feeling less alone in facing their child’s trauma, improved relationship with their child, and more effective parenting skills. These results have important treatment implications.
Globalization and Profitability Adjustment Patterns in International Food and Consumer Products Industries

The study encompasses an analysis of the variation in speeds of profitability adjustment and accounting bias by developed country and firm size for two important agribusiness industries. Evidence of speeds of profitability adjustment and accounting bias varying by firm size was found in the beverage and tobacco industry and by country in the food and consumer products industry. This suggests that the competitive pressures of globilization are less of a factor in the food and consumer products industry.
G-protein-linked receptors as substrates for tyrosine kinases: cross-talk in signaling.

Publisher Summary A truly new dimension in cross-talk in cellular signaling at the most proximal point is a G-protein-linked receptors (GLRs) acting as a substrate for protein phosphorylation by a tyrosine kinase activity (TKR). This can be obsesrved in insulin treatment of DDT-1 hamster vas deferens smooth-muscle cells that stimulated increased phosphotyrosine content of a GLR, the β 2 -adrenergic receptor ( β 2 AR), as defined by phosphoamino acid analysis of β 2 AR isolated from metabolically labeled cells. The counterregulatory effects of insulin on catecholamine action, in particular the actions mediated by β 2 AR, are well known, and biochemical evidence have revealed a primary locus of insulin action at the level of the GLR and not the more distal elements of G-protein-linked signaling. The ability of GLR to interact with a growing family of “adaptor” molecules well known in the TKR signaling literature, once the GLR has been phosphorylated on key tyrosyl residues by a TKR, or perhaps by a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase. In a simple but speculative model, insulin could express its counterregulatory effects on the β 2 AR through phosphorylation of Tyr 350, which would allow for binding of the newly created sem5 Src homology 2 (SH2) domain by molecules like Grb2 and for steric blockade of β 2 AR interaction with G s —G-protein-controlling adenylylcyclase.
Differential effects of parathyroid hormone and its analogues on cytosolic calcium ion and cAMP levels in cultured rat osteoblast-like cells.

While the stimulatory effect of parathyroid hormone (PTH) on osteoblast-like cell adenylate cyclase is well known, the effect of PTH on cytosolic calcium ion ([Ca2+]i) mobilization is controversial, one group finding no effect but others reporting various increases. We investigated the effects on [Ca2+]i of synthetic rat PTH fragment 1-34 (rPTH(1-34)) and two bovine PTH analogues that inhibit PTH's stimulation of adenylate cyclase (bovine 8,18Nle, 34Tyr-PTH(3-34) and 34Tyr-PTH(7-34]. [Ca2+]i was measured before, during, and after exposure to PTH analogues in perifused, attached osteoblast-like rat osteosarcoma cells (ROS 17/2.8) that had been scrape-loaded with the luminescent photoprotein aequorin. Resting [Ca2+]i was 0.094 +/- 0.056 microM (mean +/- S.D., n = 103) and rose in a time- and dose-specific way after exposure to rPTH(1-34). At 10(-10) M rPTH(1-34), [Ca2+]i rose 100% within 30 s to a plateau; higher concentrations of PTH yielded increasing initial peaks of [Ca2+]i followed by lower plateaus. At 10(-6) M, the initial peak was 5-fold basal, or 0.64 +/- 0.07 microM. Both analogues of PTH were at least partial agonists for [Ca2+]i mobilization and did not reduce peak [Ca2+]i when co-perifused with rPTH(1-34). However, the analogues did reduce significantly rPTH(1-34)-induced cAMP accumulation and did not increase cAMP accumulation by themselves. Thus, rPTH(1-34) strongly mobilizes [Ca2+]i in ROS 17/2.8 cells, at near-physiologic concentrations. Failure of the PTH analogues to block the effect of PTH on [Ca2+]i while inhibiting the effect on cAMP accumulation suggests separate pathways for PTH activation of adenylate cyclase and mobilization of calcium.
Expanding the Content in OBM

Abstract This paper is written in response to the paper by Geller (2002) contained in this volume. Geller proposes that OBM needs to establish its foundation by entertaining research methodologies, concepts, and content areas from other areas of psychology. However, less consistent with his position, in this commentary it is suggested that OBM must maintain its philosophical roots in behaviorism. To accomplish this, it is proposed that (a) concepts from outside the behavior analytic literature need to be explicitly interpreted as environment-behavior interactions, not person-behavior interactions and (b) to be viable our graduate training should focus more on this perspective.
Improving Field Education Through Kolb Learning Theory

This article explores ways that application of David Kolb’s learning style model can improve the quality of field education. It first explains Kolb’s theories concerning preferred learning styles, the need to complete four learning stages in sequence (concrete experience, reflective observation, abstract conceptualization, and active experimentation), and combinations of preferred learning styles in quadrants. It then reports on the authors’ research involving 45 students and 40 field supervisors at the University of Minnesota, Duluth, in 1995–96. Findings about the preferred learning styles of students and supervisors, along with variables that affect learning styles and student satisfaction with the field experience, have already improved student–supervisor relationships locally and have implications for social work field programs elsewhere.
The Possession Heuristic

This chapter for the forthcoming book, The Law and Economics of Possession (Yun-chien Chang, ed), explores the law of possession as an application of a heuristic (a simple decision making strategy devised to solve complex problems, part of System 1 thinking in Daniel Kahneman’s famous formulation). Since the law of property is essentially the law of belongings, its first task is to determine to whom things belong. There are all sorts of complicated inquiries that could be undertaken to figure out and justify an incredible range of answers to this question. Alternatively, there is a simple inquiry that provides a simple answer: A thing belongs to its possessor. This is the possession heuristic. The chapter canvases possession doctrines and ultimately argues that some current controversies in property, about the centrality of exclusion versus a social obligation norm in property, can be at least partly reconciled by viewing possession as a heuristic.
Characterization of Sialyloligosaccharide Binding by Recombinant Soluble and Native Cell-associated CD22 EVIDENCE FOR A MINIMAL STRUCTURAL RECOGNITION MOTIF AND THE POTENTIAL IMPORTANCE OF MULTISITE BINDING

CD22, a B cell-specific receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily, has been demonstrated to bind to oligosaccharides containing α2-6-linked sialic acid (Sia) residues. Previously, we demonstrated that the minimal structure recognized by this lectin is the trisaccharide Siaα2-6Galβ1-4GlcNAc, as found on N-linked, O-linked, or glycolipid structures (Powell, L., and Varki, A.(1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 10628-10636). Here we utilize a soluble immunoglobulin fusion construct (CD22Rg) to determine directly by equilibrium dialysis the stoichiometry (2:1) and dissociation constant (32 μM) for Neu5Acα2-6Galβ1-4Glc binding. Inhibition assays performed with over 30 different natural and synthetic sialylated and/or sulfated compounds are utilized to define in greater detail specific structural features involved in oligosaccharide-protein binding. Specifically, the critical features required for binding include the exocyclic hydroxylated side chain of the Sia residue and the α2-6 linkage position to the underlying Gal unit. Surprisingly, alterations of the 2-, 3-, and 4-positions of the latter residue have limited effect on the binding. The nature of the residue to which the Gal is attached may affect binding. Bi(α2-6)-sialylated biantennary oligosaccharides are capable of simultaneously interacting with both lectin sites present on the dimeric CD22Rg fusion construct, giving a marked improvement in binding over monosialylated compounds. Furthermore, data are presented indicating that full-length native CD22, expressed on the surface of Chinese hamster ovary cells, is structurally and functionally a multimeric protein, demonstrating a higher apparent affinity for multiply sialylated compounds over monosialylated compounds. These observations provide a mechanism for strong CD22-dependent cell adhesion despite the relatively low Kd for protein-sugar binding.
Male gender identity in an XX individual with congenital adrenal hyperplasia

In spite of significant changes in the management policies of intersexuality clinical evidence show that not all pubertal or adult individuals live according to the assigned sex during infancy. The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical management of an individual diagnosed as a female pseudohermaphrodite with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) simple virilizing form four decades ago but who currently lives as a monogamous heterosexual male. We studied the clinical files spanning from 1965 to 1991 of an intersex individual. In addition we conducted a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of the abdominoplevic cavity and a series of interviews using the oral history method. Our analysis is based on the clinical evidence that led to the CAH diagnosis in the 1960s in light of recent clinical testing to confirm such diagnosis. Analysis of reported values for 17-ketosteroids 17-hydroxycorticosteroids from 24-hour urine samples during an 8-year period showed poor adrenal suppression inspite of adherence to treatment. A recent MRI study confirmed the presence of hyperplastic adrenal glands as well as the presence of a prepubertal uterus. Semistructured interviews with the individual confirmed a life history consistent with a male gender identity. Although the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that XX intersex individuals with CAH should be assigned to the female sex this practice harms some individuals as they may self-identify as males. In the absence of comorbid psychiatric factors the discrepancy between infant sex assignment and gender identity later in life underlines the need for a reexamination of current standards of care for individuals diagnosed with CAH. (authors)
Soil Water Content and Organic Carbon Availability Are Major Determinants of Soil Microbial Community Composition

Exploration of environmental factors governing soil microbial community composition is long overdue and now possible with improved methods for characterizing microbial communities. Previously, we observed that rice soil microbial communities were distinctly different from tomato soil microbial communities, despite management and seasonal variations within soil type. Potential contributing factors included types and amounts of organic inputs, organic carbon content, and timing and amounts of water inputs. Of these, both soil water content and organic carbon availability were highly correlated with observed differences in composition. We examined how organic carbon amendment (compost, vetch, or no amendment) and water additions (from air dry to flooded) affect microbial community composition. Using canonical correspondence analysis of phospholipid fatty acid data, we determined flooded, carbon-amended (+C) microcosm samples were distinctly different from other +C samples and unamended (-C) samples. Although flooding without organic carbon addition influenced composition some, organic carbon addition was necessary to substantially alter community composition. Organic carbon availability had the same general effects on microbial communities regardless of whether it was compost or vetch in origin. In addition, flooded samples, regardless of organic carbon inputs, had significantly lower ratios of fungal to bacterial biomarkers, whereas under drier conditions and increased organic carbon availability the microbial communities had higher proportions of fungal biomass. When comparing field and microcosm soil, flooded +C microcosm samples were most similar to field-collected rice soil, whereas all other treatments were more similar to field-collected tomato soil. Overall, manipulating water and carbon content selected for microbial communities similar to those observed when the same factors were manipulated at the field scale.
Identification of Pisum sativum Germ Plasm with Resistance to Root Rot Caused by Multiple Strains of Aphanomyces euteiches.

ABSTRACT Aphanomyces root rot is a serious disease of pea (Pisum sativum), and additional sources of resistance are needed for development of disease-resistant cultivars. Accessions (n = 123) from ...
Twenty years after twiggy: A retrospective investigation of bulimic-like behaviors

Comportements alimentaires des etudiantes a une generation d'intervalle: boulimies, vomissements provoques, orgies alimentaires, purges, controles compulsifs de la surcharge ponderale. Etude de 159 femmes ayant ete etudiantes de premiere annee d'universite en 1965
Two New Species of Paramoeba from Maine

SYNOPSIS Four clonal strains of amoebae isolated from salt-water habitats of the Maine coast show the characteristic Nebenkorper or paranucleus of the genus Paramoeba Schaudinn, 1896, this being the first report of free-living members of that genus from North America. The isolates are identified as 2 species, P. pemaquidensis n. sp. and P. aestuarina n. sp. In form and mitotic pattern, these 2 species resemble members of the family Mayorellidae.
Opportunistic infections in patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis.

Summary Objectives To describe the demographics, clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcomes of patients with pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (PAP) who developed an opportunistic infection with Nocardia spp., mycobacteria or fungal pathogens. Methods A case of PAP and Nocardia spp. brain abscess is described. A comprehensive review of the English-language literature was conducted to identify all reported cases of PAP and opportunistic infections between 1950 and July, 2010. Results Seventy five cases were reviewed. Thirty two patients (43%) had nocardial infection, 28 (37%) mycobacterial infection, and 15 (20%) fungal infection. Thirty nine patients (65%) were male. Seventeen patients (23%) were immunosuppressed. Twenty patients (27%) were active smokers. PAP was the initial diagnosis in 19 patients (33%), while infection presented first in 23 patients (40%); 16 patients (27%) had a concurrent diagnosis of PAP and infection. The average interval between PAP diagnosis and an opportunistic infection was 16 months. Lungs were the most common site of infection; extra-pulmonary infection was present in 27 patients (32%). Thirty nine patients (57%) survived through the follow-up period, while 31 died. Conclusions Opportunistic infections can either precede or follow a diagnosis of PAP. PAP should be considered in apparently immunocompetent patients who present with an opportunistic infection and diffuse alveolar infiltrates.
Intensity of Infection in AIDS-Associated Cryptosporidiosis

A fluorescent monoclonal anti-Cryptosporidium antibody was used to count the oocysts in stools of 12 AIDS patients with chronic cryptosporidiosis. Oocyst excretion was present throughout the day in all 12 patients. Stool-to-stool variation in oocyst concentration was within one order of magnitude. Small variations were also found in daily mean oocyst concentration and total daily oocyst excretion in 3 patients who had multiple 24-h stool collections. However, there was a large patient-to-patient variation in mean oocyst concentration (from < 5.0 x 10(3) to 9.2 x 10(5) oocysts/mL) and 24-h total oocyst excretion (from < 6.0 x 10(6) to 1.2 x 10(9) oocysts/day). There was a significant correlation between oocyst excretion and numbers of Cryptosporidium organisms seen on small bowel biopsy. Oocyst excretion was reduced in 4 patients treated with paromomycin, but diarrhea improved only in the 2 patients with high initial oocyst excretion.
Performance of the Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Study Equations for Estimating Glomerular Filtration Rate Before and After Nephrectomy

Purpose: Accurate renal function determination before and after nephrectomy is essential for proper prevention and management of chronic kidney disease due to nephron loss and ischemic injury. We compared the estimated glomerular filtration rate using several serum creatinine based formulas against the measured rate based on 125I-iothalamate clearance to determine which most accurately reflects the rate in this setting.Materials and Methods: Of 7,611 patients treated at our institution since 1975 the measured glomerular filtration rate was selectively determined before and after nephrectomy in 268 and 157, respectively. Performance of the Cockcroft-Gault, Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study, re-expressed Modification of Diet in Renal Disease Study and Chronic Kidney Disease-Epidemiology Study equations, each of which estimates the glomerular filtration rate, were determined using serum creatinine, age, gender, weight and body surface area. The performance of serum creatinine, reciprocal serum crea...
Experiments with air ions on the trachea

Man regularly encounters changing environmental conditions. Some of these changes are severe involving extreme discomfort, while others are so subtle as to pass unnoticed. Air ionization is one factor of environment that is properly classified as a subtle change for most people. Few are consciously aware of any change in air ionization, yet the physiological importance of air ions to the function of the respiratory system has been recently quantitatively demonstrated.1
Analysis of sheep T-cell receptor beta-chain heterogeneity.

We analyzed nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence heterogeneity of sheep T-cell receptor β-chain cDNAs isolated from an anchored-polymerase chain reaction library. Evaluation of 34 individual rearrangements has defined 18 new β-chain variable region sequences which have been clustered into 13 families. Presumptive allelic polymorphisms of four of these variable regions have been defined, as well as ten distinct β-chain joining region sequences. The present analysis indicates that sheep T-cell receptor β-chains are composed of characteristic leader, variable, joining, and constant region sequences, and that imprecise joining and N-region addition contribute significantly to diversity in the third hypervariable region. Thus, it appears that sheep, like all other mammals studied to date, employ somatic rearrangement of multiple germline genes to create β-chain heterogeneity. These findings have allowed us to estimate the diversity of the sheep T-cell receptor β-chain variable region repertoire, and they provide information that will permit the evaluation of the role that specific T-cell populations play in naturally occurring and experimental diseases of sheep.
A deuterium-calibrated groundwater flow model of a regional carbonate-alluvial system

Abstract The White River Flow System (WRFS), a regional carbonate-alluvial groundwater system in southeastern Nevada, U.S.A., contains large amounts of water in storage, especially in the underlying carbonate reservoir. As the population of Nevada grows, it may become necessary to tap the resources of this and other regional carbonate systems. Because of the depth to the carbonate reservoir and, until now, lack of motivation to collect detailed hydrogeological data on it, the state of knowledge of flow in the carbonate system is poor. However, a simple mixing-cell flow model of the WRFS can be constructed and calibrated with the spatial distribution of the stable isotope deuterium. This type of model subdivides the system into carbonate and alluvial cells and routes water and deuterium through the entire cell network. It provides estimates of recharge rates, groundwater ages and volumes of water in storage. Transience in recharge rates and their deuterium signatures are unaccounted for by the model. The lack of constraints on the system mandates the calibration of three different flow scenarios, each of which differs slightly from the other. Despite these differences, some consistent quantitative results are obtained. Foremost among these are: (1) the carbonate aquifer may contain as much as 752 km 3 of water in storage; (2) recharge from the Sheep Range to Coyote Spring Valley is at least 90% greater than previously believed; (3) Lower Meadow Valley is part of the WRFS and contributes underflow to Upper Moapa Valley; (4) underflow with an average value of 0.163 m 3 s −1 flows westward out of the system along the Pahranagat Shear Zone; (5) recharge to the alluvial system is greater than that to the carbonate system; (6) groundwater mean ages range from 1600 to 34 000 years, with the oldest waters exceeding 100 000 years old. The results also demonstrate that deuterium can be used to calibrate simple flow models and provide groundwater ages. Despite the uncertainties and lack of constraints in mixing-cell models, they provide first approximations to information which, until now, has been difficult, if not impossible, to obtain. These models are especially useful for analyzing sparse-data systems, testing different flow hypotheses with minimal effort, providing ranges in parameter estimates, guiding future data collection and serving as precursors for the development of more sophisticated models.
Inhibition of tumor necrosis factor-mediated lysis by spleen cell-conditioned medium.

A spleen cell-elaborated factor which inhibits both TNF and natural cytotoxic cell lytic activity has been described. Production of this factor is dependent on prostaglandins, and inhibitory activity is abrogated by protein synthesis inhibitors. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the factor renders TNF sensitive cells refractory to TNF rather than acting on TNF directly. Here we show that the factor is produced by spleen cells from both BALB/c and C57bl/6 mice and inhibits TNF mediated lysis of various TNF sensitive cells. The inhibitory factor has a molecular weight greater than 30 kDal and is heat labile, suggesting it is a protein. Furthermore, the factor is produced by high density spleen cells (e.g. cells of the myeloid lineage). Although it is not clear which cell type(s) is responsible for the production of this factor, these findings suggest that high density spleen cells, which do not produce TNF, can modulate TNF lytic activity via this factor.
Direct measurement of oligonucleotide substrate binding to wild-type and mutant ribozymes from Tetrahymena.

Abstract Like protein enzymes, RNA enzymes (ribozymes) provide specific binding sites for their substrates. We now show that equilibrium dissociation constants for complexes between the Tetrahymena ribozyme and its RNA substrates and products can be directly measured by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels containing divalent cations. Binding is 10(3)- to 10(4)-fold tighter (4-5 kcal/mol at 42 degrees C) than expected from base-pairing interactions alone, implying that tertiary interactions also contribute to energetic stabilization. Binding decreases with single base changes in the substrate, substitution of deoxyribose sugars, and lower Mg2+ concentration. Ca2+, which enables the ribozyme to fold but is unable to mediate efficient RNA cleavage, promotes weaker substrate binding than Mg2+. This indicates that Mg2+ has special roles in both substrate binding and catalysis. Mutagenesis of a region near the internal guide sequence disrupts substrate binding, whereas binding is not significantly affected by a mutation of the guanosine-binding site. This approach should be generally useful for analysis of ribozyme variants independent of their catalytic activities.
Discussions about Limiting Treatment in a Geriatric Clinic

Objective: Obtain detailed information about the frequency and content of discussions about withholding treatment between doctors and elderly outpatients. Design: Survey. Setting: Primary care geriatric clinic at an urban university. Participants: Twelve physicians and one nurse practitioner completed questionnaires for 185/198 (93.4%) patient visits. Measurements: Questionnaires were completed by physicians after each patient visit during August 1989. Interviews were conducted with physicians who had discussed limiting life-sustaining treatment with patients. Results: Ten percent (n = 19) of patients seen had had discussions with their physicians about life-sustaining treatment. These patients were older and had worse prognoses as estimated by their physicians. Physicians usually raised the issue with the families of demented patients and mentioned dementia, quality of life, prognosis, and the need to make other clinical decisions as motivation for initiating discussions. The majority of patients with poor prognoses, however, had not had discussions about life support. Conclusions: Despite increasing attention given to end-of-life decisions in the medical and lay press, discussions with elderly outpatients about limiting treatment occur rarely. They are more likely when patients are older or have worse prognoses, but age, prognosis, and poor quality of life do not consistently lead physicians to raise the issue.
Stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus produces antinociception mediated by 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B and 5-HT3 receptors in the rat spinal cord dorsal horn.

Abstract The lateral hypothalamus is part of an efferent system that modifies pain at the spinal cord dorsal horn, but the mechanisms by which lateral hypothalamus-induced antinociception occur are not fully understood. Previous work has shown that antinociception produced from electrical stimulation of the lateral hypothalamus is mediated in part by spinally projecting 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) neurons in the ventromedial medulla. To further examine the role of the lateral hypothalamus in antinociception, the cholinergic agonist carbamylcholine chloride (125nmol) was microinjected into the lateral hypothalamus of female Sprague–Dawley rats and nociceptive responses measured on the tail-flick and foot-withdrawal tests. Intrathecal injections of the selective 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, WAY 100135, SB-224289, and tropisetron, respectively, and the non-specific antagonist methysergide, were given. Lateral hypothalamus stimulation with carbamylcholine chloride produced significant antinociception that was blocked by WAY 100135, tropisetron, and SB-224289 on both the tail-flick and foot-withdrawal tests. Methysergide was not different from controls on the tail flick test, but increased foot-withdrawal latencies compared with controls. These results suggest that the lateral hypothalamus modifies nociception in part by activating spinally projecting serotonin neurons that act at 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT3 receptors in the dorsal horn.
Diversity-Multiplexing Tradeoff of MIMO Systems with Antenna Selection

The diversity-multiplexing (D-M) gain tradeoff is a popular benchmark for measuring the performance of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) systems. This paper studies the fundamental D-M gain tradeoff of a pruned MIMO system where Lt transmit and Lr receive antennas are selected out of the full system with Mt transmit and Mr receive antennas (Lt les Mt and Lr les Mr). It is shown that a MIMO system with the optimal antenna selection (AS) has the same D-M tradeoff as the full system if the multiplexing gain is less than some threshold P, although it suffers from some diversity gain loss for the multiplexing gain larger than P. On the other hand, this paper quantifies, in terms of the D-M tradeoff, the gain of introducing additional transmit/receive antennas without increasing the number of RF chains and coding complexity. We also propose a fast and D-M tradeoff-optimal AS algorithm as a byproduct of our analysis.
Effect of non-surgical periodontal therapy on C-telopeptide pyridinoline cross-links (ICTP) and interleukin-1 levels.

Background: Biochemical markers harvested from gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) may be useful to identify and predict periodontal disease progression and to monitor the response to treatment. Ctelopeptide pyridinoline cross-links (ICTP), a host-derived breakdown product specific for bone, and interleukin-1β (IL-1), a potent boneresorptive cytokine, have been associated with periodontal tissue destruction. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of nonsurgical periodontal therapy on GCF levels of ICTP and IL-1. Methods: Twenty-five chronic periodontitis subjects were monitored at 8 sites per subject at baseline prior to scaling and root planing and 1, 3, and 6 months after therapy. Four shallow (probing depths <4 mm) and 4 deep (probing depths ≥5 mm) sites were monitored for both marker levels and clinical parameters. GCF was collected for 30 seconds on paper strips, and levels of ICTP and IL-1 were determined using radioimmunoassay (RIA) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques, res...
Controversies in emergency radiology

There has been controversy regarding ultrasonography (US) versus CT in blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). Each modality has its strengths and weaknesses. US is fast and allows resuscitative efforts to proceed while the patient is being scanned. However, the sensitivity of US is inferior to that of CT, and there is user variability. CT is better at determining the extent, type, and grade of injury, resulting in a more tailored therapeutic plan and safe conservative management of many patients. However, CT involves ionizing radiation, cannot be performed portably, and requires only visual monitoring while scanning. Given each modality’s strengths and weaknesses we conclude that CT is the preferred examination when the BAT patient is stable or moderately stable, enough to be taken to CT. If a BAT patient is unstable, US is beneficial in screening for certain injuries or large hemoperitoneum prior to an exploratory laparotomy.
High-pressure amorphous nitrogen

The phase diagram and stability limits of diatomic solid nitrogen have been explored in a wide pressure-temperature range by several optical spectroscopic techniques. A narrow-gap semiconducting phase $\ensuremath{\eta}$ has been found to exist in a range of 80--270 GPa and 10--510 K. The vibrational and optical properties of the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ phase produced under these conditions indicate that it is largely amorphous and back transforms to a new molecular phase. The band gap of the $\ensuremath{\eta}$ phase is found to decrease with pressure indicating possible metallization by band overlap above 280 GPa.
Analysis of hydrodynamic (landau) instability in liquid-propellant combustion at normal and reduced gravity

The burning of liquid propellants is a fundamental combustion problem that is applicable to various types of propulsion and energetic systems. The deflagration process is often rather complex, with vaporization and pyrolysis occurring at the liquid/gas interface and distributed combustion occurring either in the gas phase or in a spray. Nonetheless, there are realistic limiting cases in which combustion may be approximated by an overall reaction at the liquid/gas interface. In one such limit, the gas flame occurs under near-breakaway conditions, exerting little thermal or hydrodynamic influence on the burning propellant. In another such limit, distributed combustion occurs in an intrusive regime, the reaction zone lying closer to the liquid/gas interface than the length scale of any disturbance of interest. Finally, the liquid propellant may simply undergo exothermic decomposition at the surface without any significant distributed combustion, such as appears to occur in some types of HydroxylAmmonium Nitrate (HAN)-based liquid propellants at low pressures. Such limiting models have recently been formulated,thereby significantly generalizing earlier classical models that were originally introduced to study the hydrodynamic stability of a reactive liquid/gas interface. In all of these investigations, gravity appears explicitly and plays a significant role, along with surface tension, viscosity, and, in the more recent models, certain reaction-rate parameters associated with the pressure and temperature sensitivities of the reaction itself. In particular, these parameters determine the stability of the deflagration with respect to not only classical hydrodynamic disturbances, but also with respect to reactive/diffusive influences as well. Indeed, the inverse Froude number, representing the ratio of buoyant to inertial forces, appears explicitly in all of these models, and consequently, in the dispersion relation that determines the neutral stability boundaries beyond which steady, planar burning is unstable to nonsteady, and/or nonplanar (cellular) modes of burning. These instabilities thus lead to a number of interesting phenomena, such as the sloshing type of waves that have been observed in mixtures of HAN and TriEthanolAmmonium Nitrate (TEAN) with water. Although the Froude number was treated as an O(1) quantity in these studies, the limit of small inverse Froude number corresponding to the microgravity regime is increasingly of interest and can be treated explicitly, leading to various limiting forms of the models, the neutral stability boundaries, and, ultimately, the evolution equations that govern the nonlinear dynamics of the propagating reaction front. In the present work, we formally exploit this limiting parameter regime to compare some of the features of hydrodynamic instability of liquid-propellant combustion at reduced gravity with the same phenomenon at normal gravity.
Evaluation of Real-Time Satellite Precipitation Data for Global Drought Monitoring

AbstractThe Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis (TMPA) near-real-time (RT) data are considered less accurate than the TMPA research quality (RP) data because of the simplified data processing algorithm and the lack of gauge adjustments. However, for near-real-time hydrological applications, such as drought nowcasting, the RT data must play a key role given latency considerations and consistency is essential with products like RP, which have a long-term climatology. The authors used a bivariate test to examine the consistency between the monthly RT and RP precipitation estimates for 12 yr (2000–12) and found that, for over 75% of land cells globally, RT and RP were statistically consistent at 0.05 significance level. The inconsistent grid cells are spatially clustered in western North America, northern South America, central Africa, and most of Australia. The authors also show that RT generally increases with time relative to RP in northern South America and we...
The response of human tumour blood flow to a fractionated course of thermoradiotherapy

The response of human tumour blood flow to a fractionated course of thermoradiotherapy was documented in four superficial but bulky tumours (three adenocarcinomas, one melanoma). Blood flow was measured 15, 30, 45, and 60 min after the onset of heating. These measurements were made at the same intra-tumour point during each heat fraction by use of a modified thermal clearance technique in which a correction was made for the heat dissipated by thermal conduction. This point was at least 2 cm beneath the surface in the central portion of the tumour. Extracellular pH was measured within 1 cm of this point prior to the first heat fraction and 2-3 weeks later. Hyperthermia was administered for 60 min, twice a week for 4 weeks by use of a 16-channel 915 MHz microwave applicator. Each patient also received a radiation dose of 40 Gy fractionated at 2 Gy/fx, five times a week (adenocarcinomas) or 4 Gy/fx, twice a week (melanoma). Blood flow remained relatively constant during heating after steady state conditions were attained. However, an overall decrease in tumour blood flow was observed in each patient over the course of thermoradiotherapy. In each case, a relatively small decrease in blood flow occurred between most heat fractions which resulted in an overall decrease which ranged from 50-100%. However, there was a tendency for blood flow to increase following the initial heat fraction at points where the steady state temperature was approximately 41 degrees C or less. Extracellular pH increased in two of three patients and decreased in the other.
Value of p63 and podoplanin (D2-40) immunoreactivity in the distinction between primary cutaneous tumors and adenocarcinomas metastatic to the skin: a clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical study of 79 cases

The distinction of metastatic carcinomas to the skin from poorly differentiated primary cutaneous carcinomas and sometimes primary benign adnexal tumors can pose a significant diagnostic challenge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of p63 and podoplanin (D2-40) immunoreactivity for separating primary skin tumors vs. cutaneous metastases of carcinomas from internal organs. Thirty seven primary tumors and 42 cutaneous metastatic adenocarcinomas were evaluated. The 37 primary cutaneous tumors included 14 cases of benign adnexal tumors, 9 malignant skin adnexal neoplasms, and 14 primary squamous and basal cell carcinomas. The 42 metastatic adenocarcinomas all corresponded to metastases from patients with a well-documented history of a primary tumor at another location. We found variable positivity with podoplanin in all primary cutaneous neoplasms including spiradenoma (6/6), hidradenoma (2/4), cylindroma (3/3), desmoplastic trichilemmoma (1/1), poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (4/4), sebaceous carcinoma (1/1), basal cell carcinoma (4/10), trichilemmal carcinoma (2/2), eccrine carcinoma (3/3), microcystic adnexal carcinoma (1/1), adnexal carcinoma NOS (1/1), and porocarcinoma (1/1). In contrast, all metastatic carcinomas were negative (0/42) for podoplanin. In regards to p63, all cases of primary cutaneous tumors were positive for p63 (37/37); in contrast, all cutaneous metastatic carcinomas were negative (0/42). Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of podoplanin and p63 immunoreactivity to separate primary skin neoplasms from metastatic carcinomas were 78.4, 100.0, 100.0 and 84.0% for podoplanin, respectively, and 100.0, 100.0, 100.0 and 100.0% for p63, respectively. The differences in p63 and podoplanin immunohistochemical expression between primary skin tumors and metastatic carcinomas to the skin were statistically significant (p < 0, 0001). The results of our study suggest that the combined expression of p63 and podoplanin are a useful adjunct for the diagnosis of skin tumors in the clinical setting of a questionable metastasis and may be relatively specific for distinguishing primary skin tumors from metastatic carcinomas to the skin.
On Generalized Cells in Affine Weyl Groups

Abstract We determine the lowest generalized two-sided cell for affine Weyl groups. We show that it consists of at most |W0| generalized left cells, whereW0denotes the corresponding finite Weyl group. For parameters coming from graph automorphisms, we prove that this bound is exact. For such parameters, we also characterize all generalized left cells for finite and affine Weyl groups.
Cytokine mediation of experimental heart failure-induced anhedonia

Immune system dysfunction is hypothesized to influence several disease states, including cardiovascular disease and psychological depression. The comorbidity of depression and coronary artery disea...
Real time linewidth measurement of a continuously tunable multiatmosphere TE CO2 laser

Abstract Frequency upconversion as a means of investigating the spectral characteristics of continuously tunable multiatmosphere TE CO 2 lasers has been demonstrated. Phase matched mixing in proustite of 10 μm laser radiation and the output of a single-mode Nd:YAG laser has permitted Fabry-Perot interferograms, at the 0.96 μm sum frequency, to be recorded with the aid of a conventional image converter tube.
The information content of farmland value surveys

Purpose – Farmland plays a critical role in the financial health of the agricultural sector. As a result, a number of institutions closely monitor farm real estate markets and publicly report estimated farmland values. This study aims to compare the information content of reported farmland values from three institutions.Design/methodology/approach – A state space model is formulated to link observed price estimates to the unobservable value of farmland. The model considers reported values over the period 1965‐2010 for Iowa from three surveys: Iowa State Extension Service, the Federal Reserve, and the USDA.Findings – The values reported by Iowa State receive the greatest weight in estimating the unobservable market value, yet the appreciation rates implied by the USDA estimates most closely track those of the unobservable value.Originality/value – This study is the first to estimate the unobservable value of farm real estate based on observed estimates. The empirical procedure offers a number of unique adv...
A new type of gallium arsenide whiskers

Abstract A newly observed type of gallium arsenide whiskers is described. The whiskers are characterized by the occurrence of sudden, irregular changes in the direction of growth. A vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) mechanism of growth is suggested.
Effects of Syndepositional Structures on Lower Vicksburg (Oligocene) Fluvial-Deltaic Sedimentation, McAllen Ranch Field Area, Hidalgo County, South Texas: ABSTRACT

The lower Vicksburg sandstones of the McAllen Ranch field area (including McAllen Ranch, Santa Anita, and Guadalupe fields) in south Texas have been significant gas producers for almost 4 decades. However, the relationship of syndepositional structures to the type and distribution of depositional systems is still not fully understood. The importance of growth faults, especially major regional faults, has long been recognized. Further detailed studies concentrating on deeper sandstones of the Vicksburg Formation indicate that these faults in the lower Vicksburg are characterized by low-angle fault-planes and greatly expanded stratigraphic intervals with plunging rollover structures on the downthrown fault blocks. Greatest stratigraphic expansion is associated with channel- outh bar or delta-front facies. Extensive drilling and acquisition of high-resolution seismic data in this area have provided the necessary stratigraphic control to determine the significance of more subtle structural effects on sedimentation. The present study is based on the analysis of 142 well logs, 10 cores, and several seismic lines. The information from cores, characteristic log patterns, and net-sandstone maps of discrete genetic subunits strongly suggests a high-constructive deltaic origin for the reservoir facies. The maps show areas of rapid subsidence associated with large-scale mud movements. These movements result in the formation of sediment-withdrawal basins and fringing syndepositional anticlinal ridges. The localized basins have a profound effect on the style of deltaic sedimentation. Most significant is the exceptional thickening of the distal delta-plain facies characterized by interdistributary bay mud and crevasse splay sands. The splay sands contain abundant macerated plant material. Individual splays have a limited lateral extent, are stacked vertically, and form complex imbricated sand bodies wh ch are gas-prone stratigraphic traps. Such an area presents an ideal target for explorationists and a complex set of problems for the production staffs comtemplating secondary recovery projects. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1431------------