cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intermediate-size transposition at an extreme distance in preverbal children.

Abstract The demonstrated ability of children lacking functional labels to transpose distantly following multiple discrimination training suggests that attentional-discriminative responses (which isolate aspects of external stimulation) rather than verbal responses (which add distinctive proprioceptive stimulation) mediate transfer between disparate events. To circumvent the possibility that multiple training may have aroused relationspecific mediators, the present study sought to produce transposition in preverbal S s by manipulating conditions at test , rather than during training. Specifically, one group of S s was given a Far (three-step) test after middle-size training whereas another was given a Very Far (six-step) test, under the assumption that the absolute choice at an extreme distance would be less viable than a relational choice. A control group was given a Near (one-step) test. The distances of the Far and Very Far groups were reversed on a second test (the Near group also receiving a very distant test). The Very Far group was significantly more relational than the Far group on both tests. The Near group was significantly more relational than the Very Far and Far groups on the first test, but was signifieantly less relational than the Very Far group on the second test. The results hold as well for children who lack, as for those who possess, functional labels, and for younger (4.0 years) as well as older (4.6 years) S s. Implications for theories of conceptual transfer as well as for prevailing theories of transposition are discussed.
Multichannel whitening of SAR imagery

The presence of speckle in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery makes image interpretation more difficult and worsens the performance of algorithms designed to detect objects in the imagery. Image processing techniques to reduce speckle usually do so at the expense of spatial resolution. Multichannel whitening is one image processing technique that reduces image speckle while maintaining spatial resolution. Multichannel whitening is applied to imagery recorded during a foliage penetration experiment undertaken by MIT Lincoln Laboratory using the NASA/JPL UHF, L-, C-band fully polarimetric SAR in July 1990. In this experiment, a 50 km/sup 2/ forested area near Portage, Maine was imaged. Twenty-seven 8 ft trihedral corner reflectors were arrayed throughout the imaged area beneath the foliage in order to measure foliage attenuation. The detection performance for corner reflectors under foliage is compared for the raw data and whitened data, and the predictions of a product model for the degree of speckle reduction are compared with the data.
Canceling print serials in favor of electronic: criteria for decision making

Libraries have welcomed electronic serials into their collections. Publishers have encouraged this trend by offering titles in electronic format at little or no additional cost to the print subscription. This trend may, however, be in decline, forcing libraries to reconsider what they are receiving and in what format(s). This article discusses several potential criteria that may be utilized by libraries in developing documents to guide their format cancellation decisions.
Human intolerance to bacteria as food.

DEMANDS for new means to solve man's nutritional needs when the pressure of population intensifies or when he attempts to travel in space have suggested the use of single cell organisms as food. Hydrogenomonas eutropha, a hydrogen-fixing bacterium, could effectively control the atmosphere of a space cabin as well as providing nourishment1. The protein is of high biological value2 and is well tolerated even in high concentrations in rat diets3. Human feeding trials seemed warranted and were attempted.
Measurement of number density and size distribution of dust in DIII-D during normal plasma operation

Dust particles with submicron radii have been observed in the scrape-off layer (SOL) and divertor region of DIII-D during normal plasma operation. The particles are observed via their relatively large cross section for Rayleigh scattering of the Nd : YAG laser used for Thomson scattering measurements of electron density and temperature. In the outer region of the SOL particles are rare, with an average density of about 6 × 103 particles m−3. The particle density falls sharply going toward the last closed flux surface, being ~ 0 at and inside the separatrix. Modelling of the observed pulse height distribution indicates an average particle radius of ~ 80 nm. These measurements indicate that dust created by normal plasma operation is not a likely source of core carbon contamination on DIII-D, nor is it a serious contributor to redeposition of carbon films.
The Understanding of Relativity

ON page 84 of NATURE for Jan. 19, Mr. McLennan expresses polite surprise that I allow myself to accept results, even on good evidence, which are repugnant to uninstructed common sense, or in other words, which run counter to the prejudices born of lifelong experience. Unfortunately, it has been my lot to come across phenomena so superficially alien to common sense that they are not acceptable to the scientific world, though they nevertheless presumptuously occur. Apart from those untoward happenings, however, and on more ordinary lines, we have to admit that common sense is not always a trustworthy guide in the face of evidence to the contrary. Even 1 and 1 are not always 2 when the units are concrete things, especially when the element of time is allowed to function. If they are mercury globules, in a little while the result may be still 1; whereas if they are amœbae the result may be 4. Simple addition is not always the correct rule for compounding quantities; any more than the rule-of-three need be valid when simple proportion is not guaranteed.
Development and validation of a sensitive LC-MS/MS method with electrospray ionization for quantitation of rhein in human plasma: application to a pharmacokinetic study

A highly sensitive and specific LC-MS/MS method has been developed and validated for the estimation of doxofylline (DFL) with 300 microL human serum using imipramine as the internal standard (IS). The API-3,000 LC-MS/MS was operated under multiple reaction-monitoring mode using the electrospray ionization technique. The assay procedure involved direct precipitation of DFL and IS from human serum with acetonitrile. The resolution of peaks was achieved with formic acid (pH 2.5): acetonitrile (10:90, v/v) on an Amazon C(18) column. The total chromatographic run time was 3.0 min and the elution of DFL and IS occurred at approximately 1.46 and 2.15 min, respectively. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were 267.5 --> 181.1 for DFL and 281.1 --> 86.2 for IS. The method was proved to be accurate and precise at linearity range of 1.00-5,000 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient (r) of >or=0.999. The method was rugged with 1.00 ng/mL as lower limit of quantitation. The intra- and inter-day precision and accuracy values were found to be within the assay variability limits as per the FDA guidelines. The developed assay method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in human volunteers following oral administration of DFL tablet.
The Impact of Bilateral Salpingo-Oophorectomy on Breast MRI Background Parenchymal Enhancement and Fibroglandular Tissue

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) on background parenchymal enhancement (BPE) and the amount of fibroglandular tissue (FGT) seen on breast MRI. Retrospective review identified 21 BRCA mutation carriers who underwent breast MRI before and after elective BSO. After exclusion of patients placed on postoperative hormone replacement therapy, there were 18 eligible patients. Blinded to surgical status, three independent readers used categorical scales to rate BPE (minimal, mild, moderate, marked) and the amount of FGT (fatty, scattered, heterogeneously dense, dense) on pre- and post-BSO MRI examinations. The sign test was used to assess for changes in the categorical ratings of BPE and FGT. Significant proportions of women demonstrated decreases in BPE and in the amount of FGT following oophorectomy (P = 0.004 and 0.02, respectively.) BPE decreases were larger and seen earlier than FGT changes. There was no significant relationship between age/body mass index and changes in BPE and FGT. BPE and the amount of FGT seen on breast MRI are significantly decreased by oophorectomy; BPE decreases to a greater extent and earlier than FGT. • Background parenchymal enhancement significantly decreases at breast MRI following oophorectomy. • Fibroglandular tissue significantly decreases on breast MRI following oophorectomy. • Decrease in background parenchymal enhancement is greater than in fibroglandular tissue. • Decrease in background parenchymal enhancement occurs earlier than in fibroglandular tissue.
Direct observation of intramolecular energy transfer by selective picosecond laser excitation of a single chromophore in jet-cooled molecules

Here we report on the direct observation of time-resolved formation of a product of intramolecular energy transfer in isolated, jet-cooled A^*-CH_2-CH_2-CH_2-B. The anthracene chromophore (A) was excited by picosecond pulses, and the transfer of energy was probed at various excess energies by observing the emission arising from the exciplex formed between B (dimethyl aniline) and A^*. The threshold is at 3 kcal/mole.
THE EFFECT OF MUTTON, GOAT, BEEF AND RABBIT-MEAT SPECIES AND STATE OF RIGOR ON SOME TECHNOLOGICAL PARAMETERS

The research consists of two steps with the goal to investigate the relationship between meat species (mutton, goat, beef and rabbit) in prerigor and postrigor stages in respect to emulsification capacity (EC), water-holding capacity (WHC) and cooking loss (CL) parameters and the effect of rigor state of species on these parameters. For this purpose, immediately after slaughter and deboning, meat parts were assigned to both pre- and postrigor analyses. Tissue was ground, and then mixed to obtain homogeneous meat batches. Prerigor analyses were conducted in less than 90 min following slaughtering and deboning processes. Postrigor analyses were conducted after remaining meat parts were held for 24 h at 2C. The results showed that mutton and goat meats have higher EC and WHC values in both the pre- and postrigor stages. The rigor state of meat species affected significantly (P < 0.05) the pH, EC and WHC values. The prerigor stage of mutton and goat meat had the most desirable characteristics for emulsion-type meat products.
Activation of recombinant human SK4 channels by metal cations

The effects of metal cations on the activation of recombinant human SK4 (also known as hIK1 or hKCa4) channels, expressed in HEK 293 cells, were tested using patch clamp recording. Of the nine metals tested, cobalt, iron, magnesium, and zinc did not activate the SK4 channels when applied, at concentrations up to 100 μM, to the inside of SK4 channel-expressing membrane patches. Barium, cadmium, calcium, lead, and strontium activated SK4 channels in a concentration-dependent manner. The rank order of potency was at Ca2+>Pb2+>Cd2+>Sr2+>Ba2+.
Iron-thiolate induced oxidation of methionine to methionine sulfoxide in small model peptides. Intramolecular catalysis by histidine

Abstract Peptides containing either glycine and methionine, or glycine, methionine and histidine at various locations were oxidized by the dithiothreitol/ferric chloride system in phosphate buffer. The yields of peptide degradation and sulfoxide formation were measured as a function of peptide sequence and pH. In general little change of the final yields of peptide degradation is observed whereas the final yields of sulfoxide formation progressively decrease on going from pH 6.0 to 8.0. The pH profiles vary with the structure of the respective peptide. Efficient sulfoxide formation occurred when histidine and methionine were present within the same peptide sequence, and particularly when methionine was located at the C-termius of the peptide. Added superoxide dismutase, catalase, and methanol did either promote nor inhibit both the degradation of peptide and the formation of sulfoxide excluding free superoxide, hydrogen peroxide, and hydroxyl radicals as responsible reactive oxygen species. The observations are rationalized by invoking a pH-dependent conversion of an efficiently sulfoxide yielding oxidant into another oxidant which still degrades peptides but does not form methionine sulfoxide. The first might be a metal-bound peroxide or peroxyl species which converts into a metal-bound or ‘complexed’ hydroxyl radical.
Dynamics of GBF1, a Brefeldin A-sensitive Arf1 exchange factor at the Golgi.

Trafficking through the Golgi apparatus requires members of the Arf family of GTPases, whose activation is regulated by guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs). Once activated, Arf-GTP recruits ...
Control of ammonia toxicity to Hyalella azteca by sodium, potassium and pH

The toxicity of ammonia to Hyalella azteca at constant pH in artificial media was controlled by sodium and potassium, and not by calcium, magnesium, or anions. Small increases in the LC50 for total ammonia (from 0.15 to 0.5 mM) occurred as sodium was increased from 0.1 to 1 mM and above, but major increases in the LC50 (to over 10 mM total ammonia) required the addition of potassium. Potassium was, however, more effective at reducing ammonia toxicity at high (1 mM) sodium than at low (0.1 mM) sodium. Ammonia toxicity was independent of pH at low sodium and potassium concentrations, when ammonia toxicity appeared to be associated primarily with aqueous ammonium ion concentrations. At high sodium and potassium concentrations, the toxicity of ammonia was reduced to the point where un-ionized ammonia concentrations also affected toxicity, and the LC50 became pH dependent. A mathematical model was produced for predicting ammonia toxicity from sodium and potassium concentrations and pH.
Effect of Light on the Metabolism of Lipids in the Rat Retina

: The effect of light on the in vitro incorporation of a variety of radioactive precursors into glycerolipids was tested in isolated retinas of albino rats. There was an increase in the incorporation of [2-3H]myo-inositol, 32Pi, [2-3H]glycerol, and [methyl-3H]choline into retinal phospholipids in light compared to that in darkness. [2-3H]myo-inositol was incorporated primarily into phos-phatidylinositol. 32Pi was incorporated primarily into the phosphoinositides, although there were significant increases in the specific activities of all retinal phospholipids in light compared to those in darkness. Likewise, [2-3H]glycerol incorporation into all retinal phospholipids and diglycerides was greater in light than in the dark. There was no effect of light on the incorporation of [2-3H]ethanolamine into phosphatidylethanolamine or of [3-3H]serine into phosphatidylserine, although these phospholipids were labeled to a greater extent in light with [2-3H]glycerol. There was no effect of light on the incorporation of [3H]palmitic acid into diglycerides and phospholipids, with the exception of phosphatidylino-sitol. Light also had no effect on the uptake of [2-3H]glycerol, [2-3H]inositol, or [methyl-3H]choline into the retina. We conclude from these studies that light stimulates the phosphoinositide effect in the rat retina. Although some of the results are consistent with a stimulation of de novo synthesis of all lipid classes, our studies with [3H]palmitate, [2-3H]ethanolamine, and [3-3H]serine do not support this conclusion. A possible explanation for the increased incorporation of [2-3H]glycerol, or 32Pi, and [methyl-3H]choline into retinal phospholipids is that the metabolic events that follow photon capture alter the size and/or turnover rate of the choline, choline phosphate, ATP, and glycerol-3-phosphate pools, thus altering the specific radioactivities of these precursors. This would result in different specific activities of the lipid products in the absence of any direct effect of light on the rate of synthesis.
Possible existence of convective currents in surfactant bulk solution in experimental pendant-bubble dynamic surface tension measurements.

Traditionally, surfactant bulk solutions in which dynamic surface tension (DST) measurements are conducted using the pendant-bubble apparatus are assumed to be quiescent. Consequently, the transpor...
Item Parameter Estimation Under Conditions of Test Speededness: Application of a Mixture Rasch Model With Ordinal Constraints

When tests are administered under fixed time constraints, test performances can be affected by speededness. Among other consequences, speededness can result in inaccurate parameter estimates in item response theory (IRT) models, especially for items located near the end of tests (Oshima, 1994). This article presents an IRT strategy for reducing contamination in item difficulty estimates due to speededness. Ordinal constraints are applied to a mixture Rasch model (Rost, 1990) so as to distinguish two latent classes of examinees: (a) a “speeded” class, comprised of examinees that had insufficient time to adequately answer end-of-test items, and (b) a “nonspeeded” class, comprised of examinees that had sufficient time to answer all items. The parameter estimates obtained for end-of-test items in the nonspeeded class are shown to more accurately approximate their difficulties when the items are administered at earlier locations on a different form of the test. A mixture model can also be used to estimate the class memberships of individual examinees. In this way, it can be determined whether membership in the speeded class is associated with other student characteristics. Results are reported for gender and ethnicity.
Nicotinic modulation of intrinsic brain networks in schizophrenia.

Abstract The nicotinic receptor is a promising drug target currently being investigated for the treatment of cognitive symptoms in schizophrenia. A key step in this process is the development of noninvasive functional neuroimaging biomarkers that can be used to determine if nicotinic agents are eliciting their targeted biological effect, ideally through modulation of a fundamental aspect of neuronal function. To that end, neuroimaging researchers are beginning to understand how nicotinic modulation affects “intrinsic” brain networks to elicit potentially therapeutic effects. An intrinsic network is a functionally and (often) structurally connected network of brain areas whose activity reflects a fundamental neurobiological organizational principle of the brain. This review summarizes findings of the effects of nicotinic drugs on three topics related to intrinsic brain network activity: (1) the default mode network, a group of brain areas for which activity is maximal at rest and reduced during cognitive tasks, (2) the salience network, which integrates incoming sensory data with prior internal representations to guide future actions and change predictive values, and (3) multi-scale complex network dynamics, which describe these brain's ability to efficiency integrate information while preserving local functional specialization. These early findings can be used to inform future neuroimaging studies that examine the network effects of nicotinic agents.
Novel mGluR5 Positive Allosteric Modulator Improves Functional Recovery, Attenuates Neurodegeneration, and Alters Microglial Polarization after Experimental Traumatic Brain Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes microglial activation and related neurotoxicity that contributes to chronic neurodegeneration and loss of neurological function. Selective activation of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) by the orthosteric agonist (RS)-2-chloro-5-hydroxyphenylglycine (CHPG), is neuroprotective in experimental models of TBI, and has potent anti-inflammatory effects in vitro. However, the therapeutic potential of CHPG is limited due to its relatively weak potency and brain permeability. Highly potent, selective and brain penetrant mGluR5 positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) have been developed and show promise as therapeutic agents. We evaluated the therapeutic potential of a novel mGluR5 PAM, VU0360172, after controlled cortical impact (CCI) in mice. Vehicle, VU0360172, or VU0360172 plus mGluR5 antagonist (MTEP), were administered systemically to CCI mice at 3 h post-injury; lesion volume, hippocampal neurodegeneration, microglial activation, and functional recovery were assessed through 28 days post-injury. Anti-inflammatory effects of VU0360172 were also examined in vitro using BV2 and primary microglia. VU0360172 treatment significantly reduced the lesion, attenuated hippocampal neurodegeneration, and improved motor function recovery after CCI. Effects were mediated by mGluR5 as co-administration of MTEP blocked the protective effects of VU0360172. VU0360172 significantly reduced CD68 and NOX2 expression in activated microglia in the cortex at 28 days post-injury, and also suppressed pro-inflammatory signaling pathways in BV2 and primary microglia. In addition, VU0360172 treatment shifted the balance between M1/M2 microglial activation states towards an M2 pro-repair phenotype. This study demonstrates that VU0360172 confers neuroprotection after experimental TBI, and suggests that mGluR5 PAMs may be promising therapeutic agents for head injury.
Sorption enhanced steam hydrogasification of coal for synthesis gas production with in-situ CO2 removal and self-sustained hydrogen supply

Abstract The in-situ removal of CO 2 and the increase of the energetic gas yield, including hydrogen and methane, by sorption enhanced steam hydrogasification (SE-SHR) process were investigated. Lignite was used in this study as the feedstock to the steam hydrogasification reaction (SHR) with the addition of calcined dolomite as a sorbent. CO 2 was reduced dramatically with the introduction of the sorbent into the reactor. The production of hydrogen and methane was increased simultaneously. The hydrogen yield was increased by 60% when the calcium oxide to carbon molar ratio was increased to 0.86 as compared to the results without the sorbent. The hydrogen in the product gas was sufficient to maintain a self-sustained supply back to the SHR when the calcium oxide to carbon molar ratio was over 0.29. The performance of the SE-SHR was determined at different temperatures ranging from 650 °C to 800 °C and at different steam to carbon molar ratios. Additionally, the char conversion was also enhanced in all cases with the sorbent introduction. The synthesis gas production using SE-SHR coupled with steam methane reforming was also modeled by Aspen Plus. The simulation results showed that the H 2 /CO ratio of the synthesis gas generated based on SE-SHR process was 6 with higher overall energy efficiency of 74.5%. Summarily, the main findings of this study were that the overall performance of the SE-SHR was substantially improved compared to the conventional operation of the SHR and the quality of synthesis gas produced based on SE-SHR process was more flexible for the downstream processing.
Discontinuity-preserving vector smoothing on multivariate MR images via vector mean-field annealing

One impcrtant potential ci Magnetic Resonance Imaging as comjxrcd to other medical imaging modalities is that MRI can produce well-registered multivariate images. By channg operational parameters, MRI can generate different images which emphasizes one or more tissue parameters, while maintaining reasonable registration among these images. Curremly, these multivariate unages are ocessed or viewed individually. This jiocessing seheme is inconvenient and sometimes gives incurate results. By treating multivariate images as vector-valued images, we can process them as a whole. For quantitative analysis of medical hnages, thscontinnity-preserving or -enhancing smoothing technique becomes important In this mper, a discontinuity-preserving vector smoothing technique is intrOdUced, which is based on current scalar Mean Field Annealing.
Low Skeletal Bone Mineral Density Does Not Affect Dental Implants.

The aim of this case-control study (n = 30) was to evaluate the effects of osteoporosis/osteopenia on the success of dental implants. Twenty healthy females ages 50–80 with confirmed osteoporosis o...
Transient Shear Wave Propagation in a Viscoelastic Gel Cylinder: Comparison of Theory to MRI-Based Measurements

Shear strain patterns in a cylindrical gelatin sample under transient angular acceleration were measured by tagged magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Measured strain fields were compared to theoretical strain fields obtained by finite element (FE) simulation. Agreement between theory and experiment is very good. The current results support the utility of the experimental approach for tasks such as measurement of shear waves in brain tissue during angular acceleration of the skull. The results also show that a simple viscoelastic model is suitable to describe rapid shear deformation of a gel biomaterial.© 2007 ASME
SOME CONTRIBUTIONS OF ELECTRON MICROSCOPY TO THE STUDY OF THE RICKETTSIAE

Electron microscopy has provided valuable insights into the study of rickettsiae as intracellular parasites from several important perspectives. This tool has allowed researchers to delineate the fine structural features of these organisms and to show that they truly resemble free-living bacteria. Furthermore, it has been shown that there are subtle, but distinct differences in the outer envelope structure of some members of the genus Rickettsia that may explain reported differences in tinctorial properties and in their sensitivity to certain antibiotics. With Coxiella burnetii, electron microscopy has helped significantly in the characterization of the pleomorphic nature of the organism including formation of terminal bodies that resemble endospores of gram-positive bacteria. Electron microsxopy has also helped to define the relationship of the rickettsiae to their host cells. For example, ultrastructural analysis can reveal whether organisms exist free within the cytoplasm or nucleus (members of the genus Rickettsia), or whether they are bound by a phagosomal or phagolysosomal membrane (Ehrlichia and Coxiella). Finally, although all rickettsiae eventually destroy their host cell, it has been shown through transmission electron microscopy that this destruction might be mediated by different mechanisms that are specific for different rickettsial species.
System performance management for the S/390 parallel enterprise server G5

System performance management is a broad category of techniques that cover all aspects of obtaining maximum performance or speed from a given design. Items such as sorting methodology, critical path improvements, semiconductor line optimization, power-supply optimization, clock tuning, and cooling are part of performance management. Logic or architecture improvements that have a major effect on design, such as increasing cache size, are usually not included.
Effects of a nebulized NONOate, DPTA/NO, on group B streptococcus-induced pulmonary hypertension in newborn piglets.

NONOates are chemical compounds that are stable as solids but generate nitric oxide (NO) in aqueous solutions. When nebulized or instilled intratracheally, NONOates can attenuate pulmonary hypertension in adult animals with lung injury. To assess the effect of a nebulized NONOate, DPTA/NO, on group B Streptococcus (GBS)-induced pulmonary hypertension in newborn piglets, we studied 20 anesthetized and mechanically ventilated piglets (4–10 d). They were randomly assigned to receive nebulized placebo solution or DPTA/NO (100 mg) 15 min after sustained pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary artery and wedge, systemic, and right atrial pressures; cardiac output; and arterial blood gases were obtained at baseline and every 15 min during 120 min of continuous GBS infusion (6 × 108 CFU/min). Methemoglobin levels were measured at baseline and 60 min. A significant decrease in pulmonary artery pressure, pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR), systemic arterial pressure, and systemic vascular resistance (SVR) was observed after DPTA/NO nebulization (p < 0.001). Whereas the increase in PVR/SVR observed after GBS infusion was sustained for 120 min in the placebo group, this ratio decreased after DPTA/NO nebulization and remained significantly lower throughout the study period (p < 0.01). Cardiac output, arterial blood gases, and methemoglobin values did not differ between groups. These data demonstrate that the pulmonary hypertension induced by GBS infusion is markedly attenuated by DPTA/NO nebulization. The lower PVR/SVR observed in the treated group indicates that the vasodilatory effect of NONOate is more pronounced in the pulmonary than systemic vasculature. Therefore, NONOates may have clinical application in the management of pulmonary hypertension secondary to sepsis in neonates.
Relationship between body mass index and metabolic syndrome risk factors among US 8- to 14-year-olds, 1999 to 2002.

Objectives To determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome risk factors (MSRF) and examine the relationship between body mass index and the prevalence of ≥3 MSRF in 8- to 11- and 12- to 14-year-old age groups. Study design Combined 1999 to 2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data were analyzed (N = 1698). Prevalence of normal weight, at-risk for overweight, and overweight were determined. Prevalence of ≥3 MSRF (abnormal waist circumference, glucose, HDL cholesterol, triglyceride, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) were reported using (1) an age, sex, and ethnicity-adjusted and (2) a crude profile (no adjustments). Results Among overweight 8- to 11-year-old children, 6.5% (95% CI, 3.82 to 10.86) had ≥3 MSRF using the crude profile and 9.51% (95% CI 5.59 to 15.71) using the adjusted profile. Among overweight 12- to 14-year-olds, 43.76% (95% CI, 33.27 to 54.85) had ≥3 MSRF using the crude profile and 26.28% (95% CI, 16.71 to 38.78) using the adjusted profile. Conclusions A substantial number of overweight 8- to 14-year-olds have ≥3 MSRF, indicating that overweight in early adolescence may put children at risk for adult-onset cardiovascular disease and/or type 2 diabetes well before they become teenagers.
Tension pneumoperitoneum during routine colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is generally a safe and effective means to detect, diagnose, and treat colonic abnormalities. Although the overall complication rate is low, the morbidity and mortality following perforation approach 50%. Here we present a case of a 49-year-old woman undergoing routine colonoscopy when she suffered bowel perforation and tension pneumoperitoneum. This is a seldom occurrence and may result following bowel perforation with the rapid accumulation of free air into the peritoneal cavity. It is a life-threatening complication and a surgical emergency.
StreaMon: an adaptive engine for stream query processing

StreaMon is the adaptive query processing engine of the STREAM prototype Data Stream Management System (DSMS) [4]. A fundamental challenge in many DSMS applications (e.g., network monitoring, financial monitoring over stock tickers, sensor processing) is that conditions may vary significantly over time. Since queries in these systems are usually long-running, or continuous [4], it is important to consider adaptive approaches to query processing. Without adaptivity, performance may drop drastically as stream data and arrival characteristics, query loads, and system conditions change over time.StreaMon uses several techniques to support adaptive query processing [1, 2, 3]; we demonstrate three of them:•Reducing run-time memory requirements for continuous queries by exploiting stream data and arrival patterns.•Adaptive join ordering for pipelined multiway stream joins, with strong quality guarantees.•Placing subresult caches adaptively in pipelined multiway stream joins to avoid recomputation of intermediate results.
New syndrome: renal dysplasia, mesomelia, and radiohumeral fusion.

Ce cas represente un cas d'hypoplasie radiocubitale avec d'autres malformations qui sont decrites en detail
Application of Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy to Measure High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) Metabolism

High-density lipoprotein (HDL) protects vascular system from atherosclerosis by several mechanisms, including reverse cholesterol and therefore understanding its metabolism has important implications for public health. A major factor in HDL metabolism is endothelial lipase (EL). The goal of this study was to elucidate the kinetics of EL-HDL metabolism using fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS). FCS is an advanced microscopy technique in which fluctuations in the fluorescence of a dye or dye-labeled molecule is recorded as the particles freely diffuse through a small focal volume. In this case, we measured the fluorescence of dye-labeled (Nile Red) HDL in the presence of wild type and mutant EL. The data can be analyzed mathematically using the cross-correlation function, from which the diffusion coefficient of the molecule is obtained. The lipase activity of EL changes HDL size, in turn affecting the diffusion coefficient, and can be calculated using the Stokes-Einstein relation. Our preliminary results suggest the hydrolysis of HDL occurs rapidly and proportionately to the concentration of EL. Several mutations in EL have been identified in human population studies. Our future goal is to compare the rate of hydrolysis between wild type and mutant EL and with normal and oxidized HDL. In addition, fluorescence measurements were used to investigate the composition of HDL. The fluorescence spectrum of Nile Red is dependent upon the local lipid environment. By monitoring the change in fluorescence emission as a function of EL metabolism, we investigate the content of HDL while being remodeled by EL. These fluorescence techniques allow us to answer some of the key questions regarding the HDL lipid collection and distribution function.
Environmentalism, Globalization and National Economies, 1980–2000

It is commonly assumed that environmentalism harms national economies because environmental regulations constrain economic activity and create incentives for firms to move production and investment to other countries. We point out that global environmentalism involves large-scale institutional changes that: (1) encourage new kinds of economic activity and (2) reconstruct economic value such that environmental protection is rewarded in the market. We employ cross-national panel analyses to examine the effects of national environmentalism on economic growth, trade, industry and investment. We find that pro-environmental countries fare better in terms of economic growth, investment and size of the industrial and service sectors. We find no impact of environmentalism on foreign investment and trade. Firms and investment do not appear to be fleeing countries with strong environmental standards.
Numerical modeling of graded band gap CIGS solar cells

The high efficiency reported by NREL for CIGS (Cu(In,Ga)Se/sub 2/) solar cells demonstrates the potential of band gap grading in producing high efficiency thin film solar cells. In order to reap the full benefits of this design strategy, a clear understanding of the fundamental device physics of these structures is needed. The purpose of this paper is to examine the role grading of the band gap plays in achieving high conversion efficiencies. To aid in this examination, a detailed numerical device simulation program, ADEPT, is used.
Mild and efficient methods for the reductive cleavage of nitrogen-oxygen bonds.

Abstract In connection with synthetic programs underway in our laboratory, in particular the development of synthetic methods based on oxidative cycloadditions of hydroxamic acids with 1,3-dienes,1 with lycoricidine2 (la) and narciclasine3 (lb) as representative target structures, we required a reductive cleavage of N—O bonds in the resulting Diels-Alder adducts. Application to the target structures of interest required a mild and specific method, which would leave carbon-carbon double bonds and (amide) carbonyl groups intact, and which would not disturb potentially acid sensitive functionality. In response to these criteria we have developed new methods for accomplishing the desired objectives, which are easily carried out and generally give high yields of reduced products. These methods considerably extend the scope and power of oxidative cycloadditions of hydroxamic
Renal dopamine receptor signaling mechanisms in spontaneously hypertensive and Fischer 344 old rats.

Dopamine plays an important role in the regulation of renal sodium excretion. The activation of D1-like receptors located on the proximal tubules causes inhibition of tubular sodium reabsorption by inhibiting Na, H-exchanger and Na, K-ATPase activity. The D1-like receptors are linked via G proteins to the multiple cellular signaling systems namely adenylyl cyclase and phospholipase C (PLC). A defective renal dopamine receptor function exists in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). In the proximal tubules of SHR, the stimulation of adenylyl cyclase and PLC caused by dopamine was significantly reduced in comparison with Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. Also unlike the effects seen in WKY, D1-like receptor activation did not inhibit Na, K-ATPase and Na, H-exchanger activities in SHR. In addition, reduced quantity of Gq/11α proteins was detected in the basolateral membranes of SHR compared to WKY rats. Studies revealed that there may be a primary defect in D1-like receptors leading to an altered signaling system in...
Exploring Marital Satisfaction among Graduate Students: Implications for Service Delivery.

This article provides a synopsis of the theoretical and empirical literature describing the effects of graduate study on marital satisfaction. These findings offer implications for psychoeducationa...
Two-dimensional atomic interferometry for creation of nanostructures

We propose a scheme for large angle two-dimensional atom interferometers employing two-photon pulses. The interferometer scheme utilizes Raman pulses to produce a two-dimensional pattern with independent choice of grating spacings in each direction, each being as small as 2 nm. This scheme may enable one to produce uniform arrays of structures such as quantum dots with dimensions of only a few nm on each side.
On the maximum likelihood estimate for the drift of brownian motion following a symmetric sequential probability ratio test

Bias and variance are evaluated explicitly for the maximum likelihood estimate (MLE) of the drift of a Brownian motion following a symmetric sequential probability ratio test (SPRT). The MLE is shown to be asymptotically efficient when the boundary of the SPRT tends to infinity.
Alternative Markers of Hyperglycemia and Risk of Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Fructosamine, glycated albumin, and 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) are of interest for monitoring short-term glycemic control in patients with diabetes; however, their associations with diabetes risk are uncharacterized. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We used Cox proportional hazards models to examine the associations of fructosamine, glycated albumin, and 1,5-AG with incident diabetes in 1,299 participants, from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study (2005–2006), who had no history of diagnosed diabetes at baseline. Incident diabetes was self-reported during annual telephone calls. RESULTS There were 119 new cases of diabetes during a median follow-up of 3.3 years. When compared with the lowest quartile, the fourth quartiles of fructosamine and glycated albumin were significantly associated with diabetes risk (hazard ratio [HR] 3.99 [95% CI 1.93-8.28] and 5.22 [2.49-10.94], respectively). The fourth quartile of 1,5-AG was associated with a significantly lower diabetes risk (0.27 [0.14-0.55]). Associations were attenuated but still significant after adjustment for hemoglobin A1c (A1C) or fasting glucose. CONCLUSIONS Fructosamine, glycated albumin, and 1,5-AG were associated with the subsequent development of diabetes independently of baseline A1C and fasting glucose. Our results suggest these alternative biomarkers may be useful in identifying persons at risk for diabetes.
Lack of Significant Dermal Penetration of Titanium Dioxide from Sunscreen Formulations Containing Nano- and Submicron-Size TiO2 Particles

Titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) is included in some sunscreen formulations to physically block ultraviolet radiation. A dermal penetration study was conducted in minipigs with three TiO(2) particles (uncoated submicron sized, uncoated nano-sized, and dimethicone/methicone copolymer-coated nanosized) applied 5% by weight in a sunscreen. These and control formulations were topically applied to minipigs at 2 mg cream/cm(2) skin (4 applications/day, 5 days/week, 4 weeks). Skin (multiple sites), lymph nodes, liver, spleen, and kidneys were removed, and the TiO(2) content was determined (as titanium) using inductively coupled plasma mass spectroscopy. Titanium levels in lymph nodes and liver from treated animals were not increased over the values in control animals. The epidermis from minipigs treated with sunscreens containing TiO(2) showed elevated titanium. Increased titanium was detected in abdominal and neck dermis of minipigs treated with uncoated and coated nanoscale TiO(2). Using electron microscopy-energy dispersive x-ray analysis, all three types of TiO(2) particles were found in the stratum corneum and upper follicular lumens in all treated skin samples (more particles visible with coated nanoscale TiO(2)). Isolated titanium particles were also present at various locations in the dermis of animals treated with all three types of TiO(2)-containing sunscreens; however, there was no pattern of distribution or pathology suggesting the particles could be the result of contamination. At most, the few isolated particles represent a tiny fraction of the total amount of applied TiO(2). These findings indicate that there is no significant penetration of TiO(2) nanoparticles through the intact normal epidermis.
Robust Optimization Approach for Transportation Network Design under Demand Uncertainty

This paper reviews our recent developments on applying a robust optimization approach to transportation network design problems where future travel demands are uncertain and traffic flows on the underlying network are in user equilibrium. We assume that the travel demands belong to an uncertainty set instead of having them follow some probability distributions and then design the network against the worst-case scenario realized in the set. The problems are formulated as mathematical programs with complementarity constraints, which are efficiently solvable by a cutting-plane scheme. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate that the designs from the robust optimization approach perform more stably and guard better against worst-case scenarios than those from traditional deterministic approach. INTRODUCTION Network design problem (NDP) for transportation networks has been extensively studied in the literature. The problem is to determine a plan for modifying a road network (e.g., adding new roads and increasing the capacities of the existing ones) in order to minimize the total system travel cost or to optimize another performance measure subject to a given budget. In the literature, NDP has been formulated as a bi-level optimization problem or, equivalently, mathematical program with equilibrium constraints (MPEC), where users’ responses in travel choices are captured by the lower-level user equilibrium (UE) problem or equilibrium constraints in form of a variational inequality. The formulation is thus nonlinear and non-convex, making it difficult to solve exactly. For an overview on NDP, see, e.g., Magnanti and Wong (1984) and Yang and Bell (1998). NDP can be classified into two general categories depending on how additional capacities are represented, either as continuous or discrete variables. In the literature, many have considered continuous NDP or CNDP because the problem is more computationally tractable. However, an additional capacity is always stated in the unit of one lane in practice, thereby suggesting that discrete NDP or DNDP is more practical. On the other hand, the presence of the integer variables makes DNDP more difficult to solve because the gradient-based ICCTP 2009: Critical Issues in Transportation Systems Planning, Development, and Management ©2009 ASCE 1237
Questions revisited: is experience still the best teacher?

INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE To illustrate the value of experience in developing a simplified binocular sensory evaluation when required by necessity, and to describe the experience gained in repeating and extending a prior study. PATIENTS AND METHOD Prioritizing the information needed and the tests that provide it, and retrospectively reviewing a new population with similar inclusion and exclusion requirements, and dealing with the problem of uneven follow-up. CONCLUSION It is possible to derive a limited evaluation that is still sufficient for patient management. The prior results were confirmed and led to better understanding of the possibilities and limitations of retrospective studies.
Far Infrared Characterization of Single and Double Walled Carbon Nanotubes

High resolution far infrared absorption measurements were carried out for single walled and double walled carbon nanotubes samples (SWCNT and DWCNT) encased in a polyethylene matrix to investigate the temperature and bundling effects on the low frequency phonons associated with the low frequency circumferential vibrations. At a temperature where kBT is significantly lower than the phonon energy, the broad absorption features as observed at room temperature become well resolved phonon transitions. For a DWCNT sample whose inner tubes have a similar diameter distribution as the SWCNT sample studied, a series of sharp features were observed at room temperature at similar positions as for the SWCNT samples studied. The narrow linewidth is attributed to the fact that the inner tubes are isolated from the polyethylene matrix and the weak inter-tubule interactions. More systematic studies will be required to better understand the effects of inhomogeneous broadening and thermal-excitation on the detailed position and lineshape of the low frequency phonon features in carbon nanotubes.
Christian Base Communities in Peru: Lessons for North America

This research hopes to bridge the gap between the churches of North and South America by advocating for Christian base communities (CEBs) in North America. It is necessary to look at Catholic Action in conjunction with Catholic social thought, as well as the Second Vatican Council. Finally, personal interviews with those involved with CEBs in two districts of Lima, Peru – Villa El Salvador and El Agustino, revealed there is a failure of CEBs to develop in those two respective areas. Despite the failure of CEBs to develop in those areas, CEBs are relevant to North America as they can contribute lessons for parishes in the U.S. The Catholicism in CEBs in Peru is not prevalent in North America because the standard is to focus on individual spirituality and there is a lack of emphasis on social Catholicism.
Medical Therapy in Peripheral Artery Disease and Critical Limb Ischemia

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) comprises atherosclerosis of the aorta and lower extremities. Many patients with PAD are asymptomatic, while others present with intermittent claudication (IC) or critical limb ischemia (CLI). Defined as rest pain or tissue loss that persists for >2 weeks, CLI represents the most severe clinical manifestation of PAD and is associated with an increased risk of limb loss and death. Patients with PAD, including those with CLI, are underdiagnosed and undertreated. In addition to smoking cessation, medical therapy with an antiplatelet agent and statin is recommended for all patients with PAD. Regular exercise has been shown to improve walking distance and quality of life in patients with symptomatic PAD and should be incorporated into each patient’s treatment plan. In patients who have CLI and in those with persistent lifestyle-limiting claudication despite optimal medical therapy and an exercise program, revascularization is indicated for limb salvage and symptom relief, respectively. Consensus guidelines currently support an endovascular first approach to revascularization in the majority of cases. Surgical procedures provide an alternative to endovascular therapy in select cases.