cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Near-term regional climate change over Bangladesh

Bangladesh stands out as a climate change hot spot due to its unique geography, climate, high population density, and limited adaptation capacity. Mounting evidence suggests that the country is already suffering from the effects of climate change which may get worse without aggressive action. Here, we use an ensemble of high-resolution (10 km) regional climate model simulations to project near-term change in climate extremes, mainly heat waves and intense rainfall, for the period (2021–2050). Near-term climate projections represent a valuable input for designing sound adaptation policies. Our climate projections suggest that heatwaves will become more frequent and severe in Bangladesh under the business-as-usual scenario (RCP8.5). In particular, extremes of wet-bulb temperature (a temperature and humidity metric important in evaluating humid heat stress) in the western part of Bangladesh including Bogra, Ishurdi, and Jessore are likely to exceed the extreme danger threshold (according to U.S. National Weather Service criterion), which has rarely been observed in the current climate. The return periods of extreme heat waves are also significantly shortened across the country. In addition, country-averaged rainfall is projected to increase by about 6% during the summer months, with the largest increases (above 10%) in the eastern mountainous areas, such as Sylhet and Chittagong. Meanwhile, insignificant changes in extreme rainfall are simulated. Our results suggest that Bangladesh is particularly susceptible to climate extremes in the near future, in the form of extreme heat waves over the western part of the country.
Drive-through Anticoagulation Clinic During The COVID-19 Pandemic.

An innovative approach to anticoagulation management during the COVID-19 pandemic was used at our center that allowed patients to stay in their vehicle while our anticoagulation advanced practice nurse obtained blood for point-of-care INR (POC/INR) testing, while at the same time, education and counseling were completed. A significant improvement in the median percentage of INR within the therapeutic range (TR) was observed among the patients who utilized the drive-through clinic. A small group of patients improved compliance to anticoagulation monitoring. Clinical care models, such as this clinic approach may improve patient compliance and adherence to anticoagulation beyond the pandemic needs.
Term by term dyadic differentiation of rapidly convergent Walsh series

We examine for the first time the strong derivative on quasi-normed linear spaces. We show for a large class of such spaces (including Lp[0,1), 0<p<1, and the block spaces Bq, q≥1) that a Walsh series which converges fast enough is term by term strongly differentiable. We also investigate the case of term by term pointwise dyadic differentiation on the interval[0,1).
WE-G-204-06: Grid-Line Artifact Minimization for High Resolution Detectors Using Iterative Residual Scatter Correction

Purpose: Anti-scatter grid-line artifacts are more prominent for high-resolution x-ray detectors since the fraction of a pixel blocked by the grid septa is large. Direct logarithmic subtraction of the artifact pattern is limited by residual scattered radiation and we investigate an iterative method for scatter correction. Methods: A stationary Smit-Rοntgen anti-scatter grid was used with a high resolution Dexela 1207 CMOS X-ray detector (75 µm pixel size) to image an artery block (Nuclear Associates, Model 76-705) placed within a uniform head equivalent phantom as the scattering source. The image of the phantom was divided by a flat-field image obtained without scatter but with the grid to eliminate grid-line artifacts. Constant scatter values were subtracted from the phantom image before dividing by the averaged flat-field-with-grid image. The standard deviation of pixel values for a fixed region of the resultant images with different subtracted scatter values provided a measure of the remaining grid-line artifacts. Results: A plot of the standard deviation of image pixel values versus the subtracted scatter value shows that the image structure noise reaches a minimum before going up again as the scatter value is increased. This minimum corresponds to a minimization of the grid-line artifacts as demonstrated in line profile plots obtained through each of the images perpendicular to the grid lines. Artifact-free images of the artery block were obtained with the optimal scatter value obtained by this iterative approach. Conclusion: Residual scatter subtraction can provide improved grid-line artifact elimination when using the flat-field with grid “subtraction” technique. The standard deviation of image pixel values can be used to determine the optimal scatter value to subtract to obtain a minimization of grid line artifacts with high resolution x-ray imaging detectors. This study was supported by NIH Grant R01EB002873 and an equipment grant from Toshiba Medical Systems Corp.
Determination of sex from juvenile crania by means of discriminant function analysis.

Abstract: This study provides evidence of craniofacial growth variation between the sexes in juveniles of European descent. Data were collected from lateral cephalometric radiographs belonging to the Michigan Craniofacial Growth Study. The collection consists of longitudinal lateral radiographs that represent individuals 5–16 years of age. Each radiograph was manually traced on hyprint vellum from which eight craniometric points were identified. From these points, 20 craniofacial measurements were recorded and then analyzed by means of a canonical discriminant function analysis. Sex classification equations were then created by applying a backward stepwise procedure to the discriminant functions. The analysis demonstrates the presence of sexually dimorphic differences in craniofacial growth. The neurocranium is the most sexually dimorphic region of the juvenile craniofacial skeleton, until the onset of puberty. Size is the main source of variation with males having taller and longer heads than females. Overall, sex classification in the sample ranges from 78 to 89% accuracy.
Temporal and multi-source fusion for detection of innovation in collaboration networks

A common problem in network analysis is detecting small subgraphs of interest within a large background graph. This includes multi-source fusion scenarios where data from several modalities must be integrated to form the network. This paper presents an application of novel techniques leveraging the signal processing for graphs algorithmic framework, to well-studied collaboration networks in the field of evolutionary biology. Our multi-disciplinary approach allows us to leverage case studies of transformative periods in this scientific field as truth. We build on previous work by optimizing the temporal integration filters with respect to truth data using a tensor decomposition method that maximizes the spectral norm of the integrated subgraph's adjacency matrix. We also demonstrate that we can mitigate data corruption via fusion of different data sources, demonstrating the power of this analysis framework for incomplete and corrupted data.
As congregações em língua de sinais das Testemunhas de Jeová: a universalidade do Governo do Reino de Deus e a particularidade das línguas

A lingua brasileira de sinais (libras) foi reconhecida juridicamente em 2002. No processo que levou ao engendramento da surdez como particularidade linguistica, algumas instituicoes religiosas foram importantes. Entre estas, destaca-se as Testemunhas de Jeova. O objetivo deste artigo e analisar o projeto especifico de evangelizacao em lingua de sinais. A sua atuacao se caracteriza pela fundacao de congregacoes particulares dessa lingua, com uma larga producao de videos e o treino sistematico da oratoria. Contudo, em consonância com sua teologia, tal projeto nao leva a afirmacao de particularismo identitarios politicos na surdez, nao havendo em seus rituais uma marcacao de diferencas entre surdos e ouvintes. Seu projeto trata sobretudo de traduzir suas praticas para essa lingua e a transformacao de sujeitos surdos em filhos escolhidos de Jeova.
Current Status of Parasite Control at the Feed Yard

Fly and louse infestations are readily discerned and remedied in feedlot cattle. Tapeworm and fluke infections are accepted as probable but, given the lack of anthelmintics with realistic efficacy against these infections, these helminths are allowed to persist without treatment. Nematode infections are considered ubiquitous with cattle coming from pasture and are targeted with a macrocyclic lactone, usually in combination with a benzimidazole. Populations of nematodes seem to be effectively controlled by a combination of anthelmintic treatment, animal resistance and resilience, lack of reinfection, and diet.
Cyanase-mediated utilization of cyanate in Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIB 11764

Pseudomonas fluorescens NCIB 11764 was capable of utilizing cyanate (OCN-) as a sole nitrogen source for growth. Crude cell extracts from cells grown on cyanate, but not on ammonium sulfate, were induced for an enzyme catalyzing cyanate conversion to ammonia. Enzymatic activity was shown to be bicarbonate dependent and specific for cyanate as a substrate, suggesting that cyanate utilization in this organism is facilitated by an enzyme resembling cyanase (cyanate amidohydrolase; EC 3.5.5.3), as described previously in Escherichia coli and Flavobacterium sp.
Sex linkage, sex-specific selection, and the role of recombination in the evolution of sexually dimorphic gene expression.

Sex-biased genes—genes that are differentially expressed within males and females—are nonrandomly distributed across animal genomes, with sex chromosomes and autosomes often carrying markedly different concentrations of male- and female-biased genes. These linkage patterns are often gene- and lineage-dependent, differing between functional genetic categories and between species. Although sex-specific selection is often hypothesized to shape the evolution of sex-linked and autosomal gene content, population genetics theory has yet to account for many of the gene- and lineage-specific idiosyncrasies emerging from the empirical literature. With the goal of improving the connection between evolutionary theory and a rapidly growing body of genome-wide empirical studies, we extend previous population genetics theory of sex-specific selection by developing and analyzing a biologically informed model that incorporates sex linkage, pleiotropy, recombination, and epistasis, factors that are likely to vary between genes and between species. Our results demonstrate that sex-specific selection and sex-specific recombination rates can generate, and are compatible with, the gene- and species-specific linkage patterns reported in the genomics literature. The theory suggests that sexual selection may strongly influence the architectures of animal genomes, as well as the chromosomal distribution of fixed substitutions underlying sexually dimorphic traits.
Other Spurious Reduction Techniques

This chapter contains sections titled: LSB Dither Maximum Sequence Length Shortened Accumulators and Lower Primes Long Sequence Summary
Underidentification and undertreatment of dyslipidemia

Despite increased attention placed on the identification and treatment of dyslipidemia, this condition remains undiagnosed and untreated in a significant number of patients. The recently released National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) set of cholesterol management guidelines increases to more than 65 million the number of Americans eligible for lipid-modifying therapy. Recent data, however, suggest that even with the availability of multiple regimens with proven efficacy, as many as 50% of all patients do not have their cholesterol assessed and less than 45% receive lipid-modifying therapy. In addition, less than 25% of patients are treated to their NCEP target low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) level. Persistence with therapy is another challenge, as more than 70% of patients fail to maintain their therapy beyond 12 months. If a realistic attempt is to be made to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) among Americans, diagnosis of dyslipidemia and treatment to therapeutic targets must be improved. This article discusses the underdiagnosis and undertreatment of lipid disorders and reviews the role of osteopathic physicians in strategies achieving ATP III LDL-C goals.
Demographic characteristics of southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma, harvested by an estuarine gillnet fishery

The North Carolina (NC) southern flounder, Paralichthys lethostigma (Jordan and Gilbert), stock has experienced heavy exploitation during the past two decades. Recently, several management changes were initiated to lower harvest rates and restore stock biomass. Here, the age, growth and maturity of southern flounder harvested by a southeast NC estuarine gillnet fishery are characterised and compared with observations from previous studies and with statewide data on the stock to evaluate any regulatory effects and assess the potential for selective removal by the fishery. Despite regulatory changes, the estuarine gillnet fishery still harvested mainly age-0 and age-1 individuals that were mostly immature, meaning that the current fishing practices likely only allow a small portion of the harvestable stock the opportunity to reproduce. Relative to length-at-age patterns observed within the stock from statewide collections, fish captured by the gillnet fishery were above average length at each age; the legal size and the gear appeared to cause selective harvest of the fastest growers within each cohort. If the demographic characteristics of the catch observed in this study are broadly representative of gillnet fisheries in other estuarine nursery habitats throughout NC, the harvesting tactics in this sector of the fishery have the potential to cause population-level effects and negatively affect long-term fishery yield.
Molecular determinants of channel function

The 40 years since the seminal papers of Hodgkin and Huxley appeared have been extraordinarily productive in terms of understanding the molecular basis for electrical activity. The Hodgkin-Huxley proposal that electrical excitability should be understood in terms of voltage-dependent changes in discrete sites has been resoundingly verified. Indeed, the Hodgkin-Huxley framework is remarkable in that its essential elements have remained largely intact as molecular understanding has advanced. This robustness is, at least in part, a result of the fact that Hodgkin and Huxley developed a mathematical model, based on simple physical arguments, that was sufficiently comprehensive to describe the kinetics of the voltage-clamped currents and yet simple enough to be predictive. The predictive features were demonstrated early by the reconstruction of both space-clamped and propagated action potentials on a desk-top calculator (293) and, later, when the sites of Hodgkin and Huxley developed into being well-characterized molecular structures. Voltage- and ligand-dependent ion-selective channels are now the established framework within which cellular electrophysiology is being pursued. Moreover, electrophysiological measurements of membrane and single-channel currents have become essential tools to examine molecular questions pertaining to channel structure and activity. The last 10 years have witnessed spectacular activity, which has resulted from two developments, the giga-seal patch clamp (249) and the elucidation of primary sequences of a number of channel-forming proteins (494), along with the first outlines of their low-resolution three-dimensional structures (651). The stage is now set for 1) applying a variety of convergent techniques to decipher molecular structural details at high resolution, and 2) seeking to understand the complex dynamic functions, gating, and ion selectivity at the molecular level. The early successes are likely to be in understanding the molecular determinants of ion conductance and selectivity, initially in terms of quantitative descriptions of how a sequence modification can alter a channel's permeability characteristics. Channel gating is a far more elusive target because it involves molecular rearrangements, which are poorly understood at any level of description and which may be modified by the channel's environment. The general mechanisms of ion permeation and gating will differ among different classes of ion channels, but a molecular understanding of either phenomenon must eventually be based on an understanding of intermolecular forces, which are invariant among all channel types.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Flow regime-based modeling of heat transfer and pressure drop in microchannel flow boiling

Local heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops during boiling of the dielectric liquid fluorinert FC-77 in parallel microchannels were experimentally investigated in recent work by the authors. Detailed visualizations of the corresponding two-phase flow regimes were performed as a function of a wide range of operational and geometric parameters. A new transition criterion was developed for the delineation of a regime where microscale effects become important to the boiling process and a conventional, macroscale treatment becomes inadequate. A comprehensive flow regime map was developed for a wide range of channel dimensions and experimental conditions, and consisted of four distinct regions – bubbly, slug, confined annular, and alternating churn/annular/wispy-annular flow regimes. In the present work, physics-based analyses of local heat transfer in each of the four regimes of the comprehensive map are formulated. Flow regime-based models for prediction of heat transfer coefficient in slug flow and annular/ wispy-annular flow are developed and compared to the experimental data. Also, a regime-based prediction of pressure drop in microchannels is presented by computing the pressure drop during each flow regime that occurs along the microchannel length. The results of this study reveal the promise of flow regime-based modeling efforts for predicting heat transfer and pressure drop in microchannel boiling.
Dinuclear rhodium complexes with three and four bridging ligands. The preparation and crystal structure of [Rh2(Ph2PCH2PPh2)2(μ-Cl)(μ-CO)(CO)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2] · CH2Cl2

Abstract The reaction of four moles of bis(diphenylphosphino)methane (dpm) or bis(diphenylarsino)methane (dam) with three moles of Rh2(CO)4Cl2 produces [Rh2(dpm)2(μ-Cl)(CO)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2] or [Rh2(dam)2(μ-Cl)(CO)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2]. Reaction of Rh2(dam)2(CO)2Cl2 with Rh2(CO)4Cl2 proceeds by halide ion abstraction to give [Rh2(dam)2(μ-Cl)(CO)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2]. Carbon monoxide adds to [Rh2(dpm)2(μ-Cl)(CO)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2] to give [Rh(dpm)2(μ-Cl)(μ-CO)(CO)2][Rh(CO)2Cl2]. The crystal structure of [Rh2(dpm)2(μ-CO)(μ-Cl)(CO)2] [Rh(CO)2Cl2] · CH2Cl2 has been determined by X-ray diffraction. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P21/c, with lattice constants: a 16.302(4) A, b 18.370(3) A, c 19.189(3) A, β 91.11(2)°, Z = 4. Positional and isotropic thermal parameters of the non-hydrogen atoms were refined using a full-matrix least-squares method to a final R index of 0.085 for 6401 reflections with Inet > 3σ(Inet). Bond distances: RhRh, 2.838(1) A; RhC (bridged), 2.094(11), 2.051(11) A; RhC (terminal), 1.813(1), 1.839(1) A; P⋯P(av.), 3.055(6) A. Correlations between P⋯P or As⋯As distances and M⋯M distances are noted for dpm or dam as bridging ligands.
The influence of peer norms and popularity on smoking and drinking behavior among college fraternity members: A social network analysis

Previous research has found that Greek membership strongly predicts smoking and alcohol consumption. This paper examined the influence of popularity and conforming to perceived peer norms on smoking and drinking among college fraternity members using social network analysis. Social learning theory (Bandura, 1977) and diffusion of innovations (Rogers, 2003) were applied as theoretical frameworks. Results of a longitudinal study indicated that popularity significantly predicted both smoking and drinking behaviors. Strong homophily existed for smoking, but not for the number of drinks consumed per day. Smoking and drinking were significantly correlated, and diffusion of both behaviors occurred in the network over a period of time. Conforming to peer norms also mediated the effect of popularity on smoking and drinking within the peer social network. Popular members both smoked and drank more, but this occurred due to their greater likelihood of conforming to their peer group's smoking and drinking norms. Impl...
Multi-agent based evolutionary algorithm for dynamic knapsack problem

Dynamic optimization problems have attracted widely interest lately as many real world problems are indeed dynamic. The dynamic knapsack problems area class of well known dynamic testing problems, which can bridge the gap between the very complex, hard to understand real-world problems and the too simple toy problems because many real problems can be described by the dynamic knapsack problems. Natural organisms have always exhibited good adaptability to changing environments, which bring evolutionary algorithm a great source of inspiration to address dynamic optimization problems. In this paper, a multi-agent based evolutionary algorithm (MAEA) is introduced to solve dynamic knapsack problems. The agents simulate living organism features and co-evolve to find optimum. And random immigrants scheme is used to maintain the diversity of the population. Simulation experiments on a set of dynamic knapsack problems show that the proposed MAEA can obtain a better performance in comparison with several peer genetic algorithms.
SU-GG-T-112: A Concept of Pseudo-4D IMRT Optimization Using Phase-Dependent Apertures

Purpose: To present a concept of pseudo‐4D IMRT optimization based on 3D optimization of all the respiratory phases. Method and Materials: A digital phantom with an embedded target was created. A 10‐phase cyclic respiratory motion was designed. Five equally spaced beams encompassing the target were used. Individual 3D optimization was performed for each phase. After the optimization, a phase was chosen as a reference to which all doses were mapped through the use of a registration model. A new phase‐dependent leaf sequence (pd‐LS) file for each field was re‐constituted by selecting the first aperture from the first phase, the second aperture from the second phase, and so on until all the corresponding apertures were selected. For each field, the apertures in the pd‐LS file were then served as inputs for a re‐optimization of their shapes and dose weights to achieve the result of the same intensity map of the field in the reference phase. The resultant 4D dose from all the fields was calculated by mapping the dose deposited for each phase by the respective apertures onto the reference phase. The 4D plan and DVH were studied and compared with those of the 3D plan optimized for the same reference phase. Results: Phase‐dependent leaf sequence file has been reconstituted that ‘follows’ the target motion; the pseudo‐4D plan could be delivered more efficiently by utilizing the full respiratory cycle. The pseudo‐4D plan yielded a similar coverage for the target and a lower dose to the surrounding normal tissues when compared to the 3D plan. Conclusion: To a first approximation, a pseudo‐4D dose optimization can be accomplished with 3D optimization tool by (1) combining the apertures selectively according to the respiratory phases and order of the apertures they are executed and (2) re‐optimizing the shape and dose weight of the aperture.
A qualitative metasynthesis of activity theory in SIGDOC proceedings 2001-2011

Activity theory has become an increasingly important theoretical framework for practitioners and researchers in a wide variety of fields. Offering a set of tools for exploring and theorizing everyday practice, activity theory has proven to be a useful lens for exploring how various artifacts and genres mediate social practices. This article systematically analyzes the use of activity theory by researchers publishing work in the ACM SIGDOC proceedings between 2001 and 2011. By paying attention to the cultural-historical situatedness of a given author, his or her terminology, and the ostensible function of activity theory within each piece, a more comprehensive understanding of the adaptive nature of activity theoretical approaches to design of communication emerges. And as activity theory continues to be used within disciplines relevant to design of communication, a framework for understanding both the previous and potential roles of activity theory in the scholarly literature is needed and is provided, in part, by our analysis.
Cross-Sectional Analysis of Clinical and Environmental Isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa: Biofilm Formation, Virulence, and Genome Diversity

Chronic lung infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms are associated with refractory and fatal pneumonia in cystic fibrosis (CF). In this study, a group of genomically diverse P. aeruginosa isolates were compared with the reference strain PAO1 to assess the roles of motility, twitching, growth rate, and overproduction of a capsular polysaccharide (alginate) in biofilm formation. In an in vitro biofilm assay system, P. aeruginosa displayed strain-specific biofilm formation that was not solely dependent on these parameters. Compared with non-CF isolates, CF isolates expressed two opposing growth modes: reduced planktonic growth versus efficient biofilm formation. Planktonic cells of CF isolates showed elevated sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen intermediate, and decreased lung colonization in an aerosol infection mouse model. Despite having identical genomic profiles, CF sequential isolates produced different amounts of biofilm. While P. aeruginosa isolates exhibited genomic diversity, the genome size of these isolates was estimated to be 0.4 to 19% (27 to 1,184 kb) larger than that of PAO1. To identify these extra genetic materials, random amplification of polymorphic DNA was coupled with PAO1-subtractive hybridization. Three loci were found within the genomes of two CF isolates encoding one novel homolog involved in retaining a Shigella virulence plasmid (mvpTA) and two divergent genes that function in removing negative supercoiling (topA) and biosynthesis of pyoverdine (PA2402). Together, P. aeruginosa biodiversity could provide one cause for the variation of morbidity and mortality in CF. P. aeruginosa may possess undefined biofilm adhesins that are important to the development of an antibiofilm therapeutic target.
Hyperuricemia and Hypertension

Over the past century, uric acid has been considered a possible risk factor for hypertension and cardiovascular disease. However, only in the past decade, animal models and clinical trials have supported a more mechanistic link. Results from animal models suggest a 2-phase mechanism for the development of hyperuricemic hypertension in which uric acid induces acute vasoconstriction by activation of renin-angiotensin system, followed by uric acid uptake into vascular smooth muscle cells leading to cellular proliferation and secondary arteriolosclerosis that impairs pressure natriuresis. This acute hypertension remains uric acid dependent and sodium independent, whereas the chronic hypertension becomes uric acid independent and sodium dependent. Small clinical trials, performed in adolescents with newly diagnosed essential hypertension, demonstrate that reduction of serum uric acid can reduce blood pressure. Although more research is clearly necessary, the available data suggest that uric acid is likely causative in some cases of early onset hypertension.
Cool-season turfgrass color and growth calibrated to leaf nitrogen

Tissue N analysis a tool available for N management of turfgrass. However, peer-reviewed calibration studies to determine optimum tissue N values are lacking. A field experiment with a mixed cool-season species lawn and a greenhouse experiment with Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) were conducted across 2 yr, each with randomized complete block design. Treatments were N application rates between 0 and 587 kg N ha -1 yr1. In the field experiment, clipping samples were taken monthly from May to September, dried, ground, and analyzed for total N. Clippings samples were collected one to two mowings after plots were fertilized. Linear plateau models comparing relative clipping yield, Commission Internationale de I' Eclairage hue, and CM1000 index to leaf N concentrations were developed. In the greenhouse experiment, clipping samples were taken every 2 wk from May to October and composited across sample dates for leaf N analysis. Color and clipping yields were related to leaf N concentrations using linear plateau models. These models indicated small marginal improvements in growth or color when leaf N exceeded 30 g kg-1, suggesting that a leaf N test can separate turf with optimum leaf N concentrations from turf with below optimum leaf N concentrations. Plateaus in leaf N concentrations with increasing N fertilizer rates suggest, however, that this test may be unable to identify sites with excess available soil N when turf has been mowed before tissue sampling.
Variable temperature magnetic resonance spectra of 1-fluorocyclooctene

Variable temperature fluorine magnetic resonance spectra have been obtained for 1-fluorocyclooctene. At low temperatures both the processes of ring inversion and pseudorotation are slow on the NMR time scale, and two distinguishable conformations can be observed with a free energy difference of 95 cal/mole and a fluorine chemical shift difference of 6·7 ppm. A process with a free energy of activation of 6·1 kcal/mole interconverts the two conformations.
N-Terminal Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide and B-Type Natriuretic Peptide for Identifying Coronary Artery Disease and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Ambulatory Chronic Kidney Disease Patients

Elevated natriuretic peptide levels are common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), as is the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH). It was hypothesized that N-terminal pro–B-type natriuretic peptide (NT–pro-BNP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) levels could identify CAD and LVH in asymptomatic patients with CKD. Clinical, laboratory, and echocardiographic data were collected prospectively in 54 ambulatory patients with CKD not requiring dialysis. CAD was defined by previous myocardial infarction or coronary revascularization. The median age was 70 years (interquartile range [IQR] 57 to 76). Fourteen patients (26%) had CAD, and 30 (56%) had LVH. Median NT–pro-BNP was 724 pg/ml (IQR 168 to 2,950), median BNP was 137 pg/ml (IQR 31 to 391), and the median glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was 31 ml/min/1.73 m 2 (IQR 21 to 42). A strong correlation was found between NT–pro-BNP and BNP levels (R = 0.74, p
Fundamental optical absorption edge of sputter-deposited zirconia and yttria

Zirconia and yttria films were sputter deposited onto unheated fused silica substrates using a metal target and rare gas-oxygen discharges. Double-beam spectrophotometry was used to measure the transmission and reflection as a function of incident photon energy, E, from which the absorption coefficient, α(E), was calculated. An indirect interband transition at Ei= 4.70 eV and two direct interband transitions at Eg1= 5.17 eV and Eg2= 5.93 eV occur in monoclinic zirconia. Two direct interband transitions at Eg1= 5.07 eV and Eg2= 5.73 eV occur in cubic yttria. The absorption edge structure is modified when unusual phases, such as tetragonal zirconia, and zirconia and yttria with no longrange crystallographic order, are present.
Forest fragmentation and the distribution, abundance and conservation of the Tana river red colobus (Procolobus rufomitratus)

Evidence suggests that habitat heterogeneity, disturbance, disease, predation and food resources influence primate population abundance. However, few studies have focused on what habitat factors determine the probability that a primate species will occur in a habitat fragment. We analysed forest habitat and colobus population attributes to determine factors that influenced occurrence and abundance of the critically endangered Tana River red colobus. The probability of colobus inhabiting forests was positively related to the relative amount of habitat edge and canopy tree species composition. Most of the variance in the density of colobus monkeys was explained by basal area of food trees (per ha), basal area per food tree, density of food trees, and basal area per tree for all trees. We conclude that effective conservation of primates in fragmented habitats may require strategies that consider factors that influence both the occurrence of a species and its relative abundance.
Medical record confidentiality law, scientific research, and data collection in the information age.

Author reviews U.S. federal and state laws on privacy and confidentiality on access and disclosure of health records governing government and private sector data bases. He also examines legislative proposals and recommendations for privacy and confidentiality now before the U.S. Congress.
Christian Right Horticulture: Grassroots Support in a Republican Primary Campaign

Seizing upon the opportunity afforded by a Republican primary contest in which a candidate backed by the Christian Right took on a candidate with connections to the party establishment, we examine the strength of the Christian right at the grassroots in Ohio. Using individual-level data compiled from an original survey instrument administered to over 1,000 Republican primary voters just after the May, 2006 primary, we present a more comprehensive model of both Christian Right support and the effect of Christian Right support on the vote choice. Instead of assuming a grassroots presence underpinning the movement, we assert and test the argument that natural elements of the social structure inhibit effective group access to collections of supporters. In doing so, we provide an explanation for the often observed gulf between movement identifiers and opinion-based supporters.
Ouabain Stimulation of 45Ca++ Accumulation in the Rat Pituitary

Anterior pituitary tissue from rats was incubated at 37 C in Krebs' Ringer's bicarbonate in an atmosphere of 95% O2 and 5% CO2 with hourly changes of the incubation media. After a one hour preincubation, 45Ca++ was added to the media and its uptake by the pituitary tissue was determined. The digitalis glycoside, ouabain, in concentrations of 5 X 10-4 and 1 X 10-3M significantly augmented pituitary 45Ca++. This effect was dose and time dependent. Ouabain did not alter the washout kinetics for 14C inulin or affect pituitary weights suggesting that the observed changes in 45Ca++ content were the result of increased 45Ca++ accumulation. The effect of ouabain on calcium flux may be related to the stimulation of ACTH and GH release by ouabain. (Endocrinology 92: 1555, 1973)
The effects of chelating agents on the tissue distribution and excretion of lead

Abstract The administration of calcium disodium edathamil (EDTA) to rats by iv infusion, 1.1 mmole/kg over 6 hours, was studied 4, 17, 34, and 60 days after the iv administration of 7 mg Pb/kg with 100–400 μCi 210 Pb/kg. The fraction of the body burden of lead removed decreased progressively from 16.08% to 5.47% as the interval between lead administration and treatment was increased from 4 days to 60 days. The amount of lead removed could be accounted for mainly by depletion of the skeletal pool of lead. No consistent proportionality was found between the magnitude of lead excretion in response to EDTA and the amount of lead in the soft tissues at various times following lead administration. Tracer doses of lead (0.02–0.05 mg Pb/kg) and carrier doses (7 mg Pb/kg) were similar as to distribution and excretion and were similarly affected by treatment of the animals with EDTA. Rabbits were quite similar to rats in regard to the effects of EDTA on lead excretion. The actions of calcium trisodium diethylenetriaminepentaacetate (DTPA) on the distribution and excretion of lead were similar to those of EDTA, except that DTPA was somewhat more effective than EDTA in removing lead from the skeleton. Doubling the duration of EDTA infusion substantially increased the removal of lead from the skeleton without increasing the amount of lead removed from the soft tissues. This finding and other data suggest that the persistence of lead in the soft tissues after treatment with EDTA or DTPA probably is due to ternary complex formation of the lead chelates PbEDTA and PbDTPA with tissue binding sites.
Increasing Pre-service Teachers’ Use of Differential Reinforcement: Effects of Performance Feedback on Consequences for Student Behavior

Significant dollars are spent each school year on professional development programs to improve teachers’ effectiveness in the classroom. The usefulness of these programs can be measured by the consistent application (i.e., implementation integrity) of skills which were taught in the training sessions. This study assessed the integrity with which pre-service teachers used a differential reinforcement of alternate behavior (DRA) strategy taught to them during their student teaching experience. Seven student teachers in general education settings participated. Teaching assignments ranged from early elementary through high school in urban, suburban, and rural settings. Intervention consisted of a 1-h workshop and individual feedback meetings following direct classroom observation. Results showed that (a) student teachers increased their number of correct DRA responses as measured by accurate teacher feedback to students, and (b) students showed increased hand-raising and decreased talk-outs. Implications for helping pre-service general education teachers to teach more consistently and effectively in inclusive settings are discussed.
Spectral Comparison of Vertical and Horizontal Seismic Strong Ground Motions in Alluvial Basins

Abstract We analyze observations from the SMART2 array and the 1994 Northridge, California earthquake of spectral differences between vertical and horizontal strong seismic motions in alluvial basins. Our explanation is that the most energetic of such high‐frequency vertical ground accelerations are generated by S‐to‐P seismic wave conversion within the transition zone between the underlying bedrock and the overlying sedimentary layers. The differences in combined scattering and anelastic attenuation for P and S waves lead to the observed spectral differences of the vertical motions between rock and deep alluvium sites. This model also accounts for the frequency content differences between the vertical and horizontal motions at sites in alluvial basins than at rock sites at similar distance ranges. The high‐frequency cutoff of the acceleration power spectrum, fmax, is a useful comparison parameter. The results help in computing matched sets of synthetic ground motions above 2 Hz at alluvial sites.
Structures of membrane proteins.

The possible conformations of integral membrane proteins are restricted by the nature of their environment. In order to satisfy the requirement of maximum hydrogen bonding, those protions of the polypeptide chain which are in contact with lipid hydrocarbon must be organized into regions of regular secondary structure. As possible models of the intramembranous regions of integral membrane proteins, three types of regular structues are discussed. Two, the alpha helix and the beta-pleated sheet, are regularly occurring structural features of soluble proteins. The third is a newly proposed class of conformations called beta helices. These helices have unique features which make them particularly well-suited to the lipid bilayer environment. The central segment of the membrane-spanning protein glycophorin can be arranged into a beta helix with a hydrophobic exterior and a polar interior containing charged amino-acid side chains. Such structures could function as transmembrane ion channels. A model of the activation process based on a hypothetical equilibrium between alpha and beta helical forms of a transmembrane protein is presented. The model can accurately reproduce the kinetics and voltage dependence of the channels in nerve.
Novel crossed corticothalamic projections after neonatal cerebral hemispherectomy. A quantitative autoradiography study in cats

Abstract This is a quantitative study of remodeling of the corticothalamic projections in cats with a left cerebral hemispherectomy performed neonatally or in adulthood. Kittens were lesioned at a mean postnatal age of 10 days and compared, as adults, to adult-lesioned cats of prolonged survival time. All cats received injections of [ 3 H]leucine-proline in the right pericruciate cortex and were sacrificed 5 days later. Injection site and terminal field areas were reconstructed from autoradiography-processed tissue. For the 3 animal groups the label filled a similar extent of cortical areas 4γ and 3a. Computerized procedures were used to count labeled particles from multiple bilateral sites of ventral thalamic nuclei (VTN), intralaminar nuclei and midline/paramedial regions at 2 thalamic coronal planes. In control cats the only labeling in the hemithalamus contralateral to the injection was in the intralaminar nuclei and medial-most region of VTN but the counts were low. In contrast, the contralateral hemithalamus of neonatal-lesioned cats showed: (a) a significant increase in terminal field density relative to control cats throughout the VTN, at both coronal planes, and with a distribution of labeling different to the intact side (suggesting heterotypic growth); (b) an increase in counts of labeled particles in intralaminar nuclei which was significant for one sampling site; and (c) an increase in counts for midline/paramedial regions which was significant for all sites at the caudal plane. Adult hemispherectomized cats were similar to intacts except for a tendency to increased VTN counts. These novel terminals were interpreted as collateral sprouting of corticofugal fibers from the intact motor cortex which crossed the midline to reinnervate the decorticate hemithalamus. Findings are discussed in the context of our reported behavioral and anatomical results.
Production of malignant catarrhal fever virus-free sheep

The study was designed to better define the variables affecting the success of the establishment of ovine herpesvirus 2 (OHV-2)-free sheep flocks. A total of 38 lambs born to OHV-2-positive ewes was selected and divided into four groups. Three groups of 10 lambs each were separated from the positive ewes at 2, 2.5 and 3 months of age, respectively, and maintained in isolation facilities. One group of eight remained in the positive flock as controls. Peripheral blood samples from each lamb were examined regularly by PCR for OHV-2 DNA. All lambs (100%) that were weaned and maintained in isolation from the ages of 2, 2.5 and 3 months remained negative until the termination of the experiment at 1 year of age. One lamb was discovered to be PCR-positive on the day of isolation at 2.5 months of age, and was promptly removed from the isolation group. In contrast, all lambs (100%) that remained with the flock became PCR-positive by 6 months of age. The data confirmed that, with rare exceptions, separation of lambs from OHV-2 infected animals at around 2 months of age reliably yields OHV-2-free sheep. Appropriate PCR monitoring will enable the rare exceptions to be removed from the group, and is recommended as a safety measure.
Potential use of highly insoluble carbonates as carbon sources by methanogens in the subsurface of Mars

Abstract Methanogens, microorganisms in the domain Archaea, have been studied as life forms that might inhabit the subsurface of Mars. These organisms can use carbon dioxide as a carbon source, a compound that is abundant in the martian atmosphere. But if they exist in the deep subsurface where the carbon dioxide may not penetrate, they would have to rely on another source of carbon. Magnesium carbonate and calcium carbonate have been detected at the martian surface, and there is no reason to believe that they would not be in the subsurface as well. In the research reported here, we asked if these carbonates could possibly serve as carbon sources for four species of methanogens. Methanothermobacter wolfeii, Methanobacterium formicicum and Methanococcus maripaludis were able to produce a small amount of methane (approximately 0.4–0.8% headspace gas) when either carbonate was the carbon source available while Methanosarcina barkeri only produced significant methane (also 0.4–0.8%) when calcium carbonate was the carbon source. The amounts produced were dependent on methanogenic species, carbonate used and pH. At equilibrium, a small amount of carbon dioxide (approximately 0.05–0.15% headspace gas as well as in liquid media) was generated by these carbonates, and this carbon dioxide was most likely the carbon compound that was being metabolized. Background carbon dioxide from the atmosphere was not sufficient for measureable methane production.
Genetic characterization of mycobacterial L,D-transpeptidases.

l,d-Transpeptidases (Ldts) catalyse the formation of 3–3 cross-links in peptidoglycans (PGs); however, the role of these enzymes in cell envelope physiology is not well understood. Mycobacterial PG contains a higher percentage of 3–3 cross-links (~30–80 %) than the PG in most other bacteria, suggesting that they are particularly important to mycobacterial cell wall biology. The genomes of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium smegmatis encode multiple Ldt genes, but it is not clear if they are redundant. We compared the sequences of the Ldt proteins from 18 mycobacterial genomes and found that they can be grouped into six classes. We then constructed M. smegmatis strains lacking single or multiple Ldt genes to determine the physiological consequence of the loss of these enzymes. We report that of the single mutants, only one, ΔldtC (MSMEG_0929, class 5), displayed an increased susceptibility to imipenem – a carbapenem antibiotic that inhibits the Ldt enzymes. The invariant cysteine in the active site of LdtC was required for function, consistent with its role as an Ldt. A triple mutant missing ldtC and both of the class 2 genes displayed hypersusceptibility to antibiotics, lysozyme and d-methionine, and had an altered cellular morphology. These data demonstrated that the distinct classes of mycobacterial Ldts may reflect different, non-redundant functions and that the class 5 Ldt was peculiar in that its loss, alone and with the class 2 proteins, had the most profound effect on phenotype.
Morbidity associated with sickle cell disease in pregnancy.

Objective The purpose of this study was to identify morbidity that is associated with sickle cell disease (SCD) in pregnancy. Study Design The Nationwide Inpatient Sample from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for the years 2000-2003 was queried for all pregnancy-related discharges with a diagnosis of SCD. Results There were 17,952 deliveries (0.1% of the total) to women with SCD. There were 10 deaths (72.4 per 100,000 deliveries). Cerebral vein thrombosis, pneumonia, pyelonephritis, deep venous thrombosis, transfusion, postpartum infection, sepsis, and systemic inflammatory response syndrome were much more common among women with SCD. They were more likely to undergo cesarean delivery, to experience pregnancy-related complications (such as gestational hypertension/preeclampsia, eclampsia, abruption, antepartum bleeding, preterm labor, and fetal growth restriction), and to have cardiomyopathy or pulmonary hypertension at the time of delivery. Conclusion Women with sickle cell disease are at greater risk for morbidity in pregnancy than previously estimated.
Ubiquitous Advertising: The Killer Application for the 21st Century

This article discusses the trend toward ad-supported ubiquitous computing as well as the problems advertisers face and how ubiquitous computing can solve them. It mentions that advertising will be the next major application for ubiquitous computing. Ads will support ubiquitous computing, and ubiquitous computing will support advertisers with ad targeting, ad feedback, customer awareness, and privacy.