cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Unintentional cetirizine overdose causing anticholinergic syndrome: A case report

The incidence of anticholinergic syndrome due to second generation antihistamines is infrequently reported. Largely due to their decreased affinity for central nervous system (CNS) receptors, second generation antihistamines are rarely associated with anticholinergic symptoms, though toxicity is still possible particularly when taken in excess. We report a case of a six year old boy who presented with agitation, hallucinations, fixed and dilated pupils, tachycardia, and hyperthermia consistent with anticholinergic toxicity several hours after accidental overdose of a second generation antihistamine, cetirizine. Early identification of this rare phenomenon is important not only for appropriate emergency management but also for avoidance of potentially invasive and unnecessary tests which may further increase patient morbidity.
Explainable Machine Learning Analysis Reveals Gender Differences in the Phenotypic and Neurobiological Markers of Cannabis Use Disorder

Abstract Background Cannabis Use Disorder (CUD) has been linked to environmental, personality, mental health, neurocognitive and neurobiological risk factors. While many studies have revealed gender differences in CUD, the relative importance of these complex factors by gender has not been described. Methods We conducted a data-driven examination of gender differences in CUD in a community sample of young adults (Human Connectome Project [HCP]; n = 1204, 54% female). We employed state-of-the-art machine learning methods [gradient tree boosting, XGBoost] in combination with novel factor ranking tools [SHapley’s Additive exPlanations (SHAP)] as an ‘explainable machine learning approach’ in the multimodal data collected by the HCP (phenotypic and brain data). Results We were able to successfully classify both cannabis dependence and cannabis use levels. Previously identified environmental, personality, mental health, neurocognitive, and brain factors highly contributed to the classification. Predominantly-male risk factors included personality (high openness), mental health (high externalizing, high childhood conduct disorder, high fear somaticism), neurocognitive (impulsive delay discounting, slow working memory performance) and brain (low hippocampal volume) factors. Conversely, predominantly-female risk factors included environmental (low education level, low instrumental support) factors. Conclusions Our data-driven analysis of gender differences in the multimodal risk factors underlying cannabis dependence and use levels demonstrate that environmental factors contribute more strongly to CUD in women, whereas individual factors such as personality, mental health and neurocognitive factors have a larger importance in men. This warrants further investigations, and suggests the importance of understanding how these differences relate to the development of effective treatment approaches.
United States nurses' experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic: A grounded theory

Objective The objective of this study was to explore nurses' experiences and perceptions at selected United States (U.S.) healthcare sites during the COVID-19 pandemic. Background The COVID-19 pandemic brought rapid changes to the healthcare community. While a few studies have examined the early pandemic experiences of nurses in China and Europe, nurses' experiences across the United States have remained relatively underexplored. Design A qualitative study design was used. Methods Using a constructivist grounded theory methodology and methods, we conducted eight focus groups across four hospital sites in the eastern, midwestern and western United States. Registered nurses with a minimum of six months' experience working in all clinical specialties were eligible. Forty-three nurses participated. Data were analysed iteratively using the constant comparative method. The COREQ guidelines supported the work and reporting of this study. Results The nurses experiencing a pandemic (NEXPIC) grounded theory emerged positing associations between four interrelated themes: Challenges, Feelings, Coping and Ethics. Nurses reported Challenges associated with changes in the work environment, community and themselves. They expressed more negative than positive feelings. Nurses coped using self-care techniques, and teamwork within the healthcare organisation. Moral dilemmas, moral uncertainty, moral distress, moral injury and moral outrage were ethical issues associated with nurses' Challenges during the pandemic. Moral courage was associated with positive Coping. Conclusions Awareness of frontline nurses' complex and interrelated needs may help healthcare organisations protect their human resources. This new theory provides preliminary theoretical support for future research and interventions to address the needs of frontline nurses. Relevance to clinical practice Nurses face added distress as frontline at-risk caregivers. Interventions to promote nurses' ability to cope with personal and professional challenges from the pandemic and address ethical issues are needed to protect the nursing workforce. This study offers a new substantive theory that may be used to underpin future interventions.
EIGA: elastic and scalable dynamic graph analysis

Modern graphs are not only large, but rapidly changing. The rate of change can vary significantly along with the computational cost. Existing distributed graph analysis systems have largely been designed to operate on static graphs. Infrastructure changes in these systems need to occur when the system is idle, which can result in significant wasted resources or the inability to cope with changes. We present ElGA, an elastic and scalable dynamic graph analysis system. Using a shared-nothing architecture and consistent hashing, ElGA can scale elastically as the graph grows or more computation is required. By applying sketches, we perform an edge partitioning of the graph where high degree vertices can be split among multiple nodes. ElGA supports both synchronous and asynchronous vertex-centric applications that operate in batches on a continuously changing graph. We experimentally demonstrate that ElGA outperforms state-of-the-art static systems while supporting client queries, elastic infrastructure changes, and dynamic algorithms.
Male robot-assisted radical cystectomy

The standard treatment of muscle invasive bladder cancer is open radical cystectomy (ORC) and urinary diversion. Radical cystectomy can be a challenging operation with significant patient morbidity and mortality. The urologic community has embraced laparoscopy to help decrease operative morbidity, which has been clearly seen by the widespread use of laparoscopic radical and donor nephrectomy. The first laparoscopic simple cystectomy was reported in 1992 by Parra et al. [1]. Since that publication, there have been several reports of laparoscopic radical cystectomy for malignant disease with various methods of urinary diversion. With the introduction of the daVinci® surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA), the prevalence of robot-assisted radical prostatectomies has seen a sharp increase, as this tool has helped surgeons overcome some of the technical challenges of pure laparoscopic pelvic surgery. It was a natural progression to apply robotic technology to laparoscopic cystectomies. In 2003, Menon et al. published the first series of robot-assisted radical cystectomy (RARC) and urinary diversion [2]. The goal of this chapter is to provide a detailed description of RARC in male patients as well as discuss pertinent literature on outcomes of this procedure.
Manifolds of Connections

Our object is to show that ℳ\(\hat{m}\) the moduli space of irreducible, self-dual connections modulo gauge equivalence, is a smooth manifold.
Autoantibodies to aminoacyl-transfer RNA synthetases for isoleucine and glycine. Two additional synthetases are antigenic in myositis.

Autoantibodies to three of the aminoacyl-transfer RNA (tRNA) synthetases have been reported (for histidine, threonine, and alanine). Most patients with these autoantibodies have polymyositis, and the majority also have interstitial lung disease. This study examined the question of whether autoantibodies to other aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases occur in the sera of myositis patients. We tested sera from patients with myositis with unidentified anticytoplasmic antibodies that immunoprecipitate tRNA for the ability to inhibit the aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases for the remaining 17 amino acids. Three sera showed strong inhibitory activity for a synthetase. OJ and NJ sera (and IgG) significantly inhibited isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase activity, each with 94% inhibition at the screening dilution, whereas other test sera and controls all inhibited less than 50%. OJ and NJ sera immunoprecipitated identical patterns of tRNA, and identical, complex patterns of high m.w. polypeptides that were consistent with the multienzyme synthetase complex of which isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase is a part. EJ serum (and IgG) significantly inhibited glycyl-tRNA synthetase, and immunoprecipitated a unique pattern of transfer RNA, and a strong predominant protein band of 77 kDa. These data strongly suggest that OJ and NJ have autoantibodies to isoleucyl-tRNA synthetase, and that EJ has antibodies to glycyl-tRNA synthetase. The findings of signs of muscle involvement in all three patients, and severe interstitial lung disease in OJ, strengthens the association of antisynthetases with these conditions.
Advances in menopausal therapy: The tissue-selective estrogen complex

Purpose Most menopausal women experience vasomotor symptoms, vulvar-vaginal atrophy, and/or bone loss. Although available estrogen and progestin therapies are effective in treating menopausal symptoms and preventing bone loss, some women may seek a therapy that provides symptom relief and has an improved tolerability profile. One option is a tissue-selective estrogen complex (TSEC), or the pairing of estrogen(s) with a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM) to achieve the benefits of each component with fewer side effects. The first TSEC in clinical development combines the SERM bazedoxifene (BZA) with conjugated estrogens (CEs). The purpose of this article is to review published data for BZA/CE. Data sources Data were obtained from phase 3 BZA/CE clinical trial study articles. Conclusions Daily BZA 20 mg/CE 0.625 mg or 0.45 mg effectively relieved hot flushes, maintained or increased bone mineral density, treated vulvar-vaginal atrophy, and improved quality of life. Further, BZA prevented stimulation of the endometrium by CE, and resulted in rates of amenorrhea and breast pain similar to placebo. Implications for practice These results support the use of a TSEC consisting of BZA/CE as a promising therapy for managing the signs and symptoms from reduced estrogen levels associated with menopause.
Iron supplementation and iron deficiency anemia impact malaria pathogenesis (LB472)

Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional deficiencies in the developing world and iron is commonly administered compounds through mass distribution campaigns. However, recent evidence suggests that iron deficiency may protect against malaria and that iron supplementation may increase susceptibility to malaria, complicating recommendations for universal supplementation in malaria-endemic regions. It has been previously hypothesized that iron deficiency inhibited malaria growth through iron deprivation, as is the case with other pathogens. However, our work has generated a novel hypothesis for the effect of iron deficiency and iron supplementation on parasite growth - namely that changes in RBC physiology and RBC age population structure drive resistance of RBCs from IDA donors and increased susceptibility of RBCs from iron supplemented IDA donors to malaria Using an in vitro system with RBCs from donors with well-defined physiological iron states, we have investigated the cellular mechanisms asso...
Personality in Context: An Interpersonal Systems Perspective

Because a significant part of individuals' lives involve close relationships, an important and substantial part of the situations they encounter consists of other people's behaviors. We suggest that individuals' characteristic ways of behaving, which are typically attributed to "personality," arise from two processes. One lies primarily within the individual, conceptualized as individual differences in one's cognitive and affective processing system. The other process, which has received less attention in personality research, lies outside the person in the individual differences in the situations that people encounter in their everyday lives. The interplay between these two processes can be particularly relevant for understanding close relationships. By assuming that each partner's behavior provides the situational context for the other partner, we conceptualize a dyadic relationship as the "interlocking" of the cognitive-affective processing systems of both partners. We illustrate this approach to personality-in-context with a hypothetical scenario and use this framework to organize research on attachment styles, rejection sensitivity, self-fulfilling prophecy, the self in relation to others, and interdependence theory.
Tying student work and assessment directly to learning objectives in CS1

The general goal for most CS1 courses is that a student be able to develop a simple algorithm to solve a simple problem and then implement that algorithm in a highlevel object-oriented programming language. Many instructors refine the general goal into a set of specific objectives that are loosely related to student work. This paper presents a CS1 course where specific objectives directly relate to assessed work. Because objectives are either met or not met, the number of objectives met determines a student's course grade rather than scores on individually graded assignments and exams. A high course grade requires that the student meet most or all of the objectives.
Non-magnetic System with Negative Index of Refraction for Terahertz Application

We propose a non-magnetic system with negative refraction index for terahertz applications. The system is based on a planar metallic waveguide with bismuth core, and uses strong anisotropy of bismuth permittivity and its ultra-low losses
Hyperviscosity syndrome attributable to hyperglobulinemia in chronic active hepatitis

A young women with clinical and histological features of chronic active hepatitis was noted to have extremely high levels of immunoglobulin (14.6 g per dl). This was associated with the hyperviscosity syndrome, diffuse coagulation abnormalities, and renal insufficiency in the absence of severe liver disease. Correction of these features occurred with plasmapheresis before corticosteroid therapy was begun. A similar group of persons with very high gamma-globulin levels, described previously under the heading of "plasma cell hepatitis," may form a distinct and rare subgroup of chronic active hepatitis patients.
Does immediate cytological analysis at bronchoscopy lead to reduced number of biopsies

Introduction: The British Thoracic Society guidelines [1] for diagnostic flexible bronchoscopy in adults are currently under review. Present guidelines highlight the importance of needing five endobronchial biopsies (EBs) to optimise diagnostic yield. The aim of our study was to find out whether the availability of a cytopathologist during bronchoscopy has led both to a reduction in the number and need of EBs performed. Method: The study period was March to October 2010. We reviewed whether the use of immediate analysis of brush biopsies or tumour roll on EBs performed had led to a reduction in number of EBs performed by comparing the number of biopsies performed during this period to numbers performed prior to our in-room cytopathologist set up. We also reviewed 14 consecutive patients who had EBs performed during the study period to look at both how many biopsies tended to be first pass positive and how many biopsies in total were taken per patient. Results: We found that the availability of a cytopathologist within the bronchoscopy room has led to a significant reduction in the number of EBs performed without detriment to diagnostic rate or further testing like IHC and EGFR status. Of the 14 patients who had EBs 85% of cases were first pass positive with the mean of total biopsies taken being two. Conclusion: Our retrospective study shows that the availability of an in-room cytopathologist reduces the number of biopsies performed and thus associated complications. Furthermore our small cohort demonstrates that even without a cytopathologist the recommended five EBs is unnecessary. Reference: 1The British Thoracic Society Bronchoscopy Guideline Committee - Thorax 2001. 56(Suppl I):i1-i21.
Modulation of JunD·AP-1 DNA Binding Activity by AP-1-associated Factor 1 (AF-1) *

AP-1-associated factor 1 (AF-1), is a novel protein complex that dramatically enhances the assembly of JunD-containing dimers onto AP-1 consensus sites. We describe the partial purification of AF-1 from nuclear extracts of the T-cell line MLA 144 by ionic, hydrophobic and gel filtration chromatography. AF-1 is a DNA-binding protein composed of low molecular mass polypeptides of 7-17 kDa that exists in solution as a 34-kDa complex. JunD interactions with DNA are accelerated in the presence of AF-1 through the formation of a true tri-molecular complex with JunD dimers and DNA that assembles much more rapidly on DNA than JunD alone. DNA binding analysis of AF-1 interaction with JunD·AP-1 and DNA shows that AF-1 increases the DNA binding affinity of JunD for AP-1 sites over 100-fold. DNA cleavage footprint analysis of isolated AF-1·JunD DNA complexes shows that the ternary complex makes nearly twice as many contacts with DNA than JunD dimers alone. AF-1 interacts readily, but differentially with Jun homodimers and Jun·Fos heterodimers. These findings distinguish AF-1 as a significant protein-specific modulator of AP-1·JunD in T-cells.
The Dopamine Receptors

Dopamine receptors have a prominent place in our understanding of brain function. Drugs blocking dopamine receptors are used as antipsychotic drugs, drugs activating dopamine receptors as relieving Parkinson disease symptoms. Dopamine receptors have been pharmacologically divided into two classes the receptor that activate and the ones that inhibitory second messenger responses. Molecular cloning approaches have shown that this classification indeed hides not two but five receptors. Of particular importance were the discoveries of two additional inhibitory receptors, because they gave hope for the development of better antipsychotic drugs. But understanding novel receptors discovered on the basis of their sequences presents the challenge to search for their function. Although pharmacological tools are being developed targeting the new dopamine receptors, the engineering of mice lines devoid of these receptors and the studies on the gene expression of these receptors have led our major advances in our renewed understanding of the dopamine system. Key Concepts: Application of homology screening approaches has revolutionised the search for novel G protein-coupled receptors. Molecular biological approaches can lead to the discovery of pharmacologically unexpected receptors. The new dopamine receptors raised high hopes for the development of new drugs for psychiatric disorders. In spite of the fact that the new dopamine receptors have been discovered approximately 20 years ago, their role in the organism remains mostly not understood. The D4 dopamine receptors carried out the most hopes for the development of new antipsychotic drugs, it is still viewed as involved in the etiology of attention-deficit disorders. There is a need for the development of antagonists specific to the new dopamine receptors. Keywords: G protein-coupled receptor; neurotransmitter; schizophrenia; Parkinson disease; attention-deficit disorder; reward; knockout mice; gene polymorphism; neuroleptics; reverse pharmacology
ANGPTL3 blockade with a human monoclonal antibody reduces plasma lipids in dyslipidemic mice and monkeys

Angiopoietin-like protein 3 (ANGPTL3) is a circulating protein synthesized exclusively in the liver that inhibits LPL and endothelial lipase (EL), enzymes that hydrolyze TGs and phospholipids in plasma lipoproteins. Here we describe the development and testing of a fully human monoclonal antibody (REGN1500) that binds ANGPTL3 with high affinity. REGN1500 reversed ANGPTL3-induced inhibition of LPL activity in vitro. Intravenous administration of REGN1500 to normolipidemic C57Bl/6 mice increased LPL activity and decreased plasma TG levels by ≥50%. Chronic administration of REGN1500 to dyslipidemic C57Bl/6 mice for 8 weeks reduced circulating plasma levels of TG, LDL-cholesterol (LDL-C), and HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) without any changes in liver, adipose, or heart TG contents. Studies in EL knockout mice revealed that REGN1500 reduced serum HDL-C through an EL-dependent mechanism. Finally, administration of a single dose of REGN1500 to dyslipidemic cynomolgus monkeys caused a rapid and pronounced decrease in plasma TG, nonHDL-C, and HDL-C. REGN1500 normalized plasma TG levels even in monkeys with a baseline plasma TG greater than 400 mg/dl. Collectively, these data demonstrate that neutralization of ANGPTL3 using REGN1500 reduces plasma lipids in dyslipidemic mice and monkeys, and thus provides a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of patients with hyperlipidemia.
Toward validation of a Monte Carlo rendering technique

A Monte Carlo multiple scattering technique for participating media is extended. Validation against an experimentally well-studied optics problem is discussed. Designing initial paths for a numerical integration of Feynman path integrals is posed. A plot of the resulting integration is discussed.
A new and specific assay for ammonia and glutamine sensitive to 100 pmol.

Abstract A new enzymatic-radiochemical technique of NH4+ determination has been developed that is sensitive and specific. The reaction of α-[1-14C]ketoglutarate with NH4+ yields [1-14C]glutamate as a direct measure of the NH4+ over a range of 0.1 to 10.0 nmol. By the measurement of the NH4+ present in a sample before and after glutamine hydrolysis the assay also allows the determination of glutamine.
Nitrate-Selective Electrode Developed by Electrochemically Mediated Imprinting/Doping of Polypyrrole

Nitrate-selective electrodes have been developed by electropolymerizing pyrrole onto glassy-carbon electrodes in the presence of NaNO 3 . Electrochemical variables were used to optimize the potentiometric response of the electrodes and to maximize the selectivity for nitrate over potentially interferent anions. Calibration plots with near-Nernstian slopes for nitrate were observed, -56±1 mV/decade (n=18), over a linear range of four decades of concentration (5.0×10 -5 -0.50 M nitrate). The electrodes had detection limits of (2±1)×10 -5 M nitrate (n=18). The commercially available nitrate-selective electrodes suffer from interference by lipophilic anions, such as perchlorate and iodide. Compared to these electrodes, the polypyrrole-based nitrate electrodes demonstrated improved selectivity coefficients for perchlorate and iodide by as much as 4 orders of magnitude (K pot NO3-,ClO4- =5.7×10 -2 , K pot NO3-,I- =5.1×10 -2 ). An electrochemically mediated templating mechanism is proposed to explain the observed high selectivity for nitrate
First Preparations and Characterization of Conductive Polymer Crystalline Nanoneedles

Single crystalline nanoneedles of three families of the most studied conductive organic polymers - polythiophene, polyaniline and polypyrrole - were synthesized for the first time using an interfacial polymerization process that takes place with simultaneous crystallization. As the crystal growth is concurrent with polymerization, more ordered crystal packing can be expected. Most of the bulk conducting-polymer systems studied contains regions that are inhomogeneous. Single nanocrystals of conducting polymers have not been reported, although needle-shaped bulk crystals of the quarterphenyl cation radical salt have previously been studied. The investigation of processes in a nanodomain of a single crystal is critical in ascertaining the inherent electronic properties of polymer nanoelements. The organic conductive nanoneedles were characterized using TEM, HRTEM, electron diffraction, EDS, and EPR to establish their crystal structure and composition. Scanning tunneling microscopy/spectroscopy (STM/STS) investigation were conducted to examine their electronic behaviors, leading to the discovery of a field-induced conductance switching with response times on the millisecond level. The switch voltages are in the range of 3 to 4 volts in STM experiments, consistent with the trend of the band gap of the three polymers. The organic conductive nanoneedles with nano-tip having high density of mobile electron may serve as interesting elements for nanoscale electronics.
Bringing Up Baby: Developmental Simulation of the Adult Cranial Morphology of Rungwecebus Kipunji

Rungwecebus kipunji is a recently discovered, critically endangered primate endemic to southern Tanzania. Although phenetically similar to mangabeys, molecular analyses suggest it is more closely related to Papio or possibly descended from an ancient population of baboon-mangabey hybrids. At present, only a single kipunji specimen, an M1-stage juvenile male, is available for study; thus, the cranial morphology of the adult kipunji is unknown. In this study, we used developmental simulation to estimate the adult kipunji's 3D cranial morphology. We examined variation in cercopithecine developmental vectors, applied selected vectors to the juvenile cranium, and compared the resulting simulated adults to actual adult male papionins. Differences between papionin developmental vectors were small and statistically insignificant. This uniformity suggests conservation of an ancestral papionin developmental program. Simulated kipunji adults were likewise extremely similar. As a group, the simulated adults were morphometrically distinct from other papionins, corroborating the kipunji's generic status. Simulated adults were phenetically most similar to Lophocebus aterrimus but were distinguished from all adult papionins by the same unique traits that characterize the kipunji juvenile: a tall neurocranium, broad face, short nasal bones, concave anteorbital profile, and dorsally rotated palate. This concordance between juvenile and estimated-adult morphologies confirms that papionin cranial shape is largely established before M1 eruption. The estimated kipunji adult's neurocranium strongly resembles that of Papio, providing the first cranial evidence supporting their phylogenetic relationship. If the kipunji does indeed have a hybrid origin, then its phenetic affinity to L. aterrimus favors Lophocebus as the proto-kipunji's paternal lineage.
Making the Break: The Ethics of Disassociation and Exclusion in a Value-Oriented Educational Association

Acts of disassociation and exclusion are risky but often necessary to either disrupt, or preclude one’s culpability in an immoral situation. This thesis is applied to the case of the membership of Brigham Young University (BYU), which has written policies prohibiting LGBTQ faculty and students, in the National Network for Educational Renewal (NNER), which holds education for social justice as a moral ideal. It is concluded that the NNER should take some kind of exclusionary action against BYU, and five moral objections that have been raised to this conclusion are answered. It is suggested that if the NNER takes no exclusionary action toward BYU, other member institutions may be morally obliged to disassociate from it. [Article copies available for a fee from The Transformative Studies Institute. E-mail address: journal@transformativestudies.org Website: http://www.transformativestudies.org ©2009 by The Transformative Studies Institute. All rights reserved.]
The power of self-persuasion.

Self-persuasion is an indirect antecedents of interpersonal attraction which entails placing of people in situations where they are motivated to persuade themselves to change their own attitudes or behavior compared with traditional direct techniques of persuasion. The phenomenon of self-persuasion has the ability to affect long-term changes in attitudes and behavior. In this paper the author reviews the extent of his research on self-persuasion with emphasis on its significance to current societal problems. Theory of Cognitive Dissonance most commonly associated with self-persuasion is aroused when an action opposes the decent and rational self-concept of the individual. The power of self-persuasion was used as a fundamental part of a basic research program aimed to test derivations from the theory of cognitive dissonance. Among these programs include condom use water conservation interpersonal attraction and prejudice reduction. During the implementation of jigsaw experiment it was observed that not only clear and powerful results were produced but this has also led to an improvement of the lifestyles among the youth. In conclusion this article suggests that self-persuasion must be used to alter the negative attitudes and behavior among the population.
Feeding Stimulants for the European Corn Borer (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Additives to a Starch-Based Formulation for Bacillus thuringiensis

A starch formulation of Bacillus thuringiensis Berliner is being developed as a component in a pest management system to control Ostrinia nubi/alis (Hubner). Palatability is one property of starch formulations which must be investigated; this study was done to identify materials that will cause O. nubi/alis larvae to feed readily on starch granules. A two-choice behavioral bioassay was developed for evaluating phagostimulants in starch gran­ ules (without B. thuringiensis). Various materials were tested: compounds reported in the literature as feeding stimulants, the artificial diet for the species, corn foliage, corn oil, and the commercial feeding stimulant, Coax. Starch granules without additives were seldom fed upon by larvae, but it was possible to make the granules even more acceptable to larvae than corn foliage. The best feeding responses were to mixtures containing lipid, sugar, and protein. Coax was the most effective material tried; for example, in bioassays, the ratio of larvae that chose granules with Coax over those with only starch was 320:1, and the ratio of larvae choosing granules with Coax over corn leaf disks was 11.5:1. In greenhouse tests, phagostimulants increased the effectiveness of granules containing B. thuringiensis for killing O. nubilalis larvae. For example, when Coax was added to the granules, the amount of B. thuringiensis used could be reduced by 75% without reducing mortality.
Bimodal bilinguals reveal the source of tip-of-the-tongue states

Bilinguals report more tip-of-the-tongue (TOT) failures than monolinguals. Three accounts of this disadvantage are that bilinguals experience between-language interference at (a) semantic and/or (b) phonological levels, or (c) that bilinguals use each language less frequently than monolinguals. Bilinguals who speak one language and sign another help decide between these alternatives because their languages lack phonological overlap. Twenty-two American Sign Language (ASL)–English bilinguals, 22 English monolinguals, and 11 Spanish–English bilinguals named 52 pictures in English. Despite no phonological overlap between languages, ASL–English bilinguals had more TOTs than monolinguals, and equivalent TOTs as Spanish–English bilinguals. These data eliminate phonological blocking as the exclusive source of bilingual disadvantages. A small advantage of ASL–English over Spanish–English bilinguals in correct retrievals is consistent with semantic interference and a minor role for phonological blocking. However, this account faces substantial challenges. We argue reduced frequency of use is the more comprehensive explanation of TOT rates in all bilinguals.
Combustion and Emissions Characterization of Soy Methyl Ester Biodiesel Blends in an Automotive Turbocharged Diesel Engine

Recent increases in petroleum fuel costs, corporate average fuel economy (CAFE) regulations, and environmental concerns about CO2 emissions from petroleum based fuels have created an increased opportunity for diesel engines and non-petroleum renewable fuels such as biodiesel. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agencies Tier II heavy duty and light duty emissions regulations require significant reductions in NOx and diesel particulate matter emissions for diesel engines. As a result, the diesel engine and aftertreatment system is a highly calibrated system that is sensitive to fuel characteristics. This study focuses on the impact of soy methyl ester biodiesel blends on combustion performance, NOx, and carbonaceous soot matter emissions. Tests were completed using a 1.9 L, turbocharged direct injection diesel engine using commercially available 15 ppm ultra low sulfur (ULS) diesel, a soy methyl ester B20 biodiesel blend (20 vol % B100 and 80 vol % ULS diesel), and a pure soy methyl ester biodiesel. Results show a reduction in NOx and carbonaceous soot matter emissions, and an increase in brake specific fuel consumption with the use of biodiesel. Further, traditional methodology assumes that diesel fuels with a high cetane number have a reduced ignition delay. However, results from this study show the cetane number is not the only parameter effecting ignition delay due to increased diffusion burn.
Current accounts : what is their relevance for economic policymaking?

This paper surveys the main theoretical approaches for analyzing movements in the current account of the balance of payments, from the Mundell-Fleming paradigm to modern intertemporal approaches. It discusses the main implications of these analyses for policymaking, highlighting that modern economic theory views current account imbalances not simply as a reflection of goods market developments, but also as an outcome of intertemporal consumption and investment choices and associated capital market behavior. To reflect on the policy strategies applied under diverse circumstances, the paper analyzes the recent experiences of Italy, Israel, and Pakistan.
Effects of an Automated Vocabulary and Comprehension Intervention: An Early Efficacy Study

It is well established that oral language skills in preschool, including vocabulary and comprehension, predict later reading proficiency and that substantial differences in oral language skills exi...
Pilot Attitudes in Comparing U.S. Army Glass Cockpit and Traditional Crew Station Designs

The crew station instrument panel of U.S. Army rotary-wing cockpits has changed from one of traditional displays (e.g., gauges and dials) to one using multifunction displays (MFDs). The newer design is referred to as a “glass cockpit.” Pilots generally approve of the introduction of glass cockpit designs, and there is significant evidence that commercial aircraft with glass cockpit designs have fewer accidents. However, a recent study of U.S. Army rotary-wing aircraft comparing accident rates between traditional and glass cockpit models of the same aircraft type found evidence for higher accident rates in the glass cockpit models. Since the design of future aircraft will almost certainly include glass cockpits, it is important to explain this finding. To identify characteristics of glass cockpit designs that might be contributing to the accident rate differences, pilots of both traditional and glass cockpit models of the OH-58 Kiowa and AH-64 Apache helicopters were surveyed regarding their attitudes towa...
Preservation of the Anal Transition Zone in Ulcerative Colitis. Long-Term Effects on Defecatory Function

The anal transition zone (ATZ) after ileal pouch anal anastomosis (IPAA) for ulcerative colitis is considered at risk for dysplasia and persistent or recurrent disease activity. The long-term fate of the ATZ and the effects of histologic changes on defecatory function are not well-known. To evaluate the inflammatory and preneoplastic changes of the ATZ in patients without preoperative dysplasia, yearly biopsies of the ATZ were obtained and functional results recorded on a questionnaire/diary. Histologic changes were correlated with simultaneous assessment of defecatory function. Between 1992 and 2006, 225 patients underwent a stapled IPAA. A total of 238 successful biopsies of the ATZ were performed. There was no dysplasia found. Acute inflammation was noted in 4.6%, chronic inflammation in 84.9%, and normal mucosa in 10.5% of cases. Patients with chronic inflammation reported an average of 6.2 ± 1.7 bowel movements/day and 93.2% of them were able to delay a bowel movement for at least 30 min. The presence of chronic ATZ inflammation did not seem to have a negative impact on function, with 96.1% of patients reporting perfect continence, and only 5.3% using protective pads. Preservation of the ATZ in selected patients is safe and offers excellent long-term functional results. New onset dysplasia was not noted. Chronic inflammation had limited clinical impact. Presence of ATZ inflammation in a total of 89.5% of patients warrants life-long surveillance with biopsies.
Three randomized experiments on the longitudinal effects of the Transcendental Meditation technique on cognition

Abstract Three studies on 362 high school students at three different schools in Taiwan tested the hypothesis that regular practice of the Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique for 15–20 min twice a day for 6 to 12 months would improve cognitive ability. The same seven variables were used in all studies: Test for Creative Thinking-Drawing Production (TCT-DP); Constructive Thinking Inventory (CTI); Group Embedded Figures Test (GEFT); State and Trait Anxiety (STAI); Inspection Time (IT); and Culture Fair Intelligence Test (CFIT). Univariate testing showed that TM practice produced significant effects on all variables compared to no-treatment controls (Ps ranged from .035 to
Volcanic Ash Forecast Transport And Dispersion (VAFTAD) Model

Abstract The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) has developed a Volcanic Ash Forecast Transport And Dispersion (VAFTAD) model for emergency response use focusing on hazards to aircraft flight operations. The model is run on a workstation at ARL. Meteorological input for the model is automatically downloaded from the NOAA National Meteorological Center (NMC) twice-daily forecast model runs to ARL. Additional input for VAFTAD regarding the volcanic eruption is supplied by the user guided by monitor prompts. The model calculates transport and dispersion of volcanic ash from an initial ash cloud that has reached its maximum height within 3 h of eruption time. The model assumes that spherical ash particles of diameters ranging from 0.3 to 30 µm are distributed throughout the initial cloud with a particle number distribution based on Mount St. Helens and Redoubt Volcano eruptions. Particles are advected horizontally and vertically by the winds and fall accordin...
Transition metal complexes of primary and secondary phosphines, part II. Some palladium(II) and platinum(II) complexes of type L3MC2

The general course of reactions between [MCl4 ]2− (M = Pd, Pt) and primary and secondary phosphines containing phenyl, cyclohexyl, or 2-cyanoethyl groups, in polar solvents, is to yield L3MCl2 complexes which are probably ionic [L3MCl]+Cl− These compounds can be isolated and characterized in the solid state, but in solution they are labile, and tend to react to give phosphines plus L2 MCI2.
Bringing the Hutchinsonian niche into the 21st century: Ecological and evolutionary perspectives

G. Evelyn Hutchinson more than a half century ago proposed that one could characterize the ecological niche of a species as an abstract mapping of population dynamics onto an environmental space, the axes of which are abiotic and biotic factors that influence birth and death rates. If a habitat has conditions within a species' niche, a population should persist without immigration from external sources, whereas if conditions are outside the niche, it faces extinction. Analyses of species' niches are essential to understanding controls on species' geographical range limits and how these limits might shift in our rapidly changing world. Recent developments in ecology and evolutionary biology suggest it is time to revisit and refine Hutchinson's niche concept. After reviewing techniques for quantifying niches, I examine subtleties that arise because of impacts species have on their own environments, the density-dependent modulation of how individuals experience environments, and the interplay of dispersal and temporal heterogeneity in determining population persistence. Moreover, the evolutionary record over all time scales reveals a spectrum of rates of change in species' niches, from rapid niche evolution to profound niche conservatism. Substantial challenges revolving around the evolutionary dimension of the Hutchinsonian niche include quantifying the magnitude of evolved intraspecific and clade-level variation in niches and understanding the factors that govern where along the spectrum of potential evolutionary rates any given lineage lies. A growing body of theory provides elements of a conceptual framework for understanding niche conservatism and evolution, paving the way for an evolutionary theory of the niche.
Microparticle sampling by electrowetting-actuated droplet sweeping

This paper describes a new microparticle sampler where particles can be efficiently swept from a solid surface and sampled into a liquid medium using moving droplets actuated by the electrowetting principle. We successfully demonstrate that super hydrophilic (2 µm and 7.9 µm diameter glass beads of about 14° contact angle), intermediate hydrophilic (7.5 µm diameter polystyrene beads of about 70° contact angle), and super hydrophobic (7.9 µm diameter Teflon-coated glass beads and 3 µm size PTFE particles of over 110° contact angles) particles on a solid surface are picked up by electrowetting-actuated moving droplets. For the glass beads as well as the polystyrene beads, the sampling efficiencies are over 93%, in particular over 98% for the 7.9 µm glass beads. For the PTFE particles, however, the sampling efficiency is measured at around 70%, relatively lower than that of the glass and polystyrene beads. This is due mainly to the non-uniformity in particle size and the particle hydrophobicity. In this case, the collected particles staying (adsorbing) on the air-to-water interface hinder the droplet from advancing. This particle sampler requires an extremely small amount of liquid volume (about 500 nanoliters) and will thus be highly compatible and easily integrated with lab-on-a-chip systems for follow-up biological/chemical analyses.
Microwave inactivation of thioglucosidase in intact crambe seeds

Optimum conditions for microwave inactivation of thioglucosidase in whole crambe seeds(Crambe abyssinica Hochst.) were investigated. Whole crambe seeds were left at 7% moisture or tempered to between 10 and 20% moisture contents prior to exposure to various microwave power inputs for 38 sec under controlled conditions. Ten percent moisture crambe seeds coupled the maximum percentage of microwave power. The amount of microwave energy required to inactivate thioglucosidase decreased as the moisture content of the seeds increased from 10 to 20%. Thioglucosidase could not be inactivated in 7% moisture seeds without burning the seeds. With 10, 15, and 20% moisture levels crambe seeds required a minimum of 0.70, 0.60, and 0.65 kW, respectively, of initial microwave power input and 18,12, and 11 kJ, respectively, of coupled energy to inactivate thioglucosidase. Optimum crambe seed moisture contents for microwave inactivation of thioglucosidase were determined to be between 14-16%.
Anticipatory caregiving anxiety among older women and men.

ABSTRACT This study, based on a sample of 221 older women and men, explores factors associated with anticipatory caregiving anxiety using a scale developed by Cicirelli (1988). Results show that even the anticipation of providing care evokes anxiety. We find that women have higher levels of anxiety than men, individuals who have served as care-givers have higher levels of anxiety than individuals who have never provided care to family members, and that individuals who are in better health and have more income have lower levels of anxiety than those with less health or income. Implications for services to support caregivers and long-term care reform are discussed.
The Effect of Short-Term Starvation on Mucosal Barrier Function in the Newborn Rabbit

ABSTRACT: The compromised human newborn frequently presents with overwhelming feeding problems which lead to inadequate intake. These problems may affect the development of the small intestine, especially mucosal barrier function, leading to increased infections and susceptibility to allergens. To study this, an animal model was established using neonatal rabbits deprived of nutrients from birth until 72 h. Mucosal barrier function was compared in deprived and control (naturally fed 72-h-old animals) rabbits by measuring immunoreactive bovine serum albumin in serum 4 h after intragastric infusion of crystalline bovine serum albumin (200 mg/100 g body weight). Trypsin activity was measured in rinse fluid obtained from the small intestine. Representative sections of jejunum from control and experimental animals were formalin fixed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for morphologic comparison. Following the bovine serum albumin feeding, a significantly increased serum immunoreactive bovine serum albumin and significantly decreased trypsin-like activity of the small intestinal rinse fluid was noted in starved animals compared to controls. In addition, the enterocytes of malnourished animals were more cuboidal and contained fewer and smaller supranuclear granules on microscopic examination than the enterocytes of controls. This study suggests that short-term starvation in newborns affects mucosal barrier function. Acute starvation may place newborns at increased risk for infections and allergic disease.
Aldosterone, Mineralocorticoid Receptor Activation, and Cardiovascular Remodeling

Large-scale clinical trials have established that mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) blockade with spironolactone or eplerenone decreases morbidity and mortality in patients with chronic severe congestive heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction (ejection fraction ≤35%),1 heart failure and left ventricular systolic dysfunction after an acute myocardial infarction,2 and chronic systolic heart failure with New York Heart Association class II (mild) symptoms.3 Although it was initially suggested that MR blockade with spironolactone improved outcomes in part by altering renal sodium or potassium handling or both, it was recognized that the mean dosage (26 mg/d) used in the Randomized Aldactone Evaluate Study (RALES) was not natriuretic, which indicates that other extrarenal effects of MR antagonism were more likely to prevent adverse cardiovascular events.1,4 Aldosterone and MR activation may also lead to dysregulation of local sodium, potassium, and water balance; promote autonomic dysfunction; impair vascular reactivity; and importantly, increase extracellular matrix turnover and fibrosis.5 In fact, there is now evidence to show that the hyperaldosteronism or enhanced MR activation contributes to (mal)adaptive ventricular structural and electric remodeling by stimulating extracellular matrix deposition and turnover. The association between aldosterone and left ventricular remodeling has been shown previously in a community-based sample. In 2119 participants in the Framingham Offspring Study, the aldosterone-renin ratio was positively associated with both concentric (odds ratio per SD increment 1.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.06–1.58) and eccentric (odds ratio per SD increment 1.20; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–1.37) left ventricular hypertrophy.6 Although the study did not measure circulating markers of extracellular matrix turnover, a follow-up study performed in the same community-based sample related elevated levels of procollagen type …