cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development and face and content validity of an eye surgical skills assessment test for ophthalmology residents.

Purpose The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education has called for the development of new tools for teaching and assessment in core residency competencies. Aims of this study were to respond to this mandate by developing an objective method of evaluating the surgical skills of ophthalmology residents in a microsurgery laboratory environment that could become a part of the ophthalmic surgical curriculum and competency determination, and to evaluate the face and content validity of this assessment by surveying experts in the field. Design Survey. Participants Twenty-two content experts (residency program directors and faculty members involved with resident surgical training). Methods We have developed a 3-station (skin suturing, muscle recession, phacoemulsification/wound construction and suturing technique) wet laboratory surgical skills obstacle course for ophthalmology residents. Each station includes instructions to the resident for completing the task as well as assessment forms, a station-specific checklist, and a global rating scale of performance, for expert surgeons to complete while reviewing the resident’s videotaped performance. To establish face and content validity, content experts were sent a detailed explanation of the assessment along with a survey to facilitate constructive feedback. Main Outcome Measures Survey responses. Results Experts felt that the Eye Surgical Skills Assessment Test (ESSAT) is a useful and representative tool for assessing surgical skills of residents. Suggestions were incorporated, thus establishing the face and content validity. Conclusions The ESSAT has face and content validity. This tool will be useful for assessing residents’ surgical skills in a laboratory environment and the impact of various teaching methods on performance. Further studies to establish the interrater reliability and construct validity of the ESSAT are underway.
Pregnancy outcome after a primary antenatal hemorrhage between 16 and 24 weeks' gestation.

Objective Numerous studies have evaluated pregnancy outcome after previable antenatal hemorrhage, though nearly all of these have included first-trimester pregnancies. The study objective was to examine the pregnancy outcome after a primary antenatal hemorrhage that occurs between 16 and 24 weeks' gestation. Study Design During a 12-year period, all pregnancies that experienced a first episode of antepartum hemorrhage occurring between 16 and 24 weeks' gestation were identified. Patients were excluded if they had any history of bleeding before 16 weeks' gestation, bleeding from a source other than the uterus, an examination consistent with incompetent cervix, or premature membrane rupture before the bleeding episode. All patients underwent an ultrasound evaluation and were separated into previa and nonprevia bleeding groups. Bleeding was categorized as heavy (equal or greater than a menstrual period or active bleeding seen at the initial examination) or light. Pregnancy loss was defined as a delivery before 24 weeks' gestation or neonatal death before hospital discharge. A preterm delivery was one that occurred between 24 and 37 weeks' gestation. A normal outcome was defined as a live infant free of major neonatal morbidity at the time of discharge. Results During the study period, 128 patients met the criteria. Of these, 30 were classified as light (13 previa/17 nonprevia) and 98 were heavy (36 previa/62 nonprevia). In those with light bleeding, no statistical differences existed between previa and nonprevia bleeders and 26 (87%) had a normal outcome (95% confidence interval, 70-96%). In the 36 heavy bleeding previa cases, 6 (17%) pregnancies were lost and 24 (67%) had a normal outcome (95% confidence interval, 53-81%). In the 62 heavy nonprevia bleeding patients, 31 (50%) pregnancies were lost and a normal pregnancy outcome occurred in only 22 (35%) (95% confidence interval, 23-47%). Conclusion Overall pregnancy outcome after a primary light episode of antenatal hemorrhage between 16 and 24 weeks' gestation is fairly good. The prognosis is worse for heavy bleeding previa and nonprevia bleeding cases, but based on 95% confidence intervals, a normal outcome would be expected in greater than 50% of the placenta previa pregnancies vs a less than 50% expectation in nonprevia bleeding pregnancies.
Spontaneously broken gauge theories of weak interactions and heavy leptons

Branching ratios and production cross sections are calculated for the heavy leptons which occur in a class of spontaneously broken gauge theories of weak interactions. Several examples of such theories are constructed.
High Dietary Intake of Vitamin E Causes Decreased Incidence of Early Atherosclerotic Lesions in Rats

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine the role of high level vitamin E supplementation on the formation of atherosclerotic lesions. Elevated levels of oxidized low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. Epidemiological evidence suggests that high dietary intake of vitamin E may decrease the risk for atherosclerotic vascular disease by protecting LDL from oxidation. To test this hypothesis, five groups of 12 rats were fed diets containing varying amounts of cholesterol and vitamin E. Plasma lipids [total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and triglyceride (TG)] and the extent of aortic lesions were examined after 5 months of consumption of the diet. The results are summarized in the table below:Group 1Group 2Group 3Group 4Group 5Vitamin E60mg60mg300mg600mg2400mgTotal Chol. (mg/dl)1521016100612271232LDL(mg/ml)0.91.11.51.51.6HDL (mg/dl)124485069109TG (mg/dl)213408329347448Group 1:No Cholesterol/Cholic acidGroup 2-5:Cholesterol - 1.0%, Cholic acid 0.3% of the basal diet.Vitamin E:Given as tocopheryl acetate, mg/kg of diet. Key research findings are: Hypercholesterolemia and lower HDL cholesterol levels in the plasma were found to cause early atherosclerotic lesions in twice the number of rats (groups 4 and 5) as compared to rats (group 1) fed no cholesterol. The incidence of atherosclerotic lesions in the groups that received 600 & 2400mg of vitamin E was 50% lower than the group that received 300mg of vitamin E. It appears that high levels of vitamin E supplementation and HDL exert a protective effect which results in a decrease in atherosclerotic lesion formation.
Detection of vesicular stomatitis virus (murine leukemia virus) pseudotypes by immunoelectron microscopy.

Abstract Superinfection of a murine leukemia virus (MuLV)-producing rat bone tumor cell culture with the temperature-labile vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) mutant tl-17 led to the formation of VSV(MuLV) pseudotype. This pseudotype was conveniently detected by immunoelectron microscopy (IEM) as bullet-shaped VSV particles reacting with anti-MuLV serum. In addition, VSV(MuLV) pseudotype formation was confirmed by results of thermoinactivation and neutralization tests. It is expected that the IEM described herein will find broader application to the demonstration of other pseudotypes that cannot be readily assayed by conventional infectivity assays.
Analytic Sturmian functions and convergence of separable expansions

A method for solving integral equations is developed and applied to the homogeneous Lippmann-Schwinger equation in momentum space. It has been used with Yukawa-type potentials, V(r) = ..sigma.., and yields solutions that are analytic expressions rational in the variable k/sup 2/. More specifically, the principal-value form of the homogeneous Lippmann-Schwinger equation is solved by making an analytic series expansion of the integral, which is then summed using Pade approximants. An application to the Malfliet-Tjon potential V in s wave is given. In a finite subspace of rational functions with fixed denominators, the solutions, referred to as Sturmian functions, are obtained corresponding to the energy -0.35 MeV, which is the physical bound state energy for this potential. With these analytic eigenfunctions as form factors and with the associated eigenvalues, a separable expansion, namely, the unitary pole expansion, is constructed for the local potential. The unitary pole expansion is then used for analytic k-matrix calculations. At intermediate energies through E/sub c.m./ = 666 MeV, and at ultrahigh momenta, as the rank of the unitary pole expansion approaches 13, analytic wave functions (or, equivalently, half-shell k matrices) and phase shifts are found that are in good agreement with exact results.
The Asian Colobinae (Mammalia: Cercopithecidae) as indicators of Quaternary climatic change

Abstract A reappraisal of the zoogeography and systematics of Asian colobines demonstrates marked discontinuities in their distribution. The Borean proboscis monkey is separated by Sumatra from its sole congener on the Mentawai Islands.Pygathrixspecies have a discontinuous distribution at the range limit of the Asian Colobinae. The existence in the Himalayas of some disjunct relatives of the south Indian fauna, has obscured a wider disjunction in which for example, the hooded black leaf monkey,Semnopithecus johnii, has one subspecies in southern India and another in north Vietnam. A closely related Vietnamese leaf monkey is a subspecies of the otherwise IndonesianS. auratus. Presbytis comatais disjunct between west Java, northern Sumatra and northern Borneo. The Mentawai IslandsP. potenzianiis closely related. Biogeographic parallels imply a common cause and previous continuity across the intervening areas. The only wholly compatible explanation is that the disjunct areas alone retained adequate moisture and temperature to support their endemic biota during a cool drought. That not only genera, but species are disjunct, indicates such conditions prevailed recently, and are probably attributable to the Pleistocene glaciations. The supposition that its maritime climate shielded Asian rainforest from the glacial drought known to have partially deforested Africa and South America, is inapplicable to the Indian subcontinent, and ignores the climatic effects of the emergence of the Sunda and the Sahul shelves. Such known influences, the distribution of drought indicator plants, fossil plants and fossil mammals, grassland birds and freshwater fish, and the anatomical specializations ofNasalisconfirm the instability of the Asian environment. The absence of endemic representatives of certain primates in north Sumatra implies the occurrence of two cold droughts. Available evidence appears to correlate the deforestations with the abrupt curtailment of glacial Stages 7 and 5, at about 190 000 years BP and about 80 000 years BP. The greater significance of climatic than topographical barriers in delineating the Oriental zoogeographic region, and a rapid speciation rate, is implied. Morphological change is evidently generated by geographic dispersal, rather than geographic isolation.
Open-field behavior of wild and domestic Norway rats.

The open-field behavior of wild and domestic Norway rats was compared in 15-min tests administered over 5 successive days. Wild rats exhibited more ambulation, jumping, grooming, and time inactive than domestic rats and spent more time along the arena wall. Within- and between-trial changes in behavior were generally greater for wild rats. Factor analyses revealed major loadings on factors identified as “locomotor behavior” and “grooming.” Support was obtained for the hypothesis that domestication has raised the threshold for avoidance-escape behavior in response to a novel environment.
Associations of watershed vegetation and environmental variables with fish and crayfish assemblages in headwater streams of the Pedernales River, Texas

Intermittent headwater streams serve important functions for humans and wildlife in semi-arid rangelands. Increases in ashe juniper coverage in central Texas over recent decades are believed to have negatively impacted stream flows. Few studies have examined relationships between aquatic species and environmental factors in these systems as well as the influence of juniper coverage on assemblage structure. During summer 2003 and spring 2004, we examined species–environment relationships to infer potential effects of juniper cover on aquatic ecology relative to local-scale and watershed-scale environmental variables. Fish and crayfish species assemblages and physicochemical variables were investigated in spring-fed headwater tributaries of the Pedernales River, Texas. Fish abundance was much higher in summer 2003, whereas crayfish abundance was higher in spring 2004. Fish species richness was lower during spring 2004, possibly due to below average precipitation during spring 2004 that reduced deep-water refugia. Higher abundance of crayfish in spring 2004 samples was probably due to their ability to survive low-flow conditions, and a release from fish predation pressure. Fish assemblage structure was more strongly associated with local abiotic factors during spring 2004 when flow was reduced, whereas structure during summer 2003 samples suggested a relatively greater influence of predation. In general, juniper cover was weakly associated with fish and crayfish assemblages, although it tended to be positively associated with relatively high-quality habitat for sensitive taxa (flowing runs with coarse substrate; deep, connected pools). We suggest that intermediate levels of juniper cover in the region provide indirect benefits to aquatic organisms. However, short-term, local environmental factors appear to have a much greater influence than watershed vegetation on fish and crayfish assemblages in these intermittent streams. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A self-oscillating biophysical computer model of the elongated vocal fold

A new three-dimensional model is developed to simulate the self-oscillation of the elongated vocal folds. This model allows for large deformation and longitudinal displacement. The displacement boundary condition is applied on the posterior side to represent the elongation of vocal fold length by the cricothyroid or the thyroarytenoid muscles. After this model is verified by comparing its outputs using modal analysis and principle component analysis with those of previous models and experimental studies, it is applied to simulate the vibration of elongated vocal fold. Numerical simulation showed that longitudinal elongation increases the y-direction normal stress, decreases the lateral maximum displacement, and increases the fundamental frequency. These results agree with experimental measurements from an excised larynx setup, which suggests that the proposed elongation vocal fold model could be a useful tool to investigate voice production and the control of vocal fold vibration.
Applying number-needed-to-treat (NNT) analysis to ophthalmic clinical trials.

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to provide a summary of the actual medical treatment effects reported by commonly cited ophthalmic randomized, controlled trials during the last 25 years to better educate individual patients and the public as a whole regarding their outcomes. Design. The author conducted a retrospective literature review. Methods. A review of English-language literature containing major ophthalmic studies was performed. Number-needed-to-treat analysis was applied to published results of reviewed studies. Results. Many current recommendations for ophthalmic treatment of various eye diseases show only moderate or limited treatment effects. Although these recommendations may provide improved outcomes over the natural courses of the diseases, they often do not have excellent outcomes that are apparent to patients or consistent with provider expectations, and the number needed to treat to attain positive outcomes remains high for some interventions. Conclusion. Eye care providers should be aware of the limitations of ophthalmic treatments published in well-known studies to provide more informed recommendations for their patients and the public at large.
Mars at very low obliquity: Atmospheric collapse and the fate of volatiles

[1] The obliquity of the Martian spin axis is known to undergo quasiperiodic oscillations superposed over chaotic long-term variations. It is probable that within past history there were geologically long periods when the obliquity oscillated around low (10–15°) mean values. During such low obliquity epochs the climate system is controlled by deposition of permanent solid CO2 deposits in the polar regions. With a simple season-resolved energy balance model, we show that as the atmosphere collapses, surface topography plays a major role in CO2 condensation and sublimation processes, defining distribution and dynamics of CO2 deposits. Thick CO2 deposits are formed at steep pole-facing topographic slopes at moderately high latitudes, not at the poles. The total mass of the deposits is not a function of obliquity, but strongly depends on the pre-history of the climate system. We outline criteria to identify such low-obliquity epochs in Mars history.
The pattern of change in the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation.

OBJECTIVE: To report the pattern of change in the lecithin/sphingomyelin (L/S) ratio in patients with preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM) between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation. STUDY DESIGN: L/S was determined prospectively using transvaginally and transabdominally collected amniotic fluid from patients with PPROM between 24 and 34 weeks' gestation. Samples were collected prospectively on admission and every 48 to 96 hours until L/S was ≥2.0. All patients received intramuscular betamethasone weekly. RESULTS: Fifty-five patients were included in the study. One hundred twenty-seven samples were collected transvaginally and nine were collected transabdominally. Cox regression analysis showed that a higher initial L/S value and more advanced gestational age were associated with accelerated lung maturation. Among patients at ≥29 weeks' gestation with an initial L/S of ≥1.5 and <2.0 (n=17), 15 of 17 (88%) reached L/S≥2 at a mean of 3.1±1.7 days (range 1.0 to 7.0 days). With an initial L/S of ≥1.0 and <1.5 (n=16), 14 of 16 (88%) patients reached L/S≥2 at a mean of 4.1±1.9 days (range 1.7 to 7.0 days). With an initial L/S of <1.0 (n=11), 6 of 11 (54%) patients reached L/S≥2 at a mean of 5.0±1.6 days (range 4.7 to 6.8 days). CONCLUSION: Our data document a dramatic acceleration of fetal lung maturation among patients with PPROM at ≥29 weeks.
The relationship between vocational information seeking and educational and vocational decidedness

Abstract This investigation explored the relationship between vocational information seeking behavior (VISB) and educational and vocational decidedness. Pre- and postmeasures of VISB and educational and vocational decidedness were given to two groups of “undecided” university freshmen. One group experienced a 3-hr long vocationally oriented life planning workshop and a career planning class module of 10 hr duration; the other experienced only the class module. Correlations between VISB and the two forms of decidedness were low but significant. Cross-lagged and dynamic correlations completed to determine causal effects only minimally supported the hypotheses that engaging in VISB produces an increase in educational and vocational committedness and vice versa. Some possible explanations for this finding are discussed.
Systematic Review of Health Disparities for Cardiovascular Diseases and Associated Factors among American Indian and Alaska Native Populations

Background American Indians and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations experience significant health disparities compared to non-Hispanic white populations. Cardiovascular disease and related risk factors are increasingly recognized as growing indicators of global health disparities. However, comparative reports on disparities among this constellation of diseases for AI/AN populations have not been systematically reviewed. Objectives We performed a literature review on the prevalence of diabetes, metabolic syndrome, dyslipidemia, obesity, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease; and associated morbidity and mortality among AI/AN. Data sources A total of 203 articles were reviewed, of which 31 met study criteria for inclusion. Searches were performed on PUBMED, MEDLINE, the CDC MMWR, and the Indian Health Services. Study eligibility criteria Published literature that were published within the last fifteen years and provided direct comparisons between AI/AN to non-AI/AN populations were included. Study appraisal and synthesis methods We abstracted data on study design, data source, AI/AN population, comparison group, and. outcome measures. A descriptive synthesis of primary findings is included. Results Rates of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and metabolic syndrome are clearly higher for AI/AN populations. Hypertension and hyperlipidemia differences are more equivocal. Our analysis also revealed that there are likely regional and gender differences in the degree of disparities observed. Limitations Studies using BRFSS telephone surveys administered in English may underestimate disparities. Many AI/AN do not have telephones and/or speak English. Regional variability makes national surveys difficult to interpret. Finally, studies using self-reported data may not be accurate. Conclusions and implications of key findings Profound health disparities in cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors for AI/AN populations persist, perhaps due to low socioeconomic status and access to quality healthcare. Successful programs will address social determinants and increase healthcare access. Community-based outreach to bring health services to the most vulnerable may also be very helpful in this effort. Systematic review registration number N/A
Electrical detection of fast reaction kinetics in nanochannels with an induced flow.

Nanofluidic channels can be used to enhance surface binding reactions, since the target molecules are closely confined to the surfaces that are coated with specific binding partners. Moreover, diffusion-limited binding can be significantly enhanced if the molecules are steered into the nanochannels via either pressure-driven or electrokinetic flow. By monitoring the nanochannel impedance, which is sensitive to surface binding, low analyte concentrations have been detected electrically in nanofluidic channels within response times of 1−2 h. This represents a ∼54 fold reduction in the response time using convective flow compared to diffusion-limited binding. At high-flow velocities, the presented method of reaction kinetics enhancement is potentially limited by force-induced dissociations of the receptor−ligand bonds. Optimization of this scheme could be useful for label-free, electrical detection of biomolecule binding reactions within nanochannels on a chip.
Assessment Of A Defined In-home Prenatal Nutrition Intervention Protocol For Low- Income Women.

Abstract A 1992 Progress Report on Healthy People 2000 indicated no improvement has been made in reducing low birth weight (LBW). To meet this goal, research indicates a need for specific nutrition interventions designed for low-income pregnant women. Subjects were 40 women randomly selected from participants in a county High Risk Maternal and Infant Follow-up Program. Subjects were visited in their homes by a nutritionist an average of eight times throughout their pregnancy. Adequate nutrient intake and attention to recommended weight gain were the focus of individualized counseling sessions. Three-day food records collected before nutrition counseling and after the last counseling session were analyzed using the Food Processor Plus computer program. Mean daily nutrient intakes before and after nutrition counseling were compared using a paired t-test. Dietary intake of folate, vitamin B6, iron, zinc, and calcium increased significantly (p≤0.0l). The percentage of women consuming less than 75% of the RDA for three of four nutrients (folate, vitamin B6, calcium, and zinc) decreased from 25% before the intervention to 12.5% after. We concluded that this defined prenatal nutrition intervention protocol, using in-home nutrition counseling, was effective in improving the nutrient intake of low-income women.
Cystic lymphangioma with enlarged tongue: A case report

T he cystic lymphangioma., “cystic hygroma,” is a congenital abnormality of the lymphatic system. Thought to be due to sequestration of the primitive lymph sacs, these benign tumors are most commonly posterior cervical masses that are present at birth. When laterally placed and well loculated, complete surgical excision is the treatment of choice along with marsupialization of unresectable cysts. Unfortunately, many lymphangiomas send fingerlike processes into surrounding tissues, so that extension into the axilla and mediastinum is not infrequent. When this lesion is sublingual and/or submental in position, bilateral, and especially with invasion of tongue and suprahyroid structures, complete resection is virtually impossible. Over the past 4 years we have had under our care a boy, now 8 years old, with such a remarkably extensive lesion. Because of the massive tongue involvement at birth, the child had undergone an immediate tracheotomy and subsequently had undergone two partial neck resections of the lesion. Surgical trauma to the facial nerve at the second resection had caused a complete peripheral facial paralysis on the left side. When first seen, the boy had massive tongue enlargement, constant drooling, and protrusion with a very obtuse maxillary-mandibular angle. He was unable to breathe with his tracheotomy tube obstructed. On full evaluation, it was noted that the grapelike lymphangioma masses were studded throughout the floor of the mouth and over the soft palate as well as being deeply infiltrated into the tongue. Furthermore, cystic masses were also noted throughout the entire supraglottic larynx. Remarkably, the child could swallow well and there was minimal aspiration. Prior to orthodontic consultation, osteotomy to reduce the mandible was recommended. After examination of the patient with diagnostic aids, it appeared desirable to attempt orthodontic treatment without surgical intervention. A head
Structural Investigations of Prehydrolyzed Precursors Used in the Sol‐Gel Processing of Lead Titanate

A variety of titanate gels were prepared from lead acetate and titanium isopropoxide in methoxyethanol. In the presented study {sup 1}H and {sup 13}C Fourier transform-nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectroscopic techniques were used to identify the structure of the lead and titanium precursors formed from lead acetate and titanium isopropoxide, respectively, when refluxed in methoxyethanol. The lead and titanium precursors were determined to be Pb (OOCCH{sub 3}) (OC{sub 2}H{sub 4}OCH{sub 3}). xH{sub 2}O, where x {lt} 0.5, and Ti{sub 2}(OC{sub 2}H{sub 4}OCH{sub 3}){sub 8}, respectively. Similar spectroscopic procedures were applied to identify the lead titanium complex formed from the reaction between lead and titanium precursors.
Abdominal and Genitalic Homologies in the Screw-Worm, Cochliomyia hominivorax (Diptera: Calliphoridae), Established by a Genetic Marker

Homologous areas in the larvae and adults of Cochliomyia hominivorax (Coquerel) were established by using landmarks provided by a mutation (loss of spines in the larvae) that was expressed by several characters. Dorsal areas of larval segments VI, VII, VIII, and IX, give rise to the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th abdominal tergites of the adult, and larval segments X and XI give rise to the 1st and 2nd genital segments in the male and to the 1st and 2nd segments of the female ovipositor. The lack of homology from the remaining 2 segments of the ovipositor confirms the belief that the last apparent larval segment, segment XII, is of compound origin.
The Effect of galE Gene Inactivation on Lipopolysaccharide Profile of Helicobacter pylori

The galE gene product, UDP-galactose 4-epimerase, mediates the incorporation of galactose in extracellular polysaccharide materials such as the O-side chain of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). The O-side chain in H. pylori LPS has been shown to cross-react with Lewis x and/or y blood group antigens, suggesting its potential involvement in H. pylori-linked autoimmune disease. To study its role in H. pylori LPS biosynthesis, the galE gene was cloned, sequenced, and a galE-knockout H. pylori strain was constructed. The H. pylori galE gene encoded a protein of 344 amino acids with a molecular weight of 39K. The LPS profile from the galE-knockout H. pylori strain showed a lower molecular weight than that of the parental strain, indicating the involvement of the galE gene in LPS biosynthesis of H. pylori.
Analgesic efficacy of buprenorphine in the presence of high levels of SDF-1α/CXCL12 in the brain

Although morphine is often the best option for treating acute and chronic severe pain, its analgesic activity can be blocked in situations in which there are elevated levels of chemokines. Indeed, recently we have shown that elevated brain levels of the chemokine stromal cell-derived growth factor-1alpha (SDF-1α/CXCL12, the ligand of the HIV co-receptor CXCR4) diminish the antinociceptive effect of morphine. The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether such an effect is restricted to morphine or extends to other opioid medications such as buprenorphine. A sterilized stainless-steel C313G guide cannula was implanted into the periaqueductal grey (PAG), a brain region critical to the processing of pain signals, and a primary site of action of many analgesic compounds. The cold-water (−3 °C) tail-flick test (CWT) was used to measure antinociception. Rats were pretreated with SDF-1α/CXCL12 administered into the PAG, and the antinociceptive actions of buprenorphine were measured. Direct infusion of SDF-1α/CXCL12 into the PAG failed to alter the antinociceptive action of buprenorphine. The presence of SDF-1α/CXCL12 in the PAG differentially alters the antinociceptive function of opioid medications. While it was able to diminish the antinociception induced by morphine (Adler et al., 2006), SDF-1α/CXCL12 did not affect the buprenorphine-induced antinociception. Buprenorphine appears to be more effective in the presence of high levels of SDF-1α/CXCL12 in the brain (which frequently occurs during neuroinflammatory conditions).
Temporal reasoning for diagnosis in a causal probabilistic knowledge base

We have added temporal reasoning to the Heart Disease Program (HDP) to take advantage of the temporal constraints inherent in cardiovascular reasoning. Some processes take place over minutes while others take place over months or years and a strictly probabilistic formalism can generate hypotheses that are impossible given the temporal relationships involved. The HDP has temporal constraints on the causal relations specified in the knowledge base and temporal properties on the patient input provided by the user. These are used in two ways. First, they are used to constrain the generation of the pre-computed causal pathways through the model that speed the generation of hypotheses. Second, they are used to generate time intervals for the instantiated nodes in the hypotheses, which are matched and adjusted as nodes are added to each evolving hypothesis. This domain offers a number of challenges for temporal reasoning. Since the nature of diagnostic reasoning is inferring a causal explanation from the evidence, many of the temporal intervals have few constraints and the reasoning has to make maximum use of those that exist. Thus, the HDP uses a temporal interval representation that includes the earliest and latest beginning and ending specified by the constraints. Some of the disease states can be corrected but some of the manifestations may remain. For example, a valve disease such as aortic stenosis produces hypertrophy that remains long after the valve has been replaced. This requires multiple time intervals to account for the existing findings. This paper discusses the issues and solutions that have been developed for temporal reasoning integrated with a pseudo-Bayesian probabilistic network in this challenging domain for diagnosis.
Endocrine Regulation of Compensatory Growth in Fish

Compensatory growth (CG) is a period of accelerated growth that occurs following the alleviation of growth-stunting conditions during which an organism can make up for lost growth opportunity and potentially catch up in size with non-stunted cohorts. Fish show a particularly robust capacity for the response and have been the focus of numerous studies that demonstrate their ability to compensate for periods of fasting once food is made available again. CG is characterized by an elevated growth rate resulting from enhanced feed intake, mitogen production, and feed conversion efficiency. Because little is known about the underlying mechanisms that drive the response, this review describes the sequential endocrine adaptations that lead to CG; namely during the precedent catabolic phase (fasting) that taps endogenous energy reserves, and the following hyperanabolic phase (refeeding) when accelerated growth occurs. In order to elicit a CG response, endogenous energy reserves must first be moderately depleted, which alters endocrine profiles that enhance appetite and growth potential. During this catabolic phase, elevated ghrelin and growth hormone (GH) production increase appetite and protein-sparing lipolysis, while insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) are suppressed, primarily due to hepatic GH resistance. During refeeding, temporal hyperphagia provides an influx of energy and metabolic substrates that are then allocated to somatic growth by resumed IGF signaling. Under the right conditions, refeeding results in hyperanabolism and a steepened growth trajectory relative to constantly fed controls. The response wanes as energy reserves are re-accumulated and homeostasis is restored. We ascribe possible roles for select appetite and growth-regulatory hormones in the context of the prerequisite of these catabolic and hyperanabolic phases of the CG response in teleosts, with emphasis on GH, IGFs, cortisol, somatostatin, neuropeptide Y, ghrelin, and leptin.
Lattice model calculations of elastic and thermodynamic properties at high pressure and temperature

The elastic constants and the entire frequency spectrum were calculated up to high pressure for the alkali halides in the NaCl lattice, based on an assumed functional form of the inter-atomic potential. The quasiharmonic approximation is used to calculate the vibrational contribution to the pressure and the elastic constants at arbitrary temperature. By explicitly accounting for the effect of thermal and zero point motion, the adjustable parameters in the potential are determined to a high degree of accuracy from the elastic constants and their pressure derivatives measured at zero pressure. The calculated Gruneisen parameter, the elastic constants and their pressure derivatives are in good agreement with experimental results up to about 600 K. The model predicts that for some alkali halides the Grunesen parameter may decrease monotonically with pressure, while for others it may increase with pressure, after an initial decrease.
Hepatitis C Virus Coinfection and Superinfection

A hallmark of RNA viruses is their extreme genetic diversity. Within an individual, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) exists as a population of distinct but closely related viral variants, termed the "viral quasispecies." These variants may display divergent replicative capacity, cell tropism, immunologic escape, and antiviral-drug resistance. Coinfection with 2 or more distinct HCVs has been frequently documented. Moreover, several cases of HCV superinfection have been reported recently. However, few data are available regarding the clinical consequences of coinfection and superinfection, although these phenomena have important implications for HCV vaccine design and development, as well as for the efficacy of HCV therapeutic agents.
Comparative Studies of the Binding of Dimeric and Monomeric Enkephalins to Neuroblastoma-Glioma NG108–15 Cells

Binding activity of the enkephalin dimer [D-Ala2, Leu5-NH-CH2-]2 (DPE2) to NG108-15 hybrid cells was compared to that of the monomer [D-Ala2, Leu5]enkephalin amide (DALEA). At 25 degrees C, the values of the apparent affinity constant for DPE2, measured to intact and lysed cells and membranes, was 5.0 (+/- 0.09) X 10(9) M-1 for n = 28 experiments, as compared to 0.9 (+/- 0.08) X 10(9) M-1 (n = 16) for DALEA. At 4 degrees C, the binding affinity of DPE2 decreased by 43% and that of DALEA by 33%. An important difference between the binding of DPE2 and DALEA was that, after necessary corrections for difference in maximal "bindability" of the respective tritiated enkephalins, the molar binding capacity for DALEA was twofold higher than for DPE2, although mutual cross-displacement studies indicated that binding occurred to one class of noninteracting homogeneous receptors. The binding capacity for intact and lysed cells and membranes was 20 (+/- 2) X 10(-11) M for DPE2 and 43 (+/- 2) X 10(-11) M for DALEA. The enkephalin monomers [D-Ala2, D-Leu5]enkephalin (DADLE) and [D-Ala2, Met5]enkephalin amide (DAMEA) showed binding characteristics similar to those of DALEA.
Atomic Decomposition of Weighted Lorentz Spaces and Operators

We obtain an atomic decomposition of weighted Lorentz spaces for a class of weights satisfying the Δ2 condition. Consequently, we study operators such as the multiplication and composition operators and also provide Holder’s-type and duality-Riesz type inequalities on these weighted Lorentz spaces.
Biphenylene as a crosslinking unit in polyaromatic ether–ketone and ether–ketone–sulfone resins. XVI

Biphenylene units have been incorporated into polyaromatic ether–ketone and polyaromatic ether–ketone–sulfone resins as useful crosslinking sites. Crosslinking is achieved by heating the resins to 300–400°C. The keto polymers are soluble only in sulfuric acid before curing, but the sulfone polymers are soluble also in some aprotic solvents. Molded “I beams” of the cured keto polymer are stronger than those of the sulfone polymer. Both classes of polymer are quite thermally stable. Curing can be hastened by catalyzing with rhodium compounds.
Interior superconvergence in mortar and non-mortar mixed finite element methods on non-matching grids

We establish interior velocity superconvergence estimates for mixed finite element approximations of second order elliptic problems on non-matching rectangular and quadrilateral grids. Both mortar and non-mortar methods for imposing the interface conditions are considered. In both cases it is shown that a discrete L 2 -error in the velocity in a compactly contained subdomain away from the interfaces con1=2 Þ higher than the error in the whole domain. For the non-mortar method we also establish pressure superconvergence, which is needed in the velocity analysis. Numerical results are presented in confirmation of the theory.
One Size Does Not Fit All: Identifying Risk Profiles for Overweight in Adolescent Population Subsets

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study is to identify population subgroups of adolescents who are homogenous with respect to sociodemographic factors and potentially modifiable risk and protective factors related to overweight status in a nationally representative sample of adolescents ages 12–17. Methods The data used for this study are from the Centers for Disease Control and National Center for Health Statistics' National Survey of Children's Health, 2003 (NSCH). Classification and Regression Trees (CART) were used to identify population segments of adolescents based on risk and protective factors for obesity. Results In the final CART model, 12 variables remained, including: poverty level, race, gender, participation in sports, number of family meals, family educational attainment, child physical activity, participation in free lunch programs, neighborhood safety and connectedness, TV viewing time, and child age in years. Poverty level was determined to be the most variable related to weight status in this sample of adolescents. Adolescents living in households below approximately the 300% poverty level were subject to a different constellation of predictors than adolescents living in homes above the 300% poverty level. Conclusions Our results demonstrate how risk and protective factors related to obesity emerge differently among sociodemographic subgroups and the relative importance of these risk and protective factors in relation to adolescent overweight status. Interventions that work for one population subgroup may not work for another.
Revision of Tuxedo Schuh (Hemiptera: Miridae: Phylinae)

Abstract Tuxedo Schuh is revised. Seven valid species are recognized, three of those being described as new. Tuxedo minor (Knight) is treated as a junior synonym of Tuxedo bicinctus (Van Duzee), new synonym. Habitus photographs, illustrations of male genitalic structures, and scanning micrographs of morphological structures are provided. Extensive host and distributional information is provided for all species.
Deletion of scavenger receptor A gene in mice resulted in protection from septic shock and modulation of TLR4 signaling in isolated peritoneal macrophages

Scavenger receptor A (Sra), also known as macrophage scavenger receptor 1 (Msr1), is a surface glycoprotein preferentially present in macrophages that plays a primary role in innate immunity. Previous studies have shown that Sra is a modifier gene for the response to bacterial LPS in mice at the level of IL-10 production, in particular. In the present study, we found that Sra(−/−) mice are more resistant to septic shock induced by cecal ligation and puncture than wild-type C57BL/6 J (B6) mice. In addition, Sra(−/−) mice displayed initial elevated high density lipoprotein (HDL) circulating levels. Naive peritoneal macrophages (PMϕs) were isolated from Sra(−/−) mice to understand the possible protective mechanism. Incubation of these cells with LPS was found to modulate TLR4 signaling, leading to a reduction in IL-10 and IL-6 mRNA levels, but not TNF-α expression, at low concentrations of LPS in comparison with PMϕs isolated from B6 mice. No differences were found in LPS binding between PMϕs derived from Sr...
Pilot Study: EatFit Impacts Sixth Graders' Academic Performance on Achievement of Mathematics and English Education Standards

Abstract Objective Investigate the impact of a nutrition education program on student academic performance as measured by achievement of education standards. Design Quasi-experimental crossover-controlled study. Setting California Central Valley suburban elementary school (58% qualified for free or reduced-priced lunch). Participants All sixth-grade students (n = 84) in the elementary school clustered in 3 classrooms. Intervention 9-lesson intervention with an emphasis on guided goal setting and driven by the Social Cognitive Theory. Main Outcome Measure Multiple-choice survey assessing 5 education standards for sixth-grade mathematics and English at 3 time points: baseline (T1), 5 weeks (T2), and 10 weeks (T3). Analysis Repeated measures, paired t test, and analysis of covariance. Results Changes in total scores were statistically different ( P P P P Conclusion and Implications Using standardized tests, results of this pilot study suggest that EatFit can improve academic performance measured by achievement of specific mathematics and English education standards. Nutrition educators can show school administrators and wellness committee members that this program can positively impact academic performance, concomitant to its primary objective of promoting healthful eating and physical activity.
Processes Linking Father Absence to Educational Attainment Among African American Females

Previous researchers have assessed how father absence influences both socioeconomic and reproductive development, but have not analyzed these relationships jointly or used theoretical support for explaining why father absence affects socioeconomic and reproductive development, especially for African American girls. Guided by the family economic stress model and psychosocial acceleration theory, this study investigates how and why these relationships exist for 532 African American females. Structural equation modeling revealed that longer duration of father absence predicted lowered educational attainment in early adulthood via lower income, increased economic pressure, accelerated reproductive development, and lowered educational expectations. We include recommendations for the use of these perspectives to better understand the interplay between family socioeconomic processes and reproductive maturation in African American females.
AN RTD DETERMINATION METHOD FOR EXTRUSION COOKING1

The residence time distribution (RTD) in an APV Baker twin-screw extruder was studied by injecting a red color during extrusion of rice flour. the redness color value from a Hunter Colorimeter and the red dye concentration of the ground extrudate were used to determine the RTD of rice flour and RTD spread. the redness color values significantly overestimated the mean residence times and RTD spreads (p < 0.0001). the redness color values cannot replace the red dye concentrations to determine the residence time distribution in a twin-screw extrusion cooking system.
The γG subclass of antinuclear and antinucleic acid antibodies

Selected sera from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS) were studied to determine the γG subclass in which the antibody activities were present. These sera were known to contain γG antibodies to nuclear antigens, cytoplasmic antigens or nucleic acids. Antibodies to DNA and those giving a peripheral pattern in the fluorescent antinuclear antibody test (ANF) primarily were of the γG1 and γG3 types; antibodies giving a speckled pattern primarily were of the γG3 type; and antibodies giving a diffuse pattern in the ANA test primarily were of the γG3 type, and less so of the γG1 type. These findings indicate: that antibodies to some nuclear antigens and nucleic acids may be restricted to certain γG subclasses; and that anti-DNA antibodies, which have been most strongly associated with low serum complement levels and active lupus nephritis, are found primarily in those γG subclasses which fix complement most efficiently—namely, γG1 and γG3.
Planting Seeds of Change: Ella Baker's Radical Rhetoric

Ella Baker was a central but largely unknown figure of the American Civil Rights movement. In her grassroots organizing work, she eschewed the “charismatic orator” model of social movement leadership, seeking instead to empower ordinary people. This paper argues that Baker's community organizing rhetoric offers a valuable contribution to feminism and rhetorical theory, revealing both the promise and limitations of invitational rhetoric, and pointing the way to a more politically viable practice of invitational principles.