cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Female-headed households and food insecurity in Brazil

The National Household Survey carried out in 2009 by Brazil’s bureau of the census contains information on a representative sample of 121,708 households. The questionnaire includes items that enable us to identify households that experience moderate and severe degrees of food insecurity. The results of logistic regression analyses support the hypothesis that the odds of food insecurity are higher among female-headed households compared to male-headed households. Net of statistical controls for region, urban residence, age, monthly per capita household income, and five indicators of the internal composition of the household, the odds of moderate and severe food insecurity are, respectively, 32 % and 16 % higher among households headed by women compared to households headed by men. Further analyses show that the likelihood of food insecurity increases with presence of young children 0–10 years of age and older children 11–18 years of age. The importance of intra-household characteristics is confirmed by results that show that the odds of both moderate and severe food insecurity increase with additional adult males but decrease with additional adult females. Evidence that the presence of adult females reduces food insecurity is consistent with studies of gender differences in household decision making which show that, compared to men, women’s spending patterns have a greater positive effect on the welfare of children and other members of the household. The conclusions are discussed in the context of the poverty and hunger alleviation initiatives in Brazil’s new social policy agenda.
Sarcopenia and its implications for the elderly

Sarcopenia is the loss of muscle mass and strength with age. Sarcopenia is a part of normal aging, and occurs even in master athletes, although it is clearly accelerated by physical inactivity. Sarcopenia contributes to disability, reduced ability to cope with the stress of a major illness, and to mortality in the elderly. The etiology of sarcopenia is unclear, but several important factors have been identified. These include loss of alpha motor neurons, decline in muscle cell contractility, and several potential humoral factors, such as androgen and estrogen withdrawal and increase in production of catabolic cytokines. Treatment of sarcopenia with progressive resistance training is safe and effective, but dissemination of this technique to the general population has yet to occur. As the number of elderly persons increases exponentially in the new century, a public health approach to prevention and treatment of sarcopenia, based on increasing physical activity at all ages, will be crucial to avoiding an epidemic of disability in the future.
Female Adolescents' Educational Choices about Reproductive Health Modules.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess girls' reproductive educational choices, satisfaction with choice, and relationship between demographics, module choice, and satisfaction. Methods: We recruited 286 girls, aged 13 to 21 years, from a hospital-based adolescent clinic, from advertisements, and by word of mouth. At enrollment, participants completed a 60-minute computerized assessment. Those who were randomized to receive didactic counseling were asked to select which module they preferred to receive (abstinence, STD prevention or contraception) at enrollment. After the first counseling visit, participants rated their satisfaction with the counseling session on the computer. Results: At enrollment, 40.5% of the entire sample chose the contraception module, 34.3% chose the STD prevention module and 25.2% chose the abstinence module for their first counseling module. There were differences in module choice by age, STD and sexual history, but not by race or pregnancy history. Most were satisfied with the module; ther...
Modelling the demand for optional classes of local measured telephone service

Abstract There is currently a strong movement under way in the telephone industry to unbundle access charges and usage charges for local telephone service. Pricing schemes with separate access and usage charges are called measured service options. Predicting which option a household will choose involves analysing a selection problem, referred to as the choice of class of service. This choice is estimated in a nested logit framework. The three major findings of this study are that the measured options are perceived as being very similar, many personal calls may originate from businesses if the pricing structure is changed, and that the flat rate price will have to be nearly doubled before the ‘take rate’ for flat rate pricing is significantly diminished.
Yttrium-90 radioembolization of renal cell carcinoma metastatic to the liver.

Abstract Purpose To investigate the safety and efficacy of yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) hepatic radioembolization treatment of patients with liver-dominant metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) refractory to immunotherapy and targeted therapies. Materials and Methods Between March 2006 and December 2010, six patients with metastatic RCC underwent eight radioembolization treatments with 90 Y-labeled resin microspheres for unresectable liver-dominant metastases. All six patients had previous hepatic tumor progression despite targeted therapies or immunotherapies. All had bilobar disease and required whole-liver treatment. Clinical and biochemical toxicities were recorded, and tumor response was assessed every 2–3 months after treatment by cross-sectional imaging. Results The median dose delivered was 1.89 Gbq (range 0.41–2.03 Gbq). Grade 1 and 2 toxicities were noted in all patients, primarily fatigue. Follow-up imaging was available for five patients. In follow-up periods from 2–64 months (mean 25 months), three patients showed complete responses, and 1 patient showed a partial response by standard imaging criteria, and these patients are alive at 64 months, 55 months, 17 months, and 7 months after treatment. Two patients with rapid progression of disease died within 2 months of treatment, although hepatic malignancy or failure was not the cause of death in either patient. Conclusions 90 Y radioembolization is a promising option for liver-dominant metastatic RCC with potential for providing long-term survival in patients refractory to or intolerant of targeted therapies.
Closure of atrial septal defects in adult patients: justification of the "tipping point".

The “tipping point”, favoring closure of hemodynamically significant atrial septal defects (ASDs) in the adult, has occurred and is supported by strong clinical data, especially in patients who present with symptoms. Echocardiographic evidence of right ventricular volume overload as a correlate of significant left-to-right intracardiac shunting remains a prerequisite to determine need for closure, even in patients with child-bearing potential. No patient appears too old to achieve benefit from closure of such defects. Modern therapeutics for pulmonary vascular disease may allow extension of these techniques to an increasingly threatened population, with care best coordinated and offered in appropriate centers of expertise. (J Interven Cardiol 2001; 14:267–270)
Cloning, nucleotide sequence and functions of XPR6, which codes for a dibasic processing endoprotease from the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica.

Yarrowia lipolytica DO613, carrying the xpr6-13 mutation, secretes an inactive precursor of alkaline extracellular protease that has not been cleaved after the Lys-Arg at the end of the pro-region. Compared to wild type, DO613 membrane preparations had significantly reduced ability to cleave after Lys-Arg of an artificial substrate. The XPR6 gene was cloned by complementation by screening for restoration of production of alkaline protease activity. Sequencing of a 3735 base pair SalI-SphI XPR6 fragment revealed a large open reading frame with a coding capacity of 976 amino acids (molecular weight, 110 016). The deduced amino acid sequence had significant homology to Saccharomyces cerevisiae Kex2p, a processing endoprotease that cleaves after pairs of basic amino acids. Disruption of the XPR6 gene was not lethal, but it resulted in several phenotypic changes. First, essentially no mature alkaline extracellular protease was produced indicating that the low levels produced by strains carrying previously isolated xpr6 alleles were due to leaky mutations. Second, mating type B strains carrying the disrupted XPR6 gene did not mate, but mating type A strains did. Third, the XPR6 disruption strains grew poorly on rich media at pH 5·5 and above. Cells remained physically attached after budding and continued to bud forming large dog balloon-like structures. In addition, these structures aggregated forming visible clumps in liquid culture. These growth aberrations were largely eliminated by growing cells in medium at pH 4. Fourth, no mycelial forms were observed regardless of the pH.
Elimination of 14C by calves, pigs and rats renally perfused with radiolabelled dichlorovinyl or acetamide substrates

Mercapturic acid formation is an important process in the metabolism and elimination of xenobiotics by animals. Propachlor (2-chloro-N-isopropylacetanilide, a herbicide) has been shown to be metabolized via the mercapturic acid pathway (MAP) to 2-S-(N-acetyl)cysteinyl-N-isopropylacetanilide (the mercapturic acid) by a number of animal species [1,2]. Anders [3] later reported that all enzymes necessary for the MAP were present in kidney tissues. However, Inoue et al. [4], after studying metabolism of 2-(S-glutathionyl)acetamide (glutathione conjugate) in mice, proposed an interrelationship of kidney and liver in MAP metabolism as follows: (1) y-glutamyltransferase and peptidase(s) present on the renal brush border form 2-(Scysteinyl)acetamide (cysteine conjugate) from glutathione conjugates; (2) the cysteine conjugates are reabsorbed into the renal vascular system and transferred to the liver; (3) the cysteine conjugates are N-acetylated in the liver to form mercapturic acids; and (4) the mercapturic acids are transported to the kidney and excreted in urine. With this background, we initiated studies in which one kidney of calves, chickens, pigs and rats was perfused directly with various substrates and in which urine was collected separately from each kidney [5]. Metabolites in the urine were isolated and
The Transcriptional Coactivator DRIP/Mediator Complex Is Involved in Vitamin D Receptor Function and Regulates Keratinocyte Proliferation and Differentiation

Mediator is a multisubunit coactivator complex that facilitates transcription of nuclear receptors. We investigated the role of the mediator complex as a coactivator for vitamin D receptor (VDR) in keratinocytes. Using VDR affinity beads, the vitamin D receptor interacting protein (DRIP)/mediator complex was purified from primary keratinocytes, and its subunit composition was determined by mass spectrometry. The complex included core subunits, such as DRIP205/MED1 (MED1), that directly binds to VDR. Additional subunits were identified that are components of the RNA polymerase II complex. The functions of different mediator components were investigated by silencing its subunits. The core subunit MED1 facilitates VDR activity and regulating keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. A newly described subunit MED21 also has a role in promoting keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation, whereas MED10 has an inhibitory role. Blocking MED1/MED21 expression caused hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, accompanied by increases in mRNA expression of the cell cycle regulator cyclin D1 and/or glioma-associated oncogene homolog. Blocking MED1 or MED21 expression also resulted in defects in calcium-induced keratinocyte differentiation, as indicated by decreased expression of differentiation markers and decreased translocation of E-cadherin to the membrane. These results show that keratinocytes use the transcriptional coactivator mediator to regulate VDR functions and control keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation.
Lennox-Gastaut syndrome

Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is one of the intractable epilepsies of childhood that is associated with an epileptic encephalopathy. Although LGS has been accepted as a distinct epilepsy syndrome for the last 30 years, understanding of its pathogenesis is still incomplete. Because this heterogenous entity has many diverse etiologies, some with specific therapy, a complete evaluation is necessary. The natural history is well defined; most children with LGS will ultimately be mentally retarded, will continue to have seizures, and as adults will be dependent for their daily care. Therefore, their only hope is new therapies and advances in our understanding of the pathogenesis of LGS. Several new treatment options have emerged. For the first time in the last 20 years, we have several medications with documented efficacy. In addition, there are effective nonpharmacologic treatments. These treatments offer the potential for improved seizure control, which we hope will have impact and lessen the subsequent epileptic encephalopathy. Children with LGS require multidisciplinary assessment and treatment along with vigorous intervention aimed at minimizing their seizures to maximize their potential. Pediatric neurologists should be familiar with the treatments with proven efficacy, including new antiepileptic drugs, and should develop a rational plan of treatment for each child with LGS.
Enhancement of cocaine-induced hepatotoxicity by ethanol

Abstract The contribution of moderate ethanol consumption on cocaine induced hepatotoxicity and the role lipid peroxidation plays as a possible mechanism of such increased hepatotoxicity were evaluated. Male C57BL/6 mice were injected interperitoneally (i.p.) with increasing doses of cocaine, from 10 to 50 mg/kg body weight daily and simultaneously fed a liquid diet containing 28% of the calories as ethanol for 5 or 9 weeks. Control mice received saline (i.p.) and an isocaloric carbohydrate diet. Lipid fluorescence and conjugated dienes of extracted lipids and amounts of malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated as indices of lipoperoxidation. In addition, serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate transaminase were measured as indicators of liver injury and cellular death. After 9 weeks, ethanol consumption during cocaine treatment increased hepatic lipid fluorescence, conjugated dienes and MDA about twofold over mice treated with cocaine alone. Similarly, serum transaminases were 2.8–6-fold greater in mice consuming alcohol and treated with cocaine than in mice treated with cocaine only. Histological examination of livers from mice fed ethanol during treatment with cocaine exhibited increased hepatic injuries and necrosis. The data suggest that ethanol exacerbates cocaine-induced hepatotoxicity via increases in free radical activity and hepatic lipid peroxidation.
The propagation of “streamers” along the periphery of warm-core rings

The collision between the Gulf Stream and warm-core rings usually involves narrow bands (∼5 km) of Gulf Stream water that envelop the colliding rings. Such bands (“streamers”) propagate along the ring's edge in a clockwise manner; they sometimes lead to the recapture of the rings by the Gulf Stream. A nonlinear layered model is used to examine the streamers' propagation rate. The streamers are viewed as an intrusion of light Gulf Stream water along a curved surface that contains the slightly heavier ring water. Their propagation rate is determined by (i) transforming the governing equations to a coordinate system that rotates steadily with the intrusion's nose, (ii) using the fact that the fluid must stagnate at the intrusion's nose, and (iii) considering the integrated torque of the intrusion. Analytical solutions are constructed by using a perturbation scheme in μ, the ratio of the streamer's width to the ring's radius. Surprisingly, it is found that, no matter what the radius of the ring is, the propagation rate is always one half of the particle speed along the upstream front of the Gulf Stream. For most situations, this gives about 0.5–1.0 m s−1 as a typical propagation rate. Such a relatively fast advancement rate is of the same order as the ring's orbital speed even though the two are not directly related. In contrast to intuition, the streamers are a result of the geometrical structure of the ring rather than advection by the fluid circulating clockwise within the ring. In addition, unlike most other intrusions, the propagation speed is not related to the phase speed of a Kelvin wave (based on the streamer's depth).
A microbial fuel cell operating at low pH using the acidophile Acidiphilium cryptum.

For the first time, a microbial fuel cell has been developed using an acidophile, Acidiphilium cryptum, as the anode biocatalyst. Electricity production using its natural electron acceptor, iron, as the electron mediating agent at pH values ≤4.0 was demonstrated. Accumulation of Fe(III) at the electrode, however, restricted current output. The combination of nitrilotriacetic acid and Phenosafranin as electron mediators increased the power output to 12.7 mW/m2 in a two-chamber air-sparged fuel cell. Direct electron transfer from the microorganisms to the anode was also investigated but was not detected under the conditions studied.
Intrarenal growth of the walker 256 tumour and renal vein concentrations of PGE2, PGF2α, and TXB2: Effects of diazepam

Walker 256 tumours grafted under the left kidney capsules in rats showed enhanced growth following daily treatment with diazepam 500 micrograms (1.7 mg/kg body weight) subcutaneously but not with 1250 micrograms. Thromboxane B2 (the metabolite of TXA2) levels in venous drainage from both the tumour bearing left kidney and from the right control kidney were reduced significantly in all the three groups of tumour bearing rats. Plasma PGE2 was higher in the venous drainage from the tumour bearing left kidney than from the right control kidney. Significantly higher levels were measured following 500 micrograms but not after 1250 micrograms of diazepam. Plasma PGF2 alpha on the other hand, was lower in the plasma from the tumour bearing kidney and was further lowered in animals receiving diazepam treatment.
CHEMICAL STUDIES ON BACTERIAL AGGLUTINATION : I. A METHOD

1. A method, conforming to the criteria of quantitative analytical chemistry, is described for the estimation of the agglutinin content of antisera. Examples are given of the application of the method to various antipneumococcus sera. 2. This new, absolute method is discussed with regard to its relation to the commonly used relative methods.
PLASMA RESPONSE TO THE INJECTION OF AN ELECTRON BEAM

The results of Vlasov-Poisson-solver numerical simulations of the detailed temporal response of a Maxwellian plasma to the sudden injection of an electron beam are presented in graphs and maps and discussed. Phenomena characterized include ion bursts, electron shocks and holes, plasma heating and expulsion, density gradients; cavitons, deep-density-front and solitary-pulse propagation down the density gradient, and Bunemann-mode excitation leading to formation of a virtual cathode and double layers which are at first monotonic or have low-potential-side dips or high-potential-side bumps and become strong as the electron-current density decreases. The strength of the double layer is found to be roughly proportional to the beam energy.
Mixed convection heat transfer in a horizontal open-channel flow with uniform bottom heat flux

Etudes de visualisation de l'ecoulement et mesures du transfert de chaleur dans un ecoulement d'eau dans un canal ouvert horizontal a chauffage uniforme par dessous. Utilisation d'un modele bidimensionnel de couche limite pour calcul des transferts de chaleur
Practical Self-Defense Skills for Women.

The National Organization for Women (NOW) reports that women between the ages of 16 and 24 are at the greatest risk of violence, and suffer from the highest rates of rape and physical abuse. The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that as many as one in five women will experience rape, sexual assault, or attempted rape during their college years, and as many as two in four women will suffer from some form of physical abuse during their college years. For this reason it has become essential for young women to prepare themselves to handle physical encounters. This article offers an outline for a set of essential self-defense skills all women should possess for handling one of the most common forms of physical violence women face.
An electron-microscope study of the constituents of encapsulating cysts in the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, formed in response to Tylocephalum metacestodes

Abstract Electron-microscope studies of the constituents of the encapsulating cysts in the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, formed in response to invading Tylocephalum metacestodes have revealed three types of cells and two types of extracellular fibers embedded in a homogeneous matrix of medium electron density. The cellular constituents are fibroblastlike cells, leukocytes, and brown cells. The fibroblastlike cells are primarily concentrated in the innermost region of each cyst. They include mitochondria, rough and smooth endoplasmic reticula (primarily the former) with distended cisternae, cytoplasm of varying densities, and intracytoplasmic fibrils. The leukocytes are scattered throughout the cyst. They include primarily smooth endoplasmic reticula, lysosomelike bodies, dictyosomes, and occasionally, myelinlike bodies. Intracytoplasmic fibrils are also present. The brown cells are situated along the periphery of each cyst. They include globules of different textures and electron densities. Many of the globules of moderate electron density include fibrous material while the denser globules include protein crystals. Rough endoplasmic reticula and mitochondria also occur in the cytoplasm of brown cells. The fine structural similarities between leukocytes and fibroblastlike cells support earlier evidences that the latter have differentiated from leukocytes. The major type of extracellular fibers is of medium electron density and nonperiodic. Those in the vicinity of parasites are found attached to the outer surface of the unit membrane covering the parasites' microvilli. The second type of extracellular fibers is also nonperiodic and is similar to the matrix in electron density. The spatial relationships between the extracellular fibers and the cellular constituents suggest that extracellular fibrillogenesis is influenced by these cells.
Modeling Multiple Hydraulic Fractures Interacting with Natural Fractures Using the Material Point Method

This paper describes use of the Material Point Method (MPM) for modeling the propagation and interaction of multiple hydraulic fractures (HF) with natural fractures (NF). First the method is used on a laboratory experiment involving one HF and one NF positioned at different angles from the maximum horizontal stress. Various geomechanical simulations are performed by varying the stress anisotropy and the angle of the NF to study the remote impact of the HF on the NF. The results show the various levels of influence a HF has on a NF with a general trend being a higher influence for lower anisotropy ratio and lower NF angles. For an anisotropy equal to 1 and a NF with angle of 90 degrees, the detailed NF opening mechanism before, during and after the HF crosses a NF is studied in detail. The MPM simulations show that under the influence of the HF, the NF opening starts before the HF reaches it and even before the HF propagation. This result could help better understand the microseismic events recorded farther from the HF tip. Finally, a new workflow that integrates geophysics, geology, geomechanical simulations using MPM and completion engineering is described and validated with a real and complex Marcellus gas shale well. The workflow uses a seismically derived fault attribute map as input into the Continuous Fracture Modeling (CFM) approach to generate an Equivalent Fracture Model (EFM). The MPM geomechanical simulation of multiple hydraulic fractures propagating in the input EFM model leads to estimation of a strain field and J integral at each frac stage with a computation time not exceeding a few hours. The application of this workflow to an anomalous Marcellus gas well, shows that the estimated strain model has many striking similarities with the interpreted microseismic. The shape and the extent of the geobodies seen in the simulated strain field are very similar to those seen in the microseismic. Furthermore, the predicted J integral at each frac stage is correlated well with the density of the microseismic events at the same frac stage. The entire workflow takes only few hours thus making it suitable for any completion engineer designing his well. The new workflow brings improved and realistic geomechanics into the G&G world by providing new insights into the complex behavior of multiple hydraulic fractures propagating in a naturally fractured reservoir. This new insight will provide an additional powerful tool for an integrated approach that combines G&G, geomechanics and engineering for the imaging of sweet spots and reliable estimates of well performance thus allowing improved and economical fracing and development of shale reservoirs.
Some remarks about a second pomeranchuk trajectory

The possibility of a second Pomeranchuk trajectory was pointed out. The assumption of no trajectory alpha (t) with alpha (O)> 0 except the Pomeranchuk trajectory ( alpha /sub p/ (O) = 1) leads to a sum rule for the nonisotopic-spin- flip scattering length which disagrees seriously with the experimental value. It was further observed that by including a second vacuum trajectory alpha /sub p'/ (t), with alpha /sub p,/(O) approximately 0.5, the correct scattering length can be obtained. (R.E.U.)
Neural systems for preparatory control of imitation

Humans have an automatic tendency to imitate others. Previous studies on how we control these tendencies have focused on reactive mechanisms, where inhibition of imitation is implemented after seeing an action. This work suggests that reactive control of imitation draws on at least partially specialized mechanisms. Here, we examine preparatory imitation control, where advance information allows control processes to be employed before an action is observed. Drawing on dual route models from the spatial compatibility literature, we compare control processes using biological and non-biological stimuli to determine whether preparatory imitation control recruits specialized neural systems that are similar to those observed in reactive imitation control. Results indicate that preparatory control involves anterior prefrontal, dorsolateral prefrontal, posterior parietal and early visual cortices regardless of whether automatic responses are evoked by biological (imitative) or non-biological stimuli. These results indicate both that preparatory control of imitation uses general mechanisms, and that preparatory control of imitation draws on different neural systems from reactive imitation control. Based on the regions involved, we hypothesize that preparatory control is implemented through top-down attentional biasing of visual processing.
Temperature dependence of the elastic constants of an NbTi/Cu superconducting composite

Abstract Low-temperature elastic properties are reported for a commercial superconducting composite consisting of niobium-titanium filaments in a copper matrix. Both an ultrasonic (10 MHz) pulse-superposition technique and a composite-oscillator (100 kHz) technique were used. Seven of the composite's nine independent elastic constants were determined between 76 and 300 K; Young's modulus along the filament axis and a shear modulus perpendicular to that axis were determined between 4 and 300 K; all showed irregular temperature behaviour.
Polarization of light scattered by clover

This study was undertaken in order to better understand the factors that govern the polarization of light scattered from vegetation and soils. This phenomenon is not well understood but is potentially of interest for remote sensing of the earth. The intensity and polarization of light scattered by clover in vivo and soil were measured at a number of different angles of incidence and reflectance. Both individual leaves and natural patches of vegetation were measured. The Umov effect, or inverse relation between polarization and reflectance noted by many earlier workers, was observed here and is shown to be a very general property of diffusely scattering surfaces. The light transmitted through the leaves was found to be negatively polarized. The polarization of light scattered from aggregations of leaves is affected by this negatively polarized, transmitted light. The light scattered from the upper leaf surfaces was found to be positively polarized in a manner which could be accounted for quantitatively by specular Fresnel reflection from small, randomly oriented facets on the surfaces of the leaves.
The response of infants and children to Asian influenza vaccine administered by intradermal and subcutaneous routes.

Summary In infants and children ranging in age from 2 months to 5 years, 0.1 ml. of a vaccine containing 200 CCA units per milliliter of Asian influenza virus gave equal antibody responses when injected by either the intracutaneous or the subcutaneous route. There were fewer febrile and local reactions with an equivalent volume of vaccine given by the subcutaneous route in comparison with administration by the intracutaneous route. It appears that, for infants and children under 5 years of age, the subcutaneous route of administration should be used since it is simpler and causes fewer and less severe febrile reactions and since there is less chance for leakage of vaccine.
The Long-QT Syndrome — Bedside to Bench to Bedside

Thomas Carlyle's statement “Our main business is not to see what lies dimly at a distance, but to do what lies clearly at hand” was an integral part of William Osler's philosophy of life, which he ...
Clinical and CT Evaluation of a New Stretch Polytetrafluoroethylene Aortic Graft

A new stretch polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) aortic graft became available for clinical use in early 1991. We prospectively evaluated our first 107 stretch aortic PTFE grafts by means of serial CT imaging and compared them with a cohort of concurrently placed Dacron grafts. Stretch PTFE requires no preclotting and is claimed to resist long-term dilation and conform well to anastomoses. Consecutive patients undergoing placement of stretch PTFE grafts were seen at least yearly. Within the first 2 years after implantation, contrast-enhanced CT scans of the abdomen and pelvis were obtained. Caliper measurements were made of the native arteries and the body and any limbs of the aortic grafts. Graft elongation was assessed by noting distortions from the normally circular or minimally ovoid configuration of the grafts on transverse CT images. Indications for grafting were elective repair of abdominal aortic aneurysm in 60 patients, aortoiliac occlusive disease in 31, both aneurysm and occlusive disease in eight, and ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm in eight. The overall operative mortality rate was 6.5%. There were two early postoperative graft limb thromboses resulting from hypercoagulable states, and there was one graft infection. Mean follow-up was 14.1 months (range 1 to 34 months). CT scans were obtained from 61 patients with stretch PTFE grafts and 10 with concomitantly placed Dacron grafts. Ten patients had two or more postoperative CT scans. Primary stretch PTFE patency was 98% and secondary patency, 100%. There was significantly less dilation of both the graft body and limbs in the stretch PTFE group (body mean 16.5%, range 6.3% to 28.1%; limb mean 19.3%, range 10% to 43%) compared to the Dacron group (body mean 33%, range 22% to 78%; limb mean 62%, range 12.5% to 88.9%) (p <0.01,unpairedttest). Those patients with serial scans showed no dilation beyond the first scan. No evidence of elongation, kinking, or pseudoaneurysm was noted in any of the stretch PTFE grafts. For a moderate follow-up interval, the new stretch PTFE grafts have performed exceptionally well. There appears to be significantly less dilation with these grafts as compared with Dacron grafts over the same time interval, and there has been no evidence of graft elongation to date.
Effects of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate injections into salamander rods.

Abstract Solitary rods were isolated by trituration of salamander ( Ambystoma tigrinum ) retinas. One barrel of an intracellular, double-barreled micropipette was used to record membrane voltage; the other barrel was used to pressure-inject inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate. The injection of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate induced a reversible hyperpolarization of the rod membrane. Injections of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate decreased the size of receptor potentials induced by dim lights. Conversely, light decreased the responses of the rod to injections of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate. These results suggest that inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate might be involved in the modulation of rod membrane voltage during phototransduction.
General Hospital Facilities in Michigan, 1965

T IS commonly assumed that rural areas have fewer beds per 1,000 population than urban areas. With rapid net outmigration from rural areas, this supposition may be no longer true. The purpose of this study was to determine the availability of general hospital beds and the variation in availability by degree of rurality. Licensed capacity, an approximation of facility quantity, of hospitals by type of bed, was obtained for each county.' Licensed capacity does not measure underutilization, overcrowding, or quality of facilities. Non-public hospitals, such as military base hospitals, federal and state veterans' facilities, U. S. Public Health Service hospitals, and student health facilities, were excluded from the analysis. Mental, long term or rehabilitation, and tuberculosis (TB) beds for "public" hospitals were also excluded because of the specificity of location for such services. Hospitals with mental or TB facilities were located in counties with a town of 5,000 or more and within 25 miles of a Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area, with the exception of Marquette County. Marquette could be considered the central place of the Upper Peninsula. The long-term facilities were all located in areas with a town of at least 5,000 population or were within 25 miles of a SMSA.
Analysis of outcome in 298 extremely low-birth-weight infants with patent ductus arteriosus.

Abstract Purpose Indomethacin is accepted therapy for patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) in ELBW infants ( Methods Predischarge outcomes of 298 ELBW infants with echocardiography-proven PDA were retrospectively compared by treatment provided: no treatment (group 1, n=54), indomethacin (group 2, n=140), ligation (group 3, n=46), and ligation after indomethacin failure (group 4, n=58). χ 2 and Wilcoxon rank sum tests were used to test for significance. Institutional review board approval was obtained (IRB/05-00395). Results Group 3 had significantly lower gestational age ( P P = .006), and 5-minute Apgar scores ( P = .03) compared with group 2. Group 3 and group 1 had a higher rate of pretreatment intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) compared with group 2 ( P P = .004) and 4 ( P = .001) compared with group 3. Survival was 57.7% in group 1 compared with groups 2, 3, and 4 (82.4%, 86.0%, and 92.7% respectively; P = .001). Preoperative conditions associated with nonsurvival include gestational age ( P = .009), birth weight ( P = .002), maternal preeclampsia ( P = .015), 5-minute Apgar score ( P = .013), and sepsis ( P = .018). Posttreatment complications associated with nonsurvival include acute renal failure ( P = .002), thrombocytopenia ( P = .002), and necrotizing enterocolitis ( P = .034). Survival was not influenced by any congenital comorbidity, pre- or posttreatment IVH, diameter of the PDA, or recurrence of the PDA after indomethacin therapy. Conclusions (1) Patent ductus arteriosis requires treatment in ELBW infants to maximize survival. (2) Indomethacin and surgical ligation permit equivalent survival in low-risk ELBW infants, but indomethacin results in a high failure and complication rate requiring operative salvage in a number of patients. (3) Surgical ligation permits survival of high-risk ELBW infants with a low complication rate and is preferable to indomethacin in ELBW infants with the above risk factors.
Modulation by caffeine of calcium-release microdomains in frog skeletal muscle fibers

The effects of caffeine on the process of excitation-contraction coupling in amphibian skeletal muscle fibers were investigated using the confocal spot detection technique. This method permits to carefully discriminate between caffeine effects on the primary sources of Ca2+ release at the Z-lines where the triads are located and secondary actions on other potential Ca Release sources. Our results demonstrate that 0.5 mM caffeine potentiates and prolongs localized action-potential evoked Ca2+ transients recorded at the level of the Z-lines, but that 1mM only prolongs them. The effects at both doses are reversible. At the level of the M-line, localized Ca2+ transients displayed more variability in the presence of 1 mM caffeine than in control conditions. At this dose of caffeine, extra-junctional sources of Ca2+ release also were observed occasionally.
Postcoital Bleeding: A Review on Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Postcoital bleeding refers to spotting or bleeding that occurs after intercourse and is not related to menstruation. The prevalence of postcoital bleeding ranges from 0.7 to 9.0 percent of menstruating women. There are multiple etiologies for this common complaint in which most are benign such as cervicitis or cervical polyps. However, the most serious cause of postcoital bleeding is cervical cancer. There are currently no recommendations from governing bodies such as the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists on evaluating and treating women with postcoital bleeding. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the common causes of postcoital bleeding, the etiologies of postcoital bleeding, and the likelihood that malignancy is the underlying cause. After an extensive literature review, we compiled a paper illustrating the key concepts a practitioner should know when it comes to postcoital bleeding. Finally, this review will conclude with treatment options for women who are found to have an identifiable source for their bleeding and a discussion on the natural history of postcoital bleeding in women who are found to have no identifiable etiology on evaluation.
FILE MANAGEMENT IN MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEMS

The file management requirements of a particular management information system, that used for intelligence operations, are examined and a data storage and retrieval system developed that can be either manual or computer based. Scoring models are used to quantify the value of information. Values are adjusted dynamically so that decisions can be made on which items to add and which existing items to delete. Results of experiments with a police intelligence system are presented.
Blockade of CCL1 Inhibits T Regulatory Cell Suppressive Function Enhancing Tumor Immunity without Affecting T Effector Responses

Intratumoral accumulation of T regulatory cells (Tregs) creates an immunosuppressive environment that reduces the efficacy of antitumor immunotherapy. The immunosuppressive milieu within tumors is largely brought about by the presence of Tregs, which maintain self-tolerance by directly inhibiting T cells, NK cells, and dendritic cells. Depletion of Tregs enhances antitumor immune responses; however, current depletion therapies also affect the function of CD4 and CD8 T effector cells. Previous studies from our laboratory indicate that intratumoral delivery of CpG-ODN strongly reduces the levels of Tregs within the tumor, which is mainly mediated by IL-6. Because IL-6 promotes growth of some human cancers, alternate pathways to inactivate Tregs were sought through microarray analysis, resulting in gene candidates that can be exploited to modulate the function of Tregs. Analysis of these candidates indicates that neutralization of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 1 (CCL1) prevented de novo conversion and suppressive function of Tregs without affecting the function of T effector cells. The combination of CpG-ODN and anti-CCL1 treatments induced complete rejection of tumors in BALB-neuT tolerant mice, and result in the generation of long-term protective memory responses. Tumor rejection correlated with changes in the lymphocyte composition within the tumor; we observed decreased Treg numbers and a concomitant accumulation of tumoricidal cells such as CD8+NKG2D+ and NK cells. These studies demonstrate that neutralization of CCL1 can be used as an adjuvant to antitumor immunotherapy, as a means of reversing the immunosuppressive function of Tregs without compromising T cell effector function.
Memes as genre: A structurational analysis of the memescape:

A tenable genre development of Internet memes is introduced in three categories to describe memetic transformation: spreadable media, emergent meme, and meme. We argue that memes are remixed, iterated messages which are rapidly spread by members of participatory digital culture for the purpose of continuing a conversation. We understand that memes develop from emergent memes, which we define as altered or remixed spreadable media. We have adapted and modified Jenkins’ term “spreadable media” to refer to original or non-parodied messages. Our analysis benefits from the inclusion of Anthony Giddens’ structuration theory to aid in understanding how memes as artifacts of participatory digital culture are created. Our genre development of memes demonstrates the generative capacity for continued memetic transformation and for participation among members of digital culture. We use structuration to position these dynamic components as the core of a duality of structure for Internet memes.
Bedside peritoneal drainage in very low birth weight infants

Abstract Background: Bedside peritoneal drainage is emerging as a useful therapy for premature infants with intestinal perforation in the newborn period. Some authors recommend that bedside drainage be primary therapy for very low birth weight neonates. Surprisingly, some series report up to 70% of neonates so treated never require further or definitive surgery. Methods: This is a retrospective chart review of all premature newborns with a diagnosis of either necrotizing enterocolitis or bowel perforation between November 1996 and May 2000. Results: Sixty-seven patients were identified, of whom 27 were treated medically only and not considered here. Thirty-two neonates were treated with laparotomy primarily, with 26 survivors. Eight neonates were treated first with bedside peritoneal drainage. Of these, 4 survived, 6 required secondary surgery for obstruction or infection, and 2 died before any further intervention. Conclusions: Bedside peritoneal drainage is a useful adjunct in the approach to treating the very sick, very low birth weight neonate with evidence of intestinal perforation. Our experience does not support drainage as definitive therapy.
Modeling sediment accumulation in North American playa wetlands in response to climate change, 1940–2100

Playa wetlands on the west-central Great Plains of North America are vulnerable to sediment infilling from upland agriculture, putting at risk several important ecosystem services as well as essential habitats and food resources of diverse wetland-dependent biota. Climate predictions for this semi-arid area indicate reduced precipitation which may alter rates of erosion, runoff, and sedimentation of playas. We forecasted erosion rates, sediment depths, and resultant playa wetland depths across the west-central Great Plains and examined the relative roles of land use context and projected changes in precipitation in the sedimentation process. We estimated erosion with the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) using historic values and downscaled precipitation predictions from three general circulation models and three emissions scenarios. We calibrated RUSLE results using field sediment measurements. RUSLE is appealing for regional scale modeling because it uses climate forecasts with monthly resolution and other widely available values including soil texture, slope and land use. Sediment accumulation rates will continue near historic levels through 2070 and will be sufficient to cause most playas (if not already filled) to fill with sediment within the next 100 years in the absence of mitigation. Land use surrounding the playa, whether grassland or tilled cropland, is more influential in sediment accumulation than climate-driven precipitation change.
Novel miniaturization of surgical techniques to permit recording of electrophysiological data in the developing rat brain

This paper presents specialized stimulating, recording, and ground electrodes combined with improved surgical techniques that were developed to facilitate the acquisition and analysis of evoked field potentials from the dentate gyrus subfield in infant rats between 9-12 days of age.
Microwave Network Analyses of Surface Acoustic Waveguides - I. Flat Overlay Guides

A new approach is described for the systematic analysis of a variety of waveguides for surface acoustic waves on isotropic solids, and explicit results are presented which in most cases are either the only analytical solutions available or ones which furnish superior accuracy. This new approach adapts the techniques of microwave network theory to guided acoustic wave problems, so that many of the powerful methods developed in the context of electromagnetic microwaves can be applied to advantage. These methods utilize transmission lines and equivalent networks which look electrical but are actually purely acous- tic. They furnish physical insight and are particularly helpful to those trained in transmission line theory. The basic elements of this new ap- proach are explained in the paper. Waveguides for acoustic surface waves fall into two classes: overlay guides and topographic guides; the most important ones in each class are treated here. In Paper I, the strip and slot guides are discussed, and in Paper 11, the topographic and overlay rectangular ridge guides are analyzed. For each of the waveguides treated, analytical (not simply numerical) results for the dispersion relations are presented, curves for the dispersion behavior are included, and comparisons with other theories and with measurements (where available) are indicated. I. INTRODUCTION N A PAIR of papers by the present authors (l), (2), the foundation was laid for the systematic application of well- established and proven microwave network techniques to problems involving acoustic waves in isotropic media. This foundation involved the formulation of a rigorous transmission- line formalism for guided acoustic waves. The formalism makes possible, in principle, the derivation of equivalent network rep- resentations for acoustic wave junctions and discontinuities. As an illustration of this new approach, transmission-line representations were derived for the bulk plane-wave modes in isotropic media, and equivalent networks were obtained for a large variety of planar interfaces. With these results, the solution for the modal propagation characteristics of two- dimensional, plane-stratified structures becomes systematic and straightforward, as seen, for example, in (3), (4). Al- though such a method of solution does have the very definite virtues of minimizing the algebra required in the analysis and furnishing physical insight, its full utility and value are not clearly manifested in the context of such two-dimensional problems because the latter can always be solved analytically by classical techniques.