cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Race differences in nicotine dependence in the Collaborative Genetic study of Nicotine Dependence (COGEND).

In a general population sample from the Detroit site of the Collaborative Genetic Study of Nicotine Dependence (COGEND), we tested Black-White differences in nicotine dependence, measured by "how soon after wake-up the smokers smoked their first cigarette (time to first cigarette TTFC)", and its relationship with number of cigarettes per day (CPD). Analysis was conducted on respondents who have smoked > or =100 cigarettes in lifetime and were current smokers (n = 1,442; 1,087 Whites and 355 Blacks). In univariate analysis, we found no significant race differences on time to first cigarette (chi2 = 2.9, p value = 0.41), but significant race differences on CPD (chi2 = 154.3, p<.01), both categorized by the Fagerstrom Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) cutoffs. We estimated the probability of TTFC < or =30 min given CPD using probit models. The interactions between race and CPD indicated significant differences in dependence at various levels of CPD. The same probability of nicotine dependence was associated with smaller increments in CPD for Blacks than for Whites. The data support the hypothesis that the relationship between CPD and nicotine dependence as reflected in relapse varies by race, and that Black smokers are dependent at lower levels of CPD than Whites.
Negative thermal expansion of Mg B 2 in the superconducting state and anomalous behavior of the bulk Grüneisen function

The thermal expansion coefficient $\alpha$ of MgB$_2$ is revealed to change from positive to negative on cooling through the superconducting transition temperature $T_c$. The Gruneisen function also becomes negative at $T_c$ followed by a dramatic increase to large positive values at low temperature. The results suggest anomalous coupling between superconducting electrons and low-energy phonons.
Attraction and Aversion in Germany’s ‘1968’: Encountering the Western Revolt in East Berlin:

This article uses oral history interviews and archival sources to investigate the entanglements between East and West German activists of 1968. Cold War Berlin remained an important zone of exchang...
The duration of differentiation in excised anthers.

THE ADVANTAGES, as well as the difficulties, of cultivating excised anthers or isolated microspore mother cells for the study of meiosis are well recognized by those who have attacked such problems. One of the earliest successful steps in this direction was that of Shimakura (1934), who was able to get Tradescantia microspore mother cells to proceed from metaphase I through both divisions of meiosis in a solution containing 7.93 per cent sucrose, with the pH adjusted to 7.2-7.3. In an attempt to determine the causes of the initiation of meiosis, Gregory (1940) reported the successful culture of anthers of Lilium longiflorum. However, when these were excised earlier than diplotene, meiosis failed. In those excised previous to the initiation of meiosis the sporogenous tissue failed to advance into meiotic divisions. Mitosis continued for several days, after which the cells of the sporogenous tissue changed into vacuolated and elongated, parenchymatous cells. Cultures of Datura and tomato anthers were unsuccessful. La Rue (1938) was able to maintain stamens of Tradescantia paludosa alive, but not actively growing, in cultures for a year. With these experiments in mind, an attempt has been made to analyze the development of the sporogenous tissue of anthers of Tradescantia paludosa (Karl Sax's Clone 5) in various media and to evaluate the usefulness of the technique in solving problems of meiosis and differentiation in general. TEcHNIQUE.-Inflorescences were surface-sterilized by rinsing for 2-3 min. in a 2.5 per cent solution of sodium hypochlorite (half-strength Clorox) with a trace of some detergent such as "Glim." This was followed by a rinse in sterile distilled water. Buds of the desired size were removed to steri1a filter paper and dissected under a widefield binocular microscope over which was mounted a dustproof transparent leucite hood. A 15-watt G. E. germicidal lamp was fixed inside the hood and allowed to burn 15-20 min. before the dissections were to be made. Such precautions effectively prevent contamination while the anthers are removed and transferred to culture media by means of small dissecting knives. The first medium tried was that suggested by White (1943) for tissue culture. However, for most of the cultures a basic medium similar to that used by Bonner (1943) for isolated roots and by Loo (1945) for excised stem tips was used. This is prepared by dissolving in sufficient triple distilled water to make 1 liter: 40 g. sucrose; 236 mg. Ca(NOs:)2 4H2O; 36 mg. MgSO4 7H20; 81 mg. KN03; 65 mg. KCI; 20 mg. KH2PO4 and 1 ml. of a solution of 1 g. FeCl3 and 1 g. tartaric acid
Independently Regulated Neocentromere Activity of Two Classes of Tandem Repeat Arrays

Tandem repeat arrays often are found in interstitial (i.e., normally gene-rich) regions on chromosomes. In maize, genes on abnormal chromosome 10 induce the tandem repeats that make up knobs to move poleward on the meiotic spindle. This so-called neocentromere activity results in the preferential recovery, or meiotic drive, of the knobs in progeny. Here we show that two classes of repeats differ in their capacity to form neocentromeres and that their motility is controlled in trans by at least two repeat-specific activators. Microtubule dynamics appear to contribute little to the movement of neocentromeres (they are active in the presence of taxol), suggesting that the mechanism of motility involves microtubule-based motors. These data suggest that maize knob repeats and their binding proteins have coevolved to ensure their preferential recovery in progeny. Neocentromere-mediated drive provides a plausible mechanism for the evolution and maintenance of repeat arrays that occur in interstitial positions.
Certain High Molecular Weight Heparin Chains Have High Affinity for Vitronectin

Abstract Vitronectin is a 70-kDa protein that is found in both the extracellular matrix as well as serum. Vitronectin is one of the few proteins that regulates both the complement and the coagulation systems. Heparin is known to bind to vitronectin. Review of the literature reveals apparently conflicting outcomes of the interaction of heparin, vitronectin, and the complement system. Previous studies demonstrated that heparin diminishes vitronectin inhibition of complement activity. Numerous studies have also demonstrated that heparin exerts a net inhibitory effect on complement. We used two dimensional affinity resolution electrophoresis (2DARE) to examine this apparent paradox. 2DARE allowed simultaneous determination of binding affinity of heparin for vitronectin as well as the M r of the heparin species. In the 2DARE experiment, the interaction of heparin with vitronectin caused retardation of the movement of the heparin through the tube gel in the first dimension. The degree of the retardation of movement was used to calculate the approximate K d of that interaction. The heparin from the tube gel was then subjected to a second dimension electrophoresis to determine the M r of the heparin. 2DARE analysis of the interaction of heparin with vitronectin clearly demonstrated that a sub-population of heparin chains with M r > 8000 bound vitronectin with high affinity whereas most high M r chains and all lower M r chains showed little to no affinity for vitronectin. Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that a unique binding domain exists in certain heparin chains for vitronectin.
The influences of guiding cues on motor skill autonomy in rats

How does the effectiveness of guiding cues influence the development of motor skill autonomy? We utilized two sets of guiding cues (lights vs. reversed-lights conditions) that differed in their effectiveness to control a left–right leverpress sequence in rats. We separately measured the development of stimulus control by panel lights on guiding-cues trials and the development of stimulus control by practice cues on no-cue probe trials within the same sessions. Accuracy in the presence of the guiding cues was acquired faster in the lights condition than in the reversed-lights condition, but subjects in the reversed-lights condition were more able to complete the skill autonomously than those in the lights condition. Throughout acquisition, control by guiding cues and practice cues developed at the same rate in the reversed-lights condition, but control by practice cues (autonomy) developed at a slower rate than did control by guiding cues in the lights condition. At the end of training, subjects that had been exposed to the reversed-lights condition displayed higher levels of autonomy than did those exposed to the lights condition. The less effective guiding cue (reversed-lights) produced greater levels of autonomy than did the more effective cue (lights), even though control by this guiding cue developed more slowly. Thus, guiding your child by the hand too much may reduce his or her ability to complete the task independently. We discuss the similarity to prompt dependence in children with learning disabilities and transfer of stimulus control.
Quantitative Infrared Absorption Measurements on Tri- n -Butyl Phosphate

The molar absorptivity, ɛ(ν‾) of three intense infrared absorption bands in tri-n-butyl phosphate has been measured as a function of concentration. For all three bands, ɛ(ν‾) is independent of concentration for dilute solutions, then decreases uniformly with increasing concentration, and finally becomes independent of concentration again as one approaches the pure liquid. A saturation effect is found at about 1.0 M for all cases. Deviations from Beer's law behavior are observed at concentrations which depend upon the absorption band and/or the choice of nonpolar solvent. Self-association of the solute molecules is considered to be the cause of the decrease in ɛ(ν‾) with increasing concentration. From the measured data, it is possible to estimate the number of solvent molecules required to prevent this self-association. For CCl4, we find this value to be 25 molecules of solvent per solute molecule, a value in agreement with elementary geometric consideration.
Differential effects of ultraviolet radiation on green and brown morphs of the Caribbean coral Porites astreoides

In waters 5 2 m deep, green colonies of reef-building Porites astreoides Lamarck are significantly more abundant than their brown counterparts. To determine whether this distributional pattern reflects differences in the ability of green and brown colonies to tolerate high intensities of ultraviolet-A (320-400 nm) and -B (280-320 nm) radiation, I enhanced UV intensities by transplanting colonies of each color from 6 to 1 m deep. After 104 d, brown P. astreoides exposed to UV radiation at 1 m exhibited algal mitotic indices and linear skeletal extensions that were significantly lower than brown conspecifics shielded from UV light. In contrast, green P. astreoides were unaffected by UV radiation incident at 1 m. These morphspecific differences in UV tolerance corresponded with variation in the quantities of UV light-absorbing mycosporinelike amino acids (MAAs) present in the corals. Both morphs had mycosporine-glycine (A,,, = 3 10 nm), palythine (X,,, = 320 nm), asterina-330 (X,,, = 330 nm), and shinorine (X,,, = 334 nm), but green P. astreoides had significantly greater concentrations of aster-ma-330 than brown colonies both before and after transplantation. Increasing the concentration of a single MAA with a broad absorbance range may represent an effective means of countering high UV intensities, and UV light may be an important abiotic factor structuring the shallow-water distribution of P. astreoides.
Local and Systemic Cytokine Levels in Relation to Changes in Vaginal Flora

Background. Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is associated with increased risk of obstetrical and gynecologic compli­ cations and acquisition of sexually transmitted diseases. Despite this, very little is known about the pathogenesis of this disease. Methods. Interleukin (lL)-II3, tumor necrosis factor-a, IL-6, and IL-8 concentrations in vaginal wash and serum samples from women with normal flora, intermediate flora, and BV (determined by Nugent criteria) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. Cytokine levels were not different between women with intermediate flora and women with BV. Women with either intermediate flora or BV had significantly higher concentrations of IL-113 in vaginal wash samples than did women with normal flora. The presence of IL-113 in vaginal wash samples was associated with >30 Gardnerella or Prevotella morphotypes per high-power field, as detected by Gram staining of vaginal swab specimens. Variation in the numbers of Lactobacillus and Mobiluncus species did not influence local cytokine levels. Serum cytokine levels were not influenced by any changes in vaginal flora. Conclusions. Women with intermediate flora generate significant cytokine responses. It is possible that the risks associated with BV may also affect women with intermediate flora and that appropriate treatment may reduce such risk.
A Skywave Ppropagation Study in Preparation for the 1605-1705 kHz Broadcasting Conference

The 1979 World Administrative Radio Conference allocated the band 1605 -1705 kHz for broadcasting in Region 2 (the Americas), while fixed services elsewhere will continue to use this band. A planning conference has been scheduled for April 1986, in Geneva. One of the most important topics will be the selection of a method for predicting skywave field strengths. This calls for a study of MF skywave propagation with emphasis on interference. In addition to administrations, a number of international organisations, such as the International Radio Consultative Committee (CCIR) and the Inter-American Conference on Telecommunications (CITEL), have begun a concerted technical study. The author is fortunate to be involved in this international endeavor. The purpose of this paper is to present some of the progress that has been made.
What role for the anterior cingulate in analogical reasoning

Abstract While prefrontal and frontal cortex of the brain are well documented to mediate many executive functions, including creativity, flexibility, and adaptability, the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is known to be involved in error detection and conflict resolution, and is crucial to reward-based learning. A case is made for the notion that any neural model of analogical reasoning must incorporate the critical (and specialized) contributions of the ACC.
Asymptomatic spleen rupture in patient with endocarditis.

A 50-year-old Caucasian male presented to the emergency department with worsening abdominal pain more than 6 h associated with nausea and dizziness. The pain was dull in nature periumbilical with no radiation. He denied hematemesis, hematochezia, trauma, fever or change in urine/bowel habits. Past medical history was positive for diabetes, hypertension and intravenous (IV) heroin abuse. On arrival, he was lethargic and vital signs were remarkable for sinus tachycardia 122 per min, 61/40 mm Hg blood pressure and respiratory rate of 25 cycles per minute. Abdominal examination showed generalized tenderness more prominent in the left upper quadrant with no rebound. Apart from faint …
Turning Loose the Invisible Hand: New Zealand's Information Technology Policy

Abstract Information technology (IT) policy in New Zealand has closely paralleled the broader economic policies that have prevailed in the country. Until the mid‐1980s, economic policy was inwardly oriented, marked by high trade barriers and heavy government regulation. In 1984, the Labor government responded to a balance of payments crisis with a radical program of economic liberalization. By the end of the decade, this process had fundamentally altered the New Zealand economy through deregulation, privatization, and public sector reform. IT policy likewise moved from protectionism and centralized control to almost pure laissez faire. Tariffs on computer hardware were lowered from 40% to 10%. Government computing was moved from a central data processing bureau and placed under the control of individual departments. In terms of IT production, the government has refused to provide any significant incentives or subsidies to the fledgling software industry, feeling the industry should succeed or fail on its ...
Urease Activity and Antibiotic Sensitivity of Bacteria.

Abstract Gale, Glen R. (Veterans Administration Hospital, Durham, N.C.). Urease activity and antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria. J. Bacteriol. 91:499–506. 1966.—An investigation was made of the responses of certain urease-positive bacteria to various antibacterial drugs in the presence of highly specific urease inhibitors, in a test of the hypothesis proposed by other workers that inhibition of bacterial urease enhances the sensitivity of the cells to antimicrobial agents. Urease inhibitors employed were seven hydroxamic acids (HA). Six of the seven HA reduced the sensitivity of nine Proteus strains to ampicillin and methenamine mandelate. Two HA increased the sensitivity to colistin, and six HA increased the sensitivity to kanamycin. Investigation of the mechanism of action of the synergistic effect between kanamycin and HA led to the tentative conclusion that potentiation was mediated through an initial alteration of cell permeability by the aminoglycoside antibiotic which permitted accumulation of each of the six HA into the cell, at which point each interacted with pyridoxal phosphate. The single HA which failed to yield synergism with kanamycin failed to interact with pyridoxal phosphate in a nonenzymatic system; the other six HA produced alterations of the normal ultraviolet absorption spectrum of the coenzyme.
Paradoxical effect of spatially homogenous transparent fields on simultaneous contrast illusions.

In simultaneous brightness contrast (SBC) demonstrations, identical mid-luminance disks appear different from each other when one is placed on a black background while the other is placed on a white background. The strength of SBC effects can be enhanced by placing a semi-transparent layer on top of the display (Meyer’s effect). Here, we try to separate the causes of Meyer’s effect by placing a spatially homogenous transparent layer over a standard SBC display, and systematically varying the transmission level (alpha=0, clear; alpha=1, opaque) and color (black, gray, white) of the semi-transparent layer. Spatially homogenous transparent layers, which lack spatial cues, cannot be unambiguously interpreted as transparent fields. We measure SBC strength with both matching and ranking procedures. Paradoxically, with black layers, increasing alpha level weakens SBC when measured with a ranking procedure (no Meyer’s effect) and strengthens SBC when measured with a matching procedure (Meyer’s effect). With white and gray layers, neither procedure produces Meyer’s effect. We account for the differences between white and black layers by positing that the visual system separates luminance from contrast. The results suggest that observers attend to different information in the matching and ranking procedures.
Prey availability directly affects physiology, growth, nutrient allocation and scaling relationships among leaf traits in 10 carnivorous plant species

Summary 1. Scaling relationships among photosynthetic rates, leaf mass per unit area (LMA), and foliar nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) content hold across a diverse spectrum of plant species. Carnivorous plants depart from this spectrum because they dedicate substantial leaf area to capturing prey, from which they derive N and P. We conducted a manipulative feeding experiment to test whether scaling relationships of carnivorous plant leaf traits become more similar to those of non-carnivorous taxa when nutrients are not limiting. 2. We examined the effects of prey availability on mass-based maximum photosynthetic rate (A mass ), chlorophyll fluorescence, foliar nutrient and chlorophyll content, and relative growth rate of 10 Sarracenia species. We hypothesized that increased prey intake would stimulate A mass , reduce stress-related chlorophyll fluorescence, increase photosynthetic nutrient-use efficiencies (PNUE N , PNUE P ), and increase relative biomass allocation to photosynthetically efficient, non-carnivorous phyllodes. 3. Two plants per species were assigned in a regression design to one of six weekly feedings of finely ground wasps: 0‐0.25 g for small plant species; 0‐0.5 g for intermediate-sized species; and 0‐1.0 g for large species. The first two leaves emerging on each plant were fed. 4. Increased prey availability increased photosystem efficiency (F v /F m ratio) in the first two leaves, and chlorophyll content and A mass in younger leaves as older leaves rapidly translocated nutrients to growing tissues. Higher prey inputs also led to lower N : P ratios and a shift from P- to N-limitation in younger leaves. PNUE P was significantly enhanced whilst PNUE N was not. Better-fed plants grew faster and produced a significantly higher proportion of phyllodes than controls. 5. Feeding shifted scaling relationships of P relative to A mass , N and LMA from outside the third bivariate quartile to within the 50th bivariate percentile of the universal spectrum of leaf traits; other scaling relationships were unaffected. Carnivorous plants can rapidly reallocate P when nutrients are plentiful, but appear to be less flexible in terms of N allocation. 6. Synthesis . Our results support the general hypothesis put forward by Shipley et al . (2006) that observed scaling relationships amongst leaf traits derive from trade-offs in allocation to structural tissues vs. liquid-phase (e.g. photosynthetic) processes. These trade-offs appear to be especially constraining for plants growing in extremely nutrient-poor habitats such as bogs and other wetlands.
Sonographic considerations with multiple gestation

Summary Determination of chorionicity is of paramount importance in risk assessment and management. Best performed in the first trimester, dichorionic placentation can be reliably assumed when the membrane is easily seen, there is a "twin peak" sign, there are clearly separate placentas, and there is discordant fetal gender. In a monochorionic twin pregnancy, there is a single placental mass, the dividing membrane is difficult to visualize until the end of the first trimester, and the membrane inserts onto the placental surface without a peaked appearance. Amniotic fluid volume assessment is important in the management of twin pregnancy. Polyhydramnios-oligohydramnios may be a manifestation of twin-twin transfusion syndrome, although oligohydramnios with normal amniotic fluid volume in the other twin's sac may more likely be a sign of velamentous cord insertion, infection, or chromosomal or structural abnormality. Fetal growth discordance is common in twin pregnancy and is associated with increased perinatal mortality and morbidity. The most sensitive indicator of discordant twin growth is thought to be estimated fetal weight, and an intertwin difference of ≥20% is considered significant. In the clinical care of a patient with twins, it is reasonably standard to confirm chorionicity with ultrasonography in the first or early second trimester. At about 20 weeks, a level II ultrasound for anatomic survey is indicated. In dichorionic pregnancies, ultrasound examinations are then performed at 26 to 28 weeks and every 3 to 4 weeks thereafter to follow growth and amniotic fluid volume. In monochorionic twins, we generally do an additional ultrasound at about 23 to 24 weeks, because of the risk of twin-twin transfusion syndrome. In the late third trimester, careful attention should also be given to fetal position, to help with delivery planning.
Xylobolus frustulatus Decay of Oak: Patterns of Selective Delignification and Subsequent Cellulose Removal.

Xylobolus frustulatus caused a distinct pocket rot in decorticated oak. Polymerization products appeared to accumulate in advance of delignified wood to form barriers to decay. Medullary ray parenchyma and earlywood vessels were not readily degraded and remained between pockets of decay. Chemical analyses indicated that 97% lignin, 96% xylose, and 69% mannose were removed from pockets of wood during incipient decay. Although 53% of the cellulose was removed from these areas, the remaining white tissues were composed of relatively pure cellulose. Hyphae became abundant as the released cellulose was subsequently removed. In the most advanced stages of decay, hyphae were absent from pockets, and only a sparse lining of crystals, found to contain a high concentration of calcium, remained. Images
A New Era of Clinical Dopamine Transporter Imaging Using 123I-FP-CIT

123I-labeled 2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)-N-(3-fluoropropyl)nortropane (123I-FP-CIT) was approved for clinical use in 2011 by the Food and Drug Administration. 123I-FP-CIT is a radioligand for brain dopamine transporter (DAT) imaging that is useful for the differential diagnosis of Parkinson disease (PD) and other diseases that mimic PD. The sensitivity and specificity of 123I-FP-CIT SPECT for PD diagnosis are more than 90% and equivalent to those of other DAT SPECT methods. In the near future, the clinical indications of DAT imaging are expected to be broadened; for example, including treatment response assessment, disease progression monitoring, and early diagnosis of premotor PD in each individual patient.
Physical and chemical stress relaxation of a fluoroelastomer

Stress relaxation measurements were made at various temperatures on V-747-7, a commercial high-temperature rubber formulation from the Parker Seal Company. The data were analyzed by separating the chemical and physical relaxation processes by a method described in an earlier publication. The chemical relaxation process was found to be Arrhenius with an activation energy of 35.7 kcal/mole. The results allow us to predict the relative useful lifetimes of this material up to approximately 320/sup 0/C.
Early events in geotropism of seedling shoots.

Developments during the first ten minutes of geotropic stimulation in plant seedling shoots are reviewed. Topics include induction and curvature; early processes; the relationship between auxin, electric field, calcium, and differential growth; gravity reception leading to Went-Cholodny transport; and comparison of root and shoot. Early processes reviewed are sedimentation of amyloplasts, release of ethylene, rise of electrical and auxin asymmetry, redistribution of calcium, asymmetric vascular transport, increase in tendency to deposit callose, and simulation of putative exocytotic voltage transients.
Evidence Matters Spring/Summer 2014

This issue examines fair housing and housing discrimination, particularly from an enforcement perspective. The lead article, “Expanding Opportunity Through Fair Housing Choice,” discusses the progress that has been made in reducing overt discrimination while recognizing the consequences of more persistent and subtle forms of discrimination as well as continuing segregation. “Paired Testing and the Housing Discrimination Studies,” our Research Spotlight article, focuses on the methodology of HUD’s Housing Discrimination Studies, which have for decades provided critical insight into the state of fair housing in the United States. Finally, our In Practice article, “Fair Housing Enforcement Organizations Use Testing To Expose Discrimination,” profiles three nonprofits working to prevent and expose discrimination and advocate for equal housing opportunities.
Determination of sulfoxide bond dissociation enthalpies of dibenzothiophene S-oxide derivatives with computational methods

Photodeoxygenation of dibenzothiophene S-oxide (DBTO) has been suggested as a clean way to generate atomic oxygen in solution. Sulfoxide bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs) are important to the quantum yield and mechanism of this photodeoxygenation. In this study, BDE of substituted DBTO molecules with various functional groups were determined using M062X/aug-cc-pV(T + d)Z and MP2/aug-cc-pV(T + d)Z levels of theory. The sulfoxide BDE was determined using an isodesmic reaction. The observed effect of substitution was that functional groups with negative σpara values (electron donating) strengthen the sulfoxide bond and that substituents with positive σpara values (electron withdrawing) weaken the sulfoxide bond. The Mulliken charge on sulfur for DBTO and the corresponding dibenzothiophene were identified as a suitable indicator of the predicted S–O BDE. Moreover, steric and hydrogen bonding interactions were found to affect sulfoxide BDE for certain functional groups when located at the 1 or 4 positions of the substituted DBTO. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Association of Performance-Based and Self–Reported Function–Based Definitions of Frailty with Mortality among Patients Receiving Hemodialysis

Abstract Background and objectives Frailty is common among patients on dialysis and increases vulnerability to dependency and death. Design, setting, participants, & measurements We examined the predictive ability of frailty on the basis of physical performance and self-reported function in participants of a US Renal Data System special study that enrolled a convenience sample of 771 prevalent patients on hemodialysis from 14 facilities in the Atlanta and northern California areas from 2009 to 2011. Performance-based frailty was assessed using direct measures of grip strength (weakness) and gait speed along with weight loss, exhaustion, and low physical activity; poor self–reported function was substituted for weakness and slow gait speed in the self–reported function–based definition. For both definitions, patients meeting three or more criteria were considered frail. Results The mean age of 762 patients included in analyses was 57.1±14.2 years old; 240 patients (31%) met the physical performance–based definition of frailty, and 396 (52%) met the self–reported function–based definition. There were 106 deaths during 1.7 (interquartile range, 1.4–2.4) years of follow-up. After adjusting for demographic and clinical characteristics, the hazard ratio (HR) for mortality for the performance-based definition (2.16; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.41 to 3.29) was slightly higher than that of the self–reported function–based definition (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.24 to 3.00). Patients who met the self-report–based definition but not the physical performance definition of frailty (n=192) were not at statistically significantly higher risk of mortality than those who were not frail by either definition (n=330; HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 0.81 to 2.45), but those who met both definitions of frailty (n=204) were at significantly higher risk (HR, 2.46; 95% CI, 1.51 to 4.01). Conclusions Frailty, defined using either direct tests of physical performance or self–reported physical function, was associated with higher mortality among patients receiving hemodialysis. Future studies are needed to determine the utility of assessing frailty in clinical practice.
Refractive Index of Liquid D2O for Visible Wavelengths

The index of refraction for D2O at common wavelengths was measured for several temperatures at atmospheric pressure. While heavy water's refractive index was precisely measured decades ago using th...
Robust automated mass spectra interpretation and chemical formula calculation using mixed integer linear programming.

Untargeted metabolite profiling using liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry coupled via electrospray ionization is a powerful tool for the discovery of novel natural products, metabolic capabilities, and biomarkers. However, the elucidation of the identities of uncharacterized metabolites from spectral features remains challenging. A critical step in the metabolite identification workflow is the assignment of redundant spectral features (adducts, fragments, multimers) and calculation of the underlying chemical formula. Inspection of the data by experts using computational tools solving partial problems (e.g., chemical formula calculation for individual ions) can be performed to disambiguate alternative solutions and provide reliable results. However, manual curation is tedious and not readily scalable or standardized. Here we describe an automated procedure for the robust automated mass spectra interpretation and chemical formula calculation using mixed integer linear programming optimization (RAMSI...
Ethics Issues Arising in the Transition to Learning Health Care Systems: Results from Interviews with Leaders from 25 Health Systems

Introduction: There is increased interest in transitioning to a “learning health care system” (LHCS). While this transition brings the potential for significant benefits, it also presents several ethical considerations. Identifying the ethical issues faced by institutions in this transition is critical for realizing the goals of learning health care so that these issues can be anticipated and, where possible, resolved. Methods: 29 semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with leaders within 25 health care institutions. Respondents were recruiting using purposive sampling, targeting institutions considered as LHCS leaders. All interviews were audiorecorded and transcribed. NVIVO10 software was used to support qualitative analysis. Results: Respondents described seven ethical challenges: (1) ethical oversight of learning activities; (2) transparency of learning activities to patients; (3) potential tensions between improving quality and reducing costs; (4) data sharing and data management; (5) lag time between discovery and implementation; (6) transparency to patients about quality; and (7) randomization for quality improvement initiatives. Discussion: To move towards LHCS, several ethical considerations require further attention, including: the continued appropriateness of the research-treatment distinction; policy frameworks for privacy and data sharing; informing patients about learning activities; obligations to share data on quality; and the potential for trade-offs between quality improvement and cost control. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first project to ask leaders from health care systems committed to ongoing learning about the ethical issues they have faced in this effort. Their experiences can provide guidance on relevant ethical issues, and what might be done to resolve them.
O-047a Parents’ Complementary Feeding Related Information Sources – An Observational Study

Introduction and aims The impact of early nutrition habits is of extreme importance for future development and nutritional status. Many aspect of infants’ nutrition are based upon traditions and popular beliefs of the societies. This study was aimed to identify nutrition-related information sources for parents towards complementary feeding practices and to determine the variables that influence decision making regarding this nutritional period. Methods A longitudinal study was carried out in “Grigore Alexandrescu” Emergency Children’s Hospital from Bucharest, the capital of Romania, evaluating toddlers at their check-up visit at 1 year old. Data collection included interview questionnaires with parents upon 3 outcomes: complementary feeding, socio-demographic aspects and nutrition related information source. Results A total of 382 parents completed the questionnaire, with a response rate equivalent to 85.29%. There is a percentage of 44.7% of mothers that declaired they followed the paediatrician advise upon complementary feeding. This is mainly the case for urban population (56.0% vs. 21.6%), highly educated mothers (69.2% vs. 11.1%) and high economic level (69.8% vs. 12.9%). Friends and family are the most important sources for nutrition information mainly for mother in rural regions, low incomes and basic educational level (p Conclusion Paediatricians and primary health care providers should offer solid and valuable alternatives to parents using non-medical sources of information when weaning their infants in order to avoid future mistakes.
The Impact of Forced Residential Relocation on the Health of the Elderly Hotel Dweller

This paper reports on a prospective study designed to assess the impact of involuntary relocation from one community setting to another on the self-perceived physical, functional, and emotional health status of older persons living in urban residential hotels. The research design was quasiexperimental and took advantage of a naturally occurring urban renewal project. Older persons (n = 38) living in five hotels marked for demolition and a randomly selected comparison group (n = 32) living in similar and contiguous hotels were interviewed 3 to 6 months prerelocation and again 3 to 6 months postrelocation. In general, there were few adverse changes in health associated with relocation as it was implemented with this population.
Three-Level Production-Inventory Control Strategies with Carbon Constraint Based on the Improved EOQ

For the three-level production-inventory control with carbon constraint,the production capacity and ordering in the three-level system with multi-suppliers,single manufacturers and multi-retailers was explored by using the improved EOQ.The decentralized and centralized decision-making model of the three-level production-inventory system with carbon constraint,and the model of profit compensation contract with manufacturers were established.The decisionmaking model was solved by using heuristic algorithm.The computational experiments and analyses show that the system indexes are better when manufacturers centralize their decisionmaking,the impact of carbon price change on the system is more significant,and the carbon trading mechanism is more effective for carbon emission reduction,thus verifying the validity of the model.
Calcium ionophore, A23187, induces commitment to differentiation but inhibits the subsequent expression of erythroid genes in murine erythroleukemia cells

Murine erythroleukemia (MEL) cells are a useful model for studying the processes that regulate erythroid differentiation because exposure of these cells to a variety of chemical inducing agents results in expression of erythroid-specific genes and the resultant loss of cellular immortality. Previously it has been suggested that the calcium ionophore, A23187, has effects on the early cellular events that lead to the commitment of these cells to differentiation, but was not in itself sufficient to induce differentiation. We demonstrate here that A23187, as well as another calcium ionophore, ionomycin, are capable of inducing commitment to differentiation. Unlike other inducing agents, continual exposure to A23187 inhibits transcription of the erythroid- specific genes, beta-globin and Band 3. This effect is not attributable to an increase in cytosolic calcium concentration, because cells induced by ionomycin produce normal amounts of hemoglobin. These effects of A23187 on MEL cells confirm that commitment to differentiation is a distinct event from the subsequent transcriptional activation of erythroid genes. The ability of both ionophores to induce commitment to differentiation suggests that an increase in cytosolic calcium can trigger commitment to differentiation. These agents should prove useful in investigating the cellular processes that are responsible for commitment to differentiation.
The structural and chemical origin of the oxygen redox activity in layered and cation-disordered Li-excess cathode materials

Lithium-ion batteries are now reaching the energy density limits set by their electrode materials, requiring new paradigms for Li(+) and electron hosting in solid-state electrodes. Reversible oxygen redox in the solid state in particular has the potential to enable high energy density as it can deliver excess capacity beyond the theoretical transition-metal redox-capacity at a high voltage. Nevertheless, the structural and chemical origin of the process is not understood, preventing the rational design of better cathode materials. Here, we demonstrate how very specific local Li-excess environments around oxygen atoms necessarily lead to labile oxygen electrons that can be more easily extracted and participate in the practical capacity of cathodes. The identification of the local structural components that create oxygen redox sets a new direction for the design of high-energy-density cathode materials.
High-Pressure Thermal Isotropic Cell for Evaluation of Thermal Volume Change of Soils

This paper describes a new high-pressure, temperature-controlled isotropic cell used for evaluation of the thermal volume change mechanisms of saturated and unsaturated soils under isotropic stress states. Specifically, details of the experimental setup, instrumentation, thermo-mechanical calibration of the device, experimental procedures, and typical results are presented in this paper. The thermal isotropic cell includes suction control using the axis translation technique, saturation control/monitoring using a pore water pressure flow pump, cell pressure control using a high-pressure flow pump, and a stainless steel cell to permit application of isotropic net mean stresses up to 10 MPa. The cell fluid temperature is regulated by circulating heated water through a copper heating coil within the cell, and an internal circulating fan is used to promote homogenous temperature throughout the cell chamber. Non-contact proximity transducers are used to directly measure soil deformation in the radial and axial directions, permitting assessment of thermo-mechanical anisotropic strains during changes in mean effective stress or temperature while also avoiding the need to consider complex thermo-mechanical cell deformations. The high-pressure flow pump and thermal control system are designed to apply changes in net mean stress and temperature at slow rates to characterize the full soil compression and thermal volume change curves, respectively. Along with the thermo-mechanical calibration of the cell, the results from two tests on compacted silt specimen having different initial degrees of saturation are presented that show how the cell can be used to characterize changes in volume and degree of saturation during thermo-mechanical loading. Both normally consolidated soil specimens were contracted during heating, although the specimen with a lower degree of saturation showed slightly greater thermal volume change.
The Great Famine and the poor law in Ulster: the rate-in-aid issue of 1849

In February 1849, the Whig prime minister Lord John Russell gave the first hint of what was to be the last of his special relief measures for famine-stricken Ireland. This was a national rate to be imposed on every poor-law union in the country in aid of twenty-three bankrupt unions, all of them, with the exception of Glenties (County Donegal), in the provinces of Connacht and Munster. The opposition of Ulster interests to the rate was so vehement that the matter came to be regarded in parliament as ‘the Ulster question’. Ulster opposition was stimulated by the widespread conviction among local boards of guardians that they had managed the famine crisis well, while boards in the west and south had mismanaged it badly. These local perceptions were shared — and publicly acknowledged — by the senior poor-law administrators in Ireland. The poor-law boundary commissioners of 1848–9 were similarly complimentary. Ulster members of parliament had no doubts about the superiority of their local guardians. Led by Viscount Castlereagh and William Sharman Crawford and helped by some Dublin Tories, they spread an Ulster propaganda within parliament whereby they conveyed the misleading impression that the rate would bear more heavily on Ulster than on any other province. The parliamentary campaign was supported by a vigorous programme of public meetings at home, although there is evidence to suggest that this programme was not as successful as had been hoped, because the ‘heads of society’ in the province failed to provide sufficiently vigorous leadership.
The Joy of Faith and the Joy of Zarathustra’s Acceptance

We come now to the central question of our study: How does the joy of faith compare to the joy of Zarathustra’s acceptance? Our question, of course, relates to the joy of faith as faith is presented in Fear and Trembling, and it relates to Zarathustra’s acceptance of life, and its eternal recurrence, as his acceptance is presented in Thus Spoke Zarathustra. More nicely expressed, our question is: How does the joy of the knight of faith compare to the joy of Zarathustra’s acceptance of life/eternity?
Microbial metabolisms in a 2.5-km-deep ecosystem created by hydraulic fracturing in shales

Hydraulic fracturing is the industry standard for extracting hydrocarbons from shale formations. Attention has been paid to the economic benefits and environmental impacts of this process, yet the biogeochemical changes induced in the deep subsurface are poorly understood. Recent single-gene investigations revealed that halotolerant microbial communities were enriched after hydraulic fracturing. Here, the reconstruction of 31 unique genomes coupled to metabolite data from the Marcellus and Utica shales revealed that many of the persisting organisms play roles in methylamine cycling, ultimately supporting methanogenesis in the deep biosphere. Fermentation of injected chemical additives also sustains long-term microbial persistence, while thiosulfate reduction could produce sulfide, contributing to reservoir souring and infrastructure corrosion. Extensive links between viruses and microbial hosts demonstrate active viral predation, which may contribute to the release of labile cellular constituents into the extracellular environment. Our analyses show that hydraulic fracturing provides the organismal and chemical inputs for colonization and persistence in the deep terrestrial subsurface.
A Time Series Analysis of Cancer-Related Information Seeking: Hints From the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) 2003-2014.

Recent technological changes, such as the growth of the Internet, have made cancer information widely available. However, it remains unknown whether changes in access have resulted in concomitant changes in information seeking behavior. Previous work explored the cancer information seeking behaviors of the general population using the 2003 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). This article aims to reproduce, replicate, and extend that existing analysis using the original dataset and five additional iterations of HINTS (2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014). This approach builds on the earlier work by quantifying the magnitude of change in information seeking behaviors. Bivariate comparison of the 2003 and 2014 data revealed very similar results; however, the multivariate model including all years of data indicated differences between the original and extended models: individuals age 65 and older were no longer less likely to seek cancer information than the 18–35 reference population, and Hispanics w...
Olfactory Outcomes after Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Meta-analysis.

ObjectiveTo use combined pre- and postsurgical olfactory outcomes to assess the impact of endoscopic sinus surgery on chronic rhinosinusitis−related olfactory impairment.Data SourcesCINAHL, Cochrane, OVID, EMBASE, PubMed, and SCOPUS. Each database was searched from inception up to October 2015.Review MethodsStudies were included that reported subjective or objective olfactory data in chronic rhinosinusitis patients before and after endoscopic sinus surgery.ResultsThirty-one studies were used in the meta-analysis. Weighted mean differences of olfactory measures demonstrated significant improvement in mixed CRS patients (those with and without polyps) through visual analog scales (−0.83, P = .001), altered taste/smell item on Sinonasal Outcome Test (−1.32, P < .00001), 40-item Smell Identification Test (3.49, P = .0010), and Sniffin’ Sticks identification (0.34, P = .03). Chronic rhinosinusitis mixed patients demonstrated nonsignificant improvements via Sniffin’ Sticks threshold (1.60, P = .16) and Brief Sm...