cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
(165) Pain Resilience Moderates the Relationships between Fear-Avoidance, Functional Performance, and Movement-Evoked Pain in Older Adults with Chronic Low Back Pain

Psychosocial processes are influential in the development and maintenance of chronic pain, yet much of research has focused on the role of negative factors (e.g., negative affect, pain catastrophizing) on pain and functioning. In recent years, it has become increasingly important to consider how positive, resilience factors (e.g., optimism, hope) may serve as protective agents to support pain reduction, decrease functional impairment, and enhance quality of life in individuals with chronic pain. This is especially true for older adults with pain, given increased disability and functional limitations in this population. Fear-avoidance (fear of movement/avoidance of activities) predicts negative outcomes among people with chronic pain; however, little is known regarding whether adaptive factors such as pain resilience (positive coping/adjustment in the face of adversity) may mitigate these effects. The present study investigated whether resilience, as measured by the Pain Resilience Scale (PRS), moderated the relationships between fear-avoidance and functional performance and movement-evoked pain (MEP). Sixty older adults with chronic low back pain (cLBP) completed the PRS and the physical activity subscale of the Fear-Avoidance Beliefs Questionnaire (FABQ), as well as a physical performance test assessing six-minute walk distance and activity-induced pain. Bivariate analyses indicated that higher pain resilience was associated with lower fear avoidance (r=-.28, p
An Adaptive Approach for Demand-Response and Latency Control in Distributed Web Services

Real-time electricity prices and volatile workload patterns have a major impact on the operational costs of distributed data centers. A smart grid enables large consumers to regulate their usage patterns with the knowledge of real-time prices at different locations, and their energy consumption through the demand response (DR) program. However, the price inclined workload assignment may lead to an increase in peak demand, and decrease the benefits of workload offloading. Moreover, energy-efficient service management is challenged by unpredictable network conditions that can cause service performance degradation. Using an actor-critic approach, we developed a system that distributes a service's load among distributed sites to take advantage of the spatial variations in energy pricing. Our experimental results on the CloudLab testbed have proved with 45&#x0025; reduction in running costs without impacting the response time using the Wikipedia request traces considering peak-based pricing.
Definitive Radiotherapy for Inoperable Stage IIB Non–small-cell Lung Cancer: Patterns of Care and Comparative Effectiveness

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was to analyze practice patterns and perform comparative effectiveness of definitive radiotherapy techniques for inoperable stage IIB (American Joint Committee on Cancer eighth edition) non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Materials and Methods Adults in the National Cancer Database diagnosed with T3N0M0 or T1-2N1M0 NCSLC between 2004 and 2015 who received definitive radiotherapy were identified. Cases were divided as stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT), hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT), or conventionally fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) and stratified by systemic therapy (ST). Cox proportional hazards models evaluated the effect of covariates on overall survival (OS). Subgroup analysis by tumor size, chest wall invasion, multifocality, and ST use was performed with Kaplan-Meier estimates of OS. Results A total of 10,081 subjects met inclusion criteria: 4401 T3N0M0 (66.5% CFRT, 11.0% HFRT, and 22.5% SBRT) and 5680 T1-2N1M0 (92.5% CFRT and 7.5% HFRT). For T3N0M0 NSCLC, SBRT utilization increased from 3.7% in 2006% to 35.4% in 2015. Subjects treated with SBRT were more likely to have smaller tumors, multifocal tumors, or adenocarcinoma histology. SBRT resulted in similar or superior OS compared with CFRT for tumors > 5 cm, tumors invading the chest wall, or multifocal tumors. SBRT was significantly associated with improved OS on multivariate analysis (hazard ratio, 0.715; P Conclusion CFRT + ST is utilized most frequently to treat stage IIB NSCLC in the United States when surgery is not performed, though it is decreasing. SBRT utilization for T3N0M0 NSCLC is increasing and was associated with improved OS.
On the zero blocking number of rectangular, cylindrical, and Möbius grids

Abstract In a zero forcing process, an initial vertex coloring of a graph is updated iteratively according to the following conversion rule: an uncolored vertex becomes colored if it is the only uncolored neighbor of some colored vertex. In this process, a zero forcing set is an initial set of colored vertices such that all the remaining vertices will ultimately change from uncolored to colored, and the zero forcing number is the minimum cardinality of a zero forcing set. We investigate two related concepts: a zero blocking set is the complement of a set which is not a zero forcing set, and the zero blocking number is the minimum cardinality of a zero blocking set. We provide upper and lower bounds for the zero blocking number of rectangular grids and discuss conditions under which these bounds coincide. We go on to use the same machinery to provide similar results for certain cylindrical and Mobius grids.
A Residential Camp’s Impact on Youths’ Leadership Skills and Natural Resource Knowledge

Learning transcends the classroom. To better understand the natural world around them, it is critical that youth have opportunities to make connections and apply their learning in real-world settings. Improving youths’ perceived skills and knowledge contributes to increased academic motivation and continued leadership development. Multi-day residential natural resource camps have shown the ability to teach ecological concepts and develop land management skills, critical thinking skills, and decision-making skills. We tested the ability of a remotely located residential camp to improve leadership skills and natural resource knowledge, using a pre- and post-camp self-assessment, combined with a pre- and post-camp knowledge test. The teaching strategies of the camp—independent investigations, discussion groups, interactions with field scientists, recreational activities, and group problem solving—resulted in participants feeling they had increased their leadership skills and knowledge of natural resource topics. The campers’ perceived increase in knowledge was supported by an increase in score on a knowledge-based test. A residential natural resource camp is an effective activity to engage youth to develop leadership skills and academic motivation, while connecting them to their natural environment.
Intrinsic functional architecture of the human speech processing network.

Abstract Speech engages distributed temporo-fronto-parietal brain regions, however a comprehensive understanding of its intrinsic functional network architecture is lacking. Here we investigate the human speech processing network using the largest sample to date, high temporal resolution resting-state fMRI data, network stability analysis, and theoretically informed models. Network consensus analysis revealed three stable functional modules encompassing: (1) superior temporal plane (STP) and Area Spt, (2) superior temporal sulcus (STS) + ventral frontoparietal cortex, and (3) dorsal frontoparietal cortex. The STS + ventral frontoparietal cortex module showed the highest participation coefficient, and a hub-like organization linking STP with frontoparietal cortical nodes. Node-wise analysis revealed key connectivity features underlying this modular architecture, including a leftward asymmetric connectivity profile, and differential connectivity of STS and STP, with frontoparietal cortex. Our findings, replicated across cohorts, reveal a tripartite functional network architecture supporting speech processing and provide a novel template for future studies.
Progressive Religion and Free Exercise Exemptions

Most current-day free exercise claims involve conservative causes, like the baker who refuses to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple or an employer who refuses to provide employees with insurance coverage that includes contraceptives. These types of “refusal claims” have dominated the free exercise exemption space for many years; the Trump administration has vigorously reinforced this narrative of religious freedom. In response, liberals have sought to restrict exemptions, some even to the point of questioning the value of religious freedom. This article highlights the fact that there is an increasing visibility of progressive religious causes. On political issues with profound moral dimensions, such as immigration and refugees, poverty and homelessness, and care for the environment, many religious liberals have long been, and continue to be, involved in grass roots organizing, education, service, and — with greater frequency — litigation to seek religious exemptions. The visible participation of religious progressives challenges the dueling and entrenched narratives of conservatives and liberals and will likely contribute to an ever-evolving political and juridical compromise among multiple religious freedom narratives. The article categorizes claims into predominantly conservative refusal claims and predominantly liberal “affirmative” claims. Affirmative claimants seek to exercise religion without legal restraint. Affirmative acts are broader and more indeterminate than the acts involved in refusal claims, since refusal claims are generated by what the law requires while affirmative claims are guided by what a religion teaches. Cognizant of these differences, the article uncovers possible doctrinal obstacles and inequities in the way courts might address affirmative claims, particularly in connection with meeting the “substantial burden” requirement under statutes like the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act and similar laws.
The roles of social networks and social support on breastfeeding practices in Nigeria

Background: The global prevalence of early breastfeeding initiation, exclusive breastfeeding, and avoidance of prelacteal feeding has remained below the recommendations by the World Health Organization. Nigeria has the lowest rates of exclusive breastfeeding and the highest rates of prelacteal feeding in sub-Saharan Africa. It has been shown that social support is positively associated with healthy breastfeeding practices. Materials and Methods: This study used data from the household interviews of the Pilot Study on the Quality of Care in Antenatal Care and Patterns of Maternal Health Behavior in Nigeria, a cross-sectional survey of women (n = 455) in Nigeria to investigate the association between social support and breastfeeding practices among women. We conducted multivariable logistic regression analyses to explore the association between sources and types of social supports and breastfeeding in Nigeria. Results: We found that supports from mothers and fathers were associated with a higher prevalence of early breastfeeding initiation (odds ratio [OR] = 1.91; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.03–3.53; P = 0.039) and avoidance of prelacteal feeding (OR = 2.20; 95% CI = 1.08–4.49; P = 0.030), respectively. On the other hand, supports from neighbors (OR = 0.40; 95% CI = 0.24–0.64; P < 0.001) and mothers-in-law (OR = 0.46; 95% CI = 0.22–0.96; P = 0.039) were negatively associated with early breastfeeding initiation. Other sources of support were not significantly associated with either breastfeeding initiation or prelacteal feeding. Also, high levels of physical support from all network members were associated with a higher likelihood of avoiding prelacteal feeding (OR = 2.94; 95% = CI 1.65–5.22; P < 0.001). In contrast, high levels of emotional support from all network members were associated with a higher risk of prelacteal feeding (OR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.37–0.98; P = 0.045). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that there are significant dual roles of social support from older generations on breastfeeding. Physical support during the postpartum periods may discourage prelacteal feeding in Nigeria.
God’s Backyard: Politics and the Catholic Church in Poland

This chapter by Dawid Tatarczyk examines Poland, a postcommunist country with a dominant Roman Catholic religious society. The author follows Jeffrey Haynes and Anja Henning’s useful theoretical framework. First, he looks at the fusion of religious and national identities that allowed the church to be the dominant institution that it now is (path development). When thinking about what the church wants to achieve (objectives), especially after 1989, he makes the distinction between the church helping to sustain the whole political system in the early 1990s, all while pushing, sometimes covertly, for specific public policy outcomes. Finally, Tatarczyk finds that although public perception of the church varies, it is still widely popular, as documented through public opinion research.
Retention of Point-of-Care Ultrasound Skills Among Practicing Physicians: Findings of the VA National POCUS Training Program.

Abstract Background Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) use continues to increase in many specialties, but lack of POCUS training is a known barrier among practicing physicians. Many physicians are obtaining POCUS training through postgraduate courses, but the impact of these courses on skill retention and frequency of POCUS use post-course is unknown. The purpose of this study was to assess the change in POCUS knowledge, skills, and frequency of use after 6-9 months of participating in a brief training course. Methods Course participants’ POCUS knowledge and hands-on technical skills were tested pre-course using an online, 30-question knowledge test and a directly observed skills test, respectively. The same knowledge and skills tests were repeated immediately post-course and after 6-9 months using remote tele-ultrasound software. Course participants completed a survey on their POCUS use pre-course and after 6-9 months post-course. Results There were 127 providers who completed the POCUS training course from October 2016 to November 2017. Knowledge test scores increased from a median of 60% to 90% immediately post-course followed by a slight decrease to 87% after 8 months post-course. Median skills test scores for 4 common POCUS applications (heart, lung, abdomen, vascular access) increased 36-74 points from pre-course to immediately post-course with a 2–7-point decrease after 8 months. Providers reported more frequent POCUS use post-course, which suggests application of their POCUS knowledge and skills in clinical practice. More frequent use of cardiac POCUS applications was associated with significantly greater retention of cardiac skills at 8 months. Conclusions Practicing physicians can retain POCUS knowledge and hands-on skills 8 months after participating in a 2.5-day POCUS training course, regardless of frequency of POCUS use post-course.
Military Spending and Profit Rate: A Circuit of Capital Model with a Military Sector

This paper aims to contribute to the theoretical discussions on the effect of military spending on the economy. To this end, it first modifies the circuit of capital model proposed by Duncan Foley ...
Physically Meaningful Linear Electric Machine Frequency Analysis and Modeling Technique without a Constant Speed Assumption

Electrical frequency analysis of an electric machine and its controller require linearizing approximations, like the constant speed assumption, so that linear system analysis techniques can be used. Using the constant speed assumption is usually valid because sampling periods are so small and inertias so large that the velocity cannot significantly change. However, in the case where accelerations are high or sampling frequencies are low, this assumption may not be valid. The proposed technique models the electrical dynamics of an electric machine without making a constant speed or other linearizing assumption while still being linear with respect to time and physically meaningful. The technique is developed using the induction machine model as a prime example, although it is applicable to any machine type. Two examples are given to show how the technique can be used in analysis and controls design.
Abstract 13582: The Effect of Time-restricted Feeding on Weight: A Randomized Feeding Trial

Introduction: Time-restricted feeding (TRF) may improve cardiometabolic outcomes. Prior studies of TRF in humans were limited by lack of randomization and controlled feeding, inadequate sample size...
Disseminated Legionella micdadei infection in a liver transplant patient presenting as pulmonary nodules and a laryngeal lesion

We report a liver transplant patient with disseminated Legionella micdadei infection with pulmonary, laryngeal, and suspected muscle involvement. This organism, which stains weakly acid-fast, primarily affects immunocompromised patients. The diagnosis is difficult to make; in this case, the organism was identified via molecular diagnostics on laryngeal and pulmonary biopsy tissue.
An empirical investigation of retention management by white goods retailers

India has a large retail industry which has shown remarkable growth in the recent past and is undergoing a radical change. This study focuses on customer retention strategies adopted by retailers in the white goods sector. It investigates various strategies, practices and techniques to ensure customer attraction, retention and loyalty. Retailers that have been surveyed for primary data collection are evenly distributed across Mumbai city and its suburbs and include all those housing all income-range options. The questionnaire was administered to a total of 82 retailers out of which usable responses were received from 61 retailers. A series of more open-ended conversations were also conducted. Effective practices followed by specific retailers of consumer durables have been highlighted. The study concludes that the popular white goods retailers in Mumbai are combining and using diverse approaches in retaining customers in the industry and that these strategies have been effective. Organisations today exist in a turbulent business environment. Satisfied customers are the company's relationship capital. Companies should follow a coordinated line of attack by a proper comprehension of the varied aspects of loyalty and frame their strategies accordingly.
Perceived environmental supports for fruit and vegetable consumption among older adults in the US.

Background:The physical and social environments surrounding food, whether perceived or observed, can influence consumers’ food choices by changing food access, and affordability, or by changing set...
Age-Related Changes in Bone Density, Microarchitecture, and Strength in Postmenopausal Black and White Women: The SWAN Longitudinal HR-pQCT Study.

Higher fracture risk in White versus Black women is partly explained by lower BMD and worse bone microarchitecture in White women. However, whether rates of decline in bone density, microarchitecture and strength differ between postmenopausal Black and White women is unknown. Further, factors that influence rates of age-related bone microarchitecture deterioration remain ill-defined. Thus, over 6.7 years, we measured longitudinal changes in peripheral volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD), microarchitecture and strength at the distal radius and tibia using high-resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) in postmenopausal Black (n=80) and White (n=137) women participating in the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN). We assessed whether age-related changes in vBMD and microarchitecture were influenced by body weight, body composition, and/or weight change. We found that at the radius, whereas White women appeared to have slightly greater rates of loss in total vBMD, cortical bone volume and porosity than Black women, those differences were attenuated after adjusting for clinical covariates. At the tibia, Black and White women had similar rates of bone loss. Independent of race and other clinical covariates, women with the lowest baseline body weight experienced the greatest decline in total and trabecular vBMD at the radius. Further, women who lost weight over the follow-up period had higher rates of bone loss, particularly at the tibia, compared to those who maintained or gained weight. Higher baseline total body fat mass was also protective of bone loss at both radius and tibia. In conclusion, these findings indicate that lower fracture risk among postmenopausal Black women is not due to slower rates of bone deterioration and highlight the importance for postmenopausal women to avoid lower body weight and excessive weight loss to avert rapid bone loss and subsequent fractures. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
The Substituted-Sucrose Structure of Melezitose

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses substituted-sucrose structure of melezitose. Experiments in the light of observations related to the presence of the sucrose moiety in melezitose are discussed. Melezitose is described as a nonreducing, alkali-stable disaccharide that was poorly fermented by yeast until after acid hydrolysis, when D-glucose was formed. Melezitose is thus discovered to be built up of the same units as gentianose — namely, of two molecules of D-glucose and one molecule of D-fructose. Melezitose is found, for example, to be split to D-glucose by the so-called “glucosaccharase” enzyme preparations from Aspergillus oryzae and Lowenbrau yeast that hydrolyzed sucrose. The long-recognized inability of ordinary yeast invertase to attack melezitose is explained by the assumption that this enzyme is a type of “fructosaccharase” that requires an unsubstituted (terminal) D-fructose molecule. One of the major points for the substituted-sucrose structure of melezitose is the extreme ease of acid hydrolysis of one of the linkages, which had led to the discovery of turanose and the trisaccharide nature of melezitose.
Studies of a halophilic NADH dehydrogenase. I. Purification and properties of the enzyme.

An NADH dehydrogenase obtained from an extremely halophilic bacterium was purified 570-fold by a combination of gel filtration, chromatography on hydroxyapatite, and ion-exchange chromatography on QAE-Sephadex. The purified enzyme appeared to be FAD-linked and bad an apparent molecular weight of 64000. Even though enzyme activity was stimulated by NaCl, considerable activity (430 % of the maximum activity observed in the presence of 2.5 M NaCl) was observed in the absence of added NaCl. The enzyme was unstable when incubated in solutions of low ionic strength. The presence of NADH enhanced the stability of the enzyme.
CPD: Infantile colic.

Infantile colic can be distressing to parents whose infant is inconsolable during crying episodes. Colic is often defined by the "rule of three": crying for more than three hours per day, for more than three days per week, and for longer than three weeks in an infant who is well-fed and otherwise healthy. The physician's role is to ensure that there is no organic cause for the crying, offer balanced advice on treatments, and provide support to the family. Colic is a diagnosis of exclusion that is made after performing a careful history and physical examination to rule out less common organic causes. Treatment is limited. Feeding changes usually are not advised. Medications available in the United States have not been proved effective in the treatment of colic, and most behaviour interventions have not been proved to be more effective than placebo. Families may turn to untested resources for help, and the physician should offer sound advice about these treatments. Above all, parents need reassurance that their baby is healthy and that colic is self-limited with no long-term adverse effects. Physicians should watch for signs of continuing distress in the child and family, particularly in families whose resources are strained already. (SA Fam Pract 2005;47(5): 22-26) (Reprinted from: Am Fam Physician 2004;70(4):735-40. Copyright© 2004 American Academy of Family Physicians.) Permission from the AAFP was granted to publish this article in the hardcopy only. Kindly refer to www.aafp.org or subscribe to the hardcopy of South African Family Practice.
Audio-vocal responses elicited in adult cochlear implant users

Auditory deprivation experienced prior to receiving a cochlear implant could compromise neural connections that allow for modulation of vocalization using auditory feedback. In this report, pitch-shift stimuli were presented to adult cochlear implant users to test whether compensatory motor changes in vocal F0 could be elicited. In five of six participants, rapid adjustments in vocal F0 were detected following the stimuli, which resemble the cortically mediated pitch-shift responses observed in typical hearing individuals. These findings suggest that cochlear implants can convey vocal F0 shifts to the auditory pathway that might benefit audio-vocal monitoring.
Comparison of soil arthropods and earthworms from conventional and no-tillage agroecosystems

Soil-arthropod and earthworm densities (number m−2) were higher (P < 0.05) under no-tillage than conventional tillage practices. Enchytraeid worms were higher in conventional tillage. Two predaceous groups, ground beetles (Carabidae: Coleoptera) and spiders (Araneae), comprised more than one-half of all soil macroarthropods collected. All major microarthropod suborders (Oribatids, Prostigmatids, Mesostigmatids, and the order Collembola) were higher (P < 0.01) under no-tillage than conventional tillage. High soil-arthropod and earthworm densities under no-tillage systems suggest an expanded and beneficial involvement for these soil fauna in crop-residue-decomposition processes.
Variational method for resonance escape in slab lattices

Abstract A variational method is demonstrated for the calculation of resonance escape probabilities in slab lattices. A specific example of pure 238 U absorber and water moderator is calculated.
18 HASHIMOTO'S THYROIDITIS IN PUBERTAL GIRLS: SUBNORMAL GONADOTROPIN SECRETION

Elevated basal gonadotropins in primary hypothyroidism (pHT) and restoration to normal values by L-thyroxine replacement have been reported by us and others in prepubertal girls. We now report GnRH responses in 4 of these girls after 1 y L-thyroxine 0.1 mg/d given orally (Rx). All are euthyroid, pubertal stage P2 and x Bone Age (BA)=10.3±0.7 y. Mean basal and area under curve LH and FSH responses (x±SE) to GnRH 2.5 ug/kg IV bolus were compared with responses of 7 normal prepubertal P1 girls x BA=6.5±1: FSH responses to GnRH were pubertal but the expected increase in basal and GnRH induced LH secretion did not occur. Thyroxine Rx 1) restored estradiol secretion to pubertal values in absence of pubertal LH secretion, and 2) increased the LH disappearance rate post GnRH infusion. Possibly thyroxine alters the metabolic clearance rate of either or both gonadotropins or estradiol. Clear elucidation of these interesting observations of abnormal mechanisms of pubertal development warrant further study.
Spurious solutions in mixed finite element method for Maxwell's equations: Dispersion analysis and new basis functions

The finite element method is a well known computational technique used to obtain numerical solutions to boundary-value problems including Maxwell's equations. This paper first presents a brief description of the mathematical structure, based on the De Rham diagram, to discretize Maxwell's equations. Then it uses a numerical dispersion analysis of the mixed finite element method with both electric and magnetic fields as unknowns to evaluate the presence of spurious solutions for different basis functions. These unwanted spurious solutions appear when the same order of element is used for electric and magnetic fields, while the system is free of spurious modes when different orders of elements are employed for electric and magnetic fields. In this work, finite elements in both frequency and time domain are studied, and the effects of these spurious solutions in both domains are analyzed in one- and three-dimensional cases.
In Vitro transcription from the b2 region of bacteriophage λ

Abstract Although little transcription initiation is observed in vivo in the central region of coliphage λ, at least 11 short or long RNAs are initiated in vitro with pppA in the b2 segment, in addition to several pppG starts. Employing a [γ-32P]ATP label, digestion with various RNases, and gel electrophoresis, we observed 7 oligonucleotides originating between the lac5 and b511 endpoints, and we studied two of them in detail, both initiated at the leftward p bL promotor. One of these is a decanucleotide (pppAUAAAAUAAU) that is spontaneously terminated in the absence of the rho factor, preferentially at elevated ionic strength. The other is a long transcript, initiated at the same startpoint and yielding pppAUAAAAUAAUACCG upon RNase T1, digestion. The in vitro strength of the p bL promoter is intermediate between that of the major early promoters of lambda, p L and p R. The sequence of the 27 to 42 by region of p bL (counted from s bL = +1) contains almost 70% G + C, which is unique for λ and other known promoters.
Upregulation of growth signaling and nutrient transporters in cotyledons of early to mid-gestational nutrient restricted ewes.

Multiparous ewes received 100% (control, C, n = 13) or 50% (nutrient restricted, NR, n = 14) of NRC dietary requirements from d28-d78 of gestation. On d78, 5 C and 6 NR ewes were necropsied. The remaining 8 C and 8 NR ewes were fed to 100% of NRC from d78-d135 and necropsied. Maternal blood was collected at both necropsies and at weekly intervals for assay of glucose, insulin and leptin. Fetal blood was collected at d78 and d135 necropsies for assay of glucose and lipids. Cotyledonary (COT) tissue was evaluated for protein and mRNA expression [fatty acid transporter (FATP)1, FATP4, CD36, glucose transporter (GLUT)1 and GLUT3], mRNA expression only [placenta fatty acid binding protein (FABPpm) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL)], or expression of phosphorylated and total protein forms [AMP kinase (AMPK)α, acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)1/2, mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and protein kinase B (Akt)]. On d78, but not d135, placental and fetal weights were reduced (P < 0.05) in NR vs. C ewes. Maternal circulating glucose, insulin and leptin levels were decreased in NR vs. C ewes on d78 (P < 0.05) but similar at d135. Fetal blood glucose and triglyceride levels were lower in NR vs. C ewes (P < 0.05) on d78, but similar on d135. On d78, GLUT1, FATP4, CD36 mRNA and protein expression levels, FABPpm mRNA level, and leptin protein level were all increased (P < 0.05) in COT of NR vs. C ewes. AMPK, ACC, and Erk1/2 activities were also increased (P < 0.05) in NR vs. C COT on d78. In contrast, only FATP4 was increased (P < 0.05) at both the mRNA and protein levels in COT of NR realimented vs. C ewes on d135. These data demonstrate placental adaptation to maternal NR through increasing nutrient transporter production and growth signaling activity.
Evaluation of sterilization methods following contamination of hamstring autograft during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Purpose Inadvertent contamination of the hamstring autograft during ACL reconstruction is infrequent, but can result in significant complications. The purpose of this study is to evaluate bacterial contamination of hamstring autografts dropped onto the operating room floor and methods of graft decontamination.
Initial experience with bendamustine in patients with recurrent primary central nervous system lymphoma: a case report

Novel therapeutic options for patients with recurrent primary central nervous system lymphoma (RPCNSL) are needed. Bendamustine, a bifunctional purine analog/alkylating agent, is approved for use in patients with progressive systemic indolent non-Hodgkin’s B-cell lymphomas. Limited data suggests that bendamustine may partition into the brain in the setting of a disrupted blood–brain barrier. This report describes the first known experience of patients with RPCNSL treated with bendamustine. Therapy was well-tolerated and best response was noted as stable disease after eight cycles of bendamustine followed by a subsequent local systemic recurrence found at five months follow-up. CNS involvement in this patient remained stable 20 + months post-bendamustine treatment. Based on our observations, further neuropharmacokinetic and efficacy studies with bendamustine may be warranted in this patient population.
OPTIMAL SEQUENCE ALIGNMENT USING AFFINE GAP COSTS

When comparing two biological sequences, it is often desirable for a gap to be assigned a cost not directly proportional to its length. If affine gap costs are employed, in other words if opening a gap costsv and each null in the gap costsu, the algorithm of Gotoh (1982,J. molec. Biol.162, 705) finds the minimum cost of aligning two sequences in orderMN steps. Gotoh's algorithm attempts to find only one from among possibly many optimal (minimum-cost) alignments, but does not always succeed. This paper provides an example for which this part of Gotoh's algorithm fails and describes an algorithm that finds all and only the optimal alignments. This modification of Gotoh's algorithm still requires orderMN steps. A more precise form of path graph than previously used is needed to represent accurately all optimal alignments for affine gap costs.
The North American ASTER Land Surface Emissivity Database (NAALSED) Version 2.0

Abstract Thermal Infrared (TIR) data are supplied by instruments on several satellite platforms including the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection radiometer (ASTER), which was launched on the Terra satellite in 1999. ASTER has five bands in the TIR and a spatial resolution of 90 m. A mean seasonal, gridded, Land Surface Temperature and Emissivity (LST&E) database has been produced at 100 m spatial resolution using all the ASTER scenes acquired for the months of Jan–Mar (winter) and Jul–Sep (summer) over North America. Version 2.0 of the North American ASTER Land Surface Database (NAALSED) ( http://emissivity.jpl.nasa.gov ) has now been released and includes two key refinements designed to improve the accuracy of emissivities over water bodies and account for the effects of fractional vegetation cover. The water adjustment replaces ASTER emissivity values over inland water bodies with a measured library emissivity spectrum of distilled water, and then re-calculates the surface temperatures using a split-window algorithm. The accuracy of ASTER emissivities over vegetated surfaces is improved by applying a fractional vegetation cover adjustment (TES_Pv) to the ASTER Temperature Emissivity Separation (TES) calibration curve. Comparisons of NAALSED emissivity spectra with in-situ data measured over a grassland in Northern Texas resulted in a combined absolute difference for all five ASTER bands of 1.0% for the summer emissivity data, and 0.1% for the winter data—a 33–50% improvement over the original TES results.
The effect of dicumarol on the heart in experimental acute coronary occlusion.

Abstract 1. 1. In thirty-one dogs, the left anterior descending coronary artery or a major branch was ligated. The effect of the oral administration of Dicumarol on the myocardium and coronary arteries was studied in fourteen animals. In three dogs, heparin was administered several hours postoperatively until the effect of Dicumarol was apparent. Fifteen dogs served as a control group. 2. 2. The incidence and magnitude of hemorrhagic extravasations on the endocardium and pericardium were the same in the treated and untreated groups. 3. 3. The incidence and magnitude of miliary hemorrhages on microscopic examination of the heart muscle were similar in the dicumarolized and control animals. 4. 4. In a small group of dogs in which sufficient Dicumarol was administered to elevate the prothrombin time to levels as high as 132 seconds, no increase in the hemorrhagic phenomena was observed in the myocardium. 5. 5. The size of the infarcts in the Dicumarol-treated and untreated animals showed no significant differences. The size of the infarcts was that which could be anticipated on the basis of the artery occluded. 6. 6. There were no apparent differences in the healing or reparative processes in the hearts of the Dicumarol-treated and the control animals. 7. 7. Thrombotic occlusions of the smaller arteries were found within the infarcted area in dogs receiving Dicumarol approximately as often as in the untreated group. No thrombi were found in the region of the tie below the point of occlusion. In one instance, an untreated animal, a thrombus was found in the region of the tie above the point of occlusion. 8. 8. No mural thrombi were found in the auricles or ventricles in the treated or in the untreated animals. 9. 9. The development of collateral anastomotic channels between the coronary arteries was the same in both groups. On or about the fourth day, unmistakable evidences of collateral vessels between the left anterior descending branch distal to the tie and the circumflex branch of the left coronary artery were observed. On and after the sixth day of survival, the magnitude of these anastomotic vessels was markedly increased.
Myocardial Apical Hypertrophy and Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy

To the Editor: I appreciated the article by Roy and colleagues1 in the Texas Heart Institute Journal. To the authors' knowledge, theirs were the first reported cases in which apical-variant hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was masked by apical ballooning from stress-induced cardiomyopathy. The authors added information about 5 reported cases of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) who had experienced an episode of takotsubo cardiomyopathy, all of whom had the obstructive HCM “with asymmetric septal hypertrophy, not apical-variant HCM.” What was actually observed is a recently detected phenomenon of apparent left ventricular (LV) apical hypertrophy,2,3 which occasionally is seen in the subacute and chronic phase of convalescence from takotsubo cardiomyopathy. It is caused by transient myocardial edema.4 Kato and colleagues3 observed apical hypertrophy of the LV at approximately 3 weeks after onset, when the wall motion had improved; the ventricular wall gradually became thinner, and the transient apical hypertrophy was attributed to hypertrophic signaling in the myocardium, which was stimulated by catecholamines.3 Myocardial edema with a hypertrophic LV apex has been reproducibly detected on cardiac magnetic resonance images4 and echocardiograms. Whether the LV hypertrophy1 represents apical HCM or takotsubo-induced myocardial edema can be resolved by observing subsequent electrocardiograms of these patients for chronically persisting giant negative T waves5 and R waves6 in the mid-precordial leads, and by comparing old and follow-up echocardiograms.
The antitrust laws: A primer John H. Shenefield and Irwin M. Stelzer AEI Press, 1993, xi, 118 pp.

Shenefield and Stelzer have filled a void with a brief and expertly written description and interpretation of the antitrust statutes and related court decisions. Moreover, they offer extremely sagacious counsel to those who may be exposed to possible prosecution. Their enthusiasm regarding the salutary effects of the administration of the laws is difficult to comprehend, since, even now, there is not a well-defined economic objective to antitrust activities. The reviewer offers one for consideration, namely, the facilitation of the mobility of factors of production among markets by eliminating entrepreneurial-type barriers that deter entry and exit.
Two color hybridization analysis using high density oligonucleotide arrays and energy transfer dyes

High density oligonucleotide arrays (DNA chips) have been used in two color mutational analysis of the 3.43 kb exon 11 of the hereditary breast and ovarian cancer gene BRCA1 . Two color analysis allows competitive hybridization between a reference standard and an unknown sample, improving the performance of the assay. Fluorescein and phycoerythrin dyes werepreviously used due to their compatibility with a single line 488 nm excitation source. Here we show that an alternative dye combination, containing the energy transfer dye system phycoerythrin*cy5 along with phycoerythrin, provides more evenly matched signal intensities and decreased spectral overlap between the two fluorophores, while maintaining compatibility with a 488 nm excitation source.
The role of electrochemistry in the development of π-basic dearomatization agents

Dihapto-coordination of aromatic molecules promotes numerous organic transformations that are not observed for the free aromatics. The development of osmium, rhenium, tungsten and molybdenum complexes that are capable of such binding is described in this perspective. The stability of these complexes strongly correlates to the metal d5/d6 reduction potential and electrochemical data has played a central role in their design.
Intracrustal complexity in the United States midcontinent: Preliminary results from COCORP surveys in northeastern Kansas

Unusually clear indications of complex structure in the mid-to-lower crust is revealed by seismic reflection surveys in northeastern Kansas. This complexity contrasts markedly with the layer-cake simplicity of both the overlying sedimentary cover and most previous crustal models for the central United States. Seismic sections collected by COCORP (Consortium for Continental Reflection Profiling) as part of a major east-west traverse across the Neniaha Ridge and Midcontinent Geophysical Anomaly indicate that below a thin, relatively flat layered Paleozoic sedimentary section, the deep crust is characterized by numerous dipping and arcuate reflections and diffractions. In many places layered and crosscutting, these reflections suggest convoluted three-dimensional folded, faulted, and intruded structures. Specific identification of these deep features may be possible if future surveys can trace them to accessible depths. The basement above these reflection complexes contains significantly fewer reflections—consistent with, but not necessarily diagnostic of, the granitic terrane that dominates basement drill-hole samples in the region. Among the events at these shallower basement depths are several east-dipping reflections, some of which may be major faults. Travel times corresponding to expected Moho depths (about 36 km) are characterized less by specific reflections than by an apparent decrease in the density and number of reflections. While evidence of crustal heterogeneity is common among deep reflection studies, the Kansas seismic results outlined in this brief report stand out as being unusually clear representations of such.
Increasing detection rate of benign renal tumors: evaluation of factors predicting for benign tumor histologic features during past two decades.

Objectives To determine whether the detection of benign renal tumors is increasing and to identity the predictors of benign histologic features. The detection of renal cortical tumors has increased with the increased use of abdominal imaging. Current imaging and biopsy techniques cannot predict the renal tumor histologic features with complete accuracy, and many patients undergo surgery for benign lesions. Methods The Columbia Urologic Oncology Database was reviewed, and 1244 patients who had undergone partial or radical nephrectomy from 1988 to 2007 were identified. A cohort of 775 patients with a tumor diameter of ≤7.0 cm, nonmetastatic disease, and nonfamilial disease was selected. Univariate and multivariate logarithmic regression analyses were used to determine the parameters to predict for benign histologic features. Results The proportion of renal surgery for benign tumors of ≤7.0 cm in diameter has increased annually. When patients were stratified by the year of surgery, the proportion of benign tumors was 5.0% before 1998, 15.2% from 1998 to 2003, and 21.2% from 2004 to 2007. The mean diameter of benign and malignant tumors was 3.0 and 3.5 cm, respectively, and the mean tumor diameter significantly decreased during the study period ( P = .006). Using multivariate analysis, the year of surgery, tumor diameter, and female sex were independent predictors of benign histologic features ( P P > .05). Conclusions Even when controlling for tumor diameter and sex, the incidence of benign tumors detected at renal surgery at our institution has increased significantly in the past 2 decades.
Longitudinal Examination of Underage Drinking and Subsequent Drinking and Risky Driving

INTRODUCTION: Alcohol use, alcohol misuse, and risky driving from adolescence into young adulthood were compared by drinking onset age. Methods: Surveys were administered in Grades 5/6, 6/7, 7/8, 10, 12, and at approximately age 23. Participants were placed into Drinking Onset groups based on self-reported alcohol use frequency on the adolescent surveys. Driving records were examined in three age periods: under 21, 21-25, and 26+. Results: The earliest drinking initiators reported higher alcohol use and misuse on each survey, and were more likely to have risky driving offenses before age 21 and to have alcohol driving offenses in all three age periods. Discussion: The earliest drinking initiators engaged in risky drinking behavior and risky driving behavior that was consistently higher than those with later drinking initiation, beginning in adolescence and persisting well into young adulthood. Language: en
THE DETERMINANTS OF RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY VALUES: IMPLICATIONS FOR METROPOLITAN PLANNING

To inform metropolitan land use planning, this article reviews studies that examine the determinants of residential property values. The review suggests that property values provide a sensitive index of the effects of planning and the problems planning is designed to address. Furthermore, it reveals that planning can contribute to problems of housing affordability. However, this does not represent prima facie evidence that planning has failed; nor should the potential of such effects preclude the adoption of metropolitan plans. Instead, the evidence suggests that metropolitan planning can contribute to the solution of housing affordability problems as well as to their cause.
Drosophila wing melanin patterns form by vein-dependent elaboration of enzymatic prepatterns.

Abstract Background: Animal melanin patterns are involved in diverse aspects of their ecology, from thermoregulation to mimicry. Many theoretical models have simulated pigment patterning, but little is known about the developmental mechanisms of color pattern formation. In Drosophila melanogaster , several genes are known to be necessary for cuticular melanization, but the involvement of these genes in melanin pattern evolution is unknown. We have taken a genetic approach to elucidate the developmental mechanisms underlying melanin pattern formation in various drosophilids. Results: We show that, in D. melanogaster , tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and dopa decarboxylase (DDC) are required for melanin synthesis. Ectopic expression of TH, but not DDC, alone was sufficient to cause ectopic melanin patterns in the wing. Thus, changes in the level of expression of a single gene can result in a new level of melanization. The ontogeny of this ectopic melanization resembled that found in Drosophila species bearing wing melanin patterns and in D. melanogaster ebony mutants. Importantly, we discovered that in D. melanogaster and three other Drosophila species these wing melanin patterns are dependent upon and shaped by the circulation patterns of hemolymph in the wing veins. Conclusions: Complex wing melanin patterns are determined by two distinct developmental mechanisms. Spatial prepatterns of enzymatic activity are established late in wing development. Then, in newly eclosed adults, melanin precursors gradually diffuse out from wing veins and are oxidized into dark brown or black melanin. Both the prepatterning and hemolymph-supplied components of this system can change during evolution to produce color pattern diversity.