cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
HDL efflux capacity, HDL particle size, and high-risk carotid atherosclerosis in a cohort of asymptomatic older adults: the Chicago Healthy Aging Study

HDL efflux capacity and HDL particle size are associated with atherosclerotic CVD (ASCVD) events in middle-aged individuals; however, it is unclear whether these associations are present in older adults. We sampled 402 Chicago Healthy Aging Study participants who underwent a dedicated carotid MRI assessment for lipid-rich necrotic core (LRNC) plaque. We measured HDL particle size, HDL particle number, and LDL particle number with NMR spectroscopy, as well as HDL efflux capacity. We quantified the associations between HDL particle size and HDL efflux using adjusted linear regression models. We quantified associations between the presence of LRNC and HDL and LDL particle number, HDL particle size, and HDL efflux capacity using adjusted logistic regression models. HDL efflux capacity was directly associated with large (β = 0.037, P < 0.001) and medium (β = 0.0065, P = 0.002) HDL particle concentration and inversely associated with small (β = -0.0049, P = 0.018) HDL particle concentration in multivariable adjusted models. HDL efflux capacity and HDL particle number were inversely associated with prevalent LRNC plaque in unadjusted models (odds ratio: 0.5; 95% confidence interval: 0.26, 0.96), but not after multivariable adjustment. HDL particle size was not associated with prevalent LRNC. HDL particle size was significantly associated with HDL efflux capacity, suggesting that differences in HDL efflux capacity may be due to structural differences in HDL particles. Future research is needed to determine whether HDL efflux is a marker of ASCVD risk in older populations.
New Therapeutics to Modulate Mitochondrial Function in Neurodegenerative Disorders.

BACKGROUND Mitochondrial function and energy metabolism are impaired in neurodegenerative diseases. There is evidence for these functional declines both within the brain and systemically in Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Due to these observations, therapeutics targeted to alter mitochondrial function and energy pathways are increasingly studied in pre-clinical and clinical settings. METHODS The goal of this article was to review therapies with specific implications on mitochondrial energy metabolism published through May 2016 that have been tested for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. RESULTS We discuss implications for mitochondrial dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases and how this drives new therapeutic initiatives. CONCLUSION Thus far, treatments have achieved varying degrees of success. Further investigation into the mechanisms driving mitochondrial dysfunction and bioenergetic failure in neurodegenerative diseases is warranted.
Maternally expressed NLRP2 links the subcortical maternal complex (SCMC) to fertility, embryogenesis and epigenetic reprogramming

Mammalian parental genomes contribute differently to early embryonic development. Before activation of the zygotic genome, the maternal genome provides all transcripts and proteins required for the transition from a highly specialized oocyte to a pluripotent embryo. Depletion of these maternally-encoded transcripts frequently results in failure of preimplantation embryonic development, but their functions in this process are incompletely understood. We found that female mice lacking NLRP2 are subfertile because of early embryonic loss and the production of fewer offspring that have a wide array of developmental phenotypes and abnormal DNA methylation at imprinted loci. By demonstrating that NLRP2 is a member of the subcortical maternal complex (SCMC), an essential cytoplasmic complex in oocytes and preimplantation embryos with poorly understood function, we identified imprinted postzygotic DNA methylation maintenance, likely by directing subcellular localization of proteins involved in this process, such as DNMT1, as a new crucial role of the SCMC for mammalian reproduction.
PexRAP Inhibits PRDM16-Mediated Thermogenic Gene Expression.

Summary How the nuclear receptor PPARγ regulates the development of two functionally distinct types of adipose tissue, brown and white fat, as well as the browning of white fat, remains unclear. Our previous studies suggest that PexRAP, a peroxisomal lipid synthetic enzyme, regulates PPARγ signaling and white adipogenesis. Here, we show that PexRAP is an inhibitor of brown adipocyte gene expression. PexRAP inactivation promoted adipocyte browning, increased energy expenditure, and decreased adiposity. Identification of PexRAP-interacting proteins suggests that PexRAP function extends beyond its role as a lipid synthetic enzyme. Notably, PexRAP interacts with importin-β1, a nuclear import factor, and knockdown of PexRAP in adipocytes reduced the levels of nuclear phospholipids. PexRAP also interacts with PPARγ, as well as PRDM16, a critical transcriptional regulator of thermogenesis, and disrupts the PRDM16-PPARγ complex, providing a potential mechanism for PexRAP-mediated inhibition of adipocyte browning. These results identify PexRAP as an important regulator of adipose tissue remodeling.
Nonsmooth optimal value and policy functions for mechanical systems subject to unilateral constraints

State-of-the-art approaches to optimal control use smooth approximations of value and policy functions and gradient-based algorithms for improving approximator parameters. Unfortunately, we show that value and policy functions that arise in optimal control of mechanical systems subject to unilateral constraints -- i.e. the contact-rich dynamics of robot locomotion and manipulation -- are generally nonsmooth due to the underlying dynamics exhibiting discontinuous or piecewise-differentiable trajectory outcomes. Simple mechanical systems are used to illustrate this result and the implications for optimal control of contact-rich robot dynamics.
Prediction of striped cylindrical micelles (SCMs) formed by dodecyl-β-D-maltoside (DDM) surfactants

Using fully atomistic and coarse-grained (CG) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, we report, for the first time, the self-assembly of initially randomly dispersed dodecyl-β-D-maltoside (DDM) surfactants into a striped cylindrical micelle (SCM) with lamellae of surfactant heads and tails alternating along the cylindrical axis, with both heads and tails in contact with the water. By changing the interaction strength of the head group with water relative to itself, we find that such micelles are most likely for head groups with marginal solubility in the water solvent. Unlike the surfactants in a regular cylindrical micelle, whose tails are in the fluid micelle interior, the diffusion of DDM surfactants along the micelle body is blocked by the lamellar patterning. As a consequence, branches cannot slide along the micelle body and surfactant molecules cannot exchange between the micelle body and the branch, which should have a significant impact on the rheological properties of these micelles.
Development of the RAINBOW code to evaluate assembly bowing reactivity coefficients in sodium-cooled fast reactors

Abstract A perturbation theory code RAINBOW was developed to evaluate reactivity feedback effects due to assembly bowing in sodium-cooled fast reactors. During startup and nominal operations, bowing of the core assemblies is induced by thermal gradients and the core geometry is distorted. Depending on the design of the core restraint system, the core can be characterized as having a “free flowering” or a “limited free bow” design. In either case, accurately quantifying the reactivity feedback is required to support the licensing basis of the reactor system through limiting transient and severe accident analyses. Within the RAINBOW code, assembly bowing is modeled by shifting axially discretized assembly segments, and the heterogeneous assembly configurations are represented using an unstructured finite element mesh. This unique approach provides a convenient and general form for tracking the material movements within a heterogeneous hexagonal assembly design. Additionally, this methodology eliminates the need to consider numerous intersections of geometrical meshes and the shifting of material boundaries. The forward and adjoint neutron flux distributions that are required for perturbation theory are reconstructed using a combination of core-wide homogeneous-assembly solutions from the VARIANT transport code and the unstructured, heterogeneous single-assembly solutions from the PROTEUS-SN transport code. Code-to-code verification tests of this methodology were performed using two- and three-dimensional core models. The perturbation theory results agreed well with the reference MCNP6 and PROTEUS-SN solutions, which were obtained through direct eigenvalue calculations of the unperturbed and perturbed core states. Finally, by comparing solution metrics, RAINBOW offers a similar degree of accuracy to MCNP6 with a several order of magnitude reduction in computational time and resources.
Beam thermalization in a large gas catcher

Abstract Thermalization of fast ions in a buffer gas provides a method to transform the high-energy, exotic beams produced by projectile fragmentation at the National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory (NSCL) into low-energy beams. The process includes slowing down the fast exotic beams in solid degraders combined with momentum compression and removal of the remaining kinetic energy by collisions with a buffer gas. The original beam thermalization area for mass measurements at the NSCL was reconfigured to accommodate a new momentum compression beam line, a large radio-frequency (RF) gas catcher constructed by Argonne National Lab and a low-energy beam transport system. A large variety of exotic isotopes produced by projectile fragmentation and selected by the A1900 fragment separator was thermalized in the 1.2 m long gas catcher filled with helium at approximately 100 mbar. The ions were guided to an extraction nozzle with a combination of electrostatic and RF potentials and ejected by the gas flow. A novel RF ion guide was used in a differential pumping system to remove the helium and transport the ions into ultrahigh vacuum. Finally, the ions were accelerated to 30 kV for transport to various experiments. The distribution of the thermalized ions among chemical adducts is one of the operational challenges. The important steps implemented to minimize the production of the chemical adducts in the gas catcher are discussed. The operational status of the facility and some example results from characterization of the gas catcher operation with 37 K and 47 K beams are presented.
Selective isolation of large segments from individual microbial genomes and environmental DNA samples using transformation-associated recombination cloning in yeast.

Here, we describe an extension of our original transformation-associated recombination (TAR) cloning protocol, enabling selective isolation of DNA segments from microbial genomes. The technique is based on the previously described TAR cloning procedure developed for isolation of a desirable region from mammalian genomes that are enriched in autonomously replicating sequence (ARS)-like sequences, elements that function as the origin of replication in yeast. Such sequences are not common in microbial genomes. In this Protocol Extension, an ARS is inserted into the TAR vector along with a counter-selectable marker, allowing for selection of cloning events against vector circularization. Pre-treatment of microbial DNA with CRISPR–Cas9 to generate double-stranded breaks near the targeted sequences greatly increases the yield of region-positive colonies. In comparison to other available methods, this Protocol Extension allows selective isolation of any region from microbial genomes as well as from environmental DNA samples. The entire procedure can be completed in 10 d. In this extension to their original protocol applying TAR cloning to mammalian genomes, the authors apply the technique to microbes and environmental DNA samples, by adding ARS-like elements not commonly found in microbial genomes to the TAR cloning vector.
Ihara zeta functions of coronae

Abstract We derive a factorization formula for the Ihara zeta function of the corona of two graphs. When the two graphs are regular, this factorization formula involves the graphs' adjacency spectra. As an application, we show that if each composing graph of a corona of regular graphs is replaced with a cospectral mate, then the Ihara zeta function of the corona does not change. We also give a formula for the weighted Kirchhoff index of the corona of two regular graphs.
Chapter 18 – Corrosion resistant coatings and paints

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on issues related to protective coatings and paints used for structural metals and alloys used in high volume applications. Coatings and paints can be applied to large surface areas and are protective, even though they are relatively thin. Paints provide corrosion protection of metallic substrates by stopping one or more of the electrochemical or transport processes involved in substrate corrosion. The chapter describes various methods for corrosion protection, such as barrier protection, anodic protection and active corrosion protection, cathodic protection, zinc-rich paints (ZRPs), and adhesion. It discusses engineering alloys and their need for corrosion resistant coatings. Characteristics and uses of corrosion resistant paint and coatings are also discussed. The chapter deals with factors affecting coating degradation, such as light, temperature, mechanical action, chemicals, and weathering. It describes various key applications of protective coatings and paints, including marine service, automotive service, architectural service, aircraft, and buried pipelines.
Effects of atorvastatin on the improvement of heart function in mice with viral myocarditis

Objective To investigate the effects of atorvastatin on the improvement of cardiac function of mice with myocarditis.Methods A total of 146 Balb/c mice were divided into four groups randomly(random number).The viral myocarditis(VMC)model was made by Coxsakie virus B3(CVB)injected intra-abdominally.Four groups were normal group(n =18),VMC group(n =60),Control group (n=18)and VMCtreatment group(n =50).The mice of control group were treated with atorvastatin without VMC,and the mice of VMC treatment group were with VMC and were given atorvastatin for 2 weeks.Echocardiograms were used 3,7,10,14,21,and 30 days after virus inoculation.Blood samples were collected for cardiac troponin-Ⅰ detection at the same time.Myocardial inflammation was examined by using histochemistry staining.The changes of myocardial collagen fiber,myocardial cells and various organelles were examined by electron microscope.Results Compared with VMC group,the cumulative survival rate of VMC group treatment group was higher(87.0％ vs 59.2％)after treatment with atorvastatin for 30 days (P =0.008),and the improvement of pathological features after treatment with atorvastatin was found 10,14,21 and 30 days after the inoculation.Compared with control group,the cardiac function was decreased in the CVB infected mice 7 days after virus challenge[(69.82 ±5.12)vs(89.23 ±2.01),P ＜0.01]and compared with VMC group,the EF values of VMC treatment group were significantly higher 7,14,21and 30 days after virus inoculation.The differences in cTnI values between VMC group and CVB treatment group were statistically significant 7,10,14 and 21 days after virus challenge.Conclusions These results demonstrate that atorvastatin improves survival rates and the histological features in CVB3m-induced myocarditis.It can improve the heart function of CVB infected mice.Atorvastatin could be a treatment of choice for VMC. Key words: Atorvastatin; Myocarditis; Coxsackievirus B3
I Am Because We Are

This chapter will look at the “Circle” and “Ubuntu” as African cultural practices that exemplify an integrated system of human thought and action. African-centered pedagogy will also be discussed to demonstrate how African cultural practices can direct learning toward liberation. The chapter concludes with a discussion of the contemporary relevance of cultural nationalism.
Abstract P149: Regional Transfer Protocols Can Improve Transfer Times and Reduce Length of Stay for Thrombectomy Candidates Seen on Telestroke

Introduction: Our telestroke (TS) network instituted a regional transfer protocol (RTP) that allows for stroke patients in need of higher level of care to be pre-accepted and transferred to the nea...
Abstract MP46: Mutagenesis Of PRR Cleavage Site In Mice Attenuates Angiotensin II-induced Hypertension And Suppresses Renin Expression

It is well demonstrated that activation of renal (pro)renin receptor (PRR) contributes to AngII-induced hypertension. Relatively, less is known about involvement of soluble PRR (sPRR), the extracel...
Enzymatic N-methylation of calmodulin.

Calmodulin is a calcium-binding protein of 16,800 daltons which underwrites many of the enzyme-activating actions of calcium in eucaryotic tissues (Klee and Vanaman, 1982; Cheung, 1980). There are four calcium-binding domains in calmodulin; each domain binds one calcium with micromolar affinity. Calmodulin undergoes a conformational change when it binds calcium (Walsh, et al, 1979) and then can bind to calmodulinbinding proteins (Means and Dedman, 1980). altering their biological activities. Several calmodulin-binding proteins have been identified as important enzymes; these include cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase (Cheung, 1970), adenylate cyclase (Brostrom, et al, 1975), Ca2+, Mg2+ ATPase (Gopinath and Vincenzi, 1977), NAD kinase (Roberts, et al, 1984), protein kinase (Browning, et al, 1985), Phosphorylase kinase (Cohen, et al, 1978), myosin light chain kinase (Dabrowska, et al, 1978), tyrosine hydroxylase (Vuillet, 1985), phosphoprotein phosphatase (Klee, et al, 1983) and an hepatic protein methyltransferase (Siegel and Wright, 1985). Calmodulin also binds to a number of other calmodulin-binding proteins with as-yet-unknown biological activities. The distribution of calmodulin-binding proteins differs between tissues and subcellular fractions, presumably reflecting tissue and organelle differences in calmodulin activities (Means and Dedman, 1980).
HEALTH General Provisions: Breast-feeding of Babies in Public Places

This Act strikes the requirement for mothers to be discreet and modest while breast-feeding in public. Mothers may now breast-feed their babies in any location where the mother and baby are authorized to be, without regard to the vague and undefined moderate and discreet standard.
Yield improvement in dense EEPROM by bit mapping and experimental design

This paper demonstrates how combined activities of bit mapping of dense EEPROM array, layout overlay, and failure analysis can lead to experimental design to improve yield. In this methodology a complicated detection of failing bits in a large array is transformed to multi variable design with simple detection. Specifically, it describes the process of detection of word line failures caused by salicide voids and how a simple test chip and experimental design can bring this problem to resolution.
Effectiveness of Social Welfare Programmes in East Asia: A Case Study of Taiwan

Using the 2008 Family Income and Expenditure Survey, this study examined the effectiveness of social welfare programmes in Taiwan. The empirical evidence shows that most types of social welfare spending were limited in 2008. However, the social welfare programmes that were in place substantially reduced income inequality in Taiwan. Using the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) poverty threshold, the results reveal that 14 per cent of the sample's families were poor in terms of market income, but this figure decreased to 7 per cent after government intervention. Income inequality in Taiwan was similar to that of other East Asian countries such as Japan and South Korea, but Taiwan spent much less money on social welfare programmes than OECD countries, and therefore Taiwan's reduction of poverty was much lower as well.
The fine structure of the human corpus luteum of term pregnancy

Abstract The fine structure of human corpora lutea from term pregnancies is described following preservation in formaldehyde-glutaradehyde fixatives containing trinitrophenol. The morphology of human corpora lutea of term pregnancy is compared with recently published observations of lutein tissue taken during early gestation. Granulosa lutein cells at term resemble granulosa lutein cells taken during early pregnancy with respect to nuclear morphology, the nature and amount of both granular and agranular endoplasmic reticulum, the presence of fine filaments, and cell surface modifications. These observations are correlated with recent data on progesterone secretion by corpora lutea of term pregnancy and support the concept that such corpora are functional. At the same time, differences in the nature or number of mitochondria, Golgi complex, lipid droplets, and microtubules distinguish granulosa lutein cells obtained at different stages of pregnancy. These differences are correlated with published data on serum titers of gonadotrophins which vary during the course of gestation. Possible reasons for the persistence of functional corpora lutea throughout human pregnancy are discussed with respect to relaxin secretion, absence of a uterine luteolytic factor, and serum titers of placental hormones.
Toward a Policy on Regulation of the Weight Control Industry

Abstract The weight control industry is growing in terms of its potential influence on unsuspecting consumers. Unfortunately, this industry that largely goes unregulated is fraught with products of questionable value, practices of dubious validity, high client recidivism rates, unsubstantiated claims, and under-prepared program providers. These factors expose consumers not only to fraud, but to significant health risk. This paper briefly describes the nature of these consumer risks, reviews safe weight loss guidelines, and argues for increased regulatory control measures supported by the Federal Trade Commission and the Food and Drug Administration. Finally, a discussion of the health education specialist as an integral part of the education and policy advocacy effort is presented.
A compact polarization multiplexing antenna for MIMO applications

A compact and novel design of microstrip slot antennas for MIMO (multiple-input multiple-output) applications is proposed. The idea is based on the spatial multiplexing of local elements (SMILE) techniques to obtain the polarization diversity in a single RF channel. The proposed approach offers several advantages such as compactness, low cost, and compatibility with MMIC. An antenna with two perpendicular slots at 4.2 GHz is fabricated and the polarization diversity is demonstrated.
Solute Segregation and Microstructural Evolution in Ion-Irradiated Vanadium-Base Alloys

The microstructural evolution in V + 14.7 Cr, V + 2.5 Mo, V + 2.5 W, V + 8.0 Ni, V + 5.3 Ti, V + 14.7 Cr + 5.2 Ti, V + 9.6 Cr + 3.1 Fe + 0.7 Zr, and V + 3.2 Ti + 1.8 Si alloys (concentrations in atomic percent), and unalloyed V was determined from observations of specimens by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) following 4.0-MeV 5 1 V + + ion irradiation at 900 to 970 K to 50 dpa. The radiation-induced segregation (RIS) of solutes in the ion-irradiated alloys was investigated by auger electron spectroscopy (AES), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) analyses. The RIS of solutes and microstructural evolution in the irradiated alloys were correlated with the solute diffusivity and the relative chemical affinity of the substitutional solutes for oxygen.
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is an epithelial cell-derived cytokine expressed in skin, gut, lungs, and thymus. TSLP signals via a TSLP receptor (TSLPR), a heterodimer of the IL-7 receptor alpha chain and the TSLPR chain. The TSLPR chain is closely related to the common receptor gamma chain that is expressed on a wide range of cell types in the adaptive and innate immune system. TSLP exerts a profound influence on the polarization of dendritic cells to drive T helper (Th) 2 cytokine production. TSLP also directly promotes T-cell proliferation in response to T-cell receptor activation and Th2 cytokine production and supports B-cell expansion and differentiation. TSLP further amplifies Th2 cytokine production by mast cells and natural killer T cells. These properties confer on TSLP a critical role in driving Th2-mediated inflammation. This role is supported by the finding that TSLP expression is upregulated in keratinocytes of atopic dermatitis skin lesions and in bronchial epithelial cells in asthma.
100 Years Ago: Walter Sutton and the Chromosome Theory of Heredity

EVERY student of elementary genetics learns of Walter Sutton (1877–1916). Sutton was the first to point out that chromosomes obey Mendel's rules—the first clear argument for the chromosome theory of heredity. This year marks the centennial of Sutton's ([1902][1]) historic paper, surely the most
Metastatic Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma: Biochemical Changes Accompanying Clinical Regression During Therapy with o,p'-DDD

A 7-year-old girl with a six-month history of increasing virilism, growth, and acne excreted supranormal amounts of urinary 17-ketosteroids (87.6 mg/24 h). ACTH stimulation and dexamethasone suppression studies indicated adrenal tumor. A large left adrenal carcinoma was removed. Metastases were not observed. Postoperatively, 24-h urinary ketosteroids remained supranormal (16 mg). Sudden fever, cough, and hemoptysis precipitated hospitalization 42 months later. Bilateral lung metastases, a mass in the right upper quadrant, virilism, advanced bone age, and supranormal 24-h urinary ketosteroids (166 mg) and hydroxysteroids (16 mg) were found. The patient received 240 g of o,p '-dichlorodiphenyl-dichloroethane ( o,p '-DDD), whereupon the abdominal mass and lung lesions regressed and 24-h urinary ketosteroids and hydroxysteroids decreased. Since this treatment (which ended April, 1968) the patient has been maintained at home on 7.5 g o,p '-DDD/day and replacement therapy with 9-α-fluorohydrocortisone and cortisone acetate. Almost all signs and symptoms have disappeared and urinary steroids are normal.
Investigation into magnetic anisotropy of low temperature phase (LTP) MnBi thin films

The temperature dependence of magnetic anisotropy in the low-temperature phase MnBi thin films is discussed in conjunctionwith saturation magnetization and lattice constants. It is experimentally found that $K_{u}$ is inversely proportional to the eighth power of the saturation magnetization $M_{s}$ . It is also found that the $K_{u}$ is proportional to the unit-cell volume. The calculation based on first principles of magnetic anisotropy energy as a function of lattice constants ( $a$ and $c$ ) and statistical simulations of its spin-temperature dependence is consistent with the experimental results. However, the spin-reorientation transition taking place at 100 K is not accounted for by the present calculation.
DBA/2J (Mls-1a) B-cell differentiation in BALB.xid recipients.

Studies of superantigens (SAg) have focused primarily on their impact on CD4+ T cells, largely bypassing the impact of the sequelae of this interaction upon the antigen-presenting cell (APC). Sequelae of SAg-induced CD4+ T-cell activation include the 'bathing' of the SAg-presenting cell with cytokines that promote the differentiation of the APC. In this report, the SAg-induced differentiation of Mls+ DBA/2J B cells was studied in vivo by their transplantation into B-cell-defective BALB.xid recipients. Rapid, high-level serum immunoglobulin M (IgM) production was noted shortly after transfer, disappearing by 3 weeks. Donor B cells, as evidenced after their chemical and genetic impairment and by the use of an IgM allotype-disparate donor-recipient combination, contributed to this transient IgM production. These results clarify a discrepancy in the literature regarding donor B-cell contribution to IgM production and illustrate a model system to utilize SAg to study B-lymphocyte diversity.
Electrochemical evaluation of the adherence of zinc to aluminum cathodes

Abstract Excess fluoride ions in zinc electrolyte are known to cause problems with the removal of electrowon zinc from aluminum blanks. The mechanisms responsible for this undesirable adherence were studied. Acid zinc sulfate electrolyte similar to that employed in zinc electrowinning was used. Using electrolyte containing various fluoride ion concentrations, the initial nucleation and growth morphology of zinc and the aluminum electrode surface were examined using scanning electron microscopy. Electrochemical tests were also carried out in various solutions to obtain a better understanding of the polarization behavior of the system.
The implementation of an ecosystem approach to management within a federal government agency

Abstract This study examined how the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has begun to implement and change its management strategy towards one of an ecosystem approach to management (EAM). In 2005, surveys were conducted with NOAA scientists and resource managers in nine NOAA programs in eight geographic regions across the United States. We quantitatively examined temporal and spatial trends in NOAA's EAM project implementation. Through a qualitative analysis of the data, we identified important lessons learned, best practices, and challenges of NOAA EAM projects. A content analysis identified three of the most frequently provided “success strategies” and include: (1) encouraging collaborations, (2) utilizing multidisciplinary approaches, and (3) identifying common priorities among constituents. We conclude with recommendations for initiatives that NOAA, and others interested in EAM, can undertake to facilitate further ecosystem management opportunities.
Deep in the heart of client services: it's not just about hardware and software

"Client Services", "User Services", "Customer Service": whatever we call it at our various colleges and universities, it's not just about fixing hardware and software. The biggest part of the services we provide is how we interact with the client, in person, on the phone, and/or via e-mail. It's one thing to have a staff of people who are extremely knowledgeable about the hardware devices and software applications at our institutions. It's another thing to be able to combine that with a sincere, helpful manner, causing the client to walk away with a positive feeling about the Client Services group.We've all had experiences with client services groups, regardless of the product, that have left a negative impression on us. Let's ponder that for a moment. What went wrong? How could the experience have been made better? What would we have changed? We should think about that as we strive to make our services better, client-services-wise, or at least not worse, in these times of budget concerns.A little tender-loving-care goes a long way toward creating a positive experience for both the client and the client-services staff. In fact, I submit that, while both technical expertise and people-skills are required to be successful in the "We're here to help" business, the people-skills aspect is the more important part.In this paper, intended for any client/user-services staff member, I'll describe some real-world examples of negative and positive client-services situations and explore how we might approach these situations to enhance the positive aspects. I'll describe the results seen with work completed by technical-only staff, people-oriented staff, and combinations of both. Then, I'll discuss how to continue providing positive, effective client services in times of decreased budgets. I'll also include the impact of staff personalities and conclude with final thoughts on the value of people-skills to a Client Services organization.
Female urethral carcinoma: an analysis of treatment outcome and a plea for a standardized management strategy

Objective To evaluate our experience with primary carcinomas of the female urethra, by analysing the impact of tumour variables and treatment on overall, disease-specific, local recurrence- and metastasis-free survival. Patients and methods Between 1958 and 1994, 72 women (median age 60 years, mean 59, range 21–84) with primary urethral carcinoma were identified. They were followed for a median (range) of 85 (0–384) months. The patients were stratified by stage, nodal status, histology, treatment, type of surgery, site of disease, year of diagnosis and smoking habit. Results In a univariate analysis, stage, nodal status, type of surgery and site of the disease were important factors for survival and recurrence. In a multivariate analysis, primary stage, nodal status and site of disease were independent predictors of survival. Conclusion Current modalities of treatment are ineffective for local control and survival; new treatment strategies are needed for female urethral cancers.
ENRICHED INTERVAL BILATTICES AND PARTIAL MANY-VALUED LOGICS: AN APPROACH TO DEAL WITH GRADED TRUTH AND IMPRECISION

Within the many-valued approach for approximate reasoning, the aim of this paper is two-fold. First, to extend truth-values lattices to cope with the imprecision due to possible incompleteness of the available information. This is done by considering two bilattices of truth-value intervals corresponding to the so-called weak and strong truth orderings. Based on the use of interval bilattices, the second aim is to introduce what we call partial many-valued logics. The (partial) models of such logics may assign intervals of truth-values to formulas, and so they stand for representations of incomplete states of knowledge. Finally, the relation between partial and complete semantical entailment is studied, and it is provedtheir equivalence for a family of formulas, including the so-called free well formed formulas.
Electronic speckle pattern shearing interferometer using holographic gratings

We propose two methods to perform shearing in electronic speckle pattern shearing interferometry (ESPSI). These new methods of shearing make the setup compact and easy to align. The first system we propose consists of two parts: (1) the object is imaged onto an interme- diate ground glass and (2) the image on the ground glass is in turn imaged onto the photosensor of a CCD camera. A holographic grating placed in front of the ground glass screen is used to shear the two images and to introduce phase stepping. The separation between the grating and the ground glass plate is used to control shearing. In the second method, two identical holographic gratings separated by a dis- tance introduce shearing and the distance between two gratings can be used to control the size of shearing. Phase shifts to be employed for phase measurements are introduced by displacing the grating. © 1997 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers. (S0091-3286(97)03409-0)
The shape of a thread of liquid undergoing break-up

Abstract The shape of a cylindrical or annular thread of liquid which is undergoing break-up has been calculated on the assumption that the surface area of the thread is always a minimum for the given constraints. Measured shapes of annular threads are in good agreement with the calculated ones.
Background Enhancement Patterns on Screening Breast MRI – Impact on Biopsy Rate and Short Interval Follow Up.

Introduction:Marked background enhancement is one of the perceived limiting factors on breast MRI possibly obscuring suspicious lesions and reducing both the sensitivity and specificity of detection of small cancers. Background enhancement on MRI refers to the normal physiological enhancement of the woman9s fibroglandular tissue and varies with age, hormonal status, menstrual cycle and breast glandularity. Patterns of enhancement vary greatly and marked enhancement can occur even when the MRI is performed in week 2 of the menstrual cycle or in postmenopausal women.Aim:To determine what impact background enhancement has on biopsy rate and short interval follow up rate.Method:231 consecutive baseline screening MRIs, in women aged between 16 -79 (average age 48) performed between Jan 2003 and Oct 2004 were selected. Indications for screening included significant family history (46.3%), personal history of contralateral mastectomy (25.1%), personal history of atypia (19.5%), other (3.0%), personal history of mantle radiation (2.2%), personal history of breast cancer > 5 years previously (2.2%), personal history of ovarian cancer (1.7%).The background enhancement in each case was described as minimal ( 75% enhancement).The BIRADS category, positive predictive value of biopsy and false positive rate was determined and compared for enhancement patterns.Results:Of 231 screening studies 26.6% demonstrated minimal enhancement, 32.8% mild enhancement, 22.7% moderate enhancement and 17.9% marked enhancement. Patients with minimal/mild enhancement had significantly higher rate of normal (BIRADS 1/2) examinations than those with moderate/marked enhancement (47.8% vs. 30.5%, p = 0.008). Patients with minimal/mild enhancement had significantly lower rate of six month followup (BIRADS 3) (38.97% vs. 53.68%, p = 0.02). No significant difference in biopsy rate was noted (11.7% minimal/mild enhancement vs. 14.7% moderate/marked enhancement, p = 0.5). No significant difference in positive predictive value of biopsy between the groups was noted (35.7% for moderate/marked enhancement vs. 25% for minimal/mild enhancement, p = 0.52).Conclusion:No significant association was found between background enhancement pattern and biopsy rate or false positive rate. However, patients with moderate/marked enhancement were significantly more likely to be given a category of BIRADS 3 and assigned to short interval follow up. The increased rate of BIRADS 3 in patients with moderate/marked background enhancement may be related to reduced reader confidence in these patients. Recognition of normal background enhancement patterns is important to limit the number of patients undergoing short interval followup. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 4020.
Setting a trajectory for career-long professional development.

Received November 29, 2005; revised June 11, 2006; accepted June 30, 2006. Dr. Hales is Director, Division of Education and Career Development, American Psychiatric Association, Arlington Virginia. Address correspondence to Dr. Hales, APA, 1000 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1825, Arlington, VA 22209; dhales@psych.org (e-mail). Copyright 2007 Academic Psychiatry Promoting and facilitating professional development are among the highest priorities of the American Psychiatric Association. As a national medical specialty society with more than 36,000 physician members, APA has a multifaceted mission: to promote the highest quality care for individuals with mental disorders and their families, to promote psychiatric education and research, to advance and represent the profession of psychiatry, and to serve the professional needs of its membership. Accomplishment of the first three elements of this mission is contingent on our success in meeting the professional and educational needs of our members. A commentary on professional development in psychiatry brings to mind its parallels to all human growth and development as well as our evolving understanding of brain development. Like both psychological maturing and neurogenesis, which we know to occur across the lifespan, professional growth and development is possible and necessary well beyond the formative years of formal education; it must continue throughout the span of a career. Further, we know that, much like the brain, a psychiatrist’s development reflects an ongoing dynamic interplay in which environmental factors, extending from changes in the structure and financing of health care to scientific advances, necessarily modify individual behaviors. The importance of an extended investment in development is not unique to psychiatry. Six years beforeAbraham Flexner (1) wrote his influential report on the state of medical education in the United States, John Dewey (2) wrote an equally influential report on education. In it, he noted that because practice-only is a conservative force, theory must drive education, and he urged teachers to study medical and legal education to resolve issues of balancing practice with education. Lee Shulman, Ph.D., current president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, commented more recently on professional education in an era in which many view professionalism as being under siege. In addition to responding to diminishing public trust in the ability of professions to self-regulate and the unprecedented capacity of the Internet to break down knowledge barriers, medicine must confront rapid health care system-driven changes in the traditional models of education. Witness, for example, the movement of patients from inpatient to outpatient care in every specialty and controversies over commercial support of medical education. Shulman (3) identified six features characteristic of professional work:
Short-channel effect in fully depleted SOI MOSFETs

The short-channel effect in fully depleted silicon-on-insulator MOSFETs has been studied by a two-dimensional analytical model and by computer simulation. The calculated values agree well with the simulation results. It is found that the vertical field through the depleted film strongly influences the lateral field across the source and drain regions. The short-channel effect can be significantly reduced by decreasing the silicon film thickness. >
Physiologic Basis of Pulmonary Edema during Intestinal Reperfusion

Abstract This study quantitates the physiologic forces governing the movement of fluid and protein into the lungs during intestinal reperfusion (IR) and describes the anatomic pattern of protein extravasation. Sprague–Dawley rats underwent IR after which pulmonary microvascular dysfunction was assessedin vivoby measuring the concentration of protein within the airways and by quantitating the extravasation of Evans blue dye (EBD). Pulmonary microvascular dysfunction was quantitatedin vitroby determining the capillary filtration coefficient(Kf), protein reflection coefficient (ς), and vascular resistance(Rt) using an isolated, perfused lung model. The morphologic pattern of protein extravasation into the lung was qualitatively assessed by fluorescence microscopy following the intravenous administration of fluorescent-labeled proteins of varying molecular weight. Sham-operated animals served as controls. The EBD content of lungs of IR animals was 48% greater than that of controls (P= 0.02). There was no difference in the protein concentration within the airways of these two groups. IR was associated with changes in pulmonary microvascular function favoring the movement of plasma fluid and protein into the interstitium(Kf= 0.02 ± 0.006 vs 0.005 ± 0.0005 g/min/mm Hg/100 g body wt; ς = 0.95 ± 0.02 vs 0.99 ± 0.005; andRt= 0.94 ± 0.08 vs 0.53 ± 0.04 mm Hg/ml/min/100 g body wt; IR vs SHAM, respectively,P
The parent magma of the Nakhla (SNC) meteorite, inferred from magmatic inclusions

Abstract The Nakhla meteorite, one of the SNC group of putative Martian origin, is an igneous rock, a cumulate of augite and olivine, that does not represent a magma composition. Samples of its parent magma were trapped as magmatic inclusions in its cumulus olivine crystals. The inclusions range from 10–350 μm in diameter and consist of augite rich in Ti and Al, silica-rich glass, iron oxides, ilmenite, apatite, and rare amphibole. Each inclusion has a rind of augite and chromite against its host olivine, and a core of radiating sprays of augite set in glass and feldspar. These textures are consistent with an origin as trapped silicate liquid. Twenty four inclusions were analyzed by electron microprobe, by averaging series of rastered beam analyses. On average, the analyses are independent of the size of the inclusion, most clearly for inclusions larger than 70 μm diameter, and variations among analyses are consistent with small differences in the proportions of augite, glass, and iron oxides exposed on thin section surfaces. The average inclusion analysis is calculated to represent 28% host olivine and 72% inclusion composition. The inclusion rinds are calculated to be 13% of the inclusion composition, for which a small correction is made. The inclusion composition is then corrected for Mg Fe exchange with the host olivine (to chemical equilibrium with the cumulus augite cores) and crystallization of 13% olivine onto the host crystal to yield a magma composition with the proper MgO FeO ratio and with olivine and augite on its liquidus. This composition, NK93, is an estimate of Nakhla's parent magma originally trapped in the inclusions. NK93 is basaltic, rich in iron, and poor in aluminum compared to terrestrial basalts. Its abundances of Al, Ti, and Na are consistent with the geochemistry of the SNC meteorites as a whole. NK93 is similar to the parent magmas proposed in an independent study of magmatic inclusions in Nakhla, but unlike other proposed compositions. One proposed parent magma, based on mass balance and the assumption that Nakhla was a closed-system after crystal accumulation, is inconsistent with the magmatic inclusion studies and Nakhla's petrography. This suggests that Nakhla was not a closed-system, but was infiltrated by post-cumulus basaltic magmas. Another suggested parent magma was derived from element distribution between augite and basaltic magma, but that calculation relied on an incorrect augite composition. Using a correct augite composition in that calculation yields a parent magma much closer in composition to NK93. Thus, three independent approaches converge in requiring that Nakhla originally formed from a low-Al, low MgO FeO basalt like NK93.
Perceptual constriction as a function of incentive motivation.

Easterbrook (1959) recently reviewed the evidence that motivational arousal is associated with "constriction in the range of cue utilization." It has been suggested (e.g., Callaway & Dembo, 1958) that such restriction in perceptual input is a function of "narrowed attention." Thus, increases in motivation decrease utilization of cues in the periphery of the psychological field. "Peripheral" may be defined in terms of task relevance, time, or space. The hypothesis tested here was that incentive motivation would decrease accuracy of localization of stimuli in the periphery of a visual display. Ss were 42 males and 50 females (CA = 9 to 12 yr.). Twelve visual displays, each having 4 geometric forms on two of three concentric rings (center, middle, periphery), were projected for 1/5 sec. on a screen 8 ft. from S. Prior to each trial, S was to look at the comparison form. After presentation, Ss were to position the form on the response board (similar in shape but subtending three times the visual angle of the screen) so its location corresponded to its position on the visual display. Session I (24 trials) was identical for all Ss. In Session I1 (24 trials) half of the Ss were promised and then given a highly preferred toy (candy bar, game, bracelet, chosen by S) at the completion of testing if they "did well." Analysis of variance of the angular deviations of the placements of the stimuli (observed minus actual) yielded significant differences in accuracy between stimuli on the three concentric rings (F = 27.90; df = 2/80; p < .001). Mean deviation scores were: middle, 36'; center, 43'; periphery, 48'. Ss under incentive motivation were more accurate than controls on the centermost ring b ut less accurate for stimuli on the middle and peripheral rings (F = 4.77; df = 2/80; p < .01). These data further confirm the effects of motivational arousal on the range of cue utilization in perceptual tasks. The facts that localization accuracy decreased for stimuli in the periphery and increased for centrally placed stimuli support the "narrowed attention" hypothesis. 1