cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Induced plasticity alters responses to conspecific interactions in seedlings of a perennial grass.

Plants can interact with different individuals in their lifetime which may lead to plastic response that affect performance. If conspecific interactions are altered through previous plastic responses that could affect stabilizing niche mechanisms, in which conspecifics compete more intensely to promote diversity and coexistence. Here, I show interactions between Pascopyrum smithii and conspecifics resulted in largely canalized traits, whereas P. smithii with an invasive grass, Bromus tectorum resulted in plastic responses for root mass (p = 0.02), shoot mass (p < 0.0001), root mass fraction (p = 0.003) and plant height (p < 0.0001). A subset of individuals transplanted from these two interaction treatments which were moved with new, same aged conspecifics showed that previous interactions led to differing trait relationships: increases in the number of leaves for the interspecific-induced plants were related to increases in non-focal leaf production, whereas increases in the number of leaves for the intraspecific-induced plants were related to decreases in the non-focal plants (R2 = 0.52, p = 0.006). These results suggest that previous intraspecific interactions intensify conspecific competition and stabilize subsequent interactions with conspecifics by imposing greater competition, and that invasive-interspecific interactions can weaken stabilizing niche mechanisms, thus negatively influencing species coexistence.
Immediate postoperative non-invasive positive pressure ventilation following midface microvascular free flap reconstruction.

BACKGROUND There is a rare need for postoperative non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) following microvascular reconstruction of the head and neck. In midface reconstruction, the free flap vascular pedicle is especially vulnerable to the compressive forces of positive pressure delivery. CASE A 60 year old female with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) presented with squamous cell carcinoma of the anterior maxilla, for which she underwent infrastructure maxillectomy and fibula free flap reconstruction. To avoid tracheotomy, the patient was extubated postoperatively and transitioned to NIPPV immediately utilizing a full-face positive pressure mask with a soft and flexible sealing layer. The patient was successfully transitioned to NIPPV immediately after extubation. The free flap exhibited no signs of vascular compromise postoperatively, and healed very well. CONCLUSION Postoperative non-invasive positive pressure ventilation can be successfully applied following complex microvascular midface reconstruction to avoid tracheotomy in select patients without vascular compromise of the free flap.
A General-Purpose Cam-Based System

VLSI makes feasible the massive use of content addressable memory in a general purpose computer. We present a design for memory which is addressable conventionally and by content, and which supports low-level bit-serial word-parallel algorithms. CAM provides one of the most easily understood and programmed frameworks for massively parallel computations. We present a programming methodology for the use of our design. This includes a programming language, CAML; a number of algorithms from various fields which demonstrate the generality of the design and the language; and techniques for transforming algorithms from conventional to CAM-based structures and methods.
Central nervous system complications in patients with diffuse histiocytic and undifferentiated lymphoma: leukemia revisited

Fifteen of 52 patients (29%) with diffuse histiocytic and undifferentiated pleomorphic lymphoma developed central nervous system (CNS) complications, primarily leptomeningeal lymphoma. Lumbar puncture with cerebrospinal fluid cytology was the most useful test for diagnosis, and for following the response to therapy. Leptomeningitis developed during all stages of the patients' clinical course: at time of diagnosis, during progression of systemic disease, and most importantly as the initial site of relapse within 7 mo of attaining a complete clinical remission. Patients with bone marrow involvement are at high risk for the development of leptomeningeal lymphoma. Pathologic findings suggest that entry into the leptomeninges involves extension from the medullary bone marrow cavity along perforating vessels through dura into the arachnoid space. The leptomeningeal lymphoma has been successfully controlled in all patients receiving intensive central nervous system therapy consisting of a combination of intrathecal drug administration and radiotherapy. The high frequency of this syndrome and the success in its control suggest that a controlled trial of prophylactic CNS therapy be instituted in patients with these histologic types of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.
Comparison of the predictions of universal scaling of the saturation dependence of the air permeability with experiment

[1] We compare predictions of the saturation dependence of air permeability from percolation theory with experimental results taken from the last 60 years. We selected experiments with sufficient density of data points to verify a functional dependence. The typical number of such data points was about 10, but actual values ranged from 4 to 31. The predicted saturation dependence is a universal power law in the air-filled porosity (less a threshold value) with an exponent of 2.00. Our investigation showed that the experimental power was 2.028 ± 0.028 with an R2 value, averaged across all the experiments, of greater than 0.96 for database 1 (including 16 samples from the literature) and 1.814 ± 0.386 with an R2value of larger than 0.90 for database 2 (including 23 samples from Tang et al. (2011)). The threshold value of the air-filled porosity could be predicted reasonably from the wet end of the soil water retention curves. The threshold varied systematically with soil texture. We also compare the proposed model with three other methods, e.g., Millington and Quirk, Burdine-Brooks-Corey, and Kawamoto et al., in estimation of air permeability. The results indicate that the universal scaling approach estimates air permeability more accurately than other methods. Thus, we believe that we have confirmed the universal scaling predicted as well as demonstrated its usefulness in predicting the air permeability.
Views for tools in integrated environments

Integrated environments have the desirable property that the tools in them may share a database of common structures. But they have the undesirable property that tools are hard to add to an environment because typically a single representation of the database must serve the needs of all tools. The solution described in this thesis allows an implementor to define each tool in terms of a collection of "views" of the objects to be manipulated. A view is a description of a common database, defined in such a way that objects can be shared among a collection of tools, each tool accessing objects through the views it defines. New tools are thus added by defining new views. The common database then becomes the synthesis of all of the views defined by the tools in the environment. Three view mechanisms are described. The first, called basic views, is based on a strongly-typed, object-oriented framework in which views provide multiple cooperating type descriptions of database objects. The notions of view compatibility and consistency are formalized, and a proof is given that compatible views lead to consistent databases. The second mechanism, called dynamic views, allows an implementor to define dynamically-updated and associatively-retrieved collections of objects within the context of basic views. The third mechanism, called display views, supports the definition of concrete renderings of database objects. Display views are derived from associated basic views through mappings described by a novel unparsing language, and are uniformly accessible to the tools in the environment.
Irreducible representations of the rotation group in terms of the axis and angle of rotation: II. Orthogonality relations between matrix elements and representations of rotations in the parameter space

Abstract In a previous paper the irreducible representations of the rotation group were given in terms of a parametrization of the rotation through the axis and angle of rotation. In the present paper we give the orthogonality relations between the matrices of two such irreducible representations. We also show how the infinitesimal generators of the rotation group act in the parameter space and show how finite rotations in the parameter space are to be described. Thus the previous paper and the present one can be used to replace completely the usual theory of irreducible representations in terms of the Euler angles by the far more convenient ones in terms of the angle and axis of rotation.
Chapter 26 Wildlife Responses to Park Visitors in Winter

Theme Executive Orders and regulations of the National Park Service stipulate that snowmobile use must cease if it is determined to be causing considerable adverse effects to resources in national park units, including the disturbance of wildlife or their habitats (Exec. Order No. 11644 § 3(2); Exec. Order No. 11989 § 2; 36 C.F.R. § 2.18(c)). In 2000, the National Park Service concluded that “snowmobile use at current levels adversely affects wildlife” in Yellowstone National Park and proposed the elimination of this activity (65 Federal Register 80915). However, less than 3 years later the Service proposed to continue snowmobile recreation based on new requirements for cleaner, quieter snowmobiles and guided group tours (68 Federal Register 51533, 69268). The U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia chastised the Service for this reversal and mandated the elimination of snowmobiles which, in turn, led to additional litigation, conflicting legal decisions (District of Columbia 2003, District of Wyoming 2004), and development of another final Environmental Impact Statement and Record of Decision to implement revised winter use plans (72 Federal Register 70781). We sampled the behavioral responses of bald eagles (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), bison (Bison bison), elk (Cervus elaphus), and trumpeter swans (Olor buccinator) to snowmobiles and coaches in Yellowstone to: (1) document human activities associated with snowmobiles and coaches, (2) quantify responses of these wildlife to human activities, (3) identify conditions that increased the likelihood of wildlife responses, and (4) assess the effects of human disturbance on their distribution and demography.
Weighing Status: Obesity, Class, and Health Reform

The article explores the intersection between the nation’s presumptive “epidemic” of obesity and efforts to reform the health care system. It notes parallels between attitudes toward obesity and attitudes toward poverty and suggests that a set of social and legal responses about those deemed overweight or obese echoes a wider set of beliefs and values that lies beneath the national debate about health care reform. It suggests that these beliefs and values limited the reach of health reform in 2010 and continue to do so. More specifically, the article examines America’s recent public focus on what has been labeled an obesity epidemic and some of the efforts designed to combat it. It exposes conflicting motivations that sabotage these efforts. And it suggests that a similar set of conflicting motivations has long under-girded - and continues to under-girded - the nation’s response to providing universal or near-universal health care coverage. In this regard, the article considers some limitations embedded in the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Composite Materials, Ceramic‐Matrix

Ceramic-matrix composites are materials for use in high temperature structural applications. The intrinsic properties of the ceramic-matrix such as high melting point, high chemical stability, high elastic modulus and hardness, high wear and creep resistance along with low mass density relative to metallic materials are coupled with the properties of high fracture resistance and flaw insensitivity when reinforced with a high strength second phase. The varieties of reinforcements include particles, platelets, whiskers, and continuous fibers. Placement of reinforcements within the matrix determines the isotropy of the composite properties. Particulate reinforced matrices derive their toughness from processes such as crack deflection, crack pinning and bowing, microcracking, and frictional bridging mechanisms. Whisker, platelet, and fiber-reinforced matrices derive their toughness from crack-wake frictional bridging and pull-out mechanisms. For the mechanism of crack-wake bridging the most important aspect of the composite is the interface between the reinforcement and the matrix. It must be weak enough to allow debonding around the reinforcement leaving it as an intact bridging element in the crack-wake. Control of the interface between the matrix and reinforcements is extremely important in optimization of composite properties. Keywords: Composite materials; ceramic-matrix; Composite systems; Reinforcements; Ceramic matrices; Interfaces; Toughening; Particle reinforcement; Whisker reinforcement; Platelet reinforcement; Fiber reinforcement; Thermal stability; Chemical stability
Modeling single-component permeation through a zeolite membrane from atomic-scale principles

Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations have been used to predict the ad-sorption isotherms and transport diffusivities of Xe adsorbed in A1PO4-31. The results of these calculations can be used to predict the properties of Xe diffusing through membranes made from A1PO4-31 crystals directly from atomic-scale principles.
Phytochemical genistein promotes pancreatic beta-cell survival and exerts anti-diabetic effect via GPR30-mediated mechanism (1045.44)

Loss of pancreatic beta-cell mass is central to the development of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Chronic hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia cause beta-cell apoptosis, thereby contributing to the pathogenesis of T2D. We investigated the effects of phytochemical genistein on apoptosis and function of beta-cells and further determined the mechanism underlying its actions ex vivo and in vivo. We show that genistein promoted viability, inhibited apoptosis, and reduced caspase-3 activity of INS1 beta-cells and human and mouse islets chronically exposed to palmitate (0.5 mM) and high glucose (HG, 20 mM). In addition, exposure of beta-cells to genistein activated PI3K/Akt signaling and up-regulated anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression. The anti-apoptotic effect of genistein is independent of classical estrogen receptor-mediated signaling machinery, but it may be achieved through the G-protein-coupled receptor GPR30-mediated activation of cAMP signaling. Oral administration of genistein (50 mg/kg BW/day)...
Sensitivity Analysis and Dynamic Programming

The validity of any dynamic programming solution depends on the accuracy of the model and the data for a given instance. However, the parameters of the model are often uncertain and estimated in practice. In this paper, we discuss various concepts of sensitivity analysis and survey the work on sensitivity analysis in the dynamic programming literature. In addition, we highlight the relationship between dynamic programming and linear programming and how the approaches and results from the latter can be applied to dynamic programs. A list of promising areas of future research is provided. Keywords: dynamic programming; linear programming; sensitivity analysis; optimization; MDP
Personalized anticoagulant management using reinforcement learning.

Introduction: There are many problems with current state-of-the-art protocols for maintenance dosing of the oral anticoagulant agent warfarin used in clinical practice. The two key challenges include lack of personalized dose adjustment and the high cost of monitoring the efficacy of the therapy in the form of International Normalized Ratio (INR) measurements. A new dosing algorithm based on the principles of Reinforcement Learning (RL), specifically Q-Learning with functional policy approximation, was created to personalize maintenance dosing of warfarin based on observed INR and to optimize the length of time between INR measurements. This new method will help improve patient’s INR time in therapeutic range (TTR) as well as minimize cost associated with monitoring INR when compared to the current standard of care. Procedure: Using the principles of Reinforcement Learning, an algorithm to control warfarin dosing was created. The algorithm uses 9 different controllers which correspond to 9 different levels of warfarin sensitivity. The algorithm switches between controllers until it selects the controller that most closely resembles the individual patient’s response, and thus the optimal dose change ( and time between INR measurements ( are personalized for each patient, based on INR observed in the patient. Three simulations were performed using data from 100 artificial patients,
Accuracy of Vasopressor Documentation in Anesthesia Records.

Objectives To determine the accuracy of documentation of vasoactive medication administration in anesthetic records. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Setting Single academic center. Participants Attending and resident anesthesiologists. Interventions None. Measurements and Main Results An auditor inspected the anesthesia worktop between cases looking for partially used syringes of vasopressors, and the anesthesia record for the preceding case was reviewed for entries related to administration of these agents. In 100 anesthesia records for cases in which a phenylephrine and/or ephedrine bolus was apparently administered, 26% (95% CI: 18-35%) had full documentation and 36% (95% CI: 27-46%) had no documentation. In the 38% of cases that had partial documentation, a median of 50% (interquartile range 33%, 67%) of the total amounts given were documented. Conclusions The authors found complete or partial omission of documentation of bolus doses of vasopressors in anesthesia records in the majority of cases in which such drugs were given. This finding has the potential to jeopardize the data integrity of local and pooled case registries and conclusions of retrospective studies that utilize these data.
A low-voltage, low-capacitance, vertical multi-layer thin-film-edge dispenser field emitter array electron source

A new low-voltage low-capacitance field emitter array (FEA) electron source has been developed for field emitter displays (FEDs) and high frequency power amplifiers. The new FEA cell has a horizontal gate and a vertical multi-layer thin-film low work function dispenser edge emitter made by sandwiching a lithium thin-film between two noble metal thin-films.
Medicaid reforms in Oregon and suboptimal utilization of dental care by women of childbearing age.

ABSTRACT Background The authors conducted a study of dental services used by women of childbearing age who were enrolled in Medicaid in Oregon during the early 2000s, a period of reform during which health care coverage was expanded. They compared claims for pregnant women, women who were not pregnant and had children and women who were not pregnant and did not have children. They also compared differences in claims between those for women enrolled in managed care and those for women enrolled in fee-for-service plans. Methods The authors computed the proportion of women for whom a dental claim was submitted in six-month spans for 2000, 2001, 2002 (before reform) and 2005 (after reform). Results Before and after reforms, the mean utilization rate for pregnant women, adjusted for the proportion of the period covered, decreased from 0.36 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.025) to 0.22 (SD = 0.028). Among women who were not pregnant and had children, the average adjusted rates decreased from 0.49 (SD = 0.201) to 0.21 (SD = 0.078). The pattern was similar among women who had no dependent children: rates decreased from 0.50 (SD = 0.028) to 0.19 (SD = 0.078). Most of the claims were for diagnostic services. The authors found no differences between women enrolled in managed care and those enrolled in fee-for-service plans. Conclusion Contrary to their intention, health care reforms in Oregon were detrimental to the vulnerable populations that Medicaid is intended to serve. Clinical Implications Dental care is important for maternal and child health. However, utilization is unlikely to improve without changes in Medicaid and the dental care delivery system.
The Laramide orogeny: Evidence from cocorp deep crustal seismic profiles in the wind river mountains, wyoming

Abstract Deep crustal reflection data that are critical for the interpretation of Laramide structure have been obtained by the Consortium for Continental Reflection Profiling (COCORP). The Laramide orogeny, which occurred from the late Cretaceous to early Eocene, is characterized in Wyoming by large uplifts of Precambrian basement, commonly flanked by reverse faults. The attitude of these faults at depth has been a major tectonic problem and is very important for deciding whether horizontal or vertical crustal movements were primarily responsible for the basement uplifts. COCORP has run 158 km of deep seismic reflection profiles (recording to 20-sec two-way travel time) across the southeastern end of the Wind River Mountains, the largest of these Laramide uplifts. Reflections from the thrust fault flanking the Wind River uplift can be clearly traced on the profiles to at least 24-km depth and possibly as deep as about 36 km with a fairly uniform apparent dip of 30°–35°. Other reflection events subparallel to the main Wind River thrust are present in the seismic profiles and may represent other faults. There is at least 21 km of crustal shortening along the thrust. There is no evidence in the reflection profiles for large-scale folding of the basement; the Wind River Mountains were formed predominantly by thrust movements. Gravity anomalies in the Wind River Mountains can be modeled by a thrust that displaces dense material in the lower crust. If the thrust ever cut the Moho, the effect is not observed in the gravity today. A proposed model for the presence of uplifted basement in Wyoming invokes a shallowly dipping, subducted Farallon plate beneath the North American continent; drag between the two plates localized compressional stresses in an area over 800 km into the North American plate causing large thrusts to develop. The earth's crust seems to have fractured as a fairly rigid plate
Rethinking Instrumentality: Natural Philosophy and Christian Charity in the Early Modern Atlantic World

When historians and philosophers of science discuss instrumentality, they are primarily referring to an epistemological and metaphysical position that holds that science is concerned not with making truth claims but rather with predictability. Scholars correctly locate the origins of instrumental natural philosophy in the seventeenth century, when a drive toward the practical, applied study of nature transformed natural philosophy from a contemplative pursuit—so the story goes—into something more recognizably like modern science.I argue, however, that if we conceive of instrumentality primarily in this way we neglect one of its crucial elements. Seventeenth-century arguments about instrumental, practical natural philosophy were not just methodological claims; they were also normative claims about what natural philosophy should be. When explored in its historical context, this drive toward instrumentality turns out to be a Protestant project to build the kingdom of Christ on earth, to improve mankind’s con...
Vasoreparative Dysfunction of CD34+ Cells in Diabetic Individuals Involves Hypoxic Desensitization and Impaired Autocrine/Paracrine Mechanisms

We hypothesized that endothelial progenitor cells derived from individuals with diabetes would exhibit functional defects including inability to respond to hypoxia and altered paracrine/autocrine function that would impair the angiogenic potential of these cells. Circulating mononuclear cells isolated from diabetic (n = 69) and nondiabetic (n = 46) individuals were used to grow endothelial colony forming cells (ECFC), early endothelial progenitor cells (eEPCs) and isolate CD34+ cells. ECFCs and eEPCs were established from only 15% of the diabetic individuals tested thus directing our main effort toward examination of CD34+ cells. CD34+ cells were plated in basal medium to obtain cell-free conditioned medium (CM). In CM derived from CD34+ cells of diabetic individuals (diabetic-CM), the levels of stem cell factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and thrombopoietin were lower, and IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNFα) levels were higher than CM derived from nondiabetic individuals (nondiabetic-CM). Hypoxia did not upregulate HIF1α in CD34+ cells of diabetic origin. Migration and proliferation of nondiabetic CD34+ cells toward diabetic-CM were lower compared to nondiabetic-CM. Attenuation of pressure-induced constriction, potentiation of bradykinin relaxation, and generation of cGMP and cAMP in arterioles were observed with nondiabetic-CM, but not with diabetic-CM. Diabetic-CM failed to induce endothelial tube formation from vascular tissue. These results suggest that diabetic subjects with microvascular complications exhibit severely limited capacity to generate ex-vivo expanded endothelial progenitor populations and that the vasoreparative dysfunction observed in diabetic CD34+ cells is due to impaired autocrine/paracrine function and reduced sensitivity to hypoxia.
Restored pictures of Ganymede, moon of Jupiter

The paper discusses results of an attempt to restore two blurred pictures of Ganymede taken by Pioneer 10 through a blue filter and a red filter. The mathematical formulation of the restoration problem is outlined, it is noted that both conventional linear filtering and the maximum-entropy algorithm were employed as restoration techniques, and the two methods are described. The original blurred pictures are reproduced along with the two restorations of each image. The restored images are found to exhibit some mare-like features as well as a few large bright rings, possibly ice ridges. The results obtained with the two restoration techniques are compared, and it is concluded that the maximum-entropy method is more advantageous than linear methods in applications to moderately extended images.
Analysis of a Simple Approach to Modeling Performance for Streaming Data Applications

Current state of the art systems contain various types of multicore processors, General Purpose Graphics Processing Units (GPGPUs) and occasionally Digital Signal Processors (DSPs) or Field-Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). With heterogeneity comes multiple abstraction layers that hide underlying complexity. While necessary to ease programmability of these systems, this hidden complexity makes quantitative performance modeling a difficult task. This paper outlines a computationally simple approach to modeling the overall throughput and buffering needs of a streaming application deployed on heterogeneous hardware.
Spectroscopic determination of carbon dimer densities in and plasmas

In contrast to conventional methods of diamond chemical vapour deposition (CVD), nanocrystalline diamond CVD takes place with only a small fraction of feed gas hydrogen. Minimal amounts of , believed critical in hydrogen-rich CVD, are expected to be produced in hydrogen-deficient systems and alternative mechanisms for diamond growth must be considered. The carbon dimer, , is believed to be an important species in these growth environments. We have experimentally determined the density of gas phase in and microwave plasmas used to deposit nanocrystalline diamond. The density is monitored using high-sensitivity absorption spectroscopy of the (0, 0) band as chamber pressure, microwave power, substrate temperature and feed gas mixtures are varied for these two chemical systems. The absolute density of is most sensitive to the total chamber pressure and fraction of carbon in all molecular species in the feed gas in discharges and to the total chamber pressure and substrate temperature in plasmas. We discuss possible production channels in both chemical systems. The efficiency of production from fullerene precursors is over an order of magnitude greater than that from hydrocarbon precursors.
Phosrestin I, an arrestin homolog that undergoes light-induced phosphorylation in dipteran photoreceptors

Abstract Two classes of phosphorylated homologs of vertebrate arrestins, designated phosrestins I (PRI) and phosrestin II (PRII), are expressed in the photoreceptors of a fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster. This study presents evidence that the housefly, Musca domestica, also has a protein similar to Drosophila PRI. Our conclusion is based on the following evidence. (1) We identified a Musca photoreceptor protein exhibiting a molecular mass (51 kDa) and an isoelectric point (pI = 8.6) similar to those of Drosophila PRI. This Musca protein, designated Musca PRI, changes its pI upon illumination in vivo. (2) Rabbit antibodies raised against Musca PRI, against bovine arrestin, and against a synthetic peptide based on the Drosophila PRI sequence stained the Drosophila and Musca PRIs specifically on 1 and 2-dimensional Western immunoblots. (3) Both Drosophila and Musca PRIs incorporated 32P-radioactivity from γ- 32 P-ATP in cell-free homogenates of retinas. Partial peptide digestions of Drosophila and Musca PRIs revealed similarity between these proteins. We observed that Drosophila PRI exists in the random preparation, but it also exists in other subcellular fractions. Immunocytochemistry at the EM level revealed a distribution of both Drosophila and Musca PRI epitopes in membranous vesicular structures in the cytosol as well as in the rhabdomeric microvillar membranes where the visual pigment, rhodopsin, exists. Such distribution of PRI epitopes suggests that PRI and its light-dependent phosphorylation may function in a space remote from the rhabdomere as well as the immediate milieu of photoreception.
Inheriting the Wind

In reviewing this commentary, I, like Mark, have found myself reliving the events now 6 years past. The process has informed me of events and actions that were unknown to me at the time and helped me to gain a broader perspective on the entire process. We owe a debt to the Five Amigos whose initial submission spurred the idea to present three different perspectives on the same events. This is a cautionary tale of how quickly things can go badly wrong. But it is also an example of how a tough group of residents and two dedicated training directors can work together (at times unknowingly!) to manipulate budgets, fight political battles, learn hard lessons, harness economic forces, call in markers from colleagues near and far—and make a difference.
TISSUE-SPECIFIC AND DIFFERENTIAL REGULATION OF AT1 AND AT2 GENE EXPRESSION FOLLOWING ADMINISTRATION OF AN AT1 ANTAGONIST DURING FETAL LIFE. |[dagger]| 2186

Fetal kidney AT2 mRNA levels are elevated early in gestation and decrease with fetal maturation, whereas AT1 mRNA expression increases rapidly before birth. The present study was designed to determine if the developmental rise in AT1 expression contributes to the decrease in AT2 expression with advancing gestational age. To test this hypothesis, eight pairs of chronically-instrumented twin fetal sheep (111±2 d gestation, term 145 d) were studied; one of the fetuses received an intravenous infusion of the AT1 antagonist losartan (L) (20μg/kg/min for 48 h) while the other served as a saline-treated control (C)(0.9% NaCl at 0.1 ml/h). Mean arterial blood pressure did not change in C, but decreased from 40±1 to 33±2 mmHg in L-treated fetuses(p<0.01). Heart rate did not change in C or L fetuses. Plasma renin activity increased significantly (p<0.01) in L-treated fetuses from 4.3±1.3 to 10.7±3.8 ng AI/ml/h. L produced significant(p<0.05) decreases in kidney medulla AT1 (-32.4±12.6%) and AT2 mRNA levels (-7.4±2.9%) but did not affect AT1 or AT2 expression in the kidney cortex. In the adrenal, L did not alter AT1 but increased AT2 expression by 246±130% (p<0.05). L did not alter AT1 or AT2 expression in fetal liver. The present results demonstrate that inhibition of AT1 receptor activity produces tissue-specific and differential regulation of both AT1 and AT2 genes during fetal life, and that the decrease in kidney AT2 expression during fetal development is not dependent on a rise in AT1 receptor activity.
Children's Organized Sports: A Developmental Perspective

(2004). Children's Organized Sports: A Developmental Perspective. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 75, No. 2, pp. 35-41.
Verrucous carcinoma of the female genital tract

Abstract Verrucous carcinoma is a variant of epidermoid carcinoma with distinctive clinical and pathologic features. It is a warty, fungating tumor that gradually increases in size and pushes into rather than invades contiguous structures. The diagnosis is often difficult. Originally, verrucous lesions in the mouth and pharnyx were described. Subsequently, similar lesions in the female genital tract have been encountered. To date, 22 verrucous carcinomas involving the cervix, vagina, or vulva have been reported in the literature. A survey of the members of The Society of Gynecologic Oncologists has added another 10 to the total number of cases. The clinical features, histologic findings, and therapy are discussed.
Adenine removal activity and bacterial complementation with the human MutY homologue (MUTYH) and Y165C, G382D, P391L and Q324R variants associated with colorectal cancer

MUTYH-associated polyposis (MAP) is the only inherited colorectal cancer syndrome that is associated with inherited biallelic mutations in a base excision repair gene. The MUTYH glycosylase plays an important role in preventing mutations associated with 8-oxoguanine (OG) by removing adenine residues that have been misincorporated opposite OG. MAP-associated mutations are present throughout MUTYH, with a large number coding for missense variations. To date the available information on the functional properties of MUTYH variants is conflicting. In this study, a kinetic analysis of the adenine glycosylase activity of MUTYH and several variants was undertaken using a correction for active fraction to control for differences due to overexpression and purification. Using these methods, the rate constants for steps involved in the adenine removal process were determined for the MAP variants Y165C, G382D, P391L and Q324R MUTYH. Under single-turnover conditions, the rate of adenine removal for these four variants was found to be 30-40% of WT MUTYH. In addition, the ability of MUTYH and the variants to suppress mutations and complement for the absence of MutY in Escherichia coli was assessed using rifampicin resistance assays. The presence of WT and Q324R MUTYH resulted in complete suppression of the mutation frequency, while G382D MUTYH showed reduced ability to suppress the mutation frequency. In contrast, the mutation frequency observed upon expression of P391L and Y165C MUTYH were similar to the controls, suggesting no activity toward preventing DNA mutations. Notably, though all variations studied herein resulted in similar reductions in adenine glycosylase activity, the effects in the bacterial complementation are quite different. This suggests that the consequences of a specific amino acid variation on overall repair in a cellular context may be magnified.
A computational model for heterogeneous flow through low headloss biofilter media

In an ideal biofilter, air flows parallel to the biofilter axis and at the same velocity through all parts of the bed. In contrast, non-uniform flow causes different parcels of air to experience detention times above or below the average, reducing treatment efficiency. Designers and operators have long been aware that medium nonuniformity, bed compaction, fissuring, and separation from the vessel walls can cause flow channeling and damage biofilter performance. However, as biofilters have been designed for lower headloss and higher flowrates, flow heterogeneity has also arisen, as pressure variation in the headspace affects flow in the medium. In an effort to investigate flow heterogeneity, a two-dimensional steady-state computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to simulate flow through a typical biofilter. The model assumes incompressible, two-dimensional, Navier-Stokes flow in the spaces above and below the bed and Darcy flow in the porous medium. The modeling effort demonstrated that the optimal design depends on the permeability of the medium, the air flowrate, and biofilter configuration. Several simple options for inlet and outlet location were compared. In very low permeability media, the flow was uniform regardless of the design. With highly permeable media, the optimal design choice depended on the Reynolds number. However, the design with side inlet and same side outlet had the lowest flow heterogeneity of the five designs over a wide range of Reynolds numbers. The model also demonstrated that removal efficiency decreases as flow heterogeneity increases.
Differential susceptibility to inhaled pollutants: effects of demographics and diseases.

Abstract Inhaled pollutants and respiratory disease deserve particular attention at a conference focused on susceptibility and environmental risk. Inhaled air contains diverse biological, physical and chemical stressors which may cause upper and lower respiratory inflammation and exacerbate complex polygenic disorders such as asthma and sinusitis. This paper focuses on intrinsic susceptibility factors of demographics and diseases as well as genetic background. The National Health Information Survey shows that acute and chronic respiratory conditions are common at all ages, but their incidence and prevalence vary between age groups. Susceptibility is therefore not a fixed characteristic, but the aggregate effect of changing intrinsic factors such as age and disease. While ethnicity is often cited as a risk factor for disease prevalence or severity, recent research shows that measurable factors such as nasal ellipticity determine exposure–dose relationships, while the imperfect surrogate of ethnicity does not. Studies also show that exposure–dose relationships can be modified by recent exposures, and additional information is clearly needed in this area. We propose that evidence for the genetic contribution to pollutant susceptibility be sought in inter-individual variation in responses of homogenous, well characterized individuals to short term controlled pollutant exposure. Future improvements in risk assessment models will be based on a precise identification of factors that determine exposure–dose relationships, and a mechanistic understanding of the reasons that a demographic factor or disease appears to confer altered susceptibility.
Physiological and Neurobiological Aspects of Stress and Their Relevance for Residency Training

Research investigating the undesirable outcomes of residency training mostly focuses on the effects of stress and long work-hours on patient outcomes (1), as well as physician satisfaction (2), mental health (3–5), and recruitment and retention (6, 7). There is little research, however, examining the physiological and physical health implications of the stress of such training on physicians themselves. Although current research falls short of fully understanding the health effects of medical training, there are some data, mostly from other populations, that our own “health practices” are ruining our health. With the newer and more restrictive set of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) residency requirements recently implemented in July 2011, it is an especially salient time to consider further research into the health effects of residency training that might knowledgeably inform policy organizations. Although there may be historical reasons and advantages for the current residency paradigm, such as healthcare demand and training experience, it is nevertheless important that we understand the physiological and neurobiological, or psychoneuroimmunological (PNI), implications of residency training on our young doctors. The stresses on today’s residents seem perhaps greater than they were several decades ago (8), although there are no direct comparison studies. Indeed, many residents report experiencing much stress and anxiety, with undesirable repercussions extending beyond their work life, although such feelings are rarely discussed (9, 10). For purposes of this article, we will consider “stress” to include sleep deprivation, perceived psychological stress, mood alterations, and social isolation. The Importance of Resident Well-Being The Institute of Medicine issued a report in 2008 setting guidelines for resident duty-hours to enhance sleep, supervision, and safety (11), spurred, in large part, by the findings that adverse events, including death, were the result of sleepdeprived and over-extended interns and residents (12). These recommended changes are undeniably important to curtail such events; however, they fail to recognize the mental and physical health-related effects of such conditions on its trainees. Whereas 45% of outpatients visiting primary care physicians report being excessively bothered by stress (13), we physicians may be less adept at practicing what we preach to our patients. By comparison, residents report a greater number of health complaints than the average worker (14). It is imperative to the integrity of the functioning of our healthcare system that we as physicians care for each other and ourselves as we would our patients. Further knowledge regarding the health effects of residency training could greatly inform healthcare policy creation. The stress-promoting effects of the practice of medicine as an attending physician are also of great importance. Because of its unique conditions, however, residency exemplifies
Regression analysis with censored data: Extensions of Koul–Susarla–Van Ryzin approach

Abstract Koul et al. (1981, Ann. Statist. 9, 1276–1288) proposed a new method of inference in regression models with randomly right censored data and showed that the estimator it produces is consistent and asymptotically normally distributed. This paper reviews the many extensions and modifications of this method that have appeared since. To further advance the method, we propose to study an extension of the residuals in such models with censored data. The usefulness of the residual analysis in model diagnostics is demonstrated by two examples.
Biochemistry of the neurotoxic action of MPTP: or how a faulty batch of ‘designer drug’ led to parkinsonism in drug abusers

Abstract Less than four years ago, the sudden appearance of parkinsonian symptoms in young drug abusers was traced to the presence of MPTP (1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine) in carelessly synthesized batches of ‘new heroin', an illicit pethidine analog. The world-wide interest and intense research effort this discovery generated has resulted in the identification of the enzymes involved in the conversion of MPTP to the neurotoxic form. It has also elucidated the crucial roles played by the dopamine reuptake system, by a newly discovered mitochondrial carrier, and by mitochondrial NADH dehydrogenase, the ultimate target, in the destruction of the nigrostriatal cells of the brain.
Summer olympic tourist market — learning from the past

Abstract Despite their potential for raising a host city's tourism profile and contributing to a general increase in tourism receipts, the recent summer Olympic Games have proved largely financially unsuccessful for the cities concerned. In this article, the authors discuss the results of the study of Olympic tourist behaviour at the last six Games. After examining the factors that both encouraged and discouraged visitors, and looking at their preferences once arrived, they draw some general conclusions about the way future Olympic Games should be marketed.
Chromatic discrimination with variation in chromaticity and luminance: Data and theory

Boynton and Kambe developed a model of chromatic discrimination in which thresholds are mediated by two independent mechanisms: the short-wavelength sensitive (S-) cones (S-cone axis), and the middle-wavelength sensitive (M-) and long-wavelength sensitive (L-) cones (M/L-cone axis). In this study, we used a Maxwellian view optical system to investigate fundamental properties of the model as a function of chromaticity and luminance. We confirmed that discriminations along the S-cone axis were dependent on S-cone excitation level. However, changes in chromaticity and changes in mean luminance were not described by a single threshold-vs-radiance (TVR) template. We developed a model to account for the different effects of changing S-cone excitation by varying mean chromaticity and by varying mean luminance. M/L-cone discriminations showed a minimum at the L-cone excitation to white, indicating strong opponency. The thresholds increased with luminance approaching a Weber region and showing parallel functions for differing chromaticities. These data are fit by a model allowing retinal gain controls and spectral opponency.
Establishing rapport: the secret business tool to success

Rapport is important in business. It can be described as a feeling you experience when you are with someone you intuitively like. And since so much of communication is non‐verbal, rapport is often developed on more of a subconscious or subliminal level. There are many methods and ways to help establish and build rapport. Some of these are verbal, such as matching another’s rate of speech. But many are through non‐verbal communication, such as pacing, mirroring, leading, or study of another’s sensory perceptions. Contends that using these techniques in building rapport can help us in our personal relationships, and certainly has application in business as well.
Transitions in plasticized and unplasticized cellulose acetates

The temperature-dependence of specific volume, rigidity modulus, and mechanical losses of plasticized and unplasticized cellulose acetates in the temperature range −100 to +200°C. has been studied. Two cellulose acetates, a triacetate and a cellulose (2.2) acetate were used, these being plasticized with varying amounts of either benzyl acetate, m-cresol, o-ethylphenol, γ-butyrolactone, monomethylaniline, benzylphenol, or Santophen 7 (a phthallyl glycolate). The specific volume measurements, made using an extremely sensitive dilatometer, indicated three apparent second-order transitions and one first-order (melting) transition in cellulose triacetate and three or possibly four apparent second-order transitions but no first-order transition in the cellulose (2.2) acetate. Both the first-order and second-order transitions were depressed by the addition of plasticizer, the depression being most marked with the phenolic-type plasticizers. Because of polymer decomposition at temperatures above 200°C., it was not possible to study the melting of mixtures containing less than 30% plasticizer and subsequently no reliable values for the melting temperature, the entropy, and the heat of crystallization could be determined. Rigidity modulus measurements, obtained using a torsional pendulum technique and the mechanical loss (damping) measurements, confirmed the existences of these second-order transitions in both acetates and indicated that only the highest temperature transition, 175°C. in the triacetate and 195°C. in the secondary acetate, had the characteristics of a normal glass to rubber transition.