cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Link Between Periodontitis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: A Periodontist’s Perspective

In this review, we critically evaluate the case–control studies examining the relationship between rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and periodontitis, two common chronic inflammatory diseases with a similar host-mediated pathogenesis. We review the “two-hit” periodontitis model that our group previously proposed, in which we elucidate how a systemic disease such as RA can potentially exacerbate or initiate periodontitis. Furthermore, we discuss adjunctive host modulation therapy, originally developed for periodontitis (i.e., subantimicrobial-dose doxycycline alone or in combination with an anti-inflammatory agent), to simultaneously mitigate RA and periodontitis. Finally, we review studies describing periodontal treatment effects on both RA disease activity measures and systemic inflammation. Current evidence suggests that an association exists between periodontitis and RA. Well-designed multicenter longitudinal clinical trials and studies with sufficient sample sizes are needed to ascertain the temporal relationship between these two diseases and whether periodontal treatment can reduce the severity of RA or prevent its onset.
Identification of HIBCH Gene Mutations Causing Autosomal Recessive Leigh Syndrome: A Gene Involved in Valine Metabolism

BACKGROUND: Leigh syndrome is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder with usual onset of symptoms during the first year of life. The disorder has been associated with mutations in over 30 genes. This difficulty with genetic heterogeneity makes whole exome sequencing a more cost-effective approach for investigation of etiology. PATIENT AND RESULTS: We describe an individual with typical Leigh syndrome who was found to have compound heterozygous mutations in the gene HIBCH (3-hydroxyisobutyryl coenzyme A hydrolase), an enzyme involved in the catabolism of valine. She exhibited significant clinical improvement after a valine-restricted diet. CONCLUSIONS: A subset of patients with uncharacterized Leigh syndrome present with specific biochemical abnormalities. This report highpoints the challenges and restrictions of routine metabolic testing and features the recognition of inborn errors of metabolism as potential treatable causes of Leigh syndrome.
Vietoris–Rips Complexes of Planar Point Sets

Fix a finite set of points in Euclidean n-space \(\mathbb{E}^{n}\) , thought of as a point-cloud sampling of a certain domain \(D\subset\mathbb{E}^{n}\) . The Vietoris–Rips complex is a combinatorial simplicial complex based on proximity of neighbors that serves as an easily-computed but high-dimensional approximation to the homotopy type of D. There is a natural “shadow” projection map from the Vietoris–Rips complex to \(\mathbb{E}^{n}\) that has as its image a more accurate n-dimensional approximation to the homotopy type of D.
Parenteral and Inhaled Prostanoid Therapy in the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Since continuous IV epoprostenol was approved in the U.S., parenteral prostanoid therapy has remained the gold standard for the treatment of patients with advanced pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Prostanoid agents can be administered as continuous intravenous infusions, as continuous subcutaneous infusions and by intermittent nebulization therapy. This article presents data from clinical trials of available prostanoid agents, and their varied routes of administration. The varied routes of administration allow for the incremental use of this class of agents in advanced PAH, and if PAH progresses. Prostanoids will remain a major component of PAH therapy for the foreseeable future.
Self-similar multihadron production at high energies

Abstract We show that a self-similar multihadron production pattern leads at high energies to a universtal law bahavior for the multiplicity moments as a function of the relative rapidity Y δy . Such behaviour occurs for Y → ∞ and δy larger than the scale associated with the usual resonance correlations: δy ⩾1−2. UA5 data for s = 200, 546 and 900 GeV are found to agree very well with the predicted universal behaviour.
A systematic review of college student-athlete drinking : Prevalence rates, sport-related factors, and interventions

Alcohol use among college students has become a considerable public health problem. Among this group, intercollegiate athletes are at a particularly high risk for excessive alcohol consumption and resulting negative alcohol-related consequences. The purpose of our review was to systematically examine three main issues related to alcohol consumption among intercollegiate athletes: (a) the prevalence rates and alcohol consumption patterns of this group, especially in comparison with those of collegiate nonathletes; (b) the various factors that might motivate or encourage alcohol use among intercollegiate athletes, primarily sport-related individual and environmental variables; and (c) considerations for conducting alcohol-related interventions with intercollegiate athletes.
EXPIRATORY MINUTE SPONTANEOUS VENTILATION IS A PREDICTOR OF WEANING FROM MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN PRETERM INFANTS

EXPIRATORY MINUTE SPONTANEOUS VENTILATION IS A PREDICTOR OF WEANING FROM MECHANICAL VENTILATION IN PRETERM INFANTS
METALLIC PROPERTIES OF ORTHORHOMBIC HIGH PRESSURE PHASE OF GaAs: THEORY & EXPERIMENT

Contrary to current beliefs that GaAs II is a semiconductor or semimetal, we find that the two high pressure orthorhombic phases of GaAs (GaAs II and GaAs III) are metallic and superconducting with Tc close to 4.5 K. Results from the experimental measurements and first principles pseudopotential calculations are found to be consistent.
Spanning Tree Based Topological Optimization of Compliant Mechanisms

In graph theory, spanning trees connect all the vertices together using minimum number of edges. A topological optimization method of compliant mechanisms is presented based on spanning tree theory. A valid topology is regarded as a network connecting input, output, support and intermediate nodes, which contains at least one spanning tree among the introduced nodes. Invalid disconnected topologies can be weeded out if no spanning tree is included. No further deformation analysis and performance evaluation is needed for invalid disconnected topologies. Problem-dependent objectives are optimized for topological optimization of compliant mechanisms. Constraints about maximum input displacement and input force, maximum stress and overlapping connections are directly imposed during the optimization process. The discrete optimization problem is solved by genetic algorithm with penalty function handling constraints. An example is presented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed optimization procedure.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Non-Didactic, a Culture of Peace, and “Some Cat from Brazil”: A Case Study of Negotiating a Dialogic Curriculum with Incarcerated Girls

HIPP Indy is a collaborative effort between the Indiana Department of Correction, the Peace Learning Center, and program facilitators in pursuit of implementing curriculum in peace education, conflict resolution, and self-efficacy with incarcerated, juvenile girls. The Center for Urban and Multicultural Education embarked on a program to partner a reservice teaching candidate with an urban social justice initiative in the hopes of reciprocal benefits for all involved. This study represents both qualitative data from multiple partners in designing and implementing the project, as well as the reflections of the participant-observer and co-author. The authors purport that listening to the stories of the diverse individuals involved in making the program possible offers an opportunity to understand curriculum in-the-making and the complexity of collaborative work. Revealed in this collaboration are new insights into the complexities of working with incarcerated students, attempts at creating a dialogic curriculum, and the ways in which academic discourse (i.e. Freirean praxis) gets translated into practical community-based, social justice work.
THE RECONSTRUCTION OF ANCESTRAL CHARACTER STATES.

The problem of error in the phylogenetic reconstruction of ancestral character states is explored by developing the model of Frumhoff and Reeve (1994). Information about the evolutionary rate of change within a character is inferred from the distribution of its character states on a known phylogeny, and this information is used to impose confidence limits on the error associated with ancestral state inference. Ancestral state inference is found to be remarkably robust under the model assumptions for a wide range of parameter values; however, the probability of error increases when the number of species within a clade is small and/or state-transition probabilities are strongly skewed in favor of the non-ancestral state. The rationale for expecting such a skew, a hypothesis of parallelism, is shown to rely on assumptions of low rates of change in at least two phylogenetically inherited characters: the tendency to occupy a particular ecological niche and the tendency to respond in a particular way to selection. A means for judging the relative likelihoods of parallelism vs. straightforward homology as explanations for a given character-state distribution is suggested. General problems with the model are discussed, as are methods for making it more realistic.
The ACA Advocacy Competencies: A Social Justice Advocacy Framework for Professional School Counselors:

The recent endorsement of the advocacy competencies by the American Counseling Association signals their relevance to the school counseling profession. This article outlines the importance of being a social change agent, the value of advocacy in K-12 schools, and how school counselors can use the advocacy competencies as a framework for promoting access and equity for all students. Implications for professional school counselors and school counselor educators in using the advocacy competencies are also addressed.
War gases as olfactory probes

The tear gas ethyl bromoacetate is a fruity-smelling alkylating agent that blocks the ability of the frog nose to respond to esters and a variety of other odorants, but leaves sensitivity to amines unimpaired. Lachrymators and chemical warfare agents of other functional types such as sulfides (mustard gas) and amines (nitrogen mustards) may have similarly specific actions that will enable their use as chemical probes of the sense of smell.
Formation of elongated particles in β-SiC compacts

Abstract The mechanism of bonding of β-SiC particles in a compact in a sintering process at relatively low temperatures has been investigated by TEM. The initial sign of bonding is observed at around 1800°C. At these temperatures, SiC particles are found to bond together only when their mutual orientations are the same. Similarly oriented grains at contact reorient themselves by rotation to the same orientation and then bond, thus forming elongated particles. As the temperature increases, the tendency to form elongated particles increases. The formation of boundaries between differently oriented particles is observed only at around 2100°C and above in similar compacts. The mechanism of bonding of particles in the same orientation at low temperatures is ascribed to high self-energy of dislocations common to covalent-bonded materials and, hence, the high energy of formation of grain boundaries.
Microstructure of hard and soft kernels of barley

Abstract Kernel hardness, an important quality trait of cereal grains, is known to influence pearling properties and malting quality of barley. To understand the endosperm micro-structural features of kernels and their relationship to kernel hardness, endosperms of three hard and three soft hulled spring barley lines based on single kernel characterization system hardness index were observed under light (LM) and scanning electron (SEM) microscopy. Under LM, endosperm cell wall of the three hard kernel lines was significantly thicker than that of the three soft kernel lines. Hard and soft lines showed differences in the degree of starch-protein association and continuity of protein matrix under the SEM. Hard kernel lines with a continuous protein matrix exhibited greater starch-protein adhesion than the soft kernel lines, suggesting that starch-protein binding may be one of the factors influencing barley kernel hardness. SEM of flour particles of soft kernel lines showed numerous well defined individual A and B-type starch granules, while, flour of hard kernel lines mostly showed small flour aggregates with few individual starch granules.
Sodium gradient-stimulated transport of L-carnitine into renal brush border membrane vesicles: kinetics, specificity, and regulation by dietary carnitine.

Abstract l -Carnitine transport by rat renal brush border membrane vesicles was stimulated by a Na+ gradient (extravesicular > intravesicular). Total carnitine entry was 2.7 and 3.2 times higher at 15 s in the presence of a 100 m m NaCl gradient than when the vesicles were incubated isoosmotically in buffered 100 m m KCl or buffered mannitol, respectively. Specific carnitine transport (total entry minus contribution from diffusion) was stimulated 3.6- and 5.7-fold, respectively. An “overshoot” was observed for total carnitine entry in the presence of a Na+ gradient but not in the presence of a K+ gradient or in the absence of an ion gradient. l -Carnitine transport was saturable. KT and Vmax for total carnitine transport were 0.11 m m and 11.6 pmol s−1 mg protein−1, respectively, and for Na+-gradient-dependent carnitine transport, 0.055 m m and 5.09 pmol s−1 mg protein−1, respectively. The transport process was structure-specific for a quaternary nitrogen and carboxyl groups attached by a 4- to 6-carbon chain, but without other charged functional groups. Other evidence for a carrier-mediated process included trans-stimulation of transport by intravesicular carnitine and a peak of activity at near physiological temperature. Kinetic data derived from this study, coupled with data from previous physiological studies from this laboratory, suggests that carnitine transport by the brush border membrane is not limiting for carnitine reabsorption. Dietary carnitine (1% of diet for 10 days) reduced by 52% the rate of carnitine transport across the brush border membrane in vitro, without affecting rates of d -glucose, l -lysine, l -glutamic acid, or l -alanine transport. Down-regulation of carnitine transport may prevent excessive or toxic accumulation of l -carnitine in renal tubular cells exposed to high extracellular carnitine concentrations.
Amino acid uptake in the spinal cord and brain of the rat after short-term spinal hemisection.

Protein metabolism in brain and spinal cord of rats subjected to spinal cord hemisection or a control operation was examined using the incorporation of [3H]lysine into trichloracetic acid (TCA)-precipitable protein and TCA-soluble fractions as an indicator. Groups of animals were studied 30, 45, 60, and 90 days after a left spinal hemisection or laminectomy alone at T2. One hour prior to utilization, the animals were injected subcutaneously with 200 μCi [3H]lysine. Tissue samples were taken from left and right somatomotor and occipital cortex and in spinal cord as far as 14 mm rostral and caudal to the site of hemisection. In brain, the uptake of [3H]lysine into protein ant TCA-soluble fractions was greater (P spinal hemisection > laminectomy controls). In rats with spinal hemisection of various durations, the average values of protein radioactivity fluctuated significantly (P < 0.05) with time with peaks at 30 and 60 days postoperation. These differences did not appear in control groups with laminectomies. In localized regions of spinal cord, the site of spinal hemisection had the highest (P < 0.05) protein and TCA-soluble radioactivity of all regions examined. Also, the left (lesion) side of the spinal cord had a greater average protein radioactivity than the right side in all groups of animals with spinal hemisection. These data indicate that spinal lesions produce long-term alterations in spinal cord amino acid metabolism both at the site of lesion and in regions not directly traumatized. The cyclic fluctuations of average protein radioactivity in spinal cord may correlate (Spearman rank correlation coefficient, 0.9 to 1.0) with the cyclic renewal of boutons in the rat with spinal hemisection described in earlier studies. This suggests that general metabolic factors may be important in the regenerative processes of the central nervous system.
Towards the resolution of taxonomic and nomenclatural problems concerning the typification of Acrosorium uncinatum (Delesseriaceae: Rhodophyta)

Evidence is presented that the lectotype of Fucus laceratus var. uncinatus Turner is a hook-producing form of Cryptopleura ramosa, in confirmation of the taxonomic judgement expressed by earlier workers. Two hook-forming delesseriacean taxa occur in the British Isles: Cryptopleura ramosa (Hudson) Kylin ex Newton var. uncinata (Turner) Newton and Acrosorium venulosum (Zanardini) Kylin. The latter name should be applied to the alga with a worldwide distribution that is currently known as Acrosorium uncinatum.
Anti-Reflection Coatings for Silicon Ultraviolet Detectors

We report on development of antireflective coatings optimized for a telescope detector in a UV spectrograph. We discuss progress in the development of a CCD with theoretical QE greater than 60% from 100 to 300nm.
Distribution of ouabain and digoxin in the rat and guinea pig

Abstract The pattern of distribution of various digitaloids has been studied by a number of investigators (1, 2, 3). In these studies, though, differences in dose, time and species make it difficult to compare distribution patterns. The present study was undertaken, therefore, to provide comparable data about the distribution of digitaloids with varying polar properties in two animal species with varying digitalis sensitivity.
Influence of extraction methodology on grape composition values

This work demonstrated similarities and differences in quantifying many grape quality components (>45 compounds) that were extracted from berries by three distinct preparations, before being analysed by eight spectrophotometric and HPLC methods. All sample extraction methods were appropriate for qualitative results only. Different extraction procedures showed altered component composition in ‘Pinot noir’ berries, possibly due to the localisation of the compounds of interest within the grape and how those compounds were extracted from the berry. Sample extraction is an often-overlooked part of berry evaluations, but this study illustrates that it should be carefully considered prior to berry component analysis for its influence upon measurements. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
Photodissociation of linear carbon clusters Cn (n=4-6)

The photodissociation of mass-selected linear carbon clusters (Cn, n = 4−6) is studied using fast beam photofragment translational spectroscopy. The photofragment yield (PFY) spectra consist of several continua spanning the whole visible and ultraviolet region. The product mass distributions for dissociation of Cn clusters are dominated by C3 and its partner fragment Cn-3, although some minor channels are also identified for dissociation of C4 and C5 clusters. Translational energy P(ET) distributions for the C3 + Cn-3 channel were measured at several photolysis energies. The PFY spectra and P(ET) distributions indicate that multiphoton dissociation occurs at photon energies below the dissociation threshold and that both single-photon and multiphoton dissociation occur above the threshold. The one-photon components of the P(ET) distributions can be modeled by phase space theory (PST), suggesting that photoexcitation is followed by internal conversion to the ground state. The PST analysis yields dissociatio...
CKiD (CKD in Children) Prospective Cohort Study: A Review of Current Findings

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a life-long condition associated with substantial morbidity and premature death due to complications from a progressive decrease in kidney function. The incidence and prevalence of all stages of CKD in children continues to increase worldwide. Between 2000 and 2008, the kidney replacement therapy incidence rate in those aged 0-19 years increased 5.9% to 15 per million population, highlighting the importance of CKD research in children. Many comorbid conditions seen in adults with CKD, including cardiovascular disease and cognitive impairment, also are highly prevalent in children, implicitly demonstrating the crucial need for initiating therapy early to improve health outcomes in children with CKD. The CKiD (Chronic Kidney Disease in Children) Study is a prospective cohort study of 586 children aged 1-16 years with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 30-90 mL/min/1.73 m 2 . Since its inception, CKiD has identified risk factors for CKD progression and cardiovascular disease in children with CKD and highlighted the effects of CKD on outcomes unique to children, including neurocognitive development and growth. This review summarizes the findings to date, illustrating the spectrum of CKD-associated complications in children and emphasizing areas requiring further investigation. Taken in sum, these elements stress that initiating treatment at an early age is essential for reducing long-term morbidity and mortality in children with CKD.
Initial Misdiagnosis of Cerebral Venous Thrombosis: A Case Report

Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare condition with an incidence ranging from 2 to 4 cases per million people per year. Its presentation is highly variable and can include headaches, changes in vision, focal neurological deficits, seizures and coma. Treatment of CVT remains controversial, particularly regarding long-term anti-coagulation. We report a case of a 35-year-old Asian male with a history of anti-thrombin III deficiency that was not adequately anti-coagulated. He presented with an acute and progressively worsening left-sided headache and ipsilateral ear fullness. The patient was initially misdiagnosed with a migraine headache after computed tomography (CT) of the head was interpreted as normal. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.4021/jmc1612e
Effects of Fluency Development on Urban Second-Grade Readers

Abstract This study was designed to test the efficacy of the fluency development lesson (FDL) as a supplement to the regular reading curriculum in urban second-grade classrooms. The 10-15 min FDL, which was implemented daily for 6 months, resulted in fluency gains for students. In addition, teacher response to the FDL was singularly positive.
Multidose, live attenuated, cold-recombinant, trivalent influenza vaccine in infants and young children

Twenty-two healthy infants and children received either cold-recombinant, trivalent influenza vaccine or placebo in a three-dose vaccine trial. Most (82%) who received vaccine were seronegative to all three vaccine strains (10(6) TCID50/dose each): A/Kawasaki/9/86 (H1N1), A/Los Angeles/2/87 (H3N2), and B/Yamagata/16/88. Vaccine was administered intranasally at time 0 and 2 and 4 months later. The vaccine was well tolerated and immunogenic when administered in a multidose regimen. The first dose stimulated antibody to H1, H3, and B in 59%, 94%, and 35% of vaccinees, respectively, by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) or ELISA. After two doses of vaccine, 93%, 93%, and 80% had antibody by HAI or ELISA to H1, H3, and B, respectively. Most vaccinees (67%) responded to all three viruses after two doses of vaccine. The third dose contributed little to the vaccine's immunogenicity. Multidose trivalent influenza vaccine is safe and induces an immune response in most vaccinees after two doses.
CEREBROPROTECTIVE ACTION OF THE PHOSPHOLIPASE INHIBITOR QUINACRINE IN THE ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSED GERBIL HIPPOCAMPUS

The phospholipase inhibitor quinacrine (mepacrine; 5 mg/kg, i.p.) was tested for cerebroprotective activity in a gerbil stroke model. Quinacrine significantly reduced stroke injury assessed by locomotor activity monitoring and by histopathological measurement of hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell loss. It is proposed that phospholipase activation, resulting from elevated levels of intracellular calcium, may contribute to ischemia-evoked neuronal injury.
Abstract 1278: Vitamin D receptor Fok1 gene polymorphisms may be associated with CRC among African American and Hispanic participants

Background: The vitamin D pathway plays a significant role through the vitamin D receptor (VDR) in cancer tumorogenesis. Interestingly, although African Americans have the lowest levels of vitamin D serum levels, vitamin D supplementation has not yielded significant improvement in cancer risk and outcome. Gene polymorphisms in VDR may play a role. There is lack of information on VDR gene polymorphisms and colorectal cancer (CRC) among underrepresented ethnic groups. Hence, this study is among the first to examine whether VDR SNPs, single-nucleotide-gene-polymorphisms, are associated with CRC in predominately African American and Hispanic study participants. Methods: A total of 378 participants were included in the study with 78 CRC patients and 300 non-CRC participants. Forty percent of participants were African American, 56% were Hispanic/Latino, and the remainder of participants self-identified as Caucasian or Asian. The four polymorphic SNPs in VDR - FokI (rs2228570), BsmI (rs1544410), TaqI (rs731236) and ApaI (rs7975232) - were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism methods. Statistical Analysis was performed by using SPSS software. Results: There was a significant difference in the distribution of the VDR-Fok1 and VDR-Apa1polymorphisms between African American and Hispanic participants (P=0.006 and 0.009, respectively). Furthermore, the VDR-Fok1 FF genotype was associated with CRC (OR=2.9; P=0.036) when compared with Controls without polyps. Upon breakdown by ethnicity, the FF genotype was most common in African American participants (61%), and the Ff genotype was most common in Hispanic/Latino participants (49%). When the association was assessed in a multivariate model, there was no significant association with any VDR polymorphism and CRC Cases (P>0.05). The other three polymorphic variants of VDR (BsmI, TaqI and ApaI) were not associated with CRC in any of the analyses. Conclusions: This study suggests that genetic variation of the VDR-FokI SNPs may influence CRC risk, particularly in African American cohorts. These findings suggest the potential need to screen for VDR polymorphisms in conjunction with screening vitamin D serum levels. As a potentially modifiable risk factor, vitamin D and the VDR mediated axis may be a point of significant interventional opportunity to effectively reduce CRC risk, with the overarching goal to reduce cancer health disparities. Citation Format: Marianna Sarkissyan, Yanyuan Wu, Zuijan Chen, Dhruva Mishra, Suren Sarkissyan, Ioannis Giannikopoulos, Jaydutt V. Vadgama. Vitamin D receptor Fok1 gene polymorphisms may be associated with CRC among African American and Hispanic participants. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1278. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1278
High proportions of tetraether phospholipids in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum strain Hveragerdi measured by high performance liquid chromatography

The diether and tetraether lipids were isolated from the phospholipids of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum strain Hveragerdi. These membrane components were assayed by high performance liquid chromatography. The ratio of diether to tetraether lipids was 1:14 on a weight basis and represents the highest proportion of tetraether yet reported in a methanogenic bacterium. This data and the application of this method has relevance in microbial ecology and organic geochemistry where these chemical signatures may be used to assess the contributions of methane-forming bacteria to biological processes in natural environments.
Vascular access survival among incident hemodialysis patients in the United States

Vascular access failure causes substantial morbidity to hemodialysis patients. We sought to identify factors determining survival of the permanent vascular access in use at the start of end-stage renal disease during 1990 in a national sample of 784 incident hemodialysis patients insured by Medicare. Medicare claims records were used to identify access failures or revisions among patients with an arteriovenous (AV) fistula (n = 245) and an AV vascular graft (n = 539). A proportional hazards analysis of time to first failure or revision, controlled by stratification for sex, race, and cause of end-stage renal disease, was used to determine the effect of age, access type, and peripheral vascular disease on vascular access survival. Patients with an AV fistula and who were older than 65 years had a risk of access failure that was 24% lower than similar patients with an AV graft (P < 0.02). The relative risk of access failure for an AV fistula, but not an AV graft, varied significantly with age for patients younger than 65 years (P < 0.01). The relative risk of access failure for a patient with an AV fistula, compared with a patient of the same age with an AV graft, was 67% lower at the age of 40 years, 54% lower at the age of 50 years, and 24% lower at the age of 65 years. A history of peripheral vascular disease was associated with a 24% higher risk of AV graft or fistula failure (P = 0.05). Measures to decrease vascular access-related morbidity among hemodialysis patients should include reversing the current trend toward increasing use of AV grafts, particularly in patients younger than 65 years.
Family Communication Patterns and Cognitive Processing: Conversation and Conformity Orientations as Predictors of Informational Reception Apprehension

This study examined the unique and combined associations among family communication patterns (i.e., conversation and conformity orientations) and young adult children's informational reception apprehension (IRA; i.e., listening anxiety and intellectual inflexibility). Participants included 592 young adult children from first-marriage and postdivorce families. Results indicated that family conversation orientations are inversely associated with listening anxiety and intellectual inflexibility, whereas conformity orientations are positively associated with both traits. Furthermore, an interaction effect between conversation and conformity orientations emerged, such that high-conformity orientations moderate (or reduce) the inverse association between family conversation orientations and young adults' listening anxiety. Among the more important implications in this study is the finding that family communication patterns have a small but meaningful association with individuals' information-processing skills.
Markers of bone and calcium metabolism following gastric bypass and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding.

Several studies have suggested that morbid obesity is associated with vitamin D deficiency and elevated parathyroid hormone (PTH). Studies have also suggested that there is an increase in vitamin D deficiency, bone resorption, and elevated PTH after gastric bypass surgery. Few studies have evaluated markers of bone and calcium metabolism after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding or compared these results to those after gastric bypass. Data on all patients undergoing primary gastric bypass (GBP; n = 979) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB; n = 269) procedures at a tertiary-referral center from June 1996 through March 2005 were reviewed from a prospective database. Only patients with 25OH vitamin D levels available were included in this study (n = 534; GBP = 403, LAGB = 131). All patients were advised to take at least 1,200 mg calcium and 800–1,200 IU of vitamin D daily before and subsequent to their operation. Markers for bone metabolism [25OH Vitamin D, corrected serum calcium, alkaline phosphatase (AP), and PTH] were evaluated preoperatively and 3, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively. An analysis of variance and chi-square were performed to determine differences between the operative groups. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the relationship between preoperative body mass index (BMI) and 25OH vitamin D and PTH levels and between percent excess weight loss and 25OH vitamin D and PTH after surgery. Sixty-four percent of all patients presented with vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) and 14% presented with elevated PTH preoperatively. Mean 25OH vitamin D levels and AP levels increased significantly after GBP surgery (vitamin D, 17 to 25 ng/ml 12 months post-op; AP, 80 to 90 IU/L 24 months post-op). Corrected calcium levels remained within normal limits and showed no change over time after both procedures. AP levels significantly increased from 76 IU/l preoperatively to 82 IU/l 6 months after LAGB surgery and then decreased to 59 IU/l 24 months after LAGB surgery. Linear regression analysis of preoperative vitamin D, PTH, and BMI values showed a significant positive relationship between initial BMI and PTH (r = 0.29) and a significant negative relationship between vitamin D and initial BMI (r = −0.19). A significant positive linear relationship between vitamin D and percent excess weight loss was evident 12 and 24 months after GBP surgery (r = 0.39 and 0.57, respectively). A negative relationship was evident between PTH and vitamin D 6 months after GBP surgery (r = −0.35) and 12 months after LAGB surgery (r = −0.61). These findings suggest that morbid obesity is associated with vitamin D deficiency, and elevated PTH and with adequate supplementation, GBP, and particularly LAGB, patients can improve their bone metabolism abnormalities related to obesity. Furthermore, adequate supplementation for GBP patients may attenuate the increased risk for bone loss associated with malabsorption from the bypass.
Identification of an adenosine 3',5'-monophosphate (cAMP)-responsive region in the rat growth hormone gene: evidence for independent and synergistic effects of cAMP and thyroid hormone on gene expression.

Rat GH gene expression is known to be stimulated by several factors, including thyroid hormone and GRF. This effect of GRF appears to be mediated by cAMP resulting from activation of adenylate cyclase by the peptide. The elements of the rat GH gene important for thyroid hormone stimulation and cell-specific expression have been previously mapped using gene transfection techniques. Cell-specific expression of the gene is mediated by two cell-specific elements located from −137 to −107 and from −95 to −65. Sequences mediating thyroid hormone stimulation are thought to be located between −208 and −160. In this study, using three different methods to elevate cAMP levels in cells [forskolin, a direct activator of the adenylate cyclase catalytic subunit; 8-(4-chlorophenylthio)cAMP, a nonmetabolizable cAMP analog; and isobutylmethylxanthine, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor], we show that 5′-flanking DNA of the rat GH gene can mediate stimulation by cAMP (10- to 20-fold). The cAMP-responsive region was mapped to se...
Ground-state properties and magnetic excitations of the mixed valence state: Cerium-based alloys

Both the static and dynamic magnetic behavior of the mixed valence system, ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{0.9\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{La}}_{x}{\mathrm{Th}}_{0.1}$, have been studied through magnetic susceptibility and inelastic neutron scattering experiments. For small La concentrations ($x\ensuremath{\lesssim}0.09$), the system exhibits a first-order valence transition to a strongly mixed valent ground state, whereas nearly integral valent, local moment behavior results for $x\ensuremath{\gtrsim}0.4$. For the strongly mixed valent system ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{0.74}$${\mathrm{Th}}_{0.26}$, the inelastic neutron spectra are characterized by a broad quasielastic peak, while for $x\ensuremath{\gtrsim}0.14$ in the ${\mathrm{Ce}}_{0.9\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{La}}_{x}{\mathrm{Th}}_{0.1}$ system, the mixed valence effects are weaker and crystalline electric field excitations begin to appear. This occurs when the spin-fluctuation energies associated with the mixed valent state are smaller than the crystal-field excitation energy. Simple relationships emerge which connect various energy-related parameters, namely, the valence transition temperature, the Fermi liquid susceptibility at $T=0$ and the ground-state spin-fluctation energy as measured in the neutron scattering experiments.
Analysis of Conformations of Amino Acid Residues and Prediction of Backbone Topography in Proteins

Methods for describing a discrete number of conformational states of amino acid residues in proteins are presented and used to investigate the topography of chain folding. The relative importance of short-range, medium-range and long-range interactions is discussed in the light of an analysis of the conformational states for the different amino acid residues in eight proteins of known structure. A prediction algorithm, which assigns four states to each residue of a protein chain (α-helix, extended structure, bend, or coil), has been developed from a consideration of both short- and medium-range interactions and applied to thirteen proteins of known three-dimensional structure. The prediction algorithm is simple to apply, and the assignment of α-helix and extended structure is considerably better than in most other predictive schemes. The prediction of chain reversal or bend regions was also better than with previous algorithms, but these assignments were not as good as those for α-helix and extended structure. The motivation for the development of this algorithm is not only to demonstrate the relative importance of short- and longer-range interactions but, more important, to begin to develop procedures for obtaining an approximate starting conformation for subsequent energy minimization to predict the three-dimensional structure of a protein. This procedure, as well as various other methods for the prediction of the backbone topography and conformational states of residues in proteins from the amino acid sequence, have been reviewed and evaluated by comparing the success of the methods to the success expected from a random assignment of conformational states.
Cutaneous Ureterostomy Technique for Adults and Effects of Ureteral Stenting: An Alternative to the Ileal Conduit

Purpose: We present surgical modifications that improved the outcome of cutaneous ureterostomies.Materials and Methods: A total of 310 patients with a median age of 71 years (range 38 to 88) underwent cutaneous ureterostomy as urinary diversion. Median followup was 25 months (range 1 to 172). The technique included 1) transposition of the left ureter above the inferior mesenteric artery, 2) mobilization of the ileocecal segment with repositioning above each terminal ureter, 3) abdominal wall hiatus fixation with 4 angle sutures and 4) YV plasty of the ureters with edge-to-edge anastomosis for stomal creation. In the 161 group 1 patients (59.1%) the Double-J® stents were removed in less than 3 months. Stents remained longer than 3 months in the 111 group 2 patients (40.8%).Results: Of the 272 patients ureteral obstruction developed in 36 (13.2%). Ureteral obstruction was on the right side in 6 patients (2.2%), on the left side in 27 (9.9%) and bilateral in 3 (1.1%). Ureteral obstruction was treated with re...
Uptake of l-[propyl-2,3-3H]dihydroalprenolol by intact HeLa cells

This report describes the uptake of L-[propyl-2,3-3H]dihydroalprenolol, a beta-adrenergic antagonist, by HeLa (human adenocarcinoma) cells. [3H]Dihydroalprenolol binds to sites of high capacity and low affinity in intact HeLa cells. The binding achieves equilibrium rapidly and is rapidly reversible. Bound [3H]dihydroalprenolol is displaceable by beta-adrenergic antagonists in a nonstereoselective fashion, but is not displaceable by isoproterenol, an adrenergic agonist. Phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic antagonist, and chloroquine, a lysosomotropic amine, also compete for [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites. [3H]Dihydroalprenolol binding is inhibited by metabolic inhibitors, but not by cytoskeletal blocking agents. The binding is sensitive to extracellular pH (less binding at lower pH) and is temperature-sensitive (less binding at lower temperatures). The bound radioligand is rapidly reversed following hypotonic lysis of the cells. These [3H]dihydroalprenolol binding sites in intact HeLa cells therefore do not have the characteristics expected for beta-adrenergic receptors. Further studies showed that beta-adrenergic receptors could be detected in a HeLa membrane preparation using [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol, and that chloroquine had very low affinity for these receptors. We conclude that [3H]dihydroalprenolol diffuses across the plasma membrane of intact HeLa cells and accumulates in acidic intracellular compartments.
Effect of reinforcement learning on coordination of multiangent systems

For effective coordination of distributed environments involving multiagent systems, learning ability of each agent in the environment plays a crucial role. In this paper, we develop a simple group learning method based on reinforcement, and study its effect on coordination through application to a supply chain procurement scenario involving a computer manufacturer. Here, all parties are represented by self-interested, autonomous agents, each capable of performing specific simple tasks. They negotiate with each other to perform complex tasks and thus coordinate supply chain procurement. Reinforcement learning is intended to enable each agent to reach a best negotiable price within a shortest possible time. Our simulations of the application scenario under different learning strategies reveals the positive effects of reinforcement learning on an agent's as well as the system's performance.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Income distribution in a chinese commune

Abstract This paper analyzes income distribution data for a single brigade of a commune in Fukien Province, after the 1962 movement down to the production team as the basic agricultural unit. The primary result is that returns to nonlabor resources owned by the production teams cause significant income differences between team income levels even within the same production brigade. Inequality based in ownership patterns seems incompatible with Chinese Communist ideological principles so its continued existence reflects the extent to which pragmatism has dominated ideology in the People's Republic of China.
Temperature mediated processes in teleost immunity: differential abilities of channel catfish T and B lymphocytes to cap membrane antigen.

Abstract 1. 1. The effect of both in vivo acclimation temperature and in vitro assay temperatures on channel catfish T and B lymphocyte membrane antigen (mAg) capping were investigated to determine if capping might be the temperature sensitive step involved in the low temperature immunosuppression of channel catfish T cell responses. 2. 2. Flow cytometry was used to monitor the kinetics of capping induced by a mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb 11G3) specific for a common antigenic determinant present on channel catfish T and B cells. Results indicated that the kinetics of mAg capping were dependent on in vitro assay and in vivo acclimation temperatures and the length of time of in vivo acclimation. 3. 3. T cells from fish appropriately acclimated to 27°C cap mAg more efficiently at low assay temperatures than do B cells. 4. 4. Activation energies were 32 and 47 kcal/mol for B and T cells, respectively, from fish acclimated to 17°C for 3 weeks, but were significantly lower (14 and 22 kcal/mol, respectively) after acclimation for 5 weeks. 5. 5. In summary, it appears that after appropriate in vivo acclimation, channel catfish T cells are better able to cap mAg at low assay temperatures than are B cells. These results suggest that mAg capping is not the low temperature sensitive step involved in T cell immunosuppression in channel catfish.
Propositions Without Identity

Dans le cadre du debat sur le propositionnalisme defendant une conception realiste de la proposition comme contenu d'un enonce et autres attitudes propositionnelles, l'A. defend l'idee de proposition sans identite a partir du constat du flou individuatif du concept meme de proposition et de la reconnaissance de propositions-strictes (sharp). Soulevant le probleme metaphysique de l'identite vague et examinant la surevaluation semantique du contexte dans le cadre d'une ontologie relativiste, l'A. montre qu'il n'y a pas d'imprecision dans le monde exterieur a nos representations, mais seulement differentes propositions precises
Application of Rosseland approximation and solution based on series expansion of the emission power to radiation problems.

Emission-power series expansion solution and Rosseland approximation applied to radiation problems, discussing errors introduced by approximate methods
Therapeutic trial of milacemide in patients with myoclonus and other intractable movement disorders

We performed a therapeutic trial with the glycine precursor, milacemide, on 10 patients with intractable movement disorders. Six had myoclonus of various etiologies and one each had progressive supranuclear palsy, Filipino X-linked dystonia with parkinsonism, painful legs and moving toes, and stiff-person syndrome. Milacemide was initiated at a dose of 2,400 mg/ day, orally, and increased gradually to a maximum of 4,800 mg/ day. No clear-cut observable improvement occurred. There were no serious adverse effects.
Thermodynamically Consistent Adaptation of Scaled Particle Theory to an Arbitrary Hard-Sphere Equation of State

Scaled particle theory (SPT) is adapted to an arbitrary hard-sphere equation of state (EOS) while utilizing an SPT interpolation function that satisfies all the exact conditions of SPT and, as such, is thermodynamically consistent. The new modification of SPT is tailored to predict with high accuracy the reversible work of forming a cavity in a hard-sphere fluid, but it also estimates the surface tension and excess surface adsorption. The application of additional SPT conditions also provides estimates of the first two derivatives of the hard-sphere radial distribution function (RDF) at contact. When various accurate equations of state are used, in particular, the Carnahan-Starling EOS, the resulting work of cavity formation is nearly identical to accurate Monte Carlo simulation data and the predictions of the recent SPT 6 [Heying and Corti, J. Phys. Chem. B 2004, 108, 19756]. The estimates of the surface tension and surface adsorption at moderate to high packing fractions deviate somewhat from both previous theoretical techniques and the simulation. Meanwhile, EOS-based predictions of the initial slope of the RDF are very close to simulation estimates. Predictions of the initial curvature, like those of SPT 6 , deviate from simulation, but not drastically so. The overall accuracy of our version of SPT demonstrates that a thermodynamically consistent modification of SPT provides correct predictions of the work of cavity formation and is, therefore, suitable for use as the ideally repulsive reference state in various solvation theories of liquids.
Manifestations of Berry's Topological Phase for the Photon

Recently, Berry recognized in quantum mechanics a topological phase factor arising from the adiabatic transport of a system around a closed circuit, which is essentially the Aharonov-Bohm effect in parameter space. Here we consider manifestations of this phase factor for a photon in a state of adiabatically invariant helicity. An interferometer is suggested to see this phase. Also, an effective optical activity for a helical optical fiber is predicted. These effects emerge on a classical level as topological features of Maxwell's theory.