cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sonographic visualization of ovarian veins during the puerperium: An assessment of efficacy

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the ability to visualize ovarian veins by sonography in postpartum patients as well as to assess the frequency of ovarian vein thrombosis in these patients. Study Design: Seventy subjects were recruited from either the postpartum ward or labor and delivery unit after vaginal delivery between November 1, 2000, and March 1, 2001. Patients were excluded if they had a previous or current history of venous thrombosis or recently underwent cesarean delivery. Demographic data were recorded. Transabdominal ultrasonography was performed with gray scale or color Doppler imaging for visualization of the right and left ovarian veins. Either power Doppler or pulsed Doppler imaging with spectral analysis was used for verification of the ovarian veins. Logistic regression was used for univariate analysis. Results: Of the 70 parturients studied, both ovarian veins were visualized in 55 women (78.6%). Of the remaining subjects, either the right (n = 6) or the left (n = 6) ovarian vein could not be visualized. In 3 subjects, neither ovarian vein could be visualized (4.3%). An isolated, asymptomatic right ovarian vein thrombus was identified in one subject (1/55, 1.8%) after bilateral tubal ligation was performed. Maternal age, parity, body mass index, gestational age, spontaneous versus operative vaginal delivery, neonatal sex, or sonographer (radiologist versus perinatologist) did not correlate with ability to visualize the ovarian veins; however, increasing birth weight tended positively toward significance ( P =.064). Conclusion: Most ovarian veins can be visualized sonographically during the early puerperium. Additional imaging studies should be considered when a diagnosis is unclear. The presence of an asymptomatic ovarian vein thrombus is unusual and is of uncertain importance. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:893-5.)
Ribosomal RNA genes of 'pathogenic' and 'nonpathogenic' Entamoeba histolytica are distinct.

Abstract Most infections with Entamoeba histolytica are asymptomatic. Two forms of the organism can be distinguished biochemically, and this finding has been explained by two distinct hypotheses: (1) there are two morphologically indistinguishable species, one of which causes disease; (2) there is one species which exists in two interconvertible forms, one of which causes disease. Knowledge of which hypothesis is correct has major implications for evaluation and treatment of carriers. We have studied the ribosomal RNA genes of the two forms hypothesising that, if E. histolytica is one species, there should be no differences between them. We have found that the ribosomal RNA genes of the two forms are quite distinct, which supports the hypothesis that E. histolytica is two species.
Podcasting in academia: a new knowledge management paradigm within academic settings

Podcasting represents a new and exciting learning paradigm within an academic setting. Materials such conference reports, research manuscripts, and course lectures can be recorded as audio and video files and delivered to subscribing users automatically. A minimum skills and effort is requiring for involved parties to accomplish the knowledge transaction. The ease of use and seamless transaction between users enable more efficiency in resource consumption. Minimal time and effort is wasted for both knowledge distribution and acquisition. In addition, podcasting can be utilized in various types of knowledge management practices including, a collaborative and social networking activities. This paper provides a technological overview of podcasting, and examines the potential podcasting usage within educational settings, podcasting contributions to academia, and future podcasting research suggestions.
Perceptions of mothers' and fathers' abusive and supportive behaviors

Young adults' perceptions of parenting behaviors were explored, specifically with regard to the issue of how perceptions may be affected by gender of parent, child, or observer. Ratings of psychologically (emotionally), physically, and sexually abusive behaviors and ratings of love/support, promotion of independence, and positive modeling/fairness were obtained for mothers and fathers as well as daughters and sons. When father was the referent, female subjects rated the behaviors as more emotionally, physically, and sexually abusive than male subjects did. When mother was the referent, gender of subject and gender of child interacted, with female subjects rating the behaviors as more abusive when done to sons than male subjects did. Male and female subjects agreed that behaviors representing love/support and fairness were highly supportive when done by fathers. When done by mothers, female subjects rated love/support behaviors as more supportive for sons than male subjects did. Results indicated that gender of parent, child, and observer may affect young adults' perceptions of parental abusiveness and supportiveness.
A Longitudinal Test of the Model of Political Conservatism as Motivated Social Cognition

Using data from a longitudinal study of college students, this study assessed the relationships among the threat perceptions of realistic threat and intergroup anxiety, the ideological motives of system justification and social dominance orientation (SDO), and political conservatism. Those who had higher perceptions of realistic threat and intergroup anxiety at the end of their first year of college showed higher levels of system justification and SDO at the end of their second and third years of college, controlling for precollege expressions of each variable. Higher levels of these two ideological motives at the end of students' second and third years of college were associated with more politically conservative attitudes at the end of students' fourth year of college, again controlling for precollege expressions. These longitudinal results are discussed in terms of a model of political conservatism as motivated social cognition.
The faculty portfolio: documenting the scholarship of teaching.

The scholarship of teaching is considered an essential component of scholarship within academic settings. To promote the transfer of knowledge specific to the discipline of nursing, this category of scholarship must include inquiry into the practice of teaching, program development, and professional role modeling, in addition to excellence in teaching itself. Conveying what constitutes teaching scholarship in nursing may present special challenges for nurse faculty in the university setting. A faculty teaching portfolio is one mechanism for explicating, communicating, and enhancing the scholarship of teaching. The methodology for creating, improving, and maintaining a teaching portfolio includes analyzing the mission of the university, articulating a philosophy of teaching, deciding on goals and objectives, designing evaluative mechanisms, processing data, conducting a self-evaluation, applying new approaches, and revisiting and reflecting on the outcomes. Faculty teaching portfolios serve to display, communicate, and document the scholarship of teaching. The creative endeavors surrounding portfolio development are ongoing and recursive, necessitating self-reflection and new approaches. J Prof Nurs 17:180-186, 2001.
Photoperiod nonresponsive Siberian hamsters: effect of age on the probability of nonresponsiveness.

Groups from three different breeding lines of Siberian hamsters (UNS = general colony animals, PNRa = selected for photoperiod nonresponsiveness as adults, PNRj = selected for photoperiod nonresponsiveness as juveniles) were exposed to short days at weaning and again as adults (Experiment 1) or only as adults (Experiment 2). The proportion of photoperiod nonresponsive individuals in each line was determined by measuring testis length after 6 weeks of exposure to short days (juveniles) or by paired testis weights after 12 weeks in short photoperiod (adults). Adults were blood sampled on the day of sacrifice (Experiment 1) or on Weeks 3, 4, 5, 6, 8,10, and 12 (Experiment 2) for determination of serum prolactin (PRL) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) concentrations. Nonresponsive individuals were present in all three lines of hamsters. Furthermore, all three lines of hamsters showed an increase in the proportion of nonresponders with age; some individuals are responsive to short days as juveniles, but b...
Induction of lethality and DNA breakage by the decay of iodine-125 in bacteriophage T4.

SummaryIodine-125 has been incorporated into the DNA of coliphage T4 in the form of 5-iododeoxyuridine (IUdR), an analogue of thymidine. 125I decays by electron capture with consequent vacancy cascades and multiple ionization (Auger effect). This decay mode is known to cause extensive fragmentation of labelled small molecules. 125I-labelled T4 phage have been stored in a glycerol-casamino acid storage medium at −196°C during decay and assayed for the induction of lethalities and double-strand breaks (DSB's) in DNA. The lethal efficiency per decay, α(lethal), is 0·59 ± 0·08, in reasonable agreement with the previously determined value for 125I decay in T1 phage, α(lethal) = 0·49 ± 0·03. The efficiency of induction of DSB's, as determined by sedimentation of extracted DNA in neutral sucrose gradients, is 1·01 ± 0·13. These results indicate that every decay causes a DSB, but that some DSB's are non-lethal. α(DSB) is independent of storage temperature during decay (+4°C versus −196°C) and is also independent ...
Preferred retinal locus--hand coordination in a maze-tracing task.

PURPOSE Fine manual tasks require coordination of vision, eye movements, and motor control. Macular scotomas from age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may adversely affect this coordination. The purpose of this research was to find whether the preferred retina locus for fixation (fPRL) also guided the hand in performing fine manual tasks and how the fingers, fPRL, and scotomas interacted in task performance. METHODS Subjects with bilateral macular scotomas from AMD and normally sighted controls traced an irregular "maze" line pattern with the index finger while viewing their hand and the maze in a scanning laser ophthalmoscope (SLO). Video images from the SLO showing the fingers and maze on the retina during the task were analyzed to produce retinal maps showing the scotoma and bivariate ellipses of fPRL and fingertip retinal positions. RESULTS Fingertip retinal ellipses surrounded and were approximately centered on the fPRL ellipses. Fingertip retinal bivariate area was positively correlated with fPRL bivariate area and the percent time the fPRL was on the maze was correlated with visual acuity. Maze-tracing accuracy was positively correlated with saccade rate for scotoma subjects. CONCLUSIONS Concentric overlap of fPRL and fingertip retinal ellipses indicates that it is the fPRL that guides the hand in the maze-tracing visuomotor task, just as the fovea guides the fingertip for visually normal subjects. It is likely that factors other than fPRL and scotoma characteristics contribute to poorer maze-tracing performance by scotoma subjects in comparison with controls.
Psychosocial Factors Associated With Youth Involvement in Community Activities Promoting Heart Health

This study examined factors that influence youth participation in heart disease prevention activities among 2,609 ninth graders in six inner-city public high schools. Constructs derived from social cognitive, empowerment, and community development theories informed the conceptual framework employed. Study participants were diverse with respect to gender, ethnicity, parent education, acculturation, and academic achievement. Perceived incentive value, self-efficacy, outcome expectancies, sense of community, and perceived policy control were all significantly associated with participation in community activities promoting heart health. In multivariate analyses, perceived incentive value, defined as the extent to which participants valued a heart-healthy environment, was most strongly associated with community participation, accounting for 11.9% of the total variance. These findings have implications for designing school curricula and after-school and community programs targeting adolescents' involvement in health advocacy activities.
Programming Creative Behaviour

This research is designed to ascertain the extent to which programmed instruction is capable of developing creative behaviour. The objectives were: (a) whether or not subjects receiving creative problem-solving training by programmed methods alone show an increase in creative ability as do subjects receiving the same programmed materials by instructor-taught methods; (b) whether or not either or both groups show a significant gain in creative ability and (c) the attitudes of the subjects toward the two methods. The pattern of results of the various tests of creative ability permits the generalization that the instructor-taught programmed groups were superior to those who took the programme alone and to control groups; and the groups that took the programme alone were superior to the control groups. The tests most representative of this outcome were Elaboration, Fluency, Flexibility, Alternative Uses, Originality and Consequences. In addition, data was obtained on students' attitudes towards both methods of instruction.
On economic incentives for reducing hazardous waste generation

Abstract This paper examines waste-end taxes and the probability of accident litigation as economic incentives for reducing hazardous waste generation and implementing safety operations at disposal sites. When firms select both the quantity of waste generation and safety expenditures, the imposition of waste-end taxes may not necessarily improve social welfare. Furthermore, a tradeoff exists between waste reduction and accident mitigation. While the probability of accident litigation has a positive impact on expected social liability, the tradeoff is still inevitable. Waste-end taxes can be effective if they are levied on firms with less advanced safety technology.
On sentence storage: The influence of syntactic versus semantic factors on intrasentence word associations

Three experiments were conducted in which predictions concerning intrasentence word associations (ISWA) were tested, based on a surface structure theory of sentence storage ( Johnson, 1968 ) and a theory based on deep structure. The predictions of neither theory were completely upheld in the three experiments. An alternative theory of sentence storage based on the semantic interpretation given a sentence was formulated. Two further experiments were then conducted in which ISWA were obtained from sentences containing violations of selectional restrictions. ISWA was disrupted by violations of selectional restrictions and the disruptions occurred at those points at which semantic interpretation was blocked. Sentence structure serves as the basis for sentence interpretation but structure per se plays little part in sentence storage.
Quenched auto-ligating DNAs: multicolor identification of nucleic acids at single nucleotide resolution.

We describe the synthesis and study of multicolor quenched autoligating (QUAL) probes for identification and discrimination of closely related RNA and DNA sequences in solution and in bacteria. In these probes, a dabsyl quencher doubles as an activator in the oligonucleotide-joining reaction. The oligonucleotides remain dark until they bind at adjacent sites, and “light up” on nucleophilic displacement of the dabsyl probe by the phosphorothioate probe. Four fluorescent dye conjugates were prepared and tested with probes and targets that differ by one nucleotide. Experiments on polymer beads show clear color-based discrimination of DNAs added in solution. Two-color quenched probe pairs were then tested in the discrimination of 16S rRNA sequences in Escherichia coli. Single nucleotide resolution was achieved in the cells with green/red QUAL probes, allowing identification of a one-base sequencing error in the16S rRNA database. Finally, QUAL probes were successfully applied in live bacterial cells. The metho...
Micro-coaxial micro-fabricated feeds for phased array antennas

This paper presents an overview of recent research at the University of Colorado, Boulder, in the area of passive and active antenna arrays. Specifically, micro-coaxial array feed components, fabricated in the Nuvotronics PolyStrata™ process will be discussed as a means to miniaturized phased array. Performance of broadband Wilkinson dividers covering 2–22GHz (11:1 bandwidth) implemented in micro-coaxial lines for active transmit arrays is presented along with assembly methods for standard surface-mount resistors within the micro-coaxial environment. Integration of active devices with micro-coaxial components for 20W transmitters covering the 4–18GHz band is shown, and challenges associated with high power densities and interconnect parasitic are addressed. Ka-band (38 GHz) hybrids resulting in a 4×4 Buttler matrix with patch-like antennas integrated in PolyStrata™are presented. The high-performance micro-coaxial environment is highlighted with its advantages and potential limitations. Frequency-scanned array designs for W and G-band operation are compared for PolyStrata™ micro-coaxial and waveguide-fed arrays. Finally, several other related approaches, including spatially-fed beam-forming arrays, are overviewed.
Hybrid models of reactive transport in porous and fractured media

Abstract Darcy-scale models of flow and transport in porous media often fail to describe experimentally observed phenomena, while their pore-scale counterparts are accurate but can be computationally prohibitive. Most numerical multiscale models, which seek to combine these two descriptions, require empirical closures and/or assumptions about the behavior of pore-scale quantities at the continuum (Darcy) scale. We present a general formulation of an iterative hybrid numerical method that links the pore and continuum scales without resorting to such approximations. The algorithm treats the fluxes exchanged at the internal boundaries between pore- and continuum-scale domains as unknown, and allows for iteratively determined boundary conditions to be applied at the pore-scale in order to guarantee flux continuity. While the algorithm proposed is general, we use it to model transport in a fracture with chemically reactive walls. Results demonstrate significant improvement upon standard continuum-scale formulations.
Different odors in rats from large and small rewards

Although rats emit different odors in a goalbox upon receipt of unsignaled reward and nonreward, recent studies have failed to find odor differences from unsignaled large and small reward, apparently disconfirming the generalization that frustration-producing manipulations lead to a distinctive emission. Experiment 1 tested the hypothesis that providing discriminative runway signals, permitting subjects to anticipate the large and small rewards, would lead to different odor emissions. Results supported the hypothesis: donor rats emitted odors sufficiently different to provide cues for differential responding in test subjects. However, an attempt to replicate the recent observations on unsignaled rewards suggested that these, too, occasioned goalbox emissions. Therefore, Experiment 2 again gave donors unsignaled large and small reward, but increased the incentive for discrimination in test rats. Test subjects readily discriminated, confirming the conclusion that large and small rewards occasion different emissions even without discriminative signals and supporting a frustration-odor interpretation.
Oxidation of reduced nicotinamide-adenine dinucleotide by the malate-aspartate shuttle in Ehrlich ascites tumour cells.

Abstract The capability of ascites tumour mitochondria to oxidize externally formed NADH has been investigated in intact cells. Lactate has been used as the source of reducing equivalents and the oxidation of this substrate to pyruvate has been estimated. Ascites cells, under conditions of endogenous metabolism, are able to produce pyruvate upon addition of lactate. This effect is prevented by aminooxyacetate, an inhibitor of glutamate—oxalacetate transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1). Half-maximal inhibition by aminooxyacetate is attained at a concentration of approx. 30 μM. Oxidation of lactate is also sensitive to inhibitors of mitochondrial electron and energy transfer and it is enhanced by α-oxoglutarate plus aspartate. These data demonstrate that reducing equivalents can be transported across the mitochondrial membrane of intact Ehrlich ascites tumour cells by the malate—aspartate shuttle.
A method for obtaining sporulating Labyrinthula

. 1974. A contribution to the taxonomy of the genus Tomentella. Mycol. Mem. 4: 1-145. Svrcek, M. 1958. Prispevek k taxonomii resupinatnich rodu celedi Thelephoraceae "s". Ceskd Mykol. 12: 66-77. . 1960. Tomentelloideae Cechoslovakiae. Genera resupinata familiae Thelephoraceae s. str. Sydowia 14: 170-244. Wakefield, E. M. 1969. Tomentelloideae in the British Isles. Trans. Brit. Mycol. Soc. 53: 161-206.
A comparison of the impact of regression and simple difference discrepancy models on identification rates

Abstract Adoption of regression over simple difference models for assessing severe IQ-achievement discrepancies may be hindered by uncertainty regarding differential model outcomes, particularly on rates and patterns of learning disability identification. Based upon previous research, this article identifies outcomes that could be anticipated following a change from a simple difference to a regression discrepancy model. Comparison of actual outcomes in determination of overall identification rates and the identification of students by race, grade, and time of evaluation (initial/reevaluation) are reported from a study of 194 referred students whose discrepancies were derived from both regression and simple difference models. The findings indicate that lack of bias across IQ levels raises identification rates for the regression model and makes identification more equitable across race and other variables when subgroups differ in mean IQ.
A transient experiment to measure the diffusive permeability of hollow fiber membranes

Abstract A precise and rapid transient diffusion experiment has been developed to measure the diffusive permeability of hollow fibers. In this experiment a sealed hollow fiber containing a radioactive solute is exposed sequentially to several well-stirred solute-free reservoirs. This method was used to measure the diffusive permeability of collagen and Cuprophan hollow fibers in an isotonic saline solution for a spectrum of 14C labelled solutes: urea, sucrose and polyethylene glycol (PEG). To study the effect of environment on membrane permeability, collagen membranes were investigated with urea, sucrose and tritiated water in the following solutions with varying ionic strength and hydrogen ion concentration: pH2 HCl, distilled water and pH2 HCl with 0.8 M NaCl. In each environment, the membranes showed the expected decreases in diffusive permeaability with increasing molecular weight. Collagen membranes ranged from 4 (urea) to 40 (PEG) times the permeability of Cuprophan membranes. The Cuprophan data are consistent with results obtained elsewhere using scaled-down dialyzers. In response to environmental changes, the diffusive permeability of collagen membranes changed overall by a factor of 3 with the following rank: pH 2 HCl > distilled water > pH2 HCl and 0.8 M NaCl. The hydraulic permeability of these membranes changed by a factor of 2 but in a different order pH2 HCl > pH2 HCl and 0.8 M NaCl > distilled water. These permeability changes can be explained in terms of the known environmental dependence for the structure of collagen membranes and have been shown to be consistent with trends predicted by simple transport models.
Failure to escape traumatic electric shock: Incompatible skeletal-motor responses or learned helplessness?☆

Ten dogs, the passive DRO (differential reinforcement of other behavior) group, were trained to escape electric shock in a Pavlov harness by inhibiting the head movements normally elicited by that electric shock. Ten other dogs, the yoked group, received in the harness inescapable electric shocks equivalent to those taken by the passive DRO group. A third group of 10 dogs, the naive control group, received no experience in the harness. All dogs subsequently received escape/avoidance training in a shuttlebox. The passive DRO group learned to escape/avoid in the shuttlebox more slowly than did the naive control group, but eventually learned. In contrast, half of the yoked Ss did not learn to escape. The relevance of these results for a theory of learned helplessness was discussed.
Programming Stem Cells for Therapeutic Angiogenesis Using Biodegradable Polymeric Nanoparticles

Controlled vascular growth is critical for successful tissue regeneration and wound healing, as well as for treating ischemic diseases such as stroke, heart attack or peripheral arterial diseases. Direct delivery of angiogenic growth factors has the potential to stimulate new blood vessel growth, but is often associated with limitations such as lack of targeting and short half-life in vivo. Gene therapy offers an alternative approach by delivering genes encoding angiogenic factors, but often requires using virus, and is limited by safety concerns. Here we describe a recently developed strategy for stimulating vascular growth by programming stem cells to overexpress angiogenic factors in situ using biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles. Specifically our strategy utilized stem cells as delivery vehicles by taking advantage of their ability to migrate toward ischemic tissues in vivo. Using the optimized polymeric vectors, adipose-derived stem cells were modified to overexpress an angiogenic gene encoding vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). We described the processes for polymer synthesis, nanoparticle formation, transfecting stem cells in vitro, as well as methods for validating the efficacy of VEGF-expressing stem cells for promoting angiogenesis in a murine hindlimb ischemia model.
Access to radiologic reports via a patient portal: clinical simulations to investigate patient preferences.

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine (1) the patient-preferred timing characteristics of a system for online patient access to radiologic reports and (2) patient resource needs and preferences after exposure to reports. Methods Adult outpatients from a single imaging center completed researcher-administered electronic questionnaires. Participants were exposed to 3 simulated clinical scenarios and asked to answer questions on the basis of what they thought they would do in each. Scenarios included symptomatology and written radiology reports that were nearly normal, seriously abnormal, and indeterminate, with reports containing typical medical terminology. Participants were asked about preferred timing for online access to reports, communication methods, educational resources, and alternative formats. McNemar's test correlated proportions and generalized estimating equations were used to evaluate responses. Results Participants (n = 53) most often preferred immediate access to reports: 32 (60.2%) for the nearly normal scenario, 25 (47.2%) for the seriously abnormal scenario, and 24 (45.3%) for the indeterminate scenario. Three-day delayed access was next most commonly preferred: 15 (28.3%), 19 (35.8%), and 19 (35.8%), respectively. Forty-two participants (79.2%) preferred the portal method of notification over ways they have historically gotten results, with an increased proportion being satisfied with it overall ( P Conclusions Some outpatients want immediate online access to complete, written radiologic reports and would use multiple resources to understand report contents. Effects of immediate access on provider workflow and on anxiety and autonomy among a diverse population of patients still need to be studied.
High concentrations of acetate with a mutant strain of C. thermoaceticum

Fed-batch fermentation of glucose by a mutant strain ofC.thermoaceticum resulted in acetate concentrations of 83–100 gL−1. Excess nutrients were required to maintain cell viability, especially when high cell concentrations were used. The strain was tolerant to high levels of Na, Ca and Mg. Product yield was 0.74–0.80 g acetate/g glucose, and the productivity was 0.60–0.85 gL−1h−1.
Diffusion in two-dimensional mappings

Abstract Two-dimensional mappings are used to model both Hamiltonian and dissipative systems in two degrees of freedom. Numerical iterations of these mappings are then easily performed to reveal the phase space structure, transient and invariant phase space density distributions, and the rate of transport of phase points in “time” (mapping periods). Mappings are chosen for their generic quality, their convenience in analysis, or their close correspondence to physical systems. For Hamiltonian systems (section 2), the self-similar structure of the phase space at all scales leads to long-time correlations of trajectories that decay more slowly than exponentially. The result of these correlations is to modify the quasilinear diffusion rate, which can be calculated to an arbitrary degree of accuracy for mappings which are on a torus (periodic in both action and angle). For generic mappings, in which only the angle is periodic, approximate local diffusion coefficients (averaged over phase) can be obtained and used in a Fokker-Planck equation to determine phase space transport in action. For mappings on a torus, some values of parameters give rise to accelerator modes, which lead to streaming particles for which the diffusion rate may be infinite. For generic mappings which are periodic only in angle, these accelerator modes enhance diffusion but do not lead to singularities. The diffusion coefficient is also obtained for systems in the adiabatic limit in which the small parameter is the ratio of the unperturbed frequencies. For dissipative systems (section 3), transport and phase space distributions are considered both for parameter ranges in which regular attractors exist and parameter ranges having a chaotic (strange) attractor. Particular attention is given to dissipative mappings in which the dissipation is a perturbation from an area-preserving (Hamiltonian) mapping. For small dissipation, the rate of decay of the phase space density, by absorption into regular attractors (sinks) is shown to increase with the dissipation parameter δ in an easily calculable manner. With continued increase in δ, more subtle phenomena appear which lead to a maximum rate of density decay at some δ = δ s and then to a vanishing phase averaged decay rate at some δ = δ cr , beyond which a strange attractor exists. A method of calculating the invariant distribution on the attractor to arbitrary accuracy is described.
Inflatable penile prosthesis New device design and patient-partner satisfaction

The three most significant factors in achieving patient-partner satisfaction with a penile prosthetic device are selection of the patients, realistic expectations of both the patient and the partner, and reliability of the device. Exchange of information between the clinical observers and the design engineers can significantly enhance the reliability of the device.
Expression of cholecystokinin forms by medullary thyroid cancer

We have studied the production and release of cholecystoklnin (CCK) forms by rat medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) in vivo. MTC cells were inoculated s.c. into 8 Wag-Rij rats. One month later, after i.v. injection of calcium plasma levels of CCK, calcitonin and tissue contents of gastrln and calcitonin were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA), immunocyto-chemistry, and high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). The tumors were passed 4 times to 8 rats in 1-month intervals fasting levels of CCK in control rats were unaffected by calcium stimulation, and in tumor-bearing rats, plasma CCK was elevated in 3 out of 4 passages, falling to normal levels at the end of passage 4. Hypercalcemia had no effect on plasma levels of CCK in tumor-bearing rats, but did stimulate the release of calcitonin in both control and some tumor-bearing rats in later passages. CCK-8 sulfate was found in all 4 tumor passages but not CCK-33/39. We conclude that rat MTC synthesizes and releases CCK-8, but unlike calcitonin, release of CCK appears unresponsive to calcium stimulation.
Modulation of C-myc by transforming growth factor-β in human colon carcinoma cells

Abstract Previous work indicated that transforming growth factor-β elicits proliferation-inhibitory and differentiation-like effects in the human colon carcinoma cell line MOSER. We report for the first time that the proto-oncogene c-myc is repressed in response to transforming growth factor-β in a human colon carcinoma cell line. We also describe a subline of these cells which are relatively resistant to the transforming growth factor-β-induced effects on proliferation in monolayer and in soft agarose, but which retain the ability to specifically bind transforming growth factor-β. Analysis of molecular and cellular alterations in this subline may aid in elucidating the mechanism of action of transforming growth factor-β.
Breaking down silos: engaging students to help fix the US health care system

PROBLEM The field of health care is becoming a team effort as patient care becomes increasingly complex and multifaceted. Despite the need for multidisciplinary education, there persists a lack of student engagement and collaboration among health care disciplines, which presents a growing concern as students join the workforce. APPROACH In October 2013, the Emory-Georgia Tech Healthcare Innovation Program organized a student driven symposium entitled "US Healthcare: What's Broken and How to Fix It: The Student Perspective". The symposium engaged students from multiple disciplines to work together in addressing problems associated with US health care delivery. The symposium was organized and carried out by a diverse group of student leaders from local institutions who adopted a multidisciplinary approach throughout the planning process. OUTCOMES The innovative planning process leading up to the symposium revealed that many of the student-discipline groups lacked an understanding of one another's role in health care, and that students were interested in learning how to work together to leverage each other's profession. The symposium was widely attended and positively received by students and faculty from the Atlanta metropolitan area, and has since helped to promote interdepartmental collaboration and multidisciplinary education across institutions. NEXT STEPS The student symposium will become an annual event and incorporate broader discipline representation, as well as a patient perspective. Proposals for additional institution-wide, multidisciplinary educational offerings are being addressed with the help of faculty and health care providers across the network. Accordingly, the implementation of student-driven symposia to engage students and stimulate institution-wide changes may be a beneficial and cost-effective means for academic health centers looking to facilitate multidisciplinary health care education.
Sodium sulfate-induced corrosion of pure nickel and superalloy Udimet 700 in a high velocity burner rig at 900 C

Abstract Sodium sulfate-induced corrosion of pure nickel and a commercial nickel-base superalloy, Udimet 700 (U-700), were studied at 900 C in a Mach 0.3 burner rig with different Na levels in the ...
Common structure of the catalytic sites of mammalian and bacterial toxin ADP-ribosyltransferases

The amino acid sequences of several bacterial toxin ADP-ribosyltransferases, rabbit skeletal muscle transferases, and RT6.2, a rat T-cell NAD glycohydrolase, contain three separate regions of similarity, which can be aligned. Region I contains a critical histidine or arginine residue, region II, a group of closely spaced aromatic amino acids, and region III, an active-site glutamate which is at times seen as part of an acidic amino acid-rich sequence. In some of the bacterial ADP-ribosyltransferases, the nicotinamide moiety of NAD has been photo-crosslinked to this glutamate, consistent with its position in the active site. The similarities within these three regions, despite an absence of overall sequence similarity among the several transferases, are consistent with a common structure involved in NAD binding andADP-ribose transfer. (Mol Cell Biochem 138: 177–181, 1994)
Using a CSCL-Driven shift in agency to undertake educational reform

Computer supported collaborative learning has the potential for driving educational reform efforts, but there are many challenges to face before achieving that vision. Two of the most critical are achieving teacher buy-in and motivating students to participate in a knowledge-building community. We have developed a new CSCL tool whose flexibility is inspiring good teachers to create exciting new collaborative learning activities, and whose persistence is an enticement to students. We are now attempting to use this tool to leverage a particular kind of educational reform goal: Achieving integration across curricular boundaries.
There is another way: The faculty-developed Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment for K-8 pre-service teachers

In this era of external teacher testing with the intent of ensuring the competence of the teaching force, as well as holding students and institutions accountable for results, the Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Assessment (ICLA) stands in sharp contrast. It represents an alternative to external testing of preservice teachers, testing procured from an outside agency unconnected to preservice programs, since it has been developed and is managed by literacy faculty from Idaho’s major institutions of higher learning. This paper provides a brief history of major events in the field of literacy including teacher testing initiatives and policies, which led to the creation of the ICLA. A description of the ICLA assessment and its construction is provided, along with a report of initial performance. Implications and policy consequences of this approach are explored.
The Institutional Design of Riparian Treaties: The Role of River Issues

International agreements governing rivers vary considerably in whether they contain institutional provisions for joint monitoring, conflict resolution, enforcement, and/or the delegation of authori...
Relationship between obesity and prostate cancer.

Purpose of review This review examines the relationship between obesity and prostate cancer, with an update of recent research in this field. Recent findings A recent report of the Cancer Prevention Study II showed a direct relationship between increasing body mass index and prostate cancer mortality. However, the US Health Professionals Followup Study reported an inverse association between obesity and the risk of developing prostate cancer in men under 60 years of age or in those with a family history of prostate cancer. These studies illustrate the contradictory evidence linking obesity to prostate cancer risk and mortality. Body mass does not appear to affect the performance of prostate-specific antigen as a diagnostic test, and on prostate biopsy a lower body mass is associated with a higher cancer detection rate and a higher cancer volume as measured by core length involvement. In two recent radical prostatectomy series, obesity was associated with worse pathological features and higher biochemical recurrence rates. The higher risk of recurrence persisted in patients with organ-confined disease and negative surgical margins, implying that this risk is not related to surgical technique. Several potential biological mechanisms have been proposed to explain this link including hormonal alterations, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, and elevated insulin-like growth factor and leptin levels. Summary Recent literature provides evidence that obesity may promote the development of a more aggressive form of prostate cancer, resulting in higher recurrence rates after primary therapy and higher cancer mortality rates overall. The mechanism to explain the association between obesity and prostate cancer is unclear.
Mestizaje and the Creation of Mexican National Literature: Ángel María Garibay Kintana's Nahuatl Project

From the beginning of the twentieth century, numerous Mexican intellectuals attempted to construct a national identity through mestizaje, a mixture of indigenous and European races and cultures. In both historical research and artistic production, they focused on Prehispanic indigenous traditions as an essential part of Mexican national history. In this mestizo nationalism, however, Mexican intellectuals did not pay much attention to the original Prehispanic indigenous forms, and in many cases they recycled post-conquest indigenous traditions that had already been transformed. Thus, the indigenous traditions which appear in the discourses of mestizaje are reworked yet again by Westernized intellectuals in the name of Mexican nationalism. Angel Maria Garibay's study of Nahuatl literature is perhaps the best example of this phenomenon. This article examines how Garibay constructs a Prehispanic Nahuatl literary tradition based on the colonial chronicles of the sixteenth-century Catholic missionaries and info...
Steady-state and dynamic photosynthetic response of Adenocaulon bicolor (Asteraceae) in its redwood forest habitat.

The gas exchange characteristics under steadystate and transient light conditions were determined for a redwood forest understory herb Adenocaulon bicolor, that depends on use of sunflecks for a large fraction of its daily carbon gain. Measurements under steady-state conditions indicated that this species has photosynthetic characteristics that are typical for understory plants. The mean light-saturated assimilation rate was 5.26 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1; the light saturation and compensation occurred at 243 and 2 μmol photons m-2 s-1, respectively. This light compensation point was much less than the photon flux density under diffuse light in the understory so that positive assimilation could be maintained throughout the day. When leaves that had been in diffuse light for at least 2 h were exposed to a sudden increase in PFD to saturating levels, 10–30 min were required for both assimilation and stomatal conductance to reach maximum values. Calculation of intercellular CO2 pressures, however, suggest that for the first 10 min after the light increase, biochemical factors were responsible for most of the increase in assimilation. Thereafter stomatal opening caused a further increase in assimilation that was no more than 25% of the total. When fully induced leaves were returned to low light, induction was rapidly lost even though stomatal conductance decreased only slowly. This rapid loss of induction limited the capacity of A. bicolor to use sunflecks after low light periods that lasted longer than 1–2 min. However, during periods when sunflecks are more frequent there is probably little loss of induction. Under these conditions, sunflecks are used with high efficiency for assimilation.
Echocardiographic findings in 25 patients with left atrial myxoma

The echocardiographic findings were studied in 25 patients with pathologically proved left atrial myxoma. All patients had M-mode echocardiograms and 14 had two-dimensional studies. Seventeen patients had pre- and postoperative echocardiograms. Clinical, hemodynamic, angiographic and pathologic correlations were made. The diagnosis of left atrial myxoma was suspected clinically in only three patients before the echocardiographic study. The correct echocardiographic diagnosis was made in 24 patients; in one patient it was missed with an M-mode study. In addition to the usual “mass” of extraneous echoes seen behind the mitral valve in the left atrium, the only other consistent abnormality on M-mode study was a decreased EF slope of the mitral valve (3.9 ± 3.5 cm/s). The following dimensions were usually normal: left atrium, 4.0 ± 0.7 cm; right ventricle, 2 ± 0.7 cm; left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, 4.8 ± 0.6 cm and end-systolic diameter, 2.9 ± 0.5 cm. The mean percent of shortening was 37 ± 5%. Two-dimensional echocardiography correctly identified the presence of a left atrial myxoma in all 14 patients studied. It provided additional information regarding size, shape, mobility, surface characteristics and site of insertion of the tumor. Eighteen patients had hemodynamic and angiographic studies. Coronary artery disease was found in one patient with typical angina. Echocardiography is an excellent technique for visualizing atrial myxoma. Cardiac catheterization is probably not needed before excision of a myxoma.
Mechanisms of posttransplant hypertension

Hypertension is a common problem in renal failure patients both before and after renal transplantation. The stable allograft can maintain salt, volume, and blood pressure homeostasis and is not intrinsically a hypertensive model. The causes of severe posttransplant hypertension are multiple. Renal vascular tone, body salt and volume status, and renin release are all connected and influenced by immunosuppressive medications, allograft function, and native kidney presence and function. The role of each of these in posttransplant hypertension is reviewed. In most cases, severe hypertension in the stable transplant patient without rejection or transplant renal artery stenosis is greatly improved following native bilateral nephrectomy. Transluminal angioplasty is the preferred initial treatment for transplant renal artery stenosis.
Study of Micro-Abrasive Tool-Making by Pulse Plating Using Taguchi Method

Experimental investigation of pulse plating parameters on the extent of incorporation of microdiamond abrasives within metallic binder was performed for a micro-abrasive tool. The Taguchi experimental design has been applied to investigate the optimal combination of process parameters to achieve embedment of nominal amount of abrasives in the nickel bond matrix. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed and signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio was determined to know the level of importance of pulse plating parameters. Based on ANOVA, pH of 5.0 (at room temperature) of the pulse plating bath was found to be significant for best abrasive incorporation. These results were experimentally confirmed at 95% confidence level.