cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of unfractionated heparin on circulating lymphocyte counts and subsets in humans.

Heparin is used for inhibition of blood clotting but also has effects on inflammation. Heparin has been reported to inhibit allergen or exercise-induced bronchospasm in asthma, and to reduce rectal bleeding and inflammation in patients with ulcerative colitis [1–3]. Animal studies with heparin in numerous models of inflammation and cellmediated immunity have shown similar anti-inflammatory activity [4–6]. Despite evidence that heparin interferes with leukocyte migration, and particularly the adhesion of leukocytes to endothelial cells and endothelial transmigration, the mechanism for its anti-inflammatory effects in humans is unknown [7–11]. We report that treatment with unfractionated heparin increases the number of circulating lymphocytes in humans. This effect appears to be specific for CD4+ T cell subsets. We suggest that the effect of heparin on T cell migration may be one mechanism by which heparin exerts an antiinflammatory effect.
Childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia

At present, significant numbers of children with ALL enjoy prolonged survival without serious sequelae. All children should be given the benefit of treatment under the supervision of physicians experienced in childhood cancer. Risk factors should be properly assessed and children at high risk placed in innovative programs. Longterm follow-up of patients is essential to detect, as early as possible, potentially prohibitive toxicity.
FLOWER COLOR POLYMORPHISM AND POLLINATION BIOLOGY OF PLATYSTEMON CALIFORNICUS BENTH. (PAPAVERACEAE)

Five genetically controlled flower color morphs in Platystemon californicus tend to occur in distinct geographic regions, suggesting regional selection of morphs. I examined the reproductive biology of P. californicus to determine whether color morphs are subject to selection due to differences in pollinator attractiveness. Plants of P. californicus have a high pollen: ovule ratio and are highly self-incompatible. Solitary bees (Andrenidae and Halictidae) are the most effective pollen vectors, but show inconsistent discrimination among color morphs. Platystemon californicus is unusual among annual self-incompatible plants in that wind is an important pollen vector. As a result of wind pollination, most polymorphic populations show no intermorph seed-set differences. Therefore, the geographic distribution of flower color morphs cannot be explained by differential attractiveness of color morphs to pollinators in different regions. Any selective value of color morphs must be due to linkage of flower color with as yet undetected morphologically or physiologically adaptive characters.
Measures of health-related quality of life for adults with acute sinusitis. A systematic review.

CONTEXT: Symptoms suggestive of acute sinusitis are a common reason for patients to visit primary care providers. Since objective measures of outcome have not been shown to be related to patient reported outcomes, measures of treatment success have focused on symptom relief and improved health-related quality of life (HRQL). Assessing the appropriate role of treatment—for example, antibiotics for patients with acute sinusitis—requires valid, reliable, and responsive measures of outcome. We identified symptom scores and HRQL instruments for adults with sinusitis and assessed their performance characteristics.
HYBRIDIZATION BETWEEN 4f-5d STATES IN ErAs(100)

Generally in both elemental and compound rare earth systems, the 4f levels are treated as core states with little interaction with the 5d hybrid conduction and valence band states. In the present study, the band dispersions of the rare-earth pnictide erbium arsenide (ErAs) are observed to be perturbed from this expectation. Both photoemission symmetry selection rules and ab initio calculations provide evidences of the 4f-5d hybridization. This finding is also supported by the f–f resonant transition excitation energy shifts in characteristic electron-energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS).
The genomic response of skeletal muscle to methylprednisolone using microarrays: tailoring data mining to the structure of the pharmacogenomic time series

High-throughput data collection using gene microarrays has great potential as a method for addressing the pharmacogenomics of complex biological systems. Similarly, mechanism-based pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling provides a tool for formulating quantitative testable hypotheses concerning the responses of complex biological systems. As the response of such systems to drugs generally entails cascades of molecular events in time, a time series design provides the best approach to capturing the full scope of drug effects. A major problem in using microarrays for high-throughput data collection is sorting through the massive amount of data in order to identify probe sets and genes of interest. Due to its inherent redundancy, a rich time series containing many time points and multiple samples per time point allows for the use of less stringent criteria of expression, expression change and data quality for initial filtering of unwanted probe sets. The remaining probe sets can then become the focus of more intense scrutiny by other methods, including temporal clustering, functional clustering and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modeling, which provide additional ways of identifying the probes and genes of pharmacological interest.
Sexual Selection in Insect Choruses: Influences of Call Power and Relative Timing

Female preference for male song in acoustic insects is primarily influenced by call energy or power, but nonenergy features such as the relative timing of male calls may also be critical in preference. Preferences for leading calls, which may be a type of precedence effect, are an example of the latter factor. In various species, females preferentially orient toward the leading of two or more spatially separated calls presented in controlled playback experiments, however the importance of this effect on mate choice in actual choruses and natural populations is generally unknown. We studied the determinants of mate choice in reenacted choruses of the tettigoniid Ephippiger ephippiger, a species in which females prefer leading calls in two-choice experiments, and neighboring males adjust their relative call timing in a way that reduces the incidence of following calls. We found that mate choice, as indicated by the pattern of female settlement, largely reflects call rate and call constancy. But, we also found suggestions that female choice is influenced by the acoustic neighborhood in which a male sings, males in neighborhoods with more overall singing being preferred, and by a male’s incidence of leading calls relative to his neighbors’. Although statistically inconclusive owing to few relevant samples, we note that the level of preference for leading calls observed in E. ephippiger choruses is comparable to that found in controlled playback experiments.
If the ionization mechanism in fast-atom bombardment involves ion/molecule reactions, what are the reagent ions? The time dependence of fast-atom bombardment mass spectra and parallels to chemical ionization

The evaporation in vacuo of the matrices used and the particle-induced desorption of matrix molecules in fast-atom bombardment (FAB) contribute to a proposed high pressure region above the FAB matrix known as the selvedge region. If the neutral number density is sufficiently high, ions formed upon bombardment may undergo collisions with molecules, yielding matrix-related cluster ions and, in cases when the analyte is desorbed in neutral form, protonated and deprotonated analyte molecules. Similarities with the chemical ionization (CI experiment have been pointed out previously and are further developed here. If FAB is similar to CI, then the response depends on the structures of the reagent ions — those ions that react with gas phase analyte molecules. We consider here the time dependence of positive and negative ion FAB spectra to attempt to identify the reagent ions of FAB. A model is suggested for the FAB ion source which evaluates similarities to a CI source, as well as spatial aspects that are unique to desorption/ionization techniques.
Determination of Glycerol and Serum Triglycerides with Collagen-Immobilized Glycerol Dehydrogenase and Amperometric Detection

Abstract An amperometric procedure is described for the determination of glycerol and triglycerides in aqueous samples and in serum using glycerol dehydrogenase immobilized on a collagen membrane. Glycerol is determined by measurement of the steady-state oxidation currents generated at a platinum electrode by NADH produced in the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The triglycerides were first hydrolyzed by the enzyme lipase in solution and the resulting glycerol determined similarly. Olive oil, determined to contain 78 % triolein, was used as the source of triglycerides in this study. For both glycerol and triglycerides the calibration plots are linear in the range from 0 to 12 μM, with detection limits of 0.2 and 0.7 μM, respectively. The immobilized glycerol dehydrogenase retained high operational activity for a period longer than 30 days.
Mechanical Properties of Shock-Absorbing Pylons Used in Transtibial Prostheses

Prosthetic manufacturers have developed shock-absorbing pylons to attenuate the transient forces of foot-ground contact in order to supplement the residual capacity of lower limb amputees. The purpose of this study was tomeasure the elastic and damping properties of two frequently prescribed pylons (the ICON Shock Pylon and the Mercury TT Pyramid Pylon) at frequencies enveloping those observed during gait using pseudo-static compressive and dynamic cyclic testing methods. Results showed that the spring constants were linear functions of deformation (ranging from 74 to 110 N/mm and 91 to 157 N/mm for the ICON and the 7T Pylons, respectively) while the damping force was a function of the square root of velocity combined with a coulomb element (1.6x 0 . 5 + 21 and 7.4x 0 . 5 + 102 N for the ICON and the TT Pylon, respectively).
Cooperative display and relatedness among males in a lek-mating bird

Long-tailed manakins mate in leks and cooperate in multiyear male-male partnerships. An alpha male is responsible for virtually all mating, whereas a beta male assists in the courtship displays. Such altruism by the beta male poses a problem for evolutionary theory because most theoretical treatments and empirical examples of cooperative behavior involve kin selection or reciprocity. Here it is shown that alpha and beta partners are not relatives and that reciprocity is not involved. Instead, direct, though long-delayed benefits to beta males are demonstrated, which include rare copulations, ascension to alpha status, and female lek fidelity. These benefits maintain this unusual form of male-male cooperation.
The aqueous photolysis of α-pinene in solution with humic acid

Abstract Terpenes are produced abundantly by environmental processes but are found in very low concentrations in natural waters. Aqueous photolysis of solutions containing α-pinene, a representative terpene, in the presence of humic acid resulted in degradation of the pinene. Comparison of this reaction to photolysis of α-pinene in the presence of methylene blue leads to the conclusion that the reactive pathway for the abiotic degradation of α-pinene is due to reaction with singlet oxygen produced by irradiation of the humic material. The initial product of single oxygen and α-pinene is a hydroperoxide. Since humic materials are prevalent in most natural waters, this mechanism of photodecomposition for α-pinene probably also applies to other terpenes in surface waters and may be reasonably considered to contribute to their low environmental concentration.
Experiencing Body Worlds: Voyeurism, Education, or Enlightenment?

Until the advent of plastinated cadavers, few outside the medical professions have had firsthand experience with human corpses. Such opportunities are now available at the Body Worlds exhibits of Gunther von Hagens. After an overview of these exhibits, we explore visitor responses as revealed in comment books available upon exiting the exhibit. Cultural, philosophical, and religious issues raised in the comments serve as a microcosm of society at large. The conclusion considers the challenge of such exhibits in introducing the public to science education, notes the image of the body as machine—so prevalent in the West—reflected in visitor comments, and finds hope that the exhibits promote, for many visitors, a sense of community among all humankind.
Evidence for Multifactor Regulation of the Adrenocorticotropin Secretory Response to Hemodynamic Stimuli

We have examined the contributions of corticotropin- releasing factor (CRF), arginine vasopressin (AVP), epinephrine, and oxytocin to the ACTH secretory responses to hemorrhage. The relative significance of each of these putative ACTH regulatory factors is undefined with respect to net ACTH secretion. Initially, the effects of selective systemic pharmacological blockade of individual factors on the ACTH response were examined. Immunoneutralization of CRF reduced resting ACTH levels below the detection limits of our RIA and abolished the secretory response to hemorrhage. Ganglionic blockade or treatment with a potent AVP antagonist reduced the ACTH secretory response by 55% and 38%, respectively. Further evidence for multifactor regulation of hemodynamically evoked alterations in ACTH secretion was obtained by measurement of the concentrations of these factors in the hypophysial portal circulation during hemorrhage. Immunoreactive CRF, AVP, oxytocin and epinephrine were present in the portal plasma at conc...
A direct approach of modeling batch grinding in ball mills using population balance principles and impact energy distribution

The design and scale-up of ball mills are important issues in the mineral processing industry. Incomplete knowledge about the mechanics of charge motion often forces researchers to rely on phenomenological modeling to formulate scale-up procedures. These models predict the behavior of large industrial-scale mills using the data obtained in small laboratory-scale mills. However, the differences in charge motion in plant-scale and lab-scale mills introduce significant inaccuracies in the predictions. In this article, a batch-grinding model using the impact energy distribution of the mill is explained. The distribution of impact energy is obtained from the simulation of the charge motion using the discrete element method. The model is also verified with experimental data, and the strengths and the weaknesses of the model in its current form have been identified. It is anticipated that a model, which uses information about impact-energy distribution will overcome some of the difficulties faced by the phenomenological models.
Snapshot of an integrated psychosocial gastroenterology service

AIM: To characterize the patients utilizing a gastroenterology behavioral medicine service and examine the effect of treatment on health care utilization. METHODS: Patients were referred by their gastroenterologists for psychological treatment during a 15 mo period. Patients seen for an intake with a psychologist completed the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI) and a checklist of psychosocial concerns. A subset of patients with functional bowel disorders also completed a disease specific quality of life measure. Chart review was conducted to obtain information on type and frequency of sessions with the psychologist, the number of outpatient gastroenterology visits, and number of gastroenterology-related medical procedures during the 6 mo following psychological intake. RESULTS: Of 259 patients referred for treatment, 118 (46%) completed an intake with a psychologist. Diagnoses included: irritable bowel syndrome (42%), functional dyspepsia (20%), inflammatory bowel diseases (20%), esophageal symptoms (10%), and “other” (8%). Demographic variables and disease type did not differentiate between those who did and did not schedule an intake. Mean t-scores for the BSI global score index and the depression, anxiety, and somatization subscales fell below the cutoff for clinical significance (t = 63). Treatments were predominantly gut-directed hypnosis (48%) and cognitive behavioral therapy (44%). Average length of treatment was 4 sessions. Among functional gastrointestinal (GI) patients, those patients who initiated treatment received significantly fewer GI-related medical procedures during the 6 mo following the referral than patients who did not schedule an intake [t (197) = 2.69, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Patients are receptive to psychological interventions for GI conditions and there is preliminary evidence that treatment can decrease health-care utilization among patients with functional GI conditions.
Progressive dopamine neuron loss following supra-nigral lipopolysaccharide (LPS) infusion into rats exposed to LPS prenatally.

Toxin-induced animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD) exhibit many of the same neuroinflammatory changes seen in patients suggesting a role for inflammation in DA neuron loss. Yet, despite this inflammation, the progressive loss of DA neurons that characterizes PD is rarely seen in animals. We infused lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or saline into 7-month-old rats that had been exposed to LPS or saline prenatally and assessed them for DA neuron loss and inflammatory measures (interleukin 1 beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, glutathione, and activated microglia) over a period of 84 days to examine the role of pre-existing inflammation in progressive DA neuron loss. LPS infusion into both prenatal treatment groups produced neuroinflammation during the 14 days of LPS infusion that subsequently reverted toward normal over the next 70 days. In animals with pre-existing inflammation (i.e., prenatal LPS), however, the acute changes seen were attenuated, but took much longer to return to normal suggesting a prolonged inflammatory response. These inflammatory changes were consistent with the greater acute DA neuron loss seen in the prenatal saline controls and the progressive DA neuron loss seen only in the animals exposed to LPS prenatally. Interestingly, both prenatal treatment groups exhibited increases in microglia over the entire 84-day course of the study. These data suggest that pre-existing neuroinflammation prolongs the inflammatory response that occurs with a second toxic exposure, which may be responsible for progressive DA neuron loss. This provides further support for the “multiple hit” hypothesis of PD.
The interorgan metabolism of glutathione.

Abstract 1. 1. Glutathione is the primary low molecular weight cellular thiol and a major reserve of cysteine. Glutathione is synthesized in the cytoplasm, where it participates in a variety of reactions as an electron donor or a nucleophilic cofactor. 2. 2. However, it now appears that the initial step in glutathione turnover is its release from the cell. The released glutathione is transported by the blood plasma to the kidney where it is efficiently extracted and degraded to its constituent amino acids. 3. 3. The initial reaction in the renal degradation of glutathione is catalyzed by y-glutamyltranspeptidase. which is localized on the external surface of the brush border membrane. 4. 4. Within the lumen of the renal proximal tubule, the γ-glutamyltranspeptidase apparently catalyzes a hydrolytic rather than a transpeptidation reaction. 5. 5. The resulting eysteinylglycine is hydrolyzed by two extracellular brush border membrane enzymes. aminopeptidase M and a recently identified peptidase. 6. 6. Reabsorption of the amino acids and redistribution of cysteine for protein synthesis or glutathione resynthesis completes the interorgan metabolism of glutathione.
An intellectual property-based corporate strategy: An R&D spend, patent, trademark, media communication, and market price innovation agenda

An intellectual property (IP)-centric, communication-based Innovation Agenda is proposed and investigated. The agenda, which is aligned with IP legal prescription, is defined as follows: the firm’s R&D expenditure is captured within products. The firm applies for a patent and files a trademark to protect its interests in the ‘patentable’ product, and issues a media communication, which may alter the perception of future cash flows, and thereby market price. Upon patent issuance and trademark registration, the firm will then seek another media communication. Spearman (partial) correlation analysis shows strong correlation among the various proxy metrics suggesting that the model basis may exist. The model proposes a novel link among national socioeconomic metrics, corporate strategy, and the technology based innovative firm. Finally, the model supports the inclusion of trademark and media communications data to be considered in socioeconomic modeling.
Techniques for sperm recovery in assisted reproduction

During the past decade, few fields in medicine have changed as dramatically as reproductive medicine and the treatment of male infertility. Whereas previously only men with obstructive azoospermia were candidates for treatment, either through surgical reconstruction or sperm aspiration, now even men with nonobstructive azoospermia are able to achieve pregnancies without having to resort to donor sperm. The extraordinary success of assisted reproduction after sperm retrieval for azoospermic men is the result of three important discoveries. First is the clinical observation that epididymal transit of sperm is not required for successful fertilization. Second is the recognition that significant heterogeneity in testicular biopsy specimens exists. Lastly is the advent of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), which has enabled fertilization regardless of the degree of sperm impairment or retrieval source as long as sperm are viable. These three discoveries have enabled fertilizations and pregnancies for men previously referred for donor insemination or adoption, and have therefore broadened the indications for sperm retrieval. This review is intended to describe in detail the available techniques for the recovery of sperm, with emphasis on the latest technique, testicular microdissection for sperm retrieval in nonobstructive azoospermia.
Argon laser treatment of urethral stricture and vesical neck contracture

The physical characteristics of the argon laser wavelength allow a precise incision with excellent hemostasis and negligible heating of adjacent tissues resulting in less scarring. These qualities are used to advantage in the treatment of strictures. The argon laser was used to perform 13 internal urethrotomies and ten vesical neck incisions. The operative method used is similar to optical internal urethrotomy. The argon probe incises hemostatically, reducing the need for extensive fulguration of tissues at the operative site and thereby reducing the tendency for more scar tissue to form and compromise the operation. The same hemostasis reduces the need for postoperative indwelling urethral catheterization. Utility of the argon device in most instances allows treatment to be conducted on an outpatient basis without general anesthesia and without use of postoperative urethral catheters, yielding an effective, cost-saving therapy.
New glasses-free three-dimensional imaging system

This study was designed to compare a new, autostereoscopic, 'glasses-free' three-dimensional screen with a passive glasses three-dimensional screen, and a two-dimensional imaging system. An objective analysis consisting of two experiments was conducted. The first experiment was designed to assess depth perception. Both 3-D imaging systems were compared to each other and a 2-D imaging system. A statistically significant difference existed between the 2-D screen and both of the 3-D screens (p less than 0.001). There was no statistical difference found between the 'glasses-free' 3-D screen and the passive glasses 3-D screen in either experiment. The second experiment was task oriented designed to compare the new, 'glasses-free' 3-D imaging screen with the passive glasses 3-D screen. In this inanimate setting, the task of passing a needle and suture through a series of hoops was performed faster with the passive glasses 3-D screen but this difference was not statistically significant. Conclusion: The 3-D screens clearly produce more accurate assessment of the depth than the 2-D screen. The new, 'glasses-free' 3-D screen produced comparable results to the established passive glasses 3-D screen.
Argonne User Week 2008

Argonne User Week 2008 started out with a unique event on the Sunday before the meeting (which was held from May 4–8, 2008. The opening reception featured the staging of a new play, Bernal's Picasso, written by Cele Abad-Zapatero and Jill Campbell. The play was based on a meeting that occurred in 1950 between the artist Pablo Picasso and crystallographer J. D. Bernal, which resulted in Picasso leaving behind a mural on the wall of Bernal's flat. Their possible discussions and the meaning of the mural formed the premise of the one-act play. Abad-Zapatero worked for many years in macromolecular crystallography for drug discovery at Abbot Laboratories, is currently at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and is a long-time user of the Advanced Photon Source (APS).
The independent effects of dietary weight loss and aerobic training on high density lipoproteins and apolipoprotein A-I concentrations in obese men☆

Several studies have demonstrated that high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is increased after either dietary weight loss or aerobic exercise training, but it is unclear whether the effects of these two interventions are separate and independent, or just related to the amount of weight or fat lost. The effect of dietary weight loss or aerobic training on apolipoprotein A1 (Apo-A-I) has not been extensively studied. In the present study we evaluated the effects of either dietary weight loss or aerobic exercise training on lipoproteins and Apo A-I, and assessed whether they are related to changes in body composition. Twenty-six obese, otherwise healthy, untrained, nonsmoking, male subjects were weight stabilized for ten days, during which maximal aerobic capacity, body composition, and fat cell size were measured. At the end of this ten-day period lipoproteins and Apo A-I were measured. Subjects were then randomized into either a dietary weight loss (n = 12) or aerobic exercise group (n = 14). At the end of three months the groups were restabilized and restudied. Although both groups lost weight, the weight loss was greater in the diet group (−13.1 v −2.8 kg, P < 0.001). Important differences in body composition were also detected after the two interventions with 25% of the total weight loss in the diet group coming from fat free mass. Significant decrements in triglyceride (−54 ± 67 mg/dl, P < 0.05), total cholesterol (−29 ± 27 mg/dL, P < 0.01), and non-HDL-C (−33 ± 27 mg/dL, P < 0.01) were found in the diet group only. HDL-C was increased after diet (4 ± 9 mg/dL, P < 0.05) or exercise (3 ± 3 mg/dL, P < 0.01) but Apo A-I increased only in the exercise group (7 ± 7 mg/dL, P < 0.01). Changes in body composition were not related to the observed changes in both HDL-C or Apo A-I in either group. It is concluded that dietary weight loss affects mainly the transport of cholesterol and triglyceride to cells as very low and low density lipoproteins. The observed increase in HDL-C was not accompanied by an increase in either HDL2 or Apo A-I. Aerobic exercise appears to more directly affect the proposed HDL-mediated reverse cholesterol transport system by increasing both HDL-C and Apo A-I proportionately.
Effects of shape and degree of structure of the visual field on target detection and location.

The effects of the degree of structuring and the form of the visual field on target detection and target location were investigated for three different search times. Thirty undergraduate subjects searched for low-visibility targets on a special screen and recorded the target locations on prepared data sheets. The results suggest that both target detection and location are related in a nonmonotonic fashion to the degree of structure and to the form of the field. The structuring continuum was defined as the division of the search area into two or more partitions of equal area. Optima for both measures occurred at the low end of the continuum.Of the two forms investigated, performance with square fields was generally superior to that for circular fields. In answer to a questionnaire after the experiment, a majority of subjects reported a preference for searching the square fields. Both target detection and target location varied directly with amount of search time. However, the functions tended to increase rapidly at first and then level off at the longer search times.
Rhetorical Work in the Age of Content Management: Implications for the Field of Technical Communication

Drawing on a survey of the content management (CM) discourse, the author highlights CM trends and articulates best practices in content strategy that CM thought leaders are helping organizations ad...
Weighted composition semigroups on Hardy spaces

Abstract The operator semigroups of the title are studied on Hardy spaces. Conditions are found for strong continuity, and the infinitesimal generator and its point spectrum are identified. A particular semigroup is used to study an averaging operator.
A computational study of the phosphorylation mechanism of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase.

Although various groups have studied the phosphorylation mechanism of the insulin receptor tyrosine kinase (IRK), an unanimous picture has not yet emerged. In this work, we performed a computational study to gain further insights. We first built a structural model of the reactant complex with the guide of several crystal structures and previous computational studies of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. We then optimized the structure by performing geometry optimization using a quantum mechanical model containing nearly 300 atoms. A reaction path was then traced between the reactant and the product by using a multiple coordinate-driven method. The calculations mapped out a sequence of structural changes depicting the conversion of the reactant to the product. Analysis of the structural changes revealed the formation of a dissociative transition state and the involvement of a proton transfer from the hydroxyl group of the tyrosyl residue of the peptide substrate to a conserved aspartate in the active...
Stationary Components in Stock Prices: An Exact Pointwise Most Powerful Invariant Test

This article develops an exact small-sample, pointwise most powerful invariant test to determine whether stock prices contain a stationary and therefore predictable component. This test generates consistent evidence that stock prices contain a hump-shaped, slowly trend-reverting stationary component over all sample periods tested, including and excluding the high return variance years of the 1930s. The empirical evidence in this article addresses three prominent puzzles in this literature—the negative and positive autocorrelations found in stock returns, the role of the 1930s, and the very low reported power of previous statistical tests that find a stationary component.
A randomized trial of birthing with and without stirrups.

Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether bed delivery without stirrups reduces the incidence of perineal lacerations compared with delivery in stirrups. Study design In this randomized trial, we compared bed delivery without stirrups with delivery in stirrups in nulliparous women. The primary outcome was any perineal laceration (first through fourth degree). Results One hundred eight women were randomized to delivery without stirrups and 106 to stirrups. A total of 82 women randomized to no stirrups (76%) sustained perineal lacerations compared with 83 in women allocated to stirrups (78%) (P = .8). There was no significant difference in the severity of lacerations or in obstetric outcomes such as prolonged second stage of labor, forceps delivery, or cesarean birth. Similarly, infant outcomes were unaffected. Conclusion Our results do not incriminate stirrups as a cause of perineal lacerations. Alternatively, our findings of no difference in perineal lacerations suggest that delivering in bed without stirrups confers no advantages or disadvantages.
Inter-Rater Reliability of the Mouse-Personal Computer Style Instrument (M-PeCS)

The purpose of this study was to test the inter-rater reliability of an observational instrument, the Mouse-Personal Computer Style instrument (M-PeCS), which assesses the stereotypical postures and movements of the upper body and upper extremity associated with computer mouse use. Two trained raters independently rated the video clips of 10 computer users completing three mouse tasks (pointing, steering, and dragging) for a total of 30 video clips to determine the inter-rater reliability. All but two items on the M-PeCS had good to excellent reliability (ICC=0.75 to 1.00). These results suggest that most items on the M-PeCS can be used to reliably document computer mouse use style between trained raters. Potential applications of this study include identifying and quantifying the exposure to postural risk factors that may contribute to hand and forearm musculoskeletal pain associated with intensive computer mouse use.
Back-mutation of Lactobacillus casei 280-16 and 1-tetradecene sensitivity in a back-mutant strain.

“Back-mutant” organisms were found to accumulate within 3 years in normally maintained stock cultures of Lactobacillus casei 280-16, a d-α-hydroxy acid dependent mutant. A typical “back-mutant” strain differed from the wild strain in that a) its rate of growth was lower in d-α-hydroxy acid-free medium than was that of the wild strain and b) its growth, but not that of the wild strain, was markedly inhibited by 1-tetradecene in d-α-hydroxy acid-free medium, but only slightly in medium containing d-lactic acid. It was suggested that since 1-tetradecene apparently neither inhibits d-lactic acid production by the wild strain nor seriously interferes with d-lactic acid utilization, d-lactic acid is probably not an intermediary metabolite in the “back-mutant” strain when the latter is grown in d-α-hydroxy acid-free medium.
LANGUAGE AS INTELLIGENCE

The interpenetration of languagC skIws (at the deepest kwls) and intcllipnce (as the latter isdefined by psychologrstsand psychometrmans) has been a toprc of great interest for many years. However. the full extent of the relationship may easily be missed if one relies on the traditional distinction between the constructs of language and intelligence and especially if one makes the common error of assocloting language too closely with spccch. The purposeof this paper is topocc.ifonlyforthesakeofargument. thequestion. could intelligence perhaps k language based after all? Dcfinitiansof intelligenceare easy to come by but hard to agm on. However, all thcorlsts seem to a g m on certain fundamental charactcnstics of intelligence and intelligent behavior Arguments and findings from kology-particularly genetrs and also from the neurosciences are offered to at least support the plausibility of a deep relationship bctwecn language and intelligence. It is suggested that the formative power of words is somehow related to the simplest levels of biological organization and also the highest levels of human cognition. Support for this suggestion is drawn from psychometric studies as well as a content analysis of the construct “nonverbal” intelligence. Finally, some tentative inferences are offered to relate the foregoing arguments to the business of education.
Evidence for an association between prostate cancer and chromosome 8q24 and 10q11 genetic variants in African American men: The flint men's health study

BACKGROUND. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer in men in the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality. African American men have substantially increased risk of both being diagnosed and dying from the disease. Recent genome-wide genetic association studies have identified a number of common single nucleotide genetic polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with prostate cancer in men of Europeandescent.Onlyasmallnumberofstudieshaveevaluatedtheassociationbetweenthese genetic variants and prostate cancer in African Americans. METHODS. We used logistic regression models to assess the association between prostate cancerinAfricanAmericanmenand24SNPsfromregionspreviouslyreportedtobeassociated with prostate cancer in men of European descent. RESULTS. We found nominal evidence (P <0.05) for association between prostate cancer and three chromosome 8q24 (rs6983561, rs16901979, and rs7000448) and two 10q11 (rs7904463 and rs10740051) SNPs. CONCLUSIONS. Weconfirmrecentreportsthat8q24variantsidentifiedtobeassociatedwith prostate cancer in men of European descent are also associated with prostate cancer in African Americans. Ourreport isthefirsttofind evidenceofassociationbetweenSNPsnearMSMBand prostate cancer in African Americans. Of note, rs7000448 is in strong linkage disequilibrium withrs10761581inNCOA4,aSNPthathasbeenimplicatedtobeindependentlyassociated,with respect to the widely reported SNP rs10993994 in the nearby gene MSMB, with prostate cancer in men of European descent. Prostate 71: 225–231, 2011. # 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Zero-Bias Tunnel Conductance Minima Due to the Excitation of Collective Modes in the Barrier

We evaluate the contribution to the tunnel conductance due to inelastic tunneling processes whereby the tunneling electron excites continuum modes in the barrier. For acoustical dispersion relations ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{p}}}={v}_{s}p+{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$ of the continuum modes, the coherent inelastic contribution is usually proportional to ${(|eV|\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0})}^{2}\ensuremath{\theta}(|eV|\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0})\ensuremath{\theta}(\ensuremath{\hbar}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{D}}\ensuremath{-}|\mathrm{eV}|)$, in which ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{\mathrm{D}}={v}_{s}{p}_{max}+{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$. Comparison with experimental data suggests that certain zero-bias minima may be attributed to phonon excitation via inelastic tunneling.
Candida pyelonephritis complicated by fungaemia in obstructive uropathy.

Summary— Fungal pyelonephritis caused by Candida species and Torulopsis without evidence of systemic organ involvement is uncommon. Most reported cases have been in diabetic females or in patients on immunosuppressive drugs. We report 3 cases of elderly men who had fungal pyelonephritis presumed secondary to obstructive uropathy. All subsequently developed fungaemia. Two were managed successfully with percutaneous or ureteric stents and systemic antifungal therapy; the third died despite systemic amphotericin B.
Congenital pelvic arteriovenous malformations : long-term follow-up in two cases and a review of the literature

Congenital arteriovenous malformations confined to the soft tissues of the pelvis are rare and challenging lesions. Multitudinous embryonic macrocommunication and microcommunication between the arterial and venous systems, with resultant shunting of blood to the low-resistance veins, produce massive venous and tissue engorgement. No well-established guidelines exist concerning their management. Percutaneous arterial embolization and surgery are associated with high recurrence rates. Surgical excision is frequently not possible and can result in massive hemorrhage. Only 52 cases have been reported in the English-language literature, and only two patients were followed for longer than 6 years. This report presents two additional patients with massive pelvic arteriovenous malformations monitored for 9 and 17 years. One patient was initially treated with arterial percutaneous embolization and the other with attempted operative ablation. A review of the literature has allowed us to develop the following management guidelines: Asymptomatic, nonenlarging lesions require no intervention and can be safely followed by clinical and radiologic (ultrasonography, CT scanning) examinations every 6 months. Symptomatic or rapidly enlarging lesions should be treated with preoperative arterial embolization and surgical excision attempted only if the arteriovenous malformation is localized and does not involve adjacent organs. Arterial embolizations may be repeated to provide symptomatic relief of diffuse, large lesions that involve the bladder or bowel. This protocol will avoid unnecessary and frequently life-threatening surgery in the management of pelvic arteriovenous malformations.
2010 Special Issue: How do children learn to follow gaze, share joint attention, imitate their teachers, and use tools during social interactions?

How does an infant learn through visual experience to imitate actions of adult teachers, despite the fact that the infant and adult view one another and the world from different perspectives? To accomplish this, an infant needs to learn how to share joint attention with adult teachers and to follow their gaze towards valued goal objects. The infant also needs to be capable of view-invariant object learning and recognition whereby it can carry out goal-directed behaviors, such as the use of tools, using different object views than the ones that its teachers use. Such capabilities are often attributed to ''mirror neurons''. This attribution does not, however, explain the brain processes whereby these competences arise. This article describes the CRIB (Circular Reactions for Imitative Behavior) neural model of how the brain achieves these goals through inter-personal circular reactions. Inter-personal circular reactions generalize the intra-personal circular reactions of Piaget, which clarify how infants learn from their own babbled arm movements and reactive eye movements how to carry out volitional reaches, with or without tools, towards valued goal objects. The article proposes how intra-personal circular reactions create a foundation for inter-personal circular reactions when infants and other learners interact with external teachers in space. Both types of circular reactions involve learned coordinate transformations between body-centered arm movement commands and retinotopic visual feedback, and coordination of processes within and between the What and Where cortical processing streams. Specific breakdowns of model processes generate formal symptoms similar to clinical symptoms of autism.
Alternatives in reconstructive surgery after mastectomy

The modern era of breast reconstruction began about ten years ago. Today, reconstruction is possible for any woman who has had a mastectomy. The decision should be made only after discussion with both the woman's ablative surgeon and her plastic surgeon. Today there are a number of alternative methods to breast reconstruction. These include the following possibilities: immediate reconstruction, simple correction of a disturbing scar, reduction of a large remaining breast to simplify proper fitting of an external prosthesis, simple creation of a mound on the mastectomy side, insertion of a special prosthesis to fill in the subclavicular area, and reconstruction of the areolar nipple complex. Where more radical surgery has been done, the use of a myocutaneous flap, and in some special situations, reconstruction by means of microvascular anastomosis may be carried out. Some of these methods can be used in combination to fit the needs of the individual woman. It is the plastic surgeon's desire to help in the team approach in the treatment of breast cancer and by making suggestions to the ablative surgeon to make final reconstruction easier. Additional benefit might be the patients willingness to present herself earlier if she knows that in the long run reconstruction can be carried out.
A METHOD TO ESTIMATE MIGRANT SHOREBIRD NUMBERS ON THE COPPER RIVER DELTA, ALASKA

Abstract We estimated the annual population of Western Sandpipers (Calidris mauri) and Dunlin (Calidris alpina pacifica) stopping over on the Copper River Delta during peak spring migration 1992–1995. Our calculations required four components: total daily shorebird numbers, the daily proportion of each species, average length of stay, and the detection probability. For the 21-d period 26 April–16 May, annual population estimates for Western Sandpiper ranged from 1.2–4.1 million birds per year. Dunlin estimates for this same period ranged from 0.3–0.9 million. For both species, numbers were highest in 1993 and lowest in 1994. Power analysis determined that 15 yr of aerial surveys are needed to detect a 10% decline in Western Sandpiper numbers. Based on the proportion of birds in the Pacific Flyway stopping over on the Copper River Delta, we estimated the Western Sandpiper Pacific Flyway population was >2.8 million in 1992 and >4.3 million in 1995. These data indicate that the Copper River Delta continues t...
Postperceptual effects and P300 latency

P300 latency is commonly thought to provide a chronometric index of the duration of perceptual processing. Because the evidence in favor of this assumption is controversial, we examined whether P300 latency is influenced by perceptual processes, response selection, and by motoric processes in two experiments using a two-choice spatial stimulus-response compatibility (SRC) task. Both experiments revealed additive effects of perceptual difficulty with spatial SRC in reaction time and P300 latency. In addition, Experiment 2 showed that P300 latency measured in average waveforms is insensitive to motoric processes. The influence of spatial SRC on P300 latency disagrees with the view that P300 latency is sensitive only to stimulus evaluation processes. However, P300 latency may be used to discriminate between influences on premotoric and motoric processing stages. A response conflict account for the SRC effect on P300 latency is suggested.
Simultaneous diffusion of a disperse dye and a solvent in PET film analyzed by rutherford backscattering spectrometry

Poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is a difficult fiber to dye from an aqueous dyebath due to its high degree of crystallinity and lack of polar groups. One method used to increase the dyeing rate of the fibers is the addition of an organic solvent, called a dye carrier, to the aqueous bath. This study utilized Rutherford backscattering spectrometry and neutron activation analysis to examine both simultaneous diffusion and individual diffusion characteristics of a disperse dye and dye carrier into PET film. The dye exhibited Fickian diffusion above and below glass transition temperature (Tg) of the PET film both in the presence and absence of solvent. The presence of carrier in the dyebath was found to increase the diffusion coefficient of the dye at each temperature condition; increasing from 10−14 to 10−11 cm2/s below Tg (65°C) and 10−12 to 10−10 cm2/s above Tg (90°C). Bromobenzene exhibited case II diffusion below Tg of the film, which indicates that the solvent is swelling the near surface regions of the film. This increase in void volume resulted in an increased dye uptake when films dyed inthe presence of carrier were compared with those dyed without carrier. In fact, the penetration depth of the dye was found to be equivalent to that of the swollen region of the film (∼ 600 nm) after 15 s. Above Tg, the bromobenzene exhibited Fickian diffusion. The coupling of the increased thermal motion of the polymer at the higher temperature and the solvent effect increased dye uptake when compared either with dye uptake at the lower temperature or with uptake when no solvent was present. The application of the dye and solvent simultaneously did not affect the diffusion mechanism of either species, leading to the conclusion that there was no competition for specific sites between these two species in the PET film. Similar results were obtained for chlorobenzene when used as the dye carrier. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.