cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coexistence of Two Different Thyroid Malignancies: A Collision Phenomenon.

The term "collision tumor" is described as the coexistence of two or more histologically distinct neoplastic morphologies separated by normal tissue in the same organ. Simultaneous papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) and follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC) of the same thyroid lobe is a very rare pathology. Herein, we report a case of PTC and FTC of the same thyroid lobe. A 79-year-old man was evaluated at our hospital for the presence of left hip pain of two-month duration after sustaining a physical trauma to the left side of his body three days prior to admission. X-ray imaging of the left femur revealed a large lytic bony lesion at the proximal end of left femur. Biopsy of the bone lesion was suggestive of FTC. Computed tomography (CT) of the neck revealed an enlarged thyroid with a cystic lesion in the left lobe of the thyroid gland. Total thyroidectomy was performed. Histopathology revealed two separate primary malignancies of PTC and FTC. Genetic studies for RAS gene mutation were negative. He was initiated on suppressive doses of levothyroxine following thyroidectomy. Three months after surgery, thyrotropin alfa stimulated 204.5 mCi I-131 was administered. At seven months of follow-up, the thyroglobulin level was in the lower end of the normal range and anti-thyroglobulin antibody (anti Tg) remained negative (< 1.0 IU/mL). He was doing well and reported no symptoms. For each type of well-differentiated thyroid cancers, several genes have been identified. However, thus far, no specific gene mutation responsible for the pathogenesis of the different tumor types has been described. Management of thyroid collision tumor is usually complex due to the presence of different pathology in the tumor tissues and given the fact that literature on this condition is limited. Typically, the treatment needs to be individualized. Our report brings up a concept that the occurrence is a rare phenomenon of simultaneous mutation of different genes that could give rise to different thyroidal neoplasms.
The association between educational attainment and resilience to natural hazard-induced disasters in the West Indies: St. Kitts & Nevis

Abstract The link between education and effective disaster risk reduction (DRR) is a familiar concept. It is important to further investigate this potential association due to the increased frequency of natural hazard-induced disasters secondary to climate change. The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between educational attainment and resilience to natural hazard-induced disasters in St. Kitts and Nevis. We hypothesize that educational attainment is positively associated with resilience. Participants were selected via convenience sampling. Educational attainment and resilience were ascertained in 343 adult (age ≥ 18 y) residents of St. Kitts & Nevis using a structured and self-administered questionnaire. Data such as demographics, education, and information related to natural hazard-induced disasters was gathered. Logistic regression models analyzed the association between educational attainment and resilience after adjusting for age, sex, race, average monthly income, and island of residence. Compared to those with no more than primary school education, adults with a professional education were significantly more likely to be resilient (POR 2.39 CI [1.08, 5.28]). In contrast, the odds of resilience among adults with no more than secondary school education compared to the referent group was not significant (POR 0.99 CI [0.52, 1.89]). Professional school education positively associates with resilience to natural hazard-induced disasters. However, since this represents a minority of the population, there should be greater efforts to increase disaster preparedness education in primary school, secondary school, and within the community to further build resilience to natural hazard-induced disasters.
Disappearing expertise in clinical automation: Barcode medication administration and nurse autonomy.

OBJECTIVE Using the case of barcode medication administration (BCMA), our objective is to describe the challenges nurses face when informatics tools are not designed to accommodate the full complexity of their work. MATERIALS AND METHODS Autonomy is associated with nurse satisfaction and quality of care. BCMA organizes patient information and verifies medication administration. However, it presents challenges to nurse autonomy. Qualitative fieldwork, including observations of everyday work and interviews, was conducted during the implementation of BCMA in a large academic medical center. Fieldnotes and interview transcripts were coded and analyzed to describe nurses' perspectives on medication safety. RESULTS Nurses adopt orienting frames to structure work routines and require autonomy to ensure safe task completion. Nurses exerted agency by trusting their own judgment over system information when the system did not consider workload complexity. Our results indicate that the system's rigidity clashed with adaptive needs embodied by nurses' orienting frames. DISCUSSION Despite the fact that the concept of nurse as knowledge worker is foundational to informatics, nurses may be perceived as doers, rather than knowledge workers. In practice, nurses not only make decisions, but also engage in highly complex task-related work that is not well supported by process-oriented information technology tools. CONCLUSIONS Information technology developers and healthcare organization managers should engage and better understand nursing work in order to develop technological and social systems to support it.
Traction Films- Can They Help Predict Final Radiographic Outcomes of Surgery for Neuromuscular Scoliosis?

Introduction Flexibility of neuromuscular scoliosis is of paramount importance in predicting the difficulty of spinal fusion. Surprisingly, little is known regarding assessment of flexibility in these patients. Correction of pelvic obliquity (PO) is key to optimal sitting, yet many methods of assessing flexibility focus primarily on major Cobb (MC) correction. Single leg traction films focus on leveling the pelvis and impart the force often used in surgical correction. This study sought to assess two methods of discerning flexibility, single leg traction films (SLTF) and traction bending films (TBF). Methods …
Foreign Body Aspiration: The Role of the Pediatric Pulmonologist

Foreign body aspiration is a major medical problem affecting primarily children and the elderly. It can be a life-threatening emergency and, at times, a diagnostic dilemma. The role the pediatric pulmonologist plays is multi-faceted and collaborative. At the initial presentation, the pulmonologist can assist the frontline clinicians in the clinic, urgent care, or emergency department setting with the diagnostic evaluation using physical exam, radiographic examination, and possibly confirmatory flexible bronchoscopy. Then once the foreign body is found, rigid bronchoscopy is usually the safest method for extraction, however the pulmonologist can take on an interventional role instead of just one as a diagnostician and help with the removal of foreign bodies. This role is particularly salient when the foreign body is located in a distal airway or the size and shape of the foreign body make it more amenable to extraction utilizing some of the tools that the flexible bronchoscopist has at their disposal. Following removal, the pulmonologist is vital in helping with post-operative management including the identification and treatment of complications both acutely and chronically.
Political Economy of the Parcel Tax in California School Districts

This article examines the effect of home price distribution on the likelihood of parcel tax adoption in California school districts. A parcel tax is a regressive tax imposed as the same amount per ...
Wearable Inertial Measurement Unit Sensing System for Musculoskeletal Disorders Prevention in Construction

Construction workers executing manual-intensive tasks are susceptible to musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) due to overexposure to awkward postures. Automated posture recognition and assessment based on wearable sensor output can help reduce MSDs risks through early risk-factor detection. However, extant studies mainly focus on optimizing recognition models. There is a lack of studies exploring the design of a wearable sensing system that assesses the MSDs risks based on detected postures and then provides feedback for injury prevention. This study aims at investigating the design of an effective wearable MSDs prevention system. This study first proposes the design of a wearable inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensing system, then develops the prototype for end-user evaluation. Construction workers and managers evaluated a proposed system by interacting with wearable sensors and user interfaces (UIs), followed by an evaluation survey. The results suggest that wearable sensing is a promising approach for collecting motion data with low discomfort; posture-based MSDs risk assessment has a high potential in improving workers’ safety awareness; and mobile- and cloud-based UIs can deliver the risk assessment information to end-users with ease. This research contributes to the design, development, and validation of wearable sensing-based injury prevention systems, which may be adapted to other labor-intensive occupations.
Wearable Knee Assistive Devices for Kneeling Tasks in Construction

Construction workers regularly perform tasks that require kneeling, crawling, and squatting. Working in awkward kneeling postures for prolonged time periods can lead to knee pain, injuries, and osteoarthritis. In this article, we present lightweight, wearable sensing, and knee assistive devices for construction workers during kneeling and squatting tasks. Analysis of kneeling on level and sloped surfaces (0 $^\circ$ , 10 $^\circ$ , and 20 $^\circ$ ) is performed for single- and double-leg kneeling tasks. Measurements from the integrated inertial measurement units are used for real-time gait detection and lower limb pose estimation. Detected gait events and pose estimation are used to control the assistive knee joint torque provided by lightweight exoskeletons with powerful quasi-direct drive actuation. Human subject experiments are conducted to validate the effectiveness of the proposed analysis and control design. The results show reduction in knee extension/flexion muscle activation (up to 39%) during stand-to-kneel and kneel-to-stand tasks. Knee-ground contact forces/pressures are also reduced (up to 15%) under robotic assistance during single-leg kneeling. Increasing assistive knee torque shows redistribution of the subject's weight from the knee in contact with the ground to both supporting feet. The proposed system provides an enabling intervention to potentially reduce musculoskeletal injury risks of construction workers.
Signal-to-Noise Ratios for Robust Design†

Taguchi introduced a collection of performance measures called signal-to-noise ratios (SNRs) as a core component of the robust design methods he introduced to US corporations in the 1980s. The SNR is the most controversial part of Taguchi's methods because it summarizes the quality information from the entire experiment in a single entity. While the use of a single performance measure provided a conceptual simplicity attractive to engineers, it also introduced certain statistical controversies. We review the strengths and limitations of this performance measure and the evolution of related research. Our discussion includes the use of the SNR for both static and dynamic robust design (see Robust Design). Keywords: signal-to-noise ratio; Taguchi method; robust design; dynamic robust design
Racial/ethnic disparities, social support, and depression: examining a social determinant of mental health.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the risk of depression as it relates to social support among individuals from African American, Caribbean black, and non-Hispanic White backgrounds. METHODS: 6,082 individuals participated in the national survey of American life (NSAL), a nationally representative, psychiatric epidemiological, cross-sectional survey of household populations. The survey is designed to explore racial and ethnic differences in mental disorders. NSAL survey questions were used as a proxy for social support. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the correlates between having a DSM-IV diagnosis of major depressive disorder in the past year, demographic variables, and social support. RESULTS: African American race/ethnicity was associated with decreased odds of depression when compared to non-Hispanic whites, even when controlling for social support variables and demographics (OR = 0.51, 95% CI = 0.43-0.60). We found a three-fold increase in risk of depression among individuals who reported feeling "not very close at all" with family members compared to those who reported feeling "very close" to family (OR = 3.35, 95% CI = 1.81-6.19). CONCLUSIONS: These findings reinforce previous research documenting the important relationship between social support and depression, and perhaps should lead us to reexamine the individualistic models of treatment that are most evaluated in United States. The lack of evidence-based data on support groups, peer counseling, family therapy, or other social support interventions may reflect a majority-culture bias toward individualism, which belies the extensive body of research on social support deficits as a major risk factor for depression. Ethn Dis . 2012 Winter;22(1):15-20.
Integrating School Leadership Knowledge and Practice Using Multimedia Technology: Linking National Standards, Assessment, and Professional Development

This article presents an overview perspective on the potential benefits of applying multimedia technology to redesign and invigorate the career-long performance assessment and professional learning of school leaders. Funded design and development efforts of one multimedia project—the Administrator Case Simulation (ACS) Multimedia Library—focusing on the professional assessment and development of school principals involved in collaborative school leadership are highlighted. Project research teams at the ACS Multimedia Lab have focused in the past seven years on using available multimedia technologies to develop school leadership assessment and organizational learning case simulation resources for school principals and other school leaders. This article provides an overview of the multimedia case simulation concept, describes collaborative R&D project efforts involving regional and state school leaders, highlights multimedia case design features, and discusses implications of technology-integrated case designs for informing personnel assessment and evaluation programs and for enhancing the reflective thinking, decision making, and professional learning of school leaders. Finally, recommendations are offered for engaging in further research and development efforts using the integrated systems professional learning approach presented, and for creatively expanding technology-integrated case simulation designs to develop similar professional assessment and learning resources for all school leaders.
Maternal Caffeine Consumption during Pregnancy and Risk of Low Birth Weight: A Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies

Epidemiologic studies have shown inconsistent conclusions about the effect of caffeine intake during pregnancy on the risk of low birth weight (LBW). We performed a meta-analysis and linear-dose response analysis examining the association between caffeine consumption during pregnancy and risk of LBW. PubMed and EMBASE were searched for relevant articles published up to March 2014. Eight cohort and four case-control studies met all inclusion criteria. Using a random-effects model of the twelve studies, the pooled odds ratio (OR) for the risk of LBW comparing the highest versus lowest level of caffeine intake during pregnancy was 1.38 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.73). Linear dose-response analysis showed that every additional 100 mg of caffeine intake (1 cup of coffee or 2 cups of tea) per day during pregnancy was associated with a 3.0% increase in OR for LBW. There was a moderate level of overall heterogeneity with an I-squared value of 55% (95% CI: 13, 76%), and no evidence of publication bias based on Egger’s test (P = 0.20) and the funnel plot. Thus, high caffeine intake during pregnancy is associated with a significant increase in the risk of LBW, and this risk appears to increase linearly as caffeine intake increases.
ASD in Infants and Toddlers

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms are more subtle in infants, resulting in variable rates of detection. Assessment of early symptoms has improved in recent years with the revision of diagnostic instruments as well as reformulation of diagnostic criteria in the DSM-5. By age 2, ASD symptoms affecting social communication and interaction; restrictive, repetitive behaviors, interests, and activities; social attention; temperament; and bonding are more obvious. A rapidly developing area of study focuses on detective of ASD symptoms in the prodromal (preonset) stage. Keywords: ASD; assessment; autism spectrum disorder; diagnosis; DSM-5; infants; prodromal stage; symptoms; toddlers
Allo-sensitization profile in renal transplant patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Aim Systemic lupus erytematosus (SLE) is the autoimmune disease with the highest prevalence in renal transplant population. The purpose of the present study was to describe the sensitization profile in renal transplant patients with end stage renal disease due to SLE. Methods A retrospective single-center analysis in the last ten years revealed 26 all renal transplant patients with SLE - twenty females and six males. This group was matched to a 53 patient control group, with no SLE, but matched for gender and age distribution. The HLA polymorphism for -A, -B, -C, -DRB1, -DRB3/4/5, -DQB1, -DQA1, -DPB1 was performed by reverse SSO for intermediate resolution in all patients, while high resolution SBT (Sanger) was used for 12 cases. The auto-crossmatches were performed both by complement-dependent cytotoxicity, and by flowcytometry. The presence and identification of anti-HLA antibody was achieved by single-antigen bead (Luminex) assays. Results The HLA typing in SLE group has shown a higher (19/26, 73%) prevalence of HLA-DRB1–3/4/5 antigens when compared to control group (8/53, 15%, p 0.05). Furthermore, 4 SLE patients (15%) exhibited a positive cytotoxic and flow auto-crossmatch, compared to only 1 (2%) in controls (p 0.01). The distribution of HLA-specific antibody was 20/26 (77%) in SLE versus 18/53 in controls (33%), p 0.01 The class distribution in SLE group was: 19 anti-class I, and 11 anti class II, versus 11 class I and 7 class II in controls. 22 patients in SLE group exhibited anti-HLA antibody towards public epitopes resulting in a calculated PRA > 50%, while 19 SLE patients exhibited anti-HLA antibody towards public epitopes resulting in a calculated PRA > 80%. The control group had a significantly lower proportion of strong antibody towards public epitopes (4/18 and 2/18, respectively, p 0.01). Conclusions Renal transplant patients with SLE exhibited a higher prevalence of HLA-DRB1-3/4/5 self antigens, and a higher prevalence of positive auto-crossmatches and strong HLA antibody towards public epitopes.
Linear/network poly(ε-caprolactone) blends exhibiting shape memory assisted self-healing (SMASH).

Self-healing (SH) polymers are responsive polymeric materials that can repair mechanical damage such as cracks in an autonomous fashion. In most SH polymers studies reported to date, crack closure was either unaddressed or achieved by manual intervention. Here, we report a new strategy that utilizes shape memory (SM) to prepare novel SH polymers that are capable of simultaneously closing and rebonding cracks with a simple thermal trigger. This strategy, termed "shape memory assisted self-healing (SMASH)", is demonstrated in a blend system consisting of cross-linked poly(e-caprolactone) network (n-PCL) with linear poly(e-caprolactone) (l-PCL) interpenetrating the network, and exhibits a combination of SM response from the network component and SH capacity from the linear component. Thermomechanical analysis revealed that the thermoset, n-PCL, demonstrates reversible plasticity -a form of shape memory where large plastic deformation at room temperature is fully recoverable upon heating. This SM action assists to close any cracks formed during deformation and/or damage while l-PCL chains tackify the crack surfaces by diffusion to the free surface and ultimately across the area of damage during the same heating step as used for SM. In our study, we investigated the controlled damage and SMASH healing of blends with varying composition using tensile testing of essential work of fracture film specimens. The healing component, l-PCL used had a high M(w) (M(w) ∼65k g/mol) to enable re-entanglement after diffusion across the interface while the shape memory component, n-PCL was prepared from PCL telechelic diacrylates and a tetrathiol cross-linker, yielding excellent shape memory. We found excellent self-healing of films by the SMASH mechanism, with near complete healing for l-PCL contents exceeding 25 wt %. Applications are envisioned in the area of self-healing bladders, inflated structure membranes, and architectural building envelopes.
Circulating cortisol-associated signature of glucocorticoid-related gene expression in subcutaneous fat of obese subjects.

Objective: Serum cortisol concentrations fluctuate in a circadian fashion, and glucocorticoids exert strong effects on adipose tissue and induce obesity through the glucocorticoid receptor. Design and Methods: To examine the impact of physiologic levels of circulating cortisol on subcutaneous adipose tissue, 25 overweight and obese subjects were employed, and their serum levels of morning (AM) and evening (PM) cortisol, AM/PM cortisol ratios, and 24-h urinary-free cortisol (UFC) were compared with their clinical parameters, serum cytokine levels, and mRNA expression of 93 receptor action-regulating and 93 glucocorticoid-responsive genes in abdominal subcutaneous fat. Results and Conclusions: AM cortisol levels did not correlate with mRNA expression of the all genes examined, whereas PM cortisol levels, AM/PM cortisol ratios, and 24-h UFC were associated with distinct sets of these genes. Body mass index did not significantly correlate with the four cortisol parameters employed. These results suggest that physiologic levels of AM serum cortisol do not solely represent biological effects of circulating cortisol on the expression of glucocorticoid-related genes in subcutaneous adipose tissue, whereas PM levels, amplitude, and net amounts of the diurnally fluctuating serum cortisol have distinct effects. Through the genes identified in this study, glucocorticoids appear to influence intermediary metabolism, energy balance, inflammation, and local circadian rythmicity in subcutaneous fat. Our results may also explain in part the development of metabolic abnormality and obesity in subjects under stress or patients with melancholic/atypical depression who demonstrate elevated levels of PM serum cortisol.
Formation of hydroxylapatite from co-sorption of phosphate and calcium by boehmite

Abstract The interaction of calcium with phosphate at mineral/water interfaces is of importance for understanding both P sequestration and phosphate mineral formation. We investigated the effect of dissolved calcium on phosphate uptake by boehmite in batch sorption studies as a function of pH. Examination of the solids by 31 P NMR spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows evidence for formation of hydroxylapatite from pH 7 to pH 9, which is supported by correlation of Ca and P on particle surfaces at pH 9 observed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX) analysis. At pH 6, two major 31 P NMR peaks are observed at δ P–31 = 0 and −6 ppm, indicating the presence of bidentate binuclear complexes with surface Al atoms, similar to those found in the absence of dissolved Ca. At higher pH, an additional 31 P peak at δ P–31 = 2.65 ppm is observed, consistent with hydroxylapatite (Hap). The NMR data indicate that after 30 days most of the phosphate (75%) remained as adsorption complexes at pH 7, but that Hap accounts for most of the phosphate at higher pH, although surface complexes were still evident in CP/MAS NMR spectra. The identification of crystalline Hap is further supported by 31 P{ 1 H} heteronuclear correlation (HetCor) experiments in which the 2.65 ppm 31 P peak correlates to a narrow 1 H peak at δ H–1 = 0.2 ppm that is diagnostic of the hydroxyl groups of Hap. In powder X-ray diffraction patterns, two small peaks are observed at slow scan rates that match the major reflections of Hap. Nonetheless, Hap crystals could not be identified in SEM images suggesting small particle size, in agreement with broad XRD peaks. At short reaction times only adsorbed phosphate is observed at pH 7, whereas Hap forms within 15 min at pH 9. These results indicate that the crystallization rate of Hap is enhanced by the boehmite surface, although the detailed mechanisms could not be discerned from these data.
Shock-induced chemical reactions in nickel-aluminum powder mixtures: Radiation pyrometer measurements

Time-resolved emission of visible and near-infrared thermal radiation has been measured from powders of pure nickel and mixed nickel-aluminum shocked to peak pressures of 14 GPa. Temperatures determined from the measurements indicate that the Ni-Al mixture has a source of heat in addition to that supplied by shock compression. The extra heat, produced on a time scale of 100 ns, is inferred to come from an exothermic reaction between the two metals forming a binary alloy. If the alloy is Ni3Al, the measured temperatures are consistent with prompt shock-induced reaction of at least 45% of the reactants.
Building structure for the borderline construct

This article overviews the development of the borderline personality disorder construct. In the past 25 years, the borderline personality diagnosis has grown remarkably in clinical usage even as its construct has undergone dramatic shifts in the process. It originated as a type of intrapsychic personality organization that reflected psychoanalytic observations and the hope for long-term curative therapies. It was transformed by descriptive observations into a syndrome whose boundaries with first schizophrenia and then affective disorders became the subject of intense study. More recently, it is recognized as a specific type of personality disorder that communicates substantial information about pathogenesis and that helps guide clinical planning and prognostication. The context dependency of the borderline patient's presentation explains why the diagnosis can often elude recognition.
Dietary Hæmorrhagic Disease in Chicks

A NUTRITIONAL disease of chicks characterised by subcutaneous, intramuscular and abdominal haemorrhages, prolonged blood-clotting time and erosions of the gizzard lining has been described in detail by Hoist and Halbrook1 of this laboratory. They were able to cure the disease by the use of fresh cabbage. The gizzard erosions and bleeding tendencies have been noted by McFarlane, Graham and Hall2. Dam and Schonheyder3 have also produced the haemorrhagic symptoms in chicks, and have shown that the disease is not caused by lack of any of the known vitamins. The same finding has been obtained by Halbrook4.
Initiation of localized plane deformations at a circular cavity in an infinite compressible nonlinearly elastic medium

This investigation is concerned with the plane strain deformation of an infinite slab, containing a circular cavity, within the theory of finite elastostatics for a particular homogeneous isotropic compressible material, the so-called Blatz-Ko material. The body is subjected to uniform pressure, either internal or external. Exact closed-form solutions for the axisymmetric deformation and stress fields are obtained. In the case of internal pressure, it is found that the applied pressure may not exceed a certain maximum value pmax. At a value of pressure pe (<pmax), the governing equations lose ellipticity at the cavity wall. For greater values of pressure this solution remains smooth, though involving both elliptic and non-elliptic regions. Non-existence of axisymmetric solutions with discontinuous strain fields is established. The possibility of bifurication into a surface mode is considered and it is shown that this occurs at a value of pressure slightly smaller than pe. Such surface wrinkling leads to a periodic distribution of points of stress concentration, from which shear bands may initiate.
Adaptation of the Black Yeast Wangiella dermatitidis to Ionizing Radiation: Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms

Observations of enhanced growth of melanized fungi under low-dose ionizing radiation in the laboratory and in the damaged Chernobyl nuclear reactor suggest they have adapted the ability to survive or even benefit from exposure to ionizing radiation. However, the cellular and molecular mechanism of fungal responses to such radiation remains poorly understood. Using the black yeast Wangiella dermatitidis as a model, we confirmed that ionizing radiation enhanced cell growth by increasing cell division and cell size. Using RNA-seq technology, we compared the transcriptomic profiles of the wild type and the melanin-deficient wdpks1 mutant under irradiation and non-irradiation conditions. It was found that more than 3000 genes were differentially expressed when these two strains were constantly exposed to a low dose of ionizing radiation and that half were regulated at least two fold in either direction. Functional analysis indicated that many genes for amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism and cell cycle progression were down-regulated and that a number of antioxidant genes and genes affecting membrane fluidity were up-regulated in both irradiated strains. However, the expression of ribosomal biogenesis genes was significantly up-regulated in the irradiated wild-type strain but not in the irradiated wdpks1 mutant, implying that melanin might help to contribute radiation energy for protein translation. Furthermore, we demonstrated that long-term exposure to low doses of radiation significantly increased survivability of both the wild-type and the wdpks1 mutant, which was correlated with reduced levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased production of carotenoid and induced expression of genes encoding translesion DNA synthesis. Our results represent the first functional genomic study of how melanized fungal cells respond to low dose ionizing radiation and provide clues for the identification of biological processes, molecular pathways and individual genes regulated by radiation.
Defining older adults’ perceived causes of hypertension in the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire

Objectives:This study sought to make the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire (BIPQ) to be more informative about illness representation among older adults with hypertension. The authors develope...
Anastomosis with EEA stapler after anterior colonic resection

The end-to-end anastomosis by stapling for left colonic and rectal resections is proving to be a relatively safe and fast procedure. Results of a survey of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons reveals 15.1 per cent intraoperative complications, 3.7 per cent early postoperative complications, 0.5 per cent deaths, and 13.8 per cent late complications. The majority of late complications, stenosis and incontinence, were either subclinical or transient for most patients. Technique and prevention of complications are stressed.
Race: China’s Question and Problem

Race poses a challenge to the ruling Communist Party of China. Contemporary news reports about China’s relationship with various African states warn of a reestablishment of 19th century colonial relations, with China standing in the shoes of England or France. When indictments of neo-colonialism are promoted, China recalls a historical brotherhood with African states under the banner of Third World solidarity. This paper attempts to shed light on both sides of this argument, demonstrating that for China, the issue of race in foreign relations poses both a question of motives and a problem of national identity.
A Note on EMP Safety Hazards

The character of transient electric fields induced in spherical homogeneous tissue models of man and animals by incident electromagnetic fields similar to that originating from lightning and EMP generators has been theoretically determined. The magnitude of the induced fields is found to be approximately proportional to the time rate of change of the incident field and independent of the pulsewidth. It was also found that maximum EMP induced field in spherical shaped bodies is nearly proportional to the radius of the body. Therefore, for EMP safety standards, more consideration should be given to the time rate of change of the incident field rather than to the pulsewidth, and when laboratory animal data are used as a guide they should be extrapolated to account for body size.
High pressure crystal growth of alpha plutonium

Abstract Large single crystals of alpha plutonium are grown from the solid-state phase transformation beta to alpha at pressures of 55 kbar. The sample is cooled through the phase transformation between 480 and 400 °C at a rate of 40 °C/hr, annealed at 400 °C for several days, cooled to room temperature and then depressurized.
The morphology of the hypophysis of amblystoma

This paper presents an account of the morphology of the hypophysis and adjacent hypothalamic regions of young adult Amblystoma tigrinum. The description deals primarily with reconstructed models made from blotting paper; transverse and sagittal sections are also considered. A new term, hypophysis, pars subdistalis, is used to describe a discrete portion of the hypophysis embedded in the medial and ventral portion of the pars distalis. The other portions of the hypophysis also are described in detail.
Quantitative flood forecasting using multisensor data and neural networks

Abstract Accurate quantitative forecasting of rainfall for basins with a short response time is essential to predict streamflow and flash floods. Previously, neural networks were used to develop a Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting model that highly improved forecasting skill at specific locations in Pennsylvania, using both Numerical Weather Prediction output and rainfall and radiosonde data. The objective of this study was to modify the existing artificial neural network model to include the evolving structure and frequency of intense weather systems in the mid-Atlantic region of the United States for improved flood forecasting. Besides using radiosonde and rainfall data, the model also used the satellite-derived characteristics of storm systems such as tropical cyclones, mesoscale convective complex systems, and convective cloud clusters as input. The convective classification and automated tracking system was used to identify and quantify storm properties such as life time, area, eccentricity, and track. As in standard expert prediction systems, the fundamental structure of the neural network model was learned from the hydroclimatology of the relationships among weather systems, rainfall production and streamflow response in the study area. Here, we present results from the application of the quantitative flood forecasting model in four watersheds on the leeward side of the Appalachian mountains in the mid-Atlantic region. The areal extent of the watersheds ranges from 750 to 8700 km2. The reduction in the mean-squared error of the peak streamflow with respect to persistence was up to 60% for the 24 h lead-time forecasts. For the 18 h lead-time forecasts, the number of successful forecasts for streamflow peaks in the upper 5% percentile was consistently above 60%, and close to 80–90%.
Formation, structure, and spectrophotometry of air-water interface films containing rhodopsin

Air-water interface films of cattle rhodopsin and defined lipids are formed without the use of organic solvents by a method in which vesicle membranes consisting of egg phosphatidyl choline and purified rhodopsin are osmotically shocked at the interface. Lipid and protein molecules organize as insoluble films at the interface. The structure of these films varies with the lipid to protein mole ratio of the source vesicle membranes. Electron microscopic observations reveal that films formed with membranes of 150∶1 mole ratio consist of nonoverlapping, randomly distributed vesicle membrane fragments separated by a lipid monolayer. These membrane fragments exist as single sheets on the water surface and occupy approximately 35% of this surface. Essentially all the rhodopsin molecules at the interface are spectroscopically intact and are contained within the membrane fragments. The visible absorption spectrum of the interface films is identical to that of suspensions of rod disc membranes. Moreover, flash illumination of rhodopsin in air-dried multilayers formed from the interface films results in the formation of a stable MetarhodopsinI intermediate (λmax≃480 nm) which can be fully bleached by increasing the relative humidity of the multilayers or can be photoconverted into rhodopsin and, presumably, isorhodopsin. Furthermore, rhodopsin is chemically regenerable at the air-water interface. Bleached rhodopsin can generate dark rhodopsin at the interface in the presence of 11-cis retinal in the aqueous subphase. Thus, the spectroscopic structure and the chemical regenerability function of rhodopsin in these interface films are indistinguishable from those exhibited by the protein in intact rod disc membranes.
Multicomponent and hybrid hydrogels comprised of carbon nanotube–nickel/nickel oxide core/shell nanoparticle heterostructures incorporated in polyvinyl alcohol

Abstract Carbon nanotube (CNT) nickel/nickel oxide (Ni/NiO) core/shell nanoparticles (CNC) heterostructures were prepared in a facile and single step synthetic route. This unique approach involved chemical precipitation of nickel nanoparticles from nickel salt and surfactant mixed with CNTs. High surface to volume ratio and aspect ratio of chemical vapour deposition grown CNTs (average diameter: about 46±16·4 nm) allowed for the direct nucleation and uniform coating of Ni/NiO core/shell nanoparticles (average diameter: about 12±2 nm). The crystal structure, morphology and phases in CNC heterostructures were studied using high resolution transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Subsequently, as produced CNC heterostructures were incorporated in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogel. These novel CNC heterostructure PVA hydrogels were characterised for their chemical functionality, morphology and water absorbing capacity using spectroscopic (FTIR and ...
Involvement of thyrotroph embryonic factor in calcium-mediated regulation of gene expression.

In the present study, we used an expression cloning strategy to identify transcription factors that bind specifically to a limited region of the inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) promoter and regulate transcription. Murine thyrotroph embryonic factor (mTEF) was isolated and was shown to bind to a site located at nucleotides –117 to –108 from the transcriptional start site. Transient expression of reporter constructs containing either a consensus TEFRE or the icerTEF binding site demonstrated that TEF-dependent transcription correlated with relative binding affinities, i.e. the consensus TEFRE bound TEF more tightly and was more responsive to TEF than the icerTEFRE. Because the icerTEFRE overlapped a cAMP response element, the responsiveness of these sequences to either cAMP or Ca2+ was tested. Although TEF expression had no effect on the cAMP-regulated transcriptional response of the ICER promoter, TEF did confer calcium responsiveness to these sequences. Calcium also modestly increased the TEF-mediated transcription from a consensus TEFRE. Additional studies using Ca2+-activated kinases indicate that Ca2+/TEF/TEFRE-regulated transcription may be mediated through Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaMK) IV. Moreover, studies with the icerTEFRE in a CaMK IV-deficient cell line demonstrated that these cells were transcriptionally unresponsive to thapsigargin; however, responsiveness was restored by co-expression of the active CaMK IV. These studies are the first to demonstrate that TEF is a calcium-responsive transcription factor, and they suggest that there are two classes of TEF-regulated genes. One class, represented by a consensus TEFRE, is regulated by TEF in the resting cell; the second class, represented byicerTEFRE, is regulated by TEF in the calcium-activated cell.
Safety of induced hypertension therapy in patients with acute ischemic stroke

Introduction The management of blood pressure in acute stroke is controversial. Small pilot studies have suggested that blood pressure augmentation improves short-term neurological function, but the rate of adverse events with induced hypertension (IH) therapy is unknown.
Xanes studies of III-V semiconductor surface passivation

Abstract III-V semiconductor surfaces are known to be very reactive in air due to the presence of unsaturated dangling bonds (DBs). Native oxides are highly undesirable in many device applications. Remarkable progress has been made in recent years in the preparation of air-stable surfaces by wet chemical etching. XANES studies have shown that the stability of the passive surface is due to termination of surface DBs through the formation of an ordered overlayer selfassembled in chemical solutions. For a (100) InP surface, saturation of two adjacent DBs is achieved by the formation of In-S-In bridge bonds along the [011] direction. A refined analysis of σ-resonance indicates that XANES data are consistent with a recently proposed (2×2) InP(100)-S structure where the S is located on bridge sites to form twisted short and long dimers. For the GaAs(111) surface, the surface DBs are terminated by monovalent Ga-Cl bonds along the surface normal.
Police corruption: the miami case

This article examines how mandated changes in the screening, selection, and hiring of Miami police officers in the early 1980s contributed to corruption of significant proportions. It is hypothesiz...
Jejunoileal Bypass with Ileogastrostomy for Relief of Undesirable Side-Effects of Jejunoileal Bypass

Jejunoileal (JI) bypass with ileogastrostomy was performed on eleven patients who previously had JI bypass and were having undesirable side-effects. Short-term (17-44 months) follow-up observation reveals good to complete relief of undesirable side-effects in ten of the eleven. In the one case of total failure the author felt that the patient's symptoms were not caused by her JI bypass. The author suggests that JI bypass with ileogastrostomy be considered for JI bypass patients who are having undesirable side-effects, gastric stapling failures, and as original surgery in morbidly obese patients.
A Dynamic State Estimator for Dynamic Security Assessment

A global modularized dynamic state estimator is formulated to provide the data which will be required For future dynamic security assessment and dynamic security enhancement applications. The dynamic state estimator is global because it is capable of estimating small and large dynamic fluctuations in voltage angle and frequency for an entire area.
Substrates of carbohydrate metabolism and their relation to enzyme levels in liver from rats of various ages

Abstract Biochemical differentiation in rat liver is being studied by measurement of enzyme activities in whole homogenates; by studies of the steady-state levels of substrates and products of these enzymes in quick frozen tissue; and by observing the changes in substrates in liver when it is cut off from its blood supply. Changes observed during development in the levels of various enzymes concerned with carbohydrate metabolism indicate a decrease in capacity for glucose utilization and glycolysis and an increase in capacity for glycogenolysis, glucose formation, and lactate utilization.
Sensitivity of brook trout to low pH, low and elevated aluminum concentrations during laboratory pulse exposures

Yolk-sac larvae of brook trout (Salvelinus fontinalis) were exposed to four sequential low pH and calcium (Ca) pulses, nominally ranging from pH 6.5 to 4.0 in 0.5 pH unit increments, with and without 300 mg/l aluminum (Al) in 28-day toxicity tests. Calcium concentrations during the pulses varied from 0.5 to 1.3 mg/1. Swim-up larvae that had begun to feed were exposed to a single pulse of the same pH and Ca concentrations with 300 mg/l Al. The larvae were allowed to recover for 120-h at circumneutral pH and Ca concentrations that varied from 2.1 to 3.3 mg/l after each pulse exposure. Effects of the pulse exposures on survival, growth, whole-body ion concentrations, and behavioral development were monitored. Mortality of larvae was significant in all low pH and Ca treatments with Al after the first pulse and after the first low pH and Ca pulse at pH 4.0. Growth was significantly reduced among larvae exposed to the low pH and Ca pulses at pH 4.0. In general, growth was most severely affected among larvae exposed to the low pH and Ca pulses with Al at pH 6.1 and lower. Relative to controls, the low pH and Ca pulse exposures with and without Al reduced whole-body Na+, Ca2+, K+, Mg2+ P, and Cl−, Wholebody Ca2+ was most severely reduced followed by Na+, K+, Cl−, P, and Mg2+. The pulse exposures also caused delayed development and significant reductions in swimming activity and feeding of the larvae. These results support field observations that cyclic pH and Ca depressions, and concurrent increases in Al concentrations may cause mortality and have other adverse effects on natural fish populations.
Temporal Variations in Gonadal and Body Fat Responses to Daily Injections of 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) in the Gulf Killifish, Fundulus grandis

Daily injections of dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), a dopamine precursor, stimulate large increases in reproductive and body fat indices in gulf killifish, Fundulus grandis, when given 20 hours after daily injections of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), a serotonin precursor. However, DOPA injections are inhibitory when given 8 hours after 5-HTP. The drug effects persist for at least 3 weeks following drug treatment indicating a possible resetting of an endogenous mechanism involved in seasonality.
Glaucoma: Changing Concepts and Future Directions

Important concepts about glaucoma have evolved during the past few decades. Glaucoma is a family of diseases not defined by a specific intraocular pressure but rather as an optic neuropathy that can occur at any intraocular pressure depending on the optic nerve susceptibility of the individual person. Increased risk factors for idiopathic open-angle glaucoma include advancing age, black race, a family history of glaucoma, and increased intraocular pressure. The primary-care physician is in the prominent position of recognizing patients with increased risk factors or suspicious eye findings who should be referred to an ophthalmologist. Topically applied ophthalmic medications have systemic side effects that must be recognized and monitored by the primary-care physician. In the United States, glaucoma is usually treated with topically applied medications; laser or surgical therapy is done if medical treatment fails. The National Eye Institute is conducting multicenter studies to confirm whether this is still the most appropriate strategy for this common disease.
Positive Associations of Dispositional Mindfulness with Cardiovascular Health: the New England Family Study

Background Mindfulness (the ability to attend nonjudgmentally to one’s own physical and mental processes) is receiving substantial interest as a potential determinant of health. However, little is known whether mindfulness is associated with cardiovascular health.