cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immortalization of Salivary Gland Epithelial Cells of Xerostomic Patients: Establishment and Characterization of Novel Cell Lines.

Primary Sjogren's Syndrome (pSS) is an autoimmune disease mainly affecting salivary and lacrimal glands. Previous pSS studies have relied on primary cell culture models or cancer cell lines with limited relevance to the disease. Our objective was to generate and characterize immortalized salivary gland epithelial cells (iSGECs) derived from labial salivary gland (LSG) biopsies of pSS patients (focus score > 1) and non-Sjogren's Syndrome (nSS) xerostomic (i.e., sicca) female patients. To characterize iSGECs (n = 3), mRNA expression of specific epithelial and acinar cell markers was quantified by qRT-PCR. Protein expression of characterization markers was determined by immunocytochemistry and Western blot. Secretion of α-amylase by iSGECs was confirmed through colorimetric activity assay. Spheroid formation and associated alterations in expression markers were determined using matrigel-coated cell culture plates. Consistent mRNA and protein expressions of both epithelial and pro-acinar cell markers were observed in all three iSGEC lines. When cultured on matrigel medium, iSGECs formed spheroids, secreted α-amylase after β-adrenergic stimulation, and expressed multiple acinar cell markers at late passages. One iSGEC line retained adequate cell morphology without a loss of SV40Lt expression and proliferation potential after over 100 passages. In conclusion, our established iSGEC lines represent a viable model for salivary research due to their passaging capacity and maintenance of pro-acinar cell characteristics.
A procedure for deriving new ODE models: Using the generalized linear chain trick to incorporate phase-type distributed delay and dwell time assumptions

Ordinary differential equations models have a wide variety of applications in the fields of mathematics, statistics, and the sciences. Though they are widely used, these models are sometimes viewed as inflexible with respect to the incorporation of time delays. The Generalized Linear Chain Trick (GLCT) serves as a way for modelers to incorporate much more flexible delay or dwell time distribution assumptions than the usual exponential and Erlang distributions. In this paper we demonstrate how the GLCT can be used to generate new ODE models by generalizing or approximating existing models to yield much more general ODEs with phase-type distributed delays or dwell times.
Construction and application of provable positive and exact cubature formulas.

Many applications require multi-dimensional numerical integration, often in the form of a cubature formula. These cubature formulas are desired to be positive and exact for certain finite-dimensional function spaces (and weight functions). Although there are several efficient procedures to construct positive and exact cubature formulas for many standard cases, it remains a challenge to do so in a more general setting. Here, we show how the method of least squares can be used to derive provable positive and exact formulas in a general multi-dimensional setting. Thereby, the procedure only makes use of basic linear algebra operations, such as solving a least squares problem. In particular, it is proved that the resulting least squares cubature formulas are ensured to be positive and exact if a sufficiently large number of equidistributed data points is used. We also discuss the application of provable positive and exact least squares cubature formulas to construct nested stable high-order rules and positive interpolatory formulas. Finally, our findings shed new light on some existing methods for multivariate numerical integration and under which restrictions these are ensured to be successful.
A quantitative approach to the topology of large-scale structure

A quantitative measure of the topology of large-scale structure: the genus of density contours in a smoothed density distribution, is described and applied. For random phase (Gaussian) density fields, the mean genus per unit volume exhibits a universal dependence on threshold density, with a normalizing factor that can be calculated from the power spectrum. If large-scale structure formed from the gravitational instability of small-amplitude density fluctuations, the topology observed today on suitable scales should follow the topology in the initial conditions. The technique is illustrated by applying it to simulations of galaxy clustering in a flat universe dominated by cold dark matter. The technique is also applied to a volume-limited sample of the CfA redshift survey and to a model in which galaxies reside on the surfaces of polyhedral 'bubbles'. The topology of the evolved mass distribution and 'biased' galaxy distribution in the cold dark matter models closely matches the topology of the density fluctuations in the initial conditions. The topology of the observational sample is consistent with the random phase, cold dark matter model.
Matrix elements for an approximate ab initio π‐electron theory

This work involves the derivation of approximate forms for the matrix elements of an ab initio π-electron molecular orbital theory. The result may be described as a complete neglect of differential overlap mathematical formalism plus σ-π exchange. The basis set of π atomic functions for these derivations is a set of approximate Lowdin orthogonalized atomic orbitals (LOAO's) produced by successive pairwise orthogonalization. Using these functions, we derive approximate equations for the one-electron integrals of molecular orbital theory, α and β, which, for the first time, show the effects of overlap-coupling in a molecule. Many new methods of approximation enter the theory. There are approximate equations for π-electron, nuclear attraction potentials and for π-electron, σ-core repulsion potentials, all approximations are compared to more accurate calculations where possible. A mechanism is also included for testing the effects of σ-charge shifts upon the results of the π-electron calculations.
Seroepidemiology of hepatitis E on Japanese expatriates in Southeast Asian countries:a study at a clinic in Singapore

Abstract A two-phase study was conducted in order to examine anti-hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibody prevalence among Japanese expatriates in Southeast Asian countries at a clinic in Singapore serving Japanese expatriates. In phase I of the study, we identified a 20 month series of adult patients with abnormal liver function tests on routine medical examination or diagnostic evaluation. Serum was collected from the 179 patients from January 1993 through August 1994 and was analyzed for IgG and IgM anti-HEV antibodies with HEV-ELISA kits from Genelabs Diagnostics (GD). Out of 179 (13.4%) patients, 24 were positive for IgG anti-HEV. An IgM anti-HEV ELISA kit (GD) was available for the last 142 patients and five of these (3.5%) were positive for IgM anti-HEV and one case was positive for both. In phase II of the study, we identified a series of 168 adult patients who visited the clinic for routine medical check-up from January to April 1995 and for whom serum was collected and analyzed for liver function tests and IgG anti-HEV. Fifteen (8.9%) were positive for IgG anti-HEV. Thirty-seven (22%) of the 168 had abnormal results of liver function tests. However, abnormal liver function tests were not associated with anti-HEV IgG positivity. Anti-HAV measured in the subjects in phase II of the study showed no significant association with anti-HEV seropositivities.The prevalence of HEV infection observed in this study was much higher than reported in Japan and also higher than the Singapore host population (3.4%).
Comparison of pleural fluid pH values obtained using blood gas machine, pH meter, and pH indicator strip.

Study purpose The purpose of this study was to compare the pleural fluid pH values obtained with a blood gas machine (pHbg), with a pH meter (pHmet), and with a pH indicator strip (pHstrip), to determine if the pleural fluid pH measured by a pH meter or a pH indicator strip was sufficiently accurate for clinical decisions. Methods The pleural fluid pH was determined, within 20 min after being collected anaerobically, by a blood gas machine (CIBA-Corning model 288), pH meter (Corning pH meter 610A), and pH indicator strip (Baxter Diagnostic) following routine laboratory procedures in 50 pleural fluids. Pleural fluid pH was determined in seven additional samples with the blood gas machine and a pH meter at 25 and 37°C respectively, initially, and after 30 min. Results The mean pHbg (7.42 ± 0.01) was significantly less than the mean pHmet (7.58 ± 0.02) or the mean pHstrip (8.23 ± 0.06). There were significant differences between the pHbg and the pHmet (p Conclusion When the pleural fluid pH is going to be used for decision making, only the pH values provided by the blood gas machine are sufficiently accurate.
CASE STUDY: From shock absorber to shock transmitter: Determinants of remittances in Sub-Saharan Africa

Workers’ remittances to developing countries have substantially increased over the past decade, both globally and in sub-Saharan Africa. They have been argued to be shock absorbers, increasing when home economies face economic difficulties and have been shown to alleviate poverty. During economic downturns, however, migrant workers are often the most vulnerable. As migrants lose their incomes or even their jobs, the global scope of the current crisis may turn remittances into a shock transmitter. Faced by this perspective, what can home countries do to shelter themselves? This paper investigates the determinants of remittances in sub-Saharan Africa and suggests some possible policy responses.
MAP Propulsion System Thermal Design

The propulsion system of the Microwave Anisotropy Probe (MAP) had stringent requirements that made the thermal design unique. To meet instrument stability requirements the system had to be designed to keep temperatures of all components within acceptable limits without heater cycling. Although the spacecraft remains at a fixed 22 sun angle at L2, the variations in solar constant, property degradation, and bus voltage range all significantly affect the temperature. Large portions of the fuel lines are external to the structure and all components are mounted to non-conductive composite structure. These two facts made the sensitivity to the MLI effective emissivity and bus temperature very high. Approximately two years prior to launch the propulsion system was redesigned to meet MAP requirements. The new design utilized hardware that was already installed in order to meet schedule constraints. The spacecraft design and the thermal requirements were changed to compensate for inadequacies of the existing hardware. The propulsion system consists of fuel lines, fill and drain lines/valve, eight thrusters, a HXCM, and a propulsion tank. A voltage regulator was added to keep critical components within limits. Software was developed to control the operational heaters. Trim resistors were put in series with each operational heater circuits and the tank survival heater. A highly sophisticated test program, which included real time model correlation, was developed to determine trim resistors sizes. These trim resistors were installed during a chamber break and verified during thermal balance testing.
Molecular Biology of Na+/Glucose Symport

The sections in this article are: 1 Biochemical Identification of Na+/Glucose Symporter Subunit 2 Expression Cloning of Intestinal Na+/Glucose Symporter Subunit 3 Sequence Homologies with Renal Na+/Glucose Symporter 4 Chromosomal Localization 5 Subunit Structure 6 Regulation of Gene Expression
102 – Phaffia M.W. Miller, Yoneyama & Soneda

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on Phaffia genus, whose vegetative cells are ellipsoidal and occur singly, in pairs, and occasionally in short chains, and reproduce by enteroblastic budding. Carotenoid pigments are synthesized (mainly astaxanthin and a minor proportion of P-carotene), which give cells en masse a red to salmon-red color. Phaffia appears to have a restricted geographic distribution, nine strains of which were isolated in the mountainous locations in a wide area of Japanese islands and a single strain came from Alaska, U.S.A. The only member species of this genus is Phaffia rhodozyma. Because of its high astaxanthin content, Phaffia rhodozyma has been used as a dietary pigment source to impart the desirable orange-red color to the normally white flesh of pen-reared salmonids and crustaceans.
Bevacizumab in newly diagnosed ovarian cancer.

Lancet Oncology, The - In Press.Proof corrected by the author Available online since lundi 29 juin 2015
Experimental Study of Mimicry in Salamanders involving Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens and Pseudotriton ruber schencki

THE aposematically coloured eft stage of the red spotted newt, Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens, is both toxic and noxious to potential predators. The black chinned red salamander, Pseudotriton ruber schencki, is the most common red-orange salamander other than eft N. v. viridescens in the vicinity of the Highlands Biological Station in North Carolina. This study provides experimental evidence that P. r. schencki is a Batesian mimic of N. v. viridescens.
Review: Construction of protocol converters using formal methods

Protocol conversion has been recognized as a way to achieve interoperability between distinct networks that implement incompatible protocols. First, we discuss the architectural issues faced in the design of a protocol conversion system. Consistent definitions of the models and terms used for protocol conversion and specification are also provided. Furthermore, we describe current formal protocol conversion methodologies, analyse their underlying concepts, and present examples to illustrate the issues related to each method. Moreover, open problems specific to each approach are addressed. Finally, we identify some general factors which have not yet been considered, and speculate about new directions and more effective methods.
Inter-trial coherence as a marker of cortical phase synchrony in children with sensorineural hearing loss and auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder fitted with hearing aids and cochlear implants.

Abstract Objective Although brainstem dys-synchrony is a hallmark of children with auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder (ANSD), little is known about how the lack of neural synchrony manifests at more central levels. We used time–frequency single-trial EEG analyses (i.e., inter-trial coherence; ITC), to examine cortical phase synchrony in children with normal hearing (NH), sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and ANSD. Methods Single trial time–frequency analyses were performed on cortical auditory evoked responses from 41 NH children, 91 children with ANSD and 50 children with SNHL. The latter two groups included children who received intervention via hearing aids and cochlear implants. ITC measures were compared between groups as a function of hearing loss, intervention type, and cortical maturational status. Results In children with SNHL, ITC decreased as severity of hearing loss increased. Children with ANSD revealed lower levels of ITC relative to children with NH or SNHL, regardless of intervention. Children with ANSD who received cochlear implants showed significant improvements in ITC with increasing experience with their implants. Conclusions Cortical phase coherence is significantly reduced as a result of both severe-to-profound SNHL and ANSD. Significance ITC provides a window into the brain oscillations underlying the averaged cortical auditory evoked response. Our results provide a first description of deficits in cortical phase synchrony in children with SNHL and ANSD.
Learning to Teach Online

The demand for online courses is growing. This paper offers suggestions on how to teach online courses that promote student engagement and learning. We discuss the benefits and challenges of teaching online. We share research-based strategies for designing an online course and draw upon our experience of developing fully online sociology courses. Practical suggestions include preparing students, promoting learning through the discussion board, managing communication, incorporating multimedia, and evaluating the course. Recommendations for modifying teaching strategies for the online environment are also included. Student comments from anonymous surveys convey the student perspective about taking online courses. Developing an online class is possible with early planning and an awareness of how to engage students.
Factors associated with steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C

Purpose: Steatosis is a common feature of chronic Hepatitis C (HCV). The pathophysiology of steatosis is not clear. Multiple factors may play a role in the degree of steatosis in patients with HCV infection. We investigated the correlation between pre-treatment body mass index (BMI), serum liver injury tests, and HCV viral load (HCV-RNA), and steatosis in patients with HCV.
The Evolution of a Capacity to Build Supra-Cellular Ropes Enabled Filamentous Cyanobacteria to Colonize Highly Erodible Substrates

Background Several motile, filamentous cyanobacteria display the ability to self-assemble into tightly woven or twisted groups of filaments that form macroscopic yarns or ropes, and that are often centimeters long and 50–200 µm in diameter. Traditionally, this trait has been the basis for taxonomic definition of several genera, notably Microcoleus and Hydrocoleum, but the trait has not been associated with any plausible function. Method and Findings Through the use of phylogenetic reconstruction, we demonstrate that pedigreed, rope-building cyanobacteria from various habitats do not form a monophyletic group. This is consistent with the hypothesis that rope-building ability was fixed independently in several discrete clades, likely through processes of convergent evolution or lateral transfer. Because rope-building cyanobacteria share the ability to colonize geologically unstable sedimentary substrates, such as subtidal and intertidal marine sediments and non-vegetated soils, it is also likely that this supracellular differentiation capacity imparts a particular fitness advantage in such habitats. The physics of sediment and soil erosion in fact predict that threads in the 50–200 µm size range will attain optimal characteristics to stabilize such substrates on contact. Conclusions Rope building is a supracellular morphological adaptation in filamentous cyanobacteria that allows them to colonize physically unstable sedimentary environments, and to act as successful pioneers in the biostabilization process.
Correlates of high HDL cholesterol among women with coronary heart disease.

Abstract Background The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) has designated high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ≥60 mg/dL a "negative" coronary heart disease (CHD) risk factor, but a substantial proportion of coronary events occur among women despite high HDL-C levels. Methods and Results The objective of this study was to characterize postmenopausal women with prevalent CHD despite HDL-C ≥60 mg/dL and to identify factors that may attenuate the protective effect of high HDL-C. We analyzed baseline data from a randomized, double-blind study of estrogen/progestin replacement therapy in 2763 postmenopausal women P Conclusions High HDL-C, as defined by the NCEP, occurred in 20% of women with CHD in this cohort without a concomitantly higher prevalence of other CHD risk factors. Redefinition of "high" HDL-C levels for women may be warranted.
PLASMA GLUCOSE VALUES AFTER FIRST FEEDING IN NEONATES

To identify the type of feeding that will raise plasma glucose (G) most effectively in the first hours after birth, plasma G was measured before and after first feeding at 4hrs of age. 43 term neonates(NB) were randomized into three groups: 20cc of 5% D/W, 10% D/W or formula (20 cal/oz). Mean±S.D. birth weight was 3158±306gms, length 49.4±1.4cm, head circumference 33.7±1.2cm, gest. age 39.7±1.5wks. Apgar scores ranged from 7 to 9. Six NB were born by C-section and the remaining 37 by vaginal delivery. All infants were healthy and appropriate for gest. age. Plasma glucose was measured prior to and 1, 2, and 4 hrs after feeding and are listed in table: Baseline values prior to feeding were similar in all three groups. A significant rise in glucose values was noted one hour after feeding in all three groups (p<0.05); however, among the three groups, the rise in G values was significantly higher with 10% D/W than with formula or 5% D/W feeds (p<0.05). No difference in G values were noted at 2 & 4hrs after feeding. In conclusion, 10% D/W is the best choice as the first feed for raising G; however, the rise is transient and within 2 hrs, G values are back to baseline regardless of type of feeding.
Some statistical performance characteristics of the 'ITD' modal identification algorithm

Performance characteristics of the Ibrahim time-domain algorithms are examined on a statistical basis. The method uses multiple free-response measurements from a test structure directly in the time domain, and displays varying accuracy, with the strongly excited modes identified most accurately and the weakly excited modes least accurately. Sets of computer-generated free-response functions for a simple 1-mode model are used to study the identification performance for several basic changes in the modal characteristics of the data, the user-selectable analysis constants, and the level of superimposed noise. Results indicate the existence of a direct and often linear effect of noise on the scatter of identified parameters, and good identification is maintained at the 1% noise level down to the point in frequency when only 1/4-cycle of data is analyzed.
Detecting Subgroups in Children Diagnosed with Pervasive Developmental Disorder - Not Otherwise Specified

Hierarchical cluster analyses were used to detect three subgroups in a sample of children with pervasive developmental disorder--not otherwise specified (PDD-NOS) evaluated at ages 2 and 4. At age 2, Cluster 1 demonstrated few autism symptoms and high cognitive scores; 60% no longer met criteria for PDD at 4. Cluster 2 exhibited more autism symptoms and lower cognitive scores at 2; 89.5% met criteria for ASD at 4. Cluster 3 had the lowest cognitive scores and most impaired social/communication skills at 2, but no repetitive behaviors; 60% diagnosed with Autistic Disorder at 4. Results shed light on outcomes for different PDD-NOS types and raise questions regarding the increased importance of repetitive behaviors in DSM-5.
Electron Glass in Ultrathin Granular Al Films at Low Temperatures

Quench-condensed granular Al films of sheet resistance $\ensuremath{\sim}10\mathrm{k}\ensuremath{\Omega}/\ensuremath{\square}$ display hysteresis and ultraslow, nonexponential relaxation in the resistance when the temperature is varied below 300 mK. The hysteresis is nonlinear and the relaxation time does not obey the Arrhenius form. Furthermore, large resistance fluctuations having a $1/f$-type power spectrum are observed at low temperatures, with a low-frequency cutoff which shifts to lower frequencies with decreasing temperature. These observations combine to provide a coherent picture that there exists a new glassy electron state in ultrathin granular Al films, with a growing correlation length at low temperatures.
Lecture versus standardized patient interaction in the surgical clerkship: a randomized prospective cross-over study.

Abstract Background Medical schools increasingly are incorporating the standardized patient (SP) interaction as a teaching and testing modality to prepare students for United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 2 Clinical Skills. Although SP interactions provide a safe environment in which to practice clinical skills, little is known about medical students' perceptions of the instructional SP interaction in comparison with the classic didactic lecture. We hypothesized that students would enjoy and value an instructional SP interaction more than a didactic lecture, and that this perception would be enhanced if the lecture immediately preceded the instructional SP interaction. Methods Students on the junior surgery clerkship from January to December 2004 were randomized into 2 groups. Group A (n = 71) received an hour-long didactic lecture about peripheral vascular disease followed by a 20-minute instructional SP interaction in which the SP portrayed a patient with lower-extremity claudication. Group B (n = 72) received the SP interaction first, followed by the lecture. All students received an identical quiz about peripheral vascular disease after the second educational encounter, whether the SP interaction or the lecture. Student perceptions were surveyed by written questionnaire before and after the session by using a 5-point Likert scale, with 5 being the most favorable rating. Data (perceptions, performances on the quiz and the SP interaction, clerkship grades) were compared using the Student t test or the Mann-Whitney rank sums test. Results Although all students on average enjoyed and valued the lecture more than the SP interaction ( P P = .008), and they perceived the SP interaction as having more value to their overall education (3.3 ± 1.0 vs. 2.8 ± 1.0, P = .004). Group A students performed statistically better on the physical examination (66% ± 19% vs. 40% ± 16%, P P Conclusions The classic lecture format not only is enjoyed and valued as a learning tool more by our surgical clerkship students than the instructional SP interaction, but having a lecture just before an SP interaction increased perceived enjoyment and value of the SP interaction and enhanced performance on the SP checklist. These data suggest that educators can improve student perceptions and attitudes surrounding the instructional SP interaction by using strategically timed lectures.
Travel of pyroclastic flows as transient waves: implications for the energy line concept and particle-concentration assessment

Abstract We here consider the precept that pyroclastic flows travel as transient waves or pulses. We provide simple geometric models to estimate the wave height that may form under specified conditions and how it may vary with progression away from the vent. A main uncertainty is the length of the wave relative to the total travel distance, but the simple sequence of segregation layers observed in many ignimbrites may enable crude constraints to be placed on the wavelength. Application of these models to actual ignimbrites suggests wave heights of tens to hundreds of meters. A corollary is that a wave is able to surmount obstacles less high than itself, irrespective of its velocity. The wave may also possess momentum which confers an additional landscape-surmounting capability. Thus, a part of the obstacle-crossing ability of a pyroclastic flow is due to the height of the wave, and a part is due to the velocity of the wave. Another corollary is that the deposit will normally be much thinner than the wave height; estimates of the degree of expansion of pyroclastic flows (or surges) based on the relationships of the height of a trimline to the depth of a deposit may therefore be invalid. This is important, as at El Chichon, when diagnosing whether a deposit was laid down by a pyroclastic flow or surge. Care must also be taken not to confuse a trimline or upper limit of a veneer (which exists, and is a wave-height level) with an energy line (which is a theoretical concept). Application of the wave concept helps explain many observed features of pyroclastic flows and their deposits, for example, drainage of a wave off topographic highs to generate the “secondary” valley ponds, such as were observed in the Mount St. Helens 1980 blast flow deposit.
Purification and properties of DNA polymerase-β from guinea pig liver

Abstract Deoxyribonucleic acid polymerase-β (EC 2.7.7.7) has been purified over 100 000-fold from a whole cell extract of guinea pig liver. The enzyme yields a single stainable band when subjected to non-denaturing polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, and this band corresponds to the DNA polymerase activity when a sister gel is sliced and assayed. The final fraction has a specific activity of 21 000 units/mg; this value can be increased significantly by addition of various components, including glycols, polyamines or any of several protein factors which can be purified from the crude extract. The DNA polymerase-β lacks detectable exonuclease or endonuclease activity, has an alkaline pH optimum and has a requirement for all four deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, a divalent cation and a primer-template for maximal activity. While activated DNA is the preferred primer-template, the enzyme is capable of utilizing native and denatured DNA as well as several synthetic polynucleotides as primer-templates. The latter are especially effective when manganese is the divalent cation. Magnesium, at 10 mM, is the preferred divalent cation when activated DNA is used. Manganese, and to a lesser extent cobalt, can substitute for magnesium, while zinc and calcium cannot. The β-polymerase has a half-life of 10 min at 40°C and this is increased in the presence of either DNA or NaCl. The enzyme is stimulated by glycols, polyamines and NaCl or KCl, and is inhibited by several known inhibitors of DNA polymerase activity including o-phenanthroline, heparin, organic solvents and sulfhydryl blocking agents. Guinea pig liver DNA polymerase-β is remarkably similar to the rat Novikoff hepatoma β-polymerase with respect to its isoelectric point of 8.4 and its molecular weight of 32 000 as determined by sucrose gradient centrifugation under high or low salt conditions or sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. This similarity is further extended to the removal, at the final step in purification, of a protein capable of stimulating the homogeneous enzyme. Removal of this protein could explain the lower molecular weight of the guinea pig and other rodent-derived β-polymerases, when compared to the β-polymerases from other systems.
Quantitative analysis of the effect of prey properties on feeding kinematics in two species of lizards

Studies of the functional morphology of feeding have typically not included an analysis of the potential for the kinematics of the gape cycle to vary based on the material properties of the prey item being consumed. Variation in prey properties is expected not only to reveal variation in feeding function, but allows testing of the functional role of the phases of the gape cycle. The jaw kinematics of two species of lizards are analyzed when feeding trials are conducted using quantitative control of prey mass, hardness and mobility. For both species, there were statistically significant prey effects on feeding kinematics for all the prey properties evaluated (i.e. prey mass, hardness and mobility). Of these three prey properties, prey mass had a more significant effect on feeding kinematics than prey hardness or mobility. Revealing the impact of varying prey properties on feeding kinematics helps to establish the baseline level of functional variability in the feeding system. Additionally, these data confirm the previously hypothesized functional role of the slow open (SO) phase of the gape cycle as allowing for physical conformation of the tongue to the surface of the food bolus in preparation for further intraoral transport.
Lanthanum as a matrix modifier to eliminate interference in molybdenum analysis of feedstuffs by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy

Abstract Phosphate and sulfate were shown to interfere in the analysis of aqueous molybdenum (Mo) standards by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy (GFAAS) when either peak area or peak height was used to measure absorption signals. Lanthanum (La) addition to the standards eliminated interferences from PO4 = and SO4 = when absorption signals were measured as peak area but not when measured as peak height. Adding La (2.4 mM) to Mo‐spiked plant tissue digests improved Mo recovery, especially in samples with molar Ca/P and Ca/P+S ratios less than 1.0. Mo spike recoveries (%) from meat/bone meal, dry milk replacer, whole soybean, alfalfa hay, cottonseed meal, and National Bureau of Standards citrus leaves were 76.5, 67.0, 55.0, 93.5, 35.5, and 94.0, respectively, without La in the digest. When La (2.4 mM) was added, percentage recoveries were 95.0, 97.0, 95.0, 99.5, 83.0, and 99.9, respectively. Poor recovery of Mo spikes in the absence of La appeared to be related more to Ca/P and Ca/P+S ratios th...
Short bowel syndrome in the elderly.

BACKGROUND The need for massive intestinal resection in the elderly presents an ethical dilemma. The mortality rate for elderly patients who undergo this procedure is high, and quality of life with the short bowel syndrome (SBS) in this group is often questioned. This study evaluated the clinical outcome of patients >70 years of age who underwent intestinal resection leading to SBS. METHODS This was a retrospective study of 23 patients ranging in age from 70 to 92 years, who were evaluated over a 20-year period. RESULTS There were 11 (48%) early postoperative deaths. Parenteral nutrition (PN) was required for 8 of 12 discharged patients. Five (63%) of the 8 remained on PN permanently, and 3 were transitioned to enteral nutrition (EN). Three patients (PN = 2, EN = 1) died within a year of resection. Four (67%) of 6 patients surviving 5 years received EN only. Five of 10 patients with remnant length 120 cm were discharged; 3 of the 7 remained on PN. Resection was performed for mesenteric vascular disease (n = 13), radiation or cancer (n = 6), and other benign conditions (n = 4). Underlying diagnosis did not influence mortality rate or need for PN. Intestinal continuity was restored in 3 of the 8 patients discharged with an ostomy. Stricturoplasty was performed in 2 patients to improve intestinal function. CONCLUSIONS Massive resection in the elderly has a high early mortality rate. Long-term survival is achieved in 50% of discharged patients, especially if they can transition to full EN. Nutritional prognosis is influenced by remnant length more than by underlying disease. Despite their advanced age, these patients are often candidates for further surgical procedures to improve intestinal function.
The Social and Economic Characteristics of American Suburbs

IN THE traditional popular image, "the suburb" is nothing more than the dwelling place of commuters who work in the near-by central city. While it is certainly correct to characterize many outlying subcenters as little more than "bedroom cities," a realistic portrayal must reflect the fact that "dormitory towns are only one species of suburb." Some suburbs, are literally manufacturing centers, devoted to light or heavy industry, while others are given over to the provision of such specialized services as education or recreation; as such, they represent significant centers of employment, drawing workers from other subcenters and even from the central city itself. Indeed, the range of economic specialization that can be discerned among suburbs is virtually as wide as that observable among other cities. Despite the great variety of suburban functions, however, it has proved useful to distinguish two main types of suburbemploying and residential. This distinction made an early appearance in the literature of urban sociology, notably in the work of Taylor and that of Douglass.2 Subsequent research has demonstrated the utility of this simple dichotomy. Harris has shown that "the commonest types of suburb are housing or dormitory suburbs and manufacturing or industrial suburbs,"3 and it has been further shown that these two basic types differ with respect to a number of important social, economic, and demographic charac-
Ion effects on ionospheric electron resonance phenomena

Ion effects are often observed on topside-sounder stimulated electron plasma wave phenomena. A commonly observed effect is a spur, appearing after a time delay corresponding to the proton gyro period, attached to the low frequency side of an electron plasma resonance. The spurs are often observed on the resonances at the electron plasma frequency f sub N, the harmonics nf sub H of the electron cyclotron frequency f sub H (n = 2, 3, 4, ...), and occasionally on the upper hybrid frequency. The spurs on the f sub N resonance are usually quite small unless the f sub N resonance overlaps with an nf sub H resonance; very large spurs are observed during such overlap conditions. Proton spurs are only observed on the nf sub H resonances when the electron plasma waves associated with these resonances are susceptible to the Harris instability and when the electromagnetic z wave can be initiated by the sounderpulse. This instability is the result of a sounder stimulated anisotropic electron velocity distribution. The observations suggest that energy is fed into the nf sub H longitudinal plasma wave from the z wave via wave-mode coupling. The magnitude of the nf sub H spurs for large n is much greater than for small n.
Bacterial expression and characterization of mature apolipoprotein A-I.

Apolipoprotein (apo) E is a protein involved in both lipid metabolism and neuroprotection. Recently, it has been suggested that apoE may play a role in the regulation of food intake and body weight in rodents. However, rodent plasma apoE is difficult to purify in reasonable amounts due to numerous time-consuming steps. To circumvent this, we created a bacterial expression system for the efficient production of large amounts of rat apoE. We inserted rat apoE DNA into the pET30 expression vector and overexpressed the proteins in Escherichia coli strain BL21 (DE3). A histidine tag present at the N-terminus allowed for easy purification of the recombinant protein. The tag was removed with an IgA protease (Igase) from Neisseria gonorrhoeae leaving the mature form of the protein. The use of Igase was important as several more common proteases routinely cleave apolipoproteins at undesired sites. The recombinant protein was then compared both structurally and functionally to rat plasma apoE. This expression system will be highly useful for probing the ability of rat apoE to mediate food intake in rats.
The Effect of Genetic and Environmental Variation on Metabolic Gene Expression

What is the relationship between genetic or environmental variation and the variation in messenger RNA (mRNA) expression? To address this, microarrays were used to examine the effect of genetic and environmental variation on cardiac mRNA expression for metabolic genes in three groups of Fundulus heteroclitus: (i) individuals sampled in the field (field), (ii) field individuals acclimated for 6 months to laboratory conditions (acclimated), or (iii) individuals bred for 10 successive generations in a laboratory environment (G10). The G10 individuals have significantly less genetic variation than individuals obtained in the field and had a significantly lower variation in mRNA expression across all genes in comparison to the other two groups (P = 0.001). When examining the gene specific variation, 22 genes had variation in expression that was significantly different among groups with lower variation in G10 individuals than in acclimated individuals. Additionally, there were fewer genes with significant differences in expression among G10 individuals vs. either acclimated or field individuals: 66 genes have statistically different levels of expression vs. 107 or 97 for acclimated or field groups. Based on the permutation of the data, these differences in the number of genes with significant differences among individuals within a group are unlikely to occur by chance (P < 0.01). Surprisingly, variation in mRNA expression in field individuals is lower than in acclimated individuals. Relative to the variation among individual within a group, few genes have significant differences in expression among groups (seven, 2.3%) and none of these are different between acclimated and field individuals. The results support the concept that genetic variation affects variation in mRNA expression and also suggests that temporal environmental variation associated with estuarine environments does not increase the variation among individuals or add to the differences among groups.
Structural Pluralism in Journalism and Media Studies: A Concept Explication and Theory Construction

This article critically reviews scholarship on structural pluralism (Tichenor, Donohue, & Olien, 1973, 1980) in journalism and media studies. Relying partly on a concept explication and theory construction process (McLeod & Pan, 2004), the article explicates structural pluralism as a multifaceted concept with multiple dimensions and indicators. While reviewing relationships or hypotheses between structural pluralism and various outcomes, the article then discusses and proposes issues and agendas for future studies.
17th Annual Scientific Conference of the Society on NeuroImmune Pharmacology

The 18th Annual Conference of the Society on Neuroimmune Pharmacology (SNIP) will be held at the Hawaii Prince Hotel Waikiki in Honolulu, Hawaii from April 25–28, 2012. The conference will focus on defining the role of substances of abuse in modulating neuroimmune processes and determining the physiological and behavioral consequences of such alterations in infectious diseases, with HIV infection as the prime model. This focus will include basic and clinical neuroscience, neuroAIDS, and other neurodegenerative processes, as well as the behavioral sciences. The conference also will address the relationship between substances of abuse and HIV/AIDS, particularly with regard to etiology, genetics, epidemiology, prevention, treatment, health services, and therapeutic developments. A major goal of the conference and SNIP is to promote the professional development of young investigators. Thus, four events will be dedicated to young investigators. In addition, the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) workgroup of the NIDA Special Population Office has collaborated with the Society to sponsor Early Career Investigators who will present their research. An exciting and comprehensive program has been assembled that brings together scientists and practitioners from around the world providing a platform for them to share their research and discuss the translational clinical and epidemiological relevance of this research to the community at large.
Vitamin D bioavailability and catabolism in pediatric chronic kidney disease

Background Vitamin D-binding protein (DBP) and catabolism have not been examined in the clinical setting of childhood chronic kidney disease (CKD).
Lymphoepithelial cysts and associated immunoglobulins

Abstract Evidence of the origin of the oral lymphoepithelial cyst implicates both oral tonsillar crypts and salivary duct epithelium trapped in lymphoid tissue. Histochemical and immunoenzymatic peroxidase-antiperoxidase methods reveal an inflammatory process and associated polyclonal immunoglobulins in the cyst.
A 75-year-old female with hemoptysis and recurrent respiratory infections.

This paper describes the case of a 75-year-old female who presented with significant hemoptysis over a 7–10 day period. She had a history of a left lower lobectomy 10 years prior for a “lung abscess.” She subsequently had multiple episodes of cough, fevers, and possible pneumonia treated with multiple courses of Amoxicillin and Amoxicillin/Clavulanate. Review of her chest CT upon presentation to the hospital showed a large necrotic lingular infiltrate, which had been progressively increasing in size over at least one year. Bronchoscopy showed a yellowish, soft round body in the superior lingular subsegment. Endobronchial and transbronchial biopsies showed actinomyces species. This is a very interesting case of indolent actinomycosis which we suspect had a very slow progressive course secondary to the multiple courses of antibiotics that the patient was treated with.
Blood Pressure Response to the ImpedanceThreshold Device in Hypotensive Emergency Department Patients

Background: An impedance threshold device (ITD) has been found to enhance circulation during CPR by increasing cardiac preload. Additionally, in the spontaneously breathing patient, the ITD has been found to create a small degree of inspiratory resistance (-6 cm H2O at flow rate of 20L/min). Hypothesis: We sought to determine the effects of the ITD on awake patients with hypotension presenting to the emergency department. We hypothesized that the ITD would improve blood pressure when compared to standard therapy. The main outcome measure was the systolic blood pressure (SBP) change during 10 minutes of ITD use. Methods: A convenience sample of patients with SBPs <95 mmHg were randomized in double-blind fashion to active or sham ITDs. Patients were enrolled if they were between the ages of 18 and 70 and their hypotension was felt to be due to non-traumatic blood loss or dehydration by the treating physician. Patients were excluded if they were experiencing shortness of breath, chest pain, failed the abbreviated mini-mental status exam, or had predefined cardiac/pulmonary history criteria. After consent and baseline measurements, patients spontaneously breathed through a mouthpiece attached to an active or sham ITD for a 10 minute period during which vital signs and patient status were recorded. Results: 12 patients were enrolled (5 randomized to the active device, 7 to the sham device). Mean baseline SBPs were similar between groups with the active and sham devices having baseline SBPs of 84.5 mmHg (SD 5.45) and 83.67 mmHg (SD 10.02), respectively. The active ITD produced a statistically significant (p = 0.03) increase in SBP of 13.0 mmHg (SD 4.69) compared to the sham ITD, 2.33 mmHg (SD 0.58). Conclusions: In spontaneously breathing hypotensive ED patients, the ITD was well-tolerated and increased the SBP. If these results are validated with a larger sample, the ITD may be a useful adjunct in the treatment of hypotension due to volume loss in the ED.
Power: MHD's target: Payoff by 2000: Efficiencies over 50 percent and generating costs of 32 mills/kWh may make magnetohydrodynamic systems viable by 1995

Discusses how efficiencies over 50 percent and generating costs of 32 mills/kWh may make magnetohydrodynamic systems viable by 1995. The operation of the Hall channel is described.
Theory of Magnetic Resonance in the Heavy Rare-Earth Metals

The spin-wave spectrum has been calculated from a Hamiltonian including anisotropic exchange, axial and hexagonal anisotropy, and magnetic fields for the various types of magnetic order which are known to occur in the heavy rare-earth metals Tb-Tm. Particular attention is paid to those spin waves which can be excited by radiation. Because of the high anisotropy, most resonances will occur in the infrared where they will be difficult to observe. However, those phases which show either ferromagnetic ordering with moments in the hexagonal planes, or spiral configurations of the moments in those planes, should display a microwave resonance when a suitably chosen magnetic field is applied in that plane. In the spiral phases an additional resonance with $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\propto}{H}^{2}$ may also be observed.
Congenital anomalies of the coronary arteries

Abstract The coronary arteries, like other organ arterial patterns in the body, are subject to congenital variations of both minor and major consequence. This paper presents a review of these variations based upon a series of 224 cases. There are three basic categories. First, minor anomalies in which there is a variation of the origin of the vessels from the aorta and the distal circulation is normal. Second, major anomalies in which there is an abnormal communication (arteriovenous) between an artery and a cardiac chamber or an abnormal origin of a major coronary artery from the pulmonary artery. Third, secondary anomalies in which the coronary arterial variation probably represents a circulatory response to the primary intracardiac pathologic defect. Each category is discussed in detail with reference to the specific anomalies and illustrated with examples from our study.