cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maternal smoking and autism spectrum disorder: meta-analysis with population smoking metrics as moderators

While exposure to nicotine during developmental periods can significantly affect brain development, studies examining the association between maternal smoking and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring have produced conflicting findings, and prior meta-analyses have found no significant association. Our meta-analysis used a novel approach of investigating population-level smoking metrics as moderators. The main meta-analysis, with 22 observational studies comprising 795,632 cases and 1,829,256 control participants, used a random-effects model to find no significant association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and ASD in offspring (pooled odds ratio (OR) = 1.16, 95% CI: 0.97–1.40). However, meta-regression analyses with moderators were significant when we matched pooled ORs with adult male smoking prevalence (z = 2.55, p = 0.01) in each country, using World Health Organization data. Our study shows that using population-level smoking metrics uncovers significant relationships between maternal smoking and ASD risk. Correlational analyses show that male smoking prevalence approximates secondhand smoke exposure. While we cannot exclude the possibility that our findings reflect the role of paternal or postnatal nicotine exposure, as opposed to maternal or in utero nicotine exposure, this study underlines the importance of investigating paternal and secondhand smoking in addition to maternal smoking in ASD.
Information Systems Policy

Developments of Infonnation Systems in the New Millennium calls for choices in the pOlicies for infonnation systems. Some of the options are presented here.
Syzygies for translational surfaces

Abstract A translational surface is a rational tensor product surface generated from two rational space curves by translating one curve along the other curve. Translational surfaces are invariant under rigid motions: translating and rotating the two generating curves translates and rotates the translational surface by the same amount. We construct three special syzygies for a translational surface from a μ-basis of one of the generating space curves, and we show how to compute the implicit equation of a translational surface from these three special syzygies. Examples are provided to illustrate our theorems and flesh out our algorithms.
Association Between APOL1 Genotypes and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in MESA (Multi‐Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis)

BackgroundAPOL1 genetic variants confer an increased risk for kidney disease. Their associations with cardiovascular disease (CVD) are less certain. We aimed to compare the prevalence of subclinica...
A comparison of existing analytical methods to predict the flexural capacity of Ultra High Performance Concrete (UHPC) beams

Abstract Ultra High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) shows enhanced performance and ductility compared to conventional concrete which can be beneficial in the construction industry. Many researchers have performed experimental studies on the structural behavior of the UHPC beams to establish a reliable analytical method to calculate the flexural capacity of the section. However most of these studies were performed through limited specimens due to the high cost of UHPC. The objective of this paper is to compare the accuracy of well-known existing methods to calculate the moment capacity of a reinforced UHPC beam through a parametric study. To that aim, several small-scale beams were constructed and tested to evaluate the flexural behavior and ultimate moment capacity of the UHPC beams. The performance of the tested specimens is discussed regarding the moment capacity, load-deflection curves, crack development and the modes of failure. The obtained results through the experiments were, then, used to validate the Finite Element (FE) model. Comparing the numerical and experimental results indicates that generally, the proposed numerical model can predict the structural behavior of the UHPC beams reasonably. Hence, the validated FE model was employed as a reference point to evaluate the existing analytical approaches to calculate moment capacity of UHPC beams. A series of large-scale beams with different geometries and reinforcing details were numerically simulated, and the results were compared with the results obtained through the analytical methods. The results showed that some of existing methods can predict the ultimate moment capacity of the UHPC beam with an acceptable accuracy.
Immunotherapy of Human Cancer: Current Status and Prospects for Future Development

ABSTRACT Recently generated therapeutic data and recent developments in immunology and cell biology indicated that the immunotherapy and biological therapy of human cancer have become the 4th major modality of cancer treatment. Of the major approaches to immunotherapy, including active specific, active nonspecific (augmenting agents), mammalian cells and fractions, effector molecules, immunomodulators and serotherapy, several approaches have shown therapeutic action in man. These include the interferons, regionally and systemically applied augmenting agents, thymic hormones and monoclonal antibodies. The approach which has been most well developed is the use of α interferon, Reponses and partial remissions, have been seen in multiple myeloma, breast cancer, lymphoma, renal cell carcinoma and chronic myelogenous leukemia. Recombinant DNA produced a interferon is also active and doses over 100 × 106 units have been given. Therapeutic trials with natural and recombinant DNA produced β and γ interferon are in progress. In Japan a large number of studies have shown that various glucans have significant adjuvant activity in a number of malignancies when added to surgery, radiation or chemotherapy. Very recent data on thymic hormones indicate antiviral as well as antitumor activity. Finally, preliminary studies with mouse monoclonal antibodies to B cell or T cell surface antigens have shown partial to complete remissions in lymphoid malignancies.
The Avium-Battey Complex

In 1967313 and again in 1971,314 Runyon stated succinctly the problem that mycobacteriologists have almost unanimously recognized: “M. intracellulare and M. avium so much intergrade that reference is better made to the avium complex.” In spite of this statement, it is generally accepted that M. intracellulare is a species, and it is so described. However, it is a species with a very broad range of characters. At one end of the range resemblance to M. avium is striking, at the other it seems to merge with organisms of the soil that possess no pathogenicity.
Modeling Astrocytomas in a Family of Inducible Genetically Engineered Mice: Implications for Preclinical Cancer Drug Development

Astrocytomas, the most common intracranial malignancies, are a morphologically and molecularly heterogeneous group of brain tumors with potentially dismal patient outcomes for which few effective drugs are available. Genetically engineered mouse (GEM) models of astrocytoma represent a powerful technique for defining the molecular and genetic abnormalities that contribute to tumorigenesis. Based on the genetic aberrations observed in human astrocytomas, we have generated a series of conditional, inducible GEM models of astrocytomas that recapitulate the spectrum of morphological phenotypes of human astrocytomas. However, the extent to which any given GEM model recapitulates the molecular alterations in human tumors must be determined to validate its usefulness in preclinical studies. We are currently pursuing comparative evaluation of primary astrocytomas as formed in GEM and in patients to (1) examine the signaling pathway abnormalities caused by defined genetic lesions in GEM astrocytomas and (2) identify protein biomarkers that can define human astrocytomas that most closely resemble their murine counterparts. To utilize these GEM for combined preclinical evaluation of targeted therapeutic agents and biomarkers predictive of response, we have developed a panel of cell-based assays (CBA) and an orthotopic allograft model of high-grade astrocytomas using primary astrocytes derived from GEM. These tools should prove useful for preclinical drug development studies and provide a link between preclinical drug development in GEM astrocytoma models and rational design of human clinical trials involving only those patients with tumors having similar signaling pathway abnormalities.
Pyrolysis of binary fuel mixtures at supercritical conditions: A ReaxFF molecular dynamics study

Abstract Combustion devices such as rocket engines, gas turbines and HCCI engines frequently operate at a pressure higher than the critical pressure of the fuel or the oxidizer. This significantly limits the transferability of existing chemical kinetics models as they are developed and validated at low pressure/temperature conditions, considering only temperature dependence on the reaction rates while neglecting pressure dependence on combustion pathways. Since the experiments are difficult to perform at the supercritical region, in this study, we demonstrate the capability of ReaxFF reactive force field method simulations to study combustion kinetics of fuels and fuel mixtures at these conditions with an objective to investigate how the presence of a highly reactive fuel can alter the properties of a much less reactive fuel during pyrolysis. We consider two different fuel mixtures, namely JP-10/toluene and n-dodecane/toluene and find that they behave differently at different mixing conditions and densities. We also compare our results with continuum simulation results using a detailed chemical kinetic model and elaborate why the continuum results fail to capture the phenomena predicted by the ReaxFF simulations. Lastly, with the help of product distribution of decomposition of different fuel components, we explain the reasons behind the observed behavior. Additionally, this study enables us to identify the pressure/temperature regime and the mixing conditions where the simple first order kinetics and Arrhenius type relations do not prevail. This study reveals that the overall pyrolysis characteristics of a fuel mixture do not only depend on the activation energy of its most reactive component. In fact, the product of pyrolysis plays a more significant role in helping other, less reactive, molecules to decompose. Overall, ReaxFF force field based molecular dynamics simulations can provide important atomistic insights on the pyrolysis properties of fuel mixtures at supercritical conditions.
Warfarin and Its Pharmacogenomic Study

Warfarin as an anticoagulant is clinically prescribed to prevent blood clot formation. Genetic variants affect Warfarin response through pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic effects, which could account partially for the interracial difference to Warfarin. Warfarin activity is determined partially by the polymorphism in two genes, VKOPC1 and CYP2C9. Although the clinical application of pharmacogenomic information is controversial, the future gene sequencing and functional characterization of common genetic variation based on individual’s genetic information would provide a useful tool for precision medication.
Characterization of a new physical phantom for testing rigid and deformable image registration.

The purpose of this study was to describe a new user-friendly, low-cost phantom that was developed to test the accuracy of rigid and deformable image registration (DIR) systems and to demonstrate the functional efficacy of the new phantom. The phantom was constructed out of acrylic and includes a variety of inserts that simulate different tissue shapes and properties. It can simulate deformations and location changes in patient anatomy by changing the rotations of both the phantom and the inserts. CT scans of this phantom were obtained and used to test the rigid and deformable registration accuracy of the Velocity software. Eight rotation and translation scenarios were used to test the rigid registration accuracy, and 11 deformation scenarios were used to test the DIR accuracy. The mean rotation accuracies in the X-Y (axial) and X-Z (coronal) planes were 0.50° and 0.13°, respectively. The mean translation accuracy was 1 mm in both the X and Y direction and was tested in soft tissue and bone. The DIR accuracies for soft tissue and bone were 0.93 (mean Dice similarity coefficient), 8.3 and 4.5 mm (mean Hausdouff distance), 0.95 and 0.79 mm (mean distance), and 1.13 and 1.12 (mean volume ratio) for soft tissue content (DTE oil) and bone, respectively. The new phantom has a simple design and can be constructed at a low cost. This phantom will allow DIR systems to be effectively and efficiently verified to ensure system performance.
Praying for Justice: The World Council of Churches and the Program to Combat Racism

In the late 1960s and early 1970s, individuals around the world, particularly those in newly decolonized African countries, called on churches, both Protestant and Catholic, to rethink their missio...
Together and Alone? The Challenge of Talking about Racism on Campus

Higher education institutions are among the few places where people of different racial, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds can engage with each other in more than just a superficial way, prov...
What's Gone Wrong with Option Liquidity: Evidence from the Knight Capital's Trading Glitch

Since the early 2000s liquidity in option markets has become less resilient, and our evidence suggests that it is so because of an increased vulnerability to liquidity shocks in the underlying. To demonstrate the causal impact, we consider an incident in which a large broker dealer erroneously executed millions of orders in the stock market. The computer glitch increased uninformed order flow resulting in liquidity-related uncertainty in the equity market. Option spreads of impacted stocks widened by as much as one-third while abnormal stock order flow was ongoing and remained wide until uncertainty about the glitch was resolved. The evidence is consistent with a mechanism whereby option market makers face risk of being picked off with every revised quote in the underlying. Option market participants bear higher adverse selection costs than equity market participants, making the derivative markets fragile.
If Integration Is the Keystone of Comprehension: Inferencing Is the Key

This article provides a commentary within the special issue, Integration: The Keystone of Comprehension. According to most contemporary frameworks, a driving force in comprehension is the reader’s ...
Beratung und sozialrechtliche Hilfen für (noch nicht) fahrgeeignete Epilepsiepatienten

Fur Menschen mit Epilepsie hat die Fahrerlaubnis eine hohe Bedeutung, vor allem, weil sie die beruflichen Beschaftigungschancen erhoht. Der fehlende Fuhrerschein wird von den Betroffenen aber auch als Zeichen fur eine Stigmatisierung als Epilepsiekranker erlebt, nicht dagegen ein temporares Fahrverbot bei Fuhrerscheinbesitz. Der behandelnde Arzt muss seine Patienten uber eine nicht gegebene Fahreignung informieren und in bestimmten Situationen, dann wenn die konkrete Gefahr eines Unfalls durch einen Anfall besteht, ihnen das Fahren verbieten, anderenfalls es zur „Arzthaftung“ kommen kann. Es ist bislang allerdings ungeklart, inwieweit diese Masnahmen und andere mogliche Sanktionen bei unerlaubtem Fahren, Patienten davon abbringen ein Fahrzeug zu fuhren. In Deutschland soll die „Kraftfahrzeughilfe“ behinderten, nicht fahrgeeigneten Personen ermoglichen ihren Arbeitsplatz zu erreichen, dann wenn sie nicht in der Lage sind offentliche Verkehrsmittel zu benutzen oder wenn offentliche Verkehrsmittel nicht zur Verfugung stehen. Eine weitere Hilfe fur nicht fahrgeeignete Personen ist die „Arbeitsassistenz“: Wenn sie Arbeiten ausfuhren mussen, bei denen sie nur mit einem Kfz den Einsatzort erreichen konnen, konnen ihnen durch das Integrationsamt oder einen Rehabilitationstrager die Kosten fur einen Fahrer erstattet werden. Die unentgeltliche Beforderung mit offentlichen Verkehrsmitteln (Voraussetzung: Merkzeichen G im Schwerbehindertenausweis) ist keine speziell fur nicht fahrgeeignete Personen konzipierte Hilfe aber dennoch sehr nutzlich fur Patienten, die nicht Auto fahren durfen. Nicht fahrgeeignete Patienten sollten deshalb dabei unterstutzt werden, das Merkzeichen G zu erhalten.
Black widow spiders use path integration on their webs

Many animals store information about their external environment in memory and use this information to facilitate movement and decision-making. The information used to navigate has been described for numerous animals and is dependent on the ecology of the animal. Spider webs make up nearly all of a spider’s physical and sensory environment. Here, we first asked whether black widow spiders form memories of their web and then asked whether the contents of these memories include a path integration vector. Black widows made navigational errors when we rotated their web in their absence and searched about the web upon realizing they made an error. Black widows were able to move on their web without retracing their steps, often taking shortcuts to a goal location without sensory cues to guide navigation. Black widows also began moving back to their retreat on a path parallel to their path out from the retreat, even after being moved on the web, and searched about the web for the retreat after not finding it initially. These results show that black widows use path integration when navigating. These results suggest that using internal representations of an animal’s position within its environment, such as by using path integration, is widespread among animals with varied brain types and sensory ecologies, representing perhaps a convergent solution to common navigational problems. The ability of animals to store information in memory that is then used in decision-making has evolved multiple times, in vertebrates and invertebrate lineages. The information and cognitive mechanism used for representing an animal’s location within its environment vary in complexity, but the methods that have been described rely on vision for at least some of the sensory information used to form representations. Using behavioral assays, we have shown that black widow spiders represent their position relative to their home as a path integration vector. Black widows have poor vision and rely primarily on vibrations transmitted through the web to sense their environment. Our results indicate that internal representations are a general solution to brains’ problem of integrating sensory information, and do not need acute vision to evolve.
Oxidative Damage to RNA is Altered by the Presence of Interacting Proteins or Modified Nucleosides

Oxidative stress triggered by the Fenton reaction (chemical) or UVR exposure (photo) can damage cellular biomolecules including RNA through oxidation of nucleotides. Besides such xenobiotic chemical modifications, RNA also contains several post-transcriptional nucleoside modifications that are installed by enzymes to modulate structure, RNA-protein interactions, and biochemical functions. We examined the extent of oxidative damage to naturally modified RNA which is required for cellular protein synthesis under two different contexts. The extent of oxidative damage is higher when RNA is not associated with proteins, but the degree of damage is lower when the RNA is presented in the form of a ribonucleoprotein complex, such as an intact ribosome. Our studies also indicate that absence of methylations in ribosomal RNA at specific positions could make it more susceptible to photooxidative stress. However, the extent of guanosine oxidation varied with the position at which the modification is deficient, indicating position-dependent structural effects. Further, an E. coli strain deficient in 5-methylaminomethyl-2-thiouridine (mnm5s2U) (found in lysine and glutamate tRNA anticodon) is more vulnerable to oxidative RNA damage compared to its wildtype strain suggesting an auxiliary function for the mnm5s2U modification. These studies indicate that oxidative damage to RNA is altered by the presence of enzymatic modified nucleosides or protein association inside the cell.
Influence of chemical mechanical polishing of copper on the inherently selective atomic layer deposition of zirconia

Abstract Copper is a highly used material for making interconnects in complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor devices in today's semiconductor industry. In this process, chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is performed on silicon (Si) wafers patterned with electroplated (EP) copper (Cu) whereby further processing by selective atomic layer deposition (SALD) of zirconia on Si only is highly desirable. Although there have been previous studies of the selectivity on Si over Cu, inherent selectivity of an ALD process on post-CMP Cu was not discussed. CMP can modify the Cu surface and leave residual contaminants which can influence the selectivity of deposition. To understand the impact of CMP treated Cu surface on SALD, this study, first, examines the chemical surfaces of three forms of Cu: electron-beam deposited, EP, and post-CMP Cu and then evaluates the selectivity of the ALD process by altering process parameters. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic surface analysis and atomic force microscopy reveal post-CMP Cu having a slightly different chemical composition and lower surface roughness than EP Cu. SALD of zirconia was performed using ethanol both as the pre-deposition surface treatment agent and the oxygen source for the zirconium precursor used - tris(dimethylamino)cyclopentadienyl zirconium under variable process parameters. Since CMP of Cu is a necessary component of semiconductor manufacturing, assessing selectivity of this process on this form of Cu was necessary. In this study, we show a ∼2 nm ZrO2 layer on Si via ALD was possible with no deposition on post-CMP Cu under a less robust process window than that observed for other forms of Cu.
Potentially Preventable Primary Cesarean Sections in Future Placenta Accreta Spectrum.

Background Prior cesarean delivery is a well-known risk factor for placenta accreta spectrum disorders. While primary cesarean section is unavoidable in some patients, in others it may not be clearly indicated. Objective The aim of the study is to determine the proportion of patients with placenta accreta spectrum who had a potentially preventable primary cesarean section and to identify factors associated with preventable placenta accreta spectrum. Study Design This was a single-center retrospective cohort study of women with pathology-confirmed placenta accreta spectrum from 2007 to 2019. Primary cesarean sections were categorized as potentially preventable or unpreventable based on practice consistent with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Society for Maternal–Fetal Medicine “Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery” recommendations. Fisher's exact test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used for comparison with p Results Seventy-two patients had pathology-confirmed placenta accreta spectrum over the course of the study period, 15 (20.8%) of whom required a cesarean hysterectomy at the time of primary cesarean section. Fifty-seven patients had placenta accreta spectrum in a pregnancy following their primary cesarean section. Of these, 29 (50.9%) were considered potentially preventable. Most were performed without clear medical indication (37.9%) or for fetal malpresentation without attempted external cephalic version (37.9%). The remainder were due to arrest of labor not meeting criteria (17.2%) and abnormal or indeterminate fetal heart patterns with documented recovery (6.9%). Of the 11 patients without clear medical indication for primary cesarean section, eight (72.7%) were patient-choice cesarean sections and three (27.3%) were for suspected fetal macrosomia with estimated fetal weights not meeting criteria for cesarean delivery. There was no difference in the incidence of potentially preventable primary cesarean sections before and after the ACOG-SMFM “Safe Prevention of the Primary Cesarean Delivery” publication (48.8 vs. 57.1%, p = 0.59). Privately insured patients were more likely to have a potentially preventable primary cesarean section than those with Medicaid (62.5 vs. 23.5%, p = 0.008) and were more likely to have a primary cesarean section without clear medical indication (81.8 vs. 18.2%, p = 0.004). Conclusion Many patients with placenta accreta spectrum had a potentially preventable primary cesarean section. Most were performed without clear medical indication or for malpresentation without attempted external cephalic version, suggesting that at least a subset of placenta accreta spectrum cases may be preventable. This was particularly true for privately insured patients. These findings call for continued investigation of potentially preventable primary cesarean sections with initiatives to address concerns at the patient, provider, and hospital level. Key Points
Reversible Renal Failure in Minimal-Change Nephrotic Syndrome

Renal failure as it occurs in the course of chronic glomerular diseases is generally slowly progressive and irreversible and is caused by anatomic obliteration of the glomerular filtering bed by proliferation of endothelial and epithelial cells, by thickening of capillary walls, by sclerosis resulting from primary glomerular damage, or by ischemic changes related to intrarenal vascular disease. In the absence of a structural basis for glomerular obliteration in minimal-change nephrotic syndrome (MCNS), functional deterioration would not be expected to occur. However, acute renal failure in patients with the nephrotic syndrome and minimal glomerular changes has been reported by a number of observers since 19581–14 in a total of approximately 50 patients. Deterioration of renal function in this group of patients has generally been attributed to presumed hypovolemia secondary to hypoalbuminemia with resultant renal vasoconstriction with or without ischemic acute tubular necrosis. A minority of observers have proposed causative roles for tubular obstruction by proteinaceous casts or increased intrarenal pressure related to interstitial edema.
Sulfur poisoning of nickel methanation catalysts: II. Effects of H2S concentration, CO and H2O partial pressures and temperature on reactivation rates

Abstract Poisoning of unsupported and supported nickel methanation catalysts was investigated in Pyrex, fixed-bed and quartz, mixed-flow microreactors over a range of reaction conditions and H2S concentrations. The results indicate that poisoning rates are complex functions of H2S concentration, temperature and partial pressures of CO and H2O. In general, deactivation rates decrease with increasing H2S concentration, due to formation of multilayer sulfides, and increase with increasing CO and H2O partial pressures. The application of deactivation models to poisoning of nickel by sulfur is discussed.
Impacts of soil heat flux calculation methods on the surface energy balance closure

Abstract Quantifying uncertainty in determining the surface soil heat fluxes (G0) to close the surface energy balance in micrometeorological studies remains an open question. While numerous methods have been proposed to determine G0 and have been validated individually, few studies have cross-evaluated these methods to examine how the derived G0 from different methods affects the closure of the surface energy balance. Using data measured at an arid shrub-land site during summertime, nine different methods were evaluated ranging from conventional heat-storage calorimetry to methods derived directly from the heat transfer equation. Apart from the entire dataset, two subsets were used; one with minimal variation from idealized diurnal radiation cycles and the other with highly variable radiation conditions. Under the entire dataset, the performance of the methods varied while there was a distinct drop-off in the level of closure under the variable radiation conditions. The methods that allowed for the most variation in inputs between time steps performed better than those that used diurnal or constant input values. Because of this, a calorimetry method and Green's function-based method are more highly recommended than other methods.
Health Risks from Hazardous Air Pollutants: Analyzing Environmental Injustice in Florida

The term 'environmental justice' is used to describe the movement concerned with inequities in the distribution of environmental pollution and adverse health consequences of industrial activities and environmental policies. While the movement began in the 1980s as a grassroots effort to prevent potentially hazardous facilities from disproportionately impacting minority and low-income communities (United Church of Christ 2007), the current definition of environmental justice has expanded to include "the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income with respect to the development, implementation, and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations, and policies" (EPA 2008a).
Resting and total energy expenditure in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease often present with weight loss. Among possible causes, an elevated energy expenditure has frequently been suggested but is the least documented. In this study resting metabolic rate (RMR) and total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) were measured in 15 outpatients with inflammatory bowel diseases and in eight healthy control subjects. Measured RMR as a percentage of that predicted from fat-free mass was not significantly different for control subjects (102 +/- 9.8%, mean +/- SD) and patients (100 +/- 13.3%). TDEE, expressed as a multiple of RMR, was 1.70 +/- 0.31 for control subjects and 1.78 +/- 0.24 for patients. When patients were subgrouped as greater than or equal to 90% or less than 90% desirable body weight, a mean increase over RMR predicted from fat-free mass was seen in the underweight patients (106 +/- 9.3%) but not in normal-weight patients (99.0 +/- 15.6%). Mean TDEE/RMR values for the patient subgroups were 1.70 +/- 0.30 and 1.88 +/- 0.08, respectively. We conclude that stable outpatients with inflammatory bowel disease have only a minimal increase in energy needs.
Bose-Einstein to BCS Crossover as a Model for High-Tc Cuprate Superconductors

Crossover from Bose-Einstein (BE) to BCS condensation can be a guiding principle in understanding the evolution of high-T c cuprate superconductors as a function of carrier doping. This picture is developed by combining two experimental results: (1) the “universal correlations” between T c and n s/m* (superconducting carrier density / effective mass) found in nSR measurements of the magnetic field penetration depth λ and (2) the “pseudo gap” behavior observed in NMR, neutron scattering, dc- and optical conductivity, specific heat, and most-recently in angle-resolved photoemission (ARPES) measurements. Here we provide a critical review of these experimental results and the relevant theoretical work in order to elucidate the essential features of this crossover picture and to discuss condensation mechanisms in the cuprates.
The enzymic deacylation of phospholipids and galactolipids in plants. Purification and properties of a lipolytic acyl-hydrolase from potato tubers.

An enzyme preparation that catalyses the deacylation of mono- and di-acyl phospholipids, galactosyl diglycerides, mono- and di-glycerides has been partially purified from potato tubers. The preparation also hydrolyses methyl and p-nitrophenyl esters and acts preferentially on esters of long-chain fatty acids. Triglycerides, wax esters and sterol esters are not hydrolysed. The same enzyme preparation catalyses acyl transfer reactions in the presence of alcohols and also catalyses the synthesis of wax esters from long-chain alcohols and free fatty acids. Gel filtration, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and free-flow electrophoresis failed to achieve any separation of the acyl-hydrolase activities towards different classes of acyl lipids (phosphatidylcholine, monogalactosyl diglyceride, mono-olein, methyl palmitate and p-nitrophenyl palmitate) or any separation of these activities from a major protein component. For each class of lipid the acyl-hydrolase activity was subject to substrate inhibition, was inhibited by relatively high concentrations of di-isopropyl phosphorofluoridate and the pH responses were changed by Triton X-100. The hydrolysis of phosphatidylcholine was stimulated 30–40-fold by Triton X-100. The specific activities of the potato enzyme with galactolipids were at least 70 times higher than those reported for a homogeneous galactolipase enzyme purified from runner bean leaves. The possibility that a single lipolytic acyl-hydrolase enzyme is responsible for the deacylation of several classes of acyl lipid is discussed.
Extremism in revolutionary movements

Abstract A revolutionary entrepreneur strategically chooses the revolutionary agenda to maximize the likelihood of revolution. Citizens have different preferences and can contribute varying degrees of support. We show: (1) Extremists exert a disproportionate influence over the revolutionary agenda; (2) Depending on the structure of repression, more severe repression can moderate or radicalize the revolutionary agenda. Specifically, increases in the “minimum punishment” (marginal cost of revolutionary effort at its minimum) radicalize the revolutionary agenda. This presents the elite with a tradeoff between extreme but unlikely revolutions and moderate but likely ones. (3) Competition between revolutionary entrepreneurs can radicalize the revolutionary agenda.
Chronic Mesenteric Ischemia: Diagnosis and Treatment

Chronic mesenteric ischemia is a rare condition, generally characterized by postprandial abdominal pain. Although chronic mesenteric ischemia accounts for only a small percentage of all mesenteric ischemic events, it can have significant clinical consequences. There are multiple etiologies; however, the most common cause is atherosclerosis. The diagnosis of chronic mesenteric ischemia requires a high clinical index of suspicion. An imaging study can confirm the presence of a stenosis or occlusion involving the mesenteric vessels in patients who are suspected of having chronic mesenteric ischemia. The diagnosis is usually late in its course due to the slow progression of disease and the abundance of mesenteric collaterals. Because of the extensive collateral network, usually at least two of the three visceral vessels need to be affected before patients develop symptoms. Treatment is necessary to avoid progression to bowel ischemia and infarction. Once a diagnosis of chronic mesenteric ischemia is made, treatment options include open surgical revascularization and endovascular revascularization.
Generating prostate models by means of geometric deformation with application to computerized training of cryosurgery

Purpose As a part of an ongoing project to develop computerized training tools for cryosurgery, the objective of the currentstudyistwofold:tocompileliteraturedataonthelikelihood of cancer tumor growth and its effect on the prostate shape and to present a deformation scheme for a 3D organ templateinordertogenerateclinicallyrelevantprostatemodels. The long-term objective of this study is to develop a database of prostate models for computerized training. Methods Cryosurgery is typically performed on patients with localized prostate cancer found in stage T3 or earlier. The distribution of key geometric features likely to be found in the prostate at stage T3 is integrated into a 3D prostate template by employing the extended free-form deformation (EFFD) method. The applied scheme combines two steps: pre-selecting a set of geometric parameter values and manipulating the lattice control points until the prostate model meets the desired criteria. Results Examplesformodelgenerationaredisplayed,based ontwo3Dprostatetemplatespreviouslyobtainedfromultrasound imaging. These examples include selected cases with unilateral and bilateral stage T3 tumor growth, suitable for incorporation into a training database. Conclusions EFFD is an efficient method for rapid generationofprostatemodels.Thecompiledcriteriaformodelgeneration do not lead to a unique shape since the contours for template deformation are randomly selected. Nevertheless, these criteria do lead to shapes resembling cancer growth, as various growth histories can lead to a tumor characterized by the same key parameter values.
The cytochrome P450 inhibitor ketoconazole potentiates 5-hydroxytryptamine- induced contraction in rat aorta

5-Hydroxytryptamine (5-HT; serotonin) is a potent vasoconstrictor and smooth muscle mitogen. Substances that produce similar responses also stimulate production of superoxide. We sought to determine whether 5-HT stimulates production of superoxide. 5-HT can be metabolized by cytochrome P450 to nitric oxide (NO), which scavenges superoxide. Thus, we hypothesized that inhibiting cytochrome P450 would potentiate 5-HT-induced contraction and reveal 5-HT-stimulated superoxide. In isolated tissue bath experiments using endotheliumintact rat aorta, the cytochrome P450 inhibitor ketoconazole (KTZ; 1–50 μM) caused a maximum 8-fold leftward shift in the 5-HT concentration-response curve that was not observed when aorta were stimulated with phenylephrine or KCl. 5-HT did not stimulate concentration-dependent increases in superoxide levels as measured by a lucigenin-enhanced chemiluminescent superoxide assay. KTZ (10 μM) did not reveal 5-HT-stimulated superoxide. The NO inhibitor N ω-nitro-l-arginine (l-NNA) (100 μM) with or without KTZ (10 μM) potentiated 5-HT-induced contraction independently of NADPH oxidase-derived superoxide but also did not reveal 5-HT-stimulated superoxide. Metabolism of 5-HT to NO depends on catalase, but the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (50 mM) attenuated 5-HT-induced contraction. Removal of endothelium did not alter the effects of KTZ on 5-HT-induced contraction, and, in endothelium-intact aorta, KTZ did not decrease acetylcholine-induced relaxation. Unlike KTZ, the cytochrome P450 inhibitors 1-aminobenzotriazole (0.5 mM) and clotrimazole (10 μM) did not potentiate 5-HT-induced contraction. Moreover, 14,15-epoxyeicosa-5( Z )-enoic acid (10 μM), an epoxyeicosatrienoic acid antagonist, caused a small rightward shift in the 5-HT concentration-response curve. These data suggest KTZ acts by a potentially novel mechanism to potentiate 5-HT-induced contraction.
Initial venous lactate levels in patients with isolated penetrating extremity trauma: a retrospective cohort study

Elevated initial lactate levels have been shown to be associated with severe injury in trauma patients, but some patients who do not appear to be in shock also presented with elevated lactate levels. We hypothesized that in hemodynamically stable patients with isolated penetrating extremity trauma, initial lactate level does not predict clinically significant bleeding. A 5-year institutional database review was performed. Hemodynamically stable patients (HR 90) with isolated penetrating extremity trauma with an initial lactate sent were included. The exposure of interest was captured as a dichotomous variable by initial lactate level normal (N ≤ 2.2 mEq/L), elevated (E > 2.2 mEq/L). The primary outcome measurement was clinically significant bleeding, defined by need for intervention (operation, angioembolization, or transfusion) or laboratory evidence of bleeding (presenting Hg 2 g/dL/24 h). Chi-squared and Mann–Whitney tests were used to compare variables. A total of 132 patients were identified. There were no differences in demographics or mechanism of injury between the N (n = 43, 7 %) and E (n = 89, 14 %) groups. Median lactate levels were 1.6 (IQR 1.2–1.9) mEq/dL vs. 3.8 (IQR 2.8–5.2) in the N and E groups, p 2.2 mEq/L) are not associated with bleeding or need for interventions. Clinical judgment remains the gold standard for evaluation and management of these patients.
Reactions of a Triazacyclononane-Supported Tantalum−Lithium Bridging Alkylidene with Organic Substrates

The reactivity of a range of electrophilic organic substrates with a heterobimetallic tantalum−lithium bridging alkylidene [(Me3SiCH2)(ArN)Ta(μ-CHSiMe3)(μ-η1:η3-iPr2-tacn)Li, 3] is presented. Proto...
Spatial–temporal variability and hydrologic connectivity of runoff generation areas in a North Alabama pasture—implications for phosphorus transport

This study delineated spatially and temporally variable runoff generation areas in the Sand Mountain region pasture of North Alabama under natural rainfall conditions, and demonstrated that hydrologic connectivity is important for generating hillslope response when infiltration-excess (IE) runoff mechanism dominates. Data from six rainfall events (13·7–32·3 mm) on an intensively instrumented pasture hillslope (0·12 ha) were analysed. Analysis of data from surface runoff sensors, tipping bucket rain gauge and HS-flume demonstrated spatial and temporal variability in runoff generation areas. Results showed that the maximum runoff generation area, which contributed to runoff at the outlet of the hillslope, varied between 67 and 100%. Furthermore, because IE was the main runoff generation mechanism on the hillslope, the data showed that as the rainfall intensity changed during a rainfall event, the runoff generation areas expanded or contracted. During rainfall events with high-intensity short- to medium-duration, 4–8% of total rainfall was converted to runoff at the outlet. Rainfall events with medium- to low-intensity, medium-duration were found less likely to generate runoff at the outlet. In situ soil hydraulic conductivity (k) was measured across the hillslope, which confirmed its effect on hydrologic connectivity of runoff generation areas. Combined surface runoff sensor and k-interpolated data clearly showed that during a rainfall event, lower k areas generate runoff first, and then, depending on rainfall intensity, runoff at the outlet is generated by hydrologically connected areas. It was concluded that in IE-runoff-dominated areas, rainfall intensity and k can explain hydrologic response. The study demonstrated that only connected areas of low k values generate surface runoff during high-intensity rainfall events. Identification of these areas would serve as an important foundation for controlling nonpoint source pollutant transport, especially phosphorus. The best management practices can be developed and implemented to reduce transport of phosphorus from these hydrologically connected areas. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Blood usage in rotor-wing transport

Abstract Introduction: Blood transfusion for hemorrhagic shock is standard therapy. The purpose of this study was to document the development of protocols for administering red blood cells and review the experience with inflight blood transfusions. Setting: This study was conducted at a hospital-based rotor-wing (RW) program whose service area is a large rural area in southeastern Minnesota. A BK 117 with a flight nurse/flight nurse configuration was used. Methods: The RW registry was accessed during a 3-year period (August 1993 to July 1996), and 2131 records were reviewed to retrospectively analyze blood use during transport. Blood bank records and protocols also were reviewed. Results: This helicopter program maintains a refrigerator with 4 units of O-negative blood that is kept in the hangar and serviced by the blood bank. Blood was taken on all appropriate transports (91% interfacility, 9% scene), and 94 of 2131 patients (4%) were transfused. Criteria for blood transfusion included Hgb Conclusion: Selected RW patients will benefit from in-flight blood transfusions. Proximity of blood storage to the helicopter is mandatory to avoid delays in transport. A close working relationship with blood bank personnel ensures ready availability of current O-negative blood.
A Case of Hypercapnic Respiratory Failure

(CHEST 2004; 126:1994–1999) A 60-year-old man presented to an outside facility with hypercapnic respiratory failure requiring intubation and mechanical ventilation. He underwent diuresis for a presumptive diagnosis of congestive heart failure, was extubated, and was transferred to our university hospital for cardiac catheterization. His dyspnea had been progressive over many years and was refractory to adjustments in his cardiac medications. A recent nuclear stress test showed reversible ischemia. He had a 20-year history of hypertension and diabetes mellitus with progressive nephropathy and retinopathy. He had a 100 pack-year smoking history and a remote asbestos exposure as a member of the Merchant Marine. Outpatient medications were rosiglitazone, 4 mg qd, quinapril, 10 mg qd, carvedilol, 6.25 mg bid, torsemide, 100 mg qd, metolazone, 5 mg qd, and timolol ophthalmic drops. Cardiac catheterization revealed two-vessel coronary artery disease. Left ventricular pressures were as follows: systolic, 141 mm Hg; diastolic, 15 mm Hg; and end-diastolic, 20 mm Hg. The performance of a ventriculogram was deferred secondary to renal insufficiency. An echocardiogram demonstrated preserved left ventricular systolic function with normal chamber size and wall thickness. There was right atrial and ventricular enlargement, and pulmonary artery systolic pressure was estimated to be 30 mm Hg. Coronary stents were placed into the left anterior descending and right coronary arteries. Several hours after undergoing the procedure, the patient’s dyspnea worsened, and he required reintubation. Prior to intubation, arterial blood gas levels while breathing room air were as follows: pH, 7.20; Pco2 ,7 8 mm Hg; Po2, 49 mm Hg; bicarbonate, 30 mm Hg; and oxygen saturation, 73%. He was admitted to the coronary care unit. His ECG was unchanged from baseline. Pulmonary edema secondary to procedural hydration was suspected. He did not improve despite aggressive diuresis, and a pulmonary consultation was requested. Physical Examination
Capital Gain Tax Overhang and Price Pressure

Capital gains tax can impose potentially large cost on investors selling stocks. This cost can sometimes be an order of magnitude larger than conventional transaction costs. This paper addresses the question of whether capital gains taxes serve as an impediment to selling and if so, to what degree this delayed selling by investors correspondingly affects stock prices. Using a database of large U.S. institutions' stock holdings with data on institutions' client profiles, two main results are obtained. First, selling decisions by institutions serving tax-sensitive clients are shown to be sensitive to their cumulative capital gains, which is not the case for institutions with predominantly tax-exempt clients. In particular, both the likelihood and magnitude of selling by institutions that serve taxsensitive clients are negatively related to the cumulative capital gains. Second, tax-related underselling appears to significantly impact stock prices during negative earnings announcements, for stocks held by a large number of tax-sensitive investors. Specifically, following a negative quarterly earnings surprise, tax-sensitive investors sell less aggressively a stock that has large capital gains; thus for a stock held primarily by taxsensitive investors, the corresponding price reaction is less negative if it has accumulated large capital gains. Further analysis shows that the price reaction pattern is more severe when arbitrage is more costly.