cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Naltrexone-induced hypothermia in the rat.

Naltrexone, in relatively high doses, has been reported to cause a fall in body temperature in human ex-heroin addicts who had been abstinent for at least 6 weeks. The underlying mechanism of this hypothermic effect has been investigated in rats. The first consideration was that the temperature change was a reflection of delayed withdrawal but rats implanted with a morphine pellet 45 days earlier showed no significant change in temperature after a dose of naltrexone that caused marked withdrawal hypothermia in dependent rats implanted 3 days previously. A fall in core temperature was only induced in rats after doses of 80 and 160 mg/kg i.p. of naltrexone. Behavioral thermoregulatory studies revealed that the animals correct the falling body temperature by increased exposure to a radiant heat source indicating that the central thermostats had not been significantly affected by the drug. These data suggest that the major component in the hypothermic effect of naltrexone is activation of efferent heat loss pathways or peripheral heat loss mechanisms. Due to current suggestions that opiate receptors might represent the receptors for an endogenous transmitter the results are discussed in relation to this consideration. When compared to the sites and mechanism of action of opiates on thermoregulation the results with naltrexone lend little support to the hypothesis that the fall in temperature is due to displacement of an endogenous substance from central opiate receptors.
Blockade of morphine dependence-related enhancement of secretory protein synthesis in the pons-medulla and striatum-septum by naltrexone ☆

Abstract The effects of several schedules of multiple morphine pellet implantation on body weight and dependence development in rats were studied. One schedule designated 6 7 (total number of pellets implanted per total number of treatment days), consisting of 1 pellet on day 0, 2 pellets on day 2 and 3 pellets on day 4 and a total treatment period of 7 days, produced high levels of dependence without affecting either body weight or rates of protein synthesis in whole brain or liver. The components of this schedule. 1 2 (one pellet on day 0 and a total treatment period of 2 days), 3 4 (one pellet on day 0 and two pellets on day 2 and a total treatment period of 4 days) and 6 7 (see above), produced a linear increase in the degree of dependence as measured by loss of body weight following naloxone-precipitated withdrawal. Hence, they were used to investigate the relationship between the degree of dependence and the rate of translation in vivo on free and membrane-bound polysomes in seven brain regions (cerebrum, cerebellum, mesencephalon, pons-medulla, striatum-septum. hippocampus-amygdala and thalamushypothalamus) following a 6 min pulse with a pool expansion dose of [3H]leucine. The rate of translation on free and membrane-bound polysomes was unaffected except on the bound polysomes of the pons-medulla and striatum-septum, where increased rates of translation were found to be closely correlated with degrees of dependence, measured as loss of body weight. Concomitant administration of naltrexone prevented both the stimulation of protein synthesis and the development of dependence. whereas administration of naltrexone alone did not affect translation rates in either polysome compartment of any region. Thus, it is concluded that the mechanisms underlying opiate dependence involve the stimulation of secretory protein synthesis in the pons-medulla and striatum-septum, presumably by the interaction between morphine and opiate receptors,
The Resolution Complexity of Independent Sets and Vertex Covers in Random Graphs

We consider the problem of providing a resolution proof of the statement that a given graph with n vertices and average degree roughly Δ does not contain an independent set of size k. For randomly chosen graphs and k � n/3, we show that such proofs asymptotically almost surely require size roughly exponential in n/Δ6. This, in particular, implies a 2� (n) lower bound for constant degree graphs, and for Δ � n 1/6, shows that there are almost always no short resolution proofs for k as large as n/3 even though a maximum independent set is likely to be much smaller, roughly n 5/6 in size. Our result implies that for graphs that are not too dense, almost all instances of the independent set problem are hard for resolution. Further, it provides an unconditional exponential lower bound on the running time of resolution-based search algorithms for finding a maximum independent set or approximating it within a factor of Δ/(6 ln Δ). We also give relatively simple upper bounds for the problem and show them to be tight for the class of exhaustive backtracking algorithms. We deduce similar complexity results for the related vertex cover problem on random graphs, proving, in particular, that no polynomial-time resolution-based method can achieve an approximation within a factor of 3/2.
Neonatal Neurobehavior Predicts Medical and Behavioral Outcome

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale (NNNS) as a predictor of negative medical and behavioral findings at 1 month to 4.5 years of age. METHODS: The sample included 1248 mother–infant dyads (42% born at RESULTS: Five discrete behavioral profiles were reliably identified; the most extreme negative profile was found in 5.8% of the infants. The profiles showed statistically significant associations with prenatal drug exposure; GA and birth weight; head ultrasound; neurologic and brain disease findings; and abnormal scores on measures of behavior problems, school readiness, and IQ through 4.5 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: The NNNS may be useful to identify infant behavioral needs to be targeted in well-infant pediatric care, as well as for referrals to community-based early intervention services.
The contribution of genetics to addiction therapy approaches

Abstract Addictions, including alcohol dependence, which is the focus of this article, are complex genetic diseases. Recently, several individual genes that contribute to the risk for alcohol dependence have been identified, and more are expected to be in the near future. Among these are genes encoding alcohol and aldehyde dehydrogenases and GABA A receptor subunits. These reveal pathways of vulnerability and provide targets for rational drug design. It is likely that response to particular therapies is also a complex trait influenced by genetics, but studies to explore this are just beginning. We discuss some studies on bromocriptine, naltrexone, and serotonergic agents. Adding a genetic component to treatment trials could greatly help to understand the biological basis of variations in the efficacy of therapies and, in the future, could lead to individualized choices of therapy.
A commonsense approach to esophageal varices

Variceal hemorrhage is one of the most serious complications of portal hypertension and cirrhosis and is associated with a mortality of at least 20% at 6 weeks, despite improvements in therapy over the last decade. Variceal hemorrhage predisposes cirrhotic patients to worsening hepatic decompensation, infection, or renal insufficiency, which contribute to mortality. Providing primary prophylaxis against first variceal hemorrhage, general management of an acute bleeding episode, and treatment after variceal hemorrhage--mainly prevention of rebleeding--are equally important components of care for the cirrhotic patient who has gastroesophageal varices. This article describes a practical approach to the management of cirrhotic patients who have gastroesophageal varices.
Rises and falls

Phanerozoic Sea-Level Changes. By Anthony Hallam. Columbia University Press: 1992. Pp. 266. $57.50 (hbk); $28 (pbk).
Effect of repeated impacts on the response of plain-woven hybrid composites

Abstract The repeated low-velocity impact responses of hybrid plain-woven composite panels were studied by drop-weight experiments. Non-hybrid S2-glass-fiber/toughened epoxy and IM7 graphite fiber/toughened epoxy as well as hybrid S2-glass–IM7 graphite fiber/toughened epoxy composite panels were impacted repeatedly using a pressure-assisted Instron-Dynatup 8520 instrumented drop-weight impact tester. During the low-velocity impact tests, the time histories of impact forces, absorbed impact energies and panel central deflections were recorded. The relations between the impact force and central deflection, whose slope represented the dynamic contact stiffness, were then constructed. The damaged specimens were inspected visually and using the ultrasonic C-Scan method. The effects of hybridization and lay-up sequence on the repeated drop-weight impact responses of woven composites were investigated. It was observed that damage accumulations could be slowed down using hybridization. It was also witnessed that the lay-up configuration of a hybrid composite had a significant influence on damage accumulation rate. The hybrid specimens with glass–epoxy skins survived the double number of successive impacts compared to hybrid specimens with graphite–epoxy skins.
An Unsupervised Fluoroscopic Analysis of Knee Joint Kinematics

Knowledge of the three dimensional positions of bones at a joint as a function of time is required to accurately model joint kinematics. 3-D bone geometry data from a static computer tomography (CT) images can be combined with time sequence information from 2-D video fluoroscopy images to produce 3-D position data over time. The process involves creating virtual X-rays from the CT image through digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) projections. Historically, the process of matching the 3-D and 2-D data has required human interaction. We have eliminated the need for manual initialization using a Monte Carlo technique with a variable search range. The search range decreases as the matching improves, avoiding the inherent problems of local minima in the optimization search. Experiments demonstrate that image positions can be matched to within 1 degree rotation, azimuth and elevation without human intervention.
P2B-15 Transient Acoustic Fields Produced by Rectangular Apertures and Linear Arrays in Viscous Media

The lossless impulse response approach models the transient effects of finite apertures, yet frequency-dependent attenuation is neglected, resulting in incorrect estimates of pulse broadening and beam spreading. An analytical time-domain expression that incorporates both loss and diffraction is needed for calculations of transient pressures generated by rectangular pistons in attenuating media. A causal Green's function solution to the Stokes wave equation is decomposed into diffraction and loss factors, facilitating the calculation of the impulse response in lossy media obeying quadratic frequency dependence. The velocity potential produced by an impulsively excited, baffled, rectangular aperture is then solved analytically using this approach. Two separate expressions are derived: a nearfield solution, valid for all observation points, and a simplified farfield solution. The nearfield solution, based on a recently developed integral representation of the lossless impulse response for a rectangular aperture, consists of a sum of single-integrals involving the error function. The farfield solution generalizes the lossless trapezoidal solution to viscous media, yielding a closed-form solution in terms of the error function. Unlike the classical lossless impulse response, these proposed solutions are bandlimited, eliminating the need for artificially large sampling frequencies. The near and farfield impulse responses, as well as wideband pressure fields, are numerically evaluated and quantitatively compared. The proposed solutions combine the competing effects of loss and diffraction, thus providing an analytical reference for other numerical calculations. Applications to phased array ultrasonic imaging, including the calculation of point spread functions (PSF), are demonstrated. Results show that in the presence of loss, a reduction in both axial and lateral resolution in the PSF is observed.
Potential flow of a second-order fluid over a sphere or an ellipse

We study the potential flow of a second-order fluid over a sphere or an ellipse. The normal stress at the surface of the body is calculated and has contributions from the inertia, viscous and viscoelastic effects. We investigate the effects of Reynolds number and body size on the normal stress; for the ellipse, various angles of attack and aspect ratios are also studied. The effect of the viscoelastic terms is opposite to that of inertia; the normal stress at a point of stagnation can change from compression to tension. This causes long bodies to turn into the stream and causes spherical bodies to chain. For a rising gas bubble, the effect of the viscoelastic and viscous terms in the normal stress is to extend the rear end so that it tends to the cusped trailing edge observed in experiments.
Anatomy of axis contraction in seedlings from a fire prone habitat

The hypocotyls or roots of many seed plants contract during seedling growth. Anatomical evidence is here reported for the first time that G-fibers (gelatinous or tension wood fibers) may cause contraction of roots and hypocotyls in dicotyledonous seedlings long after germination. To document repositioning of seedling buds, selected perennials (20 dicotyledons and one cycad) native to the fire-prone pine rocklands of subtropical South Florida were germinated and measured for 4-5 mo. The height of cotyledonary nodes above the soil decreased because of axis contraction or bending in eight species. Anatomy suggested that two mechanisms operate: (1) previously well-documented collapse of parenchyma cells in two species (Convolvulaceae and Zamiaceae) and (2) newly documented production of G-fibers in six species (all Fabaceae). Contraction or bending of the hypocotyl and/or taproot moved the cotyledonary and later buds of the seedling closer to the soil surface or buried them. Bud repositioning by these mechanisms may protect the lateral buds from injury by fire or other environmental stresses and allow resprouting.
Estimation of Error Rates in Classification of Distorted Imagery

This correspondence considers the problem of matching image data to a large library of objects when the image is distorted. Two types of distortions are considered: blur-type, in which a transfer function is applied to Fourier components of the image, and scale-type, in which each Fourier component is mapped into another. The objects of the library are assumed to be normally distributed in an appropriate feature space. Approximate expressions are developed for classification error rates as a function of noise. The error rates they predict are compared with those from classification of artificial data, generated by a Gaussian random number generator, and with error rates from classification of actual data. It is demonstrated that, for classification purposes, distortions can be characterized by a small number of parameters.
Translocation of cave fish (Poecilia mexicana) within and between natural habitats along a toxicity gradient

During ecological speciation, diverging taxa have the potential to remain in close spatial proximity (i.e., sympatry or micro-allopatry) theoretically allowing for continued contact and gene flow. In a system where incipient speciation of populations of the Atlantic molly (Poecilia mexicana) appears to be driven by abiotic factors, we investigated whether one of these factors, hydrogen sulphide (H2S) toxicity, also constitutes an effective barrier to slow migration within and between habitats. We addressed this experimentally by translocating individuals from high toxicity to lower toxicity within a toxic cave and by translocating individuals from the toxic cave to a nontoxic surface habitat. Using a stepwise-backwards Cox regression, we found that overall mortality was low, but statistically significant mortality occurred when individuals were transferred from higher toxicity to lower toxicity. In addition, only males were negatively affected by being transferred from low levels of toxicity to nontoxic, surface waters. This indicates that in addition to abiotic factors, other mechanisms, like predation and sexual selection, must be important in maintaining population separation.
Coastal Setback Lines - Conclusions Drawn from a Review of Current State Practices

Coastal construction setback (or control) lines are featured in many state coastal management plans. They are intended to restrict construction and other activities to areas of safety from erosion end flooding. They also serve to preserve environmental quality and aesthetics, as well as cultural resources. A review of implicit and explicit considerations of setback in 22 states reveals some general trends in terms of objectives, criteria, implementation strategies, and administrative procedures procedures. Although the establishment of coastal setback lines depends on the nature of the coastal zone concerned, it is clear that experience obtained in the various coastal states can be of great value as the pressure of exploitation increases in this critical area.
Impaired coronary artery distensibility is an endothelium-dependent process and is associated with vulnerable plaque composition.

Coronary endothelial-dependent microvascular dysfunction, an early reversible stage of coronary artery disease (CAD), is associated with poor clinical outcome. The current study investigated whether coronary artery distensibility index (CDI) is associated with: (i) coronary endothelial-dependent microvascular dysfunction and (ii) vulnerable plaque composition among subjects with non-obstructive CAD. Seventy-four subjects with non-obstructive CAD (luminal stenosis <30%) were studied. In 20 subjects with and without coronary endothelial-dependent microvascular dysfunction, coronary flow reserve (CFR) of target segment during intracoronary (IC) infusion of acetylcholine (Ach) and bolus injection of adenosine as well as CDI at rest of corresponding target segment were measured. In 54 subjects, plaque compositions and CDI at rest of 154 non-obstructive coronary segments as well as proximal segment without disease were measured by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). CDI was defined as: [(Early-diastolic cross-sectional-area (CSA) - End-diastolic CSA of target segment)/(end-diastolic CSA of target segment × coronary-pulse-pressure) × 10(3) ]. There is a direct association between endothelial dysfunction and impaired CDI of a coronary segment both in the given coronary segment and corresponding microvessels in which a strong agreement between CDI and CFR Ach (r(2) = 0·85, P = 0·0001) was observed. Multivariable regression-analysis showed that CDI was an independent predictor of the vulnerable plaque characteristics. The risk of impaired CDI was 125% higher in segments with necrotic core and 60% higher in segments with fibrofatty components as compared to normal segments (P = 0·001). In conclusions, the current study reveals that impaired CDI is an endothelial-dependent process of both given coronary segment and corresponding microvessels and is associated with vulnerable plaque composition.
How Much Did the Liberty Shipbuilders Forget

This paper produces new estimates of the rate of organizational forgetting in the well-known case study of U.S. wartime ship production. Estimates obtained using data constructed from primary sources at the National Archives yield rates of forgetting that are much smaller than previously reported, and may well be zero. The richness of the data makes it possible to control for variations in the product mix, to explore alternative formulations for the learning curve, and to investigate the relationship between organizational forgetting and labor turnover.
The clinical utility of the lupus band test.

In order to determine the clinical utility of the lupus band test, the presence of dermal-epidermal junction (DEJ) deposits of IgG, IgM, IgA, C3, C4, C1q, and properdin were studied in biopsies of clinically normal deltoid area skin from 102 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and 151 patients with other rheumatic diseases. One or more proteins were detected at the DEJ in 72.6% (74 of 102) of patients with SLE and in 36.4% (55 of 151) of the other patients, yielding a specificity of 64% and a predictive value of 57%. The predictive value for the diagnosis of SLE was greatest with C4 (100%), properdin (91.3%), and IgA (86.2%) and lowest with IgM (59%). Specificity and predictive value increased with the number of proteins detected at the DEJ. The results suggest that more rigid criteria are required before diagnostic significance is attached to a positive result on the lupus band test.
Exploiting Radio Correlation and Reliability Information in Collaborative Spectrum Sensing

Prior research has demonstrated that using radio correlation or radio reliability information can lead to more efficient collaborative spectrum sensing. However, the joint consideration of this position-dependent information is at present underdeveloped. This paper presents a novel collaborative spectrum sensing algorithm in which both radio correlation and reliability information are jointly considered. Accompanying performance analysis demonstrates that the proposed algorithm outperforms algorithms in which only one, or neither, of these position-dependent effects are considered.
A methodology for extracting objective color from images

We present a methodology for correcting color images taken in practical indoor environments, such as laboratories, factories, and studios, that explicitly models illuminant location, surface reflectance and geometry, and camera responsivity. We explicitly model surfaces by taking our color images with corresponding registered three-dimensional (3-D) range images, which provide surface orientation and location information for every point in the scene. We automatically detect regions where color correction should not be applied, such as specularities, coarse texture regions, and jump edges. This correction results in objective color measures of the imaged surfaces. This kind of integrated, comprehensive system of color correction has not existed until now. i.e., it is the first of its kind in computer vision. We demonstrate results of applying this methodology to real images for applications in photorealistic rerendering, skin lesion detection, burn scar color measurement, and general color image enhancement. We also have tested the method under different lighting configurations and with three different range scanners.
Further: A rejoinder

RE 3 0 IND ER esponses always clarify one's own thinking. The commentaries on my discussion of "Prophecy and the near future" in this AE Forum go considerably beyond that. They engage generously and enthusiastically with a rather idiosyncratic text and introduce new slants on the problems it considers. Some point to a need for more backing up, consolidation, and lateral extension before moving onward (Jonathan Friedman and Robert Thornton); others to the potential for making immediate connections to existing literatures (Joel Robbins, Vincent Crapanzano, and Richard Wilk); and others to locations in the intellectual and practical world that are already way out into the "near future" domain in ways I had not addressed (Hirokazu Miyazaki, Caitlin Zaloom, Wilk, and parts of Thornton). All offer examples of something I had hoped for, namely, that my framing of what otherwise-as several respondents noted-might be referred to as the present "neoliberal" or "millennial capitalist" era could open a space for connecting intellectual trajectories that other modes of theoretical debate might not. They suggest that what may seem to be parallel lines of thought within the discipline of anthropology can, in fact, lean toward and inform one another more closely and critically, as Robbins, in particular, points out. The classic cut-and-thrust debate format is little in evidence here but, rather, the bringing of specific initiatives, concepts, populations, and misgivings into sharper focus and clearer relationship. The commentaries offer many specific and stimulating suggestions. I leave them to the end of this rejoinder, as a program of reading for the future. In advance of that whole new exploration, I use the perceived overlaps and gaps specified in the responses to force into sharper relief some inexplicit aspects of my original argument. I think everyone, including myself, would agree with Zaloom that the "near future" temporal frames, unhitched from a necessary attachment to the immediate and long terms, are teeming with activity. Each response mentions a whole array of initiatives and ways of life that take some sort of planning, or planning not to plan (Wilk), seriously; and several respondents open up the crucial issue of how
Reliability of Ground Reaction Force Measurements During Dynamic Transitions from Bipedal to Single-Limb Stance in Healthy Adults

The consistency of ground reaction force (GRF) variables underlying dynamic transitions from bipedal to single-limb stance during a single-leg flexion movement was examined in 18 healthy adult subjects aged 21 to 47 years (mean = 31.1, SD = 8.6). Force platforms were used to measure the GRFs during fast and natural speeds of movement. Separate intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) were calculated for three temporal variables (ie, onset of the propulsive and braking phases of the lateral horizontal GRF component and time to unload the flexing limb) and for two magnitude variables (ie, propulsive impulse [PROP] and braking impulse [BRAK]). The ICCs for both PROP and BRAK were > or = .73 for fast movements and > or = .88 at the natural speed. The ICCs for the temporal variables were > or = .66 at fast speeds and > or = .37 at the natural speed. We concluded that measurements of PROP and BRAK are reliable across a range of speeds during transitions in stance support and that these variables may be tightly regulated by the movement control system. Temporal variables, particularly at the natural speed, exhibited lower reliability estimates, suggesting that measurements of these events have greater variability. Reliability of measurements of GRF variables provides useful information for the clinician regarding underlying control processes governing dynamic transitions in stance support.
A principled approach to reasoning about the specificity of rules

Even though specificity has been one of the most useful conflict resolution strategies for selecting productions, most existing rule-based systems use heuristic approximation such as the number of clauses to measure a rule's specificity. This paper describes an approach for computing a principled specificity relation between rules whose conditions are constructed using predicates defined in a terminological knowledge base. Based on a formal definition about pattern subsumption relation, we first show that a subsumption test between two conjunctive patterns can be viewed as a search problem. Then we describe an implemented pattern classification algorithm that improves the efficiency of the search process by deducing implicit conditions logically implied by a pattern and by reducing the search space using subsumption relationships between predicates. Our approach enhances the maintainability of rule-based systems and the reusability of definitional knowledge.
Novel, Multimodal Approach for Basic Transesophageal Echocardiographic Teaching

Objectives Web and simulation technology may help in creating a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) curriculum. The authors discuss the educational principles applied to developing and implementing a multimodal TEE curriculum. Design and Setting The authors modified a pilot course based on principles for effective simulation-based education. Key curricular elements were consistent with principles for effective simulation-based education: (1) clear goals and carefully structured objectives, (2) conveniently accessed, graduated, longitudinal instruction, (3) a protected and optimal learning environment, (4) repetition of concepts and technical skills, (5) progressive expectations for understanding and skill development, (6) introduction of abnormalities after understanding of normal anatomy and probe manipulation is achieved, (7) live learning sessions that are customizable to meet learner needs and individualized proctoring in skill sessions, (8) use of multiple approaches to teaching, (9) regular and relevant feedback, and (10) application of performance and compliance measures. Participants Fifty-five learners participated in a curriculum with web-based modules, live teaching, and simulation practice between August 2011 and May 2013. Conclusion It is possible to develop and implement an integrated, multimodal TEE curriculum supported by educational theory. The authors will explore the transferability of this approach to intraoperative TEE on live patients.
Production of Heavy Elements in Inhomogeneous Cosmologies

The incorporation of quantum chromodynamics into big bang cosmology predicts that the universe shifted from a quark-gluon plasma to a meson gas when it was roughly 10 μs old. If this change is due to a first order phase transition, baryon density inhomogeneities can be produced and survive until nucleosynthesis. At that point they can affect the primordial abundances resulting from element formation in the early universe. In this article we undertake a detailed study of one of the proposed signatures of inhomogeneous nucleosynthesis — the production of heavy elements by neutron capture — and find that heavy elements are produced, but the level of production is probably too low to be observable.
Inhibition of β-adrenergic receptor trafficking in adult cardiocytes by MAP4 decoration of microtubules

Decreased β-adrenergic receptor (β-AR) number occurs both in animal models of cardiac hypertrophy and failure and in patients. β-AR recycling is an important mechanism for the β-AR resensitization ...
Applicability of the Society for Vascular Surgery's Objective Performance Goals for Critical Limb Ischemia to Current Practice of Lower-Extremity Bypass.

Background In 2009, the Society for Vascular Surgery (SVS) established objective performance goals (OPGs) for critical limb ischemia (CLI) based on data from previous, randomized, controlled trials of lower-extremity bypass (LEB). These OPG sought to establish a benchmark of outcomes to which one could compare future endovascular therapy. However, the cohort used to develop the OPG excluded all patients who required prosthetic conduit and those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD), possibly limiting the generalizability of these results and the subsequent guidelines. The goal of this study was to determine if the SVS OPG are applicable to the current population of patients undergoing LEB. Methods All patients who underwent infrainguinal LEB for CLI from January 2010 to December 2013 were identified in a prospectively maintained database. Patients were stratified into OPG eligible and ineligible (non-OPG) groups based on their demographic and operative characteristics. OPG eligible patients were further stratified into high risk and average risk. Outcomes included 30-day major adverse limb events (MALEs), 30-day major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), 1-year survival, and 1-year freedom from amputation. Results A total of 89 individual patients were identified. Only 43 (48%) patients met OPG inclusion criteria and 46 (52%) were not OPG eligible (non-OPG). The 30-day MALE was 8.7% (13.0% non-OPG vs. 7.0% OPG, P = 0.34). The 30-day MACE was 11.2% (13.0% non-OPG vs. 9.3% OPG, P = 0.58). One-year survival was 80.3% ± 4.5% (71.2% non-OPG vs. 90.0% OPG, P = 0.21). One-year freedom from amputation was 71.7% ± 5.5% (58.8% non-OPG vs. 84.0% OPG, P = 0.03). Conclusions The SVS OPG for LEB are likely not generalizable to current practice as 51% of patients would have been excluded from the SVS cohort because of ESRD and prosthetic conduit. Most SVS OPG (30-day MALE, 1-year survival, and 1-year limb salvage) were attainable in patients who met SVS OPG inclusion criteria; but for the patients who are not OPG eligible, new benchmarks are needed.
‘Spuntar lo scoglio più duro’: did Galileo ever think the most beautiful thought experiment in the history of science?

Abstract Still today it remains unclear whether Galileo ever climbed the leaning tower of Pisa in order to drop bodies from its top. Some believe that he established the principle of equal speeds for falling bodies by means of an ingenious thought experiment. However, the reconstruction of that thought experiment circulating in the philosophical literature is no more than a cartoon. In this paper I will tell the story of the thought processes behind the cartoon.
Origins and introgression of polyploid species in Mentzelia section Trachyphytum (Loasaceae).

 Premise of the study: Polyploid speciation has been important in plant evolution. However, the conditions that favor the origination and persistence of polyploids are still not well understood. Here, we examine origins of 16 polyploid species in Mentzelia section Trachyphytum.  Methods: We used phylogeny reconstructions based on DNA sequences from plastid regions and the nuclear gene isocitrate dehydrogenase ( idh ) to construct hypotheses of introgression and polyploidization.  Key results: Molecular data suggest that homoploid hybridization has been surprisingly common in Trachyphytum . Diploid species had unequal involvement in polyploid origins, but most polyploid taxa had allopolyploid origins from extant progenitors. A few polyploids with extreme phenotypes did not appear to have extant progenitors. We infer that the progenitors of these species were derived from extinct diploid lineages or ancestral lineages of multiple extant diploids. In agreement with other recent studies, we recovered molecular evidence of multiple phylogenetically distinct origins for several polyploid taxa, including the widespread octoploid M. albicaulis .  Conclusions: Evidence of high levels of introgression and allopolyploidy suggests that hybridization has played an important role in the evolution of Trachyphytum . Although idh sequences exhibited complicated evolution, including gene duplication, deletion, and recombination, they provided a higher percentage of informative characters for phylogeny reconstruction than the most variable plastid regions, allowing tests of hypotheses regarding polyploid origins. Given the necessity for rapidly evolving low-copy nuclear genes, researchers studying hybridization and polyploidy may increasingly turn to complex sequence data.
Estimating monthly rainfall in rural river basins under climate change: an improved bias-correcting statistical downscaling approach

This study extended the work of Kim et al. (2008) to generate future rainfall under climate change using a discrete-time/space Markov chain based on historical conditional probabilities. A bias-correction method is proposed by fitting suitable statistical distributions to transform rainfall from the general circulation model (GCM) scale to watershed scale. The demonstration example used the Nam Ngum River Basin (NNRB) in Laos which is a rural river basin with high potential for hydropower generation and significant rain-fed agriculture supporting rural livelihoods. This work generated weekly rainfall for a 100 yr period using historical rainfall data from 1961 to 2000 for ten selected weather stations. The bias-correction method showed the ability to reduce bias of the mean values of GCMs when compared to the observed mean amount at each station. The simulated rainfall series is perturbed using the delta change estimated at each station to project future rainfall for the Special Report on Emission Scenarios (SRES) A2. GCMs consisting of third generation coupled general circulation model (CGCM3.1 T63) and European center Hamburg model (ECHAM5) projected an increasing trend of mean annual rainfall in the NNRB. Seasonal rainfall percent changes showed an increase in the wet and dry seasons with the highest increase in the dry season mean rainfall of about 31% from 2051 to 2090. While the GCM projections showed good results with appropriate bias corrections, the Providing REgional Climates for Impacts Studies (PRECIS) regional climate model significantly underestimated historical behavior and produced higher mean absolute errors compared to the corresponding GCM predictions.
A generalized and robust method for efficient thin film photovoltaic devices from multinary sulfide nanocrystal inks

A generalized and robust method using multinary sulfide nanocrystals for the fabrication Cu(In, Ga)(S, Se) 2 CIGSSe and Cu 2 Zn, Sn(S, Se) 4 CZTSSe thin films and photovoltaic (PV) devices has been developed. By direct synthesis of the multinary sulfide nanocrystals with controlled stoichiometry, superior composition uniformity can be achieved inherently. Using standard device structure, PV devices yield total area power conversion efficiencies (PCE) as high as 12.5% and 7.2% for CIGSSe and CZTSSe respectively, under AM1.5 illumination without anti-reflective coating. By incorporating Ge into the CZTS nanocrystal and adjusting the Sn/Ge ratio, band gap optimization of the CZTSSe absorber film can be accomplished. Despite little optimization, CZTGeSSe has yielded promising results by improving the total area PCE to 8.4%.
TOR Signaling in Plants

Plant development is strikingly plastic. Totipotent cell lines called meristems give rise to all post-embryonic organs—leaves, roots, flowers, for example—throughout the life of the plant. Unlike most multicellular eukaryotes, plants can change their final body plans dramatically in response to environmental and nutrient cues. Understanding how plants respond to their environment may shed light on how plants make developmental decisions that determine their final form. TOR is a conserved eukaryotic cell growth regulator. Recent work suggests that the TOR protein kinase plays a critical role in nutrient-responsive growth in a broad range of eukaryotes. After a brief survey of TOR signaling in yeast and mammals TOR signaling in plants will be surveyed.
The effects of alcohol, cannabis, and cigarette use on the initiation, reinitiation and persistence of non-medical use of opioids, sedatives, and tranquilizers in adults

Abstract Background Non-medical prescription drug use (NMPDU) has been a growing concern due to increased prevalence and severity of consequences. Epidemiological research has identified alcohol, cannabis, and cigarette use to be associated with NMPDU and initiation. However, studies have not examined stages of NMPDU in relation to other substances, which can highlight salient factors associated with high risk stages of NMPDU, such as reinitiation and persistence. Methods This study used an adult sample from the National Epidemiologic Survey of Alcohol and Related Conditions Wave 1 (2001–2002) and Wave 2 (2004–2005) data. We examined non-users, prior users, and current users of opioids and sedatives/tranquilizers at risk of initiation, reinitiation, and persistence between Wave 1 and Wave 2 in relation to early-onset and frequency of cannabis, cigarette, and alcohol use, controlling for sociodemographics. Results Early-onset of cigarette and alcohol use increased the odds of opioid use initiation; early-onset of cannabis, cigarette, and alcohol use increased the odds of sedative/tranquilizer use initiation and opioid reinitiation, persistence, while early-onset cannabis increased the odds of sedative/tranquilizer reinitiation and persistence. Frequency of cannabis and cigarette use predicted all three stages of opioid use, initiation/reinitiation of sedatives/tranquilizers, and frequency of cannabis use alone predicted sedative/tranquilizer persistence. Conclusions This study provided evidence that differentiating among those who have experienced initiation, reinitiation, or persistence of NMPDU via early-onset and frequency of alcohol, cigarettes, and cannabis is vital, as there are specific aspects that influence risk. Therefore, tailoring interventions at different stages to reduce NMPDU is crucial.
Focal Cortical Hypometabolism and Infantile Spasms

The occurrence and prognostic significance of focal defects in cerebral cortical glucose metabolism were evaluated in infants with newly diagnosed symptomatic and cryptogenic infantile spasms examined at Turku and Helsinki Universities, Finland.
Formulation of a Granulosis Virus of Plodia interpunctella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae): Efficacy, Persistence, and Influence on Oviposition and Larval Survival

A freeze-dried preparation of granulosis virus-infected Plodia interpunctella (Hubner) larvae was tested for viral capsule activity, storage life, and the potential of nonviral components for promoting P. interpunctella infestation and development. The LC50 of the formulation was 7.9 × 104 capsules per gram of diet, and loss of activity under typical warehouse conditions appeared to be insignificant commercially. Larval and medium components in the formulation promoted P. interpunctella development in almond meats, almonds within the hull, and processed and unprocessed raisins. This effect was counteracted, however, by a sufficient dose of virus. Formulation components did not preferentially attract ovipositing moths when tested on shelled almonds.
Determination of Structures of Larger Proteins in Solution by Three- and Four-dimensional Heteronuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

A complete understanding of protein function and mechanism of action can only be accomplished with a knowledge of its three-dimensional structure at atomic resolution. At the present time there are two methods available for determining such structures. The first method, which has been established for many years, is X-ray diffraction of protein single crystals. The second method has only blossomed in the last 5–10 years and is based on the application of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR†) spectroscopy of proteins in solution. The driving force for the development of an alternative to X-ray crystallography was threefold. First, many proteins do not crystallize; and even when they do, the crystals may diffract poorly or difficulties in solving the phase problem (e.g. finding suitable heavy atom derivatives) may be encountered. Second, there may be significant and possibly important functional differences between structures in the crystal state and in solution. Third, dynamic processes ranging from the picosecond to second time-scales are amenable to study by NMR. Despite these attractive features, it should be borne in mind that, just like crystallography, NMR also has a number of limitations. In particular, the protein under investigation must be soluble and should not aggregate up to a concentration of at least 1 mM.
Cytogenetic Studies of 539 Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) Patients.

Abstract Previous banded metaphase cytogenetic studies of CLL identified deletions of 13q, 11q, 17p and 6q and trisomy 12 as recurring aberrations; all except del(6q) have well-recognized prognostic significance. The association of other cytogenetic abnormalities with these recurring aberrations has not been previously described. To more completely characterize our patients with CLL, we performed banded metaphase cytogenetics and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) on 539 patients with previously untreated as well as relapsed CLL. By banded metaphase analysis 236 cases were abnormal, 282 were normal (≥20 metaphases and no abnormal clone identified) and 21 were culture failures. Of the 236 abnormal cases, 30 had a sole numerical sex chromosome abnormality, which may not represent the malignant clone. 89 cases had complex karyotypes (≥ 3 unrelated abnormalities), and 147 had simple abnormalities. Losses (451 total, 116 whole chromosome, 47 of which were sex chromosomes, and 335 partial losses) were much more common than gains (132 total, 110 whole chromosome, 68 +12, 13 +X or Y, only 29 other whole chromosome gains, and 22 partial chromosome gains). 130 balanced rearrangements occurred; most frequently involving chromosomes 14 and 1 (15 and 14 balanced rearrangements, respectively). As previously reported, +12, del(13q), del(11q), del(17p) and del(6q) occurred frequently (34.3%, 14.4%, 16.5%, 22.9%, and 10.2% of cases, respectively). Other frequent losses involved 14q, 9p, 3p and 18p (8.5%, 6.8%, 6.4% and 5.9% of cases, respectively). Partial chromosome losses usually resulted from apparent unbalanced translocations, suggesting frequent non-reciprocal interchromosomal rearrangements that may represent a unique form of chromosomal instability. We recently have begun examining the clinical significance of secondary abnormalities occurring with common aberrations in CLL. Of interest, all patients with t(14;18)(q32;q21) and 7 of 10 patients with trisomy 18 also had trisomy 12. All 4 patients with t(14;18) CLL had atypical immunophenotypes with only one developing symptomatic disease requiring therapy. A similar atypical immunophentype was found in 5 of 7 pts with co-existent trisomy 12 and 18, and only one of these patients has progressed to require treatment. In contrast, 36 of the remaining 57 pts with trisomy 12 have developed progressive disease requiring therapy. Overall, our studies show that multiple chromosomal aberrations in addition to those commonly reported occur in CLL. Chromosomal losses are more common than gains, and unbalanced rearrangements are more frequent than balanced rearrangements. The unbalanced rearrangements are frequently interchromosomal and may indicate a unique type of chromosomal instability. Unlike the other common cytogenetic aberrations in CLL, trisomy 12 appears to be associated with secondary aberrations including t(14;18) and trisomy 18 that may define a different more favorable clinical pathologic history than observed in trisomy 12 patients without these secondary aberrations.
The ACA and Trends in Healthcare Utilization and Loss Ratios: An Index-Based Approach

Using the U.S. Health insurance industry data, we create indices for healthcare utilization and loss ratios by insured sub-populations for 2006-2014 and link to the introduction of the ACA by setting 2010 as base year. The indices may be used to inform public policy and for general benchmarking. In general, index trends in utilization (and not in loss ratios) show no sharp changes of direction with the introduction of the ACA, but show continuation of trends already in place. Still, the trend patterns often differ substantially, depending upon the sub-population and/or utilization/loss measure under examination.
Bcl2 Flexible Loop Domain Positively and Negatively Regulates Survival Function through Direct Interaction with p53.

Abstract p53 not only functions as a transcription factor but also has a direct extranuclear apoptogenic role at the mitochondria. We have discovered that DNA damage-induced p53/Bcl2 binding is associated with decreased Bcl2/Bax interaction and increased apoptotic cell death in a mechanism regulated by Bcl2's flexible loop regulatory domain (FLD) in IL3-dependent myeloid NSF/N1.H7 cells. Purified p53 protein can disrupt the Bcl2/Bax complex by directly binding to a negative regulatory region of the FLD (aa32–68). Deletion of the negative regulatory region (aa32–68) abolishes Bcl2/ p53 binding and enhances its antiapoptotic function. Removal of aa69–87 of the FLD, which contains Bcl2's phosphorylation site(s) (T69, S70 and S87), enhances Bcl2/p53 binding and abrogates Bcl2's potent survival activity, indicating this is a positive regulatory region. Phosphorylation of Bcl2 in the FLD inhibits p53 binding since the phosphomimetic T69E/S70E/S87E (EEE) but not the nonphosphorylatable T69A/S70A/S87A (AAA) Bcl2 mutant displays a reduced capacity to bind p53 and more potently inhibits p53-induced cytochrome c release. A full-length Bcl2 loop-only protein (aa32–87) can directly bind p53 to impede Bcl2/p53 binding in vitro. Either DNA damage or expression of p53 targeted to mitochondria results in Bcl2/p53 binding followed by exposure of Bcl2's BH3 domain and inactivation of Bcl2's antiapoptotic function. Therefore, Bcl2's FLD contains both a positive and negative regulatory regions which functionally regulate Bcl2's antiapoptotic activity via differential binding of Bax and p53, respectively.