cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adjuvant 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate in women withultrasound-indicated cerclage: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To assess the additional benefits of 17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate (17-OHPC) therapy in preventing recurrent spontaneous preterm birth in women with an ultrasound-indicated cerclage.Methods: Electronic databases (Medline, Scopus, ClinicalTrials.gov, PROSPERO, Embase, Scielo, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched for studies published before September 2018. Keywords included "preterm birth", "ultrasound-indicated cerclage", "pregnancy" and "17-hydroxyprogesterone caproate". Studies comparing ultrasound-indicated cerclage alone to cerclage plus 17-OHPC were included. The primary outcome measure was preterm birth at <35 weeks of gestation. Secondary outcome measures include preterm birth <24 weeks, <28 weeks, <32 weeks and <37 weeks of gestation, necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), fetal birth weight, and intraventricular hemorrhage (grades III and IV). Meta-analysis was performed using the random effects model of DerSimonian and Laird. Risk of bias and quality assessment was performed using the risk of bias in nonrandomized studies of interventions (ROBINS-I).Results: Four studies met inclusion criteria and were included in the final analysis. Of the 396 women who received ultrasound-indicated cerclage, 142 (35.9%) received adjuvant 17-OHPC. The primary outcome, preterm birth <35 weeks of gestation, was present in three studies and 332/396 singleton pregnancies. Though there was a trend towards a reduced risk of preterm birth, the summary estimate of effect was not statistically significant when comparing cerclage alone to cerclage plus 17-OHPC at <35 weeks (relative risk (RR) 0.95, 95% CI 0.77-1.17). Similarly, we found no differences in preterm birth at <24 weeks (RR 0.30, 95% CI 0.06-1.60), <28 weeks (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.13-2.53), and <32 weeks (RR 0.99, 95% CI 0.44-2.27) when comparing cerclage alone to cerclage plus 17-OHPC. There were no differences in fetal birth weight, intraventricular hemorrhage and necrotizing enterocolitis comparing cerclage alone to cerclage plus 17-OHPC.Conclusion: Intramuscular 17-OHPC in combination with ultrasound-indicated cerclage in women with prior preterm birth had no additional effect in reducing spontaneous recurrent preterm birth or improving perinatal outcomes.
The Early Years and Becoming a Radical

This chapter traces Richard’s childhood experience on the family farm. Escaping the famine in Ireland, his grandfather had set up a homestead in Wisconsin. The young Richard diligently did his farm duties but yet often visited the pond at the bottom of the hill on which the farm was located. It was where the original house, the “old place,” once stood. There Richard would wonder about nature, the meaning of it all, the possibilities that still remain. We trace Richard’s moves on to college and toward his Ph.D., at times interested in a medical career, but the social sciences were to be the eventual draw. His initial teaching position was at St. Lawrence University and then University of Kentucky. Richard continues on to an appointment at the Department of Sociology, NYU, the crucible for activism, diversity, crime, and people “doing their own thing.” There his experiences further pushed him toward radical/critical criminology.
Application of microscale culture technologies for studying lymphatic vessel biology

Immense progress in microscale engineering technologies has significantly expanded the capabilities of in vitro cell culture systems for reconstituting physiological microenvironments that are mediated by biomolecular gradients, fluid transport, and mechanical forces. Here, we examine the innovative approaches based on microfabricated vessels for studying lymphatic biology. To help understand the necessary design requirements for microfluidic models, we first summarize lymphatic vessel structure and function. Next, we provide an overview of the molecular and biomechanical mediators of lymphatic vessel function. Then we discuss the past achievements and new opportunities for microfluidic culture models to a broad range of applications pertaining to lymphatic vessel physiology. We emphasize the unique attributes of microfluidic systems that enable the recapitulation of multiple physicochemical cues in vitro for studying lymphatic pathophysiology. Current challenges and future outlooks of microscale technology for studying lymphatics are also discussed. Collectively, we make the assertion that further progress in the development of microscale models will continue to enrich our mechanistic understanding of lymphatic biology and physiology to help realize the promise of the lymphatic vasculature as a therapeutic target for a broad spectrum of diseases.
Association of Low Socioeconomic Status With Adverse Prostate Cancer Pathology Among African American Men Who Underwent Radical Prostatectomy.

Abstract Background We tested for associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and adverse prostate cancer pathology in a population of African American (AA) men treated with radical prostatectomy (RP). Patients and Methods We retrospectively reviewed data from 2 institutions for AA men who underwent RP between 2010 and 2015. Household incomes were estimated using census tract data, and patients were stratified into income groups relative to the study population median. Pathologic outcomes after RP were assessed, including the postsurgical Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment (CAPRA-S) score and a definition of adverse pathology (stage ≥ pT3, Gleason score ≥ 4+3, or positive lymph nodes), and compared between income groups. Results We analyzed data of 347 AA men. Median household income was $37,954. Low-SES men had significantly higher prostate-specific antigen values (mean 10.2 vs. 7.3; P Conclusion In a population of AA men who underwent RP, we observed an independent association of low SES with advanced stage or aggressive prostate cancer. By including only patients in a single racial demographic group, we eliminated the potential confounding effect of race on the association between SES and prostate cancer risk. These findings suggest that impoverished populations might benefit from more intensive screening and early, aggressive treatment of prostatic malignancies.
Supramolecular Polymer Formation Featuring Cooperative Halogen Bonding and Nonconventional sp2-CH···N Hydrogen Bonding

The role of cooperative nonconventional hydrogen bonding and halogen bonding in the formation of supramolecular polymers is explored. In particular, the cocrystallization of 1-bromo-2,3,5,6-tetrafl...
Flutter Computation of Turbomachinery Blades Based on CFD

Flutter calculations for turbomachinery blade rows often employ the energy method and Lane′s traveling wave model in which the adjacent blades in a blade row are assumed to vibrate at the same frequency but with a constant phase difference,called interblade phase angle(IBPA).With this model,aerodynamic responses of the blade row can be determined by using a single blade passage to minimize the computational effort.Consequently,a phase-shifted periodic boundary condition has to be applied when the IBPA is not zero.Compared with the experiments results of NASA Rotor67 and the fourth standard configuration(STCF4),the unsteady aerodynamics and aeroelastic behaviors are described,and the flutter predictions are performed according to the damping coefficient based on the energy method.
Cardiac Biomarkers and Risk of Incident Heart Failure in Chronic Kidney Disease: The CRIC (Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort) Study.

Background Cardiac biomarkers may signal mechanistic pathways involved in heart failure (HF), a leading complication in chronic kidney disease. We tested the associations of NT‐proBNP (N‐terminal p...
A Prospective Examination of Racial Microaggressions in the Medical Encounter

Disparities in healthcare and health outcomes between whites and non-whites continue to plague the US healthcare system. A large literature suggests that people of color face obstacles at various points in the healthcare system. This article examines one such obstacle: whether patients of color experience microaggressions from physicians during primary care medical visits. A majority of microaggression studies are qualitative and retrospective in nature. In the current study, we use a prospective approach to broaden how microaggressions are measured, as well as understand differential treatment of racial minorities within healthcare. Using data derived from audio recordings of medical visits (n = 224), we utilize a quantitative measure to examine microaggressions in the medical encounter. We find that when race status differences are present between patient and physician, patients of color are more likely to experience microaggressions from their physician. The results suggest that medical encounters differ depending on characteristics of the parties involved. These differences may not only perpetuate the differential treatment of people of color but also contribute to health disparities for people of color.
“That’s Just What You Do”: Applying the Techniques of Neutralization to College Hazing

Hazing is a prevalent behavior on college campuses that is harmful and can be dangerous, yet remains understudied in sociological literature. While research demonstrates that a majority of undergra...
Single-molecule FRET monitors CLC transporter conformation and subunit independence

Abstract “CLC” transporters catalyze the exchange of chloride ions for protons across cellular membranes. As secondary active transporters, CLCs must alternately allow ion access to and from the extracellular and intracellular sides of the membrane, adopting outward-facing and inward-facing conformational states. Here, we use single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer (smFRET) to monitor the conformational state of CLC-ec1, an E. coli homolog for which high-resolution structures of occluded and outward-facing states are known. Since each subunit within the CLC homodimer contains its own transport pathways for chloride and protons, we developed a labeling strategy to follow conformational change within a subunit, without crosstalk from the second subunit of the dimer. Using this strategy, we evaluated smFRET efficiencies for labels positioned on the extracellular side of the protein, to monitor the status of the outer permeation pathway. When [H+] is increased to enrich the outward-facing state, the smFRET efficiencies for this pair decrease. In a triple-mutant CLC-ec1 that mimics the protonated state of the protein and is known to favor the outward-facing conformation, the lower smFRET efficiency is observed at both low and high [H+]. These results confirm that the smFRET assay is following the transition to the outward-facing state and demonstrate the feasibility of using smFRET to monitor the relatively small (~1 A) motions involved in CLC transporter conformational change. Using the smFRET assay, we show that the conformation of the partner subunit does not influence the conformation of the subunit being monitored by smFRET, thus providing evidence for the independence of the two subunits in the transport process. SUMMARY Cheng, Krishnamoorti et al. use single-molecule Forster energy resonance transfer measurements to monitor the conformation of a CLC transporter and to show that the conformational state is not influenced by the neighboring subunit.
Entopeduncular nucleus projections to the lateral habenula contribute to cocaine avoidance.

The aversive properties associated with drugs of abuse influence both the development of addiction and relapse. Cocaine produces strong aversive effects after rewarding effects wear off, accompanied by increased firing in the lateral habenula (LHb) that contributes to downstream activation of the rostromedial tegmental nucleus (RMTg). However, the sources of this LHb activation are unknown, as the LHb receives many excitatory inputs whose contributions to cocaine aversion remain uncharacterized. Using cFos activation and in vivo electrophysiology in male rats, we demonstrated that the rostral entopeduncular nucleus (rEPN) was the most responsive region to cocaine among LHb afferents examined and that single cocaine infusions induced biphasic responses in rEPN neurons, with inhibition during cocaine's initial rewarding phase transitioning to excitation during cocaine's delayed aversive phase. Furthermore, rEPN lesions reduced cocaine-induced cFos activation by 2-fold in the LHb and by a smaller proportion in the RMTg, while inactivation of the rEPN or the rEPN-LHb pathway attenuated cocaine avoidance behaviors measured by an operant runway task and by conditioned place aversion (CPA). These data show an essential but not exclusive role of rEPN and its projections to the LHb in processing the aversive effects of cocaine, which could serve as a novel target for addiction vulnerability.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cocaine produces well-known rewarding effects but also strong aversive effects that influence addiction propensity, but whose mechanisms are poorly understood. We had previously reported that the lateral habenula (LHb) is activated by cocaine and contributes to cocaine's aversive effects, and the current findings show that the rostral entopeduncular nucleus (rEPN) is a major contributor to this LHb activation and to conditioned avoidance of cocaine. These findings show a critical, though not exclusive, rEPN role in cocaine's aversive effects, and shed light on the development of addiction.
Fermionic and bosonic quantum field theories from quantum cellular automata in three spatial dimensions

The authors present the construction of cellular automaton models corresponding to free quantum field theories for both fermions and bosons, and demonstrate that for wavelengths long compared to the lattice spacing one recovers standard Dirac and Maxwell field theories. Correspondences such as this offer a new way of thinking about quantum field theories, and potentially a new way of simulating them on quantum computers.
Exploring the growth and oxidation of 2D-TaS2 on Cu(111).

In this work, the growth and stability towards O2 exposure of two dimensional (2D) TaS2 on a Cu(111) substrate is investigated. Large area (~1cm2) crystalline 2D-TaS2 films with a metallic character are prepared on a single crystal Cu(111) substrate via a multistep approach based on physical vapor deposition. Analytical techniques such as Auger electron spectroscopy, low energy electron diffraction, and photoemission spectroscopy are used to characterize the composition, crystallinity, and electronic structure of the surface. At coverages below one monolayer equivalent (ML), misoriented TaS2 domains are formed, which are rotated up to ±13^o relative to the Cu(111) crystallographic directions. The TaS2 domains misorientation decreases as the film thickness approaches 1 ML, at which the crystallographic directions of TaS2 and Cu(111) are aligned. The TaS2 film is found to grow epitaxially on Cu(111). As revealed by low energy electron diffraction in conjunction with an atomic model simulation, the (3 × 3) unit cells of TaS2 match the (4 × 4) supercell of Cu(111). Furthermore, the exposure of TaS2 to O2, does not lead to the formation of a robust tantalum oxide film, only minor amounts of stable oxides being detected on the surface. Instead, the exposure of TaS2 films to O2 leads predominantly to a reduction of the film thickness, evidenced by a decrease in the content of both Ta and S atoms of the film. This is attributed to the formation of oxide species that are unstable and mainly desorb from the surface below room temperature. Temperature programmed desorption spectroscopy confirms the formation of SO2, which desorbs form the surface between 100 K and 500 K. These results provide new insights into the oxidative degradation of 2D-TaS2 on Cu(111).
Raphael and the Pantheon’s Interior: A Pivotal Moment in Architectural Representation

Raphael’s drawing of the interior of the Pantheon is situated halfway between the forms of perspective and section. Yet, in a time when neither of these drawing categories was stable, what does this liminal positioning actually explain? This paper re-examines Raphael’s sketch and suggests that the Pantheon’s interior presented a complex problem for the representational conventions of the time. Raphael’s drawing adheres to no known graphic or projective system, and yet it shares qualities with orthography, perspective and cartography. It mediates between conflicting systems of architectural knowledge and seeks a resolution between the geometry of representation and the geometry of architecture. Further, in light of Raphael’s avocation in 1519 for the combined use of plan, section and elevation in his letter to Pope Leo X, I argue that the drawing marks the moment when architectural representation began its transformation from image to system: when it grew out of its role as a tool of execution and became architecture’s conceptual medium.
ROLE OF APPLIED METEOROLOGY IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE SPACE VEHICLES

This paper discusses the role of applied meteorology in the solution of large space vehicle development problems. A general outline of the role of the applied meteorologist is given, followed by a discussion of the data requirements for vehicle design and test evaluation, analytical procedures for data presentation, and areas of influence on space vehicle development. Examples of the influence of atmospheric conditions in the design are presented illustrating the utility of applied meteorology.
Cultivating Collective Intelligence in Online Groups

With the increasing presence of online groups in so many sectors of our lives, it becomes more and more important to understand what influences the performance of these collectives. However, historically, research to measure and thereby improve performance for online groups has produced disparate conclusions. In this chapter, we propose enhancing the performance by cultivating collective intelligence in online groups—a new way of conceptualizing and measuring collective performance. We describe recent research on collective intelligence, and develop a framework for thinking about how processes critical to collective intelligence can be enhanced in online groups through the use of collaboration tools. In conclusion, we encourage researchers to explore and fine-tune these tools as a means of continuing to enhance the collective intelligence of online groups.
Comparison of Body Composition Assessed by Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and BMI in Current and Former U.S. Navy Service Members.

Background Little is known of the diagnostic accuracy of BMI in classifying obesity in active duty military personnel and those that previously served. Thus, the primary objectives were to determine the relationship between lean and fat mass, and body fat percentage (BF%) with BMI, and assess the agreement between BMI and BF% in defining obesity. Methods Body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in 462 males (20–91 years old) who currently or previously served in the U.S. Navy. A BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m2 and a BF% ≥ 25% were used for obesity classification. Results The mean BMI (± SD) and BF% were 28.8 ± 4.1 and 28.9 ± 6.6%, respectively, with BF% increasing with age. Lean mass, fat mass, and BF% were significantly correlated with BMI for all age groups. The exact agreement of obesity defined by BMI and BF% was fair (61%), however, 38% were misclassified by a BMI cut-off of 30 when obesity was defined by BF%. Conclusions From this data we determined that there is a good correlation between body composition and BMI, and fair agreement between BMI and BF% in classifying obesity in a group of current and former U.S. Navy service members. However, as observed in the general population, a significant proportion of individuals with excess fat are misclassified by BMI cutoffs.
An Analysis of U.S. Disinvestment from South Africa: Unity, Rights, and Justice

This study examines the issues associated with the disinvestment of U.S. interests from South Africa that took place in the mid-80s from the perspective of three dominant moral theories: utility, rights, and justice. By examining the issues in light of these three theories, the paper attempts to establish a decision framework from which managers and investors can evaluate similar decisions they are facing around the world today. Similarly, the reading may prove useful to educators who incorporate discussions of ethical decision making into the classroom. Training in business ethics too often takes a strictly utilitarian perspective, or worse, a relativistic one. This study attempts to illustrate how utilitarian theory and related rights and justice issues can he interwoven into the heuristics associated with the contemporary concepts of corporate social responsibility.
Architecture-aware low-density parity-check codes

A high-throughput memory-efficient decoder architecture for architecture-aware low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes is proposed based on a novel turbo-decoding algorithm. The architecture benefits from various optimizations at the code-design, decoding algorithm, and decoder architecture levels. The interconnect complexity and memory overhead problems of current decoder implementations are reduced by designing structured or architecture-aware LDPC codes and employing a new turbo-decoding algorithm. An efficient memory architecture coupled with a scalable and dynamic transport network for storing and routing messages are proposed. Simulations demonstrate that the proposed architecture attains a throughput of 1.92 Gbits/s for a frame length of 2304 bits, and achieves savings of 89.13 % and 62.80 % in power consumption and silicon area over state-of-the-art, with a reduction of 60.5 % in interconnect wires.
But Did They Listen? The New Jersey Death Penalty Commission's Exercise in Abolitionism: A Detailed Reply

Based upon the nearly unanimous recommendation of its Death Penalty Study Commission, New Jersey seems poised to become the first state in the modern era to legislatively abolish capital punishment and substitute life without parole. Hailed nationally and internationally as thoughtful and fair, the Commission's final report consistently distorts the evidence, displays an anti-retributive bias, and worst of all, ignores basic well-established perspectives framing the great debate, avoiding at all costs the question of justice. Unbalanced and biased, the Commission does not even consider any alternative to abolition or standing pat. This essay directly engages the Report on its findings re: Deterrence, Retribution, Costs, Evolving Standards of Decency, Disproportionality, Irreversible Mistake, and Life without Parole with restitution to the victims' families. In sum, a commitment to justice and better informed public debate compels this counter-report.
Exploring Stakeholders' Perceptions with Analytic Hierarchy Process—A Case Study of Red Sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) Restoration in India

Diverse stakeholders and multiple management options pose challenges to restoration planning and management. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP), a multicriteria decision-making tool, can be effectively used for incorporating stakeholders' perceptions in planning. By using Red sanders (Pterocarpus santalinus L.) restoration as a case study, we demonstrate its suitability in eliciting stakeholders' perceptions about the most suitable management option, and their expectations from it. Four key stakeholder groups, Administrators, Field Officers, Community, and Knowledgeable Sources, were used to identify the most suitable management option from Government Management (GM), Quasi-Government Management, Community Forest Management (CFM), and Private Management. Results indicate that stakeholders' preferences for management options were not homogeneous. Consolidated priorities across all the stakeholder groups indicated the CFM (34%) as the most preferred option followed by the GM (31%). With an average weight of 56%, the ecological criterion was considered as the most important. The ability of the managements in reducing disturbances (23%), improving Red sanders density (18%), improving ecosystem services (15%), and in improving rural livelihoods (15%) were considered important. The preferences of the Administrators and the Field Officers for the GM indicated their support for the top-down management approach, and skepticism toward the CFM, a bottom-up approach. Compared to the Administrators, the Field Officers' lack of support for the CFM was surprisingly more pronounced. Results indicate the usefulness of the AHP technique in identifying common grounds between the diverse stakeholders, and the management, in identifying a suitable management alternative and in prioritizing preferences.
Professor Yamuna Kachru and creativity in Hindi linguistics

The aim of this paper is to identify the salient features of Professor Yamuna Kachru's contributions to Hindi linguistics. The paper begins by identifying the seven research areas of her contributions and then goes on to focus on her pioneering work on Hindi syntax and her final work on Hindi grammar. The seven areas embody a wide range of topics. Although a detailed treatment of the topics is beyond the scope of an article such as this, it suffices to say the papers offer state-of-the art treatments of these topics within the latest theoretical framework of that time. The specific aspects of her theoretical and methodological contributions are underscored in the conclusion after noting the wide-ranging impact of her scholarship on succeeding generations of Hindi linguists. Simply put, she was the Chomsky of Hindi linguistics – a pioneer, a visionary, a teacher and a scholar.
"I've tried the switch but he laughs through the tears:" the use and conceptualization of corporal punishment during the Machine Age, 1924-1939.

Abstract Objective: To examine attitudes, conflicts, images, circumstances, and time-period effects associated with corporal punishment and other forms of adult-to-child violence during the early 20th century in the United States. Method: A sample of 147 letters, referencing corporal punishment and dating from 1924 to 1939, were analyzed using both qualitative and quantitative techniques. The letters were addressed to Angelo Patri (1876–1965), a popular child-rearing expert during the interwar years (also known as the Machine Age), and written primarily by middle class parents with everyday worries about child rearing and proper discipline. Results: People who sought advice emphasized the practical significance of corporal punishment over and above the idea that it violated children's rights to be protected against harm. One in four letters cited conflicts with significant others about corporal punishment. Generally, children were perceived as frail, defiant, or feral. Rarely, were they seen as devilish or, conversely, innocent. Children's disobedience and disrespect were cited more than other misbehaviors as reasons for corporal punishment. Age and gender of the focal child varied by time period when letters from the 1920s and 1930s were compared. Conclusions: A full understanding of parent-to-child violence cannot be achieved without a firm grasp of its genealogy. The growing popularity of child psychology during the Machine Age had a measurable impact on how children were viewed. A utilitarian frame of interpretation was an important part of the everyday “work” associated with child rearing during this time, foreshadowing the tendency today to emphasize efficacy more than rights when evaluating the legitimacy of corporal punishment.
“Hook-like Effect” Causes False-negative Point-of-care Urine Pregnancy Testing in Emergency Patients

Abstract Background Failure to detect pregnancy in the emergency department (ED) can have important consequences. Urine human chorionic gonadotropin (uhCG) point-of-care (POC) assays are valued for rapidly detecting early pregnancy with high sensitivity. However, under certain conditions, POC uhCG tests can fail to detect pregnancy. Objectives In investigating a series of late first-trimester false-negative pregnancy tests in our ED, a novel and distinct causative phenomenon was recently elucidated in our institution. We discuss uhCG POC tests, review our false-negative rate, and describe mechanisms for false negatives and potential remedies. Discussion The false-negative POC uhCG rate is very low, but in the setting of a large volume of tests, the numbers are worth consideration. In positive uhCG POC tests, free and fixed antibodies bind hCG to form a “sandwich”; hCG is present in several variant forms that change in their concentrations at different stages of pregnancy. When in excess, intact hCG can saturate the antibodies, preventing sandwich formation (hook effect phenomenon). Some assays may include an antibody that does not recognize certain variants present in later stages of pregnancy. When this variant is in excess, it can bind one antibody avidly and the other not at all, resulting in a false-negative test (hook-like phenomenon). In both situations, dilution is key to an accurate test. Conclusions Manufacturers should consider that uhCG tests are routinely used at many stages of pregnancy. Characterizing uhCG variants recognized by their tests and eliminating lot-to-lot variability may help improve uhCG test performance. Clinicians need to be aware of and familiarize themselves with the limitations of the specific type of uhCG POC tests used in their practice, recognizing that under certain circumstances, false-negative tests can occur.
Chemical characteristics of selected flyash leachates

Abstract The physical characteristics of selected flyashes and the quantity of leachate generated from those ashes are evaluated in order to provide the data base needed to develop an environmentally safe disposal management strategy. Ash samples from three sources (1) Clinch River Power Plant at Carbo, Virginia; (2) John Amos Power Plant at St. Albans, West Virginia; and (3) a “Standard” flyash from the National Bureau of Standards were examined. These samples were leached with water according to ASTM extraction procedures and then the leachates were analyzed to determine the total filterable residue, hardness, calcium, sulfate and phosphate concentrations, acidity/alkalinity, and pH. Trace element concentrations were determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Total filterable residue values for the five leachates studied ranged from 180 mg/1 to 1743 mg/1; hardness ranged from 176 mg/1 to 985 mg/1 (as CaCO,), with calcium concentrations ranging from 69 mg/1 to 310 mg/1; and sulfate concentrations...
Resonance Raman studies of Rieske-type proteins

Resonance Raman (RR) spectra are reported for the [2Fe-2S] Rieske protein from Thermus thermophilus (TRP) and phthalate dioxygenase from Pseudomonas cepacia (PDO) as a function of pH and excitation wavelength. Depolarization ratio measurements are presented for the RR spectra of spinach ferredoxin (SFD), TRP, and PDO at 74 K. By comparison with previously published RR spectra of SFD, we suggest reasonable assignments for the spectra of TRP and PDO. The spectra of PDO exhibit virtually no pH dependence, while significant changes are observed in TRP spectra upon raising the pH from 7.3 to 10.1. One band near 270 cm-1, which consists of components at 266 cm-~ and 274 cm-1, is attributed to Fe(III)-N(His) stretching motions. We suggest that these two components arise from conformers having a protonated-hydrogen-bonded imidazole (266 cm-1) and deprotonated-hydrogen-bonded imidazolate (274 cm-1) coordinated to the Fe/S cluster and that the relative populations of the two species are pH-dependent; a simple structural model is proposed to account for this behavior in the respiratory-type Rieske proteins. In addition, we have identified RR peaks associated with the bridging and terminal sulfur atoms of the Fe-S-N cluster. The RR excitation profiles of peaks associated with these atoms are indistinguishable from each other in TRP (pH 7.3) and PDO and differ greatly from those of [2Fe-2S] ferredoxins. The profiles are bimodal with maxima near 490 nm and > approx. 550 nm. By contrast, bands associated with the Fe-N stretch show a somewhat different enhancement profile. Upon reduction, RR peaks assigned to Fe-N vibrations are no longer observed, with the resulting spectrum being remarkably similar to that reported for reduced adrenodoxin. This indicates that only modes associated with Fe-S bonds are observed and supports the idea that the reducing electron resides on the iron atom coordinated to the two histidine residues. Taken as a whole, the data are consistent with an S~FeSbFe[N(His)]t~ structure for the Rieske-type cluster.
SU‐E‐J‐23: Construction of Digital Phantoms for X‐Ray Image‐Guided Radiotherapy (IGRT)

Purpose: To construct digital phantoms for testing x‐ray‐based IGRTsoftware using anatomic CTimages and NIST mass attenuation coefficients table of different tissue types for photon energies ranging from 1keV to 20MeV . Methods: CTimages of the interested sites are first segmented into different tissue types based on the CT numbers, and converted to a three‐dimensional (3D) attenuation phantom by linking each voxel to a lookup table ofthat voxel's tissue type containing the energies and corresponding mass attenuation coefficients from the NIST table. The x‐ray source can be a radio isotope or an x‐ray generator with known spectrum data consisting of the weight w(n) for each energy bin E(n). Siddon's method was used to compute the x‐ray transmission line integral for detector m and energy E(n) by ray tracing through the attenuation phantom from the x‐ray source to detector m and summing up the interpolated attenuation coefficient for E(n) along the ray. The x‐ray fluence at detector m is then the weighted sum of the exponential of line integral for all energy bins with added Poisson noise. Results: We built a digital phantom using the CT scan of a Rando head phantom segmented into three (air, grey/white matter and bone) regions and simulated poly‐energetic projection images for Mohan 4MV energy spectrum. The projection images are similar to typical portal images obtained with 4 or 6 MV x‐ray source. The CBCTreconstructed from the simulated projection images showed similar but noisier and blurrier geometric features in comparison to the segmented CT scan, which is expected for a 4 MV source. Conclusions: We have successfully built digital phantoms using anatomic CTimages and NIST mass attenuation coefficients table. The constructed digital phantoms can be used to generate 2D projection images and 3D CBCTimages for testing x‐ray‐based IGRT algorithms/systems.
Willingness to pay for aesthetics associated with field windbreaks in Iowa, United States

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine a monetary value of aesthetics associated with field windbreaks in Iowa, United States. A mail survey and contingent valuation method (CVM) were used to determine willingness to pay (WTP) to support planting of field windbreaks for aesthetic purposes. A probit regression was conducted to examine how reported WTP estimates were affected by respondents’ opinions on impact of field windbreaks on visual appearance of agricultural lands, perceived abundance of field windbreaks, familiarity with their benefits as well as education and occupation. A mean WTP ranged from US$4.77 to US$8.50. Respondents who were also farm operators were less likely to make the payment than non-farmers, possibly due to perceived opportunity cost associated with placing field windbreaks on agricultural lands. Respondents who found field windbreaks to make agricultural lands visually more appealing were willing to pay from US$1.94 to US$3.05 more than respondents who did not think so. Those who thought that from a visual perspective there were not enough windbreaks present in Iowa's landscape were willing to pay from US$1.67 to US$2.37 more than those who thought that the number of windbreaks was appropriate. The obtained WTP estimates will be useful in determining monetary trade-offs of future land use decisions and policies related to field windbreaks as well as other land use practices. The study results also will be helpful in developing new outreach and incentive programs for agricultural landowners.
Generating monoclonal antibodies to the opioid receptor

BALB/c mice were immunized with an opioid receptor complex over the period of 1 year. Spleen cells from the mouse, whose serum inhibited opiate binding to rat neural membranes to the greatest extent, were fused with P3-X63-Ag8. 653.3 myeloma cells. By radioimmunoassay (RIA), 32 cell lines have been detected that secrete an antibody to a component of the isolated receptor complex. Antibodies from 2 of the cell lines have an effect on opiate binding to rat neural membranes. One antibody, OR-689.2.4 is an IgM cryoglobulin. This antibody partially inhibited the binding of 3H-dihydromorphine (3H-DHM), 3H-naloxone, 3H-ethylketocyclazocine (3H-EKC), and 3H-D-Ala2, D-Leu5 enkephalin (3H-DADLE) to rat neural membranes. The other antibody, OR-465.3, inhibited the binding of 3H-DHM and 3H-naloxone to rat neural membranes by a maximum of 70%. This antibody also inhibited the binding of 3H-DADLE to neural membranes but, did not affect the binding of this peptide to membranes from the neuroblastoma-glioma hybrid cell line, NG108-15. Work is ongoing to generate monoclonal antibodies specific for each subclass of opioid receptor.
Administration of adenoviral vectors induces gangrene in acutely ischemic rat hindlimbs : Role of capsid protein-induced inflammation

Abstract Purpose: The initial purpose of this study was to determine the effects of intravascular adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (AdeNOS) on experimental hindlimb ischemia in the rat. Unexpectedly, administration of AdeNOS immediately after induction of acute limb ischemia led to limb gangrene. We subsequently sought to define the molecular mechanisms responsible for this unusual effect and to devise adenoviral gene transfer strategies to prevent the development of gangrene in acutely ischemic limbs. Methods: Phosphate-buffered saline or adenoviral vectors containing the bovine endothelial nitric oxide synthase gene (AdeNOS) or no transgene (Ad-E1) were injected intra-arterially into the hindlimb of a rat under vascular isolation immediately after surgical induction of severe ischemia. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was performed on muscle sections to evaluate inflammation. A separate group of animals was injected with an adenovirus containing a nontranscribable genome, treated with cyclosporine, or received delayed administration of the adenoviral vector. Gene expression after delayed adenoviral gene transfer was assessed with immunohistochemistry, Western blotting, and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity assay. Results: Both AdeNOS and Ad-E1 caused gangrene of the entire hindlimb within 12 days in a dose-dependent manner, at a threshold concentration of 1 × 10 9 plaque-forming unit/mL. Adenoviral delivery was associated with more inflammation and edema compared with phosphate-buffered saline histologically. Inactivation of adenoviral DNA transcription did not affect induction of gangrene. However, gangrene was prevented by concurrent immunosuppression with cyclosporine or delayed administration of the vector. Delayed administration allowed adenoviral gene expression as determined by immunohistochemistry, NOS protein levels, and an assay of NOS enzyme activity. Conclusion: Intra-arterial administration of adenoviral vectors, under vascular isolation, immediately after induction of acute ischemia causes inflammation and subsequent limb gangrene. The inflammatory response is unrelated to the expression of the recombinant transgene or the adenoviral genome and is likely due to the adenoviral capsid proteins. However, administration of cyclosporine or delayed injection of the adenoviral vector is a method that can be used for adenoviral mediated gene transfer in limb ischemia. (J Vasc Surg 2001;34:489-96.)
Mediators of Adverse Birth Outcomes Among Socially Disadvantaged Women

Abstract Background: Numerous studies find that socially disadvantaged women are more likely than socially advantaged women to deliver infants that weigh less than normal and/or are born weeks prior to their due date. However, little is known about the pathways that link maternal social disadvantage to birth outcomes. Using data from a prospective cohort study, we examined whether antenatal psychosocial stress, substance use, and maternal health conditions in pregnancy mediated the pathway between maternal social disadvantage and birth outcomes. Methods: Analyses used structural equation modeling to examine data from a community clinic-based sample (n=2168) of pregnant women who completed questionnaires assessing psychosocial functioning and health behaviors as well as sociodemographic characteristics, which were matched with subsequent birth outcome data. Results: Analyses revealed maternal social disadvantage predicted poorer birth outcomes through a mediated pathway including maternal health conditions...
Perinodular hydropic degeneration of a uterine leiomyoma: a diagnostic challenge

Perinodular hydropic degeneration of a uterine leiomyoma is a rare form of the more common hydropic change observed in leiomyomas. With minimal discussion in the surgical pathology literature, appropriate evaluation may be challenging because the differential diagnosis includes other uncommon uterine disorders such as intravenous leiomyomatosis, diffuse leiomyomatosis, myxoid leiomyosarcoma, endometrial stromal sarcoma, angiofibroma, and angiomyxoma. We describe such a diagnostic challenge in a 42-year-old woman with a left adnexal mass discovered during an annual examination. With only three cases of perinodular hydropic degeneration previously reported, this case is the first with extrauterine extension and was initially concerning for a more aggressive process.
High spectral contrast filtering produced by multiple pass reflections from paired Bragg gratings in PTR glass

The properties of multiple reflections from narrow bandwidth reflection Bragg gratings are presented. The use of multiple reflections serves to increase the suppression ratio of the out-of-band spectral content such that contributions of grating sidelobes can be mitigated. The result is a device which retains spectral and angular selectivity in a single high efficiency diffraction order but reshapes spectral/angular response to achieve higher signal to noise ratios (SNR). The material for recording these high suppression devices is photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass. PTR is a highly homogeneous photosensitive glass with features such as low losses and high laser damage threshold. It has recently been used with good success to record permanent volume Bragg gratings with high efficiency and narrow band selectivity for use in laser cavities. Multiple reflections from the grating surface are achieved using several different arrangements. The multiple pass grating reflections are demonstrated and compared to the performance of a single reflection from a volume Bragg grating.
Reflecting on Meaning: Crafting Visual Metaphors on Whiteness

… home is the birthplace of memory but I'm wondering if it's too late for us, almost? How're we gonna dig out the old memories and replace them with new? —“Foxfire” by Joyce Carol Oats Teaching a c...
Variation in PPARG Is Associated With Longitudinal Change in Insulin Resistance in Mexican Americans at Risk for Type 2 Diabetes

Context: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARG) is a susceptibility locus for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Although cross-sectional associations have been reported, primarily for Pro12Ala, few longitudinal studies in nondiabetic populations have been conducted. Objective: This study aimed to examine whether and to what extent variation in PPARG is associated with longitudinal changes in anthropometric and metabolic traits in Mexican Americans at risk for T2DM. Setting and Design: Subjects were participants of BetaGene, a family-based study of obesity, insulin resistance, and β-cell function, who completed a baseline and follow-up study visit (n = 378; mean followup, 4.6 ± 1.5 y). Phenotypes included body fat assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry; insulin sensitivity (SI), acute insulin response, and β-cell function (disposition index; DI) were estimated from iv glucose tolerance tests with Minimal Model analysis. Eighteen tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) capturing va...
Number of People in the United States Experiencing Ambulatory and Independent Living Difficulties

Estimating the characteristics of the “disabled” population is necessary for some governments and of interest to health researchers concerned with producing disability prevalence rates. Because generating easy-to-understand estimates of disability in the population is important, this article provides U.S. population estimates for two disability-related measures by using the 2009 to 2011 American Community Survey Public Use Microdata Sample file. The number of people who have “independent living” and “ambulatory” difficulties is calculated from a sample of 9,204,437 (representing >309 million people). The percentage for “disabled” is found to vary by racial and ethnic category, sex, age, citizenship status, educational attainment, and state-level regions divided by weather.
Prognostic Significance of Strain Doppler Imaging in Light-Chain Amyloidosis

Objectives: To clarify the prognostic value of strain and strain rate imaging in light-chain (AL) amyloidosis.Background: Myocardial strain and strain rate Doppler imaging are objective measurement...
Rehabilitation Following Allograft Meniscal Transplantation: A Review of the Literature and Case Study

Treatment of meniscal injuries in the knee has evolved over the past three decades. New research regarding the functional roles of the menisci has increased emphasis on the preservation of meniscal tissue. Meniscal transplantation has developed as a surgical technique for individuals whose menisci have been compromised through trauma or previous meniscectomy. The purpose of this article is to review the current literature regarding meniscal function, the deleterious effects of meniscectomy, and the development of transplantation of allograft menisci as a surgical technique. A case study of a 28-year-old male undergoing medial meniscus transplantation is presented, with emphasis on the development of postoperative rehabilitation guidelines.
The Van Vleck formula, Maslov theory, and phase space geometry

The Van Vleck formula is an approximate, semiclassical expression for the quantum propagator. It is the starting point for the derivation of the Gutzwiller trace formula, and through this, a variety of other expansions representing eigenvalues, wave functions, and matrix elements in terms of classical periodic orbits. These are currently among the best and most promising theoretical tools for understanding the asymptotic behavior of quantum systems whose classical analogs are chaotic. Nevertheless, there are currently several questions remaining about the meaning and validity of the Van Vleck formula, such as those involving its behavior for long times. This article surveys an important aspect of the Van Vleck formula, namely, the relationship between it and phase space geometry, as revealed by Maslov's theory of wave asymptotics. The geometrical constructions involved are developed with a minimum of mathematical formalism.