cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stigma management among gay/bisexual men with HIV/AIDS

People with HIV infection are subjected to prejudice, discrimination and hostility related to the stigmatization of AIDS. To manage the stigma of their disease, they mount complex coping strategies. This paper reports results from a qualitative study that examined gay/bisexual men's experiences of living with HIV infection. Unstructured interviews from a diverse sample of 139 men were analyzed to examine how men coped with AIDS-related stigma. We discerned a variety of stigma management strategies that could be arranged along a continuum from reactive to proactive based on the extent to which they implicitly accepted or challenged the social norms and values that underlie the stigmatization of HIV/AIDS. Reactive strategies to cope with stigma involve defensive attempts to avoid or mitigate the impact of stigma, but imply acceptance of the underlying social norms and values that construct the stigma. Examples of reactive strategies include hiding one's HIV status, presenting one's illness as a less stigmatizing one (e.g., cancer), or distancing one's self from more damaging aspects of AIDS-stigma (e.g., attributing infection to blood transfusion). Proactive strategies challenge the validity of the stigma and imply disavowal and resistance of the social norms and values that underlie the stigma. Examples of proactive strategies include engaging in public educational efforts that address misperceptions about HIV transmission and social activism to change the social and political conditions that affect PWAIHIV
Synthesis and Some Properties of an Actin-Like Nuclear Protein in the Slime Mold Physarum polycephalum

A protein was extracted from isolated nuclei of the slime mold Physarum polycephalum which could be labeled with radioactive precursors only during G 2 phase. The native protein was purified by extraction in low-ionic-strength buffer [10 mm tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane-hydrochloride] of isolated nuclei and by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. It was extracted from isolated nucleoli. Its electrophoretic properties in three different polyacrylamide gel systems, its molecular weight (44,000 ± 3,000), its precipitability by vincaleucoblastine, a vinca alkaloid, and its aggregation properties suggested that it might be actin. In a direct comparison with slime mold actin purified from the cytoplasm, no difference could be found between the two proteins in all these characteristics. The synthesis of cytoplasmic actin was not found to occur exclusively during G 2 phase. This suggested that nuclear actin was either synthesized independently from cytoplasmic actin or transported into the nuclei exclusively during G 2 phase. The possible role of nuclear actin during intranuclear mitosis is discussed. Images
Snake Plain Analog Studies

Design, construction, and operation of an electric analog to correlate existing geologic and hydrologic data, and to guide future exchange pimping and recharge operations in the Snake River Plain area in Idaho are described. Beneath this plain, fissured lavas form an aquifer of exceptional permeability covering an area of about 12,000 sq miles. Ground-water discharge accounts for 4,500,000 acre-ft of the 7,000,000 acre-ft now flowing uncontrolled out of the area each year. The analog will be used to study the possibilities of developing this groundwater reservoir to supply pumped irrigation water and to store excess surface flows as recharge.
Up to 7 Years of Sustained Weight Loss for Weight-Loss Program Completers

Introduction Two issues remain elusive in weight management programs: significant, long-term weight-loss maintenance and widely accessible programs that produce significant weight loss for reasonable costs. The purpose of this study is to determine the long-term weight loss of participants who consecutively renew their annual membership in Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS), a national, nonprofit, low-cost, peer-led weight-loss program. Methods This completers’ analysis was a retrospective cohort study of overweight and obese men and women who joined TOPS in 2005–2011 and consecutively renewed their annual membership at least once. Data were analyzed from June to October 2013. TOPS participants’ weights are sent to the national database when they join and at the time of their annual renewal; thus, follow-up weight is only available for those who renew their membership. Among 207,469 individuals who joined during the study period, 74,629 (35.9%) had at least one consecutive annual renewal and were included in the study. Results Cumulative mean (95% CI) weight change as a percentage of initial weight ranged from –6.0% (–6.0%, –5.9%) for 74,629 participants who renewed at 1 year to –8.3% (–8.7%, –7.8%) for 2,289 participants with 7 years of consecutive annual renewal. Conclusions In the subset of individuals who choose to renew their program membership, TOPS can effectively promote maintenance of clinically significant weight loss for an extended period of time. RCTs are needed to further evaluate this low-cost, widely available program, which could be a viable option to treat overweight and obesity.
Predictors of recall certainty of dates of analgesic medication use in pregnancy.

Purpose Recalled dates of medication use are difficult to validate, particularly for over-the-counter (OTC) medications. We evaluated mothers’ recall certainty as an approximation of the accuracy of their recalled exposures. Methods We used data from the Slone Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study collected by retrospective interview of women about pregnancy medication use. For each medication reported, women were asked to report the dates of their use and how certain they were of their reported dates. For this analysis, 32 107 reports from 14 577 analgesic users were categorized as “high” or “low” recall certainty if they considered a reported date as exact or estimated, respectively. Patterns of analgesic use, maternal demographics, and health behaviors were explored as predictors of high recall certainty of dates of analgesic use. We used log-binomial regression with the generalized estimating equations extension to account for multiple reports per subject in estimating prevalence ratios (PR) and 95% confidence intervals. Results Relative to episodes of short-term routine use (≥4 times/week for ≤30 days), high recall certainty was more likely for episodes of a single dose (prescription PR = 1.92 (1.61, 2.27); OTC PR = 3.65 (3.03, 4.40)) and less likely for episodes of occasional use (prescription PR = 0.10 (0.05, 0.18); OTC PR = 0.65 (0.53, 0.79)). The association of chronic routine use with high recall certainty was inverse among prescription analgesics and positive among OTC analgesics (prescription PR = 0.56 (0.40, 0.80); OTC PR = 2.46 (1.92, 3.42)). Conclusions Some characteristics that were associated with recall accuracy in previous studies were also associated with recall certainty in this study. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Electrical Conductance of Semipermeable Membranes: II. Unipolar Flow, Symmetric Electrolytes

A general formulation of the problem of stationary ion flow through semipermeable membranes was presented in the first paper of this series. The formalism is applied here to the evaluation of membrane conductance for the special case of unipolar ion flow between symmetric electrolytes. Thus it is assumed that the permeant ions carry one sign of charge only. Furthermore, the valences of all ions in solution on both sides of the membrane are taken to be of equal absolute magnitude. Conductance results obtained by numerical methods are presented for several representative sets of the parameters which characterize the membrane system in equilibrium. These results are discussed qualitatively with emphasis upon the contribution of particular system parameters to the non-linearities observed. Approximate analytic conductance relations, valid for high current levels, are also given.
Abstract presentations by residents at an intramural research day: what factors affect publication?

Objective To assess the rate of conversion of scientific abstracts presented at an intramural resident research day to published articles and identify the factors associated with successful conversion. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Johns Hopkins Hospital, Department of Plastic Surgery. Participants Evaluation of 78 abstracts presented by plastic surgery residents as part of an intramural research day over a 5-year period. Results A total of 78 abstracts were presented by residents over the study period. Most abstracts (49, 63%) were presented by senior residents (postgraduate year ≥4). Fifty-six abstracts (72%) were clinical studies. The majority (54, 69%) of primary investigators had an academic rank of associate professor or professor. Fifty abstracts (64%) were subsequently published in a peer-reviewed journal. The mean time to publication was 15.6 ± 13.6 months. In a logistic regression model, abstract conversion was inversely associated with increasing postgraduate year (odds ratio = 0.56, 95% CI: 0.36-0.85, p = 0.007) and directly associated with primary investigator academic rank (odds ratio = 3.3, 95% CI: 1.1-10.5, p = 0.047). Conclusions The conversion rate of abstracts to published articles from an intramural resident research day is >50% and is associated with increased time until graduation and primary investigator academic rank. These results suggest that research exposure early in surgical training and experienced mentorship are key elements to successful education in surgical research.
Malignant renal tumors in children

Renal malignancies are common in children. While the majority of malignant renal masses are secondary to Wilms tumor, it can be challenging to distinguish from more aggressive renal masses. For suspicious renal lesions, it is crucial to ensure prompt diagnosis in order to select the appropriate surgical procedure and treatment. This review article will discuss the common differential diagnosis that can be encountered when evaluating a suspicious renal mass in the pediatric population. This includes clear cell sarcoma of the kidney, malignant rhabdoid tumor, renal medullary carcinoma and lymphoma.
The rate of oxygen utilization by cells.

The discovery of oxygen is considered by some to be the most important scientific discovery of all time--from both physical-chemical/astrophysics and biology/evolution viewpoints. One of the major developments during evolution is the ability to capture dioxygen in the environment and deliver it to each cell in the multicellular, complex mammalian body-on demand, i.e., just in time. Humans use oxygen to extract approximately 2550 calories (10.4 MJ) from food to meet daily energy requirements. This combustion requires about 22 mol of dioxygen per day, or 2.5×10(-4) mol s(-1). This is an average rate of oxygen utilization of 2.5×10(-18) mol cell(-1) s(-1), i.e., 2.5 amol cell(-1) s(-1). Cells have a wide range of oxygen utilization, depending on cell type, function, and biological status. Measured rates of oxygen utilization by mammalian cells in culture range from 350 amol cell(-1) s(-1). There is a loose positive linear correlation of the rate of oxygen consumption by mammalian cells in culture with cell volume and cell protein. The use of oxygen by cells and tissues is an essential aspect of the basic redox biology of cells and tissues. This type of quantitative information is fundamental to investigations in quantitative redox biology, especially redox systems biology.
Displacement-clamp measurement of the forces exerted by gating springs in the hair bundle.

Abstract Mechanical stimuli applied to the hair bundle of a hair cell are communicated to the transduction channels by gating springs, elastic elements that are stretched when the bundle is displaced toward its tall edge. To quantify the magnitude and time dependence of the forces exerted by gating springs, we have developed a displacement-clamp system that constrains a bundle's motion while measuring the forces that the bundle produces during adaptation to mechanical stimuli, in response to channel blockage, and upon destruction of the gating springs. Our results suggest that each gating spring exerts a tension of approximately 8 pN in the resting bundle and can sustain at least 4-13 pN of additional tension. The experiments provide further evidence that the gating springs account for at least one-third of the hair bundle's dynamic stiffness and that a force of approximately 100 fN is sufficient to open a single transduction channel.
Chinese Families of Children with Severe Disabilities: Family Needs and Available Support.

This descriptive study gathered quantitative and qualitative data about 368 families in the People's Republic of China who had children with severe disabilities to better understand (a) the perceiv...
Anthropology and race, then and now : Commentary on K. Visweswaran, Race and the culture of anthropology

Freeman, Derek 1983 Margaret Mead and Samoa: The Making and Unmaking of an Anthropological Myth. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press. 1995 Margaret Mead and the Heretic. Australia: Penguin Books. 1999 The Fateful Hoaxing of Margaret Mead: A Historical Analysis of Her Samoan Research. Boulder, CO: Westview Press. Kramer, Augustin 1902 The Samoa Islands, vols 1 and 2. T. Verhaaren, trans. Honolulu: University of Hawaii Press. Meleisea, Malama 1987 Lagaga: A ShortHistory of Western Samoa. Suva, Fiji: Institute Pacific Studies. Orans, Martin 1996 Not Even Wrong: Margaret Mead, Derek Freeman, and the Samoans. Novato, CA: Chandler and Sharp. Shankman, Paul 1996 The History of Samoan Sexual Conduct and the Mead-Freeman Controversy. American Anthropologist 98(3):555-567. 1998 Margaret Mead, Derek Freeman, and the Issue of Evolution. Skeptical Inquirer 22(6):35-39.
The Cattle Grub Problem in Arizona. I. Timing of Adult Activity of the Common Cattle Grub

Cooperative studies were conducted at 9 Arizona ranches at various elevations to determine the species of cattle grubs ( Hypoderma ) in native cattle and to formulate the earliest possible systemic treatment date. The end of common cattle grub (heel fly), Hypoderma lineatum (de Villers), activity (fly-free date) at the various elevations was determined by observing the date of last grub emergence and calculating the probable duration of the pupal period for these last grubs based on local temperature records. These calculated H. lineatum adult-free dates were tested by systemic insecticide treatment at that date and by observations on calves with known birth dates. The only species encountered was H. lineatum . The calculated fly-free dates ranged from April 1 at 280 feet to May 23 at 6500 feet altitude. These dates are not strictly correlated with elevation. However, the overall trend is for the date to become later with increasing elevation. The recommended treatment dates are 20 days later than the fly-free date of the minimum and maximum elevations studied. The low grub counts obtained below 1700 feet indicate that treatment of native cattle is not economically justified in these areas. The results may be applied to other regions where northern cattle grub, H. bovis (L.) does not occur in native cattle.
Cerebrospinal fluid and Serum creatine kinase BB activity after out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest

In patients resuscitated from out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, neurologic outcome was compared with creatine kinase isoen-zyme BB activity (CKBB) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in 20 patients and in serum in 52 patients. CSF CKBB was 2 units Der liter or less in patients with complete neurologic recovery but was significantly elevated in patients without neurologic recovery (mean, 55 units per liter) or with incomplete neurologic recovery (mean, 7 units per liter). Serum CKBB was detected more than 6 hours after cardiac arrest in only 4% of patients with complete neurologic recovery but in all patients without neurologic recovery. These results demonstrate a relationship between CSF and serum CKBB and neurologic outcome after cardiac arrest.
Effect of bend radius on magnitude and location of erosion in S-bend

Solid particle erosion is a mechanical process that removes material by the impact of solid particles entrained in the flow. Erosion is a leading cause of failure of oil and gas pipelines and fittings in fluid handling industries. Different approaches have been used to control or minimize damage caused by erosion in particulated gas-solid or liquid-solid flows. S-bend geometry is widely used in different fluid handling equipment that may be susceptible to erosion damage.The results of a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) simulation of diluted gas-solid and liquid-solid flows in an S-bend are presented in this paper. In addition to particle impact velocity, the bend radius may have significant influence on the magnitude and the location of erosion. CFD analysis was performed at three different air velocities (15.24m/s-45.72 m/s) and three different water velocities (0.1 m/s-10 m/s) with entrained solid particles. The particle sizes used in the analysis range between 50 and 300 microns. Maximum erosion was observed in water with 10m/s, 250- micron particle size, and a ratio of 3.5.The location of maximum erosion was observed in water with 10m/s, 300-micron particle size, and a ratio of 3.5. Comparison of CFD results with available literature data showed reasonable and good agreement.
Electrical resistivity of some niobium A15 compounds

Abstract The temperature dependence of the resistivity ϱ ( T ) is reported for the range 4–950 K for the high- T c compounds Nb 3 Au, Nb 3 Ga, Nb 3 Ge and Nb 3 Al 0.8 Ge 0.2 . A T 2 behaviour is found below 70 K and a tendency towards saturation is seen at higher temperatures. The results in the higher range are described well by the shunt-resistor model. Two possible microscopic explanations of this behaviour are considered: the breakdown of Bloch-Boltzmann theory, and a “forward jump” current due to inherent time delay during the electron-ion scattering.
With All the Means that Prudence Would Suggest: "Procedural Culture and the Writing of Cultural Histories of Power about 19th‐century Mesoamerica

Current conceptions that treat hegemony as the virtual condition of political struggle rather than the actual exercise of power confuse the term with culture, favor disembodied discourses over meanings actually convey ed, and risk over-generalizing domination and resistance into inescapable imperatives of state power and individual agency. These problems become particularly acute when historians and anthropologists seek to write cultural histories from below drawn from historical sources written largely from above An approach centered on "procedural cultures" that views hegemony as culturalized ideology and culture as contingent understandings embedded in ongoing dialogues both within and across boundaries of difference might serve better than hegemony in discerning meaning, power. and agency in otherwise culturally opaque historical sources. Administrative records from late 19th-century western Guatemala exemplify such a procedural culture and how it may help us read historical documents for the everyday cultural others we seek in the past
Hepatic function and drug pharmacokinetics after total body irradiation plus bone marrow transplant

Abstract Radiation nephritis is the principle late toxicity seen after total body irradiation in barrier-maintained rats when hematologic toxicity is prevented by bone marrow transplantation. Renal dysfunction is observed for single doses as low as 7.5 Gy. Hepatic blood flow, as measured by indocyanine green clearance, is decreased after 8.5–9.5 Gy single-dose total body irradiation. Serum albumin levels are decreased after 9.5 Gy single-dose total body irradiation. Hypoalbuminemia is a symptom of hepatic damage, but can also be caused by renal damage or edema. No decrease in total serum protein is observed, indicating that proteinuria resulting from renal damage is not the cause of hypoalbuminemia. No edema and some dehydration are observed. These data indicate that hepatic damage as well as renal damage may be occurring after total body irradiation plus bone marrow transplantation. Animals given total body irradiation plus bone marrow transplantation show decreased tolerance to a wide variety of immunosuppressive and cytotoxic drugs, even when these drugs are given months after total body irradiation. Altered drug clearance after total body irradiation plus bone marrow transplantation is observed for cis-platinum, vincristine, and adriamycin. The increase in cis-platinum toxicity after total body irradiation plus bone marrow transplantation is caused by decreased renal drug clearance. The decrease in vincristine tolerance and the alterations in adriamycin and vincristine pharmacokinetics are caused by altered drug distribution after total body irradiation plus bone marrow transplantation. These results indicate that bone marrow transplant survivors may show altered clearance of, and decreased tolerance to, a wide variety of drugs that are used after bone marrow transplantation.
Polymer matrix degradation and color formation in melt processed nylon 6/clay nanocomposites

Abstract Nylon 6 nanocomposites based on various quaternary alkyl ammonium organoclays were prepared by melt processing using a twin screw extruder. Dilute solution viscosity techniques were used to evaluate the level of polymer molecular weight degradation experienced during nanocomposite compounding; whereas colorimeter techniques were used to document color formation. In general, a significant reduction in nylon 6 matrix molecular weight was observed, which is believed to stem, in part, from reaction(s) between the surfactant of the organoclay and the polyamide chains. The level of degradation depends on both the type of nylon 6 material used and the surfactant chemistry in the organoclay. For a given organoclay, nanocomposites based on high molecular weight nylon 6 materials experience more matrix degradation, as well as color formation, than those based on low molecular weight materials; this is believed to arise from increased exposure of the organoclay surface to the nylon 6 owing to increased platelet exfoliation. Different organoclays lead to different levels of polymer degradation and color formation, depending upon the level of unsaturation present in the organic surfactant; the higher the number of double bonds the greater the degradation and the deeper the color formation. The primary mechanism of degradation is believed to be thermo-oxidative. Melt mixing of nylon 6 with model compounds, long-chain alkenes, shows that the same mode of degradation i.e. via double bonds can be replicated. In addition to unsaturation effects, the presence of hydroxyl–ethyl groups, opposed to methyl groups, in the organoclay surfactant, results in more color. Isothermal thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted on the organoclays to determine if thermal stability was a cause of molecular weight degradation; although, this relationship does not seem to exist, a direction correlation is observed between the organoclay degradation and nanocomposite modulus, or indirectly level of exfoliation. Use of antioxidant was found to reduce the amount of molecular weight loss. All evidence suggests that morphology and physical properties of nanocomposites formed from nylon 6 are not measurably affected by the reactions that lead to molecular weight degradation or color formation.
Calling, student values, and the importance of mindfulness and moral purpose in learning by Kyle McPherson, Michigan State University.

Kyle McPherson is an Environmental Studies and Applications sophomore at Michigan State University, where he is a participant in the Bailey Scholars Program at MSU. He spoke to the 2005 Institute on College Student Values.
Immunity to melanoma in mice immunized with transfected allogeneic mouse fibroblasts expressing melanoma-associated antigens.

Transfection of genomic DNA from B16 mouse melanoma into LM(TK−) fibroblasts led to the generation of several clones of transfected cells that strongly expressed B 16 melanoma-associated antigens (MAA). The transfected cells retained their H-2k markers and served as allogeneic cells with expressive MAA in C57BL/6 mice, syngeneic with the melanoma. The cells were capable of eliciting primary anti-B16 immune responses in vitro in spleen cells from C57BL/6 mice. Immunization of C57BL/6 mice with the transfected cells led to the generation of anti-B16 cytotoxic activity in spleen cells, and C57BL/6 mice immunized with the MAA-positive transfected cells were partially resistant to a lethal challenge with B16 melanoma cells. Under similar conditions, B16 cells were nonimmunogenic. Therefore, transfected allogeneic LM(TK−) fibroblast cells expressing MAA served as more potent anti-melanoma immunogens than the parental B16 tumor cells themselves.
Evaluation of scientific impact: insights and incites

success in scientific research requires an unreasonable willingness to work hard under often frustrating circumstances, particularly when results are elusive and funding is scarce. The appeal of being recognized for one's achievements can thus provide powerful motivation to keep going in the
Multivessel off-pump revascularization in octogenarians: early and midterm outcomes.

Background. Octogenarians are increasingly being referred for coronary artery revascularization. However, the prevalence of comorbid events and the propensity for neurologic dysfunction place octogenarians at higher risk for cardiopulmonary bypass–induced morbidity and mortality. Therefore, octogenarian patients represent a particularly attractive target for application of off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Methods. From January 1999 to August 2001, 113 octogenarians had off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting. Their data were prospectively entered into the cardiac surgery database and analyzed retrospectively. Follow-up information was obtained through telephone survey. Results. The mean age of the patients was 83 2.5 years, and the mean number of grafts per patient was 3.3 1. The most prevalent postoperative complication was atrial fibrillation (43%). Postoperative neurologic complications were seen in 5 patients (4%). There was one postoperative death (30-day mortality rate, 0.9%). The mean follow-up was 13.2 7 months and was complete for 90% of the patients. At the time of telephone survey, 85 (87%) of 98 patients were free from angina, and 91 (88%) were free from cardiac-related readmission. There were three late deaths. The majority of octogenarians (66%) reported that in retrospect, they would have the operation again. Conclusions. Off-pump multivessel revascularization in octogenarians is associated with excellent early and intermediate outcomes and provides a satisfactory quality of life.
Load-Sharing Core Switches Based on Block Designs

Designs for load-sharing zero-noise core switches have been proposed by Constantine, Marcus, and Chien. Blachman class has proposed a core memory wiring plan which with modification can be converted to a load-sharing zero-noise switch. An examination of these switch plans shows that they have a common relationship to a class of mathematical structures known to mathematicians and statisticians as balanced incomplete block designs. This relationship is formulated, and it is then shown that all balanced incomplete block designs lead to load-sharing zero-noise switches. Three methods of forming the winding matrix for a switch are given, and expressions for the load-sharing factor, set bias, and reset bias in terms of the balanced incomplete block design parameters are derived for each switch type. Similarly, partially balanced incomplete block designs are shown to lead to low-noise load-sharing switches. Switch operation under fault conditions is briefly discussed. Most of the known load-sharing core switch types can be viewed as based on either balanced or partially balanced incomplete block designs. A review of the available block designs indicates that a number of new switches can be based on these designs. A modification of a distributed memory model proposed by C. Rosen is discussed. With wiring plans based on block designs, it appears possible to construct very-large-capacity memory units which are relatively insensitive to wiring errors.
Furosemide acutely decreases airways resistance in chronic bronchopulmonary dysplasia

We studied the effects of furosemide on pulmonary mechanics in 10 infants with bronchopulmonarydysplasia aged 41±1 (SE) weeks post-conception, gestational age at birth 30±1 wk, birth weight 1370±200 gm. Thoracic gas volume, airways resistance, and specific airway conductance were measured in an infant body pressure plethysmograph during quiet breathing. Dynamic pulmonary compliance was measured using an esophageal balloon. Infants with BPD had greater Raw, lower SGaw, and lower Cdyn than did 16 normal control infants. Within one hour after administration of furosemide 1 mg/kg IV to infants with BPD, Raw fell 36±13%, SGaw increased 84±22%, and Cdyn increased 54±13%; TGV did not change. Diuretic treatment of BPD in infants is associated with rapid, short-term improvement in Raw and Cdyn.
Insights into the solution structure of human deoxyhemoglobin in the absence and presence of an allosteric effector.

We present a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study in solution of the structures of human normal hemoglobin (Hb A) in the deoxy or unligated form in the absence and presence of an allosteric effector, inositol hexaphosphate (IHP), using 15N−1H residual dipolar coupling (RDC) measurements. There are several published crystal structures for deoxyhemoglobin A (deoxy-Hb A), and it has been reported that the functional properties of Hb A in single crystals are different from those in solution. Carbonmonoxyhemoglobin A (HbCO A) can also be crystallized in several structures. Our recent RDC studies of HbCO A in the absence and presence of IHP have shown that the solution structure of this Hb molecule is distinctly different from its classical crystal structures (R and R2). To have a better understanding of the structure−function relationship of Hb A under physiological conditions, we need to evaluate its structures in both ligated and unligated states in solution. Here, the intrinsic paramagnetic property of de...
Action-Video-Game Experience Alters the Spatial Resolution of Vision:

Playing action video games enhances several different aspects of visual processing; however, the mechanisms underlying this improvement remain unclear. Here we show that playing action video games can alter fundamental characteristics of the visual system, such as the spatial resolution of visual processing across the visual field. To determine the spatial resolution of visual processing, we measured the smallest distance a distractor could be from a target without compromising target identification. This approach exploits the fact that visual processing is hindered as distractors are brought close to the target, a phenomenon known as crowding. Compared with nonplayers, action-video-game players could tolerate smaller target-distractor distances. Thus, the spatial resolution of visual processing is enhanced in this population. Critically, similar effects were observed in non-video-game players who were trained on an action video game; this result verifies a causative relationship between video-game play and augmented spatial resolution.
Environmental influences on hovering behavior of Tabanus nigrovittatus and T. conterminus (Diptera: Tabanidae)

Hovering aggregations of male salt marsh greenheads Tabanus nigrovittatusand the sibling species T. conterminuswere observed on marshes in southern New Jersey. T. nigrovittatusmales hovered over expanses of short marsh grasses, while T. conterminushovered over tidal creeks and near other prominent landmarks. T. nigrovittatusexhibited two distinct daily hovering periods. The timing of these periods varied daily but showed a strong negative correlation with ambient temperature. A principal-components analysis identified a combination of ambient temperature, black-body temperature, and light intensity as most predictive of hovering onset. T. conterminushovered during a time period which was generally intermediate to the two hovering periods of T. nigrovittatus.Temporal partitioning of hovering “windows” may represent a premating isolating mechanism.
Surgical advances in liver and bowel transplantation

Liver and intestinal transplantation are currently the treatments of choice for life-threatening hepatic and gastrointestinal failure. These technologies have evolved through contributions from the fields of immunology, anatomy, physiology, surgery, anesthesiology, critical care, ethics, epidemiology, and public health. Transplantation now accounts for the treatment of over 5,000 recipients per year who are in a state of organ failure. The available donor population, however, is not increasing to meet the demands of the faster growing recipient population. This discrepancy has led to the rapid development of novel strategies that require critical evaluation to build on the success rates in recent years. This article presents the most salient advances in liver and intestinal transplantation in the last 15 years.
Ureteral strictures and fistulae following radical hysterectomy

Three hundred patients have undergone radical hysterectomy and pelvic node dissection at The University of Alabama in Birmingham (UAB). Uretero-vaginal fistulae occurred in four (1.3%). None of these were associated with recurrent carcinoma. Two occurred because of intraoperative trauma and two were unexplained. Ureteral strictures occurred in 13 (4.3%). Three were early (within 3 months) and were due to benign causes. Ten were late (after 3 months) and were due to recurrent cancer. Thirty-two patients received whole pelvis radiation therapy for positive pelvic nodes or positive margins. None of these developed uretero-vaginal fistulae. Two developed ureteral obstruction and recurrent cancer was the etiology. Four patients received postoperative vaginal ovoids for positive vaginal margins. None developed a fistulae, but two developed ureteral obstruction secondary to recurrent cancer. Two patients received both whole pelvis and vaginal ovoid irradiation. No fistulae occurred, but one developed ureteral obstruction from recurrent cancer. Recurrent cancer causing ureteral obstruction was a serious finding as only 2 of 10 patients have been salvaged.
7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene induces oxidative DNA modification in vivo.

Initiation and promotion are major stages in the multistage carcinogenesis process. Formation of initiating carcinogen-DNA base adducts leads to heritable genetic changes, but the tumor-promoting events induced by complete carcinogens have not, as yet, been elucidated. Oxidant production and oxidative DNA damage induced by phorbol esters (i.e., 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate) are associated with tumor promotion, while antioxidants and inhibitors of oxidative DNA damage suppress promotion and carcinogenesis. Our goal was to establish whether a carcinogen that requires oxidative metabolism for its activity can also induce oxidant production and DNA base oxidation. We found that topical treatment of SENCAR mice with 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene, which induces tumors in 40-50% of the mice, also causes hydrogen peroxide production and formation of oxidized bases (i.e., 8-hydroxyl-2'-deoxyguanosine and 5-hydroxymethyl-2'-deoxyuridine) in epidermal DNA. The levels of oxidized bases were of comparable magnitude to those mediated by the potent tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate. The oxidized bases persisted over several weeks in epidermal DNA. These oxidative events appear to be temporally associated with inflammatory responses that include edema and polymorphonuclear leukocyte infiltration, which remained elevated over longer periods of time and at higher levels than those induced by phorbol ester. Because these processes are usually associated with tumor promotion, our results support the conjecture that oxidative events may be involved in what is operationally referred to as the tumor promotion process by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene.
B-Type Natriuretic Peptides and the Promise of Improved Cardiovascular Risk Prediction

Since the discovery of the natriuretic peptides in the 1980s and their subsequent introduction into clinical laboratory testing in the 2000s, assays of B-type natriuretic peptides (BNPs)1 have gained widespread acceptance as important tools for diagnosis and risk stratification in the acute-care setting. Tests for natriuretic peptides accurately diagnose heart failure in patients presenting to emergency rooms with dyspnea (1)(2) and stratify risk in patients presenting with unstable angina or acute myocardial infarction. In some studies of stable patients, natriuretic peptides have shown strong associations with cardiovascular events, raising the possibility that their use as a screening tool in asymptomatic patients may help clinicians prevent heart attack and stroke. Such a finding would have enormous public health implications and would likely lead to a vast expansion in the use of these diagnostic markers and a shift from the acute-care setting to the outpatient clinic. Therefore, what we do and do not know about natriuretic peptides as predictors of cardiovascular events in stable patients is of considerable interest to clinicians, clinical chemists, and the manufacturers and marketers of the diagnostic tests. To address these issues and to make comparing studies more straightforward, Di Angelantonio and colleagues systematically assessed the relationship between natriuretic peptide concentrations and cardiovascular events in studies of populations that represented a wide range of baseline cardiovascular risk (3). Their recently published metaanalysis is the subject of this perspective. Di Angelantonio and colleagues analyzed results from 40 studies that included 87 474 participants and 10 625 cardiovascular events. Of these events, the largest number (n = 7314) was observed in populations with preexisting cardiovascular disease (CVD); fewer events were observed among those with increased markers of CVD risk (n = 2040) and among …
Learning in practice: A first-year early childhood music teacher navigates the complexities of teaching

The purpose of this qualitative study was to contribute to the conversation on novice music teacher learning in communities and teacher learning in practice. Data is extracted from a larger study that focused on collaborative conversations as a means of professional development and support for early childhood music teacher learning in a community music school setting. This study focuses on the experiences, perceptions, and evolving practice of one of those teachers, a first-year early childhood music teacher who was learning how to teach music in practice and within a teacher learning community. Emerging themes included: structures and frameworks (processes and tools), building community (within classes and with children and colleagues), and collaboration (support, perspectives, validation, and vision). Implications are discussed and linked to suggestions for research to supplement current professional development practices in early childhood music education.
Normal appearance and size of the diaphragmatic crura in children: CT evaluation

Purpose. The objectives of the study were to document the normal CT appearance and size of the crura of the diaphragm in children.Materials and methods. The CT scans of 80 children (0–15 years) were reviewed. The children were divided into eight age groups. The maximal transverse diameters of the right and left crura were measured. They were normalized by comparison with the transverse and anteriorposterior diameters of the 12th thoracic vertebra (T12) and the transverse abdominal diameter at T12. The crura were also evaluated as to whether their contour was smooth or nodular.
Testing homogeneity in discrete mixtures

This paper introduces W-tests for assessing homogeneity in mixtures of discrete probability distributions. A W-test statistic depends on the data solely through parameter estimators and, if a penalized maximum likelihood estimation framework is used, has a tractable asymptotic distribution under the null hypothesis of homogeneity. The large-sample critical values are quantiles of a chi-square distribution multiplied by an estimable constant for which we provide an explicit formula. In particular, the estimation of large-sample critical values does not involve simulation experiments or random field theory. We demonstrate that W-tests are generally competitive with a benchmark test in terms of power to detect heterogeneity. Moreover, in many situations, the large-sample critical values can be used even with small to moderate sample sizes. The main implementation issue (selection of an underlying measure) is thoroughly addressed, and we explain why W-tests are well-suited to problems involving large and online data sets. Application of a W-test is illustrated with an epidemiological data set.
The Type A city: coronary heart disease and the pace of life.

The relationship between the pace of life and coronary heart disease (CHD) was examined in a total of 36 small, medium, and large metropolitan areas across the United States. Four indicators of pace were observed: walking speed, articulation rate (talking speed), bank teller speed (work speed), and the proportion of individuals wearing watches (concern with clock time). Pace of life was strongly related to death rates from coronary heart disease both across cities and across regions of the country. This provides support, on a sociological level, for Wright's (1988) contention that time urgency is a toxic element of the Type A behavior pattern. It is proposed that individuals living in fast-paced cities may be more prone to unhealthy behaviors (e.g., cigarette smoking), which place them at a greater risk for CHD. The relationship among cities' temporal norms, Type A time urgency, and coronary heart disease is also discussed.
Lin28 recruits the TUTase Zcchc11 to inhibit let-7 maturation in mouse embryonic stem cells

Lin28 and Lin28B, two developmentally regulated RNA-binding proteins and likely proto-oncogenes, selectively inhibit the maturation of let-7 family microRNAs (miRNAs) in embryonic stem cells and certain cancer cell lines. Moreover, let-7 precursors (pre-let-7) were previously found to be terminally uridylated in a Lin28-dependent fashion. Here we identify Zcchc11 (zinc finger, CCHC domain containing 11) as the 3' terminal uridylyl transferase (TUTase) responsible for Lin28-mediated pre-let-7 uridylation and subsequent blockade of let-7 processing in mouse embryonic stem cells. We demonstrate that Zcchc11 activity is UTP-dependent, selective for let-7 and recruited by Lin28. Furthermore, knockdown of either Zcchc11 or Lin28, or overexpression of a catalytically inactive TUTase, relieves the selective inhibition of let-7 processing and leads to the accumulation of mature let-7 miRNAs and repression of let-7 target reporter genes. Our results establish a role for Zcchc11-catalyzed pre-let-7 uridylation in the control of miRNA biogenesis.
One- and Two-Photon Spectra of Platinum Acetylide Chromophores: A TDDFT Study

We report one- (OPA) and two-photon absorption (TPA) excitation energies and cross-sections for a series of platinum acetylides using time-dependent density functional theory. Because of the facile rotations of the trimethylphosphinyl and phenylene groups, we apply a Boltzmann-weighted average over thermally accessible conformations to obtain the final spectra, resulting in better agreement with experimental observations. We examine various basis sets and functionals to evaluate their performance in the gas-phase and in solution. Effects of donor and acceptor groups on the OPA and TPA resonances and intensities are also discussed.
Biological vapor‐phase treatment using biofilter and biotrickling filter reactors: Practical operating regimes

The biological treatment of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and air toxics has received increased attention in recent years. Biotreatment of airborne contaminants offers an inexpensive alternative to conventional air treatment technologies such as carbon adsorption and incineration. Most biological air treatment technologies commercially available are fixed-film systems that rely on growth of a biofilm layer on an inert organic support such as compost or peat (biofilters), or an inorganic support such as ceramic or plastic (biotrickling filters). If designed properly, these systems combine the advantages of high biomass concentration with high specific surface area for mass transfer. At economically viable vapor residence times (1 to 1.5 minutes), biofilters can be used for treating vapor streams containing up to approximately 1500 [mu]g/L of readily biodegradable compounds. Biotrickling filters may offer greater performance than biofilters at high contaminant loadings, possibly due to higher internal biomass concentrations. Both systems are best suited for treating vapor streams containing one or two major compounds. If designed properly, biofilters are especially well suited for treating streams that vary in concentration from minute to minute. 11 refs., 8 figs.
Vancomycin : Conformational consequences of the sugar substituent

High-resolution, three-dimensional structures of vancomycin and aglyco-vancomycin in DMSO were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance, metric matrix distance geometry, and molecular dynamics calculations. Conformational flexibility fast on the NMR time scale was examined by ensemble-based calculations which apply the experimentally derived restraints as an ensemble average. Two families of conformations of vancomycin, differing in the positioning of the vancosamine substituent, were observed. In contrast, the aglyco-vancomycin adopts only one conformation in solution. The conformations of vancomycin and the aglyco-vancomycin differ in the alignment of the amide protons which participate in the hydrogen-bonding network with the cell-wall precursor and orientation of the aromatic rings relative to the backbone. Therefore, the high-resolution structural characterization provides insight into a possible role of glycosylation on the activity of this important family of antibiotics.
Pathophysiology of cardiac failure

The pathophysiologic cycle of heart failure is initiated by myocardial failure that accompanies a reduction in myocardial contractility secondary to ischemic or myopathic heart disease. Reduction in cardiac output and oxygen delivery to the tissues is followed by vasoconstriction that raises systemic vascular resistance to preserve systemic arterial pressure while maintaining regional O2 availability. As a consequence, however, impedance to left ventricular ejection is increased, creating an additional hemodynamic burden for the failing heart. A vicious cycle ensues. Hemodynamic features of acute cardiac failure include decreases in cardiac output and mixed venous O2 saturation, together with increases in left ventricular filling pressure and systemic resistance. If hypotension is present with failure, there is a markedly decreased cardiac output or an inappropriate increase in systemic resistance. If acidosis is also present with hypotension and failure, cardiac output is severely decreased and lactic acid is increased. A major objective of medical therapy in acute heart failure is to enhance ventricular emptying, thereby increasing cardiac output and O2 delivery while decreasing left ventricular filling pressure, pulmonary venous pressure and vascular resistance. Potent intravenous drugs that have a positive inotropic effect on the myocardium, including amrinone and dobutamine, have been shown to increase ventricular emptying in patients with acute heart failure. Intravenous amrinone improves pump performance without adversely raising myocardial O2 consumption, thereby enhancing myocardial efficiency. These drugs also promote a degree of vasodilation through both direct and secondary effects on the systemic circulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)