cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predation and the distribution and abundance of tropical sea urchin populations

Nine species of herbivorous sea urchin commonly inhabit shallow-water coral reefs of the Indian Ocean. The abundance, distribution and diversity of these species were studied in seven reef lagoons over a 7-year period to determine the factors that control population variation in time and space and the role that predation plays in their ecology at a scale ≥0.1 hectare. Field studies of predation included experimentally tethering sea urchins (Predation Index), visual transects of fish to estimate the predator biomass and line transects of reef substrate rugosity (bottom contour complexity) which allowed for five possible measures of the hypothesized limiting resource — refuge from predators. The amount of refuge was used to predict the abundance of individual species of sea urchin, species richness and diversity. It was predicted from pervious manipulative species interaction studies that the top competitor in the guild (Echinometra mathaei (de Blainville)) would be directly and closely controlled by predation because competitive dominance may often reflect an evolutionary and energetic trade-off with predator susceptibility and, therefore, E. mathaei abundance would decrease either linearly or logarithmically with measures of predation. Competitively-subordinate species were predicted to have unimodal (“hump-shaped”) abundance relationships with refuge because these species should make an evolutionary trade-off between increased predator resistance and decreased competitive ability. Spatial and temporal variation in wet-weight estimates was high for all species except the numerical and competitive dominant, E. mathaei, and for all species combined. Spatial variation in species abundance was highest under conditions of high predation and low species dominance and decreased as the total wet weight of urchins increased and the competitive dominant occupied resources. The most common subordinate species frequently exhibited the predicted unimodal relationships with the best measure of refuge from predation but variation was high and the best-fit second-order polynomials predicted less than 55% of the variation in sea urchin biomass. There was evidence for partitioning of the spatial refuge resource among species particularly for E. mathaei (de Blainville), Tripneustes gratillaLinn. and Diadema setosum Leske at the low to intermediate levels of predation. There was, however, a large overlap in the peak abundance of Diadema savignyi (Michelin), Echinothrix diademaLinn., Toxopneustes pileolusLam. and Stomopneustes variolarisLam. at the highest levels of predation. Nonetheless, the partitioning of refuge among many species occurs more at the smaller scale of reef crevices (<10 m2) than at the larger scale of ∼0.1 hectare sites or whole sections of reef. Diversity and number of species, however, were strongly associated with measures of refuge and exhibited unimodal curves.
Project highlights: multiple agency and jurisdiction organized response (M.A.J.O.R.) disaster research (NSF award # 428216)

This paper gives recent accomplishments of the MAJOR (Multiple Agency and Jurisdiction Organized Response) Disaster Management Project (NSF #428216), including publications, model development, and field research findings.
Partial Nephrectomy for Small Renal Masses: An Emerging Quality of Care Concern?

Purpose: The recent popularization of laparoscopic radical nephrectomy may beget underuse of partial nephrectomy. To evaluate this concern we used the SEER registry to characterize national practice patterns for the surgical management of small renal masses.Materials and Methods: Between 1988 and 2001, 14,647 patients with primary tumor size 7 cm or less were treated surgically for locoregional kidney cancer. The proportion of patients treated with PN was determined and stratified by year of diagnosis and tumor size. Multivariate models were developed to identify independent determinants of PN use and overall survival following surgical treatment of kidney cancer.Results: Overall 1,401 patients (9.6%) were treated with PN vs 13,246 (90.4%) who underwent total nephrectomy. For tumors 7 cm or less, the use of PN increased progressively between 1988 (4.6%) and 2001 (17.6%, p <0.001). Despite this trend PN remained fairly uncommon even for the smallest renal masses. Among patients with tumors less than 2 cm, ...
Direct synthesis of oxygen‐15 labelled water at high specific activities

Oxygen-15 labelled water has been prepared at high specific activities (> 100 mCi/ml) by nuclear recoil techniques available for use after 1 min from EOB. Radiogenic oxygen-15 atoms generated in a cyclotron by the 14N(d, n)15O reaction, are allowed to react directly with molecular hydrogen in the gas phase to produce labelled “carrier-free” H215O which can be used for biomedical purposes.
Retinoic acid alters the keratinization of cultured rat sublingual keratinocytes in vitro

A multilayered, continuously proliferating keratinocyte cell culture has been produced from rat sublingual epithelium. The rate of growth of the cultures was stable throughout long-term culture. Retinoic acid (3.3 μM) inhibited the keratinization of these cultures. Morphological changes included total loss of tonofilaments within 7 days, decrease in desmosomes, an increase in intercellular spaces, absence of thickened plasma membranes, and elongated and more numerous cytoplasmic projections. Exposure to retinoic acid (3.3 μM) for 33 days did not affect the growth rates of the cultures, as estimated from the protein and DNA content per flask. Retinoic acid (3.3 μM) reduced the polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis protein profile within 3 days of treatment and produced reductions in the incorporation of amino acids into keratins of molecular weights 62,000 and 60,000 within 24 h. All five keratin polypeptides showed a reduced incorporation rate after treatment for 3 days. This inhibition was reversible. Protein synthesis of nonkeratins was not detectably affected by retinoid treatment.
Depression Among Adolescent Mothers Enrolled in a High School Parenting Program

Depressive symptoms in adolescent mothers have been associated with a variety of negative outcomes for both the adolescent mother and her child. The purpose of this article is to describe the dimensions of the Beck Depression Inventory®-II and to provide a discussion of how depression may appear in adolescent mothers. This descriptive study involved 45 adolescent mothers in a high school-based parent support program. The average score on the depression inventory for the adolescent mothers was 12.27 (SD = 8.57). One third (n = 15) of the adolescent mothers displayed depressive symptoms. All of the adolescent mothers reported experiencing increased symptoms related to loss of energy, changes in sleep patterns, changes in appetite, and tiredness/fatigue. It is important for nurses working with adolescent mothers to understand that what may be perceived as a normal adaptation to motherhood may in fact be a deeper emotional issue such as depression.
Modularized ion thruster development

A family of mercury ion thruster modules has been developed which extends the basic design of the Hughes-developed 1-mlb Engineering Model Thruster to accommodate the extended thrust range from 0.5 mlb to 4 mlb. In the subject program, separate Discharge Chamber Modules (DCM's) have been optimized for operation at nominal thrust levels T = 0.5 mlb and 2 mlb; DCM optimization is continuing at thrust level T = 4 mlb. Performance optimization required modification of the beam-extraction system and of discharge-chamber components; however, the cathodes and mechanical structure are unchanged from the Engineering Model design. Performance data on the optimized modules are given.
Anti-apoptotic proteins are oxidized by Aβ25–35 in Alzheimer's fibroblasts

Abstract We have examined the effects of the beta-amyloid peptide (Aβ 25–35 ) on fibroblasts derived from subjects with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and from age-matched controls. The peptide was significantly more cytotoxic to the AD-derived fibroblasts. The level of protein oxidation was also greater in the cells from AD subjects. Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) coupled with immunostaining for protein carbonylation revealed specific oxidation-sensitive proteins (OSPs) in both the control and AD-derived cells. Two specific OSPs were identified by mass spectrometry as heat shock protein 60 (HSP 60) and vimentin. Exposure of the cells to Aβ 25–35 resulted in a twofold increase in the level of oxidation of these two OSPs in the cells derived from controls, but a ninefold increase in their level of oxidation in the fibroblasts from AD subjects. These observations are of particular interest because of the proposed anti-apoptotic roles of both HSP 60 and vimentin and our recent observation that these same two proteins are particularly susceptible to oxidation in neuronally derived cells.
Elution curves with double peaks in mixed convection horizontal flows

Etude experimentale du domaine des parametres pour lesquels on observe des pics doubles dans les courbes d'elution en ecoulement laminaire dans des tubes capillaires horizontaux
Diagnosis and localization of bronchopulmonary air leaks using ventilation scintigraphy

Study objectives To determine the usefulness of radioaerosol ventilation scans for the detection and localization of air leaks from the lungs or bronchial tree. Design Selected patients with suspected air leaks underwent ventilation scans. Retrospective analysis of data was carried out. Setting and patients Twenty-eight hospitalized patients were included in the study. Interventions Ventilation scintigraphy using 99mTc-DTPA (technetium aerosol) was carried out in patients with air leaks. Measurements and results Of the total group, there were 50% true-positive scans, 36% true-negative scans, and 14% false-negative scans giving a sensitivity of 78%, specificity of 100%, and accuracy of 86%. Conclusions 99mTc-DTPA ventilation scintigraphy is useful in some patients with air leaks from the lung or tracheobronchial tree and may help to guide surgical intervention should this become necessary.
Effect of IL-1beta and IL-6 on oxytocin secretion in human uterine smooth muscle cells.

Problem Infection-mediated preterm labor results in the production of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Oxytocin (OT) plays a key role in the process of labor. This study investigates the effect of IL-1beta and IL-6 on intra-and extracellular OT in human smooth muscle cells and evaluates IL-1beta induced changes in IL-6 production. Method of study Primary cultures of human myometrium, obtained from term pregnant women (n = 7) were incubated with either IL-1beta or IL-6 for 0-24 hr. Intra- and extracellular OT peptide concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay and IL-6 mRNA and protein were evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Both, IL-1beta and IL-6 led to an increase in OT secretion, which was accompanied by a reduction of the intracellular OT peptide pool. IL-1beta significantly induced IL-6 mRNA expression and protein secretion, which did not further enhance IL-1beta induced OT secretion. Conclusions The induction of OT secretion by proinflammatory cytokines in human myometrium in vitro, supports the concept of a thus regulated infection-triggered preterm labor process in vivo.
Body weight, body composition, and energy intake changes in breastfeeding mothers.

Body weight, body composition, and energy intake changes are described for 13 breastfeeding mothers followed for 18-24 months after delivery. Body weight was assessed at 1-6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months postpartum and 1 month after infant weaning, and energy intake was assessed at 2-6, 9, 12, 18, 24 months postpartum and 1 month after infant weaning. Compared to prepregnancy weight, participants were an average of 4.0 ± 6.6 kg heavier 18 months postpartum (p<0.05). The mean rate of weight loss from 1 month postpartum until termination of lactation was 0.32 ± 0.27 kg/month. Eight of the 12 women gained weight after weaning their infant. Percent body fat assessed by underwater weighing declined from 34.6 ± 2.8% at 1 month postpartum to 31.4 ± 4.8% at 1 month after infant weaning (p<0.05). Further research is needed to study the factors which affect weight loss postpartum, and how weight gain after weaning can be prevented.
Reproductive Performance of Force-Molted Turkey Breeder Hens

Abstract THE relatively short reproductive cycle of the domestic turkey makes it an economic necessity to devise techniques that would effectively enhance its reproductive potential. Accordingly, Albright and Thompson (1933) and Marsden (1936) showed that turkeys could be stimulated into egg production through the use of artificial lights. Since that time, considerable research has been directed toward the development of light management techniques for improving reproductive fitness in the turkey. Harper and Parker (1957) demonstrated that hens in egg production will generally cease production when subjected to photoperiods of short duration. Yearling hens restricted to 9 hours of light per day for 4 weeks and subsequently exposed to 17 hours of light per day, did not produce eggs at a satisfactory rate. More recently, interest has centered on the feasibility of forcemolting turkeys to obtain a second season of egg production (Moyer et al., 1966; Van Krey et al., 1967). The…
A framework for developing marked-based policies to further biodiversity on non-industrial private forests (NIPF)

Abstract With the increasing concerns for healthy forests and enhanced habitat for wildlife, private landowner involvement has become a critical component of biodiversity conservation in the US. Since biodiversity conservation is largely a public good, landowners have little incentive to promote it at their own cost. Strategies to develop socially optimal policies for biodiversity conservation should however consider three aspects—identifying forest practices that best promote habitat for a wide range of species at landscape level, estimating the costs associated with adoption of identified practices, and assessing the adoption potential of the identified practices among landowners. In this paper, we developed a framework to achieve these three tasks, applying an analytical hierarchy process, a dynamic optimization model, and an attribute based contingent valuation technique, respectively. The framework was applied to the context of enhancing habitat for biodiversity on private forests in Florida.
Associations Between School Perceptions and Tobacco Use in a Sample of Southern Middle School Students

Cigarettes are responsible for nearly 443,000 deaths per year in the United States. Eighty percent of adult smokers began smoking before the age of 18. In 2009, 17.2% of high school and 5.2% of middle school youths reported being a smoker. Research on school perceptions suggests that “engaged” students get more from school on all levels, including reduced health risk behaviors. The purpose of this study was to identify which school perceptions are protective against tobacco use in a sample of middle school youths. Results conclude that high levels of educational attachment are significantly associated with low levels of tobacco use.
Hepatic translation of apolipoprotein A-I mRNA is apparently enhanced in copper-deficient rats

Male weanling Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to Cu-deficient (0.6 mg Cu/kg diet) and Cu-adequate (6.0 mg Cu/kg diet) dietary treatments for 6 weeks. Liver post-mitochondrial cytoplasmic extracts were partitioned by centrifugation into polysomes, monosomes, and ribosomal subunits along a linear sucrose gradient. This gradient was further fractionated. The apolipoprotein (apo) A-I mRNA abundance among individual fractions and in the unfractionated cytoplasmic extract were determined by dot blot analysis. The abundance of cytoplasmic apo A-I mRNA was not different between treatments. However, Cu deficiency significantly shifted a portion of cytoplasmic apo A-I mRNA to the more active and larger size polysome fractions. During translation, an increase in the percentage of larger polysomes is indicative of an accelerated rate of initiation. The present data suggest that an enhanced hepatic apo A-I translation efficiency may have contributed to the observed increases in hepatic apo A-I synthesis and plasma apo A-I level in Cu-deficient rats found in previous studies.
Nitrogen influence on fresh-leaf NIR spectra

Abstract Simulations and measurements were used derive information on the form and strength of the nitrogen (N) “signal” in near-infrared (NIR) spectra of fresh leaves. Simulations across multiple species indicated that in total, protein absorption decreased NIR reflectance by up to 1.8% absolute and transmittance by up to 3.7% absolute, all other inputs held equal. Associated changes in spectral slope were generally of ±0.02% nm−1 absolute. Spectral effects were about an order of magnitude more subtle for a smaller, though potentially ecologically significant, change in N concentration of 0.5% absolute over measured. Nitrogen influence on spectral slope was fairly consistent across four empirical datasets as judged by wavelength dependence of N correlation, and there was reasonable agreement of observed and modeled slope perturbations with locations of known protein absorption features. Improved understanding of the form and strength of the N signal under differing conditions will support continued development of laboratory-based spectral measurement and analysis strategies for direct N estimation in individual fresh leaves. A pragmatic approach for canopy-level estimation by remote sensing, however, might additionally consider surrogate measures such as chlorophyll concentration or canopy biophysical properties.
Ascorbate modulates glutamate-induced excitations of striatal neurons.

To assess the role of ascorbate (AA), an antioxidant vitamin, in modulating striatal activity, single-unit recording was combined with iontophoresis in awake, unrestrained rats. Brief applications of AA (20 s, 5-80 nA) elicited few changes in either basal activity or activity evoked by continuous application of glutamate (GLU), but relatively high AA ejection currents (>40 nA) often inhibited fast-firing units. Comparable results were obtained with the antioxidant isomer, iso-AA, suggesting the AA-induced inhibition represents a high-dose, antioxidant effect. When applied for prolonged periods (2-4 min) at doses that failed to alter basal activity, AA either enhanced or attenuated the excitatory response to test pulses of GLU. The AA-induced enhancement occurred more frequently (16 vs. 6 applications) and was characterized by a more rapid (shorter onset and peak latencies) and more pronounced (greater peak magnitude) excitation to GLU without an evident change in offset latency. In most cases, further increases in AA ejection current attenuated the GLU response. Iso-AA, in contrast, had only inhibitory effects, which occurred at moderate- to high-dose applications. Collectively, these results suggest that AA, apart from its antioxidant effects, modulates phasic changes in striatal excitability induced by GLU. Because extracellular levels of striatal AA fluctuate in relation to behavioral activation, this neuromodulatory action of AA may contribute to behaviorally relevant changes in sensorimotor responsivity.
Development and Lability in the Parent–Child Relationship During Adolescence: Associations With Pubertal Timing and Tempo

Adolescents' and parents' reactions to pubertal development are hypothesized to contribute to changes in family dynamics. Using 7-year longitudinal data from the NICHD-SECCYD (488 boys, 475 girls) we examined relations between pubertal development (timing, tempo) and trajectories (developmental change and year-to-year lability) of parent-child conflict and closeness from age 8.5 to 15.5 years. Changes were mostly characterized by year-to-year fluctuations - lability. Parent-child conflict increased and closeness decreased some with age. Pubertal timing and tempo were more consistently associated with lability in parent-child relationships than with long-term trends, although faster tempo was associated with steeper decreases in parent-child closeness. Findings provide a platform for examining how puberty contributes to both long-term and transient changes in adolescents' relationships and adjustment.
Increased central serotonergic activity associated with nocturnal anorexia induced by Walker 256 carcinoma

The role of brain serotonin levels in Walker 256 tumor induced anorexia was investigated. Total and free plasma tryptophan, regional brain serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were determined at night, and their relationship to nocturnal anorexia assessed by linear regression analysis. No significant difference in tryptophan, serotonin, or 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels was detected between pair fed and tumor bearing rats exhibiting a 20% reduction of nighttime food intake. Tumor bearing rats with a 40% reduction in food intake had higher nighttime plasma free tryptophan and regional 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels than their pair fed malnourished controls. These results indicate that increased plasma free tryptophan and elevated serotonin metabolism may not be the initial dysfunction responsible for nocturnal anorexia. However, it may contribute to the decreasing nocturnal food intake in severely anorexic tumor rats.
Coronary artery surgery: the end of the beginning

In each of the first three decades of myocardial revascularization, conventional treatment has been revised completely. This lecture comments on three areas of discovery that have shaped the evolution of myocardial revascularization: science, technology development, and revascularization, The discoveries in all three areas are inexorably interrelated. The single greatest lesson learned so far is that conduit performance carries more prognostic weight than any other factor. We have observed that vein graft atherosclerosis is predictable, and that the first-generation lipid lowering drugs have a favorable effect in patients who achieve marked LDL reduction. Biologically better revascularization begins with use of the internal thoracic artery for grafting to the anterior descending coronary artery. As the results of internal thoracic artery grafting are widely reported, arterial bypass revascularization has expanded, notably by radial and gastroepiploic arteries. The results of bilateral internal thoracic artery grafting are discussed, including large-scale registry results of internal thoracic artery usage in the United States. The internal thoracic artery is significantly underutilized. Diabetes affects both endoluminal and surgical revascularization. The new pharmacology in cardiology interventions shows promise in diminishing restenosis and thrombosis even in diabetic patients. Conversely, extended internal thoracic artery grafting may also benefit diabetic patients. Now we are entering a new age of minimally invasive coronary surgery. We have passed through the early stages of mini-thoracotomy, and we are moving on to access through I-cm ports, intrathoracic cannulation, antegrade and retrograde myocardial protection, and computer guided three-dimensional vision and instrumentation. The potential for robotic control adds greater precision, ease of use, and safety. This new technology will be integrated with diagnostic information, intraoperative monitoring, anesthesia and perfusion data, cost accounting, and surgical note transcription. The operating room of the future will package intraoperative information and is adaptable to all surgical specialties. The future of coronary artery surgery will depend on minimally invasive techniques, all-arterial grafting, and selective lipid modification to reduce progressive atherosclerosis. The conclusion of this decade marks the end of the beginning. The new generation of cardiothoracic surgeons will share in an array of technology and research unmatched in previous decades.
Diabulimia and the role of school health personnel.

BACKGROUND: Diabulimia, the omission or reduction of insulin use by persons with type 1 diabetes, is a harmful method of weight control. The purpose of this article is to present school health personnel with the information they may need to become more aware of the possibility of diabulimia in their students—especially females—with type 1 diabetes. METHODS: A review of the somewhat limited medical and diabetes-related organizations' literature on diabulimia was conducted to establish the role that school health personnel could play in raising awareness of students with this condition as well as education for diabulimia prevention. RESULTS: Since insulin encourages fat storage, many with type 1 diabetes have discovered the relationship between reducing the amount of insulin they take and corresponding weight loss. Improper regulation of needed insulin treatments poses serious health problems that may require immediate medical attention. CONCLUSION: School personnel, especially those in the Coordinated School Health Program areas of comprehensive school health education, school health services, and guidance and counseling services have key roles to play in the prevention and recognition of diabulimia in students with diabetes.
Serum levels of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF binding protein 3 reflect spontaneous growth hormone secretion

The relationship between 24-h GH secretion, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) I serum levels, IGF-binding protein 3 (IGFBP-3) levels and height was studied in 114 healthy children and adolescents (147 tests). A significant correlation was found between the spontaneous GH secretion expressed as the area under the curve above baseline (AUCb) or the calculated 24-h GH secretion rate (GHb) and IGF-I (n = 147, r = 0.65, or 0.78, respectively, P < 0.001) or IGFBP-3 levels (r = 0.48 or 0.62, P < 0.001). Correlations were also significant within the various subgroups [females (n = 51), males (n = 96), prepubertal children (n = 75), pubertal children (n = 72)]. The slopes of the regression lines of IGF-I levels vs. AUCb or GHb were clearly steeper in pubertal children than in prepubertal ones; this was not as evident with IGFBP-3. In prepubertal children, a significant correlation was found between height (compared to Swedish reference values) standard deviation scores (SDS) and IGF-I SDS (n = 75, r = 0.66, P < 0.001) or IGFBP-3 SDS (r = 0.61, P < 0.001). The reproducibility during repeated testing (19 individuals, 6 prepubertal) was best with IGFBP-3 as compared to AUCb, GHb, or IGF-I which showed considerable variability. The data suggest: 1) that IGF-I and IGFBP-3 serum levels reflect spontaneous GH secretion in healthy individuals; 2) IGF-I levels are more sensitive to GH regulation than IGFBP-3; 3) in puberty, there may be increased sensitivity of IGF-I regulation by GH as compared to the prepubertal stage; 4) short children have low IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels, whereas tall children have high levels, a fact which is likely to contribute to the understanding of height variability in a healthy population; 5) the good reproducibility of IGFBP-3 on repeated testing makes it an interesting parameter for the evaluation of the GH-IGF-axis. IGFBP-3 measurements may substitute for GH profiles in many cases, when the goal is an estimation of the GH secretion rate.
Blood pH as a possible hunger cue: Negative evidence

An investigation was made into the role of blood pH in the regulation of food intake. Rats were each subjected to five treatments: acid injection, base injection, two saline injections, and no-injection control. Eating behavior was monitored directly after these treatments. The negative results indicated that blood pH probably does not serve as a hunger cue.
Volatiles released during the weathering of PVC

Volatile organic compounds and organochlorine species liberated by UV exposure of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) siding samples have been identified and preliminary quantification made. These volatiles included those remaining in a PVC sample after weathering or laboratory UV exposure and which could be released by thermal desorption. In addition, by using a flow-through cell and granular carbon adsorbents, volatile species directly desorbed during laboratory UV exposure were measured. Total directly desorbed organochlorine compounds were about 1/20 of the weight of hydrogen chloride as measured by conductometric analysis, Quite similar products were observed from old (∼1984) and current (1995) commercial siding formulations. Observed volatile compounds are proposed to come from the TiO2-controlled photo-oxidation of both PVC and its additives such as impact modifiers.
Preoperative arterial microcalcification and clinical outcomes of arteriovenous fistulas for hemodialysis

Background Arteriovenous fistulas (AVFs) often fail to mature, but the mechanism of AVF nonmaturation is poorly understood. Arterial microcalcification is common in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and may limit vascular dilatation, thereby contributing to early postoperative juxta-anastomotic AVF stenosis and impaired AVF maturation. This study evaluated whether preexisting arterial microcalcification adversely affects AVF outcomes. Study Design Prospective study. Setting & Participants 127 patients with CKD undergoing AVF surgery at a large academic medical center. Predictors Preexisting arterial microcalcification (≥1% of media area) assessed independently by von Kossa stains of arterial specimens obtained during AVF surgery and by preoperative ultrasound. Outcomes Juxta-anastomotic AVF stenosis (ascertained by ultrasound obtained 4-6 weeks postoperatively), AVF nonmaturation (inability to cannulate with 2 needles with dialysis blood flow ≥ 300mL/min for ≥6 sessions in 1 month within 6 months of AVF creation), and duration of primary unassisted AVF survival after successful use (time to first intervention). Results Arterial microcalcification was present by histologic evaluation in 40% of patients undergoing AVF surgery. The frequency of a postoperative juxta-anastomotic AVF stenosis was similar in patients with or without preexisting arterial microcalcification (32% vs 42%; OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.28-1.52; P=0.3). AVF nonmaturation was observed in 29%, 33%, 33%, and 33% of patients with Limitations Single-center study. Conclusions Arterial microcalcification is common in patients with advanced CKD, but does not explain postoperative AVF stenosis, AVF nonmaturation, or AVF failure after successful cannulation.
Involvement of the spine in patients with multiple hereditary exostoses.

Background Extension of a vertebral exostosis into the spinal canal is rare, but many isolated cases have been reported in the literature. Three existing patients with multiple hereditary exostoses at our institution had development of neurologic findings and were found to have exostoses in the spinal canal. These findings led us to perform magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomographic scans for the remaining patients with multiple hereditary exostoses at our institution. Methods Forty-four patients at our institution (including twenty-six male patients and eighteen female patients) had multiple hereditary exostoses. Forty-three patients were evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging and one was evaluated with computed tomography to look for spinal column involvement. Results Thirty (68%) of the forty-four patients had exostoses arising from the spinal column, and twelve (27%) had lesions encroaching into the spinal canal. Thirty-six of the forty-four patients also had plain radiographs, but only six had radiographs that accurately identified the lesions and another six had radiographs that mistakenly identified lesions that were not confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography. Patients with lesions inside the spinal canal were typically asymptomatic and neurologically normal, with radiographs that did not demonstrate the lesion. Compared with female patients, male patients were more likely to have spinal lesions and more likely to have lesions encroaching into the spinal canal (p = 0.014). Conclusions The risk that a patient with multiple hereditary exostoses has a lesion within the spinal canal is much higher than previously suspected (27%). Because the potential exists for serious neurologic injury to occur, we have begun to use magnetic resonance imaging to screen all patients who have multiple hereditary exostoses at least once during the growing years.
Creation of dissecting thoracic aortic aneurysms in dogs.

Abstract A technique of creating dissecting thoracic aneurysms in dogs is described. Carbon dioxide under pressure was used to initiate the dissecting process, and an intimal tear was then surgically created. The mortality rate of dissections involving the ascending portion and the arch of the aorta or the entire thoracic aorta was exceedingly high. Dissections involving the descending aorta alone had a more favorable outlook. This experimental model may prove useful in the evaluation of the nature of the lesions and efficacy of various forms of treatment of this disease entity.
Perceptions as Measures of Training Transfer

This study investigated the extent to which trainees' perceptions of the applicability of what they learned, gathered immediately after training, can predict their perceptions of actual application of the training six months after they return to the job. It also investigated whether support to apply what trainees learned during training after they returned to the job affected their six-month perceptions. The study found that in all cases, the six-month perceptions were statistically significantly lower than the immediate after-course perceptions. However, using a three-point Likert scale, with “good” being the highest rating, the actual practical judgments about the training program retained the same rating (good) for the program that received the most job environment support. For the training program that received less support, the decisions made from the initial data and the follow-up data were different. The initial ratings were “good,” and the follow-up ratings were “fair.” This study suggests that the immediate after-course perceptions of training are a reasonable estimate of the six-month perceptions when there is substantial reinforcement from the home job environment.
Measurement of quasistatic Maxwell's displacement current.

We have used a superconducting quantum interference device to measure all components of the small magnetic field inside a coaxial capacitor that is being charged at a low frequency (695 Hz). The expected result is that ${B}_{z}$ and ${B}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}$ should be 0 and that ${B}_{\ensuremath{\varphi}}$ should increase linearly from the end of the capacitor. This prediction depends upon Maxwell's displacement current ${\mathrm{J}}_{D}$ being strictly equal to (1/4\ensuremath{\pi})\ensuremath{\partial}D/\ensuremath{\partial}t in the annular region between the electrodes. Anomalous fields would arise if ${J}_{D}$ twisted a little in going from one electrode to the other. We find no evidence for such a twist. ${B}_{\ensuremath{\varphi}}$ is as predicted; ${B}_{\ensuremath{\rho}}$ and ${B}_{z}$=0 everywhere to within a few percent of ${B}_{\ensuremath{\varphi}}$. Our results show that the displacement current flows within \ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\varphi}=22\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} of the radial direction. We have also searched for a B field that is in phase with the charge (rather than the current) and for fields which vary as the second harmonic of the charging frequency. The former search is interpreted to show that in a traveling TEM wave B is perpendicular to E to within 0.8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}8}$ rad. The latter search is loosely connected to nonlinear electromagnetic effects such as those provided by axions.
Effects of pergolide on blood pressure and tissue injury in DOCA-salt hypertension.

The present study was designed to evaluate the possible antioxidant effect of pergolide, a DA-2 receptor agonist, in deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt hypertension and its role in endogenous endothelin-1 (ET- 1) production and organ hypertrophy. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were uninephrectomized (UNx) or uninephrectomized, and received subcutaneous implants of DOCA and drank 1% sodium chloride (DOCA). DOCA rats were treated daily for 3 weeks with pergolide (1 mg/kg, i.p.) or vitamin C (1 mg/rat, orally). DOCA-salt treatment increased systolic blood pressure (SBP) in UNx rats by 45 +/- 2 mmHg from 117 +/- 5 to 162 +/- 10 mmHg (p < 0.05), an effect blunted by pergolide and vitamin C. Superoxide generation was not increased in DOCA rats; however, both pergolide and vitamin C significantly reduced superoxide generation by 49 +/- 7% and 52 +/- 13%, respectively (p < 0.05). Plasma ET-1 levels increased twofold in UNx rats but was reduced to 42 +/- 7% (p < 0.05) in DOCA compared to UNx rats. Pergolide and vitamin C reduced plasma ET-1 levels further by 43 +/-10% (p < 0.05) and 46 +/- 8% (p < 0.05), respectively. Pergolide increased urinary Na+ excretion but did not alter urinary protein excretion or the left ventricular and aortic hypertrophy in DOCA rats. These data suggest that the reduction of SBP by pergolide in DOCA-salt hypertension may be attributed to its natriuretic ability, not its ability to reduce superoxide generation or ET- 1 production.
Racial Disparities in the Incidence of Diabetes in Canada

Commentary on: M Chiu, PC Austin, DG Manuel, et al.. Deriving ethnic-specific BMI cutoff points for assessing diabetes risk.Diabetes Care2011;34:1741–8.
Belief discrepant behavior and the bogus pipeline: Impression management or arousal attribution

Abstract Based on recent studies impression management theorists conclude that following belief discrepant behavior, persons will feign attitude change on paper measures, but report their “true” beliefs when attached to a lie detector (the bogus pipeline). A dissonance arousal explanation of these bogus pipeline results suggests that subjects may attribute their arousal to the bogus pipeline equipment instead of to dissonance and therefore may not be motivated to change their attitudes. The present study examined these competing interpretations and yielded results which support the dissonance arousal attribution explanation. Subjects who were attached to a (bogus pipeline) lie detector exhibited attitude change if given the opportunity to get accustomed to the equipment (which made attribution of arousal to the equipment less plausible), but showed no attitude change if no habituation experience was provided.
Scheduling legacy multimedia applications

Millions of applications have been developed on conventional time-sharing systems. We call those applications legacy applications. Many of them, typically multimedia applications, have Quality of Service (QoS) demands, which are not supported in time-sharing systems. Although many scheduling algorithms and schedulers have been proposed to schedule multimedia applications, it is not feasible to rebuild millions of legacy multimedia applications in a completely new programming model. Moreover, the execution pattern of multimedia applications is difficult to predict.This work presents a legacy application-compatible, adaptation-oriented scheduling framework. The new scheduler is implemented as a Linux loadable module. Thus users can either use the original Linux scheduler or use our scheduler by loading the module. In the new scheduler, users can reserve a default execution rate for legacy multimedia applications, and a rate adjustment mechanism is provided for adaptation. The framework also supports rate-based execution (RBE) and periodic threads that run at a constant rate, and non-real-time threads that have no QoS demand.
REGULATION BY GLUCOSE OF THE BIOSYNTHESIS OF PC2, PC3 AND PROINSULIN IN (OB/OB) MOUSE ISLETS OF LANGERHANS

The prohormone convertases PC2 and PC3 have been shown to catalyze the processing of proinsulin to insulin in pancreatic beta-cells. In these studies we have compared the effects of glucose on PC2 and PC3 biosynthesis in freshly isolated islets from normal and hyperglycemic (ob/ob) mice. In contrast to normal islets [Alarcon, et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 4276] the biosynthesis of both PC2 and PC3 is stimulated by glucose, parallel to the stimulation of proinsulin in the (ob/ob) islets. Inhibition of PC2 biosynthesis by glucose in normal islet non beta-cells may obscure stimulation of PC2 biosynthesis in normal islet beta-cells.
Optimal and variant metal-ion routes in DNA polymerase β's conformational pathways.

To interpret recent structures of the R283K mutant of human DNA repair enzyme DNA polymerase β (pol β) differing in the number of Mg2+ ions, we apply transition path sampling (TPS) to assess the effect of differing ion placement on the transition from the open one-metal to the closed two-metal state. We find that the closing pathway depends on the initial ion position, both in terms of the individual transition states and associated energies. The energy barrier of the conformational pathway varies from 25 to 58 kJ/mol, compared to the conformational energy barrier of 42 kJ/mol for the wild-type pol β reported previously. Moreover, we find a preferred ion route located in the center of the enzyme, parallel to the DNA. Within this route, the conformational pathway is similar to that of the overall open to closed transition of pol β, but outside it, especially when the ion starts near active site residues Arg258 and Asp190, the conformational pathway diverges significantly. Our findings should apply generall...
A test of bear market mergerstat control premiums

This paper examines all 340 of the 2001 “bear market” acquisition announcements of U.S. target firms reported by Mergerstat/Shannon Pratt’s Control Premium StudyTM. This paper compares the “Control Premium” reported by Mergerstat/Shannon Pratt’s Control Premium StudyTM to a comparable “Cumulative Abnormal Return”(CAR) calculated using event study methodology. While the average total “Control Premium” reported by Mergerstat differed by only −3.45% from the event study CAR, significant differences presented themselves when the event period was broken down between the day −63 to −1 “runup” period and the day 0 to end “markup” period.
Morphological and quantitative studies of gland formation from inocula of monodispersed rat mammary cells.

Abstract A method is presented for the preparation and quantitative transplantation of enzymatically monodispersed rat mammary gland cells. When injected into the interscapular white fat pads of hormonally primed recipient rats, such cells give rise to organized mammary structures. The early stages in formation and differentiation of these mammary gland structures were studied with light microscopy, autoradiography and electron microscopy. Under appropriate hormonal stimulation, hollow ‘alveolar spheres’ of secretory mammary epithelium develop, ducts outgrow from them, and with time an arborized glandular structure which displays the cell types and morphology of a normal mammary gland is formed. The applications of this technique to quantitative study of mammary cell survival, differentiation and neoplasia are discussed.
Developmental stability of perceived physical attractiveness from infancy to young adulthood

We predicted that physical attractiveness ratings of individuals at birth, 6, 12, and 18 years of age would be relatively stable and females would rate babies as more attractive than would males, due to their socialization to care for infants (Berman, 1980).
An electron spin resonance study of interactions between gramicidin A' and phosphatidylcholine bilayers.

The model of microscopic order and macroscopic disorder was used to stimulate electron spin resonance spectra of spin-labeled lipids, 5-PC, 10-PC, and 16-PC in multilamellar vesicles of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) containing gramicidin A' (GA) at temperatures above the gel-to-liquid crystal transition of DPPC. The simulations show that at a lower concentration of GA (i.e., molar ratios of DPPC/GA greater than 3), GA has only a slight effect on the acyl chain dynamics. The rotational diffusion rate around the axis parallel to the long hydrocarbon chain remains unchanged or increases slightly, while the rate around the perpendicular axes decreases slightly. These spectra from DPPC/GA mixtures could only be fit successfully with two or more components consistent with the well-known concept of "boundary lipids," that is, the peptide induces structural inhomogeneity in lipid bilayers. However, the spectra were significantly better fit with additional components that exhibit increased local ordering, implying decreased amplitude of rotational motion, rather than immobilized components with sharply a reduced rotational rate. The largest relative effects occur at the end of the acyl chains, where the average local order parameter St of 16-PC increases from 0.06 for pure lipid to 0.66 for 1:1 DPPC/GA. The inhomogeneity in ordering in DPPC bilayers due to GA decreases with increasing temperature. The hyperfine tensor component Azz increases for 10-PC and 16-PC when GA is incorporated into DPPC bilayers, indicating that water has deeply penetrated into the DPPC bilayers. Simulations of published electron spin resonance spectra of 14-PC in dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine/cytochrome oxidase complexes were also better fit by additional components that were more ordered, rather than immobilized. The average local order parameter in this case is found to increase from 0.11 for pure dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine to 0.61 for a lipid/protein ratio of 50. These spectra and their simulations are similar to the results obtained with 16-PC in the DPPC/GA mixtures. The relevance to studies of lipid-protein interactions for other proteins is briefly discussed.
Analogue vs. Digital Computers-A Comparison

Analogue and digital computing machines are both capable of solving numerous types of mathematical problems. Nevertheless, these two kinds of machines mechanize the solutions in fundamentally different ways. The problem of simulation in real time is used as a basis for comparing the characteristics of the two kinds of machines as regards basic units, size, speed, precision, accuracy, stability, input-output, flexibility and future possibilities. The mathematical operations discussed include addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, evaluation of polynomials and other functions, square root extraction, and the solution of ordinary differential equations.
A common genetic factor explains the covariation among ADHD ODD and CD symptoms in 9–10 year old boys and girls

Previous studies examining the covariation among Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Conduct Disorder (CD) have yielded inconsistent results. Some studies have concluded that the covariation among these symptoms is due to common genetic influences, whereas others have found a common environmental overlap. The present study investigated the genetic and environmental correlations among these three childhood disorders, based on a sample of 1,219 twins, age 9-10 years. A latent externalizing behavior factor was found to explain the covariance among ADHD, ODD and CD symptoms. Genetic influences explained more than half of the variance in this externalizing factor in both boys and girls. There were also unique genetic and environmental influences in each set of symptoms, suggesting some etiological independence of the three disorders. Our findings have implications for molecular genetic studies trying to identify susceptibility genes for these disorders.