cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vasoactive intestinal peptide stimulates luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone release from median eminence synaptosomes

Abstract Third ventricular injections of vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) result in increased circulating levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) in conscious, freely moving, ovariectomized (OVX) rats. This effect of VIP has been hypothesized to be mediated via stimulation of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LH-RH) secretion from hypothalamic neurons since VIP is incapable of stimulating LH release from rat pituitaries in vitro. To test this hypothesis, crude synaptosomes were prepared from OVX rat median eminence (ME) tissue. Release of LH-RH from these preparations displayed time and temperature dependencies. Additionally, depolarization-induced (elevated K + ) LH-RH release was demonstrated to be Ca 2+ -dependent. VIP, in doses ranging from 1.5 · 10 −9 M, was capable of stimulating significantly greater LH-RH release from ME synaptosomes than that from control preparations. VIP's close structural homolog, glucagon, was incapable at the same doses of stimulating increased LH-RH release. These findings offer an explanation for the effect of third ventricularly injected VIP on LH release and suggest a modulatory role for VIP in the hypothalamic control of LH secretion.
Nuclear binding of cyclic amp receptor

Abstract 1. 1. Rat liver cytosol contains protein(sl which can bind cyclic AMP and transfer it. after heat activation, to a nuclear site. 2. 2. The ligand and receptor activation step (in close similarity with steroid receptor systems) seems to induce the receptor complex to associate with the nuclear genome. 3. 3. The receptor binding activity of the nuclei is destroyed by DNase. suggesting DNA involvement in the binding.
An Analytical Model for Mean Wind Profiles in Sparse Canopies

Existing analytical models for mean wind profiles within canopies are applicable only in dense canopy scenarios, where all momentum is absorbed by canopy elements and, hence, the effect of the ground on turbulent mixing is not important. Here, we propose a new analytical model that can simulate mean wind profiles within sparse canopies under neutral conditions. The model adopts a linearized canopy-drag parametrization and a first-order turbulence closure scheme taking into account the effects of both the ground and canopy elements on turbulent mixing. The resulting wind profile within a sparser canopy appears to be more like a logarithmic form, with the no-slip condition at the ground being satisfied. The analytical solution converges exactly to the standard surface-layer logarithmic wind profile in the case of zero canopy density (i.e., no-canopy scenario) and tends to be an exponential wind profile for a dense canopy; this feature is unique compared with existing analytical models for canopy wind profiles. Results from the new model are in good agreement with those from laboratory experiments and numerical simulations.
Pioglitazone, but not metformin, reduces liver fat in Type-2 diabetes mellitus independent of weight changes.

Abstract Background Pioglitazone (Pio) treatment induces weight gain in Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), which could worsen hepatic lipid accumulation, and alter adiponectin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP). Objective To compare changes in hepatic lipid, serum adiponectin and hs-CRP in diabetics treated with Pio (with and without weight gain) against metformin (Met) treatment, which produces weight loss. Design Fifty-one men and women with T2DM, naive to thiazolidinediones, entered a 16-week, open-label, parallel arm study, where participants were randomized to one of three groups: (1) Pio plus the American Diabetes Association diet (Pio+ADA); (2) Pio plus a portion control weight loss diet (Pio+PC), or (3) metformin plus ADA diet (Met+ADA). Methods Hepatic lipid was assessed with abdominal computed tomography (CT) and the serum adiponectin and hs-CRP by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at baseline and study end. Results Forty-eight subjects completed the study. The Pio+ADA group gained (mean±S.E.M.) 2.15±1.09 kg, while Pio+PC and Met+ADA group lost −2.59±1.25 and −3.21±0.7 kg, respectively. Pio-treated groups (Pio+ADA and Pio+PC) significantly decreased hepatic fat as indicated by increased liver density on CT scan [10.1±2.4: 11.4±1.0 Hounsfield units (HU)], compared with Met+ADA group (−2.4±3.1 HU). The Pio groups demonstrated significantly increased serum adiponectin, (8.6±1.5; 7.4±1.6 μg/ml) independent of weight change, compared to Met+ADA (−0.14±0.6 μgm/ml) group which lost weight. Serum hs-CRP decreased in groups showing weight loss (Pio+PC, −3.1±1.7 mg/l; Met+ADA, −1.5±1.2 mg/l) compared to Pio+ADA (1.8±3.0 mg/l) group that gained weight. Conclusions Pio treatment in T2DM significantly reduced hepatic lipid and increased adiponectin independent of weight change, while decreasing hs-CRP with weight loss.
What fraction of DNA double-strand breaks produced by the direct effect is accounted for by radical pairs?

The purpose of this investigation was to determine what fraction of double strand breaks (dsb’s), generated by the direct effect of ionizing radiation on DNA, can be accounted for by radical pairs. A radical pair is defined as two radicals trapped within a separation distance of <3 nm. Q-band EPR was used to measure the yield of radical pairs in calf thymus DNA films X-irradiated at 4 K. The EPR spectrum of DNA showed no evidence of radical pairs. To determine the relative sensitivity for radical pair detection via Q-band EPR, we measured the yield of radical pairs in single crystals of thymine, G(rp-Thy). Under the same conditions employed for DNA, G(rp-Thy) was ∼8 nmol/J. The value of G(rp-Thy), in conjunction with the measured signal-to-noise, was used to calculate an upper limit for the yield of radical pairs in DNA, Gmax(rp-DNA) < 0.7−1.4 nmol/J. The upper limit, Gmax(rp-DNA), was compared with the yield of dsb’s, Gtotal(dsb) = 10 nmol/J, previously measured in pUC18 DNA films by Purkayastha, S.; Mil...
Romantic Narrative: Shelley, Hays, Godwin, Wollstonecraft; Romanticism and the Uses of Genre; Lives of the Sonnet, 1787–1895: Genre, Gender and Criticism

Romantic Narrative: Shelley, Hays, Godwin, Wollstonecraft, by Tilottama Rajan, Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins UP, 2010, xxvii + 282 pp. Romanticism and the Uses of Genre, by David Duff, Oxford, Oxfor...
The effects of dog obedience training and behavioural counselling upon the human-canine relationship

Abstract We assessed the effects of obedience training and canine behaviour counselling upon the human-canine relationship. Thirty adult participants provided perceptions of their dog's behaviour and were then randomly assigned to one of three groups: the Obedience group, which received obedience training and canine behaviour counselling; the Time Instructed group, which was asked to spend 20 min a day interacting with their dog; the No Instruction group, which did not receive any instructions. After assignment, the Obedience group completed an 8-week obedience and canine behaviour counselling class where all the participants again provided information about their dog's behaviour. In addition, all participants were also asked to keep daily logs of the time spent with their dogs in training, play, exercise and other activities. A video-camera was used to obtain pretest and posttest measures of obedience behaviour, proximity, tactile behaviour and separation anxiety exhibited by each dog. Results indicated that the Obedience group showed the most improved obedience behaviour and the highest improvement in the human-canine relationship. The Obedience group also showed lower separation anxiety than the No Instruction group. Contrary to expectation, the Time Instructed group also displayed improvement in obedience behaviour and improvement in the relationship. The Time Instructed group showed lower separation anxiety than the No Instruction group. The No Instruction group revealed higher separation anxiety, no improvement in obedience and no change in the relationship. Results were interpreted in terms of positive interaction and quality time.
Mehlich Extractable and Total Elemental Concentrations in South Carolina Soils

Abstract Mehlich‐1 and Mehlich‐3 extracts of soils collected from two depths at 50 sites distributed across South Carolina were compared with total soil digests to determine whether either soil extract would serve as a reliable indicator of total elemental concentration. Eighteen elements, including several of environmental concern, were measured. The sites were located in five different land‐resource regions of the state and had different cropping histories. Compared to the total concentration, recovery ranged from less than 1% of the iron (Fe) to almost 50% of the sodium (Na) for Mehlich‐1. Mehlich‐3 recovered larger amounts of all elements than did Mehlich‐1, but neither extract was a good indicator of total concentration. Although correlations of Mehlich and total concentration were significant for aluminum (Al), cadmium (Cd), copper (Cu), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn), only for Cu and Mn was more than 50% of the variation accounted for (R2>0.50). There were regional differences in Meh...
Growth of InAs1−xSbx (0<x<1) and InSb‐InAsSb superlattices by molecular beam epitaxy

Thin films of InAs1−xSbx (0<x<1) have been deposited on GaAs and InSb substrates in the temperature range 300–400 °C using molecular beam epitaxy. The solid composition was found to be quite sensitive to the Sb flux and less sensitive to As flux. InSb‐InAsSb superlattice structures have also been grown and studied. Both the ternary alloy and the superlattice structures can be potential material systems for detectors covering the 8–12‐μ range.
Slope-deflection method for elastic-plastic multistory frames☆

Abstract Slope-Deflection Method for elastic rigid frames is generalized for elastic-plastic analysis of rigid frames of work-hardening materials. The plastic strain is here treated as an additional set of externally applied moments. The end moments of the component members of the frame are obtained from the solution of a set of linear algebraic equations. No iteration is required. Numerical results of the analysis of a portal frame and a two-story plane frame subject to side loads beyond the elastic range are shown.
Platelet Effects on Ovarian Cancer

Growing understanding of the role of thrombocytosis, high platelet turnover, and the presence of activated platelets in the circulation in cancer progression and metastasis has brought megakaryocytes into focus. Platelet biology is essential to hemostasis, vascular integrity, angiogenesis, inflammation, innate immunity, wound healing, and cancer biology. However, before megakaryocyte/platelet-directed therapies can be considered for clinical use, understanding of the mechanism and biology of paraneoplastic thrombocytosis in malignancy is required. Here, we provide an overview of the clinical implications, biological significance, and mechanisms of paraneoplastic thrombocytosis in the context of ovarian cancer.
Dynamic proteomic profiling of a unicellular cyanobacterium Cyanothece ATCC51142 across light-dark diurnal cycles

Background Unicellular cyanobacteria of the genus Cyanothece are recognized for their ability to execute nitrogen (N2)-fixation in the dark and photosynthesis in the light. An understanding of these mechanistic processes in an integrated systems context should provide insights into how Cyanothece might be optimized for specialized environments and/or industrial purposes. Systems-wide dynamic proteomic profiling with mass spectrometry (MS) analysis should reveal fundamental insights into the control and regulation of these functions.
Validating software metrics: A spectrum of philosophies

Context. Researchers proposing a new metric have the burden of proof to demonstrate to the research community that the metric is acceptable in its intended use. This burden of proof is provided through the multi-faceted, scientific, and objective process of software metrics validation. Over the last 40 years, however, researchers have debated what constitutes a “valid” metric.Aim. The debate over what constitutes a valid metric centers on software metrics validation criteria. The objective of this article is to guide researchers in making sound contributions to the field of software engineering metrics by providing a practical summary of the metrics validation criteria found in the academic literature.Method. We conducted a systematic literature review that began with 2,288 papers and ultimately focused on 20 papers. After extracting 47 unique validation criteria from these 20 papers, we performed a comparative analysis to explore the relationships amongst the criteria.Results. Our 47 validation criteria represent a diverse view of what constitutes a valid metric. We present an analysis of the criteria's categorization, conflicts, common themes, and philosophical motivations behind the validation criteria.Conclusions. Although the 47 validation criteria are not conflict-free, the diversity of motivations and philosophies behind the validation criteria indicates that metrics validation is complex. Researchers proposing new metrics should consider the applicability of the validation criteria in terms of our categorization and analysis. Rather than arbitrarily choosing validation criteria for each metric, researchers should choose criteria that can confirm that the metric is appropriate for its intended use. We conclude that metrics validation criteria provide answers to questions that researchers have about the merits and limitations of a metric.
Revisiting the washout period in the incident user study design: why 6–12 months may not be sufficient

Aims: The purpose of this study was to describe how washout period duration affects the size and accuracy of retrospective incident user cohorts. Materials & methods: MarketScan commercial claims data from 2007 to 2010 were used and included adults with an antihyperlipidemic, antidiabetic or antidepressant claim in 2010. Incident user cohorts using 3-, 6-, 12-, 24- and 36-month washouts were created and changes in sample size and incident user misclassification were described. Results & conclusion: The 6- and 12-month washouts excluded 75 and 85% of the samples, respectively. Half of subjects in the 6-month washout cohorts were actually prevalent users, and the 12-month washout period resulted in 30% misclassified. Using common washout periods of 6–12 months may insufficiently address prevalent user bias in large commercial claims databases.
THE QUATERNARY DELTAIC AND CHANNEL SYSTEM IN THE CENTRAL GREAT VALLEY, CALIFORNIA

ABSTRACT Three and possibly four Mokelumne River fan deposits and gravel-filled channels interfinger deltaic sediments in the central part of the Great Valley of California. The channels were probably cut during successive glaciations in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, and graded to eustatically lowered and possibly subsiding base levels. Rising seas caused thalassostatic sedimentation and headward expansion of the California Delta during interglacial time. Radiocarbon dating of basal deltaic peat indicates the Pleistocene-Holocene transition occurred about 10, 700 years ago in this part of California.
The inside and outside of gap-junction membranes visualized by deep etching

Abstract We have viewed the membrane specializations that occur at gap junctions from the inside and outside of cells in replicas of quick-frozen and deep-etched samples. Gap junctions were split to expose the normally apposed outside surfaces of their membranes, which displayed uniform 8–9 nm protrusions with central pores. Such pores were also observed in the protoplasmic-face particles of freeze-fractured gap junctions, even after the junctions were induced to crystallize by treatment with metabolic inhibitors or by homogenization. Crystallized junctions have been shown to be in the closed, high-resistance state; hence the channel-closing mechanism must not be located in the regions viewed so far. In washed-out broken cells, the inner surfaces of gap junctions possess smooth surfaces with no visible pores. These surfaces are devoid of special undercoatings of cytoskeletal elements, suggesting that crystallization observed during uncoupling is an intramembrane phenomenon. Hypertonicity, in itself, may produce the same sort of hexagonal crystallization of gap-junction components that is usually observed after uncoupling.
Hydrodynamic volumes determined by immiscible liquid displacement

Abstract By utilization of organic indicator solutions, the validity of the displacement method for the hydrodynamic volume determination of particles in solution has been demonstrated. For Escherichia coli the apparent hydration was found to be 3.3 ml./g., independent of the density of the bromobenzene-kerosine mixture used as indicator. Similarly, a hydration of 0.98 ml./g. was obtained for Southern bean mosaic virus, when mixtures of o -dichlorobenzene-kerosine and a newly designed cell were used.
Towards a better understanding of group forking dynamics in virtual contexts

"Group Fork" is defined as more than two group members leave their parent organization and start a new group. While group fork is a common social phenomenon in any type of group, it is still understudied in virtual contexts. Drawing upon the literature from three fields, religious research, social psychology and organization studies, this study attempts to bridge this gap by answering two questions, "what causes group fork?" and how is individual dissatisfaction transformed into group-level dissatisfaction in virtual contexts, thus leading to the eventual fork? Free/Libre Open Source Software (FLOSS) projects will be used as examples of self-organizing virtual work, as they provide a good context to observe the whole process of how group interactions are intertwined toward to the eventual fork. A multi-stage research strategy is conducted in this study and preliminary findings will be reported.
Amantadine hydrochloride inhibition of early and late stages of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus-cell interactions

Amantadine hydrochloride inhibits the CA1371, UBC, and WE strains of LCM in both BHK21/13S and L-929 cells. The compound has no direct inactivating effect on virus infectivity nor does it affect the adsorption of virus to cells. By observing the susceptibility of cell-adsorbed virus to neutralizing antibody, amantadine was shown to delay virion penetration. Furthermore, addition of the drug at any time during ongoing viral replication, with all cells scoring as infective centers, inhibits virus synthesis and release.
Pharmacologic basis for the use of dipyridamole to increase the selectivity of intraperitoneally delivered methotrexate.

Dipyridamole (DP) is an attractive agent with which to increase the selectivity of intraperitoneally delivered methotrexate (MTX). We demonstrated that DP synergistically increased the cytotoxicity of MTX to the human OV 2008 ovarian carcinoma cell line in vitro and that this synergy was highly concentration-dependent. DP did not alter MTX binding in plasma, and vice versa. We found that the two drugs were chemically compatible at concentratioons of <400 μM, which was well above the concentration needed to make continuous i. p. infusion feasible. The ability of OV 2008 cells to accumulate uridine was used as a bioassay for the in vivo activity of DP. When this drug was infused i. p. at 12 mg/m2 per day, the steadystate peritoneal DP concentrations attained in patients were sufficient for maximal inhibition of uridine uptake, indicating concentrations high enough for synergism with MTX. We found no correlation between total peritoneal protein concentration and either free DP concentration or biologic activity. On the basis of these preclinical and pharmacologic measurements, we conclude that it should be possible to produce selective i. p. biochemical modulation of MTX with DP.
Forecasting Survival and Passage of Migratory Juvenile Salmonids

Abstract We developed methods to forecast survival and cumulative percent passage for subyearling chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha at a dam to help managers effectively time the release of reservoir water to mitigate for passage delays and reduced survival. We tagged Snake River subyearling chinook salmon upstream of a dam from 1993 to 1998 and determined when a subsample of the tagged fish passed the dam. We randomly selected data (1993, 1994, 1996, and 1998) to develop a quadratic discriminant function for predicting which fish would survive to the dam and to develop a multiple-regression equation to predict the date survivors would pass the dam. We used the predicted passage dates within a year to calculate a daily cumulative percent passage forecast and then calculated a 90% forecast interval that varied by year, depending on the number of predicted survivors. We validated the forecast method using data for 1995 and 1997. The 1995 forecasted passage curve differed from the observed passage curv...
The laminar boundary layer on a circular cylinder started impulsively from rest

Abstract A numerical method is presented for calculating the unsteady laminar flow over a circular cylinder started impulsively from rest. The governing boundary-layer equations are solved by using Keller's two-point finite-difference method. In regions where the streamwise velocity develops backflow, the solution scheme is modified by a procedure which accounts for the downstream influence. With this modification calculations were carried further in time and in space than any of the previous solutions. In particular, the calculated local skin-friction coefficients and displacement-thickness values agree with those of Belcher et al . Proudman and Johnson, Collins and Dennis, Bar-Lev and Yang, but do not agree with those of Telionis and Tsahalis.
Fluorescent detection of Ca2+-permeable AMPA/kainate receptor activation in murine neocortical neurons

Abstract Agonist stimulated Co2+ uptake is used to identify neurons expressing Ca2+-permeable AMPA/kaniate receptors (Ca-A/K receptors). Based on the selective permeability of Co2+ through these receptors we have developed a fluorometric method that utilizes the fluorescence laser imaging plate reader (FLIPR). We used the dye calcein whose fluorescence is stoichiometrically quenched by Co2+, while being only minimally affected by variations in intracellular Ca2+. Application of AMPA in the presence of cyclothiazide led to a concentration-dependent increase in Co2+ uptake in the neocortical neurons. Similar concentration-dependent increments in Co2+ uptake were observed with kainate treatment. 2,3-Dioxo-6-nitro-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrobenzo[f]quinoxaline-7-sulfonamide (NBQX), an AMPA/kainate receptor antagonist, blocked the AMPA-induced Co2+ influx. The fluorometric method described affords a rapid, high throughput and quantitative procedure for investigation of Ca-A/K receptors in intact neurons.
Divergent neuroactive steroid responses to stress and ethanol in rat and mouse strains: Relevance for human studies

Rationale Neuroactive steroids are endogenous or synthetic steroids that rapidly alter neuronal excitability via membrane receptors, primarily γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptors. Neuroactive steroids regulate many physiological processes including hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function, ovarian cycle, pregnancy, aging, and reward. Moreover, alterations in neuroactive steroid synthesis are implicated in several neuropsychiatric disorders.
Amplification by enzymatic cycling

Enzymatic cycling provides a methodology for virtually unlimited amplification of analytical sensitivity. The most widely applicable cycling systems are those for NAD and NADP, since these can be used to increase the sensitivity of methods for a host of other substances. However, cycling systems for ATP plus ADP, GTP + GDP, glutathione and coenzyme A have also proven to be very useful. A total of 19 cycling procedures are described in greater or lesser detail. Some of these are capable of amplification rates in excess of 20,000 per hour in a single cycling step (20,000 x 20,000 with two one hour cycling steps). Advantages, disadvantages, limitations and other practical considerations are stressed, as well as the means for coupling the cycling systems to assays for other substances.
Assessing Understanding of the Learning Cycle: The ULC.

An 18-item, multiple choice, 2-tiered instrument designed to measure understanding of the learning cycle (ULC) was developed and field-tested from the learning cycle test (LCT) of Odom and Settlage (Journal of Science Teacher Education, 7, 123–142, 1996). All question sets of the LCT were modified to some degree and 5 new sets were added, resulting in the ULC. The ULC measures (a) understandings and misunderstandings of the learning cycle, (b) the learning cycle’s association with Piaget’s (Biology and knowledge theory: An essay on the relations between organic regulations and cognitive processes, 1975) theory of mental functioning, and (c) applications of the learning cycle. The resulting ULC instrument was evaluated for internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha, yielding a coefficient of .791.
Protection of the hypertrophied myocardium by crystalloid cardioplegia.

Abstract Patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) have a worse outcome after cardiac surgery than those without hypertrophy. We studied protection of hearts with LVH in an isolated rat heart model using multidose, cold, oxygenated cardioplegia. LVH was produced by banding the abdominal aorta in young rats. Six weeks after banding, this produced a 31% increase in the left ventricular dry weight/body weight ratio compared to two age-matched control groups comprising sham-operated and nonoperated animals. The recovery of cardiac output after arrest was higher in LVH (82 ± 4% of prearrest) than in sham-operated (69 ± 4%) or nonoperated (66 ± 3%) control groups. The improved functional recovery in LVH occurred although there were no differences among the groups in myocardial adenosine triphosphate (ATP) and phosphocreatine (PCr) prior to arrest, at the end of arrest, or after reperfusion. Glycogen levels were also similar among the three groups prior to arrest and after reperfusion but were highest in LVH after arrest. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) and efficiency, expressed as cardiac output/MVO2, were similar among the groups prior to arrest. Myocardial efficiency after reperfusion declined in all groups but was best preserved in LVH. We also compared the sensitivity of hypertrophied and control hearts to the deleterious effects of calcium in cardioplegia. Calcium in the cardioplegia increased myocardial lactate production during arrest in a dose-related fashion and depressed myocardial levels of ATP, PCr, and glycogen at end arrest in all groups. Cardiac output recovery was also depressed by calcium but was still best in LVH. We conclude that the hypertrophied myocardium is well protected by standard cardioplegia and that calcium in cardioplegia does not preferentially depress recovery in LVH.
Molecular systematics of the Jacks (Perciformes: Carangidae) based on mitochondrial cytochrome b sequences using parsimony, likelihood, and Bayesian approaches.

The Carangidae represent a diverse family of marine fishes that include both ecologically and economically important species. Currently, there are four recognized tribes within the family, but phylogenetic relationships among them based on morphology are not resolved. In addition, the tribe Carangini contains species with a variety of body forms and no study has tried to interpret the evolution of this diversity. We used DNA sequences from the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene to reconstruct the phylogenetic history of 50 species from each of the four tribes of Carangidae and four carangoid outgroup taxa. We found support for the monophyly of three tribes within the Carangidae (Carangini, Naucratini, and Trachinotini); however, monophyly of the fourth tribe (Scomberoidini) remains questionable. A sister group relationship between the Carangini and the Naucratini is well supported. This clade is apparently sister to the Trachinotini plus Scomberoidini but there is uncertain support for this relationship. Additionally, we examined the evolution of body form within the tribe Carangini and determined that each of the predominant clades has a distinct evolutionary trend in body form. We tested three methods of phylogenetic inference, parsimony, maximum-likelihood, and Bayesian inference. Whereas the three analyses produced largely congruent hypotheses, they differed in several important relationships. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian methods produced hypotheses with higher support values for deep branches. The Bayesian analysis was computationally much faster and yet produced phylogenetic hypotheses that were very similar to those of the maximum-likelihood analysis.
That Copernican Moment

What happens if David Deutsch's theories are correct, and we're living in not just one universe but a collection of tightly parallel universes that make up a multiverse? The Web extra at http://youtu.be/sl7wr1PosHc is an audio discussion of the Science Fiction Prototyping column, in which author Brian David Johnson talks with Tony Salvador, director of Intel's Experience Insights Lab and senior principal engineer, about the social science behind big data and the radical flux happening in the behavior of people all over the world.
Predicting the Residual Life of Plant Equipment—Why Worry?

Predicting the residual life of plant equipment that has been in service for 20 to 30 years or more is a major concern of many industries. This paper reviews the reasons for increased concern for residual-life assessment and the general procedures used in performing such assessments. Some examples and case histories illustrating procedures for assessing remaining service life are discussed. Areas where developments are needed to improve the technology for remaining-life estimation are pointed out. Then, some of the critical issues involved in residual-life assessment are identified. Finally, the future role of residual-life prediction is addressed.
Balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty for congenital cyanotic heart defects.

Abstract Eight infants with congenital cyanotic heart defects, aged 7 days to 10 months, weighing 2.9 to 10.0 kg, underwent percutaneous balloon pulmonary valvuloplasty as a palliative procedure to improve pulmonary oligemia. The indication for valvuloplasty was cyanotic heart defect not amenable to total surgical correction at the age and size at presentation but at the same time requiring palliation of pulmonary oligemia. After balloon valvuloplasty, there was an increase in the pulmonary blood flow index (1.82 ± 0.55 to 3.14 ± 1.38 L/min/m 2 ; p p p p > 0.05). Immediate surgical intervention was avoided in all eight patients. At follow-up, 4 to 12 months after balloon valvuloplasty, all infants were thriving with decreased hypoxemia and polycythemia. Follow-up catheterization data were available from six patients, 3 to 10 months after valvuloplasty, and in all of them the immediate postballoon valvuloplasty improvement persisted or further improvement noted. These data suggest that pulmonary valvuloplasty offers excellent palliation of pulmunary oligemia in cyanotic heart defects, thus avoiding the risks of immediate surgical palliation and paving the way for a better result of eventual total surgical correction.
Graphing indexes reduces plaque.

Three groups of college-age men participated in a study to determine the motivational influence of verbal explanations of dental plaque, of observing plaque stained by disclosing tablets, and of graphing gingival and plaque index scores were found among all groups. Results indicate that the use of a disclosing tablet and charting of the gingival and plaque indexes does motivate patients to maintain good home care.
Continuous partition lattice

Abstract A continuous analogue to the partition lattices is presented. This is the metric completion of the direct limit of a system of embeddings of the finite partition lattices. The construction is analogous to von Neumann's construction of a continuous geometry over a field F from the finite-dimensional projective geometries over F.
TH‐C‐141‐05: A Simulation Study to Investigate the Potential of Using Magnetic Resonance Elastography (MRE) to Differentiate Recurrent Tumor and Radiation Necrosis

Purpose: Investigate the potential of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) to differentiate and delineate tissues with different viscoelastic properties, with the purpose of applying MRE to differentiate and delineate recurrent brain tumor and radiation necrosis. Methods: To simulate tumor or radiation necrosis inside normal brain tissue, a 10 mm radius cylindrical inclusion was modeled inside a 150×150 mm2 rectangular prismatic domain. Typical storage modulus (2.5 kPa) and loss modulus (0.5 kPa) of brain tissue were assigned to the prismatic region. Varying tissue properties were assigned to the cylindrical region (storage modulus 0.5–5 kPa, with loss factor 0.2), mimicking the shear modulus difference between recurrent tumor and radiation necrosis. Wave propagation (30–100 Hz) was simulated in this domain, using the frequency‐domain analysis in the structural mechanics module in COMSOL Multiphysics software (COMSOL, Burlington, MA). A 3D inversion method was used to estimate tissue properties. Results: In all the simulation results, the cylindrical lesion can be identified based on the modulus difference between the region and its surroundings. The lesion boundary can be delineated based on the normalized residual error (NRE) map of the fitting procedure used for modulus estimation. The estimated complex shear modulus is close to the true value when the applied frequency is or above 60 Hz. The estimate of the storage modulus is more accurate than the loss modulus. NRE is typically maximal at the boundary of the inclusion (lesion). Conclusion: This study demonstrates the potential of MRE to differentiate lesions with different shear moduli. The results show the possibility of using MRE to differentiate recurrent tumor from radiation necrosis, based on the difference between their moduli, and the potential of lesion delineation based on NRE at boundaries. Physical phantom studies and ex vivo mechanical testing of the tissue will be used in the future for further verification.
Welfare states, family inequality, and equality of opportunity

Abstract Why have countries like Sweden, Norway, Denmark been somewhat more successful than others in terms of creating conditions that foster equality of opportunity? I argue that there are two characteristics of the social-democratic welfare state that have played a role, namely lower social and economic inequality and family policies aimed at equalizing conditions for children during their formative years. It is clear, however, that inequality of opportunity remains an important part of the social landscape in these societies. This is because it is difficult if not impossible to equalize the cultural and social capital of families through public policy.
Where do “Undocumented” Fish Land? An Empirical Assessment of Port Characteristics for IUU Fishing

Research on IUU fishing has identified the importance of ports of convenience as facilitators of IUU fishing activities. These types of ports allow IUU fishing vessels to offload their illegal catch undetected and transfer it via other methods to target destinations and into international markets. No study to date has explained what port characteristics make them attractive to IUU fishing vessels. Applying the risky facilities framework, this study empirically tests ports’ traits that facilitate vessel entry and offloading of illegal catch. A total of 120 ports visited by IUU fishing vessels are studied for measures of regulation of behavior and degree of enforcement activity occurring within their jurisdiction. Additionally, country-level characteristics are examined. Policy recommendations are devised to inform change in place management practices and to discourage IUU fishing activities.
VIPS Communication Skills Training for Paraprofessional Dementia Caregivers: An Intervention to Increase Person-Centered Dementia Care

A communication skills intervention was developed based on Dawn Brooker's four elements of person-centered dementia care: Valuing people, Individualized care, Personal perspectives, and Social environment (VIPS). The aim of this study was to test the feasibility of a series of workshops built around VIPS, intended to increase the person-centered communication, beliefs, and attitudes among paraprofessional dementia caregivers in a long-term care facility. The effect of the intervention on communication strategies, caregiver burnout, and other variables associated with the quality of caregiving was examined using a pre- and post-test design. Details of the intervention design and execution are discussed, as are findings regarding intervention outcomes. The intervention was determined to be highly feasible based on successful implementation, positive caregiver feedback, and promising exploratory analyses of outcome measures. Following the workshops there was a reduction in caregiver depersonalization of resi...
The PedsQL™ Present Functioning Visual Analogue Scales: preliminary reliability and validity

The PedsQL™ Present Functioning Visual Analogue Scales (PedsQL™ VAS) were designed as an ecological momentary assessment (EMA) instrument to rapidly measure present or at-the-moment functioning in children and adolescents. The PedsQL™ VAS assess child self-report and parent-proxy report of anxiety, sadness, anger, worry, fatigue, and pain utilizing six developmentally appropriate visual analogue scales based on the well-established Varni/Thompson Pediatric Pain Questionnaire (PPQ) Pain Intensity VAS format. The six-item PedsQL™ VAS was administered to 70 pediatric patients ages 5–17 and their parents upon admittance to the hospital environment (Time 1: T1) and again two hours later (Time 2: T2). It was hypothesized that the PedsQL™ VAS Emotional Distress Summary Score (anxiety, sadness, anger, worry) and the fatigue VAS would demonstrate moderate to large effect size correlations with the PPQ Pain Intensity VAS, and that patient" parent concordance would increase over time. Test-retest reliability was demonstrated from T1 to T2 in the large effect size range. Internal consistency reliability was demonstrated for the PedsQL™ VAS Total Symptom Score (patient self-report: T1 alpha = .72, T2 alpha = .80; parent proxy-report: T1 alpha = .80, T2 alpha = .84) and Emotional Distress Summary Score (patient self-report: T1 alpha = .74, T2 alpha = .73; parent proxy-report: T1 alpha = .76, T2 alpha = .81). As hypothesized, the Emotional Distress Summary Score and Fatigue VAS were significantly correlated with the PPQ Pain VAS in the medium to large effect size range, and patient and parent concordance increased from T1 to T2. The results demonstrate preliminary test-retest and internal consistency reliability and construct validity of the PedsQL™ Present Functioning VAS instrument for both pediatric patient self-report and parent proxy-report. Further field testing is required to extend these initial findings to other ecologically relevant pediatric environments.
Bragg spectroscopy of vortex lattices in Bose-Einstein condensates

We have measured the velocity field of a vortex lattice within a sodium Bose-Einstein condensate using Bragg scattering. The phase gradient of the macroscopic wave function was mapped into the spatial structure of the diffracted atom cloud, allowing for the single shot measurement of the rotation parameters. A combination of spectral and spatial information yields a complete description of the superfluid flow, coarse grained over the lattice structure, including direct and independent measurements of the rate and sense of rotation. Signatures of the microscopic quantum rotation have also been observed.
Laparoscopic colorectal surgery: a better look into the latest trends.

Background The latest trends of laparoscopic colorectal surgery (LCRS) after the introduction of International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision laparoscopic procedure codes in 2008 remains unknown. This study evaluates LCRS trends before and after the application of specific codes for LCRS. Design Retrospective analysis of elective surgery for colon cancer, rectal cancer, and diverticulitis using Nationwide Inpatient Sample data from 2007 and 2009. Main Outcome Measure Primary outcome measures included in-hospital mortality, length of stay, and total charge. Results A total of 126 921 patients in 2007 and 117 177 patients in 2009 underwent colorectal surgery. Laparoscopic colorectal surgery increased dramatically from 13.8% in 2007 to 42.6% in 2009 (P Conclusion The marked increase in LCRS when comparing these 2 years is unlikely only due to the changing practice of colorectal surgery but brings into question the accuracy of data prior to 2009. Our report of Nationwide Inpatient Sample 2009 data represents the most accurate reflection of the use of LCRS in the United States. These data can serve as a benchmark for future comparative studies.
Biometric data acquisition using MATLAB GUIs

The use of iris patterns, fingerprints, facial characteristics and other biometrics for identification is becoming more common every day. This has led to the incorporation of biometric topics in courses at many colleges throughout the world. Developing practical laboratory exercises to augment course lectures is enhanced when the students have the ability to work with actual biometric data. Although the hardware for using biometrics is available at a reasonable cost, most commercial products do not readily output the raw data that is desired for laboratory or research environments. Even if the data can be acquired, a system of storage and retrieval that incorporates unique information related to the data is needed. Finally, the acquisition of biometric data introduces human research and privacy concerns that must be addressed by the institution. Using MATLAB with its image acquisition toolbox, we have developed a system to easily capture biometrics and store them with pertinent information for laboratory exercises, student research and faculty research. We discuss the concerns involving human subjects and privacy, the challenges associated with developing a biometric database, and one solution to acquiring biometric data for use in student laboratories
Derivation of the Frantz-Nodvik Equation for Diode-Side-Pumped Zigzag Slab Laser Amplifiers With Gaussian Laser Mode and Pump Beam Shapes

The theory for Gaussian beam pulse propagation in a zigzag slab amplifier with a Gaussian pump distribution is detailed. Provisions are made for amplification of an input signal with an elliptical Gaussian spatial mode by modifying the time-dependent photon transport equations as described by Eggleston Frantz, and Injeyan. A comparison is made with experimental results of a diode-side-pumped zigzag slab amplifier element amplifying a near-Gaussian beam.
Uses of databases

Databases are used by clinicians practicing genetic medicine and clinical genetics to determine the molecular basis of inherited disorders, establish diagnoses, identify sources and uses of molecular genetic testing, assess and manage inherited cancer risk, provide consumer-health-oriented information to patients, and identify clinical genetic services for geographically dispersed family members. Those databases that are freely available on the Internet are discussed. They include OMIM, GeneTests, PDQ Cancer Genetics, The Genetics and Rare Conditions Site, Family Village, Genetic Home Reference, and the Genetic Alliance. Keywords: GeneTests; OMIM; database; molecular genetic testing; molecular diagnosis; prenatal diagnosis; natural history
Implication of the new low-density lipoprotein goals in dyslipidemia management of patients with acute coronary syndrome.

OBJECTIVE To assess the ability of patients with an acute coronary syndrome (ACS) to meet the recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goal of 100 mg/dL and optional aggressive lowering to 70 mg/dL. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients diagnosed as having ACS who had lipid levels measured within 24 hours of admission from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2002, were assessed for the ability to meet the 2 target LDL-C levels. Patients were considered to have ACS if they were diagnosed as having myocardial infarction, had significant disease on angiography, or had a history of coronary artery disease. Patients were classified into 1 of 4 groups on the basis of the degree of LDL-C lowering required to meet the 2 different goals: less than 33%, 33% to 39%, 40% to 49%, and 50% or more. Patients with myocardial infarction who had lipid sampling performed more than 24 hours after admission were excluded. RESULTS The mean ± SD LDL-C level was 111±43 mg/dL in the 1322 patients who met criteria for ACS and had LDL-C levels assessed. On the basis of a target LDL-C value of less than 100 mg/dL, 43% of patients were at goal and did not require treatment, and only 2.5% had an LDL-C level that required a 50% or greater reduction to meet goal. In contrast, using the newer LDL-C target of 70 mg/dL, 85% patients required treatment, and 23% of patients required a 50% or greater decrease in LDL-C level and therefore were likely to require more than 1 lipid-lowering agent. CONCLUSION Decreasing the LDL-C target to less than 70 mg/dL substantially increases the number of patients with ACS who would require treatment. A significant proportion of patients will require a reduction in LDL-C level of 50% or more, which is not easily achievable with current lipid-lowering monotherapy.
Detecting Multi-Word Expressions Improves Word Sense Disambiguation

Multi-Word Expressions (MWEs) are prevalent in text and are also, on average, less polysemous than mono-words. This suggests that accurate MWE detection should lead to a non-trivial improvement in Word Sense Disambiguation (WSD). We show that a straightforward MWE detection strategy, due to Arranz et al. (2005), can increase a WSD algorithm's baseline f-measure by 5 percentage points. Our measurements are consistent with Arranz's, and our study goes further by using a portion of the Semcor corpus containing 12,449 MWEs - over 30 times more than the approximately 400 used by Arranz. We also show that perfect MWE detection over Semcor only nets a total 6 percentage point increase in WSD f-measure; therefore there is little room for improvement over the results presented here. We provide our MWE detection algorithms, along with a general detection framework, in a free, open-source Java library called jMWE.
Parathyroid identification by methylene blue infusion

The intravenous infusion of methylene blue was investigated as a procedure that would identify parathyroid glands during operation in 17 patients with primary hyperparathyroidism. The dye was found to stain all adenomas, most hyperplastic glands and occasionally normal parathyrodi glands. In addition, the frequency of glandular staining was directly related to the size of the gland, although size and histology may have been independent variables. Methylene blue infusion is a safe effective method of localizing abnormal parathyroid glands.