cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predicting feelings of cognitive competence in head start preschoolers.

ABSTRACT Little is known about what predicts the budding sense of self-competence in preschoolers. This is particularly true of cognitive competence, which may have implications for later schooling. Based on previous research with older children, it was expected that feelings of self-competence would be influenced by attitudes of significant others as well as intrapersonal dispositions. Forty-five Head Start preschoolers (M age = 4.36 years) served as participants. As expected, high effortful control and language competence, as well as teachers’ ratings of competence, predicted positive feelings about cognitive competence in children. Further analysis revealed that the teachers’ ratings were predicted by maternal education and language competence. The findings suggest that the development of cognitive self-concept in preschoolers is predicted by contextual and constitutional factors.
Androgens modulate the balance between VEGF and angiopoietin expression in prostate epithelial and smooth muscle cells

BACKGROUND The vasculature of the prostate responds to androgens. Androgens most likely affect the vasculature indirectly by modulating the expression of angiogenic factors in the cells of the prostate. Most studies to date have examined the production of angiogenic factors by the prostate luminal epithelium. Here we examine the effects of androgen on production of three angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), angiopoietin-1, and angiopoietin-2, by the three major cell types in the prostate. METHODS The ability of androgen to modulate VEGF, angiopoietin-1, and angiopoietin-2 production in cultured mouse prostate luminal epithelial, basal epithelial, and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) was assessed by Western blot and RT-PCR. RESULTS The production of VEGF was modulated by androgens in both luminal epithelial and prostate SMCs but not in basal epithelial cells. However, in prostate luminal epithelial cell cultures, VEGF was predominately secreted apically, suggesting that in vivo most of the epithelium-derived VEGF is unavailable to the underlying blood vessels. In addition, prostate luminal epithelial cells produced angiopoietin-2, an angiogenesis inhibitor. In contrast, prostate SMCs produced angiopoietin-1, a positive modulator of angiogenesis. Synthesis of the angiopoietins did not respond to androgen treatment. CONCLUSIONS Prostate smooth muscle may play an important role in regulating vascular responses to androgen. Prostate 50: 83–91, 2002. © 2002 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Production of pyrimidine dimers in DNA of human skin exposed in situ to UVA radiation

Cyclobutyl pyrimidine dimers, measured as sites recognized by the dimer-specific ultraviolet (UV) endonuclease from Micrococcus luteus, were produced in DNA of human skin exposed in situ to UVA (320-400 nm) radiation. The dimer yields produced by a broadband UVA source, by broadband UVA filtered to remove all light of wavelength less than 340 nm, and by narrow band radiation centered at 365 nm were similar, indicating that UVA radiation, and not stray shorter wavelength radiation, was responsible for dimer production. The identity of the UVA-induced DNA lesions was confirmed as pyrimidine dimers by photoreactivation of approximately 100% of the endonuclease-sensitive sites in vitro with the 40,000 dalton Escherichia coli photoreactivating enzyme.
The effect of local anesthetic and corticosteroid combinations on chondrocyte viability

Purpose Local anesthetic and corticosteroid combination injections are often used in clinical practice, however research investigating the chondrotoxic properties of these combinations is minimal. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of single injection doses of 1% lidocaine or 0.25% bupivacaine in combination with single injection doses of dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Decadron®), methylprednisolone acetate (Depo-Medrol®), betamethasone sodium phosphate and betamethasone acetate (Celestone® Soluspan®), or triamcinolone acetonide (Kenalog®) on human chondrocyte viability.
Calmodulin antagonists modulate rabbit neutrophil degranulation, aggregation and stimulated oxygen consumption

Abstract In an attempt to define further the sequence of events involved in the activation of rabbit peritoneal neutrophils, we have investigated the effects of trifluperazine and N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-napthalenesulfonamide (compound W7), two compounds with known anti-calmodulin activity, on these cells' ability to respond to several stimuli. Neutrophil granule enzyme release, aggregation and oxygen consumption were monitored. These functions were elicited by the addition of one of the following stimuli to cell suspensions: the chemotactic factor f Met-Leu-Phe, arachidonic acid and the divalent cation ionophore A23187. Aggregation, oxygen consumption and granule enzyme release stimulated by the above three stimuli are all profoundly affected by calmodulin inhibitors. Low concentrations of trifluperazine slightly potentiates aggregation and oxygen consumption. At higher, but below lytic concentrations, compound W7 and trifluperazine significantly depress all three functions examined. In conjunction with previous results and by analogy to studies in other cell types, it therefore appears likely that calmodulin-stimulated events play central roles in the activation of rabbit neutrophils.
Code‐switching in US ethnic literature: multiple perspectives presented through multiple languages

For the multilingual author, switching between two or more languages is not an arbitrary act, nor is it simply an attempt to mimic the speech of his or her community; code‐switching results from a conscious decision to create a desired effect and to promote the validity of the author's heritage language. This article looks at code‐switching in literary texts between Spanish and English, English and Chinese, and English and Jemez, a Native American language. Incorporating native and heritage languages along with English within a literary work, usually through code‐switching, creates a multiple perspective and enhances an author's ability to express his or her subject matter.
Global Regulation by (p)ppGpp and CodY in Streptococcus mutans

The RelA, RelP, and RelQ enzymes are responsible for the production of the alarmone (p)ppGpp in Streptococcus mutans. A strain lacking all three synthetases (ΔrelAPQ) does not grow in minimal medium lacking the branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) leucine or valine but grows well if isoleucine is also omitted. Here, we investigated whether there was a correlation between growth in the absence of leucine and valine with (p)ppGpp pools and the activation of CodY. By using a combination of single, double, and triple mutants lacking the (p)ppGpp synthetase enzymes, we demonstrated that the ability to grow in the absence of leucine or valine required basal levels of (p)ppGpp production by RelP and RelQ. The introduction of a codY mutation into the ΔrelAPQ strain fully restored growth in medium lacking leucine or valine, revealing that the growth-defective phenotype of ΔrelAPQ was directly linked to CodY. Lowering GTP levels through the addition of decoyinine did not alleviate CodY repression or affect the expression of genes involved in BCAA biosynthesis, suggesting that S. mutans CodY is not activated by GTP. The results of phenotypic studies revealed that the codY mutant had a reduced capacity to form biofilms and that its growth was more sensitive to low pH, showing a role for CodY in two key virulence properties of S. mutans. Microarray results revealed the extent of the CodY regulon. Notably, the identification of putative CodY-binding boxes upstream of genes that were downregulated in the codY mutant indicates that CodY may also function as a transcriptional activator in S. mutans.
Subpopulations of neurons in visual area v2 perform differentiation and integration operations in space and time.

The interconnected areas of the visual system work together to find object boundaries in visual scenes. Primary visual cortex (V1) mainly extracts oriented luminance boundaries, while secondary visual cortex (V2) also detects boundaries defined by differences in texture. How the outputs of V1 neurons are combined to allow for the extraction of these more complex boundaries in V2 is as of yet unclear. To address this question, we probed the processing of orientation signals in single neurons in V1 and V2, focusing on response dynamics of neurons to patches of oriented gratings and to combinations of gratings in neighboring patches and sequential time frames. We found two kinds of response dynamics in V2, both of which were different from those of V1 neurons. While V1 neurons in general preferred one orientation, one subpopulation of V2 neurons (“transient”) showed a temporally dynamic preference, resulting in a preference for changes in orientation. The second subpopulation of V2 neurons (“sustained”) responded similarly to V1 neurons, but with a delay. The dynamics of nonlinear responses to combinations of gratings reinforced these distinctions: the dynamics enhanced the preference of V1 neurons for continuous orientations and the preference of V2 transient neurons for discontinuous ones. We propose that transient neurons in V2 perform a differentiation operation on the V1 input, both spatially and temporally, while the sustained neurons perform an integration operation. We show that a simple feedforward network with delayed inhibition can account for the temporal but not for the spatial differentiation operation.
An Electrochemical Cell for On-Line Electrochemistry/Mass Spectrometry

A new electrochemical flow-through cell has been developed for on-line electrochemistry/mass spectrometry (EC/MS) that allows easy access to the working electrode for resurfacing or replacement and that can withstand back pressures of ∼2000 psi. Simple off-line hydrodynamic electrochemical methods have been developed to determine the cell conversion efficiency. The methods can be used to determine the number of moles of analyte transferred from the cell to the LC/MS interface and thereby estimate the sensitivity in on-line EC/MS. The results that have been obtained show that the mobile-phase composition may influence the cell conversion efficiency. The highest conversion efficiency in the flow-through cell (∼32%) was obtained using 90/10 CH3OH/H2O as the mobile phase, while the lowest conversion efficiency (∼1.8%) was observed with an aqueous mobile phase. Using different mobile phases, the electrochemical flow-through cell was tested in thermospray and particle beam (PB) EC/LC/MS. Conversion efficiencies...
Chemical limnology of soft water lakes in the Upper Midwest

Water samples from 36 lakes in northern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan were collected and analyzed during 1983–1984. All study lakes were dilute and had total alkalinities of less than 150 μeq · L−1. Minnesota lakes have hydrologic inputs from the watershed and inputs of base cations derived from the watershed. Study lakes in Minnesota had higher total alkalinities, dissolved organic carbon, and noncarbonate alkalinity as a result of watershed inputs. Lakes in Michigan and Wisconsin were precipitation-dominated seepage lakes that have lower concentrations of base cations than lakes in Minnesota. All of the study lakes have lower sulfate concentrations than expected, based on atmospheric wet deposition and evapotranspiration.
Counter-examples to “minimax lower bounds of empirical Bayes tests”

Abstract We point out errors in the paper of Karunamuni (1996, Ann. Statist. 24, 212–231.). We also provide examples in which the regrets of the constructed empirical Bayes tests converge to zero having rates faster than the convergence rates of the “minimax lower bounds of regrets of empirical Bayes tests” claimed in Karunamuni (1996).
A hemolytic plaque assay for the detection of direct and indirect antibody-forming cells to keyhole limpet hemocyanin

A procedure is described for the in vitro enumeration of individual lymphoid cells producing antibody against Keyhole Limpet Hemocyanin (KLH) by a modification of the hemolytic plaque technique. Optimal conditions for the coupling of KLH to sheep erythrocytes by chromic chloride are described. Plaque-forming cells are detected in a liquid monolayer slide chamber assay system. The kinetics of the in vivo primary and secondary PFC responses of both rabbit popliteal lymph node cells and mouse spleen cells are described. Both direct (IgM) and indirect (IgG) plaque-forming cells can be enumerated. The method can also be used to detect an in vitro anamnestic response in dispersed rabbit lymph node cell suspensions. The method is simple, extremely sensitive and the results correlate with those previously obtained in which newly synthesized antibody was detected in similar systems using the coprecipitation assay.
Molecular assays to profile 10 estrogen receptor beta isoform mRNA copy numbers in ovary, breast, uterus, and bone tissues.

Estrogens regulate various biological processes in a diverse range of reproductive and nonreproductive tissues through two genetically distinct but structurally related high affinity nuclear receptors, the estrogen receptor alpha and beta (ERα and ERβ). The physiological significance of the presence of two ERs that have redundant functions is not known. Several unique properties of ERβ together with its distinct expression patterns are considered to be, in part, the basis for diverse functional actions of estrogens and opposing actions of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) in different tissues. To understand how relative expression levels of two ERs correlate to seemingly dissimilar actions of estrogens and SERMs, quantitative methods are required that can precisely measure the levels of every isoform. Previously, methods to quantify eight ERα isoforms have been described [Poola I. (2003) Anal. Biochem. 314, 217–226]. In this article, real-time PCR-based molecular assays are described that can distinguish and quantify as low as 100 copies of 10 ERβ isoform mRNAs, the ERβ1, ERβ2, ERβ4, ERβ5, and ERβ exon 2Δ, exon 3Δ, exon 4Δ, exon 5Δ, exon 6Δ, and exons 5–6Δ. Each isoform mRNA is quantified using a specific primer pair and a 5′FAM (carboxy-fluorescein)- and 3′TAMARA (6-carboxy tetraethyl-rhodamine)-labeled probe and in comparison with a standard curve constructed with known copy numbers of its respective reverse transcribed cRNA. The devised assays were applied to profile 10 ERβ isoforms in four estrogen-sensitive tissues—ovary, breast, uterus, and bone. The sensitivity of detection of each isoform in these tissues varied from picograms to nanograms of reverse-transcribed total RNA depending on the isoform and the tissue. The results presented also show that each tissue has a distinct profile of 10 isoform mRNAs. Interestingly, ERα-negative breast cancer cell lines and tumors expressed significant amounts of ERβ isoforms suggesting that mitogenic stimulation by estrogen exists in these tissues. Bone tissues expressed several isoforms, although wild type was not present. In addition to the assay development, evidence is presented to demonstrate for the first time that ERβ4 and ERβ5 are full length receptors, contrary to previous reports that they are short receptors of exon 7–8. It is expected that the methods described here will significantly contribute to delineating the functional roles of various ERβ isoforms and in conjunction with ERα isoform profiling, will highly facilitate designing of individualized tissue specific therapies to treat estrogen-related pathologies.
Correlated miR-mRNA expression signatures of mouse hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell subsets predict "Stemness" and "Myeloid" interaction networks.

Several individual miRNAs (miRs) have been implicated as potent regulators of important processes during normal and malignant hematopoiesis. In addition, many miRs have been shown to fine-tune intricate molecular networks, in concert with other regulatory elements. In order to study hematopoietic networks as a whole, we first created a map of global miR expression during early murine hematopoiesis. Next, we determined the copy number per cell for each miR in each of the examined stem and progenitor cell types. As data is emerging indicating that miRs function robustly mainly when they are expressed above a certain threshold (∼100 copies per cell), our database provides a resource for determining which miRs are expressed at a potentially functional level in each cell type. Finally, we combine our miR expression map with matched mRNA expression data and external prediction algorithms, using a Bayesian modeling approach to create a global landscape of predicted miR-mRNA interactions within each of these hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell subsets. This approach implicates several interaction networks comprising a “stemness” signature in the most primitive hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) populations, as well as “myeloid” patterns associated with two branches of myeloid development.
Annotation-based meta-analysis of microarray experiments

We are developing software applications to perform meta-analysis of microarray experiments based on standardized experiment annotations aiming to identify similar experiments and cluster experiments. The applications were tested on files obtained from the ArrayExpress public repository. Annotation terms were used to compute experiment dissimilarities to find experiments related to a query experiment. These applications may motivate efforts of bench biologists to better annotate experiments.
The effect of hydrofluoric acid on quartz shape-Fourier grain shape analysis

Fourier grain shape analysis of quartz grains in sediment has been applied to a wide variety of sedimentological problems. Mineralogically pure samples of quartz are required to eliminate the effects of shape variation due to non-quartz minerals. Hydrofluoric acid treatments of samples, which enables the identification feldspar contaminant grains, has been shown to have no significant effect on the shape of quartz particles, as measured by the first twenty terms of a closed-form Fourier Series.
Molecular interaction of retinoic acid receptors with coregulators PCAF and RIP140

p300/CBP-associating factor (PCAF) is a ligand-dependent coactivator, whereas receptor-interacting protein 140 (RIP140) is a ligand-dependent negative coregulator for retinoic acid (RA) receptor (RAR) and retinoid X receptor (RXR). To compare these molecular interactions and to determine the effect of RXR ligands, we focus on PCAF/RAR/RXR complex formation in this study for a comparison to RIP140/RAR/RXR complex formation. The LBD of RXR is identified as its primary PCAF-interacting motif. BIAcore studies determine the Kd of RAR/RXR association with PCAF as 9.35 nM in the presence of RXR ligand AGN194204, and 47.2 nM in the absence of ligand. Cross-linking study demonstrates tri-molecular complex consisting of one RAR/RXR pair and one PCAF. In competition experiments, RIP140 strongly competes with PCAF for interaction with RAR/RXR both in vitro and in vivo. Chromatin immunoprecipitation demonstrates recruitment of RIP140 and PCAF to the endogenous RA-regulated gene, the RARbeta2 promoter. This study presents kinetic evidence for competition of RIP140 with PCAF for ligand-dependent interactions with RAR/RXR, and provides kinetic explanation for the suppressive activity of RIP140 in RA-activated gene expression.
Triad3A Regulates Ubiquitination and Proteasomal Degradation of RIP1 following Disruption of Hsp90 Binding

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) play a crucial role in innate immunity by recognizing microbial pathogens. Triad3A is an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase that interacts with the Toll/interleukin-1 receptor domain of TLRs and promotes their proteolytic degradation. In the present study, we further investigated its activity on signaling molecules downstream of TLRs and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor 1. Triad3A promoted down-regulation of two TIR domain-containing adapter proteins, TIRAP and TRIF, as well as a RIP1 but had no effect on other adapter molecules in either the TLRs or TNF-α signaling pathways. Multiple sequence alignment analysis suggested that RIP1 contains a TIR homologous domain, and mutation of amino acid residues in this domain identified three residues critical for its interaction with Triad3A. Moreover, Triad3A acted as a negative regulator in TNF-α signaling. Reduction of Triad3A expression by small interference RNAs rendered cells hyperresponsive to TNF-α stimulation. Conversely, overexpression of Triad3A in cells blocked TNF-α-induced cell activation. This negative regulation was effected independently of changes in the cellular protein level of RIP1. Further studies indicated that RIP1 formed a complex with Triad3A and heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), which is a chaperone protein capable of maintaining the stability of its client proteins. Treatment of cells with geldanamycin to disrupt the Hsp90 complex led to proteasomal degradation of RIP1. Depletion of Triad3A by small interference RNA treatment inhibited geldanamycin-activated ubiquitination and proteolytic degradation of RIP1. These results suggest that Triad3A is an E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase to RIP1 and that Hsp90 and Triad3A cooperatively maintain the homeostasis of RIP1.
SU‐E‐T‐668: Feasibility Study of Prostate Seed Implant with Intensity Modulated Proton Boost

Purpose: External beam radiation therapy (EBRT) has been widely used to deliver boost doses after permanent prostate seed implant (PSI). In this study, we tested the feasibility of EBRT boost with Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) in the presence of a large number of high Z metallic seeds. The dosimetric effect caused by implanted high density prostate seeds in spot scanned proton beam boost treatment was analyzed. IMPT boost plans were also compared with conventional Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) boost plans. Method: Post prostate seed implants with seeds of I‐125 and Pd‐103 were tested in this study. The post PSI CT scans were processed at a slice thickness of 1mm. Proton treatment plans were created with two lateral beams in Eclipse treatment planning system. IMRT boost plans were generated with seven co‐planner beams. The calculation grids were set up at 1mm. Extreme cases with prostate seeds close to each other and prostate seed drift were also analyzed. Results: Higher density PSI seeds did not show significant effect on dose distributions in IMPT plans. Compared to conventional IMRT boost plans, IMPT has better sparing of rectum and bladder, while providing the same PTV coverage. The mean rectal dose decreases from 32.5% for IMRT to 22.4% for IMPT of the prescribed doses. The mean bladder dose decreases from 28.3% (IMRT) to 24.9% (IMPT) of the prescribed doses. The spot scanned proton beam provides an improved boost plan to different cold spots of suboptimal dose coverage PSI. Conclusion: PSI with an IMPT boost can be a valuable tool for prostate cancer patient treatment. It delivers better plan in terms of normal tissue sparing compared to IMRT boost plan. The high density seeds have no effect on the proton distribution.
Parapapillary chorioretinal atrophy in patients with ocular hypertension: II. An evaluation of progressive changes

Objective: To determine whether parapapillary chorioretinal atrophy in patients with ocular hypertension remained stationary or progressed along with glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Methods: The morphometric parameters and progression of parapapillary atrophy were retrospectively investigated, using serial photographs, in 350 eyes of 175 patients with ocular hypertension. The association of parapapillary atrophy progression with subsequent glaucomatous conversion and with other baseline patientand eye-specific characteristics was analyzed. Results: Progression in the area and extension of parapapillary atrophy before noticeable optic disc or visual field changes was observed in 48 (49.0%) of 98 eyes that converted to glaucoma, while parapapillary atrophy progression was noted in 25 (9.9%) of 252 ocular hypertensive eyes that did not develop glaucomatous damage ( P Conclusion: The progression of parapapillary chorioretinal atrophy may be an early glaucomatous finding in some patients with ocular hypertension.
Peace through Insecurity Tenure and International Conflict

The literature on diversionary war has long argued that a leader's tenure considerations play an important role in international conflict behavior. However, for the diversionary use of force to be ...
Tissue stretch decreases soluble TGF‐β1 and type‐1 procollagen in mouse subcutaneous connective tissue: Evidence from ex vivo and in vivo models

Transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) plays a key role in connective tissue remodeling, scarring, and fibrosis. The effects of mechanical forces on TGF-β1 and collagen deposition are not well understood. We tested the hypothesis that brief (10 min) static tissue stretch attenuates TGF-β1-mediated new collagen deposition in response to injury. We used two different models: (1) an ex vivo model in which excised mouse subcutaneous tissue (N = 44 animals) was kept in organ culture for 4 days and either stretched (20% strain for 10 min 1 day after excision) or not stretched; culture media was assayed by ELISA for TGF-β1; (2) an in vivo model in which mice (N = 22 animals) underwent unilateral subcutaneous microsurgical injury on the back, then were randomized to stretch (20–30% strain for 10 min twice a day for 7 days) or no stretch; subcutaneous tissues of the back were immunohistochemically stained for Type-1 procollagen. In the ex vivo model, TGF-β1 protein was lower in stretched versus non-stretched tissue (repeated measures ANOVA, P < 0.01). In the in vivo model, microinjury resulted in a significant increase in Type-1 procollagen in the absence of stretch (P < 0.001), but not in the presence of stretch (P = 0.21). Thus, brief tissue stretch attenuated the increase in both soluble TGF-β1 (ex vivo) and Type-1 procollagen (in vivo) following tissue injury. These results have potential relevance to the mechanisms of treatments applying brief mechanical stretch to tissues (e.g., physical therapy, respiratory therapy, mechanical ventilation, massage, yoga, acupuncture). J. Cell. Physiol. 214: 389–395, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Photochemistry on surfaces. Excited state behavior of ruthenium tris(bathophenanthroline disulfonate) on colloidal alumina-coated silica particles

— The excited state behavior of an anionic ruthenium(II) complex, RuL34-(L=bathophen-anthroline disulfonate), that is electrostatically bound to positively charged alumina-coated silica particles is investigated. The apparent association constant for the binding of RuL34-to the particles is 1.2 × 104M-1. Surface photochemical processes result in decreased emission yields and multiexponential excited state decay. Excited state quenching by ground-state molecules is evident at high surface coverages. The non-exponential decay kinetics observed at low surface coverages can be attributed either to clustering of the RuL34-molecules or photoionization promoted by Lewis acid sites on the particle surface.
Polypropylene small‐diameter vascular grafts

Polypropylene's physical properties (e.g., high tensile strength) and relatively inert behavior suggest that fabrication into an arterial substitute may result in an efficacious prosthesis. Grafts were woven from polypropylene yarn into conduits 4 mm I.D. × 50 mm in length. Control grafts were Dacron and ePTFE. Baseline platelet aggregometry on all dogs was performed with 10−5M ADP. Aspirin and dipyridamole were given for three days preoperatively and maintained for 2 weeks after surgery. Fifty-four grafts were placed into the aortoiliac position, two different graft materials per dog. The grafts were explanted at intervals of 2 weeks through 16 months; photographed for thrombusfree surface area determinations; and preserved for light, scanning, and transmission electron microscopy. Late (4–16 month) patency was 81% (13/16) for polypropylene, 69% (9/13) for Dacron, and 20% (1/5) for ePTFE. These data include one year patencies of 11/12 (92%) for polypropylene and 7/10 (70%) for Dacron. Late patency for polypropylene grafts was better than for PTFE (p < 0.05). Platelet aggregation status did not predict graft patency. Light microscopy of 2-week polypropylene explants showed inner capsules composed of myofibroblasts and macrophages, with patchy areas of endothelial cells lining the lumen. By 1 month, a confluent endothelialized surface was seen in all polypropylene explants. Progressive thickening of inner capsules with myofibroblasts and collagen continued through 4 months, reaching a mean thickness of 142 ± 50 μm compared to 150 ± 30 μm for Dacron. These findings suggest potential clinical efficacy for polypropylene as an arterial substitute. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Air pollution: Household soiling and consumer welfare losses

Abstract This paper uses demand and supply functions for cleanliness to estimate household benefits from reduced particulate matter soiling. A demand curve for household cleanliness is estimated, based upon the assumption that households prefer more cleanliness to less. Empirical coefficients, related to particulate pollution levels, for shifting the cleanliness supply curve, are taken from available studies. Consumer welfare gains, aggregated across 123 SMSAs, from achieving the Federal primary particulate standard, are estimated to range from $0.9 to $3.2 million per year (1971 dollars).
Inclusion-exclusion complexes for pseudodisk collections

Let B be a finite pseudodisk collection in the plane. By the principle of inclusion-exclusion, the area or any other measure of the union is $$\mu \left( { \cup B} \right) = \sum\limits_{\sigma \in 2^B - \left\{ {\not 0} \right\}} {( - 1)^{card \sigma - 1} \mu \left( { \cap \sigma } \right)} .$$ . We show the existence of a two-dimensional abstract simplicial complex, ź ⊆ 2B, so the above relation holds even if ź is substituted for 2B. In addition, ź can be embedded in ź2 so its underlying space is homotopy equivalent to int ź B, and the frontier of ź is isomorphic to the nerve of the set of boundary contributions.
Long-term results for Malone antegrade continence enema for adults with neurogenic bowel disease.

Abstract Objectives To determine the long-term outcomes from the Malone antegrade continence enema (ACE) procedure in adult neurogenic patients. Methods A retrospective review of adult patients who underwent the ACE procedure for neurogenic bowel was done. Patients were studied if they had follow-up of greater than 4 years. We compared pre-ACE and post-ACE toileting times, bowel continence status, and complications, and elicited patient subjective satisfaction with their quality of life. Results Six patients were available for study. Mean age was 35 years with a mean follow-up of 4.5 years. Urinary diversion was done in 5 patients. Pre-ACE toileting time was 190 ± 45 minutes versus post-ACE toileting time of 28 ± 20 minutes ( P P = 0.03). Five patients were continent of stool per ACE stoma. Four patients (67%) had complications. Three of five patients (60%) who underwent synchronous urinary diversion required postoperative re-exploration. Five patients (83%) were satisfied with their outcome and rated their quality of life higher after the ACE procedure compared with pre-ACE. Conclusions The ACE procedure is effective in the long-term management of adult neurogenic bowel. The complication and re-exploration rates are high. Patients must be properly selected to determine appropriate motivation.
WeINteract: a pervasive audience participation system

Greece has given the world two great gifts: the Olympics, and democracy. This paper introduces "WeINteract" (WIN) - a pervasive audience participation system that strives to connect these two great traditions. The "WIN" system introduces a method for capturing and quantifying the audience's natural performance - approval activities such as clapping and waving as a measure of their score to the athletes. Through the use of the proposed technology, we predict that there will be a significant increase in audience engagement, and a greater appreciation of the Olympic judging process.
Pigmented villonodular synovitis and synovial chondromatosis arthroscopically diagnosed and treated in the same elbow

This case is a report of arthroscopically diagnosed synovial chondromatosis and pigmented villonodular synovitis in the same elbow. A literature review found no prior reports of an association of these entities. Arthroscopy appears to be effective in the management of pigmented villonodular synovitis and synovial chondromatosis in the elbow.
Modeling haul-out behavior of walruses in Bering Sea ice

Understanding haul-out behavior of ice-associated pinnipeds is essential for designing and interpreting population surveys and for assessing effects of potential changes in their ice environments. ...
Site selective chemistry of S, Cl and H2O at the iron oxide surface

The interactions of Cl2, H2O, and H2S at an Fe oxide surface have been studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) under ultrahigh vacuum conditions. The Fe oxide contains both Fe2+ and Fe3+ sites. On the clean oxide surface, adsorption of H2S at 115 K yields both adsorbed sulfur (Sa) and SHa. On a surface preexposed to Cl2 at 115 K only SHa is observed. Exposure of H2S to a surface preexposed to H2O at 115 K results only in Sa. XPS measurements of the Fe(2p32) line show that Cl adsorbs only at Fe2+ sites, indicating that Cl and S compete for Fe2+ sites. Previous studies have shown that subsequent exposure of a sulfided oxide surface to Cl2 at 115 K results in desorption of Sa, with no effect on SHa. Annealing of the sulfided surface to 300 K prior to chlorine exposure at 115 K results in Sa being unaffected by the chlorine exposure, although SHa is converted to additional Sa during the annealing process. The annealing process also results in the conversion of Fe2+ to Fe3+ sites, as indicated by Fe(2p32) XPS spectra. These results indicate that there is significantly higher energy required for the conversion of Sa to FeS on the oxide surface than on metallic Fe.
Tensile and compressive buckling of plates weakened by cracks

Abstract Plates are susceptible to buckling under compression when the thickness dimension becomes sufficiently small. Such mode of structure failure can prevail even if the plates were extended in tension. Wribkling of stretched thin sheets is a commonly observed phenomenon that leads to complex deflection patterns, particularly in regions close to crack-like imperfections. Predictions of the buckled displacement modes for plates weakened by cracks will be made on the basis of a theory formulated by application of variational calculus. Finite element method is used such that defects of other shapes can also be analyzed. Various buckled displacement modes of a center-cracked plate are determined and displayed graphically. The critical buckling loads are found to decrease with increasing crack size. Moreover, local wrinkling of the plate surface becomes less pronounced for the higher buckling modes. The method of solution applies equally well to plates that are initially curved.
Medications for Substance Use Disorders

In this article, the authors briefly review the pharmacotherapeutic agents that are currently available for the treatment of substance use disorders. Nicotine replacement therapies are most effective for tobacco cessation. Naltrexone, acamprosate, and disulfiram are effective for reducing alcohol use. The most effective pharmacotherapies for opiate use disorders are agonist therapies, including methadone and buprenorphine. The authors also examine recent advances in medication development for other substance use disorders such as stimulant addiction. The role of medication adherence and behavioral treatments and the integration of behavioral and pharmacotherapeutic interventions are also discussed.
To revitalize neurology we need to address physician burnout

Illness causes suffering in unexpected ways. Patients suffer not only from their disease but also from diagnostic tests and treatment.1 Physicians are susceptible to adverse health consequences of their chosen profession.
Effects of Dihydrotestosterone and Estradiol on Experimental IgA Nephropathy Induced by Vomitoxin

Abstract Effects of Dihydrotestosterone and Estradiol on Experimental IgA Nephropathy Induced by Vomitoxin. Greene, D. M., Azcona-Olivera, J. I., Murtha, J. M., and Pestka, J. J. (1995). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 26, 107-116. Ingestion of the trichothecene vomitoxin (VT) by mice induces effects that mimic the common human glomerulonephritis, IgA nephropathy (IgAN). These include elevation of serum IgA, IgA immune complexes, and mesangial IgA deposition. Based on previous observations that male mice are more prone to VT-induced IgAN, the effects of castration of male and female B6C3F1 mice and sex hormone supplementation on several immunopathologic indicators of the disease were compared. In the first study, castrated and intact male and female mice were fed control AIN-76A diet or the same diet containing 10 ppm VT for 12 weeks. At Week 12, all but the intact female group fed VT exhibited increased serum IgA, with castrated female mice having greater levels than intact females. When microscopic hematuria was used as an indicator of disease severity in intact VT-fed mice, erythrocyte counts for males exceeded those for females at weeks 4 and 12. VT-fed, castrated females exhibited greater hematuria than intact counterparts, whereas VT-fed, castrated males had lower urinary erythrocyte counts than intact counterparts. In a second study, castrated male and female mice were implanted with controlled release pellets of placebo, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), or 17β-estradiol (E 2 ) and then were fed either control diet or a 10 ppm VT diet for 8 weeks. Castrated male and female mice treated with VT and DHT pellet exhibited more severe hematuria, higher IgA levels, and greater mesangial IgA deposition than mice exposed to the same diet with placebo or E 2 pellet at Week 8. While VT-fed animals with an E 2 pellet exhibited greater hematuria and mesangial IgA deposition at Week 8 than the placebo groups, their IgA levels were not significantly elevated over those for VT-fed mice with a placebo pellet. Relative to two other pathologic markers for IgAN, the aforementioned effects in both studies were generally consistent with mesangial deposition of complement component C 3 but not IgG. The results suggest that (1) enhanced male susceptibility to VT-induced IgAN may be related to modulation by the biologically active androgen DHT and (2) while castration of females increased severity of VT-induced IgAN, supplementation of castrated male or female mice with E 2 did not reverse this effect but rather increased disease severity.
RED CELL SIZE HETEROGENEITY DURING ONDOGENY

To determine the manner in which erythrocyte changes occur during ontogeny, several red cell parameters were analyzed in 19 fetuses, 14 newborn infants, 19 children and 45 adults. Although MCV and Hb F levels decreased as expected during in utero development, the coefficient of variation of red cell size (%CV = SD/mean), or red cell distribution width (RDW), increased from fetuses to newborn infants, and then decreased in children to adult levels. In normal children and adults, in which erythropoiesis was in steady-state, the %CV was 15 (RDW was 13). The %CV in fetuses at 18 to 24 weeks gestation was 18, and it was 21 at term birth. This high value for %CV in newborn infants indicates substantial anisocytosis. Erythropoiesis at the time of birth is not a steady-state condition. Erythrocytes of a wide variety of sizes are present, with the appearance of new small cells on a background of older, larger red cells. This increased anisocytosis suggests that these new erythrocytes do not appear due to a smooth, continuous evolution of red cell size, but due to discrete, perhaps clonal changes.
Assessing Uncertainty in Small Area Forecasts: State of the Practice and Implementation Strategy

Forecasts are needed for everyday decisions and must be in the form of numbers. Yet forecasts invariably turn out to be different than the numbers that actually occur. Yet, most producers of forecasts only present a deterministic view of the future in the form of point predictions. However, the presence of uncertainty is inherent in management or policy decisions and there is often concern that benefits are overstated and risks are understated. Such concerns are difficult to address by providing only point forecasts with no assessment of their uncertainty. Having a better understanding of uncertainty can enhance the usefulness of forecasts and make the work of forecasting agencies an even more valuable product for planners, policy makers, and the public. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, it presents an overview of the current state-of-the-practice is assessing forecast uncertainty. Second, it offers a guidelines and options for implementing and building uncertainty into small area forecasting processes. There are options for assessing forecasting uncertainty that can and should be implemented by most, if not all, producers of forecasts.
Selective stimulation of human thymocyte subpopulations by recombinant IL-4 and IL-3.

Abstract Human thymocytes and thymocyte subsets were examined for their proliferative response to recombinant interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-3 (IL-3) in serum-free cultures. IL-4 induced marked proliferation of thymocytes after PHA and TPA stimulation, in contrast to the marginal response of T cells from adult peripheral blood. However, depletion of thymocytes bearing the CD3 antigen diminished the IL-4-induced proliferation of thymocytes, indicating that the response of thymocytes to IL-4 is mainly mediated by the CD3-positive cells. Phenotypic changes after culture with IL-4 showed an increase in the percentage of total thymocytes expressing mature T cell antigens (CD3, CD5, and TCR-1) and a decrease in CD1 -positive cells. In addition there was an increase in the percentage of CD4 + 8 − cells in both nylon wool-separated thymocytes and CD3-depleted cells with the disappearance of most of the CD4 + 8 + cells. However, an increase in the percentage of CD4 − 8 − cells was also observed. The IL-4-responding cells do, however, express the mature T cell antigen, CD5, in high density. The effect of IL-3 on the proliferation of human thymocytes was very low and detected only when the thymocytes were cultured in serum-free medium. Depletion of CD3-positive cells did not diminish the IL-3-mediated proliferation of thymocytes, indicating that IL-3-responsive thymocytes are more immature than the subset of thymocytes which responds to IL-4. These results suggest that IL-4 and IL-3 play different roles in the development of human T cells.
Effect of a Phosphorus Deficiency on Thyroid Function and Growth Hormone in the White Leghorn Male

Abstract Leghorn males, 66 to 96 days of age, were fed a diet marginally deficient in phosphorus (.14% nonphytate). Growth and feed intake were significantly reduced, but plasma calcium and phosphorus were unchanged. Bone ash was significantly reduced compared to pair-fed controls but not ad libitum-fed controls. Thyroid size increased and plasma growth hormone (GH) levels decreased with the deficiency, apart from any effect attributable to the lower food intake and weight gain. Plasma 3,5,3′triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxine (T4) were not significantly changed, although there was a tendency for T4 to be lower in the deficient chickens. As both thyroid size and plasma GH are regulated partly by pituitary function, dietary phosphorus may alter endocrine function through changes in pituitary metabolism.
Patient and Peri-operative Predictors of Morbidity and Mortality After Esophagectomy: American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS-NSQIP), 2005–2008

Our aim was to determine what specific patient and peri-operative factors contribute to major complications after esophagectomy. Using the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, data for esophagectomies between the years 2005 and 2008 were extracted and analyzed. Thirty-day post-operative complications were classified into seven major groups: (1) wound infections, (2) respiratory complications (pneumonia, intubation), (3) cardiac complications, (4) deep venous thrombosis, (5) sepsis/septic shock, (6) re-operation, and (7) death. Univariate analysis and logistic regression modeling were performed to determine if a significant association existed between patient factors or peri-operative factors and these post-operative complications. One thousand thirty-two patients who underwent esophagectomy were identified. Diabetes was the strongest pre-operative independent predictor of death (odds ratio (OR) 10.98; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.37–1.15, p < 0.1) or respiratory (OR 1.86; 95% CI 1.03–3.29, p = 0.04) or cardiac (OR 5.14; 95% CI 1.93–13.20, p < 0.01) complications following esophagectomy. Thoracotomy performed during the operation was not associated with an increased risk of respiratory or cardiac complications. The major predictors of morbidity after an esophagectomy are the patient factors of diabetes, dyspnea, peripheral vascular disease, and cerebrovascular accident while the peri-operative factors are pre-operative international normalized ratio, contaminated wound classification, and American Society of Anesthesiologists class. Similarly, the major predictors of mortality are diabetes, dyspnea, and age for patient factors and contaminated wound classification for peri-operative factors.
Familial Intracranial Aneurysms: Is Anatomic Vulnerability Heritable?

Background and Purpose—Previous studies have suggested that family members with intracranial aneurysms (IAs) often harbor IAs in similar anatomic locations. IA location is important because of its association with rupture. We tested the hypothesis that anatomic susceptibility to IA location exists using a family-based IA study. Methods—We identified all affected probands and first-degree relatives (FDRs) with a definite or probable phenotype in each family. We stratified each IA of the probands by major arterial territory and calculated each family’s proband-FDR territory concordance and overall contribution to the concordance analysis. We then matched each family unit to an unrelated family unit selected randomly with replacement and performed 1001 simulations. The median concordance proportions, odds ratios (ORs), and P values from the 1001 logistic regression analyses were used to represent the final results of the analysis. Results—There were 323 family units available for analysis, including 323 prob...
A pipelined signal processor for real-time generation of radar images

A special-purpose processor architecture for real-time spaceborne synthetic aperture radar strip-mapping mode data processing is described. This processor uses the fast Fourier transform (FFT) correlation technique to perform the range pulse compression function, and a hybrid FFT time-domain finite-impulse-response filtering approach to perform the range migration correction and azimuth pulse compression functions. The processing functions of this processor are pipelined to gain high throughput. This processor has the advantages of (1) being very efficient in both arithmetic computation and range migration correction and (2) requiring minimal control complexity. >
Relational Being in Question: A Reply to My Colleagues

I thank my colleagues for their generosity and their engaging reactions to my book. It is interesting, as well, to see the variations in the readings they give to the text. Churchill's initial view that I am not offering ontology is useful, as it speaks to a pervasive concern within the other commentaries that I am dismissing or dismantling cherished concepts of agency, experience, responsibility, and, indeed, physical reality. I underscore that the conception of relational being—just as these concepts—is a social construction. I do not wish to debate ontology but, rather, to explore how such constructions function, for good or ill, in everyday life.