cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Oncology nurses' experiences with prognosis-related communication with patients who have advanced cancer

Abstract Background Oncology nurses have opportunities to engage in prognosis-related communication with patients who have advanced cancer but encounter barriers that impede the patient's understanding of prognosis, delay transitions to end-of-life care, and contribute to nonbeneficial treatments. Purpose To describe nurses' experiences with prognosis-related communication with patients who have advanced cancer. Method Thematic analysis of audio-recorded interviews with oncology nurses ( n = 27). After data coding, themes were identified, and a thematic map was developed. Methods to ensure trustworthiness of the findings were used. Results Six themes were identified: being in the middle, assessing the situation, barriers to prognosis communication, nurse actions, benefits of prognosis understanding, and negative outcomes. Nurses managed barriers through facilitation, collaboration, or independent actions to help patients with prognosis understanding. Conclusions Shortcomings in prognosis-related communication with patients who have advanced cancer may contribute to negative outcomes for patients and nurses. Interventions that empower nurses to engage in prognosis communications are needed. Interprofessional communication skills education also may be beneficial.
Song dialects, mate selection, and breeding success in white-crowned sparrows.

Abstract The songs of 15 colour-marked, mated pairs of white-crowned sparrows (Zonotrichia leucophrys nuttalli) were recorded in a contact zone between the Presidio and San Francisco, California dialect regions. Males were recorded in the field and females were trapped after the breeding season and injected with testosterone to induce singing. The song of each member of a mated pair was classified using two different markers. It was found that most pairs did not match song types, and that the reproductive success of those that matched did not differ from those that did not match. Most of the territorial males sang the Presidio dialect, while most injected females sang the San Francisco dialect. The results fail to support a positive assortative mating hypothesis regarding the functional significance of learning dialects. It is suggested that the mismatching of songs could be due to sexual differences in the disposition to learn songs of neighbours at the breeding site.
Ecosystems and the Biosphere as Complex Adaptive Systems

Ecosystems are prototypical examples of complex adaptive systems, in which patterns at higher levels emerge from localized interactions and selection processes acting at lower levels. An essential aspect of such systems is nonlinearity, leading to historical dependency and multiple possible outcomes of dynamics. Given this, it is essential to determine the degree to which system features are determined by environmental conditions, and the degree to which they are the result of self-organization. Furthermore, given the multiple levels at which dynamics become apparent and at which selection can act, central issues relate to how evolution shapes ecosystems properties, and whether ecosystems become buffered to changes (more resilient) over their ecological and evolutionary development or proceed to critical states and the edge of chaos.
An improved, scalable, and impurity-free process for tolterodine tartrate

Tolterodine tartrate is an anticholinergic muscle relaxant used to treat urinary frequency, urinary urgency, and incontinence in people with unstable bladders. An improved, cost-effective, and impu...
Feminist polemic: British women's writings in english from the late renaissance to the French revolution

Abstract The paper describes the feminist writings by women that predate Mary Wollstonecraft's A Vindication of the Rights of Woman (1972) by two centuries and argues that this body of prowoman writings can legitimately be termed ‘feminist polemic’. Included in the definition of feminism is the struggle against slavery and the slave trade, since that struggle is fundamental to the liberation of women of color and, by extension, all women. The paper is organized according to three categories or subsets of feminist polemic: reactive polemic, reasoned polemic (some major and sustained, some shorter), and personal polemic which divides into autobiography as polemic and polemic of the heart. There are extensive descriptions and analyses of the writings of these authors within each category, including an explanation of the term polemic applied to women's writings. The essay concludes with an overarching view of the pioneer feminist polemicists and the relationships between class, economic dependence or independence, occupation, and writing for a living (or not). I also address why feminist polemic during these centuries focussed on misogyny, advocacy of women's rights, and inscriptions of female harmony and, lastly, why the concept of polemic is a valuable addition to the canon.
Relationship of Degree of Atherosclerosis of Internal Carotid System in the Brain of Women to Age and Coronary Atherosclerosis

Cerebral infaretion currently is the third leading cause of death in the United States. Since atherosclerosis of the cerebral arteries is the basis for the majority of strokes, the authors undertook to define more accurately the distribution of such atherosclerosis, its relation to coronary atherosclerosis, and its relation to such other factors as hypertension, obesity, and cerebral infarction. The results of their study are presented here.
Human hepatic cortisol reductase activities: enzymatic properties and substrate specificities of cytosolic cortisol Δ4-5β-reductase and dihydrocortisol-3α-oxidoreductase(s)

The metabolism of cortisol by human liver homogenates has been studied. Cortisol delta 4-reductase and dihydrocortisol-3-oxidoreductase activities were distributed in all subcellular fractions. The products of the soluble enzymes were identified. Cortisol and 5 beta-dihydrocortisol were reduced to 3 alpha,5 beta-tetrahydrocortisol, and 5 alpha-dihydrocortisol was reduced to 3 alpha,5 alpha-tetrahydrocortisol. The soluble enzymes showed a wide range of substrate specificity. The 21 substituted cortisol derivatives were not metabolized. The apparent Km values of cortisol delta 4-5 beta-reductase and dihydrocortisol-3 alpha-oxidoreductase for their substrates (cortisol, 5 alpha-dihydrocortisol, and 5 beta-dihydrocortisol) all ranged from 18 to 27 microM. Dexamethasone inhibited the reduction of all of these substrates and the inhibition was abolished by 21 substitution of the dexamethasone. Testosterone was a competitive inhibitor of the reduction of cortisol, 5 alpha-dihydrocortisol, and 5 beta-dihydrocortisol with a Ki ranging from 11 to 32 microM. NADPH was the preferred cofactor for the cortisol delta 4-5 beta-reductase and dihydrocortisol-3 alpha-oxidoreductase. No end product inhibition was observed.
Employers' search prior to exhaustion of advance notice period

Abstract Evidence, based on a novel Slovenian vacancy dataset, suggests that the probability of filling a vacancy is higher when: no advance notice of a vacancy is received, the length of received notice is short, and when near notice's exhaustion date.
Assessment of sexual dysfunction in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia

Sexual dysfunction is a highly prevalent condition in ageing men that considerably affects their quality of life, although it is a frequently neglected aspect of healthcare. The main predictors of sexual dysfunction are age and cardiovascular comorbidities such as hypertension, heart disease, hypercholesterolaemia and diabetes. Recently, the severity of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) has also been identified as a crucial risk factor for sexual dysfunction, independent of age and comorbidities. Despite the increased prevalence of sexual dysfunction with age, health-related problems and psychological factors, there is evidence that many older men remain sexually active. Currently available self-administered questionnaires assessing male sexual dysfunction focus almost exclusively on erectile function. There is evidence from recent large-scale epidemiological studies that ejaculatory dysfunction (EjD) is almost as prevalent as erectile dysfunction (ED), affecting nearly half of men aged > or = 50 years. Other domains such as orgasm, desire, and satisfaction with sex life are important and should be considered. There is thus a need to develop and validate more comprehensive and multidimensional instruments for assessing sexual dysfunction in ageing men. A new instrument, the Male Sexual Health Questionnaire (MSHQ), was developed and validated to assess these specific aspects of male sexual dysfunction . It consists of a 25-item self-administered questionnaire including three core domains (erection, ejaculation, satisfaction with sex life) and additional items related to sexual activity, desire and bother related to sexual dysfunction. The MSHQ scale has excellent psychometric properties and is well suited for use in clinical and research settings. A short form of the MSHQ scale is currently under development.
Regioselective routes to disubstituted dibenzo crown ethers and their complexations

Two isomers of bis(carbomethoxybenzo)-24-crown-8 (cis-BCMB24C8, 1, and trans-BCMB24C8, 2) were synthesized regiospecifically with acceptable to excellent yields. Cyclization in the presence of a template reagent, KPF(6), led to an essentially quantitative yield of the potassium complex of the crown ether 1; the isolated cyclization yield of pure was a remarkable 89%! The methods not only avoid the very difficult separation of the isomers, but also greatly shorten the synthesis time by eliminating syringe pump usage during cyclization. The complexations of the isomeric BCMB24C8 with dibenzylammonium hexafluorophosphate (10) were studied by NMR; association constants (Ka) for 1 and 2 with the dibenzylammonium cation are 190 and 312 M(-1), respectively. The X-ray crystal structures of crown ether and the complexes 1.KPF(6), 2.KPF(6) and pseudorotaxane 2.10 were determined.
The effect of oral contraceptives on reproductive function during semichronic exposure to ethanol by the female rat.

Abstract 1. 1. Female rats were placed on water, 5% ethanol (ET), or 20% ET drinking solutions for 8 weeks. The last 2 weeks, the rats received orally either ethinyl estradiol (EE), norethindrone acetete (NED), or a combination of both. 2. 2. Luteinizing hormone decreased due to ET drinking and was undetectable subsequent to the steroidal treatment. 3. 3. Prolactin increased after steroid treatment and alcohol drinking in the controls. 4. 4. Ethanol (5%) plus EE increased prolactin as did the steroidal combination, whereas ET (20%) likewise increased prolactin in conjunction with NED over water controls. 5. 5. Hepatic alcohol dehydrogenase was inhibited due to EE when compared to water-controls in the 5% ET drinking animal, whereas aldehyde dehydrogenase was induced in combination with NED in both the 5% and 20% ET drinking rats.
Outcome following open reduction and internal fixation of open pilon fractures.

Background: A variety of treatment options exist for open pilon fractures of the distal end of the tibia. In this study, we evaluated the use of a staged protocol designed to minimize the risk of soft-tissue complications and to allow for optimal reduction of the fracture. Methods: Sixty-eight patients presenting with an open pilon fracture were identified from a prospectively maintained database of 186 consecutive patients. Fifty-nine of the sixty-eight patients, with an average age of forty-seven years, were followed for an average of thirty-four months and formed the study cohort. Within this group, there were two grade-I, three grade-II, thirty-seven grade-IIIA, and seventeen grade-IIIB open injuries. Clinical and radiographic outcomes were assessed by individuals not involved in the treatment of the patients. Functional outcome was assessed, with use of the modified Mazur scoring system and Short Form-36 Version 2.0 questionnaire, for thirty-eight patients who were followed for a minimum of two years. Results: Fifty-two of the fifty-nine fractures healed. Six fractures had bone-grafting, and each progressed uneventfully to union. One patient required an amputation following a failed free tissue transfer. Two patients (3%) were deemed to have a deep wound infection and were successfully treated with a six-week course of culture-specific intravenous antibiotics. Three patients (5%) had a superficial wound infection that was successfully treated with oral antibiotics. The average physical component score on the Short Form-36 Version 2.0 was 40.3 points. The average mental component score (54.9 points) was better than the age-matched norm in the majority of the age groups. The average modified Mazur score was 44.8 of a possible 100, with most patients scoring in the poor range. Conclusions: Open reduction and internal fixation of open pilon fractures was accomplished with an acceptable outcome and a low prevalence of soft-tissue complications. We believe these results can be reproduced through routine use of an individualized treatment algorithm including the use of staged procedures, meticulous soft-tissue management, liberal use of temporizing external fixation, and a patient-specific approach to fixation and soft-tissue coverage. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Are Endoscopic Therapies Appropriate for Superficial Submucosal Esophageal Adenocarcinoma? An Analysis of Esophagectomy Specimens

Background Endoscopic resection and ablation have advanced the treatment of intramucosal esophageal adenocarcinoma and have been promoted as definitive therapy for selected superficial submucosal tumors. Controversy exists regarding the prevalence of nodal metastases at various depths of mucosal and submucosal invasion. Our aim was to clarify this prevalence and identify predictors of nodal spread. Study Design An expert gastrointestinal pathologist retrospectively reviewed 54 T1 adenocarcinomas from 258 esophagectomy specimens (2000 to 2008). Tumors were classified as intramucosal or submucosal, the latter being subclassified as SM1 (upper third), SM2 (middle third), or SM3 (lower third) based on the depth of tumor invasion. The depth of invasion was correlated with the prevalence of positive nodes. Fisher's exact test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify variables predicting nodal disease. Results Nodal metastases were present in 0% (0 of 25) of intramucosal, 21% (3 of 14) of SM1, 36% (4 of 11) of SM2, and 50% (2 of 4) of SM3 tumors. The differences were significant between intramucosal and submucosal tumors (p Conclusions All depths of submucosal invasion of esophageal adenocarcinoma were associated with an unacceptably high prevalence of nodal metastases and a marked increase relative to intramucosal cancer. Accurate predictors of nodal spread, independent of tumor depth, are currently lacking and will be necessary before recommending endoscopic resection with or without concomitant ablation as curative treatment for even superficial submucosal neoplasia.
Barriers to reproductive tract infection (RTI) care among Vietnamese women: implications for RTI control programs.

Vietnamese women may be especially vulnerable to reproductive tract infections (RTIs) and their biological and social sequelae. Few data are available on the prevalence of and health-seeking behavior for RTIs among women in Vietnam. The goal of this study was to assess the prevalence of RTI symptoms describe treatment-seeking behaviors and identify barriers to care among Vietnamese women. A population-based survey was conducted among 1163 Vietnamese women aged 18-49 years. 507 women (43.6%) reported RTI symptoms in the previous 6 months including abnormal vaginal discharge (78.3%) lower abdominal pain (46.7%) and genital ulcers (3.6%). 64% of these women sought care at some type of medical venue: health station (i.e. government clinic; 24.7%) hospital (15.8%) pharmacy (15.2%) or private doctor (8.1%). The remaining women ignored symptoms (24.8%) or were self-treated (11.4%). In multivariate analysis stigma associated with sexually transmitted infections (odds ratio [OR] = 1.83; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.25-2.70); not seeking informal advice (OR = 2.90; 95% CI = 1.82-4.62); mildness of symptoms (OR = 3.01; 95% CI = 1.45-6.23); absence of perceived morbidity (OR = 3.56; 95% CI = 2.20-5.77); short duration of symptoms (OR = 2.53 95% CI - 1.04-6.16) were significantly associated with ignoring RTI symptoms. A substantial number of women in northern Vietnam who reported RTI symptoms did not seek care. Interventions to raise awareness about RTI symptoms and their consequences dissipate negative stereotypes and encourage open discussion about RTIs should facilitate appropriate care-seeking for RTIs. (authors)
Genotoxic effects of the o-phenylphenol metabolites phenylhydroquinone and phenylbenzoquinone in V79 cells

o-Phenylphenol (OPP) and its sodium salt, sodium o-phenylphenate are broad spectrum fungicides and disinfectants with widespread usage. Both chemicals have been reported to induce cancer in the kidney and urinary bladder of Fischer 344 rats. Recently it has been proposed that the metabolic activation of OPP occurs via a two-step process involving the cytochrome P450-mediated formation of phenylhydroquinone (PHQ) in the liver and a prostaglandin H synthase-mediated oxidation of PHQ to phenylbenzoquinone (PBQ) in the urinary tract. In order to further investigate the metabolic activation and genotoxic effects of OPP, we have investigated the ability of PHQ and PBQ to induce micronuclei and mutations at the HGPRT locus in a prostaglandin H synthase-containing V79 Chinese hamster lung fibroblast cell line. In arachidonic acid-supplemented V79 cells, PHQ induced a significant increase in micronuclei whereas no increase was observed in cells in the absence of arachidonic acid supplementation. Immunofluorescent labeling of centromeric proteins with the CREST antibody indicated that the arachidonic acid-dependent induction of micronuclei by PHQ was due almost entirely to micronuclei containing whole chromosomes which had failed to segregate properly during mitosis. The induction of micronuclei by PHQ was significantly inhibited by treatment of the cells with indomethacin, aspirin, ascorbic acid, dithiothreitol and reduced glutathione supporting a role for prostaglandin H synthase in the genotoxic effects of PHQ. No increase in 6-thioguanine-resistant cells was observed in cells treated with PHQ or PBQ. This arachidonic acid-dependent conversion of PHQ to a genotoxic species is consistent with the hypothesis that a prostaglandin H synthase-mediated activation of PHQ may be involved in OPP- and SOPP-induced urinary tract carcinogenesis and also suggests that the induction of aneuploidy may play an important role in OPP-induced tumorigenesis.
Protection from being indoors against inhalation of suspended particulate matter of outdoor origin

Abstract A method previously described for estimating the protection from being indoors against inhalation of suspended particulate matter of outdoor origin was applied to a wide variety of building and room types. The average protection factor was found to be about 4.5 for large particles and 2.2 for submicron particles.
Cannabinoids and appetite stimulation

Appetite stimulation by cannabinoids is highly variable. Four within-subject design studies explored the effects of age, gender, satiety status, route of drug administration, and dose on intake. One study involved a single oral administration of active drug (15 mg males, 10 mg females) or placebo to an age and gender stratified sample of 57 healthy, adult light marijuana users. Eleven subjects received single doses by oral, sublingual, and inhaled routes in a second study. In the third study, 10 subjects ingested a single oral dose in fasted and fed states. A 2.5 mg dose was administered b.i.d. for 3 days by oral and rectal suppository routes in the fourth study. Mean daily energy intake was significantly elevated following chronic dosing by rectal suppository, but not oral capsule, relative to all acute dosing regimens except inhalation. Total daily energy intake was comparable on fed and fasted days, suggesting satiety mechanisms were not impaired by the drug. Subject age, gender, reported "high," and plasma drug level were not significantly associated with drug effects on food intake.
Benzophenone photophores in biochemistry

The photoactivatable aryl ketone derivatives have been rediscovered as biochemical probes in the last 5 years. The expanding use of benzophenone (BP) photoprobes can be attributed to three distinct chemical and biochemical advantages. First, BPs are chemically more stable than diazo esters, aryl azides, and diazirines. Second, BPs can be manipulated in ambient light and can be activated at 350-360 nm, avoiding protein-damaging wavelengths. Third, BPs react preferentially with unreactive C-H bonds, even in the presence of solvent water and bulk nucleophiles. These three properties combine to produce highly efficient covalent modifications of macromolecules, frequently with remarkable site specificity. This Perspectives includes a brief review of BP photochemistry and a selection of specific applications of these photoprobes, which address questions in protein, nucleic acid, and lipid biochemistry.
Our present concern: historicism, teleology, and contingent histories of a more democratic global past

As scholars have attempted to move away from Eurocentric views over the past few decades and integrate disparate parts of the world into a more democratic narrative of world history, they have increasingly relied on the present as an empirical guidepost. The motives and rationales for this primary concern with the present as a source of historical knowledge are complex and deeply embedded in epistemological traditions and chronotypes that demand particular views of transitional history and time. This article attempts to explore these views from two critical angles. The first addresses historicism as a pervasive, but increasingly subtle, analytical tool that unfailingly lends itself to confining teleologies of the present. The urge to view history as a developmental phenomenon culminating in the present offers bounded closure to historical narratives while leaving open the possibilities of continued progress. It is a way for historians to ‘have their cake and eat it too’ in terms of reconciling analytical ...
Nonexercise stress transthoracic echocardiography: transesophageal atrial pacing versus dobutamine stress

Abstract Objectives To compare transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography with dobutamine stress echocardiography for feasibility, safety, duration, patient acceptance and concordance in inducing wall motion abnormalities. Background Transesophageal atrial pacing is an effective method of increasing heart rate and has been used in the assessment of coronary artery disease. Methods Both tests were performed in sequence on the same patients in random order. Transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography began at a heart rate of 10 beats/min above the baseline value and was increased by 20 beats/min every two min until 85% of the age-predicted maximum heart rate or another end point was reached. Dobutamine echocardiography was performed using three-min stages and a maximum dose of 40 μg/kg per min. Atropine (total dose ≤2 mg) was administered at the start of the 40 μg/kg per min stage if needed to augment heart rate or during pacing if Wenckebach heart block occurred. Results Transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography was feasible in 100 of 104 patients (96%); the duration (8.6 ± 3.6 min) was significantly shorter than that of dobutamine stress echocardiography (15.1 ± 3.9 min) (p = 0.0001). With transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography, the recovery period was shorter, symptoms and dysrhythmias were fewer, hypertension and hypotension were less common and target heart rate was more frequently achieved. No complications occurred with either test. Patient acceptance was satisfactory. Agreement between results of both tests was good for segmental wall motion scoring with a 16-segment model, scores 1 to 5 (kappa: rest, 0.79; peak, 0.57) and test interpretation (normal, ischemia, infarction or resting wall motion abnormality with ischemia) (kappa: 0.77). Conclusions Transesophageal atrial pacing stress echocardiography is a feasible, well-tolerated alternative to dobutamine stress echocardiography. It can be performed rapidly and shows good agreement with dobutamine stress echocardiography in the induction of myocardial ischemia.
Management of acute renal failure in children

Abstract The term acute kidney injury (AKI) has replaced acute renal failure, recognizing that an acute decline in renal function is often secondary to an injury or insult. The incidence of AKI was 8 per million total population in a UK retrospective study. AKI is classified into three groups: pre-renal, intrinsic renal and obstructive post-renal AKI. Haemolytic uraemic syndrome and acute tubular necrosis (ATN) are the most common causes in children. This review discusses the clinical evaluation, investigation and management of AKI and its associated complications. The prognosis for AKI depends upon the underlying cause. It is good for ATN and interstitial nephritis but AKI following cardiac surgery has the worst outcome. Other poor prognostic factors include multiorgan failure, inotropic support, ventilation and need for dialysis therapy. AKI due to primary renal disease is not common but is the cause for the majority of children who need chronic dialysis therapy. All children with AKI who require renal replacement therapy need long-term follow-up to monitor blood pressure, proteinuria and renal function.
Concordance between sexual behavior and sexual identity in street outreach samples of four racial/ethnic groups.

BackgroundThere is a discrepancy between self-reported sexual identity and sexual behavior. The magnitude of this discrepancy is unclear, as is its variation across race/ethnicity and gender.GoalThe goal of the study was to assess the range of discrepancy in self-reported sexual identity and sexual
A Fresh Look at the Process of Arriving at a Clinical Prognosis Part 4: Fractures

Abstract Equine bone and biomechanics research continues to provide us with sound and practical concepts for preventing fractures in equine athletes, accelerating a safe return to training and competition, and avoiding recurrence. Bone is a living, dynamic tissue that is constantly in a state of turnover as part of its ongoing maintenance, and is constantly responding to the various forces it experiences, from within and without. Even the seemingly inert, acellular components of bone are in a perpetual state of flux under both biomechanical and metabolic/nutritional influences. Homeostasis in bone involves both modeling and remodeling; modeling is bone's adaptive response to increases or decreases in load that are of insufficient magnitude to damage the bone. It involves the addition or removal of existing bone, changing the shape and loading capacity of the bone as needed. Remodeling is bone's reparative response to injury; it involves the removal and replacement of bone in the area of damage. Fractured bone needs the following conditions for best repair: protection—remove the primary cause of bone injury and prevention of further such injury; stability—depends on the type and site of fracture; blood flow—bone is dependent on good blood supply for repair; competent immune response—a robust white cell response is necessary both for tissue repair and for prevention/resolution of bacterial infection at the site; nutrients—all living tissues need adequate calories, and protein, minerals (including trace minerals), and vitamin D are of primary importance for optimal bone repair; and load—after fracture healing, increasing the loading capacity of the bone directs further bone repair and modeling. The prognosis may be adversely affected when any of these conditions are not met adequately. Generally, fractures in horses are not fatal injuries by themselves but most often prompted by a poor prognosis for return to soundness because of the fracture type, the development of serious complications, and the economic investment required for adequate repair. Factors that determine the prognosis for survival are degree of structural failure, ease of fixation and potential for complications, adequacy of stabilization, concurrent and complicating conditions, owner's wishes, and prognosis for return to athletic performance. Fractures of the metacarpus and metatarsus are used to illustrate the aforementioned principles.
Evidence for a fast-exchange conformational process in α-bungarotoxin

Abstract J. J. Fiordalisi and G. A. Grant . Evidence for a fast-exchange conformational process in α-bungarotoxin. Toxicon31, 767–775, 1993.—Anomalous behavior of the post-synaptic protein neurotoxin, α-bungarotoxin (α-bgt), has been observed during reverse-phase HPLC. Purified samples of this toxin from two distinct sources elute from reverse-phase columns as two separate peaks. The protein species represented by these two peaks are in rapid equilibrium, the relative ratio of which displays a pH dependency with a pKa of approximately 3. This equilibrium does not involve the dimerization or aggregation of the toxin and appears to be relatively unique to α-bungarotoxin in that similar behavior is not displayed by several other available α-neurotoxins. pH-dependent conformational changes have been documented for several α-neurotoxins whose crystal structures have been determined (α-bungarotoxin, α-cobratoxin, and erabutoxin b). One or more of these may account for the observed behavior of α-bungarotoxin on reverse-phase HPLC.
The Role of Students’ Attitudes and Test-Taking Motivation on the Validity of College Institutional Accountability Tests: A Path Analytic Model

Given worldwide prevalence of low-stakes testing for monitoring educational quality and students’ progress through school (e.g., Trends in International Mathematics and Science Study, Program for International Student Assessment), interpretability of resulting test scores is of global concern. The nonconsequential nature of low-stakes tests can undermine students’ test-taking motivation, artificially deflating performance and thus jeopardizing validity of test-based inferences, whether they pertain to programs, institutions, or nations (Eklof, 2007, 2010; Stanat & Ludtke, 2013; Wise & DeMars, 2005). Moreover, students in countries such as the United States, where academic progress over the course of K–12 (kindergarten through Grade 12) is systematically assessed, are likely to develop antagonistic attitudes toward low-stakes testing by the time they enter college. The relationship between such attitudes, test-taking motivation, and performance on a low-stakes university accountability test was modeled via...
Cigarette smoking and epithelial ovarian cancer by histologic type.

Abstract Objective: To examine cigarette smoking as a risk factor for different types of epithelial ovarian cancer. Methods: We used data from the Cancer and Steroid Hormone Study, a multicenter, population-based, case control investigation. Cases were 447 women aged 20–54 years with diagnoses of epithelial ovarian cancer. Controls were 3868 women selected by random-digit dialing. Conditional logistic regression was used to obtain odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as estimators of the relative risk of ovarian cancer. With age and study site as conditioning variables, OR point estimates were additionally adjusted for parity and use of oral contraceptives. Results: The OR of mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer for women who had ever smoked was 2.3 (95% CI 1.4, 3.9) and for current smokers was 2.9 (95% CI 1.7, 4.9). The OR of mucinous tumors for current smokers was significantly elevated regardless of years since first cigarette or age at which women first smoked. The OR of mucinous tumors for current smokers increased slightly as cumulative pack-years of smoking increased, although the trend was not significant. Similar patterns of elevated risk were not observed among serous, endometrioid, or other histologic types. Odds ratio point estimates for former smokers were not significantly elevated for any histologic type. Conclusion: Current cigarette smoking was a risk factor for mucinous epithelial ovarian cancer, but not other histologic types.
Calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis

Calcific retropharyngeal tendinitis is an imflammation of the longus colli muscle tendon which is located on the anterior surface of the verterbral column extending from the atlas to the third thoracic vertebra. The acute inflammatory condition is selflimiting with symptoms consisting of a gradually increasing neck pain often associated with throat pain and difficulty swallowing. The pain is aggravated by head and neck movement. Clinically the condition can be confused with retropharyngeal abscess, meningitis, infectious spondylitis, and post-traumatic muscle spasm. The radiographic features of this condition consist of pre-vertebral soft tissue swelling from C1 to C4 and amorphous calcific density in the longus colli tendon anterior to the body of C2 and inferior to the anterior arch of C1.
Biomechanical signals exert sustained attenuation of proinflammatory gene induction in articular chondrocytes.

Summary Objectives Physical therapies are commonly used for limiting joint inflammation. To gain insight into their mechanisms of actions for optimal usage, we examined persistence of mechanical signals generated by cyclic tensile strain (CTS) in chondrocytes, in vitro . We hypothesized that mechanical signals induce anti-inflammatory and anabolic responses that are sustained over extended periods. Methods Articular chondrocytes obtained from rats were subjected to CTS for various time intervals followed by a period of rest, in the presence of interleukin-1β (IL-1β). The induction for cyclooxygenase (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, MMP-13 and aggrecan was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence. Results Exposure of chondrocytes to constant CTS (3% CTS at 0.25Hz) for 4–24h blocked more than 90% ( P P Conclusions Data suggest that constant application of CTS blocks IL-1β-induced proinflammatory genes at transcriptional level. The signals generated by CTS are sustained after its removal, and their persistence depends upon the length of CTS exposure. Furthermore, the sustained effects of mechanical signals are also reflected in their ability to induce aggrecan synthesis. These findings, once extrapolated to human chondrocytes, may provide insight in obtaining optimal sustained effects of physical therapies in the management of arthritic joints.
Structural mechanisms of anomalous thermal expansion of cordierite-beryl and other framework silicates

The structural mechanisms controlling the anomalous thermal expansion behavior of the cordierite-beryl type structure and other framework silicates are discussed. The expansion of a particular silicate framework depends on the temperature response of the framework itself involving T–O–T and O–T–O angular changes, the expansion coefficient(s) of the nontetrahedral bonds, if present, and the interplay between these two factors. For cordierite, beryl, and β-eucryptite, expanding nontetrahedral bonds play a critical role in driving the anomalous thermal expansion observed. For β-spodumene and the feldspars, the thermal response of the framework dominates the expansion mechanism. The effects of channel constituents on the thermal expansion of the cordierite-beryl framework are also discussed.
A porcine model for aortic valve insufficiency: If pigs could fly, they would teach surgeons to treat AI

datafit with some clinical series in which initially plications were performed at the commissures leading to early repair failures, and these patients came back with regurgitation early after surgery, even sometimes in the same admission. Therefore, we now perform plications in the middle of the free edge and the middle of the cusp, just an example to demonstrate that our data correlate with what’s clinically seen in series. Dr Schmoker. Or it may be a limitation of finite element analysis as far as where you’re seeing those stresses evolving through diastole. My final question, as you move forward, how reliable do you think this model is going to be for evaluating repair techniques if you use the same root for preintervention, postintervention, and repair techniques as you propose to do? Because the tissue is assessed at room temperature, my concern is that this may affect structural integrity of the matrix materials and cells over the time frame of the acute experiments, which may impair your final analysis in your valve repair techniques. In other words, I’m looking at a time frame of warm ischemia from harvest to the end of proposed repair. Do you have any plans to look at structural changes, such as with histology? Dr Al-Atassi. First, we have to produce different models for the different types of AI. Second, in terms of time frame, there are data in the engineering literature, at least, that end-diastolic stresses correlate with material fatigue. So if we establish that correlation, I don’t believe we would need a long-lasting root that is exposed to months of evaluations to find out whether our repair is functional. I believe the important thing is if we establish a low-stress model of repair, then we can extrapolate and say that’s likely a better repair technique than one that maximizes the stresses on the cusps. Finally, our model is examining macro-level findings, such as dimensions and coaptation, and although ischemic time may affect the root at a cellular and histologic level, it is unlikely to affect the results we are after.
The 2010 AHA/ACC/AATS Guidelines on the Management of Thoracic Aortic Disease: What they say and why

Abstract The AHA/ACC/AATS Guidelines on the Management of Thoracic Aortic Disease were published in 2010 as a consensus statement designed to assist health care providers with clinical decision making when caring for patients with potentially lethal thoracic aortic diseases. This document discusses the guidelines and related works as they pertain to patients with thoracic aortic aneurysms.
CATALYSTS OF LIPID PEROXIDATION IN MEATS. 1. Linoleate Peroxidation Catalyzed by MetMb or Fe(II)-EDTA

SUMMARY The possibility of catalysis of unsaturated fat oxidation by both hemoprotein and non-heme iron components of meat has been pointed out. Model systems of these 2 catalysts have been compared. The hemoprotein MetMb accelerated linoleic acid peroxidation in pH range 5.6–7.8, the catalysis increasing with pH. A complex of ferrous ion and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [Fe(II)-EDTA]–a non-heme iron model–in a 1 to 1 ratio accelerated peroxidation at lower pH; no catalysis took place above pH 6.4. Most chelating agents eliminated Fe(II)-EDTA catalysis, but had no effect on MetMb catalysis. Reducing agents, both ascorbic acid and thiols, on the other hand, accelerated Fe(II)-EDTA catalysis but inhibited MetMb catalysis. Other sulfur compounds with -S- or -S-S- groups, except thiodipropionic acid (TDPA) at concentration of 6 × 10-3 M, showed no effect on either type of catalysis.
A Bound on the Performance of an Optimal Ambulance Redeployment Policy

Ambulance redeployment is the practice of repositioning ambulance fleets in real time in an attempt to reduce response times to future calls. When redeployment decisions are based on real-time information on the status and location of ambulances, the process is called system-status management. An important performance measure is the long-run fraction of calls with response times over some time threshold. We construct a lower bound on this performance measure that holds for nearly any ambulance redeployment policy through comparison methods for queues. The computation of the bound involves solving a number of integer programs and then simulating a multiserver queue. This work originated when one of the authors was asked to analyze a response to a request-for-proposals RFP for ambulance services in a county in North America.
64-bit prefix adders: Power-efficient topologies and design solutions

64-bit adders of various prefix algorithms are designed using a novel dataflow synthesis methodology, Our synthesis methodology offers robust adder solutions typically used for high-performance microprocessor needs. We have analyzed the power-performance tradeoffs for a portfolio of popular adder topologies and design styles. In particular, the intrinsically sparser designs in hierarchical prefix scheme are demonstrated to be preferable choices for both high-performance and lowpower adder applications.
Temperature‐Controlled Molecular Depolarization Gates in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

Down the drain: Cryptophane cages in combination with selective radiofrequency spin labeling can be used as molecular 'transpletor' units for transferring depletion of spin polarization from a hyperpolarized 'source' spin ensemble to a 'drain' ensemble. The flow of nuclei through the gate is adjustable by the ambient temperature, thereby enabling controlled consumption of hyperpolarization.
Targeting Endothelial Cell Surface Receptors: Novel Mechanisms of Microvascular Endothelial Barrier Transport

The delivery of novel biological therapeutic agents across the vascular endothelial barrier (such as monoclonal antibodies targeting specific receptors; e.g., anti-epithelial derived growth factor receptor antibody) represents a major challenge in drug delivery. The situation becomes even more complex in protein delivery across the much more restrictive bloodbrain barrier. In studying endothelial barrier function, we have identified new mechanisms of delivery of biologic therapeutics. Maximum anti-tumor effects or other protective effects of the specific protein thus can be achieved at doses below the maximum tolerated dose. In this review, I summarize below some of key recent development in this area with emphasis on our work.
Molecular Characterization of a Phage-Inducible Middle Promoter and Its Transcriptional Activator from the Lactococcal Bacteriophage φ31

An inducible middle promoter from the lactococcal bacteriophage φ31 was isolated previously by shotgun cloning an 888-bp fragment (P 15A10 ) upstream of the β-galactosidase (β-Gal) gene ( lacZ.st ) from Streptococcus thermophilus (D. J. O’Sullivan, S. A. Walker, S. G. West, and T. R. Klaenhammer, Bio/Technology 14:82–87, 1996). The promoter showed low levels of constitutive β-Gal activity which could be induced two- to threefold over baseline levels after phage infection. During this study, the fragment was subcloned and characterized to identify a smaller, tightly regulated promoter fragment which allowed no β-Gal activity until after phage infection. This fragment, defined within nucleotides 566 to 888 (P 566–888 ; also called fragment 566–888), contained tandem, phage-inducible transcription start sites at nucleotides 703 and 744 (703/744 start sites). Consensus −10 regions were present upstream of both start sites, but no consensus −35 regions were identified for either start site. A transcriptional activator, encoded by an open reading frame (ORF2) upstream of the 703/744 start sites, was identified for P 566–888 . ORF2 activated P 566–888 when provided in trans in Escherichia coli . In addition, when combined with pTRK391 (P 15A10 :: lacZ.st ) in Lactococcus lactis NCK203, an antisense ORF2 construct was able to retard induction of the phage-inducible promoter as measured by β-Gal activity levels. Finally, gel shift assays showed that ORF2 was able to bind to promoter fragment 566–888. Deletion analysis of the region upstream from the tandem promoters identified a possible binding site for transcriptional activation of the phage promoters. The DNA-binding ability of ORF2 was eliminated upon deletion of part of this region, which lies centered approximately 35 bp upstream of start site 703. Deletion analysis and mutagenesis studies also elucidated a critical region downstream of the 703/744 start sites, where mutagenesis resulted in a two- to threefold increase in β-Gal activity. With these improvements, the level of expression achieved by an explosive-expression strategy was elevated from 3,000 to 11,000 β-Gal units within 120 min after induction.
The major structural subunits of Dr and F1845 fimbriae are adhesins.

Fimbrial adhesins mediate the attachment of pathogenic Escherichia coli to various host tissues leading to the development of disease. The Dr hemagglutinin and F1845 fimbriae belong to the Dr family of adhesins, which is associated with urinary tract infections and diarrheal disease. These adhesins bind to the Dra blood-group antigen present on decay-accelerating factor (DAF). The Dr hemagglutinin is unique in this family since it also binds to type IV collagen and its binding is inhibited by the presence of chloramphenicol. We have purified the major structural subunits of Dr and F1845 fimbriae, DraE and DaaE, as fusions to maltose-binding protein and to oligohistidine tags and examined their binding to erythrocytes, Chinese hamster ovary cell transfectants expressing DAF, and a DAF fusion protein. The DraE and DaaE fusion proteins bind to the DAF receptor in a specific manner resembling the distinct phenotypes of the corresponding Dr and F1845 fimbriae. In contrast to binding studies with the DAF receptor, the DraE fusion proteins did not bind to type IV collagen.
Cardiovascular risk associated with the metabolic syndrome

The term metabolic syndrome refers to a clustering of cardiovascular risk factors, most of which also share insulin resistance as an additional feature. Scientific effort has concentrated on understanding why these diverse cardiovascular risks co-occur in individuals and in determining the presumed common environmental or genetic factors that might underpin this. Clinically important developments include publication of standard definitions of the metabolic syndrome and recommendations for the use of type 2 diabetes and the presence of the metabolic syndrome as critical "risk stratifiers" in cardiovascular disease prevention. The remarkable recent secular increases in the prevalence of type 2 diabetes and obesity in many populations mean that the importance of the metabolic syndrome as a determinant of cardiovascular disease is likely to increase until these trends can be reversed.
Computational colour constancy

The colour response of a camera or of the human eye is confounded by illumination. The colours recorded under yellow and blue illuminants are respectively more yellowish and bluish than they ought to be. Removing colour bias due to illumination is called colour constancy. Opinions differ as to whether colour constancy is a reasonably well solved problem or one that is still far beyond our reach. These conflicting conclusions result from the different ways that the colour constancy problem is defined. In this paper we review the color constancy problem placing special emphasis on the different definitions used. The links between the different approaches will also be made clear.