cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Risk Factors of Female Breast Cancer in Erqi District of Zhengzhou

Objective To explore risk factors of female breast cancer in an attempt to provide the basis for its prevention and treatment.Methods A case-control study was used,and all 35-69 year-old women with breast cancer were selected as the case group,and the control group was selected from the same communities,whose number was double than that of the case group.SPSS13.0 software was used for data statistics and analysis.Results The univariate analysis found that statistically significant factors were passive smoking,smoking,drinking,etc.,and there were no significant differences in age,marriage age and other factors.Conclusion Passive smoking,smoking,alcohol consumption and other factors may be risk factors for breast cancer,and age,marriage and age may not be its risk factors.
Management of acute iron overdose

Treatment of severe iron overdose in two children is described, and the pathophysiology of iron toxicity and management of acute iron poisonings are reviewed. An 11-month-old boy was comatose and in shock several hours after ingesting approximately 50 ferrous sulfate tablets (elemental iron 390 mg/kg). He had hyperglycemia and leukocytosis. Lavage was performed with a solution containing deferoxamine and sodium bicarbonate, and deferoxamine was given by continuous i.v. infusion for 48 hours. The initial serum iron (SI) concentration of 14,250 micrograms/dL decreased to 657 micrograms/dL nine hours after i.v. deferoxamine therapy was initiated. A roentgenogram showed tablets in the stomach and small bowel. Packed red blood cells were administered to treat apparent necrotizing gastroenteritis. SI concentration returned to normal by day three [corrected], and the child recovered. A 2.5-year-old boy was examined 1.25 hr after ingesting an estimated 55 tablets of ferrous gluconate 325 mg (elemental iron 130 mg/kg). Initial SI concentration was 134 micrograms/dL, and total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) was 219 micrograms/dL. A roentgenogram indicated iron concretion in the stomach and iron tablets in the small bowel. He underwent lavage with solution containing sodium bicarbonate. An i.m. dose of deferoxamine was administered, followed by i.v. deferoxamine therapy. SI concentration eight hours after the ingestion was 290 micrograms/dL, and whole-bowel irrigation was begun with polyethylene glycol-electrolyte solution. The irrigation and deferoxamine therapy were discontinued 20 hours after the ingestion, when SI concentration was 73 micrograms/dL, and the child recovered. Acute iron ingestions of more than 60 mg/kg are potentially serious. Patient 1 had severe iron intoxication, while aggressive treatment prevented severe toxicity in patient 2. Acute iron toxicity includes effects on the GI tract and the cardiovascular, metabolic, hepatic, and central nervous systems. Guidelines for assessing the severity of an overdose and selecting the most appropriate therapy are provided. The indications for chelation therapy with deferoxamine, gastric decontamination procedures including use of lavage solutions and whole-bowel irrigation, and adjunctive measures are described. Management of acute iron overdose includes supportive care, GI decontamination, and chelation therapy.
Mortality and Renal Replacement Therapy after Renal Artery Stent Placement for Atherosclerotic Renovascular Disease

Abstract Purpose To identify risk factors for progression to renal replacement therapy (RRT) and all-cause mortality in patients who underwent renal artery (RA) stent placement for atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS). Materials and Methods A retrospective study from June 1996 to June 2009 identified 1,052 patients who underwent RA stent placement. Glomerular filtration rate at time of RA stent placement was estimated from serum creatinine level and divided into chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 1–5. Univariate and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine which factors were associated with each endpoint. Results Times to progression to all-cause mortality and RRT were similar for CKD stages 1/2/3A and served as the reference group. In multivariable analysis, high-grade proteinuria ( P P P P = .02]) remained independently associated with increased risk of progression to RRT. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker (ACEI/ARB) use was associated with decreased risk of progression to RRT ( P = .03). Higher CKD stage (5 vs 1/2/3A [ P P = .004]), carotid artery disease ( P P = .002), and high-grade proteinuria ( P P Conclusions Patients with atherosclerotic RAS who undergo RA stent placement and have high-grade proteinuria and CKD stage 3B/4/5 have increased risk of progression to RRT. Patients with high-grade proteinuria, CKD stage 3B/4/5, carotid artery disease, or diabetes have increased risk for all-cause mortality after renal artery stent placement. Patients receiving ACEI/ARBs have a decreased risk of progression to RRT, and patients receiving statins have a decreased risk of all-cause mortality.
An Assessment of the Quantitative Literacy of Undergraduate Students

Quantitative literacy (QLT) represents an underlying higher-order construct that accounts for a person's willingness to engage in quantitative situations in everyday life. The purpose of this study is to retest the construct validity of a model of quantitative literacy (Wilkins, 2010). In this model, QLT represents a second-order factor that accounts for the interrelationship among three first-order factors: mathematical beliefs, mathematical disposition, and mathematical cognition. Using data from two samples of undergraduate students (n = 186 and n = 184), a series of confirmatory factor analyses were conducted. Results supported the hierarchical three-factor structure and confirmed its factorial invariance across multiple groups of students. Latent QLT scores from the model were used to compare and rank student QLT by gender and class standing.
Transfer of bovine demi-embryos with and without the zona pellucida.

Bisected bovine embryos with or without the zona pellucida were transferred to recipients nonsurgically in five field trials. Embryos were collected from superovulated donors 6.5 to 7.5 d after estrus; only embryos of good and excellent quality were bisected. Demi-embryos were transferred either within a zona pellucida, without a zona pellucida, without a zona pellucida, or in the third and fourth trials, without a zona but embedded in 7% gelatin. Pregnancies were diagnosed at 44 to 68 d of gestation. In a preliminary trial, 9/29 zona pellucida-intact demi-embryos developed into fetuses compared with 1/10 zona pellucida-free demi-embryos (P greater than .1). The proportion of zona-free demi-embryos developing to fetuses was not significantly different from the zona-intact group in the second trial either, 24/49 and 5/19, respectively. In trial 3, the proportion of zona pellucida-free demi-embryos developing was 8/25; of zona-enclosed embryos, 29/88; and of zona-free demi-embryos embedded in gelatin, 8/22 (P greater than .1). Similarly, in the fourth trial the rate of development of zona-free demi-embryos to fetuses was 5/12, that of zona-enclosed embryos was 32/81, and that of zona-free demi-embryos embedded in gelatin was 3/12 (P greater than .1). In trial 5, survival of zona-enclosed demi-embryos to fetuses was 40/105, and of zona-free demi-embryos, 46/109 (P greater than .1). Except for trial 2, half of the demi-embryos were twinned, one to each uterine horn; twinning did not significantly affect the proportion developing to fetuses for any of the demi-embryo groups. It is concluded that placing post-compaction demi-embryos into the zona pellucida for transfer does not improve pregnancy rates significantly.
THE PYLORUS AND THE DUODENAL CAP

This chapter focuses on the pylorus and the duodenal cap. The waves coursing over the stomach usually stop either at the pylorus or at a point 1 cm or 2 cm above it. There is a fibrous tissue barrier interrupting the muscular coats of stomach and duodenum. Only a few bridges cross over. There is an almost complete division also between the lymphatics in the stomach and duodenum, and a considerable separation of the blood vessels on the two sides of the pylorus. There are also physiologic differences between the muscles in the pars pylorica and those in the duodenal cap. The duodenal cap is peculiar anatomically, and in some ways it resembles the stomach more closely than the bowel. It has a peculiar blood supply. Food tends to stagnate in this region, possibly because the muscle is weaker here than it is above and below. Influences cross the pyloric line in both directions.
Mechanism for hot-carrier-induced interface trap generation in MOS transistors

New experiments for the deuterium isotope effect for hot hole and electron injection have been performed to probe the mechanism for the interface trap generation in n-MOS transistors. The results from these new experiments suggest that electrons in the channel, but not those electrons or holes injected into the oxide, are primarily responsible for the interface trap generation. The bond breaking at the SiO/sub 2/-Si interface is primarily due to the multiple vibrational excitation, which involves in a strong isotope effect.
Probing potential PhDs

"You have two square potential wells of the same width," my Stony Brook colleague Xu Du said to the candidate.
Effect of considering volcanic eruptions to predict P-values for solar PV plants in the U.S.

Volcanic eruptions have significant effect on the aerosol optical depth (AOD), which, in turn, affects solar irradiation. The primary factors contributing to the change in AOD are the magnitude of the eruption, geographic location of the volcano, and the distribution of SO 2 clouds post-eruption. The National Solar Radiation Database (NSRDB) has considered this effect by applying an additive factor to exclude variations in AOD attributable to the Pinatubo eruption in 1991. This paper investigates whether including or excluding years after a significant volcanic eruption would have a significant effect on the first-year P90 values for solar PV plants. The comparison of P-values will help analyze the effect of considering volcanic eruptions to predict P-values for solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in the U.S.
Ureteral Urodynamics: Past and Future

One of history’s purposes is to teach us lessons in how to avoid the errors of the past. I feel that urodynamics seems to have “gone clinical” too eagerly and has devoted itself too much to problems of the lower urinary tract, commendably, but to the neglect of the ureter and renal pelvis. Homeostasis of the chemical composition of the bodily fluids, the very medium for life itself, depends upon renal function and thus upon urodynamics. There is a vast uncharted area between homeostasis and the retention or expulsion of urine.
The effects of preoperative cardiology consultation prior to elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair on patient morbidity.

ObjectivesThe relationship between preoperative medical consultations and postoperative complications has not been extensively studied. Thus, we investigated the impact of preoperative consultation on postoperative morbidity following elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.MethodsA retrospective review was conducted on 469 patients (mean age 72 years, 20% female) who underwent elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair from June 2007 to July 2014. Data elements included detailed medical history, preoperative cardiology consultation, and postoperative complications. Primary outcomes included 30-day morbidity, consult-specific morbidity, and mortality. A bivariate probit regression model accounting for the endogeneity of binary preoperative medical consult and patient variability was estimated with a maximum likelihood function.ResultsEighty patients had preoperative medical consults (85% cardiology); thus, our analysis focuses on the effect of cardiac-related preoperative consults. Hyperlipidemia, increa...
A New Inversion Method to Obtain Upper-Ocean Current-Depth Profiles Using X-Band Observations of Deep-Water Waves

AbstractA new method for estimating current-depth profiles from observations of wavenumber-dependent Doppler shifts of the overlying ocean wave field is presented. Consecutive scans of marine X-band backscatter provide wave field measurements in the time–space domain that transform into the directional wavenumber–frequency domain via a 3D fast Fourier transform (FFT). Subtracting the linear dispersion shell yields Doppler shift observations in the form of (kx, ky, Δω) triplets. A constrained linear regression technique is used to extract the wavenumber-dependent effective velocities, which represent a weighted depth average of the Eulerian currents (Stewart and Joy). This new method estimates these Eulerian currents from the effective velocities via the inversion of the integral relationship, which was first derived by Stewart and Joy. To test the effectiveness of the method, the inverted current profiles are compared to concurrent ADCP measurements. The inversion method is found to successfully predict c...
Ultrasonic Detection of an Energy Gap Change in the N/S Transition for Trapped H in Nb

For a number of years the properties of low- lying excitations seen in many, amorphous materials have been interpreted in terms of a two-level tunneling model[1]. A large number of measurements of specific heat, neutron scattering, and ultrasonic attenuation and velocity have shown that hydrogen trapped at O or N impurities acts as a tunneling system and can be described with a two-level formalism with the imparities providing an internal strain bias. Recently, measurements in both the normal(N) and superconducting(S) states of ultrasonic attenuation in Nb-N-H[2], ultrasonic attenuation and velocity in Nb-O-H[3], and of neutron scattering[4] near 1.5 K and 9 K in Nb-O-H have shown that these systems interact strongly with the conduction electrons of the host material. YU and GRANATO[5] have proposed that the interaction of the conduction electrons with a two-level tunneling system reduces the splitting of the levels in the normal state. The purpose of these ultrasonic velocity measurements was to investigate this predicted effect of the environment on this model tunneling system.
Differential Item Functioning of the Emotional and Behavioral Screener for Caucasian and African American Elementary School Students.

ABSTRACTThe present study examined the psychometric properties of a universal screening instrument called the Emotional and Behavioral Screener (EBS), which is designed to identify students exhibiting emotional and behavioral problems. The primary purposes of this study were to assess the measurement invariance of EBS items between Caucasian and African-American students and to assess the impact of differential item functioning (DIF) on EBS scores. The sample consisted of 946 elementary students from throughout the U.S. The findings suggested that EBS items exhibited small to negligible levels of DIF, and that DIF did not significantly impact EBS scores. The results supported the EBS as universal screening instrument that is fair in measuring the emotional and behavioral risk of elementary students. Research limitations and implications for school professionals are discussed.
Effect of a high dosage opioid prior authorization policy on prescription opioid use, misuse, and overdose outcomes.

ABSTRACTBackground: High dosage opioid use is a risk factor for opioid-related overdose commonly cited in guidelines, recommendations, and policies. In 2012, the Oregon Medicaid program developed a prior authorization policy for opioid prescriptions above 120 mg per day morphine equivalent dose (MED). This study aimed to evaluate the effects of that policy on utilization, prescribing patterns, and health outcomes. Methods: Using administrative claims data from Oregon and a control state (Colorado) between 2011 and 2013, we used difference-in-differences analyses to examine changes in utilization, measures of high risk opioid use, and overdose after introduction of the policy. We also evaluated opioid utilization in a cohort of individuals who were high dosage opioid users before the policy. Results: Following implementation of Oregon's high dosage policy, the monthly probability of an opioid fill over 120 mg MED declined significantly by 1.7 percentage points (95% confidence interval [CI]; -2.0% to -1.4%)...
Martyrdom Represented as Care of the Self in the Texts of Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp

This chapter utilizes the insights of Elizabeth Castelli in thinking about the process of martyrdom—not just the final act of dying itself but of all that leads up to it—as a way of going about the care of the self, particularly in terms of what Foucault calls the “technology of self-writing. It explores the way that not only the Letters of Ignatius but also 1 Clement, the Letter of Polycarp, and the Martyrdom of Polycarp describe the process of suffering in terms of the care of the self. These texts emphasize patience and endurance and the belief that their selves will be fully formed at the end of a process culminating in imitating Christ’s death.
Bioengineering considerations in liver regenerative medicine

Liver disease contributes significantly to global disease burden and is associated with rising incidence and escalating costs. It is likely that innovative approaches, arising from the emerging field of liver regenerative medicine, will counter these trends. Liver regenerative medicine is a rapidly expanding field based on a rich history of basic investigations into the nature of liver structure, physiology, development, regeneration, and function. With a bioengineering perspective, we discuss all major subfields within liver regenerative medicine, focusing on the history, seminal publications, recent progress within these fields, and commercialization efforts. The areas reviewed include fundamental aspects of liver transplantation, liver regeneration, primary hepatocyte cell culture, bioartificial liver, hepatocyte transplantation and liver cell therapies, mouse liver repopulation, adult liver stem cell/progenitor cells, pluripotent stem cells, hepatic microdevices, and decellularized liver grafts. These studies highlight the creative directions of liver regenerative medicine, the collective efforts of scientists, engineers, and doctors, and the bright outlook for a wide range of approaches and applications which will impact patients with liver disease.
A ging Effect of Z ylon

Zylon fibers, which are made of high-strength polymer, are used at the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory for structural reinforcement of high field pulsed magnet coils. Most polymers are subject to chain scission, which is the result of aging degradation of the fibers in the absence of chemical agent. We studied chain scission of Zylon fibers stored with and without visible light. No mechanical strength degradation was found in Zylon stored without exposure to visible light for 8 years. Prolonged exposure to lab-lighting rendered formation of surface defects, resulting in reduction in mechanical strength.
The Relationship Between Transfer Student Status, Student Engagement, and High-Impact Practice Participation

Objective: Based on the growing number of transfer students in higher education and the concern that transfer students are not as engaged as their peers, specifically in participation in high-impac...
Sociobiology and the Information Metaphor

One focus of “the sociobiological debate” has been the issue of genetic determinism. I argue that the debate has suffered from an inadequate epistemological foundation for language invoking the information metaphor. Talk, which purports to be purely descriptive about genetic codes, blueprints, and programs actually acquires its meaning by extension from talk about human agency, involving such prescriptive notions as intention and conscious purpose. Following Nagel, I analyze the concept of a biological program in terms of the role of programs in goal-directed systems. The most significant implications of the analysis are that: (i) a program is a relation between a physical structure (DNA) and a goal-directed system which it “controls”, so that the same program (DNA), embedded in different biological systems, can have different “meanings”; and (ii) programs are always “programs for stability”, so that there are no “biological programs for change”. This concept of a biological program is applied to questions of degrees of genetic determinism in order to shed some light on the “nature-nurture” controversy.
Modification of the ASTM D 3039 Tensile Specimen for Cryogenic Applications

The test procedure ASTM D 3039 was written to generate Resin Matrix Composite (RMC) tensile properties under ambient temperature conditions. However, when this procedure was applied to unidirectional graphite/epoxy tape laminates at cryogenic temperatures problems arose. General Dynamics Space Systems Division (GDSS) has developed an alternate specimen design to be used at cryogenic temperatures. This paper explains the methodology, analysis and results to proof the new specimen concept.
Determination of Fundamental Acoustic Emission Signal Characteristics

Techniques for solving wave propagation problems with potential uses in the area of material characterization, transducer calibration, and acoustic emission analysis are presented. The methods discussed include analytic integral transforms, normal modes, and finite elements. Synthetic waveform time histories are presented which illustrate each of the methods.
Just Say Never? Poison Pills, Deadhand Pills, and Shareholder Adopted Bylaws: An Essay for Warren Buffett

A series of important corporate governance questions are likely to be addressed by the Delaware Supreme Court in the near future: whether a board can in fact "just say no" to a hostile bid; whether a board can thwart a proxy fight to redeem a poison pill through a "continuing director" provision in its pill (what might be called "just say never"); and whether shareholders can use their power to amend bylaws to constrain the adoption and maintenance of a pill. It is important that these questions be resolved in a way that maintains a vibrant, if not unconstrained, corporate control market. This is because control markets potentiate the use of capital market signals in the monitoring of managerial performance, which is especially important in an especially competitive domestic and global economic environment. Despite increasing institutional investor activism, the realistic possibility of a hostile acquisition is a necessary ingredient to an optimal corporate governance regime for large public corporations in a stock-market centered capital markets system. The article argues in doctrinal terms that "just say no" is not the rule in Delaware and that, at a minimum, in the case of a firm with a staggered board the retention of a poison pill beyond the insurgent's initial electoral success is no longer reasonable. Similarly, pills with continuing director provisions (so-called "deadhand pills") violate Delaware statutes that govern the constitution of the board and director authority as well as fiduciary norms that protect the shareholder franchise. Finally, since statutory formalism does not resolve the question of shareholder bylaw amendment authority, the Delaware court should adopt a model of shareholder choice that in, reserving residual governance authority for shareholders, would permit such a bylaw that generally limited the use of poison pills.
Should we look for Hirschsprung disease in all children with meconium plug syndrome

Abstract Background Meconium plug syndrome (MPS) is associated with Hirschsprung disease (HD) in 13–38% of cases. This study sought to assess institutional variation in utilization of rectal biopsy in children with MPS and the likelihood of diagnosing HD in this population. Methods Patients with MPS on contrast enema in the first 30 days of life from the Pediatric Health Information System database in 2016–2017 were included. Institutional rates of rectal biopsies performed during the initial admission were calculated and then used to predict institutional rates of early HD diagnoses using Poisson regression. Results Of 373 newborns with MPS, 106 (28.4%) underwent early rectal biopsy, of whom 43 (40.5%) had HD. Fifty-seven (15.3%) were ultimately diagnosed with HD. Eight (14%) of these patients had a delayed diagnosis. HD rates between institutions did not differ significantly (range 0–50%, p = 0.52), but usage of early rectal biopsy did (range 0–80%, p = 0.03). Each additional early biopsy increased the early HD diagnosis rate by 35% (β = 0.30, 95% CI 0.15–0.45, p Conclusion The incidence of HD is increased in children with MPS. There is significant hospital variability in the utilization of early rectal biopsy, and opportunity exists to standardize practice. Type of Study: Study of Diagnostic test Level of Evidence: Level III
Student Gender and Instructor Gender as Predictors of Student-Instructor Rapport.

We evaluated whether gender (masculinity/femininity) rather than biological sex would better predict student–instructor rapport. University students (104 men, 97 women) considered either a feminine...
Fifty-five years of smelling sulfur

AbstractHere, I will address the evolutionary and molecular basis for the exquisite sensitivity of the human nose to sulfur compounds. With a focus on low molecular weight thiols, I will illustrate...
Synthesis and study of C(3)-symmetric hydropyran cyclooligolides with oriented aryl and alcohol appendages at 10 A spacing.

Modular syntheses of C3-symmetric macrocycles with pendant aryl and hydroxymethyl groups are described. These functional groups, amenable to further elaboration, were installed early in each synthe...
Aortoiliac Endarterectomy: A Useful Tool in Modern Vascular Practice

Aortoiliac endarterectomy was the standard treatment for aortoiliac occlusive disease before the availability of prosthetic graft material for aortobifemoral bypass, although the number of patients appropriate for this repair continues to diminish in the endovascular era. Patients with focal aortoiliac disease are often treated with bilateral "kissing" iliac stents through an endovascular approach. However, in patients with eccentric plaque morphology or smaller caliber vessels, the risk of distal embolization and vessel rupture is not insignificant. On the other hand, if the disease is localized to the distal aortic bifurcation, an open aortobifemoral bypass may be excessive and incur additional morbidity. Our case report reviews a 60-year-old woman who presented with lifestyle-limiting claudication from an isolated aortoiliac atherosclerotic plaque who we proceeded with an open aortoiliac endarterectomy.
Incidence of retrograde peri-implantitis in sites with previous apical surgeries: A retrospective study

Background Retrograde peri-implantitis (RPI) is a rapidly progressing periapical infection that forms around the implant apex. It is usually associated with sites adjacent to teeth with apical lesions; previous endodontic failures, retained root fragments, etc. This study aimed to study the incidence of RPI in sites with a history of apical surgeries. Methods Patients with sites treated for both apicoectomy and implant placement presenting to the University of Michigan School of Dentistry from 2001 to 2016 were screened. A total of 502 apicoectomies were performed, only 25 of these fit the predetermined eligibility criteria and were thus included in this retrospective analysis. Results Implants that were placed in sites with a previous apical surgery had a cumulative survival rate of 92%. The incidence of peri-implantitis was 8%, while the incidence of RPI was 20%. There was an increased trend for RPI in cases where the cause of extraction was persistent apical periodontitis (35.7%), but this increase didn't reach the level of statistical significance (P = 0.061). Conclusion Implants placed in sites with previous apical surgery are not at an increased risk of implant failure or RPI.
Does Implicit Bias Matter at the Administrative Level? A Study of Principal Implicit Bias and the Racial Discipline Severity Gap:

Background/ContextImplicit bias, or stereotypes and attitudes that may or may not reflect known positions, has been implicated in teachers’ disciplinary interactions with students; however not all ...
Where in the World is Baghdadi? Refining a Methodology for Finding National Security Fugitives

The authors of this article – a team of graduate students led by a professor – identified the probable hideout locations of the fugitive ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. To do this, we built on a...
Mice Make Targeted Saccades

Abstract Humans read text, recognize faces, and process emotions using targeted saccadic eye movements. In the textbook model, this innate ability to make targeted saccades evolved in species with foveae or similar high-acuity retinal specializations that enable scrutiny of salient stimuli. According to the model, saccades made by species without retinal specializations (such as mice) are never targeted and serve only to reset the eyes after gaze-stabilizing movements. Here we show that mice innately make touch-evoked targeted saccades. Optogenetic manipulations revealed the neural circuit mechanisms underlying targeted saccades are conserved. Saccade probability is a U-shaped function of current eye position relative to the target, mirroring the simulated relationship between an object’s location within the visual field and the probability its next movement carries it out of view. Thus, a cardinal sophistication of our visual system may have had an unexpectedly early origin as an innate behavior that keeps stimuli in view.
Bacterial community assembly and antibiotic resistance genes in the lettuce-soil system upon antibiotic exposure

Bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in vegetables may influence human gut microbiome and ultimately human health. However, little is known about how vegetable microbiomes and ARGs respond to exposure of anthropogenic antibiotics from crop irrigation water. This study investigated bacterial community assembly and ARG profiles in lettuce (Lactuca sativa) shoots and roots, rhizosphere soil, and bulk soil irrigated with antibiotics-containing water, using 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and high throughput real-time qPCR, respectively. With antibiotic exposure alpha diversity values remained unchanged for the rhizosphere soil and lettuce roots, but were significantly decreased for the bulk soil and lettuce shoots (p < 0.05). Based on calculations of normalized stochastic ratio (NST), bacterial community assembly was more stochastic in the rhizosphere soil (83%-86%) and bulk soil (81%-84%) than in the lettuce roots (45%-48%). These results suggest a stronger deterministic control of plant roots in bacterial community assembly. Antibiotic exposure did not substantially change the stochasticity of the bacterial communities, despite the NST values were significantly increased by ~3% (p < 0.05) for the rhizosphere soil and lettuce roots and significantly decreased by ~3% (p < 0.05) for the bulk soil, when comparing treatments with and without antibiotics. The levels of Methylophilaceae and Beijerinckiaceae were significantly different between the antibiotic and antibiotics-free treatments. Antibiotic exposure consistently increased the abundance of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) in the rhizosphere soil, but not in other samples. No consistent changes in ARGs were observed with and without antibiotic exposure. Finally, the correlation network analysis revealed that the rhizosphere soil may be a hotspot for interactions between ARGs, MGEs, bacterial communities, and antibiotic residues.
Just How Effective is Direct Instruction

Despite overwhelming evidence in support of Direct Instruction, this research-validated curriculum has not been widely embraced by teachers or school administrators. The Direct Instruction model, developed and refined by Engelmann and colleagues over the past 50 years, has been the focus of numerous research studies, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Although its efficacy cannot be doubted, the significance of Direct Instruction's impact may be misunderstood. We attempt to clarify the importance of Direct Instruction with help from the binomial effect-size display. Binomial effect-size displays allow for intuitive and informative data-based decision making by clearly conveying the real-world importance of treatment outcomes through a juxtaposition of the relative proportions of success. The limitations of analyzing effect sizes in absolute terms are discussed. Using the binomial effect-size display as a framework, we present a series of dichotomies in an attempt to answer the question: Just how effective is Direct Instruction?
Magnetic resonance elastography of the liver: everything you need to know to get started

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) of the liver has emerged as the non-invasive standard for the evaluation of liver fibrosis in chronic liver diseases (CLDs). The utility of MRE in the evaluation of different CLD in both adults and children has been demonstrated in several studies, and MRE has been recommended by several clinical societies. Consequently, the clinical indications for evaluation of CLD with MRE have increased, and MRE is currently used as an add-on test during routine liver MRI studies or as a standalone test. To meet the increasing clinical demand, MRE is being installed in many academic and private practice imaging centers. There is a need for a comprehensive practical guide to help these practices to deliver high-quality liver MRE studies as well as troubleshoot the common issues with MRE to ensure smooth running of the service. This comprehensive clinical practice review summarizes the indications and provides an overview on why to use MRE, technical requirements, system set-up, patient preparation, acquiring the data, and interpretation.
Chimpanzees in Laboratories: Distribution and Types of Research

Summary - This review presents the results of an informa11993 survey of the distribution of chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) in the world's laboratories, and the types of research conducted on them. Based on the available information, there are over 2200 chimpanzees in.laboratories, most of which are located in several US facilities. Europe apparently has less than 200 chimpanzees housed in two facilities. Worldwide, an estimated 80% of the chimpanzees in laboratories are used in studies on AIDS and hepatitis. It is concluded that, if Europe terminated its use of chimpanzees in research, for either financial, moral or political reasons, the impact on experimental research would be relatively minor.
Control of polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) directed self-assembly by laser-induced millisecond thermal annealing

Directed self-assembly of polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PMMA) during laser thermal annealing at peak temperatures of 300°C–800°C for dwells of 1–10 ms has been explored. The enhanced mobility of polymer chains at these temperatures improves registration compared with conventional thermal anneals. PS-b-PMMA films (forming 15-nm line/space standing lamellae) were cast on chemically patterned substrates with a copolymer neutral layer and annealed by laser and hot plate. Annealing by hot plate or multiple laser scans resulted in well-aligned features over micron length scales. By laser annealing multiple times, defectivity was reduced by ∼60%. However, laser annealing for only 10 ms before performing a hot plate anneal reduced defectivity by >80%. We believe that this reduction arises from improved interfacial alignment of the film to the template during laser annealing near the order–disorder transition.
Protection Against UV Light

Procedure Female hairless mice (strain mutant h/h) with an initial weight of 20 2 g are used. Groups of 20 animals are treated topically with 0.025 ml of the sunscreen product or the base. One other group is not treated topically, but irradiated. A further group is neither treated nor exposed to UVB. A special light source (Osram Ultra-Vitalux No. 2) is used. This light source is almost free from UVC. For UV exposure groups of 5, mice are immobilized under a fine wire net of 14 14 cm at a distance from the lamp, resulting in an irradiation energy of 14 mW/cm for UVB and 33 mW/cm for UVA. Irradiation is performed once a day except Saturday and Sunday during 4 weeks. Exposure time is 45 s in the first week, 60 s in the second, 90 s in the third, and 120 s in the fourth week. The animals are sacrificed under anesthesia for 72 h after the last irradiation. A flap of back skin is removed; skin thickness measured by use of calipers and two dumbbell-shaped samples punched with a width of 4 mm in the middle of the specimen. Stress–strain curves are recorded with an Instron instrument at a strain rate of 5 cm/min. Ultimate load and ultimate strain are recorded, and tensile strength as well as ultimate modulus of elasticity is calculated. Furthermore, samples of skin are deep frozen for chemical analysis of collagen and soluble collagen fractions as well as of elastin (Vogel 1978).
Interactions of Superoxide Dismutases with Nitric Oxide

Superoxide (O2 −) is an important component of a variety of vascular inflammatory disorders including reperfusion injuries, hemorrhagic shock, oxygen toxicities, infections, neoplasia and apoptosis. Extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD) has been found in the extracellular spaces and fluids where it is thought to defend against O2 − produced by inflammatory cells. Nitric oxide (NO) is also produced during inflammatory reactions and has some anti-inflammatory properties. In the extracellular spaces the primary species that will react with NO is O2 −. The product of this reaction is peroxynitrite which is a strong proinflammatory mediator. Therefore, to control inflammation, the reaction of O2 − with NO must be prevented. High EC-SOD levels in the extracellular spaces may act to preserve NO and thus create strong anti-inflammatory microenvironments.
Sperm abnormalities in retinitis pigmentosa.

Purpose. To determine the fatty, acid composition of erythrocytes and sperm, along with the functional characteristics of'sperm, in patients with retinitis pigmentosa. Sperm and retinal cells share important homologies. Both are rich in the highl;. polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6[n-3] ), and both contain a structural component called the axoneme. Low concentrations of DHA in the retina of monkeys are known to cause visual impairment. Because blood levels of DHA in retinitis pigmentosa patients are less than normal, reduced DHA in the retina might contribute to the visual impairment characteristic of this disease. This study was conducted on the hypothesis that the sperm of retinitis pigmentosa patients might be abnormal and that these abnormalities might infer similar lipid and structural abnormalities of the retina. Methods. The lipid composition of erythrocytes and sperm (fatty acids and sterols) and sperm function were analyzed in 26 patients with retinitis pigmentosa and in 8 healthy men. Results. The sperm of patients with retinitis pigmentosa had a much lower DHA concentration, a lower desmosterol-to-cholesterol ratio, reduced motility, abnormal structure, and lower sperm counts compared with that in normal subjects. Usher's II patients exhibited the most pronounced reductions of DHA in sperm. Sperm DHA concentration was positively correlated to sperm motility, to sperm count, and to the desmosterol-to-cholesterol ratio. Lower erythrocyte DHA was also observed in retinitis pigmentosa patients. Conclusions. These results indicate that the sperm of patients with retinitis pigmentosa, particularly those with Usher's II, have an abnormal lipid composition that is associated with reduced motility. The possibility exists that these patients might have similar abnormalities in the DHA biochemistry of the retina. Sperm biochemistry and function may, be a marker for this disease. A clinical trial of DHA in retinitis pigmentosa is suggested for future study.
Being Earnest About Importance: The Impact of Partisan Motivation on Issue Priorities

Numerous studies examine the influence of party identification on political attitudes, and even more investigate the impact of political attitudes on behavior. However, very few studies consider the potential influence of party identification on the weights (i.e. importance) allocated to political attitudes. Building on motivated reasoning theory, this paper argues that partisan biases shape issue priorities. By simply placing less weight on dissonant attitudes and more weight on consonant attitudes, partisans are able to maintain cognitive consistency without changing their attitudes, party identification, or behavior in response to dissonance. This theory is tested using ANES data from 1960-2000 and a national experiment designed to induce cognitive dissonance.
Experimental Demonstration of Nonlinear Model-Based Control of a Nonideal Binary Distillation Column

This paper reports experimental results of a nonlinear model-based controller applied to a lab-scale nonideal methanol-water distillation column. Both servo and regulatory control is demonstrated. Process characteristics include nonlinear multivariable interactions, nonideal thermodynamic behavior, significant disturbances, and disparate dynamics. A steady-state tray-to-tray model is developed, shown to adequately represent the process behavior, and is used in the Generic Model Control (GMC) law. Adjustable model parameters are tray efficiency and a vapor boilup bias.
Deletion of p38-alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase within the intestinal epithelium promotes colon tumorigenesis

Background p38-Alpha mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38-MAPK) is a tumor suppressor often mutated in human cancers, but its specific role in colorectal cancer is not completely understood. Previous studies have found that p38-MAPK activity inhibits epithelial proliferation and promotes apoptosis in the intestine. Therefore, we sought to test the hypothesis that intestinal disruption of p38-MAPK would lead to increased tumorigenesis in the colon. Methods p38-MAPK was deleted in mice within the intestinal epithelium using a tamoxifen-inducible Cre system under control of the villin promoter [ villin-Cre ERT2(+), MAPK14(f/f) ]. An azoxymethane and dextran sodium sulfate protocol was used to drive intestinal tumor development. Tumor measurements were made using computer software from photographs of excised colon specimens. Results The number of mice that developed tumors was not statistically different when comparing wild-type mice (7/14) to inducible, intestine epithelial-deleted p38-MAPK (9/11) mice after azoxymethane/dextran sodium sulfate treatment ( P = .21). However, the epithelial-deleted p38-MAPK mice developed significantly more tumors (3.7 vs 1.1; P = .008) and nearly 4 times the total tumor burden as wild-type mice (17.4 vs 4.8 mm 2 ; P = .03). Wild-type and epithelial-deleted p38-MAPK groups demonstrated a similar degree of colon inflammation. Conclusion Deletion of p38-MAPK within the colonic mucosa leads to a hyperplastic state promoting greater tumor development. Because the severity of colitis was not augmented in mice with p38-MAPK deficiency, tumor development is likely mediated by impaired cell cycle regulation within the colonic epithelium. Manipulation of p38-MAPK activity may provide a novel treatment and/or prevention strategy in the management of colorectal cancer, particularly in the setting of inflammatory bowel disease.
School Gardens as Sites for Forging Progressive Socioecological Futures

In this article we approach school gardens as sites of socioecological change where experiential politics work through the establishment of sustainable and socially just practices. We argue that for some children in “struggling schools,” school gardens become spaces where the alienating aspects of neoliberal school reform in the United States can be overcome by forging connections with classmates, university students, plants, and animals. In these intimate urban ecologies, affective and playful labor become the bases for knowledge production that exceeds the disciplinary functions of standardized testing, individual achievement, and accountability emphasized in neoliberal school reform. Our empirics derive from garden projects involving university interns and school children in two underresourced schools in poor neighborhoods in Tucson, Arizona.
Automatic recognition of tool wear on a face mill using a mechanistic modeling approach

Abstract A strategy is developed for identifying cutting tool wear on a face mill by automatically recognizing wear patterns in the cutting force signal. The strategy uses a mechanistic model development to predict forces on a lathe under conditions of wear and extends that model to account for the multiple inserts of a face mill. The extended wear model is then verified through experimentation over the life of the inserts. The predicted force signals are employed to train linear discriminant functions to identify the wear state of the process in a manner suitable for on-line application.
Evolution of resolution in microscopy

Abstract This paper discusses resolution, or the capability of an optical imaging instrument to discern the closest distance between points in an image, in terms of its conceptual evolution. The original definition of resolution in telescope and light-optical microscope is given, followed by a summary of early attempts to achieve resolution limits in the transmission electron microscope, the effects of lens aberrations and defocusing, and the concepts of contrast transfer. The second section of the paper addresses types of resolution in microscopies that use a probe (light, electron, or X-ray probe), those that use ion and electron tunneling (field-ion microscopy and scanning tunneling microscopies), and those that measure force exerted on a tip (atomic force microscopy).
Mechanism of antagonism of thromboxane receptors in vascular smooth muscle.

Abstract The mechanism and profile of antagonism of thromboxane receptors were studied in isolated perfused cat coronary arteries and in rat aortic rings. In cat coronary arteries, the thromboxane receptor antagonist (TxRA) BM-13,505 at concentrations from 3 to 300 ng/ml, significantly attenuated the vasoconstrictor effects of both a thromboxane A2 analog (CTA2) and an endoperoxide analog (U-46,619) and did not alter the constrictor responses to leukotriene D4, arginine vasopressin, or angiotensin II. In rat aortic rings precontracted by CTA2 or U-46,619, the effective threshold concentration of BM-13,505 for relaxation was 5 ng/ml. Lower concentrations of BM-13,505 exerted no relaxation, and higher concentrations exhibited faster relaxation to the precontracted baseline levels. This relaxation was not observed in aortic rings precontracted by norepinephrine or angiotensin II. The action of TxRA was not influenced by the absence of the endothelium or by pretreatment with a selective guanylate cyclase inhibitor, methylene blue. Also, thromboxane receptor antagonists do not appear to block thromboxane induced constriction by acting as free radical scavengers. It can be concluded that replacing thromboxane A2 on the vascular receptor by a TxRA is the main factor responsible for the antagonism of thromboxane induced vasoconstriction in vascular smooth muscle preparations, not the presence of the endothelium, activation of guanylate cyclase, or scavenging of superoxide free radicals.
Pulsed-valve chemical ionization for gas chromatography/fourier-transform mass spectrometry

Abstract The pressure requirements for chemical ionization g.c./F.t.m.s. which restrict mass resolution and accuracy are overcome through use of a pulsed valve that provides momentary reagent gas pressures. For alternate electron impact (EI)/chemical ionization (c.i.) g.c./F.t.m.s., similar resolution for both e.i. and c.i. data is demonstrated. The efficiency of chemical ionization with the pulsed valve is similar to static high pressure c.i. measurements of several model compounds. Results from the analysis of peppermint oil and a fuel additive illustrate the potential information available from a single g.c./F.t.m.s. experiment.