cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elevated lipid oxidation is associated with exceeding gestational weight gain recommendations and increased neonatal anthropometrics: a cross-sectional analysis.

BACKGROUND Deviations from gestational weight gain (GWG) recommendations are associated with unfavorable maternal and neonatal outcomes. There is a need to understand how maternal substrate metabolism, independent of weight status, may contribute to GWG and neonatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to explore the potential link between maternal lipid oxidation rate, GWG, and neonatal anthropometric outcomes. METHODS Women (N = 32) with a lean pre-pregnancy BMI were recruited during late pregnancy and substrate metabolism was assessed using indirect calorimetry, before and after consumption of a high-fat meal. GWG was categorized as follows: inadequate, adequate, or excess. Shortly after delivery (within 48 h), neonatal anthropometrics were obtained. RESULTS Using ANOVA, we found that fasting maternal lipid oxidation rate (grams/minute) was higher (p = 0.003) among women with excess GWG (0.1019 ± 0.0416) compared to women without excess GWG (inadequate = 0.0586 ± 0.0273, adequate = 0.0569 ± 0.0238). Findings were similar when lipid oxidation was assessed post-meal and also when expressed relative to kilograms of fat free mass. Absolute GWG was positively correlated to absolute lipid oxidation expressed in grams/minute at baseline (r = 0.507, p = 0.003), 2 h post-meal (r = 0.531, p = 0.002), and 4 h post-meal (r = 0.546, p = 0.001). Fasting and post-meal lipid oxidation (grams/minute) were positively correlated to neonatal birthweight (fasting r = 0.426, p = 0.015; 2-hour r = 0.393, p = 0.026; 4-hour r = 0.540, p = 0.001) and also to neonatal absolute fat mass (fasting r = 0.493, p = 0.004; 2-hour r = 0.450, p = 0.010; 4-hour r = 0.552, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS A better understanding of the metabolic profile of women during pregnancy may be critical in truly understanding a woman's risk of GWG outside the recommendations. GWG counseling during prenatal care may need to be tailored to women based not just on their weight status, but other metabolic characteristics.
Ethical Global Health Nursing Education: An Integrative Review

Abstract Aim The purpose of this integrative review is to provide a comprehensive review of ethical considerations for host communities and nursing programs in planning, implementing and evaluating global health experiences for nursing students. Background Global health experiences for nursing students are proliferating rapidly across university settings while at the same time decreasing the average time spent in the host country engaged with local communities. Global health experiences are an area where students can experience ethics as it is applied across varied contexts including resource limited international settings. As nursing education expands its global programming, exploring the ethical implications of designing, implementing and evaluating GHEs becomes pivotal to build respectful, sustainable relationships with global partners and best prepare nursing students for ethical professional practice in an interconnected world. Design We conducted an integrative review to examine ethical considerations in development of ethical global health experiences that benefit, rather than harm, host communities and participating nursing student guests. Methods The search included articles published in English language, peer-reviewed journals between 1998 and 2021 that discussed ethics in the context of nursing students travelling internationally for global health experiences. Eighteen articles met criteria for review. Results Overall, findings demonstrate relatively little research specific to ethical engagement in global health experiences. The articles in this integrative review discussed a range of ethical attributes including reciprocity or collaboration, respect, sustainability or commitment, justice and openness. Recommendations based on research and non-research articles are provided. Conclusions Ethical comportment in global health experiences requires careful planning, implementation and evaluation toassure an equitable and sustainable partnership between host community, faculty and nursing student guests.
Toward adaptive auralization of dynamic immersive virtual environments in room-centered virtual reality systems

Existing auralization frameworks for interactive virtual environments have found applications in simulating acoustic conditions for binaural listening and real-time audiovisual navigation. This work, situated at the Collaborative-Research Augmented Immersive Virtual Environment Laboratory (CRAIVE-Lab), extends elements of these frameworks for human-scale interactive audiovisual display with movement of virtual sound sources and non-static virtual representation of the facility’s footprint. The work involves the development of an adaptive acoustic ray-tracing prototype that is capable of generating impulse responses for individual virtual loudspeaker representation based upon changes of room orientation in virtual space at runtime. Through the integrated use of game engines (i.e., Unity and Unreal Engine), the prototype is presented in the context of dynamic audiovisual display, and actively analyzes the virtual scene geometries using a multi-detailed rendering approach. With both reconstructed high-resolution 3D models of existing spaces, and automatically generated virtual landscapes from geo-spatial data, the developed system is evaluated both in terms of computational efficiency, and in terms of conventional room acoustics parameters using model-based acoustic energy decay analysis across listening region. [Work supported by the Cognitive Immersive Systems Laboratory (CISL) and NSF IIS-1909229.]
On the Relationship Between Validity and Power

This article examines the relationship between predictive validity and statistical power. It is shown that higher validity may be associated with scales exhibiting lower power, whereas higher power may be warranted for scales possessing lower validity. High validity is in general neither a necessary nor sufficient condition for high power with scales contemplated for use as dependent variables in social science research. Conversely, high power is neither necessary nor sufficient for high validity. A numerical example illustrates this interrelation.
Acute and chronic effects of vitamin C on endothelial fibrinolytic function in overweight and obese adult humans

We determined the effects of acute intra-arterial vitamin C administration and chronic oral vitamin C supplementation on the capacity of the endothelium to release t-PA in overweight and obese adults. Net endothelial t-PA release was determined in vivo in response to intrabrachial infusions of bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside in 33 sedentary adults: 10 normal-weight (BMI: 23.4 ± 0.5 kg m−2; 7M/3F); and 23 overweight/obese (BMI: 31.2 ± 0.8 kg m−2; 15M/8F). In 10 normal weight and eight overweight/obese adults the dose–response curves to bradykinin and sodium nitroprusside were repeated with a coinfusion of the antioxidant vitamin C (24 mg min−1). Seventeen of the 23 overweight/obese adults completed a 3 month chronic oral vitamin C (500 mg day−1) supplementation intervention. Intra-arterial administration of vitamin C significantly potentiated t-PA release in overweight/obese adults. Net release of t-PA was ∼95% higher (P < 0.01) after (from −0.9 ± 1.1 to 94.6 ± 16.2 ng (100 ml tissue)−1 min−1) compared with before (from −0.8 ± 0.8 to 49.9 ± 7.7 ng (100 ml tissue)−1 min−1) vitamin C administration. Daily vitamin C supplementation significantly increased t-PA release in overweight/obese adults (from 0.2 ± 0.9 to 48.2 ± 6.5 ng (100 ml tissue)−1 min−1) before supplementation versus (0.3 ± 0.5 to 66.3 ± 8.7 ng (100 ml tissue)−1 min−1) after supplementation. These results indicate that the antioxidant vitamin C favourably affects the capacity of the endothelium to release t-PA in overweight/obese adults. Daily vitamin C supplementation represents an effective lifestyle intervention strategy for improving endothelial fibrinolytic regulation in this at-risk population.
International Bloggers and Internet Control

The Internet is an increasingly contested space, particularly in countries with repressive governments. Infringements on Internet freedom, particularly through Internet filtering and surveillance, have inspired activists and technologists to develop technological counter-measures, most notably circumvention tools to defeat Internet filters and anonymity tools to help protect user privacy and avoid online surveillance efforts. The widely heralded role of online activism in the Arab spring and the increasing incidence of Internet filtering around the world have spurred greater interest in supporting the development and dissemination of these tools as a means to foster greater freedom of expression online and strengthen the hand of activists demanding political reform. However, despite the perceived importance of this field, relatively little is known about the demand for and usage patterns of these tools.In December 2010, we surveyed a sample of international bloggers to better understand how, where, why, and by whom these tools are being used.From previous research, we know that circumvention tools are effective in evading national Internet filtering, though they can be slow, insecure and difficult to use. We also know that worldwide circumvention tool usage is limited. In our recent report on circumvention tool usage, we found that at most (and likely far fewer than) 3% of Internet users in countries that engage in substantial filtering use circumvention tools once a month or more. Through this survey, we aim to better understand usage of these tools by a specific community of politically- and internationally-oriented bloggers.The full, aggregated results of the survey are available at: International Bloggers and Internet Control: Full Survey Results
The fate of a warrior culture

Jonathan Lear in Radical Hope tackles the idea of cultural devastation, in the specific case of the Crow Indians. What do we mean by “annihilation” of a culture? The moral point of view that he imagines as he reconstructs the eve and aftermath of this annihilation is not second personal, of obligation, but first personal, in the collective and singular, as told by the Crows, with Lear as “analyst.” Radical Hope is a study of representative character of a people—of virtue, courage, resilience, and hope in the face of cultural collapse. The leading questions are shaped by ancient Greek ethics, but with a twist: On the brink of cultural death, what counts for us as good living and what is the nature of the virtues or excellences that constitute it? How might a leader, a phronimos, exemplify it? This puts it too narrowly. The questions, also, are Wittgensteinian: How does a nation go on, when the concepts and way of life it has lived by for centuries are no more? What does it mean to go on? What does it mean to stop when the marks of going on are no longer?
Extending causal sequences to make teleological distinctions

Summary form only given. The causal knowledge of how a specific behavior of a device arises from the functions of its components is useful for tasks like diagnosis, redesign, and prediction. This knowledge is usually represented using causal sequences (CSs). Annotations on the transitions in a CS often refer to the functions of device components as causes for the state transitions. The CS representation does not support any teleological distinctions between the functions of the components which is useful in tasks like redesign. Two different types of function, 'to achieve' and 'to prevent,' have been proposed earlier. However, the way CSs have usually been interpreted for various tasks implicitly assumes that the component functions are of the 'to achieve' type only. The author formalizes the current interpretive semantics of CSs, that is the inferences supported by CSs, and then extends these interpretive semantics to enable CSs to represent and reason about behaviors that refer to the 'to prevent' type of component functions as well. >
Water mass mixing: The dominant control on the zinc distribution in the North Atlantic Ocean

Dissolved zinc (dZn) concentration was determined in the North Atlantic during the U.S. GEOTRACES 2010 and 2011 cruise (GOETRACES GA03). A relatively poor linear correlation (R2 = 0.756) was observed between dZn and silicic acid (Si), the slope of which was 0.0577 nM/µmol/kg. We attribute the relatively poor dZn-Si correlation to the following processes: (a) differential regeneration of zinc relative to silicic acid, (b) mixing of multiple water masses that have different Zn/Si, and (c) zinc sources such as sedimentary or hydrothermal. To quantitatively distinguish these possibilities, we use the results of Optimum Multi-Parameter Water Mass Analysis by Jenkins et al. (2015) to model the zinc distribution below 500 m. We hypothesized two scenarios: conservative mixing and regenerative mixing. The first scenario (conservative) could be modeled to results in a correlation with observations with a R2 = 0.846. In the second scenario, we took a Si-related regeneration into account, which could model the observations with a R2 = 0.867. Through this regenerative mixing scenario, we estimated a Zn/Si = 0.0548 nM/µmol/kg that may be more realistic than linear regression slope due to accounting for process b. However, this did not improve the model substantially (R2 = 0.867 versus0.846), which may indicate the insignificant effect of remineralization on the zinc distribution in this region. The relative weakness in the model-observation correlation (R2~0.85 for both scenarios) implies that processes (a) and (c) may be plausible. Furthermore, dZn in the upper 500 m exhibited a very poor correlation with apparent oxygen utilization, suggesting a minimal role for the organic matter-associated remineralization process.
Assessing the Impact of an Eating Disorders Treatment Team Approach With College Students

An interdisciplinary treatment team approach is considered the standard of care for individuals with eating disorders; however, there is limited research on the efficacy of such teams. This study used retrospective chart review to compare client characteristics and treatment utilization for college students treated with psychotherapy alone versus an interdisciplinary treatment team approach (i.e., a mental health counselor, a physician, and a dietitian). Clients with prior counseling histories, a bulimia nervosa diagnosis, or a personality disorder diagnosis were more likely to be referred to the eating disorders treatment team. Female counselors were more likely than male counselors to refer clients to the team. Overall, findings suggest that the team approach is associated with students staying in therapy longer and terminating therapy in a planned fashion.
Optimal stopping and free boundary problems

available up to now to prove the direct half of the coding theorem for a multiway channel is based on Shannon's random coding argument. So far no other type of proof has been given. Also, for multi-way channels there is a theory of coding for average errors and a theory of coding for maximal errors. Up to now a weak converse of the coding theorem for average errors has been proved for multi-way channels, but not yet a strong converse. This indicates that there are many unsolved problems in coding theory of multi-way channels, some of which we have stressed in our paper. Our survey is based on the following references: Ahlswede [1] and [2], Bergmans [3], Cover [4], Shannon [6], and van der Meulen [7] and [8].
Electromagnetic jet-propulsion in the direction of current flow

Two simple experiments are reported here which demonstrate jet-propulsion in the direction of current flow between liquid and solid conductors. The observed effects seem to conform with Ampere's force-law, but no qualitative nor quantitative explanation has so far been found in terms of lorentzian forces and associated magnetohydrodynamics (MHD) phenomena. This research forms part of a wider investigation of the Ampere–Neumann electrodynamics and its relationship to modern science and technology.
Memory Consolidation, Multiple Realizations, and Modest Reductions

This article investigates several consequences of a recent trend in philosophy of mind to shift the relata of realization from mental state–physical state to function‐mechanism. It is shown, by applying both frameworks to the neuroscientific case study of memory consolidation, that, although this shift can be used to avoid the immediate antireductionist consequences of the traditional argument from multiple realizability, what is gained is a far more modest form of reductionism than recent philosophical accounts have intimated and neuroscientists themselves have claimed.
Incidental findings on trauma ultrasonography

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of incidental findings detected on the focused abdominal sonogram for trauma. Methods: From November 1996 to February 1998, 1914 radiologist-assisted trauma ultrasound examinations were performed. Incidental findings were tabulated by retrospective review of the trauma radiology daily logbooks. Results: Incidental nontraumatic findings were detected in 160 (8.36 %) of the acutely injured patients. Most findings were benign, including echogenic liver, renal cysts, and cholelithiasis. However, significant pathology was detected in several patients, including renal masses, hepatic metastases, and gynecologic disease. Conclusion: The radiologist-assisted trauma ultrasound examination can provide valuable diagnostic information beyond the detection of free fluid. This may have important implications, as nonradiologists are increasingly involved in the practice of trauma ultrasonography. Even in the setting of trauma, significant occult pathology can be detected on a targeted ultrasound examination.
Shell anomalies observed in a population of Archaias angulatus (Foraminifera) from the Florida Keys (USA) sampled in 1982-83 and 2006-07

Archived specimens of Archaias angulatus collected live at a depth of < 2 m in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park, Key Largo, Florida, in June, September and December 1982, and March 1983, were compared to specimens collected live from the same site and months in 2006–07. Shells were examined using light microscopy for anomalous features, which were then documented using scanning electron microscopy. Seven different types of morphological abnormalities and five different surface texture anomalies were observed. Physical abnormalities included profoundly deformed, curled, asymmetrical, and uncoiled shells, irregular suture lines, surface protrusions, and breakage/repair. Textural anomalies observed were surface pits, dissolution features, microborings, microbial biofilms, and the presence of epibionts including bryzoans, cyanobacteria and foraminifers. The same kinds of features were found in this A. angulatus population in both 1982–83 collections and 2006–07 collections. Within-date variability was higher in specimens collected in 1982–83, while between-date variability was higher in 2006–07; overall the range of variability was similar. Given that the site was originally chosen for study because these foraminifers were so abundant, the lack of significant change indicates that the variability of the geochemical habitat is still within the range that A. angulatus can thrive.
Acetic acid iontophoresis for recalcitrant scarring in post-operative hand patients.

Abstract Study design Retrospective cohort comparison. Introduction Using acetic acid iontophoresis (AAI) as a treatment modality significantly improved the functionality of hand in patients with recalcitrant scarring. Methods Open trigger finger release patients followed up exclusively at a hand clinic between 2009 and 2011 were analyzed. Group I recovered optimal total active range of motion (TAM) after 14 standard of care (SOC) therapy sessions but Group II (10 digits) could only reach optimal recovery after 7 additional AAI sessions. Results After SOC therapy, Group I's TAM recovery plateaued at 245 and Group II's at 219 (p Discussion Clinical studies suggest that AAI can modify collagen structure in scars. AAI could be a novel non-surgical treatment for restoring functionality to areas affected by difficult, recalcitrant scars. Conclusion AAI significantly improved the TAM of hand surgical patients who could not recover optimally with SOC therapy alone. Level of evidence Level 3.
The pay-what-you-want business model: Warm glow revenues and endogenous price discrimination

Abstract We explore the potential benefits of an up-and-coming business model called “pay-what-you-want” in an environment where consumers experience a warm glow by patronizing a particular firm. We show that, given a social norm regarding minimum contributions, a pay-what-you-want firm should announce a minimum suggested contribution, which is positive—but smaller than the profit-maximizing single price—so as to benefit from “endogenous price discrimination,” whereby consumers differentially contribute more than the suggested minimum. Furthermore, a pay-what-you-want scheme can improve market efficiency and, in special cases, generate more profit than a standard posted price scheme. These results are robust to alternate motivations for generosity, including gift-exchange.
Edge Grouping Combining Boundary and Region Information

This paper introduces a new edge-grouping method to detect perceptually salient structures in noisy images. Specifically, we define a new grouping cost function in a ratio form, where the numerator measures the boundary proximity of the resulting structure and the denominator measures the area of the resulting structure. This area term introduces a preference towards detecting larger-size structures and, therefore, makes the resulting edge grouping more robust to image noise. To find the optimal edge grouping with the minimum grouping cost, we develop a special graph model with two different kinds of edges and then reduce the grouping problem to finding a special kind of cycle in this graph with a minimum cost in ratio form. This optimal cycle-finding problem can be solved in polynomial time by a previously developed graph algorithm. We implement this edge-grouping method, test it on both synthetic data and real images, and compare its performance against several available edge-grouping and edge-linking methods. Furthermore, we discuss several extensions of the proposed method, including the incorporation of the well-known grouping cues of continuity and intensity homogeneity, introducing a factor to balance the contributions from the boundary and region information, and the prevention of detecting self-intersecting boundaries.
SU‐GG‐I‐140: Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) Imaging Using Multi‐Slice Cine MRI

Purpose: To propose a novel method of acquiring Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) images using multi‐slice cine MRI, termed as MRI‐MIP, and to evaluate its feasibility in quantifying motion magnitude. Materials and Methods: MRI‐MIP images are acquired using a modified multi‐slice cine MR sequence in which each axial slice was imaged repeatedly throughout the duration of the respiratory cycle. A maximum intensity image was then constructed for each slice using all acquired images. For this study, we used a 1.5T clinical whole body MRI scanner (Signa, GE Healthcare, WI) and a sequence of fast imaging employed steady state acquisition (FIESTA) with a six channel phased array flexible coil to acquire 15 images in 6 seconds for each slice (flip angle= 50°, matrix= 192×128, FOV= 300×300mm, slice thickness= 0.5mm, TR/TE= 3.2/1.0ms). To test feasibility, MRI‐MIP, CT‐MIP, and single slice sagittal cine‐MR images were acquired of a 66 cm3 polygonal phantom placed on an MR compatible motion platform with Superior‐Inferior motion consisting of 2 analytical (peak‐to‐peak amplitude = 2.8cm, period = 5s) and 3 patient motion trajectories from Varian RPM. We also acquired MRI‐MIP and single slice sagittal cine‐MRI images for 3 healthy volunteers and compared the areas of interest. Results: Phantom volume from MRI‐MIP was well correlated with CT‐MIP, with the mean (± standard deviation) difference from CT MIP being 0.1%±2.9% and a max difference of −4.2%. For the analytical trajectories, area from MRI‐MIP matched cine‐MRI to within ±0.3%. For patient motion trajectories, the difference in phantom area between MRI‐MIP and cine‐MRI was −10.4%, −7.4%, and −6.6%. For patient images, the difference in contoured areas was −5.5%, 2.3%, and 4.8%. Conclusion: Preliminary results on phantom and healthy volunteers suggest using multi‐slice cine MRI to generate MIP is feasible. Motion information obtained from this technique is comparable to that from 4DCT‐MIP.
Excess males in preterm birth: interactions with gestational age, race, and multiple birth

Objective To confirm an excess of males among preterm births and study its interaction with other risk factors to better understand its potential etiologic significance. Methods Fetal gender was analyzed in 1,781,960 white and 103,329 black singleton births, and in 37,429 white twin births using vital statistics data from the six New England states for 1977–1988. Results A 7.2% excess of males was found among white singleton preterm births. There was only a 2.8% excess among comparable blacks, a highly significant difference between the races ( P Conclusions Male fetal gender is associated with singleton preterm birth, an effect most evident in white women, particularly if married. Among preterm white twins, there is also a male excess, limited to gestations under 34 weeks. The excess of males in selected groups suggests the existence of a mechanism of preterm birth influenced by fetal gender. Preterm births in blacks and in twin gestations greater than 33 weeks may be more often due to alternative mechanisms that are independent of fetal gender.
Novel Candidate Virulence Factors in Rice Pathogen Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola as Revealed by Mutational Analysis

Bacterial leaf streak, caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzicola, is an important disease of rice. Transposon-mediated mutational analysis of the pathogen with a quantitative assay revealed candidate virulence factors including genes involved in the pathogenesis of other phytopathogenic bacteria, virulence factors of animal pathogens, and genes not previously associated with virulence.
Analysis of secreted proteins for the study of bladder cancer cell aggressiveness.

Secreted proteins play a key role in cell signaling, communication, and migration. We recently described the development of an aggressive variant (T24M) of the bladder cancer cell line T24. Using this cell line model, the objective of our work was the identification of secreted proteins involved in the acquisition of the aggressive phenotype. Using in vitro assays, we demonstrate that conditioned media of the T24M cells promote motility of the parental less aggressive T24 cells. Proteomic analysis of cell culture conditioned media by the use of 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled to MALDI TOF MS and LC−MS approaches resulted in enrichment and detection of multiple classical extracellular and secreted proteins such as fibronectin, cystatin, fibrillin, fibulin, interleukin 6, etc. Comparison of the secretome of the T24 and T24M cells indicated differences in proteins with potential involvement in the mechanisms of cell aggressiveness including SPARC, tPA, and clusterin. These findings were further con...
Direct Coupling of Catharanthine and Vindoline to Provide Vinblastine: Total Synthesis of (+)- and ent-(−)-Vinblastine

A direct coupling of cantharanthine with vindoline to provide vinblastine is detailed along with key mechanistic and labeling studies. Following an Fe(III)-promoted coupling reaction initiated by generation of a presumed cantharanthine amine radical cation that undergoes a subsequent oxidative fragmentation and diastereoselective coupling with vindoline, addition of the resulting reaction mixture to an Fe(III)-NaBH4/air solution leads to oxidation of the C15'-C21' double bond and reduction of the intermediate iminium ion directly providing vinblastine (43%) and leurosidine (23%), its naturally occurring C21' alcohol isomer. The yield of coupled products, which exclusively possess the natural C16' stereochemistry, approaches or exceeds 80% and the combined yield of the isomeric C21' alcohols is 66%.
Functional polymers. XXII: Ultraviolet absorbers with 2(2-hydroxyphenyl) 2H-benzotriazole and 2-hydroxybenzophenone (or acetophenone) chromophors in the same molecule

Abstract Benzotriazolization of 2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone and 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone has given dibenzotriazolized products: 3,5- [di (2H-benzotriazole-2-yl)]2,4-dihydroxyacetophenone, and 3,5-[di (2H-benzotriazole-2-yl)] 2,4-dihydroxybenzophenone. These compounds are expected to be effective and useful UV absorbers as they both have the 2 (2-hydroxyphenyl)2H-benzotriazole unit and the 2-hydroxybenzophenone (or acetophenone) unit in the molecule. The compounds were characterized by their spectral behavior and particularly by careful study of their UV spectrum.
Self-limiting growth of copper islands on TiO2(110)-(1×1)

Abstract We have studied the growth of Cu islands on rutile TiO 2 (110)-(1×1) using scanning tunneling microscopy for Cu coverages of 0.03–1.25 monolayers (ML). The formation of three-dimensional islands at all the coverages reflects the relatively high mobility of Cu atoms on TiO 2 at room temperature (diffusion constant ≥4×10 −10 cm 2 /s) and the weak interaction between Cu and TiO 2 compared with CuCu bonding. At low coverages ( 0.5 ML), the average island size scales with coverage, but this increase in island size is primarily due to an increase in height, not diameter. Although larger islands can be formed by annealing, the average size of the islands is nearly independent of coverage for any given annealing temperature. We propose two general schemes that can simultaneously explain the increase in island density with increasing coverage and the narrow island size distribution. In the first scheme, the rate at which adatoms attach to existing islands drops rapidly as the island size increases. This could be due to the existence of strain fields that accommodate the lattice mismatch at the interface between the Cu islands and the TiO 2 substrate. Adatoms rejected by the islands are then available for nucleation of new islands. In the second scheme, the rate at which adatoms reach existing islands drops rapidly as the Cu coverage increases. This could be related to continued nucleation of islands at defects in the TiO 2 surface.
In vitro exposure of preimplantation mouse embryos to cocaine and benzoylecgonine inhibits subsequent development.

Cocaine is used by over 20% of women of reproductive age. Although there have been numerous studies focusing on its effects on reproductive processes, none has evaluated its direct effect on preimplantation development. We have investigated the effect of cocaine and its major metabolite, benzoylecgonine, on in vitro preimplantation mouse embryogenesis. One-cell embryos were exposed at the one-, two-, four-, or eight-cell stage for 24 hr to medium containing 0–400 μg/ml cocaine or benzoylecgonine and then cultured to the blastocyst stage. Cocaine had its strongest inhibitory effect at the earliest stages of development. At the one- and two-cell stages, there was a significant inhibition of blastocyst formation following exposure to cocaine concentrations of 25–400 μg/ml, and at the four-cell stage there was an inhibitory effect at 100 and 400 μg/ml cocaine. Benzoylecgonine inhibited the development of embryos to blastocyst only at the one- and two-cell stages, at concentrations of 100–400 μg/ml. These findings suggest that cocaine is capable of blocking preimplantation embryogenesis, particularly following exposure at the earliest stages, and that this toxicity may abate as cocaine is biotransformed to benzoylecgonine. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Emergency medicine residents’ ability to identify ocular pathology in a live porcine model

To evaluate emergency medicine residents’ ability to detect ocular pathology using portable ultrasound (US) in a live porcine model. This was a pilot study to evaluate emergency medicine residents’ ability to accurately diagnose ocular pathology in a porcine model using handheld US. Subjects were emergency medicine residents who had all undergone a 2-day US course as part of their emergency medicine orientation month and had reviewed an 1 h self-instruction computer tutorial on ocular US prior to the study. Vitreous hemorrhages, retro-orbital hematomas and intraocular foreign bodies were simulated by placement of porcine blood and metallic objects under ultrasound guidance out of view of the subject population. Residents then performed self-directed US of two eyes each and were asked to comment on any pathology observed. Some residents were also asked to identify central retinal artery flow. Time required for each scan was noted. A total of 36 residents scanned 6 porcine eyes over 2 lab iterations. EM residents were able to detect a significant abnormality greater than 93% of the time. Vitreous hemorrhages were the most detectable injuries with 95% accuracy. A significant abnormality was detected in the models with intraocular foreign bodies 97% of the time with a clear diagnosis of foreign body noted in 73% of the cases. Retro-orbital hematoma was the most difficult to detect with 62% accuracy. The average time taken for scanning two eyes was 7 min 38 s. Central retinal artery flow was detected in 100% of the 26 cases in which this was documented. Accuracy of diagnoses was similar across levels of EM training. EM residents can accurately diagnose significant ocular pathology using handheld US in a live porcine model.
Some interesting features of our warm and cold waves

The original development of the Bjerknes scheme of the ideal cyclone and of Bergeron's air-mass and frontal concepts was made in the complete absence of direct aerological observations. It represented a remarkably successful attempt to derive the three-dimensional field of motion of the atmosphere from the careful analysis of surface-reports supplemented by cloud-observations. With the adoption of the Norwegian methods of air-mass and frontal analysis, or modifications of the Norwegian methods, by other European weather-services, and the rapid extension of aerological observations, real progress has been made in the direct observational investigation of air-mass properties and frontal structure. But up to the present hardly a start has been made on the possible utilization of this method of attack on the problems of practical daily weather-forecasting. The one great need at the present time is a better network of aerological observations of greater regularity and extending to greater heights, however such observations can be made. A thorough synoptic analysis based on sufficient aerological material to make possible the determination of (1) the air-mass properties, especially their degree of vertical stability together with their vertical extent, (2) the superposition and the relative movement of air-masses of different types, and (3) the structure and slope of the principal fronts between the air-masses—with such information it should be practicable to make weather-forecasts on a strictly physical basis that will make possible the accurate forecasting of changes which at present can be predicted only after they are already in full progress. We would know then in detail not only the existing field of motion in the atmosphere, but also the amount of the available convective energy and potential energy of mass-distribution, presumably the three principal energy-sources which maintain cyclogenesis. Not only real physical weather-forecasting but the quantitative or mathematical formulation, and solution of most of the problems of dynamic meteorology are waiting on information of this kind. Presumably after a certain amount of experience with an understanding of the development and movement of atmospheric disturbances has been gained, less extensive aerological information in individual situations will be necessary. Probably the next ten years will see more real progress in weather-forecasting than the last forty have seen.
Social disparities in the use of diagnostic tests for children with gastroenteritis.

Objective : To determine whether patient demographic characteristics affect the use of diagnostic tests for the evaluation of children with acute gastroenteritis by emergency department (ED) physicians. Design : Retrospective chart review. Setting : Emergency department of a tertiary care pediatric hospital. Sample : All patients seen in the emergency department over a six-month period with a discharge diagnosis of acute gastroenteritis (GE) as identified through a computerized patient log (n=503). Measures and analysis : Sociodemographic characteristics (“race” and insurance) were obtained from computerized hospital data. The number of tests ordered was identified from the medical records, as were indicators of illness severity. We utilized multivariate logistic regression using the generalized estimating equations (GEE) model to account for repeated visits and adjust for potential confounding. Results : Hispanic children were less likely to undergo more than two tests [OR.53 (95% CI.31,.92)] or have an X-ray done [OR.31 (95% CI 0.15, 0.67)], after adjustment for age and disease characteristics. Self-pay patients were less likely to have a test performed [OR.53 (95% CI.3,.96)]. Conclusions: Some patient social characteristics remain associated with differing patterns of use of diagnostic tests for a common pediatric condition. Although this study provides no information on patient outcome, health providers should strive to reduce differences in care based on patient social and economic factors as distinct from characteristics of the patient’s condition or medical need. © 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.
An Emerging Impedance Sensor Based on Cell-Protein Interactions: Applications in Cell Biology and Analytical Biochemistry

Abstract Electric cell-substrate impedance sensing (ECIS) is described for real time monitoring of cell behavior including attachment, motility, and cytotoxicity in a continuous fashion. This emerging technology subjects cells growing on microelectrodes to small ac electric fields. Cells interact differently with various proteins used to precoat the gold electrode. Initial intact extracellular matrix protein binding to cells is often mediated through adhesion receptors in the integrin family with fibronectin as the commonest coating protein. Upon the attachment and spreading of cells, the impedance increases because the cells act as insulating particles to restrict the current flow. An intriguing feature is the fluctuation in the measured impedance, which is always associated with living cells and persists even if the cell layer becomes fully confluent. This behavior is attributed to vertical motions or micromotions of the cells, an indication of cell viability and morphology change. ECIS presents a novel...
Correlation between copper diffusion and phase change in parylene

The parylene family of polymeric insulating materials is of interest in electronics because of its low dielectric constant and good sticking properties. It is vapor depositable at low temperatures. Copper is a good conductor and a suitable metal for an interconnection system. Consequently, the Cu/parylene system is a promising combination for multilayer interconnections and thin film packaging. To investigate one aspect of the feasibility of using these two materials for an interconnection scheme, the diffusion of copper into parylene at elevated temperatures has been investigated using the Rutherford back scattering technique. The chief findings of this paper are: 1. Detectable (RBS) Cu diffusion starts at ≥573 K. Higher temperature causes more diffusion as expected. 2. The α → Β-phase change is not the main source of the diffusion. 3. The copper deposited on the α-parylene does not diffuse even after extended anneals of six hours at 573 K. Thus, the copper-α-parylene interconnect system can have thermal budget allowance of more than six hour 4. The starting phase of the PA-n affects its diffusion resistant properties. Furthermore a thermal processing window showing a safe half hour of vacuum annealing at soldering temperatures has been demonstrated.
The cattle major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I possesses HLA-like promoters

Abstract To study the genetic regulation of the cattle major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class-I, a cattle MHC class-I promoter DNA fragment was isolated and characterized for the first time. Semi-degenerate PCR was performed on cattle genomic DNA and the resulting product was isolated, subcloned and sequenced. Sequence comparison of the HLA-A, -B and -C promoters to the cloned product, designated BL3-6prmtr, revealed the cattle MHC class-I promoter to have close homology to human MHC class-I promoters. To address the ability of the cattle MHC class-I promoter to initiate transcription, BL3-6prmtr was subcloned into a luciferase reporter vector and transiently transfected into cattle and human B-lymphoblastoid cell lines. A strong transcription initiation ability of BL3-6prmtr was observed, including the ability of the enhancerA and interferon response sequence ( IRS ) to upregulate transcription initiation.
Take a nature walk on the ocean floor

Oceanography: An Illustrated Guide by C. P. Summerhayes and S.A. Thorpe Manson Publishing: 1996. Distributed in the United States by Wiley. Pp. 352. £48, $74.95 (hbk), £24.95 (pbk)
NEW ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS AND GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING: INSIGHTS FROM META-ANALYSES AND TRIAL SEQUENTIAL ANALYSES OF RANDOMIZED CLINICAL TRIALS

A meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials (RCT) was performed to evaluate the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding with new oral anticoagulants (NOACs) compared with conventional anticoagulants (CAG). Electronic databases were searched from January 01, 2001 through February 28, 2013. RCTs
Acceptance‐based behavioral therapy for GAD: effects on outcomes from three theoretical models

Although cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is efficacious in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), many individuals remain symptomatic following treatment, indicating a need for further treatment development. As a result, many researchers have developed unique cognitive-behavioral therapies that highlight specific targets for intervention. The current study examined the effect of an acceptance-based behavioral therapy for GAD on the proposed targets for intervention highlighted in several of these theoretical models: emotion regulation difficulties, intolerance of uncertainty, and low perceptions of control. Clients were randomly assigned to immediate (n = 15) or delayed (n = 16) treatment. Individuals treated with the acceptance-based behavioral therapy reported significantly fewer difficulties in emotion regulation and fear of emotional responses, as well as greater tolerance of uncertainty and perceived control over anxiety than individuals in the waitlist control condition. In addition, these effects were maintained at 3- and 9-month follow-up assessments.
Quantifying successional rates in western aspen woodlands: Current conditions, future predictions

Abstract Stands of quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) rank among the most biologically diverse plant communities across the intermountain region of western North America. Marked declines of aspen have occurred in recent decades, likely due to a combination of effects from changes in fire regimes, herbivory, climate (e.g. drought), and interspecific competition with conifer species. However, it is poorly understood how the effects of these factors are manifested at a landscape scale over decadal time periods. Analysis of field data combined with topographic information collected across the 500,000 ha Owyhee Plateau in southwestern Idaho revealed that aspen in the area occur in three different biophysical settings; First, aspen stands exist at high altitudes on south-facing slopes where local conifer species are not likely to occur because of limiting temperature or precipitation levels under current climate conditions. In these areas aspen is the potential vegetation type rather than conifers. Second, aspen grow on anomalously wet microsites (e.g. near springs), and third, aspen grow within upland mixed aspen/conifer stands, which are experiencing rapid rates of conifer establishment. Based on a paired t -test ( α = 0.05) we conclude that stands growing on wet microsites show significantly slower successional rates of conifer establishment relative to upland aspen stands. We developed a conceptual state-and-transition model for upland aspen/conifer stands occurring across a range of topographic positions. We then parameterized the model using extensive field data in the vegetation dynamics computer simulation model Vegetation Dynamics Development Tool (VDDT), and examined the current and future aspen distribution under varying fire regimes. Model results indicate that average fire return intervals of 50–70 years are desirable for maintenance of aspen in upland areas where conifers are present. Under the current fire regime in the area many upland aspen/conifer stands will likely be lost within 80–200 years. Thresholds for the effect of conifer encroachment and browsing on aspen regeneration identified through this research are similar to those described by others across the West. We therefore suggest that the results presented for the Owyhee Plateau are likely applicable to semi-arid aspen woodlands across the American West where succession to conifers is a cause of aspen decline.
Lens epithelium-derived growth factor: effects on growth and survival of lens epithelial cells, keratinocytes, and fibroblasts.

We isolated a clone encoding a protein from a human lens epithelial cell (LEC) cDNA library with antibody (Ab) from a cataract patient and named it "lens epithelium-derived growth factor" (LEDGF). LEDGF is found to be identical to p75, a coactivator of both transcription (1) and pre-mRNA splicing (2). In serum-free medium LEDGF stimulated growth of LECs, cos7 cells, skin fibroblasts, and keratinocytes, and prolonged cell survival. Without LEDGF, the aforementioned cells did not survive. Also in serum-free medium, Ab to LEDGF neutralizing LEDGF blocked cell growth and caused cell death. Thus, LEDGF, a regulatory factor, may play an important role for growth and survival of a wide range of cell types.
A generalized model for competition between hominid populations

Abstract A simple mathematical model can represent competition between two hominid populations which includes elements of both trophic pre-emption and killing. The ultimate outcome of such competition can be determined if certain parameters are estimated. Various values of these parameters can represent various types of competition which occur between hominid groups. The model is used to argue that the two-species explanation of Australopithecine fossils is unrealistic and that a one-species view is more compatible with the facts. This model lends itself to first-order approximation of many situations of interest to anthropologists. The form of the equations for several situations is given, as is a solution for the ultimate equilibrium population densities of the two competing groups.