cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Differences in macular capillary parameters between healthy black and white subjects with Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).

Purpose To investigate if there are differences in macular capillaries between black and white subjects using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and identify potential factors underlying the epidemiologically-based higher vulnerability of black populations to diabetic retinopathy (DR). Methods This prospective, observational cross-sectional study included 93 eyes of 47 healthy subjects with no medical history and ocular history who self-identified as black or white and were matched for age, sex, refractive error, and image quality. Subjects underwent OCTA imaging (RTVue-XR Avanti) of the superficial (SCP) and deep (DCP) capillary plexuses and choriocapillaris. AngioAnalytics was used to analyze vessel density (VD) and choriocapillaris % blood flow area (BFA) in the 1mm-diameter fovea, parafovea, and 3mm-diameter circular area including the fovea and parafovea (3x3mm image). Foveal avascular zone (FAZ) was also analyzed. Linear mixed models were used to evaluate for differences between the study groups. Results Compared to the white subjects in this study, black subjects were found to have: lower foveal VD in the SCP (p<0.05); lower VD in the parafovea and in the 3x3mm image in the DCP (p<0.05); larger FAZ in SCP and DCP (p<0.05); and decreased choriocapillary BFA in the area underlying the fovea, parafovea, and 3x3mm image (p<0.05). Conclusion In our study, our black subjects had decreased macular capillary vasculature compared to matched white subjects, even in early adulthood and the absence of any systemic or ocular conditions. To our knowledge, this is the first report showing that retinal and choriocapillary vascular differences may contribute to racial disparities in vulnerability to DR.
Energy dissipation and entropy in collisionless plasma

It is well known that collisionless systems are dissipation free from the perspective of particle collision and thus conserve entropy. However, processes such as magnetic reconnection and turbulence appear to convert large-scale magnetic energy into heat. In this paper, we investigate the energization and heating of collisionless plasma. The dissipation process is discussed in terms of fluid entropy in both isotropic and gyrotropic forms. Evolution equations for the entropy are derived and they reveal mechanisms that lead to changes in fluid entropy. These equations are verified by a collisionless particle-in-cell simulation of multiple reconnecting current sheets. In addition to previous findings regarding the pressure tensor, we emphasize the role of heat flux in the dissipation process.
14 – Installation Guide

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the installation guide of theorem prover. Before compiling the source files, one should check that the user has enough space to hold the compiled files. To compile the theorem prover, one has to get connected to the directory with the sources. If one is running under a conventional operating system, use the connect, cd, or an equivalent command. (2) Get into Common Lisp. If one is running on a conventional operating system, this will involve using a command such as Lisp or kcl. (3) Execute the Common Lisp form that may be done by typing the form to the top-level Common Lisp readevalprint loop, possibly followed by a carriage return. The compilation takes about 40 minutes on a Sun 3/280, much less on a Symbolics 3640. The result should be that for each of the source files there should at present appear on the same directory a corresponding compiled object file.
Feasibility of “Weak GPS” Real-Time Positioning and Timing at Lunar Distance

There are multiple Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS's), comprising over 100 navigation satellites in the Earth's medium and high orbits. Most of these satellites have antennas that point nadir to earth, and transmit navigation signals so vehicles on Earth's surface and in its vicinity can perform trilateration and estimate its 3-dimenional (3D) positioning. The sidelobes of these antennas can occasionally point to the Moon. It is postulated that a lunar vehicle carrying a large enough receiving antenna can occasionally detects and receives four or more sidelobes of these weak GNSS signals, thus enabling the vehicle to perform 3D positioning using an onboard GNSS receiver. We propagate the orbits of the GNSS satellites from United States' Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) constellation, the Europe's Galileo constellation, and the Russia's GLONASS constellation, to a total of 81 satellites. We simulate the visibility of these satellites by a lunar vehicle in a Near Rectilinear Halo Orbit (NRHO), based on the assumption that the lunar vehicle is “in-view” of a GNSS satellite as long as it falls within the 40-degree beam width of the satellite. We also simulate the 3D positioning performance as a function of satellites' ephemeris errors and pseudo-range errors. The preliminary results show that the lunar vehicle can “see” 5 − 13 satellites, and achieve a 3D positioning error (one-sigma) of 200–300 meters based on reasonable ephemeris and pseudorange error assumptions. We also consider the case of using relative positioning to mitigate the GNSS satellites' ephemeris biases; that is, we assume a reference receiver with accurately known positioning that is close to the lunar vehicle and then compute the relative position of the lunar vehicle with respect to the reference.
Miro1-mediated mitochondrial positioning supports subcellular redox status.

Mitochondria are strategically trafficked throughout the cell by the action of microtubule motors, the actin cytoskeleton and adapter proteins. The intracellular positioning of mitochondria supports subcellular levels of ATP, Ca2+ and reactive oxygen species (ROS, i.e. hydrogen peroxide, H2O2). Previous work from our group showed that deletion of the mitochondrial adapter protein Miro1 leads to perinuclear clustering of mitochondria, leaving the cell periphery devoid of mitochondria which compromises peripheral energy status. Herein, we report that deletion of Miro1 significantly restricts subcellular H2O2 levels to the perinuclear space which directly affects intracellular responses to elevated mitochondrial ROS. Using the genetically encoded H2O2-responsive fluorescent biosensor HyPer7, we show that the highest levels of subcellular H2O2 map to sites of increased mitochondrial density. Deletion of Miro1 or disruption of microtubule dynamics with Taxol significantly reduces peripheral H2O2 levels. Following inhibition of mitochondrial complex 1 with rotenone we observe elevated spikes of H2O2 in the cell periphery and complementary oxidation of mitochondrial peroxiredoxin 3 (PRX3) and cytosolic peroxiredoxin 2 (PRX2). Conversely, in cells lacking Miro1, rotenone did not increase peripheral H2O2 or PRX2 oxidation but rather lead to increased nuclear H2O2 and an elevated DNA-damage response. Lastly, local levels of HyPer7 oxidation correlate with the size and abundance of focal adhesions (FAs) in MEFs and cells lacking Miro1 have significantly smaller focal adhesions and reduced phosphorylation levels of vinculin and p130Cas compared to Miro1+/+ MEFs. Together, we present evidence that the intracellular distribution of mitochondria influences subcellular H2O2 levels and local cellular responses dependent on mitochondrial ROS.
Single-step selective oxidation of methane to methanol in the aqueous phase on iridium-based catalysts

Abstract In this work, one-step conversion of methane to methanol using molecular oxygen as the oxidant in the presence of CO in aqueous solutions on copper or palladium promoted Ir-ZSM-5 catalyst is first reported. The addition of a second metal to Ir-ZSM-5 promotes the catalyst activity, while product selectivity can be tuned either to methanol on IrCu-ZSM-5 or to formic acid exclusively on IrPd-ZSM-5. Most effective is the combination of the three metal species together. Approximately 1200 μmol/gcat methanol, or ∼23.4 mol of methanol per mol of Ir, are formed on the IrCuPd trimetallic system (methanol selectivity ∼80 %) at 150 °C in 1 h. Our results also demonstrate that atomically dispersed Ir(I)(CO)2 species formed in the presence of CO can activate the C–H bond of methane to methyl species at temperatures below 150 °C. The good stability in cyclic operation is an additional attribute, rendering this type of catalyst a “front-runner” in future catalyst development for direct methane-to-liquid oxygenates.
Actualistic interpretations in French

Actuality Entailments (AEs), which are standardly described in relation to modal predicates, are known to only occur in the perfective. This article argues that modal predicates are stative and, for that reason, only compatible with the perfective if coerced. Being the reflex of an aspectual coercion, which I label ‘actualistic’, the AE phenomenon is broader than usually assumed: it obtains with modal and non-modal predicates alike. At the core of the actualistic coercion is a presupposition, in the form of a necessary and sufficient condition, whose effects can be detected, for example, under negation. EARLY ACCESS
Commentary on the Archaeology of Chinese Railroad Workers in North America: Where Do We Go from Here?

Archaeologists have spent nearly five decades excavating sites associated with Chinese immigrants to the American West. They have studied hundreds of places and millions of artifacts and compiled enormous amounts of information. It is time for synthesis; it is time for sharing beyond the narrow archaeological community. The material is too rich, too important, to bury in technical reports and obscure jargon. It can connect contemporary American and Chinese communities in a common quest for an understanding of the past in the interests of the future.
Bacterial overload enhances duodenal anion secretion via PKA upregulation (1109.15)

The duodenal mucosa senses luminal bacteria via pattern recognition receptors. Rats, as coprovores, likely populate their foregut with fecal flora, which we hypothesized would enhance anion secretory responses in the duodenum. We measured short-circuit current (Isc) in Ussing chambered muscle-stripped mucosa-submucosa preparations of rat duodenum. Animals were treated with a suspension of homogenized feces (Fecal, 0.1 g/kg, ig) with or without vehicle (Veh) or omeprazole treatment (OPZ, 10 mg/kg, ig) up to 7 days. Duodenal microflora were assessed by culturing duodenal mucosal scrapes on Brucella blood agar or Lactobacillus-MRS agar plates. Basolateral application of forskolin (FK, 10 µM) increased Isc, which was further increased by the addition of carbachol (CCh, 10 µM). The Isc increase in response to FK and CCh was markedly enhanced in OPZ+Fecal group, compared to Veh group, whereas no differences were noted among Veh+Fecal, OPZ, or Veh groups. Acetazolamide-sensitive Isc was increased in OPZ+Fecal gr...
Mutation rates in mangroves and other plants

Red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle) possesses two traits that make it an ideal species for the measurement of per generation mutation rates in natural populations: vivipary and self-pollination. Vivipary allows the scoring of offspring phenotypes when they are attached to the maternal parent and self-pollination results in the attainment of near mutation/selection equilibria in relatively few generations. Mutation rates for the multigenic mutant phenotype chlorophyll-deficiency are presented for mangroves and the rates are compared to other plant taxa. Patterns are evident for marginal vs., central populations and for variations in life-form.
Unequal Partners: Cost-Benefit Analysis and Executive Review of Regulations

The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) has oversight responsibilities for implementation of two of the most controversial and significant developments in administrative rulemaking over the past 30 years. OIRA both acts as the eyes and ears of the President for purposes of overseeing the regulatory process and serves as the guardian of economic analysis in the rulemaking process. While the role of cost-benefit analysis in determining regulatory outcomes remains controversial, support for presidential oversight over rulemaking has grown considerably. This paper looks at the interaction between executive oversight and cost-benefit analysis in the rulemaking process. I argue that OIRA's mission in implementing executive oversight is often not compatible with its mission as an advocate for economic analysis. When such instances of incompatibility occur, the political preferences of the president dominate over analytical concerns. If executive oversight has overshadowed economic analysis, it would explain why requirements for economic analysis have not led to more cost effective regulations. Advocates of a greater role for economic analysis in regulatory decisionmaking need to examine whether alternative institutional designs for implementing such analysis would better serve their aims.
A Unified Approach to Causation in Disparate Treatment Cases: Using Sexual Harassment by Supervisors as the Causal Nexus for the Discriminatory Motivating Factor in Mixed Motive Cases

This Comment examines a unified approach for disparate treatment mixed motives claims paired with sexual harassment claims under Title VII. The Author argues that because of the policy for nondiscriminatory and desegregated work environments embodied in Title VII, and because of the documented harm resulting from sexual harassment, courts should allow the burden of proof to shift to the defendant if the plaintiff demonstrates that her supervisor sexually harassed her, or condoned the harassment, and that the harassing supervisor made an employment decision that was adverse to her.
18-FDG-PET in the initial staging of sinonasal malignancy.

Objectives/Hypothesis The utility of fluorine-18 fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (PET) has been gradually defined for most head and neck cancers, However, its utility in the initial diagnosis of sinonasal malignancy has not been extensively studied. The aim of this study was to determine if PET scanning accurately diagnoses and stages malignant sinonasal lesions and if maximum standard uptake value (SUVmax) correlates with clinically advanced disease. Study Design Retrospective chart review. Methods There were 51 patients with sinonasal malignancy who underwent diagnostic whole body PET or PET-computed tomography scans that were analyzed for patient and disease characteristics, SUVmax, and staging. Results Of the 51 patients, 48 scans were positive at the primary site, with a sensitivity of 94%. Four patients were found to have intensely avid uptake, in which the numerical SUVmax was not documented, and three patients did not have any uptake in the region of their tumor. Mean SUVmax at the primary site was 16.1 (range, 3.1–59). Metastasis was detected in 31% (16/51) of the patients. There was a potential positive correlation between SUVmax at the primary site and detection of metastasis on univariate analysis (r = 0.19, P = .09), but on multivariate analysis, SUVmax was not found to correlate with T staging or metastasis. Conclusions For diagnosis of sinonasal malignancy, PET scans have a high sensitivity, although false negatives occurred in 6% of cases. PET scanning detected metastasis in 31% of patients, but SUVmax did not function as a marker for clinically advanced disease. The role of diagnostic PET for sinonasal malignancy is currently limited to cases with a high suspicion of metastatic disease. Level of Evidence NA Laryngoscope, 123:2962–2966, 2013
Ecology of Iron-Oxidizing Bacteria in Pyritic Materials Associated with Coal

A technique was developed for measuring 14CO2 uptake by chemolithotrophic bacteria directly in pyritic materials associated with coal and coal refuse. There was good correlation between 14CO2 uptake, as determined by this technique, and the most probable number of iron-oxidizing bacteria. Maximal 14CO2 uptake occurred in coal refuse material 2 to 3 years old, and only slight incorporation was demonstrated in fresh material or material 40 years old. Samples taken from the surface of the coal refuse pile always demonstrated maximal 14CO2 uptake, and in most samples, only slight activity was demonstrated at depths below 8 to 10 cm. Optimal uptake of 14CO2 by natural samples occurred at 20 to 30 C and at a moisture content of between 23 and 35%. In addition to chemolithotrophic bacteria, heterotrophic fungi and yeasts were also routinely isolated in high numbers from acidic coal refuse. In contrast, acidophilic, heterotrophic bacteria were either absent or present in low numbers in such acidic samples.
Dependency analysis tools: reusable components for software maintenance

A general-purpose toolset that is being developed to capture and analyze software dependencies is described. The tools are designed to serve as reusable components. They can be used not only to aid programmers directly in understanding programs but also as a basis from which other specialized tools can be constructed. The tools use the concept of a dependency graph as a basic abstraction to simplify the understanding of software relationships. Definitional, calling, functional and data-flow dependencies are analyzed. An external dependency graph for each function is developed to encapsulate the effects of function cells. >
Binary or Float

As discussed in the previous chapter, there are some problems that GA applications encounter that sometimes delay, if not prohibit, finding the optimal solutions with the desired precision. One of the implications of these problems was premature convergence of the entire population to a non—global optimum (Chapter 4); other consequences include inability to perform fine local tuning and inability to operate in the presence of nontrivial constraints (Chapters 6 and 7).
Dominant role of the kidneys and accessory role of whole-body autoregulation in the pathogenesis of hypertension

In this paper I have presented two closely related themes both of which seem to be fundamental in understanding the pathophysiology of hypertension. The first theme is the dominant role of the volume-excretion function of the kidneys in setting the long-term arterial pressure level. That is, each person in general has a rather steady intake of salt, water, and those other constituents that make up extracellular fluid. When the arterial pressure is normal, the kidney excretion of these constituents is exactly the correct amount to balance the intake of each of them. When the pressure is too great, there is more loss than gain, and the body fluid volume decreases; therefore, the pressure falls until the exact balance point is reached again; it is only at this balance point that the loss and gain are equal. At any pressure below the balance point, volume gain is greater than loss, and the pressure will continue to rise until the exact balance level is again reached. This capability of the kidney mechanism to return the pressure all-the-way back to the level of balance between input and output--not merely part-way back--is called the "infinite gain" characteristic of this pressure control system, and the level to which the pressure is controlled is called the "set-point" of the system. In pathophysiological states, the set-point for pressure control can be increased to hypertensive levels as a result of (1) a pathophysiological change in renal function or (2) increased salt and volume intake; then hypertension will ensue. Other abnormalities of circulatory function that do not affect one of these two factors cannot cause chronic hypertension because of the infinite gain feature of the renal-volume mechanism for pressure control. One such condition that does not cause hypertension without some concurrent abnormality that affects renal function is a primary increase in total peripheral resistance. The second theme is that whole-body autoregulation causes the blood flow in all parts of the body to return or remain near to normal when high arterial pressure tries to increase the flow. It does this by increasing the resistance in all parts of the peripheral arterial tree. Therefore, in effect, autoregulation converts any tendency to high cardiac output hypertension into high resistance hypertension. Yet, in so far as is now known, the pressure level will be the same with or without autoregulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Toward the Founding of Cognitive Social Science

A short journalistic article arguing that, as research enterprises, cognitive science and social science should be brought together under the umbrella of the study of backstage cognition, or, more specifically, the study of meaning, reason, choice, concept change, and concept formation, as they are subtended by human neurobiology and played out over the world's societies and cultures.
Practical methodology for the extraction of SEED models

A custom test board facilitates TLP characterization of the external pins of an integrated circuit. Models extracted from the data are used to simulate the pin-level response of the IC to an IEC 61000-4-2 discharge. ESD gun zaps are applied to the test board; simulated and measured waveforms are compared.
The role of the E1B 55 kDa gene product in oncolytic adenoviral vectors expressing herpes simplex virus-tk: assessment of antitumor efficacy and toxicity.

In this study, we evaluated three herpes simplex virus-1 thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) carrying replication-competent adenoviral vectors with and without the Ad5 E1B 55 kDa gene to assess whether this gene product has an influence on their antitumor efficacy, replication kinetics, and potential hepatotoxicity. Furthermore, we assessed the efficacy of these vectors in combination with ganciclovir (GCV). When compared with wild-type adenovirus, the recombinant vectors, in particular the E1B 55 kDa-deleted vector Ad.TK(RC)(II), generated a more efficiently cytopathic effect in proliferating cells, independently of their p53 phenotype. In a s.c. A549 lung cancer xenograft model, the cytoreductive effect of Ad.TK(RC)(II) was enhanced when followed by GCV treatment. In contrast, the efficacy of both E1B 55 kDa-positive vectors could not be further improved by GCV. In an i.p. MDAH 2774 ovarian cancer xenograft tumor model, the survival of animals treated with a prototypical replication-deficient adenovirus expressing HSV-tk (Ad.TK) was improved compared to controls when followed by GCV. In contrast, the cytoreductive efficacy of the replication-competent vectors was diminished when combined with the virostatic GCV. However, the antitumor effect of all replication-competent vectors was superior to combination chemotherapy with paclitaxel and carboplatin. In both tumor models, the oncolytic effect of the E1B 55 kDa-positive vectors was greater than that of Ad.TK(RC)(II). In an attempt to assess the toxicity of these vectors in a nonpermissive host, the viruses were administered systemically to immunocompetent and immunodeficient mice. Greater hepatotoxicity was seen with i.v. administration of the replication-competent viruses than with Ad.TK and in immunocompetent hosts, suggesting involvement of the immune system in the induction of tissue damage. The E1B 55 kDa gene had no significant influence on the liver toxicity of the vectors in this system. At therapeutic doses, intratumoral or i.p. injection of all vectors was well tolerated. Importantly, these replication-competent HSV-tk-expressing vectors were highly susceptible to GCV, representing an effective fail-safe mechanism to abolish viral replication in a clinical setting. Controllable intratumoral viral replication holds promise as a new treatment modality for cancer.
Autoradiographic resolution of doubly labeled compounds

The autoradiographic technique was used on chromatograms containing adenosine diphosphate (ADP-P/sup 32/) and ADP-8-C/sup 14/. Adenosine diphosphate- 8-C/sup 14/ gave an intense exposure only on film 1, while ADP-P/sup 32/ darkened both films, the second film being twice as dark as the first. However, the relatively short half-life of P/sup 32/ (14.3 days) permits a resolution to be made after an appropriate decay. It was concluded that, in general, when C/sup 14/-P/sup 32/ or S/sup 35/ P/sup 32/ chromatograms contain only one radionuclide per spot, visual comparison of the two films permits a simple identification of the material. Under some conditions, doubly labeled spots may also be resolved. (P.C.H.)
Human Behavior and Cognition in Evolutionary Economics

My brand of evolutionary economics recognizes, highlights, that modern economies are always in the process of changing, never fully at rest, with much of the energy coming from innovation. This perspective obviously draws a lot from Schumpeter. Continuing innovation, and the creative destruction that innovation engenders, is driving the system. There are winners and losers in the process, but generally the changes can be regarded as progress. The processes through which economic activity and performance evolve has a lot in common with evolution in biology. In particular, at any time the economy is marked by considerable variety, there are selection forces winnowing on that variety, but also continuing emergence of new ways of doing things and often economic actors. But there also are important differences from biological evolution. In particular, both innovation and selection are to a considerable degree purposive activities, often undertaken on the basis of relatively strong knowledge.
Targeted TFO delivery to hepatic stellate cells

Triplex-forming oligonucleotides (TFOs) represent an antigene approach for gene regulation through direct interaction with genomic DNA. While this strategy holds great promise owing to the fact that only two alleles need silencing to impact gene regulation, delivering TFOs to target cells in vivo is still a challenge. Our recent efforts have focused on conjugating TFOs to carrier molecules like cholesterol to enhance their cellular uptake and mannose-6-phosphate-bovine serum albumin (M6P-BSA) to target TFO delivery to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) for treating liver fibrosis. These approaches however are rendered less effective owing to a lack of targeted delivery, as seen with lipid-conjugates, and the potential immune reactions due to repeated dosing with high molecular weight BSA conjugated TFO. In this review, we discuss our latest efforts to enhance the effectiveness of TFO for treating liver fibrosis. We have shown that conjugation of TFOs to M6P-HPMA can enhance TFO delivery to HSCs and has the potential to treat liver fibrosis by inhibiting collagen synthesis. This TFO conjugate shows negligible immunogenicity owing to the use of HPMA, one of the least immunogenic copolymers, thereby making it a suitable and more effective candidate for antifibrotic therapy.
Evaluation of cognitive responses to anger-provoking driving situations using the Articulated Thoughts during Simulated Situations procedure

The current study evaluated the utility of using videotaped driving situations to assess angry thoughts while driving using the Articulated Thoughts during Simulated Situations (ATSS) procedure. Ninety-eight undergraduate participants scoring at various levels on the Driving Anger Scale participated in a visual imagery procedure. Results indicated that there were strong situational differences in articulated statements; further, participants higher in driving anger endorsed higher levels of anger and articulated more aggressive statements and fewer anger control statements than did those low in anger. Findings are discussed from the perspective that the ATSS procedure can be effectively used in the assessment and treatment of problematic anger responses while driving.
Effects of benzodiazepine receptor ligands on simultaneous visual discriminations of variable difficulty.

Benzodiazepine receptor (BZR) ligands have been demonstrated to affect the performance in tasks measuring attentional abilities. In such tasks, subjects typically are required to discriminate visual and/or auditory stimuli. The possibility that the effects of BZR ligands on the performance in tasks measuring attention are primarily due to effects on discriminative processes has not been tested systematically. Rats were trained to discriminate between simultaneously presented pairs of visual stimuli flashing either at 5 Hz versus 4.17, 3.75, 2.5, 1.67 or 1.25 Hz (group 1; FAST), or at 1.25, 1.46, 1.67, 2.5 or 3.33 Hz versus 5 Hz (group 2; SLOW) for 4.8 s (20 trials per discrimination type; sequence of pairs was randomized). In both groups, response accuracy depended significantly on the discriminability of the stimuli, with near perfect accuracy in response to most different pairs of stimuli and near chance-level accuracy in response to least different pairs of stimuli. Administration of the BZR full agoni...
SnapShot: Prostate cancer.

ObservationMild symptomsCombine with other palliative measuresPre- or postdocetaxel treatmentPostdocetaxel (studies ongoing for predocetaxel use)Asymptomatic or minimally symptomaticPostdocetaxelBone metastases onlyTo symptomatic sites+/ -+/- /-+ /-+ /--/(+)+ ++++++Secondary hormone therapyDocetaxelAbiratironeEnzalutamideSipuleucel-TCabazitaxelRadium-223Palliative radiation therapy
The Echocardiography ''Boot Camp'': A Novel Approach in Pediatric Cardiovascular Imaging Education

Background Dynamic training schedules introduce novel challenges to medical specialty training programs that require manual dexterity. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a 3-day, intensive pediatric echocardiography course ("boot camp") on trainee self-efficacy and on the acquisition and short-term retention of basic echocardiographic knowledge and skills for first-year pediatric cardiology fellows (CFs). Methods The boot camp consisted of hands-on structured practice guided by sonographers and cardiology faculty members, didactic lectures, and reading. Pre–boot camp experience was assessed using an experience score. Outcome measures included written precamp and postcamp examinations, a performance-based test, precamp and postcamp self-efficacy assessments, and the number and quality of echocardiographic examinations performed in the first 3 months of fellowship. Results Six CFs completed the boot camp. Two of the six CFs reported experience scores of 2 out of 10, whereas the remainder reported experience scores of 0 out of 10. Performance-based test scores ranged from 68 to 99 out of 147. All six CFs reported precamp self-efficacy scores of 21 (the minimum score), compared with median postcamp scores of 82 (range, 49–94) ( P = .01). Scores on the written examination improved from median of 16 (range, 11–18) to 23.5 (range, 22–28) ( P = .01). CFs who completed the boot camp completed 28 independent echocardiographic examinations (median, 4 per CF) during the first 3 months of fellowship, an increase from six independent examinations (median, 1 per CF) by CFs during the year before institution of the boot camp ( P = .030). Echocardiograms obtained by CFs who had completed the boot camp scored higher on total quality ( P = .004), overall two-dimensional image quality ( P = .011), functional assessments ( P = .015), and assessment for pericardial effusion ( P = .031). Conclusions The echocardiography boot camp improves self-efficacy in performing an echocardiographic examination and the acquisition and short-term retention of skills and knowledge required to perform pediatric echocardiography.
Evaluation of the Sampling Efficiency of Three Otolith Sampling Methods for Commercial King Mackerel Fisheries

Abstract The aims of this study were to (1) compare the efficiency of two widely used otolith sampling methods: The random otolith sampling method (ROS) and the age-length key sampling method (ALK); (2) explore whether a new otolith sampling method, the reweighting method (REW), provides more efficiency than either the ROS or ALK methods; and (3) incorporate the concept of effective sample size into sampling design. The REW differs from the ALK in that the REW has larger sampling intervals and reweights the estimated age-frequency distribution with the length-frequency distribution instead of building an age-length key. Bootstrapping approaches were used to analyze the precision of age-frequency distributions derived with these three methods (1) when otolith samples were sampled directly from a simulated population of king mackerel Scomberomorus cavalla and (2) when king mackerel samples were collected via two-stage cluster sampling, which is the sampling method commonly used in the field. The results sho...
The impact of laminin on 3D neurite extension in collagen gels

The primary goal of this research was to characterize the effect of laminin on three-dimensional (3D) neurite growth. Gels were formed using type I collagen at concentrations of 0.4-2.0 mg mL(-1) supplemented with laminin at concentrations of 0, 1, 10, or 100 µg mL(-1). When imaged with confocal microscopy, laminin was shown to follow the collagen fibers; however, the addition of laminin had minimal effect on the stiffness of the scaffolds at any concentration of collagen. Individual neurons dissociated from E9 chick dorsal root ganglia were cultured in the gels for 24 h, and neurite lengths were measured. For collagen gels without laminin, a typical bimodal response of neurite outgrowth was observed, with increased growth at lower concentrations of collagen gel. However, alteration of the chemical nature of the collagen gel by the laminin additive shifted, or completely mitigated, the bimodal neurite growth response seen in gels without laminin. Expression of integrin subunits, α1, α3, α6 and β1, were confirmed by PCR and immunolabeling in the 3D scaffolds. These results provide insight into the interplay between mechanical and chemical environment to support neurite outgrowth in 3D. Understanding the relative impact of environmental factors on 3D nerve growth may improve biomaterial design for nerve cell regeneration.
Theatrical Iconography, Jeu de Scène, and Recognizing the ‘Table Scene(s)’ in Molière’s Tartuffe

Many recent discussions of the Chauveau and Brissart frontispieces to Moliere’s Tartuffe have sought to discourage their use as documentary evidence for original performance practice on the grounds that their depiction does not conform to the text of the play. This article re-examines the textual and iconographic evidence for staging the ‘table scene’, suggesting that these frontispieces may still possess significant documentary value and cannot be so easily rejected as disaffirming the original jeu de scene. A close reading of the 1669 text as a script for performance reasserts the continuity between the text and these illustrations despite the hermeneutics of suspicion that pervade recent interpretations that rightly seek to emphasize the illustrations’ material function as liminary engravings within books.
Vaginal construction using sigmoid colon in children and young adults.

Authors from Denver describe their experience in neovaginal construction using sigmoid colon in young adults. They outline potential difficulties, particularly with patients having an android pelvis, but feel that the isolated sigmoid neovagina construction is widely applicable and can be used at any age. However, they point out that the long-term satisfaction for intercourse needs long-term evaluation. The impact of early screening for reflux in siblings of those with VUR is evaluated by authors from Montreal. They found that screening at an early stage (<2 years) was more protective against renal damage than screening at a later stage. They suggested that the optimal way to proceed was early screening in asymptomatic siblings to detect VUR before it becomes clinically significant. OBJECTIVE To evaluate the age at which patients who required vaginal replacement (an uncommon procedure in children) were diagnosed, and the cause of their anomaly, and to relate these variables to the surgical outcome. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients who had vaginal replacement at the author's institution between 1990 and 2002 were reviewed retrospectively. Depending on the age at reconstructive surgery, patients were divided into pre- and postpubertal groups. RESULTS A neovagina was constructed in 23 patients during the study period; sigmoid colon was used in 20 but not in two patients with cloacal exstrophy and in one with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster–Hauser syndrome (MRKHS). These cases were excluded from the analysis of outcomes and complications. Group 1 comprised patients diagnosed and treated before puberty and group 2 those diagnosed and/or treated afterward. In group 1 the presenting diagnoses included androgen insensitivity syndrome (AIS) in six patients, MRKHS in two, cloacal exstrophy in two, vaginal tumour in one, Mullerian duct renal aplasia cervicothoracic somite dysplasia, vertebral abnormalities, anal atresia, cardiac anomalies, tracheo-oesophageal fistula, and/or oesophageal atresia, renal abnormalities and limb defects syndromes in one each. In group 2 the presenting diagnoses included MRKHS in seven, AIS in two, and congenital adrenal hyperplasia in one. Complications included superficial wound infection (two patients), recurrent introital stenosis, and blind loop mucocele, complete stenosis of perineal neovaginal opening (one each) and dyspareunia in three. Neither age nor pelvic habitus (android vs gynaecoid) influenced the outcome, and the cosmetic results were excellent in all the patients. CONCLUSION Isolated sigmoid neovaginal construction appears to be applicable to many diagnoses and in patients at any age. Although an android pelvis can present technical challenges, in this experience it was not associated with a greater complication rate. The long-term satisfaction with the sigmoid neovagina for intercourse, especially in those constructed before puberty, still requires long-term evaluation.
Microfluidic synthesis of multifunctional Janus particles for biomedical applications

Multifunctional Janus particles have a variety of applications in a wide range of fields. However, to achieve many of these applications, high-throughput, low-cost techniques are needed to synthesize these particles with precise control of the various structural/physical/chemical properties. Microfluidics provides a unique platform to fabricate Janus particles using carefully controlled liquid flow in microfluidic channels to form Janus droplets and various types of solidification methods to solidify them into Janus particles. In this Focus article, we summarize the most recent representative works on Janus particle fabrication in microfluidics. The applications of Janus particles in biomedical areas are emphasized. We believe that microfluidics-enabled multifunctional Janus particles could resolve multiple prevalent issues in biomedicine (e.g., disease monitoring at an early stage, high-throughput bioassays, therapeutic delivery) if persistent effort and collaboration are devoted to this direction.
Prediction of multicomponent diffusion coefficients

A predictive theory based on the modified absolute rate theory is extended to the prediction of diffusion coefficients in the concentrated regions of multicomponent liquid systems without the use of adjustable parameters. A scheme for the direct prediction of multicomponent diffusion coefficients in non-associated liquid systems is presented, analysed and tested with available data. On etend une theorie de prediction, basee sur une modification de la theorie de vitesse absolue, a la prediction des coefficients de diffusion dans les parties concentrees de systemes formes de liquides a plusieurs composants, sans utiliser des parametres reglables. On presente un plan pour predire directement les coefficients de diffusion de plusieurs composants dans des systemes liquides et non-associes; on en fait egalement l'analyse et le compare avec les resultats disponibles.
Pluralism and elite conflict in an independence movement: FRELIMO in the 1960s

Many scholars of sub-Saharan Africa have argued that cultural pluralism has been a significant cause of elite conflict in the periods both before and after independence.1 However, the precise way in which pluralism influences conflict is open to debate. On the one hand, conflict is seen as the direct result of actual levels of support received by various factions among the elite who represent different categories of a society's citizens. On the other hand, conflict is viewed as the result of competition among elite factions for power and prestige roles within the nationalist movement or dominant political party with little or no actual support from the categories of people they claim to represent in the broader society. Proponents of the latter view do not argue necessarily that cultural pluralism does not exist in sub-Saharan African countries, but, rather, that such cleavages are essentially used 'ideologically' by various elite factions as they vie for power and prestige. Elites may perceive cleavages as being important while members of such categories do not. As Mafeje has pointed out, there exists
Application of Carbodiimide Derivatized Synovial Fluid to Enhance Extrasynovial Tendon Gliding Ability

Purpose To investigate the effects of surface modification of extrasynovial tendon with a carbodiimide derivatized synovial fluid (SF) on the gliding ability of extrasynovial tendon for a possible tendon graft application. Methods We used 63 peroneus longus tendons from canine hind legs. We immediately assessed 3 tendons morphologically using a scanning electron microscope (SEM); these served as the normal tendon group. The other 60 tendons were randomly assigned to each of 6 experimental groups treated with (1) control (saline); (2) 1% 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC) plus 1% N -hydroxysuccinimide (NHS) (cd only); (3) 1% EDC/NHS plus 10% gelatin (cd-G); (4) SF plus 1% EDC/NHS plus 10% gelatin (cd-SF-G); (5) SF only; or (6) SF plus 1% EDC/NHS (cd-SF). We measured the gliding resistance for 1,000 cycles of simulated flexion-extension motion. We also observed the tendon surface smoothness by SEM. Results Compared with the first cycle in each group, the gliding resistance after 1,000 cycles of tendon motion was significantly increased in the control, cd only, cd-gelatin, SF only, and cd-SF groups (p Conclusions Surface modification of extrasynovial tendon with cd-SF-G improves tendon gliding ability. This treatment may be useful clinically in improving the outcomes of tendon autografts.
Serum amylase and lipase alone are not cost-effective screening methods for pediatric pancreatic trauma

Background: Injury to the pancreas is rare in pediatric trauma. Identification of pancreatic injury relies on clinical, radiographic, and laboratory data. Serum screening for pancreatic injury frequently is used but has not proven to correlate well with pancreatic injury. This study investigated utility and cost effectiveness of serum assessment of amylase and lipase. Methods: A retrospective study of 1,821 pediatric trauma patients over 64 months was conducted. A total of 293 (16%) of these patients suffered trauma to the torso 195 (11%) of whom had confirmed intraabdominal injury. Eight pancreatic injuries (4% of abdominal injuries) were identified; 5 underwent surgery for pancreatic ductal injury. One patient not operated on had a pseudocyst that required late drainage. Results: Serum amylase or lipase levels (AMY/LIP) were measured in 507 (28%) patients. A total of 116 (23%) had elevated AMY/LIP levels. Six of 8 with proven pancreatic injury underwent AMY/LIP testing; 5 had elevated values. Forty-eight percent of patients with elevated AMY/LIP levels had no evidence of intraabdominal injury. Seventy-four of 116 (64%) with elevated AMY/LIP levels underwent abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (CT) scanning, yet 38 (51%) of these had completely normal scans. Many patients with elevated AMY/LIP levels (cost, $6 per test) underwent screening CT scans (cost, $592 per test) based on AMY/LIP alone. No patient with elevated AMY/LIP levels but without clinical suspicion was proven to have pancreatic injury. Cost data are presented. Conclusions: Serum amylase and lipase determinations may support clinical suspicion in the diagnosis of pediatric pancreatic trauma but are not reliable or cost effective as screening tools. Costs incurred from routine serum amylase and lipase or from imaging tests subsequent to elevated serum values may be significant and unjustified. J Pediatr Surg 38:354-357. Copyright 2003, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Microorganisms Associated with Valencia Peanut Affected by Pod Rot in New Mexico

Abstract Pod rot of peanut is a disease that occurs worldwide. Soilborne pathogens typically causing pod rot include Rhizoctonia solani, Sclerotium rolfsii, and Pythium spp. Although pod rot is known to occur in New Mexico, no etiological study has been conducted on this disease. In 2005 and 2006, 14 Valencia peanut fields were surveyed in eastern New Mexico where the majority of Valencia peanut is produced. The primary focus of the study was to isolate and identify microorganisms associated with pod rot. The secondary focus of the study was to characterize microorganisms from roots and stems from the same plants selected for pod rot assessment. Peanut plants were collected and processed for isolation of microorganisms by plating seeds, pieces of hull, root, and stem on acidified potato dextrose agar. In both years, the average incidence of pods with hull discoloration or pod rot symptoms varied from 55–60 to over 90%, and disease severity ranged from 5 to over 90% across all fields surveyed. A diverse gr...
Children's Intellectual Rights: Implications for Educational Policy.

The goal of developing the intellectual capacities of children in public schools requires careful balancing of children's intellectual rights with the concerns of parents, teachers, and makers of educational policy.
Incorporation of (14C)-2 deoxy-D-glucose into the lipids of normal cells as compared to virus-transformed cells.

Abstract [14C]-2 deoxy-D-glucose is incorporated into the glycolipids of both normal and transformed cells. The chromatographic pattems of [14C]-2 deoxy-D-glucose labeled lipids differ markedly in oncornavirus and herpes simplex virus-transformed cells as compared to normal and virus-infected but not transformed cells. Deoxyglucoselabeled lipids with intermediate chromatographic mobility were enriched in normal and virus-infected but not transformed cells. Studies with a murine sarcoma virus-infected cell line which is temperature-sensitive for transformation indicated that the altered chromatographic pattern of [14C]-2 deoxy-D-glucose labeled lipids was related to the expression of the transformed phenotype.
A direct carbon-13 and nitrogen-15 nmr study of europium(iii)-isothiocyanate complex formation in aqueous solvent mixtures

A continuation of the contact ion-pairing studies of the trivalent lanthanides by direct, low-temperature, multinuclear magnetic resonance techniques has been completed for the europium(III)-isothiocyanate system. In water-acetone-Freon-22 solvent mixtures, ligand exchange is sufficiently slow at — 100°C to - 125°C to permit the observation of13C and15N NMR signals for Eu3+-NCS- contact ion-pair complexes. With each nuclide, signals for four complexes are observed, displaced approximately 250 ppm upfield from free anion in the13C spectra, and 2,500 ppm upfield from bulk NCS- in the15N spectra. The concentration dependence of the signal areas is consistent with the formation of Eu(NCS)2+ through Eu(NCS) 4 1- , with water molecules completing the solvation shell. In the15N NMR spectra, the large chemical shifts identified the nitrogen atom as the NCS- binding site. Also, the observation of two15N NMR signals for isomers of Eu(NCS) 2 1+ was possible in several spectra. In methanol, a medium of higher dielectric constant, complex formation was diminished, with signal area integrations confirming the dominance of Eu(NCS) 1 2+ . A comparative binding study of Cl- and NCS- also was made by35C1 NMR chemical shift and linewidth measurements in water-methanol mixtures. The much stronger coordinating ability of NCS- was evident in these experiments, but there is a strong possibility of Eu3+-Cl- ion-pairing in the absence of this anion.