cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Public Health Interventions in the Era of Childhood Obesity and Other Racial Health Disparities.

The author discusses the need for public health interventions to address obesity and similar racial health disparities in minority children within the U.S.
What's hot, what's new: Report from the American Transplant Congress 2018

The American Transplant Congress (ATC) 2018 event brought over 5000 attendees to Seattle, WA in June 2018. As the joint meeting of the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) and the American Society of Transplantation (AST), the Congress provides exposures to cutting-edge scientific research findings for a diverse mix of physicians, surgeons, scientists, nurses, organ procurement personnel, advanced transplant providers, pharmacists, administrators, and other transplant professionals. The 5-day event featured nearly 1800 abstracts, over 500 oral presentations, and more than 1200 poster presentations, all delivered in a way that encouraged the exchange of new clinical and scientific information and supported an interchange of opinions regarding care management and socioeconomic, ethical, and regulatory issues relevant to organ and tissue transplantation. We present here the outstanding abstracts presented at ATC2018 divided into 3 categories of basic, translational, and clinical research.
Links Between Iron and Lipids: Implications in Some Major Human Diseases

Maintenance of iron homeostasis is critical to cellular health as both its excess and insufficiency are detrimental. Likewise, lipids, which are essential components of cellular membranes and signaling mediators, must also be tightly regulated to hinder disease progression. Recent research, using a myriad of model organisms, as well as data from clinical studies, has revealed links between these two metabolic pathways, but the mechanisms behind these interactions and the role these have in the progression of human diseases remains unclear. In this review, we summarize literature describing cross-talk between iron and lipid pathways, including alterations in cholesterol, sphingolipid, and lipid droplet metabolism in response to changes in iron levels. We discuss human diseases correlating with both iron and lipid alterations, including neurodegenerative disorders, and the available evidence regarding the potential mechanisms underlying how iron may promote disease pathogenesis. Finally, we review research regarding iron reduction techniques and their therapeutic potential in treating patients with these debilitating conditions. We propose that iron-mediated alterations in lipid metabolic pathways are involved in the progression of these diseases, but further research is direly needed to elucidate the mechanisms involved.
NAD+ Metabolism in Aging and Cancer

Aging is a major risk factor for many types of cancer, and the molecular mechanisms implicated in aging, progeria syndromes, and cancer pathogenesis display considerable similarities. Maintaining r...
Outcomes from early child maltreatment prevention program in child protective services

Abstract Child abuse and neglect is a major public health problem. Early efforts to prevent maltreatment are much needed to avoid a number of serious and irrevocable negative consequences for children. Currently, most early prevention approaches utilize a variety of community based services while the public Child Protective Services (CPS) system has yet to settle on a clear paradigm for prevention. Accordingly, there is a need to better understand the potential of such services within the CPS. This study sought to determine whether the Parent Support Outreach (PSO) program, an early CPS response and service model to screened-out reports and other high-risk families in Minnesota's child welfare system, resulted in less subsequent CPS involvement, increased use of mental health and substance abuse services, and improvement of family's economic well-being. The study also examined whether these outcomes varied across population subgroups. Employing a quasi-experimental design with propensity score methods and using multiple administrative data sources, the study found that the PSO group experienced significantly fewer CPS reports and out of home placements and was more likely to receive adult mental health services than similar families in the Differential Response program. Additionally, there were a number of significant subgroup effects across multiple outcomes. Support for the PSO program offers new opportunities to jurisdictions considering offering early prevention services to families in need.
Transnational news media coverage of distant suffering in the Syrian civil war: An analysis of CNN, Al-Jazeera English and Sputnik online news:

This study analyzed news stories published on the online sites of CNN, Al-Jazeera English, and Sputnik to investigate how the transnational news outlets framed the human suffering associated with t...
Beyond Recidivism: The Value of Higher Education in Prison

In 2016, the Obama administration launched the Second Chance Pell Grant, a pilot program that provides funding to eligible state and federal prisoners as they pursue undergraduate degrees during the period of their incarceration. The initiative represents the first meaningful effort to restore some of the educational opportunities eliminated from state and federal prisons in the mid 1990s. The administration justified the restoration of education programs in prison in terms of recidivism rates, citing research that demonstrates that educational attainment decreases the odds that a prisoner is reincarcerated for new crimes or parole violations following his or her release. While recidivism is a critical consideration in the restoration of prison higher education, it is not and should not be the only one. In this article, we describe our experience as faculty and administrators of Villanova University’s undergraduate degree program at SCI-Graterford, the largest maximum security prison in Pennsylvania. We argue that education is a fundamental right that is not comprised by criminal conviction or imprisonment. Higher education in prison enhances self-knowledge and empathy, bolsters social capital and collective efficacy, and facilitates the development of just and democratic communities both inside and outside prison walls.
Equity and Sustainability: An Exposition

The paper is an exposition of some issues involving sustainability of equitable (stationary) plans in infinite horizon models. We consider examples of deterministic as well as stochastic models. Th...
Robotic-Assisted Navigation Bronchoscopy as a Paradigm Shift in Peripheral Lung Access

The sensitivity of suspicious lung nodules biopsied by currently available techniques is suboptimal. Robotic-assisted navigation bronchoscopy (RANB) is a novel method for biopsying lung nodules. Our study objective was to determine the sensitivity for malignancy and overall diagnostic accuracy for RANB when combined with cone beam CT (CBCT) for secondary confirmation. 52 consecutive patients were prospectively enrolled. Demographic data, nodule characteristics, procedural information, and follow-up results were obtained. Mean patient age was 66, with the majority Caucasian (73%) females (65%) with a similar number of never (46%) and former (46%) smokers. 15 patients had a history of cancer and 3 had a prior thoracic surgery. 59 total nodules were included as 7 patients had two nodules biopsied. Mean nodule diameter was < 2 cm in all dimension with the majority solid (41, 70%) and located in the upper lobes (left: 22, 37%; right: 17, 29%). Bronchus sign was absent (32, 54%) or present (27, 46%) in a similar number. All nodules were successfully reached with nine (15%) requiring minor directional changes after initial cone beam CT. A tissue diagnosis was obtained in 83% (49/59) of biopsied nodules, with malignancy (31, 65%) most common. Including all biopsy results and follow-up imaging, we obtained an 84% (31/37) procedural sensitivity for malignancy and an overall 86% (51/59) diagnostic yield. RANB with CBCT increases sensitivity for malignancy and diagnostic accuracy of lung nodule biopsies. Combining these modalities has the potential to shift the diagnostic approach to pulmonary nodules.
Practicing Citizenship: Women’s Rhetoric at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair

Through decades of important work, feminist scholars of communication have recovered and illuminated U.S. women’s rhetorical efforts to secure the vote. However, as Kristy Maddux persuasively argue...
Gain Instability in Forward-Pumped Raman Amplifier and Its Suppression Utilizing a Dual-Arm Depolarizer for Pump Light

The requirements for the depolarizer of the pump light used in a forward-pumped Raman amplifier were clarified. Management of the optical phases is strongly required to enable stable gain. Utilizing a dual-arm depolarizer, we successfully improved the 16-QAM transmission specifications.
The Limits of Law and AI

For thirty years, scholars in the field of law and artificial intelligence (AI) have explored the extent to which tasks performed by lawyers and judges can be assisted by computers. This article describes the medium-term outlook for AI technologies and explains the obstacles to making legal work computable. I argue that while AI-based software is likely to improve legal research and support human decisionmaking, it is unlikely to replace traditional legal work or otherwise transform the practice of law.
Magnetism and Luminescence of a MOF with Linear Mn3 Nodes Derived from an Emissive Terthiophene-Based Imidazole Linker

A new terthiophene-based imidazole luminophore 5,5’-(1H-thieno[3,4-d]imidazole-4,6-diyl)bis(thiophene-2-carboxylic acid) (TIBTCH2, 5) was synthesized in one step from previously reported 4,6-di(thiophen-2-yl)-1H-thieno[3,4-d]imidazole (DTTI, 4), and their photophysical properties were studied and compared accordingly. Under solvothermal conditions, reacting 5 with Mn(OAc)2 yielded a new three-dimensional metal-organic framework (MOF, 6) which was structurally defined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. In 6, all Mn(II) ions octahedrally bind to carboxylate-O atoms to form a linear Mn3 secondary building unit (SBU) that contains three distinct coordination modes. Importantly, 6 exhibits dual functional properties of ligand-based emission and metal-based magnetic behaviors.
rRNA Methylases and Resistance to Macrolide, Lincosamide, Streptogramin, Ketolide, and Oxazolidinone (MLSKO) Antibiotics

All the macrolides, lincosamides, streptogramins, ketolides, and oxazolidinones (MLSKO) antibiotics inhibit protein synthesis by binding to the 50S bacterial ribosomal subunit, close to the peptidyltransferase center. The last group of acquired genes, and the focus of this chapter, are those that encode an adenine-N6-methyltransferase (rRNA methylase). Currently, 32 different genes coding for enzymes that modify the 23S rRNA have been described in the chapter. This modification blocks the binding of the MLSK group of antibiotics and allows the bacterial ribosomes to continue to produce protein in the presence of macrolides, lincosamides, and streptogramin B. Mobile elements often carry multiple different genes which confer antibiotic resistance to a variety of different antibiotic classes. Association of the erm genes with mobile elements (plasmids, conjugative transposons, and transposons) provides the potential to move from one species to another, one genus to another, and one ecosystem to another, between bacterial hosts, and from food to man and the environment. If DNA-DNA hybridization is used, confirmation by a PCR assay is advisable. One can speculate that as the newer macrolide derivatives became available in the 1980s this influenced the increase in carriage of macrolide resistance genes. It can be predicted that new innate genes may be found, which when mutated could provide increased levels of resistance to all the MSLKO antibiotics. It is even possible that new mechanisms of MLS resistance will be described in the coming years.
The measurement of lung water.

In this review, we compare the spectrum of currently availablemethods for quantifying pulmonary edema in patients. Imaging and indicator dilution techniques comprise the most commonstrategies for measuring lung water at the bedside. The most accurate (within10% of the gravimetric gold standard) and most reproducible (< 5%between-test variation) are also, unfortunately, the most expensive and mostdifficult to implement for purposes of large-scale clinical trials or forroutine clinical practice. The standard chest radiograph remains the best screening test forthe detection of pulmonary edema. Indicator-dilution techniques are probablythe best available method at present for quantitation in patient groups.
Re-ranking search results using network analysis a case study with google: a case study with Google

In this paper we review methods of structured search for information on the World Wide Web. We propose new methods based on co-citation and network analysis. We describe a set of 21 measures based on these methods and examine the factor structure of those measures. We then report on a recent study that we have conducted at the University of Toronto. Human judges rated the relevance of a selection of Web pages returned by the Google search engine for each of seven queries. We compared the average judged relevance of the top 20 search results selected by Google vs. the top 20 results as selected by each of the 21 network analysis measures. All but one of the network analysis measures ("inlink") showed significantly (p<.05) better (as compared to Google) average judged relevance amongst their top 20 selections. Stepwise regression analysis was then used to identify a linear model with three network analysis measures as predictors, which accounted for roughly 17% of the variance in relevance judgments. While these results need to be extended with more detailed analysis of a wide range of queries and topics, they suggest that network analysis of search output adjacency matrices (where adjacency/proximity is based on web-wide co-citations) may significantly improve search engine rankings.
PeV neutrinos observed by IceCube from cores of active galactic nuclei

I show that the high energy neutrino flux predicted to arise from active galactic nuclei cores can explain the PeV neutrinos detected by IceCube without conflicting with the constraints from the observed extragalactic cosmic-ray and gamma-ray backgrounds.
Lexicographic encoding of numeric data fields

A method of variable-radix representation of numeric data is presented. The method allows compact representation of arbitrary numbers. Among its properties is that bitwise lexicographic comparison (>, >
Conflicts of Interest in Vaccine Safety Research

Conflicts of interest (COIs) cloud vaccine safety research. Sponsors of research have competing interests that may impede the objective study of vaccine side effects. Vaccine manufacturers, health officials, and medical journals may have financial and bureaucratic reasons for not wanting to acknowledge the risks of vaccines. Conversely, some advocacy groups may have legislative and financial reasons to sponsor research that finds risks in vaccines. Using the vaccine-autism debate as an illustration, this article details the conflicts of interest each of these groups faces, outlines the current state of vaccine safety research, and suggests remedies to address COIs. Minimizing COIs in vaccine safety research could reduce research bias and restore greater trust in the vaccine program.
REPORTING OF ZOONOTIC DISEASES

Departments of public health and agriculture in all 50 states of the United States and the District of Columbia were queried in 1977 to determine which of some selected zoonoses are reportable, the method of reporting and the diagnostic stage at which reporting is required. Fifty-three of the 62 diseases on the public health questionnaire were listed as reportable, with hepatitis A required by 49 of the 51 jurisdictions. Telephone reporting was required in nearly 19% of the disease-jurisdiction combinations and, in nearly 55%, reporting was required when the disease first was suspected. Thirty-three of the 41 diseases on the agriculture questionnaire were reportable, with anthrax most frequent. Telephone reporting was required in 30% of the reportable situations and suspected diagnoses were reportable in 54%. The disease lists varied markedly between the public health and agriculture agencies.
An evaluation of the selectivity of fenmetozole (DH-524) reversal of ethanol-induced changes in central nervous system function.

The selectivity and specificity of fenmetozole (DH-524) [2(3,4-dichlorophenoxy-methy))2-imidazole HCl] as an antagonist of the actions of ethanol were examined. Fenmetozole (15–30 g/kg) reduced ethanol-induced impairment of the aerial righting reflex without changing blood or brain ethanol content, indicating that the antagonistic actions of fenmetozole were not due to change in the pharmacokinetics of ethanol. Since fenmetozole also reduced aerial righting reflex impairment due to phenobarbital, chlordiazepoxide, and halothane, this action of fenmetozole was not specific to ethanol. In mice, both the ethanolinduced increase in locomotor activity at 2.0 g/kg and the decrease caused by 4.0 g/kg were antagonized by fenmetozole. In addition, fenmetozole attenuated the ethanol-induced reduction in cerebellar cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) content, but the drug also significantly elevated cGMP levels in this tissue when given alone. Fenmetozole did not alter ethanolinduced increases in punished drinking in a conflict test, except at a high dose which alone decreased both punished and unpunished responding. Fenmetozole also failed to precipitate ethanol withdrawal-like reactions when given to physically-dependent, intoxicated rats. Thus, the antagonistic action of fenmetozole against ethanol would not seem to be related to a specific receptor interaction but rather may be the result of a physiological antagonism.
Liver schwannoma: findings on MRI

Magnetic resonance imaging features of benign liver schwannoma in a 52-year-old woman are described. An oval shaped, 4.4x3.6x2.9-cm lesion was located in Segment 7 of the right hepatic lobe. The lesion was hypointense on T(1)-weighted images and mixed hypo- and hyperintense on T(2)-weighted images. On serial contrast-enhanced images, the lesion revealed gradually increasing centrilobular enhancement. The tumor was surgically removed thereafter.
Exposure to isophorone and other organic solvents in a screen printing plant

A study was conducted in a screen printing plant to determine the exposure of workers to isophorone and other organic solvents. One hundred twenty-four charcoal tube samples were collected from both workers breathing zones and various workplace areas. Sampling times were 50–90 minutes. Maximum mean TWACs of isophorone and cyclohexanone were 23±5.4 ppm and 28±5 ppm, respectively, at the breathing zones of printing press workers. Exposure levels for other organic vapors such as cellosolve acetate, butyl acetate, xylenes, diacetone alchohol, and petroleum distillate are also presented. Mean TWACs of personal samples were generally higher than area samples due to proximity of the solvent evaporating surfaces to the workers breathing zones. Mean TWACs for individual organic vapors did not exceed OSHA Limits. However, the sum of (TWAC/TLV) ratios of organic vapors with additive health effects exceeded unity at the breathing zones of workers handling inks and solvents. Actual 8-hour worker exposures were assumed...
Time to publication as full reports of abstracts of randomized controlled trials in cystic fibrosis.

Objectives. To determine (1) what proportion of abstracts of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) presented at international conferences on cystic fibrosis (CF) are published as full reports, (2) time to publication, and (3) factors that might delay or prevent publication. Methods At the end of 1995, the Cochrane CF Group's register of RCTs contained 199 abstracts describing 180 RCTs. Abstracts were identified by handsearching 44 abstract books of three international CF conferences over a 30-year period. We searched the register for subsequent full reports of these RCTs and used survival analysis to investigate time to publication. Using the log-rank test, we examined (1) whether there is a difference in time to publication between reports where the investigators concluded that the test treatment was as effective as or better than the control treatment, and reports where it was not, and (2) whether there is a difference in time to publication according to sample size. Results Thirty-two percent of the 178 abstracts analyzed were subsequently published in full. Survival analysis indicated that the proportions published before 12 months, 2 years, and 5 years were 8.1%, 29%, and 40% respectively. No difference in time to publication was identified when the abstracts were stratified according to conclusions or sample size; no significant association (P > 0.05) existed between time to publication and both sample size and conclusions together. Conclusion Only a small proportion of abstracts of RCTs presented at international conferences on CF are followed by full publication, and usually only after several years. Therefore, many potentially valuable studies do not reach a wide audience. However, we found no consistent factors which might delay or prevent publication. Pediatr Pulmonol. 1998; 26:101–105. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Involvement of a photoreversible process in the circadian clock controlling silkmoth eclosion

1. A preliminary analysis of the silkmoth eclosion clock demonstrated that the endogenous, free-running cycle of the clock could be divided into two parts: an initial synchronization period and a dark decay period. 2. A 1/2 hour light pulse applied during the synchronization period served to restart the free-running cycle. By proper timing of light pulses, a given cycle of the eclosion clock could be restarted ad infinitum. 3. When the length of the interrupting pulse was progressively increased up to 24 hours, the subsequent eclosion rhythms showed a constant phase relationship to the end of the interruption, irrespective of its duration. This phase relationship was the same as observed when the eclosion clock was started by transfer of moths from continuous light to continuous darkness. 4. It is concluded that the synchronization period involves a photoreversible process. During this period light rapidly stops the clock and the cycle can begin only with the onset of darkness.
Costs and economy of autotomy for tail movement and running speed in the skink Trachylepis maculilabris

Economy of autotomy (shedding less than complete tails) is advantageous via retention of ability to autotomize and reduction of costs, including lipid loss, regeneration, and decreased social statu...
Onset phenomena in self-field MPD arcjets

Voltage fluctuations in a multi-megawatt quasi-steady MPD accelerator, indicative of increased ablation and a consequent degradation in performance, are found to exist only over a narrow range of currents, above which the ablation continues. Within this range, the discharge is characterized by a thin cylindrical shell, 4.0 cm in diameter, concentric with the cathode surface, containing steep radial gradients in plasma luminosity, number density, current density, electric field and Hall parameter, and within which a significant fraction of the propellant is first ionized. Experiments have shown that this cylindrical shell can be totally eliminated by immersing a small object at critical locations within it, thereby increasing the local mass density by preferential ablation and suggesting further means of improving the accelerator design.
IONIC RADIUS AND IONIC EFFICIENCY.

1. It has been shown in preceding papers that when we separate solutions of electrolytes from pure water by collodion membranes the ions with the same sign of charge as the membrane increase while the ions with the opposite sign of charge diminish the rate of diffusion of water from the side of pure water to the side of solution; and that the accelerating and depressing effects of these ions on the rate of diffusion of water increase with their valency. 2. It is shown in this paper that aside from the valency a second quantity of the ion plays a role in this effect, namely the radius, which in a monatomic ion means the distance between the central positive nucleus and the outermost ring or shell of electrons of the ion. In monatomic, monovalent anions the radius increases in the order Cl< Br< I (being largest in I), while for monatomic, monovalent cations it increases in the order Li< Na< K< Rb (being largest in Rb). 3. It is shown that the accelerating as well as the depressing effect of the anions mentioned increases directly with the order of magnitude of their radius and that the efficiency is greatest in the case of I which has the largest radius; while the accelerating as well as the depressing effect of cations increases inversely with the order of magnitude of their radius, Li with the smallest radius having the greatest efficiency. 4. This is intelligible on the assumption that the action of the ions is electrostatic in character, in the case of cations due to the electrostatic effect of the excess charge of their positive nucleus, and in the case of anions due to the excess charge of their captured electron. The electrostatic effect of the positive nucleus of a cation on the membrane (or any other body) will be the greater the smaller the ionic radius of the cation; and the electrostatic effect of an excess electron will be the greater the further its distance from its own positive nucleus. 5. It is suggested that this rule may possibly include polyatomic, monovalent ions ( e.g . NO3, CNS, etc.) when we replace these polyatomic ions by monatomic models in which the radius is calculated in such a way as to give the model the same electrostatic effect which the polyatomic ion possesses. 6. These conclusions are in harmony with the fact that the efficiency of ions increases also with their valency. 7. It is suggested that these rules concerning the influence of the ionic radius can possibly be demonstrated in other phenomena, depending on the electrostatic effect of ions.
An integrated coring and caching concept

An integrated concept for core sample acquisition and caching with potential application to a Mars caching mission has been developed. The concept utilizes a five degree-of-freedom manipulator arm to deploy a rotary percussive coring tool as well as to provide alignment, feed, and preload for the tool. The tool provides coring, core break-off, core retention and bit capture and release for bit change-out. In this concept, a sample is acquired directly into its sample tube in the coring bit and bit change-out is used to transfer the sample to the caching subsystem where it is sealed and stored. 1 2
The Preparation of High Purity Silicon Dioxide from Boron Mud - The Solid Wastes of Boromagnesite for Producing Borax by Alkali or Soda

The residual rich SiO2 slag was obtained for magnesium was leached from the boron mud by sulfuric acid. The SiO2 was leached from the residual slag by sodium hydroxide solution. The effect of the leaching temperature and the leaching time, the ratio of the sodium hydroxide solution to slag and the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution on the leaching efficiency of SiO2 in the residual slag were also studied. The reasonable technical condition as follow : the leaching temperature is 130°C, the leaching time is 6 min, the concentration of the sodium hydroxide solution is 19mol·L-1, the ratio of the sodium hydroxide solution to slag is 2.5:1. The SiO2 leached rate can be stabilized about 85% under this condition. Silicon dioxide was produced by double carbonating the sodium silicate solution and its percentage purity is above 99%.
How Safe is Your Data Center

The data center should be separated from the rest of the business and should not house executives, end-users or non-essential operational personnel. This configuration isolates the data center from the rest of the enterprise and greatly simplifies the planning of end-user recovery.
Nitroxide-Mediated Radical Polymerization from CdSe Nanoparticles

We report the use of nitroxide-mediated controlled free radical polymerization directly from the surface of CdSe nanoparticles to prepare polymer−nanoparticle composite materials. While free radicals can quench the fluorescence of CdSe nanoparticles, nitroxide-mediated polymerization allows for the preparation of the desired polymer−nanoparticle composites while maintaining the inherent fluorescence of the nanoparticles. The low concentration of radicals inherent to this controlled free radical polymerization technique contributes to the success of this process. Nitroxide-containing ligand 2 was prepared for this study and used to functionalize 3−4-nm CdSe nanoparticles. By this method, polystyrene and poly(styrene-r-methyl methacrylate) copolymers were grown from the nanoparticle surface. Displacement of these polymers from the surface, and subsequent analysis by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), revealed the success of this method. The effect of the polymerization conditions on dispersion and fluores...
An overview of standards in electromagnetic compatibility for integrated circuits

The characterization of the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) performance of integrated circuits (ICs) is receiving increasing focus as new applications and technology trends combine to raise the complexity of EMC compliance. The increased focus is driving the need for standardized measurement procedures to enable consistent evaluation and comparison of different devices. This paper discusses the need for standardization, describes the work in process by IEC TC47/SC47A Working Group 9 to standardize emissions and immunity EMC test methods for ICs, and examines trends in IC EMC.
Fingerprinting soil organic matter in the arctic to help predict CO2 flux

Abstract In the past 30 years, the arctic climate has warmed appreciably and there is evidence for a significant polar amplification of global warming in the future. A warming and drying of northern soils could result in an increase in organic matter decomposition and positive feedback to future climate warming. Northern ecosystems have accumulated 25–33% of the world's soil carbon, much of which is preserved as poorly decomposed plant remains. The soil organic matter (SOM) decomposition rate, however, depends on many variables such as temperature, nutrient availability, pH, oxidation/reduction potential, and chemical composition of the SOM. This paper addresses the effect of SOM composition on CO2 respiration in arctic soil. In order to isolate the effect of SOM composition on respiration rate, 19 soils from the circumpolar arctic were incubated in a 25 °C, nutrient-rich, pH neutral, constantly mixed environment. The SOM composition was studied using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (py-GC/MS), an analytical technique that produces a “fingerprint” of SOM. Correlations were made between SOM composition and CO2 respiration rate for the 19 soils. From these data, a model was built to predict respiration rates in soil subjected to similar incubation conditions using py-GC/MS fingerprints. Results go on to compare model predictions of measured respiration in laboratory incubations of 15 soils from four different locations in the Northern and Western Alaska Transects. Predictions for cumulative respiration over a 70-day laboratory respiration test were within 20% of measured values.
Mammalian Lin-7 Stabilizes Polarity Protein Complexes

Mammalian Lin-7 forms a complex with several proteins, including PALS1, that have a role in polarity determination in epithelial cells. In this study we have found that loss of Lin-7 protein from the polarized epithelial cell line Madin-Darby canine kidney II by small hairpin RNA results in defects in tight junction formation as indicated by lowered transepithelial electrical resistance and mislocalization of the tight junction protein ZO-1 after calcium switch. The knock down of Lin-7 also resulted in the loss of expression of several Lin-7 binding partners, including PALS1 and the polarity protein PATJ. The effects of Lin-7 knock down were rescued by the exogenous expression of murine Lin-7 constructs that contained the L27 domain, but not the PDZ domain alone. Furthermore, exogenously expressed PALS1, but not other Lin-7 binding partners, also rescued the effects of Lin-7 knock down, including the restoration of PATJ protein in rescued cell lines. Finally, the effects of Lin-7 knock down appeared to be due to instability of PALS1 protein in the absence of Lin-7, as indicated by an increased rate of PALS1 protein degradation. Taken together, these results indicate that Lin-7 functions in tight junction formation by stabilizing its membrane-associated guanylate kinase binding partner PALS1.
Purification of canine antithrombin III-heparin cofactor using affinity chromatography

Canine antithrombin III-heparin cofactor has been purified utilizing affinity chromatography with purified heparin as the ligand. The procedure is rapid and produces 100% yields of highly purified inhibitor. The inhibitor is a protein of molecular weight 77,000 daltons and possesses both heparin cofactor and progressive antithrombin activity. The inhibitor is a single chain polypeptide with a molecular weight of 77,000 daltons.
Gender-Related Differences in Academically Talented Students' Scores and Use of Time on Tests of Spatial Ability.

Gender-related differences in test scores of spatial ability have been ascribed to a tendency of females to take more time in working on such tasks, which is believed to be to their disadvantage in...
The Kidney, Hypertension, and Obesity

This paper provides a personal perspective of the role of abnormal renal-pressure natriuresis in the pathogenesis of hypertension. Direct support for a major role of renal-pressure natriuresis in long-term control of arterial pressure and sodium balance comes from studies demonstrating that (1) pressure natriuresis is impaired in all forms of chronic hypertension and (2) prevention of pressure natriuresis from operating, by servo-control of renal perfusion pressure, also prevents the maintenance of sodium balance hypertension. Although the precise mechanisms of impaired pressure natriuresis in essential hypertension have remained elusive, recent evidence suggests that obesity and overweight may play a major role. Obesity increases renal sodium reabsorption and impairs pressure natriuresis by activation of the renin-angiotensin and sympathetic nervous systems and by altered intrarenal physical forces. Chronic obesity also causes marked structural changes in the kidneys that eventually lead to a loss of nephron function, further increases in arterial pressure, and severe renal injury in some cases. Although there are many unanswered questions about the mechanisms of obesity hypertension and renal disease, this is one of the most promising areas for future research, especially in view of the growing, worldwide "epidemic" of obesity.
Clinical evidence of myocardial stunning in patients undergoing CABG surgery

Although patients who have undergone coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery frequently present with symptoms suggesting that myocardial stunning has occurred, measurements of regional myocardial function and perfusion are difficult in clinical settings. Several studies have used left ventricular function indices (i.e., cardiac index, left ventricular stroke work index, ejection fraction) to assess myocardial stunning immediately following CABG surgery. These changes in ventricular function have been found to be reversible and the clinical data are consistent with the occurrence of myocardial stunning. Myocardial metabolism is also reportedly depressed following CABG surgery. Decreases in myocardial oxygen extraction, consumption, and lactate utilization all point to the presence of myocardial stunning, as do abnormalities in regional wall-motion and electrocardiographic changes (i.e., transient Q waves) described in patients who have undergone CABG surgery. New approaches to differentiating viable from nonviable myocardial tissue will likely include stress echocardiography using new stress agents, ultrasound contrast agents, and high frequency ultrasound.
Initial experience with magnetic resonance imaging of atrial scar and co-registration with electroanatomic voltage mapping during atrial fibrillation: Success and limitations

BACKGROUND Ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) frequently requires multiple procedures to achieve durable restoration of sinus rhythm. Early studies have suggested that delayed enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (DE-MRI) of the left atrium (LA) can assist in performing repeat ablation procedures. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study was to investigate the utility of DE-MRI in delineating regions of LA low voltage and PV reconnection sites in patients undergoing repeat PV isolation for recurrent AF. METHODS We enrolled 10 patients undergoing repeat ablation for AF recurrence to undergo preprocedural DE-MRI of the LA in conjunction with high-density voltage mapping (>100 sites) of the LA during the ablation procedure. LA wall regions with hyperenhancement were segmented from DE-MRI images and retrospectively co-registered with the electroanatomic LA map. The association between scar on DE-MRI images and low-voltage regions of the LA was assessed, as was the association between scar gaps and electrogram-determined PV reconnection sites. RESULTS Ten patients underwent successful DE-MRI imaging and repeat AF ablation without complication. In all 10 patients, the majority of PVs were found to have regained electrical continuity with the LA (30/37 PVs electrically active); all patients underwent successful reisolation of all PVs using standard ablation techniques. There was a significant association between scar identified by DE-MRI and low-voltage regions of the LA (–0.7±0.1 mV in scar regions; generalized estimating equations model clustered by patient, P CONCLUSION We demonstrate the co-registration of DE-MRI scar imaging and electroanatomic LA mapping, with agreement between regions of scar on DE-MRI and low voltage by mapping. However, at our center, this technique did not provide accurate information on the location of PV reconnection sites in patients undergoing repeat ablation for AF.
Encouraging donations to charity: A field study of competing and complementary factors in tactic sequencing

The independent and combined effects of the foot‐in‐the‐door (FITD) and pregiving compliance techniques were examined as part of a door‐to‐door fundraising effort on behalf of a local AIDS organization. The FITD procedure attempts to increase compliance with a critical request by first obtaining compliance with a smaller request. Self‐perception theory posits that compliance with the initial request leads the subject to see self as helpful and concerned. Pregiving entails the provision of a gift or favor prior to issuing the critical request. The norm of reciprocity calls for reciprocation of this gesture, which should oblige the subject to give. Each subject was solicited at home with one of five message strategies. Control subjects were simply asked to make a donation. FITD subjects were asked to sign a petition encouraging state support of AIDS programs before receiving the critical request. Pregiving subjects were given a brochure described as containing “life‐saving information"’ before being asked t...
An introduction to percolation theory

Abstract Percolation theory, the theory of the properties of classical particles interacting with a random medium, is of wide applicability and provides a simple picture exhibiting critical behaviour, the features of which are well understood and amenable to detailed calculation. In this review the concepts of percolation theory and the general features associated with the critical region about the onset of percolation are developed in detail. In particular, several dimensional invariants are examined which make it possible to unify much of the available information, and to extend the insights of percolation theory to processes which have not yet received numerical study. The compilation of the results of percolation theory, both exact and numerical, is believed to be complete through 1970. A selective bibliography is given. In a concluding chapter several recent applications of percolation theory to classical and to quantum mechanical problems are discussed.
Genetic and environmental influences on the development of alcoholism: resilience vs. risk.

Abstract: The physiological changes of adolescence may promote risk-taking behaviors, including binge drinking. Approximately 40% of alcoholics were already drinking heavily in late adolescence. Most cases of alcoholism are established by the age of 30 years with the peak prevalence at 18–23 years of age. Therefore the key time frame for the development, and prevention, of alcoholism lies in adolescence and young adulthood. Severe childhood stressors have been associated with increased vulnerability to addiction, however, not all stress-exposed children go on to develop alcoholism. Origins of resilience can be both genetic (variation in alcohol-metabolizing genes, increased susceptibility to alcohol's sedative effects) and environmental (lack of alcohol availability, positive peer and parental support). Genetic vulnerability is likely to be conferred by multiple genes of small to modest effects, possibly only apparent in gene–environment interactions. For example, it has been shown that childhood maltreatment interacts with a monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) gene variant to predict antisocial behavior that is often associated with alcoholism, and an interaction between early life stress and a serotonin transporter promoter variant predicts alcohol abuse in nonhuman primates and depression in humans. In addition, a common Met158 variant in the catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene can confer both risk and resilience to alcoholism in different drinking environments. It is likely that a complex mix of gene(s)—environment(s) interactions underlie addiction vulnerability and development. Risk–resilience factors can best be determined in longitudinal studies, preferably starting during pregnancy. This kind of research is important for planning future measures to prevent harmful drinking in adolescence.
Creating Truth-Telling Incentives with the Bayesian Truth Serum

Abstract The Bayesian truth serum (BTS) is a survey scoring method that creates truth-telling incentives for respondents answering multiple-choice questions about intrinsically private matters, such as opinions, tastes, and behavior. The authors test BTS in several studies, primarily using recognition questionnaires that present items such as brand names and scientific terms. One-third of the items were nonexistent foils. The BTS mechanism, which mathematically rewards “surprisingly common” answers, both rewarded truth telling, by heavily penalizing foil recognition, and induced truth telling, in that participants who were paid according to their BTS scores claimed to recognize fewer foils than control groups, even when given competing incentives to exaggerate. Survey takers who received BTS-based payments without explanation became less likely to recognize foils as they progressed through the survey, suggesting that they learned to respond to BTS incentives despite the absence of guidance. The mechanism ...
HIV and anesthesia

Human immunodeficiency virus [HIV disease or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)] is the greatest health crisis of the twentieth and early twenty-first century. In sub-Saharan Africa, the epidemic rivals the "Black Death" of fourteenth-century Europe. AIDS is a multiorgan disease that has broad implications for anesthesiologists. New drug therapies are highly effective in most cases and have significant potential for drug interactions. The purpose of this article is to help anesthesiologists better manage persons who have HIV/AIDS in the operating room, labor and delivery suite, and other areas in which this patient population will require an increasing amount of care.
ULTRASTRUCTURAL, IMMUNOHISTOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CULTURED MOUSE CORNEAL EPITHELIAL CELLS

We developed a method to culture mouse corneal epithelium. Cultured cells tested by 1-D-SDS-PAGE exhibited protein mobility patterns similar to freshly isolated epithelia. Western blots with antibodies broadly recognizing cytokeratins showed a similar pattern for both fresh and cultured cells, but only the fresh sample stained with J7, specific for a 55-kD ‘corneal’ cytokeratin. Cultured cells examined at confluency by transmission electron microscopy exhibited desmosomal contacts typical of epithelia. The ability to culture mouse corneal epithelial tissue will be useful for studies requiring large amounts of material by reducing animal numbers.
Acne and active patients : Improving more than superficial appearances

Acne vulgaris is a common skin condition that affects many athletes. Accurate diagnosis of the type and severity of acne lesions will help direct appropriate therapeutic interventions. Medications, including topical retinoids, topical antibiotics, oral antibiotics, and oral retinoids, are effective in treating acne. Side effects of acne therapy are common and generally mild, but athletes may require special counseling to minimize adverse effects of acne therapy. Treating acne may be challenging for both patient and physician, but with patience and perseverance, an appropriate treatment plan can provide dramatic improvements in the skin, emotional well-being, and social and athletic functioning.
A new method for the simultaneous determination of pyrite content and proximate analysis in coal

Abstract The development of a new simultaneous method for the determination of pyrite content and proximate analysis in coal is presented. It combines thermogravimetry and thermomagnetometry and utilizes inert, oxidizing and reducing gases. Results by the new technique are compared to the ASTM method, with the proximate analysis being obtained on a Fisher coal analyzer and pyrite content reported by the Coal Research Section of the Pennsylvania State University. Comparison of the thermomagnetogravimetry technique (TMG) with the ASTM method indicates good agreement and comparable accuracy. These studies show that TMG for proximate analysis and pyrite contents in coal is a viable, accurate alternative to the present, more cumbersome ASTM methods. The principle advantages of thermomagnetogravimetric technique are: (1) ease of determination of both proximate analysis and pyrite, which permits the use of unskilled technicians; (2) widespread availability of the apparatus; (3) cost effectiveness due to use of unskilled operators; (4) automation, presently available for proximate analysis on some commercial instruments and is easily accomplished for pyrite analysis, as well; (5) possible advantage over the pyrite analysis by the ASTM method in two situations: first, when pyrite is totally surrounded by acid-insoluble organic material, and second, where significant amounts of pyrite have weathered to FeSO4; and (6) a permanent record of the continuous measurements is made, in contrast to the ASTM method which records only initial and final conditions.
Viscous population equilibria

Abstract Viscosity in a biological population is the tendency of individuals to have a higher rate of interactions with their closer relatives than with similar numbers of more distantly related individuals. This paper presents a simple method of equilibrium analysis to predict the effect of viscosity in biological games. Taking the limit as viscosity goes to zero, a set of fluid population equilibria is defined. The set of fluid population equilibria is nonempty and includes all evolutionary stable strategies.