cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adjunctive branch interventions during thoracic endovascular aortic repair for acute complicated type B dissection are not associated with inferior outcomes.

Abstract Objective Thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) has been shown to effectively treat malperfusion associated with acute type B thoracic aortic dissection (TBAD). A subset of patients might still require adjunctive peripheral or visceral artery branch interventions during TEVAR to remedy persistent end organ malperfusion. Our objectives were to determine the incidence of these adjunctive interventions and to compare the outcomes between patients who had and had not undergone such interventions. Methods We performed a retrospective review of the TEVAR and complex EVAR module of the Vascular Quality Initiative from 2010 to 2019 to identify all patients treated for malperfusion due to acute TBAD. The anatomic branch and procedure performed at TEVAR were recorded. The 30-day mortality, need for reintervention, complication rates, and overall survival were compared between these patients stratified by adjunctive intervention status. Results A total of 426 patients had undergone TEVAR for acute TBAD with end organ malperfusion. Of the 426 patients, 126 (29.6%) had undergone 182 adjunctive branch interventions during TEVAR. The most common interventions were stenting (n = 86; 47.3%) and stent grafting (n = 49; 26.9%), with the most common site being the left renal artery (n = 49; 26.9%). The patients in both groups had similar 30-day mortality (12.4% with branch intervention vs 15.6% without; P = .511) and rates of in-hospital reintervention (19.2% with branch intervention vs 20.7% without; P = .732). No differences were found in the rates of postoperative complications or overall survival at 3 years between the two groups. Conclusions Adjunctive peripheral and visceral artery branch interventions in conjunction with TEVAR for acute TBAD with malperfusion occurred in one third of index cases, but did not predispose patients to worse overall outcomes. Adjunctive arterial branch interventions should be included in the treatment paradigm for acute TBAD with end organ malperfusion that does not improve with primary entry tear coverage alone.
A rapid serial reversal learning assessment for age-related cognitive deficits in pet dogs

Abstract Assessments for behavioral inhibition in pet dogs that can rapidly detect age-related cognitive deficits (ARCD) using inexpensive and accessible materials may aid in diagnosing canine dementia and may facilitate translational research on Alzheimer’s disease in humans. In this study, we designed and deployed a spatial serial reversal learning test in which 80 pet dogs were required to learn which of two identical boxes contained a hidden food treat. Each time the dog chose the correct box in three consecutive trials the procedure was repeated using the other box. All dogs that completed shaping (n = 62) also completed the 30-minute assessment. Middle-aged dogs chose the correct box more often than younger and older dogs. This cognitive decline was detectable with a stand-alone score for perseveration that can be easily measured and interpreted by clinicians and dog owners. Age did not predict how frequently the dog learned the serially-reversing reward contingency but older and younger dogs displayed longer streaks of perseverative errors. Thus, ARCD in dogs may be better characterized by bouts of severe cognitive dysfunction rather than temporally-consistent cognitive deficits. We suggest that future ARCD assessments for pet dogs should include measurements for intra-individual variability.
A renewed philosophy about supplemental sea lamprey controls

Abstract Invasive sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) populations in the Laurentian Great Lakes have been reduced by up to 90% through the use of selective pesticides (lampricides) and physical sea lamprey barriers that block spawning migrations. Nevertheless, other control methods are needed to achieve integrated pest management objectives, delay biological resistance, and address societal pressure to reduce pesticide use and restore lotic connectivity through dam removals. Despite decades of research and scientific advances, new control tools that focus on controlling adult and juvenile life stages have been rare because tactics have not been cost-effective alternatives to lampricides and sea lamprey barriers. Here, we propose a renewed philosophy highlighting that new control methods need not be true alternatives to lampricides and sea lamprey barriers (i.e., have similar effectiveness), but instead can be useful as supplemental controls integrated with current methods, especially in places where current methods are less effective due to environmental or societal conditions. Current case studies pairing multiple supplemental controls together on two Lake Huron tributaries, the Black Mallard and Cheboygan Rivers, have shown promise in reducing sea lamprey reproductive success, the scope of lampricide treatments, and ultimately the number of juvenile sea lampreys produced. Additional case studies are planned and will be evaluated within a decade-long adaptive assessment plan.
Fluoxetine Potentiates Oral Methylphenidate-Induced Gene Regulation in the Rat Striatum.

Methylphenidate (MP) is combined with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine (FLX) to treat various disorders. MP, a dopamine reuptake inhibitor, helps manage attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and is abused as a cognitive enhancer; it has a reduced addiction liability. We showed that combining FLX (serotonin) with MP potentiates MP-induced gene regulation in the striatum. These studies used intraperitoneal drug administration, which is relevant for MP abuse. Clinically, MP and FLX are taken orally (slower bioavailability). Here, we investigated whether chronic oral administration of MP and FLX also altered striatal gene regulation. MP (30/60 mg/kg/day), FLX (20 mg/kg/day), and MP + FLX were administered in rats’ drinking water for 8 h/day over 4 weeks. We assessed the expression of dynorphin and substance P (both markers for striatal direct pathway neurons) and enkephalin (indirect pathway) by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Chronic oral MP alone produced a tendency for increased dynorphin and substance P expression and no changes in enkephalin expression. Oral FLX alone did not increase gene expression. In contrast, when given together, FLX greatly enhanced MP-induced expression of dynorphin and substance P and to a lesser degree enkephalin. Thus, FLX potentiated oral MP-induced gene regulation predominantly in direct pathway neurons, mimicking cocaine effects. The three functional domains of the striatum were differentially affected. MP + SSRI concomitant therapies are indicated in ADHD/depression comorbidity and co-exposure occurs with MP misuse as a cognitive enhancer by patients on SSRIs. Our findings indicate that MP + SSRI combinations, even given orally, may enhance addiction-related gene regulation.
Psychological Stress Disrupts Intestinal Epithelial Cell Function and Mucosal Integrity Through Microbe and Host-Directed Processes

Background: Psychological stress alters the gut microbiota and predisposes individuals to increased risk for enteric infections and chronic bowel conditions. Intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) are responsible for maintaining homeostatic interactions between the gut microbiota and its host. In this study, we hypothesized that disruption to colonic IECs is a key factor underlying stress-induced disturbances to intestinal homeostasis. Methods: Conventionally-raised (CONV-R) and germ-free (GF) mice were exposed to a social disruption stressor (Str) to ascertain how stress modifies colonic IECs, the mucosal layer, and the gut microbiota. Findings: RNA sequencing of IECs isolated from conventionally-reared (CONV-R) mice revealed a robust pro-inflammatory (Saa1, Il18), pro-oxidative (Duox2, Nos2), and antimicrobial (Reg3g, Reg3b) transcriptional profile as a result of Str. This response occurred concomitant to thinning of the mucus layer and signs of systemic endotoxemia. In contrast to their CONV-R counterparts, IECs from GF mice exhibited no detectable transcriptional changes in response to Str. Still, IECs from Str-exposed GF mice exhibited an altered response to ex vivo bacterial challenge (increased Dual Oxidase-2 [DUOX2]), indicating a priming event by host stress signals. Stress-induced increase in colonic DUOX2 in CONV-R mice paralleled changes to catalase positive bacteria and luminal catalase activity, evidencing Str-mediated disruptions in gut microbiota function through excessive IEC ROS production. Interpretation: Social stress disrupts colonic epithelial cells and mucosal integrity, a response dependent on an intact microbiota and endogenous stress signal priming. Funding: This work was supported by a Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service T32DE014320 to J. Allen, NIH grant AT006552-01A1 to M. Bailey, and internal funding from the Abigail Wexner Research Institute at Nationwide Children’s Hospital to J. Allen and M. Bailey. Declaration of Interest: The authors report no competing interests. Ethical Approval: All animals used in this study were approved by the IACUC at Nationwide Children’s Hospital.
Vulval and Vaginal Cancer

Vulvar and vaginal carcinomas are primarily cancers of the elderly. Vulvar carcinomas are treated and staged surgically with adjuvant therapy consisting of radiation therapy in the majority of cases. Conversely, vaginal carcinomas are typically treated with radiation therapy, with surgery being utilized in select cases. This chapter will review epidemiology, diagnosis, and treatment of vulvar and vaginal carcinomas, with a focus on the effect of treatment on elderly women affected by these cancers.
Effects of N6-cyclopentyl adenosine and 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine on N-methyl-D-aspartate induced seizures in mice.

The effect of the adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) and antagonist 8-cyclopentyl-1,3-dipropylxanthine (CPX) on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-evoked seizures was studied in C57BL/6 mice (20/group). Animals were injected i.p. either with CPA (0.5, 1, 2 mg/kg) or CPX (1, 2 mg/kg) 15 min prior to administration of NMDA (30, 60, 125 mg/kg). Administration of NMDA alone resulted in a complete locomotor arrest at 30 mg/kg, while clonic/tonic seizures and progressively increasing mortality were seen at higher doses. Prior administration of CPA resulted either in a delay of seizure onset and unchanged mortality (0.5 mg/kg CPA, 60 mg/kg NMDA) or in elimination of tonic episodes and a significant reduction in postictal mortality (1, 2 mg/kg CPA; 60, 125 mg/kg NMDA). Pretreatment with CPX at either 1 or 2 mg/kg eliminated locomotor depression in animals injected with NMDA at 30 mg/kg. At 60 mg/kg NMDA, the effect of CPX administration resulted in mortality equivalent to that seen with 125 mg/kg NMDA administered alone. The results indicate that A1 receptor agonists may protect against NMDA-evoked seizures and that the adenosine A1 receptor may be directly involved in these actions.
Unruly Complexity: Ecology, Interpretation, Engagement

Unruly Complexity: Ecology, Interpretation, Engagement. Peter J. Taylor. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2005. 289 pp.
EFFECTS OF CHEMICAL MEDIATORS ON THE PULMONARY AND DUCTUS ARTERIOSUS CIRCULATION IN THE FETAL LAMB.

D E s P I T E extensive studies on fetal and neonatal circulation, the dynamics of the circulation in the pulmonary vascular bed and in the ductus arteriosus remain controversial.‘-” It is not known, for instance, whether the pulmonary capillaries and arterioles of the unexpanded fetal lungs are mechanically compressed by the tracheobronchial fluid and parenchymal tissue or whether they possess a vasomotor tone capable of responding to physiological or pharmacological stimuli.“2 ’ In the case of the ductus arteriosus, investigators have attempted for the past 100 years to unravel the mystery of its patency during intrauterine life and its closure after birth, Various hypotheses have been advanced which include mechanical alteration in the relations of the ductus to the adjacent structures following lung expansion,’ the development of a valvelike structure within
Discovering Sequence Similarity by the Algorithmic Significance Method

The minimal-length encoding approach is applied to define concept of sequence similarity. A sequence is defined to be similar to another sequence or to a set of keywords if it can be encoded in a small number of bits by taking advantage of common subwords. Minimal-length encoding of a sequence is computed in linear time, using a data compression algorithm that is based on a dynamic programming strategy and the directed acyclic word graph data structure. No assumptions about common word ("k-tuple") length are made in advance, and common words of any length are considered. The newly proposed algorithmic significance method provides an exact upper bound on the probability that sequence similarity has occurred by chance, thus eliminating the need for any arbitrary choice of similarity thresholds. Preliminary experiments indicate that a small number of keywords can positively identify a DNA sequence, which is extremely relevant in the context of partial sequencing by hybridization.
Chapter 3 Adsorption phenomena in membrane systems

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the basic adsorption isotherms, presents the fundamental theories of adsorption, and describes the experimental techniques for the measurements of adsorption isotherms and the surface area and pore-size distribution. It discusses the adsorption of gases on microporous membranes and of liquids on mesoporous and macroporous membranes and the inter-relation between adsorption and permeation. Adsorption plays an important role in the separation of gaseous mixtures by microporous membranes and of liquids in ultra- and microfiltration. Adsorption can either enhance or reduce the selectivity coefficient, depending on the affinity of the individual gases. Adsorption can cause membrane fouling in ultra- and microfiltration. Although the potential function techniques give consistent and satisfactory results, caution must be exerted in using these techniques for the calculation of the pore-size distribution, because of the uncertainty involved in the values of the parameters used in the calculation and the simplifying assumptions employed in the derivation of the model equations. A thorough understanding of the interrelation between adsorption and separation in microporous membranes can provide information for the improvement of membrane synthesis.
MoSi2-Base Composites

Addition of 30 to 50 vol% of Si3N4 particulate to MoSi2 eliminated its low temperature catastrophic failure, improved room temperature fracture toughness and the creep resistance. The hybrid composite SCS-6/MoSi2-Si3N4 did not show any matrix cracking and exhibited excellent mechanical and environmental properties. Hi-Nicalon continuous fiber reinforced MoSi2-Si3N4 also showed good strength and toughness. A new MoSi2-base composite containing in-situ whisker-type sSi3N4 grains in a MoSi2 matrix is also described.
Responses of Ruminococcus flavefaciens, a Ruminal Cellulolytic Species, to Nutrient Starvation.

Ruminococcus flavefaciens strain C94, a strictly anaerobic, cellulolytic ruminal bacterial species, was grown either in batch or continuous cultures (cellobiose limited or nitrogen limited) at various dilution rates. Washed cell suspensions were incubated anaerobically at 39°C without nutrients for various times up to 24 h. The effects of starvation on direct and viable cell counts, cell composition (DNA, RNA, protein, and carbohydrate), and endogenous production of volatile fatty acids by the cell suspensions were determined. In addition, the effect of the pH of the starvation buffer on direct and viable cell counts was determined. Survival of batch-grown cells during starvation was variable, with an average time for one-half the cells to lose viability (ST50) of 10.9 h. We found with continuous cultures that viable cell counts declined faster when the initial cell suspensions had been grown at faster dilution rates; this effect was more pronounced for suspensions that had been limited by cellobiose (ST50 = 6.6 h at a dilution rate of 0.33 h−1) than for suspensions that had been limited by nitrogen (ST50 = 9.5 h at a dilution rate of 0.33 h−1). With continuous cultures, viable cell counts in all cases declined faster than direct cell counts did. The rates of disappearance of specific cell components during starvation varied with the initial growth conditions, but could not be correlated with the loss of viability. Volatile fatty acid production by starving cells was very low, and acetate was the main product. Starved cells survived longer at pH 7.0 than they did at pH 5.5, and this effect of pH was greater for cellobiose-limited cells (mean ST50 = 7.1 h) than for nitrogen-limited cells (mean ST50 = 12 h). Although it has relatively low ST50 values, R. flavefaciens has sufficient survival abilities to maintain reasonable numbers in domestic animals having maintenance or greater feed intake.
CME Information:Sexuality Education in North American Medical Schools: Current Status and Future Directions (CME)

ABSTRACT Introduction Both the general public and individual patients expect healthcare providers to be knowledgeable and approachable regarding sexual health. Despite this expectation there are no universal standards or expectations regarding the sexuality education of medical students. Aims To review the current state of the art in sexuality education for North American medical students and to articulate future directions for improvement. Methods Evaluation of: (i) peer-reviewed literature on sexuality education (focusing on undergraduate medical students); and (ii) recommendations for sexuality education from national and international public health organizations. Main Outcome Measures Current status and future innovations for sexual health education in North American medical schools. Results Although the importance of sexuality to patients is recognized, there is wide variation in both the quantity and quality of education on this topic in North American medical schools. Many sexual health education programs in medical schools are focused on prevention of unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. Educational material on sexual function and dysfunction, female sexuality, abortion, and sexual minority groups is generally scant or absent. A number of novel interventions, many student initiated, have been implemented at various medical schools to improve the student's training in sexual health matters. Conclusions There is a tremendous opportunity to mold the next generation of healthcare providers to view healthy sexuality as a relevant patient concern. A comprehensive and uniform curriculum on human sexuality at the medical school level may substantially enhance the capacity of tomorrow's physicians to provide optimal care for their patients irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, and individual sexual mores/beliefs. Shindel AW and Parish SJ. Sexuality education in North American medical schools: Current status and future directions. J Sex Med 2013;10:3–18.
Recent Publications on Classroom Research

Book reviewed in this article: Observation in the Language Classroom. Dick Allwright. Second Language Classrooms: Research on Teaching and Learning. Craig Chaudron. The Classroom and the Language Learner: Ethnography and Second-Language Classroom Research. Leo van Lier.
Congestion pricing of Canadian airports

Abstract Under congestion pricing, Canadian airports would annually save between $72 and $105 million. Social costs per landing and takeoff decrease about $300 at Toronto and Vancouver and $50 at Calgary and Montreal. Slot constraints fail to eliminate this airport congestion. Congestion prices are lower on average than existing weight-based prices. Current airport capacity accommodates at least five more years of traffic growth before congestion reaches current levels. Substantial welfare gains occur even if dominant airlines already internalize their self-imposed delays. This article calculates equilibrium congestion pricing schedules, traffic rates, queuing delays, layover times, and connection times by time of day.
Sample aware embedded feature selection for reinforcement learning

Reinforcement learning (RL) is designed to learn optimal control policies from unsupervised interactions with the environment. Many successful RL algorithms have been developed, however, none of them can efficiently tackle problems with high-dimensional state spaces due to the "curse of dimensionality," and so their applicability to real-world scenarios is limited. Here we propose a Sample Aware Feature Selection algorithm embedded in NEAT, or SAFS-NEAT, to help address this challenge. This algorithm builds upon the powerful evolutionary policy search algorithm NEAT, by exploiting data samples collected during the learning process. This data permits feature selection techniques from the supervised learning domain to be used to help RL scale to problems with high-dimensional state spaces. We show that by exploiting previously observed samples, on-line feature selection can enable NEAT to learn near optimal policies for such problems, and also outperform an existing feature selection algorithm which does not explicitly make use of this available data.
Challenges in assessing depressive symptoms in Fiji: A psychometric evaluation of the CES-D

Background and Aim:The CES-D is a commonly used self-report assessment for depressive symptomatology. However, its psychometric properties have not been evaluated in Fiji. This study aims to evalua...
Energetic Cost of Ichthyophonus Infection in Juvenile Pacific Herring (Clupea pallasii)

The energetic costs of fasting and Ichthyophonus infection were measured in juvenile Pacific herring (Clupea pallasii) in a lab setting at three temperatures. Infected herring incurred significant energetic costs, the magnitude of which depended on fish condition at the time of infection (fat versus lean). Herring that were fed continually and were in relatively good condition at the time of infection (fat) never stored lipid despite ad libitum feeding. In feeding herring, the energetic cost of infection was a 30% reduction in total energy content relative to controls 52 days post infection. Following food deprivation (lean condition), infection caused an initial delay in the compensatory response of herring. Thirty-one days after re-feeding, the energetic cost of infection in previously-fasted fish was a 32% reduction in total energy content relative to controls. Body composition of infected herring subsequently recovered to some degree, though infected herring never attained the same energy content as their continuously fed counterparts. Fifty-two days after re-feeding, the energetic cost of infection in previously-fasted fish was a 6% reduction in total energy content relative to controls. The greatest impacts of infection occurred in colder temperatures, suggesting Ichthyophonus-induced reductions in body condition may have greater consequences in the northern extent of herring's range, where juveniles use most of their energy reserves to survive their first winter.
Anxiety, depression, and heart disease in women.

This is an extension of previous research that has reported on psychosocial risk factors in women participants in the Recurrent Coronary Prevention Project (RCPP). The RCPP women (N = 83) were under 65 years of age, non-diabetic, non-smoking and had experienced a myocardial infarction (MI) at least 6 months prior to the study. Baseline data was available on 80 RCPP subjects. Seventy three non-smoking, coronary disease-free women participants in the Stanford-Sunnyvale Health Improvement Project (SSHIP) served as a control-comparison group. Women with coronary heart disease had higher serum cholesterol than controls. There were no case-control differences in marital status, occupation, or number of children. RCPP women had Videotaped Structured Interview (VSI) Type A scores comparable to those of the SSHIP women, but had significantly higher VSI-hostility scores (p < .01). In addition. the post-MI women were rated more anxious and depressed, and had more avoidance symptoms than controls ( p < .01). Additional analyses involved the 65 RCPP women located at 8.5-year follow-up. In these women, univariate predictors of coronary recurrence (N = 13) were body mass index (kg/m)2. Peel Index, low time urgency (VSI) and high anxiety ( p < .05). Employment status, marital status, and education were not associated with subsequent cardiac events. These exploratory analyses suggest that the relations between heart disease and hostility, anxiety, and depression in women deserve further investigation.
Making Prealgebra Meaningful: It Starts with Faculty Inquiry.

In this chapter, the authors describe their efforts, as codirectors of Pasadena City College's Teaching and Learning Center, to increase success rates in prealgebra and address issues of equity and access through a faculty inquiry-based process.
Elliptical Polarization by Surface-layer Scattering

THERE is a very simple model which exhibits circular, or more accurately elliptical, polarization in light scattered obliquely from a surface and which could be applied to the circularly polarized reflected light from Jupiter1. The incident light is assumed unpolarized and several features are necessary for such an effect: (a) appreciable absorption, to generate a phase shift (quadrature retardation) between the independent linear components of the scattered light, (b) double or multiple scattering, and (c) oblique geometry, that is, a general and non-coplanar relationship between incident ray, surface normal and scattered ray vectors. Some polarization aspects of multiple light scattering have been discussed in the past2,3, but as far as we know, the type of model described here does not appear in the literature.
Accuracy of 3-D radiation boundary conditions for use with the vector Helmholtz equation

Radiation boundary conditions developed for use with the vector Helmholtz equation in three dimensions are reviewed, including an alternate second-order radiation condition that preserves the symmetry of the matrix operator arising within a numerical implementation. The accuracy of these conditions is systematically tested as a function of the boundary location using outward-propagating spherical harmonics. >
Congestive Heart Failure and Large Left to Right Shunts Increase Total Energy Expenditure in Infants with Ventricular Septal Defects

Congestive Heart Failure and Large Left to Right Shunts Increase Total Energy Expenditure in Infants with Ventricular Septal Defects
Constant-temperature anemometry in hypersonic flow: critical issues and sample results

The critical issues are examined in the application of constant-temperature hot-wire anemometry to hypersonic boundary layers. While continuous turbulence measurements are more challenging to make in hypersonic flows, it is shown here that the difficulties can be overcome for a wide range of flow conditions. An extensive review of the literature reveals that many of the heat transfer complexities associated with hypersonic anemometry have already been resolved. Frequency-response tests, calibration results and boundary-layer measurements in hypersonic flow are also presented. A hot-wire frequency response of about 500 kHz was obtained in a Mach 11 flow, and the resulting boundary-layer spectra are smooth and repeatable.
The Psychology of Unavailability: Explaining Scarcity and Cost Effects on Value

(1992). The Psychology of Unavailability: Explaining Scarcity and Cost Effects on Value. Basic and Applied Social Psychology: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 3-7.
Enteroclysis CT and PEG-CT in patients with previous small-bowel surgical resection for Crohn's disease: CT findings and correlation with endoscopy.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of multidetector CT in patients with Crohn’s disease (CD) relapse after ileocolic resection compared with endoscopy. Thirty-four patients were studied by endoscopy and multidetector CT, after oral administration of polyethylene glycol solution (n = 21) or after administration of methylcellulose via nasojejunal tube (n = 13). In CT examinations we evaluated the presence of mural thickening, target sign, perienteric stranding, comb sign, fibrofatty proliferation and complications. Endoscopic results were classified in accordance with Rutgeerts score (from 0 to 4). The statistical evaluations were carried out by using Fisher’s exact text and χ2 testing (p < 0.05, statistically significant difference). Sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of the CT were 96.9%, 100% and 97%, respectively. We found a statistically significant correlation between an endoscopic score of 4 and the CT signs of target sign, perienteric stranding, comb sign and fibrofatty proliferation, and between scores 1 and 2 and mucosal hyperdensity without or with mural thickening, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, only CT identified the presence of jejunal and proximal ileum disease in two and three patients, respectively, and fistulas in three patients. CT is a reliable method in the diagnosis of CD relapse and shows agreement with the approved endoscopic Rutgeerts score.
Derivation of stochastic partial differential equations for size- and age-structured populations.

Stochastic partial differential equations (SPDEs) for size-structured and age- and size-structured populations are derived from basic principles, i.e. from the changes that occur in a small time interval. Discrete stochastic models of size-structured and age-structured populations are constructed, carefully taking into account the inherent randomness in births, deaths, and size changes. As the time interval decreases, the discrete stochastic models lead to systems of Ito stochastic differential equations. As the size and age intervals decrease, SPDEs are derived for size-structured and age- and size-structured populations. Comparisons between numerical solutions of the SPDEs and independently formulated Monte Carlo calculations support the accuracy of the derivations.
Echocardiographic load-independent indices of contractility in children and adolescents with type I diabetes: effect of metabolic control and insulin on left ventricular performance.

A case-control study was carried out in a tertiary referral teaching hospital to evaluate left ventricular contractility in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and to study factors influencing left ventricular contractility. Thirty-four children and young adults with type 1 diabetes (age 10.8–21.8 years) were randomly selected from approximately 400 patients of the same age range in the outpatient department and compared with 16 nondiabetic controls (age 7.3–21.2 years). The relation of end-systolic wall stress to velocity of circumferential fiber shortening as a standard deviation score (SDS) from the normal range described by Colan et al. was used to assess left ventricular contractility. In the diabetic group the effect of age, duration of diabetes, metabolic control, insulin dose, and autonomic function on left ventricular contractility were studied. It was found that the end-systolic wall stress-velocity of circumferential fiber shortening relation was not different between diabetic subjects and controls [+0.52 (SEM 0.21) vs +0.90 (SEM 0.26) SDS,p=0.3]. In the diabetic subjects, the end-systolic wall stress-velocity of circumferential fiber shortening relation was positively correlated with glycated hemoglobin (r=0.37,p=0.03) and insulin dose per kilogram of body weight (r=0.36,p=0.04). Those two variables together explained 24% of the variability in the end-systolic wall stress-velocity of circumferential fiber shortening relation. Twenty-eight of the diabetic subjects were also assessed for cardiac autonomic function. Disturbances of cardiac autonomic function were not associated with increased contractility. It is concluded that left ventricular contractility assessed by load-independent echocardiographic indices was not different between children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes and controls. However, increased contractility was positively related to unfavorable metabolic control and higher insulin dose.
Development of the Distance From Privilege Measures: A Tool for Understanding the Persistence of Talented Women in STEM

This article reports on the development and validation of the Distance from Privilege (DFP) measures. Items for the measures were developed on theoretical grounds. The primary sample consisted of 2...
Political Rap: The Music of Oppositional Resistance

Abstract Music is a medium of popular culture wherein group identities are explored and linked to larger social forces. Previous research portrays political rap music as an oppositional African-American cultural form that critiques and encourages resistance to cultural and socio-economic domination. Political rap lyrics haue expressed themes associated with a re-conceptualized Black family as a racial community, lost economic opportunities, educational bias, health care inequality, criminal justice discrimination, police brutality, mass media misrepresentations, and the existence of a racial genocide conspiracy. Using ethnographic content analysis, we empirically detail the nature and frequency of the expression of oppositional resistance and related themes in a representative selection of political rap music lyrics from the twenty albums released by the six most prominent political rap artistes between the years of 1988-1992.
Glomerular filtration rate is a predictor of mortality after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair

Objective Clinically evident renal disease is a risk factor for mortality after aneurysm repair. Serum creatinine is widely used as a measure of renal function in the preoperative evaluation of patients. Unfortunately, serum creatinine concentration is influenced by muscle mass, hydration status, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Calculated GFR, which takes predictors of muscle mass such as age, gender, and weight into account, is a more sensitive determinant of renal function than serum creatinine. We hypothesized that GFR would more accurately predict mortality after EVAR than serum creatinine. Methods We retrospectively evaluated our database of 398 patients who underwent EVAR with the AneuRx device between October 1999 and October 2004. There were 340 men and 58 women with a mean age of 73. GFR was calculated using the Cockcroft-Gault equation. The patients were divided into four quartiles by preoperative GFR: I (7 to 45), II (45 to 60), III (61 to 79), and IV (≥80). Survival was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method, and heterogeneity of mortality across strata was evaluated using the log-rank test. The GFR quartiles were compared with clinically accepted criteria for abnormal renal function (serum creatinine level ≥1.7). Results Actuarial survival at 48 months was 61.5%, 70.5%, 86.0%, and 85.7% for GFR quartiles I to IV, respectively ( P P = .03 for q1 + q2 vs q3 + q4, P P 1.7) ( P Conclusion The risk of perioperative and long-term mortality in patients undergoing EVAR is more accurately stratified by using calculated GFR than serum creatinine alone. A GFR 60. The finding of increased risk of early mortality in patients in the 45 to 60 GFR range, with survivors enjoying good long-term outcome, suggests that these patients may most benefit from the use of alternative contrast agents and periprocedural renal protection techniques.
Relationship between Hepatocyte Necrosis, Proliferation, and Initiation Induced by Diethylnitrosamine in the Male F344 Rat

Diethylnitrosamine (DEN) is commonly used as an initiator in rodent models of multistage carcinogenesis. Because the initiating activity of DEN has been attributed, in part, to its induction of regenerative cell proliferation, the temporal and quantitative relationships among necrosis, replication, and initiation were characterized in livers of male F344 rats subsequent to administration of a single dose of 10 or 150 mg DEN/kg. Following a dose of 150 mg DEN/kg body weight, maximal hepatocellular necrosis was observed 2 days postinjection and amounted to 9% of the hepatic volume being necrotic by light microscopic criteria. Changes in serum levels of alanine and aspartate aminotransferases, indicators of hepatocellular necrosis, paralleled changes in the necrotic volume fraction. Hepatocyte replication was estimated using nuclear labeling with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), which was constantly infused for 2 or 7 days by osmotic minipump. BrdU labeling was maximally increased at 4 days with 2-day infusion (26.1% in treated vs 0.5% in controls) and at 7 days with 7-day infusion (46% in treated vs 2% in controls). Initiation was quantitated by enumeration of hepatocytes which stained positive for placental glutathione-S-transferase (GST-P). Increased numbers of GST-P-positive hepatocytes were observed on Day 4 and increased to a maximum of 109/cm2 section area, or 0.077% of all hepatocytes. Thus, the temporal pattern changes following 150 mg DEN/kg body wt are consistent with the attribution of regenerative cell proliferation contributing to the yield of initiated cells. A comparison of the peak BrdU (2-day) labeling index and the peak GST-P staining frequency suggests a rate of initiation of roughly 10(-3)-10(-4)/cell division following 150 mg DEN/kg body wt.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Decreasing blood donor exposure in the neonates by using dedicated donor transfusions.

Critically ill infants receive frequent red cell transfusions for replacement of blood drawn for laboratory analysis and in treatment of symptomatic anemia. Since blood for multiple transfusions on a given day is typically obtained from one fresh RBC unit, each multiply transfused neonate is exposed to many donors increasing the risk of transfusion transmitted disease. We hypothesized that the number of donor exposures per infant would decrease by instituting DDTP and that more infants will be exposed to only a single donor. We started a Dedicated Donor Transfusion Program (DDTP) in our NICU. One unit of red cells is dedicated to each baby for the life of the unit (35 days). We compared the donor exposure in infants for one year, before and after DDTP. The infants were divided into three birth weight groups. Group I were infants 1500g. The average number of transfusions per patient decreased significantly from 7.5 ± 6.0 to 4.7 ± 4.2(P<0.001) in Group I while it remained unchanged in Groups II and III. The Dedicated Donor Transfusion Program significantly reduced the donor exposure in NICU infants. The program also facilitated the reduction of the number of transfusions in the infants under 1000g.
Increasing Adult Learner Motivation for Completing Self-Directed E-Learning

This article explores methods organizations can use to increase self-directed e-learning completion rates and overall satisfaction. It focuses on three main areas of application: (a) increasing organizational support and positive initial user expectations, (b) reducing factors that lead to learner mental overload, and (c) designing motivational strategies into the learning content. Although applicable as general principles, relevent strategies, theories, and models are discussed with a focus on organizations offering technical product training for their clients.
Association of Hydrocarbons and Mineral Particles in Saline Solution

WE report evidence confirming the suggestion that the partial dissolution in seawater of fuel oil hydrocarbons is important in the degradation of this petroleum product in the marine environment1. Our experiments show that hydrocarbon solubility affects uptake and retention of fuel oil by marine sediments and that organic matter in sediments reduces the incorporation of fuel oil into the sediment samples investigated.
Agenda setting, vetoes and the european union's co‐decision procedure

(1997). Agenda setting, vetoes and the european union's co‐decision procedure. The Journal of Legislative Studies: Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 74-92.
Towards adjoint-based inversion for rheological parameters in nonlinear viscous mantle flow

We address the problem of inferring mantle rheological parameter fields from surface velocity observations and instantaneous nonlinear mantle flow models. We formulate this inverse problem as an infinite-dimensional nonlinear least squares optimization problem governed by nonlinear Stokes equations. We provide expressions for the gradient of the cost functional of this optimization problem with respect to two spatially-varying rheological parameter fields: the viscosity prefactor and the exponent of the second invariant of the strain rate tensor. Adjoint (linearized) Stokes equations, which are characterized by a 4th order anisotropic viscosity tensor, facilitates efficient computation of the gradient. A quasi-Newton method for the solution of this optimization problem is presented, which requires the repeated solution of both nonlinear forward Stokes and linearized adjoint Stokes equations. For the solution of the nonlinear Stokes equations, we find that Newton’s method is significantly more efficient than a Picard fixed point method. Spectral analysis of the inverse operator given by the Hessian of the optimization problem reveals that the numerical eigenvalues collapse rapidly to zero, suggesting a high degree of ill-posedness of the inverse problem. To overcome this ill-posedness, we employ Tikhonov regularization (favoring smooth parameter fields) or total variation (TV) regularization (favoring piecewise-smooth parameter fields). Solution of two- and three-dimensional finite element-based model inverse problems show that a constant parameter in the constitutive law can be recovered well from surface velocity observations. Inverting for a spatially-varying parameter field leads to its reasonable recovery, in particular close to the surface. When inferring two spatially varying parameter fields, only an effective viscosity field and the total viscous dissipation are recoverable. Finally, a model of a subducting plate shows that a localized weak zone at the plate boundary can be partially recovered, especially with TV regularization.
ESTIMATING GRASS SLOPE RESILIENCY DURING WAVE OVERTOPPING: RESULTS FROM FULL-SCALE OVERTOPPING SIMULATOR TESTING

This paper summarizes full-scale laboratory wave overtopping simulation test results from three years of testing conducted at the Colorado State University wave overtopping test facility. These results are specific to the tested soils and grass cover, so direct application to coastal dikes and levees built using different soils and grass species, or to locations subjected to different wave overtopping conditions, is not advisable. For this reason, robust design guidance will require significantly more data than are presently available. Tentative design methods are proposed for extension of the relatively few full-scale test results to other situations having different levee geometry, different wave conditions, and different grass/soil parameters. The intention is to provide a viable framework that can be extended as more knowledge is gained from additional testing with different grass/soil combinations.
A new dose-response curve for bilateral medial rectus recessions for infantile esotropia.

Abstract Purpose: In 1982, Mims et al 1 generated the first rigorous dose-response curve for bilateral medial rectus recessions for infantile esotropia (ET). Curve fitting calculations were hampered by substantial variability of surgical effect for the larger angles of ET, and an exponential curve was chosen for angles below 30 ET and a straight line for angles above 30 ET. In a continuing effort to improve the surgical success rate, a new series of results of 113 bilateral medial rectus recessions performed from 1990 to 1998 for infantile ET has been analyzed to produce a new dose-response curve and to study other potentially useful variables. Methods: The amount of medial rectus recession performed in this series was the original dose-response curve from 1982, with conjunctival recessions performed for angles above 35 ET. Results: The best curve that could be fitted to the effect versus millimeters of bilateral medial rectus recession was a single exponential curve. Other parameters explored with multivariate analysis, including head circumference, developmental delay, and intraoperative angles under anesthesia were not helpful in predicting effect of surgery at 6 weeks postoperative. A total of 87% were aligned at 6 months after surgery. Surgical failure at 6 months was more prevalent with larger preoperative angles ( P = .0007) and with developmental delay (age when child first sat alone; P = .0078). Conclusion: Between 1982 and 1990, decreased variability of results of bilateral medial rectus recessions for larger angles of infantile ET enabled the generation of a single exponential dose-response curve for the entire range of angles of infantile ET. (J AAPOS 2002;6:112-9)
Lake Machattie, a weathered H5 chondrite find from Queensland, Australia

— Lake Machattie is an H5a chondrite find. The 2.6-kg stone is heavily weathered; unoxidized metal occurs only as 10-μm-size blebs enclosed in olivine.
Assessing Managerial Skills in a Social Context

This article deals with the process of assessing students' managerial abilities in a required MBA course. The article discusses the competency approach and several competency models and gives an ov...
Novel Collagen Vascular Plug for Femoral Arteriotomy Sealing: Acute and Chronic In Vivo Studies

Background: The current use of collagen vascular hemostasis devices to percutaneously seal femoral arteriotomy sites is limited by a significant incidence of vascular complications. The purpose of the present study was to assess the efficacy of new collagen plug specifically designed to avoid these complications by accurately gauging the depth of the femoral artery and by minimizing the risk of intra-arterial collagen deployment. Methods: The hemostasis device used in this study consists of a multicomponent collagen plug with an external rigid collagen tube lined by an inner layer of absorptive sponge collagen. Placement of this plug is facilitated with a specialized two-lumen dilator, which localizes the arterial surface using a “bleedback” mechanism from one of the lumens, and prevents the placement of collagen through the arteriotomy site. The acute efficacy of this device was assessed in 26 adult dogs in which 36 collagen plugs were used to seal 8Fr femoral arteriotomies. An additional 16 arteriotomies treated with standard manual compression served as study controls. Following plug placement or manual compression, all puncture sites were observed for bleeding and hematoma formation over a 45-minute period. Patency of each instrumented artery was assessed with serial femoral angiography and localization of each plug was confirmed with surgical cutdown at the puncture site. The chronic efficacy of this device was assessed in three pigs in which three collagen plugs were used to seal 8Fr femoral arteriotomies. The three animals were subsequently sacrificed at 7,14, and 30 days, respectively, for histologic analysis. Results: In acute animals, all 36 plugs were successfully placed without evidence of vascular compromise or intra-arterial collagen deployment. In nonanticoagulated animals, hemostasis was achieved within 5 minutes in 10 of 10 plugs placed with a skin-to-arlery distance > 1.8 cm, in 4 of 7 plugs with a skin-to-artery distance of 1.2–1.7 cm, and in 0 of 9 plugs with a skin-to-artery distance 1.8 cm; small hematomas occurred in the remaining two animals in the setting of a PTT > 100 seconds. Time to hemostasis was significantly less for collagen plugs than manual compression in both nonanticoagulated animals (plug 17 ± 16 minutes; manual compression 28 ± 5 minutes; P 1.8 cm and the anticoagulation profile was not excessive. At 1 month postplacement, there is no histologic difference between plug use and standard manual compression. (J Interven Cardiol 1996;9:25–33)