cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Susceptibility of Rat Steatotic Liver to Ischemia–Reperfusion Is Treatable With Liver-Selective Matrix Metalloproteinase Inhibition

BACKGROUND AND AIMS This study examined whether enhanced susceptibility of steatotic liver to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is due to impaired recruitment of bone marrow (BM) progenitors of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs, also called sinusoidal endothelial cell progenitor cells [sprocs]) with diminished repair of injured LSECs and whether restoring signaling to recruit BM sprocs reduces I/R injury. APPROACH AND RESULTS Hepatic vessels were clamped for 1 hour in rats fed a high-fat, high-fructose (HFHF) diet for 5, 10, or 15 weeks. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) antisense oligonucleotides (ASO) or an MMP inhibitor were used to induce liver-selective MMP-9 inhibition. HFHF rats had mild, moderate, and severe steatosis, respectively, at 5, 10, and 15 weeks. I/R injury was enhanced in HFHF rats; this was accompanied by complete absence of hepatic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-stromal cell-derived factor 1 (sdf1) signaling, leading to lack of BM sproc recruitment. Liver-selective MMP-9 inhibition to protect against proteolytic cleavage of hepatic VEGF using either MMP-9 ASO or intraportal MMP inhibitor in 5-week and 10-week HFHF rats enhanced hepatic VEGF-sdf1 signaling, increased BM sproc recruitment, and reduced alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by 92% and 77% at 5 weeks and by 80% and 64% at 10 weeks of the HFHF diet, respectively. After I/R injury in 15-week HFHF rats, the MMP inhibitor reduced active MMP-9 expression by 97%, ameliorated histologic evidence of injury, and reduced ALT by 58%, which is comparable to control rats sustaining I/R injury. Rescue therapy with intraportal MMP inhibitor, given after ischemia, in the 5-week HFHF rat reduced ALT by 71% and reduced necrosis. CONCLUSIONS Lack of signaling to recruit BM sprocs that repair injured LSECs renders steatotic liver more susceptible to I/R injury. Liver-selective MMP-9 inhibition enhances VEGF-sdf1 signaling and recruitment of BM sprocs, which markedly protects against I/R injury, even in severely steatotic rats.
Pediatric Intensivists' Perspectives on Nudging

Background: Nudging is a behavioral economics term describing types of choice architecture that affect behavior predictably without eliminating alternative options. Nudging has been studied in medicine, mostly in adults, but there is no literature on its use in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Shared decisions with families are made frequently in the PICU, where nudging likely occurs. However, some may view nudging as impeding parental authority and limiting choice. A survey to gauge pediatric intensivists’ perspectives on nudging will help us understand how ethically permissible providers believe these techniques …
Polysiloxane Scintillators for Efficient Neutron andGamma-Ray Pulse Shape Discrimination

Plastic scintillators based on thermoplastics, such as polystyrene and poly(vinyl toluene) (PVT), are capable of neutron and γ radiation detection via pulse shape discrimination (PSD) when overdope...
Reflection and transmission of normally incident waves by a semi-infinite longitudinally drifting magneto-plasma

Normal incidence of linearly polarized electromagnetic waves on a semi-infinite longitudinally drifting, homogeneous, temperate magnetoplasma, where the static magnetic field is in the longitudinal direction, is considered. The reflected and transmitted waves from the drifting boundary of the magnetoplasma are calculated and both relativistic and nonrelativistic solutions are presented. It has been found that both solutions give identical results for the present case.
Using optical fibers to examine thermal mixing of liquid sodium in a pool-type geometry

Abstract Sodium fast reactors (SFR) are poised to be a leading candidate for the next generation of commercial nuclear reactor deployment. Companies are commissioning designs for SFR increasing the need for experimental and computational analysis to improve the economics and safety of these reactors. Analysis of SFR behavior during reactor transients directly informs the understanding of reactor safety. Specifically, investigating the thermal transients associated with the reactor loss of flow transient allows for informed design decisions to be made regarding reactor safety. During loss of flow transients the flow rate of the coolant is significantly reduced, but not necessarily stopped. The reduction in flow rate results in coolant temperatures exiting the reactor core that can be drastically different than the coolant in upper pool. When these different temperature fluids interact, thermally stratified layers can form causing cyclic thermal fatigue on the reactor vessel potentially leading to pre-material failure. Past experimental studies have lacked high resolution temperature measurements. This research focuses on demonstrating the reliability of novel techniques for acquiring high resolution temperature measurements in a scaled liquid sodium facility. Tests are conducted that simulate postulated loss of flow transients and provide unprecedented spatial temperature distribution measurements.
Association of Hearing Loss with Psychological Distress and Utilization of Mental Health Services among Adults in the United States

Importance Psychological distress affects health and health care utilization. Hearing loss (HL) is highly prevalent and undertreated, and it may be a potentially modifiable risk factor for psychological distress. Objective To investigate the association between HL, psychological distress, and mental health care utilization among adults in the United States. Design, Setting, and Participants This cross-sectional study included 25 665 individuals aged 18 years and older who participated in the 2017 National Health Interview Survey, a home-based nationally representative cross-sectional survey of noninstitutionalized US adults conducted by trained interviewers. Exposures Self-reported hearing and hearing aid use. Main Outcomes and Measures Kessler psychological distress scale (scores ≥5 indicating moderate distress), self-reported use of medication to treat depression or anxiety symptoms, and use of mental health services in the past year. Results A total of 25 665 adults (mean [SD] age 47.0 [18.1] years, 51.7% [95% CI, 51.0%-52.5%] women, weighted to be representative of the US adult population) were included in the analysis. Compared with 11 558 participants (49.3%; 95% CI, 48.2%-50.5%) with no HL, the 9390 (35.3%; 95% CI, 34.4%-36.2%) with mild HL and 4717 (15.4%; 95% CI, 14.8%-16.0%) with moderate or worse HL had increased odds of moderate psychological distress (mild HL: odds ratio [OR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.35-1.62; moderate HL: OR, 2.12; 95% CI, 1.87-2.41) and were more likely to report antidepressant medication use (mild HL: OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.17-1.67; moderate HL: OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.70-2.57), and antianxiety medication use (mild HL: OR, 1.39; 95% CI, 1.16-1.67; moderate HL: OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.57-2.39). Moderate HL was associated with increased odds of use of mental health services (moderate HL: OR, 1.53; 95% CI, 1.30-1.79). Among individuals with moderate HL, those with hearing aids (1066 [22.6%]) were less likely to experience psychological distress than those without hearing aids (3651 [77.4%]; OR, 0.66; 95% CI, 0.53-0.83). Conclusions and Relevance In a large nationally representative sample of US adults, self-reported HL was associated with both greater psychological distress and increased rates of antidepressant and antianxiety medication use and utilization of mental health services. Further research is needed to investigate whether HL may be a modifiable risk factor for these outcomes.
A framework for designing and evaluating realistic blockchain-based local energy markets

Abstract A growing customer base for solar-plus-storage at the grid edge has resulted in stronger interest at the regulatory level towards energy markets at the distribution level. Local energy markets (LEMs) running on blockchains are being studied as a possible direction, but the relevant literature treats the blockchain component as a black box. We make the case that this approach is flawed because the choices in this layer affect the market’s performance significantly. We explicitly identify the design space that the blockchain layer introduces, and analyze how the design choices made therein affect the performance, governance, and degree of decentralization of these markets. As an exercise, we consider three distinct configurations for a next-generation LEM, and compare their performance on both the blockchain and the market layer via a case study. We demonstrate that simple changes in the data model can decrease the market efficiency by up to 90%. We also show that changes in the way bids get encrypted may result in economic improvements, but they do so at the risk of subverting the proper operation and resilience of the market. The simulations for our case study are conducted via a framework that we developed and open-sourced as part of this work.
Profit-Driven Cache Delegation: A Game-Theoretic Wireless Multimedia Offloading Solution

With increasing number of mobile users, leveraging economics in communications has been envisioned as a new paradigm to boost the network performance. However, the issues such as incentivizing offloading devices and improving end-user Quality of Experience (QoE) are still open challenges. The philosophy of the proposed algorithmic protocol lies in encouraging end-users to scavenge multimedia data from the neighbors (offloading users), and by doing so, maximize their QoE by taking advantage of shorter communication distance. The protocol also facilitates the wireless carriers to lower the network traffic congestion and to improve profits by setting up cache delegation communication among the offloading users and end-user for a nominal commission fee. Steadiness of the proposed game theoretic algorithmic protocol has been achieved by formulating the interaction between the service provider, offloading user and the end-user as a game. An algorithm has been developed to determine the Nash Equilibrium solution of the game which maximizes the utilities of all the parties. Simulation studies conducted using H.265 encoded multimedia data indicate a significance raise in end-user QoE and decrease in network congestion.
Brown-headed Nuthatches (Sitta pusilla) have more fluctuating asymmetry than White-breasted Nuthatches (S. carolinensis) but no change over 75 years

Birds face many human-induced environmental challenges that we associate with population declines. Because of this, we need more ways to monitor populations before they become endangered. Several authors have proposed that fluctuating asymmetry, or nondirectional deviation from bilateral symmetry, could be used as an indicator of population declines. Fluctuating asymmetry is linked to developmental instability and stress associated with environmental challenges such as habitat loss in populations of birds and other animals. Two key premises of the argument for linking fluctuating asymmetry and population declines are that (1) fluctuating asymmetry changes over time, and (2) change over time results in overall population- or species-level differences in fluctuating asymmetry. I evaluated these premises by measuring tarsus and hallux lengths of museum specimens primarily from 1875–1950 in a pair of closely related species with different population statuses—the White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis) and the Brown-headed Nuthatch (S. pusilla). Since Brown-headed Nuthatch populations are decreasing whereas White-breasted Nuthatch populations are increasing, I predicted that Brown-headed Nuthatches would have increasing fluctuating asymmetry over time whereas White-breasted Nuthatches would have no change or decreasing fluctuating asymmetry over time, and this would result in Brown-headed Nuthatches having more overall fluctuating asymmetry in both morphological traits than White-breasted Nuthatches. The percent asymmetry of tarsi and halluces for Brown-headed Nuthatches were at least 1.5× higher than the corresponding values for White-breasted Nuthatches, which supported the second premise. However, since I also found that there was a great deal of interindividual variation and no change in fluctuating asymmetry over time in either species, it is still unclear whether fluctuating asymmetry could be used to help monitor populations for evidence of decline before they reach endangered status. Future studies should more broadly and deeply explore the associations between avian population declines and fluctuating asymmetry.
Belief and Subjectivity

In the nineteenth century Soren Kierkegaard in Concluding Unscientific Postscript drew a radical distinction between the objective dimension of faith and its subjective dimension, between what is believed and how it is believed. This chapter treats the subjectivity of faith as Kierkegaard presents it. In the pseudonymous voice of Johannes Climacus Kierkegaard defines truth, and faith, as a passionate inwardness that embraces an objective uncertainty. In another pseudonymous work, Fear and Trembling, also discussed in this chapter, he offers another understanding of faith and its subjective requirement. In Fear and Trembling, subjectivity is aligned with the passion and commitment of trust.
Effectiveness of a simulation-based mastery learning to train clinicians on a novel cricothyrotomy procedure at an academic medical centre during a pandemic: a quasi-experimental cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To develop and evaluate a simulation-based mastery learning (SBML) curriculum for cricothyrotomy using wet towels to suppress aerosolisation during a pandemic. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental, pre-post study. SETTING: Tertiary care, academic medical centre in Chicago. PARTICIPANTS: Ear, nose and throat and general surgery residents, fellows and attendings. INTERVENTION: Cricothyroidotomy simulation-based mastery learning curriculum. OUTCOMES MEASURE: Pretest to posttest simulated cricothyrotomy skills checklist performance. RESULTS: 37 of 41 eligible surgeons participated in the curriculum. Median pretest score was 72.5 (IQR 55.0-80.0) and 100.0 (IQR 98.8-100.0) for the posttest p<0.001. All participants scored at or above a minimum passing standard (93% checklist items correct) at posttest. CONCLUSIONS: Using SBML is effective to quickly train clinicians to competently perform simulated cricothyrotomy during a pandemic.
Postmarket Modifications of High-Risk Therapeutic Devices in Otolaryngology Cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration:

Objective:The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) grants initial marketing clearance for novel high-risk medical devices via the premarket approval (PMA) pathway, which requires clinical data demonstrating safety and effectiveness. Manufacturers may subsequently file supplemental PMA applications (supplements) to implement incremental device changes, usually without additional clinical data. Given the potentially significant clinical implications of using new device models, this study characterized the frequency and nature of changes to high-risk therapeutic otolaryngic devices cleared via the PMA pathway.Study Design:Retrospective cohort study.Setting:FDA PMA database.Methods:Original high-risk therapeutic otolaryngic devices and supplements were identified. Supplements were characterized by clearance date, change type, and review track, including real-time (design-minor) and 180-day (design-major) tracks. Median device lineage life span (postmarket period over which changes occurred) and median number...
Monoterpenes and jasmonates induced apoptosis in a mitochondrial-mediated caspase-3 pathway in breast cancer cells

4731 Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women in the US. Current treatment options include chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgery. Naturally occurring plant compounds have shown pharmacological and therapeutic activities against different types of tumors. Perillyl alcohol (POH) is a naturally occurring monoterpene found in fruits and vegetables. Cis-jasmone (CJ) and methyl jasmonate (MJ) belong to the family of plant stress hormones currently being studied as novel anticancer agents. We investigated the cytotoxic and apoptosis-inducing activities of these three plant compounds on two breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-435) using proliferation and cytotoxicity assays, DNA content analyses, fluorescence microscopy and western blotting techniques. The concentration of each compound that inhibited the proliferation of MB-231 and MB-435 cells by 50% (IC50) were 2.0,1.2mM (POH); 1.7, 0.8mM (CJ); and 1.5, 1.3mM (MJ) respectively. POH caused cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase in both cell lines. CJ and MJ caused a block in the G0/G1 phase in MB-435 and in the S phase in MB-231 cells. Hoechst staining confirmed the induction of apoptosis after 24hr treatment. Compared to their respective controls, each of the three plant compounds caused a 4-fold increase in apoptosis in MB-231 cells. In MB-435 cells, POH and CJ caused 2-fold increases and MJ a 14-fold increase in apoptosis. Western blotting and flow cytometric data showed an increase in the release of cytochrome-c into the cytosol, a decrease in procaspase-3 level and a corresponding increase in caspase-3 activity. We concluded that the release of cytochrome c following exposure to these plant compounds led to the formation of the apoptosome complex and the consequent activation of caspase-3, the executioner of apoptosis. Both the monoterpene (POH) and the jasmonates (CJ and MJ) have potential as possible anticancer agents and require further investigation.
Urologic Office Procedures

Office procedures are an integral part of any urologic practice. Given the prevalence of urologic disease in the elderly population, it is paramount to understand special considerations that pertain to these patients when performing office procedures in this population. This section will review common urologic procedures with emphasis on the care of the geriatric patient.
Celebrating COMET’s 25 Years of Providing Innovative Education and Training

AbstractThe Cooperative Program for Operational Meteorology, Education, and Training (COMET)’s mission when it began in 1990 was to deliver professional development opportunities to U.S. government forecasters during the National Weather Service (NWS) modernization program. Since then, COMET has emerged as a worldwide leader in geoscience education. Its original objectives were to provide forecasters with classroom and distance learning training based on state-of-the-art science; support development and testing of new forecast methods; promote collaboration between the forecasting, research, and academic communities; and to advance forecasting and nowcasting by encouraging research. Over the years, COMET’s mission has expanded to disseminating and enhancing scientific knowledge in the environmental sciences, particularly meteorology, but also including diverse areas such as oceanography, hydrology, space weather, and emergency management. This paper reviews COMET’s evolution from a primary focus on educat...
Mortgage Termination: An Empirical Hazard Model with Stochastic Term Structure

This paper presents a unified economic model of the contingent claims and competing risks of mortgage termination by prepayment and default. I adopt a proportional hazard framework to analyze these competing and interdependent risks in a model with time-varying covariates. The paper incorporates a binomial mean-reverting interest rate model into the hazard function for prepayment. The empirical results reported in the paper provide new evidence about the ruthlessness of default and prepayment behavior and the sensitivity of these decisions to demographic as well as financial phenomena. The results also illustrate that evaluating the interest rate contingent claims with a stochastic term structure has effects not only on predicting the mortgage prepayment behavior but also on predicting the mortgage default behavior.
J. William Fulbright, Vietnam, and the Search for a Cold War Foreign Policy

1. Taking the stage 2. Cuba and Camelot 3. 'Freedom's Judas-Coat' 4. Of myths and realities 5. Avoiding Armageddon 6. Escalation 7. Texas hyperbole 8. The hearings 9. The politics of dissent 10. Widening the credibility gap 11. The price of Empire 12. Denouement 13. Nixon and Kissinger 14. Of arms and men 15. Sparta or Athens? 16. Cambodia 17. A foreign affairs alternative 18. Privileges and immunities 19. The invisible wars 20. Conclusion.
Transforming Troubled Children, Teens, and Their Families: An Internal Family Systems Model for Healing

Foreword R. Schwartz Part 1: The Internal Family Systems MetaModel 1. The Essence of Emotional Healing 2. Historical Roots of the MetaModel and Internal Family Systems Therapy 3. Family Dynamics: The Dance of Adaptation Part 2: Therapeutic Applications of the Internal Family Systems MetaModel: Doing Child-Focused Family Therapy 4. Clinical Assessment of Children and their Families 5. Organizing Concepts and Principles for Treatment of Children and their Families 6. Intrapsychic Treatment of Children 7. Healing Attachment Injuries of Children 8. Guiding the Process of Self-Led Parenting 9. Working with Siblings 10. Working with Teens 11. Inside the Child's Body Part 3: Beyond the Family 12. The Child in Larger Contexts Part 4: Challenging Aspects of Therapy with Children, Teens, and their Families 13. Frequently Asked Questions in Working with the Internal Family Systems MetaModel Part 5: Putting it all Together 14. Two Cases Part 6: Conclusions and References 15. The Real Picture
Disability and Genetics: A Disability Rights Perspective

Selecting against embryos or fetuses on the basis of predicted disability reinforces the belief that disability is inimical to a worthwhile life. A critique of preimplantation screening and prenatal diagnosis flows from the belief that life with disability can be valuable to individuals, their families and society. Keywords: prenatal diagnosis; abortion; genetic testing; genetic counseling; disability
Interpersonal Goals and Close Relationship Processes: Potential Links to Health

A substantial body of empirical evidence suggests that social relationships buffer people from poor health. We review a program of research demonstrating how interpersonal goals create relationship processes that shape the quality of close relationships, which we argue may have consequences for own and others’ health. Self-image goals to construct, maintain, and defend desired images of the self create negative interpersonal dynamics that undermine close relationships and mental health, while compassionate goals to support others’ well-being create positive interpersonal dynamics that promote close relationships and mental health. We discuss the potential implications of social goals and close relationship processes for health. Finally, we suggest that exploring the independent benefits of giving and receiving in close relationships may inform how social relationships affect health and well-being.
Precise dielectric measurement of low loss materials at 60 GHz

The permittivity and loss-tangent of a number of low-loss materials have been measured using the open-resonator system by two methods - the full cavity-length variation technique and the frequency variation technique. While excellent agreement and consistency in results were obtained by both methods, the measured results showed that the cavity-length technique is a little more accurate with a less-noise resonance peak profile. An extensive error analysis is made for the first time for various open resonator measurement methods for a number of specimens of different thickness.
Economic thresholds for lone star ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) in recreational areas based on a relationship between CO2 and human subject sampling.

A relationship between CO2 (dry ice) and human subject attraction of free-living adults and nymphs of Amblyomma americanum (L.) was studied in upland oak-hickory habitat in LeFlore County, Okla., during April to June 1981. Correlation coefficients of 0.75 to 0.90 (significant at P = 0.01) were obtained from analyses of numbers of ticks attracted to CO2 and human subjects at the same sampling sites, but on different days. Regression analyses showed that numbers of ticks attracted to human subjects could be predicted from CO2 densities with an acceptable level of precision. Economic threshold (CO2 densities) were then calculated from regression equation data for an eight-fold range of selected tick attack rates. An economic threshold of 0.65 ticks per l-h CO2 sample was suggested for general use in tick management for recreational areas.
Grain yield response and stability for oat lines with low-, medium-, and high-yielding ability

Relationships that exist among grain yielding ability and response and stability of grain yields when tested over variable environments were examined. Two sets of oats lines were tested over many environments that had wide ranges in productivities. The lines in each set were divided into high-, medium-, and low-yielding groups on the basis of means across all environments, and variance components for genotype × environment interactions and means of regression responses and coefficients of determination were computed for the three yield categories in each set.
Learning environments in medical education.

The recent issue of Medical Teacher devoted in part to learning environments in education for the health sciences provides a reassuring message that attention to learning environments continues to ...
Light-activated retinoid transport in cephalopod photoreceptors

Retinoid transport and chromophore exchange have been investigated in cephalopods using autoradiographic and radiobiochemical techniques. In dark adapted retinas, [3H]-retinoid is concentrated in myeloid bodies present in the photoreceptor inner segments and is bound to the photopigment retinochrome. In retinas exposed to light, there is a shift in the distribution of [3H]-retinoid. The rhabdomes become more heavily labeled than the inner segments, and rhodopsin labeling exceeds that of retinochrome. In animals returned to the dark, another shift in retinoid distribution occurs and the inner segments are again more labeled than the rhabdomes. In these animals [3H]-retinoid is bound primarily to retinochrome. Exposure to light seems to activate a transport mechanism that results in the redistribution of retinoid between the inner segments and rhabdomes and chromophore exchange among the photopigments.
Managed care, reimbursement structure, and access to prenatal social services.

Abstract This study assesses receipt of social services by pregnant women receiving Medical Assistance and explores associations between reimbursement method and receipt of needed services.
Selected Apollo 17 soils - Mineralogy and geochemistry of opaque and non-opaque phases

Soil samples 74220 ('orange soil'), 74241 and 75081 were sized, and the compositions of the opaque and silicate phases were determined. The ilmenites, particularly in 74241, contain up to 7.8 wt % MgO and display higher bireflectance than low-Mg ilmenites. They commonly contain exsolution-like chromite and rutile and occasionally are in association with native Fe in an assemblage probably resulting from reduction. The chromian ulvospinels are similar to Apollo 11 spinels in that they contain near-equal amounts of chromite and ulvospinel molecules. No primary chromites were observed. Most native Fe has No and Co contents of less than 1 wt %; some in 74220 contained 5-6% Ni and less than 1% Co in association with schreibersite.
The Linear Relationship between Student Reports of Teacher Immediacy Behaviors and Perceptions of State Motivation, and of Cognitive, Affective, and Behavioral Learning.

Recent experimental research (Comstock, Rowell, & Bowers, 1995) has suggested a curvilinear relationship between teacher immediacy behaviors and student learning. To help specify the scope and range of this finding, we examined these variables as they occur in actual relationships between college professors and students. In natural settings, we predicted and found positive, linear relationships between teacher nonverbal and verbal immediacy and perceived cognitive, affective, and behavioral learning. We also found a positive, linear relationship between both kinds of teacher immediacy and state motivation.
Serum calcium slope predicts hypocalcaemia following thyroid surgery.

Abstract Background Hypocalcaemia is the single commonest complication of thyroid surgery. Typically, serial calcium levels are performed post-operatively in order to detect hypocalcaemia, often requiring at least a 48-h stay. Our practice is to measure serum corrected calcium pre-operatively, 6h post-operatively and 24h post-operatively. Patients are discharged if they have a normal serum calcium value at 24h. Methods We performed a retrospective review to determine if the calcium slope from pre-operatively to 6h post-operatively predicts serum calcium levels at 24h, thus allowing early discharge. Results Fifty-two patients who underwent total or subtotal thyroidectomies were studied. Hypocalcaemia developed in 19 patients within 24h of surgery (serum adjusted calcium less than 2.15mmol/dL) within 24h of surgery. There were no significant differences between the hypocalcaemic and normocalcaemic groups with respect to Graves' disease ( p =0.17), total thyroidectomy ( p =0.39), number of parathyroids identified ( p =0.66), or parathyroid autotransplantation ( p =0.29). The serum calcium slope from baseline to 6h post-operatively correlated with serum calcium values at 24h ( p =0.008). Conclusion Serum calcium slope may be useful in identifying patients suitable for early discharge following thyroid surgery.
Paraovarian cyst with torsion in children

Paraovarian cyst is very uncommon in children, and its preoperative diagnosis is difficult. This report describes 2 cases of surgically proven paraovarian cyst with torsion. It is important to be aware of torsion as a complication of paraovarian cyst.
Endogenous Hydrocortisone, a Possible Factor Contributing to the Genesis of Cushingoid Habitus in Patients on Prednisone*

To establish if the cushingoid habitus in patients taking prednisone is associated with relatively high total or free prednisolone and low endogenous hydrocortisone concentrations in plasma, 15 stable renal transplant patients and 12 patients treated with prednisone for oral mucocutaneous vesiculo-erosive diseases were investigated. After the patients' usual prednisone doses, the areas under the plasma concentration time curve of total and free prednisolone were not different when the 14 patients without cushingoid appearance were compared to the 13 patients with cushingoid appearance. Patients with cushingoid habitus more frequently exhibited peak hydrocortisone levels within the normal range (6 of 14 vs. 1 of 13) and had higher areas under the plasma concentration time curve of hydrocortisone (median, range), i.e. 2672 ng/ml.min (0-21, 637 ng/ml.min) vs. 308 ng/ml.min (0-12, 495 ng/ml.min) compared to those without cushingoid appearance (P less than 0.05). These results indicate that pharmacokinetic differences of prednisone do not explain the presence or absence of cushingoid habitus and that there is an association between cushingoid habitus and endogenous hydrocortisone levels.
Science and the rejection of realism in art

A rejection of representational realism characterizes much of Western art after 1850. And various inquirers have sought to found this rejection in the desire of recent artists for a new kind of audience an audience that would admire the artist not because he succeeded in reproducing the familiar world of everyday experience, but because through his genius he created a pure art-world independent of everyday experience. However, many serious students of contemporary arts have been offended by this type of explanation. They have, indeed, gone so far as to condemn all socio-aesthetic analysis which is patterned after that of Ortega Y Gasset. For, in their view, such analysis ends by denying the integrity of the whole body of recent art. No result save this is possible, these students assert, when an analysis begins with the assumption that poet and painter alter their styles solely because they refuse to tolerate a philistine audience which does not appreciate the technical imagination of the artist. Now it can be admitted that this assumption seems unlikely to provide a thoroughly adequate analysis of the motives of artists in the period in question. But precisely what an adequate analysis of motives would consist of is unclear. The defenders of the integrity of the modern artist set forth their own in generalities. They aver that the artist alters his mode of expression in the direction of difficulty or even obscurity because he feels that older modes are inadequate for the presentation of his dis coveries in an unexplored range of experience. And hence we are to conclude for ourselves that the modern artist's flight from simple repre sentational realism (and from the analogues of this style in verse and music) has been in some measure a result of a new conviction that truly realistic interpretation of human experience was impossible in that mode of art. But what was the source of this conviction? If it were possible to find one which, in its finality, excluded all others, the entire dispute might end
Competition, legacy, and priority and the success of three invasive species

Competitive ability, the ability to generate legacy effects, and the potential to benefit from priority, individually or interactively, are traits that may increase the invasive potential of plants. In this project we examine these three traits in three invasive species (Agropyron cristatum, Bromus tectorum, and Taeniatherum caput-medusae). Specifically in this study, we examine competitive effects of these invasive species, the ability of these invasive species to generate legacy effects (as plant–soil feedback), and the potential of these three species benefit from priority (being sown concurrently, 30 days before, and 30 days after the restoration species) in a greenhouse study using field collected soil. Our results suggest that all three invasive species can benefit from priority and all three have high competitive ability. However, only A. cristatum benefited from legacy effects of plant–soil feedback.
A unique cardiac cytosolic acyltransferase with preferential selectivity for fatty acids that form cyclooxygenase/lipoxygenase metabolites and reverse essential fatty acid deficiency

Abstract The rabbit heart contains a cytosolic enzyme which selectively incorporates polyunsaturated fatty acids into phosphatidylcholine. This unique acyltransferase is selective for fatty acids, thus far tested, that are substrates for cyclooxygenase or lipoxygenase (i.e., arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, linoleic and dihomo-γ-linoleic acids) or which reverse the symptoms of essential fatty acid deficiency (columbinic acid). On the other hand, palmitic, oleic, 5,8,11-eicosatrienoic ( n − 9, Mead acid), and docosatetraenoic acid ( n − 6, adrenic acid) were not incorporated in phospholipids by the cytosolic acyltransferase. No such fatty acid selectivity was exhibited by the cytosolic acyl-CoA synthetase or by the acyltransferase activities present in cardiac microsomes and mitochondria.
The Development of Prosocial Behavior in Adolescents: A Mixed Methods Study From NOLS

Learning transfer and prosocial behavior (PSB) are critical components of many outdoor education programs for adolescents. This study examined the effects of a theoretically grounded treatment curriculum designed to foster the transfer of learning of general and contextual PSB (also called expedition behavior) among adolescents enrolled on 14-day backpacking courses with the National Outdoor Leadership School. Results suggest that the treatment curriculum increased proximal learning of PSB more than courses that featured the traditional curriculum. Qualitative results suggested that students learned PSB primarily as a result of its relevance to the expedition environment, that it is most useful when working with or understanding others, and that it can be applied to multiple contexts post-course, including with family, at school, and with sport teams. Implications for designing a curriculum that fosters transfer and for developing PSB in participants are considered.
A cost-effectiveness evaluation of parent training

Outcomes from a parenting program that was modified to reduce costs and a wait-list control condition were compared. Costs were reduced by over 50%. Sixty-six parents participated. Treatment parents reported significantly greater improvements in child behavior problems, parent attitudes, and satisfaction with family relationships when compared to untreated controls. These effects were maintained at three months follow-up. Outcomes for 35 of the children in the sample who had clinically significant behavior problems before treatment were also examined separately. The difference between clinical recovery rates, i.e., movement from the clinical to normal range during treatment, for control and treatment children was not statistically significant. Limitations of the current study and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Smoking and Depression: A Co-morbidity

Substance use disorders and psychiatric disorders co-occur frequently. The prevalence of smoking increases dose-dependently with the number of psychiatric diagnoses. The aim of this article is to review the relationship between smoking and depression. A PubMed literature search limited to the last 10 years was conducted with the terms smoking and depression. Some earlier papers that exerted an impact on future studies were also included. Results strongly show that depression (defined as depressive mood, major depressive disorder, or negative affect) increases the risk of smoking and that smoking increases the risk of depression. The relationship between depression and smoking cessation is less evident, as some clinical and epidemiological studies have indicated an effect of depression on ability to quit whereas other studies have not. Research has also strongly suggested that commonality in genetic and environmental factors underlies the co-morbidity of smoking and depression, although the specific mechan...
Overexpression of the cell plate-associated dynamin-like GTPase, phragmoplastin, results in the accumulation of callose at the cell plate and arrest of plant growth

Abstract Phragmoplastin, a dynamin-like GTPase, is associated with cell plate formation in plants. We expressed a phragmoplastin-GFP construct (Phr G ) under the control of a 35S promoter in transgenic tobacco plants. High levels of expression of this chimeric protein in transgenic plants were confirmed by Western blot analysis. T1 seedlings formed morphologically normal cotyledons, but most were unable to develop beyond the first pair of true leaves. Only 5–10% of the seedlings could develop into small plants whose progenies continued to exhibit severe growth defects. The primary root growth was arrested after 7 days and no lateral roots were formed. The mature primary root meristem consisted of disorganized isodiametrically enlarged cells and no recognizable quiescent center or collumela. Adventitious root primordia were initiated in the hypocotyl, but completely arrested at an early stage and contained differentiated treachery elements. The orientation of cell plates was abnormal, suggesting a possible defect in its positioning. However, unlike other cytokinesis mutants, no binucleate or polyploid cells were found. Fluorescence image cytometry studies indicated that Phr G root meristem cells had 2C levels of DNA and appear to be arrested in G1 stage of the cell cycle. Heavy callose deposition was observed at the nascent cell plate and callose accumulation persisted in new cell walls. Electron microscopy revealed unusual electron dense substances in the maturing cell plate and accumulation of multivesicular bodies around the cell plate. Since phragmoplastin interacts with callose synthase complex, its overexpression may affect accumulation of callose arresting plant growth due to perturbation in cell division progression.
Flow cytofluorimetric analysis of drug accumulation by multidrug-resistant Trypanosoma brucei brucei and T. b. rhodesiense.

Abstract Dual laser flow cytofluorimetry has been used to compare accumulation of compounds representing three major classes of trypanocidal drugs by drug sensitive and drug resistant clones of Trypanosoma brucei brucei and T. b. rhodesiense . Clones selected for resistance to melarsoprol were shown to be cross-resistant in vivo to two diamidines, pentamidine and Berenil, but not to suramin. At 35°C, bloodstream forms of these multidrug-resistant clones accumulated lower intracellular concentrations of the diamidines 4′,6-diamidino-2-phenyl-indole (DAPI) and Hoechst 33342, the phenanthridine ethidium bromide, and the acridine acriflavine than drug sensitive parasites. Accumulation of all four drugs was saturable. Drug concentrations giving half-maximal rates of accumulation were increased in the resistant clones relative to the sensitive parent clones. The rate of DAPI accumulation by both resistant and sensitive parasites was strongly temperature dependent and increased sharply above 27°C. Two distinct populations were resolved in mixtures of sensitive and resistant clones exposed to DAPI. Resistant and sensitive cells accumulated identical intracellular concentrations of DAPI following brief treatment with the detergent Triton X-100. The results suggest that alterations in the surface membrane of multidrug-resistant trypanosomes reduce accumulation of several drugs relative to drug sensitive parasites.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging And Brain Histopathology In Neuropsychiatric Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objective Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) often demonstrates brain lesions in neuropsychiatric systemic lupus erythematosus (NPSLE). The present study compared postmortem histopathology with premortem MRI in NPSLE. Methods Two hundred subjects with NPSLE were studied prospectively with MRI over a 10-year period during which 22 subjects died. In 14 subjects, a brain autopsy with histopathology, that permitted direct comparison with premortem MRI, was successfully obtained. Surface anatomy was used to determine the approximate location of individual lesions. Results Premortem MRI findings in fatal NPSLE were small focal white matter lesions (100%), cortical atrophy (64%), ventricular dilation (57%), cerebral edema (50%), diffuse white matter abnormalities (43%), focal atrophy (36%), cerebral infarction (29%), acute leukoencephalopathy (25%), intracranial hemorrhage (21%), and calcifications (7%). Microscopic findings in fatal NPSLE included global ischemic changes (57%), parenchymal edema (50%), microhemorrhages (43%), glial hyperplasia (43%), diffuse neuronal/axonal loss (36%), resolved cerebral infarction (33%), microthomboemboli (29%), blood vessel remodeling (29%), acute cerebral infarction (14%), acute macrohemorrhages (14%), and resolved intracranial hemorrhages (7%). Cortical atrophy and ventricular dilation seen by MRI accurately predicted brain mass at autopsy (r = −0.72, P = 0.01, and r = −0.77, P = 0.01, respectively). Cerebral autopsy findings, including infarction, cerebral edema, intracranial hemorrhage, calcifications, cysts, and focal atrophy, were also predicted accurately by premortem MRI. Conclusion Brain lesions in NPSLE detected by MRI accurately represent serious underlying cerebrovascular and parenchymal brain injury on pathology.
Melt shear rheology of carbon nanofiber/polystyrene composites

The rheological behavior and morphology of carbon nanofiber/polystyrene (CNF/PS) composites in their melt phase have been characterized both through experimental measurements and modeling. Composites prepared in the two different processes of solvent casting and melt blending are contrasted; melt-blended and solvent-cast composites were each prepared with CNF loadings of 2, 5, and 10 wt%. A morphological study revealed that the melt blending process results in composites with shorter CNFs than in the solvent-cast composites, due to damage caused by the higher stresses the CNFs encounter in melt blending, and that both processes retain the diameter of the as-received CNFs. The addition of carbon nanofiber to the polystyrene through either melt blending or solvent casting increases the linear viscoelastic moduli, G′ and G″, and steady-state viscosity, η, in the melt phase monotonically with CNF concentration, more so in solvent cast composites with their longer CNFs. The melt phase of solvent-cast composites with higher CNF concentrations exhibit a plateau of the elastic modulus, G′, at low frequencies, an apparent yield stress, and large first normal stress difference, N 1, at low strain rates, which can be attributed to contact-based network nanostructure formed by the long CNFs. A nanostructurally-based model for CNF/PS composites in their melt phase is presented which considers the composite system as rigid rods in a viscoelastic fluid matrix. Except for two coupling parameters, all material constants in the model for the composite systems are deduced from morphological and shear flow measurements of its separate nanofiber and polymer melt constituents of the composite. These two coupling parameters are polymer–fiber interaction parameter, σ, and interfiber interaction parameter, C I. Through comparison with our experimental measurements of the composite systems, we deduce that σ is effectively 1 (corresponding to no polymer–fiber interaction) for all CNF/PS nanocomposites studied. The dependence of CNF orientation on strain rate which we observe in our experiments is captured in the model by considering the interfiber interaction parameter, C I, as a function of strain rate. Applied to shear flows, the model predicts the melt-phase, steady-state viscosities, and normal stress differences of the CNF/PS composites as functions of shear rate, polymer matrix properties, fiber length, and mass concentration consistent with our experimental measurements.
An objective technique for determining end-member compositions and for partitioning sediments according to their sources

Abstract A modification of Q-mode factor analysis provides an objective technique for end-member characterization of geologic mixtures. Factor analysis has not often been used to determine the actual composition of end-member sources in geologic mixtures, because transformations of the original data variables during the analysis result in negative factor scores for some variables and negative “concentrations” of some variables in the end-members. We use a non-orthogonal rotation of end-member vectors toward the mean vector to bring the end-members into the positive vector space. This technique is demonstrated on a large data set of elemental analyses of bulk sediment surface samples from the Nazca Plate in the southeast Pacific. These data were chosen because they had been studied in detail previously. Our technique identified five geologically reasonable end-members which represent detritus, siliceous biogenic sediment, hydrothermal sediment, hydrogenous or authigenic sediment, and a refractory residue left after the dissolution of biogenic debris. The number, composition, and distribution of the end-members are similar to those derived from previous extensive partitioning studies of the sediments.