cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maternal obesity: do patients understand the risks?

To evaluate patient knowledge of the risks of maternal obesity and compare knowledge between non-obese and obese women. A face-to-face survey was administered to 105 women at their first prenatal visit. The survey assessed their knowledge of obesity-related risks during pregnancy, weight history and goals and health behaviors. Descriptive statistics described the entire sample. Student's t-test and χ2 tests compared knowledge between non-obese (body mass index (BMI) of <30 kg m–2) and obese (BMI of ⩾30 kg m–2) gravidas. There were 56 (54%) non-obese and 47 (46%) obese participants. There were no significant differences between the weight groups with respect to age, race, insurance, education, tobacco use and primigravity. Overall, 49% participants knew that obesity increases risks in pregnancy. The knowledge of specific risks was similar in the non-obese (60% correct) and obese (64% correct) groups (P=0.76). Obese patients were more aware of the risk for diabetes (68 vs 96%, P<0.001). Obese gravidas expressed more interest in weight loss before another pregnancy (61 vs 81%, P=0.03), although the desired BMIs (22.1±2.3 vs 26.2±3.0 kg m–2, P<0.001) were different for non-obese and obese women, respectively. Of all participants, 9% discussed the risks of maternal obesity with a provider before study participation and 75% wanted to participate in a study on weight loss before pregnancy to determine whether it leads to healthier pregnancies. Regardless of BMI category, patients required more knowledge about the risks of obesity in pregnancy, requested additional information and were motivated to lose weight before future pregnancies. Because obese women underestimated their optimal weight loss goals, it is necessary to target this group for further education.
Anticonvulsant properties of some alkyldiols, alkyldiones and related compounds.

A number of alkyldiols, alkyldiones, related structures and derivatives were tested for their anticonvulsant activity with mice. The alkyldiones were generally inactive and toxic. Anticonvulsant activities and toxicides of the diols could be related to the position of the hydroxyl groups and other structural features. The most active compound for maximal electroshock seizures was 2,5-hexanediol, while for Metrazol® convulsions it was 4-hydroxy-4-methylpentanone-2.
Endpoints, patient selection, and biomarkers in the design of clinical trials for cancer vaccines

Therapeutic cancer vaccines are an emerging and potentially effective treatment modality. Cancer vaccines are usually very well tolerated, with minimal toxicity compared with chemotherapy. Unlike conventional cytotoxic therapies, immunotherapy does not result in immediate tumor shrinkage but may alter growth rate and thus prolong survival. Multiple randomized controlled trials of various immunotherapeutic agents have shown a delayed separation in Kaplan–Meier survival curves, with no evidence of clinical benefit within the first 6–12 months of vaccine treatment. Overall survival benefit is seen in patients with lower disease burden who are not expected to die within those initial 6–12 months. The concept of improved overall survival without marked initial tumor reduction represents a significant shift from the current paradigms established by standard cytotoxic therapies. Future clinical studies of therapeutic vaccines should enroll patients with either lower tumor burden, more indolent disease or both, and must seek to identify early markers of clinical benefit that may correlate with survival. Until then, improved overall survival is the only clear, discriminatory endpoint for therapeutic vaccines as monotherapies.
Doing well by doing good: linking access with quality

Abstract Background We hypothesize that medical centers that prioritize altruism can also deliver superior quality care. Methods Data were obtained from California's Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development, Medicare Hospital Compare, and the Joint Commission US Census Bureau's American Community Survey. Outcomes were measured using summary statistics, regression analysis, and quality indices. Total discounted revenue/total revenue (TDR/TR) served as a proxy for altruistic care. Results In nonprofit hospitals, TDR/TR positively correlated with 5 quality indices including pneumonia ( P P = .05), and overall surgical process of care ( P = .009). Hospital size predicted higher quality surgical process ( P = .06, 201 to 300 beds; P = .01, >301 beds), hospital teaching status demonstrated positive correlation (β = .048, P = .69), and poverty was negatively correlated (β = −.00072, P = .89). Positive TDR/TR did not adversely affect mortality or readmission rates ( P = .52). Conclusions TDR/TR predicts quality in nonprofit hospitals without increasing mortality and readmission. Altruistic motivation may be associated with the delivery of higher quality surgical care.
Clinical indications for digital imaging in dento-alveolar trauma. Part 1: traumatic injuries.

Traumatized teeth present a clinical challenge with regard to their diagnosis, treatment plan, and prognosis. Recent developments in imaging systems have enabled clinicians to visualize structural changes effectively. Computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging and cone beam computed tomo- graphy are among the most commonly used systems for dental and maxillofacial surgery. The purpose of this review is to describe the advantages and disadvantages of each technique and the clinical application for dento-alveolar trauma. Three clinical cases are described to illustrate the potential use of the NewTom 3G for diagnosis and treatment plan of dento-alveolar traumatic injuries.
Confirmation Delay for Vacancies on the Circuit Courts of Appeals

Supreme Court confirmation is an exhaustively studied phenomenon, but lower court confirmation is less well understood, in part because lower court nominees are very rarely rejected, and the Senate fails even to hold a recorded vote for most appointees. However, the length of time it takes to fill a judicial vacancy serves as alternate evidence of conflict between the president and the Senate. We present an empirical assessment of appellate vacancy conflict, based on a continuous time-proportional hazard model of vacancy duration. Our results demonstrate that female and minority candidates are confirmed only after unusually long vacancies, and this has nothing to do with the qualifications of the nominees. Our results also demonstrate that institutional and partisan conflict between the Senate and the White House drive the confirmation process for the federal appeals courts, but delay tactics employed by the Senate are only partially strategic.
Isolation of lysozyme and an antifungal peptide from sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) plasma.

Abstract The sea lamprey ( Petromyzon marinus ) belongs to the most primitive class of fish and has only innate immunity. The innate immune factors, lysozyme and an antifungal peptide, were isolated from sea lamprey plasma. Sea lamprey plasma (40.1 mg protein/ml) was assayed for lysozyme activity by gel diffusion assay. Using hen egg white lysozyme standards, plasma concentration of lamprey lysozyme was 5 μg lysozyme/mg total protein. The presence of lysozyme in such high concentration in lamprey plasma could be important in their innate immunity and resistance to infection. Lysozyme and the antifungal peptide were isolated by low molecular weight gel filtration chromatography from sea lamprey plasma. Gel filtration chromatography yielded two peak tubes containing lysozyme (1 μg/211 μg total protein) and antifungal peptide (1 μg/66 μg total protein). Lysozyme and antifungal activity of each fraction were determined by well diffusion assay using Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and two fungal species. The molecular weight of lamprey lysozyme was 14.3 kDa. The sea lamprey lysozyme was effective against Gram-positive bacteria but not against Gram-negative bacteria or fungi. Molecular weight of the antifungal peptide was approximately 3000 Da. Antifungal plasma activity was seen against Penicillium notatum and Aspergillus flavus . No plasma antibacterial peptide was found.
Human computing for EDA

Electronic design automation is a field replete with challenging -- and often intractable -- problems to be solved over very large instances. As a result, the field of design automation has developed a staggering expertise in approximations, abstractions and heuristics as a means to side-step the NP-hard nature of these problems. Approximations and heuristics are at heart a natural application of human reasoning. In this work we propose to harness human potential to solve some of these problems. Specifically, we propose FunSAT, a massively multi-player puzzle game for SAT solving. FunSAT leverages visual pattern recognition skills, abstract perception and intuitive strategy skills of humans to solve complex SAT instances. Players are motivated by the puzzle-solving challenges of the game and by its social interaction aspects.
Molecular orbital theory of the hydrogen bond. n → π* transitions in monosubstituted by pyridines and their complexes with H2O

Abstract Ab initio SCF-CI calculations have been performed to investigate substituent and hydrogen bonding effects on n → π* transitions in 2- and 4-R-pyridines, with the substituents including CH 3 , NH 2 , OH, F, C 2 H 3 , CHO, and CN. Substitution of the saturated π donating and σ withdrawing groups CH 3 , NH 2 , OH, and F in the 2 or 4 position of pyridine increases the n → π* transition energy, while substitution of the σ and π electron withdrawing groups CHO and CN decreases the n → π* transition energy. Orbital energy differences (ϵ π* – ϵ n ) and virtual excitation energies tend to correlate with CI n → π* transition energies when the substituents are saturated, but these correlations tend to be masked by other effects, including π conjugation, n orbital interaction, and configurational mixing, when the substituents are unsaturated. Hydrogen bonding with water leads to an increase in the n → π* transition energy of monosubstituted pyridines when the pyridine ring is the chromophore. In all hydrogen-bonded dimers except water : 2-aminopyridine, this increase is comparable to, but somewhat greater than, the ground state hydrogen bond energy, suggesting that the hydrogen bond is broken in the excited state, and these complexes dissociate upon vibrational relaxation. For the cyclic water : 2-aminopyridine dimer, the predicted increase in the n → π* transition energy is less than the ground state stabilization energy, suggesting that even upon relaxation, this dimer may still remain bound in the excited state. The first excited n → π* state of 2- and 4-pyridinecarboxaldehyde, unlike that of the other 2- and 4-R-pyridines, arises when the carbonyl group is the chromophore. Hydrogen bonding of these molecules to water through the pyridine nitrogen leads to a slight decrease in the n → π* transition energy, suggesting that these bases form stronger hydrogen bonds in the first excited state than in the
Minimal social network effects evident in cancer screening behavior.

BACKGROUND:Social networks may influence screening behaviors. We assessed whether screening for breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer is influenced by the actual screening behaviors of siblings, friends, spouses, and coworkers. METHODS:We conducted an observational study using Framingham Heart Study data to assess screening for eligible individuals during the late 1990s. We used logistic regression to determine whether the probability of screening for breast, prostate, or colorectal cancer was influenced by the proportion of siblings, friends, and coworkers who had the same screening, as well as spouse’s screening for colorectal cancer, adjusting for other factors that might influence screening rates.RESULTS:Among 1660 women aged 41-70 years, 71.7% reported mammography in the previous year; among 1217 men aged 51-70 years, 43.3% reported prostate-specific antigen testing in the previous year; and among 1426 men and women aged 51-80 years, 46.9% reported stool blood testing and/or sigmoidoscopy in the previous year. An increasing proportion of sisters who had mammography in the previous year was associated with mammography screening in the ego (odds ratio [OR], 1.034; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.000-1.065 for each 10% increase). A spouse with recent screening was associated with more colorectal cancer screening (OR, 1.65; 95% CI, 1.39-1.98 vs unmarried). Otherwise, screening behaviors of siblings, friends, and coworkers were not associated with screening in the ego.CONCLUSIONS:Aside from a slight increase in breast cancer screening among women whose sisters were screened and colorectal cancer screening if spouses were screened, the screening behavior of siblings, friends, or coworkers did not influence cancer screening behaviors.Cancer2011;117:3045-52. V C 2011 American Cancer
HETEROZYGOTE SCREENING IN TAY-SACHS DISEASE (TSD): A DUALITY CONTROL STUDY

Thirteen centers in the U.S. and Canada, involved in TSD heterozygote screening, agreed to participate in a “blind” quality control study. Serum and WBC samples were prepared from 10 obligate TSD carriers (C) and 9 noncarriers (NC). Each lab received 4-6 C and 4-6 NC frozen serum aliquots and a similar number of WBC pellets (all samples: code-labelled). Raw data, methods used, and diagnosis for each sample was reported by each center. Methods for quantification of serum Hex A varied, but did not appear to affect accuracy. Of 64C samples, 60(94%) were diagnosed C; 3(4.7%) were designated inconclusive (I)-all in 1 lab; and 1(1.6%) was identified incorrectly as NC. A false positive frequency of 0.000 (with 75NC sera) and a false negative rate of 0.016 are evident with serum testing. A serious problem (and its subsequent resolution) was uncovered by the WBC data. Although 81 of 81 NC pellets were correctly identified, 13 of 66C samples (19.7%) were called NC. Seven of 13 centers made no errors. The cause of this aberration has been shown to be high g centrifugation of WBC homogenates which preferentially reduces Hex B and results in an apparent increase in Hex A (making C → NC). This study indicates a high, altho not perfect, level of accuracy, with serum screening. With appropriate modification, WBC analysis is also highly accurate. Surveillance of testing programs is critical for (a) monitoring testing accuracy (b) rapidly identifying and helping to correct technical problems, and (c) assuring that quality service is rendered the consumer.
The Postindustrial Paradox: Growing Class Inequalities, Declining Class Politics

L'article aborde la question de la montee des inegalites parmi les classes sociales aux Etats-Unis et du declin de la classe politique americaine, qui sont lies et constituent ce que l'A. appelle le « paradoxe post-industriel ». L'A. examine les grandes tendances de la distribution des revenus aux Etats-Unis au cours des vingt dernieres annees et identifie les consequences pour la classe politique americaine
The Mechanobiology of Drug-Induced Cardiac Valve Disease

Drug-related adverse reactions leading to valve disease or valvulopathy were first identified in the 1960s. These were associated with patients taking anti-migraine ergot-derivative drugs, anti-anorectics, anti-Parkinson's drugs, or other anti-depressant drugs. In general, these drugs have serotonergic, dopaminergic, or β-adrenergic activity, being either agonists or reuptake inhibitors of the aforementioned neurotransmitter pathways. Recent work has focused on several possible mechanisms for valvulopathy, specifically highlighting the serotonin or 5-hydroxy-trypta-mine-2B (5-HT2B) receptor subtype and the 5-HT transporter as mediators that cause expression of myofibroblast phenotype, excessive cell proliferation, leading to valve fibrosis. Most of these studies and reviews, however, were not reported in the context of the mechanical environment of the valve, which by itself is an important factor in the initiation and progression of valve disease. It is also not known whether patients who have altered mechanical environments in their cardiovascular system, such as those who are hypertensive or have functional cardiac disease, such as ischemic ventricular dilation, or those who have an increased propensity for developing drug-induced valvulopathy. In the present review, we highlight the potential role of hemodynamics and the mechanical environment in influencing these drug-induced valvulopathies, focusing on serotonin-mediated disease and the need for further study of this topic.
Climate change and health in cities: impacts of heat and air pollution and potential co-benefits from mitigation and adaptation

Excess morbidity and mortality related to extremely hot weather and poor air quality are found in cities worldwide. This is a major public health concern for cities now and looking toward the future because the interactions of global climate change, urban heat islands, and air pollution are predicted to place increasing health burdens on cities. The proposed mitigation and adaptation strategies in cities’ climate risk management plans may produce health co-benefits by reducing emissions and cooling temperatures through changes in the built environment. There are challenges, however, to implementing the plans and the most widely documented beneficial policy to date is the adoption of heat warning and air quality alert systems to trigger emergency responses.
The origin of polyploids via 2n gametes in Vaccinium section Cyanococcus

The production of 2n pollen (pollen with the sporophytic chromosome number) was evaluated in 4x and 6x taxa of Vaccinium section Cyanococcus. Mean frequencies of 2n pollen producers were 17.1% and 8.3% in natural 4x and 6x populations, respectively. The frequency of 2n pollen producers in the 4x species ranged from 8.6% (V. angustifolium) to 23.8% (V. pallidum). Level of 2n pollen production was genotypically variable (1% to 37.4%). The widespread occurrence of 2n pollen in 2x, 4x and 6x taxa suggests that sexual polyploidization was widespread and responsible for the origin of the polyploid species found in this genus. The frequency of 2n pollen producers was not significantly different between the 4x species and their putative 2x ancestors. These results support the origin of 4x and 6x taxa as a consequence of sexual polyploidization. Polyploids derived from sexual polyploidization would be expected to have increased fitness and flexibility due to the mode of 2n pollen formation. In blueberry species the predominant mode of 2n pollen formation is genetically equivalent to a first division restitution mechanism (FDR). FDR 2n pollen transmits a high percentage of the heterozygosity and a large fraction of the epistasis from the 2x parent to the 4x offspring.
Membrane-based integrated absorption - Oxidation reactor for destroying VOCs in air

This proof-of-concept research describes a novel membrane-based, integrated absorber−reactor operat ing at ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure. It degrades volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in a gaseous stream by ozonation in an inert stagnant fluorocarbon (FC) phase having a high ozone solubility. This FC phase acts as a reaction medium and a liquid membrane. The reactor has two sets of nonporous silicone capillaries. The VOC-containing gas flows through one set and supplies the VOC to the FC phase. The O3−O2 stream flowing through the other supplies O3 to the FC phase. There is also a set of mi- croporous Teflon tubules through which water flows removing oxidation products partitioning from the FC phase. With trichloroethylene (TCE), 60% conversion was obtained for 50 000 ppmv TCE in N2 flowing at 30 cm3/min and 40% for 18 000 ppmv flowing at 50 cm3/min. For 220 ppmv TCE feed, 90% conversion was obtained at 20 cm3/min flow rate and 60% at 60 cm3/min. A conversion in excess of 97% was achieved f...
China as a player in the world economy

Abstract For more than a decade, China has been committed to a policy of opening greater economic relationships with the outside world. The ultimate objective of such a policy is to earn foreign exchange, obtain foreign technology and managerial expertise, and strengthen Chinese industry. Central to this policy is a shift from her traditional preference for import substitution toward more emphasis on export promotion. Because of manufacturing constraints, however, and a reluctance to expose her domestic economy to significant foreign presence, it is not certain that this policy can succeed.
Ion/molecule reactions in astrophysical plasmas

Abstract A description is given of some molecular processes occurring in the recombination era of the early Universe and in the response of molecular gas to ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and gamma rays.
The benefits of a nap during prolonged work and wakefulness

Abstract Prolonged work scenarios with demands for sustained performance are increasingly common. Because sleep loss inevitably compromises functioning in such situations, napping has been proposed as a countermeasure. The optimal timing of the nap relative to its benefits for performance and mood is not known, however. To address this issue, 41 healthy adults were permitted a two-hour nap at one of five times during a 56-hour period of intermittent work, with no other sleep. Naps were placed 12 hours apart, near the circadian peak (P) or trough (T), and were preceded by 6(P), 18(T), 30(P), 42(T), or 54(P) hours of wakefulness. Work test bouts occurred every few hours and consisted of a variety of psychomotor and cognitive tasks as well as mood scales completed at the beginning, middle and end of each bout. A total of eight performance and 24 mood parameters were derived from the bouts and compared between groups at all test points prior to and following the naps. An estimate of the extent to which each n...
Information Networks: Implications for Mutual Fund Trading Behavior and Stock Returns

This paper examines the effect of information networks on the trading behavior of mutual funds and on stock returns. An information or stock ownership linkage between two mutual funds is defined by large positions in the same stock. Mutual funds trade together with other funds in their information network after controlling for the overall trading behavior of the mutual fund sector. The effect is robust and cannot be explained by style investing or geographic location. The paper also examines the effect of the structure of information networks on stock returns and stock volatility. Using network density as a measure for the speed of information diffusion in a network of investors, I find that stocks with a lower network density demonstrate stronger return momentum over medium horizons and also show a delayed response to the market-wide information. The evidence is consistent with the gradual information diffusion model of Hong and Stein (1999). Finally, I provide empirical evidence in support of recent theoretical models that study the asset pricing implications of social networks. I show that centralized information networks lead to a higher volatility of individual stocks in the cross-section and also explain the variation in average stock idiosyncratic volatility over time.
Position signal interface for the robotic arm control system

There is often a significant gap between the results of theoretical studies based on simulations and the results obtained from an actual implementation. The robotic arm control system (RACS), developed at Tennessee Technological University, provides a testbed to implement user-defined control schemes on a VAL II Mk III controller. The position signal interface (PSI), which provides the primary position feedback path in the RACS, is described in the paper. It keeps track of all the joint positions and allows real-time access to the position and error data. The PSI is built on a single DIP plugboard and fits into the Unimation controller rack. Feedback signals from the six optical encoders are used by the PSI to determine absolute joint positions and for error detection. Two important errors, lost encoder synchronization and no zero index pulse, are reported to the RACS controller if detected. The PSI also provides joint position data to the VAL communication interface of the RACS for operation in a 'VAL-dependent' mode. Features of the PSI and its initial integration into the RACS are described. The results of the integration efforts demonstrate fast, efficient operation. >
Novel methods and approaches to acute lymphoblastic leukemia drug discovery.

Introduction: Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a significant cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. Major advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of ALL have uncovered new disease-associated biomarkers that can be targeted by biological and small-molecule therapeutics.Areas covered: In this review, the authors examine novel approaches to target and drug discovery in ALL over the past 10 years. Cell surface antigens can be targeted by engineered mAbs and chimeric antigen receptor T cells. Detailed mechanistic studies in Philadelphia chromosome-positive ALL and ALL with mixed lineage leukemia rearrangements highlight current molecular approaches to target and drug discovery. Genomic technologies have uncovered genetic alterations that are potentially targetable. In addition, phenotypic screening can uncover unexpected targets. New targets in ALL include cell surface antigens, kinases, tumor suppressors, transcription factors, epigenetic regulators and metabolic enzymes.Expert opinio...
Transducer generated arrays of robotic nano-arms

We consider sets of two-dimensional arrays, called here transducer generated languages, obtained by iterative applications of transducers (finite state automata with output). Each transducer generates a set of blocks of symbols such that the bottom row of a block is an input string accepted by the transducer and, by iterative application of the transducer, each row of the block is an output of the transducer on the preceding row. We show how these arrays can be implemented through molecular assembly of triple crossover DNA molecules. Such assembly could serve as a scaffold for arranging molecular robotic arms capable of simultaneous movements. We observe that transducer generated languages define a class of languages which is a proper subclass of recognizable picture languages, but it contains the class of all factorial local two-dimensional languages. By taking the average growth rate of the number of blocks in the language as a measure of its complexity, we further observe that arrays with high complexity patterns can be generated in this way.
The Evolution of MHC-Based Mating Preferences in Mus

There is overwhelming evidence that Mhc genetic diversity is maintained by selection. Due to the immune recognition function of Mhc genes, it has been generally assumed that this selection is disease-based, although Mhc-related reproductive mechanisms (abortion or mating preferences) have also been proposed. In a recent study designed to detect all of the proposed Mhc diversity-maintaining mechanisms only Mhc-based mating preferences were found. Here we briefly review results of Mhc-based mating preference studies, the associated olfactory mechanisms, and the generality and possible function of these preferences.
Rat liver acyl-CoA synthetase 4 is a peripheral-membrane protein located in two distinct subcellular organelles, peroxisomes, and mitochondrial-associated membrane

Abstract Obesity and non-insulin-dependent diabetes favor storage of fatty acids in triacylglycerol over oxidation. Recently, individual acyl-CoA synthetase (ACS) isoforms have been implicated in the channeling of fatty acids either toward lipid synthesis or toward oxidation. Although ACS1 had been localized to three different subcellular regions in rat liver, endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and peroxisomes, the study had used an antibody raised against the full-length ACS1 protein which cross-reacts with other isoforms, probably because all ACS family members contain highly conserved amino acid sequences. Therefore, we examined the subcellular location of ACS1, ACS4, and ACS5 in rat liver to determine which isoform was present in peroxisomes, whether the ACSs were intrinsic membrane proteins, and which ACS isoforms were up-regulated by PPARα ligands. Non-cross-reacting ACS1, ACS4, and ACS5 peptide antibodies showed that ACS4 was the only ACS isoform present in peroxisomes isolated from livers of gemfibrozil-treated rats. ACS4 was also present in fractions identified as mitochondria-associated membrane (MAM). ACS1 was present in endoplasmic reticulum fractions and ACS5 was present in mitochondrial fractions. Incubation with troglitazone, a specific inhibitor of ACS4, decreased ACS activity in the MAM fractions 30–45% and in the peroxisomal fractions about 30%. Because the signal for ACS4 protein in peroxisomes was so strong compared to the MAM fraction, we examined ACS4 mRNA abundance in livers of rats treated with the PPARα agonist GW9578. Treatment with GW9578 increased ACS4 mRNA abundance 40% and ACS1 mRNA 25%. Although we had originally proposed that ACS4 is linked to triacylglycerol synthesis, it now appears that ACS4 may also be important in activating fatty acids destined for peroxisomal oxidation. We also determined that, unlike ACS1 and 5, ACS4 is not an intrinsic membrane protein. This suggests that ACS4 is probably targeted and linked to MAM and peroxisomes by interactions with other proteins.
Reproductive performance of rams in three producer range flocks: Evidence of poor sexual behavior in the field

Abstract Poor mating behavior increases ram costs and extends the lambing season while decreasing genetic progress. Producers recognize the importance of ram libido; however, time, labor, and facility constraints limit routine evaluation of males for libido. The current experiment determined the incidence of low- and high-sexually performing rams based on the number of lambs sired by each ram in three range flocks. Rams were evaluated for breeding soundness prior to joining with females. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples collected from all rams, and approximately one-third of the lambs and their dams. Microsatellite markers were used to determine parentage. Number of lambs expected to be sired by each ram was established by calculating 99% confidence intervals, based on the expectation that each ram would have equal number of lambs. Rams siring more or less lambs than expected were categorized as high or low sexually performing rams, respectively. Paternity was established for >80% of the lambs sampled. Rams which had higher than expected numbers of lambs made up 23–29% of the ram population but sired from 39.4% to 70% of the lamb crop. Low performing rams (23–43% of the ram population) sired from 3.2% to 16.2% of the lamb crop. Since fertility was evaluated prior to mating, differences in ram fecundity may reflect the expression of sexual behavior in a multi-sire range flock setting. Rams are generally selected for breed characteristics and potential influence on flock genetics will be greater for high- than low-sexually performing rams.
eComment. Daily routine chest radiographs after pulmonary surgery

We read with great interest the paper by Reeb et al. [1] regarding the utility of daily routine (DR) chest radiographs following pulmonary surgery. They concluded that the on-demand (OD) strategy of obtaining chest X-rays only when clinically indicated, led to equivalent outcomes while reducing radiation exposure and cost of care. Rather than completely do away with DR chest X-rays, it would be interesting to try and identify subgroups of patients who may benefit from this strategy. Earlier studies suggested that pulmonary or unstable cardiac patients, and patients with pulmonary artery catheters, needed daily X-ray monitoring. The American College of Radiology (ACR) previously recommended DR chest radiographs for patients with acute cardiopulmonary problems and those on mechanical ventilation. They have since revised the ACR Appropriateness Criteria in 2011, to favour the more selective OD approach [2]. Cerfolio et al. have found that DR chest X-rays are warranted in post-thoracotomy patients who are hypoxic [1]. In this sub-group, 79% of patients had a radiological finding that influenced their care. Oba et al. [3] however, were not able to identify any sub-population of critically ill patients, who would benefit from DR chest X-rays. The OD strategy has slowly gained acceptance in clinical practice. Graat et al. [4] reported in 2006, that although intensivists doubted the value of DR chest radiography, they were still reluctant to change their practice. More recently, the RadioDay study [5] found that two-thirds of French intensive care units had moved over to ordering chest X-rays on an OD basis. The hesitation to abandon the traditional approach may be related to the comfort level of the intensive care team, and the objectivity of a chest X-ray from a clinical and medico-legal standpoint. Another caveat is, that patients will have to be more closely monitored for changes in their cardiopulmonary status for the OD approach to be successful. Pending the results of further studies, the most efficient plan for utilization of resources may have to be tailored to each individual patient in order to achieve the best outcome. Conflict of interest: none declared.
Radioactive seed migration to the chest after transperineal interstitial prostate brachytherapy: extraprostatic seed placement correlates with migration.

Abstract Purpose To examine the incidence of seed migration detected on chest X-ray and to identify the predictors associated with its occurrence. Methods and materials Between May 1998 and April 2000, 102 patients underwent permanent prostate brachytherapy at our institution and 100 were eligible for the study. Chest X-rays obtained at follow-up were examined for the number and location of seeds. The patient and treatment variables potentially associated with the occurrence and number of seed migrations were analyzed. Results One or more seeds were identified on the chest X-rays of 55 (55%) of 100 patients. The mean number of intrathoracic seeds in patients with migration was 2.2 (range, 1–10), and the proportion of seeds that migrated to the thorax was 0.98%. The rate of extraprostatic seeds planned was 43.9%, and postimplant CT identified 37.9% in such a location. The number of seeds planned for extraprostatic placement and below the apex were statistically significant (α = 0.05) predictors in univariate logistic analysis. Multivariate analysis revealed the planned number of extraprostatic seeds as the only statistically significant predictor ( p = 0.04). Conclusion Extraprostatic placement of loose seeds is associated with an increased likelihood for, and frequency of, seed migration to the thorax. Nonetheless, the small proportion of implanted seeds that migrated (≤1%) is highly unlikely to have significant dosimetric consequences.
Ecology, Aquaculture And Space Colonies

Recent research results show that very small autotrophic/heterotrophic assemblages open to energy but totally isolated from exchanges of matter with external systems persist for years and probably indefinitely. General and specific ecological thermodynamic hypothesis for the behavior of such systems have been proposed and are being tested. Meanwhile, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has initiated a program aimed at the eventual development of bioregenerative human life support systems for extended space travel and planetary colonization. Intensive aquaculture shares many of the characteristics of materially closed energetically open ecosystems and of bioregenerative life support systems. Moreover, intensive aquaculture may prove to be an attractive candidate as a subsystem of future bioregenerative life support systems. Exploring the possibilities for synergism among closed system ecological research, the NASA program and intensive aquaculture seems to offer an intellectually stimulating endeavor which may have long term practical rewards as well.
Developmental Change in Infant Categorization: The Perception of Correlations among Facial Features

Previous studies indicated that the ability to detect correlations among attributes emerges between 7 and 10 months of age. In the present study, the generality of this developmental transition was examined. Using an infant-control habituation procedure, 48 7-and10-month-old infants were tested for the perception of correlations among basic facial features. The developmental effects were replicated. Only the 10-month-old infants demonstrated their sensitivity to the pattern of correlation by generalizing to a novel face that preserved the experienced pattern of correlation, while showing increased attention to a face in which the pattern of correlation was viclated. 7-month-old infants generalized to both test stimuli containing familiar features, regardless of the status of the correlation. Implications for face perception and the processing of categorical information are discussed.
The Vanderbilt Petexbatun Regional Archaeological Project 1989–1994: Overview, History, and Major Results of a Multidisciplinary Study of the Classic Maya collapse

The background, research design, structure, personnel, and history of investigations of the Vanderbilt Petexbatun Archaeological Project are summarized and critiqued. The major findings of each of the dozen subprojects of this multidisciplinary investigation of Maya civilization in the southwestern Peten region of Guatemala are reviewed. Subproject results include important new evidence on Classic Maya history, warfare, ecology, nutrition, cave ritual, social organization, and trade. These are summarized with particular emphasis on the implications of the Petexbatun findings for theories of the decline of southern lowland Maya civilization at the end of the Classic period.
HepG2/C3A cells respond to cysteine deprivation by induction of the amino acid deprivation/integrated stress response pathway

To further define genes that are differentially expressed during cysteine deprivation and to evaluate the roles of amino acid deprivation vs. oxidative stress in the response to cysteine deprivation, we assessed gene expression in human hepatoma cells cultured in complete or cysteine-deficient medium. Overall, C3A cells responded to cysteine deprivation by activation of the eukaryotic initiation factor (eIF)2alpha kinase-mediated integrated stress response to inhibit global protein synthesis; increased expression of genes containing amino acid response elements (ASNS, ATF3, CEBPB, SLC7A11, and TRIB3); increased expression of genes for amino acid transporters (SLC7A11, SLC1A4, and SLC3A2), aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases (CARS), and, to a limited extent, amino acid metabolism (ASNS and CTH); increased expression of genes that act to suppress growth (STC2, FOXO3A, GADD45A, LNK, and INHBE); and increased expression of several enzymes that favor glutathione synthesis and maintenance of protein thiol groups (GCLC, GCLM, SLC7A11, and TXNRD1). Although GCLC, GCLM, SLC7A11, HMOX, and TXNRD1 were upregulated, most genes known to be upregulated via oxidative stress were not affected by cysteine deprivation. Because most genes known to be upregulated in response to eIF2alpha phosphorylation and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) synthesis were differentially expressed in response to cysteine deprivation, it is likely that many responses to cysteine deprivation are mediated, at least in part, by the general control nondepressible 2 (GCN2)/ATF4-dependent integrated stress response. This conclusion was supported by the observation of similar differential expression of a subset of genes in response to leucine deprivation. A consequence of sulfur amino acid restriction appears to be the upregulation of the cellular capacity to cope with oxidative and chemical stresses via the integrated stress response.
Nucleation and growth of plagioclase, Makaopuhi and Alae lava lakes, Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii

The Hawaiian lava lakes offer an unparalleled opportunity to study the processes that occur during the crystallization of basaltic magma. This paper presents estimates of the rates of nucleation and growth of plagioclase in the Kilauea lava lakes, Makaopuhi and Alae, and a discussion of the processes that control the nucleation and growth. The observed growth rates perpendicular to (010) vary from 1,7 to 11.0 × 10 −10 cm sec −1 . The nucleation rates vary from 6.8 × 10 −3 to 2.0 cm −3 sec −1 . In general the rates increase with increasing crystallization at any point, decrease with increasing distance from the surface, and are higher in the shallower lake, Alae. For the most part, nucleation appears to occur heterogeneously on previously existing crystals. The growth appears to be controlled by the interface attachment kinetics and not by diffusion in the melt. The observed results are in qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions.
The insert region of RhoA is essential for Rho kinase activation and cellular transformation

RhoA is involved in multiple cellular processes, including cytoskeletal organization, gene expression, and transformation. These processes are mediated by a variety of downstream effector proteins. However, which effectors are involved in cellular transformation and how these proteins are activated following interaction with Rho remains to be established. A unique feature that distinguishes the Rho family from other Ras-related GTPases is the insert region, which may confer Rho-specific signaling events. Here we report that deletion of the insert region does not result in impaired effector binding. Instead, this insert deletion mutant (RhoDeltaRas, in which the insert helix has been replaced with loop 8 of Ras) acted in a dominant inhibitory fashion to block RhoA-induced transformation. Since RhoDeltaRas failed to promote stress fiber formation, we examined the ability of this mutant to bind to and subsequently activate Rho kinase. Surprisingly, RhoDeltaRas-GTP coprecipitated with Rho kinase but failed to activate it in vivo. These data suggested that the insert domain is not required for Rho kinase binding but plays a role in its activation. The constitutively active catalytic domain of Rho kinase did not promote focus formation alone or in the presence of Raf(340D) but cooperated with RhoDeltaRas to induce cellular transformation. This suggests that Rho kinase needs to cooperate with additional Rho effectors to promote transformation. Further, the Rho kinase catalytic domain reversed the inhibitory effect of RhoDeltaRas on Rho-induced transformation, suggesting that one of the downstream targets of Rho-induced transformation abrogated by RhoDeltaRas is indeed Rho kinase. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that the insert region of RhoA is required for Rho kinase activation but not for binding and that this kinase activity is required to induce morphologic transformation of NIH 3T3 cells.
Experimentalists are from Mars, Theorists are from Venus

We present a written version of four lectures given at the NATO Advanced Study Institute on “QCD Perspectives on Hot and Dense Matter” in Cargese, Corsica during August, 2001. Over the last year the first exciting results from the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) and the four experiments BRAHMS, PHENIX, PHOBOS, and STAR have been presented. In these lectures we review the state of RHIC and the experiments and the most exciting current results from Run I which took place in 2000. A complete review is not possible yet with many key results still preliminary or to be measured in Run II, which is currently underway, and thus the emphasis will be on the approach experimentalists have taken to address the fundamental physics issues of the field. We have not attempted to update the RHIC results for this proceedings, but rather present it as a snapshot of what was discussed in the workshop. The field is developing very quickly, and benefits greatly from contact and discussions between the different approaches of experimentalists and theorists.
Luteal function in mares following administration of oxytocin, cloprostenol or saline on Day 0, 1 or 2 post-ovulation

Mares (n = 30) were treated in the post-ovulatory period with saline, oxytocin, or cloprostenol (Clo). Dose, administration frequency and treatment day (Day 0, 1 or 2 post-ovulation) were evaluated. Interovulatory interval of control cycles was 22.7 (+/-0.36) days with a range of 20.6 (+/-1.44) to 23.8 (+/-1.39) days among all treatment groups. Mares treated with two micro-doses of cloprostenol on Day 2 post-ovulation had the shortest interovulatory interval. This group also had the lowest mean circulating progesterone concentrations on Days 3-7 and 13, and was the slowest group to reach concentrations of 5 ng/ml. Repeated administration of cloprostenol over 24 h in the early post-ovulatory period may more effectively impair luteal function than single doses. This could negatively affect pregnancy outcome but may be effective for lysing the early post-ovulatory luteal structure when mares are not bred.
An overview of algorithms in Gnucap

This paper will present an overview of the algorithms in Gnucap. Gnucap is a mixed-signal circuit simulator. Algorithms to be presented include event driven analog simulation, the use of queues to accelerate simulation of large circuits, implicit mixed-mode simulation, where the simulator automates the interface between analog and digital portions of the circuit. These algorithms provide equivalent accuracy to Spice with significant speedup for some classes of circuits, including large mostly passive circuits with a few active devices, and large mixed-mode circuits with latency. An overview of work in progress will also be given. This includes cached model evaluation, which will exploit hierarchy and duplication in the circuit, and true multi-rate simulation.
Nonlinear discharge dynamics in small bore current channels

General properties of current and voltage dynamics for discharges having narrow current channels are studied using a generic transmission-line model with active parameters. The line parameters for the inductance and capacitance per unit length are, except for positivity and some physically motivated monotonicity conditions, left as unspecified functions of local line current and voltage. The resistance per unit length is taken to vary inversely with current, thereby assuring dynamical properties common to transient electrical discharges. Emphasis is placed on determining global properties of current front dynamics, i.e., the speed and direction of motion of the free boundary interfaces between instantaneously active (current-carrying) and passive (current-free) regions of the discharge current channel, and the space-time paths across which current reversal occurs. The results are applied to surface electrical discharges initiated at a charge spot. >
New Insights into Human Cryptosporidiosis

Cryptosporidium parvum is an important cause of diarrhea worldwide. Cryptosporidium causes a potentially life-threatening disease in people with AIDS and contributes significantly to morbidity among children in developing countries. In immunocompetent adults, Cryptosporidium is often associated with waterborne outbreaks of acute diarrheal illness. Recent studies with human volunteers have indicated that Cryptosporidium is highly infectious. Diagnosis of infection with this parasite has relied on identification of acid-fast oocysts in stool; however, new immunoassays or PCR-based assays may increase the sensitivity of detection. Although the mechanism by which Cryptosporidium causes diarrhea is still poorly understood, the parasite and the immune response to it probably combine to impair absorption and enhance secretion within the intestinal tract. Important genetic studies suggest that humans can be infected by at least two genetically distinct types of Cryptosporidium, which may vary in virulence. This may, in part, explain the clinical variability seen in patients with cryptosporidiosis.