cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Responsibility for seized dogs

As a veterinary behaviourist, I am frequently instructed to assess dogs that have been seized under the dangerous dogs legislation (Dangerous Dogs Act 1991) and, less frequently, dogs taken into police care owing to welfare concerns (Animal Welfare Act 2006). Whenever possible I obtain a full medical and behavioural history from the owners before the dog’s seizure. Without such history, one cannot be sufficiently informed to fully analyse a dog’s behaviour at the time of an assessment and provide as accurate a prognosis as possible, in order to inform the courts.1 > It is of great concern that owners of seized dogs are generally …
Coupling Glucose Dehydrogenation with CO2 Hydrogenation by Hydrogen Transfer in Aqueous Media at Room Temperature.

Conversion of CO2 into value-added chemicals and fuels provides a direct solution to reduce excessive CO2 in the atmosphere. Herein, a novel catalytic reaction system is presented by coupling the dehydrogenation of glucose with the hydrogenation of a CO2 -derived salt, ammonium carbonate, in an ethanol-water mixture. For the first time, the hydrogenation of CO2 to formate by glucose has been achieved under ambient conditions. Under the optimal reaction conditions, the highest yield of formate reached approximately 46 %. We find that the apparent pH value in the ethanol-water mixture plays a central role in determining the performance of the hydrogen-transfer reaction. Based on the 13 C NMR and ESI-MS results, a possible pathway of the coupled glucose dehydrogenation and CO2 hydrogenation reactions was proposed.
Peripheral Artery Orbital Atherectomy: Principles and Clinical Applications

Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is characterized by the narrowing of arteries of the extremities. Currently, it affects between 8–12 million Americans and over 200 million people worldwide, and has emerged as a significant global public health concern [1]. The burden of this disease is partly due to the rise in epidemics of diabetes, renal insufficiency, and an aging population, all of which increase the risk of developing vascular disease [2, 3, 4]. The clinical presentation of PAD is broad, ranging from being asymptomatic, increased severity to intermittent claudication with activity, and, at its worst, critical limb ischemia (CLI), which is characterized by rest pain and/or non-healing ulcers. CLI patients often face the morbid prospect of limb amputation due to a non-healing ulceration. Not only do these patients face the prospect of losing their limb but with this they lose their independence and may even lose their life. Patients undergoing amputation have a mortality of 50% at 5 years and 70% at 10 years [5].
Impact of body mass index on adverse events after implantation of left ventricular assist devices: An IMACS registry analysis.

BACKGROUND Limited data exist describing impact of body mass index (BMI) on post‒left ventricular assist device (post-LVAD) outcomes. We sought to define the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and adverse events (AEs) after LVAD implantation by examining the ISHLT Mechanically Assisted Circulatory Support (IMACS) registry. METHODS Patients implanted with a contemporary continuous flow (CF)-LVAD were stratified into 4 groups using pre-operative BMI: underweight (UW; BMI ≤18.5 kg/m2); non-obese (NO; BMI >18.5 to <30 kg/m2); obese (OB; BMI ≥30 to <40 kg/m2); and morbidly obese (MO; BMI ≥40 kg/m2). Freedom from AEs was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier method and risk factors for development of first AE were identified using multiphase parametric hazard modeling. AEs included infection, thromboembolic events, bleeding, device malfunction, and neurologic dysfunction. RESULTS Between 2013 and 2015, a total of 9,408 patients underwent implantation of a CF-LVAD, which consisted of 368 (4%) UW, 5,719 (61%) NO, 2,770 (29%) OB, and 444 (5%) MO patients. Survival among the 4 BMI cohorts was similar at 2years (70.8% to 75.8%, p = 0.24). MO patients were less likely to be free from a non‒VAD-related infection (p < 0.0001) or device-related infection (p = 0.0014) at 2years (50.3%, 70.7%) when compared with OB (58.3%, 78.7%), NO (65.2%, 81.4%), and UW (68.9%, 77.4%) patients. UW (81.5%) and NO (81.3%) patients were more likely to be free from device malfunction at 2years when compared with OB (78.3%) and MO (72.6%) (p = 0.0006). Thromboembolic events were rare and more common in the UW cohort (p = 0.026). CONCLUSIONS Although BMI was not correlated with 2-year mortality, an increased rate of infectious and device-related AEs was noted in OB and MO LVAD patients. In a group with few options for transplant, the event morbidity in obese patients can be expected to impact morbidity with longer support durations.
Mechanism of Phospholipase A2 Action

This chapter is a continuation of Chapter 9, which covered isolation and characterization of the structure of the pancreatic and venom phospholipases. In this chapter, emphasis shifts from protein structure to the interaction of the protein with water, metal ions, and substrates or their analogs. Since substrate-enzyme interaction is dependent on protein structure, frequent reference to Chapter 9 is essential. Also, where germane, references are made to the mechanism of action of other phospholipases.
Reduction of dopamine receptor activity differentially alters striatal neuropeptide mRNA levels.

We have investigated the effect of dopamine receptor blockade on striatal proenkephalin mRNA and protachykinin mRNA by Northern gel analysis and by in situ hybridization histochemistry. Chronic haloperidol treatment resulted in a 3.5 fold increase in striatal proenkephalin mRNA and a 30% decrease in protachykinin mRNA (no apparent change in α-tubulin mRNA was observed). The changes in mRNA levels for protachykinin and proenkephalin were uniform throughout the caudate-putamen of the rat as determined by in situ hybridization histochemistry. The results imply that altering receptor-mediated neurotransmitter functions can lead to profound, specific, and long-lasting alterations in neuronal gene expression.
Seasonal Variability of Adsorption and Exchange Equilibria in Soil Waters

Chemical analyses for major ions have been conducted on waters,collected on an approximately weekly basis over the period April, 1993 toNovember, 1996, that drain three small experimental ecosystems(“sandboxes”) at Hubbard Brook, New Hampshire. One sandbox is planted withpine trees, another with grass, and the third is left “bare” (actually itis covered sporadically by bryophytes and lichens). Results show linearcorrelations, independent of discharge, between the concentrations ofdissolved Na+ and K+ on the one hand andCa++ and Mg++ on the other for all threesandboxes. No correlations between singly charged and doubly chargedcations were found. These correlations are interpreted to represent cationexchange equilibria between soil waters and clay minerals plus soil organicmatter. The correlation slope, representing the exchange constant, for Na vsK is different for the pine-covered sandbox than for the other two whereasfor Ca vs Mg the correlation is independent of the presence or absence oftrees. We interpret this as representing a shift of cation exchangeequilibria in the pine sandbox by the activities of growing trees.
Intervention Effects of "Girls on the Move" on Increasing Physical Activity: A Group Randomized Trial.

Background Limited intervention success in increasing and sustaining girls' moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) underscores a need for continued research. Purpose The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 17-week Girls on the Move (GOTM) intervention on increasing MVPA among fifth- to eighth-grade girls. Methods This study is a group (cluster) randomized trial, including 24 schools, pair matched and assigned to intervention (n = 12) or control (n = 12) conditions. Participants included 1,519 girls in racially diverse public schools in urban, underserved areas of the Midwestern USA. The intervention included three components: (i) 90-min after-school physical activity (PA) club offered 3 days/week; (ii) two motivational, individually tailored counseling sessions; and (iii) an interactive Internet-based session at the midpoint of the intervention. Main outcome measures were weighted mean minutes of MVPA per week post-intervention and at 9-month follow-up measured via accelerometer. Results No between-group differences occurred for weighted mean minutes of MVPA per week at post-intervention (B = -0.08, p = .207) or 9-month follow-up (B = -0.09, p = .118) while controlling for baseline MVPA. Conclusions Research is needed to identify interventions that assist girls in attaining and maintaining adequate PA. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier NCT01503333.
Loss of KIBRA function activates EGFR signaling by inducing AREG

// Ashley L. Mussell 1, * , Kayla E. Denson 1, 4, * , He Shen 1 , Yanmin Chen 1 , Nuo Yang 2 , Costa Frangou 3 and Jianmin Zhang 1 1 Department of Cancer Genetics & Genomics, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo, NY, USA 2 Department of Anesthesiology, Jacobs School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, Buffalo, NY, USA 3 Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Molecular and Integrative Physiological Sciences, Boston, MA, USA 4 Current address: Frontier Science Foundation, Amherst, NY, USA * These authors have contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Jianmin Zhang, email: Jianmin.zhang@roswellpark.org Keywords: Hippo pathway; EGFR signaling; 3D culture; breast tumorigenesis Received: April 30, 2018 Accepted: June 19, 2018 Published: July 06, 2018 ABSTRACT The Hippo signaling pathway is a central regulator of organ size, tissue homeostasis, and tumorigenesis. KIBRA is a member of the WW domain-containing protein family and has recently been reported to be an upstream protein in the Hippo signaling pathway. However, the clinical significance of KIBRA deregulation and the underlying mechanisms by which KIBRA regulates breast cancer (BC) initiation and progression remain poorly understood. Here, we report that KIBRA knockdown in mammary epithelial cells induced epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and increased cell migration and tumorigenic potential. Mechanistically, we observed that inhibiting KIBRA induced growth factor-independent cell proliferation in 2D and 3D culture due to the secretion of amphiregulin (AREG), an epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand. Also, we show that AREG activation in KIBRA-knockdown cells depended on the transcriptional coactivator YAP1. Significantly, decreased expression of KIBRA is correlated with recurrence and reduced BC patient survival. In summary, this study elucidates the molecular events that underpin the role of KIBRA in BC. As a result, our work provides biological insight into the role of KIBRA as a critical regulator of YAP1-mediated oncogenic growth, and may have clinical potential for facilitating patient stratification and identifying novel therapeutic approaches for BC patients.
Pearce Bailey: The "Fifth Horseman" and the National Institute for Neurological Diseases and Blindness.

Pearce Bailey (1902–1976) had an active career focused on the growth and development of neurology as a specialty in the post-World War II era. He was a founding member of the American Academy of Ne...
Ag Nanometallic Surfaces for Self-Assembled Ordered Morphologies of Zein

Nanometallic surfaces of Ag nanoparticles (NPs) catalyzed the self-aggregation behavior of zein in different ordered morphologies such as cubes, rectangles, and bars. This was studied in a ternary in situ reaction (AgNO3 + zein + water), where zein performed the reduction as well as stabilization of Ag NPs. This reaction produced small Ag NPs of less than 10 nm predominantly bound with {111} crystal planes, which attracted the surface adsorption of zein. Surface-adsorbed zein initiated the protein seeding and converted the tertiary structure of protein into open β-pleated structure with aqueous exposed hydrophobic domains. A layered deposition of β-pleats on different crystal planes of Ag NPs derived them to nearly monodispersed cubic morphologies. The mechanistic aspects of self-aggregation of zein in the presence of nanometallic surfaces hold possible scenarios for simple and straightforward routes of protein crystallization.
Integrated HPC Scheduler Data Processing Workflow using Apache Zeppelin

Big data analytics pipeline often naturally involves the components with different programming language, various programming models, etc. And it presents steep learning curve not only on developing the tools but also on using them. Building a user friendly interface can hide these usage complexities, and provide a easy way to get the insights out of data. It’s a challenging task to link those components together to make a smooth end-to-end workflow. Apache Zeppelin provides native support on multiple language and data processing backends so that different workflow components can be linked together on Zeppelin’s framework. We developed a web interface for analyzing High Performance Computing data center scheduler log data through Apache Zeppelin’s support on AngularJS, Spark, Python and Batch. An interactive PACE-Fast Analysis of Computational Trends (PACE-FACT) environment is built on the extension of our previous work, this environment seamlessly puts multiple log data analysis and visualization components together, and it allows to visualize the result data interactively without dealing with cumbersome command line user interface. In this work, we demonstrate that software ranking and analysis can be done through web GUI with user specified date range. And this system will be used in Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech)’s high performance computing (HPC) PACE center.
Stillness in Dance/Movement Therapy: Potentiating Creativity on the Edge and in the Void

Creativity, at times, flows freely amongst individuals. However, at other times, creativity waivers on the edge of meaning and nothingness. This manuscript explores Eastern and Western philosophies associated with void, the thin line between dialectical phenomena, and a space which opens up for creativity. These theories of creativity will be observed through a dance/movement therapy (DMT) paradigm examining the concept of stillness within movement and particularly within a DMT session. A brief review of the following phenomena will be considered: the fertile void, the dialectical edge, and potential space. Consideration will be given to the notion of stillness as a tool for creativity in DMT and supported by case vignettes.
Particulate Soil Organic Matter in Bahiagrass-Rhizoma Peanut Mixtures and Their Monocultures

Soil particulate organic matter (POM) represents a labile soil organic matter (SOM) fraction and is an important source of nutrients for soil microorganisms and plants. This study assessed C and N stocks in POM and soil mineral-associated fractions for forage mixtures of rhizoma peanut (RP; Arachis glabrata Benth.) and bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge) in contrast with their monocultures. Treatments included two bahiagrass entries receiving 90 kg N ha–¹ harvest–¹, two RP entries, and the four bahiagrass–RP combinations. Samples were collected from the 0- to 15-cm soil depth in July 2015 and in September 2016, after seven harvests. Soil samples were fractionated into POM and mineral-associated organic matter (MAOM) by dispersion with sodium hexametaphosphate and sieving (53 μm). Samples were analyzed for δ¹³C, δ¹⁵N, and total C and N. Groups of bahiagrass, bahiagrass–RP, and RP were contrasted. There were no differences in N stocks among forage treatments. Bahiagrass–RP mixtures had greater soil POM-C stock (5.1 Mg C ha–¹) than RP monocultures (4.0 Mg C ha–¹). Soil POM C/N ratio was lower for bahiagrass (18.2) and RP monocultures (16.2) than bahiagrass–RP (20.6). Bahiagrass–RP and bahiagrass had similar soil δ¹³C and were less depleted than RP (–23‰ vs. –26‰ and –26‰ vs. –28‰, for POM and MAOM, respectively). Soil POM-C stock under forage mixtures was not different from N-fertilized bahiagrass, and it was greater than RP. Hence, mixing RP and bahiagrass can be an option to increase POM-C without the need of N fertilizer.
Career Changers in Special Education: A Collaborative Direction in Teacher Preparation for School Systems and Institutions of Higher Education.

In the U.S. there continues to be a critical need for highly effective teachers for the increasing numbers of diverse learners in P-12 classrooms. In particular demand is the need for highly qualified special education teachers. This need has required school systems to look beyond the traditional four-year degree student to individuals who are entering the teaching field from other professions. We offer a discussion of the career changers in special education, what types of support and mentoring they need from local schools and teacher education programs, and considerations in teacher preparation in special education for career changers.
Metalenses go atomically thick and tunable

By utilizing exciton resonances in atomically thick semiconductors, researchers have now demonstrated the ultimate downscaling of optical lenses and reported on their efficacious electrical tunability.
From information to intervention: connecting risk communication to individual health behavior and community-level health interventions during the 2016 Zika outbreak

Emerging disease threats are on the rise. Risk communication in an emerging threat is used by public health officials to reach the population in a timely and effective manner. However, limited rese...
Pembrolizumab for the treatment of Hodgkin Lymphoma

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) is a cancer of the immune system. Combination chemotherapy and radiation therapy result in high cure rate, nevertheless, up to a quarter of patients with advanced sta...
Associations between neighborhood park space and cognition in older adults vary by US location: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis.

Abstract We used cross-sectional Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis data from six US cities/counties and adjusted multilevel linear regression to examine park space-cognition associations among non-demented older adults (n = 4084). We found that greater neighborhood park space 1-mile around the residence (measured continuously) was associated with better processing speed in the overall sample (estimate: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.03, 0.92). However, greater neighborhood park space (½-mile around residence) was associated with worse global cognition in Los Angeles, California (estimate: -2.66; 95% CI: -4.70, −0.62) and worse processing speed in Forsyth County, North Carolina (estimate: -0.72; 95% CI: -1.37, −0.08). Dichotomizing at the mean, having ≥6% park space (½-mile around residence) was associated with better global cognition in Saint Paul, Minnesota (estimate: 0.21; 95% CI: 0.05, 0.38), and better processing speed in New York City (estimate: 0.19; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.35). Park space-cognition associations varied by city/county, suggesting problems with pooling multiple sites without accounting for geographic context or regionally-varying park characteristics (e.g., quality).
Structural basis for antibody inhibition of flavivirus NS1–triggered endothelial dysfunction

Medically important flaviviruses cause diverse disease pathologies and collectively are responsible for a major global disease burden. A contributing factor to pathogenesis is secreted flavivirus nonstructural protein 1 (NS1). Despite demonstrated protection by NS1-specific antibodies against lethal flavivirus challenge, the structural and mechanistic basis remains unknown. Here, we present three crystal structures of full-length dengue virus NS1 complexed with a flavivirus-cross-reactive, NS1-specific monoclonal antibody, 2B7, at resolutions between 2.89 and 3.96 angstroms. These structures reveal a protective mechanism by which two domains of NS1 are antagonized simultaneously. The NS1 wing domain mediates cell binding, whereas the β-ladder triggers downstream events, both of which are required for dengue, Zika, and West Nile virus NS1-mediated endothelial dysfunction. These observations provide a mechanistic explanation for 2B7 protection against NS1-induced pathology and demonstrate the potential of one antibody to treat infections by multiple flaviviruses.
Tide gates form physical and ecological obstacles to river herring (Alosa spp.) spawning migrations

River herring (Alosa spp.) are anadromous fish that enter North American Atlantic coastal rivers and lakes each spring to spawn. Anthropogenic structures such as dams and tide gates serve as physic...
Risk of cardiovascular mortality with androgen deprivation therapy in prostate cancer: A secondary analysis of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background For men with radiation-managed prostate cancer, there is conflicting evidence regarding the association between androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) and cardiovascular mortality (CVM), particularly among those who have with preexisting comorbidities. The objective of this study was to analyze the association between ADT and CVM across patient comorbidity status using prospectively collected data from a large clinical trial. Methods In total, 1463 men were identified who were diagnosed with clinically localized, intermediate-risk/high-risk prostate cancer (T2b-T4, Gleason 7-10, or prostate-specific antigen >10 ng/mL) from 1993 to 2001 and managed with either radiation therapy (RT) alone or RT plus ADT during the randomized Prostate, Lung, Colon, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. Adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) for cause-specific mortality (prostate cancer-specific mortality vs other-cause mortality-including the primary end point of CVM [death from ischemic heart disease, cerebrovascular accident, or other circulatory disease]) were determined using Fine and Gray competing-risk regression analysis and stratified by comorbidity history. Results There was no difference in the risk of 5-year CVM between ADT plus RT and RT alone (2.3% vs 3.3%, respectively; aHR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.38-1.24; P = .21) overall or on subgroup analysis among men with a history of ≥1 preexisting comorbidities (3.2% vs 5.3%, respectively; aHR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.43-1.60; P = .58), ≥2 preexisting comorbidities (6.9% vs 8.3%, respectively; aHR, 0.95; 95% CI, 0.40-2.25; P = .90), or cardiovascular disease/risk factors (3.6% vs 4.3%, respectively; aHR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.44-1.65; P = .63). These results were all similar when each component of CVM was analyzed separately-either cardiac, stroke, or other vascular mortality (P > .05). Conclusions This study provides prospectively collected evidence that the use of ADT plus RT, compared with RT alone, is not associated with an increased risk of CVM, even among subgroups of men who have preexisting comorbidities and cardiovascular disease.
Author Meets Her Critics: Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream - Christina M. Greer

For this panel, two scholars will provide a critical assessment of the book Black Ethnics: Race, Immigration, and the Pursuit of the American Dream by Dr. Christina Greer. The critiques will be followed by a response from Dr. Greer and an open discussion about her book.
TCT-78 Predictors of Survival in Patients Undergoing Trans-Catheter Aortic Valve Closure for Significant Left Ventricular Assist Device Associated Aortic Insufficiency

Introduction: Left ventricular assist devices (LVADs) have been shown to increase survival and quality of life in patients with end-stage congestive heart failure. However, severe aortic insufficiency (AI) can develop in up to 50% of patients with LVADs at 12 months resulting in significant morbidity and mortality. Trans-catheter treatment of LVAD associated AI has emerged as a potential alternative to surgical treatment, but long term clinical benefits are yet to be determined. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing trans-catheter aortic valve closure using an Amplatzer Multi-Fenestrated Septal Occluder “Cribiform” device (AGA Medical, Plymouth, Minnesota) at our institution between September 2011 and September 2013 to assess potential clinical and procedural factors associated with survival. Unpaired student’s t-tests were used to compare baseline patient demographics and procedural characteristics, as well as patient outcomes immediately post procedure and at 6 months...
Effectiveness of femoral arterial closure devices compared to traditional compression methods following femoral sheath removal: A Systematic Review

Review Questions/Objectives The systematic review objective is to synthesise the best available research evidence related to the effectiveness of femoral arterial closure devices as compared to traditional compression methods post femoral sheath removal in the cardiovascular patient. The specific review question to be addressed is: • What effects do femoral arterial closure devices, as compared to traditional compression methods, have on outcomes post femoral sheath removal in the cardiovascular patient? Inclusion Criteria Types of participants This review will consider studies that included all types of cardiovascular adult patients (18+ years old) with post femoral sheath removal following endovascular procedures regardless of previous treatments. The femoral artery is preferable access site due to the larger diameter of the artery compared to the radial or brachial arteries. Due to the larger diameter of the femoral artery, time to hemostatis and complications are significantly different than that of the brachial or radial arteries.For accurate comparison, patients undergoing procedures using radial or brachial access will not be included. Types of interventions The interventions of interest are arterial closure devices and traditional compression methods used following femoral arterial sheath removal. Studies that compare arterial closure devices and compression methods post endovascular procedure will be included in this review. Similarly, studies that compare various compression methods post endovascular procedure will be included in this review. Studies that compare radial or brachial access to femoral access and hemostasis will not be included in this review to allow for accurate comparison. Femoral access has significantly differing times to hemostatis and complication rates than radial or brachial access. Types of outcome measures The primary outcome of interest is the difference in effectiveness of femoral arterial closure devices and traditional compression methods on patient outcomes. Studies meeting criteria for participants and intervention which include outcomes related to bleeding risks and vascular complications, such as hematoma, bleeding at the site, retroperitoneal bleeding, pseudoanuerysm, and AV-fistula creation will be considered for inclusion in this review. In addition, studies describing attainment of hemostasis following femoral sheath removal will be considered.
Dexmedetomidine and low-dose ketamine provide adequate sedation for awake fibreoptic intubation

Purpose We report the use of the alpha2 agonist, dexmedetomidine, with low-dose ketamine as a safe and effective treatment strategy to provide adequate comfort and sedation for a patient who fulfilled criteria of a difficult airway and required awake fibreoptic intubation (AFOI).
Solitary Coronary Artery: A Rare Coronary Anomaly

A 57-year-old man presented with chest pain suggestive of obstructive coronary artery disease. Coronary angiography revealed a rudimentary left main coronary artery arising from the left sinus of Valsalva. A large right coronary artery was visualized arising from the right sinus of Valsalva and
Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of ceramics in the lead indium niobate-lead scandium tantalate solid solution

The dielectric and piezoelectric properties of the solid solution: (x)/spl middot/Pb(In/sub 1/2/Nb/sub 1/2/)O/sub 3/-(1-x) Pb(Sc/sub 1/2/Ta/sub 1/2/)O/sub 3/ [PIN/PST(x)] have been investigated. The two compositions that have been studied are x=0.025 and 0.975. The degree of long range ordering in PIN/PST(92.5) was found to be 0.73 (i.e. 73% ordered.) Dielectric maximum was found to be at 10/spl deg/C and the pyroelectric maximum was found to be at 0/spl deg/C. The average dielectric constant from heating and cooling cycles was found to have a maximum of 1470, and corresponds to a dielectric loss of 3%. The maximum pyroelectric response was found to be 0.002 C//spl deg/K/spl middot/m/sub 2/. At room temperature d/sub 33/ and d/sub 31/ were found to be 0 pC/N with poling fields of up to 45 kV/cm. Upon cooling to -30/spl deg/C a ferroelectric hysteresis loop appears with E/sub c/=9.86 kV/cm and P/sub r/=4.5 mC/cm/sup 2/.
Glutamine Synthetase Regulation, Adenylylation State, and Strain Specificity Analyzed by Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis

Abstract We used polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to examine the regulation and adenylylation states of glutamine synthetases (GSs) from Escherichia coli (GSE) and Klebsiella aerogenes (GSK). In gels containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), we found that GSK had a mobility which differed significantly from that of GSE. In addition, for both GSK and GSE, adenylylated subunits (GSK-adenosine 5′-monophosphate [AMP] and GSE-AMP) had lesser mobilities in SDS gels than did the corresponding non-adenylylated subunits. The order of mobilities was GSK-AMP < GSK < GSE-AMP < GSE. We were able to detect these mobility differences with purified and partially purified preparations of GS, crude cell extracts, and whole cell lysates. SDS gel electrophoresis thus provided a means of estimating the adenylylation state and the quantity of GS present independent of enzymatic activity measurements and of determining the strain origin. Using SDS gels, we showed that: (i) the constitutively produced GS in strains carrying the glnA4 allele was mostly adenylylated, (ii) the GS-like polypeptide produced by strains carrying the glnA51 allele was indistinguishable from wild-type GSK, and (iii) strains carrying the glnA10 allele contained no polypeptide having the mobility of GSK or GSK-AMP. Using native polyacrylamide gels, we detected the increased amount of dodecameric GS present in cells grown under nitrogen limitation compared with cells grown under conditions of nitrogen excess. In native gels there was neither a significant difference in the mobilities of adenylylated and non-adenylylated GSs nor a GS-like protein in cells carrying the glnA10 allele.
Recovering lost ground: effects of soil burn intensity on nutrients and ectomycorrhiza communities of ponderosa pine seedlings

Abstract Fuel accumulation and climate shifts are predicted to increase the frequency of high-severity fires in ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) forests of central Oregon. The combustion of fuels containing large downed wood can result in intense soil heating, alteration of soil properties, and mortality of microbes. Previous studies show ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF) improve ponderosa seedling establishment after fire but did not compare EMF communities at different levels of soil burn intensity in a field setting. For this study, soil burn intensity effects on nutrients and EMF communities were compared at Pringle Falls Experimental Forest, La Pine, Oregon. Twelve replicate sites were used, each with three treatments: high intensity soil burn from large downed wood combustion (HB), low intensity soil burn (LB), and unburned control (UB). Temperatures lethal to fungi were detected at 0-cm, 5-cm, and 10-cm depths in HB soils and 0-cm depth in LB soils. Ponderosa pine seedlings planted post-burn were harvested after four months for EMF root tip analysis. We found: (a) greater differences in soil properties and nutrients in HB soils compared to LB and UB soils; (b) no differences in EMF richness and diversity among treatments; (c) weak differences in community composition based on relative abundance between UB and either burn treatments; and (d) EMF composition in HB and LB treatments correlated with soil carbon and organic matter contents. These results support the hypothesis that the combustion of large downed wood can alter the soil environment directly beneath it. However, an EMF community similar to LB soils recolonized HB soils within one growing season. Community results from both burn treatments suggest an increase in patchy spatial distribution of EMF. We hypothesize that quick initiation of EMF recolonization is possible depending on the size of high intensity burn patches, proximity of low and unburned soil, and survival of nearby hosts. The importance of incorporating mixed fire effects in fuel management practices will help to provide EMF refugia for ponderosa pine forest regeneration.
Modeling Hospital Response to Mild and Severe Influenza Pandemic Scenarios under Normal and Expanded Capacities

William Beaumont Army Medical Center conducted quantitative modeling with FluSurge 2.0 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) to determine hospital capabilities in responding to patient arrival surges of the Fort Bliss population in mild 1968-type and severe 1918-type influenza pandemics. Model predictions showed that William Beaumont Army Medical Center could adequately care for all intensive care unit (ICU) and non-ICU patients during a mild pandemic, particularly if hospital capacity was expanded using the emergency management plan, excess surge plan, or activation of a contagious disease outbreak facility. For a severe influenza pandemic, model predictions showed that hospital beds, ventilators, and other resources would be exceeded within 2 or 3 weeks. Even at maximal hospital expansion, for a 12-week severe pandemic with a 35% attack rate there would be peak demand for 214% of available non-ICU beds, 785% of ICU beds, and 392% of ventilators. Health care planners and decision-makers should prepare for resource challenges when developing plans for the next influenza pandemic.
Mental health & substance use: Challenges for serving older adults

In 2012, 810 million adults aged 60 and older constituted 11.5 per cent of the world population. The older adult population will grow to one billion by 2020 and to two billion by 2050, or 22 per cent of the world population, with 400 million of them 80 years and older1. Growth in the number of older adults is a cause for celebrating tremendous improvements in health and other quality of life indicators across the globe. This rapidly advancing “silver tsunami” also brings serious challenges to many countries’ already overburdened pension and healthcare systems. The unprecedented growth of the 85-and-older group presents a serious challenge as 25-30 per cent of them have some degree of cognitive impairment1. Healthcare and social service systems in both developing and developed countries are not adequately equipped to care for the growing number of older adults with Alzheimer's disease and other neurocognitive disorders, and the toll on older adults’ informal support systems is just beginning to be understood. Another significant challenge of an ageing society that has been largely hidden from public view and receives little attention from policymakers is mental health and substance use (MH/SU) care for older adults. This editorial addresses the scope of older adults’ MH (focusing on depression and anxiety) and SU problems, the current state of evidence-based practice, and recommendations for care.
Morphometric and Edaphic Factors Affecting Pond Design

Ponds vary greatly in morphometry, and there is no consensus about the best combination of morphometric features for an aquaculture pond. For watershed ponds, morphometry is determined largely by terrain. Levee and excavated ponds can be built to design morphometry, but some designs are more feasible than others. Edaphic factors are important in construction, for soils at some places are much more suitable than at others. Soil characteristics also can influence physical, chemical, and biological processes, affect production, and be a factor in pond management. The possibility of turbidity, sedimentation, and organically stained waters should be considered, and control measures planned if necessary. This chapter provides guidelines on pond morphometry, soils, and sediment to aid in pond design, construction, and management. Details of engineering design and construction of aquaculture ponds are discussed in Chapter 13. Attention to these guidelines will help ensure that ponds will be easy to maintain and manage.
Comparison of a small parabolic reflector for use with an acoustic and a radar microphone

The gain, beamwidth and frequency response of a small, portable parabolic reflector used in an acoustic microphone and in a radar microphone are compared. These microphones are intended for remotely monitoring the 170–250 Hz buzz of honey bees. The RF microphone is based on a Doppler radar operating in the 5.8 GHz ISM band. It detects mechanical vibrations rather than sound. The gain and beamwidth of a reflector with an audio microphone is very good at high audio frequencies, however it is very poor at low frequencies. By contrast, when properly tuned, the performance of the same parabolic reflector with a radar microphone excels at a 200 Hz audio frequency.
High-performance liquid chromatography of lipids for the identification of human metabolic disease

We describe a system for quantitative lipid analysis employing ternary gradient high-performance liquid chromatography with evaporative light scattering detection. This technique was applied to extracts of cultured fibroblasts, cultured lymphocytes, and leukocytes and to liver and spleen biopsy specimens. Separation of nonpolar lipids, glycolipids, phospholipids, and sphingolipids was achieved in a single run. Detection did not depend on the presence of any specific chemical reactions, uv absorption, or fluorescence. The sensitivity of the technique is well below 200 ng for individual lipids, and many individual lipid classes were detected in samples as small as 1 mg of total protein, the yield of a single flask of cultured skin fibroblasts. The characteristic stored lipids cholesterol ester and sphingomyelin were seen in excess in human fibroblast cultures from patients with Wolman's disease and Niemann-Pick disease, respectively. A biopsy spleen sample from a patient with Gaucher's disease showed a large glucosylceramide peak. This system provides a tool for detecting lipids that accumulate in tissues of patients with currently unidentified metabolic storage disorders.
A comparison of medical induction and dilation and evacuation for second-trimester abortion.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare complication rates of patients who undergo dilation and evacuation or medical abortion between 14 and 24 weeks of gestation. Study Design: We present a retrospective cohort study of 297 women who underwent either dilation and evacuation or medical abortion. Statistical methods included the Student t test, the χ 2 test, the Fisher exact test (where appropriate), and logistic regression. Results: The overall complication rate was significantly lower in patients who underwent dilation and evacuation than in patients who underwent medical abortion (4% vs 29%; P Laminaria was associated with a decreased risk of complications with surgical abortions (odds ratio, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.7-1.0). Conclusion: Dilation evacuation is the safest method of second-trimester abortion. Misoprostol is safer than other methods for medical abortion. Maximal use of Laminaria will decrease complication rates in surgical abortion. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:393-7.)
Foraging ecology of the southern oyster drill Thais haemastoma (Gray): constraints on prey choice

Abstract The effect of shell size and density on the foraging ecology of the southern oyster drill Thais haemastoma (Gray) was studied because populations of these gastropods at two sites along the Louisiana coast differed in mean shell length, but always possessed aggregated dispersion patterns. In laboratory experiments, small snails ( Ischadium recurvum Rafinesque) with wet mass Crassostrea virginica Gmelin) of Rangia cuneata (Gray). When drills fed in groups, total numbers of prey eaten increased for each prey category, although per capita consumption rates increased only for prey categories with longer handling times such as oysters. Larger oyster drills spent less time handling prey and consequently had greater consumption rates for most prey types. Based on a per capita index of prey profitability (dry tissue consumed per prey/handling time·drill density −1 ), small oyster drills were predicted to prefer mussels. Large oyster drills (> 30 mm shell length) were predicted to prefer R. cuneata , but also to take a wider variety of prey species when feeding in groups. Prey profitability declined as the density of drills feeding increased, except for large, hard to handle prey like large mussels and oysters. Group feeding thus appears profitable only for large difficult-to-handle prey. Time-lapse videotaped feeding trials, with all three prey types available, were used to determine if oyster drills selected the predicted prey species. Small drills feeding singly preferred oysters, but did switch to the predicted prey, mussels, when feeding in groups. Large drills preferred R. cuneata , and had a somewhat broader diet when feeding in groups, as predicted. We suggest southern oyster drills select prey in an optimal fashion, but that predator size and density can set important constraints on prey choice. We also suggest that T. haemastoma may severely crop I. recurvum and R. cuneata at high salinities and limit these prey to low salinity areas of the Gulf coast.
A monoclonal antibody for terminal β-galactose. Use in analysis of glycosphingolipids

A monoclonal antibody (mAb 8281) specific for the terminal β-galactose (βGal) of glycosphingolipids (GSL) and glycoproteins was produced from mice immunized with lipid extract from fresh acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) cells. Immuno-thin layer chromatography (ITLC) and competition assays with purified neutral GSL standards, free sugars, and synthetic neoglycoproteins showed mAb 8281 to be strongly reactive with LacCer, GalCer and Gal-β-O-(CH3)2S(CH3)2-CONH-(Gal-β-O-CETE) linked to bovine serum albumin (BSA). The penultimate sugar also played a role in binding. The antibody was not reactive with carbohydrates with terminal αGal structures and unrelated terminal moieties. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining and flow cytometry with mAb 8281 demonstrated positive staining on numerous tissues, including smooth muscle, gastrointestinal mucosa, lymph node B cells and monocytes. ITLC analysis of the GSL composition of fresh B cell neoplasms using mAb 8281 confirmed the presence of lactosylceramide and galactosylceramide in neoplasms of varying stages of differentiation. Because of its specificity for terminal βGal carbohydrate residues, mAb 8281 may be useful in structural and functional analyses of GSL.
The conformation of erythronolide, the 14-membered aglycone ring of the erythromycin antibiotics

Abstract The solution conformation of erythronolide B and derivatives has been deduced from NMR and CD spectral data. The conformation is basically a “diamond lattice” type in which the ring atoms occupy cyclohexane-like positions but slightly modified to incorporate the lactone and ketone groups and to relieve an unfavorable syn -periplanar interaction. Variable temperature experiments revealed that erythronolide B and derivatives do not undergo facile ring inversion or pseudorotation and suggested the presence of a single stable conformation. Several features of the proposed conformation were demonstrated by the NMR and CD spectra of suitable derivatives. These features included the syn -periplanar relationship between the 3- and 5-OH groups, the axial orientation of the 11-OH group, and the proximity of the 6-OH group to the 9-ketone.
Reducing the tendency to self-handicap: The effect of self-affirmation

Abstract Self-handicapping, the creating or claiming of obstacles to one’s performance to influence explanations given for subsequent outcomes, has been shown to have a host of attitudinal and behavioral consequences. Given the wide ranging impact of self-handicapping, it is important to understand the conditions under which self-handicapping is more or less likely to occur. Accordingly, the present study tested the hypothesis that people will be less likely to engage in self-handicapping if they have previously engaged in self-affirmation. The results of this study found that self-affirmation was more effective in reducing self-handicapping behavior when individuals experienced non-contingent success than when they experience contingent success. Theoretical contributions to the self-handicapping and self-affirmation literatures are discussed, as are practical implications.
Advances in Modeling of Chrystal Nucleation from the Melt

Two contributions to the modeling of nucleation are discussed here. The temperature dependence of the crystal-melt interfacial tension can be introduced by scaling of the interfacial parameters to the entropy and enthalpy of fusion. A new simulation of nucleation during solidification in a gas filled drop tube is discussed. It computes the temperature distribution and convection in the drop and allows introduction, stochastically in space and time, of multiple nuclei with interfering thermal fields.
Individual characteristics and the intention to continue project escalation

The factors leading to the continuing problems with information system (IS) project failure are of importance to both the research and practitioner communities. The psychological factors that lead project managers to escalate troubled projects are investigated. Theoretical grounding is presented for a research model consisting of Need for Achievement as an antecedent trait for implementation mindset, internal locus of control, preference for consistency, and time urgency, which in turn predict the Intention to Continue a troubled IS project. Using responses from 232 IS project stakeholders, the model is tested using structural equation modeling. The results support Need for Achievement as an antecedent to the other independent variables. Implementation mindset and internal locus of control were found to be significant predictors of the project managers' intention to continue the IS projects. Based on the findings, suggestions for project re-evaluation milestones (PRMs) are presented.
Vibrational circular dichroism of gramicidin D in organic solvents

The vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) and absorption spectra of gramicidin D in different organic solvents are presented in the amide I and II regions. The absorption and VCD spectra suggest that gramicidin structures are similar in dioxane and chloroform. However, the structures adopted by gramicidin in chloroform are due to the trace amount of protective ethanol present in chloroform solvent. In the absence of this protective ethanol, gramicidin appears to aggregate in chloroform. The gramicidin structures appear to be similar in propanol and ethanol, but the composition of these structures appear to be different from those in dioxane and chloroform. In methanol-d4, a different composition of structures, including monomers, appears to be present. The structures in dimethyl-d6-sulfoxide and 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol are entirely different from those in all other solvents. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biospectroscopy 5: 276–283, 1999