cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Patterns of Prescribing Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 Inhibitors for Medicare Beneficiaries in the United States.

Background: Evidence from large randomized clinical trials supports the benefit of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) to improve cardiovascular and kidney outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with or at high risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease or chronic kidney disease. Considering this evidence, which has been expanding since the product label indication for empagliflozin to reduce risk of cardiovascular death in 2016, clinician-level variation in the prescription of SGLT2i among US Medicare beneficiaries was evaluated. Methods: Antihyperglycemic medication prescribers were identified as those physicians and advanced practice providers prescribing metformin in Medicare part D prescriber data. In this cross-sectional study, the proportion prescribing SGLT2i was assessed overall and across specialties in 2018, with changes assessed from 2014 to 2018. SGLT2i use was compared with other second-line antihyperglycemic medication classes, sulfonylureas and dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4is). Results: Among 232,523 unique clinicians who prescribed metformin for Medicare beneficiaries in 2018 (diabetes-treating clinicians), 45,255 (19.5%) prescribed SGLT2i. There was substantial variation across specialties - from 72% of endocrinologists to 14% of cardiologists who prescribed metformin also prescribed SGLT2i. Between 2014 and 2018, the number prescribing SGLT2i increased 5 fold from 9,048 in 2014 to 45,255 in 2018. Among clinicians who prescribed both sulfonylureas and SGLT2i in 2018, SGLT2i was prescribed to a median 33 beneficiaries for every 100 prescribed sulfonylureas (IQR 18, 67). SGLT2i use relative to sulfonylureas increased from 19 (IQR 11, 34) per 100 in 2014 to 33 (IQR 18, 67) per 100 in 2018 (P-trend <0.001). Conclusions: Eighty percent of clinicians prescribing metformin to Medicare beneficiaries did not prescribe SGLT2i in 2018. Moreover, sulfonylureas prescriptions were 3 times more frequent than those of SGLT2is, although a pattern of increasing uptake may portend future trends. These findings highlight a baseline opportunity to improve care and outcomes for patients with T2DM.
Global bending response of composite sandwich plates with corrugated core: Part I: Effect of geometric parameters

Abstract Global bending response of composite sandwich plates with corrugated core is studied by considering the effects of geometric parameters, such as face thickness, web thickness, web inclination angle, pitch and face center distance. The material in both faces and webs is a carbon fiber reinforced epoxy with a [ 0 / 90 ° ] s laminate construction. The core geometry is varied from triangular to rectangular as the web inclination angle is increased from its minimum value to the maximum value of 90°. In all cases, the cross-sectional area and hence the mass was maintained at a constant value so that direct comparison can be made between the effects of various geometric parameters. The analysis takes into account the effects of transverse shear stiffness components which are shown to have significant influence on the global bending response.
Betriebsepidemiologisches Informationssystem: Das Beispiel Volkswagen

Die Auswertung von routinemasig erhobenen Krankenkassendaten (Arbeitsunfahigkeits-Diagnosen) hat eine inzwischen beachtliche Tradition und ist in den letzten Jahren methodisch deutlich verbessert worden. Tatigkeits-, gruppen- oder diagnosenbezogene Auswertungen von Arbeitsunfahigkeitsdiagnosen sind heute zunehmend ein integraler Bestandteil der betrieblichen Gesundheitsberichterstattung.
PUBLIC HEALTH, NURSING, MEDICAL SOCIAL WORK: A REPORT ON FOSTER HOME PLACEMENT AS A RESOURCE FOR HANDICAPPED CHILDREN

Need for a foster home placement program for handicapped children in an urban area was demonstrated by sending a questionnaire to hospitals and convalescent homes, and by careful review of certain children whose inpatient care was being paid for by the official Crippled Children Program. The outstanding fact was that a significant number of handicapped children were being retained in institutions for social, and not medical, reasons. Agreement was reached among social agencies that a co-ordinated community program for foster home placement of handicapped children was necessary but a definitive method was not evolved nor were adequate funds secured to finance costs.
Cytotoxicity of the Vibrio vulnificus MARTX toxin Effector DUF5 is linked to the C2A Subdomain

The multifunctional-autoprocessing repeats-in-toxin (MARTX) toxins are bacterial protein toxins that serve as delivery platforms for cytotoxic effector domains. The domain of unknown function in position 5 (DUF5) effector domain is present in at least six different species' MARTX toxins and as a hypothetical protein in Photorhabdus spp. Its presence increases the potency of the Vibrio vulnificus MARTX toxin in mouse virulence studies, indicating DUF5 directly contributes to pathogenesis. In this work, DUF5 is shown to be cytotoxic when transiently expressed in HeLa cells. DUF5 localized to the plasma membrane dependent upon its C1 domain and the cells become rounded dependent upon its C2 domain. Both full-length DUF5 and the C2 domain caused growth inhibition when expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A structural model of DUF5 was generated based on the structure of Pasteurella multocida toxin facilitating localization of the cytotoxic activity to a 186 amino acid subdomain termed C2A. Within this subdomain, an alanine scanning mutagenesis revealed aspartate-3721 and arginine-3841 as residues critical for cytotoxicity. These residues were also essential for HeLa cell intoxication when purified DUF5 fused to anthrax toxin lethal factor was delivered cytosolically. Thermal shift experiments indicated that these conserved residues are important to maintain protein structure, rather than for catalysis. The Aeromonas hydrophila MARTX toxin DUF5(Ah) domain was also cytotoxic, while the weakly conserved C1-C2 domains from P. multocida toxin were not. Overall, this study is the first demonstration that DUF5 as found in MARTX toxins has cytotoxic activity that depends on conserved residues in the C2A subdomain.
Repression of sialopeptidase activity in HeLa cells by prednisolone.

Abstract HeLa cells incubated as stationary cultures in the presence of low concentrations of prednisolone (11β,17α,21-trihydroxy-1,4-pregnadiene-3,20-dione) have a reduced capacity to grow beyond the stage of confluence and usually do not form several layers of cell growth. This effect of the hormone analog seems to be associated with the accumulation of sialopeptides, normally released into the medium, at the cell periphery. Two such sialopeptide fractions have been isolated from the supernatant medium from cultures of the S3G strain of HeLa cells. Treatment of plasma membrane preparations with supernatant fluid from high speed centrifugation resulted in the release of sialopeptides that had an elution pattern from Dowex-formate columns similar to the elution pattern of the sialopeptides released into the medium by intact HeLa cultures. This proteolytic activity was markedly reduced in preparations from HeLa cells grown in the presence of 4.1 x 10-5 m prednisolone. The results give further support to the idea that surface glycopeptides are involved in the control of growth in cultures of epithelioid cells of neoplastic origin. They offer a possibility for studying such changes through hormonal manipulation of cell cultures.
Walk-in-clinics versus private practitioners: determinant attributes of health care provider choice among the elderly.

This study investigated the perceptions of elderly individuals concerning their choice between two types of health care facilities: walk-in-clinics and private practitioners. A determinant attribute approach was employed using the perceptions of the elderly on twenty-six attributes and the importance of each of these attributes in choosing a health care facility. It was found that quality, sociopsychological, and economic attributes were determinant while convenience attributes were not determinant. Implications for health care providers are dicussed.
On the Expressiveness of the Languages for the Semantic Web - Making a Case for 'A Little More'

Abstract The best pair of shoes you can find are the ones that fit perfectly. No inch too short, no inch too wide or long. The same, of course, holds for applications in all fields of computer science. It should serve our needs perfectly. If it does more, it usually comes with a tradeoff in performance or scalability. On top of that, for logic based systems, the maintenance of a consistent knowledge base is important. Hence a decidable language is needed to maintain this consistency computationally. Recently, the restriction of the Semantic Web standard OWL to bivalent logic has been increasingly criticized for its inability to semantically express uncertainties. We will argue for the augmentation of the current standard to close this gap. We will argue for an increased expressiveness at different layers of the cake and we want to show that only a spiced up version of some of the layers can take the blandness out of it. We want to show that it is possible to have a mixture that can account for reasoning based on uncertainties, possibilistic measures, but also for other epistemologically relevant concepts, such as belief or trust.
Interaction of a streamwise vortex with a thin plate - A source of turbulent buffeting

The three-dimensional interaction of a streamwise vortex with a thin plate (simulated tail or fin) is investigated experimentally using high-image-density particle image velocimetry, which allows determination of the instantaneous streamline patterns and distributions of vorticity over entire planes of the flow. These representations of the flow reveal that the vortex-plate encounter generates a new type of vortex splitting, leading to two smaller-scale concentrations of streamwise vorticity. Their trajectories rapidly diverge from the plane of symmetry of the plate. Details of this encounter process are interpreted using instantaneous values of circulation, two-dimensional vorticity correlation functions, and length scales of the vorticity field
On the Relationships between Low-Density Amorphous Solid Water and Ice Ih

New experimental and theoretical studies of low-density amorphous solid water (H2O(as)) and of polycrystalline ice lh are reported and integrated with other available data. A variety of evidence is put forward to support the conclusion that low-density H20(as) is derived from ice lh by slightly increasing the dispersion in the O—O separation and by introducing a distribution O—O—O angles (width c. 8°). Our theoretical analysis focusses attention on the consequences of strong intermolecular coupling of OH oscillators. The vibrational modes of both ice lh and H20(as) are found to be complex mixtures of molecular motions, so the identification of regions of the Raman or infrared spectra of these materials with particular isolated molecule modes is not useful. The theory developed gives a good, but not perfect, account of the OH stretching regions of the observed Raman and infrared spectra of ice lh and, to a lesser degree of low-density H20(as).
Abstract NS21: HealtheCongregations: Preventing Stroke Through Stroke Tele-Education

Background: Stroke prevention education is part of the continuum of stroke care. The effectiveness of improving stroke knowledge using a combined academic and community provider based stroke tele-education program specifically targeted to the rural faith community was evaluated. Objective: To determine if stroke tele-education increases knowledge about stroke prevention. Methods: A quasi-experimental nonequivalent one group pretest/posttest design using a convenience sample of 22 subjects (20% men, 80% women) with mean age of 55 was selected from a southern congregational community. Subjects completed pre-education surveys; received two 30-minute telehealth delivered education sessions weekly for 4 weeks, and completed post-intervention surveys. Results: A significant difference between pre-posttest knowledge (p≥0.05) and likelihood of reducing vascular risk factors (p≥0.05) after intervention was found. Satisfaction with delivery method was high as participants appreciated this unique solution to addressing community health needs through direct but remote expert stroke education. This program demonstrated that tele-education is effective in motivating subjects to reduce stroke risk factors. Thus, the stroke tele-education program had a positive impact on knowledge, likelihood of making behavioral changes, and being a satisfactory mode of education in a community congregational health setting. Conclusions: This project demonstrates effectiveness and feasibility of providing a high risk population access to telehealth stroke education by using faith-based community network leaders in collaboration with a remote site academia to rural underserved areas. Stroke tele-education was found to be satisfying, improved knowledge of stroke, and increased likelihood of making changes to decrease vascular risk factors. It provides the opportunity to increase community interaction and support among differing faith communities through collaboration with the medical community through use of telehealth.
Comparison of corresponding commercially processed foods from store and restaurant for sodium, fat, sugar and potassium content in a nationwide sample (1019.11)

Data comparing the nutrient content of commercially processed food items from restaurant and store are limited. Eleven highly consumed food items were sampled nationwide from the two sources - restaurant and store (e.g., chicken nuggets, frozen and fast food), under the USDA’s National Food and Nutrient Analysis Program. Nutrient data are now available for 4 pairs. Two sample T-tests and Mann-Whitney U-tests were used to compare corresponding foods. Store chicken nuggets were lower in sodium and total fat than fast food restaurants (559±98.8 vs. 594±241 mg/100 g, p=0.028 and 16.2±3.2 vs. 20.4±4.9 g/100 g, p=<0.0001, respectively), as were store thin crust cheese pizzas (471±45 vs. 742±349.9 mg/100 g, p<0.0001 and 11.1±1.3 vs. 14±4 g/100 g, p=<0.0001, respectively). Store chili with meat and beans were higher in sodium (449±21.7 vs. 381±38.3 mg/100 g, p=0.0003), but about a third lower in total fat and saturated fat than those obtained from restaurant. Store macaroni and cheeses were higher in sodium and p...
Response of a plate to PZT actuators

In this paper, the response of a plate with arbitrary boundary conditions to PZT actuators is derived. It is assumed that the plate and the actuators are rectangular and the edges of the PZT actuators are parallel to the respective edges of the plate. The response of the plate is decomposed into normal modes. The modal amplitude of the normal mode is represented in terms of the shape function of the actuator and the normal mode. The shape function of the actuator is given as a~singularity function. The normal modes for the boundary conditions with which we are concerned are calculated based on theoretical analyses of Magrab. The results of this paper are useful in designing an active noise control system in which the PZT actuators are used as the control sources.
Current Density Operators in Relativistic Quantum Mechanics

Within the framework of Poincare covariant relativistic quantum mechanics the dynamics generates fully covariant conserved currents from current density operators that are covariant under the kinematic subgroup. Simple toy models provide convenient comparisons of the qualitative features generated by different forms of kinematics.
A generalized Eden model of polymer crystallization

Abstract A generalization of the Eden model is proposed as a model of polymer crystallization. The model exhibits all three growth regimes. It produces the Seto-Frank model in one limit and demonstrates departures from the Seto-Frank model induced by discreteness of the crystal. It is able to predict curved growth fronts; in fact it predicts that circular crystals are to be expected in regime III.
Disparate effects of endostatin on tumor vascular perfusion and hypoxia in two murine mammary carcinomas

Abstract Purpose Recent results in the literature have demonstrated that the antiangiogenic agent endostatin can enhance antitumor effects when administered before or during radiotherapy. To better understand the underlying pathophysiologic basis for this radiosensitization, the current study investigated whether short-term endostatin administration is linked to alterations in tumor vascular perfusion and oxygen delivery. Methods and materials Three daily doses of recombinant endostatin (20 mg/kg) were administered to two murine mammary carcinomas, the highly vascularized MCa-35 and the less vascularized MCa-4. Image analysis techniques were used to quantify ( 1 ) total and perfused vascular spacing, and ( 2 ) changes in tumor hypoxia as a function of distance from the nearest blood vessel. Results In MCa-35 tumors, endostatin had no effect on vessel spacing, tumor hypoxia, or tumor growth. In MCa-4 tumors, total and perfused vessel spacings were also unchanged, but tumor growth was inhibited, and tumor hypoxia significantly decreased. These tumors demonstrated an increased vascular functionality suggestive of an increase in the number of intermittently perfused vessels, without corresponding alterations in tumor oxygen consumption rate. Conclusions Poorly vascularized, hypoxic mammary carcinomas were much more responsive to short-term endostatin treatment than well-vascularized, more homogeneously oxygenated tumors. Oxygen levels in the responsive tumors were transiently improved after treatment, which could have substantial implications with respect to the therapeutic effectiveness of combining antiangiogenic agents with conventional therapies.
Role of formate in methanol‐induced exencephaly in CD‐1 mice

Mouse embryos develop exencephaly when dams are exposed by inhalation to high concentrations (⩾10,000 ppm) of methanol on gestational day 8 (GD8; copulation plug = GD0). The present study examined the role of formate, an oxidative metabolite of methanol, in the development of methanol-induced exencephaly in CD-1 mice and cultured mouse embryos. The pharmacokinetics and developmental toxicity of sodium formate (750 mg/kg by gavage), a 6-hr methanol inhalation (10,000 or 15,000 ppm), or methanol gavage (1.5 g/kg) in pregnant CD-1 mice on GD8 were determined. Gross morphological evaluations for neural tube closure status in embryos or exencephaly in near-term fetuses were performed. Decidual swellings and maternal plasma were analyzed for methanol and formate. The mean (± S.E.M.) end-of-exposure plasma methanol concentration was 223 ± 23 mM following the 6-hr, 15,000 ppm methanol inhalation. There were no changes in blood or decidual swelling formate concentrations under any of the methanol exposure conditions. Peak formate levels in plasma (1.05 ± 0.2 mM; control 0.5 ± 0.3 mM) and decidual swelling (2.0 ± 0.2 mM; control 1.1 ± 0.2 mM) from pregnant mice (GD8) given sodium formate (750 mg/kg, po) were similar to those observed following a 6-hr methanol inhalation of 15,000 ppm (plasma = 0.75 ± 0.1 mM; decidual swelling = 2.2 ± 0.3 mM) but did not result in exencephaly. In cultures of neurulating mouse embryos explanted on GD 8, the incidence of cephalic dysraphism observed on GD 9 + 6 hr was significantly increased relative to appropriate controls after a 12-hr exposure to 375 mM methanol or to formate concentrations (40 mM) that exceeded those observed in vivo. These results suggest that exencephaly is a direct result of the effects of the parent compound methanol, administered at high concentrations, rather than the accumulation of formate. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Estimating the extent of drained supraglacial lakes on the Greenland Ice Sheet

Supraglacial lakes are a common feature of the ablation zone of the Greenland Ice Sheet and have significant implications for the water budget of the area, because when they drain they can increase the speed at which ice moves to lower elevations. One valuable tool in assessing the water balance of ice sheets is to track the volume of lakes as they form, through in situ measurements or by determining lake area and depth from aircraft or spacecraft imagery. However, since supraglacial lakes drain unpredictably and rapidly, it is possible that they can form and drain without being observed. Therefore, it is valuable to create tools that can detect the previous presence of supraglacial lakes after they have drained. Three methods of distinguishing drained supraglacial lakes in Landsat Enhanced Thematic Mapper Plus ETM+ satellite imagery and hyperspectral airborne imagery were analysed: spectral signature analysis on raw data, band ratio analysis, and textural analysis. All three methods show promise that they could be used to detect former i.e. drained supraglacial lakes, thereby refining estimates of the water balance of the Greenland Ice Sheet and providing valuable data to climate models.
A novel method for the reproducible production of thoracolumbar burst fractures in human cadaveric specimens.

Abstract Background context Currently, there is no reproducible method that produces thoracolumbar burst fractures in human cadavers wherein the fracture configuration mirrors that seen naturally, and soft tissues are maintained. Purpose To describe a novel method of burst fracture production. Study design Biomechanical. Methods Five cadaveric specimens were potted in polymethymethacrylate at T10 and L4; T10 to T12 and L2 to L4 were encased in a pourable rigid foam; flexion of 15° was created focused at L1; and a drop tower weight of 25 kg via “free fall” was used. On load delivery, the spine was allowed to flex without restriction (native bony and soft-tissue constraints). X-ray, computed tomography scan, and open dissection were used to confirm burst configuration. Results All five specimens were found to have the “classic” burst configuration characterized by superior end plate comminution, depression of the anterior column, middle column burst with three to five fragments; the classic central fragment retropulsed into the canal, and the pedicular spread via basilar fracture. Conclusion This novel method affords true burst fracture reproduction without “prestressing” (notching, osteotomies, laminectomy, stripping) used in previous methods. This should allow greater accuracy for the translation of biomechanical testing to clinical applications.
Autocrine transforming growth factor-alpha is associated with modulation of a 130 kD RB protein species and 116/110 Rb as revealed by an antisense TGF alpha expression vector

Specific RE protein species modulated by autocrine TGF alpha are unknown. HCT116 cells transfected with TGF alpha antisense expression vector were compared with control HCT116 NEO for mitogenesis and modulation of high MW (130, 120 kD) and low MW (116, 110, 105 kD) RE species. Nutrients alone (N) induced maximal mitogenesis in HCT116 NEO and modulated both 130 kD and 116 kD/110 kD RE species. TGF alpha antisense transfected clones required nutrients plus growth factors (GF) for maximal mitogenesis and both 130 kD/120 kD as well as 116 kD/110 kD species were modulated. Thus, autocrine TGF alpha (HCT116) was associated with 130 kD and 116/110 kD modulation while its suppression allowed modulation of a 120 kD species as well.
An Exploration of the Term "Underclass" as It Relates to African-Americans.

Lately, a new concept has entered the sociological and popular lexicon to describe the class position of the urban Black poor. That concept is underclass. Unfortunately, this concept has been mired in terminological difficulty and theoretical imprecision. This article is an attempt to remedy both of these shortcomings. The term underclass has at least four distinct theoretical meanings in the contemporary literature. The first, and most relevant for the purposes of this discourse, defines the underclass as those who have no stable relationship to the labor market (Giddens, 1973; Myrdal, 1963; Wilson, 1980). The second defines the underclass in descriptive terms as simply that stratum at the bottom of the stratification order (Billingsley, 1968; Cottingham, 1982). The third defines the underclass as consisting of those individuals who stand outside of the normative structure of society (Auletta, 1982). And fourth, Marxist scholars fuse the previous definitions and define the underclass as those who have only a marginal relationship to the labor market and who suffer extreme poverty (Boston, 1984; Darity, 1982; Marable, 1983; Szymanski, 1983). While there is a certain ambiguity with regards to the theoretical precision of the concept underclass, there is striking popular con-
Metabolism of iodine and thyroid hormone synthesis in the goldfish, Carassius auratus L

Iodine uptake, distribution and metabolism were studied in the thyroid and nonthyroid tissues of the common xanthic goldfish, Carassius auratus L. Thirteen groups of six fish each were injected intraperitoneally with 5 μc of I-125 and sacrificed at intervals ranging from 30 minutes to 84 days. Iodine uptake studies showed maximum accumulation at 60 minutes post-injection (11.56% ± 0.56). At all time intervals, the head kidney thyroid (3.07% ± 0.79) showed higher uptake values of iodine than the lower jaw thyroid (1.56% ± 0.59) which would indicate that the pronephric thyroid is more active physiologically than the pharyngeal thyroid in the goldfish. Studies of the organic incorporation of the radioisotope demonstrated a sequential pattern of MIT, DIT and finally, thyroxin synthesis. Concurrently, a maximum serum radio-PBI level (72.8% ± 3.48) was noted at eight days post-injection. Thin-layer chromatography identified only thyroxin as the circulating thyroid hormone in the goldfish.
Hemangiopericytoma in children and infants

BACKGROUND Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) is a soft-tissue neoplasm most commonly seen in adults; only 5–10% of cases occur in children. Childhood HPC comprises two distinct clinical entities. In children older than 1 year, it behaves in a manner similar to adult HPC. Infantile HPC, however, although histologically identical to adult HPC, has a more benign clinical course. The reasons for these differences in the natural history of HPC are not well understood. METHODS The authors reviewed the clinicopathologic features of HPC as well as the treatment and outcomes of the 12 children (9 males and 3 females) treated for this disease at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital over a 35-year period. RESULTS At diagnosis, 9 patients were older than 1 year and 3 were younger than 1 year. Among the 9 older patients, tumors were most commonly found in the lower extremities (n = 5). One patient had been treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia 15 years earlier. One patient had metastatic disease at diagnosis, and three had unresectable tumors. Two patients experienced objective responses to chemotherapy. Three patients died of disease progression. Among the three infants, two had unresectable disease at diagnosis, and both experienced excellent responses to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In one case, the response of the tumor to chemotherapy correlated with maturation to hemangioma. All three infants are alive without evidence of disease. CONCLUSIONS HPC in children older than 1 year does not differ from adult HPC, and aggressive multimodality therapy is required. Infantile HPC, on the other hand, is characterized by better clinical behavior, with documented chemoresponsiveness and spontaneous regression, and requires a more conservative surgical approach. In some cases of infantile HPC, this benign behavior correlates with maturation to hemangioma. Cancer 2000;88:198–204. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Molecular mechanism of juxtaglomerular cell hyperplasia: a unifying hypothesis.

Abstract Renin is the first enzymatic step of the renin angiotensin cascade and plays an important role in cardiovascular homeostasis. Renin is mainly expressed in and released from specialized juxtaglomerular (JG) cells in kidney. JG cells develop hyperplasia in response to various chronic stimuli while maintaining the ability to express high levels of renin. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of JG cell hyperplasia are unknown. Based on the authors' previous observation that a nuclear hormone receptor, liver X receptor α, regulates renin expression as well as growth and differentiation genes such as c-myc , the authors propose the hypothesis that liver X receptor α can contribute to JG cell hyperplasia under conditions of chronic and intense induction of these genes. This hypothesis may provide a potential explanation for the observation that the JG cells can maintain a highly specialized renin-producing phenotype while undergoing hyperplasia.
Relating Paleoclimate Data and Past Temperature Gradients: Some Suggestive Rules

Abstract Understanding tropical sensitivity is perhaps the major concern confronting researchers, for both past and future climate change issues. Tropical data has been beset by contradictions, and many techniques applicable to the extratropics are either unavailable or fraught with uncertainty when applied at low latitudes. Paleoclimate data, if interpreted within the context of the latitudinal temperature gradient data they imply, can be used to estimate what did happen to tropical temperatures in the past, and provide a first guess for what might happen in the future. The approach is made possible by the modeling result that atmospheric dynamical changes, and the climate impacts they produce, respond primarily to temperature gradient changes. Here we review some “rules” obtained from GCM experiments with different sea surface temperature gradients and different forcing, that can be used to relate paleoclimate reconstructions to the likely temperature gradient changes they suggest.
A note on the precision of estimation of missing precipitation data

Climatological studies in which early precipitation records are used frequently lead to the necessity of estimating missing data. The present note summarizes a small series of tests of one objective estimation scheme identical in form to the normal-ratio method of Paulhus and Kohler but applied here to missing seasonal totals rather than to missing storm totals. The results suggest that estimation errors in the neighborhood of 25 pct must be expected in estimating seasonal totals using two index stations under conditions typical of those forced upon the investigator dealing with older records. Increasing the number of index stations beyond two does not seem warranted. Errors of 25 pct in seasonal totals, though not negligible, are small enough compared to coefficients of variation typical of seasonal totals of precipitation in the drier portions of the United States, that the use of such a method in climatic studies is desirable.
A New View of Institutions, Human Capital, and Market Standardisation.

This paper argues that the rule-making function of institutions introduces an information distortion into markets—economic, political, and cultural—that changes the rational pattern of resource allocation. As markets expand, this distortion raises the price of individual talent and skill development in production. It leads to a public–private information convergence in education that places into doubt many arguments in favour of private-sector solutions to the underdevelopment of human capital. Implications are discussed.
Potential Contributions of Mature Prairie and Turfgrass to Phosphorus in Urban Runoff

Urban vegetative plantings are considered desirable to mitigate and filter stormwater runoff and nonpoint-source pollution. Phosphorus fertilization of turfgrass may enhance P in urban runoff; however, the amount of P from nonfertilized, native vegetation that could potentially replace some turf is not known. This study was conducted to measure the relative contributions of nonfertilized, native prairie vegetation and fertilized turfgrass to runoff water and P loads. Six replicates of side-by-side mature urban prairie and turfgrass were monitored for mean annual runoff volumes and P loads, biomass production, vegetative nutrient composition, and changes in soil moisture. Vegetation type did not significantly affect seasonal or annual runoff volumes or P loads. The mean annual total P loads of 0.46 kg ha -1 for prairie and 0.28 kg ha -1 for turfgrass were significant and comparable to those reported by other researchers when studied separately. Total P concentrations in runoff water from prairie and turf vegetation were above USEPA limits, averaging 1.86 and 1.63 mg L -1 , respectively, over 2 yr. Averaged across 2 yr, 78% of runoff P was collected when the soil was frozen. Biomass P reductions over the period of November to April were strongly related to quantities of runoff total P from frozen soil (R 2 = 0.874). Phosphorus losses from urban areas appeared to be primarily correlated with runoff depth, not vegetation type, because correlation coefficients revealed 86 and 45% of the Year 1 and Year 2 total P loads were directly accounted for by runoff volumes.
T-type and N-type calcium channels of Xenopus oocytes: evidence for specific interactions with beta subunits

We used amplifying effects of calcium channel beta subunits to identify endogenous calcium channels in Xenopus oocytes. Expression of rat brain beta 4 increased macroscopic endogenous current magnitude with a small effect on kinetics. In contrast, expression of rat brain/cardiac beta 2 produced a much larger increase in current magnitude and dramatically slowed current decay. Low concentrations of omega-conotoxin GVIA irreversibly blocked currents in both uninjected and beta 2-injected oocytes. Single channel recordings revealed both T- and N-type calcium channels with conductances of 9 and 18 pS, respectively, in uninjected oocytes and in oocytes expressing either beta subunit. Expression of either beta subunit slowed average current decay of T-type single channels. Slowing of T-type current decay by expression of beta 2 was due to reopening of the channels. N-type single channel average current decay showed little change with expression of beta 4, whereas expression of beta 2 slowed average current decay.
Structure of the marine atmospheric boundary layer during two cold air outbreaks of varying intensities: GALE 86

Aircraft, surface, upper air and satellite measurements have been used to observe the evolution and growth of the convective Marine Atmospheric Boundary Layer (MABL) offshore of North Carolina in close proximity to the Gulf Stream, during the intense cold air outbreak of 28 January 1986 and the moderate event of 12 February 1986, as part of the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment (GALE). Air mass modification processes, driven primarily by the ocean-atmosphere exchanges of surface turbulent sensible and latent heat fluxes, caused the overlying air mass to warm and moisten as it advected over the warmer waters of the eastern United States continental shelf. Maximum observed near-surface total heat fluxes were 1045 and 811 W·m−2 over the core of the Gulf Stream, for 28 January and 12 February 1986, respectively. The observed changes in the overlying air mass occurred almost instantaneously as the ambient flow traversed different underlying SST conditions.
Slaughtering the Bison, Controlling Native Americans: A State Crime and Green Criminology Synthesis

We demonstrate the usefulness and importance of achieving descriptive and explanatory synthesis between the fields of state crime and green criminology when analyzing events that embody both state and “green” crime elements. Utilizing the case of the nineteenth century North American bison slaughter (1865–1890), we present an analysis that attends to the state and green crime elements present in this singular event and show that the bison slaughter exemplifies the type of case that benefits from a synthesis of the state and green criminology perspectives. That is, we can best understand the bison slaughter and other similar events when drawing jointly upon the resources offered by the state and green criminology fields. We conclude this paper with an explanation of the bison slaughter that utilizes a political–economic framework and the complementary concepts of structural contradictions and hegemony, showing, among other things, that political economy is one vital approach that meets the explanatory goals of both state crime and green criminology, aiding our understanding of cases like the bison slaughter. As the world moves forward into a future defined by various ecological, political and economic insecurities, scholars from both disciplines will increasingly encounter events that are impossible to fully understand without engaging with each other. This paper is thus an attempt to motivate the sowing of cross-disciplinary seeds of heightened collaboration between state crime scholars and green criminologists.
The local structure of length spaces with curvature bounded above

We show that a number of different notions of dimension coincide for length spaces with curvature bounded above. We then apply this result, showing that if X is a locally compact CAT(0) space with cocompact isometry group, then the dimension of the Tits boundary and the asymptotic cone(s) of X are determined by the maximal dimension of a flat in X.
Enterocutaneous fistula 14 years after prosthetic mesh repair of a ventral incisional hernia: A life-long risk?

THE PATIENT was an 82-year-old woman with Munchausen syndrome who had undergone multiple abdominal operations, including appendectomy, cholecystectomy, hysterectomy, bilateral salpingooophorectomy, splenectomy, adhesiolysis, and right hemicolectomy. She also had undergone three operations to repair a recurrent ventral incisional hernia. The last repair, in which Marlex mesh was used, had been performed 14 years before. In that procedure a subfascial technique was used, with the mesh being secured to the edges of the fascial defect. Tissue interposition between small-bowel loops and mesh was not possible because of a lack of omentum as a result of the prior operations. The patient had been in relatively good health for the last 14 years until she experienced spontaneous drainage of enteric contents from the midabdominal wall. She had no signs of sepsis, although she was malnourished. A fistulogram confirmed communication with the midjejunum. No mucosal irregularities were seen on the small-bowel series. A CT scan of the abdomen did not reveal any intraperitoneal collections. An 8-week trial of bowel rest, total parenteral nutrition, and somatostatin failed to spontaneously close the fistula. After the patient was nutritionally repleted, an exploratory laparotomy to resect the enterocutaneous fistula was performed. At the time of surgery, multiple adhesions were present between bowel loops . A loop of jejunum was densely adherent to the mesh, which had eroded into the bowel wall in one area (Figure). We resected this segment of jejunum, as well as all of the involved mesh, and performed a primary stapled anastomosis. The patient’s abdominal fascia was severely attenuated and, after excision of the remaining mesh, a 4 × 6-cm defect was present. The wound was closed with retention sutures, and the area of the fascial defect was allowed to heal by secondary intention. The postoperative course was complicated only by delayed return of bowel function, and the patient was discharged on postoperative day 13, tolerating a regular diet.
Rules for field plotting in a class of two-dimensional inhomogeneous conductors

Rules for graphically plotting fields in a class of two-dimensional inhomogeneous conductors are shown which are an extension of the rules for field plotting in homogeneous conductors by the method of curvilinear squares. A graphical solution for a particular example is illustrated.
Polysaccharide-based polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles from chitosan, heparin, and hyaluronan.

The formation of polyelectrolyte complex nanoparticles (PCN) was investigated at different charge mixing ratios for the chitosan-heparin (chi-hep) and chitosan-hyaluronan (chi-ha) polycation-polyanion pairs. The range of 0.08−19.2 for charge mixing ratio (n+/n−) was examined. The one-shot addition of polycation and polyanion solutions used for the formation of the PCN permitted formation of both cationic and anionic particles from both polysaccharide pairs. The influence of the charge mixing ratio on the size and zeta potential of the particles was investigated. The morphology and stability of the particles when adsorbed to surfaces was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). For most conditions studied, colloidally stable, nonstoichiometric PCN were formed in solution. However, PCN formation was inhibited by flocculation at charge mixing ratios near 1. When adsorbed to surfaces and dried, some formulations resulted in discrete nanoparticles, while others partially or completely aggregated or coale...
Irrigation water reduction using System of Rice Intensification compared with conventional cultivation methods in Iraq

A field study was conducted at Al-Mishkhab Rice Research Station (MRRS) during the summer season 2009 to evaluate irrigation water use efficiency (IWUE) using Anbar 33 variety with the System of Rice Intensification compared to traditional methods. During the growth phase, the number of leaves, stems, and roots, and the average plant height were measured every 15 days for the two sets of methods. At maturity, the depth and length of plant roots was assessed, along with leaf area index (LAI) of the flag leaf and plant height. The amount of irrigation water applied was measured by water meter for both methods. SRI principles for plant age, spacing, etc., were implemented in the SRI plots. The results indicated more vigorous growth of roots under SRI methods, reaching 13,004 cm plant−1 compared with non-SRI results of 4,722 cm plant−1. There was 42% increase in grain yield when SRI methods were used. These had water use efficiency (WUE) of 0.291 kg m−2 compared with WUE of 0.108 kg m−2 for non-SRI cultivation, almost a threefold difference. SRI practices reduced the need for irrigation water by 38.5%.
Effects of central melanocortin administration on brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis.

BAT is the primary effector tissue for adaptive thermogenesis in rodents and perhaps in humans. BAT activation occurs via its sympathetic nervous system (SNS) innervation in concert with thyroid hormones. Although the neurochemical circuitry involved in SNS stimulation of thermogenesis in BAT is not completely known, one candidate is the melanocortins. We have found extensive co-localization of melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4-R) mRNA with neurons comprising the SNS outflow from brain to BAT labeled with a transneuronal tract tracer, pseudorabies virus, in Siberian hamsters (Song et al., in preparation). Third ventricular injections of melanotan II (MTII) increases BAT temperature (Brito et al., in preparation) suggesting activation of periventricular structures. We found that MTII injected into the forth ventricle of rats also increases BAT temperature (Williams et al., 2003). Therefore, we tested whether MTII microinjected into the nucleus of the solitary tract (NST), a 4th periventricular structure, or the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN), a third periventricular structure, both showing co-localization of MC4-R with SNS outflow to BAT, would increase BAT temperature in Siberian hamsters. NST MTII injections significantly increased BAT temperature for 2 h postinjection compared with saline. The PVN tests are on-going. This work was supported by NIH R01-DK35254.
Genetically identified protein kinases in yeast: I: transcription, translation, transport and mating

Studies from a wide array of different fields using Saccharomyces cerevisiae as an experimental organism have uncovered protein phosphorylation as a recurrent theme in the regulation of diverse cellular activities. Protein kinases in yeast regulate a variety of processes; this article discusses several genetically identified protein kinases and the roles that these kinases play in cell growth and development.
Estimating the effectiveness of a vehicle miles travelled tax in reducing particulate matter emissions

This study estimates the effectiveness of a vehicle miles travelled (VMT) tax in controlling mobile-source emissions of particulate matter (PM2.5) in a non-attainment area located in northern Utah. Using a recently updated household-level dataset, the study finds no evidence of an endogenous relationship between choice of vehicle type and VMT. VMT elasticities are also estimated with respect to cost per mile that are in some cases larger in magnitude than those reported in previous studies. Based on vehicle emissions tests performed by the Houston Advanced Research Center, the study estimates the reduction in particulate emissions that would occur with two different sets of VMT tax rates. Principal findings are that a VMT tax rate of $0.003 per passenger car mile and $0.01 per light-duty truck mile (resulting in a mean annual tax burden of $128 per household in the first year) would reduce annual particulate emissions by between 7% and 11%, depending upon the degree of heterogeneity in household driving b...
Sexual fluidity in young adult women and men: associations with sexual orientation and sexual identity development

This research investigated sexual fluidity in attractions and sexual identity and associations with sexual orientation dimensions and sexual identity development in 199 (124 female, 75 male) US sexual minority young adults, ages 18–26 years. Participants completed an online questionnaire measuring sexual fluidity in attractions and sexual identity, sexual orientation dimensions (sexual identity, attractions, sexual behaviour) and sexual identity development. Sexual fluidity in attractions was reported by 64% of women and 52% of men, with 49% of those women and 36% of those men reporting sexual fluidity in sexual identity based on experiencing changes in attractions, with no significant gender differences. Sexually fluid women used a range of sexual identities, whereas most sexually fluid men identified as completely homosexual/gay. Sexually fluid people were more likely than non-sexually-fluid people to have engaged in past sexual behaviours with both genders. Sexual fluidity in attractions was not relate...
Ethanol-Induced Alterations in Erythrocyte Membrane Phospholipid Composition

ABSTRACT Ethanol’s effects on erythrocyte membrane lipid composition were examined in male squirrel monkeys divided into three groups receiving three different regimens: Controls were fed a chemically defined liquid diet, and low and high ethanol primates were given diets with vodka substituted isocalorically for 12% and 24% of calories, respectively. After membrane lipid extraction, phospholipid mass, class composition, and fatty acid profiles were measured in each group. Although there were no differences in the total phospholipid mass, the low ethanol primates had significantly elevated phosphatidylethanolamine in their membranes as compared with the other monkeys. Membrane phospholipid fatty acid profiles showed no differences among the three groups. There were also no differences in the animals’ plasma liver enzymes. Results of this investigation suggest that, despite the absence of nutritional deficiencies and liver malfunction, low amounts (12%) of dietary ethanol cause elevations in phosphatidylethanolamine that may represent a specific change in the membrane’s inner leaflet where this phospholipid is located. These results may have clinical significance because ethanol-induced modifications in membrane lipids may contribute to alterations in fluidity and lead to pathologic changes in function.