cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lack of Correlation between the Histologic and Magnetic Resonance Imaging Results of Optic Nerve Involvement in Eyes Primarily Enucleated for Retinoblastoma

Purpose To correlate the histologic and magnetic resonance imaging results of the optic nerve in eyes primarily enucleated for retinoblastoma. Design Retrospective, clinicopathologic correlation. Participants Sixty-seven consecutive patients with retinoblastoma who underwent primary enucleation. Methods The histologic results of 67 eyes from 67 patients with retinoblastoma who underwent primary enucleation between March 1997 and January 2008 were studied for evidence of optic nerve invasion. Two neuroradiologists independently reviewed available preoperative magnetic resonance imaging studies with special emphasis on nonenhanced T2-weighted and gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted imaging for evidence of optic nerve invasion. A weighted κ statistic was used to assess agreement between observers. Main Outcome Measures Correlation between neuroradiologists and histologic results. Results Of the 67 eyes studied, 60 had preoperative magnetic resonance images, 58 of which were deemed appropriate for review by both neuroradiologists. Review of the histologic results showed optic nerve involvement in 62 (93%) of 67 eyes: 28 prelaminar (42%), 24 laminar (36%), and 10 postlaminar (15%). On review of the magnetic resonance scans, the first neuroradiologist identified optic nerve involvement in 57 (95%) of 60 eyes: 26 prelaminar (43%), 10 laminar (17%), and 11 postlaminar (18%). The second neuroradiologist identified optic nerve involvement in 46 (77%) of 60 eyes: 33 prelaminar (55%), 9 laminar (15%), and 4 postlaminar (7%). Moderate agreement existed between neuroradiologists (κ, 0.55). Poor and fair agreement existed between each of the 2 neuroradiologists and histologic results, respectively (κ, 0.29 and 0.17). Exophytic tumors showed the greatest disparity (κ, –0.20 and –0.13) between magnetic resonance imaging and histologic results. Conclusions Limited correlation was found between magnetic resonance imaging and histologic results in assessing optic nerve invasion in eyes with retinoblastoma. Magnetic resonance imaging using routine imaging technologies, although useful in the evaluation of retinoblastoma, has limited usefulness in assessing the exact extent of optic nerve invasion; high-risk features of retinoblastoma such as postlaminar invasion remain best defined by histologic analysis. This study demonstrates that the interpretation of optic nerve involvement by a radiologist should not be the determining factor to defer enucleation in favor of neoadjuvant therapy. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Can early therapy reduce inflammation

Purpose of reviewSerious non-AIDS events or noninfectious complications of HIV infection far outnumber AIDS events in the current combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) era and are attributed to chronic inflammation. Thus, a better understanding of why inflammation persists on ART will assist in d
Quantification of DNA strand breaks and abasic sites by oxime derivatization and accelerator mass spectrometry: Application to γ-radiation and peroxynitrite

Abstract We report a highly sensitive method to quantify abasic sites and deoxyribose oxidation products arising in damaged DNA. The method exploits the reaction of aldehyde- and ketone-containing deoxyribose oxidation products and abasic sites with [14C]methoxyamine to form stable oxime derivatives, as originally described by Talpaert-Borle and Liuzzi [Reaction of apurinic/apyrimidinic sites with [14C]methoxyamine. A method for the quantitative assay of AP sites in DNA, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 740 (1983) 410–416]. The sensitivity of the method was dramatically improved by the application of accelerator mass spectrometry to quantify the 14C, with a limit of detection of 1 lesion in 106 nucleotides in 1 μg of DNA. The method was validated using DNA containing a defined quantity of abasic sites, with a >0.95 correlation between the quantities of abasic sites and those of methoxyamine labels. The original applications of this and similar oxyamine derivatization methods have assumed that abasic sites are the only aldehyde-containing DNA damage products. However, deoxyribose oxidation produces strand breaks and abasic sites containing a variety of degradation products with aldehyde and ketone moieties. To assess the utility of methoxyamine labeling for quantifying strand breaks and abasic sites, the method was applied to plasmid DNA treated with γ-radiation and peroxynitrite. For γ-radiation, there was a 0.99 correlation between the quantity of methoxyamine labels and the quantity of strand breaks and abasic sites determined by a plasmid nicking assay; the abasic sites comprised less than 10% of the radiation-induced DNA damage. Studies with peroxynitrite demonstrate that the method, in conjunction with DNA repair enzymes that remove damaged bases to produce aldehydic sugar residues or abasic sites, is also applicable to quantifying nucleobase lesions in addition to strand break products. Compared to other abasic site quantification techniques, the modified method offers the advantage of providing a straightforward and direct measurement of aldehyde- and ketone-containing strand breaks and abasic sites, with the potential for direct labeling in cells prior to DNA isolation.
Simultaneous cardiac and renal sympathetic neural responses to activation of left ventricular sympathetic afferents.

Abstract In separate sets of experiments, we observed that activation of left ventricular sympathetic afferents by transmural myocardial ischemia (TMI) appeared to elicit greater reflex increases in efferent sympathetic nerve activity (SNA) to the heart than to the kidney. To assess this observation more rigorously, we simultaneously measured changes in cardiac and renal SNA elicited by TMI and by epicardial and intracoronary bradykinin (BK). Experiments were performed in 19 chloralose-anesthetized dogs with sinoaortic denervation and vagotomy. TMI was created by a 2 min complete occlusion of the anterior descending coronary artery while a collateral flow limiting stenosis was present on the circumflex coronary artery. Epicardial BK was applied to small sponges (1 cm2) which were placed on the anterior wall of the left ventricle. Intracoronary BK was injected into a branch of the anterior descending artery. We observed that mean maximal reflex increases in SNA during TMI and intracoronary BK were significantly greater in cardiac than in renal nerves (TMI; 58±11% versus 36±9%, p=0.01; intracoronary BK; 144±48% versus 77±26%, p=0.05). Epicardial BK elicited reflex increases in cardiac and renal SNA which were not significantly different (167±44% versus 127±36%; p=0.72). Our results indicate that activation of left ventricular sympathetic afferents by TMI and intracoronary BK elicits greater reflex increases in sympathetic outflow to the heart than to other end-organs such as the kidney. We speculate that these augmented excitatory responses are most likely related to engagement of cardio–cardiac spinal sympathetic reflexes during intense stimulation of sympathetic afferent endings.
The causal relationship between renewable electricity generation and GDP growth: A study of energy sources

Abstract This paper examines the causal relationship between economic growth and electricity generation from renewable sources (biomass, geothermal, hydroelectric, solar, waste, and wind) across 20 OECD countries over 1990 to 2008. The results from a commonly used panel error correction model find (a) a bidirectional relationship between aggregate renewable generation and real GDP, (b) biomass, hydroelectricity, waste, and wind energy exhibit a positive long-run relationship with GDP, (c) hydroelectricity and waste generation exhibit a short-run positive bidirectional relationship with GDP growth, and (d) biomass, hydroelectric, and waste electricity generation have the largest impact on real GDP in the long-run. We extend the analysis to consider the possibility of structural breaks and cross-sectional dependence. Accounting for cross-sectional dependence, we find that in the short-run, increases in biomass and waste generation negatively affect GDP, while aggregate renewable and hydroelectricity increase GDP. Energy conservation policies will positively impact GDP, if the policies cause decreases in biomass or waste energy but increase hydroelectricity and wind energy.
Cocaine exposure downregulates |[beta]|adrenergic receptors but not G|[alpha]|i subunit expression in pregnant guinea pig myometrium |[dagger]| 281

Prenatal cocaine abuse is associated with preterm labor and prematurity. Cocaine, which inhibits uptake of norepinephrine (an α andβadrenergic agonist), might promote uterine contraction by downregulation of either βadrenergic receptor function or Gαi subunit expression.Methods: To study this, pregnant guinea pigs were injected with cocaine (5mg/kg/d sc; n=6) or saline (n=6) from 32 to 59d gestation (term: 65d). The guinea pigs were then killed, the uteri removed, and membrane protein fractions obtained. Receptor saturation binding assays were performed using the radioligand βadrenergic receptor agonist tritiated dihydroalprenolol to determine βreceptor density (Bmax) and affinity(Kd). Gαi subunit expression was assessed by immunoblotting using a polyclonal antibody against the 41kD Gαi subunit. Results: Myometrium from cocaineexposed guinea pigs demonstrated a significant decrease in Bmax vs. controls (79±7 vs. 143±23 fmol/mg protein,p<0.02). Kd (2.58±0.82 vs. 3.47±1.29 nmol/mg protein) and Gαi subunit expression (1017±119 vs. 835±139 relative units) were unchanged in cocaineexposed vs. control animals.Conclusion: Prenatal cocaine exposure decreases myometrialβadrenergic receptor density in guinea pigs. This may diminishβadrenergic activity and decrease responsiveness to βadrenergic agonists used to control preterm labor. These findings may, in part, explain the association of prenatal cocaine abuse and prematurity.
Charpy impact experiments on graphite/epoxy hybrid composites

Abstract Graphite/epoxy laminates containing discrete plies of unidirectional glass, PRD 49 or nylon fibres were fabricated and tested, both for static mechanical properties and Charpy impact response. Two different layup configurations were tested. Significant improvements in impact energy absorption were achieved for certain material/layup combinations, at the expense of some decrease in static properties.
Applicability of cellular equilibrium and monod theory to phytoplankton growth kinetics

Abstract The two classes of kinetics which are currently applied to phytoplankton growth are compared: Monod theory for which growth rate depends on the external nutrient concentrations; and the formulations in which growth rate depends on the internal cellular nutrient concentration. For the latter kinetics in which nutrient uptake is a function only of external concentrations, it is shown that unrealistically high variations in cellular nutrient concentrations are predicted. The more realistic case, for which both internal and external concentrations control the uptake, is compared to the Monod-theory expression for growth and, at steady state with an appropriate definition of the half-saturation constant, the results are essentially equivalent. That is, the relationships of growth rate to external nutrient concentration are essentially indistinguishable. However, the variation in cellular composition is still substantial in contrast with the assumption of constant stoichiometry inherent in Monod theory and this is the important difference between the formulations. The dynamic equations are investigated using a perturbation analysis which suggests that the cells rapidly achieve equilibrium with respect to their internal and the external nutrient concentrations. This result suggests that it would not be unreasonable to assume that the cells are in internal-external nutrient equilibrium even during non-steady state transitions. The cellular equilibrium equations are numerically compared to the fully-dynamic equations. The conclusion is that the approximation used is quite reasonable and generally simplifies the computational framework for any practical application of phytoplankton kinetics that depend on internal nutrient concentrations, by eliminating a computationally unpleasant fast reaction but still retaining the important feature of varying cellular stoichiometry in response to external nutrient fluctuations.
Continuous wave W- and D-band EPR spectroscopy offer "sweet-spots" for characterizing conformational changes and dynamics in intrinsically disordered proteins.

Abstract Site-directed spin labeling (SDSL) electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for characterizing conformational sampling and dynamics in biological macromolecules. Here we demonstrate that nitroxide spectra collected at frequencies higher than X-band (∼9.5 GHz) have sensitivity to the timescale of motion sampled by highly dynamic intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). The 68 amino acid protein IA3, was spin-labeled at two distinct sites and a comparison of X-band, Q-band (35 GHz) and W-band (95 GHz) spectra are shown for this protein as it undergoes the helical transition chemically induced by tri-fluoroethanol. Experimental spectra at W-band showed pronounced line shape dispersion corresponding to a change in correlation time from ∼0.3 ns (unstructured) to ∼0.6 ns (α-helical) as indicated by comparison with simulations. Experimental and simulated spectra at X- and Q-bands showed minimal dispersion over this range, illustrating the utility of SDSL EPR at higher frequencies for characterizing structural transitions and dynamics in IDPs.
Effects of subthalamic deep brain stimulation on blink abnormalities of 6-OHDA lesioned rats

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and the 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) lesioned rat model share blink abnormalities. In view of the evolutionarily conserved organization of blinking, characterization...
On the initial boundary value problem for Temple systems

This paper is devoted to the proof of the well posedness of the initial boundary value problem for a system of conservation laws of Temple type. No assumption on the monotonicity of the eigenvalues along the Lax curves is assumed and the total variation of the initial data is not required to be small. The solution is shown to be a Lipschitz function of the initial and boundary data, of time and of the boundary profile as well.
The effect of prices on cigarette use among youths in the global youth tobacco survey.

Introduction We estimated the impact of cigarette prices on youth smoking in 38 countries with the Global Youth Tobacco Survey. Methods We used a 2-part model of cigarette demand. In the first part, we estimated the impact of prices on the decision to smoke. Conditional on smoking, we then estimated the effect of price on the number of cigarettes smoked. We employed 2-way fixed effects to address country-level time-invariant heterogeneity and controlled for an array of local-level variables to address local-level heterogeneity. Results The estimated total price elasticity is -1.5 for a sample that contains both high-income and low- and middle-income countries. Constraining the sample to only low- and middle-income countries, we found a total price elasticity of -2.2, suggesting that smoking among youths in low-income countries is more responsive to cigarette price changes. Conclusion Cigarette price increases are highly effective in reducing smoking prevalence and consumption among youths globally and particularly among youths in low- and middle-income countries.
An evaluation of quantum neural networks in the detection of epileptic seizures in the neonatal electroencephalogram

This paper presents the results of an experimental study that evaluated the ability of quantum neural networks (QNNs) to capture and quantify uncertainty in data and compared their performance with that of conventional feedforward neural networks (FFNNs). In this work, QNNs and FFNNs were trained to classify short segments of epileptic seizures in neonatal EEG. The experiments revealed significant differences between the internal representations created by trained QNNs and FFNNs from sample information provided by the training data. The results of this experimental study also confirmed that the responses of trained QNNs are more reliable indicators of uncertainty in the input data compared with the responses of trained FFNNs.
Metabotropic GABA receptors facilitate L-type and inhibit N-type calcium channels in single salamander retinal neurons

1. Whole-cell voltage clamp experiments were performed on isolated spiking retinal neurons from the salamander retina. Calcium channel currents were studied using barium as the charge carrier while potassium and sodium currents were suppressed with TEA and TTX, respectively. 2. Baclofen, a metabotropic GABA receptor agonist, both enhanced and suppressed high-voltage-activated calcium channel current. Baclofen facilitated an L-type channel current, and this effect was not voltage dependent. As reported previously, baclofen inhibited an N-type channel current and this action was voltage dependent. 3. While the suppressive effect was mediated by a fast-acting, direct G-protein action, the facilitatory effect was slower and was blocked by inhibitors of protein kinase C (PKC), either GF-109203x or the PKC (19-36) sequence fragment. 4. The pharmacology of the inhibitory and facilitatory responses differed. Commonly used antagonists of metabotropic GABA receptors, CGP35348 and CGP55845, were more potent antagonists of the inhibitory response. Similarly, a selective agonist at the metabotropic GABA receptor, APMPA, was also more effective in eliciting the inhibitory response. 5. These observations indicate that there may be two baclofen-sensitive metabotropic GABA receptors with opposing effects on calcium channel current. This is the first description of a facilitatory action of GABAB receptors and indicates that GABA may not function exclusively as an inhibitory transmitter.
Significance of Lysogeny in the Marine Environment: Studies with Isolates and a Model of Lysogenic Phage Production

The importance of lysogeny in marine microbial populations is just beginning to be understood. To determine the abundance of lysogens in bacterial populations, we studied the occurrence of lysogenic bacteria among bacterial isolates from a variety of marine environments. More than 116 bacteria isolated on artificial seawater nutrient agar plates were tested for the presence of inducible prophage by mitomycin C and UV radiation. Induction was determined as a decrease in culture absorbance at 600 nm, after treatment with inducing agents. Samples in which optical density decreased or remained the same after induction were further examined by transmission electron microscopy, for the presence of virus-like particles. More than 40% of the bacterial isolates contained inducible prophage, as determined by mitomycin C induction. A higher percentage of lysogenic bacteria was found in isolates from oligotrophic environments, compared to coastal or estuarine environments. These studies suggest that lysogenic bacteria are important components in marine microbial populations. However, a mathematical model based on viral and bacterial abundance and production rates suggests that, under normal conditions, lysogenic viral production contributes less than 0.02% of total viral production. Therefore, lysogens in the marine environment may serve as a source of viruses and only contribute significantly to viral production during natural induction events.
'Hot tub folliculitis'. Test the waters--and the patient--for Pseudomonas.

A healthy 10-year-old boy presented with a widespread, nonpruritic, pustular rash of 3 days' duration. He reported having no fever, chills, or other systemic symptoms. Physical examination revealed perifollicular pustules concentrated in the swimsuit area, with fewer widely scattered lesions on the trunk and extremities (figure 1). His mother reported that he had bathed in a hot tub on the evening before onset of the rash. A similar rash had developed in two other boys who had bathed with the patient. No laboratory tests or cultures were performed. The patient was empirically treated with erythromycin tablets, 250 mg twice daily for 10 days. His mother was instructed to contact the owners of the hot tub so that it could be properly cleaned and maintained. Within 1 week the rash had completely resolved.
Hot Spots Caused by Voids and Cracks in the Chip Mountdown Medium in Power Semiconductor Packaging

The temperature increase under power dissipation in large semiconductor Chips mounted down with solder containing voids or cracks is explained in terms of two void types. They are distinguished on the basis of transient and steady-state thermal resistance measurements, and differ from each other in that for one the increased thermal resistance is mitigated by a reduced current density, but not for the other. They have been verified experimentally, and explain a large range of thermal and electrical characteristics, Such as occur in fatigue cycling.
Generalized plasticity and shape-memory alloys

The theory of the generalized plasticity model is reviewed. A special form for multiaxial behavior, based on the Drucker-Prager flow potential, is proposed. The model is applied to a simplified representation of the behavior of shape-memory alloys, with numerical examples.
Testing of various membranes for use in a novel sediment porewater isolation chamber for infaunal invertebrate exposure to PCBs

Abstract In benthic sediment bioassays, determining the relative contribution to exposure by contaminants in overlying water, porewater, and sediment particles is technically challenging. The purpose of the present study was to assess the potential for membranes to be utilized as a mechanism to allow freely dissolved hydrophobic organic contaminants into a pathway isolation exposure chamber (PIC) while excluding all sediment particles and dissolved organic carbon (DOC). This investigation was conducted in support of a larger effort to assess contaminant exposure pathways to benthos. While multiple passive samplers exist for estimating concentrations of contaminants in porewater such as those using solid-phase micro extraction (SPME) and polyoxymethylene (POM), techniques to effectively isolate whole organism exposure to porewater within a sediment system are not available. We tested the use of four membranes of different pore sizes (0.1–1.2 μm) including nylon, polycarbonate, polyethylsulfone, and polytetrafluoroethylene with a hydrophilic coating. Exposures included both diffusion of radiolabeled and non-labeled contaminants across membranes from aqueous, sediment slurry, and whole sediment sources to assess and evaluate the best candidate membrane. Data generated from the present study was utilized to select the most suitable membrane for use in the larger bioavailability project which sought to assess the relevance of functional ecology in bioavailability of contaminated sediments at remediation sites. The polytetrafluoroethylene membrane was selected for use in the PIC, although exclusion of dissolved organic carbon was not achieved.
On the generality of first-order rates in isotopic tracer kinetics.

Abstract In many chemical systems, isotopic exchange proceeds via first-order processes provided that only tracer quantities of the isotopically-labeled reactant are introduced into an equilibrium mixture of reactants and products. However, this behavior is not general regardless of mechanism. It is shown in chemical terms how the first-order simplification occurs. Types of mechanisms are discussed which need not give rise to first-order rates. First-order kinetics will be observed for mechanisms in which the labeled molecules enter the reaction with a molecularity of unity in elementary reaction steps. If the molecularity with respect to labeled compounds is greater than unity, then the reaction need not appear first order.
Autonomous hyperparathyroidism in patients on maintenance home dialysis

Ninety-nine patients with end-stage renal failure treated by maintenance home dialysis whose calcium and phosphorus balance was carefully controlled were studied for radiographic evidence of hyperparathyroidism. A total of 43 showed evidence of hyperparathyroidism despite excellent medical management. In 23 the abnormality was stable and the patients were asymptomatic with regard to the skeleton. The other 20 showed progressive bone disease. Sixteen of these patients were operated upon, and 14 were relieved of their symptoms by parathyroidectomy. Following operation, the radiographic evidence of bone disease halted dramatically, and a decided return toward normal was documented on subsequent films. Thus parathyroidectomy can control the skeletal deterioration and bone pain of hyperparathyroidism in patients who develop this complication. Serial radiographic studies are a reliable indicator of this circumstance.
Single-System Research Design Content in the Doctoral Curriculum:

Single-system methodology in social work practice has gained momentum in recent years. This article explores the role of this research method in doctoral education. The authors present results of a...
Distribution of cobalt between liquid copper and copper silicate slag at 1523 K

The solubility of cobalt in Cu2O-SiO2 slags held in silica crucibles and equilibrated with copper-cobalt alloys has been investigated for conditions of varying amounts of cobalt in the alloy charged at a temperature of 1523 K. The solution of cobalt in slag from its alloy is explained by the equation: Co (in alloy) + Cu2O (in slag) = 2 Cu (in alloy) + CoO (in slag)
Schwarz-Christoffel mapping of multiply connected domains

A Schwarz-Christoffel mapping formula is established for polygonal domains of finite connectivitym≥2 thereby extending the results of Christoffel (1867) and Schwarz (1869) form=1 and Komatu (1945),m=2. A formula forf, the conformal map of the exterior ofm bounded disks to the exterior ofm bounded disjoint polygons, is derived. The derivation characterizes the global preSchwarzianf″ (z)/f′ (z) on the Riemann sphere in terms of its singularities on the sphere and its values on them boundary circles via the reflection principle and then identifies a singularity function with the same boundary behavior. The singularity function is constructed by a “method of images” infinite sequence of iterations of reflecting prevertex singularities from them boundary circles to the whole sphere.
Supralevator abscess: diagnosis and treatment.

Anorectal suppurations are quite common. Supralevator abscesses, previously regarded as a rare subgroup, were seen in 9.1 per cent of 506 patients admitted to Cook County Hospital in a two-year period. Aggressive supportive management was followed by early, adequate drainage through single or multiple radial perianal incisions or through the rectum whenever indicated. When fistulas were identified, either a primary fistulotomy or a two-stage fistulotomy using a seton was performed in the majority of cases. Important factors in the prevention of morbidity and mortality included debridement of all necrotic tissue, careful bacteriologic studies and judicious use of antibiotics, close postoperative observation, and long-term follow-up of the patients.
Incidence of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Training in the United States: Assessment of a Key Link in the “Chain of Survival”

Immediate provision of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) by a layperson or a health care provider may double an individual’s likelihood of surviving cardiac arrest. Despite extensive CPR tra ining programs throughout the United States, studies from a range of communities have demonstrated that fewer than one-third of individuals who experience out-of-hospital cardiac arrest receive bystander-initiated CPR before the arrival of emergency medical services personnel and that CPR delivery varies considerably between different locales.1,2 Whether such variability is the result of differences in a willingness to provide care or differences in the prevalence of CPR training remains unknown. This knowledge gap underscores a related and perhaps more fundamental question that remains unanswered some 50 years after the development of CPR: What is the rate of CPR training in the US population? To highlight the challenge of low rates of bystander CPR, a recent scientific statement from the American Heart Association called for an increased emphasis on CPR training for the lay public.3 Large-scale CPR training projects have been initiated by nonprofit organizations and academic institutions to address this deficiency, such as the HeartRescue Project, in which 6 states intend to increase survival of cardiac arrest by 50% within 5 years, with an emphasis on early, effective bystander CPR.4 Efforts have also been made to target at-risk populations by providing CPR training to family members of hospitalized patients with cardiac disease.5 In addition, school-based CPR educational projects have been undertaken to increase training prevalence.
Obesity is associated with increased prevalence and severity of pelvic floor disorders in women considering bariatric surgery

Abstract Background Although an association between obesity and urinary incontinence (UI) has been reported, the association between obesity and other PFDs is less clear. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of pelvic floor disorders (PFDs), including stress urinary incontinence (SUI), urge urinary incontinence (UUI), pelvic organ prolapse (POP), and anal incontinence (AI), in obese women contemplating bariatric surgery compared with nonobese subjects at a tertiary care referral hospital. Methods From September 2006 to December 2007, obese women contemplating bariatric surgery and nonobese women from general gynecology clinic completed a validated screening questionnaire for PFDs, the Sandvik urinary incontinence severity index, and the Rockwood fecal incontinence severity index. Results A total of 217 obese (mean body mass index of 50 ± 10 kg/m 2 ) and 210 nonobese controls (mean body mass index 23 ± 3 kg/m 2 ) were screened. The presence of any PFD occurred in 159 patients (75%) in the obese group compared with 89 nonobese patients (44%; P Conclusion The prevalence of PFDs, including SUI, UUI, and all forms of AI, was greater in the obese and morbidly obese women contemplating bariatric surgery. Obesity was also associated with an increased severity of UI and AI. Obesity appears to confer a fourfold and twofold increased risk of UI and AI, respectively.
Anatomy of red spruce needles from forest decline sites in Vermont

Abstract Red spruce trees on upper elevation sites on Camels Hump Mountain, Vermont have shown severe decline symptoms since the mid-1960s. The anatomy of needles has been studied. Microscopic damage was seen primarily in mesophyll cells, characterized by cytoplasmic clumping and indiscernible chloroplasts. Damage increased over a single growing season and abnormal needle anatomy was found in 1985 and 1986 collections. There was a correlation of structural needle damage severity and field estimates of percentage foliar loss on low and high damage sites.
Means Discrimination: An Investigation into the Ideology of Constitutional Equality

Constitutional “equal protection” has a technical meaning that orients legal thinking. Its roots are in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and the relationship between separation of the races in schools, theaters, and other public places and the guarantee of material or physical equality. Brown v. The Board of Education (1954), in eliminating separation from constitutional protection also eliminated the constitutional promise of material equality. The approach to this ideology turns away from outcomes in order to get to the meanings, standards and conceptual parameters that influence the application of constitutional discourse to discrimination against those with inadequate means.
The isolation and characterzation of growth hormone from sheep pituitary glands

The isolation of growth hormones (somatotropins) from beef, human, monkey and whale pituitary glands has been described in previous reports from this laboratory1,2,3,4. This communication describes the isolation and properties of growth hormone from yet another mammalian species, the sheep.
Leishmania major intracellular survival is not altered in SHP-1 deficient mev or CD45-/-mice

Protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania escape from the immune response by interfering with signal transduction pathways of its host cell, the macrophage, thereby establishing permissive conditions for intracellular survival. Inhibition of macrophage activation after Leishmania infection has been suggested to require activation of the host cell phosphatase SHP-1. However, by utilizing infections of SHP-1 deficient (mev) and CD45 null mutant mice or macrophages, we provide evidence that intracellular survival of Leishmania major is not generally dependent on these cellular phosphatases.
129Xe NMR Chemical Shifts in Zeolites: Effect of Loading Studied by Monte Carlo Simulations

The NMR chemical shift of 129Xe adsorbed in the cavities and channels of zeolites depends on the crystal type (structure and chemistry) and on the loading of Xe. The dependence of the 129Xe shift on Xe loading has frequently been interpreted qualitatively in terms of increasing Xe−Xe interactions, but this dependence can be quantitatively and predictively modeled using computer simulations. We show that Monte Carlo simulations of Xe inside Omega, mordenite, AlPO4-5, L, Y, ZK-4, silicalite, and VPI-5 give Xe−Xe pair correlation functions that are entirely consistent with the shift behavior reported in the literature. The sensitivity of the shift dependence on loading correlates well with the calculated accessible volume; this correlation distinguishes zeolites even with similar unidirectional channels and indicates that an estimate of the available porosity of a zeolite can be made from such data. There is reasonable (but not in all cases quantitative) agreement between the predicted and experimental zeoli...
Collaborative Watershed Management: A View from the Grassroots

To date, research on collaborative watershed management has paid scant attention to the role of grassroots stakeholders, who are the people that actually use natural resources. This article argues cooperation from grassroots stakeholders is necessary for the success of collaborative management, and outlines three theoretical perspectives to explain cooperation. The validity of these theoretical perspectives is tested using a survey of farmer participation in the Suwannee River Partnership in Florida. The findings suggest farmers’ perceptions of policy effectiveness are largely driven by economic considerations, whereas participation in collaborative management is linked to social capital.
Phylogeny and pathogenicity of Fusarium oxysporum isolates from cottonseed imported from Australia into California for dairy cattle feed.

A unique biotype of the Fusarium wilt pathogen, Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. f.sp. vasinfectum (Atk) Sny. & Hans., found in Australia in 1993 is favored by neutral or alkaline heavy soils and does ...
New developments in the theory and training of reformulated radial basis neural networks

Builds upon an axiomatic approach proposed for constructing reformulated radial basis function (RBF) neural networks suitable for gradient descent learning. This approach reduces the construction of RBF models to the selection of admissible generator functions. The selection of generator functions relies on criteria resulting from the analysis of the sensitivity of reformulated RBF models to gradient descent learning. The results of the study outlined in the paper are verified by a series of experiments on speech data.
Deployment Algorithms for Wireless Underground Sensor Networks Using Magnetic Induction

New propagation techniques using magnetic induction (MI) waveguide solve the problems of traditional techniques in the underground soil medium. However, the deployment of the MI waveguide to connect the wireless underground sensor networks (WUSNs) is challenging due to the high deployment cost and the complex shape of the communication range of the MI waveguides. In this paper, two algorithms are proposed to deploy the MI waveguides to connect the underground sensors in the WUSNs. To minimize the number of relay coils, the MST algorithm based on the minimum spanning tree is developed. However, the network constructed by the MST algorithm is not robust to sensor failures. To enhance the network robustness with acceptable relay coil number, the TC algorithm based on the Voronoi diagram is developed. The effectiveness of the proposed deployment algorithms is validated by simulations.
Effects of anthropogenic noise on male signalling behaviour and female phonotaxis in Oecanthus tree crickets

Communication is vital to the survival and reproductive success of organisms. There is growing evidence that anthropogenic noise interferes with acoustic communication. While recent studies have tested whether signallers behaviourally modify their signals to prevent masking from noise, studies have only recently begun to test whether noise in fact interferes with the perception of acoustic signals. In this study, we investigated how road noise affects both male signalling and female phonotaxis in Oecanthus tree crickets. Acoustic signals of tree crickets, which are relatively low amplitude and composed primarily of low frequencies, are likely to be masked by road noise. To determine whether males alter their calls in the presence of road noise, we assessed how a playback of recorded road noise changed four male calling characteristics: dominant frequency, call amplitude, total time spent calling and latency to begin calling. We then used response trials to test the ability of females to localize and respond to male calls in the presence of road noise. Unlike studies in other organisms, which detected quantifiable differences in male signal characteristics, male tree crickets were less likely to call but did not change signal characteristics. Surprisingly, female response to male signals was not affected by the presence of road noise, despite the potential masking effects of road noise. Because tree crickets often communicate in environments with many species of calling insects, tree crickets may be adapted to tolerate novel sources of acoustic interference. This study presents a case where male signals and female responses are not affected by road noise. Since species are differentially affected by noise, detailed understanding of behaviour and sensory systems may be necessary for predicting the effect of acoustic interference on trophic interactions and population dynamics.
Oxalate-inducible AMBP gene and its regulatory mechanism in renal tubular epithelial cells

The AMBP [A1M (α1-microglobulin)/bikunin precursor] gene encodes two plasma glycoproteins: A1M, an immunosuppressive lipocalin, and bikunin, a member of plasma serine proteinase inhibitor family with prototypical Kunitz-type domain. Although previously believed to be constitutively expressed exclusively in liver, the present study demonstrates the induction of this gene by oxalate in porcine proximal tubular LLC-PK1 cells and rat kidney. In liver, the precursor protein is cleaved in the Golgi network by a furin-like enzyme to release constituent proteins, which undergo glycosylation before their export from the cell. In the renal tubular cells, A1M and bikunin co-precipitate, indicating lack of cleavage of the precursor protein. As the expression of the AMBP gene is regulated by A1M-specific cis elements and transcription factors, A1M protein was studied as a representative of AMBP gene expression in renal cells. Oxalate treatment (500 μM) resulted in a time- and dose-dependent induction of A1M protein in LLC-PK1 cells. Of the four transcription factors, HNF-4 (hepatocyte nuclear factor-4) has been reported previously to be a major regulator of AMBP gene expression in liver. Electrophoretic mobility-shift assay, supershift assay, immunoreactivity assay and transfection-based studies showed the presence of an HNF-4 or an HNF-4-like protein in the kidney, which can affect the expression of the AMBP gene. In situ hybridization and immunocytochemical studies showed that the expression of this gene in kidney was mainly restricted to cells lining the renal tubular system.
Memory effect in the current-voltage characteristic of 8-hydroquinoline aluminum salt films

This letter investigated the reproducible bistable resistance switching characteristics of a single-layer organic device based on 8-hydroquinoline aluminum (Alq3) fabricated by spin coating. By controlling the ON-state current through the Alq3 films, it has been possible to achieve various resistance states of the films. In addition, the resistance of the ON-state Alq3 films also affects the threshold current and voltage to switch off the device. The independence of the current-injected direction to erase the ON state implies that the filament theory could elucidate the observed phenomenon. The ratio between low- and high-resistance states can reach five orders of magnitude, which will be a potential material for nonvolatile memory application.
Carrier materials for spinal fusion.

Abstract Background context The rise in spinal fusion procedures has led to an increase in the available number and variety of bone graft substitutes. As our understanding of the biologic processes that influence bony fusion has improved, appreciation for the role of the carrier material involved in bone grafts has also increased. Purpose The abundance of products available leaves a surgeon with many choices. Knowledge of the current advances will allow for more critical review of the literature and improved decision making when choosing bone graft materials. Study design/setting Review of the English-language literature. Methods A critical review of basic science, animal and human studies that investigate the types and role of carrier materials used in spine surgery. Results The myriad of carrier material available to the spine surgeon is related to the many options in bone graft material. Allograft is an important osteoconductive agent but has its disadvantages especially in regard to disease transmission and immunogenicity. Collagen in various forms is an effective carrier for bone morphogenic protein and autogenous stem cells and can be easily combined with other bone graft materials. Synthetic options include hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate ceramic materials with different formulations; all are osteoconductive only but can be combined with osteoinductive and/or osteogenic components. Bioabsorbable carriers are effective for use with bone morphogenic protein and can also be used in multiple forms and settings. Conclusions Many bone graft carriers exist, and multiple studies have shown their efficacy. It appears that no one carrier is ideal but each situation might influence the choice of one carrier over another.
Disciplinary Distinctions before the "Two Cultures"

C. P. Snow's conception of “two cultures” has been readily applied to modern European and especially Anglo-American contexts and used to bemoan the negative impact of disciplinary distinctions. But in the pre-modern period, disciplinary distinctions prevailed along different fault lines. I consider two examples of the dynamics between the disciplines in medieval and early modern Europe to argue that distinctions between the disciplines can foster crucial benefits along with the tensions and obstacles to interdisciplinarity of which we are more often aware. In the medieval university the institutional and intellectual separation between philosophy and theology gave the former an important measure of protection and independence from the cultural dominance of the latter. In the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries the long-traditional distinction between mathematical disciplines and Aristotelian physics was gradually abandoned, and distinctions akin to those Snow identified were first commented on during the ...
Bullying and Victimization among Gifted Children in School-Level Transitions.

We examined rates of bullying and victimization among children identified as gifted who were in transition from elementary to middle school in a Southern U.S. school district. We also investigated ...
Automatic belief revision in a plausibility-driven design environment

Truth maintenance systems (TMSs) offer the most elaborate approach to the belief revision problem and are thus ideal candidates for automating belief revision during the course of plausibility-driven design evolution. However, the theory of plausible design (TPD) necessitates multivalued belief propagation while conventional TMSs are two-valued (IN/OUT) systems. Due to this mismatch, the encoding of constraint dependency graphs (CDGs) in conventional TMSs requires an exponential number of justifications. A belief revision system for TPD called the theory of plausible design belief revision system (TPD-BRS) is proposed. TPD-BRS uses a modified version of the assumption-based TMS label propagation algorithm in conjunction with a label interpreter to support automated belief revision in TPD efficiently. >
Gene Selection Using l1-Norm Least Square Regression

A new gene selection method is proposed based on l1-norm least square regression. The numerical experiment shows that the new approach is, at last comparable to two popular methods: ANOVA and BSS/WSS.
Closed-loop control of zebrafish response using a bioinspired robotic-fish in a preference test

In this paper, we study the response of zebrafish to a robotic-fish whose morphology and colour pattern are inspired by zebrafish. Experiments are conducted in a three-chambered instrumented water tank where a robotic-fish is juxtaposed with an empty compartment, and the preference of live subjects is scored as the mean time spent in the vicinity of the tank's two lateral sides. The tail-beating of the robotic-fish is controlled in real-time based on feedback from fish motion to explore a spectrum of closed-loop systems, including proportional and integral controllers. Closed-loop control systems are complemented by open-loop strategies, wherein the tail-beat of the robotic-fish is independent of the fish motion. The preference space and the locomotory patterns of fish for each experimental condition are analysed and compared to understand the influence of real-time closed-loop control on zebrafish response. The results of this study show that zebrafish respond differently to the pattern of tail-beating motion executed by the robotic-fish. Specifically, the preference and behaviour of zebrafish depend on whether the robotic-fish tail-beating frequency is controlled as a function of fish motion and how such closed-loop control is implemented.
σ: The long and short of it

Abstract Research on the elasticity of substitution between capital and labor – σ – has been proceeding for 75 years. While there is clearly a strong case for the importance of σ in the analysis of growth and other economic issues, much less agreement exists on the value of σ. This paper offers some perspectives on prior estimates of σ, emphasizing the fundamental tension between the short-run data that are available and the long-run parameter that is required. Estimates of σ based on various short-run and long-run models are discussed and, while the estimates range widely, the weight of the evidence suggests a value of σ in the range of 0.40–0.60. There is little evidence to sustain the assumption of a Cobb–Douglas production function.