cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fat-storing multilocular cells expressing CCR5 increase in the thymus with advancing age: Potential role for CCR5 ligands on the differentiation and migration of preadipocytes

Age-associated thymic involution is characterized by decreased thymopoiesis, adipocyte deposition and changes in the expression of various thymic microenvironmental factors. In this work, we characterized the distribution of fat-storing cells within the aging thymus. We found an increase of unilocular adipocytes, ERTR7+ and CCR5+ fat-storing multilocular cells in the thymic septa and parenchymal regions, thus suggesting that mesenchymal cells could be immigrating and differentiating in the aging thymus. We verified that the expression of CCR5 and its ligands, CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5, were increased in the thymus with age. Hypothesizing that the increased expression of chemokines and the CCR5 receptor may play a role in adipocyte recruitment and/or differentiation within the aging thymus, we examined the potential role for CCR5 signaling on adipocyte physiology using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte cell line. Increased expression of the adipocyte differentiation markers, PPARγ2 and aP2 in 3T3-L1 cells was observed under treatment with CCR5 ligands. Moreover, 3T3-L1 cells demonstrated an ability to migrate in vitro in response to CCR5 ligands. We believe that the increased presence of fat-storing cells expressing CCR5 within the aging thymus strongly suggests that these cells may be an active component of the thymic stromal cell compartment in the physiology of thymic aging. Moreover, we found that adipocyte differentiation appear to be influenced by the proinflammatory chemokines, CCL3, CCL4 and CCL5.
Body Image Dissatisfaction, Obesity and Their Associations with Breastfeeding in Mexican Women, a Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction In Mexico the breastfeeding rate is low and the obesity rate is high. Body image concerns, particularly prevalent in obese women, are associated with low breastfeeding rate; however, this association has never been examined in Mexican women. To fill this need, we examined the association between body image dissatisfaction (BID) and breastfeeding across levels of maternal weight status in Mexican women. Methods A cross-sectional study was used, utilizing data from the Mexican National Health and Nutrition Survey (ENSANUT) for 2012. The breastfeeding (Never or breastfed less than 30 days, Still breastfeeding, Ever breastfed) of the last child (age ≤ 3 years), BID (Stunkard Figure Rating Scale), anthropometric (Body Mass Index, BMI), and associated characteristics were collected. Weighted-multinomial logistic regression models were utilized to examine the adjusted association between BID and breastfeeding and the effect modification of maternal weight status. Results Overall, 2422 women aged 20-49 years met the eligibility criteria. Of these, 247 (10.8%) had never breastfed or breastfed less than 30 days, 826 (32%) were still breastfeeding, and 1349 (57.2%) had breastfed. A total of 38.2% were overweight (25 ≤ BMI < 30 kg m2) and 26.2% were obese (BMI ≥ 30 kg m2). In the adjusted model, while stratifying by maternal weight status levels, a greater BID was associated with a lower odds of sill breastfeeding (OR 0.58, 95% CI 0.45-0.75) and having breastfed (OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.50-0.83) only among women with BMI ≥ 30 kg m2. Discussion The results highlight the potential relationship between body image concerns and breastfeeding in Mexican women with obesity. However, the causality of such relationship needs further investigation, ideally using a longitudinal study design.
An ontology-based hybrid methodology for image synthesis and identification with convex objects

One of the core challenges in developing a computer system for machine learning is to make the system learn efficiently and effectively like a real human by grasping the domain knowledge exemplifie...
Topographic control on the post-LGM grounding zone locations of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet in the Whales Deep Basin, Eastern Ross Sea

Abstract After the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM), the Antarctic Ice Sheet retreated several hundred kilometers from the outer continental shelf. An overall backstepping stratal pattern of grounding zone wedges (GZWs) indicates that the post-LGM retreat occurred in a step-wise fashion. Each GZW records a prior interval of ice-stream sedimentation during which the location of paleo-grounding zone (i.e., the former seaward limit of flowing ice grounded to the seafloor) was relatively stationary. Here we investigate whether the locations of post-LGM grounding-zone stillstands in the Whales Deep Basin (WDB) of the eastern Ross Sea were controlled by the antecedent topography. The Bindschadler Ice Stream formerly occupied the WDB. We used ~7500 km of seismic reflection data to create a depth-converted map of the LGM unconformity that was sub-glacially eroded when the WAIS was grounded at the continental shelf edge (i.e., prior to the deposition of the post-LGM GZWs). Our mapping shows that the first three paleo-grounding zones were located slightly downstream of relatively low-relief obstacles on the LGM unconformity. The subsequent four grounding zones were located above a low-relief saddle on the LGM unconformity at a bottleneck constriction in the width of the paleo-ice-stream basin. These observations support the general hypotheses that post-LGM grounding-zone locations were at least partly controlled by the antecedent subglacial topography. We cannot exclude the possibility that other factors may have also been important. However, the results suggest that models seeking to accurately predict the changing extent of grounded ice in response to ongoing climate changes should incorporate highly resolved maps of the existing subglacial topography as well as considerations as to how subglacial topography evolves in response to contemporaneous ice-stream erosion and sedimentation.
Strength of filament bundles - The role of bundle structure stochasticity.

Abstract Most biological fibrous materials are hierarchical, in the sense that fibers of finite length assemble in bundles, which then form networks with structural role. Examples include collagen, silk, fibrin and microtubules. Some artificial fiber-based materials share this characteristic, examples including carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns and unidirectional composites. Here we study bundles in which filaments do not break, while bundle rupture happens by the failure of inter-filament crosslinks, followed by pull-out. In all cases, the crosslinks are randomly distributed along interfaces. The strength of such bundles depends on material parameters of the filaments and crosslinks, such as their stiffness and strength, and on the cross-link density. We focus on the dependence of the bundle strength on two parameters: filament waviness and filament staggering. Bundles with regular staggering are stronger than those with stochastic staggering. We identify the optimal regular staggering that maximizes the strength. Filament waviness increases the strength of stochastically staggered bundles at constant crosslink density but decreases the strength of regularly staggered bundles. Results for bundles with permanent crosslinks, which never reform once they break, as well as transient crosslinks capable of reforming during deformation are presented, and it is shown that the general trends are independent of the nature of the crosslinks. The results are discussed in the context of collagen and carbon nanotube bundles.
Kv1.1 channel subunits in the control of neurocardiac function

Voltage-gated Kv1.1 potassium channel α-subunits are broadly expressed in the nervous system where they act as critical regulators of neuronal excitability. Mutations in the KCNA1 gene, which encodes Kv1.1, are associated with the neurological diseases episodic ataxia and epilepsy. Studies in mouse models have shown that Kv1.1 is important for neural control of the heart and that Kcna1 deletion leads to cardiac dysfunction that appears to be brain-driven. Traditionally, KCNA1 was not believed to be expressed in the heart. However, recent studies have revealed that Kv1.1 subunits are not only present in cardiomyocytes, but that they also make an important heart-intrinsic functional contribution to outward K+ currents and action potential repolarization. This review recounts the winding history of discovery of KCNA1 gene expression and neurocardiac function from fruit flies to mammals and from brain to heart and looks at some of the salient questions that remain to be answered regarding emerging cardiac roles of Kv1.1.
Acute vestibular migraine treatment with noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation

Objective To report on the benefits of noninvasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) on acute vestibular migraine (VM) treatment. Methods This was a retrospective chart review of patients with VM treated with nVNS in a single tertiary referral center between November 2017 and January 2019. Eighteen patients (16 women) were identified (mean age 45.7 [±14.8] years); 14 were treated for a VM attack and 4 for bothersome interictal dizziness consistent with persistent perceptual postural dizziness (PPPD). Patients graded the severity of vestibular symptoms and headache using an 11-point visual analog scale (VAS; 0 = no symptoms, 10 = worst ever symptoms) before and 15 minutes after nVNS. Results In those with acute VM, vertigo improved in 13/14 (complete resolution in 2, at least 50% improvement in 5). The mean vertigo intensity before nVNS was 5.2 (±1.6; median 6), and 3.1 (±2.2; median 3) following stimulation; mean reduction in vertigo intensity was 46.9% (±31.5; median 45%). Five experienced headache with the VM attack; all reported improvement following nVNS. Mean headache severity was 6 (±1.4; median 6) prior to treatment and 2.4 (±1.5; median 3) following nVNS; mean reduction in headache intensity was 63.3% (±21.7; median 50). All 4 treated with nVNS for interictal PPPD reported no benefit. Conclusion Our study provides preliminary evidence that nVNS may provide rapid relief of vertigo and headache in acute VM, and supports further randomized, sham-controlled studies into nVNS in VM. Classification of evidence This study provides Class IV evidence that for patients with acute VM, nVNS rapidly relieves vertigo and headache.
Quantifying Donor Effects on Transplant Outcomes Using Kidney Pairs from Deceased Donors.

Background and objectives In kidney transplantation, the relative contribution of donor versus other factors on clinical outcomes is unknown. We sought to quantify overall donor effects on transplant outcomes for kidney donations from deceased donors. Design, setting, participants, & measurements For paired donations from deceased donors resulting in transplants to different recipients, the magnitude of donor effects can be quantified by examining the excess of concordant outcomes within kidney pairs beyond chance concordance. Using data from the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network between the years 2013 and 2017, we examined concordance measures for delayed graft function, death-censored 1-year graft failure, and death-censored 3-year graft failure. The concordance measures were excess relative risk, excess absolute risk, and the fixation index (where zero is no concordance and one is perfect concordance). We further examined concordance in strata of kidneys with similar values of the Kidney Donor Profile Index, a common metric of organ quality. Results If the transplant of the kidney mate resulted in delayed graft function, risk for delayed graft function was 19% higher (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 18% to 20%), or 1.76-fold higher (95% CI, 1.73- to 1.80-fold), than baseline. If a kidney graft failed within 1 year, then the kidney mate’s risk of failure was 6% higher (95% CI, 4% to 9%), or 2.85-fold higher (95% CI, 2.25- to 3.48-fold), than baseline. For 3-year graft failure, the excess absolute risk was 7% (95% CI, 4% to 10%) but excess relative risk was smaller, 1.91-fold (95% CI, 1.56- to 2.28-fold). Fixation indices were 0.25 for delayed graft function (95% CI, 0.24 to 0.27), 0.07 for 1-year graft failure (95% CI, 0.04 to 0.09), and 0.07 for 3-year graft failure (95% CI, 0.04 to 0.10). Results were similar in strata of kidneys with a similar Kidney Donor Profile Index. Conclusions Overall results indicated that the donor constitution has small or moderate effect on post-transplant clinical outcomes.
Commercial Banks’ Financial Statements

Financial statements for banks present a different analytical problem than manufacturing and service companies. As a result, analysis of a bank’s financial statements requires a distinct approach that recognizes a bank’s somewhat unique risks. Banks use much more leverage than other businesses and earn a spread between the interest income they generate on their assets (loans) and their cost of funds (customer deposits).
Site-specific siderocalin binding to ferric and ferric-free enterobactin as revealed by mass spectrometry.

Both host and pathogen competitively manipulate coordination environments during bacterial infections. Human cells release the innate immune protein siderocalin (Scn, also known as lipocalin-2/Lcn2, neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin/NGAL) that can inhibit bacterial growth by sequestering iron in a ferric complex with enterobactin (Ent), the ubiquitous Escherichia coli siderophore. Pathogenic E. coli use the virulence-associated esterase IroE to linearize the Ent cyclic trilactone to linear enterobactin (lin-Ent). We characterized lin-Ent interactions with Scn by using native mass spectrometry (MS) with hydrogen-deuterium exchange (HDX) and Lys/Arg specific covalent footprinting. These approaches support 1:1 binding of both Fe(III)-lin-Ent to Scn and iron-free lin-Ent to Scn. Both ferric and nonferric lin-Ent localize to all three pockets of the Scn calyx, consistent with Scn capture of lin-Ent both before and after Fe(III) chelation. These findings raise the possibility that Scn neutralizes both siderophores and siderophore-bound iron during infections. This integrated, MS-based approach circumvents the limitations that frustrate traditional structural approaches to examining Scn interactions with enterobactin-based ligands.
Redesigning curriculum at the higher education level: challenges and successes within a sport management program

Higher education programs face challenges to increase accountability regarding student achievement. Course misalignment occurs as instructors interpret course objectives differently, making changes...
Computational Investigation of Correlations in Adsorbate Entropy for Pure-Silica Zeolite Adsorbents

Vast numbers of unstudied hypothetical porous frameworks continue to spark interest in optimizing adsorption and catalytic processes. Evaluating the use of such materials depends on the accessibili...
The Ant-Like Litter Beetles of the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest, Oregon (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Pselaphinae)

Twenty-eight species of Pselaphinae have been collected at the H. J. Andrews Experimental Forest: Sonoma cascadia Chandler, Sonoma conifera Chandler, Sonoma hespera Park and Wagner, Sonoma margemina Park and Wagner, Sonoma olycalida Park and Wagner, Sonoma parviceps (Maklin), Mayetia smithi (Schuster), Oropus cavicauda Casey, Oropus micropthalmus Chandler, Oropus striatus (LeConte), Euboarhexius sinus Grigarick and Schuster, Trisignis marshi Park and Schuster, Abdiunguis fenderi Park and Wagner, Oropodes dybasi Grigarick and Schuster, Euplecterga norstelcha Grigarick and Schuster, Euplectus silvicolus Chandler, Actium barri Park and Wagner, Actium microphthalmum Park and Wagner, Actium retractum Casey, Cupila excavata Park and Wagner, Batrisodes albionicus (Aube), Reichenbachia fusticornis Casey, Lucifotychus cognatus (LeConte), Lucifotychus dentatus (Grigarick and Schuster), Lucifotychus impellus Park and Wagner, Lucifotychus stellatus (Grigarick and Schuster), Pselaptrichus intimus Schuster and Marsh, and Pselaptrichus rothi Park. Twelve other species known from the Cascade Mountains of Oregon are included in a key to the species of this area. Species richness and abundance are discussed for the sixteen species taken during a two-year study of a series of sites representing different ages in a forest succession and plant associations/habitats. For drier sites species richness and abundance increase with the age of the forest; for moderately wet sites species richness is slightly higher for the youngest sites; and for the wettest sites species richness remains similar while abundance increases sharply after the herb stage and is similar for the older successional stages. Two species, O. micropthalmus and A. microphthalmum, both with small eyes, are most abundant in the tree and old-growth stages, and A. microphthalmum is clearly most abundant in old-growth forests. The species characteristic of old-growth or early successional stages are noted, as well as those typical of high or low elevations in the Cascade Mountains.
Telestroke and Teleneurology

Telemedicine, specifically when applied to neurology and stroke medicine, is known as teleneurology and telestroke, respectively. These fields have made tremendous strides in the past 20 years and offer promise by providing expert and timely neurologic care remotely to hospitals, clinics, rehabilitation centers, ambulances, patient homes, and others. Telestroke refers to remote stroke care that is aimed at both the acute and chronic phases of stroke care. In the acute setting, telestroke can be utilized to provide remote vascular care for patients who suffer from acute stroke in the prehospital settings (such as in ground and air ambulances), as well as in the emergency department, neurocritical care unit, and acute stroke care unit. In the chronic setting, telestroke can be helpful with poststroke rehabilitation, as well as chronic management of stroke and comorbidities via remote neurovascular clinics and in patient homes. Teleneurology takes this concept further and allows for access to expert neurological care remotely for guidance on diagnosis and management of other neurologic conditions, such as neurodegenerative diseases, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, headache, brain tumors, and others. As teleneurology and telestroke devices continue to improve with technologic advances, the fields promise to be major forces of neurologic care in the future, especially for remote and rural areas.
Theme-based Book Review: Government Capacity and Capability

Government capacity and capability are not only a matter of public rhetoric. Government capacity may be seen when government can “do what it wants to do” (Gargan, 1981, p. 656). Capacity has been t...
Just Say No? Shareholder Voting on Securities Class Actions

The US securities laws allow security-holders to bring a class action suit against a public company and its officers who make materially misleading statements to the market. The class action mechanism allows individual claimants to aggregate their claims. This procedure mitigates the collective action problem among claimants, and also creates potential economies of scale. Despite these efficiencies, the class action mechanism has been criticized for being driven by attorneys and also encouraging nuisance suits. Although various statutory and doctrinal “solutions” have been proposed and implemented over the years, the concerns over the agency problem and nuisance suits persist. This paper proposes and examines a novel mechanism that attempts to preserve the benefits of class action system while curtailing its cost: allowing company’s shareholders to vote on securities class actions. The shareholders can vote on the structural dimensions of securities class actions, e.g., whether to allow class actions at all, limit discovery, impose fee-shifting, etc., before any class action suit has been filed (ex ante voting) or vote to determine the course of a specific class action suit, e.g., whether to terminate or settle a class action (ex post voting). The paper analyzes the conditions under which allowing shareholders to manage and control securities class actions can benefit the shareholders across the board and its potential limitations.
An oceanic pathway for Madden–Julian Oscillation influence on Maritime Continent Tropical Cyclones

While the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) has been shown to affect tropical cyclones (TCs) worldwide through its modulation of large-scale circulation in the atmosphere, little or no role for the ocean has been identified to date in this influence of MJO on TCs. Using observations and numerical model simulations, we demonstrate that MJO events substantially impact TCs over the Maritime Continent (MC) region through an oceanic pathway. While propagating across the MC region, MJO events cause significant sea surface cooling with an area-averaged value of about 0.35 ± 0.12 °C. Hence, TCs over the MC region immediately following the passage of MJO events encounter considerably cooler sea surface temperatures. Consequently, the enthalpy fluxes under the storms are reduced and the intensification rates decrease by more than 50% on average. These results highlight an important role played by the ocean in facilitating MJO-induced sub-seasonal variability in TC activity over the MC region.
Strategies for Preventing Domestic Abuse in Chinese Immigrant Communities

There is a dearth of research on the topic of domestic abuse in Chinese American communities. Prior studies suggest that domestic abuse occurs in approximately 14% of Chinese women and that this number is likely underreported due to cultural factors (Hicks, 2006). Moreover, Asian American women may be less likely to seek help or to leave abusive relationships when they encounter them, which takes a toll on their mental health and overall well-being (Nguyen et al., 2016). To contribute to the literature on domestic abuse experienced by Chinese Americans, this paper presents and analyzes two case studies of Chinese American women who experienced repeated instances of domestic abuse in order to understand their motivations and rationale for staying in these abusive relationships and to uncover some of the factors fostering domestic abuse. Results showed that the Chinese American women cited preserving the family unit or name, and their feelings for the husband as reasons that they stayed. They also expressed a belief in male dominance, which prior research has shown is correlated to increased tolerance for domestic violence (Jiao, Sun, Farmer, & Lin, 2016; Lin, Sun, Wu, & Liu, 2016). This paper identified the use of community education programs that seek to restructure family relationships and strengthen women’s positions in the family as a preventive strategy that respects the importance of families in Chinese communities while attempting to decrease violent behavior towards women and the prevalence of domestic violence in this community. Keywords: domestic abuse, intimate partner violence, Chinese American
New trends in cholinergic therapy for Alzheimer disease: nicotinic agonists or cholinesterase inhibitors?

Publisher Summary Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEI) are the only drugs demonstrating clinical efficacy in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The resulting increase in extracellular acetylcholine (ACh) concentration could restore the central cholinergic hypofunction and improve memory and cognition. The study of the cholinergic system has been made possible through the development of sensitive micromethod. The chapter concludes that several new nicotinic receptor agonists increase the release of ACh, NE and DA in rat neocortex. The recent finding of a relationship between choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) activity in frontal cortex and apolipoprotein E (apoE) epsilon 4 allele (APOE4 genotype) in AD patients adds a new, interesting dimension to the relationship between cholinergic system ChEI, and β-amyloid formation. There appears to be distinctive pharmacological profiles for these agonists, suggestive of effects on specific nicotinic receptor subtypes—an effect that may be related to the diverse structures of the tested compounds. These data support the hypothesis that selective nicotinic receptor agonists may be developed that are therapeutically beneficial for some neurodegenerative disorders such as AD.
The effects of reduced end‐tidal carbon dioxide tension on cerebral blood flow during heat stress

Passive heat stress reduces arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure () as reflected by 3 to 5 Torr reductions in end-tidal carbon dioxide tension (). Heat stress also reduces cerebrovascular conductance (CBVC) by up to 30%. While is a strong regulator of CBVC, it is unlikely that the relatively small change in during heating is solely responsible for the reductions in CBVC. This study tested the hypothesis that , referenced by , is not the sole mechanism for reductions in CBVC during heat stress. Mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), , middle cerebral artery blood velocity (MCA Vmean), and calculated CBVC (MCA Vmean/MAP) were assessed in seven healthy individuals, during three separate conditions performed sequentially: (1) normothemia, (2) control passive heat stress and (3) passive heat stress with clamped at the normothermic level (using a computer-controlled sequential gas delivery breathing circuit). MAP was similar in the three thermal conditions (P= 0.55). Control heat stress increased internal temperature ∼1.3°C, which resulted in decreases in , MCA Vmean and calculated CBVC (P < 0.001 for all variables). During heat stress + clamp conditions internal temperature remained similar to that during the control heat stress condition (P= 0.31). Heat stress + clamp successfully restored to the normothermic level (P= 0.99) and increased MCA Vmean (P= 0.002) and CBVC (P= 0.008) relative to control heat stress. Despite restoration of , MCA Vmean (P= 0.005) and CBVC (P= 0.03) remained reduced relative to normothermia. These results indicate that heat stress-induced reductions in , as referenced by , contribute to the decrease in MCA Vmean and CBVC; however, other factors (e.g. perhaps elevated sympathetic nerve activity) are also involved in mediating this response.
Statistical Methods for Assessments in Simulations and Serious Games

Simulation or game-based assessments produce outcome data and process data. In this article, some statistical models that can potentially be used to analyze data from simulation or game-based assessments are introduced. Specifically, cognitive diagnostic models that can be used to estimate latent skills from outcome data so as to scale these assessments are presented under the framework of Bayesian networks; 5 prospective data mining methods that can be employed to discover problem-solving strategies from process data are described. Some studies in the literature that apply some of these methods to analyze simulation or game-based assessments are presented as application examples. Recommendations are provided for selecting appropriate scaling and data mining methods for these assessments; future directions of research are proposed.
In Defense of Rule-Based Evidence Law: And Rule-Based Epistemology Too

Ever since Jeremy Bentham wrote his scathing critique of the law of evidence, both philosophers and legal scholars have criticized the exclusionary rules of evidence, arguing that formal rules excluding entire classes of evidence for alleged unreliability violate basic epistemological maxims mandating that all relevant evidence be considered. Although particular pieces of evidence might be excluded as unreliable, they argue, it is a mistake to make such judgments for entire categories, as opposed to making only in the context of particular pieces of evidence offered for specific purposes. This paper challenges these claims, arguing that rule-based exclusions serve similar purposes to those served by rules in rule-consequentialist moral theories, and that, even more importantly, they are entirely consistent with the exclusionary nature of legal rules in general. Indeed, once we see the role that exclusionary rules might serve in legal epistemology, we can see that they might have a role to play in epistemic appraisal more generally.
Synelfin Regulation during the Critical Period for Song Learning in Normal and Isolated Juvenile Zebra Finches

Male zebra finches (Taeniopygia guttata) learn to sing during a critical period in adolescence. We previously described a presynaptic protein, synelfin, whose mRNA is increased early in this critical period in a brain nucleus specifically implicated in song learning, lateral MAN (lMAN). In the current study, in situ hybridization was used to map this change in gene expression to the subregion of lMAN that projects to the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA), the principal motor output of the telencephalic circuit that controls song production. Using confocal immunofluorescence microscopy, we detected numerous puncta of synelfin immunoreactivity that apparently represent presynaptic terminals from lMAN in the RA of young males. Synelfin immunoreactivity in RA declined abruptly between 40 and 45 days of age, a time of major synaptic reorganization in RA. This change did not occur until about 10 days after the decline in synelfin mRNA in cell bodies within lMAN, indicating a relatively slow turnover of the protein in presynaptic terminals and suggesting that some of the functional changes that occur during the critical period may arise from regulatory decisions that were initiated a week or more earlier. Depriving birds of tutoring did not halt or delay the decline of synelfin mRNA in lMAN. This change in gene expression must not be a consequence of early song learning, but may reflect an innate or programmed step in song circuit development.
Assessment of a Point‐of‐Care Metabolic Risk Screening Program in Outpatients Receiving Antipsychotic Agents

Study Objective. To assess the usefulness of a metabolic risk screening program, including point-of-care glucose testing, to quantify baseline metabolic risk in outpatients receiving antipsychotics. Design. Retrospective, cross-sectional, cohort study. Setting. University-affiliated department of psychiatry clinic. Patients. A total of 92 adult outpatients (49 women, 43 men; mean ± SD age 38.96 ± 12 yrs) who were receiving antipsychotics and had undergone screening for metabolic syndrome at the clinic during 2004–2007. Measurements and Main Results. Patient data were recorded on a metabolic screening checklist by a pharmacist or nurse. The checklist captured demographics, vital signs (height, weight, body mass index [BMI], blood pressure, waist and hip circumference, point-of-care random glucose level), personal and family knowledge of current illnesses (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia), modifiable risk factors (smoking, alcohol, level of activity), current drug therapy, and recommendations to the psychiatrist. The patient population who underwent screening included 49 African-Americans (53%), 21 Caucasians (23%), 16 Hispanics (17%), and 6 Asians (7%). Diagnoses were documented for 88 patients: schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in 53 patients (60%), and bipolar disorder and major depressive disorder was equally divided in the remaining 35 patients (40%). Of 89 patients (three patients had missing data on waist circumference), 63 (71%) met criteria for level 1 metabolic risk (abdominal obesity); of these 63 patients, 38 (60%) met criteria for level 2 risk (abdominal obesity plus hypertension). Patients with a random glucose level greater than 140 mg/dl had a higher likelihood for being at level 2 risk than level 1 risk (χ2=5.99, df=1, p=0.014). Women had a significantly higher likelihood for level 1 metabolic risk compared with men (χ2=5.99, df=1, p=0.019). African-Americans had a significantly higher likelihood of level 1 risk (p=0.026) and BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 (p=0.003) compared with Caucasians. Patients with a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 had a significantly higher likelihood of diabetes (p=0.006), hypertension (p=0.03), and hyperlipidemia (p=0.05). Overall, 5 (5%) of the 92 patients met criteria for prediabetes risk. Conclusion. Point-of-care metabolic risk screening, done with a systematic interprofessional team approach, can provide clinicians with a practical method for identifying metabolic risk in patients prescribed antipsychotics.
Spiral CT of renal artery stenosis: comparison of three-dimensional rendering techniques.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the accuracy of computed tomographic (CT) angiography in the detection of renal artery stenosis (RAS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CT angiography was performed in 31 patients undergoing conventional renal arteriography. CT angiographic data were reconstructed with shaded surface display (SSD) and maximum-intensity projection (MIP). Stenosis was graded with a four-point scale (grades 0-3). The presence of mural calcification, poststenotic dilatation, and nephrographic abnormalities was also noted. RESULTS: CT angiography depicted all main (n = 62) and accessory (n = 11) renal arteries that were seen at conventional arteriography. MIP CT angiography was 92% sensitive and 83% specific for the detection of grade 2-3 stenoses (> or = 70% stenosis). SSD CT angiography was 59% sensitive and 82% specific for the detection of grade 2-3 stenoses. The accuracy of stenosis grading was 80% with MIP and 55% with SSD CT angiography. Poststenotic dilatation and the presence of an abnormal nephrogram were ...
Evaluation Of Carbon-Fiber Cassettes

The use of carbon fiber for cassette fronts and table tops has been advanced as a method of reducing x-ray exposure. We have evaluated a carbon fiber cassette by comparison to a Kodak X-omatic cassette. Although the transmission of the carbon fiber is considerably high-er than that of the X-omatic cassette, the radiation saving is limited to low kVp's. Al-though some decrease in primary/scatter ratio was measured, the overall contrast increased somewhat over most of the kVp range investigated.© (1980) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Method to Establish Seismic Noise Baselines for Automated Station Assessment

Currently, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC) receives more than 4,000 channels of seismic data from roughly 900 seismic stations distributed around the world in near real time. As the NEIC develops increasingly sophisticated methods for automated data processing, it becomes equally important to develop tools for ensuring that only the highest-quality data are used in rapid earthquake products. In this paper, we present methods and applications for computing long- and short-term, station-specific noise baselines for broadband seismic data channels. Long-term baselines (one year or greater) are useful for determining ambient noise conditions, while short-term baselines (one hour to one month) are useful for monitoring changing station performance and noise characteristics. This method is currently in testing and development at the NEIC for evaluation of instrument responses, assessment of data quality for real-time earthquake processing systems, new station site evaluation, and assessment of gross network characteristics. Real-time earthquake processing systems at the NEIC rely on high-quality seismic data to compute accurate earthquake locations and magnitudes, moment-tensor solutions, finite-fault models, and shaking intensity. The NEIC receives real-time seismic data from a variety of contributors including: global networks (Global Seismographic Network [GSN], GEOSCOPE, GEOFON), national networks (ANSS, Australia, Spain, Canada, Switzerland), regional networks (ANZA, PRSN, CISN, PNWSN, AEIC), government agencies (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [NOAA] tsunami warning centers, the International Monitoring System [IMS]), and temporary deployments such as the EarthScope transportable array (TA). On most days, approximately 10% of contributed instrument responses are either not known or are erroneous and cannot be used for accurate real-time amplitude information. Maintaining accurate and current metadata for roughly 900 contributed stations is difficult when instrumentation upgrades or other changes occur regularly. Automated processing of real-time seismic data necessitates the development of automated tools and procedures to quickly identify changes …
Hawaiian-Emperor Chain and Its Relation to Cenozoic Circumpacific Tectonics

The Hawaiian Ridge and Emperor Seamounts appear to form a single chain of tholeiitic shield volcanoes that erupted sequentially on the sea floor of the central Pacific Ocean during Tertiary and Quaternary time. The chain cuts obliquely across the older Cretaceous structural patterns of that sea floor. While the pattern of the chain as a whole is linear, the individual volcanoes lie on short, sigmoidal, en echelon loci that are subparallel with respect to each other and that may represent extensional features in the crust and upper mantle. In general, the order of eurption progressed from northwest to southeaśt along the chain, but the rate of progression of volcanism along individual loci is nonlinear where best studied in the southeastern part of the chain. Furthermore, simultaneous eruptions appear to have occurred within a distance along the chain of about 200 to 400 km. The available data are consistent with a genesis related to the motion of the Pacific crust over a melting spot in the mantle. This melting spot, which may be due to either excess heat or pressure release, appears to have a diameter of about 300 km and is presently centered slightly north of the island of Hawaii. We concur with the idea that the bend in the Hawaiian-Emperor chain probably reflects a significant change in the motion of the Pacific plate. Our best estimate of the age of the Hawaiian-Emperor bend, based on the existing radiometric data, is 24.6 ± 2.5 m.y., which correlates with a time of increased tectonic activity in the western Pacific island arcs and along the northern and eastern boundaries of the Pacific plate. The vector change in the motion of the Pacific plate (with respect to the melting spot) that is required to produce the bend is about 12 cm/yr in a west-southwest-ward direction.
Formation and stability of dense arrays of Au nanoclusters on hexagonal boron nitride/Rh(111)

We have studied the nucleation and growth of Au clusters at submonolayer and greater coverages on the $h$-BN nanomesh grown on Rh(111) by means of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and density functional theory (DFT). STM reveals that submonolayer Au deposited at 115 K nucleates within the nanomesh pores and remains confined to the pores even after warming to room temperature. Whereas there is a propensity of monoatomic high islands at low temperature, upon annealing, bi- and multilayer Au clusters emerge. Deposition of higher coverages of Au similarly results in Au clusters primarily confined to the nanomesh pores at room temperature. XPS analysis of core-level electronic states in the deposited Au shows strong final-state effects induced by restricted particle size dominating for low Au coverage, with indications that larger Au clusters are negatively charged by interaction through the $h$-BN monolayer. DFT calculations suggest that the structure of the Au clusters transitions from monolayer to bilayer at a size between 30 and 37 atoms per cluster, in line with our experiment. Bader charge analysis supports the negative charge state of deposited Au.
COX-2 selective inhibition reverses the trophic properties of gastrin in colorectal cancer

Gastrin is a gastrointestinal peptide that possesses potent trophic properties on both normal and neoplastic cells of gastrointestinal origin. Previous studies have indicated that chronic hypergastrinaemia increases the risk of colorectal cancer and cancer growth and that interruption of the effects of gastrin could be a potential target in the treatment of colorectal cancer. Here we demonstrate that gastrin leads to a dose-dependent increase in colon cancer cell proliferation and tumour growth in vitro and in vivo, and that this increment is progressively reversed by pretreatment with the cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitor NS-398. Gastrin was able to induce cyclo-oxygenase-2 protein expression, as well as the synthesis of prostaglandin E2, the major product of cyclo-oxygenase. Moreover, gastrin leads to approximately a two-fold induction of cyclo-oxygenase-2 promoter activity in transiently transfected cells. The results of these studies demonstrate that cyclo-oxygenase-2 appears to represent one of the downstream targets of gastrin and that selective cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibition is capable of reversing the trophic properties of gastrin and presumably might prevent the growth of colorectal cancer induced by hypergastrinaemia.
Clip artifact after closure of large colorectal EMR sites: incidence and recognition

Background Clip closure of large colorectal EMR defects sometimes results in bumpy scars that are normal on biopsy. We refer to these as "clip artifact." If unrecognized, clip artifact can be mistaken for residual polyp, leading to thermal treatment and potential adverse events. Objective To describe the incidence of and define predictors of clip artifact. Design Review of photographs of scars from consecutive clipped EMR defects. Setting University outpatient endoscopy center. Patients A total of 284 consecutive patients with clip closure of defects after EMR of lesions 20 mm or larger and follow-up colonoscopy. Interventions EMR, clip closure. Main Outcome Measurements Incidence of clip artifact. Results A total of 303 large polyps met the inclusion criteria. On review of photographs, 96 scars (31.7%) had clip artifact. Clip artifact was associated with increased numbers of clips placed (odds ratio for each additional clip, 1.2; 95% confidence interval, 1.02-1.38) but not polyp histology, size, or location. The rate of residual polyp by histology was 8.9% (27/303), with 21 of 27 scars with residual polyp evident endoscopically. The rate of residual polyp evident only by histology in scars with clip artifact (3/93; 3.2%) was not different from the rate in scars without clip artifact (3/189; 1.6%). Limitations Retrospective design. Sites closed primarily with 1 type of clip. Single-operator assessment of endoscopic photographs. Conclusion Clip artifact occurred in the scars of approximately one-third of large clipped EMR sites and increased with number of clips placed. Clip artifact could be consistently distinguished from residual polyp by its endoscopic appearance.
Modified Blalock-Hanlon Procedure for Transposition of the Great Vessels: With Clinical Application

omplete transposition of the aorta and pulmonary artery is a relatively common congenital anomaly in which surgical interC vention is necessary for survival. Despite the many operative techniques that have been developed to treat this complex malformation, the operative mortality continues to remain discouragingly high. Ninety percent of untreated infants with transposition die during the first six months of life [3]. The results of cardiopulmonary bypass techniques in these small, ill babies have been disappointing. Thus, the operation to create an atrial septal defect described by Blalock and Hanlon continues to be the most effective initial treatment of infants with this anomaly [2,91. Patients in whom a large atrial septal defect has been created frequently have a more favorable course than those with smaller defects. This report presents a modification in the Blalock-Hanlon technique of creating an interatrial septal defect which permits a large defect to be made. An autologous pericardial patch roofing is placed between the right and left atrium after a segment of interatrial septum has been excised. This procedure has been successfully applied to 10 dogs and 1 patient. TECHNIQUE The patient is placed under general anesthesia with endotracheal intubation, and the right chest is opened through the fourth intercostal space using the anterolateral approach. The lung is retracted posteriorly, and vertical incisions are made in the pericardium both anterior and lateral to the phrenic nerve extending from the attachments to the superior and inferior vena cava. The pulmonary veins from the right lung are isolated inside the pericardial cavity. The right main pul
Decreases in dopamine concentrations in adult, non-human primate brain persist following removal from polychlorinated biphenyls

Adult male non-human primates, Macaca nemestrina, were orally exposed for 20 weeks to 3.2 mg/kg per day of either Aroclor 1016 or Aroclor 1260 made up in corn oil. Following cessation of exposure, the animals were observed for either an additional 24 or 44 weeks. After killing, regional brain concentrations of biogenic amines and polychlorinated biphenyls were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC), respectively. Brain dopamine (DA) concentrations were significantly decreased, compared to controls, in all polychlorinated biphenyl-exposed animals. Most importantly, in spite of significant decreases in brain polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations observed following removal from exposure (an average decline of 60%), there was no statistically discernible relationship of the changes in brain DA concentrations to either time following removal from polychlorinated biphenyls or brain polychlorinated biphenyl concentrations. These findings demonstrate that sub-chronic exposure of the adult non-human primate to polychlorinated biphenyls results in long-lasting changes in brain DA concentrations.
Molecular Dynamics Simulation of AFM-Based Nanomachining Processes

Recently, atomic force microscopy (AFM) has been widely used for nanomachining and fabrication of micro/ nanodevices. This paper describes the development and validation of computational models for AFM-based nanomachining (nanoindentation and nanoscratching). The Molecular Dynamics (MD) technique is used to model and simulate mechanical indentation and scratching at the nanoscale in the case of gold and silicon. The simulation allows for the prediction of indentation forces and the friction force at the interface between an indenter and a substrate. The effects of tip curvature and speed on indentation force and friction coefficient are investigated. The material deformation and indentation geometry are extracted based on the final locations of atoms, which are displaced by the rigid tool. In addition to modeling, an AFM was used to conduct actual indentation at the nanoscale, and provide measurements to validate the predictions from the MD simulation. The AFM provides resolution on nanometer (lateral) and angstrom (vertical) scales. A three-sided pyramid indenter (with a radius of curvature ∼ 50 nm) is raster scanned on top of the surface and in contact with it. It can be observed from the MD simulation results that the indentation force increases as the depth of indentation increases, but decreases as the scratching speed increases. On the other hand, the friction coefficient is found to be independent of scratching speed.Copyright © 2011 by ASME