cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Community-Based Study of Explanatory Factors for the Excess Risk for Early Renal Function Decline in Blacks vs Whites With Diabetes: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Context The explanation for the excess risk for diabetic renal disease in blacks is uncertain. Objectives To compare the incidence of early renal function decline in black and white adults with diabetes and to examine possible explanatory factors for racial differences. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Four US communities participating in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities study. Participants Community-based sample of 1434 diabetic adults aged 45 to 64 years. Measurements Detailed baseline assessment using structured interview, results of physical examination, and laboratory measurements. Main Outcome Development of early renal function decline defined by an increase in serum creatinine of at least 35.4 µmol/L (0.4 mg/dL) during 3 years of follow-up. Results During 3 years of follow-up, early renal function decline developed in 45 blacks (28.4 per 1000 person-years [PY]) and 25 whites (9.6 per 1000 PY). After adjustment for age, sex, and baseline serum creatinine level, early renal function decline was more than 3 times as likely to develop in blacks than whites (odds ratio, 3.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.86-5.33). Additional adjustment for education, household income, health insurance, fasting glucose level, mean systolic blood pressure, smoking history, and physical activity level reduced the relative odds in blacks to 1.38 (95% confidence interval, 0.71-2.69), corresponding to a 82% reduction in excess risk. Conclusions These data suggest that early renal function decline is 3 times more likely to develop in blacks than whites and that potentially modifiable factors, including lower socioeconomic status, suboptimal health behaviors, and suboptimal control of glucose level and blood pressure, account for more than 80% of this disparity.
Localization with snap-inducing shaped residuals (SISR): coping with errors in measurement

We consider the problem of localizing wireless nodes in an outdoor, open-space environment, using ad-hoc radio ranging measurements, e.g., 802.11. We cast these ranging measurements as a set of distance constraints, thus forming an over-determined system of equations suitable for non-linear least squares optimization. However, ranging measurements are often subject to errors, induced by multipath signals and variations in path loss, unreliable hardware or antenna connectors, or imperfection in measurement models. Such potentially large, non-Gaussian errors in the measurement data ultimately produce inaccurate localization solutions. We propose a new error-tolerant localization method, called snap-inducing shaped residuals (SISR), to identify automatically "bad nodes" and "bad links" arising from these errors, so that they receive less weight in the localization process. In particular, SISR snaps "good nodes" to their accurate locations and gives less emphasis to other nodes. While the mathematical techniques used by SISR are similar to robust statistics, SISR's exploitation of the snap-in effect in localization appears to be novel. We provide analysis on the principle of SISR, illustrate errors in real-world measurements, and demonstrate a working SISR implementation in field experiments on a testbed of 37 wireless nodes, as well as show the superior performance of SISR in simulation with a larger number of nodes.
Out of bounds: factors affecting the perceived offensiveness of racial slurs

Abstract Racial slurs are terms used primarily to disparage individuals belonging to the targeted social group. In two studies, we manipulated racial slurs (“nigger”, “nigga”) used by White individuals toward Black individuals in different situations (between friends versus between strangers) to assess different levels of perceived offensiveness in White third party observers. Consistent with our hypotheses, in Study 1 we found that the use of racial slurs between friends was perceived to be less offensive than between strangers, and “nigga” was perceived to be less offensive than “nigger”. In Study 2 we replicated these results, and extended them by finding that ratings of offensiveness, consistent with hypotheses, were correlated with individual differences relating to the justification and suppression of prejudice. Our findings suggest that observers' reactions to racial slurs depend on the context in which the slur is used and perceivers' beliefs about the social appropriateness of expressing prejudice.
The role of new materials in the development of magnetic sensors and actuators

Abstract Broadly magnetic sensors and actuators rely on only a few basic principles. These include the law of induction, for magneto-inductive devices; the Ampere force law, for magnetomechanical sensors; and changes in materials properties under the action of a magnetic field, such as magnetoresistance, magneto-optics or magnetoelasticity for sensors based on magnetoelectronics (Proceedings of the 5th Conference on Magnetic Materials, Measurements and Modeling: symposium on magnetic sensors materials and devices, Ames, Iowa, USA, May 16–17, 2002). The identification and characterization of new materials with enhanced magnetic properties is important for the development of improved sensors and actuators. In some cases the identification of new materials can open up new applications for magnetic sensors and actuators which were previously not possible.
Combined use of titanium mesh and biocompatible osteoconductive polymer in the treatment of full thickness calvarial defects

Restoration of bony defects is a common problem in craniofacial surgery. This article describes a versatile approach using a combination of titanium micromesh or midimesh and biocompatible osteoconductive polymer to restore calvarial bone loss.
Trends in the temperature and water vapor content of the tropical lower stratosphere: Sea surface connection

[1] The tropical lower stratosphere is an important region of the atmosphere, where strong convective activity in the underlying troposphere affects both its chemical and dynamical properties. Temperatures near the tropopause influence the input of water vapor from the troposphere and act as an indicator of the dynamical properties of the region. This paper addresses long-term trends in the temperature of the tropical lower stratosphere. Correlations with recent changes in tropical stratospheric water vapor are also noted. Special attention is given to the convectively active tropical western Pacific Ocean, where sea surface temperatures (SSTs) are among the highest in the world. The region contains several island radiosonde stations with records reliably extending over several decades. Results show only weak cooling trends occurred before the 1990s, but a strong and rapid cooling of 4° to 6°C took place in the mid-1990s and has persisted since that time. The properties of the temperature records during and following this cooling event are discussed, and a significant anticorrelation with SST anomalies in the underlying ocean is noted. The rate of ocean warming increased in the early 1990s, coinciding approximately with the mid-decade cooling event, while individual monthly anomalies in both time series are also anticorrelated. Past work has shown that cooling of the tropical lower stratosphere is a dynamical result of tropospheric convection, which in turn partially depends upon sea surface temperatures. Convection may therefore be the link between the ocean and the stratosphere, and the increased cooling may be an indication of strengthening tropical convection.
Safety evaluation to support first-in-man investigations II: Toxicology studies

Abstract Toxicology (single dose, range-finding, repeat dose and genotoxicity) data available in 34 Investigator’s Brochures used to support First-In-Man clinical trials over a 10 year period have been evaluated to give an insight into the types of study designs used and how these have changed over the period analysed (1997–2006). Study packages had single dose toxicity studies in the rodent (although there has been a recent trend to reduce the number of these studies), range-finding toxicity studies in the rodent and non-rodent (with only small numbers of the latter used) and key 2–4 week repeat dose toxicity studies in rodent (usually rat) and non-rodent (both dog and monkey). The majority of the latter studies established No Observed Adverse Effect Levels, showed the rodent to be generally less sensitive to target organ toxicity than the non-rodent and showed the liver and then the kidney to be the most common target organs. Genotoxicity assessment included 2 in vitro assays (a reverse mutation bacteria and either a chromosome aberration or mouse lymphoma assay) and commonly, an in vivo rodent bone marrow micronucleus test. Considerations for general toxicology and genotoxicity study designs are discussed along with the use of appropriate information to help set the clinical starting dose.
Improving risk management: moving from risk elimination to risk avoidance

Abstract This study has examined software reliability using a risk management framework to analyze popular risk management models with regard to their emphasis on risk avoidance. Too often, risk reduction occurs late in the software development life cycle when changes are costly and less effective. We suggest that early risk avoidance techniques, like the cleanroom software development process and its sub-process of software inspections, leads to superior products. Our approach is different from the current mainstream approach of testing to eliminate errors because we propose using risk models that emphasize preventive risk management early in development. We argue that the use of risk avoidance leads to benefits that far outweigh the cost of implementation.
Inflammatory effects of inhaled sulfur mustard in rat lung

Inhalation of sulfur mustard (SM), a bifunctional alkylating agent that causes severe lung damage, is a significant threat to both military and civilian populations. The mechanisms mediating its cytotoxic effects are unknown and were investigated in the present studies. Male rats Crl:CD(SD) were anesthetized, and then intratracheally intubated and exposed to 0.7-1.4mg/kg SM by vapor inhalation. Animals were euthanized 6, 24, 48h or 7days post-exposure and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL) and lung tissue collected. Exposure of rats to SM resulted in rapid pulmonary toxicity, including focal ulceration and detachment of the trachea and bronchial epithelia from underlying mucosa, thickening of alveolar septal walls and increased numbers of inflammatory cells in the tissue. There was also evidence of autophagy and apoptosis in the tissue. This was correlated with increased BAL protein content, a marker of injury to the alveolar epithelial lining. SM exposure also resulted in increased expression of markers of inflammation including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), each of which has been implicated in pulmonary toxicity. Whereas COX-2, TNFα and iNOS were mainly localized in alveolar regions, MMP-9 was prominent in bronchial epithelium. In contrast, expression of the anti-oxidant hemeoxygenase, and the anti-inflammatory collectin, surfactant protein-D, decreased in the lung after SM exposure. These data demonstrate that SM-induced oxidative stress and injury are associated with the generation of cytotoxic inflammatory proteins which may contribute to the pathogenic response to this vesicant.
Synthesis of MSnO3 (M = Ba, Sr) nanoparticles by reverse micelle method and particle size distribution analysis by whole powder pattern modeling

Abstract Light-to-electricity conversion efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells critically depends not only on the dye molecule, semiconducting material and redox shuttle selection but also on the particle size and particle size distribution of the semiconducting photoanode. In this study, nanocrystalline BaSnO 3 and SrSnO 3 particles have been synthesized using the microemulsion method. Particle size distribution was studied by whole powder pattern modeling which confirmed narrow particle size distribution with an average size of 18.4 ± 8.3 nm for SrSnO 3 and 15.8 ± 4.2 nm for BaSnO 3 . These values are in close agreement with results of transmission electron microscopy. The prepared materials have optimal microstructure for successive investigation in dye-sensitized solar cells.
Association of Malaria-Induced Murine Pregnancy Failure with Robust Peripheral and Placental Cytokine Responses

Malarial infection in nonimmune pregnant women is a major risk factor for pregnancy failure. The biological mechanisms that underlie malaria-associated fetal loss, however, are poorly understood. Plasmodium chabaudi AS infection during early pregnancy results in midgestational embryonic loss in naive C57BL/6 mice. To define the immunopathogenesis of this malaria-induced pregnancy compromise, cytokine production in plasma, spleen, and placenta cell culture supernatants during the first 11 days of infection and gestation was studied. In infected pregnant mice, systemic interleukin-1beta and both systemic and splenic gamma interferon levels were elevated relative to those in uninfected pregnant mice, and gamma interferon was also robustly produced within the placenta 1 to 2 days before malaria-induced fetal loss. Although circulating tumor necrosis factor production was not affected by pregnancy or infection, circulating soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor II was highest in infected pregnant mice, particularly those undergoing abortion, but decreased at the placental level preceding abortion. Systemic levels of interleukin-10 were also high in infected mice at this time point, but this cytokine was not detected at the placental level. Histological examination revealed that trophoblast giant cells of aborting mice phagocytosed infected red blood cells and hemozoin. Furthermore, in vitro-cultured trophoblast cells isolated from embryos on day 7 of gestation phagocytosed P. chabaudi AS-infected red blood cells and secreted tumor necrosis factor. These results suggest that systemic and placenta-level proinflammatory antimalarial immune responses, in the absence of adequate and sustained counterregulatory mechanisms, contribute to pregnancy loss in this model.
Government Land Use Interventions: An Economic Analysis

Government interventions affect land use outcomes in cities around the world. These interventions are often well meaning, being designed to achieve ends that are thought to be socially desirable. However, since urban real estate markets are complex systems, land use interventions often generate subsidiary effects that are unanticipated by policy makers. These effects can be undesirable, offsetting the benefits that the interventions were intended to capture. The result can then be a net social loss, so that the land use intervention leaves the urban economy in a worse position than where it started.
Incidence of Heterobasidion annosum in Norway spruce on a Mg‐Limed and Nonlimed Soil in the Black Forest, FRG

The incidence of root disease was determined on Norway spruce in a mixed stand of spruce and fir near Alpirsbach (Northern Black Forest), Germany. Fifteen most symptomatic spruce were selected in each of two plots that had been limed with Mg-containing lime termed “Huttenkalk”, or nonlimed, in a previous trial to alleviate symptoms of yellowing and premature needle loss. No relationships were found between persistence of yellowing and needle loss on either plot and incidence of H. annosum.
Prostacyclin: a potentially valuable agent for preserving myocardial tissue in acute myocardial ischemia

Prostacyclin, a potent, naturally occurring prostaglandin exerts a variety of cardiovascular and cellular actions of potential value in acute myocardial ischemia. These properties include the reduction of systemic blood pressure without changing heart rate, the lowering of coronary vascular and total peripheral resistance, the inhibition of platelet aggregation and the concomitant formation of thromboxane B2, and the reduction of the release of lysosomal enzymes.
NUCLEAR ENVELOPE-ASSOCIATED RESUMPTION OF RNA SYNTHESIS IN LATE MITOSIS OF HELA CELLS

The restitution of RNA synthesis in cultures progressing from metaphase into interphase (G1) has been investigated in synchronized HeLa S3 cells by using inhibitors of macro-molecular synthesis and the technique of electron microscope autoradiography. The rate of incorporation of radioactive uridine into RNA approached interphase levels in the absence of renewed protein synthesis. In contrast, maintenance of this rate in G1 was dependent upon renewed protein synthesis. Restoration of synthesis of heterogeneous nuclear RNA occurred under conditions that inhibited production of ribosomal precursor RNA. In autoradiographs of individual cells exposed to radioactive uridine, silver grains were first detected after nuclear envelope reformation at the periphery of the chromosome mass but before chromosomal decondensation. These data are consistent with the following interpretation. Multiple RNA polymerase activities persist through mitosis and are involved in the initiation of RNA synthesis in early telophase at sites on the nuclear envelope.
False-Alarm Regulation in Log-Normal and Weibull Clutter

Automatic detection radars require some method of adapting to variations in the background clutter in order to control their false-alarm rate. Conventional cell-averaging techniques designed to maintain a constant false-alarm rate in Rayleigh clutter will fail to control the false-alarm rate in more severe clutter environments such as log-normal or Weibull clutter. A processor is described which is capable of maintaining false-alarm regulation in log-normal clutter and in Weibull clutter (and, under certain conditions, over the entire family of log-normal and Weibull distributions).
Marine Ecology: Reaping the Benefits of Local Dispersal

A central question of marine ecology is, how far do larvae disperse? Evidence is accumulating that the probability of dispersal declines rapidly with distance. This provides an incentive for communities to manage their own fish stocks and cooperate with neighbors.
A framework for image interpretation in manufacturing applications

A framework for intelligent image interpretation in which the generic knowledge of the system is separated from the specific model and task knowledge in order to provide modifiability, extensibility, and ease of tailoring for a particular environment is presented. Three types of knowledge are incorporated in the system: knowledge about objects, about relations, and about reasoning and problem solving. The model knowledge is represented in a hierarchical manner at three levels: primitive geometric entities, perceptual structures, and volumetric and functional primitives. The knowledge of the relations is used to form constraints, which are used for reasoning in the interpretation process. The reasoning process is described, and the handling of position and orientation is discussed. An example shows how the system uses bottom-up reasoning and top-down verification to match a particular set of images containing one object to its model in the database. >
Assimilating Remote Sensing-Based ET into SWAP Model for Improved Estimation of Hydrological Predictions

An agro-hydrological simulation model is useful for agriculture monitoring and Remote Sensing provides useful information over large area. Combining both information by data assimilation is used in agro-hydrological modeling and predictions, where multiple remotely sensed data, ground measurement data and model forecast routinely combined in operational mapping procedures. Remote sensing cannot observe input parameters of agro-hydrological models directly. A method to estimate input parameters of such model from Remote Sensing using data assimilation has been proposed by Ines [2002] using the SWAP (Soil, Water, Atmosphere and Plant) model. A Genetic Algorithm (GA) loaded stochastic physically based soil-water-atmosphere-plant model (SWAP) was extended for the discussed problem and used in the study. The objective of this study was to implement a data assimilation scheme to estimate hydrological parameters (e.g soil moisture) of SWAP model. For this study six Landsat TM/ETM satellite images were obtained for part of the Great Plains (Path 29, Row 32) in the states of Nebraska (NE) for the 2006 growing season (May-October). Then a land surface energy balance model (METRIC) was used to map spatiotemporal distribution of evapotranspiration. The ability of METRIC accuracy was compared with the measurements at several flux sites with Bowen Ratio Energy Balance System units. Remotely sensed ET data and ground measurement data from experiment fields were then combined in a data assimilation to estimate parameters of the SWAP model. The system is initialized with a population of random solutions and searches for optima by updating generations. The result shows that the reasonable parameters (sowing date and harvesting date, Ground water level) were successfully estimated. On the basis of estimated parameters, soil moisture is predicted by SWAP model. The agro-hydrological model driven by the observed ET produces reasonable water cycle states and fluxes, and the estimates are moderately improved by assimilating ET measurements that provides information on the surface soil moisture state, while it remains challenging to improve the results by assimilating regional ET estimated from satellite-based measurements.
A Navy approach to integrated diagnostics

The Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) is developing a framework for providing a total and integrated diagnostic capability for shipboard systems. This framework will consist of policies, standards, guides, and generic diagnostic software packages. A major part of this framework is the Navy Integrated Diagnostic Support System (IDSS). The IDSS is a research and development program to demonstrate the feasibility of an integrated approach to diagnostics. An equally important facet of IDSS is the development of generic software packages to support the ID process. The IDSS supports hardware design through its weapon system testability analyzer tool and diagnostic procedure development through its adaptive diagnostic authoring tool. In the field, a third tool, the adaptive diagnostic subsystem, uses the diagnostic data from the first two tools to fault-isolate system problems. A fourth tool, the feedback analyzer, collects and analyzes field history data and recommends corrective action. >
The thioalkoxyalkylation of sulfides and other nucleophiles

Abstract A mild, high yield thioalkoxyalkylation procedure in which the active thioalkoxyalkyl cation reagent is generated in situ is described. The advantages of the new method over the use of a preformed reagent are demonstrated in the synthesis of a series of thioalkoxyalkylsulfonium salts and some similarly alkylated pyridines and tetrazoles.
Teaching technology in an online, distance education environment

There are numerous challenges inherent in teaching technology classes. These challenges are further exacerbated when teaching in an online distance education environment. A number of practical techniques used by the authors to facilitate teaching in this environment are discussed. Special tools and techniques such as bulletin boards, email, course syllabus, web pages, calendars, whiteboards, creation of a course CD, synchronous and asynchronous communication, and technology setups are examined in relation to their pedagogical relevance in the online environment. Organizational efforts such as effective planning, setting the tone, building communication, and evaluation and feedback are also discussed. This paper discusses the authors' attempts to meet the challenges. The primary goal is to establish an effective online learning community to facilitate learning.
Effect Of Coudé Pupil Rotation on Sodium Laser Beacon Perspective Elongation

Laser beacons are commonly used to measure the atmospheric turbulence through a given volume of the atmosphere. One of the imperfections of using laser beacons is the elongation of the laser spot when viewed from an off-axis perspective. Further complications arise when the telescope uses a Coude path without a de-rotation system, thereby allowing the wavefront sensor to optically rotate relative to the telescope's entrance pupil. 12 This paper examines the effect of Coude rotation on Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor measurements for a 3.5m telescope operating with a side launched sodium-wavelength laser. This paper also considers the effect of laser tilt and sodium layer depth on wavefront measurements. Finally, a semi-analytic model is developed to allow greater analysis of the effects of pupil rotation and beacon elongation on these measurements.
Taxane doublets for metastatic breast cancer: do we need another cytotoxic pair or another approach?

In the 15 years since taxanes were approved for use in metastatic breast cancer, they have played a prominent role in clinical trials evaluating combination therapy for this disease. A number of randomizedtrialshavebeenconductedaddressingthequestionofsingleagentversuscombinationtherapyortherelatedquestionofsequential versuscombinationtherapy.Someofthesehaveshownthecombination arm to be superior in response rate (RR), progression-free survival (PFS), and even overall survival (OS). Notable examples of successful taxane doublets include the combination of gemcitabine and paclitaxel 1 and the combination of docetaxel and capecitabine, 2 both of which showed improved time to progression (TTP), RR, and OS for the doublet compared with single-agent taxane alone in firstline treatment of metastatic breast cancer. However, later analysis of the docetaxel and capecitabine study showed that in patients who received single-agent docetaxel, poststudy treatment with capecitabine improved survival more than other poststudy treatments. This finding raises the possibility that sequential single-agent therapy may confer the same benefit as combined doublet therapy. 3 Other trials have shown that combination cytotoxic therapy is no better than single-agent or single-agent sequential therapy, 4 and most studies have shown higher toxicity in the combination arms. A recent Cochrane report 5 concluded that combination chemotherapy regimens yielded statistically significant improvements in OS, TTP, and RR yet greater toxicity. However, this report included primarily nontaxane combinations and did not evaluate sequential single agents as a comparison. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines, version2.2011, 6 statethatthereislittleornocompellingevidencethat combination chemotherapy is superior to sequential single agents. Thus a common consensus opinion is that combination cytotoxic therapy should be used in patients with rapidly progressive disease or in patients with visceral disease and symptoms, where more rapid response is needed. All others should be treated with single agents in sequence. Inthiscontext,Nielsenetal 7 presentinJournalofClinicalOncology a randomized phase III trial conducted by the Danish Breast Cancer Cooperative Group to evaluate the combination of gemcitabine and docetaxel compared with docetaxel alone in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer. This study was conducted between 2001 and2005andincluded337patientswithmetastaticbreastcancerwho
Differences in performance and transcriptome-wide gene expression associated with Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) larvae feeding in alternate host fruit environments.

Host race formation, the establishment of new populations using novel resources, is a major hypothesized mechanism of ecological speciation, especially in plant-feeding insects. The initial stages of host race formation will often involve phenotypic plasticity on the novel resource, with subsequent genetically based adaptations enhancing host-associated fitness differences. Several studies have explored the physiology of the plastic responses of insects to novel host environments. However, the mechanisms underlying evolved differences among host races and species remain poorly understood. Here, we demonstrate a reciprocal larval performance difference between two closely related species of Rhagoletis flies, R. pomonella and R. zephyria, specialized for feeding in apple and snowberry fruit, respectively. Microarray analysis of fly larvae feeding in apples versus snowberries revealed patterns of transcriptome-wide differential gene expression consistent with both plastic and evolved responses to the different fruit resources, most notably for detoxification-related genes such as cytochrome p450s. Transcripts exhibiting evolved expression differences between species tended to also demonstrate plastic responses to fruit environment. The observed pattern suggests that Rhagoletis larvae exhibit extensive plasticity in gene expression in response to novel fruit that may potentiate shifts to new hosts. Subsequent selection, particularly selection to suppress initially costly plastic responses, could account for the evolved expression differences observed between R. pomonella and R. zephyria, creating specialized races and new fly species. Thus, genetically based ecological adaptations generating new biodiversity may often evolve from initial plastic responses in gene expression to the challenges posed by novel environments.
Zooprophylaxis or zoopotentiation: the outcome of introducing animals on vector transmission is highly dependent on the mosquito mortality while searching.

Zooprophylaxis, the diversion of disease carrying insects from humans to animals, may reduce transmission of diseases such as malaria. However, as the number of animals increases, improved availability of blood meals may increase mosquito survival, thereby countering the impact of diverting feeds. Computer simulation was used to examine the effects of animals on the transmission of human diseases by mosquitoes. Three scenarios were modelled: (1) endemic transmission, where the animals cannot be infected, eg. malaria; (2) epidemic transmission, where the animals cannot be infected but humans remain susceptible, e.g. malaria; (3) epidemic disease, where both humans and animals can be infected, but develop sterile immunity, eg. Japanese encephalitis B. For each, the passive impact of animals as well as the use of animals as bait to attract mosquitoes to insecticide was examined. The computer programmes are available from the author. A teaching model accompanies this article. For endemic and epidemic malaria with significant searching-associated vector mortality, changing animal numbers and accessibility had little impact. Changing the accessibility of the humans had a much greater effect. For diseases with an animal amplification cycle, the most critical factor was the proximity of the animals to the mosquito breeding sites. Estimates of searching-associated vector mortality are essential before the effects of changing animal husbandry practices can be predicted. With realistic values of searching-associated vector mortality rates, zooprophylaxis may be ineffective. However, use of animals as bait to attract mosquitoes to insecticide is predicted to be a promising strategy.
Effects of Yoga on Inflammation and Exercise Capacity in Patients With Chronic Heart Failure

Background: Despite recent advances in pharmacologic and device therapy, morbidity and mortality from heart failure (HF) remain high. Yoga combines physical and breathing exercises that may benefit patients with HF. We hypothesized that an 8-week regimen of yoga in addition to standard medical therapy would improve exercise capacity, inflammatory markers, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with HF. Methods and Results: New York Heart Association Class I-III HF patients were randomized to yoga treatment (YT) or standard medical therapy (MT). Measurements included a graded exercise test (GXT) to _ VO2Peak and the following serum biomarkers: interleukin-6 (IL-6), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and extracellular superoxide dismutase (EC-SOD). The Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire (MLHFQ) was administered to assess changes in QoL. A total of 19 patients were enrolled after the initial screening. Of the 19 patients, 9 were randomized to YT and 10 to MT. Patients had a mean EF of 25%. GXT time and _ VO2Peak were significantly improved in the YT versus MT groups (þ18% in the YTand e7.5% in MT; P 5 .03 vs. control and þ17 in YTand e7.1 in MT; P 5 .02, respectively). There were statistically significant reductions in serum levels of IL-6 and hsCRP and an increase in EC-SOD in the YT group (all P ! .005 vs. MT). MLHFQ scores improved by 25.7% in the YT group and by 2.9% in the MT group. Conclusions: Yoga improved exercise tolerance and positively affected levels of inflammatory markers in patientswithHF,andtherewasalsoatrendtowardimprovementsinQoL.(JCardiacFail2008;14:407e413)
The Effect of the Echinocandin Analogue Caspofungin on Cell Wall Glucan Synthesis by Cryptococcus neoformans

The echinocandin derivative caspofungin (MK-0991, L-743,872) inhibits 1,3-beta-d-glucan synthesis and is active against several medically important fungi but is relatively ineffective against Cryptococcus neoformans. To investigate the mechanism of C. neoformans resistance, the prevalence of 1,3- and 1,6-beta-d-glucan linkages was determined in cells grown with and without caspofungin, using affinity-purified antisera and gold particle immunoelectron microscopy. Cryptococcal strains ATCC 24067 (serotype D) and MY2061 (serotype A) were studied. Growth at 4 microg/mL of caspofungin reduced both glucan linkages in both strains. However, growth at 2 microg/mL resulted in reduced 1,6-beta-d-glucan linkage only for MY2061. Inhibition of 1,6-beta-d-glucan synthesis may be an additional mechanism of action for pneumocandins. The relatively low efficacy of caspofungin against C. neoformans may result from reduced activity against C. neoformans glucan synthase or from yet undiscovered mechanisms of action operative in other fungal pathogens but not in C. neoformans.
Fish and n−3 fatty acids for the prevention of fatal coronary heart disease and sudden cardiac death

Large observational studies, randomized clinical trials, and experimental studies have evaluated the effects of fish and n-3 fatty acid consumption on fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) and sudden cardiac death (SCD), clinically defined events that most often share the final common pathway of fatal ventricular arrhythmia. These different study designs, each having complementary strengths and limitations, provide strong concordant evidence that modest consumption of fish or fish oil (1-2 servings/wk of oily fish, or approximately 250 mg/d of EPA+DHA) substantially reduces the risk of CHD death and SCD. Pooled analysis of prospective cohort studies and randomized clinical trials demonstrates the magnitude and dose-response of this effect, with 36% lower risk of CHD death comparing 0 and 250 mg/d of EPA+DHA consumption (P < 0.001), but then little additional benefit with higher intakes. Reductions in risk are even larger in observational studies utilizing tissue biomarkers of n-3 fatty acids that more accurately measure dietary consumption. The concordance of findings from different studies also suggests that effects of fish or fish oil on CHD death and SCD do not vary depending on presence or absence of established CHD. The strength and consistency of the evidence, and the magnitude of this effect are each notable. Because more than one-half of all CHD deaths and two-thirds of SCD occur among individuals without recognized heart disease, modest consumption of fish or fish oil, together with smoking cessation and regular moderate physical activity, should be among the first-line treatments for prevention of CHD death and SCD.
Impaired resensitization and recycling of the cholecystokinin receptor by co-expression of its second intracellular loop.

Intermolecular interaction represents an important theme in regulation of intracellular trafficking of organelles that can be interrupted by competitive overexpression of a relevant molecular domain. We attempted to identify the functional importance of intracellular domains of the cholecystokinin (CCK) receptor by their over-expression in receptor-bearing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-CCKR) cell lines. Although clathrin-dependent endocytosis and recycling of this receptor are well-established (J Cell Biol128:1029–1042, 1995), any influence of distinct receptor domains is not understood. In this work, constructs representing each of the intracellular domains of the CCK receptor were coexpressed with wild-type receptor, and stable clonal cell lines were selected. Each was characterized for ligand binding and agonist-stimulated biological activity (inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate generation), desensitization, resensitization, receptor internalization, and recycling. Each cell line expressed normal CCK radioligand binding, signaling, internalization, and desensitization. Three independent cell lines that coexpressed the 25-residue second intracellular loop domain exhibited deficient resensitization. In morphological assessment of receptor trafficking, this construct was also shown to interfere with receptor recycling to the plasma membrane. As a control, recycling of an unrelated G protein-coupled receptor was demonstrated to occur normally in this cell line. These observations suggest that rather than representing passive cargo within an endosome, a receptor can influence its own trafficking within the cell.
Potentially modifiable influences on cancer family history-taking among primary care physicians in Vermont and Massachusetts

6067 Background. Taking a complete family history is key in identifying individuals at increased risk for cancer. The objectives of this study were to test hypothesized relationships between potent...
Waiting for Leadership

It seemed in the month after the November 2008 election that President-elect Barack Obama was on a roll in naming top members of his administration. The roll, however, quickly halted. It took until the end of April 2009 to get all 15 of President Obama's cabinet secretaries confirmed. Early in President Obama’s second year, key positions remain empty. As members of Congress and the president attended to health care legislation, there was no confirmed assistant secretary for legislation at the Department of Health and Human Services. There was not even a nominee to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Using data from the Office of Personnel Management and The Washington Post’s "Head Count," the newspaper’s appointments tracker, this report compares the current administration’s staffing of Senate-confirmed positions in cabinet departments and major executive agencies at the 100 day-mark and one-year mark with the records of recent administrations. The report also provides the status of agency staffing in the current administration as of the end of March 2010, and then assesses how much of the delay is due to lack of nominations and how much is due to the Senate confirmation process. In particular, the analysis reveals:At the 100-day mark, in percentage terms, President Obama was doing better than the preceding two administrations. President George W. Bush, however, got a late start due to the 2000 election, and President Clinton's personnel efforts were roundly criticized. The Obama administration lagged behind all four previous administrations in percentage terms after one year. In percentage terms, after one year, the Obama administration ranked last or next to last (out of the five administrations examined) in filling important positions in 10 of 16 major federal agencies.The Obama administration spent significant time on the nomination process but still fewer days, on average, than the three previous administrations. The Senate has taken longer to confirm President Obama's nominees to executive agencies than nominees submitted by the previous three administrations. These delays in agency staffing have detrimental consequences. Without political appointees, regulation and enforcement actions have lagged. In addition to agency inaction, vacancies in Senate-confirmed positions also shaped, at least in part, attacks from the left and the right on the Obama administration’s use of high-level White House staff in important policy areas. This report offers politically feasible recommendations for both the White House and Senate to improve agency staffing in this and future administrations.
Correlation of Heavy Ion Irradiation Data for Silicon and Gallium Arsenide

Empirical equations were obtained for the surface damage resulting from heavy ion irradiation of silicon and gallium arsenide single crystals in terms of the incident ion fluence. The parameters in...
Characterization of the 4-Oxo-2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidinooxy Dosimeter for In Situ Radiolysis Electron Spin Resonance Studies

The stable free radical 4-oxo-2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinooxy (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidone-N-oxyl, TEMPONE) in nitrous oxide-saturated aqueous formate solution has been shown to be a quantitative dosimeter for in situ radiolysis electron spin resonance (ESR) studies. The bleach of the TEMPONE ESR signal is proportional to the absorbed dose in steady-state radiolysis/field-modulation and in pulse radiolysis/time-resolved studies. The G value for consumption of TEMPONE in nitrogen-deoxygenated solution is 5.3 (molecules per 100 eV), while the value in nitrous oxide-saturated solution is 6.0. Measurement of the radiolytically produced yield of carbon dioxide shows that the product of reaction of carbon dioxide radical anion with TEMPONE gives the corresponding hydroxylamine. The stability of the integrated intensity of the TEMPONE ESR bleach has been evaluated in the presence and absence of oxygen and found to be stable for hours. The ESR linewidth of TEMPONE solutions irradiated under anoxic conditions was constant in the postirradiation period. However, when oxygen was added postirradiation, the oxygen-broadened ESR linewidth decreased slowly toward the width observed in anoxic media, indicating consumption of dioxygen by, with concomitant production of, diamagnetic species in solution.
Organic transistors with ordered nanoparticle arrays as a tailorable platform for selective, in situ detection.

The use of organic transistors as sensing platforms provides a number of distinct advantages over conventional detection technologies, including their tunability, portability, and ability to directly transduce binding events without tedious and expensive labeling procedures. However, detection efforts using organic transistors lack a general method to uniquely specify and detect a target of interest. While highly sensitive liquid- and vapor-phase sensors have been previously reported, detection has been restricted either to the serendipitous interaction of the analyte molecules with the organic semiconductor or to the covalent functionalization of the semiconductor with receptor groups to enhance specificity. However, the former technique cannot be regularly relied upon for tailorable sensing while the latter may result in unpredictable decreases in electronic performance. Thus, a method to provide modular receptor sites on the surface of an organic transistor without damaging the device will significantl...
Mating Interaction Between Native Tobacco Budworms and Released Backcross Adults

The results of field releases of backcross (BC) males or females obtained by backcrossing hybrid females resulting from a cross between Hetiothis subflexa (Guenee) females and H. virescens (F.) males to H. virescens males, indicated that native males mated with BC females; but BC males were observed only rarely mating with native females. When both BC sexes were released in the same field, the BC male was competitive for BC females but not for native females. Generally the behavior of the BC culture was similar to that of the laboratory strain of tobacco budworms used in its production. Field observations indicated that peak emergence and mating occurred 8–9 days before peak captures in pheromone traps. Also, peak mating occurred 4 days before the full moon and peak trap capture occurred 4 days after the full moon.
Alloimmunization and Refractoriness to Platelet Transfusions

Refractoriness to platelet transfusions due to alloimmunization is one of the most serious complications that can occur for a chronically transfused platelet recipient. Although the diagnosis and management of this condition are difficult, the available therapeutic choices are increasing. The increasing use of family and human leukocyte antigen–matched donors is successful, and the option of crossmatch-selected platelet donors is becoming widely available.
Colleagues as Change Agents: How Department Networks and Opinion Leaders Influence Teaching at a Single Research University

This study investigates colleague–colleague relationships within life sciences departments and how they may promote teaching reform. The authors found that discipline-based education researchers ar...
Evolution of a regional pharmacy residency teaching and learning curriculum program

Abstract Purpose To provide an overview of how technology assisted in growing a small face-to-face residency teaching and learning curriculum program (RTLCP) into a regional online program, to assess the impact of the program on participants' confidence regarding their pedagogical skill set, and to assess participants' perceptions of satisfaction and effectiveness of the program. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted to evaluate the RTLCP program using descriptive information collected between 2007 and 2014. A survey was administered, using a pre-post design, to assess participants' perceptions of the program's effectiveness and the participants' satisfaction with the program during the past two years. A detailed description of each program component and how those have changed over time was described. Results During the past two years, a total of 38 residents completed the RTLCP program. Of the 38 residents, 32 completed the pre-survey and 22 completed the post-survey representing an 84% and 58% response rate, respectively. A statistically significant improvement was found for 92% (25/27) of categories surveyed regarding teaching ability and pedagogical skills. Areas showing no significant improvement included the following: the ability to perform grading ( p = 0.0958) and the ability to evaluate exam statistics ( p = 0.0578). Conclusions The RTLCP at Shenandoah University has successfully expanded its reach through the use of synchronous and asynchronous technological advances. Participants of the program significantly increased their knowledge of pedagogy and multiple teaching experiences increased participant's confidence in their ability to apply that knowledge to various educational settings.
Laparoscopic Adrenalectomy: Retroperitoneal Approach

Posterior retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy has emerged as an alternative operative approach for the laparoscopic removal of non-malignant tumors of the adrenal gland. Retroperitoneoscopic adrenalectomy offers advantages to transperitoneal adrenalectomy and may be the ideal approach in patients with anticipated extensive adhesions from prior abdominal surgery in the same quadrant or in patients requiring bilateral adrenalectomy as this approach avoids patient repositioning. The retroperitoneoscopic approach has been shown to be associated with operative times, complications, and mortality that are equivalent to adrenalectomy via the transperitoneal approach. Partial or cortical-sparing procedures have also been performed with favorable results. In this chapter, we describe the background, rationale, indications and contraindications, preoperative preparation, and operative technique.