cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetics of a wild population of rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta): II. The Dunga Gali population in species‐wide perspective

Genetic variability in a population of wild rhesus monkeys near the village of Dunga Gali, Northwest Frontier Province, Pakistan (Mel- nick et al., Am. J. Phys. Anthropol. 63: 341-360,1984) was compared to similar variation in other wild-caught rhesus monkeys. Regional samples of rhesus from different parts of Asia all displayed similar amounts of variation (i.e., P and Hi) and were consistently more variable than the Dunga Gali local popu- lation. Despite these differences in the level of genetic variation, genetic diversity is fairly evenly distributed across the species range. Thus only 3-9% of the total gene diversity of Macaca mulatta can be attributed to differences among major regions. The differences that do exist tend toward a weak geo- graphic cline with clustering of populations into an eastern and a western group. Both selection and driftlmigration models explain this general genetic homogeneity. More genetic (protein and DNA) and zoogeographic data are necessary to choose between these models. In this series of papers, based on a genetic survey of a local population of rhesus mon- keys living in the foothills of the Himalayas, we examine the distribution of genetic vari- ation within and between populations. More- over, we discuss the implications of our findings for the population structure of Ma- caca mulatta and the relationship of this structure to the mode of evolution of this and similar species. In the first paper, we de- scribed the population and its physical set- ting, the methods used to trap, survey, and genotype the animals, and patterns of ge- netic variation among social groups of mon- keys within the study population. We found that social groups exhibited distinct gene fre- quencies, as might be expected of groups of relatives, but showed no evidence of the kind of inbreeding that has been postulated as the norm in social primates (Bush et al., 1977). In this paper, we have three main objectives. First, we examine the Dunga Gali popula- tion and its variability in the context of the species as a whole. Second, we attempt to determine the extent to which major re- gional populations of rhesus monkeys are ge-
Globally stable fast tracking control of a chain of integrators with input saturation and disturbances: A holistic approach

A new approach to the globally stable tracking control of multiple integrators with input saturation and bounded disturbances is proposed. The controller has a hybrid structure. Specifically, in the inner loop, a nonlinear control law is designed in continuous-time domain to have an arbitrarily good disturbance rejection performance at the steady-state while keeping the tracking errors with respect to on-line replanned trajectory within certain positive invariant set even in the presence of input saturation and bounded disturbances, provided that the replanned trajectory satisfies certain conditions. In the outer loop, a trajectory replanning unit implemented in discrete-time domain is constructed to generate a replanned trajectory satisfying those conditions while minimizing the converging time of the replanned trajectory to the desired target. It is theoretically shown that the resulting closed-loop system is globally stable and can track any feasible desired trajectory with a guaranteed steady-state tracking accuracy. Comparative simulation results have been obtained to verify the superior performance of the proposed controller over various existing ones in terms of the disturbance rejection capability and the overall respond speed of the resulting closed-loop system for a third-order integrator chain.
Compact Bends for Achieving Higher Integration Densities for LiNbO $_{3}$ Waveguides

A new waveguide platform is demonstrated that allows the bend radii to be substantially decreased for titanium-diffused lithium-niobate (LiNbO3) waveguides using vertically integrated arsenic-trisulfide (As2S3) overlay waveguides. Power is transferred from a Ti-diffused waveguide into the overlay waveguide using tapers, guided by the As2S3 waveguide through the S-bend region and transferred back into another Ti-diffused waveguide. This structure also behaves like a polarization beam splitter. We present simulation results as well as measurements to show the feasibility of achieving low loss and reduced bend radii for electrooptic waveguides.
Randomized or fixed order for studies of behavioral syndromes

There is a growing interest among behavioral ecologists in behavioral syndromes and animal personality. Studies of behavioral syndromes repeatedly measure the same individuals to quantify within-individual consistency and between-individual variation in behavior. Often these studies measure behavior in different contexts or in different behavioral assays to determine whether individual differences in behavior in one context are related to behavior in other contexts, that is, a behavioral syndrome. For studies of behavioral syndromes, there is not universal agreement about whether it is preferable to randomize the order of different assays or to administer them in a fixed order. Here, I articulate the advantages and disadvantages of testing in a randomized or fixed order and offer some recommendations according to the goals and power of the experiment. In general, studies using within-subjects designs that are primarily interested in mean-level differences between treatments should randomize the order that individuals experience different treatments. Under certain conditions, studies of behavioral syndromes should also administer the assays in a randomized order, but only if the study is sufficiently powerful to statistically account for carryover and period effects. If the experimenter is interested in behavioral syndromes that are caused by carryovers, it is often preferable to test in a fixed order. If the experimenter wants to guard against carryovers, but the experiment is not sufficiently powerful to account for carryover and period effects, then a compromise is to test in a fixed order, but to test individuals in the context that is most likely to affect subsequent behavior last.
Is there a benefit to preoperative weight loss in gastric bypass patients? A prospective randomized trial.

Abstract Background Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is the leading surgical treatment of morbid obesity in the United States. The role of preoperative weight loss in gastric bypass surgery remains controversial. We performed a prospective randomized trial to determine whether preoperative weight loss results in better outcomes after laparoscopic gastric bypass. Methods A total of 100 patients undergoing laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery from May 2004 to October 2005 were randomized preoperatively to either a weight loss group with a 10% weight loss requirement or a group that had no weight loss requirements. The patients were followed prospectively. The variables analyzed included perioperative complications, operative time, postoperative weight loss, and resolution of co-morbidities. Results Data were available for 26 patients in the weight loss group and 35 in the nonweight loss group. The 2 groups had similar preoperative characteristics, conversion and complication rates, and resolution of co-morbidities. The initial body mass index was 48.7 kg/m 2 and 49.3 kg/m 2 for the weight loss group and nonweight loss group, respectively ( P = NS). The preoperative body mass index was 44.5 kg/m 2 and 50.7 kg/m 2 for the weight loss group and nonweight loss group, respectively ( P = 0.0027). The operative time was 220.2 and 257.6 minutes for the 2 groups ( P = 0.0084). The percentage of excess weight loss at 3 and 6 months for the weight loss group and nonweight loss group was 44.1% and 33.1% ( P = 0.0267) and 53.9% and 50.9% ( P = NS), respectively. The interval to surgery from the initial consultation was 5.4 months and 5.2 months for the 2 groups ( P = NS). Conclusions Preoperative weight loss before laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass was associated with a decrease in the operating room time and an improved percentage of excess weight loss in the short term. Preoperative weight loss, however, did not affect the major complication or conversion rates, and its long-term effects were not apparent through this study. Also, preoperative weight loss did not have any bearing on the resolution of co-morbidities.
Genetic structure along an elevational gradient in Hawaiian honeycreepers reveals contrasting evolutionary responses to avian malaria

Background The Hawaiian honeycreepers (Drepanidinae) are one of the best-known examples of an adaptive radiation, but their persistence today is threatened by the introduction of exotic pathogens and their vector, the mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus. Historically, species such as the amakihi (Hemignathus virens), the apapane (Himatione sanguinea), and the iiwi (Vestiaria coccinea) were found from the coastal lowlands to the high elevation forests, but by the late 1800's they had become extremely rare in habitats below 900 m. Recently, however, populations of amakihi and apapane have been observed in low elevation habitats. We used twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci to investigate patterns of genetic structure, and to infer responses of these species to introduced avian malaria along an elevational gradient on the eastern flanks of Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes on the island of Hawaii.
Poultry manure as raw material for mercury adsorbents in gas applications

The quantity of poultry manure generated each year is large, and technologies that take advantage of the material should be explored. At the same time, increased emphasis on the reduction of mercury emissions from coal-fired electric power plants has resulted in environmental regulations that may, in the future, require application of activated carbons as mercury sorbents. The sorbents could be injected into the flue gas stream, where they could adsorb the mercury. The sorbents (now containing mercury) would be removed via filtration or other means from the flue gas. Our preliminary work has demonstrated that activated carbon made from poultry manure can adsorb mercury from air with good efficiency. In laboratory experiments, an activated carbon made from turkey cake manure removed the majority of elemental mercury from a hot air stream. Other activated carbons made from chicken and turkey litter manure were also efficient. In general, unwashed activated carbons made from poultry manure were more efficient in removing mercury than their acid-washed counterparts. The results suggest that the adsorption of mercury was mainly due to chemisorption on the surface of the carbon. Other potential uses for the activated carbons are the removal of mercury from air and natural gas.
Evaluation of bacteriologic culture of pooled fecal samples for detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis

Objective—To compare sensitivity of several methods of bacteriologic culture of pooled bovine fecal samples for detection of Mycobacterium paratuberculosis and evaluate homogeneity in number of M paratuberculosisin pooled fecal samples. Sample Population—Feces from 10 dairy cows that shed M paratuberculosis at various concentrations and 1 dairy cow known to be free of infection with M paratuberculosis. Procedure—5 fecal pooling methods, 2 culture methods, and 2 pool sizes were evaluated. Each pooled sample contained 1 infected sample and 4 or 9 uninfected samples. Results—Sensitivity of detection of M paratuberculosis was greater with smaller pool size (5 vs 10 samples/ pool). Detection sensitivity was also associated with concentration of bacteria in the infected sample. Results indicated that, compared with concurrent bacterial culture of individual infected samples, 37 to 44% of pooled samples with low bacterial concentrations yielded positive culture results and 94% of pooled samples with high bacteri...
Use of the Mastery of Stress Instrument in caregivers of children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes: identifying a need for further intervention.

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine if the Mastery of Stress Instrument (MSI) can assess further education needs of primary caregivers of children newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes...
Cancer Genes in Lung Cancer: Racial Disparities: Are There Any?

Cancer is now known as a disease of genomic alterations. Mutational analysis and genomics profiling in recent years have advanced the field of lung cancer genetics/genomics significantly. It is becoming more accepted now that the identification of genomic alterations in lung cancer can impact therapeutics, especially when the alterations represent "oncogenic drivers" in the processes of tumorigenesis and progression. In this review, we will highlight the key driver oncogenic gene mutations and fusions identified in lung cancer. The review will summarize and report the available demographic and clinicopathological data as well as molecular details behind various lung cancer gene alterations in the context of race. We hope to shed some light into the disparities in the incidence of various genetic mutations among lung cancer patients of different racial backgrounds. As molecularly targeted therapy continues to advance in lung cancer, racial differences in specific genetic/genomic alterations can have an important impact in the choices of therapeutics and in our understanding of the drug sensitivity/resistance profile. The most relevant genes in lung cancer described in this review include the following: EGFR, KRAS, MET, LKB1, BRAF, PIK3CA, ALK, RET, and ROS1. Commonly identified genetic/genomic alterations such as missense or nonsense mutations, small insertions or deletions, alternative splicing, and chromosomal fusion rearrangements were discussed. Relevance in current targeted therapeutic drugs was mentioned when appropriate. We also highlighted various targeted therapeutics that are currently under clinical development, such as the MET inhibitors and antibodies. With the advent of next-generation sequencing, the landscape of genomic alterations in lung cancer is expected to be much transformed and detailed in upcoming years. These genomic landscape differences in the context of racial disparities should be emphasized both in tumorigenesis and in drug sensitivity/resistance. It is hoped that such effort will help to diminish racial disparities in lung cancer outcome in the future.
Importance of Time Spent Standing for Those at Risk of Diabetic Foot Ulceration

OBJECTIVE Despite the high cumulative plantar stress associated with standing, previous physical activity reports of diabetic patients at risk of foot ulceration have not taken this activity into account. This study aimed to monitor spontaneous daily physical activity in diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) patients and examine both walking and standing activities as important foot-loading conditions. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Thirteen DPN patients were asked to wear a body-worn sensor for 48 h. Body postures (sitting, standing, and lying) and locomotion (walking, number of steps, and postural transition) were extracted. RESULTS Patients daily spent twice as much time standing (13 ± 5%) as walking (6 ± 3%). They spent 37 ± 6% of time sitting and 44 ± 8% lying down. The average number of steps per day was 7,754 ± 4,087, and the number of walking episodes was 357 ± 167 with maximum duration of 3.9 ± 3.8 min. CONCLUSIONS The large portion of DPN patients9 time spent standing with the feet loaded requires further consideration when treating and preventing foot ulcers.
What kind of knowledge gets deposited in textbooks

This paper explores how technical writing participates in estimates of value, based on its historical roots in mining and metallurgy going back to T. A. Rickard's first technical writing textbook published in 1908. The paper extends this exploration to include influences on Rickard's understanding of technical writing's social function, such as classical encyclopedic traditions, books of Hermetic secrets, and the first textbook developed by Comenius in the early 17th century. Throughout this history, the works of Francis Bacon provide a backdrop against which to understand how technical writing came to stabilize a scientific knowledge system and how this knowledge system was represented in textbooks.
Arbitrary elastic topologies and ocular dominance

The elastic net, which has been used to produce accounts of the formation of topology-preserving maps and ocular dominance stripes (OD), embodies a nearest neighbor topology. A Hebbian account of OD is not so restricted---and indeed makes the prediction that the width of the stripes depends on the nature of the (more general) neighborhood relations. Elastic and Hebbian accounts have recently been unified, raising a question mark about their different determiners of stripe widths. This paper considers this issue, and demonstrates theoretically that it is possible to use more general topologies in the elastic net, including those effectively adopted in the Hebbian model.
36-GHz, 16 $\times$ 6-Bit ROM in InP DHBT Technology Suitable for DDS Application

A 16times6-bit read-only memory (ROM), employing an architecture suitable for use as a phase to amplitude converter for direct digital synthesizers (DDS), has been implemented in InP double heterojunction bipolar transistor (DHBT) technology. The ROM uses a -3.8 V power supply and dissipates 1.13 W of power. The ROM is implemented in a test circuit that includes an 8-bit accumulator and a 6-bit digital-to-analog converter (DAC) to facilitate demonstration of high-speed operation. The maximum operating clock frequency is measured to be 36 GHz
Nicknames and Social Structure in Zinacantan

In this paper we attempt to coordinate a variety of analytic tools in the study of Zina-canteco naming practices, especially that of nicknaming. We suggest that nicknames, whose initial use is informal, are extended to members of distinct local descent groups and are gradually incorporated into the system of formal names by replacing Indian surnames. Viewing local descent groups as the principal point of articulation between the naming system and lineage structure, we show how changes in the latter are accompanied by changes in the former, and we outline the economic and political factors that seem to be behind the tendencies toward segmentation within the lineage. We conceive of naming as a system of communicative codes and measure the communicative efficiency of naming components. This enables us to compare eighteenth-century Zinacanteco surname groups with modern nickname groups and enhances our argument that they are parallel in structure, in statistical distribution over population, and in the meaning content of particular names. We present evidence suggesting that our model relating formal and informal naming practices to modern Zinacanteco social structure appears to have historical validity as well. [names, Zinacantan, Tzotzil, lineage, humor]
Early Adolescents Conceptions of Parental and Friend Authority over Relational Aggression.

The purpose of the present research is to compare early adolescents’ beliefs about parental and friend jurisdiction over relational aggression to their beliefs about parental and friend jurisdictio...
Combined molecular and morphological phylogeny of Ephemerellinae (Ephemerellidae: Ephemeroptera), with remarks about classification

This study represents the first combined molecular and morphological analysis for the mayfly family Ephemerellidae (Ephemeroptera), with a focus on the relationships of genera and species groups of the subfamily Ephemerellinae. The phylogeny was constructed based on DNA sequence data from 3 nuclear (18S rDNA, 28S rDNA, histone H3) and 2 mitochondrial (12S rDNA, 16S rDNA) genes, and 23 morphological characters. Taxon sampling for Ephemerellidae included exemplars from all 25 extant genus groups and additional representatives from those genera with the highest diversity. Ephemerellidae appears to consist of three major clades. Ephemerella, the largest genus of Ephemerellidae, and Serratella were not supported as monophyletic, and each had representatives in two of the three major clades. However, the genera Drunella and Cincticostella were supported as monophyletic. Lineages strongly supported as monophyletic include a grouping of the Timpanoginae genera Timpanoga, Dannella, Dentatella and Eurylophella, and groupings of the Ephemerellinae genera Torleya, Hyrtanella and Crinitella and the genera Kangella, Uracanthella and Teloganopsis. The placement of the Timpanoginae genus Attenella fell within Ephemerellinae, based on molecular and combined data, but it grouped with other Timpanoginae based on morphological data alone. Further study and analysis of Ephemerellidae morphology is needed, and classification should be revised, if it is to reflect phylogenetic relationships.
Convergence and Restricted Preference Maximizing under Simple Majority Rule: Results from a Computer Simulation of Committee Choice in Two-Dimensional Space

Recent analyses of collective choice predict convergence among the outcomes of simple-majority decisions. I estimate the extent of convergence under restricted preference maximizing through a computer simulation of majority choice by committees in which individual decisions on proposal location and voting are constrained. The simulation generates distributions of majority-adopted proposals in two-dimensional space: nondeterministic outcomes of simple-majority choice. The proposal distributions provide data for a quantitative evaluation of the effects on convergence of relaxing conventional preference-maximizing assumptions. I find convergence of majority-adopted proposals in all cases, and that convergence increases under restricted proposal location. Moreover, under some voting restrictions, experiments yield stable outcomes that demonstrate remarkable convergence. I conclude that restricted preference maximizing generally increases the probability that simple-majority outcomes reflect the central tendency of member preference distributions. Since committees and legislatures are important formal procedures for democratic collective choice, this conclusion applies to a large class of political decisions.
Safety of undiluted intracameral moxifloxacin without postoperative topical antibiotics in cataract surgery

The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety of undiluted 0.5 % intracameral moxifloxacin for postoperative endophthalmitis prophylaxis in cataract surgery patients without the use of additional postoperative topical antibiotics. All phacoemulsification cataract surgeries performed by a single surgeon (B.A.) at the John A. Moran Eye Center from June 2012 to May 2015 were reviewed retrospectively. From June 2012 to April 2014, patients were given topical 0.5 % moxifloxacin postoperatively. From May 2014 to May 2015, all patients were given moxifloxacin intracamerally with no antibiotics postoperatively. The follow-up period was 1 month after surgery. Preoperative visual acuity and postoperative visual acuity, corneal edema, and anterior chamber reaction were recorded and compared between the two groups. 384 cataract surgeries were performed during the study period. None of the 384 eyes in the study developed endophthalmitis. Of those 384 eyes, 222 were included in the study for analysis based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. 131 were part of the topical antibiotic group and 91 were part of the intracameral group. The differences in uncorrected visual acuity at 1 day postoperatively (p = 0.595) and best corrected visual acuity at 1 month postoperatively (p = 0.099) were not statistically significant. Differences in corneal edema (p = 0.370) and anterior chamber reaction (p = 0.069) at 1 day postoperatively and corneal edema (p = 0.512) and anterior chamber reaction (p = 0.512) at 1 month postoperatively were also not statistically significant. Undiluted 0.5 % moxifloxacin can be safely injected intracamerally following cataract surgery without additional postoperative antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent endophthalmitis without adverse effects on patient outcomes.
Influence of Stiffness of the Stressed State Under Biaxial Loading of Tubular Specimens on the Strength Characteristics of 20 Steel in Hydrogen

We plot the diagrams of axial and tangential stresses under proportional biaxial loading used to induce the stressed states with different stiffnesses in tubular nonhydrogenated and hydrogenated (10 МРа) specimens. It is shown that, as the stiffness of the stressed state increases (χ = 0.52) under biaxial loading, the yield and fracture stresses of nonhydrogenated specimens caused by tension increase by 24% as compared with the case of uniaxial tension. In hydrogenated specimens, these stresses increase only by up to 13%. As the stiffness of the stressed state increases, the intensities of the yield and fracture stresses in cross sections of the specimens decrease. In the case of fracture of hydrogenated specimens, the indicated intensities are higher than for nonhydrogenated specimens.
The effect of PGI2 and theophylline on the response of platelets subjected to shear stress

A specially designed rotational viscometer was used to investigate the effects of the antiplatelet agent PGI2 in combination with theophylline on the response of human platelets subjected to shear stress. Samples of citrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) were exposed to shear stress in the viscometer for a period of 5 min at 23 degrees C. The levels of stress studied ranged from 50 to 300 dynes/sq cm. Pretreatment of the platelets with 0.01 microM PGI2 and 500 microM theophylline before exposure to shear stress caused a large reduction in shear-induced platelet aggregation. However, it was also observed that the PGI2-- theophylline pretreatment concomitantly caused a large increase in shear-induced platelet lysis and serotonin release at stress levels equal to or greater than 150 dynes/sq cm. This observed increase in platelet fragility may have important implications for clinical applications of PGI2. The results are discussed and compared to those obtained in prior work in which platelets were pretreated with acetylsalicylic acid or with PGE1.
Irrotational Flow with Irregular Boundary Shapes

An algorithm for the numerical solution of two-dimensional irrotational flows based on an inverse transformation is presented as an efficient means of solving flows with irregular boundary shapes. Using the intersections of a set of streamlines and equipotential lines as computational nodal points, the algorithm determines the coordinates of these intersections. The streamlines and equipotential lines can be arbitrarily selected to concentrate the nodal points in areas of high velocity flow so as to increase the accuracy in these areas. The algorithm is particularly well suited to modern high speed computers, and FORTRAN statements are given. Since the program operates on many different boundary shapes with no internal alterations, it is suitable for use by persons with limited background in numerical procedures.
Phloem Thickness in Lodgepole Pine: Its Relationship to Dwarf Mistletoe and Mountain Pine Beetle (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

A generally accepted hypothesis is that lodgepole pines infected by dwarf mistletoe, Arceuthobium americanum , are less susceptible to mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosae , because they have thinner phloem than uninfected trees. This Colorado study, based on 1,051 trees, indicates that there is little relationship between dwarf mistletoe intensity and phloem thickness. Therefore, we conclude that there is little correlation between dwarf mistletoe and mountain pine beetle activity, at least in Colorado.
Origin of Land Subsidence and Earth Fissuring, Northeast Phoenix, Arizona

Differential subsidence over a buried bedrock hill caused by rapid water-level decline resulted in a 400-ft (120 m) long earth fissure in a northeast Phoenix construction site in January, 1980. This is the first occurrence in the Paradise Valley basin, and the first within the city of Phoenix. Local water levels have declined more than 300 ft (90 m) accompanied by 3.44 ft (1.05 m) of measured subsidence, with indirect evidence for 5 ft (1.5 m). The depth to ground water is as much as 580 ft in the area. The maximum subsidence rate measured was 0.44 ft. (0.13 m) annually. Water levels began dropping in the mid-19509s, and subsidence began a decade later after 100 to 150 ft (30 to 45 m) of decline in water level. The subsidence bowl has grown about 2 mi 2 (5 km 2 ) annually, first mostly westward, and more recently north and east, with further expansion expected. More than 9 ft (3 m) of subsidence is possible. Gravity survey results suggest the fissure is associated with a bedrock hill buried at 150 ft (45 m) on a large pediment. Measured differential subsidence, after Assuring, occurred in a pattern similar to the inferred subsurface bedrock configuration, indicating that the fissure was coincident with surficial horizontal tensile maxima above the crest of the buried hill. Maximum annual strain and accumulated tensile strain at the time of Assuring were calculated at 0.01 percent and 0.06 percent, respectively. These data suggest future reactivation of the filled-in fissure, and on the basis of gravity measurements, probable lengthening of the fissure. Finite element analysis indicates maximum surficial tensile stress of 3,400 psf (1.4 kg/cm 2 ) and strain of 0.19 percent when Assuring occurred. The large pediment that underlies most of the study area is divided into a shallow inner part [less than 500 ft (150 m) deep] of moderate relief; and a deeper, outer part gently sloping northeastward from 500 to 1,000 ft (150 to 300 m). The pediment is separated from thick alluvial deposits toward the center of the valley by a major NW-SE normal fault. This subsurface configuration controls the spatial pattern of land subsidence, water-level decline, and future Assuring. Fissures may be localized in three geologic settings: 1) buried bedrock hills, 2) the hinge-line of subsiding areas, and 3) buried faults.
Transient Oxygen Permeation and Surface Catalytic Properties of Lanthanum Cobaltite Membrane under Oxygen–Methane Gradient

Oxygen permeation through mixed-conducting ceramic membranes in an air/methane gradient is important for their applications in membrane reactors for air separation and partial oxidation of hydrocarbons. This study examines transient characteristics of oxygen permeation and surface catalytic properties of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.8Fe0.2O3-δ (LSCF) membranes in an oxygen/methane gradient for an extended period of time. Upon exposure to an oxygen/methane gradient, the oxygen permeation flux of the membrane increases to a maximum at around 55 h, then decreases and reaches a steady-state value at around 200 h. The maximum and steady-state flux is approximately 60% and 30% higher than the initial flux of the fresh membrane, respectively. The surface catalytic properties of the membrane exposed to methane also change with the exposure time in a similar fashion. However, the apparent activation energy for oxygen permeation for the membranes at various stages of the transient study is nearly constant while the effects of tem...
'Keeping well': a local approach to delivering health advice and information.

Society is ageing. West Suffolk alone has 16,000 people over 75 years old. While in many respects a triumph, this is also a challenge, given that older people are major users of health and social care services. The need for effective and appropriate services has become a national priority, addressed in specific initiatives such as the National Service Framework for Older People (DH 2001) and Choosing Health (DH 2004). One of the guiding principles of the intermediate care document, Moving Forward (DH 2002), recognises the challenge for health and social services in working together to promote health and active opportunities for older people, helping them to realise their potential. West Suffolk Intermediate Care has established the Keeping Well Centre in Bury St Edmunds to realise these objectives. It provides a proactive educational service that promotes independence and well-being for those over the age of 65.
Shorebird Food Habits in the Eastern Canadian Arctic

documented for six species of this shorebird community (Baker and Baker 1973). Here, I examine the community from the point of view of the relationships between shorebird body size and food size. I also consider the degree of species distinctness along the food size parameter of the niche in relation to the theory of species packing. Data on food size and body size are examined in view of the hypothesis that larger species of shorebirds consume larger average prey and are more selective foragers than small species (Baker and Baker 1973). The hypothesis resulted from the discovery that within a community of six species, the heavier species foraged more slowly (number of prey capture attempts per unit time). To maintain a caloric intake higher than that required by a smaller species (Nice 1938), larger shorebirds may select larger food items and thus may require more time to find each item in the array of food items of different size.
Pneumomediastinum as a complication of preperitoneal laparoscopic herniorrhaphy.

BACKGROUND As new approaches to herniorrhaphy are popularized, new complications are being encountered. Pneumomediastinum is one such complication. METHODS We present a patient who developed pneumomediastinum after an elective bilateral preperitoneal laparoscopic hernia repair. RESULTS The patient was observed and discharged 24 hours later with no permanent sequelae. CONCLUSION Pneumomediastinum is a rare complication of laparoscopic hernia repair.
Anti-VEGF therapy in the management of retinopathy of prematurity: what we learn from representative animal models of oxygen-induced retinopathy.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) remains a leading cause of childhood blindness, affecting infants born prematurely. ROP is characterized by the onset of delayed physiological retinal vascular development (PRVD) and followed by pathologic neovascularization into the vitreous instead of the retina, called intravitreal neovascularization (IVNV). Therefore, the therapeutic strategy for treating ROP is to promote PRVD and inhibit or prevent IVNV. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of ROP. There is a growing body of studies testing the use of anti-VEGF agents as a treatment for ROP. Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment for ROP has potential advantages compared with laser photocoagulation, the gold standard for the treatment of severe ROP; however, intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment has been associated with reactivation of ROP and suppression of systemic VEGF that may affect body growth and organ development in preterm infants. Therefore, it is important to understand the role of VEGF in PRVD and IVNV. This review includes the current knowledge of anti-VEGF treatment for ROP from animal models of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR), highlighting the importance of VEGF inhibition by targeting retinal Muller cells, which inhibits IVNV and permits PRVD. The signaling events involved in mediating VEGF expression and promoting VEGF-mediated angiogenesis, including hypoxia-dependent signaling, erythropoietin/erythropoietin receptor-, oxidative stress-, beta-adrenergic receptor-, integrin-, Notch/Delta-like ligand 4- and exon guidance molecules-mediated signaling pathways, are also discussed.
Detection of Circulatory MicroRNAs in Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common cancer worldwide and accounts for 14.4 % of all new cancer cases. The clinical outcome and management of PCa can be significantly improved by use of biomarker assays for early detection, prognosis and also for prediction and monitoring of treatment response. MiRNAs are short, endogenous, single-stranded RNA molecules that play important role in regulation of gene expression and can modulate a number of cellular processes. Discovery of miRNAs in circulation has not only facilitated understanding their role in various diseases but also paved new avenues for biomarker discovery due to their ease of access and stability. The fact that a minimally invasive test based on miRNAs profiles can distinguish the presence or absence of disease illustrates immense potential of these molecules as predictive biomarkers.In this chapter, we have summarized the presumed mechanisms of miRNA release into the circulation and systematically summarized the studies of circulatory miRNAs in PCa. Also, we have mainly focused on the methodology of identification of circulatory miRNAs from biofluids.
Protein filter binding

This protocol describes a method to monitor the binding of nucleic acid to protein, allowing the determination of the apparent affinity of a nucleic acid-protein interaction.
Sleep architecture in Pierre-Robin sequence: The effect of mandibular distraction osteogenesis

Abstract Introduction Pierre-Robin Sequence (PRS), a triad of micro/retrognathia, glossoptosis, and upper airway obstruction, usually in conjunction with a cleft palate is frequently associated with significant morbidity. Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) is an effective treatment modality to address retroglossal upper airway obstruction by increasing the anterior-posterior diameter of the infant airway. Although MDO has been shown to improve the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in children with PRS, the consequences of MDO on other aspects of infant sleep, including hypercapnea, hypoxia, the REM to Non-REM ratio, as well as its effect on central and mixed apneas has not been investigated with an adequate sample size. Objective To characterize the effect of MDO on key components of sleep architecture in infants with PRS. Methods Charts from 32 infants with PRS that were addressed with MDO at our tertiary-care children's hospital were retrospectively reviewed. Of these, 26 infants (57.7% male; mean age = 4.1 weeks, SD = 5.0) had pre- and post-operative polysomnograms (PSG). Paired samples t-tests were used to compare pre- and post- MDO sleep architecture mean score differences. Results Among the 26 infants, 73.1% demonstrated severe pre-MDO sleep apnea (AHI > 10). Several aspects of sleep architecture were found to improve post-operatively. Significant improvements were found in AHI (30.3 vs. 8.7; t = 4.1, p Conclusion MDO improves several sleep architecture parameters in this sample of infants with PRS. Statistically significant improvement was seen in obstructive apneas, hypopneas, AHI, obstructive AHI, and several indicators of hypoxia during sleep.
Prevalence of chemopreventive agent use among hospitalised women at high risk for breast cancer: a cross-sectional study

Objective To characterise the current usage of chemoprevention agents among hospitalised women who are at higher risk for breast cancer. Study design A cross-sectional study. Setting Academic hospital at Baltimore. Participants A bedside survey of 250 women aged 50–75 years was conducted who were cancer-free at the time of study enrolment and hospitalised to a general medicine service. Reproductive history, family history for breast cancer, chemopreventive agents use and medical comorbidities data was collected for all patients. χ 2 and t-tests were used to analyse population characteristics. Primary outcome measures Prevalence of women at high risk for developing breast cancer (5-year Gail risk score ≥1.7) and their chemopreventive agent use. Results Mean age for the study population was 61.5 years (SD 7.5), and mean 5-year Gail risk score was 1.67 (SD 0.88). A third of study population was at high risk for breast cancer. None of the high-risk women (0%) were taking chemoprevention for breast cancer risk reduction, and 23% were at very high risk with 5-year Gail score ≥3%. These women were not recognised as being high risk by their hospital providers and none were referred to the high-risk breast cancer clinics following discharge. Conclusions Many hospitalised women are at high risk for breast cancer and we could not identify even a single woman who was using chemoprevention for risk reduction. Current chemoprevention guidelines may be falling short in their dissemination and implementation. Since women at high risk for breast cancer may only interface with the healthcare system at select points, all healthcare providers must be willing and able to do risk assessment. For those identified to be at high risk, providers must then either engage in chemopreventive counselling or refer patients to providers who are more comfortable working with patients on this critical decision.
Living in the Sweet Spot: Preparing for Performance in Sport and Life

This is a fresh, inspiring guide of how to get ready for life's big performances. The author integrates the best of the new field of Positive Psychology with the essentials of Sport Psychology. Readers of this book learn how to strengthen their experience of daily fulfilment and concurrently get the most out of themselves when the big moments take place. The issues performers face when under pressure come to life through examples of top athletes, musicians and from the author's experiences as an Olympian and America's Cup sailor. Every chapter contains practical, effective reflective exercises that help the reader rise to the challenge of performing their best when it counts.
Navigating STEM-worlds: Applying a lens of intersectionality to the career identity development of underrepresented female students of color

Purpose This paper aims to discuss the term intersectional trap. This is defined as the act of saying blanket statements to describe a race or group of individuals without considering variations of experience within the population. The paper will end with recommendations for research focusing on qualitative studies that explore the lived experiences of students as they form their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) identities. Design/methodology/approach Researchers and practitioners must focus on how students develop their social, academic and intellectual identities as they become a scientist, doctor or engineer. This includes the development of their core identity – perceptions they have of themselves as well as perceptions of those with whom they work and interact. Findings One of the main obstacles researchers and practitioners face include how to help students adapt to the norms of STEM-worlds (classrooms and work environments related to STEM) as they proceed through the path to becoming a STEM professional. Originality/value Knowing that female students of color are underrepresented in STEM is not enough. This paper will discuss the need for an intersectionality lens when considering how to retain talented female students of color in university STEM programs. Researchers and practitioners must focus on how students develop their social, academic and intellectual identities as they become a scientist, doctor or engineer.
Miss and Forward: Exploiting Diversity With Intrasession Network Coding

Faced with explosive mobile data demand, ultrasense network is emerging as a solution for the 5G networks, which introduces new opportunities for space diversity. In this paper, we propose Miss-and-Forward (MF), a new paradigm for intrasession network coding, in which a special relay called “helper” is assigned to exploit the rich diversity. In accordance, a network coding based scheme is designed, which has the ability to restore the “missed” information and in the meanwhile retains the benefit of state-of-the-art batched sparse coding. Mathematically, we show that the source of throughput gain is the higher ranked end-to-end transfer matrix. Besides, we provide a systematical design to address some practical issues such as helper selection and rank distribution estimation. Both numerical and simulation results show that our method significantly outperforms fountain codes and existing network coding schemes.
A HERMENÊUTICA DE RICOEUR NO CONTEXTO DAS HISTÓRIAS DE VIDA

O proposito desse artigo e discutir a problematica do circulo hermeneutico e da interpretacao a partir das propostas de Heidegger e Ricoeur, tendo como desafio a analise estruturalista do texto. Trata-se de uma revisao de literatura que focaliza a teoria narrativa de Ricoeur, para lancar luz ao pensamento hermeneutico em conexao com as historias de vida, como um projeto de si, com vistas a evidenciar um pensar reflexivo, autoformativo e uma racionalidade narrativa. A problematica da relacao entre hermeneutica e existencia nao pode dar-se fora do contexto, pois o texto e via e condicao de acesso a interpretacao e a compreensao da vida humana.
White matter abnormalities and cognition in patients with conflicting diagnoses and CSF profiles

Objective To determine whether white matter changes influence progression of cognitive decline in individuals with clinically diagnosed Alzheimer disease (AD) and differing biomarker profiles. Methods Two hundred thirty-six individuals from the Alzheimer9s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative database with clinical diagnoses of cognitively normal older adult (older controls [OCs]), mild cognitive impairment, and AD were studied. Support vector machine experiments were first performed to determine the utility of various biomarkers for classifying individuals by clinical diagnosis. General linear models were implemented to assess the relationships between CSF measures of β-amyloid 1–42, phosphorylated tau 181p , and MRI-based white matter signal abnormality (WMSA) volumes and cognitive decline. Analyses were performed across all patients as well as within subgroups of individuals that were defined by clinical cutoff points for both CSF measures. Results CSF biomarkers alone classified individuals with AD vs OCs with 82% accuracy, and the addition of WMSA did not enhance this. Both CSF biomarkers as well as WMSA volume significantly contributed to predicting cognitive decline in executive and memory domains when assessed across all 236 individuals. In individuals with pathologic levels of both CSF biomarkers, WMSA only significantly contributed to models of future executive function decline. In individuals with subpathologic CSF biomarker levels (levels similar to those in OC individuals), WMSA significantly contributed to prediction of memory decline and were the sole significant predictor of executive function decline. Conclusions WMSA hold additional predictive power regarding cognitive progression in older individuals and are most effective as biomarkers in individuals who are cognitively impaired but do not fit the expected CSF biomarker profile of AD.
A case of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia after 39 cycles of nivolumab.

With growing use of nivolumab, rare but serious side effects have surfaced in some patients. We present a case of autoimmune haemolytic anaemia that developed after 39 cycles of nivolumab. A 78-year-old man with metastatic lung adenocarcinoma, refractory to multiple lines of chemotherapy was switched to nivolumab. After around 2 years of stable course on nivolumab, he developed transfusion-dependent anaemia with haemoglobin of 8.6 g/dL. Nivolumab was held immediately. Bone marrow biopsy findings were inconclusive of myelodysplastic syndrome. Further testing was suggestive of haemolysis with haptoglobin