cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
1300 THE INCIDENCE OF CONGENITAL ANOMALIES AMDNG INFANTS OF DEPENDENT PREGNNANT MEN

There is concern about infants born to drug-dependent women with regard to whether illicit drug use during pregnancy adversely affects structural fetal development. To assess the risk of fetal exposure to psychoactive drugs in-utero, a study of infants born to drug-dependent women enrolled in Family Center, a program providing prenatal care, counseling and methadone maintenance for these women, was conducted. From 1979 through 1983, 201 infants were examined for evidence of congenital anomalies. One-hundred and twelve of the infants (56%) were treated for neonatal abstinence; 89 infants (44%) required no treatment. Overall, the incidence of congenital anomalies in both groups fell within that of the general population (2-3%), suggesting that methadone maintenance, with or without accompanying illicit drug use during pregnancy, does not place the fetus at higher risk for anatomic defects. Of the anomalies seen, the cardiovascular system was most frequently affected. Structural congenital heart disease was found in 3.4% of the infants, (four times the incidence reported in the general population-.6%-.8%). Septal defects and pulmonic stenosis were the lesions identified. No explanation is available at present for these findings; however, the following should be considered: 1) Cardiac development occurs between weeks 2 and 8 of gestation, 2) The drug seeking behaviors of the addicted pregnant woman place her at risk for early intrauterine infection, 3) Exposure to viral teratogens (primarily coxsackie and rubella) has been implicated in abnormal cardiac development. These data suggest that, although the drug-dependent women may experience greater exposure to environmental teratogens early in pregnancy, the incidence of congenital malformations are not increased over that expected in the general population. However, the fetal cardiovascular system does appear more sensitive to environmental stressors in a pregnancy complicated by drug-dependency.
An Analysis of the Patient Self-Determination Act of 1990

Advance directives (ADs) provide a way to express medical care preferences at the end of life, yet they are underutilized. This article analyzes the effect of the Patient Self-Determination Act and presents recommendations for the improvement of AD legislation. Although the Patient Self-Determination Act was intended to educate patients, clinicians, and the public about ADs, more work is needed to improve involvement in end-of-life care decision making for individuals who may be disenfranchised in this process.
PRESENTATION OF HUMOR AND FACILITATION OF A RELAXATION RESPONSE AMONG INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL SCORERS ON ROTTER'S SCALE

40 men and 40 women categorized on the dimension of locus of control were measured for relaxation following exposure to humorous or nonhumorous stimuli. Internal scorers showed enhanced relaxation during subsequent measurement of biofeedback.
Tournaments, Fairness, and Risk

We estimate willingness to pay (WTP) to operate under two types of contracts—tournaments (Ts) and fixed performance-standard contracts (F). Our results are consistent with the notion that subjects having social preferences for fairness and care about risk. That is, when subjects experience greater inequity under tournaments relative to fixed performance contracts, or experience greater revenue risk under tournaments, the gap between WTP for fixed performance and tournament contracts increases, ceteris paribus. Our results provide an explanation for grower dissatisfaction with tournament compensation schemes independent of possible concerns regarding opportunistic behavior by integrators.
A simplified model for the analysis of a phase-change material-based, thermal energy storage system

Abstract The concept of a phase-change material-based, thermal energy storage system is often used for different applications. A theoretical model to determine the thermal and fluid flow characteristics of a thermal energy storage system using a phase-change material has been developed. The model can be used to predict the energy storage behavior of different phase-change materials used with different heat transfer fluids, flow geometries, flow rates and temperatures. Results have been obtained for the case where the phase-change material is Na2SO4·10H2O (Glauber's salt) and the heat transfer fluid is water. The variation of the dimensionless temperatures of the fluid and the solid, and the molten fraction of the solid during the phase change process, with dimensionless time, for different values of Biot number, Stefan number, and the flow parameter have been determined. A discussion of the results obtained and the conclusions drawn from them are also given.
Colchicine for epidermolysis bullosa acquisita

Abstract Background: Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita (EBA) is a chronic subepidermal blistering disease that is difficult to treat. Recently one patient with severe EBA was described who responded dramatically to colchicine. Objective: Our purpose was to determine the efficacy of colchicine in the treatment of EBA. Methods: Four patients with severe EBA refractory to conventional therapy were treated with colchicine 0.6 to 1.5 mg a day for up to 4 years. Results: In all four patients the lessening of skin fragility and the decrease in spontaneous blister formation were dramatic; few side effects were noted. Conclusion: Colchicine should be considered in the treatment of EBA.
Binary Choice Models with Social Network under Heterogeneous Rational Expectations

Abstract This paper extends Brock and Durlauf's (2001a, 2001b) binary choice complete network (or group interaction) model with homogeneous rational expectations to a general network model with heterogeneous rational expectations. In our model, individuals will form expectations regarding peers' behaviors taking into account their characteristics. Endogenous, contextual, and correlated effects are all identifiable. Conditions for unique equilibrium are established. For a complete network with heterogeneous rational expectations, multiple equilibria can be characterized by an aggregate scalar index. The empirical results on adolescents' smoking behaviors show significant endogenous and contextual effects, even after controlling for school-grade random effects and school fixed effects.
Visualizing personal digital collections

This paper describes the use of relational database management system (RDBMS) and treemap visualization to represent and analyze a group of personal digital collections created in the context of work and with no external metadata. We evaluated the visualization vis a vis the results of previous personal information management (PIM) studies. We suggest that this visualization supports analysis that allow understanding PIM practices overtime.
Identification of 180 Pb

The α decay of the new isotope 180Pb was observed in 40Ca bombardments of 144Sm: E α = 7.23(4) MeV, and, \({T_{1/2}} = \left( {4_{ - 2}^{ + 4}} \right){\text{ ms}}\). With this decay energy and the known mass of 176Hg, the mass excess of 180Pb was calculated to be −1.98(5) MeV.
Potential for the effects of anabolic steroid abuse in the immune and neuroendocrine axis

Some of the effects that high-dose anabolic steroid abuse have and could have on the interactions between the immune and neuroendocrine systems are reviewed. Considering the past demonstrations on the actions of normal steroids on endocrine and immune responses, it is apparent that pharmacologically high doses of both normal and derivatized androgens (anabolic steroids) could have a significant effect. Indeed, some of the pathologies attributed to anabolic steroid abuse point to disturbances in the intimate connection between neuroendocrine and immune function and interaction. We attempt to review both the direct and indirect effects of this abuse, not only on this interaction but also on certain immune functions in particular.
Speech information retrieval: a review

Speech is an information-rich component of multimedia. Information can be extracted from a speech signal in a number of different ways, and thus there are several well-established speech signal analysis research fields. These fields include speech recognition, speaker recognition, event detection, and fingerprinting. The information that can be extracted from tools and methods developed in these fields can greatly enhance multimedia systems. In this paper, we present the current state of research in each of the major speech analysis fields. The goal is to introduce enough background for someone new in the field to quickly gain high-level understanding and to provide direction for further study.
Function of Shaker potassium channels produced by cell-free translation upon injection into Xenopus oocytes

Voltage-gated ion channels are a class of membrane proteins that temporally orchestrate the ion flux critical for chemical and electrical signaling in excitable cells. Current methods to investigate the function of these channels rely on heterologous expression in living systems or reconstitution into artificial membranes; however these approaches have inherent drawbacks which limit potential biophysical applications. Here, we describe a new integrated approach combining cell-free translation of membrane proteins and in vivo expression using Xenopus laevis oocytes. In this method, proteoliposomes containing Shaker potassium channels are synthesized in vitro and injected into the oocytes, yielding functional preparations as shown by electrophysiological and fluorescence measurements within few hours. This strategy for studying eukaryotic ion channels is contrasted with existing, laborious procedures that require membrane protein extraction and reconstitution into synthetic lipid systems.
Understanding efflux in Gram-negative bacteria: opportunities for drug discovery

Introduction: Bacteria evolved an arsenal of mechanisms to deal with toxic compounds and metabolic stresses, including antimicrobial agents. Efflux pumps are major players in the multidrug resistance of Gram-negative bacteria and pose major hurdles in the drug discovery process. However, recent advances in our understanding of efflux in these bacteria provide opportunities and assets for drug discovery. Areas covered: This review provides an overview of drug efflux in Gram-negative bacteria and its role in antimicrobial resistance, stress responses and other biological processes such as biofilm formation, and virulence. The discussion includes comments on the significance of synergy between a low-permeability outer membrane and efflux, notably the role of porins and lipopolysaccharide. The author then summarizes efforts aimed at inhibiting efflux pumps as a means to extend the utility of clinically useful antibiotics. This includes highlights of identification and characterization of small molecule efflux...
Mechanism of plasmid delivery by hydrodynamic tail vein injection. II. Morphological studies.

Background The efficient delivery of plasmid DNA (pDNA) to hepatocytes by a hydrodynamic tail vein (HTV) procedure has greatly popularized the use of naked nucleic acids. The hydrodynamic process renders onto the tissue increased physical forces in terms of increased pressures and shear forces that could lead to transient or permanent membrane damage. It can also trigger a series of cellular events to seal or reorganize the stretched membrane. Our goal was to study the uptake mechanism by following the morphological changes in the liver and correlate these with the fate of the injected plasmid DNA. Methods We utilized both light microscopic (LM) and electron microscopic (EM) techniques to determine the effect of the HTV procedure on hepatocytes and non-parenchymal cells at various times after injection. The LM studies used paraffin-embedded livers with hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The immune-EM studies used antibodies labeled with sub-nanometer gold particles followed by silver enhancement to identify the location of injected pDNA at the subcellular level. The level of overall damage to liver cells was estimated based on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) release and clearance. Results Both the LM and EM results showed the appearance of large vesicles in hepatocytes as early as 5 min post-injection. The number of vesicles decreased by 20–60 min. Plasmid DNA molecules often appeared to be associated with or inside such vesicles. DNA could also be detected in the space of Disse, in the cytoplasm and in nuclei. Non-parenchymal cells also contained DNA, but HTV-induced vesicles could not be observed in them. Conclusions Our studies suggest an alternative or additional pathway for naked DNA into hepatocytes besides direct entry via membrane pores. It may be difficult to prove which of these pathways lead to gene expression, but the membrane pore hypothesis alone appears insufficient to explain why expression happens preferentially in hepatocytes. Further study is needed to delineate the importance of each of these putative pathways and their interrelationship in enabling oligonucleotide (siRNA) activity and pDNA expression. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Depression, elaboration, and mood congruence: Differences between natural and induced mood.

The results of two experiments examining the effects of depressed mood on recall of target words and recall of descriptor words are reported. Descriptors were either negatively valenced or neutral and were not related semantically to target adjectives. There was no overall difference in the recall of targets by naturally depressed and nondepressed subject?. There was a mood × descriptor interaction on target recall, and depressed subjects recalled more negative descriptors than did nondepressed subjects. In contrast, when a depressed mood was induced through a Velten Mood Induction Procedure, induced-depressed subjects recalled fewer target words than did nondepressed subjects, and there was no differential recall of descriptor words by induced-depressed and nondepressed subjects. The results of these experiments indicate clear differences in the recall patterns of naturally depressed and induced-depressed subjects in a single cognitive task. Copyright 1994 Psychonomic Society. Inc.
Occupational illness and accidents reported from California shipyards

Abstract Today a quarter of a million people are employed in U. S. shipyards and boatyards. During the second World War more than 1,700,000 were employed in 1943. Altogether more than 3 to 3.5 million civilians worked in shipyards during the war period. In California, employment in privately operated shipyards hit a wartime peak of 312,000. About 35,000 to 40,000 have since been employed in government and private yards at any one time. The U. S. injury frequency rate for shipbuilding and repairing has compared favorably with that for all manufacturing industries in recent years, whereas boatbuilding and repairing has had a much poorer record. About four out of 100 workers in U. S. yards sustained a lost time injury in 1970. From 1947–1971, private ship and boatyard activities under State of California jursidiction resulted in the death of 82 workmen and reported lost time injuries to 14,250. The California injury rate, exclusive of naval yards, comes to about seven lost workday injuries per year per 100 workers, or one in 14 employed either ashore or aboard a vessel. The California occupational disease reporting system is described. The 321 disabling and nondisabling illnesses reported in 1970–1971 are reviewed. From 1961–1971, 11 reports of lead poisoning were received. Limitations of present occupational disease reporting systems are discussed. The need for epidemiological studies, screening programs, and other medical surveillance systems is cited to aid in recognizing chronic, delayed, and latent problems and to anticipate effects of the ever changing work environment on the health of working people.
Caregiver health literacy and adherence to a daily multi-vitamin with iron regimen in infants.

Abstract Objective To determine whether or not limited caregiver health literacy is associated with adherence to a daily multi-vitamin with iron regimen in infants. Methods 110 caregiver/infant dyads were enrolled in a prospective study to assess the relationship between caregiver health literacy and adherence to a daily multi-vitamin with iron regimen for infants. Households were contacted biweekly over a 3-month period. Adherence was based upon caregiver report. High adherence, our primary outcome, was defined as the administration of the multi-vitamin with iron on 5–7 days over the past week. Results As measured by the Short Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (S-TOFHLA), 18% of caregivers had limited health literacy skills. Caregivers with limited health literacy skills were more likely to have higher adherence than caregivers with adequate health literacy, after adjusting for a number of possible confounding variables (AOR = 2.13; 95% 1.20–3.78). Conclusion Caregivers with limited health literacy were twice as likely to report high adherence to a daily multi-vitamin with iron regimen in infants as caregivers with adequate health literacy in adjusted analysis. Practice implications Health literacy may exert a differential influence on adherence depending upon the complexity of the desired health behavior.
Composites of Carbon Filaments Made from Methane

Polymer-matrix and cement-matrix structural composites containing discontinuous carbon filaments (diameter = 0.1 μm) that were made catalytically from methane were developed for structural and electromagnetic functions. The composites were particularly attractive for electromagnetic interference shielding and radio wave reflection, due to the skin effect and the small diameter of the filaments. Coating the filaments with nickel by electroplating further enhanced the electromagnetic performance. However, the composites were not attractive for structural functions other than vibration damping, due to the large amount of interface between the filaments and the matrix. An effective configuration for the damping function involved using the filaments as an additive between the laminae of continuous conventional carbon fibers in a polymer-matrix structural composite.
Positron Emission Tomography–Computed Tomography Protocol Considerations for Head and Neck Cancer Imaging

Positron emission tomographic–computed tomographic (PET-CT) imaging of patients with primary head and neck cancers has become an established approach for staging and restaging, as well as radiation therapy planning. The inherent co-registration of PET and CT images made possible by the integrated PET-CT scanner is particularly valuable in head and neck cancer imaging due to the complex and closely situated anatomy in this part of the body, the varied sources of physiologic and benign 2-deoxy-2-[F-18]fluoro-D-glucose (FDG) tracer uptake that occurs in the neck, and the varied and complex posttreatment appearance of the neck. Careful optimization of both the CT and the PET portion of the examination is essential to insure the most accurate and clinically valuable interpretation of these examinations.
Landscape Mulches and Termite Nutritional Ecology: Growth and Survival of Incipient Colonies of Coptotermes formosanus (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae)

Alate swarms are one of the major visible signs of the expansion of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae), in an area. Successful establishment of an incipient colony is thought to mainly rely on available food resources and moisture. The large-scale use of tree-based mulches in landscapes may inadvertently contribute to local establishment and growth of C. formosanus colonies. This research investigated the nutritional ecology of incipient colonies of C. formosanus feeding on seven tree-based, weathered, and nonweathered landscape mulches: pine straw, pine bark, cedar wood, water oak, eucalyptus, cypress, and melaleuca. Incipient colonies of C. formosanus feeding on pine straw, either weathered or nonweathered, produced significantly more progeny over the course of 1-yr feeding than colonies feeding on the other mulches tested. Regardless of weathered or not, the incipient colonies feeding on pine straw, eucalyptus, bald cypress, and water oak mulches had significantly greater survival rates after 360 d (53–77%) than colonies feeding on the other mulches tested (0–13%), but colonies feeding on nonweathered water oak had significantly lower survival (8%) than those kept on weathered water oak (58%). Colony fitness values were significantly different between the weathering treatment groups and among the different types of mulches. With regard to colony growth characteristics, three distinct growth patterns were identified: a high number of progeny (>100) with high colony survival rate (>50%), a medium number of progeny (12–50) with high colony survival rate (>50%), and a small number of progeny (0–10) with low colony survival rate (<5%). These findings suggest that different types of mulch substrates could significantly impact the nutritional ecology of the founding pairs and the successful establishment of incipient colonies during the swarming season.
Ability of the Borreliacidal Antibody Test To Confirm Lyme Disease in Clinical Practice

Highly specific borreliacidal antibodies are induced by infection with Borrelia burgdorferi, and a borreliacidal antibody test (BAT) may be an accurate laboratory procedure for confirming Lyme disease in clinical practice. To investigate this, 34 Lyme disease sera and 34 sera from patients with other illnesses who had presented to a primary-care facility located in an area of borreliosis endemicity were tested by the BAT and Western blotting (WB). The BAT was more sensitive (79% versus 65%; P = 0.090), especially in cases in which patients had a single erythema migrans lesion (P = 0.021). In addition, the potentially cross-reactive sera were negative by the BAT but WB yielded three (9%) false-positive results. The results from 104 sera from possible Lyme disease patients demonstrated the clinical usefulness of the more sensitive and specific BAT. The BAT was positive for 40 (38%) sera from patients with Lyme disease-related symptoms and appropriate clinical and epidemiological findings. WB confirmed Lyme disease in 30 (75%) of the 40 BAT-positive patients but failed to detect B. burgdorferi infection in 10 BAT-positive patients. WB was also positive for 11 BAT-negative sera, but six (55%) patients had case histories which suggested that the results were false positives. Collectively, the results confirm that the BAT is a sensitive and highly specific test and suggest that widespread use would increase the accuracy of serodiagnostic confirmation of Lyme disease.
Compressed sensing over finite fields

We develop compressed sensing results for sources drawn from finite alphabets. We apply tools from linear coding and large deviations. We establish strong connections between our results and error exponents of lossless source coding in the case of no measurement noise, and modified channel coding error exponents in the case of measurement noise. We connect to standard results on compressed sensing in the real field.
Self-Catalytic Branch Growth of SnO2Nanowire Junctions

Multiple branched SnO2 nanowire junctions have been synthesized by thermal evaporation of SnO powder. Their nanostructures were studied by transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microcopy. It was observed that Sn nanoparticles generated from decomposition of the SnO powder acted as self-catalysts to control the SnO2 nanojunction growth. Orthorhombic SnO2 was found as a dominate phase in nanojunction growth instead of rutile structure. The branches and stems of nanojunctions were found to be an epitaxial growth by electron diffraction analysis and high resolution electron microscopy observation. The growth directions of the branched SnO2 nanojunctions were along the orthorhombic [110] and % MathType!MTEF!2!1!+- % feaagKart1ev2aaatCvAUfeBSjuyZL2yd9gzLbvyNv2CaerbuLwBLn % hiov2DGi1BTfMBaeXatLxBI9gBaerbd9wDYLwzYbItLDharqqr1ngB % PrgifHhDYfgasaacH8srps0lbbf9q8WrFfeuY-Hhbbf9v8qqaqFr0x % c9pk0xbba9q8WqFfea0-yr0RYxir-Jbba9q8aq0-yq-He9q8qqQ8fr % Fve9Fve9Ff0dmeaabaqaciGacaGaaeqabaWaaeaaeaaakeaacaGGBb % GaaGymamaanaaabaGaaGymaaaacaaIWaGaaiyxaaaa!3BAC! $$[1\overline 1 0]$$ . The growth of SnO2 nanojunction is controlled by a self-catalytic vapor-liquid-solid growth using Sn nanoparticle catalysts.
Assembly and Interfacial Effects in Hybrid Nanostructures of Zinc Oxide and Gold

Gold nanoparticles were linked to ZnO films and nanowires using phosphonic and carboxylic acid ligands. TEM and STEM-HAADF characterization showed that gold nanoparticles modified with both types of ligands anchored on ZnO nanowire surfaces as well as on ZnO films. After removing the ligands from the interface between ZnO nanowires and supported gold nanoparticles, the electric conductivity in the presence of methanol vapor increased by 100 times as compared to the bare ZnO nanowire, which suggested enhanced-catalytic effects due to the hybrid structure. In addition, ZnO/Au nanomaterials were synthesized by linking ZnO nanoparticles and carboxylate-functionalized gold nanoparticles in solution. UV-vis characterization showed both the bandgap absorption from ZnO and the plasmon absorption from gold nanoparticles. Formation of hybrid nanosystems like these using organic ligands as linkers not only can lead to materials with enhanced properties but also minimize the waste of precious elements because the assembly process is an additive, rather than subtractive, process.
Run-time data decomposition for parallel implementation of image processing and computer vision tasks

This paper presents several static and dynamic data decomposition techniques for parallel implementation of common computer vision algorithms. These techniques use the distribution of features in the input data as a measure of load for data decomposition. Experimental results are presented by implementing algorithms from a motion estimation system using these techniques on a hypercube multiprocessor. Normally in a vision system a sequence of algorithms is employed in which output of an algorithm is input to the next algorithm in the sequence. The distribution of features computed as a by-product of the current task is used to repartition the data for the next task in the system. This allows parallel computation of feature distribution, and therefore the overhead of estimating the load is kept small. It is observed that the communication overhead to repartition data using these run-time decomposition techniques is very small. It is shown that significant performance improvements over uniform-block-oriented partitioning schemes are obtained.
Coordinated Active and Reactive Power Modulation of Multiterminal HVDC Systems

Coordinated active and reactive power modulation is evaluated for centralized and decentralized DC power modulation. Linear analysis and simulation studies are made for different DC network configurations. Simulation studies made on a hybrid computer demonstrate that coordinated reactive power modulation not only improves the system damping but it also alleviates the mode shifting problem during the modulation.
Comparing surrogates of oxygenation and ventilation between airway pressure release ventilation and biphasic airway pressure in a mechanical model of adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Abstract Background No objective data directly comparing the 2 modes are available. Based on a simple mathematical model, APRV and BIPAP can presumably be set to achieve the same mean airway pressure (mPaw), end expiratory pressure, and tidal volume ( V T ). Herein, we tested this hypothesis when using a real ventilator and clinically relevant settings based on expiratory time constants. Methods A spontaneously breathing acute respiratory distress syndrome patient was modeled with a lung simulator. Mode settings: P high and the number of releases were the same in both modes; T low=1 time constant in APRV (expected auto-positive end-expiratory pressure [PEEP], ≈9cmH 2 O) and 5 time constants in BIPAP; P low, 0cmH 2 O in APRV and 9cmH 2 O in BIPAP (equal to the expected auto-PEEP in APRV). The mean mandatory release volumes, minute ventilation [ V E ], mPaw, and total PEEP were compared with t -tests using a P value of 0.05 to reject the null hypothesis. Results APRV yielded significantly higher mPaw than did BIPAP. Minute ventilation was significantly higher in BIPAP. The total PEEP was significantly higher in APRV; the total PEEP was significantly higher than expected. Conclusion We found that neither mode was superior to the other, and that a real ventilator does not behave like a mathematical model. Extreme prolongation of T high generated a higher mPaw at the expense of V E , and vice versa. The lower V T with APRV was due to the higher total PEEP, which was higher than expected. Setting the T low according to the respiratory system time constant for either mode resulted in an unpredictable total PEEP.
Calmodulin localizes to the spindle pole body of Schizosaccharomyces pombe and performs an essential function in chromosome segregation

The essential calmodulin genes in both Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe were precisely replaced with genes encoding fusions between calmodulin and the green fluorescent protein (GFP). In living budding yeast the GFP-calmodulin fusion protein (GFP-Cmd1p) localized simultaneously to sites of cell growth and to the spindle pole body (SPB), the yeast analog of the centrosome. Having demonstrated proper localization of GFP-calmodulin in budding yeast, we examined the localization of a fusion between GFP and calmodulin (GFP-Camlp) in fission yeast, where calmodulin had not been localized by any method. We find GFP-Camlp also localizes both to sites of polarized cell growth and to the fission yeast SPB. The localization of calmodulin to the SPB by GFP fusion was confirmed by indirect immunofluorescence. Antiserum to S. pombe calmodulin labeled the ends of the mitotic spindle stained with anti-tubulin antiserum. This pattern was identical to that seen using antiserum to Sad1p, a known SPB component. We then characterized the defects in a temperature-sensitive S. pombe calmodulin mutant. Mutant cam1-E14 cells synchronized in S phase completed DNA synthesis, but lost viability during transit of mitosis. Severe defects in chromosome segregation, including hypercondensation, fragmentation, and unequal allocation of chromosomal material were observed. Immunofluorescence analysis of tubulin revealed a population of cells containing either broken or mislocalized mitotic spindles, which were never observed in wild-type cells. Taken together with the subcellular localization of calmodulin, the observed spindle and chromosome segregation defects suggest that calmodulin performs an essential role during mitosis at the fission yeast SPB.
Evidence for a recurrent microdeletion at chromosome 16p11.2 associated with congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract (CAKUT) and Hirschsprung disease

Congenital Anomalies of the Kidney and Urinary Tract can be associated with Hirschsprung disease. We report on three children with a similar 16p11.2 microdeletion with a spectrum of clinical anomalies consisting of congenital anomalies of the kidney and urinary tract in two patients (Patients 1 and 2) and Hirschsprung disease in two patients (Patients 1 and 3), leading us to hypothesize that a gene in this region is associated with these phenotypes. Patient 1 presented with left renal agenesis, grade-IV vesicoureteral reflux, and Hirschsprung disease, Patient 2 with left renal agenesis, chronic kidney disease, chronic constipation, seizures, and developmental delay, and Patient 3 with Hirschsprung disease and normal kidneys. Genome-wide microarray analysis demonstrated overlapping microdeletions within 16p11.2. The shortest region of overlap in the three patients contained only eight genes, including the SH2 domain-containing binding protein 1 (SH2B1), an adaptor protein which has been implicated in enhancement of the tyrosine kinase activity of RET, whose role in developmental disease of the kidney and enteric enervation is well established. Our findings suggest that 16p11.2 deletions are associated with abnormalities of renal and enteric development and we hypothesize that deletion of SH2B1 may account for the observed phenotype.
Are two heads better than one: Critical evaluation of single detector versus dual detector acquisition in the performance of gastric emptying studies

2054 Objectives Controversy exist as to how to optimize the performance of gastric emptying studies. The purpose of the study was to determine if two detector heads are superior to one in evaluation of gastroparesis. Methods 21 pts underwent a Tc99m sulfur colloid gastric emptying solid meal protocol described in the SNM Procedure Guidelines. Utilizing a dual detector Anger camera system, ant and posterior(post) sequential 1-min images were obtained for 120mins. An additional 1-min frame was obtained 4hrs post meal ingestion. T½ & percent retained activity was calculated for each detector at 1hr, 2hr and 4hr post ingestion. A T½ of 145mins or > was considered abnormal. Normal retention indices were Results 3pts demonstrated detector head disagreement with the ant detector demonstrating T½ measurement >145mins, while the posterior detector demonstrated normal values. Retention indices at 1hr demonstrated 6 subjects to be abnormal (>90%) using the ant detector and only 1 subject demonstrated abnormality using the post detector. Using a 2hr retention value of 10%, 4 subjects were diagnosed on both detectors. Comparison of mean values for T½ and retention indices using the arithmetic technique or the geometric technique demonstrated no statistically significant differences(P= 0.2700). Conclusions A single detector acquisition gives sufficient information to establish a clinical diagnosis of gastroparesis in pts clinically suspected of having the disease. The ant detector was slightly more sensitive in diagnosing delayed emptying
Effects of parental photoperiod on development time and density sensitivity of progeny in Drosophila melanogaster.

The present study investigates the effects of parental photoperiod on development time and on the sensitivity of development time to rearing density in Drosophila melanogaster
Potential reversal and the effects of flow pattern on galvanic corrosion of lead.

Simplistic conventional models predict that a greater mass of lead will be released from lead pipes exposed to higher velocity and flow durations. However, if galvanic Pb–Cu connections are present, or if a highly protective Pb(IV) scale can be formed, reduced flow can markedly increase the mass of lead release to water and resultant consumer exposure. Three chemical mechanisms were identified that can reduce lead release at higher flow including (1) formation of Pb(IV), (2) potential reversal of Pb:Cu couples, after which galvanic corrosion sacrifices copper and lead is protected, and (3) reduced formation of corrosive microenvironments at lead surfaces in galvanic couples. Potential reversal occurred only in the presence of free chlorine with continuous flow, and it did not occur with chloramine, with intermittent flow, or if orthophosphate was present. For both disinfectants, electrochemical measurements supported a mass balance of lead release demonstrating that a greater total mass of lead release oc...
STM Study of Diamond(001) Surface

Undoped and boron-doped diamond epitaxial films were deposited on diamond(001) substrate by micro-wave plasma assisted chemical vapor deposition and their surfaces were studied by scanning tunneling microscopy in air. An atomic order resolution was confirmed for the observation. For the undoped epitaxial films, which showed 2×1 and 1×2 RHEED patterns, dimer type reconstruction was observed and it was considered that the growth occurs through the dimer row extension. In the case of B-doped films, the dimer reconstruction was also observed. However, 2×2 structure due to the absence of dimer was partially observed. The effect of boron concentration and methane concentration during epitaxial growth on the surface morphology were also studied. The morphology observed by STM became flatter, as the concentration of B-doping and methane concentration, during growth, increased.
Indenyl Ligands as Supports for Reactive, Low-Valent Cobalt(I) Fragments

Alkali-metal reduction of (η5-C9H5-1,3-(SiMe3)2)2Co (1) in the presence of vinyltrimethylsilane affords the unusual indenyl cobalt(I) dimer 3, where interligand η4-benzo coordination is achieved. T...
The reproductive behavior of minority groups in the U.S.A.

In any consideration of the reproductive behavior of minority groups, the first question that naturally comes to mind is what do we mean by a minority group. Since women increasingly are identifying themselves as a minority, one could state that all reproduction is by members of a minority group. Rather than being dismissed as facetious, this statement merits serious consideration. It seems to me quite evident that reproduction in this and other countries would be appreciably different if women enjoyed the same status as men, within as well as outside the context of the family. Indeed, as Bumpass (1973) in attempting to account for the recent decline in fertility has stated “…motherhood has been the last major vestige of ascribed status in a modern industrial society. A primary consequence of complete fertility control is to place motherhood more squarely in competition with other social roles.” Norman Ryder (1973) also has repeatedly made much the same point. Although I believe that women can be considered as a minority group within the context of the study of reproductive behavior, such an inclusive definition is not appropriate for this paper.
Moderator's view: Treatment of IgA nephropathy—getting comfortable with uncertainty

A Polar Views discussion by Pozzi and Rauen et al. on the interpretation and clinical application of the recently published Supportive Versus Immunosuppressive Therapy of Progressive IgA Nephropathy (STOP-IgAN) trial has elucidated important points concerning potential strengths and weaknesses of this landmark randomized trial. This critical examination of the impact of steroid monotherapy or steroid plus an immunosuppressive (IS) agent compared with 'supportive' therapy with inhibitors of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has enhanced our appreciation of the importance of rigorous application of titrated RAS inhibition in high-risk patients with persistent proteinuria >0.75 g/day. At the same time, it brings a new level of uncertainty concerning the overall value and risk of steroid or steroid plus IS therapy in patients failing such 'supportive' therapy. Some of these uncertainties revolve on issues of study design, such as the duration of follow-up, participant stratification (particularly underlying pathology) and dosing regimens. It is hoped that additional trials, better methods of patient selection, improved surrogate end points and safer regimens will lead to less uncertainty over the best treatment practices. On balance, the STOP-IgAN trial raises some key concerns about the merits of steroid alone or steroid plus IS therapy for selected subjects with IgAN, but it does not by itself close the door on the utility of steroid monotherapy in subjects with high-risk IgAN, even as it further degrades the value of steroid plus IS, at least with sequential cyclophosphamide and azathioprine.
Abstract PR03: Frizzled 9 expression is a potential marker of response to iloprost chemoprevention of lung cancer

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer death in the United States and chemoprevention offers an appealing area of investigation in the face of limited therapeutic success. We recently demonstrated improvement in endobronchial histology in former smokers after oral iloprost treatment. Of the 48 patients who received iloprost in the chemoprevention trial, 23 had regressive histology and 25 had stable or progressive histology. Identifying markers that predict response to treatment will refine target populations for future trials and clinical applications. In vitro studies of NSCLC indicate that iloprost, a prostacyclin analogue, acts through the G-protein coupled receptor Frizzled 9 (Fzd9) instead of the prostacyclin receptor. We hypothesize that Fzd9 expression status predicts response to iloprost chemoprevention and that expression is modified by promoter hypermethylation. Patients who have lost Fzd9 expression will not respond to iloprost treatment. If Fzd9 is lost by methylation, a demethylating agent could restore Fzd9 expression and sensitivity to iloprost chemoprevention. In a urethane A/J mouse model of lung cancer, Fzd9 mRNA expression is reduced in lung tumors compared to matched, uninvolved lung tissue. Human lung tumors demonstrated reduced Fzd9 mRNA expression compared to matched normal lung tissue. Fzd9 expression is also decreased in human primary dysplastic cell lines, suggesting that loss of Fzd9 expression occurs early in lung tumorigenesis. Non-transforming lung epithelial cell lines (B2B or HBEC) were treated for four weeks with 1% cigarette smoke condensate. B2B cells were treated with the tobacco carcinogen NNK (10μM) for 2 hours. Both treatment conditions resulted in reduced Fzd9 mRNA expression measured by qPCR. Future work will assess Fzd9 expression in an in vitro chemoprevention and smoking model, in tissues from additional mouse models of lung cancer, and in tissues from chemoprevention trials. These initial studies suggest that Fzd9 expression is lost in early smoking-induced lesions. This study has the potential to improve iloprost lung cancer chemoprevention by allowing future trials to more effectively target high-risk patients and by providing a clinical biomarker for identification of chemoprevention candidates. This abstract is also presented as Poster A29. Citation Format: Meredith Tennis, Lori Nield, Dan Merrick, Robert Keith. Frizzled 9 expression is a potential marker of response to iloprost chemoprevention of lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Twelfth Annual AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Cancer Prevention Research; 2013 Oct 27-30; National Harbor, MD. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Can Prev Res 2013;6(11 Suppl): Abstract nr PR03.
Forest Changes and Carbon Budgets in the Black Sea Region

The temperate forests in the Black Sea region contain some of the last remaining intact forests between southern Europe and West Asia. The collapse of the Soviet Union brought great political and institutional changes to the region that have already impacted these forests, which have experienced long land use and management histories. In this chapter, we review and synthesize research on forest changes and carbon budgets that are associated with decentralization in the Black Sea countries, focusing specifically on Bulgaria, Georgia, Romania, and Ukraine. Our analysis shows that each of these countries followed a different path in forest management, somewhat mimicking their own history of transition from centrally controlled to market-based economies. In Romania and Bulgaria, a period of economic hardship and weakened institutions resulted in large-scale forest changes, but the net effect of these and other historic forest disturbance events has allowed Bulgaria and Romania to remain a terrestrial carbon sink. Although increases in logging could result in net carbon emissions, great potential exists for carbon sequestration as a result of forest expansion on degraded and abandoned farmland, particularly in Romania. Georgia continues to struggle with establishing and enforcing forest management with a suitable mix of private and public uses to meet the growing demand, particularly for energy. To this end, the future of Georgia’s forests and its carbon implications remain uncertain and will mostly depend on its relationships with Russia and its ability to exploit its status as an energy corridor. Ukraine also continues to struggle with establishing suitable forest administration and ownership with high rates of illegal logging. However, natural forest regrowth on large tracts of abandoned farmland can sequester unprecedented amounts of carbon, and large-scale afforestation programs can greatly aid this process. These findings suggest that all these countries could play an important role in the terrestrial carbon budgets of the Black Sea region. This outcome is partly connected to the land use legacy of the Soviet Union: large areas of relatively young and regrowing forests, a result of high forest harvesting rates during the latter half of the 20th century, have tremendous carbon sequestration potential in each country that is reviewed here. At the same time, the effects of this legacy are quickly replaced with land use and forest management decisions that are made today.
56. Keats’ on First Looking into Chapman’S Homer

(1947). 56. Keats’ on First Looking into Chapman’S Homer. The Explicator: Vol. 5, No. 8, pp. 120-121.
Conditional reprogramming and long-term expansion of normal and tumor cells from human biospecimens

Historically, it has been difficult to propagate cells in vitro that are derived directly from human tumors or healthy tissue. However, in vitro preclinical models are essential tools for both the study of basic cancer biology and the promotion of translational research, including drug discovery and drug target identification. This protocol describes conditional reprogramming (CR), which involves coculture of irradiated mouse fibroblast feeder cells with normal and tumor human epithelial cells in the presence of a Rho kinase inhibitor (Y-27632). CR cells can be used for various applications, including regenerative medicine, drug sensitivity testing, gene expression profiling and xenograft studies. The method requires a pathologist to differentiate healthy tissue from tumor tissue, and basic tissue culture skills. The protocol can be used with cells derived from both fresh and cryopreserved tissue samples. As approximately 1 million cells can be generated in 7 d, the technique is directly applicable to diagnostic and predictive medicine. Moreover, the epithelial cells can be propagated indefinitely in vitro, yet retain the capacity to become fully differentiated when placed into conditions that mimic their natural environment.
The Donor Risk Index: A Decade of Experience

In 2006, derivation of the donor risk index (DRI) highlighted the importance of donor factors for successful liver transplantation. Over the last decade, the DRI has served as a useful metric of donor quality and has enhanced our understanding of donor factors and their impact upon recipients with hepatitis C virus, those with low Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, and individuals undergoing retransplantation. DRI has provided the transplant community with a common language for describing donor organ characteristics and has served as the foundation for several tools for organ risk assessment. It is a useful tool in assessing the interactions of donor factors with recipient factors and their impact on posttransplant outcomes. However, limitations of statistical modeling, choice of donor factors, exclusion of unaccounted donor and geographic factors, and the changing face of the liver transplant recipient have tempered its widespread use. In addition, the DRI was derived from data before the MELD era but is currently being applied to expand the donor pool while concurrently meeting the demands of a dynamic allocation system. A decade after its introduction, DRI remains relevant but may benefit from being updated to provide guidance in the use of extended criteria donors by accounting for the impact of geography and unmeasured donor characteristics. DRI could be better adapted for recipients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by examining and including recipient factors unique to this population. Liver Transplantation 23 1216-1225 2017 AASLD.