cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Magnetic resonance imaging of postpartum pelvic hematomas: Early experience in diagnosis and treatment planning

The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in detecting and localizing clinically non-apparent postpartum pelvic hematomas, and to describe the therapeutic implications of MRI in these patients. MRI examinations were performed on seven women with pelvic pain and/or fullness following difficult vaginal deliveries. None had clinically evident hematomas, and none were scheduled for surgery. Hematomas in the pelvis were identified with conventional T1-weighted, and conventional and fast spin echo T2-weighted sequences. Intravenous contrast was not used. Pelvic hematomas were identified in contiguity with the vagina, cervix, and bladder, within the broad ligament, and in the presacral space. In two patients, hematomas were confined to the perivaginal and pericervical regions. In three patients, perivaginal hematomas extended between the double layers of the broad ligaments. In one patient, a perivaginal hematoma extended into the perivesical space. In one patient, a hematoma was identified only within the presacral space. Based on MRI as the only contributory imaging study, five patients were treated successfully with invasive means and two patients were managed successfully with conservative means. MRI successfully detects and localizes postpartum hematomas, information that often is unavailable from the clinical examination. This information facilitates decisions regarding the need for intervention and the appropriate type of procedure when intervention is necessary for this potentially life-threatening problem. We advocate the use of MRI to evaluate patients at risk for postpartum hemorrhage following difficult vaginal deliveries.
Impact of repeated doses of antenatal corticosteroids on placental growth and histology

GROWTH AND HISTOLOGY JORAM SAWADY, BRIAN MERCER, for the NICHDMFMU Network, Bethesda, Maryland OBJECTIVE: In-utero exposure to repeated doses of antenatal corticosteroids (R-ACS) has been shown to reduce fetal growth in animals and humans. Our goal was to evaluate whether R-ACS alters placental growth and histologic findings, within the context of a placebo-controlled RCT. STUDY DESIGN: In a multicenter RCT of R-ACS (betamethasone weekly to 34 wks for up to 4 additional courses) vs a single course followed by weekly placebo (S-ACS), placentas were weighed after removal of the membranes and umbilical cord. A pathologist masked to study group and pregnancy outcomes performed histologic evaluation for: placental calcifications, infarction, fibrin deposition, and hemorrhage or thrombus formation, acute and chronic chorioamnionitis, fibromuscular vascular hyperplasia, nucleated RBC’s, and villous crowding, edema, fibrosis, or fibrinoid necrosis. Findings were compared between study groups and according to number of courses of ACS (#ACS). RESULTS: 194 placentas were available for evaluation. We found no differences between study groups in any of 21 evaluated histologic parameters between R-ACS and S-ACS groups overall, or in analyses restricted to those delivering !32 or R32 wks. 94 placentas were weighed before formalin fixation. After controlling for delivery gestation and infant gender, placental weight was significantly reduced in the R-ACS group (p=0.02) and was inversely related to #ACS courses (p=0.045). For those delivering R32 wks, placentas were smaller in the RACS group(525 vs 447 gm, p=0.049). Calcifications were more common (p=0.045) in the R-ACS group after controlling for other factors. Multivariable analysis revealed increasing delivery gestation, but NOT increasing ACS courses, to be associated with decreasing chorionic inflammation, villous edema and fibrosis, and with increasing villus crowding, fibrin deposition and calcifications. CONCLUSION: R-ACS in pregnancy may be associated with decreased placental growth in a dose dependent fashion, but did not lead to evident differences in histologic markers of placental inflammation, infarction, or necrosis.
Early life establishment of site-specific microbial communities in the gut

Fecal sampling is widely utilized to define small intestinal tissue-level microbial communities in healthy and diseased newborns. However, this approach may lead to inaccurate assessments of disease or therapeutics in newborns because of the assumption that the taxa in the fecal microbiota are representative of the taxa present throughout the gastrointestinal tract. To assess the stratification of microbes in the newborn gut and to evaluate the probable shortcoming of fecal sampling in place of tissue sampling, we simultaneously compared intestinal mucosa and fecal microbial communities in 15 neonates undergoing intestinal resections. We report three key results. First, when the site of fecal and mucosal samples are further apart, their microbial communities are more distinct, as indicated by low mean Sorensen similarity indices for each patient's fecal and tissue microbiota. Second, two distinct niches (intestinal mucosa and fecal microbiota) are evident by principal component analyses, demonstrating the critical role of sample source in defining microbial composition. Finally, in contrast to adult studies, intestinal bacterial diversity was higher in tissue than in fecal samples. This study represents an unprecedented map of the infant microbiota from intestinal mucosa and establishes discernable biogeography throughout the neonatal gastrointestinal tract. Our results question the reliance on fecal microbiota as a proxy for the developing intestinal microbiota. Additionally, the robust intestinal tissue-level bacterial diversity we detected at these early ages may contribute to the maturation of mucosal immunity.
Tracking the Careers of Graduates: A New Agenda for Graduate Schools

As candidates in the 2012 election debated issues raised by the state of the US economy, unemployment statistics and job creation took center stage. The problems under discussion posed (and continu...
Phylogeny, Introgression, and Character Evolution of Diploid Species in Mentzelia Section Trachyphytum (Loasaceae)

Abstract Mentzelia section Trachyphytum (Loasaceae) has 25–30 species found primarily in the western United States. Species delimitation and reconstruction of evolutionary relationships within Trachyphytum have been difficult due to restricted and continuous morphological variation. We employed phylogeny reconstructions based on morphology and DNA sequences from the plastid trnH-psbA, trnS-trnG, trnS-trnfM, ndhF-rp132, and rp132-trnL regions and the low-copy nuclear gene idh to investigate evolutionary relationships and patterns of hybridization and homoplasy among diploid species in Trachyphytum. Reconstructions indicated surprisingly high levels of genetic introgression among closely and distantly related diploids. Additionally, reconstructions based on molecular data showed that some morphological characters traditionally used to delineate groups exhibit homoplasy. However, both molecular- and morphologically-based reconstructions supported two major clades in section Trachyphytum. In agreement with pr...
The Linear Tape File System

While there are many financial and practical reasons to prefer tape storage over disk for various applications, the difficultly of using tape in a general way is a major inhibitor to its wider usage. We present a file system that takes advantage of a new generation of tape hardware to provide efficient access to tape using standard, familiar system tools and interfaces. The Linear Tape File System (LTFS) makes using tape as easy, flexible, portable, and intuitive as using other removable and sharable media, such as a USB drive.
4-Hydroxyhexenal : a lipid peroxidation product derived from oxidized docosahexaenoic acid

Abstract 4-Hydroxynonenal and 4-hydroxyhexenal are cytotoxic aldehydic products of lipid peroxidation with high biological activity. Peroxidation of n−6 fatty acids produces 4-hydroxynonenal, but the origin of 4-hydroxyhexenal has been uncertain. We now present evidence that 4-hydroxyhexenal is generated by oxidation of docosahexaenoic acid, the most abundant n-3 fatty acid in tissues.
Does HIV status make a difference in the experience of lifetime abuse? Descriptions of lifetime abuse and its context among low-income urban women.

Women living in poor urban communities are doubly disadvantaged with regard to increased risk for two major public health crises in the United States today—HIV/AIDS (human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) and violence. This study moves beyond the comparison of rates of lifetime abuse among women to incorporate contextual information of the abusive situation and experiences of HIV-positive women and a sample of sociodemographically similar HIV-negative women. A total of 611 women, 310 of whom were diagnosed as HIV positive, provided interviews integrating quantitative data and qualitative text on their lifetime experience of abuse. Quantitative results yielded few statistically significant differences between the lifetime experiences of violence between HIV-positive women and their HIV-negative counterparts. Of the women, 62% reported intimate partner violence, and 38% reported experiencing nonpartner abuse as an adult. A majority of the abused women reported that their alcohol or drug use or their partner’s alcohol or drug use was associated with the abuse experienced. Significant differences were found between HIV-positive women and HIV-negative women in the pattern of abuse experience as a child, the frequency of abuse as an adult, and the involvement of women’s drinking before or during a violent episode. Qualitative excerpts from the interviews were found to differ thematically and were integrated with the quantitative data to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the women’s contextual situation in understanding interpersonal violence experienced by both HIV-positive and HIV-negative women.
Changes in the Durability of Silicone Rubber in Ball-Valve Prostheses

Abstract Patients who had aortic valve replacement with the Model 1000 Starr-Edwards prosthesis during the period 1963-1965 were reviewed after five years of follow-up. Of the 44 patients operated upon in 1963, 18 had documented ball variance five years after valve replacement. Of the 51 patients operated upon in 1964, 18 had developed ball variance within five years of operation. There is no significant difference between the rate of ball variance in patients operated upon in 1963 and 1964. However, of the patients who underwent valve replacement in 1965, only 4 of 40 developed ball variance, an incidence significantly lower than that of patients operated upon in 1963-1964. Changes in the post-oven cure of the silicone rubber appear to best explain the increased durability of the poppets after 1964.
Aging increases the susceptibility of skeletal muscle derived satellite cells to apoptosis.

Abstract The mechanisms causing the impaired regenerative response to injury observed in skeletal muscle of old animals are unknown. Satellite cells, stem cell descendants within adult skeletal muscle, are the primary source of regenerating muscle fibers. Apoptosis may be a mechanism responsible for the depletion of satellite cells in old animals. This work tested the hypothesis that aging increases the susceptibility of satellite cells to apoptosis. Satellite cells were cultured from the extensor digitorum longus muscles of young (3-month-old), adult (9-month-old), and old (31-month-old) Brown Norway rats. Satellite cells were treated for 24 h with the pro-apoptotic agents TNF-α (20 ng/mL) and Actinomycin D (250 ng/mL). Immunostaining for activated caspases and terminal deoxynucleotydil transferase-mediated dutp nick-end labeling (TUNEL) was performed to identify apoptotic satellite cells. Quantity of the anti-apoptotic protein bcl-2 was determined by Western blot analysis. Satellite cells from old animals demonstrated significantly higher percentages of cells with activated caspases and TUNEL-positive cells, and significantly lower amounts of bcl-2 compared to young and adult animals. These data support the hypothesis that aging increases satellite cell susceptibility to apoptosis. In old muscle, apoptosis may play a causative role in the depletion of satellite cells, impairing the regenerative response to injury.
Environmental Decision-Making Using Life Cycle Impact Assessment and Stochastic Multiattribute Decision Analysis: A Case Study on Alternative Transportation Fuels

Life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) involves weighing trade-offs between multiple and incommensurate criteria. Current state-of-the-art LCIA tools typically compute an overall environmental score using a linear-weighted aggregation of characterized inventory data that has been normalized relative to total industry, regional, or national emissions. However, current normalization practices risk masking impacts that may be significant within the context of the decision, albeit small relative to the reference data (e.g., total U.S. emissions). Additionally, uncertainty associated with quantification of weights is generally very high. Partly for these reasons, many LCA studies truncate impact assessment at the inventory characterization step, rather than completing normalization and weighting steps. This paper describes a novel approach called stochastic multiattribute life cycle impact assessment (SMA-LCIA) that combines an outranking approach to normalization with stochastic exploration of weight spaces-avoiding some of the drawbacks of current LCIA methods. To illustrate the new approach, SMA-LCIA is compared with a typical LCIA method for crop-based, fossil-based, and electric fuels using the Greenhouse gas Regulated Emissions and Energy Use in Transportation (GREET) model for inventory data and the Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and other Environmental Impacts (TRACI) model for data characterization. In contrast to the typical LCIA case, in which results are dominated by fossil fuel depletion and global warming considerations regardless of criteria weights, the SMA-LCIA approach results in a rank ordering that is more sensitive to decisionmaker preferences. The principal advantage of the SMA-LCIA method is the ability to facilitate exploration and construction of context-specific criteria preferences by simultaneously representing multiple weights spaces and the sensitivity of the rank ordering to uncertain stakeholder values.
High-Efficiency Gaseous-Conduction Lamps

High-efficiency gaseous-conduction lamps, as exemplified by the recently developed sodium, fluorescent, and high-pressure mercury lamps, are discussed in this paper. The relationship between the light energy radiated at different wave lengths and the efficiency of the lamps is treated in some detail.
Thermodynamics for the Interaction of PEG-PLL Copolymers with DNA

One focus of our research is to select polycations to deliver oligonucleotides into the cell for the control of gene expression. In this work, we report on the interaction of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly-L-lysine (PEG-PLL) copolymer with a variety of DNA molecules. Specifically, three PEG-PLL copolymers with similar PEG segment but different length of the PLL chains were used to interact with DNA duplexes as a function of duplex length. A combination of spectroscopic and calorimetric techniques was used to investigate the unfolding of both DNA molecules and polycation-DNA complexes, and to determine their thermodynamic binding profiles. The resulting polycation-DNA complexes were stable in aqueous solution at room temperature. The binding of each copolymer to DNA stabilized the helix-coil transition of all DNA molecules, yielding binding affinities of ∼104 M-1, which were lowered by the increase in salt concentration. However, binding affinities of 105 were obtained with the ethhidium bromide displacement essay. Isothermal titration calorimetric experiments yielded negligible heats of interaction. Therefore, the favorable formation of the copolymer-DNA complexes is entropy driven which was rationalized in terms of the release of both counterions and water molecules upon complex formation. In summary, polycation binding to DNA was found to be electrostatic in nature, i.e., the positively charged lysine groups formed ion pairs with the negatively charged phosphate groups of DNA. Supported by Grant MCB-1122029 from the National Science Foundation.
Plasma Leptin Levels in Trauma Patients: Effect of Adjuvant Recombinant Human Growth Hormone in Intravenously Fed Multiple Trauma Patients

Background: Leptin, the newly discovered ob gene product, is synthesized primarily in adipose tissue and circulates to all parts of the body. Injury elicits significant metabolic changes, and it is not known how these changes affect the circulating leptin levels. Methods: Plasma leptin levels were measured in postabsorptive normal subjects (n = 14, 5 men and 9 women) and severely injured (injury severity score [ISS], 34 ± 2), hypermetabolic (resting energy expenditure [REE]/basal energy expenditure [BEE], 1.31 ± 0.04), adult (39 ± 4 years; n = 28, 18 men and 10 women) trauma patients within 48 to 60 hours after injury when they were receiving no nitrogen or calories. The nutritional influence on plasma leptin in these patients was monitored during the subsequent 7 days of total parenteral nutrition (TPN). During TPN the patients were randomized to receive or not to receive recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) supplementation (0.15 mg/kg/d). Results: Trauma significantly lowered plasma leptin levels, bo...
Second-harmonic generation from arrays of symmetric gold nanoparticles

We show that second-harmonic light can be generated from a diffraction grating of gold nanoparticles with planar inversion symmetry. By measuring the angular distribution of second-harmonic light, we observe an effect in which the diffraction pattern of the grating is superimposed on the intrinsic second-harmonic radiation pattern of the nanoparticles. This result suggests that the second-harmonic generation may be used to study coherent nonlinear optical effects in symmetric as well as asymmetric metal nanoparticles.
There is sufficient evidence to support intra-arterial therapy of ischemic stroke

Let us concede upfront that there is controversy surrounding the proposal: there is sufficient evidence to support intra-arterial (IA) therapy of ischemic stroke. Thus, rather than relying on a selective review of the available evidence to formulate a personal opinion on a controversial topic, it is preferable and less biased to examine where majority expert opinion lies on this matter. Also, we should first define IA stroke therapy. Although IA stroke therapy typically begins with mechanical clot retrieval, it frequently incorporates thrombolytic agents, antithrombotics and platelet inhibition. As a result, there is no standard IA stroke therapy or even standard criteria for device selection, and it is routine to make interventional decisions ‘on the table’. This reflects the complex technical heterogeneity of acute stroke arterial recanalization and further complicates the design of any potential randomized clinical trial (RCT) of IA therapy. It should thus be pointed out that PROACT II (Prolyse in Acute Cerebral Thromboembolism Trial II),1 the only completed RCT of IA stroke therapy, prohibited mechanical clot manipulation, included a novel heparin regimen, did not include antiplatelet agents and allowed 2 h for pro-urokinase infusion, thus representing a very conservative IA approach compared with current regimens. The most comprehensive review of the evidence related to IA stroke therapy is a meta-analysis published in 2010 in Stroke 2 which concluded: “Formal meta-analysis suggests that IA fibrinolysis substantially increases recanalization rates and good and excellent clinical outcomes in acute ischemic stroke. Increased hemorrhage frequencies are not associated with any increase in mortality. For excellent clinical outcomes, the benefit per 100 patients treated is 17 within <3 h of intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV tPA), 13 with IA fibrinolysis, and 7 within 3 to 4.5 h of IV tPA. Accordingly, indirect comparison suggests that the benefit of IA lysis is somewhat similar to early, …
Credit Program Participation and Decline in Violence: Does Self-Selection Matter?

Summary Studies on the effects of gendered policy design in microcredit on spousal violence generally suffer from self-selection and under-reporting bias. I overcome such shortcomings by constructing a new measure of violence. The new measure indicates whether there was a decline in violence by subtracting current-experience of violence from ever-experience. Such differencing eliminates time-invariant sources of bias. Further, sensitivity of the effect of female membership to self-selection is examined by gauging the size of self-selection based on selection on the observables. Once self-selection is addressed, the initial positive effect of membership on violence reduction disappears.
Overexpression of RelA Causes G1 Arrest and Apoptosis in a Pro-B Cell Line

NF-κB/Rel family proteins form a network of post-translationally regulated transcription factors that respond to a variety of extracellular stimuli and mediate distinct cellular responses. These responses include cytokine gene expression, regulated cell cycle activation, and both the protection from and induction of the cell death program. To examine the function of individual Rel family proteins in B cell development and resolve their role in the signaling of apoptosis, we used a tetracycline-regulated gene expression system to overexpress either c-Rel or RelA in the transformed pro-B cell line 220-8. Elevated levels of RelA, but not c-Rel, induced a G1 cell cycle arrest followed by apoptosis. Both the DNA binding and transactivation domains of RelA were required for this effect. When RelA was overexpressed in the immature B cell line WEHI 231 or the mature B cell line M12, neither cell cycle arrest nor apoptosis was evident. The differential effects of elevated RelA levels in these cell lines suggests that susceptibility to NF-κB-induced apoptosis may reflect a relevant selection event during B cell development.
Utilization patterns of cord blood gas analysis

Objective To determine patterns of use of cord blood gas analysis in two institutions in Portland, Maine; to determine which factors, if any, predicted use of the test; and to evaluate compliance with ACOG guidelines. Methods Billing data were used from 3166 deliveries during 1994 in the two hospitals to find deliveries in which the test was performed. We merged billing data with birth certificate data to examine factors associated with the test's use. Finally, we compared its use in our community with recently updated ACOG guidelines. Results There was a 20-fold difference in the test's use between institutions ( P Conclusion Current use of cord blood gas analysis in our community is not consistent with guidelines or cost-effective use of resources; the institutional factors that determine excess use should be examined and modified.
2006 Greenland Ice Sheet snowmelt from spaceborne microwave brightness temperatures

Brightness temperatures over the Greenland ice sheet, as measured by the Special Sensor Microwave Imager radiometer (SSM/I) aboard the U.S. Air Force Defense Meteorological Satellite (DMSP) Program's F13 satellite, have now been released (available at ftp://sidads.colorado.edu/pub/DATASETS/brightness-temperatures/easegrid/ssmi/). These data support the quantification of the number of snow melting days in 2006 (Figure l a ) and the 2006 melting days anomaly (e.g., the difference between 2006 melting days and the average number of melting days between 1988 and 2005; Figure l b ). Updated results are fundamental to longterm trend analyses of snowmelt extent and duration. The 2006 melting index (e.g., the number of melting days × melt extent) follows the trend derived from the analysis of 1988–2005 data, and ranks seventh when using the 19.35-gigahertz data (with 2005, 2002, 1998, 2004, 1999, and 2003 in this order having a greater melting index). The 2006 melting index ranks fifth when using the 37-gigahertz data, which are more sensitive to surface processes (with 1998, 2002, 2005, and 2004 in this order having a greater melting index).
Characterization of Z/E11- and Z9-desaturases from the obliquebanded leafroller moth, Choristoneura rosaceana.

A ▵11-desaturase gene was cloned from the sex pheromone gland of the obliquebanded leafroller moth, Choristoneura rosaceana. The desaturase cDNA sequence spans 1300 nucleotides with an open reading frame encoding a 335 amino-acid protein, which has 81% identity to a Z/E11-desaturase of the redbanded leafroller moth, Argyrotaenia velutinana. A functional assay with a pYES2 yeast expression system demonstrated that the ▵11-desaturase exhibits unusual substrate and stereospecificities in producing a Z/E11 mixture (7:1) of only C14 acids. A metabolic Z9-desaturase also was cloned from fat body of this species, and proved to be in the class that produces more Z9-16:Acid than Z9-18:Acid.
A Possible Explanation of the Behaviour of the Hydrogen Lines in Giant Stars

WHILE the general behaviour of the absorption lines in stellar spectra has been well accounted for by thermodynamic theory, the Balmer series shows marked peculiarities. In spite of the very high resonance potential, these lines appear even in stars of class G, and their intensity is conspicuously affected by absolute magnitude—that is, by the density of the stellar atmosphere.
Liquid chromatography particle beam-mass spectrometry with massive cluster impact.

A new liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry technique is described that utilizes a particle beam interface to transport and deposit desolvated analyte molecules onto a target surface that is bombarded by a primary beam of massive multiply charged glycerol cluster ions to generate secondary ions for mass analysis. The massive cluster ion beam is generated by electrohydrodynamic emission from a solution of 1. 5-M ammonium acetate in glycerol. In the present instrumental configuration the massive cluster ion gun is placed above the target probe and the particle beam interface is connected through a side port of the mass spectrometer. The massive cluster ion beam and particle beam are intercepted by a target surface substituted for a conventional ion volume. The target surface is positioned such that it is ∼ 45 ° to the primary cluster ion beam, the particle beam, and the mass analyzer axis. This geometric orientation represents a compromise among the performances of these three elements.
Passive and Active Smoking A Problem for Adults

Over the last 10 years, 14 epidemiological studies1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 and experimental studies15 16 17 have consistently shown that passive smoking increases the risk of heart disease death. Combining these studies in a meta-analysis yields an estimate that passive smoking significantly increases the risk of death from heart disease by about 20% (RR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.1 to 1.4). As with the evidence that passive smoking causes lung cancer,18 19 20 the tobacco industry has vigorously attacked these studies as too small, biased, or failing to control for confounding variables adequately. These arguments have become harder to make over time as the number and quality of epidemiological studies on both lung cancer and heart disease have improved, so the tobacco industry has started to emphasize a new explanation: publication bias. For example, in the 1994-1995 hearings held by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) on a proposed rule making workplaces smoke free,21 several of the tobacco industry's witnesses argued that the reason that there were so many studies in the literature showing an elevation in risk of death associated with passive smoking was that journals simply did not publish “negative” studies because of a bias on the part of editors against the tobacco industry despite the fact that formal studies of the question of publication bias demonstrated that at least in the case of passive smoking, no such bias existed. Faced with this evidence, the tobacco industry took the argument one step further and said that publication bias included people not doing research or analyzing data that might not support the view of the health establishment. In particular, both at the hearing and in print,22 tobacco industry consultants speculated that because of …
Effects of ageing on the temperature coefficient of resistivity of a β titanium alloy

The temperature coefficient of electrical resistivity (TCR) of the commercial Ti-15-3 alloy is negative, if the alloy is in the 100% β condition. The TCR increases from negative to positive values as a result of precipitation of the ω and α phases during ageing. An incubation or transient period, during which the value of TCR remains essentially unchanged, precedes the formation of the ω phase; this transient period decreases with increasing ageing temperature over the range 250–400 °C. Changes in the value of TCR signal the initiation of beta decomposition before the ω phase can be detected by conventional TEM and diffraction techniques. Reversion of the ω phase by up-quenching after ageing restores the original negative value of TCR. If both α and ω phases are present in the aged condition, only partial recovery of the quenched TCR value is possible, indicating that the alpha phase is not reverted by up-quenching. The results point to the potential value of TCR determinations for monitoring the initiation of β decomposition in titanium alloys exposed to temperatures above room temperature.
Determinants of the Development of Diabetes (Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young-3) in Carriers of HNF-1α Mutations: Evidence for parent-of-origin effect

OBJECTIVE —To determine the distribution of the age at onset of diabetes (maturity-onset diabetes of the young-3 [MODY3]) and to identify determinants of the onset of diabetes in carriers of HNF-1α mutations. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —Extended families ( n = 104) with type 2 diabetes inherited in a dominant pattern were recruited and screened for diabetes-causing mutations in HNF-1α . RESULTS — HNF-1α mutations cosegregated with diabetes in only 13 families, all with a mean age at onset <35 years. Insulin secretion was diminished or absent in mutation carriers ( n = 101), and diabetes developed in 65% by age 25 years and in 100% by age 50 years. If the mutation was inherited from the mother, diabetes onset was very young in those exposed to diabetes in utero; 57 ± 8% were affected by age 15 years as compared with 0.0% in those not exposed ( P < 7 × 10−6). By age 25 years, the difference was reduced (85 ± 6 and 55 ± 12%, respectively; P = 0.02). If the mutation was inherited from the father, diabetes developed in 52 ± 8% by age 25 years. Age at diagnosis was shown to be highly heritable ( h 2 = 0.47, P = 0.003). When parent of origin was included in the analyses, the magnitude of genetic contribution increased markedly ( h 2 = 0.91). CONCLUSIONS —Mutations in HNF-1α accounts for diabetes in a small proportion of families with a dominant pattern of inheritance. Age at onset of diabetes in MODY3 families varied widely and was influenced by familial factors (including modifying genes) and parent of origin (whether a mutation carrier was exposed to diabetes in utero).
Basaltic volcanism, mantle plumes, and the mechanics of rifting: The Paraná flood basalt province of South America

Dynamic modeling of continental extension between South America and Africa shows that the mechanics of rifting played an important role in determining the pattern of volcanism within the Parana and Etendeka flood-basalt provinces on the Brazilian and Namibian margins. The key feature of the model is the development of a horizontal pressure gradient in the lower crust during the early stages of extension, which provided a mechanism for transporting magma generated beneath the incipient sea-floor spreading axis into the Parana province, 100-200 km distant. The horizontal pressure gradient developed as a consequence of the dynamic interaction of preexisting weaknesses in the middle crust and upper mantle during rifting. The model accounts for the large quantity of basalt, the asymmetric distribution of basalt on the conjugate margins, and the northward migration of the eruptive center with time. The rapidity of magma genesis is in agreement with models of decompression melting during rifting. The model indicates that although elevated asthenosphere temperatures associated with the Tristan plume account for the volume of melt generated, the mechanics of rifting control the location and style of emplacement. The model suggests that extension in the region began ca. 150-155 Ma, and lasted about 25 m.y.
The elimination of persistent stuttering by the use of homework assignments involving speech shadowing: A case report

This report describes the successful treatment of persistent stuttering of 7 yr duration. The amount of direct therapy contact was minimized by having the client practice speech shadowing at home, by means of a recorded story composed of words which frequently elicited stuttering.
Verbatim and Propositional Representation of Sentences in Immediate and Long-Term Memory.

Two experiments are reported to distinguish between the representation of sentences in immediate versus longer-term memory. In Experiment I subjects studied active or passive sentences embedded in paragraph context and in Experiment II they studied isolated sentences. Their task was to immediately or later verify the truth of test sentences that were based on the study sentences. The verification latencies indicate there are two modes of sentence representation in memory. Immediately the representation is a verbatim image of the sentence but at delays there are both verbatim images and propositional representations. Evidence is offered that these propositional representations are similar to the active-like deep structure of Chomsky (1965) .
Early transition to oral antibiotic therapy for community-acquired pneumonia: duration of therapy, clinical outcomes, and cost analysis

Our objective was to compare therapeutic outcome and analyse cost-benefit of a 'conventional' (7-day course of i.v. antibiotic therapy) vs. an abbreviated (2-day i.v. antibiotic course followed by 'switch' to oral antibiotics) therapy for in-patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). We used a multicenter prospective, randomized, parallel group with a 28 day follow-up, at the University-based teaching hospitals: The Medical Center of Louisiana in New Orleans, LA and hospitals listed in the acknowledgement. Ninety-five patients were randomized to receive either a 'conventional' course of intravenous antibiotic therapy with cefamandole 1 g i.v. every 6 h for 7 days (n = 37), or an abbreviated course of intravenous therapy with cefamandole (1 g i.v. every 6 h for 2 days) followed by oral therapy with cefaclor (500 mg every 8 h for 5 days). No difference was found in the clinical courses, cure rates, survival or the resolution of the chest radiograph abnormalities among the two groups. The mean duration of therapy (6.88 days for the conventional group compared to 7-30 days for the early oral therapy group) and the frequencies of overall symptomatic improvement (97% vs. 95%, respectively) were similar in both groups. Patients who received early oral therapy had shorter hospital stays (7.3 vs. 9.71 days, P = 0.01), and a lower total cost of care ($2953 vs. $5002, P < 0.05). It was concluded that early transition to an oral antibiotic after an abbreviated course of intravenous therapy in CAP is substantially less expensive and has comparable efficacy to conventional intravenous therapy. Altering physicians' customary management of hospitalized patients with CAP can reduce costs with no appreciable additional risk of adverse patient outcome.
Bovine mammary explant versus primary cell cultures: Effect of bovine somatotropin and insulinlike growth factor-I on DNA content and protein synthesis

Cellular DNA, milk protein content, and protein secretion by bovine mammary explants were compared to cultures of confluent and growing primary bovine mammary secretory cells over 4 d. Explants were obtained at slaughter from eight Holstein cows (120 ± 35 d lactation). Primary cells were grown to confluence, cryopreserved, thawed, and cultured through five passages. Explants and cells were cocultured with liver and adipose tissue in the presence of somatotropin, insulinlike growth factor-I, and somatotropin + insulinlike growth factor-I. Cellular DNA and milk proteins were assayed using fluorescent probes and flow cytometry. Media proteins were assayed by densitometer scanning of electrophoresis gel bands. DNA content of explant, confluent, and growing primary cells increased similarly through the 96 h incubation. DNA content in G0G1 phase was increased by: (a) insulinlike growth factor-I in explant cells; (b) somatotropin, insulinlike growth factor-I, and their combination in confluent primary cells; and (c) the combination of somatotropin and insulinlike growth factor in growing primary cells. Approximately 65% of explant and confluent primary cells were in the G0G1 or differentiated phase compared to 47% for the growing primary cells. Whey protein content and secretion were similar among cell types. Explant cells contained and secreted more β-casein than primary cells but secretion trends for β-casein and k-casein were similar after 48 h for both cell types. Results suggest that primary cell cultures are comparable to explant cultures when used to study mechanisms of DNA and milk protein synthesis and secretion.
Algorithms for quantified Boolean formulas

We present algorithms for solving quantified Boolean formulas (QBF, or sometimes QSAT) with worst case runtime asymptotically less than O(2n) when the clause-to-variable ratio is smaller or larger than some constant. We solve QBFs in conjunctive normal form (CNF) in O(1.709m) time and space, where m is the number of clauses. Extending the technique to a quantified version of constraint satisfaction problems (QCSP), we solve QCSP with domain size d = 3 in O(1.953m) time, and QCSPs with d ≥ 4 in O(dm/2+e) time and space for e
Negation and verb second in Breton

This paper provides an analysis of Breton phrase structure and examines its consequences for the reformulation of the ECP in Rizzi (1990b). Particularly, I argue that subjects must be antecedent governed. I demonstrate that a number of aspects of Breton syntax, particularly subject agreement phenomena in V2 root clauses, are thus explained. In the course of the argument, I present an alternative to the standard analysis of a V2 language, in which I treat V2 not as an absolute characterization of a language containing certain rules, but rather as one relative to the instantiation of an abstract feature [Aff] (see Laka 1990) and the nature of C0 (Platzack 1986, Rizzi 1990a).
Oil-immersed 110-kv 440-kw rectifier unit

THE PROTON LINEAR ACCELERATOR installation at the University of Minnesota requires as one of its power supplies a d-c source capable of delivering continuously 4 amperes at 110 kv. This power represents the plate supply for four resnatron tubes which provide the radio-frequency power to excite the resonant cavities of the accelerator proper. The design of a power supply capable of meeting these requirements was complicated by the limited amount of available space.
Popliteal aneurysm: a celebration of the bicentennial of John Hunter's operation

Analysis of the original documents on Hunter's operation revealed that Hunter himself never realized the theoretical implications of his operation, particularly that collateral circulation could develop following ligation of the main arterial trunk of a limb. This operation, however, marks a monumental step in the history of vascular surgery. Even though supplanted only one century later by Matas' obliterating endoaneurysmorraphy, this technique became the first efficient means of managing popliteal aneurysms, the prognosis of which had been absolutely disastrous until that time, leading to either amputation or death in most cases.
Sex Differences in Verbal Operant Conditioning

Two studies concerned effects of sex of Ss, sex of E, positive vs negative reinforcement (i.e., attention vs inattention), and time trends, on the conditioning and extinction of participation in structured and unstructured small group discussions. Previous results indicated reinforcement is effective only when administered by an E of the same sex as Ss. Present results did not support this expectation and also were not consistent with each other. Exp. I was partly consistent with expectation only when E was male; no conditioning was obtained by female Es. For Exp. II only the female E produced conditioning. Extinction effects in both experiments were inconsistent with expectation. In an earlier study (Cieutat, 1962) and in both Exps. I and II the same four factors were evaluated with some design modification, and were found to interact complexly and significantly (p < .01, < .10, < .10, respectively). These interactions between sex of E, sex of Ss, reinforcement, and time, though significant in three inde...
Thermoelectrochemical properties of a polypyrrole electrode

Relation lineaire entre le pouvoir thermoelectrique et le potentiel d'electrode du polymere
SU-GG-T-356: Investigation on Fading of MAGIC Gel Dosimeter

Purpose: To characterize the fading of MAGIC gel dosimeters by simple measurements using a He‐Ne laser and photodiodedetector.Method and Materials: A normoxic polymergel known as MAGIC gel was prepared, using hydroquinone as a free radical scavenger. The MAGIC gel‐containing phantoms were irradiated by 110 kVp x‐rays from six different directions (rotation of 60°) and 4 different dose levels of 10 Gy increments. Gel fading was monitored by measuring the voltage drop (as a measure of optical density) due to the presence of irradiatedgel between a He‐Ne laser source and photodiodedetector at three different time points (i.e., 24, 48, and 72 hours) post‐irradiation. Laser light was directed along the transverse axis of the cylindrical gel phantoms. The gel phantoms were immersed in a water bath to provide a better optical impedance matching during the laser measurements. Also, they were randomly rotated to several angular positions to check the uniformity in optical density along the radial direction. Two independent trials of reading session were conducted. Results:Measured voltage drop remained inversely linear with delivered dose up to 48 hours, with decreasing linearity at 72 hours and beyond. Detectable non‐uniformity in optical density was noted along the radial direction of the phantom. This non‐uniformity was more pronounced for the phantoms irradiated with larger doses, which contributed more fluctuation in the measured data. Conclusion: Statistically significant gel fading up to 10% was noted between 24 and 48 hour post‐irradiation. However, no significant gel fading was observed between 48 and 72 hours post‐irradiation.
Importance of fathers' parenting to African-American toddler's social and cognitive development

The present study examined the degree to which parenting attitudes and behavior (i.e., self-reported warmth, restrictiveness, and behavioral sensitivity as assessed during a freeplay session) were related to toddlers' development. Results showed a restrictive attitude was negatively related to social and cognitive development, whereas paternal sensitivity was positively related to aspects of social development that are less dependent on language skills (e.g., motor and daily living skills). Fathers of girls exhibited greater sensitivity in their freeplay interactions than fathers of boys. More globally, the present research demonstrates important relations between the parenting attitudes and behavior of low- to working-income African-American fathers and young children's development, and similarities to White, middle-income fathers.
Guidelines and Resources for Conducting an Environmental Crime Investigation in the United States

Abstract Common environmental crimes in the United States include the illegal disposal of hazardous waste, unpermitted discharges to sewer systems or surface water, discharge of oil by vessels to waters within United States jurisdiction, the misapplication of pesticides, the illegal importation of ozone-depleting substances, data falsification, and laboratory fraud. Federal, state, and sometimes local statutes and regulations are in place to protect the water, air, land, and human health. From a federal perspective, these include the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) for hazardous wastes, the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) for toxic substances, the Clean Air Act (CAA), the Clean Water Act (CWA), the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) for abandoned waste sites, and the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) for pesticides. Each of these laws contains some standard methods for sampling and analyses to prove environmental crimes. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) contains the specific requirements of the laws. Within the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), the Criminal Investigation Division (CID) of the Office of Criminal Enforcement, Forensics and Training (OCEFT) has the responsibility to investigate criminal offenses. Criminal offenses are more serious in nature than civil violations in the United States. To successfully prosecute an environmental criminal case, the government has to prove, beyond a reasonable doubt, that a corporation or person knowingly violated an environmental statute containing criminal sanctions. The same environmental forensic techniques used to provide scientifically defensible data prevail in both civil and criminal cases; the only distinction between the two types of cases is legal.
Improving health literacy: informed decision-making rather than informed consent for CT scans in children.

Health literacy is described as “The degree to which individuals have the capacity to obtain, process, and understand basic health information and services needed to make appropriate decisions” [1]. In the paper titled “What physicians think about the need for informed consent for cancer risk with low-dose radiation,” the authors contend that physicians are aware of the risk of cancer with low-dose radiation examinations and that radiology departments should consider obtaining informed consent from patients undergoing radiation-based low-dose examinations [2]. The paper makes a compelling argument based on scientific reports from governmental agencies and multiple scientific papers that provide a strong rationale based on the extrapolated data using the linear nonthreshold theory of radiation-induced cancer from Hiroshima after the atomic bomb [3]. Although the authors’ intent of providing informed consent to patients prior to performance of CT scans is laudable, this approach might present more questions than answers for both the physician and the patient. As Frush asked in a letter to the editor, “Do we obtain consent from a 1-year-old, maybe a 40-year-old, but not an 80-year-old? Is the consent different for a child who has undergone CT once versus a child who has undergone 12 CT examinations? Do we begin to obtain consent after 50 chest radiographs?” [4]. Who would obtain the consent? The referring physician who understands the indication for the medical imaging or the radiologist who performs the imaging? How do we measure cumulative dose or even track examinations in today’s mobile society? With these problematic issues, we propose a different concept to foster informed participation of patients in their health care decisions: that is informed decision-making. Informed decision-making calls for “a meaningful dialogue between physician and patient instead of unidirectional, dutiful disclosure of alternatives, risks, and benefits by the physician” with informed consent [5]. The two concepts, informed consent and informed decision-making, can be quite different in their intent and outcome.