cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of mindfulness training on posttraumatic stress symptoms from a community-based pilot clinical trial among survivors of intimate partner violence.

Objective: Exposure to intimate partner violence (IPV) is a significant public health issue associated with deleterious mental and medical health comorbidities, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The hallmark symptoms of posttraumatic stress (PTS), even when not meeting the threshold for a diagnosis of PTSD, appear to be underpinned by poor self-regulation in multiple domains, including emotion, cognitive control, and physiological stress. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) holds promise for treating PTS symptoms because evidence suggests it targets these domains. The current study was a pilot randomized clinical trial designed to examine changes in emotion regulation, attentional function, and physiological stress dysregulation among women IPV survivors with elevated PTS symptoms after participation in a group-based, 8-week MBSR program. Method: In total, 29 participants were randomized to receive MBSR (n = 19) or an active control (n = 10). Assessments were conducted at study entry, as well as 8 and 12 weeks later. Results: Between-group differences on primary outcomes were nonsignificant; however, when exploring within groups, statistically significant decreases in PTS symptoms, F(1.37, 16.53) = 5.19, p < .05, and emotion dysregulation, F(1.31, 14.46) = 9.36, p < .01, were observed after MBSR but not after the control intervention. Further, decreases in PTSD and emotion dysregulation were clinically significant for MBSR participants but not control participants. Conclusions: These preliminary data signal that MBSR may improve PTS symptoms and emotion regulation and suggest further study of the effectiveness of PTSD interventions guided by integrative models of MBSR mechanisms and psychophysiological models of stress regulation. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Evaluation of rescue oral glucocorticoid therapy during inpatient cystic fibrosis exacerbations.

An acute pulmonary exacerbation (APE) in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is characterized by increased pulmonary symptoms attributed to bacterial colonization, neutrophil recruitment and inflammation. Antimicrobials, airway clearance and nutrition are the mainstay of therapy. However, when patients fail to improve, corticosteroids have been added to therapy. We retrospectively examined the use of rescue steroids in a children's hospital from 2013 - 2017 during CF APE treatment following at least one week of inpatient therapy without expected clinical improvement. 106 encounters, of 53 unique patients: aged 6-20 years; who had FEV1 percent predicted (FEV1pp) data at baseline, admission, midpoint, and discharge; and had admission duration of at least 12 days were studied. Encounters treated with steroids had less improvement at midpoint percent change from admission in FEV1pp (4.9, ±11.3) than non-steroid group change in FEV1pp (20.1, ±24.6; p-value<0.001). Failure to improve as expected was the rationale for steroid use. At discharge, there was no difference in mean FEV1pp (p=0.76). Delays in steroid therapy by waiting until the end of the second week increased the total length of stay. Propensity matching comparing outcomes in patients without midpoint improvement in FEV1pp was also evaluated. There was no difference in admission or discharge FEV1pp between groups. Equally, no difference in FEV1pp at follow-up visit or in time until next APE was detected. Secondary analysis for associations including gender, genotype, fungal colonization, or inhaled antimicrobials were non-significant. These data suggest rescue use of corticosteroids during APE does not predictably impact important outcome measures during CF APE treatment. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Exploring analog-based schemes for aerosol optical depth forecasting with WRF-Chem

Abstract We implement and test an analog-based post-processing method to improve short range forecasts of aerosol optical depth (AOD) using the Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry (WRF-Chem). Model postprocessing of AOD is performed using historical analog forecasts and a Kalman Filter (KF). Analog forecasts are selected from WRF-Chem simulations based on a set of environmental predictors (AOD, wind speed, precipitable water, and particulate matter) that exhibit past values similar to the current forecasts. Space-borne AOD from Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensor onboard Terra and Aqua satellites corresponding to the analogs are used to build the analog ensemble. This study focuses on a spatial domain covering the AERONET sites in contiguous United States. We use the analog ensemble weighted mean (AN) and Kalman filter analog (KFAN) algorithms, which are both trained using WRF-Chem AOD forecasts for the months of June to August during 2008–2011 and tested during the same months for 2012. Overall, the AOD forecast are more skillful when the forecast errors are corrected using a combination of analogs and Kalman filter in KFAN. This is especially true for the western US where the correlation of AOD with PM2.5, PM10, and surface horizontal wind speed are higher than those for other predictors. In fact, the overall biases in AOD are significantly reduced close to zero, with KFAN AOD being statistically indistinguishable to MODIS. However, both methods show mixed results (albeit still showing overall improvements) in eastern and central U.S., where AOD and its variability are highest. We find that, during the summer, PM is not the only predominant factor driving AOD in these regions, unlike western United States (U.S.) (except New Mexico and Arizona). We note, however, that the quality of the analogs depends on the model's capability to accurately simulate total precipitable water, which in turn influences aerosol sources and sinks.
Validation of new shoulder periprosthetic joint infection criteria

Background A periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) in the shoulder can be difficult to diagnose. Many variables have been used to determine a PJI. Recently, the 2018 International Consensus Meeting (ICM) on orthopedic infections gave new criteria to help identify PJI in the shoulder. With the new criteria (major and minor), the PJI definition can be categorized into definite, probable, possible, and unlikely. This study was conducted to assess the new criteria for a series of consecutive first stage revision shoulder arthroplasty cases. Methods All patients undergoing a first stage revision shoulder arthroplasty using a prosthesis made of antibiotic-loaded acrylic cement (PROSTALAC) spacer from 2016 through 2019 were evaluated retrospectively. All cases were performed by a single surgeon. Each case was reviewed using the 2018 shoulder ICM diagnostic criteria. Secondary factors evaluated were type of organism identified, accuracy of minor criteria, and frozen vs. permanent section accuracy. Results A total of 87 first-stage revision arthroplasty cases were reviewed. Based on the 2018 ICM criteria, there were 20 definite (30.0%), 19 probable (21.8%), 6 possible (6.9%), and 42 unlikely (48.3%) infections. Cutibacterium acnes was the most common infectious organism overall (77.3% of culture positive cases) and was present in 39.1% of cases overall. Ten patients (25.6%) grew multiple organisms. Thirty-one patients (35.6%) had a loose humeral stem, with 23 of those patients (74.2%) having a definite or probable infection (odds ratio [OR] 7.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.67-19.37, P = .0001). Eleven patients (91.7%) with an elevated intraoperative synovial neutrophil cell count had a definite or probable infection. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) was elevated in patients with a definite or probable infection (OR 9.4, 95% CI 2.47-35.62, P = .0010, and OR 7.7, 95% CI 2.29-25.56, P = .0009), respectively. Discordant results between frozen and permanent sections were found in 4 patients (4.6%). Conclusion The 2018 ICM shoulder infection criteria gave a new scoring system to diagnose PJI. C acnes was the most common infectious organism identified. Patients who had a loose humeral stem, elevated ESR, or elevated CRP were more likely to have either a definite or probable PJI. Frozen sections were able to accurately identify definite infections. Unexpected wound drainage and positive preoperative cultures were low-yield criteria in this series. More research into determining periprosthetic shoulder infection is needed to help identify which patients are more likely to have an infection.
Riding the democracy train: incumbent-led paths to autocracy

In the twenty-first century, democracies are most often weakened, and even die, not by coups but by manipulation from within by democratically-elected officials. Yet, while democratic breakdown has become increasingly common, significant variation exists in the strategies deployed by would-be autocrats. Although some engage in unconstitutional power grabs, an increasing number of incumbents instead deploy constitutional methods to consolidate their power. How do incumbents decide how far to ride the democracy train, and whether to attack democracy unlawfully, or subvert it legally from within? This paper explores this question by presenting a simple formal model to adjudicate between these two incumbent-led paths to autocracy. The model implies that leaders who retain military support can successfully conduct an executive coup yet prefer lawful means to grab power when they enjoy high popularity. Choosing the constitutional route to dismantle democracy provides aspiring autocrats with a guise of legality as well as expands their power beyond even the self-coup option. Using the insights of the model, the paper examines how Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who boarded the democracy train as a democratically elected leader but continued his journey toward a fully authoritarian destination, orchestrated his autocratic takeover of Turkish democracy. The article contributes to existing literature by examining the strategic decision-making process that underlies incumbent-led subversions of democracy, while casting light on the increasing trend of legal subversions of democracy.
Toward a Medical “Ecology of Attention”

Toward a Medical “Ecology of Attention” As we continually try to optimize the systems in which we work, we should think ambitiously about clinical environments that optimize attention. A shift to a...
Perceived influences on the career choices of children and youth: an exploratory study

Children’s understanding of factors influencing their career choices was examined. Seventy-two children, in grades kindergarten, 4, and 8, responded to questions about their perceptions of career influences. Responses were coded to capture the nature of the influences identified, including the global versus specific and linear versus interacting nature of these influences. Further, influences were coded as existing proximal versus distal to the child. Results indicate that older children identified more career influences that were either specific or categorical and interacted in dynamic ways. No evidence was found for older children offering influences that existed at a systems level of organization.
Chapter 7 Molecular Phenotyping by Flow Cytometry

Publisher Summary This chapter describes methods to identify and sort for specific population of cells and, using comopetitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and RT-PCR, quantitatively determine gene copy number and mRNA copy number in as few as several hundred sorted cells. The chapter also describes the present methodology for the direct evaluation of gene expression using in situ hybridization and in situ PCR in suspension by flow cytometric evaluation. One strategy is to use multiparameter flow cytometry (FCM) to identify and sort specific populations of cells out of a heterogeneous cell population for further analysis by PCR. By combining immunophenotyping with molecular biology, quantitative analysis of gene amplification and expression can be achieved in a specific cell population. Even though further development is necessary, it also seems reasonable that direct molecular phenotyping on a cellby-cell basis utilizing in situ hybridization (FISHES) or in situ PCR (FLIP) can be accomplished with high sensitivity using fluorochrome-labeled probes.
The Trials of Alger Hiss: A Commentary

No criminal case had a more far-reaching effects on modern American politics than the Alger Hiss-Whittaker Chambers spy case which held Americans spellbound in the middle of the twentieth-century. The case catapulted an obscure California congressman named Richard Nixon to national fame, set the stage for Senator Joseph McCarthy's notorious Communist-hunting, and marked the beginning of a conservative intellectual and political movement that would one day put Ronald Reagan in the White House. Even without its important influence on American political debate, the trials of Alger Hiss for perjury have the makings of a great drama. They featured two men who could hardly be more different, sharing only impressive intelligence. Alger Hiss was a tall, handsome Harvard-trained lawyer with an impeccable pedigree. Whittaker Chambers was a short, stocky, and rumpled Columbia drop-out and confessed former Communist from a poor and troubled Philadelphia family. Time and time again the two men would tell congressional committees, trial juries, and a reading public flatly contradictory stories about Hiss's allegiances during the period from 1933 to 1938. Hiss, according to Chambers, was a dedicated Communist engaged in espionage, even while working at the highest levels of the United States government. Hiss told a very different story, claiming unflinching loyalty and denying even membership in the Communist Party. One man was lying, one was telling the truth. In the summer of 1948, Chambers's story rang true to one very important young man: Congressman Richard Nixon, a member of the House un-American Activities Committee, then an often-ridiculed political backwater.
Hybrid Control Systems Usind Timed Petri Nets: Supervisory Control Design Based on Invariant Properties

In this paper, a class of timed petri nets named programmable timed petri nets is used for supervisory control of hybird system. In particular, the transfer of the continuous state to a region of the state space under safety specifications on the discrete and continuous dynamics is addressed. The switching policy is embedded in the dynamics of the underlying Petri net structure and the supervisors are described by Petri nets. The discrete specific ations are expressed in terms of linear constraints on the marking vector and are satisfied by applying supervisory control of Petri nets based on place invariants. The hybrid system switches from a subsystem to another, in a way that the state gradually progresses from one equilibrium to another towards the desired target equilibrium. The supervisory control algorithm is designed to allow switchings to occur only on the intersection of the invariant manifolds. Finally, in the case when the continuous dynamics are described by first order integrators, the design algorithm is formulated as a linear programming problem.
Migration Miracle: Faith, Hope, and Meaning on the Undocumented Journey

* Introduction * Decision-Making and Leave Taking * The Dangerous Journey * Churches Crossing Borders * Miracles in the Desert * La Promesa * Conclusion * Notes * References * Acknowledgments * Index
Guide to anticoagulant therapy. Part 2: Oral anticoagulants. American Heart Association.

Abstract. 9. Lewis RJ, Trager WF, Chan KK, Breckenridge A, Orme M,Roland M, Schary W. Warfarin: stereochemical aspects of its metabolism and the interaction with phenylbutazone. J ClinInvest. 1974;53:1607-1617.10. ToonS, LowLK,Gibaldi M,TragerWF,O'Reilly RA,MotleyCH, Goulart DA.Thewarfarin-sulfinpyrazone interaction: ste-reochemical considerations. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1986;39:15-24.11. O'Reilly RA. Warfarin metabolism and drug interactions. In:WesslerS, BeckerCG,NemersonY, eds. The NCe'w DimensionsofWarfarin Prophylaxis: AdvanCes in Expet.uae 1986,214:205-212. 12. O'Reilly RA. The stereoselective interaction of warfarin andmetronidazole in man.NEnglJMed. 1976;295:354-357.13. O'Reilly RA. Stereoselective interaction of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole with the separated enantiomorphs of racemicwarfarin in man.NEnglJMed. 1980;302:33-35.14. ToonS, Hopkins KJ, Garstang FM,Diquet B, Gill TS, RowlandM. Thewarfarin-cimetidine interaction: sterochemical consider-ations. BrJClin Pharmacol. 1986;21:245-246.15. Choonara IA, Cholerton S, Haynes BP, Breckenridge AM,ParkBK. Stereoselective interaction between the R enantiomer ofwarfarin and cimetidine. BrJClin Pharmacol. 1986;21:271-277.16. Sutfin T, Balmer K, Bostrom H, Eriksson
Literature, Education, and Romanticism: Children's literature and the work of culture

The beginning of the children's book industry in England is conventionally dated from the publication of John Newbery's A Little Pretty Pocket-Book in 1744. Books had, of course, been produced for children well before this period – courtesy books, children's bibles, hornbooks and primers, religious works, and fable collections. Nor was Newbery alone in perceiving, around the middle of the eighteenth century, the potential for a lucrative new market among the growing number of middle-class parents anxious to provide their offspring with a modern education and competitive literacy skills. Children had become, as J. H. Plumb writes, “luxury objects upon which their mothers and fathers were willing to spend larger and larger sums of money,” while initiating them indirectly, through a growing proliferation of children's books, toys, games, and clothing, into their eventual role as consumers in a commercial society. More directly, children's books were required for use in the “domestic” instruction of children (recommended by Locke and his followers) and as supplemental reading for children in schools. Though Locke somewhat distrusted the printed word as a didactic medium, the children's book became a principal vehicle through which his educational theories were disseminated, and Lockean pedagogy was textualized by a host of writers providing instructive, entertaining books for parents eager to increase their children's stock of cultural capital. Thomas Boreman and Mary Cooper were notable among the publishers successfully working this new field.
Cloud Computing for De Novo Metagenomic Sequence Assembly

In metagenomics, the population sequencing is an approach to recover the genomic sequences in the genetically diverse environment. Combined with the recently developed next generation sequencing platform, mategenomics data analysis has greatly enlarged the size of sequencing datasets and decreased the cost. The complete and accurate assembly of sequenced reads from an environmental sample improves the efficiency of genome functional and taxonomical classification. A common bottleneck of the available tools is the high computing requirement for efficiently assembling vast amounts of data generated from large-scale sequencing projects. To address these limitations, we developed a parallel strategy to accelerate computation and boost accuracy. We also presented an instance of this strategy for a state-of-the-art assembly tool, Genovo, on Apache hadoop platform. As a demonstration of the capability of our approach, we compared the performance of our method to two other short read assembly programs on a series of synthetic and real datasets created using the 454 platform, the largest of which has 683k reads. Under the parallel strategy, the ability of reconstruction of bases outperformed other tools both on speed and several assembly evaluation metrics
2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) modulates epidermal growth factor (EGF) binding to basal cells from a human keratinocyte cell line

2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) modulates the proliferation, differentiation, or both, of epidermal keratinocytes in vivo and in culture. The growth of epidermal cells in culture is regulated by several biochemical mediators including epidermal growth factor (EGF). In this report the actions of TCDD on EGF binding in a basal cell population from a human keratinocyte cell line were examined. TCDD decreased the specific binding of 125I-EGF to basal cells by 40% within 96 hr. This reduction in EGF binding could not be attributed to changes in the state of differentiation as assessed by cell size and morphology, and cornified envelope competence, a marker of terminal differentiation. Modulation of EGF binding by TCDD was concentration-dependent (EC50 = 1 nM) and stereospecific, suggesting involvement of the Ah receptor. Scatchard analysis of EGF binding to the basal cells indicated a single class of high-affinity sites in both control (Kd = 0.14 nM) and treated (Kd = 0.11 nM) cultures and confirmed a decrease in the number of these sites in response to TCDD. The reduction in EGF binding correlated with a decrease in EGF-stimulated DNA synthesis and cell proliferation. Comparison of differentiation-competent squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) lines treated with TCDD supported an association between modulation of EGF binding and enhanced differentiation. The data indicate that basal cells are a target for TCDD. We propose that the modulation of EGF binding in basal keratinocytes by TCDD is one of the critical regulatory events resulting in enhanced differentiation.
Thoracic Duct Embolization for Nontraumatic Chylous Effusion: Experience in 34 Patients

Background Thoracic duct embolization (TDE) is an acceptable alternative procedure for treating traumatic chylothorax. The purpose of this study is to demonstrate efficacy of TDE in treating nontraumatic chylous effusions. Methods A retrospective review of 34 patients was conducted assessing technical and clinical success of TDE for nontraumatic chylous effusions. Results Thirty-four patients (mean age, 59 years; 27 female patients) with nontraumatic chylous effusions underwent TDE. Presentations included 21 unilateral chylothoraces (61.8%), nine bilateral chylothoraces (26.5%), two isolated chylopericardiums (5.9%), and two pleural effusions with chylopericardium (5.9%). TDE was technically successful in 24 of 34 patients (70.6%). The thoracic duct could not be catheterized in four of 34 (11.8%). Cisterna chyli was not visualized in six of 34 patients (17.6%), and, thus, TDE was not attempted. Follow-up was available for 32 patients. Four lymphangiographic patterns were observed: (1) normal thoracic duct in 17.6% of patients (six of 34), (2) occlusion of thoracic duct in 58.8% (20 of 34), (3) failure to opacify thoracic duct in 17.6% (six of 34), and (4) extravasation of chyle in 5.9% (two of 34). Clinical success varied with the lymphangiographic pattern. The clinical success rate was 16% (one of six) in cases of normal thoracic duct, 75% (15 of 20 patients) in occlusions of the thoracic duct, 16% (one of six) in cases of failure to opacify the thoracic duct, and 50% in two cases of chyle extravasation. Lymphangiography alone cured two patients (6.5%). Conclusion TDE was most successful in cases of thoracic duct occlusion and extravasation. Lymphangiography is important for identifying the cause of chylous effusions and selecting patients who benefit most from TDE.
Scheduling flowshops with finite buffers and sequence-dependent setup times

In this paper we explore flowshop scheduling problems containing both sequence-dependent setup times and finite buffers. To the best of our knowledge, problems containing both of these complexities have not been addressed previously in the literature. The problem is clearly NP-hard and therefore we only consider heuristic solution methods. We propose a tabu search based solution procedure. Computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of this approach relative to the other methods discussed.
Discovering Ways That Influence the Older Nurse to Continue Bedside Practice

A descriptive qualitative approach was used to investigate older nurses practicing bedside nursing and to identify ways to influence older nurses to continue bedside practice. A purposive sample of 18 older nurses was recruited from a healthcare system located in the Southeastern United States. Interpretative analysis of interviews resulted in the identification of three constitutive patterns and eight themes. The first constitutive pattern identified was attributes of the older nurse. The themes comprising this pattern were (a) professional growth in confidence and skills through experience and (b) passion and love for nursing. The second constitutive pattern was enduring stress and frustration. The themes comprising this pattern were (a) physical and mental changes associated with aging, (b) increased patient acuity and patient load, (c) constant change, and (d) time constraints. The third constitutive pattern was enhancements needed for older nurses to continue bedside nursing. The themes comprising this pattern were (a) work environment enhancements and (b) organizational relationship enhancements. Findings may provide a better understanding of the older nurse's role in bedside nursing.
Divided Bengal: Problems of nationalism and identity in the 1947 partition 1

(1978). Divided Bengal: Problems of nationalism and identity in the 1947 partition. The Journal of Commonwealth & Comparative Politics: Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 136-168.
mRNA expression of ion channels in GnRH neurons: subtype-specific regulation by 17β-estradiol

Burst firing of neurons optimizes neurotransmitter release. GnRH neurons exhibit burst firing activity and T-type calcium channels, which are vital for burst firing activity, are regulated by 17β-estradiol (E2) in GnRH neurons. To further elucidate ion channel expression and E2 regulation during positive and negative feedback on GnRH neurosecretion, we used single cell RT-PCR and real-time qPCR to quantify channel mRNA expression in GnRH neurons. GFP-GnRH neurons expressed numerous ion channels important for burst firing activity. E2-treatment sufficient to induce an LH surge increased mRNA expression of HCN1 channels, which underlie the pacemaker current, the calcium-permeable CaV1.3, CaV2.2, CaV2.3 channels, and TRPC4 channels, which mediate the kisspeptin excitatory response. E2 also decreased mRNA expression of SK3 channels underlying the medium AHP current. Therefore, E2 exerts fundamental changes in ion channel expression in GnRH neurons, to prime them to respond to incoming stimuli with increased excitability at the time of the surge.
Effects of Selection for Body Size on Feed Efficiency and Size of Holsteins

First lactation records from a herd of Holstein cows bred for either high production and large size or for high production and small size were examined to estimate effects of selection for size and feed efficiency. Selection was among progeny-tested bulls available from the artificial insemination industry. Three rations were fed that differed for ratios of concentrate to milk. After three generations, groups of cows bred for large or small size differed by 50.2 kg in weight, 5.6 cm in wither height, 6.4 cm in length, 2.1 cm in depth, and 5.9 cm in chest circumference; most differences were due to a decrease in the size of the small cows. On the basis of total lactations, cows bred for small size were 2.8% more feed efficient than cows bred for large size. During the first 90 d of lactation cows fed the low concentrate ration were more efficient than those fed the high concentrate ration. Season of calving had an effect on feed efficiency between d 30 and 120 of lactation. During this period cows calving between December and May were more efficient.
The Politics of Social Work Research

Although the author agrees that refereed journals play a key role in knowledge dissemination, Pardeck and Meinert only look at a small piece of the problem. Missing is the politics of how social wo...
Use of rituximab in refractory autoimmune thrombocytopenia following an autologous stem cell transplant.

AbstractImmune thrombocytopenia is well recognized post both allogeneic and autologous transplantation. The diagnosis can be difficult as there are generally several complicating features, including delayed marrow recovery and the use of multiple therapies. Treatment can be difficult and conventional approaches are often unsuccessful. We describe a case of presumed immune thrombocytopenia post autologous stem cell transplantation, who appeared to respond to the monoclonal B-cell antibody, rituxmab, which is being increasingly recognized as a therapeutic option in a variety of autoimmune disorders.
Sea level, paleogeography, and archeology on California\'s Northern Channel Islands

Abstract Sea-level rise during the late Pleistocene and early Holocene inundated nearshore areas in many parts of the world, producing drastic changes in local ecosystems and obscuring significant portions of the archeological record. Although global forces are at play, the effects of sea-level rise are highly localized due to variability in glacial isostatic adjustment (GIA) effects. Interpretations of coastal paleoecology and archeology require reliable estimates of ancient shorelines that account for GIA effects. Here we build on previous models for California's Northern Channel Islands, producing more accurate late Pleistocene and Holocene paleogeographic reconstructions adjusted for regional GIA variability. This region has contributed significantly to our understanding of early New World coastal foragers. Sea level that was about 80–85 m lower than present at the time of the first known human occupation brought about a landscape and ecology substantially different than today. During the late Pleistocene, large tracts of coastal lowlands were exposed, while a colder, wetter climate and fluctuating marine conditions interacted with rapidly evolving littoral environments. At the close of the Pleistocene and start of the Holocene, people in coastal California faced shrinking land, intertidal, and subtidal zones, with important implications for resource availability and distribution.
Radioimmunoassay of prostaglandins, angiotensin, digoxin, morphine and adenosine-3',5'-cyclic-monophosphate with nitrocellulose membranes.

Abstract A radioimmunoassay, which utilizes the binding properties of nitrocellulose membranes to separate hapten-antibody complexes from free hapten, has been developed for several biologically active molecules. The technique is applicable to hapten-antibody systems in which the hapten itself does not bind to the filter. Using this procedure we have developed radioimmunoassays for three prostaglandins (B1, F2α, and F1α), angiotensin, digoxin, morphine and adenosine-3′, 5′-cyclic monophosphate. The radioimmunoassay and its applicability to rapid measurement of haptens, especially to estimation of morphine in unextracted blood and urine, are described.
Neural circuitry engaged by prostaglandins during the sickness syndrome

During illnesses caused by infectious disease or other sources of inflammation, a suite of brain-mediated responses called the sickness syndrome occurs, which includes fever, anorexia, sleepiness, hyperalgesia and elevated corticosteroid secretion. Much of the sickness syndrome is mediated by prostaglandins acting on the brain and can be prevented by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen, that block prostaglandin synthesis. By examining which prostaglandins are produced at which sites and how they interact with the nervous system, researchers have identified specific neural circuits that underlie the sickness syndrome.
Single-operator, single-session EUS-guided anterograde cholangiopancreatography in failed ERCP or inaccessible papilla

Background ERCP may be challenging or may fail in certain situations, including postsurgical anatomy, periampullary diverticula, ampullary tumor invasion, and high-grade strictures. Objective To report a large experience with EUS-guided anterograde cholangiopancreatography (EACP) to facilitate ductal access or perform direct EUS-guided therapy in patients with postsurgical anatomy or failed ERCP. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary referral center. Patients Ninety-five consecutive patients with failed ERCP or inaccessible papilla over a 4-year period. Interventions EACP techniques involved ductal puncture and ductography, followed by either guidewire advancement for rendezvous ERCP in patients with duodenoscope accessible papilla or direct drainage in altered anatomy. For failures, crossover to the alternate EACP technique was performed when appropriate. Main Outcome Measurements Technical success rates and complications. Results EACP procedures were attempted in 95 of 2566 ERCP procedures (3.7%). EUS-guided cholangiography (n = 70) and pancreatography (n = 25) were successful in 97% and 100%, respectively. EUS-guided rendezvous ERCP was successful in 75% of biliary procedures and in 56% of pancreatic procedures. Direct EUS-guided therapy was successful in 86% and 75% of biliary and pancreatic procedures, respectively. Direct interventions included pancreaticogastrostomy (n = 10), anterograde stent across stricture (n = 10), hepaticogastrostomy (n = 8), and choledochoduodenostomy (n = 1). Ten complications (10.5%) related to EACP or subsequent rendezvous ERCP included pancreatitis (n = 5), hematoma (n = 1), bile leak (n = 1), bacteremia (n = 1), pneumoperitoneum (n = 1), and perforation (n = 1). Limitations Single-center experience; retrospective study. Conclusions EACP complements ERCP and allows successful pancreaticobiliary therapy in a large proportion of patients with failed ERCP or difficult-to-access papilla.
Prevention of Recurrent Pulmonary Emboli with Anticoagulants

Of 704 patients with pulmonary thromboembolism seen over a ten-year period, 443 received oral anticoagulants for an average period of 26.8 weeks. During therapy, 30 pulmonary emboli recurred in 24 (5.4 per cent) patients. Four (0.9 per cent) were fatal. Therapy was judged adequate if the Quick one-stage prothrombin time was greater than 1.6 times the control value. At the time of, or just prior to, the recurrent pulmonary embolism prothrombin times were adequate in six cases, indeterminate in three, and inadequate in 21. Pulmonary emboli recurred in 46 (10.4 per cent) of the 443 patients an average of 19.2 months after anticoagulant therapy was terminated. Five (1.1 per cent) patients died. Hemorrhage requiring transfusions and/or anticoagulant termination occurred in ten (2.2 per cent) patients; three patients (0.7 per cent) died.
Avoidance behavior and genetic predisposition to hypertension

Avoidance/escape behavior, genetic predisposition to hypertension, and elevations in blood pressure were examined in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) and Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats. The mean blood pressure of DS rats fed a high-salt diet (186 mm Hg) was significantly higher than DS rats on the low-salt diet (130 mm Hg). The mean blood pressures of the DR rats fed high and low salt were 122 mm Hg and 117 mm Hg, respectively. The mean number of avoidance responses in 35 trials for DS rats fed high salt was 12.4 while DS rats fed low salt averaged 13.4. DR rats on high salt averaged 20.8 avoidance responses while DR rats on low salt averaged 20.1. Diet did not influence avoidance responsiveness in either line. The mean escape latencies of DS rats on high and low salt were 13.4 and 13.3 sec, respectively. The mean escape latencies of DR rats on high and low salt were 7.7 and 9.4 sec, respectively. The dramatic line difference was unaffected by salt ingestion and hypertension. The results suggest that distinguishing behavioral charactistics correlate with predisposition to hypertension but not with high blood pressure per se.
The low-lying glueball spectrum

The complete low-lying positive charge conjugation glueball spectrum is obtained from QCD. The formalism relies on the construction of an efficient quasiparticle gluon basis for Hamiltonian QCD in Coulomb gauge. The resulting rapidly convergent Fock space expansion is exploited to derive quenched low-lying glueball masses with no free parameters which are in remarkable agreement with lattice gauge theory.
Quality of life in survivors of multiple primary cancers compared with cancer survivor controls.

BACKGROUND. Cancer survivors may develop additional cancers after their first diagnosis, but to the authors' knowledge the quality of life (QOL) consequences of a second cancer are not known. The current study assessed QOL and its correlates after a second cancer diagnosis. METHODS. QOL was compared between 487 survivors of second-order and higher-order primary cancer diagnoses, and a matched group of 589 survivors of a single cancer diagnosis. Outcome measures included standardized questionnaires that assessed depressive symptoms, perceived stress, vitality, post-traumatic growth, existential well-being, sexual adjustment, and global QOL. RESULTS. Survivors of multiple primary cancer diagnoses had significantly lower global QOL (t (792) = 5.42; P < .001), vitality (Student t test [t] (794) = 2.41; P < .01), and existential well-being (t (775) = 2.78; P < .01), and higher intrusive stress symptoms (t (775) = −1.93; P < .05). Controlling for demographic, medical, and trait-like psychosocial characteristics (eg, optimism and resilience), having multiple primary cancer diagnoses explained small, although significant, variances in global QOL (coefficient of determination [R2] = .04; P < .001), vitality (R2 = .01; P < .05), and existential well-being (R2 = .01; P < .05), with patients in the multiple primary cancer group faring worse on all of these measures. CONCLUSIONS. The results of the current study suggest that the typical survivor of multiple primary cancers experiences modest but lasting QOL deficits. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Heterogeneity of Cholinergic Denervation in Parkinson's Disease without Dementia

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a multisystem neurodegenerative disorder. Heterogeneous clinical features may reflect heterogeneous changes in different brain regions. In contrast to the pronounced nigrostriatal denervation characteristic of PD, cholinergic changes are less marked. We investigated cholinergic innervation activity in PD subjects relative to normal subjects. Nondemented PD subjects (n=101, age 65.3±7.2 years) and normal subjects (n=29, age 66.8±10.9 years) underwent clinical assessment and [11C]methyl-4-piperidinyl propionate acetylcholinesterase and [11C]dihydrotetrabenazine monoaminergic positron emission tomography (PET) imaging. Cholinergic projection changes were heterogeneous for 65 out of 101 PD subjects who had neocortical and thalamic acetylcholinesterase activity within the normal range. The remainder had combined neocortical and thalamic (13/101), isolated neocortical (18/101), or isolated thalamic (5/101) acetylcholinesterase activity below the normal range. The low neocortical acetylcholinesterase activity subgroup had significantly lower global cognitive performance compared with the normal range subgroup (F=7.64, P=0.0069) with an independent effect for nigrostriatal denervation (F=7.60, P=0.0074). The low thalamic acetylcholinesterase activity subgroup did not differ from the normal thalamic acetylcholinesterase activity subgroup in cognitive performance or motor impairments except for a history of falls (P=0.0023). Cholinergic denervation is heterogeneous with reduced neocortical and/or thalamic acetylcholinesterase activity in 36% of nondemented PD subjects with corresponding clinical phenotypic variation. Results also show independent cognitive effects for both cholinergic and dopaminergic system changes in nondemented PD subjects.
BAW and SAW sensors for in-situ analysis

In-situ analysis is a major goal in current and future NASA exploration missions. In general in-situ analysis experiments are designed to investigate chmical, biological or geological markers or properties to determine the complex history of the body being studied. In order to expand the number of applicable sensor schemes an investigation into piezoelectric bulk acoustic wave (BAW) and surface acoustic wave (SAW) resonators has been initiated.
Mortality risk associated with rheumatoid arthritis in a prospective cohort of older women: results from the Iowa Women's Health Study

Objective: To determine whether rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with excess mortality among older women. Methods: RA associated mortality was examined in a prospective cohort study that was started in 1986, and included 31 336 women aged 55–69 years without a history of RA at baseline. Up to 1997, 158 cases of RA were identified and validated against medical records. The relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated as measures of association between RA onset and subsequent mortality (overall and cause-specific) using Cox proportional hazards regression. Results: Compared with non-cases, women developing RA during follow up had a significantly increased mortality risk (RR=1.52; 95% CI 1.05 to 2.20). Mortality was higher among rheumatoid factor (RF) positive cases (RR=1.90; 95% CI 1.24 to 2.92) than among RF negative cases (RR=1.00; 95% CI 0.45 to 1.99). There were trends towards increased proportions of RA related deaths from infection (RR=3.61; 95% CI 0.89–14.69) and circulatory disease (RR=1.46; 95% CI 0.76 to 2.81) but not malignancy (RR=0.97; 95% CI 0.46 to 2.04). Conclusions: RA was associated with significantly increased mortality in a cohort of older women, and the association appeared to be restricted to those with RF positive disease.
Comments on “SHORT NOTE: Extending simplified high-degree synthesis methods to second latitudinal derivatives of geopotential”

This comment corrects a number of errors in the paper “SHORT NOTE: Extending simplified high-degree synthesis methods to second latitudinal derivatives of geopotential”.
Adenosine as growth factor for chicks fed purified diet.

SummaryIn 5 experiments growth of chicks was increased by feeding adenosine at 150 or 300 mg kg of purified diet. Fish solubles at the rate of 3% of the diet gave a more pronounced response than did adenosine. Adenosine did not consistently elicit a response in the presence of either fish solubles or dried whey.
Optically Transparent Au{111} Substrates: Flat Gold Nanoparticle Platforms for High-Resolution Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

We demonstrate a new type of Au{111} substrate that is both atomically flat and optically transparent, which consists of solution-grown flat gold nanoparticles (FGNPs) deposited on indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass. We show that FGNPs are atomically flat single-crystal plates with large {111} faces that expose only 2−4 atomic layers. These FGNPs are excellent platforms for alkanethiol self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and for high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). Our supported FGNPs are also low-cost Au{111} substrates, employing only basic wet chemical techniques in preparation. This approach should be broadly applicable to other types of substrates for scanning probe microscopies.
Prevalence and clinical significance of night eating syndrome in university students.

Purpose Most studies of night eating syndrome (NES) fail to control for binge eating, despite moderate overlap between the two conditions. Establishing the independent clinical significance of NES is imperative for it to be considered worthy of clinical attention. We compared students with and without NES on eating disorder symptomatology, quality of life, and mental health, while exploring the role of binge eating in associations.
Assessing Smart-Growth Strategies in Indian Cities: Grounded Theory Approach to Planning Practice

AbstractUrbanization in India is neither unique nor exclusive, but is similar to a worldwide phenomenon and has led to the development of urban sprawl, as it has elsewhere in the world. In the context of rapidly evolving policy frameworks in India, this article assesses the extent to which urban planning policies address sprawl. Local development plans of 53 cities across India are analyzed using content analysis and grounded theory. The study reveals that cities in India are not completely embracing smart-growth strategies in their development plans, and the use of smart-growth strategies differs among highly populated metropolitan cities versus less-populated cities. The study identified that four barriers—conventional urban planning mindset, lack of incentive-based practices and resources, ad-hoc planning, and lack of integrated land use transportation and environmental planning—impede smart-growth strategies in India. Furthermore, the results reveal a theory of planning action, which urban planners ma...
The roles of sodium channels in nociception: Implications for mechanisms of pain

Understanding the role of voltage-gated sodium channels in nociception may provide important insights into pain mechanisms. Voltage-gated sodium channels are critically important for electrogenesis and nerve impulse conduction, and a target for important clinically relevant analgesics such as lidocaine. Furthermore, within the last decade studies have shown that certain sodium channel isoforms are predominantly expressed in peripheral sensory neurons associated with pain sensation, and that the expression and functional properties of voltage-gated sodium channels in peripheral sensory neurons can be dynamically regulated following axonal injury or peripheral inflammation. These data suggest that specific voltage-gated sodium channels may play crucial roles in nociception. Experiments with transgenic mice lines have clearly implicated Nav1.7, Nav1.8 and Nav1.9 in inflammatory, and possibly neuropathic, pain. However the most convincing and perhaps most exciting results regarding the role of voltage-gated sodium channels has come out recently from studies on human inherited disorders of nociception. Point mutations in Nav1.7 have been identified in patients with two distinct autosomal dominant severe chronic pain syndromes. Electrophysiological experiments indicate that these pain-associated mutations cause small yet significant changes in the gating properties of voltage-gated sodium channels that are likely to contribute substantially to the development of chronic pain. Equally exciting, a recent study has indicated that recessive mutations in Nav1.7 that eliminate functional current can result in an apparent complete, and possibly specific, indifference to pain in humans, suggesting that isoform specific blockers could be very effective in treating pain. In this review we will examine what is known about the roles of voltage-gated sodium channels in nociception.
Identification of a β-lactamase inhibitory protein variant that is a potent inhibitor of Staphylococcus PC1 β-lactamase.

Abstract β-Lactamase inhibitory protein (BLIP) binds and inhibits a diverse collection of class A β-lactamases. Widespread resistance to β-lactam antibiotics currently limits the treatment strategies for Staphylococcus infections. The goals of this study were to determine the binding affinity of BLIP for Staphylococcus aureus PC1 β-lactamase and to identify mutants that alter binding affinity. The BLIP inhibition constant (Ki) for PC1 β-lactamase was measured at 350 nM, and isothermal titration calorimetry experiments indicated a binding constant (Kd) of 380 nM. Twenty-three residue positions in BLIP that contact β-lactamase were randomized, and phage display was used to sort the libraries for tight binders to immobilized PC1 β-lactamase. The BLIPK74G mutant was the dominant clone selected, and it was found to inhibit the PC1 β-lactamase with a Ki of 42 nM, while calorimetry indicated a Kd of 26 nM. Molecular modeling studies suggested that BLIP binds weakly to the PC1 β-lactamase due to the presence of alanine at position 104 of PC1. This position is occupied by glutamate in the TEM-1 enzyme, where it forms a salt bridge with the BLIP residue Lys74 that is important for the stability of the complex. This hypothesis was confirmed by showing that the PC1A104E enzyme binds BLIP with 15-fold greater affinity than wild-type PC1 β-lactamase. Kinetic measurements indicated similar association rates for all complexes with variation in affinity due to altered dissociation rate constants, suggesting that changes in short-range interactions are responsible for the altered binding properties of the mutants.