cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Characteristics of postoperative opioid prescription use following lumbar discectomy.

Objective The role of spine surgeons in precipitating and mediating sustained prescription opioid use remains controversial at this time. The purpose of this study was to identify prescription opioid use following lumbar discectomy and characterize the source of opioid prescriptions by clinician specialty (surgeon vs nonsurgeon). Methods Using a retrospective review, the authors identified adult patients undergoing lumbar discectomy for a primary diagnosis of disc herniation between 2010 and 2017. The primary outcome was sustained prescription opioid use, defined as issue of an opioid prescription at a time point 90 days or longer after the surgical procedure. The primary predictor variable was prescriber specialty (surgeon vs nonsurgeon). The independent effect of provider specialty on the number of opioid prescriptions issued to patients was assessed using multivariable Poisson regression that accounted for confounding from all other clinical and sociodemographic variables. Results This study included 622 patients who underwent a lumbar discectomy. A total of 610 opioid prescriptions were dispensed for this population after surgery. In total, 126 patients (20.3%) had at least one opioid prescription in the period beyond 90 days following their surgery. The majority of opioid prescriptions, 494 of 610 (81%), were non-inpatient prescriptions. Among these, only a minority (26%) of outpatient opioid prescriptions were written by surgical providers. Following multivariable Poisson regression analysis, surgical providers were found to have a lower likelihood of issuing an opioid prescription compared to nonsurgical clinicians (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.78; 95% CI 0.68-0.89; p = 0.001). Conclusions A minority of lumbar discectomy patients continue to receive opioid prescriptions up to 15 months after surgery. Many of these prescriptions are written by nonsurgical providers unaffiliated with the operative team.
From Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time to Antifactor Xa and Back AgainThe Evolution of Monitoring Unfractionated Heparin.

OBJECTIVES Monitoring is essential to safe anticoagulation prescribing and requires close collaboration among pathologists, clinicians, and pharmacists. METHODS We describe our experience in the evolving strategy for laboratory testing of unfractionated heparin (UFH). RESULTS An intrainstitutional investigation revealed significant discordance between activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and antifactor Xa (anti-Xa) assays, prompting a transition from the former to the latter in 2013. With the increasing use of oral factor Xa inhibitors (eg, apixaban, rivaroxaban, edoxaban, betrixaban), which interfere with the anti-Xa assay, we adapted our protocol again to incorporate aPTT in patients admitted on oral Xa inhibitors who require transition to UFH. CONCLUSIONS Our experience demonstrates key challenges in anticoagulation and highlights the importance of clinical pathologists in helping health systems adapt to the changing anticoagulation landscape.
Management of Operative Complications After Type A Aortic Dissection Repair

Patients with acute aortic syndromes are by nature complex with substantial rates of morbidity and mortality. Common complications after operative management of patients with acute type A aortic dissection include: bleeding, malperfusion, myocardial ischemia, aortic complications, neurologic complications, and multisystem organ failure. Careful planning and execution of the operation and meticulous post-operative care will help reduce post-operative complications.
Reduction in Cerebral Oxygen Metabolism in Subcortical Regions may be a Biomarker of Cognitive Decline in People Living with HIV.

OBJECTIVE We studied regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and oxygen metabolism (rCMRO2) in whole brain, white matter, gray matter, and lenticular nuclei in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) as well as HIV associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND). METHODS Treatment-naive PLHIV underwent neurocognitive assessment and magnetic resonance (MR) measurement of rCBF and rCMRO2 with repeat after 12 months of anti-retroviral therapy (ART). Age-sex-matched controls underwent single MR measurements. We compared rCBF and rCMRO2 amongst symptomatic, asymptomatic, normal HAND and controls using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Longitudinal analysis HAND worsening (≥1 category) was assessed after 12-months of ART and correlated with rCBF andrCMRO2 measured by MRI using paired-sample t-test. RESULTS Thirty PLHIV completed baseline and 12-month assessments (29 with rCMRO2 measurement). At baseline HAND assessment, 13% had no cognitive impairment (NO), 27% had Asymptomatic Neurocognitive Impairment (ANI), 60% had Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND), and none had HIV-associated dementia (HAD). At 12 months, 13% had NO, 20% had ANI, 50% had MND, and 17% had HAD). . In those without HAND worsening (N=21) rCMRO2 remained stable and in those with HAND worsening (N=8) rCMRO2 measurement declined from baseline to 12-months in white matter (2.05±0.40 to 1.73±0.51, p=0.03) and lenticular nuclei (4.32±0.39 to 4.00±0.51, p=0.05). CONCLUSIONS In recently diagnosed PLHIV, we found no association between rCBF or rCMRO2 and cognitive impairment at baseline. There was a reduction in rCMRO2 in those with worsening of cognitive function at 12 months on ART. Reduction in rCMRO2 may be a biomarker of cognitive decline in PLHIV.
AFLATOXIN STANDARDS AND MAIZE TRADE

Mycotoxin contamination is recognized as an unavoidable risk in agriculture production in both developed and developing countries. Health consequences of aflatoxin are much more serious problem in developing countries than in developed. The number of countries regulating aflatoxins has significantly increased over the years. In paper were discussed different limitations for aflatoxin in the world, as well as their relation to the global maize trade. Following the debate in Serbia, caused by various aflatoxin regulations in different years, we wanted to contribute to the establishment of the state policy that targets mentioned issue. One of main conclusions in paper is that nations with strong trade connections tend to have similar regulations on allowed level of aflatoxin within the maize. Also, it was concluded that incidental appearance of Aspergillus flavus in maize during 2012 in Serbia demonstrates the weakness of the control system, as well as weakness of the national legislation. Main recommendation is oriented to limitation of aflatoxin B1 in animal feed, what is in same time the most effective measure for control of level of aflatoxin M1 in milk. After completing this condition Serbia has to return back the allowed limit for aflatoxin in milk at level of 0,05 μg/kg.
Computing in the jacobian of a plane algebraic curve

We describe an algorithm which extends the classical method of adjoints due to Brill and Noether for carrying out the addition operation in the Jacobian variety (represented as the divisor class group) of a plane algebraic curve defined over an algebraic number field K with arbitrary singularities. By working with conjugate sets of Puiseux expansions, we prove this method is rational in the sense that the answers it produces are defined over K. Given a curve with only ordinary multiple points and allowing precomputation of singular places, the running time of addition using this algorithm is dominated by M7 coefficient operations in a field extension of bounded degree, where M is the larger of the degree and the genus of the curve.
Reassessing the Predictive Validity of the IAT II: Reanalysis of Heider & Skowronski (2007)

The authors reanalyzed data from a set of studies — J. D. Heider and J.J. Skowronski (2007) — that explored links between the race IAT and discriminatory behavior. The studies in that report were designed to have methodological improvements over past studies of predictive validity, and the authors concluded that links between race IAT scores and "prejudiced responding" and "discriminatory behavior" were supported. Our reanalysis reveals that this was not the case for either study. Study 1 was designed to test for links between the race IAT and competitive behavior in a prisoner’s dilemma game. We found a pattern not conveyed in the original report, which is that the IAT predicted greater competition with both White and Black opponents. The IAT did not predict racially biased behavior. Study 2 was designed to test for links between the race IAT and friendliness of verbal and nonverbal treatment of confederates. We found that the published results for Study 2 were based on erroneous IAT scores. Analysis of the true data revealed that the race IAT did not predict racially biased behavior. These results add to recent evidence calling into question the predictive validity of the race IAT.
Vortex matter in U (1 ) ×U (1 ) ×Z 2 phase-separated superconducting condensates

We study the properties of vortex solutions and magnetic response of two-component U(1)xU(1)xZ(2) superconductors, with phase separation driven by intercomponent density-density interaction. Such a theory can be viewed arising from the breakdown of SU(2) symmetry by a biquadratic interaction between the components of the field. Depending on the symmetry-breaking term, there are two ground-state phases: one where both components of the doublet are equal (the miscible phase) and one where only one component assumes a nonzero vacuum expectation value (the immiscible state). In the latter phase, the spectrum of topological excitations contains both domain walls and vortices. We show the existence of another kind of excitation that has properties of both topological excitations at the same time. This kind of excitation combines vorticity together with a circular domain wall, interpolating between inequivalent broken states, that shows up as a ring of localized magnetic flux. Asymptotically, this resembles a vortex carrying multiple flux quanta, but because the magnetic field is localized at a given distance from the center this looks like a pipe. The isolated multiquanta pipelike vortices can be either stable or metastable, even if the system is not type 1. We discuss the response of such a system to an externally applied magnetic field. Also we discuss magnetic response of SU(2) superconductor.
Differential Geometry in Non-Commutative Worlds

Aspects of gauge theory, Hamiltonian mechanics and quantum mechanics arise naturally in the mathematics of a non-commutative framework for calculus and differential geometry. A variant of calculus is built by defining derivations as commutators (or more generally as Lie brackets).We embed discrete calculus into this context and use this framework to discuss the pattern of Hamilton’s equations, discrete measurement, the Schrodinger equation, dynamics and gauge theory, a generalization of the Feynman-Dyson derivation of electromagnetic theory, and differential geometry in a non-commutative context.
Plant and Soil N Response of Southern Californian Semi-arid Shrublands After 1 Year of Experimental N Deposition

Large inputs of atmospheric N from dry deposition accumulate on vegetation and soil surfaces of southern Californian chaparral and coastal sage scrub (CSS) ecosystems during the late-summer and early-fall and become available as a pulse following winter rainfall; however, the fate of this dry season atmospheric N addition is unknown. To assess the potential for dry season atmospheric N inputs to be incorporated into soil and/or vegetation N pools, an in situ N addition experiment was initiated in a post-fire chaparral and a mature CSS stand where 10 × 10 m plots were exposed to either ambient N deposition (control) or ambient +50 kg N ha−1 (added N) added as NH4NO3 during a single application in October 2003. After 1 year of N addition, plots exposed to added N had significantly higher accumulation of extractable inorganic N (NH4−N + NO3−N) on ion exchange resins deployed in the 0–10 cm mineral soil layer and higher soil extractable N in the subsurface (30–40 cm) mineral soil than plots exposed to ambient N. Chaparral and CSS shrubs exposed to added N also exhibited a significant increase in tissue N concentration and a decline in the tissue C:N ratio, and added N significantly altered the shrub tissue δ15N natural abundance. Leaching of inorganic N to 1 m below the soil surface was on average 2–3 times higher in the added N plots, but large within treatment variability cause these differences to be statistically insignificant. Although a large fraction of the added N could not be accounted for in the shrub and soil N pools investigated, these observations suggest that dry season N inputs can significantly and rapidly alter N availability and shrub tissue chemistry in Mediterranean-type chaparral and CSS shrublands of southern California.
Defining high risk: cost-effectiveness of extended-duration thromboprophylaxis following major oncologic abdominal surgery.

Extended-duration thromboprophylaxis (EDTPPX) is the practice of prescribing antithrombotic therapy for 21 days after discharge, commonly used in surgical patients who are at high risk for venothromboembolism (VTE). While guidelines recommend EDTPPX, criteria are vague due to a paucity of data. The criteria can be further informed by cost-effectiveness thresholds. This study sought to determine the VTE incidence threshold for the cost-effectiveness of EDTPPX compared to inpatient prophylaxis. A decision tree was used to compare EDTPPX for 21 days after discharge to 7 days of inpatient prophylaxis with base case assumptions based on an abdominal oncologic resection without complications in an otherwise healthy individual. Willingness to pay was set at $50,000/quality-adjusted life year (QALY). Sensitivity analyses were performed to assess uncertainty within the model, with particular interest in the threshold for cost-effectiveness based on VTE incidence. EDTPPX was the dominant strategy when VTE probability exceeds 2.39 %. Given a willingness to pay threshold of $50,000/QALY, EDTPPX was the preferred strategy when VTE incidence exceeded 1.22 and 0.88 % when using brand name or generic medication costs, respectively. EDTPPX should be recommended whenever VTE incidence exceeds 2.39 %. When post-discharge estimated VTE risk is 0.88–2.39 %, patient preferences about self-injections and medication costs should be considered.
Some new stylized facts of floating exchange rates

Abstract This paper re-examines real exchange rate behavior of OECD currencies under the current float using the more extensive dataset that an additional decade's worth of experience has made available. What emerges is a new set of stylized facts, which suggest that the problems of the current float were not, as commonly believed, generic to that system but in fact rather specific, being largely confined to one sub-period — the early and mid-1980s — and one currency — the US dollar. This dollar behavior ranks as one of the important puzzles of the past 25 years.
Coexistent ARID1A–PIK3CA mutations promote ovarian clear-cell tumorigenesis through pro-tumorigenic inflammatory cytokine signalling

Ovarian clear-cell carcinoma (OCCC) is an aggressive form of ovarian cancer with high ARID1A mutation rates. Here we present a mutant mouse model of OCCC. We find that ARID1A inactivation is not sufficient for tumour formation, but requires concurrent activation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase catalytic subunit, PIK3CA. Remarkably, the mice develop highly penetrant tumours with OCCC-like histopathology, culminating in haemorrhagic ascites and a median survival period of 7.5 weeks. Therapeutic treatment with the pan-PI3K inhibitor, BKM120, prolongs mouse survival by inhibiting the tumour cell growth. Cross-species gene expression comparisons support a role for IL-6 inflammatory cytokine signalling in OCCC pathogenesis. We further show that ARID1A and PIK3CA mutations cooperate to promote tumour growth through sustained IL-6 overproduction. Our findings establish an epistatic relationship between SWI/SNF chromatin remodelling and PI3K pathway mutations in OCCC and demonstrate that these pathways converge on pro-tumorigenic cytokine signalling. We propose that ARID1A protects against inflammation-driven tumorigenesis.
Active surveillance for prostate cancer with selective delayed definitive therapy.

Abstract Patients diagnosed with clinically localized prostate cancer face a daunting variety of management choices, including conservative management, brachytherapy, external-beam irradiation therapy with or without neoadjuvant hormonal therapy, as well as surgery. As we have learned to characterize the nature of each cancer, we can now “riskadjust” treatment decisions. Physicians have long sought to guide patients through these choices based on their best judgment about the threat posed by the cancer, the effectiveness of treatment, the side effects of therapy, and the life expectancy of the patient. Today, many patients wish to participate more actively in decisions about their care, weighing the risks of treatment-related complications and the anxiety of living with an untreated or uncontrolled cancer. Patient utilities measure the value patients place on a health state, such as living with cancer or becoming incontinent, allowing quantitative assessments of risks and benefits of different therapeutic options specific for each patient's own preferences and the nature of his cancer and life expectancy. As early detection programs for prostate cancer expand, men are being diagnosed with prostate cancer earlier in its natural history. Some of these cancers may not require immediate treatment but rather a period of active surveillance with definitive curative therapy being administered only if there are signs of cancer progression. This review summarizes our current understanding of active surveillance with selective delayed definitive therapy.
A NEW FAMILY OF HOATZIN-LIKE BIRDS (ORDER OPISTHOCOMIFORMES) FROM THE EOCENE OF SOUTH AMERICA

SUMMARY A new fossil genus and species, Onychopteryx simpsoni, is described for a proximal end of a tarsometatarsus from the lower Eocene (Casamayor Formation) of Argentina. Onychopteryx is considered most closely related to the Opisthocomidae but is sufficiently distinct to be placed in its own family, the Onychopterygidae. Onychopteryx indicates that the Opisthocomiformes had differentiated by the early Eocene and were present in South America at that time.
Optical and electronic properties of NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 thin films

We report the optical and electronic properties of the inverse spinel ferrite NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 thin films deposited on single crystal sapphire by electron beam deposition. We carried out variable temperature (78–500 K) transmittance measurements on the thin films to investigate the optical properties and electronic structures of these ferrites. The absorption spectra of both NiFe2O4 and CoFe2O4 thin films show insulating characters with Ni (Co) d to d on-site transitions below 3 eV. The energy bands above 3 eV are mainly due to the O 2p to Fe 3d charge transfer transitions. The observed electronic transitions have been assigned based on the first principles calculations and comparisons with structurally similar Ni and Co-containing compounds. The Co2+ d to d transition in the CoFe2O4 thin film shows a strong temperature dependence, likely due to the spin-charge coupling effect.
Plant uptake assay to determine bioavailability of inorganic contaminants

A laboratory technique has been developed to rapidly assess the potential uptake of contaminants by plants growing into waste burial sites. A soil-less planting media was used to provide rapid plant growth and reproducible growing conditions. The uptake of contaminants by several plant species grown on uranium mill tailings materials has been examined. The bioavailability of Mo, Se, Cl, and other trace metals in tailings was greater than in a surface soil from a uranium mining area. Significant differences in nutrient and contaminant contents in aboveground biomass were found between species.
Comparison of melanoblast expression patterns identifies distinct classes of genes.

Summary A full understanding of transcriptional regulation requires integration of information obtained from multiple experimental datasets. These include datasets annotating gene expression within the context of an entire organism under normal and genetically perturbed conditions. Here we describe an expression dataset annotating pigment cell-expressed genes of the developing melanocyte and retinal pigmented epithelium lineages. Expression images are annotated and available at http://research.nhgri.nih.gov/manuscripts/Loftus/March2009/. Data are also summarized in a standardized manner using a universal melanoblast scoring scale that accounts for the embryonic location of cells and regional cell density. This approach allowed us to classify 14 pigment genes into four groupings classified by cell lineage expression, temporal-spatial context, and differential alteration in response to altered MITF and SOX10 status. Significant differences in regional populations were also observed across inbred strain backgrounds, highlighting the value of this approach to identify modifier allele influences on melanoblast number and distributions. This analysis revealed novel features of in vivo expression patterns that are not measurable by in vitro-based assays, providing data that in combination with genomic analyses will allow modeling of pigment cell gene expression in development and disease.
Improved mass analysis of oligoribonucleotides by 13C, 15N double depletion and electrospray ionization FT-ICR mass spectrometry.

13C, 15N doubly depleted 32-ribonucleotide was synthesized enzymatically by in vitro transcription from nucleoside triphosphates isolated from E. coli grown in a minimal medium containing 12C, 14N-enriched glucose and ammonium sulfate. Following purification and desalting by reversed-phase HPLC, buffer exchange with Microcon YM-3, and ethanol precipitation, electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectra revealed greatly enhanced abundance of monoisotopic ions (by a factor of ∼100) and a narrower isotopic distribution with higher signal-to-noise ratio. The abrupt onset and high magnitude of the monoisotopic species promise to facilitate accurate mass measurement of RNA's.
Cutaneous water loss of several stages of the red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (buren)

Abstract 1. 1. Cuticular permeability and % total body water (%TBW) of living, HCN-killed, and hexane-extracted red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Buren) (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), workers were measured for three size-classes. 2. 2. Initial body mass ranged from 0.48 to 5.21 mg and calculated surface areas ranged from 0.04 to 0.36 cm 2 , for small and large workers, respectively. 3. 3. Mean % TBW was 61.1 for large workers and 65.0 for small workers. 4. 4. Mean cuticular permeability was not related to initial mass and was 31.96 and 25.23 μg/cm 2 /hr/ mmHg for small and large workers, respectively. 5. 5. Death by exposure to cyanide gas increased cuticular permeability ca 1.5-fold. Hexane extraction caused ca 1.8-fold increase in cuticular permeability. 6. 6. These results suggest that epicuticular lipids may be less important in cuticular waterproofing than metabolic processes.
Hypohydration and muscular fatigue of the thumb alter median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials

The mechanisms by which dehydration impairs endurance performance remain unresolved but may involve alterations in afferent neural processing. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of hypohydration on somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) at rest and during recovery from fatiguing exercise. Fourteen volunteers (12 men, 2 women) performed repetitive isometric thumb contractions (50% maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) and 100% MVC in a 5:1 ratio, each contraction separated by 5 s of rest) until exhaustion when euhydrated (EU) and when hypohydrated by 4% body mass (HY). SEPs were obtained from the median nerve. The results indicated that HY did not produce statistical differences in time to exhaustion (EU=754 (SD 255); HY=714 (SD 318) s; p=0.66) or rate of muscle fatigue. However, HY was associated with greater subjective feelings of fatigue and loss of vigor after exhaustive exercise (p<0.01). HY affected N20 latency with an interaction effect of hydration by fatigue state (EU-Rest: 18.5 (SD 1.6) ms; EU-Fatigue: 19.0 (SD 1.6) ms; HY-Rest: 18.3 (SD 1.3) ms; HY-Fatigue: 18.4 (SD 1.5) ms; p=0.034), but N20 and N20-P22 amplitude responses were similar between HY and EU trials. We concluded that moderate water deficits appear to alter afferent signal processing within the cerebral cortex.
Semi-empirical calculations of π-electron affinities for some conjugated organic molecules

Energy levels have been calculated for some conjugated systems containing C, N, and O atoms using a semi-empiricalmethod based upon a variableβ-γ modification of the Pariser-Parr-Pople approximation to the Hartree-Pock equation. Koopmans' theorem is used to relate the calculated energy of the lowest vacant molecular orbital, ɛLVMO, to the adiabatic electron affinity of a molecule. The approach is identical to that used previously by Kunii and Kuroda [13]. An excellent correlation is found between electron affinities deduced from recent beam experiments and ɛLVMO. This relationship is used to predict electron affinities for over 100 other organic molecules. In addition, excited state energies for negative ions are calculated, and good agreement is found with the available experimental data. Bound excited states are also predicted for some organics which contain the =C(CN)2 substructure. The additive contribution of group substitutions to the electron affinity is discussed for the case of CN substitutions to ethylene, benzene, and naphthalene.
Strength and anisotropy of foliated rocks with varied mica contents

Abstract We have shortened 15 schists and gneisses with varying compositions (15–75% mica by volume) at angles (β) of 45° and 90° to foliation (S) to investigate the influence of micas on the strength and anisotropy of foliated rocks. At the conditions tested ( T = 25° C , P c = 200 MPa and e = 10 −5 s −1 ), compressive strengths vary by a factor > 4 in the β = 45° and β = 90° orientations, and individual rock types exhibit directional responses ranging from isotropic to strongly anisotropic. Trends of decreasing strength, decreasing anisotropy and increasing ductility are observed with increasing mica content. Strains in all samples were localized within inclined shear zones, accommodated by dislocation slip and grain-scale microkinking in micas and microcracking in all other silicates. Stress-strain response and grain-scale deformation microstructures both indicate that mechanical behavior is strongly influenced by the concentration and spatial arrangement of micas. Shear zone formation is associated either with discrete brittle fracture, transitional strain softening or steady-strength ductile shear. In both brittle and transitional samples, extensive microcracking of strong quartzo-feldspathic bridges occurs, and stress drop magnitudes decrease with decreasing spacing and increasing overlap of adjacent, critically-oriented micas. Steady-strength ductile shear zones develop in samples containing domains of interconnected micas, and isotropic mechanical response is observed in those in which micas are contiguous in nearly all directions.
Damage accumulation and hysteretic behavior of MAX phase materials

The compressive response of fully dense and 10 vol% porous Ti_(2)AlC MAX phase materials subjected to quasi-static uniaxial and cyclic loading including their repeatable hysteretic behavior is presented. Damage accumulation in the form of kink bands and microcracking is characterized using ultrasonics and scanning electron microscopy under different levels of compressive loading. The observations and measurements are correlated quantitatively using a model based on friction between the crack faces, which is the main dissipation process. The model is shown to capture the hysteretic behavior of Ti_(2)AlC MAX phase and quantitatively reproduce the experimentally measured stress–strain curves.
Mobilizing organizational alignment through strategic human resource development

This study examines the pivotal role of strategic human resource development (SHRD) in mobilizing organizational alignment. Using case study methodology, I trace the implementation of core competency development as a companywide SHRD initiative. The rationale for introducing core competency development as an organization-wide strategy was to enhance talent acquisition, development and retention. The operating environment (global market, industry space) and firm-specific factors (e.g. demographics and new leadership) accelerated the adoption of SHRD. Internal stakeholder orientation towards SHRD and the role of human resource development (HRD) in facilitating the implementation were also identified as critical factors. Organizational alignment emerged as an implicit consequence, while patterns of misalignment created barriers towards achieving the full benefits of SHRD. Furthermore, HRD displayed a high level of resourcefulness to become a strategic asset in the organization. I argue that the relevance and...
Magnetoencephalographic mapping: Basis of a new functional risk profile in the selection of patients with cortical brain lesions

OBJECTIVE:Surgical management of cortical lesions adjacent to or within the eloquent cerebral cortex requires a critical risk:benefit analysis of the procedure before intervention. This study introduced a measure of surgical risk, based on preoperative magnetoencephalographic (MEG) sensory and motor
Genetic Diversity of Twelve Switchgrass Populations Using Molecular and Morphological Markers

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a warm season, C4 perennial grass native to most of North America with numerous applications, including use as a bioenergy feedstock species. To date, no studies on genetic diversity in switchgrass have been conducted that use both molecular and morphological markers. The objectives of this study were to assess genetic diversity and determine differences among and between 12 switchgrass populations grown in New Jersey by examining both morphological and molecular characteristics, and to determine whether morphological, molecular, and/or combined data sets can detect ecotype and/or geographical differences at the population level. Twelve plants from each population were characterized with 16 switchgrass expressed sequence tag-simple sequence repeat markers (EST-SSRs) and seven morphological characters. Data was analyzed using GenAlEx and Unweighted Pair-Group Method of Averages (UPGMA) cluster analysis. Most (64%) of the molecular variation in switchgrass populations exists among individuals within populations, with lesser amounts between populations (36%). Upland and lowland populations were distinguished in all three data sets. Some eastern US and midwestern US populations were distinct in all three data sets. Similarities were observed between all three data sets indicating molecular markers may be useful for identifying morphological differences or other adaptive traits. The combined data set was the most useful in differentiating populations based on geography and found separation between midwestern and eastern upland populations. The results indicate that the combination of morphological and molecular markers may be useful in future applications such as genetic diversity studies, plant variety protection, cultivar identification, and/or identifying geographic origin.
Thromboxane A(2) limits differentiation and enhances apoptosis of cultured human trophoblasts.

Prostanoids influence differentiation in diverse cell types. Altered expression of cyclooxygenase and prostaglandins has been implicated in the pathophysiology of placental dysfunction, which results in preeclampsia and fetal growth restriction. We hypothesized that prostanoids modulate differentiation and apoptosis in cultured human trophoblasts. Villous cytotrophoblasts were isolated from term human placentas and cultured in serum-free medium. The level of human chorionic gonadotropin was used as a marker of biochemical differentiation of primary trophoblasts, and syncytia formation was used as a marker of morphologic differentiation. Of the prostanoids tested, we found exposure to thromboxane A2 hindered both biochemical and morphologic differentiation of cultured trophoblasts. As expected, human chorionic gonadotropin levels in the media were elevated in a concentration-dependent manner in the presence of the thromboxane synthase inhibitor, sodium furegrelate, or the thromboxane A2 receptor blocker SQ 29,548. Furthermore, thromboxane A2 enhanced trophoblast apoptosis, determined using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling staining, cell morphology, and a concentration-dependent increase in p53 expression. We conclude that thromboxane A2 hinders differentiation and enhances apoptosis in cultured trophoblasts from term human placenta. We speculate that thromboxane may contribute to placental dysfunction by restricting differentiation and enhancing apoptosis in human trophoblasts.
Coding properties of the S and the M genome segments of Sapporo rat virus: comparison to other causative agents of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome.

Three serologically distinct groups of hantaviruses have been associated with severe, moderate, and mild forms of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS). To gain a better understanding of the genetic variation among these viruses, we cloned and sequenced the M and the S genome segments of Sapporo rat virus, an etiologic agent of moderate HFRS, and compared the predicted gene products to those of Hantaan virus, and the Hallnas strain of Puumala virus, which are etiologic agents of severe and mild HFRS, respectively. The SR-11 S segment consisted of 1769 nucleotides and had an open reading frame (ORF) in the virus-complementary sense RNA with a coding capacity of 429 amino acids. Deduced amino acids from the SR-11 S segment ORF displayed 83% homology with those of Hantaan nucleocapsid (N) protein. Comparison of the S segment ORFs of all three viruses revealed 58% homology. No evidence for additional nonstructural protein(s) encoded by the SR-11 S segment was obtained. The SR-11 M segment consisted of 3651 nucleotides and had an ORF in the virus-complementary sense RNA with a coding capacity of 1134 amino acids. Amino acid sequences predicted from the SR-11 M segment ORF were 75% homologous with those encoding Hantaan G1 and G2 envelope glycoproteins. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequences of the M segment ORFs of SR-11, Hantaan, and Hallnas viruses revealed a 43% homology for amino acids constituting the G1 proteins and a 55% homology for amino acids constituting the G2 proteins of the three viruses. The envelope proteins of SR-11 virus were localized within the M segment ORF by amino-terminal sequence analysis of purified G1 and G2. G1 initiated at amino acid 17 and G2 at amino acid 647 within the ORF. Five potential asparagine-linked glycosylation sites were identified in the SR-11 G1 coding sequences, four of which were conserved between Hantaan and SR-11 viruses and three of which were conserved among all three viruses. One potential glycosylation site was identified in the SR-11 G2 coding sequences and was conserved among Hantaan, SR-11 and Hallnas viruses. Cysteine residues were highly conserved within the M segment ORFs of all three viruses, suggesting a similar structure and function of the G1 and G2 proteins.
Role of the renin-angiotensin system in the vasopressin response to hemorrhage.

The dependence of vasopressin release in response to hemorrhage on the reninangiotensin system was investigated. A nonhypotensive hemorrhage of 12 ml/kg body weight (approximately 15% of the blood volume) was used as a stimulus for vasopressin release in anesthetized dogs. The right renal artery and vein were ligated, and a snare was placed around the left renal blood vessels. When the renal artery and vein were unobstructed by the snare, hemorrhage resulted in an increase in both the plasma vasopressin concentration and the plasma renin activity. When the renal vessels were occluded, hemorrhage resulted in a greater increase in the plasma vasopressin concentration, although the plasma renin activity remained unchanged. It would appear that the renin-angiotensin system does not play an important role in stimulating vasopressin release in response to a reduction in blood volume in the anesthetized dog. (Endocrinology 90: 453, 1972)
Effects of left and right hemisphere damage on sensitivity to global context during lexical ambiguity resolution

Background: A great deal of research suggests that both the left hemisphere (LH) and right hemisphere (RH) contribute to the resolution of lexically ambiguous words. If this is indeed the case, then patients with left (LHD) or right hemisphere brain damage (RHD) should exhibit deficits in ambiguity resolution. Although several studies have explored this issue, there is still little consensus regarding the exact nature of the patients' deficits. Moreover, the focus of most studies has been on ambiguity resolution in short, single-sentence contexts, so less is known about the impact of LH and RH damage on ambiguity resolution in larger contexts. Aims: The goal of the present study was to investigate sensitivity to a global (i.e., two-sentence) context during lexical ambiguity resolution in LHD and RHD patients relative to a group of control participants with no neurological impairment. Control participants were expected to activate only contextually appropriate meanings. In contrast, LHD patients were expec...
Low-investment copulation: Sex differences in motivations and emotional reactions

Abstract Samples of male ( n = 113) and female ( n = 175) college students were surveyed. Majorities of both sexes agreed with statements indicating that males' sexual attractiveness varied more than females' sexual attractiveness as a function of their status. Subjects who reported more sex partners and a greater aversion to sexual monogamy were slightly more likely to agree that they tested their partners to see how far they could push them. Interviews with highly sexually active females ( n = 32) and males ( n = 24) indicated that low-investment copulation and lack of control over the sexual access-investment ratio caused even women with very permissive attitudes and multiple sex partners to develop an aversion to low-investment copulation. Three levels were identified in this process. The techniques that women with multiple partners used to deal with their feelings are described. Females tested their partners for ability and willingness to invest. Males tested for opportunities to reduce investment and pursue other women. High status, for example athletic stardom, transformed males' sexual attractiveness to women and numbers of sex partners. Results were consistent with the view that the emotional-motivational mechanisms that moderate sexual arousal and attraction are sexually dimorphic.
The Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Metalinguistic Instruction: A Case Study in Japanese

This study examines the effectiveness of computer-assisted metalinguistic instruction for teaching complex grammatical structures such as Japanese particles. Fourteen students enrolled in second-year Japanese at the university level participated in the study. First, a particle test was administered. The result suggested that the students employ two main strategies to assign a particle in a sentence: one is to follow metalinguistic rules and the other is to rely on English translations. Next, the students were divided into two groups. One group performed particle exercises on a computer programmed to provide metalinguistic feedback (i.e., detailed explanations about grammatical and semantic functions of the particles). The other group did the same exercises on a computer, but the computer program provided translation feedback (i.e., English LI translations of Japanese particles) rather than linguistic rules. The result was that the metalinguistic feedback group performed significantly better on an achievement test than the translation feedback group. The study suggests that computers' ongoing metalinguistic feedback can lead learners to perform significantly better than translation feedback in using complex grammatical structures, and that it does so by increasing the student's tendency to actually use such metalinguistic information in production of the target language.
An evaluation of the effects of the tax on refined petroleum products in the Philippines

Abstract This paper uses an aggregate modelling approach to assess the effect of taxes on refined petroleum products in the Philippine economy. The approach used in the analysis consists of a general equilibrium model comprising 14 producing sectors, 14 consuming sectors, 3 household categories classified by income and a government. The effects of removing the 48% tax on premium and regular gasoline and the 24% tax on other refined petroleum products on prices and quantities are examined. The results are revealing. For example, the consequences of a complete elimination of refined petroleum product taxes would be an increase in output by all producing sectors of about 3.7% or about 2.65 hundred billion Philippine pesos, a rise in the consumption of goods and services by about 13.6% or 4.2 hundred billion Philippine pesos, a rise in total utility by 14.3% or 4.5 hundred billion Philippine pesos and lower tax revenue for the government of 62.4% or 2.8 hundred billion Philippine pesos. When subjected to a sensitivity analysis, the results are reasonably robust with regard to the assumption of the values of the substitution elasticities. That is, while the modelś equilibrium values do vary in response to different assumptions of the values of these elasticities, the fluctuations are not so enormous to suggest that the model is unrealistically sensitive to these parameters.
Incidence of physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis among active duty United States military service members.

Objective. To examine the incidence of osteoarthritis and the influence of demographic and occupational factors associated with this condition among active duty US service members between 1999 and 2008. Methods. To determine the total number of incident cases of osteoarthritis, the Defense Medical Surveillance System (DMSS) was queried by sex, race, age, branch of military service, and rank using code 715 of the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification. Multivariable Poisson regression analysis was used to estimate incidence rates, rate ratios, and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for osteoarthritis per 1,000 person-years. Results. A total of 108,266 incident cases of osteoarthritis were documented in the DMSS within a population that experienced 13,768,885 person-years at risk of disease during the study period. The overall unadjusted incidence rate among all active duty US service members during the study period was 7.86 cases per 1,000 person-years. Significant demographic and occupational risk factors for osteoarthritis included sex, age, race, branch of service, and rank (P 40 years experienced an adjusted incidence rate for osteoarthritis that was 19 times higher than that for those ages <20 years (rate ratio 18.61 [95% CI 17.57– 19.57]). Black service members experienced significantly higher incidence rates of osteoarthritis than those in the white and “other” race categories. Conclusion. Rates of osteoarthritis were significantly higher in military populations than in comparable age groups in the general population.
A specific radioimmunoassay for the novel opioid peptide dynorphin

Abstract Dynorphin was recently isolated from porcine pituitary extracts and shown to be the most potent known opioid peptide. Antisera were prepared to synthetic dynorphin-(1–13), the biologically active NH 2 -terminal fragment of the peptide. A high-titer, sensitive antiserum was characterized with fragments from dynorphin-(1–13). Leucine-enkephalin, which is contained in dynorphin, is not recognized at all by the antiserum. To study distribution in tissue, a procedure using hot acidified methanol extraction of rat pituitary neurointermediate lobe preparations was developed and validated. 125 I-labelled dynorphin-(1–13), when added to tissue, remained intact throughout this extraction procedure, and added dynorphin-(1–13) was almost completely recovered. There was no destruction of radiolabelled peptide during incubation in the radioimmunoassay. Serial dilutions of pituitary extracts yielded curves that were parallel to the dynorphin-(1–13) standard curve. The immunoreactivity from tissue was completely destroyed by papain treatment.
1662 INDOMETHACIN, IMMATURE FETAL PULMONARY VASCULAR RESISTANCE (PVR), AND LUNG INFLATION

Indomethacin (I) was studied in the isolated, perfused immature (27 days' gestation) fetal rabbit lung. Lungs contained normal volume of fetal pulmonary fluid (FPF) during pulmonary vascular perfusion with either balanced, buffered electrolyte solution (BES), 3% 02 (C, control, n=5) or BES, 3% 02, plus .50 μg/ml I (n=5). Within 5 min of start of perfusion, the ductus was ligated and after 1.5-2 h, the lungs were inflated to maximal volume, then deflated to atmospheric pressure, the first air volume-pressure (VP) diagram. PVR was the same in both groups at the start and immediately after ductal ligation when PVR increased. However, after 1.5-2 h C PVR had returned to pre-ligation level, whereas I PVR remained elevated. When the lungs were inflated, PVR decreased in C, but increased in I. With deflation C PVR did not change and I PVR decreased to pre-inflation level. Comparison of VP diagrams with age-matched, but unperfused fetal lungs showed larger volumes and greater air retention in C, but no difference from I. These studies indicate that (1) “resting” prostaglandin (PG) activity is minimal in the isolated, perfused immature fetal lung; (2) normal accommodation to volume load produced by ductal closure may be mediated by PG and is blocked by I; (3) pulmonary vascular perfusion itself may induce surfactant release (which is blocked indirectly by I) into FPF; and (4) PVR decrease during inflation is related, in part, to PG activity and/or surfactant release. (Supported by NIH HL 07060).