cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Implications of the New International Sepsis Guidelines for Nursing Care

Sepsis is a serious worldwide health care condition that is associated with high mortality rates, despite improvements in the ability to manage infection. New guidelines for the management of sepsis were recently released that advocate for implementation of care based on evidence-based practice for both adult and pediatric patients. Critical care nurses are directly involved in the assessment of patients at risk for developing sepsis and in the treatment of patients with sepsis and can, therefore, affect outcomes for critically ill patients. Nurses' knowledge of the recommendations in the new guidelines can help to ensure that patients with sepsis receive therapies that are based on the latest scientific evidence. This article presents an overview of new evidence-based recommendations for the treatment of adult patients with sepsis, highlighting the role of critical care nurses.
Partial rescue of the ocular retardation phenotype by genetic modifiers.

The orJ allele of the murine ocular retardation mutation is caused by a premature stop codon in the homeodomain of the Chx10 gene. When expressed on an inbred 129/Sv strain, the orJ phenotype is characterized by microphthalmia and a thin, poorly differentiated retina in which the peripheral portion is affected to a greater extent than the central portion. Such mutant retinae lack differentiated bipolar cells and the optic nerve typically fails to form, leading to blindness. Here, we show that progeny from an outcrossed backcross between 129/Sv-orJ /orJ and Mus musculus castaneus produce animals that are homozygous for the orJ mutation and exhibit a much ameliorated eye phenotype. Although not of normal size, such modified orJ eyes are significantly larger than those in 129/Sv-orJ /orJ mice, and contain a better organized retina which includes bipolar cells. Furthermore, optic nerves are frequently present, and the eyes show a degree of function as reflected by electroretinogram and pupillary response. As in 129/Sv-orJ /orJ mice, however, modified orJ eyes show incomplete growth and a lack of cell differentiation in the periphery of the retina. The selective, and apparently nonmodifiable, effect of the ocular retardation phenotype on the periphery of the retina indicates that Chx10 plays an important role in the central-to-peripheral gradient of retinal development. These findings demonstrate that the ocular retardation phenotype can be greatly modified by the genetic background, and help to define a role for Chx10 in ocular development. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Neurobiol 42: 232–247, 2000
Toward understanding sex differences in pay allocation: Agency, communion, and reward distribution behavior

This research examined the extent to which the personality characteristics of agency and communion are sex linked, and the extent to which differences in these orientations can account for sex differences in reward distribution behavior. In two studies, the agency and communion level of large samples of male and female undergraduates were assessed. As expected, males were more agentic and females were more communal. Moreover, when subjects who scored high or low on agency and high or low on communion were asked to allocate rewards between themselves and a co-worker, these personality differences were related to their allocation decisions. These results were used as the basis for discussing the role that sex-linked personality differences might play in distributive justice judgments.
Efficient CO2 Sorbents Based on Silica Foam with Ultra-large Mesopores

A series of high-capacity, amine impregnated sorbents based on a cost-effective silica foam with ultra-large mesopores is reported. The sorbents exhibit fast CO2 capture kinetics, high adsorption capacity (of up to 5.8 mmol g−1 under 1 atm of dry CO2), as well as good stability over multiple adsorption–desorption cycles. A simple theoretical analysis is provided relating the support structure to sorbent performance.
GEOGRAPHY AS AN EARTH SCIENCE

(1960). GEOGRAPHY AS AN EARTH SCIENCE. The Professional Geographer: Vol. 12, No. 6, pp. 8-11.
Effectiveness of chlorine dioxide in disinfection on two soft denture liners.

Abstract Statement of problem. Soft tissue denture liners frequently require replacement that necessitates complete removal from the denture base. A high speed lathe located in a "clean laboratory" is often used to facilitate removal of these materials, but it is unclear whether routine disinfection procedures reduce bacterial contamination sufficiently to prevent contamination of the laboratory. Purpose. The first phase of this study evaluated the effectiveness of 3-minute chlorine dioxide spray and immersion disinfection procedures on 2 denture liners (Coe Soft and Coe Comfort) and stainless steel specimens used as controls. The second phase evaluated the effectiveness of spray disinfection at time intervals of 1, 3, and 10 minutes. Material and methods. Specimens made of soft denture liners attached to acrylic resin bases (10 per group) were contaminated with Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus , and Candida albicans . Colony-forming units were counted after different disinfection techniques were applied. Kruskal-Wallis 1-way analysis of variance on ranks and an all pairwise multiple comparison procedures (Dunn's method) were used to test for significant differences among test groups at the P Results. Chlorine dioxide was effective against nonporous stainless steel specimens but was inadequate for denture liners at the recommended 3-minute time of disinfection. The immersion technique was more effective than the spray technique, but the difference was not significant. Increasing the time of disinfection did not significantly reduce the numbers of microorganisms. Conclusion. Coe Soft and Coe Comfort denture liners should be removed before entering the laboratory. These materials contain sufficient viable bacteria after routine disinfection procedures to cause contamination of the "clean laboratory." (J Prosthet Dent 1998;80:723-29.)
Arthroscopic resection of an extrasynovial ossifying chondroma of the infrapatellar fat pad: End-stage Hoffa's disease?

Hoffa's disease, an obscure cause of anterior knee pain resulting from impingement and inflammation of the infrapatellar fat pad, was first reported by Albert Hoffa in 1904. Since the initial description, the clinical and pathological processes with an acute-to-chronic progression have been defined. Despite reports of eventual fibrocartilaginous transformation and ossification of the fat pad, no relation has been described between chronic impingement and the development of ossifying chondroma. We present a case of a unilateral, ossifying chondroma in the infrapatellar fat pad that resulted from chronic impingement and repetitive microtrauma. This case shows the radiologic, histologic, and pathologic features of Hoffa's disease. Successful arthroscopic resection is presented. A possible relationship between impingement of the infrapatellar fat pad and the development of ossifying chondroma may exist.
Infrared absorption spectroscopy using a free-electron laser

Abstract The spectral bandwidth of an infrared free-electron laser is rather broad (≥10 cm −1 FWHM) due to the short duration of the micropulse (1 ps). It is demonstrated that by resolving the transmitted laser beam using a spectrometer, it is possible to record IR spectra of gases that are limited in resolution only by that of the spectrometer. Over 20 air absorption lines (due to water vapor) are recorded over one free spectral range of the free-electron laser. As a further demonstration of the spectroscopic technique, an IR absorption spectrum for ammonia is recorded for two vibration–rotational transitions.
A reconsideration of the relevance of recent animal studies for development of treatment procedures for alcoholics.

Abstract Amit and Sutherland's conclusions concerning the use of conditioned taste aversions for alcoholism treatment are critically evaluated. Their conclusion that painful electric shock is contraindicated as a basis for alcohol taste aversions is consistent with the animal and human literature which depicts nausea as a more biologically appropriate US for taste aversion formation. However, Amit and Sutherland also conclude that alcoholics will not develop illness-induced alcohol aversions because animal studies show that aversion acquisition is disrupted by preconditioning familiarity with the conditioned stimulus (CS) — flavor — or unconditioned stimulus (US) — illness. This conclusion is untenable because Amit and Sutherland only considered animal conditioning methods that differed markedly from aversion therapy practices. Other animal studies modeled after aversion therapy procedures clearly show CS and US preexposure effects to be transitory phenomena. Moreover, experimental and clinical data show humans to be quite susceptible to taste aversion formation, and that many alcoholics do form strong alcohol aversions under appropriate conditioning parameters. Additional implications of the animal literature for effective aversion therapy are explored, and the paper concludes with a discussion of covert sensitization, a promising verbal aversion therapy which has resulted in the development of strong alcohol aversions in many volunteer subjects at the Augusta Veterans Administration Medical Center.
Optical properties of metal coated nanoscrew Si

ABSTRACT In this paper, a unique nanoscrew Si structure is presented. The nanoscrew surface is made by anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) mask formation followed by extended deep reactive ionic etching (DRIE). Dense random zig-zag pillar structures that represent screw shapes are formed, with 1 um in height and the bottom base width ranging from 100 nm to 250 nm. The tip of the nanoscrews have radius of curvature even lower than 10 nm. The apparent naked-eye view of the nanoscrew surface, which only consists of nanopatterned N-type si ngle crystalline Si is diff usively green. The optical properties of nanoscrew Si with and without metal deposition is presented as discussion in applications for SERS. Keywords: Nanoscrew, Anodized Aluminum Oxide, subwavelengt h nanostructures, surface en hanced Raman scattering 1. INTRODUCTION The field of photovoltaics has utilized the advancement of the IC industry for fabrication of Si solar cells. In applications of photovoltaic, the enhancements in the optical absorption by the semiconductor region can improve the photonic to electrical energy conversio n efficiency. Conventional approaches such as diffuse reflection substrates [1] or distributed Bragg reflectors with antireflection coating [2] on thin film Si effectively provides elongation of optical absorption pathway within PV device structure. However, such films ar e only efficient for normal li ght incidence and for specific wavelengths [3]. Highly efficient reduction in the reflection over the broadband solar spectrum is proved to be difficult, especially for thin film PV devices with the thickness of a few microns. Micro and nanostructures with light trapping features enhances the performance of such devices by improvin g broadband optical absorp tion with wider acceptance angle. Among such structures porous stru ctures, nanocones, nanopillars as well as nanopores are of great interests. Both random [4-11] and ordered [12] nanostructures have displayed such photon trapping behavior with the highest efficiency of reflection reduction exhibited in the high aspect ratio graded refractive-index features [13]. In biosensing, the development of microfluidics, nanotechnology, and optics has enabled further understanding on the fundamentals of biosensors. The continued efforts to develop high throughput, high sensitivity, real time, and cost effective lab-on-chip systems is desired for rapid biosensing capabilities. This enables the detection of multiple biomolecules at a relatively short amount of time. Early diagnosis of diseases as well as the discovery of effective drugs may be achieved with such improvements. In particular, the utilization of localized surface plasmon resonance has enhanced highly sensitive detection methods such as SERS an d fluorescence detection. However, precise control on the LSPR structures has thus far been limited to planer surfaces [14].
Tissue Doppler Image-Derived Measurements During Isovolumic Contraction Predict Exercise Capacity in Patients With Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction

Objectives We explored the incremental value of quantification of tissue Doppler (TD) velocity during the brief isovolumic contraction (IVC) phase of the cardiac cycle for the prediction of exercise performance in patients referred for cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET). Background Experimental studies have shown that rapid left ventricular (LV) shape change during IVC is essential for optimal onset of LV ejection. However, the incremental value of measuring IVC velocities in clinical settings remains unclear. Methods A total of 82 subjects (age 53 ± 14 years, 56 men) were studied with echocardiography and CPET. Reduced LV ejection fraction (EF) (EF Results Patients with reduced EF had lower IVCa (6.3 vs. 4.5 cm/s, p = 0.04), ejection (7.7 vs. 5.5 cm/s, p Conclusions Assessment of TD-derived IVC and atrial stretch velocities provide independent prediction of exercise capacity in patients with reduced LV EF. Assessment of LV pre-ejectional stretch and shortening mechanics at rest may be useful for determining the myocardial functional reserve of patients with reduced EF.
Severe neurological impairment: Legal aspects of decisions to reduce care

Decisions to reduce care for patients with severe neurological impairment may raise legal questions. The laws of most states now authorize physicians to stop care for those who have suffered irreversible cessation of all functions of the brain ("brain death"). Where state law is not explicit, it is nevertheless probably lawful to regard brain death as death for legal purposes so long as currently accepted criteria are satisfied. Several courts have ruled that it is lawful to reduce care for patients in vegetative states, but have prescribed differing standards and procedures for implementing such decisions. The issue of whether parents can authorize physicians to reduce care for neurologically impaired children is the focus of current litigation. Implicit in this litigation is the question of how severe neurological impairment must be before parents and physicians may lawfully agree to reduce care. For severely impaired but not vegetative adults, there is some legal authority to justify certain decisions to reduce care. The issue of whether withholding feeding from a severely demented patient with life-threatening medical problems constitutes criminal behavior is now being considered by a state supreme court.
Shape from Varying Illumination and Viewpoint

We address the problem of reconstructing the 3-D shape of a Lambertian surface from multiple images acquired as an object rotates under distant and possibly varying illumination. Using camera projection matrices estimated from point correspondences across views, the algorithm computes a dense correspondence map by minimizing a multi-ocular photometric constraint. Once correspondence across views is established, photometric stereo is applied to estimate a surface normal field and 3-D surface. Conceptually, the algorithm merges multi-view stereo and photometric stereo and uses aspects of both methods to recover shape. The method is straightforward to implement and relies on established principles from the two stereo methods. We empirically validate the method on images of a number of objects and show that it outperforms previous methods.
Latitudinal variation in Dendroctonus ponderosae (Coleoptera: Scolytidae) development time and adult size

Dendroctonus ponderosae (Hopkins) is widely distributed across west- ern North America, feeding in at least 12 native species of Pinus L. (Pinaceae). We investigated the existence of heritable differences in two life-history parameters (adult size and development time) of D. ponderosae from a northern population (central Idaho, Pinus contorta Douglas ex Loudon) and a southern population (southern Utah, Pinus ponderosa Douglas ex P. and C. Lawson). We attempted to separate heritable from environmental effects by rearing individuals from both pop- ulations through two generations (F, and F,) in a common standardized laboratory environment with a constant temperature. Two treatment effects were tested for in the F2 generation: (I) geographic location (source host) for Fo D. ponderosae; and (2) the F2 brood host. We hypothesized that, if differences were observed and the Fo source host and region had a greater effect on F, brood development time and adult size than did the host in which F2 brood were reared, a heritable factor related to the Fo parents was responsible. Time to emergence was significantly shorter for second- generation offspring of the northern population than for second-generation offspring of the southern population, regardless of the F, brood host. Although both the F2 brood host and Fo source parents were significant in explaining differences observed in the developmental-time distribution of F2 brood, the Fo source effect was found to be much greater. Also, F2 males and females from southern source parents were sig- nificantly larger than F2 brood from northern source parents when reared in both F2 brood hosts. Geographic region and original host of Fo source parents had a signifi- cant effect on F, offspring size, whereas the immediate food for F2 brood was not significant in explaining differences. These results suggest genetically based re- gional differences in D. ponderosae populations.
Pentachlorophenol toxicokinetics after intravenous and oral administration to rat.

1. The toxicokinetics of pentachlorophenol (PCP) were studied in rats. Doses of 2˙5 mg/kg were given i.v. (bolus, five rats) and orally (gastric intubation, five rats). Concentrations in plasma, urine and faeces were measured by capillary g.l.c. with electroncapture detection.2. After i.v. administration, the clearance and volume of distribution at steady state were 0˙026±0˙0031/h per kg and 0˙25±0˙021/kg, respectively. These two parameters exhibit low inter-rat variability (coefficients of variation <15%). The half-life of the initial decline of PCP plasma concn. was less than 1˙3 h, while the second phase half-life was 7˙11 ±0˙87 h.3. After oral administration the peak plasma concn. (7˙3±2˙8 ug/ml) occurred between 1˙5 and 2h and absorption was complete (bioavailability = 0˙91-0˙97). No distinct distribution phase was observed and the elimination half-life was 7˙54±0˙44 h.4. PCP clearance is essentially metabolic since only 5˙3±0˙2% dose is eliminated unchanged by the kidney. About 60% dose was recovere...
Effect of spontaneously generated coherence on optical bistability in three-level Λ-type atomic system

Optical bistability is studied for a three-level atomic system in Λ-configuration contained in an optical ring cavity and the effects of spontaneously generated coherence in the presence of two arbitrary coherent fields are investigated. Condition for observing optical multistable behavior in this system has also been specified.
ANALYSING ANIMALITY: A CRITICAL APPROACH

Most people seem to believe that it is wrong to cause needless suffering and death to non-human animals, and yet most people also contribute to the needless suffering and death of a great many animals. If speciesism is understood as a psychological prejudice—the tendency of an individual human agent to disregard the interests of animals—then this fact is extremely difficult to explain. I argue that once speciesism is understood structurally—as a matter of injustice rather than a matter of interpersonal wrongdoing or individual prejudice—the project of explaining how so many humans are implicated in animal suffering becomes much more tractable. Drawing on the work of feminist theorists such as Sally Haslanger and Catharine MacKinnon, I suggest a way of reconceiving the question of the moral status of animals as a political question about the construction of animals and animality through our social, cultural, legal, and linguistic practices.
Is the Top Object Adequately Supported by the Bottom Object? Young Infants' Understanding of Support Relations

Abstract Three experiments examined 7.5- to 9.5-month-old infants' ability to distinguish between adequate and inadequate support. The infants in Experiment 1 saw a small box that was centered between and supported by two larger boxes. Neither of the larger boxes alone provided adequate support for the small box. Prior to the experiment, the infants were shown that the small box was either separate from or attached to the left box. All infants saw the same test event: The right box moved to the right, past the right edge of the small box, which then rested on the left box. The infants who had seen the small box as separate looked reliably longer at the test event, suggesting that they realized that the left box alone did not provide adequate support for the small box and hence were surprised at the small box's failure to fall. The infants in Experiment 2 saw two identical boxes placed side by side. A larger box was placed on the right box with their right edges aligned; the left corner of the large box rested on the left box. The right box alone provided adequate support for the large box but the left box did not. The infants saw two test events. In one (possible) event, the left box moved past the left edge of the large box, which then rested on the right box. In the other (impossible) event, the right box moved past the right edge of the large box, which then rested on the left box. The infants looked reliably longer at the impossible than at the possible event, suggesting that they understood that the left box alone did not provide adequate support for the large box and hence were surprised that the large box did not fall when the right box moved to the side. Experiment 3 tested the generality of these findings using a more difficult problem. The results were negative, indicating that infants' ability to distinguish between adequate and inadequate support is initially limited.
First Metatarsophalangeal Joint Arthrodesis

Arthrodesis of the first metatarsophalangeal (MTP) joint is used to treat a variety of conditions. Several fusion techniques have been described in the literature, each striving for a rigid construct to ensure fusion. Our preferred technique incorporates the use of the convex- and concave-type reamers for bone preparation and stabilization with a dorsal precontoured MTP joint-specific plate (Acumed, Hillsboro, OR).
Topical susceptibility of plants to viruses.

Abstract Beans were more susceptible to each of three viruses when inoculated on the upper surfaces of their true primary leaves than when inoculated on their lower leaf surfaces; sunflowers were more susceptible when inoculated on their lower leaf surfaces. Inoculation of the stems of beans or cowpeas with the viruses of peach yellow bud mosaic, peach ring spot, the cowpea strain of tobacco mosaic, spotted wilt, or clover mosaic caused systemic symptoms of greater severity, of more rapid appearance, and in a greater proportion of cases than inoculation of leaves, hypocotyls, or roots. Inoculation of bean or cowpea hypocotyls with peach yellow bud mosaic virus commonly resulted in root invasion, but with no symptoms in the roots or tops, and no apparent reduction in plant growth until long after inoculation on the stems had caused death of the growing point. When tobacco roots were inoculated with tobacco mosaic virus, the virus remained in the roots for several weeks, did not cause any apparent reduction in the growth of the tops, and reached a lower concentration in the roots than when plants were inoculated via the leaves. When beans or cowpeas were infected with tobacco necrosis virus via the leaves, the reduction in plant growth was greater than when infected via the petioles, stems, hypocotyls, or roots. Local lesions of tobacco necrosis virus were larger on bean stems and petioles than on bean hypocotyls. Differences in topical susceptibility were also demonstrated with peach yellow bud mosaic virus and peach ring spot virus in cucumber, and with peach yellow bud mosaic virus in sunflower.
Analysis of one-dimensional transforms in coding motion compensation prediction residuals for video applications

In video coding, motion compensation prediction residuals are typically compressed by applying two-dimensional transforms such as the two-dimensional discrete cosine transform (2D-DCT). Using direction-adaptive one-dimensional discrete cosine transforms (1D-DCTs) can provide significant additional bitrate savings. However, this requires optimization over all available transforms to minimize the overall bitrate, which can be expensive in terms of time and computation. We examine the use of only the horizontal and vertical 1D-DCTs in addition to the 2D-DCT for coding motion compensation residuals. By reducing the number of available transforms, the amount of required computation decreases significantly, with a potential cost in performance. We perform experiments using a modified H.264/AVC codec to compare the performance of using different sets of available transforms. The results indicate that for typical applications of video coding, most of the performance benefit from using directional 1D-DCTs can be retained by keeping only the horizontal and vertical 1D-DCTs.
Continuous voltage gradients and their application to true moving bed electrophoresis

Gradient elution has been practiced in chromatographic separations for many years. The application of discontinuous "step" gradients in simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography has been very successful in increasing both processing rates and column productivity, resulting in a reduction in the number of SMB columns required. With the advent of the field gradient focusing techniques, electrophoresis has gained the ability to apply a continuous electric field gradient to a true moving bed (TMB) electrophoretic separation. Application of a spatial gradient allows a large degree of control of the product concentrations inside the separation unit as well as a large increase in product throughput. A model of moving bed electrophoretic separations has been developed that demonstrates the potential advantages of applying a continuous gradient to the moving bed process. These advantages include the reduction of detrimental peak tailing and the ability to decrease the concentrations of the compounds being separated in comparison with commonly used step gradient elution.
Mitochondrial DNA deletion in a child with megaloblastic anemia and recurrent encephalopathy

A 3 1/2-year-old boy presented with megaloblastic anemia and recurrent episodes of severe lactic acidosis and coma. At age 4 years, he developed sepsis and died; postmortem examination failed to show any gross abnormality in any tissue. Biochemical analysis of muscle showed decreased activities for all respiratory chain enzymes except complex II. Muscle histochemistry revealed diffuse cytochrome c oxidase deficiency. Southern blot analysis of mitochondrial DNA from muscle, liver, and blood showed a heteroplasmic single mitochindrial DNA deletion of 2.4 kb, which removed the genes for cytochrome c oxidase I and II and the transfer ribonucleic acid genes for serine and aspartic acid. Single large-scale deletions in mitochondrial DNA have been associated with Pearson's syndrome, Kearns-Sayre syndrome, and progressive external ophthalmoplegia. This patient's presentation is unusual and suggests an overlap between Pearson's syndrome and Kearns-Sayre syndrome.
Effects of Gender Inclusive/Exclusive Language in Religious Discourse

Religious speech (i.e. preaching) is a prominent language event, yet it has received scant attention in research on language and attitudes. In recent years, many religious institutions have adopted reforms mandating gender-inclusive (non-sexist) language. Only a few studies have examined the effects of gender-inclusive or gender-exclusive language use on listeners' judgments of speakers, and none of these examine religious discourse in particular. In addition, few studies have examined how variables like gender-role typing or attitude toward equal rights for women and men might mediate between gender-linked language and judgments of speakers. In the present study, a male and a female audiotaped each of two sermon texts in both gender-inclusive and gender-exclusive language guises. Findings indicate that ministers who adopt gender-inclusive language suffer no negative evaluations. Three mediating variables proved to be especially potent in predicting listeners' responses to the stimulus sermons: attitude t...
Rigid intraluminal prosthesis for replacement of thoracic and abdominal aorta

Abstract From December 1976 to April 1983, 55 patients underwent operations in which intraluminal ring grafts were used for replacement of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms. Twenty-eight patients had dissections, and 11 had ascending aneurysms. There were 10 descending aneurysms; three of these were traumatic. There were two arch aneurysms, there abdominal aneurysms, and one thoracoabdominal aneurysm. The follow-up period was 78 months with a mean follow-up period of 24 months. There were six postoperative deaths and six late deaths. No evidence of complications of thrombosis, migration, erosion, or pseudoaneurysm resulting from the ring within the 78-month follow-up period was seen, and we conclude that this is a safe, reliable, quick method for replacement of the aorta in certain well-defined situations. (J VASC SURG 1984;1:22-26.)
Species Delimitation: Inferring Gaps in Morphology across Geography

Species are commonly delimited on the basis of gaps in patterns of morphological variation, but there seems to be little recent work on methods to objectively assess such gaps. Here, we introduce a statistical approach that uses mea- surements of continuous morphological characters and geographic variation in those characters to (i) measure the strength of the evidence for the existence of a gap in morphological variation between two hypothesized species and (ii) examine if a gap in morphological variation between two hypothesized species can be explained by an alternative hypothesis of geographic variation within a species. This approach is based on recent developments in analyses of multivariate normal mixtures, estimates of multivariate tolerance regions, and principal coordinates of neighboring matrices. We demonstrate the application of the approach by examining previously proposed hypotheses of species limits in the plant genus Escal- lonia. We discuss the main features of the method, including potential limitations, in relation to other approaches that use gaps in morphological variation as a criterion for species delimitation. The method we propose can help strengthen the link between the theory and practice of species delimitation by increasing the transparency and consistency of taxonomic decisions based on morphology, thus contributing to integrative approaches for species delimitation that consider morpho- logical and geographic data on an equal footing with other kinds of information. (Geographic variation; morphological variation; normal mixture; operational criteria; species limits; tolerance limit.)
Styles of zoning in central Andean ignimbrites - Insights into magma chamber processes

Data are presented showing that calc-alkaline high-K ignimbrites from the Altiplano-Puna Volcanic Complex of the Central Volcanic Zone of the Andes, showing a variety of compositional zonations. The characteristics of the juvenile material from the zoned and heterogenous ignimbrites suggest that crystallization of the observed phenocrysts occurred in prezoned magma chambers consisting of two or more layers. It is suggested that the width/height ratio of a magma chamber plays a critical role in the control of the style of zonation that may develop in a closed magma chamber.
Applying What We Know to Accelerate Cancer Prevention

More than half of the cancer occurring today is preventable by applying knowledge that we already have. Tobacco, obesity, and physical inactivity are the modifiable causes of cancer that generate the most disease. Cancer burden can be reduced by alterations in individual and population behaviors and by public health efforts as long as these changes are driven by sound scientific knowledge and social commitment to change. The obstacles to these efforts are societal and arise from the organization of institutions, including academia, and in the habits of daily life. To achieve maximal possible cancer prevention, we will need better ways to implement what we know and improved infrastructure that will better incentivize and support transdisciplinary, multilevel research and successful intervention.
Alterations in Insulin-Like Growth Factor (IGF)- Dependent IGF-Binding Protein-4 Proteolysis in Transformed Osteoblastic Cells*

Insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-binding protein-4 (IGFBP-4) is secreted by a variety of osteoblastic cells and appears to be an integral component of bone cell physiology. We have previously reported that normal human osteoblast-like (hOB) cells secrete IGFBP-4 as well as a novel IGFBP-4 protease, which requires IGF for functional activity. In this study we assessed the IGFBP-4/IGFBP-4 protease system in transformed osteoblastic cells by Western ligand blotting and cell-free IGFBP-4 protease assays. Simian virus-40-immortalized hOB cells (HOBIT), human osteosarcoma cells (TE-85), and rat osteosarcoma cells (UMR 106-01, ROS 17/2.8) secrete IGFBP-4. In contrast to the rapid and dramatic proteolysis in hOB medium, medium conditioned by these cells had no apparent IGFBP-4 protease activity when assayed with exogenous IGF-II in culture or under cell-free conditions. Assayed in the presence of exogenous protease. HOBIT cells, but not the osteosarcoma cell lines, appeared to produce a cycloheximide-sensitive in...
Temperature mapping considerations in the breast with line scan echo planar spectroscopic imaging.

A line-scan echo planar spectroscopic imaging (LSEPSI) sequence was used to serially acquire spectra from 4096 voxels every 6.4 s throughout the breasts of nine female subjects in vivo. Data from the serial acquisitions were analyzed to determine the potential of the technique to characterize temperature changes using either the water frequency alone or the water-methylene frequency difference. Fluctuations of the apparent temperature change under these conditions of no heating were smallest using the water-methylene frequency difference, most probably due to a substantial reduction of motion effects both within and without the imaged plane. The approach offers considerable advantages over other methods for temperature change monitoring in the breast with magnetic resonance but suffers from some limitations, including the unavailability of lipid and water resonances in some voxels as well as a surprisingly large distribution of water-methylene frequency differences, which may preclude absolute temperature measurement. Magn Reson Med 58:1117–1123, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Linkage disequilibria between pairs of loci within a highly polymorphic region of chromosome 2q

Abstract A recently described region on chromosome 2q contains seven restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) revealed by single-copy probes isolated from a 20-kilobase (kb) segment of a single cosmid insert. Analysis of six of these loci demonstrates modest amounts of linkage disequilibrium. This reflects the presence of a substantial number of different haplotypes in this chromosome region and indicates that the region could be used as one highly polymorphic locus. No consistent relationship is found between the amount of linkage disequilibrium and the physical distance between pairs of loci. For seven of the 10 pairs of diallelic loci studied, the observed disequilibrium can be attributed primarily to the absence of the minor haplotype from the population. These results suggest that, for small regions of the genome, factors such as mutation, genetic drift, and population admixture may have effects that outweight those of recombination. In addition, results are reviewed which show that estimates of linkage disequilibrium coefficients for tightly linked loci are very imprecise. Thus, the inference of gene order from linkage disequilibrium values must be regarded with caution.
Majority-Logic Decoding

Majority-logic decoding of convolutional codes, proposed by Massey [308], is a sub-optimum but simple decoding scheme that allows a high-speed implementation. Its performance is sub-optimum since each of its decoding decision is based only on one output constraint length of received bits. This “limited vision” is not there in Viterbi or sequential decoding which, in principle, consider the entire received sequence before making decoding decisions.
Weakly Perturbed Boundary-Value Problems for Systems of Integro-Differential Equations

We obtain bifurcation conditions of solutions of boundary-value problems for weakly perturbed systems of linear integro-differential equations from the point $\varepsilon=0.$
Synaptic organization and neurotransmitters in the rat accessory olfactory bulb

The accessory olfactory bulb (AOB) is the first relay station in the vomeronasal system and may play a critical role in processing pheromone signals. The AOB shows similar but less distinct lamination compared with the main olfactory bulb (MOB). In this study, synaptic organization of the AOB was analyzed in slice preparations from adult rats by using both field potential and patch-clamp recordings. Stimulation of the vomeronasal nerve (VN) evoked field potentials that showed characteristic patterns in different layers of the AOB. Current source density (CSD) analysis of the field potentials revealed spatiotemporally separated loci of inward current (sinks) that represented sequential activation of different neuronal components: VN activity (period I), synaptic excitation of mitral cell apical dendrites (period II), and activation of granule cells by mitral cell basal dendrites (period III). Stimulation of the lateral olfactory tract also evoked field potentials in the AOB, which indicated antidromic activation of the mitral cells (period I and II) followed by activation of granule cells (period III). Whole cell patch recordings from mitral and granule cells of the AOB supported that mitral cells are excited by VN terminals and subsequently activate granule cells through dendrodendritic synapses. Both CSD analysis and patch recordings provided evidence that glutamate is the neurotransmitter at the vomeronasal receptor neuron; mitral cell synapses and both NMDA and non-NMDA receptors are involved. We also demonstrated electrophysiologically that reciprocal interaction between mitral and granule cells in the AOB is through the dendrodendritic reciprocal synapses. The neurotransmitter at the mitral-to-granule synapses is glutamate and at the granule-to-mitral synapse is gamma-aminobutyric acid. The synaptic interactions among receptor cell terminals, mitral cells, and granule cells in the AOB are therefore similar to those in the MOB, suggesting that processing of chemosensory information in the AOB shares similarities with that in the MOB.
Celebrity Drug Scandals, Media Double Standards:

Media coverage reflects the conflicted status of drugs in a culture that both valorizes and demonizes their use. Sociologist Rebecca Tiger compares New York Times' coverage of Whitney Houston’s dea...
Field test method for residual stress in plain concrete pavements and structures

Residual stresses form in concrete structures and rigid pavements as a result of differential shrinkage, loss of subgrade support, and physical restraint by the superstructure. These stresses diminish a concrete member's capacity to carry its design load, making the structure vulnerable to premature cracking and failure. Few methods for quantifying the residual stress in concrete exist, although several methods have been developed for measuring material stresses in metals and rocks. Here, a new field test method for concrete pavements and structures, inspired by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) E837 method for measuring residual stress in steel, is presented. The test is performed by installing strain gages on the surface of a concrete pavement or structure and then saw-cutting around the gages to isolate the gages from the bulk concrete material. The difference between the strain reading before and after the saw-cuts is used to compute the stress present at the surface of the concrete material. The method was developed and validated in laboratory experiments, and finite element modeling was conducted to enhance understanding of the three-dimensional strain distribution around saw-cut notches in materials with residual stress. Full-scale testing on plain concrete pavements demonstrated the method's potential as a field test method.
Cultural Opportunities and Tactical Choice in the Argentine and Chilean Reproductive Rights Movements

Reproductive rights movements throughout Latin America contend with the strong influence of the Catholic Church. In Argentina and Chile, two predominately Catholic countries where abortion is illegal yet common, reproductive rights activists see the church as their focal opponent. Analyzing data on the reproductive rights movement in each case, I argue that cultural opportunity is important for understanding the ways that activists address religion and the church in strategizing collective action frames. In Argentina, weak social support of the church foments more confrontational activism, despite the institutional power that the church still wields. In Chile, strong links between church and society obstruct reproductive rights challengers, leading to more cautious critiques of the church. Considering political and cultural opportunities is necessary when studying movements that make claims on both state and society, especially movements that challenge powerful cultural actors like the Catholic Church
Normative data for the purdue pegboard on a sample of adult candidates for vocational rehabilitation

Norms for the Purdue Pegboard are reported on candidates for vocational rehabilitation. These subjects scored significantly below the norms published in the Purdue manual for industrial workers. It...
Natural history of sleep disordered breathing in prepubertal children transitioning to adolescence

Because there is a lack of agreed upon diagnostic criteria, it is critical to understand the natural history of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children in order to establish treatment strategies based on objective data. The Penn State Child Cohort is a representative, general-population sample of 700 elementary school children at baseline, of whom 421 were reassessed 8 years later, during adolescence. The remission of childhood apnoea–hypopnoea index (AHI) ≥2 events per h in adolescence was 52.9%. Using the higher threshold of AHI ≥5 events per h, remission was 100.0%, with 50.0% partially remitting to AHI 2– The key risk factors for SDB in adolescence are similar to those found in middle-aged adults ( i.e. male sex, older age and obesity). Moreover, consistent with recent studies in adults, this study includes the novel cross-sectional finding that visceral fat is associated with SDB as early as adolescence.
Particle physics metadata standards in the tritium file format

This poster reports on a standard under development for particle physics data description. This standard is enforced under a file format called Tritium, which is being developed in a framework of the same name.
ROBUST BAYES ESTIMATION

In Bayes estimation problems, we show that under certain conditions on the loss function, the Bayes estimator is robust, i. e., the Bayes estimator is a continuous functional of posterior distribution (with respect to the Kolmogorov distance between posterior distributions).
Research of awareness rate of knowledge related to syphilis among different population in Karamay

Objective To understand awareness rate of knowledge related to syphilis among different population in Karamay,and to provide basis for adjusting and developing relevant health education policy.Methods The high risk population and the general population in Karamay were selected by randomized cluster sampling and interviewed with standard questionnaires.All of the data were analyzed with Spss 15.0.Results Of the 785 individuals,783 were regarded as effective respondents,including 187 of urban residents,200 of floating population,191 of school adolescents,205 of unlicensed prostitute and 44 of homosexuality group.The awareness rate of knowledge related to syphilis prevention was 79.08% in urban residents,74.50% in floating population,68.85% in school adolescents,82.72% in unlicensed prostitute and 79.55% in homosexuality group.There was statistical difference among the general population(χ2=41.42,P0.01) and no statistical difference between the high risk population(χ2=1.94,P0.05).Conclusions The awareness rate of knowledge related to syphilis prevention among the above population is generally low,and knowledge of syphilis prevention should be integrated with AIDS control information to strengthen heal education in the population.
On estimation of peakedness-ordered distributions

ABSTRACTA random variable X is said to be less peaked about a point μ than a random variable Y about a point ν, denoted by X⪯pkd(μ, ν)Y, if This paper develops new consistent estimators of the distribution functions of two continuous random variables X and Y when X is less peaked than Y. Through simulation studies, we show that our estimators outperform in terms of mean-squared error the estimators proposed in El Barmi and Mukerjee (2012) for the same problem. To illustrate the theory, an empirical example is presented.
Racial aspects of blood pressure in children and adolescents

The incidence, prevalence, and severity of essential hypertension are higher in minority adult populations, especially black Americans. Studies have not uniformly shown that black children and adolescents have higher blood pressure values than whites of the same age. The goal of this article is to review data available comparing minority and white populations. A section discussing studies addressing racial differences in related topics is included to demonstrate the existing fields of research that may not be familiar to the general pediatrician.
Vitamin D Enhances the Efficacy of Irinotecan through miR-627-Mediated Inhibition of Intratumoral Drug Metabolism.

Cytochrome P450 enzyme CYP3A4 is an important drug-metabolizing enzyme, and high levels of tumoral expression of CYP3A4 are linked to drug resistance. We investigated the function of vitamin D–regulated miR-627 in intratumoral CYP3A4 suppression and its role in enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy. We found that miR-627 targets CYP3A4 and suppresses CYP3A4 expression in colon cancer cell lines. Furthermore, calcitriol (the active form of vitamin D) suppressed CYP3A4 expression by activating miR-627. As a result, calcitriol inhibited CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of irinotecan (a topoisomerase I inhibitor) in cancer cells. We show that calcitriol enhanced the efficacy of irinotecan in growth inhibition and apoptosis induction. When miR-627 is inhibited, calcitriol fails to enhance the activity of irinotecan. In addition, overexpression of miR-627 or siRNA knockdown of CYP3A4 enhanced the efficacy of irinotecan in growth inhibition and apoptosis induction. In contrast, overexpression of CYP3A4 abolished the effects of calcitriol on the activity of irinotecan. Using a nude mouse xenograft model, we demonstrated that calcitriol inhibited CYP3A4 and enhanced the in vivo antitumor activity of irinotecan without causing side effects. Our study identified a novel target for improving cancer therapy, i.e., modulating the intratumoral CYP3A4-mediated drug metabolism with vitamin D. This strategy could enhance the therapeutic efficacy without eliciting the side effects. Mol Cancer Ther; 15(9); 2086–95. ©2016 AACR .