cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Climate change and human health—what influences the adoption of adaptation programming in the United States public health system?

With growing evidence on how climate change impacts human health, public health agencies should develop adaptation programs focused on the impacts predicted to affect their jurisdictions. However, recent research indicates that public health agencies in the United States have done little to prepare the public for predicted climate change impacts, largely due in response to a lack of resources and priority. This study surveyed Environmental Health (EH) Directors across the United States to determine the extent to which individual level attitudes and beliefs influence the adoption of climate change adaptation programming in a department. The results indicate that an EH Director’s perception of the health risk posed by climate change explained 27% of the variance in the number of climate change impacts being addressed. Furthermore, the study found that environmental attitude and political views made strong, unique contributions in explaining the variance in risk perception. The results provide evidence that individual-level attitudes and beliefs, as well as organizational-level barriers influence the adoption of climate change adaptation programs in public health agencies. As a result, increasing EH Directors’ perception of risk by highlighting the likelihood and severity of localized impacts may increase the adoption of adaptation programming despite existing organizational barriers (e.g., lack of resources). Given the fact that risk perception has been shown to influence behavior across cultures, these findings are also useful for understanding the influence of individual decision makers on public health programming around the world.
Why promote clinical nursing scholarship

The rationale for clinical nursing scholarship derives both from the nature of any health profession and from the nature of nursing. Clinical scholarship, whether scientific, evaluative, philosophical, or historical, provides the means for advancing knowledge needed to continuously improve the essential services that nurses provide.
Effects of CYP3A4 inhibitors on the pharmacokinetics of maraviroc in healthy volunteers

Aims To evaluate the influence of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitors on the clinical pharmacokinetics of maraviroc, a novel CCR5 antagonist.
Parameter estimation for 2-parameter log-logistic distribution (LLD2) by maximum entropy

Abstract The principle of maximum entropy (POME) was employed to derive a new method of parameter estimation for the 2-parameter log-logistic distribution (LLD2). Monte Carlo simulated data were used to evaluate this method and compare it with the methods of moments (MOM), probability weighted moments (PWM), and maximum likelihood estimation (MLE). Simulation results showed that POME's performance was superior in predicting quantiles of large recurrence intervals when population coefficient of variation was greater than or equal to 1.0. In all other cases, POME's performance was comparable to other methods. In terms of parameter bias and root mean square error, POME was comparable to MLE and superior to both MOM and PWM.
The incidence of the L.E. cell phenomenon in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (a two-year study).

Additional data concerning the presence of the L.E. factor in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is presented. Of 45 patients, 11 (24 per cent) had positive L.E. tests at some time during their period of study. Two such patients developed clinical manifestations compatible with systemic lupus erythematosus. Datos additional in re le presentia del factor lupo-erythematose (L.E.) in patientes con arthritis rheumatoide es presentate. In 11 ex 45 patientes (i.e. in 24%), le test a L.E. esseva positive a un tempore o un altere durante le periodo de lor studio. Duo tal patientes disveloppava manifestationes clinic compatibile con systemic lupus erythematose.
Smooth contractible hypersurfaces in Cn and exotic algebraic structures on C3.

In this paper we study complex affine algebraic varieties that are diffeomorphic to R E" but not isomorphic to C". According to [-Z1 Z3] we shall refer to these varieties as to exotic algebraic structures o n R 2" or on C n. It was Ramanujam who first tried to find these structures. His famous theorem [R] implies that the only complex algebraic structure o n R 4 is the standard structure of C 2. In the case of higher dimensions Zaidenberg [ZI Z3] constructed examples of exotic algebraic structures on C" (n > 3). Moreover, he proved that these exotic structures on C" are not biholomorphically equivalent to C". His proof is based on some analytic version of the cancellation theorem. For n = 3 all varieties in his examples have Kodaira logarithmic dimension o c . Petrie has informed us that he and tom Dieck also knew about the existence of exotic algebraic structures. In their paper [PtD] there is a list of all smooth contractible hypersurfaces in C 3 of Kodaira logarithmic dimension 1. The authors note in this paper that an analogue of their construction holds for higher dimensions, but all contractible hypersurfaces in C" with n > 4 are diffeomorphic to R 2("-1) due to the h-cobordism theorem. Thus they are exotic structures when their Kodaira logarithmic dimension is 1. It is worth mentioning that a combination of Zaidenberg's approach and the examples from [PtD] give curious polynomials on C 4. Consider a polynomial p ( x , y , z) = z z x 3 + 3 z x 3 + 3 x z y 2 _ 2 y in three variables. The zero fiber of this polynomial has a singular point and all other fibers are contractible hypersurfaces [-PtD]. If we consider p in C 4 with the coordinate system (x, y, z, t), then, by the h-cobordism theorem, all nonzero fibers are diffeomorphic to R 6. As Zaidenberg mentions in [Z2] these fibers must be exotic algebraic structures on C 3 due to the strong cancellation theorem [IF], i.e., the polynomial p is not equivalent to a linear polynomial, but all its nonzero fibers are diffeomorphic to the Euclidean space. Our main aim is to construct new examples of exotic algebraic structures on C a. Our examples have Kodaira logarithmic dimension 2 and they admit a natural C*-action with one fixed point compared with the above examples.
Primary mediastinal (thymic) large B cell lymphoma with aberrant expression of CD3: a case report with review of the literature

We report the first case of primary mediastinal large B cell lymphoma (PMBL) with aberrant expression of CD3. PMBL is a subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and usually presents with bulky mediastinal lesions. Lineage ambiguity/infidelity is uncommon in DLBCL but has been described in sporadic case reports/series. A literature search identifies 13 additional cases of DLBCL expressing CD3, with the majority displaying cytoplasmic expression. Of the 14 total cases, 6 are pyothorax-associated lymphoma, 4 are conventional DLBCL, 2 are plasmablastic lymphoma, one is primary effusion lymphoma and one is PMBL. Two cases show genotypic ambiguity/infidelity with dual clonal IG and TCR gene rearrangements in addition to ambiguous immunophenotypes. Of the 13 cases tested for EBV status, 11 are positive, suggesting an important role of EBV in promoting lineage ambiguity/infidelity. A low threshold for testing EBV status is advocated in DLBCL with phenotypic ambiguity along with panels of immunohistochemical and molecular studies.
TRACE DETERMINATION OF ZIRCONIUM USING CHARGED PARTICLE ACTIVATION

Reaction yields on thick zirconium targets with proton, deuteron,3He and4He activation have been measured and compared. The most favorable reaction combining high sensitivity and selectivity was found to be Zr(p, xn)90Nb. The absolute cross-section for this excitation function has been measured for proton energies up to 20 MeV. Analytical applications are illustrated with nondestructive zirconium analyses in glass. Yields from the thick target experiments indicate that the detection limit for this zirconium analysis method is ∼1 ppb.
Untargeted metabolomics studies employing NMR and LC–MS reveal metabolic coupling between Nanoarcheum equitans and its archaeal host Ignicoccus hospitalis

Interspecies interactions are the basis of microbial community formation and infectious diseases. Systems biology enables the construction of complex models describing such interactions, leading to a better understanding of disease states and communities. However, before interactions between complex organisms can be understood, metabolic and energetic implications of simpler real-world host-microbe systems must be worked out. To this effect, untargeted metabolomics experiments were conducted and integrated with proteomics data to characterize key molecular-level interactions between two hyperthermophilic microbial species, both of which have reduced genomes. Metabolic changes and transfer of metabolites between the archaea Ignicoccus hospitalis and Nanoarcheum equitans were investigated using integrated LC-MS and NMR metabolomics. The study of such a system is challenging, as no genetic tools are available, growth in the laboratory is challenging, and mechanisms by which they interact are unknown. Together with information about relative enzyme levels obtained from shotgun proteomics, the metabolomics data provided useful insights into metabolic pathways and cellular networks of I. hospitalis that are impacted by the presence of N. equitans, including arginine, isoleucine, and CTP biosynthesis. On the organismal level, the data indicate that N. equitans exploits metabolites generated by I. hospitalis to satisfy its own metabolic needs. This finding is based on N. equitans's consumption of a significant fraction of the metabolite pool in I. hospitalis that cannot solely be attributed to increased biomass production for N. equitans. Combining LC-MS and NMR metabolomics datasets improved coverage of the metabolome and enhanced the identification and quantitation of cellular metabolites.
A Processing Pipeline for Cassandra Datasets Based on Hadoop Streaming

The progressive transition in the nature of both scientific and industrial datasets has been the driving force behind the development and research interests in the NoSQL data model. Loosely structured data poses a challenge to traditional data store systems, and when working with the NoSQL model, these systems are often considered impractical and expensive. As the quantity of unstructured data grows, so does the demand for a processing pipeline that is capable of seamlessly combining the NoSQL storage model and a "Big Data" processing platform such as MapReduce. Although, MapReduce is the paradigm of choice for data-intensive computing, Java-based frameworks such as Hadoop require users to write MapReduce code in Java. Hadoop Streaming, on the other hand, allows users to define non-Java executables as map and reduce operations. Similarly, for legacy C/C++ applications and other non-Java executables, there is a need to allow NoSQL data stores access to the features of Hadoop Streaming. In this paper, we present approaches in solving the challenge of integrating NoSQL data stores with MapReduce for non-Java application scenarios, along with advantages and disadvantages of each approach. We compare Hadoop Streaming alongside our own streaming framework, MARISSA, to show performance implications of coupling NoSQL data stores like Cassandra with MapReduce frameworks that normally rely on file-system based data stores.
Using modern technology to keep in touch with back burners: An investment model analysis

Abstract Relationship research and theory recognizes that individuals continue to monitor the availability of their romantic/sexual prospects whether or not they are already in a committed relationship. We use the term back burner to describe a desired potential or continuing romantic/sexual partner with whom one communicates, but to whom one is not exclusively committed. Although communication with back burners is not new, modern technology affords novel channels (e.g., social networking applications and text messaging) that individuals are using to connect with back burners. A survey study (N = 374) explored whether people used technology to communicate with back burners, as well as relationships between back burner contacts and investment model variables ( Rusbult, 1980 ). Results indicated that back burner activity through electronic channels was common, men reported more back burners than women, and that number of back burners associated positively with quality of alternatives. For those in committed relationships, no relationships were observed between back burner activity and commitment to or investment in the relationship. Implications and limitations are discussed.
Public housing and the fear of crime

This article examines the relationships between public housing policy, the fear of crime, and the elderly. This article utilizes data collected from public housing residents in Omaha, Nebraska. Previous research has shown relationships between victimization and fear, the environment and fear, sociological factors and fear, and demographic factors and fear. The results of the current research find support for linkages between particular forms of social disorganization and fear, social integration and fear, and certain demographic categories and fear. Of particular interest, the findings also show a direct effect between the type of tower (mixed versus elderly population) residents live in and fear. Most notably, however, in the final analysis the data do not support a relationship between respondent age and fear of crime.
Antireproductive effect of a potent LHRH antagonist (Nal-Lys antagonist:antide) during early pregnancy in the rat.

Abstract Effects of a potent third generation LHRH antagonist [Nal-Lys antagonist:antide] have been observed during the first half of pregnancy in rats. A daily dose of 40 μg or above, when administered from day 8 of pregnancy, suppressed serum progesterone levels within 48 h and by day 12 there was complete absence of live fetuses. Lower doses of antide (10–20 μg) reduced progesterone levels in circulation but were unable to induce abortion consistently in all treated rats. Administration of 150 or 300 μg of antide once on day 8 suppressed the progesterone levels within 24 h. Only a dose of 300 μg was effective in completely interfering with gestation by day 12 with no observable live fetuses.
Social status, physical, mental health, well-being and self evaluation of elderly in China.

This study examined self perceived physical and mental health, general well-being, social status and self evaluation among a group of Chinese elderly (N=240, age range 65–94) who visited a geriatric outpatient clinic in Beijing, People's Republic of China. The instrument measured five areas of interest: (1) disease patterns; (2) perceived physical and mental health; (3) general well-being; (4) social-economic status and (5) self evaluation. The results showed that the illiterate elderly reported lower self-evaluation scores than all other groups (p<0.05). In general, men gave themselves higher selfevaluation scores than women (p<0.05). The blue-collar group had lower general wellbeing scores (p<0.05) than the other occupational groups. These findings were discussed within social, cultural, political and historical contexts in China.
Implications of Overweight Onset and Persistence for Social and Behavioral Development Between Kindergarten Entry and Third Grade

The current study examines the social and behavioral development of school-age children with different histories of overweight onset. Eight thousand children from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study–Kindergarten Cohort (ECLS-K) participated. Three groups of children were identified for analysis: (1) those who were persistently overweight from kindergarten and/or first grade through third grade; (2) those who were overweight only at third grade; and, (3) those who were never overweight between kindergarten and third grade. Models controlled for child, parent, and family characteristics and tested the linear and quadratic effects of time, the main effects of overweight group and gender, and the interactions among time, overweight group, and gender. Results revealed an effect of overweight on children's social and behavioral functioning, with several effects moderated by gender and time. Findings are discussed within the context of gender and development during early middle childhood.
Reducing a Random Sample to a Smaller Set, with Applications

Abstract A transformation matrix is given for reducing a random sample of size n to a smaller set of m uncorrelated variables, with the same mean and minimum common variance. This transformation may be applied to the classic Behrens-Fisher problem to obtain a solution similar to Scheffe's. An indication of the loss of information is also given. The transformation is also used to obtain an exact test of whether two regression planes are parallel, when the variances and sample sizes are unequal. Also a test of whether two regression planes are identical, when they are assumed parallel, can be derived easily by this method, and the results are similar to a recent solution by Potthoff. Some possible applications of the transformation to randomization tests concerning means is also given, the idea being to reduce the sample so that the amount of computations required would be feasible.
SIDMAN PARMELEE POOLE, 1893–1955

(1958). SIDMAN PARMELEE POOLE, 1893–1955. Annals of the Association of American Geographers: Vol. 48, No. 2, pp. 169-172.
Late DNA replication in the sex chromosomes ofDidelphis virginiana

Autoradiographisch wurde die spate DNS-Synthese derX- undY-Chromosomen vonDidelphis virginiana (Virginia Opossum) in Knochenmarkzellen untersucht. Die weiblichen Tiere zeigen typische spate Reduplikationsmuster in einemX, die mannlichen das spate Reduplikationsmuster inX undY und inY allein.
Spectral Collocation Methods for Differential-Algebraic Equations with Arbitrary Index

In this paper, a symmetric Jacobi---Gauss collocation scheme is explored for both linear and nonlinear differential-algebraic equations (DAEs) of arbitrary index. After standard index reduction techniques, a type of Jacobi---Gauss collocation scheme with $$N$$ N knots is applied to differential part whereas another type of Jacobi---Gauss collocation scheme with $$N+1$$ N + 1 knots is applied to algebraic part of the equation. Convergence analysis for linear DAEs is performed based upon Lebesgue constant of Lagrange interpolation and orthogonal approximation. In particular, the scheme for nonlinear DAEs can be applied to Hamiltonian systems. Numerical results are performed to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
Displacement Interferometer with High Resolution and Low Sensitivity to Temperature

The continuing trend toward smaller geometries in IC lithography is placing increased demands on the displacement transducers used in wafer steppers and inspection machines. Among the needs are improved accuracy, repeatability and resolution. This paper describes a new displacement measuring interferometer which has resolution twice that of conventional plane mirror interferometers as well as improved accuracy and repeatability. These improvements are achieved by double passing the measurement arm and optically compensating the thermal drift error inherent in other plane mirror interferometer designs. This drift arises from small changes in ambient temperature and if not eliminated can be significant even in a temperature controlled environment. The origin of thermal drift error in plane mirror interferometers is analyzed and comparative test results are discussed.
Effect of desmethylimipramine on norepinephrine content and plasticity of kitten visual cortex.

Abstract Because norepinephrine (NE) reuptake inhibitors have been reported to block 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) induced NE depletion, we wondered whether a reuptake inhibitor would block 6-OHDA's effects on visual cortical plasticity. We found, however, that desmethylimipramine (DMI) did not reduce 6-OHDA induced NE depletion at 6-OHDA doses sufficient to prevent the effects of monocular deprivation. We also found that DMI itself induced transient NE depletion. We used this last result to further examine the NE hypothesis of depletion. In contrast to 6-OHDA-induced NE depletion, DMI-induced NE depletion was not accompanied by changes in visual cortical plasticity.
Dissociation of the neural correlates of visual and auditory contextual encoding

Abstract The present study contrasted the neural correlates of encoding item-context associations according to whether the contextual information was visual or auditory. Subjects (N = 20) underwent fMRI scanning while studying a series of visually presented pictures, each of which co-occurred with either a visually or an auditorily presented name. The task requirement was to judge whether the name corresponded to the presented object. In a subsequent memory test subjects judged whether test pictures were studied or unstudied and, for items judged as studied, indicated the presentation modality of the associated name. Dissociable cortical regions demonstrating increased activity for visual vs. auditory trials (and vice versa) were identified. A subset of these modality-selective regions also showed modality-selective subsequent source memory effects, that is, enhanced responses on trials associated with correct modality judgments relative to those for which modality or item memory later failed. These findings constitute direct evidence for the proposal that successful encoding of a contextual feature is associated with enhanced activity in the cortical regions engaged during the on-line processing of that feature. In addition, successful encoding of visual objects within auditory contexts was associated with more extensive engagement of the hippocampus and adjacent medial temporal cortex than was the encoding of such objects within visual contexts. This raises the possibility that the encoding of across-modality item-context associations places more demands on the hippocampus than does the encoding of within-modality associations.
THYMUS-MARROW IMMUNOCOMPETENCE : V. HYDROCORTISONE-RESISTANT CELLS AND PROCESSES IN THE HEMOLYTIC ANTIBODY RESPONSE OF MICE

Corticosteroids suppress the humoral antibody response of mice to sheep erythrocytes. This response depends on interactions between thymus-derived helper cells and bone marrow-derived antibody-forming cell precursors (AFC precursors). Previous experiments had shown that spleen cells (a mixture of thymus-derived and marrow-derived cells) were sensitive to corticosteroids while AFC precursors in the bone marrow were resistant. The present experiments showed that the thymus of a mouse given 2.5 mg of hydrocortisone acetate, although containing only about 5% of the number of cells of a normal thymus, was as effective as a normal thymus in cooperating with bone marrow when transferred to irradiated syngeneic mice and stimulated with SRBC. The proliferative response of thymus helper cells to SRBC was also resistant to hydrocortisone. In this context, the majority of thymic cells are in the cortex, are rapidly dividing, are sensitive to corticosteroids and are not iminunocompetent. A small number of thymic cells, probably located in the medulla, are resistant to corticosteroids, but are immunocompetent since they can serve as helper cells. The hydrocortisone-sensitive phase of the splenic response to SRBC was found to be the bone marrow-derived AFC precursor since spleens from hydrocortisone-treated donors had immunocompetence restored by normal bone marrow but not by normal thymus cells.
Inactivation of myosin heavy chain genes in the mouse: diverse and unexpected phenotypes.

Myosin heavy chain (MyHC) is a critical component of the cellular contractile apparatus. The mammalian genome contains two nonmuscle, two smooth muscle, and eight striated muscle isoforms of MyHC. Within each class of genes, there is extremely high sequence homology among different MyHC isoforms, raising the question of whether these isoforms are functionally redundant or whether they perform unique roles in cell function. Recently, strains of mice null for four different MyHC isoforms have been generated. Mice null for the nonmuscle II-B isoform experience significant prenatal lethality and surviving animals have several cardiac abnormalities [Tullio et al. (1997) Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 94:12407–12412]. Mice homozygous null for alpha cardiac MyHC are embryonic lethal, while heterozygous mice are viable but also have numerous cardiac defects [Jones et al. (1996) J Clin Invest 98:1906–1917]. Mice null for IIb or IId adult skeletal MyHC are viable but have skeletal muscle abnormalities compared to wild type mice, despite compensation of a neighboring MyHC gene [Acakpo-Satchivi et al. (1997) J Cell Biol 139:1219–1229]. Both IIb and IId null mice show significant decreases in body mass. Mean muscle mass is also significantly decreased in both null strains but the extent and the pattern of affected muscles differs between the two strains. Both strains show evidence of skeletal muscle pathology but again the pattern and extent differ between the two strains. Finally, both adult skeletal strains demonstrate distinct impairments in contractile function when compared to wild type. Together these observations support the hypothesis that the different isoforms of MyHC are functionally unique and cannot substitute for one another. Microsc. Res. Tech. 50:492–499, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Preparation of copper on magnesia catalysts: An electron spin resonance study

Abstract When MgO powders are impregnated with copper ions dissolved in water, hydrolysis to Mg(OH) 2 takes place. Following decomposition of the latter, considerable loss of surface area occurs with incorporation of Cu 2+ ions in the bulk of MgO, as revealed by ESR spectra. Impregnation with Cu 2+ ions dissolved in organic solvents decreases the amount of Cu 2+ ions incorporated into the bulk of MgO. These observations lead to a method of preparation of high surface area MgO powders with Cu 2+ ions at their surface.
Cellphone bans and fatal motor vehicle crash rates in the United States

A number of states in the United States have laws restricting drivers from using cellphones. Using state-level panel data, we examined the effect of cellphone laws on fatal crashes in the United States between 2000 and 2010. Our results show that there is insufficient power to detect a reduction in overall fatal crash rates scaled by vehicle miles and population estimates. Cellphone bans, however, have significantly reduced the fatal crash rates of drivers in certain age cohorts. The effect was most pronounced among drivers between 18 and 34 years of age. We did not find any significant effect among drivers in the 55 and older age cohorts.
TEXAS A&M'S OIL SPILL TRAINING ACTIVITIES—A SIXTH YEAR PERSPECTIVE

ABSTRACT This paper will open by briefly tracing the initial development and subsequent evolution of the Texas Engineering Extension Service's (TEEX) oil spill control activities. The paper seeks to examine and evaluate the success of various phases of the activities including the basic 40-hour API Oil Spill Control Course and the newer specialized extension training programs covering oil and hazardous material spill control. Parameters of the evaluation include developmental rationale, audience analysis, educational validity, specific teaching and learning strategies, logistics and implementation, resource utilization, and program evaluation and planning strategies. Important differences and similarities between the basic 40-hour program and the spinoff extension programs are covered carefully in an attempt to provide useful data for those considering the development of similar programs. Finally, the expanded research and technical assistance of the TEEX Oil and Hazardous Material Control Training Divisi...
THE MECHANISM OF THE INHIBITION OF HEMOLYSIS : III. INHIBITION BY SOLS OF SUBSTANCES RELATED TO CHOLESTEROL.

1. When digitonin is the lysin, the inhibitory power of sols of cholesterol and related substances depends primarily on a normal, as opposed to an epi, configuration of H and OH at C3. Subsidiary inhibitory effects depend on whether the double bond of cholesterol at C5 is saturated or not, and a trans hydrogen at C5 is associated with a greater inhibition than a cis hydrogen. 2. When saponin is the lysin, normal cholesterol is more inhibitory than its epimer. When the double bond at C5 is saturated (cholestanol, coprosterol, and their epimers), the epi configuration is more inhibitory than the normal configuration. This may be associated with the tendency of the epimers to form liquid interpenetrating films with films of digitonin and digitonin-like lysins. 3. At least one of the esters of cholesterol (cholesteryl acetate) has a small but definite inhibitory effect on both digitonin and saponin hemolysis.
3D-nonFAR: three-dimensional non-volatile FPGA architecture using phase change memory

Memories play a key role in FGPAs in the forms of both programming bits and embedded memory blocks. FPGAs using non-volatile memories have been the focus of attention with zero boot-up delay, real-time reconfigurability, and superior energy efficiency. This paper presents a novel three-dimensional (3D) non-volatile FPGA architecture (3D-Non-FAR) using phase change memory (PCM) and 3D die stacking techniques. Basic structures in a conventional FPGA architecture are renovated with PCM, and components are repartitioned and reorganized in 3D-NonFAR to allow an efficient 3D integration of PCM elements. 3D-NonFAR not only preserves the advantages of existing non-volatile FP-GAs, but also provides high integration density, high performance, and bit-level programmability, which enable PCM as a universal memory replacement in FPGAs. Evaluation results show that 3D-NonFAR has smaller footprint, higher performance, and lower power consumption compared with other FPGA counterparts.
Hydrodynamic Delivery of mIL10 Gene Protects Mice From High-fat Diet-induced Obesity and Glucose Intolerance

High-fat diet (HFD) induced obesity is associated with low-grade inflammation, insulin resistance (IR), and glucose intolerance. The objective of this study is to assess the effect of interleukin 10 (IL10), an anti-inflammatory cytokine, on blocking HFD-induced obesity and obesity-associated metabolic disorders by hydrodynamic delivery of IL10-containing plasmid. Animals fed a regular chow or HFD received two injections (one on day 1 and the other on day 31) of plasmids containing green fluorescence protein (GFP) or mouse IL10 (mIL10) gene. Blood concentration of mIL10 reached ~200 ng/ml on day 7 in animals receiving mIL10 plasmid DNA. The transfection efficiency of liver cells was the same in animals fed a regular chow or HFD. No difference was seen in animals on regular chow when injected with plasmids containing either gfp or mIL10 gene. Overexpression of mIL10 prevented weight gain of animals on HFD. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and insulin tolerance tests (ITT) showed that mIL10 maintained insulin sensitivity and prevented glucose intolerance. The mechanistic study reveals that mIL10 suppressed macrophage infiltration and reduced the development of crown-like structures in adipose tissue (AT). Collectively, these results suggest that maintaining a higher level of IL10 through gene transfer could be an effective strategy in preventing diet-induced obesity.
“I Think it Would Be a Very Sensitive Topic …” School Social Work, Gender Variance, and the Silencing of Differences

This article discusses an “orientational” study of the perceptions of school social workers regarding gender-variant students and the impact of their presence on the discourse about gender identity. The findings indicate that gender-variant students are becoming more known and visible in public schools but that they do not make up a homogeneous group. Moreover, the study seems to show that the discourse about gender remains extremely limited, in part due to a linking of gender identity with sexuality.
The Secret Lives of Roots

Below-ground carbon, including roots, is a crucial factor in the overall carbon cycle. But how much carbon do roots transfer below ground, and how long does it stay? In their Perspective, [Trumbore and Gaudinski][1] highlight the report by [ Matamala et al .][2], who use a new isotope method to measure root lifetimes. Their results suggest that the bulk of fine root mass has a lifetime of 4 to 6 years. However, in situ studies of root growth and mortality generally yield much shorter lifetimes. Trumbore and Gaudinski suggest that these disparate results may be reconciled by acknowledging the complexity of root populations, and that sampling studies must reflect that complexity. [1]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/302/5649/1344 [2]: http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/302/5649/1385
An analysis of the high‐latitude thermospheric wind pattern calculated by a thermospheric general circulation model: 1. Momentum forcing

A diagnostic processor (DP) was developed for analysis of hydrodynamic and thermodynamic processes predicted by the NCAR thermospheric general circulation model (TGCM). The TGCM contains a history file on the projected wind, temperature and composition fields at each grid point for each hour of universal time. The DP assimilates the history file plus ion drag tensors and drift velocities, specific heats, coefficients of viscosity, and thermal conductivity and calculates the individual forcing terms for the momentum and energy equations for a given altitude. Sample momentum forcings were calculated for high latitudes in the presence of forcing by solar radiation and magnetospheric convection with a 60 kV cross-tail potential, i.e., conditions on Oct. 21, 1981. It was found that ion drag and pressure forces balance out at F region heights where ion drift velocities are small. The magnetic polar cap/auroral zone boundary featured the largest residual force or net acceleration. Diurnal oscillations were detected in the thermospheric convection, and geostrophic balance was dominant in the E layer.
Automatic quantification of ejection fraction from gated myocardial perfusion SPECT.

EF = @ We have developeda completelyautomaticalgorithmto quan titativelymeasureleftventricular ejectionfraction(LVEF)from gated @rTc@sestamibi myocardial perfusion SPECT images. Methods: The algorithmoperatesin the three-dimensional space and uses gated short-axis image volumes. It segments the left ventricle(LV), estimates and displaysendocardialand epicardialsurfaces for all gating intervalsin the cardiac cycle, calculatesthe relativeleftventricularcavityvolumesandderives the global EFfrom the end-diastolic and end-systolic volume, all withoutoperatorinteraction.The algorithmfor measuringLVEF was tested in 65 clinicalpatients undergoing16-intervaland 8-interval rest-gated SPECTand validated against &st-pass radionuclideventnculography.Results: Automatic segmenta tion and contouring of the LV was successful in 65/65 (100%) of the studies. Agreement between EFs measured from 8-interval gatedSPECTand EFscalculatedfrom first-passdatawas high (y = 2.44 + 1.03x,r = 0.909,p < 0.001, s.e.e.= 6.87).Agree ment between EF values measured from 16-interval and 8-in tervalgatedSPECTwasexcellent(y = â€”2.7 + 0.97x,r = 0.988, p < 0.001, s.e.e. = 2.65),the latter beingon averagelowerby 3.71percentage points.Conclusion:Ourautomatic methodis rapid and highly agreeswith conventionalradionuclidemea surements ofEF,thusproviding clinically useful additional infor mationto complementmyocardialperfusionstudies.
Recent technology developments in the sonnet suites of planar electromagnetic analysis software

Sonnet is a high accuracy planar method of moments based electromagnetic analysis. Recent developments are described. These include multi-core CPU and cluster computing speed enhancement, full 64 bit addressing, enhanced lumped model extraction, modeling and measurement of dielectric anisotropy, a new empirical model of metal roughness, microvia array simplification, diagonal port de-embedding/calibration, interpolation, port tuning, and MATLAB interoperability.
Planning for Contact Between the Generations: An Effective Approach

A program for preschoolers and elders was designed to promote three types of prosocial behavior in the children: sharing, cooperating, and helping. The program used five types of contact: contact with natural grandparents in the preschool, regular elderly volunteers in the preschool, competent elderly visitors who shared their expertise, contact with less able elders through regular visits to a nursing home, and classroom activities providing positive and realistic information about older people and aging. The program resulted in increased prosocial behaviors in the children.
Evaluation of single and two-stage adaptive sampling designs for estimation of density and abundance of freshwater mussels in a large river

Reliable estimates of abundance are needed to assess consequences of proposed habitat restoration and enhancement projects on freshwater mussels in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR). Although there is general guidance on sampling techniques for population assessment of freshwater mussels, the actual performance of sampling designs can depend critically on the population density and spatial distribution at the project site. To evaluate various sampling designs, we simulated sampling of populations, which varied in density and degree of spatial clustering. Because of logistics and costs of large river sampling and spatial clustering of freshwater mussels, we focused on adaptive and non-adaptive versions of single and two-stage sampling. The candidate designs performed similarly in terms of precision (CV) and probability of species detection for fixed sample size. Both CV and species detection were determined largely by density, spatial distribution and sample size. However, designs did differ in the rate that occupied quadrats were encountered. Occupied units had a higher probability of selection using adaptive designs than conventional designs. We used two measures of cost: sample size (i.e. number of quadrats) and distance travelled between the quadrats. Adaptive and two-stage designs tended to reduce distance between sampling units, and thus performed better when distance travelled was considered. Based on the comparisons, we provide general recommendations on the sampling designs for the freshwater mussels in the UMR, and presumably other large rivers. Published in 2009 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Influenza and current guidelines for its control.

Influenza epidemics occur during the winter months in the Northern Hemisphere (October– March) and cause approximately 20 000 deaths per year in the US1. Influenza viruses cause disease at all ages with infection rates highest among children, especially those 0–6 months of age, and serious illness and death rates highest among those aged 65 years and over. Persons at any age who have medical conditions that place them at high risk for complications from influenza have increased morbidity and mortality2. Annual influenza vaccination is the primary method for preventing influenza and its sequelae. The primary target groups recommended for annual vaccination include:
Integrating lateral expansion into models of peatland development in temperate New England.

Summary 1 As peatlands form they create a temporal archive of community development, allowing the reconstruction of vegetation dynamics through the analysis of sediments and the development of detailed chronologies of successional change. Peatland formation occurs through two mechanisms: (i) terrestrialization, when a water body fills with sediments and peat; and (ii) paludification, the conversion of dry land to peatland. In temperate regions, where high summer temperatures may limit peat accumulation, general models of peatland development suggest that allogenic factors such as climate change control peatland development and that terrestrialization is the primary mechanism of formation. 2 This study evaluates this widely accepted model by comparing the developmental histories of three peatlands within the same climate region in New England in order to: (i) describe the development and timing of successional events among peatlands; (ii) document the roles of paludification and terrestrialization as developmental mechanisms; and (iii) evaluate the importance of climate change vs. autogenic factors in peatland development in this temperate region. 3 Basin morphometry, sediment stratigraphies, and chronologies of community change determined through radiocarbon dating indicate that peatland development at each site involved terrestrialization followed by paludification, with no apparent influence of broad-scale climate change on the timing of these processes. Paludification was consistently initiated coincident with the consolidation of a shrub mat across each lake-basin, and was controlled in extent and rate by the topography of the adjoining uplands. The timing of stratigraphic changes varied among sites, suggesting that autogenic factors associated with the accumulation of peat rather than regional climate change controlled development. These results provide the foundation for a model of temperate peatland development driven by autogenic factors and caution against the use of temperate peatland development as a proxy for climatic reconstruction.
Silent Positioning in Underwater Acoustic Sensor Networks

In this paper, we present a silent positioning scheme termed UPS for underwater acoustic sensor networks. UPS relies on the time difference of arrivals locally measured at a sensor to detect range differences from the sensor to four anchor nodes. These range differences are averaged over multiple beacon intervals before they are combined to estimate the 3-D sensor location through trilateration. UPS requires no time synchronization and provides location privacy at underwater vehicles/sensors whose locations need to be determined. To study the performance of UPS, we model the underwater acoustic channel as a modified ultrawideband Saleh-Valenzuela model: The arrival of each path cluster and the paths within each cluster follow double Poisson distributions, and the multipath channel gain follows a Rician distribution. Based on this channel model, we perform both theoretical analysis and simulation study on the position error of UPS under acoustic fading channels. The obtained results indicate that UPS is an effective scheme for underwater vehicle/sensor self-positioning.
Darwin’s Difficulties and Students’ Struggles with Trait Loss: Cognitive-Historical Parallelisms in Evolutionary Explanation

Although historical changes in scientific ideas sometimes display striking similarities with students’ conceptual progressions, some scholars have cautioned that such similarities lack meaningful commonalities. In the history of evolution, while Darwin and his contemporaries often used natural selection to explain evolutionary trait gain or increase, they struggled to use it to convincingly account for cases of trait loss or decrease. This study examines Darwin’s evolutionary writings about trait gain and loss in the Origin of Species (On the origin of species by means of natural selection, or the preservation of favoured races in the struggle for life. D. Appleton, New York, 1859) and compares them to written evolutionary explanations for trait gain and loss in a large (n > 500), cross-cultural and cross-sectional sample (novices and experts from the USA and Korea). Findings indicate that significantly more students and experts applied natural selection to cases of trait gain, but like Darwin and his contemporaries, they more often applied ‘use and disuse’ and ‘inheritance of acquired characteristics’ to episodes of trait loss. Although the parallelism between Darwin’s difficulties and students’ struggles with trait loss are striking, significant differences also characterize explanatory model structure. Overall, however, students and scientists struggles to explain trait loss—which is a very common phenomenon in the history of life—appear to transcend time, place, and level of biological expertise. The significance of these findings for evolution education are discussed; in particular, the situated nature of biological reasoning, and the important role that the history of science can play in understanding cognitive constraints on science learning.
Is nephroureterectomy necessary in all cases of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma? Long-term results of conservative endourologic management of upper tract transitional cell carcinoma in individuals with a normal contralateral kidney.

Abstract Objectives. To evaluate the endoscopic management of upper urinary tract transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) as a first-line treatment in patients with a normal contralateral kidney. Methods. During an 11-year period, 21 patients diagnosed with upper tract TCC were treated with conservative endourologic techniques using either neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser or electrocautery at our institution. The 21 patients were followed up for a mean of 6.1 years (range 1 to 11.6). Results. A total of 8 renal pelvic tumors and 13 ureteral tumors were found. All tumors were Stage T1 or less and grade 3 or less. All tumors were less than 2 cm in the greatest dimension (range 0.4 to 2). Of the 21 patients, 7 (33%) had one local recurrence and 1 (4.7%) developed two local recurrences. Of the 13 ureteral tumors, 6 (46%) recurred; 1 (12%) of the 8 renal pelvic tumors recurred. No recurrent tumor was shown to have an increase in grade. Of the 21 target renal units, 17 (81%) were preserved; 4 (19%) of 21 patients required nephroureterectomy because of tumor recurrence. Overall, 11 patients in the series died, 10 of non-TCC etiology and 1 secondary to invasive bladder TCC that developed after treatment for upper tract TCC. No patients died as a result of conservative management of their upper tract TCC. Conclusions. Endourologic techniques and conservative treatment of upper tract TCC is an evolving field; however, in properly selected patients, endoscopic treatment can be safely and effectively used as a first-line treatment for upper tract TCC.
New testing options for diagnosing and grading dry eye disease.

Purpose To describe new options for diagnosis and severity grading of dry eye disease. Design Perspective on technological advancements to identify tear dysfunction and their value in diagnosing and grading dry eye disease. Methods Evidence is presented on new and evolving technologies to measure tear stability, composition, and meniscus height and their role in dry eye diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy grading is assessed. Results Evolving concepts regarding pathogenesis and new technologies to evaluate the tears and ocular surface have improved the ability to diagnose, classify, and grade the severity of dry eye disease. New technologies include noninvasive imaging of tear stability and tear meniscus height as a measure of tear volume and tear composition (osmolarity, lacrimal factors, inflammatory mediators, growth and differentiation factors). Approved tests, such as tear osmolarity and tear imaging, are being integrated into clinical practice and may eventually supplant certain traditional tests that have greater variability and less sensitivity. Other tests, such as molecular assays of tears and conjunctival cells, are currently being used in studies investigating pathogenesis and therapeutic mechanism of action. They may eventually translate to routine clinical practice. Conclusions New technologies have emerged that can noninvasively evaluate the tears and measure disease-associated compositional changes. These tests are being integrated into clinical practice and therapeutic trials for diagnosis, classification, and severity grading of dry eye disease.
Adaptive smoothing of the log-spectrum with multiple tapering

A hybrid estimator of the log-spectral density of a stationary time series is proposed. First, a multiple taper estimated is performed, followed by kernel smoothing the log-multiple taper estimate. This procedure reduces the expected mean square error by (/spl pi//sup 2//4)/sup 4/5/ over simply smoothing the log tapered periodogram. A data-adaptive implementation of a variable-bandwidth kernel smoother is given.