cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vitamin D: Can an Upper Limit be Defined?

Vitamin D ingested in excess results in hypercalcemia, which is caused by excessive absorption of massive quantities of calcium by the intestine and enhanced bone resorption. The symptoms of this intoxication include feeding difficulties, polydypsia, polyuria, irritability, lassitude and poor weight gain. Because daily intakes of 400 IU (10 microg) of vitamin D2 or D3 are completely safe, and because as low as 100 IU (2.5 microg) daily may prevent rickets, it is difficult to justify recent studies that attempt to firmly establish an upper limit of daily vitamin D intake in the normal neonate. Thus, despite efforts to better understand the upper limits of daily vitamin D intake, a concentration of 100 IU (2.5 g) of vitamin D per 100 kcal ingested, as is currently recommended by the Committee on Nutrition of the American Academy of Pediatrics, seems entirely appropriate.
Chemotherapeutic implications in microsatellite unstable colorectal cancer

Chemotherapy for colorectal cancer is currently offered to patients based on the stage of their cancer, and there is evidence to show an overall survival benefit with 5-fluorouracil-based (5-FU) therapy for patients with lymph node metastasis who receive it. The pathogenesis of colorectal cancer involves genomic instability, with about 15% of tumors demonstrating a form of genomic instability called high-frequency microsatellite instability (MSI-H) and due to loss of DNA mismatch repair function, and the remainder of colorectal tumors lacking MSI-H with retained DNA mismatch repair function and called microsatellite stable (MSS), with a large proportion of these tumors demonstrating another form of genomic instability called chromosomal instability. There is now evidence to show that the form of genomic instability that is present in a patient's colorectal cancer may predict a survival benefit from 5-FU. In particular, patients whose colorectal tumors have MSI-H do not gain a survival benefit with 5-FU as compared to patients with MSS tumors. In vitro evidence supports these findings, as MSI-H colon cancer cell lines are more resistant to 5-FU compared to MSS cell lines. More specifically, components of the DNA mismatch repair system have been shown to recognize and bind to 5-FU that becomes incorporated into DNA and which could be a trigger to induce cell death. The binding and subsequent cell death events would be absent in colorectal tumors with MSI-H, which have lost intact DNA mismatch repair function. These findings suggest that: (a) tumor cytotoxicity of 5-FU is mediated by DNA mechanisms in addition to well-known RNA mechanisms, and (b) patients whose tumors demonstrate MSI-H may not benefit from 5-FU therapy. Future studies should include a better understanding of the cellular mechanisms of the DNA recognition of 5-FU, multi-centered prospective trials investigating the survival benefit of 5-FU based on genomic instability, and the investigation of alternative chemotherapeutic regimens for patients with MSI-H tumors to improve survival.
Effect of 1 year of alternate day fasting versus daily calorie restriction on type 2 diabetes risk

Alternate day fasting (ADF) is effective for weight loss and cardio-protection, but its effect on type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk remains unclear. Moreover, whether ADF produces greater reductions in T2D risk versus daily calorie restriction (CR) is also unknown. Accordingly, this study compared the effect ADF versus CR on T2D risk indicators. Obese subjects (n = 48) were randomized to: 1) ADF (75% restriction fast day alternated with ad libitum feed day), or 2) CR (25% restriction everyday), for a 6-month weight loss period followed by a 6-month weight maintenance period. Body weight, fat mass, and visceral fat mass decreased similarly (P < 0.01) in the ADF (7 ± 1 kg; 5 ± 1 kg; 0.4 ± 0.1 kg) and CR group (7 ± 1 kg; 5 ± 1 kg; 0.4 ± 0.1 kg) during the weight loss period, and remained stable during the weight maintenance period. Fat free mass did not change throughout the study. Glucose remained unchanged. Insulin decreased (P < 0.05) by ADF only (7 ± 4 uIU/ml) with weight loss, and was sustained with weight mai...
Proteins with SH2 domains: transducers in the tyrosine kinase signaling pathway.

SH22 domains are protein motifs consisting of approximately 100 amino acids which were originally described by Sadowski et a!. (1). This domain was discovered when the noncatalytic domains of cytoplasmic tyrosine kinases such as fps were compared to src (1) and subsequently described in the enzyme PLC-y (2, 3) and the oncogene v-ak (4). Interest in SH2 domains has heightened with the recent finding that these domains directly bind to protein sequences containing phosphotyrosmne (5). This finding, coupled with the fact that SH2 domains are found in molecules involved in growth factor mediated intracellular signaling and oncogenesis, indicates that SH2 domains are important in pathways utilized in growth control (6, 7). The focus of this review will be to discuss the general characteristics of 5H2 domains by reviewing several of the important SH2 domain containing proteins. In understanding the terminology of SH2 domains, it is instructive to examine the structure of src (Fig. 1 ). The tyrosine kinase domain of src represents src homology region 1, but this designation is not commonly utilized. Immediately amino-terminal to the tyrosine kinase domain lies the SH2 domain, which is designated in some other papers as the B and C box (3, 4). Next to the SH2 domain lies the SH3 domain, also known as the A box (3, 4). SH3 domains are approximately 50 amino acids long, and their function remains unknown, although they are found in cytoskeletal proteins such as spectnin (8). Proteins with SH2 domains often have accompanying SH3 domains (Fig. 1), and there is also a large group of proteins that have the SH3 domain only (5). Extensive comparisons of the amino acid sequence of SH2 domains have been published (5). Fig. 2 displays the amino acid sequence of a limited number of SH2 (Fig. 2A) and SH3 domains (Fig. 2B). Approximately 30 residues in SH2 domains are highly conserved, and three
The impact of MELD/PELD revisions on the mortality of liver-intestine transplantation candidates.

Patients listed for liver–intestine transplantation suffer higher waiting list mortality than those listed for liver-only, thus leading to policy revisions seeking to close the gap. We sought to determine the impact of key model for end-stage liver disease (MELD)/pediatric end-stage liver disease (PELD) policy modifications on the waiting list mortality of adult and pediatric liver–intestine candidates as compared to liver-only candidates. Analysis of UNOS data separated into adult and pediatric categories and based on time periods of policy implementation revealed higher mortality in liver–intestine candidates over all time periods studied (p 15 no longer suffered higher mortality although this change did not completely eliminate the mortality disparity for candidates with MELD < 15 (p < 0.01). The waiting list mortality of pediatric liver–intestine candidates dropped significantly after a revision that gave them 23 additional MELD/PELD points (p < 0.01) although the mortality disparity with pediatric liver-only candidates was not eliminated. Following this revision, mortality in pediatric liver-only and liver–intestine Status 1 candidates was similar, however more liver–intestine candidates were listed as Status 1B. This data demonstrates that a mortality disparity remains for liver–intestine candidates compared with candidates listed for liver-only.
Heterotopic Ossification as a Complication of Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis

The development of heterotopic ossification (HO) as a complication of toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) has not been previously reported. TEN, also known as Lyell's syndrome, is a rare but serious skin disorder that typically occurs after the administration of drugs, especially sulfonamides, barbiturates, phenytoin, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. TEN is characterized by the development of large fluid-filled bullae with separation of large sheets of skin. Complications of TEN can include extensive denudation of skin with dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities, gastrointestinal hemorrhage, acute tubular necrosis, secondary infection of denuded skin, pneumonia, bacterial conjunctivitis, keratitis, and septic infarcts of internal organs. We report a case of HO in a patient with TEN after treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. A 49-year-old man developed an erythematous rash, bullae, fever, and extensive skin loss consistent with a diagnosis of TEN. He was intubated for complications of TEN (pneumonia) and maintained on bed rest for several weeks. In addition, he developed HO that resulted in multiple joint contractures. He was treated with aggressive range of motion by physical therapy, surgical resection of the HO followed by radiation to both elbows, right hip, and right knee. Postoperative outpatient rehabilitation enabled improved function in his mobility and activities of daily living. HO is known to occur after spinal cord and brain injuries and burns. It has not been reported to occur after TEN. Our experience with this case suggests that HO may merit inclusion into the list of complications of TEN.
Plasmon Assisted Photonic Crystal Quantum Dot Sensors

We report Quantum Dot Infrared Detectors (QDIP) where light coupling to the self assembled quantum dots is achieved through plasmons occurring at the metal-semiconductor interface. The detector structure consists of an asymmetric InAs/InGaAs/GaAs dots-in-a-well (DWELL) structure and a thick layer of GaAs sandwiched between two highly doped n-GaAs contact layers, grown on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate. The aperture of the detector is covered with a thin metallic layer which along with the dielectric layer confines light in the vertical direction. Sub-wavelength two-dimensional periodic patterns etched in the metallic layer covering the aperture of the detector and the active region creates a micro-cavity that concentrate light in the active region leading to intersubband transitions between states in the dot and the ones in the well. The sidewalls of the detector were also covered with metal to ensure that there is no leakage of light into the active region other than through the metal covered aperture. An enhanced spectral response when compared to the normal DWELL detector is obtained despite the absence of any aperture in the detector. The spectral response measurements show that the Long Wave InfraRed (LWIR) region is enhanced when compared to the Mid Wave InfraRed (MWIR) region. This may be due to coupling of light into the active region by plasmons that are excited at the metal-semiconductor interface. The patterned metal-dielectric layers act as an optical resonator thereby enhancing the coupling efficiency of light into the active region at the specified frequency. The concept of plasmon-assisted coupling is in principle technology agnostic and can be easily integrated into present day infrared sensors.
Mitochondrial targeted antioxidant peptide ameliorates hypertensive cardiomyopathy

Objectives We investigated the effect of reducing mitochondrial oxidative stress by the mitochondrial-targeted antioxidant peptide SS-31 in hypertensive cardiomyopathy. Background Oxidative stress has been implicated in hypertensive cardiovascular diseases. Mitochondria and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase have been proposed as primary sites of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation. Methods The mitochondrial targeted antioxidant peptide SS-31 was used to determine the role of mitochondrial oxidative stress in angiotensin II (Ang)-induced cardiomyopathy as well as in Gαq overexpressing mice with heart failure. Results Ang induces mitochondrial ROS in neonatal cardiomyocytes, which is prevented by SS-31, but not the nontargeted antioxidant N-acetyl cysteine (NAC). Continuous administration of Ang for 4 weeks in mice significantly increased both systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and this was not affected by SS-31 treatment. Ang was associated with up-regulation of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4) expression and increased cardiac mitochondrial protein oxidative damage, and induced the signaling for mitochondrial biogenesis. Reducing mitochondrial ROS by SS-31 substantially attenuated Ang-induced NOX4 up-regulation, mitochondrial oxidative damage, up-regulation of mitochondrial biogenesis, and phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and prevented apoptosis, concomitant with amelioration of Ang-induced cardiac hypertrophy, diastolic dysfunction, and fibrosis, despite the absence of blood pressure-lowering effect. The NAC did not show any beneficial effect. The SS-31 administration for 4 weeks also partially rescued the heart failure phenotype of Gαq overexpressing mice. Conclusions Mitochondrial targeted peptide SS-31 ameliorates cardiomyopathy resulting from prolonged Ang stimulation as well as Gαq overexpression, suggesting its potential clinical application for target organ protection in hypertensive cardiovascular diseases.
Recruiting the Technically Creative---A Dual Responsibility

Effective recruiting requires teamwork between the personnel staff and the research and development organization; neither should shirk its responsibilities. Effective organization for the task of recruiting creative engineers and scientists will also improve the recruiting of engineers in general. Creative individuals are especially sensitive to the nonmaterialistic aspects of their working environment. These include the nature of the work, reputation of the organization, opportunities for growth, quality of supervision, and living conditions. With reference to the applicant, recruiting may be divided into six basic elements: attracting, screening, visiting, interviewing, decision-making, and follow-up. All involve participation by both line and staff parts of the organization, but the responsibilities of each group are distinct. The personnel staff has the basic responsibilities of providing professional employment guidance and of handling administrative details. These duties include personnel research, employment planning, organizing the recruiting effort, training recruiters, screening applicants for further consideration, arranging laboratory or plant visits, interviewing from a nontechnical viewpoint, and coordinating the action on the decision, the offer, and the subsequent follow-up. Technical management must set its own manpower requirements, both quantitavely and qualitatively, and make the final decision whether to hire a given individual. Nonsupervisory technical personnel can contribute effectively in attracting, recruiting, and interviewing applicants. Criteria are discussed for selecting people to do the recruiting tasks.
Brain-Inspired Concept Networks: Learning Concepts from Cluttered Scenes

It's unclear how our brain's concepts emerge sequentially, and how the brain abstracts and generalizes each concept internally. The artificial intelligence field has seen the rise of model-based methods, where, starting from a predefined set of tasks, a programmer handcrafts a model for the set. Such a machine is incapable of generating and using any concept beyond the handcrafted model. Inspired by the anatomical connection patterns in the cerebral cortex, the authors introduce concept networks as an embodiment of the more general class of brain-inspired developmental networks. Such a network acquires concepts as actions through autonomous, incremental, and optimal self-wiring and adaptation according to its learning and practicing experience. Recursively, a concept network generates the current actions, which serve as its dynamic concepts to direct its next internal operation, which then generates the next actions. As the network learns and practices in an open-ended manner, its concepts aren't restricted by a handcrafted world model.
Endopolyphosphatases for Long Chain Inorganic Polyphosphate in Yeast and Mammals

Abstract Whereas exopolyphosphatases have been purified from yeast and a variety of bacteria, this is the first report characterizing endopolyphosphatases that act on long chain inorganic polyphosphate (polyP). The activity from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, localized in vacuoles, has been purified to homogeneity from a strain that possesses vacuolar proteases. The endopolyphosphatase is a dimer of 35-kDa subunits. Distributive action on polyP750 produces shorter chains to a limit of about polyP60, as well as the more abundant release of polyP3; the Km for polyP750 is 185 nM. Endopolyphosphatases have been identified in a wide variety of sources, except for most eubacteria tested. The activity has been partially purified from rat and bovine brain where its abundance is about 10 times higher than in other tissues but less than (null)/1;10 that of yeast; the limit product of digestion of the partially purified brain enzyme is polyP3.
Adolescent brand consciousness and product placements: awareness, liking and perceived effects on self and others

Product placements in entertainment media are increasing, particularly in content targeted to adolescents. This marketing communication tactic is examined in the context of media socialization and individual differences in brand consciousness. The relative influence of commercial media (TV, radio, movies, online) and perceived peer and parent brand consciousness on US adolescent brand consciousness is assessed, as well as differences in how low and high brand-conscious adolescents view product placements. Awareness, liking and perceived effects of product placements on self and others (third-person perception) were measured. Results of hierarchical multiple regression analyses show that movies and perceived parent and peer brand consciousness were positively related to adolescent brand consciousness. Those adolescents considered to be highly brand-conscious were also those who were most aware of and favourable towards product placements. All adolescents demonstrated third-person perception of media effects in that they considered others to be more influenced by product placements than themselves, with peers influenced more than friends. Highly brand-conscious teens perceived the greatest effects of product placements on their own and others’ buying behaviours, yet low brand-conscious teens revealed the largest gap in perceptions of impact on self vs. peers. The results are discussed in view of media effects; ramifications for marketers and public policy makers are also appraised.
A simple route to single-scorpionate nickel(II) complexes with minimum steric requirements.

Single-scorpionates of nickel(II), TpRNiX or TpmRNiX, are kinetic products whose preparation has generally required considerable steric constraints on the ligands (i.e., R = phenyl, tert-butyl, or ...
Performance enhancement of direct-detection optical communication systems impaired by pulse width inaccuracies using trellis-based pulse position modulation

M-ary pulse position modulation (PPM) has received considerable attention for direct-detection photon communications over unguided channels. The analysis generally assumes that the signaling set is orthogonal. However the orthogonality of the signaling set will be destroyed by the finite area and bandwidth of optical detectors, resulting in severe intersymbol interference. This paper presents the analysis of a trellis-based pulse position modulation (T-PPM) scheme for photon communications with non-rectangular pulses. The novelty of the scheme includes the use of a set partitioning methodology to increase the minimum distance using a simple convolutional encoder. The Viterbi algorithm is used at the receiver to separate the signaling set as part of the demodulation process. It has been shown that T-PPM will restore performance losses due to reduced peak intensity during the detection process. Furthermore, for a large range of background radiation levels and when an APD detector is used, the average number of photons per information bit for T- PPM is smaller than that of the regular PPM. Numerical examples show that for a symbol error rate of 10-3 when the received pulses extend over 4 PPM slots, the average laser energy per symbol for 256-ary T-PPM could be reduced by as much as 2 dB.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Targeting myeloid regulatory cells in cancer by chemotherapeutic agents

Recent findings in humans and numerous experimental models provide evidence of the important role of immune regulatory cells in cancer and various diseases. "Myeloid regulatory cells" (MRC) include myeloid-derived suppressor cells, regulatory dendritic cells, regulatory macrophages, and subsets of granulocytes that expand during pathologic conditions and that have the ability to suppress cellular immunity. A decrease in MRC population and/or activity has been shown to have positive immune-potentiating effects. Several clinical trials have thus been initiated with the goal of manipulating the expansion or activation of these cells and thereby improving patient immune responses. New data from our own and other laboratories recently revealed that ultralow noncytotoxic doses of certain chemotherapeutic drugs could up-regulate antitumor immunity by modulating the formation, differentiation, and/or function of MRC. This new phenomenon, termed "chemomodulation," allows for the regulation of the tumor microenvironment without the undesirable toxic effects associated with conventional chemotherapy. However, further studies are required before this new targeted therapy can find its way to patients with cancer.
Masking‐level differences for trains of clicks

Masking‐level differences (MLDs) were measured for trains of 2000‐Hz bandpass clicks as a function of the interclick interval (ICI) and the number of clicks in the train. The magnitude of the MLD grew as the number of clicks in the train was increased from 1 to 32. While the MLDs tended to be larger at longer ICIs, the effect was mediated by changes in detectability in the homophasic conditions. For click trains consisting of 4–32 clicks, the improvement in detectability in the antiphasic conditions with increases in the number of clicks appears to be the result of integration of acoustic power, as is the case for the homophasic conditions. The absence of MLDs for short trains of high‐frequency transients remains quite puzzling, since large MLDs are found with single, low‐frequency transients.
DOMINANCE HIERARCHIES IN DOMESTIC HORSES

Abstract Dominance hierarchies were studied in 11 herds of domestic horses and ponies ( Equus caballus ). A paired feeding test was utilized to establish the dominance—subordination relationship between each pair of animals in a herd. Aggressive actions, threats, bites, kicks and chases were also recorded. In small herds linear hierarchies were formed, but in large herds triangular relationships were observed. Aggression was correlated with dominance rank. Body weight, but not age, appear to affect rank in the equine hierarchy. Juvenile horses were more likely to share feed with each other than were adult horses and were usually subordinate to adult horses. The daughters of a dominant mare were dominant within their own herds.
Use of a visible light curing resin material for the fabrication of an intranasal stent.

*Assistant Clinical Professor, Department of Dental Ecology, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. bDirector, General Practice Residency, Durham VA Medical Center; and Assistant Clinical Professor, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry. cChief, Dental Service, Durham VA Medical Center. dDental Laboratory Technician, Durham VA Medical Center. J PROSTHET DENT 1993;70:483-5. 1014149296 A method is described for the fabrication of a clear acrylic resin nasal stent for a patient undergoing reconstructive surgery. Triad light-curing resin was used because the prosthesis could be delivered with speed and accuracy.l This technique alleviates three potential problems often encountered in fabricating nasal stents: retention, esthetics, and tissue irritation.2 A patient had a diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma of the nose. The lesion was surgically resected and required a forehead flap for closure of the large surgical defect (Fig. I). The patient’s right nostril was constricted because of scarring, which caused some breathing difficulties.3 The patient had used a drinking straw in the right nostril to keep it patent. A clear acrylic resin stent was fabricated to main-
Atomic structure of a cytochrome c' with an unusual ligand-controlled dimer dissociation at 1.8 A resolution.

The crystallographic structure of cytochrome c′ from the purple phototrophic bacterium Chromatium vinosum (CVCP) has been determined at 1·8 A resolution using multiple isomorphous replacement. The molecule is a dimer, with each 131-residue chain folding as a four-helical bundle incorporating a covalently bound heme group at the core. This structure is the third of the ubiquitous cytochromes c′ to be solved and is similar to the known structures of cytochrome c′ from R. molischianum (RMCP) and R. rubrum (RRCP). CVCP is unique in exhibiting ligand-controlled dimer dissociation while RMCP and RRCP do not. The Tyr16 side-chain, which replaced Met16 in RMCP and Leu14 in RRCP, is parallel to the heme plane and located directly above the sixth ligand site of the heme Fe. Any ligand binding to this site, such as CO or CN-, must move the Tyr16 side-chain, which would be expected to cause other conformational changes of helix A, which contributes to the dimer interface, and consequently disrupting the dimer. Thus, the crystallographic structure of CVCP suggests a mechanism for dimer dissociation upon ligand binding. The dimer interface specificity is due to a lock and key shape complementarity of hydrophobic residues and not to any charge complementarity or cross-interface hydrogen bonds as is common in other protein-protein interfaces. The co-ordinates have been deposited in the Brookhaven Data Bank (entry P1BBH).
A Quantitative Measure of Phase Correlations in Density Fields

A quantitative measure of the phase correlations in a density field is presented based on the location of the maxima of the Fourier components of that field. It is found that this measue can easily detect non-Gaussian behavior either in artificially constructed density fields or those that become non-Gaussian from gravitational clustering of Gaussian initial conditions. It is found that different initial power spectra produce somewhat distinguishable signals, and the signals are robust against sparse sampling.
Role of radiolytic oxygen in the x-ray production and thermal annealing of defects in high-purity amorphous SiO 2

Direct experimental evidence for the presence and x-ray dose dependence of radiolytically displaced oxygen in high-purity, oxygen-deficient a-${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ is presented. Anneal-interrupted x-irradiation and electron spin resonance measurements were used to investigate the x-ray dose dependence of the radiation response of two types of low-OH a-${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$, i.e., oxygen-excess and oxygen-deficient materials. The production and thermal annealing of paramagnetic defects in these two materials were compared to explore the role played by dissolved and radiolytically displaced oxygen in these processes. The multiple, reversible interconversions of ${\mathit{E}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ centers and peroxy radicals proved to be very sensitive to the presence of free oxygen in the a-${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ network. Such interconversions are very probable in the oxygen-excess material due to the presence of dissolved oxygen. It follows that such interconversions are not expected in the oxygen-deficient material, at least at low dose, in agreement with experimental data. However, our results show that such interconversions take place above a certain threshold dose in oxygen-deficient material. In fact, we observed peroxy radicals in oxygen-deficient material. Their production is attributed to the presence of radiolytically displaced oxygen in this material.
Cardiopulmonary Risk Index Does Not Predict Complications After Thoracic Surgery

Study objective The preoperative cardiopulmonary risk index (CPRI) is a multifactorial index intended to predict postoperative outcome after thoracic surgery. It combines cardiac and pulmonary information into one parameter that ranges from 1 to 10, with 10 being the worst. A CPRI ≥4 has been advocated as an effective predictor of postoperative pulmonary and cardiac complications. This study prospectively evaluates the predictive value of CPRI in a large population of patients undergoing thoracic surgery. Design We performed prospective calculation of CPRI in patients about to undergo thoracic surgery. Postthoracic surgery occurrence of pneumonia, atelectasis, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, respiratory failure requiring therapy, or death occurring within 30 days of surgery was compared with preoperative CPRI and its components. Patients and participants One hundred eighty consecutive patients, aged 15 to 87 years, were studied. Interventions Operations performed included 114 lobectomies, 35 wedge resections, 19 pneumonectomies, 5 pleurectomies, 5 lymph node dissections, 1 thoracic wall resection, and 1 paravertebral tumor resection. Measurements and results Twenty-seven percent of patients experienced complications. CPRI and its components did not predict complications, deaths, or the number of in-hospital days. We found a CPRI ≥4 to be a moderate predictor of outcome for patients undergoing pneumonectomy (n=19). It correctly identified four of nine postpneumonectomy complications. Conclusion The preoperative CPRI and its components are inadequate predictors of medical complications after thoracic surgery in a general population. In the subgroup of patients undergoing pneumonectomy, the index may be of some value in forecasting outcome.
Electronic and steric properties of stable silylene ligands in metal(0) carbonyl complexes

Abstract A series of stable silylene–transition metal complexes have been synthesized by substitution of silylenes 1 and 2 for carbonyl ligands in simple metal carbonyl complexes: M(1)2(CO)4 and M(2)2(CO)4 (M=Cr, Mo, W), Fe(1)(CO)4 and Ru(1)2(CO)3. X-ray crystal structures are reported. Infrared and NMR spectroscopy were used to probe the electronic properties of stable silylene ligands. Based on these data, the stable silylene 1 behaves electronically very much like triaryl phosphines.
Comparative studies of echinoderm aspartate aminotransferases

Abstract 1. 1. The intra- and extramitochondrial aspartate aminotransferases of two species from each of four classes of cchinodcrms (Holothuroidca, Echinoidea, Asteroidca, and Ophiuroidca) have been compared with respect to molecular weights, p H. optima, clectropboredc mobilities, heat stabilities, and some kinetic parameters. 2. 2. In most respects, the properties of the cchinodcnn enzymes were very similar to those described for the analogous vertebrate enzymes. 3. 3. In the parameters studied, almost as much variation was observed within a class as between classes of echinoderns, thus precluding any meaningful comparisons being drawn about the taxonomic reladonsbips of these organisms.
A case of functional dysphagia treated on the model of fear of fear

Abstract A case of neurotic dysphagia is described in which the client's inability to swallow was both a component of anxiety, and a stimulus evoking further anxiety on account of the negative social consequences of being unable to consume food or drink in public. The problem was analyzed according to Evans' conditioning model of such “fear of fear” phenomena, and the successful treatment strategies that evolved from this behavioral analysis are outlined.
A Compton Spectrometer Experiment in Support of the NOνA Experiment Calibration Effort

Abstract The NO ν A experiment is part of the next generation of accelerator neutrino experiments. Liquid scintillators like those used in NO ν A suffer from several effects which result in nonlinear response. NO ν A uses in-situ muons to calibrate the detector, but the response can be suppressed by up to 15% for electrons, positrons, and gammas by these effects. There is an ongoing effort at the University of Tennessee to measure the non-linear response of the NO ν A liquid scintillator. We measure both Birks coefficient and the UV re-emission properties of the scintillator (The UV re-emission measurements were a separate experiment performed by UT graduate student Philip Mason). These results will then be used in simulations to predict the response of the liquid scintillator to electromagnetic particles at incident energies up to several GeV.
Prophets, priests and kings: re-imagining ancient metaphors of diffused leadership for the twenty-first century organization

This paper re-imagines the ancient Hebrew threefold leadership typology of prophets, priests and kings for the contemporary organization or community. The essence of what is here termed the “trioptic typology” is that leadership is ideally diffused throughout an organization with different individuals or groups performing functions or roles that correspond to these metaphors. Each of these metaphors is discussed in turn, and interactions between them delineated. The typology is illustrated through two brief cases, one positive and one negative. While the typology arises from within a faith tradition, the metaphors are applicable in other contexts, particularly in those in which spiritual leadership is needed or required. All three roles, it is argued, are necessary for healthy change dynamics within organizations or communities.
Comment on "Stresses and Rate of Twist in Single-cell Thin-Walled Beams with Anisotropic Walls"

References ^usnaina, A. A., Ahmadi, G., and Chowdhury, S. J., "TwoEquation Model Consistent with Second Law," AIAA Journal, Vol. 25, Dec. 1987, pp. 1543-1544. Busnaina, A. A., Ahmadi, G., and Chowdhury, S. J., "TwoEquation Turbulence Model Consistent with Second Law," AIAA Paper 86-0027, Jan. 1986. Patel, V. C., Rodi, W., and Scheuerer, G., "Turbulence Models for Near-Wall and Low Reynolds Number Flows: A Review," AIAA Journal, Vol. 23, Sept. 1985, pp. 1308-1319.
Changes in ant community composition caused by 20 years of experimental warming vs. 13 years of natural climate shift

Predicting the effects of climate change on community composition is hampered by the lack of integration between long term data sets tracking the effects of natural climate change and the results of experimental climate manipulations. Here we compare the effects of change in climate through time to experimental warming on the composition of high elevation ant communities at the Rocky Mountain Biological Station in Gothic Colorado. We take advantage of a 20-year continuously running warming experiment which has increased soil temperature by 1.58C and advanced snowmelt by 10 days and compare the effects of this experimental warming to natural changes in climate over the past 13 years across three sites spread along a 420-m elevation gradient representing a roughly 18C difference in average annual soil temperature and average advanced snowmelt of 2 weeks. We compared ant community data collected at all four sites in 1997 to collections made at the same sites in 2010. From 1997 to 2010 there was a community wide shift in ant composition along the natural climate gradient with ant communities shifting to higher elevations. Ant communities in the experimental warming site also changed, but they shifted orthogonally to those along the gradient. Interestingly, after 20 years of experimental warming, there is little discernible effect on ant communities in experimentally warmed plots compared to control plots. This discrepancy between the climate manipulation and elevation gradient is probably an effect of the spatial scale of the experimental warming. Ants respond to experimental warming in complex ways due to the physical location of their nests and their foraging area. This is a concern for warming experiments, but one that is hard to address for species that cover even modest areas in their foraging.
Association between cannabis use and the risk of bladder cancer: Results from the california men's health study

Objective To investigate the association of cannabis use and tobacco smoking on the incidence of bladder cancer within the California Men's Health Study cohort. Methods We evaluated the records of 84,170 participants in a multiethnic cohort of men aged 45-69 years. Information on demographic and lifestyle factors including smoking history and cannabis use was collected using mailed questionnaires between 2002 and 2003. We linked the study data with clinical records including cancer data from electronic health records. Results Overall 34,000 (41%) cohort members reported cannabis use, 47,092 (57%) reported tobacco use, 22,500 (27%) reported using both, and 23,467 (29%) used neither. Men were followed over an 11-year period and 279 (0.3%) developed incident bladder tumors. Among cannabis users, 89 (0.3%) developed bladder cancer in comparison to 190 (0.4%) men who did not report cannabis use ( P Conclusion Although a cause and effect relationship has not been established, cannabis use may be inversely associated with bladder cancer risk in this population.
No effect of Trp64Arg β3-adrenoceptor polymorphism on the plasma leptin concentration in Pima Indians

Abstract In rodents, administration of leptin promotes β 3 -adrenergic stimulation of thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue. Conversely, administration of a β 3 -adrenoceptor (β 3 -AR) agonist decreases leptin mRNA expression and secretion, suggesting that leptin and sympathetic nervous system activity mediated through the β3-AR comprise a negative-feedback loop. It has recently been proposed that a defect in the β 3 -AR in humans may contribute to a resistance to the sympathetically mediated effects of leptin on thermogenesis and lipolysis, thus leading to obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. We thus hypothesized that the Trp64Arg variant in the human β3-AR would be associated with elevated plasma leptin concentrations. We studied 101 healthy nondiabetic Pima Indians: 11 Arg64 homozygotes, 35 Trp64 homozygotes, and 55 heterozygotes. The fasting plasma leptin concentration as an absolute value or after adjustment for percent body fat and sex was not associated with the β3-AR genotype. Thus, the data do not support an influence of the Trp64Arg variant on the plasma leptin concentration.
Severe Acidosis in a Patient With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, and Renal Failure

A 45-year-old man with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic renal failure was admitted to the hospital with a 3-day history of upper abdominal pain, anorexia, nausea, low-grade fever, and altered sensorium. He had had diabetes for 8 years, and hypertension and renal failure for 9 months but had not undergone dialysis. The patient was receiving therapy with glipizide, 20 mg qd, and phenformin, 100 mg qd, for his diabetes, and amlodipine, 10 mg qd, clonidine, 0.2 mg qd, metoprolol, 100 mg qd, minoxidil, 2.5 mg qd, and furosemide, 40 mg qd, for his hypertension. He stopped receiving his oral hypoglycemic agents 3 days before hospital admission because of reduced food intake but was still taking his antihypertensive medications. He procured all his medications from India.
Control of moulting in the house cricket, Acheta domesticus

Abstract Last-instar Acheta domesticus moulted 7–8 days after the beginning of feeding, following ecdysis, or following starvation. Two full days of feeding were required for commitment to moult, and the minimal food consumption was estimated at 80–110 mg. All day-0 larvae weighing 200 mg, that achieved a critical weight of 280–300 mg after 48 hr of feeding, moulted. Two kinds of experiments indicated that an approximate 50% increase in wet-weight gain was required for a commitment to moult, which occurred at the end of the second day of feeding. Neck ligatures indicated that a head factor, presumably prothoracicotropic hormone, (PTTH), was released during the third day after the beginning of feeding provided the critical weight was achieved. Neither PTTH release nor ecdysis appeared to be under photoperiodic control in Acheta.
A prospective open-label study of aripiprazole in fragile X syndrome.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common inherited form of developmental disability and most common single gene cause of autism. Persons with FXS frequently exhibit irritable behavior marked by aggression, self-injury, and severe tantrums. Despite frequent clinical use of atypical antipsychotic drugs to target this behavioral cluster, no systematic trials to date have assessed the efficacy and safety of these drugs in persons with FXS. We conducted a prospective open-label 12-week trial of aripiprazole in 12 persons aged 6–25 years (mean age, 14.3 years) with FXS who were free of concomitant psychoactive drugs. Aripiprazole use (mean dose, 9.8 mg/day) was associated with treatment response (defined by a Clinical Global Impressions-Improvement scale score of much improved or very much improved and a ≥25% improvement on the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Irritability subscale) in 10 of 12 (87%) persons. Two individuals (13%) discontinued aripiprazole prior to study completion due to adverse events. One discontinuation was due to akathisia, mild drooling, and mild tiredness and the other due to moderate tiredness and moderate drooling. No significant changes in vital signs including weight or laboratory measures occurred during treatment with aripiprazole. Aripiprazole was generally safe and well tolerated and was associated with significant improvement in irritable behavior. Given these findings, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of aripiprazole in FXS is warranted.
Nuclear-Magnetic-Resonance Determination of the Activation Volume for Self-Diffusion in Aluminum

The spin-echo technique of nuclear magnetic resonance has been used to measure the activation volume for self-diffusion in aluminum metal in the temperature range 400 - 450 degrees C. Measurements were made of the inverse linewidth or phase-memory time T$sub 2$ at hydrostatic pressure up to 3000 atmospheres in the temperature range cited above. The specimens used were -325 mesh filings from 99.99% pure aluminum rod and single crystal. The pressure environment was provided by a precipitation-hardened non-magnetic stainless steel pressure bomb and Dow Corning DC 200, 3 centistokes, silicone fluid. (author)
Still searching for effective criticism inoculation procedures: An example of the value of replication and process analyses in applied sport psychology research

Abstract This study replicated and extended some aspects of the research reported by Kirschenbaum et al. (1984) in which subjects were trained in techniques designed to prevent adverse effects of excessive criticism (Criticism Inoculation Training or CIT). Pseudo-coaches taught undergraduate men (N = 45) the basketball underhand freethrow technique. The pseudo-coaches frequently criticized subjects in 2 of 3 groups: the negative feedback group and the CIT group (negative feedback + CIT training = positive imagery, expectancy enhancement, and positive self-monitoring). The third group was a control group which received no feedback. Measures included accuracy of freethrow shooting (performance) and process measures (e.g., attitudes toward the pseudo-coaches and the technique). Negative feedback was expected to decrease performance and favorableness of attitudes. CIT was expected to enhance performance and attitudes, thereby reducing the adverse effects of excessive criticism. As in the prior study, CIT prov...
Discrimination reversal performance after hippocampal lesions: an enduring failure of reinforcement and non-reinforcement to direct behavior.

Abstract Water deprived rats were tested in a multiple reversal paradigm that enabled independent assessment of the tendency to approach reinforcement (information about water) and the tendency to avoid non-reinforcement (information about no water). Extensive pre-operative training was followed by sham operations and behavioral testing, and then by hippocampal lesions and behavioral testing. In all control conditions, animals utilized information about reinforcement and non-reinforcement to successfully perform the discrimination reversal. After hippocampal lesions, animals did not utilize information about either reinforcement or non-reinforcement and failed to perform the discrimination reversal. The results indicate a failure of both an error-avoidance and a reward-repeat system and suggest that behavioral compensation and recovery of function in a discrimination reversal paradigm is unlikely following hippocampal destruction.
Generalized Bayes estimators of a normal discriminant function

Abstract It is shown that the traditional estimator of a discriminant coefficient vector is the generalized Bayes estimator with respect to a prior which can be approximated by proper priors. As a corollary the admissibility of this procedure in the class of all scale equivariant estimators is derived.
Chronic Riluzole Treatment Increases Glucose Metabolism in Rat Prefrontal Cortex and Hippocampus

Riluzole is believed to modulate glutamatergic function by reducing glutamate release and facilitating astroglial uptake. We measured (13)C labeling in metabolites in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus during a 10 mins infusion of [1-(13)C]glucose in urethane anesthetized rats treated with riluzole (21 days, 4 mg/kg per day, i.p.) or saline. Total and (13)C concentrations of metabolites were determined in extracts using (1)H-[(13)C] NMR spectroscopy. In prefrontal cortex (P 0.2). Our findings indicate that contrary to expectation chronic riluzole enhanced glucose oxidative metabolism and glutamate/glutamine cycling.
Spin-orbit interaction in strongly deformed nuclides

Abstract Mass yields observed in asymmetric fission are used to constrain the parameterization of the spin-orbit term of the neutron single particle potential at large deformations.
A prospective study comparing the complication rates between laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repairs.

Background: Although ventral hernia repair is increasingly performed laparoscopically, complication rates with this procedure are not well characterized. For this reason, we performed a prospective study comparing early outcomes after laparoscopic and open ventral hernia repairs. Methods: We identified all the patients undergoing ventral (including incisional) hernia repair at a single tertiary care center between September 1, 1999 and July 1, 2001 (overall n = 257). To increase the homogeneity of the sample, we excluded umbilical hernia repairs, parastomal hernia repairs, nonelective procedures, procedures not involving mesh, and repairs performed concurrently with another surgical procedure. Postoperative complications (in-hospital or within 30-days) were assessed prospectively according to standardized definitions by trained nurse clinicians. Results: Of the 136 ventral hernia repairs that met the study criteria, 65 (48%) were laparoscopic repairs (including 3 conversions to open surgery) and 71 (52%) were open repairs. The patients in the laparoscopic group were more likely to have undergone a prior (failed) ventral hernia repair (40% vs 27%; p = 0.14), but other patient characteristics were similar between the two groups. Overall, fewer complications were experienced by patients undergoing laparoscopic repair (8% vs 21%; p = 0.03). The higher complication rate in the open ventral hernia repair group came from wound infections (8%) and postoperative ileus (4%), neither of which was observed in the patients who underwent laparoscopic repair. The laparoscopic group had longer operating room times (2.2 vs 1.7 h; p = 0.001), and there was a nonsignificant trend toward shorter hospital stays with laparoscopic repair (1.1 vs 1.5 days; p = 0.10). Conclusions: The patients undergoing laparoscopic repair had fewer postoperative complications than those receiving open repair. Wound infections and postoperative ileus accounted for the higher complication rates in the open ventral hernia repair group. Otherwise, these groups were very similar. Long-term studies assessing hernia recurrence rates will be required to help determine the optimal approach to ventral hernia repair.