cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diffuse ischemic colitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus--response to subtotal colectomy.

Abstract A 26-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus developed massive rectal bleeding that failed to respond to medical treatment. X-rays and proctoscopy indicated that she had universal colitis. She underwent emergency subtotal colectomy because of a rapidly declining clinical course. The small intestine appeared normal. Pathological examination demonstrated a gangrenous large intestine, ischemic ulcerations, and extensive fibrinoid vasculitis that was typical of systemic lupus. The patient has had no further gastrointestinal complaints for 2 years since surgery.
Treatment With Voriconazole in 3 Eyes With Resistant Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Purpose To report the use of topical voriconazole 1% (Vfend; Pfizer Inc, New York, New York, USA) ophthalmic solution for Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) resistant to treatment with chlorhexidine (PerioChip; Dexel Pharma Technologies, Jerusalem, Israel). Design Retrospective case series. Methods Three eyes of 2 patients with culture-proven AK were treated at a tertiary care institution, and their charts were reviewed. Topical voriconazole 1% was instituted as second-line treatment for AK unresponsive to standard treatment with chlorhexidine and hexamidine. Treatment with voriconazole 1% was started at 1-hour intervals. Improvement was assessed and defined by absence of clinical signs of active infection and visual improvement. Results One patient with unilateral AK and 1 patient with bilateral AK who remained culture-positive for Acanthamoeba despite ongoing treatment with chlorhexidine and hexamidine were treated with voriconazole 1% topical solution as an adjuvant. Both patients were contact lens wearers. Of 3 eyes additionally treated with voriconazole, 2 eyes had clinical resolution of disease. One eye demonstrated recurrent disease after penetrating keratoplasty that resolved after intrastromal injection of voriconazole. Conclusions We report the use of topical and intrastromal voriconazole in successfully treating AK in cases of chlorhexidine- and hexamidine-resistant Acanthamoeba. Voriconazole may be a promising adjuvant agent in treating AK.
A Reverse genetics system for dsRNA viruses.

Summary The advent of a new reverse genetics system for reoviruses, described in this issue of Cell Host & Microbe by Kobayashi et al., opens new horizons of investigation into the molecular mechanisms governing dsRNA virus replication and pathogenesis. The elegant approach for recombinant reovirus recovery from a set of plasmid DNAs provides a template for designing similar reverse genetics systems for other dsRNA viruses associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in humans.
Activity Engagement: Perspectives from Nursing Home Residents with Dementia

Engagement in social and leisure activities is an indicator of quality of life and well-being in nursing homes. There are few studies in which nursing home residents with dementia self-reported their experiences in activity engagement. This qualitative study describes types of current activity involvement and barriers to activities as perceived by nursing home residents with dementia. Thirty-one residents participated in short, open-ended interviews and six in in-depth interviews. Thematic content analysis showed that participants primarily depended on activities organized by their nursing homes. Few participants engaged in self-directed activities such as walking, visiting other residents and family members, and attending in church services. Many residents felt they had limited opportunities and motivation for activities. They missed past hobbies greatly but could not continue them due to lack of accommodation and limitation in physical function. Environmental factors, along with fixed activity schedule, further prevented them from engaging in activities. Residents with dementia should be invited to participate in activity planning and have necessary assistance and accommodation in order to engage in activities that matter to them. Based on the findings, a checklist for individualizing and evaluating activities for persons with dementia is detailed.
Ionosphere-thermosphere momentum coupling at solar maximum and solar minimum from DE-2 and AE-C data

DE-2 and AE-C measurements of plasma and neutral densities were used to derive time constants for momentum transfer (MT) to neutrals from ions in the high-latitude thermosphere. The MT time constants for solar cycle maximum (DE-2) and for solar cycle minimum (AE-C) were averaged and binned according to geomagnetic latitude and LT to provide a quantitative measure for the tightness of ion-neutral momentum coupling (MC) in the 250-350-km altitude range. Comparisons with results obtained using the Chiu and MSIS-83 empirical models have provided an indication of the accuracy with which thermospheric general circulation models quantitatively reproduce the MC between ions and neutrals in the high-latitude F-region.
INCREASED UNSATURATED TRANSCOBALAMIN II IN AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE; INFLUENCE OF IMMUNOSUPPRESSIVE THERAPY

Transcobalamin II (TC II) is a serumprotein responsible for transporting vitamin B 12 to the cells. Congenital deficiency of TC II leads to severe impairment of hematopoietic, gastrointestinal and immunologic functions. We have studied TC II levels in patients with acquired immunodeficiency states due to chemotherapy with prednisone, azathiorpine and/or chlorambucil. Two different assays to determine the B 12 binding capacity of unsaturated TC II were used. Two groups of patients were investigated: 1. Autoimmune diseases (AID), lupus erythematodes 35, dermatomyositis 3, autoimmune hemolytic anemia 2; 2. Renal transplant patients 39 under immunosuppressive therapy. Results: TC II was found normal or elevated 2-5 fold in untreated AID, normal in AID under therapy in remission, increased 1.5-3 fold in treated, but active AID and normal or elevated 1.5 fold in treated renal transplant patients. Thus, immunosuppressive treatment reduces high TC II serum concentrations in AID to normal but not to subnormal levels (group 1) One other report in the literature found equally (2-6 fold) elevated TC II in acute leukemia and lymphoma, which decreased after therapy. These data and normal or elevated TC II found in group 2 indicate that synthesis of TC II is not restricted by immunosuppressive drugs.
CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells are infected and activated during acute FIV infection

HIV-induced AIDS may be mediated by the activation of immunosuppressive CD4+CD25+ T regulatory cells (Treg cells). Treg cells have been shown to regulate CD4+ and CD8+ immune responses to HIV and FIV antigens in vitro. We tested the hypothesis that Treg cells become infected and activated during the acute infection with FIV leading to the suppression of CD4+ T helper cell responses. Cats were experimentally infected with FIV-NCSU1 and blood and lymph node cells were collected at weekly intervals following inoculation. Real-time RT-PCR was used to determine plasma viremia and the relative expression of FIV, FoxP3, TGF-beta, and GAPDH mRNA copies in CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25- T cell subsets. Flow cytometry was used to assess the absolute numbers of each cell type and the expression of surface TGF-beta and intracellular FoxP3 in CD4+CD25+ and CD4+CD25- T cells at each time-point. Treg suppression of IL-2 production in CD4+ T helper cells was assessed by ELISPOT assays. Our results showed that peak viremia occurred at 2 weeks post infection and correlated with maximal infectivity in CD4+CD25+ T cell populations. FIV-gag-mRNA levels were higher in CD4+CD25+ T cells than CD4+CD25- T cells throughout the acute phase of infection. Induction of FoxP3 and TGF-beta indicated activation of Treg cells during the acute stage infection, which was confirmed by Treg cell suppression of IL-2 production by CD4+ Th cells in an ELISPOT assay. Our findings support the hypothesis that early activation of Treg immunosuppressor function may limit an effective anti-FIV response, contributing to the establishment of chronic infection and the immunodeficiency caused by this virus.
A new iterative method to reduce workload in systematic review process

High cost for systematic review of biomedical literature has generated interest in decreasing overall workload. This can be done by applying natural language processing techniques to 'automate' the classification of publications that are potentially relevant for a given question. Existing solutions need training using a specific supervised machine-learning algorithm and feature-extraction system separately for each systematic review. We propose a system that only uses the input and feedback of human reviewers during the course of review. As the reviewers classify articles, the query is modified using a simple relevance feedback algorithm, and the semantically closest document to the query is presented. An evaluation of our approach was performed using a set of 15 published drug systematic reviews. The number of articles that needed to be reviewed was substantially reduced (ranging from 6% to 30% for a 95% recall).
Socially Responsible Investing: Is Your Fiduciary Duty at Risk?

Socially responsible investing identifies the fiduciary duty and liability for financial advisors serving individual and institutional clients when consulting in the SRI space. This article first discusses the role of a fiduciary emerging from both a legal and an ethical basis. Further, the special aspects of maintaining fiduciary duty and minimizing fiduciary liability are described as they relate to SRI. A number of recommendations are discussed: legal, ethical, and practice. This study argues that prudence focuses more on the process of decisions rather than their outcomes, as measured exclusively by rate of return.
The emerging concept of communication as dialogue

(1971). The emerging concept of communication as dialogue. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 57, No. 4, pp. 373-382.
The Role of Giant and Ultragiant Nuclei in the Formation of Early Radar Echoes in Warm Cumulus Clouds

Abstract Observations of the formation of the first radar echoes in small cumulus clouds are compared with results of a stochastic coalescence model run in the framework of a closed parcel. The observations were made with an instrumented aircraft and a high-powered dual-wavelength radar during the Small Cumulus Microphysics Study (SCMS) in Florida. The principal conclusion is that coalescence growth on giant and ultragiant nuclei may be sufficient to explain observations. The concentration of cloud droplets varied from under 300 cm−3 when surface winds were from the ocean, to over 1000 cm−3 when the wind direction was from the mainland. Although there is a slight tendency for the altitude of the first 0-dBZ echo to be lower on average in maritime than in continental clouds there were several cases where it was higher. The model results suggest that the lack of correlation is consistent with drops forming on giant and ultragiant nuclei. The first 0-dBZ echo was observed to form at higher altitudes in cloud...
Electrical Aspects of Adsorbing Colloid Flotation. Y. Nonideal Flocs and Salts

Abstract Three methods are developed for the calculation of adsorption isotherms in precipitate and adsorbing colloid flotation. The Gouy-Chapman model is used in all three, with corrections for the effective volumes of the ions in the ionic atmosphere and of the floc particles. The theories all predict a weak dependence of adsorption isotherm on temperature and a stronger dependence on ionic strength; increasing either variable decreases the surface adsorption. The effects of film surface potential, floc zeta potential, ion and floc effective volumes, and floc-floc screening are examined.
Correlated wave function theory of metal surfaces

Abstract Electronic density profiles and surface energies are calculated for metal surfaces over a wide range of densities in the jellium approximation. The theory makes use of correlated wave functions, which consist of determinants of model single particle orbitals (taken to be solutions for a variational surface potential) modified by a pair correlation factor. Integral equations relating the wave function and the distribution functions previously derived by one of the authors and his coworkers are employed. Divergences which appear in the integral equations and the energy expression are shown to cancel exactly. Surface energies obtained are close to those extrapolated from experimental data on liquid metals, higher than those of Lang and Kohn using the density functional formalism, and comparable to those of the same authors after including discrete lattice corrections. We discuss here the implications of these results, surface excitation spectra, renormalization of adatom wave functions, and effective interactions between adatoms.
Plasma membrane injury induced by nonyl gallate in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Aims: The aim was to investigate the antifungal actions of nonyl gallate against Saccharomyces cerevisiae ATCC 7754. Methods and Results: The maximum potency of both the growth inhibitory and the fungicidal effect against the yeast strain was found in nonyl gallate among n-alkyl gallates tested. Nonyl gallate induced ROS generation dose-dependently in growing cells. This ester rapidly killed yeast cells even when cell division was restricted by cycloheximide. This ester inhibited glucose-induced medium acidification and promoted the efflux of intracellular potassium ions in a nongrowing condition. Moreover, nonyl gallate induced a leakage of calcein from artificially prepared liposomes to a greater extent than dodecyl gallate did. Conclusions: These results suggested nonyl gallate injured plasma membrane of S. cerevisiae, resulting in its exhibition of fungicidal effect accompanying with a leakage of intracellular materials from the cells. Significance and Impact of the Study: Our study reveals new knowledge on the antifungal actions of nonyl gallate against S. cerevisiae. When nonyl gallate is applied as a food preservative, the level of its addition to foods may be reduced because of its potent antifungal activity compared with weak acids including sorbic acid and benzoic acid.
AN IMPROVED FINITE DIFFERENCE ANALYSIS OF UNCOUPLED VIBRATIONS OF CANTILEVERED BEAMS

Abstract Natural frequencies and mode shapes of uniform cantilever beams are obtained with use of the first and second order central difference schemes. It is observed that the improved finite difference scheme with second order central differences produces the natural frequencies and characteristic functions with a rapid convergence as compared to the conventional approach of using the first order central differences. Further, the present approach facilitates a direct determination of the dynamic characteristics of beams without any necessity of extrapolations of the results or application of iterative procedures for improving the accuracy. Satisfaction of the boundary conditions and elimination of the fictitious stations lying outside the beam domain has been a serious problem in the previous investigations in which higher order central differences have been used. In the present study some recursive relations have been implemented which can be derived by using the first order central differences and application of these simple and elegant relations to higher order difference schemes has been demonstrated to improve the accuracy over conventional approaches.
Urine free light chains as a novel biomarker of acute kidney allograft injury

Background We evaluated urine free light chains (FLC) as a potential biomarker for acute kidney allograft injury (AKAI). Methods Urine κ and λ FLC were compared with urine β-2 microglobulin (β2-M), retinol-binding protein (RBP), kidney injury molecule 1 (KIM-1), neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL), and microalbuminuria (MAB) in biopsy-confirmed acute rejection (AR) and acute tubular necrosis (ATN). Healthy volunteers (normal) and transplant recipients with normal allograft function (control) were used as references. Results Compared with control or normal group (N = 15), urine FLC, MAB, and RBP were higher in ATN (N = 29) and AR (N = 41) groups (p < 0.05). There was no difference in KIM-1, NGAL, or β2-M between four groups. In the AR group, urine κFLC demonstrated the highest predictive value with sensitivity of 95.12% and specificity of 87.5% (p < 0.0001). Urine κFLC also performed best with a sensitivity of 96.55% and specificity of 93.33% (p < 0.0001) in the ATN group. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC) by ROC analysis is greatest in urine RBP (100%) and FLC (99%), and lowest in KIM-1 (53.5%), then NGAL (71.5%) in the AR group. The AUC is also greatest in urine FLC (100%) and RBP (99%), and lowest in urine KIM-1 (55.6%) and NGAL (69.9%) in the ATN group. Conclusions Urine FLC appears sensitive for both AR and ATN, and it may be a novel AKAI biomarker.
Short-term prediction of international behavior using a Holland classifier

This paper describes the use of a machine learning system called a Holland classifier to make short-term predictions of international events. The Holland classifier generates and applies if-then type rules based on observed data sampled by it. The system is empirically tested using the COPDAB daily events data for the U.S.-European interactions for the period 1948-1978. The model is used to predict discrete sets of events for 20 days following a randomly chosen date on the basis of the previous 40 days of events. Generally, a fully self-organizing Holland classifier is able to achieve about the same accuracy as a mathematically optimized estimator.
Understanding organization change: the case of a troubled organization

Over the past few years many workers have lived through buyouts, mergers, acquisitions, upsizings, and downsizings as well as many other changes in the workplace. However, witnessing and feeling the effects of such changes does not guarantee that employees will automatically comprehend the changes. Understanding changes in the workplace requires that employees grasp basic concepts related to the nature of change in human systems. Therefore, this paper presents a short case study of one company struggling through some troubling changes. The reader is asked to look at the changes in terms of ten concepts related to planned change. It is recommended that the case and related questions be discussed in small groups. This will enable various perspectives on the case to be discussed and appreciated. The groups should include a mix of employees, supervisors, and managers.
Controlling groups of mobile beamformers

In this paper, we address the problem of controlling networks of wireless mobile nodes to propagate information over large distances, while minimizing power consumption and maintaining desired Quality of Service (QoS) guarantees. For this, we rely on collaborative beamforming, where groups of nodes collaborate to adjust the initial phase of their transmitted signals to form a beam that focuses on the direction of a desired destination. This allows for transmission over large distances, minimizes multiuser interference and also provides significant power savings, which increases network longevity. Beamforming has been thoroughly studied in the networking literature in the context of stationary antennas. The contribution of this work is a novel framework that jointly optimizes the beamforming weights and node positions in networks of mobile beamformers. In particular, a hybrid control scheme is proposed, in which optimal beamforming is integrated with potential-field-based motion control, designed to optimize power consumption in the space of node positions, while ensuring QoS. The integrated system is shown to exhibit superior performance in terms of power savings compared to approaches that do not consider node mobility. This makes our approach very promising for further research and applications in mobile wireless networks.
Analysis of Long-Term 4-Dimensional Computed Tomography Regional Ventilation After Radiation Therapy

Purpose To determine whether regional ventilation, as measured using 4-dimensional computed tomography (4D-CT), declines after radiation therapy (RT). Methods and Materials We analyzed pretreatment 4D-CT scans associated with 2 RT courses. We quantified regional pulmonary function over equivalent dose in 2 Gy (EQD2 α/β=3 ) intervals of 0 to 5 Gy, 5 to 20 Gy, 20 to 40 Gy, and >40 Gy using percentile-normalized intensity-based (Vent Int ) and Jacobian-based (Vent Jac ) ventilation metrics. We modeled the impact of dose on mean ventilation ( V e n t ¯ ) and regional tidal volume (rTV: tidal volume [TV] within a dose interval normalized to total lung TV). We also identified clinical and dosimetric factors that affected regional ventilation changes ( Δ V e n t ¯ and ΔrTV) after RT for the >20 Gy dose interval. Results After RT, V e n t ¯ I n t exhibited statistically significant dose-dependent declines within the 20 to 40 Gy (−5.0%; P =.03) and >40 Gy (−6.8%; P V e n t ¯ J a c exhibited a declining trend after RT only for the >40 Gy interval (−4.6%; P =.07). Factors associated with Δ V e n t ¯ I n t for the >20 Gy dose interval included airway stenosis progression ( P =.03) and gross tumor volume ( P =.09). Both rTV Int and rTV Jac were associated with small ( 40 Gy intervals. Factors associated with declining rTV Int ( P 20 Gy dose interval included airway stenosis progression, greater V20 (volume of lung receiving >20 Gy), and smaller fraction of emphysema in V20. The association between the absence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and declining rTV trended toward significance ( P =.09). Conclusions Regional ventilation, as measured using 4D-CT, demonstrates a dose-dependent decline after RT. Our results support the use of 4D-CT ventilation imaging for monitoring regional pulmonary function change after RT.
Teaching Language as Oral Communication: Everyday Life Performance in Foreign Language Instruction.

The present essay reports an investigation in oral communication across the curriculum. In this case, the researcher recommends performance‐based communication instruction within foreign language classes. This study demonstrates how a procedure rooted in oral communication called Everyday Life Performance might serve as a useful tool for other fields of instruction such as foreign language teaching. Everyday Life Performance, or ELP, is a method for performing naturally occurring conversation in which on‐stage actors recreate scenes from everyday life. The results of this project reveal that by rehearsing Everyday Life Performance in a foreign language students are shown to reduce errors in the categories of pronunciation, grammar, and fluency. The results also suggest that Everyday Life Performance helps rapidly train the eyes, ears, and tongues of beginning Spanish language students, bringing them closer to the level of more advanced students. Finally, the paper discusses implications of Everyday Life P...
Ovarian vascular endothelial growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor patterns in reproductive aging

Objective To investigate how levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and VEGF receptor (VEGFR) change during corpus luteum formation in reproductive aging. Design Adult and reproductive aging female rats were given pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and the ovaries and sera were collected at 0, 3, 5, and 7 days after human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) injection. Setting Laboratory study. Patient(s) Animal model. Intervention(s) Induction of corpus luteum formation with PMSG-hCG. Main Outcome Measure(s) Western blot analysis for ovarian VEGF, VEGFR-1, VEGFR-2, and hypoxia-induced factor 1 (HIF1-alpha). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) measurement of serum VEGF levels. Result(s) For VEGF and VEGFR-1, there was no difference between the adult and the reproductive aging ovaries. For total VEGFR-2 levels, the adult ovaries had a decline during corpus luteum formation. In contrast, the levels of the two forms of phosphorylated VEGFR-2 declined in aging ovaries. There was a decline in HIF1-alpha during corpora lutea formation in the reproductive aging rats. Conclusion(s) The reproductive aging corpora lutea have a temporal decline in phosphorylated VEGFR-2 levels but not in the total VEGFR-2 levels. The data suggest that the VEGFR response mechanism is different in the aging ovary.
A finite element analysis of fretting fatigue crack growth behavior in Ti–6Al–4V

Abstract There is a need for methodology(ies) to analyze the crack growth behavior under fretting fatigue condition since its experimental determination is a challenging task. A finite element sub-modeling method was used to estimate the crack propagation life in titanium alloy, Ti–6Al–4V specimens. Two contact geometries, cylinder-on-flat and flat-on-flat, were analyzed. The computed crack propagation lives were combined with the results of an experimental study where total fatigue lives were measured. The combined numerical–experimental approach provided the crack initiation lives. The crack propagation life increased with increasing applied cyclic bulk stress in similar manner for both contact geometries. Almost 90% of the fretting fatigue life was spent during the crack nucleation and initiation phases in the high cycle fatigue regime. A parametric study was also conducted to investigate the effects of contact load, coefficient of friction and tangential force on the crack growth behavior. The crack propagation life decreased with increase of these three parameters. This decrease was similar for the contact load and the tangential force in both contact geometries, however, the decrease in the case of coefficient of friction was relatively more in the cylindrical pad than in the flat pad.
Adrenergic Innervation of the Canine Kidney

The adrenergic innervation of the canine kidney was studied with the fluorescence histochemical method of Falck and Hillarp in conjunction with chemical assays for catecholamines in specific portions of the kidney. Adrenergic nerve fibers were seen traveling along the interlobar, arcuate, and interlobular arteries and along the afferent arterioles. The vasa recta of the outer medulla also received adrenergic innervation. Adrenergic nerve fibers were never seen in association with the glomerulus, the efferent arteriole, or the tubules. The distribution of the nerve fibers agreed with the distribution of norepinephrine. After administration of reserpine or denervation of the kidney, no adrenergic nerve fibers were seen, and the norepinephrine level in all portions of the kidney fell to negligible levels. Accumulation of norepinephrine in the nerve fibers was observed after kidney slices had been exposed to solutions of norepinephrine. On the basis of these experiments, it was concluded that the fibers visua...
Processing time, imagery, and spatial memory

Measures of cognitive processing time, imagery skill, and spatial memory span were administered to 128 8- to 20-year-olds. Age correlated positively with spatial memory span and accuracy on the imagery tasks but negatively with times on the cognitive processing and imagery tasks. Results of path analyses and structural-equation modeling were consistent with a causal model in which age-related change in speed of processing is associated with more effective imagery. In turn, imagery is associated with spatial memory span. Age was also associated with imagery and spatial span, indicating that other age-related variables need to be incorporated into the causal model.
Using Simulation to Evaluate Global Software Development Task Allocation Strategies

We describe a hybrid computer simulation model of the software development process that is specifically architected to study alternative ways to configure global software development (GSD) projects, including phase-based, module-based, and follow-the-sun allocation strategies. The model is a hybrid system dynamics and discrete-event model. In this paper, test cases have been developed for each allocation strategy, and project duration is computed for each configuration under a range of plausible assumptions for key parameters. The primary finding is that although under ideal assumptions follow-the-sun is able to produce impressive reductions in time-to-market, under more realistic assumptions the reverse is true, thus corroborating findings by other researchers. We also conducted a factorial design to examine the impact of GSD factors including distance, culture, language, trust, and time zone on project duration under different task allocation strategies. The analysis reveals that different factors affected the performance of the selected allocation strategies in unique ways. These findings show how the unique ability of our GSD model to represent detailed development processes and work artifact transfer allows researchers to address challenging questions that are critical to GSD project success. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Dielectric constant adjustments in computations of the scattering properties of solid ice crystals using the Generalized Multi-particle Mie method

Abstract Ice crystal scattering properties at microwave radar wavelengths can be modeled with the Generalized Multi-particle Mie (GMM) method by decomposing an ice crystal into a cluster of tiny spheres composed of solid ice. In this decomposition the mass distribution of the tiny spheres in the cluster is no longer equivalent to that in the original ice crystal because of gaps between the tiny spheres. To compensate for the gaps in the cluster representation of an ice crystal in the GMM computation of crystal scattering properties, the Maxwell Garnett approximation is used to estimate what the dielectric function of the tiny spheres (i.e., the inclusions) in the cluster must be to make the cluster of tiny spheres with associated air gaps (i.e., the background matrix) dielectrically equivalent to the original solid ice crystal. Overall, compared with the T-matrix method for spheroids outside resonance regions this approach agrees to within mostly 0.3 dB (and often better) in the horizontal backscattering cross section σhh and the ratio of horizontal and vertical backscattering cross sections σhh/σvv, and 6% for the amplitude scattering matrix elements Re{S22−S11} and Im{S22} in the forward direction. For crystal sizes and wavelengths near resonances, where the scattering parameters are highly sensitive to the crystal shape, the differences are generally within 1.2 dB for σhh and σhh/σvv, 20% for Re{S22−S11} and 6% for Im{S22}. The Discrete Dipole Approximation (DDA) results for the same spheroids are generally closer than those of GMM to the T-matrix results. For hexagonal plates the differences between GMM and the DDA at a W-band wavelength (3.19 mm) are mostly within 0.6 dB for σhh, 1 dB for σhh/σvv, 11% for Re{S22−S11} and 12% for Im{S22}. For columns the differences are within 0.3 dB for σhh and σhh/σvv, 8% for Re{S22−S11} and 4% for Im{S22}. This method shows higher accuracy than an alternative method that artificially increases the thickness of ice plates to provide the same mass as the original ice crystal.
Effects of sodium dichromate exposure on the immune responses of juvenile coho salmon, Oncorhynchus kisutch, against Vibrio anguillarum.

Sublethal exposure of juvenile coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) to Cr (as sodium dichromate) in freshwater decreased their disease resistance and serum agglutinin production againstVibrio anguillarum. Duplicate disease resistance experiments, in which groups of salmon were exposed to 0.0 or 0.5 mg Cr/L for two weeks and then injected in subgroups with one of four tenfold dilutions of liveV. anguillarum (ca. 3–4 × 102–5 bacteria/.1 ml dose), showed that disease mortality increased with dose and was significantly greater in Cr-exposed fish. Serum agglutinin production, measured in fish which were injected withV. anguillarum bacterin and then exposed to 0.0 or 0.5 mg Cr/L for two weeks, was significantly inhibited in Cr-exposed salmon by six weeks after immunization. It is suggested that measurement of disease resistance and agglutinin production may be sensitive and ecologically realistic indicators of sublethal toxicity in aquatic animals.
Models and Marginals: Using Survey Evidence to Study Social Networks

Fischer (2009) argues that our estimates of confidant network size in the 2004 General Social Survey (GSS), and therefore the trend in confidant network size from 1985 to 2004, are implausible because they are (1) inconsistent with other data and (2) contain internal anomalies that call the data into question. In this note, we assess the evidence for a decrease in confidant network size from 1985 to 2004 in the GSS data. We conclude that any plausible modeling of the data shows a decided trend downward in confidant network size from 1985 to 2004. The features that Fischer calls anomalies are exactly the characteristics described by our models (Table 5) in the original article.
Nutrient intake and body weight in a large HIV cohort that includes women and minorities

Abstract Objective Evaluate the baseline nutrient intake of an HIV positive population that includes significant representation from women and minorities, and determine the relationship between state of disease and nutritional intake. Design Baseline data from a prospective study (Nutrition for Healthy Living). Subjects Individuals with HIV in the Boston and Rhode Island area (n=516); 25% were women and 30% were minorities. Methods Nutrient intakes from 3-day food records, which included vitamin/mineral supplements, were estimated by gender and nonwhite vs white categories, after grouping by CD4 lymphocyte counts. Statistical Analyses Spearman correlation coefficients, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, χ 2 test, and restricted cubic spline model were used for data analyses as indicated. Results Macronutrient but not micronutrient intake was statistically and inversely associated with decreasing CD4 cell counts. The median intake of micronutrients was higher in the study sample compared with the same age and gender group in NHANES III data; however, 25% to 35% of the women in our study sample had dietary intakes of less than 75% of the DRIs for vitamins A, C, E and B-6, and iron and zinc. White men had statistically higher values of all micronutrients compared with nonwhite men. Body mass index for men and women ranged from 23 to 25. Conclusions/Applications Median values for micronutrient intake from food plus vitamin/mineral supplements were adequate in the overall population studied, but a large percent of women and minorities had inadequate nutrient intakes and would benefit from dietary assessment and counseling. J Am Diet Assoc. 2002;102:203-211.
The changing supply of renal physicians

In 1993, there were 4,355 active, postresident physicians in the United States who, according to the American Medical Association (AMA) Physician Masterfile, had their primary specialty in either adult nephrology or pediatric nephrology. These renal physicians constituted 0.8% of the active postresident physician population, and there were 1.67 renal physicians for every 100,000 people in the United States. The population of renal physicians has grown at a significantly greater rate than the physician population as a whole. The number of renal physicians increased more than 10-fold between 1970 and 1993, and it increased by 19% between 1990 and 1993. In recent years, the growth of the renal physician population has been bolstered by the large number of new international medical graduates (IMGs) entering the United States, who have entered nephrology at a much higher rate than entering US medical graduates (USMGs). The future growth of the renal physician population will be determined by a wide variety of factors, including future trends in specialty selection and whether policies are implemented to reshape the physician workforce. The projection analysis of the future supply of adult nephrologists considers three different scenarios. First, if the production of new nephrologists remains at status quo, the supply of adult nephrologists will increase 101% between 1993 and 2010. However, it is possible that the number of entrants into the adult nephrologist population will increase because of the large influx of IMGs in US residency programs in recent years. If new IMGs continue to enter adult nephrology at their current rates and if this heightened level of entry is sustained, the supply of adult nephrologists will increase 134% between 1993 and 2010. Finally, if proposals are implemented to reduce the number of first-year residency positions to 110% of the number of new graduates of US medical schools and to raise the proportion of new physicians entering primary care to 50%, the supply of adult nephrologists will increase 62% between 1993 and 2010. The demand for nephrologists' services is likely to grow in the near future. The prevalence rate of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) more than doubled between 1984 and 1993, and a continuation of this trend will expand the need for more nephrologists. The long-term growth of the ESRD population will also be sustained, to some extent, by the aging of the US population, because the prevalence of ESRD is relatively high in the older age categories. However, long-term increases in the demand for nephrologists may be restricted by the growth of managed care, the use of nonphysician providers, and the implementation of other cost-cutting measures that impact the delivery of services to the ESRD population.
In vitro and in vivo evidence for shear-induced activation of latent transforming growth factor-β1

Transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) has potent physiologic and pathologic effects on a variety of cell types at subnanomolar concentrations. Platelets contain 40 times as much TGF-β1 as other cells and secrete it as an inactive (latent) form in complex with latency-associated peptide (LAP), which is disulfide bonded via Cys33 to latent TGF-β binding protein 1 (LTBP-1). Little is known about how latent TGF-β1 becomes activated in vivo. Here we show that TGF-β1 released from platelets or fibroblasts undergoes dramatic activation when subjected to stirring or shear forces, providing a potential mechanism for physiologic control. Thiol-disulfide exchange appears to contribute to the process based on the effects of thiol-reactive reagents and differences in thiol labeling of TGF-β1 before and after stirring or shear. Activation required the presence of LTBP, as TGF-β1 contained in complex with only LAP could not be activated by stirring when studied as either a recombinant purified protein complex or in the platelet releasates or sera of mice engineered to contain an LAP C33S mutation. Release and activation of latent TGF-β1 in vivo was demonstrated in a mouse model 5 minutes after thrombus formation. These data potentially provide a novel mechanism for in vivo activation of TGF-β1.
DISTRIBUTION OF ANTIBODY PLAQUE FORMING CELLS IN VARIOUS TISSUES OF SEVERAL STRAINS OF MICE INJECTED WITH SHEEP ERYTHROCYTES.

SummaryLymphoid cell suspensions from several strains of mice injected with a single inoculum of sheep erythrocytes were capable of forming localized zones of hemolysis (“antibody plaques”) in agar containing sheep erythrocytes and complement. The ability of lymphoid and non-lymphoid tissue from immunized NIH, C3H, C57, and AKR mice to form antibody plaques in agar were compared. Optimum time for plaque formation with the strains tested was 4 to 5 days following intravenous immunization. Cells from NIH mice resulted in the most consistent and highest levels of plaque formation. C3H and C57 mice yielded lymphoid cells which were less than half as efficient in plaque forming ability as compared to NIH cells. Lymphoid cell from AKR mice had the least plaque forming capability. Spleen cell suspensions formed the largest number of plaques following I.V. injection. Lymph node cell suspensions were somewhat less efficient. Suspensions of peripheral leukocytes (obtained from “buffy coats”) had low, but significan...
Response of marine bacterial community composition to iron additions in three iron‐limited regimes

In high-nutrient low-chlorophyll (HNLC) regimes, iron additions consistently result in primary productivity increases, and the phytoplankton community shifts from small species toward large diatoms. Heterotrophic bacterial production and abundance also increase in HNLC Fe addition experiments, but whether changes in bacterioplankton community composition also occur when Fe is added is unknown. We used trace metal clean shipboard incubation experiments, and molecular biological methods to examine this question in three Fe-limited environments: the subarctic Pacific, the subantarctic Southern Ocean, and the California coastal upwelling region. After Fe additions and subsequent phytoplankton community shifts, changes in bacterial community composition were examined using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis and terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism of polymerase chain reaction-amplified bacterial 16S rRNA genes. Responsive bacterial phylotypes in either + Fe or control treatments were classified using phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences. In general, iron-mediated changes in bacterial communities in all three environments were surprisingly minor compared to the changes in phytoplankton community composition. Responsive phylotypes were mostly γ-proteobacteria in the subarctic and California HNLC areas, but no changes were noted in the subantarctic experiments. Although bacterial growth and biomass are closely linked to phytoplankton-derived carbon supplies, our results suggest that on the time scale of our experiments (4-5 d), species composition of algal and bacterial communities can be decoupled in Fe-limited waters.
The Use of Inquiry in the Development of Preservice Teacher Efficacy in Mathematics and Science

Preservice teachers enrolled in a two-part course entitled Investigations in Mathematics and Science (IMS) were provided inquiry-based mathematics and science instruction in order to develop both content and process skills. This investigation sought to determine the pedagogical nature of the course and the impact it had on its participants. Students and faculty were surveyed concerning inquiry-based instruction and self-efficacy beliefs. It was determined that the pedagogical focus of the course was indeed inquiry-based. In addition, preservice teacher efficacy improved significantly. Implications for teacher preparation programs are discussed.
Physician parents and utilization of a pediatric emergency department.

Objective: Health care costs might be reduced if patients could be taught to avoid using an emergency department (ED) for nonurgent illness. This study sought to determine whether children with a physician parent, a group whose parents possess special expertise in judging the severity of acute illness, utilize a pediatric ED differently from children with non-physician parents. Design: Retrospective cohort study. Setting: A children's hospital ED. Participants: The study population consisted of all children who visited the ED over an 11-month period who had a physician parent. These children were compared to 1000 controls randomly selected from children who visited the ED over the same time period. Two other groups were selected for comparison to controls: children with a nurse parent and children with an attorney parent. Main outcome measures: Urgent versus nonurgent final diagnosis. Results: There were no clinically important or statistically significant differences with regard to age, sex, time of presentation, disposition from the ED, or nursing acuity level when the 72 children with a physician parent, the 136 children with a nurse parent, or the 135 children with an attorney parent were compared to the control children. Compared to the control group, children of physician parents were less likely to have a nonurgent final diagnosis: 33 versus 53%; relative risk (RR) 0.62 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.44-0.87). Children with a nurse parent and children with an attorney parent were no more likely to present with a nonurgent diagnosis compared to control children: 49 versus 53%, RR 0.92 (95 % CI 0.76-1.10) for children with a nurse parent and 45 versus 53%, RR 0.85 (95% CI 0.70-1.03) for children with an attorney parent. Conclusions: Children with a physician parent were less likely to use a pediatric ED for nonurgent problems compared to other children. However, children with a nurse parent, a group whose parents have more medical education than we can expect the general public to ever attain, had a pattern of pediatric ED utilization that was similar to the control children. These data suggest that improved parental education alone may not decrease ED use for conditions that could be managed in a less costly setting.
Thin-film photosensor design for liquid crystal spatial light modulators

Liquid crystal (LC) spatial light modulators (SLMs) are addressed optically with semiconductor thin-film photosensors incorporated into the devices. Nematic LCs, which are insensitive to the polarity of the applied voltage, are addressed by optically modifying the effective resistance of the photosensors to be much smaller than or much larger than a threshold value. Much faster ferroelectric LCs, which are polarity sensitive, are addressed by supplying sufficient photogenerated charge. Because the spatial resolution of the devices decreases rapidly with increasing mobility of carriers at the photosensor/LC interface, very low mobilities, less than 1 cm2 V-1 s-1, are required. Photodiodes of hydrogenated amorphous silicon in p-i-n, Schottky, and metal insulator semiconductor configurations form practical photosensors for optically addressed SLMs. Thin-film photoconductors, having nonblocking contacts, cannot be used in many cases because of their large dark currents.
Characterization of estrogen response element binding proteins as biomarkers of breast cancer behavior.

Abstract Background While investigating estrogen response element (ERE) binding properties of human estrogen receptor-α (hERα) in breast cancer cytosols, other ERE-binding proteins (ERE-BP) were observed. Design and methods Recognition properties of ERE-BP were evaluated by electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) with ERE sequences of the 5′-flanking region of the estrogen responsive gene vitellogenin A2 (VitA2). Cytosols were incubated 16 h, 4 °C with [32P]ERE sequences and separated by EMSA. A method of estimating ERE-BP levels was developed by measuring band intensity from EMSA profiles, expressed in digital light units (DLU)/μg protein and normalized to total DLU. ERE-BP were purified by affinity chromatography and EMSA, and then identified by mass spectrometry. Results ERE-BP in cytosols did not supershift in the presence of anti-hERα or anti-hERβ antibodies recognizing different ER epitopes suggesting that they are not fragments of either receptor isoform. ERE-BP competed with hERα for binding to VitA2–ERE. Increased levels of ERE-BP DNA-binding activities measured in 310 cytosols prepared from breast cancer biopsies correlated with decreased patient survival. Strikingly, breast cancer patients with ER negative status and high ERE-BP expression exhibited the poorest disease-free and overall survival. After purification, ERE-BP were identified as Ku70 (XRCC6) and Ku80 (XRCC5) using mass spectrometry. ERE-BP were confirmed to be Ku70/80 by supershift assay. Conclusion Presence of these novel ERE-binding proteins in a breast carcinoma is a strong predictor of poor prognosis. Our results suggest that ERE-BP, identified as Ku70/Ku80, in cytosols prepared from breast carcinoma biopsies are useful biomarkers for assessing risk of breast cancer recurrence.