cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Surgical Complications of Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery has many potential benefits to include significant weight loss and resolution of comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia. Weight loss surgery can help patients live a longer, healthier life. While weight loss surgery is generally safe, complications may occur, and primary care providers need to be aware of these complications. Providers taking care of bariatric patients should know when to refer a patient back to their surgeon for a complication, to include the need for a possible surgical revision. Complications are divided into early and late complications, and are at times specific to the procedure itself, whether an adjustable gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, or a duodenal switch. Intra-abdominal complications include an anastomotic leak, obstruction, hernia, or marginal ulcer. Other complications discussed are psychiatric concerns such as depression, and significant malnutrition that can arise if appropriate postoperative care is not provided. All weight loss surgery patients need lifelong follow-up to look for these complications and to prevent weight regain. Early diagnosis and management of complications is important for a patients’ care, and this chapter serves as a guide for any primary care provider taking care of this patient population.
Cytomegalovirus-Specific Immunity Recovers More Slowly after Cord Blood Transplantation Compared with Matched Sibling Donor Allogeneic Transplantation.

ABSTRACT Rapid quantitative recovery of natural killer (NK) cells, but slower recovery of T cell subsets along with frequent viral infections are reported after umbilical cord blood (UCB) hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) compared with matched sibling donor (MSD) HCT. However, whether the increased propensity for viral infections is also a result of slower recovery of virus-specific immunity after UCB HCT compared with MSD HCT remains unclear. In this study, we examined the differences in the function of virus-specific peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) after UCB HCT (n = 17) compared with MSD HCT (n = 9) using previously collected patient blood samples at various time points post-transplantation. An IFN-γ enzyme-linked immune absorbent spot (ELISpot) assay was used to quantify the PBMC frequencies that secrete IFN-γ in response to 11 immunopeptides from 5 common viruses. We included patients who received the same reduced-intensity conditioning regimen without antithymocyte globulin, received no systemic glucocorticoids, and had no relapse or acute/chronic graft-versus-host disease within 1 year after HCT. The cytomegalovirus (CMV)-reactive PBMC frequencies were higher in CMV seropositive patients compared with CMV seronegative patients after HCT. Among CMV seropositive patients, the frequency of CMV-reactive PBMC was lower after UCB HCT compared with MSD HCT throughout 1 year post-transplantation. We observed no differences in virus-specific PBMC responses toward human herpesvirus 6, Epstein-Barr virus, BK virus, and adenovirus antigens between UCB HCT recipients and MSD HCT recipients. Our data demonstrate that the reconstitution of CMV-specific immunity is slower in CMV seropositive UCB HCT recipients compared with MSD HCT recipients, in contrast to other viruses, which had similar recoveries in the 2 groups. These study findings support the implementation of more potent prophylactic strategies for preventing CMV reactivation in CMV seropositive patients undergoing UCB HCT.
Rivets and Bolts: Fatigue Test of Joints of High-Strength Steel

A program of fatigue testing, in direct tension, of joints made from structural steels having various properties is presented herein. Rivets and high-strength (A325) bolts were used as fasteners, b...
Development of photo-lenalidomide for cellular target identification

The thalidomide analog lenalidomide is a clinical therapeutic that alters the substrate engagement of cereblon (CRBN), a substrate receptor for the CRL4 E3 ubiquitin ligase. Here, we report the development of photo-lenalidomide, a lenalidomide probe with a photo-affinity label and enrichment handle, for target identification by chemical proteomics. After evaluating a series of lenalidomide analogs, we identified a specific amide linkage to lenalidomide that allowed for installation of the desired functionality, while preserving the substrate degradation profile, phenotypic anti-proliferative and immunomodulatory properties of lenalidomide. Photo-lenalidomide maintains these properties by enhancing binding interactions with the thalidomide-binding domain of CRBN, as revealed by binding site mapping and molecular modeling. Using photo-lenalidomide, we captured the known targets IKZF1 and CRBN from multiple myeloma MM.1S cells, and further identified a new target, eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 subunit i (eIF3i), from HEK293T cells. eIF3i is directly labeled by photolenalidomide and forms a complex with CRBN in the presence of lenalidomide, but is itself not ubiquitylated or degraded. These data point to the potentially broader array of substrates induced by ligands to CRBN that may or may not be degraded, which can be revealed by the highly translatable application of photo-lenalidomide and chemical proteomics in additional biological settings. O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=85 SRC="FIGDIR/small/452075v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (19K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1619364org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@113a07corg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@18d36acorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@8e64_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG
Prevalence and predictors of bacteremia in dairy calves with diarrhea.

ABSTRACT Gastrointestinal disease is the most common cause of mortality in dairy calves. Septicemia is an important sequela of diarrhea, and the possibility of bacteremia is the primary justification for empirical antimicrobial therapy. Prior reports estimate that approximately one-third of diarrheic calves are bacteremic; however, those estimates may not be representative of routine cases in heifer calves on commercial dairy operations early in the course of disease. We hypothesized that the prevalence of bacteremia in calves with diarrhea and systemic signs of illness is less than prior estimates (~31%), and that clinical signs or hematological values would be associated with the presence or absence of bacteremia. Female calves less than 21 d of age with and without diarrhea were enrolled from 2 commercial dairy farms over a 10-wk period. Diarrheic calves were enrolled if they were newly diagnosed, had loose to watery stool, had either dehydration (assessed by skin tent and eye position) or depression (assessed by suckle reflex and standing ability), and had no prior antimicrobial treatments. Complete health assessments were conducted at 0, 7, and 14 d following enrollment. An aseptic jugular venous sample was collected and cultured using aerobic and anaerobic methods, and bacterial species were identified using mass spectrometry. Poisson regression models were used to identify associations with bacteremia and compute adjusted prevalence ratios. The prevalence of bacteremia in diarrheic and healthy calves was 9.26% (10/108, 95% confidence interval: 4.5–16%) and 14.8% (4/27, 95% confidence interval: 1.4–28.2%), respectively. Among calves with diarrhea, those with a fever (>39.7°C) or depression were 4.8 and 6.5 times more likely, respectively, to have bacteremia. Only 1 of 47 calves (2%) without signs of depression was bacteremic. The prevalence of bacteremia in diarrheic calves with signs of systemic illness (depression or dehydration) was significantly lower than previous estimates, and bacteremia was rare among calves without observed depression. Antimicrobial therapy targeting bacteremia is not currently justified in routine cases of diarrhea in preweaning calves without signs of depression. These results suggest a substantial opportunity for more targeted antimicrobial therapy to improve antimicrobial stewardship.
The Mediterranean-DASH Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet is associated with physical function and grip strength in older men and women.

BACKGROUND Diet quality may be protective of physical function and muscle strength during aging. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate associations of the Mediterranean-Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay (MIND) diet with physical function and grip strength. METHODS Data were obtained from men and women in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging (mean ± SD age: 68 ± 14 y at first diet visit; n = 1358). Diet was assessed by FFQ. MIND diet score was calculated from 15 food groups, with a higher score indicating better diet quality; tertile categories of averaged MIND score across visits were used. Physical function was assessed using the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), with a score < 10 indicative of impaired function, and the Health, Aging and Body Composition Physical Performance Battery (HABCPPB). The highest value of grip strength over 3 trials was used. Multivariable logistic and linear mixed-effects models were examined with repeated measurements of physical function and grip strength, respectively. RESULTS MIND score was inversely associated with physical function impairment (per 1-point increment: OR: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.71, 0.93; P < 0.01), and with each SPPB component, over a median 6 y of follow-up. Participants in the highest compared with the lowest tertile of MIND diet score had 57% lower odds of functional impairment (OR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.25, 0.73; P < 0.01), and slower decline by the HABCPPB. Men and women in the highest compared with the lowest tertiles of MIND score had 1.86-kg (95% CI: 0.33, 3.40 kg; P < 0.05) and 1.24-kg (95% CI: 0.04, 2.45 kg; P < 0.05) greater grip strength, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Adherence to the MIND dietary pattern was associated with lower odds of physical function impairment and decline, and with better muscle strength, indicating that the MIND dietary pattern may be protective of physical functional health in older adults.
Case series: Cariprazine for treatment of methamphetamine use disorder.

Background and objectives Methamphetamine use is a major source of morbidity and mortality but has no reliably effective interventions. We identified cariprazine as an option for treatment of methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and present two cases. Methods Two patients with MUD and psychotic disorders were treated with cariprazine. Abstinence and cravings were assessed using urine drug screens and the Brief Substance Craving Scale, respectively. Results Both patients reported global functional improvement, reduction in methamphetamine cravings and use with cariprazine, confirmed with negative urine drug screens. Conclusions and scientific significance Cariprazine's unique pharmacodynamic profile conveys potential efficacy for MUD. It would be a novel treatment that targets multiple psychiatric symptoms seen in MUD.
Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome and Adenosine Response in Pediatric Patients

Background Adenosine administration to patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) usually increases preexcitation and therefore may be diagnostic for WPW syndrome when the electrocardiogram (ECG) is questionable. We aimed to determine the adenosine response in pediatric patients with WPW pattern on ECG and whether blocked accessory pathway (AP) conduction with adenosine correlated with nonrapid AP conduction measured by invasive electrophysiology study (EPS). Methods All patients with WPW ≤ 18 years of age who underwent EPS over a 5-year period were identified. The adenosine response during atrial pacing was characterized as blocked or continued AP conduction. Invasive data were obtained during atrial pacing and atrial fibrillation. Conduction through the AP to a cycle length ≤ 250 ms was considered rapid; otherwise patients were nonrapid. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive (PPV) and negative predictive value were calculated for blocked AP conduction to identify nonrapid baseline AP conduction during EPS. Results There were 59 patients included and nine (15%) had blocked AP conduction with adenosine. Five of these nine had WPW syndrome and four had fasciculoventricular APs. All nine patients had nonrapid conduction on baseline EPS. Blocked AP conduction with adenosine as a marker of nonrapid baseline AP conduction had a specificity of 100%, a PPV of 100%. Conclusions In these pediatric patients with WPW pattern on ECG, a significant minority blocked AP conduction with adenosine and this finding had 100% specificity and PPV for nonrapid baseline antegrade AP conduction. The finding of blocked AP conduction with adenosine may aid in risk stratification.
Stressläsionen im oberen Gastrointestinaltrakt

Klinisch relevante Blutungen aus Stresslasionen des oberen Gastrointestinaltrakts von Intensivpatienten sind sehr selten, die Letalitat betragt jedoch bis zu 13% (van Leerdam, Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2008; 22:209–224), Betroffen sind Patienten mit Perfusionsstorungen der Mikrozirkulation. Hierbei versagen Schutzmechanismen, deren Funktionalitat an einen ausreichenden nutritiven Blutfluss gebunden ist. Das acide Magenmilieu verhindert eine ausreichende Hamostase kleinster Blutungen und damit auch die Abheilung von Mikrotraumen, z, B. durch Eraahrangssonden. Maschinelle Beatmung und das Vorliegen einer Cerinnungsstorung bzw. therapeutische Antikoagulation (bei Vorhofflimmern, Nierenersatzverfahren, herzunterstutzenden Systemen) erhohen das Blutungsrisiko deutlich. In diesen Fallen sollte eine medikamentose Prophylaxe durchgefuhrt werden. Diesbezuglich sind H2-Rezeptoran-tagonisten (H2RA) und Protonenpumpen Inhibitoren (PPI) gleichwertige Substanzen, aufgrund des geringeren Nebenwirkungsprofils sollten aber H2RA favorisiert werden. Die Gabe von PPI ist bei stattgehabter bzw. aktiver Blutung indiziert und verhindert eine Eskalation der Blutung. Die medikamentose Therapie sollte schon vor der Endoskopie beginnen. Eine Endoskopie ist hei klinisch relevanter Blutung indiziert, da damit diagnostisch und therapeutisch interveniert werden kann.
House of Mourning: A Biocultural History of the Mountain Meadows Massacre – By Shannon A. Novak

On September 11, 1857, the Mormon militia lured a wagon train heading from Arkansas to California into a “safe haven” and then killed 127 of its members. The militia spared only those children too ...
Backscatter measurements of Hi-Z ground plane

Backscatter measurements in monostatic and bistatic modes were made on a 25 cm /spl times/ 40 cm Hi-Z ground plane designed for S-band antenna array experiments. Compared to a regular plate, the Hi-Z ground plane exhibits a 3 dB dip in the backscattered power in the monostatic mode at the band gap frequency (2.8-2.9 GHz). In the symmetrical bistatic mode, a 20 dB dip was observed in the reflected power at the same frequency at 70 degree incident angle.
Creeping Lilyturf (Liriope spicata) Control with Postemergent-Applied Herbicides

ABSTRACT: Liriope spicata is a low-growing, grass-like perennial that is native to Southeast Asia. This and several similar Liriope species have been widely introduced into the United States for ornamental and groundcover purposes. Liriope spicata can spread aggressively via seed dispersal and creeping rhizomes and form dense, monotypic patches. Little information is currently available in the literature concerning creeping lilyturf control. We tested seven herbicides in 2011 and 2012 using container grown creeping lilyturf that had been established for approximately one year prior to treatment. Visual evaluations at 30 and 60 days after treatment indicated that no treatment provided rapid control of the foliage. However, above- and belowground biomass harvested at 90 and 180 days after treatment (DAT) indicated that metsulfuron and imazapyr were highly effective in controlling L. spicata. Both herbicides reduced belowground biomass by greater than 97%. Glyphosate and imazapic, which have been recommended...
Integrating Choice-Making Opportunities within Teacher-Assigned Academic Tasks to Facilitate the Performance of Children with Autism:

Providing opportunities to make choices has received increasing support as an antecedent intervention to improve the performance of students with disabilities. Additional research in this area is n...
Discrepancy between TPD-and FTIR-based measurements of Brønsted and Lewis acidity for sulfated zirconia

Abstract Temperature-programmed desorptions (TPD) of isopropylamine (IPA), NH 3 , and pyridine were compared with diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) of pyridine to determine the effect of H 2 O on the Bronsted and Lewis acidities of two sulfated zirconia (SZ) catalysts. Although the traditional interpretation of pyridine infrared spectra showed an apparent increase in Bronsted acidity upon treating SZ with H 2 O, TPD spectra showed that H 2 O displaced IPA from approximately one-fifth of the Lewis sites with no corresponding increase in Bronsted acidity. Water treatment prior to TPD displaced similar amounts of both NH 3 and pyridine. The primary effect of H 2 O is displacement of weakly adsorbed basic probe molecules from Lewis sites, rather than the conversion of Lewis sites to Bronsted sites. Finally, different types of analyses (e.g. infrared or TPD) of catalyst acidity yield dramatically different conclusions regarding Bronsted and Lewis acidity.
NanoPen: Light-actuated patterning of nanoparticles

We introduce NanoPen, a novel technique for flexible, real-time reconfigurable, and large-scale light-actuated patterning of single or multiple nanoparticles such as metallic spherical nanoparticles, semiconducting and metallic nanowires, and carbon nanotubes.
Vascular responses to neuropeptide Y are greater in female than male rats.

Sex differences in vascular effects of neuropeptide Y (NPY) were investigated in isolated tail artery ring segments from male and female F344 rats. Both pre- and postjunctional effects of NPY appeared to be greater in females. NPY potentiated contractions elicited by transmural adrenergic nerve stimulation (TNS), consistent with an effect on smooth muscle Y1 receptors. The degree of potentiation was significantly greater in arteries from females than males. Ovariectomy of the females resulted in a decrease in potentiation, while orchiectomy of the males resulted in an enhanced NPY effect. When NPY potentiation was measured in the presence of peptidase inhibitors, the effect of exogenous NPY was enhanced; however the enhancement was greater in arteries from females than either males or ovariectomized females. Possible male-female differences in inhibitory prejunctional Y2 receptor function were addressed using the selective agonist NPY13–36. At a low frequency of stimulation (0.5 Hz), NPY13–36 inhibited the response to TNS in arteries from females and castrated males; however, NPY13–36 had no significant effect on responses to TNS in arteries from males or ovariectomized females. Thus gonadal hormones appear to modulate several components involved in NPY neurotransmission, including tissue peptidase activity, postjunctional Y1 and prejunctional Y2 receptors. These effects may contribute to significant differences observed in vascular reactivity between females and males.
Organizing International Politics: Sovereignty and Open Systems:

Changes in the meaning of sovereignty are at the center of intersecting discussions between comparative and international politics. This article uses open-system perspectives from organization theory to move beyond arguments over the erosion or resilience of sovereignty, toward more substantive questions about the nature of the boundaries of political actors, and to frame the possibility that changes in world politics are constituting new actors whose relationships would follow logics differ- ent from those ascribed to sovereign states.
Calcium coated B80 fullerene: A study on various coating configurations of B80

Abstract We investigate the adsorption of calcium atoms on the surface of novel boron fullerenes and the α -boron sheet using an all electron density functional method within the generalized gradient approximation. Recent theoretical works show that the B 80 fullerene coated with one Ca atom on each pentagonal ring is capable of storing up to 60 H 2 molecules, yielding a gravimetric density of 8.2 wt.%. We have performed a detailed investigation of Ca adsorption on the B 80 fullerene. At variance with recent results, our calculations show that a single Ca atom prefers to occupy a hexagonal site rather than a pentagonal site. The calculations on Ca 12 B 80 , Ca 20 B 80 and Ca 32 B 80 indicate that Ca atoms prefer to uniformly coat the whole surface over selectively occupying the pentagonal or hexagonal sites.
Diagnostic laparotomy for fever or abdominal pain of unknown origin

Diagnostic laparotomy performed on twenty-four patients with FUO and twenty-seven patients with obscure abdominal pain resulted in a positive yield of 87 and 82 per cent, respectively. No deaths occurred in either group and the complication rate was minimal. These findings indicate that it is appropriate to include laparotomy in the armamentarium for diagnosis of the cause of FUO and abdominal pain.
Rationale for the in vitro study of neuromuscular activity.

STUREK., M. Rationale for the in vitro study of neuromuscular activity. Med. Sci. Sports Exerc., Vol. 19, No. 5 (Supplement), pp. S121–S129, 1987. Exercise requires the integrated activity of neuromuscular systems controlling skeletal, cardiac, and vascular smooth muscle. However, exercise can be defined at the most basic cellular level. Therefore, in order to effectively study the specific cellular events involved in the activity of each system, it is necessary to first isolate and control the major neurogenic, myogenic, and humoral components of neuromuscular activity. For example, these components of activity are differentially involved in the regulation of skeletal muscle acetylcholine receptors. The increased concentration of intracellular free calcium during contraction (an event classified as a myogenic component of activity), rather than trophic factors from the motoneuron (neurogenic component) and hormonal factors (humoral component), is a major regulator of acetylcholine receptor expression. The degree of experimental control increases as one progresses from the experimental approaches involving the exercising human to the single cell studied in vitro. It has been possible only by cell culture techniques to identify specific intracellular messengers, e.g., calcium, that mediate the effect of neuromuscular activity on acetylcholine receptor expression. The wide variety of in vitro techniques now available permit the selection of appropriate models. Therefore, the use of various in vitro methods by exercise physiologists seems justified. In vitro methods provide a valuable dimension to the study and understanding of neuromuscular activity in the intact organism.
Cathodic electrosynthesis of metal sulphide thin films at a sulphur-modified gold surface: application to the iron sulphide system

Three types of methods have been used for growing thin films of metal sulphides (or in general chalcogenides): (a) anodic oxidation of the parent metal in a sulphide containing electrolyte, usually at relatively high pH; (b) cathodic co-reduction of the metal ion and a chalcogenide oxyanion on an inert substrate; and (c) cathodic reduction of the metal ion from a non-aqueous solvent containing the chalcogen in elemental form. We wish to report preliminary results on a rather different approach involving a chalcogen-modified support electrode. Cathodic reduction of this chemicallymodified electrode system increases the activity of the chalcogenide ion in the immediate vicinity of the electrode. This ion can then react with a desired metal ion introduced into the electrolyte to generate the corresponding metal chalcogenide. The latter, when its solubility product is exceeded, precipitates onto the support electrode structure. This new approach is to be contrasted with its anodic counterpart (method “a” above) wherein it is the activity of the metal ion that is increased as a result of anodic oxidation of the metal electrode. We demonstrate the cathodic approach with the generation of an iron sulphide (FeS,) thin film at a sulphur-modified Au support electrode. Pyrite (Fe&) has been shown to be a promising photoactive material for photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic solar cells [l-3]. While a variety of methods has been employed for the preparation of thin films of this material including, for example, chemical vapour transport, metal organic chemical
Modular Design of Gβ as the Basis for Reversible Specificity in Effector Stimulation

The G protein Gbetagamma subunit complex stimulates effectors by direct interactions utilizing extensive Gbeta regions over the surface of its propeller structure that faces the Galpha subunit. Our previous experiments have shown the resolved functions of signal transfer and general binding for Gbeta regions involved in stimulation of the effector phospholipase C-beta2, PLC-beta2, within the region Gbeta-(86-135), which comprises three beta strands arranged in a structurally contiguous fashion (Buck, E., Li, J., Chen, Y., Weng, G., Sacarlata, S., and Iyengar, R. (1999) Science 283, 1332-1335). This raises an important question as to why mutagenesis studies indicate that an extensive set of sites all over the Gbeta propeller structure and outside the 86-135 region are involved in Gbeta regulation of PLC-beta2. Using peptides to define functions of these Gbeta regions, we find that Gbeta signaling to PLC-beta2 relies on a collection of modular signal transfer and general binding units, each with lower apparent affinity relative to Gbetagamma-PLC interactions. Gbeta-(42-54) functions as a signal transfer region, Gbeta-(228-249) and Gbeta-(321-340) function in general binding, and Gbeta-(64-84) and Gbeta-(300-313) seem to play a structural role rather than a direct contact with the effector. A substitution within the Gbeta-(42-54) signal transfer region that increases the K(act) of this peptide for PLC-beta2 is accompanied by an increase in the observed maximal extent of signal transfer. We conclude that the lower K(act) for individual signal transfer regions may result in a decrease in the maximal effect of signal transfer. The spatial resolution of the signal transfer and general binding regions over a wide surface of Gbeta allow geometrical constraints to achieve specificity even with relatively low affinity interactions.
Incorporating finite element analysis into component life and reliability

A method for calculating a component's design survivability by incorporating finite element analysis and probabilistic material properties was developed. The method evaluates design parameters through direct comparisons of component survivability expressed in terms of Weibull parameters. The analysis was applied to a rotating disk with mounting bolt holes. The highest probability of failure occurred at, or near, the maximum shear stress region of the bolt holes. Distribution of failure as a function of Weibull slope affects the probability of survival. Where Weibull parameters are unknown for a rotating disk, it may be permissible to assume Weibull parameters, as well as the stress-life exponent, in order to determine the disk speed where the probability of survival is highest.
Exploration of the telescoping effect among not-in-treatment, intensive heroin-using research volunteers.

BACKGROUND: Addiction research literature suggests some demographic groups exhibit a later age of substance use initiation, more rapid escalation to dependence, and worse substance use-related outcomes. This 'telescoping' effect has been observed more often in females but has not yet been examined in not-in-treatment heroin users or racial subgroups. METHODS: Not-in-treatment, intensive heroin-using adults screened for laboratory-based research studies (N=554; range 18-55yr; mean age: 42.5yr; 60.5% African American [AA]; 70.2% male) were included in this secondary analysis. A comprehensive drug history questionnaire assessed heroin-use characteristics and lifetime adverse consequences. We examined telescoping effects by racial and gender groups: Caucasian males and females; AA males and females. RESULTS: Caucasian males initiated heroin use significantly later than AA males but this difference was not observed for age at intensive heroin use (≥3 times weekly). Caucasian males reported significantly more lifetime heroin use-related consequences, were more likely to inject heroin, and reported more-frequent past-month heroin use, but did not differ from AA males in lifetime heroin quit attempts or prior heroin treatment. Females, compared to males, reported later onset of initial and intensive use, but there was no gender-telescoping effect from initial to intensive heroin-use. CONCLUSIONS: In this not-in-treatment sample, Caucasian males exhibited more rapid heroin-use progression and adverse consequences than AA males, i.e., within-gender, racial-group telescoping. Despite later-onset heroin use among females, there was no evidence of gender-related telescoping. Given the resurgence of heroin use, differential heroin-use trajectories across demographic groups may be helpful in planning interventions. Language: en
Cognitive spatial-motor processes. 3. Motor cortical prediction of movement direction during an instructed delay period.

We studied the activity of 123 cells in the arm area of the motor cortex of three rhesus monkeys while the animals performed a 2-dimensional (2-D) step-tracking task with or without a delay interposed between a directional cue and a movement triggering signal. Movements of equal amplitude were made in eight directions on a planar working surface, from a central point to targets located equidistantly on a circle. The appearance of the target served as the cue, and its dimming, after a variable period of time (0.5–3.2 s), as the “go” stimulus to trigger the movement to the target; in a separate task, the target light appeared dim and the monkey moved its hand towards it without waiting. Population histograms were constructed for each direction after the spike trains of single trials were aligned to the onset of the cue. A significant increase (3–4×) in the population activity was observed 80–120 ms following the cue onset; since the minimum delay was 500 ms and the average reaction time approximately 300 ms, this increase in population activity occurred at least 680–720 ms before the onset of movement. A directional analysis (Georgopoulos et al. 1983, 1984) of the changes in population activity revealed that the population vector during the delay period pointed in the direction of movement that was to be made later.
Non-linear dynamic response of a wind turbine blade

The paper outlines the nonlinear dynamic analysis of an isolated three-degree flap-lag-feather wind turbine blade under a gravity field and with shear flow. Lagrangian equations are used to derive the nonlinear equations of motion of blade for arbitrarily large angular deflections. The limit cycle analysis for forced oscillations and the determination of the principal parametric resonance of the blade due to periodic forces from the gravity field and wind shear are performed using the harmonic balance method. Results are obtained first for a two-degree flap-lag blade, then the effect of the third degree of freedom (feather) is studied. The self-excited flutter solutions are obtained for a uniform wind and with gravity forces neglected. The effects of several parameters on the blade stability are examined, including coning angle, structural damping, Lock number, and feather frequency. The limit cycle flutter solution of a typical configuration shows a substantial nonlinear softening spring behavior.
LABORATORY AND FIELD STUDIES ON THE TOXIC EFFECTS OF THIOBENCARB (BOLERO) TO THE CRAWFISH Procambarus clarkii

The effects of the herbicide thiobencarb (Bolero) were tested on the crawfish Procambarus clarkii using both laboratory and field methods. A 96-hour static bioassay was conducted to determine the LC50 of this compound for juvenile crawfish. The LC50 was computed to be 0.47 ppm, which was similar to previously measured field concentrations. Adult P. clarkii were also tested and were shown to be susceptible to thiobencarb toxicity at levels similar to actual field concentrations. A parallel experiment demonstrated that the herbicide molinate (Ordram, LC50 = 6.13) was much less toxic than thiobencarb to juvenile crawfish. The population structure of the crustaceans was measured both before and after herbicide application in the field. After application of thiobencarb the catch of juveniles declined significantly and the smaller size classes became almost undetectable. The catch of adults also decreased significantly. However, analysis of size distributions, burrow excavations and visual counts revealed that the adults did not experience large-scale mortality. Instead, many adults had burrowed to initiate breeding activity. It is hypothesized that burrows may provide a buffer zone against the toxic effects of the herbicide, thereby insuring survival of populations.
Strut fracture of a Bjork-Shiley mitral valve prosthesis.

Use of mechanical prostheses for direct surgical replacement of cardiac valves was originally proposed in 1953 by Hufnagel [1]. Sixteen years later, Bjork introduced the nowfamous valvular prosthesis that bears his name. Throughout the world, to date, more than 80,000 Bjork-Shiley valves have been implanted [2, 31. As beneficial as these valves have been, their use is not without a potential for the development of severe, life-threatening complications. Mechanical failure has been described either when one of the valve struts fractures (with resultant embolization of the disk) or when fibrotic material encroaches upon the valve seat, precluding complete opening or closure of the disk [2, 4]. As the prevalence of valve prostheses has increased, so have the number of reported prosthetic failures. The radiographic literature has largely ignored the signs of prosthetic valvular malfunction. To draw attention to this problem, and in the hope that doing so will increase survival rates, we report a case of acute dysfunction of a prosthetic mitral valve due to fracture of the valve’s strut with embolization of the disk.
Contributions of satellite remote sensing to analysis of spatial variability in zooplankton distributions

Zooplankton populations in Lake Tahoe and other large lakes often exhibit considerable variability due to changing predator assemblages and interactions between littoral and pelagial regions. Wind-induced advection of Emerald Bay populations of Bosmina longirostris into Lake Tahoe was hypothesized to be the mechanism for Bosmina's reappearance in the main body of that lake in late 1978 following an absence of more than three years (Threlkeld 1981).
Evaluation of thermal barrier coating systems on novel substrates

Testing was conducted on both plasma-sprayed (PS) and electron beam-physical vapor deposited (EB-PVD) Y2O3-stabilized ZrO2 (YSZ) thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) applied directly to oxidation-resistant substrates such as β-NiAl, oxide-dispersed FeCrAl, and NiCr. On an alloy that forms a very adherent alumina scale, β-NiAl+Zr, the coating lifetime of YSZ in furnace cyclic tests was 6 or more times longer than on state-of-the-art, YSZ coatings on single-crystal Ni-base superalloys with MCrAlY or Pt aluminide bond coats. Coatings on FeCrAl alloys appear to be a viable option for applications such as the external skin of the X-33, single stage to orbit, reusable launch vehicle. Model chromia-forming bond coat compositions also show promise for power generation applications at temperatures where hot corrosion may be a major problem. In general, while this work examined unique materials systems, many of the same fundamental failure mechanisms observed in conventional TBCs were observed.
Trends and Outcomes Associated With Serum Albumin Concentration Among Incident Dialysis Patients in the United States

Objective and Methods: Serum albumin concentrations are associated with mortality, and respond to nutritional and inflammatory states. To explore whether changing demographics and practice patterns in dialysis have influenced serum albumin concentrations, we analyzed trends in serum albumin among incident patients on dialysis from 1995 through 2004. Results: Mean serum albumin concentrations declined significantly over time, even after accounting for changes in age, diabetes, body size, and other factors. Although laboratory assays were not uniform within or across years, serum albumin declined over time, regardless of the reported laboratory lower limit of normal. Moreover, serum albumin retained its potent association with mortality over time. Lower serum albumin was especially hazardous among younger patients and blacks, and was less hazardous among persons with diabetes as a primary cause of kidney disease. Conclusions: Despite higher body weights and the initiation of dialysis earlier in the course of progressive chronic kidney disease, hypoalbuminemia remains common and hazardous to persons starting dialysis.
Molecular systematics of the New World monkeys

Abstract We report here the results of a comparative immunological study of the evolution of primate albumins and transferrins with special reference to the systematics of the New World monkeys. The resulting albumin and transferrin phylogenies are shown to be highly concordant with one another and with data from other laboratories on globin and fibrinopeptide sequences, DNA hybridization, and further immunological studies. We also provide evidence for a probable interdependence of albumin and transferrin rates of evolution which produces a very tight clustering of the total number of amino acid substitutions for the two molecules along lineages of equal time depth, thus providing an even better rationale for the use of these data in the formulation of molecular evolutionary clocks. We again emphasize that the analysis of immunological data is not dependent on non-molecular information or assumptions concerning rates of evolution, and that the analysis provides its own indications of interpretative problems. Specifically we find that the clade Primates must now include Tupaia and Cynocephalus (the “flying lemur”), as well as Tarsius, Anthropoidea, Lemuriformes, and Lorisiformes, and that the New World monkeys share a long period of common ancestry with the Catarrhini subsequent to the divergence of other primate lineages. The catarrhine-platyrrhine divergence is placed at around 35 million years ago, thus strengthening the case for an African derivation of the New World monkeys. The extant New World monkey lineages are then seen as sharing a long period of common ancestry subsequent to that divergence, with their radiation beginning in the early Miocene. From this radiation we see seven equally distinct lineages: (1) Aotus, (2) Callicebus, (3) Cebus, (4) Saimiri, (5) Ateles-Lagothrix-Alouatta, (6) Pithecia-Cacajao, and (7) Callimico-Callithrix-Cebuella-Saguinus-Leontideus. Within those, Ateles with Lagothrix, and Callimico with Callithrix-Cebuella form further subgroups.
Views of effective college faculty: a mixed analysis

A mixed analysis of the perceived characteristics of effective college faculty members was conducted through surveying 615 students, predominantly Hispanic, enrolled in courses at two southwest Hispanic‐serving universities. Beliefs were identified that led to 29 prevailing themes: Knowledgeable; Understanding; Communication; Teaches Well; Caring; Organised; Flexibility; Positive Attitude; Patience; Experience in the Classroom; Fair; Helping; Respectful; Open‐minded; Builds Relationships; Passion for the Job; Service; Makes Learning Interesting; Uses Different Modalities; Fun; Motivating; Intelligent; Involving Students; Being Available; Friendly; Connects with the Real World; Listening; Creativity; and Challenges Student. Of these themes, knowledgeable, Understanding, Communication and Teaches Well received the highest endorsements and are congruent with student evaluations that are components of promotion and tenure decisions.
Consultant's guide for the use of time‐out in the preschool and elementary classroom

During school-based consultation, school psychologists must often help consultees learn how to implement various behavior change strategies. One of the most effective behavior change strategies for preschool and elementary children is time-out. Although time-out has been shown to be effective for reducing a variety of problem behaviors, lack of knowledge regarding the parameters and procedures of time-out has led to its ineffective use in the classroom and low ratings of acceptability by teachers. This article provides information on the time-out research in hopes of enabling school psychologists to use, and train others to use, time-out more effectively when indicated by the data from a behavioral or functional assessment. The guide presented here may also serve as a heuristic for those wishing to conduct research on the use of time-out in the classroom. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effects of surface preparation, thickness, and material on asphalt pavement overlay transverse crack propagation

Asphalt overlay has been widely used in pavement rehabilitation. The most frequently observed distress in an asphalt overlay is transverse cracking. In this study, the Texas long-term pavement performance (LTPP) specific pavement study 5 (SPS-5) test sections are highlighted. Three key factors affecting overlay cracking performance are investigated: (i) surface preparation, (ii) overlay thickness, and (iii) material. A deterioration model is developed to evaluate the effects of these factors. The deterioration process is well captured by incorporating both engineering principles and statistical modeling techniques, and the effects of the three key factors are thoroughly evaluated. The results suggest that (i) milling of existing pavement does not help reduce overlay transverse cracking if existing cracking is not completely removed, (ii) thicker overlay contributes to transverse crack resistance, (iii) Texas type C asphalt mixture is more effective in resisting transverse cracks than type B asphalt mixtur...
A key developmental regulator controls the synthesis of the antibiotic erythromycin in Saccharopolyspora erythraea.

Saccharopolyspora erythraea makes erythromycin, an antibiotic commonly used in human medicine. Unusually, the erythromycin biosynthetic (ery) cluster lacks a pathway-specific regulatory gene. We isolated a transcriptional regulator of the ery biosynthetic genes from S. erythraea and found that this protein appears to directly link morphological changes caused by impending starvation to the synthesis of a molecule that kills other bacteria, i.e., erythromycin. DNA binding assays, liquid and affinity chromatography, MALDI-MS analysis, and de novo sequencing identified this protein (Mr = 18 kDa) as the S. erythraea ortholog of BldD, a key regulator of development in Streptomyces coelicolor. Recombinant S. erythraea BldD bound to all five regions containing promoters in the ery cluster as well as to its own promoter, the latter with an order-of-magnitude stronger than to the ery promoters. Deletion of bldD in S. erythraea decreased the erythromycin titer in a liquid culture 7-fold and blocked differentiation on a solid medium. Moreover, an industrial strain of S. erythraea with a higher titer of erythromycin expressed more BldD than a wild-type strain during erythromycin synthesis. Together, these results suggest that BldD concurrently regulates the synthesis of erythromycin and morphological differentiation. The ery genes are the first direct targets of a BldD ortholog to be identified that are positively regulated.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and its agonist inhibit testicular luteinizing hormone receptor and steroidogenesis in immature and adult hypophysectomized rats

The direct effect of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and its agonist on testicular LH receptor and steroidogenesis was studied in hypophysectomized immature and adult rats. Hypophysectomized rats were treated daily with varying doses of GnRH or [des-Gly10,D-Leu6(N alpha Me)Leu7, Pro9-NHEt]GnRH(a potent agonist). Some animals were also treated concomitantly with FSH, PRL, GH and/or LH to prevent the hypophysectomy-induced loss of testicular LH receptor and steroidogenic capacity. At the end of 5 days of treatment, testicular LH/hCG receptor concentration was measured by a [125I]-hCG-binding assay and steroidogenic responsiveness was determinded by in vitro incubations. GnRH and the GnRH agonist reduced testicular LH receptor in control and FSH-treated hypophysectomized immature rats. As little as 0.5 microgram agonist/day induced a greater than 40% decrease in the LH receptor content, whereas GnRH was less potent, with 50 micrograms/day inducing about a 50% decrease. The inhibitory effect of GnRH was shown to be the result of decreases in the concentration of LH receptor rather than changes in the receptor affinity (Kd = 1.1 X 10(-10)M). GnRH did not interfere with the [125I]hCG receptor assay. Treatment with PRL, GH, and FSH, alone or in various combinations, increased the testicular LH receptor content. The stimulatory effect of these pituitary hormones was depressed by concomitant treatment with the GnRH agonist. Similar inhibitory effects of GnRH and the agonist on testicular LH receptor were demonstrated in adult hypophysectomized rats. In vitro studies demonstrated that treatment with the GnRH agonist in vivo inhibited both basal and hCG-stimulated androgen production in FSH-primed immature hypophysectomized rats. Associated with decreases in androgens (testosterone and androstenedione) and reduced androgens (dihydrotestosterone, androstanediol, and androsterone), there was marked suppression of 17 alpha-hydroxylated precursors and C-21 steroid intermediates in animals treated with the GnRH agonist, thus suggesting that the inhibitory effect of the GnRH agonist was associated with possible defects in 17 alpha-hydroxylase and side-chain cleavage enzymes. Likewise, treatment with the GnRH agonist inhibited in vitro testicular steroidogenic responses in adult hypopysectomized rats. These results demonstrate the extrapituitary inhibitory effect of GnRH on testicular LH receptor content and Leydig cell steroidogenesis in immature and adult hypophysectomized rats.
Gang Membership and Acculturation: ARSMA-II and Choloization

Choloization, a staple in gang research on Latinos, asserts that gang members are less acculturated than non-gang members. However, the concept has not been subjected to a quantitative analysis. Using a sample of Latino incarcerated youths from Los Angeles County (N = 370), the veracity of the concept of choloization using the ARSMA-II Acculturation Scale is examined. It was hypothesized that gang members have more of a Mexican orientation than non-gang members. The hypothesis was supported, providing empirical evidence for choloization. The authors suggest that the findings can assist in delinquency intervention but caution that the results can also further disenfranchise Latino gang members.