cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic abnormalities in sporadic parathyroid adenomas: loss of heterozygosity for chromosome 3q markers flanking the calcium receptor locus

Inactivating mutations of the parathyroid cell calcium receptor (CaR) gene cause one form of familial benign/hypocalciuric hypercalcemia, and in homozygous form, cause neonatal severe primary hyperparathyroidism with parathyroid hyperplasia. Thus, we postulated that partial or total loss of CaR function might contribute to calcium insensitivity or even stimulate cell proliferation in sporadic parathyroid adenomas (PAds). To examine this possibility, we sought loss of heterozygosity (LOH) for markers flanking the CaR locus (3cen-3q21) in 35 PAds. We used 16 highly-polymorphic PCR-based markers in paired normal and tumor DNA, extracted from slices of archived surgical specimens. Nineteen to 24 of the DNA pairs were informative with at least one marker. In two informative pairs, we found LOH for markers D3S1303, D3S1267, or D3S1269, which are tightly-linked with and flank the CaR locus. In one tumor, deletion mapping confined the lost area between D3S1271 and D3S1238 (41.7 centimorgans, cM). In the other tumor, LOH spanned most of chromosome 3, ranging at least from D3S1307 to D3S1311 (271.4 cM). LOH was confirmed by repetition of the experiments and quantified by phosphorimaging. Thus, we found LOH encompassing the CaR locus in approximately 10% of sporadic PAds. These data are consistent with the hypothesis that loss of CaR function may occur in PAds, with functional consequences for calcium sensitivity and cell proliferation.
Evidence for a substance in the eyestalks of brachyurans that darkens the shrimpCrangon septemspinosa

1. Fractions, obtained by gel chromatography, of eyestalk extracts from the fiddler crabUca pugilator, the shore crabCarcinus maenas and the shrimpCrangon septemspinosa darkenedUca andCrangon by evoking black pigment dispersion. 2. In addition to the fractions with black pigment-dispersing activity, other fractions possessing black pigment-concentrating activity inUca andCrangon were obtained from eyestalk fromUca andCrangon. The frations of eyestalk extracts fromCarcinus were not assayed for a black pigment-concentrating substance.
A heuristic file reorganization algorithm based on record clustering

The problem of file organization which we consider involves altering the placement of records on pages of a secondary storage device. In addition, we want this reorganization to be done in-place, i.e., using the file's original storage space for the newly reorganized file. The motivation for such a physical change is to improve the database system's performance. For example, by placing frequently and jointly accessed records on the same page or pages, we can try to minimize the number of page accesses made in answering a set of queeries. The optimal assignment (or reassignment) of records to clusters is exactly what record clustering algorithms attempt to do. However, record clustering algorithms usually do not solve the entire problem, i.e., they do not specify how to efficiently reorganize the file to reflect the clustering assignment which they determine. Our algorithm is a companion to general record clustering algorithms since it actually transforms the file. The problem of optimal file reorganization isNP-hard. Consequently, our reorganization algorithm is based on heuristics. The algorithm's time and space requirements are reasonable and its solution is near optimal. In addition, the reorganization problem which we consider in this paper is similar to the problem of join processing when indexes are used.
STRUCTURAL OPTIMIZATION FOR CONTROL OF STIFFENED LAMINATED COMPOSITE STRUCTURES

The effect of optimization on control of stiffened laminated composite structures is considered. The structural optimization problem considered here concerns the maximization of structural frequencies subject to frequency separation constraints and an upper bound on weight. The number of plies of a given fiber orientation and the stiffener areas form the two sets of design variables. As the number of plies is restricted to integer values, the optimization problem considered belongs to the class of non-linear mixed integer problems (NMIP). The control problem is solved by using the independent modal space control technique. This technique greatly simplifies the evaluation of the sensitivity of the performance index with respect to the individual frequencies. The effect of different optimization schemes on the control performance is considered. To reduce the probability that conclusions drawn from numerical results are purely coincidental, a large number of cases has been studied. It has been concluded that sufficient improvement in control performance can be achieved through structural optimization.
Removing Viruses from Water by Polyelectrolytes

Polymers based on divinylbenzene-crosslinked styrene/maleic anhydride copolymer can adsorb 100 per cent tobacco mosaic virus and more than 99.99 per cent polio virus from aqueous suspensions. The technique may be useful for preparing potable water by removing viral infectivity which may survive conventional treatment. It may also be useful in detecting viral contamination.
Epistemological Beliefs and Attitudes Toward Inclusion in Pre-service Teachers:

Previous investigations suggest that in addition to positive attitudes toward inclusion, high-level beliefs about knowledge and learning (i.e., epistemological beliefs) are essential for all teachers of students with disabilities in inclusive settings. This study examined the attitudes toward inclusion and epistemological belief status of 71 pre-service general and special educators, along with the relationship between these variables. Participants, who completed written measures of these variables along with a demographic questionnaire, exhibited relatively positive attitudes toward inclusion and high-level epistemological beliefs. Also, those with higher-level epistemological beliefs were significantly more likely to hold more positive attitudes toward inclusion. Implications of findings for teacher education and further inquiry are discussed.
Performance evaluation of recent procedures for steady-state simulation analysis

The performance of the batch-means procedure ASAP3 and the spectral procedure WASSP is evaluated on test problems with characteristics typical of practical applications of steady-state simulation analysis procedures. ASAP3 and WASSP are sequential procedures designed to produce a confidence-interval estimator for the mean response that satisfies user-specified half-length and coverage-probability requirements. ASAP3 is based on an inverse Cornish-Fisher expansion for the classical batch-means t-ratio, whereas WASSP is based on a wavelet estimator of the batch-means power spectrum. Regarding closeness of the empirical coverage probability and average half-length of the delivered confidence intervals to their respective nominal levels, both procedures compared favorably with the Law-Carson procedure and the original ASAP algorithm. Regarding the average sample sizes required for decreasing levels of maximum confidence-interval half-length, ASAP3 and WASSP exhibited reasonable efficiency in the test problems.
VEGF-A Neutralization Suppresses Experimental Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Formation

Objectives: Aortic mural angiogenesis is a key pathologic feature of AAA disease. We previously reported that VEGF-receptor 2 expression correlated with experimental AAA progression. This study evaluated the influence of anti-VEGF-A monoclonal antibody (mAb) therapy on AAA formation and progression in the porcine pancreatic elastase (PPE) infusion model in C57Bl/6J mice. Methods: PPE-infused mice were given anti-VEGF-A neutralizing mAb or control mAb. Aortic aneurysm progression was evaluated via serial transabdominal in vivo ultrasonography and histology at sacrifice. Results: In control mAb-treated mice, persistent and significant aortic enlargement was noted beginning the third day following PPE infusion. Anti-VEGF-A mAb
Safety and efficacy of flestolol, a new ultrashort-acting beta-adrenergic blocking agent, for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias

Flestolol, a new ultrashort-acting (half-life 6.9 minutes) beta-blocking drug, was administered by intravenous infusion to 18 patients with new-onset atrial fibrillation or flutter and rapid ventricular response (120 beats/min or more for at least 30 minutes). Drug dose of flestolol was progressively increased until at least 1 of 3 endpoints was achieved: at least a 20% reduction in heart rate from baseline, heart rate 100 beats/min or less, or conversion to normal sinus rhythm. Flestolol was then administered as a maintenance infusion up to 24 hours. When flestolol was discontinued, patients were monitored for 1 additional hour. The mean ventricular response at baseline of 133 +/- 12 beats/min decreased to 103 +/- 20 beats/min at the end of flestolol titration (p less than 0.0001). Fourteen patients (78%) achieved defined endpoints. All 14 patients who continued to receive maintenance infusion had a sustained response. When flestolol was discontinued, ventricular response increased 33 +/- 23% within 60 minutes. The only adverse effect seen was hypotension in 2 patients. Flestolol is effective in slowing ventricular response in new-onset atrial fibrillation and flutter, maintains a therapeutic effect during continuous infusion and rapidly loses therapeutic effect when discontinued.
Integral equation analysis of a sheet impedance coated window slot antenna

Presents an integral equation and method of moments analysis of a window slot antenna. The antenna is modeled by a sheet admittance coated rectangular aperture in an infinite ground plane. It is shown that the sheet admittance coated aperture is complementary to a sheet impedance plate, which permits the window slot antenna to be analyzed with existing computer programs. Numerical results are compared with measurements for input impedance and radiation efficiency. >
The combustion of methane in a jet-mixed reactor

The combustion of premixed methane-oxygen-nitrogen mixtures in the range T=1400–1800°K and P=0.3–1.1 atm was investigated in a small (2.9 cc) conical reactor fed by a single-choked sonic-flow jet (see Fig. 3). Reaction products were chromatographically analyzed and these data, in conjunction with metered inputs and measured combustion temperatures, were used to derive over-all burning-rate correlations for methane and carbon monoxide in the temperature range 1450–1750K°, at pressures from 0.3–0.8 atmospheres, with equivalence rations from 0.5–0.8. The over-all rate expressions found were dX/dt=kx exp(−Ex/RT)fxfO21/2fH2O1/2(P/RT)2 where X=CH4 kx=5.3×1015 liters/g mole see when P/RT=g moles/liter Ex=57±5 kcal. X=CO kx=1.8×1010 liters/g mole sec Ex=25±5 kcal. The data support the widely held belief that the rate-limiting step in methane oxidation in lean flames in this temperature range is the reaction of methane with hydroxyl radical followed after some less well understood fast steps by a second rate-limiting reaction of carbon monoxide with hydroxyl. The data also indicate that three-body collisions involving two free radicals are of limited importance in fast methane oxidation. An extensive computer simulation of the performance of a jet-mixed reactor wherein methane burns in two major steps (1, CH4→CO+2H2O followed by 2, CO→CO2) was carried out. The results of this simulation showed that, for a fast reaction with a high activation energy, significant inhomogeneities (i.e., departure from the approximation of perfect mixing) in reactant concentrations existed because of inadequate mixing within the reactor. (The computations also showed that the assumption of perfect mixing is reasonable if the reaction being studied is slow and of low activation energy.)
Evidence-Based Therapy for Recurrent Cervical Cancer

A44-year-olddivorced,white,premenopausalwomanwitha25-yearhistoryoftobaccousewasevaluatedinthe emergency department for dizziness and vaginal bleeding. She had not had a gynecologic examination, Papanicolaou test, or high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA test since having a tubal ligation shortly after the birthofherlastchild12yearsago.Shewasanemic(hemoglobin,10g/dL)withstablevitalsigns.Thegynecologist on duty performed a vaginal speculum examination and biopsied an exophytic, friable cervical mass which was reportedbythepathologisttobeamoderatelydifferentiatedsquamouscellcarcinoma.Outpatientconsultation withagynecologiconcologistwasarranged,andonbimanualandrectovaginalexamination,thetumorwasfound to involve the upper vagina and parametrial tissues bilaterally. Positron emission tomography did not demonstrate metastatic disease, and there was no hydronephrosis. The patient was diagnosed with an International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stage IIB squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix; following referral to radiation oncology and medical oncology care providers, she was treated with concomitant weekly cisplatin,externalbeamradiation,andhighdoserateintracavitarybrachytherapy(concurrentchemoradiotherapy [CCRT]). Difficulties in coordinating school pick-ups of her two youngest children resulted in several treatment delays, with the entire treatment period lasting 12 weeks. The patient experienced a complete clinical and radiographicresponsetotherapy.Twoyearslater,shedevelopedbackpain.Abdominal/pelvicimagingdisclosed a 5-cm necrotic pelvic mass extending to the pelvic sidewall, enlarged para-aortic and pelvic nodes, and bilateral pulmonary nodules. A computed tomography‐guided biopsy of the most accessible para-aortic lymph node confirmedrecurrentsquamouscellcarcinoma.Otherlaboratorytestsandherperformancestatuswerenormal. CHALLENGES IN DIAGNOSIS AND MANAGEMENT More than 99% of cervical cancers are associated with oncogenic HPV subtypes, with HPV 16 being the most common. The predominant histologic type of cervical cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, accounting for 75% of cases. Adenocarcinomas (or glandular lesions) comprise 20% to 24% and are more commonly associated with HPV 18. Lymphoma and/or melanoma account for less than 1% of cases. Cervical cancer is preventable through immunization and screening. A quadravalent vaccine directed against HPV types 6, 11, 16, and 18 was licensed by the US Food and Drug Administration for use in females in June 2006 and was subsequently licensed in 2009 for use in men to prevent genital warts and in 2010 to prevent anal cancer in
Comparison of K-ras gene mutations in tumour and sputum DNA of patients with lung cancer

Mutations in the K-ras gene are frequently found in lung tumours and are implicated in the development of lung cancer. In order to investigate the clinical usefulness of these mutations in lung cancer, we applied a sensitive method to compare mutations in codon 12 of the K-ras gene in DNA extracted from lung tumours and the matched sputum samples obtained from 22 lung cancer patients. K-ras mutations were identified in the lung tumours of 12 patients (54.5%) and in the sputum samples of 10 patients (45.5%). Nine patients showed an identical mutation in both the tumour and the matched sputum samples. There was a significant association between the presence of a K-ras mutation in a lung tumour and the detection of an identical mutation in the matched sputum sample of the lung cancer patient (κ = 0.64, 95% confidence interval 0.32-0.95, p <0.01). K-ras mutations were detected in sputum samples from cancer patients with all lung tumour grades, and both in the presence and the absence of lymph node metastasis....
Physiological implications of seasonal variation in membrane-associated calcium in red spruce mesophyll cells

We examined the pattern of seasonal variation in total foliar calcium (Ca) pools and plasma membrane-associated Ca (mCa) in mesophyll cells of current-year and 1-year-old needles of red spruce (Picea rubens Sarg.) and the relationship between mCa and total foliar Ca on an individual plant and seasonal basis. Foliar samples were collected from seedlings and analyzed on 16 dates at 2- to 3-week intervals between June 1994 and March 1995. Concentrations of mCa in current-year needles were more seasonally dynamic and responsive to temporal environmental changes than either mCa concentrations of 1-year-old needles, which were largely stable, or total foliar Ca concentrations in both tissues.
Cross-linking myosin subfragment 1 Cys-697 and Cys-707 modifies ATP and actin binding site interactions.

Skeletal muscle myosin is an enzyme that interacts allosterically with MgATP and actin to transduce the chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis into work. By modifying myosin structure, one can change this allosteric interaction and gain insight into its mechanism. Chemical cross-linking with N,N'-p-phenylenedimaleimide (pPDM) of Cys-697 to Cys-707 of the myosin-ADP complex eliminates activity and produces a species that resembles myosin with ATP bound (Burke et al., 1976). Nucleotide-free pPDM-modified myosin subfragment 1 (S1) was prepared, and its structural and allosteric properties were investigated by comparing the nucleotide and actin interactions of S1 to those of pPDM-S1. The structural properties of the nucleotide-free pPDM-S1 are different from those of S1 in several respects. pPDM-S1 intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence intensity is reduced 28%, indicating a large increase of an internal quenching reaction (the fluorescence intensity of the related vanadate complex of S1, S1-MgADP-Vi, is reduced by a similar degree). Tryptophan fluorescence anisotropy increases from 0.168 for S1 to 0.192 for pPDM-S1, indicating that the unquenched tryptophan population in pPDM-S1 has reduced local freedom of motion. The actin affinity of pPDM-S1 is over 6,000-fold lower than that of S1, and the absolute value of the product of the net effective electric charges at the acto-S1 interface is reduced from 8.1 esu2 for S1 to 1.6 esu2 for pPDM-S1. In spite of these changes, the structural response of pPDM-S1 to nucleotide and the allosteric communication between its ATP and actin sites remain intact.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Nucleoside modifications in RNA limit activation of 2′-5′-oligoadenylate synthetase and increase resistance to cleavage by RNase L

The interferon-induced enzymes 2'-5'-oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS) and RNase L are key components of innate immunity involved in sensory and effector functions following viral infections. Upon binding target RNA, OAS is activated to produce 2'-5'-linked oligoadenylates (2-5A) that activate RNase L, which then cleaves single-stranded self and non-self RNA. Modified nucleosides that are present in cellular transcripts have been shown to suppress activation of several RNA sensors. Here, we demonstrate that in vitro transcribed, unmodified RNA activates OAS, induces RNase L-mediated ribosomal RNA (rRNA) cleavage and is rapidly cleaved by RNase L. In contrast, RNA containing modified nucleosides activates OAS less efficiently and induces limited rRNA cleavage. Nucleoside modifications also make RNA resistant to cleavage by RNase L. Examining translation in RNase L(-/-) cells and mice confirmed that RNase L activity reduces translation of unmodified mRNA, which is not observed with modified mRNA. Additionally, mRNA containing the nucleoside modification pseudouridine is translated longer and has an extended half-life. The observation that modified nucleosides in RNA reduce 2-5A pathway activation joins OAS and RNase L to the list of RNA sensors and effectors whose functions are limited when RNA is modified, confirming the role of nucleoside modifications in suppressing immune recognition of RNA.
The Changing Demographics of Knee Dislocation: A Retrospective Database Review

Background Knee dislocations are uncommon but devastating orthopaedic injuries. Little is known about their frequency and the types of patients who are affected.
Mirtazapine for reducing nocturnal itch in patients with chronic pruritus: a pilot study☆

Nocturnal pruritus is a significant problem for patients with inflammatory skin diseases and many systemic diseases. The oral therapies currently available have a limited effect. We present an open, uncontrolled pilot study of 3 patients with inflammatory skin diseases and severe nocturnal pruritus who underwent treatment with mirtazapine (Remeron), a noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant. Mirtazapine is a safe medication without serious side effects and may be an effective alternative for the treatment of nocturnal pruritus.
Recovery of natural insecticides fromtephrosia vogelii. iii. an improved procedure for sampling and assaying rotenoid content in leaves

Recent studies have shown Tephrosia vogelii Hook. f. to be a promising source of rotenone. It could conceivably give the United States a dependable domestic source of this natural insecticide. The roots of Derris and Lonchocarpus comprise the only present commercial source of rotenone. Tephrosia vogelii, on the other hand, produces its highest rotenoid content in the leaves (5). Though T. vogelii is a tropical plant, it has yielded well when grown as an annual in the southern United States and should lend itself to harvest by mechanical methods. Irvine and Freyre (6) reported that differences in total rotenoid content varied significantly among introductions of T. vogelii. A breeding and selection program was undertaken at the Federal Experiment Station in Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, to increase the rotenone content in the leaves. New techniques for assaying rotenoid content had to be devised because the established procedures previously used for root samples of Derris and Lonchocarpus were inadequate. The most commonly used assay procedure for quantitatively estimating rotenone and related compounds in these root crops has been the red-color test described by Gross and Smith (4), modified by Goodhue (3) and further refined by Jones (7). The method adapted for the early work with T. vogelii was described by Irvine and Freyre (5, 6) as briefly consisting of collecting the median pair of leaflets from each leaf of the plant,
Magnetic structure of Dy-Y superlattices

Two samples of Dy-Y superlattices produced by molecular-beam-epitaxy techniques are shown by neutron diffraction to order magnetically in a helix which is incommensurate with the bilayer thickness. One sample consists of 64 bilayers, each bilayer made up of about 15 growth planes (42 A) of Dy atoms followed by 14 planes (38 A) of Y atoms. The second sample has 90 layers, each layer consisting of 9 Dy atomic planes and 8 Dy/sub 0.5/Y/sub 0.5/ alloy planes. The phase coherence of this ordering extends over several bilayers, and is especially striking in the sample where the layers of localized Dy spins are separated by 14 atomic planes of nonmagnetic Y. The fact that the helix chirality propagates across several bilayers rules out a simple scalar Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida coupling between the Dy planes on either side of an Y layer, but suggests instead that a helical spin density wave is induced in the Y conduction electrons. A simple model for the superlattice structure factor demonstrates that observed asymmetries in the magnetic diffraction-peak intensities can be ascribed to the existence of different magnetic modulation wave vectors in each layer type (Dy and Y). In these superlattices the strain clamping by the intervening non-Dymore » layers and the substrate suppresses the first order ferromagnetic transition found in bulk Dy in both zero and finite fields. Although the planar magnetostriction is clamped, it is observed that the application of a magnetic field in the basal plane produces at low temperatures a second order irreversible transition to a metastable ferromagnetic state. At high temperature the magnetization process is initiated by a reduction of the helical coherence length due to a random-field coupling to the uncompensated Dy layer moment.« less
Museums at Your Fingertips

A museum display system utilizes touchscreen technology to create a digital exhibition of large-scale artworks, offering visitors an engaging, entertaining experience in which they can intuitively view and explore the exhibit.
Sometimes Wave, Sometimes Particle

This article is a response to the ongoing, weighty and often caustic critique of my work by Robert Carroll. Over a lifetime of ‘ideology spotting’, Carroll has rejected any attempt to take the faith claims of the text with theological seriousness, and has targeted my work as a model for the failure of such an approach. My response is an insistence that every approach to the text, that of ‘ideology spotting’ as well as ‘theological seriousness’, moves from a faith claim and a ‘prejudice’, whether explicit or not. Thus, there is no ‘high ground’ in interpretation, as Carroll assumed about his own work in his dismissiveness of mine. Rather, interpretation that is generative is an act of playful imagination that allows, after Gadamer, for interpretation to move in and out of theological seriousness. Such a perspective seeks to shun very one-dimensional reductionism.
Molecular pathways in DNA-DNA hybridization of surface-bound oligonucleotides

A molecular model of DNA, that has been shown to reproduce hybridization, is used here to study the transition from two single-stranded molecules to a double-helical complex in situations where one strand is attached to a surface. Transition Path Sampling simulations reveal that hybridization is initiated by forming specific contacts between distinct bases of the molecule. Molecules with repetitive sequences form double helices by sliding along each other after having formed initial contacts. For random sequences, it is shown that the pathway that molecules follow to hybridization depends on the linker length as well as the temperature, and is significantly different from that observed in the bulk.
Associations Between Aldosterone Antagonist Therapy and Risks of Mortality and Readmission Among Patients With Heart Failure and Reduced Ejection Fraction

Context Aldosterone antagonist therapy for heart failure and reduced ejection fraction has been highly efficacious in randomized trials. However, questions remain regarding the effectiveness and safety of the therapy in clinical practice. Objective To examine the clinical effectiveness of newly initiated aldosterone antagonist therapy among older patients hospitalized with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. Design, Setting, and Participants Using clinical registry data linked to Medicare claims from 2005 through 2010, we examined outcomes of eligible patients hospitalized with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. We used Cox proportional hazards models and inverse-weighted estimates of the probability of treatment to adjust for treatment selection bias. Main Outcome Measures All-cause mortality, cardiovascular readmission, and heart failure readmission at 3 years, and hyperkalemia readmission at 30 days and 1 year. Results Among 5887 patients who met the inclusion criteria, the mean age was 77.6 years; of those 1070 (18.2%) started aldosterone antagonist therapy at discharge. Cumulative incidence rates among treated and untreated patients were 49.9% vs 51.2% (P = .62) for mortality; 63.8% vs 63.9% (P = .65) for cardiovascular readmission; and 38.7% vs 44.9% (P Conclusions Initiation of aldosterone antagonist therapy at hospital discharge was not independently associated with improved mortality or cardiovascular readmission but was associated with improved heart failure readmission among eligible older patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction. There was a significant increase in the risk of readmission with hyperkalemia, predominantly within 30 days after discharge.
Flow Characteristics of a Vertical Spinning Disk, Low‐Pressure Vapor Deposition Apparatus

The flow characteristics of a new vertical spinning disk, low-pressure vapor deposition apparatus were studied. The nominal boundary-layer thickness dependence on the reactor pressure, substrate rotation rate, and substrate temperature were examined with the aid of a smoke that was generated from hydrolyzed TiCl 4 vapor. The measured nominal boundary layer thickness was found to have a strong dependence on the reactor pressure and the substrate rotation rate, whereas the temperature dependence was not easily resolved by the present method. The experimental data and the theoretical prediction were found to agree within the accuracy of the measurements.
Behavioural display systems across nine Anolis lizard species: sexual dimorphisms in structure and function

Relationships between structure and function are a primary focus in biology, yet they are most often considered within individual species. Sexually dimorphic communication behaviours and the morphology of associated structures can vary widely, even among closely related species, and these traits provide an ideal opportunity to investigate the evolution of structure–function patterns. Using nine Anolis lizard species, we addressed a series of questions regarding sex differences in and the evolution of relationships between extension of the throat fan (dewlap) and morphology of the muscles and cartilage controlling it. The main results indicated that within species, males displayed the dewlap more often than females and consistently exhibited larger associated structures. These data are consistent with work in other vertebrates in which corresponding sex differences in reproductive morphology and behaviour have been documented. Across species, however, we found no evidence that the rate of dewlap extension evolved in association with dewlap morphology. Thus, we provide an example of traits that, when considered in a phylogenetic framework, exhibited limited associations between behaviour and morphology, perhaps as the result of constraints imposed by the ecological contexts in which different species occur.
Three-Level Models for Indirect Effects in School- and Class-Randomized Experiments in Education.

Due to the clustered nature of field data, multi-level modeling has become commonly used to analyze data arising from educational field experiments. While recent methodological literature has focused on multi-level mediation analysis, relatively little attention has been devoted to mediation analysis when three levels (e.g., student, class, school) are present in a study setting. This article presents analysis models that can be used to test indirect effects in experimental designs having three levels where random assignment is at the third (school) or second (class) level and where the indirect effect may be random. In the presentation, simulated datasets are used to illustrate model specification and results interpretation for hypothetical three-level educational experiments involving mediation and moderation of treatment effects.
Dart-stepped-leader step formation in triggered lightning

Dart-stepped-leader step formation in triggered lightning is documented with high-speed video recorded at 648 kiloframes per second (1.16 µs exposure time, 380 ns dead time) and linear streak film with a temporal resolution of about 1 µs. Locally luminous points and segments of channel both separate and below the main descending leader tip were recorded on the high-speed video. Bidirectional leaders were imaged initiating at the locally luminous points below the main channel tip, points that remain stationary during the interstep process. The average speed of five bidirectional leaders was 8.4 × 105 m/s upward and 4.8 × 105 m/s downward, assuming 1.5 µs between successive images. The main dart-stepped-leader channel tip moved downward between steps. Leader steps extended below the bottom of the previous bidirectional leader. Processes that can be seen between steps on high-speed video are generally below the noise threshold of the streak film, which shows primarily the newly formed steps.
An authorization model for geospatial data

The advent of commercial observation satellites in the new millennium provides unprecedented access to timely information, as they produce images of the Earth with the sharpness and quality previously available only from US, Russian, and French military satellites. Due to the fact that they are commercial in nature, a broad range of government agencies (including international), the news media, businesses, and nongovernmental organizations can gain access to this information. This may have grave implications on national security and personal privacy. Formal policies for prohibiting the release of imagery beyond a certain resolution, and notifying when an image crosses an international boundary or when such a request is made, are beginning to emerge. Access permissions in this environment are determined by both the spatial and temporal attributes of the data, such as location, resolution level, and the time of image download, as well as those of the user credentials. Since existing authorization models are not adequate to provide access control based on spatial and temporal attributes, in this paper, we propose a geospatial data authorization model (GSAM). Unlike the traditional access control models where authorizations are specified using subjects and objects, authorizations in GSAM are specified using credential expressions and object expressions. GSAM supports privilege modes including view, zoom-in, download, overlay, identify, animate, and fly by, among others. We present our access control prototype system that enables subject, object as well as authorization specification via a Web-based interface. When an access request is made, the access control system computes the overlapping region of the authorization and the access request. The zoom-in and zoom-out requests can simply be made through a click of the mouse, and the appropriate authorizations will be evaluated when these access requests are made
Ectopic Cell Cycle Proteins Predict the Sites of Neuronal Cell Death in Alzheimer’s Disease Brain

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a major dementing illness characterized by regional concentrations of senile plaques, neurofibrillary tangles, and extensive neuronal cell death. Although cell and synaptic loss is most directly linked to the severity of symptoms, the mechanisms leading to the neuronal death remain unclear. Based on evidence linking neuronal death during development to unexpected reappearance of cell cycle events, we investigated the brains of 12 neuropathologically verified cases of Alzheimer's disease and eight age-matched, disease-free controls for the presence of cell cycle proteins. Aberrant expression of cyclin D, cdk4, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and cyclin B1 were identified in the hippocampus, subiculum, locus coeruleus, and dorsal raphe nuclei, but not inferotemporal cortex or cerebellum of AD cases. With only one exception, control subjects showed no significant expression of cell cycle markers in any of the six regions. We propose that disregulation of various components of the cell cycle is a significant contributor to regionally specific neuronal death in AD.
Direct Myocardial Revascularization and Angiogenesis—How Many Patients Might be Eligible?

Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States. 1 Established approaches for treating coronary artery disease include medications that reduce myocardial oxygen demand, medications and lifestyle measures to prevent further disease progression, restoration of blood flow to a localized segment of the epicardial coronary artery using percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and bypassing the obstruction entirely using coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). However, a significant number of patients have diffuse coronary artery disease, absent conduits after bypass surgery, small distal vessels, and comorbidities that may preclude PCI or CABG. As the population continues to age, the proportion of patients ineligible for traditional methods of revascularization may increase. Newer modalities of therapy that are being investigated in these patients include operative and percutaneous transluminal myocardial revascularization (TMR) 2,3 and injection of growth factors to promote angiogenesis. Few data are available on the number of patients who may be potential candidates for these newer therapies. This study examines the proportion of patients with coronary artery disease undergoing coronary angiography, who are not candidates for conventional revascularization therapy using PCI or CABG, and more importantly who may be candidates for the new modalities of revascularization. ••• Charts and cineangiograms from consecutive patients with known or suspected coronary artery disease undergoing angiography from 2 January 1998 to 22 May 1998 were reviewed to assess the suitability for TMR, TMR with or without CABG, percutaneous TMR, or drug angiogenesis. Patients undergoing coronary angiography before valvular heart surgery were not included in the analysis. Inclusion criteria derived from ongoing clinical trials (VEGF in Ischemia for Vascular Angiogenesis [VIVA]) included anginal class $2, ejection fraction $25%, ischemia $20% of the left ventricle, no myocardial infarction for #3 weeks (no left ventricular thrombus, aortic valve disease for percutaneous TMR; no known cancer, retinopathy for drug angiogenesis), and not being a suitable candidate for PCI or CABG. Reasons for ineligibility for PCI included chronic total occlusion with unfavorable morphologic features (ostial location, long gap segment, major branch at occlusion), multiple restenosis, diffuse disease, and severely degenerated saphenous vein graft; for CABG, reasons for ineligibility were poor targets, no conduits, and severe comorbidities such as very low forced expiratory volume, metastatic cancer, or severely calcified aorta. Eligibility for CABG, PCI, or newer therapies was
The Move to Evidence-Based Practice: How Well Does it Fit Child Welfare Services?

ABSTRACT Child welfare services are engaged in examining and applying concepts from evidence-based practice. This article provides background on evidence-based practice in child welfare and suggests the areas of least and greatest fit between the methods of evidence-based practice and child welfare services. Implications for the emergence of more evidence-based approaches to child welfare services are forwarded. Suggestions for social work education are also offered.
Glycemic Load, Glycemic Index, and Carbohydrate Intake in Relation to Risk of Cholecystectomy in Women

Background & Aims: High-carbohydrate diets with a high glycemic response may exacerbate the metabolic consequences of the insulin-resistance syndrome. The effect on the incidence of gallstone disease is not clear. Methods: We examined the associations between high-carbohydrate diets with a high glycemic response and the risk of cholecystectomy in a cohort of women who were aged from 35 to 61 years in 1984 and had no history of gallstone disease. As part of the Nurses' Health Study, the women reported on questionnaires mailed to them every 2 years both their carbohydrate intake and whether they had undergone cholecystectomy. Results: During 16 years of follow-up, we ascertained 5771 new cases of cholecystectomy. After adjusting for age and other known or suspected risk factors in a multivariate model, the relative risk for the highest compared with the lowest quintile of dietary carbohydrate was 1.35 (95% CI: 1.17–1.55, P for trend P for trend P for trend
Associations of adiposity with measured and self-reported academic performance in early adolescence

HUANG, TERRY T.-K., MICHAEL I. GORAN, AND DONNA SPRUIJT-METZ. Associations of adiposity with measured and self-reported academic performance in early adolescence. Obesity. 2006;14:1839–1845. Objective: To examine the associations of adiposity with measured and self-reported academic performance independently of demographics and physical activity among U.S. adolescents. Research Methods and Procedures: We surveyed 666 students 11 to 14 years old from seven middle schools in Los Angeles, CA. Weight and height were measured. Actual grade point average was obtained from school records. Self-reported school grades and physical activity time were measured by questionnaire. Adiposity measures included BMI, BMI percentile (85th percentile defined as at-riskof-overweight), and percentage body fat (bioimpedance). Results: After adjusting for gender, ethnicity, age, and physical activity time, overweight at-risk status, BMI, and percentage body fat were negatively related to only selfreported (p 0.01) but not measured grades. Level of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity time was negatively related to measured and self-reported grades, independently of adiposity (p 0.01). Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to examine both body mass and body fat in relation to measured and self-reported school grades. Adiposity did not relate to actual academic performance in a sample of predominantly Latino and Asian-American adolescents. The use of measured vs. self-reported academic outcomes may represent different constructs and influence study conclusions. Cultural factors may also play a role in our findings, but this requires further study.
Predictability of food supply, but not ration, increases exploratory behaviour in zebrafish Danio rerio

Individual zebrafish Danio rerio were assayed for exploratory tendency in a serial open field test before and after being maintained on one of four diet treatments that differed in ration and in predictability of food delivery. Danio rerio became more exploratory after being maintained on a diet with a predictable delivery schedule. There was no effect of ration. Thus, exploratory behaviour is inducible by environmental influences independent of genetic predisposition or social interactions. These results have implications for management of correlated behavioural syndromes of exploratory and boldness of animals reared in captivity for later release into wild populations.
Experiences in Deploying Services within the Axis Container

The Web Services framework, since it leverages the Service Oriented Architecture model, enables the development of applications that are loosely coupled and easier to manage. A Web Service is typically hosted within a Web Service Container. There are several choices for these containers depending on the platform and the language in which the applications would be developed. In this paper our focus is on applications built using the Java platform. Here, the most dominant Web Service container is the opensource Apache Axis Web Service container. In this paper we describe our experiences in deploying Web Services, specifically WS-ReliableMessaging, within this container. We enumerate the problems and limitations that we encountered within Axis, and our solutions to get around this problem. We also have a set of recommendations that would make this a more flexible container for sophisticated Web Service applications.
Deactivation of Ti and Zr half-metallocene complexes activated with B(C6F5)3: a case study in constructing DFT-based QSARs to predict unimolecular rate constants

Two deactivation pathways of Ti and Zr half-metallocene complexes activated with B(C6F5)3 in toluene solvent were studied using Density Functional Theory (DFT) with dispersion corrections: (a) H transfer from the counterion to Me initiating group to release methane and (b) C6F5 transfer from the counterion to the metal. Transition state geometries and energies were computed for twenty-seven complexes, and the barrier height for the C6F5 transfer pathway was linearly correlated to the amount of steric congestion near the metal. Unimolecular rate constants for catalyst deactivation were predicted for all 27 catalysts by constructing a DFT-based quantitative structure activity relationship (QSAR). This QSAR was constructed by using the DFT-computed energy barrier (ΔV0) and vibrational frequency along the reaction coordinate (ν‡) as chemical descriptors and fitting QSAR parameters to experimental data for reference systems. The computed rate constants were in excellent agreement with the available experimental data. Specifically, the dominant deactivation pathway for each catalyst and the relative deactivation rates of different catalysts were correctly predicted. Of note, the IndTi(OC6H-2,3,5,6-Ph4)Me2/B(C6F5)3 system is predicted to have a good combination of slow deactivation and high olefin polymerization rates.
THE ESTABLISHMENT AND EARLY GROWTH OF THREE LEGUMINOUS TREE SPECIES FOR USE IN SILVOPASTORAL SYSTEMS OF THE SOUTHEASTERN USA

Demand for goat meat in the eastern USA is growing as a result of preference by ethnic communities. Meat goat production systems in the southeastern USA should be designed to take advantage of the goats' natural preference for browse. Trees could contribute to system productivity by supplying required nutrients when demand by growing animals is critical and the quality of forage is limited. A field study was established in Wake County, NC to evaluate the establishment and early growth characteristics of three leguminous tree species, Robinia pseudoacacia, Gleditsia triacanthos, and Albizia julibrissin. The three tree species were planted in single-row plots following a randomized complete block design (3 × 2 × 2, replicated six times) with two planting densities (intra-row spacing of 50 or 100 cm) and two coppice heights (25 or 50 cm). Bare-root seedlings were planted in March 1995, evaluated for browse quality (composited samples) in August 1995, coppiced in February 1996, evaluated for herbage mass and quality in July 1996, and evaluated for goat preference in August 1996. Herbage mass produced during the second season ranged from about 200 (G. tricanthos) to 3,200 kg/ha (R. pseudoacacia). Estimates of herbage quality were high for all species. Crude protein and acid detergent fiber of leaflets ranged from 23 to 28% and 12 to 22%, respectively. Robinia pseudoacacia has a high potential as a browse species for goats due to high herbage production (mean of 2,390 kg/ha) and goat preference. Gleditsia triacanthos was judged to be a low value browse species. Albizia julibrissin, although not highly preferred by goats in the trial holds sufficient potential to warrant further investigation.
Sudden Death in a 55-Year-Old Woman With Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

A 55-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and hypertension was admitted for evaluation of a 1-week history of dyspnea and pleuritic chest pain. SLE was diagnosed 3 years ago and manifested as rash, recurrent angioedema, and arthritis. Maintenance therapy with continuous prednisone (10 to 50 mg/d) and briefly with methotrexate for 1 year controlled disease manifestations. Two months before admission, she developed increasing fatigue and malaise. One week before admission, a mild, nonproductive cough and chills were noted. Over the next several days, she developed progressively increasing dyspnea on exertion and bilateral, sharp, anterior chest pain that worsened with inspiration, supine position, and movement. The remainder of the past medical history was notable only for a miscarriage. Family history was unremarkable. The patient was a retired bookkeeper. She had smoked one-half pack of cigarettes per day for 20 years and had 1 alcoholic drink per day. There was no history of illicit drug abuse. Medications at the time of admission were prednisone 10 mg and sustained release nifedipine 60 mg daily. The patient was allergic to penicillin. On physical examination, the patient was in moderate respiratory distress. Blood pressure was 160 to 180 over 90 to 105 mm Hg, heart rate was 120 bpm, respiratory rate was 30 to 40 breaths per minute, and temperature was 99.1°F. The neck veins were flat. Lung sounds were decreased halfway up on the left and one third of the way up on the right. No evidence of consolidation was noted. A loud, 3-component pericardial friction rub was heard. No murmur or gallop was appreciated. A pulsus paradoxus was not present. No active synovitis or joint findings were noted. Pertinent laboratory findings on admission are noted in the Table⇓. The ECG on admission showed sinus tachycardia at 120 bpm. View this table: Table 1. Laboratory Values …