cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coping efficacy and perceived family support: potential factors for reducing stress in premedical students

Objective This study investigated the relationship between perceived family support and coping efficacy in premedical (i.e. prior to entering medical school) students, an understudied subset of undergraduate students who are particularly at risk for academia- related stress. The relationships between students’ perceived academic coping abilities and their academic behaviours and experiences of stress have been considered within the vocational literature. However, an understanding of factors that inform coping efficacy beliefs is lacking. Methods A total of 238 premedical students provided demographic information regarding themselves and their parents. Students also completed a paper questionnaire containing a coping efficacy scale and items assessing their level of family support. Results Correlational analyses revealed significant positive relationships between family support and students’ perceived abilities to cope with anticipated academic barriers as hypothesised. Bivariate comparisons of mean coping efficacy scores revealed that racial or ethnic minority students reported significantly higher coping efficacy beliefs than did White students. Students with doctor mothers also reported significantly higher coping efficacy than students with mothers employed in other health-related fields. No significant differences in coping efficacy were found when those with doctor fathers versus those with fathers in other health-related fields were compared. Conclusions Findings from the present study indicate that perceived family support plays a key role in establishing premedical students’ confidence in their ability to cope with the challenges of academic life. These findings have important implications for further studies on coping and stress in premedical students.
Antenna radiation pattern control through 3D printed inhomogeneous dielectrics

Inhomogeneous dielectrics can be used as antennas or to control antenna radiation patterns. For instance, Luneburg lens antennas have the refractive index distribution of n(r)= [2 − (r/a)2]1/2. They can achieve one focus on its surface and the other focus at infinity. Inhomogeneous dielectrics can also be used to increase the gain and narrow the beam width of a horn antenna. Moreover, inhomogeneous dielectrics can be realized by a fast and economic manufacturing method, additive manufacturing (AM), which is also called 3D printing technology. It enables 3D fabrication of arbitrary shape and structure by printing layer by layer. By changing the mixing ratio of multiple 3D printing materials, spatially varying dielectric constants can be achieved.
Diuretic-Induced lithium toxicity presenting as Mania

A bipolar patient receiving lithium therapy developed a toxic state with a serum lithium level of 3.9 within 2 weeks of beginning hydrochlorthiazide treatment for hypertension. The initial changes in mental status suggested that the patient might be beginning another manic episode. Symptoms resolved following hemodialysis.
Observation of the simultaneous emission of roughness-coupled and optical-coupled surface plasmon radiation from silver

Abstract The optical excitation and decay of surface plasmons on Ag films is reported. The optical decay is observed as an annular cone of light when the substrate is in the form of a hemisphere. The polarization and angular distribution of this cone radiation is presented and compared to the roughness-coupled surface plasmon radiation simultaneously emitted from the Ag.
High performance polymeric charge recombination layer for organic tandem solar cells

We report on inverted polymer tandem solar cells wherein the conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), modified at one interface with ethoxylated polyethylenimine (PEIE), acts as an efficient charge recombination layer. This recombination layer shows very low optical absorption, high electrical conductivity, and a large work function contrast of 1.3 eV between its top and bottom interfaces. Its use yields tandem cells in which the open-circuit voltage is the sum of that of individual cells. The fill factor of tandem cells connected in series is found to be larger than that of single-junction cells. Its simple polymeric composition and its unprecedented performance make it a promising component for emerging organic photovoltaic technologies.
Management of intraoperative neuromonitoring signal loss

Abstract Intraoperative neuromonitoring is an important tool for providing safe and effective care to patients undergoing spine surgery. Combined neuromonitoring modes, including transcranial motor evoked potentials and somatosensory evoked potentials, are frequently used. Loss of neuromonitoring signals can be associated with potentially devastating consequences. This review discusses management of intraoperative neuromonitoring signal loss during spine surgery. The authors describe a stepwise algorithm for troubleshooting signal loss.
Quételet's index predicts outcome in cadaveric kidney transplantation

Abstract Objective : To determine the association of body composition, as estimated by Quetelet's index (weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared), with patient and graft survival in cadaveric kidney transplantation. Design : Cohort analytic study. Setting : 131 US transplant centers. Patients : 16,110 adult male and 10,447 adult female recipients of cadaver kidneys between October 1987 and December 1991. Main Outcome Measures : The relative risks of death and graft failure by Quetelet's index category stratified by sex, and adjusted for recipient age, race, diabetes, previous transplantation, pretransplant blood transfusions, peak panel reactive antibody, cold ischemia time, functional status, donor age, sex, and race, and HLA antigen mismatch. Results : There was a U-shaped relation between the relative risk of death and Quetelet's index in men that was not present in women. There was an increased rate of graft loss with increasing Quetelet's index in both sexes. A Quetelet's index of more than 33 kg per m 2 was associated with a 38% and 28% increase in the rate of graft failure in men and women, respectively. Age modified the effect of Quetelet's index on graft loss in men. The associations between Quetelet's index and outcomes were not influenced by race or diabetes. Results were similar when an alternative index of body composition uncorrelated with height (Benn's index) was used. Conclusions : Body composition is an important determinant of premature death and graft loss after kidney transplantation, particularly among men. Whether the increased risks are directly attributable to body composition, or to other related factors, such as drug disposition or adherence to therapy, is unknown. Considerations should be given to nutritional interventions, including dietary modification and exercise, before cadaveric kidney transplantation.
Analysis of the structural forms of α-amylase present in chicken (Gallus domesticus) pancreatic duct juice and intestinal lumen

Abstract 1. 1. α-Amylase (E.C. 3.2.1.1) extracted by homogenization of the whole chicken pancreas is electrophoretically identical with secreted amylase collected from pancreatic ducts. 2. 2. An inherent property of secreted amylase is the ability to generate a family of at least three electrophoretically faster migrating amylolytic proteins (modified amylases). 3. 3. Amylase family members are present in the chicken's intestinal tract. 4. 4. There is no evidence that modified amylases possess altered trypsin sensitivities. 5. 5. There is no evidence for a mucosal cell amylase as claimed by Kokas et al. (1967).
Peanut Meal, Mixtures of Soybean and Cottonseed and Mixtures of Soybean and Peanut Meals as Sources of Protein for Baby Chicks

Abstract CONCENTRATES of vitamin B12 and APF (animal protein factor) have become available during the past year to replace the animal protein factor usually supplied when animal protein by-products are added to poultry and other animal feeds. It has been shown by many investigators that when these concentrates are used to supplement a diet composed chiefly of corn or milo and soybean meal, the diet will support a rapid rate of growth in chicks. Relatively few data are available when another protein concentrate such as cottonseed or peanut meal or mixtures of two or more plant protein concentrates are used with an APF supplement and with no animal protein by-products. Richardson and Blaylock (1950) showed that cottonseed meal low in gossypol was satisfactory as the sole source of protein, for the growth of chicks to 6 weeks of age, when it was supplemented with both lysine and vitamin B12 concentrate. Soybean . . .
Third Zemach moment of the proton

Modern electron scattering experiments have determined the proton electric form factor ${G}_{\mathit{Ep}}({Q}^{2})$ to high precision. We utilize this data, represented by the different empirical form-factor parametrizations, to compute the third Zemach moment of the proton charge distribution. We find that existing data rule out a value of the third Zemach moment large enough to explain the current puzzle with the proton charge radius, determined from the Lamb shift in muonic hydrogen. This is in contrast to the recent paper of De R\'ujula. We also demonstrate that the size of the third Zemach moment is largely governed by the fourth moment of the conventional charge distributions $\ensuremath{\langle}{r}^{4}\ensuremath{\rangle}$, which enables us to obtain a rigorous upper bound on the magnitude of the third Zemach moment of the proton.
Simulation of Tracer Concentration Data in the Brush Creek Drainage Flow Using an Integrated Puff Model

Abstract During the 1984 ASCOT field study in Brush Creek Valley, two perfluorocarbon tracers were released into the nocturnal drainage flow at two different heights. The resulting surface concentrations were sampled at 90 sites, and vertical concentration profiles at 11 sites. These detailed tracer measurements provide a valuable dataset for developing and testing models of pollutant transport and dispersion in valleys. In this paper, we present the results of Gaussian puff model simulations of the tracer releases in Brush Creek Valley. The model was modified to account for the restricted lateral dispersion in the valley, and for the gross elevation differences between the release site and the receptors. The variable wind fields needed to transport the puffs were obtained by interpolation between wind profiles measured using tethered balloons at five along-valley sites. Direct turbulence measurements were used to estimate diffusion. Subsidence in the valley flow was included for elevated releases. Two te...
Ever‐More Rooted Americans

Many scholars attribute contemporary ills to greater “rootlessness” among Americans. Residential mobility may be of some concern because local communities are disordered and vulnerable individuals are at risk when turnover is especially rapid. However, rates of residential mobility actually declined between the 19th and 20th centuries and continued to decline between 1950 and 1999. Analysis of Current Population Surveys shows that: in the population overall, the decline in mobility rates occurred for local moves—rates of cross-county moves stayed almost constant; Americans across age, race, gender, and class experienced the decline; but certain specific groups experienced either no drop or a slight increase in mobility. The latter seem distinctive in being the most economically marginal.
Rare inheritance of Leri-Weill Syndrome due to crossover of short stature Homeobox Gene (SHOX) Deletions between X and Y Chromosomes: a case report

Leri-Weill syndrome (LWS) is a genetic disorder caused by deletions or mutations in the SHOX gene or by deletions downstream of the gene and is classically characterized by short stature, mesomelic shortening of forearms and legs, and Madelung deformity. Correct identification of short stature homeobox-containing gene (SHOX) deficiency in children with growth problems is vital for appropriate initiation of growth hormone therapy. We report a phenotypically normal 23 day old male infant born to a father diagnosed with Leri-Weill syndrome at age 12 years with a documented SHOX deletion on his X chromosome. The patient’s fetal long bones had been found to be about three weeks delayed in growth on prenatal ultrasound during the second trimester. The infant underwent genetic evaluation at 23 days of life and was found to have a SHOX deletion on Yp11.32 identified using single nucleotide polymorphism microarray (SNP) analysis and confirmed by FISH using a SHOX gene probe. We report the case of a male infant diagnosed with Leri-Weill syndrome with an unusual documented inheritance between father and son due to crossover between X and Y chromosomes during paternal meiosis. Our case is the youngest patient in literature documented by FISH analysis to have an X to Y chromosome transfer and the first of these patients diagnosed prior to onset of short stature or Madelung deformity. Our patient was identified prior to growth failure and can now be monitored for growth abnormalities with the ability to implement growth augmentation therapy without delay. Our case highlights the importance of advising affected SHOX patients of risks to future offspring and supports screening off-spring of parents carrying SHOX abnormalities regardless of sex.
Influence of acute fluid loading on stress-induced hemoconcentration and cardiovascular reactivity.

The goal of this study was to assess the possible attenuating effects of oral fluid loading on hematological and hemodynamic factors during acute psychological stress in two separate experiments: Experiment 1 assessed the effects of hypotonic fluid loading (water) and Experiment 2 assessed the effects of isotonic fluid loading (Gatorade™). Twenty-eight participants were recruited for Experiment 1, and 28 participants were recruited for Experiment 2. Participants for each experiment completed two test sessions, once in a hypo-hydrated condition (following 12-h fast) and once in a fluid loaded condition (hypotonic or isotonic fluid). During each session, hematocrit (Hct), hemoglobin (Hgb), calculated plasma volume (CPV), heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), cardiac output (CO), stroke volume (SV), and total peripheral resistance (TPR) were assessed during a 10-min resting baseline period, 6-min mental arithmetic (MA) task, and a 16-min recovery period. Results for Experiment 1 revealed that the fluid load condition Hct, Hgb, and HR levels were significantly lower in comparison to the hypo-hydration condition, and that Hct, Hgb, and CPV reactivity was greater during the fluid load condition. Results for Experiment 2 revealed that Hct, Hgb, and TPR were lower and CPV, SBP, SV, and CO were higher during the fluid load condition compared to the hypo-hydration condition and that HR, CO, and TPR reactivity was greater during the fluid load condition. Finally, analytic comparisons between the two fluid types revealed that SV and CO levels were significantly greater at baseline and during MA when isotonic fluid was ingested compared to hypotonic fluid ingestion.
Measurement of the sound-based word avoidance of persons who stutter

Monologue samples of 15 adult stuttering subjects were analyzed to determine the percentage of words they chose that began with each phoneme. The distribution of initial sounds of words that stuttering subjects selected when formulating speech was compared with data gathered from 40 nonstuttering adults. A profile was constructed of standard Z scores, which permitted observation of an individual subject's deviation from the control group. Profiles of 10 of the 13 stuttering subjects who reported that they avoided words showed evidence of probable sound-based word avoidance at both Z = -1.00 and -1.50 reference points. Sounds that subjects reported they were most likely to avoid did not appear highly related to the sounds they seemed to avoid. This approach may have promise as a means of measuring sound-based word avoidance.
Vitamin K and its rôle in blood coagulation

Abstract Although the exact mechanism of blood coagulation is not fully understood, it is generally accepted that prothrombin, thromboplastin and calcium interact to form thrombin which combines with fibrinogen to form fibrin. The only physiological anticoagulant known is heparin, which is not found in circulating blood in any appreciable amount. Vitamin k apparently is a precursor or possibly an enzyme in the formation of prothrombin, which is a product of liver metabolism. Absorption of the natural fat-soluble vitamin k from the intestinal tract requires the presence of adequate bile salts and a normal intestinal mucosa. Its utilization after assimilation depends on the presence of healthy liver tissue for the formation of prothrombin. Synthetic vitamin k products, generally more potent than the natural vitamin, are naphthoquinone derivatives, most of which are water-soluble and can be administered parenterally. Vitamin k is of greatest value in correcting the abnormal blood coagulation due to hypoprothrombinemia as a result of obstructive jaundice or biliary fistulas. It is also useful in correcting hypoprothrombinemia of the newborn. All patients submitted to biliary tract surgery in the presence or absence of jaundice should have prothrombin determinations and vitamin k therapy preoperatively and postoperatively. The plasma prothrombin response to vitamin k therapy in the presence of a hypoprothrombinemia may be used as a sensitive liver function test. In the recommended therapeutic doses vitamin k and its related synthetic products are not toxic.
Engrailed, Retinotectal Targeting, and Axonal Patterning in the Midbrain during Xenopus Development: An Antisense Study

Axonal tracts in the vertebrate brain seem to respect domains of homeobox gene expression. To test the role of engrailed in tract formation in the midbrain, we inhibited its expression using antisense (AS) oligonucleotides. Phosphorothioate-modified AS oligos caused navigational errors in both the optic projection (OP) and the intertectal commissure (ITC). These oligos, however, also inhibited bFGF binding to the brain. To determine whether these tract phenotypes were due to inhibition of bFGF function or engrailed expression, we used partially phosphorothioate-modified (pp) oligos, which inhibit engrailed expression but do not affect bFGF binding. These ppAS oligos caused the ITC phenotype but had no effect on the OP. Thus, interference with bFGF function correlates with the OP phenotype, while the ITC phenotype is directly related to engrailed expression.
Pairing forces and nuclear collective motion

Abstract The influence of pairing forces on the collective vibrations in nuclei is studied using a perturbation expansion. The result is found to agree with that given by Belyaev using the superconductivity approximation except that here the number of particles is conserved. A general discussion is given of the collective quadrupole energy surface. In particular the anharmonic terms in the expansion about zero deformation and the general character of the stability of axially symmetric deformed systems are discussed.
Effects of man on geomagnetic activity and pulsations

Abstract Until recently the only known large-scale effects of man on geomagnetic activity and pulsations were those produced by high-altitude nuclear explosions. However, in just the last few years, measurements have indicated that changes can also be produced by (1) moderately-powered pulsed HF radio (1–20 MHz) transmissions into the ionosphere, (2) high-powered pulsed VLF radio transmissions (3–15 kHz) into the magnetosphere, and (3) by the ULF magnetic noise (frequencies
Excitation energy spectrum in helium II

We obtain the roton part of the excitation energy spectrum in He II qualitatively. We point out that the distinct difference between this calculation and that of Parry and Ter Haar is that we do not use the Born approximation in the evaluation of $t$-matrix elements. We found that in addition to the contribution due to the hard-core part, the attractive potential helps to form the roton dip.
The effects of cure temperature and time on the isocyanate-wood adhesive bondline by 15N CP/MAS NMR

Abstract A 99% 15N-labelled polymeric methylenebis(phenylisocyanate) (pMDI) resin was used to make a series of wood- 15N-pMDI composites cured as a function of temperature and time. Bondline chemistry was monitored using 15N CP/MAS NMR. Urea linkages were identified as the major chemical moieties at low cure temperatures, while biurets were predominant at higher temperatures. Bondline chemistry did not change with time when curing at 120°C. However, cure chemistry at 185°C did change with time, from mostly biuret to urea. This transition involved the thermal decomposition of biurets, producing urea and isocyanate. It is believed that urethane formation has been detected under the conditions that cleave biurets. This suggests that urethanes result from the thermal liberation of isocyanate via biuret cleavage. The 15N technique has proven valuable for the elucidation of this complex cure chemistry.
A transient MHD model applicable for the source of solar cosmic ray acceleration

A two-dimensional, time-dependent magnetohydrodynamic model is used to describe the possible mechanisms for the source of solar cosmic ray acceleration following a solar flare. The hypothesis is based on the propagation of fast mode MHD shocks following a sudden release of energy. In this presentation, the effects of initial magnetic topology and strength on the formation of MHD shocks have been studied. The plasma beta (thermal pressure/magnetic pressure) is considered as a measure of the initial, relative strength of the field. During dynamic mass motion, the Alfven Mach number is the more appropriate measure of the magnetic field's ability to control the outward motion. It is suggested that this model (computed self-consistently) provides the shock waves and the disturbed mass motion behind it as likely sources for solar cosmic ray acceleration.
The Quality of Standardized High School Mathematics Tests.

The mathematics educator often has to resort to the use of standardized tests. Although criterion-referenced tests have gained in use, tests having a norm reference are popular for the purposes of district-wide evaluation and for assessing the impact of an experimental program. Such instruments offer convenience and economy to the user-they can be picked up "off the shelf," given to a class, and scored rapidly. Moreover, they often have a "face validity" that might appeal to the researcher who does not have extensive resources for test development. Standardized tests of all types have weaknesses-and those in mathematics are no exception. For example, Romberg and Wilson (1968) gave a rationale for the National Longitudinal Study of Mathematical Abilities (NLSMA) tests and noted some shortcomings of commercially available mathematics tests. Among other things, the latter were criticized for (a) not covering important components of ability, (b) overtesting some components of ability, and (c) testing a unitary trait rather than a complex set of skills. In a later review, Romberg (1969) gave the following judgment: "It is safe to generalize that in most mathematics studies conducted during the 1960s, researchers used inappropriate or inadequate measuring devices to assess mathematics achievement" (p. 482). Despite these criticisms and general criticisms of all types of objective tests (Hoffman, 1962), there has been no apparent decrease in the use of standardized achievement tests. Goodrich (1975) noted that the standardized-test industry reported an income in excess of $100 million in a recent year. He also cited data from large city school systems indicating that in some cases more than half a million tests are administered in a single semester in a single district. Although not all of these are mathematics tests, almost all multitest batteries do have a mathematics component. Further, standardized mathematics tests continue to be used in evaluations of largescale federal projects such as the Emergency School Aid Act program (System Development Corporation, 1972).
Addenda to drug guidelines.

Excerpt To the editor: I am writing to you on our article, "Guidelines for Drug Therapy in Renal Failure" published in the June issue (Ann Intern Med86:754-783, 1977). In looking over the tables I ...
Current assessments of the adequacy of myocardial perfusion during acute MI

For two decades now, the optimal management of acute coronary syndrome has been the early restoration of complete and sustained flow to the jeopardized infarct area. Advances in thrombolytic therapy and percutaneous coronary interventions have contributed significantly to the re-establishment of epicardial flow. However, a body of evidence now strongly indicates that restoration of epicardial flow alone is not sufficient to optimize clinical outcomes. Rather, it has become evident that reperfusion therapy must also involve restoration of microcirculatory reperfusion. Thus, techniques to assess myocardial perfusion during acute myocardial infarction are becoming increasingly relevant for the assessment of patient prognosis.
On the performance characteristics of an adaptive control algorithm

This paper analyzes the performance characteristics of a simple direct model reference adaptive control scheme in the presence of realistic plant nonlinearities and subject to design constraints on closed-loop performance.
Homoharringtonine: History, current research, and future directions

BACKGROUND Cephalotoxine esters, including homoharringtonine (HHT), have shown encouraging activity in leukemia in initial studies in China and in later studies in the U.S. METHODS The authors conducted a review of the literature to examine the studies pertinent to HHT in relation to preclinical studies and Phase I-II trials in patients with hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. RESULTS HHT and analogues appear to induce differentiation and apoptosis. Studies from China reported high response rates in patients with leukemia. Trials in the U.S. using short HHT infusions (3-4 mg/m(2) daily for 5 days) resulted in a high incidence of cardiovascular complications that were reduced using continuous infusion schedules of 3-7 mg/m(2) daily for 5-7 days initially, and later lower dose schedules of 2.5 mg/m(2) daily for 7-14 days. Results in solid tumors were negative. However encouraging results were reported in patients with acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, acute promyelocytic leukemia, and, most important, chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In CML patients, HHT has been investigated alone and in combination with interferon-alpha and low-dose cytarabine in late and early chronic phases, with positive results. Additional areas of interest include the potential use of HHT for the treatment of central nervous system leukemia, polycythemia vera, and other nonmalignant conditions such as malaria. New semisynthetic preparations and HHT derivatives that bypass multidrug resistance may improve the efficacy and toxicity profiles, and broaden the range of antitumor efficacy. CONCLUSIONS HHT and its derivatives appear to have promising activity in hematologic malignancies, a finding that needs to be pursued.
Calculations of a plane turbulent jet

Resolution d'une equation de fonction de densite de probabilite combinee conditionnellement modelisee pour le calcul des proprietes d'un jet turbulent plan. Comparaison avec des donnees experimentales disponibles, des valeurs calculees pour le facteur d'intermittence et les vitesses conditionnelles, ainsi que des contraintes de Reynolds
Growth studies of GaP on Si by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy

We report a growth study of GaP films grown by gas-source molecular beam epitaxy on Si substrates oriented 4° off (100) toward [110]. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED), high-resolution X-ray diffraction rocking curve (XRC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were used to characterize material quality. Growth studies were carried out in terms of the growth temperature, V/III ratio, and GaP film thickness. Two different growth methods were used : one-step direct growth and two-step growth, i.e. a thin GaP layer is grown first at a relatively low temperature as a buffer layer, followed by the main GaP layer grown at the normal growth temperature. The results show that with the two-step growth. the material quality of GaP can be greatly improved. Investigation of the effect of using different prelayers (As 2 , P 2 , Al, Ga, and Ga + Al) on the quality of GaP films reveals that the Ga prelayer gives the best result. By optimizing the growth conditions, GaP films with very smooth surfaces were obtained.
Interaction energy between two ground-state helium atoms using many-body perturbation theory

Diagrammatic many-body perturbation theory is applied to the calculation of potential-energy curves for ${\mathrm{He}}_{2}$. Both model and shifted perturbative procedures are described. The shifted scheme produces a spurious $R$ dependence for the long-range interatomic potential in both second and third order. Variational-perturbative upper-bound methods produce energies that approach an incorrect asymptotic limit at large internuclear distances. In contrast, the model-perturbative scheme in both second and third order achieves a proper distance dependence for the ${\mathrm{He}}_{2}$ potential curve. Four basis sets are employed to illustrate basis-set effects.
An Early Taste of Functional Glycomics

Recent advances in the synthesis of carbohydrates and in microarrays for profiling biochemical activities have set the stage for rapid advances in understanding the biological roles for oligosaccharides. An early example by Seeberger and colleagues illustrates the use of these tools in HIV infection [1].
Least‐Squares Analysis of Circular Dichroic Spectra of Proteins

It is shown that the method proposed by Baker and Isenberg [Biochemistry, 15, 629 (1976)] for estimating secondary structure composition of proteins from circular dichroic spectra is a leastsquares fitting technique. Estimates obtained by this method for myoglobin, lysozyme, lactate dehydrogenase, papain, and ribonuclease are not substantively different from those obtained using unconstrained linear least squares.
Search images: Selective attention to specific visual features of prey.

In 3 experiments, pigeons (Columba livia) searched a digitized image of a gravel patch on a computer monitor for cryptic grains. Experiment 1 demonstrated that the bird's ability to detect a type of grain improved over successive encounters, and detection of alternative targets was attenuated when a search image was active. Experiment 2 demonstrated search-image effects independently for the 2 grains. Perception was biased to detect wheat grains after wheat encounters and was biased to detect beam grains after bean encounters. Experiment 3 demonstrated that when a search image was activated, selective attention was heightened to the visual features of the grain used to discriminate if from the multicolor gravel background. These results provide strong support for the view that search images are selective attention to specific visual features of cryptic prey.
The significance of metabolic syndrome in the setting of recurrent hepatitis C after liver transplantation

Although hyperinsulinemia and its associated metabolic syndrome (MS) have been implicated in the progression of hepatic fibrosis in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients, little is known about the consequences of MS after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT). The aim of this study was to assess the association between MS and fibrosis progression in patients with recurrent HCV after OLT. We identified all OLT/HCV patients (1998-2005) with at least 2 post-OLT liver biopsies. MS was defined with Adult Treatment Panel III criteria at 1 year post-OLT. The Ludwig-Batts scoring system was used to stage all biopsies (408 biopsies from 95 patients). The first biopsy that showed progression post-OLT was used for the time-to-progression analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors associated with fibrosis progression. MS was present in 50% of patients. Average follow-up to last available biopsy was 24 ± 17 months, during which 72% of subjects had fibrosis progression. The overall median rate of fibrosis progression was 0.08 units per month (Q25, Q75: 0.0, 0.17). By univariable analysis, high HCV RNA at 4 months post-OLT (P < 0.001), diabetes (P = 0.046), cytomegalovirus infection (P = 0.006), and MS (P = 0.049) were associated with progression of fibrosis. In multivariable analysis, MS was independently associated with progression of fibrosis beyond 1 year after OLT (odds ratio = 6.3, P = 0.017). A high viral load at 4 months post-OLT (odds ratio = 1.1, P = 0.004) and steroid therapy for acute rejection (odds ratio = 1.9, P = 0.05) were independently associated with fibrosis progression. In conclusion, MS, a potentially modifiable disease, is common and is strongly associated with long-term fibrosis progression in the setting of recurrent HCV after OLT. Liver Transpl 14:1287–1293, 2008. © 2008 AASLD.
Bulk properties of solution-synthesized chevron-like graphene nanoribbons

Graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) have received a great deal of attention due to their promise for electronic and optoelectronic applications. Several recent studies have focused on the synthesis of GNRs by the bottom-up approaches that could yield very narrow GNRs with atomically precise edges. One type of GNRs that has received a considerable attention is the chevron-like GNR with a very distinct periodic structure. Surface-assisted and solution-based synthetic approaches for the chevron-like GNRs have been developed, but their electronic properties have not been reported yet. In this work, we synthesized chevron-like GNRs in bulk by a solution-based method, characterized them by a number of spectroscopic techniques and measured their bulk conductivity. We demonstrate that solution-synthesized chevron-like GNRs are electrically conductive in bulk, which makes them a potentially promising material for applications in organic electronics and photovoltaics.
Appearance of a New Nucleosomal Protein during Differentiation of Human Leukemia (HL-60) Cells

A 60-kilodalton protein was identified in chromatin digested by micrococcal nuclease during retinoic acid-induced differentiation of human leukemia (HL-60) cells to mature-like granulocytes. The protein was not detected in a retinoic acid-resistant variant of the HL-60 cell line treated with retinoic acid, in HL-60 cells induced with dimethyl sulfoxide, or in normal human granulocytes. This protein may have an important role in the regulation of retinoic acid-induced leukemic cell differentiation.
Serum sclerostin levels vary with season.

Context: To establish the clinical utility of serum sclerostin levels, it is important to know whether there is seasonal variation in the measurements. Objective: This study was done to determine whether serum sclerostin levels vary by season in healthy older men and women. Methods: Serum sclerostin levels were measured in archived serum of 314 healthy men and women aged 65 years and older and examined for seasonal variation. Several factors known to vary by season and previously reported to be associated with serum sclerostin levels, including serum osteocalcin, physical activity, and serum PTH levels, were also measured in these subjects. Sex did not modify the association of season with sclerostin, so the men and women were analyzed together. Results: Serum sclerostin levels varied significantly by season (P < .001, after adjustment for sex). Sclerostin levels in the wintertime were 20% higher than the all-year mean, the levels gradually declined through the spring and summer, and by the fall, they wer...
Towards breaking the quality curse.: a web-querying approach to web people search.

Searching for people on the Web is one of the most common query types to the web search engines today. However, when a person name is queried, the returned webpages often contain documents related to several distinct namesakes who have the queried name. The task of disambiguating and finding the webpages related to the specific person of interest is left to the user. Many Web People Search (WePS) approaches have been developed recently that attempt to automate this disambiguation process. Nevertheless, the disambiguation quality of these techniques leaves a major room for improvement. This paper presents a new server-side WePS approach. It is based on collecting co-occurrence information from theWeb and thus it uses theWeb as an external data source. A skyline-based classification technique is developed for classifying the collected co-occurrence information in order to make clustering decisions. The clustering technique is specifically designed to (a) handle the dominance that exists in data and (b) to adapt to a given clustering quality measure. These properties allow the framework to get a major advantage in terms of result quality over all the latest WePS techniques we are aware of, including all the 18 methods covered in the recent WePS competition [2].
The metabolism of 7,12‐dimethylbenz(A)anthracene in cell cultures

When tritiated 7,12-dimethylbenz (a)anthracene (DMBA) was incubated in the presence of monolayer cultures of normal embryonic rodent cells, a large fraction of the carcinogen was metabolized to water-soluble derivatives that could be recovered from the medium. Small amounts of material with chromatographic properties similar to those of the monohydroxymethyl derivatives of DMBA also were recovered from the medium, but no compound resembling the dihydroxymethyl derivative was detected. In the presence of a transformed line of hamster embryo cells and a strain of human diploid cells, DMBA was metabolized to the hydroxymethyl and water-soluble derivatives to a much lesser extent. The amount of carcinogen metabolized by HeLa cells was intermediate between those of the normal and of the transformed rodent cells, but the main water-soluble derivatives produced in the presence of rodent cells and HeLa cells were different. Thus, DMBA was metabolized to water-soluble derivatives primarily by those cells which are sensitive to cytotoxicity induced by the carcinogen, i.e., the normal rodent cells and HeLa cells; the transformed hamster cells and the normal human cells are relatively resistant to the carcinogen-induced cytotoxicity. The conversion of DMBA to water-soluble metabolites was inhibited by actinomycin D. The hydroxymethyl derivatives of DMBA were taken up by the normal rodent cells, but were approximately 100 times less cytotoxic than DMBA. The main water-soluble derivative formed in the presence of rodent cells was partially purified and added to fresh cell cultures; it was found that this derivative is taken up by cells at a much slower rate than the original compound.
Results of periodontal therapy related to tooth type

Certain teeth or groups of teeth are prone to develop more severe periodontal destruction than other teeth in the same individuals. A test was made to assess if these same teeth or groups of teeth also respond less favorably to periodontal therapy than other teeth. Data from a longitudinal study of periodontal therapy for 78 patients over 8 years were analyzed with regard to effect of tooth types on treatment results. The response to periodontal treatment was only marginally related to tooth type with the most favorable responses in the maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth and the least favorable responses in the maxillary molars and bicuspids. Although a number of these differences were significant statistically, the actual values were too small to be of appreciable clinical significance. The overall prognosis for treatment of periodontal pockets apparently is good for all tooth types and this observation applies to moderate as well as to deep pockets.
Effect of Diabetes on Outcomes in Patients Undergoing Emergent Cholecystectomy for Acute Cholecystitis

Background The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of diabetes and its effect on surgical outcomes in patients undergoing emergent, in-patient cholecystectomy for acute cholecystitis. Some 8.3 % of the U.S. population has diabetes and this number is projected to rise to 21–33 % by 2050. Diabetes is considered to be associated with a higher incidence of acute cholecystitis; however, its impact on outcomes is unknown.
Intelligent Motor Control: Innovations in Process Optimization

As technology continues to drive innovations, industrial enterprises must keep pace to remain competitive in an ever-changing marketplace. The technology trend is to replace the systems of yesterday with higher-performance, lower-cost, optionrich devices that shorten the return on investment and offer more flexibility. As control system technology evolves, systems migrate to functions that are being increasingly distributed to smarter, more granular control system components capable of performing localized operations. These functions were once the responsibility of a central or master controller. For example, there is integration of intelligent devices, device-level networks, and interrogation software into medium-voltage (MV) and lowvoltage (LV) motor-control centers (MCCs). Technology can deliver improved diagnostics, early warnings for increased system reliability, design flexibility, simplified wiring, and another level of personnel safety for process industries. This article focuses on technology integration, intelligent devices, and device-level information collection to provide convergence of control and information for plantwide optimization.
Assessment of oxidative stress in patients with sickle cell disease: The glutathione system and the oxidant-antioxidant status.

Continuous reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) may alter their overall redox status and cause tissue damage. The aim of this study was to evaluate oxidative stress in patients with SCD using two new assays, FORT (free oxygen radical test) and FORD (free oxygen radical defense) along with assessment of glutathione system including superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, vitamins A, C and E, malondialdehyde (MDA), non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations. A total of 40 patients with SCD and 25 apparently healthy volunteers (control group) were enrolled in the study. Components of glutathione system, vitamins A, C, and E, and malondialdehyde were determined with reverse-phase HPLC, non-transferrin bound iron (NTBI) was assessed with atomic absorption spectroscopy using graphite furnace, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities were determined spectrophotometrically in red cell lysates, nitric oxide (NO) was detected colorimetrically, while FORT and FORD using colorimetric assays, as two point-of-care tests. The findings revealed significant impairment of the glutathione system indicated by reduced GSH(total) (p 0.056) values of SCD patients compared to the control group. ROS expressed as FORT were significantly increased (p<0.00001), while antioxidant defense expressed as FORD was significantly reduced (p<0.02) in SCD group compared to the control group. Age and genotype of the patients as well as therapy of their disease appeared to play no role in their oxidative status.
Vinylogous Nucleophilic Substitution: A Route to New Polymers

Abstract The basic chemistry underlying the successful synthesis of poly-(enaminoesters) by vinylogous nucleophilic substitution is examined. It is concluded that a new mechanism must be operative. A Michael addition followed by elimination of a volatile fragment is proposed.
Glycolipid Polymer Synthesized from Natural Lactonic Sophorolipids by Ring-Opening Metathesis Polymerization

NSF-I/UCRC Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing ofMacromolecles, Department of Chemical and BiologicalSciences, Polytechnic UniVersity, Six Metrotech Center,Brooklyn, New York 11201, and Department of PolymerScience and Engineering, UniVersity of Massachusetts,120 GoVernors DriVe, Amberst, Massachusetts 01003-4530ReceiVed September 1, 2006ReVised Manuscript ReceiVed December 2, 2006In the past two decades, ring-opening metathesis polymeri-zation (ROMP) has proven to be an efficient method for controlof polymer structure and bulk properties.
Effects of deep placement of limestone and fertility treatments on the chemical composition of soybeans and on certain properties of a Tatum soil

Abstract The effects of plow sole placement (30.5 cm deep) of dolomitic limestone and various P and K treatments on the chemical composition of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) leaves and on certain properties of a Tatum soil were determined. Rates of lime were 0, 22.4, and 44.8 mt/ha. Various rates of P and K were surface applied and disked in annually. Leaf P, K, Ca and Mg concentrations in 1971, Ca and Mg concentrations in 1972, and Mg concentration of soybean leaves in 1973 were unaffected by rates of lime. Lime decreased the P and K concentrations in 1972 and 1973 and increased the Ca concentration in 1973. The P concentration increased each year with increased rate of applied P. Without added K, the K concentration decreased as the rate of P increased. The Ca concentration was unaffected by P and K treatments during the first two years but decreased the last year where K was applied. The Mg concentration was unaffected by P and K treatments in 1972 but in the other two years it increased with incr...
Double electron capture in H+ + Mg collisions☆

Abstract The cross section for double electron capture in H+ + Mg collisions has been measured over the proton energy range 1.1 keV to 80 keV. The cross section exhibits structure at low energies and is rising below 2.8 keV. Results are discussed and compared with recent multichannel Landau-Zener calculations and with previous measurements.
Thrombin and Cardiopulmonary Bypass – A Paradigm for Evaluation of the Regulation of Hemostasis

Extracorporeal circulation for the purpose of cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) is used extensively for repair of cardiac defects. Complex mechanisms, many of which involve the generation of thrombin, are initiated by the institution of CPB. Thrombin is generated during CPB in spite of high doses of heparin. The tissue factor/factor VII pathway is also activated and is probably responsible for generation of most of the thrombin seen during CPB. Plasma proteins (humoral phase) along with platelets, endothelium and white cells (cellular phase) are also activated by contact of blood with synthetic surfaces. Small amounts of thrombin activate endothelial cells which then generate tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA). Plasmin is generated by the action of t-PA and fibrinolysis ensues. The blood becomes a mix of vasoactive substances that alter vascular smooth muscle tone and endothelial cell contraction. The sum of these reactions is called the ‘whole body inflammatory response’ and is responsible for postoperative morbidity including bleeding and organ system dysfunction. Attempts to control the morbidity of CPB have focused on reversible inhibitors of some of the reactions described above. Potentially helpful new strategies may include: 1) enhanced production of thrombin-activatable fibrinolysis inhibitor (TAFI) to limit fibrinolysis, 2) synthesis of thrombin receptor blockers to limit platelet and endothelial activation, 3) protection of endothelial cell receptors during CPB, 4) control of CPB-induced platelet-PMN and endothelial-PMN adhesion in order to limit postoperative organ system dysfunction, and 5) limitation of tissue factor pathway activation in order to minimize thrombin production during CPB. This review highlights recent developments in the understanding of the molecular mechanisms of the action of thrombin induced by CPB.