cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Failure of researchers, reviewers, editors, and the media to understand flaws in cancer screening studies: Application to an article in Cancer

Observational studies present inferential challenges. These challenges are acute in cancer screening studies, in which lead-time and length biases are ever present. These biases can make any study worthless. Moreover, a flawed study's impact on the public can be deleterious when its conclusions are publicized by a naive media. Flawed studies can also make the public learn to be wary of any article or reports of articles claiming to be scientific. Here, the author addresses these and related issues in the context of a study published in Cancer. Cancer 2014;120:2784–2791. © 2014 American Cancer Society.
Cluster interconnect overview

Today cluster computers are more commonplace than ever and there are a variety of choices for the interconnect. The right choice for a particular installation will depend on a variety of factors including price, raw performance, scalability, etc. This paper will present an overview of the popular network technologies available today including Gigabit Ethernet, 10 Gigabit Ethernet, Myrinet, SCI, Quadrics, and InfiniBand. Where possible a comparison will be included for multiple vendors of a given technology. Included will be comparisons of cost and performance of each along with suggestions for when each might present the best choice for a cluster installation.
Anthropometric evaluation of children with chronic liver disease

To characterize type and age distribution of malnutrition and to determine the usefulness of anthropometric indices in children with chronic liver disease (CLD), 56 children (aged 1 mo-10 y) with CLD underwent anthropometric evaluation when they were clinically stable. Mean-height Z score was depressed, whereas mean-weight Z score was closer to normal and mean-weight/height Z score was normal in patients with extrahepatic biliary atresia, idiopathic neonatal hepatitis, and other liver disorders. Patients with arteriohepatic dysplasia showed more severe depression of all three variables. In all patients, triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness Z scores were significantly more depressed than were weight/height Z scores. Depressions of midarm-circumference and midarm-muscle-area Z scores were intermediate. Mean-head-circumference Z score was depressed in children aged less than 24 mo. We conclude that acute (wasting) and chronic (stunting) malnutrition are common in childhood CLD and that weight/height values underestimate the degree of acute malnutrition compared with TSF thickness, most likely because of the inflated patient weight caused by organomegaly.
Intracellular Digestion: Lysosomes and Cellular Injury

The sections in this article are: 1 Origin and Function of Lysosomes 2 Lysosomes and Tissue Injury 2.1 Lysosomal Enzymes 2.2 Autophagy 2.3 Mechanisms of Lysosomal Enzyme Release 2.4 Interactions of Lysosomes With Chemical and Physical Agents 3 Physical Agents 3.1 Ionizing Radiation 3.2 Ultraviolet Radiation 3.3 Visible Radiation 4 Microbes and Microbial Products 4.1 Bacteria and Fungi 4.2 Microbial Toxins 4.3 Viruses 5 Chemical Agents 5.1 Drugs, Vitamins, and Hormones 6 Heavy Metals 7 Environmental Pollutants 8 Venoms and Toxins
A common translational control mechanism functions in axial patterning and neuroendocrine signaling in Drosophila

Translational repression of maternal nanos (nos) mRNA by a cis-acting Translational Control Element (TCE) in the nos 3'UTR is critical for anterior-posterior patterning of the Drosophila embryo. We show, through ectopic expression experiments, that the nos TCE is capable of repressing gene expression at later stages of development in neuronal cells that regulate the molting cycle. Our results predict additional targets of TCE-mediated repression within the nervous system. They also suggest that mechanisms that regulate maternal mRNAs, like TCE-mediated repression, may function more widely during development to spatially or temporally control gene expression.
Strain accumulation and fluid–rock interaction in a naturally deformed diamictite, Willard thrust system, Utah (USA): Implications for crustal rheology and strain softening

Abstract Structural and geochemical patterns of heterogeneously deformed diamictite in northern Utah (USA) record interrelations between strain accumulation, fluid–rock interaction, and softening processes across a major fault (Willard thrust). Different clast types in the diamictite have varying shape fabrics related to competence contrasts with estimated effective viscosity ratios relative to micaceous matrix of: ∼6 and 8 for large quartzite clasts respectively in the Willard hanging wall and footwall; ∼5 and 2 for less altered and more altered granitic clasts respectively in the hanging wall and footwall; and ∼1 for micaceous clasts that approximate matrix strain. Within the footwall, matrix X–Z strain ratios increase from ∼2 to 8 westward along a distinct deformation gradient. Microstructures record widespread mass transfer, alteration of feldspar to mica, and dislocation creep of quartz within matrix and clasts. Fluid influx along microcracks and mesoscopic vein networks increased westward and led to reaction softening and hydrolytic weakening, in conjunction with textural softening from alignment of muscovite aggregates. Consistent Si, Al, and Ti concentrations between matrix, granitic clasts, and protoliths indicate limited volume change. Mg gain and Na loss reflect alteration of feldspar to phengitic muscovite. Within the hanging wall, strain is overall lower with matrix X–Z strain ratios of ∼2 to 4. Microstructures record mass transfer and dislocation creep concentrated in the matrix. Greater Al and Ti concentrations and lower Si concentrations in matrix indicate volume loss by quartz dissolution. Na gain in granitic clasts reflects albitization. Large granitic clasts have less mica alteration and greater competence compared to smaller clasts. Differences in strain and alteration patterns across the Willard thrust fault suggest overall downward (up-temperature) fluid flow in the hanging wall and upward (down-temperature) fluid flow in the footwall.
Preparation and structure of hexachlorotetrapyridine ditantalum(III)

Abstract The title compound, Ta2Cl6py4, has been prepared and structurally characterized. It is very similar to its tungsten analog, from which some inferences concerning the MM bonding in both compounds may be drawn. The principal dimensions of the molecule are: TaTa, 2.740(1); TaClb, 2.44[1]; TaClax, 2.400[6]; TaCleq, 2.46[1]; TaNax, 2.216[3]; TaNeq, 2.31 [2] A.
Can blood taken from intraosseous cannulations be used for blood analysis

Intraosseous infusion is increasingly finding application for venous access to infuse drugs and fluids in paediatric resuscitation including burns. The aim of this study was to determine the feasibility of using blood samples taken from the bone marrow cavity for routine blood analysis. In paediatric resuscitation where alternative venous access is not available this could prove valuable. Peripheral venous blood samples were compared with blood obtained from the bone marrow cavity in patients undergoing bone marrow aspiration for the investigation of possible medical pathology. Haemoglobin, haematocrit, sodium, urea, creatinine, and calcium levels values were sufficiently similar to be clinically useful. The potassium level was elevated in most bone marrow samples and the difference from peripheral venous samples variable. Great caution should be exercised in their interpretation. Glucose levels should also be interpreted with care. In conclusion, blood samples obtained intraosseously may give a useful guide to peripheral blood levels of some haematological and biochemical variables. This is potentially useful where a peripheral venous sample cannot be obtained. The values must be interpreted with care. Whether these findings can be extended to paediatric patients who are not haemodynamically stable has not been assessed.
Large Eddy Simulation of an Equilibrium Three-Dimensional Turbulent Boundary Layer

Large eddy simulation has been applied to prediction of an equilibrium three-dimensional turbulent boundary layer (TBL). Subgrid-scale stresses were parameterized using a Lagrangian dynamic mixed model. The predicted mean velocities and second-order statistics are in good agreement with direct numerical simulation results. Single-point statistics are also generally similar to those found in other equilibrium three-dimensional TBLs such as the flow over a rotating disk and the turbulent Ekman layer. The modification of shear stress producing structure by mean flow three-dimensionality was also investigated.
Inhibitory Gating of Single Unit Activity in Amygdala: Effects of Ketamine, Haloperidol, or Nicotine

Background Inhibitory gating is thought to be a basic process for filtering incoming stimuli to the brain. Little information is currently available concerning local neural networks of inhibitory gating or the intrinsic neurochemical substrates involved in the process. Methods The goal of the present study was to examine the pharmacological aspects of inhibitory gating from single units in the amygdala. We tested the effects of ketamine (80 mg/kg) and haloperidol (1 mg/kg) on inhibitory gating. Additionally, we examined the effect of nicotine (1.2 mg/kg) on single unit gating in this same brain structure. Results We found that in one subset of neurons, ketamine administration significantly reduced tone responsiveness with a subsequent loss of inhibitory gating, whereas the other subset persisted in both auditory responding and gating albeit at a weaker level. Haloperidol and nicotine had very similar effects, exemplified by a dramatic increase in the response to the initial "conditioning" tone with a subsequent improvement in inhibitory gating. Conclusions Tone responsiveness and inhibitory gating persists in a subset of neurons after glutamate N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor blockade. Dopamine and nicotine modulate gating in these normal animals and have similar effects of enhancing responsiveness to auditory stimulation at the single unit and evoked potential level.
Effect of fuzzy membership on recognition of gray level images

Abstract Generalized fuzzy membership functions are studied to extend gray level image recognition. Robustness of the 20 level criterion is established. New data on information content, based on saturation boundaries of normalized entropy measures, yields a surprising 40 level virtual limit.
Experimental Characterization of Monotonic and Fatigue Delamination of Novel Underfill Materials

No-flow underfill materials reduce assembly processing steps and can potentially be used in fine-pitch flip chip on organic board assemblies. Such no-flow underfills, when filled with nano-scale fillers, can significantly enhance the solder bump reliability, if the underfills do not prematurely delaminate or crack. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the risk of underfill delamination during assembly and during further thermal excursions. In this paper, the interface between silicon nitride (SiN) passivation and a nano-filled underfill (NFU) material is characterized under monotonic as well as thermo-mechanical fatigue loading, and fracture parameters have been obtained from such experimental characterization. The passivation-underfill interfacial delamination propagation under monotonic loading has been studied through a fixtureless residual stress induced decohesion (RSID) test. The propagation of interfacial delamination under thermo-mechanical fatigue loading has been studied using sandwiched assemblies and a model for delamination propagation has been developed. The characterization results obtained from this work can be used to assess the delamination propagation in flip-chip assemblies. Though the methods presented in this paper have been applied to nano-filled, no-flow underfill materials, their application is not limited to such materials or material interfaces.
Cellular Entry and Nuclear Targeting By a Highly Anionic Molecular Umbrella

A fluorescently labeled, persulfated molecular umbrella ( 1) has been synthesized from cholic acid, lysine, spermine, and Coumarin 343 and found capable of entering live HeLa cells. The distributions of 1 throughout the cytoplasm and the nucleus were diffuse and punctate, respectively. This finding, together with its ability to cross liposomal membranes by passive diffusion, suggests that passive diffusion plays a significant role in the ability of 1 to enter cells. The fact that 1 is concentrated at the nucleus raises the possibility that molecular umbrellas of this type could be used for the nuclear targeting of drugs.
Effect of Silver Nanoparticles on Soil Denitrification Kinetics

Abstract The toxicity of silver nanoparticles to bacteria, while frequently demonstrated in laboratory settings, has not been well established within environmental media. This study investigates the effect of three different silver nanoparticles (35–60 nm, uncoated and coated with 0.3% polyvinylpyrrolidone) at various concentrations (1, 10, or 100 mg/L) on the microbial-facilitated soil denitrification process using native bacteria in a soil (Toccoa sandy loam) environment. The sorption of silver nanoparticles onto soil was observed through an isotherm study. It was found that silver nanoparticles exhibited much less toxicity to the denitrifying bacterial community than was expected. The toxicity was not correlated with either coatings or particle size; instead, only one type of larger silver nanoparticle (uncoated 50-nm silver particles) exhibited any toxicity, and only at a very high (100 mg/L) concentration. Toxicity was linked, however, to the silver nanoparticle affinity for soil surfaces (Kd), as de...
Systems Considerations In The Simulation Of Missiles Employing Electro-Optic (EO) Devices

Special systems problems encountered in the development of hardware/man-in-the-loop simulations of missile systems are discussed. The contents of the paper are based on a US Army Missile Research and Development Command (MIRADCOM) simulation development program that resulted in a new end game simulation capability for systems employing imaging sensors and a variety of optical trackers. Emphasis is placed on the integration of optical systems which are designed to operate in the real world into a laboratory environment. The requirement to simulate the entire missile flight profile from launch to intercept posed unique problems to the optical system, especially in the end game where depth-of-field becomes critical with the small closure distances necessary to represent reasonably small missile/target separations. The solution to this problem involved the development of special optical and mechanical equipment that was integrated with the sensor and tracker elements.
Spontaneous Otogenic Posterior Fossa Pneumocephalus

A 74-year-old female presented to an outside medical facility with gradual decline in neurological status over a period of 6 to 8 weeks. The patient’s symptoms began with headache and progressed to confusion, altered sensorium, escalating ataxia, and expressive aphasia. The patient was transferred to our medical center. Review of the patient’s past medical history was negative for head trauma, prior neurosurgical or otologic procedures, neoplasms of the skull base, or chronic infections of the middle ear or mastoid. Secondary to the presence of a pacemaker, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was contraindicated; therefore, CT of the head was obtained and revealed a 5 by 3 cm pneumatocele in the area of the posterior fossa. Imaging showed evidence of compression of the right middle cerebellar peduncle and posterior right upper pons with associated hydrocephalus. (Fig. 1) The mastoid appeared to be hyperpneumatized and a small bony dehiscence was identified in the right posterior mastoid air cells just superior to the vestibular aqueduct. (Figs. 2A and 2B) The intracranial compartment and temporal bones were otherwise unremarkable. Medical workup revealed no other etiology for the patient’s neurological decline. The patient was initially observed as an inpatient, but showed no improvement in her neurological status.
Computational hemodynamics framework for the analysis of cerebral aneurysms

Assessing the risk of rupture of intracranial aneurysms is important for clinicians because the natural rupture risk can be exceeded by the small but significant risk carried by current treatments. To this end numerous investigators have used image-based computational fluid dynamics models to extract patient-specific hemodynamics information, but there is no consensus on which variables or hemodynamic characteristics are the most important. This paper describes a computational framework to study and characterize the hemodynamic environment of cerebral aneurysms in order to relate it to clinical events such as growth or rupture. In particular, a number of hemodynamic quantities are proposed to describe the most salient features of these hemodynamic environments. Application to a patient population indicates that ruptured aneurysms tend to have concentrated inflows, concentrated wall shear stress distributions, high maximal wall shear stress and smaller viscous dissipation ratios than unruptured aneurysms. Furthermore, these statistical associations are largely unaffected by the choice of physiologic flow conditions. This confirms the notion that hemodynamic information derived from image-based computational models can be used to assess aneurysm rupture risk, to test hypotheses about the mechanisms responsible for aneurysm formation, progression and rupture, and to answer specific clinical questions.
Macroeconometric study of Ukraine's growth and reform

Abstract To analyze prospects for Ukraine's economic growth and a program of reforms, we construct two macroeconometric models—high frequency with monthly observations, and low frequency with annual observations. In search of consistent information, we critically examine available statistics including World Development Indicators for Ukraine. We generate several forecasts using the technique of importing key variables from a high frequency solution into the low frequency model, thus incorporating recent changes in economic trends. We simulate the model to perform policy analysis of the effectiveness of restructuring Ukraine's energy sector with raising tariffs and implementing the pension reform.
Thyroids from siblings with Pendred's syndrome contain thyroglobulin messenger ribonucleic acid variants

We studied thyroid tissue from two siblings with Pendred's syndrome (familial goiter and congenital deafness), both with the Mondini-type inner ear malformation, goiter, and hypothyroidism. Iodine trapping and peroxidase levels were grossly normal. Thyroglobulin (Tg), the only iodoprotein found, had a normal monomer size (330 kilodaltons), but low content of hormone and iodine. Tg's expected N-terminal peptides of 26 and 18 kilodaltons, usually formed in association with iodination and thyroid hormone synthesis, were absent, but appeared after iodination in vitro. Reverse transcription of ribonucleic acid from Pendred thyroid tissue and amplification by polymerase chain reaction of specific regions encoding the most important hormonogenic sites of Tg revealed a normal complementary DNA sequence corresponding to the first 100 amino acid residues in Tg's N-terminus. However, 3 of 35 clones of the 3'-region corresponding to the Tg C-terminus exhibited a deletion of nucleotides 7860-7994; this deletion was no...
Stabilization of polyurethane to thermal degradation

The labile hydrogen of the carbamate group is primarily responsible for color development in the thermal degradation of polyurethane. Replacement of this hydrogen by an alkyl group prevents back-dissociation. Accordingly, a number of N-substituted polyurethanes were prepared, including the methyl, benzyl, benzoyl, acetyl, and the (N-phenylamido) derivatives. Comparative studies at 150–155°C. showed that the N-methyl and N-benzyl polymers possess outstanding stability under the condition of our testing.
The Physiological Role of Relaxin in the Pregnant Rat. II. The Influence of Relaxin on Uterine Contractile Activity

In control intact rats (group C), the frequency of intrauterine pressure cycles (IUPC) declines steadily during pregnancy from 80-130 cycles/3 h on day 10 (D10) to 20-30 cycles/3 h on D20. The decline in frequency is due to increasingly prolonged periods of myometrial quiescence, which increase from 30-90 min/3 h on D10 to 120-150 min/3 h by D20. During the 24 h preceding labor, the frequency of IUPC remains at less than 15 cycles/h until 3 h prepartum, when there is an abrupt increase to 30 cycles/h. Ovariectomized pregnant animals treated with progesterone (P) and estrogen (E; group OPE) exhibit significantly greater frequency of IUPC and significantly lower incidence of myometrial quiescence than intact pregnant rats from D12 and for the remainder of pregnancy. Ovariectomized pregnant rats that received P, E, and porcine relaxin (R: group OPER) or P and porcine R only (group OPR) exhibited declining frequency of IUPC similar to that observed in group C animals. Group OPER rats exhibited prolonged periods of myometrial quiescence of similar duration to those observed in control intact rats. In group OPR animals, however, the periods of myometrial quiescence were considerably diminished during late pregnancy. Group OPER animals exhibited a pattern of myometrial activity during labor and postpartum similar to that of control animals. The results suggest an important role for R in the control of myometrial activity during the second half of pregnancy and parturition in the rat.
Effect of spontaneous diabetes on hormone release in BB/Phi rats: comparison between the isolated perfused pancreas/stomach/duodenum/spleen and the isolated perfused pancreas.

We have studied the effects of spontaneous diabetes in BB/Phi rats on hormone release in response to amino acids (15 mM) and to amino acids (15 mM) plus glucose (10 mM) from isolated perfused pancreas/stomach/duodenum/spleen (PSDS) and from isolated perfused pancreas (P) preparations. In the PSDS preparation, diabetes reduced total integrated insulin output by 97% (from 1146 ± 198 to 40 ± 24 ng/65 min, P < 0.001), and glucagon output by about 50% (from 51.6 ± 13.1 to 24.0 ± 3.7 ng/65 min, P < 0.05), whereas somatostatin output did not change (105.5 ± 48.1 to 110.1 ± 36.9 ng/65 min). In the P preparation, integrated glucagon output fell by 91% (from 97.9 ± 26.8 to 8.6 ± 4.8 ng/65 min, P < 0.01) whereas integrated somatostatin output more than doubled (from 28.1 ± 7.5 to 69.6 ± 14.2 ng/65 min, P < 0.05). Intestinal glucagon and somatostatin contributions were estimated by comparing hormone release from the PSDS with that from the P preparations. We conclude that in our nondiabetic BB/Phi rats, the pancreas ...
A large column analog experiment of stable isotope variations during reactive transport: I. A comprehensive model of sulfur cycling and δ34S fractionation

Abstract This study demonstrates a mechanistic incorporation of the stable isotopes of sulfur within the CrunchFlow reactive transport code to model the range of microbially-mediated redox processes affecting kinetic isotope fractionation. Previous numerical models of microbially mediated sulfate reduction using Monod-type rate expressions have lacked rigorous coupling of individual sulfur isotopologue rates, with the result that they cannot accurately simulate sulfur isotope fractionation over a wide range of substrate concentrations using a constant fractionation factor. Here, we derive a modified version of the dual-Monod or Michaelis–Menten formulation ( Maggi and Riley, 2009 , Maggi and Riley, 2010 ) that successfully captures the behavior of the 32S and 34S isotopes over a broad range from high sulfate and organic carbon availability to substrate limitation using a constant fractionation factor. The new model developments are used to simulate a large-scale column study designed to replicate field scale conditions of an organic carbon (acetate) amended biostimulation experiment at the Old Rifle site in western Colorado. Results demonstrate an initial period of iron reduction that transitions to sulfate reduction, in agreement with field-scale behavior observed at the Old Rifle site. At the height of sulfate reduction, effluent sulfate concentrations decreased to 0.5 mM from an influent value of 8.8 mM over the 100 cm flow path, and thus were enriched in sulfate δ34S from 6.3‰ to 39.5‰. The reactive transport model accurately reproduced the measured enrichment in δ34S of both the reactant (sulfate) and product (sulfide) species of the reduction reaction using a single fractionation factor of 0.987 obtained independently from field-scale measurements. The model also accurately simulated the accumulation and δ34S signature of solid phase elemental sulfur over the duration of the experiment, providing a new tool to predict the isotopic signatures associated with reduced mineral pools. To our knowledge, this is the first rigorous treatment of sulfur isotope fractionation subject to Monod kinetics in a mechanistic reactive transport model that considers the isotopic spatial distribution of both dissolved and solid phase sulfur species during microbially-mediated sulfate reduction.
Transneuronal transport of WGA-HRP in immature rat visual pathways.

Abstract Wheat germ agglutinin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) was used to study transneuronal transport in the developing rat visual pathways. Intraocular injections of WGA-HRP were made in neonatal albino rat pups at different ages from the day of birth, postnatal day 0 (PO), to one month of age. Transneuronal labeling in geniculostriate fibers and in tectoparabigeminal terminals was observed as early as P1 and showed little change with eye-opening. However, at early ages, consistent transneuronal labeling was found to require injection of up to 4 times the amount of tracer (0.18 mg WGA-HRP) as adults (0.04 mg WGA-HRP), delivered in two injections. Control injections of HRP alone produced heavy anterograde labeling at all ages, without requiring increased injections. The results suggest that transneuronal transport precedes synaptic transmission, and may illustrate a mechanism for exchanging molecules between neurons. One explanation for the requirement of increased tracer is that axonal and/or transneuronal transport of WGA-HRP may be selectively limited to certain cells in the postnatal retina.
Complex Dental Structure and Wear Biomechanics in Hadrosaurid Dinosaurs

Mammalian grinding dentitions are composed of four major tissues that wear differentially, creating coarse surfaces for pulverizing tough plants and liberating nutrients. Although such dentition evolved repeatedly in mammals (such as horses, bison, and elephants), a similar innovation occurred much earlier (~85 million years ago) within the duck-billed dinosaur group Hadrosauridae, fueling their 35-million-year occupation of Laurasian megaherbivorous niches. How this complexity was achieved is unknown, as reptilian teeth are generally two-tissue structures presumably lacking biomechanical attributes for grinding. Here we show that hadrosaurids broke from the primitive reptilian archetype and evolved a six-tissue dental composition that is among the most sophisticated known. Three-dimensional wear models incorporating fossilized wear properties reveal how these tissues interacted for grinding and ecological specialization.
Comparing Examinees to a Control.

When comparing examinees to a control, the examiner usually does not know the probability of correctly classifying the examinees based on the number of items used and the number of examinees tested. Using ranking and selection techniques, a general framework is described for deriving a lower bound on this probability. We illustrate how these techniques can be applied to the binomial error model. New exact results are given for normal populations having unknown and unequal variances.
Evolutionary genetics: the nature of hidden genetic variation unveiled.

Abstract It has long been known that wild-type phenotypes harbor considerable amounts of ‘hidden' genetic variation. A new study has mapped this variation at the nucleotide level and revealed some unexpected properties.
Teaching computer programming: A practical review

Recent developments in computer programming environments have been introduced to the academic community. Scratch is one of such environments which seek to offer innovation features as a support to teaching computer programming. This study reports on the results from a case study conducted with young students for teaching algorithms and programming.
Responses of Coronary Collateral Flow and Dependent Myocardial Mechanical Function to the Calcium Antagonist, Diltiazem

We sought to determine whether the calcium antagonist, diltiazem, increased regional myocardial collateral blood flow in a dog model in which the physiologic conditions thought to be associated with angina pectoris had been induced, and to determine if such changes would be reflected in alterations in function of the collateral-dependent myocardium. Regional myocardial function and blood flow were measured with instruments in dogs for weeks as the left circumflex artery was progressively stenosed to occlusion by an implanted ameroid constrictor. The extent of collateral development was determined in terms of the reduction in regional function induced by brief, total test occlusions. When collaterals had developed adequate for the metabolic requirements at rest, pacing tachycardia stress test produced ischemia-related hypofunction. Under these conditions, diltiazem, 20 μ g/min/kg, increased blood flow via collateral channels from approximately 140 to 190 ml/min/100 g tissue (epicardium) and from 80 to 140 ml/min/100 g tissue (endocardium) in the collateral-dependent area without significant modification in hypofunction. Similar results were obtained in dogs with greater collateral flow reserve later in the collateral development process when the ameroid constrictor had completely occluded the vessel and stress testing did not produce hypofunction. Thus, diltiazem increased collateral flow to collateral-dependent myocardium under conditions simulating unstable angina pectoris.
TNTCAM MARK II: a new mid-IR array imager/polarimeter

We present design considerations for a mid-IR imaging polarimeter, TNTCAM II. Using a 256 by 256 Si:As BIB array, the camera will be unparalleled as an polarimeter/imager by any instrument currently in use at these wavelengths. Thanks to NSF support, access by the general astronomical community will be arranged. In polarimetry mode, TNTCAM II will be sensitive to linear polarizations as small as 0.2 percent. Polarized emission from cosmic sources will be modulated at a frequency high enough to remove atmospheric and system noise fluctuations. Dewar design and the optical system are discussed, including CCD assisted digital shift and ad tip- tilt correction and use of a rotating entrance window assembly allowing on-the-fly f-ratio adjustment and optimal throughput across the entire 5-25 micrometers band. The camera can contribute to the understanding of YSOs and evolved stars, obtaining high resolution mid-IR observations of dusty environments immediately surrounding these objects. In imaging mode mosaics of extended objects can be made in 2' by 2' sub-fields. In polarimetry mode, B-fields in YSOs can be probed by dust emission from hot cores, incidentally constraining grain alignment scenarios in young stellar environments.
Capsule Commentary on Fortuna et al., Get Screened: A Randomized Trial of the Incremental Benefits of Reminders, Recall, and Outreach on Cancer Screening

Fortuna et al.1 assess and compare the effectiveness of phone, mail, and personal reminders as methods to improve rates of breast and colorectal cancer screening in an underserved population. Compared to reminder letters alone, cancer screening rates were increased with the addition of reminders at the point of care or a personalized phone call. However, no benefit was shown with the addition of an automated phone call to a reminder letter, compared to the letter alone. This study is well-written, well-designed, and shows promising findings. Unfortunately, this study might lack relevance for the practice environments of many, perhaps most, physicians currently practicing in the United States, in which electronic medical records (EMRs) are widely available and capable of ever-wider functionality. A survey done in 2011–2012 showed that greater than 40 % of physicians are currently using EMRs.2 Of course, the authors made extensive use of EMRs in their study in retrieving patient data and ascertaining their screening status. However, today’s EMRs make possible automated reminders to both physicians and patients regarding their screening.3 This issue affects the generalizability of the study results. If we accept the results that letter+autodial+prompt and letter+personal call are better than letter alone (note that these first two options do not appear statistically different, though they are not compared explicitly), then we must ask what the equivalent to “letter+autodial+[paper] prompt” is in current EMRs. Is a computer prompt of equivalent effectiveness to a paper prompt? What about a prompt delivered in real time to the provider, so that the prompt can be personally delivered during the visit? Another point to raise is the choice of American Cancer Society (ACS) cancer-screening guidelines. It is unclear which screening guidelines are most widely followed by physicians (if indeed any guidelines, as a set, are consistently followed at all,4) but clearly there are several competing possibilities, including United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) guidelines. A separate analysis to determine the sensitivity of the results to guidelines might be useful. This study serves as evidence that reminders work. The next step is to implement such reminders according to the most current practice environments.
Ref-1/Ape is critical for formation of the hypoxia-inducible transcriptional complex on the hypoxic response element of the rat pulmonary artery endothelial cell VEGF gene

SPECIFIC AIMSRedox effector factor-1/apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease (Ref-1/Ape) is a ubiquitous bifunctional protein. In hypoxia-induced gene expression it serves as a transcriptional coactivat...
Changes in Belief Orientations of Preservice Teachers and Their Relation to Inquiry Activities

Research in science education suggests that teachers’ beliefs are linked to the use of inquiry-based instruction; teachers holding a constructivist belief are more likely to engage in student-centered activities in the classroom. However, there is currently little research on the ways in which teachers’ beliefs change over time, and in particular, the relationship between instructional activities in teacher education programs and their impact on teachers’ beliefs. We examined shifts in secondary preservice teachers’ belief orientations as they progressed through a science methods course. We found that overall many of the preservice teachers progressed in their orientation beliefs from a teacher-centered orientation to more student-centered orientation. We characterized four trajectories of change or clusters that describe how preservice teachers’ beliefs changed over the course of the semester (15 weeks). We also describe the different ways in which preservice teachers reacted to specific instructional activities, and how those activities influenced their belief orientation. In particular, we found that preservice teachers in a cluster that exhibited a particular trajectory (progression or regression toward/away from student-centered belief orientation) reacted differently to some activities compared to preservice teachers in some other clusters. We discuss these shifts as reflecting changes in priorities of beliefs within belief systems. We argue that teacher educators need to think carefully about the interplay of these beliefs when designing activities so that they can respond (i.e., to a reversal in beliefs) during the course rather than waiting until the end.
Flexibility in scanning described images.

Two experiments investigated why past research has shown that described images lead to the typical increase in reaction time (RT) with increasing memory set size (m), but undescribed images do not. Experiment 1 used ms 6 through 8. A described image group showed a linear relation between m and RT up to a m of 6, and no increase in RT thereafter. A story group (which was asked to tell a brief story for words in a memory set) and a repetition group showed a linear relation between m and RT throughout the range of ms, whereas an image group showed no relation between m and RT. Experiment 2 essentially replicated the first experiment but manipulated memory strategy as a within subject variable. Similar results were found. The apparent change from "serial" to "parallel" processing by the described image groups in both studies reinforces the notion of flexibility in processing, particularly when multiple representations are formed or when multiple encoding strategies are used. Language: en
Biogeochemical cycling of selenium in the San Joaquin Valley, California, USA

Subsurface agricultural drainage waters from western San Joaquin Valley, California, were found to contain elevated concentrations of the element selenium in the form of selenate. In 1978, these drainage waters began to replace previous input to Kesterson Reservoir, a pond system within Kesterson National Wildlife Refuge; this substitution was completed by 1982. In the 1983 nesting season, unusual rates of deformity and death in embryos and hatchlings of wild aquatic birds (up to 64% of eared grebe and American coot nests) occurred at the refuge and were attributed to selenium toxicosis. Features necessary for contamination to have taken place included geologic setting, climate, soil type, availability of imported irrigation water, type of irrigation, and the unique chemical properties of selenium. The mechanisms of biogeochemical cycling raise questions about other ecosystems and human exposure.
Endurance Exercise: More Pain, More Metabolic Gain

In this issue, Ross and colleagues report on the separate effects of exercise intensity and amount on glucose tolerance and abdominal obesity. The editorialists discuss the study's findings and the...
The Pgp-1 antigen is expressed on early fetal thymocytes.

The Pgp-1 glycoprotein is expressed on the bone marrow prothymocyte and on a class of intrathymic progenitor cells in the adult animal. Only 5% of adult thymocytes are strongly Pgp-1+. When fetal thymocytes of day 13–14 of gestation are examined by flow cytometric analysis, 80–90% of thymocytes are Pgp-1+, while the bulk of thymocytes are Thy-1−. By day 15–16, the percentage of Pgp-1+ cells begins to fall while nearly all cells become Thy-1+. Two-color immunofluorescence indicates that many Pgp-1+ cells are Thy-1+. The percentage of Pgp-1+ cells continues to fall over the next several days, reaching adult levels by day 19. These observations are consistent with the interpretation that at least some classes of thymocyte progenitors are Pgp-1+.
Commentary: The Past and Present of the Future.

Abstract Recent research on children's thinking about the future has taken multiple directions, many of which are illustrated in the contributions to this special issue. In this commentary the topic is discussed in the context of research on children's understanding of time, and some of the adaptive challenges of thinking about the future are considered. The studies in this issue show the emergence of some components of thinking about the future in early childhood. More research will be needed to illuminate abilities acquired at later ages and the representations and processes underlying humans’ thinking about the future.
Comments on upgrading of middle distillate fractions of a syncrude from Athabasca oil sands

Abstract Previously presented data on upgrading of distillate fractions of a syncrude are explained in terms of vapour-liquid equilibrium. Flash calculations indicate that the authors had a gas-liquid-solid reaction which may explain the behaviour they observed and had difficulty explaining.
Copper and cadmium sorption onto kraft and organosolv lignins

The relative metal sorption ability of kraft and organosolv lignins was examined as a function of solution chemistry (pH, ionic strength (I), sorbate-to-sorbent ratio) and reaction time. The surface charge characteristics and functional group composition of these lignins, especially kraft lignin, are favorable for metal sorption. Sorption of Cu and Cd increased with increasing pH and decreasing I. Description of sorption isotherms required the more complex Sips equation, as compared to the simpler Langmuir and Freundlich formulations, indicative of the presence of binding sites with varying affinities on these lignin biosorbents. Sorption capacity varied in the following order: softwood organosolv lignin<hardwood organosolv lignin<hardwood kraft lignin<softwood kraft lignin with sorption maximum of 21.5, 40, 66.7, and 80.6 micromol/g, respectively, for Cu, and 8.2, 18.3, 25.2, and 28.7 micromol/g for Cd. Both Cu and Cd sorption kinetics were rapid with equilibrium levels attained within 80 min and faster uptake was noticed for Cu. Strong competitive effects exhibited by H(+) and Na(+) in limiting Cu and Cd sorption are suggestive of the occurrence of weak ion-exchange type interactions involving the carboxylic and phenolic functional groups. Additional pretreatment and surface modifications of these biosorbents might be required to increase metal sorption capacity and enhance their use in waster/wastewater treatment.
Influence of nicotine on myocardial stiffness and fibrosis during chronic ethanol use.

Cardiomyopathy related to ethanol abuse is often accompanied by cigarette use. To examine if the major cardioactive component may intensify the abnormal function and composition induced by chronic ethanol, nicotine was administered orally, 2.5 mg bid, to a canine model receiving 36% of calories as ethanol for 6 months (group III). These animals were compared with group II receiving ethanol alone, group IV on nicotine alone, and controls (group I). In the intact, ventilated, anesthetized dog, left ventricular pressures and volumes were measured before and after dextran infusion and related to left ventricular collagen alterations. Basal heart rate, aortic pressure, and ejection fraction were comparable with controls. End-diastolic pressure and diastolic chamber stiffness (KPV) were significantly higher in the basal state and during dextran infusion in the three experimental groups, compared with group I. The increment was largest in the ethanol-nicotine group. Analysis of left ventricular myocardium revealed a rise of collagen concentrations in all three experimental groups, with an interstitial distribution on histochemical examination. Moreover, determination of advanced glycosylation endproducts, as a measure of alterations in collagen cross-links, revealed higher concentrations versus controls. The greater increase of diastolic stiffness in the nicotine-ethanol group occurred despite a similar concentration of fluorescent products as group II. Because the former had a larger increase of collagen concentration, total cross-linked collagen content was presumably greater after the combined use of nicotine-ethanol. Thus, nicotine in relatively high dose when combined with ethanol, elicited a modest further increase in the left ventricular chamber stiffness and collagen concentration.
An approach to understanding geometrical configurations by computer

A new approach to computer-based interpretation and description of geometrical configurations is presented. This approach is algorithmic in nature, and is based upon topological transformations. Topological information in a geometrical configuration is extracted from its octal chain representation. With this information the computer is capable of interpreting and describing the picture.
Lactate dehydrogenase isozymes of the island barb, Barbus oligolepis (Cypriniformes, Teleostei): their characterization and ontogeny

Abstract 1. 1. The tissue specificity, preferential susceptibility to urea inactivation and ontogeny of lactate dehydrogenase in the Island barb, Barbus oligolepsis , are reported. 2. 2. All tissues exhibit isozymes of A and B subunit composition. However, only liver extracts show isozymes resulting from the expression of the Ldh-C locus. 3. 3. The LDH isozymes of the Island barb exhibit a hierarchy of susceptibility to inactivation by urea of A 4 B 4 C 4 ; consistent with findings for cyprinid fishes. 4. 4. The A 4 isozyme appears simultaneously with the first muscular contractions of the developing embryo. Its appearance is most probably the result of, or impetus for, muscle cell differentiation. 5. 5. The activation of the Ldh-C locus is correlated with the depletion in yolk during B. oligolepis development. The appearance of isozymes of C subunit-composition in Barbus is apparently closely tied to the state of liver cell differentiation.
Three‐dimensional finite element simulations of microstructurally small fatigue crack growth in 7075 aluminium alloy

Three-dimensional finite element simulations were performed to study the growth of microstructurally small fatigue cracks in aluminium alloy 7075-T651. Fatigue crack propagation through five different crystallographic orientations was simulated using crystal plasticity theory, and plasticity-induced crack opening stresses were calculated. The computed crack opening stresses were used to construct small crack da/dN-ΔK diagrams. The generated da/dN-ΔK curves compared well with experimental small crack data from the literature. The variance observed among the da/dN-ΔK results, which occurred as a consequence of the different crystallographic orientations employed, was found to be of the same order of magnitude as commonly observed variability in small fatigue crack growth data. This suggests that grain orientation is a major contributor to observed small fatigue crack data scatter.
Petrology and shock metamorphism of Pampa del Infierno chondrite

Abstract Pampa del Infierno, an L6 chondrite, displays strong evidence of impact metamorphism. Rare chondrules and two types of dark-colored clasts occur in a light-colored matrix. Granular clasts are similar in mineralogy and chemistry to the host meteorite, but display shock metamorphic features, produced mainly by deformation, such as mosaicism, undulatory extinction, and fracturing. Partial melting in the granular clasts is manifested by the presence of selvages of mafic glass with troilite-iron eutectic intergrowths around remnants of low-Ca pyroxene and plagioclase glass with skeletal poikilitic inclusions of olivine. Clasts with spinifex texture are believed to have crystallized from a supercooled, impact-generated, ultramafic melt of the host chondrite or a chondritic source of similar composition. The light-colored matrix mainly displays evidence of shock metamorphism under subsolidus conditions as manifested by kinking and deformation twinning in pyroxene; high-pressure phase transitions of olivine and low-Ca pyroxene to ringwoodite and majorite, respectively; and lineation that still preserves the deformation features in the different mineral phases. Pertinent shock-wave data used to interpret the metamorphic history of the Pampa del Infierno chondrite suggest metamorphism by impact at a minimum peak pressure greater than 300 kbar.