cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
100k Genome Project: sequencing and much more.

Advances in genome-based technologies have led to the rapid generation of new data regarding the genetic etiology of many traits and conditions. In particular, new and cheaper sequencing technologies have enabled the use of whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and wholeexome sequencing (WES) as oft-used research tools, and increasingly as clinical tests for hardto-diagnose cases. Thus, it is anticipated that WGS/WES may eclipse singleand multi-gene tests used today for disease diagnosis and treatment, and potentially be used for health screening. In December 2012, British Prime Minister David Cameron announced an ambitious initiative to sequence the genomes of 100,000 Britons (100,000 Genome Project or 100kGP) affected with cancer or rare diseases, budgeting UK£100 million for this extraordinary effort [101]. In July 2013, the Department of Health announced that this initiative will be coordinated by the newly-established, governmentowned company Genomics England (London, UK). This project will undoubtedly result in new discoveries and demonstrate whether use of WGS can result in improved health outcomes. Clinical implementation of WGS/WES in a clinical setting poses a formidable barrier. Although it may be prudent to wait until evidence of clinical utility has been gathered, given that clinical implementation studies are relatively less costly and can be done concurrently with clinical effectiveness studies, the 100kGP provides a golden opportunity to inform the delivery of WGS if and when the technology is demonstrated beneficial. In particular, there are two major areas of clinical implementation research that could be conducted concurrently with these 100,000 samples of sequenced Britons and vastly contribute to developing strategies for the effective and safe use of WGS: communication and behavioral impact. While
Pathway Calculation of the Conformational Transition of the Voltage Sensor Domain in the Kv1.2 Channel

Voltage-gated potassium channels are homotetrameric proteins that undergo conformational transitions in response to variations of the transmembrane potential, resulting in the opening and closing of the channel. Each protein subunit is made of six transmembrane segments (S1 - S6) arranged in two distinct domains, the voltage-sensor domain (VSD, helices S1 - S4) and the pore domain (S5 - S6), with the VSDs surrounding the pore domain. Voltage sensing occurs on S4 helices of the VSDs, where charged residues, four arginines in particular, respond to changes in the transmembrane electric field, triggering the conformational transition in the domain and eventually in the full channel. Using the available X-ray structure of the Kv1.2 full channel in the open state as a reference, both its open and closed states have recently been modeled and refined via molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, but the sequence of events along the transition path is not known in atomic detail. To investigate this path, we employ the string method with swarms-of-trajectories with all-atom MD simulations. Given an initial guess for the path (the string) in the space of a large set of representative variables, the method finds the most probable path by monitoring the average dynamical evolution of each replica along the path. Once the string has converged, we compute the free energy and the rate for the transition using a recently developed variation of the milestoning method. We study the conformational transition for an isolated VSD as well as for one VSD in the full-length channel starting from the open conformation, in the presence of explicit water-membrane environment. [Supported by NIH grant GM062342 and GM067887].
Polarization-dependent bandwidth in low-index plasmonic metamaterials

We investigate the visible range, less-than-one index bandwidth, n(λ)<1, of an optical metamaterial structure composed of plasmonic gold nanoparticles, and show that it is highly dependent on the polarization of incident light. The full-wave finite element method is used to obtain the spectral characteristics of the structure. We have found spectral bands over which the structure shows the desired low index. Further, a possible increase of the bandwidth by as much as 270% is demonstrated by a change in the incident polarization that extends the low-index bandwidth range (503–600 nm) asymmetrically into a wider range (485–750 nm) covering longer wavelengths close to near infrared. This asymmetric overlap might have the potential for new optical applications.
Angina-free time on the treadmill as an alternate method for evaluating antianginal therapy

1. Holman BL. Nuclear cardiology. In: Brauwald E, ed. Heart Disease. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders, 1988:83-139. 2. Borer JS, Kent KM, Bacharach SL, Green MV, Rosing DR, Selder SF, Epstein SE, Johnston GS. Sensitivity, specificity and predictive accuracy of radionuclide cineangiography during exercise in patients with comnaty artery disease. Ciwulation 1979;60:572-580. a. Ptisterer ME, Slutsky RA, Schuler G, Ricci DR. Swanson SS, Gordon DG, Battler A, Froelicher VF Jr, Peterson KE, Ashbum WL. Profiles of radionuclide left ventricular ejection fraction changes induced by supine bicycle exercise in normals and patients with coronary heart disease. Cather Cardiovasc Dia,qn 1979;5:305-317. 4. Rozanski A, Elkayam U, Bennan DS, Diamond GA, Prause JA, Swan HJC. Improvement of resting myocardial asynergy with cessation of upright bicycle exercise. Circulation 1983:67:529-535. 5. Callahan RJ, Fmelich JW, McKusick KA, Leppa J, Strauss HW. A modified method for the in viva labelling of red blood cells with Tc-99m: concise communication. J Nucl Med 1982;23:315-318, 6. Cuocolo A, Santomauro M, Pace L, Celentano L, Nappi A. Nicolai E, Chiariello M, Salvatore M. Comparison between exercise and transoesophageal ahial pacing in patients with coronary artery disease: technetium-99m sestamibi simultaneous evaluation of ventricular function and myocardial perfusion. Ew J Nucl Med 1992; 19:119-124.
On Methods of counting Nematode Ova in Sheep Dung

There have been described in detail adaptations of dilution egg counting and direct centrifugal flotation for use on sheep faeces for the ova of Haemonchus contortus, together with certain data on their comparative efficiency. It is suggested that extension of the methods as given, or with appropriate modifications, would permit studies from a variety of angles on the helminthic infestations of the gastro-intestinal tract and its diverticula among domestic animals.
The Moderating Effects of Gender and Race in Predicting the Academic Performance of College Developmental Students

The selection of students who are most likely to succeed in a college developmental studies program is a task with serious ramifications for individuals and institutions. The present study examined the moderating influence of gender and race on the accuracy of high school grades and College Board Scholastic Aptitude (SAT) scores in predicting the academic performance of developmental students. The results indicated significant slope differences in the regression lines for race with the equation for blacks accounting for 10 percent more variance than the equation for whites. Within the racial groups, significant intercept differences based on gender were found for whites only. The relationship between high school grade point average and SAT scores in predicting freshman grade point average for developmental students was similar to the relationship reported for regularly admitted students.
Signals of resilience to ocean change: high thermal tolerance of early stage Antarctic sea urchins (Sterechinus neumayeri) reared under present-day and future pCO2 and temperature

We tested the hypothesis that development of the Antarctic urchin Sterechinus neumayeri under future ocean conditions of warming and acidification would incur physiological costs, reducing the tolerance of a secondary stressor. The aim of this study is twofold: (1) quantify current austral spring temperature and pH near sea urchin habitat at Cape Evans in McMurdo Sound, Antarctica and (2) spawn S. neumayeri in the laboratory and raise early developmental stages (EDSs) under ambient (−0.7 °C; 400 µatm pCO2) and future (+2.6 °C; 650 and 1,000 µatm pCO2) ocean conditions and expose four EDSs (blastula, gastrula, prism, and 4-arm echinopluteus) to a one hour acute heat stress and assess survivorship. Results of field data from 2011 to 2012 show extremely stable inter-annual pH conditions ranging from 7.99 to 8.08, suggesting that future ocean acidification will drastically alter the pH-seascape for S. neumayeri. In the laboratory, S. neumayeri EDSs appear to be tolerant of temperatures and pCO2 levels above their current habitat conditions. EDSs survived acute heat exposures >20 °C above habitat temperatures of −1.9 °C. No pCO2 effect was observed for EDSs reared at −0.7 °C. When reared at +2.6 °C, small but significant pCO2 effects were observed at the blastula and prism stage, suggesting that multiple stressors are more detrimental than single stressors. While surprisingly tolerant overall, blastulae were the most sensitive stage to ocean warming and acidification. We conclude that S. neumayeri may be unexpectedly physiologically tolerant of future ocean conditions.
Calmodulin-driven nuclear entry: trigger for sex determination and terminal differentiation.

We originally proposed that Ca2+-calmodulin mediates a novel nuclear entry pathway distinct from the canonic Ran-dependent pathway (Sweitzer, T. D., and Hanover, J. A. (1996) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 93, 14574–14579). Although seemingly redundant, Ca2+-calmodulin-driven nuclear entry is now known to facilitate nuclear delivery of architectural transcription factors to chromatin. Intriguingly, defects in calmodulin-driven nuclear import of the transcription factors SRY and SOX9 in Sertoli cells lead to human sex reversal diseases with altered male gonad development. Calmodulin-triggered nuclear entry is an evolutionarily ancient feature of eukaryotes observed from yeast to man. Ca2+-calmodulin-triggered nuclear entry of key architectural transcription factors is a potentially key epigenetic regulator of terminal differentiation in response to cell signaling.
What happened to gray whales during the Pleistocene? The ecological impact of sea-level change on benthic feeding areas in the North Pacific Ocean.

Background: Gray whales (Eschrichtius robustus) undertake long migrations, from Baja California to Alaska, to feed on seasonally productive benthos of the Bering and Chukchi seas. The invertebrates that form their primary prey are restricted to shallow water environments, but global sea-level changes during the Pleistocene eliminated or reduced this critical habitat multiple times. Because the fossil record of gray whales is coincident with the onset of Northern Hemisphere glaciation, gray whales survived these massive changes to their feeding habitat, but it is unclear how. Methodology/Principal Findings: We reconstructed gray whale carrying capacity fluctuations during the past 120,000 years by quantifying gray whale feeding habitat availability using bathymetric data for the North Pacific Ocean, constrained by their maximum diving depth. We calculated carrying capacity based on modern estimates of metabolic demand, prey availability, and feeding duration; we also constrained our estimates to reflect current population size and account for glaciated and non-glaciated areas in the North Pacific. Our results show that key feeding areas eliminated by sea-level lowstands were not replaced by commensurate areas. Our reconstructions show that such reductions affected carrying capacity, and harmonic means of these fluctuations do not differ dramatically from genetic estimates of carrying capacity. Conclusions/Significance: Assuming current carrying capacity estimates, Pleistocene glacial maxima may have created multiple, weak genetic bottlenecks, although the current temporal resolution of genetic datasets does not test for such signals. Our results do not, however, falsify molecular estimates of pre-whaling population size because those abundances would have been sufficient to survive the loss of major benthic feeding areas (i.e., the majority of the Bering Shelf) during glacial maxima. We propose that gray whales survived the disappearance of their primary feeding ground by employing generalist filter-feeding modes, similar to the resident gray whales found between northern Washington State and Vancouver Island.
Mixed gravity mode growth during directional dendritic solidification aboard the KC-135

NASA's KC-135, which flies a cyclic parabolic route designed to furnish periods of low gravity alternating with periods of high gravity, has been used to directionally solidify a superalloy and a FE-C-Si alloy. Probable transient effects, due to the rapid changes in the gravity levels, must be taken into account. An effort is presently made to show that experimental design is especially critical in the case of dendritic directional solidification experiments in which mixed gravity modes occur; inappropriate design easily leads to anomalous structures and data.
Pars Plana Vitrectomy, Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling, and Panretinal Endophotocoagulation for Macular Edema Secondary to Central Retinal Vein Occlusion

Purpose To investigate the visual and anatomic outcomes in eyes with cystoid macular edema (CME) resulting from central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) that underwent pars plana vitrectomy, internal limiting membrane peeling, and panretinal endolaser photocoagulation (PPV/MP/EL). Design Retrospective, observational case series. Methods Consecutive, nonrandomized patients at the Duke Eye Center who underwent PPV/MP/EL for treatment of CME secondary to CRVO by a single surgeon (S.F.) over the last 5 years were identified and reviewed. Outcome measures include best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), foveal thickness, and total macular volume (TMV). Results Twelve patients were identified. Duration of CRVO before surgery ranged from 3 to 19 months (mean, 12.3 months). Preoperative perfusion status was not ischemic in 6 eyes, ischemic in 5 eyes, and indeterminate in 1 eye. Intravitreal triamcinolone had been administered in 66% and was given at least 4 months before surgical intervention. After surgery, foveal thickness and TMV improved, but BCVA demonstrated only a modest improvement that did not reach statistical significance. At the time of surgery, 50% of eyes were pseudophakic. Of the remaining eyes, visually significant cataracts developed in all 6 (100%) within 1 year after surgery, with 67% of those undergoing cataract extraction within 15 months after PPV/MP/EL. Conclusions PPV/MP/EL performed for CME secondary to CRVO reduced foveal thickness and TMV at final follow-up; however, anatomic improvement did not correlate with a statistically significant improvement in BCVA.
Is the Allais paradox robust to a seemingly trivial change of frame

Abstract The Allais choices over uncertain prospects are reframed so that lotteries are presented without reference to decimals or fractions, but utilize the mechanism of numbers on a wheel. A statisticallysignificant reduction in violations of the independence axiom is observed.
Paclitaxel uptake and transport in Taxus cell suspension cultures

The transport of paclitaxel in Taxus canadensis suspension cultures was studied with a fluorescence analogue of paclitaxel (Flutax-2(®)) in combination with flow cytometry detection. Experiments were carried out using both isolated protoplasts and aggregated suspension cell cultures. Flutax-2(®) was shown to be greater than 90% stable in Taxus suspension cultures over the required incubation time (24 hours). Unlabeled paclitaxel was shown to inhibit the cellular uptake of Flutax-2(®), although structurally similar taxanes such as cephalomannine, baccatin III, and 10-deacetylbaccatin III did not inhibit Flutax-2(®) uptake. Saturation kinetics of Flutax-2(®) uptake was demonstrated. These results indicate the presence of a specific transport system for paclitaxel. Suspension cells elicited with methyl jasmonate accumulated 60% more Flutax-2(®) than unelicited cells, possibly due to an increased cellular storage capacity following methyl jasmonate elicitation. The presence of a specific mechanism for paclitaxel transport is an important first result that will provide the basis of more detailed studies as well as the development of targeted strategies for increased paclitaxel secretion to the extracellular medium.
A delayed antagonistic effect of progesterone on estradiol induced increases in uterine glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.

Estradiol (5μg) given daily to ovariectomized mature rats causes an 8-fold increase in the levels of uterine glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, G6PD, (D-glucose-6-phosphate: NADP+ oxidoreductase, E. C. 1.1.1.49) after 3 days. Simultaneous administration of progesterone (2mg/ day) had no effect on the early increase in this enzyme; but after 36 hr, progesterone blocked further increases in uterine G6PD activity at a level which was 50% of the level ultimately reached when estradiol was given in the absence of exogenous progesterone. Administration of progesterone (with estradiol) after the enzyme levels had been maximally elevated by estradiol caused the enzyme levels to decline at a rate nearly equivalent to that observed after estrogen withdrawal. Progesterone did not enhance the rate of loss of uterine G6PD after estrogen withdrawal. These data suggest that the uterine progestational response is dependent on the prior action of estradiol on the uterus. (Endocrinology 92: 636, 1973)
Zoned Cr, Fe-spinel from the La Perouse layered gabbro, Fairweather Range, Alaska

Abstract Zoned spinel of unusual composition and morphology has been found in massive pyrrhotite-chalcopyrite-pent-landite ore from the La Perouse layered gabbro intrusion in the Fairweather Range, southeastern Alaska. The spinel grains show continuous zoning from cores with up to 53 wt.% Cr 2 O 3 to rims with less than 11 wt.% Cr 2 O 3 . Their composition is exceptional because they contain less than 0.32 wt.% MgO and less than 0.10 wt.% Al 2 O 3 and TiO 2 . Also notable are the concentrations of MnO and V 2 O 3 , which reach 4.73 and 4.50 wt.%, respectively, in the cores. The spinel is thought to have crystallized at low oxygen fugacity and at temperatures above 900°C, directly from a sulfide melt that separated by immiscibility from the gabbroic parental magma.
Calculating gas phase energies of an α(1–4) linked disaccharide: electronic structure theory and classical atomistic simulation

Abstract As an alternative to time consuming force field development for biomaterials simulation, we here test the ability of the existing condensed matter force field COMPASS to accurately calculate the structure/energy relationship for 24 conformers of an α(1–4) linked disaccharide by comparison to high level electronic structure calculation. As a prerequisite to the COMPASS comparison we compared several different electronic structure approaches in an attempt to determine the optimal method, from a price/performance point of view, for the evaluation of disaccharide structure/energy relationships. Following prior workers, we assumed that relative energies produced using the empirical hybrid generalized gradient approximation (GGA) density functional, B3LYP, paired with the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set are accurate and compare these results to those obtained using Hartree-Fock (HF) theory and the nonempirical GGA density functional of Perdew, Burke and Ernzerof (PBE) with a variety of basis sets. We find that, as expected, HF theory is the worst option of the three (with a mean unsigned error (MUSE) > 2× the other methods) and that the error compensation usually invoked as a justification for employing HF/6-31G(d) in studies of sugar systems only occurs in a small subset of the results. Both the B3LYP and PBE functionals show the same systematic improvement with respect to increasing basis set size: significant improvement comes only with the inclusion of diffuse functions on heavy atoms for the energy calculation portion of the work. However, the MUSE of PBE appears to converge to 0.2–0.4 kcal/mol relative to the B3LYP reference with increasing basis set size, raising possible questions about the ability of B3LYP to accurately describe hydrogen bonding in sugars. We further find that COMPASS provides relatively accurate calculated energies for our suite of test conformers, reproducing the reference electronic structure energies to within an average error less than 1 kcal/mol. These results suggest that COMPASS may be useful in the simulation of the interaction of polysaccharides in aqueous solution and inorganic materials.
Comparison of Dopamine and Fenoldopam Effects on Renal Blood Flow and Prostacyclin Excretion in Normal and Essential Hypertensive Subjects

We recently reported that a low dose dopamine (DA) infusion in normal subjects increased renal blood flow (RBF) via prostacyclin (PGI2) formation without changes in PGE2 levels. The present study explores whether this mechanism is mediated by the DA1 receptor and evaluates the effect of DA on RBF and PGs in subjects with essential hypertension (EH). A low dose of DA (1 microgram/kg.min), which previously did not alter hemodynamics in normal subjects was infused into eight patient with EH to determine the role of DA stimulation in hypertensives. To assess the effect of DA1 stimulation, fenoldopam, a selective DA1 agonist, was infused (0.1 microgram/kg.min) into 10 normal and 10 hypertensive patients. Fenoldopam, unlike DA, significantly decreased diastolic blood pressure in hypertensives (96 +/- 3 to 85 +/- 2 mm Hg; P less than 0.01) along with a significant increase in pulse rate (68 +/- 2 vs. 73 +/- 2 beats/min; P less than 0.01). RBF measured by para-aminohippurate clearance increased only in normals during fenoldopam infusion from 1185 +/- 71 to 1533 +/- 84 L/min.m2 (PGI(2)01), and this was associated with an increase in PGI2 (6-keto-PGF1) excretion (149 +/- 19 vs. 214 +/- 32 ng/g creatinine; P less than 0.02). These effects of fenoldopam were similar to DA effects on RBF and PGI2 excretion in normals. In contrast, in hypertensive subjects, neither fenoldopam (867 +/- 113 vs. 1054 +/- 177 L/min.m2; P greater than 0.1) nor DA (1098 +/- 85 vs. 1061 +/- 101 L/min.m2; P greater than 0.1) increased RBF. Similarly, neither the DA nor the fenoldopam infusion stimulated PGI2 excretion in the hypertensives. The fenoldopam infusion in the hypertensives produced a significant natriuresis (22 +/- 3 to 49 +/- 9 mmol/3 h; P less than 0.05). Similar effects on Na+ excretion in this group were noted during DA infusion (17 +/- 3 to 36 +/- 3 mmol/3 h; P less than 0.05), suggesting that DA-induced natriuresis is not directly linked to DA-induced changes in RBF or PG excretion. The present study shows that in normal subjects, fenoldopam, a specific DA1 agonist, like DA, stimulates renal PGI2 release and RBF. In contrast, neither DA nor fenoldopam alters PGI2 or RBF in patients with EH, suggesting an alteration of dopaminergic tone in some hypertensives that is characterized by a defect in DA1 receptor sensitivity.
Non-specific cytotoxic activity of teleost leukocytes.

Abstract The existence of lymphoid cells with “natural” killer activity in mammals and birds has been known for some time. Several previous reports have demonstrated similar activity in carp and catfish kidney leukocytes. However, the activity previously reported was directed towards established mammalian cell lines. In this report we confirm the existence of spontaneous killer activity in other species of teleosts, including salmonids. This spontaneous cytotoxic activity is directed towards several established teleost, as well as mammalian, cell lines. Cytotoxic activity appears to be optimal at 20°C in an 8 hour 51 Cr release assay. The RTG-2, AS, GS and EPC cell lines of teleost origin are susceptible to lysis by kidney, spleen, and blood leukocytes of Salmo salar , Salmo gairdneri , and Notemigonus crysoleucas . Furthermore, the susceptibility of the RTG-2 and AS teleost cell lines to killing by kidney leukocytes of both S . salar and S . gairdneri was significantly enhanced by preinfection of the target cells with infectious pancreatic necrosis virus.
Legal responsiveness: a contribution to a structural theory of economic crime

Economic crime is too varied an activity to be explained by a single theory. Valuable insights are gained from theories that focus on individual characteristics and on the socio‐economic context of crime, but these theories are not sufficient explanations of economically motivated crime. They are usefully supplemented by legal responsiveness theory, which focuses on the capacity of the economic system to provide legal means to adapt to economic change. This theory acknowledges the insights of chaos and cellular automata theory into the inevitable and unpredictable nature of economic change. Variation in the system's capacity for legal responsiveness to unpredicted change is hypothesized to have an impact on crime. Economic crime can be an indication of dysfunction in the adaptation systems of the economy. The concepts of ecological and evolutionary economics such as stability, resilience, connectedness and adaptation offer an approach to analyzing the systemic property of legal responsiveness.
Insulin Lispro Therapy in Pregnancies Complicated by Type 1 Diabetes: Glycemic Control and Maternal and Fetal Outcomes

ABSTRACT Objective To evaluate glycemic control and maternal and fetal outcomes of patients with type 1 diabetes treated with insulin lispro before and during pregnancy. Methods We undertook a retrospective review of medical records of 62 women with type 1 diabetes who were treated with insulin lispro before and during pregnancy in an outpatient center specializing in the care of patients with diabetes. Outcome measures included maternal glycemic control, hypoglycemic episodes, microvascular complications, duration of gestation, fetal birth weight, and major congenital malformations. Results The mean hemoglobin A1c level (± standard error) was reduced from 7.2 ± 0.2% at conception to 5.8 ± 0.1% at the time of delivery. Of the 62 patients, 14 experienced at least one episode of severe hypoglycemia. No significant change was found in mean eye grade score for retinopathy or in albumin excretion rate during pregnancy. The mean duration of gestation was 37 weeks. The mean infant birth weight was 3.4 kg, with 24% of the preg- nacies resulting in macrosomia. Major congenital malformations occurred in 2 of the 62 infants (3.2%). Conclusion In our experience, insulin lispro therapy during pregnancy in patients with type 1 diabetes resulted in normalization of glycemic control and had no detectable adverse effects on maternal or fetal outcomes. A prospective, randomized study with adequate sample size needs to be performed in order to confirm these conclusions. (Endocr Pract. 2003;9:187-193)
Inhibition of autoreactive antibody effects with antibody feedings: a pilot study

This study seeks to determine if tolerance to autoreactive antibody can be achieved by exposing gut-associated lymphocytic tissue (GALT) to the protein. The method involved immunizing rats with AchR after feeding anti-AchR purified from myasthenic plasma or non-specific, pooled human immunoglobulins. Both feedings improved the neuromuscular block of EAMG, the commercial preparation requiring a tenfold increase in protein concentration. Despite its protective effect, antibody feeding was associated with late levels of serum anti-AchR considerably above those in immunized controls. The hypothesis presented is that the tolerance results from enhanced anti-idiotype production.
Growth of GaAs from a free surface melt under controlled arsenic pressure in a partially confined configuration

A partially confined configuration for the growth of GaAs from melt in space was developed, consisting of a triangular prism containing the seed crystal and source material in the form of a rod. It is suggested that the configuration overcomes two obstacles in the growth of GaAs in space: total confinement in a quartz crucible and lack of arsenic pressure control. Ground tests of the configuration show that it is capable of crystal growth in space and is useful for studying the growth of GaAs from a free-surface melt on earth. The resulting chemical composition, electrical property variations, and phenomenological models to account for the results are presented.
Are good intentions good enough? Informed consent without trained interpreters.

Objective To examine the informed consent process when trained language interpreters are unavailable.
Dieting and "Watching" Behaviors Among Adolescent Females: Report of a Multimethod Study

Purpose: This study posits a distinction between “watching what you eat” and dieting behaviors in a sample of adolescent females. Findings suggest that the dichotomy of dieter/nondieter fails to capture a range of healthful behaviors practiced by many adolescent girls. Methods: Anthropologic and nutritional research methods were used in this study. Data were drawn from 1 year of a longitudinal study of food intake and dieting behaviors in a sample of 231 adolescent females. Multiple methods including one ethnographic interview, a survey questionnaire, a telephone interview, and food records were collected from each informant. Results: Although 44% of the girls in this sample reported trying to lose weight on the day of the survey, only 8.6% of the food records reflected dieting days. In interviews, many identified “watching what they eat” as a health-promoting strategy that allowed them to maintain their weight. Analysis of food record data confirmed a trend toward higher intakes of micronutrients. Conclusions: Research concerned with adolescent weight loss behaviors has focused more on negative than positive health attitudes and behaviors. The present study identified the behavior of “watching” as distinct from dieting. “Watching” was widely utilized by girls in this sample as a way to maintain weight and promote health.
An Unusual Case of Cirrhosis

49-year-old white female with remote h/o sarcoidosis was referred to GI when her liver was noted to be nodular. Physical examination revealed normal vital signs and no icterus, spider nevi, clubbing, ascites, hepatosplenomegaly, or ankle edema. LFTs, hepatitis serologies, ANA, AMA, ASMA, Ferritin, Ceruloplasmin, and α1-AT, level were unremarkable. Liver biopsy showed cirrhosis. She developed worsening of baseline SOB and was hospitalized. She was eventually diagnosed with constrictive pericarditis. A diagnosis of cardiac cirrhosis was made.
Early Diffusion-Weighted Imaging Reversal After Endovascular Reperfusion Is Typically Transient in Patients Imaged 3 to 6 Hours After Onset

Background and Purpose—The aim of this study was to assess the frequency and extent of early diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) lesion reversal after endovascular therapy and to determine whether early reversal is sustained or transient. Methods—MRI with DWI perfusion imaging was performed before (DWI 1) and within 12 hours after (DWI 2) endovascular treatment; follow-up MRI was obtained on day 5. Both DWIs were coregistered to follow-up MRI. Early DWI reversal was defined as the volume of the DWI 1 lesion that was not superimposed on the DWI 2 lesion. Permanent reversal was the volume of the DWI 1 lesion not superimposed on the day 5 infarct volume. Associations between early DWI reversal and clinical outcomes in patients with and without reperfusion were assessed. Results—A total of 110 patients had technically adequate DWI before endovascular therapy (performed median [interquartile range], 4.5 [2.8–6.2] hours after onset); 60 were eligible for this study. Thirty-two percent had early DWI reversal >10 mL...
Teleology and reduction in biology

The main claim in this paper is that because organisms have teleological constitutions, the reduction of biology to physical science is not possible. It is argued that the teleology of organisms is intrinsic and not merely projected onto them. Many organic phenomena are end-oriented and reference to ends is necessary for explaining them. Accounts in terms of functions or goals are appropriate to organic parts and processes. siis is because ends as systemic requirements for survival and health have explanatory significance with respect to the processes that contribute to and constitute them. Reductionism cannot accommodate this sort of higher-level to lower-level explanation and so cannot account for why lower-level phenomena are as they are. Reductionism, it is claimed, is ultimately descriptive and not explanatory because it cannot regard teleological requirements as themselves basic. In seeking to explain them away it forfeits explanatory power.
A thin-film resistance humidity sensor

Abstract A novel humidity-sensitive film composed of networks of crosslinked polymers has been developed using typical photo-polymerization techniques. The polymeric film is made from a mixed aqueous solution of styrene-sulfonate monomers, crosslinking agents and vinyl polymers. The thin-film resistance humidity sensor utilizing the crosslinked polymeric film response with an accuracy of ±3%RH almost over the entire range of relative humidity. The response curve is linear as an exponential function of the resistance, particularly over the range of relative humidity above 30%. The response time is a few seconds for the polymeric film itself, but in the case of a polymeric film covered with a moisture-permeable film for protection, it is about 100 seconds for the adsorption process and 150 seconds for the desorption process. Since many sensor chips can be fabricated on a substrate at the same time, their characteristics are reproducible and compatible with each other. Results of reliability tests under various conditions of atmosphere indicate that the sensor is stable and durable against dew, vapour of organic solvents, cigarette smoke and oil contaminants.
Historical Changes in the Objectives of the Periodic Health Examination

Important historical changes have occurred both in the content of the periodic health examination and in the legitimacy with which this examination has been viewed.These changes reflect fundamental...
High resolution magnetic resonance imaging of the calcaneus: age-related changes in trabecular structure and comparison with dual X-ray absorptiometry measurements

A high-resolution magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, together with specialized image processing techniques, was applied to the quantitative measurement of age-related changes in calcaneal trabecular structure. The reproducibility of the technique was assessed and the annual rates of change for several trabecular structure parameters were measured. The MR-derived trabecular parameters were compared with calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD), measured by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in the same subjects. Sagittal MR images were acquired at 1.5 T in 23 healthy women (mean age: 49.3 +/- 16.6 [SD]), using a three-dimensional gradient echo sequence. Image analysis procedures included internal gray-scale calibration, bone and marrow segmentation, and run-length methods. Three trabecular structure parameters, apparent bone volume (ABV/TV), intercept thickness (I.Th), and intercept separation (I.Sp) were calculated from the MR images. The short- and long-term precision errors (mean %CV) of these measured parameters were in the ranges 1-2% and 3-6%, respectively. Linear regression of the trabecular structure parameters vs. age showed significant correlation: ABV/TV (r2 = 33.7%, P < 0.0037), I.Th (r2 = 26.6%, P < 0.0118), I.Sp (r2 = 28.9%, P < 0.0081). These trends with age were also expressed as annual rates of change: ABV/TV (-0.52%/year), I.Th (-0.33%/year), and I.Sp (0.59%/year). Linear regression analysis also showed significant correlation between the MR-derived trabecular structure parameters and calcaneal BMD values. Although a larger group of subjects is needed to better define the age-related changes in trabecular structure parameters and their relation to BMD, these preliminary results demonstrate that high-resolution MRI may potentially be useful for the quantitative assessment of trabecular structure.
Development and Validation of a Multifactorial Treatment Outcome Measure for Eating Disorders

The purpose of this investigation was to develop a brief self-report inventory which could be used to evaluate treatment outcome for anorexia and bulimia nervosa. The Multifactorial Assessment of Eating Disorders Symptoms (MAEDS) was constructed to measure six symptom clusters which have been found to be central to the eating disorders: depression, binge eating, purgative behavior, fear of fatness, restrictive eating, and avoidance of forbidden foods. The factor structure of the MAEDS was found to be stable and it was found to have satisfactory reliability and validity. Normative data were collected so that raw scores could be converted to standardized scores. While still in the experimental stages, the MAEDS shows promise as a valid and economical measure of treatment interventions for anorexia and bulimia nervosa.
Ethanol attenuates Aldh9 mRNA expression in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) embryogenesis.

The mechanisms of teratogenic effects of ethanol in Japanese medaka embryogenesis were investigated by testing the hypothesis that ethanol or its metabolite ameliorates the expression of ethanol metabolizing enzymes. We have previously demonstrated that ethanol is unable to alter the expression pattern of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) mRNA, the first enzyme of ethanol metabolism, in medaka embryos during development. We, therefore, extended our investigation to aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) system, the next enzyme of alcohol metabolic pathway. As the first step towards studying the regulation of Aldh mRNA expression by ethanol, we have cloned a cDNA by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from adult Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) liver representing the medaka ALDH9 gene product, with a coding region of 1515 nucleotides. The deduced amino acid sequences share 81.2% identity with cod liver betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase (BADH, EC 1.2.1.8), and 71.1% identity with human ALDH9A1 sequences. RT-PCR analysis further showed that in adults Aldh9 mRNA is constitutively expressed in all organs tested (brain, eye, gill, GI, heart, liver, kidney, muscle, skin, testis and ovary). Using semi-quantitative (rRT-PCR) and quantitative real time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), we detected Aldh9 mRNA at all time points of development and the expression was lowest between ∼ 1 and 8 h post-fertilization (hpf). Treatment of the embryos with ethanol for 48 h post-fertilization (hpf) attenuates (delayed) the expression of Aldh9 mRNA. This delayed expression of Aldh9 mRNA by ethanol may enhance acetaldehyde concentration in the embryo and induce teratogenesis during development.
Existence of viscosity solutions of Hamilton-Jacobi equations

Abstract Equations of Hamilton-Jacobi type arise in many areas of application, including the calculus of variations, control theory and differential games. Recently M. G. Crandall and P.-L. Lions (Trans. Amer. Math. Soc. 277 (1983), 1–42) introduced the class of “viscosity” solutions of these equations and proved uniqueness within this class. This paper discusses the existence of these solutions under assumptions closely related to the ones which guarantee the uniqueness.
The Evolution of Critical Thinking Skills in Library Instruction, 1986-2006: A Selected and Annotated Bibliography and Review of Selected Programs

ABSTRACT Undergraduate students are increasingly being asked to conduct higher-level research in their areas of study. In order to address undergraduate needs, many academic librarians, especially those charged with crafting instruction, take critical thinking as a given in the teaching of information literacy skills. However, this review of the literature has revealed that, though there was some discussion of critical thinking in a library context in the mid 1980s, the concept did not really take hold until the 1990s, when higher education reform began to appear on many campuses. Additionally, the literature regarding critical thinking skills during this period exhibits four themes: (1) a lack of agreement among librarians and others on what critical thinking is and how it can be defined, (2) the importance of subject and course integration in the teaching of critical thinking skills in libraries, (3) the necessity of reaching undergraduate students, and (4) the special challenges of teaching critical th...
Electromagnetic fields and public health.

A review of the literature is provided for the topic of health-related research and power frequency electromagnetic fields. Minimal evidence for concern is present on the basis of animal and plant ...
The respiratory burst of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), phagocytes is modulated by sympathetic neurotransmitters and the‘neuro’peptide ACTH

The phagocytic leukocytes of teleosts, like those of many animal groups, are capable of converting molecular oxygen to a series of highly reactive oxygen intermediates. These constitute part of the cytotoxic defences of the animal. Reactive oxygen intermediates produced in vitro by rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), pronephric myeloid cells have been detected by means of luminol-enhanced chemiluminescence, and by the reduction of cytochrome c in the presence and absence of exogenous superoxide dismutase and catalase. A panel of potential biological response modifiers, when added individually to cell suspensions, showed that the catecholamine receptor agonists phenylephrine and isoproterenol differentially modulate the respiratory burst. Receptor antagonists yohimbine, phentolamine and prazosin showed that the effects were receptor-mediated. Adrenocorticotropin (ACTH) enhanced the apparent respiratory burst in both assays. Pathways of neuroimmunological regulation, therefore, include non-lymphoid cells as targets of classical neurotransmitters and a neurohormone.
Battery of tests approach applied to three different types of sediment extracts

Abstract Over the past eight years we have been evaluating a variety of sediment extraction procedures and have finally settled for a three phase sequential procedure which involves pore water extraction followed by Milli‐Q water extraction. Then the dewatered sediment is extracted by a solution containing 10% methanol, 10% DMSO and 80% Milli‐Q water. This three phase sequential extraction procedure was applied to Hamilton Harbour sediments and the extracts were tested for toxicant activity by the battery of tests approach. Based on these samples, it would appear that pore water bioassay results are probably most indicative of the bioavailable toxicants load in Hamilton Harbour sediments.
Identity Development and Exploration Among Sexual Minority Adolescents: Examination of a Multidimensional Model

Based on a multidimensional model of sexual identity development, the current study examined self-labeling, romantic, and sexual experiences among middle and late adolescent sexual minorities. Eighty-two youths between the ages of 14 and 21 were recruited from gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) community centers and associated Internet groups. Differences between males and females and between middle and late adolescents were first examined. Males reported markedly different patterns of self-labeling and romantic experiences, relative to females, but few age differences emerged. Additionally, patterns of association between self-labeling and sexual or romantic experiences provided support for the multidimensional model of identity development and exploration. Finally, significant associations emerged between relationship experiences and relational competency, such that adolescents who described themselves as isolated from intimate interpersonal relationships reported less relational esteem and more relational depression than those who reported predominantly engaging in same-sex romantic relationships. In addition, alternative styles of engaging in interpersonal relationships (e.g., same-sex intimate friendships, heterosexual dating) also were also associated with increased relational competency.
The German debate over civilization: Troeltsch's Europeanism and Jaspers's cosmopolitanism

Presentation du debat allemand sur la relation entre les civilisations, a travers les figures d'E. Troeltsch et K. Jaspers. Alors que l'europanisme du premier est une position courante dans les annees 1920, le cosmopolitisme defendu par le second a l'originalite de revendiquer un dialogue mutuel entre les civilisations.
Comparison of techniques for substrate birefringence measurement

State of the art techniques for measuring magneto optic disks birefringence are reviewed. As an illustration of one technique, we measured the birefringence of different magneto optic disk substrates by ellipsometry. The retardation data was fitted to an analytical expression as a function of the different indices of refraction. The variation of birefringence with the depth of the substrate is suspected to affect optimum focus and track error signal. A novel scanning micropolarimeter technique for measuring the index of refraction tensor though the depth of the magneto optic substrates is presented. Modeling to study the effects of typical birefringence profiles on the performance characteristic os magneto optic disks using the data from a scanning micropolarimeter is discussed.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Leaf and stem area relationships to masses and their height distributions in native grasses.

A recently developed wind erosion model (wind erosion prediction system, WEPS) for crop lands is being extended for estimating soil erosion from rangelands, military lands, and desert ecosystems. Wind velocity near the soil surface is calculated as a function of the aerial distribution of stem silhouette area and leaf area of both live plants and standing residue. Grasses either dominate or form a significant part of the plant species growing in the noncrop lands of the world. Several grass species were studied to determine the aerial distribution of stem and leaf masses and areas. Plant samples were taken weekly from pure stands of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), switch grass (Panicum virgatum L.), little bluestem [Schizachyrium scoparium (Michx.) Nash], Indian grass [Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash], gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides L.), blue grama [Bouteloua gracilis (Kunth) Lag. ex Griffiths), and sideoats grama [Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.]. Plants were cut from a 0.2 m 2 area and five tillers were randomly selected and cut into five equal segments. Leaves and stems were separated and their areas and dry weights were measured. For each species a straight line with a zero intercept fit the data of leaf area vs. leaf mass with r 2 ≥ 0.87. Stem area vs. stem mass data fit a power function with r 2 ≥ 0.92. Normalized leaf and stem masses were fit to a hyperbolic tangent (r 2 ≥ 0.96) and exponential (r 2 ≥ 0.98) functions, respectively. The empirical regression coefficients obtained for each species will be included in the WEPS plant growth data base.