cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS OF DEMOGRAPHIC RESPONSES TO ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE: A LESSER SNOW GOOSE EXAMPLE

In general, analysis of population dynamics can proceed either prospectively or retrospectively. In the case of the former, asymptotic expectations are generally derived (analytically or numerically) from analysis of the potential effects of perturbation of the elements of the life table. However, the vital rates that are indicated by prospective analysis to contribute the most to projected growth rate are not necessarily those that have contributed to observed variation in growth rate over time. We used a retrospective analysis to analyze the life table responses of a population of long-lived herbivorous geese to a systematic reduction in food abundance within the traditional breeding colony. Typical of long-lived species, adult survival rate has been shown previously in a prospective perturbation analysis to have the largest potential impact on projected growth of the population. However, despite a significant long-term increase in adult survival over the course of the study, there has been a long-term decline in growth rates of the population inhabiting the traditional sampling areas, although absolute numbers of individuals in both populations increased over time. Retrospective assessment of the relative contributions of variation in underlying vital rates (adult and juvenile survival, in situ recruitment, emigration and immigration rates into the population) to projected growth showed that the long-term dynamics of the nesting population primarily reflected the combined effects of changes in postfledging juvenile survival, while changes in the postnesting population were most influenced by variation in juvenile survival and adult fidelity rate to the traditional brood-rearing areas. Decreases in both juvenile survival and fidelity reflect systematic reductions in food abundance over the course of the study. Our results confirm previous suggestions that philopatry to the brood-rearing areas may be a significantly more plastic trait than fidelity to nesting areas.
Thoracic endovascular repair as a safe management strategy for aortobronchial fistulas.

Objectives This study assessed the safety and efficacy of thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) in the management of aortobronchial fistulas. Methods A retrospective review was performed at Emory University Hospital to identify all patients who presented with an aortobronchial fistula. The diagnosis was based on clinical, radiologic, and bronchoscopic findings. Patients who underwent TEVAR as definitive management of these fistulas were identified. Demographics, history of thoracic aorta pathology or intervention, type and number of endografts used, need for reoperation, and clinical and radiologic follow-up data were collected for each individual. Results Between 2000 and 2009, 11 patients received TEVAR as definitive management of aortobronchial fistulas. Technical success was achieved in 10 patients (91%). Six patients (55%) had previously undergone thoracic aortic surgery. A proximal type 1 endoleak developed in one patient after graft deployment and required reintervention for additional graft placement. No intraoperative or 30-day deaths occurred. Postoperative clinical and radiographic assessment was a mean of 8.8 months (range, 1-40 months). For all 10 patients in whom technical success was achieved at the initial operation, no endoleaks were noted at the follow-up CT scan. In addition, no patient required a further intervention. Conclusions This study represents the largest reported series on the use of TEVAR in the management of aortobronchial fistulas. Supported by postoperative surveillance imaging and clinical evaluation, TEVAR has proven to be a safe and effective management strategy for an otherwise lethal condition. Long-term follow-up data are needed to ascertain the durability of this approach.
Algorithm for Finding Optimal Paths in a Public Transit Network with Real-Time Data:

Recently, transit agencies have begun opening their route configuration and schedule data to the public, as well as providing online application programming interfaces to real-time bus positions and arrival estimates. On the basis of this infrastructure for providing transit data over the Internet, the authors developed an algorithm to calculate the travel times of K shortest paths in a public transportation network where all wait and travel times were known only in real time. Although there was a large body of work on routing algorithms in transit networks, the authors took cues from an algorithm to find the shortest paths in road networks, called transit node routing. This approach was based on observation of intuitive behavior by humans: when taking transit, travelers looked for a particular set of transfer points that connected transit routes that led from the origin and destination. A lookup table was precomputed of feasible paths between the origin stop of every bus route to the terminus of every ot...
Occult Bowen's disease in keratinous cysts

SUMMARY Bowen's disease (intra-epidcrmal squamous cell carcinoma) was found in the walls of two cysts excised from the forehead of an 81-year-old man. The inapparent nature of the malignant change underscores the need for routine histological study of rapidly growing cysts.
The Evaluation of Behavioral Teratogenic Effects

The evaluation of behavioral teratogenic effects in animal studies will be discussed in light of the results of the Collaborative Behavioral Teratology Study (CBTS) (Buelke-Sam et al., 1985) and the U.S. EPA's guidelines for the risk assessment of suspect developmental toxicants (U.S. EPA, 1986a). Although behavioral teratology testing is not routinely required by the U.S. regulatory agencies, data on existing chemicals are reviewed and evaluated in the risk assessment process. Such data can be of value in at least three ways: 1) data from postnatal studies may be useful in elucidating the consequences of perinatal findings; 2) behavioral data may help to further define the lower end of the dose response curve; and 3) for chemicals where human exposure is likely, behavioral studies may help to focus on types of effects which may be important to monitor in the exposed human population. Recent efforts in methods development and validation, including the CBTS, have provided guidance for the development of regulatory testing requirements in specific cases. For example, the U.S. EPA has recently published a proposed test rule which includes developmental neurotoxicity testing for the triethylene glycol ethers (U.S. EPA, 1986b). Generic guidelines for such testing may be developed which can then be applied on a case by case basis.
The Ability of Human Schwann Cell Grafts to Promote Regeneration in the Transected Nude Rat Spinal Cord

Advances in the purification and expansion of Schwann cells (SCs) from adult human peripheral nerve, together with biomaterials development, have made the construction of unique grafts with defined properties possible. We have utilized PAN/PVC guidance channels to form solid human SC grafts which can be transplanted either with or without the channel. We studied the ability of grafts placed with and without channels to support regeneration and to influence functional recovery; characteristics of the graft and host/graft interface were also compared. The T9-T10 spinal cord of nude rats was resected and a graft was placed across the gap; methylprednisolone was delivered acutely to decrease secondary injury. Channels minimized the immigration of connective tissue into grafts but contributed to some necrotic tissue loss, especially in the distal spinal cord. Grafts without channels contained more myelinated axons (x = 2129 +/- 785) vs (x = 1442 +/- 514) and were larger in cross-sectional area ( x = 1.53 +/- 0.24 mm2) vs (x = 0.95 +/- 0.86 mm2). The interfaces formed between the host spinal cord and the grafts placed without channels were highly interdigitated and resembled CNS-PNS transition zones; chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans was deposited there. Whereas several neuronal populations including propriospinal, sensory, motoneuronal, and brainstem neurons regenerated into human SC grafts, only propriospinal and sensory neurons were observed to reenter the host spinal cord. Using combinations of anterograde and retrograde tracers, we observed regeneration of propriospinal neurons up to 2.6 mm beyond grafts. We estimate that 1% of the fibers that enter grafts reenter the host spinal cord by 45 days after grafting. Following retrograde tracing from the distal spinal cord, more labeled neurons were unexpectedly found in the region of the dextran amine anterograde tracer injection site where a marked inflammatory reaction had occurred. Animals with bridging grafts obtained modestly higher scores during open field [(x = 8.2 +/- 0.35) vs (x = 6.8 +/- 0.42), P = 0.02] and inclined plane testing (x = 38.6 +/- 0. 542) vs (x = 36.3 +/- 0.53), P = 0.006] than animals with similar grafts in distally capped channels. In summary, this study showed that in the nude rat given methylprednisolone in combination with human SC grafts, some regenerative growth occurred beyond the graft and a modest improvement in function was observed.
The Contribution of Coevolving Residues to the Stability of KDO8P Synthase

Background The evolutionary tree of 3-deoxy-D-manno-octulosonate 8-phosphate (KDO8P) synthase (KDO8PS), a bacterial enzyme that catalyzes a key step in the biosynthesis of bacterial endotoxin, is evenly divided between metal and non-metal forms, both having similar structures, but diverging in various degrees in amino acid sequence. Mutagenesis, crystallographic and computational studies have established that only a few residues determine whether or not KDO8PS requires a metal for function. The remaining divergence in the amino acid sequence of KDO8PSs is apparently unrelated to the underlying catalytic mechanism. Methodology/Principal Findings The multiple alignment of all known KDO8PS sequences reveals that several residue pairs coevolved, an indication of their possible linkage to a structural constraint. In this study we investigated by computational means the contribution of coevolving residues to the stability of KDO8PS. We found that about 1/4 of all strongly coevolving pairs probably originated from cycles of mutation (decreasing stability) and suppression (restoring it), while the remaining pairs are best explained by a succession of neutral or nearly neutral covarions. Conclusions/Significance Both sequence conservation and coevolution are involved in the preservation of the core structure of KDO8PS, but the contribution of coevolving residues is, in proportion, smaller. This is because small stability gains or losses associated with selection of certain residues in some regions of the stability landscape of KDO8PS are easily offset by a large number of possible changes in other regions. While this effect increases the tolerance of KDO8PS to deleterious mutations, it also decreases the probability that specific pairs of residues could have a strong contribution to the thermodynamic stability of the protein.
Modulation of neuronal excitability by endogenous adenosine in the absence of synaptic transmission

Abstract Rat hippocampal slices were superfused with low calcium, high magnesium medium. Reductions in flow rate were associated with a marked depression of antidromically elicited afterpotentials with little change in the initial antidromic population spike recorded from CA1 pyramidal neurons. The depression of the afterpotential at the lower flow rates was largely reversed by the adenosine antagonist, theophylline (100 μM), by adenosine deaminase (10 μg/ml) and was mimicked by the application of the adenosine reuptake blocker, dipyridamole (100 μM). Since synaptic transmission was blocked, it is concluded that sufficient endogenous adenosine exists in the absence of synaptic function to alter neuronal excitability.
Atomic layer deposition of Al2O3 and SiO2 on BN particles using sequential surface reactions

Abstract Al2O3 and SiO2 were deposited on BN particles with atomic layer control using alternating exposures of Al(CH3)3/H2O and SiCl4/H2O, respectively. The sequential surface chemistry was monitored in vacuum using transmission Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy studies on high surface area BN particles. The initial BN particles displayed vibrational modes consistent with BOH* and BNH2* surface species. These species reacted with Al(CH3)3 or SiCl4 and were converted to AlCH3* or SiCl* surface species. The subsequent reaction with H2O converted the surface species to AlOH* or SiOH*. By repeating the sequential surface reactions, the absorbance of Al2O3 and SiO2 bulk vibrational modes on the BN particles increased vs. the number of reaction cycles. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies revealed extremely uniform and conformal Al2O3 coatings on the BN particles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis was consistent with conformal Al2O3 coatings. In contrast, TEM investigations observed fairly uniform SiO2 coatings on the edge planes of the BN particles and only patches of SiO2 on the basal planes. XPS measurements were consistent with some uncovered regions on the SiO2-coated BN particles. These results illustrate the capability of sequential surface reactions to deposit ultrathin Al2O3 and SiO2 films on BN particles.
Photosynthesis and biomass of chaparral shrubs along a fire-induced age gradient in southern California

SummaryPhotosynthetic rates were measured in Ceanothus greggii Gray and Adenostoma fasciculatum H and A to determine change in productivity along a fire- induced age gradient in southern California. In general C. greggii had higher rates of CO2 uptake than did A. fasciculatum. The strongest differences in photosynthesis were measured during February 1982. The variations were not as pronounced in May, August, or February 1983 when generally lower photosynthetic rates in C. greggii and A. fasciculatum are similar and do not decrease significantly in older stands along a fire-induced age gradient. Standing biomass and foliage projective cover decreased in stands older than 40 years. Data from this research will allow a better understanding of the physiological mechanisms leading to senescence in chaparral shrubs.
A historical political ecology of land use in the southeastern Peanut Basin of Senegal

This article presents a history of twentieth century human occupation and agricultural expansion in the southeastern Peanut Basin in Senegal, West Africa. Using a political ecology conceptual framework, I describe social and cultural characteristics of the region’s population relevant to an analysis of environmental challenges that have affected the region over time. I also address the significance of state intervention, during both colonial and post-colonial times, in agricultural resettlement schemes that were intended to control access to land-based resources in this less densely populated part of the country. A discussion of more recent studies on environmental change and land use in the Peanut Basin illustrates the importance of understanding the region’s past in order to address its contemporary environmental challenges. This examination of historical land use dynamics in the southeastern Peanut Basin informs current conditions and future concerns regarding natural resource management in the region.
Effects of stimulus probability and task-relevance on event-related potentials

Stimuli were delivered to 12 subjects in a sequence that included regularly occurring standard tone pips, random warning tone pips, and random while noise bursts. Half the noise bursts were preceded by warning tones (high probability), and half were not (low probability). There were four runs, each having one of two noise burst intensities, and each having the warning tone and noise bursts either both task-relevant to a reaction time task or both task irrelevant. Event-related potentials (ERPs) were obtained by signal averaging in F2, C2, P2 and eye leads. The P3 to the warning tone was largest in P, and was not affected by task relevance. CNVs preceded all the high probability noise bursts. These CNVs had an amplitude of 5μV even when the bursts were task irrelevant. Low probability noise bursts elicited larger P3s in all leads for the task-irrelevant condition, but only in Pz for the task-relevant conditions. In Cz, the amplitudes of NI. P2, and P3 to the high probability. task-relevant noise bursts correlated with the amplitude of the preceding CNV.
Steganalysis of DCT-embedding based adaptive steganography and YASS

Recently well-designed adaptive steganographic systems, including ±1 embedding in the DCT domain with optimized costs to achieve the minimal-distortion [8], have posed serious challenges to steganalyzers. Additionally, although the steganalysis of Yet Another Steganographic Scheme (YASS) was actively conducted, the detection of the YASS steganograms by a large B-block parameter has not been well explored. In this paper, we aim to detect the state-of-the-art adaptive steganographic system in DCT-embedding and to improve the steganalysis of YASS. To detect DCT-embedding based adaptive steganography, we design the features of differential neighboring joint density on the absolute array of DCT coefficients between the original JPEG images and the calibrated versions. To discriminate YASS steganograms from covers, the candidate blocks that are possibly used for embedding and the non-candidate block neighbors that are impossibly used for information hiding are identified first. The difference of the neighboring joint density between candidate blocks and the non-candidate neighbors is obtained. Support Vector Machine (SVM) and logistic regression classifiers are employed for classification. Experimental results show that our approach is very promising when detecting DCT-embedding based adaptive steganography. Compared to the steganalysis based on CC-PEV feature set, our method greatly improves the detection accuracy; the advantage is especially noticeable in the detection of the steganograms with low relative payload. In steganalysis of YASS, our approach is superior to a previous well-known steganalysis algorithm; our method remarkably improves the detection accuracy especially in the detection of the YASS steganograms that are produced with a large B-block size, which was not well addressed before.
Instrument specifications and performance prediction for 2005 high altitude (30 km) balloon demonstration of GroundWinds fringe imaging Doppler lidar

The GroundWinds direct detection Doppler wind LIDARs located in NH and HI are operational, ground based, multi-order fringe imaging systems capable of detecting Doppler shifts in both Aerosol and Molecular backscatter from 0.25 km to 18 km. The technology developed through these GroundWinds programs will be incorporated and flown on a high altitude (30km) balloon in 2005. The demonstration of GroundWinds Fabry-Perot based incoherent LIDAR technology from a high altitude, downward looking platform to measure winds throughout the entire troposphere and boundary layer will be a significant milestone toward the validation of this technology. Key questions will be answered about the phenomenology of direct detection LIDAR, especially its effectiveness in the optically thick boundary layer. The extensive characterization of the 532nm GroundWinds NH and 355nm GroundWinds HI LIDARs serve as excellent reference points from which performance estimates and technology requirements can be determined to ensure a successful balloon mission. This paper will describe the baseline BalloonWinds instrument specifications; including etalon specifications, system component transmissions, transmit/receive specifications, required laser power, and detector characteristics. This paper will also present performance estimates based on model simulations that employ the baseline system specifications.
Changes in adipose tissue distribution during pregnancy in overweight and obese compared with normal weight women.

Differences in body fat distribution contribute to the metabolic abnormalities associated with overweight and obesity; however, such differences have not been adequately explored during pregnancy. Our aim was to compare longitudinal trends in maternal abdominal adipose tissue deposition during pregnancy in overweight/obese compared with normal weight women. Pregnant women, classified as normal weight (body mass index (BMI) <25 kg m−2; N=61) or overweight/obese (BMI ⩾25 kg m−2; N=57), were enrolled in a prospective cohort study starting in the first trimester. Maternal subcutaneous (smin) and preperitoneal (pmax) fat were measured by ultrasound at five time points starting between 6 and 10 weeks gestation. The abdominal fat index (AFI), an established marker of visceral adipose tissue, was calculated as the ratio of pmax to smin. The trajectories of smin, pmax, cumulative fat index (smin plus pmax) and the AFI across pregnancy were analyzed using mixed linear models. The rate of maternal weight gain during pregnancy was significantly lower for overweight/obese women compared with their non-overweight counterparts (P<0.05). Accordingly, the rate of change of pmax and smin differed significantly in normal weight compared with overweight/obese women (P=0.0003 and 0.01, respectively). The cumulative fat index did not change across gestation in normal weight women, whereas it decreased for overweight/obese women (P=0.0005). The log AFI increased across pregnancy in both strata, but significantly more rapidly for normal weight compared with overweight/obese women (P=0.06). Adipose tissue is preferentially deposited in the more metabolically active visceral compartment as pregnancy progresses. However, this process differs in normal weight compared with overweight/obese women and may contribute to metabolic differences between these groups. Our study is a step toward a more refined description of obesity and its consequences during pregnancy.
Time-resolved study of vibrations of a-Ge:H/a-Si:H multilayers

We describe experiments in which the vibrations of a-Ge:H/a-Si:H multilayer structures on silica substrates are studied in real time. The vibrations are generated when a picosecond light pulse is absorbed in the structure, thereby setting up an elastic stress. The resulting motion is studied through a measurement of the change in the optical reflectivity as a function of time. We analyze the results in terms of the spectrum of normal modes of the multilayers and show that there exist surface modes at the free surface of the multilayer.
Potassium bicarbonate, but not sodium bicarbonate, reduces urinary calcium excretion and improves calcium balance in healthy men

Potassium bicarbonate, but not sodium bicarbonate, reduces urinary calcium excretion and improves calcium balance in healthy men. Previous studies demonstrated that the administration of NaHCO 3 or sodium citrate had either only a small effect to reduce urinary Ca excretion or no effect, but that potassium citrate significantly reduced urinary Ca excretion. In order to further evaluate and compare the effects of NaHCO 3 and of KHCO 3 , we performed ten metabolic balances in healthy men during 18 control days, 12 days of NaHCO 3 , 60 mmol/day and 12 days of KHCO 3 , 60 mmol/day. Six subjects were fed a low Ca diet (5.2 ± 0.7 SD mmol/day) and three of these were also given calcitriol (0.5 µg 6-hourly). Four subjects ate a normal Ca diet (19.5 ± 1.3 mmol/day). For all 10 subjects, KHCO 3 administration reduced urinary Ca excretion from control by -0.9 ± 0.7 mmol/day, P 3 administration was also accompanied by more positive PO 4 and Mg balances. NaHCO 3 administration had no significant effect on urinary Ca excretion or Ca balance. NaHCO 3 and KHCO 3 administration were accompanied by equivalently more positive Na or K balances, respectively and equivalently more negative acid balances (HCO 3 retention). Neither NaHCO 3 or KHCO 3 altered fasting serum HCO 3 concentrations, blood pH, serum 1,25-(OH) 2 -D or PTH concentrations. We conclude that KHCO 3 promotes more positive Ca balances by either enhancing renal Ca retention or skeletal Ca retention or both.
Not All Education is Equally Liberal: The Effects of Science Education on Political Attitudes

Education stands as a potent predictor of political attitudes; however, the underlying mechanisms and moderators of this relationship are not well-understood. We hypothesize that the liberalizing effect of education is moderated by discipline, and that the scientific ethos that serves to guide empirical inquiries facilitates the development of more liberal political attitudes via concerns about fairness and equality. As predicted, being educated in a science-related discipline, as opposed to a non-science discipline, was associated with greater political liberalism; importantly, this effect could not be accounted for by self-selection (Study 1). Furthermore, concerns about fairness and equality, as captured by an individual’s social dominance orientation, mediated the relationship between studying science and political liberalism (Study 2). Study 3 replicated these findings and attest to their generalizability. Study 4 directly assessed the underlying mechanism, endorsement of the scientific ethos, and replicated the mediational model; those who endorsed the scientific ethos more strongly reported more liberal political attitudes, and this was mediated by their lower social dominance orientation.
Comments on Azide and Mercuric salts as seawater preservatives, and alkenes in the gulf of Mexico

Abstract A homologous series of volatile low molecular weight 1-alkenes was found in the surface waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Previous workers in the Gulf and other tropical waters did not report these compounds but they had poisoned their samples at sea for analysis later. The efficacy of azide and mercuric salts to preserve a representative alkene, 1-heptene, and heptane was tested. Neither salt significantly prevented loss of the hydrocarbons from spiked seawater. The 1-alkenes are most likely the abiotic products of photochemical oxidation and fragmentation of n-alkanes.
Subsonic/transonic prediction capabilities for nozzle/afterbody configurations

Prediction methods for several nozzle/afterbody flow problems at subsonic and transonic speeds are presented. These methods range from viscous-inviscid interaction methods to solutions for the Navier-Stokes equations in two and three dimensions. The problems addressed are the flow around isolated axisymmetric nozzles, isolated nonaxisymmetric nozzles, and axisymmetric nozzles with empennage. An assessment of the state of development of the methods via comparisons with experimental data is presented.
Transformation and adsorption of Fenamiphos, f. sulfoxide and f. sulfone in molokai soil and simulated movement with irrigation

Abstract The ban of commonly used soil fumigants, DBCP and EDB, for control of nematodes in pineapple fields has prompted investigations into a non-fumigant nematicide, fenamiphos (Nemacur®). The transformation and adsorption in soil of fenamiphos and its transformation products, f. sulfoxide and f. sulfone were studied in the laboratory. Fenamiphos adsorption on soil exceeded that of f. sulfoxide and f. sulfone. F. sulfoxide, however, was the most persistent. A one-dimensional simulation model was used to assess the impact of transformation and adsorption on the mobility and distribution of fenamiphos and f. sulfoxide in soil. Simulated results showed that fenamiphos stayed in the topsoil and transformed rapidly to f. sulfoxide. Because of the persistence and mobility of f. sulfoxide, this metabolite leached rapidly and significant amounts remained in the soil. This suggests that for times exceeding three weeks, f. sulfoxide may be the dominant compound providing nematode control in drip-irrigated pineapple.
Biochemical and electrophysiological differentiation profile of a human neuroblastoma (IMR-32) cell line.

A human neuroblastoma cell line (IMR-32), when differentiated, mimics large projections of the human cerebral cortex and under certain tissue culture conditions, forms intracellular fibrillary material, commonly observed in brains of patients affected with Alzheimer's disease. Our purpose is to use differentiated IMR-32 cells as an in vitro system for magnetic field exposure studies. We have previously studied in vitro differentiation of murine neuroblastoma (N1E-115) cells with respect to resting membrane potential development. The purpose of this study was to extend our investigation to IMR-32 cells. Electrophysiological (resting membrane potential, Vm) and biochemical (neuron-specific enolase activity [NSE]) measurements were taken every 2 d for a period of 16 d. A voltage-sensitive oxonol dye together with flow cytometry was used to measure relative changes in Vm. To rule out any effect due to mechanical cell detachment, Vm was indirectly measured by using a slow potentiometric dye (tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester) together with confocal digital imaging microscopy. Neuron-specific enolase activity was measured by following the production of phosphoenolpyruvate from 2-phospho-d-glycerate at 240 nm. Our results indicate that in IMR-32, in vitro differentiation as characterized by an increase in NSE activity is not accompanied by resting membrane potential development. This finding suggests that pathways for morphological-biochemical and electrophysiological differentiations in IMR-32 cells are independent of one another.
Hypothyroidism in association with systemic amyloidosis

Background. Systemic amyloidosis leads to functional compromise of various organs through infiltration of these tissues by amyloid protein. The majority of affected patients develop infiltration of the thyroid gland; yet thyroid dysfunction rarely occurs. Methods and Results. Described herein is a case of hypothyroidism occurring in a patient with amyloid goiter. An alternative explanation for her hypothyroidism could not be determined by histologic or serologic evaluation. Hormonal assays were consistent with progressive hypothyroidism in spite of oral and, finally, parenteral replacement therapy. A review of the literature describes other cases of thyroid dysfunction reported in patients with systemic amyloidosis. Conclusions. This case illustrates how amyloid infiltration may be a cause of hypothyroidism in patients with systemic amyloidosis. Therefore, all patients who develop a goiter, including those with systemic amyloidosis, must be screened for thyroid dysfunction. When a physician diagnoses the patient with hypothyroidism, that physician must be aware of potential pitfalls in the administration of thyroxine replacement as outlined below.
Long-haul atmospheric laser communication systems

Optical communications provides an attractive means of achieving wideband data transfer over long distances. We review perceived challenges and enabling technology developments that promise to facilitate a new era of free-space laser communications.
Shortages and strategies: ANAC's role in the development of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy.

June marked the 30th anniversary of the HIV epidemic in the United States and the 1-year anniversary of the launch of the first-ever U.S. National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS; Office of National AIDS Policy [ONAP], 2010). The Association of Nurses in AIDS Care (ANAC) has taken an active role in advocating for nurses and nursing in the context of the development and implementation of the NHAS and is publishing a series of commentaries in JANAC documenting our efforts. This initial commentary is designed to provide an overview of ANAC’s involvement in and work related to the NHAS. Prior to launching the NHAS, ONAP invited public input, hosting public forums throughout the country and encouraging comments through an online submission process. ANAC developed talking points that were distributed to members in the regions where public forums occurred, detailing ANAC’s recommendations. In addition, ANAC submitted specific recommendations directly to ONAP. ANAC stressed the importance of nurses as critical members of the HIV health care team and addressed the health workforce issues that impact nursing. Specifically, ANAC encouraged ONAP to consider the following recommendations as it developed the NHAS: (a) training and education grants and loan forgiveness programs for nurses and nurse practitioners working in HIV care, (b) financial incentives for nurses and nurse practitioners who elect to specialize in HIV, (c) a requirement that bodies such as the President’s
Demonstration of a soft x-ray amplifier.

We report observations of amplified spontaneous emission at soft x-ray wavelengths. An optical laser ionized thin foils of selenium to produce a population inversion of the $2{p}^{5}3p$ and $2{p}^{5}3s$ levels of the neonlike ion. Using three time-resolved, spectroscopic measurements we demonstrated gain-length products up to 6.5 and gain coefficients of 5.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.0 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ for the $J=2 \mathrm{to} 1$ lines at 206.3 and 209.6 \AA{}. We also observed considerable amplification for the same transitions in yttrium at 155.0 and 157.1 \AA{}.
Association of Age and Comorbidity on 2009 Influenza A Pandemic H1N1-Related Intensive Care Unit Stay in Massachusetts.

Objectives. We compared comorbidity measures by age group and risk factors for influenza-like illness (ILI)–related intensive care unit (ICU) stay during the 2009 seasonal influenza and influenza A (pH1N1) pandemic.Methods. We identified all patients discharged from Massachusetts hospitals with ILI-related diagnoses between October 1, 2008, and April 25, 2009, and pH1N1–related diagnoses between April 26 and September 30, 2009. We calculated the Diagnostic Cost Group (DxCG) risk score as a measure of comorbidity. We used logistic regression predictive models to compare ICU stay predictors.Results. Mean DxCG scores were similar for pH1N1 and seasonal influenza time periods (0.69 and 0.70). Compared with those aged 45 to 64 years, patients younger than 5, 5 to 12, and 13 to 18 years had an increased risk of pH1N1-related ICU stay. Within the pH1N1 cohort, an asthma diagnosis was highly predictive of ICU admission among those younger than 5, 5 to 12, and 13 to 18 years, and pregnancy among those aged 26 to 4...
Physical Therapy Diagnosis and the Relationship Between Impairments and Function

Physical therapy diagnosis refers to both a process and a particular label within a classification scheme. This article reviews the development of the concept of diagnosis in physical therapy and evaluates the clinical utility of using the World Health Organization's International Classification of Impairments, Disabilities, and Handicaps (ICIDH) as a taxonomy for physical therapy. In place of the ICIDH, a model developed by Nagi is suggested. If this model is applied to physical therapy, the relationship between impairments and functional limitations is identified as the primary diagnostic focus of physical therapy. Exploration and expansion of this model may best serve the development of a classification scheme for physical therapy diagnosis.
Neuroanatomical Markers for Dyslexia: A Review of Dyslexia Structural Imaging Studies

A neuroanatomical description of dyslexia has been elusive, due in part to the complex cognitive nature of dyslexia. People with dyslexia have varying degrees of impairment in reading skills that engage oral and written language (reading) neural networks. Although findings for the inferior parietal lobule, inferior frontal gyrus, and cerebellum have been relatively consistent across studies, these studies also demonstrate that anatomical patterns of results vary according to the reading skills that characterize dyslexia. The number and likelihood of atypical anatomical findings in oral and/or written language systems appears to be related to the pattern of impairments in measures of phonology, orthography, and fluency. A comprehensive neurobiological understanding of dyslexia will depend on studies of dyslexic individuals with homogeneous perceptual, cognitive, and genetic backgrounds.
It was logical but was it the whole truth

This editorial refers to ‘Aortic stenosis, atherosclerosis, and skeletal bone: is there a common link with calcification and inflammation?’[†][1], by M.R. Dweck et al. , on page 1567 I had … . come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it is to reason from insufficient data. Sherlock Holmes to Dr Watson in ‘The Adventure of the Speckled Band’, 1892.1 Calcific aortic stenosis (AS) was initially characterized as a degenerative process (disorder) because of a tendency to describe any disorder that was not well understood and often occurred in the ‘elderly’ as degenerative. In the last ‘15–20’ years, the observation of the presence of risk factors for arterial atherosclerosis in patients with calcific AS, the production of aortic valve calcification in animals fed grossly high levels of lipids, the presence of an osteoblast phenotype in calcific AS, and many studies showing features of and similarities to arterial atherosclerosis led to a … [1]: #fn-2
Reduction in cerebral blood flow in areas appearing as white matter hyperintensities on magnetic resonance imaging

The purpose of this study was to examine cerebral blood flow (CBF) as measured by arterial spin labeling (ASL) in tissue classified as white matter hyperintensities (WMH), normal appearing white matter, and grey matter. Seventeen healthy older adults received structural and ASL MRI. Cerebral blood flow was derived for three tissue types: WMH, normal appearing white matter, and grey matter. Cerebral blood flow was lower in WMH areas relative to normal appearing white matter, which in turn, was lower than grey matter. Regions with consistently lower CBF across individuals were more likely to appear as WMH. Results are consistent with an emerging literature linking diminished regional perfusion with the risk of developing WMH.
Are Targeted Preoperative Risk Prediction Tools More Powerful? A Test of Models for Emergency Colon Surgery in the Very Elderly

Background Whether preoperative risk prediction improves with the use of more patient- and procedure-targeted models is unclear. We created a customized preoperative mortality risk prediction score for patients 80 years or older needing an emergency colectomy and compare it with existing, more generic risk assessment methods. Study Design A targeted mortality prediction model was created using 2007 to 2008 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) data and was validated using 2005 to 2006 data. We constructed a scoring system from the significant predictors identified. The model fit of our targeted score was compared with the American Society of Anesthesiologist's (ASA) score, the Surgical Risk Scale, and the ACS Colorectal Surgery Risk Calculator. Results Analyses identified 1,358 and 372 emergency colectomies in the training and validation samples, respectively. Our targeted risk prediction score had a goodness-of-fit p value greater than 0.05 (indicating a good fit) and a c-statistic of 0.77, which represents a significantly better fit compared with the ASA score, the Surgical Risk Scale, and the ACS Colorectal Surgery Risk Calculator c-statistics (0.66, 0.66, and 0.71, respectively). When using the scores to predict mortality with 80% specificity, our targeted risk prediction score was 25% more likely to predict correctly than the ACS Colorectal Surgery Risk Calculator and 33% more likely to predict correctly compared with the ASA score and Surgical Risk Scale. Conclusions Our study presents a validated preoperative mortality score for very elderly patients needing an emergency colectomy. The greater discriminating power of this targeted score indicates that preoperative risk assessment may need to be customized to specific procedures and patient circumstances.
The paradox of tumor-associated neutrophils: Fueling tumor growth with cytotoxic substances

Human cancers are comprised of numerous cell types including neutrophils. Although often ignored, neutrophils are frequently present at sites of tumorigenesis including the kidney, breast, colon and lung. These cells possess substances such as reactive oxygen species and proteinases that are capable of modifying tumor growth and invasiveness. This review addresses recent reports describing both pro-host and pro-tumor roles for neutrophils and neutrophil-derived substances and will examine the alterations in neutrophil behavior that explain this apparent biological discrepancy. Unfortunately, with the exception of investigator driven manipulation of neutrophil function, these cells function overwhelmingly against the host in the setting of cancer. Many cancers are capable of recruiting neutrophils to sites of tumorigenesis where they enhance tumor growth. Identification of the neutrophil-derived substances that promote tumor growth may yield novel therapeutic approaches to inhibit cancer progression. Alternatively, strategies designed to generate highly activated and cytotoxic neutrophils within the tumor microenvironment may provide a means to unleash the tumoricidal potential of the host's innate immune response.
Prenatal tobacco exposure and cotinine in newborn dried blood spots.

BACKGROUND: Tobacco smoking by pregnant women is a major public health hazard with both short- and long-term effects on offspring. This study describes the presence and level of the nicotine metabolite cotinine in newborn dried blood spots (DBS) and compares it with the reported maternal smoking recorded on state birth registries. We hypothesize that cotinine in DBS may be a useful measure of newborn in utero tobacco exposure. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study of 1414 DBS obtained from California, Michigan, New York, and Washington newborn screening programs was carried out. Cotinine levels in DBS were quantified by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry analysis and compared with maternal smoking as reported in vital statistics data. RESULTS: Cotinine ≥0.3 ng/g was detected in 35% of newborn DBS, including DBS of 29% of newborns whose mothers reportedly did not smoke cigarettes during pregnancy, some of whom were presumably exposed to environmental tobacco smoke. Twelve percent of the newborn DBS had cotinine levels that were ≥9.0 ng/g (equivalent to 6 ng/mL plasma, a level that indicates active smoking of the mother), although 41% of the mothers of these infants reportedly did not smoke. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that reported smoking during pregnancy is an imperfect measure of prenatal tobacco smoke exposure. Cotinine assessment in newborns may improve surveillance of tobacco use during pregnancy.
Quality Assurance in Interventional Radiology

W441 of potential risks and complications, and the use of external and internal benchmarks are essential to achieve a high level of care in IR. The SIR Standards of Practice Committee guidelines for establishing a quality improvement (QI) program [1] are as follows: form a quality committee; identify QA standards; understand the system and define processes; establish metrics and set threshold values; collect and analyze data; and initiate QI projects. Although continuous assessment of IR procedures can be more challenging than assessment of diagnostic studies, IR practices should base their data collection on the QI publications standards of the SIR [2]. In evaluation of an IR service for procedural care auditing parameters, the following should be included: appropriateness, efficacy and safety, and evaluation with indicator thresholds for a specific procedure. When indication and success rates fall below a minimum threshold or when complication rates exceed a maximum threshold, a review should be performed to determine causes and to implement changes, if necessary [2].
Health Literacy and Mortality: A Cohort Study of Patients Hospitalized for Acute Heart Failure

Background More than 30% of patients hospitalized for heart failure are rehospitalized or die within 90 days of discharge. Lower health literacy is associated with mortality among outpatients with chronic heart failure; little is known about this relationship after hospitalization for acute heart failure. Methods and Results Patients hospitalized for acute heart failure and discharged home between November 2010 and June 2013 were followed through December 31, 2013. Nurses administered the Brief Health Literacy Screen at admission; low health literacy was defined as Brief Health Literacy Screen ≤ 9. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were time to first rehospitalization and, separately, time to first emergency department visit within 90 days of discharge. Cox proportional hazards models determined their relationships with health literacy, adjusting for age, gender, race, insurance, education, comorbidity, and hospital length of stay. For the 1379 patients, average age was 63.1 years, 566 (41.0%) were female, and 324 (23.5%) had low health literacy. Median follow‐up was 20.7 months (interquartile range 12.8 to 29.6 months), and 403 (29.2%) patients died. Adjusted hazard ratio for death among patients with low health literacy was 1.32 (95% CI 1.05, 1.66, P =0.02) compared to Brief Health Literacy Screen >9. Within 90 days of discharge, there were 415 (30.1%) rehospitalizations and 201 (14.6%) emergency department visits, with no evident association with health literacy. Conclusions Lower health literacy was associated with increased risk of death after hospitalization for acute heart failure. There was no evident relationship between health literacy and 90‐day rehospitalization or emergency department visits.
Mechanical ventilation strategies in children

The last decade has been marked by major advances in the management of pediatric respiratory failure. We now know that the choice of mechanical ventilation strategy can influence the subsequent course of lung injury. As such, mechanical ventilation can no longer be viewed simply as a harmless support modality that is employed to keep patients alive while disease-specific treatments are used to ameliorate the underlying pathology. This review will examine the various challenges of providing mechanical ventilation to pediatric patients with acute respiratory failure, including those with diseases of increased airway resistance and diseases of abnormal lung compliance.
Inequality, Family Processes, and Health in the “New” Rural America

Rural America is commonly viewed as a repository of virtuous and patriotic values, deeply rooted in a proud immigrant history of farmers and industrious working-class White ethnics from northern Europe. These views are not always consistent with the population and socioeconomic realities of rural terrains. Exceptions to these stereotypes are self-evident among large poor racial/ethnic minorities residing in rural ghettos in the “dirty” South and among poor Whites living in remote, mountainous areas of Appalachia. For these disadvantaged populations, sociocultural and economic isolation, a lack of quality education, too few jobs, and poor health have taken a human toll, generation after generation. Moreover, the past several decades have brought dramatic shifts in the spatial distribution and magnitude of poverty in these areas. And, America’s persistent racial inequalities have continued to fester as rural communities become home to urban-origin racial minority migrants and immigrants from Mexico and Latin America. As a result, the face of rural America has changed, quite literally. In this article, we address the primary question these changes pose: How will shifting inequalities anchored in poverty and race shape health disparities in a “new” rural America? Guided by fundamental cause theory, we explore the scope and sources of poverty and race inequalities in rural America, how patterns in these inequalities are transduced within families, and what these inequalities mean for the future of health disparities within and across rural U.S. terrains. Our goal is to review and interrogate the extant literature on this topic with the intent of offering recommendations for future research.