cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Postcumulus and subsolidus equilibration of chomite and coexisting silicates in the Eastern Bushveld Complex

Abstract Analyses of chromite and coexisting olivine or bronzite in various textural associations in the Critical Zone of the Eastern Bushveld Complex are examined for evidence of the extent and nature of postcumulus or subsolidus equilibration of chromite and Fe-Mg silicates. Subsolidus equilibration of chromite inclusions in bronzite and olivine is indicated, and postcumulus or subsolidus equilibration of chromite with postcumulus bronzite is indicated in mottled anorthosite of the H unit. Compositional zoning of cumulus bronzite is inferred to be due to equilibration with cumulus chromite during the postcumulus stage. The main pattern of variation in Mg Fe ratio and Al2O3 content of chromite with modal per cent chromite is inferred, however, to have been produced during the cumulus stage. The data are consistent with control of chromite precipitation and composition by the oxygen fugacity of the magma, but the effects of changes in pressure or other variables of the magma system on chromite stability and composition are still largely unknown.
Queen number and the production of sexuals in the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

To investigate the possibility of queen control over the production of sexuals in polygyne colonies of the fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, large colonies were divided into polygyne (P) and monogyne (M) or queenless (Q-) halves. Sexual larvae were evident in the M and Q- halves 3 to 4 days after colony division, whereas sexual forms failed to develop in all but one of the 32 P halves examined. Both male and female sexuals were produced in abundance in all M (n=25) and Q- (n=7) halves. Evidently, individuals capable of sexualization are present in colonies with many functional queens but are normally prevented from developing. Electrophoretic and morphometric analyses indicated that both haploid and diploid males were produced in the Q- halves, although diploids far outnumbered haploids. It thus appears that queens exert control over all potential and genetically determined sexuals regardless of sex or ploidy. The timing of the appearance of sexual forms following colony division suggests that queen control may be pheromonally mediated and inhibits the growth of sexuals late in larval development. An experiment in which the queens from M and P halves of colonies were exchanged demonstrated the reversible nature of this inhibition within colonies, but also suggested that once individual larvae develop beyond a critical point they are no longer subject to queen control. Despite seasonal variation in the production of sexuals in the field, no substantial differences between colonies collected in the summer and fall were found in their response to colony manipulations. The interaction of colony weight and number of queens present prior to colony division was associated with the number of males produced in the Q- halves, but no factors examined were associated with the number of females produced in these halves, or with the number of males or females produced in the M halves.
Olfactory cues are sufficient to elicit social approach behaviors but not social transmission of food preference in C57BL/6J mice

Mouse models for the study of autistic-like behaviors are increasingly needed to test hypotheses about the causes of autism, and to evaluate potential treatments. Both the automated three-chambered social approach test and social transmission of food preference have been proposed as mouse behavioral assays with face validity to diagnostic symptoms of autism, including aberrant reciprocal social interactions and impaired communication. Both assays measure aspects of normal social behavior in the mouse. However, little is known regarding the salient cues present in each assay that elicit normal social approach and communication. To deconstruct the critical components, we focused on delivering discrete social and non-social olfactory and visual cues within the context of each assay. Results indicate that social olfactory cues were sufficient to elicit normal sociability in the three-chambered social approach test. On social transmission of food preference, isolated social olfactory cues were sufficient to induce social investigation, but not sufficient to induce food preference. These findings indicate that olfactory cues are important in mouse social interaction, but that additional sensory cues are necessary in certain situations. The present evidence that both the three-chambered social approach assay and the social transmission of food preference assay require socially relevant cues to elicit normal behavior supports the use of these two assays to investigate autism-related behavioral phenotypes in mice.
Keep Kids off Drugs

This case focuses on one principal’s dilemma created when a community church wishes to sponsor a Christian Youth group for a school assembly. It explores the legal and political forces associated with religious expression in public schools. The teaching notes are designed to stimulate student discussions of the fine line between “sponsorship” and “inhibition” of religious expression, politics and power, communication, and the relationship between fundraising and sponsorship.
Evaluating institutional variability of duplex scanning in the detection of carotid artery stenosis.

Abstract Purpose: Duplex scanning is widely used to measure carotid artery stenosis, but the issue of variability between institutions must be raised. To examine for this potential variability, we evaluated two ATL Ultramark 9 duplex machines at two hospitals within our institution. Methods: Stenosis was calculated angiographically as in the North American Symptomatic Carotid Endarterectomy Trial (NASCET). Internal carotid artery (ICA) to common carotid artery (CCA) peak systolic velocity (PSV) ratios were determined using the two ATL machines. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated for each hospital. Results: ROC curves varied significantly. The area under the curve from hospital 1 was 0.95 (SE = 0.021); the area under the curve from hospital 2 was 0.87 (SE = 0.034). The curves were essentially statistically different ( P = 0.0516). Comments: We showed a difference in predicting diameter stenosis utilizing ICA PSV/CCA PSV ratios at two hospitals within our institution. Variability is likely due to technologists, since equipment and physician interpreters were the same. Criteria must be developed for each different machine in each laboratory. Quality assurance is critical to minimize variability.
The radiation field wave forms produced by intracloud lightning discharge processes

The large-amplitude radiation field pulses produced by intracloud lightning discharge processes have been recorded with submicrosecond time resolution. The wave forms are distinctly different from those produced by return strokes in cloud-to-ground lightning, yet they are surprisingly alike within a discharge and in different discharges. The shapes tend to be bipolar, with two or three narrow, fast-rising pulses superimposed on the initial half cycle. Pulses with a positive initial polarity are usually produced in the several tens of milliseconds prior to the first return stroke in a cloud-to-ground discharge. Positive pulses tend to occur at regular intervals and have a mean full width of about 40 + or - 13 microsec. Negative pulses are usually produced during isolated cloud discharges at more random intervals and have shapes similar to the positive pulses but with more variability. The implications of the field shapes and polarities for the physics of intracloud discharge processes are discussed.
Serotonergic lesioning differentially affects presynaptic and postsynaptic 5-HT1B receptor mRNA levels in rat brain

The rat 5-HT1B receptor (also referred to as the 5-HT1Dβ receptor) is expressed in both serotonergic and nonserotonergic neurons in the rat brain, where it has been hypothesized to inhibit the release of neurotransmitters from axonal terminals. In this study we investigated the effect of chemical axotomy of serotonergic processes by 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine on the levels of 5-HT1B mRNA in the dorsal raphe nucleus and several postsynaptic brain areas using in situ hybridization. 5,7-Dihydroxytryptamine (i.c.v.) reduced forebrain [3H]citalopram binding to serotonin transporter by 62–96% whereas binding in the dorsal raphe nucleus was preserved. Serotonin transporter mRNA hybridization signal in the dorsal raphe nucleus was only slightly reduced after 5,7-dihydroxytryptantine. These results suggest that our lesioning protocol caused axonal degeneration with preservation of most of the serotonergic perikarya in the dorsal raphe nucleus. 5-HT1B mRNA hybridization signal in postsynaptic regions was unchanged by serotonergic lesions, but was markedly reduced in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Thus, disruption of serotonergic innervation affects the regulation of presynaptic and postsynaptic 5-HT1B mRNA differently. Furthermore, although both 5-HTIB receptors and serotonin transporters are found in serotonergic terminals, their levels may be regulated differentially during the period of regrowth that follows chemical axotomy.
Lighting energy savings potential of split-pane electrochromic windows controlled for daylighting with visual comfort

Abstract A simulation study was conducted to evaluate lighting energy savings of split-pane electrochromic (EC) windows controlled to satisfy key visual comfort parameters. Using the Radiance lighting simulation software, interior illuminance and luminance levels were computed for a south-facing private office illuminated by a window split into two independently-controlled EC panes. The transmittance of these was optimized hourly for a work plane illuminance target while meeting visual comfort constraints, using a least-squares algorithm with linear inequality constraints. Blinds were successively deployed until visual comfort criteria were satisfied. The energy performance of electrochromics proved to be highly dependent on how blinds were controlled. With hourly blind position adjustments, electrochromics showed significantly higher (62% and 53%, respectively without and with overhang) lighting energy consumption than clear glass. With a control algorithm designed to better approximate realistic manual control by an occupant, electrochromics achieved significant savings (48% and 37%, respectively without and with overhang). In all cases, energy consumption decreased when the workplace illuminance target was increased. In addition, the fraction of time during which the occupant had an unobstructed view of the outside was significantly greater with electrochromics: 10 months out of the year vs. a handful of days for the reference case.
Trace detection of ambient brominated compounds by laser-induced photofragmentation/fragment detection spectrometry

Abstract Studies have been performed to evaluate the analytical capabilities of a novel, one color, laser-induced photofragmentation/fragment detection technique for the detection of ambient brominated compounds. Laser radiation at 260.634 nm is used to both fragment the brominated compounds and excite the characteristic Br atom photofragment via its two-photon 4 p 4 5 p 4 D 0 3 2 ← 4 p 5 2 P o 3 2 transition. Detection is accomplished by either (2 + 1) resonance-enhanced multiphoton ionization (REMPI), or by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) or stimulated emission (SE) from the 4 p 4 5 p 4 D 0 3 2 → 4 p 4 5 1s 4 P 5 2 , 3 2 transitions at 844 and 751 nm, respectively. The SE signal is coaxial to the laser beam and is approximately two orders of magnitude greater than the LIF signal at 844 nm. Measurements are performed in a photolysis cell at total pressures of 1–760 Torr. For REMPI detection, total (nonselective) ion collection is employed using a miniature pair of electrodes. The absorption cross section of the two-photon 4 p 4 5 p 4 D ° 3 2 ← 4 p 5 2 P 0 3 2 transition is estimated to be 1.8 × 10 −45 cm 4 s and limits of detection in the ppb are obtained for CH 3 Br, CHBr 3 , and CHClBr 2 .
Deep in benchmarking: using industry standards to assess a training program

At the University of Missouri - Columbia's Information and Access Technology (IAT) Services, InfoTech Training compares the results of their IT training program with similar training programs. Benchmarking studies assess best practices from organizations throughout the world and measures actual training operations against those best practices. InfoTech Training's primary project goal was to measure program performance against industry standards and best practices. This paper explores the challenges of:Determining which benchmarking services to utilizeCollecting data for various benchmarking studiesComparing and analyzing dataMeasuring performance improvement Measuring trainer performance Analyzing findingsDetermining improvements.From the various benchmarking surveys, InfoTech Training conducted data comparisons with industry standards gathered from other higher education institutions, government agencies, and the private sector. As a result of this comparison, InfoTech Training has established that they are meeting or exceeding the majority of the training industry standards.This paper serves as a blueprint to benchmarking an IT training department. Benchmarking is just one tool to build a top-notch program. The next step in measuring training program effectiveness is to use the benchmarking data to calculate the program's return on investment (ROI). The ROI in turn determines whether the program can justify its expenditures.
Ion pump sorting in polarized renal epithelial cells.

Ion pump sorting in polarized renal epithelial cells. The plasma membranes of renal epithelial cells are divided into distinct apical and basolateral domains, which contain different inventories of ion transport proteins. Without this polarity vectorial ion and fluid transport would not be possible. Little is known of the signals and mechanisms that renal epithelial cells use to establish and maintain polarized distributions of their ion transport proteins. Analysis of ion pump sorting reveals that multiple complex signals participate in determining and regulating these proteins' subcellular localizations.
The Role of Insight in Science Education: An Introduction to the Cognitional Theory of Bernard Lonergan

This paper describes the transcendental method of Bernard Lonergan and itsrelevance to science education in general, and to physics education in particular.Lonergan formulated a cognitional theory, based upon the self-assembling dynamicinvariant structure of human knowing, that unfolds the complex relation amongknowing, objective knowledge, and intending subjects (knowers). His heuristicmethod integrates some of the tools necessary to facilitate the learning and teachingprocess because it provides a key that can link the intending subject (student), theintended object (knowledge), and the mediating subject (the teacher). His differentiatedstructure of knowledge can be employed to investigate pedagogical questions andmodels that address how students can be encouraged to engage actively in their ownauthentic learning process.
A Persona-Centric Approach to Developing Complex Computer Systems: Lessons from the Field

Enterprise server systems, such as e-mail servers, database servers, and e-commerce servers, are the heart and soul of businesses throughout the world. They are complex back-end systems that typically fall under the realm of system administrators and developers, and drive many of the front-end client applications used by the billions of end-users in businesses on a regular basis. It is critical that these complex systems be easy to learn, install, use, troubleshoot, maintain, and upgrade. This paper describes our experience using a persona-based approach to develop complex e-business server systems. It provides an overview of personas and their benefits, the approach we took to create them and enable their adoption, and the lessons we learned that may be adapted by human factors professionals in different industries. The personas we created increased the product team's awareness of our target server audience, as well as their needs, skill levels and goals. The adoption of our personas has been fairly wide...
Stent-graft migration following endovascular repair of aneurysms with large proximal necks: anatomical risk factors and long-term sequelae.

Purpose:To evaluate the outcome of aortic endografts deployed in large infrarenal necks and to identify any association of preoperative aneurysm characteristics and postoperative morphological changes with the incidence of neck dilatation and device migration in this patient subset.Methods:The records of 47 patients (41 men; mean age 74, range 55–84) with large aortic neck diameters treated with Talent stent-grafts from 1998 to 2001 were reviewed. Patients with anatomical criteria that precluded aneurysm exclusion with currently available devices were preferentially selected. Mean baseline aneurysm morphology included 27.6-mm (range 18–33.4) suprarenal and 28.1-mm (range 24–34) infrarenal neck diameters; the infrarenal neck length was 26 ± 16 mm with angulation of 37° ± 18°. Computed tomographic (CT) angiograms up to 3 years were analyzed using specialized interactive software; migration was defined as >1-cm change in the distance from the lower renal artery to the top of the device. Pre- and postoperativ...
Axon morphology of mesencephalic trigeminal neurons in a snake, Thamnophis sirtalis.

The morphology of single axons of mesencephalic trigeminal neurons (Mes V) was studied in the eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) by solid filling them with an extracellular horseradish peroxidase technique. Each Mes V axon can be divided into central, peripheral, and descending branches. The central branch descends from its soma of origin in the midbrain to the dorsal aspect of the motor nucleus of the trigeminal (Motor V) and the motor root, where it splits into peripheral and descending branches. The descending branch travels caudally from Motor V to the brainstemspinal cord junction. The peripheral branch passes dorsal to motor V and joins the motor root of V to exit the brainstem. All three branches issue a massive collateral system that distributes terminal swellings within the nuclear boundaries of Motor V. Single Mes V axons diverge to sparsely contact a large number of motoneurons throughout the nucleus, suggesting that single motoneurons receive a convergent input from many Mes V neurons. Since Motor V contains multiple, highly overlapping motor pools, single afferents are positioned to contact different motor pools. The descending branch is situated medial and adjacent to the spinal sensory nucleus of the trigeminal (Sensory V). It issues a collateral field to the entire length of Sensory V. The terminal swellings of these collaterals form rostrocaudally aligned sheets, flattened in the horizontal plane. Single terminal sheets have a divergent projection to a large field of sensory cells and single, fusiform sensory cells are positioned to receive a convergent projection from many terminal sheets. The results provide the first detailed description of Mes V axon morphology. The overall pattern of these axons closely resembles that recently described for spinal Ia afferent fibers in cat. There is evidence in both cases for divergence of single afferent terminal fields to a set of spatially overlapping motor pools and a convergence of input to single motoneurons from a large population of afferents. This anatomical pattern is consistent with the recently proposed role of sensory feedback in the activity of single motoneurons.
Health, Luck and Moral Fallacies of the Second Best

Individuals who become ill as a result of personal lifestyle choices often shift the monetary costs of their healthcare needs to the taxpaying public or to fellow members of a private insurance pool. Some argue that policies permitting such cost shifting are unfair. Arguments for this view may seem to draw support from luck egalitarian accounts of distributive justice. This essay argues that the luck egalitarian framework provides no such support. To allocate healthcare costs on the basis of personal responsibility would arbitrarily and publicly burden socially detectable risk-takers while undetectable risk-takers continue to get a free ride. That problem is unavoidable even on the assumption that distributive institutions outside the healthcare sector are fully just. In actual, farfrom-just societies, imposing personal liability for the costs of voluntary risk taking would be wrong for an additional reason. Doing so would tend to magnify existing distributive injustices. These conclusions draw attention to two common ‘moral fallacies of the second best’ that can arise when applying ideal normative theory to matters of institutional design and in real-world policy contexts.
Ten nucleotide cis element in the 3′-untranslated region of the GLUT1 glucose transporter mRNA increases gene expression via mRNA stabilization

Abstract The GLUT1 glucose transporter gene is regulated at the post-transcriptional level, and a 10 nucleotide (nt) cis -acting element located at nt 2181–2190 of the GLUT1 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) increases the transient expression of a luciferase reporter gene. To investigate the role of this mRNA cis -element, stable transfectants expressing luciferase reporter genes were established in rat C6 glioma cells. Insertion of nt 2100–2300 of GLUT1 3′-UTR resulted in a marked increase in the abundance of both reporter gene mRNA and protein compared to the control, in parallel with a 228% increase in the mRNA t 1/2 determined with actinomycin D. Deletion of the 10 nt cis -acting element in the GLUT1 3′-UTR reduced the abundance of reporter gene products and the mRNA t 1/2 to levels similar to the control clone. Data suggest that the cis -acting element located at nt 2181–2190 of bovine GLUT1 mRNA 3′-UTR is responsible for increased GLUT1 gene expression via enhanced GLUT1 mRNA stabilization.
A DNA enzyme that cleaves RNA

BACKGROUND: Several types of RNA enzymes (ribozymes) have been identified in biological systems and generated in the laboratory. Considering the variety of known RNA enzymes and the similarity of DNA and RNA, it is reasonable to imagine that DNA might be able to function as an enzyme as well. No such DNA enzyme has been found in nature, however. We set out to identify a metal-dependent DNA enzyme using in vitro selection methodology. RESULTS: Beginning with a population of 10(14) DNAs containing 50 random nucleotides, we carried out five successive rounds of selective amplification, enriching for individuals that best promote the Pb(2+)-dependent cleavage of a target ribonucleoside 3'-O-P bond embedded within an otherwise all-DNA sequence. By the fifth round, the population as a whole carried out this reaction at a rate of 0.2 min-1. Based on the sequence of 20 individuals isolated from this population, we designed a simplified version of the catalytic domain that operates in an intermolecular context with a turnover rate of 1 min-1. This rate is about 10(5)-fold increased compared to the uncatalyzed reaction. CONCLUSIONS: Using in vitro selection techniques, we obtained a DNA enzyme that catalyzes the Pb(2+)-dependent cleavage of an RNA phosphoester in a reaction that proceeds with rapid turnover. The catalytic rate compares favorably to that of known RNA enzymes. We expect that other examples of DNA enzymes will soon be forthcoming.
Sonographic appearance of the Angelchik prosthesis.

The Angelchik prosthesis is a silicone-filled, doughnut-shaped device used for the surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux. This device appears on sonograms as a C-shaped, hypoechoic structure with nonspecific Doppler waveforms. Because the Angelchik prosthesis is rarely used anymore, recently trained sonographers and radiologists may misinterpret this sonolucent appearance as an unusual vascular lesion. We report a case of an Angelchik prosthesis that was incidentally noted at the gastroesophageal junction on a routine abdominal sonographic examination.
Can prescription refill feedback to physicians improve patient adherence

ABSTRACT Background Although adherence to long-term drug therapy is an important issue, the means to facilitate its assessment and improvement in clinical practice remain a challenge. Objective To evaluate the impact of prescription refill feedback and adherence education provided to primary care physicians. Methods We provided 83 resident and attending physicians at a university-based general internal medicine practice with refill adherence reports on each of 340 diabetic patients. An educational session on adherence assessment and improvement techniques was held, and all physicians received a written outline on this topic. Physician attitude toward the intervention and 6-month change in refill adherence (doses filled/doses prescribed) of their patient panels were assessed. A nonrandomized comparison group of patients receiving hypertension medications for whom the physicians did not receive feedback was also evaluated. Results The overall improvement in mean refill adherence was not significant (83.9% vs 86.0%, P = 0.18). The educational session was attended by 53% of the physicians. The patient refill adherence of physicians attending the educational session improved by 5.0% ( P Conclusions Patients of physicians that received refill feedback and attended an educational session improved their refill adherence. After replication of these results in a randomized trial, broad implementation of this approach could have substantial impact from a public health perspective, given the ubiquity of prescription claims data.
Atomic and electronic structure of the Fe 3 O 4 ( 111 ) ∕ Mg O ( 111 ) model polar oxide interface

High-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and density functional calculations are used to study the effect of interface polarity on the atomic and electronic structure of the prototype ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}(111)∕\mathrm{Mg}\mathrm{O}(111)$ polar oxide interface. We show that atomically abrupt interfaces exist between the MgO(111) substrate and magnetite (111) film in regions separated by Fe nanocrystals, and propose a solution for this oxide-oxide interface structure. Comparisons of experimental HRTEM images with calculated through-focus and through-thickness images for model interface structures suggest metal-oxygen-metal (i.e., $\mathrm{Mg}\mathrm{O}\mathrm{Fe}$) interface bonding with octahedral (B) coordination of the first Fe monolayer, rather than the combination of tetrahedral-octahedral-tetrahedral (ABA) stacking also found in ${\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$. First-principles calculations for all the different models find metal-induced gap states in the interface oxygen layer. Consistent with the HRTEM results, the $\mathrm{Mg}\mathrm{O}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{3}{\mathrm{O}}_{4}$ interface stacking $\ensuremath{\cdots},4\mathrm{Mg}∕4\mathrm{O}∕\mathbf{4}\mathbf{Mg}∕\mathbf{4}\mathbf{O}∕\mathbf{3}{\mathbf{Fe}}_{\mathbf{B}}∕4\mathrm{O}∕{\mathrm{Fe}}_{\mathrm{A}}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{\mathrm{B}}{\mathrm{Fe}}_{\mathrm{A}},\ensuremath{\cdots}$, is calculated to be the energetically most favorable, and effectively screening the MgO(111) substrate surface polarity. The data and calculations exclude mixing of Mg and Fe across the interface, in contrast to the commonly invoked mechanism of cation mixing at compound semiconductor polar interfaces.
Uncommon use of common measures in sulforaphane trial

I write to comment on the sulforaphane trial in autism (1). Forty-four subjects were randomly assigned to sulforaphane or placebo in a 2:1 ratio. Four subjects withdrew without postrandomization measurements; thus, the report is based on 40 subjects. The abstract states that the study applied common outcome measures. This is true and not true. The primary outcome, Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), was designed as a population screening measure of social impairment and repetitive behavior as a single trait. It was not developed as an outcome measure (2). Although it has been used as an outcome measure, it is inaccurate and misleading to claim that it is commonly used. The five subscales mentioned in the report are the product of expert consensus rather than factor analysis. It is not clear what these subscales actually measure, and the meaning of change on the 65-item total score is also unclear.
Surface Hall Effect and Nonlocal Transport in SmB6: Evidence for Surface Conduction

A topological insulator (TI) is an unusual quantum state in which the insulating bulk is topologically distinct from vacuum, resulting in a unique metallic surface that is robust against time-reversal invariant perturbations. The surface transport, however, remains difficult to isolate from the bulk conduction in most existing TI crystals (particularly Bi2Se3, Bi2Te3 and Sb2Te3) due to impurity caused bulk conduction. We report in large crystals of topological Kondo insulator (TKI) candidate material SmB6 the thickness-independent surface Hall effects and non-local transport, which persist after various surface perturbations. These results serve as proof that at low temperatures SmB6 has a metallic surface that surrounds an insulating bulk, paving the way for transport studies of the surface state in this proposed TKI material.
Synergistic interaction between genetics and disease on pravastatin disposition

Background & Aims A genome wide association study and multiple pharmacogenetic studies have implicated the hepatic uptake transporter organic anion transporting polypeptide-1B1 (OATP1B1) in the pharmacokinetics and musculoskeletal toxicity of statin drugs. Other OATP uptake transporters can participate in the transport of pravastatin, partially compensating for the loss of OATP1B1 in patients carrying the polymorphism. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in humans and in a diet-induced rodent model alter the expression of multiple OATP transporters. Methods To determine how genetic alteration in one Oatp transporter can interact with NASH-associated changes in Oatp expression we measured the disposition of intravenously administered pravastatin in Slco1b2 knockout ( Slco1b2 −/− ) and wild-type (WT) mice fed either a control or a methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet to induce NASH. Results Genetic loss of Oatp1b2 , the rodent ortholog of human OATP1B transporters, caused a modest increase in pravastatin plasma concentrations in mice with healthy livers. Although a diet-induced model of NASH decreased the expression of multiple hepatic Oatp transporters, it did not alter the disposition of pravastatin compared to WT control mice. In contrast, the combination of NASH-associated decrease in compensatory Oatp transporters and Oatp1b2 genetic loss caused a synergistic increase in plasma area under the curve (AUC) and tissue concentrations in kidney and muscle. Conclusions Our data show that NASH alters the expression of multiple hepatic uptake transporters which, due to overlapping substrate specificity among the OATP transporters, may combine with the pharmacogenetic loss of OATP1B1 to increase the risk of statin-induced adverse drug reactions.
Aquatic microbial activity and macrofaunal profiles of an Oklahoma stream

Abstract A toxicity assessment was conducted on Skeleton Creek, near Enid, Okla. This creek received effluents from an oil refinery, municipal waste treatment facility, and a fertilizer processing plant. Microbial activity assays, which focused on sediments, included: dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, glucosidase, amylase and protease activity. Microbial electron transport system activity was also measured in overlying waters and sediments. Results were compared to a study conducted at the same time by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) which measured in-stream fish, plankton and benthic communities. In addition, EPA conducted 7-day Ceriodaphnia reproductive toxicity tests and 7-day larval fathead minnow growth tests. Effects occurred below the 3 discharges and similar response patterns were noted between surrogate microbial assays and stream communities. These results highlight the importance and feasibility of multi-tiered test schemes in aquatic toxicity assessments.
Theory, technique, and person: Technical integration in experiential constructivist psychotherapy.

From an experiential constructivist position, the distinction between the therapist as a person, the therapist’s theory of psychotherapy, and techniques used within the therapy room is, in some ways, forced and arbitrary. Principles of experiential personal construct psychotherapy are presented along with illustrations of the ways many techniques from many other schools of therapy can be used by the therapist. After exploring some of the implications of this position, I describe four specific, theoretically relevant goals within experiential personal construct psychotherapy (initially connecting with the client, developing a felt understanding of the client’s experience, establishing relational intimacy, and fostering creativity). For each of these goals, I illustrate some techniques, originally developed within other theories, which can be usefully integrated into experiential personal constructivist psychotherapy.
Effect of higher frequency components and duration of vibration on bone tissue alterations in the rat-tail model

To formulate more accurate guidelines for musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) linked to Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS), delineation of the response of bone tissue under different frequencies and duration of vibration needs elucidation. Rat-tails were vibrated at 125 Hz (9 rats) and 250 Hz (9 rats), at 49 m/s 2 , for 1D (6 rats), 5D (6 rats) and 20D (6 rats); D=days (4 h/d). Rats in the control group (6 rats for the vibration groups; 2 each for 1D, 5D, and 20D) were left in their cages, without being subjected to any vibration. Structural and biochemical damages were quantified using empty lacunae count and nitrotyrosine signal-intensity, respectively. One-way repeated-mea- sure mixed-model ANOVA at p<0.05 level of significance was used for analysis. In the cortical bone, structural damage quantified through empty lacunae count was significant (p <0.05) at 250 Hz (10.82 ± 0.66) in comparison to the control group (7.41 ± 0.76). The biochemical damage was significant (p<0.05) at both the 125 Hz and 250 Hz vibration frequencies. The structural damage was significant (p<0.05) at 5D for cortical bone while the trabecular bone showed significant (p <0.05) damage at 20D time point. Further, the biochemical damage increased with increase in the duration of vibration with a significant (p <0.05) damage observed at 20D time point and a near significant change (p =0.08) observed at 5D time point. Structural and biochemical changes in bone tissue are dependent upon higher vibration frequencies of 125 Hz, 250 Hz and the duration of vibration (5D, 20D).
Dose-dependent selective facilitation of response-contingent light-onset behavior by d-amphetamine.

The influence of d-amphetamine on the acquisition of light-contingent bar-pressing was assessed in rats in a two-lever operant task as a function of dose and incentive value of the sensory reinforcer. Relative to saline-injected controls, amphetamine increased the probability of discriminated responding on the active reward-bar at the 0.75 but not at the 2.50 mg/kg dosage level. Further, only at the lower dose was the effect of incentive condition significant, with animals receiving variant light-onset emitting a greater percentage of presses on the active bar than animals receiving invariant light-onset. It was concluded that low doses of amphetamine do not enhance all categories of behavior in the rat in a learning situation, but selectively facilitate only those responses directed by the reinforcement contingencies. In addition, the poor performance observed for animals injected with the higher dosage in the present experiment may have been due to the stimulated perseveration of stereotypic behavior patterns which were incompatible with the task requirements.
Postoperative auras and the risk of recurrent seizures

Summary Purpose Little is known about the prognostic significance of persistent auras following temporal lobe surgery in determining the recurrence of complex partial seizures (CPS) or generalized tonic–clonic seizures (GTCS). Methods In a retrospective analysis of temporal lobectomy patients who had preoperative auras associated with CPS or GTCS and who were seizure-free following surgery, the predictive value of auras was assessed at 3 months and 2 years following surgery. Medication use, in relation to the presence of auras, was also assessed. Results Three hundred and forty-seven patients were seizure-free for 3 months following surgery (247 aura-free, 101 with persistent auras). KM analysis yielded no difference in outcome (p = 0.65) and current outcome class was also similar (p = 0.99). Patients with persistent auras were somewhat more likely to be on medication at the time of recurrence (p = 0.06) and at last follow-up (p = 0.09). 224 patients were seizure-free for 2 years following surgery (163 aura-free, 61 with persistent auras). KM analysis yielded no difference in outcome (p = 0.86) and current outcome class was also similar (p = 0.35). Patients with persistent auras were more likely to be on medication at the time of recurrence (p Conclusions Auras were not associated with increased risk of recurrence, although increased rates of AED use were seen in these patients. However, any medication effect appears to be quite small, so we consider it reasonable to advise cessation of AEDs in patients with persistent auras who are otherwise seizure-free.
Sorting in rounds

The main result of the paper is that if n is sufficiently large and 2⩽r=r(n)⩽log log log n then n objects can be sorted in r rounds by asking no more than 2 r+1 n 1+1/r (log n) 2-2/r (log log n) (r-1)/r questions in each round.
Hydronephrosis is an independent predictor of poor clinical outcome in patients treated for muscle-invasive transitional cell carcinoma with radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of hydronephrosis on pathologic and clinical outcomes in muscle-invasive bladder cancer. METHODS We performed a retrospective evaluation of a prospectively maintained cystectomy database and identified patients with hydronephrosis on preoperative imaging. Of a total of 306 patients, 57 (19%) had unilateral hydronephrosis and 17 (6%) had bilateral hydronephrosis. We constructed multivariate Cox regression analysis and Kaplan Meier tables to evaluate the association between preoperative hydronephrosis and clinical outcomes. RESULTS In patients without hydronephrosis, 41.4% had extravesical disease compared with 56.1% and 64.7% in patients with unilateral or bilateral hydronephrosis, respectively. Mean overall survival (OS) among patients without hydronephrosis, with unilateral hydronephrosis, and with bilateral hydronephrosis was 55.5, 42.1, and 22.2 months, respectively. Five-year OS and disease-specific survival (DSS) was 46%, 35%, and 22% (P = .001) and 68%, 54%, and 35% (P = .002), respectively. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that both unilateral and bilateral hydronephrosis are significant independent risk factors for DSS and OS. Bilateral hydronephrosis was found to have a hazard ratio of 3.87 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.71-8.78, P = .001) and 2.75 (95% CI = 1.45-5.18, P = .002) for DSS and OS, respectively. The hazard ratios for unilateral hydronephrosis were 1.7 (95% CI = 1.05-2.87, P = .03) and 1.5 (95% CI = 1.03-2.23, P = .04) for DSS and OS, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Preoperative hydronephrosis is associated with a significantly poorer prognosis in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer. These patients should be appropriately counseled with regard to overall prognosis and the potential benefit of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Examining the potential of information technology to improve public insurance application processes: enrollee assessments from a concurrent mixed method analysis

Objective To assess the perceived readiness of Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollees to use information technologies (IT) in order to facilitate improvements in the application processes for these public insurance programs. Methods We conducted a concurrent mixed method study of Medicaid and CHIP enrollees in a southern state. We conducted focus groups to identify enrollee concerns regarding the current application process and their IT proficiency. Additionally, we surveyed beneficiaries via telephone about their access to and use of the Internet, and willingness to adopt IT-enabled processes. 2013 households completed the survey. We used χ 2 analysis for comparisons across different groups of respondents. Results A majority of enrollees will embrace IT-enabled enrollment, but a small yet significant group continues to lack access to facilitating technologies. Moreover, a segment of beneficiaries in the two programs continues to place a high value on personal interactions with program caseworkers. Discussion IT holds the promise of improving efficiency and reducing barriers for enrollees, but state and federal agencies managing public insurance programs need to ensure access to traditional processes and make caseworkers available to those who require and value such assistance, even after implementing IT-enabled processes. Conclusions The use of IT-enabled processes is essential for effectively managing eligibility and enrollment determinations for public programs and private plans offered through state or federally operated exchanges. However, state and federal officials should be cognizant of the technological readiness of recipients and provide offline help to ensure broad participation in the insurance market.
X-ray-absorption study of charge-density ordering in (Ba1-xKx)BiO3.

Temperature-dependent x-ray-absorption measurements have been made on the Bi ${L}_{3}$ edge in (${\mathrm{Ba}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{K}}_{\mathrm{x}}$)${\mathrm{BiO}}_{3}$ with x=0 and 0.4. In the near-edge spectra there is clear evidence for Bi(6s) holes that depend on doping, but there does not seem to be a significant amount of Bi disproportionation into the 5+ and 3+ valencies in the undoped material. The extended x-ray-absorption fine-structure (EXAFS) measurements confirm previous diffraction studies of the structure and were also used to determine the EXAFS Debye-Waller factor for a number of Bi bonds. For x=0 the Debye-Waller factor differs strongly for the two types of Bi-O bonds, while for x=0.4 there is significant increase in the temperature-independent contribution. All of the temperature data could be fit well with an Einstein model, except for the Bi-O bond in a superconducting sample that showed a significant deviation from the expected behavior. These results, along with other considerations, are best explained by associating the charge-density ordering in the undoped material with holes on the O lattice and a tendency in the cubic superconducting sample towards the same type of charge-density-driven distortions.
Astrocyte Kir4.1 ion channel deficits contribute to neuronal dysfunction in Huntington's disease model mice

Huntington's disease (HD) is characterized by striatal medium spiny neuron (MSN) dysfunction, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. We explored roles for astrocytes, in which mutant huntingtin is expressed in HD patients and mouse models. We found that symptom onset in R6/2 and Q175 HD mouse models was not associated with classical astrogliosis, but was associated with decreased Kir4.1 K(+) channel functional expression, leading to elevated in vivo striatal extracellular K(+), which increased MSN excitability in vitro. Viral delivery of Kir4.1 channels to striatal astrocytes restored Kir4.1 function, normalized extracellular K(+), ameliorated aspects of MSN dysfunction, prolonged survival and attenuated some motor phenotypes in R6/2 mice. These findings indicate that components of altered MSN excitability in HD may be caused by heretofore unknown disturbances of astrocyte-mediated K(+) homeostasis, revealing astrocytes and Kir4.1 channels as therapeutic targets.
Young children discriminate improbable from impossible events in fiction

Abstract Can young children discriminate impossible events, which cannot happen in reality, from improbable events, which are unfamiliar but could possibly happen in reality? When asked explicitly to categorize these types of events, 4-year-olds ( N = 54) tended to report that improbable events were impossible, consistent with prior results ( Shtulman & Carey, 2007 ). But when presented with stories made up of improbable events, children preferred to continue these stories with additional improbable events rather than with impossible events, demonstrating their sensitivity to the difference between the two types of events. Children were indifferent between continuing these stories with additional improbable events or with ordinary, possible events. Children's differential performance on the story and categorization tasks suggests that they possess some knowledge of the distinction between improbable and impossible but find it difficult to express this knowledge without a supportive context.
The logistic equation revisited: The two-sex case☆

The goal of this article is to formulate and analyze the simplest logistic pair-formation model and to contrast its dynamics to that of the corresponding Malthusian pair-formation model, that is, a generalization of the Kendall-Keyfitz model. The Malthusian pair-formation model supports a unique nontrivial stable exponential solution, and it is shown that the logistic pair-formation model supports a unique stable nontrivial bounded solution.
Theoretical and experimental indicators of falls during pregnancy as assessed by postural perturbations

A B S T R A C T Throughout pregnancy, women experience physical, physiological, and hormonal alterations that are often accompanied by decreased postural control. According to one study, nearly 27% of pregnant women fell while pregnant. This study had two objectives: (1) to characterize the postural responses of pregnant fallers, nonfallers, and controls to surface perturbations, and (2) to develop a mathematical model to gain insights into the postural control strategies of each group. This retrospective analysis used experimental data obtained from 15 women with a fall history during pregnancy, 14 women without a fall history during pregnancy, and 40 nonpregnant controls. Small, medium, and large translational support surface perturbations in the anterior and posterior directions were performed during the pregnant participants’ second and third trimesters. A two-segmented mathematical model of bipedal stance was developed and parameterized, and optimization tools were used to identify ankle and hip stiffness, viscosity, and the feedback time delay by searching for the best fits to experimental COP data. The peak differences between the center of pressure and center of gravity (COP-COG) values were significantly smaller for the pregnant fallers compared with the pregnant nonfallers and controls (p < 0.01). Perturbation magnitude was a significant factor (p < 0.01), but perturbation direction was not (p = 0.24). Model fits were obtained with a mean goodness of fit value of R 2 = 0.92. Theoretical results indicated that pregnant nonfallers had higher ankle stiffness compared with the pregnant fallers and the controls, which suggests that ankle stiffness itself may be the dominant reason for the different dynamic response characteristics (e.g., peak COP–COG) observed. We conclude that increasing ankle stiffness could be an important strategy to prevent falling by pregnant women.
Improved Method for Axenizing Blepharisma by Means of Antibiotics

Synopsis. A simplified method for obtaining axenic cultures of Blepharisma involves the use of penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline. Cytologic examination disclosed no significant effect of these antibiotics on the structure of the ciliates.