cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
APPREHENSION ABOUT SPEAKING IN THE ORGANIZATIONAL SETTING

Among employed persons sampled nationally, approximately 15 36 mere highly apprehensive about communicating orally in the organizational setting (4) In Hawaii research which tapped apprehension in a variety of contexts showed the incidence to be higher than among people elsewhere (2). But none of the contexts related to the organizational environment. This study examined apprehension in Hawaii, specifically as it is perceived in occupationally related speaking situations like conversing with the person in authority, speaking on behalf of the company to outsiders, and expressing opln~ons at company meetings. Since persons highly apprehensive about speaking avoid taking jobs with high communicarion requirements and prefer those with low speaking demands ( 1 ) , the study also investigated apprehension among people in occupations with high and low oral communication requirements. The hypotheses were: (a) apprehension about work-related talk is higher in Hawaii than elsewhere, and (b) higher among people with occupations requiring less communication than among those requiring more. To secure the data, 206 individuals employed in Hawaii during October 1978 completed the Personal Report of Communication Apprehension--Organizational Form (5). Representing 22 organizations, the sample was heterogeneous with respect to occupation, position in the organizational hierarchy, and degree of responsibility. Fiftyfive percent were employed in occupations which previous research (3) had found involved the least amount of time speaking with others (e.g., clerical, technical, skilled. and unskilled jobs) and 45% in occupations requiring more time (e.g., teachers, adminisrrators, engineers, salespeople, and business managers). To test the first hypothesis, the scores of the Hawaii employees (M = 50.22, SD = 11.73) on the self-report form were compared to those of the 243 employed elsewhere in the nation who were used to generate the scale (M = 50.05, SD = 11.50). The simple t test yielded no significant difference between the two samples. To test the second hypothesis, the scores of the Hawaiians employed in occupations with low speaking requirements (M = 52.98, SD = 11.41) were compared to those employees with jobs requiring more speaking (M = 47.96, SD = 11.56). A significant difference (t = 3.12, -p < .05) resulted. Data did not support the hypothesis that apprehension about speaking in the organizational setting is higher in Hawaii than elsewhere but did support the hypothesis that apprehension is higher among employees in occupations requiring less speaking than those requiring more.
Birp---A Way to Search Through Image Engineering Data

Several hundred thousand images have been returned by planetary missions and by Earth orbiting satellites. Locating specific images for study based on engineering data (e.g., frame center latitude, longitude, etc.) can be cumbersome and time consuming if done manually. BIRP, a FORTRAN program for small computers, is designed to quickly search through catalogs of image engineering data. A description of the desired images is entered and the BIRP program finds the images meeting the requirements. A videodisk player or microfiche reader may be controlled by BIRP so that images can be viewed immediately after a search. A search through 50 000 images on a single parameter (e.g., date of exposure) takes less than 1 min on a Digital Equipment Corp. PDP-11/34 minicomputer. Data for each parameter is stored in a separate file so that the number of files and thus the storage space required may be varied to fit computers with different storage capacities. Most modern minicomputers with FORTRAN compilers and an 8-bit byte variable type may use BIRP with minor modifications to the program.
Mystery Case: Cerebral amyloid angiopathy–related inflammation

A 59-year-old man was arrested for unruly public behavior. He was subsequently found unresponsive with bilateral upper extremity extensor posturing and lower extremity triple flexion when stimulated. Over the next 48 hours, he awoke and became belligerent. MRI revealed innumerable cortical microhemorrhages on susceptibility-weighted imaging (figure, A) and asymmetric subcortical T2 hyperintensities (figure, B) consistent with cerebral amyloid angiopathy–related inflammation (CAA-ri).1 With corticosteroid treatment, he rapidly became calm and conversant, returning to near his premorbid baseline with only mild residual confusion within 1 week. CAA-ri is an uncommon, possibly autoimmune2 variant of CAA characterized by cognitive changes, seizures, headaches, and often, responsiveness to immunosuppressive therapy.1
Polymer-based sensor array for phytochemical detection

Monitoring for the appearance of volatile organic compounds emitted by plants which correspond to time of first insect attack can be used to detect the early stages of insect infestation. This paper reports a chemical sensor array consisting of polymer based chemiresistor sensors that could detect insect infestation effectively. The sensor array consists of sensors with micro electronically fabricated interdigitated electrodes, and twelve different types of electro active polymer layers. The sensor array was cheap, easy to fabricate, and could be used easily in agricultural fields. The polymer array was found to be sensitive to a variety of volatile organic compounds emitted by plants including γ-terpinene α-pinene, pcymene, farnesene, limonene and cis-hexenyl acetate. The sensor array was not only able to detect but also distinguish between these compounds. The twelve sensors produced a resistance change for each of the analytes detected, and each of these responses together produced a unique fingerprint, enabling to distinguish among these chemicals.
Design of a high-flux epithermal neutron beam using 235U fission plates at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor

Beams of epithermal neutrons are being used in the development of boron neutron capture therapy for cancer. This report describes a design study in which 235U fission plates and moderators are used to produce an epithermal neutron beam with higher intensity and better quality than the beam currently in use at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor (BMRR). Monte Carlo calculations are used to predict the neutron and gamma fluxes and absorbed doses produced by the proposed design. Neutron flux measurements at the present epithermal treatment facility (ETF) were made to verify and compare with the computed results where feasible. The calculations indicate that an epithermal neutron beam produced by a fission‐plate converter could have an epithermal neutron intensity of 1.2×1010 n/cm2.s and a fast neutron dose per epithermal neutron of 2.8×10−11 cGy.cm2/nepi plus being forward directed. This beam would be built into the beam shutter of the ETF at the BMRR. The feasibility of remodeling the facility is discussed.
A constrained optimization approach to combining multiple non-local means denoising estimates

There is an ongoing need to develop image denoising approaches that suppress noise while maintaining edge information. The non-local means (NLM) algorithm, a widely used patch-based method, is a highly effective edge-preserving technique but is sensitive to parameter tuning. We use a variational approach to combine multiple NLM estimates, seeking a solution that balances positivity constraints and gradient penalties against Stein's Unbiased Risk Estimate (SURE). This method greatly reduces parameter sensitivity and improves denoising performance vs. other NLM variants. HighlightsWe solve an optimization problem to combine multiple estimates of a denoised image.A sum of risk and gradient penalties is minimized, and positivity is required.We combine multiple NLM estimates created with different parameter choices.Experimental results show improvement re other NLM methods.By combining several estimates, sensitivity to parameter selection is reduced.
Loss of asthma control when patients receiving fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 100/50μg Diskus® are “stepped-down” to fluticasone propionate, salmeterol or montelukast alone

Abstract Rationale To determine if patients who are adequately controlled with fluticasone propionate/salmeterol 100/50μg (FSC) maintain control when therapy is "stepped-down" to fluticasone propionate (FP), salmeterol, or montelukast. Methods At baseline, patients had a mean FEV 1 =2.3-2.4 L (69-70% predicted). Following a 2-week run-in on current ICS therapy, all patients received FSC 100/50μg BID for 4 weeks. Patients were then randomized to continue FSC (n=172) or "step-down" to FP 100μg BID (n=159), salmeterol 50μg BID (n=152), or montelukast 10mg QD (n=164) for 16 weeks. Prior to randomization, patients had a mean FEV 1 =2.65-2.72L (79-80% predicted). Results Based upon AMPEF (primary endpoint), there were declines with all treatments except FSC (+4.4L/min) and AMPEF was significantly greater (p≤0.001) than FP, salmeterol and montelukast at endpoint (−16.8, −26.3, and −31.4L/min, respectively). Overall asthma control was significantly improved with FSC (p 1 , symptom- and rescue-free days and all secondary endpoints relative to FP, except symptom-free days (FSC vs. FP; p=0.083). Significantly more FSC recipients were satisfied or very satisfied with their therapy (77%; p Conclusions Once asthma control is achieved with FSC, "stepping-down" to FP, salmeterol or montelukast results in loss of asthma control. This study confirms that treatment of both inflammation and smooth muscle dysfunction is necessary to achieve and maintain optimal asthma control. (SAS40036)
Heat kernel regularization of quantum fields

We discuss some consequences of the existence of a heat kernel regularization (HKR) for quantum fields. We demonstrate that HKR applies in certain examples, using methods which should be useful more generally.
Increased human menopausal gonadotropin dose during the early follicular phase: effect on follicular recruitment and treatment outcome.

To investigate whether the provision of increased gonadotropins would enhance follicular recruitment and selection, women not responding (N=18) to our standard clomiphene citrate (CC)-human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) regimen were treated with increased hMG (treatment cycle II). Estradiol levels were higher in treatment cycle II and these differences were significant on days 8 and 9 (P≤0.05 andP≤0.03, respectively). On day 9, better follicular development was seen in cycle II (P≤0.05). While none of the patients responded in cycle I, 10 of 18 responded in cycle II. Of the 10 responders, 2 conceived following in vitro fertilization and embryo placement. Increasing the dose of hMG improved the development of a cohort of follicles so that aspiration and possible pregnancy were achieved in women who were previously unresponsive to therapy.
Oral self-administration of pentobarbital by rhesus monkeys: relative reinforcing effects under concurrent signalled differential-reinforcement-of-low-rates schedules.

Abstract During daily 3-h sessions two separate pentobarbital solutions were concurrently available to rhesus monkeys under signalled differential-reinforcement-of-low-rates (signalled DRL) schedules of mouth contacts with spouts. The schedules were synchronized so that each time the 30-s DRL interval expired, lights above both spouts were illuminated and a liquid delivery could be obtained either from the left or right spout, but not both. First water and then each of four ‘comparison-concentration’ pentobarbital solutions (0.0625, 0.25, 1 and 4 mg/ml) were successively available under one schedule for a block of sessions. Concurrently, deliveries of a ‘standard concentration’ solution were available from the second spout under an identical DRL schedule; the concentration of this standard solution remained constant throughout the testing of the series of comparison solutions. Three pentobarbital concentrations (4, 1 and 0.25 mg/ml) in turn served as the standard concentration. Relative reinforcing effects were directly related to pentobarbital concentration: in general, within pairs of concurrently available pentobarbital solutions more behavior was maintained by the higher of the two drug concentrations. These findings are discussed in the context of previous studies using ratio and interval schedules which have found relative reinforcing effects to be directly related to reinforcer magnitude.
A tri-reference point theory of decision making under risk.

The tri-reference point (TRP) theory takes into account minimum requirements (MR), the status quo (SQ), and goals (G) in decision making under risk. The 3 reference points demarcate risky outcomes and risk perception into 4 functional regions: success (expected value of x ≥ G), gain (SQ G > SQ. We present TRP assumptions and value functions and a mathematical formalization of the theory. We conducted empirical tests of crucial TRP predictions using both explicit and implicit reference points. We show that decision makers consider both G and MR and give greater weight to MR than G, indicating failure aversion (i.e., the disutility of a failure is greater than the utility of a success in the same task) in addition to loss aversion (i.e., the disutility of a loss is greater than the utility of the same amount of gain). Captured by a double-S shaped value function with 3 inflection points, risk preferences switched between risk seeking and risk aversion when the distribution of a gamble straddled a different reference point. The existence of MR (not G) significantly shifted choice preference toward risk aversion even when the outcome distribution of a gamble was well above the MR. Single reference point based models such as prospect theory cannot consistently account for these findings. The TRP theory provides simple guidelines for evaluating risky choices for individuals and organizational management. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved). Language: en
Postural influences on the development of infant lateralized and symmetric hand-use.

Within-individual variability is such an apparent characteristic of infant handedness that handedness is believed to consolidate only in childhood. Research showed that manifest handedness is influenced by emerging postural skills (sitting, crawling, and walking). In this investigation, it was proposed that symmetric hand-use (tendency to acquire objects bimanually), rather than lateralized hand-use (the use of one hand more than the other), may be influenced by postural changes. Trajectories of lateralized and symmetric hand-use for object acquisition were examined in 275 infants tested monthly from 6 to 14 months. Multilevel modeling revealed that change in lateralized hand-use is unrelated to developmental transitions in infant posture, whereas the trajectory of symmetric hand-use changes significantly with the development of postural skills.
Prise en charge chirurgicale des anévrysmes de l’artère carotide: Expérience monocentrique de dix ans

Objectif Le but de cette etude etait d’analyser les resultats du traitement chirurgical des anevrysmes de l’artere carotide (AACs) referes a un centre tertiaire sur une periode de dix ans. Methodes Les donnees medicales des patients operes d’un AAC entre 1998 et 2008 ont ete revues. Les donnees demographiques, la presentation clinique et les donnees operatoires ont ete analysees. Les resultats post operatoires ont ete evalues et les taux de permeabilite et de survie ont ete calcules a l’aide d’une analyse actuarielle. Resultats Deux patients (11%) avaient un antecedent de dissection cervicale, un (5%) d’irradiation cervicale et trois (16%) une combinaison de dissection cervicale et d’irradiation pour cancer. Cinq (26%) avaient precedemment eu une endarteriectomie carotidienne et trois (16%) avaient eu un stenting carotidien pour pathologie occlusive. Huit (42%) patients presentaient des symptomes neurologiques, tous transitoires. Les anevrysmes etaient isoles a la carotide interne dans huit cas (42%), a l’artere carotide primitive dans un cas (5%) et aux deux localisations dans les 53% restants. L’etiologie des anevrysmes etait divisee en anevrysmes atherosclereux (36,8%), faux-anevrysmes mycotiques (36,8%) et anevrysmes sur patch (26,3%). Douze (63%) ont ete traites par resection et interposition d’un pontage, six par resection anevrysmale et angioplastie par patch et un (5%) par suture termino-terminale. Les complications post operatoires ont comporte un accident ischemique transitoire (5%), deux accidents constitues (10%) et une paralysie des nerfs crâniens (5%). La permeabilite primaire a 30 mois a ete de 90% (erreur standard [ES] = 0,10) et la survie a 48 mois etait de 92% (ES = 0,10). La permeabilite primaire assistee s’est maintenue a 90% a 30 mois (ES = 0,10). Conclusion La chirurgie des AACs, bien que rare, peut etre effectuee de maniere sure avec une permeabilite durable. D’autres etudes seront necessaires pour evaluer l’efficacite du traitement endovasculaire de cette affection.
Local temperature measurements in a full-scale utility boiler with overfire air

Gas temperature and effluent NOx measurements were obtained in a full-scale (160 MWe) pulverized coal cornerfired utility boiler with separate overfire air. The measurements are the first of this kind in a full-scale boiler operated with overfire air and low-NOx burners. At test matrix of seven operating conditions was used to compare temperature and NOx with changes in overfire air, coal type, load and burner tilt. Peak temperatures were 1500–1600°C and occurred just above the top burner. The measurements detailed the profile of temperature through a traverse of a coal burner, close-coupled overfire air port and separate overfire port. The data in the near-burner and overfire air regions showed evidence of reduced swirl as overfire air was increased. Little difference was seen in the temperatures for two coals with volatile fractions of 28 and 36 wt%. Temperature changes were quantified in the overfire air region for changes in burner tilt and load. Temperature was approximately the same in the overfire air region as load was decreased, but increased in this region as the burners were tilted from +50° to −5°.
Acute myocardial perfusion imaging for the technologist

Acute myocardial perfusion imaging involves careful planning from the nuclear medicine or nuclear cardiology laboratory to ensure optimal results are achieved. The role of the technologist is to ensure a high-quality study is performed on every patient who is referred to the laboratory. This is one of the most important roles because the decision for further evaluation can be based on the interpretation of the acute images. When acute myocardial perfusion imaging is used appropriately, in conjunction with standard methods of evaluation for patients presenting to the emergency department with chest pain syndromes perceived to be cardiac in origin, it can be of great benefit. It offers a more definitive diagnosis of chest pain syndromes and can be used to reduce the expense of otherwise costly hospital stays, even in patients with moderate risk of ischemic heart disease.
An experimental study of nonlinear baroclinic instability and mode selection in a large basin

This paper reports on two-layer rotating liquid experiments designed to study the behavior of non-linear baroclinic waves under conditions where the Rossby radius of deformation Rd is much smaller than the geometric length scale L imposed by the size of the laboratory apparatus. The apparatus is constructed to consistently simulate f-plane dynamics. When F = L2/Rd2 > > 1, it is found that the unstable waves first encountered as friction is decreased have high frequencies, in accord with linear theory. As the friction parameter Q = 0.7 E12/R0 (where E is the Ekman number and R0 the Rossby number) is further decreased into the non-linear region, singlewave amplitude vacillation is observed. Generally, as Q decreases lower frequencies (and low wavenumbers) dominate the response, which ultimately becomes turbulent at values of Q of the order 0.1. This is contrary to the result expected from an extrapolation of linear theory. Further observations show that the finite-amplitude state is not unique: multi-equilibria are possible depending on the initial conditions.
Short-term biogeochemical influence of a diatom bloom on the nutrient and trace metal concentrations in South San Francisco Bay microcosm experiments

Two laboratory microcosm experiments were conducted to mimic an annual spring diatom bloom in South San Francisco Bay by isolating the phytoplankton community from the benthic grazing pressure to induce a phytoplankton bloom. The purpose of these experiments was to isolate the impact of a spring diatom bloom on the nutrient and trace metal geochemical cycling. Microcosms were created in 2.5 L incubation bottles and subjected to one of 4 treatments (control, copper [Cu] addition, manganese [Mn] addition, and both Cu and Mn addition) to investigate the toxicity of Cu on the resident plankton and the potential antagonistic effects of Mn on reducing Cu toxicity. Dissolved macronutrient (nitrate + nitrite, phosphate, and silicate), and dissolved and particulate trace metal (Cu, Ni, Mn) concentrations were monitored in the grow-out incubations on a daily basis. Chlorophylla concentrations were also monitored over the course of the experiment and used to calculate diatom-specific growth rates. In the experiments containing ambient South San Francisco Bay surface waters, average specific growth rates were on the order of 1.1 d−1. The induced diatom blooms resulted in significant removal of macronutrients from the microcosms over the course of the experiments. Our research supports previous suggestions that dissolved Ni and Cu concentrations in South San Francisco Bay have a very low biological availability as a result of organic chelation. Ni(EDTA)2− has been found to be the dominant dissolved Ni species by other researchers and Cu speciation analyses from this study and others indicate that > 99% of the dissolved Cu in South San Francisco Bay is strongly chelated as CuL1. The free cupric ion concentration was on the order of 10−12 M. Marked removal of dissolved Mn was observed in the control treatments, well exceeding expected dissolved Mn removal by diatom uptake. Additions of 375 nM Cu resulted in the complete titration of the chelating ligand (L1) concentrations. The elevated [Cu2+] (≈10−8MM) appeared to have a toxic effect on the diatom community observed in the significant decreases in their specific growth rates (μ=0.4 d−1). The suppression of dissolved Mn removal from solution was also observed in treatments spiked with high levels of dissolved Cu, providing support that Mn precipitation was due to biologically mediated oxidation not phytoplankton assimilation. The observed geochemical behavior in the concurrent Cu and Mn addition treatments provide evidence in support of Mn alleviation of Cu toxicity. The biological role in the ambient short-term biogeochemical cycling of Cu and Ni in South San Francisco Bay appears to be minimal due to the inert character of the organic ligand-metal complexes. A significant portion of the annual macronutrient and Mn cycling occurs as a result of spring diatom blooms in South San Francisco Bay.
Role of iron in postischemic renal injury in the rat

To determine whether iron participates in free radical-mediated postischemic renal injury and lipid peroxidation, we examined the effects of removal of endogenous iron or provision of exogenous iron following renal ischemia, as well as the effects of renal ischemia and reperfusion on renal venous and urinary "free" iron. Rats underwent 60 minutes of renal ischemia and were studied after either 24 hours (inulin clearance) or 15 minutes (renal malondialdehyde content) of reperfusion. Infusion of the iron chelator deferoxamine (200 mg/kg/hr) during the first 60 minutes of reperfusion resulted in a marked improvement in renal function (inulin clearance: 879 +/- 154 vs. 314 +/- 74 microliter/min; P less than 0.025) and a reduction in lipid peroxidation (renal malondialdehyde: 0.449 +/- 0.06 vs. 0.698 +/- 0.08 mmol/mg prot; P less than 0.05) compared to control animals. Infusion of 50 mg/kg/hr deferoxamine also protected renal function after ischemia (inulin clearance: 624 +/- 116 vs. 285 +/- 90 microliter/min; P less than 0.05) and resulted in less histologic injury. Iron-saturated deferoxamine had no protective effect. Conversely, infusion of the iron complex EDTA-FeCl3 during reperfusion exacerbated postischemic renal dysfunction and lipid peroxidation. Following renal ischemia there was no detectable increase in "free" iron in arterial or renal venous plasma. However, urinary "free" iron increased 10- to 20-fold following reperfusion. Iron chelators which underwent filtration and gained access to this free iron in the urine (free deferoxamine or inulin-conjugated deferoxamine) provided protection, whereas a chelator confined to the vascular space (dextran-conjugated deferoxamine) did not.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Protein incorporation by isolated amphibian oocytes III. Optimum incubation conditions

Available evidence indicates that protein incorporation by amphibian oocytes is mediated through a process of micropinocytosis. Oocytes incubated under our standard conditions sequester protein at a constant rate for at least 24 hours and appear to maintain approximately the same level of micropinocytosis as that observed in situ. Protein uptake is markedly sensitive to temperature and the ionic composition of the medium, with calcium being a particularly important component. Magnesium, phosphate, and additional energy sources are of only minor significance. Based on these observations, several slightly improved reformulations of the standard incubation medium are provided.
Laser mimicking mosquito bites for skin delivery of malaria sporozoite vaccines

Immunization with radiation-attenuated sporozoites (RAS) via mosquito bites has been shown to induce sterile immunity against malaria in humans, but this route of vaccination is neither practical nor ethical. The importance of delivering RAS to the liver through circulation in eliciting immunity against this parasite has been recently verified by human studies showing that high-level protection was achieved only by intravenous (IV) administration of RAS, not by intradermal (ID) or subcutaneous (SC) vaccination. Here, we report in a murine model that ID inoculation of RAS into laser-illuminated skin confers immune protection against malarial infection almost as effectively as IV immunization. Brief illumination of the inoculation site with a low power 532 nm Nd:YAG laser enhanced the permeability of the capillary beneath the skin, owing to hemoglobin-specific absorbance of the light. The increased blood vessel permeability appeared to facilitate an association of RAS with blood vessel walls by an as-yet-unknown mechanism, ultimately promoting a 7-fold increase in RAS entering circulation and reaching the liver over ID administration. Accordingly, ID immunization of RAS at a laser-treated site stimulated much stronger sporozoite-specific antibody and CD8(+)IFN-γ(+) T cell responses than ID vaccination and provided nearly full protection against malarial infection, whereas ID immunization alone was ineffective. This novel, safe, and convenient strategy to augment efficacy of ID sporozoite-based vaccines warrants further investigation in large animals and in humans.
Contribution of omega-3 fatty acids to the thermodynamics of membrane protein solvation.

Recent NMR experiments and molecular dynamics simulations have indicated that rhodopsin is preferentially solvated by omega-3 fatty acids compared to saturated chains. However, to date no physical theory has been advanced to explain this phenomenon. The present work presents a novel thermodynamic explanation for this preferential solvation based on statistical analysis of 26 100 ns all-atom molecular dynamics simulations of rhodopsin in membranes rich in polyunsaturated chains. The results indicate that the preferential solvation by omega-3 chains is entropically driven; all chains experience an entropic penalty when associating with the protein, but the penalty is significantly larger for saturated chains.
Secondary intervention after endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.

Objective: Endovascular Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair (EVAR) has been criticized because of the need for frequent secondary interventions (2ndINT) to maintain effective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) exclusion. The study goal is to detail such interventions and determine their effect on clinical outcomes. Methods: From January 1997 to December 2007, 832 patients underwent EVAR. Those requiring 2ndINT were stratified according to the indications and specific nature of 2ndINT and treatment. Study endpoints included freedom from 2ndINT, aneurysm-related and overall survival. Results: There were 91 (11%) patients who underwent 131 2ndINT (mean follow-up 35 months). No demographic features (age, gender, etc) predicted the need for 2ndINT. Actuarial 5-year freedom from 2ndINT was 80%. Indications for 2ndINT included: sac rupture 5 (4%), graft migration/ type I endoleak 37 (28%), persistent type II endoleak 40 (38%), endotension with sac growth 5 (4%), and limb occlusion/kinking 24 (18%). The majority of 2ndINT were accomplished with an endovascular approach (76%) with a >80% initial success rate for all indications except type II endoleak in which the initial intervention was successful only 34% of the time. Initial 2ndINT were successful in 62% and 35 (38%) patients underwent more than one 2ndINT. Multivariate predictors of 2ndINT were AAA sac size >5.5cm (OR = 2.1, P = 0.004), and preprocedure coil embolization (hypogastric or inferior mesenteric artery) (OR = 2.1, P = 0.008). The actuarial survival was 70% at 5 years and the aneurysm-related survival was 97.5% with no difference in either parameter in patients who underwent 2ndINT compared with those who did not. Conclusions: Although 2ndINT are common after EVAR, most were addressed through an endovascular approach; technical success thereof varies widely with the specific indication for 2ndINT. Secondary intervention did not adversely affect aneurysm-related or overall actuarial 5-year survival.
Opioid Metabolism and Effects of Cytochrome P450

Over the past 10–20 years researchers have enhanced our understanding of the metabolism and risk of drug interactions of numerous medications utilized by patients with pain conditions. Pain patients often are prescribed multiple medications that can inhibit or induce specific cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. This review will focus on the effect of the CYP450 enzyme system metabolism on opioid agents codeine, fentanyl, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone, as well as the potential effect of these opioids on the metabolism of other medications and vice versa.
Anterior lumbar microdiscectomy and interbody fusion for the treatment of recurrent disc herniation.

Objective To demonstrate the feasibility of anterior lumbar microdiscectomy in patients with recurrent, sequestered lumbar disc herniations. Methods Between 1997 and 1999, six patients underwent a muscle-sparing "minilaparotomy" approach and subsequent microscopic anterior lumbar microdiscectomy and fragmentectomy for recurrent lumbar disc extrusions at L5-S1 (n = 4) or L4-L5 (n = 2). A contralateral distraction plug permitted ipsilateral discectomy under microscopic magnification. Effective resection of the extruded disc fragments was accomplished by opening the posterior longitudinal ligament. Interbody fusion was performed by placing cylindrical threaded titanium cages (n = 4) or threaded allograft bone dowels (n = 2). Results There were no complications, and blood loss was minimal. Follow-up magnetic resonance imaging revealed complete resection of all herniated disc material. Plain x-rays revealed excellent interbody cage position. Radicular pain and neurological deficits resolved in all six patients (mean follow-up, 14 mo). Conclusion Anterior lumbar microdiscectomy with interbody fusion provides a viable alternative for the treatment of recurrent lumbar disc herniations. Recurrent herniated disc fragments can be removed completely under direct microscopic visualization, and interbody fusion can be performed in the same setting.
The origins of environment and behavior at clark: Recollections from pre- and neonatal life*

Abstract This paper provides an account of developments and events in the Departments of Geography and Psychology at Clark University during the 1960s that led up the establishment at Clark of a flourishing, though largely informal program of graduate training and research in environment-and-behavior, involving close collaboration among members of these two departments. The paper concludes with some reflections on the structural problems besetting the development of new interdisciplinary programs at the graduate level, such as the field of environment-and-behavior appears to call for. The history of the experience at Clark (as at other institutions), it is suggested, points to more informal devices and arrangements that do not explicitly challenge the established disciplinary order as more likely to be crowned with success.
The Relationship Between the Number of Shots and the Quality of Gamma Knife Radiosurgeries

Radiosurgery is a non-invasive alternative to brain surgery that uses a single focused application of high radiation to destroy intracerebral target tissues. A Gamma Knife delivers such treatments by using 201 cylindrically collimated cobalt-60 sources that are arranged in a hemi-spherical pattern and aimed to a common focal point. The accumulation of radiation at the focal point, called a “shot” due to the spherical nature of the dose distribution, is used to ablate (or destroy) target tissue in the brain. If the target is small and spherical, it is easily treated by choosing one of four available collimators (4, 8, 14, or 18 mm). For large, irregular targets multiple shots are typically required to treat the entire lesion, and the process of determining the optimal arrangement and number of shots is complex.
The cloning and overexpression of a cruciform binding protein from Ustilago maydis

The structural gene HMP1 encoding a cruciform DNA binding protein from Ustilago maydis has been cloned. Gene isolation was enabled by a polymerase chain reaction procedure using primers designed from amino acid sequence obtained from the purified protein. DNA sequence determination has revealed that the gene encodes a protein containing 98 amino acids with a calculated molecular weight of 10 151. Comparison of the cDNA and genomic sequences indicated the presence of a single intron in the 5′ coding region of the gene. The gene was over-expressed as a translational fusion with a hexahistidine leader sequence enabling affinity purification of the protein on an immobilized metal matrix. Protein isolated after over-expression exhibited cruciform binding activity, conforming earlier purified native protein results. Sequence analysis indicated that no HMG box was present and very little homology to other known cruciform binding proteins was found. It is plausible that HMP1 represents a novel class of proteins that recognize such secondary structures.
Synthesis of Methyl α-D-Kijanoside

Abstract In 1981, Mallams and coworkers reported1 the discovery of - D-kijanose 1, a branched-chain nitro sugar, isolated from the antitumor antibiotic kijanimicin by acid hydrolysis. The structure of this unusual carbohydrate was established 1,2 as 2,3,4,6-tetadeo xy-4 - (methoxy carbony1 amino 1-3-c-methyl - 3 -nitro - D-xylo-hexopyranose by spectroscopic and crystallographic analysis, and comparison with D-rubranitrose 2, a carbohydrate found in the antibiotic rubradirin .3Two other nitro sugars, L-evernitrose 3 and - L-decilonitrose 45, have been discoveredas components of antibiotics.
Time Affluence as a Path toward Personal Happiness and Ethical Business Practice : Empirical Evidence from Four Studies

Many business practices focus on maximizing material affluence, or wealth, despite the fact that a growing empirical literature casts doubt on whether money can buy happiness. We therefore propose that businesses consider the possibility of “time affluence” as an alternative model for improving employee well-being and ethical business practice. Across four studies, results consistently showed that, even after controlling for material affluence, the experience of time affluence was positively related to subjective well-being. Studies 3 and 4 further demonstrated that the experience of mindfulness and the satisfaction of psychological needs partially mediated the positive associations between time affluence and well-being. Future research directions and implications for ethical business practices are discussed.
Variations in health perception between black and white elderly.

In a sample of 414 residents of public housing for the elderly, health perception is significantly lower among Black residents than among Whites. The relationship of health perception to several measures of objective health status, to cultural background, to social participation, and to morale is analyzed separately for the two ethnic groups. The relationship of measures of health to health perception is more direct among Whites than among Blacks, except for an Index of Daily Well-Being, in which the relationship is similar for both groups.Social participation also influences health perception. With Blacks, participation in church-related activities is the most direct influence. While health perception is related to morale, life orientation (an index of morale) is higher for Blacks than for Whites.The implications for health education professionals seem to lie in the lack of direct links between objective measures of health and self-perception of health for Blacks. The need for health education, so that t...
Atmospheric rotational effects on Mars based on the NASA Ames general circulation model

[1] Atmospheric rotational effects on Mars are computed and analyzed. Both axial (ΔLOD) and equatorial effects (polar motion) are evaluated. Surface values of stress and pressure from the NASA Ames general circulation model are used as inputs to compute the topographic, stress, and gravitational torques. Time series for the ice caps moments of inertia and the axial component of atmospheric angular momentum provide inputs for a separate computation of axial effects. Stress torque dominates the torque budget. This is different from the results obtained from Earth atmospheric models, in which pressure effects are paramount. Axial torque and ice caps yield annual and semiannual ΔLOD amplitudes of 0.747 and 0.121 ms, respectively. Torque-induced polar motion reaches a maximum of 16.26 mm in the second half of the Martian northern hemisphere winter. Changes in LOD using the angular momentum approach are 0.187 and 0.136 ms for the annual and semiannual harmonics. The expected precision of the planned NetLander Ionospheric and Geodesic Experiment (NEIGE) should detect the main harmonics in the ΔLOD time series. Annual and semiannual polar motion harmonics induced by atmospheric torque are below the level of NEIGE detectability.
5-HT1A agonist and dexamethasone reversal of para-chloroamphetamine induced loss of MAP-2 and synaptophysin immunoreactivity in adult rat brain

Serotonin and dexamethasone act as differentiating agents during development. Reducing circulating adrenal steroids or central 5-HT levels via adrenalectomy (ADX) or the tryptophan hydroxylase inhibitor, para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), respectively, has been shown to have de-differentiating effects in the adult brain. Morphometric analysis of 5-HT, S100 beta, MAP-2 and synaptophysin immunoreactivity (IR) was used to follow the molecular plasticity of several brain regions after lesioning of 5-HT nerve terminals by para-chloroamphetamine (PCA; 2 x 10 mg/kg s.c.), a serotonin neurotoxin. Two weeks after PCA treatment we observed reductions of 5-HT, S100 beta, and MAP-2 IR in parietal and temporal cortex, temporal pole, hippocampus and hypothalamus. The reductions in MAP-2 and synaptophysin-IR were reversed by 3 days of treatment with dexamethasone (10 mg/l drinking water) or ipsapirone, a 5-HT1A agonist (1 mg/kg s.c.). The loss of S100-IR was reversed only by the 5-HT1A agonist. These results indicate that both dexamethasone and serotonin have effects on adult neuronal plasticity but may work via different mechanisms. The implications of these findings to the loss of synaptophysin and MAP-2 staining in Alzheimer's disease are discussed.
A pricing strategy for campus networks

Network Quality of Service (QoS) concerns the transformation of current internets into systems that can offer one or more levels of QoS. Choosing the "best" QoS will require making decisions about the relative costs of network capacity and the machinery to manage it. Pricing is not only needed for recovering costs, but is also needed as a method of control. The congestion that has plagued the Internet, where pricing is based largely on a flat rate pricing, highlights the fact that without a more efficient pricing method it is difficult to control congestion and share network resources. This research uses the time-volume charging scheme, which determines that both the service time and transmitted volume are able to reflect the usage of a network. Service contracts for communications services do not specify fully the resources that are required to produce a unit of output, and therefore prices can be used both to regulate resource sharing and to maximize social efficiency.
Long-term outcomes of patients with nonsurgically managed uncomplicated appendicitis.

Background Emerging literature has supported the safety of nonoperative management of uncomplicated appendicitis. Study Design Patients with emergent, uncomplicated appendicitis were identified by appropriate ICD-9 diagnosis codes in the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development database from 1997 to 2008. Rates of treatment failure, recurrence, and perforation after nonsurgical management were calculated. Factors associated with treatment failure, recurrence, and perforation were identified using multivariable logistic regression. Mortality, length of stay, and total charges were compared between treatment cohorts using matched propensity score analysis. Results Of 231,678 patients with uncomplicated appendicitis, the majority (98.5%) were managed operatively. Of the 3,236 nonsurgically managed patients who survived to discharge without an interval appendectomy, 5.9% and 4.4% experienced treatment failure or recurrence, respectively, during a median follow-up of more than 7 years. There were no mortalities associated with treatment failure or recurrence. The risk of perforation after discharge was approximately 3%. Using multivariable analysis, race and age were significantly associated with the odds of treatment failure. Sex, age, and hospital teaching status were significantly associated with the odds of recurrence. Age and hospital teaching status were significantly associated with the odds of perforation. Matched propensity score analysis indicated that after risk adjustment, mortality rates (0.1% vs 0.3%; p = 0.65) and total charges ($23,243 vs $24,793; p = 0.70) were not statistically different between operative and nonoperative patients; however, length of stay was significantly longer in the nonoperative treatment group (2.1 days vs 3.2 days; p Conclusions This study suggests that nonoperative management of uncomplicated appendicitis can be safe and prompts additional investigations. Comparative effectiveness research using prospective randomized studies can be particularly useful.
In search of global talent: is South Asia ready?

Purpose – Using human capital theory and resource-based view (RBV), the authors argue that individuals and societies derive economic benefits from investments in people (Becker, 1992; Sweetland, 1996), thus effective management of talent is critical for economic development (Lepak and Snell, 2002; Khilji, 2012a). Next, the authors review governmental policies in three of the world's most populous countries, Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan, in order to highlight their national talent development efforts. The authors discuss how each country is meeting the challenge of making the talent they own, as well as buying diaspora talent in order to strengthen their local capabilities. The paper aims to discuss these issues. Design/methodology/approach – The authors adopted a comparative analysis approach in order to frame our arguments and discussion. Findings – The paper finds that Bangladesh, India and Pakistan have implemented a wide range of initiatives, from skill development programs to citizenship policies ...
Osteocalcin protects pancreatic beta cell function and survival under high glucose conditions

Diabetes is characterized by progressive beta cell dysfunction and loss due in part to oxidative stress that occurs from gluco/lipotoxicity. Treatments that directly protect beta cell function and survival in the diabetic milieu are of particular interest. A growing body of evidence suggests that osteocalcin, an abundant non-collagenous protein of bone, supports beta cell function and proliferation. Based on previous gene expression data by microarray, we hypothesized that osteocalcin protects beta cells from glucose-induced oxidative stress. To test our hypothesis we cultured isolated rat islets and INS-1E cells in the presence of normal, high, or high glucose ± osteocalcin for up to 72 h. Oxidative stress and viability/mitochondrial function were measured by H2O2 assay and Alamar Blue assay, respectively. Caspase 3/7 activity was also measured as a marker of apoptosis. A functional test, glucose stimulated insulin release, was conducted and expression of genes/protein was measured by qRT-PCR/western blot/ELISA. Osteocalcin treatment significantly reduced high glucose-induced H2O2 levels while maintaining viability/mitochondrial function. Osteocalcin also significantly improved glucose stimulated insulin secretion and insulin content in rat islets after 48 h of high glucose exposure compared to untreated islets. As expected sustained high glucose down-regulated gene/protein expression of INS1 and BCL2 while increasing TXNIP expression. Interestingly, osteocalcin treatment reversed the effects of high glucose on gene/protein expression. We conclude that osteocalcin can protect beta cells from the negative effects of glucose-induced oxidative stress, in part, by reducing TXNIP expression, thereby preserving beta cell function and survival.
Estrogen Control of Uterine Tissue Factor Messenger Ribonucleic Acid Levels

One of the early responses of the immature rat uterus to stimulation by estradiol (E2) is an increase in the specific activity and synthesis of a discrete set of proteins including tissue factor (TF). Increases in TF are associated with stimulation of cell growth in mouse and human fibroblasts and endothelial cells. The increase in TF activity following E2 stimulation of the uterus is due to an increase in TF messenger RNA (mRNA). A 2- to 4-fold increase in mRNA is observed 1 h after injection, reaches a maximum at 3 h, and is reduced at 6 h. The increase is hormone specific and occurs at low levels of E2 (0.66 micrograms/kg). The E2 effect is abolished by actinomycin but not by cycloheximide. The changes in TF mRNA occur in a similar time scale and at similar E2 doses as the increases in the uterine proto-oncogenes c-jun and c-fos.