cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social behavior and cortisol reactivity in children with fragile X syndrome

Objective: To examine the association between limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (L-HPA) axis reactivity and social behavior in children with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Method: Salivary cortisol changes and concurrent anxiety-related behaviors consistent with the behavioral phenotype of FXS were measured in 90 children with the fragile X full mutation and their 90 unaffected siblings during a social challenge task in the home. Results: Boys and girls with FXS demonstrated more gaze aversion, task avoidance, behavioral signs of distress, and poorer vocal quality than the unaffected siblings. Multiple regression analyses showed that after accounting for effects of IQ, gender, age, quality of the home environment, and basal cortisol level, cortisol reactivity to the task was significantly associated with social gaze in children with FXS. The most gaze-aversive children with FXS had cortisol reductions, whereas those with more eye contact demonstrated the most cortisol reactivity. Unaffected siblings demonstrated an opposite pattern in which less eye contact was associated with increased cortisol reactivity. Conclusions: Results of the study suggest a unique relation between abnormal gaze behavior and L-HPA mediated stress reactivity in FXS.
Sequenced reactions involving squarate esters. The first suggestion that helical equilibration within the advanced octatetraene intermediate is responsible for stereochemical control

Abstract When a chiral (racemic or nonracemic) alkenyl anion is added to a squarate ester, an approximate 1:1 mixture of diastereomers results. Further reaction with a second alkenyl anion leads only to a single product, a finding compatible with helical equilibration at the 1,3,5,7-octatetraene stage of the cascade.
Effects of skeletal muscle regeneration on the proliferation potential of satellite cells

Skeletal muscle satellite cells are myogenic stem cells that function to repair damaged muscle fibers. Participation of satellite cells in a regeneration response following muscle injury results in a significant reduction in their cumulative proliferation potential. The magnitude of the reduction is proportional to the number of regeneration responses in which the cells participate.
Metastatic tumors of the umbilicus

Abstract Three patients with umbilical metastasis from adenocarcinoma of the pancreas have been briefly presented and the literature on tumors of the umbilicus reviewed. In all, 667 cases of umbilical tumors have been reported with 32 per cent being endometriosis, 38 per cent being benign and 30 per cent being metastatic. Of the primary tumors, congenital polyps were most common but maligant primary tumors occurred in one-fifth of these. Of the metastatic lesions, carcinoma of unknown origin (29 per cent) was most common, followed by primary lesions being located in the stomach (25 per cent), ovary (12.4 per cent), colon (10 per cent), and pancreas (7.4 per cent) with decreasing frequency.
Age of meteorites and the earth

Within experimental error, meteorites have one age as determined by three independent radiometric methods. The most accurate method (Pb207/Pb206 gives an age of 4.55 ± 0.07 × 109 yr. Using certain assumptions which are apparently justified, one can define the isotopic evolution of lead for any meteoritic body. It is found that earth lead meets the requirements of this definition. It is therefore believed that the age for the earth is the same as for meteorites. This is the time since the earth attained its present mass
Isoflurane as an anesthetic for experimental animal surgery

Isoflurane is an inhalational anesthetic agent associated with no known hepatic toxicity. Despite this fact, isoflurane has not been widely utilized as an anesthetic agent in studies of liver structure and function in experimental animals. For this reason, livers from rats treated with pentobarbital or diethylether were compared to those from rats treated with isoflurane to determine differences in biochemical and morphologic parameters. Liver from pentobarbital-treated rats showed a significant decline in glutathione-S-transferase activity compared to liver from isoflurane/O2 or ether-treated rats. Liver microsomes from isoflurane/O2-treated rats retained more cytochrome-C(P450)-reductase activity than did those from pentobarbital-treated, ether-treated, or decapitated rats. Despite these biochemical alterations, morphometric analysis of liver from isoflurane/O2 and pentobarbital-treated rats showed no quantitative or qualitative differences in liver structure or organelle volume densities. Neither were differences detected in uptake and distribution of 125I-epidermal growth factor when analyzed by electron microscopic autoradiography. These data show that isoflurane with supplemental O2 has no effects on hepatic structure and fewer effects on hepatic function than other anesthetics and may be a better experimental anesthetic than any currently in use.
An analysis of the B genome species Arachis batizocoi (Fabaceae).

Arachis batizocoiKrap. & Greg. is a suggested B genome donor to the cultivated peanut,A. hypogaea L. Until recently, only one accession of this species was available in U.S.A. germplasm collections for analyses and species variability had not been documented. The objective of this study was to determine the intraspecific variability ofA. batizocoi to better understand phylogenetic relationships in sect.Arachis. Five accessions of the species were used for morphological and cytological studies and then F1 intraspecific hybrids analyzed. Some variation was observed among accessions—for example, differences in seed size, plant height and branch length. The somatic chromosomes of accessions 9484, 30079, and 30082 were nearly identical, whereas, the karyotypes of accessions 30081 and 30097 have several distinct differences. For example, 30081 had significantly more asymmetrical chromosomes 2 and 6 and more median chromosomes 7 and 10, and 30097 had significantly more asymmetrical chromosomes 3 and 10 and more median chromosomes 1 and 5 than accessions 9484, 30079, and 30082. All F1 hybrids among accessions were highly fertile. Meiotic observations indicated that hybrids among accessions 9484, 30079, or 30082 had mostly bivalents. However, quadrivalents were observed when either 30081 or 30097 was crossed with the above three accessions and 30081 × 30097 had quadrivalents, hexavalents and octavalents. The presence of translocations is the most likely cause of multivalent formation inA. batizocoi hybrids. Cytological evolution via translocations has apparently been an important mechanism for differentiation in the species.
Chronic hypoxia-induced alterations of key enzymes of glucose oxidative metabolism in developing mouse liver are mTOR dependent

Hypoxia is a potent regulator of gene expression and cellular energy metabolism and known to interfere with post-natal growth and development. Although hypoxia can induce adaptive changes in the developing liver, the mechanisms underlying these changes are poorly understood. To elucidate some of the adaptive changes chronic hypoxia induces in the developing liver, we studied the expression of the genes of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling and glucose metabolism, undertook proteomic examination with 2D gel-MS/MS of electron transport chain, and determined activities and protein expression of several key regulatory enzymes of glucose oxidative metabolism. To gain insight into the molecular mechanism underlying hypoxia-induced liver metabolic adaptation, we treated a subset of mice with rapamycin (0.5 mg/kg/day) to inhibit mTOR postnatally. Rapamycin-treated mice showed lower birth weight, lower body weight, and liver growth retardation in a pattern similar to that observed in the hypoxic mice at P30. Rapamycin treatment led to differential impact on the cytoplasmic and mitochondrial pathways of glucose metabolism. Our results suggest a decrease in mTOR activity as part of the mechanisms underlying hypoxia-induced changes in the activities of glycolytic and TCA cycle enzymes in liver. Chronic postnatal hypoxia induces mTOR-dependent differential effects on liver glycolytic and TCA cycle enzymes and as such should be studied further as they have pathophysiological implications in hepatic diseases and conditions in which hypoxia plays a role.
Resonant-tunneling theory of imaging close-packed metal surfaces by scanning tunneling microscopy

We propose a resonant-tunneling theory of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) by considering the general characteristics of a probe tip in which an electron trap, or impurity, causing the resonance is assumed to adsorb on an insulating contamination layer at the tip. The resulting constant-current STM image is the sum of two terms. The first term is due to the spatial variation of the conductance between surface and impurity, and the second term is due to the spatial variation of the force between surface and impurity. The relative contribution of the two terms to the image corrugation is determined by a constant K, which depends on the properties of insulating layer. Under the assumption of single atom adsorbed on a clean tip, our result reduces to the Tersoff-Hamann formalism, as expected. However, for a contaminated-tip approximation, we find that atomic corrugation of STM images can be dominated by the force corrugation between impurity and surface similar to that of atomic-force microscopy. The theory provides good agreement with experimental data on the corrugation as a function of z-axis piezoelectric element driving distance recently reported [J. Wintterlin et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 62, 59 (1989)] for the Al(111)surface.
Laboratory Evaluation of 345-kY Cable 2 High-Pressure Oil-Filled Pipe-Type After Field Testing at Cornell University

Upon completion of the 345-kV field test at the Cornell Test Station, representative sections of the high-pressure pipe-type cable supplied for the test by the authors' company were subjected to laboratory evaluation. No indications of instability or significant deterioration resulting from the field test were found. The returned cable withstood the standard high-voltage-time test for new cable and had slightly lower power factor at all temperatures than it had before being tested, as well as essentially unchanged radial power-factor distribution. Mechanical properties and dielectric strength of the paper were not significantly affected. No electrical disturbance of any kind was found in the cable proper or in the joints; however, there was slight carbonization in the vicinity of electrode interruptions provided for power-factor measurement and also at the base of the paper buildup in one of the terminals. Both the-saturating oil and the pipe oil were in essentially the original condition. Apparently, however, some of the pipe oil had migrated into the cable from the potheads because of expansion and contraction incident to load cycling.
A general recursive procedure for analysis of variance

SUMMARY A general recursive least squares procedure for the analysis of experimental designs is described. Any experimental design can be analyzed with a finite sequence of sweeps, in each of which a set of effects for a factor of the model is calculated and subtracted from the vector of observations. The effects are usually either simple means or effective means, which are ordinary means divided by an efficiency factor. The analysis for a particular design and model is characterized by a set of K efficiency factors for each factor of the model, where K is the order of balance of that factor, and by a triangular control matrix of indicators (0 or 1), in which subdiagonal zeros indicate orthogonality between pairs of factors in the model, and diagonal zeros indicate factors that are completely aliased with previous factors. The control matrix determines the minimal sweep sequence for analysis. The procedure may be implemented in an adaptive or 'learning' form, in which the information that characterizes the analysis is determined progressively from preliminary analyses of special dummy variates, each generated from an arbitrarily assigned set of effects for a factor of the model. A simple extension of the procedure produces the multistratum analysis required for stratified designs such as split plots and confounded factorials. Observations commonly arise from designed experiments, the symmetries and pattern of which implicitly affect the analysis and inference from the data, but are not usually explicitly characterized and utilized in general linear model formulations. This paper describes a simple procedure for least squares analysis of experimental designs with respect to a linear factorial model, in which the sequence of operations required is fully determined and controlled by the symmetries and pattern in the design. The analysis process consists of a sequence of sweeps of the data vector, determined by the factors of the model, the sweep being the only form of arithmetic operation required. In a sweep for a factor of the model, a set of effects for that factor is calculated and subtracted
Global impact of smoke aerosols from landscape fires on climate and the Hadley circulation

Abstract. Each year landscape fires across the globe emit black and organic carbon smoke particles that can last in the atmosphere for days to weeks. We characterized the climate response to these aerosols using an Earth system model. We used remote sensing observations of aerosol optical depth (AOD) and simulations from the Community Atmosphere Model, version 5 (CAM5) to optimize satellite-derived smoke emissions for high biomass burning regions. Subsequent global simulations using the adjusted fire emissions produced AODs that were in closer agreement with surface and space-based measurements. We then used CAM5, which included radiative aerosol effects, to evaluate the climate response to the fire-aerosol forcing. We conducted two 52 yr simulations, one with four sets of monthly cycling 1997–2009 fire emissions and one without. Fire emissions increased global mean annual AOD by 10% (+0.02) and decreased net all-sky surface radiation by 1% (1.3 W m−2). Elevated AODs reduced global surface temperatures by 0.13 p 0.01 °C. Though global precipitation declined only slightly, patterns of precipitation changed, with large reductions near the Equator offset by smaller increases north and south of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). A combination of increased tropospheric heating and reduced surface temperatures increased equatorial subsidence and weakened the Hadley circulation. As a consequence, precipitation decreased over tropical forests in South America, Africa and equatorial Asia. These results are consistent with the observed correlation between global temperatures and the strength of the Hadley circulation and studies linking tropospheric heating from black carbon aerosols with tropical expansion.
Scattering of X-ray Quanta and the J Phenomena

IN NATURE of November 17, p. 723, Prof. Barkla discusses the transformations of X-rays during scattering and transmission through matter, with particular reference to my recently proposed quantum theory of X-ray scattering. Permit me to present my apology to Prof. Barkla for not referring to the work done on this subject by himself in 1904 (Phil. Mag. 7, 550), and by Beatty in 1907 (Phil. Mag. 14, 604) working in his laboratory. This early work was not mentioned because of later statements of his, such as, “the scattered radiation differs inappreciably in penetrating power from the primary radiation, that is to say, there is no appreciable degradation accompanying the process of scattering” (Barkla and Ayers, Phil. Mag. 21, 271, 1911). These statements led me to think that Barkla judged the differences between the primary and the scattered X-rays observed in these earlier experiments to be smaller than the experimental error.
Adenosine receptors in rat testes: Labeling with 3Hcyclohexyladenosine

Abstract We have labeled adenosine receptors in rat tissues with 3 HN 6 cyclohexyladenosine ( 3 HCHA) and evaluated the organ distribution and drug specificity of these binding sites throughout the body. Detectable receptor concentrations are restricted to the brain and testes. Brain displays receptor levels of 9 pmoles/g wet weight of tissue while the testes display 2 pmoles/g, with all other tissues examined showing less than detectable specific binding of 3 HCHA. The receptors in these two tissues appear to possess identical pharmacologic profiles with an A 1 specificity for both. No change in the total number of 3 HCHA binding sites is seen in testes of rats which had been hypophysectomized 14 days prior to sacrifice. This may exclude the Leydig cells as a source of adenosine receptors in the rat testes.
Photophysics of Glycosylated Derivatives of a Chlorin, Isobacteriochlorin and Bacteriochlorin for Photodynamic Theragnostics: Discovery of a Two-photon-absorbing Photosensitizer

The photophysical properties of a chlorin, isobacteriochlorin and bacteriochlorin built on a core tetrapentafluorophenylporphyrin (TPPF20 ) and the nonhydrolyzable para thioglycosylated conjugates of these chromophores are presented. The photophysical characterization of these compounds was done in three different solvents to correlate with different environments in cells and tissues. Compared with TPPF20 other dyes have greater absorption in the red region of the visible spectrum and greater fluorescence quantum yields. The excited state lifetimes are from 3 to 11 ns. The radiative and nonradiative rate constants for deactivation of the excited state were estimated from the fluorescence quantum yield and excited state lifetime. The data indicate that the bacteriochlorin has strong absorption bands near 730 nm and efficiently enters the triplet manifold. The isobacteriochlorin has a 40-70% fluorescence quantum yield depending on solvent, so it may be a good fluorescent tag. The isobacteriochlorins also display enhanced two-photon absorption, thereby allowing the use of 860 nm light to excite the compound. While the two-photon cross section of 25 GM units is not large, excitation of low chromophore concentrations can induce apoptosis. The glycosylated compounds accumulate in cancer cells and a head and neck squamous carcinoma xenograft tumor model in mice. These compounds are robust to photobleaching.
Interaction of ice storms and management practices on current carbon sequestration in forests with potential mitigation under future CO2 atmosphere

show that a nonintensively managed pine plantation experienced a � 250 g C m � 2 reduction in living biomass during a single storm, equivalent to � 30% of the annual net ecosystem carbon exchangeof thisecosystem. Drawing on weather anddamage survey data from the entire storm cell, the amount of C transferred from the living to the dead biomass pool (26.5 ± 3.3 Tg C), 85% of which will decompose within 25 years, was equivalent to � 10% of the estimated annual sequestration in conterminous U.S. forests. Conifer trees were more than twice as likely to be killed as leafless deciduous broadleaf trees. In the Duke Forest case study, nitrogen fertilization had no effect on storm-induced carbon transfer from the living to detrital pool while thinning increased carbon transfer threefold. Elevated CO2 (administered with the free-air CO2 enrichment (FACE) system) reduced the storminduced carbon transfer to a third. Because of the lesser leaf area reduction, plots growing under elevated CO2 also exhibited a smaller reduction in biomass production the following year.Theseresultssuggestthatforestsmaysufferlessdamageduringeachicestormeventof similar severity in a future with higher atmospheric CO2.
An evaluation of alternative methods used in the estimation of Gaussian term structure models

This paper provides an evaluation of five methods, proposed in the literature, for extracting factors used in the estimation of Gaussian affine term structure models. We assert that irrespective of the method used for extracting state variables, cross-sectional and serial correlations exist in measurement errors. However, using a simulation design which is consistent with the data, we show that parameter estimation using the Kalman filter and the model-free method are quite precise in the presence of serial and cross-sectional correlations in the error term, and, in the presence of different measurement errors, the Kalman filter demonstrates strong empirical tractability.
Molecular cloning of a 10-deacetylbaccatin III-10-O-acetyl transferase cDNA from Taxus and functional expression in Escherichia coli

The cDNA clone for a 10-deacetylbaccatin III-10- O -acetyl transferase, which catalyzes formation of the last diterpene intermediate in the Taxol biosynthetic pathway, has been isolated from Taxus cuspidata . By using consensus sequences from an assembly of transacylases of plant origin and from many deduced proteins of unknown function, a homology-based PCR cloning strategy was employed to amplify initially a 911-bp gene fragment of the putative taxane C-10 hydroxyl acetyl transferase from Taxus . This amplicon was used to screen a cDNA library constructed from mRNA isolated from methyl jasmonate-induced Taxus cells, from which the full-length 10-deacetylbaccatin III-10- O -transacetylase sequence was obtained. Expression of the ORF from pCWori + in Escherichia coli JM109 afforded a functional enzyme, as determined by 1 H-NMR and MS verification of the product baccatin III derived from 10-deacetylbaccatin III and acetyl CoA. The full-length cDNA has an ORF of 1,320 bp corresponding to a deduced protein of 440 residues with a calculated molecular weight of 49,052, consistent with the size of the operationally soluble, monomeric, native acetyl transferase. The recombinant acetyl transferase has a pH optimum of 7.5, has K m values of 10 μM and 8 μM for 10-deacetylbaccatin III and acetyl CoA, respectively, and is apparently regiospecific toward the 10-hydroxyl group of the taxane ring. Amino acid sequence comparison of 10-deacetylbaccatin III-10- O -acetyl transferase with taxadienol-5- O -acetyl transferase and with other known acyl transferases of plant origin indicates a significant degree of similarity between these enzymes (80% and 64–67%, respectively).
Diversity of effects of fructose loads on different parts of the nephron.

Abstract 1. 1. Analysis of nine parts of the rat nephron from glomerulus to papilla showed a wide variety of metabolic responses to high loads of fructose among the different segments. 2. 2. There were dramatic increases in fructose-1-P and glucose-6-P in the proximal straight tubule, with lesser changes in the proximal convoluted tubule and none elsewhere. 3. 3. Fructokinase was also confined to the proximal tubule with highest activity in the straight segment. 4. 4. Fructose-1-P aldolase was highest in the proximal convoluted tubule. Fructose bisphosphate aldolase peaked in the distal straight tubule. 5. 5. Glycerol-1-P increased strikingly in the proximal tubule but the peak effect was in the convoluted segment. 6. 6. Highest concentrations of ATP were found in the distal convoluted tubule and did not change with loads of fructose whereas, ATP fell 80% in the proximal straight tubule and somewhat less in the convoluted portion.
Tactile rod bisection: Hemispheric activation and sex differences

Blindfolded subjects estimated with either hand the center of rods positioned in either left or right hemispace. In one condition, they also performed a concurrent verbal task. Bias and variability of bisection settings were the dependent variables. Bisections performed in left hemispace were biased to the left of true center, more so when the left hand was used. In contrast, bisections performed in right hemispace were biased rightward, more so when the right hand was used. There were no significant differences in variability of bisections in any condition. Interactions of hand with hemispace in which the task was performed differed for the two sexes. Moreover, the secondary verbal task had no effect on either measure. We conclude that of several factors that may underlie bisection biases, attention was the most relevant.
Neural Control of Substance P Induced Up-Regulation and Release of Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor in the Rat Bladder

Purpose: Macrophage migration inhibitory factor is increased in intraluminal fluid after experimental inflammation and it mediates proinflammatory effects on the bladder. We examined the contribution of nerve activity and specific neurotransmitter systems to the mechanism of macrophage migration inhibitory factor release from the bladder during inflammation.Materials and Methods: Male Sprague-Dawley rats were anesthetized. The bladders were emptied and filled with saline. Rats received saline as a control (0.1 ml/100 gm body weight) or substance P (Sigma®) (40 μg/kg in saline, 0.1 ml/100 gm body weight) subcutaneously as well as hexamethonium (Sigma) (50 mg/kg) intraperitoneally in saline (0.1 ml/100 gm body weight), lidocaine (2%, 0.3 ml) intravesically, atropine (Sigma) (3 mg/kg in saline, 0.1 ml/100 gm body weight) intravenously, propranolol (Sigma) (3 mg/kg in saline, 0.1 ml/100 gm body weight) intravenously or phentolamine (Sigma) (10 mg/kg in saline, 0.1 ml/100 gm body weight) intravenously. After 1...
Transient difference solutions of the inhomogeneous wave equation: Simulation of the Green's function

A time-dependent finite difference formulation to the inhomogeneous wave equation is derived for plane wave propagation with harmonic noise sources. The difference equation and boundary conditions are developed along with the techniques to simulate the Dirac delta function associated with a concentrated noise source. Example calculations are presented for the Green's function and distributed noise sources. For the example considered, the desired Fourier transformed acoustic pressures are determined from the transient pressures by use of a ramping function and an integration technique, both of which eliminates the nonharmonic pressure associated with the initial transient.
Disturbances in Diurnal Rhythms Following a Night of Reduced Sleep

Twenty-four healthy young adult males who slept regularly for 7-8 hr completed nonlaboratory appraisals based upon dependent variables which reflected daytime alertness at 4-hr intervals from 8:15 a.m. until midnight once: (a) initially after having experienced disturbed nocturnal sleep and (b) following a control night. A statistically significant 1.8 hr average decrease in total sleep was reported during the disturbed night (X=6.0 hr) versus the control condition (X=7.8 hr) which primarily resulted from delays and/or difficulties in falling asleep. Following disturbed nocturnal sleep a significant decline in alert wakefulness occurred predominantly at: (a) midday (12:00 noon) and/or (b) in the afternoon (4:00 p.m.) as assessed by 4 of 6 adjective check list scales and lowered body temperature levels. After the disturbed night, compared with the control condition, there was a significant diminution of the amplitude or variability in the diurnal rhythm of: (a) body temperature; (b) Stanford Sleepiness Sca...
Prescription Assistance for Older Adults with Limited Incomes: Client and Program Characteristics

Objective:To describe the sociodemographic, medication-related, health services utilization and health characteristics of the community-dwelling senior citizens (≥65 y) with limited incomes who enrolled in Senior PHARMAssist, a community-based prescription assistance program.Patients:Senior citizens (n = 387) enrolled in the program between June 1994 and May 1996. All eligible participants were 65 years of age or older, had incomes below 140% of the federal poverty level, but were not enrolled in Medicaid. All the patients were living in Durham County and were taking prescription medications.Measurements:Self- or caregiver-reported. In addition to demographic characteristics, polypharmacy (taking ≥5 prescription medications in the last month), medication adherence (adherence to directions on the medication container), medication knowledge (client or caregiver stated appropriate purpose for taking the medication), adverse effects from medications, and activities of daily living and instrumental activities ...
Optimal Pair Matching With Two Control Groups

In an effort to detect hidden biases due to failure to control for an unobserved covariate, some observational or nonrandomized studies include two control groups selected to systematically vary the unobserved covariate. Comparisons of the treated group and two control groups must, of course, control for imbalances in observed covariates. Using the three groups, we form pairs optimally matched for observed covariates—that is, we optimally construct from observational data an incomplete block design. The incomplete block design may use all available data, or it may use data selectively to produce a balanced incomplete block design, or it may be the basis for constructing a matched sample when expensive outcome information is to be collected only for sampled individuals. The problem of optimal pair matching with two control groups is shown by a series of transformations to be equivalent to a particular form of optimal nonbipartite matching, a problem for which polynomial time algorithms exist. In our exampl...
LACK OF CHANGES IN FATTY ACID COMPOSITION OF MACKEREL AND COD DURING ICED AND FROZEN STORAGE

. A fatty fish, Atlantic mackerel, and a lean fish, Atlantic cod, were processed and stored under conditions to simulate those of a commercial operation. The fatty acid composition of their lipids was evaluated. All fillets were examined with their skins on. A paired fillet technique was used to reduce the considerable fish-to-fish variability observed; the advantage of this technique was demonstrated. Mackerel fillets were stored on ice, fresh fillets and fillets aged on ice for 8 days were stored at −20C for up to 28 weeks and mackerel mince prepared from fresh and 7-day aged fish were stored frozen at −20C for 1 month. Fresh and aged (8 days) cod fillets were examined initially and after 32 weeks at −20C. No measurable changes were observed in C20:5 and C22:6 fatty acids in either species under these storage conditions.
Exogenous Cushing Syndrome Mimicking Human Immunodeficiency Virus Lipodystrophy

A 45-year-old man infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) developed abnormal fat accumulations that initially were believed to be caused by HIV lipodystrophy. Further clinical evaluation revealed, however, that the patient had developed exogenous Cushing syndrome, which presumably was caused by the inhibition of CYP3A4’s metabolism of inhaled fluticasone by the protease inhibitor ritonavir. Clinicians should be aware that clinical clues may indicate conditions other than lipodystrophy that may cause abnormal fat accumulation and that fluticasone should be cautiously administered to patients who are receiving ritonavir.
The power of affective learning strategies on social justice development in nursing education

Nursing professional values are critical for the practice of nurses, yet the development of curricula fundamentally supporting these values has been slow to develop. The question remains as to the best teaching strategies that foster the integration of these core values as a key focus for nurses throughout their professional practice. The purpose of this article is to report the findings of a research project related to an affective learning strategy, and the potential of such strategies to guide undergraduate nursing students in the development of professionalism. While conducting a study related to the use of poverty simulation and the attitudes of nursing students, participants provided compelling narratives highlighting a greater understanding of the constructs of social justice; a potentially more profound purpose for this pedagogical strategy. Focus group narratives revealed themes focusing on the concepts of professional nursing values, specifically social justice. The themes included: The American Dream Isn’t for Everyone, Trapped in my Own Life, Completely out of Control, and It’s Just Not Enough. Findings showed that participants experienced grave realizations regarding not only the experience of poverty, but of the widespread social norms that contribute to injustices for a vast population in our society. This research contributes to the body of literature regarding the use of affective learning strategies as an effective way to teach nursing professional values, such as social justice, to enhance nursing graduates’ ability to integrate these values in their own practice.
Absorptivity Transition in the 1.06 μm Wavelength Laser Machining of Structural Ceramics

This study presents absorptivity transitions in two-dimensional, low aspect ratio laser machining (cutting) of structural ceramics such as alumina (Al2O3), silicon nitride (Si3N4), silicon carbide (SiC), and magnesia (MgO) using a 1.06 μm wavelength-pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Because temperature measurement at high temperatures is difficult, thermocouples were used to measure temperatures in the low-temperature regime (700–1150 K). A thermal model was then iterated to obtain trends in absorptivity variation below the phase transition temperature for different ceramics. Following this, measured machined depths were used as a benchmark to predict absorptivity transitions at higher temperatures (>1150 K), using the developed thermal model. For temperatures below the phase transition, because of intraband absorption, the absorptivity decreases with an increase in temperature until the surface temperature reaches the melting point (in the case of Al2O3, Si3N4, and SiC) and the vaporization temperature (in the case of MgO). The absorptivity then continues to follow an increasing trend with increasing temperature because the physical entrapment of the laser beam in the cavity evolved during machining of the desired depth in the ceramic. Such a study would provide an efficient control over the input energy required to machine to a certain depth.
Lipid-regulated sterol transfer between closely apposed membranes by oxysterol-binding protein homologues

Sterols are transferred between cellular membranes by vesicular and poorly understood nonvesicular pathways. Oxysterol-binding protein–related proteins (ORPs) have been implicated in sterol sensing and nonvesicular transport. In this study, we show that yeast ORPs use a novel mechanism that allows regulated sterol transfer between closely apposed membranes, such as organelle contact sites. We find that the core lipid-binding domain found in all ORPs can simultaneously bind two membranes. Using Osh4p/Kes1p as a representative ORP, we show that ORPs have at least two membrane-binding surfaces; one near the mouth of the sterol-binding pocket and a distal site that can bind a second membrane. The distal site is required for the protein to function in cells and, remarkably, regulates the rate at which Osh4p extracts and delivers sterols in a phosphoinositide-dependent manner. Together, these findings suggest a new model of how ORPs could sense and regulate the lipid composition of adjacent membranes.
The qualitative character of intelligence

An examination of the character of naturally intelligent systems and artificially intelligent systems yields many qualitative differences. This short essay explores the possibility that these qualitative differences may be the reason for the limitations of current AI systems.
Silicon photo-multiplier readouts for scintillators in high-energy astronomy

New scintillator materials have recently been shown to hold great potential for low-cost, reliable gamma-ray detectors in high-energy astronomy. New devices for the detection of scintillation light promise to make scintillator-based instruments even more attractive by reducing mass and power requirements. In particular, silicon photo-multipliers (SiPMs) are starting to become commercially available that offer gains and quantum efficiencies similar to those of photo-multiplier tubes (PMTs), but with greatly reduced mass, high ruggedness, low voltage requirements, and no sensitivity to magnetic fields. We have conducted laboratory tests of a sample of commercially available SiPMs coupled to LaBr 3 :Ce, a scintillator of relevance to future high-energy astrophysics missions. We present results for gamma-ray spectroscopy, compare the SiPM performance to that of a PMT, and discuss the extent to which SiPMs offer significant advantages for scintillator-based space missions.
Environmental chemicals as thyroid hormone analogues: new studies indicate that thyroid hormone receptors are targets of industrial chemicals?

Thyroid hormone (TH) is essential for normal brain development, but the specific actions of TH differ across developmental time and brain region. These actions of TH are mediated largely by a combination of thyroid hormone receptor (TR) isoforms that exhibit specific temporal and spatial patterns of expression during animal and human brain development. In addition, TR action is influenced by different co-factors, proteins that directly link the TR protein to functional changes in gene expression. Several recent studies now show that TRs may be unintended targets of chemicals manufactured for industrial purposes, and to which humans and wildlife are routinely exposed. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and bisphenol-A (BPA), and specific halogenated derivatives and metabolites of these compounds, have been shown to bind to TRs and perhaps have selective effects on TR functions. A number of common chemicals including polybrominated biphenyls (PBBs) and phthalates may also exert such effects. Considering the importance of TH in brain development, it will be important to pursue the possibilities that these chemicals – or interactions among chemical classes – are affecting children’s health by influencing TH signaling in the developing brain. © 2005 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
The Development of a Centrifugal Compressor Impeller

An impeller is one of the key components of industrial centrifugal compressors and turbochargers. Aerodynamic and structure designs of the impeller are critical to the success of the whole compressor stages. The requirements for efficiency and operating range of industrial centrifugal compressors and turbochargers have been increased dramatically compared with the situation in the past. The efficiency of a newly developed, low-pressure-ratio centrifugal compressor has reached the possible level of the machine. However, the efficiency level of an intermediate- and high-pressure ratio machine still has gaps between the current state-of-the-art and possible level. The challenge for centrifugal compressor design is to keep the efficiency level at state-of-the-art and increase the compressor operating range. Increase of the compressor operating range without sacrificing compressor peak efficiency is difficult to achieve. The product globalization requires one product design, which can be used in all locations....
M ≥ 7.0 earthquake recurrence on the San Andreas fault from a stress renewal model

[1] Forecasting M ≥ 7.0 San Andreas fault earthquakes requires an assessment of their expected frequency. I used a three-dimensional finite element model of California to calculate volumetric static stress drops from scenario M ≥ 7.0 earthquakes on three San Andreas fault sections. The ratio of stress drop to tectonic stressing rate derived from geodetic displacements yielded recovery times at points throughout the model volume. Under a renewal model, stress recovery times on ruptured fault planes can be a proxy for earthquake recurrence. I show curves of magnitude versus stress recovery time for three San Andreas fault sections. When stress recovery times were converted to expected M ≥ 7.0 earthquake frequencies, they fit Gutenberg-Richter relationships well matched to observed regional rates of M ≤ 6.0 earthquakes. Thus a stress-balanced model permits large earthquake Gutenberg-Richter behavior on an individual fault segment, though it does not require it. Modeled slip magnitudes and their expected frequencies were consistent with those observed at the Wrightwood paleoseismic site if strict time predictability does not apply to the San Andreas fault.
Do Predictors of the Implementation Quality of School-Based Prevention Programs Differ by Program Type?

Research has indicated that the effectiveness of school-based prevention programs is affected by the implementation quality of these programs. As the importance of implementation has become clear, researchers have identified factors that appear to be related to implementation quality, including local program selection and training, integration into school operations, organizational capacity, principal support, and program standardization; however, it is unknown whether the impact of these factors differs by program type. Data from a nationally representative sample of 544 schools are used to create structural equation models representing hypothesized relationships among school and program factors and implementation quality, controlling for exogenous community factors. The relative importance of these factors for individual-level programs, such as behavior modification and counseling programs, versus environmental-level programs, such as improvements to classroom management or school planning and climate change programs, is the focus of this study. Implications for the implementation of school-based prevention program are discussed.
Colossal carbon supersaturation in austenitic stainless steels carburized at low temperature

A novel, low-temperature (470 °C) gas-phase carburization treatment, developed by the Swagelok Company, increases the surface hardness of 316 austenitic stainless steels from ≈200 to ≈1000 HV25 and improves the corrosion resistance. While normally the precipitation of carbides restricts the carbon concentration in the austenite of 316 steels to <0.015 at%, the Swagelok treatment generates a colossal supersaturation of up to 12 at% carbon in solid solution. Only upon extended treatment, does carbide precipitation eventually occur, but the colossal carbon supersaturation of the austenite is maintained. Unusual for austenitic stainless steels, the precipitates are Hagg carbide (M5C2).
D quadrant specification in the leech Helobdella: actomyosin contractility controls the unequal cleavage of the CD blastomere

The unequal division of the CD blastomere at second cleavage is critical in establishing the second embryonic axis in the leech Helobdella, as in other unequally cleaving spiralians. When CD divides, the larger D and smaller C blastomeres arise invariantly on the left and right sides of the embryo, respectively. Here we show that stereotyped cellular dynamics, including the formation of an intercellular blastocoel, culminate in a morphological left–right asymmetry in the 2-cell embryo, which precedes cytokinesis and predicts the chirality of the second cleavage. In contrast to the unequal first cleavage, the unequal second cleavage does not result from down-regulation of one centrosome, nor from an asymmetry within the spindle itself. Instead, the unequal cleavage of the CD cell entails a symmetric mitotic apparatus moving and anisotropically growing rightward in an actomyosin-dependent process. Our data reveal that mechanisms controlling the establishment of the D quadrant differ fundamentally even among the monophyletic clitellate annelids. Thus, while the homologous spiral cleavage pattern is highly conserved in this clade, it has diverged significantly at the level of cell biological mechanisms. This combination of operational conservation and mechanistic divergence begins to explain how the spiral cleavage program has remained so refractory to change while, paradoxically, accommodating numerous modifications throughout evolution.
Luminescence-center-mediated excitation as the dominant Er sensitization mechanism in Er-doped silicon-rich SiO2 films

The structural and optical properties of erbium-doped silicon-rich silica samples containing $12\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{at.}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}%$ of excess silicon and $0.63\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{at.}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}%$ of erbium are studied as a function of annealing temperature in the range $600--1200\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{C}$. Indirect excitation of ${\mathrm{Er}}^{3+}$ ions is shown to be present for all annealing temperatures, including annealing temperatures well below $1000\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{C}$ for which no silicon nanocrystals are observed. Two distinct efficient $({\ensuremath{\eta}}_{\mathrm{tr}}g60%)$ transfer mechanisms responsible for ${\mathrm{Er}}^{3+}$ excitation are identified: a fast transfer process $({\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{tr}}l80\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{ns})$ involving isolated luminescence centers (LCs), and a slow transfer process $({\ensuremath{\tau}}_{\mathrm{tr}}\ensuremath{\sim}4--100\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{s})$ involving excitation by quantum confined excitons inside Si nanocrystals. The LC-mediated excitation is shown to be the dominant excitation mechanism for all annealing temperatures. The presence of a LC-mediated excitation process is deduced from the observation of an annealing-temperature-independent ${\mathrm{Er}}^{3+}$ excitation rate, a strong similarity between the LC and ${\mathrm{Er}}^{3+}$ excitation spectra, as well as an excellent correspondence between the observed LC-related emission intensity and the derived ${\mathrm{Er}}^{3+}$ excitation density for annealing temperatures in the range of $600--1000\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}\mathrm{C}$. The proposed interpretation provides an alternative explanation for several observations existing in the literature.
Major Adverse Events One Year After Acute Kidney Injury After Contrast-Enhanced Computed Tomography.

Study objective Recent studies have demonstrated that a single episode of acute kidney injury from a number of causes can increase the risk of severe long-term outcomes, including major cardiovascular events and death. We tested the hypothesis that patients who develop acute kidney injury consistent with contrast-induced nephropathy after contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging are at increased risk of major adverse events at 1 year. Methods We followed a prospective, heterogeneous cohort of consecutive emergency department patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT for the outcomes of acute kidney injury consistent with contrast-induced nephropathy and major adverse events, defined as the combined outcome of death (all cause), renal failure, myocardial infarction, and stroke or other arterial vascular events, in any anatomic territory, requiring invention within 1 year. The primary outcome, major adverse events, was determined by the consensus of 2 of 3 blinded adjudicators. Results We followed 633 patients undergoing contrast-enhanced CT, of whom 11% developed acute kidney injury consistent with contrast-induced nephropathy and 15% (95/633; 95% confidence interval [CI] 12% to 18%) experienced at least 1 major adverse event within 1 year, including 7% (46/633; 95% CI 5% to 9%) who died. The development of acute kidney injury after contrast-enhanced CT was associated with an increased risk of 1-year major adverse event: the incident risk ratio was 4.01 (95% CI 2.61 to 6.05) and was 2.36 (95% CI 1.49 to 3.75) after adjusting for age, existing coronary artery disease, active malignancy, and 1 or more additional exposures to intravascular iodinated contrast media. Conclusion The development of acute kidney injury after contrast-enhanced CT was associated with a 2-fold increase in 1-year major adverse events. Further research is needed to validate this observation.