cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Anatomic Variations of Portal Venous Anatomy: Ultrasonographic Evaluation

Recent developments in ultrasound, notably gray scale, have permitted visualization and recognition of multiple vascular structures within the upper abdomen. Several recent articles have depicted in meticulous detail the vasculature that surrounds the pancreas.1,2 The position of the pancreas can be accurately assessed by identifying these vessels. Additionally, displacement of vasculature adjacent to the pancreas may be a useful indicator of contiguous masses.
Perceptions, Experiences, and Use of Resources as Selected HBCU Students Transition to Graduate and Professional Roles in Family and Consumer Sciences

The purpose of the research was to determine perceptions, experiences, and use of resources by students (n = 23) from three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Prior to this research, the students had been selected for SciencPrep, a program that exposes students to graduate education and research in family and consumer sciences. Analysis of focus group data resulted in five themes: relationships, professional experiences, information resources, financial resources, and enablers and barriers. Implications for higher education are discussed.
Learning and Stock Market Participation

This paper examines the impact of trading constraints on market participation when agents learn about their investment opportunities. The possibility of facing binding constraints in the future creates a feedback that can keep agents out of the market even if the risk premium is high. This effect arises with learning because the changes in investment opportunities are correlated with future realized outcomes: an agent will have a poor investment opportunity set precisely in those future states where her marginal utility is high. Non-participation arises also in an equilibrium model where agents resolve uncertainty about the cash flow covariance between tradable and non-tradable assets. These results suggest that learning and short-sale constraints can simultaneously generate limited participation, higher risk premium, and insignificant contemporaneous correlation between the stock return and the income of those who do not participate in the stock market. We conclude that a standard intertemporal hedging motive, generated by (i) learning about the parameters of the economy or by (ii) changes in the labor income dynamics, may account for agents' seemingly puzzling nonparticipation decisions without relying on non-standard preferences.
Agency as an Explanatory Key: Theoretical Issues

In philosophy agency designates the inalienable ability of individuals to make choices about their conduct that are not determined by the environment. In empirical social science, however, agency designates not autonomous free will but the launching of patterned action that surpasses constraints in the setting and that directs the course of institutional change. Many social scientists have limited the explanatory task they take on to show that agency is an indispensable part of ongoing social life. They have also reasoned that portrayals of institutional structures alone or even of the cultural resources that accompany them, such as shared scripts for social interaction, are inadequate for explaining important changes. It is typical therefore to feature agency as a logically necessary contributor. Study of agency can be improved by specifying affirmatively when and how action is in decisive ways organized independently of the constraints in the setting and this sense transcends them. This sharper requirement for positive demonstration of how agency brought about change is satisfied by reconstructing the actors' independent invention of a new master problem that guides their conduct. This promising approach to explaining transformative action has disseminated from study of artistic and scientific innovation to that of institutional change. Keywords: agency; social change; organizations; path dependence; structural constraints; innovation; problem-solving; pragmatism; science studies; art
Preoperative pregnancy testing.

Surgery on a pregnant woman may have significant implications for the fetus, patient, physician and hospital. On review of the literature, we were unable to find current guidelines or recommendations for preoperative pregnancy testing in the plastic surgery patient population. This prompted us to review the current literature and develop a best practice recommendation.
The development of multiple probe microdialysis sampling in the stomach

A multiple probe approach of implanting microdialysis probes into each separate tissue layer would better represent sampling from the stomach. Presently, microdialysis sampling experiments are performed with only a single probe in the submucosa to represent sampling from the stomach tissue. The focus of this research was to develop a four-probe microdialysis sampling design to simultaneously monitor the stomach lumen, mucosa, submucosa and in the blood of the rat. Due to the small outer diameter of the microdialysis probe (350 μm), implantation into each separate layer was achieved with confirmation of probe location from histological examination. To assess the significance of sampling by this approach, multiple probe microdialysis sampling was used to monitor drug absorption in the stomach. Salicylic acid, caffeine and metoprolol were individually dosed to the ligated stomach. Analysis of the dialysate samples was performed by HPLC–UV and concentration–time curves and pharmacokinetics analysis were used to determine differences between the different probe locations.
DON QUIJOTE AS MAGUS: THE RHETORIC OF INTERPOLATION

The radical shifts of taste concerning the interpolated tales in Part One of Don Quijote are indicative of a failure in Cervantine criticism. The well-known autocritical comments in the opening sections of Part Two reveal that initial opinion was negative, although this fact alone could not have forced Cervantes to change the structure of the second part. By 1808, it has been noted that Friedrich Schlegel found in the patterning of the interpolations an archetypal instance of Great Wit, the supreme accolade of the German Romantics. The subsequent shift away from Romantic principles, however, again eroded Cervantes' reputation as a narrative craftsman, and the general development of the novel in the nineteenth century further alienated public and critical tastes. The novel for the realists became a genre based on a different principle of narrative unity from what is found in Part One. Concomitantly Part Two enjoyed greater esteem since the so-called interpolations were incorporated into the totality in a m...
Work Conditions and the Food Choice Coping Strategies of Employed Parents.

Abstract Objective How work conditions relate to parents' food choice coping strategies. Design Pilot telephone survey. Setting City in the northeastern United States (US). Participants Black, white, and Hispanic employed mothers (25) and fathers (25) randomly recruited from low-/moderate-income zip codes; 78% of those reached and eligible participated. Main Outcome Measures Sociodemographic characteristics; work conditions (hours, shift, job schedule, security, satisfaction, food access); food choice coping strategies (22 behavioral items for managing food in response to work and family demands (ie, food prepared at/away from home, missing meals, individualizing meals, speeding up, planning). Analysis Two-tailed chi-square and Fisher exact tests ( P ≤ .05, unless noted). Results Half or more of respondents often/sometimes used 12 of 22 food choice coping strategies. Long hours and nonstandard hours and schedules were positively associated among fathers with take-out meals, missed family meals, prepared entrees, and eating while working; and among mothers with restaurant meals, missed breakfast, and prepared entrees. Job security, satisfaction, and food access were also associated with gender-specific strategies. Conclusions and Implications Structural work conditions among parents such as job hours, schedule, satisfaction, and food access are associated with food choice coping strategies with importance for dietary quality. Findings have implications for worksite interventions but need examination in a larger sample.
Measurement of Sebum Secretion Rates in Young Children

Sustainable rates of lipid secretion were measured on the foreheads of 24 children, ages 6–8. The method of measurement involved absorption of skin surface lipid into bentonite clay and subsequent separation and measurement of the various lipid classes by quantitative thin-layer chromatography. In 9 of the children, sebum secretion appeared to be virtually nonexistent, judging by the low amounts of lipid recovered and the low percentages of wax esters and squalene, which are purely sebaceous lipid classes. An effect of age on sebum secretion rates was observed with median rates of wax ester secretion, being 7, 28 and 48 μg/10 cm 2 /3 h for 6-, 7- and 8-year-olds, respectively. These values are well below those of most young adults. The relation between wax ester secretion rate and skin surface lipid composition on the forehead was investigated and found to conform to the formula: μg wax esters/10 cm 2 /3 h=28 x wax esters/(cholesterol + cholesterol esters), with a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.94.
On Forward-in-Time Differencing for Fluids

Abstract This note discusses the extension of the dissipative advection schemes, often referred to in meteorological literature as Crowley-type schemes, on advection equations with arbitrary forcing and/or source terms included. Since such equations constitute a prototype of prognostic equations for fluids, the considerations herein are relevant to a variety of atmospheric problems. The thesis of this note is that, no matter how accurate the advection scheme employed, the entire equation is approximated to, at most, O(Δt), which is a consequence of disregarding forcing terms in the derivation of Crowley-type schemes. The consequences of this truncation error may be quite severe depending on the particular problem at hand. The remedy proposed is simple and easy to implement in any numerical model using forward-in-time differencing. Theoretical considerations are illustrated with an example of a flow of the density-stratified fluid past a two-dimensional mountain.
Sulforaphane-induced G2/M Phase Cell Cycle Arrest Involves Checkpoint Kinase 2-mediated Phosphorylation of Cell Division Cycle 25C

Previously, we showed that sulforaphane (SFN), a naturally occurring cancer chemopreventive agent, effectively inhibits proliferation of PC-3 human prostate cancer cells by causing caspase-9- and caspase-8-mediated apoptosis. Here, we demonstrate that SFN treatment causes an irreversible arrest in the G2/M phase of the cell cycle. Cell cycle arrest induced by SFN was associated with a significant decrease in protein levels of cyclin B1, cell division cycle (Cdc) 25B, and Cdc25C, leading to accumulation of Tyr-15-phosphorylated (inactive) cyclin-dependent kinase 1. The SFN-induced decline in Cdc25C protein level was blocked in the presence of proteasome inhibitor lactacystin, but lactacystin did not confer protection against cell cycle arrest. Interestingly, SFN treatment also resulted in a rapid and sustained phosphorylation of Cdc25C at Ser-216, leading to its translocation from the nucleus to the cytoplasm because of increased binding with 14-3-3β. Increased Ser-216 phosphorylation of Cdc25C upon treatment with SFN was the result of activation of checkpoint kinase 2 (Chk2), which was associated with Ser-1981 phosphorylation of ataxia telangiectasia-mutated, generation of reactive oxygen species, and Ser-139 phosphorylation of histone H2A.X, a sensitive marker for the presence of DNA double-strand breaks. Transient transfection of PC-3 cells with Chk2-specific small interfering RNA duplexes significantly attenuated SFN-induced G2/M arrest. HCT116 human colon cancer-derived Chk2-/- cells were significantly more resistant to G2/M arrest by SFN compared with the wild type HCT116 cells. These findings indicate that Chk2-mediated phosphorylation of Cdc25C plays a major role in irreversible G2/M arrest by SFN. Activation of Chk2 in response to DNA damage is well documented, but the present study is the first published report to link Chk2 activation to cell cycle arrest by an isothiocyanate.
Influence of aging and poly IC treatment on xenobiolic metabolism in mice

Abstract Cytochrome P-450-dependent and independent metabolism of xenobiotics in the liver of C57BL/10ScSn male mice was investigated in relation to age and the age-related differences in response to treatment with polyriboinosinic-polyribocytidylic acid (poly IC), an interferon inducing agent. Young (3 months), middle-aged (15 months) and old (27 months) animals were studied. Mean survival time of males of this strain is 30–33 months. Age-related changes in the metabolism of xenobiotics included significant decreases between middle and old age in activities of the microsomal P-450-dependent mixed function oxidases (MFO), aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase (AHH) and p-nitroanisole (pNA) O-demethylase, but not 7-ethoxy-coumarin (7-Ec) O-deethylase. Analysis of P-450-independent enzymes revealed a significant decrease in the epoxide hydrolase activity in the microsomes and cytosol from old compared to middle-aged or young mice. Glutathione S-transferase activity towards 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB) was lower in cytosols of middle-aged and old than young mice. Carboxy-lesterase activity was not altered by age. Hepatic microsomal protein content was significantly higher in middle-aged and old than in young mice. Intraperitoneal treatment with a single dose of 5 mg/kg poly IC 24 hours before sacrifice resulted, for mice of all age groups, in a marked inhibition of activities of all 3 microsomal cytochrome P-450-dependent enzymes, without any changes in activities of the P-450-independent enzymes. The inhibition of AHH by poly IC was much higher in old and middle-aged than in yo3ng mice, averaging 87.1%, 74.5%, and 41.9%, respectively, in the 3 age groups. Poly IC treatment increased lipid peroxidation in liver homogenates of all groups of mice. Body and liver weights were not altered in animals of the 3 age groups by poly IC treatment, but hepatic microsomal protein contents were significantly decreased.
A new high-yield synthetic route to PET CB1 radioligands [11C]OMAR and its analogs

OMAR analogs reference standards and their corresponding desmethylated precursors were synthesized from substituted anilines either in 4 and 5 steps with 27-32% and 24-31% yield, or in 3 and 4 steps with 21-30% and 19-28% yield, respectively. [(11)C]OMAR and its analog radioligands were prepared from their desmethylated precursors with [(11)C]CH(3)OTf through O-[(11)C]methylation and isolated by HPLC combined with solid-phase extraction (SPE) in 50-65% radiochemical yields based on [(11)C]CO(2) and decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB), with 370-740 GBq/μmol specific activity at EOB.
Desertification and biopedturbation in the northern Chihuahuan Desert

We examined the relationship between biopedturbation (animal caused soil disturbance) and several vegetation and soil-based indicators of rangeland condition to evaluate the effects of desertification on animal soil disturbance. The area, volume, and abundance of various biopedturbation types were assessed at 117 sites in south-central New Mexico where vegetative cover and composition had been measured previously. There were significant relationships between biopedturbation and selected rangeland condition indicators. Increasing percentages of grass cover were positively associated with increasing total area of biopedturbation. Increasing percentages of shrub cover and mean bare patch size were negatively associated with total biopedturbation area. Biopedturbation area and volume were related to indicators of rangeland condition and percent shrub cover best predicts the area of soil disturbed by animals. This relationship, however, cannot reliably predict total biopedturbation area or the area of soil disturbance types.
A cylindrical ionic polymer-metal composite-based robotic catheter platform: modeling, design and control

Ionic polymer metal composites (IPMCs) are soft electroactive polymers that have recently gained considerable attention in biomedical engineering as actuators and sensors. This study focuses on modeling, design and control of a cylindrical IPMC actuator with sectored electrodes. The cylindrical IPMC allows for multi-degree of freedom motion and accurate control of the tip location that can be utilized in biomedical active catheter devices. A three-dimensional finite element model is constructed to describe the physics of cylindrical IPMC actuation. The model is implemented to conduct optimization studies that provide conceptual designs that can maximize deflection, force output, and twisting actuation. Also, a cylindrical tube-shaped IPMC is designed and fabricated. This type of IPMC offers the ability to embed a specific tool and accurately control the tool tip location, which is critical in catheter procedures. To effectively utilize the tube-type IPMC, a closed-loop control system is created based on the electromechanical model and tested in different actuation settings. To improve functionality and the user interface the control system is designed to work on a laptop touchpad.
Simulation of spatial variability in snow and frozen soil

[1] The spatial distribution of frozen soil and snow cover at the start of the spring melt season plays an important role in the generation of spring runoff and in the exchange of energy between the land surface and the atmosphere. Field observations were made at the University of Minnesota's Rosemount Agricultural Experiment Station to identify statistical distributions that can be used to describe the spatial variability of frozen soil and snow in macroscale hydrology models. These probability distributions are used to develop algorithms that simulate the subgrid spatial variability of snow and soil ice content for application within the framework of the variable infiltration capacity macroscale hydrologic model. Point simulations show that the new snow algorithm increases the melt rate for thin snowpacks, and the new soil frost algorithm allows more drainage through the soil during the winter. Simulations of the Minnesota River show that the new snow algorithm makes little difference to regional streamflow but does play an important role in the regional energy balance, especially during the spring snowmelt season. The new soil frost algorithm has a larger impact on spring streamflow and plays a minor role in the surface energy balance during the spring soil thaw season.
Performance Evaluation of Leveled Probabilistic Broadcasting in MANETs and Wireless Sensor Networks

In a mobile ad hoc network (MANET) or a wireless sensor network (WSN), a mobile node or sensor node can communicate with nodes outside of its transmission range by employing intermediate nodes as relays. To find a path to a specific destination node, the source node broadcasts route request packets that are forwarded to all other nodes. A simple flooding scheme is employed in AODV, where every node rebroadcasts these route request packets even if some of its neighbors have already received the requests, and thus the rebroadcasts may reach no additional nodes. To avoid such redundant packet relays, the authors propose a routing protocol based on a preassigned probability model. They compare their approach with AODV in terms of numerous metrics, including average number of rebroadcasts, average number of packet collisions, end-to-end delay, and throughput. Both analytical and simulation results show that their approach outperforms the AODV protocol for most cases.
IgG4-related systemic disease presenting with lung entrapment and constrictive pericarditis

We describe a 29-year-old woman who presented with chronic pleuropericarditis complicated by lung entrapment and constrictive pericarditis. Pleural biopsy performed during the decortication procedure revealed fibrinous pleuritis with lymphoplasmacytic inflammation including IgG4-positive plasma cells. The patient responded favorably to corticosteroid therapy with resolution of pleural effusion and constrictive physiology. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of IgG4-related systemic disease manifesting as lung entrapment and constrictive pericarditis.
Pseudo-arithmetic sets and Ramsey theory

Given a set A of natural numbers, let d(A) = {(y - x) | x 0 there is a number p = P(n: c, k), so that for any c-coloring f : [p]k → [c], there is a pseudo-arithmetic set A with |A| = n and f constant on [A]k. We prove that P(3: 2, 2) = 13, and show that P(3.3, 2) ≥ 614. We prove a divisible Schur theorem: for any c > 0 there is a number s = Sd(c), so that for any c-coloring χ : [s] → [c], there is a monochromatic set {x, y, x + y} with x|y.
Proton transfer reactions of photogenerated cyanoaromatic-methylaromatic radical ion pairs†

Abstract The photochemical reactions of a number of cyanoaromatic (acceptor) and methylaromatic (donor) molecules have been investigated. These reactions can result in the formation of photosubstitution products or benzyl radical coupling products. A survey of our results and previously published data indicates that exergonic photostimulated electron transfer is a necessary but not sufficient condition for the observation of reaction products. The efficiency of proton transfer from the donor cation radical to the acceptor anion radical is determined by the kinetic acidity and basicity of the radical ion pair. Mechanistic evidence is presented which indicates that proton transfer requires diffusion apart and reencounter of the initially formed radical ion pair. Predominant radical pair combination is observed for anion radicals which yield electron-deficient free radicals upon protonation, whereas predominant cage escape and benzyl radical coupling is observed for anion radicals which yield electron-rich free radicals upon protonation.
DEWEY: The DICOM-Enabled Workflow Engine System

Workflow is a widely used term to describe the sequence of steps to accomplish a task. The use of workflow technology in medicine and medical imaging in particular is limited. In this article, we describe the application of a workflow engine to improve workflow in a radiology department. We implemented a DICOM-enabled workflow engine system in our department. We designed it in a way to allow for scalability, reliability, and flexibility. We implemented several workflows, including one that replaced an existing manual workflow and measured the number of examinations prepared in time without and with the workflow system. The system significantly increased the number of examinations prepared in time for clinical review compared to human effort. It also met the design goals defined at its outset. Workflow engines appear to have value as ways to efficiently assure that complex workflows are completed in a timely fashion.
Amygdalin in Prunus leaves

The cyanogenic diglucoside amygdalin was found for the first time in the leaves of mature trees of several Prunus taxa: P. serotina and P. virginiana cv. Schubert of subg. Padus and P. ilicifolia and P. lyonii of subg. Laurocerasus. Leaves of other taxa in both subgenera contained only the monoglucoside prunasin. Amygdalin production was inherited in hybrids between P. padus cv. Grandiflorus and P. virginiana cv. Schubert.
Design and Implementation of the Reciprocating Pedal-Powered Electricity Generating Device

This project is intended to design one kind of automatically reciprocating pedal-powered electricity generator (ARPPEG) in conjunction with the management and control over harvesting the kinetic energy, electricity generation, the electricity storage and the output of electricity. According to the operation testing results, this system has been proved to effective in power generation. In view of the simple structure and low-costs of this system without territory and time limits, the application of ARPPEG designed by us could open a new path to saving the energy and helping build a new energy society.
Environmental tobacco smoke exposure: prevalence and mechanisms of causation of infections in children.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES. Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) exposure is probably one of the most important public health hazards in our community. Our aim with this article is to (1) review the prevalence of ETS exposure in the United States and how this prevalence is often measured in practice and (2) summarize current thinking concerning the mechanism by which this exposure may cause infections in young children. METHODS. We conducted a Medline search to obtain data published mainly in peer-reviewed journals. RESULTS. There is still a very high prevalence of ETS exposure among US children ranging from 35% to 80% depending on the method of measurement used and the population studied. The mechanism by which ETS may be related to these infections is not entirely clear but may be through suppression or modulation of the immune system, enhancement of bacterial adherence factors, or impairment of the mucociliary apparatus of the respiratory tract, or possibly through enhancement of toxicity of low levels of certain toxins that are not easily detected by conventional means. CONCLUSIONS. The prevalence of ETS exposure in the United States is still very high, and its role in causing infections in children is no longer in doubt even if still poorly understood. Research, therefore, should continue to focus on the various mechanisms of causation of these infections and how to best reduce the exposure levels.
Inelastic excitation of C12 and N14 by 122 MeV protons and implications for the effective nucleon-nucleon interaction

Cross sections for the /sup 12/C( p,p')/sup 12/C and /sup 14/N( p,p')/sup 14/N reactions have been measured at E/sub p/=122 MeV. Scattered protons were momentum analyzed in a dispersion-matched magnetic spectrograph and detected in a helical-cathode position-sensitive proportional counter. Transitions to states in /sup 12/C at 4.44 MeV (2/sup +/,T=0), 12.71 MeV (1/sup +/,0), 15.11 MeV (1/sup +/,1), 16.11 MeV (2/sup +/,1), and in /sup 14/N at 2.31 MeV (0/sup +/,1) and 3.95 MeV (1/sup +/,0), are very useful for studying the spin-isospin dependence of the effective two-nucleon interaction. Cross sections for these states from the present experiment and from earlier measurements at 185 MeV have been analyzed in the distorted-wave impulse approximation. Simultaneous consideration of (e,e') data for the same transitions helped to disentangle some nuclear-structure and reaction-mechanism effects. The distorted-wave impulse approximation provides a good description of those transitions in /sup 12/C mediated predominantly by the S=T=1 part of the effective interaction and also gives a reasonable description of the S=T=0 transitions in both nuclei. The mechanisms for excitation of the 12.71-MeV state in /sup 12/C (S=1, T=0) and the 2.31-MeV state in /sup 14/N (S=1, T=1) remain a puzzle.
Regulation of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) by nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat-containing (NLR) proteins.

Most of the nucleotide-binding domain, leucine-rich repeat (NLR) proteins regulate responses to microbial and damage-associated products. Class II transactivator (CIITA) has a distinct function as the master regulator of class II major histocompatibility complex (MHC-II) transcription. Recently, human NLRC5 was found to regulate MHC-I in cell lines; however, a host of conflicting positive and negative functions has been attributed to this protein. To address the function of NLRC5 in a physiologic setting, we generated an Nlrc5−/− strain that contains a deletion in the exon that encodes the nucleotide-binding domain. We have not detected a role for this protein in cytokine induction by pathogen-associated molecular patterns and viruses. However, Nlrc5−/− cells showed a dramatic decrease of classical (H-2K) and nonclassical (Tla) MHC-I expression by T/B lymphocytes, natural killer (NK) cells, and myeloid-monocytic lineages. As a comparison, CIITA did not affect mouse MHC-I expression. Nlrc5−/− splenocytes and bone marrow-derived macrophages were able to up-regulate MHC-I in response to IFN-γ; however, the absolute levels of MHC-I expression were significantly lower than WT controls. Chromatin immunoprecipitation of IFN-γ-treated cells indicates that Nlrc5 reduced the silencing H3K27me3 histone modification, but did not affect the activating AcH3 modification on a MHC-I promoter. In summary, we conclude that Nlrc5 is important in the regulation of MHC-I expression by reducing H3K27me3 on MHC-I promoter and joins CIITA as an NLR subfamily that controls MHC gene transcription. Background: Multiple functions have been ascribed to NLRC5 including MHC-I transcription and cytokine responses. Results: We generated Nlrc5−/− mice and showed that Nlrc5 increases classical and nonclassical MHC-I and causes removal of the gene-silencing H3K27me3 histone modification on MHC-I promoter. Conclusion: Nlrc5 regulates MHC-I expression. Significance: NLRC5, with CIITA, constitutes an NLR subfamily that regulates MHC.
Absence of local cytotoxic change in Man from griseofulvin.

WITH the importance of griseofulvin in the treatment of superficial fungous infections, it is imperative to know more about the toxic reactions especially if treatment is prolonged. Since the significant studies of Paget and Walpole1 on the interference with mitosis under massive parenteral administration of griseofulvin in rats, there has been continued interest in investigations of this phase of reaction in man. Our purpose was to develop a technique for studying possible local cytotoxic reactions in man from locally deposited griseofulvin.
The influence of obesity on blood mercury levels for U.S. non-pregnant adults and children: NHANES 2007-2010.

Abstract Background In animal studies obesity is associated with higher blood and tissue mercury concentrations; however human studies are lacking. Although the mechanism underlying this association is uncertain, obesity may alter the metabolism and distribution of methylmercury. Objectives We determined whether obesity influenced blood mercury levels, the majority of which was methylmercury, for U.S. non-pregnant adults (≥20 years) and children (2–19 years) after controlling for methylmercury intake through fish and shellfish consumption, and other confounders. Methods We completed secondary data analysis of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2007–2010) for participants who consumed fish/shellfish within 24 h of blood collection for mercury analysis. Weighted least squares regression models related blood mercury levels (the dependent variable) to methylmercury exposure (μg) from fish consumed in the previous 24 h, body mass index (BMI) (for adults), BMI z -scores (for children), and other confounders. Results In adjusted models, blood mercury levels were inversely correlated with BMI for adults [ β , 95% confidence interval (CI)=−0.54 (−0.90, −0.18)]. For children, blood mercury levels were inversely correlated with BMI z -scores but the trend was not significant [β (95% CI)=−0.016 (−0.066, 0.035)]. When obese adults or children were compared with those who were overweight/normal weight, blood mercury averaged 22% lower for obese adults (95% CI: −33%, −8.2%), while blood mercury did not differ significantly for obese children [β (95% CI)=−1.7% (−31%, +39%)]. Conclusions After adjusting for the main, if not exclusive, exogenous source of methylmercury exposure (through fish/shellfish intake) and other confounders, our results support potential changes in the metabolism, distribution or excretion of methylmercury with increasing BMI (for adults).
Unsteady RANS Simulation of Turbulent Flow and Heat Transfer in a Channel With Periodic Array of Cubic Pin-Fins

An unsteady three-dimensional numerical study is performed to explore flow and heat transfer in a periodic array of cubic pin-fins housed inside a narrow channel. Short cubic pin-fins are arranged in an inline pattern with both streamwise and transverse periodicity set to 2.5 times the pin-fin dimension. Calculations are done in the turbulent flow regime for Reynolds numbers in the range of 7090–13280. The unsteady Reynolds-Averaged Navier Stokes (RANS) and energy equations are solved using higher order temporal and spatial discretization schemes. An unsteady k-e turbulence model is employed to model the unresolved turbulence fluctuations. The unsteady RANS results are able to resolve discrete large scale spatial and temporal fluctuations in the flow. These fluctuations appear to mostly influence the flow in the region between the cubic fins, but are linked to low amplitude oscillations in the outer flow. Three thermal boundary conditions are studied: (1) only channel wall heated (2) only pin-fins heated and (3) both channel wall and pin-fins heated. The overall heat transfer enhancement is about 1.8–2.0 times the heat transfer from a smooth duct flow. The heat transfer from pin-fins is found to be 5–9% higher than that from the top wall at low Reynolds number (7090 and 8900), while it is of comparable magnitude at higher Reynolds number (=13280).Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Auditory Stimulation, Rhythm, and Stuttering

In a previous experiment, Martin, Siegel, Johnson, and Haroldson (1984) found that stutterers reduced their stuttering under amplified sidetone, but only if the amplified sidetone condition had bee...
Increased Catalytic Activity Caused by Local Destruction of Linear Zeolite Channels: Effect of Reduction Temperature on Heptane Conversion over Platinum Supported in H-Mordenite

The conversion of n-heptane was studied on Pt/HMor. The response of catalytic activity and isomerization selectivity to reduction temperature and metal dispersion is contrary to that known for Pt on amorphous supports or on zeolites with three-dimensional pore systems: samples reduced at 500°C. though having distinctly lower Pt dispersion, are about twice as active as samples reduced at 350°C. It is shown that for strictly one-dimensional pores the conditions of single file diffusion are fulfilled; products formed deep in the pores are unable to escape. Reduction at 500°C produces Pt particles large enough to locally destroy the zeolite; this transformation of one-dimensional into three-dimensional pores removes the transport restrictions of single file diffusion and increases site accessibility.
Clique-detection models in computational biochemistry and genomics

Abstract Many important problems arising in computational biochemistry and genomics have been formulated in terms of underlying combinatorial optimization models. In particular, a number have been formulated as clique-detection models. The proposed article includes an introduction to the underlying biochemistry and genomic aspects of the problems as well as to the graph-theoretic aspects of the solution approaches. Each subsequent section describes a particular type of problem, gives an example to show how the graph model can be derived, summarizes recent progress, and discusses challenges associated with solving the associated graph-theoretic models. Clique-detection models include prescribing (a) a maximal clique, (b) a maximum clique, (c) a maximum weighted clique, or (d) all maximal cliques in a graph. The particular types of biochemistry and genomics problems that can be represented by a clique-detection model include integration of genome mapping data, nonoverlapping local alignments, matching and comparing molecular structures, and protein docking.
Factors of Dickson polynomials over finite fields

Abstract We give new descriptions of the factors of Dickson polynomials over finite fields.
The Stratified Ocean Model with Adaptive Refinement (SOMAR)

A computational framework for the evolution of non-hydrostatic, baroclinic flows encountered in regional and coastal ocean simulations is presented, which combines the flexibility of Adaptive Mesh Refinement (AMR) with a suite of numerical tools specifically developed to deal with the high degree of anisotropy of oceanic flows and their attendant numerical challenges. This framework introduces a semi-implicit update of the terms that give rise to buoyancy oscillations, which permits a stable integration of the Navier-Stokes equations when a background density stratification is present. The lepticity of each grid in the AMR hierarchy, which serves as a useful metric for anisotropy, is used to select one of several different efficient Poisson-solving techniques. In this way, we compute the pressure over the entire set of AMR grids without resorting to the hydrostatic approximation, which can degrade the structure of internal waves whose dynamics may have large-scale significance. We apply the modeling framework to three test cases, for which numerical or analytical solutions are known that can be used to benchmark the results. In all the cases considered, the model achieves an excellent degree of congruence with the benchmark, while at the same time achieving a substantial reduction of the computational resources needed.
Improvements in histological quality and signal retention following in situ hybridization in early chick embryos using plastic resin and recolorization.

We describe a novel method that allows reliable detection of in situ hybridization signals in thin sections of plastic embedded embryos. Sections from plastic embedded embryos are thinner and have superior histological quality compared to paraffin, gelatin, agarose embedded sections or cryosections; however, plastic resin traditionally has not been used as an embedding medium following in situ hybridization because of loss of signal. When signal is detected with alkaline phosphatase and NBT/BCIP, the resulting colored precipitate is subject to fading when samples are exposed to organic compounds. The colored precipitate can be redeposited by repeating the NBT/BCIP reaction following plastic sectioning. This recolorization shows no loss of specificity, because signal is detected only where the anti-digoxigenin/alkaline phosphatase conjugated antibody is bound to the riboprobe. Strong signals can be detected without recolorization; however, weaker signals require the recolorization step. This novel method o...
Some Thoughts on Teaching International ADR and the Case for Reality-Based Simulations

WHEN ACADEMICS in the international ADR1 field compare notes, two questions often characterise the discussion: what should we teach and how should we teach it? In this article, I sketch my answer to the second ‘how to’ question. What I outline below may be second nature to seasoned veterans of the teaching craft, and indeed may contradict long held and perfectly legitimate views. In the classroom, success comes in many forms and is measured in many ways; what succeeds for one instructor is ill-suited to another who may thrive when left to develop an individual style and methodology. While there is therefore little room for dogmatism, for me the experimentation in course format has largely ended. As more fully discussed below, I make extensive use of hypothetical fact patterns, which unfold in segments corresponding to key junctures in an arbitration. Students are required to consider the issues that arise with each new session (and layer of facts). Ultimately, they will have encountered a representative range of problems starting with the pre-dispute context and ending with the post-award setting. In addition, when class size permits, each student will have been called upon to role-play, discharging duties as a business planning lawyer, an arbitrator, an advocate or an expert. ### (a) In General The usual mix of factors influences the approach taken to teaching an international ADR course. Among these are the number of students enrolled in the class, their backgrounds, any prerequisite course work required of them, the number of units (academic credits) allocated to the course and the course description.2 In general, seminar courses of 25 students or fewer present the most opportunity for creative formatting, especially where the unit allocation allows the instructor to go beyond a survey of rudiments or the participants can be assumed to have had a basic …
Modeling Quantitative Literacy.

Quantitative literacy is a habit of mind that is characterized by the interrelationship among a person’s everyday understanding of mathematics, his or her beliefs about mathematics, and his or her ...
A geophysical study of the East Lothian volcanics, southeast Scotland

Abstract An estimation of the thickness of the lava beds of East Lothian and adjacent areas has been attempted based on aeromagnetic modelling. The produced three-dimensional model which takes into account the known thickness of the volcanics in the Spilmersford borehole, suggests a maximum thickness of nearly 600 m occurring few kilometres offshore, southwest of Aberlady. It was found that the magnetization contrast, which would result in a model consistent with the Spilmersford borehole information, was 4 A/m. This value is within the limits of the susceptibility variation of hand sample measurements of sills from the coastal areas of East Lothian. Subsequently, the maximum gravity effect of this model was calculated and then it was substracted from the original Bouguer gravity anomaly map of the area. The finally produced stripped gravity map shows enhanced the effect of the main geological formations of that region. The significant conclusions that can be derived for the crustal structure there, such as the probable continuation of the Midlothian and Leven Coalfield under Firth of Forth, are discussed.
TESTOSTERONE AND ESTROGEN DIFFERENTLY EFFECT TH1 AND TH2 CYTOKINE RELEASE FOLLOWING TRAUMA-HAEMORRHAGE

Abstract The object of the study was to determine whether male and female sex steroids produce divergent effects on Th1 and Th2 cytokine release following trauma-haemorrhage. Recent studies indicate that androgens are responsible for the depressed splenocyte Th1 cytokine release in males following trauma-haemorrhage. In contrast, female mice maintain their Th1 cytokine release capacity following trauma-haemorrhage. Nonetheless, the effect of male and female sex steroids on Th1 and Th2 cytokine release following trauma-haemorrhage remains unknown. Male C3H/HeN mice were castrated and treated with pellets containing either vehicle, 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 17β-estradiol (estradiol), or a combination of both steroid hormones, for 14 days prior to soft-tissue trauma (i.e. laparotomy) and haemorrhagic shock (35±5 mmHg for 90 min followed by adequate fluid resuscitation) or sham operation. Untreated male and female mice, as well as DHT treated female mice, served as control groups. Twenty-four hours later the animals were sacrificed, plasma obtained and splenocytes harvested. Plasma DHT and estradiol levels in treated animals were comparable with intact male and female mice, respectively. A significant depression of splenocyte Th1 cytokines, i.e. IL-2, IFN-γ, was observed in DHT treated castrated animals, DHT treated females, and untreated males following trauma-haemorrhage, as opposed to maintained Th1 cytokine release in estradiol treated and estradiol/DHT treated castrated animals and females. The release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was markedly increased in DHT treated mice and males subjected to trauma-haemorrhage compared to shams, but decreased in estrogen treated mice and females under such conditions. These results suggest that male and female sex steroids differentially affect the release of Th1 and Th2 cytokines following trauma-haemorrhage and should be further studied for their potential to modulate splenocyte function in trauma victims.
Pretreatment with ICRF-187 provides long-lasting protection against chronic daunorubicin cardiotoxicity in rabbits.

The long-term protective effect of ICRF-187 against chronic daunorubicin cardiotoxicity was examined. Rabbits were given 3.2 mg daunorubicin/kg, with or without pretreatment with 25 mg ICRF-187/kg, once every 3 weeks over an 18-week period (6 doses). The experiment was terminated 3 months after the last treatment. At this time, all seven rabbits given daunorubicin alone had evidence of myocardial alterations ranging from minimal (2 animals) to mild (5 animals). Pretreatment with ICRF-187 caused a significant reduction in both the incidence and the severity of cardiac lesions. Hearts from the majority (5 of 7) of animals given the combination of ICRF-187 and daunorubicin were normal; myocardial alterations were minimal in the remaining rabbits treated with ICRF-187. In previous studies ICRF-187 was found to cause a reduction in cardiotoxicity 1–3 weeks after the final anthracycline dose. The results of the present study demonstrate that pretreatment with ICRF-187 provides prolonged protection against the cardiomyopathy, as opposed to producing only a delay in the appearance of cardiac alterations.
ARTIFICIAL URINARY SPHINCTER IN THE TREATMENT OF URINARY INCONTINENCE: PREOPERATIVE URODYNAMICS DO NOT PREDICT THE NEED FOR FUTURE BLADDER AUGMENTATION

AbstractPurpose: The artificial urinary sphincter has been used to treat urinary incontinence in pediatric patients with neurogenic bladders secondary to myelodysplasia. Frequently bladder augmentation is performed in conjunction with the artificial urinary sphincter implantation. Identifying patients with adequate urinary reservoirs who are candidates for implantation without bladder augmentation is a clinical challenge. We reviewed our experience with the artificial urinary sphincter in children with myelodysplasia to determine whether preoperative urodynamic findings predict the need for future augmentation cystoplasty.Materials and Methods: We identified 38 patients younger than 18 years at artificial urinary sphincter implantation who did not undergo augmentation enterocystoplasty before or at implantation. We evaluated preoperative bladder capacity and compliance to determine whether these standard preoperative urodynamic measurements predict the eventual need for bladder augmentation in these patie...
Teachers’ perceptions of integrated kindergarten programs in Hong Kong

This article reports findings from a qualitative interview study that examined the provision of integrated kindergarten education for children with disabilities from the perspectives of general education teachers implementing integrated kindergarten programs. Analysis of interviews with eight informants led to the identification of two broad generalizations: the interviewed teachers emphasized teaching academics to children without disabilities, but they focused on social development at the exclusion of academic instruction for children with disabilities; and, according to the teachers, instruction was academic and skill‐oriented in the integrated kindergarten programs. Research procedures are described and data supporting the findings are presented. Ways to improve program quality are discussed in terms of three major components: the Hong Kong government should include early childhood education within the compulsory education system, and enforce the formally recommended approach of developmental appropri...
A new type of auroral radio emission observed at medium frequencies (∼1350–3700 kHz) using ground-based receivers

A new form of broadband emissions ({open_quotes}MF bursts{close_quotes}) appearing between {approximately} 1350-3700 kHz has been identified in 8 months of data (October 1993-May 1994) from ground-based LF/MF/HF receiving systems at Circle Hot Springs (65.5{degrees} N, 144.7{degrees} W) and Two Rivers (64.9{degrees} N, 146.9{degrees} W), Alaska. These emissions are often observed simultaneously with 2f{sub ce} and 3f{sub ce} auroral roar emissions, auroral hiss, and absorption of AM broadcast band transmitters. MF bursts display significant amplitude variations on timescales as short as 10 ms, but the variations do not correlate with the fine structures seen in simultaneous auroral hiss and auroral roar. The generation mechanism of these emissions is unknown. 13 refs., 5 figs.