cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The relationship between pain, fatigue, depression and functional performance in stable heart failure

Abstract Objective Evaluate the relationship between pain, fatigue, depression, demographic, clinical, and functional variables in stable heart failure (HF). Background Pain, fatigue and depression are common in HF. Little is known about the relationship between pain, fatigue and depression and functional measures in this population. Methods Secondary data analysis of a cross sectional study of 173 stable HF patients. Associations between clinical and demographic factors, pain (SF-36), depression (CES-D), and fatigue (MAF) to functional performance and capacity (SF-36 role limitations due to physical functioning and 6-Minute Walk Test) were evaluated using hierarchical multiple regressions. Results The sample was 65% male with a mean age of 60. Fifty-seven percent (n = 100) had pain, 54% (n = 94) had fatigue, and 46% (n = 79) had depression. Pain, depression and fatigue were negatively associated with functional performance but not functional capacity when controlling for demographic and clinical covariates. Conclusions Pain, fatigue and depression were associated with decreased functional performance in stable HF. Symptom management interventions are needed in HF.
Effect of estrogens on β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme a reductase activity and cholesterol levels

Abstract The effect of estrogens on hepatic β-hydroxy-β-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase activity and cholesterol in serum and liver of ovarietcomized rats on normal diet, 2% cholestyramine diet or 2% cholesterol diet was investigated. Estrogen administration to ovariectomized rats on normal diet resulted in increased reductase activity and was correlated with decreased serum cholesterol and increased liver cholesterol levels wlth mestranol (ME), ethinyl estradiol (EE) and estradiol benzoate (EB, 250 μg) but increased serum and liver cholesterol levels with 25 μg and 100 μg EB administration. The increased stimulation of reductase activity by estrogen administration was absolished when rats were fed a 2% cholesterol diet. Cholestyramine feeding markedly increased reductase activity in livers of ovariectomized rats. These studies show that estrogens are not absolutely required for the stimulation of reductase activity and therefore is consistent with the model in which cholesterol functions as a feedback repressor of reductase activity.
Persistence of invading gypsy moth populations in the United States

Exotic invasive species are a mounting threat to native biodiversity, and their effects are gaining more public attention as each new species is detected. Equally important are the dynamics of exotic invasives that are previously well established. While the literature reports many examples of the ability of a newly arrived exotic invader to persist prior to detection and population growth, we focused on the persistence dynamics of an established invader, the European gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar) in the United States. The spread of gypsy moth is largely thought to be the result of the growth and coalescence of isolated colonies in a transition zone ahead of the generally infested area. One important question is thus the ability of these isolated colonies to persist when subject to Allee effects and inimical stochastic events. We analyzed the US gypsy moth survey data and identified isolated colonies of gypsy moth using the local indicator of spatial autocorrelation. We then determined region-specific probabilities of colony persistence given the population abundance in the previous year and its relationship to a suite of ecological factors. We observed that colonies in Wisconsin, US, were significantly more likely to persist in the following year than in other geographic regions of the transition zone, and in all regions, the abundance of preferred host tree species and land use category did not appear to influence persistence. We propose that differences in region-specific rates of persistence may be attributed to Allee effects that are differentially expressed in space, and that the inclusion of geographically varying Allee effects into colony-invasion models may provide an improved paradigm for addressing the establishment and spread of gypsy moth and other invasive exotic species.
Evidence for reduced accumulation of exogenous neurotrophin by aged sympathetic neurons.

The present study investigated the potential for neurotrophin uptake by cerebrovascular axons and subsequent accumulation in the aged superior cervical ganglion (SCG) following a two week intracerebroventricular infusion of nerve growth factor (NGF). In the SCG from aged rats, NGF protein levels declined significantly compared with the SCG from young adult rats. Following NGF infusion, perivascular axons from both young adult and aged rats showed intense NGF immunostaining. In addition, significant increases in NGF protein were shown using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and in counts of NGF immunopositive cell bodies in the SCG when compared with age-matched controls. NGF accumulation in ganglia from aged rats, however, was significantly less when compared with ganglia from young adult rats. The results of the present study suggest that NGF protein is significantly reduced in aged ganglia with the neurons retaining some capacity to take up and transport exogenous neurotrophin. Even so, the potential for NGF accumulation is dramatically reduced in aged rats when compared with that of young adult rats. While previous results have shown robust NGF-induced neurotransmitter responses by sympathetic neurons from the aged animal, the present finding of reduced accumulation of NGF in aged sympathetic neurons suggests an age-related difference in the utilization or transport of NGF.
COMMENTS ON "GROUP PAIRED-ASSOCIATE LEARNING: APPLICABILITY TO THE STUDY OF MEDIATED GENERALIZATION".

Comments are made on a series of studies by Hakes and Jenkins (1962) regarding applicability of a group paired-associate learning method to the study of mediated generalization. It is suggested that their conclusions do not unambiguously follow from their results. A comparison is made regarding relative variability of scores obtained by group versus individual testing.
Correlating observed odds ratios from lung cancer case-control studies to SNP functional scores predicted by bioinformatic tools.

Bioinformatic tools are widely utilized to predict functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for genotyping in molecular epidemiological studies. However, the extent to which these approaches are mirrored by epidemiological findings has not been fully explored. In this study, we first surveyed SNPs examined in case-control studies of lung cancer, the most extensively-studied cancer type. We then computed SNP functional scores using four popular bioinformatics tools: SIFT, PolyPhen, SNPs3D, and PMut, and determined their predictive potential using the odds ratios (ORs) reported. Spearman’s correlation coefficient (r) for the association with SNP score from SIFT, PolyPhen, SNPs3D, and PMut, and the summary ORs were r = −0.36 (p = 0.007), r = 0.25 (p = 0.068), r = −0.20 (p = 0.205), and r = −0.12 (p = 0.370) respectively. By creating a combined score using information from all four tools we were able to achieve a correlation coefficient of r = 0.51 (p < 0.001). These results indicate that scores of predicted functionality could explain a certain fraction of the lung cancer risk detected in genetic association studies and more accurate predictions may be obtained by combining information from a variety of tools. Our findings suggest that bioinformatic tools are useful in predicting SNP functionality and may facilitate future genetic epidemiological studies.
Predictors of Venous Thromboembolism in Patients with Advanced Common Solid Cancers

There is uncertainty about risk heterogeneity for venous thromboembolism (VTE) in older patients with advanced cancer and whether patients can be stratified according to VTE risk. We performed a retrospective cohort study of the linked Medicare-Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results cancer registry in older patients with advanced cancer of lung, breast, colon, prostate, or pancreas diagnosed between 1995–1999. We used survival analysis with demographics, comorbidities, and tumor characteristics/treatment as independent variables. Outcome was VTE diagnosed at least one month after cancer diagnosis. VTE rate was highest in the first year (3.4%). Compared to prostate cancer (1.4 VTEs/100 person-years), there was marked variability in VTE risk (hazard ratio (HR) for male-colon cancer 3.73 (95% CI 2.1–6.62), female-colon cancer HR 6.6 (3.83–11.38), up to female-pancreas cancer HR 21.57 (12.21–38.09). Stage IV cancer and chemotherapy resulted in higher risk (HRs 1.75 (1.44–2.12) and 1.31 (1.0–1.57), resp.). Stratifying the cohort by cancer type and stage using recursive partitioning analysis yielded five groups of VTE rates (nonlocalized prostate cancer 1.4 VTEs/100 person-years, to nonlocalized pancreatic cancer 17.4 VTEs/100 patient-years). In a high-risk population with advanced cancer, substantial variability in VTE risk exists, with notable differences according to cancer type and stage.
Current-driven threshold switching of a small polaron semiconductor to a metastable conductor

Steady-state current flow through a nonuniform medium generally alters the local carrier density. In particular, driving conventional high-mobility charge carriers through a region in which they collapse into low-mobility small polarons propels the small-polaron density beyond its equilibrium value. There are two contributions to the local augmentation of the small-polaron density. These contributions are proportional to the ratios of the rate governing intersite motion of a conventional high-mobility carrier ${R}_{f}$ to (i) the (relatively slow) rate governing intersite hopping of a small polaron $R$, and to (ii) the (even slower) rate governing conversion of a carrier between being quasifree and being a small polaron, $r$. As a result of the very large values of these ratios, ${R}_{f}∕R$ and $R∕r⪢1$, large increases in the small-polaron density can be obtained with accessible electric-field strengths, $l{10}^{6}\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{V}∕\mathrm{cm}$. However, upon being driven to a sufficiently high density, small polarons become unstable with respect to conversion into nonpolaronic carriers. As a result, currents beyond a threshold value can convert a small-polaron semiconductor to a high-mobility semiconductor. Reducing the current permits the material's carriers to relax back to being small polarons. This phenomenon may account for the threshold switching that is observed in materials in which equilibrated carriers appear to form small polarons (e.g., amorphous boron, transition-metal oxide glasses, and chalcogenide glasses).
Modeling patch occupancy: Relative performance of ecologically scaled landscape indices

In fragmented landscapes, the likelihood that a species occupies a particular habitat patch is thought to be a function of both patch area and patch isolation. Ecologically scaled landscape indices (ESLIs) combine a species’ ecological profile, i.e., area requirements and dispersal ability, with indices of patch area and connectivity. Since their introduction, ESLIs for area have been modified to incorporate patch quality. ESLIs for connectivity have been modified to incorporate niche breadth, which may influence a species’ ease in crossing the non-habitat matrix between patches. We evaluated the ability of 4 ESLIs, the original and modified indices of area and connectivity, to explain patterns in patch occupancy of 5 forest rodents. Occupancy of eastern gray squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis), North American red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsconicus), fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), white-footed mice (Peromyscus leucopus), and eastern chipmunks (Tamias striatus) was modeled at 471 sites in 35 landscapes sampled from the upper Wabash River basin in Indiana. Models containing ESLIs received support for gray squirrels, red squirrels, and chipmunks. Modified ESLIs were important in models for red squirrels. However, none of the models demonstrated high predictive ability. Incorporating habitat quality and using surrogate measures of dispersal can have important effects on model results. Additionally, different responses of species to area, isolation, and habitat quality suggest that generalizing patterns of metapopulation dynamics was not justified, even across closely related species.
6′-Guanidinonaltrindole (6′-GNTI) Is a G Protein-biased κ-Opioid Receptor Agonist That Inhibits Arrestin Recruitment

κ-Opioid receptor (KOR) agonists do not activate the reward pathway stimulated by morphine-like μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists and thus have been considered to be promising nonaddictive analgesics. However, KOR agonists produce other adverse effects, including dysphoria, diuresis, and constipation. The therapeutic promise of KOR agonists has nonetheless recently been revived by studies showing that their dysphoric effects require arrestin recruitment, whereas their analgesic effects do not. Moreover, KOR agonist-induced antinociceptive tolerance observed in vivo has also been proposed to be correlated to the ability to induce arrestin-dependent phosphorylation, desensitization, and internalization of the receptor. The discovery of functionally selective drugs that are therapeutically effective without the adverse effects triggered by the arrestin pathway is thus an important goal. We have identified such an extreme G protein-biased KOR compound, 6′-guanidinonaltrindole (6′-GNTI), a potent partial agonist at the KOR receptor for the G protein activation pathway that does not recruit arrestin. Indeed, 6′-GNTI functions as an antagonist to block the arrestin recruitment and KOR internalization induced by other nonbiased agonists. As an extremely G protein-biased KOR agonist, 6′-GNTI represents a promising lead compound in the search for nonaddictive opioid analgesic as its signaling profile suggests that it will be without the dysphoria and other adverse effects promoted by arrestin recruitment and its downstream signaling.
A shell for modern personal computers

Over the last five years, the average personal computer has changed radically in both power and typical peripherals. The command interpreters on these machines have not changed to reflect this. The following paper describes a command interpreter designed for a modern personal computer, with a high speed 16/32 bit processor, a megabyte or more of memory, a medium resolution bitmapped display, and a pointing device.
Expression of interleukin-6 in Castleman's disease

Abstract Although mixed forms of Castleman's disease (CD) may occur, two classically recognized forms are the angiofollicular (hyaline vascular [V]) variant and the plasma cell (P) variant. The two forms of CD differ greatly in their clinical and histopathologic manifestations. Plasma cell CD is characterized by the presence of hyperplastic germinal centers (GCs) and sheets of plasma cells in the interfollicular areas. In this study we demonstrated an abundant expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in most GC B cells and in the numerous immunoblastoid B cells in the mantle zone and interfollicular areas in CD-P. Patients with CD-P also have an elevated serum IL-6 level. The increased IL-6 production is responsible for the marked plasma cell infiltration in lymph nodes and bone marrow as well as for the elevated gammaglobulin level in serum. In contrast, CD-V is distinguished by the presence of atrophic GCs, which often are populated by cytologically atypical follicular dendritic reticulum (FDR) cells, as well as by sheets of T-zone plasmacytoid histiocytes and increased numbers of capillaries in the interfollicular areas. In contrast to the findings in CD-P, we did not observe significant expression of IL-6 in GC cells or in immunoblastoid cells in CD-V; this may account for the paucity of plasma cells in this form of CD. The reason for the atypical changes in FDR cells as well as the increases in T-zone plasmacytoid histiocytes and capillaries seen in CD-V are not known inasmuch as no cytokines, such as IL-1, IL-4, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, tumor necrosis factor-α, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, or granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, were detectable in tissues. It is possible that in CD-V the atypical change in FDR cells could lead to a disturbance of B-lymphocyte/FDR cell interaction and subsequently to poor development of GCs. The study clearly indicates that the histopathologic and clinical features of CD vary greatly depending on the capacity of activated B cells to produce IL-6. However, lack of IL-6 secretion by GC cells alone cannot explain the histopathologic alterations in CD-V.
The Buffalo Upon the Chimneypiece The Value of Evidence

Advocacy for academically based teacher education informs this article, which stresses the need for persuasive evidence of its value. A summary of the current state of the evidence is presented, concluding that positive evidence is now very limited. What is needed to make the case for academically based teacher education is quantitative empirical evidence. The data presented by Coleman are described as a case study to demonstrate the difficulties in interpreting empirical data developed through quantitative methods. The recent assembling of comprehensive longitudinal databases of student achievement in multiple knowledge domains linking individual students with specific teachers is shown to be a promising improvement available to contemporary researchers. Good data and the means for working with them are currently at hand. Those who support the aims of academically based teacher education are called to develop quantitative empirical arguments that will build a dossier of persuasive evidence on its behalf.
Interconversion of iron(III) hydroxy complexes in seawater

Interconversion rates of the mononuclear ferric iron species Fe(OH)30 and Fe(OH)2+ are derived and their implications for the behavior of these species in seawater are examined. The previously reported formation constant for Fe(OH)30 and its claimed extreme adsorptive reactivity in seawater are shown to be mutually inconsistent. Although Fe(OH)30 is probably a stoichiometrically minor dissolved iron species, its rapid formation from Fe(OH)2+ could substantially enhance the rates of heterogeneous reaction rates of the [Fe(OH)2+ + Fe(OH)30] pool if the latter species is very reactive.
Feminist Theory and the Redefinition of Technical Communication.

To study the possible impact of feminist theory on technical communication, this article discusses six common characteristics of feminist theory: (a) celebration of difference, (b) impact on social change, (c) acknowledgment of scholars' backgrounds and values, (d) inclusion of women's experience, (e) study of gaps and silences in traditional scholarship, and (f) new female sources of knowledge. Three debates within feminist theory spring out of these common characteristics: whether to stress similarity or difference between the sexes, whether differences come from biological or social forces, and whether feminist scholars can avoid reinforcing binary opposition. The article then traces the impact of these characteristics of feminist theory and debates within feminist theory on the redefinition of technical communication in terms of the myth of scientific objectivity, the new interest in ethnographic studies of workplace communication, and the recent focus on collaborative writing.
Screening for chlamydia in adolescents and young women.

Objective To measure the proportion of sexually active females aged 15 to 25 years who received a screening test forChlamydia trachomatisinfection during the previous year. Design Administrative data were used to identify females in the target age range who were likely to be sexually active. Medical record data were reviewed for a sample to determine whether the administrative algorithm was acceptable. Laboratory claims data and medical record data were used to identify females who had had a screening test for chlamydia. Setting Four geographically dispersed US managed health care plans. Patients We studied 19,214 sexually active females aged 15 to 25 years continuously enrolled for calendar year 1997 in 1 of 4 major US health plans who had a visit to their health care provider during that year. Sexual activity was determined using an algorithm designed for use with administrative data. Main Outcome Measure Rates of chlamydia screening among sexually active females aged 15 to 25 years. Results The proportion of females aged 15 to 25 years identified as sexually active by the administrative data algorithm in the 4 health plans was similar (43%-54%;P= .79). However, substantial variation was found in rates of chlamydia screening for eligible females in these 4 health plans (2%-42%;P Conclusions A measure of health plan performance on screening for chlamydia in young females using administrative data is feasible and provides useful results despite some flaws in estimation. There is room for improvement in rates of chlamydia screening in sexually active females aged 15 to 25 years.
Nutritional support: enteral and parenteral

Abstract An ill foal presents the veterinary clinician with many diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, not the least of which is providing adequate nutrition to support health and growth. Decisions must be about when to provide nutritional intervention, how much to feed, what type of nutrition to give, and how to administer it. Intervention should occur in any foal that has a low body score or is unable or unwilling to eat on its own. Normal foals consume 25% to 30% of the body weight in mare milk per day. The sick foal may not be able to tolerate this amount; starting with 10% of its body weight over a 24-hour period may be more feasible. Mare's milk is the best source of nutrition for most foals, but if the mare is agalactic or not amenable to milking, then one may need to use replacer milk. Replacer solutions should be mixed in a 10% to 15% dilution to mimic mare's milk concentration. This nutrition can be administered by several different methods in regards to the individual foal's needs. If it is able to suckle, then bucket feeding is the least labor-intensive method. An indwelling nasogastric tube can be placed in patients to feed foals that are unable or unwilling to nurse. Nutrition can be given as either periodic boluses or as a continuous rate infusion. Occasionally, a foal is unable to utilize enough energy from enteral feeding. In these cases, parenteral nutrition is the best way to meet the patient's energy requirements.
Crack-tip fields under generalized-plane-strain conditions

Abstract Quantitative determination of crack-tip stress and strain fields under generalized-plane-strain conditions is a necessary first step toward estimating the potential decrease in crack-initiation toughness, from a reference plane strain value, due to positive straining along the crack front of a circumferential flaw in a reactor pressure vessel. Two methods for estimating the stress and strain fields within a distance of a few crack-tip-opening displacements ahead of a two-dimensional crack front under generalized-plane-strain conditions are summarized in this study. The first method requires little computational effort and involves an analytical description of the near-crack-tip region based on generalized-plane-strain slip-line equations. The second method requires much greater computational effort and involves a finite-strain, boundary-layer description of the near-crack-tip region based on the finite element method. The scope of the investigation described here is limited to crack-front-constraint conditions that can be described in terms of the conventional one-parameter in-plane K-fields and the transverse strain. Results from this study indicate that crack-tip fields determined using the slip-line approach compare favorably with those determined using the finite element method. Implications of these results toward crack initiation under generalized-plane-strain conditions are discussed.
Effect of Haemophilus influenzae exposure on Staphylococcus aureus tympanostomy tube attachment and biofilm formation.

Importance Tympanostomy tube (TT) biofilm formation may lead to sequelae. Objective To determine whether the acute pathogen Haemophilus influenzae promotes TT attachment and biofilm formation by the chronic pathogen Staphylococcus aureus . Design and Setting Controlled, in vitro microbiological study at an academic research laboratory using TTs treated with 0 (untreated), 10, or 3000 µg/mL ciprofloxacin or ethylene oxide and TTs with and without prior H influenzae exposure. Interventions Fluoroplastic TTs (18 per treatment) were cultured with H influenzae . The TTs were gas-sterilized or exposed to 0, 10, or 3000 µg/mL ciprofloxacin. One-third of the TTs from each treatment group underwent H influenzae counts or scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Another one-third were used for an S aureus attachment assay. The remainder, as well as TTs not exposed to H influenzae , were cultured with S aureus and then treated with oxacillin to kill planktonic S aureus . S aureus counts and SEM were performed. Main Outcomes and Measures Attachment and biofilm formation of S aureus on TTs assessed by quantitative bacterial counts and SEM. Results Mean (SD) H influenzae counts were lower on TTs treated with 3 mg/mL than with 10 µg/mL ciprofloxacin (2.06 × 10 3 [1.00 × 10 3 ] vs 4.21 × 10 5 [1.67 × 10 5 ]; P S aureus attachment was higher on TTs with untreated preexisting H influenzae (8.88 × 10 5 [3.20 × 10 5 ]; P H influenzae treated with 10 (3.43 × 10 4 [2.10 × 10 4 ]; P = .006) or 3000 µg/mL ciprofloxacin (6.41 × 10 2 [3.59 × 10 2 ]; P S aureus biofilm formation was similar across groups, except TTs with prior exposure to H influenzae treated with ciprofloxacin 3 mg/mL, which had significantly less (9.30 × 10 1 [3.51 × 10 2 ]; P Conclusions and Relevance Exposure to live H influenzae may promote S aureus attachment on TTs. Treatment of H influenzae on TTs with ciprofloxacin, 3 mg/mL, as found in ototopical therapy, may reduce subsequent S aureus attachment and biofilm formation.
Neuronal activity in the primate substantia nigra pars reticulata during the performance of simple and memory-guided elbow movements.

The basal ganglia participate in motor functions and are implicated in the pathophysiology of movement disorders. It has been shown in primates that the activity of many neurons in one of the basal...
A conceptual framework of stress vulnerability, depression, and health outcomes in women: potential uses in research on complementary therapies for depression.

Background Depression is a chronic mental health condition that affects millions of individuals worldwide. It is well-established that psychological stress plays an integral role in depression and that depression has numerous negative health outcomes. However, a closer look at components of stress vulnerabilities and depression is required to allow for the development and testing of appropriate interventions. Aims and Discussion This article describes a conceptual framework about the complex and bidirectional relationship between stress vulnerability, depression, and health outcomes in women. The authors elucidate how the framework can be applied in clinical research about cellular aging and on the mechanisms of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) for depression, using yoga as an example of a CAM modality. Conclusion The proposed conceptual framework may be helpful for adding depth to the body of knowledge about the use of mind-body therapies for individuals at high risk of stress vulnerability and/or depression.
A prospective assessment of sedation-related adverse events and patient and endoscopist satisfaction in ERCP with anesthesiologist-administered sedation.

Background Despite the increasing use of anesthesiologist-administered sedation for monitored anesthesia care (MAC) or general anesthesia in patients undergoing ERCP, limited prospective data exist on the effectiveness, safety, and cost of this approach. Objective To prospectively assess sedation-related adverse events (SRAEs), patient- and procedure-related risk factors associated with SRAEs, and endoscopist and patient satisfaction with anesthesiologist-administered sedation. Design Single-center, prospective cohort study. Setting Tertiary-care referral center. Patients A total of 528 consecutive patients undergoing ERCP. Interventions Anesthesiologist-administered MAC or general anesthesia. Main Outcome Measurements SRAEs, endoscopist and patient satisfaction. Results There were 120 intraprocedure SRAEs during 109 of the 528 ERCPs (21% of cases). Intraprocedure SRAEs included hypotension (38 events), arrhythmia (20 events), O 2 desaturation to less than 85% (66 events), unplanned intubation (16 events), and procedure termination (1 event). Thirty postprocedure SRAEs occurred in a total of 22 patients (4% of cases), including hypotension (5 events), endotracheal intubation (2 events), and arrhythmia (12 events). Patient-related variables associated with adverse intraprocedure events were American Society of Anesthesiologists class ( P = .004) and body mass index (kg/m 2 ) ( P = .02). On a 10-point scale, mean endoscopist satisfaction with sedation was 9.2 (standard deviation 1.8) and patient satisfaction with sedation was 9.9 (standard deviation 0.7). Limitations The approach to sedation was not randomized. Conclusions Higher American Society of Anesthesiologists class and body mass index are associated with an increased rate of cardiac and respiratory events during ERCP. Cardiac and respiratory events are generally minor, and MAC can be considered a safe option for most ERCP patients. Despite the frequency of minor sedation-related events, procedure interruption or premature termination was rare in the setting of anesthesiologist-administered sedation.
Household demand analysis of organic and conventional fluid milk in the United States based on the 2004 Nielsen Homescan panel

Using the 2004 AC Nielsen panel consisting of over 38,000 households, the authors ascertain the influence of selected demographic variables associated with the purchase of organic fluid milk through the estimation of a probit model. From the use of the Heckman two-step procedure, they also calculate own-price, cross-price, and income elasticities by estimating demand relationships for both organic and conventional milk. They find that demographic factors play a crucial role in the household choice of purchasing organic milk. Furthermore, households are more sensitive to own-price changes in the case of organic milk versus conventional milk. Evidence from estimated cross-price elasticities indicates that organic and conventional milk are substitutes. However, quantities purchased of organic milk are more sensitive to changes in prices of conventional milk than vice versa. Consequently, an asymmetric pattern exists with regard to the substitution patterns of the respective milk types. Moreover, evidence indicates that organic milk is responsive to income changes, but conventional milk is not responsive to income changes. Finally, a 1% increase in the price of organic milk reduces total milk sales by 0.20%, but a 1% increase in the price of conventional milk raises total milk sales by 0.31%. lEconLit citations: C25, D12r. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electromagnetic transmission through inhomogeneously filled slots in a thick conducting plane-arbitrary incidence

The penetration of an arbitrarily incident electromagnetic wave through a slot filled with inhomogeneous material in a thick conducting plane is analyzed. The solution is obtained via a combined finite-element method/method of moments algorithm based on the generalized network formulation. The discretization of the generalized network formulation is performed via the method of moments. The finite-element method is then used to compute the fields within the inhomogeneous interior cavity region, leading to the construction of the interior aperture admittance matrix. It is shown that with the use of entire domain basis functions, the construction of the aperture admittance matrices is computationally efficient. Furthermore, this method is attractive since it preserves the sparsity of the finite-element method matrix, reducing computational memory requirements. Some examples of the penetration of inhomogeneously filled slots of various cross sections are presented. >
Antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties of garlic and onions

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive overview of multiple functions and their underlying mechanisms for two common spices, garlic and onion, containing organosulphur compounds.Design/methodology/approach – Literature review of chemistry, physiology, molecular biology, clinical studies.Findings – Both garlic and onions exert their effects on human health via multiple different functions, including antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. The organosulphur compounds in these spices scavenge oxidizing agents, inhibit the oxidation of fatty acids, thereby preventing the formation of pro‐inflammatory messengers, and inhibit bacterial growth, via interaction with sulphur‐containing enzymes.Research limitations/implications – Currently available information on the optimal amount for consumption for each spice is insufficient.Originality/value – This review is unique in its comprehensive nature, considering multiple different effects of the spices examined as well...
Thematic review series: lipid posttranslational modifications. Structural biology of protein farnesyltransferase and geranylgeranyltransferase type I.

More than 100 proteins necessary for eukaryotic cell growth, differentiation, and morphology require posttranslational modification by the covalent attachment of an isoprenoid lipid (prenylation). Prenylated proteins include members of the Ras, Rab, and Rho families, lamins, CENPE and CENPF, and the γ subunit of many small heterotrimeric G proteins. This modification is catalyzed by the protein prenyltransferases: protein farnesyltransferase (FTase), protein geranylgeranyltransferase type I (GGTase-I), and GGTase-II (or RabGGTase). In this review, we examine the structural biology of FTase and GGTase-I (the CaaX prenyltransferases) to establish a framework for understanding the molecular basis of substrate specificity and mechanism. These enzymes have been identified in a number of species, including mammals, fungi, plants, and protists. Prenyltransferase structures include complexes that represent the major steps along the reaction path, as well as a number of complexes with clinically relevant inhibitors. Such complexes may assist in the design of inhibitors that could lead to treatments for cancer, viral infection, and a number of deadly parasitic diseases.
Risk, Vulnerability, and Protective Factors in Developmental Psychopathology

In recent years a set of concepts that had originated in the lexicon of the layman has come to exert a powerful influence on scientific research in epidemiology, psychology, and psychopathology. Risk, protective factors, stress, vulnerability, and coping are now a significant part of a scientific agenda aimed at understanding the nature of etiological, maintenance, and outcome factors that influence the course of adaptation and maladaptation in human behavior. In many respects, these concepts and the research they engender capture an essential component of the emergent field of developmental psychopathology (Sroufe & Rutter, 1984). They focus attention on the precursors of disordered and nondisordered outcomes and on the concomitant issue of continuity-discontinuity in behavior from childhood to adult psychopathology. They speak to issues related to the attributes of vulnerable and stress-resistant individuals, their environments, and the interactions that predict successful and unsuccessful adaptation. And finally, because they emphasize the need to identify the factors and processes associated with disorder, competence, and recovery, they can lead in time to a body of knowledge essential to the development of effective prevention strategies for containing mental disorders.
Computational Sensor Networks

We propose computational sensor networks as a methodology to exploit models of physical phenomena in order to better understand the structure of the sensor network. To do so, it is necessary to relate changes in the sensed variables (e.g., temperature) to the aspect of interest in the sensor network (e.g., sensor node position, sensor bias, etc.), and to develop a computational method for its solution. As an example, we describe the use of the heat equation to solve the sensor localization problem. Simulation and physical experiments are described.
Proper orthogonal decomposition based algorithm for detecting damage location and severity in composite beams

A damage detection algorithm based on the proper orthogonal decomposition technique that can be used for structural health monitoring is presented in this study. The proper orthogonal modes are employed as dynamical invariants to filter out the influence of operational/environmental variation in the dynamic response of the structure. Finite element models of a healthy and damaged carbon/epoxy composite beam are used to generate vibration data. Varying levels of stiffness reduction for the elements in the damaged zone of the structure are used to simulate impact damage. Three damage locations (center of beam, fixed end, and free end) with three damage cases for each location are investigated. Different random force inputs are used to introduce variations in the loading conditions of the beam. The results show that the developed algorithm is capable of detecting both location and severity of damage even under changing loading conditions, with a high level of confidence.
Proteases in Diabetic Retinopathy

The human retinal structure along with the neuronal component develops from a single layer of undifferentiated neuroepithelial cells during embryonic ontogenesis. During this process, retinal vasculature develops to form an elaborate vascular tree that matches the metabolic need of tissues. Retinal vascular development involves a complex process of vasculogenesis and angiogenesis. Vasculogenesis describes the de novo formation of vessels from vascular endothelial precursor cells (angioblasts), which migrate to or differentiate at the location of future vessels, coalesce into cords, and differentiate into endothelial cells leading to the formation of ultimate vessels.
Can copepods be limited by the iron content of their food

In laboratory experiments, we show that naupliar survival and egg production by the copepod Acartia tonsa was significantly lower when they were fed iron-depleted algal cells than when they were fed a diet of Fe-replete cells that had two orders of magnitude higher Fe levels. Naupliar survival after 1 week was reduced from 60% for copepods feeding on Fe-replete diatoms (Thalassiosira oceanica )t o 0% for those feeding on Fe-depleted cells. The decline of egg production rate was greatest (83%) when T. oceanica was used as prey and smaller (20–30%) when the cryptophyte Rhodomonas salina and the prymnesiophyte Isochrysis galbana were used as food. The assimilation rates of Fe and C from Fe-replete and Fe-depleted algae were determined using radioisotopes. Egg production was hyperbolically dependent on the Fe assimilation rate (r2 5 0.71). The effect of Fe on copepod
SENSORY NERVE-MEDIATED NASAL VASODILATORY RESPONSE TO INSPIRED ETHYL ACRYLATE

The irritants acrolein, acetaldehyde, and acetic acid induce a rapid sensory nerve-mediated nasal vasodilatory response in the rat. The aim of the current study was to examine acute nasal sensory nerve-mediated acute responses to an irritant ester vapor, ethyl acrylate. For this purpose, the upper respiratory tract of the urethane-anesthetized male F344 rat was isolated by insertion of an endotracheal cannula, and ethyl acrylate-laden air was drawn continuously through that site at a flow rate of 100 ml/min for 50 min. Vascular function was monitored by measuring inert vapor (acetone) uptake throughout the exposure. Nasal flow resistance was also monitored during exposure, and plasma protein extravasation was measured by Evans blue dye leakage. At exposure concentrations of 100 to 400 ppm, ethyl acrylate induced a rapid nasal vasodilatory response, as indicated by increased acetone uptake rates. This response was maintained throughout the exposure. Changes in nasal flow resistance or in Evans blue dye leakage were not observed at these exposure concentrations. The vasodilatory response was diminished in animals pretreated with the sensory nerve toxin capsaicin, providing strong evidence that this response was sensory nerve mediated. Pretreatment with the carboxylesterase inhibitor bis-para-nitrophenolphospahte at a dose sufficient to inhibit nasal carboxylesterase did not alter the response, suggesting that the parent ester, not the carboxylesterase metabolites, is primarily responsible for the sensory-nerve-mediated vasodilatory responses to this ester.
Using Jeroo to introduce object-oriented programming

The authors present Jeroo, a pedagogical tool that provides a gentler introduction to object-oriented programming. Jeroo has been developed to help novice programmers learn the basic notions of using objects to solve a problem, learn to write methods that support a functional decomposition of the task, and learn the semantics of fundamental control structures. Jeroo's syntax provides a smooth transition to Java, C++, or C#. The user interface has a single window in which everything is always visible. Source code highlighting, simple animation, and a continuously updated status panel provide a rich teaching and learning environment. Jeroo has been class tested at Northwest Missouri State University, and has proven to be an effective tool for working with novice programmers. Used in the first four weeks of a Java programming class, Jeroo produced a significant increase in student comfort and confidence levels, especially among female students. Jeroo and user documentation are available at http://www.nwmissouri.edu//spl sim/sanders/Jeroo/Jeroo.html.
Remote Sensing of Floods and Flood-Prone Areas: An Overview

ABSTRACT Klemas, V., 2015. Remote sensing of floods and flood-prone areas: An overview. River floods and coastal storm surges affect the lives of more people than most other weather-related disaste...
When God Walks in History The Institutional Politics of Religious Nationalism

Religious nationalism represents an institutional project to transform the ontology of the social, to redefine the substance of collective representation, the principle of domination and the criter...
Implementing the Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS)

The Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS) was established in the summer of 2001 as a prototype real-time observing system that includes a comprehensive array of moored physical and optical sensors, shore-based long-range HF radar systems, circulation and wave modeling, satellite observations, and hourly Web delivery of data and data products. The GoMOOS moored buoy array presently consists of 10 solar-powered, automated buoy systems that telemeter data hourly via cellular/iridium phone and GOES satellite transmitters. The locations of the buoys, which are replaced on a six-month maintenance schedule, range from bays and estuaries, the continental shelf, and the open Gulf of Maine. The buoys systems and their sensors are subjected to a broad range of wind, wave, bio-fouling, and icing conditions that have presented a significant challenge to the establishment of an operational integrated ocean observing system. Mounted on the surface buoys are sensors that measure wind speed and direction, atmospheric pressure, air temperature, visibility, solar insolation, and surface wave height and period. Subsurface measurements include near-surface currents, Doppler current profiles, temperature, conductivity, dissolved oxygen, spectral upwelling radiance and downwelling irradiance, chlorophyll fluorescence, and mufti-wavelength light attenuation, absorption, and backscattering. Data from deep sensors are telemetered up the mooring cable via an inductive modem to the buoy data system. The buoy system is designed with a flexible and modular architecture that is capable of handling on the order of one hundred sensors, and has relatively simple troubleshooting and maintenance procedures. The Gulf of Maine is a harsh and exacting environment in which to attempt to establish sustained real-time operations. The extreme cold, freezing spray, and high waves of winter have posed significant challenges to the wind and atmospheric pressure measurements, and to the dual telemetry system. In addition, the build up of sea ice on the buoy superstructure and on the solar panels has affected both the power systems and the buoy's wave response and sea-keeping ability. During spring and summer seasons, the productive waters of the Gulf of Maine often present a severe biofouling challenge, particularly to the optical sensors. The reality of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) movement is that the conditions during which real-time data may be of greatest value, in terms of marine safety and search and rescue, correspond to the times of greatest difficulty in obtaining and transmitting those data. Similarly, the optical data are often of greatest interest during the season of highest productivity and biofouling. GoMOOS scientists and engineers have experienced successes and failures, and have developed strategies for dealing with environmental stresses to the sensors and systems.
Leading Critically: A Grounded Theory of Applied Critical Thinking in Leadership Studies

This study describes the development of a grounded theory of applied critical thinking in leadership studies and examines how student-centered experiential learning in leadership education bridged critical thinking with action. Over three semester undergraduate students in an upper level leadership studies course at a large four-year public institution in the southeastern United States completed a written assignment in which they were asked to define the concept of “leading critically.” A grounded theory of critical leadership – utilizing critical thinking skills to make decisions about leadership actions in different situations – emerged after completing a qualitative document analysis of these papers and incorporating the researchers’ existing knowledge of leadership and student development theory. The hope is that this research will create dialogue concerning new approaches to leadership education and encourage practices that apply critical thinking skills to leadership.