cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blood component transfusions

Blood component therapy may include whole blood, normal plasma, hyperimmune plasma or serum, platelet-rich plasma, packed red blood cells, or leukocyte-rich plasma. Each one has specific indications, although in bovine emergency and critical care medicine, whole blood or plasma transfusions are most commonly used. The most common reasons for whole blood transfusion include hemolysis, hemorrhage, or decreased erythrocyte production. The most common reasons for plasma transfusion include "failure of passive transfer" and as a treatment for sepsis.
Suspended-matter distribution in the New York Bight apex related to Hurricane Belle

Suspended matter and hydrographic properties of the New York Bight apex were studied three days after passage of Hurricane Belle (August 1976). Distributions of suspended matter were found to be similar to those present during previous periods of calm summer weather. By comparing the present poststorm observations with previous poststorm sampling, it is hypothesized that during summer a stratified water column can restrict vertical mixing of resuspended bottom material to the relatively thin near-bottom layer, whereas mixing throughout the water column takes place during unstratified winter conditions. Clearing times for resuspended material, therefore, are shorter in summer than in winter. Both extent of vertical mixing and clearing times are important considerations for those concerned with problems of marine ecology.
Engineers and social problems

Doctor Jewett's discussion of “The Engineer and Trends in Economic Thought” is most interesting; especially his characterization of the claims that the revival of ancient fallacies are scientific experiments. It would be just as legitimate and logical to attempt to disprove the rule of three, under the pretense of scientific experimentation, as to attempt to justify some of the present day economic and even engineering delusions under the same pretense.
Matcher neural networks

In contrast to the prevailing ideas or bias regarding neural networks, the author takes a biologically conservative view that stresses efficiency and modularity. In this view individual neurons are efficient modules capable of biologically meaningful function. A group of neurons can form a larger module, which is also biologically meaningful and repeatable. Since modules are repeatable, the organization of the brain need not be as random as previously thought. With this new bias and the aim of discovering the modules, the author studies the physiology of neurons. He presents a powerful new class of neural networks, called matcher neural networks, based on the above ideas, which he believes are in many ways physiologically and psychologically better models for the brain than current connectionist models. >
EFFECT OF AGING ON PALATABILITY AND SELECTED RELATED CHARACTERISTICS OF PORK LOIN

SUMMARY Selected characteristics of 24 left pork loins representing 4 aging (chilling at 36°F) periods (1, 4, 8 and 12 days) were investigated. The loin was cut into 4 sections: al the 4th to 8th thoracic vertebra, b) the 8th to 12th thoracic vertebra. c) the 12th thoracic to the 1st lumbar vertebra and dl the 1st to 5th lumbar vertebra. 2, 1.5-in. chops were cut from the posterior end of each section and used for measurements on the cooked meat (cooking time and losses, palatability scores, shear value, water-holding capacity, total moisture, free fatty acids and pH). The remaining portion of the sections was used for measurements on the raw meat (total moisture. free fatty acids, pH, lactic acid, TBA, ether extract and free aminesl. Significant increases after 12 days’aging were noted in cooking time in min/lb (P <0.05), dripping cooking losses (P < 0.05), acid numbers for raw and cooked fat (P < 1.01), pH of raw (P < 0.05) and cooked (P < 0.01) muscle, TBA value of raw muscle (P < 0.05). tenderness score (P < 0.05) and free amines (P <0.01). Decreases (P < 0.05) were noted for percentage total moisture of raw muscle and shear values. Aging pork loin for 12 days had only a slight effect on palatability. Few significant changes were noted in the pork loins until after 4 days of aging. However, free amines in raw muscle and free fatty acids of cooked meat increased (P < 0.05) between 1 and 4 days of aging. Generally, aging was of little benefit.
Isolation of Tetra-, Penta-, Hexa- and Heptaacyl Glycerides from Stigmas of Nicotiana tabacum

Four multiacyl glycerides, tetra-, penta-, hexa- and heptaacyl glycerides, were first isolated from stigmas of Nicotiana tabacum (Bright Yellow). The main hydroxy fatty acids of these multiacyl glycerides were 18:1-ω-hydroxy and 18:2-ω-hydroxy fatty acids. The terminal OH groups of these hydroxy fatty acids were all esterified with other fatty acids. The main fatty acid was 18:1 followed by 18 :2, and only very small amounts of 16:0, 18:0 and 18:3 were contained in the compounds
Association between glutathione S‐transferase π polymorphisms and survival in patients with advanced nonsmall cell lung carcinoma

BACKGROUND Glutathione S-transferase (GST) π (GSTP1) is a detoxification enzyme with substrate specificity for both exogenous carcinogens and chemotherapy agents. Genetic polymorphisms of GSTP1 exon 5 (Ile105Val) and exon 6 (Ala114Val) appear to reduce this enzyme's activity. Previously, the authors reported that the exon 6 variant was associated with an increased risk of lung carcinoma, particularly among men, younger patients, and ever smokers. In this study, the authors hypothesized that variant GSTP1 genotype would result in reduced inactivation of chemotherapy agents and improved survival in patients with advanced-stage nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC), a population that is likely to receive platinum-based chemotherapy. METHODS Patients with Stage III and IV NSCLC who were enrolled in a molecular epidemiology study were identified, and a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay was used to genotype GSTP1 exons 5 and 6 in 424 patients and 425 patients, respectively. RESULTS Patients who had the exon 6 variant genotype (Ala/Val or Val/Val) had significantly better survival compared with patients who had the wild type genotype (Ala/Ala; P = 0.037), with median survival of 16.1 months and 11.4 months, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed a reduced adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of death associated with the exon 6 variant genotype of 0.75 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 0.54–1.05). This protective association was observed in younger patients (younger than age 62 yrs; HR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.57–0.97) and in males (HR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.41–0.99). GSTP1 exon 5 genotype was not associated with survival. CONCLUSIONS GSTP1 exon 6 variant genotypes may be associated with improved survival among patients with Stage III and IV NSCLC. Cancer 2006. © 2005 American Cancer Society.
A Novel Successive Route to Well-Defined Water-Soluble Poly(2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate) and Amphiphilic Block Copolymers Based on an Osmylation Reaction

A novel two-step successive route to well-defined water-soluble poly(2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate) [poly(DHPMA)] and the amphiphilic block copolymers of DHPMA with styrene (St) or methyl methacrylate (MMA) was developed by combining the living anionic polymerization method with an osmylation reaction. Homopolymers of allyl methacrylate (AMA) with various molecular weights (Mn = 5900−170 000) and narrow molecular weight distributions (MWD; Mw/Mn = 1.06−1.16) were first prepared by the anionic polymerization of AMA using 1,1-diphenylhexyllithium (DPHL) as the initiator, in THF, in the presence of LiCl ([LiCl]/[DPHL]0 = 3), at −70 °C. Under similar conditions, the anionic block copolymerization of AMA with MMA generated well-defined di- and triblock copolymers with controlled molecular weights and compositions as well as narrow MWDs (Mw/Mn = 1.05−1.16). Further, block copolymers of St and AMA with various compositions were prepared by performing the anionic block copolymerization of AMA from a 1,1-diphen...
Effect of Corn Starch Source on Growth Rate and Caloric Efficiency of Chicks Fed a Semi-Purified Diet

Abstract Progressive reduction in chick growth has been observed when increments of glucose were substituted for corn starch in a crystalline amino acid diet (Scott et al., 1966); glucose-containing diets showed evidence of the “browning reaction.” Liener (1958) has reviewed the implication of reducing sugars in the Maillard reaction. Scott et al. (1966) also reported that samples of corn starch, from two manufacturers, differed by as much as 30% in growth-promoting ability when used as the source of carbohydrate in the crystalline amino acid diet. The present investigation was undertaken to determine the effect on chick growth and caloric efficiency of a series of corn starch samples produced by several manufacturers. EXPERIMENTAL Two identical experiments were conducted utilizing male broiler-type chicks hatched from eggs produced by the University of Maine flock. The chicks were placed in electrically-heated starting batteries (Petersime) and fed a practical corn-soy starting ration for a preliminary period . . .
Comparison of three display methods for evaluating CT angiography data for the vascular assessment of renal donors

In conclusion, CTA display methods are useful when evaluating renal vascular anatomy. Cinematic loop appears to be the most useful display method and is significantly more sensitive, specific, and accurate than the 3D-MIP or stack axial when identifying renal arterial anatomy.
Skewed algal division patterns: effects of autospore yield on computed synchrony indices

Abstract Reported are algebraic and numerical analyses of the algal division synchrony index S T which reflects the degree of nonlinearity of plots of log cell number versus time. It has been found that for skewed distributions of division times, S T is affected by the number of autospores produced per division. A new algal division synchrony index S R is presented. For a culture of any given autospore yield, S R reflects the nonlinearity of a semilogarithmic plot versus time of cell number in a culture of identical division time pattern yielding two autospores per division. The index S R , independent of autospore yield for any division time distribution, assumes higher values for distributions skewed toward longer times than for oppositely skewed distributions.
The Moon and El Niño

Regional climates around the world display cycles corresponding to the 18.61-year maximum lunar declination (MLD) periodicity. We suggest that these cycles are created by a relationship between MLD and El Nino / Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Both equatorial Pacific sea-surface temperature and South Pacific atmospheric pressure significantly correlate with maximum lunar declination. Low MLDs are associated with warmer equatorial Pacific sea-surface temperatures and negative values of the Southern Oscillation Index. A lunar-influenced change in the Pacific gyre circulation presents a viable physical mechanism for explaining these relationships. We suggest that the gyre is enhanced by tidal forces under high MLDs, inducing cold-water advection into the equatorial region but is restricted by the weak tidal forcing of low MLDs thereby favoring El Nino episodes. An astronomical model utilizing this relationship produces a forecast of increased non-El Nino (either La Nina or neutral) activity for the early part of this decade.
Three-dimensional algebraic grid generation

One of the major approaches to numerical grid generation is the explicit algebraic expression of a physical grid as a function of a uniform grid in a rectangular computational coordinate system. The algebraic methods are based on mathematical interpolation, and the primary advantages are speed and directness. The relation between interpolation and grid generation is described. For three-dimensional grid generation, transfinite interpolation using the coordinate control processes developed in the multisurface method and two-boundary technique are advocated. Grid singularities encountered in three dimensions are discussed, and the exploration of multiple overlapping grids is proposed. Some aspects of interactive algebraic grid computation in three dimensions are discussed.
Simultaneous injection of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and the prostaglandin F2α analog cloprostenol (PGF) disrupts follicular activity in diestrous dairy cows

Simultaneous injections of PGF and FSH or saline were given to 32 Holstein cows to test their combined ability to improve estrous and ovulation synchrony beyond that of PGF alone. All the cows were randomly assigned to receive PGF on either Day 8 or Day 10 of the estrous cycle (estrus = Day 0), and all the cows in each group were further assigned to simultaneous injection of either FSH or saline. Regression of the corpus luteum (CL), return to estrus and follicular activity were monitored by plasma progesterone assay, twice-daily estrous detection and ultrasonographic examination, respectively. Plasma progesterone concentrations declined to <1.0 ng/ml at 24 hours after PGF treatment in all the cows and FSH did not affect this decline. Return to estrus was not affected by FSH treatment in cows treated on Day 8 or Day 10; however, FSH disrupted normal follicular activity and either delayed normal ovulation following estrus or induced premature ovulation or cyst formation in 4 of 8 PGF/FSH (Day 8) cows and 5 of 8 PGF/FSH (Day 10) cows. These data indicate that exogenous FSH administered simultaneously with a luteolytic does of PGF does not maintain viability of large, dominant follicles and, therefore, is not an effective method for the synchronization of estrus and ovulation.
Thresholds for Embryonic CNS Axon Integrity, Degeneration, and Regrowth Using a Focal Compression Platform

Traumatic axonal injuries (TAI) are broadly defined as the focal or multi-focal damage of axons within white matter tracts of the central nervous system (CNS), and can occur in the setting of spinal cord injury (SCI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). TAI can result from mechanical forces associated with the rapid deformation of white matter regions during trauma. Through combinations of compression, stretch, and shear, axon injury often results in an irreversible loss of functional neural connectivity, since the scope for axonal regeneration in the CNS is extremely limited.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Effects of capillary spacing on EHD spraying from an array of cone jets

Abstract Electrohydrodynamic (EHD) sprays are fundamentally characterized by low liquid flows that are atomized into relatively small, monodisperse droplets. Since previous studies have shown that droplet size increases with increasing flow rate, the current work employs an array of capillaries intending to increase fluid throughput without increasing the size of the droplets produced. To do this, an array of four-capillary nozzles is examined by measuring the required potential needed for stable EHD spraying in the cone-jet mode as a function of capillary separation. In addition, a simple electrostatic model is used to support the experimental results, and to predict the behavior of a larger, 5×5 square array. Results show that the potential required for cone-jet spraying in a two-dimensional array of capillaries generally increases as the capillary spacing decreases (due to electrical shielding), but at very close spacing the potential can decrease if the neighboring capillaries are dry. This result suggests that EHD arrays can benefit from fine wire electrodes interspersed among the capillaries.
A Simple Approximate Method of Stochastic-Dynamic Prediction for Small Initial Errors and Short Range

Abstract Starting with the vorticity equation for barotropic flow, we derive a system of stochastic differential equations that determines the time-evolution of the local variance of vorticity error originating in a large ensemble of initial states containing random and statistically isotropic initial errors. Those equations show that the local growth or decay of error variance depends primarily on the detailed structure of the true vorticity field; in general, the most rapid growth of error can be expected in concentrated regions of strong vorticity gradient. Those stochastic differential equations provide the basis for a simple method of stochastic-dynamic prediction. It requires only a modest increase over the total volume of computation for deterministic prediction.
Fate and distribution of arsenic in a process-designed pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment system

Abstract The fate and distribution of arsenic in simulated groundwater was determined in a pilot-scale constructed wetland treatment system (CWTS) designed to promote specific biogeochemical processes for arsenic removal. Two CWTS series were designed to promote co-precipitation and sorption of arsenic with iron oxyhydroxides under oxidizing conditions, and two series were designed to promote precipitation of arsenic with sulfide and co-precipitation of arsenic with iron sulfide under reducing conditions. Measured conditions in the CWTS were within ranges favorable for the targeted processes. Arsenic removal was significantly greater (α = 0.05) in an oxidizing series amended with zero-valent iron (ZVI) than in the other series, with removal extents, efficiencies, and rate coefficients ranging from 6 to 79 μg L−1, 40 to 95%, and 0.13 to 0.77 d−1, respectively. The majority of inflow arsenic retained in the first reactor of each series partitioned to the sediment (88–99%), while the remainder partitioned to Typha latifolia. A greater percentage of inflow arsenic was retained in the sediment of the first reactor of the two oxidizing series (20 and 13%) than in the first reactor of the two reducing series (6 and 7%). Addition of ZVI enhanced arsenic removal from the aqueous phase in both oxidizing series and reducing series and increased the percentage of inflow arsenic partitioned to sediment. A vertical concentration gradient developed over time in the sediment, with 74–85% of sediment-bound arsenic accumulated in the upper 6 cm and the remaining percentage below 6 cm. Results from this study demonstrate that a CWTS can decrease the concentration of arsenic in simulated groundwater to below the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water quality guideline of 10 μg L−1 primarily by transferring arsenic from the aqueous phase to the sediment.
Applications of symbolic evaluation

Abstract Symbolic evaluation is a program analysis method that represents a program's computations and domain by symbolic expressions. In this paper a general functional model of a program is first presented. Then, three related methods of symbolic evaluation, which create this functional description from a program, are described: path-dependent symbolic evaluation provides a representation of a specified path; dynamic symbolic evaluation, which is more restrictive but less costly than path-dependent symbolic evaluation, is a data-dependent method; and global symbolic evaluation, which is the most general yet most costly method, captures the functional behavior of an entire program when successful. All three methods have been implemented in experimental systems. Some of the major implementation concerns, which include effectively representing loops, determining path feasibility, dealing with compound data structures, and handling routine invocations, are explained. The remainder of the paper surveys the range of applications to which symbolic evaluation techniques are being applied. The current and potential role of symbolic evaluation in verification, testing, debugging, optimization, and software development is explored.
Short period wave generation in Moss Landing Harbor caused by offshore landslides induced by the Loma Prieta Earthquake

Short period waves were observed in the Moss Landing Harbor approximately 2 minutes after the October 17, 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake. Offshore submarine landslides in the region of wave generation was noted by scuba divers and recorded by side scanning sonographs, fathometer records and ROV video footage taken in the area after the quake. These waves are believed to have been generated by offshore submarine landslides along the canyon walls of the Monterey Canyon directly offshore of the Moss Landing Marine Laboratories.
Molecular dynamic simulation of platinum heater and associated nano-scale liquid argon film evaporation and colloidal adsorption characteristics

A novel 'fluid-wall thermal equilibrium model' for the wall-fluid heat transfer boundary condition has been developed in this paper to capture the nano-scale physics of transient phase transition of a thin liquid argon film on a heated platinum surface and the eventual colloidal adsorption phenomenon as the evaporation is diminishing using molecular dynamics. The objective of this work is to provide microscopic characterizations of the dynamic thermal energy transport mechanisms during the liquid film evaporation and also the resulting non-evaporable colloidal adsorbed liquid layer at the end of the evaporation process. A nanochannel is constructed of platinum (Pt) wall atoms with argon as the working fluid. The proposed model is validated by heating liquid argon between two Pt walls and comparing the thermal conductivity and change in internal energy to thermodynamic properties of argon. Later on, phase change process is studied by simulating evaporation of a thin liquid argon film on a Pt wall using the proposed model. Gradual evaporation of the liquid film occurs although the film does not vaporize completely. An ultra-thin layer of liquid argon is noticed to have "adsorbed" on the platinum surface. An analysis similar to the theoretical study by Hamaker (1937) is performed for the non-evaporating film and the value of the Hamaker-type constant falls in the typical range. This analysis is done to quantify the non-evaporating film with an attempt to use molecular dynamics simulation results in continuum mechanics.
Distribution of the Family Hydropsychidae (Trichoptera) in the Savannah River Basin of North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia

Hydropsychids were collected along the length of the Savannah River and its headwaters and tributaries. Species distribution was correlated with chemical and physical properties of water, altitude and stream size. Seven genera and 35 species were found among approximately 100,000 specimens collected. Fourteen species divided into three groups on the bases of altitude and stream size preferences. Turbidity, conductivity, temperature, carbonate, nitrate and nitrite increased along the river's course, whereas maximum velocity and dissolved oxygen decreased. For these factors the maximum value tolerated by a species was associated with the species distribution. The genera Hydropsyche and Cheumatopsyche were the most widely distributed. Several species of these two genera had quite large distributional ranges while others had quite restricted ranges.
The Secondary Flow near a Baroclinic Planetary Wave Critical Line

A critical line (CL) is the surface where the phase speed of a wave in a fluid is equal to the speed of the background flow. The considered investigation is concerned with one aspect of the simplest model of a CL in which the CL is assumed to totally absorb energy from steady, stationary, planetary waves. The aspect of interest is the secondary mean circulation near a CL in a baroclinic atmosphere. The motivation for this study is the observation of the nearly vertical CL by O'Neill and Taylor (1979) which appeared during the sudden warming of 1976/77. Even though the treatment of the CL is highly idealized in the investigation, there is evidence which indicates a very large rate of change in the zonally averaged temperature along a CL may occur. The Lagrangian-mean properties of an idealized baroclinic CL are also examined. It is found that the Lagrangian jets may provide an important transport process for exchange of stratospheric and tropospheric air.
The relative impacts of climate and land-use change on conterminous United States bird species from 2001 to 2075.

Species distribution models often use climate data to assess contemporary and/or future ranges for animal or plant species. Land use and land cover (LULC) data are important predictor variables for determining species range, yet are rarely used when modeling future distributions. In this study, maximum entropy modeling was used to construct species distribution maps for 50 North American bird species to determine relative contributions of climate and LULC for contemporary (2001) and future (2075) time periods. Species presence data were used as a dependent variable, while climate, LULC, and topographic data were used as predictor variables. Results varied by species, but in general, measures of model fit for 2001 indicated significantly poorer fit when either climate or LULC data were excluded from model simulations. Climate covariates provided a higher contribution to 2001 model results than did LULC variables, although both categories of variables strongly contributed. The area deemed to be “suitable” for 2001 species presence was strongly affected by the choice of model covariates, with significantly larger ranges predicted when LULC was excluded as a covariate. Changes in species ranges for 2075 indicate much larger overall range changes due to projected climate change than due to projected LULC change. However, the choice of study area impacted results for both current and projected model applications, with truncation of actual species ranges resulting in lower model fit scores and increased difficulty in interpreting covariate impacts on species range. Results indicate species-specific response to climate and LULC variables; however, both climate and LULC variables clearly are important for modeling both contemporary and potential future species ranges.
Assessing the role of circulating, genetic, and imaging biomarkers in cardiovascular risk prediction.

Never make forecasts. Especially about the future. —Samuel Goldwyn The use of biomarkers to augment traditional cardiovascular risk prediction has attracted considerable attention in the past decade. This interest has been fueled by the realization that traditional risk factors do not identify everyone who will eventually develop cardiovascular disease.1 This has been accompanied by the emergence of potential screening tests such as high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (CRP), single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays, and coronary calcium scanning. Nonetheless, whether these biomarkers are ready for routine clinical use, to be measured alongside existing tests such as cholesterol, is controversial. Recently, the US Preventive Services Task Force concluded that “current evidence is insufficient to assess the balance of benefits and harms of using the nontraditional risk factors.”2 This conclusion underscores gaps in the current literature, as well as the inherent challenge of predicting the occurrence of future cardiovascular events in generally healthy adults. However, the use of newer screening tests for cardiovascular risk assessment has been endorsed in some quarters. For instance, the state of Texas passed legislation in 2009 mandating the coverage of screening coronary calcium scans in older adults. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration recently expanded the labeling of a statin drug, rosuvastatin, to include older individuals with elevated CRP levels in addition to conventional risk factors. The present article reviews the case for and against the use of newer biomarkers for cardiovascular risk prediction. There are literally hundreds of circulating, genetic, and imaging biomarkers that have been proposed or evaluated in the cardiovascular literature. Several comprehensive reviews exist on the topic.3,4 Rather than attempting to provide a systematic overview, this article focuses on a few of the most illustrative biomarkers. Particular emphasis will be given to placing these biomarkers in a pathophysiological context (what stage of disease …
The mitogenicity for murine splenocytes of specific surface components of the oral periodontopathic bacterium, Actinomyces viscosus.

Abstract Many characterized fractions obtained from A. viscosus were examined to identify the macromolecules responsible for mitogenicity for lymphocytes. Spleen-cell suspensions of CBA/J mice were cultured with 50–200 μg dry weight of A. viscosus strains T14V and T14AV cellular components. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) ( Escherichia coli ) was used as a positive control. Mechanical disruption with a French pressure cell or sonication produced preparations with a stimulation of 69,082 and 45,183 counts above background (CAB), respectively. Mitogenic activity was also present in the culture supernatant (38,000 CAB). Other poorly mitogenic fractions included the peptidoglycan, cell-wall fractions, muramidase digests of cell walls, and the microcapsule extracted from whole cells with 0.5 M MgNO 3 . The results suggest that mitogenic activity is not associated with the isolated cell-wall structure. The activity was released from the cell surface by physical shearing forces, as well as released into the medium growth.
An equivalent domain integral for analysis of two-dimensional mixed mode problems

An equivalent domain integral (EDI) method for calculating J-integrals for two-dimensional cracked elastic bodies subjected to mixed mode loading is presented. The total and product integrals consist of the sum of an area or domain integral and line integrals on the crack faces. The EDI method gave accurate values of the J-integrals for two mode I and two mixed mode problems. Numerical studies showed that domains consisting of one layer of elements are sufficient to obtain accurate J-integral values. Two procedures for separating the individual modes from the domain integrals are presented. The procedure that uses the symmetric and antisymmetric components of the stress and displacement fields to calculate the individual modes gave accurate values of the integrals for all the problems analyzed.
X-linked hypophosphatemia : A search for gender, race, anticipation, or parent of origin effects on disease expression in children

X-Linked hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a sex-linked dominant disorder. It is possible that females are more mildly affected than males. No information is available regarding other potential genetic influences on XLH expression in patients, such as race, anticipation, parent of origin, or molecular heterogeneity. We investigated the above potential genetic influences on XLH expressivity using data from 116 pediatric patients. To compare biochemical parameters, we used data from the 30 prepubertal children (23 girls and 7 boys) selected because they had been without medical therapy for at least 3 months (25 of 30 never treated). To compare height z-scores, we used data from the 27 patients (pre- or postpubertal) selected because they had never received medical or surgical treatment. Ascertainment bias (i.e. referral of girls who were severely affected) was not apparent (observed female/male ratio, 1.64; expected, 2.00; P = 0.29). Parameters of mineral homeostasis did not show statistically significant differenc...
Takayasu's arteriopathy with involvement of aortic valve and bacterial endocarditis

Summary A case of giant cell arteritis complicated by cardiac valvular involvement and myocarditis with superimposed bacterial endocarditis and rupture of a valve cusp in a 13-year-old child is reported. This sequence of events has not been previously recorded. The clinical manifestations closely simulated rheumatic heart disease, although pulselessness was a prominent feature. Recognition of this disease, although rare in the pediatric age group, is important since corticosteroid therapy may afford improvement.
57 Varieties: Has the Ombudsman Concept Become Diluted?

This article attempts an overview of the ombudsman concept as itdeveloped in the United States, borrowing from earlier classicalformulations of the role at the same time that divergent organizationalmodels emerged. As the use of ombudsmen has steadily expanded, they can befound at all levels of government as well as in settings of privateindustry and academe. Some of the operational and conceptual differencesamong various types of ombudsmen are explored along with theircommonalities.
Increasing underrepresented scientists in cancer research: the UCSD CURE program.

The Moores UCSD Cancer Center’s Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences program aims to increase the number of underrepresented students pursuing careers in cancer research, cancer care, and health disparities research. Participants receive 8 weeks of laboratory and classroom training during the summer followed by participation in research mentors’ laboratories. Of the 82 CURE students accrued (2002 and 2008), 91% persisted in science after 1 year. Of the 63 students eligible to graduate in 2009, 7 had dropped out of college; 56 graduated. Of the graduates, 98% were science majors and 61% (34) had already matriculated to graduate or health professional schools for cancer research and clinical care careers.
The role of preexisting pathology in the development of neointimal hyperplasia in coronary artery bypass grafts.

Objective. Saphenous vein grafts (SVG) used for coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) often develop a gradual luminal narrowing over the first year due to neointimal hyperplasia (NH). Although the basic science of NH is well studied, our clinical understanding of this issue is limited. The purpose of this cohort study was to investigate clinical risk factors for NH by monitoring luminal narrowing within SVG using multichannel CT angiography (CTA). Methods. Thirty patients underwent CABG involving SVG (N = 44) and arterial grafts (N = 36). Patient variables were recorded and the baseline quality of each conduit determined intraoperatively by analyzing surplus segments for intima-media thickness ratio (IMT) by histology and matrix metalloproteinase-2 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Percent luminal narrowing (%LN) was calculated for each patent graft by comparing the CTA appearance on day 5 to a repeat study at 1 y. Results. Compared with arterial grafts, SVG showed significantly higher IMT at baseline (0.9 ± 0.65 versus 0.22 ± 0.17, P < 0.0001) and more %LN over the first year (6.9 ± 7.5 versus 25.3 ± 13.3% LN, P< 0.0001). Of all of the measured variables, the only significant predictors of %LN included baseline IMT (r = 0.58, P = 0.002) and matrix metalloproteinase-2 levels (r = 0.60, P = 0.002) in SVG. Conclusions. The degree of NH at baseline, a phenomenon exclusive to SVG and not found in arterial grafts, was significantly related to the development of lumen loss in the conduit over the first year after CABG. The study of SVG using serial CTA may provide unique insights into the natural history of SVG remodeling and to identify factors that influence the long-term function of this conduit.
A Graveyard for Buoyant Slabs

Geoscientists have been debating whether convection deep inside Earth involves the whole mantle or is divided into two layers separated at 660-km depth. Compromise models suggest delayed penetration of the transition zone due to a phase change. In his Perspective, Green highlights a study by Chen and Brudzinski, who have found evidence for a buoyant cold slab in the transition zone between the upper and the lower mantle. The slab appears to be retained in the transition zone because of mineralogical differences between its interior and its surroundings.
Amici Curiae in the U.S. Courts of Appeals

Students of law and courts know a great deal about amici curiae vis-a-vis the U.S. Supreme Court. Conversely, scholars know little to nothing about amici curiae in the U.S. Courts of Appeals. This ...
Synoptic and mesoscale structure of a severe freezing rain event: the St. Valentine's day ice storm

Abstract A severe freezing rainstorm produced as much as 4.5 cm of freezing rain during an 18-h period at Champaign, Illinois, on 14–15 February 1990, resulting in over $12 million in damage, week-long power outages, and a federal disaster declaration. The ice storm occurred during the University of Illinois Winter Precipitation Program based in Champaign. The early mesoscale evolution of this storm was documented for several hours with a 10-cm Doppler radar and Cross-chain Loran Atmospheric Sounding System soundings launched every 3 h. The freezing rain event occurred when convective bands developed over a slow-moving warm front during a period of strong overrunning. The strongest convection developed in a period of about 1 h, with a narrow elongated band northwest of the radar producing very heavy sleet and a band just south of the radar producing heavy freezing rain, along with in-cloud lightning. An analysis of conditional symmetric instability yielded no evidence that centrifugal accelerations were i...
Hardware-Software Collaborative Techniques for Runtime Profiling and Phase Transition Detection

Dynamic optimization relies on runtime profile information to improve the performance of program execution. Traditional profiling techniques incur significant overhead and are not suitable for dynamic optimization. In this paper, a new profiling technique is proposed, that incorporates the strength of both software and hardware to achieve near-zero overhead profiling. The compiler passes profiling requests as a few bits of information in branch instructions to the hardware, and the processor executes profiling operations asynchronously in available free slots or on dedicated hardware. The compiler instrumentation of this technique is implemented using an Itanium research compiler. The result shows that the accurate block profiling incurs very little overhead to the user program in terms of the program scheduling cycles. For example, the average overhead is 0.6% for the SPECint95 benchmarks. The hardware support required for the new profiling is practical. The technique is extended to collect edge profiles for continuous phase transition detection. It is believed that the hardware-software collaborative scheme will enable many profile-driven dynamic optimizations for EPIC processors such as the Itanium processors.
Impact of No-Tillage and Conventional Tillage Systems on Soil Microbial Communities

Soil management practices influence soil physical and chemical characteristics and bring about changes in the soil microbial community structure and function. In this study, the effects of long-term conventional and no-tillage practices on microbial community structure, enzyme activities, and selected physicochemical properties were determined in a continuous corn system on a Decatur silt loam soil. The long-term no-tillage treatment resulted in higher soil carbon and nitrogen contents, viable microbial biomass, and phosphatase activities at the 0–5 cm depth than the conventional tillage treatment. Soil microbial community structure assessed using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) analysis and automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) varied by tillage practice and soil depth. The abundance of PLFAs indicative of fungi, bacteria, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, and actinobacteria was consistently higher in the no-till surface soil. Results of principal components analysis based on soil physicochemical and enzyme variables were in agreement with those based on PLFA and ARISA profiles. Soil organic carbon was positively correlated with most of the PLFA biomarkers. These results indicate that tillage practice and soil depth were two important factors affecting soil microbial community structure and activity, and conservation tillage practices improve both physicochemical and microbiological properties of soil.
W-parity, octet dominance and the breaking of chiral symmetry

Abstract It is shown that W -invariance together with octet dominance restricts the SU(3) × SU(3) symmetry breaking Lagrangian to the representations (3, 3 ) ⊗ ( 3 , 3), (6, 6 ) ⊗ ( 6 , 6), (8, 8), and (1, 8) ⊗ (8, 1). In a nonlinear model, this Langranian predicts that the T = 2, S-wave π - π scattering length is zero; and when fitted to the empirical pion and K-meson masses, it predicts a T = 0 scattering length of 0.26 m − π . Compared with the (3, 3 ) ⊗ ( 3 , 3) model, this model gives a larger (by a factor 8 3 ) nucleon σ -term, in agreement with recent calculations.
Approximation of boolean functions by sigmoidal networks: Part i: xor and other two-variable functions

We prove the existence of a manifold of exact solutions (mean-square error E = 0) of weights and thresholds for sigmoidal networks for XOR and other 2-variable Boolean functions. We also prove the existence of a manifold of local minima of E where E 0.
Full‐gestational exposure to nicotine and ethanol augments nicotine self‐administration by altering ventral tegmental dopaminergic function due to NMDA receptors in adolescent rats

In adult rats, we have shown full-gestational exposure to nicotine and ethanol (Nic + EtOH) augmented nicotine self-administration (SA) (increased nicotine intake) compared to pair-fed (PF) offspring. Therefore, we hypothesized that full-gestational exposure to Nic + EtOH disrupts control of dopaminergic (DA) circuitry by ventral tegmental area (VTA) NMDA receptors, augmenting nicotine SA and DA release in nucleus accumbens (NAcc) of adolescents. Both NAcc DA and VTA glutamate release were hyper-responsive to intra-VTA NMDA in Nic + EtOH offspring versus PF (p = 0.03 and 0.02, respectively). Similarly, DA release was more responsive to i.v. nicotine in Nic + EtOH offspring (p = 0.02). Local DL-2-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid sodium salt (AP5) (NMDA receptor antagonist) infusion into the VTA inhibited nicotine-stimulated DA release in Nic + EtOH and PF offspring. Nicotine SA was augmented in adolescent Nic + EtOH versus PF offspring (p = 0.000001). Daily VTA microinjections of AP5 reduced nicotine SA by Nic + EtOH offspring, without affecting PF (p = 0.000032). Indeed, nicotine SA in Nic + EtOH offspring receiving AP5 was not different from PF offspring. Both VTA mRNA transcripts and NMDA receptor subunit proteins were not altered in Nic + EtOH offspring. In summary, adolescent offspring exposed to gestational Nic + EtOH show markedly increased vulnerability to become dependent on nicotine. This reflects the enhanced function of a subpopulation of VTA NMDA receptors that confer greater nicotine-induced DA release in NAcc. We hypothesized that concurrent gestational exposure to nicotine and ethanol would disrupt the control of VTA dopaminergic circuitry by NMDA receptors. Resulting in the augmented nicotine self-administration (SA) in adolescent offspring.
The attitudes of medical inpatients toward psychiatric consultation : A re-examination

Objective:Several surveys from twenty to thirty years ago demonstrated that approximately 80 percent of patients were readily accepting of psychiatric consultation. The aim of this study was to re-examine whether medical inpatient attitudes toward psychiatric consultation have changed in the past twenty-five years and whether the type of psychiatric disorder affects the attitude toward consultation.Method:Forty-eight medical inpatients seen in psychiatric consultation consented to answering a questionnaire pre- and post-consultation to assess their attitudes to this intervention. Chi-square and t-tests were used to determine statistically significant differences between the “before” and “after” consultation groups.Results:Eight-one percent stated they would be moderately, to very, agreeable to psychiatric consultation if their primary care doctor felt it was indicted. Sixty-seven percent claimed not to have been informed beforehand that a psychiatric consultation was requested. Only 8 percent of patients ...
Comment [on “Sea level rise shown to drive coastal erosion”]

In a recent article (Eos, Trans., AGU, February 8, 2000, p.55), Leatherman et al. [2000] state that they have confirmed an association between sea-level rise and coastal erosion. Applying their results to the New Jersey, Delaware, and Maryland coasts and using a projected sea-level rise, the authors predict that by 2050 the shoreline will recede 60 m, about two times the average beach width. However, Leatherman et al. [2000] have not convincingly quantified a relationship between sea-level rise and shoreline erosion.We do not agree with their rationale for subsetting their data, and they have not considered other explanations for a background erosion along the U.S. east coast. Furthermore, their future projections are not supported by their analyses.
Vasoreactivity of Fluosol™ Perfluorocarbon Emulsion Vs. Earl's Balanced Salt / Albumin Perfusates in the Isolated Perfused Rat Lung

We compare the vasoreactive responses of Fluosol™ perfluorocarbon emulsion versus Earl's balanced salt + albumin solution as perfusates in an isolated perfused rat lung. Comparisons were made with three separate vasoconstrictive stimuli: norepinephrine, and prostaglandin F2α dose-response analysis, and generation of hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction. The hypoxia experiments were also performed with N-nitro-arginine added to the perfusates to block production of endogenous nitric oxide prior to the application of hypoxic ventilation challenge. The vasoconstrictive effects of norepinephrine, PGF2α and hypoxia were significantly depressed in the perfluorocarbon perfused versus salt/albumin solution perfused lungs. With the addition of NNA to the perfusates, hypoxic pulmonary vasoconstriction is enhanced in both Earl's/albumin perfused as well as in the fluorocarbon perfused lungs. We can conclude that the pulmonary vasoconstrictive effects of norepinephrine, PGF2α, and hypoxia are depressed in perfluorocarb...
Value of perioperative brachytherapy in the management of non-oat cell carcinoma of the lung

Abstract Nearly one-half of all patients with non-oat cell carcinoma of the lung are found to have mediastinal lymph node metastases at the time of initial presentation. There is no consensus today on what constitutes best treatment in patients whose disease is confined to the chest and in whom mediastinal lymph node metastases are the only evident site of tumor spread. The overall survival of these patients is so low that the majority have been either excluded from therapy or have been treated palliatively by external radiation therapy. In an attempt to improve the control of mediastinal lymph node metastases in the operable patients, we began a pilot study in 1977 at Memorial Hospital to determine the value of perioperative brachytherapy (permanent Iodine-125 implantation of primary lung and a temporary Iridium-192 implantation of the mediastinum) with or without resection followed by a moderate dose of postoperative external beam irradiation. Eighty-eight patients with disease limited to one hemithorax (N2 MO) were treated with this combined method during the period 1977 through 1980. Locoregional control was observed in 76% of the 88 patients. The median survival is 26 months and the 2 year actuarial survival is 51%. There was no post-operative mortality. This pilot study has demonstrated that the combination of surgery, perioperative brachytherapy and external beam irradiation in non-oat cell carcinoma of the lung, metastatic to mediastinal lymph nodes, can improve the locoregional control and prolong survival with minimal early or late morbidity.