cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Complexity and emergent phenomena.

Complex biological systems operate under non-equilibrium conditions and exhibit emergent properties associated with correlated spatial and temporal structures. These properties may be individually unpredictable, but tend to be governed by power-law probability distributions and/or correlation. This article reviews the concepts that are invoked in the treatment of complex systems through a wide range of respiratory-related examples. Following a brief historical overview, some of the tools to characterize structural variabilities and temporal fluctuations associated with complex systems are introduced. By invoking the concept of percolation, the notion of multiscale behavior and related modeling issues are discussed. Spatial complexity is then examined in the airway and parenchymal structures with implications for gas exchange followed by a short glimpse of complexity at the cellular and subcellular network levels. Variability and complexity in the time domain are then reviewed in relation to temporal fluctuations in airway function. Next, an attempt is given to link spatial and temporal complexities through examples of airway opening and lung tissue viscoelasticity. Specific examples of possible and more direct clinical implications are also offered through examples of optimal future treatment of fibrosis, exacerbation risk prediction in asthma, and a novel method in mechanical ventilation. Finally, the potential role of the science of complexity in the future of physiology, biology, and medicine is discussed. © 2011 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 1:995-1029, 2011.
Four Psychological Perspectives on Creativity

Creativity is a unique feature of human thinking and behavior that is essential to our species' survival, future progress, and even the rise and fall of civilizations. To understand this highly complex phenomenon, we need to adopt an interdisciplinary and multimethod approach. Because creativity happens at many different levels both intra- and interindividual, the psychological science of creativity currently lacks a strong paradigmatic coherence. In this essay, we review creativity research from four different scientific perspectives: cognitive, differential, developmental, and social, and attempt to provide a unified overarching picture. We present foundational and cutting-edge research addressing the following questions: (i) What cognitive processes are involved in creative thinking; (ii) What personality traits are characteristic of the creative person; (iii) What developmental factors lead to creative achievement; and (iv) What social factors foster creativity? We identify current debate issues and propose ways to promote unity and coherence in creativity research across psychological subfields. We offer a clear definition of creativity and identify promising theoretical models that could help integrate and direct future research. Keywords: problem solving; intelligence; personality; age; multiculturalism; blind variation; motivation; emotion; genius; latent inhibition
TORSION OF THE APPENDIX TESTIS WITH OBSERVATIONS AS TO ITS ETIOLOGY An Analysis of 26 Cases

Observations based on 26 cases lead the authors to believe that torsion of the appendix testis is an athletic injury. The condition is often misdiagnosed, resulting in prolonged discomfort and sometimes recurrence of the condition. Surgery is the accepted form of treatment, because it provides prompt relief from the pain, prevents recurrence and, in some cases, is required to rule out torsion of the spermatic cord. The approach to the lesion should be through the inguinal region and not the scrotum.
Enhancing CS awareness among K-12 students in central Arkansas

There is an urgency to have school students exposed to Computer Science (CS) concepts so that they can make informed decisions about career paths. An effective way to address this is through outreach programs that can operate outside or in conjunction with the formal education system. Outreach programs like Roadshows communicating the importance and diversity of computing to K-12 students are essential to improving attitudes toward computing. This paper describes the outreach efforts by the author and presents several interesting findings about the attitudes of high school students towards CS careers and the impact of the outreach activities. The surveys indicate that events like roadshows can significantly influence students' awareness of CS and cybersecurity, and enhance their interest in pursuing a career in CS.
Introduction to Germ Cell Development in Caenorhabditis elegans

A central feature of the continuum of life in sexually reproducing metazoans is the cycle of the germline from one generation to the next. This volume describes the cycle of the germline for Caenorhabditis elegans through chapters that are focused on distinct aspects or processes in germ cell development. Topics include sequential and dependent processes such as specification of germ cells as distinct from somatic cells, sex determination, stem cell proliferative fate versus meiotic development decision, recombination/progression through meiotic prophase, contemporaneous processes such as gametogenesis, meiotic development and apoptosis, and continuing the cycle into the next generation through fertilization and the oocyte-to-embryo transition. Throughout germ cell development, translational control and epigenetic mechanisms play prominent roles. These different aspects of germ cell development are seamlessly integrated under optimal conditions and are modified in the different reproductive strategies that are employed by C. elegans under harsh environmental conditions. In this chapter, we set the stage by providing a brief background on the C. elegans system and germ cell development, indicating processes in the cycle of the germline that are covered in each chapter.
Compassion or Renunciation? “That” is the question of Schopenhauer’s ethics

La visio tradicional del pensament etic de Schopenhauer es veure la renuncia de la voluntat- de-viure com la resposta mes vertadera i mes etica a un mon com el nostre, en que el patiment es enorme, endemic i no redimit. Des d’aquesta perspectiva, l’etica de la compassio, que a Sobre el fonament de la moral Schopenhauer resumeix en el principi «No facis mal a ningu sino mes aviat ajuda a tothom en la mesura que puguis», es la segona millor forma de viure, valuosa tan sols com un pas en el cami vers «salvar-se» de la voluntat- de-viure mitjancant la renuncia completa. En aquest treball suggerim que aquesta imatge tradicional de l’etica de la compassio com una estacio de pas en el cami vers l’opcio normativament preferible de la renuncia amaga un conflicte fonamental al cor del pensament etic de Schopenhauer . En el seu lloc, argumentem que Schopenhauer ha d’interpretar-se en tant que ofereix dos ideals independents i mutuament antagonics de l’etica: la compassio i la renuncia. Despres, posant el «resignacionisme» de Schopenhauer entre parentesis, explorem el seu ideal de compassio i oferim una reconstruccio de l’etica de Schopenhauer que defensa l’existencia de «graus de valor inherent» entre els essers vius. El nostre objectiu es demostrar amb aquesta reconstruccio que Schopenhauer ofereix una combinacio d’etica kantiana i etica del sentit moral que te una considerable originalitat i resulta atractiva des del punt de vista de la teoritzacio etica contemporania.
The phylogenetic position of the Tyrannosauridae: implications for theropod systematics

Tyrannosaurids are a well-supported clade of very large predatory dinosaurs of Late Cretaceous Asiamerica. Traditional dinosaurian systematics place these animals within the infraorder Carnosauria with the other large theropods (allosaurids, megalosaurids). A new cladistic analysis indicates that the tyrannosaurs were in fact derived members of the Coelurosauria, a group of otherwise small theropods. Despite certain gross cranial similarities with the large predators of the Jurassic and Early Cretaceous, the Late Cretaceous tyrannosaurids are shown to be the sister group to ornithomimids and troodontids, which share a derived condition of the metatarsus. This clade is found to be nested within Maniraptora, which is a more inclusive taxon than previously recognized. The atrophied carpal structure found in tyrannosaurids and ornithomimids is derived from a maniraptoran condition with a large semilunate carpal, rather than from the plesiomorphic theropod morphology. The taxa “Carnosauria” and “Deinonychosauria” (Dromaeosauridae plus Troodontidae) are shown to be polyphyletic, and the Late Jurassic African form Elaphrosaurus is found to be the sister taxon to Abelisauridae rather than a primitive ornithomimosaur. Purported allosaurid-tyrannosaurid synapomorphies are seen to be largely size-related, present in the larger members of both clades, but absent in smaller members of the Tyrannosauridae. The remaining giant tetanurine theropods (Megalosaurus and Torvosaurus) were found to be progressively distant outgroups to an allosaurid-coelurosaur clade. The inclusion of the Tyrannosauridae within Maniraptora suggests a major adaptive radiation of coelurosaurs within Cretaceous Asiamerica comparable to contemporaneous radiations in various herbivorous dinosaurian clades.
Synergism between lymphokines and muramyl dipeptide encapsulated in liposomes: in situ activation of macrophages and therapy of spontaneous cancer metastases.

Murine alveolar macrophages (AM) can be rendered tumoricidal after the i.v. injection of multilamellar vesicles (MLV) containing muramyl dipeptide (MDP) at a minimum dose of approximately 0.6 micrograms or less than a 10-fold dilution of cellfree culture supernatants from mitogen-stimulated F-344 rat lymphocytes rich in macrophage-activating factor (MAF) activity. Neither MAF at dilutions exceeding 1/10 nor MDP at doses lower than approximately 0.6 micrograms activated AM in situ to become tumor cytotoxic. The combination of these agents at subthreshold amounts (MAF 1/20, MDP 0.3 microgram), however, activated AM to significant levels of cytotoxicity. The synergism between MAF and MDP encapsulated in liposomes was also observed in therapeutic studies of mice bearing well established, spontaneous lung and lymph node metastases. Multiple i.v. injections of liposomes containing either 6.25 micrograms MDP or a 1/2 dilution of MAF resulted in the long-term survival (greater than 250 days) of 30% of the treated mice. Neither liposomes containing MAF at a 1/20 dilution nor MDP at doses lower than 0.6 microgram were therapeutically effective. Multiple injections of liposomes containing subthreshold amounts (MAF 1/20; and MDP 0.3 micrograms) of these agents, however, resulted in 50% survival in the treated group. These data allow us to conclude that the encapsulation of MAF and MDP within the same MLV is more efficient in inducing the destruction of metastases than either agent administered alone.
On the reported K 4 Line in the X-ray Spectra of Molybdenum and Palladium

IN a recent publication A. Leide (Compt. rend. 180, p. 1203 (1925)) has reported the results of an investigation of the wave-lengths in the K series of X-rays for elements having atomic numbers between 29 (copper) and 53 (iodine). The spectrograph used had a high resolving power so that the 1 line was separated into its components. The accuracy was increased by a large number of exposures for each measurement. In addition to the well-known lines 1, 2, 1, 3 and or 2, he has reported in the case of molybdenum (42) and palladium (46), a line 4, ascribed to the transitions OII, OIIIK.
THE USE OF BEEF LIVER CATALASE AS A PROTEIN TRACER FOR ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

Beef liver catalase was injected intravenously into mice, and its distribution in the kidney, myocardium, and liver was studied with the electron microscope. A specific and relatively sensitive method was developed for its ultrastructural localization, based on the peroxidatic activity of catalase and employing a modified Graham and Karnovsky incubation medium. The main features of the medium were a higher concentration of diaminobenzidine, barium peroxide as the source of peroxide, and pH of 8.5. Ultrastructurally, the enzyme was seen to permeate the endothelial fenestrae and basement membranes of tubular and glomerular capillaries of the kidney. The urinary space and tubular lumina contained no reaction product. In the myocardial capillaries, the tracer filled the pinocytotic vesicles but did not diffuse across the intercellular clefts of the endothelium. In liver, uptake of catalase was seen both in hepatocytes and in Kupffer cells.
Fat Test Errors from Improper Mixing and Precision of the Milko-Tester

Abstract Duplicate samples from the milk of individual cows, taken by milkers who were not given specific sampling instructions, differed by an average of .14±.16% SD fat (absolute difference). When duplicate samples were taken from individual cows after intensive stirring, pouring once, or pouring twice, the average absolute difference between duplicates was close to .03% fat in all cases. When milk was not mixed sufficiently prior to sampling, the sample taken first was higher in fat than the second sample in 80% of the comparisons. First samples averaged 3.83% fat while second samples averaged 3.66% fat. These data emphasize the importance of proper mixing when samples of milk are to be taken for analysis of fat content. Repeat testing of 272 milk samples from individual cows for fat content by the Milko-Tester yielded an average absolute difference between repeat samples of .038±.039% SD. These findings corroborate previous claims that the Milko-Tester gives highly repeatable results when properly adjusted and operated.
AIRBORNE CONCENTRATIONS OF BENZENE DUE TO DIESEL LOCOMOTIVE EXHAUST IN A ROUNDHOUSE

Concentrations of airborne benzene due to diesel exhaust from a locomotive were measured during a worst-case exposure scenario in a roundhouse. To understand the upper bound human health risk due to benzene, an electromotive diesel and a General Electric four-cycle turbo locomotive were allowed to run for four 30-min intervals during an 8-h workshift in a roundhouse. Full-shift and 1-h airborne concentrations of benzene were measured in the breathing zone of surrogate locomotive repairmen over the 8-h workshift on 2 consecutive days. In addition, carbon monoxide was measured continuously; elemental carbon (surrogate for diesel exhaust) was sampled with full-shift area samples; and nitrogen dioxide/nitric oxide was sampled using full-shift and 15-min (nitrogen dioxide only) area samples. Peak concentrations of carbon monoxide ranged from 22.5 to 93 ppm. The average concentration of elemental carbon for each day of the roundhouse study was 0.0543 and 0.0552 w g/m 3 for an 8-h workshift. These were considere...
Mitochondrial localization of a newl-glutamic acid decar☐ylase in mouse and human brain

Summary The new form of GAD (GAD II) is localized primarily in mitochondria of adult mouse and human brain and is stimulated by anions and carbonyl-trapping agents. The previously studied enzyme (GAD I) has a synaptosomal localization and is inhibited by anions and carbonyl-trapping agents. Possible functional significance of mitochondrial GAD II in the adult CNS is discussed.
Computers: Magnetic-stripe credit cards: Big business in the offing: A new type of credit card brings a banker, or his cash-dispensing machine, on line and speeds checkout and payment for retail goods

A new type of credit card brings a banker, or his cash-dispensing machine, on line and speeds checkout and payment for retail goods.
the maintenance of peasant coffee production in a Peruvian valley

For 40 years, highland cultivators of Huancane, Puno, Peru, have seasonally migrated to valleys of the eastern Andes to grow coffee, while maintaining subsistence agriculture in their home communities. They work their coffee lands extensively, despite negative ecological impacts and the scarcity of new lands. This practice reflects the high labor demands of the subsistence sector and the often-demonstrated unwillingness of peasants to relinquish control over subsistence under insecure land tenure and market conditions. Using a modes-of-production approach, however, government policies and a system of state marketing cooperatives are shown to have played a major role in preventing producers from moving into full-time coffee cultivation and to have maintained their partial integration into the market economy.
The effect of thrombin on a 6-hydroxydopamine model of Parkinson's disease depends on timing.

Recent results in animal models suggest that thrombin may modulate brain injury in Parkinson's disease (PD). High doses of thrombin (∼20 U) can damage dopaminergic neurons, while we have found that low dose thrombin (1 U), given several days before a brain insult (thrombin preconditioning), is protective in models of PD and stroke. However, the effects of such low levels of thrombin at the time of, or after, exposure to the dopamine neurotoxin 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) have not been examined and are the focus of this study. In the first set of experiments, rats received co-administration of thrombin (1 U) or saline and 6-OHDA (5 μg) into the medial forebrain bundle. 6-OHDA + thrombin resulted in striking increases in behavioral deficits, compared to 6-OHDA + saline. Similarly, co-administration of an agonist to protease-activated receptor (PAR)-1, a thrombin receptor, also resulted in significantly greater behavioral deficits. In a second set of experiments, thrombin (1 U) or saline was administered 1 or 7 days after 6-OHDA to determine the effects of thrombin after 6-OHDA. Surprisingly, the rats that received saline had strikingly increased behavioral and neurochemical deficits resulting from the 6-OHDA lesion, while delayed thrombin administration prevented this effect. The results indicate that thrombin has differential effects in the 6-OHDA model, dependent on the time of administration. The ability of a second cannula insertion with saline infusion to increase dramatically deficits raises questions as to what role physical injury to already susceptible cells might play in the pathogenesis of some cases of PD.
Charge density-dependent modifications of hydration shell waters by Hofmeister ions.

Gadolinium (Gd3+) vibronic sideband luminescence spectroscopy (GVSBLS) is used to probe, as a function of added Hofmeister series salts, changes in the OH stretching frequency derived from first-shell waters of aqueous Gd3+ and of Gd3+ coordinated to three different types of molecules: (i) a chelate (EDTA), (ii) structured peptides (mSE3/SE2) of the lanthanide-binding tags (LBTs) family with a single high-affinity binding site, and (iii) a calcium-binding protein (calmodulin) with four binding sites. The vibronic sideband (VSB) corresponding to the OH stretching mode of waters coordinated to Gd3+, whose frequency is inversely correlated with the strength of the hydrogen bonding to neighboring waters, exhibits an increase in frequency when Gd3+ becomes coordinated to either EDTA, calmodulin, or mSE3 peptide. In all of these cases, the addition of cation chloride or acetate salts to the solution increases the frequency of the vibronic band originating from the OH stretching mode of the coordinated waters in...
The prescription of contraception: Negotiations between doctors and patients

Maria, an Anglo woman, age 26, married, with medium length brown hair, slightly plump, has a tired air about her which can quickly turn to animated interest if her lively sense of humor is aroused. She has four children ranging in age from 11 years to 6 months, and a varied contraceptive history. This history includes successful use of the birth control pill for several years, followed by a period of 1 year when she would forget to take the pill regularly regardless of how hard she tried. This problem arose at a time when her two oldest (and at that time only) children were starting school and she wanted another child. Her husband was against the idea. She changed contraceptive method to an IUD (intrauterine device) which was inserted painlessly but caused her intense pain with menstruation. After several months she had it removed. She and her husband are presently using condoms which Maria feels interfere with their sexual life as well as creating anxiety for her. She is presently anxious to avoid impreg...
The complex pattern of transcription in the segment of the bacteriophage T4 genome containing three of the head protein genes.

Abstract A detailed analysis of the temporal pattern of transcription in the gene 22–24 region of bacteriophage T4 has been made. Each of these three late genes has its own promoter, activated during the late phase of viral development. There is also late transcription of the opposite DNA strand across two of these late promoters. The 5′ ends of these two sets of convergent transcripts have been mapped to sites designated Q 22 and Q 23 . Middle (T4 gene mot product-dependent) transcription was found opposing the third late promoter, P 24 . An early promoter was mapped to the region between genes 23 and 24.
Selective Degradation of Cytosolic Proteins by Lysosomes

Lysosomes are able to internalize cellular proteins in a variety of ways. One pathway is selective for cytosolic proteins containing peptide sequences biochemically related to Lys-Phe-Glu-Arg-Gln (KFERQ). This pathway is activated in confluent monolayers of cultured cells in response to deprivation of serum growth factors and applies to approximately 30% of cytosolic proteins. We have reconstituted this lysosomal degradation pathway in vitro. Uptake and/or degradation is stimulated by ATP and a member of the heat shock 70-kilodalton protein family, the 73-kilodalton constitutive heat shock protein. Several possible mechanisms of selective protein transport into lysosomes and the possible relevance of this proteolytic pathway to the processing of the amyloid precursor protein are discussed.
Chapter 12 Vitamin B12

Publisher Summary Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin, R = —CN) was first isolated from liver as a red crystalline substance as a result of a vigorous search for the anti-pernicious anemia factor of raw liver. Within the next 15 years from a combination of biochemical studies, natural product isolations and X-ray crystallography, it became apparent that both of the coenzymatically active species (methylcobalamin, R = CH, and 5'-deoxyadenosylcobalamin, R = 5'-deoxyadenosine) of B12 contained surprisingly stable carbon–cobalt bonds. This organometallic nature of the B12 coenzymes makes them unique among the coenzymes (and very possibly among natural products in general). The structure of Vitamin B12 is composed of four elements: (1) the central cobalt atom, (2) the corrin macrocycle (and attached peripheral side chains and methyl groups) providing four nearly planar equatorial nitrogen ligands, (3) the pendant 5,6-dimethylbenzimidazole nucleotide covalently attached to the corrin macrocycle and providing the lower (or α) axial nitrogen ligand, and (4) the upper (or β) ligand, an organic group in the coenzymic B12 derivatives.
Aedes aegypti pharate 1st instar quiescence affects larval fitness and metal tolerance

The eggs of the mosquito Aedes aegypti possess the ability to undergo an extended quiescence hosting a fully developed 1st instar larvae within the chorion. As a result of this life history trait pharate larvae can withstand months of quiescence inside the egg where they depend on stored maternal reserves. A. aegypti mosquitoes are frequently associated with urban habitats that may contain significant metal pollution. Therefore, the duration of quiescence and extent of nutritional depletion may affect the physiology and survival of larvae that hatch in a suboptimal habitat. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an extended quiescence on larval nutrient reserves and the subsequent effects of metal exposure on larval fitness, survival and development. We hypothesized that an extended quiescence would reduce nutritional reserves and alter the molecular response to metal exposure thereby reducing larval survival and altering larval development. As a molecular marker for metal stress responses, we evaluated transcriptional changes in the metallothionein gene (AaMtn) in response to quiescence and metal exposure. Extended 1st instar quiescence resulted in a significant decrease in lipid reserves and negatively affected larval fitness and development. AaMtn transcription and metal tolerance were compromised in first instars emerged from eggs that had undergone an extended quiescence. These findings suggest that newly emerged mosquito larvae that had survived a relatively long pharate 1st instar quiescence (as might occur during a dry season) are more vulnerable to environmental stress. Pharate 1st instar quiescence could have implications for vector control strategies. Newly emerged mosquito larvae at the end of the dry season or start of the wet season are physiologically compromised, and therefore potentially more susceptible to vector control strategies than mosquito larvae hatched subsequently throughout the wet season.
Tensile bond strengths of five luting agents to two CAD-CAM restorative materials and enamel.

Abstract Statement of problem CAD-CAM restorative materials are popular because they have high esthetic value and short fabrication time. Unfortunately these materials are brittle and tend to fracture under heavy occlusal load. Purpose The purpose of this in vitro study was to investigate the tensile bond strengths of 5 luting agents to 2 CAD-CAM restorative materials and enamel. Material and methods One hundred truncated cones, with a 3-mm diameter bonding surface and 5-mm diameter base, were fabricated with Dicor MGC (n=50) or Cerec Vitablocs Mark II (n=50) with the Cerec system. Enamel surfaces of the crowns of 100 freshly extracted noncarious, anterior teeth, stored in 0.9% saline solution with 0.25% sodium azide (NaN 3 ) as disinfectant, were prepared with sandpaper disks (320-grit size) on the Buehler Variable Speed Grinder-Polisher. The bonding surfaces of the Dicor MGC or Cerec Vitablocs Mark II truncated cones from each of the 2 tests systems were airborne particle abraded, chemically etched, and cemented on the prepared enamel surface of the tooth specimens with 5 luting agents: Vita Cerec Duo Cement, EnForce, Panavia 21, CB within the Dicor MGC group, the mean bond strength of Panavia 21 with enamel was significantly higher than C&B Metabond, Panavia 21, Cerec Duo, and Fuji Duet. Within the Cerec Vitablocs Mark II group, the mean bond strength of Fuji Duet was significantly higher than C&B Metabond, Panavia 21, and Cerec Duo but was not significantly higher than EnForce.
Conformational Model of Active Transport

Monovalent cations active transport model in mitochondria, noting membrane potential as driving force and ion pump omission
An evolutionary and close-relationship model of helping

Our research examined whether relationship factors account for the positive association between genetic relatedness and willingness to help. College students’ (31 male and 46 female) willingness to help family members was measured using hypothetical dilemmas involving life-or-death and everyday-favor situations. Relationship factors were measured using a questionnaire. As expected, emotional closeness and obligation mediated the association between genetic relatedness and willingness to help. Furthermore, as expected, propinquity, similarity, and frequency and amount of interaction mediated the association between genetic relatedness and emotional closeness. Type of situation moderated the association between genetic relatedness and willingness to help, although not entirely as expected. This research suggests that relationship factors account for a substantial proportion of the association between genetic relatedness and helping.
Sinc-type approximations in H 1 -norm with applications to boundary value problems

Abstract Sinc functions are used for approximation on a general arc Γ in the complex plane. It is proved that for certain functions analytic in a domain containing the arc Γ, the error of an N-term approximation converges to zero, in the Sobolev space H1(Γ), at the rate O(e−γN 1 2 ), as N → ∞. Special attention is given to the important case of Γ = (a, b), where a and b are finite real numbers. An application is also considered of the approximate result to the numerical solution of two-point boundary value problems. It is shown that the classical Sinc—Galerkin method with N basis functions has O(e−γN 1 2 ) convergence rate in the H1-norm.
Postal survey methodology to assess patient satisfaction in a suburban emergency medical services system: an observational study.

Patient satisfaction is of growing importance to providers of emergency medical services (EMS). Prior reports of patient satisfaction have frequently used resource-intensive telephone follow-up to assess satisfaction. We determine the feasibility of using a single mailing, anonymous postal survey methodology for collecting patient satisfaction data from a suburban EMS system. Patients transported between January 2001 and December 2004 were mailed a brief satisfaction questionnaire. The questionnaire was printed on a pre-addressed, postage paid postcard and consisted of five questions that used a five-point Likert scale to assess satisfaction with EMS personnel and services provided. Three open-ended questions assessed concerns, the most important service provided, and methods for improving service. Survey response rate was the primary outcome of interest. The Chi-square test was used to compare rates between years. The survey required about 6 man hours and cost about $70 per month. Overall response rate was 32.0% (857/2764; 95CI 30.3% – 33.9%). During the first year, response rate was 42.6% (95CI 38.5% – 46.8%), but was significantly lower in subsequent years (29.0% in year 2, 30.8% in year 3, and 27.6% in year 4, p < 0.05). There were 847/851 respondents (99.5%) who were satisfied or very satisfied with their EMS experience. Three patients felt the service was adequate and one was very unsatisfied. Open-ended questions suggested that interpersonal communications were the single most important contributor to patient satisfaction. Patients also reported that response times and technical aspects of care were important to them. Postal surveys for assessing patient satisfaction following EMS transport can achieve comparable response rates to similar surveys in other health care settings. Response rates did not decline after the second year of patient surveys, suggesting some stability after the initial year. Interpersonal communication was determined to be the single most important contributor to patient satisfaction.
Binturong (Arctictis binturong) and Kinkajou (Potos flavus) digestive strategy: implications for interpreting frugivory in Carnivora and primates.

Exclusive frugivory is rare. As a food resource, fruit is temporally and spatially patchy, low in protein, and variable in terms of energy yield from different carbohydrate types. Here, we evaluate the digestive physiology of two frugivorous Carnivora species (Potos flavus, Arctictis binturong) that converge with primates in a diversity of ecological and anatomical traits related to fruit consumption. We conducted feeding trials to determine mean digestive retention times (MRT) on captive animals at the Carnivore Preservation Trust (now Carolina Tiger Rescue), Pittsboro, NC. Fecal samples were collected on study subjects for in vitro analysis to determine methane, pH, and short chain fatty acid profiles; fiber was assayed using standard neutral detergent (NDF) and acid detergent (ADF) fiber methods. Results indicate that both carnivoran species have rapid digestive passage for mammals that consume a predominantly plant-based diet: A. binturong MRT = 6.5 hrs (0.3); P. flavus MRT = 2.5 hrs (1.6). In vitro experiments revealed no fermentation of structural polysaccharides – methane levels did not shift from 0 h to either 24 or 48 hours and no short chain fatty acids were detected. In both species, however, pH declined from one incubation period to another suggesting acidification and bacterial activity of microbes using soluble carbohydrates. A comparison with primates indicates that the study species are most similar in digestive retention times to Ateles – the most frugivorous anthropoid primate taxon.
Early thromboembolic prophylaxis in patients with blunt solid abdominal organ injuries undergoing nonoperative management: is it safe?

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to compare the safety of early (≤48 hours), intermediate (48 to 72 hours), and late (≥72 hours) venous thromboembolism prophylaxis in patients with blunt abdominal solid organ injury managed nonoperatively. Methods We performed a 6-year (2006 to 2011) retrospective review of all trauma patients with blunt abdominal solid organ injuries. Patients were matched using propensity score matching in a 2:1:1 (early:intermediate:late) for age, gender, systolic blood pressure, Glasgow Coma Scale, Injury Severity Score, and type and grade of organs injured. Our primary outcome measures were: hemorrhage complications and need for intervention (operative intervention and/or angioembolization). Results A total of 116 patients (58 early, 29 intermediate, and 29 late) were included. There were no differences in age ( P = .5), Injury Severity Score ( P = .6), type ( P = .1), and grade of injury of the organ ( P = .6) between the 3 groups. There were 67 liver (43.2%), 63 spleen (40.6%), 49 kidney (31.6%), and 24 multiple solid organ (15.4%) injuries. There was no difference in operative intervention ( P = .8) and postprophylaxis blood transfusion ( P = .3) between the 3 groups. Conclusions Early enoxaparin-based anticoagulation may be a safe option in trauma patients with blunt solid organ injury. This study showed no significant correlation between early anticoagulation and development of bleeding complications.
Statistical characterization of Barkhausen noise

We investigate whether Barkhausen noise exhibits self-organization and precursor events in the manner of the sandpile models used to illustrate self-organized criticality, and the extent to which Barkhausen noise can be described by single-domain wall pictures. Although a few large time-asymmetric events are found, no precursor effects were observed. Standard single-degree-of-freedom models appear to describe most of the data.
The Divide Between Diversity Training and Diversity Education: Integrating Best Practices:

The fields of diversity training and diversity education have developed in a disconnected manner. This divide ensures that each field advances slowly and with narrow focus. The authors argue here that the divide should be bridged with attention to the best practices that diversity training and diversity education offer. By integrating the best that each perspective has to offer as outlined here, both fields of inquiry and practice may be enhanced.
Maternal recall of distant pregnancy events

Women themselves are often the most convenient source of information regarding their pregnancy and birth outcomes such as prematurity. However, the ability of mothers to recall birth information and the accuracy of information they do recall has rarely been assessed. This study used a mail survey of women who delivered either term or preterm infants in Rochester, Minnesota, between 1980 and 1985. Maternal reports of circumstances and outcome of delivery were compared to data abstracted from the medical records. Maternal ability to recall and report events varied from 99.5% for smoking during pregnancy to 85% for infant's gestational age at birth. Agreement between medical record and maternal report was very high for perinatal events such as delivery by cesarean section, preexisting diabetes, and smoking. Percent negative agreement was quite high when comparing information on rare events such as placental abruption. Recall of gestational age was better for women delivering preterm infants but uncommon in all women. Maternal reports of perinatal events in which they directly participated such as cesarean section can be accurately and reliably reported 10 to 15 years after the birth. Gestational age is reported less accurately and with different rates of recall for mothers with term and preterm deliveries.
Heterogeneity of Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Mutations: Genetics, Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications

Variation within and around the leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene is associated with familial and sporadic Parkinson’s disease (PD). Here, we discuss the prevalence of LRRK2 substitutions in different populations and their association with PD, as well as molecular and cellular mechanisms of pathologically relevant LRRK2 mutations. Kinase activation was proposed as a universal molecular mechanism for all pathogenic LRRK2 mutations, but later reports revealed heterogeneity in the effect of mutations on different activities of LRRK2. One mutation (G2019S) increases kinase activity, whereas mutations in the Ras of complex proteins (ROC)–C-terminus of ROC (COR) bidomain impair the GTPase function of LRRK2. Some risk factor variants, including G2385R in the WD40 domain, actually decrease the kinase activity of LRRK2. We suggest a model where LRRK2 mutations exert different molecular mechanisms but interfere with normal cellular function of LRRK2 at different levels of the same downstream pathway. Finally, we discuss the current state of therapeutic approaches for LRRK2-related PD. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s13311-014-0284-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation for primary graft dysfunction after lung transplantation: long-term survival.

Background Primary graft dysfunction (PGD) after lung transplantation is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. Venovenous or venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) allows lung recovery; however, the optimal approach and impact on long-term survival are unknown. We analyzed outcomes after ECMO use for PGD after lung transplantation at a single center over a 15-year period and assessed long-term survival. Methods From March 1991 to March 2006, 763 lung or heart-lung transplants were performed at our center. Fifty-eight patients (7.6%) required early (0 to 7 days after transplant) ECMO support for PGD. Venovenous or venoarterial ECMO was implemented (32 and 26 cases) depending on the patient's hemodynamic stability, surgeon's preference, and the era of transplantation. Mean duration of support was 5.5 days (range, 1 to 20). Mean follow-up was 4.5 years. Results Thirty-day and 1- and 5-year survivals were 56%, 40%, and 25%, respectively, for the entire group. Thirty-nine patients were weaned from ECMO, 21 venovenous and 18 venoarterial (53.8% and 46.2%), with 1- and 5-year survivals of 59% and 33%, inferior to recipients not requiring ECMO (p = 0.05). Survival at 30 days and at 1 and 5 years was similar for the patients supported with venoarterial or venovenous ECMO (58% versus 55%, p = 0.7; 42% versus 39%, p = 0.8; 29% versus 22%, p = 0.6). Conclusions Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation can provide acceptable support for PGD irrespective of the method used. Long-term survival of patients with primary graft dysfunction requiring ECMO (overall and weaned) was inferior to that of patients who did not require ECMO.
Myosin filaments isolated from skinned amphibian smooth muscle cells are side-polar

The structure of myosin filaments isolated from skinned toad stomach smooth muscle cells has been examined by electron microscopy as a step toward identifying thein vivo structure. When negatively stained following exposure to relaxing conditions, the filaments exhibited a continuous 14-nm axial repeat of crossbridge projections with no central bare zone. The filaments thus differed from the bipolar filaments found in striated muscle and displayed instead features resembling side-polar and mixed-polarity filament models. By rotation of isolated filaments around their longitudinal axes it was found that cross bridges occurred only along two sides of the filament, an arrangement consistent with the side-polar but not the mixed-polarity model. The polarity is thus similar to that proposed for ribbons (Small & Squire,J. molec. Biol.67, (1972) 17–149) and for synthetic smooth muscle myosin filaments (Craig and Megerman,J. Cell Biol.75, (1977) 990–996); their appearance in cross-section, however, shows that these structures are filaments (i.e. with two axes of similar dimensions) and not broad ribbons. As the filaments were derived directly from skinned cells which contracted and relaxed in response to physiological levels of MgATP and Ca2+ at rates comparable to those of native, isolated cells, this unusual arrangement of cross bridges appears to be an effective, functional form of myosin in the contractile apparatus. Side-polar filaments therefore merit consideration as plausible candidates for the native organization of myosin in vertebrate smooth muscle cells.
Race Moderates Age-Related Cognitive Decline in Type 2 Diabetes

The age-related rate of cognitive decline in patients with diabetes mellitus has received relatively little attention. In this cross-sectional study, Caucasian (N = 145) and African American (N = 25) males with diabetes mellitus were recruited to examine age-related changes in cognitive performance. It is known that African Americans with diabetes mellitus are at increased risk for more frequent and more severe diabetes-related complications. It was hypothesized that such complications may accelerate age-related cognitive decline in African Americans. Three timed tests varying in complexity assessed attention, mental flexibility, and learning. Advancing age was uniformly associated with decreasing cognitive performance but only on more complex tasks did race moderate this relationship. A steeper age-related decline was observed in African Americans on more complex cognitive tests. Diabetes may be an accelerated form of aging that impacts cognition and race appears to differentially moderate this relationship.
The effect of flexor hallucis longus harvest on hallux function: a retrospective cross-sectional cohort study.

Summary Background and aim Our aim was to evaluate the long-term morbidity of the hallux function after harvesting a free fibula flap. Special attention was given to the differences between patients who underwent the dissection of an osteo-cutaneous flap (without inclusion of the flexor hallucis longus (FHL) muscle) and patients who were treated with an osteo-myo-cutaneous (with inclusion of the FHL muscle). Methods During the period 1995–2009, 167 patients underwent an autologous mandible reconstruction using a free fibula flap. By the time of our investigation, 64 patients were deceased, 29 patients were lost to follow-up, 14 patients did not meet the inclusion criteria and 28 patients were unable or unwilling to come to the hospital. Thus, 32 patients were examined in this study. Combined flexion strength of the hallux flexors and range of motion (ROM) of the metatarsophalangeal (MTP) and interphalangeal (IP) joints were measured. Results Hallux flexion strength tests showed a significant decrease in strength in the operated leg versus control, 28 ± 16.6 versus 37 ± 19.2 N/s ( p = 0.003). The ROM for the MTP was significantly lower for the donor leg than for the control leg: 26 ± 12° versus 30 ± 10° ( p = 0.024) for plantar flexion and 30 ± 13° versus 37 ± 11° ( p Conclusions The main conclusion to be drawn from our results is that free fibula flap donor site morbidity in terms of hallux function is independent of the inclusion or exclusion of the FHL muscle in the flap. Level of evidence III: Retrospective cohort or comparative study; case–control study; or systematic review of these studies.
Antipsychotic profile of rolipram: efficacy in rats and reduced sensitivity in mice deficient in the phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B) enzyme.

Recent studies provide evidence for reduced phosphodiesterase-4B (PDE4B) as a genetic susceptibility factor as well as suggesting an association of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in PDE4B that are associated with an increased incidence of schizophrenia. The aim of the current study was to assess the activity of rolipram, a nonsubtype-selective PDE4 inhibitor, in several animal models predictive of antipsychotic-like efficacy and side-effect liability and to use PDE4B wild-type and knockout mice to begin to understand the subtypes involved in the activity of rolipram. In rats, rolipram antagonized both phencyclidine hydrochloride- and d-amphetamine-induced hyperactivity and inhibited conditioned avoidance responding (CAR). In PDE4B wild-type mice, rolipram dose-dependently suppressed CAR (ED50 = 2.4 mg/kg); however, in knockout mice, their sensitivity to rolipram at the higher doses (1.0 and 3.2 mg/kg) was reduced, resulting in a threefold shift in the ED50 (7.3 mg/kg), suggesting PDE4B is involved, at least in part, with the activity of rolipram. Only the highest dose of rolipram (3.2 mg/kg) produced a modest but significant degree of catalepsy. Rolipram has a pharmacologic profile similar to that of the atypical antipsychotics and has low extrapyramidal symptom liability. These results suggest that PDE4B mediates the antipsychotic effects of rolipram in CAR and that the PDE4B-regulated cyclic adenosine monophosphate signaling pathway may play a role in the pathophysiology and pharmacotherapy of psychosis.
Manifestations of immune tolerance in the human female reproductive tract.

Like other mucosal surfaces (e.g., the gastrointestinal tract, the respiratory tract), the human female reproductive tract acts as an initial barrier to foreign antigens. In this role, the epithelial surface and subepithelial immune cells must balance protection against pathogenic insults against harmful inflammatory reactions and acceptance of particular foreign antigens. Two common examples of these acceptable foreign antigens are the fetal allograft and human semen/sperm. Both are purposely deposited into the female genital tract and appropriate immunologic response to these non-self antigens is essential to the survival of the species. In light of the weight of this task, it is not surprising that multiple, redundant and overlapping mechanisms are involved. For instance, cells at the immunologic interface between self (female reproductive tract epithelium) and non-self (placental trophoblast cells or human sperm) express glycosylation patterns that mimic those on many metastatic cancer cells and successful pathogens. The cytokine/chemokine milieu at this interface is altered through endocrine and immunologic mechanisms to favor tolerance of non-self. The “foreign” cells themselves also play an integral role in their own immunologic acceptance, since sperm and placental trophoblast cells are unusual and unique in their antigen presenting molecule expression patterns. Here, we will discuss these and other mechanisms that allow the human female reproductive tract to perform this delicate and indispensible balancing act.