cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coronary artery fistula.

A 38-year-old man with a history of cocaine abuse had an evaluation for chest pain. Myocardial infarction was ruled out, and he underwent an exercise thallium myocardial perfusion SPECT study that suggested myocardial ischemia in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery territory. Cardiac catheterization showed a minimal coronary disease but a coronary artery fistula communicating the LAD artery with the main pulmonary artery. Toxic screen for cocaine was negative.
Research on Wireless Synchronous Measurement System for Total Ground Electric Field Under HVDC Transmission Lines

Being affected by the corona discharge and the environmental climate,the total ground electric field strength under DC transmission lines often changes randomly within a certain range.It is very significant for research and evaluation of electromagnetic environment of the DC transmission lines to develop a convenient and effective synchronous measurement system for total ground electric field.So a ZigBee-based distributed wireless measurement system for the measurement of total ground electric field is designed.The node configuration and the networking process of the wireless measurement network are analyzed,and the method to synchronize node time based on synchronization broadcast messages and the data transmission protocol based on time division multiple access(TDMA) mechanism are emphatically analyzed.Thus the synchronized acquisition and reliable transmission of electric field data can be implemented by very low algorithm cost and energy cost.On-site measurement testing results show that the proposed electric field measurement system is convenient to operate and the measured data can accurately reflect the actual distribution of total ground electric field.
Environmentally sustainable mining: The case of tailings storage facilities

Abstract This paper addresses the question of whether mining can be done in a way that contains and remediates environmental impacts and thereby safeguards the livelihoods of local populations. It focuses on tailings storage facilities (TSF) as the source of most mining-related disasters. It compares outcomes at three mines – two which ended in disaster and one notable success – to try to get at what factors are critical in producing these outcomes. Although the design and construction of TSFs is technically challenging,the paper concludes that the basic causes of TSF failure are political, not technical. A second purpose of this paper is to suggest that a social scientific analysis of engineered projects needs to pay attention to the engineering.
Critical Point Priority battles

As a philosopher of science, I love priority disputes. They invite one to ask "How can it be that brilliant scientists agree that they've discovered something, but not when?" The answer instructs philosophers about the nature of discovery – and no true scientist can object to learning more about that. Indeed, the discovery of dark energy has been so contentious that debate over who did what and when still rumbles on a dozen years after the event.
Participation of pulmonary alveolar epithelial cells in lung inflammation

As our understanding of pulmonary inflammation improves, the complexity of the mechanisms involved becomes more and more apparent. The number of soluble inflammatory mediators that are being recognized and characterized is increasing rapidly. The major purpose of this review is to emphasize that developing a comprehensive understanding of pulmonary inflammation requires investigations that encompass all of the cellular components. More than just a stage on which inflammatory processes are played out, the alveolar epithelium can participate in virtually all aspects of inflammation, including initiation, amplification, down-regulation, and tissue repair. By directing the powerful tools of cellular and molecular biology to study the entire cast of cellular players, a more complete understanding of inflammation will surely result. Such a comprehensive approach should assist in the development of means to prevent and treat inflammatory lung diseases.
Supplemental Oxygen Requirements of Critically Injured Adults: An Observational Trial.

ABSTRACTObjectives: The optimal amount of oxygen to deploy with pararescue personnel for combat casualty care is currently unknown. The purpose of this prospective observational trial was to determine the proportion of trauma patients requiring supplemental oxygen, whether high or low flow rates were needed, and to evaluate associations between injury characteristics and oxygen requirements. Subjects and Methods: Over 6 months, dedicated study assistants observed oxygen requirements and delivery during the first 3 hours of emergency care for trauma patients meeting our institution's highest level trauma team activation criteria. Results: The mean age of 204 enrolled subjects was 37 years, 79% were male, median injury severity score was 9 (interquartile range 1–21), 58% suffered penetrating injuries. Most (69%) were admitted; 17% went directly to the operating room, and 38% went directly to the intensive care unit from the emergency department. 136/160 nonintubated patients were managed with no or low-flow...
Can local adaptation explain varying patterns of herbivory tolerance in a recently introduced woody plant in North America

US Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture [2015-67013-23138]
Reconciling Cognitive Reappraisal and Body Awareness in a Digital Mindfulness Experience

This paper focuses on understanding how: (i) the role of cognitive reappraisal can support decentering, and (ii) cognitive reappraisal can be enacted in conjunction with body awareness. From a twelve-day field experience with 13 participants, both quantitative and qualitative data was gathered and analyzed. Findings suggest that an in-situ tracking approach leads to low curiosity scores, and that reminder-only approaches are sensitive to providing insufficient guidance throughout the day. In terms of decentering, findings suggest that there are notable differences in how decentering can be supported through reappraisal and the role of body awareness only serves to support reappraisal and decentering not detract from it.
Evidence Items as Signals of Marketing Competencies and Workplace Readiness: A Practitioner Perspective.

Although past research has spent considerable effort identifying competencies and academic activities that are associated with workplace readiness, the literature is largely silent regarding what m...
Tryptophan needs of lactating sows fed diets supplemented with crystalline lysine.

Large White x Landrace primiparous and multiparous sows (n = 115) were used to evaluate the tryptophan needs of lactating sows fed diets supplemented with crystalline lysine to contain .75% lysine. Sows were fed 1.8 kg of their allotted diets from d 110 of gestation until parturition and then were allowed ad libitum access to diets analyzed to contain either .12 (n = 58) or .17% (n = 57) tryptophan during a 21-d lactation. Diets were created by crystalline tryptophan and lysine additions to a corn-soybean meal basal diet that contained.12% tryptophan. Tryptophan level in the lactation diet did not affect number or weight of pigs at 21 d ( P >.10). Sows fed.17% tryptophan were heavier at d 21 of lactation than those fed.12% tryptophan ( P =.09) due to less weight loss during the 21-d lactation ( P =.09). Feed intake was greater (P .10). Plasma urea N levels were lower (P =.11) for sows fed the diet supplemented with tryptophan. Lactating sows allowed ad libitum access to diets containing.75% lysine benefited from higher feed intake and lower weight loss when dietary tryptophan levels were increased from.12 to.17%.
Time is not money in social perceptions: How the nature of resource expenditure influences liking

Time and money are fundamental resources that are spent every day in social and organizational interactions. Our research addresses the question of how people think about someone else’s expenditure...
Cisplatin-Based Therapy and CINV: Optimal Antiemetics During Germ Cell Testicular Cancer Treatment

Background Cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens are the backbone of chemotherapy for germ cell testicular cancer. Cisplatin is administered for five days, causing an overlap of acute and delayed chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). Although CINV is widely researched, studies involving multiday chemotherapy regimens are limited. Objectives This article synthesizes the research in antiemetics used in multiday cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens and provides recommendations to optimize antiemetic therapy. Methods A literature review was conducted for articles examining antiemetics in multiday cisplatin-based chemotherapy regimens. Results were synthesized, and findings were applied to existing antiemetic strategies. Findings Although an optimal regimen has not been identified, patients receiving multiday cisplatin chemotherapy should have an antiemetic administered on each day of chemotherapy and two to three days after chemotherapy. Antiemetics should include an NK1 antagonist, 5-HT3 receptor antagonist, and dexamethasone.
From Sitamarhi to New Delhi Railway Station: The Agricultural Antecedents to Childhood Migration in North India

In India, large-scale rural to urban migrations are occurring in record numbers within the last twenty to thirty years. These migrations are inflating the populations of major urban centers such as Delhi and Mumbai. Within these streams of migrations, the number of youth leaving to cities is also dramatically increasing. At the same time, deep agricultural transformations are taking place in rural sectors, greatly altering the landscape, the opportunities available, and ultimately the livelihoods of its people. This paper aims to address the agricultural transformations occurring in India in relation to the migration of children from rural to urban centers. With a shifting, but uneven system of landholding, climatic changes, increasing mechanization and industrialization of agriculture, and new development projects, the agrarian system in rural India is rapidly changing. Using interviews from a variety of experts as well as urban and rural informants, I will draw connections between multiple transformations in agriculture with the increase of children running away to major cities, in turn acknowledging that within this complex system of movement, there are innumerable reasons for the migration of youth. In this manner, I make clear the interconnections between issues of agriculture and other socioeconomic, political, and historical factors. This research comes primarily from extended stays in Delhi in addition to rural villages in Bihar.
Secretion of Mucous Granules and Other Membrane-Bound Structures: A Look Beyond Exocytosis

The substances that animals secrete at epithelial surfaces include not only small molecules and ions delivered by exocytosis, but also a wide variety of materials in membrane-bound form. The latter include mucous granules of pulmonate molluscs, milk fat globules, and products of apocrine and holocrine secretion. Contents include hydrophobic entities (e.g., lipids, hydrocarbons), protective substances (e.g., mucus), and potentially injurious substances (e.g., digestive enzymes, toxins). In some cases vesicles or granules perform significant functions through enzymatic or other properties of the membrane itself (e.g., mammalian prostasome). Much work is still needed to elucidate the ways in which cells release membrane-bound products and how these products are deployed. The current concentration of research effort on exocytosis as a secretory modus should not divert attention from the remarkable versatility of epithelial cells that are capable of utilizing a variety of ways besides exocytosis to transfer materials and information to the external environment.
Competitive Adsorption of Methyl Bromide and Water on Metal Catecholates: Insights from Density Functional Theory

Density functional theory was used to study the interaction of methyl bromide (MeBr) and water with a large number metal catecholates. Differences in the binding mechanism of MeBr and water result ...
Portable System for Time-Domain Diffuse Correlation Spectroscopy

We introduce a portable system for clinical studies based on time-domain diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS). After evaluating different lasers and detectors, the final system is based on a pulsed laser with about 550 ps pulsewidth, a coherence length of 38 mm, and two types of single-photon avalanche diodes (SPAD). The higher efficiency of the red-enhanced SPAD maximizes detection of the collected light, increasing the signal-to-noise ratio, while the better timing response of the CMOS SPAD optimizes the selection of late photons and increases spatial resolution. We discuss component selection and performance, and we present a full characterization of the system, measurement stability, a phantom-based validation study, and preliminary in vivo results collected from the forearms and the foreheads of four healthy subjects. With this system, we are able to resolve blood flow changes 1 cm below the skin surface with improved depth sensitivity and spatial resolution with respect to continuous wave DCS.
Research within physical oceanography and submarine geology at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography during April 1942 to April 1943

Academic research activity in the fields of physical and chemical oceanography and submarine geology has been further curtailed during the past year due to increased participation of members of the staff in war work. Several members are on special war leave and, since August, 1942, the remaining personnel in physical oceanography and the facilities of the Scripps Institution have been completely at the disposal of special war projects. Consequently, there is little to report to the American Geophysical Union.
Lake: A Digital Wizard of Oz Prototyping Tool

Mobile app designers aim to develop the best mobile software interfaces in the least amount of time, and rely on testing ideas with prototypes in lieu of building costly, fully functioning applications. Yet, designers cannot effectively prototype some complex app experiences, including augmented reality applications like Pokemon GO, because existing tools lack the needed features, or because prototyping in them is too time intensive to be feasible. To solve this problem, we introduce Lake, a mobile application prototyping tool that enables the creation of complex mobile applications with the same ease as paper prototyping. By leveraging the Wizard of Oz technique used in paper prototyping in our digital medium, we enable designers to prototype at the same low cost as paper, but at a much higher fidelity. Through a pilot study (N=6), we find that designers are able to gather organic in-context feedback from complex prototypes made with Lake.
Effectiveness of switching to very low nicotine content cigarettes plus nicotine patch versus reducing daily cigarette consumption plus nicotine patch to decrease dependence: an exploratory randomized trial

Background and aims The United States Food and Drug Administration has proposed regulation to require that cigarettes contain very low nicotine content (VLNC). In contrast, reducing the number of cigarettes per day (CPD) is the most common current method to reduce nicotine. This trial aims to explore whether gradually transitioning to VLNC cigarettes plus nicotine patch or reducing CPD plus nicotine patch is more effective at decreasing nicotine dependence. Design A two-arm, individually randomized open-label trial. Setting Community setting, Vermont, USA. Participants Sixty-eight adult daily smokers (40% female) of ≥ 10 cigarettes/day who were not planning to quit in the next 30 days. Interventions All participants smoked study cigarettes with a nicotine yield similar to most commercial cigarettes ad libitum for 1 week (baseline). Participants then gradually reduced to 70, 35, 15 and 3% of baseline nicotine over 4 weeks by either (a) transitioning to lower nicotine content cigarettes (n = 36) or (b) reducing the number of full nicotine cigarettes (n = 32). All participants received nicotine patches. Measurements The primary outcome was change in nicotine dependence assessed at baseline and weekly during the intervention with the Nicotine Dependence Syndrome Scale. Findings Dependence declined over time for both VLNC and CPD participants, but declined more for VLNC (mean decrease in Z-score of 1.0) than CPD (mean decrease in Z-score of 0.5) participants over time (interaction P = 0.018). Conclusions Transitioning to very low nicotine content cigarettes reduced nicotine dependence over a 4-week period to a greater extent than reducing cigarettes per day when both conditions were aided by nicotine patch.
Electronic Consultations: Complexities and Promise.

In their article, Ahmed and colleagues presented novel metrics to evaluate the appropriateness of e-consults and their effectiveness in avoiding face-to-face visits. The editorialists discuss the f...
Optimal experimental design for prediction based on push-forward probability measures

Abstract Incorporating experimental data is essential for increasing the credibility of simulation-aided decision making and design. This paper presents a method which uses a computational model to guide the optimal acquisition of experimental data to produce data-informed predictions of quantities of interest (QoI). Many strategies for optimal experimental design (OED) select data that maximize some utility that measures the reduction in uncertainty of uncertain model parameters, for example the expected information gain between prior and posterior distributions of these parameters. In this paper, we seek to maximize the expected information gained from the push-forward of an initial (prior) density to the push-forward of the updated (posterior) density through the parameter-to-prediction map. The formulation presented is based upon the solution of a specific class of stochastic inverse problems which seeks a probability density that is consistent with the model and the data in the sense that the push-forward of this density through the parameter-to-observable map matches a target density on the observable data. While this stochastic inverse problem forms the mathematical basis for our approach, we develop a one-step algorithm, focused on push-forward probability measures, that leverages inference-for-prediction to bypass constructing the solution to the stochastic inverse problem. A number of numerical results are presented to demonstrate the utility of this optimal experimental design for prediction and facilitate comparison of our approach with traditional OED.
Recent California tree mortality portends future increase in drought-driven forest die-off

Author(s): Madakumbura, GD; Goulden, ML; Hall, A; Fu, R; Moritz, MA; Koven, CD; Kueppers, LM; Norlen, CA; Randerson, JT | Abstract: Vegetation tolerance to drought depends on an array of site-specific environmental and plant physiological factors. This tolerance is poorly understood for many forest types despite its importance for predicting and managing vegetation stress. We analyzed the relationships between precipitation variability and forest die-off in California's Sierra Nevada and introduce a new measure of drought tolerance that emphasizes plant access to subsurface moisture buffers. We applied this metric to California's severe 2012-2015 drought, and show that it predicted the patterns of tree mortality. We then examined future climate scenarios, and found that the probability of droughts that lead to widespread die-off increases threefold by the end of the 21st century. Our analysis shows that tree mortality in the Sierra Nevada will likely accelerate in the coming decades and that forests in the Central and Northern Sierra Nevada that largely escaped mortality in 2012-2015 are vulnerable to die-off.
Large-scale, three-dimensional tissue cytometry of the human kidney: a complete and accessible pipeline.

The advent of personalized medicine has driven the development of novel approaches for obtaining detailed cellular and molecular information from clinical tissue samples. Tissue cytometry is a promising new technique that can be used to enumerate and characterize each cell in a tissue and, unlike flow cytometry and other single-cell techniques, does so in the context of the intact tissue, preserving spatial information that is frequently crucial to understanding a cell’s physiology, function, and behavior. However, the wide-scale adoption of tissue cytometry as a research tool has been limited by the fact that published examples utilize specialized techniques that are beyond the capabilities of most laboratories. Here we describe a complete and accessible pipeline, including methods of sample preparation, microscopy, image analysis, and data analysis for large-scale three-dimensional tissue cytometry of human kidney tissues. In this workflow, multiphoton microscopy of unlabeled tissue is first conducted to collect autofluorescence and second-harmonic images. The tissue is then labeled with eight fluorescent probes, and imaged using spectral confocal microscopy. The raw 16-channel images are spectrally deconvolved into 8-channel images, and analyzed using the Volumetric Tissue Exploration and Analysis (VTEA) software developed by our group. We applied this workflow to analyze millimeter-scale tissue samples obtained from human nephrectomies and from renal biopsies from individuals diagnosed with diabetic nephropathy, generating a quantitative census of tens of thousands of cells in each. Such analyses can provide useful insights that can be linked to the biology or pathology of kidney disease. The approach utilizes common laboratory techniques, is compatible with most commercially-available confocal microscope systems and all image and data analysis is conducted using the VTEA image analysis software, which is available as a plug-in for ImageJ. Tissue cytometry is a promising new microscopy technique that can be used to enumerate and characterize each cell in a tissue. Here the authors describe a complete and accessible pipeline, including methods of sample preparation, microscopy, image analysis, and data analysis for large-scale three-dimensional tissue cytometry of human kidney tissues.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea in Adults and the Autonomic Nervous System

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by episodic collapse of the upper airway during sleep, resulting in periodic reductions or pauses in ventilation, resulting in hypoxia, hypercapnia, or arousals from sleep. OSA is very frequent in the general population with an estimated prevalence of 3% among women and 10% among men aged 30–49 years and 9% among women and 17% among men aged 50–70 years. OSA is associated with increased risk of hypertension, stroke, coronary artery disease, heart failure, sinus bradycardia, atrioventricular block, ventricular tachycardia, and sudden death. The increase in cardiovascular morbidity and mortality is mediated by sustained increases in sympathetic efferent and cardiovagal activity caused by the repetitive hypoxias and apneas. The most effective therapy to treat moderate and severe OSA is positive airway pressure (CPAP). Although there is consistent evidence that CPAP therapy reduces sympathetic efferent activity and improves cardioascular autonomic tone in patients with OSA, the effects of CPAP therapy on hypertension, cardiovascular events, and survival remain uncertain, and more controlled trials are required. The effect of CPAP on cardiac arrhythmias is also unknown. Novel therapeutic approaches are redefining the relationship between OSA and autonomic dysfunction and treatment with CPAP may be a potential therapeutic option for the treatment of supine hypertension in patients with autonomic failure, regardless of the presence of OSA.
The Neuroscience of Human Connection and Leadership

Advances in neuroimaging methods have changed the way that psychologists study human behavior and cognition. These techniques are not, however, without statistical pitfalls. This chapter surveys some recent studies on the psychology of social connection and leadership, with a particular emphasis on methodological caveats.
Worry and Generalized Anxiety Disorder: A Review and Theoretical Synthesis of Research on Nature, Etiology, and Treatment

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is associated with substantial personal and societal cost yet is the least successfully treated of the anxiety disorders. In this review, research on clinical features, boundary issues, and naturalistic course, as well as risk factors and maintaining mechanisms (cognitive, biological, neural, interpersonal, and developmental), are presented. A synthesis of these data points to a central role of emotional hyperreactivity, sensitivity to contrasting emotions, and dysfunctional attempts to cope with strong emotional shifts via worry. Consistent with the Contrast Avoidance model, evidence shows that worry evokes and sustains negative affect, thereby precluding sharp increases in negative emotion. We also review current treatment paradigms and suggest how the Contrast Avoidance model may help to target key fears and avoidance tendencies that serve to maintain pathology in GAD.
Mental health, pain, and sleep factors associated with subjective cognitive difficulties in individuals with spinal cord injury.

Objective: We examined the relationships between self-reported demographic, mental health, physical health, and health behavior factors and subjective cognitive difficulties in a unique cohort of individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) who averaged more than 30 years postinjury at assessment. Method: The study involved cross-sectional analyses of self-report assessment data collected during the most recent data-collection period (2018-2019) of a 45-year multicohort longitudinal study. Participants (n = 553) were identified from a specialty hospital in the southeastern United States and two midwestern university hospitals and were initially enrolled in the study in 1973-1974, 1984-1985, 1993-1994, or 2003-2004. The Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Cognitive Function-Short Form 8a v2.0 was the main outcome measure used to assess subjective cognitive difficulties. Results: Bivariate analyses indicated that greater subjective cognitive difficulties were associated with being female, elevated anxiety and depressive symptoms, sleep disturbance, cardiovascular disease, worse pain, polypharmacy, worse self-rated diet, and tobacco use. A hierarchical linear regression analysis including sociodemographic and SCI-related variables (Step 1) and physical, mental health, and health variables (added in Step 2) explained 33% of the variance in subjective cognitive difficulties, F(16, 421) = 13.45, p ≤ .001. Depressive, anxiety, and pain symptoms; sleep disturbance; and injury level remained significant predictors of variance in subjective cognitive symptoms when considering all variables simultaneously. Conclusion: Improving mental health symptoms, pain experiences, and sleep difficulties may be promising to improve subjective cognitive symptoms in individuals with SCI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
The Formation and Dissolution of Crust Upon Alumina Addition into Cryolite Electrolyte

The properties of the alumina agglomerate/crust formed upon smelting grade alumina feeding and the corresponding dissolution rates in cryolite electrolyte were studied using a suspended weighing device. A series of experiments was designed to investigate the dissolution rate of the crust at various temperatures and the effects of initial alumina concentration in the electrolyte on the formation process and properties of the crust. Initial results showed that under experimental non-stirring conditions, a large proportion as high as 54–64% of the fed alumina participated in the formation of the crust upon feeding at 1233–1238 K (960–965°C). The dissolution rate of the crust decreased greatly with the increase of initial alumina concentration and the decrease of operating temperature. The mass of the crust increased significantly at high initial alumina concentrations and decreased temperature, while the alumina content of the crust showed a slight decreasing trend. Other parameters of the crust such as volume density and gas-filling fraction were also measured. The influence of physical stirring on alumina dissolution rate was also discussed.
Mechanisms of Aldosterone Action in Brain and Behavior

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the mechanisms of aldosterone action in brain and behavior. Sodium is a major electrolyte of the extracellular fluid, and its levels in the body must be regulated by complementary physiological mechanisms of conservation and behavioral controls of ingestion. Salt appetite is an innate behavior that is regulated by multiple mechanisms. Included in these regulatory mechanisms are systems to monitor sodium levels directly, osmosensitive neurons, and afferent baroreceptor input that detect changes in vascular volume and pressure secondary to sodium loss. But perhaps the interoceptive stimuli that have received the most experimental attention are the endocrine consequences of sodium deficiency. During sodium deficiency, multiple stimuli increase the synthesis and subsequent release of ALDO from the zona glomerulosa cells of the adrenal cortex. ALDO acts in the most distal regions of the nephron to reduce sodium excretion. ALDO also acts on cerebral receptors to induce salt appetite. These behavioral effects result from steroids' interaction with two distinct classes of receptors.
The Ethics of Exposure Therapy for Anxiety Disorders

Exposure-based cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) is the most empirically supported psychological treatment for the anxiety disorders. However, few therapists provide exposure therapy to their clients. Although the poor dissemination of exposure-based treatments may be partially attributable to a shortage of suitably trained therapists, exposure therapy also suffers from a “public relations problem” among practitioners who believe it to be intolerable, unsafe, and unethical. This chapter provides an overview of ethical issues and considerations relevant to the use of exposure therapy. It is argued that exposure therapy may be delivered in an ethical, tolerable, and safe manner by therapists who take reasonable steps to create a professional context. Specific strategies for avoiding potential ethical conflicts in the use of exposure-based treatments are discussed.
Chapter 11 – Social Skills

Publisher Summary A person's adaptive behavior requires a repertoire of social skills and the ability to use these skills at the right time and place to meet the daily demands of school, work, and life. Most professionals and parents similarly explain social skills as discrete verbal and nonverbal behaviors that are learned by watching people around them or specifically taught to maximize social reinforcement. This chapter describes the importance of social adaptive skills and their implication for general functioning, discuss factors that impact the development of social skills, provide an overview of assessment procedures, and describe how to teach social skills to address deficits in adaptive behavior. A case study is presented that exemplifies assessment procedures and intervention planning using a person-centered approach to meet the needs of individuals with deficits in adaptive behavior. Social skills and social competence often are used interchangeably to describe an individual's social functioning. However, these terms should be distinguished to promote clarity for instructional purposes. They constitute situation specific patterns of behavior necessary for interactions with others.
Deuterium Fractionation during Molecular Hydrogen Formation in a Marine Pseudomonad

Formic hydrogenlyase, but not foriric dehydrogenase or hydrogenase (hydrogen utilization), was partially inhibited by 33% D/sub 2/O or completely deuterated sodium formate. Thus hypothesis that one, but not two, of the atoms in the evolved hydrogen was in immediate equilibrium with the medium is supported. Mass spectrometric analyses of the hydrogen produced by growing cells showed a deuterium content of about 30 ppm (depleted by a factor of 4.4 to 5.1; theoretical factor = 3.87). The same was true whether glucose or formate was the substrate. The intracellular water and cellular hydrogen were not significantly depleted in deuterium. It is concluded that the fractionation takes place during formate utilization. (auth)
Risk factors for growth and metastasis of small choroidal melanocytic lesions.

Abstract PURPOSE: To investigate the clinical features that predict growth and metastasis of an unselected group of small melanocytic choroidal tumors. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed on 1329 patients with small melanocytic choroidal tumors measuring 3 mm in thickness or less. Clinical parameters of the patient and tumor were extracted and analyzed for their relationship to eventual tumor growth and metastasis using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: Tumor growth was documented in 18% of patients. The factors predictive of tumor growth (multivariate analysis) included greater tumor thickness, posterior tumor margin touching optic disc, symptoms of flashes, floaters, and blurred vision, orange pigment on the tumor surface, and the presence of subretinal fluid. The relative risk (rr) was greatest for initial tumor thickness > 2.0 mm (rr 5.2) and posterior margin touching the optic disc (rr 2.6). After adjusting for significant tumor variables, the effect of interventional tumor treatment showed a decreasing risk for tumor growth as compared to continued observation without treatment. Of 1329 patients, 35 (3%) developed metastases. The factors predictive of metastases (multivariate analysis) included: posterior tumor margin touching the optic disc, documented growth, and greater tumor thickness. The relative risk for metastases was greatest for tumor thickness 1.1-3.0 mm (rr 8.8) and growth (rr 3.2). CONCLUSION: Of small choroidal melanocytic tumors measuring 3 mm or less in thickness at the time of initial examination, 18% demonstrate growth and 3% metastasize during the period of followup. Based on this analysis, the clinical features of these tumors can be used to estimate the risk for tumor growth and metastases and assist the clinician with patient management.
Spinal Cord Cavernous Malformations; 62 Patient Retrospective Review To Define Disease Natural History (S25.006)

OBJECTIVE: To clinically characterize and define the natural history of a cohort of radiographically defined spinal cavernous malformations (SCM). BACKGROUND: SCM are an uncommon vascular malformation with little known of the natural history. Natural history data can be important in management decisions. DESIGN/METHODS: Consecutive patients with SCM seen at Mayo Clinic between 1996 and 2010 were retrospectively identified from a radiographic database. Extensive clinical and radiographic information were abstracted. Follow up information was obtained in 2012 by clinical chart. If not seen within 6 months of time of data abstraction, a survey was sent to patients followed by a phone call. Follow up information included recurrent symptomatic events and functional status. Symptomatic events were defined as new neurological symptoms that anatomically corresponded with the SCM. Hemorrhage was defined as symptomatic events with radiographic evidence of hemorrhage. RESULTS: Sixty-two patients with SCM were identified (35 male; average age=51.4). The SCM presented in the following manner: 10 incidentally discovered, 1 through screening due to known brain CM, 47 after symptomatic event, 4 unknown. Median follow up time was 832.5 days. Of the 10 patients with incidentally found cavernomas, none went on to have hemorrhages. Of the 47 patients presenting with symptoms associated with the cavernoma, 5 patients (10.6%) had a total of 8 symptomatic events while followed at our institution. Of the 62 patient cohort, 46 patients were followed for greater than 6 months. Three of these patients showed worsening neurological status by ASIA classification, 4 showed improvement, 30 remained stable and 9 were uncertain. Twenty two patients ultimately underwent surgical resection CONCLUSIONS: Patients with incidentally discovered SCM had a benign clinical course, while those with symptomatic lesions showed a higher rate of recurrent events. Study Supported by: Disclosure: Dr. Williams has nothing to disclose. Dr. Flemming has nothing to disclose. Dr. Brown has nothing to disclose.
Genetic Engineering for Salinity Stress Tolerance

Multiple biotic and abiotic environmental factors may constitute stresses that affect plant growth and yield in crop species. With a focus on ionic stress exerted by the presence of sodium, and the associated water deficit, recent advances in our understanding are reviewed. Established physiological, biochemical, and genetic approaches are made more meaningful by the inclusion of genomics‐type tools, which have been most helpful by making available a global view of transcriptome responses to salinity stress, and by providing lines from the global mutagenesis of model species, in particular for Arabidopsis thaliana. Many of the genetic elements that assure ion homeostasis and ion transport have become known, as have several elements that control ion homeostasis. Genes that respond to salinity stress have been identified through mutant screens, from comparative functional studies that relied on known physiological and phenotypic parameters. Until now, the resulting concepts and strategies for engineering salinity stress tolerance in their majority targeted single genes in biochemical pathways, which represent end points of response cascades, but engineering of upstream master switches that regulate the activity of many downstream genes and proteins is increasingly attempted. The rapidly growing body of results on (salinity) stress sensing and signaling promises to lead to the identification of those genes that are of superior significance in salt stress response pathways, and abiotic stresses in general.
Enzymatic characterization of the N-acetylation of 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde dehydrogenase by acetyl phosphate.

Abstract Acetyl phosphate or p-nitrophenyl acetate acetylates a specific cysteine residue in the active center of 3-phosphoglyceraldehyde dehydrogenase crystallized from rabbit muscle. This reaction occurs more easily with the enzyme from rabbit than from yeast. At pH 7.0 and 0° the cysteine residue is readily acetylated and forms a common intermediate in the dehydrogenase, transferase, and esterase reactions. On warming or raising the pH to 8.5, the acetyl groups migrate from the cysteine to a specific lysine moiety by a S—N transfer reaction. Three to 4 cysteine or lysine residues can be acetylated per molecule of rabbit muscle dehydrogenase (mol wt 140,000). The distribution of the acetyl group between these 2 residues is affected by the pH, substrate concentration, and time of incubation. A more specifically and completely labeled N-acetyl enzyme can be prepared with acetyl phosphate than with p-nitrophenyl acetate. N-Acetylation of the enzyme impairs DPN binding and, depending on the assay conditions, produces varying degrees of inhibition of the dehydrogenase activity. On the other hand, DPN inhibits the N-acetylation of the enzyme. When DPN is added to the N-acetylated dehydrogenase, the coenzyme protects against progressive inactivation of the protein with time.
GTP stimulates pregnenolone generation in isolated rat adrenal mitochondria

Pregnenolone synthesis from cholesterol by adrenal mitochondria isolated from ether-stressed rats exhibits a biphasic time course: upon the addition of a reducing substrate (e.g. malate), a rapid phase of pregnenolone formation occurs during the first 5 min, which has been interpreted as the metabolism of a steroidogenic pool of cholesterol, probably in the inner membrane. A slower rate follows, which is interpreted as translocation of cholesterol into the steroidogenic pool. While a 30-min preincubation of mitochondria with cholesterol alone did not affect the extent of the rapid phase, preincubation with GTP plus cholesterol extended the first phase, resulting in an up to 2-fold increase in pregnenolone synthesis by 20-30 min. The apparent Km for GTP was 0.1-0.4 mM, and stimulation was maximal with preincubation times of 10-30 min, depending upon incubation conditions. Exogenous cholesterol was not required to observe a stimulatory effect, indicating that GTP reorganizes the endogenous mitochondrial cholesterol pools. Nevertheless, stimulation was greater when exogenous cholesterol was provided, consistent with enhanced utilization of both endogenous and exogenous cholesterol. Stimulation by GTP was also seen in mitochondria isolated from cycloheximide-injected/ether-stressed rats, although the activity in these preparations was always lower than that in mitochondria from ether-stressed rats. The stimulation was specific for GTP, since many other nucleotides (e.g. ATP, GDP, and ITP) and GTP analogues (guanosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate and guanosine 5'-(beta,gamma-imino)triphosphate) had no effect. The GTP-activated state was reversible: after GTP hydrolysis by a mitochondrial GTPase, pregnenolone synthesis returned to the basal level. Sonic disruption of mitochondria abolished the stimulatory effect of GTP. These results suggest that GTP enhances pregnenolone synthesis by promoting the movement of cholesterol to the steroidogenic pool, consistent with a recently proposed general role for GTP in some vectorial transport processes (Bourne, H. R. (1988) Cell 53, 669-671).
A Cache Management Scheme for Hiding Garbage Collection Latency in Flash-Based Solid State Drives

Recent advancements in flash-based solid state drive (SSD) make it a highly desirable storage device, especially for data-intensive applications. There are significant more SSDs used in data centers and high performance computing systems. SSDs perform one or two orders better than traditional hard disk drives generally. However, the performance of random writes on SSDs, especially small random writes, is still largely limited due to the garbage collection (GC) process. Existing work tried to utilize the on-device RAM as a write cache to improve the write performance, however directly utilizing it as a normal write cache under utilizes the RAM cache. In this poster, we present our initial study of a cache management scheme that hides the GC latency.
Strategies for Harm Reduction Among HIV-Affected Couples Who Want to Conceive

As effective HIV treatments become more widespread, HIV-infected individuals are living longer, healthier lives. Many HIV-affected couples (sero-discordant and sero-concordant) are considering options for safer reproduction. A large body of evidence suggests that reproductive technologies can help HIV-affected couples to safely conceive with minimal risk of HIV transmission to their partner. However, for most couples such technologies are neither geographically nor economically accessible. This paper addresses the options for safer procreation among HIV-affected couples who cannot access reproductive technologies.
Immunoglobulins and other proteins in commercial preparations of gamma globulin.

The use of pooled gamma globulin in the treatment of congenital and acquired agammaglobulinemias and of a few dysgammaglobulinemias, and in the prophylaxis of certain infections, is widely accepted. In addition to this, gamma globulin is often prescribed by practicing physicians for patients with repeated infections or with chronic allergic disorders, even though its value in these circumstances is not established. Because of the importance of gamma globulin and its widespread use, it was felt that the immunoglobulin composition of various commercial gamma globulin preparations should be ascertained. In this paper, several of the differences which exist among individual commercial gamma globulin preparations are documented and discussed.
Healthcare providers and teen driving safety: topics discussed and communication products used in practice

Background Traffic crashes are the leading cause of death among US teens. Healthcare providers who care for adolescents have an opportunity to address the issue and discuss what works to keep teen drivers safe on the road. Aims To assess teen driving safety topics addressed by healthcare providers during the patient encounter and to assess their use of available health information resources. Methods Web-based survey of healthcare providers in the following categories: family practice, general practice, internal medicine, paediatrics, and nurse practitioners. Data from 1088 providers who saw patients at or near driving age were included. Results Family and general practice physicians represented 44.3% of the sample, followed by paediatricians (22.5%), nurse practitioners (17.7%), and internists (15.5%). Nearly all respondents (92.9%) reported addressing one or more crash risk factors (seat belt use, nighttime driving, fatigue, teen passengers, alcohol/drug use, speeding/reckless driving, and cell phone use/texting) with adolescent patients and/or their parents. Seat belt use was reported more often (83.7%) than other topics. Paediatricians reported addressing these risk factors more often than other specialties. When communications products were used, written materials such as pamphlets were used more often than other types of products such as posters or videos. Parent-teen driving contracts were reported by less than 10% of respondents. Significance Most respondents reported addressing key driving safety topics with adolescents and/or their parents. However, parent-teen driving contracts, a known effective intervention, was reported infrequently. This, coupled with the expressed interest in receiving written resource materials, presents an opportunity for future progress. This is an abstract of a presentation at Safety 2012, the 11th World Conference on Injury Prevention and Safety Promotion, 1-4 October 2012, Michael Fowler Center, Wellington, New Zealand. Full text does not seem to be available for this abstract.
Pelvic Congestion Syndrome (Pelvic Venous Incompetence): Impact of Ovarian and Internal Iliac Vein Embolotherapy on Menstrual Cycle and Chronic Pelvic Pain

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of transcatheter embolotherapy on pain perception and menstrual cycle in women with chronic pelvic pain caused by the presence of ovarian and pelvic varices (ie, women with pelvic congestion syndrome or pelvic venous incompetence). MATERIALS AND METHODS From July 1998 to August 2000, 56 patients (mean age, 32.3 y) were treated for chronic pelvic pain. Diagnostic venography of the ovarian veins was followed by transcatheter embolotherapy with a sclerosing agent and coils. A second session was completed to embolize the internal iliac veins in 43 of 56 patients. Visual analog scales (VAS) used to measure pain were administered before embolization and at 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-up. Questionnaires regarding menstrual history were used as part of the postprocedural analysis. RESULTS Percutaneous transcatheter embolotherapy of ovarian and pelvic varices was technically successful in 56 of 56 patients (100%); three patients developed recurrent varices, two of whom were treated with repeat transcatheter embolotherapy. Two patients, early in the experience, had complications in which coils placed in the internal iliac veins embolized to the pulmonary circulation; the coils were snared without clinical sequelae. On the VAS, the mean baseline pain level was 7.8 (range, 3.2–9.8; n = 56); at 3-month follow-up, it was 4.2 (range, 0.0–7.2; n = 56); at 6 months, 3.8 (range, 0.0–6.7; n = 41); and at 12 months, 2.7 (range, 0.0–6.9; n = 32). Differences were significant ( P CONCLUSION For patients with ovarian/internal iliac varices, transcatheter embolotherapy provides a nonsurgical treatment option. There is a significant decrease in pain based on VAS without any notable impact on menstrual cycle.