cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Current status of academic emergency medicine within academic medicine in the United States.

Objective: To characterize the status of emergency medicine within U.S. academic medical centers. Methods: All accredited emergency medicine residency programs and all four-year allopathic medical schools in the United States were identified. Institutions were defined as academic medical centers based upon NIH research grant funding. These institutions were ranked using five measures of academic stature: a survey of medical school deans, a survey of internal medicine residency directors, level of research funding, characteristics of the student body, and an unweighted composite variable reflecting overall academic stature. The relationship between institutional academic stature and an empiric scale of institutional affiliation with emergency medicine was assessed. Results: Sixty-two institutions were designated academic medical centers. These medical schools captured 90% of all NIH grant monies awarded in fiscal year 1990. Twenty-six of 87 emergency medicine residency programs (30%) were closely affiliated with one of these medical schools. Within academic medical centers, the presence of a residency or an academic department of emergency medicine was inversely associated with the medical school deans' ranking (p < 0.005), research rank (p < 0.001), and composite academic rank (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: The majority of emergency medicine residency programs (70%) are not closely affiliated with institutions receiving the bulk (90%) of NIH resources for research. Within the institutions receiving the majority of NIH funding, there is a quantitatively and statistically significant inverse association of institutional emergency medicine affiliation and institutional academic rank.
The Hardware-Happiness Hype

This is a casual critique of the effect of the computer revolution on human productivity. The computer (especially the home computer) may be just one more example in a long line of examples of disappointing hardware solutions to human problems. The potential c auses of this disappointment are the lack of useful software for home computers, the labor-intensive nature of many computer applications, and the computer's ability to reinforce playing-with-the-computer rather than working-on-the-task-at-hand.
Theoretical Analysis of Core Size Effect in Metalloporphyrins

Density functional theory has been applied to a series of unsubstituted planar metalloporphyrins (MPs) to elucidate how geometry and frequencies correlate with the metal−nitrogen distance, referred to as the core size. Different transition metals can invoke expansion or contraction of the porphyrin core due to electronic effects resulting from the amount of d-electron pairing as well as occupancy of the dx2−y2 orbital. A full vibrational analysis consisting of all in-plane and out-of-plane frequencies was carried out, and the resulting modes were plotted against core size for a linear analysis and grouped within symmetry blocks. The modes were separated according to planarity, and all modes with a large slope and best fit greater than 0.8 were considered sensitive to metal−nitrogen distances. All planar skeletal modes above 1450 cm−1, including the pyrolle ring deformations, are found to be core-size sensitive. The most significant out-of-plane modes sensitive to core size are γ8 and γ9, which are infrare...
Analysis of class II (hydrolytic) and class I (β-lyase) apurinic/apyrimidinic endonucleases with a synthetic DNA substrate

We have developed simple and sensitive assays that distinguish the main classes of apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonucleases: Class I enzymes that cleave on the 3' side of AP sites by beta-elimination, and Class II enzymes that cleave by hydrolysis on the 5' side. The distinction of the two types depends on the use of a synthetic DNA polymer that contains AP sites with 5'-[32P]phosphate residues. Using this approach, we now show directly that Escherichia coli endonuclease IV and human AP endonuclease are Class II enzymes, as inferred previously on the basis of indirect assays. The assay method does not exhibit significant interference by nonspecific nucleases or primary amines, which allows the ready determination of different AP endonuclease activities in crude cell extracts. In this way, we show that virtually all of the Class II AP endonuclease activity in E. coli can be accounted for by two enzymes: exonuclease III and endonuclease IV. In the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the Class II AP endonuclease activity is totally dependent on a single enzyme, the Apn1 protein, but there are probably multiple Class I enzymes. The versatility and ease of our approach should be useful for characterizing this important class of DNA repair enzymes in diverse systems.
Zebrafish G protein γ2 is required for VEGF signaling during angiogenesis

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a major mediator of pathologic angiogenesis, a process necessary for the formation of new blood vessels to support tumor growth. Historically, VEGF has been thought to signal via receptor tyrosine kinases, which are not typically considered to be G protein dependent. Here, we show that targeted knockdown of the G protein gng2 gene (Gγ2) blocks the normal angiogenic process in developing zebrafish embryos. Moreover, loss of gng2 function inhibits the ability of VEGF to promote the angiogenic sprouting of blood vessels by attenuating VEGF induced phosphorylation of phospholipase C-gamma1 (PLCγ1) and serine/threonine kinase (AKT). Collectively, these results demonstrate a novel interaction between Gγ2- and VEGF-dependent pathways to regulate the angiogenic process in a whole-animal model. Blocking VEGF function using a humanized anti-VEGF antibody has emerged as a promising treatment for colorectal, non-small lung cell, and breast cancers. However, this treatment may cause considerable side effects. Our findings provide a new opportunity for cotargeting G protein- and VEGF-dependent pathways to synergistically block pathologic angiogenesis, which may lead to a safer and more efficacious therapeutic regimen to fight cancer. (Blood. 2006;108:160-166)
Thymosin β4 reduces lethality and down-regulates inflammatory mediators in endotoxin-induced septic shock

Thymosin beta(4) (Tbeta(4)), a highly conserved peptide with immunomodulatory properties, is the major actin-sequestering peptide in mammalian cells. Recent studies have established that Tbeta(4) can accelerate wound healing in full thickness skin wounds and following burn injuries to the cornea. In the eye studies, the accelerated healing due to Tbeta(4) was accompanied by a significant reduction in polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN) infiltration and a several-fold decrease in interleukin-1beta (p< or =0.015) and 6-keto-prostaglandin F(1alpha) (6-keto-PGF1alpha, p< or =0.05). Given the recognized role of proinflammatory cytokines in septic shock and of extracellular F- and G-actin in the pathophysiology of multiple organ dysfunction, we have investigated the role of Tbeta(4) in sepsis. We report that an LD(50) dose of LPS (24 mg/kg) in rats resulted in a significant reduction of Tbeta(4) levels in the blood. Furthermore, administration of 100 microg of Tbeta(4) immediately following and at 2 and 4 h after an LD(50) dose of LPS (60 mg/kg) in mice significantly reduced mortality rates (p< or =0.024) and lowered blood levels of a number of inflammatory cytokines, eicosanoids, and other molecules that are highly elevated following endotoxin administration. In studies in human subjects given low doses of endotoxin (4 ng/kg LPS) and in patients with septic shock, we have also observed significant decreases in blood levels of Tbeta(4). The rapid disappearance of Tbeta(4) in the blood following LPS administration or during septic shock suggests that Tbeta(4) may be involved in early events leading to activation of the inflammatory cascade and ultimately the clinical sequelae of sepsis. The results of this study indicate that Tbeta(4) may have utility in the clinic in the treatment of septic shock and in syndromes associated with actin toxicities.
Review of the epidemiological evidence relating toluene to reproductive outcomes.

Abstract This review examines the epidemiological evidence for adverse reproductive outcomes from those occupational studies that present toluene-specific findings. Clinical investigations of the reproductive effects of toluene abuse are also examined. Six occupational studies reported associations between toluene and spontaneous abortion, two between toluene and congenital malformation, and three between toluene and reduced fertility. The spontaneous abortion studies provided the most suggestive evidence for an association with toluene. However, the potential for bias in some of these studies, the relatively homogeneous nature of the populations examined (e.g., four of the six studies evaluated similar groups of Finnish workers), and the multiple chemicals to which most workers were simultaneously exposed suggest cautious interpretation of these findings. Also, spontaneous abortion has generally not been observed as a major problem among highly exposed women who abuse toluene during pregnancy. The results of the occupational studies should be considered “hypothesis generating”. Truly prospective studies with individually monitored data on toluene exposure and early fetal loss are needed to more definitively investigate this issue.
Development of coordinated singing in a newly formed siamang pair (Hylobates syndactylus)

The study traced the development of coordinated singing in a newly formed male-female siamang pair. Forty-five song bouts were observed during 18 wk following the pairs' initial introduction to one another. Of particular interest was the development of vocal coordination between pair members in the great-call sequence of the duet. The percentage of successfully completed great-call sequences rose from 24% for the first three sessions to 79% for the last three sessions. Types of “errors” that led to incomplete great calls were identified. The two most common errors were: uninvited female high-bark series, which accounted for the premature termination of 30% of the great-call attempts during the first three sessions and of 11% of the attempts during the last three sessions, and a premature male ululating scream and/or locomotion call, which accounted for the premature termination of 34% of the great-call attempts during the first three sessions and of 5% of the attempts during the final three sessions. The fully coordinated great-call sequences that finally developed closely resembled the siamang great-call sequence described by Haimoff (Behaviour 76:128–151, 1981; Semiotica 68:89–120, 1988). The role of experience in the development of vocal coordination is discussed.
Leishmania donovani singly deficient in HGPRT, APRT or XPRT are viable in vitro and within mammalian macrophages.

Leishmania species express three phosphoribosyltransferase enzymes, hypoxanthine–guanine phosphoribosyltransferase (HGPRT), adenine phosphoribosyltransferase (APRT), and xanthine phosphoribosyltransferase (XPRT), which enable this genus to acquire purine nutrients from their hosts. To test whether any of these enzymes is essential for viability, transformation into amastigotes, and infectivity and proliferation within mammalian macrophages, ∆hgprt, ∆aprt, and ∆xprt null mutants were created by targeted gene replacement within a virulent background of Leishmania donovani. Each of the three knockout strains was viable as promastigotes and axenic amastigotes and capable of maintaining an infection in bone marrow-derived murine macrophages. These data support the hypothesis that none of the three phosphoribosyltransferases is essential for purine salvage or viability by itself and that purine salvage occurs through multiple anabolic routes in both parasite life cycle stages. In addition these studies revealed the presence of an adenine aminohydrolase enzyme in L. donovani axenic amastigotes, an activity previously thought to be restricted to promastigotes. © 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
A Functional Classification for Early Childhood Education.

This research was designed to assess special education teachers' perception of the type of child in greatest need of early childhood special education placement. A sample of 123 special education teachers responded to the request to rank order a list of functional skills commonly associated with children 2 years old. The results were factor analyzed and revealed a classification of four types of children: (a) environmentally at-risk children, (b) children lacking gross-motor skills, (c) children lacking readiness and fine-motor skills, and (d) children with marked self-care deficiencies.
The Secondary Outburst Maximum of T Coronae Borealis: Implications for the Physics of Accretion Disks

The hypothesis of Webbink (1976) that the accretion of a torus of matter onto a main-sequence star caused secondary maxima during the 1866 and 1946 eruptions of the recurrent nova T CrB is examined. Simple 1D calculations show that the accretion disk viscosity must increase with time to produce light curves resembling observations. It is inferred that the physical mechanism responsible for producing the viscous dissipation in the accretion disk has a fast growth rate and saturates to a viscosity parameter of order unity. The good agreement between parameters estimated from observations and those derived from a physical mechanism suggests that the growth rate instability identified by Balbus and Hawley (1991) is a promising source for accretion disk viscosity.
A note on rods falling near a vertical wall in a viscoelastic liquid

Abstract The motion of a slender rod near a vertical wall in a viscoelastic liquid is investigated experimentally. When the particle is not too near the wall, its motion is compared to existing theoretical solutions for the motion of a slender rod in an unbounded second-order fluid. In this case, it is found that the theory and experiment are in qualitative agreement provided the particle is at least one length from the wall. When the particle is nearer to the wall, its motion is shown to correspond qualitatively to a simple superposition of the motion in a second-order fluid of infinite extent and the motion in a Newtonian fluid near a vertical wall.
Structural rotation of Al under uniaxial compression: A first-principles prediction

We report on a density functional theory based study of a novel structural rotation of single-crystal aluminum (Al) under uniaxial compression. It was found that under strains either along the 〈112〉 or the 〈111〉 direction, beyond a critical stress of about 13 GPa, the Al crystal can rotate through shear in the Shockley partial direction on the {111} plane, to relieve internal stresses. This phenomenon reveals a new mechanism leading to the onset of homogeneous dislocation nucleation in face-centered-cubic materials under high uniaxial compressions.
Solar Flare Hard X-Ray Observations

Recent hard X-ray observations of solar flares are reviewed with emphasis on results obtained with instruments on the Solar Maximum Mission satellite. Flares with three different sets of characteristics, designated as Type A, Type B, and Type C, are discussed and hard X-ray temporal, spatial, spectral, and polarization measurements are reviewed in this framework. Coincident observations are reviewed at other wavelengths including the UV, microwaves, and soft X-rays, with discussions of their interpretations. In conclusion, a brief outline is presented of the potential of future hard X-ray observations with sub-second time resolution, arcsecond spatial resolution, and keV energy resolution, and polarization measurements at the few percent level up to 100 keV.
Inclusion of Neutral and Anionic Guests within the Cavity of π-Metalated Cyclotriveratrylenes

Treatment of the chloride bridged species [{M(L)Cl(μ-Cl)}2] (M = Ru, L = 4-MeC6H4CHMe2, C6H6, or C6Me6; M = Ir, L = C5Me5) with silver salts AgX (X = BF4, CF3SO3, CF3CO2 etc.) followed by reflux with the bowl-shaped macrocycle cyclotriveratrylene (CTV) results in the clean formation of mono-, di-, and trimetallic CTV complexes [{M(L)}n(CTV)]X2n (n = 1, 2, 3). Further salts (X = ReO4-, I-) may be generated by anion metathesis. All three types of complex display novel host−guest properties. In the case of the monometallic hosts the disruption of the characteristic columnar packing mode of the CTV, a result of the presence of the metal center, leads to the inclusion of neutral and anionic guest species (NO2Me, Et2O, H{CF3CO2}2-, etc.) within the CTV cavity. For complexes where n = 2 or 3 the inclusion of anionic guests is invariably observed. The extent of anion binding has been established by means of X-ray crystal structure determinations upon various di- and trimetallic species containing BF4-, CF3SO3-, o...
Evaluation of early enteral feeding in children less than 3 years old with smaller burns (8-25 per cent TBSA).

Abstract Early enteral feeding and high protein nutrition have been advocated for burned patients. The safety and efficacy of early high protein nasogastric feeding (NG) have not been evaluated in very young children. The present study evaluated such feeding in children less than 3 years old with smaller burns (8–25 per cent of total body surface area). Children (n = 10) were able to tolerate high protein intake without detrimental effects. The incidences of gastrointestinal complications related to NG feeding were low. The children needed approximately 2 weeks of supplemental NG feeding which provided two-thirds of total energy intake and three-fourths of protein intake. In spite of smaller burns, the mean measured resting metabolic expenditure (REE) was 1.3 × predicted REE. The mean energy intake of 92 per cent of recommended daily allowances (RDA) for energy or 1.7 × predicted REE was able to maintain body weight. The mean protein intake was 4.3 g/kg/day with a non-protein calorie ratio of 114:1. During the first week postburn, plasma concentrations of prealbumin, albumin and transferrin were low. The high protein intake was able to raise these visceral proteins to normal ranges. These results indicate that early NG feeding is safe and efficacious for achieving increased energy intake and improved protein status in very young children.
Hierarchical Bayes Versus Finite Mixture Conjoint Analysis Models: A Comparison of Fit, Prediction, and Partworth Recovery

Abstract A study conducted by Vriens, Wedel, and Wilms (1996) and published in Journal of Marketing Research found that finite mixture (FM) conjoint models had the best overall performance of nine conjoint segmentation methods in terms of fit, prediction, and parameter recovery. Since that study, hierarchical Bayes (HB) conjoint analysis methods have been proposed to estimate individual-level partworths and have received much attention in the marketing research literature. However, no study has compared the relative effectiveness of FM and HB conjoint analysis models in terms of fit, prediction, and parameter recovery. To conduct such a comparison, the authors employ the simulation methodology proposed by Vriens, Wedel, and Wilms with some modification. The authors estimate traditional individual-level conjoint models as well. The authors show that FM and HB models are equally effective in recovering individual-level parameters and predicting ratings of holdout profiles. Two surprising findings are that (...
Double-Layer Interference in Air-CdS Films*

Optical thickness measurement of nonabsorbing dielectric film when it is inconvenient to apply overlay film to measure thickness by Fizeau fringe shift
Social Science Research on Lay Definitions of Sexual Harassment

This article critically reviews social science research relevant to lay people defining sexual harassment, including research on what behaviors are considered harassing, the effects of harasser status on perceptions of harassment, and gender differences in definitions of sexual harassment. Included in this review are data from a previously unpublished study of definitions of sexual harassment among a sample of over 4000 students, faculty, and staff at the University of Minnesota. Our review suggests that there is now quite a bit of lay consensus regarding which categories of behaviors are generally considered harassing. Studies on both the effects of harasser status and gender differences in perceptions of harassing behaviors are less consistent. We conclude our review with several recommendations for increasing the external validity of this research.
Defining the neighborhoods that escort the oocyte through its early life events and into a functional follicle

The ovary functions to chaperone the most precious cargo for female individuals, the oocyte, to allow the passage of genetic material to subsequent generations. Within the ovary, single oocytes are surrounded by a legion of granulosa cells inside each follicle. These two cell types depend upon one another to support follicle formation and oocyte survival. The infrastructure and events that work together to ultimately form these functional follicles within the ovary are unprecedented, given that the oocyte is fated like all other neighboring cells within the embryo prior to gastrulation. This review discusses the journey of the germ cell in the context of the developing female mouse embryo, with a focus on specific signaling events and cell-cell interactions that escort the primordial germ cell as it is specified into the germ-cell fate, migrates through the hindgut into the gonad, differentiates into an oocyte, and culminates upon formation of the primordial and then primary follicle.
Aurora spectra showing broad hydrogen lines

The best spectra of the aurora taken since 1939 with the two prism spectrograph having camera lens ten cm focal length and F/1.65 aperture show lines, approximately five A broad, within two to five A of the positions of Hα, Hβ and Hγ. Large scale microphotometer tracings separate these lines from the various bands of N , and the identification as hydrogen seems established. Many spectra taken on the time sequence spectrograph, aperture F/0.8, show that these lines appear most strongly preceding and during an outburst of aurora. This is in support of Eckersley's theory of ionosphere disturbances. Thus, there is evidence to indicate that the hydrogen is of solar origin and a primary cause of some aurora outbursts and magnetic storms.
5-HT2A/2C receptor agonists potentiate the discriminative cue of (+)-amphetamine in the rat

Abstract The possible effect of 5-HT 2A/2C receptor agonists on an amphetamine-induced behavioral response was examined using the two-lever drug discrimination paradigm. The experiments were designed to investigate an interaction of the hallucinogenic 5-HT 2A/2C agonists lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI), with the discriminative stimulus elicited by a relatively low dose of (+)-amphetamine (1.35 μmol/kg, 0.25 mg/kg, which produced approximately 50% selection of the drug lever). DOI and LSD did not produce amphetamine-like responding at any dose tested or time of administration. However, LSD alone was able to induce a drug-appropriate response in two of nine amphetamine-trained rats. Simultaneous administration of DOI or LSD with amphetamine was not significantly different from the response produced by amphetamine alone. Pre-administration of DOI (3 hr) or of LSD (2 hr) before amphetamine, however, evoked significant enhancement of the amphetamine cue. The results suggest that the enhanced behavioral response to amphetamine may be due either to an increased sensitivity of dopaminergic neurons in the mesolimbic area, or to an enhanced release of dopamine by amphetamine.
Sequential piezocision: a novel approach to accelerated orthodontic treatment.

Piezocision-assisted orthodontic treatment is an innovative, minimally invasive surgical technique designed to help achieve rapid orthodontic tooth movement. Microsurgical interproximal openings are made in the buccal gingivae to let the piezoelectric knife create the bone injury that will lead to transient demineralization and subsequent accelerated tooth movement. When this procedure was first described, cuts were made simultaneously at the maxilla and the mandible. In recent years, the technique has evolved to a more staged approach, with selected areas or segments of the arch demineralized at different times during orthodontic treatment to help achieve specific results. The purpose of this article was to report the use of sequential piezocision in the correction of a Class III malocclusion, in a total treatment time of 8 months.
Solid Phase Crystallization (SPC) of a-Si Thin Film Induced by a Novel Approach for Photovoltaic Devices

The solid phase crystallization (SPC) of amorphous silicon thin films by a novel modification of nucleation step was investigated at low temperature. The thin film consists of polycrystalline nanoparticles embedded in an amorphous matrix which can act as nuclei, resulting in a lower thermal energy for the nucleation. Thus, this energy can shorten the transition time from amorphous to polycrystalline silicon and lower the processing temperature. The crystallinity and the crystallized volume fraction of silicon thin film annealed by the conventional furnace have been extensively studied by XRD and HRTEM. It was believed that high quality Si nanoparticles would act as nuclei for growth of crystalline Si, thus removing the high temperature requirement for nucleation. The crystalline films induced by nanoparticles can be used for the photovoltaic devices on glass substrates at a maximum temperature of 530oC.
Lipid Metabolism, Epidemiology, and the Mechanisms of Alzheimer's Disease

Global variations in the incidence and prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) have not been explained. Patterns of dietary intake of fats and other nutrients may be partly responsible. Recent work with transgenic mice overexpressing the beta-amyloid precursor protein suggests that anti-Abeta antibodies enhance clearance of the Abeta protein from the brain and reduce plaque burden. This has been shown even with anti-Abeta antibodies that do not enter the brain. Many factors other than circulating anti-Abeta antibodies may influence this important process of Abeta clearance, including the Abeta-binding elements, apolipoproteins E and J, circulating LDL, HDL, and LRP, alpha-2-macroglobulin, and transthyretin. Also important may be clearance of antibody-antigen complexes from the circulation, as well as complement, metals, and estrogen. Dietary intake of lipids may influence the ability of Abeta-binding proteins to enhance clearance of Abeta from the brain to blood. Understanding processes of Abeta clearance from brain may aid in determining the causes of AD in individuals, as well as the causes of global variations in incidence and prevalence of the disease.
From microbe to man: the role of microbial short chain fatty acid metabolites in host cell biology

Recent studies have highlighted a myriad of ways in which the activity and composition of the gut microbiota can affect the host organism. A primary way in which the gut microbiota affect host physiology is by the production of metabolites, such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are subsequently absorbed into the bloodstream of the host. Although recent studies have begun to unravel the ways in which gut microbial SCFAs affect host physiology, less is understood regarding the underlying cell biological mechanisms. In this review, we will outline the known receptors and transporters for SCFAs, and review what is known about the cell biological effects of microbial SCFAs.
An experiment on boundary mixing. Part 2 The slope dependence at small angles

Experiments of the type described by Phillips et al. (1986) were performed using different slopes with the aim of examining the slope dependence of the buoyancy and volume transports, particularly at small slopes. The new observations confirmed the general flow patterns described for experiments conducted at a fixed slope, but a reconsideration of the local balances suggest that the buoyancy flux at small slopes θ is proportional to , where κ is the turbulent diffusivity. and the volume flux associated with the overall convergence flow is linear with depth and proportional to (κ3/2/N½h) sin θ, where h is the thickness of the pycnocline. These differ in their dependence on the slope suggested (but not tested) in Phillips et al., and are generally consistent with measurements over a range of slopes from 7.1° to 23.5°.
Changes in serum and synovial fluid biomarkers after acute injury (NCT00332254)

Acute trauma involving the anterior cruciate ligament is believed to be a major risk factor for the development of post-traumatic osteoarthritis 10 to 20 years post-injury. In this study, to better understand the early biological changes which occur after acute injury, we investigated synovial fluid and serum biomarkers. We collected serum from 11 patients without pre-existing osteoarthritis from a pilot intervention trial (5 placebo and 6 drug treated) using an intra-articular interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) therapy, 9 of which also supplied matched synovial fluid samples at presentation to the clinic after acute knee injury (mean 15.2 ± 7.2 days) and at the follow-up visit for reconstructive surgery (mean 47.6 ± 12.4 days). To exclude patients with pre-existing osteoarthritis (OA), the study was limited to individuals younger than 40 years of age (mean 23 ± 3.5) with no prior history of joint symptoms or trauma. We profiled a total of 21 biomarkers; 20 biomarkers in synovial fluid and 13 in serum with 12 biomarkers measured in both fluids. Biomarkers analyzed in this study were found to be independent of treatment (P > 0.05) as measured by Mann-Whitney and two-way ANOVA. We observed significant decreases in synovial fluid (sf) biomarker concentrations from baseline to follow-up for sfC-Reactive protein (CRP) (P = 0.039), sflubricin (P = 0.008) and the proteoglycan biomarkers: sfGlycosaminoglycan (GAG) (P = 0.019), and sfAlanine-Arginine-Glycine-Serine (ARGS) aggrecan (P = 0.004). In contrast, we observed significant increases in the collagen biomarkers: sfC-terminal crosslinked telopeptide type II collagen (CTxII) (P = 0.012), sfC1,2C (P = 0.039), sfC-terminal crosslinked telopeptide type I collagen (CTxI) (P = 0.004), and sfN-terminal telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx) (P = 0.008). The concentrations of seven biomarkers were significantly higher in synovial fluid than serum suggesting release from the signal knee: IL-1β (P < 0.0001), fetal aggrecan FA846 (P = 0.0001), CTxI (P = 0.0002), NTx (P = 0.012), osteocalcin (P = 0.012), Cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) (P = 0.0001) and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-3 (P = 0.0001). For these seven biomarkers we found significant correlations between the serum and synovial fluid concentrations for only CTxI (P = 0.0002), NTx (P < 0.0001), osteocalcin (P = 0.0002) and MMP-3 (P = 0.038). These data strongly suggest that the biology after acute injury reflects that seen in cartilage explant models stimulated with pro-inflammatory cytokines, which are characterized by an initial wave of proteoglycan loss followed by subsequent collagen loss. As the rise of collagen biomarkers in synovial fluid occurs within the first month after injury, and as collagen loss is thought to be irreversible, very early treatment with agents to either reduce inflammation and/or reduce collagen loss may have the potential to reduce the onset of future post-traumatic osteoarthritis. The samples used in this study were derived from a clinical trial NCT00332254 registered with ClinicalTrial.gov.
Sextuplet phenyl embrace in a metal-organic Kagomé lattice.

A novel Kagome lattice that demonstrates the modular nature of metal-organic networks has been prepared and is to our knowledge the first example of a metal-organic coordination polymer that incorporates the sextuplet phenyl embrace as a supramolecular synthon.
Development of biodegradable crosslinked urethane-doped polyester elastomers

Traditional crosslinked polyester elastomers are inherently weak, and the strategy of increasing crosslink density to improve their mechanical properties makes them brittle materials. Biodegradable polyurethanes, although strong and elastic, do not fare well in dynamic environments due to the onset of permanent deformation. The design and development of a soft, strong and completely elastic (100% recovery from deformation) material for tissue engineering still remains a challenge. Herein, we report the synthesis and evaluation of a new class of biodegradable elastomers, crosslinked urethane-doped polyesters (CUPEs), which is able to satisfy the need for soft, strong, and elastic biomaterials. Tensile strength of CUPE was as high as 41.07 ± 6.85 MPa with corresponding elongation at break of 222.66 ± 27.84%. The initial modulus ranged from 4.14 ± 1.71 MPa to 38.35 ± 4.5 MPa. Mechanical properties and degradation rates of CUPE could be controlled by varying the choice of diol used for synthesis, the polymerization conditions, as well as the concentration of urethane bonds in the polymer. The polymers demonstrated good in vitro and in vivo biocompatibilities. Preliminary hemocompatibility evaluation indicated that CUPE adhered and activated lesser number of platelets compared to PLLA. Good mechanical properties and easy processability make these materials well suited for soft tissue engineering applications. The introduction of CUPEs provides new avenues to meet the versatile requirements of tissue engineering and other biomedical applications.
Williams–Beuren syndrome: novel risk alleles in transmitting parents

Copy number variation at the 7q11.23 segmental duplications is a susceptibility factor for the Williams–Beuren syndrome deletion Cusco et al. (2008) Genome Research 18 (5): 683–694. Epub 21 February 2008
Inadvertent Discontinuation of Percutaneous Nephrostomy Catheters in Adult Native Kidneys: Incidence and Percutaneous Management

PURPOSE To evaluate the incidence and consequences of complete inadvertent percutaneous nephrostomy catheter discontinuation in native kidneys of adults. In addition, this study evaluated the success rate of nephrostomy tract recannulation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Retrospective analysis was performed in adult patients who underwent percutaneous nephrostomy between January 2000 and December 2005. Patients' conditions were evaluated for complete inadvertent discontinuation of use of the nephrostomy catheters and success of subsequent recannulation procedures. Habitual discontinuation was defined by three catheter discontinuation episodes in one patient. Conditions of patients with inadvertent discontinuation were assessed for major complications before and after the recannulation, including the need for de novo nephrostomy to reestablish clinically needed access. The incidences of inadvertent discontinuation and primary assisted recannulation tract maintenance were calculated according to the Kaplan-Meier method. Successful versus unsuccessful recannulation procedures were compared for tract age, length of time the drain was out of the tract, and catheter diameter with use of the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS A total of 283 patients underwent 325 percutaneous nephrostomies. The inadvertent catheter discontinuation rates at 6, 12, 24, and 36 months were 26%, 36%, 53%, and 62%, respectively. For the same time intervals, the primary recannulation assisted tract maintenance rates were 94%, 86%, 77%, and 72%, respectively. Habitual discontinuation was seen in 3.2% of the total population and 19.1% of discontinuation cases. The technical success rates of all and first-time recannulations were 85% and 74%, respectively. Tract maturity was the only variable that was statistically significant between successful and unsuccessful recannulations ( P CONCLUSION Despite the high incidence of inadvertent discontinuation of nephrostomy catheters, the major complication rate was only 3.5%, indicating the efficacy of tract recannulation, especially in mature tracts.
Why do people vote? Rationality or emotion

This study aims to examine the effects of rationality and emotion on voter turnout. By applying the empirical implications of a theoretical models framework, I outline the relationship between rationality, emotion, and turnout and propose two hypotheses about the effects of party differential and emotion differential on turnout. The empirical test using data from American National Election Studies 1996, 2000, 2004, and 2008 shows that both party differential and emotion differential exert significantly positive effects on turnout, which confirms that individual turnout decision is a function of both rationality and emotion. However, this study suggests that rationality plays a more important and consistent role in individual turnout decision than emotion, because the effect of emotion on turnout might be built on the appearance of charismatic candidates.
How performance and self-efficacy influence the ease of use of object-orientation: the moderating effect of prior training

In this study, we empirically explore how task performance and domain-specific self-efficacy influence the perceived ease of use (PEU) of object-oriented techniques. We hypothesize that both self-efficacy and performance positively influences PEU according to existing literature. However, we speculate that the effect of self-efficacy on PEU, even though still positive, becomes weaker when subjects are given prior training in structured analysis. In contrast, the relationship between performance and PEU becomes stronger when subjects are given the same training. We conducted two tests and collected data from a group of 79 subjects. We found a strong support for most of the research hypotheses.
Fertility and Maternal Age

In humans, the live birth rate drops precipitously with increasing maternal age, and this decline is associated with increases in the incidence of oocyte and embryo aneuploidy. Preimplantation aneuploidy screening has improved pregnancy outcome by significantly lowering the miscarriage rate. Nevertheless, aneuploidy screening only identifies the affected embryos; it does not attempt to correct the underlying biologic problem. Anomalies in chromosome segregation can result from a dysfunctional first or second meiotic division in the egg or develop after fertilization during the first few mitoses of early embryonic development. In both instances, ooplasmic anomalies may account for the nuclear problem. Low cell levels of cytoplasmic proteins (e.g., cytoskeletal elements, enzymes, energy stores, cell cycle regulatory proteins) may lead to a dysfunctional division of chromosomes during egg maturation or following fertilization. Ooplasmic injection is a micromanipulation technique that has produced pregnancies in patients with a history of poor-quality, fragmented embryos. Germinal vesicle transfer is a research procedure used to investigate the ooplasmic-nuclear interplay regulating cell cycle, maturation, and fertilization. Both these techniques may prove to be effective in improving the quality of eggs from patients of advanced maternal age.
Stereospecific synthesis and enzyme studies of CDP-diacylglycerols.

The fatty acid specificity of two enzymes that metabolize ~DPdiacyIglyceroi, CDPdiacyl~ycerol hydrolase (EC 3.6.1.26) and CDPdiacylgIycerol:inositol phosphatidyltransferase (EC 2.7.8.11), has been examined in guinea pig brain. Mixed CDPdiacylglycerols were stereospecifically synthesized by the following sequence: (i) hydrolysis of a homodiacyl lecithin to 1-acyl 1ysoPC by action of snake venom phospholipase A,, (ii) reacylation with the anhydride of the desired second fatty acid and dimethyl~inopy~~ne, (iii) hydrolysis of the resultant heterodiacyl lecithin to phosphatidate with cabbage phosphoiipa~ D, and (iv) reaction of phosphatidate with CMPmorpholidate to give CDPdiacylglycerol. CDPdiacylglycerol: inositol phosphatidyltransferase showed the following rates of conversion of 40-pM suspensions of CDPdiacylglycerol in 0.15% Triton X-100 to phosphatidylinositol relative to the 1-stearoyl-2-oleoyl derivative (100%): dipalmitoyl, 70%; distearoyl, 38%; diarachi~noyl, 9%; l-arachidonoyl-2-stearoyl, 6%; l-ste~oyl-2-a~chidonoyl, 4%. These results indicate that the composition of isolated phosphatidyhnositol and related lipids is not explained by the fatty acid specificity of the biosynthetic enzymes and supports the intervention of a deacylation-reacylation sequence. The rates of hydrolysis of the synthetic CDPdiacylglycerols at 76 f~ M, in 0.3% Triton X-100, by the CDP~acylglycerol hydrolase relative to the l-st~~yl-2~ieoyl derivative (100%) were: dipalmitoyl, 70%; distearoyl, 32%; l-arachidonoyl-2-stearoyl, 30%; l-stearoyl-2-arachidonoyi, 28%; di~achidonoyi, 22%. Inhibition of this enzyme by AMP was shown to be non-competitive, with a Ki of 40 FM. The Iysosomal localization of the mammalian hydrolase was confirmed.
Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) applications to molecular electronics

The authors describe their efforts to use STM to image and manipulate biomolecular structures such a collagen. They present design considerations for a precursor to the nanotechnology workstation: a two-tip STM. The authors also note some future possibilities for scanning tunneling engineering and for nanoscale tunnel sensors and devices. >
Intrapsychic conflict, interpersonal relationship, and family mythology.

Pirandello's characters are compelled to assu me the masks assigned to them in the unfolding of a drama unconsciously familiar to all of them. Through th eir interaction, they define their true identities and express their innermost needs. So , too , the ch ild in the famil y incorporates th e family drama and pla ys out th e role assigned to him in it. This drama. which can be ca lled the famil y mythology. represents the famil y's needs , fears, so r rows, and conflicts. As we noted in an earlier paper (Newman and San Martino, 1971),
Integrated Perinatal Care and beyond

The concept of Integrated Perinatal Care was initiated with the formation of the KKH Perinatal Team in 1993 to further improve the maternal and perinatal care. All staff in the team are committed t...
In-Substance Defeasance And Shareholders Wealth

In November, 1983, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No. 76: Extinguishment of Debt. The Statement permitted corporations completing an in-substance defeasance to recognize an increase in earnings and earnings per share. High interest rates in 1984 and the Statement encouraged corporate managers to in-substance defeasance debt and show the associated increase in earnings per share. In our examination of 19 companies defeasing bonds during the period 1983-1985, we found no impact on stock price. Although the process led to an accounting profit for each company, investors interpreted the change in capital structure to be transitory and/or too small to require altering their investment portfolios.
Controlled Manipulation of Small- and Large- Scales in a Turbulent Shear layer, Part II: Stability Studies

The response of a backward facing step flow to upstream flow perturbations at both low and high actuation frequency is investigated. This investigation entails the use of local linear temporal and spatial stability analyses, a second-order model equation, a global stability study, and direct numerical simulations. The various theoretical techniques provide insight to the flow physics with increasing complexity while supporting and complementing each other. The model problems attempt to mathematically mimic the setup and flow conditions as described in the experiments by Vukasinovic, Lucas, and Glezer (2004). The computed results shed light on the perturbed flow structure and the measured flow characteristics along the shear layer of both free and directly manipulated states. The flow evolution may be described by a linear combination of the shear layer instability modes and the global mode of the base flow. From the correlation between the theoretical calculations, results of direct numerical simulations, and measured data, we are able to explore the possible physical mechanisms which govern the forced flow at low and high excitation frequencies. It is shown that at low forcing frequencies, the periodic vortical perturbations grow over a distance in the near field of the step. This distance is directly related to position where the imposed perturbations’ frequency matches twice the local natural frequency of the flow. Beyond this distance, the flow perturbations in the mid field decay exponentially, yet feeding energy to the far-field global mode which dominates the flow at large distances from the step. At high forcing frequencies, above twice the maximum local natural frequency in the domain, the near-field behavior is suppressed and flow perturbations decay with distance from the step (the mid field), thereby feeding much less energy to the farfield global mode. It is also demonstrated that, within the range of Reynolds numbers studied, the flow is convectively unstable and globally stable.
Antithyroid effects of an iodinated hydroquinone derivative.

SummaryThe diacetyl derivative of 2,6-diiodohydroquinone has been shown to behave as an antithyroid substance. The available evidence would suggest that the compound inhibits the deiodinase responsible for conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine.
Diphosphonates in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Etidronate disodium has been shown to increase bone density and decrease fracture rates, but it may have more important applications in the prevention of bone loss.
Artificial Minds

From the Publisher: Stan Franklin is the perfect tour guide through the contemporary interdisciplinary matrix of artificial intelligence, cognitive science, cognitive neuroscience, artificial neural networks, artificial life, and robotics that is producing a new paradigm of mind. Along the way, Franklin makes the case for a perspective that rejects a rigid distinction between mind and non-mind in favor of a continuum from less to more mind, and for the role of mind as a control structure with the essential task of choosing the next action. Selected stops include the best of the work in these different fields, with the key concepts and results explained in just enough detail to allow readers to decide for themselves why the work is significant. Major attractions include animal minds, Newell's SOAR, the three Artificial Intelligence debates, Holland's genetic algorithms, Wilson's Animat, Brooks' subsumption architecture, Jackson's pandemonium architecture, Ornstein's multimind, Minsky's society of mind, Maes's behavior networks, Edelman's neural Darwinism, Drescher's schema mechanisms, Kanerva's sparse distributed memory, Hofstadter and Mitchell's Copycat, and Agre and Chapman's deictic representations.
Research of qualitative ELISA and HPLC-MS/MS for sabutamol and clenbuterol in animal-based food

Objective:To establish the high sensitive method for sabutamol and clenbuterol in animal-based food.Methods:The qualitative ELISA was based on the specific immuno-chemical reactions between antigen and antibody.ELISA was used for screening sabutamol and clenbuterol in animal-based food and the positive results were proved with HPLC-MS/MS.Results:The linear range of the ELISA method was 0.06～4.0 μg/L,and the correlation coefficient of the standard curve-0.996～-0.999.The recoveries of sabutamol for the spiked animal-based food ranged from 71.2% to 87.2% and of clenbuterol ranged from 70.4% to 85.2% with an average recovery of 81.7% and 80.1%.The linear range of the HPLC-MS/MS method was 0.1～10.0 μg/L with linear correlation coefficient of 0.9998 for sabutamol and of 0.9992 for clenbuterol.The limit of detection was 0.2 and 0.5 μg/kg.The recoveries of sabutamol for the spiked samples ranged from 89.9% to 96.7% and those of clenbuterol ranged from 88.4% to 96.2%.Conclusion:The ELISA method is sensitive with simple sample extracting,and suitable for detection for trace sabutamol and clenbuterol of mounts of sample with lower cost.The HPLC-MS/MS method is suitable for sabutamol and clenbuterol detection and structure proof with high sensitivity and anti-interference.