cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decreasing morbidity and mortality in 100 consecutive minimally invasive esophagectomies

Esophagectomy is a complex invasive procedure that requires exploration of multiple body cavities for removal and subsequent restoration of gastrointestinal continuity. In many institutions, esophagectomy morbidity and mortality rates remain high despite improvement of intensive care treatment. We reviewed our minimally invasive esophagectomy (MIE) experience of a consecutive series of 100 patients to analyze trends in morbidity and mortality as we transitioned from open to MIE. A total of 105 consecutive patients who underwent operative exploration for esophagectomy from August 2007 to January 2011 were reviewed. The preoperative evaluation, operative technique, and postoperative care of these cases were evaluated and analyzed for 100 patients who have had a MIE and compared with 32 open esophagectomies 2 years prior. During the time frame of the study, 105 patients underwent an exploration for attempted esophagectomy. Resection was completed in 100 patients and was done for malignant disease in 95 patients and benign disease in 5 patients. There was one in hospital mortality due to a pulmonary embolism. There was no significant difference in postoperative complications consisting of transient left recurrent nerve injury (7 vs. 12.5%) or pneumonia (9 vs. 15.6%) in those who underwent MIE compared with open resection. However, wound infections were significantly less in patients who underwent MIE compared with open esophagectomy (1 vs. 12.5%, respectively, p = 0.01). Anastomotic leak (4 vs. 12.5%, p = 0.05) also was lower in those who underwent MIE. Median length of stay (LOS) was significantly less in patients who underwent MIE compared with open esophagectomy (7.5 vs. 14 days, p < 0.05). Finally, there was a trend toward improvement in median LOS in the 30 patients who underwent MIE during the most recent time period compared with the initial 17 patients who underwent MIE (7.5 vs. 10 days, p = 0.05) Our results support the continued safe use of esophagectomy for selected esophageal diseases, including malignancy. Morbidity, especially wound infection, anastomotic leak, and length of stay is decreasing with the incorporation of minimally invasive techniques.
Transient Fourier holography with bacteriorhodopsin films for breast cancer diagnostics

X-ray mammography is the current gold standard for breast cancer screening. Microcalcifications and other features which are helpful to the radiologist for early diagnostics are often buried in the noise generated by the surrounding dense tissue. So image processing techniques are required to enhance these important features to improve the sensitivity of detection. An innovative technique is demonstrated for recording a hologram of the mammogram. It is recorded on a thin polymer film of Bacteriorhodopsin (bR) as photo induced isomerization grating containing the interference pattern between the object beam containing the Fourier spatial frequency components of the mammogram and a reference beam. The hologram contains all the enhanced features of the mammogram. A significant innovation of the technique is that the enhanced components in the processed image can be viewed by the radiologist in time scale. A technician can record the movie and when the radiologist looks at the movie at his convenience, freezing the frame as and when desired, he would see the microcalcifications as the brightest and last long in time. He would also observe lesions with intensity decreasing as their size increases. The same bR film can be used repeatedly for recording holograms with different mammograms. The technique is versatile and a different frequency band can be chosen to be optimized by changing the reference beam intensity. The experimental arrangement can be used for mammograms in screen film or digital format.
Crystal size distribution systematics and the determination of magma storage times: The 1959 eruption of Kilauea volcano, Hawaii

Abstract The theory of crystal size distribution (CSD theory) is based on a steady-state population balance that monitors the flux of crystals growing into and out of specificed size categories in precipitating solutions. The conservation equation describing this balance permits crystal growth and nucleation rates to be determined directly from crystal size distribution data. In this investigation, it is shown that CSD analysis can alternatively be used to calculate the residence time of crystals in the system - or in volcanologic terms, the magma storage time prior to eruption - if the characteristic crystal growth rate can be independently determined or estimated. The crystal size data needed for storage time determinations are easily obtained from thin sections of glassy eruption samples and the mathematical calculations are relatively simple. Analysis of the errors inherent in this new technique predicts storage estimates accurate to within an order of magnitude.
Generalized proof of a mass-monopole criterion.

A proof is presented demonstrating the general applicability of a formalism, developed in a previous paper, that is of theoretical significance to the Einstein-Infeld-Hoffmann approach to equations of motion in general relativity. This formalism, utilizing the scalar invariants of a vacuum gravitational field, allows one to determine the mass-monopole characteristics of a source perturbed by an arbitrary stress-energy distribution, by analyzing only its surrounding field. The proof utilizes the Regge-Wheeler-Zerilli method of tensor spherical harmonic decomposition of perturbations of a Schwarzschild background. It is concluded that a generalization of our formalism to a more complex source structure (as well as a proof that does not need to resort to any approximation procedures) must await a deeper understanding of the global properties of the eigenvalues of the Riemann curvature tensor.
Transperineal Management for Postoperative and Radiation Rectourethral Fistulas

Purpose: The rectal sphincter preserving transperineal approach has been increasingly used successfully. We analyzed our experience with this surgical approach. A secondary aim was to evaluate the surgical outcome of energy ablative rectourethral fistulas without a concomitant interposition muscle flap.Materials and Methods: We identified all patients with rectourethral fistula who underwent rectal sphincter preserving transperineal repair from 1998 to 2011. Re-approximation of the urethral mucosa, posterior anastomotic urethroplasty or partial/total prostatectomy with urethrovesical anastomosis was performed for urinary closure. The fistula cohort was divided into 2 groups, including postoperative and energy ablative fistulas, respectively. Success after perineal rectourethral fistula repair was defined as resolution after the first attempt at repair.Results: A total of 23 patients underwent rectal sphincter preserving, transperineal rectourethral fistula repair. In the postoperative fistula cohort the f...
The double jeopardy of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and myocardial infarction

Despite several therapeutic advances in the last few decades, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a burgeoning cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide and is the fourth leading cause of death globally.1 Yet a curious paradox persists. As the only common disease for which the prevalence and mortality rates continue to rise, COPD still remains as a remarkably underdiagnosed and undertreated disease.1 The worldwide prevalence may be underestimated for a host of reasons including missed diagnosis, delays in establishing the diagnosis, variable definitions of COPD and the lack of age-adjusted estimates. COPD is of more than academic interest to cardiologists. Patients with COPD are at an increased risk of an array of acute cardiovascular events, including myocardial infarction (MI) and have increased short-term and long-term mortality compared with their non-COPD counterparts.2 In fact, up to one-third of deaths in patients with COPD may be ascribed to cardiovascular disease.2 Cardiovascular mortality increases by 28% for every 10% decrement in forced expiratory volume in 1 s.2 Furthermore, it has been shown that patients with COPD are undertreated with standard, guideline-based post-MI pharmacotherapy. Finally, the presence of COPD is associated with worse long-term outcome in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) or coronary artery bypass graft.3 ,4 COPD and coronary artery disease share common risk factor profiles and potentially mechanistic pathways. Tobacco use and old age contribute to elevated risk for both of these disease entities. In a recent study analysing 25 857 patients with COPD in the Health Improvement Network database over a 2-year period, a COPD exacerbation was associated with over a twofold increased risk of MI during a 5-day period following the exacerbation.5 Notably, the risk returned to baseline within 5 days of treatment for the exacerbation.5 Although the exact pathogenesis remains to be …
Pharmacology of allergen-induced early and late airway responses and antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness in allergic sheep.

Summary The pharmacology of antigen-induced early and late phase airway responses and the associated antigen-induced airway hyperresponsiveness was studied in allergic sheep. Data from studies with anti-allergic agents and specific receptor antagonists, especially leukotriene antagonists and antagonists of platelet activating factor (PAF), have led to the hypothesis that allergen-induced late responses in allergic sheep are linked to a heightened metabolism of arachidonic acid via the 5-lipoxygenase pathway. This increases leukotriene production during the acute allergic reaction, which results in a more prolonged acute bronchoconstriction and subsequently a more severe airway inflammation. These recruited inflammatory cells can then release mediators and other cell products which contribute to the late response and airway hyperresponsiveness.
Larmor waves in single-crystal copper at 80 GHz.

Larmor waves have been studied using a transmission technique in thin plates of high-purity, single-crystal copper at a frequency of 80 GHz. Observations were made over the temperature range 4\char21{}25 K in magnetic fields 0\char21{}60 kG with the principal axes 〈100〉, 〈110〉, or 〈111〉 oriented perpendicular to the plane of the specimen. In contrast to earlier observations at 9 GHz, the present studies find a Larmor-wave period which is temperature dependent, and, at the lowest temperatures for certain orientations, an asymmetry in amplitude, with the Larmor-wave oscillations on the high-field side of the conduction-electron-spin resonance being considerably stronger than those on the low-field side. This behavior is not in complete agreement with present theory and may be due to a combination of many-body effects and the detailed geometry of the Fermi surface of copper.
Chronic toxicity of environmental contaminants: sentinels and biomarkers.

Due to the use of a limited number of species and subchronic exposures, current ecological hazard assessment processes can underestimate the chronic toxicity of environmental contaminants resulting...
Comparison of the elemental composition of normal and diseased human tissues by PIXE analysis

Abstract The proton beam from a 4 MV Van de Graaff accelerator has been used in conjunction with a Si(Li) detector system to perform elemental analysis of biological samples by proton-induced X-ray emision (PIXE). Dried tissue samples from a number of different organs were analyzed; including kidney, lung, liver, colon, breast, larynx, and aorta. For each organ, two specimens were taken of the same cellular type: normal tissue and diseased tissue. Therefore, a direct comparison of the effect of the disease state on the elemental composition could easily be obtained. For the aorta sets the disease state studied compared tissue from atherosclerotic lesions to normal aorta tissue while for the other organs, a sample of cancerous tissue was compared to a healthy tissue. The present results show a marked decrease in the Cd concentration as well as for the Se and Pb, when present, for the malignant kidney tissue compared to the normal one. It is found that the Zn/Cu ratio also decreases for all malignant kidney cases. Preliminary results indicate the same trend for this ratio for the colon and liver but an increase for the breast, larynx, and lung sets. Except for Br and Cu, the aorta sets show a general increase in all elements, particularly for Ca and Sr, when the lesion tissue is compared to the normal aorta tissue.
Remarks on Vagueness and Arbitrariness

Suppose that composition supervenes on relations that come in degrees. Suppose further that, necessarily, composition occurs if and only if those relations hold to a certain degree or greater. Imagine a first case in which those relations hold only to a very low degree. Then imagine a continuum of cases, beginning with this first case, that ends with a case in which those same relations hold to a very high degree. Call this a composition continuum. Theodore Sider (1997, 2001) assumes, for reductio, that composition is restricted. (That is, he assumes that there are some composite objects and also that some objects jointly compose nothing.) And he thinks that if composition is restricted, composition supervenes on relations that yield a composition continuum. Sider argues that a composition continuum will have a first case in which (at least some of) the original objects come to compose a new object. That is, Sider argues that, when it comes to the existence of a new composite object, restricted composition implies that there is a 'sharp cut-off in a composition continuum. But Sider claims that, even if composition is restricted, it is implausible that there is such a cut-off. So Sider concludes that, because it has an implausible implication, restricted composition must go. Suppose, just for the sake of argument, that the following story is true. Necessarily, all simples are silent but all composite objects whistle. The whistling of composite objects, according to this story, is not reduced to the collective activity of their parts. And so, in virtue of their whistling, composite objects are not 'reduced to', but are instead 'something more than', their parts. Moreover, it cannot possibly be vague whether the whistling occurs.
Current State and Future Challenge in HgCdTe MBE Technology

Significant progress has been made in HgCdTe MBE technology over the last two years. Device quality materials have been grown with the alloy compositions required for short-wavelength infrared (SWIR), 1-3 micron to LWIR (long-wavelength infrared), 8-12 micron applications. Indeed, the observation of low defect density (EPD<2×105/cm2), long minority carrier lifetime and efficient IR photoluminescence attests to the device quality of HgCdTe epilayers grown by MBE. In addition, the breakthroughs to achieve In (N-type) and As (P-type) doping in situ have provided greater flexibilities for fabricating advanced heterojunction devices. High performance IR imaging arrays have been fabricated and IR images were obtained. Also, dual-band detectors and injection infrared diode lasers which have been demonstrated recently are considered. Finally, additional developments and the future challenges in HgCdTe MBE technology are discussed.
Age- and gender-related differences in GABAA receptor-mediated postsynaptic currents in GABAergic neurons of the substantia nigra reticulata in the rat

Abstract The responsiveness of the rat anterior substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR) GABAergic neurons to GABA A ergic drugs changes with age and gender, altering its role in seizure control. To determine whether maturational and gender-specific differences in the properties of spontaneous GABA A Rs-mediated inhibitory postsynaptic currents (sIPSCs) underlie these events, we studied sIPSCs at baseline and after application of the α1 GABA A Rs subunit selective agonist zolpidem, at postnatal days (PN) 5–9, PN12–15, and PN28–32. Results were correlated with the α1 and α3 GABA A Rs subunit immunoreactivity (-ir) at PN5, PN15, and PN30, using immunochemistry. The mean frequency, amplitude and charge transfer increased whereas the 10–90% rise time and decay time accelerated with age in both genders. The faster sIPSC kinetics in older rats were paralleled by increased α1-ir and decreased α3-ir. At PN5–9, males had more robust sIPSCs (frequency, amplitude, charge carried per event and charge transfer) than females. At PN28–32, males exhibited higher amplitudes and faster kinetics than females. The zolpidem-induced increase of decay times, amplitude and charge transfer and α1-ir expression were the lowest in PN5–9 males but increased with age, in both genders. Our findings demonstrate that alterations in GABA A Rs subunit expression partially underlie age- and gender-specific sIPSC changes in SNR neurons. However, the observation of gender differences in sIPSC kinetics that cannot be attributed to changes in perisomatic α1 expression suggests the existence of additional gender-specific factors that control the sIPSC kinetics in rat SNR.
Tax reporting game under uncertain tax laws and asymmetric information

Abstract This study models a game played by a tax enforcement agency and a taxpayer who is only partially informed about her true taxable income due to complexity of tax laws. A signalling equilibrium is shown to exist in which the taxpayer's report is monotone increasing in her private information about taxable income. Investigated also is the effect of changes in uncertainty on reporting decisions and the agency's expected revenue.
Ca2+ and calmodulin antagonists inhibit the proton gradients associated with non-cyclic and cylic photophosphorylation in spinach chloroplasts

The oxygen evolution associated with electron transport in spinach chloroplasts can be stimulated by low concentrations (<10 μM) of phenothiazines and pimozide, known as calmodulin antagonists, which in this case act as uncouplers of electron transport. Higher concentrations of phenothiazines and pimozide (<10 μM) inhibit electron transport in the plastoquinone region, presumably between the B protein and the plastoquinone pool. Electron transport in chloroplasts can also be inhibited by calcium antagonists (La Cl3) or by Ca2+ chelators [8-(diethylamino) octyl 3,4,5-trimethoxy benzoate HCl]. The formation of proton gradients associated with non-cyclic or cyclic photophosphorylation can also be inhibited by calmodulin antagonists or by calcium chelators in concentrations below 10μM, but not by LaCl3. Bovine brain calmodulin also inhibits the non-cyclic proton gradient in presence of inorganic phosphate and adenosine diphosphate. Fifty percent inhibition is given by the addition of 20 μg bovine brain calmodulin/ml.
Blumer’s dilemma: The critic as a tragic figure

Herbert Blumer criticized sociological research for its failure to confront obdurate, empirical reality. However, Blumer conducted little research of his own. An examination of his works on crowds, fashion, and social problems reveals some of the same problems he found in others' works. Blumer illustrates how critics risk becoming tragic figures, wedded to theoretical principles that cannot be put into practice.
Classification of Multidrug-Resistance Reversal Agents Using Structure-Based Descriptors and Linear Discriminant Analysis

Linear discriminant analysis is used to generate models to classify multidrug-resistance reversal agents based on activity. Models are generated and evaluated using multidrug-resistance reversal activity values for 609 compounds measured using adriamycin-resistant P388 murine leukemia cells. Structure-based descriptors numerically encode molecular features which are used in model formation. Two types of models are generated: one type to classify compounds as inactive, moderately active, and active (three-class problem) and one type to classify compounds as inactive or active without considering the moderately active class (two-class problem). Two activity distributions are considered, where the separation between inactive and active compounds is different. When the separation between inactive and active classes is small, a model based on nine topological descriptors is developed that produces a classification rate of 83.1% correct for an external prediction set. Larger separation between active and inactive classes raises the prediction set classification rate to 92.0% correct using a model with six topological descriptors. Models are further validated through Monte Carlo experiments in which models are generated after class labels have been scrambled. The classification rates achieved demonstrate that the models developed could serve as a screening mechanism to identify potentially useful MDRR agents from large libraries of compounds.
Cell separation using positive immunoselective techniques

Positive immunoselection is the direct selection and recovery of cells which express a given specificity from among a heterogeneous group of contaminating cells. A variety of methods are available to effect such separations. The principles of affinity chromatography, using solid-phase matrices or cellular immunoadsorbents, are extensively used. Liquid-phase positive immunoselection can also be performed using either a fluorescence-activated cell sorter or by using 'cellular engineering' to protect a cell from an otherwise noxious environment. The enzyme catalase coupled to specific antibody has been used for this purpose and renders cells resistant to hydrogen peroxide. The various positive immunoselection techniques available are reviewed and evaluated in the following report.
Quality in the New Age and the Body of Knowledge for Quality Engineers

With the evolution of new technologies in manufacturing and service industries, the role of quality professionals has changed to accommodate the desire to be more competitive in the global markets. Quality engineers have continuously felt the need to must adept to the new environment with the development of ways to implement quality in this new age of high technology, lean manufacturing, six sigma, total quality management and other innovative problem solving techniques. New roles for quality engineers include responsibilities for ensuring quality activities effectively, developing ways for optimized cycle time and implementing continuous improvement, and the use of emerging technologies to create value for better customer satisfaction and improved business performance. This paper highlights the evolution of quality throughout the ages and the ever-changing body of knowledge for quality engineers to accommodate new ways of conducting business and enhancing their knowledge of quality engineering and manage...
The mysterious role of prostaglandin E2 in the medullary raphé: a hot topic or not?

the study by tanaka and mcallen published in this issue of American Journal of Physiology–Regulatory Integrative and Comparative Physiology ([32][1]) addresses a subject of considerable interest in the field of thermoregulation and one that for many years has been central to our understanding of
Efficiency of protein and messenger RNA synthesis in bacteriophage T4-infected cells of Escherichia coli

Abstract Several basic parameters related to the synthesis of protein and RNA in cells of Escherichia coli B infected with bacteriophage T4 have been measured. (a) The over-all rate of protein synthesis, estimated by incorporation of four different amino acids, decreases to 42% shortly after infection. (b) A general method was developed for measuring the average peptide chain growth-rate under steady-state conditions. It involves separation on sodium dodecyl sulfate—acrylamide gels of total protein labeled for different short periods of time, followed by an analysis of the labeling kinetics of proteins in different molecular weight classes. By this method the peptide chain growthrate in T4-infected cells was found to be 5.6 amino acids per second at 30 °C compared to 11.4 amino acids per second measured in exponentially growing cells under the same growth conditions. (c) The proportion of ribosomes in polysomes before and at different times after T4 infection was determined by sucrose gradient analysis. No significant differences were observed. (d) The stimulating activity of RNA extracts in an in vitro protein-synthesizing system was measured and used as an estimate of messenger RNA. By this criterion the level of mRNA is at least as high and probably higher after infection. (e) Residual protein synthesis was followed after addition of rifampicin, an antibiotic that blocks initiation of RNA synthesis, and under these conditions the protein-synthesizing capacity decreased with a half-life of 2.2 minutes in uninfected, and 4.0 minutes in T4-infected cells (at 30 °C). The decrease in over-all rate of protein synthesis observed after infection is thus accounted for by the decrease in peptide chain growth-rate. The twofold decrease in peptide chain growth-rate compared with the twofold decrease in nucleotide chain growth-rate observed after T4 infection ( Bremer and Yuan, 1968a , Bremer and Yuan, 1968b ) shows that there is a close correspondence in the rates of the two processes, as in exponentially growing cells; however, the rates of chain elongation and of mRNA decay decrease about twofold after infection.
Evolution of the average steepening factor for nonlinearly propagating waves.

Difficulties arise in attempting to discern the effects of nonlinearity in near-field jet-noise measurements due to the complicated source structure of high-velocity jets. This article describes a measure that may be used to help quantify the effects of nonlinearity on waveform propagation. This measure, called the average steepening factor (ASF), is the ratio of the average positive slope in a time waveform to the average negative slope. The ASF is the inverse of the wave steepening factor defined originally by Gallagher [AIAA Paper No. 82-0416 (1982)]. An analytical description of the ASF evolution is given for benchmark cases—initially sinusoidal plane waves propagating through lossless and thermoviscous media. The effects of finite sampling rates and measurement noise on ASF estimation from measured waveforms are discussed. The evolution of initially broadband Gaussian noise and signals propagating in media with realistic absorption are described using numerical and experimental methods. The ASF is found to be relatively sensitive to measurement noise but is a relatively robust measure for limited sampling rates. The ASF is found to increase more slowly for initially Gaussian noise signals than for initially sinusoidal signals of the same level, indicating the average distortion within noise waveforms occur more slowly.
Properties of Peanut Protein Film: Sorption Isotherm and Plasticizer Effect

Abstract The objectives of this study were to determine the effect of type and level of plasticizer on film properties and determine their sorption isotherms. Peanut protein films were formed by using four types of plasticizer (glycerin, sorbitol, polyethylene glycol and propylene glycol) at three levels (0.67, 1.17, 1.67 g/g of protein content). Sorption isotherms of peanut protein at pH 6.0, 7.5 and 9.0 were determined. Glycerin showed the best performance as a plasticizer compared to the others. The concentration of glycerin between 0.67 and 1.67 g/g of protein did not affect the water permeability and oxygen permeability. However, tensile strength decreased (from 5.14 to 4.10 MPa), with an increase of glycerin from 1.17 to 1.67 g/g of protein and percent elongation increased (from 105 to 164%) when glycerin increased from 0.67 to 1.67 g/g of protein. Peanut protein was very hydrophilic, the equilibrium moisture content of film increased sharply at pH 7.5 and 9.0 (0.602 and 0.939 and 0.621 to 1.083 g/g of dry matter, respectively) with an increase in relative humidity (RH) from 75 to 93% RH. Film thickness depended on the RH, and film at pH 6.0 showed the greatest change in film thickness with increasing RH.
Uncertainty Underprediction in Monte Carlo Eigenvalue Calculations

It is well-known that statistical estimates obtained from Monte Carlo criticality simulations can be adversely affected by cycle-to-cycle correlations in the fission source, which can lead to estim...
IS1549 from Mycobacterium smegmatis Forms Long Direct Repeats upon Insertion

A new insertion element, IS1549, was identified serendipitously from Mycobacterium smegmatis LR222 during experiments using a vector designed to detect the excision of IS6110 from between the promoter region and open reading frame (ORF) of an aminoglycoside phosphotransferase gene. Six of the kanamycin-resistant isolates had a previously unidentified insertion element upstream of the ORF of the aph gene. The 1,634-bp sequence contained a single ORF of 504 amino acids with 85% G+C content in the third codon position. The putative protein sequence showed a distant relationship to the transposase of IS231, which is a member of the IS4 family of insertion elements. IS1549 contains 11-bp terminal inverted repeats and is characterized by the formation of unusually long and variable-length (71- to 246-bp) direct repeats of the target DNA during transposition. Southern blot analysis revealed that five copies of IS1549 are present in LR222, but not all M. smegmatis strains carry this element. Only strains with a 65-kDa antigen gene with a PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism type identical to that of M. smegmatis 607 contain IS1549. None of 13 other species of Mycobacterium tested by PCR with two sets of primers specific for IS1549 were positive for the expected amplified product.
Geography's Place in Higher Education in the United States.

Geography's institutional position in US colleges and universities has strengthened over the past 15 years. Student numbers have increased, many existing geography programmes have expanded, and new programmes have been launched. This article documents these developments and situates them historically. Attention is then directed to reasons behind the discipline's recent growth: heightened public interest in geographical issues, expanding awareness of geography in other disciplines, the geotechnology revolution, the growing job market for geographers, and improvement in geography education in some primary and secondary schools.
Relation of body mass and sex steroid hormone levels to hot flushes in a sample of mid-life women.

Objective Previous studies indicate that obesity is associated with a higher risk of experiencing hot flushes in mid-life women. The reasons for this association are unknown, although altered hormone levels have been associated with both hot flushes and obesity. Thus, this current study tested the hypothesis that obesity is associated with hot flushes in mid-life women through a mechanism involving levels of total and free androgen, free estrogen, progesterone, and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG).Methods Women aged 45–54 years were recruited from Baltimore and its surrounding counties. Each participant (n = 628) was weighed, measured, completed a questionnaire, and provided a blood sample that was used to measure estradiol, estrone, testosterone, androstenedione, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, progesterone, and SHBG.Results Obese mid-life women (body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) had significantly higher testosterone, and lower estradiol, estrone, progesterone, and SHBG levels than normal-weight mid...
Trajectories of multiple adolescent health risk behaviors in a low-income African American population

This study examined interdependent trajectories of sexual risk, substance use, and conduct problems among 12- to 18-year-old African American youths who were followed annually as part of the Mobile Youth Study. We used growth mixture modeling to model the development of these three outcomes in the 1,406 participants who met the inclusion criteria. Results indicate that there were four distinct classes: normative, low risk (74.3% of sample); increasing high-risk takers (11.9%); adolescent-limited conduct problems and drug risk with high risky sex (8.0%); and early experimenters (5.8%) The higher risk classes had higher rates of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections diagnoses than the normative sample at each of the ages we examined. Differing somewhat from our hypothesis, all of the nonnormative classes exhibited high sexual risk behavior. Although prevention efforts should be focused on addressing all three risk behaviors, the high rate of risky sexual behavior in the 25% of the sample that fall into the three nonnormative classes underscores an urgent need for improved sex education, including teen pregnancy and HIV/sexually transmitted infections prevention, in this community.
Physiological Markers of Local Sleep

Substantial evidence suggests that brain regions that have been disproportionately used during waking will require a greater intensity and/or duration of subsequent sleep. For example, rats use their whiskers in the dark and their eyes during the light, and this is manifested as a greater magnitude of electroencephalogram (EEG) slow-wave activity in the somatosensory and visual cortex during sleep in the corresponding light and dark periods respectively. The parsimonious interpretation of such findings is that sleep is distributed across local brain regions and is use-dependent. The fundamental properties of sleep can also be experimentally defined locally at the level of small neural assemblies such as cortical columns. In this view, sleep is orchestrated, but not fundamentally driven, by central mechanisms. We explore two physiological markers of local, use-dependent sleep, namely, an electrical marker apparent as a change in the size and shape of an electrical evoked response, and a metabolic marker evident as an evoked change in blood volume and oxygenation delivered to activated tissue. Both markers, applied to cortical columns, provide a means to investigate physiological mechanisms for the distributed homeostatic regulation of sleep, and may yield new insights into the consequences of sleep loss and sleep pathologies on waking brain function.
Three Sources of Increasing Returns to Scale

This paper reviews various types of increasing returns from a critical perspective. Increasing returns have been introduced both at the level and at the aggregate level in a monopolistic-competition model. We show that the degree of the aggregate returns to scale is a linear combination of three return parameters, with the weights determined by the speci cation of a zeroprot condition. Identication issues are discussed with an emphasis on recent macro literature. We argue that disaggregate data give information on the market structure rather than the technology. Welfare implications explain why it is important to identify various increasing returns.
Efficient guaranteed disk request scheduling with fahrrad

Guaranteed I/O performance is needed for a variety of applications ranging from real-time data collection to desktop multimedia to large-scale scientific simulations. Reservations on throughput, the standard measure of disk performance, fail to effectively manage disk performance due to the orders of magnitude difference between best-, average-, and worst-case response times, allowing reservation of less than 0.01% of the achievable bandwidth. We show that by reserving disk resources in terms of utilization it is possible to create a disk scheduler that supports reservation of nearly 100% of the disk resources, provides arbitrarily hard or soft guarantees depending upon application needs, and yields efficiency as good or better than best-effort disk schedulers tuned for performance. We present the architecture of our scheduler, prove the correctness of its algorithms, and provide results demonstrating its effectiveness.
Respiratory characters of three species of haplochromine cichlids: Implications for use of wetland refugia

Respiratory characters of three east African haplochromine cichlid species that differ in their use of hypoxic wetlands were examined to consider the potential of dissolved oxygen as one factor affecting habitat use. All three species had a large gill surface area, ranging from the 67th (Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor victoriae) to 98th (Astatotilapia velifer) percentile of the known gill size range for freshwater fishes. Pseudocrenilabrus multicolor victoriae was the most tolerant to hypoxia exhibiting the lowest aquatic surface respiration (R S ) thresholds and lowest critical oxygen tension of the three species. Astatotilapia velifer had the highest ASR thresholds, gill ventilation rates, and level of surface activity of the three species, indicating a relatively low tolerance to hypoxia. Prognathochromis venator was intermediate in its response to hypoxia. These findings are discussed in light of survivorship and distribution patterns of these species following Nile perch introduction into Lake Nabugabo.
Myocardial Mural Thickness During the Cardiac Cycle

The instantaneous and continuous thickness of the left ventricular wall was measured in ten dogs with a specially designed transducer. The thickness change during the "isovolumic" phase of systole was 11%. The average thickness increased an additional 10% during the ejection period of systole. These average values increased to 20% and 15% respectively with the administration of norepinephrine (approximately 0.001 mg/kg per minute). Transverse and longitudinal epicardial are strains were compared with thickness strain of the myocardium. Assuming the myocardium is incompressible, reasonable agreement was found in the three strains, which lends support to the measurements that were made. It is concluded that changes in the thickness of the myocardial wall during the cardiac cycle may be important in some considerations of the heart's performance.
Microstructural evolution of fine-grained layers through the firn column at Summit, Greenland

We present a microstructural characterization of fine-grained layers from the top 90 m of firn from Summit, Greenland, performed using a combination of scanning electron microscopy techniques including secondary electron imaging, energy-dispersive spectroscopy and electron backscattered patterns, and X-ray microcomputed tomography. The impurities in the firn, both soluble impurities and dust particles, were found largely in the grain interiors. Both c- and a-axis pole figures do not show strong evidence of a preferred orientation of the grains even at the bottom of the firn column. The firn structure became increasingly anisotropic with vertical alignment in the top 3 m, probably due to vapor transport associated with dry-snow metamorphism. The anisotropy decreases below this level until at � 50 m the average firn structure is close to isotropic. In the near surface, the level of anisotropy is weaker than at Hercules Dome, Antarctica, confirming that differences in accumulation rates and temperatures leave enduring evidence in the structure of the firn. The fraction of closed-off pores is relatively low until �� 65 m; below that it rises through the end of our sampling at 90 m. Our microstructure measurements on the microscale are consistent with in situ firn-air sampling measurements on a decimeter scale, both indicating the existence of the lock-in zone starting near 69 m depth, and pore close-off at 81 m at this site.
Genetic Determinants of Immunity and Integration of Temperate Myxococcus xanthus Phage Mx8

An 8.1-kb fragment of the temperate Myxococcus xanthus phage Mx8 genome, when cloned into a plasmid vector, permits site-specific integration of the plasmid and confers superinfection immunity. Sequence analysis of a 9.5-kb region of Mx8 DNA containing this fragment reveals 19 densely packed open reading frames, four of which have predicted products with known or suspected activities. The Mx8 imm gene, required for superinfection immunity, has a sequence similar to that of Arabidopsis thaliana G-box-binding factor 1. Mx8 makes a DNA adenine methylase, Mox, and integrase, Int, related to other methylases and integrases. The int gene has two alternate translation initiation codons within the extensively overlapping uoi (upstream of int) gene. Comparison of the predicted product of the uoi gene with Salmonella phage P22 and Streptomyces plasmid Xis proteins shows that temperate phage excisionases may use variations of a helix-turn-helix motif to recognize specific DNA sequences.
Alkaline Ceramidase 3 (ACER3) Hydrolyzes Unsaturated Long-chain Ceramides, and Its Down-regulation Inhibits Both Cell Proliferation and Apoptosis

Ceramides with different fatty acyl chains may vary in their physiological or pathological roles; however, it remains unclear how cellular levels of individual ceramide species are regulated. Here, we demonstrate that our previously cloned human alkaline ceramidase 3 (ACER3) specifically controls the hydrolysis of ceramides carrying unsaturated long acyl chains, unsaturated long-chain (ULC) ceramides. In vitro, ACER3 only hydrolyzed C18:1-, C20:1-, C20:4-ceramides, dihydroceramides, and phytoceramides. In cells, ACER3 overexpression decreased C18:1- and C20:1-ceramides and dihydroceramides, whereas ACER3 knockdown by RNA interference had the opposite effect, suggesting that ACER3 controls the catabolism of ULC ceramides and dihydroceramides. ACER3 knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and up-regulated the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21CIP1/WAF1. Blocking p21CIP1/WAF1 up-regulation attenuated the inhibitory effect of ACER3 knockdown on cell proliferation, suggesting that ACER3 knockdown inhibits cell proliferation because of p21CIP1/WAF1 up-regulation. ACER3 knockdown inhibited cell apoptosis in response to serum deprivation. ACER3 knockdown up-regulated the expression of the alkaline ceramidase 2 (ACER2), and the ACER2 up-regulation decreased non-ULC ceramide species while increasing both sphingosine and its phosphate. Collectively, these data suggest that ACER3 catalyzes the hydrolysis of ULC ceramides and dihydroceramides and that ACER3 coordinates with ACER2 to regulate cell proliferation and survival.
A traveling salesman approach for predicting protein functions

Background: Protein-protein interaction information can be used to predict unknown protein functions and to help study biological pathways. Results: Here we present a new approach utilizing the classic Traveling Salesman Problem to study the protein-protein interactions and to predict protein functions in budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We apply the global optimization tool from combinatorial optimization algorithms to cluster the yeast proteins based on the global protein interaction information. We then use this clustering information to help us predict protein functions. We use our algorithm together with the direct neighbor algorithm [1] on characterized proteins and compare the prediction accuracy of the two methods. We show our algorithm can produce better predictions than the direct neighbor algorithm, which only considers the immediate neighbors of the query protein. Conclusion: Our method is a promising one to be used as a general tool to predict functions of uncharacterized proteins and a successful sample of using computer science knowledge and algorithms to study biological problems.
Magnetoelectric nanoscale magnetic-field generator

We report experimental results on a magnetoelectric nanoscale magnetic field generator demonstrating electrical control of the local magnetization. The magnetic field generator contains a patterned magnetoelectric layered structure (i.e. Ni-nanobar/PZT-film). An electric field applied to the PZT-film is used to control the metastable spin-structure evolution process (i.e. motion of spins, transformation of domain-pattern, and re-orientation of magnetization) in the Ni-nanobar due to the converse magnetoelectric effect. Using magnetic force microscopy, the reversible evolution of a spin-structure/single-domain with an electric field was experimentally observed. These results represent the first step toward a solution for nanoscale electromagnets.
Pollen odor chemicals as modulators of bumble bee foraging on Rosa rugosa Thunb. (Rosaceae)

Pollen odor chemicals as modulators of bumble bee foraging on Rosa rugosa Thunb. (Rosaceae).
Lutheran clergy members' responses to scrupulosity: The effects of moral thought-action fusion and liberal vs. conservative denomination

Abstract Obsessive–compulsive disorder with primary religious themes, also known as scrupulosity, is an understudied problem that poses unique clinical challenges owing to the potential conflicts between the requirements of exposure and response prevention and adherence to religious law. Although previous discussions have highlighted the potential role of clergy members in the maintenance and treatment of this problem, empirical research has not examined religious authorities' attitudes and behaviors toward scrupulous parishioners. The present study investigated moral thought–action fusion, view of God, and responses to a hypothetical parishioner with scrupulosity among 70 clergy members affiliated with liberal or conservative denominations of the Lutheran church. Pastors affiliated with the more conservative denomination evidenced higher moral thought–action fusion, belief in a micromanaging God, and responses to a scrupulous parishioner that risk reinforcing compulsive rituals and the fear of sin (e.g., admonitions of God's expectations for purity in thought and deed, advising regular confession of sinful thoughts). Moral thought–action fusion fully mediated denominational differences in potentially problematic responses to a scrupulous parishioner. Implications for collaborative efforts between mental health professionals and clergy members to improve the prevention and management of scrupulosity are discussed.
Aceruloplasminemia: molecular characterization of this disorder of iron metabolism.

Abstract Ceruloplasmin is an abundant alpha 2-serum glycoprotein that contains 95% of the copper found in the plasma of vertebrate species. We report here on the identification of a genetic defect in the ceruloplasmin gene in a patient previously noted to have a total absence of circulating serum ceruloplasmin in association with late-onset retinal and basal ganglia degeneration. In this patient T2 (transverse relaxation time)-weighted magnetic resonance imaging of the brain revealed basal ganglia densities consistent with iron deposition, and liver biopsy confirmed the presence of excess iron. Although Southern blot analysis of the patient's DNA was normal, PCR amplification of 18 of the 19 exons composing the human ceruloplasmin gene revealed a distinct size difference in exon 7. DNA sequence analysis of this exon revealed a 5-bp insertion at amino acid 410, resulting in a frame-shift mutation and a truncated open reading frame. The validity of this mutation was confirmed by analysis of DNA from the patient's daughter, which revealed heterozygosity for this same 5-bp insertion. The presence of this mutation in conjunction with the clinical and pathologic findings demonstrates an essential role for ceruloplasmin in human biology and identifies aceruloplasminemia as an autosomal recessive disorder of iron metabolism. These findings support previous studies that identified ceruloplasmin as a ferroxidase and are remarkably consistent with recent studies on the essential role of a homologous copper oxidase in iron metabolism in yeast. The clinical and laboratory findings suggest that additional patients with movement disorders and nonclassical Wilson disease should be examined for ceruloplasmin gene mutations.