cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical activity and information processing speed in persons with multiple sclerosis: A prospective study

Abstract Objective There is increasing recognition of the possible association between physical activity and information processing speed (IPS) in multiple sclerosis (MS), but this is based on a limited number of cross-sectional studies with small samples. There further are unresolved methodological issues such as the appropriate mode (i.e., written or oral administration) and measure (e.g., Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT) & the Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test (PASAT)) of cognitive assessment. This prospective study further examined methodological issues influencing the association between physical activity and IPS in 82 persons with MS. Methods Participants wore an accelerometer during the waking hours over 7 days for measuring physical activity as steps/day and six-months later completed two versions of the SDMT and the PASAT. Results Steps/day was significantly, moderately, and similarly associated with oral ( r s = .45, p r s = .51, p r s = .23, p = .02). After controlling for age and disability status as covariates of IPS, the associations among steps/day and oral ( pr s = .25, p = .02) and written ( pr s = .29, p = .01) SDMT performance were attenuated, but statistically significant, whereas after controlling for age and disability status, the association between steps/day and PASAT performance was not statistically significant ( pr s = .12, p = .34). Conclusions These results support inclusion of either oral or written administrations of the SDMT, rather than the PASAT, as measures of IPS in future physical activity interventions.
Response Shift in Quality of Life After Endoscopic Sinus Surgery for Chronic Rhinosinusitis

Importance Patient-reported measures are designed to detect a true change in outcome, but they are also subject to change from biases inherent to self-reporting: changing internal standards, changing priorities, and changing interpretations of a given instrument. These biases are collectively known as “response shifts” and can obscure true change after medical interventions. Objective To determine the presence of response shifts in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) after endoscopic sinus surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants Multisite, prospective, observational cohort study conducted at academic tertiary care centers between February 2011 and May 2013. Study participants comprised a population-based sample of 514 adults (age ≥18 years) with CRS, who elected surgical intervention for continuing medically refractory symptoms. Intervention Endoscopic sinus surgery. Main Outcomes and Measures Preoperative and postoperative data from the 22-item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) survey instrument was characterized using exploratory factor analysis. Subsequent longitudinal structural equation models were estimated to test structure, potential response shifts, and true change in the SNOT-22 scores. Results A total of 339 participants (66.0%) provided survey evaluations at baseline and 6-month follow-up. Factor analysis of the SNOT-22 revealed 5 correlated, yet distinguishable, underlying factors. Endoscopic sinus surgery had a differential impact across these factors, with the largest effect size in rhinologic symptoms (mean [SD] SNOT-22 scores before and after surgery, 13.18 [5.11] and 7.37 [5.48], respectively; d = −1.13 [ P d = −1.00 [ P d is an effect size measure defined as the difference in means divided by the presurgery SD). Endoscopic sinus surgery had a smaller, yet significant, effect size on the remaining 3 factors: ear/facial symptoms (7.32 [4.6]) and 3.90 [4.07], respectively; d = −0.74 [ P d = −0.75 [ P d = −0.76 [ P Conclusions and Relevance The SNOT-22 measures 5 distinct factors, not a single construct. Reporting of individual subscale scores may improve sensitivity of this instrument in future studies. Participants undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery experience only clinically insignificant response shifts, validating assessment of change through use of presurgery and postsurgery SNOT-22 responses. Trial Registration clinicaltrials.gov Identifier:NCT01332136
Intraocular tetrodotoxin reduces axonal transport and transcellular transfer of adenosine and other nucleosides in the visual system of goldfish

Intraocular injection of tetrodotoxin (TTX) in goldfish, which abolishes physiological activity in the optic axons, decreased by up to about 30% the amount of radioactively labeled adenosine, uridine and guanosine (and their nucleotide derivatives) that was axonally transported in the optic nerve: The amount of labeled nucleoside that reached the optic tectum and became incorporated into RNA in the postsynaptic tectal neurons and glial cells was reduced by up to about 50%. There was no change, however, in the amount of transported nucleoside that became incorporated into RNA in the optic nerve glia. The TTX-induced changes were eliminated when axonal transport was blocked with vincristine, indicating that this change did not involve material moving along the nerve by diffusion. If the TTX injection was delayed until several hours after labeling of the transported materials, the transported labeled nucleoside in the nerve was reduced very little, but the RNA labeling in the tectum was reduced just as much as when TTX was given prior to labeling. This indicates that the labeling of the tectal cells was affected more by the level of activity in the pathway than by the amount of transported nucleoside reaching the optic nerve terminals. It appears likely, therefore, that the process most affected by the decrease in physiological activity is the release of nucleoside from the terminals of the presynaptic neurons or its uptake into postsynaptic tectal neurons and glia. The fact that physiological activity may modify the amount of axonally transported nucleosides made available for metabolism (including RNA synthesis) in postsynaptic neurons may provide an explanation for activity-linked neurotrophic effects.
Multiple Monitors and Knowledge of Results in Vigilance: The Decrement Still Wins

Research has demonstrated that knowledge of results (KR) can improve vigilance performance and that certain types of KR can even eliminate the vigilance decrement. Likewise, researchers have shown that having a number of operators perform a vigil in a multiple-monitor setting can also increase performance on sustained attention tasks. The present study was conducted to determine if using KR in a multiple-monitor setting would eliminate the vigilance decrement and improve performance as measured by signal detection indices. Subjects completed an absolute judgement task either in pairs or individually and received KR to hits, false alarms, misses, or no KR. The results indicated that even KR in a multiple-monitor paradigm was not sufficient to combat the vigilance decrement. Characteristics of the task, the social interaction between monitors, the use of signal detection indices, and the practical implications of the findings are discussed.
A New Proof for the Tight Range of Optimal Order Quantities for the Newsboy Problem with Mean and Standard Deviation

In the classical Newsboy problem, we provide a new proof for the tight range of optimal order quantities for the newsboy problem when only the mean and standard deviation of demand are available. The new proof is only based on the definition of the optimal solution therefore it is the most straightforward method. It is also shown that the classical Scarf’s rule is the mid-point of the range of optimal order quantities. This provides an additional understanding of Scarf’s order rule as a distribution free decision.
The Rhythm of Work: Health Effects of Women's Work Dynamics

Theories on the health benefits of employment, health selection, and the stress of changes in work all suggest that work patterns should be important for women's health. Using a national longitudinal sample of women in their fifties and sixties, we examine how employment duration and transitio-ns inform these theories of physical and emotional health. Women leave the labor force because of poor health, but longer employment also provides health benefits, and some work transitions have long-term negative effects on physical health. Our findings are consistent between physical and emotional health, but employment appears to be more strongly associated with physical limitations during this life stage. These results point to the value of work-life dynamics for understanding the work-'health relationship. One of the dramatic changes during the twentieth century has been the transformation of women's paid employment. Increases in women's labor-force participation tell only part of the story; patterns of women's labor-force participation across their life course have also changed in important ways. For
Neutrino reactions on nuclear targets

We examine the systematics of deep inelastic neutrino scattering from complex nuclei by computing the cross section for quasi-elastic scattering and for quasi-free resonance production. We retain relativistic kinematics for the recoiling particle and the full relativistic hadronic weak vertex. The isobar cross section is expressed in terms of helicity amplitudes of the weak current, defined through an application of the Jacob-Wick formalism to the general isobar-nucleon weak vertex. The cross section is computed analytically for the nuclear Fermi gas model. We stress that exactly the same model has already been very successfully applied to inelastic electron scattering from complex nuclei.
Deuterium recycling, confinement and limiter flux in TFTR

Abstract The neutrals code DEGAS and the transport code SNAP were used to model recycling during steady state phases of Ohmic and neutral beam-heated discharges in TFTR. The flux of deuterium from the inner limiter is calculated to be 15–45 times the total Dα emission rate, with ≈ 2/3 of the deuterium flux resulting from D+ flow in the scrape off to the limiter, and ≈ 1/3 resulting from D° scattering off the limiter. The total D+ ionization rate in the core plasma is 6–24 times the total Dα emission rate, and is larger than the total neutral beam fueling rate. The Dα emission rate, limiter flux, and core ionization rates scale approximately as the square of the volume averaged electron density.
Accuracy of visual estimates of joint angle and angular velocity using criterion movements.

Summary A descriptive study to document undergraduate physical education majors’ (22.8 ± 2.4 yr. old) estimates of sagittal plane elbow angle and angular velocity of elbow flexion visually was performed. 42 subjects rated videotape replays of 30 movements organized into three speeds of movement and two criterion elbow angles. Video images of the movements were analyzed with Peak Motus™ to measure actual values of elbow angles and peak angular velocity. Of the subjects 85.7% had speed ratings significantly correlated with true peak elbow angular velocity in all three angular velocity conditions. Few (16.7%) subjects’ ratings of elbow angle correlated significantly with actual angles. Analysis of the subjects with good ratings showed the accuracy of visual ratings was significantly related to speed, with decreasing accuracy for slower speeds of movement. The use of criterion movements did not improve the small percentage of novice observers who could accurately estimate body angles during movement.
Inguinal herniation of a transplant ureter

Anobel Y. Odisho, Christopher E. Freise, Stephen J. Tomlanovich and Parsia A. Vagefi Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA; Division of Transplant Surgery, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA and Division of Nephrology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, California, USA Correspondence: Parsia A. Vagefi, Department of Surgery, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, 505 Parnassus Avenue, San Francisco, California 94143, USA. E-mail: parsia.vagefi@ucsfmedctr.org
An investigation of summer sea surface temperature anomalies in the eastern North Pacific Ocean

A study of summer sea surface temperature anomalies in the eastern North Pacific Ocean was undertaken to examine some of the processes that could affect their evolution and which may be important for their prediction. An empirical approach was utilized. The factors considered include sea surface temperature (SST) persistence (due to the relatively large heat capacity of the water), oceanic thermal advection, and wind mixing (which presumably acts through changes in the mixed layer depth of the ocean). The primary variable studied was the summer SST anomaly for each of 25, 5° latitude by 10° longitude boxes in the region 140°W-170°E, 30–55° N. Thirty years of data were used (1947–76). Diagnostic analyses using data from four Ocean Weather Stations (C, D, P and V) were performed prior to the analyses described above in order to examine wind mixing more closely. Only at the OWS's are high frequency (3 hour), measured wind speeds available at the same location as SST observtions for a long period of time. These analyses indicated a statistically significant lag relationship between average April and May monthly wind speed and subsequent summer SST at Station P. The monthly mean SLP gradient was used as an estimate of average monthly wind speed over the 25 box domain where measured winds are not routinely available. In addition, winds derived from daily sea level pressure (SLP) analyses were averaged to form monthly means. At most boxes, no significant lag relationship between summer SST anomalies and spring (April and May) winds was found using either wind data set. The box-averaged data were employed to specify the summer SST from the components of the total horizontal thermal advection (based on the mean and anomalous components of the surface current and SST fields). The anomalous summer surface current advecting the mean summer SST field was found to be the dominant horizontal advective term affecting the local time rate of change of SST, particularly for 40–50° N. Substitution of derived May anomalous currents for those of summer greatly diminished the strength of the relationship. In the predictive portion of the study, skill relative to persistence was marginal based upon dependent sample testing. Thus, in the predictive mode neither wind mixing (as parameterized here) nor oceanic thermal advection added very much information not contained in the initial SST anomaly field. However, persistence alone exhibited considerable skill, particularly in the northeastern portion of the domain. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1983.tb00202.x
Teaching neuroimages: an unusual case of syncope.

A 64-year-old man presented with recurrent episodes of syncope with bradycardia and hypotension, not resolved by pacemaker placement. Examination revealed a hoarse voice and bradycardia with hypotension on palpation of the left carotid artery. A CT angiogram of the neck revealed a mass surrounding and compressing the left carotid bifurcation (figure 1), confirmed on a conventional angiogram (figure 2). A biopsy of the mass was consistent with squamous cell carcinoma. Dysfunction of the carotid sinus/bulb by metastatic compression or invasion is a rare cause …
Studies on mitochondrial proteins. I. Separation and characterization by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Abstract Rat liver mitochondria were fractionated into inner and outer membranes and soluble intermembrane space and matrix. The protein components of these fractions were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Mitochondria contained at least 20 components ranging in molecular weights from 10 000 to 140 000. Inner membranes differed markedly from outer membranes both in number of components and size distribution. The intermembrane space contained a few polypeptide species. These were of low molecular weight. The matrix was characterized by a high molecular weight component (130 000) which comprised 30% of this fraction. A major carbohydrate-containing polypeptide with an approximate molecular weight of 93 000 was detected in outer membrane preparations.
Aspirin in the prevention of preeclampsia: a systematic review

REVIEW NIKOLAOS ZACHARIAS, LUIS DIEGO PACHECO, ANA VIDAL, RADOSLAW BUKOWSKI, GEORGE SAADE, BAHA SIBAI, University of Texas Medical Branch, Obstetrics & Gynecology, Galveston, TX University of Cincinnati, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Cincinnati, OH OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of aspirin for the prevention of preeclampsia using a systematic review of published randomized clinical trials (RCTs). STUDY DESIGN: We searched the literature for RCTs that probed the use of aspirin prophylaxis during pregnancy and had preeclampsia as one of the outcomes. We excluded studies for poor concealment of allocation and losses to follow-up. Testing for heterogeneity was performed and the random-effects model was used for analysis. Two definitions of high-risk population were used for subgroup analysis: (A) one that included patients with historical risk factors and (B) one found post-hoc to have an incidence of preeclampsia >5% in the placebo arm. RESULTS: We included 34 RCTs (32,854 women) between 1985 and 2003. The use of aspirin was associated with a 13% overall reduction in the risk of preeclampsia (RR = 0.87, 95% CI: 0.8-0.95). Eleven studies enrolled high-risk gravidas by definition A (3639 women, 20% median incidence of preeclampsia in the placebo arm) and 14 by definition B (3579 women, 20.9% median incidence of preeclampsia in the placebo arm). Twenty-three studies enrolled gravidas not at high risk by definition A (29,215 women, 9.3%median incidence of preeclampsia in the placebo arm) or definition B (29,275 women, 8.7% median incidence of preeclampsia in the placebo arm). There was a significant reduction in the risk for preeclampsia in both risk groups with either definition A (high-risk: RR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.74-0.99, non-high-risk: RR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.8-0.97) or definition B (high-risk: RR = 0.83, 95% CI: 0.72-0.95, non-high-risk: RR = 0.9, 95% CI: 0.81-0.99). Heterogeneity was noted in all groups and overall, except for the high-risk group by definition A. CONCLUSION: Aspirin decreases the incidence of preeclampsia by 13% overall, with efficacy most pronounced in pregnancies at high risk for preeclampsia. The optimal timing and dose and patients most likely to benefit need to be identified.
Pharmacological approaches to the treatment and prevention of aphasia

Strokes cause a variety of cognitive impairments that may include aphasia. Speech-language pathologists and aphasiologists encounter an increasing number of patients treated with pharmacological agents. This review describes research regarding four main approaches to neuropharmacological intervention: pharmacotherapy or drugs used to facilitate language improvements following stroke, neuroreplacement to restore compromised levels of neurotransmitters, neuroprotective agents that minimise the extent of cell loss in the brain, and thrombolytic agents to restore blood flow to regions of the brain that have become ischaemic following stroke. Studies in each major approach are reviewed.
The projected impacts of NOx emissions reductions on electricity prices: a case study for the State of Indiana

Abstract This paper examines the impact of various nitrogen oxides (NOx) emission control scenarios on the price of electricity. Specifically, various scenarios are presented to illustrate the price impacts for the state of Indiana. The scenarios represent different methods for reducing NOx emissions levels to either 0.15 or 0.25 lb/mmBtu. The analyses were performed using a traditional regulation forecasting model that equilibrates between price and demand. Thus, the effects of price changes on demand levels were captured. Price impacts are presented at an overall average level as well as by customer class. The impacts of various assumptions made in the selection of the scenarios are analyzed.
Evidence that transgenes encoding components of the Wnt signaling pathway preferentially induce mammary cancers from progenitor cells

Breast cancer is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disease, and the contributions of different target cells and different oncogenic mutations to this heterogeneity are not well understood. Here we report that mammary tumors induced by components of the Wnt signaling pathway contain heterogeneous cell types and express early developmental markers, in contrast to tumors induced by other signaling elements. Expression of the Wnt-1 protooncogene in mammary glands of transgenic mice expands a population of epithelial cells expressing progenitor cell markers, keratin 6 and Sca-1; subsequent tumors express these markers and contain luminal epithelial and myoepithelial tumor cells that share a secondary mutation, loss of Pten, implying that they arose from a common progenitor. Mammary tumors arising in transgenic mice expressing β-catenin and c-Myc, downstream components of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, also contain a significant proportion of myoepithelial cells and cells expressing keratin 6. Progenitor cell markers and myoepithelial cells, however, are lacking in mammary tumors from transgenic mice expressing Neu, H-Ras, or polyoma middle T antigen. These results suggest that mammary stem cells and/or progenitors to mammary luminal epithelial and myoepithelial cells may be the targets for oncogenesis by Wnt-1 signaling elements. Thus, the developmental heterogeneity of different breast cancers is in part a consequence of differential effects of oncogenes on distinct cell types in the breast.
Timing of Colorado Plateau uplift: Initial constraints from vesicular basalt-derived paleoelevations: Comment and Reply

[Sahagian et al. (2002)][1] provide an interesting look at the uplift history of the Colorado Plateau through an analysis of paleoelevations estimated using a study of basalt vesicularity. They conclude that the Colorado Plateau experienced slow uplift beginning ca. 25 Ma, with rapid uplift since 5
Oil shocks and the dynamics of substitution adjustments of industrial fuels in the US

This paper investigates substitution among such alternate fuels as coal, natural gas, and electricity during the actual oil price increases of 1970s. These substitution adjustments are assumed to be dynamic and modelled by a partial adjustment structure. This dynamic structure is incorporated into a translog cost technology. Short- and long-run price elasticities are estimated by identifying inter- and intra-industry variations. The models are estimated with a sample of 88 pooled observations, including distillate and residual oils purchased by eleven 2-digit manufacturing groups (1974-81). Models are estimates are strictly negative. These own price elasticities range from (long-to short-run) –2.93 to –2.55 for distillate oil, –0.698 to – 1.53 for residual oil, –0.533 to 0.011 for coal, –0.235 to –0.213 for natural gas, to –0.888 to –0.845 for electricity. Estimastes of both short-run and long-run cross-price elasticities suggest that coal and electric energy are the prominent substitutes for fuel oils. W...
A Composite Enhancer Element Directing Tissue-specific Expression of Mouse Mammary Tumor Virus Requires both Ubiquitous and Tissue-restricted Factors

Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) expression is restricted primarily to mammary epithelial cells. Sequences responsible for both the mammary-specific expression of MMTV and the activation of cellular oncogenes are located within two enhancer elements at the 5′-end of the long terminal repeat. Whereas the Ban2 enhancer (−1075 to −978) has been well characterized, the mammary-specific enhancer of MMTV from −956 to −862 has only recently been recognized as a key determinant of mammary-specific oncogene activation by MMTV. The present study identifies and characterizes three binding sites located within this element. Transient transfection of deletion and mutation constructs shows that all three sites contribute to the basal expression of MMTV in mammary cells. One of the binding activities (footprint I) is restricted to mammary cells, whereas the other two sites bind factors found in both mammary and nonmammary cells. The multimerized mammary-specific enhancer of MMTV on its own can enhance a minimal promoter in a mammary-specific fashion. However, the FpI binding site alone cannot mediate this effect. Thus, it is the binding of multiple factors in a combinatorial fashion that mediates the mammary-restricted expression of MMTV.
Drained thaw lake basin recovery on the western Arctic Coastal Plain of Alaska using high-resolution digital elevation models and remote sensing imagery

Abstract The landscape on the Arctic Coastal Plain (ACP) of Alaska is dominated by thousands of thaw (thermokarst) lakes and associated drained thaw lake basins (DTLBs). Knowledge of the DTLBs benefits our understanding of thaw lake dynamics, carbon cycles, and paleo-climatic change on the ACP since the end of the Late Glacial. This study initializes the application of high-resolution digital elevation models (DEMs) into a systematic reconstruction of DTLBs on the western ACP and adjacent northern Arctic Foothills. The method combines a machine-based detection algorithm automating the delineation of basin paleoshorelines on IfSAR DEM data and a posterior quality control with the aid of high-resolution aerial photograph and Landsat-5 TM imagery. A total of ~3590 km 2 of thaw lakes and ~10130 km 2 of DTLBs were mapped, with an overall accuracy of 99.2% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.988. The delineated DTLB extents are conservative, as validated from eleven field-sampled paleoshorelines. A variety of topologic patterns such as merging, nesting, and overtopping are presented in the reconstructed DTLBs. Basin paleoshoreline levels are subject to average uncertainties of 0.4–0.7 m. The combined area of thaw lakes and DTLBs accounts for 57.1% of the western ACP and 23.2% of the northern Arctic Foothills in the study site. Regional analysis of several spatial and topographic characteristics demonstrates a distinct heterogeneity among the younger Outer Coastal Plain (YOCP), Outer Coastal Plain (OCP), Inner Coastal Plain (ICP), and the Arctic Foothills. Generally, the areal density of DTLBs decreases progressively on higher and older surfaces. The ICP has a lake–DTLB area ratio (0.37) greater than that in the other regions. DTLB bathymetry presents a positive correlation with surface elevation: basin maximum depths range from ~ 2.0 m on the YOCP to ~ 8.0 m on the Arctic Foothills. Given the reconstructed DTLBs, a total of 31.9 (± 4.9) gigatons of net water drainage were estimated for the entire study area.
Endothelin-3 inhibits prolactin and stimulates LH, FSH and TSH secretion from pituitary cell culture.

Abstract The influence of endothelin-3 (ET-3) on anterior pituitary hormone secretion was investigated over a wide range of concentrations (from 10 −14 to 10 −6 M) and incubation times (from 4 to 48 hours). ET-3 elicited a concentration-dependent inhibition of prolactin (PRL) secretion and stimulated the release of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) from primary monolayer cultures of anterior pituitary cells derived from female rats. The responsiveness of different pituitary cells to ET-3 differs markedly in terms of onset and duration: the maximal inhibition of PRL secretion occurred after 12 hours and the stimulation of LH, FSH and TSH reached the maximum after 4, 48 and 48 hours of incubation, respectively. These data corroborate the concept that ET-3 has an important role as a neuroendocrine modulator. Moreover, the data presented suggest different intracellular mechanisms underlying ET-3 actions.
Metabolic engineering of Agrobacterium sp. for UDP-galactose regeneration and oligosaccharide synthesis.

Abstract Curdlan-producing Agrobacterium sp. is unique in possessing a highly efficient UDP-glucose regeneration system. A broad-host-range expression strategy was successfully developed to exploit the unique metabolic capability for UDP-galactose regeneration during oligosaccharide synthesis. The engineered Agrobacterium cells functioned as a UDP-galactose regeneration system, allowing galactose-containing disaccharides to be synthesized from glucose or other simple sugars. Unexpectedly, a lag period of 24 h preceded the active synthesis, which could be eliminated with rifampicin. An intracellular nucleotide profiling revealed that the UMP level was elevated by 3.8 fold in the presence of rifampicin, suggesting that rifampicin simulated a nitrogen-limitation condition that triggered the metabolic change. Product selectivity was improved nearly 40-fold by using high acceptor concentration and restricting glucose supply. N -acetyllactosamine concentration near 20 mM (7.5 g/l) was obtained, demonstrating the effectiveness of the engineered strain in UDP-galactose regeneration. This organism could be engineered to regenerate other UDP-sugar nucleotides using the same strategy as illustrated here.
Evaluation of Notched-Wedge Longitudinal Joint Construction

The proper construction of longitudinal joints is critical to the overall performance of a hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavement. Many times the in-place density at and across the longitudinal joint is substantially lower than the density of the remainder of the HMA surface. This low in-place density increases the potential for cracking and raveling to develop along the joint. Research has shown that the use of the notched-wedge joint has the potential to increase the density at the longitudinal joint, which should result in a longer-lasting pavement. The notched-wedge joint construction technique was compared with conventional longitudinal joint construction techniques on projects in five states (Colorado, Indiana, Alabama, Wisconsin, and Maryland). The evaluation consisted of comparing the in-place densities obtained through pavement cores at five locations across the longitudinal joint of the pavement: at the centerline and at 150 mm (6 in.) and 450 mm (18 in.) on either side of the centerline. The results of...
Improving dispersion tests by symmetrization

Comparing the variances of several independent samples is a classic problem and many tests have been proposed in the literature. Conover et al. [Conover, W.J., Johnson, M.E. and Johnson, M.M., 1981, A comparative study of tests for homogeneity of variances with applications to the outer continental self bidding data. Technometrics, 23, 351–361.] and Shoemaker [Shoemaker, L.H., 1995, Tests for difference in dispersion based on quantiles. The American Statistician, 49 (2), 179–182.] find that the existing tests lack power for skewed sampling distributions. To address this problem, we studied the effect of an a priori symmetrization of the data on the performance of tests for homogeneity of variances. This article also updates the comprehensive comparative study of Conover et al.
Social housing conditions influence morphine dependence and the extinction of morphine place preference in adolescent mice.

Abstract Background Adolescent opioid abuse is on the rise, and current treatments are not effective in reducing rates of relapse. Our previous studies demonstrated that social housing conditions alter the acquisition rate of morphine conditioned place preference (CPP) in adolescent mice. Specifically, the acquisition rate of morphine CPP is slower in morphine-treated animals housed with drug-naive animals. Thus, here we tested the effect of social housing conditions on the development of morphine dependence and the extinction rate of an acquired morphine CPP. Methods Adolescent male mice were group-housed in one of two housing conditions. They were injected for 6 days (PND 28-33) with 20 mg/kg morphine. Morphine only mice are animals where all four mice in the cage received morphine. Morphine cage-mate mice are morphine-injected animals housed with drug-naive animals. Mice were individually tested for spontaneous withdrawal signs by quantifying jumping behavior 4, 8, 24, and 48 h after the final morphine injection. Then, mice were conditioned to acquire morphine CPP and were tested for the rate of extinction. Results Morphine cage-mates express less jumping behavior during morphine withdrawal as compared to morphine only mice. As expected, morphine cage-mate animals acquired morphine CPP more slowly than the morphine only animals. Additionally, morphine cage-mates extinguished morphine CPP more readily than morphine only mice. Conclusions Social housing conditions modulate morphine dependence and the extinction rate of morphine CPP. Extinction testing is relevant to human addiction because rehabilitations like extinction therapy may be used to aid human addicts in maintaining abstinence from drug use.
A frailty index identifies patients at high risk of mortality after tracheostomy

ObjectiveTo evaluate the utility of a modified frailty index as an indicator of postoperative mortality in patients undergoing tracheostomy.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingTertiary...
Neutron microfocusing by double reflection on curved perfect crystals

The imaging of large area neutron sources into millimeter-size spots by focusing with two curved perfect crystals is examined. In the parallel (+,-) setting large demagnifications can be achieved only with crystals in strongly asymmetric reflection. The most promising configurations appear to be those with crystals in antiparallel (+,+) setting. The beam intensities for the parallel and antiparallel settings of bent crystals are comparable, the reflection efficiency being enhanced by the reflectivity curve broadening. The instrument Q-resolution can be kept reasonably good in a limited range by phase space focusing. Results of neutron optics computations are presented for a diffractometer for stress scanning measurements and for a small-angle scattering instrument with long neutron paths.
Additive Effects of 1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol and Phytase on Phytate Phosphorus Utilization and Related Parameters in Broiler Chickens

Abstract Two experiments were conducted to compare the effects of supplementation with 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol [l,25-(OH)2D3] and a commercial phytase on P utilization by broiler males. Experiment 1 was conducted with three levels of total dietary P (0.45, 0.55, and 0.65%) in corn-soybean meal diets supplemented with 5 μg/kg of l,25-(OH)2D3, 600 units/kg of phytase, or the combination of these supplements in a factorial arrangement from 0 to 21 d in battery brooders. A second experiment was conducted with a similar design except that it was carried out in floor pens for a period of 35 d. In Experiment 1, maximal BW was obtained at 0.65% P in chicks receiving the basal diet, 0.55% P in chicks receiving phytase or l,25-(OH)2D3, and 0.45% P in chicks fed both supplements. Bone ash for chicks receiving the basal, phytase, l,25-(OH)2D3, and combination treatments at 0.45% total dietary P were 26.6, 34.9, 35.1, and 38.8%. There were significant interactions between phytase and 1,25-(OH)2D3 for BW, bone ash, and incidence of rickets. Similar results were noticed in Experiment 2, with the exception that l,25-(OH)2D3 had little influence on BW from 0 to 3 wk, likely due to slightly higher dietary P. From 3 to 5 wk, BW and bone ash were increased by each supplement and further increased by their combination. These interactions suggest different mechanisms of action for these supplements in influencing phytate P utilization.
Immunologic Issues in Type 1 Diabetes

This is the second in a series of reports on the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 61st Scientific Sessions held in Philadelphia, PA, in June 2001. It covers topics related to immunity and type 1 diabetes. Jay Skyler, Miami, FL, presented the results of the parenteral substudy arm of the Diabetes Prevention Trial for Type 1 Diabetes (DPT-1), in which relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes, whose risk of type 1 diabetes is 10- to 20-fold greater than that of the general population, were screened for islet cell antibodies (ICAs) and enrolled in a study of insulin administration if they showed high risk of developing diabetes. Animal studies in female nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice have shown this to be an effective treatment, and in the early 1990s, Keller et al. (1) reported a pilot study of 12 individuals with a predicted risk of diabetes; 5 subjects were treated with insulin and 7 subjects declined treatment. By 2.5 years, all of those who declined treatment had developed diabetes; at 5 years, only half of the intervention group had the disease. The DPT-1 was initiated in 1993. Screening began in February 1994 and randomization began in January 1995; 339 subjects were enrolled, with follow-up ending 13 April 2001. Screening of 89,827 relatives, with 84,228 samples analyzed, showed that 3,152 (3.7%) were ICA positive. A total of 2,103 subjects were staged, 535 having low first-phase insulin response. Of 372 subjects who were eligible for randomization, 339 were randomized. Skyler pointed out that 354 of the 3,152 ICA-positive individuals had actually already developed diabetes, with 156 identified before further testing. The projected annual event rate was 21%, and the actual finding was of 15.1% developing diabetes (in addition to those developing diabetes before randomization). Of the patients who developed diabetes, 60% were sibs, 25% …
Inspiratory vs expiratory aerosol deposition in excised dog lungs

The difference between inspiratory and expiratory aerosol deposition efficiency (D) in the lung was analyzed. In excised dog lungs, from minimal lung volume, measurements of D for single breaths of a 0.9 μm monodisperse aerosol were made by Tyndallometry for a tidal volume of 0.5 TLC, and breathing periods, T, of 4, 6 and 8 s. At each T, D was measured for two combinations of inspiratory and expiratory times (ti and te): te >ti and te ti than for te < ti at T = 4 and 6 s. Thus, particles deposited primarily by time-dependent mechanisms and these particles were more likely to deposit during inspiration than expiration. Using both air and a helium-air mixture as the carrier gas, we measured D at (VT,T) = (0.5TLC, 4 s) for the two combinations of ti and te in an additional five lungs. Contrary to findings with air, we found that D was not different for the two combinations of ti and te in helium-air. In addition, D was greater in helium-air than in air even though particle mobility was similar in the two gases. We propose that the results are best explained by differences in the nature of inspiratory and expiratory flow profiles. However differences in airspace geometry between inspiration and expiration may also play a role.
Strategies to treat protein-losing enteropathy.

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), excessive serum protein loss within the gastrointestinal tract, after Fontan operation is a poorly understood disorder. Reported to occur anywhere from weeks to years after Fontan operation, there are no identifiable risk factors for its development, and its clinical manifestations vary widely from significant morbidity and mortality to mild-to-moderate hypoproteinemia with minimal functional impairment. Treatment strategies, tailored to the severity of the disease, include symptomatic relief with diuretics and supplemental protein, attempts at halting intestinal protein leak using steroids or heparin, and alteration of cardiovascular physiology via fenestration creation, atrial pacing, or heart transplantation. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of PLE will allow the development of more effective treatment modalities. We hypothesize an abnormality of local intestinal circulation in patients with PLE that may be related to low cardiac output. Compensatory flow redistribution takes place under conditions of low cardiac output. We studied superior mesenteric artery flow using Doppler ultrasound in 40 patients after Fontan operation, 13 of whom had clinical signs of PLE, and compared them with 25 normal control patients. Diastolic velocities were lower in Fontan subjects, and the ratio of systolic-to-diastolic velocities and the resistance index were higher in Fontan patients compared with the control group. Patients with PLE after Fontan operation had higher systolic-to-diastolic velocities and resistance index than patients with Fontan and no active PLE. However, subjects with Fontan circulation but without PLE had higher indices of mesenteric resistance than the normal controls, suggesting an abnormality of the mesenteric circulation even in those without overt signs of PLE. It is plausible to postulate that activation of the renin-angiotensin system with increased levels of circulating angiotensin II may be responsible for the increase in mesenteric vascular resistance seen after Fontan operation, thereby placing these patients at risk for development of PLE. Copyright © 2002 by W.B. Saunders Company
Distinguishing benign from malignant euadrenal masses

The approach to the radiological and clinical evaluation of adrenal masses in the oncologic and non-oncologic patient is discussed. In addition, the value of unenhanced and enhanced CT densitometry with emphasis on the washout features to distinguish between lipid-rich and lipid-poor adenomas and malignant lesions is detailed. The roles of magnetic resonance imaging and positron emission tomography in distinguishing benign from malignant adrenal masses will also be discussed.
Spatial modification of a Gaussian beam on reflection from a saturable absorber.

We calculate the reflection coefficient of a dielectric–gas interface including the nonlinear local field, saturation, and self-reflected wave effects. We specialize to collisionally broadened gases with absorption lengths that are necessarily small compared with an optical wavelength and preclude the use of the slowly varying amplitude approximation. The dependence of the reflectivity on the intensity of the incoming field is revealed through the changes that it induces in the transverse profile of a reflected Gaussian beam. These changes derive principally from effective aperturing effects in amplitude and phase.
Subjective Status Shapes Political Preferences

Economic inequality in America is at historically high levels. Although most Americans indicate that they would prefer greater equality, redistributive policies aimed at reducing inequality are frequently unpopular. Traditional accounts posit that attitudes toward redistribution are driven by economic self-interest or ideological principles. From a social psychological perspective, however, we expected that subjective comparisons with other people may be a more relevant basis for self-interest than is material wealth. We hypothesized that participants would support redistribution more when they felt low than when they felt high in subjective status, even when actual resources and self-interest were held constant. Moreover, we predicted that people would legitimize these shifts in policy attitudes by appealing selectively to ideological principles concerning fairness. In four studies, we found correlational (Study 1) and experimental (Studies 2-4) evidence that subjective status motivates shifts in support for redistributive policies along with the ideological principles that justify them.
Some effects of dielectric loading on periodic slot arrays

The applications of arrays of rectangular slots have been severely limited since their resonant frequency (where unity transmission occurs) and bandwidth change with incident angle. By utilizing a modal analysis solution which includes the effects of dielectric slabs on both sides of the array, we show that these dielectric effects can, with proper design, reduce or eliminate the unwanted changes in resonant frequency and bandwidth. The presence of the dielectric slabs also cause other changes in the transmission curves. Two of these changes are the occurrence of the Wood's anomaly ("blind angle") null at a lower frequency, and additional narrow resonances in the transmission curves. These phenomena are explained by considering the behavior of the Floquet modal impedances in the presence of the dielectric layer.
Dead wood biomass and turnover time, measured by radiocarbon, along a subalpine elevation gradient.

Dead wood biomass can be a substantial fraction of stored carbon in forest ecosystems, and coarse woody debris (CWD) decay rates may be sensitive to climate warming. We used an elevation gradient in Colorado Rocky Mountain subalpine forest to examine climate and species effects on dead wood biomass, and on CWD decay rate. Using a new radiocarbon approach, we determined that the turnover time of lodgepole pine CWD (340±130 years) was roughly half as long in a site with 2.5–3°C warmer air temperature, as that of pine (630±400 years) or Engelmann spruce CWD (800±960 and 650±410 years) in cooler sites. Across all sites and both species, CWD age ranged from 2 to 600 years, and turnover time was 580±180 years. Total standing and fallen dead wood biomass ranged from 4.7±0.2 to 54±1 Mg ha−1, and from 2.8 to 60% of aboveground live tree biomass. Dead wood biomass increased 75 kg ha−1 per meter gain in elevation and decreased 13 Mg ha−1 for every degree C increase in mean air temperature. Differences in biomass and decay rates along the elevation gradient suggest that climate warming will lead to a loss of dead wood carbon from subalpine forest.
Probing Properties of Boron α-Tubes by Ab Initio Calculations

We investigate the properties of nanotubes obtained from recently described boron α-sheet, using density functional theory. Computations confirm their high stability and identify mechanical stiffne...
Richard Quinney's Journey: The Marxist Dimension

The relationship of Richard Quinney's critical criminology to Marxism is explored in this article. The originality of his version of critical criminology is discussed, from its origins in social constructionism, to his engagement with Marxism in the 1970s, to the importance in his later work of issues such as existentialism, Eastern thought, and Erich Fromm's socialist humanism. It is argued that Quinney's writings, despite several shifts of perspective, nonetheless exhibit some basic continuities and that an engagement with various forms of unorthodox, humanistic Marxism is one of these.
Facial Attractiveness and Physical Health

Abstract Previous research has documented that more facially attractive people are perceived by others to be physically healthier. Using self-reports, observer ratings, daily diary methodology, and psychophysiological assessments, this study provides limited empirical evidence that more facially attractive people ( N = 100) may be physically healthier than unattractive people. Discussion suggests the value of an evolutionary psychological perspective for understanding the relationship between facial attractiveness and physical health.
Survey of Extreme Solvent Tolerance in Gram-Positive Cocci: Membrane Fatty Acid Changes in Staphylococcus haemolyticus Grown in Toluene

We exploited the unique ecological niche of oil fly larval guts to isolate a strain of Staphylococcus haemolyticus which may be the most solvent-tolerant gram-positive bacterium yet described. This organism is able to tolerate 100% toluene, benzene, and p-xylene on plate overlays and saturating levels of these solvents in monophasic liquid cultures. A comparison of membrane fatty acids by gas chromatography after growth in liquid media with and without toluene showed that in cells continuously exposed to solvent the proportion of anteiso fatty acids increased from 25.8 to 33.7% while the proportion of 20:0 straight-chain fatty acids decreased from 19.3 to 10.1%. No changes in the membrane phospholipid composition were noted. Thus, S. haemolyticus alters its membrane fluidity via fatty acid composition to become more fluid when it is exposed to solvent. This response is opposite that commonly found in gram-negative bacteria, which change their fatty acids so that the cytoplasmic membrane is less fluid. Extreme solvent tolerance in S. haemolyticus is not accompanied by abnormal resistance to anionic or cationic detergents. Finally, six strains of Staphylococcus aureus and five strains of Staphylococcus epidermidis, which were not obtained by solvent selection, also exhibited exceptional solvent tolerance.