cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Asymptotic results for empirical and partial‐sum processes: A review

Two processes of importance in statistics and probability are the empirical and partial-sum processes. Based on d-dimensional data X1, … Xa the empirical measure is defined for any A ⊂ Rd by the sample proportion of observations in A. When normalized, Fn yields the empirical process Wn: = n1/2 (Fn - F), where F denotes the “true” probability measure. To define partial-sum processes, one needs data that are assigned to specified locations (in contrast to the above, where specified unit masses are assigned to random locations). A suitable context for many applications is that of data attached to points of a lattice, say {Xj:j ϵ Jd} where J = {1, 2,…}, for which the partial sums are defined for any A ⊂ Rd by Thus S(A) is the sum of the data contained in A. When normalized, S yields the partial-sum process. This paper provides an overview of asymptotic results for empirical and partial-sum processes, including strong laws and central limit theorems, together with some indications of their inferential implications. Les processus dits empiriques et aux sommes partielles occupent une place preponderante en statistique et en theorie des probabilites. Si X1, … Xa sont des donnees a valeurs dans IRd, on peut definir la mesure empirique de toute partie A de IRd par la proportion echantionnalle d'observations qui sont dans A. Une fois normalisee, la fonction Fn engendre le processus empirique Wa = n1/2 (Fn - F), ou F designe la “veritable” mesure de probabilite sous-jacente. Pour pouvoir definir un processus aus sommes partielles, il est necessaire d'avoir des donnees dont la position soit fixe dans l'espace (plutot que des donnees dont la variabilite est positionnelle, comme plus haut). A titre d'exemple, supposons que les donnees Xj soient reparties sur un treillis Jd, J = {1, 2, …}. On peut alors definir les sommes partielles pour tout sous-ensemble A de IRd, de telle sorte que S(A) soit la somme des donnees contenues dans A. On obtient le porcessus aux sommes partielles en normalisant S. Dans cet article. l'auteur entreprend de tracer un bilan actucl de la theorie asymptotique de ces deux types de processus. II y traite entre autres dc lois fortes et de theorenics de la limite centrale, tout en s'effocant de souligner a l'occasion quelques-unes de leurs implications au niveau de l'inference.
Bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma as a complication of facedown spine surgery

Abstract Background context Multiple studies have reported that facedown positioning can result in elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) in individuals susceptible to angle-closure glaucoma. Before advances in diagnostic modalities, prone tests were popularly performed in ophthalmology practices as provocative tests for detecting potentially occludable angles. In patients with a positive test result, direct observation shows that the anterior chamber shallows and the angle closes over time, compromising aqueous humor outflow facility. Furthermore, the degree of angle narrowing is proportional to the rise in IOP. A common scenario involving a prone position is spine surgery, which can last several hours with the patient unconscious. Purpose To report a case of a patient who developed bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma after facedown spine surgery. Study design Case report and literature review. Methods A 68-year-old Caucasian woman presented with persistent low back and left lower extremity pain. History was remarkable for L5 radicular pain, spinal stenosis, and an L3–L4 laminectomy performed 6 months previously. Plain films showed instability at the L4–L5 level and degenerative disc disease and scoliosis at L2–L4. The patient underwent spinal fusion surgery. Results Postoperatively, the patient complained of pain in the left eye accompanied with nausea and vomiting. Ophthalmology consultation confirmed the diagnosis of bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma, requiring medical therapy initially followed by laser iridotomies in both eyes. Conclusions Bilateral acute angle-closure glaucoma may occur as a complication of facedown spine surgery. It is essential for anesthesiologists and surgeons to be aware of this complication for accurate diagnosis and timely intervention. A preoperative evaluation by an ophthalmologist should be considered for those individuals who are at increased risk of developing angle-closure glaucoma, such as certain ethnicities, including Asians, Canadians, and Eskimos; female gender; hyperopic eyes with a shorter axial length; family history; history of previous attacks in the subject; and so forth. Prophylactic laser iridotomy in eyes with potentially occludable angles is a simple and safe office procedure that can prevent potentially devastating visual outcomes.
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor binding in the guinea pig cochlea

Because of the possibility that olivocochlear bundles may use acetylcholine as an inhibitory transmitter, we examined the cochlea of the guinea pig for cholinergic receptor binding sites. Binding of the potent muscarinic antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (3H-QNB) showed that the cochlea has sites with the pharmacological specificity of muscarinic cholinergic receptors. Specific 3H-QNB binding was saturated at 0.8 nM and was half-saturated at 0.03 nM concentrations. Total 3H-QNB binding was reduced 70% in the presence of saturating doses of acetylcholine, oxotremorine and atropine, and half-maximal competition occurred at doses comparable to those at other muscarinic sites in the central and peripheral nervous systems. The nicotinic specific antagonist d-tubocurarine did not block 3H-QNB binding at concentrations known to be effective in electrophysiological experiments, indicating the sites measured here were not the mixed muscarinic-nicotinic receptor type postulated for some systems. Localization of binding sites, as done by hand microdissection methods, showed that basal cochlear turns had five times the number of sites as apical turns. Most of the sites were evenly divided between the bony modiolus and the auditory nerve, although some sites were measured in sensory tissue. These results support the idea that cholinergic communication occurs in the cochlea, but they are also consistent with the hypothesis that other receptor mechanisms may be involved in olivocochlear inhibition.
Regression with spatially misaligned data

SUMMARY We present a simple approach to the problem of estimating the regression slope parameter from spatially misaligned point data. We assume a linear regression model with errors and covariates from two independent Gaussian spatial processes where covariate and response are observed at different locations. Correlation in the covariate is exploited to predict unobserved covariates via kriging. Kriged values are used to find weighted least squares estimates of regression parameters in a ‘krige-and-regress’ (KR) procedure. The variance of this estimator is calculated, and a variance estimator is proposed. Because the model and assumptions make it possible to write down the joint likelihood of the data, a maximum likelihood (ML) estimator can be found. Under regularity conditions, this estimator is asymptotically normal with asymptotic variance given by the inverse information matrix, which yields a variance estimator for the ML estimator of the regression parameters. The KR and ML estimators are compared in an example using Environmental Protection Agency data and a simulation study is conducted. While the ML estimator of the slope parameter has a smaller variance than the KR estimator, the ML variance estimator is too small to be used for inference whereas the KR variance estimator gives approximately correct inference. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Secondary surgical cytoreduction for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer: Patient selection and review of the literature

BACKGROUND Standard therapy for advanced epithelial ovarian cancer now includes primary cytoreductive surgery followed by combination chemotherapy. Optimal primary debulking is associated with improved clinical response rates to primary chemotherapy as well as longer overall survival. The benefits of secondary cytoreductive surgery for persistent or recurrent ovarian cancer have not been as clearly established as those of primary surgery. METHODS The English language literature was searched, using a MEDLINE database, to identify all clinical investigations pertaining to secondary cytoreductive surgery for epithelial ovarian cancer. Additional sources were found in reference lists from original research and review articles. Particular emphasis was placed on those studies allowing secondary operations for ovarian cancer to be grouped into four clinical scenarios: (1) recurrent disease, (2) second-look laparotomy (SLL), (3) interval cytoreduction, and (4) progressive disease. RESULTS Patients with recurrent disease, particularly after a prolonged disease free interval, may derive a significant survival benefit from optimal debulking. The available data also indicate that patients whose disease is in complete clinical remission, with macroscopic disease detected at the time of SLL, benefit from cytoreduction to microscopic disease residual. Cytoreduction that leaves SLL patients with a small amount of macroscopic disease may provide some survival benefit, but the degree of that benefit is unclear. Patients who undergo suboptimal primary debulking and later demonstrate a favorable response to induction chemotherapy may derive a modest survival advantage from an optimal interval cytoreductive procedure. CONCLUSIONS Proper selection of patients with recurrent or initially suboptimally resected ovarian cancer is essential to maximize the potential therapeutic benefit of secondary cytoreductive surgery. Cancer 1996;78:2049-62.
Bone morphology of weanling rats from dams subjected to fluoride

Femurs of weanling rats from third-pregnancy litters of dams given 150 ppm fluoride in the drinking water were examined by light- and scanning-electron microscopy. Under the conditions of the experimental procedure, no pathological changes were seen in the femurs as a result of maternal ingestion of fluoride. These results indicate that the amount of fluoride crossing the placenta and mammary gland was insufficient to produce significant morphological changes in the bones of 3-week-old rats.
A late developmental change in lysosomal enzyme sulfation specific to newly synthesized proteins in Dictyostelium discoideum.

Abstract During development in Dictyostelium discoideum , several lysosomal glycosidases undergo changes in post-translational modification that are thought to involve differences in the extent of sulfation or phosphorylation, and appear to be required for the maintenance of cellular enzyme activity late in development. We have used monoclonal antibodies specific to the lysosomal enzyme α-mannosidase-1 to study the major late (12 hr) developmental change in the modification system. Pulse-chase experiments performed both early and late in development reveal that the substrate for the late form of modification is restricted to newly synthesized α-mannosidase-1 precursor protein. We have identified one modification difference between the two developmentally distinct isozymes of α-mannosidase-1: 35 SO 4 pulse-chase data show that the newly synthesized “late” enzyme precursor is significantly undersulfated in comparison with the enzyme synthesized early in development. This apparent lack of sulfation is associated with the lack of acquisition of endoglycosidase H resistance. By contrast, an aggregation-deficient mutant, which is defective with regard to the accumulation of α-mannosidase-1 activity late in development, synthesizes the “early” sulfated form of the enzyme throughout development. We conclude that the late developmental change in post-translational modification specifically involves one of the biochemical steps in which the N-linked oligosaccharide side chains of the newly synthesized α-mannosidase-1 precursor are modified by sulfation.
Mathematical Modeling of Adsorption and Desorption of Volatile Contaminants from Soil: Influence of Isotherm Shape on Adsorption and Desorption Profiles

A mathematical model is presented for the prediction of adsorption and desorption profiles of volatile organic contaminants from oven-dried soil in a packed-bed column. The model assumes local equilibrium between the pore gas phase and the solid phase in the soil, axially dispersed flow pattern in the column, and mass transfer resistances in the particle and in the film around the particle. Data are taken on volatile organic compounds adsorption/desorption using frontal analysis chromatography, and the breakthroughs are predicted by the model without the use of any data-adjusted parameters. It was observed that the desorption breakthrough profiles exhibit a plateau section if the initial soil loadings of the volatile organic compounds exceed a certain limit. These profiles cannot be predicted by the model using the adsorption isotherm for the volatile organic compound on soil. The plateau obtained in the desorption profiles was linked to the existence of a desorption hysteresis phenomena, which is present...
Carbohydrate structure characterization by tandem ion mobility mass spectrometry (IMMS)2.

A high resolution ion mobility spectrometer was interfaced to a Synapt G2 high definition mass spectrometer (HDMS) to produce IMMS–IMMS analysis. The hybrid instrument contained an electrospray ionization source, two ion gates, an ambient pressure linear ion mobility drift tube, a quadrupole mass filter, a traveling wave ion mobility spectrometer (TWIMS), and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. The dual gate drift tube ion mobility spectrometer (DTIMS) could be used to acquire traditional IMS spectra but also could selectively transfer specific mobility selected precursor ions to the Synapt G2 HDMS for mass filtration (quadrupole). The mobility and mass selected ions could then be introduced into a collision cell for fragmentation followed by mobility separation of the fragment ions with the traveling wave ion mobility spectrometer. These mobility separated fragment ions are finally mass analyzed using a time-of-flight mass spectrometer. This results in an IMMS–IMMS analysis and provides a method to evalu...
Workshop – K - 12 engineering education: Design challenges for pre-college students

Engineering education interventions are increasingly commonplace throughout the K-12 experience, but are often limited to popular standbys like robotics or computers. In this workshop, we introduce an alternative approach, Engineering Teaching Kits (ETKs), and show how they can be structured to accommodate students at various educational levels. ETKs are the result of research conducted on effective outreach through the Virginia Middle School Engineering Education Initiative. Currently, ETKs are structured to provide age-appropriate engineering activities at the middle school level, but they have also been used with audiences of various ages. ETKs are popular among middle school math and science instructors for two reasons: they are standards-based, and are self-contained units built on the principles of guided inquiry and active learning. Participants will receive a review of applicable educational and cognitive developmental theories, be introduced to ETKs, work through selected activities from two ETKs, and draft designs for their own ETKs.
TGFβRIIb mutations trigger aortic aneurysm pathogenesis by altering transforming growth factor β2 signal transduction.

Background— Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) is a common progressive disorder involving gradual dilation of the ascending and/or descending thoracic aorta that eventually leads to dissection or rupture. Nonsydromic TAA can occur as a genetically triggered, familial disorder that is usually transmitted in a monogenic autosomal dominant fashion and is known as familial TAA. Genetic analyses of families affected with TAA have identified several chromosomal loci, and further mapping of familial TAA genes has highlighted disease-causing mutations in at least 4 genes: myosin heavy chain 11 ( MYH11) , α-smooth muscle actin ( ACTA2) , and transforming growth factor β receptors I and II ( TGFβRI and TGFβRII ). Methods and Results— We evaluated 100 probands to determine the mutation frequency in MYH11 , ACTA2 , TGFβRI , and TGFβRII in an unbiased population of individuals with genetically mediated TAA. In this study, 9% of patients had a mutation in one of the genes analyzed, 3% of patients had mutations in ACTA2 , 3% in MYH11 , 1% in TGFβRII , and no mutations were found in TGFβRI. Additionally, we identified mutations in a 75 base pair alternatively spliced TGFβRII exon, exon 1a that produces the TGFβRIIb isoform and accounted for 2% of patients with mutations. Our in vitro analyses indicate that the TGFβRIIb activating mutations alter receptor function on TGFβ2 signaling. Conclusions— We propose that TGFβRIIb expression is a regulatory mechanism for TGFβ2 signal transduction. Dysregulation of the TGFβ2 signaling pathway, as a consequence of TGFβRIIb mutations, results in aortic aneurysm pathogenesis.
Spontaneous Onset of Bacterial Cellulitis in Lower Limbs with Chronic Obstructive Venous Disease

Abstract Background Cellulitis, often recurrent is a common complication of severe chronic venous disease (CVD) when dermatitis or ulcer is present. The skin breakdown obviously provides easy entry for bacteria but other factors such as oedema and lymphatic dysfunction likely play a role in pathogenesis as well. An iliac obstructive lesion is commonly present and correction with stent(s) often heals dermatitis/ulcer and relieves cellulitis. The current manuscript focuses on a relatively infrequent “spontaneous” variety of cellulitis which also occurs in obstructive venous disease in the absence of overt skin breakdown. Stenting results are of particular interest in this subset because its therapeutic efficacy can be related to factors other than healing of dermatitis/ulceration (portal of entry). Material and methods One thousand and nine limbs underwent iliac vein stenting for symptomatic CVD over a 7 year period; 29 limbs that were stented to treat spontaneous recurrent cellulitis of two or more prior attacks and 16 additional limbs with only one prior episode (stented for other indications) are analysed. Eighty two percent of the limbs had obvious swelling and the remainder had none at the time of stenting when cellulitis was inactive. Iliac vein outflow obstruction was found by intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and all limbs were stented. Results Median age was 54 and male to female ratio 1:2. Aetiology of iliac obstruction was post-thrombotic in 33% and non-thrombotic in 67%. Preoperatively, lymphatic abnormalities were present in 17 (38%) of the limbs: no activity in 7, delayed flow in 8 and pooling of isotope in the lower leg in 2 limbs. Swelling and pain improved significantly after stent placement. Cumulative freedom from recurrent attacks of cellulitis was 76% at 3 years. Conclusion Iliac vein outflow obstruction may underlie CVD limbs afflicted with cellulitis. IVUS examination is recommended if cellulitis is recurrent and conventional therapy had failed. Correction of outflow obstruction by venous stent placement appears to yield moderate freedom from repeat infections in the near term.
Quasi-exospheric heat flux of solar-wind electrons

Density, bulk-velocity, and heat-flow moments are calculated for truncated Maxwellian distributions representing the cool and hot populations of solar-wind electrons, as realized at the base of a hypothetical exosphere. The electrostatic potential is thus calculated by requiring charge quasi-neutrality and the absence of electrical current. Plasma-kinetic coupling of the cool-electron and proton bulk velocities leads to an increase in the electrostatic potential and a decrease in the heat-flow moment.
Indole is an inter-species biofilm signal mediated by SdiA

Background As a stationary phase signal, indole is secreted in large quantities into rich medium by Escherichia coli and has been shown to control several genes (e.g., astD, tnaB, gabT), multi-drug exporters, and the pathogenicity island of E. coli; however, its impact on biofilm formation has not been well-studied.
Prospective randomized trial of paravertebral block for patients undergoing breast cancer surgery.

Abstract Background The goal of the current study was to evaluate the effect of regional anesthesia using paravertebral block (PVB) on postoperative pain after breast surgery. Methods Patients undergoing unilateral breast surgery without reconstruction were randomized to general anesthesia (GA) only or PVB with GA and pain scores assessed. Results Eighty patients were randomized (41 to GA and 39 to PVB with GA). Operative times were not significantly different between groups. Pain scores were lower after PVB compared to GA at 1 hour (1 vs 3, P = .006) and 3 hours (0 vs 2, P = .001) but not at later time points. The overall worst pain experienced was lower with PVB (3 vs 5, P = .02). More patients were pain-free in the PVB group at 1 hour (44% vs 17%, P = .014) and 3 hours (54% vs 17%, P = .005) postoperatively. Conclusions PVB significantly decreases postoperative pain up to 3 hours after breast cancer surgery.
Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging as a predictor of outcome in head-and-neck squamous cell carcinoma patients with nodal metastases.

Purpose Dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) can provide information regarding tumor perfusion and permeability and has shown prognostic value in certain tumors types. The goal of this study was to assess the prognostic value of pretreatment DCE-MRI in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients with nodal disease undergoing chemoradiation therapy or surgery. Methods and Materials Seventy-four patients with histologically proven squamous cell carcinoma and neck nodal metastases were eligible for the study. Pretreatment DCE-MRI was performed on a 1.5T MRI. Clinical follow-up was a minimum of 12 months. DCE-MRI data were analyzed using the Tofts model. DCE-MRI parameters were related to treatment outcome (progression-free survival [PFS] and overall survival [OS]). Patients were grouped as no evidence of disease (NED), alive with disease (AWD), dead with disease (DOD), or dead of other causes (DOC). Prognostic significance was assessed using the log-rank test for single variables and Cox proportional hazards regression for combinations of variables. Results At last clinical follow-up, for Stage III, all 12 patients were NED. For Stage IV, 43 patients were NED, 4 were AWD, 11 were DOD, and 4 were DOC. K trans is volume transfer constant. In a stepwise Cox regression, skewness of K trans (volume transfer constant) was the strongest predictor for Stage IV patients (PFS and OS: p Conclusion Our study shows that skewness of K trans was the strongest predictor of PFS and OS in Stage IV HNSCC patients with nodal disease. This study suggests an important role for pretreatment DCE-MRI parameter K trans as a predictor of outcome in these patients.
The human COL11A2 gene structure indicates that the gene has not evolved with the genes for the major fibrillar collagens

The human COL11A2 gene was analyzed from two overlapping cosmid clones that were previously isolated in the course of searching the human major histocompatibility region (Janatipour, M., Naumov, Y., Ando, A., Sugimura, K., Okamoto, N., Tsuji, K., Abe, K., and Inoko, H. (1992) Immunogenetics 35, 272-278). Nucleotide sequencing defined over 28,000 base pairs of the gene. It was shown to contain 66 exons. As with most genes for fibrillar collagens, the first intron was among the largest, and the introns at the 5'-end of the gene were in general larger than the introns at the 3'-end. Analysis of the exons coding for the major triple helical domain indicated that the gene structure had not evolved with the genes for the major fibrillar collagens in that there were marked differences in the number of exons, the exon sizes, and codon usage. The gene was located close to the gene for the retinoic X receptor beta in a head-to-tail arrangement similar to that previously seen with the two mouse genes (P. Vandenberg and D. J. Prockop, submitted for publication). Also, there was marked interspecies homology in the intergenic sequences. The amino acid sequences and the pattern of charged amino acids in the major triple helix of the alpha 2(XI) chain suggested that the chain can be incorporated into the same molecule as alpha 1(XI) and alpha 1(V) chains but not into the same molecule as the alpha 3(XI)/alpha 1(II) chain. The structure of the carboxyl-terminal propeptide was similar to the carboxyl-terminal propeptides of the pro alpha 1(XI) chain and pro alpha chains of other fibrillar collagens, but it was shorter because of internal deletions of about 30 amino acids.
Rising from the ashes: how the global education policy of community-based management was born from El Salvador's civil war

This paper explores the relationship between the emergence of global education policies and conflict-affected contexts by analysing the trajectory of community-level education decentralization within and beyond El Salvador from the 1980s, during the country's civil war, to the 2000s, by which point this approach to education governance was being widely promoted and adapted around the world. The findings – based on two years of data collection – demonstrate not only the way these contexts can be particularly susceptible to intervention by foreign governments and international organizations but also how, in certain historical-structural moments, those contexts can be transformed and leveraged to experiment with and to entrench certain policies.
Design and Prototype Fabrication of a Neonatal Video Laryngoscope

We describe a prototype miniaturized video laryngoscope for extremely low birth weight infants, where a curved acrylic blade acts as a tongue depressor, light guide for an LED illuminator, and holds a 1.8mm CCD imager.
Methane combustion in a catalytically stabilized thermal burner

Abstract The chemical role of the catalyst in the catalytically stabilized thermal combustion of methane is investigated; platinum and manganese oxide catalysts were tested. Comparison of the performances of an externally heated catalytic wall tubular reactor and a non-catalytic alumina wall tubular reactor shows that complete conversion of methane is obtained at a slightly higher temperature in the catalytic flow reactor as a consequence of reactant depletion close to the wall due to heterogeneous reactions. However, a highly active catalyst such as platinum changes the selectivity dramatically, almost preventing the production of intermediate compounds and giving high combustion efficiencies.
Changes in the profile of paediatric intensive care associated with centralisation.

Objectives: To compare intensive care admissions from a defined population of children in 1991 and 1999, during a period of organisational change and centralisation of paediatric intensive care. Design: Two 12-month population-based audits were compared. Data were collected from hospitals in Birmingham and the surrounding districts. Denominator data were obtained from the Office for National Statistics. The place and rate of intensive care admission, the use of mechanical ventilation at admission, mortality and length of stay were compared. Setting: Hospitals in the West Midlands. Participants: All children (<15 yrs) living in Birmingham who received intensive care during the study periods. Measurements and results: The number of Birmingham resident children admitted for intensive care increased from 277 to 510 (p<0.0001) i.e. from 1.3 to 2.3 admissions per 1,000 children per year. The proportion of admissions to the principal paediatric intensive care unit increased from 60% to 90% (p<0.0001) in association with its expansion from 6 to 18 beds. Length of ICU stay decreased from 103 to 74 h (difference 29 h, 95%CI, 4.78–54.2 h, p=0.0117). Child mortality fell over this period by 34 deaths per 100,000 children (95%CI 16–51, p<0.0001). The proportion of children requiring mechanical ventilation at admission to intensive care was unchanged. Conclusions: Centralisation by expansion of the lead centre was associated with a large increase in the numbers of children receiving intensive care consistent with an unmet need for paediatric intensive care in 1991, which may still exist. Centralisation of paediatric intensive care may have contributed to the fall in child mortality over this time period.
Carbon isotopic changes in benthic foraminifera from the western South Atlantic: Reconstruction of glacial abyssal circulation patterns

Oxygen- and carbon-isotopic analyses have been performed on the benthic foraminifer Planulina wuellerstorfi in seven Late Quaternary cores from the Vema Channel-Rio Grande Rise region. The cores are distributed over the water-depth interval of 2340 to 3939 m, which includes the present transition from North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) to Antarctic Bottom Water (AABW). The carbon-isotopic records in the cores vary as a function of water depth. The shallowest and deepest cores show no significant glacial-interglacial difference in δ13C. Four of the five cores presently located in the NADW have benthic foraminiferal δ13C that is lower during glacial isotopic stages. Based on bathymetric gradients in δ13C, we conclude that, like today, there were two water masses present in the Vema Channel during glacial intervals: a water mass enriched in 13C overlying another water mass depleted in 13C. The largest gradient of change of δ13C with depth, however, occurred at 2.7 km, ∼ 1 km shallower than the present position of this gradient. On the basis of paleontologic and sedimentologic evidence, we consider it unlikely that the NADW:AABW transition shallowed to this level. Reduced carbon-isotopic gradients between the deep basins of the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during the last glaciation suggest that production of NADW was reduced. Lower production of NADW may have modified the local abyssal circulation pattern in the Vema Channel region.
Atheroembolic renal disease causes hypocomplementaemia.

Abstract 7 patients with atheroembolic renal disease were found to have hypocomplementaemia. Evidence obtained in an experimental model of atheroembolic disease shows that the hypocomplementaemia is the result of complement activation by the atheromatous material in vivo. In addition to hypocomplementaemia, 6 patients had thrombocytopenia and 5 had eosinophilia. These observations indicate that atheroembolic disease should now be included in the differential diagnosis of hypocomplementaemia. In addition, atheroembolic disease should be considered in patients presenting with a combination of multisystem disease, hypocomplementaemia, thrombocytopenia, and eosinophilia—a syndrome which previously would have been regarded as diagnostic of immune-complex-mediated vasculitis.
Oxidative stress, circulating antioxidants, and dietary preferences in songbirds

Oxidative stress is an unavoidable consequence of metabolism and increases during intensive exercise. This is especially problematic for migratory birds that metabolize fat to fuel long-distance flight. Birds can mitigate damage by increasing endogenous antioxidants (e.g. uric acid) or by consuming dietary antioxidants (e.g. tocopherol). During flight, birds may increase protein catabolism of lean tissue which may increase circulating uric acid and many birds also consume an antioxidant-rich frugivorous diet during autumn migration. We evaluated three related hypotheses in a migratory passerine: (1) protein consumption is positively related to circulating antioxidants, (2) a dietary oxidative stressor [i.e. polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)] influences antioxidant capacity and oxidative damage, and (3) oxidative stress influences dietary antioxidant preferences. White-throated Sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis) consuming a high protein diet increased circulating uric acid; however, uric acid, antioxidant capacity, and oxidative stress did not differ between birds consuming a high PUFA versus a low PUFA diet, despite increased oxidative damage in high PUFA birds. Birds did not prefer antioxidant-rich diets even when fed high PUFA, low protein. We conclude that White-throated Sparrows successfully mitigated oxidative damage associated with a high PUFA diet and mounted an endogenous antioxidant response independent of uric acid, other circulating antioxidants, and dietary antioxidants.
Parental Attitudes and Their Influence on the Medical Management of Diabetic Adolescents

Competent professional assistance can meet the challenges of keeping parents and patients on a stable and sound emotional course as the diabetic adolescent grows up.
Semi-active adaptive control of seismically excited 20-story nonlinear building

An adaptive controller has adjustable parameters and a mechanism for modifying them. It can continuously monitor its own performance in relation to a given condition and has a means of modifying its own parameters by a closed loop action to approach optimum performance. The effectiveness of using the Simple Adaptive Control Method (SACM) to enhance the performance of structures with linear behavior was previously studied. In this study, the SACM is used to control the response of a tall building with nonlinear behavior and equipped with magnetorheological (MR) dampers. The performance of SACM is compared with other control methods and results show that this method is successful to improve the structural performance of a nonlinear building subjected to earthquakes.
Diagnosis, Management, and Investigational Therapies for Food Allergies

Food allergies have increased in prevalence over the past 20 years, now becoming an important public health concern. Although there are no therapies currently available for routine clinical care, recent reports have indicated that immunotherapies targeting the mucosal immune system may be effective. Oral immunotherapy is conducted by administering small, increasing amounts of food allergen; it has shown promise for desensitizing individuals with peanut, egg, or milk allergies. Sublingual immunotherapy also desensitizes allergic patients to foods—2 major studies have examined the effects of sublingual immunotherapy in subjects with peanut allergies. We review the complex nature of IgE-mediated food allergies and the therapies being evaluated in clinical trials. We focus on the diagnosis and management of food allergies and investigational therapies.
Opportunities for Strategic Partnerships Between Drug Wholesalers and Pharmaceutical Manufacturers

ABSTRACTChanges in pharmaceutical marketing channels have led drug wholesalers and pharmaceutical manufacturers to search for ways to control their costs. One approach is to form strategic partnerships with each other. A mail survey of wholesalers and manufacturers assessed their interest in and the difficulty in implementing 26 potential opportunities for strategic partnership. Seven opportunities of high interest to both groups were identified. Other opportunities were classified as high wholesaler interest only (9 items), high manufacturer interest only (6 items), and low interest to both (4 items). Implications of the findings for wholesalers and manufacturers are discussed.
Clustering of Stock Prices

This study contains data that throw substantial doubt upon the applicability of the random walk model to stock prices. Samples of the books of the specialist indicate that stock market decision makers place their limit and stop orders at numbers with which they are accustomed to deal. Congestion of limit orders, in combination with the specialist's reluctance to trade for his own account, creates a situation where higher priced issues trade mainly at the integers. Six samples of two hundred low priced issues unchanged for the day, and two samples of issues stationary until noon, indicate that these prices settle at the round numbers. Intelligent trading of floor traders and specialists causes the ratio of highs to lows to be greater than 1 at 7/8 and less than 1 at 1/8.
A Case Report of a Dactylaria Fungal Infection in a Lung Transplant Patient

Dematiaceous fungi such as Dactylaria gallopava arebecoming more prevalent in transplant patients, with 50% of outcomesbeing fatal. In this report, we describe a 32-year-old woman whopresented with swelling in the right shoulder area and right lateralneck. On further investigation with a CT scan, a fluid collection inthe shoulder was identified, drained, and subsequently grew Dgallopava. We report the successful treatment of an invasive, Dactylaria infection in a lung transplant patient predominantly bymedical chemotherapy, although surgical incision and drainage wasperformed on one of the fungal lesions.
Impact of different isolation procedures on the functionality of zein and kafirin

Abstract Commercial corn prolamin (zein) aggregates in water at elevated temperatures into an extensible, viscoelastic gluten-like substance. This specific functionality of zein can be used in the production of gluten-free bread from true dough systems and not from batters. The present study examined laboratory-scale isolation of such functional zein from dry milled corn. RP-HPLC indicated that successful isolation procedures resulted in relatively pure α-zeins, with a maximum ratio of (β + γ)/α-zeins of about 10%. In the present study, such functional zeins were obtained by using 70% ethanol as the extractant, without added alkali or reducing agent in the main extraction step. In contrast, films could be cast from a wider range of zein isolates, also with higher ratios of (β + γ)/α-zeins. Isolation of the analogous prolamin (kafirin) from dry milled sorghum required a more hydrophobic extractant such as 83% isopropanol to achieve partial functionality. Such kafirin was able to aggregate in warm water, preferably when a reducing agent was added; however, it quickly became firm and lost its extensibility. The present study suggests that hydrophobic interactions rather than disulfide bonds are the key to gluten-like functionality of zein and kafirin.
Retinal insulin receptors: localization using a polyclonal anti-insulin receptor antibody

Abstract Although retinal insulin receptors have recently been described biochemically, the location of these receptors within the retina is unknown. The study presented here used a polyclonal anti-insulin receptor antibody (B10), immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy to determine the location of insulin receptors in bovine, monkey and human retina. It was found that antibody immunofluorescence formed discrete bands localized predominantly to photoreceptor and neuronal cell bodies. In addition to the strong association with neuronal perikarya, a lower level of antibody binding was observed in photoreceptor outer segments. In human retina, some of the antibody immunofluorescence also had a pattern that suggested B 10 binding to glial-like cells.
Wasted food, wasted energy: the embedded energy in food waste in the United States.

This work estimates the energy embedded in wasted food annually in the United States. We calculated the energy intensity of food production from agriculture, transportation, processing, food sales, storage, and preparation for 2007 as 8080 ± 760 trillion BTU. In 1995 approximately 27% of edible food was wasted. Synthesizing these food loss figures with our estimate of energy consumption for different food categories and food production steps, while normalizing for different production volumes, shows that 2030 ± 160 trillion BTU of energy were embedded in wasted food in 2007. The energy embedded in wasted food represents approximately 2% of annual energy consumption in the United States, which is substantial when compared to other energy conservation and production proposals. To improve this analysis, nationwide estimates of food waste and an updated estimate for the energy required to produce food for U.S. consumption would be valuable.
Promoting smoke-free environments in Latin America: a comparison of methods to assess secondhand smoke exposure.

Avila-Tang E, Travers MJ, Navas-Acien A. Promoting smoke-free environments in Latin America: a comparison of methods to assess secondhand smoke exposure. Salud Publica Mex 2010;52 suppl 2:S138-S148. Abstract Secondhand smoke (SHS) contains toxicants and carcino- gens that are known to cause premature death and disease. Objectively measuring SHS exposure can support and evaluate smoke-free legislations. In Latin America, the most commonly used methods to measure SHS exposure are airborne nicotine and respirable suspended particles (PM 2.5 ). Here we present results from studies conducted in public places and homes across Latin American countries. Airborne nicotine was detected in most locations between 2002-2006, before the implementation of 100% smoke-free legislation in Uruguay, Panama, Guatemala and other large cities within Latin America. Between 2006 and 2008, PM 2.5 levels were found to be five times higher in places where smoking was present at the time of sampling compared to those without smoking. Measuring SHS exposure across Latin America has increased our understanding of the magnitude of exposure in this region and results have been used to effectively promote smoke-free legislation.
Peroxidase Fractions from Asparagus of Varying Heat Stabilities

Chromatofocusing was used to fractionate asparagus peroxidases. Basic isozymes of pI greater than 9.0 predominated throughout the spear. In addition, a more acidic peroxidase fraction is found in the asparagus spear tip. The basic and acidic fractions were similar in heat stability, but the acidic fraction reactivated readily after heating at 70°C.
Silencing of Hypoxia Inducible Factor-1α by RNA Interference Attenuates Human Glioma Cell Growth In vivo

Purpose: Higher-grade gliomas are distinguished by increased vascular endothelial cell proliferation and peritumoral edema. These are thought to be instigated by vascular endothelial growth factor, which, in turn, is regulated by cellular oxygen tension. Hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) is a main responder to intracellular hypoxia and is overexpressed in many human cancers, including gliomas. Experimental Design: We investigated the role of HIF-1α in glioma growth in vivo using RNA interference (RNAi) in U251, U87, and U373 glioma cells. Results: We found that RNAi can be used to significantly attenuate glioma growth by reducing HIF-1α levels constitutively using short hairpin RNAs and transiently using small interfering RNAs (siRNA). HIF-1α levels on average were reduced 55% in normoxia and 71% in hypoxia. Vascular endothelial growth factor and GLUT-1 levels were reduced 81% and 71%, respectively, in the stable HIF-1α–reduced clones. These clones showed significant growth attenuation (up to 73%) compared with negative controls when grown in vivo in mouse flanks. Cellular proliferation was also reduced significantly, as determined by MIB-1 staining. Treating gliomas grown in mouse flank transiently with siRNA against HIF-1α by intratumoral injection resulted in a significant reduction of HIF-1α activity. This activity was followed using a hypoxia-responsive luciferase construct that enabled hypoxia imaging in vivo . Tumor volume in these siRNA injection experiments was reduced by 50% over the negative controls. Conclusions: These results indicate that transient RNAi directed against HIF-1α can effectively curb glioma growth in vivo .
Instructional Dissent as an Expression of Students' Academic Orientations and Beliefs about Education

This purpose of this study was to examine how students' academic orientations toward learning and general beliefs about education (i.e., academic entitlement, learning orientation, grade orientation, academic locus of control, academic self-efficacy) predict the use of instructional dissent (i.e., expressive dissent, rhetorical dissent, vengeful dissent) in a college class. Participants were 222 students who reported on their perceived academic orientations and educational beliefs in tandem with their dissent behavior in a current college class. Results of a canonical correlation revealed that (a) when students were academically entitled, grade orientated, and lacked academic self-efficacy, they communicated more expressive and vengeful dissent, but (b) when students were learning oriented, they communicated more rhetorical dissent.
ABO-incompatible heart transplantation in infants: analysis of the united network for organ sharing database.

Introduction ABO-incompatible heart transplantation, traditionally contraindicated because of the risk of hyperacute rejection, has been used selectively in recent years. Infants have limited production of isohemagglutinins, which may lower the risk of hyperacute rejection. A large national database was used to analyze the effect of ABO incompatibility on outcomes after heart transplantation in infants. Methods Heart transplant recipients aged younger than 1 year reported to the United Network for Organ Sharing from 1999 to 2007 were divided according to donor-recipient ABO incompatibility or compatibility. Outcomes included Kaplan-Meier survival and hyperacute rejection. Propensity-adjusted Cox regression modeling was used to identify predictors of mortality. Results Of 591 infants that underwent heart transplantation, 35 (6%) received allografts from ABO-incompatible donors. ABO-incompatible recipients trended toward more congenital heart disease (71% vs 66%; p = 0.06) and were less likely to have dilated cardiomyopathy (11% vs 29%; p = 0.02). One ABO-incompatible infant had hyperacute rejection requiring retransplantation. No ABO-incompatible infant and 2 ABO-compatible infants died from hyperacute rejection. Survival was similar at 3 years. Propensity-adjusted Cox regression analysis demonstrated that ABO-incompatibility did not predict mortality (hazard ratio, 3.61; 95% confidence interval, 0.26–49.0; p = 0.33). Conclusion ABO-incompatible heart transplantation can be performed safely in infants without greater incidence of hyperacute rejection. ABO-incompatible heart transplantation should be strongly considered in infants to maximize donor organ utilization and reduce waiting-list mortality.
Making and Taking Virtual Field Trips in Pre-K and the Primary Grades

22 ® 2, 3 If anything were possible, where would your class like to visit? Would the children like to tour China and learn about its people and their cultures? Maybe a trip to the planets in the solar system would interest the children more? Or perhaps an underwater adventure exploring the lives of whales? Of course, these field trips are not possible—that is, unless you plan and create a virtual field trip.
Central Effects of Atropine upon Aversive Classical Conditioning in Rabbits

Rabbits were given classical discrimination conditioning with one of two tones followed by shock. In Experiment I, 40 rabbits were trained under saline, 10, 18 or 26 mg/kg atropine sulfate or 18 mg/kg methylatropine. Six rabbits in Experiment 2 were conditioned, then given further sessions with saline, and 18, 26 and 34 mg/kg atropine sulfate and methylatropine. In Experiment 3, 18 rabbits were conditioned and then given two extinction sessions under saline or 34 mg/kg atropine sulfate or methylatropine followed by extinction under saline. Chief findings were (a) atropine sulfate but not methylatropine disrupted acquisition and maintenance of conditioned eyeblinks, (b) neither drug affected unconditioned blinks, (c) fewer blinks occurred in extinction under atropine sulfate than under methylatropine or saline, (d) rabbits extinguished under atropine sulphate showed higher percentages of eyeblinks when tested without drug. Disruptions in performance of learned eyeblink responses appeared to be due to drug interference with central cholinergic transmission.