cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Tidal Flooding on Mortality of Juvenile Muskrats

The effect of tidal flooding on survival of juvenile muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus) was investigated in a brackish marsh in Louisiana by examining 50 muskrat lodges each month from July 1984 to June 1985 and tidal data over a 19-yr period. Tide levels increased at a rate of 1.58 cm yr−1 during the 19-yr period prior to the study, and during the study nest chambers in muskrat lodges were flooded on 43 d. Seventy-seven captured litters averaged 2.2±0.3 young per litter. older litters were less common than younger litters, but the number of young per litter did not differ among 5-d age classes, suggesting that mortality factors usually affected entire litters. The frequency of tidal flooding prior to opening of lodges each month was associated negatively with the number of litters and number of young per litter. If marsh subsidence and sea level rise continue, tidal flooding will become more prevalent and litter mortality will likely increase.
Irreducible expressions for isotropic functions of two tensors

Abstract Polynomial expressions are given for scalar-valued, skew-symmetric second-order-tensor-valued and symmetric second-order-tensor-valued isotropic functions of two skew-symmetric second-order tensors, of one skew-symmetric and one symmetric second-order tensor and of two symmetric second-order tensors. It is shown that all terms of degree α, β in two tensors R , S (say) appearing in a given expression are linearly independent and that this is the case for all values of α and β.
Comparative study on development of structural hierarchy in constrained annealed simultaneous and sequential biaxially stretched polylactic acid films

Structural evolution during constrained annealing of PLA films biaxially stretched in simultaneous and sequential biaxial stretching was compared. Annealing of simultaneous biaxially stretched films yields films with in-plane isotropy with (100) crystallographic planes parallel to the surface. The first stage of sequential stretching where the films are stretched in Uniaxial constrained mode was found to yield films exhibiting transverse isotropy. The transverse stretching of these films lead to formation of a distinct second population of chains primarily oriented in transverse direction, generating bimodal orientation texture. When the extent of stretching in two directions are balanced, constrained annealed samples were found to exhibit uniplanar axial (100)[001] texture with the primary chain axial direction now switched to transverse direction. Two new superstructures, along [110] and [100] respectively were discovered in annealed PLA films.
Morphology of bovine fibrinogen monomers and fibrin oligomers

Abstract Molecules of bovine fibrinogen and small oligomers of thrombin-induced fibrin have been examined by electron microscopy after contrast enhancement by rotary shadowing and by negative staining. Rotary-shadowed molecules, in addition to exhibiting the well-known trinodular structure, showed a spine of fairly uniform width connecting the central nodule with the terminal protrusions. In specimens negatively stained with uranyl formate or acetate most of the molecules had a gently sigmoidal configuration, all of like handedness. The spines were visibly prominent and frequently had a slight central bulge. The terminal protrusions appeared with a distinctly oblong shape and were oriented parallel to each other, with the long dimension tilted about 45 ° to the axis of the contiguous part of the spine. After exposure of the fibrinogen molecules to millimolar Ca2+ the central bulge became more noticeable and each terminal protrusion took on the form of two contiguous, equal-sized spheres. Significant dimensions are: overall length of molecule, 45 nm; length and width of spine, 31 nm × 3 nm; length and width of terminal protrusions, 9 nm × 4 nm; diameter of Ca2+-induced spheres, ~ 4 nm. Specimens from fibrinogen solutions to which minute amounts of thrombin had been added (and the macroscopic clots removed) contained oligomeric assemblies that were small enough to be resolvable into their fibrin subunits. They consisted of two chains that were parallel and were similar to each other in that they never differed by more than one in their subunit number. The elements in one chain of an oligomer appeared to be bound to those of the other chain with a half-molecule staggered overlap. They retained the lengths they had as fibrinogen molecules.
Marginal hazards model for case-cohort studies with multiple disease outcomes

Case-cohort study designs are widely used to reduce the cost of large cohort studies while achieving the same goals, especially when the disease rate is low. A key advantage of the case-cohort study design is its capacity to use the same subcohort for several diseases or for several subtypes of disease. In order to compare the effect of a risk factor on different types of diseases, times to different events need to be modelled simultaneously. Valid statistical methods that take the correlations among the outcomes from the same subject into account need to be developed. To this end, we consider marginal proportional hazards regression models for case-cohort studies with multiple disease outcomes. We also consider generalized case-cohort designs that do not require sampling all the cases, which is more realistic for multiple disease outcomes. We propose an estimating equation approach for parameter estimation with two different types of weights. Consistency and asymptotic normality of the proposed estimators are established. Large sample approximation works well in small samples in simulation studies. The proposed methods are applied to the Busselton Health Study.
COMMENT ON THE GAP EQUATION IN QUANTUM CHROMODYNAMICS

We derive a generalized gap equation in quantum chromodynamics from the Ward identities and the Dyson-Schwinger equations for the vector and axial-vector flavor-nonsinglet vertex functions.
Fourier Transform Fluorescence Spectrometry

A variety of fluorescence spectra have been measured interferometrically, demonstrating the feasibility of Fourier Transform Fluorescence Spectrometry (FT-FS). Emission spectra have been measured with the use of a monochromatic source and an interferometer as the emission selector. Excitation spectra have been measured with the use of a multi-line laser. Fluorescence polarization spectra have also been recorded with the use of laser excitation. The analytical characteristics of working curves are discussed.
A systematic review of sevoflurane and isoflurane minimum alveolar concentration in domestic cats

Abstract Objective The purpose of this systematic review is to summarize the results of studies which have determined the minimum alveolar concentration (MAC) of isoflurane and sevoflurane in domestic cats. Study Design Systematic review. Animals Cats. Methods used A comprehensive search of research literature was performed without language restriction. The search utilized the Pubmed, Google Scholar, and CAB Abstracts electronic databases using a combination of free text terms ‘Minimum alveolar concentration’, ‘sevoflurane’, ‘isoflurane’, ‘anesthetic’, ‘cat’, ‘cats’ or ‘feline’. The search was conducted from November 2010 to June 2012. Results The MAC for isoflurane ranged from 1.20 ± 0.13% to 2.22 ± 0.35% and the MAC for sevoflurane ranged from 2.5 ± 0.2% to 3.95 ± 0.33%. The average MAC for isoflurane was 1.71 ± 0.07% and for sevoflurane was 3.08 ± 0.4%. Conclusions & Clinical Relevance The average MAC for isoflurane was 1.71 ± 0.07% and for sevoflurane was 3.08 ± 0.4%. Methodology differed among studies, and particular attention should be paid in the future to appropriate reporting of methods to allow sound conclusions to be made from the results.
Epitaxial growth of (001) and (111) Ni films on MgO substrates

Metal-ceramic interfaces are important in applications as diverse as magnetic storage media and supported catalysts. It is very important to understand how the crystallography and microstructure of metallic films deposited onto ceramic substrates depend on growth and/or annealing conditions so that their physical properties (e.g. magnetic, electronic, etc.) can be tailored for specific applications. To this end, we have studied the epitaxial growth and annealing of (001) and (111) Ni films MBE grown on MgO substrates, where we have observed the evolution of the surface using correlated in- situ RHEED (reflection high-energy-electron diffraction) and STM (scanning tunneling microscopy) measurements.
Thalamic inputs to identified commissural neurons in the monkey somatic sensory cortex

Commissurally projecting neurons were identified in the monkey first somatic sensory area (SI) by the retrograde axonal transport of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) injected into the contralateral cortex. Neurons identified in this way have large pyramidal somata primarily in layer IIIB of the SI area. Their basal dendrites lie within the terminal plexus of thalamocortical afferents. Electron microscopy was used to examine the synaptic relations of the labelled commissural cells, in particular to determine whether they receive monosynaptic thalamic connections. To do this, retrogradely labelled commissural cells and Golgi-impregnated large pyramidal neurons from layer IIIB were examined ultrastructurally in material in which thalamocortical terminals were degenerating due to a prior lesion of the thalamus. In a significant number of cases degenerating terminals were found to make synapses on the spines or shafts of labelled dendrites. Injections of HRP into SI or into the white matter adjacent to the corpus callosum labelled callosal axons and terminals in the opposite SI. These axons terminated mainly near the somata of the layer IIIB pyramidal cells. Some of their terminals were found to synapse with dendrites receiving synaptic contacts from thalamocortical axon terminals.
A flow cytometric assay for D8/17 B cell marker in patients with Tourette's syndrome and obsessive compulsive disorder

D8/17 is proving to be an important diagnostic and treatment tool in patients with Tourette's syndrome (TS) and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). The present study represents a direct comparison of immunofluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry in terms of their relative efficiency in the detection of the DB/17 B cell marker. Analysis of 41 patients with OCD or TS and 31 control subjects by immunoflourescence microscopy and flow cytometer demonstrated an average of 6.5% of D8/17-positive B cells in controls with an average of 19.6% in OCD patients. Using the flow cytometer, values of 6.2% for controls and 22.4% for OCD patients were obtained. The flow cytometer test was able to count many more cells, induce less operator error and offer faster analysis while correlating strongly with the microscopic technique. Overall in our sample, the FACS assay test has a sensitivity of 77% and a specificity of 87%. The ease of use and close correlation to disease activity makes this an ideal test for clinical laboratories.
The Role of Fantasy in the Response to Television

It is deemed critical to an understanding of the influence of the media, TV in particular, that we examine the functions of behaviors classed as fantasy activities. A major dimension of importance to such understanding is the extent to which fantasy is construed as a reality experience. Results of an experimental test with children in a controlled viewing situation support the hypothesis that a reality set may stimulate an aggressive behavior response, while a fantasy set reduces it over that of a no-TV control group. Factor analysis of field study data reveals systematic differences in subjects' preferences for particular classes of aggressive programs, reinforcing the view that the issues in this area are multifaceted and multivariate. Five mechanisms by which a fantasy experience can produce a diminution in aggression are discussed, and it is suggested that analysis and study of these factors is a necessary next step.
Environment is not the Most Important Variable in Determining Oral Morphine Consumption in Wistar Rats

The role of differential housing on sucrose-morphine consumption in outbred Wistar rats was investigated in two studies. The results of earlier research, indicating rats housed in a quasinatural colony drank significantly less sucrose-morphine than rats isolated in standard laboratory cages, could not be replicated, as the consumption of sucrose-morphine by the isolated animals in the present two studies was reduced. It is possible that during a colony conversion the supplier inadvertently introduced strain differences making the present rats more resistant to xenobiotic consumption. Discussion documents the role of genetics in morphine consumption.
Molecular approaches to the treatment of Fanconi anemia: recent advances.

Fanconi anemia (FA) is an autosomal recessive disorder that leads to aplastic anemia. Cells from FA patients are abnormally sensitive to DNA cross-linking agents such as mitomycin C. FA con-sists of at least five subgroups (FA-A through -E). The genes defective in the FA-C and FA-A groups have recently been cloned. Transfection of the normal FA gene into mutant cells corrects the hyper-sensitivity to DNA cross-linking agents and improves cell viability in vitro. The function of the FA gene products is still unclear, however. For patients lacking a compatible bone marrow transplantation donor, an experimental trial of gene therapy for group C FA is ongoing at the National Institutes of Health.
Smoking and bone metabolism in elderly women.

Abstract Cigarette smoking has been implicated as a risk factor for osteoporosis. In the present study, the relationship between smoking and bone mineral density, calcitropic hormones, calcium absorption, and biochemical indices related to bone and mineral metabolism was examined at baseline, in subjects recruited for an osteoporotic study. The subjects included 489 elderly women, aged 65–77 years. After exclusions (thiazide users), 54 women constituted the smoking group and 390 women were classified as nonsmokers. The effect of frequency of smoking was also examined in this population (33 light smokers [ 1 pack/day]). Adjusted mean total body bone mineral density was 4% lower (0.968 ± 0.019 vs. 1.009 ± 0.004) and the total hip density was 6% lower (0.778 ± 0.024 vs. 0.826 ± 0.006) in heavy smokers compared with nonsmokers. At the other sites measured (spine, midradius, femoral neck, trochanter, and Ward’s triangle), a similar nonsignificant trend was observed. The adjusted mean calcium absorption corrected for weight was lower (13%) both in light and heavy smokers compared with nonsmokers, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D was significantly lower (16%) in heavy smokers than nonsmokers. Serum parathryroid hormone (PTH) was higher in heavy smokers, but was not significantly different from that of nonsmokers. A significant increase in bone remodeling markers, serum osteocalcin (4.35 ± 0.271 vs. 3.79 ± 0.066) and urine N-telopeptide/creatinine (NTx/Cr) ratio (74.5 ± 5.75 vs. 49.8 ± 1.4) was seen in heavy smokers compared with nonsmokers. These results suggest that smoking lowers bone mineral density, and is a result of decreased calcium absorption associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism and increased bone resorption.
The analysis of ventricular late potentials using orthogonal recordings

The use of orthogonal lead recordings to characterize signal-averaged late potentials is discussed. A theoretical analysis is made of the performances of individual orthogonal leads and their vector magnitude. Some limitations of the vector magnitude for characterizing late potentials are developed in relation to the distribution of signal and noise among its component orthogonal leads. Starting from the basic statistical assumptions required for signal averaging, an analysis of late potentials was simulated using ideal signal and noise functions. The results from theory and practice show an ability to predict the relative performances of signal-averaged orthogonal leads and their vector magnitude under typical recording conditions. This is illustrated with some observations from patient data. The conclusion of this investigation is that the vector magnitude waveform is not always able to reflect accurately the original information available in the signal-averaged orthogonal leads. >
Prevention of the alcohol-induced changes in brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression using neuroprotective peptides in a model of fetal alcohol syndrome

Objective Our objective was to evaluate whether brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression is affected by prenatal alcohol exposure and whether the neuroprotective effects of the vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-related peptides, NAPVSIPQ (NAP) and SALLRSIPA (SAL), are mediated through BDNF. Study Design Using a well-characterized fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) model, timed pregnant C57BL6/J mice were treated on gestational day (E) 8 with alcohol (0.03 mL/g), placebo, or alcohol plus (NAP plus SAL). Embryos were harvested at 6 hours (E8), 24 hours (E9), and 10 days (E18) and pups at postnatal day 40. Calibrator-normalized relative real time polymerase chain reaction was performed to quantify BDNF with hypoxanthine phosphoribosyl transferase-1 standardization. Results BDNF expression was lower in the alcohol-exposed embryos than in controls at 6 hours and higher at 24 hours and 10 days (all P P P > .05). Conclusion NAP plus SAL treatment prevented alcohol-induced changes in BDNF expression 24 hours and 10 days after alcohol exposure in mouse embryos. This may explain, at least in part, the peptides' prevention of neurodevelopmental anomalies in FAS.
In vivo diffusion tensor imaging of the human calf muscle

Purpose To demonstrate the feasibility of in vivo calf muscle fiber tracking in human subjects. Materials and Methods An EPI-based diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) sequence with six-direction diffusion gradient sensitization was implemented, and DT images were acquired at 3 Tesla on five subjects using an extremity coil. The mean diffusivity, fractional anisotropy (FA), and fiber angle (with respect to the magnet z-axis) were measured in different muscles, and fibers were tracked from several regions of interest (ROIs). Results The fiber orientations in the current DTI studies agree well with those determined in previous spectroscopic studies. The orientation angles ranged from 13.4° in the lateral gastrocnemius to 48.5° in the medial soleus. The diffusion ellipsoid in muscle tissue is anisotropic and approximates a prolate model, as shown by color maps of the anisotropy. Fibers were tracked from the different muscle regions, and the unipennate and bipennate structure of muscle fibers was visualized. Conclusion The study clearly shows that in vivo fiber tracking of muscle fibers is feasible and could potentially be applied to study muscle structure function relationships. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Challenge of DNAR Orders in Schools

The target article provides us with an excellent survey of the practices of school districts in dealing with DNAR orders for children with life-shortening conditions and the important consideration...
Surface-wave generation: a viscoelastic model

The Reynolds-averaged equations for turbulent flow over a deep-water sinusoidal gravity wave, z = acoskx ≡ h0(x), are formulated in the wave-following coordinates ζ, η, where x = ζ, z =η + h(ζ, η), h(ζ, 0) = h0(ζ) and h is exponentially small for kη [Gt ] 1, and closed by a viscoelastic consitutive equation (a mixing-length model with relaxation). This closure is derived from Townsend's boundary-layer-evolution equation on the assumptions that: the basic velocity profile is logarithmic in η + z0, where z0 is a roughness length determined by Charnock's similarity relation; the lateral transport of turbulent energy in the perturbed flow is negligible; the dissipation length is proportional to η + z0. A counterpart of the Orr-Sommerfeld equation for the complex amplitude of the perturbation stream function is derived and used to construct a quadratic functional for the energy transfer to the wave. A corresponding Galerkin approximation that is based on independent variational approximations for outer (quasi-laminar) and inner (shear-stress) domains yields an energy-transfer parameter β that is comparable in magnitude with that of the quasi-laminar model (Miles 1957) and those calculated by Townsend (1972) and Gent & Taylor (1976) through numerical integration of the Reynolds-averaged equations. The calculated limiting values of β for very slow waves, with Charnock's relation replaced by kz0 = constant, are close to those inferred from observation but about three times the limiting values obtained through extrapolation of Townsend's results.
Ergot cluster-encoded catalase is required for synthesis of chanoclavine-I in Aspergillus fumigatus

Genes required for ergot alkaloid biosynthesis are clustered in the genomes of several fungi. Several conserved ergot cluster genes have been hypothesized, and in some cases demonstrated, to encode early steps of the pathway shared among fungi that ultimately make different ergot alkaloid end products. The deduced amino acid sequence of one of these conserved genes (easC) indicates a catalase as the product, but a role for a catalase in the ergot alkaloid pathway has not been established. We disrupted easC of Aspergillus fumigatus by homologous recombination with a truncated copy of that gene. The resulting mutant (ΔeasC) failed to produce the ergot alkaloids typically observed in A. fumigatus, including chanoclavine-I, festuclavine, and fumigaclavines B, A, and C. The ΔeasC mutant instead accumulated N-methyl-4-dimethylallyltryptophan (N-Me-DMAT), an intermediate recently shown to accumulate in Claviceps purpurea strains mutated at ccsA (called easE in A. fumigatus) (Lorenz et al. Appl Environ Microbiol 76:1822–1830, 2010). A ΔeasE disruption mutant of A. fumigatus also failed to accumulate chanoclavine-I and downstream ergot alkaloids and, instead, accumulated N-Me-DMAT. Feeding chanoclavine-I to the ΔeasC mutant restored ergot alkaloid production. Complementation of either ΔeasC or ΔeasE mutants with the respective wild-type allele also restored ergot alkaloid production. The easC gene was expressed in Escherichia coli, and the protein product displayed in vitro catalase activity with H2O2 but did not act, in isolation, on N-Me-DMAT as substrate. The data indicate that the products of both easC (catalase) and easE (FAD-dependent oxidoreductase) are required for conversion of N-Me-DMAT to chanoclavine-I.
Hybrid control of parabolic PDE systems

This paper proposes a hybrid control methodology which integrates feedback and switching for constrained stabilization of parabolic partial differential equation (PDE) systems for which the spectrum of the spatial differential operator can be partitioned into a finite slow set and an infinite stable fast complement. Galerkin's method is initially used to derive a finite-dimensional system (set of ordinary differential equations (ODEs) in time) that captures the dominant dynamics of the PDE system. This ODE system is then used as the basis for the integrated synthesis, via Lyapunov techniques, of a stabilizing nonlinear feedback controller together with a switching law that orchestrates the switching between the admissible control actuator configurations, in a way that respects input constraints, accommodates inherently conflicting control objectives, and guarantees closed-loop stability. Precise conditions that guarantee stability of the constrained closed-loop PDE system under switching are provided. The proposed methodology is successfully applied to stabilize an unstable steady-state of a diffusion-reaction process using switching between three different control actuator configurations.
Algorithmic and complexity issues of robot motion in an uncertain environment

Abstract This paper presents a survey of one approach to planning collision-free paths for an automaton operating in an environment with obstacles. Path planning is one of the central problems in robotics. Typically, the task is presented in the two- or three-dimensional space, with the automaton being either an autonomous vehicle or an arm manipulator with a fixed base. The multiplicity of approaches one finds in this area revolves around two basic models: in one, called path planning with complete information, perfect information about the geometry and positions of the robot and the obstacles is assumed, whereas in the other, called path planning with incomplete information, an element of uncertainty about the environment is present. The approach surveyed here, called dynamic path planning, has been developed in the last few years; it is based on the latter model and gives rise to algorithmic and computational issues very different from those in the former model. The approach produces provable (nonheuristic) path planning algorithms for an automaton operating in a highly unstructured environment where no knowledge about the obstacles is available beforehand and no constraints on the geometry of the obstacles are imposed.
Utilizing diversity-oriented synthesis in antimicrobial drug discovery

The development of resistance to existing antimicrobials has created a threat to human health that is not being addressed through our current drug pipeline. Limitations with the use of commercial vendor libraries and natural products have created a need for new types of small molecules to be screened in antimicrobial assays. Diversity oriented synthesis (DOS) is a strategy for the efficient generation of compound collections with a high degree of structural diversity. Diversity-oriented synthesis molecules occupy the middle ground of both complexity and efficiency of synthesis between natural products and commercial libraries. In this review we focus upon the use of diversity-oriented synthesis compound collections for the discovery of new antimicrobial agents.
Central nervous system regulation of brown adipose tissue.

Thermogenesis, the production of heat energy, in brown adipose tissue is a significant component of the homeostatic repertoire to maintain body temperature during the challenge of low environmental temperature in many species from mouse to man and plays a key role in elevating body temperature during the febrile response to infection. The sympathetic neural outflow determining brown adipose tissue (BAT) thermogenesis is regulated by neural networks in the CNS which increase BAT sympathetic nerve activity in response to cutaneous and deep body thermoreceptor signals. Many behavioral states, including wakefulness, immunologic responses, and stress, are characterized by elevations in core body temperature to which central command-driven BAT activation makes a significant contribution. Since energy consumption during BAT thermogenesis involves oxidation of lipid and glucose fuel molecules, the CNS network driving cold-defensive and behavioral state-related BAT activation is strongly influenced by signals reflecting the short- and long-term availability of the fuel molecules essential for BAT metabolism and, in turn, the regulation of BAT thermogenesis in response to metabolic signals can contribute to energy balance, regulation of body adipose stores and glucose utilization. This review summarizes our understanding of the functional organization and neurochemical influences within the CNS networks that modulate the level of BAT sympathetic nerve activity to produce the thermoregulatory and metabolic alterations in BAT thermogenesis and BAT energy expenditure that contribute to overall energy homeostasis and the autonomic support of behavior. © 2014 American Physiological Society. Compr Physiol 4:1677-1713, 2014.
Impact of Clostridium difficile infection in patients with ulcerative colitis

Background: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is becoming prevalent in general population as well as in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Aim: The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for CDI in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) and to assess outcome of UC in patients following CDI. Methods: UC inpatients or outpatients who had positive results for C. difficile toxins A and B between 2000 and 2006 were identified (N = 39) and matched for age and gender to UC patients who were negative C. difficile toxins and had never been diagnosed with CDI (N = 39). Records were reviewed for adverse clinical outcome, defined as colectomy within 3 months of C. difficile testing. Conditional logistic regression was used to analyze multivariable association to identify risk factors for CDI and for adverse clinical outcome. Results: A total of 78 subjects were analyzed, 60% were males. Median age was 39. Among 39 patients with CDI, 20 (47.2%) were diagnosed as outpatients, 50% failed treatment with the first antibiotic monotherapy, and 21.2% had recurrent infection. Antibiotic exposure within 30 days prior to C. difficile testing was found to be associated with an increased risk for CDI with an odds ratio of 12.0 (95% CI 1.2, 124.2) Subsequent colectomy within 3 months after CDI diagnosis, was not associated with CDI in both univariable and multivariable analyses. After adjusting for CDI, lack of 5-aminosalicylic acid (ASA) in the treatment regimen was significantly associated with colectomy with an odds ratio of 3.3 (95% CI: 1.2, 9.4). There was no UC- or CDI-associated mortality in this case series. Conclusions: Recent antibiotic exposure was a risk factor for CDI in UC patients. Interestingly, CDI does not seem to adversely affect short-term adverse clinical outcome (colectomy). * Abbreviations: 5-ASA : 5-aminosalicylic acid CDI : Clostridium difficile infection CD : Crohn's disease EIA : enzyme immunoassay IBD : inflammatory bowel disease IPAA : ileal pouch-anal anastomosis 6MP : 6-mercaptopurine NSAIDs : non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs NF-κB : nuclear factor-κB UC : ulcerative colitis
Phase transition in MgSiO 3 perovskite in the earth's lower mantle

A new polymorph of MgSiO3 more stable than the Pbnm-perovskite phase has been identified by first-principles computations. It has the CaIrO3 structure with Cmcm symmetry and consists of SiO3 layers intercalated by eightfoldcoordinated Mg ions. High-temperature calculations within the quasiharmonic approximation give a volume change of f1.5% and a Clapeyron slope of f7.5F0.3 MPa/K at f2750 K and f125 GPa. These pressure–temperature (P–T) conditions are close to those in which a phase transition in MgSiO3-perovskite has been observed by in situ angle dispersive X-ray diffraction measurements. This transition appears to be associated with the DU discontinuity. D 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Estimate Shear Velocity Based on Dry P-wave and Shear Modulus Relationship

Measured velocity data has revealed that although both Vp and Vs of sandstones varies systematically to porosity, clay content and differential pressure, they correlate simply as shown in equation (1). No apparent effects of porosity, clay content and differential pressure on equation (1) suggests that, in first order, there is a simple linear relationship of Vp and Vs to these parameters. The simple Vp-Vs relation seems to tie with texture of sand aggregates.
Can New-Onset Diabetes After Kidney Transplant Be Prevented?

Because the negative consequences of new-onset diabetes mellitus after transplantation (NODAT) diminish the significant gains of kidney transplantation, it is imperative to develop clinical interventions to reduce the incidence of NODAT. In this review, we discuss whether intensive lifestyle interventions that delay or prevent type 2 diabetes mellitus may decrease the incidence of NODAT. We examine the literature pertaining to incidence and timing of onset of NODAT, as well as the risk factors and pathophysiology that NODAT shares with type 2 diabetes mellitus, namely pathways related to increased insulin resistance and decreased insulin secretion. Our central hypothesis is that NODAT results from the same metabolic risk factors that underlie type 2 diabetes mellitus. These risk factors are altered and enhanced by transplantation, “tipping” some transplant recipients with seemingly normal glucose homeostasis before transplant toward the development of NODAT. We describe the diabetogenic properties of transplant immunosuppressive drugs. We describe novel methods of prevention that are being explored, including resting the pancreatic β-cells by administration of basal insulin during the period immediately after transplant. On the basis of the current evidence, we propose that intensive lifestyle modification, adapted for individuals with chronic kidney disease or end-stage renal disease, as well as resting pancreatic β-cells during the immediate postoperative period, may lower the incidence of NODAT.
Social Cues and Environmental Conditions Influence Foraging Flight Distances of Breeding Wood Storks (Mycteria americana)

Abstract. The influence of both environmental conditions and social cues on the distance flown to foraging sites was examined for breeding Wood Storks (Mycteria americana) in the Florida Everglades, USA. Adult Wood Storks (n= 73) were followed in a small plane from their nesting colony to their foraging locations during the time when adult Wood Storks were incubating and feeding chicks. On average, foraging sites were close to the nesting colony (mean = 9.6 km ± 1.1), and in shallow water (mean = 9.9 cm ± 0.7) that was receding at a moderate rate (-0.36 cm/day ± 0.13). Wood Storks landed at foraging sites already occupied by other white wading birds 99% of the time, with a mean flock size of 64 ± 14 birds. Model selection identified flock size and water recession rate as the most important variables that influenced Wood Stork foraging flight distances. Distances flown to foraging sites increased with increasing flock sizes and decreased with increasing recession rates (increasing by 39% and decreasing by ...
Conferring as a Way of Knowing

The authors of “Houston, 2001: Context and Legacy” (Fouad et al., 2004 [this issue]) have created a document that will be cited frequently and respectfully for some time to come. The excellence of the conference it describes and the clarity of the description will serve the specialty well, as have the conferences that preceded it, that is, Northwestern, Greyston, and Georgia. As it certainly should be, the Houston Conference is by far the best and most useful conference that counseling psychologists have organized in service of energizing, defining, and directing the future of the specialty. Furthermore, the resulting report far surpasses those of the previous conferences in a variety of ways.
Use of a standardized patient satisfaction questionnaire to assess the quality of care provided by ophthalmology residents.

Purpose To develop and use a standardized patient satisfaction questionnaire (PSQ) to address two study questions: (1) What is the overall level of satisfaction with resident care? (2) Can the study questionnaire be used to detect differences in the level of satisfaction patients have with care delivered by individual residents? Design Cross-sectional study comprising a survey administration to an ophthalmology resident clinic population of an existing PSQ, namely, the Duke Clinics Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire—adapted for use in ophthalmology ambulatory clinic settings. The questionnaire subscales roughly correlate to 3 Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) general competencies: interpersonal and communication skills, professionalism, and technical quality of care. Participants The survey was completed by 167 qualified patients of the Durham, North Carolina Veterans Administration Hospital Eye Clinic, a clinic staffed by residents of Duke Eye Center. Methods Patients were administered a standardized PSQ assessing 4 areas of care: interpersonal manner, communication, technical quality, and professionalism. Overall levels of satisfaction with care were assessed; bivariate analyses were used to assess scores by resident. Primary outcomes were measured as levels of satisfaction on a 5-point scale (1 = lowest satisfaction, 5=greatest). Outcomes were calculated separately for the 4 satisfaction subscales. Main Outcome Measure Patient satisfaction using a standardized PSQ. Results Mean scores were 4.46 for interpersonal manner, 4.46 for communication, 4.27 for technical quality, and 4.63 for professionalism. Analysis by resident yielded statistically significant ( P P = 0.02) and communication ( P = 0.03) subscales. Conclusions The ACGME has established 6 areas of patient care "general competencies" in which all residency programs are mandated to train and evaluate residents, creating a need for the development of new measurement tools. Using a modified version of an established PSQ to measure 3 general competencies, we found that patients were generally satisfied with resident care, and that differences in patient satisfaction with the interpersonal and communication skills of individual residents can be identified using our PSQ. The PSQ described here may be a useful assessment tool for ACGME-mandated resident core competency in interpersonal and communication skills.
Modified UCA-ESPRIT for Estimating DOA of Coherent Signals using One Snapshot

This paper introduces a modified UCA- ESPRIT algorithm to estimate the direction of arrival (DOA) of coherent signals using one single snapshot. First, the mode excitation method is used to transform the uniform circular array (UCA) in element space into a virtual uniform linear array (VULA) in mode space. Then, the Hermitian Toeplitz matrix can be reconstructed from the observed data vector as a decorrelated algorithm. The purpose for using the Hermitian Toeplitz matrix is to rearrange the data in order to extend the dimensionality of the noise space. Consequently, signal and noise spaces can be estimated more accurately. The proposed method does not need forward/backward spatial smoothing of the covariance matrix, which would result in reduced computational complexity. Simulation results verify that the proposed algorithm with one snapshot has a close performance to the conventional mode of spatial smoothing with 100 snapshots.
Predicting fill for sparse orthogonal factorization

In solving large sparse linear least squares problems A x s b, several different numeric methods involve computing the same upper triangular factor R of A. It is of interest to be able to compute the nonzero structure of R, given only the structure of A. The solution to this problem comes from the theory of matchings in bipartite graphs. The structure of A is modeled with a bipartite graph, and it is shown how the rows and columns of A can be rearranged into a structure from which the structure of its upper triangular factor can be correctly computed. Also, a new method for solving sparse least squares problems, called block back-substitution, is presented. This method assures that no unnecessary space is allocated for fill, and that no unnecessary space is needed for intermediate fill.
Reply: Tumor Metabolic Phenotypes on 18F FDG PET

REPLY: We thank Drs. Wong and Khong for their attention to our article ( [1][1] ). Although their comments about 18F-FDG PET in lymphoma may be valid, our article was not about 18F-FDG PET but rather about observations from biodistribution imaging before 90Y-ibritumomab administration. The figures
Molecular mechanisms underlying neuronal synaptic plasticity: systems biology meets computational neuroscience in the wilds of synaptic plasticity

Interactions among signaling pathways that are activated by transmembrane receptors produce complex networks and emergent dynamical behaviors that are implicated in synaptic plasticity. Temporal dynamics and spatial aspects are critical determinants of cell responses such as synaptic plasticity, although the mapping between spatiotemporal activity pattern and direction of synaptic plasticity is not completely understood. Computational modeling of neuronal signaling pathways has significantly contributed to understanding signaling pathways underlying synaptic plasticity. Spatial models of signaling pathways in hippocampal neurons have revealed mechanisms underlying the spatial distribution of extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK) activation in hippocampal neurons. Other spatial models have demonstrated that the major role of anchoring proteins in striatal and hippocampal synaptic plasticity is to place molecules near their activators. Simulations of yet other models have revealed that the spatial distribution of synaptic plasticity may differ for potentiation versus depression. In general, the most significant advances have been made by interactive modeling and experiments; thus, an interdisciplinary approach should be applied to investigate critical issues in neuronal signaling pathways. These issues include identifying which transmembrane receptors are key for activating ERK in neurons, and the crucial targets of kinases that produce long-lasting synaptic plasticity. Although the number of computer programs for computationally efficient simulation of large reaction-diffusion networks is increasing, parameter estimation and sensitivity analysis in these spatial models remain more difficult than in single compartment models. Advances in live cell imaging coupled with further software development will continue to accelerate the development of spatial models of synaptic plasticity.
Lexical ambiguity: making a case against spread

We argue for decreasing the use of the word spread when describing the statistical idea of dispersion or variability in introductory statistics courses. In addition, we argue for increasing the use of the word variability as a replacement for spread.
Visualization in endodontics

The field of endodontics has witnessed significant technological advances over the past decade. One area of advancement has been the evolution of endodontic visualization. As we begin to view conventional and surgical endodontic treatments as microsurgical procedures, we encounter the same demands for critical visualization as do areas within the field of medicine that perform microsurgery. This article will discuss the use of loupes, microscopes, endodscopes and orascopes in endodontic treatment.
Agents with or without Emotions

This paper presents a critical view of the status quo of some of the emerging research eorts on emotional agents. It attempts to isolate (at least roughly) some of the reasons why emotional agents may be desirable and points to the diculties of making notions of emotion precise. It lists various problems connected to emotional agents and concludes that it is counterproductive to the whole endeavor of understanding and modeling emotions if \emotion labels" are conferred upon states of agents prematurely without justication.
Dielectric Relaxation Strength of a Low‐Alkali Glass

The low-frequency dielectric loss maxima for glasses with low alkali concentrations are often obscured by a much larger dc conductivity contribution to the dielectric loss. Therefore, quantitative determination of the dielectric relaxation strengths for these glasses is difficult. An approximate relation between the impedance, electric modulus, and dielectric constant relaxation maxima is developed for glasses exhibiting small dielectric relaxation strengths. Using the obtained relations, the dielectric relaxation strength, Δe, for a GeO2 glass containing 47 wt ppm Na2O is estimated to be ≅0.3.
Dissection of the mouse N-ras gene upstream regulatory sequences and identification of the promoter and a negative regulatory element.

Abstract The 5' flanking region of the mouse N-ras gene was investigated to determine the elements governing transcriptional activity of the gene. The promoter did not contain typical TATA or CCAAT boxes, and according to primer extension and RNase protection analyses, transcription started at several sites. These assays also confirmed the short nucleotide distance interposed between the N-ras transcription unit and the previously described upstream unr gene. Chromatin studies performed by digestion of nuclei with DNase I revealed the presence of four hypersensitive sites: a, b, c, and d. Deletion mutagenesis of the 5' flanking region revealed sequences responsible for both promotion and inhibition of transcription. These sequences resided within 230 bp upstream of the transcription initiation site. Hypersensitive site b colocalized with the 76-bp segment with promoter activity. The negative regulatory element at position -180 colocalized with hypersensitive site a, was active on the N-ras promoter in stable as well as transient assays, and down-regulated the heterologous herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase promoter. Footprint analysis and in vivo transfection-competition experiments indicated that a trans-acting factor is responsible for the negative effect on transcription. The interaction between the cis-acting negative regulatory element and the promoter region may play a role in the tissue- and developmental-stage-specific patterns of expression of the N-ras gene.
Phase II trial of sequential temozolomide (TMZ) and high-dose bolus (HDB) IL-2 in patients with AJCC stage IV melanoma

7549 Background: Multiagent biochemotherapy (BCT) has not been superior to chemotherapy alone in randomized trials. Previously tested BCT regimens have been criticized for the lower doses of IL-2 a...
Multidisciplinary Placement Optimization of Heat Generating Electronic Components on Printed Circuit Boards Using Artificial Neural Networks

A multidisciplinary placement optimization methodology for heat generating electronic components on printed circuit boards (PCBs) is presented. The methodology includes thermal, electrical and placement criteria involving junction temperature, wiring density, line length for high frequency signals, and critical component location which are optimized simultaneously using the genetic algorithm. A board-level thermal performance prediction methodology which is based on a combination of a superposition method and artificial neural networks (ANNs) is developed for this study. Two genetic algorithms with different thermal prediction methods are used in a cascade in the optimization process. The first genetic algorithm is based on simplified thermal network modeling and it is mainly aimed at finding component locations that avoid any overlap. Compact thermal models are used in the second genetic algorithm leading to more accurate thermal prediction which improves the placement optimization obtained using the first algorithm. Using this optimization methodology, large calculation time reduction is achieved without losing accuracy. To demonstrate the capabilities of the present methodology, a test case involving component placement on a PCB is presented.© 2005 ASME
Abstract 1076: Reversible effect of all-trans-retinoic acid on AML12 hepatocyte proliferation and cell cycle progression

The role of all-trans-retinoic acid (atRA) in the regulation of cellular proliferation and differentiation is well documented. Numerous studies have established the cancer preventive properties of atRA which functions to regulate levels of cell cycle proteins essential for the G1/S transition and progression through S phase. Using AML12 cells, a non-transformed immortalized mouse hepatocyte cell line, the goals of this study were to first determine if changes in AML12 cell proliferation could be observed in response to atRA treatment and establish whether this was a suitable system to investigate molecular mechanisms altered by hepatocarcinogens. Cells were treated with 1µM and 5 µM atRA for 2 to 10 days. At various time points, control (DMSO) and treated cells were enumerated to determine the effect of atRA on AML12 cell proliferation. At 5 days of atRA treatment, there was a 56% decrease in the number of atRA treated cells when compared to control cells. This effect was reversible as an increase in cell number was observed two days after removal of atRA from the treatment media. Cell cycle analysis by flow cytometry using propidium iodide stained AML12 cells showed a significant reduction (p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1076.