cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Automated precursor ion exclusion during LC-MS/MS data acquisition for optimal ion identification.

Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is widely used for characterizing multiple samples of complex mixtures with similar compositions. This article addresses a data acquisition strategy for collecting a maximal number of unique, high-quality MS/MS during LC-MS/MS analysis of multiple samples. Based on the concept that a component only needs to be identified once when analyzing multiple samples with similar compositions, an automated intersample data-dependent acquisition strategy was developed. The strategy is based on precursor ion exclusion (PIE) and is implemented in MassAnalyzer in an automated fashion for Thermo Scientific (San Jose, CA, USA) mass spectrometers. In this method, MassAnalyzer submits one sample at a time to the sample queue. After data acquisition of each sample, MassAnalyzer automatically analyzes the data to generate a PIE list based on the MS/MS precursor ions, merges this list with the list generated from previous runs, adds the list to the MS method file, and submits the next sample to the queue. The PIE list contains both m/z value and time window for each precursor ion, and is generated intelligently so that if an MS/MS is insufficient for identifying the peak of interest, it will be collected again near the top of the peak in the next run. Therefore, the strategy maximizes both quality and the number of unique MS/MS. When automated PIE was used to acquire LC-MS/MS data of an antibody tryptic digest and a soy hydrolysate sample, the number of identified ions increased by 52 % and 93 %, respectively, compared with data acquired without using PIE.
Relative effectiveness of blue and orange warning colours in the contexts of innate avoidance, learning and generalization

Warning colours can deter predators from attacking unpalatable or toxic prey. These colours are avoided by predators, either innately or by learned response through trial and error. Predators that have learned these signals can also generalize their responses to similar colours. Much of the previous research on warning colours has examined long-wavelength colours (e.g. orange and red) and little is known about short-wavelength coloration (e.g. blue) in warning signals, despite its presence in unpalatable animals in many different taxa. We determined whether prey with only blue coloration, only orange coloration, and with both colours elicited innate avoidance from a naive predator (Gambel's quail chicks, Callipepla gambelii ), as well as how effectively the signals were learned and generalized. Prey were composed of pieces of mealworm (palatable or unpalatable) beneath a coloured paper tent. Blue did not elicit any innate avoidance, whereas orange and a combination of both colours (orange-and-blue) were effective at deterring naive predators. Predators were able to learn the association between colour and unpalatability most effectively for orange prey, but also learned this association for blue and for orange-and-blue prey. Predators showed asymmetrical generalization, in which birds were more likely to generalize from the colour they learned as unpalatable (conditioned stimulus) to orange prey and orange-and-blue prey than to blue prey. We conclude that orange is likely a more effective warning colour to these birds, but blue can still be learned alone and when displayed adjacent to orange.
Additional Data on the Population Opinion Poll

The purpose of this study was to provide further information about the Population Opinion Poll (POP), a 30-item attitude scale designed to measure attitudes toward population control. A factor analysis of the items was presented as well as a comparison of a 1975 sample with a 1986 sample. Factor analysis yielded four factors that “explained” 42.8% of the variance. A significant difference between the two samples, taken 11 years apart in psychology classes at the same community college, suggests that attitudes toward population control have become less favorable.
A Simple in vitro PK/PD Model System to Determine Time-Kill Curves of Drugs against Mycobacteria

In vivo tuberculosis is exposed to continually changing drug concentrations for which static minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) testing may be a poor surrogate. While in vitro approaches to determine time-kill curves for antibiotics have been widely applied in assessing antimicrobial activity against fast growing microorganisms, their availability and application for slow-growing microorganisms including Mycobacterium tuberculosis has so far been scarce. Thus, we developed a novel simple in vitro pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model for establishing time-kill curves and applied it for evaluating the antimicrobial activity of different dosing regimens of isoniazid (INH) against Mycobacterium bovis BCG as a surrogate for virulent M. tuberculosis. In the in vitro model M. bovis BCG was exposed to INH concentration-time profiles as usually encountered during multiple dose therapy with 25, 100 and 300mg/day in humans who are fast or slow INH metabolizers. Bacterial killing was followed over time by determining viable counts and the resulting time-kill data was analyzed using a semi-mechanistic PK/PD model with an adaptive IC(50) function to describe the emergence of insensitive populations of bacteria over the course of treatment. In agreement with previous studies, the time-kill data suggest that AUC(0-24)/MIC is the PK/PD index that is the most explanatory of the antimicrobial effect of INH. The presented in vitro PK/PD model and associated modeling approach were able to characterize the time-kill kinetics of INH in M. bovis BCG, and may in general serve as a potentially valuable, low cost tool for the assessment of antibacterial activity in slow-growing organisms in drug development and applied pharmacotherapy.
Metabolic encephalopathies: opportunities and challenges.

For the clinical neuroscientist, the metabolic en­ cephalopathies are a source of both optimism and frustration. This group of disorders is caused by failure of organs other than the brain that results in one of three basic mechanisms producing brain dysfunction: the presence of a toxin or accumula­ tion of a metabolic waste product, as in hyperam­ monemia or liver failure; deficiency of a necessary metabolic substrate, as in hypoglycemia and hyp­ oxia; or disruption of the internal milleau of the brain, as seen during water intoxication. When con­ sidering the mechanisms that are likely causes of the symptoms exhibited by patients, it is easy to feel optimistic, since restoration of the normal physiological and biochemical state should lead to a resolution of symptoms. Unfortunately, despite our best theories concerning the pathophysiology of this group of disorders, the results of treatment may be discouraging. The development of new tools for clinical investigation that are specifically designed to facilitate in vivo studies of cerebral me­ tabolism and physiology, such as positron-emission tomography (PET), should make it possible to ac­ celerate progress in the study and treatment of this group of disorders. Liver disease, according to recent morbidity and mortality data in the United States, is the sixth ranked cause of lost years of life in adults (CDC, 1984). Hepatic encephalopathy is very common in patients with fulminant hepatic failure and chronic cirrhosis, where neurological symptoms may lead
Judge Gender, Critical Mass, and Decision Making in the Appellate Courts of Canada

In this study, we explore gendered patterns of voting, and whether such patterns appear only after a critical mass of female justices is reached by analyzing the votes of justices in the Supreme Court of Canada. We employ a logistic regression model of the differences in the voting behavior of male versus female justices, using the universe of Supreme Court votes from 1982 through 2007. Our analysis supports the conclusion that women vote more liberally on civil rights, equality, and private economic cases, and more conservatively on criminal cases. However, we find no evidence that indicates a need for a critical mass of women justices for them to vote their sincere preferences.
Numerical simulation of quantum chromodynamics

Abstract Numerical simulations presently provide the most promising approach to the study of quantum chromodynamics in the nonperturbative regime. The theoretical framework for these studies is described, and the computing resources necessary to carry out calculations are discussed. Results are presented from recent studies of hadron thermodynamics and the hadron mass spectrum which illustrate the present state of the art.
A numerical method for electromagnetic inverse scattering problems of anisotropic cylindrical obstacles

Abstract The GPST, an efficient and versatile interative inversion algorithm, is used with a body-fitted irregular cylindrical grid system to solve electromagnetic inverse scattering problems of cylindrical obstacles with anisotropic permittivity. Numerical simulations of nontrivial examples are carried out to test the feasibility and to study the general characteristics of GPST inversion algorithm without the real measurement data. It is found that GPST does produce reasonably good results.
Tirofiban provides 'platelet anesthesia' during cardiopulmonary bypass in baboons

Abstract Objective: Tirofiban (Aggrastat) is a reversible, nonpeptide inhibitor of platelet glycoprotein II/IIIa receptors. We tested the hypothesis that tirofiban preserves platelet number and function and shortens postoperative bleeding times in baboons after cardiopulmonary bypass. Methods: Four groups were studied: control, n = 12; low-dose tirofiban (0.1 μg/kg per minute), n = 7; high-dose tirofiban (0.3 μg/kg per minute), n = 7; and bolus tirofiban (15 μg/kg) followed by 0.1 μg/kg per minute during cardiopulmonary bypass, n = 7. After heparin, animals were perfused for 60 minutes at 50 ml/kg per minute and 37° C with a bubble oxygenator, roller pump, and peripheral cannulation. Hemodynamics, platelet count, platelet aggregation to adenosine diphosphate, and release of β-thromboglobulin were measured before tirofiban infusion, before heparin, after heparin before bypass, after 5 and 55 minutes of bypass, after protamine, and 60 minutes after protamine. Template bleeding times were measured at the same times except during cardiopulmonary bypass and 120 and 180 minutes after protamine administration. Platelet glycoprotein IIIa antigen was measured in Triton X-100 washes (Sigma Chemical Company) of the perfusion circuit after bypass. Results: High-dose tirofiban completely prevents platelet loss during cardiopulmonary bypass. β-Thromboglobulin release and sensitivity to adenosine diphosphate are significantly less than control at the end of bypass in all tirofiban groups. Template bleeding times return to preoperative values in both the low- and high-dose tirofiban groups 180 minutes after protamine administration and are significantly less than control bleeding times at both 120 and 180 minutes after protamine. Surface glycoprotein IIIa antigen does not significantly differ between groups. Conclusion: High-dose tirofiban completely preserves platelet number and improves platelet function during cardiopulmonary bypass in baboons and significantly accelerates restoration of normal template bleeding times after bypass(J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 1997;113:182-93)
A resonant test-field model of gravity waves

In this paper we propose an ‘irreversible’ resonant test-field (RTF) model to describe the statistical fluctuations of gravity waves on deep water driven by a turbulent wind field. The non-resonant interactions in the gravity-wave Hamiltonian are replaced by a Markov process in the equation of motion for the resonantly interacting gravity waves, i.e. Hamilton's equations are replaced by a Langevin equation for the RTF waves. The RTF models the irreversible energy-transfer process by a Fokker-Planck equation for the phase-space probability density, the exact steady-state solution of which is determined to be non-Gaussian. An H -theorem for the RTF predicts the monotonic approach to the asymptotic steady state near which the transport properties of the field are studied. The steady-state energy-spectral density is calculated (in some approximation) to be k −4 .
Statistical And Deterministic Aspects Of Multisensor Optical Image Pattern Recognition

A classification of multi-sensor imagery from the sensor's point of view is advanced. From this treatment, the statistical and deterministic contributions to a multi-sensor image correlation process are more clearly seen. The optimum preprocessing operation for several cases of multi-sensor image pattern recognition are noted and the use of weighted matched spatial filter synthesis as a one step optical pattern recognition correlator is described. Theoretical formulation and experimental verification of the result that edge enhancement preprocessing is not always optimum in a multi-sensor optical image pattern recognition system are presented.© (1979) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Oncologic Outcomes of Salvage Surgery for Epidermoid Carcinoma of the Anus Initially Managed With Combined Modality Therapy

Primary chemoradiation failure for epidermoid carcinoma of the anus is treated by surgical resection. This study evaluates the outcome of salvage surgery at one institution. All patients (n = 177) with a diagnosis of epidermoid carcinoma of the anus undergoing surgery since 1980 were reviewed. After criteria-based exclusion (n = 115), the remaining patients (n = 62) were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed on abdominoperineal resection/low anterior resection patients. Variable comparisons were made using log-rank and Cox regression analyses. Inguinal lymph node dissection patients (n = 5) were analyzed separately. Median follow-up was 24.2 months. Actuarial five-year survival in all abdominoperineal resection/low anterior resection patients (n = 57) was 33 percent (median, 34.1 months). Univariate predictors of decreased survival were tumor size > 5 cm or adjacent organ involvement at salvage, positive nodal disease at salvage, and positive margins. Independent predictors of decreased survival were the same except for tumor size or adjacent organ involvement at salvage (not significant). Patients undergoing potentially curative resections (n = 47) had an actuarial five-year survival of 40 percent (median, 49 months). The univariate and multivariate predictors of both decreased survival and recurrence in this subgroup included: disease persistence after chemoradiation and nodal disease at salvage. Tumor size > 5 cm or adjacent organ involvement at salvage predicted recurrence with only univariate analysis. Interestingly, actuarial five-year survival after potentially curative resection for recurrence after chemoradiation was 51 percent (as opposed to 31 percent for persistence). After potentially curative resections, most documented recurrences (79 percent) occurred within two years and were locoregional (74 percent). Actuarial five-year recurrence-free survival was 46 percent. Three of five inguinal lymph node dissection patients were alive without disease at 21.2, 81.7, and 84.3 months. Salvage surgery after failed chemoradiation therapy has a reasonable chance of cure. Favorable independent prognostic factors include recurrence (vs. persistence) after chemoradiation (when salvage is potentially curative), absence of nodal disease at salvage, and negative margins. Salvage inguinal lymph node dissection after failed chemoradiation therapy also is potentially curative.
New Approach to the Synthesis of Polyribonucleotides of Defined Sequence

SOME of the problems associated with the chemical synthesis of polynucleotides are the lower yields obtained in the synthesis of larger oligonucleotides and the considerable labour involved in their preparation and purification because of the necessity for chemical protection of the bases and the occurrence of side reactions during synthesis1. We have developed a new method of synthesis of polynucleotides containing well defined sequences which promises to avoid some of these difficulties. The basis of the method lies in the use of a nucleotide polymerizing enzyme with substrates containing chemical modifications such that only one nucleotide at a time would be permitted to add to a growing polynucleotide strand.
Developmental Career Assessment and Counseling: The C-DAC Model.

The C-DAC model seeks to implement current development theory and to use innovative assessment measures together with improved counseling methods to improve vocational and life career counseling. At this stage, the project pays more attention to assessment, partly because if one is to counsel with career maturity in mind, one must understand the developmental status of the counselee. In career counseling, facts as well as feelings are important. Therefore, in this article the authors deal with the assessment of career development in detail, treating interests (measured by the Strong) and expressed preferences as basic status data to be viewed in the light of career maturity, the salience of life roles, and the values sought in life as moderator variables. The instruments are described and their use shown in a sample profile for assessment and checking by the reader in another readily available published source.
Thermomigration of silicon wafers in a solar furnace

Abstract A 5.5 m, 8.7 kW solar furnace was designed and constructed to process silicon wafers by thermomigration. Under the intense heat, 160 W/cm 2 , of the solar furnace, a grid of aluminum wires was migrated through the wafer in 5 min. Helium gas was used to cool the wafer and produce a thermal gradient of 400°C/cm. The heat transfer and efficiency of the system are discussed.
Abstract SY20-04: Mechanisms of malignant progression

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Metastasis is responsible for ∼90% of cancer-associated mortality, but we still have an incomplete understanding of its underlying mechanisms. Thus, we don't understand why certain primary tumor cells have a predilection to disseminate while others do not; why disseminated cancer cells can thrive in certain distant tissues but not in others; what adaptations disseminated cancer cells originating in one type of primary tumor must undergo in order to thrive in the microenvironment of a distant and potentially inhospitable tissue; and why certain indolent disseminated micrometastatic deposits suddenly erupt after great delay, generating life-threatening disseminated metastatic diseases. These and related issues will be examined in this session. Citation Format: Robert A. Weinberg. Mechanisms of malignant progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr SY20-04. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-SY20-04
Total glycerophospholipid fatty acid and phospholipid class composition of nerve ending and related fractions from fetal and adult pig cerebellum and adult pig whole brain cortex.

Membrane fractions derived from crude mitochondrial fractions of pig cerebellums were separated on a continuous CsCl-sucrose gradient. Fetal and adult brains were used as starting material. The major differences in total glycerophospholipid fatty acid composition between fetal and adult membranes were an increase with maturation in docosahexaenoic acid and a decrease in palmitic acid which occurred in all membranes, including nerve ending and smooth membrane fractions. Phosphatidylcholine levels decreased, and ethanolamine phosphatide levels increased with maturation in all adult membrane fractions. Phosphatidylserine levels increased primarily in nonmitochondrial fractions in adult tissues. The results indicate that both hydrophobic and hydrophylic characteristics of several membrane fractions, including nerve endings, change with development. The developmental changes in pig cerebellums are similar to those reported for whole brain or brain regions from other species. Mitochondrial enriched fractions derived from adult pig whole brain cortex had significantly reduced palmitate levels and significantly elevated oleate levels compared with nerve ending and smooth membrane fractions.
The optic nerve.

Recent articles in the scientific literature have described major advances in our understanding of the anatomy and vascular relationships of the optic nerve (cranial nerve II) and of the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of disorders affecting this nerve, including congenital anomalies of the optic disc, dominant hereditary optic neuropathy, anterior and retrobulbar arteritic and nonarteritic ischemic optic neuropathy, optic neuritis, Cuban epidemic optic neuropathy, toxic and nutritional optic neuropathies, radiation-induced optic neuropathy, AIDS-related optic neuropathy, optic neuropathies caused by tumors, and papilledema.
Influence of the k-space trajectory on the dynamic T1-weighted signal in quantitative first-pass cardiac perfusion MRI at 3T

The dynamic T(1)-weighted signal in first-pass myocardial perfusion MRI can vary as a function of k-space trajectory. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to compare the relative T(1)-weighted signal produced by the linear, centric, and reverse centric k-space trajectories at 3T. The centric k-space trajectory yielded higher arterial input function (AIF) than the linear and reverse centric k-space trajectories (6.21 +/- 0.84 vs. 4.75 +/- 0.75 vs. 4.39 +/- 0.85 mM, respectively; N = 9; P < 0.01), and the reverse centric k-space trajectory yielded higher myocardial signal contrast (as a fraction of equilibrium magnetization) than the linear and centric k-space trajectories (0.17 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.12 +/- 0.02 vs. 0.05 +/- 0.01, respectively; N = 9; P < 0.001). Compared to the linear k-space trajectory, the centric k-space trajectory is relatively optimal for the quantification of AIF, whereas the reverse centric k-space trajectory is relatively optimal for high contrast of myocardial wall enhancement.
Regulation of adiponectin release and demonstration of adiponectin mRNA as well as release by the non-fat cells of human omental adipose tissue.

Regulation of adiponectin release and demonstration of adiponectin mRNA as well as release by the non-fat cells of human omental adipose tissue
Structural Design for a 10-GWh SMES Vacuum Vessel

An approximate solution to the problem of the nonlinear elastic deformation of a periodically point-supported cylindrical shell is obtained. This solution is used to investigate the structural design of the vacuum vessel for the large underground superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) concept. Vacuum vessel designs are evaluated by varying such parameters as shell thickness, support spacing, material properties and physical configuration to keep the amount of material used and construction cost to a minimum.
A Survey of 77 Major Infectious Complications of Median Sternotomy: A Review of 7,949 Consecutive Operative Procedures

Sternal wound infections developed following 77 (0.97%) of 7,949 operative procedures involving median sternotomy at New York University Medical Center from 1976 to 1984. Risk factors associated with the development of a sternal wound infection included combined revascularization and valve replacement, early reexploration for bleeding, prolonged low cardiac output syndrome, and prolonged ventilatory support (greater than 24 hours). Concomitant infection at other sites with the same organism as cultured from the sternum was present in 42% of the patients. Thirty-seven patients (48%) were treated with radical debridement followed by closed antibiotic irrigation. In 31 other patients (40%), the wounds were debrided and left to heal by open granulation. Both initial treatments had equally high success rates (78.4% and 74.2%, respectively). However, the open granulation method resulted in a hospital stay that was an average of 10 days longer than the closed antibiotic irrigation method. Muscle flaps were used to expedite healing of open granulation in 9 patients. Analysis of the results of different treatment strategies revealed that if debridement was accomplished within 20 days of the initial cardiac procedure, 76% of the patients could be successfully treated with closed antibiotic irrigation. Conversely, if treatment was delayed for longer than 20 days, 81% of the patients were treated with open granulation (p less than 0.001). Also noted was an inverse relationship between the serum blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level and the success rate of initial treatment with closed antibiotic irrigation. Patients with a serum BUN level of less than 40 mg/dl at the time of debridement had a 90% success rate as opposed to a success rate of 38% when the BUN level was 40 mg/dl or greater. The data presented suggest the following conclusions. Early diagnosis is crucial to successful treatment of sternal wound infection. When diagnosis can be established within 20 days, 80% of infections can be eradicated by the simple approach of debridement and closed antibiotic irrigation. When diagnosis is delayed, however, prompt debridement followed by muscle flaps is the procedure of choice. Open granulation alone, while successful, unnecessarily prolongs the hospital course.
Fetal, hormonal and experiential factors influencing the mating-induced regulation of infanticide in male house mice.

Abstract When a male house mouse encounters a neonate he either attempts to kill it or he does not harm it. An unusual aspect of his response is that adaptive, time-dependent changes in behavior toward pups result from a unique stimulus-response system triggered specifically by ejaculation. In virgin male CF-1 mice, about 50% of all males are spontaneously infanticidal when they encounter a pup while the other 50% are typically “parental.” The stimulus of ejaculation causes virtually all males to kill pups; however, by the time offspring are born three weeks after mating, infanticide is inhibited and almost all males now behave parentally toward pups. Our experiments examine fetal, experiential, and hormonal factors influencing the changes in infanticidal and parental behavior that occur in male mice as a result of mating. Males who developed in utero between two female fetuses, and were thus exposed to relatively low testosterone concentrations during fetal development, were significantly more likely to exhibit infanticide—both before and after mating—than were males who developed between two male fetuses. Concurrent exposure to testosterone appears required in order for naive males to exhibit infanticide and for spontaneously parental males to become infanticidal after ejaculation. In contrast, neither testosterone nor pituitary hormones appeared responsible for the timed inhibition of infanticide occurring by three weeks after mating, since castrated and hypophysectomized males showed a response pattern similar to intact males. The mating-induced inhibition phenomenon appears to be a neurally timed and mediated response that operates independently from pituitary hormone secretions or changes in gonadal hormones resulting from mating.
Support for a Photoprotective Function of Winter Leaf Reddening in Nitrogen-Deficient Individuals of Lonicera japonica

Plants growing in high-light environments during winter often exhibit leaf reddening due to synthesis of anthocyanin pigments, which are thought to alleviate photooxidative stress associated with low-temperature photoinhibition through light attenuation and/or antioxidant activity. Seasonal high-light stress can be further exacerbated by a limited photosynthetic capacity, such as nitrogen-deficiency. In the present study, we test the following hypotheses using three populations of the semi-evergreen vine Lonicera japonica: (1) nitrogen deficiency corresponds with reduced photosynthetic capacity; (2) individuals with reduced photosynthetic capacity synthesize anthocyanin pigments in leaves during winter; and (3) anthocyanin pigments help alleviate high-light stress by attenuating green light. All populations featured co-occurring winter-green and winter-red leafed individuals on fully-exposed (high-light), south-facing slopes in the Piedmont of North Carolina, USA. Consistent with our hypotheses, red leaves consistently exhibited significantly lower foliar nitrogen than green leaves, as well as lower total chlorophyll, quantum yield efficiency, carboxylation efficiency, and photosynthesis at saturating irradiance (Asat). Light-response curves measured using ambient sunlight versus red-blue LED (i.e., lacking green wavelengths) demonstrated significantly reduced quantum yield efficiency and a higher light compensation point under sunlight relative to red-blue LED in red leaves, but not in green leaves, consistent with a (green) light-attenuating function of anthocyanin pigments. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that intraspecific anthocyanin synthesis corresponds with nitrogen deficiency and reduced photosynthetic capacity within populations, and support a light-attenuating function of anthocyanin pigments.
Understanding community and family barriers and supports to physical activity in American Indian children.

Increasing physical activity (PA) in children and adults is necessary to prevent or ameliorate chronic diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Interventions designed to increase PA at the individual and community level through policy and environmental change are essential. American Indian (AI) communities face a disproportionate burden of chronic disease and are eager to work on multi-level methods for disease prevention. 1 Over the past 10 years our research group has been partnering with multiple AI communities in northern Wisconsin on research to understand barriers and supports to healthy lifestyles and PA. Methods have included the WINGS epidemiological work and parental questionnaires 2 (see this issue), key informant interviews and focus groups 3-4 , PhotoVoice/GIS mapping, accelerometry/direct observation 5 , and environmental assessment. An intervention, Healthy Children, Strong Families, and Supportive Communities, is underway and focuses both on the family environment and aiding individuals in making healthy choices. 6 The intervention also assists communities in making community level changes to support healthy lifestyles. Our journey with these communities to understand the prevalence of obesity and cardiovascular disease and the role of attitude and environment in order to aid intervention design has taught us many valuable lessons. The framework of our work has been community based participatory research 7-8 , and tribal members were involved at all stages of the research whenever possible. In this commentary, discussion of the lessons learned from each of these methods is divided into 3 realms: community views and suggestions, objective measurement, and environmental assessment. Some methods cross more than one realm. These notes from the field may help other communities as they travel a similar journey toward wellness. Community Views and Suggestions During the WINGS study, the parent survey for parents of 3-8 year old children included an open ended question seeking suggestions for changes in the community that might encourage healthier lifestyles. 2 Caregivers provided 90 suggestions of how to promote healthy lifestyles in their community. Fifty-six of those suggestions specifically mentioned physical activity related changes. Common themes noted by caregivers were the desire for more family oriented activities, more activities and sports directed at younger children, parents needing to spend more time with children in activities, and needing more facilities for younger children/families. Our key informant and focus group work showed the importance of understanding parental views of health in order to intervene in increasing PA. Parents had a view of health
Patterns of hatching failure in the house sparrow Passer domesticus

Hatching failure is widespread in birds despite presumably strong selection against any wasted reproductive effort and yet there have been few attempts at uncovering sources of variation in failure within a species. Here we use 11 yr of data on the frequency of both undeveloped and unhatched eggs in a marked population of house sparrows Passer domesticus to examine the effects of multiple factors hypothesized to affect hatching success in birds including parental identity, phenotype and genotype, as well as several environmental variables. Unhatched eggs were present in 34.3% of 1523 clutches in which at least one egg hatched, and a total of 10.1% of eggs failed to hatch, of which 75.7% had no visible embryo. We found an effect of female identity on the proportion of eggs that developed and an effect of male identity on hatching success, as well as a positive effect of egg size on both the proportion of eggs that developed and hatching success between females. Neither the proportion of eggs that developed nor hatching success varied according to time of season or weather conditions, clutch size, the age of either parent, the size of the male’s black bib, female size, female heterozygosity or the genetic similarity between members of a pair. There was also no positional bias in the occurrence of undeveloped eggs, although undeveloped eggs were more common among birds nesting at low density. Our results suggest that hatching failure in house sparrows has few environmental components and is primarily influenced by intrinsic differences among individuals.
Assessing the Biosynthetic Capabilities of Secretory Glands in Citrus Peel

Epithelial cells (ECs) lining the secretory cavities of Citrus peel have been hypothesized to be responsible for the synthesis of essential oil, but direct evidence for such a role is currently sparse. We used laser-capture microdissection and pressure catapulting to isolate ECs and parenchyma cells (as controls not synthesizing oil) from the peel of young grapefruit (Citrus × paradisi 'Duncan'), isolated RNA, and evaluated transcript patterns based on oligonucleotide microarrays. A Gene Ontology analysis of these data sets indicated an enrichment of genes involved in the biosynthesis of volatile terpenoids and nonvolatile phenylpropanoids in ECs (when compared with parenchyma cells), thus indicating a significant metabolic specialization in this cell type. The gene expression patterns in ECs were consistent with the accumulation of the major essential oil constituents (monoterpenes, prenylated coumarins, and polymethoxylated flavonoids). Morphometric analyses demonstrated that secretory cavities are formed early during fruit development, whereas the expansion of cavities, and thus oil accumulation, correlates with later stages of fruit expansion. Our studies have laid the methodological and experimental groundwork for a vastly improved knowledge of the as yet poorly understood processes controlling essential oil biosynthesis in Citrus peel.
Reliability of current U.S. modeling of atmospheric plumes questioned

The deficiencies of atmospheric modeling used to determine the dispersion of chemical, radiological, or biological plumes came under fire during a 2 June hearing in the U.S. House of Representatives. Several members of Congress said that current modeling efforts provide inadequate information to assess plumes that could result from a terrorist incident, warfare, or some other cause. Much of the hearing, held by the House Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats, and International Relations, focused on two reports released that day: one by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences (NAS), and the other by the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO).
Validation of interleukin 28B genotyping assay for clinical use.

Abstract Objectives The favorable CC genotype at rs12979860 upstream of the interleukin (IL)-28B gene is correlated with a greater post-treatment sustained virologic response rate in chronic hepatitis C infected patients. We report on our validation of a clinical genotyping assay for rs12979860 polymorphisms in the IL28B locus. Design and methods The rs12979860 genotype was determined using a TaqMan® Real-Time PCR allelic discrimination assay with primers and probes specific for the C and T alleles on the Applied Biosystems 7500 Fast Real-Time PCR System. Results The rs12979860 genotype determined by our assay was concordant with the genotypes obtained from a reference laboratory. The allelic frequency was similar to that reported in the HapMap project (rs12979860 C = 0.65, T = 0.35) and did not deviate from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. Conclusion Clinical availability of this assay in conjunction with other factors will allow the prediction of the individual patient's response to therapy.
A Left Atrial Appendage Thrombus Mimicking Atrial Myxoma

A 58-year-old female with a medical history of ≈2 years of chronic atrial fibrillation (on warfarin treatment), previous right mastectomy for invasive ductal carcinoma, and hypertension presented with a hypertensive emergency and mental status changes. Her symptoms resolved with appropriate antihypertensive treatment. The international normalized ratio on presentation was 2.9. During an additional work-up for transient neurological symptoms, transesophageal echocardiography was performed, revealing a 2×2-cm, well-circumscribed, spherical, mobile echodensity within the ostium of the left atrial appendage (LAA), …
Should we do research on race differences in intelligence

Abstract Research on racial differences in intelligence is desirable if the research is appropriately motivated, honestly done, and adequately communicated. All three of these points are discussed, particularly the third.
Disappearance of classic birdshot spots after immunosuppression with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil.

Birdshot chorioretinopathy is commonly diagnosed by characteristic choroidal spots on funduscopic exan. These spots are particularly prominent on indocyanine angiography and can resolve with treatment. The clinical significance of this is not clear. We present a case of birdshot chorioretinopathy with classic spots which resolved after immunosupression with mycophenolate mofetil, tacrolimus and prednisone. A 35-year-old white woman with a 1-year history of birdshot chorioretinopathy (BSCR) complicated by choroidal neovascular …
Nitrogen in soils, plants, surface water and shallow groundwater in a bahiagrass pasture of Southern Florida, USA

Despite substantial measurements using both laboratory and field techniques, little is known about the spatial and temporal variability of nitrogen (N) dynamics across the landscapes, especially in agricultural landscapes with cow–calf operations. This study was conducted to assess the comparative levels of total inorganic nitrogen, TIN (NO3–N + NH4–N) among soils, forage, surface water and shallow groundwater (SGW) in bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum, Fluegge) pastures. Soil samples were collected at 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, and 60–100 cm across the pasture’s landscape (top slope, TS; middle slope, MS; and bottom slope, BS) in the spring and fall of 2004, 2005 and 2006, respectively. Bi-weekly (2004–2006) groundwater and surface water samples were taken from wells located at TS, MS, and BS and from the run-off/seepage area (SA). Concentrations of NH4–N, NO3–N, and TIN in SGW did not vary with landscape position (LP). However, concentrations of NH4–N, NO3–N, and TIN in water samples collected from the seep area were significantly (P ≤ 0.05) higher when compared to their average concentrations in water samples collected from the different LP. Average concentrations of NO3–N (0.4–0.9 mg l−1) among the different LP were well below the maximum, of 10 mg l−1, set for drinking water. The maximum NO3–N concentrations (averaged across LP) in SGW for 2004, 2005 and 2006 were also below the drinking water standards for NO3–N. Concentration of TIN in soils varied significantly (P ≤ 0.05) with LP and soil depth. Top slope and surface soil (0–20 cm) had the greatest concentrations of TIN. The greatest forage availability of 2,963 ± 798 kg ha−1 and the highest N uptake of 56 ± 12 kg N ha−1 were observed from the TS in 2005. Both forage availability and N uptake of bahiagrass at the BS were consistently the lowest when averaged across LP and years. These results can be attributed to the grazing activities as animals tend to graze more at the BS. The average low soil test value of TN (across LP and soil depth) in our soils of 10.9 mg kg−1 (5.5 kg N ha−1) would indicate that current pasture management including cattle rotation in terms of grazing days and current fertilizer application (inorganic + feces + urine) for bahiagrass pastures may not have negative impact on the environment.
Predicting tie strength in a new medium

We have friends we consider very close and acquaintances we barely know. The social sciences use the term tie strength to denote this differential closeness with the people in our lives. In this paper, we explore how well a tie strength model developed for one social medium adapts to another. Specifically, we present a Twitter application called We Meddle which puts a Facebook tie strength model at the core of its design. We Meddle estimated tie strengths for more than 200,000 online relationships from people in 52 countries. We focus on the mapping of Facebook relational features to relational features in Twitter. By examining We Meddle's mistakes, we find that the Facebook tie strength model largely generalizes to Twitter. This is early evidence that important relational properties may manifest similarly across different social media, a finding that would allow new social media sites to build around relational findings from old ones.
Does drought increase migration? A study of migration from rural Mali during the 1983-1985 drought.

Using data from a longitudinal panel study conducted in 1982 and 1989 in the first region of Mali, this article demonstrates that the level of migration did not rise during the drought of 1983–1985. However, there was a dramatic increase in the migration of women and children during the severe 1983–1985 drought. Along with this increase in migration by women and children, there was a shift to short-cycle circulation, with 64 percent of the migrants adopting circular patterns. The study describes the characteristics of these migrants and recommends changes to development and migration policies that will facilitate such migrations in subsequent droughts.
Trends of racial disparities in assisted reproductive technology outcomes in black women compared with white women: Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology 1999 and 2000 vs. 2004–2006

Objective To determine trends in assisted reproductive technology (ART) in black and white women by comparing Society for Assisted Reproductive Technology (SART) database outcomes for 2004–2006 with previously reported outcomes for 1999 and 2000. Design Retrospective, cohort study. Setting The SART member clinics that performed at least 50 cycles of IVF and reported race in more than 95% of cycles. Patient(s) Women receiving 158,693 IVF cycles. Intervention(s) In vitro fertilization using nondonor embryos. Main Outcome Measure(s) Live birth rate per cycle started. Result(s) Reporting of race increased from 52% to 60%. The proportion of black, non-Hispanic (BNH) women increased from 4.6% to 6.5%. For BNH women using fresh embryos and no prior ART, significant increasing trends were observed for older age, male factor, uterine factor, diminished ovarian reserve, and ovulation disorders. The BNH women were 2.5 times more likely to have tubal factor for those cycles with no prior ART. The proportion of live births per cycle started increased across all groups over time, although greater increases occurred for white women. Conclusion(s) There seems to be widening disparities in IVF outcomes between BNH and white women, perhaps attributable to poor prognostic factors among black women. Race continues to be a marker for prognosis for ART outcomes and should be reported.
High Resolution X-ray Structure of dTDP-Glucose 4,6-Dehydratase from Streptomyces venezuelae

Desosamine is a 3-(dimethylamino)-3,4,6-trideoxyhexose found in some macrolide antibiotics. In Streptomyces venezuelae, there are seven genes required for the biosynthesis of this unusual sugar. One of the genes, desIV, codes for a dTDP-glucose 4,6-dehydratase, which is referred to as DesIV. The reaction mechanisms for these types of dehydratases are quite complicated with proton abstraction from the sugar 4'-hydroxyl group and hydride transfer to NAD+, proton abstraction at C-5, and elimination of the hydroxyl group at C-6 of the sugar, and finally return of a proton to C-5 and a hydride from NADH to C-6. Here we describe the cloning, overexpression, and purification, and high resolution x-ray crystallographic analysis to 1.44 A of wild-type DesIV complexed with dTDP. Additionally, for this study, a double site-directed mutant protein (D128N/E129Q) was prepared, crystallized as a complex with NAD+ and the substrate dTDP-glucose and its structure determined to 1.35 A resolution. In DesIV, the phenolate group of Tyr(151) and O(gamma) of Thr(127) lie at 2.7 and 2.6 A, respectively from the 4'-hydroxyl group of the dTDP-glucose substrate. The side chain of Asp(128) is in the correct position to function as a general acid for proton donation to the 6'-hydroxyl group while the side chain of Glu(129) is ideally situated to serve as the general base for proton abstraction at C-5. This investigation provides further detailed information for understanding the exquisite chemistry that occurs in these remarkable enzymes.
Exact robot navigation using artificial potential functions

A methodology for exact robot motion planning and control that unifies the purely kinematic path planning problem with the lower level feedback controller design is presented. Complete information about a freespace and goal is encoded in the form of a special artificial potential function, called a navigation function, that connects the kinematic planning problem with the dynamic execution problem in a provably correct fashion. The navigation function automatically gives rise to a bounded-torque feedback controller for the robot's actuators that guarantees collision-free motion and convergence to the destination from almost all initial free configurations. A formula for navigation functions that guide a point-mass robot in a generalized sphere world is developed. The simplest member of this family is a space obtained by puncturing a disk by an arbitrary number of smaller disjoint disks representing obstacles. The other spaces are obtained from this model by a suitable coordinate transformation. Simulation results for planar scenarios are provided. >
Reproductive factors and risk of pancreatic cancer in women: a review of the literature.

Purpose Pancreatic cancer (PCA) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States. The male-to-female incidence and mortality ratio of PCA is 1.1–2.0. One possible explanation for this difference is that female hormone exposure is protective for the development of PCA. Several hypotheses were investigated in this systematic review: (1) increased exposure to estrogen through early menarche and later menopause is associated with a decreased risk of PCA; (2) increased exposure to pregnancy is associated with decreased risk of PCA; and (3) increased exposure to oral contraceptives and/or hormone replacement therapy is associated with decreased risk of PCA. Methods Of 371 articles identified, 10 case-control and 5 cohort studies met the criteria for our review. Odds ratios for case-control studies and hazard ratios for cohort studies and their accompanying 95% confidence intervals for analyses relevant to our hypotheses were considered in the review. Results For all 3 hypotheses, studies displayed inconsistent results, and this may have been due to the diversity of study populations, exposure quantification, analysis approach, confounding and other limitations, and biases across studies. Conclusions As there was no strong support for any of the 3 hypotheses, it appears that reproductive factors are not associated with the development of PCA in women.