cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Slower conduction velocity and motor unit discharge frequency are associated with muscle fatigue during isometric exercise in type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is associated with a peripheral neuropathy that reduces nerve conduction velocity. This may impair high motor-unit discharge frequencies (MUDF), decrease muscle activation, and curtail the ability to sustain repetitive contractile tasks. We examined (1) whether MUDF, the contractile properties of the knee extensors, and the conduction velocity of persons with T1DM differed from controls; (2) whether persons with T1DM can maintain adequate MUDF during a fatigue protocol; and (3) the relationship between these parameters and impaired glycemic control. We studied male and female subjects with T1DM and controls matched for age, height, weight, and gender. Single motor unit recordings were made from vastus lateralis during maximal and submaximal contractions and during a fatigue protocol. Glycemic control was assessed from blood glucose concentration and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Control femoral conduction velocities were comparable to literature values and those of the T1DM subjects were slower. These values correlated with plasma glucose and HbA1c. T1DM subjects fatigued 45% sooner than controls, and time to fatigue and conduction velocity were correlated (r = 0.54, P < 0.05). Discharge frequencies tended to be slower during 50% maximal voluntary contractile force in the T1DM subjects at task failure. Persons with T1DM had slower conduction velocities and lower MUDF than their controls, which apparently leads to impaired activation of muscle and decreased endurance during isometric fatigue. Muscle Nerve, 2007
“IF-pathies”: a broad spectrum of intermediate filament–associated diseases

Intermediate filaments (IFs) are encoded by the largest gene family among the three major cytoskeletal protein groups. Unique IF compliments are expressed in selective cell types, and this expression is reflected in their involvement, upon mutation, as a cause of or predisposition to more than 80 human tissue-specific diseases. This Review Series covers diseases and functional and structural aspects pertaining to IFs and highlights the molecular and functional consequences of IF-associated diseases (IF-pathies). Exciting challenges and opportunities face the IF field, including developing both a better understanding of the pathogenesis of IF-pathies and targeted therapeutic approaches.
African American Women Olympians: The Impact of Race, Gender, and Class Ideologies, 1932–1968

(1996). African American Women Olympians: The Impact of Race, Gender, and Class Ideologies, 1932–1968. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport: Vol. 67, No. 2, pp. 172-182.
The ultrasocial origin of the Anthropocene

Abstract The current geological epoch has been dubbed the Anthropocene—the age of humans. We argue that the roots of the Anthropocene lie in the agricultural revolution that began some 8000 years ago. Unique human psychological and cultural characteristics were present in our distant hunter–gatherer past, but in terms of the biophysical impact of our species, agricultural represented an unequivocal and decisive evolutionary break. With the transition to agriculture human society began to function as a superorganism functioning as a single unit designed by social natural selection to produce economic surplus. Where environmental conditions were permitted, early human agricultural societies followed the same pattern as a few social insects and exhibited explosive population growth, complex and detailed division of labor, intensive resource exploitation, territorial expansion, and a social organization favoring the survival and growth of the supergroup over the well-being of individuals within the group. Similar economic forces lie behind ultrasociality in social insects and humans—increased productivity from the division of labor, increasing returns to scale, and the exploitation of stocks of productive resources. Exploring the evolutionary mechanisms behind ultrasociality offers insights into the growth imperative that threatens the stability of the earth's life support systems.
Reading poets from the past: Seamus Heaney's poetic evolution

Before he died, Donald Davie thanked Seamus Heaney for not abusing his critical gifts, which is one indication of Heaney's power as a critic, a position that has been given fairly short shrift in t...
The structure of intramolecular triplex DNA: atomic force microscopy study.

We applied atomic force microscopy (AFM) for direct imaging of intramolecular triplexes (H-DNA) formed by mirror-repeated purine-pyrimidine repeats and stabilized by negative DNA supercoiling. H-DNA appears in atomic force microscopy images as a clear protrusion with a different thickness than DNA duplex. Consistent with the existing models, H-DNA formation results in a kink in the double helix path. The kink forms an acute angle so that the flanking DNA regions are brought in close proximity. The mobility of flanking DNA arms is limited compared with that for cruciforms and three-way junctions. Structural properties of H-DNA may be important for promoter-enhancer interactions and other DNA transactions.
A theoretical study of nitrososilane and six isomers of SiH3NO

Abstract Geometries have been obtained for seven SiH 3 NO molecules using HF/6-31G* and MP2/6-31G* theory: nitrososilane, isonitrososilane, silaformaldoxime, silaformaldonitrone, siloxaziridine, iminosilanol and silaformamide. Vibrational frequencies and some internal rotations have been characterized, and relative energies were obtained with MP4/6-31G* and MP4/6-311G** theory at the minimum energy geometries. A theoretical SiH 3 NO bond strength of 124 kJ mol −1 in nitrososilane was obtained, in accord with an RRKM analysis of SiH 3 + NO recombination kinetics which yielded 117 ± 11 kJ mol −1 .
Insights into the Ion Selectivity Mechanism of CNG Channels from Mutants of NaK: Structural and Functional Studies

Cyclic nucleotide-gated (CNG) channels are non-selective cation channels that play crucial roles in visual and olfactory signal transduction. They are members of the tetrameric cation channel family that include voltage-gated K+, Na+ and Ca2+ channels. However, while other members exhibit high degree of ion selectivity, CNG channels are noted for their lack of specificity. CNG channels conduct all alkali metal ions and some alkaline earths, most notably Ca2+. How the CNG channel pore can conduct these various cations which have substantially different ionic radii and formal charges is not well understood. Here we report high-resolution crystal structures of mutants of the NaK channel that mimic the selectivity filter of CNG channels, along with supporting functional analyses. Within the NaK selectivity filter (63TVGDGNFS70) the DGNFS sequence was replaced with ETPP, ETPT and DTPS, each of which represent a CNG α-subunit sequence. The mutant structures exhibit selectivity filter architecture and ion binding profiles different from either NaK or K+ channel structures, having three ion binding sites in their selectivity filters. Two of the sites correspond to sites 3 and 4 in KcsA and NaK, while the third site corresponds to site 2 in KcsA, but is a vestibule in NaK. Similar to CNG channels these mutants exhibit calcium binding, which depends on the presence of the conserved acidic residues (E or D). Mutating the acidic residues on these mutants to neutral residues (E◊Q or D◊N) abolishes calcium binding. Functional analyses using Rb-86 flux assay revealed ion conduction behavior similar to CNG channels. These results provide strong evidence that these NaK mutants exhibit the same properties of CNG channels in ion conduction and selectivity and their structures provide insight into understanding ion selectivity in CNG channels.
Enable, Enhance, and Transform: How Technology Use Can Improve Gifted Education

Technological use is increasingly prevalent in education. This article proposes a systematic way to conceptualize, incorporate and utilize the current technology in gifted education, namely, using “enable, enhance, and transform” as a working framework. It consists of three main functions of technological support: (a) technology enables gifted education to expand its capacity of service; (b) technology enhances the quality of gifted education; and (c) technology transforms gifted education by creating new directions and possibilities. The extant literature is reviewed in the hopes of understanding the current situation of technology use in light of this framework. The review shows that well-designed research is sorely needed that goes beyond mere advocacy to articulate the role of technological support and test its effectiveness in achieving specific goals of gifted education provisions.
Finite total cross sections in nonrelativistic quantum mechanics

We present a simple geometric method for estimating total cross-sections in two-body and more generally two cluster scattering. We discuss a variety of aspects of total cross-sections including large coupling constant behavior.
Hemodynamic Response to Featural Changes in the Occipital and Inferior Temporal Cortex in Infants: A Preliminary Methodological Exploration

Over the past 30 years researchers have learned a great deal about the development of object processing in infancy. In contrast, little is understood about the neural mechanisms that underlie this capacity, in large part because there are few techniques available to measure brain functioning in human infants. The present research examined the extent to which near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), an optical imaging technique, could be used to assess the relation between object processing and brain functioning. Infants aged 6.5 months were presented with an occlusion event involving objects that differed on many feature dimensions (multi-featural change), differed on shape only (shape change) or color only (color change), or did not differ (control). NIRS data were collected in the occipital and inferior temporal cortex. In the occipital cortex a significant increase in oxyhemoglobin (HbO2) was observed in response to all four events and these responses did not differ significantly from each other. In the inferior temporal cortex, a significant increase in HbO2 was observed in the multi-featural and the shape change condition but not in the control condition. An increase was also observed in the color change condition but this increase did not differ significantly different from 0 nor did it differ significantly from the response obtained in the control condition. These data were discussed in terms of (a) what they suggest about the neural basis of feature processing in infants and (b) the viability of using NIRS to study brain-behavior relations in infants.
Electrophysiology of the undergraduate neuroscience student: a laboratory exercise in human electromyography.

A laboratory exercise is described in which students in a neuroscience, psychobiology, or similar laboratory course record the electromyogram (EMG) from themselves, using surface electrodes (placed...
Observations of tidal and springtime sediment transport in the upper Delaware Estuary

Abstract Suspended-sediment transport in the upper Delaware Estuary was investigated in Spring 2003 to examine mechanisms of material exchange from the tidal river to the turbidity maximum zone in the lower estuary. Timeseries records of currents and suspended-sediment concentration (SSC) were obtained between 18 March and 10 June 2003 using moored instrumentation deployed at two locations spanning the tidal river−estuary transition: (1) Tinicum Island, 90 km up-estuary of the Delaware Bay mouth in tidal freshwater; and (2) New Castle Flats, 40 km down-estuary of Tinicum in oligohaline waters. Environmental conditions during the observational period were typical for the spring season and included two river peakflows (1000–2000 m3 s−1) and several moderate remote-wind events. Results indicate that SSC and tidal sediment flux vary spatially in the estuary with local current magnitude and the proximity of patches of easily resuspendable sediment. Landward of the turbidity maximum zone, SSC was not correlated with current velocity due to depletion of bed sediment sources early in the tidal cycle. In contrast, SSC and velocity within the turbidity maximum zone were well correlated due to an abundance of fine sediment generated by resuspension and advection. At both observational sites the depth-averaged residual current (Eulerian mean) and net sediment flux were seaward, and the flux magnitude increased 3–4 fold during river peakflow events on account of elevated ebb flow and bottom scour. The seaward residual current, mostly compensatory flow for Stokes Drift on flood tide, is an important mechanism of sediment transport to the estuarine turbidity maximum zone. Averaged over the 80-day study period, the cross-sectionally averaged sediment flux past New Castle (11 ± 4 × 108 kg) was significantly larger than that at Tinicum (4 ± 1 × 108 kg), and twofold larger than the estimated influx from river tributaries (5 ± 1 × 108 kg). The mass imbalance (∼7 × 108 kg) suggests that eroded bed sediment, previously deposited and stored in the upper estuary, was a major source of material to the turbidity maximum zone in Spring 2003.
QRS Prolongation is Associated With Inducible Ventricular Tachycardia After Repair of Tetralogy of Fallot

Abstract Prolonged QRS duration on the electrocardiogram has been found to predict adverse arrhythmic events in patients late after repair of tetralogy of Fallot. Whether QRS duration can also predict inducible ventricular tachycardia (VT) at electrophysiologic study is unknown. Between 1984 and 1995 we studied 135 survivors of tetralogy of Fallot surgery whose age at surgery was 34 days to 37 years (3.7 ± 3.9, median 2.5) and age at electrophysiologic study was 1.4 to 43 years (9.7 ± 8.2, median 6.7). QRS duration was 80 to 240 ms (137 ± 29) and ≥180 ms in 9 patients. Sustained VT was induced in 22 patients (monomorphic in 17). Induced sustained monomorphic VT was related to QRS duration, right ventricular dimension, H-V interval, and presence of symptoms. QRS duration was also related to induced sustained monomorphic VT by multivariate analysis. QRS duration ≥180 ms was 35% sensitive and 97% specific for induced sustained monomorphic VT. QRS duration was related to induced sustained monomorphic VT even when only asymptomatic patients were analyzed. A QRS duration ≥180 ms was 100% sensitive and 96% specific for detecting clinical VT. Prolonged QRS duration on the electrocardiogram is associated with induced sustained monomorphic VT on electrophysiologic study. The finding of prolonged QRS duration should suggest the need for further testing to determine the risk of adverse arrhythmic events in patients after repair of tetralogy of Fallot, even if they are asymptomatic.
Meaning in Life and Mortality

Objectives. The purpose of this exploratory study was to see if meaning in life is associated with mortality in old age. Methods. Interviews were conducted with a nationwide sample of older adults ( N = 1,361). Data were collected on meaning in life, mortality, and select control measures. Results. Three main fi ndings emerged from this study. First, the data suggest that older people with a strong sense of meaning in life are less likely to die over the study follow-up period than those who do not have a strong sense of meaning. Second, the fi ndings indicate that the effect of meaning on mortality can be attributed to the potentially important indirect effect that operates through health. Third, further analysis revealed that one dimension of meaning — having a strong sense of purpose in life — has a stronger relationship with mortality than other facets of meaning. The main study fi ndings were observed after the effects of attendance at religious services and emotional support were controlled statistically. Discussion. If the results from this study can be replicated, then interventions should be designed to help older people fi nd a greater sense of purpose in life.
Expanding the Self Motherhood and Identity Development in Faculty Women

Research on women’s identity development has indicated that women generally form and view their identities within the context of their relationships and connections to others. Previous research has looked at various aspects of motherhood identity including paradoxical, conflictual, and ambivalent components of motherhood. The current study contributes by exploring 30 university faculty women’s personal experiences of motherhood through a grounded theory framework to determine the contributions of motherhood to adult identity development. Mothering expanded the women’s selves and identities multivariously, by developing new personal qualities, by increasing relational capacity and concern for others, by creating a sense of lasting influence by contributing to younger generations, and by enhancing their engagement with their careers. In this way, motherhood was personally, relationally, generationally, and vocationally expansive. Implications for clinical work and research are included.
Modeling Heterogeneous User Churn and Local Resilience of Unstructured P2P Networks

Previous analytical results on the resilience of un-structured P2P systems have not explicitly modeled heterogeneity of user churn (i.e., difference in online behavior) or the impact of in-degree on system resilience. To overcome these limitations, we introduce a generic model of heterogeneous user churn, derive the distribution of the various metrics observed in prior experimental studies (e.g., lifetime distribution of joining users, joint distribution of session time of alive peers, and residual lifetime of a randomly selected user), derive several closed-form results on the transient behavior of in-degree, and eventually obtain the joint in/out degree isolation probability as a simple extension of the out-degree model in [13].
On-Line Coupled Meteorology and Chemistry Models in the US

The climate–chemistry–aerosol–cloud–radiation feedbacks are important processes occurring in the atmosphere. Accurately simulating those feedbacks requires fully-coupled meteorology, climate, and chemistry models and presents significant challenges in terms of both scientific understanding and computational demand. This review focuses on history and current status of development and application of on-line models in the US Several representative on-line coupled meteorology and chemistry models such as GATOR/GCMOM, WRF/Chem, CAM3, MIRAGE, and Caltech unified GCM are included. Major model features, physical/chemical treatments, as well as typical applications are evaluated with a focus on aerosol microphysics treatments, aerosol feedbacks to planetary boundary layer meteorology, and aerosol–cloud interactions. Recommendations for future development and improvement of on-line coupled models are provided.
Ascorbic acid, blood pressure, and the American diet.

: A large controlled study supported by the NIH, the DASH study (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), demonstrated that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can reduce blood pressure in persons with moderate elevation in blood pressure (BP). Fruits and vegetables are important sources of antioxidants such as vitamin C and carotenoids. We conducted a study in which we fed people a diet deficient in vitamin C for 30 days, followed for another 30 days by a diet adequate in vitamin C. Their blood levels of vitamin C and blood pressure (BP) were tracked. Plasma vitamin C was inversely related to diastolic blood pressure one month later (correlation =−0.48, P < 0.0001). Persons whose blood levels of vitamin C went down the furthest on depletion had the highest blood pressure one month later. Persons in the lowest one-fourth of the plasma vitamin C distribution had diastolic BP 7 mm Hg higher than did those in the upper one-fourth of the plasma ascorbic acid distribution. Multivariate control for age, body mass index, other plasma antioxidants, and dietary energy, calcium, fiber, sodium, and potassium did not reduce the plasma vitamin C effect. We believe that this indicates that the tissue stores of vitamin C may be important in regulating blood pressure. It is often thought that Americans' intake of vitamin C is ample, since the average intake is about 100 mg/day. However, this average level obscures the fact that substantial numbers of people actually have habitually low intake levels and low blood levels. African Americans tend to have low blood levels of vitamin C as well as the highest risk of hypertension. Low intake of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables may be one of the causes of hypertension.
The Effects of Forest Residual Debris Disposal on Perennial Grass Emergence, Growth, and Survival in a Ponderosa Pine Ecotone

Abstract Soil surface conditions can have profound effects on plant seedling emergence and subsequent seedling survival. To test the hypothesis that different soil-surface treatments with logging residue affect range grass seedling emergence and survival, 6 alternative forest-residual treatments were established in the summer of 1998 following thinning of mature trees from approximately 500 to 133 trees · ha -1 . The treatments included 1) whole logging debris, hand-piled; 2) whole logging-debris piles that were burned; 3) whole logging-debris piles that were chipped; 4) whole logging-debris piles that were chipped and burned; 5) scattered debris followed by a broadcast burn; and 6) zero debris, not burned. The influences of the debris treatments on grass seedling emergence and survival were tested by seeding with native and exotic perennial grass species. Three plots per treatment were seeded with a mix of 4 native grass species, and another 3 plots per treatment were seeded with a mix of 4 exotic grass species. Two plots per treatment were left unseeded. Subsequent grass emergence, growth, and establishment were measured as seedling emergence, cover, density, height, and biomass for 3 growing seasons. Grass cover, density height, and biomass increased on the burn treatments during the study. Less-significant results were obtained for the nonburned woody-debris treatments. In addition, important abiotic factors, such as soil moisture and soil surface temperature, were not adversely affected by the woody debris disposal practices tested in this study. Results indicate that scattered woody debris that is broadcast burned is the best mechanism for disposing of woody debris, increasing grass emergence and survival, and preventing ponderosa pine recruitment and exotic invasion.
Alcohol Intoxication Induces Greater Reductions in Brain Metabolism in Male Than in Female Subjects

Background: The mechanisms underlying the gender differences in alcohol drinking behavior and alcohol's effects are poorly understood and may reflect gender differences in brain neurochemistry. Alcohol decreases glucose metabolism in the human brain in a pattern that is consistent with its facilitation of GABAergic neurotransmission. We compared the regional changes in brain glucose metabolism during alcohol intoxication between female and male subjects. Methods: Ten female and 10 male healthy controls were scanned with positron emission tomography and 2-deoxy-2[18F]fluoro-d-glucose twice: 40 min after placebo (diet soda) or alcohol (0.75 g/kg mixed with diet soda). Results: Alcohol significantly and consistently decreased whole-brain metabolism. The magnitude of these changes was significantly larger in male (−25 ± 6%) than in female (−14 ± 11%;p < 0.005) subjects. Half of the female subjects had reductions in metabolism during intoxication that were significantly lower than those in male subjects. This blunted response in the female subjects was not due to differences in alcohol concentration in plasma, because these did not differ between the genders. In contrast, the self-reports for the perception of intoxication were significantly greater in female than in male subjects. The cognitive deterioration during alcohol intoxication, although not significant, tended to be worse in female subjects. Conclusions: This study shows a markedly blunted sensitivity to the effects of acute alcohol on brain glucose metabolism in female subjects that may reflect gender differences in alcohol's modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission. The greater behavioral effects of alcohol in female subjects despite the blunted metabolic responses could reflect other effects of alcohol, for which the regional metabolic signal may be hidden within the large decrements in metabolism that occur during alcohol intoxication.
An innovative surrogate chip for accurate high-speed wire bond package measurement

Wire bond packaging for semiconductor devices has been the choice of low cost implementation to memory interface and high-speed transceivers. However, accurate characterization for wire bond package remains challenging owing to lack of consistent probing methodology. Meanwhile, semiconductor devices tend to have increasingly higher density of I/O, logic circuits and transceiver circuits yet shrinking die size. Therefore, the bonding die pads have to be allocated ever closer to accommodate more I/Os, transceivers and powers. This has made any 2-port transfer function measurement involving link between die pad through wire to BGA balls next to impossible. In this paper, an innovative measurement technology, surrogate chip substrate is proposed to enable accurate and consistent wire bond package measurements for multiple High Speed Serial Interface (HSSI) channel, Double Data Rate (DDR) interface, and wire bond implementation of Power Distribution Networks (PDN)
Predictors of Access to Healthcare: What Matters to Rural Appalachians?

Objective: Lack of access to healthcare is frequently cited as a primary reason for health disparities globally, especially in poor, rural areas such as Appalachia in the U.S. This study examined predictors of perceived access to healthcare among residents in a poor, medically underserved, rural Appalachian community. Methods: The study was guided by the revised behavioral model of healthcare services utilization. Self-reported survey data were obtained from a convenience sample of 921 residents in rural Tennessee. Results: The majority of respondents in this study did not perceive access to healthcare to be a problem in their community. Financial factors, health status, and associated social factors negatively affected only a small number respondents’ perceptions of access to healthcare. Conclusions: Despite the presence of multiple factors previously shown to affect access to healthcare, the majority of respondents in this study did not perceive access to healthcare to be a problem in their community. Results of this study suggest that to understand an individual’s passage through the healthcare system, the contextual aspects of healthcare utilization, should be added to coverage, services, timeliness, and workforce as a fifth component of access to healthcare. Assessing perceived need and associated cultural factors that affect individuals’ concepts of health and wellness represent important areas for future exploration to explain observed health disparities. Additionally, findings showed that having sufficient quality and quantity of healthcare professionals and services in a community or region may be necessary, but not sufficient to explain health disparities and the underlying reasons why individuals choose or choose not to seek health services.
Serum glycoprotein levels during wound tissue regeneration.

The level of protein-bound hexoses was compared in several fractions of electrophoretically separated globulins in the sera of normal and wounded rats. Changes in the concentration of protein components which were not apparent from the amount of total protein of different fractions could be identified. Although wounding resulted in no change from the normal protein level of one α-globulin fraction, the protein-bound hexoses decreased significantly below the normal. In another α-globulin fraction from wounded animals, a parallel increase in both protein and hexose above the normal was observed. The total proteins in the β-globulin fraction were not affected by wounding, even though there was an appreciable increase in hexose in the wounded over the normal level. In spite of the marked decrease in the amount of protein in the γ-globulins of wounded rats, no significant difference in the hexoses associated with this fraction was observed. Other globulin fractions were unchanged during wound tissue regeneration.
Evaluation of corrective reconstruction methods using a 3D cardiac-torso phantom and bull's-eye plots

The goal of the authors' investigation was to study the effectiveness of the corrective reconstruction methods in cardiac SPECT using a realistic phantom and to qualitatively and quantitatively evaluate the reconstructed images using bull's-eye plots. A 3D mathematical phantom which realistically models the anatomical structures of the cardiac-torso region of patients was used. The phantom allows simulation of both the attenuation distribution and the uptake of radiopharmaceuticals in different organs. Also, the phantom can be easily modified to simulate different genders and variations in patient anatomy. Two-dimensional projection data were generated from the phantom and included the effects of attenuation and detector response blurring. The reconstruction methods used in the study included the conventional filtered backprojection (FBP) with no attenuation compensation, and the first-order Chang algorithm, an iterative filtered backprojection algorithm (IFBP), the weighted least square conjugate gradient algorithm and the ML-EM algorithm with non-uniform attenuation compensation. The transaxial reconstructed images were rearranged into short-axis slices from which bull's-eye plots of the count density distribution in the myocardium were generated. The FBP reconstructed images clearly demonstrated the effects of attenuation on the myocardial distribution caused by anatomical structures and the inadequacy of the algorithm to provide accurate quantitative reconstructions. The images reconstructed using the Chang, IFBP, and ML-EM methods with attenuation compensation showed substantial improvement in terms of reduction in artifacts and improvement in quantitative accuracy. The results also demonstrate that the ML-EM method is the most robust in attenuation compensation for a wide range of anatomical variations when compared to the Chang and IFBP methods. The combination of the 3D mathematical phantoms and bull's-eye plots provides an effective tool for evaluation of corrective reconstruction methods for quantitative cardiac SPECT. >
Mathematics learning disability in girls with Turner syndrome or fragile X syndrome.

Two studies were carried out to examine the persistence (Study 1) and characteristics (Study 2) of mathematics learning disability (MLD) in girls with Turner syndrome or fragile X during the primary school years (ages 5–9 years). In Study 1, the rate of MLD for each syndrome group exceeded the rate observed in a grade-matched comparison group, although the likelihood of MLD persisting through the primary school years was comparable for all three groups. In Study 2, formal and informal math skills were compared across the syndrome groups, a normative group, and children from the normative group who had MLD. Few diVerences were observed between the Turner syndrome and normative groups. Despite having rote counting and number representation skills comparable to those in the normative group, girls with fragile X had diYculty with counting rules (e.g., cardinality, number constancy). However, this diYculty did not distinguish them from the MLD group. Overall, counting skills appear to distinguish the Turner syndrome and fragile X groups, suggesting that the speciWcity of math deWcits emerges earlier for fragile X than Turner syndrome.
Placing Paleopolyploidy in Relation to Taxon Divergence: A Phylogenetic Analysis in Legumes Using 39 Gene Families

Young polyploid events are easily diagnosed by various methods, but older polyploid events become increasingly difficult to identify as chromosomal rearrangements, tandem gene or partial chromosome duplications, changes in substitution rates among duplicated genes, pseudogenization or locus loss, and interlocus interactions complicate the means of inferring past genetic events. Genomic data have provided valuable information about the polyploid history of numerous species, but on their own fail to show whether related species, each with a polyploid past, share a particular polyploid event. A phylogenetic approach provides a powerful method to determine this but many processes may mislead investigators. These processes can affect individual gene trees, but most likely will not affect all genes, and almost certainly will not affect all genes in the same way. Thus, a multigene approach, which combines the large-scale aspect of genomics with the resolution of phylogenetics, has the power to overcome these difficulties and allow us to infer genomic events further into the past than would otherwise be possible. Previous work using synonymous distances among gene pairs within species has shown evidence for large-scale duplications in the legumes Glycine max and Medicago truncatula. We present a case study using 39 gene families, each with three or four members in G. max and the putative orthologues in M. truncatula, rooted using Arabidopsis thaliana. We tested whether the gene duplications in these legumes occurred separately in each lineage after their divergence (Hypothesis 1), or whether they share a round of gene duplications (Hypothesis 2). Many more gene family topologies supported Hypothesis 2 over Hypothesis 1 (11 and 2, respectively), even after synonymous distance analysis revealed that some topologies were providing misleading results. Only ca. 33% of genes examined support either hypothesis, which strongly suggests that single gene family approaches may be insufficient when studying ancient events with nuclear DNA. Our results suggest that G. max and M. truncatula, along with approximately 7000 other legume species from the same clade, share an ancient round of gene duplications, either due to polyploidy or to some other process.
The neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease : Clinical-pathological studies

The neuropathological diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease currently relies on quantitative or semiquantitative criteria of senile or neuritic plaques that are adjusted for age and for the presence or absence of a clinical history of dementia. Based on clinical-pathological correlation studies, I will argue that neuropathological assessment should stand independently of clinical history and instead should describe brain lesions in the context of the topography and natural history of the disease. Only probabilistic estimates about the presence or absence of dementia can be made from a neuropathological examination, especially in the setting of Alzheimer disease lesions plus other pathological alterations such as Lewy bodies or infarcts. Moreover, I will argue that any neurofibrillary tangles or senile plaques are inherently pathological entities, even if clinically silent and so "incidental" neuropathological findings. Because the intensity and location of neurofibrillary tangles, rather than senile plaques, appears to correlate most closely with clinical symptoms, I suggest using a staging system that highlights this information rather than using absolute numerical cut-offs for diagnostic purposes.
Measures of parents’ self-efficacy and perceived barriers to children’s sun protection: construct validity and reliability in melanoma survivors

Valid and reliable psychosocial measures for parents are lacking in the children's sun protection literature. We examined the construct validity and reliability of measures of parents' self-efficacy and perceived barriers specific to four sun protection behaviors in children: sunscreen, clothing, shade and limiting time outdoors. Melanoma survivors (N = 205) with children aged 12 years and younger completed an interview. Confirmatory factor analyses supported a four-factor structure of self-efficacy in which each factor was specific to one of the sun protection behaviors. This structure, consistent with Bandura's conceptualization, suggests using behavior-specific scores. A bifactor model best fit the perceived barriers data. Each item loaded on both a general barriers factor and one of four behavior-specific factors. Based on the magnitude of general factor loadings relative to behavior-specific factor loadings, use of subscale scores or a total score is recommended. Correlations between self-efficacy measures (0.30-0.46) and between perceived barriers measures (0.22-0.42) suggested convergent validity. Correlations between self-efficacy and perceived barriers were strongest within behavior (-0.34 to -0.63), suggesting discriminant validity. Almost all measures were most strongly associated with corresponding behaviors, supporting construct validity. Reliabilities ranged from 0.72 to 0.90. Measures are valid and reliable for use in children's sun protection studies.
Treatment nonadherence: Causes and potential solutions

Abstract When patients are nonadherent to their antipsychotic therapy, their risk for relapse and disease exacerbation is greatly enhanced. These events may necessitate rehospitalization and may significantly increase the cost of care. Improving the propensity of patients to adhere to their regimen requires an assessment of patient attitudes and expectations concerning their medication and, if necessary, appropriate education. In addition, healthcare professionals need to foster therapeutic alliances by decreasing threats and avoiding the use of depot medications as a “punishment” for nonadherence. The type of medication may even influence the potential for improved adherence. Available data suggest that oral atypical antipsychotics offer the lowest potential for nonadherence and relapse, followed by depot conventional and oral conventional antipsychotics. The first long-acting atypical antipsychotic, an injectable preparation of risperidone, is anticipated soon. This drug will offer the efficacy and safety benefits of an atypical antipsychotic, with a much more stable pharmacokinetic profile than oral medication. Such medications may represent the next step in improving patient adherence to an antipsychotic regimen. Healthcare professionals need to understand that treatment nonadherence is human nature and not a result of mental illness. Only then can an effective and caring solution be implemented. (J Am Psychiatr Nurses Assoc [2002]. 8, S18-S25.)
Spatially directional multiarm poly(ε-caprolactone) based on resorcin[4]arene cavitand core

Highly crystalline directional poly(e-caprolactone) based on a tetrahydroxymethyl resorcin[4]arene initiator core was synthesized by a “core first” method viaring-opening polymerization catalyzed by Sn(Oct)2 in bulk at 120 °C.
Effect of Serial Intrasilicone Oil Bevacizumab Injections in Eyes With Recurrent Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy Retinal Detachment.

Purpose To investigate the effect of serial intrasilicone oil bevacizumab injections (1.25 mg/0.05 mL) on visual acuity (VA) and anatomic outcomes in eyes undergoing proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR)-related retinal detachment (RD) repair. Design Prospective, nonrandomized, historical-control pilot study. Methods setting: Tertiary care center. study population: Nondiabetic eyes undergoing pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and silicone oil tamponade with or without scleral buckling procedure (SBP) for recurrent RD due to PVR. intervention: Intrasilicone oil injection of 1.25 mg bevacizumab was performed intraoperatively and at postoperative months 1, 2, and 3. outcomes: Retinal reattachment rate, final VA, and rate of epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation at month 6. Results Twenty eyes of 20 patients were enrolled and compared to a historical control group composed of 35 age- and sex-matched controls. In the study group, logMAR VA improved from mean 1.78 ± 0.43 (Snellen 20/1205) to 1.43 ± 0.70 (Snellen 20/538, P = .04), retinal reattachment was achieved in 14 of 20 eyes (70%), and ERM formation was observed in 7 of 20 eyes (35%) at 6 months. In the control group, logMAR VA improved from mean 1.50 ± 0.74 (Snellen 20/632) to 1.43 ± 0.58 (Snellen 20/538, P = .64), retinal reattachment was achieved in 25 of 35 eyes (71%), and ERM formation was observed in 7 of 35 eyes (20%) at 6 months. No significant difference in final VA ( P = .96), retinal reattachment rate ( P = .75), or ERM formation ( P = .33) was observed between groups. No intrasilicone oil injection–related adverse events occurred. Conclusions Serial intrasilicone oil injections of bevacizumab did not improve retinal reattachment rate, improve final VA, or reduce ERM formation in patients undergoing PVR-related RD surgery.
Agency and Accountability: Promoting Women's Participation in Peacebuilding

ABSTRACTThis contribution reviews international policy and practices to engage women in formal peace talks, post-conflict elections, and economic recovery, and finds a combination of factors contributing to poor performance in promoting women's agency. The fact that the privileged category for post-conflict decisions are those groups capable of acting as “spoilers” has tended to exclude women's groups from the categories considered most important to involve in decision making. Exacerbating this exclusion is the reluctance of international decision makers to encourage affirmative action measures in these contexts. This carries through to the minimal-state approach to economic recovery efforts. Provisions are needed to foster and invite women's voice in decision making, and build more active-state approaches to women's livelihood recovery.
Leukemias and lymphomas of thymic differentiation.

Abstract Neoplasms of thymic T-cell derivation include two closely related malignancies: T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-cell lymphoblastic lymphoma. The recognition of these tumors as distinct biologic entities dates back to the early 1970s, when patients with these diseases were found to have tumor cells that formed spontaneous rosettes with sheep erythrocytes. In the last decade, however, the growth of new technologies and availability of new reagents has enabled us to characterize this group of diseases with more precision. When studied with a panel of monoclonal antibodies, there is tremendous phenotypic diversity in the types of T-cell leukemias that are encountered. In spite of this diversity, a few general facts have become apparent. To a first approximation, thymic T-cell malignancies can be related to stages of normal T-cell development. Surprisingly, in spite of the overall similarity between T-ALL and T-lymphoblastic lymphoma, the antigenic phenotypes encountered suggest a biologic difference between these two diseases. Although there is not currently any single reagent that permits recognition of T-ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma in all cases, a combination of technologic approaches using conventional morphology and histochemistry, immunologic studies, and, in some cases, newer genetic studies should permit great precision in the definition of this disease. The clinical picture of T-cell ALL or lymphoblastic lymphoma has traditionally been one of a poor prognosis disease with high WBC count, bulky adenopathy, and mediastinal mass. Although encountering this clinical presentation should suggest the T-cell phenotype, not all patients with T-cell leukemia will fit this stereotype. Clinical studies have also served to provide support for the expanding biologic definition of T-cell neoplasia, particularly insofar as it has been demonstrated that patients with T antigen-positive but E rosette-negative ALL behave like other patients with T-cell disease. In short, patients with thymic T-cell malignancies not only have distinctive biologic characteristics to their blasts, but also have a distinctive pattern of clinical presentation, response to therapy, and sites of relapse. These differences have prompted the search for specific therapies and also directed approaches to understanding the variable clinical outcome of patients with these malignancies.
Distress experienced during pediatric VCUGs – a granular, prospective assessment using the brief behavioral distress scale

Background In spite of decades of experience with the procedure, controversy persists as to the overall distress experienced by children and the routine need for sedation in children undergoing voiding cystourethrograms (VCUG). Many studies have attempted to address these issues, often divided into one camp that champions routine sedation while another group believes that pretest preparation is often all that is needed. At the root of these issues are some of the limitations of previous studies as most incorporate inherently subjective parental questionnaires to determine distress levels rather than using an objective, unbiased observer.
Commercially available antibodies directed against α-adrenergic receptor subtypes and other G protein-coupled receptors with acceptable selectivity in flow cytometry experiments

Several previous reports suggested that many commercially available antibodies directed against G protein-coupled receptors (GPCR) lack sufficient selectivity. Accordingly, it has been proposed that receptor antibodies should be validated by at least one of several criteria, such as testing tissues or cells after knockout or silencing of the corresponding gene. Here, we tested whether 12 commercially available antibodies directed against α-adrenergic receptor (AR) subtypes (α1A/B/D, α2A/B/C), atypical chemokine receptor 3 (ACKR3), and vasopressin receptor 1A (AVPR1A) suffice these criteria. We detected in flow cytometry experiments with human vascular smooth muscle cells that the fluorescence signals from each of these antibodies were reduced by 46 ± 10 %-91 ± 2 % in cells treated with commercially available small interfering RNA (siRNA) specific for each receptor, as compared with cells that were incubated with non-targeting siRNA. The tested antibodies included anti-ACKR3 (R&D Systems, mab42273), for which specificity has previously been demonstrated. Staining with this antibody resulted in 72 ± 5 % reduction of the fluorescence signal after ACKR3 siRNA treatment. Furthermore, staining with anti-α1A-AR (Santa Cruz, sc1477) and anti-ACKR3 (Abcam, ab38089), which have previously been reported to be non-specific, resulted in 70 ± 19 % and 80 ± 4 % loss of the fluorescence signal after α1A-AR and ACKR3 siRNA treatment, respectively. Our findings demonstrate that the tested antibodies show reasonable selectivity for their receptor target under our experimental conditions. Furthermore, our observations suggest that the selectivity of GPCR antibodies depends on the method for which the antibody is employed, the species from which cells/tissues are obtained, and on the type of specimens (cell, tissue/cell homogenate, or section) tested.
Superconductivity in La-Y-Mn Alloys

Crystal structure changes occur along many of the lanthanide compound series, such as between adjacent lanthanide compounds, or a single compound which exhibits polymorphic forms. Since superconductivity is sometimes associated with lattice instabilities, one or both compounds at the structure change might be expected to be superconducting if they have no unpaired 4f electrons. For systems where the particular La compound does not form, or where it is several atomic numbers removed from such an instability, the proper proportions of La and Y or La and Lu can be alloyed to form the pseudo-lanthanide compound. The system investigated was RMna, which exhibits a structure change between hexagonal C14 and cubic C15 Laves phases. The C14 phase exists for Nd, Pr, Sm, Lu and Ho to Tm, the Ci5 phase exists for Sm and Gd to Ho, while no RMna compounds form in the La, Ce, Eu and Yb systems. Sm and Ho are polymorphic. Samples of La1−xYxMna, 0.2 ≤ × ≤ 1.0 were prepared by arc melting and subsequent heat treatment. X-ray diffraction powder patterns, metallography, magnetic susceptibility and low temperature heat capacity measurements were made. All alloys contained at least two phases, with the C15 structure predominate for x ≥ 0,6.