cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Some aversive characteristics of centrifugally generated gravity.

The effective weight of rats was manipulated by centrifugation. Two effective weight levels were obtained. In three escape avoidance conditions a lever press produced a change from a base level of 2.1 g to a response level of 1.1 g. In a punishment condition a response produced a change from a 1.1 g level to a 2.1 g level and in an extinction condition responses had no effect on the 2.1 g effective weight level present. All changes took 30 sec and were maintained for an additional 10 sec before a return to base level was initiated. When responses occurred closer together than the 40 sec, they delayed the return to base level by 40 sec. This 40 sec interval is referred to as response-contingent-time. The response rate and amount of response-contingent-time served as the data. The results confirmed previous data that centrifugation is aversive. The results are interpreted as indicating that the aversiveness is attributable to the increase in effective weight, and that rats can discriminate the different angular velocity-radius of rotation combinations used.
Discovering Similar Passages within Large Text Documents

We present a novel general method for discovering similar passages within large text documents based on adapting and extending the well-known Smith-Waterman dynamic programming local sequence alignment algorithm. We extend that algorithm for large document analysis by defining: (a) a recursive procedure for discovering multiple non-overlapping aligned passages within a given document pair; (b) a matrix splicing method for processing long texts; (c) a chaining method for combining sequence strands; and (d) an inexact similarity measure for determining token matches. We show that an implementation of this method is computationally efficient and produces very high precision with good recall for several types of order-based plagiarism and that it achieves higher overall performance than the best reported methods against the PAN 2013 text alignment test corpus.
Aotus trivirgatus (Owl monkey)

The male karyotype came from a skin biopsy kindly supplied by Dr. C. Gray, National Zoological Park, Washington, D. C, USA; that of the female was from a skin biopsy supplied by Dr. R. Hunt, New England Regional Primate Research Center, Southborough, Massachusetts, USA. Dr. Hunt supplied three other specimens including one male which has 2n=50/51, similar to that described by Chiarelli and Barberis. Thus, polymorphism presumably exists in this species. The biarmed elements are here placed in the first two rows. Some acrocentrics also have very small short arms. The metacentric marker autosome pair with its pronounced secondary constriction is placed before the sex chromosomes. It is also present in the karyotype with 2n=50. In most karyotypes the very small Y appears to be metacentric.
Imaging of the shoulder in the aging athlete

The radiologic work-up of shoulder pain in the aging athlete should be tailored to meet the needs and expectations of the patient and physician. The value of high quality plain radiographs cannot be over-emphasized. When a more sophisticated imagine is necessary, the choice between arthrography, ultrasound, or MRI imaging is not straightforward. Arthrography is an excellent test to demonstrate full rotator cuff tears. In competitive athletes, a more sophisticated look at the rotator cuff and adjacent structures may be desired, which can be satisfied by MR imaging.
Association of Serum Phosphate Levels with Aortic Valve Sclerosis and Annular Calcification: the Cardiovascular Health Study

Objectives This study was conducted to evaluate mineral metabolism markers as potential risk factors for calcific aortic valve disease. Background Mineral metabolism disturbances are common among older people and may contribute to cardiac valvular calcification. Associations of serum mineral metabolism markers with cardiac valvular calcification have not been evaluated in a well-characterized general population of older adults. Methods We measured serum levels of phosphate, calcium, parathyroid hormone, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D in 1,938 Cardiovascular Health Study participants who were free of clinical cardiovascular disease and who underwent echocardiographic measurements of aortic valve sclerosis (AVS), mitral annular calcification (MAC), and aortic annular calcification (AAC). We used logistic regression models to estimate associations of mineral metabolism markers with AVS, MAC, and AAC after adjustment for relevant confounding variables, including kidney function. Results The respective prevalences of AVS, MAC, and AAC were 54%, 39%, and 44%. Each 0.5 mg/dl higher serum phosphate concentration was associated with greater adjusted odds of AVS (odds ratio [OR]: 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04 to 1.31, p = 0.01), MAC (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.00 to 1.26, p = 0.05), and AAC (OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 0.99 to 1.25, p = 0.05). In contrast, serum calcium, parathyroid hormone, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were not associated with aortic or mitral calcification. Conclusions Higher serum phosphate levels within the normal range were associated with valvular and annular calcification in a community-based cohort of older adults. Phosphate may be a novel risk factor for calcific aortic valve disease and warrants further study.
Stabilization and Controlled Release of Bovine Serum Albumin Encapsulated in Poly(D, L-lactide) and Poly(ethylene glycol) Microsphere Blends

Purpose. The acidic microclimate in poly(D, L-lactide-co-glycolide) 50/50 microspheres has been previously demonstrated by our group as the primary instability source of encapsulated bovine serum albumin (BSA). The objectives of this study were to stabilize the encapsulated model protein, BSA, and to achieve continuous protein release by using a blend of: slowly degrading poly(D, L-lactide) (PLA), to reduce the production of acidic species during BSA release; and pore-forming poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG), to increase diffusion of BSA and polymer degradation products out of the polymer. Methods. Microspheres were formulated from blends of PLA (Mw 145,000) and PEG (Mw 10,000 or 35,000) by using an anhydrous oil-in-oil emulsion and solvent extraction (O/O) method. The polymer blend composition and phase miscibility were examined by FT-IR and DSC, respectively. Microsphere surface morphology, water uptake, and BSA release kinetics were also investigated. The stability of BSA encapsulated in microspheres was examined by losses in protein solubility, SDS-PAGE, IEF, CD, and fluorescence spectroscopy. Results. PEG was successfully incorporated in PLA microspheres and shown to possess partial miscibility with PLA. A protein loading level of 5% (w/w) was attained in PLA/PEG microspheres with a mean diameter of approximately 100 μm. When PEG content was less than 20% in the blend, incomplete release of BSA was observed with the formation of insoluble, and primarily non-covalent aggregates. When 20%-30% PEG was incorporated in the blend formulation, in vitro continuous protein release over 29 days was exhibited. Unreleased BSA in these formulations was water-soluble and structurally intact. Conclusions. Stabilization and controlled relaease of BSA from PLA/PEG microspheres was achieved due to low acid and high water content in the blend formulation.
EVAGRIUS PONTICUS AND THE EASTERN MONASTIC TRADITION ON THE INTELLECT AND THE PASSIONS

Evagrius Ponticus (c. 345–399) combined the resources of Hellenistic philosophy, the theologies of Origen and the Cappadocians, and Egyptian monastic practice to create a comprehensive view of spiritual development, within which he placed a sophisticated study of the human passions. His main tools in this study were an adapted version of Platonic tripartite anthropology and his own system of eight “generic thoughts.” Freedom from control by irrational passions would allow a monk to gain deeper insight into the meaning of Scripture, experience communion with God in “pure prayer,” and love other people in freedom. Evagrius' influence on later eastern and western Christian traditions was profound, though often obscured by his controversial reputation.
Neural network estimators: application to ship position estimation

Ship motion prediction is an important practical problem in design of many ocean systems i.e. fire controls, air craft landing and take off. As such the problem has received considerable attention in the past and various attempts for designing estimators via the statistical methodology were made. In this paper the design of the ship position estimator via neural networks is considered. The ship position estimation is viewed as an adaptive estimation problem for partially unknown systems. New powerful neural estimators based on dynamic recurrent neural networks are applied to the solution of the ship position problem. The new proposed neural estimators, and the state of the art statistical filters, are comparatively evaluated via extensive simulations. The results show that the neural algorithms have excellent performance, achieving significant computational savings due to their massively parallel structure. >
WE-AB-204-10: Evaluation of a Novel Dedicated Breast PET System (Mammi-PET)

Purpose: To evaluate the performance characteristics of a novel dedicated breast PET system (Mammi-PET, Oncovision). The system has 2 detector rings giving axial/transaxial field of view of 8/17 cm. Each ring consists of 12 monolithic LYSO modules coupled to PSPMTs. Methods: Uniformity, sensitivity, energy and spatial resolution were measured according to NEMA standards. Count rate performance was investigated using a source of F-18 (1384uCi) decayed over 5 half-lives. A prototype PET phantom was imaged for 20 min to evaluate image quality, recovery coefficients and partial volume effects. Under an IRB-approved protocol, 11 patients who just underwent whole body PET/CT exams were imaged prone with the breast pendulant at 5–10 minutes/breast. Image quality was assessed with and without scatter/attenuation correction and using different reconstruction algorithms. Results: Integral/differential uniformity were 9.8%/6.0% respectively. System sensitivity was 2.3% on axis, 2.2% and 2.8% at 3.8 cm and 7.8 cm off-axis. Mean energy resolution of all modules was 23.3%. Spatial resolution (FWHM) was 1.82 mm and 2.90 mm on axis and 5.8 cm off axis. Three cylinders (14 mm diameter) in the PET phantom were filled with activity concentration ratios of 4:1, 3:1, and 2:1 relative to the background. Measured cylinder to background ratios were 2.6, 1.8 and 1.5 (without corrections) and 3.6, 2.3 and 1.5 (with attenuation/scatter correction). Five cylinders (14, 10, 6, 4 and 2 mm diameter) each with an activity ratio of 4:1 were measured and showed recovery coefficients of 1, 0.66, 0.45, 0.18 and 0.18 (without corrections), and 1, 0.53, 0.30, 0.13 and 0 (with attenuation/scatter correction). Optimal phantom image quality was obtained with 3D MLEM algorithm, >20 iterations and without attenuation/scatter correction. Conclusion: The MAMMI system demonstrated good performance characteristics. Further work is needed to determine the optimal reconstruction parameters for qualitative and quantitative applications.
Cardioversion of intraatrial reentrant tachycardia using rate response.

Intraatrial reentrant tachycardia (IART) is the most common long-term, surgical arrhythmia sequela in patients with complex congenital heart disease. The management of IART is challenging. Medications, catheter ablation therapy, and pacemaker therapy have all been utilized as treatment options. Slower tachycardia cycle lengths and 1:1 atrioventricular conduction provide even more challenges with regard to detection and antitachycardia pacing. We describe the use of the rate response feature as a means of patient-initiated cardioversion. (PACE 2012;XX:1–4)
Healing full-thickness cartilage defects using adipose-derived stem cells

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) as a source for full-thickness cartilage repair in an animal model. Autologous ADSCs were isolated and induced with growth medium and placed in a fibrin glue scaffold and into 3-mm x 4-mm full-thickness chondral defects in rabbits with negative controls. Specimens were evaluated for early healing using immunostaining, Western blotting, reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, transfection with the Lac Z gene, and quantitative assessment. Twelve of 12 (100%) articular surface defects containing tissue-engineered stem cell constructs healed with hyaline-like cartilage, versus 1 of 12 (8%) in the control group (p < .001). There was complete healing to subchondral bone in 12 of 12 experimental defects (100%), and 10 of 12 (83%) had seamless annealing to the native cartilage. Aggrecan, superficial zone protein, collagen type II messenger ribonucleic acid, and Lac-Z gene products were identified in 12 of 12 experimental specimens, which exhibited a collagen type II:I protein ratio similar to that of normal rabbit cartilage. Quantitative histologic analysis revealed an average score of 18.2 of 21 in the experimental group, compared with 10.0 in the controls (p = .001). Induced ADSCs supported in a fibrin glue matrix are a promising cell source for cartilage tissue engineering.
Utilization of Moiré interferometry to study strain transfer across polymer interfaces within multilayer thermoplastic elastomers

In this paper, a moire interferometry technique was used to study the viscoelastic strain distributions within and across the interfaces of multilayer thermoplastic elastomers, which were fabricated as models for functionally modulus-graded materials. Two types of interfaces, those formed from miscible and immiscible pairs of the same thickness, were fabricated within multilayer thermoplastic samples. The analysis of the moire fringe patterns indicated that there was a large normal strain, e y , concentration at the polymer interfaces formed from the immiscible or partially miscible pairs. However, this large normal strain was not observed at the interfaces formed from the miscible pairs. These results suggest that the magnitude of strain concentrations at polymer interfaces within functionally modulus-graded materials could be significantly reduced by extensive chain interdiffusion, which could be promoted by careful selection of miscible polymer pairs.
Thyroid disease, behavior, and psychopharmacology.

Abstract The authors review psychiatric complications of thyroid disease and the use of psychotropic agents in hyper- and hypothyroid patients. Neuropsychiatric symptoms of hyperthyroidism tend to resolve with treatment of excessive thyroid production; those of hypothyroidism respond in a variable manner to thyroid replacement, but most patients improve substantially after becoming euthyroid. The judicious use of most psychotropics has its place even in the presence of overt thyroid disease. The important antithyroid effects of lithium should be noted when treating patients with thyroid disease. Routine monitoring of thyroid function in otherwise healthy patients taking antipsychotic agents, tricyclic antidepressants, or monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) is not believed necessary.
Failure of Resolution of Portal Fibrosis during Omega-3 Fatty Acid Lipid Emulsion Therapy in Two Patients with Irreversible Intestinal Failure

Parenteral omega-3 fatty acid lipid emulsions have been evaluated for their potential role in reversing intestinal failure-associated liver disease. We report our experience using Omegaven in 2 patients with irreversible intestinal failure and intestinal failure-associated liver disease. Despite biochemical and histologic improvement in cholestasis, both patients had persisting, significant portal fibrosis on liver biopsy.
Sideroblastic Anaemia, Mitochondria and Erythroblastic Iron

The variety of terms used to describe the hypersideraemic hypersiderotic anaemia associated with normoblastic bone marrow which is refractory to treatment reflects the impression that these disorders have diverse causes (Dacie, Smith, White and Mollin, 1959; Bernard, Lortholary, Levy, Bonon, Najean and Tanzer, 1963; Heilmeyer, 1963). Despite valid objections, they are often referred to as ‘sideroblastic anaemias’. The term ‘sideroblastic anaemia’ at least affords a discrete point of cytological reference which infers a pathogenetic significance of the sideroblast. It is desirable, therefore, to inquire as to the morphological nature of the sideroblast.
Florida's Approach to Natural Resource Damage Assessment: A Short, Sweet Model for States Seeking Compensation

A recent survey of state environmental regulators revealed that natural resource injuries caused by oil pollution are a major concern, yet few respondents reported pursuing compensation for damages on a regular basis. It appears that their reluctance is due to the fact that many view natural resource damage assessments (NRDA) as a costly, time-consuming and legally risky undertaking. This article presents a case study of Florida's approach to this type of regulation, which relies on the combination of a standardized arithmetic formula and an interactive GIS. Once compensation is obtained, dollars enter a trust fund from which withdrawals can be made when the balance is sufficient to conduct needed restorations. This approach is suggested as a model for jurisdictions interested in pursuing damages for natural resource injuries because it has proven to be a quick, inexpensive, and defensible mechanism for generating damage estimates, even for small spills. Like any real-world application, Florida's methodology is not perfect, but shortcomings are discussed here in depth and potential solutions presented.
The polycystic kidney disease 1 (Pkd1) gene is required for the responses of osteochondroprogenitor cells to midpalatal suture expansion in mice

Mechanical stress is known to modulate postnatal skeletal growth and development. However, the mechanisms underlying the mechanotransduction are not fully understood. Polycystin-1 (PC1) is a promising candidate among proteins that may play a role in the process as it has been shown to function as a flow sensor in renal epithelium and it is known to be important for skeletal development. To investigate whether PC1 is involved in mechanotransduction in skeletal tissues, mice with a conditional deficiency for PC1 in neural crest cells, osteoblasts or chondrocytes were subjected to midpalatal suture expansion. Dynamic bone labeling revealed that new bone formation in response to expansion was significantly reduced in Wnt1Cre;Pkd1 mice, as the suture area containing new bone was 14.0+/-3.4% in mutant mice versus 65.0+/-3.8% in control mice at 2 weeks (p<0.001). In contrast, stress-induced new bone formation was not affected in OsxCre;Pkd1 mice. The increase in cell proliferation and differentiation into osteoblasts, seen in wild-type mice 1 day after force delivery, was not observed until 14 days in Wnt1Cre;Pkd1 mice. TUNEL labeling showed a significant increase in apoptotic suture cells at days 1 and 3 (from 7.0+/-0.5% to 13.5+/-1.4% at day 1 and from 4.6+/-1.1% to 10.5+/-1.7% at day 3, p<0.05). Abnormal ossification of nasal cartilage of Wnt1Cre;Pkd1 mice was accelerated upon suture expansion. Such ossification was also observed, but to a lesser extent in Col2a1-ERCre;Pkd1 mice. Transcript levels of Runx2 and MMP13 were significantly increased in the nasal cartilage of Wnt1Cre;Pkd1 mice compared to controls (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively), and in mutant mice with expansion versus without expansion (p<0.05 and p<0.001, respectively). Lack of PC1 in chondroprogenitor cells also resulted in increased cell apoptosis and an altered arrangement of chondrocytes in nasal cartilage. These results indicate that PC1 plays a critical role in the response of osteochondroprogenitor cells to the mechanical tissue stress induced by midpalatal suture expansion. They also suggest that the combination of an in vivo mechanical model, such as midpalatal suture expansion, with conditional deficiency for proteins that play a role in mechanotransduction, represents a powerful experimental strategy to explore underlying mechanisms.
Self-assembly and crystallization behavior of a double-crystalline polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) diblock copolymer

The self-assembly and crystallization behavior of a well-defined low molecular weight polyethylene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PE-b-PEO) diblock copolymer was studied. The number-average degrees of polymerization for the PE and PEO blocks were 29 and 20, respectively. The molecular weight distribution was 1.04 as determined by size-exclusion chromatography. The PE-b-PEO sample exhibited two melting points at 28.7 and 97.4 °C for the PEO and the PE crystals, respectively. The crystallization of the PE blocks was unconfined, while the crystallization of the PEO blocks was confined between pre-existing PE crystalline lamellae, as demonstrated by simultaneous small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) studies. In the fully crystalline state, both PE and PEO blocks formed extended-chain crystals with PE chains tilted ∼22° from the lamellar normal and PEO chains parallel to the lamellar normal, as evidenced by two-dimensional WAXD study of shear-oriented samples. Regardless of hydrogen bonding among hydroxyl chain ends in the PEO blocks, interdigitated, single-crystalline layer morphology was observed for both PE and PEO crystals. The partial crystalline morphology, where the PE crystallizes and the PEO is amorphous, had the same overall d-spacing as the fully crystalline morphology. A double-amorphous PEO layer sandwiched between neighboring PE crystalline layers was deduced based on a chain conformation study using Fourier transform infrared. The confined crystallization kinetics for PEO blocks was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, which could be explained by a heterogeneous nucleation mechanism. The slower crystallization rate in the PEO-block than the same molecular weight homopolymer was attributed to the effects of nanoconfinement and PEO chains tethered to the PE crystals.
Social support and problem-solving as moderators of the relationship between childhood abuse and suicidality: applications to a delinquent population.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the relationship between childhood abuse, social support, and problem-solving appraisal within a juvenile delinquent sample. Hierarchical regression analyses were used to assess whether childhood abuse, social support, and problem-solving appraisal were independently predictive of suicidality, and further, whether problem-solving appraisal and social support moderated the childhood abuse–suicidality relationship. Childhood sexual abuse was found to be an independent predictor of suicidal ideation and behavior. In addition, both problem-solving confidence and social support moderated the relationship between childhood abuse and suicidal ideation. The results of this study underscore the importance of both problem-solving appraisal and social support to suicidality in adolescents with a history of abuse.
Adjustable load-modulation asymmetric Doherty amplifier design using nonlinear embedding

We developed a new asymmetric Doherty load modulation matching network using identical transistors for the main and auxiliary amplifiers. Asymmetric Doherty power amplifiers (PA) require a larger size transistor for the auxiliary PA than for the main PA to provide the higher power and wider load modulation range. Additional impedance transformers are introduced to alleviate this requirement when using identical devices. The drain bias voltage of the main amplifier is also reduced to achieve a wider back-off. Furthermore, a large-signal model-based nonlinear embedding method is applied to predict the input and output harmonic terminations, removing the need for the multi-harmonic source/load pull characterization. An asymmetric Doherty amplifier was built using two 15 W peak power packaged GaN transistors of the same size. 71 % drain efficiency at the peak power of 41.8 dBm and 62.7 % at the second peak of 32.8 dBm (9 dB back-off) were observed. Above 50% drain efficiency was maintained over an 11 dB power range. 51.86 % average drain efficiency was observed after linearization maintaining -51.46 dBc adjacent channel power ratio excited by 10 MHz bandwidth long term evolution signals with 9.96 dB peak to average power ratio.
Ethische Probleme der Transplantationsmedizin

Die Transplantationschirurgie ist heute aus der modernen Spitzenmedizin nicht mehr wegzudenken. Sie hat grose Therapieerfolge vorzuweisen. Die Moglichkeiten der Transplantationsmedizin werfen aber auch eine Reihe schwerwiegender ethischer Probleme auf. Nach wie vor wird der Grosteil der verpflanzten Organe von sogenannten „hirntoten“ Spendern gewonnen. Hier wird die Frage diskutiert, wie weit es berechtigt ist, die irreversibel erloschene Hirnfunktion (Hirntod) mit dem Tod eines individuellen Menschen gleichzusetzen. Ein weiteres Problem betrifft die Verteilung der von hirntoten Menschen gespendeten Organe. Angesichts der zunehmenden Diskrepanz zwischen Organangebot und -nachfrage stellt sich hier unter anderem die Frage, wieweit es gerechtfertigt ist, das Kriterium der Dringlichkeit vor das Kriterium des Nutzens zu stellen. Schlieslich konfrontiert uns die zunehmende Praxis der Lebendspende (Leber, Niere) mit der Frage, was „Freiwilligkeit“ in einer solchen Ausnahmesituation bedeutet, und wie diese adaqu...
Toxicity of buprenorphine overdoses in children.

OBJECTIVE. There are few reports in children of overdoses of buprenorphine, a partial opioid agonist used in the treatment of opioid dependence and pain. The purpose of this study was to analyze buprenorphine overdoses in young children reported by US poison centers to the Researched Abuse, Diversion, and Addiction-Related Surveillance System. METHODS. A retrospective review of buprenorphine overdoses in children RESULTS. Eighty-six cases met inclusion criteria. In the 54 children who developed toxicity, the clinical effects included drowsiness or lethargy (55%), vomiting (21%), miosis (21%), respiratory depression (7%), agitation or irritability (5%), pallor (3%), and coma (2%). There were no fatalities. The mean time to onset of effects was 64.2 minutes, with a range of 20 minutes to 3 hours. Duration of clinical effects was under 2 hours in 11%, 2 to 8 hours in 59%, 8 to 24 hours in 26%, and >24 hours in 4%. Children who ingested ≥2 mg of buprenorphine were more likely to experience clinical effects, and all of the children who ingested >4 mg experienced some effect. No child ingesting CONCLUSIONS. Buprenorphine overdoses are generally well tolerated in children, with significant central nervous system and respiratory depression occurring in only 7%. Any child ingesting >2 mg and children
Discrete search with directional information

An unknown number N of cells are arranged in numerical order. An object is hidden in cell N. The problem is to locate the object-thereby determining N-within n searches. We consider a version of this problem that has applications in several problem settings: locating flaws in a discrete circuit, locating nerve endings, or locating the end of a tree root. A search of a site determines whether a cell is present and contains the object, except that it might overlook, with known probability w, a cell that is present; that is, a cell can "wink." A search of site i reveals an empty cell if i N or if i â¤ N and the cell winks. Various special cases are considered. We define "bisection strategies" and show that they are optimal when w = 0. When w > 0, we partially characterize optimal strategies when n = 2, and completely characterize optimal strategies when there are at most two cells. For various values of n and w we give tables of the probability of finding the object for three intuitively reasonable strategies.
Targeting hypoxia, a novel treatment for advanced retinoblastoma.

PURPOSE. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the presence and extent of hypoxia in murine retinoblastoma tumors and the feasibility of targeting hypoxic cells as a novel therapeutic strategy. METHODS. Hypoxic and vascular areas in LHBETATAG mouse retinal tumors were measured using immunohistochemistry. The glycolytic inhibitor 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) was used to test the efficacy of targeting hypoxic cells in retinoblastoma. Sixteen-week-old LHBETATAG mice received injections of saline, carboplatin (31.25 g/20 L), 2-DG (500 mg/kg), and carboplatin (31.25 g/20 L) 2-DG (500 mg/kg). Carboplatin was administered through biweekly subconjunctival injections to right eyes only for 3 weeks. 2-DG was administered through intraperitoneal injection three times a week for 5 weeks. Saline was administered using both methods. Eyes were enucleated at 21 weeks of age and examined for residual tumor. RESULTS. Hypoxic regions were observed in tumors larger than 3.28 mm 2 . When 2-DG was combined with carboplatin, a marked decrease in tumor burden was observed that was significantly more pronounced than when either agent was given alone. The hypoxic tumor cell population as measured by pimonidazole was markedly reduced by carboplatin 2-DG (P 0.01) and by 2-DG alone (P 0.01), but not by carboplatin alone, indicating that 2-DG effectively killed hypoxic retinoblastoma cells in vivo. CONCLUSIONS. Treatment with glycolytic inhibitors as adjuvants to chemotherapy has the potential to increase the efficacy of chemotherapy in advanced retinoblastoma. This approach may have benefits for children with this disease and should be further investigated. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2008;49: 2799‐2805) DOI:10.1167/iovs.08-1751
Estradiol metabolites as isoform-specific inhibitors of human glutathione S-transferases.

Abstract Numerous studies have suggested that the lifetime dose of unopposed estrogen is a significant risk factor for breast and uterine cancer. Estradiol (E 2 ) plays a putative role as a tumor promoter through interaction with estrogen receptors but can also be metabolized to redox active and/or mutagenic semiquinones and quinones. Similarly, equine estrogens (components of certain hormone replacement therapy preparations) are converted to quinone metabolites. The use of hormone replacement therapy has also been associated with increased breast and endometrial cancer risk. Recently, metabolites of certain equine estrogens have been shown to inhibit human glutathione S -transferases (hGSTs). Since E 2 and equine estrogens share similarities in other biological interactions, we have investigated the inhibitory capacity of endogenously formed E 2 metabolites toward various hGSTs. The quinone metabolite of 2-hydroxy-17-β-estradiol (2-OH-E 2 ) was synthesized, and inhibition of hGST-mediated biotransformation of model substrates was assessed. Inhibition of purified recombinant hGSTM1-1 and hGSTA1-1 occurred in a concentration-dependent manner with IC 50 -values of approximately 250 and 350 nM, respectively. hGSTs M2-2, P1-1 and T1-1 were significantly less sensitive to inhibition. Specific glutathione-conjugates of the estrogen quinone also potently inhibited hGSTM1-1 and hGSTA1-1. Mass spectrometry data indicate that the inhibition was not mediated via covalent adduction. Although we have demonstrated hGST inhibition via E 2 metabolites, our findings indicate that the isoform specificity and potency of GST inhibition by endogenous E 2 metabolites is different than that of equine estrogen metabolites.
Penile prosthesis surgery in the management of erectile dysfunction

Introduction We reviewed retrospectively the use of penile prostheses, including the indications and complications of penile prosthesis surgery.
Safety Evaluation of Discontinuing Late Nighttime Flash Operations at Signalized Intersections

This study examined the safety impacts of converting late nighttime flash operation to normal phasing operation at signalized intersections by using the empirical Bayes, the univariate full Bayes, and multivariate full Bayes before-and-after methods. Data were obtained from the North Carolina Department of Transportation for 61 treatment sites and 395 reference intersections that remained on late nighttime flash operation from 2000 to 2007. The results from the empirical Bayes method are almost identical to those of the univariate full Bayes. The full Bayes method offered more flexibility in selecting the functional form of expected crashes at similar sites (similar to the safety performance function in the empirical Bayes) and in addressing uncertainty in the data. Compared with the univariate full Bayes, the multivariate full Bayes with the multivariate Poisson lognormal (MVPLN) model provided better results based on much lower deviance information criterion values. The MVPLN model was favored and the r...
The Stress Response and Adolescents’ Adjustment: The Impact of Child Maltreatment

Experience with and management of stress has implications for adolescents’ behavioral and socioemotional development. This study examined the relationship between adolescents’ physiological response to an acute laboratory stressor (i.e., Trier Social Stress Test; TSST) and anger regulation and interpersonal competence in a sample of 175 low-income urban adolescents (51.8% girls). Findings suggested that heightened reactivity as indicated by cortisol, heart rate, and blood pressure was associated with increased interpersonal competence and anger regulation. However, these findings were context dependent such that, for youth high in self-reported child maltreatment, heightened reactivity was associated with decreased interpersonal competence and anger regulation. Results highlight the importance of considering how context may condition the effect of stress reactivity on functioning during adolescence.
What is the best way to determine if thrombocytopenia in a patient on multiple medications is drug-induced?

The only way is to stop the suspected drug and see if the thrombocytopenia resolves. But how to avoid stopping needed drugs that are not a problem?
Marriage after divorce: The challenge for the church of England

Abstract The decision of the Church of England to permit the further marriage in church of people who have been previously divorced was taken after much reflection and debate. This paper offers a brief outline of the key issues that had to be faced, addressing questions arising from New Testament material, the tradition and context of the Church of England itself, and ways that doctrine has been formulated and has then evolved. In particular the question of the sacramentality of marriage is considered, because it is those with a ‘high’ view of marriage as sacrament who adopt the view that marriages cannot be dissolved. Some discussion is included regarding Anglican theological method, whereby scripture, tradition, reason and experience are brought to bear on the discernment of God's will for the Church. I conclude that recent changes allowing further marriage do not equate to encouraging divorce.
Effects of Hyperoxic Rearing Water on Blood Hemoglobin and Hematocrit Levels of Rainbow Trout

Abstract Rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss cultured under hatchery conditions were exposed to hyperoxia by injection of oxygen into the rearing water. In two separate studies of 67 and 73 d, mean hemoglobin of experimental fish reared at oxygen levels averaging 147–220% saturation was 7.8–8.7% lower than that of control fish reared at mean oxygen saturations of 66–74%. Mean hematocrit of experimental fish was also 3.1–5.7% lower than that of control fish. Fish reared in hyperoxic conditions did not differ in growth, survival, or behavior from control fish. Fish exposed to hyperoxia rapidly adjusted hemoglobin and hematocrit to levels similar to those of control fish after oxygen injection was stopped.
Microstructural and magnetic characterization of Co/CN films fabricated by nanolamination

Abstract Nanolamination combined with appropriate annealing treatment has been used to produce high coercivity, heterogeneous Co–CN films with nanostructures ranging from classical granular to an interconnected network. Transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction have been used to quantify the nanostructural evolution and resulting grain size distributions. As-deposited nanolaminates with initial layer thicknesses of 1.3 and 2.7 nm are essentially superparamagnetic. Annealing leads to coercivities of >1100 Oe. Viscosity and irreversible susceptibility measurements have been used to calculate activation volumes of ∼(18 nm) 3 , in good agreement with grain size analysis. Measurements of the time dependence of coercivity have been used to calculate the thermal stability factor, KV / kT ∼480, which is independent of initial geometry. Effective first-order uniaxial anisotropy constants determined using calculated activation volumes are at maximum ∼75% of the value expected for bulk α-Co. This result is consistent with Co present in both α and β phases, as confirmed by electron diffraction.
Percutaneous intervention on the saphenous vein bypass grafts--long-term outcomes.

Background/Objective: In this era of drug eluting stents (DES), the long-term outcome of percutaneous intervention (PCI) on saphenous venous grafts (SVG) is unknown. The objective of the study was to compare the long-term outcomes of DES versus bare metal stent (BMS) in this population and to determine the predictors of outcomes. Methods: We reviewed the medical records of all patients who had PCI performed during January 2003 to February 2005 to obtain data cardiac risk factors, medications at discharge, angiographic details and outcomes. Results: One hundred and nine patient had PCI to SVG; of these, 37 patients received DES and the remaining had BMS. Over a mean follow-up of 33 months, the PCI using DES was associated with 30% restenosis, 35% target vessel revascularization (TVR) and major adverse cardiac event (MACE) rate of 46% versus 35% restenosis, 38% TVR and 50% MACE rate with BMS. There was no significant difference in long-term outcome with DES as compared to BMS. Conclusion: There was no difference in the long-term outcomes of PCI on SVG irrespective of the type of stent used. © 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Trace gas emissions and species-dependent ecosystem services.

The concept of ecosystem services has both potential and peril for conservation biologists. Where these services depend on species-specific processes, the pragmatic nature of the argument has great potential to influence the public and policy makers. However, where these services depend on processes common to many taxa, then the link to preservation of biodiversity is weaker. We discuss one biological process, the emission of volatile organic compounds from plants to the atmosphere, that is highly species-specific and that has important impacts on air quality. We also suggest some research priorities involving phytogenic volatile organic compound emissions.
Challenges of laparoscopic colectomy in the obese patient : a review

Abstract Background Perioperative care of clinically severely obese patients presents numerous unique challenges. These patients have distinctive issues with regard to cardiovascular, pulmonary, and thromboembolic complications. In addition, hospital equipment must be able to accommodate the body habitus of this population. Methods A Medline search using the terms “morbid obesity,” “colon resection,” “obesity comorbidities,” “laparoscopic colectomy,” “perioperative challenges,” and “risk factors” was performed for English-language articles. Further references were obtained through cross-referencing the bibliography cited in each publication. Results The authors discussed the most relevant challenges surgeons encounter in the perioperative setting when treating obese patients. Comments The management of the morbidly obese patient requires meticulous preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative care. Colorectal surgeons should be familiar with obesity-related problems when treating colorectal disease processes in this patient population. The associated comorbid illnesses in this population, as well as the technical difficulties regularly posed by them, make laparoscopic colectomy a more challenging procedure than normally encountered in the nonobese patient population.
A convergence theory for an overlapping Schwarz algorithm using discontinuous iterates

A new type of overlapping Schwarz methods, using discontinuous iterates, is constructed by modifying the classical overlapping Schwarz algorithm. This new algorithm allows for discontinuous iterates across the artificial interface. For Poisson’s equation, this algorithm can be considered as an overlapping version of Lions’ Robin iteration method for which little is known concerning the rate of convergence. Since overlap improves the performance of the classical algorithms considerably, the existence of a uniform convergence factor is the fundamental question for our algorithm. A new theory using Lagrange multipliers is developed and conditions are found for the existence of an almost uniform convergence factor for the dual variables, which implies rapid convergence of the primal variables, in the two overlapping subdomain case. Our result also shows a relation between the boundary conditions of the given problem and the artificial interface condition. Numerical results for the general case with cross points are also presented. They indicate possible extensions of our results to this more general case.
Application of vanadium and vanadium alloys to a fusion reactor blanket

Abstract Vanadium and vanadium alloys are of interest in fusion reactor blanket applications due to their low induced radioactivity and outstanding elevated temperature mechanical properties during neutron irradiation. The major limitation to the use of vanadium is its sensitivity to oxygen impurities in the blanket environment, leading to oxygen embrittlement. A quantitative analysis was performed of the interaction of gaseous impurities in a helium coolant with vanadium and the V-15Cr-5Ti alloy under conditions expected in a fusion reactor blanket. It was shown that the use of unalloyed V would impose severe restrictions on the helium gas cleanup system due to excessive oxygen buildup and embrittlement of the metal. However, internal oxidation effects and the possibly lower terminal oxygen solubility in the alloy would impose much less severe cleanup constraints. It is suggested that V-15Cr-5Ti is a promising candidate for certain blanket applications and deserves further consideration.
Histopathology of experimental Streptococcus sp. infection in tilapia, Oroochromis niloticus (L.), and channel catfish, Ictafurus punctatus (Ratinesque)

Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (L.), and channel catfish, Ictalurus punctatus (Rafinesque), were experimentally infected by immersion with three isolates (Lake, DL8O5 and MS91452) of Streptococcus sp. from diseased fish. To enhance infection, the lateral body surface of each fish was scraped prior to bacterial exposure. The Lake and DL8O5 isolates caused exophthalmia, ocular opacity and ocular haemorrhage in some tilapia. Histopathology of these fish revealed; meningitis; polyserositis of heart, liver, spleen, ovary and kidney; splenitis; ovaritis; and myocarditis. Isolate MS91452 induced only mild granulomas in spleen, kidney and ovary of tilapia. The Lake and DL8O5 isolates induced endophthalitis, Channel catfish infected with the Lake and DL805 isolates developed similar eye lesions to tilapia. Histologic lesions caused by all three isolates in channel catfish consisted of meningoencephalitis, mild myocarditis, splenitis and ovaritis, but these lesions were not as severe as in Nile tilapia.
Analysis of Power Flows without Solving Power Flow Equations

The purpose of solving power flow equations is examined. Our work on the analysis of power flows without solving power flow equations is reviewed. The application of the results and further extension of the ideas to security assessment and control are also mentioned.
STRATEGIES TO FACILITATE READING COMPREHENSION IN STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES

Selected methods for improving reading comprehension and facilitating self‐regulation among special needs students are reviewed. First, an overview of the reading comprehension process from an interactionist perspective is provided. Then key components of effective comprehension instruction, including meta‐cognitive instruction, are reviewed. Finally, examples of instructional interventions that have been implemented successfully with students experiencing reading difficulties are given.
Influence of tillage systems on weed population dynamics and management in corn and soybean in the Central USA

Species composition and population densities of weed communities of arable land reflect agronomic practices. The trend toward reducing tillage in corn (Zea mays L.) and soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] production changes the environment where weeds are managed, survive, and reproduce. The shift from tillage systems that include extensive annual soil disturbance to systems that minimize soil disturbance will cause major changes in weed population dynamics. These changes often reduce the effectiveness of weed control practices. Reduced herbicide efficacy has slowed adoption of conservation tillage because many conservation tillage systems rely heavily on herbicides for weed management. Poor understanding of weed population dynamics and lack of suitable control alternatives often result in increased herbicide use in conservation tillage systems. While results have varied among experiments, some general trends in weed population dynamics have arisen as tillage is reduced. These include increased populations of perennial, summer annual grass, biennial, and winter annual species. Densities of large-seeded dicot species often decrease. The ecological and management aspects of these changes are varied and complex. Effective, economical, and environmentally sound weed management in conservation tillage systems will require integration of new information with established principles of weed management. New management systems and control technologies are needed to develop integrated weed management systems for the altered ecosystems created by conservation tillage production systems.
Some construction methods for error-correcting (d,k) codes

Considers three methods for constructing (d,k) codes with guaranteed error-correcting capability. All three methods begin with state-dependent modulation codes to satisfy the (d,k) constraints. The first is an ad hoc method that uses the state-splitting procedure of Adler et al. (1983), together with additional constraints to ensure that the required minimum distance is achieved. The second method partitions the state-dependent modulation code into a part with memory and a part without, and then combines the part with memory with a matched convolutional code to provide error protection. The third method is obtained by modifying of the procedure of Lee and Wolf (1989) to accommodate state-dependent modulation codes. All three methods have yielded codes whose rates, computational complexities, and error-correcting capabilities compare favorably with codes designed using other methods. >
Reaction of oxidizing lipids with ribonuclease.

Thiobarbituric acid reacted substance reaction with ribonuclease may be possible source of age pigment