cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of turbulence intermittency on the scattering of electromagnetic waves by underdense plasmas.

Abstract : In hypersonic turbulent wakes, mixing between the turbulent inner wake and the outer inviscid wake gives rise to the 'intermittency' phenomenon. It is shown that electron-density fluctuations of a turbulent nature, in addition to those caused by 'turbulence', will be produced by the intermittency phenomenon. These additional fluctuations depend on the mean electron-density distribution and Townsend's intermittency function. Application of the above consideration to turbulent scattering by underdense plasma was made. Two contributions to the scattering cross section are obtained: The first one arises from the intermittency phenomenon and vanishes if the intermittency is omitted; and the second one is due to fluctuations caused by 'turbulence'. This second contribution also contains the intermittency effect, and reduces to that given by the conventional turbulent scattering theory when the intermittency is not considered. Numerical results for the scattering cross section were obtained by using correlation functions and mean electron-density distribution of the Gaussian form. Based on these results, some characteristics of the scattering cross section such as its aspectangle and frequency dependence are found to be significantly modified by the intermittency.
Development of a competency-based orientation program for radiology RNs

Abstract Competency-based orientation programs are recommended by most accrediting agencies. Programs must be developed that meet both national and institutional requirements, while also encompassing the unique knowledge that each orientee brings to the practice setting. They should also be flexible enough to account for the unique needs of the institution. This session focused on the development of a competency-based orientation program for new and experienced registered nurses entering the CCL/radiology areas. This session was designed for nurse managers, clinical nurse specialists, clinicians, and staff involved in the orientation process. Although specific to the CCL/radiology area, this process can be adapted for use in many settings. At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to (1) identify the necessary components of a competency-based orientation program, (2) determine the general and hospital-specific competencies required to function in the CCL/radiology department, (3) describe methods to develop, organize, and assimilate necessary educational resources and tools, (4) discuss steps for successful implementation of the orientation program, and (5) identify orientation evaluation methods.
Scattering and Polarization Properties of Water Clouds and Hazes in the Visible and Infrared

The extinction coefficient, albedo of single scattering, and differential scattering and polarization properties of water clouds and hazes in the visible and infrared have been computed using the complete Mie series. The results with three types of size distributions are presented and compared with observations. These show a strong dependence of angular intensity and polarization patterns on the size distribution, the size range, and the dielectric and absorbing properties of water droplets at each wavelength. A peculiarity of scattering at angles near 45°, observed experimentally and independently by two authors, is corroborated by the numerical results. Prominent observational features characteristic of natural fog, such as an extremely bright and narrow aureole, cloudbows, and glories, are reproduced in a model cloud of spherical water droplets, with a wide distribution in droplet radius and a maximum concentration at a 4-μ radius.
2-Bromo-1,3-bis[2-(2-naphthyl)vinyl]benzene benzene hemisolvate and 9-bromodinaphth[1,2-a:2',1'-j]anthracene.

2-Bromo-1,3-bis­[2-(2-naphthyl)vinyl]benzene benzene hemisolvate, C30H21Br·0.5C6H6, (I), with two formula units in the asymmetric unit, exists in the crystal structure in a conformation in which the trans (2-naphthyl)vinyl substituents on the central bromo­benzene moiety appear as nearly fully extended `wings', while 9-bromo­dinaphth[1,2-a:2′,1′-j]anthracene, C30H17Br, (II), adopts a highly nonplanar `manta-ray' shape, with the H atoms in the inter­ior of the mol­ecule within van der Waals contact distances. The packing of the significantly twisted mol­ecules of (I) generates large voids which are filled by benzene solvent mol­ecules, while mol­ecules of (II) stack compactly with all C—Br bonds parallel within the stack.
Network homogeneity reveals decreased integrity of default-mode network in ADHD

Examination of spontaneous intrinsic brain activity is drawing increasing interest, thus methods for such analyses are rapidly evolving. Here we describe a novel measure, "network homogeneity", that allows for assessment of cohesiveness within a specified functional network, and apply it to resting-state fMRI data from adult ADHD and control participants. We examined the default mode network, a medial-wall based network characterized by high baseline activity that decreases during attention-demanding cognitive tasks. We found reduced network homogeneity within the default mode network in ADHD subjects compared to age-matched controls, particularly between the precuneus and other default mode network regions. This confirms previously published results using seed-based functional connectivity measures, and provides further evidence that altered precuneus connectivity is involved in the neuropathology of ADHD. Network homogeneity provides a potential alternative method for assessing functional connectivity of specific large-scale networks in clinical populations.
Producing (potentially) pregnant teen bodies: biopower and adolescent pregnancy in the USA

Although the rate of adolescent childbearing in the USA continues to decline, and its consequences increasingly found to be equivocal, a persistent discourse of teen pregnancy as pathology structures public health responses. Foucault’s concepts of biopower and governmentality are useful to understand and critically analyze the operation of power in discourses related to adolescent childbearing; specifically, how power over life is simultaneously exercised at the level of the body and the population through self-governance. By conducting a situational analysis using health promotion materials and policy documents from a national, non-governmental teen pregnancy prevention organization, I identify two strategies through which the management of bodies and populations emerges in relation to teen pregnancy: the production of risky bodies and subjectivities and the deployment of a regulatory regime of heterosexuality. While the pregnant teenage subject is produced through public health discourses of normalizing...
Sterile Fluid Collections in Acute Pancreatitis: Catheter Drainage Versus Simple Aspiration

To compare the clinical outcome of needle aspiration versus percutaneous catheter drainage of sterile fluid collections in patients with acute pancreatitis. We reviewed the clinical and imaging data of patients with acute pancreatic fluid collections from 1998 to 2003. Referral for fluid sampling was based on elevated white blood cell count and fevers. Those patients with culture-negative drainages or needle aspirations were included in the study. Fifteen patients had aspiration of 10–20 ml fluid only (group A) and 22 patients had catheter placement for chronic evacuation of fluid (group C). We excluded patients with grossly purulent collections and chronic pseudocysts. We also recorded the number of sinograms and catheter changes and duration of catheter drainage. The CT severity index, Ranson scores, and maximum diameter of abdominal fluid collections were calculated for all patients at presentation. The total length of hospital stay (LOS), length of hospital stay after the drainage or aspiration procedure (LOS-P), and conversions to percutaneous and/or surgical drainage were recorded as well as survival. The CT severity index and acute Ransom scores were not different between the two groups (p = 0.15 and p = 0.6, respectively). When 3 crossover patients from group A to group C were accounted for, the duration of hospitalization did not differ significantly, with a mean LOS and LOS-P of 33.8 days and 27.9 days in group A and 41.5 days and 27.6 days in group C, respectively (p = 0.57 and 0.98, respectively). The 60-day mortality was 2 of 15 (13%) in group A and 2 of 22 (9.1%) in group C. Kaplan–Meier survival curves for the two groups were not significantly different (p = 0.3). Surgical or percutaneous conversions occurred significantly more often in group A (7/15, 47%) than surgical conversions in group C (4/22, 18%) (p = 0.03). Patients undergoing catheter drainage required an average of 2.2 sinograms/tube changes and kept catheters in for an average of 52 days. Aspirates turned culture-positive in 13 of 22 patients (59%) who had chronic catheterization. In group A, 3 of the 7 patients converted to percutaneous or surgical drainage had infected fluid at the time of conversion (total positive culture rate in group A 3/15 or 20%). There is no apparent clinical benefit for catheter drainage of sterile fluid collections arising in acute pancreatitis as the length of hospital stay and mortality were similar between patients undergoing aspiration versus catheter drainage. However, almost half of patients treated with simple aspiration will require surgical or percutaneous drainage at some point. Disadvantages of chronic catheter drainage include a greater than 50% rate of bacterial colonization and the need for multiple sinograms and tube changes over an average duration of about 2 months.
Zur theorie der visuellen indication und selectivität komplexometrischer titrationen

Zusammenfassung Aufgrund vereinfachender Annahmen, die jedoch in der Praxis weitgehend zutreffen, werden Formeln abgeleitet, die nach Einsetzen der notigen Parameter rasch ein Aussage uber Lage und Gute von Endpunkten bei komplexometrischen Titrationen liefern. Das Problem der Selectivitat wird behandelt. Als ungefahre Anhaltswerte ergaben sieh folgende Daten. Um unter durchschnittlichen Bedingungen (0,1 % Fehler und Metallionenkonzentration etwa 0,01 M ) eine komplexometrische Titration durchzufuhren, muss die Stabilitatskonstante des zu titrierenden Metalles mindestens 10 8 sein. Der Indicatorkomplex muss eine Konstante von wenigstens 10 4 besitzen. Stormetalle bei Titrationen ohne Indicator mussen bei Anwesenheit aquimolarer Mengen wenigstens eine 10 6 -mal kleinere Stabilitatskonstante aufweisen. In Gegenwart eines komplex-bildenden Indicators muss sich die Stabilitat des Indicatorkomplexes wenigstens um den Faktor 10 −4 von der des Titrationskomplexes unterscheiden. Ein Stormetall muss mindestens 10 −10 bis 10 −8 mal schwacher binden als das Hauptmetall.
Population pharmacokinetics of gabapentin in infants and children.

Abstract Purpose: To characterize gabapentin pharmacokinetics in infants and children using a population approach and to identify important demographic and/or physiologic determinants of gabapentin disposition. Methods: Gabapentin was administered in single doses of 10 mg/kg ( N =48 healthy subjects, age 1 month–12 years) or in multiple doses of 10–65 mg/kg per day ( N =205 patients with epilepsy, age 2 months–13 years) at 08:00, 14:00, and 20:00. Serial concentration–time data from the healthy subjects were combined with sparse data obtained in patients and were modeled using NONMEM. Results: Gabapentin oral clearance (l/h) was directly related to creatinine clearance (ml/min) with a slope of 0.116. The slope of the relationship was 36% greater in blacks than in subjects of other races. When oral clearance was normalized for body weight, young children ( Conclusions: On a weight basis, 33% larger doses would be required in younger children (
Centrosome Function: Sometimes Less Is More

Tight regulation of centrosome duplication is critical to ensure that centrosome number doubles once and only once per cell cycle. Superimposed onto this centrosome duplication cycle is a functional centrosome cycle in which they alternate between phases of quiescence and robust microtubule (MT) nucleation and MT-anchoring activities. In vertebrate cycling cells, interphase centrioles accumulate less pericentriolar material (PCM), reducing their MT nucleation capacity. In mitosis, centrosomes mature, accumulating more PCM to increase their nucleation and anchoring capacities to form robust MT asters. Interestingly, functional cycles of centrosomes can be altered to suit the cell’s needs. Some interphase centrosomes function as a microtubule-organizing center by increasing their ability to anchor MTs to form centrosomal radial arrays. Other interphase centrosomes maintain their MT nucleation capacity but reduce/eliminate their MT-anchoring capacity. Recent work demonstrates that Drosophila cells take this to the extreme, whereby centrioles lose all detectable PCM during interphase, offering an explanation as to how centrosome-deficient flies develop to adulthood. Drosophila stem cells further modify the functional cycle by differentially regulating their two centrioles – a situation that seems important for stem cell asymmetric divisions, as misregulation of centrosome duplication in stem/progenitor cells can promote tumor formation. Here, we review recent findings that describe variations in the functional cycle of centrosomes.
Schistosoma japonicum: ultrastructural localization of a hemoglobinase using mercury labeled pepstatin.

Abstract Mercury labeled pepstatin was used to demonstrate the site of a pepstatin sensitive hemoglobinase in paraformaldehyde fixed adult Schistosoma japonicum. Pepstatin was covalently attached to glutathione using dicyclohexylcarbodiimide followed by addition to methyl mercury chloride. Deposition of mercury was observed in lipidlike globules and autophagic vacuoles in the gastrodermis. Control studies were negative in all instances. These results complement previous cytochemical studies on the distribution of other acid hydrolases in the gastrodermis of schistosomes. It is hypothesized that this pepstatin sensitive enzyme probably belongs to the carboxyl class of proteinases.
Human A53T α-Synuclein Causes Reversible Deficits in Mitochondrial Function and Dynamics in Primary Mouse Cortical Neurons

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disease. A key pathological feature of PD is Lewy bodies, of which the major protein component is α-synuclein (α-syn). Human genetic studies have shown that mutations (A53T, A30P, E46K) and multiplication of the α-syn gene are linked to familial PD. Mice overexpressing the human A53T mutant α-syn gene develop severe movement disorders. However, the molecular mechanisms of α-syn toxicity are not well understood. Recently, mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked with multiple neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson’s disease. Here we investigated whether mitochondrial motility, dynamics and respiratory function are affected in primary neurons from a mouse model expressing the human A53T mutation. We found that mitochondrial motility was selectively inhibited in A53T neurons while transport of other organelles was not affected. In addition, A53T expressing neurons showed impairment in mitochondrial membrane potential and mitochondrial respiratory function. Furthermore, we found that rapamycin, an autophagy inducer, rescued the decreased mitochondrial mobility. Taken together, these data demonstrate that A53T α-syn impairs mitochondrial function and dynamics and the deficit of mitochondrial transport is reversible, providing further understanding of the disease pathogenesis and a potential therapeutic strategy for PD.
Statins do not meet expectations for lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels when used in clinical practice.

Abstract Background Statins have become a mainstay in the treatment of hyperlipidemia, based on their potency and favorable side-effect profile. Drug choice is presumed to be guided by the estimated degree of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol lowering required in a particular patient and the projected efficacy of any drug-dose combination, as contained in the package inserts for each medication. We investigated whether these expectations were met in a clinical practice. Methods Data were analyzed for 367 hyperlipidemic patients in a preventive cardiology practice who were not taking statins at entry, who were given a standard statin dose at their first visit, and who had at least one follow-up visit on the same drug/dose. Expected LDL cholesterol reductions were calculated for each patient based on guidelines in the package inserts for each drug. Results The mean (±SD) observed LDL cholesterol reduction of 26% ± 20% was significantly less than expected (34% ± 7%, P P = 0.39). Conclusion The use of statins in a clinical practice led to observed reductions in LDL cholesterol level that were significantly less than those projected by package insert guidelines. We believe this gap reflects the reduced patient compliance frequently observed in clinical practice settings, rather than any inherent difference in statin responsiveness of a practice versus a trial population. Physicians should be aware of this disparity when using statins in the clinical setting.
The effects of additive noise and drift in the dynamics of the driving on chaotic synchronization

Abstract We examine the effect of additive noise in, and drift in the dynamics of, a chaotic driving signal on the synchronization of chaotic response systems. Simple scaling laws associated with the synchronization deviation level under these types of contamination are presented. Time series used as the driving signals are experimentally measured from an electronic circuit.
Constitutive apical membrane recycling in Aplysia enterocytes

In Aplysia californica enterocytes, alanine-stimulated Na+ absorption increases both apical membrane exocytosis and fractional capacitance (fCa; a measure of relative apical membrane surface area). These increases are thought to reduce membrane tension during periods of nutrient absorption that cause the enterocytes to swell osmotically. In the absence of alanine, exocytosis and fCa are constant. These findings imply equal rates of constitutive endocytosis and exocytosis and constitutive recycling of the apical plasma membrane. Thus, the purpose of this study was to confirm and determine the relative extent of constitutive apical membrane recycling in Aplysia enterocytes. Biotinylated lectins are commonly used to label plasma membranes and to investigate plasma membrane recycling. Of fourteen biotinylated lectins tested, biotinylated wheat germ agglutinin (bWGA) bound preferentially to the enterocytes apical surface. Therefore, we used bWGA, avidin D (which binds tightly to biotin), and the UV fluorophore 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin-3-acetic acid (AMCA)-conjugated avidin D to assess the extent of constitutive apical membrane recycling. A temperature-dependent (20 vs. 4°C) experimental protocol employed the use of two tissues from each of five snails and resulted in a ˜60% difference in apical surface fluorescence intensity. Because the extent of membrane recycling is proportional to the difference in surface fluorescence intensity, this difference reveals a relatively high rate of constitutive apical membrane recycling in Aplysia enterocytes. J. Exp. Zool. 301A:857–866, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
New strategies for basal insulin treatment in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract Background: The clinical progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is well understood. Glycemic control gradually deteriorates, and progression of DM eventually leads to an increased risk for microvascular and macrovascular complications. Reassessment of current insulin treatment strategies leading to restoration of glycemic control is essential to prevent or stop the progression of type 2 DM and its complications. Objective: The purpose of this article was to review the importance of instituting a strategy of basal insulin therapy in patients with type 2 DM. Methods: Relevant articles were obtained through an online search of PubMed and MEDLINE for literature published from 1990 to 2003. The search terms used were insulin therapy, combination oral therapy, treatment failure, glycemic control, insulin analogues, insulin glargine, basal insulin , and microvascular complications . Results: Large-scale intervention trials, such as the United Kingdom Prospective Diabetes Study (UKPDS), have reported that patients with type 2 DM treated with oral combination therapy are unable to maintain glycemic control. These observations have led to a reassessment of the role of insulin therapy in type 2 DM. The importance of tight glycemic control through the aggressive use of insulin early in the course of the disease is apparent from the UKPDS, Diabetes Control and Complications Trial, and other, smaller studies. Considerable evidence indicates that initiating a basal insulin-replacement strategy with an existing oral regimen can result in regaining glycemic control. Evidence emerging from recent studies indicates that use of intensive insulin therapy early in the course of the disease may have a positive clinical impact on outcome and slow the progression of complications. The availability of basal insulin analogues has expanded treatment options and improved the efficacy of therapeutic regimens for type 2 DM. Conclusions: The available data suggest using an earlier transition from monotherapy to combination therapy to minimize disease-associated morbidity. The availability of new insulin analogues has expanded therapeutic options and offers the potential to enhance the efficacy of therapeutic regimens for type 2 DM as well as improve the ease and safety of treatment when glycosylated hemoglobin cannot be maintained
Kinship discrimination in queen rearing by honey bees ( Apis mellifera )

Apis mellifera workers are able to discriminate the degree of relatedness to themselves of larvae and to preferentially rear queens from related larvae. They employ cues of genetic, not environmental origin, and workers which have only experienced unrelated brood nonetheless prefer related (but novel) over unrelated (but familiar) larvae. Thus worker bees possess the sensory capabilities and behavioral responses that would enable them to maximize their individual inclusive fitness through nepotism in queen rearing.
Stress protein synthesis and accumulation after traumatic injury of crayfish CNS

By several days after a crush injury of crayfish CNS, the wound site heals. Changes in protein synthesis and accumulation occur at the lesion site and nearby. During the first few hours, synthesis of 35, 70, 90, and 150 kDa proteins is induced in the injured tissue. By one day, the relative amounts of 70–90 kDa proteins increase dramatically, particularly at the crush site and adjacent to it. The 70 kDa proteins, which are related to mammalian stress proteins (SPs), remain elevated for at least one month in the traumatized region or nearby. The crushed tissue contains an SP70 isoform not present in its uncrushed counterpart. These biochemical changes may reflect the cellular changes that accompany wound healing and/or a cellular stress response to compensate for the lesion. Since similar adaptations occur in the mammalian CNS, they may represent a phylogenetically conserved attempt to retard or repair CNS tissue deterioration.
Investigating the Portrayal and Influence of Sustainability Claims in an Environmental Advertising Context

The ability of consumer judges to identify sustainable messages in environmental advertising and the effect of these messages is explored. A content analysis provides insight into these judges’ per...
Non-biological Inhibition-based Sensing (Nibs) Demonstrated for the Detection of Toxic Arsenic Compounds

This work demonstrates the success of a recently developed technique in chemical amplification, non-biological inhibition-based sensing (NIBS), for the detection of toxic arsenic compounds. Screening for toxic arsenic compounds is especially important due to their prevalence in wastewater and water sources. The detection method presented in this work amplifies the chemical response of toxic arsenic compounds by developing a sensor chemistry where the analyte inhibits, rather than enhances, the rate of a catalytic reaction. This technique mimics the work done with enzyme inhibition; however, using non-biological molecules allows for selective detection without the shelf-life issue associated with biological molecules. Using NIBS we find that we can enhance the sensitivity of the system by two orders of magnitude with no apparent loss in selectivity. This work demonstrates the versatility of NIBS, showing that the technique can be of general use for the detection of toxic compounds.
Synthetic peptide vaccine design: synthesis and properties of a high-density multiple antigenic peptide system

A convenient and versatile approach to the direct synthesis of a peptide-antigen matrix by the solid-phase method is described. The approach is called the multiple antigen peptide system (MAP) and it utilizes a simple scaffolding of a low number of sequential levels (n) of a trifunctional amino acid as the core matrix and 2n peptide antigens to form a macromolecule with a high density of peptide antigens of final Mr 10,000. The MAP model chosen for study was an octa-branching MAP consisting of a core matrix made up of three levels of lysine and eight amino terminals for anchoring peptide antigens. The MAP, containing both the core matrix and peptides of 9-16 amino acids, was prepared in a single synthesis by the solid-phase method. Six different MAPs elicited specific antibodies in rabbits and mice, of which five produced antibodies that reacted with their corresponding native proteins. In rabbits, the sera had a considerably higher titer of antibodies than sera prepared from the same peptides anchored covalently to keyhole limpet hemocyanin as carrier. Thus, the MAP provided a general, but chemically unambiguous, approach for the preparation of carrier-bound antigens of predetermined and reproducible structure and might be suitable for generating vaccines.
The design of new copolymers for x(3) applications

Abstract Several electroactive π-conjugated polymers have recently shown promising non-linear optical (NLO) properties. However, long conjugation sequences in such polymers as polyacetylene (PA), polythiophene (PT), poly( p -phenylene vinylene) (PPV) and poly(2,5-thienylene vinylene) (PTV) often result in solubility, processability and optical transparency problems that make their use in electro-optic devices difficult. In this paper it is outlined how copolymers in which oligomeric segments of PTV, alternating with saturated spacer units, can be synthesized and cast as optical-quality films for NLO applications. The design of oligomeric PTV monomers and preliminary NLO characterization of the copolymers are also described.
Global concepts of environmental contamination

Abstract A study of copper pollution in the sea off Los Angeles provides the basis for assessment of the global input of this heavy metal to the ocean. This manmade contribution is of the same order of magnitude as the input from natural sources.
The Biosensor Technology Program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

The biosensor technology program at NIST has been in existence for less then two years. During this time we have initiated projects using both optical and electrochemical methods for analyte detection. Projects presently underway include: DNA intercalation for carcinogen detection using evanescent wave technology, electrochemical detection of glucose using a mediator containing electrode, detection of bacteria by natural fluorescence, characterization of lipid membranes for two dimensional protein movement, α-toxin pore characterization, a light-activated enzyme switch, and a series of studies on bacteriorhodopsin films, sol-gel glasses, and membranes for several future applications.
Coexpression of neurotensin and c-fos mRNAs in rat neostriatal neurons following acute haloperidol.

Our previous studies have shown several fold induction of neurotensin/neuromedin N (NT/N) primary transcripts and mature cytosolic mRNA in the dorsolateral region of the rat neostriatum (DLSt) following a single dose of the neuroleptic, haloperidol. The apparent enhancement of NT/N gene transcription by haloperidol is preceded by increases in the expression of c-fos mRNA in the same region. The present study used double-labeling in situ hybridization technique to study cellular localization of NT/N and c-fos mRNA following acute haloperidol treatment. Simultaneous detection of NT mRNA and c-fos mRNA was achieved using cRNA probes synthesized in vitro with digoxigenin- and 35S-labeled UTP, respectively. Interestingly, approximately 75% of DLSt neurons expressing NT/N mRNA also displayed c-fos mRNA in rats treated with haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.) for 1 h. Colocalization of c-fos mRNA in haloperidol-responsive NT neurons in the DLSt suggests that haloperidol's induction of NT/N gene transcription may involve participation of the transcription factor Fos and the AP-1 consensus sequence in regulatory region of the NT/N gene.
The Effects of the Individual Psychotherapist and Implications for Future Research

A body of research concerning psychotherapy outcome is reviewed with the intent of establishing the importance of the individual psychotherapist to treatment process and outcome. Although particular therapy techniques have not been shown to be especially important in therapy process and outcome, they have been the focus of most research and training for the past two decades. In the past, extensive study of the individual therapist was difficult, but the rising trend of managed health care organizations has created opportunities to conduct research on this topic. Hypothetical outcome data for individual clinicians are presented in graphical form. An attempt is made to show how patient typing can be used to adjust outcome by case-mix methods. Suggestions for future research are made.
Victimization of Obese Adolescents

Peer victimization of obese adolescents has been associated with low self-esteem, body dissatisfaction, social isolation, marginalization, poor psychosocial adjustment, depression, eating disorders, and suicidal ideation and attempts, not to mention poor academic performance. Weight-based peer victimization is defined as unsolicited bullying and teasing as a result of being overweight or obese. The victimization may be overt or relational. Obese adolescents are at risk of victimization, because their peers view them as different and undesirable. Although peer victimization occurs commonly among adolescents, obese adolescents are more susceptible than their average-weight peers. Because school nurses are often the first line of defense for obese adolescents, they are in an excellent position to identify forms of peer victimization and be prepared to intervene with the victims. School nurses can potentially preserve the psychosocial integrity of obese adolescents by promoting healthy peer interactions and experiences.
A Study on the Evaluation of Creep Degradation of High Temperature Pipeline Steel by Non-Destructive Test

In this paper, artificial creep degradation test and ultrasonic measurement for their creep degraded specimens (Cr-Mo alloy steel) were carried out for the purpose of evaluation for creep damage. Absolute measuring method of quantitative ultrasonic measurement for material degradation was established, and long-term creep degradation tests using creep life prediction formula were carried out. As a result of ultrasonic tests for crept specimens, we conformed that both the sound velocity decreased and attenuation coefficient linearly increased in proportion to the increase of creep life fraction (fc). In frequency and noise analysis, it was conformed that the high frequency side spectra and central frequency components shift to low frequency band, and bandwidths decrease as increasing creep damage in backwall echo. And also, the ultrasonic noise linearly increased in proportion to the increase of creep degradation.
The wrong cure

Controversial therapies to convert gay people are hateful and dangerous, but banning them won't help one bit, says Christopher J. Ferguson
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and cardiac muscle cell disorganization revisited: Relation between the two and significance

The disorganized arrangement of cardiac muscle cells in left ventricular (LV) myocardium of patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) was first described by Teare in his initial report on this condition in 1958.l Teare described eight patients with “asymmetric hypertrophy or muscular hamartoma of the heart” and a “bizarre and disorganized arrangement of muscle bundles” in the asymmetrically hypertrophied ventricular septum (IVS). During the ensuing several years a number of reports based on analysis of tissue obtained at necropsy, operation, or biopsy confirmed the observations of Teare and concluded that a disorganized arrangement of cardiac muscle cells in the IVS was a characteristic and consistent morphologic feature of patients with HCM.“-‘* Electron microscopic analysis showed that the disorganized cells often had highly irregular shapes and large branches that extended in several directions and formed intercellular junctions with several adjacent cel1s.j Subsequently, however, bizarre cellular architecture was identified in the LV wall of patients with congenital or acquired cardiac diseases other than HCM.‘“-30 This finding led some investigators to dispute the usefulness of IVS disorganization as a marker of HCM.‘“, ?4-26 The present report reexamines the issue of cardiac muscle cell disorganization in the LV wall of patients with HCM and discusses the potential significance of this morphologic alteration.
Irreversible inhibition of mammalian and yeast S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase by 1,1′-(methylethanediylidenedinitrilo)-bis(3-aminoguanidine)

Abstract Putrescine activated S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylases from rat liver and yeast are strongly inhibited on incubation with 1,1′-(methylethanediylidenedinitrilo)-bis(3-aminoguanidine). Inhibition cannot be reversed by dialysis or dilution and occurs more rapidly in the presence of putrescine. Protection against this inactivation is provided by the presence of methylglyoxal bis(guanylhydrazone) which is an analog of the inactivator and is known to be a potent but readily reversible inhibitor of the decarboxylase. Inactivation of S-adenosylmethionine decarboxylase activity by 1,1′-(methylethanediylidenedinitrilo)-bis(3-aminoguanidine) occurs in unfractionated liver homogenates and in rats treated with this compound which may therefore be of value in depressing spermidine synthesis in vivo .
Remote discrimination of large-caliber gun firing signatures

To investigate discrimination of firing signatures in the battlespace, blast, and flash signatures were collected from two large-caliber guns. Signatures included blast wave trajectories from high-speed (1600 Hz) imagery, visible and near-infrared (450 to 850 nm) spectra, and mid-wave infrared (1800 to 6000 cm−1) spectra. Thirty empirical and 12 phenomenological features were extracted from the signatures over 25 observations. Multiple discriminant analysis was used for feature selection and dimensionality reduction, and discrimination was based on Bayesian probability theory. When discriminating between three munitions configurations fired from a 152 mm howitzer, leave-one-out testing with the empirical features demonstrated classification accuracies of 92% to 96%. Phenomenological features (for example, blast energy, combustion and excitation temperatures, and species concentrations) accurately classified munitions less consistently (72% to 96%). The two most salient features for differentiating between two weapons (a single 120 mm tank firing and all 152 mm howitzer firings) were soot emissivity and H2O concentration. Empirical features consistently discriminated the weapons best when more than two features were used. Moderate to strong correlations (r2=0.5 to 1.0) were observed amongst blast, visible, and infrared features. A limited examination indicated that strongly correlated features may be substituted for one another.
The mythical concept of eutrophication

Paleolimnologists frequently invoke the term ‘eutrophication’ for describing apparent enrichment phases in the history of a lake. I argue that this term is often used incorrectly and that alternative explanations can serve as more accurate descriptions. Increased organic content in the sedimentary record may result from increased nutrient availability (eutrophication), but it can also reflect decreased residence time of water, or changes in biotic interactions, or changes in lake morphometry.
Studies on the composition of the mononuclear cell infiltrates in liver from patients with chronic active delta hepatitis.

To evaluate the immune process involved in the pathogenesis of liver cell damage in chronic hepatitis delta virus infection, a panel of monoclonal antibodies against pan T cells (Leu 4), inducer/helper T cells (Leu 3a+3b), suppressor/cytotoxic T cells (Lue 2a), B cell (Leu 12), monocyts/macrophages (Leu M3) and NK/K cells (Leu 7) was used to characterize the subsets of the mononuclear cell infiltrates in livers from 12 patients with chronic type D hepatitis, with special emphasis on the areas of periportal piecemeal necrosis and intralobular necrosis. A control group of 12 patients with chronic type B hepatitis was also studied for comparison. The results revealed that the livers from patients with chronic type D hepatitis showed a prominent mononuclear cell infiltration in portal/periportal and intralobular areas. Furthermore, the vast majority of the mononuclear cell infiltrates in liver were T cells, which constituted more than 80% of the cells in the areas of periportal piecemeal necrosis and intralobular necrosis and about 60% of the cells in the portal tract, whereas B cells, monocytes/macrophages and NK/K cells were relatively uncommon. Among T cell populations, the inducer/helper T cells were predominant in the portal tract, and, by contrast, the suppressor/cytotoxic T cells were predominant in the areas of piecemeal necrosis and intralobular necrosis. The distribution of the mononuclear cell subsets in relation to the different topographical areas of the liver in patients with chronic type B hepatitis was essentially the same as that observed in chronic type D hepatitis. Our findings therefore suggest that T cell-mediated immunity might play a role in the pathogenesis of chronic type D hepatitis, similar to that suggested for chronic type B hepatitis.
Evidence for conformal invariance of crop yields

The aim of this paper is to study the nature of spatial correlation of yields of agricultural crops. The focus is primarily on natural or non-anthropogenic spatial variation, patterns that cannot be explained by topography, by variety or treatment effects, or by agricultural practices. Conformal invariance implies stationarity and isotropy, and also determines the rate of decay of spatial correlations. The resulting Gaussian model is studied empirically to see whether it describes satisfactorily the pattern of spatial correlations observed in field trials of various crops. By embedding the law in a larger
Bus encoding for simultaneous delay and energy optimization

In this paper we propose two bus encoding algorithms that optimize both bus delay and energy dissipation based on the probabilistic characteristics of data on data buses. The first algorithm minimizes the crosstalk transitions by inserting temporal redundancy and achieves optimal energy. The second algorithm reduces crosstalk more aggressively to achieve optimal bus delay by mapping the original data to low-energy opposite-transition-forbidden codes. Experimental results show that they outperform the existing heuristic bus encoding algorithms by 15.7% to 58.8% in average energy dissipation and 11.4% to 58.4% in average delay.
Estrous behavior and endocrine status of dairy heifers with varied intakes of phosphorus.

Abstract We investigated whether dietary phosphorus affected estrous intensity of heifers. A total of 48 heifers (Holstein and Jersey) were allotted to diets containing approximately 73% (low), 138% (medium), or 246% (high) of the phosphorus recommended by the National Research Council. Heifers were observed continuously for 48h beginning 36h after an estrous-synchronizing treatment of prostaglandin F 2 α . Heifers began standing estrus 55±12.6h (standard deviation) after prostaglandin, with onset randomly throughout the day. Standing estrus lasted 15.4±4.1h (standard deviation), and heifers stood to be mounted 3.68±2.38 (standard deviation) times per hour. Dietary phosphorus concentration altered inorganic phosphorus of blood serum but did not affect significantly overall estrous behavior or blood serum concentrations of progesterone, estradiol, or luteinizing hormone measured around the time of estrus. We conclude that a dietary phosphorus inadequacy as in this study does not alter reproductive endocrine function or estrous intensity in heifers.
Impact of an endovascular program on the operative experience of abdominal aortic aneurysm in vascular fellowship and general surgery residency

Abstract Background This study was performed to determine the impact of an endovascular program (EVP) on open and endovascular abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) operations in a residency training institution. Methods Over an 8-year period ending in September 2001, hospital records of all patients undergoing open or endovascular AAA repair were retrospectively reviewed. Data were analyzed to determine the changing patterns of case volume, type of operative repair, and complexity of open repair with regards to the training of both general surgical chief residents and vascular fellows. Results A total of 849 AAA operations were performed during the study period. The initiation of the EVP in 1997 resulted in a steady increase in the total annual AAA cases ( P P P P Conclusions An endovascular program has a positive impact on the aortic aneurysm practice in an academic institution, as evidenced by the significant increase in annual endovascular AAA cases despite a decrease in open AAA operations. Although vascular fellows continued to maintain sufficient experience in both open and endovascular AAA operations, general surgery chief residents suffered a significant decrease in their open AAA experience. Further evaluation of the residency system is warranted to better optimize the training paradigm of both vascular fellowship and general surgery residency.
Decentralized control across bit-limited communication channels: an example

We formulate a simple discrete time two-agent optimal formation control problem with limited communication capacity. Two cases are studied: without communication constraints and with limited communication capacity. In the first case, we show how to approach the globally optimal solution with local decisions. In the second case, a performance metric is introduced and we show that the performance can be impaired by as much as 20% if we limit the amount of information exchanged in real time. We also introduce a noisy channel into our problem and present some preliminary results.
Variance estimation in high-dimensional linear models

The residual variance and the proportion of explained variation are important quantities in many statistical models and model fitting procedures. They play an important role in regression diagnostics and model selection procedures, as well as in determining the performance limits in many problems. In this paper we propose new method-of-moments-based estimators for the residual variance, the proportion of explained variation and other related quantities, such as the l2 signal strength. The proposed estimators are consistent and asymptotically normal in high-dimensional linear models with Gaussian predictors and errors, where the number of predictors d is proportional to the number of observations n; in fact, consistency holds even in settings where d/n → ∞. Existing results on residual variance estimation in high-dimensional linear models depend on sparsity in the underlying signal. Our results require no sparsity assumptions and imply that the residual variance and the proportion of explained variation can be consistently estimated even when d>n and the underlying signal itself is nonestimable. Numerical work suggests that some of our distributional assumptions may be relaxed. A real-data analysis involving gene expression data and single nucleotide polymorphism data illustrates the performance of the proposed methods.
Coupling contaminants with demography: Effects of lead and selenium in Pacific common eiders

We coupled intensive population monitoring with collection of blood samples from 383 nesting Pacific common eiders (Somateria mollisima v-nigrum) at two locations in Alaska (USA) from 2002 to 2004. We investigated annual, geographic, and within-season variation in blood concentrations of lead and selenium; compared exposure patterns with sympatrically nesting spectacled eiders (Somateria fischeri); and examined relationships with clutch size, egg viability, probability of hatching, and apparent survival of adult females. Lead concentrations were elevated in 3.6% of females, and all individuals exhibited elevated selenium, most (81%) at concentrations associated with death in captive waterfowl. Blood lead and selenium concentrations varied both within and among site-years and were lower than those of spectacled eiders. During incubation, blood lead concentrations in females increased significantly (possibly via re-release of stored lead from bone), whereas selenium concentrations decreased (likely because of natural excretion). Probability of a nest containing at least one nonviable egg was positively related to blood selenium in hens, but adverse effects in other life-history variables were not supported. Although reproduction appeared to be sensitive to selenium toxicity, our data suggest that high rates of nonviability are unlikely in this population and that selenium-related reductions to clutch size would be inconsequential at the scale of overall population dynamics. We conclude that Pacific common eiders and other wild marine birds likely have higher selenium tolerances than freshwater species and that interspecific differences in exposure levels may reflect differences in reproductive strategies.
QT interval prolongation and the risk of torsades de pointes: essentials for clinicians.

Objective: QT interval prolongation signifies an increased risk of the life-threatening arrhythmia torsades de pointes (TdP). The purpose of this paper is to review the diverse methods for assessing and monitoring the risk of TdP, discuss risk factors for TdP, and recommend interventions that may mitigate the risk of TdP. Methods: A non-systematic search of PubMed (through March 2013) was conducted to determine the optimal approach to assessing and monitoring QT interval, prevention of TdP, and to identify risks factors for TdP. Papers known to the authors were included, as were scientific statements. Articles were chosen based on the judgment of the authors.