cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thematic Review Series: Proteomics. Proteomic analysis of lipid-protein complexes

There is intense interest in comprehensive proteomic approaches for analyzing integral membrane proteins and lipoproteins. Key features of mass spectrometric analysis center on enriching biological material for proteins of interest, efficiently digesting them, extracting the resulting peptides, and using fractionation methods to comprehensively sample proteins or peptides by tandem mass spectrometry. However, lipid-associated proteins are generally rich in hydrophobic domains and are often low in abundance. These features, together with the associated lipid, make their mass spectrometric analysis technically challenging. In this article, we review analytical strategies for successful proteomic analysis of lipid-associated proteins.
Perceived access problems among patients with diabetes in two public systems of care.

OBJECTIVE: We examined the prevalence of access problems among public clinic patients after participating in trials of automated telephone disease management with nurse follow-up. DESIGN: Randomized trial. SETTING: General medicine clinics of a county health care system and a Veterans Affairs (VA) health care system. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred seventy adults with diabetes using hypoglycemic medication were enrolled and randomized; 520 (91%) provided outcome data at 12 months. INTERVENTION: Biweekly automated telephone assessments with telephone follow-up by diabetes nurse educators. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: At follow-up, patients reported whether in the prior 6 months they had failed to obtain each of six types of health services because of a financial or nonfinancial access problem. Patients receiving the intervention were significantly less likely than patients receiving usual care to report access problems (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.61; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.43 to 0.97). The risk of reporting access problems was greater among county clinic patients than VA patients even when adjusting for their experimental condition, and socioeconomic and clinical risk factors (AOR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.53). County patients were especially more likely to avoid seeking care because of a worry about the cost (AOR, 2.82; 95% CI, 1.48 to 5.37). CONCLUSIONS: Many of these public sector patients with diabetes reported that they failed to obtain health services because they perceived financial and nonfinancial access problems. Automated telephone disease management calls with telephone nurse follow-up improved patients’ access to care. Despite the impact of the intervention, county clinic patients were more likely than VA patients to report access problems in several areas.
Rose bengal and lissamine green inhibit detection of herpes simplex virus by PCR.

Purpose To determine whether rose bengal and lissamine green affect polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV). Design Laboratory investigation. Methods Diagnostic corneal scrapings were evaluated for PCR inhibitory activity. Dacron swabs inoculated with rose bengal and lissamine green were processed as clinical samples, inoculated with control HSV, varicella zoster (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and toxoplasma DNA and prepared for PCR. The effects of calcium alginate and cotton swabs were also evaluated. Results Rose bengal, lissamine green, and calcium alginate not only inhibit PCR detection of HSV DNA, but also detection of VZV, CMV, and toxoplasma DNA. This inhibition could be overcome by serial dilution and by DNA purification of the sample before PCR. Conclusions Rose bengal, lissamine green, and calcium alginate can inhibit PCR detection of HSV DNA. Clinical scrapings to be sent for PCR diagnostic testing should be taken before instillation of rose bengal or lissamine green.
Analysis of pressure fluctuations in fluidized beds. III. The significance of the cross correlations

Abstract In previous parts of this series we analyzed experimental times series that represent pressure fluctuation in a fluidized bed. Part I focused on the existence of long-range correlations in the series, and demonstrated that the multiscale probability density function of the successive increments of the data may be well-approximated by the Castaing equation that has been proposed for modeling velocity fluctuations in turbulent flows. Part II reconstructed the time series and demonstrated that they can be well-represented by the Fokker–Planck and Langevin equations, which provide probabilistic predictions for the future trends of the pressure. In the present paper we study cross correlations between the time series, measured at three locations in the fluidized bed. Past analyses had presumed that the time series are stationary, or that they can be transformed to one. The pressure time series are not, however, always stationary. Three distinct, but complementary methods that are suitable for non-stationary series are used to analyze the cross correlations. They are the multifractal detrended cross-correlation analysis (MF-DXA), the so-called Qcc(m) test in conjunction with the statistical test – the χ 2 ( m ) distribution – and the cross wavelet transform (XWT) function. The Qcc(m) test provides qualitative evidence for the presence of the cross correlations, whereas the MF-DXA identifies and quantifies the strength of long-range cross correlations between simultaneously recorded time series. The analysis by the MF-DXA also indicates that the pressure time series and the cross correlations between them are multifractal, hence confirming the long-range nature of the correlations identified in Part I. The results are confirmed further by the XWT analysis. The effect of time scales on the correlations and cross correlations is studied in detail. It is shown that such correlations exist at all the time scales. The cross correlations are then used for characterization of bubble sizes, bubbling frequency, and the sources of the pressure fluctuations.
Symptom diagnosis: A comparison of mathematical models related to upper abdominal pain

Abstract On the basis of 11 dichotomously valued attributes of upper abdominal pain, two different mathematical techniques, i.e., Bayes's Theorem and Discriminant Analysis, were used to diagnose 300 patients having one of six gastroenterological diseases. As was done in a previous study for Bayes's Theorem, Discriminant Analysis was used in an attempt to choose objectively an optimal subset of attributes from the entire set. Diagnostically, no subset was found to be superior to the entire set, though many yielded equal diagnostic accuracy. Both mathematical models were used to deduce the “superior” profiles for each disease, i.e., those profiles of attributes whose mathematical value was maximal for that disease. These “superior” profiles were compared for each mathematical model separately, using sex as a distinguishing characteristic. Diagnostic comparisons for the two mathematical models were also made over the entire 2048 possible profiles, and agreement was noted for 1417 of these. Finally the accuracy of diagnosis on the 300 patients was evaluated by comparing the number of correct and incorrect diagnoses with the numerical differences between the maximal values and the competing values of the probabilities and discriminant functions. Results showed that diagnostic accuracy increased dramatically with increases in such numerical differences.
Optical And Thermal Characteristics Of A Solar Collector With A Stationary Spherical Reflector And A Tracking Absorber

A fixed segment of a concave spherical mirror can be used to concentrate beam radiation onto a tracking absorber which pivots about the center of curvature of the mirror. A possible economic advantage of this solar collector over concentrating collectors with tracking mirrors is reduced mirror cost. The objective of the investigation is to determine the potential of this system for electrical power production. Special emphasis is given to identifying the penalty associated with the fixed reflector. The results showed appreciable cosine losses even at the best times of the year. The overall system efficiency was found to be strongly dependent on the rim angle, the optical efficiency, the absorber temperature, and the degree of selectivity of the absorber surface.
A Comparative Study of Glycosyl Thioimidates as Building Blocks for Chemical Glycosylation

Our results indicate that the reactivity and the activation profile of thioimidate glycosyl donors vary significantly depending on the endocyclic heteroatom (N,O,S). Reactivity diminishes in accordance with the following sequence: O > S > N; and this trend stands for a majority of promoters tested. Acyclic glycosyl thioimidates were found to be generally less reactive than the respective cyclic counterparts. The difference in the reactivity was confirmed in direct competition experiments. These findings made possible a two-step one-pot selective activation using thioimidates as the anomeric leaving group of the glycosyl donor and temporary masking group of the glycosyl acceptor. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry to view the supplemental file.
The Effect of Community Pharmacy–Based Interventions on Patient Health Outcomes: A Systematic Review

Many studies have demonstrated the beneficial effects that pharmacist-provided patient care services can have on patient health outcomes. However, the effectiveness of patient care services delivered by pharmacists in community pharmacy settings, where organizational barriers may affect service implementation or limit effectiveness, remains unclear. The authors systematically reviewed the literature on the effectiveness of pharmacist-delivered patient care services in community pharmacy settings in the United States. Of the 749 articles retrieved, 21 were eligible for inclusion in the review. Information concerning 134 outcomes was extracted from the included articles. Of these, 50 (37.3%) demonstrated statistically significant, beneficial intervention effects. The percentage of studies reporting favorable findings ranged from 50% for blood pressure to 0% for lipids, safety outcomes, and quality of life. Our findings suggest that evidence supporting the effectiveness of pharmacist-provided direct patient care services delivered in the community pharmacy setting is more limited than in other settings.
Quantity Representation in Children and Rhesus Monkeys: Linear Versus Logarithmic Scales.

The performances of 4- and 5-year-olds and rhesus monkeys were compared using a computerized task for quantity assessment. Participants first learned two quantity anchor values and then responded to intermediate values by classifying them as similar to either the large anchor or the small anchor. Of primary interest was an assessment of where the point of subjective equality (PSE) occurred for each species across four different sets of anchors to determine whether the PSE occurred at the arithmetic mean or the geometric mean. Both species produced PSEs that were closer to the geometric mean for three of four anchor sets. This indicates that monkeys and children access either a logarithmic scale for quantity representation or a linear scale that is subject to scalar variability, both of which are consistent with Weber's law and representation of quantity that takes the form of analog magnitudes.
The new institutional economics and its relevance to social economics

There has been a quiet revolution in economic theory, led by the New Institutionalists. Pioneered by Douglass C. North, this group argues that institutions are the main determinants of economic performance, yet neoclassical economics has no role for institutions. Contrary to many misconceptions, this theory of institutions can be integrated with neoclassical economics, leaving mainstream economic theory in tact, but broader and more relevant. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, the main arguments of the New Institutionalists are summarized. Second, the bridge between institutions and social economics is explored. The article concludes by arguing that the New Institutional approach is fruitful, and that the theory will gradually be integrated with neoclassical economics, until the two merge into a single body of theory.
Hyperfine artifacts in electron paramagnetic resonance imaging

Low-molecular weight nitroxide labels (nitroxides) are commonly used as probes in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy. The nitroxides exhibit multiple lines in their EPR spectrum due to hyperfine coupling of the unpaired electron with the nitrogen nucleus. In EPR imaging, these hyperfine lines cause either hyperfine-based limitations in the maximum obtainable image resolution or hyperfine-based artifacts in the reconstructed image. In this article we discuss the effect of hyperfine artifacts on the quality of the image and report the application of a numerical method based on forward-subtraction principles for removing hyperfine artifacts in the measured projections. We demonstrate using computer simulations and imaging phantoms that marked enhancement in image quality and resolution can be obtained by removing the hyperfine-imposed limit on the gradient magnitude and performing post-acquisition corrections for removing hyperfine artifacts in the image.
Polymeric chain transfer reactions. Polymerization of some vinyl monomers in the presence of vinyl polymers

The polymerization of certain vinyl monomers in the presence of some vinyl polymers leads to the formation of a chemical bond between the resulting two polymers. A study of the efficiency of this graft copolymerization process under various conditions in emulsion has been made and the following conclusions drawn. An increase in the catalyst concentration and temperature of polymerization increases the efficiency, while the addition of dodecyl mercaptan decreases it. The list of the monomers used in the order of decreasing activity toward graft copolymerization is vinyl chloride, vinyl acetate,and styrene. A list of polymers in order of decreasing susceptibility to graft copolymerization is polyvinyl chloride, polyacrylonitrile, polyvinyl a cetate, and polystyrene.
Nonlocal Effects on the Magnetic Penetration Depth in d -Wave Superconductors

We show that, under certain conditions, the low temperature behavior of the magnetic penetration depth $\ensuremath{\lambda}(T)$ of a pure $d$-wave superconductor is determined by nonlocal electrodynamics and, contrary to the general belief, the deviation $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\lambda}(T)\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}\ensuremath{\lambda}(T)\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\lambda}(0)$ is proportional to ${T}^{2}$ and not $T$. We predict that the $\ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\lambda}(T)\ensuremath{\propto}{T}^{2}$ dependence, due to nonlocality, should be observable experimentally in nominally clean high- ${T}_{c}$ superconductors below a crossover temperature ${T}^{*}\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}=\phantom{\rule{0ex}{0ex}}({\ensuremath{\xi}}_{0}/{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{0}){\ensuremath{\Delta}}_{0}\ensuremath{\sim}1$ K. Possible complications due to impurities, surface quality, and crystal axes orientation are discussed.
Corrigendum: Human evolutionary genomics: ethical and interpretive issues: [Trends in Genetics 28 (2012)137–145]

In Figure 1 the genes involved in pigmentation are shown as “SLC24A5, SLC42A2”. They should be “SLC24A5, SLC45A2”. Similarly, in the legend for Figure 1, line 8, it reads:“In European populations, genes that affect skin pigmentation (SLC24A5 and SLC42A2) have undergone positive selection.”It should read:“In European populations, genes that affect skin pigmentation (SLC24A5 and SLC45A2) have undergone positive selection.”We apologize to the readers of this article for this error.
An Infrared Background Clutter Model Using 3-D Computer Graphics

Computer graphics modeling techniques are providing a new tool for evaluating and improving the performance of military target acquisition and guidance systems.
Cation Blocking Mechanisms of the KcsA Potassium Channel Explored with All-atom Free Energy Simulations

We have carried out free energy simulations of multiple ion configurations in the KcsA potassium channel to understand experimentally observed Na and Li blocking and offer predictions that are supported by electrophysiological assays and X-ray crystallographic structures. Through free energy perturbation and potential of mean force calculations we find that Na and Li can bind either inside the aqueous cavity of the channel or deep into the S4 site, coordinated by a plane of 4 carbonyl oxygens rather than the usual 8-ligand cage of K. We have found good evidence to support this prediction with the existence of at least two distinct binding sites for Na and Li suggested by the experiments. We demonstrate that a different multiple-ion mechanism is required for Li and Na ion permeation, involving large energetic barriers that are not encountered by K. These studies shed light on how small monovalent cations block the KcsA channel and provide new insight into the selectivity mechanisms of potassium channels.
Combination of laparoscopic bilateral uterine artery ligation and intraamniotic methotrexate injection for conservative management of cervical pregnancy.

Abstract Study Objective To evaluate whether the combination of laparoscopic bilateral uterine artery ligation and intraamniotic methotrexate injection may eliminate unexpected and uncontrolled massive uterine bleeding without compromising future fertility in women with cervical pregnancy. Design Prospective study (Canadian Task Force classification II-2). Setting Tertiary-care university hospital. Patients Three women. Intervention Laparoscopic bilateral uterine artery ligation and intraamniotic methotrexate injection. Measurements and Main Results Three cases of cervical pregnancy were diagnosed by ultrasound at 6, 7, and 9 weeks' gestation. After treatment, all three women experienced intermittent vaginal bleeding, but none required transfusion. Levels of β-human chorionic gonadotropin returned to normal within 7 weeks, and patients resumed normal menstruation within 11 weeks after treatment. One woman conceived an intrauterine pregnancy 3 months after restoration of normal menstruation, and was delivered at term. Conclusion The combination of laparoscopic bilateral uterine artery ligation and intraamniotic methotrexate injection appears to be effective in preventing unexpected massive uterine bleeding in patients with cervical pregnancy, and does not compromise future fertility.
1730 VASOPRESSIN DECREASES LUNG WATER IN FETAL LAMBS

Lung liquid volume in fetal lambs decreases before birth, as systemic arterial pressure and plasma protein concentration increase (Bland et al, J Appl Physiol 53:992, 1982). These developments may be the result of hormonal changes that occur late in gestation. Plasma concentrations of vasopressin increase several hours before birth in fetal lambs (Stark et al, Biol Neonate 35: 235, 1979) and intravenous infusion of arginine vasopressin causes reabsorption of fetal lung liquid (Perks & Cassin, Chest 81:63S, 1982). In chronic studies of 9 fetal lambs we found that plasma vasopressin, measured by radioimmunoassay, increased from 2.3± .4 pg/ml before labor to 37.2±9.2 pg/ml late in labor. In lambs killed during labor, there was an inverse relationship between lung water content and plasma vasopressin concentration. To see if this hormone might contribute to the prenatal decrease in fetal lung liquid, we intravenously infused either arginine vasopress in (treated) or isotonic saline (control) for 8 h in 4 sets of twin fetal lambs at 90-95% of term gestation. Plasma vasopressin concentrations in treated lambs were similar to those measured in lambs during labor. Infusion of vasopressin increased systemic arterial pressure by 9±3 torr and plasma protein concentration by 3±1 mg/ml. Extravascular lung water, measured gravimetrically, was significantly less in treated twins than in controls (11.9±1.0 vs 13.8±1.0 g/g dry lung). Thus, vasopressin may contribute to the hemodynamic changes and reduction in lung liquid that occur in lambs before birth.
Unique periodic modulations in the infinite [Tex]n-chains of RbUSB0.33Te6

Abstract The new phase RbUSb0.33Te6 is described. The structure of RbUSb0.33Te6 is acentric and trigonal (space group P3) with infinite [UTe6]2− columns running along the c axis. The structure has straight [UTe6]6− columns in which the U atoms adopt distorted tri-capped trigonal prisms. The central axis in the [UTe6]2− columns is defined by a row of U atoms 4.064 (1) A apart, i.e., a metal “wire” seethed with what appear to be three infinite zig-zag Te chains. The crystals, however, exhibit a superstructure that results in a rhombohedral space group which is 9 times larger ( a super = 3 a sub , b super = 3 b sub , c super =3c sub ) than that of the ideal P3 structure. The superstructure is caused by a periodic modulation of Te–Te distances in the zig-zag chains. The almost equal Te–Te distances in the infinite chains are in fact dimers, trimers, and pentamers. The material is a narrow gap semiconductor with a room temperature electrical conductivity of ∼40 S/cm.
False causality between Atlantic hurricane activity fluctuations and seasonal lower atmospheric wind anomalies

[1] Statistical studies suggest a link between anomalies in seasonally averaged lower atmospheric dynamical fields and Atlantic hurricane activity. Here we show that lower atmospheric seasonal wind anomalies result primarily from the presence of the hurricanes themselves. This is done by assuming a hypothetical vortex structure whose radial structure is constrained by observations derived from aircraft probing of tropical cyclones and whose vorticity magnitude is scaled to time varying, best track intensities. Seasonal vorticity anomalies associated with Atlantic hurricane activity are accumulated by summing these idealized vorticities along observed tropical cyclone tracks. Winds associated with these seasonal vorticity anomalies explain the bulk of observed hurricane activity-related fluctuations in the seasonally averaged lower tropospheric wind. Hence, seasonal wind anomalies appear to have little causal information relevant to understanding why hurricane activity in the Atlantic has fluctuated in the past, and may be of limited value in projecting future hurricane activity.
Bullying Adolescents With Intellectual Disability

Bullying, despite its pervasive media coverage and many adverse effects, has been examined little in youth with intellectual disability (ID). We assessed the prevalence, chronicity, and severity of bullying of, and by, 46 adolescents with ID and 91 with typical cognitive development (TD). Measures of bullying at child age 13 were derived from separate semistructured interviews with mothers and adolescents, and victimization across middle childhood was based on mother questionnaire reports. Adolescents with ID were significantly more likely to report being bullied than their TD peers. However, the victimization of adolescents with ID was not reported to be more chronic or severe than that of TD adolescents. Although victimization decreased from middle childhood through early adolescence, trajectories of victimization did not differ based on disability status. Lower social skills emerged as the primary predictor of victimization; thus implications for intervening with social skills deficits seen in youth wi...
"Culling the Herd": Eugenics and the Conservation Movement in the United States, 1900-1940

While from a late twentieth- and early twenty-first century perspective, the ideologies of eugenics (controlled reproduction to eliminate the genetically unfit and promote the reproduction of the genetically fit) and environmental conservation and preservation, may seem incompatible, they were promoted simultaneously by a number of figures in the progressive era in the decades between 1900 and 1950. Common to the two movements were the desire to preserve the “best” in both the germ plasm of the human population and natural environments (including not only natural resources, but also undisturbed nature preserves such as state and national parks and forests). In both cases advocates sought to use the latest advances in science to bolster and promote their plans, which in good progressive style, involved governmental planning and social control. This article explores the interaction of eugenic and conservationist ideologies in the careers of Sacramento banker and developer Charles M. Goethe and his friend and mentor, wealthy New York lawyer Madison Grant. In particular, the article suggests how metaphors of nature supported active work in both arenas.
Medical therapy of ectopic gestation: contemporary paradigms

There has been an increase in the incidence of ectopic pregnancy to epidemic proportions in many developed countries in the past two decades. In 1989, ectopic pregnancy accounted for 1.6% of all pregnancies in the United States of America. This trend may be explained by an increase in the incidence of established risk factors as well as a dramatic improvement in diagnostic tools and advances in reproductive technology. Technologic advances such as highly sensitive radioimmunoassays for the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (βhCG), the development of high-resolution ultrasound and a heightened physician awareness have revolutionized the clinical management of ectopic pregnancy, leading to earlier and more consistent diagnoses and consequently reduced maternal mortality rates. 1,3–13 Unfortunately, ectopic pregnancy is still associated with a significant morbidity and mortality and contributes substantially to health-care costs. For example ectopic pregnancy complications accounted for 13% of all pregnancy-related deaths and were the leading cause of maternal mortality in African- American women in 1989. Financially, an estimated 1.1 billion dollars was spent in the United States of America alone for the management of ectopic pregnancy in 1990.
Strategies for modeling diverse chemical reactions in molecular dynamics simulations of cluster bombardment

Reaction energies for the degradation reactions of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and for the cycloaddition of two ethylene molecules to form cyclobutane were calculated using the atomistic reactive empirical bond order potential ReaxFF,1 and the reaction energies were then compared to reaction energies from literature sources. The PMMA degradation reaction energies were from 7 to 25 kcal/mol less endothermic than the relevant literature values. The cycloaddition reaction energy was 5 kcal/mol less exothermic for ReaxFF compared to the literature value. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Thermomechanical noise limits on parametric sensing with nanomechanical resonators

Measuring and monitoring the dynamic parameters of a nanomechanical resonator, in particular the resonance frequency, has received significant attention recently, in part due to the possibility of very sensitive, fast and precise mass sensing. Added mass can include chemisorbed or physisorbed metalsororganicmolecules,andifsufficientlyhighsensitivity,dynamicrangeand detector speed can be achieved, they could have applications in, e.g., proteomics. Here, I investigate some of the fundamental limits to mass sensing in such resonators, discussing the limits imposed by thermomechanical noise on both the linear operating regime of a simple harmonic oscillator, and the equivalent limits on nonlinear parametric amplifiers used as parametric sensors. The model system is a cantilevered flexural resonator, but the results apply equally well (in most cases) to doubly clamped or torsional resonant structures as well.
Sub-50 femtosecond, multiterawatt Ti:sapphire laser system

Summary form only given. Recent advances in ultrashort (<100 fs) pulse lasers have made it possible to explore ultrahigh field physics using relatively compact laser systems. We report on the design and construction of a compact Nd:LiYF/sub 4//Ti:sapphire-based chirped pulse amplifier (CPA) system capable of producing over 750 mJ in pulses shorter than 50 fs at 1 Hz. This system is composed of a Kerr-lens mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser oscillator.
Recent advances in the approximation of surfaces from scattered data

Advances in the mathematical theory behind Hardy's multiquadric method, development of methods for surfaces with tension parameters or which satisfy constraints, and methods for least squares approximation and subset selection are discussed.
Path dependence in historical sociology

Cet article cherche a determiner a quels types d'evenements historiques s'applique l'analyse de path dependence. Selon l'A., il s'agit de sequences historiques au sein desquelles des evenements contingents mettent en mouvement des modeles institutionnels ou des chaines d'evenements ayant des proprietes deterministes. L'identification de la path dependence implique a la fois de relier un resultat a une serie d'evenements et de montrer en quoi ces evenements sont eux-memes des occurences contingentes ne pouvant etre expliquees par des conditions historiques prealables. Ces sequences historiques sont generalement de deux types : les sequences a auto-renforcement et les sequences reactives
A Question on Failure-to-Thrive Study?

I applaud the good intentions of Drs. Hufton and Oates (Pediatrics 59:73, January 1977) in attempting to study long-term outcomes in children diagnosed as having nonorganic failure to thrive in infancy. Their careful analysis of physical growth, cognitive and emotional function, and familial and socioeconomic status provides a detailed documentation of the chronic nature of the disturbance both in the children and in their families. However, it seems to me that the applicability and general utility of such documentation for other pediatricians, health personnel, and social agencies involved in the care and management of these children and families is severely limited by the methodology and research architecture employed in this study.
Sensory regulation of spontaneous limb movements in the midstage embryonic chick.

It is becoming increasingly apparent that somatosensation plays an important role in regulating prenatal movement and developmental plasticity. Numerous studies performed on embryonic chicks and perinatal rats are beginning to implicate proprioception to be particularly important in modulating motility very soon after afferent connections are made in the spinal cord. In this report, we demonstrate new approaches in the chick embryo to explore the role of sensation in modulating embryonic movement. Force recordings from the legs of chick embryos on E9 and E11, during spontaneous motility, demonstrate changes in sensory regulation consistent with the concept that sensory regulation is functioning one day after sensory synapse formation and that the complexity of this regulation increases by E11. Additionally, we present new video data showing activation of embryonic motility on E5 and E9 in embryos expressing channelrhodopsin in the spinal cord as a novel way to approach the issues of sensorimotor development. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Dev Psychobiol 57: 385–396, 2015.
Improvement in Vesicoureteral Reflux Grade on Serial Imaging Predicts Resolution

Purpose: When children are initially diagnosed with vesicoureteral reflux most undergo a period of antibiotic prophylaxis followed by serial imaging. Although improvement in reflux grade through time presumably predicts eventual resolution, the significance of changing grade through time is unknown. We examined whether improvement in reflux on serial imaging predicts resolution.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 1,761 children diagnosed with vesicoureteral reflux, of whom 965 had a minimum of 2 years of followup. We examined initial reflux grade and grade on serial imaging up to 5 years after the original diagnosis. For each child it was determined whether reflux was resolved, eventually resolved or never resolved. Groups were further stratified by clinical characteristics.Results: Multivariate analysis revealed that male gender (HR 1.33, p = 0.05), age younger than 1 year at diagnosis (HR 1.35, p = 0.004), lower grade at presentation (grade I HR 2.2, grade II HR 1.96, grade III HR 1.33; p...
Modeling of hole tunneling in polarization-based contacts to wurtzite p-type Gallium Nitride using thin indium Gallium Nitride caps

The large hole masses and high Schottky barriers of the order of 2eV make it technologically difficult to achieve low contact resistances to p-type Gallium Nitride (GaN). The spontaneous polarizations in wurtzite structure nitride semiconductors are in the 1013 electrons per cm2 range [1]. For pseudomorphic growth, piezoelectric polarizations are also of the same order of magnitude [2]. The presence of polarization discontinuities has non-trivial effects on the electrostatics of barrier layers and device characteristics. The effect of InGaN cap layers on contact resistances to GaN have been reported in [3,4]. The effect of polarization-induced charges on current flow across graded InGaN/GaN heterojunctions has been studied in [5]. We present hole transport calculations for contact resistances to p-type GaN with thin InGaN cap layers of 20 A or less thickness, taking explicitly into account three different kinds of holes with very different effective masses and mass anisotropies — the split-off, heavy and light holes. We show that polarization discontinuity induces electric fields of several MV per cm that reduce the effective tunneling width for holes. The predominance of split-off holes in the tunneling flux is established despite their smaller Fermi-Dirac occupation factors, and a two order of magnitude improvement in contact resistance is demonstrated.
Testosterone replacement therapy in hypogonadal men at high risk for prostate cancer: results of 1 year of treatment in men with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

ABSTRACTPurpose: One of the greatest concerns among clinicians regarding testosterone replacement therapy (TRT) is the fear of causing or promoting prostate cancer. We evaluated prostatic changes in hypogonadal men with and without high grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), which is considered a prostatic precancerous lesion, after 1 year of TRT.Materials and Methods: A total of 75 hypogonadal who completed 12 months of TRT were studied. All underwent prostate biopsy prior to initiating treatment. Of the men 55 had benign prostate biopsies (PIN−) and 20 had PIN without frank cancer (PIN+). All men with PIN underwent repeat biopsy to exclude cancer prior to the initiation of testosterone treatment. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), and total and free testosterone were determined prior to treatment and at 1 year. Repeat biopsy was performed for a change noted on digital rectal examination or for a PSA increase of 1 ng/l or greater.Results: PSA was similar at baseline in men with and without PIN (1...
Toward a Hippocratic Psychopharmacology

Objective:To provide a conceptual basis for psychopharmacology.Method:This review compares contemporary psychopharmacology practice with the Hippocratic tradition of medicine by examining the origi...
Modeling wireless channel for ad-hoc network routing protocol

Enabling transmission over ad-hoc networks is more challenging than over conventional mobile networks because a connection path in an ad-hoc network is highly error-prone and the path can go down frequently. Although it is well-known that wireless channels are time varying because of user mobility and multi-path propagation effects, experiments for various types of channels show that the basic channel parameters can be stable for short time intervals. Therefore, a wireless channel can be adequately represented by a set of stationary channel models. There are number of wireless channel models proposed in literature. For simplicity, we used a two state Markov model known as a Gilbert-Elliot model and then in order to model more appropriately a real communication channel, a three state Markov model is analyzed here. We demonstrate our concept by applying it to the dynamic source routing protocol (DSR). In our proposed modified DSR, both the route discovery and route selection are based on physical layer parameter and the link monitoring function located at each node. Since routing selection based on the link quality is implemented, the minimum transfer delay from source to destination and the maximal throughput may be obtained. Simulation results show that according to the channel quality, the delay and throughput performance show remarkable performance when compared to traditional DSR.
Removing a hair of doubt about BRAF targeting

In this issue of Blood, Pettirossi et al, including Drs Tiacci and Falini, who led the effort in 2011 defining the BRAF-V600E driving mutation in hairy cell leukemia (HCL),provide extensive laboratory studies showing that inhibitors of BRAF-V600E and/or mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase (MEK) reach their targets and cause HCL cell death
Squirrel Monkey Lateral Thalamus. II. Viscerosomatic Convergent Representation of Urinary Bladder, Colon, and Esophagus

The response properties of 106 visceroceptive lateral thalamic neurons were investigated in anesthetized squirrel monkeys. Most neurons were located in the ventral posterior lateral nucleus (VPL), and a smaller number of cells was also found in a variety of thalamic nuclei around VPL. Ninety (85%) of these cells responded to distension of the urinary bladder, the distal colon, and/or the lower esophagus. The majority of the visceral-responsive cells also had convergent somatic and multivisceral responses (71% of the 85%). A small population (6%) was visceral specific; that is, these neurons were not activated with somatic stimuli. Visceral responses were excitatory, inhibitory, or mixed, and most were either visceral nociceptive specific (65%) or visceral wide-dynamic-range type (34%). Very few visceral responses (1%) could be classified as low threshold. The incidence of these response types were highly dependent on the specific viscus stimulated. Most visceral responses were able to code stimulus duration and intensity. The majority (69%) of the visceroceptive neurons had somatic low-threshold convergent input mainly from the surface of the lower body. The somatic receptive field locations and the somatic response properties seem unrelated to the convergent visceral input and the visceral response properties, although there were some exceptions. No obvious viscerotopical organization was found in VPL. The results lead us to propose two different modes of representation for processing of and distinguishing between visceral and somatic inputs: a distributed population code for visceral inputs, and a local code for somatic inputs. Based on these codes, we discuss a new hypothesis for referred pain.
Influence of glucocorticoids on postnatal lung development in the rat: possible modulation by thyroid hormone.

Between the 4th and 10th days of postnatal life in the rat, serum corticosterone levels were low and basal, while the rate of [3H]thymidine incorporation into lung DNA was maximal. From day 13, serum corticosterone levels began to rise significantly, and the lung [3H]thymidine incorporation rate began to fall dramatically; however, these events were obtunded by propylthiouracil-induced hypothyroidism. When 6- to 8-dayold euthyroid pups were given a single sc injection of 10 μg dexamethasone, the rate of DNA synthesis in the lung fell by 96.7% of the initial rate at 24 h. This steroidal effect was blunted in hypothyroid pups and restored by exogenous thyroid hormone. The thyroid status of the pup did not modify the response patterns of lung phosphodiesterase and cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor levels to dexamethasone treatment, although both parameters were influenced by thyroid hormone availability. Radiocholine incorporation into lung phospholipids, which was altered in hypothyroidism, was unaffected b...
Surfactant Protein A Integrates Activation Signal Strength To Differentially Modulate T Cell Proliferation

Pulmonary surfactant lipoproteins lower the surface tension at the alveolar–airway interface of the lung and participate in host defense. Previous studies reported that surfactant protein A (SP-A) inhibits lymphocyte proliferation. We hypothesized that SP-A–mediated modulation of T cell activation depends upon the strength, duration, and type of lymphocyte activating signals. Modulation of T cell signal strength imparted by different activating agents ex vivo and in vivo in different mouse models and in vitro with human T cells shows a strong correlation between strength of signal (SoS) and functional effects of SP-A interactions. T cell proliferation is enhanced in the presence of SP-A at low SoS imparted by exogenous mitogens, specific Abs, APCs, or in homeostatic proliferation. Proliferation is inhibited at higher SoS imparted by different doses of the same T cell mitogens or indirect stimuli such as LPS. Importantly, reconstitution with exogenous SP-A into the lungs of SP-A−/− mice stimulated with a strong signal also resulted in suppression of T cell proliferation while elevating baseline proliferation in unstimulated T cells. These signal strength and SP-A–dependent effects are mediated by changes in intracellular Ca2+ levels over time, involving extrinsic Ca2+-activated channels late during activation. These effects are intrinsic to the global T cell population and are manifested in vivo in naive as well as memory phenotype T cells. Thus, SP-A appears to integrate signal thresholds to control T cell proliferation.
TREE AGE ESTIMATION FOR THE TROPICS: A TEST FROM THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

The lack of annual growth rings in the majority of tropical tree species greatly limits our understanding of the long-term dynamics of tropical forests. To address this problem, several methods have been developed to estimate the age of tropical trees from diameter growth data. These past approaches, however, suffer from two major flaws: (1) they assume a deterministic age–size relationship for a tree species, and (2) they have not been verified with independently derived age data. In this paper, I present a new approach that uses diameter growth rates, independent of tree size, that are stratified by crown class to estimate the age of individual trees. Past approaches have assumed that when present-day canopy trees were juveniles they grew at rates similar to conspecifics currently in the understory. In contrast, the crown class model assumes that present-day canopy trees have grown at rates similar to conspecifics in the same crown class, irrespective of size, throughout ontogeny. The crown class model ...
Utilization of non-US educated nurses in US hospitals: implications for hospital mortality

Objectives. To determine whether, and under what circumstance, US hospital employment of non-US-educated nurses is associated with patient outcomes. Design. Observational study of primary data from 2006 to 2007 surveys of hospital nurses in four states (California, Florida, New Jersey and Pennsylvania). The direct and interacting effects of hospital nurse staffing and the percentage of non-USeducated nurses on 30-day surgical patient mortality and failure-to-rescue were estimated before and after controlling for patient and hospital characteristics. Participants. Data from registered nurse respondents practicing in 665 hospitals were pooled with patient discharge data from state agencies. Main Outcomes Measure(s). Thirty-day surgical patient mortality and failure-to-rescue. Results. The effect of non-US-educated nurses on both mortality and failure-to-rescue is nil in hospitals with lower than average patient to nurse ratios, but pronounced in hospitals with average and poor nurse to patient ratios. In hospitals in which patientto-nurse ratios are 5:1 or higher, mortality is higher when 25% or more nurses are educated outside of the USA than when 25% non-US-educated nurses becomes increasingly deleterious as patient-to-nurse ratios increase beyond 5:1. Conclusions. Employing non-US-educated nurses has a negative impact on patient mortality except where patient-to-nurse ratios are lower than average. Thus, US hospitals should give priority to achieving adequate nurse staffing levels, and be wary of hiring large percentages of non-US-educated nurses unless patient-to-nurse ratios are low.
Primary pulmonary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma with associated fungal ball in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Abstract We describe a case of primary mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue lymphoma of the lung in a 44-year-old man with human immunodeficiency virus. Low-grade pulmonary lymphomas in human immunode...
Effect of decreased uterine blood flow on uterine oxygen consumption in pregnant macaques

Abstract Uterine blood flow was measured in pregnant macaques mostly in the last month of pregnancy using the diffusion-equilibrium method. The rate of blood flow varied from 34 to 146 mi. per kilogram per minute, but only the higher values were considered to represent the unstressed state. The O 2 consumption of the uterus varied from 4.0 to 7.7 mi. per kilogram per minute and was directly related to the rate of uterine blood flow. The arteriovenous O 2 difference across the uterus increased as blood flow decreased, but not sufficiently to maintain the O 2 uptake by the pregnant uterus.
Collective Training in Virtual Environments

Tactical training of combat units at battalion level and below has traditionally taken place primarily in the field. Field training exercises have allowed platoons, companies and battalions to use their equipment to practice maneuver and command and control skills. In the 1970’s the limitations of field training were beginning to become apparent. As the range of weapons increased, land areas once capable of supporting exercises involving 20,000 soldiers could no longer support even battalion size units. Safety and environmental issues were restricting exercise realism, and local training areas lacked a way to evaluate exercise outcomes (Chapman, 1991). In addition, the costs associated with field training were increasing dramatically, while overall defense budgets were beginning to fall.
Utility of 3-D Seismic Attribute Analysis and VSP for Assessing Potential Carbon Sequestration Targets on the Rock Springs Uplift, Southwest Wyoming

One of the most important steps in characterizing a geologic CO2 storage site is the construction of 3-D volumes of seismic attributes. Once these seismic attribute volumes are constructed, key attributes can be correlated to core and well-log observations and analytical measurements. These correlations allow standardizations and extrapolations of a variety of determinative rock/fluid characteristics from the well bore of the stratigraphic test well out into the 3-D seismic survey volume, creating a realistic 3-D model of storage reservoirs and seals. This chapter discusses the technique for performing the tasks required to make the seismic attribute volumes; the correlations between key rock/fluid parameters and seismic attributes; and the crucial extrapolations from 1-D core, log, and VSP observations out into 3-D seismic attribute space. Topics covered include surface seismic specifications, seismic data processing, seismic resolution, vertical seismic profiling (VSP) and data acquisition, comparison of VSP and surface seismic data, comparision of VSP and well data (geologic property modeling), horizon mapping and depth conversion, seismic attributes, seismic interpretation, and qualitative permeability determined from seismic attribute analysis.