cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reward power and attraction in interpersonal conflict

Seventy-two males and 72 females played a prisoner’s dilemma game, modified to include occasional promises to the S stating that he would be given extra points if he cooperated on the next trial. The probability and magnitude of promised reward and the overall cooperativeness of the promisor were manipulated. Females cooperated more and evaluated the promisor more favorably than did males. It was concluded that the norm of reciprocity overrode the effects of the manipulations on compliance for the reason that the promisor was unconditionally accommodative on the promise trials. An indirect relationship between ratings of the promisor’s potency and his rewardingness was obtained.
A Comparative Study of Zambia and Mozambique: Africanization, Professionalization, and Bureaucracy in the African Postcolonial State

During the last two decades much of Africa has witnessed the materialization of the prophetic "winds of change" declaration pronounced in 1959 by Harold Macmillan, then prime minister of Britain, while on a tour of several African countries. The attainment of political independence from colonial rule, which implied self-determination at all levels of political decision making,1 meant the inheritance of administrative or bureaucratic structures that were erected during the colonial era and
Monitoring autophagy in the treatment of protein aggregate diseases: steps toward identifying autophagic biomarkers.

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington disease, Parkinson’s disease, and Alzheimer’s disease are caused by the accumulation of aggregate prone proteins. Pathogenic proteins misfold, aggregate, and escape the cell’s normal degradative pathways. Protein aggregates subsequently lead to the toxic disruption of normal cellular processes leading, ultimately, to disease. Several lines of evidence suggest that reducing the burden of these toxic aggregates is therapeutic. One mechanism proposed to facilitate the degradation or clearance of these protein inclusions is macroautophagy. While autophagic treatment paradigms for neurodegeneration are still in the early stages of preclinical development, it is essential to identify and validate methods to measure the activation of autophagy in human patients. These methods will serve as important biomarkers necessary to test compound efficacy and monitor clinical improvement.
Variation in surface water–groundwater exchange with land use in an urban stream

Summary A suite of methods is being utilized in the Baltimore metropolitan area to develop an understanding of the interaction between groundwater and surface water at multiple space and time scales. As part of this effort, bromide tracer experiments were conducted over two 10-day periods in August 2007 and May 2008 along two sections (each approximately 900 m long) of Dead Run, a small urban stream located in Baltimore County, Maryland, to investigate the influence of distinct zones of riparian land cover on surface–subsurface exchange and transient storage under low and high baseflow conditions. Riparian land cover varied by reach along a gradient of land use spanning parkland, suburban/residential, commercial, institutional, and transportation, and included wooded, meadow, turf grass, and impervious cover. Under summer low baseflow conditions, surface water-groundwater exchange, defined by gross inflow and gross outflow, was larger and net inflow (gross inflow minus gross outflow) had greater spatial variability, than was observed under spring high baseflow conditions. In addition, the fraction of nominal travel time attributable to transient storage ( F med ) was lower and was more spatially variable under high baseflow conditions than under low baseflow conditions. The influence of baseflow condition on surface water–ground water exchange and transient storage was most evident in the subreaches with the least riparian forest cover and these effects are attributed to a lack of shading in reaches with little riparian forest cover. We suggest that under summer low baseflow conditions, the lack of shading allowed excess in-channel vegetation growth which acted as a transient storage zone and a conduit for outflow (i.e. uptake and evapotranspiration). Under spring high baseflow conditions the transient storage capacity of the channel was reduced because there was little in-channel vegetation.
Optical tweezers study of viscoelastic properties in the outer hair cell plasma membrane

An optical tweezers system was used to study the mechanical characteristics of the outer hair cell (OHC) lateral wall by forming plasma membrane tethers. A 2 nd order generalized Kelvin model was applied to describe the viscoelastic behavior of OHC membrane tethers. The measured parameters included equilibrium tethering force, ( F eq ), force relaxation times (τ), stiffness values (κ), and coefficients of friction (μ). An analysis of force relaxation in membrane tethers indicated that the force decay is a biphasic process containing both an elastic and a viscous phase. In general, we observed an overall negative trend in the measured parameters upon application of the cationic amphipath chlorpromazine (CPZ). CPZ was found to cause up to a 40 pN reduction in F eq in OHCs. A statistically significant reduction in relaxation times and coefficients of friction was also observed, suggesting an increase in rate of force decay and a decrease in plasma membrane viscosity.
Influences of domain switching and dipole dynamics on the normal mode responses of a ferroelectric ceramic bar

Abstract We consider in this paper the dynamic electromechanical responses of ferroelectric ceramics compatible with the normal mode experiment. In this experiment, the direction of wave propagation is normal to the direction of remanent polarization; and during the passage of the wave in such a ceramic, it dipoles, resulting in an electrical output in the external circuit which connects its electroded surfaces. We formulate the boundary-initial value problem corresponding to this experiment and present numerical results which exhibit the nature of its responses. Our formulation presupposes that the mechanical properties of the ceramic are elastic, but takes into account the transient responses of dipole moments and the consequences of domain switching. We also allow the depoled state of the ceramic to be transversely isotropic which differs from its isotropic virgin state and transversely isotropic poled state. On the basis of the numerical results we offer specific conjectures as to possible modes of failure of normal mode devices.
Sensitive and specific high performance liquid chromatographic method for methionine and leucine enkephalins

Abstract The pentapeptides with oplate-like properties, methionine-enkephalin (ME) and leucine enkephalin (LE) have been demonstrated in the brain and gut of animals from various species by means of radioimmunoassay (RIA), bioassay, radioreceptor binding, and immunohistochemical methods. Methods utilizing reverse phase high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to separate and quantitate peptides lacked the sensitivity and/or specificity for the determination of endogenous biological levels. This report provides an improved HPLC method having sufficient sensitivity and specificity to allow the separation and quantitation of biological tissue levels of ME and LE.
TREE MORTALITY, CANOPY TURNOVER, AND WOODY DETRITUS IN OLD COVE FORESTS OF THE SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

A long-term study of tree mortality, canopy turnover, and coarse woody detritus inputs was conducted in cove forests of the Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee, USA. Seven old-growth stands were studied over a 10-yr period using 0.6–1.0 ha plots. Annual mortality of trees >10 cm dbh was 0.5–1.4% among stands (mean 0.7%). The highest mortality rate among canopy trees was exhibited by trees >80 cm dbh. An increase in mortality rate with canopy tree size was evident for two (Tsuga canadensis and Acer saccharum) of the three most abundant species in the forest. The increase in mortality with tree size had implications for canopy turnover and detritus input. Gap disturbance frequency was estimated at 0.008–0.019 forest area/yr, giving a return interval of ∼130 yr or less. Standing death was the most common mode of mortality (59%). Annual rates of snag formation were 1.4 snags/ha for trees >10 cm dbh and 0.4 snags/ha for trees >50 cm dbh. The density of large snags (>50 cm dbh) was 5 snags/ha. Snags accounted for ...
Lowered Tensile Strength and Collagen Levels in Tissues Following Discontinuation of Male Sex Hormone

Abstract FROM early times it has been recognized that the flesh of male animals has a different exture from that of females, especially as they become older. Modern studies reveal that male sex hormone is largely responsible for the difference. Following the establishment of this fact, it becomes of considerable interest to know if the “toughness” of the flesh, once established, is reduced after the influence of male sex hormone is withdrawn. Unsupported opinions on this question have been many and varied. It is now thought that a determination of the actual change in animals after withdrawal of male sex hormone influence finally has been made, using chickens as the experimental animals. Mitchell, Hamilton and Hanes (1928) compared the connective tissue content of young heifers and steers and reached the conclusion that little difference existed. Papanicolau and Falk (1938) demonstrated that prolonged administration of male sex hormone (testosterone propionate) produced enlarged . . .
Density of states of Nb and Mo using Slater-Koster interpolation

Abstract Slater-Koster parameters are given which have been fit to APW band calculations for Nb and Mo. The density of states at the Fermi surface of the 4d bcc alloys agrees well with a rigid band interpretation of the calculated density of states.
Modeling of robotic fish propelled by an ionic polymer-metal composite caudal fin

In this paper, a model is proposed for a biomimetic robotic fish propelled by an ionic polymer metal composite (IPMC) actuator with a rigid passive fin at the end. The model incorporates both IPMC actuation dynamics and the hydrodynamics, and predicts the steady-state speed of the robot under a periodic actuation voltage. Experimental results have shown that the proposed model can predict the fish motion for different tail dimensions. Since its parameters are expressed in terms of physical properties and geometric dimensions, the model is expected to be instrumental in optimal design of the robotic fish.
Estimating animal resource selection from telemetry data using point process models.

Summary1. Analyses of animal resource selection functions (RSF) using data collected from relocationsof individuals via remote telemetry devices have become commonplace. Increasing technologi-cal advances, however, have produced statistical challenges in analysing such highly autocor-related data. Weighted distribution methods have been proposed for analysing RSFs withtelemetry data. However, they can be computationally challenging due to an intractable nor-malizing constant and cannot be aggregated (i.e. collapsed) over time to make space-onlyinference.2. In this study, we take a conceptually different approach to modelling animal telemetry datafor making RSF inference. We consider the telemetry data to be a realization of a space–timepoint process. Under the point process paradigm, the times of the relocations are also consid-ered to be random rather than ﬁxed.3. We show the point process models we propose are a generalization of the weighted distri-bution telemetry models. By generalizing the weighted model, we can access several numericaltechniques for evaluating point process likelihoods that make use of common statistical soft-ware. Thus, the analysis methods can be readily implemented by animal ecologists.4. In addition to ease of computation, the point process models can be aggregated over timeby marginalizing over the temporal component of the model. This allows a full range of mod-els to be constructed for RSF analysis at the individual movement level up to the study arealevel.5. To demonstrate the analysis of telemetry data with the point process approach, we analy-sed a data set of telemetry locations from northern fur seals (Callorhinus ursinus) in thePribilof Islands, Alaska. Both a space–time and an aggregated space-only model were ﬁtted.At the individual level, the space–time analysis showed little selection relative to the habitatcovariates. However, at the study area level, the space-only model showed strong selectionrelative to the covariates.Key-words: animal telemetry, point process, resource selection, space–time, weighted distri-butionIntroduction
Clinical Diagnostic Technology: The Total Testing Process. Volume 2: The Analytical Phase. Kory M. Ward-Cook, Craig A. Lehmann, Larry E. Schoeff, and Robert H. Williams, editors. Washington, DC: AACC Press, 2005, 450 pp., $89.00 ($71.00 AACC members), softcover. ISBN 1-594250-34-0.

This book is the second in a series of three volumes dedicated to the preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical phases of the total testing process. This volume covers the use of technology, quality, and basic principles of instrumentation and contains 17 chapters, covering a vast array of analytical techniques. The clinical chemistry laboratory continues to be the site for utilization of a staggering array of …
A generalizable platform for interrogating target- and signal-specific consequences of electrophilic modifications in redox-dependent cell signaling.

Despite the known propensity of small-molecule electrophiles to react with numerous cysteine-active proteins, biological actions of individual signal inducers have emerged to be chemotype-specific. To pinpoint and quantify the impacts of modifying one target out of the whole proteome, we develop a target-protein-personalized “electrophile toolbox” with which specific intracellular targets can be selectively modified at a precise time by specific reactive signals. This general methodology, T-REX (targetable reactive electrophiles and oxidants), is established by (1) constructing a platform that can deliver a range of electronic and sterically different bioactive lipid-derived signaling electrophiles to specific proteins in cells; (2) probing the kinetics of targeted delivery concept, which revealed that targeting efficiency in cells is largely driven by initial on-rate of alkylation; and (3) evaluating the consequences of protein-target- and small-molecule-signal-specific modifications on the strength of d...
Improving the health and safety of children in nonparental early education and child care.

1. Timothy R. Shope, MD, MPH, FAAP* 2. Susan Aronson, MD, FAAP† 1. *Associate Professor of Pediatrics, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, Pediatric Residency Program Director, Naval Medical Center, Portsmouth, Va 2. †Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pa Author Disclosure Drs Shope and Aronson did not disclose any financial relationships relevant to this article. After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Define the types of nonparental early education and child care services and methods to assist parents in selecting the most appropriate education and care for their children. 2. Accurately interpret the health issues related to enrollment in out-of-home early education and child care. 3. Explain how pediatricians can address prevention and management of acute illness in children who participate in nonparental early education and child care. 4. Integrate activities into pediatric clinical roles that contribute to the accommodation of children who have special needs in nonparental early education and child care. 5. Access and apply the national health and safety performance standards to improve the health and safety of children in nonparental, out-of-home early education and child care. Large demographic changes over the past several decades have led to most children participating in nonparental early education and child care. The programs and settings for these services have changed over time. Because early education and child care may affect emotional, developmental, and health outcomes of children and families, the quality of these services is an appropriate concern of pediatricians. Further, most families want pediatricians to advise them about choosing and using educational and care arrangements for their children. This article provides information on how pediatricians can improve the health and safety of children in early education and child care and assist families who use these services. Specific recommendations for child care performance in this article are drawn from Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards: Guidelines for Out-of-Home Child Care Programs , 2nd ed., which is available at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/CFOC/index.html. Caring for Our Children (CFOC) is a collaborative publication of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), the …
WHY “MANAGER‐DIRECTED” WORK GROUPS ARE IMPORTANT: THREE FORGOTTEN REASONS

Anyone who has followed the literature of management in recent years knows that self‐directed work groups (SDWGs) are being used by a growing number of companies. In fact, about one‐fourth of the companies responding to a recent survey reported using them (Wellins, Byham, and Wilson, 1991). An SDWG is a work team that is responsible for a complete work process, including the planning, organising, and controlling of the team's own efforts. One study says that the SDWG “… represents the most extensive use and richest fulfilment of the team concept…” in business today (Stoner and Hartman, 1993, p.71).
Oncoplastics: Techniques for reconstruction of partial breast defects based on tumor location†

Breast conservation therapy (BCT) has become an increasingly popular treatment for breast cancer. Unfortunately, many women who undergo BCT will have a deformity that may require surgical correction. The field of oncoplastics has also become increasingly popular and seeks to prevent these contour deformities during BCT. This review approaches oncoplastic reconstruction by outlining different techniques based on tumor location. J. Surg. Oncol. 2011; 103:341–347. © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Identification of potential therapeutic targets in a model of neuropathic pain

Neuropathic pain (NP) is caused by damage to the nervous system, resulting in dysfunction and aberrant pain. The cellular functions (e.g., peripheral neuron spinal cord innervation, neuronal excitability) associated with NP often develop over time and are likely associated with gene expression changes. Gene expression studies on the cells involved in NP (e.g., sensory dorsal root ganglion neurons) are publically available; the mining of these studies may enable the identification of novel targets and the subsequent development of therapies that are essential for improving quality of life for the millions of individuals suffering with NP. Here we analyzed a publically available microarray dataset (GSE30165) in order to identify new RNAs (e.g., messenger RNA (mRNA) isoforms and non-coding RNAs) underlying NP. GSE30165 profiled gene expression in dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRG) and in sciatic nerve (SN) after resection, a NP model. Gene ontological analysis shows enrichment for sensory and neuronal processes. Protein network analysis demonstrates DRG upregulated genes typical to an injury and NP response. Of the top changing genes, 34 and 36% are associated with more than one protein coding isoform in the DRG and SN, respectively. The majority of genes are receptor and enzymes. We identified 15 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) targeting these genes in LNCipedia.org, an online comprehensive lncRNA database. These RNAs represent new therapeutic targets for preventing NP development and this approach demonstrates the feasibility of data reanalysis for their identification.
Why Doesn't Regional Integration Improve Income Convergence in Africa?*

: This paper investigates why regional integration does not improve income convergence in Africa, despite the common goal of more open and freer trade. Based on empirical analysis using African countries data, the paper presents the evidence that there has been little progress in income convergence in Africa. The paper shows that despite the importance of regional integration there has been limited progress and prospects of the African integration process are not as promising as would be expected for such an important pillar in Africa's development agenda.
Stimulant Use and Its Impact on Growth in Children Receiving Growth Hormone Therapy: An Analysis of the KIGS® International Growth Database

Background: Children receiving stimulants for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) frequently present to pediatric endocrinology clinics for evaluation and treatment of growth disorders. The worldwide prevalence of stimulant use in children with ADHD also receiving recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) and the impact on response to rhGH are unknown. Methods: Data on children enrolled in the KIGS® (Pfizer International Growth Study) registry were evaluated for the associated diagnosis of ADHD prior to initiation of Genotropin® rhGH. Concomitant stimulant medications and auxological information were captured. Response to rhGH was evaluated using established growth prediction models. Results: The prevalence of ADHD in KIGS was 2.3% (1,748/75,251), with stimulants used in 1.8% (1,326/75,251). Children with idiopathic growth hormone deficiency (IGHD) who received stimulants grew significantly less (1.1 cm) in the first year of rhGH therapy than expected for rhGH-treated non-ADHD IGHD children. After one year of rhGH, idiopathic short stature (ISS) children with ADHD were significantly shorter [0.74 cm (with stimulants) and 0.69 cm (without stimulants)] than non-ADHD ISS children. Conclusions: We demonstrated an impaired response to rhGH in IGHD and ISS children with ADHD. Our findings suggest that the ADHD phenotype, alone or in conjunction with stimulant therapy, may impair the short-term growth response to rhGH.
Thromboxane synthetase inhibition with CGS 13080 improves coronary blood flow after streptokinase-induced thrombolysis.

Abstract The focus of this investigation was to examine the potential beneficial effects of the selective thromboxane synthetase inhibitor CGS 13080 (imidazo [1,5-a] pyridine-5-hexanoic acid) on coronary blood flow after streptokinase-induced thrombolysis. Thrombotic occlusion of the circumflex coronary artery was produced by electrolytic (100 μA anodal current) injury to the intimal surface of the circumflex coronary artery at the site of a noncircumferential stenosis in dogs anesthetized with pentobarbital to have open-chest surgery. Intracoronary streptokinase, 6000 IU/kg in 3 ml saline solution, was infused at 0.05 ml/min for 1 hour, beginning 30 minutes after the formation of an occlusive thrombus. The animals were assigned randomly to two groups. In group I (n = 10) the intravenous infusion of vehicle was begun simultaneously with the intracoronary administration of streptokinase and continued for 2 hours after thrombolysis had been achieved. The animals in group II (n = 10) received intravenous CGS 13080 (1 mg/kg/hr) along with intracoronary streptokinase. Infarct size was assessed by a dual perfusion technique with Evans blue and triphenyltetrazolium stains to demarcate the normally perfused myocardium from the area at risk and the infarct zone within the risk region. The two groups did not differ with respect to baseline coronary blood flow, time to the development of coronary artery thrombotic occlusion, or time to achieve thrombolysis. Oscillations in coronary blood flow were more frequent in group I than in group II (group I, 9 ± 2.2; group II, 4.4 ± 0.8 oscillation/min × 100, p IZ LV ] group I, 5% ± 2%; group II, 4% ± 1%), as was the percent of the left ventricle dependent on the blood flow distribution from the left circumflex coronary artery or the area at risk of infarction ([ AR LV ] 37% ± 2% vs 40% ± 3%, respectively). These results demonstrate that the thromboxane synthetase inhibitor CGS 13080, in combination with the thrombolytic agent streptokinase, is able to maintain patency of the injured coronary artery after thrombolysis and to decrease the frequency of oscillatory flow responses. The results suggest a possible role for thromboxane as a contributor to the process of thrombotic reocclusion after successful thrombolysis.
Simulated growth rates for single-bunch instabilities driven by a resistive impedance

Vlasov simulations of instabilities driven by resistive impedance are used to determine growth rates of single-bunch instabilities. A method for measuring synchrotron tunes and growth rates from simulated synchrotron sidebands is described. Simulated growth rates are compared with Oide's calculation [K. Oide, Part. Accel. 51, 43 (1995)]
Perceptions of sexual compliance‐resisting messages in three types of cross‐sex relationships

This study examined sexual rejection messages from the perspective of the message recipient. Respondents were presented with a hypothetical scenario manipulating relationship type (friendship, dating, and ambiguous) and directness of rejection message. The least direct rejection involved no explicit comment on the sexual overture but a request to change the television channel. Moderate directness involved messages containing an account based on the stage of relationship ("This just would not be good for our relationship") or personal preference ("I just don't think I'm ready for this right now"). High directness involved rejection based on a lack of sexual attraction ("I just don't feel sexually attracted to you"). Results indicated that sexual rejection messages that were moderate in directness were perceived to be more face preserving and comfortable than either very direct or very indirect messages. “Not Sexually Attracted”; was seen as the most constraining, face threatening, and uncomfortable of all ...
Economic Diversity in Elite Higher Education: Do No-Loan Programs Impact Pell Enrollments?

Several wealthy colleges and universities have recently begun removing all loans from low-income students’ financial aid packages. This article reports on a study that found that the introduction of “no-loan” policies has positively impacted low-income enrollments, suggesting that this aid strategy may be an effective, though limited, way of increasing economic diversity on campus.
Dehydrogenation of secondary amines to imines catalyzed by an iridium PCP pincer complex: initial aliphatic or direct amino dehydrogenation?

Abstract The PCP pincer complex, IrH2(C6H3-2,6-(CH2PBut2)2) catalyzes the transfer dehydrogenation of secondary amines to imines. The catalytic system is highly sensitive to both steric and electronic factors and greater than 99% regioselectivity are observed in the dehydrogenation of the asymmetric substrates, cyclohexyethylamine and benzylpropyl amine. Good to excellent yields are obtained when the reactions are carried out in toluene solution. The dehydrogenation of 2,2,2′,2′-tetramethyldibutylamine leads exclusively to the production of the corresponding imine indicating that the catalytic reaction pathway involves direct amino rather than initial aliphatic dehydrogenation.
Evaluation of a System for Generating Quantitatively Accurate Vapor-Phase Infrared Reference Spectra

A static delivery system for generating infrared vapor-phase reference spectra has been constructed and validated for liquid analytes with polarities up to that of methanol. Several important factors that determine the accuracy of these mixtures have been identified. These include thorough degassing of the liquid analyte, maintenance of water content inside the system below a predetermined value, isolation of the pure analyte vapor before inlet of the fill gas to avoid back-flow of vapor, forced mixing to overcome the effect of excessively slow diffusional mixing of the analyte vapor and fill gas, and measurement within the linear Beer's law range for the resolution and apodization employed. To maintain Beer's law linearity, it is vital to eliminate the effect of a nonlinear response of the mercury cadmium telluride detector. In this paper, the procedure developed to ensure quantitative accuracy from statically generated gas mixtures is described. The effect of detector response linearity on photometric accuracy is discussed, along with a method of empirically correcting for this nonlinear response. The accuracy of vapor-phase samples made by this approach has been validated by comparison to the spectra of certified standards and found to be within 2% of the certified value.
Determinants of fecundity and reproductive success in captive vervet monkeys.

Between 1975 and 1983, adult female vervet monkeys (Cercopithecus aethiops sabaeus) over 3.5 years of age, living in two undisturbed social groups in a captive colony in Sepulveda, California, have averaged 1.0 births per female year with a mean interbirth interval of 10.7 months. Increased fecundity did not result in decreased survival rates of offspring in this population. Fecundity was influenced by the mother's age and dominance rank. The primary factor in the age-fecundity relationship was the age at first birth, which varied from three to five years. High-ranking females contributed the most to the high rate of fecundity, with significantly shorter interbirth intervals, more births per female year, and more surviving infants compared to low-ranking females.
Energy and monetary benefits of portable heaters

Abstract A methodology is outlined that has been used to study the sensitivity of the performance of portable electric and kerosene space heaters to several parameters, including: the price of fuel for the conventional central heating system, the price of portable heater fuel, the thermal integrity of the structure, the size of the room that the portable heater is used to heat, the setback temperature for the central heating system, the duration of use, rates of air exchange with other spaces, and geographic location. Results are used to identify the conditions for which portable heaters are most beneficial and to which parameters the savings are most sensitive. The results show that savings are most sensitive to the thermal integrity of the structure, the price of fuel for the conventional heater, the thermostat setting during setback, and the duration of use of the portable heater. Payback periods for portable heaters are found to range from several months to more than six years.
Metabolic bone disease with and without osteomalacia after intestinal bypass surgery: a bone histomorphometric study.

Abstract We performed iliac bone histomorphometry after in vivo double tetracycline labeling 3–14 years after intestinal bypass surgery for obesity in 21 patients, selected because of clinical suspicion of metabolic bone disease, and compared the results with those of 40 age-matched normal control subjects. Osteomalacia defined by rigorous kinetic criteria was found in six cases, histologic features of secondary hyperparathyroidism without significantly impaired mineralization in one case, and possible Osteomalacia masked by impaired matrix synthesis in one case. In the patients with definite Osteomalacia, nonfracture bone pain was more frequent, corrected plasma calcium lower, plasma alkaline phosphatase and magnesium higher, and secondary hyperparathyroidism more severe than in the other patients. In the patients without Osteomalacia there was a 24.5% reduction in trabecular bone volume compared to the controls; in contrast to age-related bone loss and post-menopausal osteoporosis, this was due mainly to reduction in the thickness rather than the density of trabecular plates. About two-thirds of the reduction in trabecular thickness was due to reduction in interstitial bone thickness, representing the cumulative effect of increased depth of osteoclastic resorption cavities, probably due in part to secondary hyperparathyroidism. About one-third of the reduction in trabecular thickness was the result of reduced mean wall thickness, representing insufficient osteoblastic matrix synthesis, probably due in part to malabsorption of an unidentified nutrient necessary for normal bone health. Resorption indices were not increased at the time of the biopsy, but there were persistent defects in the recruitment and activity of osteoblasts. Clinically significant bone loss after intestinal shunt surgery, as in several other clinical situations, results from the combined effects of an unsustained increase in bone resorption and a sustained decrease in bone formation.
Unexpected sensitivity to radiation of fibroblasts from unaffected parents of children with hereditary retinoblastoma.

The response to ionizing radiation was examined in diploid skin fibroblasts derived from 5 patients with hereditary type retinoblastoma as well as their parents. Unexpected sensitivity to cell killing, as measured by clonogenic survival, as well as enhanced radiation-induced G(1) arrest were observed in at least 1 parental fibroblast strain in all 5 families. In all cases, parental strains were equally or more radiosensitive than the probands. The mutation of the retinoblastoma gene (RB) determined in 4 of 5 probands was either absent from the parental cells, as expected from the negative family histories, or identical, in 1 father who was a known carrier. In the fifth family, the family history was negative for retinoblastoma. We hypothesize that the increased parental cell sensitivity to radiation suggests the presence of an as yet unrecognized genetic event occurring in 1 or both parents of children with retinoblastoma. Whether it increases mutability of the RB locus or other loci or interacts with RB is conjectural.
Postmastectomy Radiation Improves the Outcome of Patients With Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Who Achieve a Pathologic Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the role of postmastectomy radiation therapy in women with breast cancer who achieved a pathologic complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Methods and Materials: We retrospectively identified 226 patients treated at our institution who achieved a pCR at surgery after receiving neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Of these, the 106 patients without inflammatory breast cancer who were treated with mastectomy were analyzed. The patients’ clinical stages at diagnosis were I in 2%, II in 31%, IIIA in 30%, IIIB in 25%, and IIIC in 11% (American Joint Committee on Cancer 2003 system). Of the patients, 92% received anthracycline-based chemotherapy, and 38% also received a taxane. A total of 72 patients received postmastectomy radiation therapy, and 34 did not. The actuarial rates of local-regional recurrence (LRR) and survival of the two groups were compared using the log-rank test. Results: The median follow-up of surviving patients was 62 months. Use of radiation therapy did not affect the 10-year rates of LRR for patients with Stage I or II disease (the 10-year LRR rates were 0% for both groups). However, the 10-year LRR rate for patients with Stage III disease was significantly improved with radiation therapy (7.3% ± 3.5% with vs. 33.3% ± 15.7% without; p = 0.040). Within this cohort, use of radiation therapy was also associated with improved disease-specific and overall survival. Conclusion: Postmastectomy radiation therapy provides a significant clinical benefit for breast cancer patients who present with clinical Stage III disease and achieve a pCR after neoadjuvant chemothearpy.
An analysis of Ewing's tumor in children at Roswell Park Memorial Institute.

Twenty pediatric patients with Ewing's tumor seen at Roswell Park Memorial Institute, from 1954 to 1970, have been analyzed. Three patients are considered as cures. As the initial treatment, these three patients were all treated with radiotherapy to the primary tumor and adjuvant chemotherapy. Nine of the 20 patients were treated in this fashion. It was felt that the chemotherapy eradicated the subclinical micrometastasis and thus effected a cure. Five cases with reactivation of primary sites prior to, or simultaneous with, metastasis were noted, indicating incomplete sterilization of tumor by present radiotherapeutic techniques and also suggesting that more aggressive therapy be directed to the primary site along with the systemic chemotherapy.
Influence of electron-phonon interaction on the lattice thermal conductivity of Co 1 − x Ni x Sb 3

We have investigated the effect of electron-phonon scattering in a series of n-type nickel-doped ${\mathrm{CoSb}}_{3}$ skutterudite materials. Samples were polycrystalline of the form ${\mathrm{Co}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ni}}_{x}{\mathrm{Sb}}_{3}$ with $x=0,$ 0.001, 0.003, 0.005, 0.0075, and 0.01. The lattice thermal conductivity decreases dramatically with increasing Ni doping for $xl~0.003.$ For higher Ni concentration the reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity saturates. Our theoretical analysis indicates that this reduction of the lattice thermal conductivity cannot be explained solely by point-defect scattering of the phonons. Rather, we can fit the lattice thermal conductivity of Ni-doped ${\mathrm{CoSb}}_{3}$ by introducing an electron-phonon scattering mechanism, and this demonstrates that the electron-phonon interaction can play an important role in the reduction of the heat conduction in n-type skutterudites.
Myeloid‐specific GPCR kinase‐2 negatively regulates NF‐κB1p105‐ERK pathway and limits endotoxemic shock in mice

G-protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) is a member of a kinase family originally discovered for its role in the phosphorylation and desensitization of G-protein-coupled receptors. It is expressed in high levels in myeloid cells and its levels are altered in many inflammatory disorders including sepsis. To address the physiological role of myeloid cell-specific GRK2 in inflammation, we generated mice bearing GRK2 deletion in myeloid cells (GRK2▵mye). GRK2▵mye mice exhibited exaggerated inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production, and organ injury in response to lipopolysaccharide (LPS, a TLR4 ligand) when compared to wild-type littermates (GRK2fl/fl). Consistent with this, peritoneal macrophages from GRK2▵mye mice showed enhanced inflammatory cytokine levels when stimulated with LPS. Our results further identify TLR4-induced NF-κB1p105-ERK pathway to be selectively regulated by GRK2. LPS-induced activation of NF-κB1p105-MEK-ERK pathway is significantly enhanced in the GRK2▵mye macrophages compared to GRK2fl/fl cells and importantly, inhibition of the p105 and ERK pathways in the GRK2▵mye macrophages, limits the enhanced production of LPS-induced cytokines/chemokines. Taken together, our studies reveal previously undescribed negative regulatory role for GRK2 in TLR4-induced p105-ERK pathway as well as in the consequent inflammatory cytokine/chemokine production and endotoxemia in mice. J. Cell. Physiol. 226: 627–637, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Real-time strain rate imaging: validation of peak compression and expansion rates by a tissue-mimicking phantom.

Strain rate imaging is a new modality in echocardiography intended for analysis of left ventricular function. This modality extends ultrasonographic techniques for analysis of tissue velocities by providing information about rates of local myocardial compression and expansion. Cyclic cardiac deformation is a complex process. Precision and accuracy of real-time strain rate (rtSR) measurements have not been studied under controlled laboratory conditions. Using a cyclically compressed tissue-mimicking gelatin phantom, we compared rtSR values to corresponding strain rate values calculated off line from local tissue velocities measured by Doppler echocardiography. We tested a clinically relevant range of strain rates (0.5 − 3.5 sec−1) and different angles of insonation. Initial tests showed high precision (r ≥ 0.973, P < 0.001), but the assessment of accuracy (bias ≤ 0.559 sec−1) suggested a trend toward systematic underestimation of the reference values. We suspected a confounding influence of a clutter filter and repeated the tests with the filter inactive. The resulting accuracy improved tenfold (bias ≤ 0.045 sec−1), and the systematic underestimation was no longer present. We conclude that the rtSR is precise and accurate for a range of the tested values.
Non-Gaussianity and Excursion Set Theory: Halo Bias

We study the impact of primordial non-Gaussianity generated during inflation on the bias of halos using excursion set theory. We recapture the familiar result that the bias scales as ${k}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ on large scales for local type non-Gaussianity but explicitly identify the approximations that go into this conclusion and the corrections to it. We solve the more complicated problem of nonspherical halos, for which the collapse threshold is scale-dependent.
Helminths of Common Grackles, Quiscalus quiscula (Icteridae), Associated with a Fish Hatchery in Ohio, U.S.A

ABSTRACT: Six helminth species (1 digenetic trematode, Conspicuum icteridorum; 2 cestodes, Choanotaenia sp., and 1 tentatively identified as Paricterotaenia sp.; 3 nematodes, Capillaria ovopunctatum, Chandlerella quiscali, Porrocaecum ensicaudatum) were found in 35 common grackles, Quiscalus quiscula, Linnaeus, 1758, examined from a fish hatchery near London, Ohio, U.S.A., in late May through July 2009 and 2010. Porrocaecum ensicaudatum had the highest prevalence (77%) followed by C. ovopunctatum (66%). Chandlerella quiscali had the highest mean intensity (8.0) followed by C. ovopunctatum (6.4), which also had the highest mean abundance (4.2). Gravid worms of all helminth species were found except for Choanotaenia sp. The mean helminth species richness for all examined birds was 2.5 ± 1.0. This survey herein is consistent with previous parasitological studies conducted on the helminths of common grackles. Although 74% of the examined common grackles had fish bones in their gizzards, helminths known to ut...
Fast interconnect synthesis with layer assignment

As technology scaling advances beyond 65 nanometer node, more devices can fit onto a chip, which implies continued growth of design size. The increased wire delay dominance due to finer wire widths makes design closure an increasingly challenging problem. Interconnect synthesis techniques, such as buffer insertion/sizing and wire sizing, have proven to be the critical part of a successful timing closure optimization tool.Layer assignment, which was traditionally treated as same as wire sizing, is more effective and friendly in the design flow than wire sizing in the advanced technologies. Techniques for simultaneous layer assignment and buffer insertion with resource control are increasingly important for the quality of results of interconnect synthesis. This paper outlines the importance of layer assignment over wire sizing, and presents efficient techniques to perform concurrent buffer insertion and layer assignment to fix the electrical and timing problems, while maintaining speed and efficient use of resources
Long-term results of ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in patients with Crohn's disease

PURPOSE: Ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the surgical treatment of choice for most patients with chronic ulcerative colitis. Crohn's disease is, however, a contraindication. Because distinction between UC and Crohn's disease can be difficult, some patients with Crohn's disease inadvertently undergo IPAA. The aim of this study was to determine the long-term outcome of patients with Crohn's disease who have undergone IPAA. METHODS: A total of 37 patients (20 men) were studied. Each had undergone mucosectomy with handsewn IPAA (J-pouch, n=35; S-pouch, n=1; W-pouch, n=1). Histologic examination of the resected specimen at time of IPAA showed features of ulcerative colitis (n=22), indeterminate colitis (n=9), or Crohn's disease (n=6). The stoma was closed in all patients. RESULTS: A total of 11 of 37 patients developed complex fistulas (pouch-cutaneous (n=6), pouch-vaginal (n=4), or pouch-vesical (n=1). Crohn's disease has recurred in the pouch (n=20), anal canal (n=4), pouch and anal canal (n=10), and elsewhere (n=3). After ten years (range, 3–14), the pouch remainsin situin 20 patients in whom frequency of bowel movement is seven times (3–10)/24 hours,in situbut defunctioned in seven patients, and excised in ten patients (failure rate, 45 percent). CONCLUSIONS: Inadvertent IPAA for Crohn's disease is associated with a high rate of failure (45 percent) but an acceptable long-term functional result if the pouch can be keptin situ.
LOW FREQUENCY SCATTERING BY A METALLIC PLATE

ABSTRACT For a plane wave incident on a perfectly conducting flat plate of infinitesimal thickness, the first two terms in the low frequency expansion of the scattered field are determined. The zeroth order terms are the static fields and integral equations are developed from which the corresponding potentials can be found. The next terms can also be expressed in terms of potentials and functions which can be derived from a knowledge of the static fields. The far field expansion is obtained and the general method is illustrated in the case of a circular disk.
An unexpected increase in restraint duration alters the expression of stress response habituation

While habituation develops to a repeated psychological stressor, manipulating certain parameters of the stress challenge experience may lead to dishabituation of the stress response. In this experiment, we investigated whether the behavioral, endocrine, and neural responses (c-fos mRNA immediate early gene expression) to a psychological stressor (restraint) differ when the duration of the stressor given on the test day violates expectations based on prior stress experience. Rats experienced 10 min of daily restraint on Days 1-4 followed by a challenge with either the same duration (10 min) or a longer duration (30 min) of restraint on Day 5. Rats' behavior was video recorded during the Day 5 restraint episode, and trunk blood and brain tissue were collected 30 min following restraint onset. Struggling behavior was manually scored as active attempts to escape the restraint device. Rats who experienced the same duration of repeated restraint showed a significant decrease of plasma corticosterone (CORT) compared to the 10 min acute restraint group (habituation). In addition, these rats showed decreased active struggling over repeated restraint trials. Conversely, the rats showed an increased CORT response (dishabituation) when they experienced a longer duration of restraint on Day 5 than they had previously. These rats showed a habituated behavioral response during the first 10 min of restraint, however struggling behavior increased once the duration of restraint exceeded the expected duration (with a peak at 12 min). This peak in struggling behavior did not occur during 30 min acute restraint, indicating that the effect was related to the memory of previous restraint experience and not due to a longer duration of restraint. In contrast, these animals showed habituated c-fos mRNA expression in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), lateral septum (LS), and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in response to the increased stressor duration. Thus, there was a dissociation between c-fos mRNA expression in key stress responsive brain regions and the behavioral and endocrine response to increased stressor duration. This dissociation may have been due to a greater lag time for c-fos mRNA responses to reflect the impact of a dishabituation response. In conclusion, habituation of the endocrine and behavioral stress response occurred when the duration of the stressor matches the previous experience, while dishabituation of the stress response was triggered (with remarkable temporal precision) by an unexpected increase in stress duration.