cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validity and reliability of an ultrasound system for estimating adipose tissue

When health professionals measure the fitness levels of clients, body composition is usually estimated. In field settings, body composition is commonly estimated with skinfolds or bioelectrical impedance analysis. Recently, a portable ultrasound device has been manufactured to estimate what percentage of body mass is composed of adipose tissue (AT%). A reported advantage of using ultrasound is that inter- and intrarater variations may be minimized when compared with the skinfold technique. Therefore, the purpose of this pilot study was twofold; 1) to determine the validity of a portable ultrasound device compared with skinfolds and 2) determine the reliability of the portable ultrasound device. Participants had their measurements taken in the following order: urine specific gravity, body mass, height, skinfolds and ultrasound determined. Participants had their urine specific gravity and ultrasound determined AT% estimates measured again 48 h later. The current pilot study found that the ultrasound was not a valid estimate of AT% when compared with the skinfold estimate (TE > 4%). In addition, the 1-site estimate from the ultrasound was more reliable than the 3-site estimate of AT%. These data are of importance to practitioners because it demonstrates that while the ultrasound is not a valid estimate compared with skinfolds, the 1-site estimate may be able to track changes in AT% over time, making the ultrasound an option for assessing changes in body composition.
Successful renal transplantation after forty-five hours of extracorporeal perfusion.

Abstract Successful renal transplantation was performed using a human cadaveric allograft which had been maintained on extracorporeal perfusion for forty-five hours. Various techniques of renal preservation and the benefits provided by prolonged preservation are discussed.
Basal EGR-1 (zif268, NGFI-A, Krox-24) expression in developing striatal patches: role of dopamine and glutamate.

Abstract Egr-1 (also known as zif268, NGFI-A, or Krox 24) is an immediate-early gene of the zinc finger family that exhibits relatively high constitutive expression in the brain, as well as inducibility by seizure activity, stimulants, and salient physiological stimuli. Immunocyto-chemical detection of the Egr-1 protein in the developing striatum revealed that in the late prenatal and early postnatal period, Egr-1 protein was expressed selectively in patches of striatal neurons under basal conditions. Egr-1 immunoreactivity was co-expressed with known markers of striatal patch neurons, indicating that expression was greatest in the striatal patch compartment. This patchy expression of Egr-1 transitioned to a nearly homogeneous pattern of Egr-1-immunoreactive cells by postnatal day 10, at which time most striatal neurons appeared to be Egr-1-immunoreactive. The dopamine D1 antagonist SCH23390 (0.5–1.0 mg/kg) reduced Egr-1 expression during the first week postnatal, but it was no longer effective at postnatal day 10. On the other hand, the noncompetitive NMDA antagonist MK-801 (0.5–1.0 mg/kg) became more effective at reducing Egr-1 expression with age. Neonatal destruction of nigrostriatal dopamine afferents reduced the basal pattern of Egr-1 expression for 2–3 days after the lesion, but then Egr-1 expression returned. Thus, Egr-1 expression in the developing striatum appears to be driven first by dopaminergic afferents, and then later in development by excitatory glutamatergic afferents.
Observations of the Van Allen radiation regions during August and September 1959

An integrating ionization chamber and a single Geiger counter were flown on United States satellite Explorer VI in an elliptical orbit extending to 48,000 km. In addition to the Van Allen inner zone and the great outer zone, a stable and distinct intermediate zone was detected throughout August and September 1959. The outer-zone intensity showed a large decrease following the sudden commencement of a geomagnetic storm. Later in the storm the outer zone increased to much in excess of its prestorm level. During stable periods the outer zone was fairly constant and less intense than it had been observed to be with Pioneer III or Pioneer IV or the first Soviet cosmic rocket. Cosmic-ray background counting rates were reached on most passes in August and Septmeber near apogee of the satellite. The radiation ?dumped? from the outer zone during the geomagnetic storm fits very well with the intensity and latitude distribution required to account for balloon observations of auroral X rays made during the IGY period. This paper is based on preliminary analysis of Explorer VI data.
Critical skills for IT project management and how they are learned

What do IT project managers consider to be the critical skills necessary for project success, and how have they developed those skills? The aim of this research has been to answer these questions. We interviewed thirteen experienced IT project managers from five organizations, focusing first on what the managers perceived as their most critical project management skills, and then on how they had developed those skills. We also discussed their exposure to a wide variety of organizational development interventions. By focusing on how project managers actually learned critical skills, we have been able to uncover the importance of informal learning channels, often involving project experiences, for the development of IT project management skills.
Accumulation and metabolism of norepinephrine in rat hypothalamus after exhaustive stress.

—Exhaustive stress in rats is followed by a temporary reduction of hypothalamic norepinephrine (NE) together with a persistent increase in turnover during recovery. To test for persistent alterations of NE storage and metabolism produced by stress, rats were subjected to 3 h of forced running and were then injected intraventricularly with [3H]NE or [3H]dopamine (DA). The hypothalamus was assayed for [3H]NE and its metabolites at various intervals after injection. The effects of stress were compared with those of reserpine (7·5 mg/kg) or α-methyltyrosine (AMT, 300 mg/kg) pretreatment. It was found that the stress-induced reduction of endogenous NE was not accompanied by a change in the accumulation of exogenous [3H]NE either 10 or 30 min after injection, whereas the NE depletions produced by reserpine or AMT were associated with decreased or increased accumulation, respectively. However, stress did produce an increased accumulation of [3H]NE endogenously synthesized from [3H]DA. These results indicate that exhaustive stress does not adversely affect the storage of NE. They also suggest that stores of NE depleted by stress are replenished chiefly with newly synthesized NE and not through an increased uptake and binding or decreased metabolism of extraneuronal NE. The latter factors may play a role in the maintenance of brain NE stores when biosynthesis is low, i.e. after AMT. The major metabolites of exogenous [3H]NE, at 30 min after injection, were identified as conjugates of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DOPEG) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MOPEG) in approximately equal amounts. The finding of high levels of conjugated DOPEG confirms a recent report (Slgden and Eccleston, 1971) that this compound is a major metabolite of brain NE. Reserpine produced marked elevations of both conjugates; AMT slightly reduced each. Prior stress increased only conjugated MOPEG, an observation suggesting that CNS levels of this metabolite may reflect NE released by nervous activity.
For how long will gravitational waves remain hidden

The Laser Interferometer Gravitational wave Observatory (LIGO) is a network of first generation interferometric detectors aiming to make the first direct observations of gravitational waves. Progress in the commissioning of the detectors has brought them within a factor of two of their design sensitivity near 150 Hz during the most recent science run of the instruments in March of 2005. Further improvements took place in the instruments since then and operating them at design sensitivity together with high duty cycle is expected by the end of 2005. This Letter surveys the status of the LIGO instruments and discusses results and prospects of direct detections of gravitational waves bursts.
First Report of Anthracnose Caused by Colletotrichum acutatum on Tamarillo in the United States

An aggressive anthracnose disease was identified on greenhouse and home garden cultivated tamarillo (Solanum betaceum) in 2010 and 2011 in Prince George's and Montgomery counties of Maryland. Angular lesions, dark brown at the edges and tan at the interior, eventually engulfed leaves of mature, fruit bearing trees. Additional lesions were seen on petioles and stems, resulting in stem girdling. Flower clusters were also attacked, but fruit lesions were not observed. Sporulation was evident only on stem tissue. In greenhouse-cultivated 3- to 8-month-old immature plants were found to be infected in the foliar and apical regions, resulting in death. Cultures obtained from surface-sterilized leaf and stem tissue of multiple disease samples cultivated on potato dextrose agar consistently resulted in a single fungal isolate. Molecular identification was carried out by sequence analysis of the region amplified using ITS1 forward and ITS4 reverse primers (ITS1 and 2, 5.8S ribosomal RNA). Full matches were found to...
The G protein connection: molecular basis of membrane association

Two distinct types of lipid modification, myristoylation and isoprenylation, are critical for membrane association of heterotrimeric G proteins. Elucidation of the molecular basis for G protein membrane association has important implications for understanding G protein structure and function, and is relevant to potential therapeutic approaches to AIDS and cancer.
Gibberellin Substitution for the Requirement of the Cotyledons in Stem Elongation in Pisum sativum Seedlings

The removal of the cotyledons from 8-day-old light-grown Pisum sativum cv. Alaska seedlings caused a reduction in the rate of stem elongation to 50% of the intact control value. Gibberellic acid restored the stem elongation rate of decotylized plants to the level of the intact controls. The effect of decotylization was to lower both the rate of node formation and the rate of internode elongation. The steady state rate of internode elongation was reduced to 50% of the control rate by decotylization. Applied gibberellic acid did not restore the normal rate of node formation nor the lag in internode elongation caused by decotylization, but gibberellic acid did restore the normal steady state rate of internode elongation. Analysis of variance demonstrated an interaction between the cotyledons and applied gibberellic acid. 2-Isopropyl-4-dimethylamino-5-methyl phenyl-1-piperidine carboxylate methyl chloride inhibited internode elongation to the same extent in both intact and decotylized plants. The results indicate that the cotyledons are an effective source of gibberellin for the young pea seedling.
Direct measurement of the Kirkwood-Rihaczek distribution for the spatial properties of a coherent light beam

We present a direct measurement of the Kirkwood-Rihaczek (KR) distribution for spatial properties of a coherent light beam in terms of position and momentum (angle) coordinates. We employ a two-local oscillator (LO) balanced heterodyne detection (BHD) to simultaneously extract the distribution of the transverse position and momentum of a light beam. The two-LO BHD can measure the KR distribution for any complex wave field (including quantum mechanical wave function) without applying tomography methods (inverse Radon transformation). The transformation of the KR distribution to the Wigner, Glauber-Sudarshan $P$, and Husimi or $Q$ distributions in spatial coordinates are illustrated through experimental data. The KR distribution can provide the local information of a wave field, which is suitable for studying particle properties of a quantum system. Meanwhile, the Wigner function is suitable for studying wave properties such as interference, and hence provides nonlocal information of the wave field. The method developed here can be used for exploring the spatial quantum state for information processing and optical phase-space imaging for biomedical applications.
Laser ablation cleaning of an underwater archaeological bronze spectacle plate from the H.M.S. DeBraak shipwreck

Laser ablation was successfully used to sequentially remove layers of concretion and corrosion from the surface of a copper alloy spectacle plate from the shipwreck of His Majesty’s Sloop of War DeBraak. The H.M.S. DeBraak was a single-masted cutter that was originally a Dutch ship until it was taken by the British, refitted, and repurposed as a Royal Navy ship in 1796. The ship sank along the Delaware coast in 1798 and artifacts were recovered from the wreck site in 1984. This spectacle plate is an important part of the ships rudder and it is part of the collection of the Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs. The object was brought the Winterthur/University of Delaware Program in Art Conservation for treatment. The object was examined with cross section microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF), and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) as well as Back Scattered Electron (BSE) analysis with a Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Interestingly, layers of both copper and iron corrosion products were identified within the concretion. A 1064nm Long Q-Switch (LQS) laser with 100ns pulses was tested along with a Short Free Running (SFR) with 60 - 130 microseconds pulses, at various fluences and frequencies, to determine optimal cleaning parameters for removing the concretion. Laser cleaning also revealed fragments of wood from the original rudder, which were previously trapped within the concretion. After laser cleaning, the spectacle plate was treated with 3% Benzotriazole in ethanol and then given a protective microcrystalline wax coating.
144 EXPRESSION OF ACETYL COENZYME A CARBOXYLASE α (ACCα) IN FELINE, CANINE AND PORCINE OOCYTES

High lipid content in in vitro–derived embryos of several species is associated with poor developmental potential and cryosurvival of oocytes. Lipid content of oocytes varies among species and embryonic lipid content is further influenced by the culture environment. In spite of the variation among species, the relative contribution of de novo lipid synthesis during oocyte maturation or subsequent embryonic development is unknown. In the present study, we evaluated the expression of acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase (ACCα), the key rate-limiting enzyme of lipogenesis, in oocytes of 3 species with high lipid content. Ovaries of dogs and cats were collected from a local veterinary clinic and those of pigs from an abattoir. Cat and dog oocytes were recovered by the slicing method of the ovaries. Porcine oocytes were recovered by aspiration of ovarian follicles. Immediately after collection, oocytes were fixed for 30 min using a solution of 10% neutral buffered formalin. The ACCα enzyme expression was evaluated in porcine, cat and dog oocytes by immunofluorescence using a goat anti-human ACCα primary antibody followed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated anti-goat secondary antibody. The study was replicated, with negative controls, 3 times using ≥30 oocytes per species. Messenger RNA expression of ACCα gene was also evaluated in pig oocytes. The RNA was isolated from fat tissue, pooled good-quality oocytes (n = 30), pooled poor-quality oocytes (n = 30) and cumulus cells using the RNeasy Micro kit (Qiagen, Valencia, CA, USA) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Complementary DNA was synthesised from 200 ng of RNA using Quantitect reverse-transcription kit (Qiagen) according to the manufacturer's instructions. Real-time PCR assays were carried out in duplicate and expression of ACCα mRNA levels relative to fat was determined. Oocytes and cumulus investment in cats, dogs and pigs strongly expressed ACCα. Expression of the protein was uniformly distributed through the entire ooplasm. The mRNA expression of ACCα in good- and poor-quality oocytes and cumulus cells relative to fat tissue was 11.5, 1.4 and 40.1%, respectively. Further studies are warranted on the dynamics of expression of ACC during in vitro maturation and the functional activity of the enzyme. We extend our appreciation to the Alabama Animal Alliance Inc. (Montgomery) for providing us with dog and cat ovaries; the Lambert-Powell Meats Laboratory of Auburn University for donating pig ovaries; and Dr. James Webster, Dr. Tsegaye Habtemariam and Dr. Abdalla Eljack for administrative support.
A Kolsky Torsion Bar Technique for Characterization of Dynamic Shear Response of Soft Materials

A novel Kolsky torsion bar technique is developed and successfully utilized to characterize the high strain rate shear response of a rate-independent end-linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) gel rubber with a shear modulus of about10 KPa. The results show that the specimen deforms uniformly under constant strain rate and the measured dynamic shear modulus follows reasonably well the trend determined by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) at lower strain rates. For comparison, Kolsky compression bar experiments are also performed on the same gel material with annular disk specimens. The dynamic moduli obtained from compression experiments, however, are an order of magnitude higher than those obtained by the torsional technique, due to the pressure caused by the radial inertia and end constraints.
The Teacher Support Program A Proposed Resource for the Special Education Profession and an Initial Validation

Several challenges characterize the special education profession. The literature is replete with reports of high levels of stress, burnout, and attrition among special educators; the lack of a sufficient number of fully qualified teachers; and dissatisfaction with the gap that exists between research-based effective practices and the daily classroom practices of teachers. In an attempt to counter these conditions, a model Teacher Support Program was developed in western North Carolina that offered several support services to teachers who participated voluntarily in the program. This article reports the elements of the program, the degree of participation by area teachers, and the impact of the program as reported by participants through interviews and written reports.
Relationships among scores on the Stanford-Binet IV, Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, and Columbia Mental Maturity Scale

This study investigated the correlations among the Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scale (4th Edition), the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test-Revised, and the Columbia Mental Maturity Scale. A kindergarten class of 21 children (10 boys, 11 girls) took each test, and the intercorrelations of the total scores and the correlation between the Binet IV Vocabulary subtest and the Peabody were calculated. Only the relations between Binet IV and Peabody and between Binet IV Vocabulary and Peabody were found to be statistically reliable.
Monetary Policy in a Changing World

Introduction, 23. — I. Some weak points in traditional monetary policies, 23; budgetary problems, 24; shortcomings in the use of interest rates as a disciplinary device, 28; the perversity of illiquidity and uncertainty, 30; excessive generality of effect, 32. — II. A monetary policy for today's world, 33; the place of consumer and real estate credit controls, 34; security reserve proposals, 38. — III. Conclusions, 42.
Comparative morphology of the marrow sac.

Electron microscopic techniques have been used to profile the morphologies of marrow sacs in different laboratory species. These structures all comprise a condensed layer of overlapping fibroblast-like stromal cells and apparently confine the medullary and endosteal osteoblast/lining cells to separate histiotypic compartments. There were some variations in the morphology of the sac cells in the different species. In rats, cats, and sheep, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a seamless arrangement of marrow sac cells which resembled a thin, flat simple squamous epithelium; they displayed few intercellular cytoplasmic processes. In the rabbit and pigeon, the sac comprised a more woven, multilayered fabric of broadly elongate flat fibroblast-like cells which displayed numerous intercellular processes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that all marrow sac cells were attenuated with elongated nuclei, a few small round mitochondria, and a sparse rough endoplasmic reticulum. In the majority of animals, the sac was one to two cell layers thick. The rabbit and pigeon sacs were multilayered, and never less than three to four cells deep. The cell layers were not closely apposed. Tight or gap junctions were absent at the points of intercellular contact. These morphological results suggest that marrow sacs are common elements of the vertebrate skeleton with species specific morphologies.
Multiscale Perspectives on Occupancy of Meadow Jumping Mice in Landscapes Dominated by Agriculture

Abstract Previous studies of distribution and habitat use by meadow jumping mice (Zapus hudsonius) have focused on local habitat associations. Our objectives were to predict occupancy of meadow jumping mice and identify local-, patch-, and landscape-specific factors correlated with the species' occurrence. We livetrapped for 5 consecutive days at each of 922 sites during summers of 2001–2003 in thirty-five 23-km2 landscapes located across the upper Wabash River basin, Indiana. At 474 of these sites (300 forest and 174 grassland), we measured local habitat variables and computed metrics of patch size, shape, and isolation. Meadow jumping mice were captured 242 times at 69 of the 474 sites. The species did not associate with grassland habitat more frequently than forest habitat and was slightly more likely to be captured in forested corridors than in forest patches. Occupancy models fitted separately for grassland and forest sites revealed positive effects of stem density <1 m (forest) and 1–2 m (grassland)...
A study of energy requirements for defibrillation using various shocking sequences

Recent work suggests that two sequential shocks given with two separate lead configurations, and the second pair of electrodes located in areas to enhance the potential gradient field where the first pair of electrodes is weak, can improve defibrillation efficacy compared to a single shock given to either of the pairs of electrodes alone. A simple model that permits rapid identification of weak field regions and the evaluation of the energy required for particular sequence configurations is examined. The results strongly suggest that three sequential shocks require considerably less energy than two sequential shocks.
Promoting quality surgical care: the next steps.

There are 2 major approaches to improving quality in health care: restrict care to high-quality centers or develop quality improvement initiatives to improve care across a broader range of institutions. Policies that incentivize the centralization of care are intended to promote safety and effectiveness, but may have unintended consequences due to restricted access. Concern exists about increasing health care disparities, and decreasing efficiency, timeliness, and continuity of care, other important aspects of quality care according to the Institute of Medicine. Significant improvements in safety and effectiveness must be realized to justify the potential compromise in other aspects of quality. However, the effect of such programs remains largely untested.
Theory of strongly relaxed defects in crystalline and amorphous oxides

Abstract Large, asymmetric atomic relaxations have been shown to play a crucial role in the structure and properties of several point defects in oxide materials. Examples include trapped hole centers in alkaline-earth oxides and E1′ and E4′ oxygen-vacancy centers and peroxy-radical defects in silicon dioxide. Schirmer's “bound small polaron” model, applied in particular to the alkaline-earth oxide defects, and model treatments of the E1′ center in SiO2 by Yip, Griscom and Fowler clearly illustrate the important spectroscopic consequences of such atomic relaxations. In fact, such effects had been incorporated in Luty's classic model of the Type II FA center in alkali halides. Edwards and Fowler have recently applied MNDO and MINDO/3 quantum-chemistry approaches to the E1′, E4′, and peroxy radical defects in SiO2. These calculations generally corroborate suggested models and bear as well on possible creation mechanisms. Large relaxation effects are likely to be important in many other defects in oxide mater...
A 403-year record of July temperatures and treeline dynamics of Pinus sylvestris from the Kola peninsula, northwest Russia.

A 403-yr tree-ring chronology (A.D. 1595-1997) was developed from living and dead Pinus sylvestris L. (Scots pine) from near treeline on the Kola Peninsula in northwestern Russia. Ring-width is significantly correlated with mean July temperatures. A reconstruction of mean July temperatures generally parallels similar dendroclimatic reconstructions from northern Fennoscandia. The Kola reconstruction indicates that the early- to mid-20th century experienced an exceptional period of warm summer temperatures. Dendrochronological techniques were used to estimate the timing of establishment and mortality of Pinus sylvestris at the site. Tree recruitment and mortality appear inversely related and episodic, with pulses of recruitment occurring during the late-17th, 18th, and mid- to late-20th centuries. The mid-20th century pine recruitment episode lags several decades behind the initiation of 20th-century summer warming. Analysis of instrumental climate records and pine recruitment suggests a link between warm fall and early spring conditions in the mid-20th century and increased pine regeneration. The results of this study are similar to findings from northern Fennoscandia and extend this pattern of recent climatic variation and associated treeline response eastward into the Kola Peninsula.
Psychiatric health care provider attitudes towards implantable medication

Medication nonadherence is a major problem in psychiatry. Introduction of implantable psychiatric medication could alleviate the need to take daily medication, significantly decreasing the rate of nonadherence. This survey assessed psychiatric health care professionals' opinions regarding implants. An email was sent to potential participants including an explanation of the study and a link to an online survey. Email addresses of faculty in the Department of Psychiatry were obtained from websites of United States medical schools. To assess which provider characteristics were most important in consideration of implants, logistic regression models were employed. For assessing which patient characteristics were associated with providers' opinions, logistic regression models using generalized estimating equations tested associations between patient factors and implant decision. Eighty-six percent of respondents supported implants for a subset of patients. Four provider characteristics influenced support for implants including type of work, caseload, percent of patients with schizophrenia and percent of patients with bipolar disorder. Seven patient characteristics significantly influenced provider opinions including illness severity, length of illness, medication compliance, diagnosis, type of medication, family support, and patient age. Although dozens of factors influence the future of implants, the surveyed population showed moderate to strong support for this novel treatment.
Portable Floating Electrofishing Unit for Fish Collections in Freshwater Stream Systems

Abstract Fish collection can be difficult if the stream being sampled is too deep for backpack electroshockers and does not allow boat access. A design for a portable, flat-bottomed, floating electroshocking unit is described. The unit consists of a one-piece, structural-foam big-wheel cart from which the wheels and stand were removed. In tests, the unit was able to float loads weighing up to 90.8 kg. The total weight of the unit with the electronics and generator installed is approximately 68.1 kg, which allows two persons to transport the unit to a stream and lift it over shallow riffles and log jams. The unit allows sampling of stream pools that can be waded and provides greater mobility and less fatigue for the sampler carrying the anode and cathode poles. Due to its larger electrical field, this unit offers greater sampling distance than backpack electroshockers. The total cost, including the electronics, anode and cathode poles, and generator, was about US$3,800.
High performance fibers from aromatic polymers

Examples are given to show how molecular structures may be synthesized to prepare polymers useful for the formation of fibers intended for specific end uses, particularly for high performance applications. Current trends and developments taken from the literature are reviewed and some new work from the laboratories of Monsanto Company is presented concerning the use of aromatic polymers for heat and flame resistant fibers. Some new polymers and new routes of synthesis are described. Correlations are made between flame resistance as measured by oxygen index (O.I.) values and the structure of a large number of aromatic polymers.
Anionic Effects on the Size and Shape of Apatite Crystals Grown from Physiological Solutions

Comparatively little is known of the role tissue fluid electrolytes have in establishing the size and shape of apatite crystals deposited in skeletal tissues. In vitro accretion experiments using synthetic apatite seed crystals comparable in size to bone apatite were performed to assess the extent to which these crystalline features may be affected by direct electrolyte/mineral interactions. A constant composition method was used to maintain the accretion reactions under physiological-like solution conditions (1.33 mmol/liter Ca(2+), 1.0 mmol/liter total inorganic phosphate, (0 or 26) mmol/liter carbonate, 270 mmol/kg osmolality, pH 7.4, 37 degrees C). When the mass of the new accretions equaled the initial seed mass, the solids were harvested and the net change in crystal size resulting from the new accretions was assessed by X-ray diffraction line-broadening analysis. All the electrolytes examined in this study inhibited the accretion rate. The order of effectiveness was phosvitin > polyaspartate approximately polyglutamate > 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-bisphosphonate (HEBP) > bovine serum albumin (BSA) > citrate. Citrate and BSA also reduced the mean crystal size of the harvested solids compared with those harvested in the absence of added electrolyte, a finding that suggests that citrate and BSA suppressed growth of the seed crystals in favor of the proliferation of new smaller crystals. In contrast, a net increase in size following accretion compared with controls suggests that the other more strongly inhibiting electrolytes stimulated growth of the primary seed crystals and/or of the secondary crystals. These size changes, however, were anisotropic, with the anions effecting primarily increases in crystal width/thickness rather than in length. The effects were also more pronounced in the presence of carbonate. Our findings suggest that the strength of the interaction with the crystal surface may be relatively more important than molecular size or conformational complexity in establishing the effect that electrolytes have on apatite growth and proliferation. The results also suggest that adsorbed electrolytes may be a significant factor in controlling the size of apatite crystals in skeletal tissues by inducing proliferation of new crystals and/or affecting crystal shape by selectively modifying growth of the lateral dimensions.
Shoulder hemiarthroplasty for steroid-associated osteonecrosis

Currently, there is little information on the outcome of humeral head replacement for steroid-associated osteonecrosis of the humeral head. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of patients who underwent humeral head replacement for steroid-associated osteonecrosis to determine the results, risk factors for an unsatisfactory outcome, and rates of revision surgery. Between 1980 and 2000, 32 shoulder hemiarthroplasties were performed for steroid-associated osteonecrosis. We included 31 hemiarthroplasties in 25 patients with a minimum 2-year follow-up (mean, 12.0 years) in the study. The mean age of the 23 female and 9 male patients was 49.4 years at the time of surgery (range, 25-86 years). Overall, mean pain scores decreased from 4.6 to 2.6 ( P P P
Process evaluation of an intervention to increase child activity levels in afterschool programs

Background Identifying effective strategies in Afterschool programs (ASPs) to increase children's moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in the ASP setting is crucial. This study describes the process evaluation outcomes from an intervention to reduce child sedentary time and increase MVPA in ASPs.
Hand-held based near-infrared optical imaging devices: A review

Near-infrared (NIR) optical imaging is a non-invasive and non-ionizing modality that is emerging as a diagnostic/prognostic tool for breast cancer and other applications related to functional brain mapping. In recent years, hand-held based optical imaging devices are developed for clinical translation of the technology, as opposed to the various bulky optical imagers available. Herein, we review the different hand-held based NIR devices developed to date, in terms of the measurement techniques implemented (continuous wave, time or frequency-domain), the imaging methods used, and the specific applications towards which they were applied. The advantages and disadvantages of the different hand-held optical devices are described and also compared with respect to a novel hand-held based device currently developed in our Optical Imaging Laboratory towards three-dimensional tomography studies.
Impact of rapid response system implementation on critical deterioration events in children

Importance Rapid response systems aim to identify and rescue deteriorating hospitalized patients. Previous pediatric rapid response system implementation studies have shown variable effectiveness in preventing rare, catastrophic outcomes such as cardiac arrest and death. Objective To evaluate the impact of pediatric rapid response system implementation inclusive of a medical emergency team and an early warning score on critical deterioration, a proximate outcome defined as unplanned transfer to the intensive care unit with noninvasive or invasive mechanical ventilation or vasopressor infusion in the 12 hours after transfer. Design, Setting, and Participants Quasi-experimental study with interrupted time series analysis using piecewise regression. At an urban, tertiary care children’s hospital in the United States, we evaluated 1810 unplanned transfers from the general medical and surgical wards to the pediatric and neonatal intensive care units that occurred during 370 504 non–intensive care patient-days between July 1, 2007, and May 31, 2012. Interventions Implementation of a hospital-wide rapid response system inclusive of a medical emergency team and an early warning score in February 2010. Main Outcomes and Measures Rate of critical deterioration events, adjusted for season, ward, and case mix. Results Rapid response system implementation was associated with a significant downward change in the preintervention trajectory of critical deterioration and a 62% net decrease relative to the preintervention trend (adjusted incidence rate ratio = 0.38; 95% CI, 0.20-0.75). We observed absolute reductions in ward cardiac arrests (from 0.03 to 0.01 per 1000 non–intensive care patient-days) and deaths during ward emergencies (from 0.01 to 0.00 per 1000 non–intensive care patient-days), but these were not statistically significant (P = .21 andP = .99, respectively). Among all unplanned transfers, critical deterioration was associated with a 4.97-fold increased risk of death (95% CI, 3.33-7.40;P Conclusions and Relevance Rapid response system implementation reversed an increasing trend of critical deterioration. Cardiac arrest and death were extremely rare at baseline, and their reductions were not statistically significant despite using nearly 5 years of data. Hospitals seeking to measure rapid response system performance may consider using valid proximate outcomes like critical deterioration in addition to rare, catastrophic outcomes.
Prevalence of and Risk Factors for Dysglycemia in Patients Receiving Gatifloxacin and Levofloxacin in an Outpatient Setting

Study Objectives. To assess the prevalence of dysglycemia (hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia) associated with oral levofloxacin and gatifloxacin therapy in an outpatient setting, and to determine the characteristics of patients who developed dysglycemia while receiving either fluoroquinolone. Design. Retrospective medical record review. Setting. Outpatient clinic of a Veterans Affairs teaching hospital. Patients. A total of 1573 patients who received oral levofloxacin (343 patients), gatifloxacin (589 patients), or azithromycin (as a control, 641 patients) between June 1, 2004, and May 31, 2006. Measurements and Main Results. Dysglycemia occurred in 33 patients: 13 (2.2%), 9 (2.6%), and 11 (1.7%), respectively, of those in the gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, and azithromycin groups. Of 13 patients who experienced a hyperglycemic event, 11 (84.6%) had diabetes mellitus. After adjustment for confounding factors, neither levofloxacin nor gatifloxacin were associated with increased odds of developing a dysglycemic event compared with azithromycin. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that lack of downward dosage adjustment based on creatinine clearance (odds ratio [OR] 10.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.8–27.6), presence of diabetes (OR 17.1, 95% CI 3.1–94.9), or treatment with insulin (OR 5.3, 95% CI 1.8–15.7) or sulfonylureas (OR 3.6, 95% CI 1.3–10.4) independently increased dysglycemia risk. Obesity (body mass index > 30 kg/m2) was independently protective (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.09-0.55) against dysglycemic events. Conclusion. Levofloxacin and gatifloxacin were not significantly associated with increased dysglycemic events compared with azithromycin. Lack of downward fluoroquinolone dosage adjustment for renal function, presence of diabetes, and treatment with insulin or sulfonylureas each independently increased the risk of dysglycemia. Obesity was independently protective against dysglycemia. More data are needed on the contributing effects of diabetes, fluoroquinolone dosage, and concomitant drug therapy so that an appropriate risk-management strategy can be developed.
Motor vehicle crash deaths related to police pursuits in the United States

Objective: To determine the number and characteristics of motor vehicle crash deaths related to police pursuits in the United States. Methods: Analysis of the Fatality Analysis Reporting System and the Crashworthiness Data System of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for the years 1994–2002. Results: There were 2654 fatal crashes involving 3965 vehicles and 3146 fatalities during the nine year study period. Of these, 1088 were to people not in the fleeing vehicle. These crashes often occurred at high speed, in the night, on local roads. Most of the pursued drivers had prior motor vehicle related convictions. Conclusions: Many deaths related to police pursuits are to innocent victims. Given that most of the pursued drivers had prior convictions, alternative means of detaining them should be explored.
Career Center Hosts a Variety of Events

Record numbers of 2012 AGU Fall Meeting attendees participated in an unprecedented number of career development and guidance events. The AGU Career Services section put together a diverse program of 26 events, from informal talks in the Career Lounge to career guidance workshops and networking opportunities.
The idea of a Republican tradition: Reflections on the debate concerning the intellectual foundations of the French Third Republic1

In intellectual history and in political science, among other disciplines, the notion of ‘national tradition’ often plays an important role. This article presents and discusses some recent descriptions of the French political tradition, proposing a distinction between those who identify ‘one dominant tradition’ and those who favour an approach in terms of multiple, equally influential, yet by and large incommensurable traditions. Taking the intellectual life of the French Third Republic as an example, the article shows how political traditions are transformed by historical events as well as how, far from being fixed and stable entities, they often stand in a relation to each other which allows for processes of emulation or conscious borrowing. In conclusion, the article suggests that the problem with ‘national traditions’ has less to do with the quantitative difficulty of correctly counting their number than with the very notion of tradition itself.
The meaning of reading-to-do documentation

Despite the acknowledged importance of reader feedback to computer documentation, few relevant, standardized, empirically validated measures for such feedback have been developed. Research involving hundreds of experienced computer users from more than 30 organizations indicates that there are at least three principal dimensions which readers use when evaluating documentation used in the performance of job-related software tasks: task relevancy, systematic arrangement, and credibility. A nine-scale measure of these dimensions is proposed for standardized use.
Nanosecond-Timescale Conformational Dynamics of the Human α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

We explore the conformational dynamics of a homology model of the human α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor using molecular dynamics simulation and analyses of root mean-square fluctuations, block partitioning of segmental motion, and principal component analysis. The results reveal flexible regions and concerted global motions of the subunits encompassing extracellular and transmembrane domains of the subunits. The most relevant motions comprise a bending, hinged at the β10-M1 region, accompanied by concerted tilting of the M2 helices that widens the intracellular end of the channel. Despite the nanosecond timescale, the observations suggest that tilting of the M2 helices may initiate opening of the pore. The results also reveal direct coupling between a twisting motion of the extracellular domain and dynamic changes of M2. Covariance analysis of interresidue motions shows that this coupling arises through a network of residues within the Cys and M2-M3 loops where Phe135 is stabilized within a hydrophobic pocket formed by Leu270 and Ile271. The resulting concerted motion causes a downward shift of the M2 helices that disrupts a hydrophobic girdle formed by 9′ and 13′ residues.
False recollection of the role played by an actor in an event

Two experiments demonstrated that eyewitnesses more frequently associate an actor with the actions of another person when those two people had appeared together in the same event, rather than in different events. This greater likelihood of binding an actor with the actions of another person from the same event was associated with high-confidence recognition judgments and “remember” responses in a remember–know task, suggesting that viewing an actor together with the actions of another person led participants to falsely recollect having seen that actor perform those actions. An analysis of age differences provided evidence that familiarity also contributed to false recognition independently of a false-recollection mechanism. In particular, older adults were more likely than young adults to falsely recognize a novel conjunction of a familiar actor and action, regardless of whether that actor and action were from the same or from different events. Older adults’ elevated rate of false recognition was associated with intermediate confidence levels, suggesting that it stemmed from increased reliance on familiarity rather than from false recollection. The implications of these results are discussed for theories of conjunction errors in memory and of unconscious transference in eyewitness testimony.
Insulin-Like Growth Factor Pathway–Targeted Therapy in Breast Cancer

The insulin-like growth factor (IGF) pathway plays an important role in cancer development, survival, metastasis, and resistance to antineoplastic therapies in various malignancies. Components of the IGF pathway are potential targets for novel anticancer therapy. In breast cancer, preclinical and clinical data suggest that IGF signaling is critical for tumor growth and resistance to therapy, leading to poor prognosis. There is also evidence of cross-talk between IGF, estrogen, erbB, and mTOR pathways; a potential mechanism of cancer resistance to hormonal or HER2-targeted therapy. This review discusses the rationale and strategies being evaluated in the clinical development of targeting the IGF pathway. It highlights the potential interactions between the IGF pathway and other therapies in breast cancer, and also focuses on the completed and ongoing clinical trials of different IGF pathway–targeted therapies in breast cancer.
Axonal migration of taurine in the goldfish visual system

Taurine is an ubiquitous amino sulfonic acid present in high concentrations in neural and muscle tissue. Except for its role in the conjugation of bile acids, its biological significance is uncertain 5,7. However, there is considerable recent evidence which suggests that it may function as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in nervous tissue and in retina 1, and that it might be involved in brain development 1~-16. The present experiments were performed in order to test the possibility that taurine might be axonally transported in the optic nerve of the goldfish, a system which has been used extensively to study the axonal transport of macromolecules 4,6,1°. We also have used this system to investigate the axonal migration of cysteine, a precursor of taurine, and of?-aminobutyric acid (GABA), an amino acid analog of taurine and also a putative neurotransmitter. [85S]Taurine (64 mCi/mmole, obtained from Amersham/Searle Corp.), [~5S] cysteine (22 mCi/mmole, obtained from Amersham/Searle Corp.), or [14C]GABA (49 mCi/mmole, obtained from New England Nuclear Corp.) were dissolved in 0.9 saline. Four microliters of each solution (containing 0.5-1.0/~Ci) were injected in separate experiments into the vitreous of the right eye of goldfish (4-5 in. in length, obtained from Ozark Fisheries, Stoutland, Mo.). Fish were killed at various times after injection and their right retinas and both optic tecta were removed and homogenized in deionized H20. Trichloroacetic acid (TCA), 30 ~o w/v, was added to the homogenate to give a final concentration of 1 0 ~ TCA. Determination of TCAinsoluble and TCA-soluble radioactivity was performed as described previously 6. Since visual fibers of the goldfish cross completely at the optic chiasm, radioactivity in the tectum ipsilateral to the injected eye (right tectum in this case) represents material which has arrived by general circulation, whereas radioactivity in the left tectum represents material which has arrived by axonal transport or axonal diffusion