cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Determination of Nutritional and Cyclopropenoid Fatty Acids in Cottonseed by a Single GC Analysis

Historically, a complete analysis of cottonseed fatty acids required two separate analyses: gas chromatography (GC) for nutritional fatty acids and a separate analysis for cyclopropenoid fatty acids (CPFA). Using base esterification and optimized GC conditions, the method presented combines both analyses into a single GC procedure that improves analytical processes and streamlines workflow. While there were challenges, the resolution of critical pairs malvalic/stearic and dihydrosterculic/alpha linolenic methyl esters were adequately separated, allowing for accurate quantitation. Single lab reproducibility measurements (RSD) for major nutritional fatty acids ranged from 0.7 to 2.0 %. For CPFA the RSD ranged from 1.1 to 5.4 %, with the higher variability seen in the extracted cottonseed. In oils, the precision was similar between nutritional fatty acids and CPFA at equivalent concentrations, indicating the variation comes from the extraction process. Average spiked recovery results ranged from 93.3 to 106.5 % for selected fatty acids. In addition, complete fatty acid profile results compare favorably with other methodologies and historical data, demonstrating that it is possible to combine two legacy methods into one.
The Violent Sun

Without warning, the relatively calm solar atmosphere can be torn asunder by sudden outbursts of a scale unknown on Earth. Catas-trophic events of incredible energy can produce transient brightenings, called solar flares, that flood the solar system with intense radiation from X-rays to radio waves. The powerful flares are easily observed at these invisible wavelengths, where they briefly dominate the Sun’s output and sometimes outshine all other astronomical sources (Fig. 7.1).
DNA-based marker maps of Brassica

Brassica crops have great economic importance worldwide as vegetables and oil seed crops. Vegetable brassicas have an annual value of over $ 1 billion in the US. The production of these crops is likely to increase in the future considering their rise in popularity as sources of chemoprotecting agents (Fahey et al. 1997) and fiber. As oilseed crops, 15% (Carr and McDonald, 1991) of the edible oil produced in the world comes from rapeseed. The development of canola has resulted in the improvement of Brassica oil seed quality, increasing production mostly in Canada and Europe. Therefore, the development of basic genetic information in brassicas and its application to breeding is justified due to the increasing importance of these crops.
First provincial survey of Angiostrongylus cantonensis in Guangdong Province, China

The rat lungworm Angiostrongylus cantonensis is a zoonotic nematode with a wide distribution. We report the first provincial survey of the prevalence of A. cantonensis infection among wild rodents and snails in Guangdong Province, China. A total of 2929 Pomacea canaliculata and 1354 Achatina fulica were collected from fields in 22 survey sites with a larval infection rates ranging from 0-26.6% to 0-45.4%. In addition, 114 Cipangopaludina sp and 252 Bellamya sp were bought from markets; larvae were found only in Bellamya snails from two survey sites with an infection rate of 1.4% (1/70) and 3.3% (3/91), respectively. Four hundred and ninety-one rodents were captured in nine sites (Rattus norvegicus, R. flavipectus, Suncus murinus, Mus musculus, Bandicota indica, R. losea and R. rattus). Adult worms were found in R. norvegicus, R. flavipectus and Bandicota indica. Our survey revealed a wide distribution of A. cantonensis and its intermediate hosts P. canaliculata and A. fulica in Guangdong. The prevalence of A. cantonensis in wild snails and rats poses a substantial risk for angiostrongyliasis in humans.
Rate Region Frontiers for n-user Interference Channel with Interference as Noise

This paper presents the achievable rate region frontiers for the n-user interference channel when there is no cooperation at the transmit nor at the receive side. The receiver is assumed to treat the interference as additive thermal noise and does not employ multiuser detection. In this case, the rate region frontier for the n-user interference channel is found to be the union of n hyper-surface frontiers of dimension n-1, where each is characterized by having one of the transmitters transmitting at full power. The paper also finds the conditions determining the convexity or concavity of the frontiers for the case of two-user interference channel, and discusses when a time sharing approach should be employed with specific results pertaining to the two-user symmetric channel.
Interannual Variability of Tropical Tropopause Layer Clouds

[1] The quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO), El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and upwelling in the tropical branch of the Brewer-Dobson circulation (BDC) impact tropical tropopause layer (TTL, 14–19 km) temperature (T) and relative humidity (RH), and thus it is likely that they also affect the TTL cloud distribution. Satellite data reveal extreme interannual variability in the zonal-mean TTL cloud occurrence frequency (CF) in the deep tropics (10°S–10°N). This zonal-mean interannual variability is related to the QBO and BDC, with a relatively minor role for ENSO. However, over the whole tropics (30°S–30°N), the dominant mode of variability in the longitudinally resolved CF field is an ENSO-related dipole pattern of positive and negative anomalies centered over the Pacific that mimics the RH/T fields. The ENSO effects largely cancel in the zonal mean, although El Nino is weakly associated with enhanced zonal-mean cloudiness in the uppermost TTL over the short satellite record.
Anticancer Cytokines: Biology and Clinical Effects of Interferon-α2, Interleukin (IL)-2, IL-15, IL-21, and IL-12

Efforts over nearly four decades have focused on ways to use cytokines to manipulate the host immune response towards cancer cell recognition and eradication. Significant advances were achieved with interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-α (IFN-α), primarily in the treatment of patients with melanoma and renal cell carcinoma. However, the utility of other cytokines showing promise in the preclinical setting has not been established largely because of toxicity, the complex functionality of each cytokine and the difficulty mimicking in preclinical models the human environment. Here, we review the basic biology and the clinical experiences with IFN-α, IL-2, IL-15, IL-21, and IL-12. We will also review ongoing clinical trials and discuss future directions including potential use of cytokines in combination with other effective immunotherapy approaches that have come of age in recent years.
Radiation from a class of string theoretic black holes

The emission of a scalar with low energy {omega}, from a D- (4{le}D{le}8) dimensional black hole with n charges, is studied in both string and semiclassical calculations. In the lowest order in {omega}, the weak coupling string and semiclassical calculations agree provided that the Bekenstein-Hawking formula is valid and the effective central charge c{sub eff}=6 for any D. When the next order in {omega} is considered, however, there is no agreement between the two schemes unless D=5, n=3 or D=4, n=4. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
High-Speed Cell Analysis and Sorting with Flow Systems: Biological Applications and New Approaches

A brief historical account of cell analysis and sorting by high-speed flow-through methods is presented. The status of the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory program in this area is described, including biological applications such as the measurement of the DNA content of mouse liver cells and cultured mammalian cells. Histograms of cellular DNA content can be analyzed mathematically by means of a least squares fitting code. The usefulness of this procedure in extracting information on the life cycle parameters of growing cells is demonstrated. A simple computer model of cell growth is used to demonstrate the accuracy of the fitting code and to elucidate shifts in the shape of the DNA histogram as a function of the fraction of cells in the DNA synthesis phase. A new electronic cell sorter is described with emphasis on new features that insure simplicity, reliability, ease of operation, flexibility, and efficiency. Future directions of both technological development and biomedical applications are considered.
Antipsychotic effects on prepulse inhibition in normal 'low gating' humans and rats.

Development of new antipsychotics and their novel applications may be facilitated through the use of physiological markers in clinically normal individuals. Both genetic and neurochemical evidence suggests that reduced prepulse inhibition of startle (PPI) may be a physiological marker for individuals at-risk for schizophrenia, and the ability of antipsychotics to normalize PPI may reflect properties linked to their clinical efficacy. We assessed the effects of the atypical antipsychotic quetiapine (12.5 mg po) on PPI in 20 normal men with a ‘low PPI’ trait, based on PPI levels in the lowest 25% of a normal PPI distribution. The effects of quetiapine (7.5 mg/kg s.c.) on PPI were then assessed in rats with phenotypes of high PPI (Sprague Dawley (SD)) and low PPI (Brown Norway (BN)); effects of clozapine (7.5 mg/kg i.p.) and haloperidol (0.1 mg/kg s.c.) on PPI were also tested in SD rats. At a time of maximal psychoactivity, quetiapine significantly enhanced PPI to short prepulse intervals (20–30 ms) in ‘low gating’ human subjects. Quetiapine increased PPI in low gating BN rats for prepulse intervals <120 ms; this effect of quetiapine was limited to 20 ms prepulse intervals in SD rats, who also exhibited this pattern in response to clozapine but not haloperidol. In both humans and rats, normal ‘low gating’ appears to be an atypical antipsychotic-sensitive phenotype. PPI at short intervals may be most sensitive to pro-gating effects of these drugs.
Mechanical Stimulation of Feeding in Epiactis prolifera

THE feeding mechanisms of coelenterates were the subject of much interest at the turn of the century, and were investigated by such notable biologists as Loeb1, Jennings2 and Parker3. Renewed consideration has been given to these problems in the past few decades largely through the work of Pantin4, who used the sea anemone, Anemonia sulcata, and more recently through the experiments of Loomis5. The latter, who showed that small amounts of the tripeptide reduced glutathione activated feeding in the fresh-water Hydra littoralis, directed attention toward the chemical activation of feeding6,7. But the question of mechanical stimulation of feeding, although demonstrated in some sea anemones by earlier workers2,8, has been neglected in recent years. In this communication, I describe some observations which show that the feeding response of the sea anemone Epiactis prolifera can be repeatedly activated by remarkably slight mechanical stimulation with inert objects.
Analyzing Learning in Professional Learning Communities: A Conceptual Framework

The purpose of this article is to build a conceptual framework that informs current understanding of how professional learning communities (PLCs) function in conjunction with organizational learning. The combination of sociocultural learning theories and organizational learning theories presents a more complete picture of PLC processes that has been missing from the literature. Situating PLCs in a theory base specific to learning focuses researchers’ attention on their function and meaning and creates a research perspective that will help to answer questions about PLC process and product outcomes. This conceptual framework can also be used as a practical tool for school and district leaders to assess how their PLCs are functioning within the structures they have established.
A mobile system for skin cancer diagnosis and monitoring

In this paper, we propose a mobile system for aiding doctors in skin cancer diagnosis and other persons in skin cancer monitoring. The basic idea is to use image retrieval techniques to help the users to find the similar skin cancer cases stored in a database by using smart phones. The query image can be taken by a smart phone from a patient or can be uploaded from other resources. The shapes of the skin lesions are used for matching two skin lesions, which are segmented from skin images using the skin lesion extraction method developed in 1. The features used in the proposed system are obtained by Fourier descriptor. A prototype application has been developed and can be installed in an iPhone. In this application, the iPhone users can use the iPhone as a diagnosis tool to find the potential skin lesions in a persons’ skin and compare the skin lesions detected by the iPhone with the skin lesions stored in a database in a remote server.
Thermal behavior of carbon black filled polymers

DSC measurements suggest that polybutyl methacrylate interacts more strongly with carbon black than polystyrenes and corresponding random copolymers do, showing an increase in T g of 8.6°C, compared to 2-3°C, by the inclusion of 20 % carbon black of surface area 625 m 2 /g, in agreement with rheological studies. Enthalpy relaxation in the vicinity of T g is increased by annealing at T g −10°C, attaining a maximum of 1.65 kJ/kg for polybutyl methacrylate and 2.6 kJ/kg for polystyrene. At constant annealing temperature, the rate of enthalpy relaxation in polybutyl methacrylate was reduced by a factor of about two by the addition of carbon black. However, both pure polystyrene and polybutyl methacrylate show the same rate of enthalpy relaxation as the corresponding filled polymers, following annealing at the appropriate T g −10°C
Nanowear of Hafnium Diboride Thin Films

Chemical Vapor Deposition-grown HfB2 films were subjected to nanowear testing at normal loads of 50–500 μN. The material response was investigated by measuring residual wear depths and wear scar roughness and by calculating wear rates and specific energies. Films annealed for 1 h at 800°C showed significant reduction in wear rate and required a higher critical energy for wear, compared to as-deposited HfB2 films. Analysis of roughness of the worn scars revealed that plowing effect dominates at higher loads (200–500 μN), whereas at lower loads, asperity flattening dominates. The excellent response of annealed HfB2 films to nanotribological testing demonstrates the potential of these films for applications requiring high wear resistance at the nanoscale.
Single-molecule Förster resonance energy transfer reveals an innate fidelity checkpoint in DNA polymerase I.

Enzymatic reactions typically involve complex dynamics during substrate binding, conformational rearrangement, chemistry, and product release. The noncovalent steps provide kinetic checkpoints that contribute to the overall specificity of enzymatic reactions. DNA polymerases perform DNA replication with outstanding fidelity by actively rejecting noncognate nucleotide substrates early in the reaction pathway. Substrates are delivered to the active site by a flexible fingers subdomain of the enzyme, as it converts from an open to a closed conformation. The conformational dynamics of the fingers subdomain might also play a role in nucleotide selection, although the precise role is currently unknown. Using single-molecule Forster resonance energy transfer, we observed individual Escherichia coli DNA polymerase I (Klenow fragment) molecules performing substrate selection. We discovered that the fingers subdomain actually samples through three distinct conformations—open, closed, and a previously unrecognized i...
Silver staining of Pneumocystis carinii in the rat's lung.

Summary The backscattered electron imaging mode of the scanning electron microscope was used to study the ontogenetic acquisition of argyrophilia in Pneumocystis carinii in rats. Silver staining continually increased from the late trophozoite to the mature cyst stage. The silver uptake began with a fine outline at the surface of the bodies of the late trophozoites; their cellular extensions, however, did not stain. The oblate precyst forms acquired the silver in heterogeneous patches. On spherical cysts the silver staining became more uniform and intense with at least one dense spot. The spherical and collapsed cysts also had short silver staining projections that may represent microvilli. Collapsed forms were paler than spherical ones and appear to be cysts that have undergone partial or complete release of sporozoites. These cell surface observations confirm and amplify previous transmission electron microscopical and histochemical studies indicating that silver staining correlates with the acquisition of the cell pellicle.
Coordination of membrane excitability through a GIRK1 signaling complex in the atria.

Control of heart rate is a complex process that integrates the function of multiple G protein-coupled receptors and ion channels. Among them, the G protein-regulated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK or KACh) channels of sinoatrial node and atria play a major role in beat-to-beat regulation of the heart rate. The atrial KACh channels are heterotetrameric proteins that consist of two pore-forming subunits, GIRK1 and GIRK4. Following m2-muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M2R) stimulation, KACh channel activation is conferred by the direct binding of G protein βγ subunits (Gβγ) to the channel. Here we show that atrial KACh channels are assembled in a signaling complex with Gβγ, G protein-coupled receptor kinase, cyclic adenosine monophosphate-dependent protein kinase, two protein phosphatases, PP1 and PP2A, receptor for activated C kinase 1, and actin. This complex would enable the KACh channels to rapidly integrate β-adrenergic and M2R signaling in the membrane, and it provides insight into general principles governing spatial integration of different transduction pathways. Furthermore, the same complex might recruit protein kinase C (PKC) to the KACh channel following α-adrenergic receptor stimulation. Our electro-physiological recordings from single atrial KACh channels revealed a potent inhibition of Gβγ-induced channel activity by PKC, thus validating the physiological significance of the observed complex as interconnecting site where signaling molecules congregate to execute a coordinated control of membrane excitability.
Strategies to Optimize Drotrecogin alfa (activated) Use: Guidelines and Therapeutic Controversies

Drotrecogin alfa (activated) is a new agent that may substantially affect the treatment of patients with severe sepsis. Despite its therapeutic promise, treatment with drotrecogin alfa (activated) represents a new challenge for many clinicians and health care centers. Specifically, optimizing the appropriate role for drotrecogin alfa (activated) requires balancing numerous issues, including its efficacy in high-risk patients with its potential for indiscriminate administration. One common approach to minimizing indiscriminate administration of drotrecogin alfa (activated) and maximizing its efficacy while minimizing its toxicity is for hospitals to develop therapeutic guidelines that define how the agent should be used. We outline factors that should be considered when developing drotrecogin alfa (activated) therapy guidelines and address realistic questions that routinely arise in clinical practice regarding the implementation of such guidelines and the administration of this product. In general, the guidelines must facilitate optimization of drug therapy and not be viewed as hurdles to drug therapy. Developing clear guidelines that are based on evidence, outlining a specific process to facilitate optimal therapy, and educating all parties involved are paramount to ensuring that the benefits of therapy are maximized.
Anesthesia Information Management Systems

Michael M. Vigoda, MD, MBA*, David M. Feinstein, MD Center for Informatics and Perioperative Management, Department of Anesthesiology, Perioperative Medicine, and Pain Management, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, 1611 NW 12th Avenue (C-301), Miami, FL 33136, USA Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA Information Technology and Simulation Training, Department of Anesthesia, Critical Care, and Pain Medicine Carl J. Shapiro Simulation and Skills Center, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA
Microporous poly(caprolactam) hollow fibers for therapeutic affinity adsorption

Abstract Microporous nylon-6 hollow fibers were modified for use as affinity fibers. The initial amine end-group concentration of 21 μmoles/g fiber was amplified by reacting the polymer with lysine, using standard peptide synthetic methods. The carbohydrate side chain of a rabbit polyclonal anti-BSA IgG was oxidized to facilitate linkage of the Ab to the hollow fibers. The covalent links were either to terminal amine groups [from lysine of the poly(caprolactam)] or to hydrazide groups. The latter were produced by coupling adipic acid dihydrazide to the amine groups via a glutaraldehyde bridge. Coupling of the oxidized Ab to amine groups of required a pH⪢8.0, whereas the same Ab could react with the hydrazide groups at pH 5.5. The higher pH coupling conditions led to crosslinking of the IgG, presumably between side chain amine groups on the protein and the carbohydrate aldehyde groups. Although significant amounts of IgG could be coupled to the amine groups, the recognition of antigen by such Ab was markedly reduced. In contrast, the coupling of oxidized Ab to hydrazide groups, carried out at pH 5.5, gave bound IgG which exhibited the theoretical number of binding sites for its antigen. Equilibrium binding coefficients for BSA showed values ranging from 5,2×10 6 M −1 to 9.7×10 5 M −1 . The molar ratio of BSA to calculated anti-BSA binding sites was generally 2:1. Although stripping experiments with SDS at ⪢85°C indicated none of the BSA was covalently linked to either the IgG or the fiber substrate, less than 60% of the adsorbed BSA could be eluted with pH change, salt, chaotropic agent, etc. The same responses were observed with hydrazide modified Sepharose carried through the experiments for comparison.
The posterior parietal cortex and long-term memory representation of spatial information

The hypothesis to be explored in this chapter is based on the assumption that the posterior parietal cortex (PPC) is directly involved in representing a subset of the spatial features associated with spatial information processing and plays an important role in perceptual memory as well as long-term memory encoding, consolidation, and retrieval of spatial information. After presentation of the anatomical location of the PPC in rats, the nature of PPC representation based on single spatial features, binding of visual features associated with visual spatial attention, binding of object-place associations associated with acquisition and storage of associations where one of the elements is a spatial component, and binding of ideothetic and allothetic information in long-term memory is discussed. Additional evidence for a PPC role in mediation of spatial information in long-term storage is offered. Finally, the relationship between the PPC and the hippocampus from a systems and dynamic point view is presented.
Movement representation in the dorsal and ventral premotor areas of owl monkeys: a microstimulation study.

We used intracortical microstimulation to investigate the lateral premotor cortex and neighboring areas in 14 hemispheres of owl monkeys, focusing on the somatotopic distribution of evoked movements, thresholds for forelimb movements, and the relative representation of proximal and distal forelimb movements. We elicited movements from the dorsal and ventral premotor areas (PMD, PMV), the caudal and rostral divisions of primary motor cortex (Mlc, Mlr), the frontal eye field (FEF), the dorsal oculomotor area (OMD; area 8b), the supplementary motor area (SMA), and somatosensory cortex (areas 3a and 3b). Area PMD was composed of architectonically distinguishable caudal and rostral subdivisions (PMDc, PMDr). Stimulation of PMD elicited movements of the hindlimb, forelimb, neck and upper trunk, face, and eyes. Hindlimb and forelimb movements were represented in the caudalmost part of PMDc. Face, neck, and eye movements were represented in the lateral and rostral parts of PMDc and in PMDr. Stimulation of PMV elicited forelimb and orofacial movements, but not hindlimb movements. Both proximal and distal forelimb movements were elicited from PMDc and PMV, although PMD stimulation elicited mainly shoulder and elbow movements, while PMV stimulation evoked primarily wrist and digit movements. Distal movements were evoked more frequently from PMV than from Mlr or Mlc. Across cases, the median forelimb thresholds for PMDc and PMV were 60 and 36 μA, respectively, values that differ significantly from each other and from the value of 11 μA obtained for Mlr. Our observations indicate that premotor cortex is much more responsive to electrical stimulation than commonly thought, and contains a large territory from which eye movements can be elicited. These results suggest that in humans, much of the electrically excitable cortex located on the precentral gyrus, including cortex sometimes considered part of the frontal eye field, is probably homologous to the premotor cortex of nonhuman primates. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
First-principles calculation of the O vacancy in ZnO: A self-consistent gap-corrected approach

The electronic structure of the oxygen vacancy in ZnO has been found to be sensitive to the corrections applied to the local (spin) density approximation (LSDA) band gap underestimate. Here, the ``$\mathrm{LSDA}+U$'' approach, in which Hubbard-$U$ corrections are added to the local density approximation, is applied to both $\mathrm{Zn}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}d$ and $\mathrm{Zn}\phantom{\rule{0.2em}{0ex}}s$ orbitals. The justification of this approach is discussed. Transition state energies are calculated self-consistently instead of applying a posteriori corrections. The supercell size dependence and applicability of Makov--Payne corrections is investigated and an extrapolation approach inversely proportional to the cell volume is used. The $0∕2+$ transition level is found at $0.80\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$ above the valence-band maximum and a small negative $U$ behavior is obtained with $U=\ensuremath{-}0.05\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{eV}$. The Kohn--Sham one-electron levels in the different charge states are also presented and relevant experimental results are discussed.
Phospholipide metabolism during hypertrophy and hyperplasia in rat prostates and seminal vesicles

Abstract Control, castrated, and testosterone-treated rats were given subcutaneous injections of 0.45 μc. of radioactive phosphorus, as NaH 2 P 32 O 4 , and were sacrificed 2 hr. later. The radioactivity and total P contents of the acid-soluble, phospholipide, cephalin, lecithin, sphingomyelin, and DNA fractions of prostates and seminal vesicles, and the mitotic incidence in these tissues, were determined. Testosterone administered to normal animals caused hypertrophy of the prostates and hyperplasia and hypertrophy of the seminal vesicles. These were accompanied, in both tissues, by an increased P 32 uptake in all the P fractions. Treating the castrated animals with testosterone produced hyperplasia and hypertrophy in both tissues. This was again accompanied by increases in P 32 uptake in the P fractions. However, the increase in the phospholipide fractions that was associated with the hyperplasia in the prostates was much greater than that associated with hypertrophy and was not dependent on the P 32 uptake activity of the acid-soluble fraction. These results are interpreted as demonstrating that in the prostate, as in regenerating liver (1), mitotic activity is associated with a maximum P 32 uptake in the phospholipides.
On the Anelastic Approximation for Deep Convection

Abstract A brief review of the scale analysis of Lipps and Hemler is given without any reference to the parameters G and B. The resulting anelastic equations conserve energy, in contrast to the modified anelastic set of equations analyzed by Durran. In addition, the present equations give an accurate solution for the frequency of gravity waves in an isothermal atmosphere. The present anelastic equations have these characteristics in common with the pseudo-incompressible equations introduced by Durran. The equations obtained from the scale analysis are appropriate for numerical integration of deep convection. The associated Poisson equation can be solved using standard procedures. For the pseudo-incompressible set of equations, the Poisson equation is more difficult to solve.
Comparative Phylogeography of Mississippi Embayment Fishes

The Mississippi Embayment is a prominent physiographic feature of eastern North America consisting of primarily lowland aquatic habitats and a fish fauna that is largely distinct from nearby highland regions. Numerous studies have demonstrated that both pre-Pleistocene and Pleistocene events have had a strong influence on the distributions and relationships of highland fishes in eastern North America. However, the extent to which these same events affected Embayment distributed taxa remains largely unexplored. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relative roles of pre-Pleistocene and Pleistocene events in shaping phylogeographic relationships of four stream dwelling fishes in the Mississippi Embayment. Molecular genetic analyses of the mitochondrial gene cytochrome b were performed for three ictalurid catfish species (Noturus miurus, n = 67; Noturus hildebrandi, n = 93, and Noturus phaeus, n = 44) and one minnow species (Cyprinella camura, n = 78), all distributed in tributary streams of the Mississippi Embayment. Phylogenetic relationships and divergence times among haplotypes for each species were estimated using maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Phylogenetic analyses recovered 6 major haplotype clades within N. miurus, 5 within N. hildbrandi, 8 within N. phaeus, and 8 within C. camura. All three Noturus species show a high degree of isolation by drainage, which is less evident in C. camura. A clade of haplotypes from tributaries in the southern portion of the Mississippi Embayment was consistently recovered in all four species. Divergence times among clades spanned the Pleistocene, Pliocene, and Miocene. Novel relationships presented here for C. camura and N. phaeus suggest the potential for cryptic species. Pre-Pleistocene and Pleistocene era sea level fluctuations coincide with some divergence events, but no single event explains any common divergence across all taxa. Like their highland relatives, a combination of both pre-Pleistocene and Pleistocene era events have driven divergences among Embayment lineages.
Estrogen and selective estrogen receptor modulators: neuroprotection in the Women's Health Initiative era.

Estrogen has been comprehensively studied as a neuroprotective agent in women, animals, and a variety of in vitro models of neural injury and degeneration. Most data suggest that estrogen can benefit the ischemic brain and reduce cell death. However, recent data from the Women’s Health Initiative have raised concerns about the utility and safety of chronic estrogen use in women. While estrogen is a potent and reproducible neuroprotectant in animals and in vitro, its current administration in women has had unanticipated and paradoxical effects. Nonetheless, estrogen’s diverse actions make it an ideal prototype for developing new neuroprotectants such as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs). SERMs represent a class of drugs with mixed estrogen agonistic and antagonistic activity. Experimental and clinical data suggest a neuroprotective role for SERMs in normal and injured brain. The discrepancy among observational studies, preclinical data, and clinical trials emphasizes the need for further study of the mechanisms leading to the increased incidence of stroke observed in postmenopausal women. Research is still needed to optimize combined or estrogen alone hormone replacement therapy options as well as the prevention/management of cerebrovascular/central nervous system disorders. This review critiques estrogen and SERMs’ neuroprotective potential in experimental and clinical studies of stroke and cerebrovascular disease.
Posterior mitral leaflet extension: An adjunctive repair option for ischemic mitral regurgitation?

Background Residual or recurrent mitral regurgitation frequently occurs after mitral valve repair for ischemic mitral regurgitation with an annuloplasty ring. Because annuloplasty primarily addresses annular dilatation, we studied an adjunctive technique that might correct restricted leaflet (Carpentier type IIIb) systolic closing motion, which often accompanies annular dilatation in patients with ischemic mitral regurgitation. Methods Six sheep had radiopaque markers placed on the left ventricle, mitral leaflets and annulus, and mitral subvalvular apparatus. A pericardial patch was sutured into the middle scallop of the posterior mitral valve leaflet and furled in with a reefing stitch placed in the radial axis. Posterolateral left ventricular myocardial ischemia was created by using proximal circumflex occlusion to induce acute ischemic mitral regurgitation. Under open-chest conditions, 3-dimensional marker coordinates were measured by using biplane videofluoroscopy at baseline and during acute ischemia both before and after release of the reefing stitch (leaflet extension); transesophageal echocardiography was used to grade ischemic mitral regurgitation. Results Leaflet apical systolic tethering was not improved by leaflet extension, but ischemic mitral regurgitation decreased (control, 0.9 ± 0.3 * ; ischemia, 2.4 ± 0.3; leaflet extension, 1.5 ± 0.3; * P * ; ischemia, 1.53 ± 0.10; leaflet extension, 1.83 ± 0.13 * ; * P 2 * ; ischemia, 1.91 ± 0.22 cm 2 ; leaflet extension, 2.36 ± 0.22 cm 2 * ; * P Conclusions Posterior mitral valve leaflet extension ameliorated acute ischemic mitral regurgitation but did not correct the abnormal apically restricted systolic posterior mitral valve leaflet closing motion. This technique might be a useful adjunct repair in combination with ring annuloplasty for ischemic mitral regurgitation, but the clinical role of this adjunct remains to be defined in patients.
Custom triflange outrigger ulnar component in revision total elbow arthroplasty

Hypothesis This study describes the rationale for, and tests the hypothesis that, a custom outrigger triflange ulnar component for revision total elbow arthroplasty would decrease the contact stresses at the bushings and overcome excessive bushing wear in active patients who have bone and ligamentous deficiency. Materials and methods Five consecutive revisions for failed Coonrad-Morrey total elbow arthroplasties were performed with the custom outrigger triflange ulnar component for patients with accelerated bushing wear, ulnar component loosening, and deficient humeral condyles. The mean age at the time of surgery was 48 years (range, 32-64 years). Follow-up averaged 81 months (range, 65-124 months). The average number of previous operations was 2.4 (range, 2-3). Results The Mayo Elbow Performance Score improved from 40 (range, 15-65) preoperatively to 91 (range, 80-100) at the latest follow-up. There were two excellent and three good results. There was no radiographic or clinical evidence of bushing wear at 6.8 years of follow-up (range, 5.5-10.3 years). One patient required further revision of the humeral component due to mechanical loosening, which had not been revised at the time of the index surgery. Discussion A custom outrigger triflange ulnar component is an effective alternative for revising loose Coonrad-Morrey ulnar components in active patients with absent humeral epicondyles and accelerated bushing wear. Conclusion It may be an alternative to revision with standard components until improved surgical designs addressing this problem become commercially available.
Vocabulary instruction and Mexican–American bilingual students: how two high school teachers integrate multiple strategies to build word consciousness in English language arts classrooms

Despite the significance of vocabulary knowledge to student learning, limited studies have examined English language arts (ELA) teachers' skills and practices that may be effective for building word consciousness in high school Mexican–American bilingual students. The research objective of the present study is to examine how two high school ELA teachers use multiple strategies to build word consciousness in Mexican–American bilingual students. The study was conducted over 16 weeks. The sources of data were classroom observations, classroom videos, interviews, field notes, and teaching artifacts. The findings showed that the teachers integrated a variety of teaching strategies, including word analysis, cognate use, explicit scaffolding, online word search strategies, visual imaging, semantic mapping, and semantic feature analysis to connect instruction to background knowledge of their Mexican–American bilingual students and foster word consciousness in them. The findings suggest that it is crucially import...
Sorbinil does not prevent hyperfiltration, elevated ultrafiltration pressure and albuminuria in streptozotocin-diabetic rats.

The effects of aldose reductase inhibition on kidney function were studied in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus. Diabetic rats were fed sorbinil (20 and 50 mg/kg) by daily gastric gavage and were compared with untreated diabetic rats and normal rats. The rats were under daily supervision with regard to blood glucose control, insulin administration and body weight. The aim was to promote continuous body growth and to maintain the blood glucose concentration at around 22 mmol/l without large day-to-day fluctuations. The renal functional changes observed in this well-established diabetic model closely resembled those reported in human Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. Sorbinil treatment completely prevented renal cortical sorbitol accumulation, but did not abolish kidney enlargement or the increase in ultrafiltration pressure and glomerular filtration rate. Albumin excretion was increased to the same extent in the sorbinil-treated and in the untreated diabetic rats. We conclude that increased metabolism of glucose to sorbitol does not cause the hyperfiltration in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes.
Six evaluation issues that synthesis can resolve better than single studies

Syntheses of research studies identify important interactions that any one study rarely finds.
A Multi-Level Assessment of a Program to Teach Medical Students to Teach

Few longitudinal programs exist to teach senior students (MS4s) to be teachers, nor have there been any reports of comprehensive program evaluation in this area. The primary objectives of this study were to describe our ongoing faculty development effort and to develop a multi-level program evaluation, using Dixon's model. The TALKS (Teaching and Learning Communication Skills) program is a senior elective and open to all MS4s. We evaluated our program through assessment of its participants at three levels: level 1, opinion; level 2, competence; and level 3, performance; but not level 4, patient outcomes. The authors used a retrospective, pre-post questionnaire to assess MS4 attitudes about their educational experiences, a traditional instrument to assess their teaching, an interaction analysis technique using Bloom's taxonomy to assess MS4s' feedback skills, and a SP exam to assess MS4 communication skills. The authors hypothesized that MS4s participating in TALKS would view medical education more positively and informatively, would demonstrate important principles in giving feedback, would be assessed as excellent teachers, and would perform better than controls in an SP exam emphasizing communication skills. Results revealed that MS4s' ratings as teachers were very good to excellent, with the highest scores on the items "knowledgeable, supportive of me, and answering questions clearly." (Level 1, Opinion) MS4s' perceptions of their knowledge, attitudes and skills increased significantly from the pre to the post-questionnaire. (Level 2, Competence) MS4 feedback skills to MS2s revealed they did more talking than ideal, often at the lowest levels of Bloom's taxonomy. (Level 3, Performance) MS4s demonstrated better communication skills than controls on an evaluation by professional SPs. (Level 3, Performance).
Environmental pesticides increase the risk of developing hypertrophic pyloric stenosis.

Abstract Background Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (HPS) is a condition noted within the first several weeks of life that results in hypertrophy of the pyloric muscle between the stomach and duodenum. The etiology has not been elucidated but genetic and environmental influences are suspected. We hypothesized that agricultural pesticides would be associated with an increased incidence of pyloric stenosis. Study Design Data from infants with HPS were obtained from the Indiana Birth Defects Registry (IBDR) for all counties in Indiana from 2005 to 2009. Data from all live births were obtained from the Indiana State Health Department (ISHD). Maternal demographics and clinical characteristics of infants were abstracted. The US Geological Survey (USGS) provided estimated use of agricultural pesticides (EPEST), and these values were correlated with HPS incidence. Univariate and multivariate logistical regression models were used to assess the association between HPS risk and pesticide use. Results A total of 442,329 newborns were studied with 1313 HPS cases recorded. The incidence of HPS was 30/10,000 live births. HPS incidence was correlated with total county pesticide use, as well as subcategories of pesticides (fungicides, fumigants, insecticides, herbicides). Indiana counties were then divided into low, moderate and high pesticide use (mean±standard deviation: 127,722±73,374, 308,401±36,915, and 482,008±97,260pounds of pesticides). Incidence of HPS was 26, 29, and 36 cases per 10,000 in low, moderate and high pesticide-use counties respectively. Subset analysis showed that the positive association between HPS and county pesticide use was more likely for male infants from mothers who were white, aged 20–35years, had education at high school or lower, and smoked ( p Conclusion Pesticide use correlated significantly with incidence of HPS. Positive correlations between HPS risk and pesticide use were found for most risk factors. Further studies will be needed to verify our findings and further delineate the nature of this correlation.
Pattern of iron chelation therapy in Egyptian beta thalassemic patients: Mansoura University Children's Hospital experience.

Abstract Background: The simultaneous use of deferoxamine (DFO) and deferiprone (DFP) has an additive effect in iron excretion in transfusion-dependent thalassemic patients. Aim of the work: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a prospective alternating therapy with DFO and DFP in patients with β-thalassemia major (TM) and increased serum ferritin with DFO monotherapy alone. Patient and methods: Sixty patients with β-TM (mean age ± SD, 13.05 ± 6.1, range 10–20 years) with iron overload (serum ferritin > 2000 ng/ml) were studied. They received DFO at a daily dose of 40 mg/kg/day for 5–7 nights/week for the past several years. These patients were randomly assigned either to continue treatment with DFO alone (DFO group, n = 30) or prospectively receive additional alternating therapy with DFP at 75 mg/kg/day for 4 days/week and DFO for the other 2 days/week (alternating therapy group, n = 30). The efficacy of both groups was assessed by measurements of serum ferritin, echocardiography, and 24 h urine iron e...
An assessment of the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in persons with Down syndrome

Down syndrome (DS), the most common genetically defined cause of intellectual disability, is the phenotypic consequence of a supernumerary chromosome 21. Persons with DS commonly display deficits in visuomotor integration, motor coordination, and balance. Despite the key roles of the optokinetic and vestibular systems in these submodalities of motor function, a systematic investigation into the optokinetic nystagmus (OKN) and vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) in persons with DS was lacking in the literature. Accordingly, this study generated quantitative data on oculomotor function in persons with DS under vestibular stimulation (an accompanying work describes results on the analysis of optokinetic function in the same cohort of participants). Experiments involved 32 participants with DS (14–36 years old, equally divided by gender) and 32 chronological age- and gender-matched typically developing controls. Eye movements were recorded by binocular video-oculography, and a servo-controlled rotary chair produced vestibular stimulation. Participants were assessed for VOR during step, ramp, and sinusoidal stimulations; inhibition of the VOR by visual target fixation; and VOR adaptation to conflicting visual input. Individuals with DS displayed small alterations in the VOR gain and dynamics compared to controls. In contrast, the number of VOR nystagmus beats and the ability to inhibit the VOR by visual target fixation were markedly and robustly smaller in persons with DS. Significantly increased VOR adaptation was observed in men with DS. These findings may have implications to the understanding of the neurological basis of the motor dysfunction that affects performance in many practical tasks persons with DS encounter in their everyday lives.
GLYCOGEN DEPOSITION IN DIFFERENT SKELETAL MUSCLES INDUCED BY CORTISONE AND ESTRADIOL1

TESTERONE, growth hormone, and certain adrenal cortical hormones are known to increase the deposition of glycogen in the skeletal muscles of the rat. Testosterone propionate (1) prevents the loss of muscle glycogen which occurs ordinarily in the fasting hypophysectomized rat (glycostatic effect), (2) increases muscle glycogen in gonadectomized rats (Leonard, 1952 a, b). Growth hormone, besides exhibiting glycostatic effects, increases muscle glycogen in normal rats (Russell and Wilhelmi, 1950; Illingworth and Russell, 1951). Adrenal cortical hormones or extracts of the type which influence carbohydrate metabolism will increase the level of glycogen in the muscles of adrenalectomized and hypophysectomized rats (Long and Katzin, 1938; Russell and Craig, 1939; Long, Katzin and Fry, 1940). In normal fasting rats and mice, these cortical hormones do not increase the deposition of muscle glycogen unless the animals are fed glucose during the period when the hormone is acting (Long, Katzin and Fry, 1940).
A general equivalence theorem for allocation of indivisible objects

Abstract We consider situations in which n indivisible objects are to be allocated to n agents. A number of recent papers studying such allocation problems have shown various interesting equivalences between randomized mechanisms based on trading and randomized mechanisms based on serial dictatorship. We prove a very general equivalence theorem from which many previous equivalence results immediately follow, and we give several new applications. Our general result sheds some light on why these equivalences hold by presenting the existing serial-dictatorship-based mechanisms as randomizations of a general mechanism which we call serial dictatorship in groups. Our proof technique also streamlines the bijective methods used in previous proofs, showing that it is enough to assemble a bijection from smaller pieces, without needing to construct the pieces explicitly.