cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An improved echocardiographic rejection-surveillance strategy following pediatric heart transplantation

Abstract Background: The unique demands of cardiac transplantation in infancy have led to non-invasive rejection-surveillance strategies. ECHO-A is a multiparametric, two-dimensionally guided, M-mode analysis algorithm that assigns an empirically derived score for deviations of recipient parameters to age-adjusted, population-based normal values. A cumulative ECHO-A score ≥4 is highly predictive of endomyocardial biopsy Grade ≥3 and of cellular rejection. Methods This study determined whether modifying ECHO-A to score for deviations of recipient parameters from the recipient's baseline would improve the predictive power of ECHO-A. We reanalyzed 701 consecutive echocardiograms of 18 pediatric cardiac transplant recipients (median age at transplantation, 142 days) and based scoring on significant ( Z score ≥1) deviation from the patients' baseline means (ECHO-B). Results Eight episodes of treated rejection occurred during the first year after transplantation (median, 1.4 years). Approximately 10% (72) of the analyses had ECHO-A scores ≥4 that were not associated with treated rejection and were considered false positives. We identified parameters that contributed to the false-positive evaluations and calculated patient-specific baseline mean ± standard deviation. The ECHO-B, in comparison with ECHO-A, decreased the number of false positives from 72 to 10, increased specificity from 90% to 99%, and increased the positive predictive value about 4-fold (10% to 44%). With treated rejection episodes, ECHO-B increased ECHO-A scores in 7 of 8 recipients and increased the mean score from 6 to 8. Conclusions An analysis algorithm based on change from baseline improved the positive predictive power without reducing the negative predictive value of multiparametric quantitative analyses of echocardiograms following pediatric heart transplantation.
Release of intracellular Ca2+ and elevation of inositol trisphosphate by secretagogues in parietal and chief cells isolated from rabbit gastric mucosa.

Abstract The fluorescent intracellular Ca 2+ indicator, fura2/AM, was used to determine the effects of carbachol, cholecystokinin octapeptide (CCK-8), gastrin and histamine on intracellular Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ] i ) in parietal cells from rabbit gastric mucosa enriched to more than 95% purity by a new Nycodenz gradient/centrifugal elutriation technique. Changes in [Ca 2+ ] i in response to the same agonists were also measured in enriched chief cells. Carbachol, histamine, gastrin and CCK-8 increased parietal cell [Ca 2+ ] i with the response to carbachol > CCK-8 = histamine = gastrin. Prestimulation with maximal doses of carbachol blocked histamine-induced increases in [Ca 2+ ] i . In chief cells, carbachol increased [Ca 2+ ] i but to a lesser degree than CCK-8, while histamine had no significant effect on [Ca 2+ ] i . Neither removal of extracellular Ca 2+ coupled with acute addition of 1 mM EGTA nor addition of the Ca 2+ -channel blocker nicardipine prevented agonist-induced changes in [Ca 2+ ] i in either cell type. In the presence and absence of 10 mM LiCl 2 , carbachol and CCK-8 were found to increase inositol trisphosphate (IP 3 ) content in both parietal and chief cells while histamine had no significant effect on this phosphoinositide hydrolysis product. From these results and previous observations with gastric glands (Chew, C.S. (1986) Am. J. Physiol. 13, G814–G823) we conclude that: (1) carbachol, CCK-8, gastrin and histamine increase parietal cell [Ca 2+ ] i initially by release of Ca 2+ from the same intracellular store(s); (2) the release of [Ca 2+ ] i in response to carbachol and CCK-8 in both chief and parietal cells appear to be mediated by IP 3 ; however, other mechanisms may be involved in histamine-induced release of parietal cell Ca 2+ i .
A comparison of speech perception in childhood, maturity, and old age by means of the verbal transformation effect

Marked age differences have been found for the illusory changes called “Verbal Trans-formations” (VTs) which occur while listening to recorded repetitions of clearly pronounced single words: (a) VTs were experienced by all young adults (18–25 yrs) and all children aged 8 and aged 10; (b) VTs were generally not experienced by adults over 60 and children 5 years old; (c) appearance of VTs at about age 6 resembles an all-or-none phenomenon, i.e. the rate for VTs approximates that of older children and young adults; (d) the smallest organizational groupings seem to be meaningful words for the aged, English phoneme sequences for young adults, and individual phonemes for children. It is suggested that VTs reflect skilled reorganizational mechanisms employed during connected discourse as an aid to comprehension.
Loss of striatal dopaminergic receptors after intrastriatal kainic acid injection.

Abstract Lesioning of the rat striatum with kainic acid may provide a useful animal model with which to study Huntington's Disease since, in both situations, changes in several neurochemical parameters appear similar. In this study, we examined the time course of dopaminergic (DA) and muscarinic cholinergic (MCHOL) receptor alterations after kainic acid injection into the rat striatum. As early as two days after unilateral, intrastriatal injection of kainic acid, most striatal perikaya in the injected area had been destroyed as seen by histological examination. A progressive decrease in the DA and MCHOL receptors continued which was not due to changes in their affinity for their respective receptors. By 48 days after injection, there was about 75% decrease in DA receptors and about a 65% decrease in MCHOL receptors. The DA receptor loss is similar in extent to the reported loss in activity of striatal, dopamine-stimulated adenylate cyclase after kainic acid lesion. The DA and MCHOLreceptor loss is similar to the reported loss of neostriatal DA and MCHOL receptors in Huntington's Disease.
On the Use of Thiele's Semi-Invariants in Ferromagnetism

The semi-invariants of Thiele are used to calculate the effect of the kinematical interactions on the temperature dependence of the magnetization on the spinwave model of ferromagnetism. It is first assumed that the only effect is to restrict the spinwave eigenvalue spectrum to 2 S. The semi-invariants are calculated exactly and an expression is obtained for the magnetization which contains only half odd integer powers of T. The coefficients contain the factor 1–(1 + 2 S)−n/2 and as S ∞ reduce to Dyson's coefficients. Next the interaction of the spinwaves is specifically included. The first three semi-invariants are calculated exactly. A conjecture is made as to the form of the first order term of the n-th semi-invariant from which the magnetization is calculated. The expression bears an interesting resemblance to Watson's generalized integral. Die Thieleschen Semiinvarianten werden benutzt, um auf der Grundlage des Spinwellenmodells des Ferromagnetismus den Effekt kinematischer Wechselwirkungen auf die Temperaturabhangigkeit der Magnetisierung zu berechnen. Zuerst wird angenommen, das der einzige Effekt die Beschrankung des Eigenwertspektrums der Spinwellen auf 2 S ist. Die Semiinvarianten werden exakt berechnet, ein Ausdruck fur die Magnetisierung wird erhalten, der nur ungerade halbzahlige Exponenten von T enthalt. Die Koeffizienten enthalten den Faktor 1–(1 + 2S)−n/2 und reduzieren sich fur S ∞ auf die Dysonschen Koeffizienten. Als nachster Schritt werden die Wechselwirkungen der Spinwellen berucksichtigt. Die ersten drei Semiinvarianten werden exakt berechnet. Die Form des Terms erster Ordnung der n-ten Semiinvariante wird abgeschatzt und daraus die Magnetisierung berechnet. Die Ausdrucke haben eine interessante Ahnlichkeit mit dem Watsonschen verallgemeinerten Integral.
Neighbourhood design and physical activity

Health problems related to physical inactivity have become a global health challenge affecting people from the full spectrum of income, age, and ethnicity. This paper examines if neighbourhood environments are associated with physical activity, especially walking and cycling. It analyses 608 respondent survey data from Washington State in the US and Geographic Information System-derived measures of the neighbourhood environment. Respondents reported traffic volume to be the most significant barrier, and good lighting to be the most important facilitator of walking and cycling. Utilitarian destinations, such as grocery stores, restaurants, retail stores and convenience stores, were significant correlates of walking and moderate-intensity physical activities, while housing type, sports facility and transportation infrastructure were correlated with vigorous physical activities. Active people rated higher for their neighbourhood attributes including safety, visual quality, knowing neighbours, seeing many oth...
Seizure reduction with fluoxetine in an adult woman with Dravet syndrome

An adult woman with Dravet syndrome (documented SCN1A mutation) experienced a marked reduction in seizures when treated with the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) fluoxetine. The seizure reduction may be partly due to reductions associated with aging in patients with Dravet syndrome, but it appears to be due, at least in part, to fluoxetine. A prior preliminary study reported that fenfluramine reduces seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome. Fenfluramine may produce this effect by increasing serotonin brain levels, and SSRIs have been found to possess antiepileptic properties in animal models of epilepsy. Given the known cardiac risks of fenfluramine, randomized clinical trials with SSRIs should be considered in Dravet syndrome and other types of epilepsy.
Tooth mobility in cuspid-protected and group-function occlusions

Abstract The mobility of teeth was assessed in 30 maxillary quadrants of each of two groups of subjects. One group had a cuspid-protected type of occlusion in the test quadrants while the second group had a group-function type of occlusion. The mean mobility was higher in the presence of a cuspid-protected occlusal pattern for each type of tooth. The difference was statistically significant for the maxillary first premolar. the first molar, and the over-all mean of the seven tooth types studied.
The potential and promise of physics-based wildfire simulation

Abstract Wildfire — that is the unmanaged, uncontrolled burning of forests, brushlands, or grasslands with or without the presence of structures — is an increasing threat to society. We briefly review the extent of this threat, particularly its relationship to changes in the systems it threatens, and discuss its management. Recent developments in computer models of wildfire are reviewed and their application to several aspects of the wildfire threat are proposed in the context of a national resource. The requirements of an operational wildfire prediction center are discussed as a method to leverage existing and near-term capabilities into new tools to help mitigate the potential threat of this natural process.
Development of an integrated quality methodology for the food packaging industry

Packaging is an important, but sometimes overlooked, component in supply chain management. Quality function deployment (QFD) is a useful tool for managing cross-functional design teams, and determining the needs of customers. Design of experiments (DOE) can be utilised to determine improved process requirements to better meet the needs of the customers. Both techniques have potential relevance for packaging. In the research, an integrated methodology combining QFD and DOE was created to aid in the design and redesign of packages. Within the proposed methodology, QFD is used to determine the customer needs, and DOE is applied to determine the process requirements required to meet those needs. The application of the research was demonstrated on a representative packaging problem.
Evolutionary conservatism and convergence both lead to striking similarity in ecology, morphology and performance across continents in Frogs

Many clades contain ecologically and phenotypically similar species across continents, yet the processes generating this similarity are largely unstudied, leaving fundamental questions unanswered. Is similarity in morphology and performance across assemblages caused by evolutionary convergence or by biogeographic dispersal of evolutionarily conserved ecotypes? Does convergence to new ecological conditions erase evidence of past adaptation? Here, we analyse ecology, morphology and performance in frog assemblages from three continents (Asia, Australia and South America), assessing the importance of dispersal and convergent evolution in explaining similarity across regions. We find three striking results. First, species using the same microhabitat type are highly similar in morphology and performance across both clades and continents. Second, some species on different continents owe their similarity to dispersal and evolutionary conservatism (rather than evolutionary convergence), even over vast temporal and spatial scales. Third, in one case, an ecologically specialized ancestor radiated into diverse ecotypes that have converged with those on other continents, largely erasing traces of past adaptation to their ancestral ecology. Overall, our study highlights the roles of both evolutionary conservatism and convergence in explaining similarity in species traits over large spatial and temporal scales and demonstrates a statistical framework for addressing these questions in other systems.
Training special needs infants to drive mobile robots using force-feedback joystick

In typically developing infants, the onset of crawling and walking is associated with changes across development domains such as cognition and perception ([1], [2]). Currently, infants born with significant mobility impairments do not use powered wheelchairs until three years of age [3]. This potentially limits their development in the early growth years. The goal of this research is to train infants with impairments to safely and purposefully drive a mobile robot indoors while being seated on it. We anticipate that these impaired infants will benefit from early mobility in their early years, similar to their healthy peers.
Environmentalism, pre-environmentalism, and public policy

In the last decade, thousands of new grassroots groups have formed to oppose environmental pollution on the basis that it endangers their health. These groups have revitalized the environmental movement and enlarged its membership well beyond the middle class. Scientists, however, have been unable to corroborate these groups' claims that exposure to pollutants has caused their diseases. For policy analysts this situation appears to pose a choice between democracy and science. It needn't. Instead of evaluating the grassroots groups from the perspective of science, it is possible to evaluate science from the perspective of environmentalism. This paper argues that environmental epidemiology reflects ‘pre-environmentalist’ assumptions about nature and that new ideas about nature advanced by the environmental movement could change the way scientists collect and interpret data.
Detection and quantification of peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-β-glucosaminyl)asparagine amidases

A detailed study of the oligosaccharide specificity of the almond enzyme, peptide-N4-(N-acetyl-β-glucosaminyl)asparagine amidase A, was undertaken by comparing the rate of release of intact oligosaccharide chains from defined glycopeptides of all significant classes. The oligosaccharide of a trisialo-triantennary pentaglycopeptide from fetuin was released at the highest rate. A procedure was developed for the isolation of this glycopeptide in high yield from 5 g fetuin. Sequence analysis established the structure as Leu-Ala-Asn(CHO)-Cys-Ser. The Cys(Cm) and the Cys(Ae) derivatives of the glycopeptide were reacted with 4-(dimethylamino)-azobenzene-4′-sulfonyl (dabsyl) chloride to yield a monosubstituted and a disubstituted glycopeptide respectively. This chromophore confers high sensitivity at 436 nm on a pentapeptide backbone having minimal bonds for protease cleavage. A procedure was developed wherein these dabsyl derivatives were used in a high-performance liquid chromatography assay. The dabsyl-pentapeptide was retarded significantly from the dabsyl-glycopeptide and provided a sensitive method (1–2 nmol) of detection of peptide-N4-(N-acetylglucosaminyl)asparagine amidase activity. Enzyme was detected in crude extracts of all eight seed sources surveyed. The enzyme from Pisum sativum was partially purified and its properties were compared with the correponding enzyme from almonds.
Movements of 0‐group plaice Pleuronectes platessa L. as shown by latex tagging

0-group plaice were caught in Red Wharf Bay, Anglesey, North Wales, tagged with coloured liquid latex, and released in the bay or, after transplantation, at a position on a sandbank 3–5 km offshore. The pattern of movement shown by recaptures of plaice caught and released at the same position in the bay was one of extremely restricted movement of less than 0–5 km over several months, with only a slight interchange of fish between the sides of the bay and the centre. These restricted movements contrasted sharply with relatively long distances travelled by fish displaced to an unusual depth and position offshore and to a position at the other side of the bay 3 km away. In the first case a high proportion returned rapidly to the usual depth preference inshore and in the second a recapture pattern significantly different from that of control fish was demonstrated. Both results indicated a return to a preferred or familiar situation.
Rapid Screening Test to Predict the Tendency of Lactic Starter Cultures to Produce Pink Discoloration in Italian Cheese

Abstract A test was developed for rapid screening of lactic starter cultures to predict their tendency to produce pink discoloration in Italian varieties of cheese. The test involved growth of the culture in an autoelaved milk–calcium carbonate or milk-phosphate medium. After incubation at 37C for five to ten days, cultures which were always associated with pink discoloration in cheese developed a dark brown color in the whey of the milk–calcium carbonate medium or a pink band of discoloration in the milk-phosphate medium. No discoloration was observed in the media with cultures that did not produce the pink color defect in cheese.
Soil Erosion and the Threat to Food Security and the Environment

This article briefly reviews the impacts of soil erosion on the health of agricultural and natural ecosystems. (excerpt)
Severe reversible hyperglycemia as a consequence of niacin therapy.

Hypocholesterolemic drug therapy has become a major focus of cardiovascular medicine because recent evidence has demonstrated that optimization of serum lipid levels results in decreased atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk. Niacin, a B-complex vitamin, is capable of lowering total serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels while simultaneously raising serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. However, the use of niacin can be complicated by the development of hepatotoxicity, hyperuricemia, and modest hyperglycemia. A patient is described who had an excellent lipid response to niacin therapy but developed the previously undescribed complication of severe, life-threatening hyperglycemia. Therefore, despite its low cost and demonstrated efficacy, because of potential very toxic side effects, niacin therapy needs to be carefully monitored. (Arch Intern Med. 1993;153:2050-2052)
Etiological Role of Mycobacterium in Crohn’s Disease: An Assessment of the Literature

A possible etiologic role for mycobacteria in Crohn’s disease has been the subject of much investigation. This paper critically reviews the literature exploring 4 major areas: (1) attempts to culture
Thermal conductivity of C60 and C70 crystals

We have performed thermal conductivity measurements on C60 and C70 crystals grown by sublimation. For single crystal C60, the thermal conductivity k is ∼0.4 W/m K at room temperature and is nearly temperature independent down to 260K. We observed a sharp orientational phase transition at 260K, indicated by a 25% jump in k. Below 90K, k is time dependent, which manifests itself as a shoulder-like structure at ∼85K. The temperature and time dependence of k below 260K can be described by a simple model which accounts for the thermally activated hopping of C60 molecules between two nearly degenerate orientations, separated by an energy barrier of ∼240 meV. It is found that solvents have a strong influence on the physical properties of C70 crystals. For solvent-free C70 crystal, k is about constant above 300K. There is a broad first-order phase transition in k at 300K with a 25% jump. We associate this transition with the aligning of the fivefold axes of the C70 molecules along the c-axis of the hexagonal lattice. Upon further cooling, k increases and is time independent.
Partitioning polytomous variables in multiway contigency analysis

Abstract Examples involving analysis of survey data in the form of three-way contingency tables, some variables in which are polytomous, are presented to demonstrate the possibility of specifying models in terms of the particular categories of the polytomy that enter into relationships with the other variables. Solution of this problem is logically a prior step to the collapsing of polytomous variables if, indeed, that step can be justified at all. The methods used are those associated with incomplete multiway contingency tables. Such tables arise in the present connection when the polytomous variable is represented as a set of dichotomous formal variables.
The Missing Evidence for Ethnic Solidarity among Cubans in Miami

Ethnic solidarity is often considered to be a crucial factor in the economic success of immigrant groups such as the Cubans in Miami. Despite the prominence of this concept in studies of Cubans, there is a lack of clear definitions of and concrete empirical evidence for ethnic solidarity. The results of a survey of Cubans in Miami show that there is little tangible evidence for ethnic solidarity in the contemporary Cuban community; instead of relying on co-ethnics, most depend on help from friends and family members. Based on the results from this case study it is argued that scholars studying ethnic communities cannot take the existence of ethnic solidarity for granted. Rather, they need to distinguish between different types of ethnic solidarity, pay attention to changes in ethnic solidarity over time, and examine whether all actions attributed to ethnic solidarity are really motivated by shared feelings among co-ethnics.
A multimethod evaluation of the MMPI in a chronic pain patient sample

Previous reports on the use of the MMPI with chronic pain patients have produced a variety of results. No single configural feature or scale identifies the chronic pain patient, regardless of the origin or verifiability of the etiology of the pain. Elevations on the neurotic triad occur frequently, but do not have the specificity of more recently reported chronic-pain subtypes on the MMPI. The present nonexperimental study (N = 72) provides an example of a multi-method analysis of a carefully selected sample of chronic pain patients without physical findings. Blind clinical analysis, simple two-point code aggregation, and multivariate profile methods were used and produced similar subtypes of the sample and understanding of the data. The obtained sample subtypes were similar to those found in other studies and were hypothesized to be related to each other along an underlying continuum of what might be depression. Further research is needed to facilitate understanding of the causation of chronic pain of obscure origin.
Antiquity and long-term morphological stasis in a group of rove beetles (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae): Description of the oldest Octavius species from Cretaceous Burmese amber and a review of the “Euaesthetine subgroup” fossil record

Abstract The Staphylinine group of rove beetle subfamilies is a significant animal radiation, and one subordinate monophyletic clade – the ‘Euaesthetine subgroup’ – includes around 3000 species in subfamilies Euaesthetinae and Steninae and has a fossil record dating to the Early Cretaceous. Detailed morphological study of a new well-preserved Cretaceous Burmese amber fossil revealed strong evidence consistent with its taxonomic placement in the euaesthetine genus Octavius . We thus describe Octavius electrospinosus sp. nov., the first Cretaceous record of the genus and of the tribe Euaesthetini. Previously, the oldest records of Octavius and Euaesthetini were from the Eocene (Baltic amber) and discovery of O. electrospinosus sp. nov. therefore nearly doubles the minimum lineage age of Octavius , increasing it by ∼50 million years. We also briefly review the known Euaesthetine subgroup fossil record and tabulate summary data for all previously described fossils. All are placed in extant genera, and have visible diagnostic generic-level characters including some putative synapomorphies as judged by recent phylogenetic work. Including O. electrospinosus sp. nov., there are now four known Cretaceous species, all of which belong to either Octavius , Nordenskioldia , or Stenus . To explain the long-term morphological stasis in this group of rove beetles, we suggest that the continuous presence of mesic habitats may have buffered these lineages from strong selection for morphological change. Considering the fossils along with phylogenetic hypotheses we suggest the Euaesthetine subgroup originated in the Late Jurassic– Early Cretaceous and the Staphylinine group in the Early Jurassic. We emphasize the derived status of Cretaceous fossils in assessing possible divergence times and the significance of the pre-Cretaceous taphonomic bias for restricting more robust estimates. Further detailed morphological study of available fossils in a phylogenetic framework is badly needed to clarify the phylogenetic positions of these taxa.
Detection of gaseous organic compounds by their infra-red emission stimulated by a laser beam

Abstract Excitation by a carbon dioxide laser has been used to obtain the infra-red emission spectra of a number of gaseous aliphatic hydrocarbons. The experimental set-up is described and the spectra obtained are correlated with bond vibrations and are shown to be similar to infra-red absorption spectra. The future requirements of this technique are discussed and its analytical possibilities are indicated.
Concerted Action of Exonuclease and Gap-dependent Endonuclease Activities of FEN-1 Contributes to the Resolution of Triplet Repeat Sequences (CTG)n- and (GAA)n-derived Secondary Structures Formed during Maturation of Okazaki Fragments *

There is much evidence to indicate that FEN-1 efficiently cleaves single-stranded DNA flaps but is unable to process double-stranded flaps or flaps adopting secondary structures. However, the absence of Fen1 in yeast results in a significant increase in trinucleotide repeat (TNR) expansion. There are then two possibilities. One is that TNRs do not always form stable secondary structures or that FEN-1 has an alternative approach to resolve the secondary structures. In the present study, we test the hypothesis that concerted action of exonuclease and gap-dependent endonuclease activities of FEN-1 play a role in the resolution of secondary structures formed by (CTG)n and (GAA)n repeats. Employing a yeast FEN-1 mutant, E176A, which is deficient in exonuclease (EXO) and gap endonuclease (GEN) activities but retains almost all of its flap endonuclease (FEN) activity, we show severe defects in the cleavage of various TNR intermediate substrates. Precise knock-in of this point mutation causes an increase in both the expansion and fragility of a (CTG)n tract in vivo. Taken together, our biochemical and genetic analyses suggest that although FEN activity is important for single-stranded flap processing, EXO and GEN activities may contribute to the resolution of structured flaps. A model is presented to explain how the concerted action of EXO and GEN activities may contribute to resolving structured flaps, thereby preventing their expansion in the genome.
Significantly reducing facility maintenance costs through innovative custodial safety

According to the US National Safety Council (NSC), in 2001 there were 1,537,600 injuries and illnesses reported for all work occupations in America. The National Safety Council estimated that these work injuries and related costs totalled more than US$132bn annually, with an average cost of US$85,848 per injury or illness. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, janitors and cleaners have the fifth highest occupational injury and illnesses rate in the US. In 2001, janitors and cleaners reported 52,600 injuries or illnesses, with more than 38,600 of these injuries requiring time away from work. Custodial accidents and illnesses are costing more than US$4.5bn each year. Custodial costs have a dramatic effect on large organisations. Boeing in Seattle, Washington, and Sandia National Laboratories in Albuquerque, New Mexico, were the focus of a research study conducted by Brigham Young University Facilities Management faculty and students in 2003. A new cleaning approach called OS1 (Operating System One) was developed by ManageMen, a custodial consulting company. Boeing and Sandia implemented the OS1 system over several years. The research compared pre‐OS1 custodial recordable accidents, incidents and lost work days with post‐OS1 implementation accidents, incidents and lost work days. The findings, presented in this paper, show that, with the implementation of OS1, recordable accidents and lost work days were significantly reduced, with some reductions as high as 90 per cent. The study also showed a significant reduction in overall custodial operating costs.
Transplantation: pregnancy after kidney donation: more questions than answers.

Two recent reports in the American Journal of Transplantation focus on the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancies in kidney donors and provide tantalizing, if somewhat worrisome, observations. The findings also leave us with several important unanswered questions.
THE POSSESSION AND CARRYING OF FIREARMS AMONG A SAMPLE OF INNER-CITY HIGH SCHOOL FEMALES

ABSTRACT Few studies to date have explored the issue of the extent to which young females possess and carry guns. We report here the results of a study of patterns of gun acquisition and gun carrying among a sample of female inner-city high school students in five prominent cities in California, Illinois, Louisiana, and New Jersey. While the focus of the present analysis is upon females, findings regarding males (previously published elsewhere) are reported parenthetically for purposes of comparison. The findings indicate that gun possession and carrying were prevalent in the immediate social environment of our respondents. The respondents assumed also that guns were readily available in their neighborhoods. Roughly one in ten of our respondents reported having possessed a gun at sometime. A similar percentage reported that they carried guns. In all cases, levels of possession and carrying of firearms were substantially lower than those reported by a corresponding sample of male respondents.
The American Consul: A History of the United States Consular Service, 1776-1914

Preface Consular Antecedents Revolution and Confederation (1776-1789) Birth of the Consular Service (1789-1800) The Barbary Consuls (1794-1815) Free Trade and Seamen's Rights (1800-1815) Yankee Consuls in Latin America (1810-1860) Consuls in Europe--Consular Reform (1815-1860) Consular Development in the Near East (1815-1860) Consular Operations in Africa, Asia, and the Pacific (1790-1860) Consuls and the Civil War (1861-1865) Post-Civil War Consular Activities (1865-1900) Cuban Problems and Consular Corruption (1870s-1890s) Consuls and Commerce: Trouble in Samoa (1865-1900) Spanish-American War (1898) A Professional Consular Service (1860-1914) Bibliography Index
The challenges of enterprise risk management

Looks at the benefits of embedding a risk management capability across a whole enterprise. Gives particular consideration to the creation of such a culture, outlining four factors characterizing this environment. Covers three key risk areas, and provides a model of the governance structure and infrastructure elements required.
Morbidity and mortality among recipients of blood from preleukemic and prelymphomatous donors.

The present investigation was designed to test the admittedly speculative hypothesis that a factor involved in the etiology of human lymphatic and hematopoietic neoplasms may be transmitted by blood transfusion prior to the clinical onset of illness in the donor. One hundred and five New York State residents, who received blood from donors who subsequently developed neoplasms of the lymphatic or hematopoietic tissues, were identified and followed for an average period of 7.05 years. No recipient was found to have developed a leukemia or lymphoma following receipt of blood from a preleukemic or prelymphomatous donor. The results of this study should be considered preliminary because the small size of the recipient group might mask even a large increase in risk among the recipients.
Our Lady of the Exile: Diasporic Religion at a Cuban Catholic Shrine in Miami

This is a study of Cuban-American popular Catholicism, focusing on the shrine of Our Lady of Charity in Miami, which is the sacred centre of the Cuban community in exile. Tweed uses historical and ethnographic methods to discover why the shrine attained so much importance and attracts so many visitors, and what it can tell us about larger issues of religion, identity, and place.
In situ localization of T cell receptor β chain in the murine thymus: Changes in the intrathymic distribution of thymocytes expressing β chain during fetal development☆

Abstract The expression of T cell receptor β chain in the developing thymus was examined at the light and electron microscopic levels using the monoclonal antibody F23.1. Cells expressing cytoplasmic forms of β chain were first observed at Day 16 of gestation, while thymocytes expressing cell surface β chain were detected about a day later. Clustering of cortical F23.1 + cells was more pronounced in fetal thymus when compared to adult. The density of F23.1 + cells in the subcapsular areas of the thymus was initially lower than that in the rest of the cortex or the medulla. Within the subcapsular and cortical areas of the thymus there was an inverse relationship between the density of F23.1 + cells and cells labeled with the lectin from Dolichos bifloris , which binds to terminal α-linked N -acetylgalactosamine residues preferentially expressed by L 3 T 4 − Lyt -2 − thymocytes. Although this pattern was less pronounced with increasing gestational age, it was still apparent at birth.
The mathematics of hair restoration surgery

background Mathematics is prevalent in almost all aspects of life, and so it is with hair restoration surgery. This article explores some of the mathematical relationships that exist in this quickly growing subspecialty of cosmetic surgery. objective The objective of this article is to demonstrate a few of the mathematical correlations that are present in hair restoration surgery. methods Several subdivisions of this subspecialty are analyzed from a mathematical perspective. results Mathematics pentodes many of the aspects of hair restoration, from the donor site, to the recipient site, to scalp reduction, to scalp extension, and the list goes on. conclusion To be able to perform hair restoration surgery in a very precise and accurate way, one should have a good grasp of the mathematical relationships that exist in this field.
Tissue-specific expression and chromosome assignment of genes specifying two isoforms of subunit VIIa of human cytochrome c oxidase.

Abstract Subunit VIIa of mammalian cytochrome c oxidase (COX; EC 1.9.3.1) exists in at least two isoforms, one present in all tissue types (‘liver’ isoform; COX VIIa-L) and the other specific for cardiac and skeletal muscle (COX VIIa-M). We have isolated a full-length cDNA encoding human COX VIIa-M. The deduced polypeptide represents the human ortholog of COX VIIa-M, as it shares 78% identity with bovine COX VIIa-M, but only 63% identity with human COX VIIa-L. Northern-blot analysis of primate tissues demonstrated that COXVIIa-M mRNA is present only in muscle tissues; in contrast, the COXVIIa-L mRNA is present in both muscle and nonmuscle tissues. Southern-blot hybridization of human-rodent cell hybrid genomic DNA indicates that the COXVHa-M gene maps to a single locus on chromosome 19, designated COX7AM. In contrast, COXVIIa-L cDNA probes hybridized to fragments from two COX7AL loci, on chromosomes 4 and 14.
Convergence analysis of truncated incomplete Hessian Newton minimization method and application in biomolecular potential energy minimization

This paper gives a general convergence analysis to the truncated incomplete Hessian Newton method (T-IHN). It shows that T-IHN is globally convergent even with an indefinite incomplete Hessian matrix or an indefinite preconditioner, which may happen in practice. It also proves that when the T-IHN iterates are close enough to a minimum point, T-IHN has a Q-linear rate of convergence, and an admissible line search steplength of one. Moreover, a particular T-IHN algorithm is constructed for minimizing a biomolecular potential energy function, and numerically tested for a protein model problem based on a widely used molecular simulation package, CHARMM. Numerical results confirm the theoretical results, and demonstrate that T-IHN can have a better performance (in terms of computer CPU time) than most CHARMM minimizers.
Chemical and physical aspects of natural organic matter (NOM) fouling of nanofiltration membranes

The role of chemical and physical interactions in natural organic matter (NOM) fouling of nanofiltration membranes is systematically investigated. Results of fouling experiments with three humic acids demonstrate that membrane fouling increases with increasing electrolyte (NaC1) concentration, decreasing solution pH, and addition of divalent cations (Ca2+). At fixed solution ionic strength, the presence of calcium ions, at concentrations typical of those found in natural waters, has a marked effect on membrane fouling. Divalent cations interact specifically with humic carboxyl functional groups and, thus, substantially reduce humic charge and the electrostatic repulsion between humic macromolecules. Reduced NOM interchain repulsion results in increased NOM deposition on the membrane surface and formation of a densely packed fouling layer. In addition to the aforementioned chemical effects, results show that NOM fouling rate increases substantially with increasing initial permeation rate. It is demonstrated that the rate of fouling is controlled by an interplay between permeation drag and electrostatic double layer repulsion; that is, NOM fouling of NF membranes involves interrelationship (coupling) between physical and chemical interactions. The addition of a strong chelating agent (EDTA) to feed water reduces NOM fouling significantly by removing free and NOM-complexed calcium ions. EDTA treatment of NOM-fouled membranes also improves the cleaning efficiency dramatically by disrupting the fouling layer structure through a ligand exchange reaction between EDTA and NOM-calcium complexes.
Elevated Mouse Hepatic Betatrophin Expression Does Not Increase Human β-Cell Replication in the Transplant Setting

The recent discovery of betatrophin, a protein secreted by the liver and white adipose tissue in conditions of insulin resistance and shown to dramatically stimulate replication of mouse insulin-producing β-cells, has raised high hopes for the rapid development of a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of diabetes. At present, however, the effects of betatrophin on human β-cells are not known. Here we use administration of the insulin receptor antagonist S961, shown to increase betatrophin gene expression and stimulate β-cell replication in mice, to test its effect on human β-cells. Although mouse β-cells, in their normal location in the pancreas or when transplanted under the kidney capsule, respond with a dramatic increase in β-cell DNA replication, human β-cells are completely unresponsive. These results put into question whether betatrophin can be developed as a therapeutic approach for treating human diabetes.
Can hip protector use in the nursing home be predicted

OBJECTIVES: To identify resident- and caregiver-related factors that influence hip protector (HP) usage. DESIGN: Prospective observational cohort study over 6 weeks. SETTING: A 409-bed nursing home located in New York City. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-two residents and 60 certified nursing assistants (CNAs). INTERVENTION: Free HPs were provided to residents enrolled in the study. MEASUREMENTS: HP adherence (number of hours HPs were worn/shift); HP users (subjects who used HPs for more than 1 hour during any 8-hour shift as recorded by CNAs in week 6 or who used HPs at checks performed by research staff in week 6 and intended future use); CNAs' scores on a questionnaire quantifying osteoporosis knowledge, opinions on HPs, job satisfaction, and health locus of control. RESULTS: Sixty-eight percent of residents were HP users. Factors independently associated with this outcome included male sex, age, Parkinson's disease, family involvement, impaired cognition, dependent ambulation, and CNAs' sense that chance affects health outcomes. In multivariate models, anxiety, resistive behaviors, ambulation, and fall history in residents and CNAs' perceptions of HPs and their sense of how chance or other staff determine health outcomes predicted HP adherence. CONCLUSION: Resident-related factors and CNAs' sense of external controls predicted HP users and HP adherence. CNAs' understanding of osteoporosis and HP affected only HP adherence. Most resident-related factors were not remediable but might help to target likely HP users. To improve HP adherence, educational programs should be designed to improve CNAs' understanding of osteoporosis and HP. Larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.
The rRNA enhancer regulates rRNA transcription in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the rRNA genes are organized as a tandem array of head-to-tail repeats. An enhancer of rRNA transcription is present just at the end of each transcription unit, 2 kb away from the next one. This enhancer is unusual for S. cerevisiae in that it acts both upstream and downstream of, and even across, genes. The role of the enhancer in the nutritional regulation of rRNA transcription was studied by introducing a centromere plasmid carrying two rRNA minigenes in tandem, flanking a single enhancer, into cells. Analysis of the transcripts from the two minigenes showed that the enhancer was absolutely required for the stimulation of transcription of rRNA that occurs when cells are shifted from a poor carbon source to a good carbon source. While full enhancer function is provided by a 45-bp region at the 3' end of the 190-bp enhancer, some activity was also conferred by other elements, including both a T-rich stretch and a region containing the binding sites for the proteins Reb1p and Abf1p. We conclude that the enhancer is composed of redundant elements and that it is a major element in the regulation of rRNA transcription.
Face-Space Architectures Evidence for the Use of Independent Color-Based Features

The concept of psychological face space lies at the core of many theories of face recognition and representation. To date, much of the understanding of face space has been based on principal component analysis (PCA); the structure of the psychological space is thought to reflect some important aspects of a physical face space characterized by PCA applications to face images. In the present experiments, we investigated alternative accounts of face space and found that independent component analysis provided the best fit to human judgments of face similarity and identification. Thus, our results challenge an influential approach to the study of human face space and provide evidence for the role of statistically independent features in face encoding. In addition, our findings support the use of color information in the representation of facial identity, and we thus argue for the inclusion of such information in theoretical and computational constructs of face space.
Precipitate coarsening by liquid film migration in (Mg,Ca)-PSZ's

Precipitate coarsening involving preferential growth of solute-poor tetragonal ZrO[sub 2] precipitates along grain boundaries, combined with migration of grain boundaries containing a liquid silicate phase to form solute-rich precipitate-free cubic ZrO[sub 2], has been observed in grain boundary regions of MgO-CaO-ZrO[sub 2] and CaO-ZrO[sub 2] alloys during isothermal aging at 1,400 C. Studies of alloy with 9.5 mol% total solute, but with varying MgO/CaO ratios, demonstrated a marked composition dependence off the phase separation process, in that such phase separation was rare in MgO-rich materials. The migration process is analyzed using models developed for migration in less complex materials, and a mechanism incorporating orientation-dependent precipitate strain energies is proposed.
Ion-acoustic waves in dusty plasmas

Abstract The properties of ion-acoustic waves in steady-state, unmagnetized, dusty plasmas are analyzed using fluid equations. Two damping mechanisms are investigated. The “Tromso damping” has been discussed in detail by researchers in Tromso (Havnes et al., Phys. Scr.45, 491, 1992; Melandso et al., J. geophys. Res.98, 13315, 1993) for dust-acoustic waves, and is related to the fact that a finite phase shift generally exists between the oscillation of the wave potential and the oscillation of the dust grains charge in the presence of the wave. The “creation damping” is due to the continuous injection of fresh ions into the plasma, to replace those which are lost to the dust grains. These fresh ions, produced by ionization of a neutral gas, do not share initially in the wave motion of the pre-existing ions, and thus lower the average momentum of the ion population.
Cognitive Control, Reward Related Decision Making and Outcomes of Late-Life Depression Treated with an Antidepressant

Background Executive processes consist of at least two sets of functions: one concerned with cognitive control and the other with reward-related decision making. Abnormal performance in both sets occurs in late-life depression. This study tested the hypothesis that only abnormal performance in cognitive control tasks predicts poor outcomes of late-life depression treated with escitalopram. Method We studied older subjects with major depression (N = 53) and non-depressed subjects (N = 30). Executive functions were tested with the Iowa Gambling Test (IGT), Stroop Color-Word Test, Tower of London (ToL), and Dementia Rating Scale - Initiation/Perseveration domain (DRS-IP). After a 2-week placebo washout, depressed subjects received escitalopram (target daily dose: 20 mg) for 12 weeks. Results There were no significant differences between depressed and non-depressed subjects on executive function tests. Hierarchical cluster analysis of depressed subjects identified a Cognitive Control cluster (abnormal Stroop, ToL, DRS-IP), a Reward-Related cluster (IGT), and an Executively Unimpaired cluster. Decline in depression was greater in the Executively Unimpaired (t = -2.09, df = 331, p = 0.0375) and the Reward-Related (t = -2.33, df = 331, p = 0.0202) clusters than the Cognitive Control cluster. The Executively Unimpaired cluster (t = 2.17, df = 331, p = 0.03) and the Reward-Related cluster (t = 2.03, df = 331, p = 0.0433) had a higher probability of remission than the Cognitive Control cluster. Conclusions Dysfunction of cognitive control functions, but not reward-related decision making, may influence the decline of symptoms and the probability of remission of late-life depression treated with escitalopram. If replicated, simple to administer cognitive control tests may be used to select depressed older patients at risk for poor outcomes to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors who may require structured psychotherapy.