cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Associations among hemorheological factors and maximal oxygen consumption. Is there a role for blood viscosity in explaining athletic performance

This study examined the relationship between hematocrit, blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, erythrocyte deformability, and fibrinogen concentration during maximal oxygen uptake in aerobically trained (AT) and resistance trained (RT) athletes. Maximal oxygen uptake was assessed using a Bruce graded exercise treadmill test to exhaustion, and blood samples were collected at rest and immediately following exercise using a venous catheter. Viscometric analyses were performed using a cone and plate viscometer at varying shear rates. Hematocrit was measured as the fraction of erythrocytes suspended in plasma following centrifugation. Erythrocyte rigidity was estimated using the Dintenfass index of red blood cell rigidity. Following maximal treadmill exercise, an increase of blood viscosity at varying shear rates (22.50, 45.00, 90.00, and 225.00 s- 1; P < 0.05) was observed in RT athletes only. Plasma viscosity @ 225.00 s- 1 (1.88 ± 0.09 vs. 1.78 ± 0.03 mPa.s; P < 0.05), erythrocyte rigidity (0.52 ± 0.08 vs. 0.40 ± 0.09; P < 0.05), and plasma fibrinogen (434 ± 7 vs. 295 ± 25 mg/dL; P < 0.01) were all significantly greater in RT than AT athletes following maximal exercise. In summary, AT, but not RT, is associated with a hemorheological profile that promotes both oxygen transport and delivery. The results indicate that hematocrit alone should not be the focus of training and ergogenic supplementation to increase aerobic performance.
Minority donation in the United States

Background and Objective In the United States, approximately 15 million whole blood products are collected each year from 10 million volunteer donors. African Americans are underrepresented in the donor pool. In 2008, 7% of white versus 4% of African American and Hispanics adults donated in the previous year. The donor rates vary by region in the United States: 77–93% for whites, 1–16% for African Americans and 1–13% for Hispanics. In the Atlanta metropolitan area whose donor pool is 77% white, 16% African American and 4% Hispanic, the blood donor rate (number of blood donors per population) was 11/1000 population for whites, 6/1000 for African Americans and 3/1000 population for Hispanics; and the blood donation rate (number of units donated by population over the total population) was 77 donations/1000 population for whites, 22/1000 population for African Americans and 10/1000 population for Hispanics. Thus, African Americans and Hispanics represent half of the donors as whites when adjusted for their percentage of the population and more strikingly donate a significantly fewer number of units per each donor. Materials and Methods Literature on reasons for racial/ethnic differences in donation rates and methods to address these differences was reviewed. Results The reasons for these differences are multifactorial. First, although 41% of the total US population is estimated to be eligible to donate, African Americans and Hispanics have lower eligibility rates (whites 46%, African Americans 36%, and Hispanics 41%). Second, donor deferral rates are higher for minorities: whites 11%, African Americans 18%, Hispanics 14% and Asians 16%. Deferral is most commonly secondary to temporary deferral reasons such as low hemoglobin level, yet donors are less likely to return once deferred, and thus deferral affects donor and donation rates. Third, minorities may have different motivators and barriers. The most cited motivators to blood donation are more convenient place and times, and being asked; and the most cited barriers are fear of catching a disease and feeling faint/dizzy, and not have time or knowing where to donate. Racial differences in motivating factors identified include African Americans are more likely than whites to donate to receive an item/gift and be tested for infectious disease, and if assured that donating is safe. Notably, these motivators are not the primary cited motivators. African Americans compared with whites more commonly cite fear, difficulty finding veins and not knowing where to donate as deterrents. In addition, African Americans have distrust in the healthcare system, which is correlated with lower donation rates. Fourth, different racial/ethnic groups may have different preferred marketing strategies, including methods of contact, as well as culturally specific motivators for behavioural change. Conclusion Thus, with an improved understanding of these differences as well as accurate tools to measure the outcomes, culturally targeted recruitment programs can be developed to increase donation rates.
Controller reduction via observer-based controller parameterization

The authors deal with the reduction of the order of controllers. The approach suggested is to introduce an additional dynamic parameter between the measurement and the control signals, in order to render any preselected eigenvalues of the given controller unobservable and/or uncontrollable. Such order-reducing parameters are parameterized in the state-space domain. >
PL1-1: How To Use Endocrine Therapy for Breast Cancer: Beyond the Basics.

Over two thirds of all breast cancers are hormone receptor positive. The majority of these tumors have some degree of sensitivity to endocrine treatments. The approach to endocrine therapy has become more complex over the past decade, and there are more treatment choices than before. Not only are there choices about which endocrine therapy to use, but also important decisions about how long to continue treatment and how to sequence agents. It has become clear that the benefits and risks of endocrine therapy vary both from tumor to tumor and from person to person. The landscape will soon become even more complicated as targeted therapies are combined with endocrine therapy to prevent or reverse drug resistance. This lecture will focus on a number of key issues: 1) Can we improve upon a 5 year course of tamoxifen in premenopausal women? 2) Given the high risk of late recurrence in many patients with hormone receptor positive disease, which patients will benefit from extended adjuvant therapy and what should this therapy be? 3) Is the use of an aromatase inhibitor alone in postmenopausal women sufficient therapy for all breast cancer patients and how should we select individuals who should be considered for other approaches? 4) In 2011, are there patients with hormone receptor positive disease who should not receive adjuvant endocrine therapy? 5) What approaches can be used to circumvent resistance to hormonal therapy, and how quickly will they be incorporated into clinical practice? The talk will address the dilemmas that are most vexing for clinicians and have immediate relevance for clinical practice. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr PL1-1.
Implementing Health Reform: Intergovernmental Bargaining and the Affordable Care Act

Implementation of the insurance-exchange and Medicaid-expansion provisions of the Affordable Care Act offers an opportunity to analyze the sources and extent of state and federal government leverage in bargaining over the rollout of a major federal program. What stands out from this study is state officials' ability to leverage their administrative capacity and policy expertise as well as their power to decline participation in federal programs in order to influence implementation of a federal initiative. State officials' influence is heightened when the program depends on state participation to achieve key federal objectives, when state threats to decline participation are meaningful, and when state nonparticipation threatens the success of a signature item on a president's policy agenda.
Mycoplasma (PPLO) and Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma.

SummaryMycoplasma (PPLO) transmitted with the Murphy-Sturm lymphosarcoma at time of transplant, a) did not modify tumor growth, b) mildly increased the low incidence of spontaneous regression of the tumor and, c) increased the regression due to bacterial polysaccharide and to established PPLO polyarthritis. Following their intravenous injection, PPLO were readily cultured from tumor tissue. When injected prior to transplant of tumor cells, persistent polyarthritis developed but PPLO did not appear in the subsequent tumor. However, when 2 tumors, one infected and one free of PPLO, were transplanted to the same rat, PPLO appeared in the original PPLO-free tumor after moderate tumor size was attained. Agar plate cultures of PPLO indicated several colony sizes and an occasional diffuse surface spread.
Trace element content of fish feed and bluegill sunfish (Lepomis macrochirus) from aquaculture and wild source in Missouri

Trace element content of fish feed and bluegill sunfish muscles (Lepomis macrochirus) from aquaculture and natural pond in Missouri were determined using the inductively coupled-plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES) and the direct mercury analyzer (DMA). Dietary intake rates of trace elements were estimated. Dogfish muscle (DORM-2) and lobster hepatopancreas (TORT-2) reference standards were used in trace element recovery and method validations. The average elemental concentrations (mg/kg diet, dry wt.) of fish feed were: As 1.81, Cd 2.37, Co 0.10, Cr 1.42, Cu 8.0, Fe 404, Mn 35.9, Ni 0.51, Pb 9.16, Se 1.71, Sn 20.7, V 0.09, Zn 118 and Hg 0.07. The mean elemental concentrations (μg/kg wet wt.) in bluegill muscles from both aquaculture and wild (in parenthesis) sources were: As 0.36 (0.06), Cd 0.28 (0.01), Co 0.0 (0.0), Cr 0.52 (0.05), Cu 0.38 (0.18), Fe 17.5 (2.43), Mn 0.18 (0.24), Ni 0.18 (0.04), Pb 1.03 (0.04), Se 0.34 (0.30), Sn 0.66 (0.42), V 0.02 (0.01), Zn 6.97 (9.13) and Hg 0.06 (0.24). Kruskal-Wallis chi square indicated significant differences in As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ni, Pb, Sn, V, Zn and Hg (P<0.001), Se (P<0.01) and Mn (P<0.05) across the sampling locations. Dietary intake rates, estimated from weekly consumption of 228g of aquaculture and wild bluegills, posed no health risks for approximately 85% of all samples.
A Comparison of p16INK4A Immunohistochemistry, Chromogenic in situ Hybridization, and Polymerase Chain Reaction Genotyping for Screening for Human Papillomavirus in Basaloid Squamous Carcinoma

Human papillomaviruses (HPV) can promote tumorigenesis at various anatomical sites in the body. Screening for dysplastic changes caused by HPV has decreased the morbidity and mortality due to invasive cervical cancer. Over the last two decades, HPV detection has included molecular methods as an adjunct to traditional Papanicolaou test for cervical cancer screening. HPV-positive HNSCC, specifically high risk HPV-16, have been recognized as a distinct molecular, behavioral and clinical subtype than HPV-negative tumors and therefore the importance of HPV detection in the head and neck region is becoming clear. On the molecular level, oncogenic HPV has two viral genes that synergistically cause deregulation of the cell cycle and malignant transformation. Specifically, viral proteins E6 and E7 act to degrade p53 and retinoblastoma gene family proteins (Rb), respectively. Inhibition of these tumor suppressor genes provokes a cascade of events that causes two points of interest: cell proliferation that escapes normal DNA check points and p16INK4A over-expression. Physiologically, p16INK4A is a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that acts to offset the downstream actions of E6. With increase E6 activity, there is increase p16INK4A expression. Through another mechanism, with the degradation of Rb by E7, the transcription factor E2F is released and this also promotes p16INK4A synthesis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate correlation of HPV detection when using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH) or p16 immunohistochemistry (IHC), to determine p16INK4A could be used as a surrogate marker for HPV detection. Figure 1: Focal p16 IHC pattern (A) vs. diffuse p16 IHC pattern (B). Both at 40x magnification.
Personality changes of hospitalized alcoholics after treatment.

-The purpose of this investigation was to study changes in personality structure after psychotherapy and to assess how stable the personality structure of 127 alcoholics was after they had gone through decoxification. Personality srructure was measured by Jackson's (1967) Personality Research Form ( P R F ) . Statistically significant but not meaningful changes were found in scores o n the personality test after psychotherapy, personalicy structure seemed quite stable or reliable for alcoholics.
Angiophagy Mechanism of Microvascular Recanalization Independent of the Fibrinolytic System

Cell viability in the brain is critically dependent on uninterrupted blood flow through the microvasculature. However, microvessels, because of their small diameter and low-flow velocity, are prone to occlusion by blood clots, fragments of atheromatous plaques, or other circulating debris. Furthermore, microvascular occlusions can occur after large-vessel thrombosis because of blood stasis or due to clot fragmentation and distal microembolization. Microvascular occlusion could thus be a frequent phenomenon throughout life that may play important roles in the pathogenesis of cerebral ischemia and reperfusion, age-related vascular cognitive impairment, and cognitive decline after surgical procedures, such as coronary artery bypass graft. Given the propensity of microvessels to occlusion, it is likely that robust mechanisms have evolved to ensure microvascular patency. The main mechanism that prevents microvascular occlusion is constituted by the combined effects of the fibrinolytic system and hemodynamic pressure, which lead to embolus dissolution and washout. However, the fibrinolytic system is limited to breaking down fibrin-based blood clots and is unable to disrupt other materials, such as calcium and cholesterol crystals and cell debris, which are present in complex thrombi and may occlude microvessels throughout life. Using an experimental mouse model of internal carotid embolization with fluorescently labeled microemboli (10–60 µm), we were able to study the outcome of individual microvascular occlusions in the mouse brain. We tracked individual microvessels using high-resolution confocal imaging in histological brain preparations and by time-lapse 2 photon microscopy of the meninges and superficial cortex in living mice. Using these methods, we recently found a novel mechanism of microvascular recanalization, which we termed “angiophagy.” This mechanism involves the engulfment of emboli by the endothelium followed by their translocation through the vessel wall into the perivascular space. Angiophagy is a robust mechanism that leads to blood flow reestablishment within hours of the embolus extrusion.1 Embolus extravasation …
Permeation of small molecules through polymers confined in mesoporous media

Abstract The use of hybrid organic–inorganic materials in gas separation is a topic of great interest. One recent example is the observed increase in separation performance of polymers upon confinement in a mesoporous medium [M. Moaddeb, W.J. Koros, Journal of Membrane Science 125 (1997) 143–163]. In this paper, we use computer simulation to probe molecular level phenomena and mechanisms in such systems. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to study the permeation of small penetrants (helium and neon) in model polymers confined between solid surfaces. A planar graphite mesopore model was used for the solid surfaces, and the polymer was modeled as polymethylene chains. The diffusion coefficients and Henry’s Law solubilities of the penetrants were calculated in a variety of membrane models with varying polymer loading between the solid surfaces. The state of the polymer was varied between rubbery and glassy by changing the temperature. Changes in the microstructure and dynamics of the polymer were observed upon confinement, similar to those seen in previous literature studies. Dramatic changes in permeability and selectivity of the polymer material were also observed. The selectivity for helium over neon changed by as much as a factor of two, while the penetrant permeability changed by as much as two orders of magnitude. The polymer loading in the pore was found to be a key variable; very small changes in loading could produce order of magnitude changes in permeability. The implications of our results on the rational design of hybrid inorganic–organic separation media are discussed.
The effects of nigericin, valinomycin, and 2,4-dinitrophenol on intracellular pH, glycolysis, and K + concentration of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells.

Abstract The effects of nigericin, valinomycin, 2,4-dinitrophenol, and combinations of these drugs on intracellular pH (pH i ), glycolysis, and K + concentrations of Ehrlich ascites tumor cells have been studied. All of the drugs and combinations raised extracellular pH (pH e ) and lowered pH i in non-glycolyzing cells. All drugs administered with glucose except nigericin increased the rate of glycolysis and produced lower values of pH e and pH i than did glucose alone. Nigericin caused some increase in the rate of lactate production with little if any effect on glucose utilization. The values of pH e and pH i obtained with glycolyzing cells treated with nigericin alone and in combination with valinomycin indicate effective transfer of H + from the external medium into the cells, presumably in exchange for K + . All drugs and combinations caused loss of cellular K + that was partially inhibited by glucose. The effects of nigericin and valinomycin on K + loss were additive. Those of dinitrophenol and valinomycin were not. The effects of dinitrophenol and valinomycin are attributed to depletion of ATP required for Na + -K + membrane transport. An additional effect of nigericin may be promotion of K + -H + exchange across the plasma membrane. The combination of valinomycin plus dinitrophenol does not have an effect equivalent to that of nigericin on the plasma membrane.
Having a higher blast percentage in circulation than bone marrow: clinical implications in myelodysplastic syndrome and acute lymphoid and myeloid leukemias.

Determining the percentage of peripheral blood (PB) and bone marrow (BM) blasts is important for diagnosing and classifying acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Although most patients with acute leukemia or MDS have a higher percentage of BM blasts than PB blasts, the relative proportion is reversed in some patients. We explored the clinical relevance of this phenomenon in MDS (n=446), AML (n=1314), and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (n=385). Among patients with MDS or ALL, but not AML, having a higher blast percentage in PB than in BM was associated with significantly shorter survival. In multivariate analyses, these associations were independent of other relevant predictors, including cytogenetic status. Our findings suggest that MDS and ALL patients who have a higher percentage of PB blasts than BM blasts have more aggressive disease. These data also suggest that MDS classification schemes should take into account the percentage of blasts in PB differently from the percentage of blasts in BM.
Transovarial transmission of a Nosema sp. infecting Malacosoma americanum

Abstract Diapausing embryos of Malacosoma americanum , the eastern tent caterpillar, collected in Kentucky were infected by a microsporidan. Of the egg masses sampled from several central Kentucky counties during 1972–1973, 56–90% of the egg masses contained infected embryos. Studies on the life cycle demonstrated that this microsporidan belongs in the genus Nosema . The M. americanum egg masses, embryos, larvae, and adults were paraffin-sectioned to reveal host-pathogen relationships. Frozen sections were also prepared from certain eggs dissected from infected virgin females. These studies demonstrated that the Nosema sp. is transovarially transmitted. Two phases in the infection process were noted in the pre- and postdiapausing embryos. The first phase (prediapause) involved light infections in midgut, hypodermis, and fat body which were manifest at embryonic tissue differentiation. The second phase (postdiapause) of the infection process occurred after the termination of host diapause. General infections intensified within larvae after hatch. Variation in the intensity of infections among individuals from the same colony suggests that sublethally infected individuals assure the prepetuation of Nosema sp. infections in subsequent generations via transovarial transmission.
1537 RENAL INVOLVEMENT IN FANCONI'S HYPOPLASTIC ANEMIA

Fanconi's anemia is associated with multiple congenital anomalies. 28% of patients have renal abnormalities. We studied renal involvement in 2 boys and 3 girls aged 3-13 years with Fanconi's anemia. Chromosome numbers were normal but metaphases showed increased breaks and gaps in the 4 children studied. 3 children had significant growth retardation. 3 had enuresis. 1 girl had recurrent urinary infections. Initially, BP, BUN, serum creatinine, blood electrolytes, acid-base status, proteinuria, urinary concentration and acidification were normal in all. 3/4 IVPs were abnormal - bilateral small kidneys (one pelvic) with ureteric reflux (pt. 1); unilateral small kidney with ureteric reflux and clubbed calyces (pt. 2); small kidney with ureteric reflux and non-functioning small kidney on the opposite side (pt. 3). IVPs done at intervals showed no renal growth for 2 and 5 yr (pts. 2,3). Despite correction of low pressure reflux (pt. 3), renal failure was progressive. One girl (pt. 3) died awaiting renal transplant; 1 boy (pt. 4) died of unknown cause. Of the 3 children treated with androgens, 2 did not respond - 1 child died early in treatment, the other had advanced chronic renal failure. Conclusions: A variety of developmental renal abnormalities may be seen in Fanconi's anemia. Renal failure may be progressive. Anemia may respond poorly to androgen treatment if chronic renal failure is present.
Reporting the Reliability of Accelerometer Data with and without Missing Values

Objectives Participants with complete accelerometer data often represent a low proportion of the total sample and, in some cases, may be distinguishable from participants with incomplete data. Because traditional reliability methods characterize the consistency of complete data, little is known about reliability properties for an entire sample. This study employed Generalizability theory to report an index of reliability characterizing complete (7 days) and observable (1 to 7 days) accelerometer data. Design Cross-sectional. Methods Accelerometer data from the Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development were analyzed in this study. Missing value analyses were conducted to describe the pattern and mechanism of missing data. Generalizability coefficients were derived from variance components to report reliability parameters for complete data and also for the entire observable sample. Analyses were conducted separately by age (9, 11, 12, and 15 yrs) and daily wear time criteria (6, 8, 10, and 12 hrs). Results Participants with complete data were limited (<34%) and, most often, data were not considered to be missing completely at random. Across conditions, reliability coefficients for complete data were between 0.74 and 0.87. Relatively lower reliability properties were found across all observable data, ranging from 0.52 to 0.67. Sample variability increased with longer wear time criteria, but decreased with advanced age. Conclusions A reliability coefficient that includes all participants, not just those with complete data, provides a global perspective of reliability that could be used to further understand group level associations between activity and health outcomes.
Undergraduate Research on Trailer-Truck Aerodynamic Drag

The transportation industry is heavily dependent on ‘big rigs’ or semitrailers. Since its introduction during 1920s semitrailers have revolutionized the industry. However their geometrical designs have not evolved much to make them aerodynamically more streamlined, thus more fuel efficient. While over 5.6 million such commercial trailer trucks are registered in the country and with increasing diesel fuel prices, it is more important than ever to study their aerodynamics, redesign for reducing aerodynamic drag and help make these ‘big rigs’ more fuel efficient. Aerodynamic drag is the force that acts on a solid object moving in air due to difference in dynamic pressure developed around that object. Skin friction also causes resistance force which is small compared to pressure induced drag. Higher drag resistance, just like road and tire resistance, causes loss of energy and thereby lowers fuel mileage. Drag resistance is caused by both surface friction as well as air pressure difference around a moving object/vehicle. An ideal remedy is of course to completely redesign the shape and size of these semitrailers to conform to those with known low drag. Another intermediate approach would be to retrofit the existing semitrailers with devices that change the overall shape towards more aerodynamic ones. During the recent past a wide range of such add on devices have been introduced. Current research was directed in two fronts: CAD and Drag simulation as well as experimental drag testing. First a base CAD model and then various modifications were developed using an industry standard CAD package. These models were then imported into Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software. These followed by modeling add-on devices to reduce drag. The simulations were repeated with various combinations of these add-on drag reducers. The areas targeted for drag reduction study included gap between tractor and trailer, lower sides of the trailer between front and rear wheel sets, and rear of the trailer. The results showed varying effectiveness of these add-on devices, individually and in combination. Scale models of the trailer truck were built using wood as well as Rapid Prototyping (RP) directly from CAD using polymer. These models were then tested in the wind tunnel at speeds between 35 and 75 miles per hour. The data and the trends in Cd values compared well with the simulated values. The overall CFD and scale model studies provided a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the drag in semi-trailers and factors that affect it. Future studies may expand the varieties and locations of these devices as well as complete redesigns of the trailer-trucks.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Response of rat intestine to a hyperosmotic feeding.

Summary: After a single force-feeding of hypertonic (1300 mOsm) mannitol to rats there is rapid osmotic equilibration of the jejunal fluid, a sharp drop in luminal mannitol concentration and large influxes of water and sodium. During osmotic equilibration there was a significant loss of cells from the jejunal mucosa. In hypertoaically fed rats there was an accumulation of protein, DNA, [3H] thymidine-labeled DNA, and disaccharidases in intestinal washings. Brush border disaccharidase specific activities on the jejunal mucosa were unaltered. Under the light microscope jejunal villi from hypertonic mannitol rats were comparable to controls. Some epithelial cells from rats force-fed hypertonic mannitol showed transient ultrastructural damage. Microvilli of some cells were shortened and fused at their bases 20 and 40 min after the force-feeding. By 120 min epithelial cell microvilli were all normal in appearance. In hypertonically fed rats the lateral interdigitating plasma membranes became disorganized. Large fragments budded off into one cell and fused to form larger structures. By 120 min many lysosomal autophagic vacuoles and residual bodies were seen. A single hypertonic force feeding produced jejunal cell loss associated with loss of brush border disaccharidases and focal ultrastructural damage. Speculation: The damage induced in the jejunal mucosa of rats by a hypertonic feeding may provide clues concerning the pathophysiology of certain clinical conditions. Damage to the lateral interdigitating plasma membranes of adjacent epithelial cells could reflect alterations in permeability allowing the passage of bacterial toxins or allergens into the circulation, or permitting massive bacterial gas leakage leading to pneumatosis intestinalis. The loss of jejunal cells and parallel loss of disaccharidases into the intestinal lumen could, in part, account for the disaccharidase deficiences seen in diarrheal disease where osmotic pressure can become significant because of unabsorbed carbohydrate. This malabsorption may be further enhanced by microvillar alterations such as shortening and fusion, which significantly decrease the effective absorptive area.
Maturity Schedules of Lake Trout in Lake Michigan

Abstract We determined maturity schedules of male and female lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) in Lake Michigan from nearshore populations and from an offshore population on Sheboygan Reef, which is located in midlake. Gill nets and bottom trawls were used to catch lake trout in fall 1994 and 1995 from two nearshore sites and Sheboygan Reef. Each lake trout was judged immature or mature, based on visual examination of gonads. Probit analysis, coupled with relative potency testing, revealed that age-at-maturity and length-at-maturity were similar at the two nearshore sites, but that lake trout from the nearshore sites matured at a significantly earlier age than lake trout from Sheboygan Reef. However, length at maturity for the nearshore populations was nearly identical to that for the offshore population, suggesting that rate of lake trout maturation in Lake Michigan was governed by growth rather than age. Half of the lake trout males reached maturity at a total length of 580 mm, whereas half of the females were mature at a length of about 640 mm. Over half of nearshore males were mature by age 5, and over half the nearshore females matured by age 6. Due to a slower growth rate, maturity was delayed by 2 years on Sheboygan Reef compared with the nearshore populations. Documentation of this delay in maturation may be useful in deciding stocking allocations for lake trout rehabilitation in Lake Michigan.
Polypoid sarcoma of the pulmonary trunk: Analysis of the literature and report of a case with leptomeric organelles and ultrastructural features of rhabdomyosarcoma

A case of polypoid sarcoma of the pulmonary trunk is described in an 80-year-old woman who had a 21-year history of episodic chest pain and hemoptysis. Ultrastructural examination revealed Z bands, characteristic of rhabdomyosarcoma, and leptomeric organelles. This is the 60th reported case of sarcoma of the pulmonary trunk. Symptoms in reported cases were variable, usually caused by tumor emboli to the lungs or by right ventricular outflow obstruction. Angiography was diagnostic. The tumor was characteristically polypoid, often multicentric, and by definition was fixed to the pulmonary trunk or valves. Non-differentiated sarcoma (often uniquely pleomorphic) was found in 37% of patients, leiomyosarcoma (once confirmed by electron microscopy) in 17%, myxosarcoma in 13%, elements of rhabdomyosarcoma in 8%, fibrosarcoma in 8%, elements of chondrosarcoma in 11%, and 5% were malignant mesenchymomas. The authors suggest that these tumors originate from the undifferentiated tissues of the bulbus cordis and propose the name myenchymoma for the tumor.
Belief, Reason, and Insight

Harmon weaves together the story of George Price9s tormented life, his profound contributions to evolutionary theory, and sketches of others whose work also increased our understanding of game theory, group selection, and altruism.
In-flight performance of the SUMER microchannel plate detectors

The SUMER spectrograph on the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory utilizes two cross delay-line (XDL) microchannel plate (MCP) photon counting detectors. Detailed housekeeping telemetry from SUMER allow us to track many characteristics of its in-orbit detector behavior. Since there is a finite quantity of charge that can be extracted form an MCP detector, we observe some variation in the response of such a detector over the course of its lifetime. Information from the housekeeping data reveals the expected variation in gain for both spectral and spatial dimensions. We also present SUMER history memory files which illustrate the pattern of count extraction arising from repeated observations of emission line spectra. In addition, we compare pre-flight and in-flight flat fields for both SUMER detectors. The in- flight flat fields include features corresponding to regions of high charge extraction. Evidence for displacement of low gain events is also presented, and the importance of performing a pre-launch MCP 'scrub' is emphasized.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Bone Glue Modified Asphalt: A Step towards Energy Conservation and Environment Friendly Modified Asphalts

Asphalt has been modified for the past several decades using various additives, including synthetic polymers. Polymer modification improves structural and engineering characteristics of the binder, which is a result of improvement in rheological characteristics of binder as well as its adhesion capability with the aggregate. Such enhancement inevitably enhances the performance characteristics of hot mix asphalts (HMA) such as fatigue life, resistance to rutting, and thermal cracking. Even though polymer-modified HMA is popular in North America and European countries, its use is still limited in developing countries of Southeast Asia due to high costs associated with its manufacturing, processing, and energy consumption. In this study, a new kind of asphalt modifier derived from animal wastes, such as bones, hides, and flesh commonly known as Bone Glue, is studied. This biomaterial which is a by-product of food and cattle industries is cheap, conveniently available, and produced locally in developing countries. The results of the research study showed that the bone glue can easily be mixed with asphalt without significantly altering the asphalt binder’s viscosity and mixing and compaction temperatures of HMA. Additionally, improvements in complex shear modulus for a range of temperatures were also determined and it was found that complex shear modulus was improved by bone glue modification.
The mass loss mechanisms of polymers in a radio frequency induced atomic oxygen environment

The effects of atomic oxygen on several classes of polymers were investigated. Particular attention was directed to the determination of erosion or mass loss mechanisms in relation to the physical and chemical structures of polymers. Nineteen polymeric materials were exposed to a thermal atomic oxygen environment at fluxes of 1022 atoms/m2−sec. Bulk material temperatures were maintained at 10, 45, and 75°C During exposure. Mass loss rate, which was characteristic of the type of polymer, was proportional to the exposure area and was linear in time for most polymers except for Mylar, which produced a shielding high temperature ash. The mass loss rate for the atomic oxygen degradation of polymers was related to the bond strength of the polymer structure and to the shielding effect of pendant structures. This degradation process was strongly dependent on polymer temperature. Activation energies ranged from 1 to 48 KJ / mole and were found to be related to gaseous diffusion in polymers. Frequency factors were proportional to activation energies. Activation energies were found to increase with increased mol wt and crosslinking. An equation was developed relating exposure area, atomic oxygen flux, frequency factor, and activation energy to the rate of polymer mass loss. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The molecular mechanism of the poisoning of platinum and rhodium catalyzed ethylene hydrogenation by carbon monoxide

Abstract CO poisoning of ethylene hydrogenation was studied on platinum and rhodium single crystals as well as on platinum nanoparticles deposited on alumina in the mTorr and Torr pressure regimes. Reaction studies using gas chromatography on Pt(1 1 1) show that CO poisons the reaction, and the measured activation energy in the presence of CO (20.2 kcal/mol) is higher than without CO (9.6 kcal/mol). STM studies on Rh(1 1 1) show that in the absence of CO, hydrogen and ethylidyne species that are present on the surface in large concentrations diffuse rapidly on the surface and thus, cannot be imaged. When CO is introduced, ordered structures appear on the surface. Based on these results, a model is proposed for CO poisoning on single crystals in which CO adsorbs on vacant hollow sites, preventing the diffusion of ethylidyne. With the immobile adsorbates filling the surface, ethylene from the gas phase has no room to adsorb, and ethylene hydrogenation is prevented. Similarly, CO on platinum nanoparticles reduces the reaction rate of ethylene hydrogenation. Unlike on Pt(1 1 1), however, CO does not change the activation energy significantly. This indicates that platinum at the oxide–metal interface sites remains active as CO is rapidly hydrogenated and removed from these sites.
Effects of propranolol and a number of its analogues on sodium channels

To assess the relative contributions that the sodium channel blocking activity of propranolol may play in a variety of its therapeutic applications, its effects were examined in vitro with a sodium channel specific 22Na+ uptake system, using rat brain membranes. Propranolol inhibited 22Na+ uptake in the rat brain membrane preparation by acting as a competitive inhibitor of the binding of the sodium channel opening agent veratridine, with an IC50 for this action of 6.5 microM. This is approximately one order of magnitude higher in concentration than that necessary for expression of the beta-adrenergic antagonism of propranolol. The binding of propranolol and its action to block sodium channels were demonstrably different from those of the neurotoxins tetrodotoxin and saxitoxin. Propranolol had effects on sodium channels that are similar, although not identical to those of the local anesthetics procaine and lidocaine. The concentrations of propranolol and a number of its analogues which produced 50% inhibition of 22Na+ uptake (IC50 values ranging from 4 to greater than 100 microM) were similar to the concentrations of these same analogues which were required to produce negative inotropic and antiarrythmic effects (ED40) on isolated rabbit atria [D. O. Rauls and J. K. Baker, J. med. Chem, 22, 81 (1979)]. These effects showed correlations of 0.945 and 0.936, respectively, with the 22Na+ uptake inhibition. It is concluded from this information that a substantial proportion of the negative inotropic and antiarrythmic effects of propranolol is due to its action on sodium channels.
Temporal aggregation and the estimation of the market price of risk

Abstract This letter examines the relationship between the market price of risk (MPR) inferred from the Capital Asset Pricing Model and the length T of the time interval over which securities' returns are measured. After annualizing the MPR s in order to neutralize the trivial effect of time dimension it is shown that the MPR s are still sensitive to changes in T , a phenomenon that can be attributed to the presence of serial correlations in the data.
Introduction to the Symposium

. The articles in this section were presented at the conference “Toward a Theology of Disease” sponsored by the Zygon Center in October, 2002. This was a second conference designed to address the question of what the science-religion dialogue could contribute to the larger discussion of the rapid spread of HIV/AIDS. The conference brought a wide range of perspectives to this question from different religious traditions. I draw them together here around the idea that Philip Hefner introduced in his keynote address: our fragmented experience of the world. The notion of fragmentation opens the door for both a recognition of several possible approaches to building a theology of disease and the pluralism of religious traditions, as well as providing a framework for integrating our full awareness that HIV/AIDS is a problem without solutions and requiring a level of humility in posing any real answers. The essays clearly suggest that the question remains perplexing but that our efforts do show that a multifaith, multidisciplinary religion-science dialogue can contribute significantly to the larger discussion.
Purification and electrophoretic assay of T4-induced polynucleotide ligase for the in vitro construction of recombinant DNA molecules

Abstract A facile method for the determination of bacteriophage T4-induced polynucleotide ligase joining activity is described. The assay is based on the ability of polynucleotide ligase to join the cohesive termini of bacteriophage λ DNA covalently. The observance of this activity is greatly facilitated if λ DNA is previously cleaved with the restriction endonuclease Eco RI and the reaction products subsequently analyzed by electrophoresis in ethidium bromide-agarose gel. A purification scheme is presented which offers a reduction in the number of steps required to purify polynucleotide ligase compared to a previously published procedure and yields an enzyme preparation which is suitable for use in in vitro construction of recombinant DNA molecules.
Detection of Terahertz Pulses Using a Modified Sagnac Interferometer

We describe a time resolved, interferometric method to detect terahertz (THz) pulses based on the Sagnac geometry. A ZnTe electro-optic crystal is placed in one arm of the interferometer, and the THz-induced optical phase shift is demodulated by allowing the two arms to optically interfere. The theoretical principle behind this new method is illustrated and a detailed comparison with the traditional electro-optic sampling technique used in THz time domain spectroscopy is performed. Key features of this new method are highlighted, serving as an aid to identify where this method may be useful in future applications.
Front-line supervisors’ perceptions of less-lethal force policies: examining the ‘transmission belts’ of police departments

This study uses survey data from five municipal police agencies to examine sergeants’ attitudes regarding the clarity, discretionary assistance, restrictiveness, and guidance of their departments’ less-lethal force policies. In general, sergeants reported favorable attitudes toward their respective policies. However, this support varied to some extent across types of resistance, with somewhat weaker support for departmental policy in regard to lower levels of resistance (e.g., verbal and passive). Analyses reveal some interdepartmental differences regarding sergeants’ attitudes on policy restrictiveness; while sergeants from one department generally reported that their policy was not restrictive enough, sergeants from another department were more likely to feel that their policy was too restrictive. Finally, this research finds that sergeants’ personal views on the appropriateness of different force options to control resistant citizens varied at times from their department's policy. Implications of these...
Maximizing the Clinical Utility of Comparative Effectiveness Research

Providers, consumers, payers, and policy makers are awash in choices when it comes to medical decision making and need better evidence to inform their decisions. Large federal investments in comparative effectiveness research (CER) aim to fill this need. But how do we ensure the clinical utility of CER? Here, I define comparative effectiveness and clinical utility, outline metrics to evaluate clinical utility, and suggest methods for maximizing the clinical utility of CER for the various stakeholders.
A clarification of Holland's construct of differentiation: The importance of score elevation

Abstract In J. L. Holland's (1985, Making Vocational Choices (2nd ed.), Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall) theory of vocational choice, the construct of differentiation refers to the degree to which an individual's interests are clearly defined and is operationalized in the present study as the numerical difference between an individual's highest and lowest scores on the General Occupational Theme scales (GOT) of the Strong-Campbell Interest Inventory (SCII) (D. P. Campbell and J. C. Hansen, Manual for SVIB-SCII (3rd ed.), Palo Alto, CA: Stanford Univ. Press). Techniques for measuring differentiation do not account for the elevation of an interest profile; thus, subjects with strong interests (all high scores) are treated as equivalent to subjects with weak interests (all low scores). The present study examined the custom of treating all undifferentiated subjects as if they were equal, by dividing subjects into High-Score Undifferentiated (HSU) and Low-Score Undifferentiated (LSU) groups, based on the elevation of the highest GOT score. Compared to the LSU subjects, HSU subjects (a) were more likely to have SCII profiles which were internally consistent, (b) had a higher mean cumulative grade point average, (c) had a higher mean Academic Comfort score, and (d) were more likely to persist in college. These results suggest that accounting for score elevation does reveal differences between HSU and LSU subjects and that future studies should not treat undifferentiated subjects as a homogeneous group.
Maternal gestational weight gain and offspring risk for childhood overweight or obesity

Objective The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between gestational weight gain, per the 2009 Institute of Medicine (IOM) recommendations, and offspring overweight/obesity at 2-5 years of age. Study Design This was a prospective cohort study of 4145 women who completed a health survey (2007-2009) and subsequently delivered a singleton at Kaiser Permanente Northern California (2007-2010). Childhood overweight/obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) z-score of the 85th percentile or greater of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention child growth standards. Gestational weight gain was categorized according to the 2009 IOM recommendations. Logistic regression was used; meeting the IOM recommendations was the referent. Results Exceeding the IOM recommendations was associated with a 46% increase in odds of having an overweight/obese child (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17–1.83), after adjusting for maternal prepregnancy BMI, race/ethnicity, age at delivery, education, child age, birthweight, gestational age at delivery, gestational diabetes, parity, infant sex, total metabolic equivalents, and dietary pattern. The OR (95% CI) for childhood overweight/obesity among women gaining below the IOM recommendations was 1.23 (0.88–1.71). The associations between gaining outside the IOM recommendations and childhood obesity were stronger among women with a normal prepregnancy BMI (OR, 1.63; 95% CI, 1.03–2.57) (below); OR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.32–2.43) (exceeded). Conclusion Gestational weight gain outside the IOM recommendations is associated with increased odds of childhood overweight/obesity, independent of several potential confounders and mediators. Gestational weight gain had a greater impact on childhood overweight/obesity among normal-weight women, suggesting that the effect may be independent of genetic predictors of obesity.