cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of sodium on the fermentation of glutamic acid by Peptococcusaerogenes

Abstract The anaerobe Peptococcus aerogenes degrades glutamic acid to carbon dioxide, acetic and butyric acids and ammonia (Whiteley 1957) . Horler, Westlake and McConnell (1966a) have shown using specifically labelled glutamic acid-14C that carbon five is converted to carbon dioxide and that butyric acid can be formed from the first four carbons of glutamic acid without passing through two carbon units. Washed cells of P. aerogenes , when suspended in a potassium phosphate buffer system at pH 7, readily fermented sodium glutamate; when glutamate was added as the free acid such preparations metabolized only about 10% of the added substrate. The addition of sodium ions, e.g. sodium sulphate, resulted in rapid and complete utilization of the glutamic acid. This paper describes the affect of sodium ions on the metabolism of glutamic and other amino acids by P. aerogenes .
Abstract 5893: Expression and role of autophagy-associated p62 (SQSTM1) in multidrug-resistant ovarian cancer

Multidrug resistance is the major cause of treatment failure in ovarian cancer. p62 (SQSTM1) is a multifunctional protein involved in multiple cellular processes including proliferation, drug sensitivity and autophagy-associated cancer cell growth. p62 is a critical indicator of autophagic flux, which is inversely associated with autophagy activity. However, the role of p62 remains controversial in drug resistance in human ovarian cancer. In this study, we examined p62 expression by immunohistochemistry in a unique ovarian cancer tissue microarray (TMA), which was constructed with paired primary, metastatic, and recurrent tumor tissues from 26 individual patients. Results showed that both the metastatic and recurrent tumor tissues expressed less p62 than the patient-matched primary tumor. A significant inverse correlation has been found between p62 expression and both the disease free survival and overall survival. In addition, multidrug resistant cancer cell lines expressed lower levels of p62 as compared with their parental drug sensitive cell lines. Importantly, cell viabilities determined by MTT assay after exposure to different concentrations of paclitaxel showed inhibition of autophagy or accumulation of p62 enhances paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer drug resistant cells. Furthermore, the wound healing assay exhibited that inhibition of autophagy significantly decreased multidrug resistant ovarian cancer cell migration in vitro. Collectively, these data highlight that autophagy pathway may be a promising therapeutic target to prevent metastasis, recurrence and to reverse drug resistance in ovarian cancer. Citation Format: Jinglu Wang, Cassandra Garbutt, Francis J Hornicek, Zhenfeng Duan. Expression and role of autophagy-associated p62 (SQSTM1) in multidrug-resistant ovarian cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5893.
Give thanks for a little and you will find a lot: The role of a support seeker’s reply in online support provision

This experiment examined reciprocal communication among support seekers and support providers in online support forums. An interactive online support forum web page was employed where comments to a...
A Brief Communication Curriculum Improves Resident and Nurse Communication Skills and Patient Satisfaction.

Despite the ever-expanding role that the patient experience plays in healthcare, effective strategies proven to increase patient satisfaction ratings remain scarce. At the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, we identified patient-doctor and patient-nurse communication as an area for intervention to improve suboptimal patient satisfaction among medicine inpatients. We posited that the likely reasons for underperformance in this area were a lack of adequate training in bedside communication skills. We developed and evaluated a curriculum for medicine residents and nurses focused on clear communication at the bedside. A total of 76 internal medicine residents and 85 medical service nurses participated in 2016. The curriculum utilized didactics, video demonstrations, and role play, and was evaluated using pre- and post-surveys of participants’ health literacy knowledge, attitudes, and confidence. Communication skills were evaluated using pre- and post-direct observation at the bedside with a communication skills checklist. Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) scores were compared 3 months before and after the curriculum to assess changes in patient satisfaction. Knowledge and attitudes improved significantly for both residents and nurses. Residents’ and nurses’ observed clinical communication skills improved significantly in most domains, and there was moderate increase in communication-specific HCAHPS scores. A small investment of curricular time devoted to clear communication skills improved residents’ and medical nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, skills, and communication-specific HCAHPS scores. This curriculum, focused on improving bedside communication skills, could be implemented in a variety of settings to improve patient satisfaction and patient experience.
A Novel Training Course in Ultrasound Peripheral Iv Access for Pediatrics Residents

In the pediatric population, obtaining peripheral intravenous (PIV) access can be uniquely challenging. Difficult PIV access can often lead to delayed administration of fluids and important medications. Furthermore, each additional attempt increases patient discomfort, anxiety, and risk of complications. US guided PIV placement has been shown in previous studies to increase first pass success, thus requiring fewer attempts. Pediatric residents typically have limited training and minimal experience using either a landmark based approach or Ultrasound (US) guidance for obtaining PIV access. Only 5% of participants in our study felt …
A Contemporary Perspective on Training Motivation: A Meta-Analytic Review

Based on a meta-analytic review of 168 independent studies, we provide an updated model of training motivation. Our results largely support Colquitt et al.’s (2000) integrative theory of training m...
Patient Reported Outcomes Measures and the Evolving Role of Predictive Analytics in Spine Care

The field of predictive analytics in medicine is constantly expanding, in turn changing the paradigm in which providers and patients experience health care. Machine learning and neural networks are being utilized in diagnosis, individualizing care, and assisting in medical decision making in many fields, including orthopaedics. This technology's utility and accuracy are largely limited by providers’ ability to communicate complex predictions to patients and the input which generates the predictive model including patient reported outcomes (PROs). PROs, classically, are utilized in comparative and cost effectiveness research, but increasingly are being incorporated in patient-provider interactions. However, several limitations in PROs exist including a diverse number of legacy PROs, differing agendas amongst health care systems, providers, and patients, as well as providers’ ability to translate these scores into meaningful information for patients. The Patient Reported Outcome Measurement Information System (PROMIS) is a tool developed by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to combat some of these limitations. PROMIS is health domain rather than disease specific and therefore can be applied across many fields of medicine or subspecialties within a field. Shared decision making is a framework for patients and physicians to incorporate predictive analytics, PROs, and patient values to make complex medical decisions. Decision aides are utilized to reinforce information provided by physicians to patients. The overarching goal is to maximize patient education, manage expectations and deliver high value health care. As health care systems, providers, and patients generate more data points, the strength of predictive analytic models will improve. These advances will change the way providers deliver health care and present information to patients.
Incrimination of mosquito vectors

Mosquitoes have been known for over a century to transmit viruses such as yellow fever. However, laboratory studies to identify the species capable of natural transmission still fail to explain some outbreaks, such as Zika. Now, this paradox is partially explained by a simple methodological shortcoming.
Candida auris real-time PCR for surveillance of patients and environment

Background– Candida aurisis an emerging fungus which has caused nosocomial outbreaks worldwide. Screening for surveillance is challenging as it’s a slow grower, samples may have multiple candida spp and many commercial assays have limited accuracy. Following an outbreak in 2016, a real-time PCR was developed for rapid patient and environmental screening. Laboratory parameters, results and pitfalls from Jan 2018 to March 2019 are described. Methods– Evaluation was performed using EQA panels and validated on clinical swabs and urine samples. Patient screening was performed in high risk clinical areas from nose, throat, axilla and groin swabs and catheter urine. Environmental screening was done in areas where transmission was detected. Positive or indeterminate samples were cultured and colonies identified on the Vitek 2 and confirmed by PHE reference laboratory. Results–The Limit of detection was 100 organisms/ml. Sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 100.00%, 99.35%, 85.71%, and 100.00%. 4,792 urines and 10,819pooled swabs were tested. 21 colonised patients were identified in two outbreaks and two isolated transmission events. Median turn-around time for positive results was 24h30min (range 04:22-96:46h) and 143h14min (range 75-406h) for PCR and culture respectively. Urine samples did not add to the overall sensitivity of screening.C. aurisDNA was detected in 30/84 (35%) environmental swabs but C. auris isolated in only 2/84. Drawbacks of the PCR include reagent contamination seen on two occasions. Conclusion – C. auris screening by PCR is a rapid means of detection in both patients and environment but prudent use of culture is required to help determine infectivity.
Pituitary Development and Organogenesis: Transcription Factors in Development and Disease

Many transcription factors that regulate pituitary gland development and specification of hormone-producing cell types have been discovered. Here we focus on 13 transcription factors that play key roles in these processes, many of which are mutated in patients with congenital pituitary insufficiency disorders. We present the methods by which each of these transcription factors were identified. Each of the genes we discuss has been well studied in genetically engineered mice, facilitating an understanding of the impact of each single gene defect on the expression of downstream targets. Finally, we highlight technical advances that promise to yield future insights into epigenetic regulation of cell fate.
Upper Midwest lakes are supersaturated with N2

Little is known about the exchange of gaseous nitrogen (N2) with the atmosphere in freshwater systems. Although the exchange of N2, driven by excess or deficiencies relative to saturation values, has little relevance to the atmospheric N2 pool due to its large size, it does play an important role in freshwater and marine nitrogen (N) cycling. N-fixation converts N2 to ammonia, which can be used by microbes and phytoplankton, while denitrification/anammox effectively removes it by converting oxidized, inorganic N to N2. We examined N2 saturation to infer net biological nitrogen processes in 34 lakes across 5° latitude varying in trophic status, mixing regime, and bathymetry. Here, we report that nearly all lakes examined in the upper Midwest (USA) were supersaturated with N2 (>85% of samples, n = 248), suggesting lakes are continuously releasing nitrogen to the atmosphere. The traditional paradigm is that freshwaters compensate for N-limitation through N-fixation, but these results indicate that lakes were constantly losing N to the atmosphere via denitrification and/or anammox, suggesting that terrestrial N inputs are needed to balance the internal N cycle.
Is a Plea Really a Bargain? An Empirical Study of Six Cities in China

There is a belief in the criminal justice system that it is better to take a plea offer to avoid uncertain consequences than risk going to trial. Prior studies using the data in Anglo-American courts have suggested that many legal and extralegal factors influence the decision of a guilty plea versus trial. China developed its own plea-bargaining system in 2016. Using 6826 DUI cases adjudicated in six cities, this study examines what factors affect the decision of a guilty plea and whether the guilty plea brings true benefits in Chinese courts. The results show that more serious crimes and more dangerous defendants were less likely to be disposed of through guilty pleas (as opposed to going to trial). One possible explanation is that prosecutors may make more punitive offers in these cases, which in turn discourages defendants from accepting them. In addition, using a propensity score weighting technique to control for potential confounding variables, this study finds that defendants who pleaded guilty were more likely to receive favorable case outcomes regarding pretrial detention and probation decision, which supports the argument that a guilty plea could help a defendant to avoid the “trial penalty” in Chinese criminal justice system.
A novel role of adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) in DNA repair and carcinogenesis

1627 Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene have been identified in many intestinal and extra-intestinal tumors. At least, in colon, mutations in the APC gene are considered to be one of the earliest events in the cancer development. However, in other cases, mutations in the APC gene have been identified in later stages of cancer development. Although a great deal has been learnt about the role of mutations in APC gene in various cellular functions and cancer development, its role in normal cells, especially when they are challenged with DNA-damaging agents is not known. In the present investigation, we report a novel and previously unsuspected function of APC in DNA repair involving base excision repair (BER) pathway. We identified a proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-interacting protein (PIP)-like box sequence in APC that binds DNA polymerase β (pol-β) and blocks pol-β-mediated strand-displacement synthesis in long-patch BER without affecting short-patch BER. We further showed that the colon cancer cell line expressing the wild-type APC gene was more sensitive to a DNA-methylating agent due to decreased DNA repair by long-patch BER than the cell line expressing the mutant APC gene lacking the PIP-like box. Experiments based on RNA interference showed that the wild-type APC gene expression is required for DNA methylation-induced sensitivity of colon cancer cells. Thus, APC may play a critical role in determining utilization of long- versus short-patch BER pathways and affect the susceptibility of colon cancer cells to carcinogenic and chemotherapeutic agents. These studies were partially supported to S.N. by the grants from NCI-NIH (RO1-CA 097031, RO1-CA 100247) and Flight Attendants Medical Research Institute.
Accretion Disk Instabilities, Cold Dark Matter Models, and Their Role in Quasar Evolution

We have developed a consistent analytical model to describe the observed evolution of the quasar luminosity function. Our model combines black hole mass distributions based on the Press-Schechter theory of structure formation in the universe with quasar luminosity functions resulting from a physics-based emission model that takes into account the time-dependent phenomena occurring in the accretion disks. Quasar evolution and cold dark matter (CDM) models are mutually constraining; therefore, our model gives an estimation of the exponent, n, of the power spectrum, P(k), which is found to be -1.8 ≤ n ≤ -1.6. We were able to reject a generally assumed hypothesis of a constant ratio between dark matter halo and black hole mass, since the observed data could not be fitted under this assumption. We found that the relation between the dark matter halos and black hole masses is better described by MBH = M. This model provides a reasonable fit to the observed quasar luminosity function at redshifts higher than ~2.0. We suggest that the disagreement at lower redshift is due to mergers. Based on the agreement at high redshift, we estimated the merger rate at lower redshift, and argue that this rate should depend on the redshift, as (1 + z)3.
The Regulation of Sovereign Wealth Funds: The Virtues of Going Slow

Any symposium on private-equity firms and the going private phenomenon would be incomplete without discussion of Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs). These governmentowned investment vehicles have and will continue to play an important role in the going private phenomenon. SWFs have not only helped fuel that phenomenon through their participation as limited partners in private-equity funds and hedge funds, but their massive capital infusions into ailing financial institutions and private-equity firms in the wake of the subprime mortgage crisis may, in a very real sense, save it. It is not hyperbolic to suggest that the future of private equity—including the going private phenomenon—and the future of SWFs are inescapably intertwined. Misguided regulation of the latter will, quite foreseeably, operate to the detriment of the former. And the scope of potential mischief is broad. SWFs have existed for decades, but today they face heightened scrutiny due to their recent rapid growth and a concomitant shift in their investment strategy from primarily conservative debt instruments to higher risk/reward equity investments. This shift in strategy has stoked fears in the United States and Europe that these funds—which find home primarily in the Middle East and Asia—will use their economic clout to pursue political goals. This type of rhetoric has led some to call for increased regulation of SWFs. In this Article we argue against imposing any additional burdens on investments by SWFs in the United States, at least at present. In our view, at this point a policy of watchful waiting is preferable to any immediate effort to impose special restrictions on SWFs. On the one hand, the nightmare scenarios painted by SWF critics often involve activities that would be caught by existing laws, either as they relate to national security or to various forms of business regulation under the securities and antitrust laws. On the other hand, we do not possess perfect foresight and cannot say that every possible permutation of SWF investment should escape a regulatory response in the future. What we do know, however, says that the burden of proof lies on those who think that further prophylactic regulation is in order at this juncture. To date, SWFs have acted as model investors, and the risk that they may act strategically in the future is significantly mitigated by existing safeguards. A far greater danger to America’s economy and security inheres in taking unnecessary action that would encourage SWFs to redirect their investments elsewhere, or to harbor resentment toward the United States that could express itself in a wide range of hostile actions.
Time-Periodic Quantum Systems

Quantum systems with time-periodic Hamiltonians (time period T) have discrete time-translation invariance and their time evolution can be written in terms of a Floquet map that connects states at times t and t + T. The overlap of quantum nonlinear resonances induced by time-periodic driving field can cause a change in the Floquet spectral statistics from Poisson-like to Wigner-like behavior.
Eddy-current simulation in prisms, plates, and shells with the program EDDYNET

The program EDDYNET solves eddy-current problems by means of an integral-equation approach. The conducting material is represented by a network of current-carrying line elements. Consequently, Maxwell's field equations can be replaced by Kirchhoff's circuit rules. The loop equations for voltages, supplemented by the node equations for the currents, comprise a set of linear equations that can be solved repeatedly to give the time development of the eddy currents. Currents, magnetic fields, and power are calculated at each step. A TRIM-like mesh generator and internal indexing of lines, nodes, and loops permit solutions with complex geometries incorporating many elements. Results can appear in the form of movies representing currents, field penetration, and power distribution. Calculations can now be performed for conducting, curved shells acted upon by an applied magnetic field. Changes in the flux through each mesh loop are determined from the normal component of field (both the applied field and the field from the current in each line element). The matrix representing the flux through each loop due to each line can be inverted and the system stepped through time to provide a time history of the currents. Another matrix facilitates calculating the net field over a specified rectangular grid at each time step. Incorporating appropriate symmetry conditions reduces the size of the problem. Results are presented for field shielding by a thin-walled toroidal shell and for eddy-current effects on a notched tube in a sinusoidal field.
A uniform boundedness principle for spaces with a family of projections

We establish a uniform boundedness principie for operators defined on a topological vector space which is equipped with a family of projections satisfying a gliding hump property and with values in a semi-convex topological vector space. Applications to spaces of vector-valued functions are given. In [Sw2], [Sw3], we established a uniform boundedness principie for locally convex spaces which are equipped with a family of projection operators satisfying a gliding hump and a decomposition property. Earlier similar uniform boundedness results for locally convex spaces with a family of projection operators were established by Drewnowski, Florencio and Paul and used to show that the space of Pettis integrable functions, while not usually complete, is always barrelled ([DFP1], [DFP2]); see also [DFFP] for further similar results. In this note we show that the methods of [Sw2], [Sw3J, based on the AntosikMikusinski Matrix Theorem, can be used to establish a uniform boundedness principie for non-locally convex spaces and show that in the locally convex space case the spaces have a property stronger than being barrelled. We begin by fixing the notation and terminology which will be employed in the sequel. Let E be a Hausdorff topological vector space and let A be an algebra of subsets of a set S. We assume that there exists a mapping P: A —* L(E\e space of continuous linear operators from E into E. For A e A we write P (A) = PA and assume that P0 = O, PS = /, the identity operator on E, and that P is finitely additive. In order to establish our uniform boundedness principie we impose two further conditions on the mapping P. We first describe the gliding hump property which will be imposed. We say that P satisfies the strong gliding hump property (SGHP) if: xk —»• O in E and { A? } c A pairwise disjoint implies there exist an increasing sequence oc
‘Absent fathers’ or ‘reorganized families’? Variations in father-child contact after parental break-up in Norway

Two trends affect modern fatherhood simultaneously: on the one hand, there is an increased emphasis on paternal involvement in the lives of young children. On the other hand, rates of parental break-up have increased, and fathers often live apart from their children. Norway is a country in which both trends are very strong. This article looks at the patterns of contact between non-resident fathers in Norway and their children, focusing on the extreme ends of the distribution: fathers with weekly contact, and fathers who have not seen their children in three months or more. After a brief overview of recent developments in Norwegian family policies, some key dilemmas and tensions in modern family life are identified. One relate to commitment in cohabiting relationships, another to the tension between commitment to children from previous relationships and new partners. A third factor that is taken into consideration, is poverty. In the empirical analysis, we find no difference in the odds for having frequent/ very infrequent contact between formerly married and formerly cohabiting fathers, nor between fathers who live alone and fathers who have repartnered. Poverty is however a strong indicator of loss of contact.
Introduction to the Book

Astronomers tell us that all stars are furnaces fueled by fusion of hydrogen into helium. When their fuel is spent, the central cores of stars collapse, reaching 100 million degrees Kelvin. Under these conditions nuclei fuse to form heavier elements, such as carbon, oxygen, and eventually iron. Some of these dying stars then explode, scattering the heavy elements through space; subsequently, the remnants of the explosion re-condense to form new stars surrounded by planets composed of the heavier elements.
Stomach-specific anti-H. pylori therapy; part III: effect of chitosan microspheres crosslinking on the gastric residence and local tetracycline concentrations in fasted gerbils.

Abstract The main objective of the present study was to examine the effect of chemical crosslinking of chitosan microspheres on the gastric residence and local tetracycline concentrations following oral administration in fasted gerbils. Radioiodinated [ 125 I ] glyoxal-crosslinked chitosan microsphere suspension in deionized distilled water was administered for the gastric residence studies. At different time points, the animals were sacrificed and the radioactivity in tissues and fluids was measured. Stomach tetracycline concentrations were determined using tritiated-[ 3 H ]-tetracycline-loaded crosslinked chitosan microspheres. The radioactivity, measured with a liquid scintillation analyzer, was used to determine the microgram of drug per gram of tissues or fluids. After 2 h in the fasted stomach, approximately 10% of the non-crosslinked chitosan microspheres remained. On the other hand, 17% of the crosslinked chitosan microspheres remained in the fasted stomach after the same time period. The microspheres were predominantly found in the colon after 6 h of administration. There was no detectable radioactivity in the plasma, urine, small intestine, liver, and kidneys. Tetracycline concentration profile in the stomach from the crosslinked microsphere formulation was higher than that of the aqueous solution and the non-crosslinked microsphere formulation. While the area-under-the-curve ( AUC 0.5→10 h ) for tetracycline solution and non-crosslinked chitosan microspheres was 447.3 and 358.2 μg h/g of tissue, respectively, the AUC 0.5→10 h for the crosslinked chitosan microspheres was 868.9 μg h/g of tissue. The drug was predominantly found in the colon and urine after 6 h of administration. Results of this study show that chitosan microspheres prepared by chemical crosslinking provide a longer residence time in the fasted gerbil stomach than either tetracycline solution or microspheres prepared by ionic precipitation.
A Review of “The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science”

This well-presented book by a distinguished journalist, specializing in medico-legal matters, has something of interest for all criminal justice professionals and many lessons for security practiti...
Special Education Advocacy and Latino Clients: Empowerment and Becoming a Good Consumer.

Abstract The special education process at times presents barriers that inhibit authentic parental participation. Given the complexities related to language, culture, and limited school resources, Latino parents in particular are prone to being excluded from active, policy making roles within this complex process. This paper reviews some of the barriers that prevent Latinos from becoming good consumers. The integration of important systems and cultural variables in working with Latino clients is stressed as well as the need for a paradigm shift in the thinking of professionals. The need for an integrated model that provides advocacy training to Latinos within a culturally sensitive format along with changes in conceptualizations about client-professional relationships is also developed.
Unleashed DNA production for transfection, vaccines, or labeling

To understand the limits of DNA synthesis and to improve the amount of plasmid DNA produced per growth process, we deregulated the replication of a plasmid that is not subject to antibiotic selection. To understand further what occurs within a host such as E. coli when deregulated plasmid replication occurs, the proteomes of wild-type and transformed cells were contrasted. We find the copy numbers of 15,000 or higher can be obtained for a 3.7 kB plasmid. Replication fidelity or host growth rate are not compromised. The proteomics suggests that among the adaptations are increased Krebs cycle activity and also factors that enable ribosomal assembly and function.
Growth factor requirements of Ruminococcus flavefaciens isolated from the rumen of cattle fed purified diets.

Eight strains of cellulolytic cocci were isolated from a 10-8 dilution of rumen ingesta and were presumptively identified as Ruminococcus flavefaciens. Four strains were isolated from a steer fed a purified diet which contained isolated soy protein, and four strains were isolated from a steer fed a purified diet which contained urea. Certain growth factor requirements of these bacteria were determined. All strains grew with clarified rumen fluid added to the medium. However, fatty acids could substitute for rumen fluid in four strains. Two strains isolated from each steer either required or their growth was stimulated by isobutyric and/or isovaleric and/or 2-methyl-butyric acid. These results indicate that, even when a diet was fed which contained no branched-chain amino acids, the carbon skeleton precursors of branched-chain fatty acids, the cattle were still able to maintain a large population of cellulolytic bacteria that require fatty acids for growth. Therefore, the fatty acids appear to be provided by other bacteria, by protozoa, or by the host animal.
Trends in obesity, underweight, and wasting among women attending prenatal clinics in urban Tanzania, 1995–2004

Background: Many developing countries are currently burdened by both undernutrition and increasing rates of overweight and obesity. Scarce data are available from population studies on the recent trends and current epidemiology of obesity in African settings. Objectives: The objectives were to evaluate changes in the prevalence of obesity, underweight, and wasting in women of reproductive age from Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, during the past 10 y and to identify contemporary sociodemographic correlates of these indicators. Design: We estimated the prevalence of obesity [body mass index (BMI; in kg/m 2 ) ≥ 30], underweight (BMI < 18.5), and wasting (midupper arm circumference <22 cm) in 73 689 women aged 14-52 y who attended antenatal care clinics in the city of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, between 1995 and 2004. Results: The prevalence of obesity rose steadily and progressively from 3.6% in 1995 to 9.1% in 2004 [adjusted prevalence ratio (PR): 1.97; 95% CI: 1.66, 2.33; P for trend for year < 0.0001]. Underweight showed only a modest decline from 3.3% in 1995 to 2.6% in 2004 (adjusted PR: 0.91; 95% CI: 0.75, 1.10; P for trend for year = 0.003), whereas no change was observed in the prevalence of wasting. In the most recent years (2003 and 2004), obesity was positively associated with age, parity, and socioeconomic status and inversely with HIV infection. Underweight was inversely related to socioeconomic status and positively to HIV status. Conclusion: The recent, rapid, and large increase in the prevalence of obesity in women represents a new competing public health priority in urban Tanzania, where underweight and wasting have not decreased substantially.
AGET ATRP of oligo(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate in inverse microemulsion

A water soluble monomer, oligo(ethylene glycol) monomethyl ether methacrylate (OEOMA), was successfully polymerized in an inverse microemulsion system via the activator generated by electron transfer atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP) technique. Stable colloidal particles with a readily tunable size, ranging from ca. 35 to 200 nm, were obtained by adjusting the amount and the type of reducing agent used for the generation of activators in the AGET ATRP and by adjusting the aqueous phase fraction in the inverse microemulsion system. The formed particles contained well-defined water-soluble polymers with relatively narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn < 1.5). The introduction of a small amount of divinyl cross-linkers into the system allowed the synthesis of cross-linked hydrogel nanoparticles. The cross-linked particles retained their morphology when they were redispersed in methanol or water, as evidenced by the constant particle size determined by dynamic light scattering (DLS).
Patterns of human atrioventricular nodal accommodation to a sudden acceleration of atrial rate

Abstract Atrioventricular nodal (AVN) accommodation to an abrupt increase in atrial rate was systematically studied in 10 patients using a pacing protocol incorporating a programmable pause (S1S2) between the last beat of basic atrial drive (S1S1) and the onset of an 18-beat paced atrial train (S2S2) of shorter constant cycle length (CL) than that of S1S1. Pacing was repeated, varying S1S2 while keeping S1S1 and S2S2 CLs fixed. In all patients there existed a zone of 1 or more critical S1S2 intervals for which the new steady-state AVN conduction time (S2H2) was attained “instantaneously,” that is, with the first beat, and maintained for subsequent beats of the S2S2 train. At S1S2 intervals that exceeded or were less than critical values, S2H2 progressively increased (crescendo pattern) or decreased (decrescendo pattern), respectively, until the steady-state value was achieved. The zone of S1S2 intervals that resulted in decrescendo or instantaneous AVN accommodation contracted when either the S1S1 CL was increased or the S2S2 CL was shortened. These findings have relevance to the interpretation of electrophysiologic studies and explain the spectrum of AVN accommodation patterns observed at the onset of supraventricular tachycardia.
Selective bronchial intubation for the treatment of severe localized pulmonary interstitial emphysema in newborn infants.

As an alternative to lobectomy and in order to preserve lung tissue which may be potentially functionalwe have selectively intubated the right main bronchus in four infants 12 to 25 days old with severe, pulmonary interstitial emphysema of the left lung. In each case the localized hyperinflation disappeared within 5 to 48 hours of contralateral selective bronchial intubation. The duration of SBI was 1.5 to 5 days. Three patients benefited from the procedure; there were no serious complications. We propose that SBI should be tried in infants with severe, localized PIE which has caused mediastinal shift, compressive atelectasis, and respiratory acidosis requiring mechanical ventilation despite vigorous pulmonary therapy and usual supportive measures.
Prevention and treatment of postoperative Crohn's disease recurrence: an update for a new decade.

Poorly controlled Crohn’s disease (CD) often requires surgery for such complications as strictures, fistulas, and abscesses. The goal of postoperative treatment is to suppress or prevent inflammation and maintain mucosal healing. Probiotics, antibiotics, 5-aminosalicylates, immunomodulators, and antibodies to tumor necrosis factor are all used to prevent postoperative recurrence. In this article, recent studies are reviewed. Azathioprine/6-mercaptopurine are moderately effective at preventing and treating postoperative CD, whereas infliximab/adalimumab are highly effective and probiotics and 5-aminosalicylates minimally effective. We base the choice of postoperative medical therapy on the patient’s risk profile for postoperative recurrence. Whatever postoperative therapy is used, the mucosa should be assessed within 12 months to determine if the approach is effective. If active inflammation is found, then treatment should be intensified. By treating CD aggressively after a first surgery, future surgeries can be delayed or averted.
The Importance of Being Green: The Influence of Green Behaviors on Americans’ Political Attitudes Toward Climate Change

Two studies investigated whether performing green behaviors may influence people’s political attitudes regarding climate change. A survey study revealed that self-reported green behaviors indirectly predicted American participants’ political attitudes regarding climate change, and that this relationship was mediated by their green self-perceptions. This relationship was relatively stronger for conservatives than for liberals. An experimental study included two conditions: one which led people to perceive that they often performed green behaviors and another that led them to perceive that they failed to perform green behaviors. Political-orientation was found to moderate the effect of green behavior perceptions on ratings of the importance of climate-related issues and on support for emissions-reducing policies. Liberals reported greater importance and greater policy support when perceiving that they failed to act green, while conservatives did not. Implications for green behavior campaigns and their polit...
A mechanism for layer formation in a double-diffusive fluid

The dynamics of layer formation by salt fingers from the uniform temperature and salinity gradients is studied by direct numerical simulations of the two-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations. It is shown that formation of steps in the model is caused by the parametric variation of the flux ratio (γ = wT /wS )a s af unction of the density ratio (R), which leads to an instability of equilibrium with uniform stratification. These unstable large-scale perturbations continuously grow in time until well-defined layers are formed. Subsequent evolution of the numerical staircases is explained by considering the secondary instabilities of a series of salt finger interfaces.
Optimal Quadtrees for Image Segments

Quadtrees are compact hierarchical representations of images. In this paper, we define the efficiency of quadtrees in representing image segments and derive the relationship between the size of the enclosing rectangle of an image segment and its optimal quadtree. We show that if an image segment has an enclosing rectangle having sides of lengths x and y, such that 2N-1 × max (x, y) ? 2N, then the optimal quadtree may be the one representing an image of size 2N × 2N or 2N+1 × 2N+1. It is shown that in some situations the quadtree corresponding to the larger image has fewer nodes. Also, some necessary conditions are derived to identify segments for which the larger image size results in a quadtree which is no more expensive than the quadtree for the smaller image size.
Calculation of evanescent field interaction with metallic nanoparticles immobilized on the air holes of solid-core photonic crystal fiber

We report the calculation of the attenuation coefficient of a probing optical mode due to interaction with metallic nanoparticles randomly distributed in the air holes of a solid core photonic crystal fiber (PCF) for SERS-based sensing and detection. The approach employed is an approximation of the solid core PCF with conventional curricular fiber considering a similar total internal reflection mechanism for mode propagation and almost complete concentration of the mode flux in the core of PCF. Losses due to the absorption and radiative scattering of electromagnetic energy by nanoparticles are examined. The analysis demonstrates a critical dependence of the absorption losses approaching the resonant localized surface plasmon's excitation and very fast rise of radiative losses with the increase of nanoparticle size. The physics of proper integral Raman spectroscopy is also discussed.
Molecular Regulation of Lymphatic Contractility

The lymphatic system plays critical roles in body fluid and macromolecular homeostasis, lipid absorption, immune function, and metastasis. To accomplish these tasks, the lymphatics must move lymph and its contents from the interstitial space through the lymph vessels and nodes and into the great veins. Contrary to popular belief, lymph does not passively "drain" down this pathway, because the net pressure gradients oppose flow. Instead, the lymphatics must act as both the conduits that direct and regulate lymph flow and the pumps that generate the lymph flow. Thus, to regulate lymph transport and function, both lymphatic pumping and flow resistance must be controlled. Both of these processes occur via regulation of lymphatic muscle contractions, which are classically thought to occur via the interaction of cell calcium with regulatory and contractile proteins. However, our knowledge of this regulation of lymphatic contractile function is far from complete. In this chapter we review our understanding of the important molecular mechanisms, the calcium regulation, and the contractile/regulatory proteins that control lymphatic contractions. A better understanding of these mechanisms could provide the basis for the development of better diagnostic and treatment modalities for lymphatic dysfunction. While progress has been made in our understanding of the molecular biology of lymphangiogenesis as a result of the development of potential lymphangiogenic therapeutic targets, there are currently no therapeutic agents that specifically modulate lymphatic pump function and lymph flow via lymphatic muscle. However, their development will not be possible until the molecular basis of lymphatic contractility is more fully understood.
Addressing occupational allergy to natural rubber latex among health care workers.

macia–Upjohn, Kalamazoo, MI) immunoassay or prick skin test with an investigational latex extract from Greer Laboratories (Lenoir, NC). Interestingly, only 57% of sensitized persons reported skin, eye, or respiratory symptoms when exposed to powdered latex gloves, whereas such symptoms were reported by 21% of those who were not sensitized. The annual cost of this screening program was $60,000. However, the authors conclude that workplace changes to accommodate NRL-sensitized employees are less expensive than worker’s compensation payments to latex-sensitized persons who may experience allergic symptoms or lose work days in an unmodified work environment. A more detailed discussion of the costs of accommodating NRL-sensitized health care workers has been published. 4 The phased approach to replacement
Three dimensional studies of particle failure in silicon based composite electrodes for lithium ion batteries

Abstract Silicon based composite electrodes for lithium ion batteries are of significant interest because of their potential to be high capacity alternatives to the commonly used graphitic carbon anodes. A drawback to their use, however, is the Si particle debonding and fracture that occurs as a result of the volumetric expansion by the lithium host particles upon lithiation of the anode electrode. We use X-ray micro computed tomography to visualize the evolution of the internal microstructure of a silicon-based electrode before and after four lithiation steps during the first half cycle of the cell. We develop a novel threshold edge detect method to perform 3D volumetric measurements of silicon particle expansion. According to our results, 100% lithiation of the composite anode resulted in up to 290% volume expansion of individual Si particles. Furthermore, the global and localized image intensity histogram profiles from 3D data were used to analyze the silicon particle X-ray attenuation effects as a function of lithiation: a decreasing attenuation with lithiation and the propagation of the reaction front through a core–shell process between the original state and 25% lithiation of the silicon-based electrode have been observed.
Characteristics of the adsorption mechanism of acido-basic compounds with two pKa in reversed-phase liquid chromatography.

Abstract Overloaded band profiles of phthalic acid, nicotinic acid, and sodium nicotinate eluted with a methanol-aqueous buffer solution were recorded at the exit of a 150 mm × 4.6 mm column packed with 3.5 μ m X-Bridge-C18 porous particles. The pH W S s of the mobile phase was adjusted at different values, with addition of hydrochloric acid ( pH W S ∼ 1.37), phosphate ( pH W S ∼ 2.01, 2.85, and 7.32), formate ( pH W S ∼ 3.61), acetate ( pH W S ∼ 4.41 and 5.15), or succinate buffers ( pH W S ∼ 6.11). The ionic strengths of all the buffers were fixed at 0.1 M by adding the necessary amount of potassium chloride when necessary. The compositions of the solutions at equilibrium were solved by using the extended Debye–Huckel theory, which estimates the activity coefficients of the ions in the bulk phase. The adsorption of the samples onto X-Bridge-C18 assumed a simple bi-Langmuir isotherm for the neutral species (or zwitterion) and a Langmuir isotherm for the ionizable species. Competition for adsorption between the neutral and the ionic species was neglected. The band profiles were calculated based on the equilibrium-dispersive model of chromatography. An excellent agreement was observed between the experimental and the calculated band profiles for all buffer solutions. This work validates the adsorption mechanism assumed in earlier work for neutral and ionizable species. It is consistent with the neutral species adsorbing weakly (due to dispersive interactions) onto and/or into the C18-bonded layer (large number of sites) while the singly charged species adsorb strongly onto the few residual accessible silanol groups (due to charge–dipole interactions). Doubly charged species are not retained and are probably excluded from the pores of the hydrophobic stationary phase.
Polymorphisms of p16 , p27 , p73, and MDM2 Modulate Response and Survival of Pancreatic Cancer Patients Treated with Preoperative Chemoradiation

Genetic polymorphisms play an important role in clinical response to cytotoxic therapies. We hypothesized that polymorphisms in cell cycle genes may modulate response to preoperative chemoradiation and survival of pancreatic cancer patients. We evaluated 12 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ten cell cycle genes in 88 patients with resectable adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head who were treated with neoadjuvant concurrent gemcitabine and radiotherapy. Response was assessed by computerized tomography obtained before and 4-6 weeks after preoperative treatment. Time to tumor progression and survival after treatment were measured. Patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) if no disease progression was found at restaging after preoperative therapy. MDM2 T309G and p16 C580T genotype distributions were significantly different in the patients who underwent PD and those who did not (P = 0.025 for MDM2; P = 0.016 for p16). The MDM2 and p27 genotypes had a significant effect on survival times after treatment (log-rank test, P = 0.010 and P = 0.050, respectively). A strong joint effect of these two genes was observed (log-rank test, P = 0.010). The p73 and p16 polymorphic genotypes were significantly associated with shorter time to tumor progression (log-rank test, P = 0.021 and P = 0.039, respectively). A gene-dosage effect on time to tumor progression was observed for polymorphisms in the p73, p16, and MDM2 genes. The hazard ratios for patients with one, two, or three adverse genotypes were 2.13 (1.04-4.36), 3.18 (1.37-7.39), and 10.09 (3.17-32.05), respectively. These findings suggest these polymorphisms in the cell cycle genes are promising prognostic markers for patients with pancreatic cancer.