cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies of insulin action on the amphibian oocyte plasma membrane using NMR, electrophysiological and ion flux techniques.

Abstract Insulin (0.1–10 μM) reinitiates the meiotic divisions in Rana oocytes and produces a 14–20 mV negative-going hyperpolarization of the plasma membrane as well as a 0.25 unit increase in intracellular pH during the first 90 min. During hyperpolarization, the Na + conductance of the membrane decreases by 40–50% with a concomitant increase in 22 Na + uptake from the medium. The increased uptake of Na + during a period of decreasing Na + conductance is apparently due to an increase in fluid phase turnover associated with insulin-mediated endocytosis. Both membrane hyperpolarization and increase in pH i are Na + -dependent and are blocked by the serine proteinase inhibitor, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride. The membrane potential of the prophase oocyte has a significant electrogenic component with potential but not conductance sensitive to glycosides and substitution of Li + for Na + . Insulin hyperpolarizes Li + or glycoside-treated oocytes whereas glycosides do not affect insulin-hyperpolarized oocytes. [ 3 H]Ouabain binding by the plasma membrane of the untreated oocyte shows at least two K + -sensitive components ( K d = 42 and 2000 nM) linked to inhibition of the Na + pump. Insulin-treated oocytes show a single class of intermediate-affinity ouabain sites ( K d = 490 nM) which appear to result from insulin-induced internalization of membrane-bound ouabain. [ 125 I]Insulin binding to the plasma membrane shows a class of high-affinity sites ( K d = 87 nM) with 40–50 pump sites per insulin-binding site. Our results suggest that insulin-induced mediator peptides stimulate Na + -H + exchange resulting in an increase in intracellular pH and Na + uptake concomitant with an increase in receptor-mediated endocytosis and a decrease in Na + conductance and associated membrane hyperpolarization. The net result appears to be a down-regulation of the Na + pump which together with a decrease in Na + conductance may divert high-energy phosphate compounds from cation regulation to anabolic processes of meiosis.
Estimating population sizes by catch-effort methods

Abstract Estimating population sizes by the catch-effort methods is of enormous importance, in particular to harvest animal populations. A unified mixture model is introduced for different catchability functions to account for heterogeneous catchabilities among individual animals. A sequence of lower bounds to the odds that a single animal is not caught are proposed and used to define pseudo maximum likelihood estimators for the population size. The one-sided nature of confidence intervals is discussed. The proposed estimation methods are presented and illustrated by numerical studies.
Reversible Renin Mediated Massive Proteinuria Successfully Treated by Nephrectomy

We report on a patient with severe hypertension and nephrotic range proteinuria, which were renin mediated in origin. Aortography demonstrated occlusion of the right renal artery and renal vein renin measurements lateralized strongly to the right kidney. Removal of the right kidney led to amelioration of hypertension and proteinuria. Massive proteinuria in this setting is due to high levels of intrarenal angiotensin II and is reversible with deactivation of the renin-angiotensin system.
On mapping releases to commits in open source systems

The paper presents an empirical study on the release naming and structure in three open source projects: Google Chrome, GNU gcc, and Subversion. Their commonality and variability are discussed. An approach is developed that establishes the mapping from a particular release (major or minor) to the specific earliest and latest revisions, i.e., a commit window of a release, in the source control repository. For example, the major release 25.0 in Chrome is mapped to the earliest revision 157687 and latest revision 165096 in the trunk. This mapping between releases and commits would facilitate a systematic choice of history in units of the project evolution scale (i.e., commits that constitute a software release). A projected application is in forming a training set for a source-code change prediction model, e.g., using the association rule mining or machine learning techniques, commits from the source code history are needed.
Changes in invertebrate taxa at two pre-Columbian sites in southwestern Jamaica, AD 800–1500

Abstract Excavations at two pre-Columbian sites at Paradise Park, Parish of Westmoreland, Jamaica, revealed significant changes in mollusk use through time. The sites are located on a low dune ridge in a tropical forest between a mangrove swamp and sawgrass morass on Bluefields Bay. One site (Wes-15a) dates to the 9th century AD and contains only Ostionan (redware) pottery. It is located 240 m to the east of a Meillacan (White Marl/Montego Bay style) site dated to the 15th century AD (Wes-15b). The molluscan fauna in the Ostionan site is dominated by species that prefer freely circulating, high salinity seagrass habitats (i.e., Strombidae, Cardiidae, and Veneridae). In marked contrast, Lucinidae and Melongenidae dominate the Meillacan deposits, taxa that favor habitats of low circulation, lower salinity, and muddier substrates that are often associated with mangroves in Jamaica. Cultural and environmental factors that may have contributed to the observed shift in resource use are discussed.
Solubilization of a phosphoprotein and its associated cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and phosphoprotein phosphatase from synaptic membrane fractions, and some kinetic evidence for their existence as a complex☆

Abstract Synaptic membrane preparations contain a protein with an apparent molecular weight of 49,000, designated Protein II, whose endogenous phosphorylation and dephosphorylation are regulated by cyclic AMP. Protein II and the enzymes which catalyze the cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of Protein II have been obtained in a soluble form from these synaptic membrane preparations by treatment with either 0.25% Triton X-100 or 0.1 m NH4Cl. In the Triton X-100 solubilized enzyme system, the regulation of the endogenous phosphorylation of Protein II by cyclic AMP was similar to that observed in untreated synaptic membrane preparations. Thus, the effect of cyclic AMP on the phosphorylation of Protein II was stimulatory in the presence of Mg2+ and inhibitory in the presence of Zn2+. The stimulation by cyclic AMP of the phosphorylation of Protein II observed in the presence of Mg2+ could be converted to an inhibitory effect either by increased ionic strength, by Zn2+, or by a thiol reagent, dithionitrobenzoate. In the NH4Cl-solubilized enzyme system, cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation was also observed, but the mode of regulation by cyclic AMP of the phosphorylation of Protein II was partially altered: the effect of cyclic AMP was inhibitory in the presence of either Mg2+ or Zn2+. In both the Triton X-100-solubilized and the NH4Cl-solubilized enzyme systems, cyclic AMP facilitated the endogenous dephosphorylation of Protein II in the absence of any divalent cation, as it did in untreated membrane preparations. The kinetic data obtained for the endogenous phosphorylation and endogenous dephosphorylation of Protein II, in both the Triton extract and the NH4Cl extract, are compatible with the idea that Protein II, its cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase, and its cyclic AMP-dependent protein phosphatase, may exist in, and be extractable from, synaptic membranes in the form of a complex.
Rights of Men, Rites of Passage: Hunting and Masculinity at Reo Motors of Lansing, Michigan, 1945-1975

Throughout the twentieth century hunting was one of the fastest growing leisure activities of white working class men in the state that brought the automobile to the US and the world. The state of Michigan, the region that saw the birth of the second industrial revolution with mass production, mass consumption, 'Fordism' and 'Americanism' also provided for its worker/citizens to have historically unprecedented access to public land and game. Using auto workers records generally, and the materials from the Reo Motor Car Company of Lansing, specifically, this article describes how hunting was a growing source of white, male, autoworker's identity particularly after World War II. Hunting was not simply a rite of passage to adult malehood, but also was increasingly seen as a right; and, as such, unions and groups of workers bargained with their employers for the time to hunt while groups of sportsmen lobbied their representatives for space and game to hunt.
Hadron electromagnetic mass differences

Mass differences between members of isotopic-spin multiplets of hadrons are calculated in the MIT bag model. All low-mass SU(4) multiplets of spin 0, 1/2, 1, and 3/2 particles are considered. Both Coulomb and magnetic contributions to mass differences are evaluated without the assumption of SU(6)-degenerate intermediate states. The mass difference between the "up" and the "down" quarks inside the bag is not (necessarily) taken to be a constant; we propose a parameterization for it that works well for its contribution to known hadron electromagnetic mass differences. Based on the parametrization we present a class of sum rules for charmed-particle electromagnetic mass differences.
Projected future suitable habitat and productivity of Douglas-fir in western North America

Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii [Mirb.] Franco) is one of the most common and commercially important species in western North America. The species can occupy a range of habitats, is long-lived (up to 500 years), and highly productive. However, the future of Douglas-fir in western North America is highly uncertain due to the expected changes in climate conditions. This analysis presents a summary of work that utilizes an extensive network of inventory plots to project potential future changes in Douglas-fir habitat and productivity. By 2090, the amount of potential Douglas-fir habitat is projected to change little in terms of area (-4%). However, the habitat is expected to shift from coastal areas of North America to the interior. Corresponding changes in productivity are also projected as coastal areas experience reductions, while interior areas experience modest increases in productivity. Overall, the analysis indicates a sensitivity of Douglas-fir to climate and suggests that significant changes in North America are to be expected under climate change.
TLR-dependent and TLR-independent pathways of type I interferon induction in systemic autoimmunity

We formulate a two-phase paradigm of autoimmunity associated with systemic lupus erythematosus, the archetypal autoimmune disease. The initial Toll-like receptor (TLR)-independent phase is mediated by dendritic cell uptake of apoptotic cell debris and associated nucleic acids, whereas the subsequent TLR-dependent phase serves an amplification function and is mediated by uptake of TLR ligands derived from self-antigens (principally nucleic acids) complexed with autoantibodies. Both phases depend on elaboration of type I interferons (IFNs), and therapeutic interruption of induction or activity of these cytokines in predisposed individuals might have a substantial mitigating effect in lupus and other autoimmune diseases.
Partition-Theoretic Interpretations of Certain Modular Equations of Schröter, Russell, and Ramanujan

We show that certain modular equations studied by Schrooter, Russell, and Ramanujan yield elegant identities for colored partitions.
The Sensitivity of California Water Resources to Climate Change Scenarios

: Using the latest available General Circulation Model (GCM) results we present an assessment of climate change impacts on California hydrology and water resources. The approach considers the output of two GCMs, the PCM and the HadCM3, run under two different greenhouse gas (GHG) emission scenarios: the high emission A1fi and the low emission B1. The GCM output was statistically downscaled and used in the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) macroscale distributed hydrologic model to derive inflows to major reservoirs in the California Central Valley. Historical inflows used as inputs to the water resources model CalSim II were modified to represent the climate change perturbed conditions for water supply deliveries, reliability, reservoir storage and changes to variables of environmental concern. Our results show greater negative impacts to California hydrology and water resources than previous assessments of climate change impacts in the region. These impacts, which translate into smaller streamflows, lower reservoir storage and decreased water supply deliveries and reliability, will be especially pronounced later in the 21st Century and south of the San Francisco bay Delta. The importance of considering how climate change impacts vary for different temporal, spatial, and institutional conditions in addition to the average impacts is also demonstrated.
Americans' Knowledge of U.S. Military Deaths in Iraq, April 2004 to April 2008

Americans allegedly have an aversion to battle-related military casualties. Their estimates of military deaths may have influenced support for past U.S. military efforts. But what affects accurate estimates of military deaths in wartime? We review the accuracy of estimates for Iraq and three twentieth-century conflicts, finding that the public's estimates were more likely to be on target for Iraq. Then using five polls from the Pew Research Center for the People and the Press, we estimate logistic regression equations in which knowledge of military deaths is regressed on variables typically employed when scholars seek to understand the factors that affect what people know about public affairs. Gender and age always emerge as significant predictors. Education and attention to the news usually matter as well. We also show that estimates of military deaths in Iraq have palpable consequences for opinions about U.S. policies there.
The Mapp, Escobedo, And Miranda Decisions: Do They Serve A Liberal Or A Conservative Agenda

During the 60s, several major criminal cases were decided in the defendants favor by the United States Supreme Court. Following each decision, politicians, law enforcement officers, and lay persons...
Effects of radial left ventricular dyssynchrony on cardiac performance using quantitative tissue Doppler radial strain imaging.

Our objective was to test the hypothesis that novel angle-corrected radial strain imaging can quantify left ventricular dyssynchrony associated with contractile impairment and improved with biventricular pacing. Eight open-chest dogs were studied by novel angle-corrected color-coded radial strain imaging and high-fidelity pressure-conductance catheters recording pressure-volume loops. Heart rate was controlled by right atrial pacing and all timing intervals were corrected by R-R interval (corrected interval=measured interval/(R-R interval) 1/2 ). Left bundle branch block, simulated by right ventricular free wall pacing, resulted in marked radial dyssynchrony, which we defined as maximal time difference between peak segmental strain, from 39 ± 17 to 354 ± 49 milliseconds and stroke work decreased from 157 ± 40 to 60 ± 37 mJ, ( P P P r = −0.93 ± 0.05 individually, r = 0.80 overall) and stroke work ( r = −0.88 ± 0.12 individually, r = −0.82 overall). Angle-corrected radial strain imaging has clinical potential to quantify mechanical dyssynchrony and effects of biventricular pacing.
Rapid Density Profiling of Consolidating Clay Using Synchrotron Radiation

The high-energy, highly collimated X-ray beam at the Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS) was used to provide rapid and high-resolution temporal and spatial density distributions in a consolidating saturated clay specimen. Porewater pressure at the undrained base of the clay was obtained by a porewater pressure transducer. Test results show good agreement between theoretical and experimental density distributions and indicate that synchrotron radiation is a promising and unique method to study consolidation.
High-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy

Abstract High-resolution imaging in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) instruments is achieved with a variety of detector configurations including bright-field/dark-field (BF/DF) imaging by coherent phase contrast, high-angle annular dark-field (HAADF) imaging by incoherent atomic number contrast and many other imaging modes. With the use of post-specimen lenses to expand/compress the whole diffraction pattern, the collection angles of both the BF and the ADF detector can be varied continuously and different detector configurations may be realized. Image resolution is improved by increasing the collection angle of the BF detector. The phase and diffraction contrast in a large-angle bright-field (LABF) image is reduced and LABF images have less dependence on the change of beam defocus and the variations of sample thickness. Applications of these high-resolution STEM imaging modes to the study of interfaces are discussed.
Accumulation of urinary cancer-related glycoprotein, EDCl, in psoriasis.

EDCl is a novel glycoprotein, mol wt 27,000, isolated in 1976 from leukemic urine. It inhibits the serine proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin and is antigenically related to interalpha trypsin inhibitor (IATI), mol wt 170,000, a normal plasma antiprotease. Since psoriasis is a non neoplastic hyperproliferative state, we have now measured EDCl by a specific radioimmunoassay (RIA) in plasma and urine of 24 untreated psoriatic patients. EDC1 was not detectable in normal urine (
Comparison of several methods for the determination of arsenic in pentavalent arsenicals alone and in combination with bismuth.

A number of methods for determining arsenic have been studied to ascertain their applicability to the determination of arsenic in pentavalent arsenicals, and in preparations containing both pentavalent arsenicals and bismuth compounds. Of the methods studied, it was found that the official method of the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists gave more accurate and consistent results under all conditions than any other procedure.
Reason as a Nexus of Natural Law and Rhetoric

Although the pages of Journal of Business Ethics have hosted an ongoing dialogue on the ethics of rhetoric and persuasion, the debates have been unable to account for the underlying morality of the human propensity to engage in rhetorical discourse as a part of living in society. In this paper, I offer natural-law ethical theory as a moral paradigm in which to examine rhetoric. In this context, I assert that rhetoric services reason, which in turn services our dispositions or inclinations that are one ideological foundation of natural-law theory. As rhetoric affects the apprehension of these dispositions it subsumes a related morality in which rhetorical endeavors can be seen as “natural”. So endowed, I believe that this conception of rhetoric offers a number of philosophical and practical implications, one of which is a new way to assess the morality of commercial manifestations of rhetoric such as spin and the use of puffery in advertising.
XPS Study of Oxygen Adsorption on (3X3) Reconstructed MBE Grown GaN Surfaces

The incorporation of oxygen onto the (3x3) reconstructed surface of GaN(0001) has been studied using X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). It was found that the (3x3) reconstruction corresponds to a fractional Ga adlayer atop a Ga terminated GaN surface. Our measurements indicate a surface coverage of 1.15 ± 0.2 monolayers of relaxed Ga on the surface. The binding energy separation between the relaxed surface Ga3d core level and bulk Ga3d level was measured to be 1.1 ± 0.1 eV. A metallic component extending from the bulk GaN valence band maximum out to 0 eV was also present in the XPS spectrum. The separation between the bulk valence band maximum and the Fermi level of the metallic component was found to be 2.1 ± 0.1 eV. The relaxation of the surface Ga was found to decrease with oxygen exposure indicating Ga-O bonding, with oxygen adsorption terminating at 1.3 ± 0.2 monolayers. The O1s core level was found to have a FWHM of 2.0 ± 0.1 eV.
Mentoring among Teachers

AbstractA survey was developed enabling subjects to describe their experiences as mentors and proteges. This questionnaire was administered to 107 public school teachers and to a comparison group of 70 police officers and 87 nurses. The results indicated that most beginning teachers benefit from the guidance of at least one mentor, usually a senior colleague. The frequency of mentoring among teachers was not significantly different from that among police officers and nurses. There was a significant relationship between having a mentor and job satisfaction. Having a mentor was also significantly related to being a mentor.
Cell cycle analysis of asexual stages of erythrocytic malaria parasites

. Intra-erythrocytic Plasmodium species can be stained with the DNA binding dye, Hoechst 33342, and the distribution of DNA content determined for parasite populations by flow cytometric measurement of fluorescence. Analysis of this distribution will determine the parasitaemia (percentage of erythrocytes infected), and the percentages of trophozoite infected red blood cells, polyparasitized (trophozoite) red blood cells, and schizont/segmenter infected red blood cells. This analysis is based on the hypothesis that the asexual parasites cycle with single G1 period, and effectively, a single S phase with no significant G2/M period except at schizogony when the genome DNA content is equivalent to 8 N or higher, dependent on the species. Data are presented to support this model.
Inhibitors of sterol synthesis. Synthesis of [2,4-3H]5α-cholest-8(14)-ene-3β,7α,15α-triol and [2,4-3H]5α-cholest-8(14)-en-38-ol-15-one

Oxidation of 5α-cholest-8(14)-ene-3β,7α,15α-triol with silver carbonate-celite gave 5α-cholest-8(14)-ene-7α,15α-diol-3-one in 88% yield. Treatment of the latter compound with tritiated water under basic conditions gave a labeled product which was reduced with lithium tri-tert-butoxyaluminum hydride in tetrahydrofuran to give [2,4–H]5α-cholest-8(14)-ene-3β,7α,15α-triol which was obtained in high purity after medium pressure liquid chromatography in the form of its triacetate derivative. Treatment of the labeled triol with concentrated hydrochloric acid in 95% ethanol gave the desired [2,4-3H]5α-cholest-8(14)-en-3β-ol-15-one.
Structure of turbulent velocity and temperature fields in ethylene glycol pipe flow at low reynolds number

Abstract Mean velocity profiles and turbulent intensities under isothermal conditions were measured in ethylene glycol flowing through a 1.434 in.i.d. Vertical pipe at a Reynolds number of about 6000. In addition, the rms temperature fluctuation t′ and the turbulent velocity-temperature correlation u x t were also measured under a uniform heat flux of 8000 Btu/hft2, using a hot-tilm sensor. Temperature spectra at various radial locations, the velocity spectrum at the center of the pipe and various scales of turbulence were estimated. Results show that the mean velocity distribution in the turbulent core lies above the “universal velocity profile.” Comparison with Laufer's data indicates that the structure of isothermal turbulence within the viscous sublayer is independent of Reynolds number within the range NRe = 6000–50000. Near the center of the pipe ux′, and t′ exhibit radial homogeneity. In this region, the turbulent velocity-temperature field approaches isotropy. The velocity spectra estimated do not exhibit a wave number region with a − 5 3 slope as predicted by Kolmogoroff, nor do the temperature spectra follow the predictions of Batchelor's uniform straining model under the low NRe highNpr conditions of the experiment.
Solving the little hierarchy problem with a singlet and explicit μ terms.

We present a generalization of the next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model, with an explicit $\ensuremath{\mu}$ term and a supersymmetric mass for the singlet superfield, as a route to alleviating the little hierarchy problem of the minimal supersymmetric standard model (MSSM). Though this model does not address the $\ensuremath{\mu}$ problem of the MSSM, we are able to generate masses for the lightest neutral Higgs boson up to 140 GeV with top squarks below the TeV scale, all couplings perturbative to the gauge unification scale, and with no need to fine-tune parameters in the scalar potential. This model more closely resembles the MSSM phenomenologically than the canonical next-to-minimal supersymmetric standard model.
Clomiphene citrate induced ovulation and intrauterine insemination: effect of timing of human chorionic gonadotropin injection in relation to the spontaneous LH surge on pregnancy rates

Purpose: To determine the optimal time for administration of human chorionic gonadotropin in clomiphene citrate induced intrauterine insemination cycles. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 171 consecutive cycles was performed. An increase in luteinizing hormone level > 100% over the mean of the preceding two days was defined as luteinizing hormone surge. Human chorionic gonadotropin was given in preparation for intrauterine insemination based on the follicle size and estradiol level prior to surge in 85 cycles (Group A), with the spontaneous surge in 64 cycles (Group B) and not given in 22 cycles (Group C) due to high luteinizing hormone levels. Results: The overall pregnancy rate per cycle was 18.1% (31/171), 15.2% (Group A), 20.3% (Group B) and 22.7% (Group C), (p > 0.50). Conclusion: Although there may be physiological reasons to propose that timing the human chorionic gonadotropin to the luteinizing hormone surge will improve the success rate, they were not demonstrated.
Sorption-Desorption of Pyrene for Colombia and New Mexico Soils

The adsorption and availability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the environment is an important factor to be considered for potential bioremediation processes. If desorption of the or...
Simulation of metallic impurity gettering in silicon by MeV ion implantation

Abstract A simple model for metallic impurity gettering by buried layers created by MeV ion implantation in silicon is presented. For our experimental conditions, the precipitation of supersaturated Fe at dislocation loops in silicon is not diffusion limited. Furthermore, a non-zero silicide-matrix interfacial energy density was required to fit our experimental data. In samples containing dislocations and boron-implanted layers, the dislocations trap more Fe than the boron, but the latter is more effective at reducing the concentration of ungettered Fe. Although we were able to simulate impurity distributions fairly well in many cases, the model is not free from adjustable parameters due to a lack of knowledge of detailed impurity–defect interactions and the silicide-matrix interfacial energy density.
Native collagen has a two-bonded structure.

Abstract A number of structural models that differ sterically and in interpeptide hydrogen-bonding pattern have been put forward for the native collagen molecule. These have proven remarkably difficult to distinguish by X-ray diffraction and other methods. The various models have generally been divided into a “one-bonded” class (one hydrogen bond per triad of amino acid residues) and a “two-bonded” class (nearly two bonds per triad). To discriminate between the models, we have applied hydrogen-tritium exchange methods to native soluble ichthyocol (carp swim bladder) collagen. Free and hydrogen-bonded peptide groups were recognized by their hydrogen exchange rates. Under two different solution conditions, a set of peptide hydrogens was found to display exchange rates nearly identical to those previously calibrated for free peptides in model systems and, therefore, was taken to represent free peptides. The remaining hydrogens exchanged much more slowly and were assigned to internally hydrogen-bonded peptide groups. The numbers of free and of internally bonded peptide hydrogens were measured independently in different kinds of exchange experiments. They coincide with the numeration required for two-bonded models. The results appear to exclude one-bonded models for ichthyocol collagen but cannot distinguish between the earlier two-bonded model, which contains two direct peptide to peptide hydrogen bonds per triad, and the more recent proposal involving one direct bond and one cross-bridging water molecule. The results, together with other data in the literature, indicate that native collagens from other species may also exist in a two-bonded structure, though some synthetic sequence polypeptides related to collagen do clearly assume a one-bonded structure. The results are relevant also to the general problem of structure analysis by hydrogen exchange methods. It has previously been demonstrated that free peptide hydrogens exchange at precisely predictable rates in small molecules, in oligo- and polypeptides, and in a globular protein. The present data extend this conclusion to a fibrous protein. Thus the techniques used here may be quite generally applied to distinguish and to count free and internally bonded peptide groups in protein and polypeptide systems.
The rise and fall of an e-commerce program

E-commerce may be here to stay, but how to teach it is still up for debate at many institutions.
Nurse–Patient Ratios as a Patient Safety Strategy: A Systematic Review

A small percentage of patients die during hospitalization or shortly thereafter, and it is widely believed that more or better nursing care could prevent some of these deaths. The author systematically reviewed the evidence about nurse staffing ratios and in-hospital death through September 2012. From 550 titles, 87 articles were reviewed and 15 new studies that augmented the 2 existing reviews were selected. The strongest evidence supporting a causal relationship between higher nurse staffing levels and decreased inpatient mortality comes from a longitudinal study in a single hospital that carefully accounted for nurse staffing and patient comorbid conditions and a meta-analysis that found a "dose-response relationship" in observational studies of nurse staffing and death. No studies reported any serious harms associated with an increase in nurse staffing. Limiting any stronger conclusions is the lack of an evaluation of an intervention to increase nurse staffing ratios. The formal costs of increasing the nurse-patient ratio cannot be calculated because there has been no evaluation of an intentional change in nurse staffing to improve patient outcomes.
The end of gonad-centric sex determination in mammals

The 20th-century theory of mammalian sex determination states that the embryo is sexually indifferent until the differentiation of gonads, after which sex differences in phenotype are caused by the differential effects of gonadal hormones. However, this theory is inadequate because some sex differences precede differentiation of the gonads and/or are determined by non-gonadal effects of the sexual inequality in the number and type of sex chromosomes. In this article, I propose a general theory of sex determination, which recognizes multiple parallel primary sex-determining pathways initiated by genes or factors encoded by the sex chromosomes. The separate sex-specific pathways interact to synergize with or antagonize each other, enhancing or reducing sex differences in phenotype.
LSD and d-Amphetamine effects on fixed interval responding in the rat

Abstract Food-deprived rats were trained to press a key which produced a food pellet for the first press after 3 min had elapsed (FI 3 min). Daily sessions consisted of 10 such intervals. Graded doses of LSD (0.04–1.28 mg/kg) and a d-amphetamine (0.5–2.0 mg/kg) were given 30 min before sessions. LSD produced a decrease in response rate at doses of 0.32 mg/kg and above, but did not disrupt the typical FI pattern of responding except at the highest dose (1.28 mg/kg). Amphetamine did not significantly alter the overall response rate, but caused a dose-related disruption of the FI response pattern, with previously low response rates increased more than higher rates, and occasional decreases in the previously highest rates. The experiment was reapeated using the same rats responding on a multiple FIFR schedule. The presence of a 2000 Hz tone signalled FR periods; the tone was absent during FI periods. During the FR components, a pellet was produced after 30 responses had been emitted. The FI components were unchanged. LSD (0.08–0.32 mg/kg) again produced decreases in FI rate without altering the pattern, and amphetamine again altered the FI pattern without significantly changing overall rate.
Cottonseed Meal Prepared by Different Methods for Broiler Rations

Abstract THE use of cottonseed meal in broiler rations has been limited. Many commercially prepared cottonseed meals found on the market have been of low protein and high fiber content which, under present feeding practices, are generally unacceptable for broiler rations. The harmful effects of many cottonseed meals on the quality of stored eggs when used in laying rations has tended to discourage the use of cottonseed meal in all poultry rations. In recent years changes in methods of extracting cottonseed oil have occurred. A degossypolized solvent extracted cottonseed meal has been prepared by methods developed by the Buckeye Cotton Oil Company, and screw-press cottonseed meals have been prepared by various processors in cooperation with the Southern Regional Research Laboratory. These meals are prepared under conditions that should improve the nutritive value of the meals and reduce the free gossypol content. Limited quantities of these meals along with the normally produced …
Free Riding or Restraint? Examining European Grand Strategy

The major U.S. allies seem to be content to let the United States shoulder the burden associated with assuring the security of the West and promoting freedom and democracy around the world, passively free riding on the security provided by the U.S. taxpayer. A different explanation is available, if rarely discussed: Perhaps the Europeans great powers are not merely passive consumers of free U.S. security guarantees; perhaps instead the decisions they have made with regard to their own defense are part of active, coherent, logical, rational grand strategies. Perhaps the choice to pursue strategic restraint is not due to the stability provided by U.S. hegemony but a conscious response to declining threat. This article seeks to explain the grand strategies of some of the great and potentially great powers of the post–Cold War world. Far from being irresponsible international actors, our allies are acting quite rationally in a world virtually absent of serious threat, at least compared to all those that have ...
Effect of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin on tumor blood flow

The success of photodynamic therapy with verteporfin is partially determined by the pharmacokinetic distribution of the sensitizer at the time of treatment. In this study tumor blood flow changes in the RIF-1 murine tumor model and tumor resopnse using the regrowth assay were measured, comparing two different intervals between drug and light administration. Blood flow measurements were taken with a laser Doppler system monitoring continuously over 1 hour and periodically up to 6 hours after treatment. Treatment after the longer interval caused significantly less flow decrease, to only 50% of the initial flow in 6 h. Hoechst staining of functional tumor vasculature confirmed the primary vascular damage and the decrease in tumor perfusion. The regrowth rate of tumors after the longer time interval, the regrowth rate was not signifincalty different from that of the control, indicating that only the 15-min interval group caused serious damage to the vascular bed of the tumor. These studies support the hypothesis that temporal pharmacokinetic changes in the photosensitizer distribution between the tumor parenchyma and blood vessels can significantly alter the mechanism of tumor targeting during therapy.
Canopy photosynthesis and transpiration estimates using radiation interception models with different levels of detail

Abstract To simulate radiation interception, the physical structure of plant canopies is defined by the inclination, orientation, and location of their foliage elements. Detailed models must consider all these factors, which has a significant impact on the required computation time. Simplifications of these models are possible, sacrificing accuracy for computation speed. An existing canopy radiation model was modified to incorporate an ellipsoidal distribution of foliage elements, which was continuous over the range of leaf angles and allowed for accommodation of horizontal or vertical tendencies of the canopy. The canopy was divided into thin layers, and the foliage elements within each layer were classified into nine leaf inclination and azimuth angle classes. Simplications of the model including options for varying the thickness of the canopy layers and the number of angle classes, for modeling the canopy as a single layer, and for partitioning the foliage elements in each layer into sunlit and shaded fractions, with disregard of leaf angle classes were also incorporated. This radiation model and its simplications were implemented in a computer simulation module for estimating canopy photosynthesis and transpiration. Simulation runs were performed for conditions with low and high leaf area index ( lai ) and irradiance. It was found that canopy photosynthesis and transpiration estimates, determined using canopy layer thickness of 0.5 lai and three inclination and azimuth angle classes, compared well (negligible error) with simulations using 0.1 lai and nine leaf angle classes, an standard recommendation for detailed models. If only photosynthesis estimates were of interest, even thicker layers could be used. Furthermore, errors were small if only average irradiance over sunlit and shaded leaf fractions by layer were considered, fluctuating from 0% to 4.3% for photosynthesis estimates, and from 0% to 2.7% for transpiration estimates. In many instances, a single layer divided into sunlit and shaded elements yielded reasonable results. Simplified canopy radiation models resulted in a dramatic decrease of computation time, up to 1 60 of that required by the standard.
MDCT Imaging Findings of Liver Cirrhosis: Spectrum of Hepatic and Extrahepatic Abdominal Complications

Hepatic cirrhosis is the clinical and pathologic result of a multifactorial chronic liver injury. It is well known that cirrhosis is the origin of multiple extrahepatic abdominal complications and a markedly increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This tumor is the sixth most common malignancy worldwide and the third most common cause of cancer related death. With the rising incidence of HCC worldwide, awareness of the evolution of cirrhotic nodules into malignancy is critical for an early detection and treatment. Adequate imaging protocol selection with dynamic multiphase Multidetector Computed Tomography (MDCT) and reformatted images is crucial to differentiate and categorize the hepatic nodular dysplasia. Knowledge of the typical and less common extrahepatic abdominal manifestations is essential for accurately assessing patients with known or suspected hepatic disease. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the imaging spectrum of intra- and extrahepatic abdominal manifestations of hepatic cirrhosis seen on MDCT.
The matter with antimatter.

The Universe is made of matter, not antimatter, and 'CP violation' in particle decays could be the reason. Results from experiments measuring this effect at last confirm the predictions of a 30-year-old theory.
Malignant Hematologic Disorders Arising from Mediastinal Germ Cell Tumors. A Review of Clinical and Biologic Features

Since 1985, the biological association of mediastinal germ cell tumors and certain hematologic malignancies has been recognized. Continued investigation of such patients and new cytogenetic information brings additional insights into the clinical aspects of this syndrome as well as hinting at the possible etiology. This syndrome only occurs in patients with non-seminomatous germ cell tumors arising within the mediastinum. The interval from the diagnosis of the germ cell tumor to the development of the hematologic malignancy is brief (usually less than 6 months). Careful characterization of the hematologic malignancies in this patient population suggests a predominance of abnormalities within the megakaryocytic lineage. Recent cytogenetic analysis in one patient identified the most common abnormality of germ cell cancers, isochromosome 12p, in the mediastinal germ cell tumor as well as in the subsequent leukemic blasts. i12p is not a cytogenetic abnormality associated with the development of leukemia. The ...
Development of a measure of attitude toward nutrition in patient care

Abstract Background: Development of reliable measures of medical student and resident attitudes about nutrition in patient care is needed before the effects of educational interventions or clinical experience can be gauged. This report describes the systematic development of a measure of attitude toward nutrition in patient care. It presents evidence about scale reliability and the absence of response bias that endorses the trustworthiness of data from the measure. Methods: An eight-step attitude scale development procedure was used to create the Nutrition In Patient care Survey (NIPS). Data from five samples of first- and second-year medical students and first-year medical residents were subjected to factor analysis (PA2, varimax rotation), reliability analyses, and statistical analyses to test for demographic bias in the attitude data. Results: A 45-item attitude measure was developed that contains five subscales derived from the factor analysis: (1) nutrition in routine care (NRC, 8 items); (2) clinical behavior (CB, 20 items); (3) physician–patient relationship (PPR, 8 items); (4) patient behavior/motivation (PBM, 3 items); and (5) physician efficacy (PE, 6 items). Each subscale yields reliable data in terms of internal consistency (alpha coefficients) and stability (test–retest reliability). Medical student and resident demographic variables have negligible influence on attitude scores. Discussion: The NIPS subscales yield reliable data that can be used to assess outcomes in evaluation research on educational or clinical interventions or to predict patient care practices. Systematic attitude scale development increases the likelihood that the resulting measures will produce useful, trustworthy data.
Defining the Correctness of a Diagnosis: Differential Judgments and Expert Knowledge.

Approaches that use a simulated patient case to study and assess diagnostic reasoning usually use the correct diagnosis of the case as a measure of success and as an anchor for other measures. Commonly, the correctness of a diagnosis is determined by the judgment of one or more experts. In this study, the consistency of experts’ judgments of the correctness of a diagnosis, and the structure of knowledge supporting their judgments, were explored using a card sorting task. Seven expert pediatricians were asked to sort into piles the diagnoses proposed by 119 individuals who had worked through a simulated patient case of Haemophilus influenzae Type B (HIB) meningitis. The 119 individuals had varying experience levels. The expert pediatricians were asked to sort the proposed diagnoses by similarity of content, and then to order the piles based on correctness, relative to the known correct diagnosis (HIB meningitis). Finally, the experts were asked to judge which piles contained correct or incorrect diagnoses. We found that, contrary to previous studies, experts shared a common conceptual framework of the diagnostic domain being considered and were consistent in how they categorized the diagnoses. However, similar to previous studies, the experts differed greatly in their judgment of which diagnoses were correct. This study has important implications for understanding expert knowledge, for scoring performance on simulated or real patient cases, for providing feedback to learners in the clinical setting, and for establishing criteria that define what is correct in studies of diagnostic error and diagnostic reasoning.
Impingement transfer coefficients due to initially laminar slot jets

Abstract The transfer coefficients resulting from the impingement of a slot jet on a plane surface have been measured by the naphthalene sublimation technique. The experiments were performed with jets that are laminar at the exit of the duct from which the jet issues. In addition, the velocity profiles at the duct exit were fully developed. Distributions of the local mass-transfer coefficient on the impingement surface were determined for five Reynolds numbers and at five separation distances between the duct and the surface. The mass-transfer results can be converted to heat-transfer results by using the heat-mass transfer analogy. It was found that the transfer coefficients generally tended to decrease with increasing separation distance, but there was evidence of non-monotonic behavior owing to the opposite influences of mixing-induced turbulence and diminished jet velocity. Increases in Reynolds number tended to increase the transfer coefficients, and the stagnation point values were correlated with a 0·6-power dependence. The surface distributions of the transfer coefficient were bell-shaped, with the largest value at the stagnation point. Comparisons with available literature suggested that the shape of the initial velocity profile has a significant effect on the transfer characteristics of the impingement surface.
Current and future U.S. weather extremes and El Niño

[1] A global coupled climate model representative of the current generation of models is shown to simulate most first order aspects of El Nino events, their teleconnections over North America, and the associated observed patterns of extremes in present-day climate. Future El Nino teleconnection patterns over the U.S. are projected to shift eastward and northward due in part to the different midlatitude base state atmospheric circulation in a warmer climate. Consequently, projections for the changes in the patterns of extremes over the U.S. during future El Nino events include: decreases of frost days over the southwestern U.S expand northward and eastward; increases in intense precipitation in the SW U.S. expands eastward and areas in the SE U.S. become stronger; and decreases of heat wave intensity over much of the southern tier of states turn to increases.
Prevalence of Depression and Alcohol and Other Drug Dependence in Addictions Treatment Populations

The diagnosis of depression has been viewed as an important factor in the treatment response for those who have alcohol and other drug dependence. The objective of the study was to examine the prevalence of a lifetime history of major depression in inpatients with a substance use disorder in addictions treatment. An evaluation study of 6,355 patients was conducted in inpatient and outpatient addictions treatment programs from 41 sites. Subjects were required to have a substance use disorder and to be evaluated for a lifetime diagnosis of major depression according to DSM-III-R criteria. The rate of a lifetime diagnosis of major depression was 43.7%. The most common diagnosis was alcohol dependence, followed by cocaine dependence, and cannabis dependence). Depression was associated in significantly greater numbers with diagnoses involving drugs other than alcohol, in females greater than in males, with number and frequency of use, and in inpatient programs more than outpatient programs. The rates for continuous abstinence at one year did not differ between those with and without a lifetime history of depression.