cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Placental vitamin D metabolism and its associations with circulating vitamin D metabolites in pregnant women

Background: Little is known about placental vitamin D metabolism and its impact on maternal circulating vitamin D concentrations in humans.Objective: This study sought to advance the current understanding of placental vitamin D metabolism and its role in modulating maternal circulating vitamin D metabolites during pregnancy.Design: Nested within a feeding study, 24 healthy pregnant women (26-29 wk of gestation) consumed a single amount of vitamin D (511 IU/d from diet and a cholecalciferol supplement) for 10 wk. Concentrations of placental and blood vitamin D metabolites and placental messenger RNA (mRNA) abundance of vitamin D metabolic pathway components were quantified. In addition, cultured human trophoblasts were incubated with 13C-cholecalciferol to examine the intracellular generation and secretion of vitamin D metabolites along with the regulation of target genes.Results: In placental tissue, 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH)D3] was strongly correlated (r = 0.83, P < 0.001) with 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 Moreover, these placental metabolites were strongly correlated (r ≤ 0.85, P ≤ 0.04) with their respective metabolites in maternal circulation. Positive associations (P ≤ 0.045) were also observed between placental mRNA abundance of vitamin D metabolic components and circulating vitamin D metabolites [i.e., LDL-related protein 2 (LRP2, also known as megalin) with 25(OH)D3 and the C3 epimer of 25(OH)D3 [3-epi-25(OH)D3]; cubilin (CUBN) with 25(OH)D3; 25-hydroxylase (CYP2R1) with 3-epi-25(OH)D3; 24-hydroxylase (CYP24A1) with 25(OH)D3, 3-epi-25(OH)D3, and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1,25(OH)2D3]; and 1α-hydroxylase [(CYP27B1) with 3-epi-25(OH)D3 and 1,25(OH)2D3]. Notably, in vitro experiments with trophoblasts showed increased production and secretion of 25(OH)D3 and higher CYP24A1 gene transcript abundance in response to cholecalciferol treatment.Conclusions: The numerous associations of many of the placental biomarkers of vitamin D metabolism with circulating vitamin D metabolites among pregnant women [including a CYP27B1-associated increase in 1,25(OH)2D3] and the evidence of trophoblast production and secretion of vitamin D metabolites, especially 25(OH)D3, suggest that the placenta may play an active role in modulating the vitamin D metabolite profile in maternal circulation in human pregnancy. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT03051867.
Air pollution and cardiovascular disease: a window of opportunity

The recent publication of The Lancet Commission on pollution and health is a watershed moment for one of the greatest challenges to cardiovascular health. In this Comment article, we discuss the global burden of air pollution on cardiovascular health.
The Effect of PTV Size on PTV Dose Homogeneity

The Nomos COR VUS1 System is a clinically-accepted method for IMRT treatment planning. Its dose calculation algorithm uses finite-area pencil beams with typical areas2 of either 1 cm2 (1 X 1), 2 cm2 (1 X 2), or 0.5 cm2 (0.5 X 1). In our particular system, a Siemen’s PRIMART3 linear accelerator using step and shoot static fields, we have selected a pencil beam area of 1 cm2. For our optimization parameters, a pencil beam area of 1 cm2 typically leads to 20–80 treatment segments. A smaller pencil beam area leads to better conformation with the given Planning Target Volume (PTV) and better PTV dose homogeneity, but also results in a larger number of beam segments generated by the inverse treatment plan optimization. The purpose of this investigation is to characterize the limitations of a 1 cm2 pencil beam area by investigating the PTV dose homogeneity as a function of the size (diameter) of a given PTV.
Insurance Market Regulation: Catastrophe Risk, Competition, and Systemic Risk

Insurance regulation has long been a subject of considerable interest to academics, policymakers, and other stakeholders in the insurance industry. Among the areas explored by academics over the years, there are three topics of particular importance that have significant implications for the regulation of insurance companies and markets: (1) catastrophe risk, (2) competition, and (3) systemic risk. This chapter provides an overview of insurance regulation and discusses key issues that it faces and how it has responded to these issues including the role of competition, increasing catastrophe risk, and the reemergence of systemic risk in financial markets and its implications for insurance regulation.
How the Sociology of Education Can Help Us Better Understand Religion and Morality

What might the sociology of education contribute to our broader understanding of crucial issues related to schools and education, viewed from the perspective of someone, like me, who is not directly involved in that field but still interested in these matters? Much of my own research in recent years has focused in the sociology of religion and morality, and I bring those concerns to the present question. When I survey the sociology of education, it seems to me that the field could improve its research in at least four significant areas.
Prenatal transportation stress alters genome-wide DNA methylation in suckling Brahman bull calves,

The objective of this experiment was to identify genome-wide differential methylation of DNA in young prenatally stressed (PNS) bull calves. Mature Brahman cows (n = 48) were transported for 2-h periods at 60 ± 5, 80 ± 5, 100 ± 5, 120 ± 5, and 140 ± 5 d of gestation or maintained as nontransported Controls (n = 48). Methylation of DNA from white blood cells from a subset of 28-d-old intact male offspring (n = 7 PNS; n = 7 Control) was assessed via reduced representation bisulfite sequencing. Samples from PNS bulls contained 16,128 CG, 226 CHG, and 391 CHH (C = cytosine; G = guanine; H = either adenine, thymine, or cytosine) sites that were differentially methylated compared to samples from Controls. Of the CG sites, 7,407 were hypermethylated (at least 10% more methylated than Controls; P ≤ 0.05) and 8,721 were hypomethylated (at least 10% less methylated than Controls; P ≤ 0.05). Increased DNA methylation in gene promoter regions typically results in decreased transcriptional activity of the region. Therefore, differentially methylated CG sites located within promoter regions (n = 1,205) were used to predict (using Ingenuity Pathway Analysis software) alterations to canonical pathways in PNS compared with Control bull calves. In PNS bull calves, 113 pathways were altered (P ≤ 0.05) compared to Controls. Among these were pathways related to behavior, stress response, metabolism, immune function, and cell signaling. Genome-wide differential DNA methylation and predicted alterations to pathways in PNS compared with Control bull calves suggest epigenetic programming of biological systems in utero.
Study of split ring metamaterial with simultaneous wave guiding and energy harvesting capability

This article presents the recent study in guiding acoustic waves by creating frequency band gaps and harvesting energy simultaneously from the vibration of the structure using split ring metamaterial. Traditionally, conventional materials are unable to create frequency stop bands. So, split ring metamaterial has been used which has shown the ability to filter acoustic waves in a certain frequency range by creating frequency stop bands. In this article, a 3D unit cell of aluminum with continuous periodicity and certain split ring resonator pattern is discussed. PVDF film is used in the structure as a piezoelectric material. Here, a wide range of frequency (0-30kHz) is studied to demonstrate the ability of the cell to create stop bands within the study range. From the study, it can be seen that this unit cell is capable of creating stop bands and at the same time harvest ~2.4μW of energy simultaneously under 10kΩ resistive load.
Quantifying the risk of undetected HIV, hepatitis B virus, or hepatitis C virus infection in Public Health Service increased risk donors.

To reduce the risk of HIV, hepatitis B virus (HBV), and hepatitis C virus (HCV) transmission through organ transplantation, donors are universally screened for these infections by nucleic acid tests (NAT). Deceased organ donors are classified as "increased risk" if they engaged in specific behaviors during the 12 months before death. We developed a model to estimate the risk of undetected infection for HIV, HBV, and HCV among NAT-negative donors specific to the type and timing of donors' potential risk behavior to guide revisions to the 12-month timeline. Model parameters were estimated, including risk of disease acquisition for increased risk groups, number of virions that multiply to establish infection, virus doubling time, and limit of detection by NAT. Monte Carlo simulation was performed. The risk of undetected infection was <1/1 000 000 for HIV after 14 days, for HBV after 35 days, and for HCV after 7 days from the time of most recent potential exposure to the day of a negative NAT. The period during which reported donor risk behaviors result in an "increased risk" designation can be safely shortened.
Master-Slave Locking of Optomechanical Oscillators Over A Long Distance

We show that two independent mechanical oscillators, placed ~3.2km apart, and separated in frequency by ~80kHz, can be locked in a master-slave configuration, using light. This scheme can be generalised for an arbitrary network configuration.
Evolution of vocal learning and spoken language

Although language, and therefore spoken language or speech, is often considered unique to humans, the past several decades have seen a surge in nonhuman animal studies that inform us about human spoken language. Here, I present a modern, evolution-based synthesis of these studies, from behavioral to molecular levels of analyses. Among the key concepts drawn are that components of spoken language are continuous between species, and that the vocal learning component is the most specialized and rarest and evolved by brain pathway duplication from an ancient motor learning pathway. These concepts have important implications for understanding brain mechanisms and disorders of spoken language.
Dimensions of altruism behaviors among Americans in the general social survey

Altruism as a value and behavior describes actions that express selfless concern for others, empathy, and a consideration for the need of others. Altruism behaviors may be considered as primal in t...
Sexing the Margins: Homonationalism in Gay Dating Apps

This chapter analyzes how the ubiquitous and insidious nature of white supremacist heteropatriarchy is present in dating apps. While previous studies have examined various aspects of discrimination in online dating, both straight and queer, this study is uniqe in that it theorizes these facets of discrimination in relation to the theory of homonationalism. Homonationalism is a combination of homonormativity and nationalism as theorized by Jasbir K. Puar in Terrorist Assemblages: Homonationalism in Queer Times (2007). Using this theoretical framework allows us to see how homonationalism contributes to ostracization. This marginalization affects various people in the gay community who do not fit the unrealistic expectation of the ideal citizen. This research draws on the online experiences of men in the gay community who use dating apps such as Grindr, Scruff, and Jack’d. Qualitative interviews were conducted with open-ended questions designed to explore their interaction with dating apps, the types of discrimination they face, and their places of healing both on and offline. Interviews reveal and describe the presence of racism, femmephobia, fat-phobia, HIV stigma, and transphobia in these online communities. These narratives of online experiences demonstrate the importance of recognizing and deconstructing discrimination within the gay men’s community along with critically analyzing restrictions of desire.
Pop Life: Prince in the Recording Studio

Prince Rogers Nelson (1958–2016) was a once-in-a-generation songwriter, instrumentalist, singer, performer, and entrepreneur, occupying a singular place in the history of twentieth-century popular ...
Preclinical Studies of Raloxifene and Related Compounds

The development of raloxifene (also know as keoxifene) for clinical use was based on a series of preclinical studies that demonstrated it has a highly desirable tissue-specific activity. Results indicated that the therapeutic effects of raloxifene (LY138481 HCl; LY156758) mimicked some of those of estrogen in ovariectomized animals by reducing bone loss and lowering serum cholesterol levels. Conversely, in mammary and uterine tissue, raloxifene acted as an antiestrogen and inhibited estrogen stimulation without inherent agonist activity (Fig. 1). Raloxifene was originally synthesized by Jones, who was looking for an antiestrogen with strong receptor binding (1). Jones hoped to produce a structure that would combine some features of the estradiol molecule with novel modifications to affect a potent estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist.
Managing geopolitical competition in the strategic domains

In this presentation, I will seek to accomplish three primary objectives. First, I will address the reasons as to why the current US-Russia strategic stability framework is collapsing. Second, I wi...
JOHN M. LIPSKI, The language of the Isleños. Vestigial Spanish in Louisiana.

(1992). JOHN M. LIPSKI, The language of the Islenos. Vestigial Spanish in Louisiana.. WORD: Vol. 43, No. 2, pp. 330-334.
Tunable Crosslinking, Reversible Phase Transition, and 3D Printing of Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels via Dynamic Coordination of Innate Carboxyl Groups and Metallic Ions

This article reports tunable crosslinking, reversible phase transition, and three-dimensional printing (3DP) of hyaluronic acid (HyA) hydrogels via dynamic coordination of Fe3+ ions with their inna...
Corporate Liquidity and Solvency in Europe During COVID-19: The Role of Policies

The spread of COVID-19, containment measures, and general uncertainty led to a sharp reduction in activity in the first half of 2020. Europe was hit particularly hard—the economic contraction in 2020 is estimated to have been among the largest in the world—with potentially severe repercussions on its nonfinancial corporations. A wave of corporate bankruptcies would generate mass unemployment, and a loss of productive capacity and firm-specific human capital. With many SMEs in Europe relying primarily on the banking sector for external finance, stress in the corporate sector could easily translate into pressures in the banking system (Aiyar et al., forthcoming).
Adiponectin ameliorates hyperoxia-induced lung endothelial dysfunction and promotes angiogenesis in neonatal mice.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common respiratory disease of preterm infants. Lower circulatory/intrapulmonary levels of the adipokine, adiponectin (APN), occur in premature and small-for-gestational-age infants and at saccular/alveolar stages of lung development in the newborn rat. However, the role of low intrapulmonary APN during hyperoxia exposure in developing lungs is unknown. We test the hypothesis that treatment of hyperoxia-exposed newborn mice with recombinant APN protein attenuates the BPD phenotype characterized by inflammation, impaired alveolarization, and dysregulated vascularization. We used developmentally appropriate in vitro and in vivo BPD modeling systems as well as human lung tissue. We observed reduced levels of intrapulmonary APN in experimental BPD mice and human BPD lungs. APN-deficient (APN−/−) newborn mice exposed to moderate (60% O2) hyperoxia showed a worse BPD pulmonary phenotype (inflammation, enhanced endothelial dysfunction, impaired pulmonary vasculature, and alveolar simplification) as compared to wild-type (WT) mice. Treatment of hyperoxia-exposed newborn WT mice with recombinant APN protein attenuated the BPD phenotype (diminished inflammation, decreased pulmonary vascular injury, and improved pulmonary alveolarization) and improved pulmonary function tests. Low intrapulmonary APN is associated with disruption of lung development during hyperoxia exposure, while recombinant APN protein attenuates the BPD pulmonary phenotype.
Creating a Sustainable and Reliable Emergency Preparedness Program to Promote Appropriate Health Care Resources Use.

Background Over the past decade, the number of natural disasters, health care emergencies, and epidemics has increased significantly. These unpredictable and sometimes devastating events tax already stretched health care systems. The goal of this process paper is to share the experience of a pharmacy school in the development and implementation of a sustainable emergency preparedness and response support network (EPRSN) using an established student government infrastructure to support information sharing among community pharmacies, state emergency response teams, and community members. Observations There are more than 140 accredited pharmacy schools/colleges across the United States, employing more than 6,500 pharmacy faculty members and teaching more than 63,000 student pharmacists. The majority of schools/colleges provide free and volunteer-based health care services and collaborate with local, regional, and national entities, such as state boards of pharmacy and national and state professional pharmacy organizations. Student pharmacists are positioned across the country with reach to rural and underserved communities and have student organizational structures in place to manage student volunteers and support health care service opportunities. To address gaps in emergency and preparedness response, pharmacy students assessed and operationalized steps to develop the EPRSN. Pharmacies were identified and contacted by student pharmacists. Student leaders created student organization flowcharts and call charts with up-to-date pharmacist contact information. Organizational structure for collecting, capturing, updating, and sharing pharmacy data with state emergency response teams was developed and trialed. Conclusions Student pharmacists represent a sustainable resource, uniquely positioned to identify community needs, support emergency efforts, coordinate with local pharmacies, and work with pharmacists and others to ensure that patients receive the care they need during pandemics and other emergencies.
Rezūm for retention-retrospective review of water vaporization therapy in the management of urinary retention in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE Rezūm vapor ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that uses injections of sterile water vapor directly into the prostate for tissue ablation. Although Rezūm is currently indicated for use in men with prostate sizes ≥30 and ≤80 ml, it is unclear how effective Rezūm is for men in urinary retention. We sought to determine whether Rezūm is effective in the treatment of catheter-dependent urinary retention secondary to BPH. METHODS A retrospective chart review was conducted on consecutive patients who presented for urinary retention and subsequently treated with Rezūm. We evaluated procedural details and examined variables pre- and post-Rezūm (at 6 months) including International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), IPSS quality of life (IPSS-QOL), maximum flow (Qmax ), post void residual volume (PVR), prostate specific antigen, rate of retention, and use of alpha blockers and 5-alpha reductase inhibitor (5ARI). RESULTS Of the 49 patients included in this study, median age of was 73 years, median prostate volume was 73cc (Interquartile range [IQR]: 50, 103) and a median lobe was present in 80% of patients. All patients were in urinary retention before treatment with a median PVR of 900 ml (IQR: 566, 1146). Following Rezum, IPSS (17 pre-Rezūm, 4 post-Rezūm) and IPSS-QOL (4 pre-Rezūm, 1 post-Rezūm) both improved at 6 months (p < 0.01). Qmax increased from 3 to 6 ml/s (p = 0.03) and PVR decreased from 900 to 78 ml (p < 0.01). Only 17/38 patients taking alpha-blockers and 7/15 patients on 5ARIs continued therapy at 6 months following Rezūm (p < 0.01). Of the 49 patients treated, 10 (20.4%) remained in catheter dependent urinary retention following the procedure, and 6 remained in retention at 6 months (12.2%) even after further surgical therapies for BPH (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION Rezūm is a safe and effective therapy for treating catheter dependent urinary retention in patients with BPH, including those with median lobes. As a minimally invasive therapy, it is a promising option in patient, particularly those who are not suitable for prolonged anesthesia.
Norovirus gastroenteritis

Recent epidemiologic studies have shown that norovirus is one of the most frequent causes of acute nonbacterial gastroenteritis. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and nucleotide sequencing are the means by which the hundreds of norovirus strains have been identified, named, and classified into genogroups and genetic clusters. They are also the means by which a particular strain is traced from the source of an outbreak throughout its spread. These molecular techniques have been combined with classic epidemiology to investigate norovirus outbreaks in diverse settings, including hospitals, nursing homes, dining locations, schools, daycare centers, and vacation venues. Outbreaks are difficult to control because of the apparent ease of transmission through food, water, person-to-person contact, and environmental surfaces. Almost all patients with norovirus gastroenteritis recover completely, but hospital and nursing home outbreaks have been associated with morbidity and mortality. The diagnostic and management approach to an individual patient is to use clinical and epidemiologic findings to rule out “not norovirus.” At the first sign that there is an outbreak, strict compliance with cleaning, disinfection, and work release guidelines is important to prevent further spread.
Peer Assistant Role Models in a Graduate Computer Science Course

This paper reports the development and testing of a new intervention to recruit terminal Master’s students into computer science (CS) PhD programs and to enhance diversity in academic CS. We introduced peer assistants (i.e., successful PhD students) to CSCI 549: Intelligent Systems, a popular course for Master’s students with approximately 40–50% women and 90% international students. Although there is a fair amount of diversity in this course and in the CS Master’s program generally (i.e., international female students), many of these students do not continue to earn a PhD or get involved in research during the Master’s program. Because increasing the diversity of CS professors is imperative for enhancing the diversity of CS majors and the CS workforce, it is critical to test new methods to recruit Master’s students from underrepresented groups into academic CS. To address this need, we introduced PhD student peer assistants into Intelligent Systems not only to help Master’s students with in-class research projects but to also act as role models to promote Master’s students’ interest in CS research and PhD programs. Thus, this paper suggests a new and innovative technique for an enhancing diversity in academic CS and STEM generally.
OCT2 pre-positioning facilitates cell fate transition and chromatin architecture changes in humoral immunity.

During the germinal center (GC) reaction, B cells undergo profound transcriptional, epigenetic and genomic architectural changes. How such changes are established remains unknown. Mapping chromatin accessibility during the humoral immune response, we show that OCT2 was the dominant transcription factor linked to differential accessibility of GC regulatory elements. Silent chromatin regions destined to become GC-specific super-enhancers (SEs) contained pre-positioned OCT2-binding sites in naive B cells (NBs). These preloaded SE ‘seeds’ featured spatial clustering of regulatory elements enriched in OCT2 DNA-binding motifs that became heavily loaded with OCT2 and its GC-specific coactivator OCAB in GC B cells (GCBs). SEs with high abundance of pre-positioned OCT2 binding preferentially formed long-range chromatin contacts in GCs, to support expression of GC-specifying factors. Gain in accessibility and architectural interactivity of these regions were dependent on recruitment of OCAB. Pre-positioning key regulators at SEs may represent a broadly used strategy for facilitating rapid cell fate transitions. Elemento, Melnick and colleagues examine the chromatin and transcriptional changes that occur during differentiation of human primary B cells into antibody-secreting cells. In naive B cells, the transcription factor OCT2 is preloaded at high-affinity super-enhancer sites present in repressed ‘silent’ chromatin; upon activation, OCAB is recruited to these regions, where it facilitates arrays of OCT2 binding to lower-affinity octamer motifs, leading to active formation of germinal center B cell-specific super-enhancers.
On High-Velocity Interstellar Gas Toward δ Sco

Independent observations of the Na I D2 line toward Delta Sco are described which show that the two high-velocity absorption components reported by Hicks et al. (1975) are not of normal interstellar origin. A portion of the spectrum of Delta Sco near the D2 line is presented, and it is proposed that the two absorption components may have been of atmospheric origin, although their separation and relative intensities do not suggest any obvious counterparts within the observed telluric spectrum.
Accelerating the convergence of the coupled-cluster approach: The use of the DIIS method

Abstract The direct inversion of the iterative subspace (DIIS) method is implemented into the closed-shell coupled-cluster single- and double-excitation (CCSD) model to improve the convergence of the coupled non-linear CCSD equations. As with self-consistent field and gradient methods the DIIS method proves to be quite successful. Depending on the particular case, we find that the number of iterations required to achieve convergence is generally reduced to between 30 and 70% of that required for the pure CCSD iterative procedure (without any extrapolation technique).
Driver decision-making in the dilemma zone – Examining the influences of clearance intervals, enforcement cameras and the provision of advance warning through a panel data random parameters probit model

In recent years, there have been a series of innovations in the field of vehicle detection at intersection approaches. Modern radar-based smart sensors make it possible to track individual vehicles in close proximity to an intersection. These advancements in technology potentially enable the provision of vehicle- and site-specific decision dilemma zone protection at the onset of the yellow indication at signalized intersections. To exploit this opportunity, it is critical to develop an in-depth understanding of those factors influencing a driver's decision to stop or go at the onset of yellow. This study investigates how signal timing strategies such as yellow interval durations, all-red clearance intervals, advance warning flashers, and automated camera enforcement affect driver decision-making. Data from 87 intersection approaches across five regions of the United States are used to develop a series of decision (i.e., probability of stopping) curves using vehicle trajectory and signal phasing data. A panel data random parameters probit model is used to account for heterogeneity across locations, as well as correlation in driver decision-making, due to unobserved factors that are unique to each signalized intersection. The results demonstrate drivers are more likely to stop at locations where enforcement cameras or flashers are present. Stopping was also more prevalent at intersections with lower speed limits, longer crossing distances, and where pedestrian crosswalks were present.
Responding to Anomalous Database Requests

Organizations have recently shown increased interest in database activity monitoring and anomaly detection techniques to safeguard their internal databases. Once an anomaly is detected, a response from the database is needed to contain the effects of the anomaly. However, the problem of issuing an appropriate response to a detected database anomaly has received little attention so far. In this paper, we propose a framework and policy language for issuing a response to a database anomaly based on the characteristics of the anomaly. We also propose a novel approach to dynamically change the state of the access control system in order to contain the damage that may be caused by the anomalous request. We have implemented our mechanisms in PostgreSQL and in the paper we discuss relevant implementation issues. We have also carried out an experimental evaluation to assess the performance overhead introduced by our response mechanism. The experimental results show that the techniques are very efficient.
Global biofuel use, 1850–2000

[1] This paper presents annual, country-level estimates of biofuel use for the period 1850–2000. We estimate that global biofuel consumption rose from about 1000 Tg in 1850 to 2460 Tg in 2000, an increase of 140%. In the late 19th century, biofuel consumption in North America was very high, ∼220–250 Tg/yr, because widespread land clearing supplied plentiful fuelwood. At that time biofuel use in Western Europe was lower, ∼180–200 Tg/yr. As fossil fuels became available, biofuel use in the developed world fell. Compensating changes in other parts of the world, however, caused global consumption to remain remarkably stable between 1850 and 1950 at ∼1200 ± 200 Tg/yr. It was only after World War II that biofuel use began to increase more rapidly in response to population growth in the developing world. Between 1950 and 2000, biofuel use in Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia grew by 170%, 160%, and 130%, respectively.
Hereditary sensory neuropathy

Summary A case of hereditary sensory neuropathy is reported and the condition is briefly discussed. Hereditary sensory neuropathy is an uncommon neurological disorder characterized by loss of pain and temperature sensation in the extremities. Neurotrophic complications are frequent and nerve deafness is an associated feature.
TrkB Receptor Ligands Promote Activity-Dependent Inhibitory Synaptogenesis

Organotypic cerebellar cultures derived from newborn mice were simultaneously exposed to activity-blocking agents and neurotrophins for 2 weeks. Activity-blocked explants treated with the TrkB receptor ligands BDNF and neurotrophin-4 (NT-4) developed a full complement of Purkinje cell inhibitory axosomatic synapses, as defined ultrastructurally, and displayed control spontaneous cortical discharge rates after recovery from activity blockade. Otherwise untreated activity-blocked cultures and activity-blocked cultures exposed to the TrkC receptor ligand NT-3 had reduced inhibitory synapse development and persistent cortical hyperactivity after recovery. The added TrkB receptor ligands did not induce axonal sprouting to account for increased inhibitory synaptogenesis. Addition of neurotrophins to untreated cerebellar cultures did not increase the complement of Purkinje cell axosomatic synapses. Exposure of cerebellar cultures to a combination of antibodies to BDNF and NT-4 resulted in reduced inhibitory synapse formation, similar to the effects of activity blockade, indicating the necessity for endogenous neurotrophins for development of the full complement of inhibitory synapses in the presence of neuronal activity. Application of antibodies to BDNF and NT-4 to cerebellar explants exposed to picrotoxin to increase neuronal activity prevented the hyperinnervation of Purkinje cell somata by inhibitory terminals characteristic of cultures exposed to picrotoxin alone. These results are consistent with the concept that TrkB receptor ligands promote inhibitory synaptogenesis. The ability of neurotrophins to substitute for neuronal activity in encouraging development of inhibitory synapses may have therapeutic implications.
Effect of Higher-Order Stress Terms on Mode-I Caustics in Birefringent Materials

A general theory is developed for determining the sizes, shapes, and locations of the double caustics produced in statically loaded birefringent plates containing Mode-I cracks. Particular attention is paid to the effect of the first few higher-order, non-singular stress terms on the determination of the stress-intensity factor K I associated with the singular stress field. It is found that the transverse diameters of the inner and outer parts of the double caustic have an average value essentially equal to the transverse diameter of the single caustic produced by an optically isotropic material having the same optical constant. Furthermore, with the superposition of a constant (tensile or compressive) stress parallel to the crack, each part of the double caustic deforms independently but in such a way as to maintain this average transverse diameter. Other higher-order effects are also investigated and it is concluded that birefringent materials offer the potential'of "feature extraction" concerning crack-tip stress fields, in addition to being suitable for the accurate determination of K I -values experimentally.
Volume-sensitive Ca influx and release from intracellular pools in gastric parietal cells

The effects of osmotically induced changes in cell volume on cytoplasmic free Ca (Cai) were studied in parietal cells from intact rabbit gastric glands using digital image processing of fura-2 fluorescence. In resting unstimulated cells, Cai was unaffected by either cell swelling or shrinking when osmolarity was varied between 200 and 400 mosM (isotonicity 290 mosM). However, when cells were swelled in a 165 mosM solution (55% tonicity), a biphasic Ca increased was observed. On average, Cai increased transiently from 80 to 218 nM before stabilizing at approximately 140 nM. The peak was due to release from intracellular pools because it was present in Ca-free solutions while the sustained elevation was dependent on external Ca. In carbachol-stimulated cells, Ca influx was most sensitive to cell shrinkage. For example, addition of 25 mM sucrose (108% tonicity) caused a 30% decrease in the sustained carbachol-stimulated Cai increase (plateau). In contrast, carbachol-stimulated cells were relatively insensitive to cell swelling, with a 30% decrease in tonicity causing only a 15% increase in the plateau. However, as in the unstimulated cells, extreme (55% tonicity) swelling caused additional increases in Cai levels. The carbachol-dependent effects of changes in cell volume on Cai could be mimicked by treating cells with thapsigargin, an inhibitor of Ca pumps of intracellular membranes that also has been shown to stimulate Ca entry. Thus, although extreme swelling conditions (55% tonicity) could elicit Cai increases in either the presence or absence of agonist, agonist was required to observe Cai decreases due to cell shrinkage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Fat Talk: What Girls and Their Parents Say about Dieting

Fat Talk: What Girls and Their Parents Say about Dieting. Mimi Nichter. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2000. xi. 262 pp.
Grain-size dependence of the slow-crack growth behavior in noncubic ceramics

Abstract The observed grain size (G) dependence of the slow crack growth resistance of noncubic ceramics is related to residual grain-boundary stresses introduced by differential contraction across the boundaries by cooling after processing. In this model, the subcritical crack velocity is assumed to be a unique function of the local stress intensity factor which is determined by both the applied and residual stresses. The predicted crack growth parameters n and A decrease and increase respectively with increasing grain size. Stress-induced microcracking. which is activated when G exceeds a critical value G ∗ . leads to crack-tip shielding which lowers the crack-tip stress intensity by −KSl. Incorporating the latter additional term yields n and A parameters which become essentially independent of G and G > G ∗ . The model predictions are consistent with the observed behavior in noncubic ceramics such as alumina and TiB2.
Total anomalous pulmonary venous return: Familial and environmental factors

In total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR), the intrapulmonary venous plexus has failed to connect to the left atrium, so that the pulmonary veins drain into right atrial tributaries, frequently resulting in early postnatal circulatory distress. The Baltimore-Washington Infant Study (BWIS), a population-based exploratory case-control study of cardiovascular malformations (CVM), identified 41 cases of TAPVR during 1981-1987: 1.5% of all CVM (N = 2659), a regional prevalence of 6.8/100,000 live births. Of the TAPVR infants, 68% were diagnosed as neonates, 88% had surgery, and 51.2% were alive at 1 year of age. Noncardiac malformations were present in nine cases (22%); the male-female ratio was 0.78 (18.23). Compared with a control group representative of the birth cohort (N = 2,801), more TAPVR patients had low birthweight (less than 2,500 g: 16.2% vs. 6.9%, short gestational age (less than 38 weeks: 18.9% vs. 9.3%), and intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) (26.8% vs. 5.8%). Sociodemographic findings were similar to those of controls, except that fewer TAPVR mothers received private pregnancy care (59.5% vs. 71.4%). Family history revealed no other TAPVR-affected members, but a significant linear trend of increased risk was found over the ordered malformation categories (familial noncardiac, cardiac, both). Bivariate analysis of TAPVR and exposure in life-style, hobbies, and work showed possible associations for exposure to lead (OR 2.9; 99% confidence interval [CI]: 1.2, 7.2), painting/paint stripping (OR 3.3; 99% CI: 1.3, 8.4), lead soldering (OR 13.3; 99% CI: 1.8, 99.2), and pesticides (OR 2.7; 99% CI: 1.2, 6.4). Multivariate analysis suggested an interaction between pesticide exposure and family history and, thus, a possible familial susceptibility to environmental teratogens. Although the number of TAPVR cases is small, this epidemiologic study identifies hypotheses that may be further explored in morphogenetic and epidemiology studies. Total anomalous pulmonary venous return (TAPVR) constitutes a well-defined clinical entity in which the pulmonary veins fail to enter the left atrium and instead drain into the right atrium or its systemic venous tributaries (Neill, '56; Rowe et al., '81). During intrauterine life, the malformation does not compromise the fetal circulation, since the pulmonary arterial resistance is high and the patent foramen ovale provides easy access of right atrial blood to the left side of the heart. At birth, however, the pulmonary vascular resistance begins to fall, and the presence of a severe hemodynamic disturbance becomes increasingly evident (Ferencz et al., '71).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Positive and negative conditioned suppression in the pigeon: Effects of the locus and modality of the CS☆

Abstract In Experiment I, four pigeons were exposed to trials in which a 12-sec key light illumination was followed by free food. These trials were superimposed upon a baseline of key pecking for food reinforcement on a variable-interval schedule. When the signal for food was on the operant key, response rate was substantially higher during the signal than during the baseline procedure. When the signal was on a second, signal key, operant responding was suppressed during the signal and substantial pecking of the signal key occurred. The sum of signal key and operant key pecks far exceeded the operant baseline rate of responding. An explanation of opposite results obtained with rats and pigeons as subjects in experiments of this type was suggested in terms of the spatial relation between the signal for free food and the operant target which usually characterizes these experiments. Experiment II assessed the importance of signal location when shock rather than food was the US. Suppression of operant key pecking was unaffected by signal location. Experiment III assessed the relative effectiveness of visual and auditory stimuli (clicks) as signals for food and shock, and found that all combinations of signal and US were equally effective in suppressing operant key responding. The three experiments together suggested that the identification of important effects of species—typical behavior in one experimental situation does not imply that there will be like effects in similar situations.
iCollaborate: harvesting value from enterprise web usage

We are in a phase of 'Participatory Web' in which users add value' to the information on the web by publishing, tagging and sharing. The Participatory Web has enormous potential for an enterprise because unlike the users of the internet an enterprise is a community that shares common goals, assumptions, vocabulary and interest and has reliable user identification and mutual trust along with a central governance and incentives to collaborate. Everyday, the employees of an organization locate content relevant to their work on the web. Finding this information takes time, expertise and creativity, which costs an organization money. That is, the web pages employees find are knowledge assets owned by the enterprise. This investment in web-based knowledge assets is lost every time the enterprise fails to capture and reuse them. iCollaborate is tooled to capture user's web interaction, persist and analyze it, and feed that interaction back into the community - the enterprise.
An alternative for task analysis in the affective domain

Application of commonly-used task analysis procedures to the affective domain leads to difficulties with instructional design, specification of intermediate objectives, and completeness of analysis. Analysis of objectives in six domains is presented as an alternative. Basing analysis on cue sensitivity, without directly specifying stimulus conditions, can serve as a useful technique in domains other than the cognitive.
Risk of malignancy in thyroid incidentalomas identified by fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography.

Abstract Background. Thyroid tumors often exhibit increased metabolic activity, as evidenced by enhanced glucose uptake on positron emission tomography (PET) with use of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). The incidence of new thyroid lesions found on routine FDG-PET has not been previously reported. Methods. A retrospective review of all patients who underwent FDG-PET imaging at our institution from June 1, 1996, through March 15, 2001, identified patients with a newly diagnosed thyroid lesion. Thyroid incidentaloma was defined as a thyroid lesion seen initially on FDG-PET in a patient without a history of thyroid disease. Available follow-up data were documented. Results. One hundred and two of 4525 FDG-PET examinations (2.3%) demonstrated thyroid incidentalomas. Eighty-seven of 102 patients had no thyroid histology because of other malignancies. Fifteen patients had thyroid biopsy: 7 (47%) with thyroid cancer, 6 (40%) with nodular hyperplasia, 1 with thyroiditis, and 1 with atypical cells of indeterminate origin. The average standardized uptake values were higher for malignant compared with benign lesions. Conclusions. Thyroid incidentaloma identified by FDG-PET occurred with a frequency of 2.3%. Of the thyroid incidentalomas that underwent biopsy, 47% were found to be malignant. Given the risk of malignancy, patients with new thyroid lesions on PET scan should have a tissue diagnosis if it will influence outcome and management. Standardized uptake values may be helpful in predicting benign versus malignant histology. (Surgery 2001;130:941-6.)
Drug therapy management: an empirical report of drug therapy problems, pharmacists' interventions, and results of pharmacists' actions.

Objectives To determine the number and types of drug therapy problems identified by pharmacists at six community pharmacies, identify the interventions made by these pharmacists in their attempts to resolve drug therapy problems, and determine the results of the pharmacists' actions taken to resolve drug therapy problems. Design Retrospective review of patient records from pharmacies. Setting Six community pharmacies that had participated in Project ImPACT: Hyperlipidemia. Patients One hundred sixteen patients from Project ImPACT: Hyperlipidemia. Intervention Drug therapy problems, pharmacists' interventions, and results of pharmacists' actions were identified and categorized. Drug therapy problems were classified into seven categories, pharmacists' interventions into six categories, and results were categorized into eight types. Frequencies and descriptive statistics were calculated for the measures. Results A total of 512 initial drug therapy problems were reported for 116 patients in the 6 pharmacies. In addition to the initial interventions, pharmacists documented another 545 times in which they intervened on the original problems. There were 354 (69.1%) drug therapy problems associated with hyperlipidemia and 158 (30.9%) with other conditions. Overall, most common types of drug therapy problems were needs additional therapy (39.8%) and nonadherence to therapy (31.1%). The most common discretionary pharmacist interventions were patient education and physician communication, which occurred on average 4.63 and 3.30 times during the project period. The most common consequence of a pharmacist intervention was an increase in patient adherence, which was reported for almost half of the patients. Conclusion Drug therapy management (DTM) for patients with dyslipidemias identified frequent drug therapy problems associated with both hyperlipidemia and other conditions. Pharmacists used interventions that included laboratory testing, patient monitoring, patient education, and physician communication to influence patient adherence and optimize drug therapy. Although further research is needed, the findings of this analysis are promising for the more widespread adoption of a DTM role by community pharmacists.
Thermal blow-up in a subdiffusive medium due to a nonlinear boundary flux

A fractional heat equation is used to model thermal diffusion in a one-dimensional bar that exhibits subdiffusive behavior. The left end of the bar is subjected to a nonlinear influx of heat. For the boundary constraint at the right end of the bar, two cases are considered, namely a homogeneous Neumann condition and a homogeneous Dirichlet condition. By reducing both cases to a nonlinear Volterra equation, it is shown that a blow-up always occurs. The asymptotic behavior near the blow-up is determined for both cases. It is also shown that the solution for the Neumann case dominates that of the Dirichlet case.
Behavioral Therapy Development and Psychological Science: Reinforcing the Bond

An abundance of research from diverse areas of psychological science is potentially relevant to behavioral therapy development research The National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health convened a workshop to reinforce the connection between basic behavioral and therapy development research The articles in this Special Section are the product of this workshop Several lines of basic behavioral research are described, and implications for the development of behavioral therapies are discussed This Special Section highlights the notion that strengthening the bond between behavioral therapy development research and basic behavioral science will accelerate the advancement of knowledge about behavior, behavioral change and therapeutic interventions