cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A vacuum-operated pore-water extractor for estuarine and freshwater sediments

A vacuum-operated pore-water extractor for estuarine and freshwater sediments was developed and constructed from a fused-glass air stone attached with aquarium airline tubing to a 30 or 60 cc polypropylene syringe. Pore water is extracted by inserting the air stone into the sediment and creating a vacuum by retracting and bracing the syringe plunger. A hand-operated vacuum pump attached to a filtration flask was also evaluated as an alternative vacuum source. The volume and time to extract pore water varies with the number of devices and the sediment particle size. Extraction time is longer for fine sediments than for sandy sediments. Four liters of sediment generally yield between 500 and 1,500 mL of pore water. The sediment that surrounds and accumulates on the air stone acts as a filter, and, except for the first few milliliters, the collected pore water is clear. Because there is no exposure to air or avenue for escape, volatile compounds andin situ characteristics are retained in the extracted pore water.
Kinship center attachment questionnaire : Development of a caregiver-completed attachment measure for children younger than 6 years

The Kinship Center Attachment Questionnaire (KCAQ) is a newly developed screening instrument completed by the caregiver and appropriate for use with children younger than 6 years. The KCAQ is different from other attachment instruments because it is a time-efficient, quantitative measure of child attachment that is capable of tracking change in attachment over time versus the taxonomic measurements of traditional attachment instruments. The current study describes the development of the KCAQ, presents nonclinical and clinical data gathered with the instrument, and provides evidence for the sound psychometric properties of its scores.
Relation Between Work and Labile Phosphate Content in the Isolated Dog Heart

Starling heart-lung preparations of the dog (with only minor differences in heart rate) were subjected to changes in work load to study their effect on the amount of labile phosphate in the left ventricle. While increasing the work load three to fourfold by increasing output caused no change, doubling the work load by increasing the resistance was accompanied by a marked reduction in labile phosphate. The data suggest that the heart expends phosphate bond energy chiefly in overcoming resistance rather than in systolic emptying.
Pediatric Syncope: National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey Results

Abstract Background Syncope is a common problem in children and adolescents. The diagnostic yield for most tests commonly used in the evaluation of pediatric patients with syncope is low. Study Objective To examine the epidemiology of pediatric patients presenting to United States (US) emergency departments (EDs) with a complaint of syncope and compare their initial management to published guidelines. Methods ED visits from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey for 2003–2007 for patients aged 7–18 years were analyzed. Outcome variables were diagnostic tests and management of patients presenting with syncope. Results There were 627,489 (95% confidence interval [CI] 527,237–727,722) ED visits for syncope (0.9% of all ED visits for patients aged 7–18 years). Patients presenting to the ED for syncope were more commonly female ( p p p =0.01), and more likely to arrive to the ED by ambulance ( p Conclusions When evaluating pediatric patients presenting with syncope, there should be an increased use of the electrocardiogram to screen for underlying cardiac abnormalities. There should also be a tempered use of CT/ MRI imaging in this population.
Role of Enzyme–substrate Flexibility in Catalytic Activity: an Evolutionary Perspective

Abstract Site-directed mutagenesis has proved an effective experimental technique to investigate catalytic mechanisms and to determine relations between enzyme structure and function. This article invokes an analytical model based on evolution by mutation and natural selection—Nature's analogue of site-directed mutagenesis—to derive a set of general rules relating enzyme structure and activity. The catalysts are described in terms of the structural parameters, rigidity and flexibility, and the functional variables, reaction rate and substrate specificity. The evolutionary model predicts the following structure–activity relations: (a) rigid enzyme–flexible substrate: large variation in reaction rates, broad substrate specificity; (b) rigid enzyme–rigid substrate: diffusion controlled rates, absolute specificity; (c) flexible enzyme–rigid substrate: intermediate reaction rates, group specificity; (d) flexible enzyme–flexible substrate: slow rates, absolute specificity. Spectroscopic methods and X-ray crystallography now yield important characteristics of enzyme–substrate complexes such as molecular flexibility. The evolutionary analysis we have exploited provides general principles for inferring catalytic activity from structural studies of enzyme–substrate complexes.
Probabilistic convergence spaces

A basic theory for probabilistic convergence spaces based on filter convergence is introduced. As in Florescu's previous theory of probabilistic convergence structures based on nets, one is able to assign a probability that a given filter converges to a given point. Various concepts and theorems pertaining to convergence spaces are extended to the realm of probabilistic convergence spaces, and illustrated by means of examples based on convergence in probability and convergence almost everywhere. Diagonal axioms due to Kowalsky and Fischer are also studied, first for convergence spaces and then in the setting of probabilistic convergence spaces.
Bio-based nanocomposites from functionalized plant oils and layered silicate

Some discovery work was done on the synthesis of clay nanocomposites based on renewable plant oils. Functionalized triglycerides, such as acrylated epoxidized soybean oil, maleinized acrylated epoxidized soybean oil, and soybean oil pentaerythritol maleates, combined with styrene were used as the polymer matrix. The miscibility of these monomers and clay organomodifier was assessed by solubility parameters. The formation of nanocomposites was confirmed by both X-ray data and transmission electron microscopy. The morphology showed a mix of intercalated and partially exfoliated sheets. The flexural modulus increased 30% at only 4 vol % clay content, but there was no significant effect on flexural strength, glass-transition temperature, and thermal stability. Property enhancement was related to the degree of exfoliation that depends on both the polarity and flexibility of the monomers. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 1441–1450, 2004
Regulation of keratinocyte growth, differentiation, and vitamin D metabolism by analogs of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D.

Abstract 1,25(OH) 2 D has numerous actions on many tissues. Analogs of 1,25(OH) 2 D are being sought that are selective, to further an understanding of the mechanisms of action of 1,25(OH) 2 D and to improve its therapeutic efficacy. Toward these ends we examined eight analogs of 1,25(OH) 2 D for their ability to regulate 25OHD metabolism by keratinocytes. Choosing the three most potent, we then examined their ability to inhibit keratinocyte proliferation, stimulate cornified envelope formation (a marker of differentiation), and bind to the 1,25(OH) 2 D receptor (VDR). 1,25(OH) 2 -24F 2 -D, 1,25(OH) 2 -Δ 16 -D, and 1,25(OH) 2 -Δ 16 ,23yne-D proved the most potent in inhibiting 1,25(OH) 2 D production and stimulating 24,25(OH) 2 D production, being approximately 10–100 times more potent than 1,25(OH) 2 D itself. 1,25(OH) 2 -Δ 16 -D had the highest affinity for the VDR (fourfold higher than that for 1,25(OH) 2 D itself) and had the greatest ability both to inhibit proliferation and to stimulate differentiation. 1,25(OH) 2 -Δ 16 ,23yne-D also had a higher affinity for the VDR but was of less or equal potency in stimulating cornified envelope formation and inhibiting proliferation. 1,25(OH) 2 -24F 2 -D, which was the most potent regulator of 250HD metabolism, had a lower affinity for the VDR and was less potent than 1,25(OH) 2 D in inhibiting proliferation. Our results indicate that even in the same cell different analogs have different rank orders of potency for the various actions of 1,25(OH) 2 D.
Sampling Efficiency of the Ponar Grab in Two Different Benthic Environments

Numbers of benthic organisms collected with the Ponar grab were compared to numbers in diver-collected cores in a nearshore, sandy habitat in Lake Michigan, and to numbers in box cores taken with a manned submersible in a deep, silty habitat in Lake Superior. The Ponar underestimated benthic abundances at both sampling sites. Ordered from most to least efficiently sampled were sphaeriids, Pontoporeia, oligochaetes, and chironomids; overall mean abundances in core samples were 1.5, 1.7, 3.4, and 11.3 times greater than abundances in Ponar samples for the four groups. The extent by which abundances were underestimated was remarkably similar at the two sampling locations. This would indicate that underestimates are consistent, thus allowing appropriate correction factors to be applied if absolute abundances are required for a particular study. Total biomass in the box core samples was 1.7 times greater than in the Ponar samples.
Germ-Line chromosomal localization of genes in chromosome 11p linkage: Parathyroid hormone, β-globin, c-Ha-ras-1, and insulin

The chromosomal localization of genes for parathyroid hormone (PTH), β-globin cluster, c-Ha-ras-1, and insulin, all of which have previously been assigned to the short arm of chromosome 11, generated considerable interest because of their association with development of disease states. Furthermore, the availability of recombination data from family studies made the determination of their physical location on the chromosome necessary. Several investigators have attempted this; however, controversy has arisen concerning the location of β-globin, insulin, and c-Ha-ras-1 genes. Thus, while the results of some investigators suggested that all three genes are situated in the 11 p15 region, data of other investigators placed the β-globin and insulin genes close to the centromere and c-Ha-ras-1 in a more proximal region than 11p15. The subchromosomal position of the PTH gene remains to be determined. We have performed in situ hybridization of meiotic pachytene bivalents with3H-labeled cloned genomic probes of PTH, β-globin, and insulin genes and find their germ-line positions to be the following: PTH at 11p11.21, β-globin at 11p11.22, and insulin at 11p14.1. These data, when considered with our recent germ-line assignment of the c-Ha-ras-1 gene to 11p14.1, indicate the following relative order on 11p: cen-PTH-β-globin-c-Ha-ras-insulin or cen-PTH-β-globin-insulin-c-Ha-ras. The former order is consistent with genetic evidence from linkage analysis of DNA polymorphisms adjacent to these genes segregating in families.
Trace metal behaviour in rabbits after whole-body irradiation

Abstract The behaviour of iron, copper and zinc in the plasma of rabbits exposed to 1000 r of cobalt radiation has been studied. Control values showed diurnal variations for iron and zinc. Measurud against these, there was an initial depression of iron and zinc after radiation, reaching a maximum at about 10 hr after exposure, followed by a rebound of iron to elevated values after 48 hr. Copper increased steadily after radiation to an elevated plateau. Plasma iron clearance rates were also measured, and the relationship of this to the plasma iron behaviour is discussed.
Amelioration of collagen-induced arthritis in DBA/1J mice by recombinant TSG-6, a tumor necrosis factor/interleukin-1-inducible protein.

Objective. To examine the effect of recombinant TSG-6 on collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) in DBA/1J mice. TSG-6 is a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)/ interleukin-1 (IL.1)-inducible hyaluronan-binding protein produced by synovial cells and chondrocytes that is present in synovial fluids of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Methods. To determine the effect of TSG-6 on chronic inflammatory joint disease, we induced CIA in DBA/1J mice by immunization with bovine type II collagen. Animals were treated with 12 intraperitoneal doses of 200 μg of recombinant TSG-6, beginning 3 days before the expected onset of disease symptoms. Progression of arthritis was monitored by determining the disease incidence, arthritis index, and footpad swelling. Levels of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies against bovine and murine type II collagen and serum concentrations of IL-6 were determined at various time points. Histologic examination of affected joints was performed ∼20 days after the onset of arthritis. Results. Treatment with recombinant TSG-6 protein had a potent ameliorative effect, manifested by decreases in the disease incidence, arthritis index, and footpad swelling. Histologic examination of affected joints in TSG-6-treated animals revealed little pannus formation and cartilage erosion, features which were conspicuous in control mice. Animals treated with recombinant TSG-6 developed significantly reduced levels of IgG1, IgG2a, and IgG2b antibodies against bovine and murine type II collagen. Conclusion. The antiinflammatory effect of the TNF/IL-1-inducible TSG-6 protein in murine CIA suggests a role for this protein as an endogenous regulator of the inflammatory process.
Venous hemodynamics may enhance collateral perfusion and the fibrinolytic milieu in paradoxical embolism.

To the Editor: Paradoxical embolism via right-to-left shunts (RLS) has rapidly evolved into an area of intense research in stroke and migraine. Increasing attention focuses on distinguishing anatomic features of a patent foramen ovale (PFO) visualized by transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) from functional aspects (ie, shunts) that allow clots to pass from venous to arterial circuits, thereby circumnavigating typical filtration in the lungs. TEE and transcranial Doppler (TCD) microbubble injection techniques may detect shunting at rest or with Valsalva maneuver to accentuate venous pressures, yet thromboemboli are rarely noted. Intense speculation, however, has centered on clot composition and potential response to fibrinolytics despite that only a few dozen clots causing strokes in humans have ever been analyzed. Kimura et al provide fascinating data demonstrating a link between RLS and dramatic response to fibrinolytics in acute stroke (OR, 5.9; 95% CI, 1.3 to …
Student Discipline Techniques, Circa 1800:

_For those modern educators who despair over the state of discipline in the schools today, the educational literature of the early 1800s may present some interesting insights on how such problems used to be resolved.
Detecting projectivity in sheaves associated to representations of infinitesimal groups

Abstract Let G be an infinitesimal group scheme of finite height r and V ( G ) the scheme which represents 1-parameter subgroups of G. We consider sheaves over the projective support variety P ( G ) constructed from a G-module M. We show that if P ( G ) is regular then the sheaf H [ 1 ] ( M ) is zero if and only if M is projective. In general, H [ 1 ] defines a functor from the stable module category and we prove that its kernel is a thick triangulated subcategory. Finally, we give examples of G such that P ( G ) is regular and indicate, in characteristic 2, the connection to the BGG correspondence. Along the way we will provide new proofs of some known results and correct some errors in the literature.
Semantic style variance in personality questionnaires.

Summary Terms such as often, usually, and sometimes frequently modify items found in personality questionnaires. Semantic style refers to individual differences in the quantitative meanings subjects give such terms. This study investigated the relation between semantic style variables and questionnaire measures of social desirability, extraversion, and neuroticism. Significant associations were found for two of these three personality scales: social desirability and neuroticism. If semantic style is shown to be pervasive and appreciable in its influence on questionnaire response, its systematic control should become a psychometric goal of some importance. Techniques are discussed for thus achieving more valid questionnaire measures.
Correlation of the ultrasonic appearance of the portal vein with abdominal arteriography

The ultrasonic appearance and location of the portal vein is documented by correlation with abdominal arteriography. Five patients were studied by both methods. Various characteristic appearances of the portal vein are presented. The importance of localization of the portal vein during an ultrasonic pancreatic examination is discussed.
Spontaneous abortion among insulin-dependent diabetic women.

A prospective study was undertaken to evaluate the frequency of spontaneous abortion in clinically apparent pregnancies among insulin-dependent diabetic women evaluated prior to pregnancy. The study was done in 132 pregnancies occurring in 91 diabetic women. The spontaneous abortion rate was 30%; 70% of the pregnancies progressed beyond 20 weeks. The abortion rates for Classes B, C, D, and F through RT were 0%, 25%, 44%, and 22%, respectively. Initial serum levels of the β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin above 6000 mIU were usually associated with favorable outcome while levels below 6000 mIU were not predictive of outcome. Data from this study suggest that the risk of spontaneous abortion among insulin-dependent diabetic women may be substantially higher than for the general population. Higher abortion rates were generally associated with more advanced White classification of diabetes. Age at diagnosis was the only factor which showed a significant contribution to the risk of abortion.
Myeloid sarcoma of the testis

Abstract Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) can involve the testis as a site of disease recurrence or as a site of tissue involvement at the time of leukaemia diagnosis. AML may mimic primary testicular neoplasms or testicular involvement by metastatic disease processes. It is therefore relevant to utilize ancillary testing, such as immunohistochemistry, cytochemistry, flow cytometry and cytogenetics, to aid in this potentially difficult differential diagnosis. We describe a patient with primary testicular presentation of monocytic sarcoma with rapid evolution to acute monocytic leukaemia (AML-M5b), initially thought to represent a seminoma.
Double electron capture in Ne8+-He collisions at intermediate energies.

High-resolution Auger spectra of doubly excited Be-like neon have been obtained for intermediate collisional velocities (0.89--1.79 a.u.). Ne[sup 8+] was produced at high voltage in the Argonne National Laboratory electron-cyclotron-resonance ion source. A differentially pumped helium gas cell was used to study double electron capture. The [ital LMX] Auger decays of the Be-like neon are observed with a high-resolution 0[degree] tandem electron spectrometer. High-angular-momentum states are observed to be populated during the collisions and their relative amplitudes change dramatically with increasing collisional velocity.
A Case of Primary Mucinous Carcinoma of the Scalp Treated With Mohs Surgery

background. Primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin is a rare sweat gland malignancy that is associated with locally aggressive behavior and a high rate of local recurrence following simple excision. objective. A patient with primary mucinous carcinoma of the scalp, which was treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS), is described. methods. Case report and literature review. results. The patient underwent MMS to remove the tumor. Thirty months after the procedure, the patient remains tumor free. conclusion. Simple excision of primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin is associated with a high recurrence rate. Given the low rate of metastasis and characteristic histologic tumor continuity associated with primary mucinous carcinoma of the skin, as well as the tendency for the tumor to involve cosmetically sensitive areas, such as the face and eyelids, MMS appears to represent a preferable treatment alternative for this particular sweat gland tumor. MMS appears to be associated with a very low risk of tumor recurrence.
The R&D 100

A company's research budget tells you very little about its prospect. This article reviews the R&D spending of different companies and how they utilised their R&D investments.
Mitigating the effect of non-stationarity in spectral analysis-An application to neonate heart rate analysis

In order to mitigate the effect of non-stationarity in frequency domain analysis of data, we propose a modification to the power spectral estimation, a widely used technique to characterize physiological signals. Spectral analysis requires partitioning data into smaller epochs determined by the desired frequency resolution. The modified approach proposed here involves dividing the data within each epoch by the standard deviation of the data for that epoch. We applied this modified approach to cardiac beat-to-beat interval data recorded from a newborn infant undergoing hypothermia treatment for birth asphyxia. The critically ill infant had episodes of tachyarrhythmia, distributed sporadically throughout the study, which affected the stationarity of the heart rate. Over the period of continuous heart rate recording, the infant's clinical course deteriorated progressively culminating in death. Coinciding with this clinical deterioration, the heart rate signal showed striking changes in both low-frequency and high-frequency power indicating significant impairment of the autonomic nervous system. The standard spectral approach failed to capture these phenomena because of the non-stationarity of the signal. Conversely, the modified approach proposed here captured the deteriorating physiology of the infant clearly.
Encouraging Change in Attitudes Toward People with Disabilities Through Undergraduate Leisure Studies and Recreation Courses

Educators in leisure studies and recreation have an obligation to enlighten students and discourage negative attitudes toward groups that traditionally experience \discrimination. 'Research clearly demonstrates societal prejudice against people with, disabilities and suggests that these biases affect and reduce the quality of life of these individuals. While college age students are capable of these prejudices, their negative attitudes can be altered. College classes can be an avenue for addressing negative attitudes toward people with disabilities. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the methods available to leisure studies and recreation educators to discourage negative attitudes toward people with disabilities. Additionally, results of a study which sought improve attitudes toward people with disabilities by using multiple methods of instruction within a recreation course will be discussed.
Meaning and Society in the Near East: Examples from the Black Sea Turks and the Levantine Arabs (I)

In this part,* the concept of honor among Black Sea Turks is compared with the concept of honor among clans (hamula) of Levantine Arabs. The system of meaning among the Arabs is similar to that among the Black Sea Turks, but the cultural structuring of this system of meaning is different. First, the differences in cultural structuring are explained in detail. Then, the two contrasting structurings are shown to provide an understanding of a number of contrasts between the two societies with regard to ‘marriage’ and ‘affinal and maternal relationships.’
Zur Charakteristik des Seeganges

Die Schwierigkeiten, die sich einer ausreichend genauen Beschreibung des komplexen Seeganges entgegenstellen, liegen in der Natur der Meereswellen selbst. Sobald der Wind Wellen erzeugt, wird die den entstehenden Undulationen zugefuhrte Energie uber ein mehr und mehr sich verbreiterndes Band von Partialwellen, d. h. uber ein Spektrum von Wellenkomponenten, verteilt. Die Kenntnis der Energieverteilung im Spektrum des Seeganges ist also eine wesentliche Voraussetzung fur eine rationelle Seegangscharakteristik und Seegangsvorhersage.
Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) and Depressive Complaints in Older Adults

The Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS) is a commonly administered test used to identify cognitive impairment in geriatric patients. To date, no published studies have examined the relationship between depressive symptoms and performance on the RBANS in older adults. Using a clinical sample of 45 older adults, we found a significant negative correlation between depression scores (measured by Geriatric Depression Scale-15) and RBANS Immediate Memory Index. Further examination showed that the List Learning subtest was associated with depression, but Story Memory was not. All other RBANS indices and related subtests were not associated with depression scores. Clinical implications are discussed.
Procedures for Evaluating the Dyadic Adjustment of Drug-Abusing Patients and Their Intimate Partners A Multimethod Assessment Approach

This article describes a basic multimethod relationship assessment procedure used by the authors in their recent investigations to evaluate the relationship adjustment of married or cohabiting drug-abusing patients and their intimate partners. The components of the assessment include (a) semistructured clinical interviewing; (b) a battery of paper-and-pencil self-report inventories; and (c) observations of partners engaging in a conflict resolution discussion, coded using a standardized rating system. The essential features of the relationship assessment procedure (i.e., brevity, breadth, depth, and use of psychometrically sound measures) would allow this method to be used routinely in nonresearch settings that treat substance-abusing patients. A case example is provided to illustrate the use of these relationship assessment methods with a drug-abusing couple.
The Forging of Judicial Autonomy: Political Entrepreneurship and the Reforms of William Howard Taft

In his first four years as Chief Justice of the United States, William Howard Taft convinced Congress to pass two reform bills that substantially enhanced the power of the federal courts, the Supreme Court, and the Chief Justice. In this article, I explore the causes and the consequences of those reforms. I detail how Taft's political entrepreneurship—specifically the building of reputations, the cultivation of networks, and the pursuit of change through measured action—was instrumental in forging judicial autonomy and, subsequently, how that autonomy was employed to introduce judicial bureaucracy. By asking both how judicial reform was accomplished and what judicial reform accomplished, I offer an analytically grounded and historically rich account of the politics surrounding two of the most substantively important legislative actions relating to the federal judiciary in American history. In the process, I also draw attention to a largely neglected story of political development: the politics surrounding...
Evolution and the nature of science: On the historical discord and its implications for education

Research in the teaching and learning of evolutionary biology has revealed persistent diffi- culties in student understanding of fundamental Darwinian concepts. These difficulties may be traced, in part, to science instruction that is based on philosophical conceptions of science that are no longer viewed as adequately characterizing the diverse nature of scientific practice, especially in evolutionary biology. This mismatch between evolution as practiced and the nature of science as perceived by researchers and educators has a long history extending back to the publication of Darwin's theory of natural selection. An examination of how this theory was received by the scientific community of the time may provide insight into some of the difficulties that students have today in learning these important biological concepts. The primary difficulties center around issues of metaphysics and scientific method, aspects of the nature of sci- ence too often ignored in science education. Our intent is not to offer a specific course of action to reme- dy the problems educators currently face, but rather to suggest an alternative path one might take to even- tually reach a solution. That path, we argue, should include the use of broader models of science that incorporate these elements of scientific practice to structure teaching and education research in evolution. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Res Sci Teach 35: 1069 - 1089, 1998 The importance of evolution to the biological sciences is a point that has been acknowl- edged in the science education literature. Indeed, the standard practice has been to pay obei- sance to its centrality by citing Dobzhansky's (1973) well-known statement regarding the sense- making powers of Charles Darwin's theory in the opening paragraph of articles on the subject. The enthusiasm with which this point is embraced, however, has not been matched by a corre- sponding increase in scholarly attention. Evolution remains a relatively underresearched topic within the science education community (Cummins, Demastes, & Hafner, 1994). The lamenta- ble fact remains that "large numbers of people reject the theory of evolution, and the science education community has done little to help teachers present evolution in a way that will ame-
Nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator Ostarine™ in cancer cachexia

Cancer cachexia is a complex syndrome, affecting up to 60% of the approximately 1.4 million patients diagnosed with cancer each year in the USA. This condition is characterized by progressive deterioration of a patient's nutritional status, weight loss, anorexia, diminished quality of life and increased mortality and morbidity. Current therapy with progestational, anti-inflammatory and anabolic agents is often ineffective and has a large number of undesirable effects. The newly developed nonsteroidal selective androgen receptor modulator Ostarine has demonstrated promising results in Phase I and II clinical trials, increasing total lean body mass, enhancing functional performance and decreasing total tissue percent fat. This selective androgen receptor modulator may have the ability to perform as a potent anabolic agent with minimal side effects on other organs (prostate and hair follicles), thus presenting a new strategy in managing cancer cachexia. However, more extensive data is required before its efficacy is confirmed.
Prospective study of new participants in a community-based mind-body training program.

Popular interest in yoga and other mind-body practices is strong, but there is still little data on the health effects of such training. Randomized trial designs have been used to investigate the value of mind-body training for clinical conditions including hypertension,1 osteoarthritis,2 risk of falling,3 carpal tunnel syndrome,4 and depression.5 However, no studies from the United States have specifically evaluated mind-body training programs as they are typically provided in community-based settings. Nor has any study from the United States measured the impact of mind-body training on general health-related quality of life, using validated assessment instruments. We proposed to study health effects associated with new participation in a community-based mind-body training program. The primary objective was to measure changes in health-related quality of life after 3 months of training in dahn-hak (this practice is also offered under the trademarked name “Brain Respiration”), a modernized mind-body training program with origins in South Korea. This practice shares elements of hatha yoga (stretching, postures) and qigong (energy cultivation). The population included new participants in the program as practiced in community-based centers. Study subjects underwent training as would any other new participant at a center, without interference from the study investigators. The primary outcome measure was the mental health domain of the Medical Outcomes Study SF-36 general health questionnaire. This domain was chosen because several prospective studies have suggested a benefit of yoga in depression and anxiety.5–9 Furthermore, the positive effects of physical exercise on mood have been well documented.10 We hypothesized that new participants in mind-body training would report a 5-point improvement (on a scale of 0 to 100) in the mental health domain of the SF-36 after 3 months of practice, a magnitude comparable to changes observed in four prior prospective studies of the effects of physical exercise on health-related quality of life.11–14 Data on demographic and clinical characteristics and frequency of participation were collected to identify whether any population subsets were more likely to experience a benefit from mind-body training, or whether training was associated with dose-response effects. A secondary objective was to identify any physical injuries or other adverse experiences associated with practice and quantify their incidence.
Estimating hydraulic conductivity for the Martian subsurface based on drainage patterns — A case study in the Mare Tyrrhenum Quadrangle

article i nfo Hydraulic conductivity K, as the coefficient of proportionality in Darcy's Law, is critical in understanding the past Martian hydrologic cycle, climate, and landform evolution. However, K and its spatial variability on Mars are thus far poorly constrained due to lack of accessibility. Using an innovative method based on surface drainage dissection patterns, which has been successfully tested in the Oregon Cascades on Earth, we estimated K in the Mare Tyrrhenum Quadrangle on Mars. The basic assumption is that under long-term dynamic equilibrium conditions, the overall dissection pattern in a watershed as reflected in drainage density is controlled by the interplay among surface runoff, groundwater flow, topography, and aquifer properties. K is calculated following a derivative of Darcy's Law under DuPuit-Forchheimer assumptions with drainage density D, valley depth d, recharge rate R, and aquifer thickness H as inputs. The results are consistent with the published K values and reveal spatial variability.
A Study of Counselors' Legal Challenges and Their Perceptions of Their Ability to Respond

The authors explore the results of a study that assessed the types and frequency of legal issues encountered by counselors and counselors’ perceptions of their ability to respond to these issues. They also assessed whether the participants’ perceptions were related to practice setting, years of experience, completion of a course in ethics, recent completion of continuing education in ethics or legal issues, state licensure status, certification by the National Board of Certified Counselors (NBCC), and highest degree earned. Results demonstrate that counselors feel most prepared to deal with situations encountered most often, but that school counselors do not feel as prepared to face most ethical and legal issues.
Steady state temperature profile in a sphere heated by microwaves

A new theory has been developed to calculate the microwave absorption and resultant temperature profile within a sphere positioned in a single mode rectangular cavity. This theory is an extension of a total absorption model based on Mie scattering results. Temperature profiles have been computed for alumina spheres at the center of a rectangular cavity excited in the TM354 mode. Parametric studies reveal significant structure in those profiles under special conditions that are associated with electromagnetic resonances inside the spheres. Anomalous behavior similar to thermal runaway occurs at moderate temperatures when there is enhanced absorption associated with resonant conditions in the sphere.
"I Came Back as a New Human Being": Student Descriptions of Intercultural Competence Acquired Through Education Abroad Experiences.

While education abroad programs are part of an emphasis to prepare university students to be more interculturally competent, one criticism is that programs often send students overseas without adequate preparation. This study aims to explore what students have learned from education abroad programs and how their stories might reveal the need for predeparture and postdeparture training. Using the concept of intercultural competence from the field of intercultural communication, this study analyzes reflective papers of 18 students who have returned from education abroad programs. The results indicate that while experiences abroad have an obvious impact on students’ cognitive, affective, and behavioral skills, they do not necessarily help to develop deeper levels of intercultural competence. This study concludes that immersion into the culture alone may not increase intercultural competence. Ways in which intercultural communication courses can leverage the students’ experiences in education abroad programs ...
The National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented: The Dream, the Design, and the Destination:

This article provides an overview of the National Research Center on the Gifted and Talented. A discussion of assumptions underlying the Center and some of the problems that have been encountered in past research efforts serve as a rationale for the structure and mission of this new organization. Each of the component parts of the Center is described along with how the interacting components will attempt to provide the field with a sound research base that is responsive to the needs and interests of practitioners and that will lead to the development of a variety of consumer-oriented products. Special emphasis is given to procedures that are used to focus research efforts on populations that have traditionally been underrepresented in special programs for the gifted and talented. The Center is currently conducting a national research needs assessment study to ensure that studies carried out by the Center will be responsive to the perceived needs of practitioners. Information concerning the first year rese...
Effects of disruption of epiphyseal vasculature on the proximal femoral growth plate.

Background: Proximal femoral growth disturbance is a major complication associated with ischemic osteonecrotic conditions, such as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease. The extent of ischemic damage and the mechanisms by which ischemic injury to the growing femoral head produces growth disturbance of the proximal femoral growth plate remain unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of disruption of the epiphyseal vasculature on the morphology and function of the proximal femoral growth plate in a porcine model. Methods: Ischemic osteonecrosis of the femoral head was surgically induced in sixty-five piglets by placing a ligature tightly around the femoral neck. Radiographic, histological, micro-computed tomographic, cellular viability, hypoxia marker, and cellular proliferation studies were performed. Results: Disruption of the epiphyseal vasculature did not lead to diffuse growth plate damage in the majority of the ischemic femoral heads. One of the twelve femoral heads analyzed at four weeks and six of the twenty-six femoral heads analyzed at eight weeks had severe disruption of the growth plate that precluded histological assessment of the growth plate zones. In the remaining animals, the proximal part of the femur continued to elongate following induction of ischemia, albeit at a slower rate than on the normal side. Histologically, normal developmental thinning of the growth plate was seen to be absent on the ischemic side. Severe hypoxia and cellular death were limited to the area of the growth plate bordering on the infarcted osseous epiphysis. Normal chondrocytic organization and continued proliferation were observed in the proliferative zone of the growth plate. Conclusions: In our porcine model, the proximal femoral growth plate was not diffusely damaged following disruption of the epiphyseal vasculature in the majority of the ischemic femoral heads. The majority of the growth plates remained viable and were able to function despite total disruption of the epiphyseal vasculature. These findings suggest that the source of nutrition for the proximal femoral growth plate is not solely the epiphyseal vasculature as has been traditionally believed. Clinical Relevance: Longitudinal growth, albeit at a slower rate, may be expected from the majority of proximal femoral growth plates even when there is a total infarction of the osseous epiphysis.
Stroke Volume Optimization: The New Hemodynamic Algorithm

Critical care practices have evolved to rely more on physical assessments for monitoring cardiac output and evaluating fluid volume status because these assessments are less invasive and more convenient to use than is a pulmonary artery catheter. Despite this trend, level of consciousness, central venous pressure, urine output, heart rate, and blood pressure remain assessments that are slow to be changed, potentially misleading, and often manifested as late indications of decreased cardiac output. The hemodynamic optimization strategy called stroke volume optimization might provide a proactive guide for clinicians to optimize a patient’s status before late indications of a worsening condition occur. The evidence supporting use of the stroke volume optimization algorithm to treat hypovolemia is increasing. Many of the cardiac output monitor technologies today measure stroke volume, as well as the parameters that comprise stroke volume: preload, afterload, and contractility. (Critical Care Nurse. 2015;35[1]:11-28)
A Solid Phase Radioimmune Assay for Ornithine Transcarbamylase

Radioimmune assays utilizing solid supports were introduced by Catt et al (1966) and Wide and Porath (1966). The classical radioimmune assay described by Yalow and Berson (1960) is based on the ability of unlabeled antigen to compete with antigen labeled with a radioactive isotope bound to antibody. After permitting the system to reach equilibrium antibody bound radioactivity was separated from unbound radioactivity and one or the other determined in order to ascertain the quantity of unlabeled antigen in the unknown sample.
The Diffusion Approximation Model for Turbid Media with a Spatially Varying Refractive Index: Impact of Skin on Optical Breast Imaging

We present a study based on the diffusion approximation model which includes the spatial variation of the refractive index of turbid media. In optical imaging, the refractive index has been assumed as a constant to date. But in fact, the refractive index of the skin is much lager than that of the underlying tissue. We simulated with the skin thickness varying from 1 to 3mm and the refractive index of skin from 1.40 to 1.55. Our simulations show that both the refractive index and thickness of skin have significant impact on the reconstructed images. We are currently conducting phantom experiments to confirm the findings from simulations.
Structure and Mechanism of Isopropylmalate Dehydrogenase from Arabidopsis thaliana: Insights on Leucine and Aliphatic Glucosinolate Biosynthesis

Isopropylmalate dehydrogenase (IPMDH) and 3-(2′-methylthio)ethylmalate dehydrogenase catalyze the oxidative decarboxylation of different β-hydroxyacids in the leucine- and methionine-derived glucosinolate biosynthesis pathways, respectively, in plants. Evolution of the glucosinolate biosynthetic enzyme from IPMDH results from a single amino acid substitution that alters substrate specificity. Here, we present the x-ray crystal structures of Arabidopsis thaliana IPMDH2 (AtIPMDH2) in complex with either isopropylmalate and Mg2+ or NAD+. These structures reveal conformational changes that occur upon ligand binding and provide insight on the active site of the enzyme. The x-ray structures and kinetic analysis of site-directed mutants are consistent with a chemical mechanism in which Lys-232 activates a water molecule for catalysis. Structural analysis of the AtIPMDH2 K232M mutant and isothermal titration calorimetry supports a key role of Lys-232 in the reaction mechanism. This study suggests that IPMDH-like enzymes in both leucine and glucosinolate biosynthesis pathways use a common mechanism and that members of the β-hydroxyacid reductive decarboxylase family employ different active site features for similar reactions.
Molecular testing of non-small cell lung carcinoma biopsy and cytology specimens.

Overview:During the past decade, substantial progress has been made in the characterization of molecular abnormalities in non–small cell carcinoma (NSCLC) tumors that are being used as molecular ta...
The potential to promote resilience: Piloting a minority stress-informed, GSA-based, mental health promotion program for LGBTQ youth.

This article describes the results of a pilot study to determine the feasibility and acceptability of a mental health promotion program that was developed to address minority stressors and promote coping skills among lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) youth. It was hypothesized that the program would be feasible to implement within the context of a gay-straight alliance (GSA) and that GSA members would find the program acceptable (e.g., educational, enjoyable, helpful, and relevant). Participants included ten members of a high school GSA in the northeastern United States. The program sessions were delivered during GSA meetings. The first session emphasized the identification of minority and general stressors, which was followed by a discussion of coping strategies. The remaining sessions emphasized the development of cognitive coping, affect regulation, and problem-solving skills. After each session, participants completed a 13-item feedback form. Ten items assessed acceptability and three open-ended items allowed participants to provide constructive feedback. Although the program was feasible to implement within the GSA setting, attendance at the sessions was variable. Those who attended the sessions reported them to be enjoyable, informative, relevant to their lives, and potentially helpful for other LGBTQ students. After revising the program, future research is needed to investigate its dissemination potential and determine whether the program can disrupt the minority stress-psychiatric distress relationship.
Determination of elapsed time of the syringe injection by means of enzyme histochemical method

Mittels histochemischer Methoden wird nach Kanuleneinstichen in die Rattenhaut das Aktivitatsverhalten einer Reihe von Enzymen untersucht. Durch die zeitlichen Verschiebungen der Maxima und die Aktivitatsunterschiede von 9 Enzymen ist eine relativ genaue Aussage uber den Zeitpunkt des Kanuleneinstiches moglich.