cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of adding tetracaine to bupivacaine on duration of analgesia in supraclavicular brachial plexus nerve blocks for ambulatory shoulder surgery

The objective of this study was to determine if the addition of 1% tetracaine to 0.25% bupivacaine prolonged the duration of postoperative analgesia of supraclavicular brachial plexus nerve blockade for patients undergoing ambulatory shoulder surgery. We conducted a prospective, double-blinded, randomized controlled clinical study at an ambulatory surgery center utilizing ultrasound- and nerve stimulation-guided supraclavicular nerve blockade for postoperative analgesia. The control group received 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine plus 4 mL preservative-free saline. The study group received 30 mL of 0.25% bupivacaine plus 4 mL of 1% tetracaine. Patients documented their visual analog scale scores and intake of pain medications for 3 days. Primary outcomes included time of first postoperative pain, time of first postoperative pain pill, and time of return of motor and sensory function. Secondary outcomes included pain score and pain medication intake trends and adverse events secondary to the nerve block. A total of 84 patients completed the study, 42 patients in each group. The study group was statistically significantly older than the control group (mean age, 54 vs 48 years; P = 0.04). The mean duration of analgesia was 16.6 ± 8.3 h for the control group and 17.1 ± 7.3 h for the study group (P = 0.69). No outcomes were statistically different. In conclusion, there was no significant difference in duration of postoperative analgesia with the addition of 1% tetracaine to 0.25% bupivacaine in supraclavicular brachial plexus nerve blockade. No differences were identified in postoperative pain medications, pain scores, or complications.
Choline acts as agonist and blocker for Aplysia cholinergic synapses

Several identified neurons of the Aplysia buccal ganglia respond to choline. Iontophoretic applications of either choline or acetylcholine (ACh) to voltage-clamped inhibitory follower neurons produce similar currents. Peak amplitudes of choline responses were 10-100% of ACh responses on the same cell. Choline currents were curare blockable and reversed at -69 +/- 2 mV, within 1 mV of postsynaptic current (IPSC) reversal. Application of 1 mM choline to the bath produces more prolonged effects than an initial conductance change. Choline depressed IPSC amplitude by 42 +/- 5% and prolonged IPSC decay time constant by 25 +/- 7%. The slowing was reversible but the depression was not. Use of choline as a Na substitute may therefore involve unexpected partial agonist action; even where conductance changes are transient or inapparent, choline may alter synaptic responses. Bath choline had variable effects on cholinergic self-inhibitory synapses, blocking in six trials but not in three others. Voltage clamping cells BL and BR7, in which monosynaptic cholinergic PSPs are diphasic, reveals underlying early inward and late outward currents. Choline activates only the late outward current component. Correspondingly, bath choline blocks only the late outward component, as does eserine and ACh. This block is not seen with neostigmine, and so is unlikely to be related to cholinesterase inhibition. The early inward current component, revealed by block of the late component by choline or ACh, decays exponentially. Decay time constant is exponentially dependent on membrane potential over the range -20 to -100 mV, with 63-mV depolarization speeding decay e-fold. Eserine prolongs decay and steepens voltage dependence. The late outward component decays with voltage-independent time constant of 48 +/- 5 ms. Both the time integral of synaptic conductance and the ratio of synaptic charge transfer to peak synaptic current of the early inward component of the cell 7 response are reduced by depolarization. Voltage-dependent duration thus combines with reduced driving force in diminishing the excitatory effect of this component at depolarized levels, allowing the inhibitory component to predominate. In this diphasic synapse, voltage dependence of the time course of one component thus serves an easily identified function.
Hewitt's Comprehensive Tennis Knowledge Test—Form A and B Revised

Abstract Hewitt's Comprehensive Tennis Knowledge Test, first reported in the Research Quarterly in 1937, has been revised. During the interim over 10,000 copies of Form A and B have been used by members of the profession. There were 200 questions in the original battery. These were reduced to 100 after each of the questions was evaluated by item analysis and Holzinger's Index of Discrimination. The difficulty rating was determined from the percentage answered correctly by three levels of tennis ability—beginners, advanced, and the varsity group. Alternate halves (odd vs. even) for the two forms A and B, when using the Spearman-Brown Prophecy formula, gave a reliability of .95. When correlated with the Minnesota Tennis Knowledge test, r = .81, and with Scott's Achievement Examinations for Elementary and Intermediate Tennis, r = .86; this would indicate sufficient validity. Scoring key and grading scale for each form is included at the end of the paper.
Folate Deficiency, Porphyria, and Seizures

A 12 year old, learning-disabled boy with epilepsy was admitted to the University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT because of symptomatic folate deficiency and newly diagnosed acute intermittent porphyria.
EconEdReviews: Economics and personal finance lessons and reviews

URL: http://www.econedreviews.org/Just as consumers consult online reviews before buying products (Mintel.com 2015), the users of economic education materials may want to check reviews before using...
Teaching Sociology Resources as Classified by Topical Areas: January 2010 to October 2016

The following index includes all articles, conversations, notes, and reviews published in Teaching Sociology from January 2010 (volume 38, issue 1) through October 2016 (volume 44, issue 4). The pu...
Influence of transport from urban sources and domestic biomass combustion on the air quality of a mountain area

The environmental influence of biomass burning for civil uses was investigated through the determination of several air toxicants in the town of Leonessa and its surroundings, in the mountain region of central Italy. Attention was focussed on PM10, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and regulated gaseous pollutants (nitrogen dioxide, ozone and benzene). Two in-field campaigns were carried out during the summer 2012 and the winter 2013. Contemporarily, air quality was monitored in Rome and other localities of Lazio region. In the summer, all pollutants, with the exception of ozone, were more abundant in Rome. On the other hand, in the winter, PAH concentration was higher in Leonessa (15.8 vs. 7.0 ng/m3), while PM10 was less concentrated (22 vs. 34 μg/m3). Due to lack of other important sources and to limited impact of vehicle traffic, biomass burning was identified as the major PAH source in Leonessa during the winter. This hypothesis was confirmed by PAH molecular signature of PM10 (i.e. concentration diagnostic ratios and 206 ion mass trace in the chromatograms). A similar phenomenon (i.e. airborne particulate levels similar to those of the capital city but higher PAH loads) was observed in other locations of the province, suggesting that uncontrolled biomass burning contributed to pollution across the Rome metropolitan area.
Unity, Plurality, and Hylomorphic Composition in Aristotle's Metaphysics

ABSTRACTHow should we understand the relationship, for Aristotle, between matter, form, and hylomorphic composite? Are matter and form distinct from each other, so that each hylomorphic unity harbours a plurality within it, or would such a plurality undermine the unity of the composite? A recent strand of argument in both Aristotelian and contemporary literature on hylomorphism has concluded that no genuine unity can be composed of a plurality. I will argue that the objection motivating this conclusion falls away as improperly formulated in light of Aristotle's metaontology—in particular, his thesis that unity (and therefore also plurality) is indeterminate. The genuine objection threatening hylomorphic unity is one that Aristotle himself formulates as a central concern in his Metaphysics: no substance can be composed of substances. He answers this genuine objection in his appeal to the actuality/potentiality distinction, and in Metaphysics VIII.6 he reminds us why no more basic problem of hylomorphic uni...
A viral protein antibiotic inhibits lipid II flippase activity

For bacteriophage infections, the cell walls of bacteria, consisting of a single highly polymeric molecule of peptidoglycan (PG), pose a major problem for the release of progeny virions. Phage lysis proteins that overcome this barrier can point the way to new antibacterial strategies 1 , especially small lytic single-stranded DNA (the microviruses) and RNA phages (the leviviruses) that effect host lysis using a single non-enzymatic protein 2 . Previously, the A2 protein of levivirus Qβ and the E protein of the microvirus ϕX174 were shown to be 'protein antibiotics' that inhibit the MurA and MraY steps of the PG synthesis pathway 2-4 . Here, we investigated the mechanism of action of an unrelated lysis protein, LysM, of the Escherichia coli levivirus M 5 . We show that LysM inhibits the translocation of the final lipid-linked PG precursor called lipid II across the cytoplasmic membrane by interfering with the activity of MurJ. The finding that LysM inhibits a distinct step in the PG synthesis pathway from the A2 and E proteins indicates that small phages, particularly the single-stranded RNA (ssRNA) leviviruses, have a previously unappreciated capacity for evolving novel inhibitors of PG biogenesis despite their limited coding potential.
Issues resolved and unresolved in pathological narcissism

Narcissism is one of the oldest personality constructs, and yet debates about its definition and structure have been a topic of intense debate over the past decade. Recent independent reviews of the literature have proposed conceptually identical triarchic structural models of individual differences in pathological narcissism. In each model entitlement serves as the core of the construct, and its expression is moderated by basic personality/temperament to manifest in exhibitionism or vulnerability. However, the clinical observation that individuals high in pathological narcissism vacillate between grandiose and vulnerable states remains understudied and poorly understood. We review the recent research that has driven the contentious debates, emerging points of consensus, and necessary future directions for research.
Application of Morphometrics as a Predictor for Survival in Patients with Prostate Cancer Metastasis to the Spine

Background Surgery for spinal metastases can improve survival but has high morbidity that can potentially diminish benefits. New objective methods of predicting overall survival would be beneficial for surgical decision making. Morphometrics quantifies patient frailty and has been successfully used to predict overall survival in patients with lung cancer spinal metastases. This study evaluated whether morphometrics can predict survival in patients with prostate cancer spinal metastases. Methods Using a retrospective registry of patients with spinal metastases who underwent stereotactic body radiation therapy, we identified patients with primary prostate cancer. Morphometric measurements of the psoas muscle were taken from most recent lumbar spine computed tomography. Patients were stratified into lowest, middle, and highest tertiles based on psoas muscle area. Primary outcome measure was overall survival from the date of computed tomography scan. Results We identified 92 patients. Median survival for all patients was 124 days (95% confidence interval, 98–197 days). Patients in the smallest third for average psoas size had significantly shorter survival compared with patients in the largest third: 117 days versus 302 days (hazard ratio 2.42; 95% confidence interval, 1.32–4.43; P = 0.004). Patients in the middle third for average psoas size also had shorter survival compared with patients in the largest third: 113 days versus 302 days (hazard ratio 2.31; 95% confidence interval, 1.25–4.25; P = 0.007). Conclusions In patients with prostate cancer spinal metastases, morphometric analysis of psoas muscle size can identify patients at risk for shorter survival. This technique can aid in surgical decision making by weighing expected survival and fitness versus potential morbidity of intervention.
Utilizing a structure-based docking approach to develop potent G protein-coupled receptor kinase (GRK) 2 and 5 inhibitors.

Abstract G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) kinases (GRKs) regulate the desensitization and internalization of GPCRs. Two of these, GRK2 and GRK5, are upregulated in heart failure and are promising targets for heart failure treatment. Although there have been several reports of potent and selective inhibitors of GRK2 there are few for GRK5. Herein, we describe a ligand docking approach utilizing the crystal structures of the GRK2–Gβγ·GSK180736A and GRK5·CCG215022 complexes to search for amide substituents predicted to confer GRK2 and/or GRK5 potency and selectivity. From this campaign, we successfully generated two new potent GRK5 inhibitors, although neither exhibited selectivity over GRK2.
Exemplar Rehabilitation Educators’ Defining Moments and Career Reflections

Objective: To discover senior and retired exemplary rehabilitation educators’ defining career moments and to provide doctoral students and early career rehabilitation educators with insights from widely recognized and successful rehabilitation educators in the field. Method: Twenty-seven xemplary rehabilitation educators answered qualitative questions related to their career choices and accomplishments. Additionally, satisfaction with career and the perception of contributions to the field were quantitatively assessed using Likert-type questions. Findings: Five themes emerged from the qualitative data which described exemplary educators’ defining career moments. Four additional themes emerged which revealed changes educators would make if they could start their careers over. Quantitative results indicated overall moderate to high satisfaction with career and contributions. Conclusions: The experiences, advice,and wisdom of exemplary educators can provideearly guidance and insights about career decisions and life lessons for doctoral students and academics.
Complexities and potential pitfalls of clinical study design and data analysis in assisted reproduction.

Purpose of review The purpose of the current review is to describe the common pitfalls in design and statistical analysis of reproductive medicine studies. It serves to guide both authors and reviewers toward reducing the incidence of spurious statistical results and erroneous conclusions. Recent findings The large amount of data gathered in IVF cycles leads to problems with multiplicity, multicollinearity, and over fitting of regression models. Furthermore, the use of the word 'trend' to describe nonsignificant results has increased in recent years. Finally, methods to accurately account for female age in infertility research models are becoming more common and necessary. Summary The pitfalls of study design and analysis reviewed provide a framework for authors and reviewers to approach clinical research in the field of reproductive medicine. By providing a more rigorous approach to study design and analysis, the literature in reproductive medicine will have more reliable conclusions that can stand the test of time.
AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS OF THE IMPACT OF OIL – BENCH MARKING ON FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REVENUE IN NIGERIA

The study assesses the oil bench-marking fiscal rule so as to determine its impact on Federal Government Revenue in Nigeria using econometric model with ordinary least square (OLS) techniques. The study test for the order of integration of the variables that is the stationarity of the variables using Augmented Dickey Fuller (ADF) Test for stationary and Philips-Peron unit root test. The results revealed absence of serial correlation and all variables incorporated in the model were non-stationary at their levels. Chow test was applied in testing the three hypotheses formulated. The result revealed the rejection of the null hypotheses and hence the acceptance of the alternate hypotheses. In otherwise the Nigerian economy had been decoupled or delinked from the oil revenue volatility. In an attempt to establish short run and long run relationships between real government expenditure and real oil revenue. Error correction mechanism was applied. The result also reveals reduction in the percentage of the discrepancy between short-term and long term real government expenditure that is corrected within a year from 76% to 58%. Indicating the effectiveness of the Nigeria-oil-price based fiscal rule. In other words, Oil bench marking fiscal policy has impacted significantly on revenue from the oil sector. In addition, it also has a significant effect on federal Government capital expenditure. The policy also impacted significantly on Nigeria external reserves. However the following factors were also identified as contributing to Nigerian volatility challenge. Oil driven nature of the economy, small size of the economy and the degree of global integration. Discovered also were corruption and high degree of openness. We therefore recommended among other things the continued adoption of the Nigerian oil price based fiscal rule, (oil bench marking) addressing the issue of corruption and transparency, more sustained reform in the area of diversification of the economy.
Wnt antagonists in osteosarcoma patients.

10531 Background: Osteosarcoma (OS) is a clinically challenging primary malignant bone tumor that has a high rateof local recurrence and metastasis. Disease free survival has been reported to be as...
Association of Ultraviolet-Induced Retrovirus Expression with Anchorage-Independent Survival in Rat Embryo Cells

Our previous studies have shown that carcinogens (chemical or physical) induce an enhancement of anchorage-independent (AI) survival in aggregate form, a premalignant phenotype in retrovirus-infected Fischer rat embryo (RIFRE) cells. A specific role for the nontransforming retrovirus genome has been shown in the expression of AI survival: uninfected Fischer rat embryo (FRE) cells are relatively unresponsive to treatment with chemical carcinogens, whereas RIFRE cells are highly responsive. However, exposure of FRE cells to increasing doses (500–2000 uJ/cm2) of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation induced AI survival dose dependently. Cells isolated in aggregate form were allowed to reattach and, upon reaching confluency, were subcultured. The replated UV-exposed cells subsequently showed changes in their cellular morphology as well as growth in semisolid agar, indicating their neoplastic potential. In an attempt to explain the enhanced cell survival in FRE cells following their exposure to UV, the cells were assayed for the presence of endogenous retrovirus by immunofluorescence. The FRE cells were exposed to UV, refed on supplemented media, and the presence of virus was antigenically determined with goat anti-Moloney virus. Endogenous retrovirus expression was detected dose-dependently at similar UV exposure levels used in the expression of increased cellular Al survival. The results show that UV-induced activation of endogenous retrovirus expression in rat embryo cells is associated with the induction of AI survival, a phenotype that precedes the acquisition of morphological or neoplastic transformation.
Real-Time Three-Dimensional (3D) Echocardiography for Diagnosis and Treatment of Congenital Heart Diseases in Practical Medicine: Transepicardial and Transesophageal Approach

How to use real-time three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography for diagnosis and treatment of congenital heart diseases? To obtain morphological details of complicated intracardiac structure is one of the most effective usages, when planning for cardiac surgery, such as an intracardiac rerouting through ventricular septal defect in patients with double-outlet right ventricle, valvuloplasty for complicated atrioventricular valve regurgitation, or release for intracardiac stenotic lesions. Especially, intraoperative transpericardial 3D echocardiography performed by putting the 3D probe on the pericardium directly enables us to get the good quality images with a high S/N ratio in pediatric patients less than 20 kg of body weight, for whom transesophageal 3D echocardiography cannot be applied. This approach also enables both cardiovascular surgeons and cardiologists to share the “surgeon’s view” in the operating room quickly. Moreover, transesophageal 3D echocardiography is also useful for the decision for the indication of catheter intervention and monitoring the procedure of the percutaneous closure of atrial septal defect, as well as to diagnose the abnormal morphology and guide the intracardiac surgery in children more than 20 kg of body weight with congenital heart disease.
Ontogenic development of brown adipose tissue in Angus and Brahman fetal calves

Brahman calves experience greater neonatal mortality than Angus calves if cold-stressed. To establish a developmental basis for this, three fetuses of each breed type were taken at 96, 48, 24, 14, and 6 d before expected parturition, and at parturition. Overall fetal BW tended (P = 0.08) to be greater for Angus than for Brahman fetuses. There was no difference between breed types in total brown adipose tissue (BAT) mass or grams of BAT/kg BW. Brown adipocyte density decreased 56%, whereas lipogenesis from acetate and glucose in vitro decreased 97% during the last 96 d of gestation in both breed types. Glycerolipid synthesis from palmitate declined by 85% during the last trimester but still contributed 98% to total lipid synthesis at birth. The fetal age x breed interaction was significant for lipogenesis from glucose (P = 0.05) and palmitate (P = 0.005); rates were higher at 96 d before birth in Brahman BAT but declined to similar rates by birth. Uncoupling protein-1 (UCP1) mRNA tripled during gestation in both breed types (P = 0.002), whereas mitochondrial cross-sectional area did not change (P = 0.14) during gestation. Neither the breed nor the age x breed effect was significant (P > or = 0.24) for UCP1 mRNA concentration or mitochondrial cross-sectional area. In both breed types, a marked decrease in BAT UCP1 mRNA between 24 and 14 d prepartum was associated with a similar reduction in lipogenesis from palmitate and a noticeable change in BAT mitochondrial morphology, as the mitochondria became more elongated and the cristae became more elaborate. Uncoupling protein-1 mRNA initially was elevated in Angus tailhead s.c. adipose tissue, but was barely detectable by birth, and tended to be greater overall (P = 0.09) in Angus than in Brahman BAT. If uncoupling protein activity in s.c. adipose tissue persists after birth, then s.c. adipose tissue may contribute more to thermogenesis in Angus newborn calves than in Brahman calves. In contrast, we did not observe differences in ontogenic development of perirenal BAT that could explain the documented differences in thermogenic capacity between Angus and Brahman newborn calves.
Redefine or justify? Comments on the alpha debate.

Benjamin et al. (Nature Human Behaviour 2, 6-10, 2017) proposed improving the reproducibility of findings in psychological research by lowering the alpha level of our conventional null hypothesis significance tests from .05 to .005, because findings with p-values close to .05 represent insufficient empirical evidence. They argued that findings with a p-value between 0.005 and 0.05 should still be published, but not called “significant” anymore. This proposal was criticized and rejected in a response by Lakens et al. (Nature Human Behavior 2, 168-171, 2018), who argued that instead of lowering the traditional alpha threshold to .005, we should stop using the term “statistically significant,” and require researchers to determine and justify their alpha levels before they collect data. In this contribution, I argue that the arguments presented by Lakens et al. against the proposal by Benjamin et al. are not convincing. Thus, given that it is highly unlikely that our field will abandon the NHST paradigm any time soon, lowering our alpha level to .005 is at this moment the best way to combat the replication crisis in psychology.
Yield of Emergent CT in Patients With Epilepsy Presenting With a Seizure.

Background:Studies of emergent neuroimaging in the management of patients presenting with a breakthrough seizure are lacking. We sought to determine how often emergent computed tomography (CT) scan...
Sarah Bernhardt’s Bodies: Feminine Fame During Wartime in Her Memoirs and Henry Céard’s La Saignée

ABSTRACTSarah Bernhardt came to represent contradictory beliefs about the moral state of French society during and after the Franco-Prussian war (1870–1871) as her celebrity uniquely situated her t...
Effects of Mn and Mo Micro-additions on Al–Zr–Sc–Er–Si Mechanical Properties

Dilute Al–Zr–Sc–Er–Si alloys strengthened by coherent L12 Al3(Sc, Er, Zr) nanoprecipitates have potential applications at temperatures higher than 400 °C. In this research, the effects of micro-additions of 0.25 at.% Mn and/or 0.10 at.% Mo to a dilute Al-0.08Zr-0.014Sc-0.008Er-0.09Si (at.%) alloy were investigated using atom-probe tomography, as well as mechanical testing after different heat treatments. Molybdenum and manganese result in solid-solution strengthening. Aging at 400 °C leads to the formation of core-shell (L12 structure) nanoprecipitates, with Mn partitioning to the core, and Mo partitioning to both the core and nanoprecipitate/matrix interface. Manganese-modified L12 nanoprecipitates exhibit a higher number density, while Molybdenum-modified L12 nanoprecipitates display an improved coarsening resistance.
Misclassification of Diffuse Gliomas-Letter.

We read with interest the article by Iorgulescu and colleagues ([1][1]), which queries the nation's largest cancer registry, the National Cancer Database (NCDB), to determine discordance rates between historically classified diffuse gliomas, based solely on histologic characteristics, with their
ACQUISITION OF DIAGNOSTIC ECHOCARDIOGRAPHIC IMAGES BY NOVICES USING A DEEP LEARNING BASED IMAGE GUIDANCE ALGORITHM

Recently a DL algorithm (Caption Guidance, Caption Health) was developed to guide the acquisition of 10 transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) views by novice users. The DL model was trained using >5,000,000 observations of the impact of transducer location on image orientation and quality. The goal
Data Processing for Atomic Resolution Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy

The high beam current and subangstrom resolution of aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopes has enabled electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) mapping with atomic resolution. These spectral maps are often dose limited and spatially oversampled, leading to low counts/channel and are thus highly sensitive to errors in background estimation. However, by taking advantage of redundancy in the dataset map, one can improve background estimation and increase chemical sensitivity. We consider two such approaches—linear combination of power laws and local background averaging—that reduce background error and improve signal extraction. Principal component analysis (PCA) can also be used to analyze spectrum images, but the poor peak-to-background ratio in EELS can lead to serious artifacts if raw EELS data are PCA filtered. We identify common artifacts and discuss alternative approaches. These algorithms are implemented within the Cornell Spectrum Imager, an open source software package for spectroscopic analysis.
Evaluation of kinetics mechanisms ability to predict natural gas reactivity using a fuel substitution method

Abstract Previous homogeneous-charge compression-ignition engine fuel substitution experiments1 were used to test the performance of five different chemical kinetics mechanisms for natural gas fuels. A two-zone model was used to simulate the engine experiments using the five mechanisms tested. Simulations of engine experiments for six distinct operating conditions using based fuel mixtures of methane/hydrogen and methane/propane were performed along with simulations of fuel substitution sweeps with fixed boundary conditions using hydrogen, ethane, ethylene, propane, and n-butane as test fuels. The simulation results were used to quantify the ability of mechanisms to predict both the absolute reactivity of the reference fuels and the reactivity of the test fuels relative to the reference fuels using two metrics: required temperature at intake valve closure (IVC) with fixed fuel concentrations and required reference fuel concentrations with fixed IVC temperature. The five mechanisms used for this study showed substantially different results, most notably related to their propane chemistry. Simulations using the LLNL mechanism resulted in the closest match to propane engine test results, while the Aramco and C5-49 mechanisms showed some disagreement, and the GRI and UBC mechanisms showed much larger discrepancies. Simulations with all five mechanisms showed good agreement with hydrogen engine test results.
Hydrologic changes in Colorado during the mid-Holocene and Younger Dryas

The stratigraphy of Upper Big Creek Lake (UBC), an overflowing lake in northern Colorado, indicates that the lake responded to a series of hydroclimatic changes over the past ~ 13,000 years. Modern sediments in eight comparator lakes from across Wyoming and Colorado facilitate the stratigraphic interpretation by showing that littoral sediments have exponentially higher sand content, lower loss-on-ignition (LOI), and lower net accumulation rates than off-shore sediments. Sand layers in two near-shore cores from UBC share the characteristics of the modern littoral sediments (> 80% sand, 1.9 m below its outlet from 12,500 to 11,300 and from 7500 to 2100 cal yr BP. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) profiles consistent with the low-water episodes show correlative sand layers and submerged wave-cut scarps around the lake margin. The stratigraphic features correlate with those formed in the comparator lakes during extensive droughts at > 11,300, 6900–6000, and 4800–3400 cal yr BP as well as a series of north-south anti-phased droughts between 5800 and 1200 cal yr BP. Lake closure at UBC amplified the local changes, and demonstrates that climate changes can increase the extent of intermittent streamflow in the Rocky Mountains relative to today.
Exocrine secretions of bees—VIII: 8-acetoxy-2,6-dimethyl-2-octenal: A novel mandibular gland component from Panurginus bees (Hymenoptera: Andrenidae)☆

Abstract A terpenoid aldehyde, 8-acetoxy-2,6-dimethyl-2-octenal, has been identified in the mandibular gland secretions of male and female Panurginus atramontensis . This is the first report of such a compound from bees. In addition, geranial and neral were shown to be present in female extracts.
Use of radioactive microspheres for studies of tubal ovum transport.

Abstract Experiments were designed to ascertain the fidelity with which radioactive plastic ovum models imitated the time-course of transport of natural ova through the rabbit oviduct. After location of the radioactive microspheres within the intact oviducts, the genital tracts were removed and cleared in benzyl benzoate. Natural ova and ovum surrogates were then visualized in situ. The radioactive microspheres were reasonably good models of transport of natural ova and their sojourn in the oviduct was shortened by progesterone and prolonged by estrogen. Thus they should be useful tools for future studies of ovum transport under various conditions.
In situ X‐ray Measurement Methods

This article reviews in situ x-ray measurement methods including x-ray fluorescence (XRF), x-ray scattering and x-ray imaging. Three classes of in situ methods are covered: spectroscopy-based, scattering-based and imaging approaches. The spectroscopy treatment centers on x-ray excited analysis of x-ray fluorescence. The types of in situ characterization relying on x-ray scattering include: identification and quantification of crystallographic phases present, crystallographic texture (i.e., pole figures; orientation distribution functions, odf), residual stress measurement and crystal defect characterization (x-ray diffraction topography; rocking curve analysis). X-ray imaging includes radiography and computed tomography as well as mapping using diffracted or fluorescent signal. Keywords: x-ray scattering; x-ray fluorescence; x-ray imaging; in situ measurement
15 Years of the Russell 2000 Buy-Write

Using data from January 18, 1996 to March 31, 2011, we construct and evaluate returns on a buy-write strategy on the Russell 2000 index. The results demonstrate that the strategy has consistently outperformed the Russell 2000 index on a risk adjusted basis, when implemented with one month to expiration calls and when performance is evaluated using standard performance measures. Over the 182 month period of analysis, the RUT buy-write strategy using 2% out-of-the-money, one-month calls generated higher returns than the underlying index (8.87% versus 8.11%) at about three-quarters of the standard deviation (16.57% versus 21.06%). The outperformance is robust to measures which specifically consider the non-normal distribution of the strategy's returns. However, the consistent performance advantage does not remain if we utilize two month to expiration calls. To evaluate the performance in varying market conditions, we break our sample into sub-periods. Specifically, one of the worst market conditions for the buy-write strategy is March 2003 to October 2007, when the Russell 2000 experiences a high sustained growth at a relatively low volatility. Even in this market environment, we find that the 2% out-of-the-money one-month buy-write strategy outperforms the Russell 2000 on a risk adjusted basis, returning almost the same returns as the index return at three-quarters its volatility. We provide insight into the sources of the performance. On average, the expiration value of written calls exceeds the premium collected and the transaction costs of writing the call at the bid further increases the losses. However, the buy-write strategy benefits by writing calls at an implied volatility that is generally higher than the realized volatility. In fact, we find that the contribution of the volatility risk premium - the difference between implied and realized volatility – is typically larger than the net losses incurred by the call position or the transaction costs. It appears that the existence of the risk premium is critical to the performance of the strategy. In fact, the (Leland's) alpha of the strategy is typically significantly smaller than the risk premium implying that the buy-write strategy would not provide excess returns in the absence of the risk premium.
A Comparison of Rating Formats After Corrections for Attenuation

It was noted that format comparisons for performance rating scales rarely report the most critical statistic in terms of assessing score comparability; i.e., the disattenuated correlation of scores between formats. This study examined the degree to which scores on different formats are correlated after disattenuation. Corrected correlations ranged from .7 to above 1.00. While it appears the scales are measuring essentially the same thing, several cautionary statements are made regarding the interpretation of the results. The failure to consider the purpose for data collection in these studies was one major problem cited.
Optimizing the image contrast on the softcopy displays

Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) displays and Active-Matrix Liquid Crystal Displays (AM-LCD) are currently the dominant softcopy displays in the radiology reading rooms. Results of some studies have shown the superiority of LCDs over CRTs in many aspects. In terms of the contrast resolution, however, they are similar and both of them can usually interpret 8-bit images. We have reported an error-diffusion-based method to compensate for the limited contrast resolution last year on this meeting. In this paper, we propose to include the image content into the error diffusion kernel to further increase the contrast of the image displayed. First, the raw image is processed to find the image contrast information. The areas in the image which have low contrast are enhanced more than the areas with high contrast. The areas where image noise is dominant are not enhanced. The enhancement operation will modify the image and the changes are treated as error and inputted to the error diffusion kernel. We have used a different set of diffusion weights for image contrast enhancement. But the two diffusion operations are done together.
Development and Characterization of Microsatellite Markers in Prunus sibirica (Rosaceae)

Premise of the study: Microsatellite loci were developed for Prunus sibirica to investigate genetic diversity, population genetic structure, and marker-assisted selection of late-blooming cultivars in the breeding of P. sibirica. Methods and Results: Using a magnetic bead enrichment strategy, 19 primer pairs were developed and characterized across 40 individuals from three P. sibirica wild populations and six individuals of P. armeniaca. The number of alleles per locus varied from three to 11 and the observed and expected heterozygosities ranged from 0.063 to 0.917 and 0.295 to 0.876, respectively, in the three P. sibirica wild populations. All primer pairs could be successfully amplified in six individuals of P. armeniaca. Conclusions: These microsatellite primer pairs should be useful for population genetics, germplasm identification, and marker-assisted selection in the breeding of P. sibirica and related species.
Spatial and temporal interaction of pattern-evoked cortical potentials in human infants.

Abstract Pattern reversal VEPs were recorded from 38 infants, ranging in age from 7 to 26 weeks. Three check sizes (48′, 24′ and 12′) were presented at contrast reversal rates of between 2 and 14 alternations/second (alt./sec). For large checks (48′), the temporal tuning function had only one peak, which shifted from 4 alt./sec at 2 months to adult levels of 8–10 alt./sec by 3–4 months. For smaller checks (24′ and 12′), infants older than 4 months showed a bimodal temporal function with one peak at 4 alt./sec and a second at 10–12 alt./sec. The relative prominence of the peak at 4 alt./sec increased with smaller checks and increasing age, suggesting that it reflects processing of high spatial frequency information. The peak at 4 alt./sec is still present at 3–5 years of age, but shifts to 6 alt./sec for adults. Thus, the temporal tuning function at low spatial frequencies reaches adult levels during early infancy, while the temporal tuning function at higher spatial frequencies develops more slowly.
Cobalt–Polymer Nanocomposite Dielectrics for Miniaturized Antennas

Cobalt–polymer magnetic nanocomposites have been synthesized and characterized for their microstructure and properties such as permeability, permittivity, dielectric and magnetic losses from 100 MHz to 2 GHz to study their suitability as antenna dielectrics. Oxide-passivated cobalt nanoparticles were dispersed in epoxies to form nanocomposite toroids and thin-film resonator structures on organic substrates. Permeabilities of 2.10 and 2.65 were measured up to 500 MHz, respectively, with 25-nm to 50-nm and 5-nm nanoparticles in the nanocomposites. The loss tangent ranged from 0.02 to 0.04 at these frequencies. A combination of stable permeability of ∼2 at 1 GHz to 2 GHz and permittivity of ∼7 was achieved with nanocomposites having 5-nm nanoparticles. The magnetic nanomaterials described in this paper can overcome the limitations from domain-wall and eddy-current losses in microscale metal–polymer composites, leading to enhanced frequency stability. The paper also demonstrates integration of metal–polymer nanocomposites as thin-film build-up layers with two-metal-layer structures on organic substrates.
Intra-individual variability in infant visual recognition memory performance: Temperamental and environmental correlates

Abstract The home environments of 41 3-month-old infants were assessed using direct observation. Infants were then tested for visual recognition memory, and their parents completed the Revised Infant Temperament Questionnaire. Infants' within-session variability in visual recognition memory was related to a number of environmental factors. However, these relations appear to be partially mediated by individual differences in temperament, particularly adaptability.
Glutamate stimulates neurotrophin expression in cultured Müller cells.

The uptake of excess extracellular glutamate and the secretion of neurotrophins by glial cells have been suggested to protect CNS neurons from glutamate-induced toxicity. In the retina, perturbation of glutamate transport and decreased retrograde transport of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) may contribute to ganglion cell death in experimental glaucoma. Although many studies show a clear relationship between glutamate and neurotrophic factors, such relationship has not been thoroughly investigated in the retinal environment. In the following study, we determined the effects of glutamate on early passaged rat Muller cells, specifically their expression of neurotrophic factors including BDNF, nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), neurotrophin-4 (NT-4), and glial-cell line derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF); and of glutamate receptors and transporters using immunoblots or enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Binding of BDNF to its cognate receptor TrkB was also determined using co-immunoprecipitation studies. Cultured Muller cells grown in the presence of glutamate were also assayed for survival using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS). Our study showed that while glutamate treatment did not promote cell death, it upregulated secretion of BDNF, NGF, NT-3, NT-4, and GDNF by Muller cells. While solitary bands at approximately 13-14 kDa were observed for NGF, NT-3, and NT-4; two BDNF-reactive bands were observed in immunoblots: a faster migrating band at the reported size of the BDNF monomer (approximately 13 kDa); and a more intense band at approximately 36 kDa. GDNF-reactive bands were observed at approximately 22, approximately 28, and approximately 55 kDa. Glutamate also induced significant changes in glutamate receptor and transporter proteins, as well maintained the association of BDNF to TrkB in Muller cells. The decreased N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) levels and sustained activation of TrkB by BDNF could serve as protective mechanisms for Muller cell survival. Moreover, the increased secretion of neurotrophic factors and upregulation of L-glutamate/L-aspartate transporter (GLAST) expression in Muller cells may protect retinal neurons from glutamate toxicity.
Characterization And Application Of Isolated Attosecond Pulses

Attosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, using ultrabroadband isolated attosecond pulses characterized using the PROOF (phase retrieval by omega oscillation filtering) technique, is demonstrated as a powerful tool for capturing the sub-laser-cycle dynamics in laser-dressed atoms.
The Evolution of a Doctor of Nursing Practice Capstone Process: Programmatic Revisions to Improve the Quality of Student Projects

The past several years have seen explosive growth in the number of doctor of nursing practice (DNP) degree programs offered by colleges of nursing in the United States. Through a process of trial and error since 2005, the faculty at the University of Colorado, College of Nursing, have revised the course structure and procedures related to the DNP capstone project to improve the quality and usefulness of these student projects. Efforts have focused on educating and involving all nursing faculty in the DNP capstone process, distinguishing between competencies for our PhD and DNP projects, clearly aligning the DNP capstone project with quality improvement methods rather than with research, working with our campus institutional review board to clarify regulatory review requirements for quality improvement studies, developing a review committee to oversee DNP students' projects, and structuring our sequential course requirements to encourage students' professional presentations and publications. Our current capstone process reflects 7 years of iterative work, which we summarize in this article in hopes that it will help institutions currently in the process of developing a DNP program.
MMPI-2 Predictors of Academic Performance

This report describes relationships between MMPI-2 validity and clinical scale scores and four different measures of academic performance (high school GPA, cumulative college GPA, classroom attenda...
Manipulating conformational equilibria in the lactose permease of Escherichia coli

A mechanism proposed for lactose/H(+) symport by the lactose permease of Escherichia coli indicates that lactose permease is protonated prior to ligand binding. Moreover, in the ground state, the symported H(+) is shared between His322 (helix X) and Glu269 (helix VIII), while Glu325 (helix X) is charge-paired with Arg302 (helix IX). Substrate binding at the outer surface between helices IV (Glu126) and V (Arg144, Cys148) induces a conformational change that leads to transfer of the H(+) to Glu325 and reorientation of the binding site to the inner surface. After release of substrate, Glu325 is deprotonated on the inside due to re-juxtapositioning with Arg302. The conservative mutation Glu269-->Asp causes a 50-100-fold decrease in substrate binding affinity and markedly reduced active lactose transport, as well as decreased rates of equilibrium exchange and efflux. Gly-scanning mutagenesis of helix VIII was employed systematically with mutant Glu269-->Asp in an attempt to rescue function, and two mutants with increased activity are identified and characterized. Mutant Thr266-->Gly/Met267-->Gly/Glu269-->Asp binds ligand with increased affinity and catalyzes active lactose transport with a marked increase in rate; however, little improvement in efflux or equilibrium exchange is observed. In contrast, mutant Gly262-->Ala/Glu269-->Asp exhibits no improvement in ligand binding but a small increase in the rate of active transport; however, an increase in the steady-state level of accumulation, as well as efflux and equilibrium exchange is observed. Remarkably, when the two sets of mutations are combined, all translocation reactions are rescued to levels approximating those of wild-type permease. The findings support the contention that Glu269 plays a pivotal role in the mechanism of lactose/H(+) symport. Moreover, the results suggest that the two classes of mutants rescue activity by altering the equilibrium between outwardly and inwardly facing conformations of the permease such that impaired protonation and/or H(+) transfer is enhanced from one side of the membrane or the other. When the two sets of mutants are combined, the equilibrium between outwardly and inwardly facing conformations and thus protonation and H(+) transfer are restored.