cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple spatial scales affect direct and indirect interactions between a non-native and a native species

Plant–plant interactions influence community assembly and species responses to environmental change. However, species interactions are complex phenomena influenced by context and scale. We conducted a one-year replacement experiment between two grasses in subtropical grasslands (native Axonopus fissifolius and non-native Paspalum notatum) in central Florida, USA. We evaluated interactions between these species at three ecological scales, ‘pairwise interactions,’ ‘patch’ (33 cm × 33 cm), and ‘plot’ (1 m x 3 m) and along a gradient (15 levels) of increasing non-native and decreasing native plot ground cover within enclosures in semi-native pastures. We transplanted 18 individuals of each species per plot (18 × 30 plots = 1080 plants in total) in a 2 × 2 design intersecting direct pairwise interactions (additional transplanted neighbor: absent/present) with recipient patch type (Axonopus fissifolius/Paspalum notatum). Leaf length, leaf number, and plant biomass were measured at the beginning and the end of the experiment along with soil nutrients and pH at patch level. Over 92% of the transplants survived. We observed an interactive effect between patch type (non-native vs. native dominated) and plant abundance at plot level on plant performance, suggesting that indirect effects at larger spatial scales can influence effects at smaller scales. Surprisingly, both species exhibited enhanced performance with increasing abundance of the non-native species at plot level. We discuss several mechanisms explaining these indirect effects including Paspalum notatum-induced changes in soil pH, soil feedbacks from the soil microbial community, preconditioning effects of the native species on the recipient soil, and positive density dependence effects after transplantation.
DETECTION OF UNAUTHORIZED CONSTRUCTION EQUIPMENT IN PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAYS

Natural gas transmission companies mark the right-of-way areas where pipelines are buried with warning signs to prevent accidental third-party damage. Nevertheless, pipelines are sometimes damaged by third-party construction equipment. A single incident can be devastating, causing death and millions of dollars of property loss. This damage would be prevented if potentially hazardous construction equipment could be detected, identified, and an alert given before the pipeline was damaged. The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) is developing a system to solve this problem by using an optical fiber as a distributed sensor and interrogating the fiber with a custom optical time domain reflectometer. Key issues are the ability to detect encroachment and the ability to discriminate among potentially hazardous and benign encroachments. The work continues on improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the technique. We are now able to detect weights sitting on the Hergalite fiber of as low as 0.2 pound. Detection of load fluctuations with frequencies greater than 1 Hertz is also possible. We have also purchased a brighter diode laser for use with the multimode fibers that should improve our sensitivity by a factor of ten.
Power Limited Channels: Coding, Multiaccess, and Spread Spectrum

This is a slightly edited version of a paper written, but not published, in the mid-eighties. Its age is symbolic of my much older friendship and respect for Dave Forney, and it is dedicated to that friendship. It’s age should not be taken as any claim for precedence of the results, but merely to excuse the lack of up-to-date references.
High functionality of a polymer nanocomposite material for MEMS applications

We present on a carbon nanoparticle-filled SU-8 photosensitive polymer nanocomposite for use in microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) or microsystems. Exposure and fabrication of the material was carried out using X-ray lithography. The polymer nanocomposite was studied for its electrical, thermal and mechanical characteristics. It was found that at low filler weight percentages, the SU-8 polymer became electrically and thermally conductive. A comparative study of the lithography performance of this functionalized SU-8 to pure SU-8 was also performed. It was determined that UV lithography of the PNC was not suitable for thick films and that by using X-rays, thick film high-aspect-ratio microstructures were achievable. Such results are favorable for many applications such as monolithically integrated polymeric micro-resistive heating elements and polymeric micro-heat sinks.
An operational, real-time forecasting system for 250 MW of PV power using NWP, satellite, and DG production data

We developed a real-time PV power forecasting system for Tucson Electric Power using a combination of high-resolution numerical weather prediction, satellite imagery, distributed generation (DG) production data, and irradiance sensors. The system provides forecasts with 10 second resolution for the first 30 minutes and 3 minute resolution out to 3 days. Forecasts out to 30 minutes are updated every 60 seconds based on new data from DG installations and irradiance sensors.
Phase diagram studies of the systems KCl-K3MoCl6 and LiCl-K3MoCl6

Systemes de sels fondus employes comme electrolytes dans le depot electrolytique du molybdene. Discussion de resultats anterieurs
An event worth celebrating

Modern society rests on a technological base created by engineering and science that has profoundly affected our economic, social, spiritual, and physical environments. We stand on the threshold of an “expansion of our humanity.” To pass over, a value system is required that strongly emphasizes the “why” and “what” as well as the “how” of technology
Ion beam processing of LiNbO3

Ion implantation and ion beam mixing have been investigated as alternative techniques to hightemperature diffusion for introducing dopants into LiNbO3. Heavy ion bombardment at both 77 and 300 K initiated a near-surface decomposition causing Li to diffuse to the surface where it formed a nonuniform agglomerate. The damage and annealing characteristics of this effect were studied by ion scattering/channeling, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and optical microscopy. The origins of the surface decomposition are discussed along with possible solutions, and selected samples were evaluated for waveguide properties.
Anticoagulation and high dose liver radiation: a preliminary report.

Two groups of patients were observed for evidence of acute radiation hepatitis during high dose radiation to the liver. The first group of 18 patients with metastatic liver disease received an average of 4,050 rad to the whole liver. Half received anticoagulation with warfarin. One patient on anticoagulation developed evidence of acute radiation hepatitis while 2 patients did so without anticoagulation. Eleven patients with Hodgkin's disease received 4,000 rad to the left lobe of the liver during extended field radiation. Four of these 11 patients were anticoagulated to therapeutic range. Only one of the fully anticoagulated patients showed changes on liver scan consistent with radiation hepatitis whereas three did so without anticoagulation. No serious sequelae from anticoagulation occurred in either group. These preliminary data suggest that anticoagulation may be safely administered with high dose hepatic radiation and that further trials with anticoagulation are warranted.
Single-dose pharmacokinetics of sublingual versus oral administration of micronized 17β-estradiol

Objective: To investigate the pharmacokinetic profiles of different doses of micronized 17β-estradiol administered by oral or sublingual routes. Methods: Single doses of micronized 17β-estradiol were administered orally (1 mg, 0.5 mg) or sublingually (1 mg, 0.5 mg, 0.25 mg) to six postmenopausal women in a randomized clinical trial. We calculated pharmacokinetic parameters for estradiol (E2) and estrone (E1) of maximum serum concentration, time to maximum serum concentration, terminal half-life, area under the concentration curve, and oral clearance. Serum levels of E1 sulfate also were compared at 4, 12, and 24 hours after dosing. Results: Sublingual administration resulted in rapid absorption with significantly higher E2 levels than did comparable oral dosing. Estrone levels did not vary with route of administration but correlated with the dosage administered. Estrone sulfate levels correlated with the dosage administratered and also tended to be higher with sublingual administration. Sublingual administration resulted in a significantly lower E1 to E2 ratio during the 24 hours than did oral administration. Conclusion: Sublingual administration of micronized 17β-estradiol results in a rapid, burst-like absorption into the systemic circulation, yielding high E2 levels that fall rapidly over the first 6 hours.
Family psychosocial risk screening guided by the Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model (PPPHM) using the Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT)

AbstractBackground. Although families of children with cancer and other serious medical conditions have documented psychosocial needs, the systematic identification of needs and delivery of evidence-based care remain challenges. Screening for multifaceted family psychosocial risk is a means by which psychosocial treatment needs for pediatric patients and their families can be identified in an effective and inclusive manner.Material and methods. The Pediatric Psychosocial Preventative Health Model (PPPHM) is a model that can guide systematic assessment of family psychosocial risk. The Psychosocial Assessment Tool (PAT) is a brief parent report screener of psychosocial risk based on the PPPHM that can be used for families of infants through adolescents. The PPPHM and the PAT are described in this paper, along with a summary of data supporting systematic risk assessment.Results. The PPPHM outlines three tiers of family psychosocial risk – Universal (low), Targeted (medium), and Clinical (high). The PAT is a ...
Cadmium Exposure and Hypertension in the 1999–2004 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES)

IntroductionCadmium induces hypertension in animal models. Epidemiologic studies of cadmium exposure and hypertension, however, have been inconsistent.ObjectiveWe aimed to investigate the associati...
A hodge-type decomposition for commutative algebra cohomology

Abstract The Hochschild cohomology of a commutative algebra A of characteristic zero, with coefficients in a symmetric module M, decomposes into a direct sum Hn (A, M) = H1, n−1 + ∣ + Hn,0, where Hi, n−i is the eigenspace for the eigenvalue 2i−2 of the ‘shuffle operator‘ sn. Harrison's cohomology is H1. (=Σi H1, i). Replacing every module in a long exact sequence 0→M→M n ∣→M 1 a A→0 of A-bimodules (with Mi not necessarily symmetric) by its opposite induces an involution, op, on H.. This is an automorphism of the cup product when M = A. The set of fixed elements is the direct sum of Hi. when i even.
Thermodynamics of Lewis acid-base mixtures

The associated perturbed-anisotropic-chain theory (APACT) has been applied to treat multicomponent mixtures, in which components exhibit Lewis acid-base interactions. Mixtures of amphoteric molecules 5such as alcohols), acidic molecules (such as chloroform), and basic molecules (such as ketones) as well as non associating components (diluents) are treated.
Hypermutation of the MYC gene in diffuse large cell lymphomas with translocations involving band 8q24.

The sequence of the exon 1/intron 1 boundary region of the MYC gene was determined in two diffuse large cell lymphomas (DLCL), one with t(8;14) (q24;q32) and the other with t(8;22) (q24;q11). Both tumors had multiple mutations in this region. Also, both tumors had mutations in the protein binding site in intron I, which is a frequent target for mutational inactivation in endemic Burkitt's lymphoma (eBL). The translocations at 8q24, and multiple mutations in the exon 1/intron 1 boundary region, are reminiscent of similar findings in eBL. The same underlying oncogenic event that occurs in most eBLs is thus found in some DLCLs. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Diabetes-induced neuroendocrine changes in rats: role of brain monoamines, insulin and leptin.

Diabetes is characterized by hyperphagia, polydypsia and activation of the HPA axis. However, the mechanisms by which diabetes produces these effects are not clear. This study was conducted to examine the effects of diabetes on the neuroendocrine system and to see if treatment with insulin and/or leptin is capable of reversing these effects. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic adult male rats were subjected to the following treatments: vehicle, insulin (2 U/day, s.c.), leptin (100 μg/kg BW) or leptin+insulin every day for 2 weeks. Food intake, water intake, and body weight were monitored daily. We measured changes in monoamine concentrations in discrete nuclei of the hypothalamus at the end of treatment. Diabetes produced a marked increase in food intake and water intake and this effect was completely reversed by insulin treatment and partially reversed by leptin treatment (P<0.05). Diabetes caused an increase in norepinephrine (NE) concentrations in the paraventricular nucleus with a concurrent increase in serum corticosterone. Treatment with insulin and leptin completely reversed these effects. Induction of diabetes also increased the concentrations of NE, dopamine and serotonin in the arcuate nucleus and NE concentrations in the lateral hypothalamus, ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) and suprachiasmatic nucleus (P<0.05). Although insulin treatment was capable of reversing all these changes, leptin treatment was unable to decrease diabetes-induced increase in NE concentrations in the VMH. These data provide evidence that hypothalamic monoamines could mediate the neuroendocrine effects of diabetes and that insulin and leptin act as important signals in this process.
Statistical characterization and segmentation of drusen in fundus images

Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD) is a disease of the retina associated with aging. AMD progression in patients is characterized by drusen, pigmentation changes, and geographic atrophy, which can be seen using fundus imagery. The level of AMD is characterized by standard scaling methods, which can be somewhat subjective in practice. In this work we propose a statistical image processing approach to segment drusen with the ultimate goal of characterizing the AMD progression in a data set of longitudinal images. The method characterizes retinal structures with a statistical model of the colors in the retina image. When comparing the segmentation results of the method between longitudinal images with known AMD progression and those without, the method detects progression in our longitudinal data set with an area under the receiver operating characteristics curve of 0.99.
Gender differences in environmental concern among college students

The debate over gender differences in environmental concern is sharply divided. One set of theories expects women to be more environmentally concerned than men while another set expects the opposite to be true. This study, based on a random sample of college students at a medium-sized midwestern university, tests the impact of gender on environmental concern while controlling for class standing and family income. The sample used in the final analysis consisted of 340 white students and 25 nonwhite students. Males were found to be slightly more likely than females to express environmental concern. Theoretical refinements regarding the effects of gender are drawn from marginality theory, and the overall relevance of gender is addressed.
Redox-Optimized ROS Balance and the relationship between mitochondrial respiration and ROS

The Redox-Optimized ROS Balance [R-ORB] hypothesis postulates that the redox environment [RE] is the main intermediary between mitochondrial respiration and reactive oxygen species [ROS]. According to R-ORB, ROS emission levels will attain a minimum vs. RE when respiratory rate (VO2) reaches a maximum following ADP stimulation, a tenet that we test herein in isolated heart mitochondria under forward electron transport [FET]. ROS emission increased two-fold as a function of changes in the RE (~400 to ~900mV·mM) in state 4 respiration elicited by increasing glutamate/malate (G/M). In G/M energized mitochondria, ROS emission decreases two-fold for RE ~500 to ~300mV·mM in state 3 respiration at increasing ADP. Stressed mitochondria released higher ROS, that was only weakly dependent on RE under state 3. As a function of VO2, the ROS dependence on RE was strong between ~550 and ~350mV·mM, when VO2 is maximal, primarily due to changes in glutathione redox potential. A similar dependence was observed with stressed mitochondria, but over a significantly more oxidized RE and ~3-fold higher ROS emission overall, as compared with non-stressed controls. We conclude that under non-stressful conditions mitochondrial ROS efflux decreases when the RE becomes less reduced within a range in which VO2 is maximal. These results agree with the R-ORB postulate that mitochondria minimize ROS emission as they maximize VO2 and ATP synthesis. This relationship is altered quantitatively, but not qualitatively, by oxidative stress although stressed mitochondria exhibit diminished energetic performance and increased ROS release.
Hepatic L-glutamate dehydrogenase: changes in activity and kinetic properties in response to small molecules.

Abstract A marked increase in the activity of l -glutamate dehydrogenase was observed when liver slices were incubated in the presence of malate, lactate, glutamate, or α-ketoglutarate. This increased activity was insensitive to both actinomycin D and puromycin. The GDH of perfused rat liver and of liver homogenates was also activated when Earle's balanced salt solution containing malate was utilized as perfusate or diluent. The endogenous and activated forms of the enzyme differed in several kinetic properties (Km, analogue reactivity, and citrate effects), but not their electrophoretic properties. The increased GDH activity and concomitant complete loss of AlaDH activity suggest that malate is effecting a conformational change in the enzyme subunits.
Trait Canalization Analysis of Water Quality, Temperature, and Developmental Associations with Early Life Stages of Two Fish Species

Evaluation of trait robustness based on environmental fluctuation in ontogenetic life stages are needed to evaluate stability and trait response during critical developmental events. Hardness, alkalinity, acidity, light intensity, and thermal differences were studied for trait canalization variation in morphometric, meristic, ontogenetic processes, and pigment characteristics. Trait canalization was observed with no statistical differences (p > 0.05) in mixed random two-way ANOVA comparisons between various block and treatment effects for hardness, alkalinity or acidity. Thermal block variation differences in six measures, including mandible length, yolk sac length, midpostanal depth, and head width, incubation, and hatching length, varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) with declining temperatures. Water quality and thermal attributes exhibited trait canalization and did not increase character state variation in the early life stage morphological expression, which result in stable phenotypic inheritance rather than variable environmental conditions during embryonic and larval development.
Variant lateral medullary syndrome in a patient presenting with inability to swallow.

A 55-year-old man with hypertension was drinking a soda when he felt a sudden “hot flash” and began gagging. Unable to finish his drink or even swallow his own saliva, he presented to the emergency department with dysphagia as his sole complaint. His examination showed left-sided ptosis, absent gag reflex, and decreased sensation to pinprick on the right side of his face, arm, and down to the T8 dermatome on the right side of his chest. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a left lateral medullary infarction (Figure 1). This case illustrates an atypical variant lateral medullary syndrome with contralateral face, arm, and trunk sensory loss (Figure 2). The unusual pattern of sensory loss is likely due to selective involvement of the ventromedial portion of the lateral medulla, involving the ascending secondary trigeminal tract and medial spinothalamic tract. The leg sensory fibers, which have a more lateral somatotopic distribution, were spared.1,2 Figure 1. Diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance image (MRI) taken on admission revealing a left medullary infarction. Figure 2. Resulting area of sensory loss (gray) in the right face, arm, and trunk.
A statistical search for supermetallicity in F, G and K stars

High-dispersion and low-resolution data are combined to search for super-metal-rich (SMR) FGK stars in the solar neighbourhood and Baade's Window. The data are assessed by using statistical analysis, with their rms errorsplaying a key role. A star is considered to be SMR if its value of [Fe/H] > +0.2 dex, while 'borderline' SMR status may be assigned if +0.1 < [Fe/H] ≤ +0.2 dex. Borderline SMR status is assigned to μ Leo and three other giants, but no full-fledged SMR giants are found in either Baade's Window or the solar neighbourhood. By contrast, the existence of SMR class IV-V stars turns out to be well established, with values found for [Fe/H] that are as large as ∼+0.4 dex. It is concluded that this apparent contrast between class IV-V stars and giants should not be interpreted in astrophysical terms at present because of marked shortcomings in the available data base for giants. Recommendations are made about future research that may cure this problem and extend present knowledge about SMR dwarfs.
Analysis of Undercooling, Nucleation, Rapid Solidification, and Microstructure Formation in Thermal Spraying

A splat formation model including undercooling, nucleation, and non-equilibrium solidification has been developed to study the thermal characteristics of molten droplets impacting on a flat substrate. The nucleation sub-model is based on the classic nucleation theory accounting for heterogeneous nucleation kinetic and crystal growth. The effects of contact angle on nucleation temperature and grain density have been investigated. The grain size distributions have been predicted and compared with experimental results for molybdenum (Mo) splats on different substrates. Based on scaling analysis, time scales of various sub-processes, e.g., the nucleation delay, recalesence, and total solidification time, have been derived, and compared with simulation results.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Quantification of Vitamin D Receptor mRNA by Competitive Polymerase Chain Reaction in PBMC: Lack of Correspondence with Common Allelic Variants

It has been recently claimed that polymorphism for the vitamin D receptor (VDR) influences several aspects of calcium and bone metabolism. To evaluate the physiologic plausibility of these claims, we compared the abundance of the VDR mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) between different VDR genotypes using a quantitative reverse transcribed polymerase chain reaction–based method. The method is based on the coamplification of VDR cDNA and an internal standard consisting of known concentrations of a human VDR CDNA mutated at a BglII restriction site; the interassay coefficient of variation is 11%. To validate the method, we made use of earlier receptor binding studies indicating that normal human monocytes and activated, but not resting, lymphocytes expressed the VDR. The concentration of the VDR mRNA was 10−8 to 10−7 g/g of total RNA in cell-sorted monocytes and in in vitro activated lymphocytes, but only 10−12 g/g of total mRNA in resting lymphocytes, establishing that the VDR mRNA determined by our method in PBMCs is due to constitutive expression in monocytes. Following an initial genotype screening of 85 normal volunteers by polymerase chain reaction or restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, 14 individuals with the Bb genotype, 12 with the bb genotype, and 12 with the BB genotype were selected. The concentration of the VDR mRNA, corrected for the number of monocytes, was similar among the three genotype groups, as were the other variables examined: serum calcitriol, serum osteocalcin, and vertebral and hip bone density. We conclude that VDR polymorphism does not affect the abundance of the VDR mRNA.
The time course of object encoding

Abstract Four experiments examined the effects of encoding time on object identification priming and recognition memory. After viewing objects in a priming phase, participants identified objects in a rapid stream of non-object distracters; display times were gradually increased until the objects could be identified (Experiments 1–3). Participants also made old/new recognition judgments about previously viewed objects (Experiment 4). Reliable priming for object identification occurred with 150 ms of encoding and reached a maximum after about 300 ms of encoding time. In contrast, reliable recognition judgments occurred with 75 ms of encoding and continued to improve for encoding times of up to 1200 ms. These results suggest that recognition memory may be based on multiple levels of object representation, from rapidly activated representations of low-level features to semantic knowledge associated with the object. In contrast, priming in this object identification task may be tied specifically to the activation of representations of object shape.
A review of postharvest disinfestation of cut flowers and foliage with special reference to tropicals

Abstract The commerce of floricultural commodities is very important to the economy of the producing locations. To protect the agriculture of consumer countries, import regulations require that the product be free of insects. Successful disinfestation eliminates the pest without damage to the commodity. Current postharvest approaches to disinfestation are hand removal, irradiation, fumigation, insecticidal dips, temperature treatments, and the use of biological control agents. In this review, the advantages, disadvantages and status of each method are discussed with examples provided.
The advent of open source unionism

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine innovative union use of the internet in the 2000s and to see whether the major union innovations in the USA and UK mark the advent of “open source” union structures.Design/methodology/approach – Reviews two important innovations, www.workingamerica.org and www.unionreps.org.uk Examines how they may fit with the open source union design.Findings – Both the AFL‐CIO and US union efforts to develop open source union forms and the TUC and UK union efforts to improve services to workers and members through the internet mark the advent of the open source union form. The two countries have different approaches to this innovation, which reflect the differing problems faced by unions in the USA and UK. In both countries, unions will have to find the appropriate mix of on‐line and off‐line activities to create stable open source organizations.Originality/value – No other paper has examined union use of the internet in terms of creating the new open source union form.
Space–time scaling behavior of rain statistics in a stochastic fractional diffusion model

Statistical properties of rain exhibit the interesting feature that they depend in a nontrivial way on the length and time scales over which rain rate is averaged. A quantitative understanding of this dependence can be utilized to relate statistics at different scales and is important for inter-comparison of rainfall data obtained from measuring devices with differing space–time resolutions. A stochastic dynamical model of rainfall based on a fractional diffusion type kinetic equation introduced earlier by the authors describes fairly well how the second moment statistics of area-averaged rain rate depend on the averaging length L and predicts a power law scaling behavior as L→0. The model pictures the correlation of the precipitation field as arising from two-dimensional Levy flights. The present paper extends the investigation to the full space–time covariance function of the precipitation field. In particular, a scaling regime is identified in which the various second moment statistics of area- and/or time-averaged rain field exhibit invariance under a combined rescaling of the space and time variables—a property known as dynamic scaling, the scaling exponent being identified with the Levy index. Although the space and time scales resolved in the radar data used to establish the model turn out to be too coarse for the dynamic scaling behavior to be experimentally demonstrated, we predict that it should be observable in high frequency rain gauge data from dense gauge networks.
Acute Postinfectious Glomerulonephritis in the Modern Era : Experience With 86 Adults and Review of the Literature

Acute postinfectious glomerulonephritis (APIGN) is uncommon in adults, and its incidence is progressively declining in developed countries. To our knowledge there are no modern North American series addressing epidemiology and outcome. Here we report the clinical and pathologic findings in 86 cases of adult APIGN diagnosed by renal biopsy in a large New York referral center between 1995 and 2005. The male:female ratio was 2:1, and mean age was 56 years, with 33.7% aged older than 64 years. Of the patients, 38.4% had an immunocompromised background, including diabetes (29.1%), malignancy (4.7%), alcoholism (2.3%), acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) (2.3%), and intravenous drug use (1.2%). The most common sites of infection were upper respiratory tract (23.3%), skin (17.4%), lung (17.4%), and heart/endocarditis (11.6%). The 2 most frequently identified infectious agents were streptococcus (27.9%) and staphylococcus (24.4%). Hypocomplementemia was present in 73.9% of patients. The most common histologic patterns were diffuse (72.1%), focal (12.8%), and mesangial (8.1%) proliferative glomerulonephritis. Outcome analysis was performed on the 52 patients with a follow-up of >/=3 months (mean, 25 mo). Among the 41 patients without underlying diabetic glomerulosclerosis, 23 (56.1%) achieved complete remission, 11 (26.8%) had persistent renal dysfunction, and 7 (17.1%) progressed to end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Of the 11 patients with underlying diabetic glomerulosclerosis, 2 (18.2%) had persistent renal dysfunction, and the remaining 9 (81.8%) progressed to ESRD (p < 0.001). In patients without underlying diabetic glomerulosclerosis, correlates of complete remission were younger age, female sex, lower serum creatinine at biopsy, and absence of immunocompromised state. By multivariate analysis, age and serum creatinine at biopsy inversely correlated with complete remission, and serum creatinine at biopsy was the only correlate with ESRD. Outcome did not correlate with any pathologic feature (including crescents) or steroid treatment. Diabetes and aging have emerged as major risk factors for adult APIGN. Full recovery of renal function can be expected in just over half of patients, and prognosis is dismal in those with underlying diabetic glomerulosclerosis.
cPLA2α knockout mice exhibit abnormalities in the architecture and synapses of cortical neurons

Cytosolic phospholipase A2α (cPLA2α) affects membrane fluidity and permeability by catalyzing the hydrolysis of membrane phospholipids. We hypothesize that cPLA2α deficiency induces rigidity and architectural changes in cell membranes, especially in large cortical neurons. These membrane changes are discernible using light and electron microscopy. Through careful comparison with wild-type counterparts, we observed significant morphological changes in cortical neurons of cPLA2α knockout mice. These changes included the following: (1) increased numbers of nucleoli and enlarged nuclei, (2) narrower spaces between the inner and outer nuclear membranes, (3) reduced numbers of nuclear pores and altered nuclear pore structure, and (4) morphological changes in synaptic clefts. These results further suggest that cPLA2α and its cleaved arachidonic acids play important roles in cortical neuronal maturation and in normal neurochemical processes.
Should cerebral ischemic events in cancer patients be considered a manifestation of hypercoagulability

Previous studies, mainly autopsy-based, suggest that the spectrum of stroke in cancer patients differs from that of the general population. These studies also suggest that cerebrovascular events frequently are a manifestation of hypercoagulability. However, no studies that address this question in the adult oncological population from a clinical perspective are available. We therefore assessed the clinical impact of cerebral ischemic events in cancer patients and attempted to determine whether their occurrence represents a manifestation of Trousseau's syndrome.A computerized database that records all neurological admissions and consultations at a tertiary medical center was used to retrospectively identify all patients with cerebral ischemic events and cancer.Thirty-three patients representing 3.5% of all stroke consultations and admissions seen at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center were identified during the period 1988 through 1992. Large-vessel atherosclerosis was the most frequent cause of...
Correlation between numerical dynamics and reproductive behavior in Cypripedium lentiginosum

Abstract Analysis on the numerical dynamics of populations has been widely used to study endangered species, and yet its application to China orchid is rare. By investigating biological characteristics and reproductive behavior of Cypripedium lentiginosum , an orchid endemic to Yunnan of China, the number of survivals in each age-class, the frequency and number of filial generations, and the reproductive behavior and mechanism were explored. The internal distribution pattern was figured out based on genet frequency. On the basis of the number of survivals in each age-class and the number of filial generations, the static life table and fecundity table of the populations were made, the survival curve and age pyramid were drawn, and the Leslie matrix model and the density-dependent growth model N t =658e 0.211 t were structured to predict numerical dynamics. Reproductive behavior and breeding strategy were analyzed by observing phenological characteristics and pollination biology. Based on these, we analyzed the relationship between the numerical dynamics and the reproductive behavior, as well as its internal distribution pattern and age pyramid. We found that C. lentiginosum showed a clumped dispersion distribution pattern, its age pyramid was pyramid-bell shaped, and its population survival exhibited a Deevey I shape. The net reproductive rate and the intrinsic and finite rates of increase for C. lentiginosum were comparatively high, indicating that the population was expanding. The population growth is affected by self-density, and the prediction model based on this factor is N t =6000/(1+e 2.094–0.211 t ), which is suitable for predicting the numerical dynamics of C. lentiginosum . The species are endowed with both asexual and sexual reproductions. The former, i.e., asexual reproduction, does not increase individual quantity, but sustains the current genetics of the populations and accumulates energy for sexual reproduction, while the latter, i.e., sexual reproduction, involves pollinating flowers by mimicking brood-sites to lure the hoverfly into the labellum, whose fruit set rate is 54.37%±6.08%. The fruits grow into sufficient young plants and most of them could live through the sexual reproduction stage. Sexual reproduction generates progeny many times over a long period, suggesting that this kind of reproductive mode is the main factor affecting the numerical dynamics of a population. The species' successful reproductive strategies and their impacts on the numerical dynamics in spatial and age distributions indicate that the population development of C. lentiginosum corresponds to its biological characteristics. Discontinuity and narrowness of growing space in the habitat are the main factors restricting population development. However, at present, the species does not need or will not prosper from ex-situ conservation.
Organizational politics and the strategic process

In this paper the relationship between organizational politics (OP), and company strategy and performance was explored. Data were collected from 55 manufacturing firms. Controlling for company assets and industry type, OP intensity was associated with various stages of the strategic process. In addition, it was negatively associated with overall company performance. These results were corroborated by canonical analysis. Another important finding was that the stage of company evolution moderates the OP-strategic process relationship. Finally, future research directions and implications for managerial behavior and ethics have been clarified.
Dietary astaxanthin supplementation for hatchery-cultured red king crab, Paralithodes camtschaticus, juveniles

We conducted large-scale production trials in Seward, Alaska, USA to investigate effects of dietary astaxanthin supplementation on survival, growth and shell colouration of recently settled juvenile (C1–C4) red king crabs (Paralithodes camtschaticus). We supplemented a control diet of commercial crustacean feeds with astaxanthin, and fed these diets to juvenile king crabs at densities of 2000 and 4000 crabs m−2 for 56 days. We assessed survival and growth by counting crabs and individually measuring carapace width and weighing crabs at the start and end of the experiment, and quantified crab colour (hue, saturation, brightness) in digital photographs. Diets containing astaxanthin had higher survival, suggesting that astaxanthin may provide nutritional or immune system benefits. Crabs had lower hue, higher saturation and lower brightness values when fed diets containing astaxanthin, suggesting that red king crab colouration is plastic and responds to diet. Astaxanthin is likely an important dietary component for hatchery or laboratory reared red king crab juveniles, and should be considered for aquaculture and other rearing of this and possibly other crustacean species.
Detailed mitochondrial phenotyping by high resolution metabolomics.

Mitochondrial phenotype is complex and difficult to define at the level of individual cell types. Newer metabolic profiling methods provide information on dozens of metabolic pathways from a relatively small sample. This pilot study used “top-down” metabolic profiling to determine the spectrum of metabolites present in liver mitochondria. High resolution mass spectral analyses and multivariate statistical tests provided global metabolic information about mitochondria and showed that liver mitochondria possess a significant phenotype based on gender and genotype. The data also show that mitochondria contain a large number of unidentified chemicals.
Whistleblowing in probation departments

Abstract Qualitative data were used to describe and analyze four incidents of whistleblowing in California probation departments. Probation officers were drawn into acts of protest by an organizational environment that discouraged upward communication. An important research finding was that in deciding to act, probation officers were not significantly influenced by their perceptions of effectiveness. The insights developed in this study are important for understanding the whistleblowing process and the organizational climate found in probation departments. The latter is particularly salient in light of a recent Rand report, which indicated that probation in California has been unsuccessful in reducing recidivism by felony offenders.
Vulnerable infected populations and street markets for ARVs: Potential implications for PrEP rollout in the USA

Widespread diversion of antiretroviral (ARV) medications to illicit markets has recently been documented among indigent patients in South Florida. The recent approval of ARVs for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has the potential to broaden these illicit markets, as high-risk individuals seek ARVs without a prescription or medical supervision. Nonadherence among diverters and unsupervised use of ARVs for treatment or PrEP increase risks of treatment failure, drug resistance, and disease transmission. We report the scope of ARV diversion among substance-using men who have sex with men in South Florida. Structured interviews (N = 515) queried demographics, HIV status, mental distress, substance dependence, and sexual risks. HIV-positive participants answered questions about medical care, treatment, and ARV adherence and diversion. Median age was 39. Of 46.4% who were HIV-positive, 79.1% were prescribed ARVs. Of these, 27% reported selling/trading ARVs. Reasons for diversion were sharing/trading with friends, sale/trade for money/drugs, and sale/trade of unused medications. ARV diverters, compared to nondiverters, were more likely to be substance dependent (74.5% vs. 58.7%, p = 0.046) and have traded sex for money/drugs (60.8% vs. 32.6%, p < 0.001), and less likely to be adherent to ARVs (54.9% vs. 73.9%, p = 0.012). ARV diversion should be a particular concern in communities of high-risk men who have sex with men as uninfected men in such communities are likely to benefit most from PrEP but unlikely to have access to PrEP and necessary ancillary services through the health-care system. The implications of diversion for increased risks of treatment failure, disease transmission, and PrEP failure should be carefully considered in developing policy and behavioral supports to scaling up treatment as prevention and PrEP.
The effect of marital status, income, age and other variables on insolvency in the U.S.A.

The prodiction of insolvency among U.S. households was the focus of this study with the use of data drawn from the Surveys of Consumer Finance1.2 which were sponsored by the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. Analysis of panel data for a random sample of 1,934 households showed that age of the household head had a negative relationship with insolvency while income had a strong, negative effect. In the first period (1983), married couples had lower predicted insolvency rates than other household types. In the second period (1984), the relationship between marital status and insolvency was not as clear, but married couples with children had substantially lower predicted insolvency than did single-parent households.
Protein Adducts of Iso[4]levuglandin E2, a Product of the Isoprostane Pathway, in Oxidized Low Density Lipoprotein

Levuglandin (LG) E2, a cytotoxic seco prostanoic acid co-generated with prostaglandins by nonenzymatic rearrangements of the cyclooxygenase-derived endoperoxide, prostaglandin H2, avidly binds to proteins. That LGE2-protein adducts can also be generated nonenzymatically is demonstrated by their production during free radical-induced oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL). Like oxidized LDL, LGE2-LDL, but not native LDL, undergoes receptor-mediated uptake and impaired processing by macrophage cells. Since radical-induced lipid oxidation produces isomers of prostaglandins, isoprostanes (isoPs), via endoperoxide intermediates, we postulated previously that a similar family of LG isomers, isoLGs, is cogenerated with isoPs. Now iso[4]LGE2-protein epitopes produced by radical-induced oxidation of arachidonic acid in the presence of protein were detected with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Iso[4]LGE2-protein epitopes are also generated during free radical-induced oxidation of LDL. All of the LGE2 isomers generated upon oxidation of LDL are efficiently sequestered by covalent adduction with LDL-based amino groups. The potent electrophilic reactivity of iso-LGs can be anticipated to have biological consequences beyond their obvious potential as markers for specific arachidonate-derived protein modifications that may be of value for the quantitative assessment of oxidative injury.
Disposition of octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) in male rats.

Abstract Octachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (OCDD) is a widespread environmental contaminant which has been reported to be nontoxic after acute administration. The disposition of [14C]OCDD was studied in male Fischer 344 rats in order to better assess the significance of chronic environmental exposure to OCDD. Rats were treated with 50 μg OCDD/kg iv, and 50, 500, or 5000 μg/kg po and held in individual metabolism cages for 3 days. Additional rats treated iv were held up to 56 days to follow elimination of OCDD-derived radioactivity and to determine terminal tissue distribution. Feces was the major route of elimination after both routes of exposure with little radioactivity ever appearing in the urine. Gastrointestinal absorption was nonlinear between 500 and 5000 μg/kg, never exceeding 10% of the administered dose. Liver was the major depot, followed by adipose tissue and skin. No metabolites of OCDD were detected in tissues, bile, or excreta. The whole-body half-life for the elimination of OCDD was between 3 and 5 months. Repeated oral exposure resulted in linear accumulation of OCDD in the tissues. Thus, OCDD, while poorly absorbed, can accumulate upon low-dose, repeated exposure and concentrate in the liver and adipose tissue.
Effects of woodchips and buried food on behavior patterns and psychological well-being of captive rhesus monkeys.

The effects of adding woodchip litter to bare-floored pens, burying monkey chow in the woodchips, and scattering sunflower seeds in woodchips was studied in 2 stable social groups of rhesus macaques (Macaca mulatta) to ascertain the effects of these manipulations on levels of foraging, exploration, abnormal behavior, social interactions, and urinary cortisol levels. The addition of woodchips increased exploration and feeding levels and decreased social interactions. Burial of regular monkey chow in woodchips had little effect on behavior beyond that of the woodchips alone, increasing exploration and decreasing passivity. The addition of sunflower seeds to the woodchips encouraged increased feeding and exploration and led to decreases in passivity and social interaction. There was little discernible effect of woodchip enrichment on urinary cortisol values. In contrast to some previous studies, there was no effect of wood chips or sunflower seeds on the occurrence of agonistic interactions, play, or abnormal behavior patterns.
Inflammation, Mucous Cell Metaplasia, and Bcl-2 Expression in Response to Inhaled Lipopolysaccharide Aerosol and Effect of Rolipram

Our previous studies have characterized the inflammatory response of intratracheally instilled lipopolysaccharides (LPS) in F344/N rats. To better reflect the environmentally relevant form of LPS exposure, the present study evaluated the inflammatory response of F344/N rats exposed to LPS by inhalation. Rats were exposed by nose-only inhalation to aerosolized LPS at a median particle diameter of 1 μm and a dose range from 0.08 to 480 μg. Animals were euthanized 72 h post exposure and the inflammatory cell counts and differentials, the cytokine/chemokine levels in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the changes in intraepithelial stored mucosubstances, mucous cells per mm basal lamina, and Bcl-2-positive mucous cells were quantified. We observed a dose-dependent increase reaching maximum values at the 75 μg LPS dose for the numbers of neutrophils, macrophages and lymphocytes, for the levels of IL-6, IL-1α, IL-1β, TNFα, MCP-1 and GRO-KC. In addition, mucous cell metaplasia and the percentage of Bcl-2-positive mucous cells were increased with an increasing deposited LPS dose. When rats were treated with the phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE4) inhibitor, rolipram (10mg/kg), prior to exposure to aerosolized LPS neutrophil numbers in the BAL were reduced at 8h but not at 24 or 72 h post LPS exposure. These results demonstrate that exposure to aerosolized LPS resulted in a more potent inflammatory response at lower doses and that inflammation was more uniformly distributed throughout the lung compared to inflammation caused by intratracheal LPS instillation. Therefore, this animal model will be useful for screening efficacy of anti-inflammatory drugs.