cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activity of Head Muscles During Feeding by Snakes: A Comparative Study

The adaptive radiation of colubroid snakes has involved the development of numerous prey capture specializations combined with conservation of a swallowing mechanism characterized by independent movements of the right and left toothed bones of the skull. Synchronized electromyographic and cinematographic recordings of swallowing in Nerodia, Elaphe, Heterodon and Agkistrodon , four diverse genera of colubroid snakes, allow a preliminary evaluation of the relationship between prey capture and swallowing. The results indicate that the movements of the palatopterygoid bar and advance of the mandible as closing of the jaws begins as well as patterns of muscle activity producing these movements are similar among the four genera. Conversely, the patterns of activity of external adductors and, to some extent, the depressor mandibulae differ among the four genera sampled. Analyses of bone movements during swallowing suggest that swallowing is effected primarily by the palatopterygoid bars. The mandibles and their connecting soft tissues mainly press the prey against the palatopterygoid teeth. The mandibular teeth evidently play little active role in swallowing. Also, the maxilla, which displays considerable morphological diversity among colubroid snakes, has little independent or direct function in swallowing, its teeth rarely contacting the prey. The data suggest that the heads of colubroid snakes have evolved two partially separated structural-functional units, a medial swallowing unit and a lateral prey capture unit.
Facilitatory effects of pituitary transplants on intraspecific aggression in female hamsters

Abstract To help clarify the relationship between prolactin (PRL) secretion and aggression in the hamster, the aggressiveness of ovariectomized females given two ectopically grafted pituitary glands was compared to that of ovariectomized control females which underwent a sham transplantation procedure. In a series of three neutral territory tests with male partners, female-initiated attacks, chasing, and fighting were more frequent in the pituitary-grafted group than in the controls. Male partners of pituitary-grafted females responded by exhibiting more submissive behavior than did males paired with control females. In a final test in which pituitary-grafted females were paired with control female partners, control females were found to be more submissive and less aggressive than experimentals despite a significant body weight advantage. These results demonstrate a facilitatory effect of pituitary transplantation on aggression which is independent of gonadal hormones. Because an association between heightened aggressiveness and reported elevations in PRL secretion is observed in pituitary-grafted females and in pregnant and lactating females, these findings lend further support to the hypothesis that PRL promotes aggression during the hamster reproductive cycle.
A method of teaching clinical research in a community hospital residency program.

Abstract Background: To provide clinical research experience in community hospital programs, we integrated research training with the daily work of surgical residency. Methods: Teaching conferences and daily care of patients served as a source of projects. Emphasizing team work, high-yield projects are assigned to principal resident investigators, who lead a project team. Regular meetings with the faculty provides guidance and supervision, working to meet an abstract deadline. Results: Over a 3-year period, 10 of 16 trainees participated in at least one project. Thirteen projects were presented at national meetings and 13 articles (including 6 from presentations) were published. Three projects were abandoned for lack of progress, and 5 manuscripts have been rejected. Conclusion: The integrated program trains multiple residents/projects with low requirements in space and funding, but high demands of organization and faculty time.
Paclitaxel (Taxol) treatment for refractory ovarian cancer: phase II clinical trial.

Objective : Our aim was to determine the efficacy and toxicity of paclitaxel in the treatment of refractory and platinum-resistant epithelial ovarian cancer. Study Design : Eligibility required three prior failed chemotherapy regimens and documented platinum resistance. One hundred patients with advanced ovarian cancer received paclitaxel 135 mg/m 2 over 24 hours every 21 days with optional granulocyte colony-stimulating factor support. Results : Paclitaxel was generally well tolerated. In four patients bowel perforation or fistula developed. After three cycles 34% of patients had stable disease and 25% of patients demonstrated a response, either partial or complete. After six cycles 24% of patients continued to respond. To date six patients have achieved a complete response. Conclusion : A 25% response rate in patients with refractory ovarian cancer was observed which was durable to six cycles.
Dynamics of the Pacific Equatorial Dry Zone

The circulation mechanisms instrumental in the origin of the Pacific equatorial dry zone are studied from a combination of data sources. A triple structure of convergence zones enclosing a near-equatorial zone of surface divergence is well developed only in March-April. Over the eastern Pacific the divergence band is centered to the north of the equator. Downstream acceleration and meridional divergence in the cross-equatorial flow from the southern hemisphere result from the rightward directed and northward increasing Coriolis acceleration. Upper-tropospheric convergence and subsidence along the equator is compensated by divergence in the realm of the Equatorial Mid-Tropospheric Easterly Jet. While not feeding the divergence near the surface, the subsidence throughout the mid troposphere is unconducive to deep convection and may thus also contribute to the scarcity of cloudiness. Proceeding from the eastern towards the central Pacific, the mid-tropospheric jet vanishes, the cross-equatorial surface airflow fades out, and concordant with the axis of smallest upward motion the divergence maximum and cloudiness minimum shift to south of the equator.
Simulating remotely sensed images of shoaling waves

There is substantial current interest in the use of remotely sensed images to study littoral processes. Of particular interest is using the interaction of the ocean waves with the bottom to infer the water depth in coastal areas. Testing the accuracy of processing and analysis methods requires a known set of bottom depths at many points in the images to compare with depths extracted. Such knowledge is not available for most near-shore areas. Consequently, we have developed a simulator which produces a time series of images showing sea surface elevation for waves moving over a specified piecewise linear bottom of moderate slope. It provides a good approximation to the real sea surface for a wide range of conditions. Hence it can produce controlled datasets for many purposes in shallow-water research. The program uses linear wave theory to model a statistical realization of a deep-water wave field, with a realistic frequency spectrum and directional spreading, and applies the appropriate modifications for shoaling. Several examples show that the program produces reasonable results, indicating it should be a useful analytical tool in a range of problems.
Equilibrium swelling properties of weakly lonizable 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA)‐based hydrogels

Hydrogles, sensitive to pH, were prepared by copolymerizing 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) with 2-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMA). The mole fraction of the DMA monomer present during synthesis was fixed at 0.3, while the volume fraction of total monomer varied from 0.29 (I) to 1.0 (II). Swelling equilibria were measured in citrate of phosphate buffer for pH from 3.0 to 7.6 Swelling of the hydrogels depends on the volume fraction monomer present during synthesis, solution, pH, and identity of the buffer, Hydrogel I reached a four-fold larger swelling ratio (g swollen hydrogel/g dry hydrogel) in pH 3.0 citrate buffer, as compared to hydrogel II. Experimental results are interpreted on the basis of ideal Donnan equilibria. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Sources of sediment to the Neuse River estuary, North Carolina

Abstract The Neuse River estuary is part of the large Albemarle/Pamlico estuarine/lagoonal system (APES) of North Carolina. Exchange between the APES and the open ocean is restricted to inlets in the Outer Banks barrier islands. Freshwater discharge of the Neuse River is low in relation to the size of its estuary, so that the estuary is normally brackish over most of the area which accumulates fine-grained sediments. Mud (silt + clay) accumulation rates are low (⩽ 6 mm year−1). From the mud distribution and the dynamics of suspended sediment in the estuary it has been inferred that the Neuse retains fines efficiently, with probable episodic (high discharge) losses seaward, to Pamlico Sound. As part of a study of particle transport, deposition, and accumulation in the Neuse estuary, we have collected radiochemical data (10 cores) and chemical data (seven cores) on sediment cores from the main channel of the estuary between New Bern, North Carolina and the estuary mouth. K/Al increases in the lower estuary, consistent with earlier reports of increasing illite in the clay fraction. Landward transport of sediment from Pamlico Sound is the most plausible explanation for the increasing K/Al (illite). A marine sediment source may, therefore, be important for the lower estuary. The distribution of sediment inventories (quantities per cm2 of sediment column) of particle-reactive radionuclides is consistent with the hypothesis of landward sediment transport. Inventories of excess 210Pb, 137Cs, and 239,240Pu are coherent through the estuary and show the effects of particle redistribution processes on regionally uniform inputs. To obtain excess (anthropogenic) Zn and Cu, we use metal/Al normalization to estimate natural backgrounds. Anthropogenic metal inputs are concentrated at the head of the estuary, and sediment inventories of excess Zn and Cu generally decrease seaward. Normalization of the excess Zn and excess Cu inventories to excess 210Pb inventories corrects the raw metal inventories for effects of lithology and sediment redistribution. The normalized excess Zn inventory decreases smoothly seaward, while the normalized excess Cu inventory shows an unexplained mid-estuary maximum. Low normalized inventories of anthropogenic metals at the estuary mouth indicate that little modern riverine sediment is stored there. Increasing K/Al (illite) and decreasing anthropogenic Zn and Cu in the lower estuary are thus both consistent with a predominantly marine sediment source. We conclude that landward transport of muds from Pamlico Sound has contributed significantly to the sediment balance of the lower Neuse estuary.
Selected species and amendments for revegetating saline flue gas desulfurization sludge: Greenhouse study

Codisposing low-volume wastes from electrical generating stations with flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubber sludge simplifies waste disposal but produces a saline waste that presents unique challenges to revegetation. This greenhouse study identified plants and amendments for revegetating a saline FGD sludge disposal pond in eastern Arizona. Survival and growth of 16 sown accessions plus two vegetatively propagated accessions of inland saltgrass [Distichlis spicata var. stricta (Torr.) Beetle] were investigated in saline FGD sludge (ECₛₑ = 6.65 S m⁻¹). Amendments used included two soils from the disposal site, Claysprings gravelly clay (Typic Torriorthent) and Sheppard sand (Typic Torripsamment), composted steer manure, and N-P-K fertilizer. Soils and manure were added at 2:1 sludge/amendment (v/v). Plants were irrigated with a 1:1 mixture of disposal pond water and untreated well water (EC = 2.09 S m⁻¹). One accession of inland saltgrass, two cultivars of tall wheatgrass [Elytrigia pontica (Podq.) Holub ‘Largo’ and ‘Jose’], Altai wildrye [Leymus angustus (Trin.) Pilger ‘Praireland’l, tall rescue (Festuca arundinacae Schreb. ‘Alta’), and alkali sacaton [Sporobolus airoides (Torr.) Torr. ‘Saltalk’] show promise for revegetating saline FGD sludge disposal sites. Survival rates were the same in unamended sludge and in sludge amended with the clay soil or with N-P-K fertilizer. Plant dry matter produced was the same in unamended sludge and in sludge amended with either of the soils or with N-P-K. Although survival rates were significantly lower with manure than with any other amendment, due to high EC values, growth was significantly greater by all measurements, due to the high fertility of this treatment. Contribution from the Dep. of Soil, Water, and Environ. Sci., Univ. of Arizona, Tucson.
Rotational micro-CT using a clinical C-arm angiography gantry

Rotational angiography (RA) gantries are used routinely to acquire sequences of projection images of patients from which 3D renderings of vascular structures are generated using Feldkamp cone-beam reconstruction algorithms. However, these systems have limited resolution ( 10 lp/mm) but to date have relied either on rotating object imaging or small bore geometry for small animal imaging, and thus are not used for clinical imaging. The authors report here the development and use of a 3D rotational micro-angiography (RMA) system created by mounting a micro-angiographic fluoroscope (MAF) [35 microm pixel, resolution >10 microp/mm, field of view (FOV)=3.6 cm] on a standard clinical FPD-based RA gantry (Infinix, Model RTP12303J-G9E, Toshiba Medical Systems Corp., Tustin, CA). RA image sequences are obtained using the MAF and reconstructed. To eliminate artifacts due to image truncation, lower-dose (compared to MAF acquisition) full-FOV (FFOV) FPD RA sequences (194 microm pixel, FOV=20 cm) were also obtained to complete the missing data. The RA gantry was calibrated using a helical bead phantom. To ensure high-quality high-resolution reconstruction, the high-resolution images from the MAF were aligned spatially with the lower-dose FPD images, and the pixel values in the FPD image data were scaled to match those of the MAF. Images of a rabbit with a coronary stent placed in an artery in the Circle of Willis were obtained and reconstructed. The MAF images appear well aligned with the FPD images (average correlation coefficient before and after alignment: 0.65 and 0.97, respectively) Greater details without any visible truncation artifacts are seen in 3D RMA (MAF-FPD) images than in those of the FPD alone. The FWHM of line profiles of stent struts (100 microm diameter) are approximately 192+/-21 and 313+/-38 microm for the 3D RMA and FPD data, respectively. In addition, for the dual-acquisition 3D RMA, FFOV FPD data need not be of the highest quality, and thus may be acquired at lower dose compared to a standard FPD acquisition. These results indicate that this system could provide the basis for high resolution images of regions of interest in patients with a reduction in the integral dose compared to the standard FPD approach.
On some unappreciated implications of Becker’s time allocation model of labor supply

Abstract The time-allocation generalization of labor supply can generate distinct predictions regarding labor supply behavior. These predictions follow from the assumptions made about input combinations available for final consumption. When goods cannot be produced strictly from time or money then either input could curtail the substitution effect.
Knowledge acquisition at the metalevel: creation of custom-tailored knowledge-acquisition tools

Automated knowledge-acquisition tools can assist system builders in the creation of knowledge bases for expert systems. An important class of such tools includes programs that contain detailed models of families of application tasks. Users enter knowledge about particular applications into these tools in terms of the predefined task models that the tools incorporate. Construction of such tools, however, has itself proven to be laborious. PROTEGE is an interactive program that assists knowledge engineers in the construction of task models, and that automatically generates custom-tailored, graphical knowledge-acquisition tools based on those models. Domain experts independently use the knowledge-acquisition tools that PROTEGE generates to enter the knowledge that defines individual applications. The methodology simplifies the development of task-based knowledge-acquisition aids, and allows system builders to separate the difficult, model-building part of knowledge acquisition from the more straightforward entry of content knowledge.
REPLICATED COMPOSITE COMPLETE‐INCOMPLETE BLOCK DESIGNS FOR SENSORY EXPERIMENTS

Composite complete-incomplete (C-I) block designs are formed by combining complete blocks of size t units with balanced incomplete blocks of k units (1 ≤ k < t) resulting in blocks of size t+k units. In sensory experiments, composite C-I block designs have been shown to be more efficient than the standard complete block designs. Replication of the blocks in these C-I block designs permits accurate interpretation of panelist X treatment interaction effects. Also, the formulae for calculating estimates of the treatments, panelists, and interaction effects are simpler in form with the replicated C-I designs than the corresponding formulae with the unreplicated C-I block designs. The analysis of an experiment involving the rating of flavor of three strawberry preserves using a replicated C-I block design is presented.
Na+ channel mutations and epilepsy

Voltage-gated Na + channels are the molecular targets for mutations that cause several epilepsy syndromes. Mutations that impair the function of Na V I.I channels cause reduced Na + currents and failure of electrical excitability in γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic interneurons, providing a potential mechanism for hyperexcitability in a spectrum of Na + channel epilepsy syndromes. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's Basic Mechanisms of the Epilepsies, Fourth Edition (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at www. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books).
SU‐E‐J‐15: A GPU‐Based Monte Carlo Tool for Computing DRRs with Multiple Scattering

Purpose: To develop a GPU‐based kV Monte Carlo(MC) simulation tool for computing CBCT x‐ray projection images including both primary and scatteredphoton signals. Methods: We have developed a MC simulation code on GPU architecture using NVIDIA's CUDA API. Photon cross section data of various interaction types in the kV energy range are obtained from the PENELOPE database. The Woodcock transport technique is used for simulating photon transport without the need for voxel boundary crossing. Photon energy fluence at a detector location is recorded as the projection image. Multiple tallies are employed to record primary photon energy fluence (no scattering) and the fluences from photons undergoing first, second, and higher order scatters. To test our MC code, we simulated the geometry of a realistic Varian OBI system. We imaged a patient's head and an XCAT chest phantom with 10 billion source photons having a flat source fluence map collimated to a 40.0 cm by 30.0 cm detector. A mono‐energetic x‐ray source of 100.0 keV is used. Results: The computation time to simulate 10 billion photons for imaging both patient's head and the XCAT chest phantom was around 16 minutes on an NVidia C2050 GPU card. We found the total scattering signal to be approximately 10 percent of the primary signal in both cases. We also found that the total signal from higher order scattering is not negligible when imaging the XCAT chest phantom due to its large size and higher probability of scattering the photons.Conclusion: We successfully developed a Monte Carlo based kV imaging tool for simulating x‐ray projections. X‐ray projections obtained by this work will facilitate many research projects, where accurate x‐ray projection images are needed, such as scatter removal in the CBCTreconstruction problem.
Establishing the Parabolic Relationship between Reactivity and Activity for Derivatives and Analogues of the Duocarmycin and CC-1065 Alkylation Subunits

The preparation of a novel series of N-aryl CBI derivatives is detailed in which an aryl para substituent could be used to predictably modulate the reactivity of the resulting CC-1065/duocarmycin alkylation subunit analogue (ρ = 0.17). The derivatives were found to be exceptionally stable and to exhibit a well-defined relationship between reactivity and cytotoxic potency. When combined with the results of an extensive series of N-acyl CBI analogues and derivatives assembled over the past 15 years, the studies define a fundamental parabolic relationship between reactivity and cytotoxic potency.
Expression of transient receptor potential channels and two-pore potassium channels in subtypes of vagal afferent neurons in rat

Vagal afferent neurons relay important information regarding the control of the gastrointestinal system. However, the ionic mechanisms that underlie vagal activation induced by sensory inputs are n...
MSH3 mismatch repair protein regulates sensitivity to cytotoxic drugs and a histone deacetylase inhibitor in human colon carcinoma cells.

Background MSH3 is a DNA mismatch repair (MMR) gene that undergoes frequent somatic mutation in colorectal cancers (CRCs) with MMR deficiency. MSH3, together with MSH2, forms the MutSβ heteroduplex that interacts with interstrand cross-links induced by drugs such as cisplatin. To date, the impact of MSH3 on chemosensitivity is unknown.
Modulation of c‐myc Transcription by Triple Helix Formationa

The human c-myc oncogene promoter was used as a model with which to study the mechanism of action of oligodeoxyribonucleotides targeted to a gene regulatory region. The nuclease-hypersensitive element, NHE, lying -115 bp from the P1 promoter of the human c-myc gene, is known to be required in cis for transcription of the gene from both P1 and P2 promoters (Fig. 1). Inhibition of c-myc transcription by an oligonucleotide designed to bind to NHE by triplex formation has been observed in a cell-free transcription assay. Using a reconstituted transcription system with the semipurified PuF transcription factor whose site of interaction resides within the NHE, it is shown here that the oligonucleotide inhibits PuF-mediated transcription. These findings, together with data presented elsewhere showing that: (1) PU1 binds to cloned DNA fragments to form a colinear triplex; (2) PU1 inhibits transcription in nuclear extracts; (3) triple helix formation inhibits the binding of PuF to its target NHE element in an in vitro binding competition assay (E. Postel, R. Durland, and M. Hogan, submitted); (4) triplex formation at the NHE target site can occur in living HeLa cells treated with the triplex-forming PU1 oligomer, and (5) c-myc mRNA synthesis in these treated cells is repressed, clearly support the proposed model in which the oligonucleotide targeted against the c-myc NHE promoter region binds to form a triplex, thereby blocking access to the regulatory protein PuF. This results in promoter-sensitive repression of transcriptional activation of the c-myc gene. The potential for manipulation of gene expression by oligonucleotides targeted to a DNA sequence of the c-myc oncogene promoter and other gene promoters is clear.
De Novo Synthesis of 4,5-Dimethoxycatechol and 2,5-Dimethoxyhydroquinone by the Brown Rot Fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum†

The new dimethoxycatechol 4,5-dimethoxy-1,2-benzenediol (DMC) and the new dimethoxyhydroquinone 2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-benzenediol (DMH) were isolated from stationary cultures of the brown rot fungus Gloeophyllum trabeum growing on a glucose mineral medium protected from light. The structure was elucidated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry through comparison to a synthetic standard. Further confirmation was obtained by forming a dimethoxyoxazole derivative by condensation of DMC with methylene chloride and through examination of methylated derivatives. DMC and DMH may serve as ferric chelators, oxygen-reducing agents, and redox-cycling molecules, which would include functioning as electron transport carriers to Fenton’s reactions. Thus, they appear to be important components of the brown rot decay system of the fungus.
Detection of Hepatitis G Virus Replication Sites by Using Highly Strand-Specific Tth-Based Reverse Transcriptase PCR

The replication sites of the recently discovered hepatitis G virus (HGV) remain unknown. Using highly strand-specific Tth-based reverse transcriptase PCR, we searched for the presence of viral RNA negative strand in multiple autopsy tissues from four patients with AIDS and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from six other human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients. Negative-strand HGV RNA was detected in three of four bone marrow samples, in two of two spleen samples, and in one of four liver tissue samples. However, the specific cellular site of replication within the positive tissues was not determined. This study does not support HGV as a primary hepatotropic virus.
Bacterial RNA extraction and purification from whole human blood using isotachophoresis.

We demonstrate a novel assay for physico- chemical extraction and isotachophoresis-based purification of 16S rRNA from whole human blood infected with Pseudomonas putida. This on-chip assay is unique in that the extraction can be automated using isotachophoresis in a simple device with no moving parts, it protects RNA from degradation when isolating from ribonuclease-rich matrices (such as blood), and produces a purified total nucleic acid sample that is compatible with enzymatic amplification assays. We show that the purified RNA is compatible with reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and demonstrate a clinically relevant sensitivity of 0.03 bacteria per nanoliter using RT-qPCR.
The Effects of Wear on the Rotordynamic Coefficients of a Hydrostatic Journal Bearing

Reynolds equation is solved for the turbulent flow of liquid hydrogen through an orifice compensated hydrostatic bearing with a worn stator element. The clearance function for the worn bearing is defined by the depth and circumferential location of wear and the resulting intersection of the journal and housing radii. Analytical results are presented for stiffness, damping and leakage as a function of bearing wear. The results show that the performance of the bearing degrades steadily for wear amounts greater than 5 percent of the radial clearance and is relatively insensitive to the geometrical location of the wear.
TOURETTE SYNDROME: RELATION TO CHILDREN'S AND PARENTS' SELF-CONCEPTS

We investigated the self-concepts of Tourette Syndrome patients and their mothers. The subjects were 30 children with Tourette Syndrome and their mothers, and 30 children matched on age, sex, and socioeconomic status and their mothers. The results indicated that, while the children did not differ on self-concept, the mothers of the Tourette Syndrome patients had lower self-concepts than the mothers of the controls, suggesting that family members should be considered in the treatment of the Tourette Syndrome children. In addition, severity of illness was positively correlated with the children's reports of behavior disturbance and dysphoric mood, although not with over-all self-concept. These results indicate that in more severe cases of Tourette Syndrome, children may experience emotional problems requiring therapeutic intervention.
A PHYSIOLOGICAL BASIS FOR ELECTROPHYTOGRAMS

Summary A passive system that may be useful for measuring changes in the redox potential of in vivo, extracellular plant tissue has been developed within the past few years. The technique involves the placement of a small (250 μm diameter) noble metal probe into the anatomical region of interest. The electrode potential of this probe is then established relative to a reference electrode. The time variation of this potential has been termed an electrophytogram and observed changes, as a function of time, are coherent and reproducible. In order to maximize the information obtained from the electrophytogram measurement, a theoretical physiological basis for the voltage fluctuations has been developed. This theory involves modeling the electrophytogram as a manifestation of a chemical thermodynamic system passing through a series of frozen equilibria. The electron is considered as the chemical species of interest in this system and changes in the redox or electrostatic potential are interpreted in terms of an electron electrochemical potential (µ∼e). The relationship between changes in the electrochemical nature of the solution contiguous with the probe and the µe intensity variable is then represented for several limiting cases. In the case of a redox reaction accompanied by a proton exchange, the limiting equation shows that pH changes well within the physiological range for extracellular plant fluid can give rise to the observed voltage fluctuations. An alternative representation of the electrophytogram as an electrostatic field phenomenon is more difficult to analyze due to a lack of information about the three dimensional structure of the probe tissue interface. However, using a cylindrical capacitor model, it is shown that fluxes in the range of a few hundred monovalent ions per μm3 of extracellular volume could produce the measured voltage changes.
Temperature variation of the refractive indices of yttrium lithium fluoride

The temperature variations of the refractive indices of LiYF4, YLF, have been measured in the visible region of the spectrum. The temperature variation at 0.546 μm are −0.67×10−6/°C and −2.30×10−6/°C for the ordinary and extraordinary refractive indices, respectively. A Sellmeier equation was fit to more extensive room-temperature refractive-index data measured elsewhere.
Lesson Learned: Why Federal Stem Cell Policy Must Be Informed by Minority Disadvantage in Organ Allocation

Ever since advancements in medical technology made organ transplantation possible, the demand for organs has been far greater than the supply, thus creating an organ shortage. The medical necessity of genetic matching between donor and donee has disadvantaged minorities in their pursuit of healthy organs because most organ donors are Caucasian and are therefore not a genetic “match” for minorities. Minority disadvantage in organ allocation must inform federal stem cell policy lest the same genetic incompatibility hinder minority access to potentially life-saving stem cell therapies. The federal government must take affirmative and timely steps in order to ensure equitable access to stem cell therapies in the future. This book review outlines those steps, arguing that Congress should: (1) fund stem cell research in order to secure march-in rights under the Bayh-Dole Act; and (2) condition the receipt of funds on the use of diverse stem cell lines in order to promote the creation of therapies genetically accessible to a diverse citizenship.
Marginally monotonic maintenance policies for a multi-state deteriorating machine with probabilistic monitoring, and silent failures

We characterize the structure of optimal policies for maintenance & replacement actions over a finite horizon. The context is machine monitoring when the following are true: 1) The machine can operate in one of N states in S/spl isin/{0,1,...,N-1} where 0 is good, 1 to N-2 represent increasing levels of deterioration (i.e., the system becomes increasingly worn, but is still able to produce usable parts), and N-1 is bad (or failed). 2) Observations are related probabilistically to the state of the process. 3) The machine's state is known with certainty only immediately after a replacement. The last assumption, consistent with "silent" failures, distinguishes our results from others. We prove [using the theory & results of partially observable Markov decision processes (POMDP)] that the policy that minimizes the total expected cost of system maintenance has a "marginally monotonic" structure. The concept of "marginal monotonicity", which requires a component-wise partial ordering, and monotonicity of the expected total cost function with respect to each component of the state space, allows characterization of the policy that minimizes the total expected cost. This feature allows us to represent the optimal policy by a collection of decision rules characterized by at most N functions.
Effect of nicotinic acid administration on hepatic very low density lipoprotein-triglyceride production.

Our objective was to examine very low density lipoprotein-triglyceride (VLDL-TG) kinetics after chronic and acute administration of nicotinic acid (NA). Incorporation of [1,2,3,4-13C4]palmitate and...
Troop-specific responses to long calls of isolated tamarins (Saguinus mystax).

Recently captured moustached tamarins (Saguinus mystax) were briefly separated from other members of their troop. Most separated animals emitted long calls that were, in general, similar in acoustic structure to those of sympatric tamarin species while retaining species distinctiveness. Individual differences also appeared in call structure. The long calls of a separated animal were responded to almost entirely by members of the animal's own troop rather than by other troops, and reciprocal calling occurred among troop members significantly more often than expected by chance. Although there was no evidence of troop-specific call structure or dialect, there were troop-specific responses to the calls of separated tamarins. This response implies the existence of a stable and integrated troop structure that allows troop members to learn and to respond to the individual specific features of each troop member's calls.
Autosomal dominant iris hypoplasia is caused by a mutation in the Rieger syndrome (RIEG/PITX2) gene

Purpose: To determine whether autosomal dominant iris hypoplasia is caused by mutations in the newly described gene for Rieger syndrome (RIEG/ PITX2). Method: Mutation screening and sequence analysis was performed in a single family. Results: A novel mutation in the RIEG/PITX2 gene was found in all affected but no unaffected individuals. This mutation would be expected to result in an arginine to tryptophan amino acid change in the homeodomain of solurshin, the RIEG/PITX2 gene product. Conclusion: Autosomal dominant iris hypoplasia is caused by a defect in the same gene that is defective in many cases of Rieger syndrome.
Justice and Environmentalisms in the British Columbia and U.S. Pacific Northwest Environmental Movements

Researchers have found that many contemporary movements, including the environmental justice movement, offer multidimensional conceptions of justice that extend beyond the distribution of societal benefits and burdens. In an effort to understand the role of justice in environmental politics more broadly, we ask (1) how environmental activists throughout the movement understand social justice and (2) whether and how environmental activists vary in the kinds of justice claims they make. Drawing on interviews with samples of environmental activists in British Columbia, Canada, and the U.S. states of Oregon and Washington, Q methodology is used to examine how environmental activists understand justice. We find, within the mainstream of the environmental movement, varying and elaborated understandings of social justice in the environmental context.
Population-Based Study of Severe Hypoglycemia Requiring Emergency Medical Service Assistance Reveals Unique Findings

Objective: The objective is to report a contemporary population-based estimate of hypoglycemia requiring emergency medical services (EMS), its burden on medical resources, and its associated mortality in patients with or without diabetes mellitus (DM, non-DM), which will enable development of prospective strategies that will capture hypoglycemia promptly and provide an integrated approach for prevention of such episodes. Methods: We retrieved all ambulance calls activated for hypoglycemia in Olmsted County, Minnesota, between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2009. Results: A total of 1473 calls were made by 914 people (DM 8%, non-DM 16%, unknown DM status 3%). Mean age was 60 ± 16 years with 49% being female. A higher percentage of calls were made by DM patients (87%) with proportionally fewer calls coming from non-DM patients (11%) (chi-square test, p < .001), and the remaining 2% calls by people with unknown DM status. Emergency room transportation and hospitalization were significantly higher in non-DM patients compared to DM patients ( p < .001) and type 2 diabetes mellitus compared to type 1 diabetes mellitus (p < .001). Sulphonylureas alone or in combination with insulin varied during the study period (p = .01). The change in incidence of EMS for hypoglycemia was tracked during this period. However, causality has not been established. Death occurred in 240 people, 1.2 (interquartile range 0.2–2.7) years after their first event. After adjusting for age, mortality was higher in non-DM patients compared with DM patients (p < .001) but was not different between the two types of DM. continued
The Year 2000 Threat: Preparing Radiology for Nine Realms of Risk

The year 2000 computer problem arises from a long-standing and often-duplicated computer programming error. Affected programs use only two digits to represent years, which may lead to a variety of computer malfunctions and data errors related to crossing from 1999 (99) to 2000 (00), at which point computers may interpret 00 as 1900 or other incorrect dates. Radiology and medicine may be seriously affected by this problem as it relates to the function of its equipment; business functions such as scheduling, billing and purchasing; the reliability of infrastructure such as power and telecommunications; the availability of supplies; and many other issues. It is crucial that radiologists, as practitioners of one of the most computer-oriented medical specialties, help lead the effort to ensure continuity of operations as the year 2000 boundary approaches and passes. This article provides suggestions for a structured approach, as well as tools and checklists, to guide project leaders attempting to identify and ...
Duplicate bladder exstrophy: a unique approach to initial repair

Abstract Objectives. To describe a unique approach to the management of duplicate bladder exstrophy combining initial bladder closure and epispadias repair. Bladder exstrophy has been successfully managed by staged surgical repair with early bladder closure, subsequent epispadias repair, and, finally, bladder neck reconstruction. Duplicate bladder exstrophy is a rare variant of the exstrophy complex with fewer than 20 cases reported. Methods. A male newborn presented with the appearance of both bladder exstrophy and a ruptured omphalocele. Repair of the omphalocele and bilateral orchiopexy was performed shortly after birth, but bladder closure was delayed until there was complete healing of the omphalocele defect, and the investigators believed the infant was ready for abdominal wall and bladder exstrophy closure. At age 8 months, bladder closure was performed with the intraoperative finding of a duplicate bladder lying posterior to the exstrophied bladder. The left ureter drained on the exstrophic bladder plate, and the right ureter drained into the posterior (internalized) duplicate bladder. After anterior innominate and vertical iliac osteotomies, the left ureter was reimplanted into the posterior bladder. A portion of the exstrophied bladder was then tubularized to construct a neourethra of the epispadic penis. Results. The child has done well with an excellent cosmetic appearance of the abdominal wall and a straight phallus. The bladder subsequently required a Mitrofanoff-type continent stoma along with bladder augmentation, which was performed at the time of his Young-Dees-Leadbetter bladder neck reconstruction (age 3.5). The child is currently continent but requires intermittent clean catheterization through his appendicovesicostomy. Conclusions. The investigators report a unique and unexpected variant of bladder exstrophy and its successful management.
The two-stage origin of bright rings in extended radio lobes

A few strong radio sources show unusual large-intensity features (up to 100- or 200kpc scale) within their extended lobes. These appear in the plane of the sky as nearly circular rings, but physically they are actually spherical shells. Two such sources, Her A (3C 348) and 3C 310, are analysed in terms of their similarly uniform kine­ matics. Such objects do not easily fit into the Fanaroff-Riley scheme for jet and lobe sources. We model these sources by a two-stage account of their dynamics. Long ago, acoustic waves (or weak shocks) were excited again and again to form sphere after sphere in the pre-existing thermal galactic wind. They all arose at one spot along the jet axis at the edge of the galaxy, to drift with the wind, expanding uniformly at the speed of sound in the near-isothermal gas. The wind flows out supersonically at about Mach 5. In a much later second stage, a new and much faster flow of relativistic plasma is energized by the active nucleus deep within the galaxy. That plasma jet swiftly forms the radio lobe and infuses it with radio electrons. The new plasma fills in locally the low-pressure portions of each drifting acoustic shell. The shells then appear as a procession of radio rings, with modest intensity contrast and an understandable polarization.
Prescription of opioid analgesics for nontraumatic dental conditions in emergency departments

Abstract Background Opioid analgesics prescribed for nontraumatic dental conditions (NTDCs) by emergency physicians continue to receive attention because of the associated potential for misuse, abuse and addiction. This study examined rates of prescription of opioid analgesics and types of opioid analgesics prescribed for NTDC visits in U.S. emergency departments. Methods Data from the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2007 to 2010 were analyzed. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analysis were performed and adjusted for the survey design. Results NTDCs made up 1.7% of all ED visits from 2007 to 2010. The prescription of opioid analgesics was 50.3% for NTDC and 14.8% for non-NTDC visits. The overall rate of opioid analgesics prescribed for NTDCs remained fairly stable from 2007 through 2010. Prescription of opioids was highest among patients aged 19–33 years (56.8%), self-paying (57.1%), and non-Hispanic Whites (53.2%). The probability of being prescribed hydrocodone was highest among uninsured patients (68.7%) and for oxycodone, it was highest among private insurance patients (33.6%). Compared to 34–52 year olds, children 0–4 years were significantly more likely to be prescribed codeine and less likely to be prescribed oxycodone. Compared to non-Hispanic Whites, non-Hispanic Blacks had significantly higher odds of been prescribed codeine and somewhat lower odds of been prescribed oxycodone, but it was not statistically significant. Conclusions There was no significant change in the rates of opioid analgesics prescribed over time for NTDC visits to EDs. Age, payer type and race/ethnicity were significant predictors for the prescription of different opioid analgesics by emergency physicians for NTDC visits.
Archaeological Textiles: A Review of Current Research

▪ Abstract Archaeological textile studies are now recognized as a robust source of information for anthropological inquiry. Over the past two decades several important developments have taken place, enabling a more integrated approach to their study than in the past. Topics addressed range from the development of methods for analyzing degraded fibers to the comparative study of specific histories of textile and clothing traditions. Archaeological textile studies address relevant issues ranging from aesthetics and style to gender; from technological development to production and exchange economics. This chapter presents an overview of current research in the growing field of archaeological textile studies.
Acousto-Ultrasonics: Applications to Wire Rope, Wood Fiber Hardboard, and Adhesion

Applications of the Acousto-Ultrasonic Stress Wave Factor Technique (SWF) to the nondestructive evaluation/characterization of wire rope, wood fiber hardboard, and adhesion between rubber-like materials and steel substrates are presented. It was observed that for each application the SWF technique has the potential of being used as a nondestructive testing tool. The SWF technique proved successful to monitor progressive damage in wire rope and wood fiber hardboard, and to monitor the strength of the bond between rubber layers and steel plates.
Seasonal Variability in Vitamin D Levels No Longer Detectable in Primary Hyperparathyroidism

Context: Seasonal variability in 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and PTH levels in the general population has been associated with differences in bone turnover markers, bone density, and fracture risk. Seasonal variability in 25(OH)D and PTH levels has also been reported in primary hyperparathyroidism (PHPT). Objective: Given the widespread use of vitamin D supplements, we sought to determine whether patients with PHPT still demonstrated seasonal variation in 25(OH)D levels. Design and Setting: This cross-sectional study was conducted at a university medical center at a Northeastern U.S. latitude (New York, NY). Patients: One hundred patients with PHPT participated in the study. Outcome Measures: We assessed vitamin D supplement use and seasonal variation in serum 25(OH)D. Results: Patients had PHPT ([mean ± SD] calcium, 10.8 ± 1.0 mg/dL; PTH, 85 ± 48 pg/mL) with a mean 25(OH)D level of 29 ± 10 ng/mL. Although only one fifth of participants had vitamin D deficiency (19% < 20 ng/mL), more than half were eith...
‘Inferno verde’: Nature in the Construction of the Brazilian Nation

AbstractThe novela de la selva has been and remains a dominant genre of nature writing throughout Iberoamerica. Its stylization and recuperation of this natural space move ambivalently from heaven to hell. Alberto Rangel captures this sentiment perfectly with his phrase ‘inferno verde’, which conveys this sentiment of both wonder and terror. Both fictional accounts and ecological tracts deploy this ambivalence as a technique that both excludes those people, animals and objects that do not pertain to a ‘nature’ and degrades those who supposedly belong there. It has also played a part in the national projects of development and continues to play a part in current environmental debates in Brazil. This article critiques the space of the selva as a national signifier by looking at Jose de Alencar's Iracema (1865) and Jorge Bodansky's and Orlando Senna's Iracema, uma transa amazonica (1974). The film offers a re-reading and denaturalization of what Alencar naturalizes. I contend that the result is a new way of ...
Tips for Teaching: Getting Students Out of the Classroom and into the Pew

For one assignment, students in my Religion and Politics course attend a religious service of their choosing and write about the experience, comparing their time in the church (or synagogue or mosque) with the scholarly literature on the impact of churches on politics and the presence of politics within houses of worship. This experience represents a wonderful learning opportunity, particularly for Millennials, many of whom are religiously unaffiliated. Their reflective essays also form the basis for a dynamic, rich class discussion.