cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Infinite divisibility of skew Gaussian and Laplace laws

Abstract We study infinite divisibility of skew distributions given by the density function g λ ( x ) = 2 f ( x ) F ( λ x ) , λ ∈ R , where f and F are the density and distribution functions of (symmetric) normal or Laplace laws. It turns out that although the symmetric laws are both infinitely divisible (ID), the skew normal is not ID but the skew Laplace is ID. A new stochastic representation for skewed Laplace distributions is given, which is independently useful for simulation. We also show that the skew Laplace laws are self-decomposable only for | λ | below a specified threshold.
Subdiaphragmatic vagotomy does not prevent fever following intracerebroventricular prostaglandin E2: further evidence for the importance of vagal afferents in immune-to-brain communication

Brain-mediated sickness responses can be blocked by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy, suggesting that vagal afferents signal peripheral inflammation or infection. This study tested whether subdiaphragmatic vagotomy disrupts sickness responses by interrupting effector pathways. If this explanation is correct, intracerebroventricular prostaglandin E2-induced fever should be blocked by this procedure. Fever was unaffected by subdiaphragmatic vagotomy, thus these data provide support for the conclusion that vagal afferents signal the brain during immune activation.
Transcricothyroid electromyographic monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve.

Objectives/Hypothesis: To determine the use-fulness of intraoperative nerve monitoring using an electrode placed in the midline through the cricothyroid membrane. Study Design: Retrospective records review. Methods: Patients of the otolaryngology department of our tertiary care academic medical center were identified if they had undergone either total thyroidectomy or total thyroid lobectomy accompanied by bilateral electromyographic (EMG) monitoring of the recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) between January 2007 and October 2007. Results: Forty-three patients were identified who had a total throidectomy or a total thyroid lobectomy. Nineteen of the 43 had intraoperative EMG monitoring of the RLN with placement of a single EMG electrode through the cricothyroid membrane; 11 had a thyroidectomy, and eight had a thyroid lobectomy. Overall, 30 at-risk nerves were stimulated with an EMG probe; 27 responded adequately and three (paralyzed before surgery) were unresponsive. Conclusions: Central placement of an EMG electrode through the cricothyroid membrane into the thyroarytenoid musculature is a safe and reliable technique for bilateral monitoring of the RLN that facilitates evaluation of postoperative function.
A longitudinal investigation of the impact of life stress on HIV treatment adherence

Suboptimal antiretroviral adherence is associated with poorer HIV outcomes. Psychosocial factors, including life stress, depression and coping, may influence adherence behavior. This prospective investigation sought to examine the impact of life stress (acute life events, chronic stress, and perceived stress), depression, and coping style on adherence to HIV treatment regimes over time. Participants were 87 treatment-seeking HIV-infected individuals recruited from an urban HIV clinic. They completed clinician-administered interviews and self-report questionnaires at baseline and 3-month follow-up. Acute life events and chronic stress prospectively predicted decreases in treatment adherence more strongly among individuals in a major depressive episode (n = 21) compared to non-depressed individuals (n = 66). Coping style did not appear to be the mechanism by which life stress influenced adherence among depressed HIV-infected individuals. These findings demonstrate that life stress has toxic effects for depressed individuals and suggest that treatment adherence interventions with depressed individuals could be enhanced via development of stress management skills.
Tracing the pathway of compositional changes in bone mineral with age: preliminary study of bioapatite aging in hypermineralized dolphin's bulla.

Background Studies of mineral compositional effects during bone aging are complicated by the presence of collagen.
Evidence for the rewarding effects of ethanol using the conditioned place preference method

Rats were tested for the rewarding effects of ethanol using a place preference conditioning procedure. After receiving a total of 15 daily conditioning trials under 1.0 g/kg ethanol (IP), a significant place preference was produced. Subjects conditioned using saline or 0.5 g/kg ethanol showed no changes in place preference. This study suggests that failures to demonstrate rewarding effects from ethanol with the conditioned place preference method may be due to an insufficient number of conditioning trials or to an inadequate exposure to the drug. The fact that place preference conditioning was effective in demonstrating ethanol reward while other methods have been equivocal suggests that this method may be a valuable technique for studying the mechanisms of ethanol reward.
WAYFINDER: EVALUATING MULTITOUCH INTERACTION IN SUPERVISORY CONTROL OF UNMANNED VEHICLES

In this paper we investigate whether the use of a multitouch interface allows users of a supervisory control system to perform tasks more effectively than possible with a mouse-based interface. Supervisory control interfaces are an active field of research, but so far have generally utilized mouse-based interaction. Additionally, most such interfaces require a skilled operator due to their intrinsic complexity. We present an interface for controlling multiple unmanned ground vehicles that is conducive to multitouch as well as mouse-based interaction, which allows us to evaluate novice users’ performance in several areas. Results suggest that a multitouch interface can be used as effectively as a mouse-based interface for certain tasks which are relevant in a supervisory control environment.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Vaginal discharge as a confounding factor in the diagnosis of urinary incontinence by perineal pad testing

A weight gain of 1.0 g or more on a 1-hour perineal pad-weighing test is often taken as diagnostic of urinary incontinence. Sixteen women with symptomatic vaginal discharges underwent a modified 1-hour pad-weighing test to determine how much weight gain on such a test could be attributed to this condition. The average pad-weight gain was 0.7 g (range 0.1 g–2.4 g). Three patients had pad-weight changes greater than 1.0 g. The results suggest that although the amount of pad-weight attributable to symptomatic vaginal discharge is generally small, it nonetheless may contribute significantly to pad-weight gain on perineal pad-weighing tests in some patients. If such tests are used as the sole criterion for diagnosing incontinence, some patients may run the risk of unnecessary and unwarranted treatment for a condition they do not have.
Antigen presentation by Langerhans cells

Langerhans cells and other skin-resident dendritic cells (DC) are required for the development of cutaneous adaptive immune responses. In vivo experiments using mice with selective DC-subset deficiencies and ex vivo experiments using isolated DC suggests that each subset makes a unique contribution to the adaptive response. This review focuses on the functional outcome of antigen presentation by Langerhans cells. Special attention is given to their ability to promote CD4 T cell differentiation in a variety of inflammatory contexts and whether this subset has the capacity to cross-prime CD8 T cells.
The importance of figural relationships between target and mask

Gummerman, Hill, and Chastain (1974) suggest that figural characteristics of the mask are unimportant in determining the course of backward recognition masking in vision. This conclusion is potentially very important because it contradicts several recent models of various aspects of visual information processing (e.g., Estes, 1975; Smith, Haviland, Reder, Brownell, & Adams, 1976; Turvey, 1973). The present note provides a critical examination of the Gummerman et al. conclusion and presents additional demonstration data using the Gummerman et al. paradigm that indicates that figural relationships between target and mask can, indeed, be important determinants of the amount of backward masking. Gummerman et al. employed a Landolt C with the opening in either the top or the bottom as the target. Each of three masks consisted of Xs placed in the visual field surrounding the target. A no-overlap mask consisted only of these surrounding Xs, a partial-overlap mask contained an additional X overlapping the target but oriented so as not to block the opening, and a total-overlap mask had the additional X oriented so that it blocked the top and bottom openings in the target. When the target and mask were presented simultaneously in the same viewing field, recognition of the location of the target opening was quite good with both the noand partial-overlap masks and at chance performance with the total-overlap mask. However, at all positive stimulus onset asynchronies (SOAs), the three masks were equally disruptive of target recognition. From these results, Gummerman et al. conclude that the mask interrupts processing of the target so that figural characteristics of the mask are unimportant in determining the amount of backward masking. Furthermore, the authors conclude that the results argue against a model of backward recognition masking that proposes that the target and mask are integrated into a single preperceptual image, because such an integration model would predict that the
The serotonin transporter and emotionality: risk, resilience, and new therapeutic opportunities.

g m R esearch aimed at elucidating the impact of genetic variation on the development of psychiatric disorders holds enormous potential to advance both pathophysiological models of disase and point the way toward new treatments. However, the idenification of specific gene variants associated with a specific psychitric disorder remains an elusive target. One likely reason for this is hat discrete genetic variations influence intermediate biological henotypes in the context of other (“background”) genes, epigeetic variation, and environmental and developmental factors, hich in turn contribute to risk or resilience to develop psychiatric llness. Consequently, a potentially fruitful research strategy might e to test for associations between specific hypothesis-driven canidate gene variants and intermediate phenotypes presumed to lie etween a moderating allele and a more complex disease phenoype. In this issue of Biological Psychiatry, two original research rticles examine the influence of a common repeat polymorphism n the gene coding for the serotonin transporter protein (5-HTTLRP) n aspects of negative emotion. Pluess et al. (1) tested whether an ssociation between maternal anxiety during gestation and subseuent levels of infant negative emotionality was moderated by the -HTTLRP. The authors report a significant gene environment nteraction, with infants carrying the short allele (s) of the 5-HTTLRP, ypically considered the risk variant, showing a high level of assocition between maternal anxiety and negative emotionality, hereas there was no association in infants carrying the long allele l). In a second article, Montag et al. (2) report an interaction between the 5-HTTLRP and an oxytocin receptor gene variant on individual differences in negative emotionality, representing a gene gene interaction. In a third article, Homburg and Lesch (3) review evidence that the s allele of the 5-HTTLRP has the ability to confer enhanced cognitive functioning in humans and animals. The authors argue that the s allele confers adaptive functioning under certain environmental and developmental conditions, which might account for its continued prevalence in the human gene pool and encourage a broader and more nuanced understanding of the 5-HTTLRP.
Parents' Perceptions of Their First Graders' Need for Mental Health and Educational Services

ABSTRACT Objectives (1) To estimate the proportion of first graders perceived by their parents as needing mental health or educational services, (2) to examine the validity of these perceptions, and (3) to examine whether factors found to be associated with children's referral to or use of services are associated with parental perceptions. Method Subjects are an epidemiological sample of 467 first graders. Children's social adaptational status and psychological well-being were assessed by multiple methods. Logistic regression was used to investigate the associations between indicators of need and parental perceptions of their children's need for services. Results More than 39% of the children were perceived by their parents as needing services. Predictors of parents perceiving their children as needing services were parent and teacher ratings of children's behavior and symptoms, children's standardized achievement test scores, and gender. Conclusions Given that a large proportion of parents reported their children as needing mental health and educational services and that parents play a central role in children's receiving services, longitudinal studies that investigate the entire process by which children enter into and are maintained in the service delivery system are needed.
Applications of clustering in exploration seismology

Abstract Applying clustering techniques to seismic data is still at a nascent stage. This work represents an attempt in this direction. First, we give an overview of the cluster analysis and pattern recognition methods. A stacked seismic section is used to compute the features (amplitude, phase, frequency etc.) on a sample-by-sample basis. After factor analysis, for reducing the feature set to an orthogonal one, hierarchical clustering is performed on a small amount of data. The grouping information obtained from it is then passed onto a second phase in which a non-hierarchical clustering is done. The results were verified by model data.
Characterization of Palladin, a Novel Protein Localized to Stress Fibers and Cell Adhesions

Here, we describe the identification of a novel phosphoprotein named palladin, which colocalizes with α-actinin in the stress fibers, focal adhesions, cell–cell junctions, and embryonic Z-lines. Palladin is expressed as a 90–92-kD doublet in fibroblasts and coimmunoprecipitates in a complex with α-actinin in fibroblast lysates. A cDNA encoding palladin was isolated by screening a mouse embryo library with mAbs. Palladin has a proline-rich region in the NH2-terminal half of the molecule and three tandem Ig C2 domains in the COOH-terminal half. In Northern and Western blots of chick and mouse tissues, multiple isoforms of palladin were detected. Palladin expression is ubiquitous in embryonic tissues, and is downregulated in certain adult tissues in the mouse. To probe the function of palladin in cultured cells, the Rcho-1 trophoblast model was used. Palladin expression was observed to increase in Rcho-1 cells when they began to assemble stress fibers. Antisense constructs were used to attenuate expression of palladin in Rcho-1 cells and fibroblasts, and disruption of the cytoskeleton was observed in both cell types. At longer times after antisense treatment, fibroblasts became fully rounded. These results suggest that palladin is required for the normal organization of the actin cytoskeleton and focal adhesions.
Adaptive harmonic balance method for nonlinear time-periodic flows

An adaptive harmonic balance approach is developed and applied to a supersonic/subsonic diverging nozzle subject to unsteady periodic outflow conditions. The adaptive method minimizes the computational work required to obtain the harmonic balance solution by augmenting the frequency content in each cell as required to capture the local flow physics. Augmentation automatically adjusts with grid density, resulting in lower frequency content on coarse grids. The new adaptive harmonic balance method produces solutions equivalent to a non-adapted harmonic balance solutions, but with up to an 86% reduction in computational effort.
Infection transmission risk assessment tool for nursing to determine transmission-based precautions upon admission

ISSUE: At this acute care facility, the responsibility of assigning patients to isolation, unless ordered by the physician, often became the responsibility of the infection control practitioner (ICP). As the ICP performs surveillance using data such as microbiology results or admitting diagnosis, there was a time lag for proper placement of patients for transmission-based precautions. PROJECT: An infection transmission risk assessment (ITRA) tool was created on the nursing admission assessment form incorporating Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Guidelines for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals. The infection prevention committee approved the ITRA tool. The medical executive team empowered nurses to isolate patients based upon this assessment or physician diagnosis. All nurses in orientation are introduced to the ITRA tool. During the annual nursing competency, recent cases are used to illustrate proper isolation category. Appendix A from the CDC isolation guidelines was made available for easy reference on specific diseases. A daily worksheet with isolation patients prints on each inpatient station to improve communication and accountability for isolation after an isolation task force identified this as an opportunity. The task force was a multidisciplinary team that met weekly or biweekly in 2003 to address communication and process problems related to isolation. RESULTS: The ITRA tool became part of the nursing admission form in 2001. However, only 60% of patients were assessed for isolation in 2002. In 2004, 97.3% of patients were correctly isolated. Proper isolation codes in the computer system improved dramatically (0% in 2002 versus 94% in 2004). An increase in medical discrepancies for isolation errors occurred (51 in 2002, 78 in 2003, 102 in 2004), showing the heightened awareness about isolation needs. LESSONS LEARNED: The ITRA tool by itself was not enough to improve isolation; it required frequent education and wide support. The task force identified and developed processes to reduce isolation problems and encouraged the environmental climate to effect change. The multidisciplinary team, not the tool, made the difference.
Modal analysis of a violin octet

Experimental modal analysis of a complete Hutchins–Schelleng violin octet, combined with cavity mode analysis and room-averaged acoustic analysis, gives a highly detailed characterization of the dynamics for this historic group of instruments. All the “signature” modes in the open string pitch region—cavity modes A0 (“main air”) and A1 (lowest longitudinal), C-bout “rhomboid,” the first corpus bending modes B1− and B1+ (comprising the “main wood”)—were observed across the octet. A0 was always the lowest dominant radiator, below all corpus modes. A1 contributed significant acoustic output only for larger instruments, but was the dominant contributor for the large bass in the “main wood” region. Acoustic results indicate either B1− or B1+ can be the major radiator. Damping results indicate that B1 modes overall radiate approximately 28% of their vibrational energy. “Doublet” B1 modes from substructure couplings were observed for three instruments. “A0-B0” coupling was not significant for the largest instrum...
Observation of beating effects in Shubnikov-De Haas oscillations in GaSb

Abstract At low fields, the Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations in high concentration Te-doped n-GaSb exhibit beating patterns. The effects are shown to be related to crystallographic direction and the position of the Fermi level with respect to the 〈111〉 conduction band edge.
Safety of early exercise training after elective coronary stenting in patients with stable coronary artery disease

Background Early exercise after coronary stenting is considered to have a risk of stent thrombosis (ST). We investigate the safety of submaximal exercise training based on the Borg scale from the n...
Verbal creativity and schizotypal personality in relation to prefrontal hemispheric laterality: a behavioral and near-infrared optical imaging study.

Although anecdotal and correlational results have suggested a reliable relationship between creativity and psychosis, few studies have examined this relationship using empirical methods. In addition, little is known about the neural substrates of creative thinking. We investigated the creative thinking process in relation to schizotypal personality, schizophrenia and prefrontal hemispheric laterality using behavioral and near-infrared optical spectroscopy (NIRS) methods. Schizophrenic, psychometrically ascertained schizotypal, and healthy control subjects (all right-handed) participated in a novel balternate usesQ task designed to assess divergent thinking (DT) ability. The DT task required subjects to generate busesQ for conventional and ambiguous objects. Prefrontal activity was measured using NIRS while subjects were engaged in DT vs. a cognitive control task in a subset of the subjects. Behavioral data indicated that schizotypes had enhanced DTability compared with schizophrenic and control subjects, who showed similar performance overall. NIRS data showed that DT was associated with bilateral prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation, but the right PFC particularly contributed to the enhanced creative thinking in psychometric schizotypes compared with the other two groups. Thus, creative thinking seems to robustly recruit bilateral PFC, but it is the right PFC that is preferentially activated in schizotypes in relation to their enhanced DT. D 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Microchemical determination of organic nitrogen with Nessler reagent.

Abstract A method is presented for the determination of as little as 0.02 μg of organic nitrogen using Nessler reagent solution with colorimetry. Details necessary for obtaining reproducible results are presented because several factors must be controlled carefully to avoid a decrease color development and/or turbidity of the final solution.
GABA increases refractoriness of adult rat dorsal column axons

Abstract We applied randomized double pulse stimulation for assessing the effects of GABA and a GABA A antagonist on compound action potentials in dorsal column axons isolated from adult rat. We stimulated the axons with double pulses at 0.2 Hz and randomly varied interpulse intervals between 3, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 30, 50 and 80 ms. Action potentials were measured using glass micropipettes. The first pulse was used to condition the response activated by the second test pulse. Concentrations of GABA of 1 mM, 100 μM and 10 μM did not affect action potential amplitudes or latencies activated by conditioning pulses. In the control studies, before drug administration, test pulses induced response amplitudes that were significantly decreased at 3-, 4- and 5-ms interpulse intervals. The test action potential amplitudes were 84.6±2.5%, 89.0±3.9% and 93.3±3.6% (mean±S.E.M.) of conditioning pulse levels, respectively. At 3-ms interpulse intervals, test response latencies were prolonged to 104.3±1.0%, but were unchanged at the other interpulse intervals. The 10 μM, 100 μM and 1 mM concentrations of GABA affected test response amplitudes. Application of 100 μM GABA reduced the amplitudes of test responses at 3-, 4-, 5- and 8-ms interpulse intervals, to 59.2±3.0%, 70.0±3.0%, 80.2±1.1% and 88.6±3.6% of the conditioning pulse amplitudes, respectively. At both 100 μM and 1 mM concentrations, GABA significantly prolonged the latencies of test responses. Treatment with 100 μM GABA prolonged the latencies of test responses at 3-, 4- and 5-ms interpulse intervals, to 119.3±3.1%, 107.3±2.8% and 105.5±2.5% of conditioning pulse latencies, respectively. The addition of 100 μM bicuculline methochloride, a GABA A antagonist, eliminated the effects of 100 μM GABA. The combined application of GABA and bicuculline (both 100μM) did not affect amplitudes or latencies of test responses. These results suggest that GABA A receptor subtypes are present on the spinal dorsal column axons of adult rat, and that they modulate the excitability of the axons. The randomized double pulse methods reveal that GABA increases refractoriness of adult rat dorsal column axons.
The clinical stage of non–small cell lung cancer as assessed by means of fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomographic/computed tomographic scanning is less accurate in cigarette smokers

Objective The treatment of non–small cell lung cancer depends on the stage, and this is clinically best determined by using fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography/computed tomography. We evaluated the effect smoking has on the accuracy of this test. Methods We performed a prospective cohort study evaluating the accuracy of clinical stage compared with pathologic stage between cigarette smokers and nonsmokers with non–small cell lung cancer. All patients were assigned a clinical TNM stage after fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomographic/computed tomographic scanning and then underwent meticulously pathologic TNM staging. If N2, N3, or M1 negative, patients underwent thoracotomy with complete thoracic lymphadenectomy. The clinical and pathologic stages were compared. Results There were 246 patients: 52 never smoked (NS group), 112 quit at least 1 month before fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography/computed tomography (Q group), and 82 were still smokers (S group). The 3 groups were similar for stage and histology. The overall accuracy was 83%, 80%, and 64% for the NS, Q, and S groups, respectively ( P = .03). The accuracy for the T status was 88%, 84%, and 86%; accuracy for the N2 lymph nodes was 96%, 75%, and 72%; and accuracy for the N1 lymph nodes was 92%, 78%, and 80%, respectively, favoring the NS group. The greater the pack-year history, the greater the N2 inaccuracy ( P = .04). Multivariate analysis showed that status of smoking ( P = .026) and maxSUV value ( P = .014) were independent predictors of fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomography/computed tomography accuracy. Conclusions Patients with non–small cell lung cancer who continue to smoke at the time of their fluorodeoxyglucose–positron emission tomographic/computed tomographic scan have less accurate clinical staging compared with those who stopped 1 month before or who never smoked. As the pack-years increase, the accuracy for the N2 nodes decrease. Nonsmokers have the most accurate clinical staging.
Changes in luteinizing hormone concentrations after abortion, parturition, and weaning in primiparous sows

Abstract This study compared the endocrine changes associated with the capacity of gilts to return to estrus following mid-gestation abortion, removal of piglets at birth (zero weaned), during lactation, and following the removal of piglets after lactation (weaned). Serum concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol-17β (E2), and progesterone (P4) were determined in aborted gilts (Group 1; n = 5), zero-weaned gilts (Group 2; n = 6), and gilts (Group 3; n = 6) weaned after a 3 week lactation. In addition, postpartum endocrine changes were compared between Group 2 and Group 3 gilts during lactation. The day of abortion, parturition and weaning was considered Day 0. Blood samples were collected at 6 h intervals from Day —2 to Day 21 and at 15-min intervals for 8 h on Days —2, 1, 4, 7, 10 and 14. Following each 8 h sampling period, gilts were treated i.v. with gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH) at 0.5 μg kg−1 body weight (BW) and blood samples collected at 10-min intervals for 3 h. Estrus was detected using twice daily boar exposure. The number of gilts exhibiting estrus were four, four and one at 4.5 ± 0.3 days, 14.8 ± 0.5 days and 9 days for aborted, zero-weaned, and weaned groups, respectively. Gilts exhibited increasing LH concentrations with time following abortion, while GnRH-induced LH release was not affected by group or time. Changes in E2 and P4 concentrations reflected the endocrine changes associated with gestation or the return to estrus for each group. In addition, LH, E2 and P4 concentrations were similar in lactating and zero-weaned gilts for 7 days following parturition. It was evident that gilts aborted during mid-gestation have an increased ability to return to estrus than zero-weaned gilts, and that pituitary responsiveness to exogenous GnRH did not differ between groups nor was affected by the termination of pregnancy or lactation.
Unmagnetized diffusion for azimuthally symmetric wave and particle distributions

The quasi-linear diffusion of particles from resonant interactions with a spectrum of electrostatic waves is investigated theoretically, extending results obtained for no magnetic field and for strong magnetic fields to cases where the ambient magnetic field which organizes azimuthally symmetric wave and particle distributions does not have to be taken into consideration in evaluating the local interaction. The derivation of the governing equations is explained, and numerical results are presented in extensive graphs and characterized in detail. Slow-mode ion-acoustic waves are shown to be unstable under the plasma conditions studied, and the dependence of resonant-ion diffusion rates with pitch angle, speed, and the distribution of wave energy in wavenumber space is explored. The implications of the present findings for theoretical models of the earth bow shock and plasma-sheet boundary layer are indicated.
Transatrial approach revisited

A surgical approach is described to provide excellent exposure of the interior of the left atrium and the mitral valve apparatus.
Effectiveness of a Pharmacy Care Management Program for Veterans with Dyslipidemia

Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of a care management program provided by clinical pharmacists for veterans with dyslipidemia. Design Retrospective cohort design. Setting Two primary care clinics at a Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Patients An intervention (IT) cohort of 213 patients referred for management of dyslipidemia by clinical pharmacists and a control cohort of 219 patients with dyslipidemia receiving usual care (UC). Methods Data were obtained from electronic medical records regarding drug therapy, lipid levels, and patient characteristics. Using multivariable regression models to adjust for baseline characteristics, the primary analyses compared mean final measured values of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides (TGs) among the IT and UC cohorts at the final follow-up visits. Secondary analyses compared the proportion of patients achieving National Cholesterol Education Program/Third Report of the Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (NCEP/ATPIII) concordant LDL goals and the time to achieve LDL goals between the two groups. Results Compared with the UC cohort, the adjusted difference in the mean final measured LDL for the IT cohort was −10.4 mg/dl (95% confidence interval [CI] −16.1 to −4.6, p < 0.001) and TC was −12.7 (95% CI −21.3 to −4.1, p=0.004). There were no significant differences in the adjusted mean final measured HDL or TGs between the two groups. The NCEP/ATPIII goal LDL was met in 80.3% of patients in the IT cohort and 65.3% of patients in the UC cohort (odds ratio [OR], 2.6; 95% CI 1.6–4.3, p<0.001). Time to achieve goal LDL was significantly shorter for the IT cohort compared with the UC cohort (risk ratio, 1.8; 95% CI 1.2–2.8, log-rank p=0.002). Conclusion Veterans referred to a clinical pharmacist for treatment of dyslipidemia achieved significant reductions in TC and LDL. A greater proportion of patients achieved NCEP/ATPIII goal LDL, and the time to attainment of LDL goals was shorter in the pharmacist-managed cohort, supporting a continued role for pharmacy care management in the treatment of patients with dyslipidemia.
The constitutive 7-ethoxycoumarin 0-deethylase of human placental microsomes : relationship to the intermediary steps in steroid aromatization

Abstract All oxidative functions of aromatase, i.e., estrogen production, 19-oxygenated androgen production and 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylation, were inhibited in parallel in placental microsomes from non-smokers by the mechanism-based, time-dependent inactivators (suicide substrates) 10β-(2-propynyl)estr-4-ene-3, 17-dione and 4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione. In contrast, the aromatase suicide substrate androst-4-ene-3, 6, 17-trione had little or no effect on the conversion of androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione to 19-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione or on the conversion of the latter to 3, 17-dioxoandrost-4-en-19-al while severely limiting the capacity for estrogen production from androst-4-ene-3, 17-dione and 19-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3, 17-dione in such microsomal preparations. Androst-4-ene-3, 6, 17-trione, therefore, appears to uncouple the 19-hydroxylation of androgens from estrogen synthesis. This agent also produced only a minimal inhibition of 7-ethoxycoumarin deethylation, indicating that this major constitutive transformation of a xenobiotic chemical is associated with the steroid 19-hydroxylating function of the aromatase system.
An instrument for the measurement of thermal properties of gases and metal wires

A column instrument developed as a potential device for the accurate measurement of several thermal properties such as the electrical resistivity and hemispherical total emittance of metal wires and the thermal conductivity of gases over an extended temperature range is described. The results are reported for platinum and neon covering the maximum temperature range of 273-1650K. In each case the results of the present work are found to be in good agreement with the available data in the literature. This is regarded as a conclusive evidence in favour of the column apparatus as a multiproperty measuring instrument.
Automated semantic indices related to cognitive function and rate of cognitive decline

The objective of our study is to introduce a fully automated, computational linguistic technique to quantify semantic relations between words generated on a standard semantic verbal fluency test and to determine its cognitive and clinical correlates. Cognitive differences between patients with Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment are evident in their performance on the semantic verbal fluency test. In addition to the semantic verbal fluency test score, several other performance characteristics sensitive to disease status and predictive of future cognitive decline have been defined in terms of words generated from semantically related categories (clustering) and shifting between categories (switching). However, the traditional assessment of clustering and switching has been performed manually in a qualitative fashion resulting in subjective scoring with limited reproducibility and scalability. Our approach uses word definitions and hierarchical relations between the words in WordNet®, a large electronic lexical database, to quantify the degree of semantic similarity and relatedness between words. We investigated the novel semantic fluency indices of mean cumulative similarity and relatedness between all pairs of words regardless of their order, and mean sequential similarity and relatedness between pairs of adjacent words in a sample of patients with clinically diagnosed probable (n=55) or possible (n=27) Alzheimer’s disease or mild cognitive impairment (n=31). The semantic fluency indices differed significantly between the diagnostic groups, and were strongly associated with neuropsychological tests of executive function, as well as the rate of global cognitive decline. Our results suggest that word meanings and relations between words shared across individuals and computationally modeled via WordNet and large text corpora provide the necessary context to account for the variability in language-based behavior and relate it to cognitive dysfunction observed in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease.
Effects of high-dose methamphetamine administration on serotonin uptake sites in rat brain measured using [3H]cyanoimipramine autoradiography

Repeated administration of high doses of methamphetamine (15 mg/kg given for 5 doses over 24 h) resulted in long-term decreases in the binding of [3H]cyanoimipramine ([3H]CN-IMI) to serotonin uptake sites measured using quantitative autoradiography. Seven days after termination of drug administration decreases were seen in 23 of 28 regions examined. This is consistent with previous studies indicating that methamphetamine and related amphetamines are neurotoxic to serotonin neurons. Significant decreases were still present in many brain areas on the same dosage schedule 30 days after drug administration. However, the number of areas affected was considerably less, consistent with some regrowth of serotonin neurons. At a lower dosage (7.5 mg/kg on the same schedule) no effects on [3H]CN-IMI binding were seen. The results of this study provide support for the serotonergic neurotoxicity of repeated methamphetamine administration in rats. They also show that the neurotoxicity is highly regional and dose dependent.
Thin and composite high-flux membranes of perfluorosulfonated ion-exchange polymer

Abstract We report the techniques of casting thin and composite membranes of perfluorosulfonic acid polymer (PFSA). The thin PFSA membrane was prepared by a hot-casting method using an aqueous methanol solution with nonsolvents cyclohexanol and dimethylformamide. The composite PFSA membrane was cold-cast and subsequently cured at a higher temperature. Scanning electron micrographs showed the thin membrane to be asymmetric, whereas the composite membrane had a thin homogeneous polymer layer on the porous support. Permeation through the membranes was tested using several amino acids and their mixtures as model permeants. We found that membranes of both types provided higher fluxes than the commercial membrane of the same polymeric material. Permeation studies on amino acid mixtures using the composite membrane revealed that glycine permeated faster than either L-alanine or L-phenylalanine, and that glycine separation factors were higher for the composite PFSA membrane than for other polymeric membranes.
Adequate surgery for papillary thyroid cancer

Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is the most common type of thyroid cancer, occurring in about 80% of cases. Treatment consists of surgery, selective adjuvant radioiodine ablation, thyroid stimulating hormone suppression and surveillance. The extent of thyroidectomy and the extent of lymphadenectomy are controversial. Total or near-total thyroidectomy is recommended for the treatment ofPTC, except those with papillary microcarcinoma (PTC
Altruism in college women.

Sociometric ratings by sorority women were used reliably to nominate women who were altruistic and nonaltruistic. Evidence for convergent validity was found through high correlations between sociometric altruism and sociometric friendliness and trust while evidence for discriminate validity was inferred when sociometric altruism was unrelated to sociometric independence and physical attractiveness. The top and bottom 20% of the 207 sorority women were individually interviewed. The women responded to five altruism situations and to questions in 12 areas relevant to altruism. Sociometric altruism was strongly correlated with interview altruism measures. However, the responses of the altruistic women in the interview did not correspond completely to the ideal-type definition of altruism used in the nominating procedure. Rather than being motivated to help another through intrinsic satisfaction experienced when aiding another, the altruistic women appear to be motivated by conceptions of reciprocity and mutua...
The impact of two-stage highly interesting questions on completion rates and data quality in online marketing research

Increasing both survey completion rates and data quality remains an important topic for fields as diverse as sociology, marketing, medicine and history. Thousands of studies have made response qual...
White Collar Criminals

White collar crime, which is a generic term for all forms of criminal misuse of trust, creates great problems of economic, political, and moral damage to all segments of American society, and helps to sustain common or street crime. It takes an ever increasing variety of forms, ranging from consumer fraud to complex business thefts. White collar criminals appear to be motivated by money, avoidance of threats to goal attainment, sense of superiority, mastery, the admiration of others, conformity pressures, etc. Psychological restraints on their criminal behavior are weakened by their jungle view of society, the perception of the moral ambiguity of white collar crime, the lightness of punishment, the view of victims as being morally culpable, the size of some organizational victims, and a belief in their own beneficence. An appeal is made to psychologists to participate in the growing national effort to fight white collar crime.
Measurement of nonuniversal critical behavior in a two-dimensional continuum percolating system

We report the results of measurements of the stiffness S and conductance G of square metal sheets as a function of the number of randomly drilled holes or, equivalently, the area fraction of metal p. The data near p=1 are well described by effective-medium theory: G(p)=2G(1)(p-(1/2)) and S(p)=3S(1)(p-(2/3)). Near the percolation threshold, ${p}_{c}$, we find that G\ensuremath{\propto}(p-${p}_{c}$${)}^{t}$ and S\ensuremath{\propto}(p-${p}_{c}$${)}^{f}$, with t=1.24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.13, in agreement with the value for lattice percolation, and f=4.95\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.1, which differs from the lattice value. These results are in excellent agreement with recent scaling predictions.
Mechanisms of disease: metabolic effects of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1.

Insulin-like growth factor 1 is a major effector of growth hormone. IGF1 binds the IGF1 receptor with high affinity and the insulin receptor with lower affinity. IGF1 has actions distinct from growth hormone in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism; it can lower blood glucose levels and might prove efficacious for diabetes. Insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1 is a member of a family that is involved in growth, development, cell differentiation, and metabolism. IGF1, IGF2 and insulin act primarily through tyrosine-kinase-linked receptors—the IGF1 receptor (IGF1R) and insulin receptor (IR). The IGF1R binds IGF1 and IGF2 with high affinity and the IR binds insulin with high affinity; however, since both receptors share a high degree of structural and functional homology, the IGF1R can bind insulin and the IR can bind the IGFs with reduced affinity. These two receptors can, moreover, form heterodimers, which bind both ligands. Upon binding to the receptors, cascades of tyrosine and serine kinases are stimulated to facilitate growth or metabolism. The IGF2 receptor is a scavenger receptor, and is, therefore, not involved in mediation of growth or metabolic effects of the IGF family and will not be discussed in the current article. IGF1 is a major gene target of growth hormone and its product mediates many of the actions of growth hormone on growth and development; however, IGF1 has actions distinct from those of growth hormone in carbohydrate, lipid, and protein metabolism. For example, excess growth hormone causes insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, whereas IGF1 has insulin-like effects that reduce blood glucose levels and has been used experimentally to treat both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
Fine structure of a potential photoreceptor organ in the larva of Bugula neritina (Bryozoa)

The pigmented spots of bryozoan larvae have often been implicated in photoreception due to their preferential occurrence in larvae with positive phototactic behavior. Results of light and electron microscopic studies of Bugula neritina show that the larvae possess two spots, each with a basal sensory cell situated at the base of a pit-like depression. The embedment of the pit and its basal cell in a pad of subepidermal pigment cells allows for directional illumination. The basal sensory cell produces a ball-like mass of non-motile cilia. The configuration of the axoneme is typical of kinocilia and unlike the arrangement previously described for ciliary photoreceptors. Elaboration of receptor organelle membrane surface area is accomplished uniquely by multiple cilia oriented so that large portions of each cilium lie perpendicular to the direction of incident light. The pigmented spot directly contacts the underlying equatorial nerve ring which also connects with the major larval locomotor organ. The pigmented spots of B. neritina are the only potential photoreceptor structures which have been studied by electron microscopy in the three lophophorate phyla. The use of ciliary membranes as the potential photoreceptor organelle allies the bryozoan pigmented spot with the ciliary type photoreceptor which occurs most prevalently in deuterostome animals.
Value of a Doppler-Derived Index Combining Systolic and Diastolic Time Intervals in Predicting Outcome in Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

Primary pulmonary hypertension is characterized by elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance, frequently producing right heart failure and death. Therefore, the Doppler right ventricular (RV) index, which is a measure of global RV function, could be a useful predictor of outcome in primary pulmonary hypertension. The Doppler RV index, defined as the sum of isovolumic contraction time and isovolumic relaxation time divided by ejection time, was retrospectively measured in 53 patients (38 women, aged 45 ± 14 years) with primary pulmonary hypertension. Ejection time was measured from the pulmonary outflow velocity signal. The sum of isovolumic contraction time and isovolumic relaxation time was obtained by subtracting ejection time from the duration of tricuspid regurgitation. The Doppler RV index tended to be elevated (median 0.83) compared with normal ranges. Normal Doppler RV index was 0.28 ± 0.04. After a mean follow-up duration of 2.9 years, 4 patients underwent lung transplantation and 30 patients died; the cause was cardiac in 28, noncardiac in 1, and uncertain in 1. Univariately, the Doppler RV index (chi-square 20.7, p <0.0001), severity of tricuspid regurgitation (chi-square 8.2, p = 0.004), treatment with calcium blockers (chi-square 6.6, p = 0.01), heart rate (chi-square 5.1, p = 0.02), and symptom status (chi-square 4.9, p = 0.03) were associated with adverse outcome (cardiac deaths and lung transplantation). However, only the Doppler RV index and treatment with calcium blockers were independent predictors within the multivariate model. Our results indicate that the Doppler RV index is a useful predictor of adverse outcome in patients with primary pulmonary hypertension.