cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A comparison of family interventions to address adolescent risky behaviors: a literature review

The purpose of this integrative review is to describe, compare, and synthesize traditional and computer-based family interventions that aim to change adolescents' risky sexual behaviors and substance abuse. Family interventions have been shown to generate protective effects for preventing adolescents from risky behaviors. It is not clear, however, whether there are significant differences or similarities in the designs and effects of traditional and computer-based family interventions. An integrative literature review was conducted to describe and compare the designs and effects of traditional and computer-based family interventions. Both interventions have generated significant effects on reducing risky behavior among adolescents. Interventions guided by theory, tailored to participants' culture/gender, and which included sufficient boosting dosages in their designs demonstrated significant short- or long-term effects in terms of reducing adolescents' risky behaviors. Regardless of delivery method, well-designed family interventions are noted to maximize familial protective effects and reduce risky behaviors.
Cloning and Characterization of Cytokeratins 8 and 19 in Adult Rat Striated Muscle INTERACTION WITH THE DYSTROPHIN GLYCOPROTEIN COMPLEX

We used degenerate primers for the amino- and carboxyl-terminal ends of the rod domains of intermediate filament proteins in reverse transcriptase-PCR experiments to identify and clone cytokeratins 8 and 19 (K8 and K19) from cardiac muscle of the adult rat. Northern blots showed that K8 has a 2.2-kb transcript and K19 has a 1.9-kb transcript in both adult cardiac and skeletal muscles. Immunolocalization of the cytokeratins in adult cardiac muscle with isoform-specific antibodies for K8 and K19 showed labeling at Z-lines within the muscle fibers and at Z-line and M-line domains at costameres at the sarcolemmal membrane. Dystrophin and K19 could be co-immunoprecipitated and co-purified from extracts of cardiac muscle, suggesting a link between the cytokeratins and the dystrophin-based cytoskeleton at the sarcolemma. Furthermore, transfection experiments indicate that K8 and K19 may associate with dystrophin through a specific interaction with its actin-binding domain. Consistent with this observation, the cytokeratins are disrupted at the sarcolemmal membrane of skeletal muscle of the mdx mouse that lacks dystrophin. Together these results indicate that at least two cytokeratins are expressed in adult striated muscle, where they may contribute to the organization of both the myoplasm and sarcolemma.
Inheritance of resistance to early blight disease in a diploid potato population

Early blight disease, caused by Alternaria solani Sorauer, is a serious disease of potato foliage and tubers that occurs in most potatogrowing regions world-wide. Developing new potato cultivars with resistance to early blight may reduce losses in the field and in storage, and lessen the need for fungicide applications. A total of 280 clones, derived from 72 maternal half-sib families from a diploid randommated hybrid population of Solanum phureja · Solanum stenotomum were examined for resistance to early blight. The clones that were evaluated in a replicated field trial for 2 years in Pennsylvania, USA, had similar early blight intensity both years. Significant diAerences were found among families, within families and for the interaction of years · within families. Broad-sense heritability for resistance, measured as area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC), was estimated as 0.73, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.65‐0.78, and narrow-sense heritability was estimated as 0.61 a 0.29 (Pa 0.05). The correlation of AUDPC for early blight between years was 0.57 (P < 0.0001). These results suggest that this diploid population is worthy of use in breeding for early blight resistance.
A topological approach to dynamic graph connectivity

Abstract A dynamic connectivity problem consists of an initial graph, and a sequence of operations consisting of graph modifications and graph connectivity tests. The size n of the problem is the sum of the maximum number of vertices and edges of the derived graph, plus the number of operations to be executed. Each graph modification is a deletion of either an edge or an isolated vertex. Each graph connectivity test is to determine if there exists a path in the current graph between two given vertices (the vertices can vary for distinct tests). The best previously known time for this dynamic connectivity problem was Ω(n 2 ). Our main result is an O(ng+n log n) time algorithm for the dynamic connectivity problem in the case of the maximum genus of the derived graph being g.
Ground-based and remotely sensed nutrient availability across a tropical landscape

Abstract Tropical soils often are assumed to be highly weathered and thus nutrient-depleted, but this prediction applies primarily to geomorphically stable surfaces. Topography complicates the assumption of nutrient depletion, because erosion can enhance the supply of nutrients to tropical ecosystems. Consequently, understanding nutrient availability across landscapes requires a spatially explicit assessment of the relative strength of depletion and enhancement. We document the relationship between foliar nutrients and topographic position across a 20-km2, 4- to 5-million-year-old eroded landscape in Kaua'i, Hawai'i, and use this relationship to build a bottom-up map of predicted nutrient availability across this landscape. Only ≈17% of the landscape is nutrient-poor, mostly on stable uplands; nutrient availability on slopes and valley bottoms is much higher, in some cases similar to the most fertile montane forests in the Hawaiian Islands. This pattern was corroborated by top-down remote sensing of area-integrated canopy phosphorus concentrations. Hawai'i remote-sensing topography erosion nutrient availability
Taking a look at introductory planetary books

Introductory astronomy courses are far more popular with students than their planetary science counterparts. This is not surprising: astronomy instructors have access to several superb texts with color illustrations, while introductory planetary science books struggle to afford even a few pages of color plates. At present the most attractive and current text material for nonscience students remains the planetary chapters in the 1995 editions of Kaler's Astronomy (Harper Collins); Morrison, Wolff, and Fraknoi's Abell's Exploration of the Universe (Saunders College Publishing); and Chaisson and McMillan's Astronomy (Prentice Hall). Even so, the few chapters in each of these texts cannot serve a complete course in planetary science. “Space” remains high on the list of student interest. There should be a good market for well-written texts for both the nonscience students meeting liberal studies science requirements and science majors interested in planetary geophysics or geology.
An Active Site of Transforming Growth Factor-β1 for Growth Inhibition and Stimulation

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a bifunctional growth regulator. It inhibits growth of many cell types, including epithelial cells, but stimulates growth of others (e.g. fibroblasts). The active site on the TGF-beta molecule, which mediates its growth regulatory activity, has not been defined. Here, we show that antibody to a TGF-beta(1) peptide containing the motif WSLD (52nd to 55th amino acid residues) completely blocked both (125)I-TGF-beta(1) binding to TGF-beta receptors and TGF-beta(1)-induced growth inhibition in mink lung epithelial cells. Site-directed mutagenesis analysis revealed that the replacement of Trp(52) and Asp(55) by alanine residues diminished the growth inhibitory activity of TGF-beta(1) by approximately 90%. Finally, while wild-type TGF-beta(1) was able to stimulate growth of transfected NIH 3T3 cells, the double mutant TGF-beta(1) W52A/D55A was much less active. These results support the hypothesis that the WSLD motif is an active site of TGF-beta(1), which is important for growth inhibition of epithelial cells and growth stimulation of fibroblasts.
Energy Restriction Impairs Natural Killer Cell Function and Increases the Severity of Influenza Infection in Young Adult Male C57BL/6 Mice

Energy restriction (ER) without malnutrition extends lifespan in mice and postpones age-related changes in immunity. However, we have previously shown that aged (22 mo old) ER mice exhibit increased mortality, impaired viral clearance, and reduced natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity following influenza infection compared with aged mice that consumed food ad libitum (AL). To determine whether the detrimental effects of ER in response to influenza infection occur independently of advanced age, young adult (6 mo) male C57BL/6 mice consuming an AL or ER diet were infected with influenza A virus (H1N1, PR8). Young adult ER mice exhibited increased mortality (P < 0.05) and weight loss (P < 0.01) in response to infection. ER mice exhibited decreased total (P < 0.001) and NK1.1+ lymphocytes (P < 0.05) in lung and reduced influenza-induced NK cell cytotoxicity in both lung (P < 0.01) and spleen (P < 0.05). Importantly, the mRNA expression of interferon (IFN)α/β (P < 0.05) was also reduced in the lungs of ER mice in response to infection, and in vitro stimulation of NK cells from ER mice with type I IFN resulted in cytotoxicity comparable to that in NK cells from AL mice. In contrast, NK cell activation was enhanced in ER mice, determined as an increase in the percentage of NK cells expressing B220 (P < 0.001) and increased intracellular production of IFNγ (P < 0.01). These data describe an age-independent and detrimental effect of ER on the innate immune response to influenza infection and suggest that a decrease in NK cell number and alterations in the NK cell-activating environment may contribute to decreased innate immunity in ER mice.
Activity Preferences and Satisfaction Among Older Adults in a Veterans Administration Long-Term Care Facility

Activities can be a nonpharmacological intervention for depression in long-term care. To address the activity needs of men, 183 residents of a VA long-term care facility were surveyed about activity interests, past and present, and activity satisfaction. With a 30% return rate, residents reported 85% overall satisfaction with activities and identified television as the most preferred activity, past and present. Bingo, movies, and listening to music ranked high for current activities. Prayer, reading, and pets increased in popularity. Current satisfaction with flea markets, pool, and gardening decreased from prior levels of satisfaction. Model making and arts and crafts activities were rated poorly. Long-term care facilities may want to expand television-based activities for older men in ways that promote increased socialization and mental activity.
Converting corn wet-milling effluent into high-value fungal biomass in a biofilm reactor.

Rhizopus microsporus was grown in an attached growth system using corn wet-milling effluent as a growth medium. This strain was chosen due to its ability to effectively degrade organic matter in corn wet-milling effluent and for its properties to produce significant levels of protein, chitin and chitosan. Fungal growth and organic removal efficiency were examined under both aseptic and non-aseptic conditions with and without nutrient supplementation. Plastic composite support (PCS) tubes, composed of 50% (w/w) polypropylene (PP) and 50% (w/w) agricultural products were used as support media. Significantly higher organic removal measured as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and biomass yield were observed in the bioreactor with PCS tubes than in two control bioreactors; that is with PP tubes alone and suspended growth (without support media). This confirmed that the PCS support medium with agricultural components enhanced fungal growth and organic removal. The results showed that supplementation of nutrients (e.g., mineral salts) under aseptic conditions enhanced the COD removal from 50% to 55% and observed biomass yield from 0.11 to 0.16 g (dry-weight)/g CODremoved (i.e., from 0.10 to 0.14 g volatile solids (VS)/g CODremoved approximately). Non-aseptic operation without nutrient supplementation resulted in an observed biomass yield of 0.32 g volatile suspended solids (VSS)/g CODremoved with no significant improvement in COD removal (∼53%); whereas with nutrient supplementation, the observed biomass yield increased to 0.56 g VSS/g CODremoved and COD removal improved to 85%. The fungal system was able to degrade the organic matter with concomitant production of high-value fungal biomass. This is the first study that examined the conversion of corn milling waste stream into high value fungal protein. Biotechnol. Bioeng. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
BiP and Immunoglobulin Light Chain Cooperate to Control the Folding of Heavy Chain and Ensure the Fidelity of Immunoglobulin Assembly

The immunoglobulin (Ig) molecule is composed of two identical heavy chains and two identical light chains (H2L2). Transport of this heteromeric complex is dependent on the correct assembly of the component parts, which is controlled, in part, by the association of incompletely assembled Ig heavy chains with the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperone, BiP. Although other heavy chain-constant domains interact transiently with BiP, in the absence of light chain synthesis, BiP binds stably to the first constant domain (CH1) of the heavy chain, causing it to be retained in the ER. Using a simplified two-domain Ig heavy chain (VH-CH1), we have determined why BiP remains bound to free heavy chains and how light chains facilitate their transport. We found that in the absence of light chain expression, the CH1 domain neither folds nor forms its intradomain disulfide bond and therefore remains a substrate for BiP. In vivo, light chains are required to facilitate both the folding of the CH1 domain and the release of BiP. In contrast, the addition of ATP to isolated BiP–heavy chain complexes in vitro causes the release of BiP and allows the CH1 domain to fold in the absence of light chains. Therefore, light chains are not intrinsically essential for CH1 domain folding, but play a critical role in removing BiP from the CH1 domain, thereby allowing it to fold and Ig assembly to proceed. These data suggest that the assembly of multimeric protein complexes in the ER is not strictly dependent on the proper folding of individual subunits; rather, assembly can drive the complete folding of protein subunits.
Preemptive Scheduling of Stochastic Jobs with a Two-Stage Processing Time Distribution on M + 1 Parallel Machines

We analyze the optimal preemptive sequencing of n jobs on M + 1 parallel identical machines to minimize expected total flowtime. The running times of the jobs are independent samples from the distribution Pr( X = H ) = p , Pr( X = H + T ) = 1 − p , where H, T are random variables of general distribution. Preemption of a job is allowed when H is completed. This problem does not have a simple optimal solution. We show that the scheme of shortest expected remaining processing time first ( SERPT ) is close to optimal in two senses. The expected flowtime under SERPT and under the optimal policy differ by no more than a constant, independent of the number of jobs, and the expected number of optimal decisions that are not according to SERPT is bounded by a constant, independent of the number of jobs.
Comparison of Microwave Ablation and Transcatheter Ablation and Transcatheter Arterial Chemoembolization in the Treatment of Early Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Background: Patients with cirrhosis and early stage HCC may not be candidates for surgical resection due to liver dysfunction. Two common alternative therapies to treat HCC are transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and microwave ablation (MWA). We compared outcomes between HCC patients within Milan criteria after initial treatment with these two therapies. Methods: The records of 58 patients diagnosed with HCC within Milan criteria and treated initially with either TACE or MWA were reviewed. Pre-treatment factors, perioperative outcomes and survival were compared between groups. Results: There were 36 patients treated with MWA and 22 with TACE. Pre-treatment AFP levels were higher in the TACE group. Treatment with MWA was associated with progression-free survival (PFS) of 17.1 months versus 8.9 months after TACE (p=0.56). Disease-specific survival (DSS) was higher in the MWA group (median not reached) than the TACE group (32.0 months, p=0.047). Nine (15.5%) patients in this cohort went on to receive liver transplantation. Conclusions: Treatment with either MWA or TACE for patients with cirrhosis and unresectable HCC within Milan criteria is generally safe and initially effective, but recurrence and eventual death due to HCC or cirrhosis is common. These therapies should be a bridge to transplantation for all appropriate candidates.
Perfect Secrecy Encryption of Analog Signals

Any scheme that encrypts an analog message with perfect secrecy using a finite-size digital key must inevitably degrade the quality of the recovered message. With the constraints of perfect secrecy and a finite key size, no analog encryption system can ever achieve less degradation than is achievable by optimal digitization of the message (by block source coding or vector quantization) followed by digital encryption. Optimal analog encryption with perfect secrecy can be implemented in such a way that the bandwidth of the encrypted signal is not greater than the bandwidth of the original analog signal; this can be done without altering the key size and without increasing the degradation incurred in the recovered message.
A novel radiant heat test for assessing pain threshold in human subjects: Measurement stability

New methodologies to assess analgesic response in humans are needed to better integrate preclini­ cal and clinical data. In the present study we examined the test-retest stability of an innovative radi­ ant heat methodology compared with an electrical stimulation methodology. For the radiant heat task, a modified rodent tail flick apparatus was used, The latency for fmger withdrawal was recorded. For the electrical stimulation tasks, subjects placed two fingers on two electrodes from which they received a brief series of increasingly intense electrical stimulations. Maximum stimulus intensity (in milliamps) delivered was recorded. On each of 4 test days, the subjects received five test trials with a lO-min in­ terval between trials. Allthe subjects were tested twice on eachapparatus in a counterbalanced design. Finger withdrawal latencies for the radiant heat task did not differ significantly across test trials or test days. Finger withdrawal scores for electrical stimulation increased significantly across test trials as well as test days. These data show that the radiant heat method generates consistent latencies across trials and days, whereas shock produces trends over time. The radiant heat task, which is convenient to operate and inexpensive to build, appears promising as a reliable test of pain threshold in humans. Many attempts have been made to develop a simple and reliable laboratory method to assess pain thresholds in human volunteers. Some ofthese methods include ice water hand immersion, thermal heat, electrical stimula­ tion, and skin pressure tests (Chery-Croze, 1983; Collier, Mehta, & Spear, 1990; Harris & Rollman, 1983). Among these different stimuli, thermal heat and electrical stim­ ulation have been chiefly used to induce experimental pain (Chery-Croze, 1983). Additionally, these methods have been frequently used in nonclinical studies in which repeated exposure to the stimulus is often required. How­ ever, considerable variation in pain threshold values have been reported with electrical stimulation. For instance, Collier et a1. reported significant variation in threshold responses following repeated exposure to electrical stim­ ulation. This may be due to a developed tolerance or adaptation that may occur over time to the sensations pro­ duced by electrical stimulation. Additionally, Harris and Rollman reported that electrical stimulation is often ac­ companied by subjective reports of anxiety and stress. Hence, the psychological components associated with electrical stimulation may lead to variability in responding. Thermal heat tests have been successfully used to de­ termine pain threshold in human volunteers for the last three decades (Hardy, Goodell, & Wolff, 1952). The two most commonly employed methods of delivering ther­ mal heat are radiant heat (use ofa beam of light or laser pulse) and conducted heat (use of Peltier thermodes on
On the stress singularities in the plane elasticity of the composite wedge

This paper examines the composite, two-dimensional, linear elastic wedge for singular stresses at its vertex. A full range of wedge boundary and matching conditions is considered. Using separation of variables on the Airy stress function, the usual determinant conditions for singularities of the formO(r -λ) asr → 0 are established and further conditions are derived for singularities of the formO(r -λ lnr) asr → 0. The order of the determinant involved in these conditions depends upon the number of materials comprising the wedge. Two systematic methods of expanding the determinant for theN-material wedge are presented.
Expression Profiling of Attenuated Mitochondrial Function Identifies Retrograde Signals in Drosophila

Mitochondria are able to modulate cell state and fate during normal and pathophysiologic conditions through a nuclear-mediated mechanism collectively termed as a retrograde response. Our previous studies in Drosophila melanogaster have clearly established that progress through the cell cycle is precisely regulated by the intrinsic activity of the mitochondrion by specific signaling cascades mounted by the cell. As a means to further our understanding of how mitochondrial energy status affects nuclear control of basic cell decisions, we have employed Affymetrix microarray-based transcriptional profiling of Drosophila S2 cells knocked down for the gene encoding subunit Va of the complex IV of the mitochondrial electron transport chain. The profiling data identify transcriptional upregulation of glycolytic genes, and metabolic studies confirm this increase in glycolysis. The data provide a model of the shift of metabolism from a predominately oxidative state toward a predominately aerobic glycolytic state mediated through transcriptional control. The transcriptional changes alter many signaling systems, including p53, insulin, hypoxia-induced factor α, and conserved mitochondrial retrograde responses. This rich dataset provides many novel targets for further understanding the mechanism whereby the mitochondrion manages energy substrate disposition and directs cellular fate decisions.
Fundamental analysis of the dynamics, mass transfer, and coagulation in wet spinning of fibers

New models are developed to analyze the wet spinning process. These involve a formulation of simultaneous overall mass, force, and solvent mass transfer balances. In the first-order model, internal concentration gradients and mass transfer resistance within the fiber are neglected. It is equivalent to the Kase–Matsuo melt spinning model. In the second-order model, concentration gradients and diffusion within the fiber are included. Comparison is made with an experimental study of wet spinning nylon-66 fibers. The first-order model seriously underpredicts final fiber diameter under conditions of specified spinline tension and spinning efflux. The second-order model gives better agreement between theory and experiment.
Affricating ejective fricatives: The case of Tigrinya

The production of an ejective fricative involves an aerodynamic dilemma. An ejective requires increased intraoral air pressure, while a fricative requires air to be continuously vented through a narrow constriction. This venting may defeat the pressure increase. Because ejectivity is realized by forming a complete oral closure, we hypothesize that complete closure (i.e. affrication) may also typify ejective fricatives in some languages. We test this hypothesis through an acoustic production experiment with speakers of Tigrinya. We find substantial evidence that Tigrinya /s’/ is commonly realized as [ts’] and comment on the plausibility of affrication as a general strategy for the realization of ejective fricatives.
Midcourse Corrections: New Disclosure Duties for Brokers in Short Sales

This article examines the decision in Holmes v. Summer where the court held that a sellers broker "had a duty to disclose... liens before the buyers signed... [an] agreement." The article discusses the conflict between the duty of confidentiality and the new duty of disclosure to the other side.
Coexistence of vulvar vestibulitis and interstitial cystitis.

Interstitial cystitis (IC) and vulvar vestibulitis (VVS) are predominantly disorders of adult white women in their reproductive years. Although the etiology and pathogenesis of both conditions are poorly understood, the common embryonic origin of the bladder and vestibule could be important. The coexistence of both conditions in the same patient is uncommon. We present three cases from a gynecology clinic.
Comparative genomic analysis of Geobacter sulfurreducens KN400, a strain with enhanced capacity for extracellular electron transfer and electricity production

A new strain of Geobacter sulfurreducens, strain KN400, produces more electrical current in microbial fuel cells and reduces insoluble Fe(III) oxides much faster than the wildtype strain, PCA. The genome of KN400 was compared to wildtype with the goal of discovering how the network for extracellular electron transfer has changed and how these two strains evolved. Both genomes were re-annotated, resulting in 14 fewer genes (net) in the PCA genome; 28 fewer (net) in the KN400 genome; and ca. 400 gene start and stop sites moved. 96% of genes in KN400 had clear orthologs with conserved synteny in PCA. Most of the remaining genes were in regions of genomic mobility and were strain-specific or conserved in other Geobacteraceae, indicating that the changes occurred post-divergence. There were 27,270 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) between the genomes. There was significant enrichment for SNP locations in non-coding or synonymous amino acid sites, indicating significant selective pressure since the divergence. 25% of orthologs had sequence differences, and this set was enriched in phosphorylation and ATP-dependent enzymes. Substantial sequence differences (at least 12 non-synonymous SNP/kb) were found in 3.6% of the orthologs, and this set was enriched in cytochromes and integral membrane proteins. Genes known to be involved in electron transport, those used in the metabolic cell model, and those that exhibit changes in expression during growth in microbial fuel cells were examined in detail. The improvement in external electron transfer in the KN400 strain does not appear to be due to novel gene acquisition, but rather to changes in the common metabolic network. The increase in electron transfer rate and yield in KN400 may be due to changes in carbon flux towards oxidation pathways and to changes in ATP metabolism, both of which indicate that the overall energy state of the cell may be different. The electrically conductive pili appear to be unchanged, but cytochrome folding, localization, and redox potentials may all be affected, which would alter the electrical connection between the cell and the substrate.
The Mania Rating Scale (MRS): Further Reliability and Validity Studies with Children

AbstractEmpirical studies of prepubertal mania are scarce and are limited by a lack of assessment instruments. This study extended previous research on the Mania Rating Scale (MRS) in children. Psychometric properties of the MRS were examined in three new groups of prepubertal subjects: (1) 10 inpatients with bipolar disorder, (2) 10 inpatients with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and (3) 10 outpatients with ADHD. Subjects were administered the MRS and other standard depression and hyperactivity measures. The MRS had adequate internal consistency (a = .80), convergent validity (r = .83, p < .0001), and divergent validity (no significant correlations with depression and hyperactivity ratings). Items assessing “classic” manic symptoms (e.g., elevated mood, increased sexual interest, pressured speech, racing thoughts) effectively discriminated the bipolar group from both comparison groups, while items assessing increased activity level and irritability did not. Results suggest that the MRS c...
A model for Kt3 form factors and cabibbo angle

A quark model of Kt3 form factors is discussed using Regge-pole theory. It is shown thatξ(t)=f−(t)/f+(t) for 0 <t < 7μ π 2 can be fitted and that there is a dip inf(t)=f+(t)+tf−(t)/μ K 2 −μ π 2 . Within the same model, the Cabibbo angle is also calculated to be 0.26, assuming that theSU3 breaking is significant for masses in a multiplet but not for the strong couplings.
An Examination of Tropical and Extratropical Gust Factors and the Associated Wind Speed Histograms

Abstract A gust factor, defined as the ratio between a peak wind gust and mean wind speed over a period of time, can be used along with other statistics to examine the structure of the wind. Gust factors are heavily dependent on upstream terrain conditions (roughness), but are also affected by transitional flow regimes (specifically, changes in terrain and the distance from the upstream terrain change to the measuring device), anemometer height, stability of the boundary layer, and, potentially, the presence of deep convection. Previous studies have yielded conflicting results regarding differences in gust factors that might exist between winds generated by tropical cyclones and those generated by extratropical systems. Using high-resolution wind speed data collected from both landfalling tropical cyclones and extratropical systems, two databases of wind characteristics were developed. Gust factors from tropical cyclone and extratropical winds were examined, summarized, and compared. Further analysis was ...
Woodland salamander responses to a shelterwood harvest-prescribed burn silvicultural treatment within Appalachian mixed-oak forests

Forest management practices that mimic natural canopy disturbances, including prescribed fire and timber harvests, may reduce competition and facilitate establishment of favorable vegetative species within various ecosystems. Fire suppression in the central Appalachian region for almost a century has contributed to a transition from oak-dominated to more mesophytic, fire-intolerant forest communities. Prescribed fire coupled with timber removal is currently implemented to aid in oak regeneration and establishment but responses of woodland salamanders to this complex silvicultural system is poorly documented. The purpose of our research was to determine how woodland salamanders respond to shelterwood harvests following successive burns in a central Appalachian mixed-oak forest. Woodland salamanders were surveyed using coverboard arrays in May, July, and August–September 2011 and 2012. Surveys were conducted within fenced shelterwood-burn (prescribed fires, shelterwood harvest, and fencing to prevent white-tailed deer [Odocoileus virginianus] herbivory), shelterwood-burn (prescribed fires and shelterwood harvest), and control plots. Relative abundance was modeled in relation to habitat variables measured within treatments for mountain dusky salamanders (Desmognathus ochrophaeus), slimy salamanders (Plethodon glutinosus), and eastern red-backed salamanders (Plethodon cinereus). Mountain dusky salamander relative abundance was positively associated with canopy cover and there were significantly more individuals within controls than either shelterwood-burn or fenced shelterwood-burn treatments. Conversely, habitat variables associated with slimy salamanders and eastern red-backed salamanders did not differ among treatments. Salamander age-class structure within controls did not differ from shelterwood-burn or fenced shelterwood-burn treatments for any species. Overall, the woodland salamander assemblage remained relatively intact throughout the shelterwoodburn silvicultural treatment compared to previous research within the same study area that examined pre-harvest fire effects. However, because of the multi-faceted complexities of this specific silvicultural system, continued research is warranted that evaluates long-term, additive impacts on woodland salamanders within managed central Appalachian deciduous forests.
GDC in ruptured versus unruptured aneurysms.

We have treated 581 aneurysms in 510 patients from August 1990 to November 1998. In 247 patients the presentation was acute rupture. In 141 patients the aneurysm treated was incidental. Complications in the acute group was 10.1% morbidity with 2.8% procedure related mortality. The corresponding rates were 4.2% and 0% in the incidental group.In the incidental group all complications occurred up to 1995. In our last 91 patients there has been no morbidity or mortality. Anatomic outcomes were dependent upon aneurysm geometry in both groups. This low rate of complications when compared to the natural history for both ruptured and unruptured aneurysm favors treatment if the long-term follow-up confirms reduced longitudinal hemorrhage rates, and the aneurysm has a favorable geometry.
Studies of learning to learn

This study investigated performance on a paired-associate test list as a function of type and duration of prior training. The design comprised four experimental groups and a control group. The experimental groups represented the factorial combination of two types of training tasks and two levels of practice. Training was either on an unrelated list of paired associates or on a number-guessing task which simulated the physical arrangements and response requirements of paired-associate learning. There were either 4 or 10 training trials. The control group received no prior practice. Performance on the common transfer task was substantially better after the learning than after the nonlearning activity. Under both conditions speed of acquisition increased with the number of training trials. It is concluded that for naive Ss, familiarization with the learning task has greater weight than sheer warm-up in determining subsequent gains in performance.
Finding an effective treatment for microvascular obstruction in STEMI: a road to perdition?

This editorial refers to ‘Strategies to attenuate micro-vascular obstruction during P-PCI: the randomized reperfusion facilitated by local adjunctive therapy in ST-elevation myocardial infarction trial’[†][1], by S.A. Nazir et al ., on page 1910. Perdition is derived from the Latin word ‘ perdere ’, which literally means ‘to destroy’, and the ‘road to perdition’ refers to a course or path that is destined for failure and damnation. The search for effective therapies for the no-reflow phenomenon, an important and common complication after primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI), has in many ways been a road to perdition for the interventional cardiology community. No-reflow, which is caused by microvascular obstruction (MVO), is associated with larger infarct size, poor recovery of ventricular function, and reduced survival.1,2 There is a veritable graveyard of agents that appeared promising in bench and animal studies for prevention or treatment of no-reflow, only to fail in randomized clinical trials. The authors of the REFLO-STEMI trial, reported in this issue of the journal,3 therefore deserve credit for trying to tackle this recalcitrant problem. In this important trial, 247 patients undergoing primary PCI for STEMI were randomized in a 1:1:1 fashion to either intracoronary adenosine, sodium nitroprusside (SNP), or neither. Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging was performed 24–96 h following primary PCI, to determine infarct size and the extent of MVO. Neither early nor late MVO was improved in either experimental arm. Moreover, MACE (major adverse cardiac events) rates were higher among patients receiving adenosine, primarily due to an excess of heart failure events. Intraprocedural atrioventricular block was also more frequent in patients receiving … [1]: #fn-2
Automated Tuning for Parameter Identification and Uncertainty Quantification in Multi-scale Coronary Simulations.

Abstract Atherosclerotic coronary artery disease, which can result in coronary artery stenosis, acute coronary artery occlusion, and eventually myocardial infarction, is a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Non-invasive characterization of coronary blood flow is important to improve understanding, prevention, and treatment of this disease. Computational simulations can now produce clinically relevant hemodynamic quantities using only non-invasive measurements, combining detailed three dimensional fluid mechanics with physiological models in a multi-scale framework. These models, however, require specification of numerous input parameters and are typically tuned manually without accounting for uncertainty in the clinical data, hindering their application to large clinical studies. We propose an automatic, Bayesian, approach to parameter estimation based on adaptive Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling that assimilates non-invasive quantities commonly acquired in routine clinical care, quantifies the uncertainty in the estimated parameters and computes the confidence in local predicted hemodynamic indicators.
Industrial Relations Overview of the United States

This guide is intended to provide key links for a quick overview of issues, data, and developments in U.S. industrial relations. It is produced in cooperation with the European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions as an aid to research in international and comparative studies. The resources listed are chosen because they are primarily free and authoritative. Other resources may be found by using the Research section of the Catherwood Library web site. The listing of sources is not comprehensive. It is simply a useful place to start.[Please Note: BNA, Inc. produces the most often used reports analyzing collective bargaining and industrial relations developments in the United States. Among these reports are the Daily Labor Report and Negotiated Settlements Report, both of which are commercially produced and available in numerous libraries including this one. However, links to these items are not provided since access is restricted to locations paying for these services].
Rethinking the strategy for improving the diagnostic yield of bronchoscopic fine needle aspiration biopsies

To be useful in rendering a definitive histological and molecular diagnosis bronchoscopic and similar Fine Needle Aspiration biopsies need to be processed in a manner that enhances yield and minimizes tissue cell waste Field data and author rsquo s own observations suggest that improved imaging technology and the availability of liquid fixative based concentration techniques in cytopathology processing make it possible to achieve such a goal It is proposed that both definitive diagnosis with adequate residual material for molecular and special studies as well as increased patient comfort with reduced demand on operators rsquo and pathologists rsquo time can be achieved by simply procuring the FNA material and placing it in liquid fixative to be concentrated by the cytology lab and used to prepare representative filter based smears and cell blocks instead of the conventional approach of waiting for on site assessment by the pathologist on conventionally prepared and quick stained smears
Perinatal Mortality Associated with Cesarean Section

Summary 1. A report is presented of the perinatal mortality associated with cesarean section, with a review of 944 cesarean sections with respect to the factors accounting for the infant loss. 2. The perinatal mortality with cesarean section is approximately twice as high as the over-all perinatal loss in all types of delivery. 3. Neither the type of anesthesia nor the type of operation seemed to have any particular bearing on the ultimate outcome of the newborn. 4. Forty per cent of the perinatal loss can be attributed to asphyxia due to placenta praevia and placentae abruptio. 5. Almost 50 per cent of the perinatal loss can be attributed to emergency situations where there is little chance for fetal salvage. 6. The perinatal mortality in strictly elective cesarean sections is slightly higher than the over-all perinatal mortality. 7. There appears to be an inherent perinatal loss with cesarean section of approximately 1 per cent, in which death could be attributable only to "hyaline membrane disease" or atelectasis. However, of the 8 infants who died of these causes in the elective cesarean sections, 5 were premature. 8. In those cesarean sections indicated by fetopelvic disproportion theperinatal outcome appears to be somewhat better than the over-all loss in alltypes of vaginal delivery. 9. Approximately 10 per cent of the perinatal loss can be attributed directly to prematurity. In an additional 25 per cent, prematurity was a contributing cause leading to death.
Judicial Options: Personal Bond Statutes and Defendants with Mental Illness or Mental Retardation

The need for diverting defendants with mental illness or mental retardation away from the criminal justice system and into community-based treatment or habilitation programs has become a topic of interest for many stakeholders in the criminal justice system. Yet few are aware that Texas was one of the first states to adopt statutes aimed at encouraging diversion for defendants who have committed non-violent offenses. This monograph - the third in a series on mental health and mental retardation and the Texas justice system - reviews these key statutes. It discusses the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure articles mandating courts order further examination of defendants when there is reason to believe they have a mental illness or mental retardation. Also discussed are personal bonding procedures-and how they apply in these cases.
AMPKα2 Regulates Bladder Cancer Growth through SKP2-Mediated Degradation of p27.

AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is the central metabolic regulator of the cell and controls energy consumption based upon nutrient availability. Due to its role in energy regulation, AMPK has been implicated as a barrier for cancer progression and is suppressed in multiple cancers. To examine whether AMPK regulates bladder cancer cell growth, HTB2 and HT1376 bladder cells were treated with an AMPK activator, AICAR. AICAR treatment reduced proliferation and induced the expression of p27Kip1 (CDKN1B), which was mediated through an mTOR-dependent mechanism. Interestingly, AMPKalpha2 knockdown resulted in reduced p27 levels, whereas AMPKalpha1 suppression did not. To further determine the exact mechanism by which AMPKa2 regulates p27, HTB2 and HT1376 cells were transduced with a shRNA targeting AMPKalpha2. Stable knockdown of AMPKalpha2 resulted in increased proliferation and decreased p27 protein. The reduced p27 protein was determined to be dependent upon SKP2. Additionally, loss of AMPKalpha2 in a xenograft and a chemical carcinogen model of bladder cancer resulted in larger tumors with less p27 protein and high SKP2 levels. Consistent with the regulation observed in the bladder cancer model systems, a comprehensive survey of human primary bladder cancer clinical specimens revealed low levels of AMPKalpha2 and p27, and high levels of SKP2. Implications: These results highlight the contribution of AMPKalpha2 as a mechanism for controlling bladder cancer growth by regulating proliferation through mTOR suppression and induction of p27 protein levels, thus indicating how AMPKalpha2 loss may contribute to tumorigenesis.
Pouchitis Associated With Pelvic Radiation for Prostate Cancer

Radiation therapy is a viable option in managing potentially life-threatening malignancies including prostate cancer. It is known that pelvic radiation can result in injury of the distal large bowel with the development of radiation proctitis. Despite reports from retrospective studies, there is a lack of direct endoscopic and histologic evidence of external pelvic radiation injury to the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis. We present a case of a 68-year-old male with pouchitis resulting from pelvic radiation for prostate cancer.
Phenomenology and Multiculturalism

Richard Bernstein has argued that in terms of contemporary philosophy, we need to move beyond both objectivism and relativism. By objectivism, he means the “conviction that there is or must be some permanent, ahistorical matrix or framework to which we can ultimately appeal in determining the nature of rationality, knowledge, truth, reality, goodness, or rightness” (Bernstein, 1983, p. 8). By relativism, he means the “conviction that when we turn to the examination of those concepts that philosophers have taken to be the most fundamental — whether it is the concept of rationality, truth, reality, right, the good, or norms — we are forced to recognize that in the final analysis all such concepts must be understood as relative to a specific conceptual scheme, theoretical framework, paradigm, form of life, society, or culture” (Bernstein, 1983, p. 8). To cut between these extremes, Bernstein argues for a discourse of practical knowledge whose legacy in philosophy extends at least back to Aristotle.
Elusive Terminal Copper Arylnitrene Intermediates.

We report herein three new modes of reactivity between arylazides N3Ar with a bulky copper(I) β-diketiminate. Addition of N3ArX3 (ArX3=2,4,6-X3C6H2; X=Cl or Me) to [iPr2NN]Cu(NCMe) results in triazenido complexes from azide attack on the β-diketiminato backbone. Reaction of [iPr2NN]Cu(NCMe) with bulkier azides N3Ar leads to terminal nitrenes [iPr2NN]Cu]=NAr that dimerize via formation of a C−C bond at the arylnitrene p-position to give the dicopper(II) diketimide 4 (Ar=2,6-iPr2C6H3) or undergo nitrile insertion to give diazametallocyclobutene 8 (Ar=4-Ph-2,6-iPr2C6H2). Importantly, reactivity studies reveal both 4 and 8 to be “masked” forms of the terminal nitrenes [iPr2NN]Cu=NAr that undergo nitrene group transfer to PMe3, tBuNC, and even into a benzylic sp3 C−H bond of ethylbenzene.
Myosin Va molecular motors manoeuvre liposome cargo through suspended actin filament intersections in vitro.

Intracellular cargo transport relies on myosin Va molecular motor ensembles to travel along the cell’s three-dimensional (3D) highway of actin filaments. At actin filament intersections, the intersecting filament is a structural barrier to and an alternate track for directed cargo transport. Here we use 3D super-resolution fluorescence imaging to determine the directional outcome (that is, continues straight, turns or terminates) for an ∼10 motor ensemble transporting a 350 nm lipid-bound cargo that encounters a suspended 3D actin filament intersection in vitro. Motor–cargo complexes that interact with the intersecting filament go straight through the intersection 62% of the time, nearly twice that for turning. To explain this, we develop an in silico model, supported by optical trapping data, suggesting that the motors’ diffusive movements on the vesicle surface and the extent of their engagement with the two intersecting actin tracks biases the motor–cargo complex on average to go straight through the intersection. Cellular cargo transported along actin filaments is faced with a directional choice at an intersection. Here the authors show that myosin Va-bound cargo prefers to go straight through the intersection, and propose a model to explain this by a tug-of-war between motors on the lipid cargo that engage the actin tracks.
Withdrawal of Mechanical Ventilation in Neurosurgical Critical Care

Patients arrive in the Neuro ICU critically ill, and their care providers rapidly ­initiate a variety of measures to sustain life. Commonly, this means placement of an endotracheal tube, and initiation of mechanical ventilation. In the days that follow, ­further diagnostic testing, or lack of response to treatment, may prompt a discussion with family members about whether to continue these life-sustaining measures.