cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Practice-Based Research Network (PBRN) Roadmap for Evaluating COVID-19 in Community Health Centers: A Report From the OCHIN PBRN.

Background: Primary care practice−based research networks (PBRNs) are critical laboratories for generating evidence from real-world settings, including studying natural experiments. Primary care9s response to the novel coronavirus-19 (COVID-19) pandemic is arguably the most impactful natural experiment in our lifetime. Evaluating the Impact of COVID-19: We briefly describe the OCHIN PBRN of community health centers (CHCs), its partnership with implementation scientists, and how we are leveraging this infrastructure and expertise to create a rapid research response evaluating how CHCs across the country responded to the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 Research Roadmap: Our research agenda focuses on asking: How has care delivery in CHCs changed due to COVID-19? What impact has COVID-19 had on the delivery of preventive services in CHCs? Which PBRN services (e.g., data surveillance, training, evidence synthesis) are most impactful to real-world practices? What decision-making strategies were used in the PBRN and its practices to make real-time changes in response to the pandemic? What critical factors in successfully and sustainably transforming primary care are illuminated by pandemic-driven changes? Discussion and Conclusions: PBRNs enable real-world evaluation of practice change and natural experiments, and thus are ideal laboratories for implementation science research. We present a real-time example of how a PBRN Implementation Laboratory activated a response to study a historic natural experiment, to help other PBRNs charting a course through this pandemic.
Effects of GSTT1 Genotype on the Detoxification of 1,3-Butadiene Derived Diepoxide and Formation of Promutagenic DNA–DNA Cross-Links in Human Hapmap Cell Lines

Smoking is a leading cause of lung cancer, accounting for 81% of lung cancer cases. Tobacco smoke contains over 5000 compounds, of which more than 70 have been classified as human carcinogens. Of the many tobacco smoke constituents, 1,3-butadiene (BD) has a high cancer risk index due to its tumorigenic potency and its abundance in cigarette smoke. The carcinogenicity of BD has been attributed to the formation of several epoxide metabolites, of which 1,2,3,4-diepoxybutane (DEB) is the most toxic and mutagenic. DEB is formed by two oxidation reactions carried out by cytochrome P450 monooxygenases, mainly CYP2E1. Glutathione-S-transferase theta 1 (GSTT1) facilitates the conjugation of DEB to glutathione as the first step of its detoxification and subsequent elimination via the mercapturic acid pathway. Human biomonitoring studies have revealed a strong association between GSTT1 copy number and urinary concentrations of BD-mercapturic acids, suggesting that it plays an important role in the metabolism of BD. To determine the extent that GSTT1 genotype affects the susceptibility of individuals to the toxic and genotoxic properties of DEB, GSTT1 negative and GSTT1 positive HapMap lymphoblastoid cell lines were treated with DEB, and the extent of apoptosis and micronuclei (MN) formation was assessed. These toxicological end points were compared to the formation of DEB-GSH conjugates and 1,4-bis-(guan-7-yl)-2,3-butanediol (bis-N7G-BD) DNA-DNA cross-links. GSTT1 negative cell lines were more sensitive to DEB-induced apoptosis as compared to GSTT1 positive cell lines. Consistent with the protective effect of GSH conjugation against DEB-derived apoptosis, GSTT1 positive cell lines formed significantly more DEB-GSH conjugate than GSTT1 negative cell lines. However, GSTT1 genotype did not affect formation of MN or bis-N7G-BD cross-links. These results indicate that GSTT1 genotype significantly influences BD metabolism and acute toxicity.
Prognostic value of the nutmeg lung pattern/lymphangiectasia on fetal magnetic resonance imaging.

A nutmeg lung pattern on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is an imaging finding associated with pulmonary lymphangiectasia. However, the prognostic value of the nutmeg lung pattern is unknown. To evaluate the clinical associations of nutmeg lung indicating lymphangiectasia on fetal lung MRI and its relationship with early mortality in fetuses with primary and secondary lymphangiectasia. We retrospectively identified all pregnant patients with a fetal MRI performed for indication of evaluating for pulmonary lymphangiectasia from 2006 to 2019. Two readers evaluated the fetal MRIs and interobserver agreement was calculated. Multivariable logistic regression models were performed to estimate the association of the echocardiographic findings and the presence of nutmeg lung. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to evaluate association with mortality in the first 30 days of life. Survival analysis was defined as mortality or orthotopic heart transplant at 30 days of age. P<0.05 was considered significant. Our sample included 53 fetuses. Forty-seven (89%) had congenital heart disease (CHD) and 6 (11%) were diagnosed postnatally with primary lymphangiectasia. Interobserver agreement was 0.83. Pulmonary vein congestion on echocardiography was the strongest predictor of nutmeg lung (odds ratio [OR]=12.0, P=0.002). Ten fetuses reached the outcome of heart transplantation (n=1) or death (n=9) within the first 30 days of life. In fetuses with CHD, survival of those with nutmeg lung was significantly lower than in those without (P<0.001). Nutmeg lung was an independent risk factor for 30-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR]: 6.1, P=0.01). Nutmeg lung pattern on fetal MRI is an independent risk factor associated with 30-day mortality in fetuses with CHD.
Structural behavior of concrete girders prestressed and reinforced with stainless steel materials

Abstract Stainless steel reinforcing rebars and prestressing strands are viable alternatives to carbon steel materials for prestressed concrete structures in extremely aggressive environments. They offer better durability and require less maintenance. This study experimentally investigated the transfer length and prestress losses of 15.2-mm- (0.6-in.-) diameter Duplex High-Strength Stainless Steel (HSSS) strands as well as the shear and flexural behavior of two full-scale 12.8-m- (42-ft-) long AASHTO Type II concrete girders prestressed with HSSS strands and reinforced with duplex stainless steel rebars. The girders were made composite by adding a deck slab. One girder was tested in shear at both ends while the other girder was tested in flexure. Experimental shear and flexural behavior of the girders exhibited a constant increase in load carrying capacity up to failure. The failure mode for the shear tests was web shear, and for the flexural test was rupture of the HSSS strands. Both girders tested in shear and flexure failed in a progressive manner as they exhibited adequate warning through noticeable deflection, excessive cracking, and large reserve strength from first cracking to failure. The applicability of AASHTO LRFD provision for stainless steel reinforcing materials was investigated. AASHTO LRFD equations for flexural resistance were modified to cover rupture of strand failure mode. Experimental shear strength and flexural strength of the girders were greater than the predicted values by AASHTO shear equations and modified AASHTO flexural equations, respectively.
MRI-Simmons Insights database review

MRI-Simmons Insights (hereafter, Insights) is a survey-based, subscription consumer research database used in both academia and the advertising/marketing industry. It bills itself as the “Most Comp...
RE-ELECTION THROUGH DIVISION

We provide a positive analysis of eort allocation by a politician facing reelection when voters are uncertain about the politician's preferences on a divisive issue. We then use this framework to derive normative conclusions on the desirability of transparency, term limits, and independence of executive power. There is a pervasive incentive to "posture" by overproviding eort to pursue the divisive policy, even if all voters would strictly prefer to have a consensus policy implemented. As such, the desire of politicians to convince voters that their preferences are aligned with the majority can lead them to choose strictly pareto dominated eort allocations in the first period. When politicians care a lot about reelection, transparency of politicians' eort choices is valuable in systems with weak executive institutions, whereas, when executive institutions are strong, transparency is harmful. Conversely, when politicians are impatient or there are term limits that reduce the value of remaining in oce, transparency can be beneficial when executive institutions are strong, but can be harmful when they are weak.
Photon-Deficient Area with Tc-99m DTPA

The patient is a 53-year-old white woman with a 12year history of controlled hypertension. However, a routine check of her blood pressure, which had been somewhat erratic for about one year, revealed diastolic levels up to 120 with systolic levels of 200. It was decided to admit the patient for further evaluation. Her past medical history included an appendectomy in 1950 and a hysterectomy in 1965. The physical examination was essentially unremarkable. Blood pressure was 148/102 mm Hg; there were no palpable masses or tender areas. Laboratory studies, chest x-ray, intravenous pyelogram, and EKG were within normal limits.
The Role of Nutrition for Bone Health in Cystic Fibrosis

Cystic fibrosis (CF) is a common genetic disorder in the United States, affecting approx 1 in 3200 white and 1 in 15,000 black live births (1). This disease results in abnormal sodium and chloride transport resulting from mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) (2). Mutations in the CFTR alter the osmolarity of body secretions, resulting in lung and gastrointestinal (GI) complications. Blocked bronchial airways, lung infections, and GI disturbances involving maldigestion and malabsorption are common consequences of CF.
Room-temperature in situ nuclear spin hyperpolarization from optically pumped nitrogen vacancy centres in diamond

Low detection sensitivity stemming from the weak polarization of nuclear spins is a primary limitation of magnetic resonance spectroscopy and imaging. Methods have been developed to enhance nuclear spin polarization but they typically require high magnetic fields, cryogenic temperatures or sample transfer between magnets. Here we report bulk, room-temperature hyperpolarization of (13)C nuclear spins observed via high-field magnetic resonance. The technique harnesses the high optically induced spin polarization of diamond nitrogen vacancy centres at room temperature in combination with dynamic nuclear polarization. We observe bulk nuclear spin polarization of 6%, an enhancement of ∼170,000 over thermal equilibrium. The signal of the hyperpolarized spins was detected in situ with a standard nuclear magnetic resonance probe without the need for sample shuttling or precise crystal orientation. Hyperpolarization via optical pumping/dynamic nuclear polarization should function at arbitrary magnetic fields enabling orders of magnitude sensitivity enhancement for nuclear magnetic resonance of solids and liquids under ambient conditions.
A Comparison of Regulatory Standards for Initial Registration/Licensure of Internationally Educated Nurses in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States

This article describes and compares regulatory standards for registration/licensure of internationally educated nurses in the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and the United States. Specifically, the article provides a detailed account of the regulatory requirements regarding education, language proficiency, national licensure exam, registration/licensure in the home country, recency of practice, fitness to practice, and transition programs. The four countries share many regulatory requirements for registration/licensure of internationally educated nurses. The most noticeable difference is whether international nurse applicants must go through a tailored transition program. Regulatory challenges and their implications are described within national and international contexts.
On the properties of torsions in Riemann-Cartan space-times II: Reinterpretation of gravitational-radiation solutions inU4

This is the second paper in a series of three papers which consider the physical properties of torsions in Riemann-Cartan space-timesU4. Paper II deals with theU4 reinterpretation of gravitational-wave solutions to the standard form of Einstein's field equationsRαβ({})=0. It will be seen that the third-order Lanczos «spin» tensor is the simplest well-defined choice for contorsions buildingU4's that may be associated with gravitational radiation.
Signal detection during watchkeeping in relation to heart rate

Heart rate (HR) was investigated in relation to signal detection in 56 subjects during the performance of an hour-long watchkeeping task. The subject’s task was to observe the hand of a large clock as it traveled in 6.6° steps around the face of the clock and to detect the occurrence of “double jumps”—instances when the hand moved through twice its usual distance. It was hypothesized that HR at the time a double jump occurred would be lower when these signals were detected than when they were missed. Findings showed HR to be no different for the two conditions.
RNA METABOLISM IN HELA CELLS AT REDUCED TEMPERATURE I. Modified Processing of 45S RNA

Incubation of HeLa cells at suboptimal temperature has been used to study the synthesis of 45S ribosomal RNA precursor and the individual steps of the subsequent processing to 28S RNA. Below 20°C no detectable 45S RNA is formed. The processing of 45S RNA to 32S RNA ceases around 15°C, and the processing of 32S RNA to 28S RNA is inhibited near 25°C. Prolonged incubation at reduced temperature results in further modification of the processing, resulting in the apparent accumulation of 41S RNA. The products of these reactions at reduced temperature appear normal in that the ribosomal RNA made at 27°C can be isolated from functional polyribosomes in the cytoplasm after a short incubation at 37°C.
A two-echelon inventory system with priority shipments

A two-echelon system for spare parts is analyzed. The system allows the use of priority inventory pooling to expedite service when a stock-out occurs. First, a tractable aggregate model is derived. This model is then disaggregated to approximate the performance of the exact system. Results of computer tests are also presented.
Comparison of Spatial Summation Properties of Neurons in Macaque V1 and V2

In visual cortex, responses to stimulation of the receptive field (RF) are modulated by simultaneous stimulation of the RF surround. The mechanisms for surround modulation remain unidentified. We previously proposed that in the primary visual cortex (V1), near surround modulation is mediated by geniculocortical and horizontal connections and far surround modulation by interareal feedback connections. To understand spatial integration in the secondary visual cortex (V2) and its underlying circuitry, we have characterized spatial summation in different V2 layers and stripe compartments and compared it to that in V1. We used grating stimuli in circular and annular apertures of different sizes to estimate the extent and sensitivity of RF and surround components in V1 and V2. V2 RFs and surrounds were twice as large as those in V1. As in V1, V2 RFs doubled in size when measured at low contrast. In both V1 and V2, surrounds were about fivefold the size of the RF and the far surround could exceed 12.5° in radius, averaging 5.5° in V1 and 9.2° in V2. The strength of surround suppression was similar in both areas. Thus although differing in spatial scale, the interactions among RF components are similar in V1 and V2, suggesting similar underlying mechanisms. As in V1, the extent of V2 horizontal connections matches that of the RF center, but is much smaller than the largest far surrounds, which likely derive from interareal feedback. In V2, we found no laminar or stripe differences in size and magnitude of surround suppression, suggesting conservation across stripes of the basic circuit for surround modulation.
Endothelial heparan sulfate deficiency impairs L-selectin- and chemokine-mediated neutrophil trafficking during inflammatory responses.

Here we have studied the involvement of endothelial heparan sulfate in inflammation by inactivating the enzyme N-acetyl glucosamine N-deacetylase–N-sulfotransferase-1 in endothelial cells and leukocytes, which is required for the addition of sulfate to the heparin sulfate chains. Mutant mice developed normally but showed impaired neutrophil infiltration in various inflammation models. These effects were due to changes in heparan sulfate specifically in endothelial cells. Decreased neutrophil infiltration was partially due to altered rolling velocity correlated with weaker binding of L-selectin to endothelial cells. Chemokine transcytosis across endothelial cells and presentation on the cell surface were also reduced, resulting in decreased neutrophil firm adhesion and migration. Thus, endothelial heparan sulfate has three functions in inflammation: by acting as a ligand for L-selectin during neutrophil rolling; in chemokine transcytosis; and by binding and presenting chemokines at the lumenal surface of the endothelium.
Legitimating beliefs: Sources and indicators

The more a government is effective and fair, the more legitimacy that government is likely to attain, and the more it will possess the potential to elicit compliance without excessive monitoring or punitive action. We explore this proposition using contemporary survey data from sub-Saharan Africa. In particular, we are interested in the conditions that promote popular legitimating beliefs that provide support for governments that are attempting to serve their entire populations competently and in a manner that is relatively impartial and equitable. This article provides empirical support for a long hypothesized link between the extent of government effectiveness, procedural justice, and citizens' willingness to defer to governmental tax authority. The sample, drawn from a continuum of developing societies in Africa, allows us to analyze the impact of variations in government effectiveness and citizen perceptions of fairness on the sense of obligation to comply with the tax authorities, our indicator for legitimating beliefs.
Predictors of depressive symptomatology of geriatric patients with lung cancer-a longitudinal analysis.

Background: Lung cancer is a major health problem throughout the world. It is the leading cause of cancer-related death in men and women in the USA, with a 5-year survival rate of only 14%. It has been hypothesized that variables such as physical and social functioning, cancer-related symptomatology, comorbid conditions, cell type, and treatment are valid predictors of the psychological response to a diagnosis of lung cancer. Methods: As part of a larger longitudinal study, 211 patients, 65 years of age or older, with an incident diagnosis of lung cancer, were recruited from 23 sites within a midwestern state. Repeated measures analysis of variance techniques were used to analyse how age, gender, comorbid conditions, stage of disease, cell type, as well as the time-dependent variables symptoms, physical functioning, social functioning, and treatment predict depressive symptomatology at four assessments over the first year following diagnosis. Results: Social functioning (p<0.0001), symptoms severity (p<0.0001) and radiation treatment (p=0.017) were significant predictors of depressive symptomatology, with more symptoms and more restricted social functioning generally corresponding to higher levels of depressive symptomatology. Patients who had not received radiation treatment were more depressed than those who had received treatment at least 40 days prior to the interview. Conclusions: At a clinical level of patient care, these findings mandate early identification of psychosocial difficulties experienced, an individualized symptom management plan and the application of other interventions, such as information giving, reassurance and referral to other resources. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Depression in Primary Care: What Social Workers Need to Know

In April 1993, the government issued guidelines for the treatment of major depression in primary care, stressing a pharmacological approach. Although several professional associations have endorsed these guidelines, the American Psychological Association has declined to do so. Primary care physicians consult with social workers on mental health issues, so social workers need to be aware of the questions that have been raised in the context of the controversy over the guidelines. An educated position on the controversy can only come from familiarity with the empirical literature on the research-based benefits and costs of drug treatment versus psychotherapy for major depression. This article offers the needed literature review, after first summarizing the nature of the depression-guidelines controversy.
Predator diversity effects cascade across an ecosystem boundary

Food webs in different ecosystems are often connected through spatial resource subsidies. As a result, biodiversity effects in one ecosystem may cascade to adjacent ecosystems. I tested the hypothesis that aquatic predator diversity effects cascade to terrestrial food webs by altering a prey subsidy (biomass and trophic structure of emerging aquatic insects) entering terrestrial food webs, in turn altering the distribution of a terrestrial consumer (spider) that feeds on emerging aquatic insects. Fish presence, but not diversity, altered the trophic structure of emerging aquatic insects by strongly reducing the biomass of emerging predators (dragonflies) relative to non-feeding taxa (chironomid midges). Fish diversity reduced emerging insect biomass through enhanced effects on the most common prey taxa: predatory dragonflies Pantala flavescens and non-feeding chironomids. Terrestrial spiders (Tetragnathidae) primarily captured emerging chironomids, which were reduced in the high richness (3 spp.) treatment relative to the 1 and 2 species treatments. As a result, terrestrial spider abundance was lower above pools with high fish richness (3 species) than pools with 1 and 2 species. Synergistic predation effects were mostly limited to the high richness treatment, in which fish occupied each level of vertical microhabitat in the water-column (benthic, middle, surface). This study demonstrates that predator diversity effects are not limited to the habitat of the predator, but can propagate to adjacent ecosystems, and demonstrates the utility of using simple predator functional traits (foraging domain) to more accurately predict the direction of predator diversity effects.
Quantum Field Theory in Schwarzschild and Rindler Spaces

The problem of defining a scalar quantum field in the space-times described by the Schwarzschild and Rindler metrics is discussed. The matrix elements of the field operators are found by calculating the Green's functions for the fields. The requirement of positive frequencies for asymptotic timelike separations combined with a careful analysis of the continuity conditions at the event horizons yields a unique prescription for the Green's function. This is turn defines the vacuum state. In the Schwarzschild space the vacuum is shown to be stable and the lowest-energy state. In the Rindler space the quantization procedure yields the same results as quantization in Minkowski coordinates.
A HISTORY OF HOST ASSOCIATIONS AND EVOLUTIONARY DIVERSIFICATION FOR OPHRAELLA (COLEOPTERA: CHRYSOMELIDAE): NEW EVIDENCE FROM MITOCHONDRIAL DNA.

A rapidly growing supply of phylogenetic trees has fueled a burst of insights into the ways that phylogenetic data might inform our study of evolution (e.g., Lauder 1990; Wanntorp et al. 1990; Brooks and McLennan 1991; Harvey and Pagel 1991; Swofford and Maddison 1992). One area in which these approaches have proven particularly useful is the study of coevolution (Mitter and Brooks 1983; Brooks 1988; Miller 1991; Mitter et al. 1991; Brooks and McLennan 1993), the cladogenetic and selective influences that ecologically coupled taxa exert on each other through evolutionary time. Those who study the coevolution of herbivorous insects and their host plants have repeatedly noted both the relative host specificity of most herbivore species and the taxonomic conservatism that often characterizes the host affiliations of insect genera and families (Dethier 1954; Ehrlich and Raven 1964; Ward and Spalding 1993). Certain explanations for these patterns can be tested phylogenetically. For example, if herbivore lineages remain strictly associated with their host species over sufficient periods of evolutionary time, vicariance events that isolate populations of the host will also isolate populations of the herbivore. To the extent that these events lead to the formation of new species, this combination of host loyalty and parallel cladogenesis (Benson et al. 1975; Mitter and Brooks 1983; Spencer 1988) can account for both host specificity and host conservatism. If this allopatric cospeciation scenario (Brooks 1979) holds, the phylogenies of host plant taxa and their insect parasites will be at least roughly concordant. Topological contradictions between these trees, however, suggest that herbivore lineages have switched their affinities from one plant group to another subsequent to the diversification of these plants (Jermy 1984; Brooks 1988). To date, most of the handful of pertinent studies (reviewed in Mitter and Farrell 1991) have found evidence for such host shifts, but a few notable exceptions are strongly consistent with the cospeciation model (Farrell and Mitter 1990; B. Farrell in prep.). But if host shifts commonly occur, why do they involve the particular (and often related) plant species that they do, given that selection pressures favoring the use of locally common nonhosts must be omnipresent (Futuyma 1983)? Such conservatism suggests that the spectrum of likely host shifts may be limited by constraints on adaptively relevant genetic variation, perhaps because of the host associations of an her-
Prenatal programming of kidney disease.

Purpose of review To introduce the concept of prenatal programming; to discuss the emerging evidence that adverse prenatal environment programs increased risk of chronic kidney disease in the offspring in later life; to review the mechanism involved; and to present potential intervention strategies. Recent findings New observational studies in humans and studies in animal models have strengthened the association between low birth weight and chronic kidney disease in adulthood. The consequences of low birth weight are less obvious in children and young animals. A likely mechanism is that adverse intrauterine environment results in decreased final number of nephrons. The existing fewer glomeruli compensate by hyperfiltrating, which may accelerate the normal gradual age-related loss of nephrons throughout one's lifespan. Beginning life with a low nephron count may not cause morbidity during childhood because of the large functional reserve kidneys have, but as the count later falls below a critical level, chronic kidney disease may become manifest. Early life dietary factors may modify the risk. Summary The charge for pediatricians is to identify children at risk, to counsel families to minimize any further renal risk factors such as smoking, obesity, and hypertension, and, in some cases together with a nephrologist, to institute pharmacologic therapy.
A Comprehensive Evaluation of the Supreme Court’s Forest Grove Decision?:

The article by Dixon, Eusebio, Turton, Wright, and Hale is entitled “Forest Grove School District v. T.A. Supreme Court Case: Implications for School Psychology Practice.” Its implications are that...
The effect of external factors on the formation of detonation in saturated knallgas-steam mixtures☆

Abstract The formation of detonation in saturated mixtures of knallgas and steam at 100°C was studied with respect to spark and hot-wire modes of ignition and geometry (diameter) of the reaction vessel. Reaction pressures and the amount of knallgas consumed by reaction in each experimental mixture were measured. The data indicate that the ease with which detonation is formed is affected by both of the primary variables in a dual manner which is strongly dependent upon heat and wall effects related to the reactor size. The controlling effects observed are apparently accentuated due to the ‘weak’ nature of the pre-detonation reactions and the ‘slow’ transition to detonation which are characteristic of the majority of saturated knallgas-steam mixtures.
Comparison of intradermal and intramuscular injection for raising plant virus antisera for use in elisa

Abstract Intradermal injections of small doses (60 μg) of an isolate of barley yellow dwarf virus raised antisera that were similar in gel diffusion titres but superior in ELISA activity to antisera raised by intramuscular injections. Similar experiments with larger doses (1 mg) of cowpea mosaic virus did not indicate such differences, but all results confirmed the superiority of relatively late bleeds for ELISA. Intradermal injection should be considered as an economical method when preparing antisera for ELISA.
Expression of the BRL-3A insulin-like growth factor binding protein (rBP-30) in the rat central nervous system.

Abstract The expression of the BRL 3A insulin-like growth factor binding protein (rBP-30) was characterized in rat brain, hypothalamus, and pituitary tissue and cultured neuronal and astroglial cells. The 27K. BP expressed by BRL 3A cells (rBP-30) was found to also be expressed in conditioned media from newborn rat astrocytes and fetal neurons, but not in the medium from the neuroblastoma cell line, B104. Moreover, a polyclonal antibody, anti HEC1, specifically immunoprecipitated the BRL 3A BP from the same conditioned media, as well as from rat cerebrospinal and amniotic fluid and from conditioned medium of cells isolated from the neurointermediate lobe of adult rat pituitary. The same antibody also immunoprecipitated hBP-31 from human CSF. Northern blot analyses showed that rBP-30 mRNA was expressed in adult rat brain and pituitary, fetal brain and liver, and in fetal neurons and newborn astrocytes maintained in culture. We conclude that the BRL 3A BP (rBP-30) is the major insulin-like growth factor bin...
Preventing and treating human immunodeficiency virus infection in the homeless

Abstract The problem of human immunodeficiency virus infection in the homeless has received little attention in the literature but is a cause for serious concern. Nineteen health care agencies were studied to explore the types and outcomes of programs targeting this population, and factors associated with prevention and treatment strategies. The results showed that a variety of services were provided, but that little formal evaluation had been conducted. Factors identified were population variability, altered health status, daily survival, provider role confficts and attributes, and a so-called nonsystem of care. The numerous gaps in knowledge about human immunodeficiency virus infection in the homeless inform future psychiatric nursing care and research.
Bee Species Diversity Enhances Productivity and Stability in a Perennial Crop

Wild bees provide important pollination services to agroecoystems, but the mechanisms which underlie their contribution to ecosystem functioning—and, therefore, their importance in maintaining and enhancing these services—remain unclear. We evaluated several mechanisms through which wild bees contribute to crop productivity, the stability of pollinator visitation, and the efficiency of individual pollinators in a highly bee-pollination dependent plant, highbush blueberry. We surveyed the bee community (through transect sampling and pan trapping) and measured pollination of both open- and singly-visited flowers. We found that the abundance of managed honey bees, Apis mellifera, and wild-bee richness were equally important in describing resulting open pollination. Wild-bee richness was a better predictor of pollination than wild-bee abundance. We also found evidence suggesting pollinator visitation (and subsequent pollination) are stabilized through the differential response of bee taxa to weather (i.e., response diversity). Variation in the individual visit efficiency of A. mellifera and the southeastern blueberry bee, Habropoda laboriosa, a wild specialist, was not associated with changes in the pollinator community. Our findings add to a growing literature that diverse pollinator communities provide more stable and productive ecosystem services.
Effect of chronic ethanol ingestion on alveolar type II cell: glutathione and inflammatory mediator-induced apoptosis.

Background : In septic patients, chronic alcohol abuse increases the incidence of the acute respiratory distress syndrome, a syndrome that requires alveolar type II cell proliferation and differentiation for repair of the damaged alveolar epithelium. We previously showed in a rat model that chronic ethanol ingestion decreased the antioxidant glutathione (GSH) in type II cells and exacerbated endotoxin-mediated acute lung injury. We hypothesized that this GSH depletion by ethanol, particularly mitochondrial GSH, predisposed type II cells to inflammatory mediator-induced apoptosis. Methods: Adult male rats were fed the Lieber-DeCarli diet for 2, 6, or 16 weeks. Alveolar type II cells were then isolated and treated with hydrogen peroxide or TNF-α. The effect on glutathione (cytosolic and mitochondrial), apoptotic events, and necrosis were determined. In other studies, rats were fed ethanol for 6 weeks and were treated with endotoxin and apoptosis of type II cells determined by the TUNEL method. Results: Chronic ethanol ingestion alone resulted in a progressive decrease in mitochondrial GSH and a progressive increase in the basal apoptosis and necrosis rate (p≤ 0.05). Furthermore, there was a progressive increase in the sensitivity of the cells to H2O2 or TNF-α induced cytochrome c release, caspase 3 activation, apoptosis, and necrosis (p≤ 0.05). Finally, there was a 2-fold increase in apoptotic type II cells in vivo when chronic ethanol ingestion was superimposed on endotoxemia. Conclusions: These results suggested that chronic ethanol ingestion resulted in a progressive depletion of mitochondrial GSH and sensitization of type II cells to inflammatory mediator-induced apoptosis and necrosis. These effects may be particularly relevant during acute stress when proliferation and differentiation of these cells are critical to repair of the damaged alveolar epithelium and may have important ramifications for the treatment of acute respiratory distress syndrome in patients with a history of alcohol abuse.
The effects of acute high dose fentanyl administration on experimental brain edema: Analysis of intracranial pressure, systemic arterial pressure, central venous pressure and brain water content

In rabbits who had brain edema and intracranial hypertension induced by a combined cold lesion (over the left hemisphere) and a metabolic blocker (6-aminonicotinamide), the authors analyzed the response of multiple parameters following the administration of 6 mcg/kg/dose of fentanyl every 5 minutes for 1 hour (12 doses), combined with nitrous oxide anethesia. All animals were mechanically ventilated and the PaCO2 was maintained at 37–43 torr. Gross pathology and extent of Evans Blue extravasation was no different from pretreatment control animals. The systolic arterial pressure and the central venous pressure showed no change during the experiment. The intracranial pressure remained elevated despite fentanyl, but did not increase throughout the administration of the agent. The brain water content remained unchanged in the right hemisphere, but revealed a significant increase following fentanyl in the cold-lesioned left hemisphere for the gray (p<0.005) and white matter (p<0.05).
Lithographic lasers with low thermal resistance

Data are presented demonstrating a low thermal resistance lithographic laser. An 8 μm vertical-cavity surface emitting laser defined using lithography and epitaxial crystal growth provides output power of 14 mW, slope efficiency of 0.88 W/A corresponding to differential quantum efficiency of 70% and power conversion efficiency of 26%. Low thermal resistance, even without heatsinking, results in high output power densities owing to better heat spreading through the epitaxial structure for small lasers.
Phospholipid vesicles as soft templates for electropolymerization of nanostructured polypyrrole membranes with long range order

Unilamellar vesicles are for the first time used as soft-templates in the electropolymerization of polypyrrole membranes with nanoscale organization and mesoscale order. The dimensions of vesicles (∼100–1000 nm) used as templates and the electropolymerization conditions lead to the formation of highly organized polypyrrole shells (10–25 nm thick) that are contiguous through the bulk of the membrane. These membranes templated with phospholipid vesicles are referred to as ‘biotemplated’ membranes and the technique ‘biotemplating’ owing to phospholipid's role as the fundamental building block of all cell membranes. Biotemplated polypyrrole membranes demonstrate higher specific surface area and subsequently higher specific capacitance than planar polypyrrole membranes and other nanostructured polypyrrole membranes for sodium and lithium ion storage. The higher specific capacitance resulting from biotemplating is explained through a mechanistic interpretation of the redox process using the number of accessible redox sites at the polymer–electrolyte interface. A direct correlation between the accessible and total number of redox sites in the polymer and specific capacitance of the conducting polymer is developed to illustrate the 45% increase in specific capacitance of biotemplated polypyrrole membranes.
PSYCHOLOGICAL, NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL AND PHYSIOLOGICAL CORRELATES OF SERIOUS ANTISOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN ADOLESCENCE: THE ROLE OF SELF‐CONTROL*

Gottfredson and Hirschi claim that self-control is the only enduring personal characteristic implicated in criminal activity. Other scholars, such as Moffitt and Rowe, claim that although self-control is important, so are neuropsychological and physiological factors. This study attempts to adjudicate between these two positions by examining the ways in which neuropsychological factors, especially those relevant to executive function, biological factors, especially those relevant to autonomic reactivity, and self-control interrelate to distinguish between offenders and nonoffenders. Data were obtained from adolescents attending public high schools in northern California and adolescents incarcerated in the California Youth Authority. Serious juvenile offenders evince lower resting heart rate, show poorer performance on tasks that activate cognitive functions mediated by the prefrontal cortex, especially those measuring spatial working memory, and score lower on measures of self-control. Regression analyses indicated that although variations in self-control distinguish between the two groups, so too do neuropsychological and biological factors, a result that both supports and refutes Gottfredson and Hirschi's contention. In contrast, variation in minor delinquency among high school students is unrelated to frontal lobe functioning and heart rate, but related to variations in self-control.
Somatostatin receptor subtype-4 agonist NNC 26-9100 mitigates the effect of soluble Aβ42 oligomers via a metalloproteinase-dependent mechanism

Soluble amyloid-β peptide (Aβ) oligomers have been hypothesized to be primary mediators of Alzheimer's disease progression. In this regard, reduction of soluble Aβ-oligomers levels within the brain may provide a viable means in which to treat the disease. Somatostatin receptor subtype-4 (SSTR4) agonists have been proposed to reduce Aβ levels in the brain via enhancement of enzymatic degradation. Herein we evaluated the effect of selective SSTR4 agonist NNC 26-9100 on the changes in learning and soluble Aβ42 oligomer brain content with and without co-administration of the M13-metalloproteinase family enzyme-inhibitor phosphoramidon, using the senescence-accelerated mouse prone-8 (SAMP8) model. NNC 26-9100 treatment (0.2 µg i.c.v. in 2 µL) improved learning, which was blocked by phosphoramidon (1 and 10mM, respectively). NNC 26-9100 decreased total soluble Aβ42, an effect which was blocked by phosphoramidon (10mM). Extracellular, intracellular, and membrane fractions were then isolated from cortical tissue and assessed for soluble oligomer alterations. NNC 26-9100 decreased the Aβ42 trimeric (12 kDa) form within the extracellular and intracellular fractions, and produced a band-split effect of the Aβ42 hexameric (25 kDa) form within the extracellular fraction. These effects were also blocked by phosphoramdon (1 and 10mM, respectively). Subsequent evaluation of NNC 26-9100 in APPswe Tg2576 transgenic mice showed a similar learning improvement and corresponding reduction in soluble Aβ42 oligomers within extracellular, intracellular, and membrane fractions. These data support the hypothesis that NNC 26-9100 reduces soluble Aβ42 oligomers and enhances learning through a phosphoramidon-sensitive metalloproteinase-dependent mechanism.
Expectations about Real Returns

In this article, the authors provide empirical evidence concerning real returns for stocks and bonds in order to consider their impact on spending rules for large portfolios. Their analysis of the data supports the argument that 5% (or higher) real returns are not sustainable in the long run. Therefore, an endowment fund that is invested in equities, spends 5% a year, and earns the real return on stocks will, in all likelihood, see its market value decline below the beginning value at some point, absent new contributions. The actual record, shown in the article from probability standpoint, could lead institutional investors in particular to reformulate their expectations about real returns, and may also influence individual investors9 expectations about future real returns.
Non-proliferation attributes of molten salt reactors ☆ ☆☆

Abstract Molten salt reactors (MSR) have many non-proliferation attributes. They can operate on the thorium-uranium fuel cycle which protects the fissile material by the daughter products of the inseparable U-232. MSRs can completely fission all plutonium and HEU, and as desired, ‘convert’ them to U-233. This also results in high, and efficient resource utilization, while diminishing the plutonium stock. On line processing, when applied, could free the waste from all fissile material. The fuel in the reactor stays protected by the intense radiation of the fission products. Fuel can also be protected in the reactor as well as outside the reactor by denaturing with natural uranium. A wide variety of MSRs are available, from ‘once through’ minimum processing reactors to ones with fuel processing which can breed fuel for converters. MSRs are extremely safe and simple reactors with good economic potential.
Use of Recombinant Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 in Free Flap Reconstruction for Osteonecrosis of the Mandible

Purpose Osteoradionecrosis of the mandible is a debilitating consequence of radiation therapy for head-and-neck malignancy. It can result in pain, bone exposure, fistula formation, and pathologic fracture. Recombinant human bone morphogenetic protein 2 (rhBMP-2) has shown promise in reconstruction of bone defects. The purpose of this study is to determine whether the addition of rhBMP-2 at the union of vascularized bone and native bone improves surgical outcomes in patients with osteonecrosis of the mandible. Materials and Methods This study was a retrospective analysis of patients who were treated between 2006 and 2010 for osteonecrosis of the mandible. Patients requiring definitive reconstruction after failure of a course of conservative management were included. Patients were divided into 2 cohorts depending on whether rhBMP-2 was used during the reconstruction. The primary outcome measure was defined as stable mandibular union. Results Seventeen patients were included. The development of malunion was similar in both groups (13% for rhBMP-2 group vs 11% for non–rhBMP-2 group). Infectious complications were similar between the groups (25% in rhBMP-2 group vs 56% in non–rhBMP-2 group, P = .33). The rates of hardware removal were similar for the 2 groups (33% in non–rhBMP-2 group vs 25% in rhBMP-2 group, P = .10). No cancer recurrences were observed in patients receiving rhBMP-2. Conclusions The use of rhBMP-2 is safe in free flap reconstruction of the mandible, but its ability to significantly improve patient outcomes, as measured by rates of malunion, reoperation, or infection, is still unknown.
Reason's Different Tastes

Rejetant la conception individualiste et non rationnelle du gout, l'A. propose une reconstruction de la notion de gout dans le sens d'un phenomene culturel comprehensible qui joue un role important dans l'etablissement et le fonctionnement des instituions sociales. Examinant les positions de Dewey et La Rochefoucauld, l'A. montre que le jugement de valeur releve de la capacite collective de prendre une decision dans un contexte personnel
Information-theoretic bounds on target recognition performance from laser radar data

Laser radar systems historically offer rich data sets for automatic target recognition (ATR). ATR algorithm development for laser radar has focused on achieving real-time performance with current hardware. Our work addresses the issue of understanding how much information can be obtain from the data, independent of any particular algorithm. We present Cramer-Rao lower bounds on target pose estimation based on a statistical model for laser radar data. Specifically, we employ a model based on the underlying physics of a coherent-detection laser radar. Most ATR algorithms for laser radar data are designed to be invariant with respect to position and orientation. Our information-theoretic perspective illustrates that even algorithms that do not explicitly involve the estimation of such nuisance parameters are still affected by them.
Classical versus Stochastic Kinetics Modeling of Biochemical Reaction Systems

We study fundamental relationships between classical and stochastic chemical kinetics for general biochemical systems with elementary reactions. Analytical and numerical investigations show that intrinsic fluctuations may qualitatively and quantitatively affect both transient and stationary system behavior. Thus, we provide a theoretical understanding of the role that intrinsic fluctuations may play in inducing biochemical function. The mean concentration dynamics are governed by differential equations that are similar to the ones of classical chemical kinetics, expressed in terms of the stoichiometry matrix and time-dependent fluxes. However, each flux is decomposed into a macroscopic term, which accounts for the effect of mean reactant concentrations on the rate of product synthesis, and a mesoscopic term, which accounts for the effect of statistical correlations among interacting reactions. We demonstrate that the ability of a model to account for phenomena induced by intrinsic fluctuations may be seriously compromised if we do not include the mesoscopic fluxes. Unfortunately, computation of fluxes and mean concentration dynamics requires intensive Monte Carlo simulation. To circumvent the computational expense, we employ a moment closure scheme, which leads to differential equations that can be solved by standard numerical techniques to obtain more accurate approximations of fluxes and mean concentration dynamics than the ones obtained with the classical approach.