cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The 47kDa Akt substrate associates with phosphodiesterase 3B and regulates its level in adipocytes.

Abstract We have previously described a novel putative 47 kDa substrate for the protein kinase Akt (designated AS47) in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. In the present study, we have found by co-immunoprecipitation that AS47 was associated with cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3B (PDE3B) in lysates of 3T3-L1 adipocytes. The patterns of expression of AS47 and PDE3B upon 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation, among mouse tissues, and in adipocytes with and without the transcription factor C/EBPα were virtually coincident. Partial knockdown of AS47 in 3T3-L1 adipocytes with shRNA resulted in a similar reduction in PDE3B protein. These results indicate that AS47 exists in a complex with PDE3B in adipocytes and that the amount of AS47 protein regulates the amount of PDE3B.
Metastatic neuroblastoma presenting as a scrotal mass in an infant.

Abstract Objective Neuroblastoma is a common malignancy of infancy and childhood. The scrotum and paratesticular tissues are rare sites of presentation. We report the case of an infant who presented with a scrotal mass that proved to be a metastatic neuroblastoma. Patient and results A previously healthy 4-month-old boy presented with a scrotal mass. Ultrasound and surgery showed a well circumscribed, 1.2-cm nodule in the inferior scrotum, associated with dartos fascia. Intraoperative frozen section revealed a small round blue cell tumor, prompting a wider excision. Final diagnosis was poorly differentiated neuroblastoma with unfavorable histology. Further imaging revealed a large adrenal mass, with hepatic and pleural metastases. Conclusion Metastatic and primary neuroblastomas are rare causes of scrotal mass in infants and children. Treatment and prognosis depend on factors including patient age, histology and stage. Stem-cell-supported chemotherapy is the current treatment of choice for high-stage, high-risk neuroblastoma, as in this case. The differential diagnosis of pediatric scrotal neoplasms is broad, and several small round blue cell tumors can present in the scrotum and paratesticular tissues. Preoperative ultrasound of the scrotum and abdomen may assist in diagnosis and surgical planning. Intraoperative frozen section may assist in diagnosis and tissue triage.
A Comparison of Techniques for Measuring Yield Stresses

Three techniques for measuring yield stresses are compared by performing parallel experiments on five model oil‐in‐water emulsions. The emulsions displayed yield stresses of 50–550 dynes/cm2. The three techniques involved: (1) measurements of rotation rate and stress in a concentric‐cylinder geometry, (2) measurement of torque and apparent shear rate in a parallel disk geometry at two different gap heights, and (3) measurement of rotation under constant applied stress in a vane geometry previously described by Boger. Emulsions are prone to slip at solid boundaries; therefore, methods to assess wall slip contributions for techniques (1) and (2) are developed. The vane device eliminates the possibility of slip. The measurements give comparable results. The techniques are compared with respect to: precision, ease of implementation, information obtained, and sample requirements.
SU-FF-T-406: The Effect of User Definable CT Acquisition Parameters On CT Numbers for Materials of Various Electron Densities

Purpose: To investigate the effect of all user definable CT acquisition parameters on CT numbers for materials of various electron densities, and therefore patient dosimetry.Methods & Materials:CT scanners come supplied with a large number of user definable parameters whose effects on CT numbers are not well documented. An electron density phantom (Gammex RMI 467), with 16 inserts, having 13 densities ranging from 0.28–1.69 g/cm3, was scanned using: helical and axial techniques; 3 kVp settings; 6 reconstruction filter types; 8 mAs settings; 4 different slice thicknesses; and 4 different field of view diameters. In our study we have utilize phantom with 16 inserts. A total of 77 scans were acquired. Results: The most significant variation in CT numbers resulted from the change in kVp settings. CT number variation progressively increases for inserts with density of 1.00 g/cm3 and higher. Standard deviation in CT numbers for 1.69 g/cm3 insert was 8%. However, in a case when kVp held constant adjusting other acquisition parameters (filters, mAs, slice thickness, field of view, technique) resulted in a standard deviation of no more then 3% for all 13 densities. Conclusions: The kVp settings has a most significant effect on CT numbers whereas change in mAs, reconstruction filter type, slice thickness and field of view diameter result in only minor variations. The dosimetric effect for pediatric cases, typically acquired at 90kVp, will be presented.
Protein Z-dependent Protease Inhibitor Binds to the C-terminal Domain of Protein Z

Protein Z (PZ) is a multidomain vitamin K-dependent plasma protein that functions as a cofactor to promote the inactivation of factor Xa (fXa) by PZ-dependent protease inhibitor (ZPI) by three orders of magnitude. To understand the mechanism by which PZ improves the reactivity of fXa with ZPI, we expressed wild-type PZ, PZ lacking the gamma-carboxyglutamic acid domain (GD-PZ), and a chimeric PZ mutant in which both Gla and EGF-like domains of the molecule were substituted with identical domains of fXa. The ZPI binding and the cofactor function of the PZ derivatives were characterized in both binding and kinetic assays. The binding assay indicated that all PZ derivatives interact with ZPI with a similar dissociation constant (K(D)) of approximately 7 nm. However, the apparent K(D) for the chimeric PZ-mediated ZPI inhibition of fXa was elevated 6-fold on PC/PS vesicles and its capacity to function as a cofactor to accelerate the ZPI inhibition of fXa was also decreased 6-fold. The cofactor activity of GD-PZ was dramatically impaired; however, the deletion mutant exhibited a normal cofactor function in solution. A chimeric activated protein C mutant containing the Gla domain of fXa was susceptible to inhibition by ZPI in the presence of PZ. These results suggest that: (i) the ZPI interactive site of PZ is located within the C-terminal domain of the cofactor and (ii) a specific interaction between the Gla domains of PZ and fXa contributes approximately 6-fold to the acceleration of the ZPI inhibition of fXa on phospholipid membranes.
Critical dynamics of a spin-5/2 two-dimensional isotropic antiferromagnet

We report a neutron scattering study of the dynamic spin correlations in Rb$_2$MnF$_4$, a two-dimensional spin-5/2 antiferromagnet. By tuning an external magnetic field to the value for the spin-flop line, we reduce the effective spin anisotropy to essentially zero, thereby obtaining a nearly ideal two-dimensional isotropic antiferromagnet. From the shape of the quasielastic peak as a function of temperature, we demonstrate dynamic scaling for this system and find a value for the dynamical exponent $z$. We compare these results to theoretical predictions for the dynamic behavior of the two-dimensional Heisenberg model, in which deviations from $z=1$ provide a measure of the corrections to scaling.
Asthma and physical activity in multiracial girls from three US sites.

AbstractObjective: Studies comparing physical activity levels in children with and without asthma have had mixed results. Our objective was to investigate the association between asthma diagnosis and physical activity and to examine differences in these associations by race/ethnicity, weight status and caregiver education. Methods: We investigated the association between asthma (defined as report of physician-diagnosed asthma with at least one asthma related symptom) and measures of physical and sedentary activity in a study of 6- to 8-year-old girls in the Breast Cancer and the Environment Research Project. We compared reported activity and pedometer measurements among girls with and without asthma, and examined modification of these associations by race/ethnicity, weight status and caregiver education. Results: Girls (n = 1182) were included with 33.5% White, 4.8% Asian, 30.6% non Hispanic Black and 30.7% Hispanic. Asthma was present in 16.2% of girls. Overall, 38% of girls reported no participation in ...
Oral contraceptive history as a risk indicator in patients with pituitary tumors with hyperprolactinemia: a case comparison study of twenty patients.

A retrospective case-comparison study of 20 hyperprolactinemic patients with pituitary adenomas is presented. Cases were from the period 1976-1979. Using discordant paired analysis an association between oral contraceptive use and 20 subjects with pituitary tumors was substantiated. For comparison a group of appendectomy patients admitted during the same time period and matched for sex and age was studied. An estimated relative risk of 4 (P < .025) was found based on this comparison and it is concluded that a significant association between use of oral contraceptives and pituitary tumors associated with hyperprolactinemia is suggested.
Genetic Polymorphisms as Predictors of Breast Cancer Risk

Genetic alterations are important drivers of breast cancer development. Rare, high penetrance mutations, including BRCA1 and BRCA2, account for a minority of breast cancer cases. Recent advances in genomic sequencing technologies have aided the search for additional genetic modifiers of breast cancer risk. An increasing number of risk-associated single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are being identified. These SNPs are relatively common in the studied populations, and while they generally confer a small increase in risk individually, they may act in combination to alter risk more substantially. This review synthesizes the current understanding of these genetic polymorphisms and breast cancer risk, and discusses experiences and challenges with implementing them into existing risk models and into clinical practice. As additional SNPs are discovered and risk estimates are refined, the aim will be to use this information to guide personalized decisions around managing risk, and to deepen our understanding of breast carcinogenesis.
Cable television refranchising studies: an important role for citizen surveys

Approximately 1,700 communities granted cable television (CA franchises in the decade of the 1970s; more than 4,000 have done so in the 1980s. As original franchise terms expire, the question of refranchising becomes an increasingly salient issue in communities: across the country. Although specialized consultants are often hired to analyze technological, financial, and legal aspects of CATV operations, consumer input may nof be assessed as comprehensively or as systematically. In this article, adaptations of the citizen survey methodology that make it applicable to a CATV inquiry are addressed The product of those adaptations is offered as one vehicle for tapping CATV consumer experience and perceptions that can be an important component in refranchising deliberations.
Elevated serum levels in human pregnancy of a molecule immunochemically similar to eosinophil granule major basic protein

We have shown that serum levels of a molecule immunochemically similar to eosinophil granule major basic protein (MBP) are elevated in pregnant women throughout gestation. MBP levels increase during gestation and plateau at approximately 7,500 ng/ml by the 20th wk (greater than 10-fold above normal). Levels return to normal after delivery, with a T1/2 of 13.7 d. The MBP in pregnancy serum is remarkably similar to the eosinophil granule MBP in that: (a) pregnancy MBP fully inhibits the binding of radiolabeled MBP standard in a double antibody radioimmunoassay; (b) this inhibition reaction is specific for human MBP because pregnancy serum produces no inhibition of the binding of radiolabeled guinea pig MBP in the guinea pig MBP radioimmunoassay; (c) in a two-site immunoradiometric assay for MBP, slopes of dose-response curves for pregnancy serum, purified MBP, and serum from a patient with hypereosinophilic syndrome are identical, and maximal binding is comparable; (d) reduction and alkylation of pregnancy sera increases measured MBP 100-fold, as previously shown for eosinophil granule MBP in serum; and (e) the MBP in pregnancy serum demonstrates the same pattern of heat lability as has been previously reported for MBP. Four observations have raised the possibility that the eosinophil is not the source of the MBP in pregnancy serum: (a) no correlation between serum MBP level and peripheral blood eosinophil count exists in pregnant women, in contrast to previous studies of patients with eosinophilia; (b) levels of three other eosinophil-associated proteins are normal or low in pregnancy sera, whereas the serum levels of these proteins are elevated in patients with eosinophilia; (c) the slopes of dose-response curves for pregnancy sera and MBP standards differ in the double antibody radioimmunoassay; and (d) the molecule in pregnancy serum elutes from Sephadex G-50 columns at the void volume, while eosinophil granule MBP and the MBP in serum of patients with eosinophilia elute at a volume consistent with the previously established molecular weight of 9,300. These findings suggest that the MBP in pregnancy serum is derived from a source other than the eosinophil.
Toxicological and environmental implications on the use of nitrilotriacetic acid as a detergent builder—II

The acute cutaneous and oral toxicity of NTA in rodents and mammals is very low; similarly, NTA does not induce topical toxicity or allergic hypersensitization in man. In chronic feeding studies, NTA produced dose‐related toxic nephrosis in female rats at all levels tested, and dose‐related enhanced mortality in male rats; available data from these studies do not appear to indicate any carcinogenic effects. NTA is non‐mutagenic in the dominant lethal assay in mice, and does not induce in vivo cytogenetic anomalies in rodents. NTA was not teratogenic in rats. No data are available on carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, and teratogenicity for any heavy metal NTA chelates. Metabolic studies indicate rapid absorption from the rat stomach; cumulative skeletal uptake was, however, observed following repeated oral administration. Chronic feeding studies on NTA resulted in marked and dose‐related zinc accumulation in rat bone. Under the worst possible conditions, the maximal total adult daily intake of NTA has been ca...
Parasites and mate choice in red jungle fowl.

Captive flocks of red jungle fowl ( Gallus gallus ) experimentally infected with the intestinal nematode Ascaridia galli were used to test Hamilton and Zuk's (1982 ) hypothesis that parasites adversely affect male secondary sex characters and that females prefer unparasitized over parasitized males. Infected chicks grew more slowly than uninfected controls, with the effect particularly pronounced on comb length rather than tarsus length or body weight. At sexual maturity, infected roosters had duller combs and eyes, shorter combs and tail feathers, and paler hackle feathers than control roosters. In experimental mate choice tests, females preferred unparasitized over parasitized roosters by about 2: 1, and an analysis of covariance revealed that the hens were using the traits on which the two groups differed to make their mate choice decisions. Finally, in a test of an extension of the Hamilton and Zuk hypothesis, control and infected males were not distinguishable based on non sexually-selected characters such as bill size, suggesting that parasites have a disproportionately larger effect on ornamental traits.
The Measurement of Hirschmanian Linkages

I. Introduction, 323. — II. Direct linkages, 324, — III. Indirect linkages: Y & N and Rasmussen, 325. — IV. The "output inverse" and forward linkages, 327. — V. Average and total linkage, 329. — VI. Trade effects, 329. — VII. The level of aggregation, 331. — VIII. Conclusion, 332. — Appendix: simple numerical example, 333.
Arcs with positive measure and a space-filling curve

In this note we construct a one-parameter family of arcs in R2 with positive two-dimensional Lebesgue measure, which converge uniformly to a space-filling curve. By an arc we mean a homeomorphism of I = [0, 1] into I x I. The existence of such maps is not news, but our procedure for constructing them is so transparently simple that it can be presented in undergraduate or graduate courses in advanced calculus, real analysis, or topology. Furthermore, each of these curves is the uniform limit of a recursively defined sequence of very simple functions. The examples of space filling curves of Peano or Hilbert, which are generally cited (e.g., [1], [21, or [3]), are also constructed recursively, but the recursions are more complicated. All of them pass from one stage to the next by splicing together reduced and rotated copies of an initial figure. In our construction, no rotation is necessary to get them to fit, so the recursion has a much simpler description. Our construction is similar to one found in Section 10.10 of [1]. This work was motivated by problem E 2975, posed by F. B. Jones in the December, 1982, issue of the American Mathematical Monthly. We wish to thank the referee for several helpful suggestions. Let us first describe a typical member of our family of arcs intuitively. Imagine a necklace composed of four congruent squares and three connecting line segments arranged as in FIGURE 1. In each square we put another necklace, but one in which the "+" shaped region is proportionately much thinner. By leaving the original
Perspective on “The energetics of enzymatic reactions”

The origin of the catalytic power of enzymes has been one of the most important open problems in molecular biology. Our early computer modeling studies [Warshel A, Levitt M (1976) J Mol Biol 103: 227 indicated that electrostatic effects give the largest contributions to enzyme catalysis; however, it was not clear how enzymes can provide more electrostatic stabilization to their transition states than water does. This fundamental problem has been solved by the title paper. The paper pointed out that in reactions in water the solvent must pay significant electrostatic energy for orienting its permanent dipoles toward the transition states. It was then demonstrated that in enzymes the active site dipoles are already partially preoriented in the optimum direction and so much less electrostatic energy is lost in the reorganization process. It was further demonstrated that ion pairs and related transition states are less stable in water than in preoriented dipolar environments in general and in the active sites of real enzymes in particular. Thus, it was concluded that enzymes stabilize their transition states by preoriented dipoles and that the catalytic energy is already stored in the preorientation of these dipoles during the folding process rather than in the enzyme substrate interaction.
Degradation of aqueous methyldiethanolamine by temperature and oxygen cycling

Abstract The primary degradation products identified in aqueous 7 molal (m) methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) loaded to 0.1 mol CO 2 /mol alkalinity and degraded in the Integrated Solvent Degradation Apparatus (ISDA) were diethanolamine (DEA), bicine and formate. DEA and bicine represented 43 and 9 % of the carbon loss, respectively, after the solvent was cycled for 167 hours. An MDEA loss of 8.8 mM/hr and a formate production of 0.6 mM/hr were measured when 7 m MDEA cycled from 55 to 120 °C in the ISDA in its initial design, which allowed bubble entrainment. When bubble entrainment was minimized through coalescence and removal, the MDEA loss and formate production were cut in half (4.6 mM/hr and 0.31 mM/hr). When dissolved oxygen was stripped from cycled MDEA with N 2 gas at 2 L/min, the MDEA loss was negligible, and the formate production was reduced to 0.05 mM/hr. Designers of CO 2 scrubbing systems for post-combustion capture should minimize dissolved and entrained oxygen carryover into the stripper. Stripping of entrained and dissolved oxygen before the stripper is recommended to avoid high temperature oxidation. An oxygen solubility limit exists at a thermal reactor temperature of 120 °C which can be expressed as an apparent upper limit of dissolved O 2 available to degrade ∼1.3 mM MDEA/pass. The oxidative degradation model compensates for the complete consumption of dissolved oxygen in the thermal reactor at higher temperatures (>100 °C). The model assumes that all oxidative degradation is occurring in the thermal reactor under plug-flow reactor (PFR) behavior, and compensates for complete oxygen consumption with a stoichiometric factor (S). The regressed values of S, E a , and k o for formate were 0.1, 107 kJ/mol, and 2.4 1/hr, respectively. The predicted rates of formate production approximately match the measured rates over the entire measured temperature range of 55 to 120 °C. Oxidation Inhibitor A is ineffective over the temperature range of 90 to 120 °C in cycled solvents
On the importance of agonist concentration-gradients within isolated tissues. Increased maximal responses of rat vasa deferentia to (–)-noradrenaline after blockade of neuronal uptake

It is assumed often that blockade of agonist uptake processes in isolated tissues results only in shifts to the left of the concentration-response curves to the agonist with no concomitant increase in the maximal response. This may not be true in tissues where diffusion is not fast enough to permit penetration of the agonist to a sufficient number of muscle cells for production of tissue maximal response. Under these circumstances an agonist-concentration gradient is created within the tissue which, when altered, could lead to an increase in the maximal response to the agonist. The increased maximal responses of rat visa deferentia to (--)-noradrenaline after blockade of neuronal uptake by either cocaine or desmethylimipramine have been analysed in terms of a concentration-gradient hypothesis. The data are compared with a theoretical calculation based on a model of restricted diffusion of enzyme-substrates into structured tissues. Both the experimental data and theoretical calculations suggest that an altered concentration-gradient of (--)-noradrenaline within the muscle layers of rat vasa deferentia is responsible for the increased maximal response. The effects of such gradients are discussed in terms of quantitation of drug-receptor phenomena and as a caveat to ascribing increases in maximal responses to post-synaptic effects of uptake inhibitors.
The Role of Conversation in Collaborative Action Research

The article examines the role of conversation in collaborative action research to understand how conversations among teachers can serve as a research methodology in which the sharing of knowledge a...
Research Spotlight: New method to assess coral reef health

[1] Coral reefs around the world are becoming stressed due to rising temperatures, ocean acidification, overfishing, and other factors. Measuring community level rates of photosynthesis, respiration, and biogenic calcification is essential to assessing the health of coral reef ecosystems because the balance between these processes determines the potential for reef growth and the export of carbon. Measurements of biological productivity have typically been made by tracing changes in dissolved oxygen in seawater as it passes over a reef. However, this is a labor-intensive and difficult method, requiring repeated measurements. (Geophysical Research Letters, doi:10.1029/2010GL046179, 2011)
Motor Imagery May Incorporate Trial-to-Trial Error

The authors tested for 1/f noise in motor imagery (MI). Participants pointed and imagined pointing to a single target (Experiment 1), to targets of varied size (Experiment 2), and switched between pointing and grasping (Experiment 3). Experiment 1 showed comparable patterns of serial correlation in actual and imagined movement. Experiment 2 suggested increased correlation for MI and performance with increased task difficulty, perhaps reflecting adaptation to a more complex environment. Experiment 3 suggested a parallel decrease in correlation with task switching, perhaps reflecting discontinuity of mental set. Although present results do not conclusively reveal 1/f fluctuation, the emergent patterns suggest that MI could incorporate trial-to-trial error across a range of constraints.
Heuristic approximations for sound fields produced by spherical waves incident on locally and non-locally reacting planar surfaces.

The classic Weyl–van der Pol (WVDP) formula is a well-known asymptotic solution for accurately predicting sound fields above a locally reacting ground surface. However, the form of the WVDP formula is inadequate for predicting sound fields in the vicinity of non-locally reacting surfaces; a correction term is often required in the formula to provide accurate numerical solutions. Even with this correction, there is a singularity in the diffraction wave term when the source is located directly above or below the receiver. This paper explores a heuristic method to remove this singularity and suggests an analytical form comparable to the WVDP formula. This improved formula offers a physically interpretable solution and allows for accurate predictions of the total sound field above locally and non-locally reacting surfaces for all geometrical configurations.
Ischemic left ventricular free wall rupture: prediction, diagnosis, and treatment

Left ventricular free wall rupture is the third leading complication and the second most common cause of death after myocardial infarction. Its occurrence has been considered an unpredictable event usually leading to death. An increased appreciation for the clinical presentation of this syndrome and the nearly ubiquitous use of echocardiography have fostered a rise in the antemortem diagnosis of left ventricular free wall rupture, allowing the possibility of operative repair. Despite the increased reporting of left ventricular free wall rupture, the experience of any one surgeon or surgical group tends to be quite small. We review the current status of rupture prediction, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment options. A recent case of left ventricular free wall rupture referred to the Baylor Cardiothoracic Surgery Group with the misdiagnosis of ruptured dissection of the ascending thoracic aorta is presented to illustrate our approach to this clinical situation.
Characteristics of women who do not seek prenatal care and implications for prevention.

ABSTRACT Objectives To describe characteristics of women without prenatal care and their reasons for not seeking prenatal care. Design Retrospective record review. Setting Urban, academic medical center. Participants Women without prenatal care whose pregnancies reached the third trimester, who presented to the hospital for delivery or immediately postpartum for a 7 year period. Methods Records were reviewed for factors including socio-demographic factors, history of pregnancy/miscarriage/abortion, social supports, abuse history, history of substance use, toxicology results, history of mental illness or mental retardation, and the reason for lack of prenatal care. Results Among 211 women with no prenatal care, the primary reasons were noted: 30% had problems with substance use; 29% experienced denial of pregnancy; 18% had financial reasons; 9% concealed pregnancy; and 6% believed they did not need prenatal care due to multiparity. Women with substance use disorders were significantly more likely to be older, unemployed multigravidas. Conclusions Nurses should target specific groups of women for education and intervention based on their rationale for not seeking prenatal care.
A solid-phase assay for β-1,4-galactosyltransferase activity in human serum using recombinant aequorin

Abstract We have developed a sensitive and rapid solid-phase assay for the serum enzyme UDPGal:β- d -GlcNAc β-1,4-galactosyltransferase (β1,4-GT) (EC 2.4.1.38) that employs the recombinant bioluminescent protein aequorin as the enzyme label for product detection. The substrate for β1,4-GT is a neoglycoprotein, bovine serum albumin containing covalently attached GlcNAc residues (GlcNAc-BSA), and it was immobilized by adsorption in microtiter plate wells. Serum samples were added to each well along with saturating levels of UDPGal and Mn2+. Galactosylation of the neoglycoprotein acceptor by the serum β1,4-GT produces the N-acetyllactosamine derivative Galβ1,4GlcNAc-BSA. The product formed is quantified by adding the biotinylated plant lectin Ricinus communis agglutinin-I, which binds specifically to N-acetyllactosamine, followed by the addition of streptavidin and the biotinylated aequorin. Aequorin produces a flash of light in response to Ca2+ and is detectable to 10−19 mol in a luminometer. Using this assay, the β1,4-GT activity in human serum and the activity of a semipurified β1,4-GT are linear with time and serum concentration over a wide range. The reaction is dependent on UDPGal and Mn2+, is highly reproducible with a low background, and can be performed in a few hours. Assays employing aequorin have a wider range of linearity than those employing horseradish peroxidase as an enzyme label. These results demonstrate that the assay for β1,4-GT is useful for determining activity in heterogeneous samples and also demonstrate the utility of the recombinant protein aequorin for solid-phase assay methods.
Predictors of Poor Maternal Weight Gain from Baseline Anthropometric, Psychpsocial, and Demographic Information in a Hispanic Population

Abstract Objective To identify which baseline factors best predict poor maternal weight gain among Hispanics. Sample Pregnancy and outcome data collected prospectively from 4,791 Hispanic women attending public prenatal clinics in West Los Angeles, Calif, from 1983 through 1986. Methods Prepregnancy weight was categorized into weight status groups using body mass index (BMI). Poor total weight gain (based on a mean gestational age at last measurement, which was at 35 weeks) was defined as less than 21 Ib for women with BMI less than 26 and less than 10 Ib for women with BMI of 26 or greater. Analyses used Student's t test, χ 2 , and multivariate regression techniques (linear and logistic). Results Poor total weight gain was identified in 29% of the women. For women who were underweight or normal weight before pregnancy, the only factor associated with increasing the risk of poor total weight gain was short stature (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=1.5, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.24, 1.84). The following factors decreased the risk: being US born (AOR=0.61, 95% CI=0.37, 1.00); being primiparous and under 29 years old (for Applications/conclusions These baseline factors could aid in targeting nutrition and other social services earlier to pregnant Hispanic women. By strategically targeting pregnant women in greatest need of services, improvements in birth outcomes may be enhanced. J Am Diet Assoc . 1997;97:1264-1268.
Effects of A 100% Perfluorooctylbromide Emulsion on Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury Following Cardioplegia

Protective effects of a perfluorooctylbromide emulsion on myocardial ischemia and reperfusion (MI/R) injury were evaluated in a modified Langendorff rat heart preparation. Isolated rat hearts were equilibrated in Krebs-Henseleit solution (KH) for 35 minutes and perfused with either cardioplegic solution (CPS) or a 100% perfluorooctylbromide (PFOB) emulsion in CPS for 3 minutes. Hearts were then bathed in the emulsion or CPS. Both groups were subjected to 30 minutes of ischemia. Following 30 minutes of ischemia and 30 minutes of reperfusion with KH solution, hearts subjected to the 100% PFOB emulsion showed improved recovery of left ventricular function. Tissue activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase were not affected by the emulsion in this model. Activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the bathing medium was elevated at the end of the experimental period in both control and PFOB-treated hearts. The PFOB emulsion reduced the decline in ATP and GSH levels produced by cardioplegia and subsequent reperfusion. No differences were noted in oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels. These data suggest that the PFOB emulsion provides some protection for the myocardium against injury associated with cardioplegia.
Studies on nitroaniline–sulfuric acid compositions: Aphrogenic pyrostats

Nitroaniline-sulfuric acid compositions, a source of a new class of aphrogenic pyrostats (intumescent fire-quenching agents) have been studied. Thermogravimetric analysis of the compositions and their expansion products was carried out. The chemical compositions of the foams were determined, and considerable similarity was noted. Sulfur is present exclusively as sulfonic acid groups. Appreciable deamination occurs during expansion, particularly at higher acidic content. Sulfur dioxide and water are major gaseous constituents. Only 2- and 4-nitroanilines can be converted into voluminous foams; they behave like difunctional monomers. 3-Nitroaniline expands only slightly into brittle products; it acts like a trifunctional monomer.
The β-function in supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory

Abstract We show by means of the Adler-Bardeen theorem how to calculate the two-loop β function from a one-loop calculation of the superconformal anomaly in a supersymmetric gauge theory with arbitrary superpotential. The N = 2 and N = 4 cases are also briefly discussed.
Characterization of the wettability of thin nanostructured films in the presence of evaporation

Abstract Vapor chambers using conventional porous membrane wicks offer limited heat transfer rates for a given thickness. This limitation can be addressed through wick nanostructuring, which promises high capillary pressures and precise control of the local porosity. This work develops a measurement technique for the wettability of nanostructured wicks based on optical imaging. Feasibility is demonstrated on a hydrophilic silicon nanowire array (SiNW) synthesized using the Vapor–Liquid–Solid (VLS) growth mechanism followed by surface plasma treatment. The wettability is determined by comparing the time-dependent liquid interface rise with a model that accounts for capillary, viscous, and gravitational forces and for evaporation. This model is demonstrated to be useful in extracting internal contact angle from thin (∼10 μm) porous films.
Intron Loss and Gain During Evolution of the Catalase Gene Family in Angiosperms

Angiosperms (flowering plants), including both monocots and dicots, contain small catalase gene families. In the dicot, Arabidopsis thaliana, two catalase (CAT) genes, CAT1 and CAT3, are tightly linked on chromosome 1 and a third, CAT2, which is more similar to CAT1 than to CAT3, is unlinked on chromosome 4. Comparison of positions and numbers of introns among 13 angiosperm catalase genomic sequences indicates that intron positions are conserved, and suggests that an ancestral catalase gene common to monocots and dicots contained seven introns. Arabidopsis CAT2 has seven introns; both CAT1 and CAT3 have six introns in positions conserved with CAT2, but each has lost a different intron. We suggest the following sequence of events during the evolution of the Arabidopsis catalase gene family. An initial duplication of an ancestral catalase gene gave rise to CAT3 and CAT1. CAT1 then served as the template for a second duplication, yielding CAT2. Intron losses from CAT1 and CAT3 followed these duplications. One subclade of monocot catalases has lost all but the 5'-most and 3'-most introns, which is consistent with a mechanism of intron loss by replacement of an ancestral intron-containing gene with a reverse-transcribed DNA copy of a fully spliced mRNA. Following this event of concerted intron loss, the Oryza sativa (rice, a monocot) CAT1 lineage acquired an intron in a novel position, consistent with a mechanism of intron gain at proto-splice sites.
Differential Super-Orthogonal Space-Time Trellis Codes

In this paper, we present two differential trellis coded space-time modulation schemes when the channel state information is not available at the transmitter and at the receiver. First, we extend the design of super-orthogonal space-time trellis codes to improve their performance. Then, based on these extended super-orthogonal codes, we propose the first differential scheme. Compared with the trellis coded differential unitary space-time modulation scheme, not only does the proposed differential scheme achieve full diversity, but also it provides identical or higher coding gain and much lower decoding complexity. In order to achieve further improved coding gain in addition to full diversity for more than two transmit antennas, we propose a second differential scheme which is based on super-quasi-orthogonal codes. Such a differential scheme outperforms the differential modulation scheme based on super-orthogonal codes with simpler decoding. Simulation results demonstrate the good performance of our schemes
Influence of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 on warfarin dose, anticoagulation attainment and maintenance among European-Americans and African-Americans.

Aims: The influence of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 on warfarin dose, time to target International Normalized Ratio (INR), time to stabilization, and risk of over-anticoagulation (INR: >4) was assessed after adjustment for clinical factors, intraindividual variation in environmental factors and unobserved heterogeneity. Materials & Methods: Common CYP2C9 and VKORC1 polymorphisms were assessed in 302 European–Americans and 273 African–Americans receiving warfarin. Race-stratified multivariable analyses evaluated the influence of CYP2C9 and VKORC1 on warfarin response. Results & Conclusion: CYP2C9 and VKORC1 accounted for up to 30% of the variability in warfarin dose among European–Americans and 10% among African–Americans. Neither CYP2C9 nor VKORC1 influenced the time to target INR or stabilization among patients of either race, and neither influenced the risk of over-anticoagulation among African–Americans. The risk of over-anticoagulation was higher among European–Americans with variant VKORC1 1173C/T (p < 0.01) an...
Challenges of forest governance in Madagascar

There has been a huge surge in interest in the preservation of Madagascar's forests in the past two decades, but despite the investment of hundreds of millions of dollars, the goal remains elusive. Recent legislation has given the government the authority to enter into contractual arrangements with communities for the management of the country's public forests, so it has become crucial to grapple with the significant challenges involved. This paper explores the enormity of the challenge of forest governance in Madagascar in an era of decentralization. By examining several forests in one part of the country, it reveals a dizzying range of forest types and forms of use and governance within a fairly small portion of the country. These examples make it apparent that the history of forest management in Madagascar constitutes a broad-ranging experiment with forest governance. Simply monitoring the dynamics of the forest canopy is a significant technical challenge. However, this pales in comparison to the difficulties inherent in explaining those dynamics and assessing the sustainability and equity of different management regimes. Of the forests considered in the study, those where the Malagasy state has partnered with international conservation and development organizations seem to stand out, both in terms of stabilized, or even growing, forest cover, as well as a balance of interests among users.
The Foundation of Counseling in the Republic of Ecuador.

Counseling is at an early stage of development in the Republic of Ecuador. A turbulent history, poverty, and unemployment have affected the growth of mental health services and counselor preparation programs. Yet, this country experiences problems of addictions, domestic violence, depression, suicide, gender inequity, and drug trafficking. The future of counseling will be influenced by economic conditions and leadership provided from within and outside the Republic of Ecuador. Language: en
Modeling the Invasion of Community-Acquired Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus into Hospitals

Infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) cause considerable morbidity and mortality, with estimated mortality rates surpassing those caused by HIV infection [1, 2]. Until recently, MRSA has been a health care—associated pathogen that affects predominantly the elderly population and debilitated individuals [3]. In 1998, a new strain of MRSA emerged in the community setting that caused infections among young, healthy individuals with no exposure to the health care setting [4]. Since then, community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA) strains have rapidly spread throughout the world [5]. Outbreaks of CA-MRSA have been reported among children, athletes, nurseries, obstetrical wards, and in many other populations [4, 6–8]. Some strains of CA-MRSA have been implicated in severe infections, including necrotizing skin infections, septic thrombophelbitis, bacteremia, and infective endocarditis [9–12]. The expanding community reservoir of CA-MRSA has led to the inevitable infiltration of CA-MRSA into hospitals [11, 13–15). Several reports further suggest that CA-MRSA may be replacing the traditional hospital-acquired MRSA (HA-MRSA) [11, 13–15]. This event has the potential for catastrophic consequences, because CA-MRSA can cause severe infections, which will now occur among debilitated, immunocompromised hospitalized patients. We hypothesized that CA-MRSA will replace the traditional HA-MRSA strain in the health care setting over time, and we sought to identify the epidemiological factors that would result in the dominance of CA-MRSA strains and the competitive exclusion of HA-MRSA strains. A deterministic mathematical model was developed to quantify the temporal patterns of CAMRSA spread into the hospital setting. Using this model, we quantified the consequences of the expanding community reservoir and the increased documentation of more-severe infections caused by CA-MRSA in the dissemination of this new strain into the hospital. The model was also extended to determine the optimal strategy or combination of strategies that would prevent the in-hospital cross-transmission of CA-MRSA.
Large local optical activity in fractal aggregates of nanoparticles

Large local optical activity in fractal aggregates of silver nanoparticles has been observed by means of photon scanning tunneling microscopy. The effect occurs because resonant plasmon modes in random fractals can have handedness in spatial distribution of their amplitudes. In agreement with experimental observations, numerical simulations show dramatic difference in dipole-moment distributions for right- and left-circularly polarized incident light when the cluster size is comparable with or larger than the wavelength. Variations in the local parameter describing the circular intensity difference of scattered light show that fractal aggregates are characterized by broad and random distributions of chiral plasmon modes.
Strengthening the Link. The Critical Role of Children in the Stroke Chain of Recovery

See related article, pages 2809–2816. Stroke remains a devastating disease killing someone every 3 to 4 minutes and leaving up to 30% permanently disabled according to the most recently available statistics.1 The estimated cost of this disease from 2005 to 2050 will exceed $2 trillion with most of this cost related to disabled survivors’ loss of earnings.1 Sadly, studies have revealed that most strokes cannot be treated due to delayed presentation to an emergency department well outside of thrombolytic treatment windows.2,3 Currently, only 2% to 6% of eligible patients receive lifesaving thrombolytic therapy.4 In the quest to find a solution to this problem, researchers have studied factors that are associated with earlier emergency department arrival. This research has revealed that the majority of delayed presentation occurs during the first 2 steps in the stroke chain of recovery: identification and dispatch.5 Specifically, recognition of stroke signs and symptoms (identification) and activation of the emergency medical services system by calling 911 (dispatch) are both associated with less delay and concomitant earlier emergency department arrival for treatment.6–9 Most importantly, the presence of a bystander or other witness is also associated with earlier arrival7,10 perhaps, in part, because it is usually someone other than the stroke victim who initially calls 911 for help.11 Recent demographic trends suggest that young children may increasingly be the family member or bystander present during the onset of stroke. There has been a steady increase in the number of children living with their grandparents (30% since 1990) with an estimated 5.7 million grandparents living with their grandchildren in 2000.12 Additionally, many individuals are delaying their births beyond age 30,13 resulting in more children with older parents present in the household. Therefore, many …
A New Method for Mapping Short DNA Sequencing Reads by Using Quality Scores

New high-throughput sequencing technologies can generate millions of short DNA sequences that need to be mapped to the reference genome accurately. Majority of the mapping algorithms handle variations in the quality of these short sequences by allowing more mismatches and/or gaps in the alignment and focus to improve runtime. In this paper, weinvestigate ways to classify quality scores of short DNA sequencing reads and integrate them into the mapping process. We specifically studied the quality scores that suggest two alternate bases (the top quality scores for two bases are close to each other at the locus) and use of such bases to improve mapping accuracy.Our method includes generation of alternative sequences when there are alternate-quality bases in a sequence read and mapping of these alternative sequences to the reference genome. In a test using a piece of ChIP-seq data from epigenetic study, we generated and mapped alternatives of 222,755 sequence reads (out of the original 2.5 million reads) that cannot be mapped to the reference genome by the Eland algorithm. With this approach we could be able to map 12.8% of these sequence reads with alternative bases to unique positions in the genome. In this study, we demonstrate that use of alternative bases in mapping algorithms can improve mapping results dramatically.
Rst1 and Rst2 are required for the a/α diploid cell type in yeast

In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the preservation of the mating competent haploid (a or alpha) and the mating incompetent diploid (a/alpha) is necessary to prevent aneuploidy. Once haploid cells respond to pheromone, the mating-specific signal transduction pathway is activated, and the MAP kinase Fus3 phosphorylates two specific repressor proteins Rst1 and Rst2 (also known as Dig1 and Dig2) to promote Ste12-dependent transcription of mating-specific genes. In contrast, diploid cells cannot mate because genes that encode components of the mating pathway are repressed through the combined action of the Mata1-Matalpha2 and Matalpha2-Mcm1 repressors. Surprisingly, repression of Ste12 by Rst1 and Rst2 is essential for diploid sterility. Homozygous deletion of both RST1 and RST2 (rst-) causes a/alpha diploid cells constitutively to express a-specific genes and mate preferentially as a-cells. This phenotype is sensitive to Ste12 dosage, as removal of one copy of STE12 completely reduces the ectopic activation of a-specific genes. The Matalpha2-Mcm1 complex, which normally represses a-specific genes, is defective in rst- diploids because Matalpha2 is destabilized in rst- diploids, possibly as a consequence of its relocalization from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. This study finds that Rst1 and Rst2 are necessary for the a/alpha diploid cell type. Rst1 and Rst2 are required in order to prevent the amplification of a robust Ste12 transcriptional programme that appears to over-ride Matalpha2-dependent repression of haploid and a-specific genes.