cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identifying potential indicators of conservation value using natural heritage occurrence data.

Conservation planning based on the occurrence of rare species has been criticized as being too limited in scope to conserve biodiversity as a whole. Conversely, planning based on indicator taxa may lack sufficient focus to conserve those species in greatest need of conservation. An alternative approach is to identify a variety of species at risk that are associated with areas of conservation value, which is defined based on species-independent characteristics. We identified potential indicators of conservation value using occurrence data on species at risk and independent information on conservation value that incorporated indices of ecosystem integrity. We propose a taxonomically diverse group of indicator species that are strongly associated with areas of exceptional ecosystem in- tegrity, to serve as a focus for further research and in planning for biodiversity conservation. We identify potential indicator species by defining a null model in which species at risk are equally associated with areas of high ecosystem integrity, then by conducting random- ization tests to identify noncompliant species in the state of Michigan, USA. Areas of high ecosystem integrity are selected using criteria to flag (1) secure biotic communities with structural integrity and few exotic species, (2) natural areas subjected to expert review, (3) contiguous relict areas of forest interior, (4) contiguous areas of unmodified wetland, and (5) all these areas combined. We determine the spatial occurrence of species at risk using data from Michigan's statewide Natural Heritage database. The potential indicators include plants, insects, and birds. Their species identity and distribution of occurrences varies with the five scenarios, and together the species broadly cover the entire state. These species at risk, many of which occur throughout the Great Lakes region, may be used to identify additional areas potentially high in conservation value and to monitor their conservation. The ecological criteria and numerical methods we employ may be broadly applicable as Heritage Program databases in North America and parts of Latin America grow to become representative of species distributions.
Does Obesity Increase the Risk of Miscarriage in Spontaneous Conception: A Systematic Review

Obesity has become an epidemic in developed societies. Retrospective studies suggest that obesity is associated with miscarriage in assisted reproduction. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether obesity is associated with miscarriage in spontaneous conception. We conducted a systematic review of published studies with pooled analysis. A literature review was performed. Studies in which fertility drugs or in vitro fertilization were used were excluded, unless data could be extracted for spontaneous conception. Data were compared for obese (body mass index [BMI]: ≥28 or 30 kg/m (2)), overweight (BMI: 25 to 29 kg/m (2)), and normal-weight (BMI: <25 kg/m (2)) women, with pooled odds ratios (ORs). Recurrent miscarriage data were analyzed separately. Six studies met the criteria for a cohort of 28,538 women. Pooled analysis revealed a higher miscarriage rate of 13.6% in 3800 obese versus 10.7% in 17,146 normal-BMI women (OR: 1.31; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18 to 1.46). Although the cohort was small, there was a higher prevalence of recurrent early miscarriage in obese versus normal-BMI women (0.4% versus 0.1%; OR: 3.51; 95% CI, 1.03 to 12.01). In women with recurrent miscarriage, there was a higher miscarriage rate in the obese versus nonobese women (46% versus 43%; OR: 1.71; 95% CI, 1.05). Based on retrospective studies, we concluded that obesity is associated with a higher miscarriage rate in women who conceive spontaneously. Larger prospective studies are urgently needed to verify these preliminary results.
The Mental Simulation of Better and Worse Possible Worlds

Counterfactual thinking involves the imagination of non-factual alternatives to reality. We investigated the spontaneous generation of both upward counterfactuals, which improve on reality, and downward counterfactuals, which worsen reality. All subjects gained $5 playing a computer-simulated blackjack game. However, this outcome was framed to be perceived as either a win, a neutral event, or a loss. "Loss" frames produced more upward and fewer downward counterfactuals than did either "win" or "neutral" frames, but the overall prevalence of counterfactual thinking did not vary with outcome valence. In addition, subjects who expected to play the game again made more upward counterfactuals and were less satisfied with the outcome than were subjects who did not expect to play again. However, once subjects saw the cards from which they could have selected had they "hit" again (two winning cards and two losing cards), all subjects generated primarily upward counterfactuals and showed a corresponding decrease in satisfaction. These results implicate both cognitive and motivational factors in the generation of counterfactuals and tell us something about the functional value of counterfactual thinking: downward counterfactuals provide comfort; upward counterfactuals prepare one for the future.
Maternal-newborn nurses’ experiences of inconsistent professional breastfeeding support

Title. Maternal-newborn nurses’ experiences of inconsistent professional breastfeeding support Aim. This paper is a report of a study to describe the meaning and significance of common, essential elements of inconsistent professional breastfeeding support as revealed through the experiences of maternal-newborn nurses in a hospital. Background. Professional breastfeeding support has been found to have a beneficial effect on breastfeeding, although mothers also report that inconsistent professional breastfeeding support has a negative influence on their breastfeeding efforts. Method. An existential-phenomenological approach was used, and interviews were conducted with 12 maternal-newborn nurses between October 2005 and January 2006. Interview transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis. Findings. Inconsistency in professional breastfeeding support was directly related to the fact that ‘supporting’ breastfeeding is a dynamic, multidimensional process with relational, contextual and situational components. Eight themes were identified: Inconsistencies still exist but things are changing; A need for ‘buy in’; There is no escaping personal experience; What works for one does not work for all; Time impacts recommendations; We have a privileged vantage point; ‘My job’: what it is and what it is not and After all, breastfeeding is a maternal ‘choice’. Conclusion. Addressing inconsistent professional breastfeeding support involves understanding the multiple institutional and personal factors that influence this phenomenon. Because multiple practitioners assist each mother-infant dyad in learning to breastfeed, fostering strong collaborative relationships within this support team is essential. Regular opportunities for all team members to dialogue and actively participate in the updating of breastfeeding policies may increase ‘buy in’, promote greater collaboration and decrease both conflict and inconsistencies.
A reliable and sensitive method for fluorescent photoconversion

The objective of this study was to develop a reliable and sensitive method of diaminobenzidine (DAB) photoconversion through systematic variation of the objectives and the method of DAB enhancement employed. Results showed that reliable photoconversion of DiI-labeled macaque monkey cortical cells and processes can be obtained consistently by using fresh filtered DAB solutions, clean slides, and a bright fluorescent light source. Using a 20x objective and enhancing the DAB reaction product with Giemsa stain provided the most sensitivity and best resolution in the photoconverted area. Objective size was found to correlate directly with sensitivity and indirectly with both the size of the area photoconverted and the time to complete photoconversion. Nitro blue tetrazolium (NBT) did not produce as much contrast in the photoconverted cells as Giemsa stain, but allowed for the best visualization of finer processes because it somewhat enlarged the fiber diameter. Nickel and cobalt used together, but not separately, were found to provide adequate enhancement. These results are likely to apply to photoconversion and enhancement of all fluorescent material, but may require slight modifications in protocol.
Following a panel of stayers: Length of stay, tenure choice, and housing demand

Abstract Due to moving and transactions costs, most housing buyers do not routinely move in response to small changes in income or housing price. In this paper, the “own–rent,” “move–stay,” and length-of-stay decisions are modeled as multi-period optimization in the presence of transactions costs. The empirical section uses the American Housing Survey to provide a unique 12-year panel of household stayers for the Detroit metropolitan area. Results indicate that income and value–rent measures in different years have separable and significant impacts on housing demand. Estimated full income elasticities are between 0.30 and 0.35.
A new high temperture stable bipolar VLSI metallization

High performance bipolar analog/digital circuits require metallization capable of with-standing several hour anneals in the temperature range of 400–500° C without causing any device degradation. A new VSi2/Ti: W/Pd/Rh/Au metallization scheme for use in bipolar circuits is described. This metallization scheme (which evolved from Pd2Si/Ti:W/ Pd/Au metallization) offers high electrical conductivity, high electromigration and corrosion resistances and is capable of withstanding long anneals at temperatures up to 500° C without degradation of minority carrier devices. The metallization integrity and majority carrier devices are not affected up to 600° C.
Computing Sciences Accreditation: A Cooperative Effort in CIS

The Computing Sciences Accreditation Board has accredited 65 programs since 1985. This accreditation has helped to define the field and the computer science profession. The information systems discipline is following much of the historical pattern of computer science. A review of recent efforts to establish accreditation standards for information systems is presented and a draft set of criteria are discussed. Alternative forms of accreditation, institutional vs. programmatic, are presented and discussed in the context of the history of computer science accreditation efforts. This effort is intended to stimulate discussion within the information systems community.
Figured grazing incidence mirrors from reheated float glass

High throughput grazing incidence mirrors have been fabricated from float glass using a new inexpensive technique. An array of twelve such mirrors including grazing angles from 3 to 15° has been fabricated and tested. Optical measurement of this array shows a line spread function of 6.3-min of arc FWHM with 90% energy enclosed within 13 min of arc. Three-mirror arrays are used to provide 1-D focusing for a diffuse extreme ultraviolet spectrometer. This paper presents the fabrication techniques and testing procedures used, as well as the mirror performance results.
Diagnostic Bayesian networks with Fuzzy evidence

Diagnostic Bayesian networks, one of the models supported by the Artificial Intelligence Exchange and Service Tie to All Test Environments (AI-ESTATE) standard, are an important and commonly used tool for modeling systems for fault isolation. When performing the tests specified by the diagnostic Bayesian network, the test program often maps the raw test measurements to discrete Pass or Fail outcomes. We would like to relax this hard discretization requirement and instead represent degrees of passing and failing. To do this, we propose a method for integrating fuzzy set theory and diagnostic Bayesian networks. Our proposed approach further demonstrates the extensions described in previous work to include gray-scale health information in AI-ESTATE. The previous work demonstrated the use of soft outcomes in AI-ESTATE's Fault Tree Model (FTM); however, no process was given for incorporating the soft outcomes into the other models specified by AI-ESTATE. Here, we describe how to extend the AI-ESTATE Bayesian Network Model (BNM) to incorporate the previously proposed soft outcomes. Because D-matrices and diagnostic logic models can be represented as Bayesian networks, the proposed approach can be adapted to work with AI-ESTATE's D-matrix Inference Model (DIM) and Diagnostic Logic Model (DLM) as well.
A rapid cold-hardening process in insects

Traditionally studies of cold tolerance in insects have focused on seasonal adaptations related to overwintering that are observed after weeks or months of exposure to low temperature. In contrast, an extremely rapid cold-hardening response was observed in nonoverwintering stages that confers protection against injury due to cold shock at temperatures above the supercooling point. This response was observed in nondiapausing larvae and pharate adults of the flesh fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis, nondiapausing adults of the elm leaf beetle, Xanthogaleruca luteola, and the milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus. The rapid hardening response is correlated with the accumulation of glycerol.
Maternal osteoporosis after prolonged magnesium sulfate tocolysis therapy: A case report

Tocolysis therapy with magnesium sulfate is known to affect calcium homeostasis. Prolonged infusion of magnesium sulfate (MgSO(4)) has been used for the treatment of refractory preterm labor, and has been reported to change maternal calcium homeostasis and possible mineralization. In this case report, we present a woman in her mid thirties who had undergone intravenous MgSO(4) tocolysis therapy, and developed osteoporosis leading to significant morbidity after delivery. The laboratory investigation, including the bone scan, magnetic resonance image, indices of bone turnover, and the results of 2 years of follow-up of bone mineral density, are also reported. This case report supports the existence of a possible association between prolonged intravenous magnesium tocolysis and maternal osteoporosis. To prevent osteoporosis, it is important to avoid a prolonged period of MgSO(4) tocolysis. In cases of prolonged MgSO(4) treatment and bedrest, physicians should be aware of the risk of osteoporosis. The recommended management is also discussed in this report.
New method for seismic isolation of liquid-storage tanks

SUMMARY Seismic base isolation of ground supported cylindrical liquid-storage tanks is proposed by disconnecting the wall of the tank from the base plate and supporting it on a ring of horizontally flexible bearings; the base plate is supported directly on the ground. The gap between the wall and the base plate is closed with a flexible membrane, which prevents the loss of fluid from the tank and allows the tank wall to move freely in the horizontal direction. The e⁄ect of isolation on both the impulsive and the convective (sloshing) responses of the liquid is examined for two steel tanks—one broad and one slender. It is shown that isolation can reduce dramatically the hydrodynamic base shears, overturning moments, and axial compressive stresses in the tank wall without significantly increasing the vertical displacements of the liquid surface due to sloshing. Since the weight supported by the bearings is small compared to the total liquid weight, the bearings in slender tanks experience a net tensile force during strong shaking. ( 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Earthquake Engng. Struct. Dyn., 26, 839—847 (1997)
On monotonic and orthant monotonic norms

Abstract This paper gives a characterization of real vector norms with respect to the interval [ −1,1].
Predicting Skin Friction for Turbulent Flow Over Randomly-Rough Surfaces Using the Discrete-Element Method: Part II — Skin Friction Validation

The discrete-element method for predicting skin friction for turbulent flow over rough surfaces considers the drag on the surface to be the sum of the skin friction on the flat part of the surface and the drag on the individual roughness elements that protrude into the boundary layer. The discrete-element method has been widely used and validated for roughness composed of sparse, ordered, and deterministic elements. This paper extends the validation of the discrete-element to include real (random and closely packed) surface roughness. To analyze flow over a randomly-rough surface using the discrete-element method, the roughness element blockage fraction and the roughness element cross-section area distributions as a function of height must be determined from surface profilometer measurements. The technique developed for determining these distributions was described in Part 1. This paper, Part 2, describes the modifications that were made to the discrete-element roughness method to extend the validation to real surface roughness. These modifications include accounting for the deviation of the roughness element cross sections from circular configurations and the determination of the location of the computational “surface,” that differs from the physical surface. Two randomly-rough surfaces, two analog surfaces were generated using a three-dimensional printer for wind-tunnel testing. The analog surfaces were created by replacing each random roughness element from the original randomly-rough surface with an elliptical roughness element with the equivalent plan area and eccentricity. The results of the wind tunnel skin friction measurements and the discrete-element method predictions for each of the six surfaces are presented and discussed. For each randomly-rough and analog surface studied, the discrete-element method predictions are within 7% of the experimentally measured skin friction coefficients.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
The Performance of Multimicrocomputer Networks Supporting Dynamic Workloads

Because a group of interconnected microcomputers may not share any globally addressable memory, it is crucial that a multimicrocomputer interconnection network capable of efficiently supporting message passing be found. Using task precedence graphs to represent the time varying behavior of parallel computations, both the behavior of interconnection networks under varying workloads and the feasibility of distributed scheduling are investigated.
Power Electronic Devices in the Future

This paper discusses extrapolations of current silicon power device technology into the future, followed by discussions of wide band gap (WBG) power devices with a focus on silicon carbide and gallium nitride. Other WBG materials are included from carbon, such as diamond and nanotubes, to various nitrides. Far future material development, that may impact power electronic devices decades out, is also discussed.
NMR and MRI obtained with high transition temperature dc SQUIDs

Usando um espectrometro baseado em um SQUID (dispositivo supercondutor de interferencia quântica), de alta temperatura de transicao, polarizado continuamente, medimos sinais de ressonância magnetica nuclear (RMN) de varias amostras a temperatura ambiente em campos magneticos na faixa entre 0,05 mT e 2 mT. E possivel observar sinais de protons em uma amostra com 1 mL de oleo mineral em 2 mT com apenas uma aquisicao. A sensibilidade do sistema tambem permite a deteccao de RMN de protons em um campo magnetico tao baixo quanto 0,059 mT, o qual e comparavel ao campo da Terra. Estes resultados tornam possiveis varios outros experimentos em imagens por ressonância magnetica nuclear. Apresentamos uma imagem em duas dimensoes obtida a temperatura ambiente em um campo magnetico de 2 mT a partir de um padrao com uma estrutura interna preenchida com oleo mineral.
The fine structure of the caudal periaqueductal gray of the cat: Morphology and synaptic organization of normal and immunoreactive enkephalin-labeled profiles

Although the midbrain periaqueductal gray (PAG) is thought to have a major role in an endorphin-mediated analgesia system, little is known about its neuroanatomical organization. To determine the microcircuitry within the PAG through which exogenous and endogenous opiates may act, we analyzed the synaptic organization of normal and immunoreactive enkephalin (ENK)-labeled profiles in the caudal PAG, a region of particular interest because of its effectiveness in generating analgesia. Examination of the normal fine structure of this region demonstrated that there is no characteristic synaptic morphology that distinguishes individual regions of the caudal PAG (ventromedial, ventrolateral and dorsolateral) from one another. In all 3 regions of the caudal PAG, axodendritic synapses are the predominant form of synaptic interaction making up 93-97% of all synapses counted. Axosomatic synapses are much less common, as are presumed axoaxonic and dendrodendritic synapses. In the caudal ventral PAG, the largest population of ENK-labeled axonal boutons are found presynaptic to unlabeled, centrally placed dendrites. Much less frequently, immunoreactive ENK-containing boutons are found presynaptic to neuronal perikarya or vesicle-containing profiles. Thus, these results suggest that the dendrites of neurons intrinsic to the PAG are the most probable site of opiate action in the caudal ventral PAG.
The contribution of control systems in LWR safety

Abstract The objective of this paper is to estimate the effects of non-safety-grade control systems in light water reactors (LWRs) on the overall likelihood of accidents leading to severe core damage or core melt, as determined from operating experience. One hundred ninety operational events which involve failures of non-safety-grade control systems that have occurred at commercial PWR plants during 1969–1981 and which are considered to be precursors to potential severe core damage have been identified; eighty such events have been identified for BWR plants. These events are treated as initiating or concurrent events to be fit into appropriate event trees, which are then quantified using component failure rates and system unavailabilities taken from available PRA studies to estimate the frequency of severe core damage arising from non-safety-grade control system failures. An example is worked out in detail. Considerable uncertainty is introduced into the results by the choice of system and operator failure rates and the results reported herein are considered preliminary. No allowance is made in these estimates for plant changes made because of operational experience.
Subharmonic travelling waves in a geometrically non-linear circular plate

Abstract The subhannonic motions of thin, axisymmetric, geometrically non-linear circular plates are analyzed. It is well known that such cyclic systems possess pairs of degenerate modes in “1-1” internal resonance, i.e. modes having equal linearized natural frequencies. The non-linear interaction of such a pair of modes is examined by discretizing the non-linear partial differential equations of motion and then investigating the resulting set of non-linear ordinary differential equations analytically and numerically. Two types of forced subhannonic motions are detected, namely subharmonic standing waves (SSW) and subharmonic travelling waves (STW). Moreover, it is found that for sufficiently large values of frequency detuning of the forcing function the STW lose stability in a Hopf bifurcation, leading to quasi-periodic motions of the plate, i.e. to oscillations on a two-torus. The analytical results are confirmed by numerical integrations of the equations of motion and by numerical Poincare maps. The results reported in this work are expected to have applicability on the dynamic analysis and design ofthin, flexible disks, of the type used for data storage in the computer industry.
Competitive NMDA receptor antagonists attenuate phencyclidine-induced excitations of A10 dopamine neurons.

The binding of phencyclidine (PCP) within the channel gated by the NMDA-receptor complex can be positively or negatively modulated by compounds which facilitate or prevent the interaction of glutamate to the NMDA recognition site. In the present study extracellular recordings were used to evaluate the possibility that the negative modulation of NMDA channel function by the competitive NMDA antagonists (±)-CPP (3-((±)2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)propyl-1-phosphonate) and CGS 19755 (cis-4-phosphonomethyl-2-piperidine carboxylate) could affect the response of A10 dopamine neurons to PCP. Pretreatment with 40 mg/kg of (±)-CPP or CGS 19755 completely blocked the low-dose excitatory effects of PCP, whereas 10 mg/kg of CGS 19755 produced only a partial blockade. However, neither CGS 19755 or (±)-CPP affected the amount of attenuation of A10 firing occurring with large doses of PCP. (±)-CPP and CGS 19755 pretreatment also failed to alter the morphine-induced stimulation of dopamine activity. These findings not only provide further evidence that the low-dose PCP-induced activation of A10 neurons is mediated through the NMDA-ion channel complex, but suggest that some physiological or behavioral effects evoked by PCP might be prevented by treatment with competitive NMDA receptor blockers.
Three-dimensional shape searching: state-of-the-art review and future trends

Three-dimensional shape searching is a problem of current interest in several different fields. Most techniques have been developed for a particular domain and reduce a shape into a simpler shape representation. The techniques developed for a particular domain will also find applications in other domains. We classify and compare various 3D shape searching techniques based on their shape representations. A brief description of each technique is provided followed by a detailed survey of the state-of-the-art. The paper concludes by identifying gaps in current shape search techniques and identifies directions for future research.
The preparation and structural characterization of three structural types of gallium compounds derived from gallium(II) chloride

The three compounds Ga2Cl4(4-mepy)2 (1),[GaCl2(4-mepy)4]GaCl4x1/2(4-mepy); (2) and GaCl2(4-mepy)2(S2CNEt2); (3) (4-mepy= 4-methylpyridine) have been prepared from reactions of gallium (II) chloride in 4-methylpyridine and characterized by single-crystal X-ray analysis. Small variations in the reaction conditions for gallium(II) chloride can produce crystals with substantially different structural properties. The three compounds described here encompass a neutral gallium(II) dimer in which each gallium is four-coordinate, an ionic compound containing both anionic and cationic gallium complex ions with different coordination numbers and a neutral six-coordinate heteroleptic
Spectrophotometric quantitation of peroxidase-stained protein bands following gel electrophoresis and the western blot transfer technique with respiratory syncytial virus.

A procedure is described for spectrophotometrically measuring the position and intensity of ELISA-stained protein bands after western blot analyses. Partially purified virus proteins separated by acrylamide gel electrophoresis and electrophoretically transblotted onto nitrocellulose paper were identified by ELISA reactions according to established procedures. The nitrocellulose paper strips were then rendered transparent on glass slides by treatment with a plastics solvent (Gelman Sepra-Clear). The slides were then scanned at 480 nm to obtain the precise migration distance and area under the curve (i.e., quantity) of each band, thus allowing accurate comparison of the proteins from different virus strains.
Mast cells and εPKC: A role in cardiac remodeling in hypertension-induced heart failure

Heart failure (HF) is a chronic syndrome in which pathological cardiac remodeling is an integral part of the disease and mast cell (MC) degranulation-derived mediators have been suggested to play a role in its progression. Protein kinase C (PKC) signaling is a key event in the signal transduction pathway of MC degranulation. We recently found that inhibition of ePKC slows down the progression of hypertension-induced HF in salt-sensitive Dahl rats fed a high-salt diet. We therefore determined whether ePKC inhibition affects MC degranulation in this model. Six week-old male Dahl rats were fed with a high-salt diet to induce systemic hypertension, which resulted in concentric left ventricular hypertrophy at the age of 11 weeks, followed by myocardial dilatation and HF at the age of 17 weeks. We administered eV1-2 an ePKC-selective inhibitor peptide (3 mg/Kg/day), δV1-1, a δPKC-selective inhibitor peptide (3 mg/Kg/day), TAT (negative control; at equimolar concentration; 1.6 mg/Kg/day) or olmesartan (angiotensin receptor blocker [ARB] as a positive control; 3mg/Kg/day) between 11 weeks and 17 weeks. Treatment with eV1-2 attenuated cardiac MC degranulation without affecting MC density, myocardial fibrosis, microvessel patency, vascular thickening and cardiac inflammation in comparison to TAT- or δV1-1-treatment. Treatment with ARB also attenuated MC degranulation and cardiac remodeling, but to a lesser extent when compared to eV1-2. Finally, eV1-2 treatment inhibited MC degranulation in isolated peritoneal MCs. Together, our data suggest that ePKC inhibition attenuates pathological remodeling in hypertension-induced HF, at least in part, by preventing cardiac MC degranulation.
Trends in dietary fat and high-fat food intakes from 1991 to 2008 in the framingham heart study participants

Few longitudinal studies carried out in US adults have evaluated long-term dietary fat intakes and compared them with the national recommendations during the two-decade period when the prevalence of obesity and insulin resistance increased substantively. In the present study, we examined trends in the intakes of dietary fats and rich dietary sources of fats in the Framingham Heart Study Offspring Cohort over a 17-year period. The cohort was established in 1971-75 with follow-up examinations being conducted approximately every 4 years. Dietary data were collected using a semi-quantitative FFQ beginning in 1991 (exam 5). We included 2732 adults aged ≥ 25 years with complete dietary data in at least three examinations from 1991 to 2008. Descriptive statistics were generated using SAS version 9.3, and a repeated-measures model was used to examine trends in macronutrient and food intakes using R. Over the 17 years of follow-up, the percentage of energy derived from total fat and protein increased (27·3-29·8% of energy and 16·8-18·0% of energy, respectively) and that derived from carbohydrate decreased (51·0-46·8% of energy; P-trend < 0·001). Increases in the percentage of energy derived from all fat subtypes were observed, except for that derived from trans-fats, which decreased over time (P-trend < 0·001). Trends were similar between the sexes, although women exhibited a greater increase in the percentage of energy derived from saturated fat and less reduction in the percentage of energy derived from trans-fats (P interaction < 0·05). Trends in fat intake were similar across the BMI categories. The number of weekly servings of cheese, eggs, ice cream desserts, nuts, butter and sausages/processed meats increased, whereas the intake of milk, margarine, poultry, confectioneries, chips and breads decreased (P-trend < 0·001). In this cohort of predominantly Caucasian older adults, the percentage of energy derived from dietary fats increased over time, but it remained within the national recommendations of less than 35 % of total energy, on average.
DNA adduct formation from acrylamide via conversion to glycidamide in adult and neonatal mice.

Acrylamide (AA) is a high production volume chemical with many industrial uses; however, recent findings of ppm levels in starchy foods cooked at high temperature have refocused worldwide attention on the neurotoxicity, germ cell mutagenicity, and carcinogenicity of AA. Oxidative metabolism of AA to its epoxide metabolite, glycidamide (GA), has been observed in experimental animals and humans and may be associated with many of the toxic effects of AA exposure, including formation of N7-(2-carbamoyl-2-hydroxyethyl)guanine (N7-GA-Gua) in vivo. This paper describes the characterization of two new GA-derived DNA adducts formed in vitro, N3-(2-carbamoyl-2-hydroxyethyl)adenine (N3-GA-Ade) and N1-(2-carboxy-2-hydroxyethyl)-2‘-deoxyadenosine. A sensitive method for quantification of N7-GA-Gua and N3-GA-Ade, based on LC with tandem mass spectrometry and isotope dilution, was developed and validated for use in measuring DNA adduct formation in selected tissues of adult and whole body DNA of 3 day old neonatal mice ...
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty

ABSTRACT Percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty appears to be an effective alternative to coronary artery bypass surgery in patients whose coronary artery anatomy is suitable—that is, an individual with single (or, at most, double) vessel coronary artery disease whose stenoses are proximal, discrete, subtotal, concentric and noncalcified. Since emergent coronary artery bypass surgery is required in 5% to 7% of patients even when angioplasty is attempted by an experienced physician, the patient should be an acceptable candidate for surgery from both a cardiac and noncardiac standpoint. Unfortunately, ideal angioplasty candidates are a distinct minority among those with coronary artery disease. If the procedure is reserved for ideal (or nearly ideal) candidates, the rate of success should approach 75% to 80%, and the incidence of major complications should be below 10%. Although the procedure appears to be effective in alleviating angina, it is unlikely that it will exert a beneficial effect on survival when compared to either medical therapy or coronary artery bypass surgery.
Acoustic masking disrupts time-dependent mechanisms of memory encoding in word-list recall

Recall of recently heard words is affected by the clarity of presentation: Even if all words are presented with sufficient clarity for successful recognition, those that are more difficult to hear are less likely to be recalled. Such a result demonstrates that memory processing depends on more than whether a word is simply “recognized” versus “not recognized.” More surprising is that, when a single item in a list of spoken words is acoustically masked, prior words that were heard with full clarity are also less likely to be recalled. To account for such a phenomenon, we developed the linking-by-active-maintenance model (LAMM). This computational model of perception and encoding predicts that these effects will be time dependent. Here we challenged our model by investigating whether and how the impact of acoustic masking on memory depends on presentation rate. We found that a slower presentation rate causes a more disruptive impact of stimulus degradation on prior, clearly heard words than does a fast rate. These results are unexpected according to prior theories of effortful listening, but we demonstrated that they can be accounted for by LAMM.
High-pressure X-Ray diffraction and optical absorption studies of CsI

Abstract Static-compression data and absorption spectra for CsI have been collected to 61 GPa (610 kbar) at room temperature. The band gap closes with increasing pressure and CsI is expected to metallize at 105 (± 15) GPa. A second order phase transition to the CuAu I structure is observed at 39 (± 1) GPa. The elastic constants measured at low pressures do not predict that an elastic instability, and hence a structural distortion, would occur at elevated pressures. Similarly, an ionic pair-potential model which reproduces the properties of CsI at low pressures does not show the distortion to be stabilized at high pressures.
On coronal Fe abundances and temperatures from XUV emission lines

Data obtained by the OSO-7 spectroheliograph on strong XUV lines of five, different Fe ions from the outer equatorial corona are presented. Interpretation of the data with a spherically symmetric model atmosphere gives average ion abundances for lines of sight at 0.3R ⊙ from the limb. Fe xvi is usually more abundant than Fe xv, xiv, xii and ix, but there are times when Fe xii is more abundant than the other ions. The deviation of measured relative abundances of Fe xii, xiv, and xvi from predictions of ionization equilibrium at one temperature seems to indicate that there are appreciable temperature variations along lines of sight. Element abundances are very uncertain since they appear to depend so heavily on likely but unknown density irregularities along lines of sight.
Surgical management of atypical cavernous malformations

Atypical cavernous malformations are lesions with distinct anatomic features and locales. This subgroup includes purely extraxial lesions as well as those involving the ventricular system and cranial nerves. The epidemiology, symptoms, surgical approach, and therapeutic implications are unique to each atypical lesion. These features are reviewed, and the indications as well as caveats for successful surgical treatment are offered.
Resistance of atomic wires.

The resistance of wires consisting of 1--3 atoms connecting two semi-infinite metallic electrodes is calculated for both small and large bias. The wires discussed consist of Al atoms, with one of the Al atoms substituted by S in certain cases. The resistances obtained are in the range 7--\ensuremath{\sim}30 k\ensuremath{\Omega}. For the three-atom wire, the value of the resistance when the S atom is present depends on the order of the atoms in the wire. When the S is an end atom, the resistance at larger bias also shows a dependence on polarity (diode behavior). These studies involve a self-consistent calculation of the electron density distribution for the entire electrode/wire system.
Fatty acid synthesis enzyme clans

Ketoacyl reductases (KRs), hydroxyacyl dehydratases (HDs), and enoyl reductases (ERs) are part of the fatty acid/polyketide synthesis cycle. They are known as acyl dehydrogenases, enoyl hydratases, and hydroxyacyl dehydrogenases, respectively, when catalyzing their reverse reactions. Earlier, we classified these enzymes into four KR, eight HD, and five ER families by statistical criteria. Members of all four KR families and three ER families have Rossmann folds, while five HD family members have HotDog folds. This suggests that those proteins with the same folds in different families may be distantly related, and therefore in clans, even though their amino acid sequences may not be homologous. We have now defined two clans containing three of the four KR families and two of the eight HD families, using manual and statistical tests. One of the ER families is related to the KR clan.
Hawking radiation of unparticles

Unparticle degrees of freedom, no matter how weakly coupled to the standard model particles, must affect the evolution of a black hole, which thermally decays into all available degrees of freedom. We develop a method for calculating the grey-body factors for scalar unparticles for $3+1$ and higher dimensional black holes. We find that the power emitted in unparticles may be quite different from the power emitted in ordinary particles. Depending on the parameters in the model, unparticles may become the dominant channel. This is of special interest for small primordial black holes and also in models with low scale quantum gravity where the experimental signature may significantly be affected. We also discuss the sensitivity of the results on the (currently unknown) unparticle normalization.
Use of infrared and ultraviolet spectrometers to measure the effect of vehicle emissions on urban air quality

Spectroscopic techniques in the infrared and ultraviolet spectral regions may efficiently meet increasing measurement challenges in real-time detection of vehicle emissions in urban air quality studies. The results of a study are presented in which a Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometer was used to continuously monitor motor vehicle exhaust emissions. The FT-IR identified several exhaust components, including ethylene, acetylene, propylene, isobutylene, the hydrocarbon continuum, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, nitric oxide, and nitrous oxide. The emission of each species was shown to vary with vehicle type and the operating speed of the motor. Measurement results from this study support at least two commonly observed characteristics of motor vehicle exhaust. First, ethylene, propylene, and acetylene are common exhaust components. Ethylene was observed to be the most abundant and stable of the non-methane hydrocarbon emissions during idling for the three vehicles considered in this study. Second, the emission of NO as a function of time remains high and fairly constant at high speeds, while the concentrations of CO, HC, and the non-methane hydrocarbons decrease sharply. The results of this study strongly suggest that the FT-IR can serve as a continuous, real-time monitor for measuring motor vehicle emissions. Because it can simultaneously detect multiple pollutants and can operate in an automated fashion, the FT-IR represents a cost-effective means of determining the effect of vehicle emissions on air quality.
A global minimization algorithm for a class of one-dimensional functions

Abstract An algorithm is developed for finding the global minimum of a continuously differentiable function on a compact interval in R 1 . The function is assumed to be the sum of a convex and a concave function, each of which belongs to C 1 [ a , b ]. Any one-dimensional function with a bounded second derivative can be so written and, therefore, such functions generally have many local minima. The algorithm utilizes the structure of the objective to produce an ϵ-optimal solution by a sequence of simple one-dimensional convex programs.
New approaches to reduce radiation exposure

Exposure to ionizing radiation is associated with a long-term risk of health effects, including cancer. Radiation exposure to the U.S. population from cardiac imaging has increased markedly over the past three decades. Initiatives to reduce radiation exposure have focused on the tenets of appropriate study "justification" and "optimization" of imaging protocols. This article reviews ways to optimally reduce radiation dose across the spectrum of cardiac imaging.
Lessons learned from stomal complications in children with cutaneous catheterizable continent stomas.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of various factors that might ultimately influence the stoma complication rate associated with the construction of a continent catheterizable urinary (CCU) and Malone antegrade colonic enema (MACE) stoma in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS Retrospectively, we reviewed our experience in patients who had a CCU and/or MACE stoma reconstructed at our institution from 1992 to 2003. Diagnosis, type of stoma constructed (CCU vs MACE), single vs dual stomas, stomal site, conduit material (appendix, split appendix, Monti-Yang or ureter), sex, age, patient mobility and body mass index, race and concomitant surgery (e.g. bladder augmentation with or without bladder neck reconstruction) were evaluated for stoma-related complications. In all, 109 patients (64 males and 45 female), with a mean (sd, range) age of 8.6 (5.7, 2–37) years, had 151 stomas constructed during the period of analysis, comprising 56 CCU only, 11 MACE only and 42 (84 stomas) both simultaneously. RESULTS The mean (range) follow-up was 48 (6–144) months. The primary diagnoses were neurogenic bladder in 60 (55%), bladder exstrophy/epispadias in 17 (16%) and posterior urethral valves in 11 (9%) patients. The umbilicus was the primary site for the CCU stoma in 88 of 98 (90%) cases, while the right lower quadrant was the primary site for MACE in 46 of 53 (87%). After surgery complete stomal continence was provided in 95 of 98 (97%) CCU stoma, whereas the MACE was successful in 52 of 53 (99%). The stoma-related complications included stenosis in 27, leakage in eight, false passage in four, atrophy in two, keloid in one, and breakdown of the stoma in two. Individually, only greater age and a primary diagnosis of neurogenic bladder were independent risk factors associated with an increased rate of stomal complications and higher incidence of revision (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Stomal complications are extremely common whether CCU or MACE stomas are constructed individually or together. Nevertheless, despite the need for revision, the high stoma continence rate supports their use. Greater age at surgery and a primary diagnosis of neurogenic bladder were associated with a significant increase in the stoma-related complications and the need for revision.
A Comparison of Bayes Factor Approximation Methods Including Two New Methods

Bayes factors (BFs) play an important role in comparing the fit of statistical models. However, computational limitations or lack of an appropriate prior sometimes prevent researchers from using ex...
A potential MRI hazard: forces on dental magnet keepers.

Summary The objective of this study was to determine the forces on dental prosthetic magnet keepers, with a view to assessing the potential for patient injury during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Four pre-formed keepers and one castable keeper alloy were tested. Magnetizations and high field susceptibilities were determined for each of the five specimens using data from a vibrating sample magnetometer. The magnetic field intensity with respect to distance from the main magnet coil was obtained from the manufacturer (1–5 tesla General Electric Signa Imaging System)*. A plot of force versus distance from the main coil and the maximum force at the magnet portal was determined for each specimen. The maximum forces ranged from 0.12–0.24N for the pre-formed keepers and 3.67 MNm−3 for the castable alloy. It was concluded that the risk of patient injury by displacement is minimal, if the keepers are properly attached to supporting structures.
The genetics and clinical manifestations of telomere biology disorders.

Telomere biology disorders are a complex set of illnesses defined by the presence of very short telomeres. Individuals with classic dyskeratosis congenita have the most severe phenotype, characterized by the triad of nail dystrophy, abnormal skin pigmentation, and oral leukoplakia. More significantly, these individuals are at very high risk of bone marrow failure, cancer, and pulmonary fibrosis. A mutation in one of six different telomere biology genes can be identified in 50–60% of these individuals. DKC1, TERC, TERT, NOP10, and NHP2 encode components of telomerase or a telomerase-associated factor and TINF2, a telomeric protein. Progressively shorter telomeres are inherited from generation to generation in autosomal dominant dyskeratosis congenita, resulting in disease anticipation. Up to 10% of individuals with apparently acquired aplastic anemia or idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis also have short telomeres and mutations in TERC or TERT. Similar findings have been seen in individuals with liver fibrosis or acute myelogenous leukemia. This report reviews basic aspects of telomere biology and telomere length measurement, and the clinical and genetic features of those disorders that constitute our current understanding of the spectrum of illness caused by defects in telomere biology. We also suggest a grouping schema for the telomere disorders.
Serum Dopamine-β-Hydroxylase: Decrease after Chemical Sympathectomy

Dopamine-beta- hydroxylase is an enzyme that is localized to catecholamine-containing vesicles in sympathetic nerves and the adrenal medulla, and is also found in the serum. Treatment of rats with 6-hydroxydopamine, a drug which destroys sympathetic nerve terminals, leads to a decrease in serum dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity. The decrease is not due to an effect on the adrenal medulla or to an increase in circulating inhibitor or inhibitors of enzyme. These data represent evidence that at least a portion of the circulating dopamine-beta-hydroxylase activity arises from sympathetic nerve terminals.