cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Erratum: Disposition of Benzyl Alcohol After Topical Application to Human Skin in vitro

Abstract The original article to which this Erratum refers was published in Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 92(10) 2003, 2128—2139. Dissipation of a volatile compound or mixture from the skin surface after topical application involves both diffusion and evaporation. This report presents a detailed test of a previously described first‐order kinetic approach to modeling this problem. Modified Franz diffusion cells fitted with a vapor trap were used to obtain absorption and evaporation data for benzyl alcohol (1% solution in ethanol) after application to human skin in vitro . Airflow over the skin surface ( v ) was controlled in the experiment and accounted for in the model by allowing the evaporation rate constant(s) to vary as a function of v . A linear dependence was found over the working range of the system, 10–100 mL/min. Three kinetic models were developed, all of which satisfactorily correlated cumulative absorption and evaporation results over the full range of v ( n = 120, s = 4–5%, r 2 = 0.98–0.99). One of these was the model presented previously, in which all dissipation occurs from a single skin compartment. However, more details of the evaporation and absorption profiles could be accounted for by means of two‐compartment models that explicitly consider the surface film present in the early stages post‐application. The latter models seem to be better candidates for describing the time evolution of the volatile mixture evolving from the skin surface after topical application of, e.g., a complex fragrance or perfume. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 92:2534, 2003
S-18 : Linking pathogen virulence, the microbiota and immunity

The mechanisms that allow pathogens to colonize the intestine and the indigenous microbiota to inhibit pathogen colonization remain unclear. In order to understand the role of the microbiota in controlling pathogen colonization, we have focused our studies on Citrobacter rodentium , a model for human infections by attaching/effacing (A/E) bacteria. These Gram-negative bacteria are food- and waterborne non-invasive pathogens which attach to and colonize the intestinal tract by inducing characteristic A/E lesions on the intestinal epithelium, leading to transient enteritis or colitis in humans. We found that unlike normal mice, germ-free animals are unable to eradicate Citrobacter rodentium from the intestine. The genome of A/E pathogens including Enterohemorragic Escherichia coli (EHEC), enteropathogenic E. coli (EPEC) and C. rodentium harbor the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) that is critical for bacterial colonization and the ability to cause pathology. We found that early in infection, LEE virulence genes were expressed and required for pathogen growth in conventionally raised, but not germ-free, mice. LEE virulence gene expression was downregulated during the late phase of infection, which led to relocation of the pathogen to the intestinal lumen where it was out-competed by commensals. The ability of the microbiota to out-compete C. rodentium was determined, at least in part, by the capacity of the pathogen and commensals to grow on structurally similar carbohydrates. Moreover, we found that dietary carbohydrates can influence the ability of members of the gut microbiota to out-compete the pathogen in the intestine. Our studies indicate the members of the microbiota use metabolic pathways to out-compete pathogens. We will show additional studies that provide an understanding for how the host immune system regulates pathogen virulence and cooperatively acts with the microbiota to control pathogen eradication in the intestine will be discussed.
Gametes and their Production

Gametogenesis is the sequence of events that occur as germ cells, or gonocytes, of the sex cell line form gametes. This complex process occurs within the gonadal tissues. The general process of gametogenesis is divisible into two main phases; a gonial phase and a gametogenic phase. These phases can be distinguished by the mode of cell division that gamete precursors undergo. During the gonial phase, cells of the germ cell line within the gonad undergo successive mitotic divisions and establish a population of gonial cells. In males, this phase is referred to as the spermatogonial phase during which spermatogonial cells are produced. In females of most vertebrates, the gonial phase occurs very early in the life cycle and establishes a population of oogonia within the ovary. During the subsequent gametogenic phase of both males and females, descendents of these gonial cells undergo meiotic divisions and are transformed into mature gametes.
Kinetic Investigation of the Sustainable Electrocatalytic Hydrogenation of Benzaldehyde on Pd/C: Effect of Electrolyte Composition and Half-Cell Potentials

Electrocatalytic reduction of benzaldehyde to benzyl alcohol on Pd supported on carbon felt was conducted in the aqueous phase using a continuous flow fixed-bed reactor at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. Methanol, ethanol, or isopropanol was added to the electrolyte to study the impact of alcohol type and concentration on the rates of benzaldehyde electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) and H2 evolution, which is the prevalent side reaction. Whereas the ECH rates and Faradaic efficiency decreased with increasing alcohol concentrations, H2 evolution rates remained constant. The impact of the alcohol on hydrogenation was greater as the length of the alcohol’s hydrocarbon chain increased. Increasing the benzaldehyde concentration allows for high ECH rates and high Faradaic efficiency. The reaction order increased from ∼0.13 to ∼0.66 with half-cell potential increasing from −650 to −1150 mV (vs Ag/AgCl). Kinetic analysis reveals that the changes in reaction order are due to changes in benzaldehyde (an...
On Bipolar Cells: Following in the Footsteps of Phototransduction

The electrical signals resulting from phototransduction are decomposed by bipolar cells and then encoded into spike trains by ganglion cells. The signal decomposition by bipolar cells includes formation of ON and OFF pathways and separation of tonic and phasic signals. The decomposition is accomplished by post-synaptic receptors in the ON and OFF bipolar cells. This chapter focuses on these phenomena in ON bipolar cells and the role of metabotropic glutamate receptors in these processes.
How Scheduling Can Bias Quality Assessment: Evidence from Food Safety Inspections

Accuracy and consistency are critical for inspections to be an effective, fair, and useful tool for assessing risks, quality, and suppliers—and for making decisions based on those assessments. We e...
Capturing Context: The Role of Social Support and Neighborhood on the Psychological Well-Being of African American Families

Background Mental health is a serious public health concern that is uniquely devastating for African American families. Objective This study systematically critiques the body of work documenting the mediating role of social support and neighborhood context on the psychological well-being of African American families. Methods This review used the PRISMA multistate process. Findings Several important findings are drawn from this study: a) social support and neighborhood context shape psychological well-being, b) existing studies are limited in capacity to capture context despite having contextualized frameworks, c) African centered theory is missing. Conclusions Social support and neighborhood context matter. Future researchers must employ methods to capture this context and the link to mental health in African American communities where disproportionate risks exist.
Does Time with Dad in Childhood Pay Off in Adolescence

Objective We aim to understand the association between father involvement in middle childhood and adolescent behaviors and whether the relationship differs by father residence. Background Internalizing and externalizing behaviors in adolescence can trigger a cascade of negative outcomes later in life, including lower educational attainment, criminal justice involvement, and future psychological distress. Evidence, largely focusing on nonresidential fathers and older cohort, suggests that father involvement-particularly closeness and engagement-may reduce adolescents' internalizing and externalizing behaviors. Method We use data six waves of the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study, a birth cohort survey representative of births in large U.S. cities between 1998 and 2000, to estimate OLS regression models examining (a) whether father involvement in middle childhood is associated with fewer problem behaviors at Age 15, (b) if the salience of father involvement differs depending on whether the father was present in the home (i.e., was married to or living with his child's mother) in middle childhood, and (c) whether father involvement matters differently based on the child's sex. Results We find protective associations between father involvement and adolescent behavioural outcomes that persist even among children who were not living with their fathers. In models stratified by the child's sex, father involvement matters for both boys and girls. In all models, father presence alone, apart from active involvement, is not significantly associated with behavioral outcomes. Conclusion Father involvement protects against negative adolescent behaviors even among children with nonresidential fathers and for both boys and girls. Implications These results suggest that policies that promote greater father involvement and father-child bonds, rather than other options such as promoting marriage, may be more effective in reducing behavioral problems among adolescents.
REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN CARDIOVASCULAR CLINICAL TRIAL LEADERSHIP PUBLISHED BY HIGH-IMPACT MEDICAL JOURNALS

Cardiology has lagged behind numerous other specialties regarding the representation of women physicians in the specialty. This study is aimed at evaluating the equitable inclusion of women in the leadership of major cardiology clinical trials. We identified all cardiovascular medicine trials
Patient size matters: Effect of tube current modulation on size-specific dose estimates (SSDE) and image quality in low-dose lung cancer screening CT

PURPOSE We compare the effect of tube current modulation (TCM) and fixed tube current (FTC) on size-specific dose estimates (SSDE) and image quality in lung cancer screening with low-dose CT (LDCT) for patients of all sizes. METHODS Initially, 107 lung screening examinations were performed using FTC, which satisfied the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' volumetric CT dose index (CTDIvol ) limit of 3.0 mGy for standard-sized patients. Following protocol modification, 287 examinations were performed using TCM. Patient size and examination parameters were collected and water-equivalent diameter (Dw ) and SSDE were determined for each patient. Regression models were used to correlate CTDIvol and SSDE with Dw . Objective and subjective image quality were measured in 20 patients who had consecutive annual screenings with both FTC and TCM. RESULTS CTDIvol was 2.3 mGy for all FTC scans and increased exponentially with Dw (range = 0.96-4.50 mGy, R2 = 0.73) for TCM scans. As patient Dw increased, SSDE decreased for FTC examinations (R2 = 1) and increased for TCM examinations (R2 = 0.54). Image quality measurements were superior with FTC for smaller sized patients and with TCM for larger sized patients (R2 > 0.5, P < 0.005). Radiologist graded all images acceptable for diagnostic evaluation of lung cancer screening. CONCLUSION Although FTC protocol offered a consistently low CTDIvol for all patients, it yielded unnecessarily high SSDE for small patients and increased image noise for large patients. Lung cancer screening with LDCT using TCM produces radiation doses that are appropriately reduced for small patients and increased for large patients with diagnostic image quality for all patients.
Macrophage M2 polarization induced by exosomes from adipose-derived stem cells contributes to the exosomal proangiogenic effect on mouse ischemic hindlimb

M2 macrophages and exosomes from adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) are both reported to promote angiogenesis. However, the possible synergistic effects between exogenous exosomes and endogenous M2 macrophages are poorly understood. Exosomes were isolated from conditioned medium of normoxic and hypoxic ASCs using the combined techniques of ultrafiltration and size-exclusion chromatography and were identified with nanoparticle tracking analysis and immunoblotting for exosomal markers. Macrophages were collected from the mouse peritoneal cavity. M1 and M2 macrophages were detected by immunoblotting for the intracellular markers inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and arginase-1 (Arg-1) and by flow cytometry for the surface markers F4/80, CD86, and CD206. Murine models of Matrigel plug and hindlimb ischemia were employed as in vivo angiogenic assays. When M1 macrophages were treated with exosomes from normoxic ASCs (Nor/Exo), and particularly from hypoxic ASCs (Hyp/Exo), the expression of the M1 marker iNOS decreased, and the M2 marker Arg-1 increased in a time- and dose-dependent manner. Additionally, a decrease in the M1 surface marker CD86 and an increase in the M2 surface marker CD206 were observed, which suggested that M1 macrophages were polarized to an M2-like phenotype. Conditioned medium from these M2-like macrophages presented lower levels of proinflammatory cytokines and higher levels of proangiogenic factors and promoted endothelial cell proliferation, migration, and tube formation. Furthermore, M2 polarization and angiogenesis were induced upon the administration of exosomes in mouse Matrigel plug and hindlimb ischemia (HLI) models. Interestingly, these exosomal effects were attenuated by using a colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF-1R) inhibitor, BLZ945, in vitro and in vivo. Downregulation of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in hypoxic ASCs reduced the exosomal effects on M2 polarization, Akt phosphorylation, and CSF-1 secretion. A similar reduction in exosomal activity was also observed when exosomes were administered along with BLZ945. Our findings provide evidence that exosomes from ASCs polarize macrophages toward an M2-like phenotype, which further enhances the exosomal proangiogenic effects. Exosomal delivery of miR-21 and positive feedback of secreted CSF-1 may be involved in macrophage polarization.
Apnea Testing is Medical Treatment Requiring Informed Consent

Berkowitz and Garrett (2020) appeal to legal and ethical principles in order to argue that apnea testing for brain death determination requires informed consent from the patient’s surrogate. Becaus...
Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with azacitidine (AZA) and venetoclax (VEN).

e19507Background: Studies evaluating VEN with hypomethylating agents in AML patients have reported no incidence of clinical TLS. However, little is known about TLS development in a real-world setti...
In-Person Contacts and Their Relationship With Alcohol Consumption Among Young Adults With Hazardous Drinking During a Pandemic.

Abstract Purpose Social distancing strategies such as “stay-at-home” (SAH) orders can slow the transmission of contagious viruses like the SARS-CoV-2 virus, but require population adherence to be effective. This study explored adherence to SAH orders by young adults with hazardous drinking, and the role of alcohol consumption with in-person contacts on adherence. Methods Analyses included young adults with hazardous drinking (i.e., AUDIT-C score ≥3/4 for women/men; n = 50; ages 18–25) participating in a randomized trial in Pittsburgh, PA. Participants provided experience sampling reports on drinking twice per week from the week before SAH orders started on April 1, 2020 through 6 weeks during the SAH period. We examined how in-person contact with non-household friends changed over time and event-level relationships between alcohol consumption and in-person contacts. Results The percentage of participants with any in-person contact in the week before SAH was 44% (95% confidence interval [CI] 30%–59%), which decreased to 29% (95% CI 15%–43%) in the first SAH week and increased to 65% (95% CI 46%–85%) by SAH week 6. Controlling for average levels of alcohol consumption, on days when young adults drank, participants reported more in-person contacts compared to nondrinking days. Conclusions Preliminary data indicate that, among young adults with hazardous drinking, adherence to public policies like SAH orders is suboptimal, declines over time, and is associated with drinking events. Interventions aimed at enhancing young adults' adherence to social distancing policies are urgently needed.
Assessing under-Estimation of Genetic Diversity within Wild Potato ( Solanum ) Species Populations

Genebanks seek to understand the partitioning of genetic diversity among species, populations, and individuals in their collections since this informs decisions for adopting the most effective sampling strategy. Recent reports have suggested that diploid wild species have much less heterogeneity within populations than cultivated forms. We here review past empirical phenotypic trait variation data and examine previous and new DNA marker datasets. We also examine simulation datasets and calculations designed to mimic the effects of artificial biases against wild species heterozygosity due to ascertainment, ploidy, and allele frequencies. Trait data suggests large practical variation exists within populations. Similarly, DNA markers on multiple individuals within diploid wild potato species populations show that substantial heterogeneity in a species is partitioned within populations. Simulations illustrate that biases due to ascertainment, ploidy, and allele frequencies account for much of the apparent homogeneity of wild diploid potato species.
Dirac's Theorem for hamiltonian Berge cycles in uniform hypergraphs

The famous Dirac's Theorem gives an exact bound on the minimum degree of an $n$-vertex graph guaranteeing the existence of a hamiltonian cycle. We prove exact bounds of similar type for hamiltonian Berge cycles in $r$-uniform, $n$-vertex hypergraphs for all $3\leq r< n$. The bounds are different for $r<n/2$ and $r\geq n/2$, and the proofs are different for $r<(n-2)/2$ and $r\geq (n-2)/2$.
A Review of “Disturbed: Terrorist Behavioral Profiles”

Once you read past the detailed graphic violence in chapter 1 it becomes clearly visible that this book is a global instrument that should be the textbook for any institution instructing on the asy...
Nutrition policies and programmes: a decade of redirection.

Abstract This article assesses the effectiveness of nutrition programmes and policies since the World Food Conference. The authors perceive several distinct programme approaches: the technological fix; integrated nutrition planning; nutrition in the health sector; nutrition in the agricultural sector; nutrition intervention analysis; and food policy analysis. They conclude that progress was attained over the decade, but was far less than expected or needed. Whether there will be more progress in the coming decade depends on responses to the challenges laid out by the authors.
The gynecologist and the dying cancer patient

Abstract It has been speculated that obstetricians and gynecologists may have relatively more problems in dealing with death and dying than do some other physicians. A questionnaire was sent to 3,229 Board-eligible or Board-certified obstetrician-gynecologists in rural and urban areas in the Southeast. Only 11% of those who responded had had any emphasis placed on the care of dying patients during their training. Only 6% had not seen any new cases of invasive cancer of the female genital tract in a 5-year period. Sixty-two percent hospitalized their terminally ill patients; 21% managed their terminal patients at home; and only 1% indicated that they used a hospice. Our data support the concept that, despite the increase in hospices and dying teams (available to 19% of respondents), gynecologists will continue to be tasked to care for the dying. Suggestions for improving the training of residents in caring for the dying are presented.
Translating science to the people: Updating the new our bodies, ourselves

Abstract This paper asks how to recognize and benefit from “situated knowledges.” How can some of the split, contradictory, and unequal knowledge positions become coordinated and mutually beneficial? To do this, I consider how to provide women with the ability to evaluate and adopt birth control technology without at the same time adopting and reproducing the cultural messages and social arrangements embedded in it. I draw examples from the birth control chapter of the 1984 and 1992 editions of The New Our Bodies, Ourselves . First, I consider feminist critiques of the language of sex and reproduction. Their critiques underlie the transformed images about the menstrual cycle and contraception in the update of “Birth Control.” Second, I review how medical scientists have redefined “efficacy” and explore the meaning of these changes for a handbook written for women who are making decisions about birth control. Finally, I use these two examples to consider the wider implications of translating science to the people and of coordinating and benefiting from situated knowledges.
Abstract 15: Trends in Consumption of Key Foods and Nutrients Linked to Cardiometabolic Risk Among Us Adults, 1999 to 2012

Introduction: Most prior studies of US diet trends have evaluated macronutrients (e.g., total fat), rather than the foods and other nutrients most strongly linked to cardiometabolic risk. Assessment of these trends, including heterogeneity by age, sex, race, and education, is crucial to identify challenges and opportunities to improve the diet of Americans. Objective: To characterize trends in US dietary intakes of foods and nutrients related to cardiometabolic health. Methods: We evaluated repeated cross-sectional diet assessments among 33,929 US adults age 20+y from 6 consecutive cycles of NHANES (1999-2012). Based on an in-person 24-hour dietary recall, we evaluated energy-adjusted intakes for vegetables, fruits, whole grains, processed meat, poultry, nuts/seeds, 100% fruit juice, and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs); and sodium, potassium, fiber, seafood omega-3’s, and total polyunsaturated fat, among others. Analyses were further stratified by age, sex, race, and education. Results: Among all adults,...
Mutations in the sigma subunit of E. coli RNA polymerase which affect positive control of transcription

The sigma subunits of bacterial RNA polymerases are required for the selective initiation of transcription. We have isolated and characterized mutations in rpoD, the gene which encodes the major form of sigma in E. coli, which affect the selectivity of transcription. These mutations increase the expression of araBAD up to 12-fold in the absence of CAP-cAMP. Expression of lac is unaffected, while expression of malT-activated operons is decreased. We determined the DNA sequence of 17 independently isolated mutations, and found that they consist of three different changes in a single CGC arginine codon at position 596 in the sigma polypeptide.
Speech Act Responses of Language Impaired Children

The present study was designed to replicate a study of normal children in grades one through three by Klecan-Aker et al. (1983), using a group of 12 language impaired (LI) children, aged 7;3 to 11;9 years. Seven questions designed to evoke specific speech acts were asked during structured dialogue, as children looked at four black-and-white pictures. Results indicated that the taxonomy of Klecan-Aker et al. (1983) was sufficient to handle the subjects' responses and that the ten categories could be reliably coded. For five of the questions, LI children produced the expected response at least 67% of the time. The lowest frequency of expected responses was for the question designed to evoke revisions, a result similar to that found by Klecan-Aker et al. (1983). As a group the LI children produced the expected responses more often than did the normal children studied by Klecan-Aker et al. (1983). Possible reasons for these results are discussed.
The study of refugees before “Refugee Studies”

Scholarship on refugee studies involves a wide variety of academic disciplines, including international relations and international law, anthropology and sociology, as well as economics, demography, geography, psychology, and history. This article traces the emergence of the field of refugee studies over the period 1920 to 1980, exploring its intellectual roots in some of the most important works about refugees and the pioneering scholars that produced them. Although coming from diverse professional backgrounds and academic training, scholars interested in refugees have asked many of the same questions. The authors address four enduring questions posed by pioneering scholars of this period: (1) Which refugees should be studied? (2) Who is a refugee? (3)What causes refugee movements? (4) What are the best solutions to refugee problems? While answers to these questions have varied over time and across disciplines, they all reflect the underlying assumption that refugees constitute a complex phenomenon worthy of attention and analysis.
The reluctant participant in experiential learning

Experiential learning methods are increasingly being used in nurse education, particularly in the field of interpersonal skills training. One basic tenet of experiential learning is that participation in such learning should always be voluntary. This tenet raises issues for nurse teachers committed to this approach who come upon a student who persistently opts out of taking part in experiential exercises, leading sometimes to indirect attempts to coerce students into participating. This paper examines these issues in the light of evidence as to the effectiveness of experiential learning methods. It concludes that attempts to coerce students into participation can never be justified, but non-participation should be minimised if the teacher employs good practice in conducting experiential learning.
Comparison Of Laboratory And Clinical Evaluations Of Mammographic Screen-Film Systems

The widely used DuPont Lo-dose mammography screen-film system was compared with four combinations of higher efficiency screens and single-emulsion films. Laboratory comparisons of the basic image properties (resolution, noise, contrast) of all these screen-film combinations were made both qualitatively (images of microwire meshes, tiny plastic beads, step wedges) and quantitatively (modulation transfer functions, Wiener spectra, step wedge optical density differences). Subjective single-blind estimations of resolution, noise, and contrast were also made directly from the mammograms of 100 consecutive patients radio-graphed with each of the five screen-film combinations. Both laboratory and clinical evaluations of image quality showed strikingly similar results: improved contrast, minimally reduced resolution, and varying degrees of increased noise for each of the high efficiency recording systems. Similarities between the results of laboratory and clinical studies should help to establish the clinical relevance of the laboratory analyses, and recognition of the relative precision of the clinical evaluations should allow for their use in place of laboratory studies when sophisticated physics support is not available.
Effect of aroclor 1248 concentration on the rate and extent of polychlorinated biphenyl dechlorination

Dechlorination kinetics of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were investigated in Aroclor 1248-spiked sediments at 16 concentrations ranging from 0 to 200 ppm using sediment microorganisms from the Reynolds site in the St. Lawrence River, New York, USA, over a 58-week incubation period. The time course of dechlorination, measured as the total Cl per biphenyl, consisted of an initial lag phase followed by rapid dechlorination and then a plateau that represented an apparent endpoint of dechlorination. A clear threshold concentration was found between 35 and 45 ppm; there was no dechlorination observed at seven concentrations below this level. Above the threshold concentration, dechlorination rate was a function of sediment PCB concentration. The rate, calculated as the slope of the rapid phase, was linear within the concentration range investigated. The maximum extent of dechlorination also increased with initial Aroclor concentrations; only 4% of Cl per biphenyl was removed at 45 ppm, and the removal was saturated at approximately 36% above 125 ppm. This difference appeared to be due to whether or not dechlorination involved meta-rich congeners such as 25-2′ (IUPAC no. 18), 25-2′5′- (no. 52), and 23-2′5′ chlorobiphenyl (no. 44). These results indicate that a major controlling factor for natural remediation potential in sediments is the initial PCB concentration that determines the maximum extent of dechlorination rather than the dechlorination rate.
Gaussian beam distortion caused by saturable gain or loss

Results are given for the beam distortion suffered by low order Gaussian-Laguerre modes propagating through a saturable laser amplifier. Both uniform and Bessel small-signal gain distributions are considered. Beam narrowing caused by saturable loss is also treated.
Detecting simulated amnesia for autobiographical and recently learned information using the P300 event-related potential.

Abstract To investigate whether the P300 (P3) event-related potential (ERP) can be used as an index of the intactness of recognition memory in subjects trying to simulate amnesia, two groups of subjects (n = 12 and n = 15) were instructed to simulate amnesia and one group of control subjects (n = 14) did not simulate amnesia while taking three recognition tests, during which ERPs were recorded. The three tests consisted of three different types of memory items: 1. (1) the subject's birthday (birth) 2. (2) the experimenter's name (name) 3. (3) a word list of 14 nouns (words). The memory item was presented in a random series with other, similar in type, non-memory items. In group tests, memory items evoked larger amplitude P3s than non-memory items (p
Resveratrol: Effects on Lipids and Cardiovascular Risk

For several decades, there has been increasing interest in the possible use of resveratrol as a preventative agent in cardiovascular disease. Resveratrol exerts numerous effects on adipocyte, hepatocyte, and endothelial cell development and function. Many investigations have demonstrated the ability of resveratrol to regulate the adipocyte lifecycle, lipid synthesis, and improve hepatic lipid metabolism. Resveratrol has numerous vascular protective effects on endothelial tissue, including its antiplatelet activity. Resveratrol also reduces intracellular oxidative stress. Animal models of obesity and cardiovascular diseases have yielded important contributions to our understanding of the effects of resveratrol on the vasculature and the risk for pathology. In limited human studies, resveratrol reduces the release of proinflammatory cytokines and improves systemic glucose and insulin regulation and decreases cellular oxidative stress. Therefore, resveratrol has significant potential as both a prophylactic and treatment agent. However additional studies are required to more completely characterize its impacts on human physiology and its benefits in the setting of disease.
Linking polymorphic p53 response elements with gene expression in airway epithelial cells of smokers and cancer risk.

Chronic cigarette smoking exposes airway epithelial cells to thousands of carcinogens, oxidants and DNA-damaging agents, creating a field of molecular injury in the airway and altering gene expression. Studies of cytologically normal bronchial epithelial cells from smokers have identified transcription-based biomarkers that may prove useful in early diagnosis of lung cancer, including a number of p53-regulated genes. The ability of p53 to regulate transcription is critical for tumor suppression, and this suggests that single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in functional p53 binding sites (p53 response elements, or p53REs) that affect gene expression could influence susceptibility to cancer. To connect p53RE SNP genotype with gene expression and cancer risk, we identified a set of 204 SNPs in putative p53REs, and performed cis expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) analysis, assessing associations between SNP genotypes and mRNA levels of adjacent genes in bronchial epithelial cells obtained from 44 cigarette smokers. To further test and validate these genotype–expression associations, we searched published eQTL studies from independent populations and determined that 53 % (39/74) of the bronchial epithelial eQTLs were observed in at least one of other studies. SNPs in p53REs were also evaluated for effects on p53-DNA binding using a quantitative in vitro protein–DNA binding assay. Last, based on linkage disequilibrium, we found 6 p53RE SNPs associated with gene expression were identified as cancer risk SNPs by either genome-wide association studies or candidate gene studies. We provide an approach for identifying and evaluating potentially functional SNPs that may modulate the airway gene expression response to smoking and may influence susceptibility to cancers.
Changes in the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus of the squirrel monkey after unilateral ablation of the visual cortex

Young adult squirrel monkeys were subjected to unilateral occipital lobectomies, and were allowed to survive for 3 to 42 days. Both light and electron microscopic techniques were employed to examine orthograde as well as retrograde changes in the ipsilateral dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus. Three stages of degenerative change were described. During the early stage (third to fourth post-operative day) there were early signs of corticogeniculate terminal degeneration. During the intermediate stage (fifth to eighth day) most of the RS (small axonal terminals with round vesicles) or corticofugal endings were seen to undergo a sequence of degenerative change: swelling or irregularity of the synaptic vesicles; electron dense disintegration; and finally the engulfment by glial elements. The small myelinated axons also become electron dense at this stage, and there were early signs of retrograde degeneration. The late stage was characterized by severe changes and final disappearance of the geniculocortical relay neurons as well as their axons and dendrites. Concurrently, most of the RS terminals were also removed from the LGN, and there was considerable re-organization of the rest of the synaptic population.
Time-modulated convection with zero mean temperature gradient.

We study numerically the onset of temporally modulated Rayleigh-B\'enard convection with zero mean gradient for cases of antisymmetric and asymmetric boundary temperatures over a continuous range of nondimensional frequencies \ensuremath{\omega}, from $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\sim}{O(10}^{\ensuremath{-}1})$ to $\ensuremath{\omega}\ensuremath{\sim}{O(10}^{3}).$ For \ensuremath{\omega} below 1, the neutral curves for $\mathrm{Pr}=7$ in both cases alternate between synchronous and subharmonic responses, with increasingly shorter intervals as \ensuremath{\omega} becomes small. At large \ensuremath{\omega}, the critical wave number ${k}_{c}$ asymptotes to ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{1/2}$ and the critical Rayleigh number ${R}_{c}$ asymptotes to ${\ensuremath{\omega}}^{3/2},$ via a subharmonic response in both cases. A comparison with the experimental results of Niemela and Donnelly [Phys. Rev. Lett. 57, 583 (1986)] shows fairly reasonable agreement.
Memory for words recently classified

This paper describes research whose goal is to determine the implications of verba] classificatory, judgments for recognition memory and recall. Toward this end, St were required to answer 100 queries of attribution and superordination ds a TWINGE sudden? Is SPINACH ecstatic? Is a CORKSCREW an opener? Is a DUNGEON a scholar? before being tested unexpectedly on their ability to remember either the uppercase “keywords” or the lowercase “descriptors.” Lexical memory did not depend on whether a word had been part of an attributive or a superordinate query. But words from “incongruous” queries almost invariably were more poorly remembered-under conditions of free recall, cued recall, and recognition memory-than words from “congruous” queries. Congruous cues, but not incongruous ones, greatly facilitated recall, with keywords being more effective cues than descriptors. Recognition memory of keywords was uniformly superior to that of descriptors. It is argued that the large and pervasive memorial advantages of congruity arise because a congruous query, unlike an incongruous one, fosters a relational encoding of keyword and descriptor.
Distributed Cognition as a Lens to Understand the Effects of Scaffolds: The Role of Transfer of Responsibility

Problem solving is an important skill in the knowledge economy. Research indicates that the development of problem solving skills works better in the context of instructional approaches centered on real-world problems. But students need scaffolding to be successful in such instruction. In this paper I present a conceptual framework for understanding the effects of scaffolding. First, I discuss the ultimate goal of scaffolding—the transfer of responsibility—and one way that scholars have conceptualized promoting this outcome (fading). Next, I describe an alternative way to conceptualize transfer of responsibility through the lens of distributed cognition and discuss how this lens informs how to promote transfer of responsibility. Then I propose guidelines for the creation of problem solving scaffolds to support transfer of responsibility and discuss them in light of the literature.
Transmission of acoustic-gravity waves through gas–liquid interfaces

It was demonstrated recently that gas–liquid interfaces, which are usually almost perfect reflectors of acoustic waves, become anomalously transparent, and the power flux in the wave transmitted into the gas increases dramatically, when a compact sound source in the liquid approaches the interface within a fraction of the wavelength (Godin, Phys. Rev. Lett., vol. 97, 2006b, 164301). Powerful underwater explosions and certain natural sources, such as underwater landslides, generate very low-frequency waves in water and air, for which fluid buoyancy and compressibility simultaneously serve as restoring forces. In this paper, analysis of sound transmission through gas–liquid interfaces is extended to acoustic-gravity waves (AGWs) and applied to the air–water interface. It is found that, as for sound, the interface becomes anomalously transparent for sufficiently shallow compact sources of AGWs. Depending on the source type, the increase of a wave power flux into gas due to diffraction effects can reach several orders of magnitude. The physical mechanisms responsible for the anomalous transparency are discussed. Excitation of an interface wave by a point source in the liquid is shown to be an important channel of AGW transmission into the gas, which has no counterpart in the case of sound.
Symptoms of Schizotypal Personality Disorder in Fragile X Women

Abstract Objective The frequency of DSM III-R symptoms of schizotypal personality disorder as it relates to CGG amplification and to the cytogenetic expression of fragile X syndrome was explored. Method Four groups of women were examined: 30 control mothers of children with developmental problems, 17 control women who grew up in fragile X families, 28 women cytogenetically negative but DNA positive for fragile X with a premutation, and 31 women who were DNA positive with an expanded mutation, most of whom were cytogenetically positive. All women were assessed using the Structured Interview for Schizotypy. Results Eight of the nine women who received the DSM III-R schizotypal personality disorder diagnosis came from the two fragile X groups: four from the premutation group and four from the expanded mutation group. Twenty percent of fragile X carriers who received the gene from their mother, but none who received the gene from their father demonstrated schizotypal personality disorder. Conclusions Women who carry the premutation and women with the full mutation may both show schizotypal features, although less commonly than previously reported.
Acknowledging the "Zoological Connection": A Sociological Analysis of Animal Cruelty

Sociologists have largely ignored the role of animals in society. This article argues that human-animal interaction is a topic worthy of sociological consideration and applies a sociological analysis to one problematic aspect of human-animal relationships - animal cruelty. The article reformulates animal cruelty, traditionally viewed using a psychopathological model, from a sociological perspective.The article identifies social and cultural factors related to the occurrence of animal cruelty. Ultimately, animal cruelty is a serious social problem that deserves attention in its own right, not just because of its association with human violence.
Determination of trace elements in water by radioisotope alpha-particle induced X-ray emission

An X-ray spectrometric system including210Po α-particle sources for excitation and a Si(Li) detector has been applied to determine the concentrations of trace elements in water samples. Thin targets were prepared by the evaporation of a known volume of water deposited on a Mylar backing. The system was calibrated using the internal standard method. Relative sensitivities were measured for 16 elements detected by their K, L and M X-rays. The results are compared with theoretical calculations. The minimum detection limits from 0.01 to 0.07 μg/ml were obtained for 2000 s analysis time.
Three laws for D0 (BiF)

Abstract Photoion yield curves are presented for BiF and BiF2, generated by varporizing a BiBiF3 mixture. The adiabatic ionization potentials are 8.658±0.012 eV for BiF, 8.05±0.05 eV for BiF2. The threshold for formation of Bi+ from BiF occurs at 11.126±0.05 eV, from which one deduces D0(BiF) ⩽3.84±0.05 eV. The equilibrium reaction, 2Bi (g) + BiF3(g)→3BiF(g), is examined by a second law and a third law treatment. From the second law, D0(BiF)=3.76±0.13 eV, and from the third law, D0(BiF)=3.76±0.13 eV, the latter error estimate allowing for uncertainty in the relative photoionization cross sections. The present results differ substantially from recent inferences placing D0(BiF) near 5 eV, and others which hover around 3 eV. From an analysis of the equilibrium reaction, Bi(g) + BiF2(g)→2BiF(g), it is concluded that D0(FBiF)=3.50±0.15 eV, andD0(F2BiF) = 4.51±0.2 eV.
Tuberculous arthritis of the elbow

Twenty-three patients with tuberculous arthritis of the elbow were treated and followed up for 3 to 8 years. The diagnosis was established by finding mycobacterium tuberculosis in the aspirate or in a surgical specimen in 18, and by histology in 5. A long history of symptoms and extensive involvement of bone and joint are associated with poor results. Early diagnosis and adequate treatment can be followed by good functional results. Postoperative continuous passive motion is valuable in improving the range of movement in elbows with extensive osteoarticular tuberculosis.
On the ‘Urbanness’ of Metropolitan Areas: Testing the Homogeneity Assumption, 1970–2000

In recent decades, population dynamics, have made definitions of what localities are rural or urban somewhat unclear. The vast majority of demographic work has simply used metropolitan classifications with various forms of a non-metropolitan residual (e.g., adjacent to metro versus non-adjacent). The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) periodically redefines metropolitan areas, which makes temporal comparisons difficult. In fact, some demographers have offered the idea that, due to these shifting reclassifications, the so-called “rural rebound” is a misnomer, in that non-metropolitan counties that transitioned to metropolitan status were, in fact, already more ‘urban’ than those that did not become reclassified as metropolitan (Johnson et al 2005). This argument depends largely on the assumption of homogeneity in rural or urban ‘character’ in those counties. Following arguments by others (Wilkinson 1991; Isserman 2001; Bogue 1950), we take population and land use into account to examine whether these transitional counties were more or less urban than comparable others, all at the county level for the contiguous 48 states for 1970–2000. Our results show that adjacent non-metropolitan counties that were later reclassified as metropolitan were indeed characterized by a larger population and heavier urban land cover than those not making this transition. However, the results also show that metropolitan areas were also quite heterogeneous in terms of traditionally rural activities. A discussion of the homogeneity assumption in demographers’ conceptualization of metropolitan areas is included.
Performance issues in database systems

The performance of transaction processing systems is affected by contention for hardware as well as software resources (data objects). Software contention becomes prominent in database systems because concurrency control mechanism, which is used to insure integrity of the database, restrict concurrent and conflicting access to data objects of a database. Locking is the most popular scheme to achieve concurrency control in database systems. Performance of a database system is greatly determined by its underlying concurrency control algorithm because it determines the performance degradation in presence of software contentions. In this paper, we will examine the issues in the performance analysis of concurrency control algorithms and their affect on the overall database system performance. With many alternatives now available to design a database system, there is a tremendous need to assess the suitability of a design to a particular environment and need. In this paper, we will discuss difficulties in modeling concurrency control algorithms and describe how these difficulties have been overcome.
Varieties of P-Restriction Semigroups

The restriction semigroups, in both their one-sided and two-sided versions, have arisen in various fashions, meriting study for their own sake. From one historical perspective, as “weakly E-ample” semigroups, the definition revolves around a “designated set” of commuting idempotents, better thought of as projections. This class includes the inverse semigroups in a natural fashion. In a recent paper, the author introduced P-restriction semigroups in order to broaden the notion of “projection” (thereby encompassing the regular *-semigroups). That study is continued here from the varietal perspective introduced for restriction semigroups by V. Gould. The relationship between varieties of regular *-semigroups and varieties of P-restriction semigroups is studied. In particular, a tight relationship exists between varieties of orthodox *-semigroups and varieties of “orthodox” P-restriction semigroups, leading to concrete descriptions of the free orthodox P-restriction semigroups and related structures. Speciali...
Orbitofrontal Cortex Uses Distinct Codes for Different Choice Attributes in Decisions Motivated by Curiosity

Summary Decision makers are curious and consequently value advance information about future events. We made use of this fact to test competing theories of value representation in area 13 of orbitofrontal cortex (OFC). In a new task, we found that monkeys reliably sacrificed primary reward (water) to view advance information about gamble outcomes. While monkeys integrated information value with primary reward value to make their decisions, OFC neurons had no systematic tendency to integrate these variables, instead encoding them in orthogonal manners. These results suggest that the predominant role of the OFC is to encode variables relevant for learning, attention, and decision making, rather than integrating them into a single scale of value. They also suggest that OFC may be placed at a relatively early stage in the hierarchy of information-seeking decisions, before evaluation is complete. Thus, our results delineate a circuit for information-seeking decisions and suggest a neural basis for curiosity. Video Abstract