cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hydralazine treatment alters body composition in the rabbit model of obesity.

Aims: While hydralazine is commonly used as monotherapy in animal studies, its potential side effects are seldom acknowledged. Purported side effects occur from sympathetic and renin–angiotensin system activation, and include tachycardia, oedema, and nausea. We hypothesized that these side effects would alter body composition by increasing body water and/or decreasing body fat. Methods: Female New Zealand White rabbits were divided into lean and obese control and hydralazine-treated groups. Lean rabbits ate a maintenance diet for 12 weeks; obese rabbits ate an ad lib high fat diet. Hydralazine was administered at 6 and 10–14 mg kg−1 day−1 for lean and obese hydralazine groups, respectively. Body composition was determined using triplicate 2–3 g samples of whole body homogenate, and analysed using 2 × 2 anova for diet vs. hydralazine effects. Results: Hydralazine-treated animals had lower body fat (15.7 ± 1.1 and 21.8 ± 1.0%, respectively) and higher body water (59.8 ± 0.8 and 55.4 ± 0.6%, respectively) compared with controls. While obese controls were heavier than obese hydralazine-treated animals (5.12 ± 0.09 vs. 4.73 ± 0.11 kg, respectively) and had greater overall feed consumption (13.5 ± 0.4 vs. 11.8 ± 0.4 kg, respectively), a subsequent analysis using subsets that did not differ in body weight or feed consumption yielded the same conclusions. Plasma adrenaline and noradrenaline did not differ between control and hydralazine-treated groups. Conclusions: Use of hydralazine to control blood pressure alters body composition. Direct or indirect effects of hydralazine may impact physiological systems under study. Alterations in adipose tissue may be of particular concern because of its endocrine function.
HANDS-ON CALCULUS

ABSTRACT In this paper we discuss manipulatives and hands-on investigations for Calculus involving volume, arc length, and surface area to motivate and develop formulae which can then be verified using techniques of integration. Pre-service teachers in calculus courses using these activities experience a classroom in which active learning is encouraged and investigations which can be used with their future middle school classes. Their study of calculus gives them a broader understanding of the formulae developed in the investigations.
Safety of adeno-associated viral vectors

Vectors based on recombinant adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) are being extensively explored for gene therapy owing to some of their distinguishing characteristicss such as lack of pathogenicity, wide range of infectivity and ability to provide long-term transgene expression. For many of the same reasons, recombinant AAV (rAAV) vectors have also been used as vaccine carriers to elicit immune responses against their transgene products. Extensive studies of rAAV vectors in animal models and in the clinic have revealed some safety concerns relating to their construction and production, adverse events following delivery, potential integration of the vector’s genome into host cell genomes, and the impairment of rAAV-induced CD8+ T-cell responses, which could have dire consequences for rAAV-treated individuals. Further studies to advance our knowledge of the biology of AAV and rAAV vectors are deemed necessary to allow for their more successful application in the clinic.
Modeling of high-k dielectric nanocomposites

In this paper, based on recent research on BaTiO3 (BT) nanoparticles, BT/P(VDF-HFP) nanocomposites, frequency-dependent dielectric properties of such a material system with high energy density have been investigated as functions of the volume fraction of the nanoparticles at room temperature by several theoretical models. For single domain and single crystals of BT, a Debye type of dissipation and soft mode theory have been adopted to obtain a more precise frequency-dependent dielectric spectrum of BT. For nanodielectric composites, among the others, Wiener Rule, Lichtenecker model, Maxwell–Wagner model, Yamada, and modified Kerner model were applied to evaluate the frequency-dependent dielectric spectrum of nanocomposites. A simple rule of mixture for the dielectric loss tangent was obtained using Lichtenecker logarithmic rule. The results from theoretical calculations are compared with the experimental data. For the dielectric constant, Lichtenecker model, Maxwell–Wagner model, and Yamada model show reasonable agreements with the experimental data up to 50 % volume fraction of the nanoparticles. At the higher volume fraction of the nanoparticles, the experimental data show a decreasing trend of the dielectric constant of the composites due to an increase in porosity of the system. In this case, a three-phase model (nanoparticles/pores/matrix) was developed to predict dielectric properties of the system at higher volume fraction of the nanoparticles (up to 80 %). The results showed reasonable agreements for a wide range of frequency. This theoretical study provides an essential information on dielectric properties of polymer-based BT nanocomposites with a wide frequency range instead of the trial-and-error strategy of experiments and can be used for designing high energy density dielectric materials in the future.
Age-Month Adjustment Factors for Milk, Fat, and Protein Yields in Holstein Cattle

Abstract Age-month factors were developed for milk, fat, and protein yields. Records used in the analysis consisted of 769,410 lactation records of Holstein cows freshening in New York and New Jersey from July 1982 through August 1984. The mixed model used to describe the data contained fixed effects due to an overall mean, age-month of calving, herd-year, and random effects due to cow and error terms. There were 26 age groups by 12 mo of freshening for a total of 312 age-month estimates for each of the three yield traits. Results showed a definite age by month interaction with age being more important for younger cows while month effects assumed more importance as the cow matures. Multiplicative age-month correction factors were developed and are presented along with plots of the age-month factors for milk, fat, and protein yield. Factors differed for three yield traits. Fat and protein factors were higher than corresponding factors for milk.
Intergenerational Solidarity and Individual Adjustment During Emerging Adulthood

In this study, we aimed to extend research on the theory of intergenerational solidarity by examining the associations between solidarity dimensions and individual adjustment among an ethnically diverse sample of college-attending emerging adults (age range: 18-25 years; N = 600). We proposed a multiple mediator model, hypothesizing that normative solidarity (familism) would be associated with individual adjustment, particularly academic satisfaction, psychological distress, and loneliness, directly and indirectly through associational solidarity, affectual solidarity, and functional solidarity. Analysis results showed that familism was directly and positively related to depressive symptoms. Indirect effects based on bootstrapping also were found in that affectual solidarity mediated the association between familism and loneliness, and functional solidarity mediated the relationships between familism and each of the three adjustment criterion variables examined in this study. Findings lend support to the ...
Sequence of the black beetle virus subgenomic RNA and its location in the viral genome

Abstract BBV (black beetle virus) RNA3, the subgenomic messenger RNA for BBV protein B and its double-stranded form (dsRNA3) were purified from cells infected with BBV and were sequenced. RNA3 is 389 bases long. The sequence is homologous to that of the 3′-terminal region of virion RNA1 RNA3 has a very limited homology to virion RNA2. RNA3 is capped at its 5′ terminus and has a structural feature at its 3′ terminus that renders it inert to the action of the enzymes RNA ligase and poly(A) polymerase. RNA3 has two overlapping reading frames for putative proteins of size 10,768 and 11,633 Da. The positive and negative strands of dsRNA3 are not capped and correspond in length and sequence to RNA3 itself.
On the Stones and Bones of History

On July 1, 1999, nurses from over 90 countries sat in Westminster Abbey in London, side by side with colleagues from Australia to Zambia, to celebrate what happened in 1899 in London when an international gathering of nurses united. The bells that have echoed from those solid towering pillars to mark significant events for nearly a thousand years rang to celebrate the centenary of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and the establishment of modern nursing. Nurses attending that service may not have known each others' names, but none were strangers.
Transfusion transmission of retroviruses: human T‐lymphotropic virus types I and II compared with human immunodeficiency virus type 1

Background: The incidence of transfusion transmission of human T- lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) and HTLV type II (HTLV-II) has not been compared directly or to that of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). The effects of refrigerator storage of the blood component on infectivity of the viruses needs definition. Study Design and Methods: The circumstances influencing the transmission of HTLV-I, HTLV- II, and HIV-1 via blood of donors whose sera were stored in a repository and who were retrospectively documented as having been infected at blood donation were examined. Confirmation and typing of anti-HTLV positivity in donors and recipients used polymerase chain reaction, supplemented by specific peptide testing. Results: Overall, 27 percent (26/95) of the recipients of blood components from anti-HTLV- I- and -II-positive donors became infected (9 with HTLV-I and 17 with HTLV-II). No recipients of acellular blood components became infected with HTLV-I or -II. There was no probable transmission by components stored > 10 days. The rates of transmission for both viruses were similar: 0 to 5 days' storage, 17 (74%) of 23; 6 to 10 days, 8 (44%) of 18; and 11 to 14, 0 (0%) of 10 (trend, p = 0.0002). In comparison, 89 percent (112/126) of the recipients of anti-HIV-1-positive blood were infected regardless of component type, and no effect on transmission occurred with storage for < 26 days. Conclusion: Transfusion- transmitted HTLV-I and -II are similar. The data suggest that a donor's lymphocytes become noninfectious when they lose the ability to be activated or to proliferate.
Scalability of wireless networks

This paper investigates the existence of scalable protocols that can achieve the capacity limit of c/radicN per source-destination pair in a large wireless network of N nodes when the buffer space of each node does not grow with the size of the network N. It is shown that there is no end-to-end protocol capable of carrying out the limiting throughput of c/radicN with nodes that have constant buffer space. In other words, this limit is achievable only with devices whose buffers grow with the size of the network. On the other hand, the paper establishes that there exists a protocol which realizes a slightly smaller throughput of c/radicNlogN when devices have constant buffer space. Furthermore, it is shown that the required buffer space can be very small, capable of storing just a few packets. This is particularly important for wireless sensor networks where devices have limited resources. Finally, from a mathematical perspective, the paper furthers our understanding of the difficult problem of analyzing large queueing networks with finite buffers for which, in general, no explicit solutions are available
Aligning Business Strategies and IS Resources in Japanese SMEs: A Resource-Based View

AbstractThe alignment between business strategies and IS resources is widely believed to aid firm performance. In this research, we review the historical development and current technological status of small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) in Japan over the past 50 to 60 years. Through the lens of the Resource-Based View of the Firm (RBV), we explored the role of information systems in Japanese SMEs and found that the adoption of information systems in Japanese SMEs consisted of extensive subcontracting networks which formed the basis of the Japanese production system and was an essential resource for contributing to successful implementation of global business strategies. This research also found that Japanese SMEs formulated and enacted strategies which leveraged information systems resources to enhance operations and strategic relationships and to establish dynamic capabilities.
Partial purification and characterization of a methyl-parathion resistance-associated general esterase in Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Abstract Increased hydrolytic metabolism of organophosphate insecticides has been associated with resistance among Nebraska western corn rootworm populations. In this study, resistance-associated esterases were partially purified by differential centrifugation, ion exchange, and hydroxyapatite column chromatography, with a final purification factor of 100-fold and recovery of approximately 10%. Kinetic analysis of the partially purified enzyme indicated that the K m of the group II esterases was identical for the two populations, although V max was consistently threefold higher in the resistant population. A putative esterase, DvvII, was further purified to homogeneity by preparative polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. DvvII is a monomer with a molecular weight of approximately 66 kDa, although three distinct isoforms with similar p I s were evident based on isoelectric focusing gel electrophoresis. Immunoassays with the Myzus persicae E4 antiserum indicated that group II esterases from D. v. virgifera were cross-reactive and expressed at much higher titers in the resistant population relative to the susceptible counterpart. These results suggest that the resistance is likely associated with overproduction of an esterase isozyme in resistant D. v. virgifera populations.
Central-pin tolerances in broadband 3-port waveguide circulators

Computed designs for broadband 3-port waveguide designs are discussed. They require a central metallic pin of very small diameter within the ferrite. The computed effects of pin tolerances are shown.
New look at creativity in the entrepreneurial process

In this article I provide brief review and comments on three articles presented at the Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal's Launch Conference and published in this issue of the Journal. Arguing that creativity plays an important role in the entire entrepreneurial process and that contemporary research on creativity has much to offer in advancing our understanding of entrepreneurship, I suggest four new research directions that would expand the scope of entrepreneurship research. Copyright © 2008 Strategic Management Society.
Neurodynamics with spatial self-organizations

A neural network architecture with self-organization in phase and actual space is proposed and discussed. Special type of differential local interconnections simulating diffusion, dispersion, and convection were investigated. It is shown that these interconnections are responsible for biological pattern formation in a homogeneous neural structure. The model suggests a phenomenological explanation of the mechanisms of edge detection in vision process.
The effect of functional groups on oligomerization of phenolics on activated carbon.

Adsorption of seven phenolic compounds, namely phenol, 2-methylphenol, 2-ethylphenol, 2-chlorophenol, 2-nitrophenol, 4-chlorophenol, and 4-nitrophenol on granular activated carbon (GAC) F400 and two activated carbon fibers (ACFs), ACC-10 and ACC-15 were conducted to study the impact of functional groups on oligomerization. Single solute adsorption and binary solute adsorption were conducted under anoxic (absence of molecular oxygen) and oxic (presence of molecular oxygen) conditions at 23 ± 1 °C. For F400, the critical oxidation potential (COP), influenced by substitution of functional group, was found to be a limiting factor in oligomerization of adsorbates. For ACC-10, which has narrow pore size distribution (PSD) and small critical pore diameter (8.0 A), only phenol and 2-methylphenol showed occurrence of oligomerization under oxic conditions. The degree of oligomerization under oxic conditions was related to the PSD of the adsorbent. The micro-pore diameter of the ACFs effectively reduced the oligomerization process. The oxic and anoxic binary adsorption isotherms of phenol/2-ethylphenol and 2-methylphenol/2-nitrophenol on ACC-10 overlapped indicating hampering of oligomerization by the limited micro-pore diameter of ACFs. The Ideal Adsorbed Solution Theory (IAST), using the Myers equation for correlating the single-solute anoxic isotherms, well predicted both anoxic and oxic binary isotherms.
A nursing practice problem: Failure to observe aseptic technique

A study was conducted to assess nurses' adherence to a recently revised policy and procedure manual. Medical-surgical nurses (n = 217) were surveyed to assess their perceived ability to perform selected clinical procedures. A sample (n = 34) of respondents was then observed performing the procedures. Analysis of the 37 errors in performance revealed an unanticipated high number of errors (n = 33) in aseptic technique. Type of errors and projected reasons for their occurrence are given.
APL2: getting started

APL is a concise and economical notation for expressing computational algorithms and procedures. This paper introduces the main ideas of APL2, an IBM implementation of APL, and illustrates the programming style with some graphical examples.
Regulation of S Phase

The regulation of S phase can be divided into factors and activities that promote DNA replication at the G1-S boundary and those that prevent DNA replication once a segment of DNA has replicated. Considerable regulation is achieved by the synthesis of new proteins (and mRNA coding for these proteins) essential for DNA replication. In this chapter, however, we restrict our discussion to regulation of the DNA replication apparatus alone. The process of DNA replication is itself divisible into the initiation of bidirectional replication, elongation of the new DNA strands, and the termination of DNA replication. Since much of the recent work has illuminated the process of replication initiation, we have opted to focus our discussion to this process alone.
Monitoring Air Quality in Urban Areas

Air quality improvement in rapidly developing countries like China requires to generate valuable data with high-level of representativeness to be transformed into useful information about air pollution. However, the problem of monitoring representativeness has been overlooked. In this respect, a comprehensive methodology to monitor air quality has been developed by this Institute, engaged since 2001 in several projects in China dealing with air quality. The new approach requires rearranging the existing monitoring strategies. In short, saturation monitoring is employed to preliminary assess air pollution and provide spatial resolution over the study area. Automatic monitoring is reduced to a minimum to make time-related data available. The information so-measured with high degree of both spatial and temporal resolution, are completed by statistical and mathematical modelling to generate data interpretation schemes. This methodology extensively tested in China during these years has been found to be very useful for macro/micro-designing emission and air quality monitoring networks, apportioning emission sources, assessing spatial representativeness of measurements, and evaluating spatial frequency distributions of air pollutants. Case-studies of Suzhou, Lanzhou and Beijing are presented to discuss these findings.
The importance of an internal marketing orientation in social services

The current research takes an interdisciplinary approach to examine the role of emotions in the successful delivery of social services. Survey data collected from 533 frontline social service providers were subjected to regression analyses. Findings reveal that emotional intelligence mediates the relationship between emotional labor and job stress, which in-turn impacts job performance. The findings suggest that an internal marketing orientation is needed to better match the organization's products (i.e., jobs) with its internal customers (employees), and in-turn improve the quality (job performance) of its offerings to its external customers. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Temperature sensitivity to node spacing in ASTAP finite difference modelling for flat cap single- and multi-chip modules

Examines the sensitivity of ASTAP (Advanced Statistical Analysis Program) chip temperatures to model mesh size (node spacing) for flat cap single- and multichip modules and develops guidelines for mesh size selection which ensure a certain level of model accuracy without wasting resources with unnecessary model complication. Temperature output from models generated with the ASTAP model preprocessor (AMP) are first verified against the results from a finite-element modeling package. ASTAP chip temperatures as a function of node spacing are plotted. Optimum node spacing is determined as being where chip temperature variability decreases below the order of a user-defined value for all chips on a module. Guidelines are recommended for the most efficient mesh size selection as a function of module size, maximum chip power density, and maximum vertical chip attach 1D thermal resistances on the module. >
Relationship of Strontium in Drinking Water and Surface Enamel

The Sr content of surface enamel of 233 teeth from nine communities was related to drinking water Sr concentrations. These water concentrations ranged from 0.02 μg/ml to 33.9 μg/ml. The relationship between enamel concentrations and water concentrations was linear for water concentrations less than 10μg/ml Sr, but leveled off at approximately 300 μg/gm Sr in the enamel for communities with greater than 10 μg/ml Sr in drinking water. Binding of Sr to components in the oral environment is proposed as an explanation of this effect.
A stochastic evaluation of available transfer capability

The available transfer capability (ATC) between two buses determines the maximum additional power that can be transmitted in an interchange schedule between the specified buses. The ATC changes probabilistically due to the stochastic nature of power system equipment availability and power system loads. An evaluation of the stochastic behavior of the ATC is important for an assessment of the ATC. The ATC is determined by power flow study subject to transmission system limits. These phenomena are nonlinear in behavior. Linearization can be used to estimate line flows in a power flow study model. This paper proposes a method of finding the stochastic ATC using a linear Gaussian transformation of line power flow statistical moments into ATC statistical moments. The probability density function of the ATC is approximated using a Gram Charlier type A series. The evaluation is illustrated for the IEEE 118 bus system. The results are an approximate evaluation of the probability density of the ATC; and its expectation.
CMOS frequency generation system for W-band radars

A CMOS frequency generation system for W-band radars, including a phase-locked loop (PLL) (55–60 GHz) with a frequency-divided-by-2 output and an offset mixer for generation of a W-band carrier (83–90 GHz) is realized using low leakage transistors of a low cost 65-nm bulk CMOS process. The phase noise of PLL is as low as −87 and −112 dBc/Hz at 1 and 10 MHz offsets. The PLL consumes 46 mW. The total frequency generation system consumes ∼180 mW.
Network layer support for overlay networks

Overlay networks represent a flexible and deployable approach for applications to obtain new network semantics, but they suffer from some efficiency concerns. To support overlay networks efficiently, two new primitives are proposed for implementation in the network layer. Packet Reflection allows end hosts to request short-circuit packet routing and duplication in nearby routers. Path Painting allows multiple end hosts to determine where their disparate paths to a rendezvous point meet, in order to facilitate overlay topology building. Both primitives are incrementally deployable. Numerous applications of these primitives are considered to demonstrate their utility: application level multicast systems with various semantics, an extended Resilient Overlay Network with greater latency benefits, and a hierarchy of web caches.
Mechanics of DNA: sequence dependent elasticity

We have used constant force axial optical tweezers to understand the subtle eects of sequence variations on the mechanical properties of DNA. Using designed sequences of DNA with nearly identical curvatures, but varied AT content, we have shown the persistence length to be highly dependent on the elasticity of DNA. The persistence length varies by almost thirty percent between sequences containing 61% AT and 45% AT. The biological implications of this can be substantial, as the need to bend DNA is involved in a host of regulatory schemes, ranging from nucleosome positioning to the formation of protein-mediated repressor and enhancer loops.
Human Dissection and the Science and Art of Leonardo da Vinci

plaques as a warning of possible heart attacks and strokes, which led to their founding the Volcano Corporation. Trip, with colleagues Mohammad Madjid, MD, and Morteza Naghavi, MD, also discovered that the influenza vaccine reduces the risk for heart attack and stroke and that, in patients with heart failure, a decreasing body temperature is often a sign that death is imminent unless the therapy is adjusted. Trip especially valued bedside judgments and common sense. An example was his learning that combat troops had not been warned to avoid aspirin, which can exacerbate bleeding in the head, chest, pelvis, and other areas that cannot be stanched by compression. Aspirin was promptly banned. He was chairman and CEO of Casscells and Associates, which provided senior policy makers with rapid data (including the regular Zogby/Casscells surveys) and insights on health services, health care reform, health informatics, and health diplomacy. In addition, he chaired KnowMed Inc., a semantic web health information company led by his former student Parsa Mirhaji MD, PhD. A former associate editor of Circulation and guest editor of The Lancet, Trip was widely published in the areas of prevention of heart attack and stroke, information technology, medical ethics, influenza, disaster preparedness, health diplomacy, nanotechnology, and health caremanagement. He spoke publicly about living with cancer. His bookWhen It Mattered Most, a tribute to medics killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, was published in 2009. Trip served on several civic, corporate, and professional boards, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation, the American Telemedicine Association, the AMAR Foundation, Safe America, and the Critical Incident Analysis Group. He was also an elected member of several honorary societies. He is survived by his wife, Roxanne Bell Casscells of Virginia andWashington, DC; children, SamuelW. Casscells IV, Henry Wendell Casscells, and Lillian Bell Casscells, all of Virginia and Washington; brother, Dr. Christopher D. Casscells and his wife Susan, of Wilmington; sister, R.E. Anne Casscells and her partner Susan Ketchum, of San Mateo, California; sister, Margaret Casscells-Hamby and her husband Frank Casscells-Hamby, of Orlando, Florida; and 6 nieces and nephews.
GEPdb: a database for investigating the ternary association of genotype, gene expression and phenotype.

Summary: GEPdb integrates both genome-wide association studies and expression quantitative trait loci information, the two primary sources of genome-wide mapping for genotype–phenotype and genotype–expression associations together with phenotype-associated gene lists. The GEPdb provides simultaneous interpretation of both genetic risks and potential gene regulatory pathways toward phenotypic outcome by establishing the ternary relationship of genotype–expression–phenotype (GEP). The analytic scope is further extended by linkage disequilibrium from five different populations of the international HapMap Project. Availability and implementation: http://ercsbweb.ewha.ac.kr/gepdb. Contact: wkim@ewha.ac.kr
Discovering Algebraic Specifications from Java Classes

We present and evaluate an automatic tool for extracting algebraic specifications from Java classes. Our tool maps a Java class to an algebraic signature and then uses the signature to generate a large number of terms. The tool evaluates these terms and based on the results of the evaluation, it proposes equations. Finally, the tool generalizes equations to axioms and eliminates many redundant axioms. Since our tool uses dynamic information, it is not guaranteed to be sound or complete. However, we manually inspected the axioms generated in our experiments and found them all to be correct.
Recurrent cutaneous toxic erythema induced by gemcitabine in a patient with pancreatic cancer.

Introduction: With the increasing use of gemcitabine, more and more rare toxicities are encountered in practice. In general, gemcitabine may cause bone marrow suppression, mild cutaneous rash, and alopecia. We report a case of recurrent cutaneous toxicity during adjuvant chemotherapy with gemcitabine after complete resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Case report: The patient developed recurrent toxic erythema on the skin of his lower extremities after each cycle of chemotherapy. Because of the misleading clinical features of the presentation, he was repeatedly treated with unnecessary antibiotics for “cellulitis.” A skin biopsy revealed possible early leukocytoclastic vasculitis and epidermal dysmaturation. Conclusion: The true mechanism of this phenomenon remains unclear. Our case suggests that vasculitis might play a role in the pathophysiology. More attention should be paid to atypical presentations, with correlation of clinical judgment and tissue biopsy. There is no effective prevention or treatm...
The tangled web of Langer's lines

Langer's lines are often considered to be guides for elective surgical incisions. Interestingly, Karl Langer was not the first to describe the property of skin that leads to the lines he depicted, nor are these lines in common use today. Rather, it is common that relaxed skin tension lines provide a guide for cosmetically pleasing surgical results. Nevertheless, Langer did conduct extensive studies on human skin that remain as a scholarly body of work.
Incidence of adverse events in ferrets vaccinated with distemper or rabies vaccine: 143 cases (1995-2001).

Objective—To determine the incidence of adverse events in ferrets vaccinated with a modified-live avian cell culture canine distemper virus vaccine licensed for use in ferrets, an inactivated rabies vaccine licensed for use in ferrets, or both. Design—Retrospective study. Animals—143 ferrets. Procedure—Medical records were reviewed to identify ferrets that had an adverse event after vaccination. Results—Adverse events developed within 25 minutes after vaccination in 13 ferrets. One ferret developed an adverse event after receiving a distemper and a rabies vaccine simultaneously and developed a second adverse event the following year after receiving the rabies vaccine alone. Therefore, a total of 14 adverse events were identified. All adverse events were an anaphylactic reaction characterized by generalized hyperemia, hypersalivation, and vomiting. Ten of the 14 anaphylactic reactions occurred after ferrets received both vaccines, 3 occurred after ferrets received the distemper vaccine alone, and 1 occurre...
Stochastic model for detection of signals in noise

Fifty years ago Birdsall, Tanner, and colleagues made rapid progress in developing signal detection theory into a powerful psychophysical tool. One of their major insights was the utility of adding external noise to the signals of interest. These methods have been enhanced in recent years by the addition of multipass and classification-image methods for opening up the black box. There remain a number of as yet unresolved issues. In particular, Birdsall developed a theorem that large amounts of external input noise can linearize nonlinear systems, and Tanner conjectured, with mathematical backup, that what had been previously thought of as a nonlinear system could actually be a linear system with uncertainty. Recent findings, both experimental and theoretical, have validated Birdsall's theorem and Tanner's conjecture. However, there have also been experimental and theoretical findings with the opposite outcome. In this paper we present new data and simulations in an attempt to sort out these issues. Our simulations and experiments plus data from others show that Birdsall's theorem is quite robust. We argue that uncertainty can serve as an explanation for violations of Birdsall's linearization by noise and also for reports of stochastic resonance. In addition, we modify present models to better handle detection of signals with both noise and pedestal backgrounds.
Impact of genetic manipulation.

Abstract Genetic progress for production in dairy cattle is 50% or less of optimum. Manipulation of the reproductive process to increase genetic gains was reviewed. Economics of manipulating the reproductive process was evaluated by equating future discounted net income to current discounted expenses and solving for the break-even cost of the technique for 1 to n years the technique is employed. Techniques such as embryo transfer and sexed semen can be evaluated for economics. A system of splitting female embryos to produce performance-tested female genotypes was presented. The system has the capability of increasing genetic gains per year by 35%. The proposed system could be profitable if it is incorporated in the artificial insemination system and directed by professional geneticists.
Fovea-Sparing Retinal Detachments: Time to Surgery and Visual Outcomes

Purpose To study the effect of the duration from initial evaluation to repair on outcomes for fovea-sparing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). Design Retrospective, single-surgeon, consecutive case series. Methods Medical records were reviewed for preoperative and intraoperative factors possibly associated with visual and anatomic outcomes for all patients undergoing scleral buckling procedure (SBP) for fovea-sparing, primary RRD between 1989 and 2004. Results Fifty-five percent of 199 patients had symptoms for ≤ 7 days, 83% had best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) ≥ 20/40, and 33% had a RRD that had extended to within the macular arcade vessels. Eighty-five percent were operated within 3 days, including 56% within 24 hours. One case progressed to fovea-off status before surgery 4 days after initial evaluation (0.5%). The single-operation success rate was 88% and final anatomic success was 99.5% (1 patient refused reoperation). Eighty-six percent were examined postoperatively for at least 2 months; 73% had ≥ 20/40 vision. The strongest predictor of postoperative BCVA was initial BCVA (r = 0.47; P Conclusions Progression to fovea-off status was rare in this series when a selectively urgent, but not strictly emergent, surgical approach was employed for fovea-sparing RRD.
Water storage and osmotic pressure influences on the water relations of a dicotyledonous desert succulent

Abstract Water storage and nocturnal increases in osmotic pressure affect the water relations of the desert succulent Ferocactus acanthodes, which was studied using an electrical circuit analog based on the anatomy and morphology of a representative individual. Transpiration rates and osmotic pressures over a 24-h period were used as input variables. The model predicted water potential, turgor pressure and water flow for various tissues. Plant capacitances, storage resistances and nocturnal increases in osmotic pressure were varied to determine their role in the water relations of this dicotyledonous succulent. Water coming from storage tissues contributed about one-third of the water transpired at night: the majority of this water came from the nonphotosynthetic, water storage parenchyma of the stem. Time lags of 4 h were predicted between maximum transpiration and maximum water uptake from the soil. Varying the capacitance of the plant caused proportional changes in osmotically driven water movement but changes in storage resistance had only minor effects. Turgor pressure in the chlorenchyma depended on osmotic pressure, but was fairly insensitive to doubling or halving of the capacitance or storage resistance of the plant. Water uptake from the soil was only slightly affected by osmotic pressure changes in the chlorenchyma. For this stem succulent, the movement of water from the chlorenchyma to the xylem and the internal redistribution of water among stem tissues were dominated by nocturnal changes in chlorenchyma osmotic pressure, not by transpiration.
Antimicrobial susceptibility of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium: potential utility of fosfomycin.

The increasing prevalence of vancomycin-resistant enterococcal (VRE) infections has necessitated a search for drugs that are effective in treating these infections, and a need to determine whether currently available antimicrobials are effective. 75 consecutive clinical isolates of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE faecium) (40 blood and 35 urine isolates) isolated over 1 y at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation were tested for susceptibility to linezolid, quinupristin–dalfopristin, fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin using the Etest ® . The minimum inhibitory concentrations were read independently by 3 observers and compared, and a final reading was obtained by predetermined criteria. The proportion of isolates susceptible to linezolid, quinupristin–dalfopristin, fosfomycin and nitrofurantoin was 100%, 98.7%, 98.7% and 78.7%, respectively. No single isolate was resistant to more than 1 of the 4 drugs tested. Etest presented significant unexpected difficulties in testing for VRE faecium susceptibility to nitrofurantoin. Fosfomycin may be a useful alternative to linezolid and quinupristin–dalfopristin in the treatment of VRE infections in certain clinical situations, e.g. uncomplicated urinary tract infections. In addition, the use of fosfomycin could limit the use of newer agents, thus reducing the chance of development of further resistance in the enterococci.
Values and Value Tradeoffs in Federalism

Federalism in various forms has long been associated with certain values of peace, security, liberty, democracy, innovation, efficiency, and equity--all of which have assumed heightened importance in the contemporary era. However, the institutionalization of such values under the power-sharing requirements ofafederal arrangement often have proved difficult not only because of empirical conditions but also because ofnormative tradeoffs needed to balance competing values as well as contrary consequences ofvalue choices. Simpler solutions might be available in principle, but under conditions of human diversity, federal solutions may be necessary.
Complete nucleotide sequence of a circular plasmid from the Lyme disease spirochete, Borrelia burgdorferi.

We have determined the complete nucleotide sequence of a small circular plasmid from the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi Ip21, the agent of Lyme disease. The plasmid (cp8.3/Ip21) is 8,303 bp long, has a 76.6% A+T content, and is unstable upon passage of cells in vitro. An analysis of the sequence revealed the presence of two nearly perfect copies of a 184-bp inverted repeat sequence separated by 2,675 bp containing three closely spaced, but nonoverlapping, open reading frames (ORFs). Each inverted repeat ends in sequences that may function as signals for the initiation of transcription and translation of flanking plasmid sequences. A unique oligonucleotide probe based on the repeated sequence showed that the DNA between the repeats is present predominantly in a single orientation. Additional copies of the repeat were not detected elsewhere in the Ip21 genome. An analysis for potential ORFs indicates that the plasmid has nine highly probable protein-coding ORFs and one that is less probable; together, they occupy almost 71% of the nucleotide sequence. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences of the ORFs revealed one (ORF-9) with features in common with Borrelia lipoproteins and another (ORF-2) having limited homology with a replication protein, RepC, from a gram-positive plasmid that replicates by a rolling circle (RC) mechanism. Known collectively as RC plasmids, such plasmids require a double-stranded origin at which the Rep protein nicks the DNA to generate a single-stranded replication intermediate. cp8.3/Ip21 has three copies of the heptameric motif characteristically found at a nick site of most RC plasmids. These observations suggest that cp8.3/Ip21 may replicate by an RC mechanism. Images
Impact of formulation and process variables on solid-state stability of theophylline in controlled release formulations

Understanding the impact of pharmaceutical processing, formulation excipients and their interactions on the solid-state transitions of pharmaceutical solids during use and in storage is critical in ensuring consistent product performance. This study reports the effect of polymer viscosity, diluent type, granulation and granulating fluid (water and isopropanol) on the pseudopolymorphic transition of theophylline anhydrous (THA) in controlled release formulations as well as the implications of this transition on critical quality attributes of the tablets. Accordingly, 12 formulations were prepared using a full factorial screening design and monitored over a 3 month period at 40 °C and 75%. Physicochemical characterization revealed a drastic drop in tablet hardness accompanied by a very significant increase in moisture content and swelling of all formulations. Spectroscopic analysis (ssNMR, Raman, NIR and PXRD) indicated conversion of THA to theophylline monohydrate (TMO) in all formulations prepared by aqueous wet granulation in as early as two weeks. Although all freshly prepared formulations contained THA, the hydration-dehydration process induced during aqueous wet granulation hastened the pseudopolymorphic conversion of theophylline during storage through a cascade of events. On the other hand, no solid state transformation was observed in directly compressed formulations and formulations in which isopropanol was employed as a granulating fluid even after the twelve weeks study period. The transition of THA to TMO resulted in a decrease in dissolution while an increase in dissolution was observed in directly compressed and IPA granulated formulation. Consequently, the impact of pseudopolymorphic transition of theophylline on dissolution in controlled release formulations may be the net result of two opposing factors: swelling and softening of the tablets which tend to favor an increase in drug dissolution and hydration of theophylline which decreases the drug dissolution.
Introducing Jameson to critical discourse analysis

ABSTRACTThis article integrates into critical discourse analysis (CDA) concepts developed by the Marxist literary critic Fredric Jameson. These concepts include Jameson's theories of contradiction, mode of production, and social formation. By taking up Jameson's ideas, it is argued, researchers can strengthen CDA's underdeveloped theories of contradiction and historical change. Furthermore, this article shows how Jameson's theories can sharpen CDA's methods of studying texts. By taking a Jamesonian tack and viewing each text as offering ‘an imaginary resolution of a real contradiction', researchers can track how antagonisms in the social order shape and are shaped by processes of textual production. Additionally, by foregrounding contradictions and resolutions, researchers can see how texts participate in processes of historical change. To demonstrate a Jamesonian version of CDA, this article concludes with an analysis of a text that charts a course through neoliberal capitalism.
COMPILATION AND EVALUATION OF RADIATION DEPTH DOSE DATA FROM ELECTRON ACCELERATORS USED FOR RADIOTHERAPY: EXPERIENCES OF A PILOT DATA PROJECT IN A HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT

The Office of Standard Reference Data of the U.S. National Bureau of Standards is supporting a pilot data project to provide evaluated compilations of central axis absorbed dose data for the use of the radiotherapy community. The project is presently concentrating on the compilation of measured photon and electron data from linear accelerators in the energy range 4 to 25 MeV. Data sets used in the study include published values and data obtained directly from over 100 participating institutions. This paper discusses the reasons for establishment of the project, methods of evaluation, formatting and dissemination, probable impact on the medical radiation physicist and radiation oncologist, and the unique aspects of a physics data center located in a clinical environment.
Renin activity in human uterus.

SummaryRenin activity was determined in uterine samples obtained from nonpregnant women undergoing hysterectomy and from pregnant women during cesarean section. All samples were full-thickness biopsy specimens from the lower uterine segment. In women having normal menstrual cycles, there was no significant difference between the mean renin activities of uteri in the proliferative and secretory phases. Uterine renin was significantly reduced in women receiving oral contraceptives. Pregnancy was associated with a significant increase in uterine renin. The lowest values of this group were for two women with a present or past history of dysfunctional labor. Uterine renin was extremely elevated in a woman with a hydatidiform mole. In women undergoing menopause renin was significantly elevated. However, in women at least 2 years postmenopausal the mean renin value was not different from that of normally menstruating women, regardless of whether or not estrogen was being administered. Renin was extremely low aft...
Emperor Song Taizu's Conciliatory Policy to Commanders of Border-Guard Forces and Its Impact

The conciliatory policy adopted by Emperor Song Taizu(927-976,reigning during 960-976) to border-guard forces,which made the commanders "all enormously wealthy",was complementary to his deprival of the military power of commanders in other regions.His measure,while being somewhat effective to the bolstering of the newly established Song Regime and the victory of its succeeding war of unification,turned out to be the cradle of commercial pursuits by military forces.The policy was recommended by his successors as the "ancestral convention",which engaged military forces more and more in profiteering activities,thereby significantly affecting the history of the Song dynasty.
Problems with “percent correct” in conditional discrimination tasks

ABSTRACTLiterature on conditional discrimination tasks indicates that interpretation of data depends on assumptions about what constitutes evidence of performance accuracy and change. According to one interpretation, performance after a procedural intervention (e.g., introduction of new stimuli in an identity matching-to-sample task) is compared to baseline performance before the intervention; if a decrease in performance is evident, then the conclusion is drawn that the intervention produced a deficit in performance. According to a different interpretation, performance from an intervention is compared not to baseline but to chance level; if performance is significantly different from chance level after the intervention, the conclusion is drawn that the intervention did not produce a deficit in performance. Evidence for presence or absence of stimulus control or concepts is extracted from such data depending on the method of comparison. In many cases, the intervention may produce a decrease in accuracy fr...
Relative Caregiving: An Effective Option for Permanency

Children affected by HIV/AIDS are at high risk for multiple placements as the adults in their lives are often too incapacitated to provide stable, consistent care for them. This article provides a historical overview of child caregiving, describes the complex needs of HIV / AIDS affected children and their relative caregivers, usually grandparents, and suggests that with necessary supports, placement with relatives can be a thoughtful, realistic option for permanency.