cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chronic consumption of a flavanol- and procyanindin-rich diet is associated with reduced levels of 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine in rat testes

Cocoa can contain a high concentration of flavanols and procyanidins which have been reported to have strong antioxidative activity. In the present study, male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed diets containing 0, 0.5, 1, or 2% cocoa rich in flavanols for two weeks. Blood, liver, heart and testes were collected and analyzed for markers of oxidative damage. Plasma epicatechin concentrations, 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8OH2'dG), and oxidized and reduced glutathione were quantitated by HPLC with electrochemical detection. Plasma F(2)-isoprostanes were measured using an enzyme immunoassay. Plasma epicatechin concentrations increased in a dose-dependant fashion according to the amount of cocoa in the diet (128 nM-790 nM). Cocoa supplementation was associated with lower than normal concentrations of 8OH2'dG in the testes (0.590 + 0.40 vs. 0.328 + 0.29; p < 0.05). Liver and heart 8OH2'dG levels were unaffected by dietary treatment. In erythrocytes, the glutathione pool was significantly less oxidized in the cocoa fed group compared to controls (p < 0.05). In liver and testes, no differences in superoxide dismutase activities were detected. Concentrations of plasma F(2)-isoprostanes and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were similar in all groups. These results support the concept that a diet rich in flavanols and procyanidins can improve oxidant defense and reduce tissue markers for oxidative stress, although these effects can be tissue specific.
A Thought on Procrustes

It is argued that Mosier's simple, “approximate” procrustes transformation solution for factor analysis, with the transformation vectors not at first constrained to unit-length, is preferable to a solution for his original much more difficult problem, attacked by many investigators, where the transformation vectors are initially restricted to unit-length.
Investigation of performance limiting phenomena in a variable phase ICRF antenna in Alcator C-Mod

High power density, phased antenna operation can often be limited by antenna voltage handling and/or impurity and density production. Using a pair of two-strap antennas for comparison, the performance of a four-strap, fast wave antenna is assessed for a variety of configurations and antenna phases in Alcator C-Mod. To obtain robust voltage handling, the antenna was reconfigured to eliminate regions where the RF E-field is parallel to B or to reduce the RF E-field to <1.0 MV m−1. To limit impurity generation, BN tiles were used to replace the original Mo tiles, a BN clad septum was inserted to limit field line connection length, and BN–metal interfaces were shielded from the plasma. With these modifications, the antenna heating efficiency and impurity generation are nearly identical to those of the two-strap antennas and independent of antenna phase in L-mode discharges. This antenna has achieved 11 MW m−2 in both heating and current drive phases in both L-mode and H-mode discharges.
SOMATOMEDIN-C/IGF, STEROID AND THYROID HORMONE CONCENTRATIONS DURING PUBERTY

In prepubertal (n=40) and pubertal (n=99) boys (n=60 and girls (n=79) Sm-C/IGF-I was determinated by RIA in different pubertal stages. In most of the children also DHEA-S, Cortisol, 17-OHP, aldosterone, T3, T4 as well testosterone (T) in boys or estradiol (E2) in girls rsp., were measured. Sm-C/IGF-I increased from pubertal stage PH 1 to PH 2, reached a plateau at 12.7-15.6 yrs. of age in girls (PH III-V) and peaked at stage IV in boys (age 14.3±1.1 yrs.). The rise in early and midpuberty was related to increasing levels of gonadal (T or E2 rsp.) and adrenal steroids (DHEA-S, Cortisol, aldo), 17-OHP peaked corresponding to the highest sexual hormone concentrations that means during PH IV in girls (E2=546.8±356 pmol/l, 17-OHP=3.4±1.5 nmol/l, n=20) and PH V in boys (T= 25.2±3.2 nmol/l, 17-OHP =5.4±2.7 nmol/l, n=13). No correlation was found between Sm-C/IGF-I and T3 or T4 rsp.,. Conclusions: Sm-C/IGF-I concentrations in children at pubertal stages III-V (according to TANNER) are two-to threefold higher than in adulthood. The Sm-C/IGF-I rise is connected with a corresponding increase of sexual and adrenal steroids.
Morphometric evaluation of the two mink subspecies in Illinois

The 2 subspecies of mink (Neovison vison letifera and N. v. mink) in Illinois were characterized early in the 20th century; however, quantifiable morphological distinctions between the 2 subspecies remain unclear. Illinois biogeography, and the influence of glaciations on animal populations, might explain the distinctions between the 2 mink subspecies. We evaluated sexual dimorphism within each subspecies and morphologic variation between subspecific populations. Oral, facial, and braincase regions were defined by 22 dimensions. Sexual dimorphism was present in both subspecies of mink. Data were adjusted for sex differences and tested for differences between subspecies using analysis of variance and multivariate analysis of variance. Cranial dimensions differed significantly between N. v. letifera and N. v. mink. Cranial dimensions distinguish individuals of the 2 geographically distinct subspecies; however, an intergradation zone might be present. The results are consistent with population response to glaciations and subsequent expansion, however, further genetic testing is necessary to test this historical biogeography of N. vison.
Environmental estrogens and sperm counts

The term "environmental estrogen" refers to chemical substances that exhibit some degree of estrogen-like activity. The primary emphasis for potential adverse effects re- sulting from exposure to environmental estrogens is on in utero exposure because such ex- posure can occur during critical periods of organogenesis. Assessment of biological plausi- bility can be based, in part, on the extensive data on the effects of diethylstilbestrol (DES). The available evidence is too limited to judge with any confidence whether sperm counts have declined during the past 50 years. Based on both animal and human data with DES, it is biologically plausible that in utero exposures to exogenous estrogenic compounds are ca- pable of reducing sperm production in adult men. However, the apparent existence of a ma- ternal dose threshold for DES-induced effects on sperm counts undermines the likelihood that environmental estrogens, which are substantially less potent, are capable of causing similar effects.
Imaging evaluation of sinusitis: diagnostic performance and impact on health outcome

Prevalence of sinusitis Sinusitis is a highly prevalent disease, affecting 33 million Americans [1]. The prevalence of sinusitis has increased in the last decade because of increased pollution and resistance to antibiotics. Approximately 14% of Americans claim to have had a previous diagnosis of sinusitis [2]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that chronic sinusitis is the most common chronic condition for people younger than 45 years old and, after hypertension, the second most common chronic condition for people aged between 45 and 65 years old. The prevalence of sinusitis among children is even higher than adults and may be as high as 32% in young children [3–5]. Men and women are equally affected. Sinusitis is more common in the Midwest and the South, compared with the East and West Coasts. Sinusitis is classified as acute, subacute, and chronic, based on the duration of the illness. Acute sinusitis refers to sinusitis symptoms lasting fewer than 4 weeks, and chronic sinusitis refers to sinusitis lasting more than 12 weeks. Subacute sinusitis falls in between these two classifications. The causes of sinusitis include infection (eg, bacterial, viral, and fungal) and allergy. Among the bacterial infections, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Hemophilus influenzae are two common organisms, and other anaerobic bacteria account for another 10% of cases, which are usually of dental origin. For the viral sinusitis, rhinoviruses, influenza, and parainfluenza viruses also invade the sinuses and potentially lead to secondary bacterial infection [6].
Pathogenesis of Endocrine Abnormalities in Uremia

AVARIETY of endocrine and metabolic abnormalities are associated with end stage renal disease (1, 2). These disorders can occur despite effective dialysis and adequate biochemical control and respond only to successful transplantation. Since uremic endocrinopathies interfere with the patient's quality of life and rehabilitation potential and, in some instances, may affect adversely long term survival (3), information about their pathogenesis is of prime practical importance. This article discusses the pathogenetic mechanisms of endocrine disorders in uremia, listing examples of specific hormonal changes associated with each alteration. The reader is also referred to recent reviews where endocrine changes in renal disease are listed separately for each hormone (1, 2). Endocrine disorders result either from altered concentrations of active hormone arriving at the target tissue, or from aberrant responses of the end organ to appropriate hormonal levels. In principle, this pathogenetic classification also hol...
Basic Stuff in the Pool

(1987). Basic Stuff in the Pool. Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & Dance: Vol. 58, No. 7, pp. 32-36.
It is time to reevaluate the management of patients with brain metastases.

Abstract There are many elements to the science that drives the clinical care of patients with brain metastases. Although part of an understanding that continues to evolve, a number of key historical misconceptions remain that commonly drive physicians' and researchers' attitudes and approaches. By understanding how these relate to current practice, we can better comprehend our available science to provide both better research and care. These past misconceptions include: Misconception 1: Once a primary cancer spreads to the brain, the histology of that primary tumor does not have much impact on response to chemotherapy, sensitivity to radiation, risk of further brain relapse, development of additional metastatic lesions, or survival. All tumor primary histologies are the same once they spread to the brain. They are the same in terms of the number of tumors, radiosensitivity, chemoresponsiveness, risk of further brain relapse, and survival. Misconception 2: The number of brain metastases matters. This number matters in terms of subsequent brain relapse, survival, and cognitive dysfunction; the precise number of metastases can also be used as a limit in determining which patients might be eligible for a particular treatment option. Misconception 3: Cancer in the brain is always a diffuse problem due to the presence of micrometastases. Misconception 4: Whole-brain radiation therapy invariably causes disabling cognitive dysfunction if a patient lives long enough. Misconception 5: Most brain metastases are symptomatic. Thus, it is not worth screening patients for brain metastases, especially because the impact on survival is minimal. The conduct and findings of past clinical research have led to conceptions that affect clinical care yet appear limiting.
Matrix element analysis of the outer and first inner group decays in 140La

Abstract Existing quasiparticle wave functions for 140 La and 140 Ce have been used to compute the co-ordinate type β-decay matrix elements for the outer and first inner groups in 140 La. The experimental data has been analyzed with these matrix elements to obtain values for the relativistic matrix element ƒα. While the exact values of the matrix elements are extremely sensitive to the amplitudes of the components in the wave functions, a comparison of the results for the two groups shows the matrix elements for the 3 − (β)2 + transition to be 5–10 times smaller than those for the 3 − (β)4 + transition. Also, the correction term to the Fujita result for Λ = ƒα/ƒr proposed by Damgaard and Winther has been calculated, but this term still does not explain the discrepancy between the theoretical value for Λ and that obtained experimentally.
Teaching Planning Students About Strategizing, Boundary Spanning and Ethics: Part of the New Planning Theory

Recent interest in new planning theory has taken a turn toward a more normative, prescriptive action theory of planning, one that addresses how professional planners should act in pursuit of planned change to achieve greater effectiveness. This paper discusses how one planning educator— who has had 30 years of planning experience; half of it most recently in the Academy — weaves together three divergent strands of an action theory of planning in the classroom in attempting to lay the groundwork for students to become better strategists, boundary spanners and ethicists. The paper relates knowledge to pedagogy and includes a discussion of course content and instructional methods for the three courses that focus on these three roles for planners. The unifying thread connecting these divergent strands is a concern for educating students to be more effective in practice.
Effects of wavelength-dependent fluence attenuation on the noninvasive photoacoustic imaging of hemoglobin oxygen saturation in subcutaneous vasculature in vivo

Due to wavelength-dependent optical attenuation in the skin, the local fluence at a subcutaneous vessel varies with the optical wavelength in a spectral measurement. Hence compensation for such a spectral attenuation is necessary in quantitative measurements of the oxygen saturation of hemoglobin (sO2) in blood vessels in vivo using photoacoustic (PA)imaging. Here, by employing a simplified double-layer skin model, we find that although the absolute value of sO2 in a vessel is seriously affected by the volume fraction of blood and the spatially averaged sO2 in the dermis, the difference of sO2 between neighboring vessels is minimally affected. Based on in vivo experiments, we demonstrate that the difference in sO2 between a typical artery and a typical vein is conserved before and after an experimentally acquired spectral compensation. This conservation holds regardless of the animal's systemic physiological state.© (2008) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Minimum weight design of circular plates under arbitrary loading

Das Dimensionierungsverfahren vonDrucker undShield [1, 2] wurde kurzlich auf die Dimensionierung rotationssymmetrisch belasteter Kreisplatten fur Mindestgewicht angewandt [3], wobei sowohl gelenkig gestutzte als auch eingespannte Sandwichplatten betrachtet wurden. In der vorliegenden Arbeit werden diese Untersuchungen auf kreisformige Sandwichplatten unter nicht rotationssymmetrischer Belastung ausgedehnt. Es zeigt sich, dass auch fur solche Lasten der Dimensionierung fur Mindestgewicht diejenigen Verformungszustande zugrunde gelegt werden konne, welche schon zur Losung der entsprechenden Aufgabe bei rotationssymmetrischer Belastung konstruiert wurden. Fur Belastung einer gelenkig gestutzten oder eingespannten Kreisplatte durch eine Einzellast mit beliebigem Angriffspunkt werden explizite Dimensionierungsformeln gewonnen, fur beliebig verteilte Belastung werden Integraldarstellungen der optimalen Dimensionierung gegeben.
Angular dependences of the thermodynamic and electromagnetic properties of the high-T c superconductors in the mixed state

The dependence upon the applied field {bold H} of the Gibbs free energy difference {Delta}{ital G} between the mixed and normal states of a high-{kappa} anisotropic type-II superconductor is examined; {Delta}{ital G} is found to be a function only of the reduced field {ital h}={ital H}/{ital H}{sub {ital c}2}({theta},{phi}) for {ital H}{much gt}{ital H}{sub {ital c}1}. Other thermodynamic quantities such as the magnetization and specific heat show similar behaviors. The same scaling property can also be observed for the magnetoresistivity, critical current density, and flux-line-lattice melting temperature of the high-{ital T}{sub {ital c}} superconductors.
Gastrointestinal parasites of the eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) in central Pennsylvania.

During a 3 year period, 186 eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus) were trapped from two areas and examined for helminth and protozoan parasites. Fecal samples from 139 were evaluated for coccidia and helminth ova. Nine species of coccidia were identified: Eimera audubonii, E. azul, E. environ, E. honessi, E. maior, E. minima, E. neoirresidua, E. neoleporis, and E. sylvilagi. Ova from 5 helminth species were found: Cittotaenia sp., Hasstilesia tricolor, Passalurus sp., a trichostrongyle-type nematode species, and Trichuris sp. Five helminths were recovered from stomachs and small intestines: Cittotaenia sp. H. tricolor, Obeliscoides cuniculi, Passalurus ambiguus, and Trichostrongylus calcaratus.
Experimental SGEMP Results Using Electron Beam Injection

This paper presents results from a SGEMP/IEMP phenomenological experiment designed to explore the behavior of an axially injected electron beam Within a cylindrical test chamber, Data on two different injected beams characterized by mean electron energies of 40 and 60 keV and pulse durations of approximately 80 and 30 nsecs full width at half maximum (FWHM) respectively are presented. These data include internal local magnetic fields, transmitted current and transmitted current distributions, localized wall segment currents and radial current densities as a function of pressure. The pressure range extends from -1? to over 10 torr.
The Effect of Fox News and CNN's Postdebate Commentator Analysis on Viewers' Perceptions of Presidential Candidate Performance

Television news coverage following a presidential debate often presents the debate as a contest between winners and losers by employing a horse race paradigm. The use of this paradigm can help viewers form their assessments of the candidates’ performances, but its overuse can limit serious campaign discourse on the issues. This study examines the effect of postdebate analysis by two cable news networks on the perceived outcome of a 2004 presidential debate and the perceptions of the candidates, finding perceptions of the outcome differing between viewers of the two networks. This finding contributes to our understanding of viewer interaction with postdebate television coverage by focusing on the importance of the sources of information.
The discriminative stimulus properties of 2,5-dimethoxy-4-methylamphetamine (DOM): differentiation from amphetamine.

Rats were trained in a two-lever operant procedure to discriminate either 1.0 mg/kg(+)amphetamine or 1.5 mg/kg DOM from saline. Rats trained to discriminate DOM from saline showed generalization with the DOM training condition when tested with mescaline or 2,5-dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine (DOET), but not when tested with (+)amphetamine or methylphenidate. Both isomers of DOM generalized with racemic training compound, the (-)isomer being more potent. The DOM stimulus was completely blocked by the serotonin (5-HT) antagonists cinanserin and methysergide, but not by the peripheral 5-HT antagonist xylamidine nor the dopamine antagonist haloperidol. Rats trained to discriminate (+)amphetamine from saline generalized with the amphetamine training condition when tested with methylphenidate but not when tested with mescaline, DOET, racemic DOM, or either isomer of DOM. The amphetamine stimulus was blocked by pretreatment with haloperidol but not by cinanserin, methysergide, or xylamidine. The results show that, despite their structural similarity, amphetamine and DOM induce pharmacologically distinct stimuli.
Quantum time-dependent study of the scattering of He by H2(B 1Σ+u)

Abstract A quantum time-dependent treatment of the He + H2 (B 1Σ+u) encounter provides new insight on the dynamics of the system. Time-resolved product distributions of electronic quenching to the ground state and vibrational energy transfer probabilities for the excited electronic state are obtained for a fixed-collision-angle model. The formation and evolution of an intermediate complex on the excited potential energy surface is found to govern the dynamics of formation of the products.
Intelligence test performance of Indian children as a function of type of test and age.

The systematic effect of environment on intelligence tesc performance makes it difficult to obtain unbiased estimates of intellectual capacity. Even seemingly universal tasks such as the drawing of a human figure have proven susceptible to cultural bias (Anastasi, 1960a, Chs. 8, 9; 1960b, Ch. 8; Goodenough & Harris, 1950; McCarthy, 1944). In the absence of culture-free tests, accurate estimates of intellectual capacity depend on knowledge of the effects of particular environments. Relatively little adjustment for environment is necessary prior to school age. At later ages performance may vary widely with S's background, particularly on language tests (Anastasi, 1960a, Chs. 6, 8). The present paper reports observations made on a culturally isolated group of Fox Indian children. Measures of intelligence were obtained from school children of different ages using tests which employed language, nonlanguage, and drawing tasks. The performance of Indian groups exceeds rhe general norms on drawing tests (Havighurst & Gunther, 1946), equals the norms on non-language tests, and is below the norm on language tests (Havighursr & Hilkevitch, 1944; Jameison & Sandiford, 1928). Wheeler ( 1942) reported that the intellectual performance of Tennessee mountain children, who show a tesc pattern similar to that of Indians, approaches the national norm with increasing time in school. It was expected that the present study would confirm the past findings and extend them in the following manner. (a) At the earliest school age language performance (as expressed in IQ equivalents) would be below average, and both non-language and drawing IQs would be average or above; (b) the average IQs of all tests would approach the general norms when older groups were measured; and (c) measures of more specific factors of intellect would follow a pattern similar to that for the IQs. PROCEDURE Stlbjects.-Ss were Fox Indian children from the Tama reservation in central Iowa. 36 Ss were randomly selected from the reservation school roster of 86 children. There were 6 boys and 6 girls from each of three age groups which conformed to a 2-yr. classroom arrangement as follows: (a) Group I (Grades 1 and 2) had a mean age of 7 yr., 3 mo. with a range of 6 yr., 5 mo. to 8 yr., 2 mo.; (b) Group I1 (Grades 3 and 4) had a mean age of 9 yr., 6 mo. and a range of 8 yr., 5 mo. to 10 yr., 7 mo.; and (c) Group 111 (Grades 5 and 6) had a mean age of 11 yr., 9 mo. and a range of 10 yr., 9 mo. to 12 yr., 9 mo.
Cloning of a rat cDNA encoding a novel LIM domain protein with high homology to rat RIL.

A complementary DNA (1392 bp) encoding a protein with high homology to rat reversion-induced LIM (RIL) protein was cloned from rat hepatocytes by differential screening of a subtractive (normoxic minus hypoxic) λGEM-2 cDNA library. This cDNA clone, denoted CLP-36, encodes a 327-amino-acid (aa) protein that contained a restrictively conserved LIM (a Cys-rich domain with consensus aa sequence C-X2-C-X17-19-H-X2-C-X2-C-X2-C-X16-20-C-X2-C/ H/D that was initially identified in homeodomain proteins, Lin-11 [Freyd et al., Nature 344 (1990) 876-879], Isl-1 [Karlsson et al., Nature 344 (1990) 879-882] and Mec-3 [Way et al., Cell 54 (1988) 5-16] in the C-terminal portion (aa 192-327). It shared an overall 45.1% identity to a rat LIM domain RIL protein [Kiess et al., Oncogene 10 (1995) 61-68], with 62.0% identity in the N terminus (aa 1-89) and 50.0% identity in the C terminus (aa 188-327). The rat CLP-36 mRNA is expressed most abundantly in heart, lung and liver, moderately in spleen and skeletal muscle, and at extremely low levels (if at all) in testis and brain tissues. Northern blotting analysis of total RNA extracted from normoxic or hypoxic rat hepatocytes, with a fragment of clone CLP-36 as probe, demonstrated a single band with a mobility corresponding to a size of 1.4 kb, whose level was significantly decreased during chemical hypoxia.
Online social networking and office environmental factors that affect worker productivity

This paper uses applied research based on the users and gratification theory to explore the positive impacts that virtual social networking has on knowledge-based office productivity. Based on an empirically-based study on lower to mid-level managers, if was found that were relatively low levels of acceptance among employees (including management) that engaging in meaningful, value-adding activities social networking sites within workplace was productive, if not properly supervised. There were considerable agreement among management about the positive influence of social networking on employee productivity, especially on layout and shared workspaces. Positive predictive relationships were found on productivity based on effective use of innovative technologies, such as social networking sites, work assignments involving communication technologies motivate employees to be more efficient and effective, and employee satisfaction with increased access to communication technologies improves productivity. Other factors that were successfully moderated by online social networking included challenging work tasks that involve greater understanding of communication technologies increase productivity, routine work tasks that can be standardised increase productivity, and office layout positively affects worker productivity, even if current office layout was not ideal.
Exposure to successful women: Antidote to sex discrimination in applicant screening decisions?

Abstract This research is designed to examine the proposition that exposure to the successes of women in traditionally male occupations will mitigate against subsequent sex bias in selection decisions. Prior to making initial screening decisions about a male or female applicant for a traditionally male job, i.e., finance manager trainee, 147 college students read an editorial documenting the successful performance of an individual woman or a group of women employed in a nontraditional job that either was or was not related to the job about which the personnel recommendations were to be made. A neutral information group read an editorial unrelated to women or work. As predicted, the discrepant ratings of male and female applicants in the neutral baseline condition were significantly reduced only when the information presented concerned a group of women and there also was a direct connection between the occupation in which they were successful and the occupation for which the screening decision was being made. Additional analyses supported the idea that this effect was due to the lessening of the stereotypie attributes used to characterize the female applicants. These results suggest that although exposure to successful women in heretofore male dominated occupations can reduce sex bias in personnel selection decisions, the conditions under which this is likely to occur are very limited. The implications of these results, both theoretical and practical, are discussed.
Is Stress Measured in Joules

It is difficult to control, measure, calculate, reason, and write scientifically about an abstraction that lacks a generally accepted empirical definition, has no physical units of measure, and res...
Site-specific cleavage of human chromosome 4 mediated by triple-helix formation

Direct physical isolation of specific DNA segments from the human genome is a necessary goal in human genetics. For testing whether triple-helix mediated enzymatic cleavage can liberate a specific segment of a human chromosome, the tip of human chromosome 4, which contains the entire candidate region for the Huntington's disease gene, was chosen as a target. A 16-base pyrimidine oligodeoxyribonucleotide was able to locate a 16-base pair purine target site within more than 10 gigabase pairs of genomic DNA and mediate the exact enzymatic cleavage at that site in more than 80 percent yield. The recognition motif is sufficiently generalizable that most cosmids should contain a sequence targetable by triple-helix formation. This method may facilitate the orchestrated dissection of human chromosomes from normal and affected individuals into megabase sized fragments and facilitate the isolation of candidate gene loci.
A technique for chronic intragastric drug administration in the rat

Abstract An improved method for chronic intragastric delivery of drug solutions in the rat is described. The cannula can be easily constructed while the implantation is a simple and a problem-free procedure. Animals suffered no ill effects and resumed normal weight gain profiles after the operation. Since this is a direct stomach cannulation technique, the problems associated with the nasopharyngeal method are avoided. The cannula was tested by administering methadone and observing the characteristic depression of operant responding for food reinforcement. Using the cumulative records, it was possible to detect the onset of drug effect which was found to be about 10 minutes. The cannula is relatively durable and has remained patent in some animals for as long as 10 months without maintenance.
Accuracy, precision, and economic efficiency for three methods of thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) population density assessment.

Western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a major horticultural pest and an important vector of plant viruses in many parts of the world. Methods for assessing thrips population density for pest management decision support are often inaccurate or imprecise due to thrips' positive thigmotaxis, small size, and naturally aggregated populations. Two established methods, flower tapping and an alcohol wash, were compared with a novel method, plant desiccation coupled with passive trapping, using accuracy, precision and economic efficiency as comparative variables. Observed accuracy was statistically similar and low (37.8– 53.6%) for all three methods. Flower tapping was the least expensive method, in terms of person-hours, whereas the alcohol wash method was the most expensive. Precision, expressed by relative variation, depended on location within the greenhouse, location on greenhouse benches, and the sampling week, but it was generally highest for the flower tapping and desiccation methods. Economic efficiency, expressed by relative net precision, was highest for the flower tapping method and lowest for the alcohol wash method. Advantages and disadvantages are discussed for all three methods used. If relative density assessment methods such as these can all be assumed to accurately estimate a constant proportion of absolute density, then high precision becomes the methodological goal in terms of measuring insect population density, decision making for pest management, and pesticide efficacy assessments.
Palaeoclimate: Tahitian record suggests Antarctic collapse

The exact origin, timing and amplitude of a rapid period of sea-level rise known as meltwater pulse 1A, about 14,500 years ago, have remained unclear. An analysis of coral samples from Tahiti delivers some answers. See Article p.559 A rapid sea-level rise occurred towards the end of the last ice age, during an event known as meltwater pulse 1A. The precise magnitude and timing of the event have remained obscure, rendering the climate forcings and consequent ice-sheet responses unclear. Pierre Deschamps and colleagues now report the results of a major coral-drilling programme in Tahiti, and establish that meltwater pulse 1A took place between 14,650 and 14,310 years ago, coincident with a warming spike. Sea levels rose by between 14 and 18 metres. Such a large rise suggests that ice-sheet collapse in Antarctica may have contributed to these changes, previously a point of much contention.
Robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: ready to be counted?

In the current issue of European Urology, Tewari et al. [1] present a remarkable systematic review examining perioperative outcomes and margin rates of open radical prostatectomy (ORP), laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (LRP), and robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). They found that the rate of adverse events was lower with RARP than with ORP or LRP. This is the latest in a growing body of publications that critically examine the comparative effectiveness of different approaches to radical prostatectomy (RP) [2–5]. Since the early proof-of-principle studies in Europe [6,7] and the establishment of the approach as a viable, reproducible surgical tool in the United States [8], robotic surgery has transformed the discipline of urology, and nowhere has its effect been felt more than in the technique of RP. In 2001, <200 of the roughly 70 000 patients undergoing RP in the United States underwent RARP. By 2008, nearly two-thirds of patients chose the robotassisted option [2]. The rapidity of this expansion has rivaled that of the Internet and has far exceeded that of laparoscopic nephrectomy, cell phones, or the personal computer [9]. The expansion of this technology did not happen in a controlled, scientific, scholarly manner. The initial adopters of the procedure came from places such as Detroit, Michigan; San Ramon, California; and Birmingham, Alabama (among others). In a gothic interpretation, the expansion of RARP has been attributed to the marketing genius of a monopolistic manufacturer endorsed by overenthusiastic surgeons anxious to secure a competitive advantage [10]. There is some truth to this observation: Surgeons and hospitals have increasingly createdWeb sites, and the information presented there is often uncontrolled, unedited, and unproven [11]. However, patients are undeniably voting with their feet, and robotic surgery
Defect concepts for vector spin glasses

The “order parameter” for describing low-temperature configurations of an m-vector spin glass is an O(m) orthogonal matrix R(x), representing a rotation of one configuration relative to another, which is relatively slowly varying in space. The meaning of a “defect” description of the low-lying metastable states is clarified and the topologically stable defects and textures of R(x) are reviewed. R(x) is generalized to a more general (m × m matrix) order parameter with longitudinal degrees of freedom, which in a hydrodynamic picture are associated with a longitudinal spin-stiffness constant and a spin-configuration “flattening” energy. It is shown that, in the most useful form of the Edwards-Anderson correlation function, the longitudinal fluctuations must be projected out. The relation of “defect” pictures to the phenomenological “two-level system” models and to experiments is discussed. Independent measures of the volume per defect can be derived from (i) the Edwards-Anderson correlation function, and (ii) the number of local minima in large systems. It is noted that in the limit m → ∞, (defect separation) ⪢ (core size) ⪢ (nearest-neighbor distance).
The Founding of the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education

Abstract The Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (hereafter the Mayo Foundation), the precursor to the Mayo School of Graduate Medical Education, was incorporated in 1915. The Mayo Foundation, which was affiliated with the University of Minnesota Graduate School, aimed to establish a higher standard for training medical specialists. Together, the University of Minnesota and the Mayo Foundation pioneered a graduate medical education program that allowed residents to earn master's and PhD degrees in clinical medicine and surgery. Unlike elsewhere in the United States, the residency training program was not pyramidal. (In a pyramidal residency program, each training year, some residents are systematically eliminated to reduce the number of more senior trainees.) All those who started the Mayo Foundation residency program had an opportunity to finish depending on their own merits. Louis B. Wilson, the first director of the Mayo Foundation, became a major figure in graduate medical education in the 1920s and 1930s. Although the granting of graduate degrees in medicine and surgery stopped over time, Mayo Clinic ultimately became the largest site of graduate medical education in the world.
PEG-covered lipid surfaces: bilayers and monolayers.

Abstract In this review paper we survey the ways in which various micropipet techniques have been used to study the mechanochemical and interactive features of lipid bilayer vesicles and monolayer-coated gas bubbles. Special emphasis will be made on characterizing the barrier properties of grafted PEG layers and how a hierarchical approach that uses a short barrier and extended ligand allows us to start to mimic nature's own solution to the problem of ubiquitous repulsion and specific attraction. The information gained from such studies not only characterizes the membrane and other lipid surfaces and their intersurface interactions from a fundamental materials science perspective, but also provides essential materials property data that are required for the successful design and deployment of lipid-based carriers and other capsules in applications involving this so-called ‘stealthy’ surface.
Cross-linking of Enzymes to Nylon Using bis-O-Tosylates of Diols, Glycols, and Sugars

L'immobilisation d'enzymes sur des fibres de Nylon necessite la presence d'un intermediaire, assurant la liaison de l'un sur l'autre. Des mono et di-saccharides sont les agents de couplages choisis, auxquels il faut faire subir une tosylation pour qu'ils puissent accomplir leur role de reticulation. Le rendement de cette modification chimique est calcule pour chaque sucre, ainsi que celui de l'immobilisation de l'urease sur du nylon, a l'aide de ces differents agents
Use of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 Inhibitors for the Treatment of Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease

Choices of antidiabetic agents for patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and chronic kidney disease (CKD) are limited. Available data suggest that the use of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors may be safe in patients at various stages of renal insufficiency. However, except for linagliptin, dosage adjustment is necessary. The efficacy of DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with renal insufficiency is generally similar to that of the general population with T2DM, with reductions in mean glycated hemoglobin (HbA(1c)) levels of 0.7% to 1.0% compared with baseline, and 0.4% to 0.7% compared with placebo. The frequency of moderate hypoglycemia is 21% to 80% higher with DPP-4 inhibitors compared with placebo, but the frequency of severe hypoglycemia is similar to that with placebo. The use of DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with renal insufficiency is associated with a slight weight loss of < 1 kg. Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors may be used as monotherapy in patients with CKD and HbA1c levels < 8.5% as an alternative to insulin, glipizide, or pioglitazone. They can also be used as add-on therapy to glipizide and/or pioglitazone in patients with HbA(1c) levels < 9%, but studies are needed to evaluate these combinations in patients with renal insufficiency. Long-term and large-scale clinical trials are underway to better determine the safety and efficacy of DPP-4 inhibitors in patients with T2DM with and without CKD.
ON THE DETERMINATION OF OPTIMAL POWER BALANCE AMONG THE UNITS OF A PRODUCTION SYSTEM

SUMMARY Optimal power balance in complex systems such as natural gas refineries has been studied by Gignoux, Littauer & Starr for a model of interconnected units whose energy consumption or production is constant and where the system's power requirements fluctuate owing to failure of various units. In the present paper the distribution functions of power requirements are obtained for a similar discrete model and also for a continuous model where the quantities of power consumed or produced are themselves random variables. The optimal balance between power self generated and power purchased from an outside source is derived by application of the distribution functions and illustrated by a numerical example. The method is general and applicable to other systems of power generation.
Inactivation of nuclear Wnt-β-catenin signaling limits blastocyst competency for implantation

The activation of the blastocyst, a process by which it gains competency to attach with the receptive uterus, is a prerequisite for successful implantation. However, the molecular basis of blastocyst activation remains largely unexplored. Combining molecular, pharmacological and physiological approaches, we show here that silencing of Wnt-beta-catenin signaling in mice does not adversely affect the development of preimplantation embryos to blastocysts and uterine preparation for receptivity, but, remarkably, blocks blastocyst competency to implantation. Using the physiologically relevant delayed implantation model and trophoblast stem cells in culture, we further demonstrate that a coordinated activation of canonical Wnt-beta-catenin signaling with attenuation of the non-canonical Wnt-RhoA signaling pathway ensures blastocyst competency to implantation. These findings constitute novel evidence that Wnt signaling is at least one pathway that determines blastocyst competency for implantation.
Dairy Versus Calcium Carbonate in Promoting Peak Bone Mass and Bone Maintenance During Subsequent Calcium Deficiency

Dairy products provide most of the calcium in the diet, but consumption of milk has declined steadily over the last six decades. We determined (1) benefits to bone formation in growing female Sprague-Dawley rats when calcium is derived from dairy versus CaCO(3) and (2) residual benefits of calcium provided by dairy to rats subsequently receiving a low-calcium diet. During growth, femurs from rats fed nonfat dry milk solids (NFDM) had 8.4% higher peak breaking force, 6.4% greater Ca content, 4.8% greater weight, 4% greater width, 1.2% greater density, 13.1% greater midshaft cortical thickness, and 16.7% greater midshaft cortical area than from rats fed CaCO(3). These effects were unrelated to differences in calcium absorption or serum IGF-1, but the NFDM group had higher rates of bone formation. If maintained on an adequate calcium diet, many of these advantages disappeared. However, rats fed adequate Ca as NFDM versus CaCO(3) during growth and subsequently switched to deficient Ca as CaCO(3) had significantly (p < 0.0001) higher femoral BMD (1.3%), total bone Ca (7.2%), Ca concentration (4.6%), and cortical thickness (9.4%) and a trend (p = 0.02) toward greater peak breaking force (17%). Thus, NFDMs improved bone measures during growth and protected bone against a subsequent period of calcium depletion compared with CaCO(3).
Structural changes of bacteriophage φ29 upon DNA packaging and release

Cryo-electron microscopy three-dimensional reconstructions have been made of mature and of emptied bacteriophage phi29 particles without making symmetry assumptions. Comparisons of these structures with each other and with the phi29 prohead indicate how conformational changes might initiate successive steps of assembly and infection. The 12 adsorption capable 'appendages' were found to have a structure homologous to the bacteriophage P22 tailspikes. Two of the appendages are extended radially outwards, away from the long axis of the virus, whereas the others are around and parallel to the phage axis. The appendage orientations are correlated with the symmetry-mismatched positions of the five-fold related head fibers, suggesting a mechanism for partial cell wall digestion upon rotation of the head about the tail when initiating infection. The narrow end of the head-tail connector is expanded in the mature virus. Gene product 3, bound to the 5' ends of the genome, appears to be positioned within the expanded connector, which may potentiate the release of DNA-packaging machine components, creating a binding site for attachment of the tail.
A method for differentially coherent detection of OFDM signals on Doppler-distorted channels

Doppler distortion causes inter-carrier interference which prevents the use of differentially coherent detection in OFDM systems. To recover this efficient detection method, we propose to use several FFT demodulators operating in parallel over non-overlapping time segments, and to combine their outputs prior to detection. This technique aims for efficient implementation of front-end matched filtering, followed by differential MMSE combining. A low complexity algorithm is proposed for recursive computation of combiner weights, and its gain over the conventional detector is quantified through numerical examples of an underwater acoustic channel with severe Doppler distortion.
Geophysical characterization of karst landscapes in Kentucky as modern analogs for paleokarst reservoirs

AbstractSubsurface interpretation of paleokarst reservoirs is greatly aided by 3D seismic and other modern modeling tools and the inherent complexity of productive reservoirs requires an understanding of reservoir heterogeneities and compartmentalization. Such complexity also requires a review of karst processes and development, which can be beneficially captured via geophysical characterization of near-surface karst landscape features that certainly equate to our better understanding of high-side oil productive areas. Both electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) and refraction microtremor (ReMi) geophysical surveys at the Green River Preserve adjacent to Mammoth Cave National Park in the Mississippian Ste. Genevieve and Girkin Limestones are providing details of karst features, including horizontal passages, uvulas or karst valleys, sinkholes (dolines), vertical pits or dome caves, and associated karst system infill. Geophysical anomalies include reversals of shear-wave velocities in a domal (pit) cave, ...
Observatons on catalytic dissociation of ammonia at high temperatures and pressures

Influence du type de catalyseur. Effet de la pression sur la valeur de l'energie d'activation
Correlation Between Oxygen Reduction Reaction and Oxidative Dehydrogenation Activities Over Nanostructured Carbon Catalysts

Nitrogen containing nano-structured carbon catalysts were grown on Fe/Al2O3 and Ni/Al2O3 supports using acetonitrile pyrolysis. The post-pyrolysis samples were tested for activity in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxidative dehydrogenation (ODH) reaction. Samples were characterized using BET, XPS and TEM. The samples grown over iron containing supports gave the highest activity in both reactions. There was a strong correlation between ODH and ORR activity suggesting the possibility of a common active site between reactions with the quinone/hydroquinone group being a possible candidate. XPS analysis supported this hypothesis showing that catalysts with a higher percentage of oxygen in the form of quinones tend to have the highest ORR and ODH activity. XPS analysis also demonstrated that samples with higher pyridinic nitrogen content, which is a marker for edge plane exposure and may be a part of the ORR active site, gave higher ORR and ODH activity. TEM images confirm that samples with high pyridinic nitrogen content tend to form structures with higher edge plane exposure. Because the active site, regardless of its identity, likely lies on the graphitic edge plane, this leaves the possibility that a common active site is not necessary to explain the correlation between ODH and ORR activity. Nitrogen containing, nano-structured carbon catalysts were shown to exhibit a correlation between the activities of oxidative dehydrogenation and electrocatalytic oxygen reduction reactions.