cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SV40 T Antigen Directed by a Powerful Erythroid Enhancer–Promoter Produced Sarcomas and Pancreatic Tumors But Not Erythroid-Specific Tumors in Transgenic Mice

ABSTRACT We have expressed the simian virus 40 (SV40) large T antigen oncogene in erythroid tissues of mice to test its ability to immortilize erythroid cells. A transgene construct was built in which the SV40 large T antigen structural gene was linked to erythroid-specific enhancer and promoter sequences. The enhancer employed was the human β-globin family microlocus control region, and the promoter sequences were derived from the human β-globin promoter. Transgenic mice were generated and they expressed T antigen in the bone marrow and spleen cells. Yet, no hematopoietic neoplasia arose in these mice. Instead, after a lag period of 2–6 months, the mice developed soft tissue sarcomas and pancreatic islet-cell tumors that expressed high levels of T antigen.
Factors Associated With Recruitment and Screening in the Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study (TADS)

Objective: To examine factors associated with eligibility and randomization and consider the efficiency of recruitment methods. Method: Adolescents, ages 12 to 17 years, were telephone screened (N = 2,804) followed by in-person evaluation (N = 1,088) for the Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study. Separate logistic regression models, controlling for site, examined whether sex, age, race, or source of recruitment was associated with eligibility, providing written consent, or randomization. Efficiency was calculated from the number of completed telephone screens per each enrolled participant. Results: Older adolescents were less likely to be eligible at telephone screening (odds ratio [OR] 0.81). Regardless of race, eligible adolescents who were referred by a professional had higher odds of presenting in-person for consent (OR 1.56). African Americans had statistically lower odds of providing consent (OR 0.67), particularly if recruited by advertisement (OR 0.54). Females were more likely to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder (OR 1.69). No significant differences were found between randomized participants and eligible adolescents who withdrew from the study before randomization. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of using multiple strategies to recruit adolescents for clinical trial participation and enhancing sensitivity to cultural variations, especially when reaching out to depressed African Americans. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry, 2007;46(7):801Y810. Key Words: depression, Treatment for Adolescents With Depression Study, recruitment, eligibility.
Cholinesterase activity in blood samples collected from field workers and nonfield workers in California.

Abstract Blood samples (1221) were obtained from workers through cooperating physicians in farm worker health clinics during the growing and harvest season for lettuce, grapes, peaches, and citrus in January, May, July, and September 1975. The blood samples were analyzed for cholinesterase activity using the dual channel Technicon AutoAnalyzer II system. The dual channel system provided for automatic blanking, the use of different buffers for the enzyme (pH 7.7) and color reactions (pH 8.2), and dialyzers to eliminate the interference of blood components with the color reaction. The cholinesterase activity (micromoles of -SH per minute per milliliter) of the red cell was obtained by difference using the activities of whole blood and plasma and the hematocrit of the blood sample. Acetylthiocholine was used as substrate. The mean plasma (8.3) and red cell (27.9) cholinesterase activities of female field workers were not significantly different from those of nonfield workers or field workers who had not worked in the field during the last 30 days. The mean red cell cholinesterase activity (27.7) of male field workers was significantly lower than the red cell activity (29.6) of nonfield workers in 1975 but not different from field workers who had not worked during the last 30 days (27.5) or nonfield workers in 1976 (27.5). The mean plasma cholinesterase activity of male field workers (9.9) was not significantly different from those of nonfield workers (9.4) in 1975 or 1976, whereas field workers who had not worked in the field during the last 30 days had plasma values (8.9) significantly lower than those working. Red cell values of field workers returning for a repeat test were found to increase slightly between the first test and second, although plasma values remained the same.
Environmental mercury release, special education rates, and autism disorder: an ecological study of Texas.

The association between environmentally released mercury, special education and autism rates in Texas was investigated using data from the Texas Education Department and the United States Environmental Protection Agency. A Poisson regression analysis adjusted for school district population size, economic and demographic factors was used. There was a significant increase in the rates of special education students and autism rates associated with increases in environmentally released mercury. On average, for each 1000 lb of environmentally released mercury, there was a 43% increase in the rate of special education services and a 61% increase in the rate of autism. The association between environmentally released mercury and special education rates were fully mediated by increased autism rates. This ecological study suggests the need for further research regarding the association between environmentally released mercury and developmental disorders such as autism. These results have implications for policy planning and cost analysis.
Modeling and classifying color textures using random fields in a random environment

Abstract We present a random environment model for color textures. This model generalizes traditional random field models by allowing the spatial interaction parameters of the field to be random variables. We use this new model to define a compact color feature vector which captures within and between color band information. A set of color textures is used to show that this feature vector contains most of the information in the model. We show experimentally that the new model improves on the performance of multiband Markov fields for texture classification using small samples.
Learning from learning and memory in bumblebees

The difficulty to simultaneously record neural activity and behavior presents a considerable limitation for studying mechanisms of insect learning and memory. The challenge is finding a model suitable for the use of behavioral paradigms under the restrained conditions necessary for neural recording. In honeybees, Pavlovian conditioning relying on the proboscis extension reflex (PER) has been used with great success to study different aspects of insect cognition. However, it is desirable to combine the advantages of the PER with a more robust model that allows simultaneous electrical or optical recording of neural activity. Here, we briefly discuss the potential use of bumblebees as models for the study of learning and memory under restrained conditions. We base our arguments on the well-known cognitive abilities of bumblebees, their social organization and phylogenetic proximity to honeybees, our recent success using Pavlovian conditioning to study learning in two bumblebee species, and on the recently demonstrated robustness of bumblebees under conditions suitable for electrophysiological recording.
DETERMINATION OF SULFUR IN SRM BAUXITE AND SEDIMENT SAMPLES BY ISOTOPE DILUTION THERMAL IONIZATION MASS SPECTROMETRY

The sulfur concentration has been determined in five bauxite and two sediment NIST Standard Reference Materials (SRM) by isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry (ID-TIMS). Two outside laboratories had indicated that the original certified values in the bauxites SRMs were too high by as much as 93 percent. The ID-TIMS determinations reported here confirm that the certified values on all bauxites contained a positive bias. The sulfur concentrations obtained in this study are the following (in μgS/g, dry weight basis): SRM 69b - 2208 ± 25, SRM 696 - 601 ± 8, SRM 697 - 308 ± 7, SRM 698 - 575 ± 16 and SRM 600 - 622 ± 24. The values for the sediment samples are the following (in weight percent sulfur dry weight basis): SRM 2704 - 0.3970 ± 0.0039 and SRM 1941 - 1.717 ± 0.016.
Bringing transparency to physician-industry relationships: what the Physician Payment Sunshine Act will mean for interventional radiologists.

The Physician Patient Sunshine Act of 2010 mandates new disclosure and publication requirements for certain financial relationships between physicians and industry. Sponsored by Senators Charles Grassley (Republican, Iowa) and Herb Kohl (Democrat, Wisconsin), the Physician Patient Sunshine Act is premised on the belief that providing transparency to these relationships will deter quid pro quo dealings between physicians and industry that may contribute to inappropriate use of health care resources and increasing health care costs (1). The tracking and reporting requirements under the law are expected to take effect August 1, 2013, and all physicians, including interventional radiologists, are likely to be affected to some extent. The purpose of this commentary is to provide historical context to this issue, clarify the reporting requirements of the Physician Payment Sunshine Act, and discuss its potential impact on the interventional radiology community and steps that interventional radiologists can take to manage their own public profile vis-a-vis physician-industry relationships and this new law.
Rate of synthesis along replicons of different kinds of mammalian cells

Abstract Estimates were made of the rates of DNA chain growth in five kinds of mammalian cells, using an adaptation of a previously published method (Painter, Jermany & Rasmussen, 1966). These rates vary relatively little from one cell type to another even though the times required for these cells completely to replicate their DNA vary considerably. Therefore, the over-all rate of mammalian cell DNA synthesis appears to be regulated primarily by the number of replicons in operation, and is only slightly, if at all, affected by differences in rate of chain growth along replicons.
Parental Encouragement, Occupation, Education and Family Size: Artifactual or Independent Determinants of Adolescent Educational Expectations?

Studies of adolescent career orientations provide consistent support for the propositions that educational expectations vary positively with the level of parental occupation and education, the frequency of parental educational encouragement, and negatively with family size. Since each of these four variables is intercorrelated it is possible that one or more of the zeroorder associations may be totally or partially artifactual in nature. The use of Rosenberg's test factor standardization technique to generate third-order partials on survey data collected from 2,852 urban high school sophomore males indicates that this is not the case. From the analysis a provisional causal model is constructed. The roles of parental encouragement and of family size in the model receive particular attention.
Revisiting the Relationship between Profitability and Air Carrier Safety in the US Airline Industry

Abstract Studies have examined the link between financial performance and air carrier safety following deregulation, using accident rates as a measure of safety. These studies have relied on limited post-deregulation data. This paper re-examines these trends with extended post-deregulation data. We find that accident rates since 1978, when normalized over departures, have been increasing, raising concerns that the growth in the industry is dominating safety improvements. Further, this study highlights an inverse relationship between profitability and air carrier safety, especially for the smaller regional air carriers. These results raise important policy implications for the airline industry and the regulatory agencies.
Asphaltenes from Coal Tar and Creosote: Their Role in Reversing the Wettability of Aquifer Systems

Abstract The wettability of a subsurface system contaminated by coal tar or creosote is a major determinant of the capillary forces and, hence, the distribution and recoverability of these contaminants. The objective of this paper was to identify mechanisms that control the wetting characteristics of coal tar and creosote in the subsurface. Asphaltenes separated from these nonaqueous phase liquids were mixed with two different aromatic solvents and used in adhesion and atomic force microscopy tests. When asphaltene concentrations were low (
Democratic Progress and Regress: The Effect of Parties on the Transitions of States to and Away from Democracy

This article examines how political parties and party competition affect the likelihood of nations becoming and remaining democracies. While many scholars have long assumed that this is the case, the roles of parties and party competition are indeed affected, such a likelihood has rarely been examined rigorously in cross-national evaluations. In addition to examining the links between parties and political transitions, our analysis controls for other factors purported to have a significant effect on democratization. To test the effects of parties and party competition on the transition to and survival of democracies and autocracies, this article utilizes event history analysis on all countries in political transition between the years of 1950-1992, using three different measures of democracy. Through this multifaceted and unique approach, we are able to demonstrate that across all three measures of democracy, parties do indeed play an important role in causing authoritarian states to transition to democra...
The use of projective techniques in pediatric nursing research from 1984 to 1993

The purpose of this study was to review and analyze the use of projective techniques in published nursing studies in which children were the subjects. A search of the pediatric nursing research literature revealed 27 studies that were published between 1984 and 1993 in which projective techniques were used to investigate children's responses. The research purposes, characteristics of subjects, projective techniques employed and their validity and reliability, data analysis strategies, and major findings of the studies reviewed are analyzed and summarized. Recommendations for the use of projective techniques in research and clinical practice with children are offered.
Note on the cancellation of contaminating noise in the measurement of turbulent wall pressure fluctuations

A method is presented for the cancellation of wide band contaminating noise occurring within internal flow configurations such as rectangular channels and pipes. Facility generated noise within these flow systems contaminates the turbulent wall pressure signature at low frequencies thus preventing the possible extraction of useful information. The proposed methodology utilizes the signals from two flush mounted wall pressure transducers. A first estimate for the one-point spectral density is obtained using a least mean square algorithm. A secondary correction to this estimate is obtained by taking advantage of the planar homogeneity of the turbulence. The application of the technique is demonstrated in a fully developed turbulent channel flow for which a more than 40 dB cancellation is obtained at low frequencies. In this low frequency range, the power spectral density is shown to have an approximate quadratic dependence, substantiating past theoretical predictions reported in the literature.
Reciprocal Emotion Management: Working Together to Maintain Stratification in Private Law Firms

Using qualitative evidence, the concept of reciprocal emotion management is introduced and the role it plays in the reproduction of status inequality in the workplace is illustrated. Reciprocal emotion management is the reciprocal effort of similar others to manage one another's emotions. Three norms that exist in the workplace are also identified: professionalism, deference, and caretaking, and it is proposed that as paralegals strive to appear professional, they display deference to attorneys and accept having deference withheld. Reciprocal emotion management is one mechanism through which they are able to manage their emotional reactions to the status inequity in their daily interactions with attorneys. Ironically, pursuit of professionalism in these ways tends to perpetuate their marginal or inferior status in law firms.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SIZE OF NET USED AND ESTIMATES OF ZOOPLANKTON DIVERSITY1

Previous studies of the efficiency of zooplankton nets of various mouth sizes in estimating abundance do not provide information on the nets’ abilities to obtain samples for estimates of the number of species present or diversity. Further, most of these studies have not discriminated between the effects of patchiness and avoidance. To provide information on these problems, four series of tows were taken with nets of 20-, 40-, 60-, 80-, 100-, and 140-cm mouth diameters. An attempt was made to filter the same volume of water on each tow. All tows were taken while following a drogue which tended to drift with a particular parcel of water. The numbers of species and of individuals per species in each tow were determined for seven taxa. A concordance analysis of these data showed that estimates of both numbers of species and species abundance were smaller with the smaller nets. The smaller nets also yielded less diverse samples. These results can best be interpreted in terms of avoidance.
Implementing a Web-Based Intervention to Train Community Clinicians in an Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: A Pilot Study

Objective:The authors conducted a feasibility assessment of online training plus an online learning collaborative to support implementation of an evidence-based psychosocial treatment in a community mental health system.Methods:Two mental health centers were randomly allocated to in-person training with local supervision, and three were assigned to online training plus an online learning collaborative supported by expert clinicians. Participants (N=36) were clinicians interested in interpersonal and social rhythm therapy (IPSRT), an evidence-based psychotherapy for bipolar disorder. After training, 136 patients reported monthly on the extent to which clinicians used 19 IPSRT techniques.Results:Clinicians from both training groups increased use of IPSRT techniques. Patients of clinicians receiving Internet-supported e-learning and of those receiving in-person training reported comparable clinician use of IPSRT techniques.Conclusions:Internet-supported e-learning by community clinicians was found to be feas...
Perspectives of Organizational Ethics in a Transitioning Political Economy: A Comparison of U.S. and Bulgarian Views

ABSTRACT Do managers and their subordinates in the U.S. differ from their Central European counterparts with respect to their views of ethics? Are the ethical perspectives and expectations of American businesses significantly different from the ethical perspectives and expectations of those involved in Bulgarian commerce? This article presents the main results of a survey of managers and subordinates conducted in two similar sized cities in the U.S. and in Bulgaria. The study reveals that Bulgarian employees significantly differ from their American counterparts in ethics role expectations for managers and subordinates. The findings may indicate that U.S. businessmen should understand the cultural forces defining parameters of ethics before entering positions of risk in emerging capitalistic economies similar to Bulgaria.
Attitudes toward Clothing and Self-Concept of Physically Handicapped and Able-Bodied University Men and Women.

The purposes of this study were to ascertain the extent to which students with physical handicaps have clothing attitudes that differ from able-bodied students, and to investigate the relationship between self-concept and clothing attitudes. Data were collected from 35 handicapped and 76 able- bodied university students. Handicapped students were defined as those who had orthopedic dis abilities and were confined to wheelchairs. The clothing attitude variables were appearance, fash ion, management, comfort, and durability. There were clothing attitude differences between hand icapped and able-bodied students for all variables except appearance. Handicapped students had consistently lower clothing attitude scores on all variables studied. There were significant differ ences between men and women students on all clothing attitude variables regardless of physical condition, with women indicating a more positive attitude on each of the variables. There was not a significant difference in self-concept scores between the handicapped and able-bodied students, nor was a statistically significant relationship identified between the clothing variables and self- concept scores.
A Two-Step Scheme for the Advection Equation with Minimized Dissipation and Dispersion Errors

A two-step advection scheme of the Lax-Wendroff type is derived which has accuracy and phase characteristics similar to that of a third-order scheme. The scheme is exactly third-order accurate in time and space for uniform flow. The new scheme is compared with other currently used methods, and is shown to simulate well the advection of localized disturbances with steep gradients. The scheme is derived for constant flow and generalized to two-dimensional nonuniform flow.
Exploring the promise of resveratrol: where do we go from here?

Resveratrol (3,5,4’-trihydroxystilbene), a plant-derived polyphenol and activator of the mammalian sirtuin, SIRT1, has demonstrated promising effects on glucose metabolism in rodent models (1). However, despite the widespread use of resveratrol as a nutritional supplement and the many health claims made on its behalf, data from human studies are extremely limited. Here, we explore why, in contrast to many studies in mammalian models, the article by Poulsen et al. (2) in this issue of Diabetes reports that chronic high doses of resveratrol have no demonstrable metabolic effects. Interest in resveratrol has skyrocketed in recent years, initially from its association with the health benefits of red wine (the “French paradox”) and its in vitro anticancer activity (3). Subsequent reports demonstrated that it activates sirtuins and extends the life span of lower organisms (“calorie restriction mimetic”), including rodents (4). Studies in vitro show that resveratrol enhances insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, liver, and adipocytes (5,6) and stimulates insulin secretion via inhibition of β-cell KATP channels (7). These observations have been confirmed in vivo in several animal models, including aging, diet-induced obesity, and diabetic ( db / db ) mice (4,8–10). Importantly, key metabolic effects of resveratrol can be monitored in relevant tissues (muscle, fat, and liver), thus providing critical insight into mechanisms. These effects include increased mitochondrial biogenesis and oxidative …
The application of siderophores for metal recovery and waste remediation: examination of correlations for prediction of metal affinities

The naturally occurring metal-chelating compounds known as siderophores may be useful in environmental applications, but limited metal specificity data is available for this class of compounds. Correlations that predict ligand–metal affinity vs metal ion charge density and hydrolysis behavior are applied to the case of the siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFB). DFB–metal complex formation constants are better correlated to the first hydrolysis constant of the respective metal cations than to the ratio of charge to metal–ligand interatomic separation. Test cases of PbII, SnII and BiIII confirm this conclusion.
Exploring the Literature on Relationships Between Gender Roles, Intimate Partner Violence, Occupational Status, and Organizational Benefits

Studies of intimate partner violence (IPV) and work have been primarily conducted with women in low-wage low-status (LWLS) positions, as much of this research has focused on poverty, welfare, and homelessness. Although women in LWLS positions represent a large percentage of working women in the United States, it is also important to investigate experiences of women in high-wage high-status (HWHS) positions because a growing number of women are employed within such jobs. We propose gender role theory can be used to explain occurrences of IPV among women in HWHS positions and their utilization of organizational benefits. We suggest those in HWHS positions may be likely to have access to organizational benefits (e.g., medical, vacation, and flexible work schedules) and the ability to utilize the Family and Medical Leave Act. However, prevailing gender roles existing in organizations may render women in HWHS positions unlikely to use benefits or to take leave.
Development of a selective post-column detector for phenols separated by high-performance liquid chromatography

SUMMARY An on-line post-column reactor based on air-segmented continuous flow is described for the determination of phenols. The reaction used is the coupling of diazotized sulfanilic acid with phenols to form highly colored azo dyes. The effect of experimental parameters on the detector response was investigated by both univariate and simplex approaches in order to establish optimum reaction conditions. The aqueous reaction system is compatible with common reverse-phase solvents. The detection limit for phenol with the derivatization detector (71 Irg 1-l) shows a Is-fold improvement over U.V. detection of the underivatized phenol. Imprecision, based on multiple injections of sample into the HPLC system and measurement of the peak heights, is *0.64% (RSD). The technique is applied to the determination of phenols added to river water and present in residual fuel oil samples. A limitation encountered in modern liquid chromatography is the lack of sensitive and specific detectors in applications involving complex samples. Conventional high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) detectors, such as ultraviolet (u.v.) absorption and refractive index detectors, often lack the selectivity and sensitivity required for such samples. Fluorescence and electrochemical detectors can be more selective and sensitive, but they are not as widely applicable. These techniques can be susceptible to such interferences as quenching and changes in mobile-phase composition. The problems mentioned above can be circumvented by reaction of the analytes to form derivatives with different and/or enhanced characteristics. The popularity of chemical-derivatization techniques in chromatography has increased considerably in the past decade, as reflected by the number of reviews assessing the current status of chemical reactor detectors in liquid chromatography [ l-l 31 and publications reporting new applications. This rapid growth is partially due to the abundance of applicable selective reactions [ 14-191. Among these are the reactions for phenols, most of which have not been investigated for potential use in post-column reactor (PCR) detectors. The majority of these reactions yield products that can be detected spectrophotometrically. The reaction used in this work involves coupling between a phenol ( Ar’OH) and a diazotized aromatic amine (ArNlCl-) to form an azo dye [20-221.
The efficiency of a recoil proton monitor

Abstract The calculated efficiency is given for a recoil proton monitor. The efficiency has been calculated for several neutron energies and for different values of the geometric parameters of the telescope. The n-p scattering data of Hopkins and Breit and relativistic transformations from the center of mass to the laboratory system have been used in the calculations.
Spectrum analysis techniques for personnel detection using seismic sensors

There is a general need for improved detection range and false alarm performance for seismic sensors used for personnel detection. In this paper we describe a novel footstep detection algorithm which was developed and run on seismic footstep data collected at the Aberdeen Proving Ground in December 2000. The initial focus was an assessment of achievable detection range. The conventional approach to footstep detection is to detect transients corresponding to individual footfalls. We feel this is an error-prone approach. Because many real-world signals unrelated to human locomotion look like transients, transient-based footstep detection will inevitably either suffer from high false alarm rates or will be insensitive. Instead, we examined the use of spectrum analysis on envelope-detected seismic signals and have found the general method to be quite promising, not only for detection, but also for discrimination against other types of seismic sources. In particular, gait patterns and their corresponding signatures may help discriminate between human intruders and animals. In the APG data set, mean detection ranges of 64 meters (at PD=50%) were observed for normal walking, significantly improving on ranges previously reported. For running, mean detection ranges of 84 meters were observed. However, stealthy walking (creeping) remains a considerable problem. Even at short ranges (10 meters), in some cases the detection rate was less than 50%. In future efforts, additional data sets for a range of geologic and environmental conditions should be acquired and analyzed. Improvements to the detection algorithms are possible, including estimation of direction of travel and the number of intruders.
ALI A. MAZRUI & ALAMIN M. MAZRUI, The power of Babel: Language and governance in the African experience . Chicago: University of Chicago Press; Oxford: James Currey; Kampala: Fountain Publishers; Nairobi: East African Educational Publishers; Cape Town: David Philip, 1998. Pp. xii, 228. Hb $40.00, pb $15.25.

To understand this book, a little background information helps. I first encountered Ali Mazrui in 1968–70 when I was the first lecturer in linguistics at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda; Mazrui, a member of the political science faculty, was already a famous orator, acknowledged by all as possessing “a golden tongue.” Since then, he has gone on to become probably the most famous African studies professor in the United States; he was the presenter of the nine-part BBC/PBS television series The Africans: A triple heritage, and he is the author of many books and articles on Africa. He has taught at many universities around the world, and is now director of the Institute of Global Cultural Studies and Albert Schweitzer Professor in the Humanities at the State University of New York at Binghamton. His junior co-author (a relative?), Alamin M. Mazrui, was trained as a linguist and is an associate professor of Black studies at Ohio State University. Both are native speakers of Swahili from Mombasa, Kenya (they prefer to refer to the language as Kiswahili, with its noun class prefix, as it would be if one were speaking the language itself). Kiswahili, of course, is probably the best-known African language; many people in East Africa and other areas (e.g. the Democratic Republic of Congo) speak it as a second language. Furthermore, it is one of the few indigenous languages with official status in an African nation; it is the official language of Tanzania, and the co-official language in Kenya along with English. However, Kiswahili is spoken natively mainly along the East African coastline and on the offshore islands (e.g. Zanzibar), often by persons with a dual Arabic-African heritage similar to that of the Mazruis.
Defining Insight for Visual Analytics

Many have argued that providing insight is the main goal of information visualization. Stuart Card, Jock Mackinlay, and Ben Shneiderman declare that "the purpose of visualization is insight, while Jim Thomas and Kris Cook propose in Illuminating the Path that the purpose of visual analytics is to enable and discover insight. The idea that visualization should lead to insight seems logical, but researchers in the community have been slow to build on the concept because insight is difficult to define. As Ji Soo Yi and his colleagues point out, although a few definitions of insight exist, no commonly accepted definition has emerged in the community.
Type-specific prevalence and persistence of human papillomavirus in women in the United States who are referred for typing as a component of cervical cancer screening.

Objective The purpose of this study was to report type-specific prevalence and persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in women who underwent cytologic screening. Study Design We examined HPV prevalence in 73,371 women who had type-specific HPV testing in 1 of 23 clinical laboratories in the United States. Persistence was evaluated in 963 women who were tested within 8-16 months of their index test. Results HPV was detected in 31% of the women, and high-risk HPV was detected in 23% of the women. HPV-16, -53, -52, and -31 were the most prevalent types. Of the 953 women with 2 tests, 39% of the women had persistent HPV infection. High-risk HPV persistence was detected in 34% of the women who were positive initially for high-risk HPV. Conclusion Approximately one-third of our sample had HPV; of those women who were retested within 8-16 months, more than one-third had persistent infection. Among women with high-risk HPV infections, the likelihood of persistence was highest with HPV genotypes that were phylogenetically similar to HPV-16.
Particle-size distributions within hydrothermal plumes over the Juan de Fuca Ridge

The particle-size distributions of suspended particles in neutrally buoyant hydrothermal plumes from two vent sites on the Juan de Fuca Ridge were measured with a Coulter counter. Hydrothermal particle populations were characterized by high volume concentrations of particles with diameters of <2 μm. Particle populations dominated by larger particles were rare and observed only very near active vent sources because of rapid settling and dilution. Particle-size distributions from particle plumes of hydrothermal origin can be readily distinguished from those of benthic nepheloid layers by the fine-particle tail, which is expressed on a cumulative number distribution by a slope much steeper than the oceanic norm of ≈3. The predominance of particles with diameters <2 μm within neutrally buoyant hydrothermal plumes demonstrates that the bulk of hydrothermal precipitates are capable of being dispersed over wide areas.
Indirect effects of a key ecosystem engineer alter survival and growth of foundation coral species

Stegastes nigricans, a "farmerfish" that cultivates algal turf and defends territories from grazers and other intruders, can affect coral indirectly due to increased competition with farmed algal turf and/or reduced predation resulting from territorial aggression directed at corallivores. To investigate the indirect effects of this key ecosystem engineer on coral mortality and growth, we transplanted caged and exposed fragments of four coral species to patch reefs in French Polynesia on which we manipulated the presence of S. nigricans and turf, and to reefs naturally devoid of S. nigricans. Reef access was two to four times higher for herbivorous fishes, and two times higher for corallivorous fishes, when S. nigricans was removed, indicating that reef access is reduced for two important guilds of fishes when S. nigricans is present. Stegastes' territoriality indirectly benefited delicate acroporids (Montipora floweri and Acropora striata), yielding a twofold to fivefold reduction in skeletal loss due to lower predation frequencies in the presence of S. nigricans. Three corals, A. striata, M. floweri, and especially Porites australiensis, suffered mortality due to overgrowth significantly more frequently in the presence of farmed turf, but Pocillopora verrucosa did not. Algal abundance predicted the frequency of overgrowth for only A. striata and P. australiensis. M. floweri were more likely to be overgrown when exposed (uncaged) in the presence of S. nigricans, suggesting an interaction modification, in this case that initial predation increased susceptibility to competition with turf. In this community, the presence of S. nigricans may increase algal overgrowth of massive Porites by facilitating its turf competitors and simultaneously reduce predation of branching corals through territorial exclusion of corallivores. These indirect interactions may underlie previously documented community transitions from disturbance-resistant massive coral to recovering branching corals within S. nigricans territories.
Iso-electronic impurity-induced disordering : AlxGa1-xAs-GaAs/In

Data are presented on the disordering of an AlxGa1−xAs‐GaAs laser structure using indium solid sources. Using separate and co‐diffusion of silicon and indium from thin‐film sources, indium was inferred to have a higher diffusion coefficient than silicon, and to result in a similar degree of impurity‐induced disordering. The degree of index guiding was tested by excess‐loss measurements in single‐mode raised‐cosine s‐bends. In particular, structures patterned by SiO2/In disordering had excess losses similar to those patterned with SiO2. A 260 μm transition length for 3 dB loss was measured for 1‐μm‐wide guides with 100 μm guide offsets, which corresponds to a lateral index of refraction difference of ≊0.8–1.0%. There was no evidence for increased linear loss due to the presence of a dilute InGaAs alloy at the measurement wavelength of 870 nm.
STUDIES ON GRADIENT ELUTION CHROMATOGRAPHY FOR SEPARATION OF DNA AND OLIGONUCLEOTIDES

Rate parameters and gradient correlations for nucleic acids are very important to engineering investigations of the separation of DNA products by gradient elution chromatography. Before carrying out computer simulations for gradient process, these rate parameters and gradient correlation must be determined from the experimental data. In this work, moment method was used to calculate the equilibrium adsorption constants (Ki ) as a function of the ionic strength (I) of the mobile phase for different sizes of oligonucleotides from the isocratic elution data and later, these coefficient values were used in the computer simulation to predict the elution behavior. This analysis can eliminate extensive experimental trial and error and hence suitable for separation of oligonucleotides and DNA in a more effective manner.
Minimizing Defects Between Adjacent Foils in Ultrasonically Consolidated Parts

Two types of defects normally occur in ultrasonically consolidated parts: (i) Defects that occur between mating foils in successive layers ("type 1" defects) and (ii) defects that occur within a layer between two foils laid side-by-side ("type 2" defects). While some success has been achieved in minimizing type 1 defects, type 2 defects, however, have been given very little attention. Both types of defects are undesirable and should be minimized if ultrasonically consolidated parts are to be used in structural applications. This work describes an investigation of how to minimize type 2 defects in ultrasonically consolidated parts. According to our hypothesis, a foil being deposited must overlap the adjacent deposited foil by an optimum amount to ensure a defect-free joint between the two foils. Transverse tensile specimens were fabricated with various amounts of foil overlap (by changing the foil width setting) to test this hypothesis. Metallographic and fractographic studies showed a clear correlation between foil overlap, defect incidence, and tensile strength. It was found that a foil width setting of 23.81 mm helps minimize type 2 defects in ultrasonically consolidated Al 3003 parts using standard foils of 23.88 mm (equivalent to 0.94 in.) nominal width.
Analysis of free fractions for chiral drugs using ultrafast extraction and multi-dimensional high-performance affinity chromatography

A multi-dimensional chromatographic approach was developed to measure the free fractions of drug enantiomers in samples that also contained a binding protein or serum. This method, which combined ultrafast affinity extraction with a chiral stationary phase, was demonstrated using the drug warfarin and the protein human serum albumin.
Thermodynamics of extensive interfaces between rigid, apolar walls and water.

A simple set of equations is proposed to govern the relations between the thermodynamic potentials in rigid, apolar wall-water systems, which is found to be consistent with the data for two systems: alkane plate-SPC/E water [R. Zangi and B. J. Berne, J. Phys. Chem. B 112(29), 8634–8644 (2008)] and graphene plate-TIP4P/Ew water [R. Zangi, J. Phys. Chem. B 115, 2303–2311 (2011)]. These data exhibit exact compensation of enthalpy and entropy for the water-water interactions. Surface tension of the free water surface is the invariant excess free energy per unit area for the water phase in these wall-water systems at thermodynamic equilibrium.
A geometric study of the amino acid sequence of class I HLA molecules

HLA class I alleles are studied by representing them in a metric space where each dimension corresponds to each one of the amino acid positions. Their similarity in reference to their ability to present peptides to T cells is then evaluated by calculating the correlation matrix between the amino-acid-composition tables (or binding affinity tables) for the sets of peptides presented by each allele. This correlation matrix is considered an empirical similarity matrix between HLA alleles, and is modeled in terms of possible structures defined in the metric space of HLA class I amino acid sequences. These geometric structures are adequate models of the peptide-binding data currently available. The following clusters of HLA class I molecules are identified in reference to their ability to present peptides: Cluster I) HLA-A3/ HLA-A11/ HLA-A31/ HLA-A33/ HLA-A68; Cluster II) HLA-B35/ HLA-B51/ HLA-B53/ HLA-B54/ HLA-B7; and Cluster III) HLA-A29/ HLA-B61/HLA-B44; the last cluster showing possible similarities between alleles from different loci. In modeling these natural clusters, the geometric structures with more predictive power confirm the importance of those positions in the peptide-binding groove, particularly those in the B pocket. In addition, other positions (46, 79, 113, 131, 144, and 177) appeared to bear some relevance in determining which peptides can be presented by which HLA alleles.
Goldberger's electrocardiographic triad in patients with echocardiographic severe left ventricular dysfunction

In 1982, Goldberger described an electrocardiographic triad (SV1 or SV2 + RV5 or RV6 ≥ 3.5 mV, total QRS amplitude in each of the limb leads ≤ 0.8 mV, and R/S ratio 90% specific for detecting severe left ventricular (LV) dysfunction. To confirm his sensitivity results, in 51 consecutive patients (36 men) aged 28 to 84 years (mean 56) with LV ejection fractions ≤ 20%, the electrocardiographic triad was sought in the electrocardiogram (ECG) recorded closest in time to the echocardiographic study. All 51 patients had systemic arterial hypertension. Evidence of ischemia was present in 7 and absent in 38, and in 6 patients, ischemic status was unknown. In 49 patients, New York Heart Association functional class was available: class II in 8, class III in 32, and class IV in 9. LV ejection fractions ranged from 4% to 20% (mean 14%), and LV internal end-diastolic diameters ranged from 5.7 to 8.6 cm (mean 6.6). Left atrial anteroposterior diameters ranged from 2.9 to 6.1 cm (mean 4.7) and were ≥ 4.0 cm in 47 of the 51 patients. The right ventricular cavity was enlarged in 22 patients. SV1 or SV2 + RV5 or RV6 was ≥ 3.5 mV in 29 of the 51 ECGs; total QRS amplitude was ≤ 0.8 mV in each of leads I, II, and III in 10; and the R/S ratio was < 1 in lead V4 in 37. Only 1 of the 51 ECGs met all 3 criteria. In contrast to Goldberger's finding of the triad to be 70% sensitive for severe LV dysfunction, in this study, the triad was found to be only 2% sensitive. The difference is likely due to his patients' having idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy, whereas those in this study had hypertensive cardiomyopathy with or without ischemia. Also, in this study, 1 specific ECG was used for each patient, whereas Goldberger reviewed all of the patients' ECGs looking for the triad. In conclusion, Goldberger's triad is a sensitive or insensitive marker for severe LV dysfunction depending on the patient population and the number of ECGs reviewed.
The role of complement C3 and fibrinogen in monocyte adhesion to PEO-like plasma deposited tetraglyme

The role of complement C3 in mediating adhesion of monocytes to plasma deposited tetraglyme surfaces was studied. Although fibrinogen (Fg) is usually considered the main factor in mediating phagocyte attachment, plasma deposited PEO-like tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (tetraglyme) coatings that have ultra-low Fg adsorption (<10 ng cm(-2)) from low concentration solutions and low monocyte adhesion in vitro still show high phagocyte adhesion after short implantations and later become encapsulated when tested in vivo. To test whether higher Fg adsorption under in vivo conditions could explain the higher in vivo reactivity, we again measured the resistance of tetraglyme films to Fg adsorption. We found a surprising and previously unreported increased amount of adsorbed Fg on tetraglyme surfaces from higher concentration protein solutions. However, monocyte adhesion to tetraglyme did not markedly increase despite the increased Fg adsorption. We thus suspected proteins other than Fg must be responsible for the increased in vivo reactivity. We found that on tetraglyme preadsorbed with C3-depleted serum, monocyte adhesion was greatly reduced as compared to samples adsorbed with normal serum. Addition of exogenous pure C3 to the serum used to preadsorb the surfaces restored monocyte adhesion to tetraglyme coatings. While Fg clearly plays an important role in mediating monocyte adhesion to tetraglyme surfaces, the results show an additional role for adsorbed C3 in monocyte adhesion.
Tracheoesophageal displacement index and predictors of airway obstruction for fetuses with neck masses

Abstract Purpose There are no established selection guidelines to determine which fetuses with giant neck masses may benefit from delivery using an ex utero intrapartum treatment procedure. The purposes of this study were to describe the tracheoesophageal displacement index (TEDI), a novel measurement of fetal airway displacement, and to correlate this measurement and other prenatal findings to the extent of airway obstruction at birth. Methods The medical records of all fetuses with giant neck masses evaluated between 2001 and 2011 were reviewed. At birth, each infant's airway was categorized as uncomplicated or complicated. Prenatal variables were correlated with airway difficulty. Results There were 24 fetuses with large neck masses (11 lymphatic malformations, 10 teratomas, 3 others). One fetus died in utero, and 3 underwent pregnancy termination. Variables associated with a complicated airway at birth included polyhydramnios, teratoma diagnosis, and tracheoesophageal displacement index. Tracheoesophageal displacement index greater than 12 correlated strongly with a complicated airway (area under the curve=0.80). All fetuses classified with an uncomplicated airway (n = 7) had a diagnosis other than teratoma and normal amniotic fluid volume. Conclusion In fetuses with giant neck masses, the presence of polyhydramnios, teratoma diagnosis, or tracheoesophageal displacement index greater than 12 are predictive of a complicated airway at birth. Our data suggest that fetuses without any of these findings may be delivered safely without an ex utero intrapartum treatment approach.