cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
NIST reference materials to support accuracy in drug testing

Substance abuse is a major problem worldwide. There is considerable emphasis placed upon testing individuals for evidence of use of controlled substances. Because the consequences of a positive test can be quite severe, laboratories conducting such tests must rigorously follow a carefully designed quality assurance program. Such a QA program should include use of reference materials to assure that the methods used to detect and quantify drugs are providing accurate results. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) supports accuracy in drugs of abuse testing by providing Standard Reference Materials (SRMs) with certified concentrations of drugs of abuse in urine- and hair-based reference materials. NIST, working in collaboration with the College of American Pathologists (CAP), has developed urine-based SRMs for marijuana metabolite, cocaine metabolite, morphine and codeine, and morphine glucuronide and CAP Reference Materials for amphetamines and phencyclidine. Certification measurements performed at NIST involve two independent methods for each analyte, one of which always uses GC/MS with the other usually being an LC method with either MS or UV detection. Work has recently been completed on a seven component drug in urine SRM. In addition NIST conducts research in the analysis of hair for drugs of abuse. To assist laboratories testing hair for that purpose, NIST has developed two drugs in hair reference materials.
A comparison of HF radio digital protocols

The amateur radio community traditionally has supplied backup communications for the Federal and amateur radio emergency response communities. In the interest of developing this resource, the National Communications System (NCS) sponsored the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to test various HF modems to establish a technical baseline of standardized performance data on HF modem protocols. It is intended that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) use these test results to determine the protocols that could serve as an interchange with the amateur community in the event of a national emergency. The tests were conducted at NTIA's Institute for Telecommunication Sciences (ITS) laboratories in Boulder, Colorado. The controlled laboratory conditions enabled ITS to test the protocols under a well-defined, repeatable set of simulated ionospheric channel conditions. Although the extreme limits of degraded channel conditions used to test each protocol varied according to the robustness and implementation of the protocol, all of the protocols were subjected to the same set of degraded conditions. The performance of the various modems and their protocols were compared under the same conditions, establishing a baseline of modem protocol performance. Throughput was used to evaluate the performance characteristics of the tested modem protocols.
On a graph theoretical basis for ordering of structures

Abstract Algebraic aspects of ordering of structures are examined. By using paths as the graph theoretical invariants, sequences which enumerate paths of differnet length and characterize individual molecules are derived. A rule for ordering such sequences is proposed. The partial ordering thus derived can be used for prediction of the relative magnitudes of various molecular properties of isomers.
Subunit structure of cyclic CMP-dependent protein kinase from guinea pig fetal lung: Dissociation of holoenzyme by cyclic GMP and histone

Summary The subunit structure of cyclic GMP-dependent protein kinase from guinea pig fetal lungs was investigated. By employing Sephadex G-200 gel filtration, it was shown that a complete dissociation of the protein kinase holoenzyme (mol wt 160,000) to the catalytic subunit (mol wt 60,000) was achieved in the presence of both cyclic GMP (200 μM) and histone (200 μg/ml). The same concentration of cyclic AMP was unable to substitute for cyclic GMP. When the holoenzyme was incubated with histone and cyclic [G-3H]GMP, the bound radioactivity, presumably to the regulatory subunit of protein kinase, was eluted at a position corresponding to molecular weight of 30,000. Dissociation of the cyclic GMP-dependent holoenzyme (7.3 S) into cyclic GMP-independent catalytic subunit (4.9 S) was also demonstrated by sucrose density gradient centrifugation. The phosphotransferase activity of the isolated catalytic subunit was augmented by the stimulatory modulator. The inhibitory modulator was without effect on its activity.
Building bridges between acquisitions and collection development: Communication models for the electronic environment

Abstract This paper explores ways to take advantage of electronic communication and integrated library systems to redesign workflow and create better working relationships between acquisitions and collection development personnel. It presents three bibliographer models — traditional, transitional and techno-bibliographer — which were developed through interviews with selectors at the University of Minnesota. The models include a narrative description and a list of work patterns and corresponding issues. The paper also presents elements for future research.
“She discriminated against her own race”: Voicing and identity in a story of discrimination

Current studies within narrative analysis and sociolinguistics have shown that identities are emergent and negotiated in current talk and, thus, not pre-existing the now and then of a given interaction. This article presents the analysis of a story told by a black Brazilian woman describing an episode of racial discrimination between two black characters in which prejudice was transmitted through the voice of a white figure. While the storyteller articulates the multi-layered voicing in her story, she also portrays relationships and makes identity claims for herself while also drawing on, and sometimes contradicting, prevailing ideologies of race and racism in her culture. I analyze the linguistic means through which the narrator constructs different positioning levels (Bamberg, 1997) while the roles of author, figure and principal (Goffman, 1981) shift to represent the actions performed in the story world by its different characters. The narrator’s main strategies are the lamination of the characters’ speech through constructed dialogue and references to skin color, which enable her to interpret the episode of discrimination toward an individual of the same race.
Electric Dipole Excitation of a Long Conductor in a Lossy Medium

ABSTRACT Excitation of currents on an Infinitely long conductor Is analyzed for horizontal electric dipole or line sources and for a plane-wave, far-field source. Any of these sources can excite strong currents which produce strong scattered fields for detection. Numerical results for these sources Indicate that long conductors produce a strong anomaly over a broad frequency range. The conductor can be either insulated or bare, Co model either ungrounded or grounded conductors.
Fludarabine for Treatment of Adult Acute Myelogenous Leukemia

The success of fludarabine as a single agent for therapy of chronic lymphocytic leukemia suggested its use in other leukemias such as adult acute myelogenous leukemia. Because doses that are tolerated in the clinic were not effective in the treatment of acute myelogenous leukemia, our approach was to combine low dose fludarabine with other active agents such as arabinosylcytosine (ara-C). This is also based on the rationale that fludarabine pretreatment modulates the metabolism of ara-C resulting in potentiation of the accumulation of its triphosphate. Improved response rates and clinical efficacy of this combination further suggested combining this couplet with DNA damaging agents, because the active triphosphates of both these analogs inhibit replication and repair processes of DNA synthesis.
Shell-model calculation of 99Tc beta decay in astrophysical environments.

Using the shell-model Lanczos method, we calculate the Gamow-Teller matrix elements for beta transitions of astrophysical interest from excited states of $^{99}\mathrm{Tc}$ ${((7/2)}^{+}$,141 keV; ${(5/2)}^{+}$,181 keV) to the ground and excited states of $^{99}\mathrm{Ru}$. The level schemes of low-lying positive-parity states in these nuclei and in the analogous isotonic nuclei $^{97}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}^{97}$Mo are reproduced fairly well within a model space consisting of low-seniority excitations in the 1g2d shell, which are mixed via the Kallio-Kolltveit effective interaction. The calculations lead to a $^{99}\mathrm{Tc}$ half-life of \ensuremath{\sim}20 yr at a stellar temperature of 3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{8}$ K typical for the s process with a $^{22}(\mathit{\ensuremath{\alpha}}$,n${)}^{25}$Mg neutron source. Referring to recent studies of thermal-pulse s-process models, we stress that a substantial amount of $^{99}\mathrm{Tc}$ can survive the s process in spite of its enormously enhanced decay rate. The factual observation of $^{99}\mathrm{Tc}$ at the surface of certain stars, therefore, does not necessarily contradict an s-process scenario with $^{22}\mathrm{Ne}$ as a neutron source.
A Methodology for Teaching Interior Illumination: A Paper Presented at the Annual Conference of the Interior Design Educators Council, April 1982

Summary Ultimately, the most important objective for the student is to develop a good understanding of the need to balance all the factors that can influence any lighting installation. For the designer, the engineering calculations should never become the primary consideration, but they must be considered as a major part of the final solution. Thus lighting becomes a matter of balance between quantity and quality, that is between science and art. The teaching procedures should make the student aware that through good lighting design he can not only provide a sufficient quantity of lighting, devoid of glare and veiling reflections, but also he/she should realize that lighting can be a useful tool; with the capacity for influencing interior environments as much as color, material textures, furnishings, and spatial forms.
MSA for a special spearman matrix

Kaiser's measure of sampling adequacy is applied to a special Spearman matrix and a specialq-cluster generalization. The result supports the contention that the measure should be no less than .5 for data to be appropriate for factor analysis.
Tools for Inventing Organizations: Toward a Handbook of Organizational Processes

This paper describes a novel theoretic al and empirical approach to tasks such as business process redesign and knowledge management. The project involves collecting examples of how different organizations perform similar processes, and organizing these examples in an on-line "process handbook." The handbook is intended to help people: (1) redesign existing organizational processes, (2) invent new organizational processes (especially ones that take advantage of information technology), and (3) share ideas about organizational practices. A key element of the work is an approach to analyzing processes at various levels of abstraction, thus capturing both the details of specific processes as well as the "deep structure" of their similarities. This approach uses ideas from computer science about inheritance and from coordination theory about managing dependencies. A primary advantage of the approach is that it allows people to explicitly represent the similarities (and differences) among related processes and to easily find or generate sensible alternatives for how a given process could be performed. In addition to describing this new approach, the work reported here demonstrates the basic technical feasibility of these ideas and gives one example of their use in a field study.
Microsomal Drug Metabolizing Enzymes in Insects

(1972). Microsomal Drug Metabolizing Enzymes in Insects. Drug Metabolism Reviews: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 153-227.
Familial Alcoholism in Cocaine Addicts

The relationship between cocaine addiction and alcoholism has been documented in epidemiological and clinical studies. Approximately 80 to 90% of cocaine addicts are also alcoholic. Moreover, a previous study documented a positive family history of alcoholism to be 5O%, similar to the rate for familial alcoholism among alcoholics. The rate for familial drug addiction has been reported to be somewhat lower at 25%. This study further strengthens the relationship between alcohol and cocaine addiction. Among 63 consecutive admissions to an inpatient alcohol and drug addiction unit, the rate of familial alcoholism among cocaine addicts was between 50 and 80%. The rate of a family history of drug dependence in alcoholics and cocaine addicts was between 23 and 40%. The combination of alcohol and cocaine addiction was between 75 and 89%. Other demographic and alcohol/ drug characteristics are included.
Studies of systolic mechanics and diastolic behavior of the left ventricle in the trained racing greyhound

Despite much interest in the effects of exercise on the myocardium, and the need to develop animal models which mimic conditions leading to cardiac hypertrophy, little attention has been focused on the trained racing greyhound. The current study compared two groups of anesthetized trained racing greyhounds (a total of 20 animals, 12 of whom were maintained for serial studies and 8 of whom were sacrificed for anatomic correlations) with 3 detrained greyhounds and 6 comparably sized mongrels. Systemic blood pressures, right and left heart pressures, ventricular mechanics and indices of diastolic behavior were compared. All measured indices of contractility (dp/dt, dp/dtDP40, Vce and Vmax) were lower in trained racing greyhounds than in mongrels although none achieved statistical significance. No significant difference in diastolic behavior was found between trained greyhounds and mongrels. While caution should be applied because of the small numbers of animals and the use of anesthesia, the lower than expected contractility found in trained racing greyhounds may reflect increased parasympathetic tone in the immediate post-training period. The normal diastolic behavior of the trained greyhound left ventricle contrasts to abnormal diastolic behavior found in models of chronic pressure overload.
Improved survival following bone marrow transplantation for aplastic anaemia.

Summary. We transplanted 46 patients with severe aplastic anaemia with a new pretransplant immunosuppressive regimen consisting of cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) and low-dose total body irradiation (3 Gy). This regimen (CY-TBI-2) was designed to decrease the high risk of graft rejection associated with the use of cyclophosphamide alone, without increasing the incidence of graft-versus-host disease (GHVD) or interstitial pneumonia (IPn). Two-year actuarial disease-free survival of patients conditioned with CY-TBI-2 was 62% (95% CI: 47–77%). Only one patient rejected her graft and the incidence and severity of GVHD and IPn were not increased compared to previous studies. Patients < 25 years of age had excellent 2-year survival of 82% (95% CI: 69–95%). These data indicate that CY-TBI-2 is an effective means of preventing graft-rejection and achieving long-term disease-free survival in multiply transfused patients with severe aplastic anaemia.
In situ compressive sensing

Compressive sensing (CS) is a framework that exploits the compressible character of most natural signals, allowing the accurate measurement of an m-dimensional signal u in terms of n m measurements v. The CS measurements may be represented in terms of an n × m matrix that defines the linear relationship between v and u. In this paper, we demonstrate that similar linear mappings of the form u → v are manifested naturally by wave propagation in general media, and therefore in situ CS measurements may be performed simply by exploiting the propagation and scattering properties of natural environments. The connection between the propagation medium and the basis in which u is sparsely rendered is quantified in terms of a mutual-coherence factor, which plays an important role in defining the number of required in situ CS measurements. In addition to presenting the basic in situ CS framework, a simple but practical example problem is considered in detail from multiple perspectives.
Authors’ response: surgical outcomes after epiretinal membrane peeling combined with cataract surgery

We appreciate the comments by Drs Kahn and Rahman and agree that interpreting retrospective data must always be approached with caution.1 Indeed, properly controlled randomised prospective studies remain the gold standard for evaluating medical treatments. However, retrospective case series often provide important insights into therapies that are less commonly performed, or subject to variability in operator or technique, as is the case when comparing surgical methods. Retrospective studies also generate important preliminary data to help guide the design of future randomised trials. Our study was devised to compare simultaneous combined phacoemulsification, PCIOL placement, pars plana vitrectomy and epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling, with vitrectomy and membrane peeling alone.2 Patients in the membrane peeling alone group were either phakic or pseudophakic at the time of surgery. The inherent limitation of evaluating combined surgeries …
The organization of afferents to the cerebellar cortex in the cat: Projections from the deep cerebellar nuclei

The topography of the cerebellar nucleo-cortical projection was investigated in the cat by experiments employing the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) technique or by combined HRP-autoradiographic methods. The results of the HRP studies extend previous findings showing that neurons in the deep nuclei project to the cerebellar cortex in an orderly way. Thus, it appears that the cortex of the vermis-proper receives projections from neurons located predominately in the fastigial nucleus. Intermediate and lateral zones of mid-vermal cerebellar cortex are projected on by neurons located in the interposed and dentate nuclei. Crus II receives input from neurons located predominately in the dentate nucleus, while the paramedian lobule is projected on by neurons located in a large postero-dorsal sector of the interposed nucleus and in a smaller medial strip of the dentate nucleus. Neurons in the ventral part of the dentate nucleus and the lateral part of the interposed nucleus send fibers to the paraflocculus. The nucleo-cortical pathway to the flocculus and nodulus arises largely from a population of neurons located in a ventral region stretching from the medial border of the dentate nucleus to the lateral border of the fastigial nucleus. The results of experiments using the combined HRP-autoradiographic method show that clusters of neurons in the deep cerebellar nuclei project back to the cerebellar cortical areas from which they receive input, establishing a fairly precise feedback loop between the cerebellar cortex and deep nuclei.
Role of Electrical and Thermal Contact Resistance in the High-Bias Joule Breakdown of Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Devices

Several data sets of electrical breakdown in air of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) on insulating substrates are collected and analyzed. These are data taken in different labs across the world on a wide range of SWNTs, spanning lengths 10 nm-8 mum, diameters 0.8 -3.2 nm and electrical contact resistance between 9-830 kOmega. A universal scaling of the Joule breakdown power with nanotube length is found, essentially independent of the insulating substrates used (here, SiO2, Si3N4, Al2O3). The electrical and thermal resistance at the nanotube-electrode contacts regulate the breakdown behavior for short (L < 0.6 mum) SWNTs, whereas the breakdown power scales linearly with length for longer tubes.
Trade Policies of the Former Centrally Planned Economies

Since the end of Communist rule, the countries of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union have been forced to restructure their formerly centrally planned economies. Among the dilemmas they have...
A Technique of PCM Transmission over 2 GHz Microwave Radio

The application of multiplexed PCM channels to a microwave radio system is attractive in areas where geographic terrain limits the practicality of cable plant construction. A technique of interfacing the digital signal with an analog radio baseband is described. The successful Inclusion of a voice-frequency (VF) orderwire at the low frequency end of the digital spectrum without a significant penalty in error-rate performance demonstrates the efficiency of the technique.
Primary cutaneous diffuse large B cell lymphoma, leg type (PCDLBCL-LT) in the setting of prior radiation therapy.

An 83-year-old man with a history of left lower extremity pleomorphic sarcoma diagnosed and surgically resected in 1998 with neoadjuvant radiotherapy (55–60 Gy), presented with a large and partially ulcerated cutaneous lesion in the region of prior radiation and surgical treatment (Fig. 1). Six months earlier, the lesion appeared as a small ∼1 cm erythematous maculopapule that progressively enlarged. PET-CT revealed hypermetabolic foci localized to the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues of the left calf corresponding to the location of the lesion (Fig. 2). Biopsy showed primary cutaneous diffuse large B cell lymphoma, leg-type (PCDLBCL-LT). The patient was treated with rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP), and achieved a complete tumor response. Figure 1 Large erythematous maculopapular partially ulcerated lesion in the left lower extremity, as visualized on physical exam. Figure 2 PET-CT scan reveals hypemetabolic activity in the cutaneous and subcutaneous tissues of the distal left lower extremity. PCDLBCL-LT is rare, with a much worse prognosis than other forms of cutaneous B cell lymphoma.1 In contrast to this case, PCDLBCL-LT typically presents with red to bluish nodules or tumors on one or both legs.1 The five-year survival rate is ∼50 %, due to dissemination to extracutaneous sites.1,2 PCDLBCL-LT development in the region of prior radiation therapy has not been previously reported. This case highlights that development of secondary cutaneous malignancies should be considered after the administration of high dose radiation therapy.
5.5 Å crystallographic structure of penicillin β-lactamase and radius of gyration in solution☆

Abstract An electron density map of crystalline R-TEM Escherichia coli β-lactamase (penicillinase) has been calculated from X-ray diffraction data at 5.5 A resolution with protein phases based on Friedel mates from a high-quality samarium derivative. The mean figure of merit for 854 independent reflections is 0.75. The monomeric molecule is slightly ellipsoidal and contains one and possibly two regions of α-helix which are 25 A long. The Crystallographic search for the substrate binding site has so far been inconclusive. The radius of gyration of the enzyme in solution at pH 7 is 17.1 ± 1.0 A from small-angle X-ray scattering measurements. This compares with 18.6 a calculated from the low-resolution electron density map of the molecule in the crystal.
Case report: aortoenteric fistula presenting as repeated hematochezia.

Abstract Background: Aortoenteric fistula (AEF) is a rare but life-threatening condition in which expedient diagnosis is often difficult. It arises from erosion of a segment of aorta, usually an abdominal aortic aneurysm, into an adjacent portion of the gastrointestinal tract or between a vascular graft of the aorta and an adjacent portion of the gastrointestinal tract. It can present as life-threatening upper or lower gastrointestinal bleeding and is a surgical emergency that requires rapid assessment, emergency resuscitation, and definitive treatment. Case Report: To present the case of an 87-year-old man diagnosed with AEF in the emergency department. A review of the literature follows the case report. Conclusions: Aortoenteric fistula is a rare diagnosis that can cause sudden life-threatening gastrointestinal bleeding.
Solanidine metabolism in potato tuber tissue slices and cell suspension cultures

Abstract Two metabolites have been isolated from potato tuber tissue slices or cell suspension cultures that have been incubated with labeled solanidine. Initially glucosyl solanidine is formed which subsequently is glycosylated to a diglucosyl solanidine.
Energy of the quasi-free electron in argon, krypton and xenon

Abstract Recent field ionization measurements of various high-n molecular Rydberg states doped into argon, krypton and xenon perturbers are presented as a function of perturber number density up to the density of the triple point liquid. These data are modeled to within ± 0.3 % of experiment on both critical and noncritical isotherms using a new theoretical treatment that includes: (i) the polarization of the perturber by the dopant cation, (ii) the polarization of the perturber by the quasi-free electron that arises from field ionization of the dopant, and (iii) the kinetic energy of the quasi-free electron. The polarization terms are determined by a standard statistical mechanical treatment. However, the kinetic energy of the quasi-free electron is calculated within a new local Wigner–Seitz model that contains only one adjustable parameter. This treatment provides an accurate model of the energy of the bottom of the conduction band ( V 0 ) in argon, krypton and xenon from the dilute gas up to the density of the triple point liquid, on both critical and noncritical isotherms.
Genetic analysis of G12P[8] rotaviruses detected in the largest U.S. G12 genotype outbreak on record.

Abstract In 2006–07, 77 cases of gastroenteritis in Rochester, NY, USA were associated with rotavirus genotype G12P[8]. Sequence analysis identified a high degree of genetic relatedness among the VP7 and VP4 genes of the Rochester G12P[8] strains and between these strains and currently circulating human G12P[8] strains. Out of 77 samples, two and seven unique nucleotide sequences were identified for VP7 and VP4 genes, respectively. Rochester strain VP7 genes were found to occupy the G12-III lineage and VP4 genes clustered within the P[8]-3 lineage. Six strains contained non-synonymous nucleotide substitutions that produced amino acid changes at 6 sites in the VP8 ∗ region of the VP4 gene. Two sites (amino acids 242 and 246) were located in or near a described trypsin cleavage site. Selection analyses identified one positively selected VP7 site (107) and strong purifying selection at 58 sites within the VP7 gene as well as 2 of the 6 variant sites (79 and 218) in VP4.
Love's Whipping Boy: Violence and Sentimentality in the American Imagination

Love's Whipping Boy: Violence and Sentimentality in the American Imagination Elizabeth Barnes Chapel Hill: U of North Carolina P, 2011 vii +211. ISBN 0-8078-3456-5 (hb) In Love's Whipping Boy: Viol...
Perspectives on lightning safety risk management in sport and recreational activities.

Abstract Lightning is typically considered the most dangerous weather hazard for those who engage in outdoor sport and recreational activities. It is estimated that lightning strikes somewhere in the world about 100 times every second and kills approximately 1,000 people a year worldwide (Long, 1999). The risk associated with lightning is both a safety concern and a liability concern for sport and recreation managers. Management is often faced with difficult decisions regarding the implementation of lightning safety policies and procedures. The purpose of this article is to address the issue of implementing lightning safety policies and procedures through an analysis and discussion of legal concerns relevant to lightning safety, emerging technology for predicting and monitoring lightning, current recommendations and guidelines for lightning safety policies and procedures, and lightning-related research. Professional associations that have published and/or adopted specific management directed lightning saf...
Emotional support and adult depression in survivors of childhood sexual abuse

The goals of this study were to evaluate the effects of emotional support from friends and parents at two time points (adolescence and adulthood) on adult depression in a nationally representative sample of survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA), and examine whether the associations were moderated by the identity of the perpetrator (parent/caregiver vs. not). Data were taken from Waves I and IV of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (Add Health). The study sample included 1,238 Add Health participants with a history of CSA and an equivalently sized comparison group of individuals with no history of CSA. Parental support was measured using four items from each wave that assessed the warmth of participants' relationships with their parents and their satisfaction with those relationships. Friend support in adolescence was measured using participants' perceptions of how much their friends cared about them and in adulthood using participants' self-reported number of close friends. Depression was measured using a 10-item subscale of the CES-D. Logistic regressions showed that support from friends and parents in adulthood were significantly associated with lower odds of adult depression in CSA survivors who reported non-parent/caregiver abuse. Among survivors of parent/caregiver abuse, emotional support was not significantly associated with adult depression regardless of when or by whom it was provided. In conclusion, emotional support in adulthood from friends and parents is associated with reduced odds of adult depression in CSA survivors, but only in cases where the abuse was perpetrated by someone other than a parent or caregiver.
Manipulating beaver (Castor canadensis) feeding responses to invasive tamarisk (Tamarix spp.)

To evaluate methods for promoting consumption of tamarisk plants by beavers (Castor canadensis), we determined the feeding responses by captive beavers to diets that contained tannins and sodium chloride (hereafter referred to as tamarisk diet). In two-choice tests, beavers consumed equivalent quantities of tamarisk diet and control diet. Treatment with polyethylene glycol and fructose did not increase beaver preferences for the tamarisk diet. When offered the choice of control diet and casein hydrolysate-treated control diet, beavers strongly avoided the latter, showing feeding deterring activity of casein hydrolysate. However, when tamarisk diet was the alternative to the deterrent treatment, beavers consumed similar quantities of the two diets. Finally, beaver foraging preferences for actual plant cuttings were assessed. Casein hydrolysate application to cuttings of black poplar (Populus nigra) and Scouler's willow (Salix scouleriana) reduced browsing of these highly preferred species and promoted a marked increase in browsing of tamarisk (Tamarix ramosissima). These results suggest that casein hydrolysate treatment of desirable riparian plant species such as Salix and Populus may promote beaver foraging of invasive tamarisk.
Shiga Toxin-Producing Escherichia coli Infection: Temporal and Quantitative Relationships among Colonization, Toxin Production, and Systemic Disease

Edema disease, a naturally occurring disease of swine caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC), was used as a model for the sequence of events that occur in the pathogenesis of STEC infection. The mean time from production of levels of Shiga toxin 2e (Stx2e) detectable in the feces (day 1) to the onset of clinical disease (neurologic disturbances or death) was 5 days (range, 3-9). Bacterial colonization and titers of Stx2e in the ileum peaked at 4 days after inoculation in pigs without signs of clinical disease and at 6 days after inoculation in clinically affected pigs. Animals with the greatest risk of progressing to clinical disease tended to have the highest fecal toxin titers (>/=1:4096). Stx2e was detected in the red cell fraction from blood of some pigs showing clinical signs of edema disease but was not detected in the serum or cerebrospinal fluid.
Adapting Science Materials for Regular and Learning Disabled Seventh Graders

This study investigated the effects of an adapted science curriculum on the performance of seventh grad youngsters. The adaptation featured vocabulaly exercises and framed outlines. There were 202 regular and mildly handicapped students in the study. Two regular teachers and an intern supervised the seven science classrooms where the experiment took place. The investigation ran for 12 weeks, during which time the studnts were assigned 8 chapters from a Luidlaw physical science text. Thugbout the study, modifications were available for some chapters and not for others. Publisherconstructed tests were administered to the students before and after they worked on each chaptet;. the posttest data from adapted and nonadapted chapters were then compared Those data generally showed that the scores (handicapped as well as nonhandicapped studnts were better when the chapters were modified
Bronchodilator Effect of Infused B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Asthma

Study objective: To determine the bronchodilator effect of recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP; nesiritide) on patients with asthma. Design: A prospective, open-label study. Setting: Outpatient setting. Patients: Eight adult patients with asthma confirmed by > 12% and > 200 mL increase in FEV1 after bronchodilator inhalation. Interventions: An IV nesiritide bolus, 2 g/kg, followed by continuous infusion for a total of 3 h at escalating doses of 0.01, 0.02, and 0.03 g/kg/min for 1 h each as tolerated. Measurements: Spirometry and forced oscillation technique (FOT) measurements were both obtained at baseline and every 30 min during the infusion. Two doses of albuterol, 90 g, inhalation via metered-dose inhaler were then administered at the end of nesiritide infusion, followed by repeat spirometry and FOT measurements after 30 min. Primary end points were FEV1 and FVC changes after the nesiritide infusion for 3 h. Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests were used to compare the effects of nesiritide and albuterol. Results: Baseline measurements (mean SD) were as follows: FEV1, 1.89 0.87 L; FVC, 3.02 0.99 L; respiratory resistance at 5 Hz (Rrs5), 10.3 3.85 cm H2O s/L; and mean respiratory resistance at 5 to 20 Hz, 7.56 1.92 cm H2O/L/s. Mean baseline serum BNP level was 27 27 pg/mL. After 180 min of nesiritide infusion, the following measurements showed significant changes: FEV1 increased to 2.41 0.78 L (mean increase, 520 mL), p 0.012; FVC increased to 3.65 1.05 L (mean increase, 630 mL), p 0.017; and Rrs5 decreased to 8.24 4.02 cm H2O/L/s, p 0.017. After albuterol, there were no further significant changes in these measurements. Conclusion: IV nesiritide is an effective bronchodilator in patients with asthma. (CHEST 2006; 130:66–72)
Regional Economic Growth and Income Distribution in California

This paper uses the Solow and Kuznets models to help explain the pattern and differences in economic growth and income distribution in four major regions within California. Using countylevel data from 1969 to 1999, I estimated that statewide real per-capita personal income has diverged (become more unequal). However, after controlling for regional affects, statewide income divergence becomes statistically insignificant. On a continuum, the data suggest that on average, the Central, Northern, Southern and Coastal regions have the least to most well endowed composition of resources. The corresponding spatial division of labor across California’s regions results in income inequality. Regional development policies should be diversified and coordinated to insure long-term success and not be overly reliant on one best approach. Policies are more likely to fail if they deviate from the local context. Regional economic development depends more on a partnership of local policy-makers, industry, labor unions and community leaders who can work together towards common goals.
Prevalence and Correlates of the Use of Prefilled Syringes Among Persons Who Inject Drugs in San Diego, CA

Persons who inject drugs (PWID) are at increased risk for blood-borne virus (BBV) infections and overdose resulting from high-risk injecting practices. Studies of prefilled syringe use ([PFSU] using a syringe that already contained drug solution when it was obtained by the user), an injection practice previously described in Eastern Europe, suggest that it increases susceptibility to BBV. However, little is known about this practice in the USA. Data were obtained from an ongoing cohort study of PWID to determine the prevalence and assess correlates of PFSU in San Diego, CA. Baseline interviews assessed socio-demographics and drug use behaviors. Logistic regression was used to identify factors independently associated with ever using a prefilled syringe (yes/no). Participants (n = 574) were predominately males (73.9%) and white (50.9%) with a mean age of 43.4 years (range 18-80); 33.3% reported ever using prefilled syringes, although only 4.9% reported use in the past 6 months. In multivariable analyses, PFSU was independently associated with ever having a rushed injection due to police presence [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.51, 95% CI 1.66, 3.79], ever being in prison (AOR = 1.80, 95% CI 1.23, 2.63), injecting most often in public versus private places in the past 6 months (AOR = 1.66, 95% CI 1.11, 2.48), and injecting drugs in Mexico (AOR = 1.70, 95% CI 1.16, 2.49). Results indicate that a history of PFSU is common and associated with environmental factors that may also increase risk for adverse health outcomes. Studies are needed to better understand PFSU in order to develop interventions to prevent adverse outcomes associated with their use.
Parental farming protects children against atopy: longitudinal evidence involving skin prick tests.

Summary Background There is growing evidence that the development of allergic sensitization can be influenced by environmental co-factors. Studies showed that growing up on a farm can protect children against allergic sensitization. However, little is known whether this ‘farming effect’ can only be observed in early lifetime or whether it also plays a role in later childhood. Objective The aim of our study was to test whether a farming environment is negatively associated with a new occurrence of skin prick test (SPT) positivity in school children. As a secondary outcome we investigated whether children living on a farm lose their allergic sensitization more frequently than other children. Methods In a longitudinal design, 1150 elementary school children (mean age 7.8 years, SD 0.7) were recruited from nine different areas of Austria in 1994. A questionnaire and an SPT involving seven common aero-allergens were performed at study entry and at follow-up 3 years later. Results A total of 844 children, who underwent two SPTs, were included in the analyses; 15.1% of their families reported working on a farm. Adjusting for potential confounders (parental education, number of siblings, sex, family history of allergy), parental farming was inversely related to the prevalence and new occurrence of SPT positivity [no farming 12.2%, part-time farming 6%, full-time farming 2.2% incidence; odds ratio (OR) farming vs. non-farming 0.34, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.12–0.98]. Furthermore, children living in a farming environment were more likely to lose their SPT positivity during follow-up (no farming 14.6%, part-time farming 50%, full-time farming 60% loss of sensitization; OR farming vs. non-farming 8.06; 95% CI 2.05–31.75). No difference in the pattern of sensitization to specific allergens could be observed between farming and non-farming children. Conclusion A farming environment has a strong negative effect on the development of allergic sensitization. Furthermore, the study provides evidence that atopic children living on a farm lose their SPT positivity more frequently than children from non-farming environments.
Implications of Dairy Herd Size for Farm Material Transport, Plant Nutrient Management, and Water Quality

Abstract Farm material transport to, from, and within dairy farms can create zones of plant nutrient depletion and accumulation that range in scale from local to international. The introduction, adoption, and use of fertilizers have resulted in substantial movement of plant nutrients to dairy farms. Fertilizers contributed to enhanced crop growth and frequently the correction of soil nutrient deficiencies. They also represented an opportunity to replace plant nutrients exported from a farm in crops so that it was possible for some farms to specialize in the production of crops. These exported crops often became imports for other farms that specialized in livestock. However, the nutrient-holding capacity of soil on any farm is limited, so the potential for additions to the stock of nutrients, especially of P and K, on a farm can be expected to decrease with time. After a period of net nutrient additions on a dairy farm, the quantity of nutrients that can be accommodated is controlled by the productivity of the animals, the management of the animal handling facilities, and the off-farm purchases of feeds and other materials for the animals. Field and biophysical-economic simulation studies have demonstrated that interactions between alternative management strategies and societal perspectives about water quality and the biological and economic performance of dairy farms may sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes.
T Cell Receptor–γ/δ Cells Protect Mice from Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1–induced Lethal Encephalitis

Increased numbers of T cell receptor (TCR)-γ/δ cells have been observed in animal models of influenza and sendai virus infections, as well as in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). However, a direct role for TCR-γ/δ cells in protective immunity for pathogenic viral infection has not been demonstrated. To define the role of TCR-γ/δ cells in anti–HSV-1 immunity, TCR-α−/− mice treated with anti– TCR-γ/δ monoclonal antibodies or TCR-γ/δ × TCR-α/β double-deficient mice were infected with HSV-1 by footpad or ocular routes of infection. In both models of HSV-1 infection, TCR-γ/δ cells limited severe HSV-1–induced epithelial lesions and greatly reduced mortality by preventing the development of lethal viral encephalitis. The observed protection resulted from TCR-γ/δ cell–mediated arrest of both viral replication and neurovirulence. The demonstration that TCR-γ/δ cells play an important protective role in murine HSV-1 infections supports their potential contribution to the immune responses in human HSV-1 infection. Thus, this study demonstrates that TCR-γ/δ cells may play an important regulatory role in human HSV-1 infections.
The Riemannian obstacle problem

On considere la geometrie de distance locale des varietes de Riemann a bords. on considere une composante limite comme un obstacle autour duquel une geodesique peut se courber ou auquel une geodesique peut se terminer. On obtient l'unicite locale bipoint et une estimation geometrique sur la distance de coupure
Thoracic metastasectomy for thyroid malignancies

Objective: To better define early and long-term outcomes of patients undergoing thoracic metastasectomy for thyroid cancer. Methods: We identified, reviewed, and analyzed the medical records of all patients who underwent thoracic metastasectomy for thyroid cancer in our institution from 1971 to 2006. Results: There were 48 patients (25 men, 23 women). A complete resection (R0) of all known disease was performed in 33 (69%) patients, while 15 (31%) underwent incomplete resection (R1 or R2). By histology, the majority were papillary 31 (65%), follicular 8 (17%), medullary 5 (10%), and Hurthle cell 4 (8%). Ninety percent were confined to a single side of the chest, with 10% presenting with bilateral metastases. Thoracotomy was performed in 28 (58%), sternotomy in 12 (25%), and thoracoscopy was used in 8 (17%). Operative mortality was zero and postoperative complications occurred in 8 patients (17%). There are currently 18 surviving patients from the cohort (37%) with a medianfollow-up of 10 years (range,1 month to 17 years).The overall5-yearsurvival after thoracicmetastasectomy was60%. Basedon histology, 5-yearsurvivalfor papillarycancerwas 64%compared to 37%forfollicularandHurthlecellneoplasms(p = 0.03).Allfive medullarythyroid cancer patients were alive at 5 years. Five-year survival was also improved for patients less than 45 years old at the time of diagnosis of their initial thyroid malignancy (94% vs 49%; p = 0.03). Disease-free interval of >3 years between initial thyroid malignancy diagnosis and thoracic metastasectomy demonstrated improved 5-year survival (67% vs 52%; p = 0.01). Conclusion: Pulmonary resection for thyroid metastasis is safe with low morbidity and mortality. Retrospective analysis demonstrates improved long-term survival in patients with papillary histology, longer disease-free interval (>3 years) and younger age at diagnosis of initial thyroid malignancy. Excellent long-term survival was also achievable in selected patients with medullary thyroid metastasis. # 2009 European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Walking Skill Can Be Assessed in Older Adults: Validity of the Figure-of-8 Walk Test

Methods. The F8W time, steps, and smoothness and measures of gait (gait speed, modified Gait Abnormality Rating Scale [GARS-M]), physical function (Late Life Function and Disabilities Index [LLFDI], Survey of Activities and Fear of Falling in the Elderly [SAFFE], Gait Efficacy Scale [GES], Physical Performance Test [PPT], and fall history), and movement control and planning (gait variability, Trail Making Test B [Trails B]) were recorded in each test session. Bivariate correlations for the F8W with each variable were conducted to examine concurrent and construct validity. Adjusted linear regression analyses were performed to explore the variance in mobility explained by F8W independent of gait speed. Results. Figure-of-8 Walk Test time correlated with gait (gait speed, r.570; GARS-M, r.281), physical function (LLFDI function, r.469; SAFFE restriction subscale, r.370; PPT, r.353), confidence in walking (GES, r.468), and movement control (step length coefficient of variation, r.279; step width coefficient of variation, r.277; Trails B, r.351). Figure-of-8 Walk Test steps correlated with step width variability (r.339) and was related to fear of falling (t2.50). All correlations were significant (P.05).
On the supremal controllable sublanguage in the discrete-event model of nondeterministic hybrid control systems

This paper is concerned with the logical control of hybrid control systems (HCS). It is assumed that a discrete-event system (DES) plant model has already been extracted from the continuous-time plant. The problem of hybrid control system design can then be solved by applying logical DES controller synthesis techniques to the extracted DES plant. Traditional DES synthesis methods, however, are not always applicable since the extracted plant DES will often exhibit nondeterministic transitions. This paper presents an extension of certain DES controller synthesis techniques to the nondeterministic control automaton found in HCS. In particular, this paper derives a formula computing the supremal controllable sublanguage of a given specification language under the assumption that the DES plant exhibits nondeterministic transitions.
Numerical solution of non-linear creep problems with application to plates

Abstract A general numerical method of time integration of non-linear integral-type creep problems is presented. This method reduces the creep problem to a sequence of elasticity problems with initial strains. Its practical feasibility and convergence is proved by the analysis of a rectangular plate, and the accuracy of various types of the method is empirically studied. For the special case of a degenerate memory function, an efficient, storage and time saving modification is derived. In addition, the numerical methods for rate-type creep are also studied.