cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The role of woody vegetation in preventing ground water pollution by nitrogen from septic tank leachate

Abstract The ability of woody vegetation to remove nitrogen from septic tank leachate was studied in pine upland, oak upland and hardwood wetland habitats of the New Jersey Pinelands. The study was stimulated by the incorporation of a term for plant uptake in nutrient dilution models used for Pinelands land-use management decisions. Plant response was studied at sites involving septic tank leach fields and matched control sites for each habitat type. At each site, total biomass, net production, and tissue N concentrations for the dominant species was determined. The hardwood wetland habitat had a total biomass of 15.9 MT ha −1 , a net primary production of 5.4 MT ha −1 yr −1 and a net N uptake 75–80 kg N ha −1 yr −1 . Tissue N values for wetland trees and shrubs did not show significant differences between control and experimental sites. The pine upland communities had a biomass of 55 MT ha −1 and a net production of 5.7 MT ha −1 yr −1 ; net N uptake ranged from 45 kg N ha −1 yr −1 (control sites) to 56 kg N ha −1 yr −1 , (experimental sites). The oak upland communities had a biomass of 59 MT ha −1 and a net primary production of 5.0 MT ha −1 yr −1 ; net uptake ranged from 55 kg N ha −1 yr −1 in the control sites to 69.3 kg N ha −1 yr −1 . Tissue N concentrations showed significant increases for tree but not shrub species in both upland habitats. The capacity of the upland woody plants to increase N uptake and storage appears to be related to rooting depth and to the proximity of the plants to the drain tile: only plants with deep taproots, growing close to (within 1 m) the trench showed significant increases in uptake. It is suggested that only by augmenting appropriate natural vegetation with supplementary tree plantings can upland vegetation be utilized to reduce nitrogen movement to groundwater from septic systems in sandy soil; vegetation at naturally-occurring densities will not have a significant effect on water quality.
A pragmatic defense of free will

L'A. defend la these du compatibilisme pragmatique qui offre une justification pragmatique de notre croyance au libre-choix et a la responsabilite morale, en distinguant la necessite de la causalite deterministe de la necessite de l'implication des faits, fondee sur le critere pragmatique developpe par W. James
After Pax Americana: Benign Power, Regional Integration and the Sources of a Stable Multipolarity

An era of unprecedented peace and prosperity appears to be at hand at the beginning of the twenty-first century. The world’s major powers enjoy cooperative relations, democracy is taking root in many countries that long suffered under authoritarian rule, and the world economy is expanding as it becomes increasingly liberalized and integrated. Contrary to the dire predictions of a return to a Hobbesian world, the end of the Cold War has not been accompanied by the fragmentation of international order and the emergence of rivalry among atomistic national units.
In vitro fertilization and seed development inTrifolium

Pistils ofTrifolium repens L. andT. ambiguum Bieb. were cultured on an agar-based modified Murashige-Skoog medium. Pistils with and without accessory floral parts were removed from flowers of selected clones ofT. repens, hand-pollinated under aseptic conditions, and planted on the medium. Pistils cultured without accessory floral parts showed no evidence of fertilization after 2 weeks. However, 52% of thoseT. repens pistils cultured with calyx lobes and pedicels contained ovules with maturing embryos 12 days after in vitro cross-pollination. Pistils fromT. ambiguum intraspecific cross-pollinations could not be cultured successfully under the same conditions; however, addition of various combinations of auxin, cytokinin, and gibberellic acid enhanced embryo growth. Fertilization and partial embryo development occurred in interspecific crosses betweenT. ambiguum andT. repens orT. hybridum only whenT. ambiguum was used as the pistillate parent. These results indicate that embryological development under in vitro conditions closely parallels in situ development although growth regulator requirements may vary among species.
EEG power spectra in huntington's disease: Clinical and neuropsychological correlates

Abstract Quantitative power spectral analysis (PSA) was applied to frontal (F3, F4, F7, F8), temporal (T5, T6), and occipital (O1, O2) EEGs of 16 Huntington's disease (HD) patients and eight healthy control subjects. PSA revealed HD patients' EEGs to be abnormal: (i) raw and percent Alpha power were reduced; (ii) raw and percent Theta power were reduced at F3 and F4; (iii) percent Delta and percent Beta power were increased; (iii) Theta frequency was reduced by ~1.0 Hz. Frontal and temporal EEG power measures and decreased EEG amplitude correlated with severity of neurological and cognitive impairment.
Interstellar absorption lines in the spectrum of Zeta Ophiuchi

The far-UV spectrum of Zeta Pup is surveyed as obtained from scans by Copernicus satellite detectors. Equivalent widths are tabulated for 147 lines from 35 different ions or isotopes of 19 elements in the direction of Zeta Pup. In addition, 52 unidentified absorption lines are listed whose narrow widths indicate an interstellar origin. An attempt is made to report on the relative velocities of the lines, curves of growth and column densities, and interstellar abundances. Suggestions are made for future investigations. Apparently, it is found that: (1) O, P, S, Cl, and Zn are within a factor of 2 of their solar abundances toward Zeta Pup; (2) Mg, Al, Si, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, and Cu are depleted by factors of 4 or more; and (3) the depletion generally increases with increasing condensation temperature.
Anomalous diffusion in steady fluid flow through a porous medium

Diffusion in steady fluid flow through a porous medium with large fluctuations in the pore diameters is studied. For incompressible fluids, there are singular corrections to hydrodynamics in three dimensions and logarithmic divergences in $d=2$. When the constraint of incompressibility is relaxed, we recover recent results for diffusion in a random environment.
5-tert-Butyl-2-(4′-[18F]fluoropropynylphenyl)-1,3-dithiane oxides: potential new GABAA receptor radioligands

Abstract As potential new ligands targeting the binding site of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) receptor ionophore, trans -5- tert -butyl-2-(4′-fluoropropynylphenyl)-2-methyl-1,1-dioxo-1,3-dithiane (1) and cis / trans -5- tert -butyl-2-(4′-fluoropropynylphenyl)-2-methyl-1,1,3,3-tetroxo-1,3-dithiane (2) were selected for radiolabeling and initial evaluation as in vivo imaging agents for positron emission tomography (PET). Both compounds exhibited identical high in vitro binding affinities ( K i =6.5 nM). Appropriate tosylate-substituted ethynyl precursors were prepared by multistep syntheses involving stepwise sulfur oxidation and chromatographic isolation of desired trans isomers. Radiolabeling was accomplished in one step using nucleophilic [ 18 F]fluorination. In vivo biodistribution studies with trans -[ 18 F] 1 and trans -[ 18 F]2 showed significant initial uptake into mouse brain and gradual washout, with heterogeneous regional brain distributions and higher retention in the cerebral cortex and cerebellum and lower retention in the striatum and pons–medulla. These regional distributions of the new radioligands correlated with in vitro and ex vivo measures of standard radioligands binding to the ionophore- and benzodiazepine-binding sites of GABA A receptor in rodent brain. A comparison of these results with previously prepared radiotracers for other neurochemical targets, including successes and failures as in vivo radioligands, suggests that higher-affinity compounds with increased retention in target brain tissues will likely be needed before a successful radiopharmaceutical for human PET imaging can be identified.
The Sensitivity Function in Variability Analysis

Methods of variability analysis include deterministic approaches, e.g., ``worst case'' methods, ``Shmoo Plots,'' and probabilistic approaches (Monte Carlo and Moment methods). Most of these use as a point of departure the Taylor Series expansion of the performance function about the nominal operating point with all but first-order terms neglected. The coefficients of the series are the partial derivatives of the performance function with respect to the components evaluated at the nominal operating point. These derivatives when properly normalized become the sensitivity functions used extensively in the study of feedback systems. The purpose of this paper is to bring together various results concerning sensitivity which are of direct use in variability analysis. One of the most useful of these is a relation concerning sensitivity sums which furnishes a valuable check on sensitivity calculation for homogeneous functions. Enough errors have been noted in recent literature to indicate that use of this check should become a routine part of variability analysis wherever it is applicable. Also included are applications to pole-zero sensitivity of electrical networks.
The computational strengths of α-tape infinite time Turing machines

Abstract In [7] , open questions are raised regarding the computational strengths of so-called ∞-α-Turing machines, a family of models of computation resembling the infinite-time Turing machine (ITTM) model of [2] , except with α-length tape (for α ≥ ω ). Let T α denote the machine model of tape length α (so T ω is just the ITTM model). Define that T α is computationally stronger than T β (abbreviated T α ≻ T β ) precisely when T α can compute all T β -computable functions f : 2 min ( α , β ) → 2 min ( α , β ) , plus more. The following results are found: (1) T ω 1 ≻ T ω . (2) There are countable ordinals α such that T α ≻ T ω , the smallest of which is precisely γ, the supremum of ordinals clockable by T ω . In fact, there is a hierarchy of countable T α s of increasing strength corresponding to the transfinite (weak) Turing-jump operator ∇ . (3) There is a countable ordinal μ such that neither T μ ⪰ T ω 1 nor T μ ⪯ T ω 1 —that is, the models T μ and T ω 1 are computation-strength incommensurable (and the same holds if countable μ ′ > μ replaces μ). A similar fact holds for any larger uncountable device replacing T ω 1 . (4) Further observations are made about countable T α .
Jan Smuts: Metaphysics and the League of Nations

Abstract Jan Smuts was one of the key figures in the creation of the League of Nations, the first international organisation with truly global pretensions. However, Holism and Evolution, the most philosophical of his works, and one that illuminates his views on international organisation, has remained in a state of relative academic neglect. This paper turns to that work for a richer understanding of the background assumptions of those who contributed to the creation of the League. To do so, this paper lays bare the main ideas of Holism and Evolution, emphasising those elements most relevant to Smuts's proposals for international organisation, and situates his thought within broader currents of liberal imperialism. Such an examination of Holism and Evolution aids greatly in our understanding of some of the most contested issues in the debate over the nascent League of Nations: sovereignty, imperialism, self-determination, and the conception of politics in organic terms.
Non-homogeneous random walks, generalised master equations, fractional Fokker-Planck equations, and the generalised Kramers-Moyal expansion

A generalised random walk scheme for random walks in an arbitrary external potential field is investigated. From this concept which accounts for the symmetry breaking of homogeneity through the external field, a generalised master equation is constructed. For long-tailed transfer distance or waiting time distributions we show that this generalised master equation is the genesis of apparently different fractional Fokker-Planck equations discussed in literature. On this basis, we introduce a generalisation of the Kramers-Moyal expansion for broad jump length distributions that combines multiples of both ordinary and fractional spatial derivatives. However, it is shown that the nature of the drift term is not changed through the existence of anomalous transport statistics, and thus to first order, an external potential Φ(x) feeds back on the probability density function W through the classical term ∝∞ ∂/∂ xФ´(x)W(x, t), i.e., even for Levy flights, there exists a linear infinitesimal generator that accounts for the response to an external field.
Constructing Treason, Narrating Truth: The 1794 Treason Trial of Thomas Holcroft and the Fate of English Jacobinism

In 1794, Britain experienced a public crisis in representation when twelve men were tried for “Constructive Treason” based upon their agitation for Parliamentary reform. The British nation is “constituted” by the conjunction of king and both houses of Parliament rather than by an originary document: under “constructive treason” an attack on one part of this “Happy Constitution” (Parliament) can be metonymically construed as an attack on another part (the monarchy or simply the dignity of the king himself). This essay takes the trial for High Treason of twelve radical reformers as its subject, with special attention to the inclusion of autodidact and radical author Thomas Holcroft among the accused. Rather than reading a literary text for its hidden political content, this essay instead reads public documents surrounding the trial for their figurative turn and as the sign of an emergent cultural debate over the relation of language to meaning with material and literary implications. Although the 1794 London Treason trials ended in acquittals or in dismissal of the charges, their impact upon the accused, and more broadly upon the project of the radical novel of purpose, was significant. Because the charge of constructive treason was successfully undercut by the radicals’ accusations that this was an overly-imaginative projection by the government, the English Jacobin novelists’ own project of enlisting active political imaginings through fictions was also made suspect. On the one hand, post-1795 the government and loyalists turned away from direct legal confrontations and toward the powers of imaginative literature in their future efforts to deauthorize the project of radical reform. On the other, the radicals’ success in tainting the government’s charges as overly speculative reflected back upon the Jacobin’s own projections and designs. Finally, the public discourse and documents surrounding the 1794 Treason Trials themselves are an important moment in the collision of the material with the imaginative at the turn of the century. The case of the 1794 Treason Trials and their implications for Jacobin fictions suggest particular benefits to the study of a broad range of materials beyond the usual parameters of “literature” as more than contextual documents.
Outcome prediction model for very elderly critically ill patients.

Context Very elderly critically ill patients have three possible hospital outcomes: discharge to home, discharge to a skilled nursing or rehabilitation facility, or death. The factors associated with these outcomes are unknown. Objective To develop a three-outcome prediction model for very elderly critically ill patients. Design Retrospective chart abstraction with ordered logistic regression analysis. Setting Academic medical center. Patients Four hundred and fifty-five patients 85 yrs or older admitted to intensive care units (ICU) during 1996 and 1997. Measurements and Main Results A fitted ordinal logistic regression predictive model was developed using data from 243 patients hospitalized in 1996, and validated on data from 212 patients hospitalized in 1997. Model variables include age, gender, baseline support level, type of ICU, heart rate at ICU admission, use of mechanical ventilation, vasopressors or a pulmonary artery catheter during the ICU stay, and the development of respiratory, neurologic or hematologic failure or sepsis while in the ICU. When tested on the 1997 data, the model was well calibrated and had a high discriminant index. Conclusions This mathematical model can be used to predict the risks of these three hospital outcomes for this population of patients. These predictions can provide a context when discussing goals and expectations with patients, families, and other healthcare providers and to aid in hospital discharge planning.
Generation of synthetic satellite data with OMEGA

Satellite data retrieval algorithms almost always involve a large degree of model or simulation input. As an example, the satellite might provide a radiance or transmittance measurement that has to be unfolded to provide temperature or mass density. In order to convert transmittance into mass density, the operator must make some assumptions on the mass extinction coefficient and particle size distribution. These assumptions are often based upon climatological averages or upon simulation results. The Operational Multiscale Environment model with Grid Adaptivity (OMEGA) is a new atmospheric simulation system that merges state-of-the-art computational fluid dynamics techniques with a comprehensive non-hydrostatic equation set that includes both explicit and parameterized microphysics. OMEGA is based upon an unstructured triangular prism grid that permits a horizontal grid resolution ranging from 100 km down to 1 km and a vertical resolution from a few tens of meters in the boundary layer to 1 km in the free troposphere. OMEGA also contains an embedded aerosol transport algorithm that permits the simulation at high resolution of the transport and diffusion of either grid based aerosols or of Lagrangian parcels. OMEGA represents a significant advance in the field of weather prediction and aerosol transport. Current operational forecast models are scale- specific and have a limit to their resolution caused by their fixed rectangular grid structure. OMEGA, on the other hand, is naturally scale spanning and its unstructured grid permits the addition of grid elements at any point in space and time. This means that OMEGA can readily adapt its grid to fixed surface or terrain features, or dynamic features in the evolving weather. This feature also makes OMEGA a useful tool for satellite data retrieval and for the generation of synthetic satellite data. Synthetic satellite data is generated by recognizing that it is easier, in some ways, to simulate the performance of a sensor using the simulated environment and the sensor characteristics than to extract environmental information from the sensor data. This technique has been applied to generate simulated radar data as well as to produce a simulated photograph of an isolated cloud where the primary discrimination was the color contrast provided by the obscuration of the blue diffuse backscattered illumination by the cloud. The flexible grid adaptivity of OMEGA permits the accurate simulation of the satellite field of view thereby reducing the beam-filling problem that can cause major discrepancies in the data retrieval algorithm. Given the interaction of the model forecast and the data retrieval, the very high resolution forecasts possible with OMEGA also could improve existing retrieval algorithms. In this paper, we will present an overview of our concept of an analog sensor (or synthetic satellite data generation), and how the unique simulation capabilities of OMEGA factor into this concept.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Difluorodiazirine. V. difluoromethyl esters and ethers

The preparation of difluoromethyl esters and ethers by the photolytic reaction of difluorodiazirine with acids and alcohols, respectively, is described. Difluoromethyl benzoate is converted, under mild conditions, to methyl benzoate, benzamide and benzanilide by reaction with methanol, ammonium hydroxide and aniline, respectively. The difluoromethyl esters are activated to nucleophilic reaction by virtue of the α-fluorine substitution.
Myelolipoma: An unusual surgical lesion of the adrenal gland

The clinical and pathologic features of three cases of surgically removed myelolipoma of the adrenal gland are presented. As with 18 previously reported cases, the lesions were found in obese, middle-aged persons; two of three had chronic, systemic disease (vasculitis and lymphoma, sustained hypertension). The only symptom possibly attributable to the neoplasm was nonspecific abdominal pain, and each lesion was identified by inferior renal displacement on intravenous urography. As computed tomography becomes widely available, the authors expect more myelolipomas to be detected that require surgical exploration, since there are no satisfactory, specific radiographic criteria to differentiate adrenal myelolipoma from adrenocortical carcinoma.
Performance of microtrak direct test for Chlamydia trachomatis in a prevalence study.

Abstract Three hundred thirty-two women, aged 18–30 yr, attending two clinics in Burlington Vermont were screened for infection with Chlamydiatrachomatis by two methods, Microtrak Direct Test (SYVA) and cell culture. The overall sensitivity for Microtrak compared with culture was 75% (18 of 24), the specificity was 99.7% (307 of 308), the positive predictive value was 94.7% (18 of 19), and the negative predictive value was 98.1% (307 of 313). Prevalence of Chlamydiatrachomatis in this population was estimated to be 7.2% (95% confidence intervals 4.4–10.0). The results from this study suggest that Microtrak is less sensitive when used in unselected patient groups from populations of lower prevalence, in contrast to higher sensitivities previously reported.
Sperm incorporation, the pronuclear migrations, and their relation to the establishment of the first embryonic axis: Time-lapse video microscopy of the movements during fertilization of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus

The movements during fertilization have been investigated with differential interference optics and recorded by time-lapse video microscopy of the clear egg of the sea urchin Lytechinus variegatus. Sperm-egg binding occurs rapidly, and following a time when the sperm gyrates on the egg surface, gamete fusion occurs. A rapid cortical contraction radiates from the fusion site and is succeeded by the elevation of the fertilization coat. Sperm incorporation occurs in two stages: the fertilization cone enlarges around and above the erect and immotile sperm and then the sperm head, midpiece, and tail are displaced along the subsurface region of the egg at an average rate of 3.5 μm/min. The formation of the sperm aster moves the male pronucleus from the subsurface region of the egg toward the egg center at a rate of 4.9 μm/min. When the rays of the radial sperm aster appear to contact the female pronucleus, the female pronucleus migrates at a rate of 14.6 μm/min to the center of the sperm aster. The now adjacent pronuclei are moved to the egg center by the continuing enlargement of the sperm aster at a rate of 2.6 μm/min. Syngamy is usually preceded by the disassembly of the sperm aster. The centripetal migration of the pronuclei appears involved in the establishment of the first embryonic axis; cleavage occurs within 8° of the direction of this centering motion.
Finite temperature SU(2) lattice gauge theory

We discuss SU(2) lattice gauge theories at non-zero temperature and prove several rigorous results including i) the absence of confinement for sufficiently high temperature in the pure gauge theory, and ii) the absence of spontaneous chiral symmetry breaking for sufficiently high temperature in the theory with massless fundamental representation fermions.
Faraday rotation spectroscopy of oxygen using a cylindrical mirror multi-pass cell and rare-earth magnets

A multi-pass cell enclosed by rare-earth magnets has been developed for sensitive FRS spectroscopy of oxygen. The FRS signals are generated by laser wavelength modulation and detected using a balanced photodetector and lock-in amplifier.
Hemodynamic changes and baroreflex gain in the supine hypotensive syndrome.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether supine hypotensive syndrome is caused by a decreased baroreflex gain that results in inadequate compensatory responses to restore cardiac output. Study Design: Ten third-trimester gravid women with symptoms that were suggestive of supine hypotensive syndrome and 10 control subjects without symptoms were studied. Patients were studied initially for 30 minutes in the lateral recumbent position with continuous heart rate, blood pressure, external cardiotocography, and cardiac output determinations every 5 minutes. After 30 minutes, the patient was repositioned supine for up to an additional 30 minutes, and all measurements were repeated similarly. This lateral-supine sequence was repeated twice or until symptoms precluded further testing. Results: The two groups were demographically similar. With maternal position change to supine, cardiac output (−2.7 L/min vs −1.0 L/min, P =.04) and mean arterial blood pressure (−10.7 mm Hg vs −2.5 mm Hg, P =.03) were respectively lower, and heart rate (+26.9 vs +14.4 beats/min, P =.04) was higher in the subjects with supine hypotensive syndrome than in the control subjects. Baroreflex gain, however, did not differ between the subjects with supine hypotensive syndrome and control subjects ( P =.26). Conclusion: We were unable to demonstrate a decrease in baroreflex gain as a possible cause of supine hypotensive syndrome. Inadequate pelvic collateral circulation that leads to a greater decrease in cardiac output may be causative in the syndrome. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;187:1636-41.)
Influence of H-2-linked genes on glucocorticoid receptors in the fetal mouse palate.

The binding of 3H-dexamethasone to cytosolic receptors in fetal jaws and in cytosols and nuclei of primary cell cultures of fetal palates was studied in various congenic strains of mice. The amount of specific binding was greater in palatal tissues from B10.A and BlO.A(2R) mice than in B10 or B10.A(5R) preparations. These differences were not observed in the liver. Since the strains with higher levels of glucocorticoid receptor are known to be more susceptible to cortisone-induced cleft palate than the strains with low receptor levels, it is suggested that quantitative variation in receptor levels may be involved in determining H-2-linked differences in cleft-palate susceptibility. Whether or not this is the case, it appears that an H-2-linked gene affects the quantity of a cytosolic glucocorticoid-binding protein which translocates to the nucleus.
Predictors of gender-related barriers, work, and life satisfaction among men in nursing.

University of Texas at AustinThis study reports on the experiences of 174 men in the nursing profession across theUnited States. Participants completed online measures of gender role consict, socialsupport, gender-related work barriers, and work and life satisfaction. Overall, menappeared well adjusted and content in their roles and lives. Variables predictive ofcareer and life satisfaction included perceptions of gender-related work barriers, con-sict between work and family, social support from signiÞcant others, conÞdence in jobskills, and comfort in physical and emotional expression with other men. The impli-cations of these Þndings for recruiting and retaining men into the nursing professionand suggestions for further research are discussed.Keywords: men in nursing, non-traditional work roles, masculinity
A view on the science: physical anthropology at the millennium.

EDITOR'S NOTE The year 2000 marks the onset of the 21st century. In this transitional year, prominent physical anthropologists will provide brief reflections on our discipline, including what attracted them to it, and their views on the directions our discipline may pursue as we enter, in January 2001, the third millennium. Am J Phys Anthropol 112:145–148, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Involved-Field Radiation Therapy Following TBI-containing Myeloablative and Nonmyeloablative Conditioning Regimens in Hematopoietic Cell Transplant for Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma: No Impact on Relapse Rate

High dose therapy and hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT), be it autologous or allogeneic, has become the treatment of choice for relapsed or refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Several myeloablative and nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens have been studied, many of which have incorporated totalbody irradiation (TBI). Frequently, subsequent involved-field radiotherapy (IFRT) is utilized for additional tumor killing at sites of bulky or refractory disease or to consolidate response to chemotherapy. A handful of publications1-4 have reported results with this approach, showing variable local control benefit from the addition of IFRT to non-TBI-containing transplant protocols. There are less data, however, addressing the role of IFRT in TBI-containing protocols. Several authors5-8 have shown this to be feasible, but there is little or no evidence of benefit of IFRT when combined with TBI-containing conditioning. We report our experience with NHL patients receiving consolidative IFRT in addition to TBI-containing conditioning for HCT.
Prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders in adult clients with pervasive developmental disorders.

Background In clients with pervasive developmental disorders (PDD), some authors have noticed the presence of gastrointestinal disorders and behavioural disorders. An augmented prevalence of different histological anomalies has also been reported. The aim of our study is to highlight the prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders in this adult with PDD sample and to demonstrate the importance of accurate evaluation of gastrointestinal disorders in clients with PDD. Methods The present comparative study involved 118 clients. Our research was motivated by the clinical observation that behavioural disorders sometimes disappeared with administration of anti-gastric acid or anti-ulcerous medications. It focused on two samples of clients with intellectual disability – those with associated PDD and those without. The presence of gastrointestinal disorders was assessed retrospectively on the basis of hospital records. Results The prevalence of gastrointestinal disorders reported in clinical files was 48.8% in clients with PDD, as compared with 8.0% in non-PDD clients (P < 0.00001). Conclusion Gastrointestinal disorders, and especially gastro-oesophageal reflux, if neglected, may contribute to behavioural disorders in PDD clients. Moreover, gastrointestinal disorders may be considered as a feature of PDD. We highlight the fact that somatic disorders may coexist in persons with PDD.
FGF8 is essential for formation of the ductal system in the male reproductive tract

During development of the urogenital tract, fibroblast growth factor 8 (Fgf8) is expressed in mesonephric tubules, but its role in this tissue remains undefined. An evaluation of previously generated T-Cre-mediated Fgf8-deficient mice (T-Cre; Fgf8flox/Δ2,3 mice), which lack Fgf8 expression in the mesoderm, revealed that the cranial region of the Wolffian duct degenerated prematurely and the cranial mesonephric tubules were missing. As a result, the epididymis, vas deferens and efferent ductules were largely absent in mutant mice. Rarb2-Cre was used to eliminate FGF8 from the mesonephric tubules but to allow expression in the adjacent somites. These mutants retained the cranial end of the Wolffian duct and formed the epididymis and vas deferens, but failed to elaborate the efferent ductules, indicating that Fgf8 expression by the mesonephric tubules is required specifically for the formation of the ductules. Ret knockout mice do not form the ureteric bud, a caudal outgrowth of the Wolffian duct and progenitor for the collecting duct network in the kidney, but they do develop the cranial end normally. This indicates that Fgf8, but not Ret, expression is essential to the outgrowth of the cranial mesonephric tubules from the Wolffian duct and to the development of major portions of the sex accessory tissues in the male reproductive tract. Mechanistically, FGF8 functions upstream of Lhx1 expression in forming the nephron, and analysis of Fgf8 mutants similarly shows deficient Lhx1 expression in the mesonephric tubules. These results demonstrate a multifocal requirement for FGF8 in establishing the male reproductive tract ducts and implicate Lhx1 signaling in tubule elongation.
Homelessness and vulnerability among adults with and without alcohol problems

While many works compare traits of homeless adults across levels of alcohol use, few specifically consider whether drinking status affects determinants of either homelessness or “vulnerability” to homelessness. This paper relies on a 1986 Chicago, Illinois sample (n = 535) to consider the potential contributions of resources, social network characteristics, disaffiliation, and mental health problems. Results suggest that resource problems may determine homelessness regardless of drinking status. But drinking-associated problems may raise the resource threshold for “vulnerability,” reduce the protection afforded by social networks against both homelessness and “vulnerability,7rdquo; increase the deleterious impact of disaffiliation, and spur complicating mental health problems. [Translations are provided in the International Abstracts Section of this issue.]
Transmission and evolution of hepatitis C virus in HCV seroconverters in HIV infected subjects.

HIV/HCV co-infection provides a model to determine the role of immunity on HCV transmission and evolution. In this study HCV transmission and evolution were evaluated in 6 HCV seroconverters in HIV-infected subjects with a wide range of CD4 cell count. The HCV envelope E1/E2 sequences were analyzed for transmission bottleneck, viral diversity/divergence, immune pressure, and mutations of HLA class I/II restricted epitopes. HCV infection started with transmission bottleneck in all HIV-infected individuals. During the 1.0–2.0 years of infection there was a shift of viral quasispecies in majority of the subjects from one to next visit. However, HCV diversity, divergence, mutations in HLA class I/II restricted and virus neutralizing epitopes were similar in all subjects regardless of CD4 cell count at the time of HCV infection. Our results suggest that HCV transmission and evolution in HIV-infected subjects may not be influenced by host CD4 cell count at the time of infection.
The fine structure of pit viper venom and additional observations on the role of aromatic amines in the physiology of the pit viper.

Abstract 1. 1. The ultrastructure of pit viper venom was examined and found to contain many different forms of vesicles separated from each other by membranous envelopes. 2. 2. Tissues and venom of these snakes were assayed for monoamine oxidase (MAO), catechol- o -methyl transferase (COMT), and 5-HT-Dopa decarboxylase, enzymes previously said to exist in the venom in the presence of their substrates. 3. 3. Although the enzymes were not found in the venom, the physical state of the secretion is such that coexistence of enzyme and substrate outside of the cell is possible.
Preparation and In-Vitro Evaluation of Powder Solution Tablets of Valproic Acid

AbstractA tablet dosage form of liquid valproic acid (VPA) was formulated using powder solution technology as an alternative to the manufacturing of soft elastic gelatin capsules (SEGs). Mixing of liquid VPA with suitable adsorbents followed by blending with other excipients resulted in a non-adherent, free flowing powder. Tableting was achieved through standard direct compression. The tablets were acceptable in terms of physical properties. Film coated tablets (FCTs) and sugar coated tablets (SCTs) were also prepared. The in-vitro dissolution rates of these VPA tablets were significantly greater than that of a marketed SEG product. There was no significant change in the dissolution rates of the plain and FCTs after storage under accelerated stability conditions. Powder solution technology was a viable alternative to the commercial preparation of SEGs.
Estimates and confidence intervals for importance sampling sensitivity analysis

The performance of the importance sampling/likelihood ratio method for sensitivity analysis is poor for large perturbations-the estimated response eventually goes to zero as parameters change in either direction, no matter what is being estimated. Simultaneously, standard confidence intervals shrink to width zero, although the actual variance increases. We discuss importance sampling methods which give acceptable performance for a wider range of perturbations, and discuss confidence intervals which more accurately reflect the accuracy of estimates.
Predicting soil bulk density for incomplete databases

Abstract Soil bulk density (ρb) is important because of its direct effect on soil properties (e.g., porosity, soil moisture availability) and crop yield. Additionally, ρb measurements are needed to express soil organic carbon (SOC) and other nutrient stocks on an area basis (kg ha− 1). However, ρb measurements are commonly missing from databases for reasons that include omission due to sampling constraints and laboratory mishandling. The objective of this study was to investigate the performance of novel pedotransfer functions (PTFs) in predicting ρb as a function of textural class and basic pedon description information extracted from the horizon of interest (the horizon for which ρb is being predicted), and ρb, textural class, and basic pedon description information extracted from horizons above or below and directly adjacent or not adjacent to the horizon of interest. A total of 2,680 pedons (20,045 horizons) were gathered from the USDA-NRCS National Soil Survey Center characterization database. Twelve ρb PTFs were developed by combining PTF types, database configurations, and horizon limiting depths. Different PTF types were created considering the direction of prediction in the soil profile: upward and downward prediction models. Multiple database configurations were used to mimic different scenarios of horizons missing ρb values: random missing (e.g., ρb sample lost in transit) and patterned or systematic missing (e.g., no ρb samples collected for horizons > 30 cm depth). For each database configuration scenario, upward and downward models were developed separately. Three limiting depths (20, 30, and 50 cm) were tested to identify any threshold depth between upward and downward models. For both PTF types, validation results indicated that models derived from the database configuration mimicking random horizons missing ρb performed better than those derived from the configuration mimicking clear patterns of missing ρb measurements. All 12 PTFs performed well (RMSPE: 0.10–0.15 g cm− 3). The threshold depth of 50 cm most successfully split the database between upward and downward models. For all PTFs, the ρb of other horizons in the soil profile was the most important variable in predicting ρb. The proposed PTFs provide reasonably accurate ρb predictions, and have the potential to help researchers and other users to fill gaps in their database without complicated data acquisition.
A laser pointer surveyor to detect an undercut in fixed partial denture preparation.

1. Rudd RW, Bange AA, Rudd KD, Montalvo R. Preparing teeth to receive a removable partial denture. J Prosthet Dent 1999;82:536-49. 2. Alfonso C, Toothaker RW, Wright RF, White GS. A technique to create appropriate abutment tooth contours for removable partial dentures. J Prosthodont 1999;8:273-5. 3. Kawano F, Ohguri T, Ichikawa T, Matsumoto N. Influence of thermal cycles in water on flexural strength of laboratoryprocessed composite resin. J Oral Rehabil 2001;28:703-7. 4. Takahashi Y, Hisama K, Sato H, Chai J, Shimizu H, Kido H, et al. Probability of failure of highly filled indirect resin-veneered implant-supported restorations: an in vitro study. Int J Prosthodont 2002;15:179-82. 5. Davenport JC, Hawamdeh K, Harrington E, Wilson HJ. Clasp retention and composites: an abrasion study. J Dent 1990;18:198202. 6. Tietge JD, Dixon DL, Breeding LC, Leary JM, Aquilino SA. In vitro investigation of the wear of resin composite materials and cast direct retainers during removable partial denture placement and removal. Int J Prosthodont 1992;5:145-53. 7. Chow TW, Chung RW, Chu FC, Newsome PR. Tooth preparations designed for posterior resin-bonded fixed partial B 1 A, Definitive cast of preparations. B, Intaglio surface of highly filled composite resin partial coverage restoration. A
A central role for JNK in obesity and insulin resistance

Obesity is closely associated with insulin resistance and establishes the leading risk factor for type 2 diabetes mellitus, yet the molecular mechanisms of this association are poorly understood. The c-Jun amino-terminal kinases (JNKs) can interfere with insulin action in cultured cells and are activated by inflammatory cytokines and free fatty acids, molecules that have been implicated in the development of type 2 diabetes. Here we show that JNK activity is abnormally elevated in obesity. Furthermore, an absence of JNK1 results in decreased adiposity, significantly improved insulin sensitivity and enhanced insulin receptor signalling capacity in two different models of mouse obesity. Thus, JNK is a crucial mediator of obesity and insulin resistance and a potential target for therapeutics.
Viral Aetiology of Human Tumours

RECENT electron microscopic examinations of human neoplastic cells have revealed a variety of virus-like particles (for example, refs. 1–9) which frequently resemble herpesvirus10–15. Because the viral aetiology of a number of animal tumours has been established, the discovery of virus-like structures in human cancer cells has been taken as evidence in support of the concept that viruses cause human tumours.
Arginine Topology Controls Escape of Minimally Cationic Proteins from Early Endosomes to the Cytoplasm

Proteins represent an expanding class of therapeutics, but their actions are limited primarily to extracellular targets because most peptidic molecules fail to enter cells. Here we identified two small proteins, miniature protein 5.3 and zinc finger module ZF5.3, that enter cells to reach the cytosol through rapid internalization and escape from Rab5+ endosomes. The trafficking pathway mapped for these molecules differs from that of Tat and Arg(8), which require transport beyond Rab5+ endosomes to gain cytosolic access. Our results suggest that the ability of 5.3 and ZF5.3 to escape from early endosomes is a unique feature and imply the existence of distinct signals, encodable within short sequences, that favor early versus late endosomal release. Identifying these signals and understanding their mechanistic basis will illustrate how cells control the movement of endocytic cargo and may allow researchers to engineer molecules to follow a desired delivery pathway for rapid cytosolic access.
Enhancing Cultural Heritage Collections by Supporting and Analyzing Participation in Flickr

Cultural heritage institutions can enhance their collections by sharing content through popular web services. Drawing on current analyses from the Flickr Feasibility Study, we report on the pronounced increase in use of the IMLS DCC Flickr Photostream in the past year, trends in how users are engaging with the content, and data provider perspectives on participation in Flickr through the DCC. In addition to users providing comments and tags for images, they are increasingly integrating historical images from libraries and museums into new digital objects and special collections. Intermediary services can fill a key role in lowering the burden for institutions to engage in Web 2.0 initiatives and broadening public access to cultural heritage content. To extend the scope of the current DCC services, we propose a feedback framework for transferring user-generated information to institutional data providers.
Arts and aesthetics: Marketing and cultural production

Cultural production concerns the creation, diffusion, and consumption of cultural products. In this article, we discuss cultural production as related to the marketing and consumption of aesthetics. The article addresses the following topics: the nature of cultural production, including the roles that producers, cultural intermediaries and consumers play in the process; emerging perspectives and ideas on cultural production; aesthetics and art in cultural production; new epistemologies concerning postmodernism and posthumanism as related to cultural production; and the implications of the cultural production processes for the marketing aspects of cultural industries. This article sets forth marketing as the context and framework for the functioning of the cultural production system.
Sensor placement for time-domain modal parameter estimation

A new method of sensor placement for modal identification is presented. The sensor placement technique utilizes the variance of estimates derived from a perturbation analysis of a time-domain parameter estimation method to determine appropriate locations of sensors. An efficient scheme is developed to implement the backward elimination scheme for sensor placement. The performance of this method is compared with two alternatives: a process of maximizing the determinant of the Fisher information matrix corresponding to the target modal partitions and a process of minimizing the trace of the covariance matrix. The effect of finite element model error on this placement technique is investigated. Numerical examples demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the new approach.
Impact of psychiatric diagnoses on hospital length of stay in children with sickle cell anemia.

Background Patients with sickle cell anemia (SCA) experience a broad range of psychiatric disorders, placing them at risk for more complicated and longer hospitalizations for vaso-occlusive crises (VOC). The current study examined the frequency of psychiatric disorders in SCA patients (ages birth to 20 years) admitted for VOC in a nationally representative sample and the association between psychiatric disorders and hospital length of stay (LOS). Procedure Patients with a primary diagnosis of SCA with crisis identified through the nationally representative Kids' Inpatient Database (KID) 2006 from the Agency of Healthcare Research and Quality were included for analysis. Patients with psychiatric disorders listed as secondary diagnoses were categorized under specific psychiatric disorders (mood disorder, anxiety disorder, disruptive behavior disorder, substance use disorder). Non-parametric and regression analyses were utilized for nationally weighted data, to determine the effect of psychiatric disorders on LOS, while controlling for significant covariates. Results For 21,255 hospital discharges for children with SCA with crisis in 2006, the mean LOS was 4.51 days. Approximately 6% of the patients discharged had a psychiatric disorder. After adjusting for significant covariates, mood disorders, anxiety disorders, and any psychiatric disorder were each associated with significantly longer LOS (P < 0.01). Substance and disruptive behavior disorders were not associated with LOS. Conclusions Pediatric patients diagnosed with a psychiatric disorder, specifically mood or anxiety disorders, have longer LOS for VOC. These findings suggest that future interventions aimed at managing VOC may need to consider adjunctive psychiatric assessment and intervention. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2012; 58: 239–243. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.