cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Sequential photochemical and microbial degradation of organic molecules bound to humic Acid.

We studied the effects of photochemical processes on the mineralization by soil microorganisms of [2-14C]glycine bound to soil humic acid. Microbial mineralization of these complexes in the dark increased inversely with the molecular weight of the complex molecules. Sunlight irradiation of glycine-humic acid complexes resulted in loss of absorbance in the UV range and an increase in the amount of 14C-labeled low-molecular-weight photoproducts and the rate and extent of mineralization. More than half of the radioactivity in the low-molecular-weight photoproducts appears to be associated with carboxylic acids. Microbial mineralization of the organic carbon increased with solar flux and was proportional to the loss of A330. Mineralization was proportional to the percentage of the original complex that was converted to low-molecular-weight photoproducts. Only light at wavelengths below 380 nm had an effect on the molecular weight distribution of the products formed from the glycine-humic acid complexes and on the subsequent microbial mineralization. Our results indicate that photochemical processes generate low-molecular-weight, readily biodegradable molecules from high-molecular-weight complexes of glycine with humic acid.
Potato Response to Boron and Sulfur Fertilization

Materials and Methods Trial location was Field G, which has a Fruitfield coarse sand soil with approximately 1 percent organic matter. A soil test at the start of the study reported 1.2 lb/acre of boron and 27 lb/acre of sulfur. The field had been recently limed and soil pH was 7.4. The plot area was chisel plowed and preplant fertilizer was incorporated by disking at rate of 52 lb/acre nitrogen, 52 lb/acre P2O5, and 177 lb/acre K2O. Additional nitrogen was sidedressed on May 11 (potato emergence) and June 1 at rate of 50 lb/acre. Potato seed pieces were planted approximately 8 in. apart on April 11 in furrows and covered by hilling. Plots were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. A plot consisted of two rows, one row of cultivar Atlantic and one row of cultivar Snowden. Data were taken on the two cultivars separately, however, because they responded identically to the treatments, data were combined to simplify presentation. Pest control was achieved with use of smetolachlor and linuron herbicides, bifentrhrin and imidacloprid insecticides and azoxystrobin and chlorothalonil fungicides. Solubor was the boron source and sprayed on the soil surface of designated plot areas at a rate to equal 1.5 lb/acre boron on April 12. Calcium sulfate (CaSO4) was the source of sulfur and was banded alongside potato rows at a rate to equal 20 lb/acre and 40 lb/acre sulfur on May 17. Leaf samples were collected on June 21 and sent to A&L Analytical Laboratories, Memphis, TN, to determine boron and sulfur concentrations in the plant tissue. Potato plots were harvested on July 20 to determine yield and specific gravity of the different treatments.
Analysis of Calorie and Micronutrient Consumption in Vietnam

This paper analyzes calorie and micronutrient consumption in Vietnam using the recent household survey data collected in 2006. The data suggest that food insecurity is still a major problem in Vietnam, with nearly 40 percent of the population being unable to meet their calorie requirement. Employing nonparametric and parametric estimation techniques, the paper examines the relationship between household calorie consumption and per capita household expenditure in Vietnam. The analysis indicates a positive and significant relationship between per capita expenditure and per capita calorie consumption. The mean calorie elasticity is estimated to be between 0.21 and 0.31 by the parametric method and 0.20 by non-parametric method. In addition, simulated income and food price changes indicate that undernutrition is very responsive to changes in income and food prices. This paper also estimates protein and micronutrient elasticities, an area often overlooked in empirical studies. Estimates of expenditure elasticities of micronutrients are high, ranging from 0.3 for iron and calcium, to nearly 0.7 for vitamin C and 0.8 for vitamin A. This implies that income growth leads to large increase in household micronutrient intakes, particularly for vitamin intakes.
CP from strings: Ideas and problems

CP has a natural embedding in superstring models as a gauge symmetry involving inversion of the compactified space. Hence the source of CP violation could be geometrical. Such models face the problem of how to suppress contributions to fermion electric dipole moments from softly-broken supersymmetry, as well as other problems of string phenomenology. Stringy symmetries are useful in evaluating models, and rule out some scenarios.
Energy Methods for Damping Synthesis in Seismic Design of Complex Structural Systems

The purpose of this note is to emphasize that damping energy methods provide a very practical approach to providing the required equivalent viscous modal damping parameters for the damping matrix.
Doing research on the ethics of doing research

In the previous issue of Critical Care Chenaud and colleagues found that most intensive care unit patients who had given informed consent for their participation in a clinical trial could not recall either the purpose of the trial or its related risks several days later. These findings should remind us that informed consent is a process, not an event, but they should not be interpreted to mean that recall is, of itself, a useful criterion for evaluating either the validity or the quality of the informed consent process. On an entirely separate note, the decision of the authors not to obtain informed consent for this study itself raises interesting questions about the ethics of doing research on the ethics of doing research.
Implications of a new architectural approach to designing ECL megacells

One high-performance technology, ECL (emitter-coupled logic), is emerging with an innovative architecture, derived from identified customer needs, which blurs the distinction between current gate arrays and cell-based products. Short of being full custom, the customer definable array (CDA) approach used for the Motorola MCAIV MCA50000ECL gate array benefits large functional units like multipliers, barrel shifters, and ALUs. Some pragmatic aspects of the architecture-silicon relationship are examined for the UDA megacell design technique embracing ECL and BiCMOS on the same chip. The MCAIV ECL CDA impact on chip specifications is examined by describing various tiles-such as 4:1 MUX, latch D-flip-flop with gated inputs and a full adder-used as logic components, and by comparing their implementation on conventional arrays with the compacted CDA; similar tiles also have their place in memory implementations. Like comparisons of higher-level functions (e.g. multipliers, barrel shifters) built from these primitives are explored. >
Using habit reversal to decrease filled pauses in public speaking

This study evaluated the effectiveness of simplified habit reversal in reducing filled pauses that occur during public speaking. Filled pauses consist of "uh," "um," or "er"; clicking sounds; and misuse of the word "like." After baseline, participants received habit reversal training that consisted of awareness training and competing response training. During postintervention assessments, all 6 participants exhibited an immediate decrease in filled pauses.
Quetiapine in children and adolescents with subaverage IQ

A retrospective study was conducted to assess the effectiveness and tolerability of quetiapine in children and adolescents with subaverage replaced with IQ. Through a chart review conducted in a specialized outpatient clinic, five patients were identified (three males, two females; mean age = 16 ± 3.7 years); three were judged to be responders. Patients were included if concomitant medications remained unchanged during the titration and maintenance periods. Treatment duration was 20 ± 4 weeks; dose was 620 ± 205 mg/day. Improvements were observed in the conduct and hyperactivity subscales of the Conners Parent Rating Scale, routinely completed by the same caregiver. No differences were noted in anxiety, inattention, learning, and psychosomatic subscales. None of the patients discontinued the medication due to adverse events, but two experienced sedation. Quetiapine may be beneficial for treating associated symptoms of mental retardation; however, prospective and controlled studies are needed to assess further its efficacy and safety.
Optics education at the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL)

We present an overview of the current status of optics education at the Center for Research and Education in Optics and Lasers (CREOL) and the University of Central Florida (UCF). The academic organizational structure of this interdisciplinary program is outlined. Three graduate MS and Ph.D. degree programs in optical science and engineering, electro-optics, and optical physics are offered and coordinated by CREOL. The infrastructure, faculty, and research facilities dedicated to the optics education program are presented. Details of the admission, articulation, degree requirements, optics course offerings, thesis/dissertation research activities, and typical plans of study are included.
Microstructure and mechanical properties of thermally sprayed silica/nylon nanocomposites

High-velocity oxyfuel thermal spray processing was used to produce ceramic/polymer (silica/nylon) nanocomposite coatings. By optimizing spray parameters such as nozzle design, spray distance, oxygen-to-fuel ratio, powder feed position, and substrate cooling, dense coatings with relatively uniform particulate distribution could be achieved. Compared to pure nylon coatings, scratch resistance improved by 30 % and wear resistance by 50 %. The surface chemistry of the silica filler affected the final coating properties. Silica particles with a hydrophobic (methylated) surface resulted in better mechanical properties than those with a hydrophilic (hydroxylated) surface.
Carotenoid determination in biological microsamples using liquid chromatography with a coulometric electrochemical array detector.

Numerous epidemiological studies have linked carotenoids to cancer preventive processes, thereby increasing interest in levels of these micronutrients in human tissue and serum. Conventional analyses of these biological tissues employ liquid chromatography (LC) with ultraviolet and visible absorbance (UV–VIS) detection. However, this type of carotenoid analysis does not provide adequate sensitivity for very small sample sizes, such as microscale biopsies, when only small quantities of tissue are available. Electrochemical detection (ECD) is a useful alternative to conventional UV–VIS detection methods for LC analysis of carotenoids in cases where high sensitivity is necessary. Both hydrocarbon (β-carotene and α-carotene) and oxygenated carotenoids (lutein, zeaxanthin, and β-cryptoxanthin) were detected at electrical potential settings between 220 and 520 mV. The generated electrochemical array data (hydrodynamic voltammograms) can be used to identify carotenoids as well as to differentiate betweentransandcisconfigurations. Detection limits for β-carotene by ECD were measured at 10 fmol representing approximately a 100- to 1000-fold increase over conventional LC–UV–VIS techniques. The developed methodology was applied successfully to microscale analysis of biological tissues.
Obesity Predicts Increased Overall Complications Following Pancreas Transplantation

Purpose. We sought to evaluate the role of recipient body mass index (BMI) on postoperative complications in patients receiving pancreas transplants. Methods. A single-institution retrospective study of 145 consecutive patients undergoing either simultaneous kidney pancreas (SPK) or pancreas after kidney (PAK) transplantation from January 1997 through December 2003. Variables analyzed included: age, sex, BMI, number of prior transplants, cytomegalovirus status of donor and recipient, postoperative insulin resistance, complications, and overall patient and graft survival. Differences in continuous variables and dichotomous variables were evaluated using two-tailed t test and Fisher exact test, respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify predictors of overall complications following surgery. Results. Obesity was defined by a BMI ≥ 30. Of the 145 patients, 33 (23%) had a BMI ≥ 30 and 112 (77%) had a BMI < 30. There was no significant difference in age or sex between obese and nonobese patients (P =.98 and P =.56, respectively). The type of transplantation, SPK or PAK, did not affect the complication rate (P =.36). Overall complications (infection, dehiscence, evisceration, ventral hernia, allograft failure, gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, postoperative bleeding, or death) were significantly higher in the obese group (81% vs 40%, P <.001). Obesity was specifically associated with increased frequency of dehiscence, ventral hernia, intra-abdominal infection, gangrene, necrotizing fasciitis, and repeat laparotomy. Obese patients also had a threefold higher rate of graft pancreatitis/enteric leak. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age ≥ 50 and BMI ≥ 30 as independent predictors of overall complications following surgery (odds ratio 4.0, P =.014 and OR 6.8, P <.001, respectively). There was no difference identified between groups with regards to allograft failure, posttransplant insulin resistance, and death. Conclusion. Obese patients are at increased risk of overall complications following pancreas transplantation. Specifically, obese patients experience higher frequency of dehiscence, ventral hernia, intra-abdominal infection, gangrene, and necrotizing fasciitis. This study demonstrates the need for careful postoperative monitoring in the obese patient.
A Public Choice Approach to Motivation People in Bureaucratic Organizations

This paper examines the problem of motivating people in organizations from a public choice viewpoint. A number of propositions are derived deductively from assumptions regarding individual goals, discretion, and preferences. These suggest how managers can improve productivity by changing either incentive systems or work group size, job design, and personnel rotation practices.
Functional analysis of grasping motion

This paper presents a novel grasping motion analysis technique based on functional principal component analysis (fPCA). The functional analysis of grasping motion provides an effective representation of grasping motion and emphasizes motion dynamic features that are omitted by classic PCA-based approaches. The proposed approach represents, processes, and compares grasping motion trajectories in a low-dimensional space. An experiment was conducted to record grasping motion trajectories of 15 different grasp types in Cutkosky grasp taxonomy. We implemented our method for the analysis of collected grasping motion in the PCA+fPCA space, which generated a new data-driven taxonomy of the grasp types, and naturally clustered grasping motion into 5 consistent groups across 5 different subjects. The robustness of the grouping was evaluated and confirmed using a tenfold cross validation approach.
Adapting phasor analysis for nonlinear pump-probe microscopy

Phasor analysis has become a powerful tool for examining signals in fluorescence life-time microscopy (FLIM), where the analysis provides a fast, robust and intuitive means of separating different fluorescent species and mixtures thereof. In this work we adapt this analysis for pump-probe microscopy, a method that provides molecular contrast of pigmented samples by probing their excited state dynamic properties. The bipolar nature of the pump-probe signals presents important differences in the resulting phasors compared to FLIM—here, we discuss these differences and describe the behavior of bipolar signals in phasor analysis. Results show that this method is indeed able to separate multiple molecular species of interests and allows facile assessment of pigment chemistry and its distribution in samples.
Bacterial Division: Another Way to Box in the Ring

Proper placement of the cell division site in some rod-shaped bacteria requires two different negative regulatory systems, nucleoid occlusion and the Min proteins. Caulobacter crescentus lacks these systems, but recent work has uncovered a novel regulator that achieves the same goals.
Su1367 Does Recurrent Bacterial Cholangitis in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Patients Increase the Risk of Cholangiocarcinoma

Does Recurrent Bacterial Cholangitis in Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis Patients Increase the Risk of Cholangiocarcinoma Norma G. Gutierrez*, Udayakumar Navaneethan, Ramprasad Jegadeesan, Preethi GK Venkatesh, Tavankit Singh, Mujtaba Butt, Madhusudhan R. Sanaka Department of Gastroenterology, Digestive Disease Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH Background: Patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) have a significantly increased risk of developing Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA). The risk factors for the development of CCA in PSC remain unclear. Recurrent cholangitis as a risk factor for CCA in PSC patients is controversial. Aim: The aim of our study was to study whether recurrent bacterial cholangitis increases the risk of CCA in PSC patients. Methods: A large historical cohort of 105 PSC patients seen and followed at a single center from 2001-2012 were identified. 9 patients with CCA and 45 control patients without CCA were selected from the cohort for a nested case-control cohort study. Clinical and demographic variables were obtained. The risk factors for CCA were determined. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in demographics and alcohol use between the two groups. 9/9 patients with CCA had associated inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) compared to 27/45 patients without CCA. (p 0.02) Patients with CCA were more likely to be smokers as compared to those without CCA. [7/9 (77.8%) vs. 11/45 (24.4%), p 0.002]. The severity of PSC determined by the Mayo PSC risk score at initial presentation to our institution was no different between the CCA and no-CCA groups respectively. (1.37 1.45 vs. 1.45 1.10, P 0.26) Similarly, the mean duration of PSC at CCA diagnosis was no different between the two groups. (9.6 5.6 vs. 8.7 8.4, P 0.45) On follow-up, there was no difference between the number of cholangitis episodes between the CCA and no-CCA groups respectively (1.20 vs. 1.22, p 0.95). Patients diagnosed with CCA were more likely to have concurrent colon neoplasia (45.5% vs. 16.7%, p 0.05) and more likely to have active IBD (72.7% vs. 25%, p 0.001). On logistic regression analysis, neither the number of cholangitis episodes (Odds ratio (OR) 0.98 (95% confidence interval (C.I): 0.88-1.09, p 0.84] nor the severity of PSC measured by Mayo risk score (OR 0.82, 95% C.I. (0.471.43), p 0.48) increase the risk of CCA. Conclusions: Bacterial cholangitis did not correlate with CCA in patients with PSC. The severity and the duration of PSC also did not correlate with the risk of CCA. Concurrent IBD appears to increase the risk of CCA.
Morphology of tin doped gallium arsenide grown by low pressure MOVPE

Abstract Tin-doped GaAs layers have been grown by low pressure MOVPE over a wide range of carrier concentration ( n = 4.3 × 10 15 − 1.7 × 10 19 cm -3 ). The surface morphology and etch pit density of these layers have been studied as a function of the reactants mole ratio [AsH 3 ]/[TMG], the tetramethyltin (TMSn) mole fraction, the film growth rate and the substrate temperature. For n ⩽ 1 × 10 19 cm -3 the layers grown on (100) + 3 δ → (110) GaAs oriented substrates are characterized by good surface morphology. With higher carrier concentrations the surface morphology deteriorates, and the etch pit density increases. A qualitative interpretation of defect formation in these layers is suggested.
Instrument choice and tests for a unit root

Abstract In this paper we report evidence from a small simulation on the impact of instrument choice on the finite sample distribution of an instrumental variables based test for a unit root in a time series proposed by Hall (1989a).
Heterogeneous reactions of H atoms and CH3 radicals with a diamond surface in the 300-1133 K temperature range

The heterogeneous reactions of H atoms and CH[sub 3] radicals with a polycrystalline diamond surface have been studied using discharge flow and pulsed excimer-laser photolysis techniques coupled with photoionization mass spectrometry. A random walk Monte Carlo solution of the three-dimensional diffusion equation was used to interpret the experimental data and to obtain the collisional efficiency for removal of hydrogen atoms by the diamond surface ([gamma][sub w]) over the temperature range 300-1119 K. The result expressed in Arrhenius form is [gamma][sub w](H on diamond) = 10[sup [minus]3.4[plus minus]0.3] + 10[sup 0.29[plus minus]0.15] exp(-(6020 [plus minus] 470)cal/RT). The second term is assigned to reaction 1, surface H atom abstraction by gas-phase H atoms, followed by the fast recombination reaction 2 of gas-phase H atom with the surface sites created by reaction 1. The experimentally measured [gamma][sub w] yielded the rate constant of reaction 1 (assuming the surface concentration of H atom, [H[sub s]] = 1.8 [times] 10[sup 15] molecule cm[sup [minus]2], and k[sub 2] [much gt] k[sub 1]): k[sub 1] = 10[sup [minus]10.06[plus minus]0.15] exp(-(6680 [plus minus] 470)cal/RT) cm[sup 3] molecule[sup [minus]1] s[sup [minus]1]. This expression for the rate constant is in good agreement with that for the gas-phase abstraction of tertiarymore » hydrogen atoms. The CH[sub 3](g) radical decay above the diamond film was studied over the temperature range 739-1133 K. 64 refs., 5 figs., 1 tab.« less
Sexual Compulsivity in a Sample of HIV-Positive Methamphetamine-using Gay and Bisexual Men

Little research has been done on the relationship between sexual compulsivity and the sexual risk behaviors of methamphetamine (meth) users. This exploratory study sought to identify correlates of sexual compulsivity in a sample of 217 HIV-positive meth-using gay and bisexual men. Participants reported a mean score of 2.4 on the Sexual Compulsivity Scale (SCS) (SD=.76, range 1–4). Sexual compulsivity was positively associated with high-risk sexual behaviors (e.g., number of unprotected sex acts with anonymous partners, total number of HIV-negative or unknown serostatus partners). In multivariate analyses, higher scores on sexual compulsivity were associated with older age, meth use before or during sex, visits to sex clubs and street corners to find sex partners, lower self-efficacy for condom use, lower levels of self-esteem, higher scores on a measure of disinhibition, and a greater number of HIV-negative or unknown serostatus partners. The results suggest that more attention should be focused on sexual compulsivity and its correlates to determine how they may contribute to resistance to sexual behavior change in this high-risk population.
The Role of Moral Exemplars in the Teaching and Learning of Practical Reason in a Catholic University

The content of Catholic social teaching suggests that an appropriate pedagogy for the teaching and learning of Catholic social thought is the teaching and learning of practical reason. This article explores the role of moral exemplars in the teaching and learning of practical reason in a Catholic university. Specifically, the article details the use of moral exemplars in the “Profiles in the Catholic Social Tradition” course taught at the University of Notre Dame in the Fall semester of 2000. After a brief explanation of the appeal to practical reason as an appropriate pedagogy for teaching and learning the content of Catholic social teaching, the article turns to a discussion of our particular experience of using moral exemplars in the classroom.
E‐finance: status, innovations, resources and future challenges

Purpose – This purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the status of e‐finance and discuss related issues and challenges. Provides data about growth of e‐finance in the last decade. Introduces advances and innovations in e‐finance and challenges facing the financial services and IT industries.Design/methodology/approach – The paper employs the archival method of reviewing related literature (theoretical, applied and empirical) and organizing and presenting the topics to provide an overview of e‐finance status.Findings – The major contributions and finding of this paper include all areas of e‐finance, application of technology to e‐finance, growth of the e‐finance in the financial services industry.Research limitations/implications – The paper provides areas of e‐finance that face many different challenges and calls for further research in a number of areas related to e‐finance technology and the interface of financial services and IT.Practical implications – The paper brings all scattered infor...
Broad and Narrow Heritabilities of Quantitative Traits in a Founder Population

Estimation of the components of variance for a quantitative trait allows one to evaluate both the degree to which genetics influences the trait and the trait’s underlying genetic architecture. For particular traits, the estimates also may have implications for discriminating between potential models of selection and for choosing an appropriate model for linkage analysis. Using a recently developed method, we estimate the additive and dominance components of variance—or, equivalently, the narrow and broad sense heritabilities—of several traits in the Hutterites, a founder population with extensive genealogical records. As a result of inbreeding and because Hutterite individuals are typically related through multiple lines of descent, we expect that power to detect dominance variance will be increased relative to that in outbred studies. Furthermore, the communal lifestyle of the Hutterites allows us to evaluate the genetic influences in a relatively homogeneous environment. Four phenotypes had a significant dominance variance, resulting in a relatively high broad heritability. We estimated the narrow and broad heritabilities as being, respectively, .36 and .96 for LDL, .51 and 1.0 for serotonin levels, and .45 and .76 for fat free mass (FFM). There was no significant additive component for systolic blood pressure (SBP), resulting in a narrow heritability of 0 and a broad heritability of .45. There were several traits for which we found no significant dominance component, resulting in equal broad and narrow heritability estimates. These traits and their heritabilities are as follows: HDL, .63; triglycerides, .37; diastolic blood pressure, .21; immunoglobulin E, .63; lipoprotein(a), .77; and body-mass index, .54. The large difference between broad and narrow heritabilities for LDL, serotonin, FFM, and SBP are indicative of strong dominance effects in these phenotypes. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report an estimate of heritability for serotonin and to detect a dominance variance for LDL, FFM, and SBP.
Static and dynamic finite deformations of cables using rate equations

Abstract A new incremental technique is presented which facilitates the numerical solution of static and dynamic finite deflection problems. By means of this technique, termed the Rate Equation Method, a set of linear differential equations in the displacement rates and stress rates are obtained from the nonlinear differential equations associated with finite deflections. These linear differential equations are solved numerically for the rate variables which in turn are integrated forward in time to yield the displacements and stresses at each time increment. By using second order finite differences to express the rates of accelerations in terms of velocities, static and dynamic problems may be solved by the identical procedure. To illustrate the details of the method, static and dynamic geometrically nonlinear deformations of cables under various loads are investigated and numerical results presented for several cases.
A sensitive spectrophotometric method for measurement of plasma endotoxin

Abstract A spectrophotometric method for the measurement of 10−1–10−4 ng/ml of bacterial endotoxin in plasma is described which depends on the reaction of endotoxin with Limulus crab lysate and the removal from plasma of an inhibitor to the Limulus system by Bio-Gel P-200 filtration. Sensitivity is achieved by recorder scale expansion and by a linear transformation of data.
The whitewater process: software product development in small IT businesses

Small software development companies need it to ensure they stay on course and are able to respond to the market's ebbs and flows.
Hepatic fat accumulation is modulated by the interaction between the rs738409 variant in the PNPLA3 gene and the dietary omega6/omega3 PUFA intake.

Background A single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), the rs738409, in the patatin like phospholipase 3 gene (PNPLA3) has been recently associated with increased hepatic steatosis and ALT levels in adults and children. Given the potential role of PNPLA3 in fatty liver development, we aimed to explore whether the influence of PNPLA3 genotype on hepatic fat in obese youth might be modulated by dietary factors such as essential omega polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) intake.
From flint razors to lasers: a timeline of hair removal methods

Today, most do not go a day without practicing or hearing about new hair removal methods. However, little is discussed about the history of hair removal and the development of most hair removal methods since the period of cavemen. Avoiding decapitation and fitting in with society are two of many reasons for the development of this now normative practice. Knowledge of the hair growth cycle is vital in understanding the efficacy of various hair removal methods as well as the difference between epilation and depilation. While laser hair removal (LHR) is one of the most common cosmetic procedures practiced in the world, according to the FDA, the only current permanent form of hair removal is electrolysis. These two methods as well as various other ones are discussed in this article. Further developments are being made every day to better treat the removal of blonde and white hair as well as to diminish the pain of hair removal. With these developments, dermatologists will better understand the advancement of hair removal methods and the reasons why patients may seek treatment.
Brief chemotherapy (Stanford V) and adjuvant radiotherapy for bulky or advanced Hodgkin's disease: An update

From May 1989 to August 1995, 94 previously untreated patients with Hodgkin's disease stage II with bulky mediastinal involvement (n = 28) or stage III or IV (n = 66) received an abbreviated chemotherapy regimen, Stanford V, ± radiotherapy (RT). Chemotherapy was given weekly for 12 weeks followed by consolidative RT to sites of initial bulky disease. With a median follow-up of 3 years, the actuarial 6-year survival is 93% and the freedom from progression is 89%. There have been no relapses or deaths among the 28 patients with stage II bulky mediastinal disease. Eight relapses and three deaths have occurred in the group of 66 patients with stage III-IV disease. The abbreviated chemotherapy regimen, Stanford V, in combination with RT is well tolerated and highly effective therapy for bulky, limited stage and advanced stage HD. Lower cumulative exposure to alkylating agents, doxorubicin, bleomycin and limited use of radiation is expected to improve the prospects for fertility and decrease the risks for second neoplasms and late cardiopulmonary toxicity.
Using human senses to guide concrete construction practice, with examples from the climate of New Zealand

Abstract The paper explores the similarity between concrete and the human body in regard to the influence of temperature and moisture conditions on health and performance. Once these similarities (and in some cases differences) are understood, human senses can provide useful information about the likely effects of ambient conditions on recently cast concrete. After developing the relevant principles, the paper explores a number of examples taken from the diverse and highly variable environment of New Zealand. Examples include the effects of wind, humidity, rapid drying, and hot and cold temperatures.
12-Lipoxygenase activity in the red marine alga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis

Abstract The temperate red alga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis is a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids that are regio-specifically oxidized at C-12. In this in vitro study, we demonstrate the existence of a highly active lipoxygenase-type activity in Gracilariopsis. GC-MS of the methyl ester, trimethylsilyl ether derivatives of the crude reaction mixture identified the production of 12-hydroxyicosatetraenoic acid, a 12-lipoxygenase product previously isolated from this alga. This is the first report of 12-lipoxygenase-type activity from the plant kingdom.
Quizartinib for the treatment of FLT3/ITD acute myeloid leukemia

FLT3/ITD acute myeloid leukemia is a poor prognosis disease driven by a constitutively activated receptor tyrosine kinase, making it an obvious target for drug development. The development of clinically effective FLT3 inhibitors has been slow, in part because many are multi-targeted inhibitors that are not selective or specific for FLT3. Quizartinib is the first small molecule FLT3 tyrosine kinase inhibitor expressly developed as a FLT3 inhibitor. It is potent, selective and has ideal pharmacokinetics in comparison to other compounds previously tested. This article summarizes its advantages and limitations, and details the insights into the biology of the disease that have been uncovered through the laboratory and clinical use of quizartinib.
Aerobic muscle function during steady swimming in fish

Axial swimming in fish varies across a range of body forms and swimming modes. Swimming by eels, tunas, mackerels, scup, rainbow trout and bass span this range from high curvature anguilliform swimmers to rigid body thunniform swimmers. Recent work on these and other species has elucidated an impressive array of solutions to the problem of how to use the red (aerobic, slow-twitch) muscle to power steady or sustained swimming. This review will use a comparative approach to understand the generalities of aerobic muscle function during steady swimming in fish and determine possible rules for the relationships between muscle contractile kinetics, in vivo muscle activity and power output during swimming. Beyond an exploration of the diversity in muscle activity and swimming kinematics, I suggest that analysis of the molecular basis for longitudinal variations in muscle function is needed to complement morphological and physiological research on fish muscle. This will permit both a general understanding of the integrative function of the fish myotome and, perhaps, predictive tools for muscle activity and swimming performance in fish.
A protective role for early oral exposures in the etiology of young adult Hodgkin lymphoma.

The pattern of adolescent/young adult Hodgkin lymphoma (YAHL) suggests causation by a relatively late infection with a common childhood virus, but no causal virus has been found. Susceptibility is heritable and linked to lower interleukin 12 (IL12) levels, which can also result from fewer fecal-oral microbial exposures early in life. We studied twin pairs discordant for YAHL to examine exposures capable of altering the IL12 response and T-helper type 1 (Th1)–Th2 balance. One hundred eighty-eight YAHL-discordant twin pairs from the International Twin Study returned questionnaires (70% response). Exposure history of YAHL case-twins was compared with that of their unaffected control-twins using conditional logistic regression for matched pairs to calculate odds ratios (ORs). Behaviors likely to produce oral exposure to microbes conveyed decreases in risk (univariable OR range = 0.2-0.5, P = .003-.11). Significant adjusted ORs were seen for appendectomy (OR = 4.3, P = .001), eczema (OR = 4.2, P = .025), smoking (OR = 2.2, P = .054), and relatively more frequent behaviors associated with oral exposures (OR = 0.1; P = .004). Kappa statistics for intrapair agreement were higher than 0.8 for each significant finding. Our observations support a protective role for increased early oral exposure to the microbiome, suggesting that factors associated with increased Th2 and decreased Th1 cytokines are etiologically relevant to YAHL.
Somatotroph function in the neonatal pig

The objective of this study was to evaluate developmental changes in somatotroph function and related gene expression in neonatal pigs. Male piglets were sacrificed at 1, 7, 14, 21, 28, 35, and 42 d of age (8/age group) for the collection of tissue and blood. Serum concentrations of GH were determined. Quantitations of mRNA were performed for pituitary Pit-1, GH, and GHRH receptor. Cultures of pituitary cells from each pig were stimulated with 0, 0.1, 1, or 10 nM GHRH; 2 mM 8-Br-cAMP; or 100 nM phorbol myristate acetate. Elevated serum concentrations of GH were observed at 1 d of age, followed by a pronounced decrease to basal levels thereafter (P < 0.0001). A mild transient increase in circulating GH occurred at Day 28. In vitro GH secretion was significantly stimulated by secretagogue treatments (P < 0.0001). Age-related declines in in vitro GH secretion were observed regardless of if the cells were stimulated by GHRH or by secretagogues that bypass the GHRH receptor (P < 0.001). Similarly, cellular GH content varied with age (P = 0.01). Levels of pituitary GH mRNA (P = 0.01) and GHRH receptor mRNA (P = 0.0002) decreased with age. The quantity of GHRH receptor mRNA was correlated with GH mRNA levels (r = 0.55, P = 0.02), serum GH concentrations (r = 0.55, P = 0.02), and in vitro GH secretion (r = 0.66, P = 0.001). Pituitary Pit-1 mRNA levels at 7 and 14 d of age were significantly elevated relative to all other sampling times (P = 0.0002). Levels of Pit-1 and GH mRNAs were significantly correlated (r = 0.64, P = 0.003). These results demonstrate a strong developmental regulation of somatotrophic function and related gene expression during the early neonatal period of the pig. Age-related decreases in secretory function may be mediated by concurrent mechanisms relating to the expression of the GHRH receptor and of GH.
Cross-linking between Helices within Subunit a of Escherichia coli ATP Synthase Defines the Transmembrane Packing of a Four-helix Bundle

Abstract Subunit a of F1F0 ATP synthase is required in the H+ transport driven rotation of the c-ring of F0, the rotation of which is coupled to ATP synthesis in F1. The three-dimensional structure of subunit a is unknown. In this study, Cys substitutions were introduced into two different transmembrane helices (TMHs) of subunit a, and the proximity of the thiol side chains was tested via attempted oxidative cross-linking to form the disulfide bond. Pairs of Cys substitutions were made in TMHs 2/3, 2/4, 2/5, 3/4, 3/5, and 4/5. Cu+2-catalyzed oxidation led to cross-link formation between Cys pairs L120C(TMH2) and S144C(TMH3), L120C(TMH2) and G218C(TMH4), L120C(TMH2) and H245C(TMH5), L120C(TMH2) and I246C(TMH5), N148C(TMH3) and E219C(TMH4), N148C(TMH3) and H245C(TMH5), and G218C(TMH4) and I248C(TMH5). Iodine, but not Cu+2, was found to catalyze cross-link formation between D119C(TMH2) and G218C(TMH4). The results suggest that TMHs 2, 3, 4, and 5 form a four-helix bundle with one set of key functional residues in TMH4 (Ser-206, Arg-210, and Asn-214) located at the periphery facing subunit c. Other key residues in TMHs 2, 4, and 5, which were concluded previously to compose a possible aqueous access pathway from the periplasm, were found to locate to the inside of the four-helix bundle.
A study of the etiology of the hyperdipsia produced by coronal knife cuts in the posterior hypothalamus

Abstract A pronounced and persistent hyperdipsia results from transection of fibers entering and leaving the caudal portions of the ventromedial hypothalamus. A series of diagnostic tests were performed in order to investigate the possibility that a disturbance in the secretion of antidiuretic hormone is responsible for the overdrinking. Rats with such knife cuts exhibited a triphasic pattern of water intake shortly after surgery, were deficient in the ability to concentrate urine, and showed greatly reduced water intake in response to both replacement therapy with Pitressin tannate and to food deprivation. These data suggest that the cuts result in neurohypophysial dysfunction. However, the results of our tests also indicate that the experimental animals were capable of concentrating urine to some degree and may have suffered primary hyperdipsia in addition to the polyuria that undoubtedly contributed to the excessive water intake.
Polymer-bound iodosobenzoate reagents for the cleavage of reactive phosphates

Abstract Two polymer-bound iodosobenzoate derivatives have been prepared and found to be phosphorolytically active against both p -nitrophenyldiphenyl phosphate and the nerve agent, Soman.
The acquisition of English derivational morphology by Arab speakers: Empirical testing

Abstract Despite its importance to the foreign learner, English derivational morphology is often neglected in EFL and ESL classrooms and teaching materials. This is a result of vocabulary negligence as a whole and of priority being given to rules of grammar. This paper tests the relative difficulty for Arab speakers in their acquisition of aspects of English derivational morphology. This testing depends on previous work by the author through identifying major similarities and differences between written Standard Arabic and written Standard English through contrastive analysis. Results confirm that predictions of the contrastive analysis are very useful in the acquisition of English derivational morphology; hence, they should be considered by English teachers, language acquisition researchers, textbook-designers, and methodologists.
Crystallization and initial X-ray diffraction studies of scaffolding protein (gp7) of bacteriophage ϕ29

The Bacillus subtilis bacteriophage ϕ29 scaffolding protein (gp7) has been crystallized by the hanging-drop vapour-diffusion method at 293 K. Two new distinct crystal forms that both differed from a previously crystallized and solved scaffolding protein were grown under the same conditions. Form I belongs to the primitive tetragonal space group P41212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 77.13, c = 37.12 A. Form II crystals exhibit an orthorhombic crystal form, with space group C222 and unit-cell parameters a = 107.50, b = 107. 80, c = 37.34 A. Complete data sets have been collected to 1.78 and 1.80 A for forms I and II, respectively, at 100 K using Cu Kα X-rays from a rotating-anode generator. Calculation of a V M value of 2.46 A3 Da−1 for form I suggests the presence of one molecule in the asymmetric unit, corresponding to a solvent content of 50.90%, whereas form II has a V M of 4.80 A3 Da−1 with a solvent content of 48.76% and two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The structures of both crystal forms are being determined by the molecular-replacement method using the coordinates of the published crystal structure of gp7.
Diffuse bowel uptake of 18F-FDG on PET/CT examination of a patient with diabetes treated with metformin.

A patient with a history of non-abdominal malignancy presented after treatment for a follow-up PET/CT scan. Pertinent medical history included essential hypertension and type II diabetes mellitus. The patient's medications included metformin, furosemide and metoprolol. The PET/CT scan demonstrated diffusely increased 18-FDG uptake throughout the small and large intestine with SUVs of up to 21.3 (figure 1). The differential diagnosis for increased bowel uptake on PET/CT examination is broad …
Respiratory Aflatoxicosis: Suppression of Pulmonary and Systemic Host Defenses in Rats and Mice

Abstract Dietary aflatoxin B 1 (AFB 1 ) exposure impairs innate and acquired host defenses resulting in increased susceptibility to infections in domesticated animals. Experimental studies have confirmed this observation by demonstrating the immunosuppressive effects of AFB 1 ingestion. In addition to being present in dietary components, AFB 1 is also found in significant amounts in respirable particles of grain dust. To determine the effect of respiratory tract exposure to AFB 1 on host defenses, rats and mice were exposed either by aerosol inhalation or intratracheal instillation to AFB 1 . Nose-only inhalation exposure of rats to AFB 1 aerosols suppressed alveolar macrophage (AM) phagocytosis at an estimated dose of 16.8 μg/kg with the effect persisting for approximately 2 weeks. To determine whether another mode of respiratory tract exposure, intratracheal instillation, reflected inhalation exposure, animals were treated with increasing concentrations of AFB 1 which also suppressed AM phagocytosis in a dose-related manner albeit at doses at least an order of magnitude more than that obtained by aerosol inhalation. Intratracheal administration of AFB 1 also suppressed the release of tumor necrosis factor-α from AMs and impaired systemic innate and acquired immune defenses as shown, respectively, by suppression of peritoneal macrophage phagocytosis and the primary splenic antibody response. These findings demonstrate that experimental respiratory tract exposure to AFB 1 suppresses pulmonary and systemic host defenses and indicates that inhalation exposure to AFB 1 is an occupational hazard where exposure to AFB 1 -laden dust is common.
Association of atopy to asthma severity and medication use in children.

The importance of aeroallergens as triggers for asthma is well recognized, but the relationship between asthma severity and atopic profiles in childhood has not been elucidated. This study assessed the relationship of allergen sensitization to asthma severity in a study of 114 asthmatic children followed for 8 weeks in three Southern California areas. Increased controller medication and β-agonist use were positively associated with number of positive skin tests and allergy to mold and pollens. Mold was associated with increased asthma symptoms. Degree of atopy and reactivity to mold and pollens plays a significant role in asthma severity in asthmatic children.
Multicystic dysplastic kidney

The contemporary literature helps us to analyze and assess the various clinical risks associated with MCDK. Clearly, MCDK is not an isolated developmental anomaly, and the child born with MCDK is at increased risk, but these risks are primarily directed towards: (1) the opposite kidney and lower urinary tract, where there is a significant likelihood of coexisting obstructive disease and reflux, and (2) the patient's family (current and future). In contrast, the risks to the patient caused by the MCDK (hypertension, infection, or malignant degeneration) actually appear to be quite low. Consequently, it no longer seems advisable to routinely remove MCDK in young patients for either diagnostic or prophylactic reasons. Nor is it obvious to what degree the MCDK itself requires long-term surveillance, although associated urological abnormalities will need follow-up and the patient requires periodic blood pressure screening. Hopefully, by careful analysis of the risks to the patient and family, the results of non-operative management, and the long-term results of the Multicystic Kidney Registry, contemporary pediatric nephrologists, urologists and surgeons will be able to reassess their approach to the evaluation and clinical management of the patient with this condition.