cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonsteroidal Antiinflammatory Drugs and Breast Cancer Risk The Multiethnic Cohort

Previous studies on nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and breast cancer have produced mixed results. Incident invasive cases of breast cancer from the Multiethnic Cohort (African Americans, Caucasians, Japanese Americans, Latinas, and Native Hawaiians from Hawaii and California) were identified from 1993 to 2002. Data on aspirin, acetaminophen, and other NSAID (ibuprofen, naproxen, indomethacin) use were based on a self-administered questionnaire at baseline (1993–1996). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models provided estimates of hazard rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The authors observed no associations between breast cancer risk and duration of aspirin use for current or past users (hazard rate ratio ¼ 1.05, 95% confidence interval: 0.88, 1.25 and hazard rate ratio ¼ 1.04, 95% confidence interval: 0.84, 1.27 for � 6 years of use, respectively) compared with nonusers. However, duration of current other NSAID use was protective (hazard rate ratio ¼ 0.70, 95% confidence interval: 0.51, 0.95 for � 6 years of use; ptrend ¼ 0.01) against the risk of breast cancer, while past use was not (hazard rate ratio ¼ 0.90, 95% confidence interval: 0.62, 1.30 for � 6 years of use). Analyses by ethnicity and hormone receptor status showed that the protective effect of current other NSAID use was limited to Caucasians and African Americans and to women with at least one positive hormone receptor. This study found duration of current other NSAID use to be protective against breast cancer risk. anti-inflammatory agents, non-steroidal; breast neoplasms; ethnic groups; risk
Budgets of non-nitrogen nutrients in a high fertility pasture system

Abstract Concentrations and transport of non-nitrogen nutrients in surface runoff and subsurface flow were determined under a high fertility pasture system during a multi-year study. Most studies of nutrient loss from grasslands have focused solely or primarily on nitrogen. Nevertheless, maintaining a proper balance of other nutrients is important to healthy plant growth, avoidance of toxicity problems from improper nutrient balances, and reduction of potential water quality problems. Rotationally grazed grass pastures received 224 kg N/ha annually as NH4NO3 for a 5-year period and had a legume interseeded into the grasses to be the N source during the following 8-year period. Part of the pastures were grazed during the summer only. The other pastures were used in the winter months with cattle eating fall regrowth and the hay made on that area during the summer. Topsoil pH of 6.5–7.0 and available P and K levels of 56 and 336 kg/ha, respectively, were maintained by soil amendments. Concentrations of P, K, Na, Ca, Mg, Cl, and TOC were measured in surface runoff collected from small watersheds with automated samplers and in water from springs draining each area. Nutrient concentrations in both surface runoff and subsurface flow were strongly influenced by the amounts of fertilizer and lime applied. The majority of P and K were transported via surface runoff. The concentrations and transport of P and K were greater during the 8-year period because of increased rates of application of these fertilizers. Nutrient concentrations in subsurface flow did not vary greatly on a monthly basis but there were some increases during the span of the study. Concentrations of K and Na changed very little; Mg increased slightly; and Ca and Cl had large increases during the 13 years. Increased rates of KCl application during the 8-year period was a primary cause for the increased Cl concentrations in the shallow groundwater. Concentrations and transport of non-nitrogen nutrients from a pasture system were little influenced by the summer vs. winter management of this study or the change in N source from fertilizer to legumes. The application of non-nitrogen fertilizers and lime was the major factor of influence. In a pasture system where balances are maintained, the possibility of detrimental environmental impacts from non-nitrogen nutrients is low.
The Optimal Shape of the Interface Between Two Conductive Bodies With Minimal Thermal Resistance

We consider the fundamental problem of optimizing the geometry of the interface between two conductive bodies, with the objective of minimizing the thermal resistance. The interface geometry'is free to change. For simplicity, the geometry is assumed to be two-dimensional with equidistant tooth-shaped features. The tooth shape varies from triangles, to trapezoids and rectangles. The aspect ratio (height/width) of the tooth also varies. The third degree of freedom of the interface architecture is the volume fraction of the higher-conductivity tooth material that is present in the interface region
An information system to support collaborative brain-tumor research.

We have developed and are currently maintaining a Neuro-Oncology Information System (NOIS) to support brain-tumor research. The system has been adopted for use by a group of researchers at several centers in the U.S.A. who are collaborating to input, store, and retrieve information concerning tissue specimens, corresponding clinical and diagnostic information, and eventual research results. The information system consists of a database and user-interface components. The database has clinical, diagnostic and tissue-inventory subsystems. the user interfaces allow for input and query functions on the database.
Zen and the Art of Dealing with the Difficult Patron

Summary Half the battle of dealing with a difficult patron is changing one's own perspective. This paper uses core Zen Buddhist ideas and viewpoints to discuss ways of dealing with difficult patrons. The basics of Zen Buddhism are explained and Zen concepts such as Openness, Mindfulness, Compassion and Beginner's Mind are applied to problem solving within the context of library public service. The paper also explores the difference between “difficult” and “problem” patrons in order to help readers determine when a Zen perspective is useful.
Tracing the Arc of Ethnographic Impact: Success and (In)visibility of Our Work and Identities

This paper explores ways in which ethnographic impact in a large technology corporation is perceived, redefined, and recognized — by both practitioners themselves and corporate stakeholders. The authors trace a history of ethnographic successes and stumbles, and ways they have confronted a strong usability paradigm that has shaped organizational assumptions of impact and value for product research. They then identify ways in which contextual analysis of their own practice in the corporation led to the successful creation of a strategic engagement model for ethnography, resulting in its growing influence. Through critical analysis of the conditions of influence in their own organization, the authors' propose some broader frameworks for ethnographic impact and raise some questions for the EPIC community regarding business value, ethnographic identity, and organizational authority.
Is there proton noise in mitochondrial membranes leading to chance fluctuations in pH

IN the recent issues of Nature, there has been much “noise” about protons in mitochondrial membranes, and as a consequence it is not surprising that one of its readers should raise questions about whether noise might prevent accurate measurements of pH in the intramitochondrial space1, or indeed in any small space, such as the active site of an enzyme. The following points must not be overlooked in such a consideration.
Templated Synthesis of Carbon Materials from Zeolites (Y, Beta, and ZSM-5) and a Montmorillonite Clay (K10): Physical and Electrochemical Characterization

New high surface area carbon materials were prepared at low temperature (600 °C) using zeolite (Y, Beta, and ZSM-5) and montmorillonite clay (K10) templates. Acrylonitrile, furfuryl alcohol, pyrene, and vinyl acetate precursors were polymerized and carbonized in each of the inorganic matrixes without the addition of a polymerizing agent. The templates were removed by acid demineralization and the resulting carbon materials were physically characterized by infrared spectroscopy, BET (N2) surface area analysis, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and elemental analyses. Electrochemical characterizations were also conducted. Cyclic voltammetry was employed to examine the synthesized carbons in the oxidation of catechol to hydroquinone and quinone, a model reaction that is known to be surface dependent. The identities of both the template and the substrate affected the electrochemical response. Additionally, the ability of the new carbons to intercalate and deintercalate ...
Buckling of polar and rectilinearly orthotropic annuli under uniform internal or external pressure loading

The problem of the out of plane buckling of polar orthotropic armuli under uniform internal or external pressure loading has been investigated with the assumption of axisymmetry by numerous researchers. In this paper, the buckling of polar and rectilinearly orthotropic annuli subjected to internal or external pressure loading is examined without restriction to axisymmetric buckling modes. The buckling analyses are performed in both the polar orthotropic and rectilinearly orthotropic cases by the Rayleigh-Ritz method. In the reetilinearly orthotropic cases, the pre-buclding solution is obtained via Galerkin's method as no known exact solution exists, while in the polar orthotropic case the pre-buckling stress distributions used are exact. It is found in both the polar orthotropic and the rectilinearly orthotropic annuli that restriction to axisymmetric buckling modes in the externally pressurized case does not produce the lowest buckling load over a significant range of annuli aspect ratios. Example results for commercially used fiber/matrix systems are presented and discussed, and it is concluded that the unwarranted assumption of axisymmetry actually produces nonminimum buckling loads.
Low resistivity silver thiogallate (AgGaS2) layer growth by liquid phase epitaxy

Abstract By comparison to pure, bulk single crystal or epitaxial layers of AgGaS2 of resistivity ⩾1012Ω cm, Ge doped AgGaS2 layers show a substantial lowering of resistivity. Growth of low resistivity (105106 Ω cm) Ge doped AgGaS2 by liquid phase epitaxy on AgGaS2 substrates is reported, for the first time, using KCl primarily as a solvent. A partial temperature composition (T-X) phase diagram for the Ge-AgGaS2 and a binary section of the Ge-AgGaS2-KCl systems are presented. Good crystalline quality and morphology of the epilayers were observed.
Stochastic Approximation Algorithms for Parameter Estimation in Option Pricing with Regime Switching

This work is concerned with option pricing. Stochastic approximation/optimization algorithms are proposed and analyzed. The underlying stock price evolves according to two geometric Brownian motions coupled by a continuous-time finite state Markov chain. Recursive stochastic approximation algorithms are developed to estimate the implied volatility. Convergence of the algorithm is proved. Rate of convergence is also ascertained. Then real market data are used to compare our algorithms with other schemes.
Promethazine protects against 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine neurotoxicity

Promethazine (PMZ) is an FDA-approved antihistaminergic drug that was identified as a potentially neuroprotective compound in the NINDS screening program. PMZ accumulates in brain mitochondria in vivo and inhibits Ca2+-induced mitochondrial permeability transition pore (PTP) in rat liver mitochondria in vitro. We hypothesized that PMZ may have a protective effect in a mitochondrial toxin model of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mice treated with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) sustained a significant loss of dopaminergic neurons within the SNpc that was strongly attenuated by PMZ treatment. However, neither striatal MPP+ concentrations nor MPTP-induced inhibition of mitochondrial complex I were affected by PMZ treatment. In isolated mouse brain mitochondria, PMZ partially prevented and reversed MPP+-induced depolarization of membrane potential and inhibited the Ca2+-induced PTP in brain mitochondria. The sum of data indicates that PMZ is a strong neuroprotective agent capable of protecting dopaminergic neurons against MPTP toxicity in vivo.
Impairments in learning and memory accompanied by neurodegeneration in mice transgenic for the carboxyl-terminus of the amyloid precursor protein.

In Alzheimer's disease (AD), a progressive decline of cognitive functions is accompanied by neuropathology that includes the degeneration of neurons and the deposition of amyloid in plaques and in the cerebrovasculature. We have proposed that a fragment of the Alzheimer amyloid precursor protein (APP) comprising the carboxyl-terminal 100 amino acids of this molecule (APP-C100) plays a crucial role in the neurodegeneration and subsequent cognitive decline in AD. To test this hypothesis, we performed behavioral analyses on transgenic mice expressing APP-C100 in the brain. The results revealed that homozygous APP-C100 transgenic mice were significantly impaired in cued, spatial and reversal performance of a Morris water maze task, that the degree of the impairment in the spatial learning was age-dependent, and that the homozygous mice displayed significantly more degeneration of neurons in Ammon's horn of the hippocampal formation than did heterozygous or control mice. Among the heterozygotes, females were relatively more impaired in their spatial learning than were males. These findings show that expression of APP-C100 in the brain can cause age-dependent cognitive impairments that are accompanied by hippocampal degeneration.
Choice and determinism: A reply

Hrebiniak and Joyce (1985) present a model of organizational adaptation in which environmental determinism and strategic choice are orthogonal. Lawless and Finch (1989) find empirical support for Hrebiniak and Joyce's four choice-determinism combinations, and mixed support for propositions concerning strategies that perform best in each. The note, ‘Choice and determinism: A comment,’ relates social learning theory to the Hrebiniak and Joyce framework, based on the position that this theory is a useful way to describe the process of organizational adaptation. Fundamentally, the comment puts two arguments on the table. In order of importance they are: 1 The adaptation process is only broadly defined by Hrebiniak and Joyce or by Lawless and Finch. Yet it is important to understand the choice—determinism interaction. The comment recommends social learning theory (Wood and Bandura, 1989) as an elaboration. 2 The process of adaptation is interactive, and ought to be studied longitudinally. These two arguments are discussed in turn as a possible contribution to choice-determinism research.
ILR: Improving Location Reliability in Mobile Crowd Sensing

People-centric sensing with smart phones can be used for large scale sensing of the physical world at low cost by leveraging the available sensors on the phones. However, the sensed data submitted by participants is not always reliable as they can submit false data to earn money without executing the actual task at the desired location. To address this problem, the authors propose ILR, a scheme which Improves the Location Reliability of mobile crowd sensed data with minimal human efforts. In this scheme, the authors bootstrap the trust in the system by first manually validating a small number of photos submitted by participants. Based on these validations, the location of these photos is assumed to be trusted. Second, the authors extend this location trust to co-located sensed data points found in the Bluetooth range of the devices that provided the validated photos. In addition, the scheme also helps to detect false location claims associated with sensed data. The authors applied ILR on data collected from their McSense prototype deployed on Android phones used by students on their campus and detected a significant percentage of the malicious users.
Effects of low-level stimulation of the septal area on two types of discrimination reversal in the rat

The effects of continuous low-level electrostimulation of the septal area and other structures were examined with respect to reversal behavior in spatial (position) and brightness discriminations. Septal stimulation selectively impaired spatial but not brightness reversals, suggesting a closer relationship between the dysfunction and response perseveration as opposed to stimulus perseveration.
Changes in striatal dopamine D3 receptor regulation during expression of and recovery from MPTP-induced parkinsonism.

Abstract Striatal dopamine (DA) D3 receptor density (measured by quantitative receptor autoradiography) and mRNA expression (measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction) were analyzed in cats symptomatic for and recovered from 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced parkinsonism. In symptomatic cats, D3 receptor density was significantly decreased in all regions of the caudate nucleus (CD) (66–77%), the nucleus accumbens (NACC) (52–83%) and the islands of calleja (IC) (67%), all of which returned to normal values in recovered cats. In contrast, D3 receptor mRNA expression was slightly elevated in symptomatic cats, and significantly increased above normal in recovered cats (45% increase in the CD and 91% in the NACC). Thus, reduction of parkinsonian signs was related to normalization of striatal D3 receptor number. These alterations in D3 receptor expression may play an important role in the recovery process observed in this model of parkinsonism.
pH Dependence of Carbon Tetrachloride Reductive Dechlorination by Magnetite

Magnetite is precipitated by dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria or forms through corrosion of zero-valent iron (ZVI) in permeable reactive barriers. Reduction of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) by synthetic magnetite was examined in batch reactors to evaluate the pH dependence of the reaction rates and product distributions. This work presents the first data where magnetite promotes CCl4 dechlorination independent of added sorbed Fe(II) or coexisting minerals that maintained Fe2+ above the magnetite solubility limit. In this system, reaction rate constants increase with increasing pH values between 6 and 10. The pH dependence is explained by acid−base equilibrium between two surface sites, where the more deprotonated exhibits greater dechlorination reactivity. The distribution of reaction products was also found to depend on pH. The primary reaction product is carbon monoxide (CO) followed by chloroform (CHCl3). CHCl3 production is at a minimum at pH 6 but increases through pH 10. Formation rate constants f...
Beitrag zur Bestimmung von Dissoziationsarbeiten aus Prädissoziationsspektren

Es wird eine Erklarung dafur gegeben, das zwei verschiedene Typen von Pradissoziationsspektren existieren, bei denen entweder ein scharfes oder ein allmahliches Einsetzen der Verwaschenheit der Feinstruktur stattfindet.
Carbons with extremely large volume of uniform mesopores synthesized by carbonization of phenolic resin film formed on colloidal silica template.

Mesoporous carbons with extremely large pore volume (∼6 cm3/g) and narrow bimodal pore size distribution were synthesized by using 24 nm silica colloids as template.
Experimental and Finite Element Study on Mechanical Behavior of Bolted Joint with Bolt Clearance in Transmission Tower

To accurately analyze the force and deformation of the transmission tower, it is necessary to study performance of bolted joint in the tower. In the paper single shear and double shear bolted joint with number of bolts changed is tested. Based on the actual data in test, nonlinear finite element model of bolted joint is established with ABAQUS, considering the bolt clearance and preload, and shows good agreement with test results, which is proved correct and applicable. Eventually, through a comparison of FEM and test results, the factors that affect bolt slip and the changing relationship of axial force of bolt and friction force is described.
Syntheses and structure-activity relationships of the second-generation antitumor taxoids: exceptional activity against drug-resistant cancer cells.

A series of new 3'-(2-methyl-1-propenyl) and 3'-(2-methylpropyl) taxoids with modifications at C-10 was synthesized by means of the beta-lactam synthon method using 10-modified 7-(triethylsilyl)-10-deacetylbaccatin III derivatives. The new taxoids thus synthesized show excellent cytotoxicity against human ovarian (A121), non-small-cell lung (A549), colon (HT-29), and breast (MCF-7) cancer cell lines. All but one of these new taxoids possess better activity than paclitaxel and docetaxel in the same assay, i.e., the IC50 values of almost all the taxoids are in the subnanomolar level. It is found that a variety of modifications at C-10 is tolerated for the activity against normal cancer cell lines, but the activity against a drug-resistant human breast cancer cell line expressing MDR phenotype (MCF7-R) is highly dependent on the structure of the C-10 modifier. A number of the new taxoids exhibit remarkable activity (IC50 = 2.1-9.1 nM) against MCF7-R. Among these, three new taxoids, SB-T-1213 (4a), SB-T-1214 (4b), and SB-T-1102 (5a), are found to be exceptionally potent, possessing 2 orders of magnitude better activity than paclitaxel and docetaxel. The observed exceptional activity of these taxoids may well be ascribed to an effective inhibition of P-glycoprotein binding by the modified C-10 moieties. The new taxoid SB-T-1213 (4a) shows an excellent activity (T/C = 0% at 12.4 and 7.7 mg/kg/dose, log10 cell kill = 2.3 and 2.0, respectively) against B16 melanoma in B6D2F1 mice via intravenous administration.
Levetiracetam versus phenytoin for seizure prophylaxis in severe traumatic brain injury

Object Current standard of care for patients with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) is prophylactic treatment with phenytoin for 7 days to decrease the risk of early posttraumatic seizures. Phenytoin alters drug metabolism, induces fever, and requires therapeutic-level monitoring. Alternatively, levetiracetam (Keppra) does not require serum monitoring or have significant pharmacokinetic interactions. In the current study, the authors compare the EEG findings in patients receiving phenytoin with those receiving levetiracetam monotherapy for seizure prophylaxis following severe TBI. Methods Data were prospectively collected in 32 cases in which patients received levetiracetam for the first 7 days after severe TBI and compared with data from a historical cohort of 41 cases in which patients received phenytoin monotherapy. Patients underwent 1-hour electroencephalographic (EEG) monitoring if they displayed persistent coma, decreased mental status, or clinical signs of seizures. The EEG results were grouped ...
Long-term outcomes of open radical retropubic prostatectomy for clinically localized prostate cancer in the prostate-specific antigen era.

Objective To determine long-term oncological outcomes and complication rates for patients with clinically organ confined prostate adenocarcinoma (PCa) treated with open radical retropubic prostatectomy and pelvic lymph node dissection (RRP/PLND) in the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) era. Methods Outcomes data were obtained from a prospectively maintained prostate cancer database. Patients with cT1/cT2 PCa undergoing RRP/PLND without neoadjuvant therapy between July 1988 and June 2008 were included. Kaplan–Meier and Cox proportional regression models were used to evaluate factors influencing biochemical recurrence, clinical recurrence, and overall survival (OS). Results A total of 2487 patients met inclusion criteria, and median follow-up was 7.2 years (range 1-21 years). Of the patients, 49.7% were low risk, 33.2% intermediate risk, and 16.1% high risk by D'Amico criteria, and 6% were LN+. The 10-year biochemical recurrence–free survival (BCRFS) for low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients was 92%, 83%, and 76%, respectively (P Conclusion D'Amico risk group, margin status, and LN status are significantly correlated with outcomes in patients undergoing RRP/PLND for clinically localized PCa. Local recurrence and death from prostate cancer are rare in patients undergoing open RRP/PLND for clinically organ confined disease in the PSA era.
The effect of environmental good scarcity on own-farm labor allocation: the case of agricultural households in rural Nepal

As environmental goods such as fuelwood and fodder become more scarce, rural households in developing countries spend more time in their collection. It has been suggested that as a result households may reallocate labor away from own- farm agricultural production. This paper examines whether this is the case for a sample of agricultural households from rural Nepal. Cross-sectional estimates of agricultural labor demand equations give some indication that reallocation away from farm work may occur as environmental products become more scarce. However, these results dis- appear in random-effects estimation suggesting that time is instead reallocated from other activities or leisure. What little evidence there is for a labor reallocation from agri- culture suggests that policies to relieve environmental good collection labor burdens should focus on leaf fodder and grass used as livestock feed rather than on fuelwood.
Justin Martyr and the Restoration of Philosophy

Our knowledge of the life of Justin “the Martyr” depends almost entirely on what he himself tells us, especially in the introduction to the Dialogue with Trypho, where he recounts his journey to the true philosophy, Christianity. It appears that he was born in the late first or early second century at Flavia Neapolis in Samaria into a Greek-speaking family. Although he refers to himself in one passage as a Samaritan by race (Dial. 120.6), this background seems unlikely, since there is no evidence that he was familiar with any Samaritan religious traditions. Rather, it appears that his ancestors were originally Greek or Roman colonists who settled in Flavia Neapolis after its establishment by Vespasian in A.D. 72. In any case, he certainly was not Jewish, for he did not encounter the Jewish scriptures until later in life.
Petrography and geochemistry of the LaPaz Icefield basaltic lunar meteorite and source crater pairing with Northwest Africa 032

We report on the bulk composition and petrography of four new basaltic meteorites found in AntarcticaLAP (LaPaz Icefield) 02205, LAP 02224, LAP 02226, and LAP 02436--and compare the LAP meteorites to other lunar mare basalts. The LAP meteorites are coarse-grained (up to 1.5 mm), subophitic low-Ti basalts composed predominantly of pyroxene and plagioclase, with minor amounts of olivine, ilmenite, and a groundmass dominated by fayalite and cristobalite. All of our observations and results support the hypothesis that the LAP stones are mutually paired with each other. In detail, the geochemistry of LAP is unlike those of any previously studied lunar basalt except lunar meteorite NWA (Northwest Africa) 032. The similarities between LAP and NWA 032 are so strong that the two meteorites are almost certainly source crater paired and could be two different samples of a single basalt flow. Petrogenetic modeling suggests that the parent melt of LAP (and NWA 032) is generally similar to Apollo 15 low-Ti, yellow picritic glass beads, and that the source region for LAP comes from a similar region of the lunar mantle as previously analyzed lunar basalts.
Identification of Tramadol and its Metabolites in Blood from Drug-Related Deaths and Drug-Impaired Drivers

Tramadol is a centrally acting, binary analgesic that is neither an opiate-derived nor a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and that was approved for use in the United States in 1995. It is used to control moderate pain in chronic pain settings such as osteoarthritis and postoperative cases. Used in therapy as a racemic mixture, the (+)-enantiomer weakly binds to the mu-opioid receptor, and both enantiomers inhibit serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake. Tramadol's major active metabolite, O-desmethyltramadol (ODT), shows higher affinity for the mu-opioid receptor and has twice the analgesic potency of the parent drug. The synergism of these effects contributes to tramadol's analgesic properties with the (+)-enantiomer exhibiting 10-fold higher analgesic activity than the (-)-enantiomer. Although tramadol was initially thought to exhibit low abuse potential, Ortho-McNeil, the drug's manufacturer, recently reported a large number of adverse events attributed to tramadol including abuse by opioid-dependent patients, allergic reactions, and seizures. The high number of adverse reactions has prompted the company to update the prescribing information for the drug. An analytical method using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) without derivatization for the determination of tramadol and its metabolites is reported. An n-butyl chloride extraction is followed by GC-MS analysis using a 5% phenylmethylsilicone column (30 m x 0.32-micron i.d.). Analysis of 12 blood samples from tramadol-related deaths and four nonfatal intoxications involving tramadol revealed concentrations ranging from 0.03 to 22.59 mg/L for tramadol, from 0.02 to 1.84 mg/L for ODT, and from 0.01 to 2.08 mg/L for N-desmethyltramadol. Three deaths were clearly attributable to acute morphine toxicity, one was a doxepin overdose, and six were multiple drug overdoses. The role of tramadol in each death is explored.
Game domestication for animal production in Kenya: feeding trials with oryx, zebu cattle and sheep under controlled conditions

Digestibility trials were carried out with five individuals each of domesticated oryx, sheep and cattle, using three diets ranging from 12·5 to 7·4% crude protein. Feed intake, water consumption and urine production were measured.Intakes of dry matter (as g/day or g/kg W0·75/day) did not differ between diets for any species. On a metabolic weight basis the sheep and oryx ate the same amount. The cattle ate more than the sheep of all three diets, and more than the oryx in two of the three.For all three species, digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and crude fibre was lower when the lower quality food was given. On any single diet, significant differences in digestive efficiency for any diet component between species were few and small.Total daily intakes of water (ml/kg W0·85/day) were lower for each species when eating the diet with the lowest protein content. On each diet total intakes were significantly different in the decreasing order cattle > sheep > oryx, in the mean ratio 3·3:l·7:10.Urine production (ml/kg W0·85/day) varied slightly between diets for each species. On each diet the cattle produced significantly more urine than the sheep or oryx. The ratio of urine produced to water drunk decreased in the order oryx > cow > sheep, in the mean ratios 0·63, 0·34 and 0·27. Despite some interspecific differences in nitrogen concentration, there were few differences in the proportion of total excreted nitrogen that was lost through the urine.Calculations of evaporative water loss showed that loss of water by this avenue was significantly less in oryx than in sheep or cattle, which did not differ significantly.In the absence of any evidence of a more efficient digestion, the low metabolic intake of food by oryx suggests a low metabolic rate. The oryx's low water consumption and small evaporative loss are obvious adaptations to its desert habitat.
Cluster-Assembled Nanocomposites

This chapter focuses on a gas-aggregation technique to prepare magnetic nanoclusters with controllable cluster sizes and size distributions. The review includes current research on nanoclusters, such as uncoated and oxide-coated Fe, Co and Fe clusters and clusters made from alloys, but special emphasis is on highly anisotropic Ll0-ordered FePt clusters, which are of potential interest for magnetic recording with ultrahigh areal densities of more than 1 Tera bit/in2. In particular, we discuss magnetic and structural properties of FePt nanoclusters and thin films. Another approach discussed in the chapter is to create cluster nanocomposites by multilayering with post-deposition annealing. The advantage of this method is that the clusters can be oriented along a desired easy axis. One example is L10-(001) oriented FePt nanocomposite films with a FePt cluster size of about 5 nm.
A parameterized family of weighted Ducci maps

A simple type of unbounded, zero-sum weighting, defined by a single parameter, is applied to the Ducci map on . It is shown how varying this parameter affects the dynamics of the corresponding Ducci sequences, and a connection between the dynamics and the golden ratio is established. These results also establish the existence of unbounded, zero-sum Ducci map weightings for which only the zero-vector is a cycle. Finally, by considering Roth's theorem, it is shown how the algebraic irrational numbers are related to the Ducci problem on .
Selective alterations in organ sizes in mice with a targeted disruption of the insulin-like growth factor binding protein-2 gene.

Insulin-like growth factor binding protein 2 (IGFBP-2) is one member of the family of IGF binding proteins believed to have both endocrine functions elicited by modulating serum IGF half-life and transport as well as autocrine/paracrine functions that result from blocking or enhancing the availability of IGFs to bind cell surface receptors. To clarify the in vivo role of IGFBP-2, we have used gene targeting to introduce a null IGFBP-2 allele into the mouse genome. Animals homozygous for the altered allele are viable and fertile, contain no IGFBP-2 mRNA, and have no detectable IGFBP-2 in the adult circulation. Heterozygous and homozygous animals showed no significant differences in prenatal or postnatal body growth. Analyses of organ weights in adult males, however, revealed that spleen weight was reduced and liver weight was increased in the absence of IGFBP-2. In addition, ligand blot analyses of sera from adult IGFBP-2 null males showed that IGFBP-1, IGFBP-3, and IGFBP-4 levels were increased relative t...
Biochemistry, Physiology, and Pathophysiology of NADPH Oxidases in the Cardiovascular System

atherosclerosis, hypertension, cardiac hypertrophy and remodeling, angiogenesis and collateral formation, stroke, and heart failure. In this review, we discuss in detail the biochemistry of Nox enzymes expressed in the cardiovascular system (Nox1, 2, 4, and 5), their roles in cardiovascular cell biology, and their contributions to disease development.
Dynamic Chromatin Modification Sustains Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition following Inducible Expression of Snail-1

Summary Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is thought to contribute to cancer metastasis, but its underlying mechanisms are not well understood. To define early steps in this cellular transformation, we analyzed human mammary epithelial cells with tightly regulated expression of Snail-1, a master regulator of EMT. After Snail-1 induction, epithelial markers were repressed within 6 hr, and mesenchymal genes were induced at 24 hr. Snail-1 binding to its target promoters was transient (6–48 hr) despite continued protein expression, and it was followed by both transient and long-lasting chromatin changes. Pharmacological inhibition of selected histone acetylation and demethylation pathways suppressed the induction as well as the maintenance of Snail-1-mediated EMT. Thus, EMT involves an epigenetic switch that may be prevented or reversed with the use of small-molecule inhibitors of chromatin modifiers.
Beyond receiver functions: Passive source reverse time migration and inverse scattering of converted waves

[1] We present a wave equation prestack depth migration to image crust and mantle structures using multi-component earthquake data recorded at dense seismograph arrays. TransmittedP and Swaves recorded on the surface are back propagated using an elastic wave equation solver. The wave modes are separated after the reverse-time continuation of the wavefield from the surface, and subjected to a (cross-correlation type) imaging condition forming an inverse scattering transform. Reverse time migration (RTM) does not make assumptions about the presence or properties of interfaces – notably, it does not assume that interfaces are (locally) horizontal. With synthetic experiments, and different background models, we show that passive source RTM can reconstruct dipping and vertically offset interfaces even in the presence of complex wave phenomena (such as caustics and point diffraction) and that its performance is superior to traditional receiver function analysis, e.g., common conversion point (CCP) stacking, in complex geological environments.
Chromosomal abnormalities in lymphoma and their correlations with nucleic acid flow cytometry.

Abstract Cytogenetic studies were performed on 25 samples obtained from 25 patients with lymphoma. Fourteen of these were also simultaneously studied with nucleic acid flow cytometry to determine percent S-phase and DNA content (ploidy). In 17 cases (68%), evaluable metaphases were obtained. The evaluable metaphase rate was higher in previously untreated patients ( 15 19 or 79%). All but two cases showed abnormal karyotype. All five cases showing either the t(8;14) or t(8;22) abnormality were associated with extremely high percent S-phase values, ranging from 36% to 47%, which is in the range of high-grade lymphomas according to our previous experience. Four of these cases were diagnosed as Burkitt's lymphoma and one as diffuse large cell lymphoma. Further review of this latter case resulted in the pathologic diagnosis being changed to Burkitt's lymphoma. Three patients had either numerical or structural abnormalities of chromosome #21 [two cases of extra chromosomes and one i(21q)]. All three cases were diagnosed as diffuse large cell lymphoma. Four instances of trisomy 12 were identified. Only one of these was diagnosed as diffuse well-differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma. The remaining three were Burkitt's lymphoma in two and diffuse large cell lymphoma in one. Two instances of t(14;18) were observed. This is the characteristic abnormality of follicular lymphomas. One of these cases was a follicular large cell lymphoma. The second case had possibly originated from a follicular mixed lymphoma and had evolved into a diffuse mixed cell type. Both of these cases had low S-phase values in the range of low-grade lymphomas. The correlation between ploidy as determined by flow cytometry and cytogenetic analysis was good whenever the DNA index was elevated. However, when the DNA index was 1.0 (diploid), concordant measurements were observed in only five of eight cases. Flow cytometry detected one instance of clearly abnormal ploidy, which was thought to be diploid by cytogenetics. This case most likely represents a “false negative” cytogenetic determination.
Active hypothesis testing: Sequentiality and adaptivity gains

Consider a decision maker who is responsible to collect observations so as to enhance his information in a speedy manner about an underlying phenomena of interest. The policies under which the decision maker selects sensing actions can be categorized based on the following two factors: i) sequential vs. non-sequential; ii) adaptive vs. non-adaptive. Non-sequential policies collect a fixed number of observation samples and make the final decision afterwards; while under sequential policies, the sample size is not known initially and is determined by the observation outcomes. Under adaptive policies, the decision maker relies on the previous collected samples to select the next sensing action; while under non-adaptive policies, the actions are selected independent of the past observation outcomes. In this paper, performance bounds are provided for the policies in each category. Using these bounds, sequentiality gain and adaptivity gain, i.e., the gains of sequential and adaptive selection of actions are characterized.
DNA Polyfluorophores for Real‐Time Multicolor Tracking of Dynamic Biological Systems

It is becoming widely appreciated that complex biological networks and interaction events need to be understood not only in the three spatial dimensions but also in the fourth dimension, time. To address this need, fluorescence imaging with light microscopy has entered a dynamic era. A series of time-lapsed images or an aggregated video of a dynamic event imparts much more information than a single still image, better revealing the natural organization and flow of biological processes. The wide application of fluorescent proteins[1], quantum dots[2] and small-molecule fluorophores[3] in time-lapsed imaging, along with the state-of-the-art optical technologies such as super-resolution microscopy[4] and integrated systems such as intravital microscopy[5], have aided enormous advances in understanding cell and organismal biology over the decade. Tracking the movements of molecular and cellular target location has helped revealing processes such as metastasis[6], secretory pathway cargo transfer[1] and many more. The timeframe of the studied events can vary from hours to minutes, or even seconds.
Use of Normal Probability Paper

Abstract Normal probability paper is so designed that the cumulative distribution function of a normally distributed chance variable appears as a straight line. It is a common practice to plot the observations of a sample on this paper to obtain a graphical check for normality or to obtain a graphical estimate of the mean and variance of the population. Textbooks, however, are not very specific about methods for plotting, for, although the ordered observations are plotted along the abscissa, some uncertainties about the corresponding ordinates are left unresolved. The purpose of this paper is to indicate, with a special example, that any graphical technique should depend to a large extent on the purpose for which the graph is drawn. In particular, it presents tables covering sample sizes up to 10, for selecting the ordinates on normal probability paper so as to obtain “optimum” graphical estimates of the mean ζ and the standard deviation σ of a normal distribution. The somewhat more complicated problem of...
Presynaptic Specificity of Endocannabinoid Signaling in the Hippocampus

Abstract Endocannabinoids are retrograde messengers released by neurons to modulate the strength of their synaptic inputs. Endocannabinoids are thought to mediate the suppression of GABA release that follows depolarization of a hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron—termed "depolarization-induced suppression of inhibition" (DSI). Here, we report that DSI is absent in mice which lack cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1). Pharmacological and kinetic evidence suggests that CB1 activation inhibits presynaptic Ca 2+ channels through direct G protein inhibition. Paired recordings show that endocannabinoids selectively inhibit a subclass of synapses distinguished by their fast kinetics and large unitary conductance. Furthermore, cannabinoid-sensitive inputs are unusual among central nervous system synapses in that they use N- but not P/Q-type Ca 2+ channels for neurotransmitter release. These results indicate that endocannabinoids are highly selective, rapid modulators of hippocampal inhibition.
Grief and Depression in Newly Widowed Parents with School-Age Children:

The objectives of this study were to examine depression levels found in newly widowed parents with school age children and to distinguish bereavement dysphoria from clinical depression. A community...
A Thermal Analysis Approach for the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft's Solar Array

There are numerous challenges associated with placing a spacecraft in orbit around Mars. Often. trades must be made such as the mass of the payload and the amount of fuel that can be carried. One technique employed to more efficiently place a spacecraft in orbit while maximizing payload mass (minimizing fuel use) is aerobraking. The Mars Odyssey Spacecraft made use of aerobraking to gradually reduce its orbit period from a highly elliptical insertion orbit to its final science orbit. Aerobraking introduces its own unique challenges, in particular, predicting the thermal response of the spacecraft and its components during each aerobraking drag pass. This paper describes the methods used to perform aerobraking thermal analysis using finite element thermal models of the Mars Odyssey Spacecraft's solar array. To accurately model the complex behavior during aerobraking, the thermal analysis must be tightly coupled to the spatially varying, time dependent aerodynamic heating analysis. Also, to properly represent the temperatures prior to the start of the drag pass. the model must include the orbital solar and planetary heat fluxes. It is critical that the thermal behavior be predicted accurately to maintain the solar array below its structural flight allowable temperature limit. The goal of this paper is to describe a thermal modeling method that was developed for this purpose.
Relationship between sharps disposal containers and Clostridium difficile infections in acute care hospitals.

Background Sharps disposal containers are ubiquitous in health care facilities; however, there is paucity of data on their potential role in pathogen transmission. This study assessed the relationship between use of single-use versus reusable sharps containers and rates of Clostridium difficile infections in a national sample of hospitals. Methods A 2013 survey of 1,990 hospitals collected data on the use of sharps containers. Responses were linked to the 2012 Medicare Provider Analysis and Review dataset. Bivariate and multivariable negative binomial regression were conducted to examine differences in C difficile rates between hospitals using single-use versus reusable containers. Results There were 604 hospitals who completed the survey; of these, 539 provided data on use of sharps containers in 2012 (27% response rate). Hospitals had, on average, 289 beds (SD ± 203) and were predominantly non-for-profit (67%) and nonteaching (63%). Most used reusable sharps containers (72%). In bivariate regression, hospitals using single-use containers had significantly lower rates of C difficile versus hospitals using reusable containers (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.846, P = .001). This relationship persisted in multivariable regression (IRR = 0.870, P = .003) after controlling for other hospital characteristics. Conclusion This is the first study to show a link between use of single-use sharps containers and lower C difficile rates. Future research should investigate the potential for environmental contamination of reusable containers and the role they may play in pathogen transmission.
Persistence of southern flying squirrel winter aggregations: roles of kinship, familiarity, and intruder squirrels

Abstract Southern flying squirrels (Glaucomys volans) are seasonally gregarious and rely on the thermoregulatory benefits of well-constructed nests and presence of nest mates to survive harsh winter conditions. Prior work has shown that kinship components are important to how winter aggregations form in captivity and that relatedness between individuals is higher than expected in undisturbed populations examined in the field. Over the course of 2 falls, 2006 and 2007, we created related and unrelated groups in a laboratory colony at Wake Forest University. We presented each group type with related and unrelated individuals as intruders. Once formed, aggregations persisted when presented with an intruder squirrel. Squirrels from existing aggregations were found in the same nest box 98% of the time. Factors of relatedness and familiarity were crucial in determining whether the intruder was accepted into an existing aggregation or nested alone. We found that related groups were more tolerant of truly novel (...