cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Chitosan Film Acylation and Effects on Biodegradability

Chitosan films were acylated under heterogeneous conditions in methanol with acetic and hexanoic anhydrides and characterized by proton nuclear magnetic resonance, elemental analysis, and multiple internal reflective Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The disappearance of the NH2 vibrational band at 1590 cm-1, the appearance of the amide II band at 1555 cm-1, and the relatively low intensity of the ester band at 1735 cm-1 showed that acylation at the surface was site-selective for the amino (N) functionalities. Furthermore, N-acylation at the surface region appeared complete within 1 h. The acylated chitosan films were fractionated in aqueous acetic acid for compositional analysis. Acetylation of chitosan films for 3 h gave 52% of aqueous acetic acid insoluble chitin (outer film region) and 48% unreacted chitosan. In contrast, 3 h hexanoylation reactions resulted in 99% aqueous acetic acid soluble product. Thus, film N-acetylation was more rapid than N-hexanoylation. Moreove...
Acculturation and the cancer pain experience.

Purpose: Using a feminist perspective, the relationship between acculturation and cancer pain experience was explored. Design: This was a cross-sectional, correlational Internet study among 104 His...
IMPACT, PATTERN, AND DURATION OF NEW ORDERS FOR DEFENSE PRODUCTS

This paper reports on a study of the timing of the economic impact of government defense procurement. By assuming that the letting of new orders signals the beginning and shipments signal the end of the impact of defense procurement, this research investigates the effects of changes in product mix and capacity utilization on the duration of such impacts. The effects of changes in product mix and capacity utilization on inventory accumulation are also investigated. RECENT DISCUSSIONS on econometric model building have pointed out that the development of a realistic model of the government sector is a prerequisite to the effective use of econometric models in evaluating the impact of government operations on the economy [7]. There are two aspects to this problem: (i) An econometric model should include appropriate instrumental variables-variables that can be controlled by policy makers [11], and (ii) the model should properly capture the impact of the government actions [2, 3,5,13]. This paper presents an explanatory study related to the second aspect of the above problem. Since defense procurement accounts for nearly ten per cent of GNP, a question which naturally arises is: Can defense procurement be manipulated by the government to help stabilize economic activity or to offset cyclical fluctuations? It is to be expected that the timing of defense procurement is determined primarily by noneconomic considerations. In peace time, however, a certain degree of flexibility is presumed to exist in the scheduling of defense procurement. For this reason, defense procurement is a useful instrumental variable for an econometric model of the government sector. In considering defense procurement as an instrumental variable, the following question is raised: What stage in the defense procurement process is most important from the viewpoint of measuring its impact on economic activity? In their studies of inventory investment, Lovell and Suits [10, 12] emphasized that the Department of Defense orders have an immediate impact upon inventories in advance of its expenditures. In a substantial number of other econometric models, however, the impact of defense procurement was measured at the expenditure stage [4,6,8,9].
A simulation model approach for relating effective climate to winter wheat yields on the Great Plains

Abstract Kharkov winter wheat yields at four locations, spanning over 12° latitude on the Great Plains, were related to climatic parameters. For each location a stepwise multiple regression technique was used to relate winter wheat yields to climatic parameters generated by a constant root zone (CRZ) water budget and an expanding root zone (ERZ) water budget. Compared to those for the CRZ model, the regressions using the ERZ model parameters “explained” an average of 12% more of the variation in winter wheat yield. Regressions employing only potential evapotranspiration and precipitation variables “explained” an average of 63% less of the variation in winter wheat yield compared to the regressions formed with the ERZ model parameters.
Rat plasma selenoprotein P properties and purification.

Abstract A selenoprotein in rat plasma, selenoprotein P, was fractionated and characterized. Plasma collected from rats 3 h post injection of 75 SeO 3 2− contained one 75 Se-labeled protein, selenoprotein P. Selenoprotein P was fractionated using salt precipitation, Affi-Gel Blue, and DEAE chromatography. The 75 Se-containing subunit of selenoprotein P was purified to 90% homogeneity using SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by electroelution. This isolation resulted in an 850-fold purification of the 75 Se-cottaining subunit of selenoprotein P with a 15% yield of 75 Se radioactivity. The molecular weight of selenoprotein P in plasma was 98 000. The 75 Se-containing subunit of selenoprotein P had a molecular mass of 57 kDa as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Isoelectric focusing under nondenaturing conditions resulted in a band of 75 Se radioactivity at pH 5.4. A comparison of Coomassie Blue- and silver-staining properties of selenoprotein P in SDS-polyacrylamide gels was made. Reverse-phase HPLC and Sephadex G-50 chromatography of tryptic peptides of the 57 kDa subunit of selenoprotein P yielded several peaks of 75 Se radioactivity. These results indicate that 75 Se is present in sveral locations within the 57 kDa subunit of selenoprotein P.
Serum cholinesterase: Function in lipoprotein metabolism

Human serum beta-lipoproteins, isolated by percipitation with heparin-calcium mixture, showed cholinesterase activity. The enzyme activity was almost proportional to the lipoprotein concentration. Rats, treated with neostigmine, a cholinesterase inhibitor, showed a significant decrease in serum beta-lipoprotein and in the incorporation of H3-lysine into the lipoprotein compared to untreated controls. The decreased incorporation of H3-lysine into beta-lipoprotein was associated with increased labelling of alpha-lipoprotein. There was no significant difference in the labelling of pre-beta-lipoprotein. We propose that LDL is formed from VLDL in the presence of cholinesterase.
Variable rachitogenic effects of grain and alleviation by extraction or supplementation with vitamin D, fat and antibiotics.

Three experiments were conducted using day-old broiler type chicks to determine the effect of different cereal grains on vitamin D3 utilization and to investigate the effects of rye, corn, wheat and triticale as the cereal grain component of the diets on the development of a rachitic condition in chicks. Rye was submitted to acid treatment and water extraction in an attempt to destroy or isolate the rachitogenic factor. Results showed that with chicks fed a diet containing 200 I.U. of vitamin D3 with corn as the grain, mineralization of their bones was normal. Growth and bone ash were depressed when rye replaced corn in the diet. These effects were partially reversed when either fat or procaine penicillin was added to the diet, and comppletely prevented with a high level of vitamin D3 (2,000 I.U./kg.). In another experiment, triticale depressed bone ash even though it did not affect body growth to the same extent as rye. Our results indicate that the factor responsible for the rachitogenic condition of rye-fed chicks can be removed by water extraction of this grain or partially destroyed by acid autoclaved treatment. A combination of acid autoclaved treatment and penicillin supplementation prevented the depression in bone ash.
Activation and expansion of cytotoxic T lymphocytes from tumor-draining lymph nodes.

Large numbers of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) could be generated from tumor-draining lymph nodes (DLN) from mice bearing PHS-5 tumor by culturing at low density with autologous tumor cell stimulators and 20 U/ml recombinant interleukin-2 (IL-2). Outgrowth of metastatic tumor cells in culture was prevented by use of this hypoxanthine/aminopterin/thymidine-sensitive mutant of P815, PHS-5. After 9 days in culture, lymphoid cells demonstrated specific cytotoxicity against autologous tumor target cells. Lymph node cells could be expanded continuously in culture with repeated tumor stimulation with up to 7500-fold increase in cell number by 6 weeks; although CTL could be activated from tumor-bearing host spleen cells in short-term culture, they showed no significant growth in long-term cultures. Phenotypically, DLN cells were a mixture of CD8+ and CD4+ cells immediately after harvest but after 2 weeks in culture they were predominantly CD8+ CD4−. CTL could be generated from tumor-bearing mice 10–14 days after i.d. tumor inoculation into the abdominal wall, but the immune response declined both in spleen and DLN by 21 days. Much greater CTL activity could be generated from axillary DLN that contained metastases than from non-draining popliteal nodes that were free of metastatic tumor cells. Some CTL activity could be generated from DLN with the addition of IL-2 alone but was further increased by the addition of more tumor cells as stimulators. When adoptively transferred to a host with 3-day P815 liver metastases, lymphocytes from DLN activated in vitro were able to reduce or eliminate metastases with very little or no IL-2 administered concomitantly. As few as 106 cells were therapeutically effective, and in vivo efficacy was tumor-specific, since L5178Y liver metastases were not affected.
Paleomagnetic evidence for Jurassic deformation of the McCoy Mountains Formation, southeastern California and southwestern Arizona

Abstract The Mesozoic McCoy Mountains Formation is a 7.3-km-thick deformed clastic sequence exposed in six mountain ranges in southeastern California and southwestern Arizona. Interbedded with Jurassic volcanic rocks at its base, the McCoy Mountains Formation had been assigned a Cretaceous age based upon fossil angiosperm wood found in the upper third of the section. Characteristic natural remanent magnetism (NRM) from 145 oriented samples from 18 sites within the sedimentary terrane yield an in situ mean direction:I = 20.6°, D = 335.1°, α95 = 7.7° (uncorrected for structural tilting). Opaque mineralogy and a failed fold test indicate that the NRM is a chemical remanence acquired post-folding. The paleomagnetic pole position calculated from the in situ mean direction falls adjacent to poles from the Summerville Formation and Canelo Hills Volcanics. We interpret these data to indicate that deformation, mild metamorphism, and resultant magnetization of the McCoy Mountains Formation occurred during Jurassic time. It is suggested that the McCoy Mountains Formation and underlying Jurassic volcanics were deposited adjacent to, and then deformed between, the North American craton and an outlying allochthonous terrane during Jurassic time.
The calcium isotopes and N = 28 isotones and the optical model

Abstract Differential cross-section and analyzing-power angular distributions have been measured for protons elastically scattered from 40, 44, 48Ca, 50Ti, 51V, 52Cr and 54Fe. The rms radii of the real-central potentials were determined from the optical-model analyses of the angular distributions. From these results and the rms radii of the charge distributions, the rms radii of the neutron distributions were calculated and found in this analysis to be larger than the rms radii of the proton distributions in the isotones 48Ca, 50Ti, 51V, 52Cr and 52Fe. This analysis yields an rms radius for the neutron distribution in 48Ca which is larger than that determined from Coulomb energy-difference measurements.
Diffusion dynamics and concentration of toxic materials from quantum dots-based nanotechnologies: an agent-based modeling simulation framework

Due to their favorable electrical and optical properties, quantum dots (QDs) nanostructures have found numerous applications including nanomedicine and photovoltaic cells. However, increased future production, use, and disposal of engineered QD products also raise concerns about their potential environmental impacts. The objective of this work is to establish a modeling framework for predicting the diffusion dynamics and concentration of toxic materials released from Trioctylphosphine oxide-capped CdSe. To this end, an agent-based model simulation with reaction kinetics and Brownian motion dynamics was developed. Reaction kinetics is used to model the stability of surface capping agent particularly due to oxidation process. The diffusion of toxic Cd2+ ions in aquatic environment was simulated using an adapted Brownian motion algorithm. A calibrated parameter to reflect sensitivity to reaction rate is proposed. The model output demonstrates the stochastic spatial distribution of toxic Cd2+ ions under different values of proxy environmental factor parameters. With the only chemistry considered was oxidation, the simulation was able to replicate Cd2+ ion release from Thiol-capped QDs in aerated water. The agent-based method is the first to be developed in the QDs application domain. It adds both simplicity of the solubility and rate of release of Cd2+ ions and complexity of tracking of individual atoms of Cd at the same time.
A sensitive and specific enzyme assay for elastase activity using α-[3H]elastin as substrate☆

Abstract A method for the determination of elastase activity is described which uses soluble α-[3H]elastin as substrate. Soluble α-elastin was shown to have the same substrate specificity as natural insoluble elastin. At a substrate concentration of 1 mg/ml, approximately three times half-saturating substrate concentration, the assay is rapid, 1 h, sensitive, 10 ng/ml elastase, and linear up to an enzyme concentration of 250 ng/ml. The addition of 1000 μ/ml Trasylol or 10−4 m N-α-tosyl- l -lysyl chloromethane and 10−4 m tosyl- l -phenylalanyl chloromethane allowed the specific measurement of elastase activity in the presence of trypsin and chymotrypsin activity.
The frequency of os acromiale in the Robert J. Terry Collection

Normal fusion of the acromion process in humans begins at about age 15 and should complete ossification by age 22–25. Os acromiale occurs when fusion of the acromial epiphysis does not follow its normal ossification pattern, resulting in the retention of a separate epiphyseal end to the acromial process. Depending on how the metaphyseal junctures fuse, differential size and shape of the unattached acromial segment is produced. As a result of shoulder anatomy and the mobile epiphysis, os acromiale is associated with shoulder impingement and rotator cuff problems. The purpose of this study is to document the frequency of os acromiale in the Robert J. Terry Collection and gain a perspective on the occurrence of os acromiale in this specific US population. The overall frequency of os acromiale in the sample of 1594 skeletons was 8.34%. This study also evaluates the prevalence of os acromiale between sexes and ancestral groups in the Terry Collection. Significant frequency differences in the expression of os acromiale were found between both ancestry and sex; the black male sample has the highest frequency (12.47%), with a lower occurrence in the black female sample (9.22%). The white sample exhibited observably lower frequencies, with the white males at 6.8%, and white females at 3.2%. Size and shape and side expression (laterality) showed no significant differences between the sexes. However, significant differences in laterality by ancestry were observed; black males exhibited 48.3% bilateral expression, while white males exhibited bilateral expression only 29% of the time and 54.8% had a right lateral expression. Based on the results presented in this study, it is suggested that there is a genetic causation for os acromiale, which may or may not be exacerbated by physical activity. The use of this anomaly as an additional non-metric feature in inferring familial relationships and personal identification is discussed. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A Pure Brain Metastasis of Choriocarcinoma from a Mixed Germ Cell Tumor of the Ovary

We report a pure brain metastasis of choriocarcinoma from a mixed germ cell tumor of the ovary in a 19-year-old patient. This condition is extremely rare. Following abdominal operative procedures, multiple courses of combination chemotherapy, and resection of chemotherapy-resistant pulmonary metastases, a brain metastasis developed during chemotherapy. Craniotomy with resection of the neoplasm, brain radiation, and further chemotherapy was followed by disappearance of a pulmonary metastasis and long-term survival of the patient.
Range image compression using the fan algorithm

Range images, which are a representation of the surface of a 3-D object, are gaining popularity in many applications including CAD/CAM, multimedia and virtual reality. There is, thus, a need for compression of these 3-D images. Current standards, such as JPEG, are not appropriate for such images, due to their very nature. This has led us to develop a new compression method for range images. It approximates raster lines by many straight line segments within a user-specified maximum tolerance level. The extremities of the straight-line segments are non-redundant points (NRPs). Huffman coding, with a fixed Huffman tree, is used to encode the horizontal distance between the NRPs and their altitudes. The algorithm performance is illustrated on range images acquired at the Institute for Information Technology, National Research Council of Canada. >
The role of food deprivation in the maintenance and reinstatement of cocaine-seeking behavior in rats.

Lever-pressing responses of a group of five rats (Group E) were rewarded with i.v. injections of cocaine (0.1 mg/kg) under conditions of continuous access for eleven 24-h sessions. When the rats were partially food-deprived every third day, cocaine infusions more than doubled during that session. When saline was substituted for cocaine, responding diminished over a 10-day period (Extinction Phase), but when the rats were subsequently food-deprived every third day (Testing Phase), for a total of six cycles (20 sessions), high rates of responding for saline were reinstated only during food deprivation sessions. Seven control groups were included to investigate several questions regarding this effect. Group C-1 received cocaine but no food deprivation experience during the Training Phase, and Group C-2 received food deprivation experience without cocaine access. The results showed that simultaneous presentation of both the food deprivation condition and cocaine was necessary to reinstate food deprivation-induced increases in responding during the Testing Phase. To test for the importance of the contingency between responding and cocaine infusions during food deprivation (and satiation) in the Training phase, Group C-3 was yoked to Group E; they received the same number and pattern of infusions during the Training Phase, but infusions were not contingent upon lever-press responses. This group showed only small increases in saline-maintained responding due to food deprivation during the Testing Phase. Groups C-4 and C-5 were treated as Groups C-3 and E, respectively, except they were partially food-deprived during the 10-day Extinction Phase. Three of five rats in Group C-4 and all rats in Group C-5 showed no increases due to food deprivation during the Testing Phase. Group C-6 was pre-exposed to food deprivation before the experiment began, and Group C-7 was exposed to food deprivation only once during the Training Phase. Both procedures weakened the ability of food deprivation to produce high rates of saline-maintained responding. It was concluded that novel interoceptive stimuli related to food deprivation had become associated with the relatively novel reinforcing effects of cocaine and these interoceptive stimuli functioned as conditioned reinforcers to increase the maintenance and reinstatement of drug-seeking behavior.
Human Poisoning with Pentachlorophenol and Its Treatment

A case of intentional intoxication with pentachlorophenol has been described. Salient features observed included pyrexia, diaphoresis, hyperkinesis, muscle twitching, tremors, epigastric tenderness, leg pain, tachypnea, and tachycardia. The patient's restlessness and agitation were controlled with phenytoin and phenobarbital. Forced diuresis with furosemide and mannitol resulted in a large increase in urinary excretion of pentachlorophenol. It is suggested that such therapy may be life saving in such intoxications.
Isolation and Culture of Hexamita Free of Bacteria

Abstract INTRODUCTION HINSHAW and McNeil (1938) were the first to observe the presence of Hexamita in turkey poults suffering from catarrhal enteritis. Hinshaw, McNeil and Kofoid (1938) later showed that Hexamita were the cause of the enteritis and subsequently McNeil, Hinshaw and Kofoid (1941) gave a more complete description of the organism and named it Hexamita meleagridis. In these and other studies (McNeil, Platt and Hinshaw 1939; McNeil and Hinshaw, 1941; and Hinshaw and McNeil, 1941), infected gut or bursal contents were used to infect birds. In a more recent study of determining the efficacy of drugs against this organism, Almquist and Johnson (1951) also used infected gut contents as a source of inoculum. A search of the literature did not reveal any reference to a bacteria-free culture of Hexamita, however, a number of investigators were able to obtain an isolation of bacteria-free cultures of Trichomonas sp. In ridding cultures of …
Hypothermic preconditioning of endothelial cells attenuates cold-induced injury by a ferritin-dependent process

Abstract Hypothermia for myocardial protection or storage of vascular grafts may damage the endothelium and impair vascular function upon reperfusion/rewarming. Catalytic iron pools and oxidative stress are important mediators of cold-induced endothelial injury. Because endothelial cells are highly adaptive, we hypothesized that hypothermic preconditioning (HPC) protects cells at 0°C by a heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and ferritin-dependent mechanism. Storage of human coronary artery endothelial cells at 0°C caused the release of lactate dehydrogenase, increases in bleomycin-detectible iron (BDI), and increases in the ratio of oxidized/reduced glutathione, signifying oxidative stress. Hypoxia increased injury at 0°C but did not increase BDI or oxidative stress further. HPC at 25°C for 15–72 h attenuated these changes by an amount achievable by pretreating cells with 10–20 μM deferoxamine, an iron chelator, and protected cell viability. Treating cells with hemin chloride at 37°C transiently increased intracellular heme, HO-1, BDI, and ferritin. Elevated heme/iron sensitized cells to 0°C but ferritin was protective. HPC increased iron maximally after 2 h at 25°C and ferritin levels peaked after 15 h. HO-1 was not induced. When HPC-mediated increases in ferritin were blocked by deferoxamine, protection at 0°C was diminished. We conclude that HPC-mediated endothelial protection from hypothermic injury is an iron- and ferritin-dependent process.
Effects of image resolution and numerical resolution on computed permeability of consolidated packing using LB and FEM pore-scale simulations

Abstract Image-based pore-scale modeling has become an important tool for studying fluid transport and other phenomena in porous media. Spatial resolution of the digital images used for modeling is critical not only because it dictates the scale of features that can be resolved, but also because for most techniques there is at least some relationship between voxel size in the image data and numerical resolution applied to the computational simulations. In this work we investigate this relationship using a computer-generated consolidated porous medium, which was digitized at voxel resolutions in the range 2–10 μm. These images, which are free of experimental and segmentation errors, are then used to compute permeability and tortuosity using lattice Boltzmann (LB) and finite elements methods (FEM). Results show how changes in computed permeability are affected by image resolution (which dictates how well the pore geometry is approximated) versus grid or mesh resolution (which changes numerical accuracy). For LB, the image and grid resolution are usually taken to be the same; we show at least one case where effects of grid and image resolution appear to counteract one another, giving the mistaken appearance of resolution-independent results. For FEM, meshing can provide certain attributes (such as better conformance to surfaces), but it also adds an extra step for error or approximation to be introduced in the workflow. Results show that performing grid coarsening on the FEM mesh caused a reduction in computed permeability, but in this particular case the effect is related to tightening of the pore space rather than loss of numerical accuracy.
Universal Approximate Analytical Solution of the Thomas-Fermi Equation for Ions

The great utility of the Thomas---Fermi (TF) theory of atoms lies in the fact that it gives a solution of the TF equation that is valid for for all neutral atoms. In contrast to this situation, the TF equation for positive ions has to be solved separately for each degree of ionization of each atom. Using a previously obtained approximate analytical solution of the TF equation for neutral atoms (which is based on a variational principle), and a series-expansion approach (which relates the parameters in the ionic solution to those in the neutral-atom solution), the present paper derives a universal approximate analytical solution of the TF equation for ions. This solution, in addition to being valid for positive ions, is also applicable for negative ions for which the original TF theory does not furnish a solution. Furthermore, the approximate solution obtained here is not associated with finite ionic radii, and gives an exponentially decreasing radial electron density, which is not the case in the original TF theory. For this reason, the electron densities and potentials of ions that result from the present work are expected to be in better agreement with the quantum-mechanical data for these quantities than the electron densities and potentials obtained with the original TF theory. To show that this is so, the accuracy of the universal approximate analytical solution is investigated by calculating the diamagnetic susceptibilities of singly and doubly charged positive and negative ions of noble-gas electron configurations. It is found that, in most cases, calculated and experimental values for ions of the Ar, Kr, and Xe electron configurations agree to within a factor of 2, while for ions of the Ne electron configuration the agreement is somewhat worse. This is about the same accuracy as that found using the Lenz-Jensen approximation to the TF theory which, like the universal approximation, also makes use of variational electron density but, unlike the universal approximation, has to be separately obtained for each particular ion. As a further check on the usefulness of the universal ionic solution, the diamagnetic susceptibilities of the isoelectronic ions ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{3+}$, ${\mathrm{Ge}}^{4+}$, and ${\mathrm{As}}^{5+}$ are also calculated and found to agree only slightly worse than within a factor of 2 with the experimental data. After further comparison with data obtained from more-refined statistical models, the conclusion is that the universal solution for ions may be useful in a variety of problems where quantum-mechanical accuracy may be traded for a simpler approach.
What's New in EU Trade Dispute Settlement? Judicialisation, Public-Private Networks and the WTO Legal Order

There is a recursive relationship between the judicialization of international trade relations and the development of public-private partnerships in the EU to address international trade claims. The more legalized international trading system creates stronger incentives for well-placed private actors to engage public legal processes. At the same time, to litigate effectively in the WTO system, government officials need the specific information that businesses and their legal representatives can provide. Officials therefore strive to establish better working relations with industry on trade matters. As a result, the EU's decision-making process for the investigation, litigation and settlement of trade claims has become a dynamic, ad hoc, hybrid, multi-tiered process in which private interests are deeply implicated. The process is neither purely intergovernmental nor purely private, but rather involves public-private networks operating in the shadow of international trade law. The process changes and adapts through trial and error.
Cardiac arrest patients in the emergency department—National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, 2001–2007 ☆

Abstract Aim of the study Few studies have focused on the full complement of cardiac arrest cases seen in hospital emergency departments (ED). The aims of our study were to describe cardiac arrest visits in the ED by using a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Methods ED data from the 2001–2007 National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) were analyzed. Cardiac arrest visits were considered to be those with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification (ICD-9-CM) code of 427.5 as the primary diagnosis. Results and conclusions From 2001 to 2007, adults in the U.S. made an estimated 600,729,000 ED visits. Of those, 1,001,000 (0.17%) had a primary diagnosis of cardiac arrest. The majority of patients with such visits were dead on arrival or died in the ED (74.0%). The mean age for cardiac arrest visits was 66.7 years (95% confidence interval [CI], 64.6–68.8 years). Women had a lower rate of cardiac arrest visits than men (age-adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.6; 95% CI, 0.5–0.8), and the privately insured (AOR, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.2–0.7) and those with government insurance (AOR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.3–0.9) had a lower proportion of cardiac arrest ED visits than uninsured persons. In addition, increasing age was a significant predictor of cardiac arrest visits. Cardiac arrest visits did not vary significantly by race, geographic region, or metropolitan statistical area. ED visits classified as cardiac arrest represent 1 in 600 visits and these visits differ by age, sex, payment source, and arrival time at the ED.
Cystic Rete Testis in a 3-Year-Old Gypsy Vanner Colt: A Case Report

A 3-year-old Gypsy Vanner colt was presented at the Auburn University College of Veterinary Medicine for castration. The left testicle of the horse was present within the scrotum, but neither the right testicle nor the epididymis was found during external palpation of the right inguinal ring. Removal of the retained testicle by a routine inguinal approach by traction on the gubernaculum and dilation of the internal inguinal ring was not possible. During a parainguinal approach to the abdomen, an enlarged cystic testicle was discovered. Histopathologic diagnosis was cystic rete testis. This case report stresses the importance of preoperative ultrasonographic assessment of cryptorchid testicles to decrease surgical time.
The distribution of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) in the gastrointestinal mucosa of the Rat: a comprehensive study

1. Mucosal serotonin (5-Hydroxytryptamine: 5-HT) levels were determined spectrophotofluorametrically in Sprague-Dawley rat bowel for the following tissues: distal oesophagus, stomach fundus, body and pylorus, upper and lower duodenum, mid-jejunum, terminal ileum, appendix, caecum, ascending, transverse and descending colon and proximal rectum. 2. Sex differences in bowel 5-HT were demonstrated between the pyloric and appendicular tissues in rats from one supplier. Similar tissues from rats obtained from a different supplier showed no such sex variation. 3. Species differences in gut serotonin were demonstrated between the pylorus and appendix 4. The literature on bowel serotonin levels in the rat, man, and a variety of other animals has been briefly reviewed.
Migrant Drug Users: Predictors of HIV-Related Sexual and Injection Risk Behaviors

Background Puerto Rican drug users recruited in NY who previously used drugs in Puerto Rico (PR) have been found to have higher HIV injection and sex-related risk behaviors than those who had not used in PR. This study examined predictors of risk among migrant Puerto Rican drug users. (For the purpose of this paper, the term “migrant” was used to designate Puerto Rican drug users who had used drugs in Puerto Rico and were recruited in New York or New Jersey). Methods A total of 290 drug users who had previously used drugs in PR were recruited in NY and New Jersey and interviewed regarding drug use history and HIV risk behaviors. Results Participants engaged in high risk behaviors, e.g., 39% shared injection paraphernalia and 62% reported unprotected sex. Multivariate analyses found that predictors of injection-related risk included being born in PR and purchasing drugs jointly with other drug users; predictors of sex-related risk included younger age and homelessness. Discussion Addressing risk reduction among those drug users who were born in Puerto Rico and are younger or homeless was indicated, and efforts to reach those at highest risk through NEPs was recommended.
Optimum doping profile of power MOSFET epitaxial layer

The epitaxial layer resistance of a MOSFET can be slightly reduced by using an optimum doping profile, which exhibits a minimum in the upper half of the layer when the layer thickness is large compared to the cell-to-ceU spacing. A gradual transition from the n epitaxial layer to the n+ substrate is desirable. When current spreading is significant, the resistance may rise as V B 2rather than V B 2.5.
Estimating Body Fatness from Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis and Skinfolds in Children

Abstract Seventy-three children (mean age=6.5) were studied at the University of Vermont, Clinical Research Center. Percent body fat was determined for each child using three different methods, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), and skinfolds. Impedance measurements were used to estimate fat free mass using the following equation: [(ht2/resistance)0.59+(wt × 0.065)+0.04]/[0.769–(0.0025 × age)–(0.019 × gender)]. Fat mass was then determined by subtracting the value of the fat free mass from total body weight and percent fat was calculated by dividing fat mass by body weight and multiplying by 100. Skinfold thicknesses were taken to determine body fatness using the Lohman equations. When the sum of the skinfolds was greater than 35mm, percent fat for boys was calculated as [(0.783 × sum SF)–1.7] and percent fat for girls was calculated as [(0.0546 × sum SF) + 9.7]. When the sum of skinfolds was less than 35mm, percent fat for boys was calculated as [(1.21 × sum SF)–[0.008(sum SF × sum SF)]–1.7] and percent fat for girls was calculated as [(1.33 × sum SF)–[0.013 × (sum SF × sum SF)] + 2.5]. DEXA values were determined using the pediatric software developed by the Lunar Radiation Corporation (Madison, WI). There was no statistical difference between percent body fat as measured by DEXA and skinfolds (DEXA=20.7,SF=19.9)(t=–1.3,p=.20). However, percent body fat as measured by BIA was significantly greater than that measured by DEXA (DEXA=20.7,BIA=22.1)(t=2.0,p=05). Body fatness from skinfolds was significantly correlated with DEXA (r=.77,p
Balancing domain decomposition for nonconforming plate elements

In this paper the balancing domain decomposition method is extended to nonconforming plate elements. The condition number of the preconditioned system is shown to be bounded by $C\big[1+\ln(H/h)\big]^2$ , where H measures the diameters of the subdomains, h is the mesh size of the triangulation, and the constant C is independent of H, h and the number of subdomains.
Re‐examining the role of the public services librarian in the new Information Age

Argues that the rapid developments in computer technology as well as economic changes have made it clear that the conventional role of librarians as information intermediaries must undergo an inevitable change. Stresses that the imminent arrival of virtual reality, i.e. the receiving of images enabling direct interaction with the information, will force librarians to re‐educate themselves to meet this digital challenge if they are ready to avoid being displaced by a variety of contenders in the information business. Attempts to give an overview of the impact the technological changes have on academic library functions and services in particular.
Introductory Economics Labs

URL: http://www.depauw.edu/learn/introeconlab/ This website has a set of stand-alone computer labs for an introductory economics course. The student uses Microsoft Word and Excel to answer question...
Multiple-Choice Exams: An Obstacle for Higher-Level Thinking in Introductory Science Classes

Learning science requires higher-level (critical) thinking skills that need to be practiced in science classes. This study tested the effect of exam format on critical-thinking skills. Multiple-choice (MC) testing is common in introductory science courses, and students in these classes tend to associate memorization with MC questions and may not see the need to modify their study strategies for critical thinking, because the MC exam format has not changed. To test the effect of exam format, I used two sections of an introductory biology class. One section was assessed with exams in the traditional MC format, the other section was assessed with both MC and constructed-response (CR) questions. The mixed exam format was correlated with significantly more cognitively active study behaviors and a significantly better performance on the cumulative final exam (after accounting for grade point average and gender). There was also less gender-bias in the CR answers. This suggests that the MC-only exam format indeed hinders critical thinking in introductory science classes. Introducing CR questions encouraged students to learn more and to be better critical thinkers and reduced gender bias. However, student resistance increased as students adjusted their perceptions of their own critical-thinking abilities.
Is public support for environmental protection decreasing? An analysis of U.S. and New Jersey data.

Telephone surveys made of 800-1,000 randomly selected residents of the United States and New Jersey in 2003 show a sharp decline in support for antipollution regulations, although pollution remains...
Synthesis of 13C-labelled cinnamonitrile

13C-labelled cinnamonitrile, a compound that possesses both the aromatic functionality of styrene and the nitrile functionality of acrylonitrile has been synthesized in one step using β-bromostyrene and potassium [13C]cyanide. The preparation of a target material using 13C -labelled cinnamonitrile may provide a cost-effective method for producing nitrogen-13 via proton irradiation for Positron Emission Tomography. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Copying from nature: Designing adaptive, chemoresponsive gels

INTRODUCTION In biological systems, motility is vital for survival; by fleeing from predators, large animals as well as single-cell organisms can live another day. A remarkable aspect of biological motility is the essentially seamless coordination of temporal and spatial events that lead to large-scale motion. As we take a step, we are unconscious of the series of interconnected dynamic processes, which encompass a range of length scales, involved in moving us forward. An intriguing scientific challenge is to replicate this type of seamless movement using synthetic materials. There are, however, significant differences between animate and inanimate objects that make this a particularly daunting task. One dramatic difference is that animate objects eat, and thus, they are self-sustaining, converting the energy from food to drive their motion. Hence, in devising biomimetic self-propelled objects, we must establish routes for making these materials capable of autonomously and dynamically transducing one form of energy into another to fuel their functionality.
Determining the Solar Wind Speed above Active Regions Using Remote Radio-Wave Observations

A new technique has made it possible to measure the velocity of portions of the solar wind during its flow outward from the sun. This analysis utilizes spacecraft (ISEE-3) observations of radio emission generated in regions of the solar wind associated with solar active regions. By tracking the source of these radio waves over periods of days, it is possible to measure the motion of the emission regions. Evidence of solar wind acceleration during this outward flow, consistent with theoretical models, has also been obtained.
Palmar sweating and control of danger

Palmar sweating was monitored on Ss faced with shocks over which they could exert varying control. Shocks were also varied so that some Ss could escape only after receiving shock and others could avoid shock entirely. Control-no control interacted with escape-avoidance, producing peaks in sweating when Ss could not control their escape and when they could control their avoidance. The peaks may reflect more arousal in these two conditions, or they may reflect arousal which is more localized in time.
C2-Symmetric Bis(oxazolinato)lanthanide Catalysts for Enantioselective Intramolecular Hydroamination/Cyclization

C2-symmetric bis(oxazolinato)lanthanide complexes of the type [(4R,5S)-Ph2Box]La[N(TMS)2]2, [(4S,5R)-Ar2Box]La[N(TMS)2]2, and [(4S)-Ph-5,5-Me2Box]La[N(TMS)2]2 (Box = 2,2‘-bis(2-oxazoline)methylenyl; Ar = 4-tert-butylphenyl, 1-naphthyl; TMS = SiMe3) serve as precatalysts for the efficient enantioselective intramolecular hydroamination/cyclization of aminoalkenes and aminodienes. These new catalyst systems are conveniently generated in situ from the known metal precursors Ln[N(TMS)2]3 or Ln[CH(TMS)2]3 (Ln = La, Nd, Sm, Y, Lu) and 1.2 equiv of commercially available or readily prepared bis(oxazoline) ligands such as (4R,5S)-Ph2BoxH, (4S,5R)-Ar2BoxH, and (4S)-Ph-5,5-Me2BoxH. The X-ray crystal structure of [(4S)-tBuBox]Lu[CH(TMS)2]2 provides insight into the structure of the in situ generated precatalyst species. Lanthanides having the largest ionic radii exhibit the highest turnover frequencies as well as enantioselectivities. Reaction rates maximize near 1:1 BoxH:Ln ratio (ligand acceleration); however, incr...
Genome-wide association study of CSF biomarkers Aβ1-42, t-tau, and p-tau181p in the ADNI cohort

Objectives: CSF levels of Aβ 1-42 , t-tau, and p-tau 181p are potential early diagnostic markers for probable Alzheimer disease (AD). The influence of genetic variation on these markers has been investigated for candidate genes but not on a genome-wide basis. We report a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of CSF biomarkers (Aβ 1-42 , t-tau, p-tau 181p , p-tau 181p /Aβ 1-42 , and t-tau/Aβ 1-42 ). Methods: A total of 374 non-Hispanic Caucasian participants in the Alzheimer9s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort with quality-controlled CSF and genotype data were included in this analysis. The main effect of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) under an additive genetic model was assessed on each of 5 CSF biomarkers. The p values of all SNPs for each CSF biomarker were adjusted for multiple comparisons by the Bonferroni method. We focused on SNPs with corrected p p −8 ) and secondarily examined SNPs with uncorrected p values less than 10 −5 to identify potential candidates. Results: Four SNPs in the regions of the APOE , LOC100129500, TOMM40 , and EPC2 genes reached genome-wide significance for associations with one or more CSF biomarkers. SNPs in CCDC134 , ABCG2 , SREBF2 , and NFATC4 , although not reaching genome-wide significance, were identified as potential candidates. Conclusions: In addition to known candidate genes, APOE , TOMM40 , and one hypothetical gene LOC100129500 partially overlapping APOE ; one novel gene, EPC2 , and several other interesting genes were associated with CSF biomarkers that are related to AD. These findings, especially the new EPC2 results, require replication in independent cohorts.
Development of a preliminary index that predicts adverse events after total knee replacement.

Objective We undertook this study to assess the relationships between hospital characteristics, volume of procedures, and perioperative outcomes after total knee replacement (TKR), and to use this information to construct a simple predictive index for perioperative outcomes that incorporates hospital- and patient-level characteristics. Methods We studied Medicare beneficiaries who underwent TKR in 4 US states in 2000. Orthopedic surgery administrators from hospitals caring for patients in this sample were surveyed about a range of hospital characteristics. The relationships between these hospital characteristics, patient variables, and 90-day postoperative adverse events (including death, pulmonary embolus, pneumonia, deep wound infection, and acute myocardial infarction) were assessed using generalized estimating equations adjusting for hospital volume. These relationships were assessed in low- and high-risk patient groups. Variables from the final multivariate model were used to create an index that was tested against 90-day adverse event rates. Results Three hundred twenty-seven (3.6%) of the patients undergoing TKR in our sample experienced an adverse event. In the final multivariate regression models, variables that predicted adverse perioperative events included low hospital volume (fewer than 23 TKRs in the Medicare population per year), absence of a preoperative teaching program, fewer TKRs conducted in a dedicated orthopedic surgery operating room, patient age >70 years, male sex, and at least 1 comorbid condition. The effect of volume on perioperative adverse events was evident both in patients with few risk factors and in patients with several risk factors. An index including the 6 patient and hospital variables discriminated well, with adverse events occurring in 2.0% (95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.4–2.7%) of patients in the lowest risk category and in 7.4% (95% CI 4.5–12.3%) of patients in the highest risk category (P for trend < 0.001). The index predicted adverse event rates both in hospitals with a low volume of TKRs and in those with a high volume of TKRs. Conclusion Characteristics of hospital care, procedure volume, and patient-level factors are all associated with perioperative outcomes of TKR. A preliminary index combining hospital characteristics and volume is moderately predictive of adverse perioperative outcomes. The index is predictive of outcome in low- and high-volume hospitals.
Performance of Healthy, Older Adults on the Tower of London Revised: Associations with Verbal and Nonverbal Abilities

ABSTRACT Neuropsychological studies suggest a subclinical impairment in executive function that occurs with normal aging. This is the first study to examine the performance of healthy older adults on the Tower of London-Revised (TOL-R), as well as the relationship between TOL-R performance and verbal and nonverbal abilities. Performance of 63 older adult participants on the TOL-R and two WAIS-III subtests was compared to that of 35 young adult college students. Group comparisons indicated age differences in TOL-R performance; however, these were eliminated after adjusting for individual differences in Matrix Reasoning performance. In the older adult groups, multiple regression analyses demonstrated that Matrix Reasoning performance was a stronger predictor of TOL-R performance than was chronological age or years of education. These results suggest that performance on the TOL-R is a psychometrically sound executive function measure for older adults and that individual differences in fluid intelligence are ...