cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating clinical trial design: systematic review of randomized vehicle-controlled trials for determining efficacy of benzoyl peroxide topical therapy for acne

Determined efficacies of benzoyl peroxide may be affected by study design, implementation, and vehicle effects. We sought to elucidate areas that may allow improvement in determining accurate treatment efficacies by determining rates of active treatment and vehicle responders in randomized controlled trials assessing the efficacy of topical benzoyl peroxide to treat acne. We conducted a systematic review of randomized vehicle-controlled trials evaluating the efficacy of topical benzoyl peroxide for the treatment of acne. We compared response rates of vehicle treatment arms versus those in benzoyl peroxide arms. Twelve trials met inclusion criteria with 2818 patients receiving benzoyl peroxide monotherapy treatment and 2004 receiving vehicle treatment. The average percent reduction in total number of acne lesions was 44.3 (SD = 9.2) and 27.8 (SD = 21.0) for the active and vehicle treatment groups, respectively. The average reduction in non-inflammatory lesions was 41.5 % (SD = 9.4) in the active treatment group and 27.0 % (SD = 20.9) in the vehicle group. The average percent decrease in inflammatory lesions was 52.1 (SD = 10.4) in the benzoyl peroxide group and 34.7 (SD = 22.7) in the vehicle group. The average percentage of participants achieving success per designated study outcomes was 28.6 (SD = 17.3) and 15.2 (SD = 9.5) in the active treatment and vehicle groups, respectively. Patient responses in randomized controlled trials evaluating topical acne therapies may be affected by clinical trial design, implementation, the biologic effects of vehicles, and natural disease progression. “No treatment” groups may facilitate determination of accurate treatment efficacies.
Ethical Considerations in the Design of Pediatric Clinical Trials in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

The global redistribution of clinical trials from high-income to low- and middle-income countries raises concern that populations of less developed countries may be exploited to provide data for marketing approval in developed countries. On the one hand, children lacking adequate healthcare may be exploited through offer of an unfair level of benefits in a clinical trial. On the other hand, a broader understanding of the principle of equipoise may allow for the incorporation of limited healthcare resources into the ethical justification of a clinical trial. In this context, two contrasting case studies involving the use of a placebo control are presented. These cases illustrate that uncertainty is not a sufficient justification for conducting a clinical trial where available treatments are constrained by socioeconomic factors. Rather, concerns about the fairness of a clinical trial based on distributive justice may require modifications to the trial, or motivate change to eliminate socioeconomic disparities.
The Exercise of Authority by Social Workers in a Managed Mental Health Care Organization

Abstract Grounded in group relations theory, this critical ethnography identified and examined processes of authorization and deauthorization occurring among 17 social workers in two mental health centers of a large, urban Health Maintenance Organization. Authorizing processes increase an individual's authority by providing legitimating support. Deauthorizing processes decrease an individual's authority by withholding legitimating support. Data collection methods included document analysis, in-depth interviews, and focus groups. Among other findings, the study concluded that social workers may exercise their authority subversively in managed care settings. Social workers are encouraged to create supportive contexts in work environments to increase their authority.
A Nutrition Intervention for Migraines (P6.213)

OBJECTIVE:To determine the effects of a low-fat plant-based dietary intervention on migraine severity and frequency. BACKGROUND:Migraines affect an estimated 12 percent of Americans aged 12 years and older. Medications have an important role, but are limited in effectiveness and may have side effects. DESIGN/METHODS:Chronic migraine sufferers were recruited from the community in Washington, DC. Using a crossover design, 42 participants were randomly assigned to receive either dietary instruction or a placebo supplement for 16 weeks, and then receive the other treatment for 16 weeks following a 4-week washout with no treatment. During the diet period, a low-fat vegan diet was prescribed for 4 weeks, after which an elimination diet was used to enable participants to identify possible specific pain trigger foods. Dietary intake, headache number, headache intensity, visual analog pain measurements, body weight, and plasma lipid concentrations, were assessed at the beginning, midpoint, and end of each 16-week period. RESULTS:Visual analog pain scale, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and body weight showed significantly more improvement (p<0.05) during the diet period, compared with the control period. Decreases in headache number and intensity were also observed during the diet period, and these changes were significant (p<0.05) within group, but did not reach statistical significance when compared with the supplement period. CONCLUSIONS:These results demonstrate the promise of a nutritional approach to migraine treatment. Further studies are needed to enable dietary pain triggers to be isolated from other triggers such as stress and hormonal changes. Disclosure: Dr. Bunner has nothing to disclose. Dr. Gonzalez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Valente has nothing to disclose. Dr. Agarwal has nothing to disclose. Dr. Barnard has nothing to disclose.
Ammonia in tritium systems

A recent tritium inventory imbalance at Mound required an investigation into its causes. Much tritium was found as HTO in unsuspected zeolite traps of a T-purification system. Isotropic exchange from ammonia was postulated as a mechanism for entry of T into the zeolitic water. Gases from a T-processing system which had experienced air in-leakage were shown, by trapping of condensibles, to contain substantial H-isotropic waters and ammonias. Further evidence for tritiated ammonia was inferred from changes in pressure and T purity in otherwise unperturbed tanks of N/sub 2/ and (H/D/T)/sub 2/. From two such tanks which held N/sub 2/ and T/sub 2/ at equilibrium, ammonia was trapped and decomposed; a preliminary equilibrium constant for N/sub 2/ + 3T/sub 2/ 2NT/sub 3/ was determined. Controlled experiments by laser Raman spectrometry are in progress to investigate N/sub 2//T/sub 2/ equilibria and kinetics. Results for gas mixtures in the 60 - 130 kPA (500 - 1000 torr) range (per reactant) suggest that forward rate and the equilibrium attained are proportional to (T/sub 2/). G-values for NT/sub 3/ production were --1 - 2 molecules atm/sup 1/(T/sub 2/) (100eV)-/sup 1/. Self-decomposition of NT/sub 3/ proceeded in an exponential decay with a G = 15more » - 30. A lower value was observed at pressures where /beta//sup -/-absorption in the gas was poor.« less
A framework for determining the satisfiability of general Boolean expressions

The algorithms and data structures described in this paper provide an effective method for determining the satisfiability of nearly all Boolean expressions. In addition, they serve as a supportive framework for more sophisticated efforts to determine the satisfiability of those expressions which prove to be difficult for the basic method. Two major approaches for enhancing the satisfiability-determination algorithm that are under investigation are the use of constraint-tree resequencing heuristics and the reduction of constraint trees by means of transformations. Since most of the expressions required no additional assistance, and since constraint-tree resequencing and reduction will both involve nontrivial expense, we are looking for inexpensive structural measures which are good predictors of the difficulties which are likely to be posed by an expression and which could suggest an optimal strategy for processing the expression under consideration.
Repeat renal allografts treated with sirolimus, cyclosporine, anti‐thymocyte globulin induction and continuous steroids achieve similar immunosuppressive efficacy as primary transplants

Petero VG Jr, Kaposztas Z, Kahan BD. Repeat renal allografts treated with sirolimus, cyclosporine, anti-thymocyte globulin induction and continuous steroids achieve similar immunosuppressive efficacy as primary transplants. Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2009.01055.x © 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Objective: We sought to examine repeat versus primary renal transplantations using sirolimus-based regimens. Methods: We compared 98 repeat versus 200 matched primary recipients treated de novo with sirolimus plus cyclosporine. Every repeat case received polyclonal antibody induction and continuous steroids. Outcomes were evaluated over a mean five-year follow-up by univariate and multivariate techniques. Kaplan-Meier plots were analyzed with using log-rank statistics with significance at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Significant differences in demographic features included greater panel reactive antibody (PRA), younger age, fewer HLA-mismatches and more pre-emptive repeat versus primary grafts. Neither graft and patient survivals, nor incidences of biopsy-proven acute rejection (BPAR), chronic vasculopathy or tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis among biopsies performed for cause were significantly different at 1 and 5 years. Younger recipients, better HLA matches and absence of diabetes promoted repeat graft survival; whereas older age, longer cold ischemia time and BPAR reduced primary transplant outcomes. Renal function was similar at 1, 3, 12, 24, 48 and 60 months. Conclusion: At 5 years this sirolimus regimen achieved similar efficacy for repeat versus primary transplantations.
Quantifying evaporation in a permeable pavement system

Studies quantifying evaporation from permeable pavement systems are limited to a few laboratory studies and one field application. This research quantifies evaporation for a larger field application by measuring the water balance from lined permeable pavement sections. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency constructed a 0.4 ha parking lot in Edison, NJ, that incorporated three different permeable pavement types in the parking lanes – permeable interlocking concrete pavers (PICP), pervious concrete (PC) and porous asphalt (PA). An impermeable liner installed 0.4 m below the surface in four 11.6 m by 4.74 m sections per each pavement type captures all infiltrating water and routes it to collection tanks that can contain events up to 38 mm. Each section has a design impervious area to permeable pavement area ratio of 0.66:1. Pressure transducers installed in the underdrain collection tanks measured water level for 24 months. Level was converted to volume using depth-to-volume ratios for individual collection tanks. Using a water balance approach, the measured infiltrate volume was compared to rainfall volume on an event basis to determine the rainfall retained in the pavement strata and underlying aggregate. Interevent evaporation created additional storage in the pavement and aggregate layers. Events were divided into three groups based on antecedent dry period (ADP) and three 4 month groups of potential evaporation based on historical monthly pan evaporation records. There was a significant difference in rainfall retained among the various combinations of ADP and potential evaporation groups. More rainfall was retained in the pavement and aggregate layers as time between events increased and during warmer months with larger potential evaporation. Average cumulative evaporation from the permeable pavement sections for 134 rainfall events in 24 months was 5.2% of the cumulative rainfall volume, and the range was 2.4–7.6%. Each PC section had more annual evaporation than any individual PICP or PA section. While measureable, evaporation is a small contribution to the total water budget on an annual basis for these systems. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The IBSNAT project

The purpose of the International Benchmark Sites Network for Agrotechnology Transfer (IBSNAT) project is to assemble and distribute a portable, user-friendly, computerized decision support system which enables users to match the biological requirements of crops to the physical characteristics of land to attain objectives specified by the user. The decision support software consists of (i) a data base management system to enter, store and retrieve a minimum set of soil, crop, weather, site and management data to validate and apply the software, (ii) crop models capable of simulating genotype × environment × management interactions, and (iii) application programs that enable a user to analyze and display results of multi-year agronomic experiments conducted in the computer.
The antigonadotropic activity of lithospermum ruderale . II. The inhibition of LRF-induced gonadotropin release in vitro

The antigonadotropic activity of lithosperm extracts was investigated at the pituitary level. When lithosperm extracts were added to primary pituitary cell cultures, LRF-stimulated LH release was inhibited. The cellular LH content was reduced but basal release was not significantly affected. These results suggest that lithosperm acts to directly inhibit the ability of LRF to stimulate LH release from the gonadotropes and the ability of the gonadotropes to produce LH.
Understanding the interplay between neighborhood structural factors, social processes, and alcohol outlets on child physical abuse

This article seeks to understand the relative influence of neighborhood structural characteristics (e.g., disadvantage) and social processes (e.g., interactions between residents) on child physical abuse. Using multilevel modeling in a sample of 3,023 parents in 194 zip codes, structural characteristics of factor scores representing residential stability and foreign-born Latino males were negatively related to child physical abuse. High proportions of naturalized and Asian/Pacific Islander families were positively related to the frequency of physical abuse. Higher levels of neighborhood social disorder were related to more frequent physical abuse, while higher levels of collective efficacy were related to less frequent physical abuse. Programs designed to alleviate disorder and increase neighborly interactions may be effective at reducing physical abuse. By understanding the relative importance of the demographic characteristics of neighborhoods and the actions and interactions of residents within the neighborhoods, policy and practice can be tailored more effectively to prevent maltreatment.
Radiation induced mobility changes in bubble-domain materials

Domain wall mobility changes have been observed in magnetic bubble domain materials (rare-earth iron garnet films) following irradiation with 3 MeV protons to fluences of 5 t 1016 p/cm2 and 1017 p/cm2. The mobility was observed to decrease by 24% and 43%, respectively. No measurable changes in the coercive field have been observed. Similar experiments with 1 MeV electrons to 1016 e/cw2 and 14 MeV neutrons to 1014 n/cm3 have yielded negative results. A damage threshold of ∼ 1016 p.cm2 at 3 MeV is established and a fast neutron damage threshold is inferred to be ∼ 1018 n/cm2. A slight broadening of the ferromagnetic resonance linewidth following the proton irradiations is evidence of increased magnetic damping caused by displacement damage in the garnet films.
The emotional impact of mistakes on family physicians.

OBJECTIVE To explore the emotional impact of the most memorable mistake on family physicians, the support they needed and received, and their response to a hypothetical scenario in which a colleague's decision was associated with a fatal outcome. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS Randomly selected members of a county chapter of a midwestern state academy of family physicians. DESIGN Qualitative cross-sectional survey using in-depth interviews subject to content analysis. METHODS I audiotaped interviews with each of the physicians in their offices. Two medical sociologists and I first independently, and then consensually, categorized the data based on the frequency with which a word or idea appeared in the text. RESULTS Thirty (75 %) of the 40 physicians originally contacted participated in the study. Twenty-three (77%) of the 30 physicians admitted to making a mistake. The physicians experienced emotional adversity. Of 27 physicians, 17 (63%) needed someone to talk to, 13 (48 %) needed to review their case management, 16 (59%) needed professional reaffirmation, and eight (30%) needed personal reassurance. Having someone to talk to was the support that 12 (44%) of the 27 physicians valued most. Eighteen (67%) of 27 received this support from someone other than their peers. Although all subjects recognized their colleague's pain and need for support in the hypothetical scenario, only nine (32%) of 28 physicians would have unconditionally offered support. CONCLUSION Making mistakes unfavorably affects family physicians and creates a strong need for support. Family physicians may benefit from sharing experiences that diminish perfectionism and recognize mistakes as a natural part of practicing medicine. Further research needs to address how physicians can be encouraged toward therapeutic self-disclosure and peer support.
The problem of multiplicity in research on teleconnections

The statistical problem of multiplicity in teleconnection studies was recognized early in this century by Sir Gilbert T. Walker. This problem arises when several sample correlation coefficients between climatic/oceanic time series are computed, but only the largest ones in magnitude are selected as significant. Testing a large number of hypotheses leads to a rapid increase in the probability of erroneously rejecting at least one hypothesis if the significance level of each test is kept fixed. Walker developed methods to counteract the effects of multiplicity, but this problem is still ignored in most modern studies. The effects of multiplicity are compounded for time series with autocorrelation, as is the case for most climatic variables. Monte Carlo simulations of sets of climatic time series indicate that multiplicity can be counteracted by using a modernized version of Walker's approach that includes a correction of the test statistics for the effects of autocorrelation. Overall significance levels obtained by applying other testing approaches that fail to account for either multiplicity or autocorrelation are generally much larger than the desired value.
“Others are influenced, but not me”: Older adults' perceptions of DTC prescription drug advertising effects

Abstract A series of in-depth interviews was conducted to examine older adults' perceptions of the effects of direct-to-consumer (DTC) prescription drug advertising on themselves and others. Results give empirical voice to published survey findings and provide additional evidence to support the third-person effect in DTC advertising. Findings indicate that older adults do not perceive DTC ad effects on themselves when asked directly, but do indicate behaving in DTC-ad-expected ways in particular situations. The informants also perceived different types of DTC ad effects on others and themselves. In addition, the interview data suggest that older consumers' frustration toward individual DTC ads – despite positive perceptions toward the general idea of DTC advertising – operate behind denial of DTC ad effects on self. Both cognitive and motivational explanations can be applied to understand why older adults make these types of attributions in the context of third-person DTC ad effects.
An elementary existence theorem for entire functions

It is proved that, for any m given distinct real numbers a 1 , …, a m , there exist transcendental entire functions f(z) at most of order m for which all the values are rational integers.
Detection of Escherichia coli via VOC profiling using secondary electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (SESI-MS)

Escherichia coli O157:H7 (EC O157:H7), as well as its recently emerging non-O157 relatives, are a notorious group of pathogenic bacteria associated with foodborne outbreaks. In this study, we demonstrated that secondary electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (SESI-MS) could be a rapid and accurate detection technology for foodborne pathogens. With SESI-MS volatile organic compound (VOC) profiling, we were able to detect and separate a group of eleven E. coli strains from two major foodborne bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium in three food modeling media. In addition, heatmap analysis of relative peak intensity show that there are six core peaks (m/z of 65, 91, 92, 117, 118 and 119) present and at a similar intensity in all eleven E. coli strains at the experimental conditions we tested. These peaks can be considered conserved VOC biomarkers for E. coli species (robustly produced after just 4 h of growth). Bacterial strain-level differentiation was also attempted via VOC profiling, and we found that EC O157:H7 and EC O145 were differentiable from all other EC strains under the conditions investigated.
The Future of Campus Recreation: Time for a Different Administrative Home?

At the beginning of the 20th Century, collegiate campus recreation programs were moved from student controlled entities and placed under the supervision of academic or athletic departments (Milton, 2008a). As such programs grew and became more popular among the general student populations on America's college campuses, administrative oversight was eventually handed to divisions of student affairs, where some research reports as many as 70 percent are housed administratively today (Ross & Schurger, 2007). There has been a recent increase in the business-related culture within campus recreation departments that has served to promote a more business-like structure. As a result campus recreation departments may need to adjust from the student development point of view that many of them have today and toward a more business-like approach. Furthermore, this shift from a student affairs-based structure to a business-based structure as well as the individual factors that have transitioned campus recreation depart...
Physically Abused Children’s Adjustment at the Transition to School: Child, Parent, and Family Factors

Childhood physical abuse predicts emotional/behavioral, self-regulatory, and social problems. Yet factors from multiple ecological levels contribute to children’s adjustment. The purpose of this study was to examine the degree to which the social-emotional adjustment of physically abused children in first grade would be predicted by a set of child-, parent-, and family-level predictors in kindergarten. Drawing on a short-term longitudinal study of 92 physically abused children and their primary caregivers, the current study used linear regression to examine early childhood child (i.e., gender, IQ, child perceptions of maternal acceptance), parent (i.e., parental mental health), and family relationship (i.e., sensitive parenting, hostile parenting, family conflict) factors as predictors of first grade internalizing and externalizing symptomatology, emotion dysregulation, and negative peer interactions. We used a multi-method, multi-informant approach to measuring predictors and children’s adjustment. Internalizing symptomatology was significantly predicted by child IQ, parental mental health, and family conflict. Externalizing symptomatology and emotion dysregulation were predicted by child IQ. Although a large proportion of variance in measures of adjustment was accounted for by the set of predictors, few individual variables were unique predictors of child adjustment. Variability in the predictors of adjustment for physically abused children underscores the need for individualized treatment approaches.
Exposure to potentially toxic hydrocarbons and halocarbons released from the dialyzer and tubing set during hemodialysis.

Background Although much is known about the effect of chronic kidney failure and dialysis on the composition of solutes in plasma, little is known about their impact on the composition of gaseous compounds in exhaled breath. This study was designed to explore the effect of uremia and the hemodialysis (HD) procedure on the composition of exhaled breath. Breath samples were collected from 10 dialysis patients immediately before, during, and after a dialysis session. To determine the potential introduction of gaseous compounds from dialysis components, gasses emitted from dialyzers, tubing set, dialysate, and water supplies were collected. Study Design Prospective cohort study. Participants 10 HD patients and 10 age-matched healthy individuals. Predictor Predictors include the dialyzers, tubing set, dialysate, and water supplies before, during, and after dialysis. Outcomes Changes in the composition of exhaled breath. Measurements A 5-column/detector gas chromatography system was used to measure hydrocarbon, halocarbon, oxygenate, and alkyl nitrate compounds. Results Concentrations of 14 hydrocarbons and halocarbons in patients' breath rapidly increased after the onset of the HD treatment. All 14 compounds and 5 others not found in patients' breath were emitted from the dialyzers and tubing sets. Contrary to earlier reports, exhaled breath ethane concentrations in our dialysis patients were virtually unchanged during the HD treatment. Limitations Single-center study with a small sample size may limit the generalizability of the findings. Conclusions The study documented the release of several potentially toxic hydrocarbons and halocarbons to patients from the dialyzer and tubing sets during the HD procedure. Because long-term exposure to these compounds may contribute to the morbidity and mortality in dialysis population, this issue should be considered in the manufacturing of the new generation of dialyzers and dialysis tubing sets.
Operation of a High Gradient Recirculating RF Accelerating Cavity

In order to increase the peak energy of the Cornell Electron Synchrotron from 10 GeV to 12 GeV, it has been necessary to add approximately 10 MV per turn of acceleration. The system which provides this additional RF acceleration will be described.
DNA methylation decreases in aging but not in immortal cells

When normal diploid fibroblasts from mice, hamsters, and humans were grown in culture, the 5-methylcytosine content of their DNA's markedly decreased. The greatest rate of loss of 5-methylcytosine residues was observed in mouse cells, which survived the least number of division. Immortal mouse cell lines had more stable rates of methylation.
Light dark matter detection prospects at neutrino experiments

We consider the prospects for the detection of relatively light dark matter through direct annihilation to neutrinos. We specifically focus on the detection possibilities of water Cherenkov and liquid scintillator neutrino detection devices. We find, in particular, that liquid scintillator detectors may potentially provide excellent detection prospects for dark matter in the 4--10 GeV mass range. These experiments can provide excellent corroborative checks of the DAMA/LIBRA annual modulation signal, but may yield results for low mass dark matter in any case. We identify important tests of the ratio of electron to muon neutrino events (and neutrino versus antineutrino events), which discriminate against background atmospheric neutrinos. In addition, the fraction of events which arise from muon neutrinos or antineutrinos (${R}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}$ and ${R}_{\overline{\ensuremath{\mu}}}$) can potentially yield information about the branching fractions of hypothetical dark matter annihilations into different neutrino flavors. These results apply to neutrinos from secondary and tertiary decays as well, but will suffer from decreased detectability.
Temperature dependence of the Landau critical velocity in He II

Abstract The temperature dependence of a superflow-induced downshift of the fourth sound velocity in He II confined in various restrictive media has been observed. The results are interpreted in terms of local superfluid velocities approaching the Landau critical velocity and therefore constitute the first measurements of the temperature dependence of the Landau critical velocity.
The relationship between shoreline development and resident fish communities in a southeastern US reservoir

Abstract Many water bodies throughout North America have experienced shoreline development such as armoring with bulkheads or riprap to reduce erosion and protect property. Although research has addressed the influence of such development in systems containing vegetation, systems that experience water-level fluctuations, and thus have limited vegetation, have received little attention. Here we quantify the effects of 4 types of shoreline development (bulkhead, riprap, bulkhead with riprap, and undeveloped) on the aquatic community in Lake Martin, Alabama, a reservoir that experiences large annual water-level fluctuations. We quantified abundance and species composition of larval, juvenile, and adult fishes; abundance and species composition of aquatic macroinvertebrates and zooplankton; and water quality characteristics at each site. Abiotic factors and lower trophic levels (i.e., chlorophyll a, zooplankton, macroinvertebrates) did not differ across shoreline types. In contrast, fish abundance was highest...
Slights, snubs, and slurs: leader equity and microaggressions

Purpose – The present study aims to apply the construct of microaggressions to organizational contexts by examining perceptions of discrimination in ambiguous interactions between White supervisors and Black subordinates and their impact on work outcomes under varying conditions of leader fairness.Design/methodology/approach – US participants (N=387) responded to scenarios describing supervisor‐subordinate interactions involving subtle to blatant discrimination, after being told either that the supervisor had a history of fair, equitable treatment of subordinates or that the supervisor had a history of unfairness and inequity.Findings – Leader equity impacted discrimination perceptions, affording leaders greater benefit of the doubt in ambiguous interracial interactions. For all levels of microaggression severity, microaggressions were perceived less when the supervisor had a reputation for equity and fairness; expected work outcomes were also better when the supervisor had a reputation for equity and fai...
Immunogenicity of a low-passage, high-titer modified live canine parvovirus vaccine in pups with maternally derived antibodies.

The study evaluated the ability of a low-passage, high-titer modified live canine parvovirus (CPV) vaccine to produce seroconversion in pups with maternally derived hemagglutination inhibition (HI) titers ranging from or = 64. Of the 59 pups in Group A, 100% seroconverted following the single vaccine dose at 12 weeks of age. Of the 87 Group B pups, 82 (94.3%) seroconverted following either of the two vaccine doses. A geometric mean HI titer of 4828 was measured for Group A, and a geometric mean HI titer of 2028 was measured for Group B. An overall seroconversion rate of 96.5% was achieved in pups with maternally derived HI titers < or = 256.
A deterministic rescaled perceptron algorithm

The perceptron algorithm is a simple iterative procedure for finding a point in a convex cone $$F\subseteq \mathbb {R}^m$$F⊆Rm. At each iteration, the algorithm only involves a query to a separation oracle for $$F$$F and a simple update on a trial solution. The perceptron algorithm is guaranteed to find a point in $$F$$F after $$\mathcal O(1/\tau _F^2)$$O(1/?F2) iterations, where $$\tau _F$$?F is the width of the cone $$F$$F. We propose a version of the perceptron algorithm that includes a periodic rescaling of the ambient space. In contrast to the classical version, our rescaled version finds a point in $$F$$F in $$\mathcal O(m^5 \log (1/\tau _F))$$O(m5log(1/?F)) perceptron updates. This result is inspired by and strengthens the previous work on randomized rescaling of the perceptron algorithm by Dunagan and Vempala (Math Program 114:101---114, 2006) and by Belloni et al. (Math Oper Res 34:621---641, 2009). In particular, our algorithm and its complexity analysis are simpler and shorter. Furthermore, our algorithm does not require randomization or deep separation oracles.
Bis[μ-pentane-2,4-dionato(1−)]bis­{aqua­[1,1,1,5,5,5-hexa­fluoro­pentane-2,4-dionato(1−)]cobalt(II)}

The title complex, [Co2(C5HF6O2)2(C5H7O2)2(H2O)2], is centrosymmetric with a crystallographic inversion center in the middle of the mol­ecule. The octa­hedrally coordinated CoII atoms are bridged by two chelating acetyl­acetonate (acac) ligands and two more electron-poor 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexa­fluoro­pentane-2,4-dionato (hfac) ligands are bonded terminally in a solely chelating manner. The coordinated water mol­ecules form inter­molecular O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds with electron-rich acac O atoms of neighboring mol­ecules, leading to strings of mol­ecules along the a axis.
In Vitro Studies on the Role of the Macrophages of Resistant and Susceptible Chickens with Marek’s Disease

Abstract Macrophages, from susceptible S- and resistant K-strain White Leghorn chickens, were studied in vitro to determine their contribution to the dynamics of Marek's disease (MD) and possible role in genetic resistance to this disease. In relation to basic macrophage properties (morphology, cell spreading, enzyme levels, pinocytosis, and phagocytosis) there were no significant differences between S- and K-strain macrophages. Both macrophage strains were observed to respond to JM virus by phagocytic responses, but no viral replication or transference of infectivity was observed within inoculated macrophage cultures. In general, there were no differences between S- and K-strain macrophages in vitro that may account for the genetic resistance or susceptibility to MD.
Some Remarks About Linewidth Variations

The aim of this work is to determine different types of contributions to dimensional errors so that appropriate and selective improvements can be undertaken toward optimization of the photolithographic process. Preliminary results are given on contributions by the resist, lens, and errors due to focus and exposure. Systematic variations below O.lμm were found in many instances.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Development of respiratory rhythm generation in ectothermic vertebrates

Compared with birds and mammals, very little is known about the development and regulation of respiratory rhythm generation in ectothermic vertebrates. The development and regulation of respiratory rhythm generation in ectothermic vertebrates (fish, amphibians and reptiles) should provide insight into the evolution of these mechanisms. One useful model for examining the development of respiratory rhythm generation in ectothermic vertebrates has emerged from studies with the North American bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana). A major advantage of bullfrogs as a comparative model for respiratory rhythm generation is that respiratory output may be measured at all stages of development, both in vivo and in vitro. An emerging view of recent studies in developing bullfrogs is that many of the mechanisms of respiratory rhythm generation are very similar to those seen in birds and mammals. The overall conclusion from these studies is that respiratory rhythm generation during development may be highly conserved during evolution. The development of respiratory rhythm generation in mammals may, therefore, reflect the antecedent mechanisms seen in ectothermic vertebrates. The main focus of this brief review is to discuss recent data on the development of respiratory rhythm generation in ectothermic vertebrates, with particular emphasis on the North American bullfrog (R. catesbeiana) as a model.
Pinellas County through the Eyes of Various States and Countries: A Look at the Reliability of Infant Mortality Rates

Pinellas County through the Eyes of Various States and Countries: A Look at the Reliability of Infant Mortality Rates
Homogeneous nucleation of CO bubbles in Fe-C-O melts

The formation of CO(g) bubbles in Fe-C alloy droplets during spray-decarburization operations is described in terms of a homogeneous nucleation process enabled by the surface active properties of oxygen. An expression is obtained for the reversible work to form a vapor nucleus that includes electrostatic terms involved in forming a layer of chemisorbed oxygen ions. These additional terms make the critical nucleation conditions a sensitive function mainly of the oxygen content of the melt. The critical oxygen activity is found to be in the 0.001 to 0.003 wt pct range at 1823 K.
EEG findings in hydrocephalus and their relation to shunting procedures.

Abstract Thirty-nine patients with hydrocephalus were studied. The EEGs of 26 patients who had an external shunt placed in the lateral ventricle were compared with those of 21 patients who were not shunted. Thirteen patients (62%) in the non-shunted group and 22 subjects (85%) in the shunted group had abnormal EEGs. Focal specific paroxysmal discharges (SPDs) were present in 10 patients (38%) in the shunted group in contrast to only two (10%) in the non-shunted group. Focal SPDs and slow waves were seen most frequently over the shunted hemisphere in the shunted group. The prevalence of seizures was significantly greater in the shunted group (20% in the non-shunted, 48% in the shunted group). It is concluded that the shunt has irritative effects on the cerebral cortex and is responsible for these findings.
Photodynamic cell-kill analysis of breast tumor cells with a tamoxifen-pyropheophorbide conjugate.

We hypothesized that estrogen receptor (ER) in hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells could be targeted for selective photodynamic killing of tumor cell with antiestrogen-porphyrin conjugates by combining the over-expression of ER in hormone-sensitive breast cancer cells and tumor-retention property of porphyrin photosensitizers. In this study we describe that a tamoxifen (TAM)-pyropheophorbide conjugate that specifically binds to ERα, caused selective cell-kill in MCF-7 breast cancer cells upon light exposure. Therefore, it is a potential candidate for ER-targeted photodynamic therapy of cancers (PDT) of tissues and organs that respond to estrogens/antiestrogens. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 665–670, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Proliferation of Ty3/gypsy-like retrotransposons in hybrid sunflower taxa inferred from phylogenetic data

Long terminal repeat (LTR) retrotransposons are a class of mobile genetic element capable of autonomous transposition via an RNA intermediate. Their large size and proliferative ability make them important contributors to genome size evolution, especially in plants, where they can reach exceptionally high copy numbers and contribute substantially to variation in genome size even among closely related taxa. Using a phylogenetic approach, we characterize dynamics of proliferation events of Ty3/gypsy-like LTR retrotransposons that led to massive genomic expansion in three Helianthus (sunflower) species of ancient hybrid origin. The three hybrid species are independently derived from the same two parental species, offering a unique opportunity to explore patterns of retrotransposon proliferation in light of reticulate evolutionary events in this species group. We demonstrate that Ty3/gypsy-like retrotransposons exist as multiple well supported sublineages in both the parental and hybrid derivative species and that the same element sublineage served as the source lineage of proliferation in each hybrid species' genome. This inference is based on patterns of species-specific element numerical abundance within different phylogenetic sublineages as well as through signals of proliferation events present in the distributions of element divergence values. Employing methods to date paralogous sequences within a genome, proliferation events in the hybrid species' genomes are estimated to have occurred approximately 0.5 to 1 million years ago. Proliferation of the same retrotransposon major sublineage in each hybrid species indicates that similar dynamics of element derepression and amplification likely occurred in each hybrid taxon during their formation. Temporal estimates of these proliferation events suggest an earlier origin for these hybrid species than previously supposed.
CALCIUM AND PHOSPHORUS STUDIES XIV. THE EFFECT OF REPEATED DOSES OF PARATHYROID EXTRACT ON THE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE BLOOD AND URINE OF THE DOG: AN EXPLANATION OF THE CAUSE OF DEATH IN PARATHYROID OVERDOSAGE

Soon after the isolation from beef parathyroids of an active principle, capable of raising the levels of calcium in the serum of normal and parathyroprivic dogs (1), Collip (2) and others (3, 4, 5, 6) found that repeated, moderately large doses of the extract were extremely toxic. They observed that the injection into dogs of about 125 I.U. of parathyroid extract at frequent intervals produced a fairly rapid rise in the levels of serum calcium, which reached a concentration of about 20 mg. per cent in 20 hours and remained at this level for some time. However, in spite of the administration of the extract, the serum calcium concentration usually declined, and the inorganic phosphorus increased, in about 36 hours. The increased excretion of calcium and phosphorus in the urine, which began shortly after the injections were started, then declined sharply as though the injections had been interrupted. The concentrations of urea and of nonprotein nitrogen in the blood increased steadily, and were followed late...
An Evaluation Of Digital Processing Capabilities For Improving Detection Of Low Contrast Round Objects In A Radiography By Contrast Detail Diagrams

In this evaluation contrast-detail diagrams were used to measure the effects on observer performance of several image processing algorithms such as edge enhancement, smoothing and histogram equalization. The observer task was the detection of disk images in a uniform background. A new digital system, DigiRad System One, was used to digitize and postprocess images of a "Rose-Burger" contrast phantom. Results show that detectability of low contrast objects may increase for images taken with standard film/screen combinations. Anticipated changes on the System One may enhance its capabilities significantly.
Racial differences in the effects of hypertension and obesity on health expenditures by diabetes patients in the US

Using a representative sample of US diabetes patients with comorbid hypertension and obesity, we estimate the determinants of health care expenditures. The hypothesis is that the presence of comorbid obesity and hypertension is associated with higher expenditures in the health care system. We are unaware of any study that examines the effects of these conditions taken together. The results confirm our hypothesis. For all races/ethnicities, the addition of hypertension and/or obese to diabetes substantially increases health care expenditures: by over 25% for whites, by over 70% for Blacks and by over 48% for Hispanics. We further find that interactions of obesity and hypertension with race indicate lower health expenditures by minorities compared to whites having the same combination of conditions. Diabetic-obese-not-hypertensive blacks spend 37.7% ($4224 per year) less than their white counterparts. Diabetic-obese-not-hypertensive Hispanics spend 41% ($4591 per year) less than diabetic-obese-not-hypertens...
Metabolites and enzymes of the pentose phosphate pathway in isolated nerve endings.

— The activities of each enzyme associated with the pentose phosphate pathway as well as the non-enzymatic intermediates in this pathway were measured in synaptosomes isolated from rat cerebral cortex. The specific activities of transketolase (EC 2.2.1.1) and transaldolase (EC 2.2.1.2) were significantly lower in synaptosomes than cerebral cortex; however, the specific activities of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.44), ribosephosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.6) and ribulosephosphate epimerase (EC 5.1.3.1.) were comparable in homogenates of synaptosomal fractions and cerebral cortex. Concentrations of most intermediates of the pentose pathway were also similar in extracts of synaptosomes and brain homogenates. Six hours after treatment of rats with the nicotinamide analog, 6-aminonicotinamide (6-AN), 6-phosphogluconate levels in synaptosomes were increased 5-fold; however, glucose-6-phosphate levels remained unchanged. During a 30 min in uitro incubation 6-phosphogluconate levels increased approx 2-fold in synaptosomes obtained from 6-AN treated rats but did not change in synaptosomes from untreated rats. During the same period glucose-6-phosphate levels decreased in synaptosomes from both control and 6-AN treated rats. The conversion of both [1-14C]glucose and [6-14C]glucose to 14CO2 was depressed in synaptosomes from 6-AN treated rats; however, the ratio of the two isotopes converted to 14CO2 was essentially the same. It is concluded that the pentose phosphate pathway is active in nerve endings both in vivo and in vitro.
Mass exchange in the tuyere zone of the lining of converters with bottom fuel−oxygen blowing of vanadium iron

The authors test the corrosion and wear resistance of several refractories used in the tuyere zone of furnaces to the effects of temperature and slags consisting of vanadium oxides, silicates, and iron. Their investigation leads them to make the following recommendations to increase this properties: the acid iron-silicate composition of the slags mandates the use of high-chrome refractories; an increase in the thermal-shock resistance and oxidation resistance can be achieved by preliminary impregnation of the refractories with fusible metals such as aluminium, silicon, and magnesium; and to reduce the slag impregnation and accelerate the formation of the cermet structure in chromite-periclase refractories it is necessary to carry out preliminary impregnation with carbonaceous material with a high coke residue. The contribution of these recommendations to the overall service and efficiency of the furnace is cited.
Relativistic Hamiltonian dynamics. II. Momentum-dependent interactions, confinement and quantization

The previously developed convariant classical relativistic N-particle dynamics is extended to momentum--dependent interactions and generalized to a gauge-independent constraint reduction. This reduction is made via center-of-momentum variables as well as via the more conventional individual particle variables. A canonical quantization is then carried out. The two-body problem is discussed in detail for the case of momentum-dependent interactions. It is demonstrated that such interactions can rise to dynamical confinement both classically and quantum mechanically. The prototype interaction -b/sup 2/(j x r)/sup 2/ has a harmonic oscillator type spectrum and shows a linear dependence of the binding energy on the angular momentum for small particle rest masses (m/sub 1/, m/sub 2/<
Laser-Induced Acoustic Desorption/Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry for Petroleum Distillate Analysis

Laser-induced acoustic desorption (LIAD) coupled with a 3-T Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer (FT-ICR) allows the simultaneous analysis of both the nonpolar and polar components in petroleum distillates. The LIAD/FT-ICR method was validated by examining model compounds representative of the various classes of polar and nonpolar hydrocarbons commonly found in petroleum. LIAD successfully desorbs all the compounds as intact neutral molecules into the FT-ICR. Electron ionization (EI) at low energies (10 eV) and chemical ionization using cyclopentadienyl cobalt radical cation (CpCo•+) were employed to ionize the desorbed molecules. The EI experiments lead to extensive fragmentation of many of the hydrocarbon compounds studied. However, the CpCo•+ ion ionizes all the hydrocarbon compounds by producing only pseudomolecular ions without other fragmentation, with the exception of one compound (•CH3 loss occurs). Examination of two different petroleum distillate samples revealed hundreds ...