cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Large Bowel Obstruction

In the United States, the most frequent causes of large bowel obstruction, in decreasing order, include colorectal cancer, diverticulitis (or other inflammatory disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)), sigmoid or cecal volvulus, fecal impaction, and then a number of other uncommon causes such as foreign bodies, sliding inguinal hernias, and endometriosis. In children, Hirschsprung’s disease, imperforate anus, and meconium ileus are common causes. Finally, colonic pseudo-obstruction should be included in the differential as it has a similar radiologic appearance, namely, proximal colonic distention and a paucity of distal gas. The key to differentiating amongst these is a thorough history and physical and a stepwise approach to ordering additional diagnostic tests, which include both imaging and endoscopic evaluations.
Comparative study of the FireWire/spl trade/ IEEE-1394 protocol with the Universal Serial Bus and Ethernet

This paper presents results of study of the IEEE 1394 protocol, which is the IEEE standard for a high performance serial bus with similar, and more widely used technologies like the Universal Serial Bus 1.0 and the Ethernet Protocol. A thorough theoretical and experimental investigation between the technologies is made with respect to the actual architecture of the buses and their practical applications. Experiments include setting up a small network and testing the actual data transfer speeds of the protocols. Performance of these protocols in a general teleconferencing environment was also studied.
Effects of education and intervention on business students' ethical cognition: A cross sectional and longitudinal study

In this study, we present evidence on the changes inethical cognition of business students over afour-year period. We use the Principled Score(P-score) of the Defining Issues Test to measure thischange. Specifically, we first compare the P-scores ofstudents at the entry to, halfway through, and shortlyafter graduation from a business school to analyze theeffect size of education on ethical cognition.Secondly, for a sample of students in an electivebusiness ethics course, we compare P-scores at thebeginning, and at the end of the semester to analyzethe effect size of specific intervention course onethical cognition. Prior studies in liberal arts fields have reportedhigh effect sizes from four-year college education onethical cognition, while a few studies have reportedonly moderate gains for business students. Consistentwith the liberal arts studies, our results indicatestatistically significant gains, and high effect sizesfor business students as well. Similarly, priorstudies have reported moderate gains in the P-scorefrom intervention courses in various fields. Ourresults indicate only low to moderate effect sizes forbusiness students. Importantly, while the gain waslow, and statistically insignificant for femalestudents, it was moderate, and highly significant formale students. Implications for education and researchare discussed.
Sustainable development: The ethics support the economics

Within their value chains of suppliers through customers, many businesses are becoming more aware of the environmental aspects and impacts of their organizations. Viewed as a continuum of behavior, business environmentalism can range from simply complying with the law to accepting and pursuing a goal of sustainable development. The point on the continuum at which an organization chooses to operate is reflected in its environmental mission, policies, and actions. Attributes of the various levels of behavior and classification of some organizational mission statements are examined in this paper.
Deciphering TGF-β3 function in medial edge epithelium specification and fusion during mouse secondary palate development.

Background: Transforming growth factor-β3 (TGF-β3) plays a central role in mediating secondary palate fusion along the facial midline. However, the mechanisms by which TGF-β3 functions during secondary palate fusion are still poorly understood. Results: We found that mouse cytokeratin 6α and 17 mRNAs were expressed exclusively in the palate medial edge epithelium on embryonic day 14.5, and this expression was completely abolished in Tgf-β3 mutant embryos. In contrast, we found that Jagged2 was initially expressed throughout the palate epithelium, but was specifically down-regulated in the medial edge epithelium during palatal fusion. Jagged2 down-regulation was regulated by TGF-β3, since Jagged2 was persistently expressed in palatal medial edge epithelium in Tgf-β3 null mutant embryos. Moreover, addition of DAPT, a specific inhibitor of Notch signaling, partially rescued the fusion defects in Tgf-β3 null mutant palatal shelves. Conclusions: Based on these results, together with the previous study indicating that the loss of Jagged2 function promotes embryonic oral epithelial fusion, we concluded that TGF-β3 mediates palate fusion in part by down-regulating Jagged2 expression in palatal medial edge epithelium. In addition, cytokeratin 6α and 17 are two TGF-β3 downstream target genes in palate medial edge epithelium differentiation. Developmental Dynamics 243:1536–1543, 2014. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Who Owns Native Culture

Who Owns Native Culture? MICAHEL F.BROWN. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 2003, 315 pp. Illustrations and index.
'Negro Morale,' the Japanese-American Internment, and U.S. Government Opinion Studies During World War II

During World War II tensions between commitments to rights and the desire to represent accurately the voices and needs of all Americans ran up against national policies emphasizing unity and national security. While state capacity had already grown tremendously in the New Deal era, U.S. governmental activity and internal organizational development expanded during wartime. To plan and implement domestic policies, existing offices studying public opinion were enhanced and new ones were created. These included Program Surveys in the Department of Agriculture as well as the Office of War Information, which grew out of the Office of Facts and Figures. Research regarding African-Americans’ views included emphases on groups such as shipyard workers, farmers and draftees, as well as commitments to the war. Archival research reveals that those studying black Americans’ views during World War II often expressed sympathy and an understanding that their opinions were based in their unequal rights, status and conditions. Yet the suggested means of improving “Negro morale” frequently focused on public relations alone. Earlier efforts related to the views of and policies affecting southern tenant farmers were dismantled in response to conservative legislators and agricultural interests. Moreover, public opinion researchers recognized that post- Pearl Harbor responses to west coast Japanese-Americans were driven by not just national security concerns, but also bias, hysteria, and economic jealousy. Data on public opinion in both cases were incorporated into policy decisions, which were themselves influenced by internal and external political pressures. This paper contributes to literatures on race and public policy, American political development and the roots of public opinion research.
Moving Toward Security

Bomb Scare . The History and Future of Nuclear Weapons. By Joseph Cirincione . Columbia University Press, New York, 2007. 222 pp. $27.95, £17.50. ISBN 9780231135108. Cirincione provides a concise review of the development and spread of nuclear weapons and the challenges of reducing nuclear risks in the new century.
Neural networks for process control

The authors explore many of the current issues involved in adaptive artificial neural network (ANN) controllers. The major issues covered include: exploring basic neural network controller designs described in the literature, new approaches involving the combination of ANN techniques with linguistic based approaches, describing sources of input and output data for parameter estimation, and a framework for comparing adaptive artificial neural network controllers with other adaptive controllers using benchmark examples. In addition, hybrid neural network/fuzzy controllers are described. >
Oscillation and variation for singular integrals in higher dimensions

In this paper we continue our investigations of square function inequalities in harmonic analysis. Here we investigate oscillation and variation inequalities for singular integral operators in dimensions d > 1. Our estimates give quantitative information on the speed of convergence of truncations of a singular integral operator, including upcrossing and A jump inequalities.
IL-2 secretion by CD4+ T cells in vivo is rapid, transient, and influenced by TCR-specific competition

The secretion of IL-2 is a critical and early landmark in the activation program of CD4(+) T cells in vitro, but the lack of sensitive assays has limited its application for studying T cell activation in vivo. Using a mouse cytokine capture assay we were able to detect the rapid secretion of IL-2 after an in vivo stimulus by 1-2 h in naive T cells and as early as 30 min in memory T cells. Maximal secretion was achieved within 1-2 h for memory cells or 6-8 h for naive T cells. Surprisingly IL-2 production terminated quickly in vivo and secretion was undetectable by 20-24 h in either cell type. We further demonstrated that this short duration of secretion can be influenced by cellular competition between Ag-specific CD4(+) T cells. The consequences of competition were mimicked by reducing the strength of the antigenic stimulus. These data argue that early competition between T cells influences both the eventual frequency of IL-2 producers in the population and also the duration of their secretion, potentially by altering the strength or duration of the stimulus available to each T cell.
X‐ray spectra vs attenuation data: A theoretical analysis

Laplace transform theory is used to investigate the relationship between x‐ray spectra and the corresponding attenuation curves. It is shown that in principle, each is sufficient to determine the other; but in practice, experimental considerations lead one to require conformity with some preconceived mathematical model.
Gravitational description of field theories

In these lectures we discuss some interesting geometries, which arise in the context of AdS/CFT correspondence.
Design and implementation of a real-time vision-assisted system for micro-scaled object identification and tracking

A prototypical vision system together with a novel, adaptive image processing method that identify and track multiple moving micro-scaled objects in real time are developed and discussed in this paper. The system and method proposed and discussed in this paper can potentially provide a reasonable low cost means to satisfy operational needs of utilizing conventional microscopes in micro-manufacturing, assembling, and bio-medical applications. With the proposed system and method, it is demonstrated that multiple sub-micron scaled moving objects can be identified and traced unambiguously. The trajectory database resulted from the system has implications in integration with micro actuators for micro-servoing in the mentioned high precision engineering applications.
It's a New World: Multiculturalism in a virtual environment

The notion of multiculturalism is vital in our global society. The emergence of efficient and effective distance learning technologies has permitted the integration of innovative techniques in the delivery of multicultural content to individuals who need flexible and convenient education and training opportunities. Strategies form the instructional foundation that promotes engagement of learners. Integral to these strategies are those that relate to personal belief systems and extension of those belief systems to behaviors. This article will add new ways of teaching and learning in the areas of diversity and multiculturalism by offering a model for building highly supportive, engaging online environments, where instructors, trainers, and instructional designers use multiple strategies to build virtual environments that foster a sense of dignity, respect, and understanding: all critical elements in a global environment.
Toward a conceptual framework for biology.

ABSTRACT Science progresses faster when researchers operate within an explicit framework of concepts and theories, but currently biology has no explicit, overarching conceptual framework and few general theories. The single general theory currently recognized is that of evolution, which was put forth by Charles Darwin 150 years ago. Recently, Scheiner and Willig (2008) explicated a similarly general theory of ecology. In this paper, using the theory of evolution as an exemplar, I discuss the nature of theory in biology and put forth an overarching theory, as well as new general theories for cells, organisms, and genetics. Along with the theories of evolution and ecology, these constitute a general conceptual framework for the biological sciences. This framework reveals linkages among the various parts of biology, makes explicit the assumptions behind more narrow theories and models, and provides new insights into the structures of biological theories. This framework can also be used as a teaching tool, mo...
Unraveling the enigmatic complexities of BRMS1-mediated metastasis suppression

Expression of BRMS1 causes dramatic suppression of metastasis in multiple in vivo model systems. As we gain further insight into the biochemical mechanisms of BRMS1, we appreciate the importance of both molecular and cellular context for functional metastasis suppression. BRMS1 associates with large chromatin remodeling complexes including SIN3:HDAC which are powerful epigenetic regulators of gene expression. Additionally, BRMS1 inhibits the activity of NFκB, a well-known transcription factor that plays significant roles in tumor progression. Moreover, BRMS1 coordinately regulates the expression of metastasis-associated microRNA known as metastamir. How these biochemical mechanisms and biological pathways are linked, either directly or indirectly, and the influence of molecular and cellular context, are critical considerations for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets for the most deadly aspect of tumor progression-metastasis.
Robust stability of linear systems under nonlinear perturbations

We study robust stability of linear feedback systems under unstable nonlinear perturbations in the plant. We show that if a linear fractional transformation, which is provided by the nominal linear time-invariant plant, transforms the unstable perturbed plant into a stable one, then there exists a linear time-invariant feedback compensator which stabilizes the nominal as well as the perturbed plant.
An electrochemical study of the solubility and diffusivity of oxygen in the respective liquid metals indium, gallium, antimony and bismuth

Abstract Diffusivities, solubilities and activity coefficients of oxygen were measured in the liquid metals indium, gallium, antimony and bismuth. Solid electrolyte electrochemical cells were used with a potentiostatic titration technique, and the temperature interval investigated was between 750 and 1000°C. The results are compared with previously reported values, with particularly large differences noted for the saturation solubility values.
Cryobiology of coral fragments.

Around the world, coral reefs are dying due to human influences, and saving habitat alone may not stop this destruction. This investigation focused on the biological processes that will provide the first steps in understanding the cryobiology of whole coral fragments. Coral fragments are a partnership of coral tissue and endosymbiotic algae, Symbiodinium sp., commonly called zooxanthellae. These data reflected their separate sensitivities to chilling and a cryoprotectant (dimethyl sulfoxide) for the coral Pocillopora damicornis, as measured by tissue loss and Pulse Amplitude Modulated fluorometry 3weeks post-treatment. Five cryoprotectant treatments maintained the viability of the coral tissue and zooxanthellae at control values (1M dimethyl sulfoxide at 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0h exposures, and 1.5M dimethyl sulfoxide at 1.0 and 1.5h exposures, P>0.05, ANOVA), whereas 2M concentrations did not (P 0.05, ANOVA), but it did not protect against the loss of zooxanthellae (P<0.05, ANOVA). The zooxanthellae are the most sensitive element in the coral fragment complex and future cryopreservation protocols must be guided by their greater sensitivity.
Object manipulation by wild red colobus monkeys living in the Abuko Nature Reserve, the Gambia

Temminck's red colobus (Procolobus badius temminckii) inhabiting the Abuko Nature Reserve, the Gambia, manipulate objects during solitary play, social play where there is an obvious goal involved, agonistic and intimidation displays, and tug-of-war contests. Some of the object manipulation may be regarded as true tool use and manufacture. Variation in the form and frequency of manipulative activities shows clear sex differences which may relate to sex differences in social behavior. All observed cases of tool manufacture occurred at times of maximum social upheaval for the individual concerned in the act.
Sequences assessed by declarative and procedural tests of memory in amnesic patients with hippocampal damage

Previous research indicates that amnesic subjects tested on sequential learning or serial reaction time tasks can learn a repeated procedural sequence but are unable to explicitly recall the correct sequence when asked to generate the sequence. Rats with hippocampal lesions are also able to learn and remember procedural or implicit sequences but were impaired for declarative sequences. We used analogous procedures used in rats to assess the role of the hippocampus in the acquisition of declarative and procedural sequences in amnesic and control participants. Amnesic participants with damage restricted to the hippocampus and control participants were administered analogous tasks of declarative and procedural sequential learning using a computer version of the radial arm maze. The amnesic participants had slower response times during the acquisition of procedural sequences, but were not impaired compared to controls when switched to a random sequence, suggesting that both groups learned the sequence. Alternatively, the amnesic but not control participants were significantly impaired in the declarative sequence task. Our findings provide support for evolutionary continuity in cognitive function of the hippocampus in rats and humans and the dissociation between the declarative and procedural sequential learning. The performance differences on the two sequence learning tasks are likely due to the use of different strategies associated with learning sequences based on procedural versus declarative knowledge.
Genetic monitoring of human polymorphic cancer susceptibility genes by polymerase chain reaction: application to glutathione transferase mu.

Abstract Several genes involved in the metabolism of carcinogens have been found to be polymorphic in human populations and are associated with increased risk of cancer at some sites. This study focuses on the polymorphic enzyme glutathione transferase mu (GT mu). Smokers with low lymphocyte GT mu activity are at an approximately 2-fold higher risk for lung cancer and an approximately 3-fold higher risk for stomach and colon adenocarcinomas. Recent cloning and sequencing of the GST1 gene has allowed the development of convenient genotyping methods based on restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) or the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The GST1 polymorphism has been shown to be a deletion of the gene locus. To detect the presence or absence of the gene we amplified exons 4-5 and/or exons 6-7 of the GST1 gene by PCR. PCR amplification produced bands of 215-bp or 273-bp from individuals with one or two copies of the GST1 allele and no band if the individual was homozygously deleted (0/0). In the exon 6-7 PCR, we co-amplified a 268-bp portion of the beta-globin gene as an internal reference standard for quantitative analysis of product yield. This allowed homozygote individuals (+/+) to be distinguished from heterozygotes (+/0). We have compared the GST1 genotype to lymphocyte GT mu activity measured on trans-stilbene oxide (TSO) in the lymphocytes of 45 individuals. Low GT mu activity (< 67 pmole/min/10(7) cells) was strongly associated (24/24) with the GST1 0/0 genotype. With the exception of one individual, activities greater than 67 pmole/min/10(7) were associated with the presence of the GST1 allele (20/21). Individuals with the highest GT-TSO activity were found to be homozygous for GST1. (+/+), while heterozygotes (+/0) generally had lower activity, suggesting a gene dosage effect in lymphocytes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The distributive effects of Public Law 92-500

Abstract Title II of the 1972 “Clean Water Act” provided for a potentially massive federal construction grant program for the construction of publicly owned wastewater treatment plants. Part of this subsidy accrues to municipalities and the remainder to industry. The regulations for these federal grants are somewhat perplexing and it is not obvious who will benefit and by how much. The objective of this article is to quantify the subsidies received by municipalities and industry and estimate the effect on the distribution of income under certain assumptions. It is concluded that these federal construction grants are likely to redistribute income from the middle-income classes to primarily the very rich.
Incorporating information about cost-effectiveness into evidence-based decision-making: The evidence-based practice center (EPC) model

Rationale There is a pressing need for guidance on how to incorporate economic information into evidence-based decision-making. Such guidance should take account of the quality and relevance of economic evaluations. Objective To summarize lessons learned in integrating information from decision analyses and cost-effectiveness analyses. Key issues Several methods used by the Evidence-Based Practice Centers (EPCs) to conduct systematic reviews are applicable to assessing economic studies. We discuss methods to identify key questions for the review of economic studies. Reviews should assess how an economic model incorporates clinical logic and handles uncertainty about effectiveness. As is the case for metaanalysis of interventions, qualitative or quantitative synthesis of economic studies should explore heterogeneity to identify key uncertainties underlying divergent results as well as unsuspected sources of bias. Conclusions Applying EPC methods to synthesis of economic information can increase their relevance to clinicians and policymakers and inform decisions that require tradeoffs between effectiveness and harms of interventions.
Substrate-assisted cysteine deprotonation in the mechanism of dimethylargininase (DDAH) from Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The enzyme dimethylargininase (also known as dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase or DDAH; EC 3.5.3.18) catalyzes the hydrolysis of endogenous nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, Nω-methyl-l-argin...
Processing of lunar soil simulant for space exploration applications

NASA's long-term vision for space exploration includes developing human habitats and conducting scientific investigations on planetary bodies, especially on Moon and Mars. Processing and utilization of planetary in-situ resources is recognized as an important element of this vision since it can minimize the level of up-mass that will have to be transported from earth to the planetary bodies. Within this scope and context, we have undertaken a general effort aimed primarily at extracting and refining metals, developing glass, glass-ceramic, or traditional ceramic type materials using lunar soil simulants. In this paper we will present preliminary results on our effort on simultaneous carbothermal reduction of oxides for elemental extraction and zone refining for obtaining high purity metals. In additions we will demonstrate the possibility of developing glass fibers as reinforcement agents for planetary habitat construction, glasses for fixing nuclear waste from potential nuclear power generators, and glasses for magnetic applications. The paper will also include initial thermal characterization of the glasses produced from lunar simulant. Compositional analysis of processed samples will be presented.
Stability of adamantane and its derivatives to coal-liquefaction conditions, and its implications toward the organic structure of coal

Abstract Adamantane, diamantane, 2-phenyladamantane, and adamantanone were shown to be stable to H-donor conditions, under which coals are converted to liquids (425 °C; 130 min; 2:1 tetralin to substrate). Both 1-adamantanol and 1-adamantane carboxylic acid were completely converted to adamantane. The data demonstrate the remarkable stability of this class of hydrocarbon, and argue against polyamantanes as models for major structural features of coals.
Can a poppy seed food addict pass a drug test

Abstract A dilemma encountered in drug testing is distinguishing among the drugs and human metabolites from legal use of prescription opiates (morphine, codeine, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and dihydrocodeine), innocent ingestion of poppy seeds in food (morphine and codeine), and true drug abuse (heroin, 6-monoacetylmorphine, and morphine). The heroin metabolite, 6-monoacetylmorphine, does not result from eating poppy seeds, and it is from this distinction that we pursued our experimentation. We can differentiate heroin, codeine, morphine, and their metabolites from each other using a simplified and accelerated thin-layer chromatographic technique employing special sample application disks and a sequence of detection reactions. The detection limit for opiates is 1 μg/mL from urine by liquid–liquid extraction. Further improvement in the detection limit results when solid phase extraction columns are employed, giving a detection limit of about 200 ng/mL for unconjugated morphine and other opiates. The information in our report can help to prevent innocent poppy seed eaters from being falsely accused of drug abuse.
CO2 INSERTION CHEMISTRY AS A PROBE OF ORGANOSAMARIUM ALLYL REACTIVITY

CO2 reacts with (C5Me5)2Sm(η3-CH2CHCH2), 1, in toluene at room temperature and with (C5Me5)2Sm(η3-CH2CHCHR) (R = Me (2), Et (3)) in toluene at −78 °C to form [(C5Me5)2Sm(μ-O2CCH2CHCHR)]2 (R = H (4), Me (5) Et (6)) in >90% yield. In THF, 4−6 exist as solvated monometallic species, (C5Me5)2Sm(μ2-O2CCH2CHCHR)(THF). Crystallization of 4 from hexanes gives a bimetallic complex which contains an eight membered ring. CS2 reacts with 1 to form (C5Me5)2Sm(η2-S2CCH2CHCH2), 7, which isomerizes to (C5Me5)2Sm(η2-S2CCHCHCH3), 8, in less than 48 h. COS reacts with 1 to form (C5Me5)2Sm(η2-OSCCH2CHCH2), 9. Both 8 and 9 exist as monometallic species in THF, benzene, and toluene. Crystallization of 8 from toluene/phthalan gives a monometallic structure which contains a four-membered ring. CO2 also reacts with (C5Me5)2Sm(C6H5) in toluene to form [(C5Me5)2Sm(μ-O2CC6H5)]2, 10, which is dimeric in toluene and exists as a solvated monomer in THF. 10 can also be made by the reduction of benzoic acid by (C5Me5)2Sm(THF)2 in THF. Si...
Comparative Genomics and Evolution of Proteins Associated with RNA Polymerase II C-Terminal Domain

The C-terminal domain (CTD) of the largest subunit of RNA polymerase II provides an anchoring point for a wide variety of proteins involved in mRNA synthesis and processing. Most of what is known about CTD-protein interactions comes from animal and yeast models. The consensus sequence and repetitive structure of the CTD is conserved strongly across a wide range of organisms, implying that the same is true of many of its known functions. In some eukaryotic groups, however, the CTD has been allowed to degenerate, suggesting a comparable lack of essential protein interactions. To date, there has been no comprehensive examination of CTD-related proteins across the eukaryotic domain to determine which of its identified functions are correlated with strong stabilizing selection on CTD structure. Here we report a comparative investigation of genes encoding 50 CTD-associated proteins, identifying putative homologs from 12 completed or nearly completed eukaryotic genomes. The presence of a canonical CTD generally is correlated with the apparent presence and conservation of its known protein partners: however, no clear set of interactions emerges that is invariably linked to conservation of the CTD. General rates of evolution, phylogenetic patterns, and the conservation of modeled tertiary structure of capping enzyme guanylyltransferase (Cgtl) indicate a pattern of coevolution of components of a transcription factory organized around the CTD, presumably driven by common functional constraints. These constraints complicate efforts to determine orthologous gene relationships and can mislead phylogenetic and informatic algorithms.
Small RNAs and large DNA viruses.

The human cytomegalovirus generates noncoding RNAs that allow viruses to persist by enhancing the survival of infected cells and shielding them from attack by natural killer cells.
Urinary phytoestrogen concentrations in the U.S. population (1999–2000)

We report population-based urinary concentrations of phytoestrogens stratified by age, sex, and composite racial/ethnic variables. We measured the isoflavones - genistein, daidzein, equol, and O-desmethylangolensin (O-DMA) - and the lignans - enterolactone and enterodiol - in approximately 2500 urine samples from individuals aged 6 years and older who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) in 1999 and 2000. We detected all phytoestrogens in over 70% of the samples analyzed; enterolactone was detected in the highest concentrations, and daidzein was detected with the highest frequency. The geometric means for each phytoestrogen were as follows: genistein, 22.3 microg/g; daidzein, 68.6 microg/g; equol, 7.65 microg/g; O-DMA, 3.95 microg/g; enterolactone, 217 microg/g; and enterodiol, 24.3 microg/g creatinine. The 95th percentiles for each phytoestrogen were as follows: genistein, 380 microg/g; daidzein, 944 microg/g; equol, 50.3 microg/g; O-DMA, 217 microg/g; enterolactone, 2240 microg/g; and enterodiol, 240 microg/g creatinine. Multivariate analyses showed statistically significant differences among many of the demographic subgroups. Adolescents had higher concentrations of genistein and equol than adults. Non-Hispanic whites had higher concentrations of enterodiol and equol than Mexican Americans or non-Hispanic blacks. Non-Hispanic whites also had higher concentrations of enterolactone and O-DMA than Mexican Americans. Mexican Americans had higher concentrations of genistein than non-Hispanic blacks; however, the opposite was found for O-DMA. Determination of phytoestrogen exposure in the US population will help us to better understand phytoestrogen consumption in the US and will assist us in elucidating the potential role of phytoestrogens in protecting against cancer and heart disease.
Radical Cage Effects in the Photochemical Degradation of Polymers: In-Cage Trapping of Photochemically Generated Radical Cage Pairs in Polymer Model Compounds

This study explored the origins of the observation that the overall quantum yields for polymer photodegradation depend on the polymer chain length. The (CH3(CH2)nC(O)NHCH2CH2Cp)2Mo2(CO)6 (n = 3, 8, 13, 18) complexes (1−1−4−4) were synthesized and used as model complexes for the study. As is common for metal−metal bonded complexes of this type, irradiation of these molecules cleaved the metal−metal bonds and formed free radicals via the intermediate formation of a radical cage pair. Studies on previous model complexes showed that the quantum yields for degradation decreased as the chain length of the complex increased. The decrease in quantum efficiency was partially attributed to an increase in the radical cage effect as the chain length increased. Surprisingly, however, the overall quantum yields and cage effects for complexes 1−1−4−4 did not vary significantly with chain length. The similarity in the quantum yields and in the cage effects for these molecules is attributed to an internal trapping reactio...
Studies of composites made by impregnation of porous bodies. 1. Sulphur impregnant in portland cement systems

Abstract Porous bodies formed by autoclaving portland cement-silica mixtures and by normally curing portland cement were characterized by measuring Young's modulus, microhardness and porosity. These bodies were impregnated almost completely with molten sulphur. The bodies were characterized again. It was found that the mechanical properties of the composites could be described by a form of Reuss' mixing law. Equations relating the improvement of the mechanical properties of the composite to the properties of the porous body were derived for both Young's modulus and microhardness.
The sugar-specific adhesion/deadhesion apparatus of the marine bacterium Vibriofurnissii is a sensorium that continuously monitors nutrient levels in the environment

Abstract Our earlier studies on cell adhesion to immobilized carbohydrates are extended here to a marine bacterium, Vibrio furnissii . Apparently one lectin mediates the binding of these cells to glycosides of N-acetylglucosamine, mannose, and glucose covalently linked to Agarose beads. Kinetic studies show that protein synthesis is required for initiating and for maintaining adhesion to the glycosides. Furthermore, a pro − mutant binds to GlcNAc-beads at Pro concentrations insufficient to support cell growth. Expression of the functional lectin therefore predominates under conditions of limiting protein synthesis. Thus, cells adhere to the sugars in an environment compatible with protein synthesis, and deadhere when depleted of any required nutrient, presumably to migrate to a more favorable locale. The adhesion-deadhesion apparatus thereby permits constant monitoring of the surrounding environment, comprising a “nutrient sensorium”.
An Index of Segmentation in Local Labour Markets

This study tests for the existence of labour market segmentation by exploiting the variation in industrial structure across 59 labour market areas, as defined by MSAs. By creating an index of the relative explanatory power of standard and segmented earnings function models for each area, empirical evidence supports the hypothesis that segmentation exists and that the index reflects the degree of segmentation in local labour market areas.
Affinity-based microdialysis sampling using heparin for in vitro collection of human cytokines

Microdialysis sampling is a widely used method to sample from complex biological matrices. Cytokines are important signaling proteins that are typically recovered with low relative recovery values during microdialysis sampling. Heparin was included in the microdialysis perfusion fluid as an affinity agent to increase in vitro recovery of different cytokines through polyethersulfone (PES) microdialysis membranes with 100 kDa molecular weight cutoff. No change in fluid volumes collected from the microdialysis probes occurred when heparin was included in the perfusion fluid up to concentrations of 10 microM. The loss of heparin (10 microM) across the dialysis membrane was minimal (2.7+/-0.9%, n=3). Additionally, heparin at these concentrations did not interfere with the cytokine immunoassays. The control and heparin-enhanced relative recoveries for five human cytokines using 0.1 microM heparin in the microdialysis perfusion fluid flowing at 0.5 microL min(-1) were (n=3): interleukin-4 (IL-4), 4.2+/-0.5% and 7.2+/-3.1%; interleukin-6 (IL-6), 1.4+/-0.8% and 3.6+/-1.3%; interleukin-7 (IL-7), 1.3+/-0.8% and 4.8+/-1.8%; monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), 9.0+/-1.6% and 19.5+/-2.7%; and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), 7.4+/-1.3% and 16.9+/-1.6%, respectively. Heparin increased the microdialysis sampling relative recovery of several human cytokines in vitro.
The mutation process in colored coalescent theory.

The mutation process is introduced into the colored coalescent theory. The mutation process can be viewed as an independent Poisson process running on the colored genealogical random tree generated by the colored coalescent process, with the edge lengths of the random tree serving as the time scale for the mutation process. Moving backward along the colored genealogical tree, the color of vertices may change in two ways, when two vertices coalesce, or when a mutation happens. The rule that governs the coalescent change of color involves a parameter x; the rule that governs the mutation involves a parameter μ. Explicit computations of the expectation of the coalescent time (the first hitting time), and the coalescent probabilities (the first hitting probabilities) are carried out. For example, our calculation shows that when x=1/2, for a sample of n colored individuals, the expected time for the colored coalescent process with the mutation process superimposed to first reach a black MRCA or a white MRCA, respectively, is 3−2/n with probability 1/2 for any value of the parameter μ. On the other hand, the expected time for the colored coalescent process with mutation to first reach a MRCA, either black or white, is 2−2/n for any values of the parameters μ and x, which is the same as that for the standard Kingman coalescent process.
Comparison of rehabilitation outcomes following vascular-related and traumatic spinal cord injury.

Background Previous studies have noted similar outcomes between vascular-related spinal cord injury (VR-SCI) and those with traumatic SCI (T-SCI), despite significant difference in their demographics and clinical presentation (age, level of injury (LOI), and degree of incompleteness). Objectives To review demographic and clinical presentation of VR-SCI and to compare outcomes with a matched group with T-SCI. Design Analysis of 10-year prospective data collection including 30 consecutive patients admitted to an SCI rehabilitation unit with VR-SCI and comparison with 573 patients with T-SCI. Outcomes were further analyzed comparing VR-SCI to T-SCI (n = 30), matched for age, LOI, and ASIA (American Spinal Injury Association) Impairment Scale (AIS). Setting A level 1 tertiary university trauma center. Main outcome measures Functional independence measure (FIM) score changes from admission to discharge. Secondary outcome measures included admission and discharge FIM scores, FIM efficiency, rehabilitation lengt...
WHO WRITES THE MOST ABOUT COMMUNITY COLLEGES? AN ANALYSIS OF SELECTED ACADEMIC AND PRACTITIONER-ORIENTED JOURNALS

Certain voices seem to dominate the literature about community colleges, but an analysis of who authors journal articles about the community college may reveal some unexpected voices. An analysis of six peer-reviewed academic journals and two practitioner journals focusing on the community colleges during the publication years 1990-2000 indicated that few authors (18) published frequently (five or more articles) in the academic journals, and even fewer in the practitioner-oriented journals. The majority of high producing authors were male university professors. Also, there was limited overlap of authors between those publishing in academic journals and those publishing in practitioner-oriented journals. It may be that time in the field affects in what type of journal one seeks to publish. What is clear is that some of the most well-known and influential community college scholars, in both academic and practitioner circles, did not publish extensively in either set of journals. Thus the influence of journa...
Medical error identification, disclosure, and reporting: do emergency medicine provider groups differ?

Objectives: To determine if the three types of emergency medicine providers—physicians, nurses, and out-of-hospital providers (emergency medical technicians [EMTs])—differ in their identification, disclosure, and reporting of medical error. Methods: A convenience sample of providers in an academic emergency department evaluated ten case vignettes that represented two error types (medication and cognitive) and three severity levels. For each vignette, providers were asked the following: 1) Is this an error? 2) Would you tell the patient? 3) Would you report this to a hospital committee? To assess differences in identification, disclosure, and reporting by provider type, error type, and error severity, the authors constructed three-way tables with the nonparametric Somers' D clustered on participant. To assess the contribution of disclosure instruction and environmental variables, fixed-effects regression stratified by provider type was used. Results: Of the 116 providers who were eligible, 103 (40 physicians, 26 nurses, and 35 EMTs) had complete data. Physicians were more likely to classify an event as an error (78%) than nurses (71%; p = 0.04) or EMTs (68%; p < 0.01). Nurses were less likely to disclose an error to the patient (59%) than physicians (71%; p = 0.04). Physicians were the least likely to report the error (54%) compared with nurses (68%; p = 0.02) or EMTs (78%; p < 0.01). For all provider and error types, identification, disclosure, and reporting increased with increasing severity. Conclusions: Improving patient safety hinges on the ability of health care providers to accurately identify, disclose, and report medical errors. Interventions must account for differences in error identification, disclosure, and reporting by provider type.
Particulate matter speciation profiles for light-duty gasoline vehicles in the United States.

Representative profiles for particulate matter particles less than or equal to 2.5 µm (PM2.5) are developed from the Kansas City Light-Duty Vehicle Emissions Study for use in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) vehicle emission model, the Motor Vehicle Emission Simulator (MOVES), and for inclusion in the EPA SPECIATE database for speciation profiles. The profiles are compatible with the inputs of current photochemical air quality models, including the Community Multiscale Air Quality Aerosol Module Version 6 (AE6). The composition of light-duty gasoline PM2.5 emissions differs significantly between cold start and hot stabilized running emissions, and between older and newer vehicles, reflecting both impacts of aging/deterioration and changes in vehicle technology. Fleet-average PM2.5 profiles are estimated for cold start and hot stabilized running emission processes. Fleet-average profiles are calculated to include emissions from deteriorated high-emitting vehicles that are expected to continue...
Electron transfer in surfactant films on electrodes; copper phthalocyaninetetrasulfonate-didodecyldimethylammonium bromide

Abstract Ordered surfactant films on electrodes are promising for various applications, including catalysis, sensors and fundamental studies. The first part of this paper provides a short review of recent results on electron transfer in surfactant and surfactant like films on electrodes. The second part of the paper describes an electrochemical study of cast films of copper phthalocyaninetetrasulfonate (CuPCTS) and the water-insoluble surfactant didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB). Films were prepared by first casting the DDAB films onto electrodes, then introducing the CuPCTS by ion exchange from solution, or by casting the films as the CuPCTS(didodecyldimethylammonium) 4 salt. Electrochemical behavior depends upon the method of preparation, which influences the structure of the film. The salt films were characterized by overlapped voltammetric peaks, while the ion exchanged films showed a well-resolved first reduction process. Analysis of voltammetric data at pH 12 showed that charge transport diffusion and electron transfer kinetics were significantly fastet in the ion exchanged films than in the salt films. The fluid lamellar liquid crystal structure of the ion exchanged films facilitates charge transport compared to the salt films which are not liquid crystalline.
Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and Its Application in Alzheimer's Disease

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) is a noninvasive tool to measure the chemical composition of tissues (in vivo) and characterize functional metabolic proc- esses in different parts of the human organs. It provides vital biological information at the molecular level. Combined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), an integrated MRI/MRS examination provides anatomical structure, pathological function, and biochemi- cal information about a living system. MRS provides a link between the biochemical alterations and the pathophysiology of disease. This article provides a comprehensive description of the MRS technique and its application in Alzheimer's disease (AD) research. This review is a primer for students and researchers seeking a firm theoretical understanding of MRS physics as well as its application in clinical AD research. 2007
Finite element analysis of steady and transiently moving/rolling nonlinear viscoelastic structure. II: Shell and three-dimensional simulations

In a three-part series of papers, a generalized finite element solution strategy is developed to handle traveling load problems in rolling, moving and rotating structure. The main thrust of this section consists of the development of three-dimensional and shell type moving elements. In conjunction with this work, a compatible three-dimensional contact strategy is also developed. Based on these modeling capabilities, extensive analytical and experimental benchmarking is presented. Such testing includes traveling loads in rotating structure as well as low- and high-speed rolling contact involving standing wave-type response behavior. These point to the excellent modeling capabilities of moving element strategies.
Analysis of a delayed predator-prey model with ratio-dependent functional response and quadratic harvesting

In this paper, we investigate the dynamics of a ratio dependent predator-prey model with quadratic harvesting. We examine the existence of the positive equilibria, the related dynamical behaviors of the model, as well as the boundedness and permanence property of the system. We also study the global stability of the interior equilibrium without time delay. Finally some bifurcation analysis is carried out for the system with delay and the results are illustrated numerically.
Fabrication and characterisation of multi-level lateral nano-devices

The design of surface gate patterns, used to define nanostructures in AlGaAs/GaAs heterostructures, is greatly enhanced by the possibility of establishing electrical contact to, and independently biasing, a 100 nm wide isolated gate. We describe the fabrication of a multi-level metallisation architecture which can be used to contact a nanoscale central gate and monitor the transition from a quantum dot to ring geometry. We employ geometry induced quantum interference effects as a novel low temperature characterisation tool and report experiments in which the central electrode acts as an artificial impurity
The Behavioral Consequences of Political Discussion: Another Look at Discussant Effects on Vote Choice

While there have been a great number of studies addressing the general question of how social environment influences political behavior, there is little empirical confirmation of any particular theoretical framework describing the process of personal influence at the micro level Part of the problem stems from a lack of appropriate individual-level data for testing hypotheses about this process In a recent investigation using a dataset that includes direct information on pairs of political discussants, Huckfeldt and Sprague (1991) find little support for a social cohesion model of personal influence, concluding that among unrelated discussants, a structural equivalence explanation makes more sense In this paper, I reexamine their claims using a measure of vote change as the dependent behavior of interest rather than the cross-sectional measure they employ I find much greater support for the social cohesion model, suggesting that it is too early to dismiss its general applicability.