cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Usefulness of intravenous diltiazem in predicting subsequent electrophysiologic and clinical responses to oral diltiazem

Diltiazem, 0.25 mg/kg, was given intravenously during induced tachycardias in 6 patients with atrioventricular (AV) nodal reentrant tachycardia (group I) and in 24 patients with AV reentrant tachycardia incorporating a retrogradely conducting accessory pathway (group II). In all 6 group I and in 15 of 24 group II patients, tachycardias terminated within 1 minute after diltiazem administration, with a weak link in the anterograde direction. In 3 other patients in group II, tachycardias were terminated by a premature ventricular complex within 1 minute. In the remaining 6 patients in group II, in whom tachycardias failed to terminate, rates of tachycardias decreased as a result of suppression of anterograde AV nodal conduction by diltiazem. Electrophysiologic studies were performed subsequently 2 hours after the third dose of 90 mg of diltiazem, which was given orally at 8-hour intervals. In 18 responders to intravenous diltiazem who were subjected to oral diltiazem testing, sustained supraventricular tachycardia (SVT) could be induced in only 2. Of the 6 nonresponders, sustained tachycardias could not be induced in 3. Twelve patients, including 11 responders and 1 nonresponder to intravenous diltiazem who responded to oral diltiazem testing, were discharged with oral diltiazem therapy, 90 mg every 8 hours, with follow-up periods of 2 to 13 months (mean 7 ± 4 [± standard deviation]). The frequency of recurrent SVT decreased significantly; 8 patients were free of tachycardias and 4 had occasional recurrences of SVT that required no hospital visit. In conclusion, intravenous diltiazem is effective in terminating SVT. Termination of SVT by intravenous diltiazem predicts subsequent electrophysiologic and clinical responses to oral diltiazem.
Weapons Used by Juveniles and Adult Offenders in U.S. Parricide Cases

In recent decades, attention has focused on juveniles who kill their parents. Research has indicated that increases in juvenile homicide have been associated with the availability of firearms, but little is known about the weapons juveniles use to kill their parents and whether their weapon usage is different from that of adult children who kill their parents. This article uses Supplementary Homicide Report data for the 24-year period 1976 to 1999 to investigate weapons selected by parricide offenders to kill biological mothers and fathers. Significant differences were found in the weapons used in matricide and patricide incidents and in the weapons selected by juvenile and adult offenders. A comparison with an earlier study by Heide revealed that weapon usage in parricide events is stable. Differences found in both studies between weapons used to kill parents and offender age are consistent with a physical strength hypothesis proposed by Heide in 1993.
A 12.5 MHz Heavy Ion Linac for Ion Beam Fusion

Argonne National Laboratory (ANL) is currently developing the injector of a heavy ion beam driver for the inertial confinement fusion program. The first phase of the program is to accelerate about 20 mA of Xe/sup +1/ from a 1.5 MV preaccelerator 11.4 MeV in a low-beta RF linac. The first section of the linac utilizes a single harmonic buncher and independently-phased short linac resonators with a FODO magnetic quadrupole focusing lattice. These are followed by two double-stub Wideroee linacs. A layout of the linac up to 6.4 MeV is shown. The operating parameters of the low-beta linac are given. This paper gives details of the low-beta linac design and results of low power measurements on the first accelerating cavity.
Abnormal lymphocyte protein synthesis in bronchogenic carcinoma.

Phytohemagglutinin (PHA) stimulated lymphocyte protein synthesis was measured in vitro in 21 patients with recently diagnosed, untreated bronchogenic carcinoma and 11 control subjects. In the cancer group absolute protein synthesis was significantly decreased in both baseline and stimulated cultures. The abnormality in protein synthesis was observed despite the fact that there were no differences in in vitro DNA synthesis between the two groups. In order to investigate the possibility that a decrease in the number of T-cells was the cause of the impaired protein synthesis in the lung cancer patients, the percentage of circulating E-rosetting forming cells was measured. The mean percentage of rosette forming cells in the cancer patients was 666.8 ± 2.2 and in the control population was 68.3 ± 2.6. Our results demonstrate that lymphocyte protein synthesis is abnormal in patients with bronchogenic carcinoma and that the abnormality in protein synthesis is not due to decreased numbers of T-cells. In addition our results suggest that measurement of protein synthesis is a more sensitive assay of lymphocyte function than other standard parameters of cellular immunity. Cancer 40:3014-3018, 1977.
Estrogen and brain function.

Abstract The 2000 Neuroendocrine Workshop on Estrogen, Growth Factors and Neuroplasticity was held on 18–20 June 2000 in Toronto, Canada.
CLOSURE TO "MEASUREMENTS OF THERMAL GRADIENTS AND THEIR EFFECTS ON SEGMENTAL CONCRETE BRIDGE" BY CARIN L. ROBERTS-WOLLMAN, JOHN E. BREEN, AND JASON CAWRSE

This closure to a paper with the aforementioned title, published in this journal (Volume 7, No. 3, May/June 2002) presents a response to a discussion, also published in this journal (Volume 8, No. 5, September/October 2003). The authors respond to the discussers' comments and comparisons of measured temperature distributions to the new Eurocode design thermal gradients. The authors agree with the discussers' reservations concerning the simplification of nonlinear gradient to equivalent linear gradients to eliminate the need to address the self-equilibrating stresses. Regarding the simplification of the negative thermal gradient to eliminate the cooling of the bottom of the cross section, the authors believe that this is a conservative simplification and therefore acceptable. In a comparison of daily maximum temperature differences with AASHTO design temperature differences, the deck temperature was extrapolated assuming a fifth order parabola.
Assessment of stigma associated with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder: Psychometric evaluation of the ADHD Stigma Questionnaire

This study evaluated the psychometric properties of the attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) Stigma Questionnaire (ASQ) among a community sample of 301 adolescents ages 11-19 years at high (n=192) and low risks (n=109) for ADHD. Study subjects were drawn from a cohort study assessing ADHD detection and service use. The 26-item ASQ demonstrated good internal consistency. Confirmatory factor analysis using random parceling supported a three-factor structure with highly correlated subscales of disclosure concerns, negative self image, and concern with public attitudes, and a Schmid-Leiman analysis supported an overall stigma factor. Test-retest stability was assessed after two weeks (n=45) and found to be adequate for all three subscales. Construct validity was supported by relationships with related constructs, including clinical maladjustment, depression, self-esteem, and emotional symptoms, and the absence of a relationship with school maladjustment. Findings indicate that the ASQ has acceptable psychometric properties in a large community sample of adolescents, some of whom met Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 4th Edition (DSM-IV) criteria for ADHD.
Photoionization of the excited Na 4d state: Possible confirmation of a zero in the l-->l-1 channel

Hartree-Fock calculations of the photoionization cross section of the excited Na 4d state have been performed and compared with experiment. The results indicate an experimental confirmation of a zero in an l..-->..l-1 photoionizing transition.
A content analysis of the data presented at special education placement team meetings

Conducted two studies to ascertain the kinds of information presented and discussed at special education placement team meetings. Both studies used naturalistic observation methodologies. In study 1 it was demonstrated that teams spend twice as much time discussing academic information as time spent discussing behavioral information. Almost no time was spent discussing physical or medical data. In study 2 we looked at the specific kinds of assessment data presented and discussed. Nearly all of the meetings were devoted primarily to presentation and discussion of classroom data, scores on achievement tests, and scores on intelligence tests.
Fabrication of microstructures in photoetchable glass ceramics using excimer and femtosecond lasers

We discuss laser fabrication of microstructures in photoetchable glass ceramics called Foturan (Schott Company, Elmsford, NY). A KrF excimer laser (= 248 nm, = 25 ns) is used for surface micromachining, and a femtosecond laser (= 800 nm, = 80 fs) is used for fabricating 3-D structures. Important aspects of the machining, such as depth of machining resulting from different laser processing parameters and threshold laser fluences, are presented. A detailed analysis of the absorption process of both lasers in photoetchable glass ceramics is provided.
Health-related information needs in a large and diverse sample of adult cancer survivors: implications for cancer care.

Background This study describes the information needs of adult cancer survivors, identifies sociodemographic, health, and healthcare-related factors associated with information needs, and examines the relationship between information needs and survivors’ perceived mental and physical health.
Notes on the ecology and behaviour of Pseudamphithoides incurvaria (Just) (Crustacea, Amphipoda, Ampithoidae)

Summary The algal-dwelling habit of the herbivorous amphipod Pseudamphithoides incurvaria is a unique instance of a portable domicile constructed from a primary food plant. The range of P. incurvaria is extended to include the western Caribbean and the Bahamas. The occurrence of these amphipods on two new brown algal hosts in the Dictyotaceae, Dictyota bartayresii and D. ciliolata, is reported. Pseudamphithoides incurvaria occurs on D. bartayresii from 1·5–27 m depths in the vicinity of Carrie Bow Cay, Belize. Habitat and local distribution are described for P. incurvaria population in a shallow water back-reef location. Observations of feeding behaviour and the sequence of pod construction are reported.
Himalayan structure and metamorphism south of the Main Mantle Thrust, Lower Swat, Pakistan

Abstract During the Eocene-Oligocene, the Indian plate collided with the Kohistan arc along the Main Mantle Thrust (MMT) zone. The structure of the Lower Swat rock sequence, on the Indian plate directly south of the MMT, is a dome with a basement of granitic gneiss and quartz-rich schist unconformably overlain by amphibolitic and calcareous schist. The earliest superposed small-scale folds (F1 & F2) represent a progressive F1/F2 deformation that is associated with a single set of WSW-vergent large-scale folds (termed F2). These folds are inferred to have developed during oblique, WSW-directed overthrusting of the MMT suture complex onto the Lower Swat rock sequence. Metamorphism began during F1/F2 as indicated by an S1 foliation that developed during biotite-grade metamorphism. S1 is preserved as a relict texture in porphyroblasts that grew during a subsequent interkinematic phase during garnet- and higher grade metamorphism. The dominant, regional foliation (S2) developed following the interkinematic phase. S2 is associated with transposition of S1 and rotation or dismemberment of porphyroblasts. Annealing recrystallization followed S2 and continued during F3 thereby destroying or masking possible pre-existing stretching fabrics. Superposed F3 folds are upright and open with N-S axial trends. They may correlate with early doming of the Lower Swat rock sequence and with strike-slip displacement in the northern part of the MMT zone, north of the Lower Swat area. F3 was followed by retrograde metamorphism and development of E-W-trending, S-vergent F4 folds. F4 may be associated with a final phase of southward directed thrusting and inactivity in the MMT zone. Correlation of published 40Ar/39Ar ages with the metamorphic fabrics suggests that F1/F2 and F3 occurred in the Eocene, and that F4 developed in the Oligocene. F4 is the earliest indication of southward verging structures on this part of the Indian plate.
Binding of actinomycin D to calf thymus chromatin.

Abstract Studies are made on the binding of actinomycin D to calf thymus DNA and chromatin. The effect upon binding of the removal of chromosomal protein by NaCl is examined. Protein is extracted from chromatin with 0.6, 1.0 and 2.0 m -NaCl, and is separated from the remaining nucleoprotein on a Bio-gel A50 column. The amount of total protein, histone and acid-insoluble protein removed at different salt concentrations is examined, and the type of histone removed is determined using analytical disc electrophoresis. Ultraviolet absorption spectra and melting profiles of the nucleoprotein samples are also taken. Actinomycin D binding to chromatin, salt-extracted chromatin, and DNA is examined spectrophotometrically, and the resulting data are used to graph Scatchard plots, from which both binding constants and the number of actinomycin D molecules bound to DNA are determined. Chromatin, like DNA, appears to have more than one set of binding sites, and the set of strongest binding sites appears to be identical for DNA and chromatin. DNA has close to three times as many strong binding sites as chromatin. The number of actinomycin D molecules bound to these strong binding sites shows a non-linear relationship with the percentage of total protein and histone protein removed, rising more rapidly per unit amount of protein when the last portions of protein are removed. The removal with salt of chromosomal protein not extractable with 0.4 n -H 2 SO 4 , which contains some histone as well as non-histone protein, shows a more linear relationship with the increase in actinomycin D binding.
Synthesis of (R, S)‐[2,3‐13C2]‐1‐(1′‐methyl‐2′‐pyrrolidinyl)propan‐2‐one; {(R, S)‐[2′,3′‐13C2]hygrine}

2-Ethoxy-1-methyl-5-pyrrolidinone (1) was reacted with ethyl [3,4- 13 C 2 ]-acetoacetate (2) in the presence of TiCl 4 to give ethyl [3,4- 13 C 2 ]-2-(1'-methyl-5'-oxo-2'-pyrrolidinyl)-3-oxobutanoate (3) in 85% yield. Decarboethoxylation of ethyl [3,4- 13 C 2 ] -2-(1'-methyl-5'-oxo-2'-pyrrolidinyl)-3-oxobutanoate (3) was accomplished using NaCl and H 2 O in DMSO to give (R,S)-[2,3- 13 C 2 ]-1-(1'-methyl-5'-oxo-2'-pyrrolidinyl)propan-2-one (4) in 91% yield. Protection of the ketone as a ketal (ethylene glycol, H + ), followed by reduction of the amide to the amine using LiAlH 4 and subsequent deprotection of the ketal gave (R,S)-[2,3- 13 C 2 ]-1-(1'-methyl-2'-pyrrolidinyl)propan-2-one ((R,S)-[2',3'- 13 C 2 ]Hygrine) (8) in 78% yield. (61% overall yield from ethyl [3,4- 13 C 2 ]acetoacetate).
Medical Management of Adult Headache

We review the therapies for primary headache disorders: migraine, chronic migraine, tension-type headache, and cluster headache. Recommendations follow the evidence-based treatments so far as is possible with expert opinion to give clinical guidance. Headache has 2 levels of care: acute treatments designed to stop a headache from progressing and alleviate all symptoms associated with the headache and preventive therapies for patients whose headache frequency is such that by itself produces significant disability and impact on quality of life, or where the frequency of use of acute medications, regardless of efficacy, poses risks in terms of overuse or adverse events.
LESSONS FOR RELIGIOUS EDUCATION FROM COGNITIVE SCIENCE OF RELIGION

Abstract Recent work in the cognitive sciences provides new neurological/biological and evolutionary bases for understanding the construction of knowledge (in the form of sets of ideas containing functionally useful inferences) and the capacity for imagination (as the ability to run inferences and generate ideas from information) in the human mind. In recent years, a growing number of scholars are making use of cognitive science to understand and explain religious beliefs and behaviors in terms of these evolved cognitive capacities and structures of mind. Based on a literature review of cognitive studies of religion, this article examines relevant themes from cognitive science studies of religion toward drawing pedagogical lessons for religious education.
Generalized Markov Models for Real-Time Modeling of Continuous Systems

This paper presents a modeling framework based on finite-state space Markov chains (MCs) and fuzzy subsets to represent signals that vary in a continuous range. Our special attention to this extension of finite-state space MC modeling is motivated by numerous opportunities in applying MC models to represent physical variables in automotive and aerospace systems and, subsequently, using these models for fault detection, estimation, prediction, stochastic dynamic programming, and stochastic model predictive control. Our generalized MC modeling framework synergistically combines the notion of transition probabilities with information granulation based on fuzzy partitioning. As compared with the case of more familiar interval partitioning, the transition probabilities in our model are defined for transitions between fuzzy subsets rather than intervals/rectangular cells. Our framework is first introduced for scalar-valued signals and then extended to vector-valued signals. A real-time capable recursive algorithm for learning transition probabilities from measured signal data is derived. Formulas that characterize the possibility distribution of the next signal value and predict the next signal value are given. It is shown that the introduced modeling framework based on MC models defined over fuzzy partitioning inherits all properties and represents a natural extension of MC models defined over interval partitioning, while providing interpolation ability and improved prediction accuracy. In addition, we derive an alternative formulation of the Chapman-Kolmogorov equation that applies to models in possibilistic/fuzzy environment. Examples are given to illustrate the key notions and results based on modeling of the vehicle speed and road grade signals.
Sentinel lymph node mapping for endometrial cancer improves the detection of metastatic disease to regional lymph nodes

Abstract Objective To compare the incidence of metastatic cancer cells in sentinel lymph nodes (SLN) vs. non-sentinel nodes in patients who had lymphatic mapping for endometrial cancer and to determine the contribution of metastases detected on ultrastaging to the overall nodal metastasis rate. Methods All patients who underwent lymphatic mapping for endometrial cancer were reviewed. Cervical injection of blue dye was used in all cases. Sentinel nodes were examined by routine hematoxylin and eosin (H&E), and if negative, by standardized institutional pathology protocol that included additional sections and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Results Between 09/2005 and 03/2010, 266 patients with endometrial cancer underwent lymphatic mapping. Sentinel node identification was successful in 223 (84%) cases. Positive nodes were diagnosed in 32/266 (12%) patients. Of those, 8/266 patients (3%) had the metastasis detected only by additional section or IHC as part of SLN ultrastaging. Excluding the 8 cases with positive SLN on ultrastaging only, 24/801 (2.99%) SLN and 30/2698 (1.11%) non-SLN were positive for metastatic disease (p=0.0003). Conclusion Using a cervical injection for mapping, metastatic cells from endometrial cancer are three times as likely to be detected in SLN than in the non-sentinel nodes. This finding strongly supports the concept of lymphatic mapping in endometrial cancer to fine tune the nodal dissection topography. By adding SLN mapping to our current surgical staging procedures we may increase the likelihood of detecting metastatic cancer cells in regional lymph nodes. An additional benefit of incorporating pathologic ultrastaging of SLN is the detection of micrometastasis, which may be the only evidence of extrauterine spread.
EARLY AGE OF WALKING, CALCIUM INTAKE DURING INFANCY AND BONE MINERALIZATION AT 3-5.5 YEARS OF AGE. † 714

We have reported that bone mineralization at 1 y of age correlates with the age infants started walking, weight, height and calcium intake during infancy. It is unknown if this relationship extends to a later age. We hypothesized that bone mineral content (BMC) and density (BMD) in 3-5.5 y old children are affected by calcium intake at 6-12 mos of age. We evaluated total body BMC and BMD at 3-5.5 y of age in 41 healthy children previously fed one of 3 infant formulas containing different calcium contents (A=450, B=510, C=912 mg/L calcium) at 6-12 mos of age. BMC and BMD at 3-5.5 y of age were similar among the 3 study groups despite differences in calcium intake at 6-12 mos of age. BMC for A groups were (mean-+ SFM) 29.6 +- 0.7, 29.3 +- 0.6, and 29.6 +- 0.8 g/kg body weight, respectively. There were no significant correlations between BMC or BMD and previous calcium intake. BMC and BMD were positively correlated(p<0.001) with age, weight and height at bone evaluation, and negatively correlated (p<0.05) with the age subjects started walking. Thus, BMC and BMD of 3-3.5 y old children are influenced by the age infants started walking, and age, weight, and height at bone evaluation but not calcium intake levels at 6-12 mos of age. Supported by Ross Products Division, Abbott Laboratories.
Studies on membrane transport—VI. Absorption of amino acids by fascioliid trematodes

Abstract 1. 1. Ligation of Fasciola or Fascioloides did not affect the 2-min absorption of 14C-cycloleucine. 2. 2. Absorption of cycloleucine, arginine, proline or methionine was a linear function of concentration and competitions were not demonstrable. Amino acids entered the tegument by diffusion. 3. 3. Efflux experiments indicated that cycloleucine may be accumulated in an inner “compartment” in Fasciola. 4. 4. Four hours after administration of 14C-cycloleucine to infected hosts, the amino acid was equally distributed in tissue water of host blood and Fasciola.
Effect of acetone precipitation on the clinical prediction of respiratory distress syndrome when utilizing amniotic fluid lecithin/ sphingomyelin ratios

Abstract Amniotic fluid lecithin-to-sphingomyelin ratios are widely used to predict fetal lung maturity. The inclusion of acetone precipitation in the determination of the lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio has been widely accepted as a necessary step for enhancing predictivity. The lecithin/sphingomyelin ratio of 181 amniotic fluid samples was analyzed with and without acetone precipitation. Sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values were compared. Although there was a significant difference in the numeric value (p
L 1 matting

Natural image matting continues to play a large role in a wide variety of applications. As an ill-posed problem, matting is a very difficult to solve due to its underconstrained nature. Current approaches can require a lot of user input, restrict themselves to a sparse subset of the image, and often make assumptions that are unlikely to hold. In this paper, we pose a way to better satisfy smoothness assumptions of some of these methods utilizing the nonlinear median filter which arises naturally from the L 1 norm. The median has the property that it tends to smooth the foreground and background of the image while leaving any edges relatively unaltered. We then show that such an image is often more suitable as input than the original image, even when user interaction is minimal, suggesting that our method is more amenable to automatic matting. 1
Direct measurements of cell number using computer-aided video microscopy

Abstract Quantitative studies in cell culture require accurate measurements of cell density and kinetics. We have developed a direct, rapid, and noninvasive method for measuring cell number in monolayer culture. Using computer-aided video microscopy, cell number was measured without detaching or chemically destroying the cells, thereby allowing sequential measurements in the same cell population. Cell number measured by computer-aided microscopy closely correlated with hemocytometer counts and determinations of total cell protein. For high-density monolayers of mesenchymal cells, however, staining was required for accurate counts. Unlike other techniques for measuring cell density, computer-aided microscopy was especially accurate in medium- to low-density cultures (
Wireless Piezoelectric Sensor for the Measurement of Tire Deformations and the Estimation of Slip Angle

This paper introduces a wireless piezoelectric tire sensor whose readings can be utilized for the estimation of various tire variables such as slip angle, slip ratio, tire forces and tire road friction coefficient. In this paper, the proposed sensor is demonstrated for the estimation of tire slip angle. Lateral deformation of the tire is decoupled from radial and longitudinal tire deformations using a special sensor design. The decoupled lateral deflection profile of the tire is employed to estimate the slip angle. A new tire test rig is constructed to experimentally evaluate the performance of the developed sensor. Results show that the tire sensor can accurately estimate slip angles up to values of 5.0 degrees.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
The Rhetoric of Error from Locke to Kleist

There exists no theory of error, or any systematic account of it, and there never will be one due to the very nature of error. The Rhetoric of Error opens with the same “stern warning” as the entry...
Temporal stability of acute stress-induced changes in leukocyte subsets and cellular adhesion molecules in older adults.

This study investigated the temporal stability of enumerative immune and catecholamine responses to acute psychosocial stress in 67 Alzheimer's caregivers ages 56-82 years (45 women and 22 men) who were required to prepare and deliver two 3-min speeches on three occasions at 2-week and 6-week intervals. All leukocyte subsets and adhesion molecules (CD62L and CD11a) changed significantly from rest to postspeak at each of the three testing sessions (p's <.0005). Responses showed moderate to high temporal stability across baseline and absolute task values (r's =.65-.96). Reliability was predictably lower for both forms of change scores (r's = -.16-.64). The level of temporal stability achieved is comparable to that seen previously in younger adults, indicating that acute psychosocial stress produces reliable changes in circulating leukocytes and cell adhesion molecules in older adults.
The effects of different amounts of feedback on observer's reliability

A laboratory analog of naturalistic observation was used to examine the effect of feedback on the reliability of observers working in pairs. Observer reliability was assessed using two methods of measurement: (1) percentage agreement of observer protocols with criterion protocols and (2) percentage intrapair agreement. Three levels of feedback were employed: (1) total feedback in the form of intrapair agreement and agreement with criterion protocols, (2) intrapair agreement feedback only, and (3) no feedback. Results indicated a significant effect due to method assessment: intrapair agreement scores were significantly higher than observer to criterion agreement scores. Significant differences were also found for the feedback effect. The reliability for the total feedback group continued to improve under both methods of assessment; the intrapair agreement-only group showed improvement in the intrapair scores, but indicated decreases in reliability when assessed in terms of the criterion protocols; and the reliability for the no-feedback group decreased under both methods of assessment. Within each treatment condition intrapair agreement scores were significantly higher than between pair agreement scores. The possible implications of these results for observational research, and suggestions for maintaining observer reliability, are discussed.
Incidence of Escherichia coli O157 in raw milk and white pickled cheese manufactured from raw milk in Turkey

Abstract In different countries numerous people have suffered from many infections caused by Escherichia coli O157:H7 within the last 20 years. This bacterium has been found in healthy bovine faeces. Therefore milk and milk products produced from such animals' milk may cause an infection risk if the milk has not been adequate pasteurised. In this research, 100 raw milk samples from different bovines and 50 white pickled cheeses manufactured from raw milk were examined for the presence of E. coli O157. Furthermore some physical and chemical properties were investigated. According to the analysis results, E. coli O157 was determined in 1% of the total raw milk samples and in 4% of the cheese samples. pH values were found to be higher than 4.50 in 80% of the total cheese samples. The main reason was that no lactic starters were used in this kind of cheese manufacturing process. Due to the low acidity of the cheese samples, E. coli O157 counts may increase and its survival time may be longer than in cheeses made using starter cultures. Thus, white pickled cheeses manufactured from unpasteurised milk have a potential infection risk as a result of E. coli O157 existence.
Legacies of agriculture and urbanization in labile and stable organic carbon and nitrogen in Sonoran Desert soils

Soils regulate air and water quality by storing large pools of carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). Land management decisions have an enduring influence on the integrity and size of these pools, particularly in the upper soil layers. An important challenge, therefore, is to identify how soil C and N bear the marks of both past and present land use. Several studies have documented that effects of agriculture on soil properties can persist long after agricultural abandonment, but these studies typically examine sites returning to forest or grassland. Fewer have investigated legacies of agricultural land use when formerly agrarian land becomes urban. Urban soil management may be intensive, characterized by modifications in microtopography, vegetation, and nutrient and water inputs. We thus hypothesized that urban residential land use would negate any agrarian signatures in the pool sizes of labile (readily mineralized) soil organic C and N, but that agrarian legacies would persist in pools of stable (not readily mineralized) C and N. We tested this hypothesis in arid central Arizona (USA), where residential development in the Phoenix metropolis occurred on both agrarian and uncultivated desert lands throughout the 20th Century. We used a year-long incubation to quantify labile and stable organic C and N in soils (to 15.2 cm depth) from desert land, contemporary agrarian land, residential yards that were converted from desert, and yards converted from agrarian land use. Labile N in residential soils may have been independent of historical provenance, consistent with the hypothesis that readily-mineralized pools converge on a single signature of current (residential) land use. Labile C, stable C, and stable N showed the influence of agrarian history decades after conversion to urban residential use. These agrarian legacies in currently residential soil result from the persistence of past agrarian amendments to soil, and are not artifacts of the preferential cultivation of inherently fertile land. Current residential soil management is further amending soil C and N pools on top of the legacy pools left behind by agriculture. We calculate that the persisting influence of agrarian history on soils is similar in magnitude to contemporary urban residential effects.
Transportation costs and the residential location decision: A new approach

This paper presents an alternative general procedure for studying the effects of transportation costs (work and nonwork related) on the household location decision. The aim is to provide a framework for determining which costs are properly included in full housing cost and which are not. The procedure is based upon the characteristics of the solution set of the Lancastrian consumer demand problem.
Synthesis/coding of audio signals using optimized wavelets

A novel audio synthesis/coding approach based on an optimization of the wavelet transform of the audio signal is presented. In each frame of the audio signal, the authors identify the wavelet which yields an approximation to the audio segment that requires the minimum number of bits. The wavelet approximation is constrained to have no perceptual distortion or a distortion that is less than some fixed maximum level. Two wavelet coefficient representations are considered. In the first representation, the quantization step is fixed and the magnitude of the transform coefficients is optimized. In the second approach the wavelet coefficients are adaptively quantized. The authors show that the second representation leads to simpler optimization problems. They suggest several approximations which reduce the complexity of the optimization problem. Experiments indicate that high quality speech and audio reconstruction is possible in the range of 8-9 kb/s. >
Parametric Excitation of a Detuned Spherical Pendulum

Abstract The weakly non-linear response of a slightly detuned spherical pendulum with natural frequencies ω 1 and ω 2 , ω 1 ≈ ω 2 , subject to parametric excitation at frequency 2ω, is analyzed in the parametric domain ω 2 − 1 2 ; (ω 2 1 + ω 2 2 ) = O (eω 2 ), where e is a measure of the excitation. There is a finite neighbourhood of ω 2 = ω 2 2 , bounded by Hopf-bifurcation points, in which no stable harmonic motion is possible and the motion is either a periodically modulated sinusoid (limit cycle) or chaotic, depending on the frequency offset and dissipation. The analytical predictions are supported by numerical integration, which also reveals that the parametric domains of limit cycles and chaotic motions overlap those of stable harmonic motion. The system provides a model of mode competition in a system with a discrete, infinite spectrum, e.g., Faraday waves.
Adhesion molecule expression on phagocytic microglial cells following anterograde degeneration of perforant path axons

Entorhinal cortex lesion (ECL) leads to anterograde degeneration of perforant path axons and is known to induce a rapid and intense reaction of astrocytes and microglial cells in the deafferented dentate gyrus. Phagocytosis of degenerating axons involves the establishment and maintenance of cell–matrix and cell–cell interactions by activated glial cells. It was thus our aim to investigate whether the process of axon phagocytosis is accompanied by the expression of adhesion molecules on activated microglial cells or reactive astrocytes, as such molecules mediate both cell–matrix and cell–cell interactions. We found that the integrin adhesion molecules leukocyte function antigen-1 (LFA-1), very late antigen-4 (VLA-4), and the ligand for LFA-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1), were expressed on microglial cells accumulating in the outer molecular layer of the deafferented dentate gyrus. This upregulation of adhesion molecule expression on microglial cells showing morphological criteria of activation occurred rapidly following ECL, reached its peak at 3 days post lesion (dpl), and gradually returned to control levels after 9 dpl. Astrocytes were never labeled by antibodies directed against these adhesion molecules. Prelabeling of the perforant path with a fluorescent tracer and subsequent ECL led to phagocytosis of fluorescent-labeled axonal debris by cells that were located in the outer molecular layer and showed typical microglial morphology. Double-fluorescence labeling demonstrated that microglial cells engaged in the phagocytosis of axonal debris expressed LFA-1, VLA-4, and the LFA-1-ligand ICAM-1. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that anterograde degeneration of perforant path axons results in adhesion molecule expression on activated microglial cells engaged in axon phagocytosis. The expression of such molecules could represent a mechanism that retains activated microglia in areas of axonal degeneration and perhaps enables the interaction of microglial cells with each other or with other immunocompetent cells. Hippocampus 7:341–349, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity in a healthy pediatric population: Diagnostic value of diptheriatetanus toxoids

ADVANCES RECENTLY MADE in the understanding of cellular immunity have accentuated the importance of this system in the body's resistance to infection' and to cancer.'-' Although in vitro techniques are necessary for accurate assessment of cell-mediated immunity, the cutaneous delayed hypersensitivity reaction provides a safe and simple in vivo screening test for evaluating the general intactness of cellular immunity and inflammation> Delayed hypersensitivity skin tests currently recommended by the committee on primary immune deficiencies of the World Health Organization ~ are frequently negative in young children. ~ Possible explanations for this may include inadequate prior exposure to these microbial antigens and a diminished inflammatory response in young infants5 A review of the literature revealed little data on the incidence of positive delayed hypersensitivity skin reactions in normal children, and there was considerable variation in the definition of what constitutes a positive reaction? '~
Effect of coenzyme Q10 intake on endogenous coenzyme Q content, mitochondrial electron transport chain, antioxidative defenses, and life span of mice

The main purpose of this study was to determine whether intake of coenzyme Q10, which can potentially act as both an antioxidant and a prooxidant, has an impact on indicators of oxidative stress and the aging process. Mice were fed diets providing daily supplements of 0, 93, or 371 mg CoQ10 /kg body weight, starting at 3.5 months of age. Effects on mitochondrial superoxide generation, activities of oxidoreductases, protein oxidative damage, glutathione redox state, and life span of male mice were determined. Amounts of CoQ9 and CoQ10, measured after 3.5 or 17.5 months of intake, in homogenates and mitochondria of liver, heart, kidney, skeletal muscle, and brain increased with the dosage and duration of CoQ10 intake in all the tissues except brain. Activities of mitochondrial electron transport chain oxidoreductases, rates of mitochondrial O2-* generation, state 3 respiration, carbonyl content, glutathione redox state of tissues, and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, determined at 19 or 25 months of age, were unaffected by CoQ10 administration. Life span studies, conducted on 50 mice in each group, showed that CoQ10 administration had no effect on mortality. Altogether, the results indicated that contrary to the historical view, supplemental intake of CoQ10 elevates the endogenous content of both CoQ9 and CoQ10, but has no discernable effect on the main antioxidant defenses or prooxidant generation in most tissues, and has no impact on the life span of mice.
Black riots and black suicide rates.

From 1960 to 1992 the number of riots each year by African Americans was associated with lower black suicide rates, but the association did not reach statistical significance.
The Status and Prospects of the Economics Major

The objects, methods of instruction, content, and accomplishments of the undergraduate major in economics at institutions of higher education within the United States are discussed. Recommendations are provided for teaching students to “think like economists.”
A single-burst analysis of the production of P1 infectious and transducing particles.

Abstract Using as genetic markers the prophages λ, 21, and 186, it has been possible to study the production of P1 transducing particles (TP) in single bursts. It was found that TP and infectious particles are released from the same infected cells. Among the population of P1vir-infected cells as a whole, TP containing any one of the markers are produced in 0.5% of the cells. However, among those cells selected for producing a TP containing λ, 12% also produce a TP containing 21, and 5% also produce a TP containing 186. Cells containing the λ prophage integrated into a cytoplasmic fertility factor and the 21 prophage integrated into the bacterial chromosome were infected with P1; the percentage of cells producing TP containing λ that also produced TP containing 21 dropped to 3.2%. The chance that two markers which are too far apart to be cotransduced will be packaged in the same cell therefore increases with proximity of the markers. A model is proposed for the formation of P1 TPs: Packaging of host DNA is concentrated in a fraction of the infected bacteria. Approximately one-tenth of the infected cells contain several regions of localized, efficient packaging, each comprising 20% of the Escherichia coli chromosome.
Absorption spectrum of Ba II in the vacuum ultraviolet

The absorption spectrum of Ba ii has been studied for 350 ≤ λ ≤ 1100 A by the flash pyrolysis technique. 423 transitions have been observed. Several long series have been identified, converging to the 5p5 6s and 5p5 5d limits of Ba iii.
Antiangiogenic activity of restin, NC10 domain of human collagen XV: comparison to endostatin.

Abstract Based on a homology search with endostatin, the C-terminus 185 aa of collagen XVIII, we report the cloning, expression, and antiangiogenic activity of a 22 kDa human collagen XV fragment, that we have named restin. Restin was expressed in the prokaryotic pET expression system. We have shown that restin inhibits the migration of endothelial cells in vitro but has no effect on the proliferation of these cells. A polyclonal antibody raised against endostatin cross-reacted with restin. Systemic administration of restin suppressed the growth of tumors in a xenograft renal carcinoma model.
An inverse finite element method for determining the anisotropic properties of the cornea

An inverse finite element method was developed to determine the anisotropic properties of bovine cornea from an in vitro inflation experiment. The experiment used digital image correlation (DIC) to measure the three-dimensional surface geometry and displacement field of the cornea at multiple pressures. A finite element model of a bovine cornea was developed using the DIC measured surface geometry of the undeformed specimen. The model was applied to determine five parameters of an anisotropic hyperelastic model that minimized the error between the measured and computed surface displacement field and to investigate the sensitivity of the measured bovine inflation response to variations in the anisotropic properties of the cornea. The results of the parameter optimization revealed that the collagen structure of bovine cornea exhibited a high degree of anisotropy in the limbus region, which agreed with recent histological findings, and a transversely isotropic central region. The parameter study showed that the bovine corneal response to the inflation experiment was sensitive to the shear modulus of the matrix at pressures below the intraocular pressure, the properties of the collagen lamella at higher pressures, and the degree of anisotropy in the limbus region. It was not sensitive to a weak collagen anisotropy in the central region.
Family planning program activity and patient enrollment rates in the United States, 1969 and 1971.

The effects of demographic characteristics, socioeconomic conditions, health care, and family planning program activity on patient enrollment rates are estimated for 1969 and 1971. Two program activity variables (agencies and clinic locations) have significant, positive net effects in both years. The effect of agencies changed little between 1969and 1971, and it is the strongest effect in both years. The effect of clinic locations more than doubled between 1969 and 1971, partly due to increased demand. The direct effects of the demographic, socioeconomic, and health care variables are not large, but many of the demographic and socioeconomic variables have substantial indirect effects via health care and program activity.
Separating stratiform and convective rain types based on the drop size distribution characteristics using 2D video disdrometer data

Abstract A technique for separating stratiform and convective rain types using the characteristics of two of the main drop size distribution (DSD) parameters is presented. The method was originally developed based on observations from dual-frequency profiler and dual-polarization radar observations in Darwin, Australia. In this paper, we will present the testing of the method using data from 2D video disdrometers (2DVD) from two very different locations, namely, Ontario, Canada, and Huntsville, Alabama, USA. One-minute DSDs from 2DVD are used as input to a gamma-fitting procedure and our separation technique uses the fitted values of log 10 ( N W ) and D 0 (where N W is the scaling parameter and D 0 is the median volume diameter) and an “index” to quantify where the points lie in the log 10 ( N W ) versus D 0 domain. For the Ontario location, the output of the classification is compared with simultaneous observations from a collocated, vertically pointing, X-band Doppler radar. A “bright-band” detection algorithm is used to classify each height profile as either stratiform or convective, depending on whether or not a clearly defined melting layer is present at an expected height. If present, the maximum reflectivity within the melting layer and the corresponding height are determined. Similar testing is carried out for two events in Huntsville and compared with observations from a collocated UHF profiler (with Doppler capability). Additional case studies are required, but these results indicate our separation technique seems to be applicable to many different locations and climatologies based on previously published data.
Making multimedia content accessible for screen reader users

Rich and multimedia content is increasing rapidly on the Web. It is very attractive for sighted people, but it brings severe problems to screen reader users. Once the audio starts playing, it becomes hard for blind users to listen to the screen reader because there is physically only one volume control that cannot control the separate audio streams. Though there are often software-controlled buttons to control the audio, they are often controllable only with a mouse and are not associated with alternative text. Because of the audio conflicts and inaccessible control buttons, the multimedia content is often inaccessible to blind users. In addition, the use of dynamically changing interactive user interfaces is also a critical issue, since existing screen readers cannot detect such dynamic content changes.We developed an accessible Internet browser for multimedia to address these problems and offer multimedia content as an information resource for the blind. It is characterized by three major features. First, it allows users to control the audio, such as the volume, play/stop, pause, and even the speed. Second, a dynamically adaptable metadata function is added to simplify complicated multimedia pages and to track dynamic changes and effectively inform users about the changes. Third, an audio description function supports Internet movies with a text format described by the metadata. In this paper, after briefly discussing the existing accessibility problems of multimedia content, we describe our accessible Internet browser for multimedia.