cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vulvodynia: in situ hybridization analysis for human papillomavirus.

Abstract Objective: To determine the incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA by in situ hybridization analysis in women with vulvodynia and suspected HPV infection as compared to normal controls. Methods: A chart review was performed to identify women with vulvodynia and both colposcopic and histologic evidence of HPV infection. Control patients of women with vulvar biopsies for benign, non-HPV related conditions were also identified from the chart review. Vulvar biopsies from 11 women with vulvodynia and 12 control patients were compared by histology and by in situ hybridization for HPV DNA. In situ hybridization was performed with DNA probes for common HPV subtypes: 6,11,16,18,30,31,33,34,45,51, and 52. Positive controls were performed for each HPV subtype. Results: All 11 patients with vulvodynia and both clinical and histologic evidence of HPV infection were negative for all types of HPV DNA by in situ hybridization. The 12 control patients who had no clinical or histologic evidence of active HPV were also negative for HPV DNA by in situ hybridization. Conclusions: DNA from the tested HPV subtypes was not identified in patients with vulvodynia and suspected HPV infection. While it is possible that other HPV subtypes may be involved in vulvodynia, these data suggest that DNA from common HPV subtypes is not identified in greater frequency in patients with vulvodynia as compared to normal controls and suggest that the role of HPV in vulvodynia may be overestimated.
Meta‐analysis of racial disparities in survival in association with socioeconomic status among men and women with colon cancer

BACKGROUND. Few studies have addressed racial disparities in survival for colon cancer by adequately incorporating both treatment and socioeconomic factors, and the findings from those studies have been inconsistent. The objectives of the current study were to systematically review the existing literature and provide a more stable estimate of the measures of association between socioeconomic status and racial disparities in survival for colon cancer by undertaking a meta-analysis. METHODS. For this meta-analysis, the authors searched the MEDLINE database to identify articles published in English from 1966 to August 2006 that met the following inclusion criteria: original research articles that addressed the association between race/ethnicity and survival in patients with colon or colorectal cancer after adjusting for socioeconomic status. In total, 66 full articles were reviewed, and 56 of those articles were excluded, which left 10 studies for the final analysis. RESULTS. The pooled hazard ratio (HR) for African Americans compared with Caucasians was 1.14 (95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.00–1.29) for all-cause mortality and 1.13 (95% CI, 1.01–1.28) for colon cancer-specific mortality. The test for homogeneity of the HR was statistically significant across the studies for all-cause mortality (Q = 31.69; P < .001) but was not significant across the studies for colon cancer-specific mortality (Q = 7.45; P = .114). CONCLUSIONS. Racial disparities in survival for colon cancer between African Americans and Caucasians were only marginally significant after adjusting for socioeconomic factors and treatment. Attempts to modify treatment and socioeconomic factors with the objective of reducing racial disparities in health outcomes may have important clinical and public health implications. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Validation of a short-term toxicity test endpoint by comparison with longer-term effects on larval red abalone Haliotis rufescens

Experiments were conducted to compare a short-term 48-h aquatic toxicity test endpoint of abnormal larval shell development with other, more clearly adverse effects. In similar experiments conducted with two different toxicants, zinc sulfate and bleached-kraft mill effluent, red abalone (Haliotis rufescens) embryos were simultaneously exposed to identical dilution series and incubated for three different exposure periods: 48 h, 48 h followed by an 8-d recovery period in clean seawater, and 10 d of continuous exposure. Abnormal larval shell development was assessed in the 48-h short-term tests, and inhibition of metamorphosis was assessed in the exposure-recovery and continuous exposure experiments. For the zinc experiments, the median effective concentration (EC50) values for the 48-h exposure, the exposure-recovery experiment, and the continuous exposure experiment were 40, 34, and 32 {micro}g/L zinc, respectively. For the bleached-kraft mill effluent experiments, the EC50 values were 0.98, 0.76, and 0.69% effluent, respectively. Results indicate that toxicant concentrations causing abnormal larval shell development also inhibit metamorphosis and that larvae exposed to toxicant concentrations which inhibit larval shell development do not recover to metamorphose when transferred to clean seawater. None of the successfully metamorphosed postlarvae had deformed larval shells, indicating that shell deformity precludes survival past the planktonic stage.more » A longer (15-d) experiment allowed measurement of postlarval shell length in exposed postmetamorphic abalone. Insignificant differences in postlarval shell length indicated that the timing of larval metamorphosis was similar regardless of toxicant exposure and that the effects of the toxicant was to inhibit rather than to delay metamorphosis.« less
Effects of Dissolved Carbonate on Arsenate Adsorption and Surface Speciation at the Hematite−Water Interface

Effects of dissolved carbonate on arsenate [As(V)] reactivity and surface speciation at the hematite-water interface were studied as a function of pH and two different partial pressures of carbon dioxide gas [P(CO2) = 10(-3.5) atm and approximately 0; CO2-free argon (Ar)] using adsorption kinetics, pseudo-equilibrium adsorption/titration experiments, extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopic (EXAFS) analyses, and surface complexation modeling. Different adsorbed carbonate concentrations, due to the two different atmospheric systems, resulted in an enhanced and/or suppressed extent of As(V) adsorption. As(V) adsorption kinetics [4 g L(-1), [As(V)]0 = 1.5 mM and I = 0.01 M NaCl] showed carbonate-enhanced As(V) uptake in the air-equilibrated systems at pH 4 and 6 and at pH 8 after 3 h of reaction. Suppressed As(V) adsorption was observed in the air-equilibrated system in the early stages of the reaction at pH 8. In the pseudo-equilibrium adsorption experiments [1 g L(-1), [As(V)]0 = 0.5 mM and I = 0.01 M NaCI], in which each pH value was held constant by a pH-stat apparatus, effects of dissolved carbonate on As(V) uptake were almost negligible at equilibrium, but titrant (0.1 M HCl) consumption was greater in the air-equilibrated systems (P(CO2) = 10(-3.5) atm) than in the CO2-free argon system at pH 4-7.75. The EXAFS analyses indicated that As(V) tetrahedral molecules were coordinated on iron octahedral via bidentate mononuclear ( 2.8 A) and bidentate binuclear (approximately equal to 3.3 A) bonding at pH 4.5-8 and loading levels of 0.46-3.10 microM m(-2). Using the results of the pseudo-equilibrium adsorption data and the XAS analyses, the pH-dependent As(V) adsorption under the P(CO2) = 10(-3.5) atm and the CO2-free argon system was modeled using surface complexation modeling, and the results are consistent with the formation of nonprotonated bidentate surface species at the hematite surfaces. The results also suggest that the acid titrant consumption was strongly affected by changes to electrical double-layer potentials caused by the adsorption of carbonate in the air-equilibrated system. Overall results suggest that the effects of dissolved carbonate on As(V) adsorption were influenced by the reaction conditions [e.g., available surface sites, initial As(V) concentrations, and reaction times]. Quantifying the effects of adsorbed carbonate may be important in predicting As(V) transport processes in groundwater, where iron oxide-coated aquifer materials are exposed to seasonally fluctuating partial pressures of CO2(g).
Honey Bee Workers That Are Pollen Stressed as Larvae Become Poor Foragers and Waggle Dancers as Adults

The negative effects on adult behavior of juvenile undernourishment are well documented in vertebrates, but relatively poorly understood in invertebrates. We examined the effects of larval nutritional stress on the foraging and recruitment behavior of an economically important model invertebrate, the honey bee (Apis mellifera). Pollen, which supplies essential nutrients to developing workers, can become limited in colonies because of seasonal dearths, loss of foraging habitat, or intensive management. However, the functional consequences of being reared by pollen-stressed nestmates remain unclear, despite growing concern that poor nutrition interacts with other stressors to exacerbate colony decline. We manipulated nurse bees’ access to pollen and then assessed differences in weight, longevity, foraging activity, and waggle-dance behavior of the workers that they reared (who were co-fostered as adults). Pollen stress during larval development had far-reaching physical and behavioral effects on adult workers. Workers reared in pollen-stressed colonies were lighter and shorter lived than nestmates reared with adequate access to pollen. Proportionally fewer stressed workers were observed foraging and those who did forage started foraging sooner, foraged for fewer days, and were more likely to die after only a single day of foraging. Pollen-stressed workers were also less likely to waggle dance than their unstressed counterparts and, if they danced, the information they conveyed about the location of food was less precise. These performance deficits may escalate if long-term pollen limitation prevents stressed foragers from providing sufficiently for developing workers. Furthermore, the effects of brief pollen shortages reported here mirror the effects of other environmental stressors that limit worker access to nutrients, suggesting the likelihood of their synergistic interaction. Honey bees often experience the level of stress that we created, thus our findings underscore the importance of adequate nutrition for supporting worker performance and their potential contribution to colony productivity and quality pollination services.
A new noninvasive method for determination of laryngeal sensory function.

Objectives/Hypothesis: We report a new surface technique for studying sensory conduction in the superior laryngeal nerve (SLN). Study Design: Prospective controlled cohort study at an academic tertiary care hospital. Methods: Surface stimulation of the vagus nerve 7–10 cm proximal to a surface electrode placed over the cricothyroid muscle was performed in controls and in subjects with needle electromyographic-confirmed laryngeal neuropathy. Cathodal stimulation was applied below the mastoid process behind the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Nerve conduction parameters were determined. Results: Noninvasive SLN evoked potential studies were performed on healthy volunteers (n = 28) as well as neuropathic subjects (n = 27). Compared to controls, the neuropathic subjects had statistically significant differences in baseline-to-peak amplitude, conduction velocity, and intrasubject side-to-side amplitude ratio (P <.01) of their surface evoked laryngeal sensory action potential (SELSAP). Conclusions: Laryngeal sensory nerve conduction can be determined noninvasively by evaluating SELSAP waveform. This study provides a reproducible method for electrophysiologic evaluation of a sensory branch of the SLN. Laryngoscope, 2011
SPECIAL TRAIN ALGEBRAS ARISING IN GENETICS II

We shall extend some of the results of (7) to the case of multiple alleles, our primary concern being that of polyploidy combined with multiple alleles. Generalisations often tend to make the computations more involved as is expected. Fortunately here, the attempt to generalise has led to a new method which not only handles the case of multiple alleles, but is an improvement over the method used in (7) for the special case of polyploidy with two alleles. This method which consists essentially of expressing certain elements of the algebra in a so-called “ factored ” form, gives greater insight into the structure of a polyploidy algebra, and avoids a great deal of the computation with binomial coefficients, e.g. see (7), p. 46.
The short-range structure of zinc polyphosphate glass

Abstract 31 P magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy have been used to examine the polyhedral arrangements in x ZnO · (1 − x )P 2 O 5 (0.50 ≤ x ≤ 0.71) glasses. The depolymerization of P metaphosphate chains by the addition of ZnO is quantitatively described by the increase in the concentration of Q 1 -phosphate sites, determined from the 31 P MAS-NMR spectra. When x > 0.60, the NMR and Raman spectra exhibit peaks due to Q 0 and Q 2 tetrahedra, indicating that structures disproportionate in glass melts near the pyrophosphate composition. The splitting of the Raman peak due to the Q 1 terminal oxygen stretching mode indicates that a variety of P-O-Zn bonds participate in the polyphosphate glass structure. The complex mixture of P and Zn polyhedra contributes to the glass-forming tendency of the high ZnO (> 60 mol%) compositions.
Recognition of self class II major histocompatibility complex antigens by CD8+ T cell clones derived from rheumatoid arthritis synovial membrane.

T cells from rheumatoid synovium have been expanded in vitro as lines and clones using autologous Epstein-Barr virus-transformed stimulator cells. Both lines and clones recognized autologous class II MHC antigens in the absence of defined exogenous antigens i.e. the equivalent of the autologous mixed lymphocyte response. Surprisingly, despite their MHC specificity, several clones expressed CDS rather than CD4, but were not cytotoxic. The function of CD8 + T cells within synovium has not previously been defined; in view of their unusual phenotype, they may exert an immuno-modulating role upon the inflammatory response within the joint, by responding to the high density of class II MHC antigens expressed in the rheumatoid synovium.
Inhibition of irrelevant category–response mappings

When switching tasks, performance tends to be worse for n – 2 repetitions than with n – 2 switches. This n – 2 repetition cost has been hypothesized to reflect task-set inhibition: specifically, inhibition of irrelevant category–response mappings involved in response selection. This hypothesis leads to divergent predictions for situations in which all tasks involve the same stimulus categories: An n – 2 repetition cost is predicted when response sets differ across tasks, but not when the response set stays the same. The authors tested these predictions by having subjects perform relative judgements with different reference points. In Experiment 1, the stimulus categories were the same across reference points, but the response set either differed or stayed the same (the multiple- and single-mapping conditions, respectively). An n – 2 repetition cost was found in the multiple-mapping condition but not in the single-mapping condition. Experiment 2 provided evidence against the possibility that these divergen...
Neuroimmunomodulation with enkephalins: Enhancement of human natural killer (NK) cell activity in vitro

To further define the effects of enkephalins on immune function, the effect of methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin on natural killer cell (NK) activity in isolated human peripheral blood lymphocytes was investigated. Incubation of lymphocytes with either enkephalin resulted in significant increases in natural killer cell activity. At effector:target cell ratios of 11:1 methionine-enkephalin significantly (P less than 0.05) enhanced NK activity at dilutions of 10(-6), 10(-8), 10(-10), and 10(-14) mg/ml, while leucine-enkephalin significantly (P less than 0.05) enhanced NK activity at dilutions of 10(-4), 10(-6), 10(-8), 10(-10), and 10(-14) mg/ml. Cells from individuals with low NK activity showed greater percentage increases in NK activity following enkephalin than did cells from individuals with high NK activity.
Statics and dynamics of multiple cubic autocatalytic reactions

Abstract Static and dynamic properties of multiple cubic autocatalytic reactions in an isothermal continuous stirred tank reactor are investigated. It is shown that in the bifurcation diagram of the system should an n -interaction isola exist, it is to reside in the intersection of all possible ( n −1)-interaction isolas of the n species constituting the n -interaction. Next, it is discussed that once the ratio of reproduction to death rates for a species is fixed, then the size of its single species isola is fixed, in logarithmic residence time. Furthermore, it is found that any interaction isola in the bifurcation diagram is unstable, whereas single species isolas will have ranges of stable steady states. Finally, these findings and some dynamic properties of the system are demonstrated in case studies.
Shock tube investigation of ignition inethane-oxygen-argon mixtures

The ignition of methane-oxygen mixtures highly diluted with argon was examined in the region behind a reflected shock wave in a single-pulse shock tube. The measurements covered a temperature range of 1500–2150°K at pressures varying from 2 to 10 atm for mixture equivalence ratios of 0.5–2.0. For these conditions, observed induction times ranged from 10 to 600 μsec. Mixture compositions and test conditions in this investigation were selected in such a manner that the influence of significant parameters on the ignition delay times could be clearly delineated. It was found that the experimental results of more than 60 tests were correlated extremely well by a relationship of the form τ = 3.62 × 10 − 14 exp ( 46.5 × 10 3 / R T ) [ Ar ] 0 [ CH 4 ] 0.33 [ O 2 ] − 1.03 sec in which concentrations are expressed in moles per cubic centimeter. An additional 40 shocks were run in order to test the influence of small amounts of hydrogen and propane on the ignition delay time of the mixture. The amount of additives varied from 2 to 15% of the total fuel content of the mixture. If was found that the decrease in the ignition delay time could be correlated with the concentration of the additive. It is also directly related to the heat released by the combustion of the additive, which acts as a booster.
Relationship Between Soil Potassium Forms and Mineralogy

The relationship between soil K forms (water soluble, exchangeable, HNO₃-extractable, and mineral) as a function of clay mineralogy and taxonomy, was determined using 102 soils from the continental USA and Puerto Rico, representing 10 soil orders. These relationships may have use in evaluating potential soil K fertility and prediction of K cycling and plant uptake. The soils were divided into three groups (kaolinitic, mixed, and smectitic) based on dominant mineralogy of the clay fraction. For each group of soils, water soluble K was related to exchangeable K content (r² of 0.86 to 0.96), with exchangeable K solubility increasing from smectitic, mixed, to kaolinitic soils. For each group, exchangeable K was also related to HNO₃-extractable K (r² of 0.81 to 0.83), thus, the capacity to supply K under continuous cropping, is greater for smectitic than kaolinitic soils of similar exchangeable K contents. Mineral K was a function of clay content for each soil group (r² of 0.66 to 0.90). Using these relationships, water soluble (2–37 mg kg⁻¹), HNO₃-extractable (21–2691 mg kg⁻¹), and mineral K contents (1.59–16.93 mg kg⁻¹) of 60 independent soils, were closely predicted (r² of 0.78 to 0.96) from exchangeable K, clay content, and clay mineralogy. These results indicate that determination of both exchangeable and HNO₃-extractable K could give a better indication of the potential K supplying power of a soil. Further, the relationships obtained will allow determination of initial soil K pool sizes from readily available soil taxonomic, clay mineralogy, and chemical properties, for use in modeling the cycling and plant uptake of soil K. Contribution from Agronomy Dep., Oklahoma State Univ. and USDA-ARS, Durant, OK, under a cooperative agreement with Oklahoma State University and USDA-ARS.
Type II DNA topoisomerases: Enzymes that can unknot a topologically knotted DNA molecule via a reversible double-strand break

Summary The T4 DNA topoisomerase is a recently discovered multisubunit protein that appears to have an essential role in the initiation of T4 bacteriophage DNA replication. Treatment of double-stranded circular DNA with large amounts of this topoisomerase in the absence of ATP yields new DNA species which are knotted topological isomers of the double-stranded DNA circle. These knotted DNA circles, whether covalently closed or nicked, are converted to unknotted circles by treatment with trace amounts of the T4 topoisomerase in the presence of ATP. Very similar ATP-dependent enzyme activities capable of unknotting DNA are present in extracts of Drosophila eggs, Xenopus laevis eggs and mammalian tissue culture cells. The procaryotic enzyme, DNA gyrase, is also capable of unknotting DNA. We propose that these unknotting enzymes constitute a new general class of DNA topoisomerases (type II DNA topoisomerases). These enzymes must act via mechanisms that involve the concerted cleavage and rejoining of two opposite DNA strands, such that the DNA double helix is transiently broken. The passage of a second double-stranded DNA segment through this reversible double-strand break results in a variety of DNA topoisomerization reactions, including relaxation:supercoiling; knotting:unknotting and catenation:decatenation. In support of this type of mechanism, we demonstrate that the T4 DNA topoisomerase changes the linking number of a covalently closed double-stranded circular DNA molecule only by multiples of two. We discuss the possible roles of such enzymes in a variety of biological functions, along with their probable molecular mechanisms.
Negative Pressure Transients with Mechanical Heart-Valve Closure: Correlation between In Vitro and In Vivo Results

Negative pressure transients (NPT) recorded in a single closing event of mechanical valves in the mitral position in an in vitro setup are compared with data recorded in the left atrium in vivo with the valves implanted in the mitral position in an animal model. The loading at valve closure (dP/dt_CL) computed from the in vivo ventricular pressure recording (ranging from 700 to 2300 mm Hg/s) agreed with the magnitudes predicted in our earlier in vitro experiments (750-3000 mm Hg/s). The NPT signals and the corresponding power spectral density plots from the in vivo data were in qualitative agreement with those recorded in vitro. The NPT magnitudes were found to be below the vapor pressure for blood in mechanical valves with rigid occluders suggesting a potential for the valve to cavitate in vivo. Our in vivo results also suggest that the valves with flexible occluders are less likely to cavitate. The correlation of the in vitro and in vivo data also suggests that the flexibility of valve housing used in the in vitro studies is not an important factor in the dynamics of mechanical valve closure in vivo. © 1998 Biomedical Engineering Society. PAC98: 8745Hw, 8790+y
Mouse brain imaging using photoacoustic computed tomography

Photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) provides structural and functional information when used in small animal brain imaging. Acoustic distortion caused by bone structures largely limits the deep brain image quality. In our work, we present ex vivo PACT images of freshly excised mouse brain, intending that can serve as a gold standard for future PACT in vivo studies on small animal brain imaging. Our results show that structures such as the striatum, hippocampus, ventricles, and cerebellum can be clearly di erentiated. An artery feature called the Circle of Willis, located at the bottom of the brain, can also be seen. These results indicate that if acoustic distortion can be accurately accounted for, PACT should be able to image the entire mouse brain with rich structural information.
Comparison of two systems for stroke rehabilitation in a general hospital.

: This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of stroke rehabilitation therapy in a specialized Stroke Unit with that provided on the medical service of a general hospital (Rhode Island Hospital). The 8-bed Stroke Unit is staffed by a multidisciplinary team, and a weekly conference is held for evaluation and planning. On the basis of data obtained from the hospital records, two groups of patients were studied: 224 who were treated in the Stroke Unit, and 110 who were evaluated and approved for admission to the Unit but were not accommodated. A rigid “first come, first served” policy for admission to the Unit was observed. Hypothesis testing was performed with reference to the patient's medical condition, socioeconomic status, demographic characteristics, and difficulties during hospital stay to determine whether the groups were comparable. A patient was considered to have improved if his condition decreased in severity between the time of admission to therapy and the time of discharge. Severity was rated as: mild (level one), moderate (level two), severe (level three), and profound (level four). No significant difference in rehabilitation results was found between the two treatment systems at severity levels two (moderate) and four (profound). However, the Stroke Unit attained significantly better results with level-three patients (severe stroke). This group received more sessions of physical therapy and remained in the hospital longer than did the level-three patients treated on the general medical service. Physicians referred patients selectively to the Stroke Unit, although the Unit had no policy of screening patients for admission, and this may have had some influence on the achievement of better results with level-three patients. Level-four patients did not do well in either setting.
Can simulations measure empathy? Considerations on how to assess behavioral empathy via simulations

Standardized patient simulations have been used as an assessment tool, providing teachers an opportunity to observe learner clinical and communication skills while eliminating the fear of harm to patients. Yet the vices and virtues of these simulations in measuring clinical and communication skills have been deliberated. Based on our standardized patient examination experience, we believe standardized patient simulations can be used to assess certain forms of learners' empathic behaviors. We advocate that, in properly designed and conducted simulations, the scores and feedback comments from standardized patients to learners regarding their empathic behaviors can identify learners with important deficiencies. We conclude our discussion by recommending that reflective practice, challenging cases, decision moments, and raters training to provide feedback can supplement and enrich the use of standardized patient simulations in evaluating empathy.
Review of whole-organism bioassays: soil, freshwater sediment, and freshwater assessment in Canada.

Abstract Whole organism bioassays for the assessment of soil, freshwater sediment, and freshwater quality were evaluated for their application in the assessment and remediation of contaminated sites in Canada under the National Contaminated Sites Remediation Program. Using 3 essential and 12 desirable methodological criteria, bioassays were categorized as currently usable, prototype, or under development. Based on further considerations related to bioassay application, a battery of usable screening and definitive tests was recommended (with suggestions for augmentation) for each medium. Of the 18 bioassays reviewed for soil quality assessment, 6 were usable, 5 were prototypes, and 7 were under development. Battery screening and definitive tests included 14-day Eisenia andrei survival, 120-hr lettuce and radish seedling emergence, and 72-hr Selenastrum capricornutum growth inhibition. Augmentation with the following bioassays was recommended: soil/freshwater bacterial growth, arthropod reproduction, earthworm reproduction, and reproduction of other soil-dependent organisms. Of the 9 bioassays reviewed for freshwater sediment quality assessment, 1 was usable, 2 were prototypes, and 6 were under development. Three bioassays in the latter two groups were considered usable with the imminent completion of research underway. Screening tests selected included 10-day Chironomus tentans survival, 10-day Hyalella Aztec survival, 10-day Hexagenia spp. survival, and 72-hr S. capricornutum growth inhibition. Definitive tests included screening tests, substituting 28-day H. azteca sexual maturation for 10-day survival. Augmentation with the following bioassays was recommended: sediment/freshwater bacterial test, 28-day Tubifex tubifex reproduction, and rooted aquatic plant growth. Of the 25 bioassays considered for freshwater quality assessment, 8 were usable, 7 were prototypes, and 10 were under development. Screening tests selected included 72-hr S. capricornutum growth inhibition; 48-hr Daphnia sp. survival, and 5- and 15-min Photobacterium phosphoreum bioluminescence. Definitive tests included first screening test, 7-day Ceriodaphnia dubia, 7-day fathead minnow larval survival, or 96-hr rainbow trout survival. Augmentation with the following bioassays was recommended: Brachionus calyciflorus 24-hr survival, 48-hr reproduction; freshwater bacterial growth; and aquatic vascular plant growth.
Precocene inhibition of vitellogenesis inDrosophila melanogaster

A single topical application of precocene I or precocene II inhibits the normal process of vitellogenesis inDrosophila melanogaster. This effect is partly prevented by treatment with JH-11 or spontaneously reversible with time.
Atomic structure and compositional analysis of solid surfaces using pulsed-laser ToF atom-probe and field ion microscopy

Abstract The atomic structure of a solid surface can be imaged with a field ion microscope and its chemical composition can be analyzed atomic layer by atomic layer with a time-of-flight atom-probe. Thin films can also be grown on metal or silicon tip surfaces, and then their atomic structures and composition can be analyzed with the FIM and atom-probe. Recent developments in this area of research in the author's laboratory are summarized.
Nitric oxide-independent effects of tempol on sympathetic nerve activity and blood pressure in DOCA-salt rats.

The role of the sympathetic nervous system in 4-hydroxy-2,2,6,6-tetramethyl piperidinoxyl (tempol)-induced cardiovascular responses in urethane-anesthetized, normotensive rats was evaluated. Tempol...
The skraup syntheses and NMR spectra of some methylnaphthyridines

Some mono- and dimethylnaphthyridines were prepared by the application of the Skraup reaction to various 2- and 4-aminopyridines. The proton magnetic resonance spectral data assignments are reported. The chemical shifts of the methyl protons are calculated.
Mapping and ablation of frequent post-infarction premature ventricular complexes.

Mapping of Post-Infarction PVCs. Introduction: Premature ventricular complexes (PVCs) occur frequently in patients with heart disease. The sites of origin of PVCs in patients with prior myocardial infarction and the response to catheter ablation have not been systematically assessed. Methods and Results: In 28 consecutive patients (24 men, age 60 ± 10, ejection fraction [EF] 0.37 ± 0.14) with remote myocardial infarction referred for catheter ablation of symptomatic refractory PVCs, the PVCs were mapped by activation mapping or pace mapping using an irrigated-tip catheter in conjunction withanelectroanatomicmappingsystem.Thesiteoforigin(SOO)wasclassifiedasbeingwithinlow-voltage (scar) tissue (amplitude ≤1.5 mV) or tissue with preserved voltage (>1.5 mV). The SOO was confined to endocardial scar tissue in 24/28 patients (86%). The SOO was outside of scar in 3 patients and could not be identified in 1 patient. At the SOO, local endocardial activation preceded the PVC by 46 ± 19 ms, and the electrogramamplitudeduringsinusrhythmwas0.48 ±0.34mV.ThePVCswereeffectivelyablatedin25/28 patients (89%), resulting in a decrease in PVC burden on a 24-hour Holter monitor from 15.6 ± 12.3% to 2.4 ± 4.2% (P < 0.001). The SOO most often was confined to scar tissue located in the left ventricular septum and the papillary muscles. Conclusion: Similar to post-infarction ventricular tachycardia, PVCs after remote myocardial infarction mostoftenoriginatewithinscartissue.CatheterablationofthesePVCshasahigh-successrate.(JCardiovasc
An Energy-Based Parametric Control Approach for Structural Vibration Suppression via Semi-Active Piezoelectric Networks

A structural vibration control concept, using piezoelectric materials shunted with real-time adaptable electrical networks, has been investigated. The variable resistance and inductance in an external RL circuit are used as control inputs. An energy-based parametric control scheme is created to reduce the total system energy (the main structure mechanical energy plus the electrical and mechanical energies of the piezoelectric material and electrical circuit) while minimizing the energy flowing into the main structure. Stability of the closed-loop system is proved. The performance of the controller is examined through analyzing a beam example. It is shown that the structure energy level and vibration amplitude can be suppressed effectively.
Acute monocytic leukaemia (M5a) in a horse

Acute monocytic leukaemia (M5a) was diagnosed in a 17-year-old Standardbred gelding with lethargy, intermittent pyrexia, oedema of the limbs, harsh lung sounds and submandibular lymphadeopathy. Haematological findings included moderately severe anaemia, thrombocytopenia and a leucocyte count within the reference interval, but characterised by neutropenia and numerous blast cells. Monocytic lineage of the cell population was suggested by examination of Wright-Leishman-stained blood and bone marrow smears. A panel of cytochemical stains disclosed diffuse cytoplasmic α-naphthyl-acetate esterase activity which could be markedly inhibited or abolished in all leukaemic cells by pretreatment with sodium fluoride. In ultrastructural preparations of buffy coat, neoplastic monoblasts had one to two nucleoli, dispersed chromatin, elongated mitochondria, scattered profiles of rough endoplasmic reticulum, bundles of microfilaments and pseudopodia. More differentiated monocytoid cells had infrequent lysosomal granules.
Encounters with Philanthropic Information: Cognitive Dissonance and Implications for the Social Sector

Using interviews with senior level employees in the social sector, I analyze the interactions between organizations and individual potential and existing donors. I recommend a reevaluation of the sector’s use of what I term “agents of philanthropy,” as well as a reconsideration of the hesitation to introduce philanthropic giving to individuals and corporations. To support this assertion, I conduct a thematic content analysis of The New York Times to show how the transference of philanthropic information affects the cognitions and subsequent actions of readers. Using this analysis, I show how individuals may be primed for charitable giving if only these opportunities were presented. The design and focus of this research addresses what I have perceived as oversights in philanthropic research to date: the exclusion of psychology theory, an overemphasis on the conscious, stated motivations of donors, and the lack of interdisciplinary work on prosocial behaviors.
Lack of cardiac inotropic effect of tolbutamide in intact man.

Abstract Tolbutamide has been reported to have a positive inotropic effect in animal and human hearts in in vitro experiments, but its cardiac effects in humans are not well known. The effects of acute tolbutamide administration in man were investigated by sensitive measurements of systolic time intervals. No positive inotropic effect was observed in 11 diabetic subjects treated for 7 days with 1.5 g of tolbutamide orally. The intravenous administration of 1 g of tolbutamide in four nondiabetic subjects likewise showed no significant inotropic effect in intact man.
A fracture mechanics approach to simulate sub-surface initiated fretting wear

Abstract Sub-surface cracks can be initiated due to surface fatigue, which eventually reach the surface, leading to pitting, spalling and removal of material. In this investigation, a new approach based on shear stress reversal at the crack tips is implemented to propagate a subsurface initiated crack under fretting load. Hertzian line contact geometry is used to investigate the effects of different factors such as Hertzian pressure, coefficient of friction, displacement amplitude, and depth of the initial crack. Crack propagation paths and propagation life of the cracks under the surface are investigated in detail. Once the crack reaches the surface, it is assumed that the material enclosed is spalled and thus removed. Wear volumes and wear rates are calculated and effect of each variable on wear is analyzed. Wear rates increase with increase in maximum Hertzian pressure, displacement amplitude, coefficient of friction and depth of initial crack. The wear rates are also correlated to crack propagation rates and are in agreement with the dissipated energy wear coefficients obtained from literature.
Morphology and distribution of antennal sensilla of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de beauvois) (Hemiptera: Miridae)

Abstract Sensilla on the antennae of adult and last-instar nymphs of the tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris (Hemiptera: Miridae), were examined with light, scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Six different types were identified in adult females and males and 5 types in last-instar nymphs: types 1 and 4 are sensilla trichodea, 2 and 3 are sensilla chaetica, and 5 and 6 are sensilla basiconica. Type 1 are located at distal region of terminal segment and type 2 are located at distal regions of proximal 3 segments in both adults and nymphs. Type 3 is present on all segments, more numerous on scape and pedicel and less abundant on distal third and fourth segments in both adult and nymphal stages. Types 4 and 6 are absent on the scape and present on the distal 3 antennal segments in adults, but they are present only on the distal-most antennal segment in nymphs. Type 5 sensilla are present only on second antennal segments in adults and are absent in nymphs. Sexual dimorphism is observed in total numbers: there are significantly more type(s) 3, 4, 5 and 6 sensilla in adult males than adult females. Types 1, 4 and 5 are multiporous with thin cuticle, branched dendrites and pore tubules which suggests an olfactory function. These sensilla have 3, 3 and 2 neurons, respectively. The type 6 sensillum has an apical pore and pores in the cuticular wall, and is innervated by 5 nerve cells with unbranched dendrites. Sensillar types 2 and 3 have thick cuticle, a single apical pore and nerve cells with unbranched dendrites. Type 2 has 1 neuron and type 3 has 2 chambers and 2 nerve cells.
A new coated self-expanding metal stent for malignant esophageal strictures.

The development of self-expanding metallic stents (SEMS) is an important medical advance. Not only is the concept new and exciting but this technology has the potential to be utilized by a wide range of subspecialties. For any physician-cloggologist who deals with obstructed biologic cylinders, this new technology has potential. 1 Already these devices have been placed in obstructed ureters, urethras, coronary arteries, and other blood vessels. Their main application to date for digestive diseases has been in the obstructed biliary tree. 2 A logical extension would be to use this device for obstructions in the esophagus. Song et al., 3 in Korea, and Schaer et al., 4 in Oregon, reported palliative therapy for esophagogastric neoplasms using a modified Gianturco ® stent. Domschke et al. 5 reported the use of an uncoated metallic Wallstent ® in a single patient with esophageal cancer. Although, SEMS are very appealing because they are delivered in a small diameter device, but expand to a much larger size after they are deployed, they do have some limitations. For the most part, the SEMS used to date are not coated and after placement there is space between the metallic lattices. This provides a space through which tumor ingrowth can and has occurred. Also, once implanted endoscopic removal is virtually impossible. Therefore, it seemed relevant to develop a coated stent which would prevent tumor ingrowth, allow removal, and possibly be impregnated with an active pharmacologic agent.
Charge emission induced transient leakage currents of a-Si:H and IGZO TFTs on flexible plastic substrates

The transient off-state thermal emission leakage currents of hydrogenated amorphous silicon ( a -Si) and indium gallium zinc oxide (IGZO) metal oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) fabricated on flexible plastic substrates have been examined for the first time. The transient leakage currents resulting from the detrapping of charge in the TFT active layer were observed to decay in a 1/ t power law behaviour from 2 to 100 ms after switching the TFT test structures off. The results demonstrated a uniform density of states for both types of thin-film devices and an ~1.3× higher transient leakage current for the IGZO TFTs. It was also shown that the observed transient leakage currents result in a shot noise at the input to the data-line charge integration amplifiers that is 20 × larger than predicted by using only the conventional static DC TFT leakage current measurements.
REM: A runtime browser extension manager with fine-grained access control

In this paper we implement a runtime framework that monitors the accesses made by third party Chrome extensions, informs users of the accesses, & allows them to customize extension permissions. The custom permission settings are enforced by the framework at runtime. We evaluated our framework on popular Chrome extensions and were successful in monitoring and controlling their accesses with little overhead.
Bilayer Mixing, Fusion, and Lysis Following the Interaction of Populations of Cationic and Anionic Phospholipid Bilayer Vesicles

Cationic, O-alkylphosphatidylcholines, recently developed as DNA transfection agents, form bilayers indistinguishable from those of natural phospholipids and undergo fusion with anionic bilayers. Membrane merging (lipid mixing), contents release, and contents mixing between populations of positive vesicles containing O-ethylphosphatidylcholine (EDOPC) and negative vesicles containing dioleolylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) have been determined with standard fluorometric vesicle-population assays. Surface-charge densities were varied from zero to full charge. All interactions depended critically on surface-charge density, as expected from the adhesion-condensation mechanism. Membrane mixing ranged from zero to 100%, with significant mixing (>10 <70%) occurring between cationic vesicles that were fully charged and anionic vesicles that had fractional surface charges as low as 0.1. Such mixing with membranes as weakly charged as cell membranes should be relevant to transfection with cationic lipids. Unexpectedly, lipid mixing was higher at high than at low ionic strength when one lipid dispersion was prepared from EDOPC plus DOPG (in different proportions), especially when the other vesicles were of EDOPC; this may somehow be a consequence of the ability of the former mixture to assume non-lamellar phases. Leakage of aqueous contents was also a strong function of charge, with fully charged vesicles releasing essentially all of their contents less than 1 min after mixing. EDOPC was more active in this regard than was DOPG, which probably reflects stronger intermolecular interactions of DOPG. Fusion, as measured by contents mixing, exhibited maximal values of 10% at intermediate surface charge. Reduced fusion at higher charge is attributed to multiple vesicle interactions leading to rupture. The existence of previously published data on individual interactions of vesicles of the same composition made it possible for the first time to compare pairwise with population interactions, confirming the likelihood of population studies to overestimate rupture and hemifusion and underestimate true vesicle fusion.
Morals and Moral Regulation in Protestant France

The investigation by the consistory of the Reformed Church of Montauban of an unmarried pregnancy and attempted abortion in the sixteenth century offers important insights into moral and social relationships within the early modern European community. Though the effect of the consistory's activities on the lives of those that it sought to discipline ought not be overestimated (intrusive as those activities might be by modern standards), a close reading of the narrative embedded in the consistorial records provides a valuable understanding of the Protestant church's role in reordering traditional attitudes and everyday behavior.
Long-term chemical effects of petroleum in south Louisiana wetlands—I. Organic carbon in sediments and waters☆

Abstract The chemical effects of chronic petroleum input into a shallow water marsh were examined by measuring hydrocarbon levels and dissolved organic carbon content of sediments associated with two active oil fields in south Louisiana. Annual levels of total organic carbon in the surface waters of the oil fields were higher by 1 mg C/l. in the salt marsh and 5 mg C/l. in the fresh marsh than the respective controlsites. Average dissolved organic carbon concentrations in the interstitial waters of cores taken within the oil field environments were 105% higher than the control in the salt marsh and 43% higher than the control in the fresh marsh. Significantly lower ratios of C17 to pristane occurred in both oil field sediments; however, average odd-even predominance values were not indicative of petroleum contaminated sediments. The results indicate that microbial processes are responsible for dissolution of petroleum into dissolved organic carbon and that dissolved organic carbon concentrations may be a more significant measure of chronic petroleum input than hydrocarbon distribution.
Diaspora Identities and Language

Recent developments in diaspora studies show the importance of language in constructing and negotiating diaspora identities and relationships. However, scholars in linguistics-based fields have not...