cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
406 PROPHYLACTIC INDOMETHACIN: EFFECTS ON RENAL FUNCTION

This controlled, double-blind, study assessed the renal impact of early (< 12 hr postnatal age) indomethacin [I], for prevention of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), in O2 dependent inborn infants with birth weights (BW)≤1300 gm. Fifty infants randomly received 3 IV doses of [I] or placebo [P] at 12 hr intervals. Dose1 (D1) was 0.2 mg/kg;D2 and D3 were 0.1 mg/kg each. Fluid balance, serum sodium (Na), potassium (K), creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and fractional Na excretion (FENa) were evaluated pre-D1, 6-12 hr post-D1, 12-36 hr post-D3, and 1 wk post-D3. Timed urine specimens were used to derive Cr clearance (CCr) post-D3 and 1 wk post-D3. The 25 infants in each group were comparable in BW, gestational age, APGARs, pH and base excess at study entry. [I]-treated infants had reduced urine output (UO) in the 12 hr period following D1 that was no longer evident post-D3. Fluid intake, Na, K, BUN, Cr, FENa, and CCF were similar throughout the study. Renal data (x±SEM) revealed: In contrast to reports of renal dysfunction induced by indomethacin therapy for symptomatic PDA, early [I] appears to alter renal function minimally in prematures without significant PDA.
Adaptive real-time interfaces for wheelchair-mounted manipulators in unstructured environments

Independence in the development of daily tasks, such as grasping and moving objects, play a key role in the well being of people who are physically challenged due to impartment in their upper extremities. New technologies in the form of robotic manipulators resembling human-scale arms may present a promising future, provided that they can be controlled in ways that resemble human movements[1]. Our work addresses the multi-degree control of a wheelchair-mounted manipulator that provides the user with increased independence in unstructured environments by the implementation and developing of customized human-machine interfaces.
The use of computers in ambulatory care: Lessons from 3000 encounters

Abstract Automated protocols have been developed which guide minimally trained aides in collecting clinical data from ambulatory patients. Each protocol is keyed to a frequently occurring reason for patient visits. The protocols have been developed to save physician time and, in some cases, physician visits.
Transfer RNA methylase activity in a pre-embryonic tissue.

Abstract 1. 1. Transfer RNA methylase specific activity of unfertilized Flounder roe was approximately 2-2·5 times higher than the enzyme activity from liver and intestine of young and adult fish. 2. 2. The increased activity in the roe was due to a N2,N2-dimethylguanine methylase which constituted 88% of the total roe methylase activity. 3. 3. There was a tRNA methylase inhibitor present in young and adult fish organs which was not demonstrable in the unfertilized roe.
New Potential for Classical Biological Control ofEucallipterus tiliae(Homoptera: Drepanosiphidae)

Abstract Biological control efforts in California directed against the linden aphid (Eucallipterus tiliae) have been predicated on the basis that the aphid is native to Europe. Although several European parasitoids have become established and attackE. tiliaein California, complete control has not been achieved; the aphid is a problem in Europe as well. New records ofE. tiliaefrom eastern Asia suggest that the aphid may be native there. This area has the greatest species diversity of both the host genus (Tilia) and the other linden-feeding drepanosiphid aphids. It is recommended that any further efforts for locating importable natural enemies be focused in this region.
Alzheimer’s as a metabolic disease

Empirical evidence indicates that impaired mitochondrial energy metabolism is the defining characteristic of almost all cases of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Evidence is reviewed supporting the general hypothesis that the up-regulation of OxPhos activity, a metabolic response to mitochondrial dysregulation, drives the cascade of events leading to AD. This mode of metabolic alteration, called the Inverse Warburg effect, is postulated as an essential compensatory mechanism of energy production to maintain the viability of impaired neuronal cells. This article appeals to the inverse comorbidity of cancer and AD to show that the amyloid hypothesis, a genetic and neuron-centric model of the origin of sporadic forms of AD, is not consistent with epidemiological data concerning the age-incidence rates of AD. A view of Alzheimer's as a metabolic disease-a condition consistent with mitochondrial dysregulation and the Inverse Warburg effect, will entail a radically new approach to diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.
The Pichia pastoris HIS4 gene: nucleotide sequence, creation of a non-reverting his4 deletion mutant, and development of HIS4-based replicating and integrating plasmids.

We have obtained a clone of the Pichia pastoris HIS4 gene and have determined its nucleotide sequence. Based upon its deduced amino-acid sequence, the product of the P. pastoris HIS4 gene has the same structural organization as the Saccharomyces cerevisiae His4 protein and appears to encode a trifunctional enzyme catalyzing the second (phosphoribosyl-ATP pyrophosphohydrolase), third (phosphoribosyl-AMP cyclohydrolase), and tenth (histidinol dehydrogenase) steps in histidine biosynthesis. The chromosomal copy of the HIS4 gene was disrupted by homologous recombination, creating the strain SGY58. The his4Δ deletion mutation in this strain lacks the entire coding region of this gene and has a reversion rate that is undetectable. A set of complementary plasmids that carry the HIS4 gene was also developed. Among these are nine E. coli-P. pastoris shuttle vectors that transform the His4Δ deletion mutant at high efficiency and an integration vector for creating site-specific alterations of the P. pastoris genome.
Ultrasonography of the Thyroid and Parathyroid Glands

High-resolution thyroid and parathyroid ultrasonography can play an integral part in the diagnosis and management of patients with clinically undifferentiated cervical masses, thyroid carcinomas or adenomas, and primary parathyroid hyperplasia or neoplasia. Because the study is inexpensive, noninvasive, and easily performed, ultrasonography can be performed as a screening test early in the evaluation of a patient, and ultrasound findings can corroborate the results of other diagnostic procedures, leading to a more accurate diagnosis.
Immaterial Objects: Things in Dreams

AbstractThe article presents an alternative world to that of discrete material objects, a world of "dream things." I call it a world because it is organized and various, sensually perceptible, collectively recognized and participated in, represented, theorized and, from the perspectives of the populous genre of the dreambook, early modern dream records, and the customs of the Iroquois and Montagnais nations (among others) during the late contact period, consequential. The article focuses on two of most "thing-like" phenomena in the cultural field of dreams, the dream dictionary and the individual dream about an existing object. It moves chronologically from the medieval corpus of dreambooks (as collated from numerous manuscripts of the Somnium Danielis) to early modern instances of a new genre, the personal dream record, in order to consider the difference made by a developing sense of property (and dream) as private. It concludes by examining a mid-seventeenth-century Huron Indian dream recorded by the J...
A Lewis Acid Promoted Asymmetric Umpolung Reaction with ChiralN‐Sulfinyl Imines as the Electrophiles

An new asymmetric umpolung reaction has been developed by reacting N-sulfinyl imines with 2-lithio-2-phenyl-1,3-dithiane. The reaction was conducted at between –20 and–25 °C in THF in the presence of Et2AlCl as the Lewis acid promoter. Excellent diastereoselectivities (up to >95 % de) and chemical yields (64–95 %) have been achieved for nine substrates with all individual isomers separated and characterized. The absolute structure of the chiral products has been unambiguously determined by synthetic conversions to a known sample. 2-Lithio-2-phenyl-1,3-dithiane was found to be much less reactive than its 2-methyl counterpart, which was reported very recently. All individual isomers have been readily separated by column chromatography. The absolute structure of the chiral products has been unambiguously determined by conversion into a known compound. This method provides an easy access to enantiomerically pure α-amino ketones. (© Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2005)
On the particle size effect in slurry erosion

Abstract The erosion rates of cylindrical steel specimens tested at a constant speed of 18.7 m s −1 in an erosion pot tester using 1.2 wt.% suspension of SiC in oil for particle diameters between 20 and 500 μm have been determined. The rate of particle impact on unit area of the surface at the stagnation line of erosion specimens was established as a function of particle size by short-time erosion tests, allowing a calculation of the mean mass removed for each particle impact as a function of particle size. These values were compared with the kinetic energy of particles using impact velocity values derived from a model of suspension flow. Results show that the decrease in erosion rate with decreasing particle size for suspensions of constant solids loading reflects the decrease in the proportion of particles impacting the target surface as well as the decrease in impact velocity. A value of about 24 kJ g −1 is tentatively suggested for the energy of removal of P110 steel by erosion. It is concluded that for these dilute suspensions with particle sizes greater than about 100 μm the erosion rate is proportional to the kinetic energy dissipated by particles during impact, but for particle sizes less than 100 μm other metal removal mechanisms become increasingly significant.
Effect of polarization and absorption on differential cross sections and angular correlation parameters for electron excitation of helium

The effects of local polarization and absorption potentials on differential cross sections and angular correlation parameters are studied within the distorted-wave approximation for electron excitation of the $2^{1}P$ state of helium. For examining the effect of local polarization, we have compared a recent numerical self-consistent adiabatic polarization potential for helium with the commonly used hydrogenic adiabatic polarization potential. Different radial regions for the polarization potential were studied to determine their contribution to the overall effect of polarization. Calculations are also presented which show the effects of different strengths for a local absorption potential.
Solid boron and antimony doping of Si and SiGe grown by gas source molecular beam epitaxy

Solid boron and antimony doping of silicon and SiGe grown by molecular beam epitaxy using disilane and germane as sources has been studied. Elemental boron is a well behaved p-type dopant. At effusion cell temperatures of 1700–1750°C, hole carrier concentrations in the 1020 cm−3 range have been obtained. Elemental antimony doping shows surface segregation problems. For uniformly doped layers, the as-grown materials do not show n-type conductivity. Electron concentrations in the 1017 cm−3 range were obtained by post-growth conventional and rapid thermal annealing at 900 and 1000°C, respectively. The electron Hall mobility improves with optimum annealing time. Delta doping of buried layers exhibits slightly better incorporation behavior including significant surface riding effects.
CLONING AND ANALYSIS OF THE DNAG GENE ENCODING PSEUDOMONAS PUTIDA DNA PRIMASE

The dnaG gene coding for primase, a key enzyme in DNA replication, has been isolated from chromosomal DNA of the soil bacterium Pseudomonas putida. It maps within the putative MMS operon, between the rpsU and rpoD genes. Comparison of the deduced amino acid sequence of P. putida DnaG with sequences of other known bacterial primases reveals the presence of a possible regulatory region which would be unique to pseudomonads. The analysis of nucleotide sequence suggests that stable folding of the dnaG mRNA may significantly contribute to the low level of its expression within a cell.
The structures and stabilities of H4C2N2 isomers

Abstract Ab initio SCF calculations have been carried out to compare the stabilities of aminoacetonitrile, and of eleven isodesmic H 4 C 2 N 2 species. It was found that aminoacetonitrile is the most stable. Each of the other eleven molecules contains two CN double bonds, and the largest stability differences arise from whether the central bond is a single CC, CN or NN bond. The most stable structures are with a CC single bond. Stability differences also arise from trans versus cis and transoid versus cisoid configuration differences. These appear to be related to conjugation along the nitrogen and carbon skeletons or to intramolecular hydrogen bonding. The species are potentially important prebiotic species and interstellar molecules, and rotational constants have been calculated to help facilitate spectroscopic identification.
Transformational leadership, goal difficulty, and job design: independent and interactive effects on employee outcomes

Abstract A field study of 209 leader–follower dyads from 12 different organizations was conducted to test the moderating effects of job enrichment and goal difficulty on the relationship between transformational leadership and three follower outcomes: performance, affective organizational commitment, and organizational citizenship behavior. Moderated regression analyses were conducted to test for direct and moderated relationships. Transformational leadership and job enrichment each had significant main effects. In addition, we found that job enrichment substituted for the effects of transformational leadership on affective commitment, whereas goal setting enhanced relationships between transformational leadership and both affective commitment and performance.
A complete axiomatization of finite-state ACSR processes

A real-time process algebra, called ACSR, has been developed to facilitate the specification and analysis of real-time systems. ACSR supports synchronous timed actions and asynchronous instantaneous events. Timed actions are used to represent the usage of resources and to model the passage of time. Events are used to capture synchronization between processes. To be able to specify real-time systems accurately, ACSR supports a notion of priority that can be used to arbitrate among timed actions competing for the use of resources and among events that are ready for synchronization. In addition to operators common to process algebra, ACSR includes the scope operator, which can be used to model timeouts and interrupts. Equivalence between ACSR terms is based on the notion of strong bisimulation. This paper briefly describes the syntax and semantics of ACSR and then presents a set of algebraic laws that can be used to prove equivalence of ACSR processes. The contribution of this paper is the soundness and completeness proofs of this set of laws. The completeness proof is for finite-state ACSR processes, which are defined to be processes without free variables under parallel operator or scope operator.
Feeding enhancement by social attraction in the Sandwich Tern

A controversy exists over the relative roles of feeding enhancement and predation in shaping the flocking behavior of birds. We examined social attraction among foraging Sandwich Terns, Sterna sandvicensis, in the Gulf of Mexico. The prediction that foraging terns would coalesce at a spot where another bird dove was supported. Approach took place within seconds, occurred over a distance of at least 500 m, and lasted about 10 to 20 s after the food source dissipated. Although social attraction appears to play a major role in the feeding of the terns, this need not be construed as evidence against a similarly important role for predation in shaping social foraging behavior.
Asthma predicts 8-year incidence of obstructive sleep apnea in the Wisconsin sleep cohort

Introduction Cross-sectionally, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is more common among asthmatics, but whether asthma promotes development of OSA in adulthood remains unknown. We investigated whether the presence or development of asthma is associated with risk of new-onset OSA in Wisconsin Sleep Cohort Study (WSCS) participants. Materials and methods At four-year intervals, WSCS participants (ages 30–60 years in 1988) completed in-laboratory polysomnography, clinical assessments, and health history questionnaires. We used logistic regression to model the association of presence of asthma and odds of incident 8-year OSA (apnea–hypopnea index (AHI) ⩾ 5 or OSA treatment initiation) among participants free of OSA (apnea–hypopnea index Results Of 1545 WSCS participants with baseline studies, 773 had no OSA at baseline and an 8-year follow-up study. Of these 773 participants, 201 had asthma (61 childhood-onset, 140 adult-onset). Relative to those without asthma, those with asthma at any age had 1.70 times (95% CI = 1.15–2.51) greater odds of new-onset OSA. Each increment in asthma duration of 5 years was associated with 10% higher odds (1.01–1.19) of new-onset OSA at 8-year follow-up. Relative to no asthma, childhood-onset asthma was associated with 2.34 times (1.25–4.37) and adult-onset asthma with 1.48 times (0.92–2.36) greater odds of new-onset OSA. There were 45 subjects who developed asthma during follow-up. New-onset asthma was unassociated with new-onset OSA, both in the model that included asthma with onset at any age (which remained significantly associated 1.67 times (1.12–2.50) and when stratified by age of onset (childhood- onset 2.28 [1.24–4.20] and adult-onset asthma 1.44 [0.88–2.35]). Conclusion In adults, presence of asthma, particularly childhood-onset asthma, predicted 8-year risk of developing OSA. Incremental asthma duration by 5 years was associated with 10% higher odds for OSA 8 years later. Whether and how intrinsic disease characteristics or associated features starting early in life affect upper airway patency during sleep remains unknown. Acknowledgements This work was supported by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R01HL62252) and the National Center for Research Resources (1UL1RR025011) at the National Institutes of Health.
Field studies on osmoconditioning soybeans

Abstract Germination and emergence are frequently poor when soils are cold and wet. Osmoconditioning of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] seed has been suggested as a means to improve emergence under these soil conditions. The objective of this study was to field test three osmoconditioning treatments against an untreated control on cultivars in maturity groups 00 through V to evaluate the potential of this technique. The osmoconditioning treatments included polyethylene glycol (PEG), mannitol and water-soaking. Combined results from 1983 and 1984 indicate that PEG improves (P
Suspected diphtheria in an Uzbek national: isolation of Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum resulted in a false-positive presumptive diagnosis.

Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection is still epidemic in the states of the former Soviet Union. To date, no cases have been exported to the United States [1]. An Uzbek national developed severe pharyngitis shortly after entering the United States. Recovery of Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum complicated the diagnostic process. The ubiquity of this organism should be more widely recognized. Three days after arriving in the United States from his native Uzbekistan, a 32-year-old airline crew member was admitted to the hospital with a progressively severe sore throat and dysphagia of 2 days' duration. He noted that he had received "all" immunizations as a child but did not recall any specific details. He was unaware of recent illness in his family, the airline crew, or close contacts. His temperature was 102?F. His tonsils were enlarged bilaterally, and a grayish-white exudate extended from the tonsil to the posterior pharyngeal wall (figure 1). The uvula and soft palate were erythematous and edematous, and there was tender cervical lymphadenopathy. The leukocyte count was 22,000/4tL. Duplicate rapid screening tests for group A streptococci were negative. Epstein-Barr virus IgM viral capsid antigen titers were < 1:10. The patient's history and the findings raised the possibility of imported diphtheria. After consultation with the local health department and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 40,000 units of equine diphtheria antitoxin was administered intravenously. Treatment with im procaine penicillin G (600,000 units every 12 hours) was given and changed to that with oral erythromycin after the patient's clinical condition rapidly improved within 24 hours. Cultures of the pharyngeal exudate yielded only a mixture of normal flora. Cultures of nasopharyngeal secretions yielded a heavy, pure growth of pale grayish-white colonies on blood agar and black colonies with a gray halo on Tindale's agar. A gram stain showed gram-positive club-shaped bacilli forming "Chinese letters," which were consistent with C. diphtheriae. On biochemical testing, however, the organism was identified as C. pseudodiphtheriticum.
Lack of Effect of Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide on Hepatic and Extrahepatic Insulin Action

To assess the influence of enteric factors on insulin action, seven lean healthy subjects were studied under conditions of hyperinsulinemic euglycemic glucose clamp, double isotope administration, and enteral vs. parenteral glucose infusion. In random order, glucose and mannitol radiolabeled with [2-3H]glucose were infused intraduodenally for 4 h while the systemic rate of glucose turnover was assessed by [6-14C]glucose. During the final hour of the study, plasma glucose, insulin, C-peptide, glucagon, cholecystokinin, and neurotensin were similar under both experimental conditions. Despite an increase in gastric inhibitory polypeptide concentration during combined enteral and iv glucose infusion to levels that mimicked meal ingestion, total glucose infusion rate, insulin-induced stimulation of glucose uptake, and insulin-induced suppression of hepatic glucose release were comparable to those observed during v glucose administration. These data indicate that under con-ditions of modest hyperinsulinemia and...
A New Proof of the Neyman–Pearson Theorem Using the EEF and the Vindication of Sir R. Fisher

The Neyman-Pearson theorem for the problem of simple hypothesis testing provides the fundamental approach to signal detection. In this letter we present a new proof that leverages the properties of exponential probability density function families and furthermore links parameter estimation to detection, a point of contention between Neyman-Pearson and Fisher. The new proof also provides corollaries concerning known properties of the receiver operating characteristics. Finally, a geometric interpretation to the problem of signal detection is given, which can provide much insight into its solution.
Examination of implementation of intravenous and subcutaneous insulin protocols and glycemic control in heart transplant patients.

Objective: Perioperative glycemic management is particularly challenging in heart transplant (HT) patients who are on high-dose steroids and subject to surgical stress. The objective of the study was to examine the efficacy and safety of perioperative insulin administration in HT patients with and without diabetes.Methods: Medical records of 71 HT patients from June 1, 2005 to July 31, 2009 whose hyperglycemia was managed by our Glucose Management Service (GMS) were analyzed for up to 1 year after HT. Their daily blood glucose (BG) averages on intravenous (IV) insulin drips and subcutaneous (SQ) insulin, hypoglycemia rates, reasons for hypoglycemia, and deviations from insulin protocols were analyzed.Results: Daily BG averages between diabetic (DM) and nondiabetic (nonDM) patients were not significantly different while on the drip but were significantly different for first 5 days on SQ (P<.05). The daily insulin glargine doses were similar. No patients developed severe hypoglycemia (BG ≤40 mg/dL) while on...
Spectral observations of the extreme ultraviolet background.

The design of a grazing incidence spectrometer for measuring the diffusive extreme-ultraviolet astronomical background radiation is outlined, and the data obtained on the diffusive background between 80 and 650 A is discussed. The strongest emission line detected is solar backscattered He I 584 A radiation; solar 304 A radiation resonantly scattered by geocoronal He II is observed in both first and second order; and each of three remaining spectral features is found to be consistent with those expected from hot interstellar gas. Of these features, the strongest is the feature at 635 A identified as 630 A O v emission. A feature centered at about 99 A is fitted by a cluster of Fe XVIII and Fe XIX lines from gas at log T = 6.6-6.8, and a feature discovered near 178 A is found to be consistent with Fe X and Fe XI emission from gas at log T = 6.
A biologically active acid hydrolysis product of saxitoxin.

Abstract The preparation, purification, and biological and chemical properties of a decarbamylated product of saxitoxin are described.
A flexible parallel architecture adapted to block-matching motion-estimation algorithms

This paper describes a novel architecture that offers the flexibility of implementing widely varying motion-estimation algorithms. To achieve real-time performance, we employ multiple processing elements (PE's) which communicate with multiple memory banks via a multistage interconnection network. Three different block-matching algorithms-full search, three-step search, and conjugate-direction search-have been mapped onto this architecture to illustrate its programmability. We schedule the desired operations and design the required data-flow in such a way that processor utilization is high and memory bandwidth is at a feasible level. The details regarding the flow of the pixel data and the scheduling and allocation of the desired ALU operations (which pixels are processed on which processors in which clock cycles) are described in the paper. We analyze the performance of the proposed architecture for several different interconnection networks and data-memory organizations.
TH‐E‐224C‐06: The Effect of Dental Restorations and Fixed Prosthodontics On Radiation Therapy Dose Distribution: A Monte Carlo Study

Purpose: To investigate the effect of dental restorations, fixed prosthodontics, and implants on dose distributions in head and neck radiation therapy using Monte Carlo simulations. Specifically, we seek to understand how to prevent localized mucositis caused by backscatterdose.Method and Materials: Simplified models of a range of dental restorations, fixed prosthodontics, and implants were constructed using a representative sample of materials and configurations. These models were irradiated with a simulated 6MV lateral beam. The resulting dose distributions were compared against dose distributions on models without dental work. Results: Exposed dental alloy (Au‐Pd) caused the most significant amount of backscatter, and corresponding hot spots in the dose distribution. Dental alloy which was surrounded by porcelain also caused backscatter hot spots, although lower compared to exposed metal. These backscatter effects do not appear in pencil beam dose calculations. This work showed that backscatter from dental work caused a dose enhancement of up to 40% at a distance of 1mm in the upstream direction for exposed metal surfaces. The dose enhancement from porcelain‐veneered materials was up to 20% 1mm from the surface. The smaller enhancement was attributed to absorbtion within the ceramic veneer. Isodose lines for the backscatter formed a contour roughly conforming to the shape of the dental work. Beyond 3mm from the surface of the prosthodontic device, the dose enhancement had completely decayed. Conclusion: The metal content of dental restorations and fixed prosthodontics create significant enhanced dose to adjacent soft tissue. This is a major cause of morbidity. Since we have shown that the enhancement decays at a distance of about 3mm in tissue‐equivalent material, we may reduce the likelihood and intensity of mucositis by displacing the soft tissue from the teeth with 3mm of tissue‐equivalent material.
Supporting collaborative design groups as design communities

Abstract This paper explores computer support for unstructured collaboration. It describes a web-based online environment that was used in conjunction with a graduate-level architectural studio, giving special attention to patterns of online behavior and the perceptions of those who used the environment. Asynchronous collaborative environments like the one studied may alleviate certain problems like evaluation apprehension and production-blocking but will not on their own motivate group contributions in an unstructured setting. It was hypothesized that open participation can be fostered by a sense of community, which in turn at least partially depends on factors intrinsic to the support environment. The environment studied failed to promote open interaction and did not appear to sustain a strong sense of community. Environmental factors thought to have played a role include page structuring, page-naming conventions, and the spatial clustering of text-based exchanges.
An empirically based computer-aided design procedure for closed die forgings

The application of computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) techniques to forgings is gaining popularity as the resulting productivity improvements are becoming more and more apparent. The use of computerized techniques for the analysis and design for forging dies has considerably augmented the experience and skill of the die designer.
Phenolic Bioactive Modulation by Lactobacillus acidophilus Mediated Fermentation of Cherry Extracts for Anti-Diabetic Functionality, Helicobacter pylori inhibition and Probiotic Bifidobacterium longum Stimulation

Cherry juice from one cultivar was fermented for 0, 24, 48, and 72 h using Lactobacillus acidophilus, and its effects related to management of hyperglycemia, hypertension, inhibition of Helicobacter pylori, and proliferation of probiotic Bifidobacterium longum were evaluated using in vitro models. Cherry extract was fermented by initially adjusting the pH to 6.0 and at the natural acidic pH. Analysis was carried out by adjusting the pH and at fermented acidic pH at each time point from each of the two samples. Total soluble phenolics decreased over a period of 72 h for initial pH adjusted samples whereas it increased or remained constant for natural acidic pH samples. DPPH linked antioxidant activity and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity decreased for samples where final pH was adjusted whereas it increased for natural acidic pH samples. Fermentation led to a decrease in hypertension-relevant ACE inhibitory activity for all samples. Natural acidic pH samples had Helicobacter pylori inhibitory activity at ...
Controlling the Spread of Disease in Schools

Pandemic and seasonal infectious diseases such as influenza may have serious negative health and economic consequences. Certain non-pharmaceutical intervention strategies – including school closures – can be implemented rapidly as a first line of defense against spread. Such interventions attempt to reduce the effective number of contacts between individuals within a community; yet the efficacy of closing schools to reduce disease transmission is unclear, and closures certainly result in significant economic impacts for caregivers who must stay at home to care for their children. Using individual-based computer simulation models to trace contacts among schoolchildren within a stereotypical school setting, we show how alternative school-based disease interventions have great potential to be as effective as traditional school closures without the corresponding loss of workforce and economic impacts.
Late quaternary alluviation and soil formation in the southern Argolid: its history, causes and archaeological implications

Abstract In the context of an archaeological survey of the southern Argolid, Greece, studies have been carried out to elucidate the evolution of the landscape since its earliest known human occupation about 50,000 years ago. One of these studies was a detailed geological mapping of the late Quaternary alluvium and soils in the area. Dated by means of thorium-uranium disequilibria, archaeological finds, and historical information, seven periods of alluviation were identified, each of short duration relative to long intervening periods of stability and soil formation. The three earliest alluvial phases, falling before and during the last glacial interval, range from about 330,000 to 32,000 years in age. No alluviation accompanied the last glacial maximum around 20,000 years ago. In fact, a stable landscape persisted until about 4500 years ago, when debris flows and widespread aggradation in the valleys resulted from major slope destabilization and soil erosion, probably as a result of extensive land clearance in the Early Bronze Age. A subsequent stable period lasted through the many upheavals of the later Bronze Age, the Dark Ages, and the early historical period. It came to an end with a brief phase of alluviation between about 300 and 50 BC. Stability returned through the late Roman period, notwithstanding considerable expansion of the settled area. Another period of destabilization, this one marked by debris flows and hence major soil erosion, is poorly fixed in time, but probably coincides with expanded maquis clearance accompanying the resettlement of the area around AD 1000. Subsequent events of soil erosion and aggradation vary in nature and timing from one drainage to the next and, in some areas, continue today. Nature and chronology of the soil forming and alluviation events show that simple correlations with climatic events do not suffice to explain them. For the latter ones, past about 2500 BC, human activity seems to be the dominant cause, but once again the relation between cause and effect is not straightforward. Land clearing, or neglect of soil conservation efforts during economic downturns, appear to have a more devastating effect upon the landscape than do intensive land use or total land abandonment.
Regional cerebral blood flow during the Wisconsin Card Sort Test in schizotypal personality disorder

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) was measured by single photon emission computed tomography in 10 patients with schizotypal personality disorder (SPD) and nine age- and sex-matched normal volunteers. Subjects performed both the Wisconsin Card Sort Test (WCST) and a control task, the Symbol Matching Test (SMT). Four-way analyses of variance were performed to assess relative rCBF of the prefrontal cortex and of the medial temporal region. Normal volunteers showed more marked activation in the precentral gyrus, while SPD patients showed greater activation in the middle frontal gyrus. Relative flow in the left prefrontal cortex was correlated with better WCST performance in normal volunteers. SPD patients, however, showed no such correlations in the left prefrontal cortex, but demonstrated correlations of good and bad performance with CBF in the right middle and inferior frontal gyrus, respectively. Thus, at least some SPD patients demonstrate abnormal patterns of prefrontal activation, perhaps as a compensation for dysfunction in other regions.
Molecular genetic analysis of clear cell adenocarcinomas of the vagina and cervix associated and unassociated with diethylstilbestrol exposure in utero.

BACKGROUND Prenatal exposure to the synthetic estrogen diethylstilbestrol (DES) is associated with the subsequent development of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the lower reproductive tract in young women, and data concerning the molecular genetic alterations involved in the etiology of this tumor type have not previously been reported. Such knowledge would be of potential value by providing insight into the molecular mechanisms of hormonal carcinogenesis in general, as well as by suggesting molecular markers for risk assessment in the estrogen-exposed population. METHODS A total of 24 samples of clear cell adenocarcinoma of the vagina or cervix, 16 associated with exposure in utero to DES and 8 with no history of DES exposure, were obtained as archival fixed and embedded tissue specimens. DNA was purified from these tissues and used to examine a number of biologically plausible molecular genetic endpoints for tumor specific alterations. RESULTS No evidence was found for mutations in the K-ras or H-ras protooncogenes, the Wilms' tumor (WT1) tumor suppressor gene, or the estrogen receptor gene. Sporadic overexpression of the p53 tumor suppressor gene was detected in some tumor cell nuclei by immunohistochemistry, but in the absence of detectable p53 gene mutation. Genetic instability as manifested by somatic mutation of microsatellite repeats was widespread in these tumors, with evidence of microsatellite instability in all DES-associated tumors examined, and in 50% of those tumors not associated with DES exposure. CONCLUSIONS These data are consistent with the hypothesis that the induction of genomic instability may be an important mechanism of DES-induced carcinogenesis. Cancer 1996;77:507-14.
Origin of the LCME, the AAMC-AMA partnership for accreditation

The accrediting agency for U.S. and Canadian medical education programs, the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME), was founded 50 years ago at a 1942 meeting of leaders of the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) and the American Medical Association. The author, using sources fro
Describing commonalities in microbial effector delivery using the Gene Ontology

Myriad symbiotic microbes, ranging from mutualistic through to pathogenic, deliver 'effector' molecules into the cytoplasm or cellular milieu of their hosts to facilitate colonization. Among ecologically and evolutionarily diverse taxa, analogous processes and structures exist to facilitate effector delivery. These include syringe-like injection (bacteria and nematodes), common host-targeting signals (oomycetes and protozoans) and specialized intercellular structures (fungi and oomycetes). Here, we briefly introduce readers to the Gene Ontology (GO), a controlled vocabulary to facilitate comparative genomics of diverse taxa. We also summarize and compare selected mechanisms of effector delivery from various organisms and show how careful annotation of gene products with GO can reveal underlying similarities among diverse taxa.
Group Work as a Developmental Context: An Interview with Richard L. Hayes.

Abstract Richard L. Hayes shares his vision of group work and the values and philosophies guiding his practice and training.
Academic leadership and the restructuring of higher education

The key challenge to academic leadership is to restructure the allocation of academic assets, particularly the organization of the faculty, in ways that better serve emerging societal and scholarly needs.
The neuroimmunology of degeneration and regeneration in the peripheral nervous system

Peripheral nerves regenerate following injury due to the effective activation of the intrinsic growth capacity of the neurons and the formation of a permissive pathway for outgrowth due to Wallerian degeneration (WD). WD and subsequent regeneration are significantly influenced by various immune cells and the cytokines they secrete. Although macrophages have long been known to play a vital role in the degenerative process, recent work has pointed to their importance in influencing the regenerative capacity of peripheral neurons. In this review, we focus on the various immune cells, cytokines, and chemokines that make regeneration possible in the peripheral nervous system, with specific attention placed on the role macrophages play in this process.
Relationship between knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation guidelines and performance

Summary Objective Despite widespread training with CPR guidelines, CPR is often poorly performed. We explore relationships between knowledge of CPR guidelines and performance (compression rate, compression depth, compression to ventilation ratio, and ventilation volume). Methods Sixty professional EMTs were sampled at 26 randomly ordered EMS response stations from an urban system of 31 stations. A recording manikin and video model were used to assess performance in a standardized scenario, and a survey was used to assess guideline knowledge. Survey and performance outcomes were categorized prospectively as correct or incorrect based on the International CPR Guidelines from 2000. Relationships were modeled with logistic regression. Covariates included years of work experience, frequency of CPR performance, and ALS versus BLS EMT level. Results Compression rate was between 80 and 120min −1 in 56% (33/59) of trials. Compression depth was 1.5–2in. in 39% (23/59), compression to ventilation ratio approximated to 15:2 in 42% (25/59), and ventilation volume was 800–1200cm 3 in 13% (8/60). Accurate knowledge of the CPR guidelines was associated with better performance of chest compression rate and compression to ventilation ratio. Adjusted OR (95% CI) were 4.6 (1.2–18.1) for compression rate, 1.7 (0.4–6.5) for compression depth, 4.5 (1.1–18.5) for compression to ventilation ratio, and 9.0 (0.2–351) for ventilation volume. Conclusions Although accurate knowledge of guidelines is associated with increased odds of correct performance of some aspects of CPR, overall performance remains poor.
Effects of Cu surface roughness on TDDB for direct polishing ultra-low k dielectric Cu interconnects at 40nm technology node and beyond

The time-dependent dielectric breakdown (TDDB) reliability performance of back-end-of-line (BEOL) structures has been demonstrated to obviously correlate with the surface roughness of Cu metal line. Larger Cu surface roughness could induce the cracking of metal capping layer and the degradation of TDDB. More ultra-low k (ULK) polishing amount and higher de-ionized water (DIW) dilute ratio post-Cu chemical mechanical polishing (Cu-CMP) chemical cleaning process have been developed to reduce Cu surface roughness for better TDDB performance read-out. An optimized post-cleaning process with adjusted brush gap condition has been demonstrated to eliminate microscratch level with the improvements of the yield of Cu wide line serpent open test structures and TDDB performance at 28nm technology node.
Individual‐level correlates of sense of community: Findings from workplace and school

Since ties to others established through memberships in formal organizations are increasingly providing individuals with the social and emotional support they once drew from family and neighbors, it is important to consider the sense of community experienced by individuals in these contexts. In the present study, a new conceptual framework for understanding sense of community in workplaces and schools is presented, and the development and testing of a set of assessment instruments for use in these settings is described. Focusing on sense of community among employed adults and students in a research firm and three high schools, the study then explores both factors that may influence individuals' community experiences in organizations and the consequences these experiences may have for individuals. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Immunotherapy for allergic asthma

Specific allergen immunotherapy is an effective treatment of allergic asthma. Double-blind studies provide proof of benefit, although seasonal or intermittent asthma consistently responds better than perennial asthma. Advantages of immunotherapy compared with most pharmacotherapies include modification of the natural history of allergic disease, reduction of need for chronic medication, and treatment of both upper and lower airway disease simultaneously. Improvements in immunotherapy occurred in the later portion of the twentieth century because of enhanced understanding of immunotherapy's mechanism of action, recognition of the dose effect, and improved quality and consistency of allergen vaccines. Purified inhibitors of specific mediators of the allergic response, products of biotechnology, will probably lead to improvements of immunotherapy of asthma in the twenty-first century. The future of immunotherapy and other immunomodulation of allergic asthma is promising.
Ordering kinetics for O on W(110)

An analysis of peak-intensity-vs-time data for LEED from W(110)p(2 × 1)-O at saturation coverage is made to emphasize early times. From this analysis an exponent x ∼ 0.33 for the growth of the average size of ordered domains is extracted. Experimental evidence for a ground-state degeneracy p = 8 in this system is presented, supporting the existence of slow domain growth that is suggested by the growth exponent. The relationship to recent theoretical results is discussed.
The experimental study of passive materials

Abstract From electrical and optical experiments, one may determine, for a covering layer, the thickness, capacitance, average field, average internal current, and the steady state field. Existing theory does not explain satisfactorily why the average internal current can become temporarily greater than the external current. Ellipsometric measurements by Ord appear to show that there are two distinct layers on iron, and that during anodic oxidation the innermost layer can be converted into the outer one, as well as be formed itself from the metal.
An examination of the impact of victim, offender, and situational attributes on the deterrent effect of defensive gun use: A research note

This study used data on robberies and assaults from the 1992–99 National Crime Victimization Survey to determine whether victim, offender, and situational attributes moderate the deterrent effect of defensive gun use (DGU). The dependent variable examined in the study was victim injury, and the independent variables were victim, offender, and situational attributes, such as whether the victim engaged in DGU, victim gender, the number of offenders, and location of the incident. Multinomial logistic regression analyses indicated that the victim's gender, victim's household income, and location of the incident moderated the effect of DGU on injury. These findings suggest that while DGU provides a deterrent benefit for some, DGU does not significantly reduce the odds of injury for women or victims residing in low-income homes. The findings also indicate that the deterrent benefit of DGU is limited to urban settings.
Genetic and Environmental Factors Affecting Size of Body and Body Parts of Turkeys 2. The Relation of Body Weight and Certain Body Measurements to Pectoral and Tibial Muscle Weights

ABSTRACT BODY measurements of turkeys have been used to describe their conformation but, in many cases, the actual relationships between these measurements and the amount of flesh on different parts of the carcass have been undetermined. The objectives of some selection programs with turkeys have been somewhat illdefined in that they have not made it clear whether the ideal was a pleasing conformation, a relatively large amount of meat, or both. The actual correspondence between body measurements and the amount of flesh on the carcass can only be determined by studies of correlations between them. Such studies have been conducted on the phenotypic level with turkeys by Asmundson and Lerner (1940) and Berg and Shoffner (1954) and with chicken broilers by Frischknecht and Jull (1946), Blow and Glazener (1952) and Newell and Godfrey (1954), among others. Jaap, Renard and Buckingham (1950) have shown that strains of chickens vary in percentages of . . .