cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of colloidal bismuth subcitrate on aspirin-induced gastric microbleeding, DNA loss, and prostaglandin formation in humans.

Ten healthy young male subjects took part in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial to assess the effect of colloidal bismuth subcitrate (De-Nol®) on prostaglandin (PG) E2 generation and mucosal integrity in an aspirin (ASA)-treated stomach. After administration of ASA (2.5 g) plus placebo, a marked reduction in mucosal generation of PGE2 (by about 85%) was observed, and this was accompanied by a significant increase in gastric microbleeding and DNA loss and endoscopic and histologic damage of the mucosa. After the combination of De-Nol (300 mg four times daily) with ASA, mucosal generation of PGE2 showed a reduction similar to that in tests with ASA plus placebo, but gastric microbleeding and mucosal damage were significantly reduced. It is concluded that De-Nol has a protective action on ASA-induced gastric microbleeding and that this protection occurs despite a marked suppression of mucosal production of prostaglandins.
Synthesis, Structure, and α-Elimination Chemistry of Hafnocene Triarylstannyl Complexes

New hafnocene triarylstannyl complexes were prepared and were shown to undergo clean thermal decompositions via α-aryl-elimination to produce the corresponding stannylene and a hafnocene aryl complex. The rate of the decomposition is highly dependent on the nature of the ancillary ligand, with the stabilities of the CpCp*Hf(SnPh3)X compounds following the order X = NMe2 > Np (α-agostic) > OMe > Cl > Me. Mechanistic information suggests that α-aryl-elimination may be viewed as a concerted process involving nucleophilic attack of the migrating aryl group onto the electrophilic metal center.
Comparison of interstitial fluid and coronary venous adenosine levels in in vivo porcine myocardium.

Abstract There are numerous reports of interstitial fluid (ISF) and coronary venous adenosine measurements in isolated perfused hearts. This study was designed to simultaneously compare ISF and coronary venous adenosine concentrations during various interventions inin vivoporcine myocardium. In anesthetized, open-chest pigs, ISF adenosine, inosine, and hypoxanthine were sampled with cardiac microdialysis. Coronary sinus or venous purines were sampled with a metabolism-stop solution. During basal conditions, ISF adenosine was greater than coronary venous adenosine, but vascular inosine and hypoxanthine were greater than corresponding ISF levels. Dobutamine (20μg/kg/min, i.v.) and systemic hypoxia produced three- and two-fold increases in ISF adenosine, but had no significant effect on coronary sinus adenosine concentration. Hypoxia, but not dobutamine, increased coronary sinus total purines 50%. In contrast to these interventions, intracoronary adenosine infusion (0.5–50μg/kg/min) was associated with significantly greater coronary venous adenosine concentrations than ISF levels. Only during a coronary artery occlusion/reperfusion protocol were ISF and coronary venous adenosine concentrations comparable. The results of this study thus providein vivoevidence of the powerful endothelial and red blood cell metabolic barriers to both exogenous and endogenous adenosine. These results also illustrate the differences in adenosine concentrations in the ISF and vascular spaces.
Insulin and C-peptide levels following oral administration of insulin in intestinal-enzyme protected capsules

Abstract 1. 1. Crystalline beef insulin was administered orally in capsules composed of a methacrylic acid copolymer which prevented breakdown of the insulin by enteric and pancreatic peptidases. 2. 2. In studies performed in 3 individuals blood was sampled before oral ingestion of the insulin (40–144 units), and at 15 or 30 min intervals thereafter for 5.5 hr for measurement of immunoreactive insulin and C-peptide concentrations. 3. 3. Following the administration of oral insulin, plasma immunoreactive insulin concentrations became elevated 4–5 hr after ingestion. 4. 4. The rise in plasma insulin concentrations was associated with a corresponding fall in the concentration of C-peptide. 5. 5. The data suggest that this preparation of oral insulin can produce significant enteric absorption of the peptide, and that further investigation of agents that facilitate insulin absorption from the gut might render the use of methacrylic acid copolymer coated capsules a physiologically sound and a commercially feasible method of oral insulin administration.
Following the money: The globalization of capital flows and private equity

Global capital flows have long been the domain of the developed nations. The emerging markets, at best, have been nominal players. Today, the tables have begun to turn. The developing nations have become bigger players as global growth increasingly shifts toward the Middle East, Asia, Central Europe, and Latin America. Accordingly, global capital flows are slowly being reconfigured; in the future, flows will increasingly take the form of north-south movements, or flows between the developed and developing nations. They will also become south-south in nature, as well as south-north. Private equity, long driven by U.S. players, will become less U.S.-centric in the future. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Two distinct areas of unequal crossingover within the steroid 21-hydroxylase genes produce absence of CYP21B.

We mapped crossover sites in chimeric, recombinant CYP21 genes from six patients with salt-losing congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). Nucleotide sequences unique to the CYP21A pseudogene or to the active CYP21B gene were mapped using gene-specific restriction sites and oligonucleotide hybridizations. Each chimeric CYP21 gene in the CYP21-deletion linked haplotypes contained sequences near the 5′ end that were characteristic of CYP21A and only a single transition from sequences of CYP21A to those of CYP21B at the 3′ end. The transitions all occurred within either of two discrete regions (+470 to +999 and +1375 to +1993). All eight chimeric CYP21 genes coupled with HLA-Bw47 in five unrelated patients had the CYP21A-CYP21B sequence transition within the same gene region (+1375 to +1993). One of the three other “CYP21B deletion” haplotypes (HLA-B7) had a sequence transition within this same region, while in the other two haplotypes (HLA-B61 and HLA-B18) the transition occurred between base pairs +470 and +999. By contrast, both CYP21 genes in a haplotype containing a gene conversion of CYP21B to CYP21A contained apparent transitions between sequences of CYP21A and CYP21B. We conclude that a single, unequal crossingover between the CYP21A and the CYP21B genes yields deletion of the active CYP21 gene and salt-losing CAH and that these crossingovers do not occur randomly within the CYP21 genes of our patients.
In situ measurement of tritium permeation through stainless steel

The TMIST-2 irradiation experiment was conducted in the Advanced Test Reactor at Idaho National Laboratory to evaluate tritium permeation through Type 316 stainless steel (316 SS). The interior of a 316 SS seamless tube specimen was exposed to a 4He carrier gas mixed with a specified quantity of tritium (T2) to yield partial pressures of 0.1, 5, and 50 Pa at 292° and 330°C. In-situ tritium permeation measurements were made by passing a He-Ne sweep gas over the outer surface of the specimen to carry the permeated tritium to a bubbler column for liquid scintillation counting. An irradiation enhancement factor (IEF) was determined by comparing in-situ permeation data with a correlation for ex-reactor hydrogen permeation through austenitic stainless steel developed from literature data and reported by Le Claire. Nominal values for the IEF ranged between 3 and 5 for 316 SS. In-situ permeation data were also used to derive an in-reactor permeation correlation as a function of temperature and pressure. In addition, the triton recoil contribution to tritium permeation, which results from the transmutation of 3He to T, was also evaluated by introducing a 4He carrier gas mixed with 3He at a partial pressure of 1013 Pa at 330°C. Lessmore » than 3% of the tritium resulting from 3He transmutation contributed to tritium permeation.« less
Stability of a catalytic reaction to finite amplitude disturbances

Abstract Methods developed for determining the stability of fluid mechanical systems to disturbances of finite amplitude are applied to the equations for a catalytic reaction. A variational approach to Liapunov stability provides an estimate of the largest perturbation for which a state can be shown to remain stable, while Fourier methods provide an estimate of a perturbation which will cause instability. For a model problem the region of uncertainty between these estimates is small.
On the Measurement of Business Performance in Strategy Research: A Comparison of Approaches

A two-dimensional classificatory scheme highlighting ten different approaches to the measurement of business performance in strategy research is developed. The first dimension concerns the use of financial versus broader operational criteria, while the second focuses on two alternate data sources (primary versus secondary). The scheme permits the classification of an exhaustive coverage of measurement approaches and is useful for discussing their relative merits and demerits. Implications for operationalizing business performance in future strategy research are discussed.
Kavalactones from Piper methysticum, and their 13C NMR spectroscopic analyses

The kavalactone, 11-methoxy-5,6-dihydroyangonin, and eight previously reported analogs along with four other aromatic compounds were isolated from the root extracts of Piper methysticum (Kava Kava). Their structural elucidations were made by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopic assignments using COSY, HMBC and HMQC experiments.
SU-E-T-619: A Network-Flow Solution Approach to VMAT Treatment Plan Optimization.

Purpose: To add mathematical rigor to the merging phase of the recently published two‐stage VMAT optimization method called VMERGE. Using an exact merging method, we are able to better characterize the tradeoff between delivery efficiency and dose quality. Methods: VMERGE begins with an IMRT plan that uses 180 equi‐spaced beams and yields the “ideal” dose. Neighboring fluence maps are successively merged, meaning they are added together and delivered as one map. The merging process improves the delivery time at the expense of deviating from the initial high‐quality dose distribution. We replace the original heuristic merging method by considering the merging problem as a bi‐criteria optimization problem: maximize treatment efficiency and minimize the deviation from the ideal dose. We formulate this using a network‐flow model where nodes represent the beam angles along with the starting MLC leaf position and arcs represent the possible merges. Since the problem is non‐convex, we employ a customized box algorithm to obtain the Pareto approximation. We also evaluate the performance of several simple heuristics. Results: We test our exact and heuristic solution approaches on a pancreas and a prostate case. For both cases, the shape of the Pareto frontier suggests that starting from a high quality plan, we can obtain efficient VMAT plans through merging neighboring arcs without substantially deviating from the initial dose distribution. The trade‐off curves obtained by the various heuristics are contrasted and shown to all be equally capable of initial plan simplifications, but to deviate in quality for more drastic efficiency improvements. Conclusions: This work presents a bi‐criteria network‐flow solution approach to the merging problem. The obtained Pareto‐frontier approximation is used as a benchmark to evaluate the performance of the proposed merging heuristics. The results validate that one of the heuristics in particular can achieve high‐quality solutions.
Probing and feeding behavior of Sitobion avenae (F.) (Hom., Aphididae) on three wheat cultivars infected with barley yellow dwarf virus.

The feeding behavior of the English grain aphid, Sitobion avenae, was electronically monitored for 3-h periods on wheat cultivars ‘Caldwell’, ‘Abe’, and ‘Talento’ infected and non-infected with the P-PAV and RPV-NY isolates of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV). Aphids feeding on healthy plants had shorter non-probing time, and achieved more phloem contacts than those on BYDV-infected plants. S. avenae showed a preference type of response to BYDV-susceptible ‘Abe’ and ‘Talento’ wheat cultivars infected with P-PAV, as indicated by a fewer number of probes, a shorter salivation time, and a shorter time to committed (>30 min) phloem ingestion than on ‘Caldwell’ wheat (resistant). No significant differences were found between BYDV-free cultivars. The results of this study suggest that infection with BYDV might induce physiological changes in wheat cultivars sensitive to the virus, and hence improve their acceptability for S. avenae. These changes seem to be greater for the BYDV-sensitive/susceptible ‘Abe’ or ‘Talento’ cultivars than for the tolerant/resistant ‘Caldwell’ wheat. Zusammenfassung Zum Probeanstich- und Frasverhalten von Sitobion avenae (F.) (Horn., Aphididae) an drei mit dem BYD-Virus infizierten Weizenvarietaten Das Frasverhalten von Sitobion avenae an drei Weizenvarietaten wurde in 3-Std.-Perioden elektronisch aufgezeichnet. Als Fraspflanzen wurden die drei Varietaten “Caldwell”, “Abe” und “Talento”, jeweils infiziert bzw. nicht-infiziert mit P-PAV- und RPV-NY-Isolaten des BYD-Virus. Auf gesunden Pflanzen war die “Nicht-Probierzeit” der Lause kurzer, und es gab einen haufigeren Phloemkontakt als auf infizierten Pflanzen. S. avenae bevorzugte die fur das BYD-Virus empfindlichen Varietaten “Abe” und “Talento”, die mit dem Isolat P-PAV infiziert waren, was sich aus der geringeren Anzahl von Probeanstichen, der kurzeren Dauer der Speichelabsonderung und der Phloemaufnahme (> 30 min) gegenuber “Caldwell” ergab. Zwischen den virusfreien Varietaten konnten keine signifikanten Unterschiede festgestellt werden. Die Ergebnisse weisen darauf hin, das die Virusinfektion in virusempfindlichen Pflanzenvarietaten physiologische Veranderungen bewirkt und das dadurch ihre Akzeptanz fur S. avenae verbessert wird. Diese Veranderung scheint in sensitiven/empfindlichen Varietaten (“Abe”, “Talento”) groser zu sein als in toleranten/resistenten (“Caldwell”).
Temporal Contiguity and Negativity Bias in the Impact of Online Word of Mouth

Prior research shows that positive online reviews are less valued than negative reviews. The authors argue that this is due to differences in causal attributions for positive versus negative information such that positive reviews tend to be relatively more attributed to the reviewer (vs. product experience) than negative reviews. The presence of temporal contiguity cues, which indicate that review writing closely follows consumption, reduces the relative extent to which positive reviews are attributed to the reviewer and mitigates the negativity bias. An examination of 65,531 Yelp.com restaurant reviews shows that review value is negatively related to review valence but that this negative relationship is absent for reviews that contain temporal contiguity cues. A series of lab studies replicates these findings and suggests that temporal contiguity cues enhance the value of a positive review and increase the likelihood of choosing a product with a positive review by changing reader beliefs about the cause ...
Mass spectrometric measurement of protein amide hydrogen exchange rates of apo‐ and holo‐myoglobin

Measurement of backbone amide hydrogen exchange rates can provide detailed information concerning protein structure, dynamics, and interactions. Although nuclear magnetic resonance is typically used to provide these data, its use is restricted to lower molecular weight proteins that are soluble at millimolar concentrations. Not subject to these limitations is a mass spectrometric approach for measuring deuterium incorporation into proteins that are subsequently proteolyzed by pepsin; the resulting peptide masses are measured using a flowing-fast atom bombardment ionization source (Zhang Z, Smith DL, 1993, Protein Sci 2:522-531). In the current study, amide deuterium incorporation for intact apo- and holo-myoglobin was measured using liquid chromatography coupled directly to an electrospray ionization (LC/MS) source. Electrospray ionization provided a more complete coverage of the protein sequence and permitted the measurement of deuterium incorporation into intact proteins. Tandem mass spectrometry was used to rapidly identify the peptic peptides. It was found that within 30 s, the amides in apo-myoglobin were 47% deuterated, whereas holo-myoglobin was 12% deuterated. Peptic digestion and LC/MS demonstrated that regions represented by peptic peptides encompassing positions 1-7, 12-29, and 110-134 were not significantly altered by removal of the heme. Likewise, destabilized regions were identified within positions 33-106 and 138-153.
Composition of Gum Turpentines of Pines XXVI: A report on Pinus lawsoni and P. herrerai from Michoacan, Mexico, and P. ponderosa from the California Coast*

Pinus lawsoni gum turpentine contained: 55% d- and dl-β-pinene; 31 % d-∆3-carene; 2-3% l- and dl-limonene; 2% terpinolene; 2% methyl chavicol and 5% sesquiterpene, almost entirely d-longifolene. Residue and losses, 2.6%. The gum turpentine of P.berrerai contains: d- and dl-γ-pinene, 88%; d-∆2-carene, 1-2%; di- pentene, 0.5-1%; an unidentified oxygenated compound, 1%; sesquiterpenes, mostly d-longifolene, 2%; pot residue and loss, 6.7%. The gum turpentine from P. ponderosa from Santa Cruz consists of: 6% l- and dl-γ-pinene; 43% l-β-pinene; 2% β-myrcene; 2% l-β-phellandrene (?) suspected but not identified; 25% d-∆3-carene; 10% l and dl-limonene; 0.2% undecane; 2.3% unidentified oxygenated compounds; 4.5% sesquiterpenes including a cadinene-like sesquiterpene; and resi- due and losses, 5.0%.
A new multiplexing scheme for cathode-strip readout chambers

Abstract A multiplexing scheme for cathode strip chamber readouts which is cost-effective and efficient is described. This scheme provides an inexpensive alternative to individual-wire readout schemes, while not compromising the attractive qualities of cathode-strip chambers. A chamber with an area of 72×36 cm was built and tested. A position resolution of 130±50 μm (FWHM) was obtained with the multiplexing scheme. Details of the construction and operation of the cathode-strip chamber and its response to cosmic rays are presented here.
Periodic trends of oxygen vacancy formation and C-H bond activation over transition metal-doped CeO2 (111) surfaces

Abstract Substitutional transition metal dopants in the cerium oxide surface can alter the surface reducibility and catalytic activity for hydrocarbon conversion. Density functional theory (DFT + U ) methods are used to examine the electronic and structural effects of transition metal dopants (groups IV–XII) in the CeO 2 (1 1 1) surface. Surface reducibility (oxygen vacancy formation) and dissociative adsorption of methane (forming H * and CH 3 * ) are considered. Both the methane dissociative adsorption energy and activation barriers correlate linearly with the surface oxygen vacancy formation energy. Charge analysis is used to determine the role of dopant metal in serving as a reduction center or altering the Ce reducibility. Dopants in groups IV and V alter the reducibility of the surface and dopants in groups X–XII become the reduction center. The dopant plays the same role in both oxygen vacancy formation and methane adsorption. A Bronsted–Evans–Polanyi relationship is established between the methane activation barrier, through H-abstraction, and the dissociative adsorption energy. The sensitivity of quantitative and qualitative trends to the inclusion of U terms for the dopant transition metal d -states is considered. The optimal M/CeO 2 dopant for methane conversion to CO or CO 2 follows a volcano relationship with oxygen vacancy formation: Highly reducible surfaces will be limited by re-oxidation, whereas surfaces difficult to reduce will show high barriers for C–H bond activation. Transition metal dopants near the peak region of the volcano are Pd, Co, Ni, and Mn.
The effects of federalism on policies for care of the aged in Canada and the United States.

Debates about who should care for the elderly often center on the relative responsibilities of the state and family. In federal societies such as Canada and thc United States, however, multiple governments are involved. This article compares and contrasts federalism in these two nations and its effects on the division of fiscal, administrative, and programmatic responsibilities for care of the aged between the national and regional (i.e., state, provincial) governments. TWO major policy arenas, health care and social services, are examined, with particular attention focused on the roles played by the nongovernmental sector. Because most care of the aged is provided informally-a situation firmly rooted in the value systems and public policies of both nations-national and regional policies that assist family caregivers directly are examined. Policymakers at the regional level have been more active and often more innovative in constructing policies that are supportive of family caregiving, but in general, fe...
The kinetic isotope effect for C-H bond activation on Cu(110): the effects of tunnelling

Abstract The kinetic isotope effect (KIE; kH/kD) in the decomposition of formate on Cu(110) is 2.9 at 460 K (4.4 at 300 K). The absolute value of the pre-exponential factor and the values of ED - EH and AD/AH indicate that rate-limiting C-H(D) bon scission occurs without any appreciable effect of tunnelling. This kinetic isotope effect is reflected by a 15 K increase in the peak temperature observed for the CO2 product for the D versus the H isotope in the temperature programmed reaction spectrum; this temperature shift appears to be typical of first-order, rate-limiting C-H(D) bond activation on metal surfaces. The kinetic isotope effect for β- and γ-C-H(D) bond scission for a variety of intermediates adsorbed on various metal surfaces show temperature shifts of this magnitude. These results thus suggest that tunnelling does not usually contribute significantly to the rate of C-H bond activation of adsorbed intermediates on metals.
Application of computer-extracted breast tissue texture features in predicting false-positive recalls from screening mammography

Mammographic texture features have been shown to have value in breast cancer risk assessment. Previous models have also been developed that use computer-extracted mammographic features of breast tissue complexity to predict the risk of false-positive (FP) recall from breast cancer screening with digital mammography. This work details a novel locallyadaptive parenchymal texture analysis algorithm that identifies and extracts mammographic features of local parenchymal tissue complexity potentially relevant for false-positive biopsy prediction. This algorithm has two important aspects: (1) the adaptive nature of automatically determining an optimal number of region-of-interests (ROIs) in the image and each ROI’s corresponding size based on the parenchymal tissue distribution over the whole breast region and (2) characterizing both the local and global mammographic appearances of the parenchymal tissue that could provide more discriminative information for FP biopsy risk prediction. Preliminary results show that this locallyadaptive texture analysis algorithm, in conjunction with logistic regression, can predict the likelihood of false-positive biopsy with an ROC performance value of AUC=0.92 (p<0.001) with a 95% confidence interval [0.77, 0.94]. Significant texture feature predictors (p<0.05) included contrast, sum variance and difference average. Sensitivity for false-positives was 51% at the 100% cancer detection operating point. Although preliminary, clinical implications of using prediction models incorporating these texture features may include the future development of better tools and guidelines regarding personalized breast cancer screening recommendations. Further studies are warranted to prospectively validate our findings in larger screening populations and evaluate their clinical utility.
The significance of the internal mammary lymph nodes in medially located breast cancer

The efficacy of adjuvant radiotherapy for medial breast cancers in Stage I or II disease was studied with a retrospective clinical analysis. All cases of breast cancer free of axillary node metastases at the time of standard or modified radical mastectomy were included. These were grouped by location and size of the primary tumor. There were 76 medial lesions, including those in the 6:00 or 12:00 axis. Seventeen of these had received postoperative radiation. Lateral tumors included 59. The size was based on the largest linear dimension and grouped less than or equal to 2 cm or greater than 2 cm. At the time of initial recurrence, all areas of metastases were determined. The data suggests that: (1) medial breast cancers have a greater rate of recurrence than lateral ones; (2) adjuvant radiation for medial lesions decreases that recurrence rate to the range of lateral tumors; (3) large lesions may have a greater chance for local recurrence as well as medial lesions of all sizes; and (4) the potential problems with local recurrence may be diminished with adequate radiotherapy as an adjunctive measure. When recurrence does occur, prior radiotherapy seems to delay the appearance of that recurrence.
Generalization, consistency, and control

Easy learning of a user interface depends in part on users being able to generalize successfully about it. Philosophical doctrine, and some recent work in human-computer interaction, argues that causal analysis of interactions can support generalization. But neither the philosophical literature nor the HCI literature provides a rigorous theory of causal analysis adequate for problems in human-computer interaction. We propose such a rigorous theory here, and show how it accounts for two robust generalizations, using certain general assumptions. We then present evidence that these assumptions are accepted by people. Finally we compare this theory with other treatments of consistency.
An Elementary Proof of Jacobi's Six Squares Theorem

(2004). An Elementary Proof of Jacobi's Six Squares Theorem. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 111, No. 9, pp. 806-811.
Precise elemental and isotope ratio determination by simultaneous solution nebulization and laser ablation-ICP-MS: Application to U-Pb geochronology

Abstract We have developed a procedure for precise in situ elemental and isotope ratio measurements by simultaneous solution nebulization and laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, which can be applied to isotope and element ratio determinations (e.g., 6 Li / 7 Li , 10 B / 11 B , Ca/Sr and others) covering the entire mass range. Using a quadrupole mass spectrometer, our procedure yields precision of ≤2.0% (all errors are 2 sigma of the standard error) for 206 Pb / 238 U and 207 Pb / 206 Pb and ≤3% for 207 Pb / 235 U in neo-Proterozoic or older zircons and baddeleyite with U contents ≥65–270 ppm. Importantly, this is accomplished without the use of an external calibration standard. We nebulize a solution containing known amounts of natural Tl and a 235 U spike simultaneously with ablation of an unknown accessory phase. This allows precise mass discrimination correction of Pb/Pb as well as Pb/U in the ablated signal. Laser-induced elemental fractionation of Pb from U is observed to be a near function of the number of laser pulses (crater depth) and is inversely exponentially correlated with spot size. These systematics allow us to correct for elemental fractionation. Spots with diameters ≥150 μm show no appreciable Pb/U fractionation, whereas for 35 μm spots U becomes progressively depleted relative to Pb, with a factor of four increase in Pb/U over a 2-min ablation period. For the Harvard standard zircon, 91 500, we obtain a 206 Pb / 238 U age of 1061±4 Ma and a 207 Pb / 206 Pb age of 1074±8 Ma (TIMS age: 1065 Ma for 206 Pb / 238 U , [Wiedenbeck, M., Alle, P., Corfu, F., Griffin, W.L., Meier, M., Ober, F., von Quant, A., Roddick, J.C., Spiegel, J., 1995. Three natural zircon standards for U–Th–Pb, Lu–Hf, trace element and REE analyses. Geostand. Newsl. 19, 1–23]); for the SHRIMP zircon standard, SL13, we obtain a 206 Pb / 238 U age of 578±10 Ma and a 207 Pb / 206 Pb age of 595±13 Ma (TIMS age: 572 Ma, [Claoue-Long, J.C., Compston, W., Roberts, J., Fanning, C.M., 1995. Two carboniferous ages: A comparison of SHRIMP zircon dating with conventional zircon ages and 40 Ar / 39 Ar analysis. In: Geochronology Time Scales and Global Stratigraphic Correlation. SEPM Special Publication, pp. 3–21], 206 Pb / 238 U age from SHRIMP: 580–565 Ma, [Compston, W., 1999. Geological age by instrumental analysis: The 29th Halmond Lecture. Mineralogical Magazine 63, 297–311]). The Phalaborwa baddeleyite is strongly reverse discordant yielding an upper intercept age of 2057±8 Ma (TIMS age: 1 Ma, [Reischmann, T., 1995. Precise U/Pb age determination with baddeleyite (ZrO2), a case study from the Phalaborwa igneous complex, South Africa. S. Afr. J. Geol. 98, 98]; 2059.8 Ma, [Heaman, L.M., LeCheminant, A.N., Paragenesis and U–Pb systematics of baddeleyite (ZrO2). Chemical Geology 110, 95–126]) and a lower intercept at ∼0 Ma. These results demonstrate that LA-ICP-MS is capable of dating accessory phases with precision and accuracy comparable to SHRIMP.
Interrelationship of plasma and urinary gonadotropins: correlations for 24 hours, for sleep/wake periods, and for 3 hours after luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone stimulation.

Augmented gonadotropin secretion associated with sleep is a major biological correlate of puberty. This study compared urinary and plasma gonadotropin values in 131 subjects (66% of whom were 11–19 yr of age). The comparison was made from plasma and urine samples collected during a 24-h period, a 3-h period after the iv infusion of LRH, and during the wake/sleep hours of the 24-h study. Twenty-four-hour mean plasma gonadotropins derived from samples drawn at 20-minintervals correlated closely with the 24-h urinary gonadotropins [r = 0.786 for LH (n = 128; P < 0.001) and r = 0.887 for FSH (n = 131; P < 0.001)]. After an iv bolus of LRH, the peak plasma LH and FSH responses also correlated closely with the simultaneous 3-h urinary LH and FSH values [r = 0.911 for LH (n = 35; P < 0.001) and 0.933 for FSH (n = 30; P < 0.001)] Comparison of the percent changes in urinary and plasma gonadotropins during sleep/wake periods was also made for children, adolescents, and adults. The mean observed sleep time (±SD) wa...
Isolation and characterization of a cholera-related enterotoxin from Salmonella typhimurium

Salmonella species cause gastroenteritis and enteric fever in human beings. The former syndrome frequently includes vomiting and diarrhea. While the pathogenesis of salmonellosis is believed to involve penetration of the intestinal epithelium by the bacteria and the production of an inflammatory reaction in the lamina propria [1-3], substantial evidence has accrued that Salmonella strains may also elaborate an enterotoxin-like factor. Peterson and his associates [4-8] reported that Salmonella produce a delayed permeability factor which, like cholera enterotoxin (chloleragen or CT) and the heat-labile enterotoxins (LTs) of Escherichica coli, causes distinctive morphological alterations and increases cyclic AMP in cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The activity is neutralized by cholera antitoxin and by gangliosides. Immunization with procholeragenoid, an immunogenic high M r polymer formed by heating pure choleragen [9,10], protected rabbits against fluid accumulation in intestinal loops infected with live Salmonella [6]. According to Jiwa, similar activity is widely distributed among the Salmonellae [11]. However, despite considerable effort, the enterotoxin has not previously been isolated to
Fiber-Matrix Interfacial Adhesion Improvement in Carbon Fiber-Bisphenol-A Polycarbonate Composites by Polymer Grafting

Fiber-matrix interfacial adhesion in thermoplastic composites is generally poor due to the lack of formation of strong covalent and/or ionic bonds between the generally inert thermoplastic resins and the surface of the reinforcing fiber. Adhesion can be improved by forming covalent linkages between the fiber and the matrix by grafting a polymer of appropriate compatibility, molecular weight, and sufficient density onto the surface of the fiber. We have grafted low molecular weight polycarbonate and polymethyl methacrylates onto the surface of carbon fibers and measured an improvement in the level of adhesion ranging from 25% to100% over the ungrafted composites. It was also observed that the level of improvement in adhesion appears to be independent of the molecular weight of the grafted polymer. Examination of the fracture surface of these composites reveals that the failure is cohesive in the matrix for the polymer grafted fiber composites, while it is adhesive for the ungrafted composites.
The Relationships among Differing Loss Experiences, Adjustment, Beliefs, and Coping.

Abstract Losses are often equated for conceptual purposes, and it is often assumed that different types of losses result in similar grief reactions and exert similar effects on cognitive structures and coping patterns. This article examines the expectancies, beliefs, coping patterns, and psychological adjustment associated with loss due to death, parental. divorce, or illness and disability in a college student population. Loss groups did not differ from each other or from a no-loss group on cognitive variables, coping, or psychological adjustment. In instances in which associations between the cognitive measures and either coping or adjustment were indicated, the typical pattern was for loss groups to differ from the no-loss condition but not from each other.
Excitons and the Absorption Edge in ZnSe

The optical absorption threshold at about 2.7 eV, near the lowest-energy fundamental edge, was investigated for cubic ZnSe single crystals. Absorption spectra are reported for temperatures between 2 and 200\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, and absorption coefficients between 4 and 600 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$. Although contributions associated with defects dominated the results in most crystals, intrinsic absorption could be observed for $T\ensuremath{\gtrsim}60$\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K in the purest available crystals. This intrinsic absorption results from longitudinal-optical-phonon-assisted creation of excitons, as is shown by the good agreement between the observed magnitude, the temperature, and photon-energy dependence, and the absorption calculated for this mechanism. The relevant exciton states involve electrons and holes from band extrema near the center of the Brillouin zone; when created without phonon assistance, excitons from these same extrema also give the relatively very intense "direct transition" absorption lines. No evidence is found that any band gap is smaller than that at the zone center.
Noise and adiabatic dynamics of superconducting quantum point contacts

Abstract Dynamics of superconducting quantum point contacts at small bias voltages is governed by a simple kinetic equation for occupation probabilities of the two-current-carrying states localized in the contact region. Starting from this equation, I show that superconducting quantum point contacts should have unusual noise properties. In the stationary case, flow of the DC supercurrent at non-vanishing temperatures gives rise to a noise with very large spectral density at zero frequency. At finite voltages the contact exhibits giant shot noise. Surprisingly, the origin of the noise is the supercurrent coherence, because of which the charge is transferred through the contact in large quanta. In contact with small reflection the noise can be calculated in terms of Landau-Zener transitions between the current-carrying states.
Interplanetary Gas VIII. On the importance of radiative losses

Abstract The radiative losses due to free-free transitions, free-bound transitions, and permitted and forbidden line emission have been evaluated for all ions which are present in significant amounts in the extended solar corona from 4R ⊙ , to 215R δ . Most of the radiative losses occur interior to 15R δ , and they are dominated by line emission in the extreme ultraviolet and X-ray wavelengths. In general, the radiative losses are found to be unimportant, and the consequences of this result are discussed in terms of the semiempirical model recently presented by Brandt and Michie (1962) .
Hearing impairment resulting from a pineal region meningioma

Because of extensive interconnections within the auditory pathways, hearing impairment from a central origin is rare. We describe a patient with a large pineal region meningioma in whom hearing loss was the predominant symptom. The patient promptly recovered hearing after the surgical removal of the tumor. The mechanism of this phenomenon is discussed.
Afferent projections to cardiovascular portions of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius in the rat

Horseradish peroxidase was injected unilaterally into the intermediate portion of the nucleus of the tractus solitarius. The most extensive retrograde labeling was present contralaterally in the rostral fastigial nucleus, bilaterally in the Koelliker-Fuse nucleus, and bilaterally with ipsilateral predominance in the posterolateral hypothalamus and paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus. These projections may represent the anatomical substrates by which these brain areas modulate baroreceptor reflex function.
Perioperative pleiotropic statin effects in general surgery.

Background Evidence suggests that statins may decrease inflammation, airway hyperreactivity, and hypercoagulability while improving revascularization mediated by cholesterol-independent pathways. This study evaluated whether the preoperative use of statins is associated with decreased postoperative major noncardiac complications in noncardiac procedures. Study design This was a single-institution study of noncardiac operations performed from 2005 to 2010. The use of statins was identified from electronic medical records and merged with local National Surgical Quality Improvement Program data. Preoperative statin exposure was defined as statin use before operation, as documented by admission medication reconciliation and outpatient or pharmacy records. The primary end point was major noncardiac complications, and secondary end points included respiratory, infectious (sepsis and organ space infection) and complications of venous thromboembolism (VTE). Multivariable logistic regression was performed for each end point while we controlled for clinical covariates meeting P Results Preoperative statin use was present in 10.5% (n = 814) of 7,777 total cases. Procedure type included general operation (n = 2,605, 33.5%), breast/endocrine (n = 739, 9.5%), colorectal (n = 1,533, 19.7%), hepatobiliary/pancreatic (n = 397, 5.1%), orthopedic (n = 205, 2.6%), skin/ear-nose- throat (145, 1.9%), thoracic (n = 53, 0.7%), upper gastrointestinal (n = 651, 8.4%), and vascular cases (1,449, 18.6%). On multivariable analysis, the use of statins was associated with decreased major, noncardiac complications (odds ratio [OR] 0.62, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.49–0.92, P Conclusion The preoperative use of statins is independently associated with decreased risk of major complications. This effect is likely driven by reduction in respiratory, VTE, and infectious complication rates. These results warrant future clinical trials to assess the perioperative benefit of statin use in noncardiac procedures.
Particulars of a casting spot defect

The structure of a casting spot defect on porcelain articles is investigated. Recommendations are made for eliminating this defect. These recommendations can also be used in the manufacture of articles by casting using faience, majolica, and other materials.
Further report on dopant segregation control in Czochralski crystal growth with a wetted float

Abstract In a recent report by the authors [J. Crystal Growth 134 (1993) 287], an effective technique for controlling axial dopant segregation in Czochralski pulling was demonstrated in two NaNO 3 single crystals doped with LiNO 3 . This technique uses a floating device which is wetted by the melt and which has a narrow and very long melt passageway to suppress donant diffusion between the growth zone and the bulk melt. More recently, we have grown a similar single crystal and found effective control over radial as well as axial dopant segregation. In view of this, the radial dopant distributions in the two previously reported single crystals were also determined.
SATB2 is a novel marker of osteoblastic differentiation in bone and soft tissue tumours.

Aims Diagnosing osteosarcoma can be challenging, as osteoid deposition is often limited in extent, and hyalinized stroma may closely mimic osteoid. SATB2 is a nuclear protein that plays a critical role in osteoblast lineage commitment. The aim of this study was to examine SATB2 expression in osteosarcomas and other bone and soft tissue tumours, to evaluate its diagnostic utility. Methods and results Whole sections of 215 tumours were evaluated, including 52 osteosarcomas (43 of skeletal origin; nine extraskeletal), 86 other bone tumours, and 77 other soft tissue tumours. All skeletal osteosarcomas, osteoblastomas, osteoid osteomas, and fibrous dysplasias, eight (89%) extraskeletal osteosarcomas, five (83%) giant cell tumours and three (50%) chondromyxoid fibromas showed nuclear immunoreactivity for SATB2. Staining in other bone and soft tissue tumours was predominantly limited to areas of heterologous osteoblastic differentiation. Focal weak staining was identified in one (9%) unclassified pleomorphic sarcoma and one (13%) monophasic synovial sarcoma. SATB2 was negative in all soft tissue tumours with prominent sclerotic stromal collagen. Conclusions SATB2 is a marker of osteoblastic differentiation in benign and malignant mesenchymal tumours. Although SATB2 is not specific for osteosarcoma, it has the potential to be a useful adjunct in some settings, particularly in the distinction between hyalinized collagen and osteoid.
Photosynthetic rates of phytoplankton in East African alkaline, saline lakes1

Photosynthetic rates were calculated in six myxophycean-dominated alkaline, saline lakes in Kenya and Tanzania from changes in dissolved O2 in light and dark bottles and from diurnal variations in dissolved 02. Rates of gross photosynthesis are exceptionally high for Lake Nakuru, Kenya, by the diurnal free-water technique (e.g. 36 g 0, m-’ day-l). Gross photosynthesis in Lake Nakuru was compjred for two consecutive days: on the first day pronounced thermal stratification developed and the dissolved 02 reached 340% saturation in the upper half meter; on the second day wind-driven turbulence circulated the algae to depths often greater than 2 m in water with Secchi disk visibility of only 15 cm. Because of analytical difficulties in measuring dissolved 02 in soda lakes, laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the reliability of the titrimetric (Winkler, Miller), gasometric ( Scholandcr), and polarographic (oxygen probe) methods. The polarographic technique was the most suitable for determinations of dissolved O2 in the field.
Abstract 3945: Association of inflammation-related microRNA gene expression in inflammatory bowel disease and IBD-associated colon cancer

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Introduction: There is an undeniable link between chronic inflammation and cancer. Inflammatory bowel disease (i.e. ulcerative colitis [UC] and Crohn's disease [CD]) are conditions that lead to chronic inflammation of the colon and increased risk of colon cancer. Indentifying factors that contribute to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and IBD-associated cancers may allow for the development of therapeutic and preventive strategies for these diseases. Altered expression of microRNAs may contribute to these diseases. Methods: We examined the expression of 29 specific microRNAs by Taqman-based quantitative RTPCR using the Fluidigm 96.96 dynamic array system. The 29 microRNAs were selected based on a combination of our own preliminary microarray data on inflammatory bowel disease and published literature on microRNAs involved in inflammation or inflammatory bowel disease. RNA was extracted from colon tissues of 34 patients with CD, 33 patients with UC, 64 sporadic colon cancer patients, 14 patients with IBD-associated colon cancer and 18 patients with adenomas. We identified microRNAs associated with gross inflammation in UC and CD patients. We also compared microRNA expression profiles of sporadic tumors with IBD-associated tumors. Results: The expression of 18 microRNAs were significantly altered in gross inflammation of CD and 19 microRNAs were altered in gross inflammation of UC. In general, the expression patterns were similar comparing UC and Crohn's tissues, but 3 microRNAs were significantly different between the two diseases. Fifteen microRNAs were altered in sporadic colon cancer. The microRNA expression patterns of IBD-associated tumors were quite different from the expression patterns of sporadic colon tumors. Summary: We find evidence supporting that the chronic inflammation of both ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease leads to a systematic change in microRNA expression patterns. Altered expression of microRNA may be in part responsible for the phenotypic affects of gross inflammation. The expression of miR-21, miR-135b and miR-192 were altered in similar ways in colon tumors as they were in chronic inflammation, suggesting that alteration of these specific microRNAs may in part be responsible for the elevated risk of cancer in these populations. We also find that sporadic tumors have different expression profiles that IBD-associated tumor, suggesting that the different etiology of these tumors results in different microRNA transcriptomic expression patterns. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3945. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-3945
The Effects of Bioturbation on Soil Processes and Sediment Transport

▪ Abstract Plants and animals exploit the soil for food and shelter and, in the process, affect it in many different ways. For example, uprooted trees may break up bedrock, transport soil downslope, increase the heterogeneity of soil respiration rates, and inhibit soil horizonation. In this contribution, we review previously published papers that provide insights into the process of bioturbation. We focus particularly on studies that allow us to place bioturbation within a quantitative framework that links the form of hillslopes with the processes of sediment transport and soil production. Using geometrical relationships and data from others' work, we derive simple sediment flux equations for tree throw and root growth and decay.
Low-Grade Neuroendocrine Carcinoma (Carcinoid Tumor) of the Prostate

A case of primary, prostatic, low-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (carcinoid tumor) is described. The patient is an 86-year-old man who presented with symptoms of gross hematuria of several days' duration. Physical examination and a bladder biopsy specimen revealed the presence of a primary adenocarcinoma of the bladder with invasion into the muscularis propria. A cystoprostatectomy was performed, which revealed the presence of invasive adenocarcinoma of the bladder. Prostatic sampling demonstrated the presence of a low-grade neuroendocrine carcinoma (carcinoid tumor) and a small focus of well-differentiated conventional adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical studies using neuroendocrine markers clearly demarcated the presence of the neuroendocrine tumor. The case presented herein highlights the ubiquitous distribution of neuroendocrine neoplasms along the male genitourinary tract and the presence of 3 separate neoplasms in the genitourinary tract.