cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of organic acids on the dissolution of orthoclase at 80°C and pH 6

Abstract The dissolution of K-rich feldspar (orthoclase), quartz and Al(OH)3 was investigated at 80°C and pH 6 in buffered solutions of organic acids. Previous studies of the effects of organic acids (OA) on feldspar dissolution have typically been conducted in acidic, low-ionic strength solutions often under conditions which preclude isolation of effects of pH from those due to organic acids. Our experiments were conducted at constant pH, temperature, ionic strength, and buffer composition to allow direct comparison of experiments with and without OA. The dissolution experiments were conducted under closed-system conditions to: (1) determine the magnitude of mineral solubility enhancement by OA; (2) examine changes in reaction stoichiometry as equilibrium is approached; and (3) investigate the effects of OA on secondary mineral precipitation. The carboxylic acid species, oxalate and citrate, significantly enhanced the dissolution of orthoclase at pH 6. The concentrations of Si and Al in 10 m M oxalate and citrate solutions were nearly 3 times that in solutions of acetate buffer without oxalate or citrate. Aluminum was below the limit of detection ( Separate experiments using pure quartz and Al(OH)3 suggest that a mechanism other than formation of Si-organic complexes may be involved in the OA-enhanced release of Si from orthoclase. The increase in dissolved silica was modest in 10 mM oxalate and 10 mM citrate solutions reacted with quartz, and did not increase with increasing OA concentration. The solubility of quartz was similar in solutions of oxalate and citrate. In contrast, Al(OH)3 dissolution was 50% greater in citrate than in oxalate, similar to the behavior of orthoclase. Citrate may be more effective in dissolving orthoclase than oxalate due to a stronger interaction between citrate and Al, rather than due to a synergistic effect of Al-citrate and Si-citrate complexes. These results have implications for the mass transport of Si and Al in diagenetic environments.
High yield of primary serially transplanted hamster renal carcinoma: steroid receptor and morphologic characteristics.

Abstract Appreciable quantities (10–20g) of transplanted estrogen-dependent hamster renal carcinoma can be consistently obtained after the 3rd serial transfer by i.p. injection of estrogen-induced primary renal tumor, either minced tissue or cell suspension, into 3.0 month DES or 17β-estradiol-treated hamster hosts. The latency period for transplant tumor growth was initially 3.0 months and about 1.5 months for successive serial transfers. The serially transplanted renal carcinoma contained five steroid hormone receptors similar to that found in the primary tumor in terms of such characteristics as cross-competition, affinity constant and sedimentation coefficient. Histologic characteristics of the serially transplanted renal tumor are also comparable to that observed in the primary carcinoma. However, the concentration of both estrogen and progesterone receptors are higher than previously reported values obtained for the primary renal tumor or its metastases.
A direct-transfer polymerization model explains how the multiple profilin-binding sites in the actoclampin motor promote rapid actin-based motility.

The high actin-based motility rates observed in nonmuscle cells require the per-second addition of 400-500 monomers to the barbed ends of growing actin filaments. The chief polymerization-competent species is profilin.actin.ATP (present at 5-40 microM intracellular concentrations), whereas G-actin.ATP is much less abundant ( approximately 0.1-1 microM). While earlier studies unambiguously demonstrated that profilin.actin is highly concentrated within the polymerization zone, profilin-actin localization on the motile surface cannot increase the local solution-phase concentration of polymerizable actin. To explain these high rates of actin polymerization, we present and analyze a novel polymerization model in which monomers are directly transferred to growing filament ends in the actoclampin motor. This direct-transfer polymerization mechanism endows the polymerization zone with properties unavailable to bulk-phase actin monomers, and our model also indicates why profilin is the ideal mobile carrier for actin monomers.
Spectral behavior of partially pumped weakly scattering random lasers

Stochastic noise is incorporated in the numerical simulation of weakly scattering random lasers, which qualitatively captures lasing phenomena that have been observed experimentally. We examine the behavior of the emission spectrum while pumping only part of the entire one-dimensional random system. A decrease in the density of lasing states is the dominant mechanism for observing discrete lasing peaks when absorption exists in the unpumped region. Without such absorption, the density of lasing states does not reduce as dramatically but the statistical distribution of (linear) lasing thresholds is broadened. This may facilitate incremental observation of lasing in smaller-threshold modes in the emission spectrum with fine adjustments of the pumping rate.
Effect of dietary sulfur upon the fatty acid production in the rumen.

Abstract Sheep fitted with a ruminal tube were fed purified diets with and without sodium sulfate. The volatile fatty acids and lactic acid content was determined on the rumen fluid taken from these sheep. Also [14C]acetate was incubated with a washed cell suspension taken from these sheep and the incorporation into butyrate and higher acids was determined. The levels of propionate, butyrate and higher fatty acids were higher in the rumen fluid from the sulfur-fed animal than from the rumen fluid of the sulfurdeficient sheep. There were only traces of lactic acid produced in the rumen fluid of the sulfur-fed animal, but there was a large amount of lactic acid produced in that of the sulfur-deficient animal. More labeled acetate was incorporated into the higher fatty acids by the microorganisms obtained from the sulfur-fed animal than by the microorganisms from the sulfur-deficient animal. The results indicate that the microorganisms from the sulfur-fed animal can synthesize butyrate and higher fatty acids from acetate whereas the microorganisms from the sulfur-deficient animal cannot.
End-User Understanding of Indexing Language Information

This study examines end-user interactions with indexing language information during subject searching in a library catalog and their understanding of this information and its function in term selection. Participants were asked to interact with the indexing language (Library of Congress Subject Headings) and were asked to express their general understanding of the information provided and each specific type of information included in the indexing language. In addition, participants were asked to express their understanding of the function of indexing language information in term selection, its usefulness and desirability as an integrated tool into the information retrieval system during subject searching. Study findings and their implications are discussed and future research is considered.
Plasma Confinement Systems

Present plasma confinement systems are reviewed in order to provide an understanding of the developments necessary for demonstrating the scientific feasibility of controlled thermonuclear fusion. Significantly, these systems have several common features which appear certain to be used in more advanced experiments. These features include high field superconducting magnets, neutral beam injection, and vacuum techniques. Beyond the suppressing of plasma instabilities, improvements in these technologies will be required to achieve controlled fusion.
Women's Participation in Tackle Football: An Exploration of Benefits and Constraints

The number of female athletes undertaking male-dominated sports, including Tackle Football, continues to grow. This article uses a physical feminist perspective to explore the potential empowerment...
Purity and purification of 14C-lysine

The purity of uniformly labeled 14C-amino acids claimed as 99% by most manufacturers cannot be relied upon, Some investigators using these amino acids for metabolic studies examine the purity by paper chromatography, electrophoresis, etc. In our experience, 2-dimensional paper chromatography failed to reveal any impurity beyond that admitted by the manufacturer. However, using the more sensitive Piez-Morris column chromatographic technique (1)) impurities 8,s high as 18.5% were detected. In this communication, we will present the results of screening commercially available uniformly labeled 14C L-threonine, L-leucine, L-phenylalanine, L-proline, and L-lysine. The latter was studied in greater detail. A ‘method for purifying radioactive amino acids prior to their use in metabolic studies is outlined.
Effect of selenate toxicity on soil mycoflora

Abstract The comparative toxicity of sodium selenate to five fungal genera isolated from natural systems was studied. Both strain and generic differences in the growth of fungi were noted when sodium selenate was added to sulfur supplemented medium. The production of dimethyselenide gas (DMSe) by these mycoflora did not strictly correlate with their relative toxicities to inorganic selenium.
Food Shortages and International Agricultural Programs

The most recent data indicate an unconscionable 842 million people are chronically hungry in the world, 94 percent in developing countries. India, China, and other Asian countries that were the center of concern over hunger in 1960 have been among the most successful at increasing food production and consumption. Current food shortages, both chronic and acute, are concentrated in sub-Sahara Africa. There, production has lagged behind needs and fluctuations from natural and human-caused disasters have generated recurring food shortages and need for food aid. Three elements played critical roles in Asia and are likely to be the key to solving food shortages in Africa: rural/agricultural economic growth that generated increased incomes for the rural poor, stability of food prices, and non-agricultural economic growth. U.S. universities have educated many of the agricultural scientists in developing countries and those at CGIAR centers. The international agricultural programs of U.S. universities that have be...
Transforming growth factor Β3 increases chondrocyte proliferation and decreases apoptosis in murine cricoid cartilage in vitro

Objective To determine if the luminal epithelium and/or exogenous transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) affects growth of the cricoid. Design Subglottises from 20 neonatal mice were subdivided into four groups: A, five subglottises with luminal epithelium grown in basic medium; B, five epithelium-free subglottises in basic medium; C, five epithelium-free subglottises in basic medium with supplemental TGFβ1, and D, five epithelium-free subglottises in basic medium with supplemental TGFβ3. Results Groups A and D demonstrated the greatest luminal area expansion. Group A rings demonstrated statistically higher chondrocyte proliferation than Groups B and C and lesser amounts of luminal apoptosis. Groups B and C rings demonstrated the least amount of cell proliferation, and greater luminal apoptosis relative to Group A. Groups A and D rings had similar apoptotic and proliferative results. Conclusions Luminal epithelium exerts influence over the cricoid by increasing chondrocyte proliferation and decreasing the relative proportion of luminal chondrocytes that undergo apoptosis. Exogenous TGFβ3, not TGFβ1, also increases chondrocyte proliferation within the cricoid and appears to influence apoptosis as well.
Targeting Notch signaling pathway in cancer: Clinical development advances and challenges

Notch signaling plays an important role in development and cell fate determination, and it is deregulated in human hematologic malignancies and solid tumors. This review includes a brief introduction of the relevant pathophysiology of Notch signaling pathway and primarily focuses on the clinical development of promising agents that either obstruct Notch receptor cleavages such as γ-secretase inhibitors (GSIs) or interfere with the Notch ligand–receptor interaction by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). Antitumor activity by GSIs and mAbs administered as single agent in early phases of clinical trials has been observed in advanced or metastatic thyroid cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, intracranial tumors, sarcoma or desmoid tumors, colorectal cancer with neuroendocrine features, melanoma and ovarian cancer. A number of mechanism-based adverse events particularly gastrointestinal toxicities emerged and mitigation strategies are developed after testing multiple GSIs and Notch targeting mAbs. We also discuss pharmacodynamic biomarkers in conjunction with methods of assessment of the molecular target inhibition validation. Biomarkers of efficacy or benefit may be of importance for a successful development of this class of drugs.
Carmichael numbers in number rings

Abstract We generalize Carmichael numbers to ideals in number rings and prove a generalization of Korselt's Criterion for these Carmichael ideals. We investigate when Carmichael numbers in the integers generate Carmichael ideals in the algebraic integers of abelian number fields. In particular, we show that given any composite integer n, there exist infinitely many quadratic number fields in which n is not Carmichael. Finally, we show that there are infinitely many abelian number fields K with discriminant relatively prime to n such that n is not Carmichael in K.
Odors influence choice of oviposition sites by Diabrotica virgifera virgifera (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

FemaleDiabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte were allowed to choose between oviposition substrates that were and those that were not associated with potential sources of semiochemicals. Females deposited over five times more eggs on moist towelettes that were treated with homogenates of female abdomens than on towelettes treated with distilled water. Similar results were obtained when screening separated the homogenates from the towelettes, indicating that odors alone could elicit the response. In contrast, females did not choose towelettes that had previously been used for oviposition or towelettes containing eggs over unused towelettes. Further tests with homogenates of abdomens and a bacteriostatic agent (sorbate) indicated that the females were probably responding to bacterial odors rather than an oviposition-enhancing pheromone. Four strains of bacteria were isolated from a homogenate of female abdomens; females deposited 4 to 16 times more eggs on substrates with odors of the bacteria than on substrates with odors of uninoculated nutrient agar. In no-choice tests, bacterial odors did not increase the number of eggs deposited per female beetle; however, in choice tests with dishes that tended to retain any beetles that entered, there were more eggs per female (but not more beetles) after 24 hr in dishes with bacterial odors than in those without the odors. Females also chose dishes with odors of excised maize (Zea mays L.) roots or elevated levels of carbon dioxide over “control” dishes.
3.5-W Q-switched 532-nm Nd:YAG laser pumped with fiber-coupled diode lasers

A diode-pumped laser with greater than 11 W of cw 1064-nm output power and 3.5 W of frequency-doubled average power at a 50-kHz pulse repetition frequency has been developed. A single Nd:YAG rod was pumped with the combined output of three fiber-coupled diode-laser arrays. Each pump laser was capable of 10 W of cw output power. The fiber output of each pump laser was first collimated and then focused with a single lens onto one end of a Nd:YAG rod. The resonator mirrors for the L-shaped cavity were selected such that thermal lensing in the laser crystal was mostly compensated. The 532-nm output beam quality factor (M(2)) was less than 1.5.
Placental localization of human pregnancy--associated plasma proteins

Frozen sections of human placenta were examined for the presence of four human pregnancy proteins, pregnancy-associated plasma proteins A and C (PAPP-A and PAPP-C), human chorionic somatomammotropin (hCS), and pregnancy zone protein (PZP), by the indirect immunofluorescence technique. Monospecific rabbit antiserums to PAPP-A, PAPP-C and hCS all stained the trophoblast cytoplasm equivalently in a continuous layer, usggesting that the same trophoblast cells synthesize all three pregnancy proteins. In contrast, PZP was localized in blood vessel walls, parenchymal structures within the villous, as well as in the trophoblast cytoplasm. Its distribution in the latter was relatively inhomogeneous, tending to be more intense on the basement membrane side.
Vinylgermane: preparation and polymerization

Abstract Reduction of vinyltrichlorogermane with lithium aluminium hydride yields vinylgermane [b.p. −3·5° (extrap.)], a compound which polymerizes to a white solid in daylight, especially in the presence of mercury. Polymeric vinylgermane commences measurable decomposition above 275°, giving hydrogen with lesser amounts of ethylene and germane. Like polymeric vinylsilane, polyvinylgermane is insoluble in a variety of solvents. The infra-red spectra of the two polymers resemble each other, and the two probably have similar structures. As expected, vinylstannate was found to be much less stable than vinylgermane, and the tin compound was only prepared in very small amounts, and had to be stored at low temperatures to avoid decomposition; a process which appeared to involve more than one route. The vinyl group of vinylstannane may be removed as ethylene with trifluoracetic acid. The infra-red spectra of vinylgermane and of vinylstannane have been recorded in the gas phase over the range 650–3500 cm−1, and the spectra are discussed, and compared with the spectrum of vinylsilane. Vinyltrichlorogermane can conveniently be prepared by heating a mixture of germanium tetrachloride and divinylmercury.
Differential responses of extracellular GABA to intrastriatal perfusions of 3-nitropropionic acid and quinolinic acid in the rat

Although both quinolinic acid and 3-nitropropionic acid destroy medium sized, GABAergic, spiny projection neurons after direct perfusion of neurotoxin into the rat striatum, changes in extracellular GABA concentration in the striatum within the first 90 min reflect different toxic mechanisms in these two animal models for Huntington's disease. Since quinolinic acid acts as a potent excitotoxin, the early depolarizing response in GABAergic neurons results in an early increase in extracellular GABA activity (peak at 40 min) whereas the more indirect action of 3-nitropropionic acid on mitochondrial energy metabolism results in a delayed increase in extracellular GABA activity (peak at 60 min) with a pattern of gradual increase and decline. The localized delivery of cytotoxin provides an opportunity for kinetic comparisons of direct and indirect cytotoxic mechanisms that can be useful in developing neuroprotective treatment strategies in Huntington's disease.
Improved survival rates of random flaps in rabbits with a monoclonal antibody that blocks leukocyte adherence

To examine the role of neutrophil adhesiveness in the tissue injury involving the ischemic "at risk" area of random flaps, we used the monoclonal antibody 60.3, which binds selectively to the primary neutrophil adherence-mediating glycoprotein CD18 in a random cutaneous flap model. Control animals that had flaps elevated and replaced (n = 12) had a mean distal necrosis of 31.9 +/- 9.3 percent of the total flap surface area. Treatment with monoclonal antibody 60.3 (n = 12) reduced distal necrosis to 10.6 +/- 7.5 percent (p < 0.005). Inhibiting inosculation by interposing a thin silicone sheet decreased distal flap survival; however, the protective effect of monoclonal antibody 60.3 on improving flap survival was unchanged. Control isolated flaps (n = 13) had a mean distal necrosis of 49.0 +/- 15.5 percent compared with 22.2 +/- 5.6 percent for the antibody-treated (n = 8) isolated flaps (p < 0.05). We conclude that increased neutrophil adhesiveness plays an important role in the tissue injury involving the ischemic "at risk" area of random flaps and the transient, specific inhibition of leukocyte adherence by monoclonal antibody 60.3 improves the distal survival of random flaps in this model. Moreover, we conclude that "graft inosculation" contributes to "flap" survival in this model; however, conclusions regarding the effect of treatment are not altered by blocking inosculation.
World Wide Web-based temporal bone anatomic sections.

The study goal was to post a complete set of temporal bone anatomy slides on the World Wide Web for anatomic study. Magnification of the width of the sections varied from 2.4 to 33.6 inches. Good representation of gross and tissue anatomy was obtained, but cellular detail was lacking. The website used approximately 37 megs of disk space. The resultant website provides a cost-effective method of presenting large color photographs of temporal bone anatomy. Thumbnails allow comparison between sections, which aids in learning 3-dimensional anatomy. A method for measuring distance on digitized images is also described. The sections may be viewed at www.ear-anatomy.com, and continuing medical education credits may be earned at www.cme-usa.org.
Response of rats of various ages to erythropoietin.

ConclusionsErythropoietin of human urinary origin was injected into groups of rats of various ages, after which both measurements of total circulating red cell volume and Fe59 red cell incorporation were made. Total red cell volume of young rats throughout the period of neonatal anemia did not increase in response to administration of erythropoietin, whereas it did increase in all older groups. According to this assay, the rat most sensitive to erythropoietin was the oldest rat studied. Using the Fe39 red cell incorporation assay, no increase in erythropoiesis was observed in normal young rats(14 days of age) following erythropoietin administration. However, when erythropoiesis was depressed in young rats by hypertransfusion. red cell uptake of Fe59 was greatly reduced. When such hypertransfused rats were injected with erythropoietin, red cell incorporation of Fe59 was significantly increased.
Brain growth theory and educational psychology.

Psychologists in schools are attempting to apply many of the current findings of neurological research. This paper reviews Herman Epstein's brain growth theory and its implications for psychology and educational practice. Studies of brain weight and head circumference growth are described, particularly the studies that form the basis for Epstein's ideas. A critical examination of these studies does not support Epstein's stage theory of brain growth.
A method for measuring the lifetime of chemically and metabolically generated electrophilic species

Abstract A method is presented for the characterization of the reaction order and rate constant for chemically and metabolically generated reactive electrophilic intermediates. The procedure employs flow kinetics and trapping of the electrophilic species. Reactive agents or metabolic intermediates are passed through a column containing a bound nucleophilic reagent. The electrophilic species reacts at a characteristic rate while moving through the column at a fixed pH, temperature and rate of flow. The alkylation products formed during this reaction are quantified in individual column segments which correspond to time intervals. This provides data for the calculation of the lifetime of the short-lived species. The method may be used for agents having half-lives of 1 s to 30 min. Metabolic intermediates need not be isolated. Data is presented for the reaction rates of 1-methyl-1-nitrosourea (MNU), 1-methyl-3-nitro-1-nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) and iodomethane. A metabolic activation system is described for the conversion of acetoxymethylmethylnitrosamine (DMN-OAc) to hydroxymethylmethylnitrosamine (DMN-OH) and measurement of the stability of that intermediate. Hydroxymethylmethylnitrosamine was found to have a half-life of 28 s at pH 7.4, 37°C.
An analysis of neural spike-train distributions: determinants of the response of visual cortex neurons to changes in orientation and spatial frequency

A previously unexploited method of examining neural spike-trains was applied to data obtained from cells in the visual cortex. Distributions of interspike intervals recorded extracellularly from cat visual cortex under four conditions were analyzed. Stimuli were gratings differing in orientation and spatial frequency. The probability density function of first passage time for a random walk with drift process, which is defined by its barrier height and drift coefficient, was used to characterize the generating process of axonal discharge under resting and stimulus conditions. Drift coefficient and barrier height were derived from the sample mean and standard deviation of the measured inter-spike intervals. For cells with simple receptive fields, variations in the drift coefficient were produced by changes in orientation and spatial frequency. Variations in barrier height were produced only by changes in orientation of the stimulus.
Stresses in Hollow Cylinders with Conical Ends Bonded to Shell and Shrunk

This paper deals with, the three-dimensional photoelastic analysis of stresses and strains in two long, hollow circular cylinders with conical ends of 45° and 60°. The cylinders were bonded to a steel casing on the outer surface. The stresses and strains due to restrained shrinkage have been determined at the interface. The maximum stress for both geometries was found to occur at the end of the bond, and to be about 40% higher in the 60° cylinder than in the 45° cylinder. A study was also made at the opposite end of the two cylinders, where a natural meniscus was formed. The results should be of interest in the design of solidpropellant rocket grains.
The wavering line in the sand: the effects of domestic violence and sexual coercion

Control and power regarding sexuality and fertility challenges many women, especially those involved in abusive relationships. This preliminary study was done to explore the relationship between domestic violence, sexual coercion, and pregnancy. The sample was comprised of community-dwelling women attending support groups for survivors of abuse, and women attending group therapy sessions while housed at a battered woman's shelter. Both questionnaires and focus groups addressed the women's experiences with contraception, sexuality, pregnancy, and domestic violence. Only the qualitative phase of the study, plus demographics from the questionnaires, are presented in this article. The responses suggest that many of the women felt they could not avoid intercourse with their abusers, despite fears of pregnancy. Focus group transcript analysis revealed recurrent themes of problems regarding pregnancy, tactics of abuse, inability to access birth control, and denial and mistrust. This article explores the reality these women face and the thought processes they employ to survive and remain in their relationship. Health care providers can use this information to better understand their clients, to assist them in obtaining and using effective contraception, and to support clients as they make their decisions.
A gene expression approach to mapping the functional maturation of the hippocampus

Abstract Previous studies have shown an association among seizures, neuronal death and the expression of cellular immediate-early genes (cIEG). To understand further the relationship between these processes, we investigated the ability of kainic acid (KAI) to induce behavioral responses and gene expression in the hippocampus of developing fos – lac Z transgenic mice. Despite the fact that KAI elicited seizure-like activity from P2 onwards, Fos–lacZ was first detected at P5 in CA3 pyramidal neurons. Thus, intense behavioral responses were not invariably associated with fos – lac Z expression. Furthermore, while adult CA3 neurons are highly susceptible to KAI toxicity, they are resistant at P5. Therefore, the presence of Fos–lacZ in CA3 neurons is not necessarily predictive of their fate. By P10, Fos–lacZ was induced in CA3 neurons and in the most mature granule neurons of the dentate gyrus (DG). Between P15 and P20, KAI induced fos – lac Z in all CA1 and CA3 pyramidal neurons and most granule neurons of the DG. This stereotypical pattern of fos – lac Z expression mirrors the ontogeny of hippocampal circuitry and glutamate signalling. Thus the fos – lac Z mice can be used to map the functional maturation of the nervous system with single cell resolution. The scope of this approach was extended by administration of additional chemoconvulsants to fos – lac Z mice and by analysis of fos – lac Z transgenic mice with mutations in their FAP site. These additional studies revealed anatomical and mechanistic differences in glutamate receptor-mediated transcriptional responses in the nervous system.
Oxidative stress and genetics in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the second most common chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by the progressive loss of dopamine neurons, leading to rigidity, slowness of movement, rest tremor, gait disturbances, and imbalance. Although there is effective symptomatic treatment for PD, there is no proven preventative or regenerative therapy. The etiology of this disorder remains unknown. Recent genetic studies have identified mutations in alpha-synuclein as a rare cause of autosomal dominant familial PD and mutations in parkin as a cause of autosomal recessive familial PD. The more common sporadic form of PD is thought to be due to oxidative stress and derangements in mitochondrial complex I activity. Understanding the mechanism by which familial linked mutations and oxidative stress cause PD has tremendous potential for unraveling the mechanisms of dopamine cell death in PD. In this article, we review recent advances in the understanding of the role of genetics and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of PD.
Possibilistic multi-response quality design

Multi-response quality design techniques are used to identify settings of process parameters that make a product's performance close to a target value in the presence of multiple quality characteristics. In many situations, these quality characteristics, and thus their functional relations, are imprecise to some degree due to tolerances, nonspecificity, measuring errors, incomplete knowledge, vagueness of definitions, and so on. Here, possibility distributions and possibilistic regressions are used to model these imprecise natures and induced imprecise functional relationships. We first integrate and extend existing possibilistic regression methods to obtain unified measures of predictive quality characteristics or responses. The unified possibility distributions are also practical for many forecasting problems. We then propose a multiple objective programming model to obtain an appropriate combination of process parameter settings based on the unified possibility distributions of imprecise predictive res...
A public health initiative to increase annual influenza immunization among hospital health care personnel: The San Diego Hospital Influenza Immunization Partnership

Background A public health department–supported intervention to increase influenza immunization among hospital-based health care practitioners (HCPs) in San Diego County took place between 2005 and 2008. The study included all major hospitals in the county, with a population of approximately 3.5 million. Methods Information on hospital activities was collected from before, during and after initiative activities. Vaccination status and demographics were collected directly from HCP using hospital-based and random-dialed telephone surveys. Results Between 2006 and 2008, hospitals increased promotion activities and reported increases in vaccination rates. Based on the random-dialed surveys, HCP influenza vaccination coverage rates did not increase significantly. Vaccination rates were significantly higher in HCPs who reported that employers provided free vaccination and those who believed that their employers mandated influenza vaccination. Conclusions This local public health initiative and concurrent state legislation were effective in increasing employer efforts to promote influenza vaccination; however, population-based surveys of HCPs did not show significant increases in influenza vaccination. Overall, this study suggests that public health leadership, intensive employer promotion activities, and state-required declinations alone were not sufficient to significantly increase HCP influenza vaccination. Policymakers and employers should consider mandates to achieve optimal influenza vaccination among HCPs.
The work of developing cyberinfrastructure middleware projects

Middleware software, which provides an abstraction layer between low-level computational services and domain-specific applications, is a key component of cyberinfrastructure. This paper presents a qualitative study of how cyberinfrastructure middleware development is accomplished in two supercomputing centers. Our investigation highlights key development phases in the lives of middleware projects. Middleware development is typically undertaken as part of collaborations between technologists and domain scientists, and middleware developers must balance the pressure to meet specific scientific needs and the desire to explore their own R&D agendas. We explore how developers work to sustain an ongoing development trajectory by aligning their own work with particular domain science projects and funding streams. However, we find that the key transition from being a component in a domain-specific project to a stand-alone system that is useful across domains is particularly challenging for middleware development. We provide organizational and national policy implications for how to better support this transition.
AldehydeAmine Chemistry Enables Tissue Adhesive Materials to Respond to Physiologic Variation and Pathologic States

Biomaterials science represents the next frontier in medical therapeutics. Innovations in materials design and formulation have helped create previously unimaginable interventions and composite devices with materials whose structure and function evolve with time. Yet, materials development has outstripped our ability to explain why, when, and how these materials work. Current characterization means are limited, especially for dynamic erodible materials that are specifically designed to fade away. This complexity and dynamism of emerging materials and the impact they have on tissue make it challenging to understand and predict material interactions with local tissues. Because tissuebiomaterials interactions are determined not only by the innate properties of the materials, but also by the local microenvironment at the implantation site, we must now examine the impact of target tissue site, state, and incidence of a disease on material performance, efficacy, and biocompatibility. This issue becomes increasingly important when considering surface interacting materials, whose intimate interactions with tissues are dictated by local mechanical forces, tissue target site, and the modulation of tissue surface properties manifested by specific disease types and states. The mechanisms involved and the extent to which these parameters affect the in vivo performance of materials are mostly unknown. These open questions motivated us to explore the determinant factors that affect the efficacy of materials, using adhesive materials whose surface interactions with tissues make them an ideal material class for the assessment of tissuematerial interactions. As an example of this paradigm, we determined how tissue amines served as a natural binding site for material aldehydes, enabling tissue-specific binding that varied with natural changes in amine density from tissue to tissue and the physiologic environment, as well as with disease. The introduction of amines within the material also provides greater control over binding and material cohesion. This general mode will provide new tissue adhesives that can sense local tissue states and provide mechanical interactions titrated to context and need to enhance the desired effect and minimize local toxicity.
A fast in vitro effect of glucocorticoids on hepatic lipolysis.

A fast and direct effect of dexamethasone on liver metabolism is reported. In the perfused rat liver, addition of dexamethasone directly to the perfusate is followed by an increase in the level of free fatty acids (FFA) and glycerol. These effects of dexamethasone are evident within 30 minutesof hormone administration. The response to dexamethasone in livers from normal and adrenalectomized rats is similar. While dexamethasone and glucagon both had a lipolytic effect, these effects are not additive.
Changes of Selected Physical and Chemical Components in the Development of the Hard-to-Cook Bean Defect

The effects of storage temperature and humidity were monitored on several physical and chemical components of cowpeas and beans. Seeds stored at 29°C, 65% RH required prolonged cooking times; however, seeds stored in other conditions (5°C, 30% RH; 29°C 30% RH; and 5°C, 65% RH) maintained short, stable cooking times throughout storage. As cooking time increased, phytate, phytase activity, amylose solubility, high methoxyl pectin and protein solubility decreased. Solids leached during soaking and low methoxyl pectin increased as cooking time increased. These results were consistent with the proposed theory that the hard-to-cook defect involves interactions between phytate, minerals, and pectin. However, they did not eliminate possible roles of starch and protein solubility.
Near-optimum hierarchical layout synthesis of two-dimensional CMOS cells

We present a hierarchical technique HCLIP to generate near-optimum layouts of CMOS cells in the two-dimensional (2-D) style. HCLIP is based on integer-linear programming and extends our previously published CLIP technique to much larger cells and to 2-D cell-arrays. HCLIP partitions the circuit into clusters, generates minimum-width 1-D placements (chain covers) for each cluster and then selects one cover for each cluster such that the overall 2-D cell width and height is minimized. In doing so, HCLIP explores all diffusion sharing between transistor chains belonging to the selected covers. For width minimization, HCLIP yields 2-D layouts that have minimum width with respect to the given set of covers. For both width and height minimization, since HCLIP is approximate and can overestimate cell height, we analyze the theoretical worst-case approximation. Experimental results demonstrate that HCLIP still yields near-optimal layouts in most cases.
Stability of diluted smallpox vaccine under simulated clinical conditions.

Abstract Context: During a mass smallpox immunization campaign, vaccine may be exposed to ambient temperatures for extended periods of time. Objective: To determine the viability of undiluted and 5× diluted DryVax smallpox vaccine after cycling vaccine in and out of refrigeration for 2 weeks, as might occur during an immunization campaign. Design: Two vials of Dryvax vaccine were reconstituted as per manufacturer's instructions (1×) and two vials were reconstituted using 5× the recommended diluent (5×). Every 12 h over 2 weeks, vials were cycled between refrigeration and room temperature (1×-RT, 5×-RT) or ice bath (1×-cold, 5×-cold). Each vial was sampled in triplicate at time of reconstitution and thereafter at 24 or 48 h intervals. Main outcome measures: Viability measured by viral plaque forming units per ml (pfu/ml). Results: All four vaccine vials showed a decline in virus titer over the 2-week period but remained well above 10 7 pfu/ml. Compared with titers on the day of reconstitution (day 0), titers at the end of the study (day 14) had declined by 0.4–0.6 log in all vials (Table 1). Linear regression analysis suggested that decay in viral titer occurred more rapidly in vials exposed to room temperature compared with vials kept on ice and in vaccine diluted 1× compared with vaccine diluted 5×. Conclusions: After 2 weeks, viability was greater than 10 7 pfu/ml, the titer suggested by Frey et al. as necessary to ensure successful vaccination in more than 97% of vaccinees. When removed from refrigeration, keeping the vaccine on ice lowers the decline in titer.
Dissecting the genetic complexity of schizophrenia

Twin, adoption and family studies have provided overwhelming but indirect evidence for a significant genetic contribution to the etiology of schizophrenia. More recent studies exploiting a plethora of highly polymorphic genetic markers provide a more direct approach to the identification and localization of genes. Current investigative efforts to identify schizophrenia susceptibility genes include diverse approaches such as linkage analysis, association studies, search for chromosomal abnormalities, analysis of disorders or syndromes with simple inheritance that overlap phenotypically with schizophrenia, studies of genetic anticipation and efforts to facilitate genetic analysis by reducing the phenotypic complexity of the disease. For the first time, after many years, there are now several promising findings, as well as replication efforts that inspire a certain degree of confidence in them.
Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E and pregnancy: A case report

Hyperimmunoglobulinemia E is characterized by recurrent bacterial sinopulmonary and skin infections from birth or early childhood, with IgE levels at least 10 times greater than the upper limits of normal. The following case describes a young black woman with hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome who had an uneventful pregnancy and delivery. The infant has been diagnosed as suffering from hyperimmunoglobulinemia E syndrome as well. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 1987;157:1273-4.)
What you need to know to select and train your day care staff

To improve staff-selection procedures, the following are recommended: asking the applicant questions about goals, interview role-playing, and a try-out work period. A 20-question checklist to be used during the trial work period is suggested to help the director evaluate the caregiver's ability and potential to increase the quality of child experience in day care settings.
Thermochemistry and Electronic Structure of Small Boron and Boron Oxide Clusters and Their Anions

Thermochemical properties of a set of small boron (Bn) and boron oxide (BnOm) clusters, with n = 1−4 and m = 0−3, their anions, and the B42− dianion, were calculated by using coupled-cluster theory CCSD(T) calculations with the aug-cc-pVnZ (n = D, T, Q, 5) basis sets extrapolated to the complete basis set limit with additional corrections. Enthalpies of formation, bond dissociation energies, singlet−triplet or doublet−quartet separation gaps, adiabatic electron affinities (EA), and both vertical electron attachment and detachment energies were evaluated. The predicted heats of formation show agreement close to the error bars of the literature results for boron oxides with the largest error for OBO. Our calculated adiabatic EAs are in good agreement with recent experiments: B (calc, 0.26 eV; exptl, 0.28 eV), B2 (1.95, 1.80), B3 (2.88, 2.820 ± 0.020), B4 (1.68, 1.60 ± 0.10), BO (2.50, 2.51), BO2 (4.48, 4.51), BOB (0.07), B2O2 (0.37), B3O (2.05), B3O2 (2.94, 2.94), B4O (2.58), and B4O2 (3.14, 3.160 ± 0.015)....
Dietary triheptanoin rescues oligodendrocyte loss, dysmyelination and motor function in the nur7 mouse model of Canavan disease

The inherited pediatric leukodystrophy Canavan disease is characterized by dysmyelination and severe spongiform degeneration, and is currently refractory to treatment. A definitive understanding of core disease mechanisms is lacking, but pathology is believed to result at least in part compromised fatty acid synthesis during myelination. Recent evidence generated in an animal model suggests that the breakdown of N-acetylaspartate metabolism in CD results in a heightened coupling of fatty acid synthesis to oligodendrocyte oxidative metabolism during the early stages of myelination, thereby causing acute oxidative stress. We present here the results of a dietary intervention designed to support oxidative integrity during developmental myelination in the nur7 mouse model of Canavan disease. Provision of the odd carbon triglyceride triheptanoin to neonatal nur7 mice reduced oxidative stress, promoted long-term oligodendrocyte survival, and increased myelin in the brain. Improvements in oligodendrocyte survival and myelination were associated with a highly significant reduction in spongiform degeneration and improved motor function in triheptanoin treated mice. Initiation of triheptanoin treatment in older animals resulted in markedly more modest effects on these same pathological indices, indicating a window of therapeutic intervention that corresponds with developmental myelination. These results support the targeting of oxidative integrity at early stages of Canavan disease, and provide a foundation for the clinical development of a non-invasive dietary triheptanoin treatment regimen.
Spectroscopy of low-energy non-adiabatic resonances in photodissociation to open-shell atoms: CH+, a model system

Abstract Theoretical calculations of the low-energy CH+ photodissociation spectrum display extremely complicated structure due to strong non-adiabatic couplings which are present when molecules dissociate to open-shell atoms. An analysis of the spectrum, using methods which will be explained elsewhere, leads to general principles for describing the resonances. These principles should be of aid in assigning experimental CH+ photodissociation spectra and those of other systems with strong non-adiabatic interactions.
A comparison of the habitat value of sub-tidal and floating oyster (Crassostrea virginica) aquaculture gear with a created reef in Delaware’s Inland Bays, USA

The culture of the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) in containment gear has become a viable component of restoration programs in many states on the East Coast of the United States, and it has been suggested that these operations may provide many of the same ecological services as natural or restored reefs. Our two-part study comparing the diversity and abundance in macro-epifaunal communities associated with a sub-tidal-created oyster reef and ‘modified rack and bag’ cage system (Part I) and floating oyster cages for restoration (Part II) occurred over the summer and fall of 2006 and 2007, respectively. In Part I, a greater total abundance and species richness (P 0.05) was found in species diversity according to Simpson’s index by habitat type, but it was significant (P 0.05). These results suggest that created reefs in conjunction with ‘rack and bag’ cage systems, as well as floating cage systems, support ecologically and economically important macro-epifauna, even at very small scales.
Crystal Structure and Spectroscopic Characterization of a Luminescent Europium Chelate

We report the crystal structure at 1 A resolution of europium bound to diethylenetriaminepentaacetate covalently coupled to an organic chromophore, carbostyril 124 (DTPA-cs124; carbostyril 124 = 7-amino-4-methyl-2(1H)-quinolinone). The complex is highly luminescent in solution and in the crystal form. The Eu-DTPA-cs124 crystallizes in the space group C2/c with two molecules in the asymmetric unit. The two molecules form a dimer which is stabilized by π-stacking of two carbostyrils and by the ligation of the carbonyl oxygen of one cs124 to the europium of the second half of the dimer. This ligation removes the last water bound to the primary coordination sphere of europium, resulting in no waters bound to the lanthanide. The crystal structure also shows the amide oxygen between the cs124 and the DTPA is ligated to the metal. Spectroscopic measurements of the europium luminescence in the crystal show that 66% of the luminescence is centered around 617 nm with a full width at half-maximum of 2.5 nm. In solut...