cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Assessment of statewide and within-herd seroprevalence of Anaplasma marginale antibodies in 12 Bos taurus–Bos indicus cow herds and the association with sporadic outbreaks of bovine anaplasmosis in Florida

ABSTRACT Objective Our objective was to assess within-herd seroprevalence of Anaplasma marginale antibodies across 12 Florida beef cattle herds and compare with statewide seroprevalence. Materials and Methods Twelve surveyed herds ranged in size from 160 to 456 adult Bos taurus–Bos indicus cattle. Statewide A. marginale seroprevalence relied on blood samples obtained at slaughter from 201 Florida cattle. Screening relied on competitive ELISA. Results and Discussion Before serology, an outbreak of anaplasmosis resulted in increased mortality (up to 17.8%) and abortions in several herds. Up to 29.2% of cows aborted late in gestation in 2 herds that included many cattle introduced from Texas. Among 1,085 cattle tested in the 12 herds, seroprevalence of A. marginale varied from 2.6 to 85%, with an overall seropositive rate of 50.3%. Cattle in open herds were 6.23 (95% CI: 4.26–9.17) times more likely to experience mortality and 3.10 (95% CI: 2.39–3.98) times more likely to abort than animals in closed herds. Average mortality (12%) and abortion (16.3%) among open herds were significantly (P Implications and Applications This survey provides estimates of seropositivity among Florida cattle and reports the absence of uniform herd immunity in an area considered endemic for bovine anaplasmosis. These data highlight unrestricted cattle movement and environmental conditions that favor vector-borne disease transmission as risk factors for disease outbreaks even in regions that are considered endemic for bovine anaplasmosis.
Generational Wartime Behavioral Health Crises: Part One of a Preliminary Analysis

As the USA enters into its 12th year of war, the persistent drum beat of negative news headlines of unmet mental health and social needs of veterans fuels public perception of a twenty-first century military behavioral health crisis. For many Americans, the status quo harkens back to previous wartime crises. Wartime mental health crises continue to happen, despite the personal and financial consequences. This paper address this crisis by carefully tracking the critical decisions that lead to the current situation. This is the first of a two-part preliminary analysis of generational wartime behavioral health crises. We first define wartime mental health crises and how current and past conditions qualify as such a crisis. Next, we point out that there is a continual underestimate of war and post-wartime behavioral health needs. We then provide an extensive review of official military records, government investigations, and news media reports; a compelling evidence of a major crisis in the twenty-first century. In the final section of the paper, we discuss the themes that emerged from the review that both confirm the generational failure to learn fundamental war trauma lessons.
Performance Feedback Does Not Eliminate the Sunk-Cost Fallacy: Evidence From Professional Football

Empirical studies on the influence of sunk costs in high stakes decisions have come to mixed conclusions. As observational studies have primarily used professional sports labor markets, we analyze the effect of sunk costs, player compensation, on the labor utilization of defensive players in the National Football League (NFL). Our analysis has several advantages. First, we measure the direct impact of increased financial commitment. Second, we analyze the effect of sunk costs when firms have accurate and abundant performance feedback; therefore, our conclusions are not driven by uncertainty. Finally, we control for possible endogeneity by using the exogenous variation in compensation generated when players become eligible for free agency or change teams. Our results indicate sunk costs are significant determinants of player utilization. A 15 % increase in compensation has an equivalent effect on playing time as an increase of five to eleven solo tackles, one to two interceptions and two to five and a half sacks in the previous season for linebackers, defensive backs and defensive linemen respectively. Furthermore, the sunk-cost fallacy is persistent throughout the entire career of an average NFL player.
Post-acceleration and energy balance in the time-delayed Lorentz equation

The time-delayed Lorentz equation suggested by Cohn is applied to the problem of a constant force which acts for a finite time, and an exact solution is obtained. Whereas the Lorentz equation predicts pre-acceleration, the Cohn equation predicts a runaway post-acceleration. The energy balance of the time-delayed theory is found to be of an unreasonable form.
Foreign aid in the form of commodity transfers that increase the income gap between rich and poor countries: The Chichilnisky theorems revisited

Abstract This note puts into historical perspective the importance of Chichilnisky's resurrection of Leontief's unorthodox position that a transfer may worsen the welfare of the recipient even with Walrasian stability. It also calls attention to a significant error which, when corrected, essentially reserves Chichilnsky's results. By changing one assumption, however, it is shown that her results can still be obtained.
On local representations of graphs and networks

Variations of network decomposition, a decomposition of a graph or network into low-diameter neighborhoods, are constructed in the parallel, distributed, and sequential models of computation. Chapter 1 gives background and definitions, and it surveys new and known results. Chapter 2 obtains an NC algorithm for a coloring version of a network decomposition, which we call weak network decomposition. It does this by modifying an algorithm of Linial and Saks to depend on only pairwise independence, and then removing randomness. Chapter 3 obtains sublinear time deterministic distributed algorithms for all alternative notions of network decomposition. Chapter 4 presents a sequential near-linear construction of layered sparse neighborhood covers, with applications to approximating all-pairs shortest paths. The network decomposition structure was first introduced by Awerbuch, Goldberg, Luby, and Plotkin as a means to deterministically construct a maximal independent set in a distributed network. In Chapter 5, we return to the MIS problem in distributed computing and present a highly robust randomized protocol that constructs a maximal independent set in an entirely asynchronous environment in O(log n) expected time. Applications include an optimal solution to the generalized dining philosophers problem, where a process that competes with d other unit-time processes for resources it needs exclusively to execute, is scheduled in O(d) expected time. The constructions presented here can also be seen in a broader context as the beginning of an investigation of what functions of graphs and networks can be computed locally. Since locality can be key to designing efficient algorithms, to increase what we know how to compute without complete global knowledge of graph or network topology is important, and we suggest some open questions and future directions, in the conclusion. (Copies available exclusively from MIT Libraries, Rm. 14-0551, Cambridge, MA 02139-4307. Ph. 617-253-5668; Fax 617-253-1690.)
Measuring rehabilitation outcomes

This report describes the methods used to develop measures of discipline-specific rehabilitation goals. Occupational, physical, speech and recreation therapists reported goals as well as admission and discharge ratings, while psychologists, social workers, and chaplains reported extent of goal attainment for 314 patients treated at seven inpatient programs. Functional status measures with adequate psychometric properties were developed for occupational, physical, speech and recreation therapists using rating scale analysis [1]. While the items developed for use by psychologists, social workers and chaplains did not span a sufficient range of goal attainment for the sample, the hierarchies of goal attainment provide ideas about how the item sets could be expanded. Gains from admission to discharge are reported separately for patients with primary impairments of stroke, spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury, along with correlations among the discipline-specific measures and Functional Independence Measure components. The results help focus attention on the specific contributions of various disciplines and the likelihood of attaining goals.
Distribution of pyrethroid insecticides in secondary wastewater effluent

Although the freely dissolved form of hydrophobic organic chemicals may best predict aquatic toxicity, differentiating between dissolved and particle-bound forms is challenging at environmentally relevant concentrations for compounds with low toxicity thresholds such as pyrethroid insecticides. The authors investigated the distribution of pyrethroids among 3 forms: freely dissolved, complexed with dissolved organic carbon, and sorbed to suspended particulate matter, during a yearlong study at a secondary wastewater treatment plant. Effluent was fractionated by laboratory centrifugation to determine whether sorption was driven by particle size. Linear distribution coefficients were estimated for pyrethroid sorption to suspended particulate matter (K(id)) and dissolved organic carbon (K(idoc)) at environmentally relevant pyrethroid concentrations. Resulting K(id) values were higher than those reported for other environmental solids, and variation between sampling events correlated well with available particle surface area. Fractionation results suggest that no more than 40% of the pyrethroid remaining in secondary effluent could be removed by extending settling periods. Less than 6% of the total pyrethroid load in wastewater effluent was present in the dissolved form across all sampling events and chemicals.
A clinical comparison of calculated versus direct measurement of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level.

Study Objectives. To determine if, and to what extent, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) level is underestimated when it is calculated by the Friedewald formula compared with the LDL level measured by a direct method. A secondary objective was to determine and compare the percentages of patients meeting LDL goal using each of these two methods. Design. Retrospective chart review. Setting. Kansas City Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Subjects. Patients aged 18 years or older and whose laboratory results reflected a complete lipid profile for 1 year. Measurement and Main Results. Calculated LDL level (C-LDL) was derived using the Friedewald formula and was compared with Wako method–derived direct LDL level (D-LDL) to ascertain whether a positive correlation existed. The absolute difference between the methods for each sample was determined and compared overall and for various subgroups. The number of patient samples achieving National Cholesterol Education Program–defined LDL goal was determined and compared for both methods. A total of 20,224 lipid profiles were generated and 19,343 were included in the analysis. A strong correlation was found between D-LDL and C-LDL (r = 0.94). The absolute difference between the two methods demonstrated an underestimation of C-LDL of 19.5 ± 11.8 mg/dl. The degree of underestimation increased as the triglyceride level increased (p<0.05). Age within the fifth and sixth decades resulted in significantly higher differences compared with age in the eighth decade or greater (p<0.05). Female sex and elevated body mass index also resulted in increased discrepancies between the two methods (p<0.05 for both). Seventy-six percent of the lipid profiles were derived from patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) or a CHD risk equivalent. Approximately one half of these patients met their LDL goal when LDL level was measured versus calculated (p<0.0001). Conclusion. When compared with D-LDL, an underestimation of approximately 20 mg/dl was found with C-LDL, resulting in a loss of LDL goal attainment for half of the patients with CHD or a CHD risk equivalent.
Learning to Teach Through a Practicum-Based Microteaching Model

A practicum-based microteaching model was developed based on Grossman et al.'s “approximations of practice.” This study introduced the model and examined how it created opportunities for preservice teachers to learn to teach in a meaningful learning context. Sixteen secondary preservice teachers participated in the study in Fall 2009. Results indicated that the model provides preservice teachers with opportunities for interactive learning practices, for rehearsal, revision, and retrial. It offers “manageable chunks” of professional practices and has potential to align the methods courses with preservice teachers' field experiences from a less complete and authentic situation switching to a more complete and authentic situation.
Rock mechanics and dynamic processes in the crust

During the past four years experimental and theoretical studies of the fracture and flow of rock have provided important new insights into the dynamics of geologic processes in the crust and upper mantle. In addition, intensive new observational studies, particularly along the San Andreas fault in California, have yielded new information on the mechanism of earthquakes and faulting. Of particular interest are: (1) work on the friction characteristics of rock under crustal temperature and pressure conditions and its application to the mechanism of faulting; (2) use of laboratory experiments as scale models of seismicity with applications to earthquake statistics; (3) recognition and measurement of fault creep over extensive portions of the San Andreas fault system; (4) use of geologic, geodetic, and seismic data for the determination of rates of movement and strain accumulation on the San Andreas fault; (5) observations and experiments with earthquake triggering; (6) studies of the creep of rock at high temperatures and pressures.
Diatomic centrifugal distortion constants from semiclassical phase integrals

Abstract Centrifugal distortion constants are calculated from diatomic potential curves using the phase-integral relationships which occur in the derivation of
An Assessment of Time Involved in Pre-test Case Review and Counseling for a Whole Genome Sequencing Clinical Research Program

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) is being used for evaluation of individuals with undiagnosed disease of suspected genetic origin. Implementing WGS into clinical practice will place an increased burden upon care teams with regard to pre-test patient education and counseling about results. To quantitate the time needed for appropriate pre-test evaluation of participants in WGS testing, we documented the time spent by our clinical research group on various activities related to program preparation, participant screening, and consent prior to WGS. Participants were children or young adults with autism, intellectual or developmental disability, and/or congenital anomalies, who have remained undiagnosed despite previous evaluation, and their biologic parents. Results showed that significant time was spent in securing allocation of clinical research space to counsel participants and families, and in acquisition and review of participant’s medical records. Pre-enrollment chart review identified two individuals with existing diagnoses resulting in savings of $30,000 for the genome sequencing alone, as well as saving hours of personnel time for genome interpretation and communication of WGS results. New WGS programs should plan for costs associated with additional pre-test administrative planning and patient evaluation time that will be required to provide high quality care.
Comparative Effects of Selected Azole Compounds on Trophic and Cystic Stages of Acanthamoeba polyphaga

. A clinical isolate of Acunthamoeba polyphagu, associated with Acunthamoebu keratitis, was used for in vitro evaluation of antiamebic activity of selected azole compounds. Those antimicrobials tested included clotrimazole, bifonazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, and ketoconazole. The drugs were tested at varying concentrations on axenic trophic amebas and MgC12,-induced cysts. On the basis of their effects on the two stages in the ameba life-cycle, clotrimazole and bifonazole were the more promising of the azoles screened but, at concentrations tested, were amebastatic rather than amebicidal. Other strains of A. polyphaga and species of Acunthamoebu were used for comparing variation in response to these and other antimicrobial agents.
Comparison of Tracking and Non-Tracking Holographic Planar Concentrator Systems

A comparison of static and single-axis tracking holographic planar concentrator systems is made. Tracking is used as a design parameter that can provide additional degrees of freedom in the spectrum and uniformity of the beam illuminating the photovoltaic cell surface. These parameters impact the energy yield of the system. An overview of these factors and an estimate of the cost differences for the two systems will be presented.
Recent studies of valence band emission spectra

Abstract The paper will discuss recent experimental studies of intensity distribution in the K emission bands of the light metals Li and Be and also in the M 2,3 emission spectra of the 3 d metals. Consideration will be given to problems dealing with excitation, detection and reduction of data. Factors which might modify and distort the band shape will also be discussed. In this category fall the effect of self-absorption in the target, the contribution from the underlying continuum, the overlap of individual bands, intensity anomalies arising from Auger processes, the width of inner levels and the presence of high and low energy tails. The influence of such instrumental features as the spectral response of the monochromator, modifications produced by the grating, and the effect of contaminants will also be assessed. Where possible, the observed features of the bands will be discussed in the light of recent calculations dealing with band widths and density of states.
Synthesized images for pattern recognition

Abstract Since there is no generic procedure for machine pattern recognition due to its complexity, ad hoc computer algorithms have been developed for each class of problems. In visual pattern recognition, depending on the area of investigation, it is difficult to obtain test images with the desired characteristics. Capturing the original images in the first place may require special and/or expensive equipment, setups, timing, lighting conditions, relocation of equipment and personnel. Due to these difficulties, researchers often reuse the same few available test images, which may compromise the thoroughness of the investigation. Also, when existing images need major changes in optical parameters (viewpoint, illumination, relative position of objects) the original environment and objects may not be available. This paper proposes generating graphic images by computer with characteristics close enough to reality for testing new pattern recognition algorithms. For demonstration of the idea, we use the graphics resources: ray tracing, fractals, texture-mapping and smooth surfaces, such as spheres and Bezier patches. Two illustrative examples are presented: (1) Moire patterns by placing a cylinder array over a Bezier patch and sphere; (2) pavement distress images (cracks and potholes) from fractal backbone lines. At a relatively low cost, the image is synthesized in the form of a light intensity map file, which can be readily input to the pattern recognition algorithms under investigation. After an algorithm produces acceptable results using synthesized images, then we can validate it by capturing real images under the combination of parameters chosen in the previous step. In order to reduce costs, the field setup parameters may be decided from the best simulation settings. The proposed approach to the development of algorithms for pattern recognition will save time, money and resources at research sites where quality graphics can be rendered.
Expected Power for the False Discovery Rate with Independence

The Benjamini-Hochberg procedure is widely used in multiple comparisons. Previous power results for this procedure have been based on simulations. This article produces theoretical expressions for expected power. To derive them, we make assumptions about the number of hypotheses being tested, which null hypotheses are true, which are false, and the distributions of the test statistics under each null and alternative. We use these assumptions to derive bounds for multiple dimensional rejection regions. With these bounds and a permanent based representation of the joint density function of the largest p-values, we use the law of total probability to derive the distribution of the total number of rejections. We derive the joint distribution of the total number of rejections and the number of rejections when the null hypothesis is true. We give an analytic expression for the expected power for a false discovery rate procedure that assumes the hypotheses are independent.
The conifer Araucaria bladenensis and associated large pollen and ovulate cones from the Upper Cretaceous Ingersoll shale (Eutaw Formation) of Alabama

Abstract Araucarian conifer remains from the Upper Cretaceous Ingersoll shale Konservat-Lagerstatte (Eutaw Formation) of Alabama include shoots of Araucaria bladenensis , an associated pollen cone, an ovulate cone, and an isolated bract-scale complex that were probably produced by the same plant species. Well-articulated A. bladenensis specimens with preserved cuticles reaffirm the original generic determination and show similarity to branches of the extant species A. bidwillii . The large pollen cone is remarkable as the earliest example comparable in size and pollen sac number to those of the largest extant Araucaria species. The co-occurrence of this cone with Upatoia barnardii in the Eutaw Formation also demonstrates that typical, small araucarian fossil pollen cones coexisted during the Late Cretaceous with modern appearing, large-coned species. The intact ovulate cone is large and ovoid but poorly preserved. An associated bract-scale complex displays lateral wings and a ligule. Comparisons with other fossil and extant araucarian conifers indicate affinity with section Bunya , making this the first North American record of the section. These fossils reaffirm that araucarian conifers were a significant component of the southeastern US Cretaceous flora, and provide a temporal and biogeographic context for the currently unexplained transition from small to large pollen cones in the family.
Abstract C18: Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) facilitates intravasation and vascular dissemination of human carcinoma cells by regulating the microarchitecture and permeability of intratumoral vasculature

Patients with squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) often present with advanced stage disease and face one of the lowest 5-year post-therapeutic survival rates. Among 25 signature genes, Mmp1 has been found to be third best SCC tumor predictor, suggesting a critical role of MMP-1 in SCC progression. Functional role of MMP-1 in SCCs was analyzed in this study by employing a highly-disseminating variant of human epidermoid HEp-3 carcinoma, HEp3-hi/diss. The dissemination capacity of HEp3-hi/diss cells in chick embryo spontaneous metastasis models positively correlated with their high levels of MMP-1 expression. MMP-1-deficiency induced by RNA interference resulted in 70-95% inhibition of HEp3-hi/diss intravasation, concomitant with collapse of the intravasation-sustaining microarchitecture of intratumoral vasculature. Furthermore, we have demonstrated the mechanism whereby HEp3-hi/diss-produced MMP-1 contributes to tumor cell intravasation by proteolytically inducing vascular endothelial permeability and increasing rates of carcinoma cells crossing over vascular barriers during the intravasation step of the metastatic cascade. Citation Format: Anna Juncker-Jensen, Berta Casar, Ivo Rimann, Ewa Zajac, Tatyana A. Kupriyanova, Elena I. Deryugina, James P. Quigley. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) facilitates intravasation and vascular dissemination of human carcinoma cells by regulating the microarchitecture and permeability of intratumoral vasculature. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Tumor Invasion and Metastasis; Jan 20-23, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(3 Suppl):Abstract nr C18.
In vitro Evidence for a Renotrophic Factor in Renal Compensatory Hypertrophy

A plasma factor has been hypothesized to initiate compensatory growth of the remaining kidney following unilateral nephrectomy. Evidence supporting the existence of this factor has been obtained in studies of hamster renal cortical cells grown in monolayer tissue culture. These cultured cells resemble renal epithelium in electron micrographs. The incorporation of 3H-uridine into RNA was significantly increased in those cultures incubated in plasma from uninephrectomized hamsters (UP) above those containing sham plasma (SP) at 10 and 15 % plasma in the medium. The uptake of uridine into the cy toplasmic fraction of those cultures incubated for 4, 6, 8, 10 and 24 h and in the nuclear fraction for 2, 4, 6, 8 and 24 h in UP was significantly greater than those incubated in SP. Plasma from partially hepatectomized hamsters did not increase the growth rate of this tissue culture over those cultures incubated in SP. Dialysis of UP does not affect its growth characteristics. Therefore, a renotrophic factor is present in the plasma of uninephrectomized hamsters which increases the uptake of uridine into renal tissue cultures.
Max Weber and Ernst Toller: realists or idealists?

Max Weber and Ernst Toller are regarded as political opposites with the former viewed as the responsible realist and the latter as an ethical idealist. I argue that this contrast between the two is not as great as is customarily thought.
Type II cytokines impair host defense against an intracellular fungal pathogen by amplifying macrophage generation of IL-33.

Type II cytokines impair host defense against an intracellular fungal pathogen by amplifying macrophage generation of IL-33
A hybrid approach to global optimization using a clustering algorithm in a genetic search framework

Abstract The concern of this work is global optimization using genetic algorithms (GAs). In this work we propose a synergy between the cluster analysis technique, popular in classical stochastic global optimization, and the GA to accomplish global optimization. This synergy minimizes redundant searches around local optima and enhances the capability of the GA to explore new areas in the search space. The proposed methodology demonstrates superior performance when compared with the simple GA on benchmark cases. We also report our solution of the optimal pumps configuration synthesis problem.
Thermal oxidation of lipids in monolayers. I. The nature of binding on silica

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the oxidation of lipids in the ordered state differs from that in the bulk phase. Simple model systems of lipids adsorbed on silica were used as a monolayer model system. This part of the study was designed to provide a better understanding of the nature of lipid adsorption on silica. Isotherms were determined for a number of substrates differing in chain length and functional groups. The number of molecules adsorbed per unit area of silica was found to decrease with increasing chain length. Binding was also dependent on the type of functional group present. For the same length, the amount adsorbed was in the following order: alcohol >acid> ester, whereas binding strength was as follows: acid >ester> alcohol.
Data outlier detection using the Chebyshev theorem

During data collection and analysis, it is often necessary to identify and possibly remove outliers that exist. An objective method for identifying outliers to be removed is critical. Many automated outlier detection methods are available. However, many are limited by assumptions of a distribution or require upper and lower predefined boundaries in which the data should exist. If there is a known distribution for the data, then using that distribution can aid in finding outliers. Often, a distribution is not known, or the experimenter does not want to make an assumption about a certain distribution. Also, enough information may not exist about a set of data to be able to determine reliable upper and lower boundaries. For these cases, an outlier detection method, using the empirical data and based upon Chebyshev's inequality, was formed. This method allows for detection of multiple outliers, not just one at a time. This method also assumes that the data are independent measurements and that a relatively small percentage of outliers are contained in the data. Chebyshev's inequality gives a bound of what percentage of the data falls outside of k standard deviations from the mean. This calculation holds no assumptions about the distribution of the data. If the data are known to be unimodal without a known distribution, then the method can be improved by using the unimodal Chebyshev inequality. The Chebyshev outlier detection method uses the Chebyshev inequality to calculate upper and lower outlier detection limits. Data values that are not within the range of the upper and lower limits would be considered data outliers. Outliers could be due to erroneous data or could indicate that the data are correct but highly unusual. This algorithm does not ascertain the reason for the outlier; it identifies potential outlier data, allowing for domain experts to investigate the cause
Effects of plant competition, seed predation, and nutrient limitation on seedling survivorship of spotted knapweed ( Centaurea stoebe )

We measured seed germination and seedling survivorship of spotted knapweed, Centaurea stoebe, in a series of laboratory and field experiments to evaluate the efficacy of seed limitation as a management focus. This work was initiated 6 years after introduction of several biological control agents. The soil seed bank of the site used in this study contained a mean density of 5,848 seeds/m2 (ranging from 0 to 16,364 seeds/m2), and 92% of the seeds isolated from soils were shriveled, discolored, and/or partially decayed. Additionally, none of the intact seeds germinated, suggesting that the viable seed bank at our field study site has been exhausted. Centaurea stoebe seeds were planted into pots under a range of soil nitrogen (N) availability, with half of the pots containing a single density of previously established seedlings of a native cool-season grass, slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus). A watering regime mimicking local precipitation was applied. Spotted knapweed exhibited large biomass responses to N addition, but the presence of grasses suppressed the ability to exploit this N. Surprisingly, low soil N conditions improved knapweed survivorship in the presence of grasses. Nevertheless, recruitment and biomass were still far below the levels reached in the absence of competition. To evaluate the effect of density on successful recruitment, Centaurea stoebe seed was introduced into a meadow at three densities matching reduced levels of seed production under the constraints of seed predators. These densities were sown with or without a seed mixture of native species, into an existing plant community lacking C. stoebe, and seedling recruitment was recorded over 2.5 years. Across all plots and densities sown (568–2,272 seeds m−2 year−1), seedling recruitment was less than 1%. The invasion potential of spotted knapweed was greatly diminished when realistic levels of plant competition and biological control limit seed production. We therefore conclude that a combination of seed limitation and shortage of ‘safe sites’ within undisturbed vegetation can limit densities of C. stoebe.
Heteronuclear X-Y double quantum MAS NMR in crystalline inorganic solids Applications for indirect detection and spectral editing of rare-spin resonances

Heteronuclear double quantum MAS NMR experiments in the solid state, involving pairs of highly abundant 31P spins and the rare spins 113Cd, 77Se, and 29Si, are described for the three crystalline compounds CdSiP2, CdGeP2, and Ag7PSe6. These experiments offer the opportunity of indirectly detecting the rare-spin resonance via chemical shift evolution of heteronuclear double quantum coherence. For suitable cases, this method results in significantly enhanced detection sensitivities. Criteria for favorable indirect detection experiments are established. Besides offering high sensitivity, the pulse sequence also acts as a heteronuclear double quantum filter, hence providing heteronuclear correlation and useful spectral editing for peak assignments.
Molecular Basis for the DNA Sequence Selectivity of Ecteinascidin 736 and 743: Evidence for the Dominant Role of Direct Readout via Hydrogen Bonding

The marine natural product ecteinascidin 743 (Et 743) is currently in phase II clinical trials. We have undertaken parallel structural and modeling studies of an Et 743−(N2-guanine) 12-mer DNA adduct and an adduct involving the structurally related Et 736 of the same sequence in order to ascertain the structural basis for the ecteinascidin−DNA sequence selectivity. In contrast to the C-subunit differences found in Et 736 and Et 743, they have identical A−B-subunit scaffolds, which are the principal sites of interaction with DNA bases. These identical scaffolds generate parallel networks of drug−DNA hydrogen bonds that associate the drugs with the three base pairs at the recognition site. We propose that these parallel hydrogen bonding networks stabilize the Et 736 and Et 743 A- and B-subunit prealkylation binding complex with the three base pairs and are the major factors governing sequence recognition and reactivity. The possibility that a unique hydrogen-bonding network directs the course of sequence re...
A Comparison of the Reagan and Thatcher Administrations' Efforts to Reform Social Security in the United States and the United Kingdom:

A comparison is made between the records of the Reagan and Thatcher administrations in their efforts to reform, respectively, the social security program in the United States and the retirement pen...
In vitro activity of parenteral β-lactams, levofloxacin and tobramycin alone or in combination against extended-spectrum β-lactamase producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract MICs and time-kill studies were performed for four clinical isolates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae . MICs (mg/L) were: piperacillin/tazobactam 8, cefepime 1–2, meropenem 0.03–0.06, levofloxacin 0.5–8 and tobramycin 0.25–32. For monotherapy, only meropenem maintained bactericidal activity over the 24 h for all isolates. Levofloxacin and tobramycin maintained bactericidal activity against the isolate susceptible to each drug. Piperacillin/tazobactam and cefepime did not maintain bactericidal activity against any isolate. Combination therapy with piperacillin/tazobactam or cefepime combined with levofloxacin or tobramycin were able to provide dramatic killing against ESBL K. pneumoniae , but did not always maintain bactericidal activity. Future studies should evaluate different antimicrobial combinations against pathogens producing specific ESBL enzymes to define their utility as an alternative to carbapenems.
Kinetics of chemical beam epitaxy for high quality ZnS film growth

A comprehensive study is reported of the chemical and metalorganic molecular beam epitaxy (CBE/MOMBE) growth of ZnS on Si and GaAs(100) substrates for applications in advanced electroluminescent displays and for optoelectronic device integration on Si. Growth kinetics studies of conventional and photoassisted MOMBE and CBE using diethylzinc (DeZn) with H 2 S, di-isopropylsulfide (DipS) and a novel precursor, t-butyl mercaptan (t-BuSH), are reported. The results obtained indicated that the low temperature growth of ZnS using cracked DeZn and DipS was hindered. This was attributed to the reattachment of the alkyl radicals to surface growth sites, which resulted in a lower growth rate. However, by using uncracked DeZn and H 2 S or cracked DeZn and t-BuSH, this growth hindrance was removed by the surface reaction of hydrogen with the alkyl radicals. The addition of a thin CaF 2 buffer layer was found to remarkably improve the growth of ZnS on Si.
Testing for Hypothyroidism in Dogs

Hypothyroidism is the most common endocrinopathy in the dog. Rather than being a comprehensive review of all possible thyroid function tests, the focus in this article is on the logical progression of test choice, highlighting total thyroxine, free thyroxine, triiodothyronine, thyrotropin (TSH), and antithyroid antibodies. This article includes extensive discussion of the current status of the canine TSH assay and the potential for improving this assay.
Liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses of small molecules using electrospray and fast-atom bombardment ionization†

Electrospray ionization and fast-atom bombardment (FAB) are both soft ionization techniques which typically give prominent molecular ions of thermally labile and highly polar molecules. These two complementary techniques were compared on the same magnetic sector mass spectrometer, a Finnigan MAT 900. Comparisons were made of sensitivity, versatility, ease of use, and most importantly for our work, structure elucidation of unknowns arising from research with agricultural chemicals. Both known standards and ‘real world’ unknowns were analyzed by liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) with both interfaces. The same reversed-phase micro-LC system was used with both ionization techniques, using 0.32 mm i.d. packed capillary LC columns at flow rates of 1–2 μL/min. Improved performance in the continuous-flow FAB mode was obtained by use of a screen target. The advantages, disadvantages and similarities of these two ionization techniques are discussed.
Recurrent Cushing’s Syndrome Due to Recurrent Adrenocortical Tumor—Fragmentation or Tumor in Ectopic Adrenal Tissue?

A 33-yr-old woman was found to have Cushing's syndrome due to a left adrenal cortical tumor. The tumor and the surrounding adrenal gland were removed intact and in toto. Four years later, she noticed recurrent symptoms of Cushing's syndrome, and 6 yr postoperatively, an adrenal tumor was demonstrable on computed tomography. Fourteen years after the initial procedure, a left adrenal tumor, presumably arising in ectopic adrenal tissue, was removed with relief of her symptoms of Cushing's syndrome. The site and functional capacity of ectopic adrenal tissues are reviewed.
Safety of intraaortic balloon pumping. II. Physical injury to aortic endothelium due to mechanical pump action.

Abstract A postmortem perfusion-fixation technique coupled with an en-face staining method was used to demonstrate alterations in the permeability status of the calf aortic endothelium. Panoramic examination by 3-dimensional scanning electron microscopy of the aorta revealed stripping of the lumenal endothelium with exposure of the subendothelial layer and mural thrombus accumulations opposite the location of the balloon chamber. These observations indicate the balloon pumping action had a key role in inflicting injury to the thoracic aorta opposite the pumping balloon. The changes occurred in spite of the careful fitting of the devices in the aortas and regulation of the anticoagulation. Eight out of 15 calves pumped with a dual-chambered balloon did not survive 3-days counterpulsation. Five of these animals developed bilateral hindquarter paralysis with shock. These complications resulted from balloon catheter kinking episodes. One calf died from dissection of the aorta opposite the location of the balloon tip. Two animals died from bleeding not attributed to the balloon pumping. A highly significant weight gain for the right adrenal gland (P
A follow-up of a media-based, worksite smoking cessation program.

Described an examination of data collected 2 years following the onset of a media-based, worksite smoking cessation intervention. Thirty-eight companies in Chicago were randomly assigned to one of two experimental conditions. In the inital 3-week phase, all participants in both conditions received self-help manuals and were instructed to watch a 20-day televised series designed to accompany the manual. In addition, participants in the group (G) condition received six sessions emphasizing quitting techniques and social support. In the second phase, which continued for 12 months, employees in G participated in monthly peer-led support groups and received incentives, while participants in the nongroup (NG) condition received no further treatment. Twenty-four months after pretest, 30% of employees in G were abstinent compared to only 19.5% in NG. This study is one of the few experimentally controlled worksite smoking cessation interventions to demonstrate significant program differences 2 years following the initial intervention.
Family Dysfunction and Social Isolation as Moderators Between Stress and Child Physical Abuse Risk

Stress is a significant contributor to child physical maltreatment risk. Family and social supports are expected, but less studied, risk factors. Little empirical support clarifies the interactive influence on abuse risk for non-abusive parents. This study examined whether the stress-abuse risk relation was moderated by family dysfunction and social isolation. Subjective appraisals of these factors were administered to 95 community mothers. After creating composite scores using factor loadings from a CFA, multiple regression analyses were conducted to predict abuse risk. As expected, stress predicted abuse risk, with social isolation and, to a lesser extent, family dysfunction serving as moderators. Perceived stress and dysfunctional supports are important, interactive predictors of abuse risk. Future directions consider interactions within other ecological levels.
An anomalous form of tobacco mosaic virus RNA observed upon polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis.

Abstract Electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels of the RNA extracted from either virions of the common (Ul) strain of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) or from TMV-infected plants often reveals a second, slower migrating component (termed pre-peak). Pre-peak is most probably an aggregate or conformer of the viral RNA; when eluted from gels and reelectrophoresed, it migrates to the position of TMV-RNA. Pre-peak is generated when either high concentrations or high volumes of dilute RNA are subjected to electrophoresis. Viral RNA extracted from one other TMV strain (C c ) showed no pre-peak. Previous suggestions that this component is an aggregate of TMV-RNA plus leaf RNAs are refuted.
Genetic variation in plant volatile emission does not result in differential attraction of natural enemies in the field

Volatile organic chemical (VOC) emission by plants may serve as an adaptive plant defense by attracting the natural enemies of herbivores. For plant VOC emission to evolve as an adaptive defense, plants must show genetic variability for the trait. To date, such variability has been investigated primarily in agricultural systems, yet relatively little is known about genetic variation in VOCs emitted by natural populations of native plants. Here, we investigate intraspecific variation in constitutive and herbivore-induced plant VOC emission using the native common milkweed plant (Asclepias syriaca) and its monarch caterpillar herbivore (Danaus plexippus) in complementary field and common garden greenhouse experiments. In addition, we used a common garden field experiment to gauge natural enemy attraction to milkweed VOCs induced by monarch damage. We found evidence of genetic variation in the total constitutive and induced concentrations of VOCs and the composition of VOC blends emitted by milkweed plants. However, all milkweed genotypes responded similarly to induction by monarchs in terms of their relative change in VOC concentration and blend. Natural enemies attacked decoy caterpillars more frequently on damaged than on undamaged milkweed, and natural enemy visitation was associated with higher total VOC concentrations and with VOC blend. Thus, we present evidence that induced VOCs emitted by milkweed may function as a defense against herbivores. However, plant genotypes were equally attractive to natural enemies. Although milkweed genotypes diverge phenotypically in their VOC concentrations and blends, they converge into similar phenotypes with regard to magnitude of induction and enemy attraction.
EI Core Inductor Designs using Population-Based Design Algorithms

In this paper a procedure is set forth to perform detailed inductor designs using population-based optimization methods. The inductor designs are chosen based on design inputs?i.e., the inductor geometry and core material. The method incorporates recent research in magnetic characterization and advanced inductor modeling. Several case studies are presented for both single and multiobjective optimizations.
High-Energy Density Capacitors Utilizing 0.7 BaTiO3–0.3 BiScO3 Ceramics

A high, temperature-stable dielectric constant ( ~ 1000 from 0° to 300°C) coupled with a high electrical resistivity (~10 12 Ω · cm at 250°C) make 0.7 BaTiO 3 -0.3 BiScO 3 ceramics an attractive candidate for high-energy density capacitors operating at elevated temperatures. Single dielectric layer capacitors were prepared to confirm the feasibility of BaTiO 3 -BiScO 3 for this application. It was found that an energy density of about 6.1 J/cm 3 at a field of 73 kV/mm could be achieved at room temperature, which is superior to typical commercial X7R capacitors. Moreover, the high-energy density values were retained to 300°C. This suggests that BaTiO 3 -BiScO 3 ceramics have some advantages compared with conventional capacitor materials for high-temperature energy storage, and with further improvements in microstructure and composition, could provide realistic solutions for power electronic capacitors.
Marriage Enrichment Programs: A Review.

Abstract The author critically reviews recent outcome studies of marriage enrichment group programs for both marital and premarital couples.
Mutations in GJB2, GJB6, and mitochondrial DNA are rare in African American and Caribbean Hispanic individuals with hearing impairment†

Autosomal recessive nonsyndromic sensorineural hearing impairment (ARNSHI) comprises 80% of familial hearing loss cases. Approximately half result from mutations in the connexin 26 (Cx26) gene, GJB2, in Caucasian populations. Heterozygous mutations in GJB2 occasionally co-occur with a deletion of part of GJB6 (connexin 30; Cx30). It is estimated that approximately 1% of deafness is maternally inherited, due to mutations in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). Few studies have focused on the frequency of mutations in connexins or mtDNA in African American (AA) and Caribbean Hispanic (CH) admixture populations. In this study, we performed bidirectional sequencing of the GJB2 gene and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) screening for the common GJB6 deletion, as well as PCR/RFLP analysis for three mutations in mtDNA (A1555G, A3243G, A7445G), in 109 predominantly simplex AA and CH individuals. Variations found were a 101T > C (M34T; 1/101 cases), 109G > A (V37I; 1/101), 35delG (mutation; 4/101, ¾ of non-AA/CH ethnicity), 167delT (mutation; 1/101), 139G > T (mutation; E47X; 1/101 homozygote, consanguineous), −15C > T (1/101), 79G > A (V27I; 9/101), 380G > A (R127H; 4/101; Guyana, India, Pakistan ethnicity), 670A > C (Indeterminate; K224Q; 1/101), 503A > G (novel; K168R; 3/101) and 684C > A (novel; 1/101). All but one of the AA and CH patients had monoallelic variations. There were no hemizygous GJB6 deletions in those with monoallelic GJB2 variations. We also did not identify any patients with the three mutations in mtDNA. Bidirectional sequencing of the GJB2 gene was performed in 187 AA and Hispanic healthy individuals. Our results reveal that GJB2 mutations, GJB6 deletions, and mtDNA mutations may not be significant in these minority admixture populations. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Cocaine Content of Erythroxylum Species

Concentrations of cocaine ranging from 0.00008 to 0.00882% were found in herbarium specimens of seven of eight species of the genus Erythroxylum that were examined by GLC. A sample of E. coca which was at least 44 years old contained 0.03% cocaine.