cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Holocene coevolution of the physical landscape and human settlement in northern coastal Peru

Humans are constrained by the hyperarid environment of the Peruvian Desert, which they have occupied throughout the Holocene Epoch. Habitats amenable to human occupation are limited to the riparian oases and the high-productivity coastal zone. Dramatic cultural and technological evolution was coincident with landscape evolution that responded to climatic and sea level variability. Occupation sites of hunter-gatherers older than 8,000 years are rarely found, as much of the landscape from this period is drowned and unexplored. Seven-thousand years ago, sea level stabilized and coastal middens of this age attest to exploitation of the now stationary marine resource. In response, rivers backfilled and the population became progressively more dependent upon terrestrial resources. The shift to an agricultural economy resulted in a migration of settlements inland along the river valleys. Extreme events (sea level stabilization, droughts, El Nino floods) have likely facilitated periods of rapid technological and cultural innovation. 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Older Adults Need Guidance to Meet Nutritional Recommendations

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the diet of healthy, free-living senior volunteers to the dietary reference intakes (DRIs) and Food Guide Pyramid recommendations. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional assessment of dietary habits, as measured using a standardized food frequency questionnaire, among 1740 healthy Southwestern U.S. adults, aged 51 to 85 years. Assessment of independently-living volunteers to chemoprevention trials provides an efficient mechanism to profile typical dietary habits among the older adult population. Results: Daily estimated macronutrient intakes exceeded recommended proportions of protein and fat. In contrast, more than 60% of this senior population reported dietary vitamin D, vitamin E, folate and calcium intakes below estimated average requirements (EAR). Based on the Food Guide Pyramid recommendations, fewer than 10% of the older adults consumed the recommended daily dairy and grain servings. More females than males consumed recommended vegetable (49% versus 40%) and fruit (53% versus 48%) servings (p < 0.05). More males consumed recommended grain (11% versus 7%) and protein (78% versus 73%) servings (p < 0.05) than females. Conclusions: Mean micronutrient intakes compared well with DRIs, although fewer than one-half of these older adults consumed recommended levels for vitamin D, vitamin E, folate, and calcium or daily food servings of dairy, grains, vegetables or fruits. Since the beneficial aspects of foods are not limited to essential nutrients, nutrition recommendations to older adults may be improved by emphasizing daily servings of nutrient-dense choices within the Food Pyramid.
The injurious effect of eosinophil peroxidase, hydrogen peroxide, and halides on pneumocytes in vitro

Recent data suggest that eosinophils may cause lung injury. To determine if the eosinophil peroxidase (EPO)-hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-halide system could mediate this injury, we added human EPO, H2O2 (or glucose and glucose oxidase as a continuous source of H2O2), and various halides to monolayers of 51Cr-labeled human A549 and rat type II pneumocytes. Cell lysis was measured as soluble 51Cr release. In initial experiments, EPO in solution did not induce lysis under these conditions. Therefore, in subsequent experiments, pneumocytes were preincubated with EPO for 15 minutes, washed to remove unbound enzyme, and then glucose, glucose oxidase, and the halides were added. EPO alone was not injurious, nor was the addition of glucose and glucose oxidase in the absence of EPO. In contrast, the combined addition of EPO, glucose, glucose oxidase, and chloride produced marked target-cell lysis. This effect was time and EPO dose dependent and was enhanced by the addition of iodide. Catalase and azide substantially inhibited the lysis produced by the EPO-H2O2-halide system, suggesting that EPO-catalyzed products of halide oxidation mediated this form of injury. Finally, the addition of eosinophil major basic protein at 10(-5) mol/L to EPO-coated pneumocytes incubated with glucose, glucose oxidase, and halides failed to enhance or inhibit lysis. We hypothesize that the EPO-H2O2-halide system may injure the lung in asthma and eosinophilic pulmonary syndromes.
Middle Pliocene vegetation: reconstructions, paleoclimatic inferences, and boundary conditions for climate modeling

Abstract The general characteristics of global vegetation during the middle Pliocene warm period can be reconstructed from fossil pollen and plant megafossil data. The largest differences between Pliocene vegetation and that of today occurred at high latitudes in both hemispheres, where warming was pronounced relative to today. In the Northern Hemisphere coniferous forests lived in the modern tundra and polar desert regions, whereas in the Southern Hemisphere southern beech apparently grew in coastal areas of Antarctica. Pliocene middle latitude vegetation differed less, although moister-than-modern conditions supported forest and woodland growth in some regions now covered by steppe or grassland. Pliocene tropical vegetation reflects essentially modem conditions in some regions and slightly cooler-than-or warmer-than- modern climates in other areas. Changes in topography induced by tectonics may be responsible for many of the climatic changes since the Pliocene in both middle and lower latitudes. However, the overall latitudinal progression of climatic conditions on land parallels that seen in the reconstruction of middle Pliocene sea-surface temperatures. Pliocene paleovegetational data was employed to construct a 2 ° × 2 ° global grid of estimated mid-Pliocene vegetational cover for use as boundary conditions for numerical General Circulation Model simulations of middle Pliocene climates. Continental outlines and topography were first modified to represent the Pliocene landscape on the 2 ° × 2 ° grid. A modern 1 ° × 1 ° vegetation grid was simplified and mapped on this Pliocene grid, and then modified following general geographic trends evident in the Pliocene paleovegetation data set.
Monetary reward processing in obese individuals with and without binge eating disorder.

Background An important step in obesity research involves identifying neurobiological underpinnings of nonfood reward processing unique to specific subgroups of obese individuals. Methods Nineteen obese individuals seeking treatment for binge eating disorder (BED) were compared with 19 non-BED obese individuals (OB) and 19 lean control subjects (LC) while performing a monetary reward/loss task that parses anticipatory and outcome components during functional magnetic resonance imaging. Differences in regional activation were investigated in BED, OB, and LC groups during reward/loss prospect, anticipation, and notification. Results Relative to the LC group, the OB group demonstrated increased ventral striatal and ventromedial prefrontal cortex activity during anticipatory phases. In contrast, the BED group relative to the OB group demonstrated diminished bilateral ventral striatal activity during anticipatory reward/loss processing. No differences were observed between the BED and LC groups in the ventral striatum. Conclusions Heterogeneity exists among obese individuals with respect to the neural correlates of reward/loss processing. Neural differences in separable groups with obesity suggest that multiple, varying interventions might be important in optimizing prevention and treatment strategies for obesity.
Labeling of the oligosaccharide moieties of immunoglobulins

The ability to elicit an immune response to an antigen, and more particularly the advent of monoclonal antibody technology, has led to a proliferation of immunological techniques and diagnostic tests. Immunoglobuhns, or antibodies, are a diverse class of glycoproteins that bind specifically with antigen and initiate a variety of secondary responses such as complement fixation and release of histamine from mast cells. Antibodies have been divided into classes and sub-classes, some of the properties of which are listed in Table I for human immunoglobulins. The composition of immunoglobulins has been well documented (e.g., Clamp and Johnson, 1972) and will not be discussed here. However, it is important to note that they consist of 82-96% polypeptide and 4-18% carbohydrate consisting of both N-linked and O-linked oligosaccharides (Baenziger and Kornfeld, 1974a,b; Mellis and Baenziger, 1983a,b; Winkelhake et al., 1984). Many of the uses of immunoglobulins in basic research, diagnostics or immunotherapy, rely on the ability to label the antibody with a reporter molecule. Reporter molecules include enzymes, radiolabels, fluorochromes, biotin, toxins and drugs. Most of the techniques described for the covalent
Dynamical model of birdsong maintenance and control.

The neuroethology of song learning, production, and maintenance in songbirds presents interesting similari- ties to human speech. We have developed a biophysical model of the manner in which song could be main- tained in adult songbirds. This model may inform us about the human counterpart to these processes. In songbirds, signals generated in nucleus High Vocal center (HVc) follow a direct route along a premotor pathway to the robust nucleus of the archistriatum (RA) as well as an indirect route to RA through the anterior forebrain pathway (AFP): the neurons of RA are innervated from both sources. HVc expresses very sparse bursts of spikes having interspike intervals of about 2 ms. The expressions of these bursts arrive at the RA with a time difference DT< 50± 10 ms between the two pathways. The observed combination of AMPA and NMDA receptors at RA projection neurons suggests that long-term potentiation and long-term depression can both be induced by spike timing plasticity through the pairing of the HVc and AFP signals. We present a dynamical model that stabilizes this synaptic plasticity through a feedback from the RA to the AFP using known connec- tions. The stabilization occurs dynamically and is absent when the RA! AFP connection is removed. This requires a dynamical selection of DT. The model does this, and DT lies within the observed range. Our model represents an illustration of a functional consequence of activity-dependent plasticity directly connected with neuroethological observations. Within the model the parameters of the AFP, and thus the magnitude of DT, can also be tuned to an unstable regime. This means that destabilization might be induced by neuromodulation of the AFP.
Selective excitation without phase distortion using self-refocused amplitude- and amplitude/phase-modulated pulses

Selective excitation of a single peak or a small group of peaks in a complicated spectrum presents a series of challenging problems. Excellent localization of the excitation on and around resonance, as several groups have shown previously (I, 2), can be achieved by pulse tailoring. In addition, the selectivity of any pulse can of course be improved by making it longer. However, long pulses are well known to normally excite spectra with severe phase rolls. In the simple example of a long rectangular pulse of duration 7, phase roll originates from the delay of 7/2 between the pulse center (since the Fourier transform of the pulse is only purely real if this point is chosen as t = 0) and the end of the pulse where detection is possible. Phase rolls are usually not serious in routine spectroscopy of liquids, which uses short intense 7r/2 or P pulses making Aw7/2 small for the entire spectrum. On the other hand, it is not unreasonable to apply a 50 ms long pulse in order to achieve selectivity of better than 100 Hz, and the resulting 25 ms “acquisition delay” from the center of the pulse will induce a large phase roll. This problem is dramatically amplified in sequences which also include strong pulses or in solvent suppression experiments, and often makes only magnitude spectra usable. Since the magnitude spectrum introduces line broadening, distortion of peaks, and ultimately a decrease in resolution, it is to be avoided if possible. In this communication we present what we believe are the first experimental results for elimination of phase roll from weak pulses. We compare and contrast two different approaches. In the first approach the phase roll was minimized by contructing amplitude-modulated pulses (Fig. 1A) with a total flip angle of 3a/2. A numerical simulation of “self-refocused 7r/2 pulse” was published recently by Ngo and Morris (3); we believe that shape is in fact a 3a/2 pulse. One can think of this family of pulses as analogs of a spin-echo sequence but with no delays either between or after the pulses. The theoretical excitation profile is shown in Fig. 2A. We find this shape quite difficult to use because of its extreme sensitivity to RF inhomogeneity. In the second approach, which produces much more usable shapes, we optimized a phaseand amplitudemodulated pulse (Fig. 1B) in such a way as to produce a phase predistortion capable of compensating for the effects of the resonance offset. The theoretical excitation profile for this pulse is presented in Fig. 2B. In both cases detection of the signal was assumed to begin directly after the application of the pulse and no phase correction was assumed. Both pulse shapes were obtained using a minimization program based on Powell’s
Thursday, October 31, 2001 4:45–5:00 pm Focused Review: Bone Growth Factors

Abstract Purpose of study: To investigate the feasibility of using bone morphogenic protein (BMP)-7 gene transfer to enhance allograft spine fusion. Methods used: Lewis rats (n=42) underwent bilateral single-level posterolateral spine fusion by implantation of 50 mg freeze-dried allogenic bone and 1.5×106 bone marrow cells modified by adenovirus encoding BMP-7 or as controls AdNull (no transgene) or noninfected cells. To detect new bone formation, xylenol orange was injected 4 days before sacrifice. Enhancement of fusion was assessed by radiography, manual palpation, mechanical test and histology 8 weeks after surgery. Stability of fused spines was tested nondestructively. Cyclic load with 3.0 N maximum was applied in sagittal direction. Range of motion between flexion and extension with maximal load, as well as hysteresis (energy absorption in one cycle) were recorded in computerized mechanical test machine. of findings: Bilateral bony bridging was evident in high-resolution radiographs of 70% of AdBMP-7–treated spines versus 0% of controls. Manual palpation showed mechanical fusion in 80% of AdBMP-7–treated spines versus 0% of controls. Fused, AdBMP-7–treated spines were mechanically more stable with a 2.5–3-fold decreased range of motion (p Relationship between findings and existing knowledge: Pseudarthrosis (nonunion) is a major complication of spine surgery. Spine fusion with autograft is currently the gold standard but may be associated with significant morbidities and limited quantities. Whereas allograft is also a widely used alternative, the fusion rate is lower than with autograft (1-3). This study showed that addition of AdBMP-7–modified bone marrow cells to allograft may enhance allograft spine fusion (Fig. 1) Download high-res image (63KB) Download full-size image Fig. 1 . . Overall significance of findings: This study shows the feasibility of using genetically modified marrow cells encoding BMP-7 to enhance the mechanical stability of spine fusion. Disclosures: No disclosures. Conflict of interest: Kohei Goshi, grant research support, NIH pilot anofeasibility grant.
Contact Interface Model for Shallow Foundations Subjected to Combined Cyclic Loading

It has been recognized that the ductility demands on a superstructure might be reduced by allowing rocking behavior and mobilization of the ultimate capacity of shallow foundations during seismic loading. However, the absence of practical reliable foundation modeling techniques to accurately design foundations with the desired capacity and energy dissipation characteristics and concerns about permanent deformations have hindered the use of nonlinear soil–foundation–structure interaction as a designed mechanism for improving performance of structural systems. This paper presents a new “contact interface model” that has been developed to provide nonlinear relations between cyclic loads and displacements of the footing–soil system during combined cyclic loading (vertical, shear, and moment). The rigid footing and the soil beneath the footing in the zone of influence, considered as a macroelement, are modeled by keeping track of the geometry of the soil surface beneath the footing, along with the kinematics o...
Evidence for long-lived excited states of [CnH2]2+ carbodications

The energetics, structures, stabilities and reactivities of[CnH2]2+ ions have been investigated using computational methods and experimental mass spectrometric techniques. Spontaneous decompositions of [CnH2]2+ into [CnH]+ + H+ products, observed for ions with odd-n values, have been explained by invoking the formation of excited triplet states. Even-n [CnH]+ ions possess triplet ground states with low-lying excited states, whereas odd-n ions have triplet states with energies several eV above ground singlet states. Radiationless transitions of vibrationally excited long-lived triplet state ions into singlet state continua are suggested as possible mechanisms for spontaneous deprotonation processes of odd-n [CnH2]2+ ions. Evidence for these long-lived excited states has been obtained in bimolecular single electron transfer reactions.
Environmental effects on nanogenerators

Abstract The desire for self-powered nanosystems and wearable devices has driven wide investigation of the sustainable energy source. Harvesting energy from the ambient environment with nanogenerators becomes a viable solution with the development of low-power electronics. Different devices can face dramatically different working conditions, which may seriously restrict the application of those nanogenerators. In this review article we describe the most recent progress in the study of the environmental effect on the nanogenerator. While a variety of nanogenerators have been developed using piezoelectric, triboelectric, pyroelectric and thermoelectric effects, the most studied piezoelectric nanogenerator and triboelectric nanogenerator will be discussed in more detail. This review emphasizes the important effect of the temperature, humidity, and water. The other effects, such as UV radiation or adsorption of gas or solid material, are also presented for certain nanogenerators. In the end we share our views of the future research directions and the remaining challenges in this field.
Neutron deficient radioactive isotopes of rhenium

A study has been made of neutron deficient radioactive isotopes of rhenium. Using the 60-inch Crocker Laboratory cyclotron, bombardments have been made of tantalum with 38, 30, and 19 Mev $\ensuremath{\alpha}$-particles, of wolfram with 10-Mev protons, and of rhenium with fast neutrons.The radiation characteristics of four new radioactive isotopes and of the previously known 50-day ${\mathrm{Re}}^{184}$ isotope have been studied.
SU‐E‐T‐280: DSA as the Primary Image Modality in Frameless SRS for Treatment of Arteriovenous Malformations

Purpose: Stereotactic radiosurgery(SRS) is an effective alternative to microsurgical resection or embolization for arteriorvenous malformations (AVMs). Digital Subtraction Angiography(DSA) is the gold standard for diagnosis and characterization of vascular anatomy, but it requires a frame attached to the skull. Proton and the new image‐guidedLINACSRS systems are frameless. These frameless systems represent a major progress in radiotherapy — however, they prevent the usage of DSA. Without DSA as the primary image, the outcome may be less‐than‐optimal and sometimes even impossible to treat. This study intends to solve the problem. Methods: The solution is based on a conceptual breakthrough whereby, in contrast to the previous practice where a localizer was fixed to the skull during angiography, the patient can now be angiographed under standard clinical conditions without frame and localizer, while a newly‐designed localizer box is radiographed separately. Based on several fiducials implanted into the skull, a target volume on DSA can be transferred to the localizer system in 3D, then further transferred to contours in multi‐CT slices. Combined with other imaging modalities, a treatment can be planned and executed by a routine frameless SRS. Results: Phantom tests demonstrated that the uncertainty in transferring a point target to the localizer is less than 0.3 mm. The maximum transformation errors from the localizer to CT system are ∼0.3 mm. The overall uncertainty of placing a point target to CT is 0.4 mm. For volume targets the volume determined is accurate within < 6%. The algorithm and software are robust and accurate. The method has been successfully applied clinically. Conclusions: A new reliable method for frameless Stereotactic Radiosurgery has been developed, which allows using DSA as the primary imaging in AVM treatment. Implanted fiducials are required for the time being, but using non‐implanted fiducials is feasible. This work is partially supported by the JCRT Foundation.
A Twin-Sibling Study of Tobacco Use in Adolescence: Etiology of Individual Differences and Extreme Scores

A database is emerging that examines the relative contributions of genes and the environment to the etiology of smoking in adolescence. We present analyses derived from a genetically informative subsample of sibling pairs (monozygotic and dizygotic twins, full siblings, and half-siblings) participating in two waves of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to estimate these parameters on both individual differences in smoking and extreme levels of smoking. Evidence indicated both genetic and shared environmental influences on high levels of smoking frequency, as well as on individual differences in smoking. No notable gender differences in these parameters emerged. Shared environmental effects were especially notable for high levels of smoking frequency and significantly greater than those found for individual differences. These findings were compatible with prior studies of both adolescent and adult smoking and reinforce the importance of familial influences on high levels of smoking frequency in adolescence.
Colorless, non-luminescent; colorless, luminescent; and yellow, luminescent crystals of the cation [Au{C(NHCH3)(NHCH2CH2OH)}2]+. The roles of anions and hydrogen bonding in determining the aggregation of two-coordinate gold(I) cations

Crystallographic and luminescence studies on salts of the two-coordinate carbene cation, [Au{C(NHCH3)(NHCH2CH2OH)}2]+, demonstrate the ability of the cation to exist in three different states of aggregation. In colorless, non-luminescent [Au{C(NHCH3)(NHCH2CH2OH)}2]Cl the cation crystallizes as a monomer with the nearest gold(I) center 6.7890(11) A away. Colorless, luminescent [Au{C(NHCH3)(NHCH2CH2OH)}2]AsF6 forms dimers with an Au⋯Au separation of 3.1288(4) A. These dimers form weakly associated extended chains of cations with additional Au⋯Au separations of 3.6625(5) A. [Au{C(NHCH3)(NHCH2CH2OH)}2]PF6 is isostructural. Yellow, luminescent [Au{C(NHCH3)(NHCH2CH2OH)}2]3(AsF6)2Cl·0.5(H2O)2 and [Au{C(NHCH3)(NHCH2CH2OH)}2]3(PF6)2Cl·0.5(H2O)2 form trimers that further aggregate into extended chains with rather short Au⋯Au separations of 3.1301(14) A, 3.1569(14) A and 3.1415(14) A. Absorption, emission and excitation spectra are reported for these salts. The excitation and emission results from the interactions between the gold centers and involves transitions between the filled dz2 band and the empty pz bands with the z axis pointing along the chain of cations.
Angelica Copper Deposit : Exotic Type Mineralization in the Tocopilla Plutonic Complex of the Coastal Cordillera, Northern Chile

The Angelica copper deposit is situated at the southernmost sector of the Jurassic Tocopilla plutonic complex in the North Chilean Coastal Cordillera. This deposit occurs in monzonitic to monzodioritic rocks, and has platelike orebodies with no appreciable hydrothermal alteration nor sulfide mineralization. The mineralized zones are located in the western side of the two main normal faults with NE and NW orientations, and are characterized principally by impregnation of supergene copper products of atacamite and minor amounts of chrysocolla, lavendulan and “black copper”. Generally, chrysocolla is more abundant at a distal NE sector of the deposit. The black copper is Cu-Fe-Mn-Si-Cl-rich multimineral aggregates composed of atacamite with minor amounts of quartz, pseudomalachite, dioptase, neotocite, gypsum, paratacamite and melanothallite, and its surface exhibits nanometer-sized cylindrical morphologies. All these characteristics suggest an exotic origin for the Angelica copper deposit. A few vein-type copper deposits situated at the southwestern sector along the NE-oriented fault are inferred as the possible source of the Angelica copper deposit.
An empirical model of fishery dynamics

Abstract The multiple-cohort approach to population dynamics is seldom used for empirical analysis of catch and effort data due to the complexity of the resulting models and to limitations on available data. The present paper addresses these problems by adopting a discrete time framework and simplifying assumptions for growth, mortality, and recruitment. The result is a readily estimated econometric model of the commercial catch that is consistent with the multiple-cohort paradigm. This model is applied to catch and effort data for the California abalone fishery and the estimates obtained are used to analyze policy.
Designer self-assembling peptide scaffolds for 3-D tissue cell cultures and regenerative medicine

Biomaterial science has made enormous progress in the last few decades. Nonetheless, innovative biomaterials are still urgently needed to provide in vitro cell-culture models that more closely resemble three-dimensional (3-D) cell interactions and cyto-architectures in bodies and tissues. In this review, the recent advances toward this goal through molecular engineering of various designer self-assembling peptide scaffolds are discussed. These peptide scaffolds can be commercially and custom-tailor synthesized materials with high purity and may be not only useful for specific 3-D tissue cell cultures but also for tissue repair and regenerative therapies. Furthermore, these designer self-assembling peptide scaffolds have recently become powerful tools for regenerative medicine to repair nervous tissue, to stop bleeding in seconds, to repair infarctuated myocardia, as well as being useful medical devices for slow drug release.
Mapping of the Disease Locus and Identification of ADAMTS10 As a Candidate Gene in a Canine Model of Primary Open Angle Glaucoma

Primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is a leading cause of blindness worldwide, with elevated intraocular pressure as an important risk factor. Increased resistance to outflow of aqueous humor through the trabecular meshwork causes elevated intraocular pressure, but the specific mechanisms are unknown. In this study, we used genome-wide SNP arrays to map the disease gene in a colony of Beagle dogs with inherited POAG to within a single 4 Mb locus on canine chromosome 20. The Beagle POAG locus is syntenic to a previously mapped human quantitative trait locus for intraocular pressure on human chromosome 19. Sequence capture and next-generation sequencing of the entire canine POAG locus revealed a total of 2,692 SNPs segregating with disease. Of the disease-segregating SNPs, 54 were within exons, 8 of which result in amino acid substitutions. The strongest candidate variant causes a glycine to arginine substitution in a highly conserved region of the metalloproteinase ADAMTS10. Western blotting revealed ADAMTS10 protein is preferentially expressed in the trabecular meshwork, supporting an effect of the variant specific to aqueous humor outflow. The Gly661Arg variant in ADAMTS10 found in the POAG Beagles suggests that altered processing of extracellular matrix and/or defects in microfibril structure or function may be involved in raising intraocular pressure, offering specific biochemical targets for future research and treatment strategies.
Breakdown of Leaves by Feeding of Peltoperla maria Nymphs(Plecoptera: Peltoperlidae)

Nymphs of Peltoperla maria Needham & Smith were exposed to 15 species of autumn-shed leaves in the laboratory. The insects fed on the cuticle and mesophyll of the leaves, leaving most of the vascular system intact. This feeding resulted in a characteristic skeletonized pattern to the leaves. The insects consumed leaves inamounts (by dry weight) in excess of their dry body weight in a 2-week period. Feeding studies revealed that P. maria had definite preferences for specific kinds of leaves. Elm, alder, sourwood, and dogwood were the most preferred; rhododendron, white pine, white oak, and chestnut oak were the least preferred. There was evidently increased leaching of tannic acid from leaves on which the insects were feeding. The higher tannic acid content of the water from feeding containers was apparentlya result of increased leaching from the finely ground leaf material in the fecal pellets.
empowering the neurogenetic testing services in developing countries: use the basic skills with speed and scale.

Although genetic and inherited disorders are individually rare, they collectively affect about one in 17 individuals in Western population 1 . Genetic abnormalities at conception are more common and many of them become incompatible for embryo survival. In fact, chromosome abnormalities in embryo account for about 50% first trimester pregnancy losses. Most of these genetic abnormalities are numerical chromosome aberrations and recurrence risk of numerical chromosome abnormalities in subsequent pregnancy is low. However, neurological developmental abnormality among survivals with chromosomal aberrations, such as trisomy 21 (Down syndrome), is almost universal.
Latamoxef (moxalactam) kinetics in volunteers studied by a specific HPLC assay technique

Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated from plasma and urine latamoxef ('Moxalactam') levels determined by HPLC assay after single and multiple intramuscular (im) and single intravenous (iv) doses of 500 mg given to eight healthy volunteers. After im administration, systemic bio-availability was 92% after both the first and sixth doses. Peak plasma concentration was 18 mg/l (first dose) and 22 mg/l (sixth dose), reached at 1.2 h and 1.3 h respectively. The terminal phase half-lives were 2.5 h and 2.7 h respectively. After iv administration, the initial phase plasma half-life was 0.23 h and the terminal phase half-life, 2.4 h. Plasma clearance was 87.0 ml/min. The steady state distribution volume was 210 ml/kg. After iv administration, 72% of the dose was found in the urine in the first 24 h. Urinary clearance was 66 ml/min (iv dose) and 63 ml/min (sixth im dose). Most systemic infections will permit eight hourly dosing with 500 mg im or iv. Many urinary infections will be best treated with im administration, rather than iv administration.
Magnetic relaxation in Fe-(SiO2) granular films.

Magnetic relaxation of granular Fe-(${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$) solids with low metal-volume fraction has been studied by employing dc SQUID (superconducting quantum interference device) magnetometry and M\"ossbauer spectroscopy with the characteristic measuring time differing by nine orders of magnitude. The blocking temperatures (${T}_{B}$), extrapolated to zero external field as measured by the two techniques maintain a constant ratio of 0.35 independent of samples. Arrhenius law was found adequate in describing the relaxation process, with a well-defined relaxation-time constant of ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{0}$\ensuremath{\simeq}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}13}$ sec. A cusp in the susceptibility is observed at ${T}_{B}$, below which irreversible difference between the field-cooled and zero-field-cooled magnetizations occurs. Despite this spin-glass-like behavior, granular magnetic systems are found to be fundamentally different from spin glasses.
Improving the efficiency of error identification via signature analysis

Efficient identification of all single bit errors in the input polynomial to signature analysis registers is achieved by using characteristic polynomial f(x)=f/sub a/(x)f/sub b/(x) where f/sub a/(x) and f/sub b/(x) have different degrees and are of the form f/sub n/(x)=x/sup n/+x/sup n-1/+1. The input polynomial must be of degree <lcm(ord(f/sub a/(x)), ord(f/sub b/(x))), where lcm denotes the least common multiple. Diagnostic aliasing for multiple bit errors is reduced by using non-primitive polynomials for f/sub a/(x) and/or f/sub b/(x).
Breast Cancer Classification Using Nanochannel Arrays

The ability to design a diagnostics platform that can achieve cellular level as well as molecular level classification of targeted biomarkers may be critical toward understanding the fundamental basis of disease initiation and proliferation in breast cancer. In this context, we have looked at breast cancer diagnostics and present the design of a biomedical microdevice for evaluating and classifying cellular samples based on their risk towards metastasis. Primary breast cancer tumors have been shown to contain heterogeneous populations of neoplastic cells. Recent studies have demonstrated that subpopulations of these cells can cooperate in the initiation of collective invasion and metastasis. The role of the sensor we present is to identify the type of cells as non-invasive/“follower” cells that do not result in metastasis or invasive “leader” cells that are thought to be responsible for metastasis, from breast cancer cell lysate samples, thus enabling more selective classification of samples, with the eventual goal of early diagnosis. The device is an electrical immunoassay that incorporates the PDGF- receptor to screen the cell lysate samples for the PGDF binding protein that is preferentially expressed in the invasive, “leader” cells. The sensor comprises of alumina nanochannel arrays integrated on to a microelectronic platform operating on the principle of electrochemical impedance spectroscopy to quantify the PGDF protein from the cell lysates.
College student reactions to smoking bans in public, on campus and at home

We examined college student reactions to a statewide public smoke-free policy, campus policies and private restrictions through an online survey among 2260 students at a 2-year college and a university and 12 focus groups among smokers. Among survey participants, 34.6% smoked in the past month (35.0% daily, 65.0% non-daily). Correlates of receptivity to public policies included attending the university, not living with smokers and non-smoker status (versus daily and non-daily smoking). Correlates of receptivity to outdoor campus policies included being a university student, unmarried, without children, from homes where parents banned indoor smoking and a non-smoker. Correlates of having home restrictions included not living with smokers, no children, parents banning indoor smoking and non-smoker status. Correlates of having car restrictions included attending the university, not living with smokers, having children, parents banning indoor smoking and non-smoker status. Qualitative findings indicated support for smoke-free policies in public (albeit greater support for those in restaurants versus bars) and on campus. Participants reported concern about smokers' and bar/restaurant owners' rights, while acknowledging several benefits. Overall, 2-year college students and smokers (non-daily and daily) were less supportive of smoke-free policies.
Dosimetric Advantages of Lumpectomy Cavity Guided Patient Positioning in Partial Breast Irradiation

position were used in this study to compare dosimetric effects of commonly-used four image registration methods for patient repositioning: registration of the CT of the day with the planning CT based on the center of mass (COM) of lumpectomy cavity, and registration of the daily DRR (portal image for the day) with the planning DRR based on chest wall, surgical clips, or breast contours. AnIMRTplan with 5-9 beams wasgenerated for each patientsbasedon the planningCT. Thisplan was applied toeach daily CT to reconstruct the four plans for the four repositioning methods. Various dose-volume parameters including D95-PTV (dose covering 95% of PTV), D95-CTV and mean dose of the whole breast were compared. Results: The repositioning shifts consist systematic and random components (S, s) and were (4.5, 4.0), (3.2, 3.9), and (3.2, 4.5 mm), respectively, for clip, breast contour, and chest wall based alignments relative to those for the COM alignment. The average daily D95-PTVreductionfrom its planningvalue was1.0, 4.4, 4.0and 6.2%for COM, surgicalclips, breastcontour and chest-wall alignments respectively. The daily variation in the D95-PTV reduction was large for the DRR based methods, especially for the chest wall alignment, as compared to the COM method. Similar findings were obtained for D95-CTV. Conclusions: Comparing the various clinically-used image guidance methods in partial breast irradiation, the high-quality CT guided repositioning based on lumpectomy cavity is preferred for correcting interfractional setup errors and anatomic changes. The repositioning based on chest wall using 2D images should be avoided.
Integrated horn antennas for millimeter-wave applications

The development of integrated horn antennas since their introduction in 1987 is reviewed. The integrated horn is fabricated by suspending a dipole antenna, on a thin dielectric membrane, in a pyramidal cavity etched in silicon. Recent progress has resulted in optimized low- and high-gain designs, with single and double polarization for remote-sensing and communication applications. A full-wave analysis technique has resulted in an integrated antenna with performance comparable to that of waveguide-fed corrugated-horn antennas. The integrated horn design can be extended to large arrays, for imaging and phased-array applications, while leaving plenty of room for the RF and IF processing circuitry. Theoretical and experimental results at microwave frequencies and at 90 GHz, 240 GHz, and 802 GHz are presented. >
Aromatic-degrading Sphingomonas isolates from the deep subsurface

An obligately aerobic chemoheterotrophic bacterium (strain F199) previously isolated from Southeast Coastal Plain subsurface sediments and shown to degrade toluene, naphthalene, and other aromatic compounds (J. K. Fredrickson, F. J. Brockman, D. J. Workman, S. W. Li, and T. O. Stevens, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 57:796-803, 1991) was characterized by analysis of its 16S rRNA nucleotide base sequence and cellular lipid composition. Strain F199 contained 2-OH14:0 and 18:1 omega 7c as the predominant cellular fatty acids and sphingolipids that are characteristic of the genus Sphingomonas. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S rRNA sequence indicated that F199 was most closely related to Sphingomonas capsulata among the bacteria currently in the Ribosomal Database. Five additional isolates from deep Southeast Coastal Plain sediments were determined by 16S rRNA sequence analysis to be closely related to F199. These strains also contained characteristic sphingolipids. Four of these five strains could also grow on a broad range of aromatic compounds and could mineralize [14C]toluene and [14C]naphthalene. S. capsulata (ATCC 14666), Sphingomonas paucimobilis (ATCC 29837), and one of the subsurface isolates were unable to grow on any of the aromatic compounds or mineralize toluene or naphthalene. These results indicate that bacteria within the genus Sphingomonas are present in Southeast Coastal Plain subsurface sediments and that the capacity for degrading a broad range of substituted aromatic compounds appears to be common among Sphingomonas species from this environment.
Inhibition of Antibiotic Efflux in Bacteria by the Novel Multidrug Resistance Inhibitors Biricodar (VX-710) and Timcodar (VX-853)

Inhibitors of mammalian multidrug efflux, such as the plant alkaloid reserpine, are also active in potentiating antibiotic activity by inhibiting bacterial efflux. Based on this precedent, two novel mammalian multiple drug resistance inhibitors, biricodar (VX-710) and timcodar (VX-853), were evaluated for activity in a variety of bacteria. Both VX-710 and VX-853 potentiated the activity of ethidium bromide (EtBr), a model efflux substrate, against three clinically significant gram-positive pathogens: Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, and Streptococcus pneumoniae. Similar to reserpine, VX-710 and VX-853 directly blocked EtBr efflux in S. aureus. Furthermore, these compounds were effective in lowering the MICs of several clinically used antibiotics, including fluoroquinolones, suggesting that VX-710 and VX-853 are representatives of a new class of bacterial efflux inhibitors with the potential for use in combination therapy.
Private Lives and Public Worlds: Changes in Americans' Social Ties and Civic Attachments in the Late-20th Century

The tension between one's private life and larger public obligations has been the subject of much speculation, captured powerfully in works as diverse as those of Alexis de Tocqueville and Robert Putnam. This matter is explored to an extent not previously undertaken in a study of Americans' interpersonal ties and civic attachments at the end of the 20th century. Evidence from the GSS for 1974, 1984, and 1994 suggests that a person's gender, race, age, education, occupation, and mobility became a little more strongly associated with the way one socialized informally and less strongly associated with the kinds of organizations one joined. Regardless of where they live or what generation they came from, Americans have managed the tension between their private lives and broader public duties better and more creatively than we could have imagined.
Effect of reduction in ciprofloxacin use on prevalence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus rates within individual units of a tertiary care hospital.

Summary Previous studies have shown a correlation between fluoroquinolone use in hospitals and rates of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection. This study examined the effect on MRSA infection rates within individual adult units of a tertiary care teaching hospital after instituting a programme to decrease ciprofloxacin use. Clinical specimens positive for S. aureus were determined on all adult inpatient units between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2005. Units with >10 isolates of S. aureus per year were included in the analysis. Ciprofloxacin use, measured in defined daily doses per 1000 patient-days, was determined for each unit during the same time period. Ciprofloxacin use and MRSA rates for 2004 and 2005 were compared. In the 17 units studied, ciprofloxacin use decreased by 31.2% ( P P =0.122). There was a correlation between ciprofloxacin use and the MRSA rate within these units ( r =0.70; 95% confidence interval −0.01–0.94; P =0.053). Within individual units, there was a variable response. In seven of the units, there was an increase in the MRSA rate despite a reduction in ciprofloxacin use, suggesting that other factors (length of stay, infection control and community-acquired MRSA) may have contributed. Although many factors are associated with high MRSA rates, ciprofloxacin use appears to be a contributing factor. Reducing the use of ciprofloxacin may be a means of controlling MRSA in the hospital setting.
Role Strains, Tension, and Job Satisfaction Influences on Employees' Propensity to Leave: A Multi-Sample Replication and Extension

Using data from samples of four different employee populations, we tested Bedeian and Armenakis' (1981) model of the relationships between role strains, tension, job satisfaction, and propensity to leave. Results from the path-analyses yielded mixed support for the model, both within and between samples. Furthermore, we explored the effects of employee personal characteristics on the variables included in the model and identified several additional sources of influence. The findings are discussed in terms of the applicability of the Bedeian and Armenakis model to various employee populations, the need to further develop and to refine the causal model, and the targeting of organizational interventions aimed at managing role strain and turnover-related processes in organizations.
Husband or Wife? A Multivariate Analysis of Decision Making for Voluntary Sterilization

The increasing popularity of sterilization as a contraceptive choice among married couples underscores the need for knowledge about differences between couples choosing male and female procedures. Data from national surveys suggest some sociodemographic differences, but these variables account for only a small amount of the variance. This research looks at other sets of variables—specifically, information sources, influence sources, and reasons husbands and wives give for wanting sterilization—in a multivariate analysis of the choice of a male versus a female operation. Particularly for husbands obtaining a vasectomy, the importance of social support is demonstrated.
Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression and Activity Following Prostaglandin F2α-Induced Luteolysis

Abstract Luteal tissue contains matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) that cleave specific components of the extracellular matrix (ECM) and are inhibited by tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs). We previously reported a decrease in luteal TIMP-1 within 15 min of prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α)-induced luteolysis. An increase in the MMP:TIMP ratio may promote ECM degradation and apoptosis, as observed in other tissues that undergo involution. The objectives of these experiments were to determine whether 1) PGF2α affects expression of mRNA encoding fibrillar collagenases (MMP-1 and -13), gelatinases A and B (MMP-2 and -9), membrane type (mt)-1 MMP (MMP-14), stromelysin (MMP-3), and matrilysin (MMP-7), and 2) PGF2α increases MMP activity during PGF2α-induced luteolysis in sheep. Corpora lutea (n = 3–10/time point) were collected at 0, 15, and 30 min and 1, 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, and 48 h after PGF2α administration. Northern blot analysis confirmed the presence of all MMPs except MMP-9. Expression of mRNA for the a...
It's not the old ball game: Three Strikes and the courtroom workgroup

In 1994 California enacted legislation commonly known as “Three Strikes.” According to the conventional wisdom concerning the effect of “get tough” sentencing enhancements, the most draconian provisions are undermined by prosecutors, judges, and defense attorneys, who resist the changes in the “normal” way of doing business. The research reported here uses data derived from interviews and surveys of courtroom members, and finds that Three Strikes has significantly disrupted the efficiency of the workgroup and has made the prediction of case outcomes difficult.