cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A CULTURAL STUDY OF SEXUALITY IN SIROGONIUM MELANOSPORUM

SUMMARY The chlorophytan alga, Sirogonium melanosporum, is a member of the Zygnemataceae and superficially resembles certain species of Spirogyra. Clonal cultures of S. melanosporum were isolated from a natural collection obtained near Guaymas, Mexico. In Pringshei?n's soil-water medium with a light intensity of 3,500 lux at 22 ± 2 C, cultures of the alga produce a netlike growth which results from the genuflexion of filaments and the onset of the sexual process. The clones studied are homothallic with a totally anisogamous mode of reproduction. The major events of the sexual cycle, including gametangial development, gametic formation, syngamy, and the germination of zygospores, were observed for S. melanosporum and compared with an early account of sexual reproduction in S. sticticum.
Increased accumbal dopamine during daily alcohol consumption and subsequent aggressive behavior in rats

Background Alcohol drinking may lead to increased aggression in certain individuals, and both fighting and drinking increase levels of dopamine and serotonin in mesocorticolimbic structures. Assessing the dynamic changes in these neurotransmitters during the course of drinking and fighting has remained challenging.
Exaggerated Somatomedin-C Response to Human Growth Hormone Infusion in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus

ABSTRACT The suggestion of a role for the abnormally regulated growth hormone (GH) in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus (DM), implicates also the somatomedins, as mediators of some of GH actions. The present study was aimed at assessing the somatomedin response to exogenous GH administration in diabetes type II (NIDDM) subjects as well as its possible relationship with the degree of control of diabetes. Twenty-two subjects (seven controls and 15 NIDDM patients), matched for sex and age, underwent human GH infusion (0.1 U/kg b.w.) over a one-hour period (time 0 to 1hour). Total somatomedins (SMs) were measured by human placental membrane radioreceptor assay (in which all SMs crossreact) and Somatomedin-C (SM-C) was determined by a specific RIA. Values were obtained from plasma samples at times 0, 1, 4, 6, and 24 hours. Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA 1a–c ) measurements were done from blood samples obtained at time 0. The increase in SMs following GH infusion in NIDDM group was not significantly different from that of the controls. In contrast, the SM-C increase at time 6 and 24 hours were significantly higher than in controls (p 1a–c greater than 10% vs. less than 10%. These results indicate an exaggerated and prolonged increase in SM-C synthesis following exogenous GH infusion in NIDDM subjects, apparently unrelated to the degree of control of diabetes.
The effect of tumor necrosis factor-α and cAMP on induction of AP-1 activity in MA-10 tumor leydig cells

The immunostimulant tumor necrosis factor-α (TNFα), produced by monocytes/macrophages in response to inflammatory disorders, regulates gene expression in part through induction of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), including the stress-activated protein kinase (SAPK) (c-JunN-terminal kinase [JNK]) and the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs). In testicular Leydig cells, the induction of steroidogenesis by cAMP is inhibited by TNFα. To examine the potential mechanisms governing the mutual inhibition between cAMP and TNFα in Leydig cells, the intracellular signaling pathways that contribute to AP-1 dependent gene expression were examined in the mouse MA-10 Leydig cell line. TNFα induced SAPK activity sixfold at 15 min, and the PKC inhibitor calphostin C reduced the induction of SAPK by 30%. cAMP induced SAPK activity twofold but reduced TNFα-induced SAPK activity. ERK activity was inhibited by both cAMP and TNFa. TNFa increased c-Jun protein, but only weakly induced FOS proteins (c-Fos, FosB, Fra-1, and Fra-2) whereas cAMP increased the abundance of several FOS proteins (c-Fos, FosB, Fra-1, and Fra-2), with little effect on c-Jun levels. AP-1 binding activity, assessed using electrophoretic mobility shift assays, was increased twofold by TNFα and fivefold by cAMP. Cyclic AMP alone induced AP-1-responsive reporter (p3TPLUX) activity threefold after 2 h with peak effect of 4-fold at 4 hr. AP-1 reporter was not induced by TNFα alone but in the presence of cAMP, TNFα induced AP-1 reporter activity 12-fold. In conclusion, TNFα and cAMP induce distinct components that separately contribute to the modulation of AP-1 activity in MA-10 cells.
In vitro model of mycobacteria and HIV-1 co-infection for drug discovery

Tuberculosis (TB) has become a global health threat in the wake of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) pandemic and is the leading cause of death in people with HIV/AIDS. Treatment of patients with Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb)/HIV co-infection is complicated by drug interactions and toxicity that present huge challenges for clinical intervention. Discovery efforts to identify novel compounds with increased effectiveness and decreased drug-drug interactions against Mtb, HIV-1, or both, would be greatly aided by the use of a co-infection model for screening drug libraries. Currently, inhibitors of Mtb are screened independently in mycobacterial cell cultures or target based biochemical screens and less often in macrophages or peripheral blood leukocytes. Similarly, HIV-1 drugs are screened in vitro independently from anti-mycobacterial compounds. Here, we describe an in vitro model where primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cells or monocyte-derived macrophages are infected with Mycobacterium bovis BCG and HIV-1, and used to evaluate drug toxicity and activity in a co-infection setting. Our results with standard compounds (e.g. Azidothymidine, Rifampicin) demonstrate the utility of this in vitro model to evaluate drug effectiveness relevant to cellular toxicity, HIV-1 replication, and intracellular mycobacterial growth, through the use of ELISA, bacterial enumeration, and multi-variate flow cytometry. This model and associated assays have great value in accelerating the discovery of compounds for use in Mtb/HIV-1 co-infected patients.
A model of coal combustion dynamics in a fluidized bed combustor

Abstract A model of coal combustion dynamics in a fluidized bed is developed in this study. The model is carried out on the premise that the total combustion response can be decomposed into two distinct processes: volatile combustion and char combustion. In this investigation, combustion dynamics are examined through CO2 transient responses. For an impulse in the feed rate of coal, volatile combustion is modeled as an exponential decay. In contrast with volatile combustion, the transient response of char combustion cannot be approximated by an exponential decay. Instead, the transient model of char combustion is based on a closed-form solution to a population balance equation. This solution is used in conjunction with fragmentation distributions to explain the wide differences observed between the impulse responses of small and large coal particles. To verify this model, theoretical responses are compared with experimental data obtained from batch tests of coal with known initial particle size distributions. Experimental results suggest that particle size distributions —even narrow distribuons—significantly affect the transient responses of coal combustion in fluidized beds.
Réhabilitation rapide en chirurgie colique : résultats d'une étude prospective

Resume But de l'etude. – Apres chirurgie colique elective, le taux de complications generales peut atteindre 27 % et la duree moyenne d'hospitalisation varie de 10 a 15 jours, quelle que soit l'approche choisie, laparotomie ou laparoscopie. L'application d'un protocole de rehabilitation rapide des patients a pour but de reduire le taux des complications generales et de diminuer la duree de l'hospitalisation. Materiel et methode. – Une etude prospective a ete menee pour evaluer les effets d'un protocole multimodal qui, pour reduire le taux de complications et accelerer la rehabilitation des patients apres chirurgie colique elective, associe a une analgesie peridurale thoracique, une incitation a leur mobilisation precoce et leur realimentation orale rapide. Resultats. – Cent trente-deux patients consecutifs, âges en moyenne de 66 ans (extremes : 22–88 ans) ont eu une resection colique par laparotomie ( n = 71) ou par laparoscopie ( n = 61) et ont ete pris en charge selon les modalites d'un protocole de rehabilitation rapide des operes. Onze patients (8 %) ont eu des complications generales et 15 (11 %) des complications chirurgicales, parmi lesquelles quatre desunions anastomotiques (3 %). La mortalite a ete de 1 %. La duree d'hospitalisation a ete en moyenne de quatre jours (extremes : 3–77 jours). Quatorze patients (11 %) ont ete rehospitalises. Conclusion. – L'application d'un protocole de rehabilitation rapide des patients apres chirurgie colique elective a permis, dans notre etude, une reduction du taux de complications generales et de la duree d'hospitalisation.
Adaptive coarse-grained Monte Carlo simulation of reaction and diffusion dynamics in heterogeneous plasma membranes

An adaptive coarse-grained (kinetic) Monte Carlo (ACGMC) simulation framework is applied to reaction and diffusion dynamics in inhomogeneous domains. The presented model is relevant to the diffusion and dimerization dynamics of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in the presence of plasma membrane heterogeneity and specifically receptor clustering. We perform simulations representing EGFR cluster dissipation in heterogeneous plasma membranes consisting of higher density clusters of receptors surrounded by low population areas using the ACGMC method. We further investigate the effect of key parameters on the cluster lifetime. Coarse-graining of dimerization, rather than of diffusion, may lead to computational error. It is shown that the ACGMC method is an effective technique to minimize error in diffusion-reaction processes and is superior to the microscopic kinetic Monte Carlo simulation in terms of computational cost while retaining accuracy. The low computational cost enables sensitivity analysis calculations. Sensitivity analysis indicates that it may be possible to retain clusters of receptors over the time scale of minutes under suitable conditions and the cluster lifetime may depend on both receptor density and cluster size. The ACGMC method is an ideal platform to resolve large length and time scales in heterogeneous biological systems well beyond the plasma membrane and the EGFR system studied here. Our results demonstrate that cluster size must be considered in conjunction with receptor density, as they synergistically affect EGFR cluster lifetime. Further, the cluster lifetime being of the order of several seconds suggests that any mechanisms responsible for EGFR aggregation must operate on shorter timescales (at most a fraction of a second), to overcome dissipation and produce stable clusters observed experimentally.
Comparison of Signal-to-Noise Ratios

The probability distribution (density) function for the experimental signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) defined as x/s, where x is the sample mean and s is the customary sample standard deviation, has been derived and found to be in excellent agreement with accurate Monte Carlo simulation results. The SNR probability distribution function is a hypergeometric function which has no closed-form expression in elementary functions. The same applies to the probability distribution function for the relative standard deviation. In contrast, the probability distribution function for the approximate SNR defined by μ/s‘, where μ is the population mean parameter and s‘ ≡ s[(N − 1)/N]1/2, has a closed-form expression but is inaccurate for small numbers of measurements. The experimental SNR is a biased estimator of the true SNR, but the bias is easily correctable. Monte Carlo simulation methods were used to derive critical value tables for comparison of experimental SNRs and relative standard deviations. The critical value ...
Economic and Social Indicators for the Farm Sector: Discussion

The value of a policy, technology, or other change can be measured, to the extent we can measure the needed traits, through a system of demand equations derived from a utility function (Freebairn, Davis, and Edwards). Hushak applied this concept to estimation of the welfare costs of corn diversion programs in the 1960s. Using a demand framework, pareto improvement or potential pareto-improvement criteria can be used as the aggregating criteria to estimate the values of alternative policies (Randall and Peterson). Familiar economic premises are used and clear criteria for measurement can be derived. While the total demand framework can be criticized as being too narrow for complete consideration of economic and social phenomena, it is the only internally consistent and complete system in the social sciences. No other social science has a complete paradigm. My position is that we will make more significant progress in the measurement of economic and social phenomena by applying our narrower paradigm in the quantification and valuation of new phenomena than we will make in attempting to develop a broad system of indicators where an integrating paradigm does not exist. Becker's household production theory, Lancaster's characteristic goods theory, and hedonic pricing models (Rosen, Randall) can be brought to bear on quantification within the context of a demand system.
The power of pentafluorobenzyl alcohol chemical ionization/ion trap mass spectrometry to identify pentafluorobenzyl derivatives of oxygenated polar organics

Abstract Chamber studies establish that oxygenated and polar organics such as carbonyls, dicarbonyls, hydroxy carbonyls, epoxy carbonyls, oxo acids, and hydroxy carboxylic acids are photooxidation products of biogenic and anthropogenic hydrocarbons. To date, with the exception of carbonyls and carboxylic acids, few studies report ambient measurements of oxygenated and polar organics because of a lack of suitable methodologies. Such measurements are critical to establish the accuracy of photochemical models that incorporate chamber data, and are formulated to devise strategies to improve air quality. Here, we demonstrate the power and utility of pentafluorobenzyl alcohol (PFBOH) to identify pentafluorobenzyl derivatives of oxygenated and polar organics. The PFBOH chemical ionization (CI) mass spectrum comprises three primary ions at m/z 181 (C 6 F 5 CH 2 ) + , 197 (C 6 F 5 CH 2 O) + , and 198 (C 6 F 5 CH 2 OH) +· . We report the presence of (M − H) + , (M) +· , (M + H) + , and (M + 181) + ions in the PFBOH mass spectra that create a unique pattern which facilitates molecular weight determinations. By conducting experiments in which the reagent ions were selected prior to reaction with the derivative molecules, we established that the m/z 181 reagent ion effects the formation of an (M + 181) + adduct ion. The data also suggest that the m/z 197 ion primarily affects proton addition reactions, and that the m/z 198 ion promotes charge exchange and hydride abstraction reactions. We establish the practicality and power of PFBOH to identify pentafluorobenzyl derivatives in this and previous work. The knowledge gained regarding ion/molecule reactions of PFBOH chemical ionization (CI) was utilized to identify a pentafluorobenzyl derivative in an extract of fine particulate matter of diesel motor vehicle exhaust in a traffic tunnel. The combination of pentafluorobenzyl derivatization, PFBOH, and ion trap mass spectrometry assisted the identification of 4-hydroxybenzoic acid as a component of the particulate organic matter.
Bump pattern optimization and stress comparison study for DCA packages

With the increasing demand for reduced package size and enhanced package performance, the semiconductor industry has intensified focus on the development of alternate technologies, resulting in significant interest in flip chip or direct chip attach (DCA) packages using copper pillar bump interconnects. In DCA packages, the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch between different materials causes warpage/reliability issues during the reflow process and thermal cycling. These CTE mismatch issues interact with various copper pillar patterns and affect package reliability. This study reports on simulation work to optimize the 1st level copper pillar patterns on DCA packages. Finite element models have been established to understand the effects of various copper pillar patterns on stress conditions in solder regions. In addition to material factors like low CTE core and different underfill compounds, other factors including solder joint thickness, a portion of the copper pillar bumps and die thickness are also simulated to determine the impact on solder stress in relation to the die and substrate interface.
Association of dystrophin and an integral membrane glycoprotein

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is caused by a defective gene found on the X-chromosome. Dystrophin is encoded by the DMD gene and represents about 0.002% of total muscle protein. Immunochemical studies have shown that dystrophin is localized to the sarcolemma in normal muscle but is absent in muscle from DMD patients. Many features of the predicted primary structure of dystrophin are shared with membrane cytoskeletal proteins, but the precise function of dystrophin in muscle is unknown. Here we report the first isolation of dystrophin from digitonin-solubilized skeletal muscle membranes using wheat germ agglutinin (WGA)-Sepharose. We find that dystrophin is not a glycoprotein but binds to WGA-Sepharose because of its tight association with a WGA-binding glycoprotein. The association of dystrophin with this glycoprotein is disrupted by agents that dissociate cytoskeletal proteins from membranes. We conclude that dystrophin is linked to an integral membrane glycoprotein in the sarcolemma. Our results indicate that the function of dystrophin could be to link this glycoprotein to the underlying cytoskeleton and thus help either to preserve membrane stability or to keep the glycoprotein non-uniformly distributed in the sarcolemma.
Evidence of diffusion regions at a subsolar magnetopause crossing.

On 1 April 2001, the Polar satellite crossed a subsolar magnetopause associated with antiparallel magnetic fields. Over a width $\ensuremath{\sim}6$ magnetosheath ion skin depths ( $\ensuremath{\sim}3$ magnetospheric ion skin depths), perpendicular ion flows different from $\mathbf{E}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}\mathbf{B}{/B}^{2}$ as well as Hall magnetic and electric field signatures were observed. At a smaller scale, the electron flow decoupled from the magnetic field near a deep minimum in the magnetic field strength. Separatrices were identified as boundaries of low frequency electric field turbulence associated with density minima and parallel electric fields. The reconnection rate was less than $2%$ of the asymptotic Alfv\'en speed.
Propranolol and hypertriglyceridemia

Abstract Eight subjects with elevated fasting plasma triglyceride levels and type IV hypertipoproteinemia, who received a 60 g fat meal before and after 2-week treatment with propranolol, showed an enhanced lipemic response to the meal after the treatment. In 6 subjects without fasting hypertriglyceridemia, treatment with propranolol led to a slight but consistent decrease in alimentary lipemia. Plasma cholesterol levels were not affected in either group.
Oncolysis by viral replication and inhibition of angiogenesis by a replication-conditional herpes simplex virus that expresses mouse endostatin.

BACKGROUND In preclinical models, infection of tumors by oncolytic strains of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) resulted in the destruction of tumor cells by viral replication and release of progeny virion that infected and destroyed adjacent tumor cells. However, complete tumor regression was rarely observed. METHODS To augment the antitumor effect of viral oncolysis, a replication conditional HSV-1 mutant (HSV-Endo) was constructed in which the murine endostatin gene was incorporated into the HSV-1 genome. RESULTS Replication of HSV-Endo effectively destroyed several colon carcinoma cell lines in vitro. Secretion of endostatin by HSV-Endo–infected HT29 human colon carcinoma cells was confirmed by Western blot analysis. The secreted endostatin was biologically active as assessed in a chick chorioallantoic membrane assay. Importantly, endostatin production at the site of viral replication did not inhibit viral replication. Direct injection of HSV-Endo into flank tumors caused tumor destruction, and some of the HSV-Endo–treated flank tumors completely sloughed. Immunohistochemical staining of the tumors revealed a decreased number of blood vessels in the HSV-Endo–treated group versus the control group. CONCLUSIONS The oncolytic HSV-1 mutant HSV-Endo provided a two-pronged therapy; namely, inhibition of angiogenesis and direct tumor cell destruction by viral replication. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Estimating the Risks and Benefits of Nicotine Replacement Therapy for Smoking Cessation in the United States

Objectives. To compare potential population-wide benefits and risks, we examined the potential impact of increased nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) use for smoking cessation on future US mortality.Methods. We developed a simulation model incorporating a Monte Carlo uncertainty analysis, with data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey and Cancer Prevention Study II. We estimated the number of avoided premature deaths from smoking attributable to increased NRT use, before and after incorporating assumptions about NRT harm.Results. We estimate that a gradual increase in the proportion of NRT-aided quit attempts to 100% by 2025 would lead to 40 000 (95% credible interval = 31 000, 50 000) premature deaths avoided over a 20-year period. Most avoided deaths would be attributable to lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. After we incorporated assumptions about potential risk from long-term NRT, the estimate of avoided premature deaths from all causes declined to 32 000.Conclusions. Even after we assu...
Learning from Women’s Studies

Scholar Michele Tracy Berger examines the transformational role of women’s studies in higher education during the last 40 years. Women’s studies with its commitment to interdisciplinarity, and emph...
Use of the redlich and kwong equation of state in calculating thermodynamic properties of gases from experimental compressibility data

Convenient and accurate methods of calculating the thermodynamic properties of gases from experimental compressibility-factor data through the use of the Redlich and Kwong equation of state are presented. Analytical and graphical methods are combined. As an example, fugacity and activity coefficients are calculated for the nitrogen-ethylene system at 50°C. for pressures up to 500 atm.
The effects of free fat grafts on the stiffness of the rat sciatic nerve and perineural scar.

Abstract We developed a new quantitative rat sciatic nerve model to test whether free fat grafts can reduce postoperative perineural scar formation. Epineurectomies of sciatic nerves were performed to create scar. The force required to distract the nerve a unit distance was measured after surgery to determine the time of maximal scar formation. Nerve stiffness normalized for rat weight was statistically greater at 2 months after the initial dissection (0.097 ± 0.009 g/mm/g rat weight; n = 10 limbs) than rat limbs that had not undergone a previous dissection (0.075 ± 0.012 g/mm/g rat weight). Perineural scar thickness was thicker at 2 months than the perineural tissue in preoperative controls. Free fat grafts decreased nerve stiffness at 2 months (0.078 ± 0.012 g/mm/g rat weight) in comparison to the contralateral surgical control limb without a fat graft (0.094 ± 0.014 g/mm/g rat weight). Free fat grafts reduced the strength of postoperative perineural scar in this surgical model; however, they were associated with an unexpected finding of substantial postoperative neuropathy. (J Hand Surg 1999;24A:30–36. Copyright © 1999 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
Influences of Corn Co-products in Limit-Fed Rations on Cow Performance, Lactation, Nutrient Output, and Subsequent Reproduction

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of corn gluten feed (CGF) or dry distillers grains with solubles (DDGS) in limit-fed diets on cow performance, lactation, nutrient output, and reproduction. Cows were maintained in concrete lots with open-front sheds and fence-line bunks. In Exp. 1, Simmental cows (n = 100) were blocked by age and calving date and assigned to 12 pens. Cows were fed 4.5 kg/d of alfalfa hay and isocaloric amounts of CGF (5.9 kg/d) or DDGS (5.55 kg/d) to meet requirements. The cows fed DDGS lost 16 kg less (P = 0.008) BW and had 0.9 kg/d less (P = 0.004) milk production, which resulted in a trend (P = 0.06) for slower calf ADG than for cows fed CGF. There was no difference in manure N (P = 0.13), but cows fed CGF did have greater (P = 0.04) manure P than cows fed DDGS. In Exp. 2, Simmental cows (n = 114) were blocked by age and calving date and assigned to 12 pens. Cows were fed 2.3 kg/d of ground cornstalks and isocaloric amounts of CGF (7.7 kg/d) or DDGS (7.2 kg/d) to meet requirements. In contrast to Exp. 1, the DDGS cows tended (P = 0.07) to lose more weight than those fed CGF. In addition, no differences were detected in milk production (P = 0.20) or calf ADG (P = 0.57). In both experiments, no differences were detected in reproductive performance. Corn co-products can be included up to 75% of a limit-fed diet. The higher fat content of DDGS compared with CGF did not improve reproduction.
Bahamas connection: residence areas selected by breeding female loggerheads tagged in Dry Tortugas National Park, USA

Delineation of home ranges, residence and foraging areas, and migration corridors is important for understanding the habitat needs for a given species. Recently, many population segments of Northwest Atlantic loggerhead sea turtles (Caretta caretta) were designated as endangered or threatened; the smallest subpopulation is in the Dry Tortugas. Foraging and residence areas for this subpopulation have not been defined outside the Gulf of Mexico. Here, for Dry Tortugas loggerheads that traveled to the Bahamas, we use a combination of switching state-space modeling (SSM) and home-range estimators to determine migration period, spatially delineate and describe residence areas, and examine inter-annual home-range repeatability. In 5,973 tracking days, migration dates for Dry Tortugas loggerheads traveling to the Bahamas occurred during July–September, with turtles tracked twice showing remarkably similar migration paths and timing of departure from nesting sites. Core-use residence areas for 19 loggerheads ranged from 3.7 to 179.5 km2 (mean ± 1 SD = 56.2 ± 49.5 km2). For three turtles, we found inter-annual home-range repeatability, with centroids of core areas only 0.7–2.9 km apart and significant overlap of inter-annual 50% kernel contours. We demonstrate a previously unknown link between Dry Tortugas nesting beaches and Bahamas residence areas; 17/39 (43.6%) of nesting loggerheads tagged in and tracked from the Dry Tortugas take up residence at sites in the Bahamas. Residence area estimates for these turtles were similar in size to previous foraging area estimates for two turtles tracked to the Bahamas in other studies. We show inter-annual residence area repeatability, and that residence areas of different individuals generally did not overlap. We suggest that these loggerheads possibly establish territories.
High-performance cellular automata random number generators for embedded probabilistic computing systems

High-performance random number generators (RNGs) can be economically implemented in popular field programmable gate arrays without the need for arithmetic circuitry by employing cellular automata (CA) with a neighborhood size of four and an asymmetrical, non-local neighborhood connection scheme. Each cell (i.e., RNG bit) requires only a single 4-input lookup table and a single flip-flop. From each of various 1-d, 2-d, and 3-d networks with periodic boundary conditions, the 1000 highest entropy CA RNGs were selected from the set of 65,536 possible uniform (all CA truth tables the same) implementations. Each set of 1000 high-entropy CA was then submitted to Marsaglia's DIEHARD suite of random number tests. A number of 64-bit, neighbor-of-four CA-based RNGs have been discovered that pass all tests in DIEHARD without resorting to either site spacing or time spacing to improve the RNG quality.
Downflow Limestone Beds for Treatment of Net-Acidic, Oxic, Iron-Laden Drainage from a Flooded Anthracite Mine, Pennsylvania, USA: 1. Field Evaluation

Acidic mine drainage (AMD) containing elevated concentrations of dissolved iron and other metals can be neutralized to varying degrees by reactions with limestone in passive treatment systems. We evaluated the chemical and mineralogical characteristics and the effectiveness of calcitic and dolomitic limestone for the neutralization of net-acidic, oxic, iron-laden AMD from a flooded anthracite mine. The calcitic limestone, with CaCO3 and MgCO3 contents of 99.8 and <0.1 wt%, respectively, and the dolomitic limestone, with CaCO3 and MgCO3 contents of 60.3 and 40.2 wt%, were used to construct a downflow treatment system in 2003 at the Bell Mine, a large source of AMD and baseflow to the Schuylkill River in the Southern Anthracite Coalfield, in east-central Pennsylvania. In the winter of 2002–2003, laboratory neutralization-rate experiments evaluated the evolution of effluent quality during 2 weeks of continuous contact between AMD from the Bell Mine and the crushed calcitic or dolomitic limestone in closed, collapsible containers (cubitainers). The cubitainer tests showed that: (1) net-alkaline effluent could be achieved with detention times greater than 3 h, (2) effluent alkalinities and associated dissolution rates were equivalent for uncoated and Fe(OH)3-coated calcitic limestone, and (3) effluent alkalinities and associated dissolution rates for dolomitic limestone were about half those for calcitic limestone. The dissolution rate data for the cubitainer tests were used with data on the volume of effuent and surface area of limestone in the treatment system at the Bell Mine to evaluate the water-quality data for the first 1.5 years of operation of the treatment system. These rate models supported the interpretation of field results and indicated that treatment benefits were derived mainly from the dissolution of calcitic limestone, despite a greater quantity of dolomitic limestone within the treatment system. The dissolution-rate models were extrapolated on a decadal scale to indicate the expected decreases in the mass of limestone and associated alkalinities resulting from the long-term reaction of AMD with the treatment substrate. The models indicated the calcitic limestone would need to be replenished approaching the 5-year anniversary of treatment operations to maintain net-alkaline effluent quality.
MOLYBDENUM: An Essential Trace Element in Human Nutrition

Abstract: The goal of this review is to evaluate several different facets of the present state of knowledge regarding the nutritional aspects of Mo and to provide a basis for future directions in research dealing with complete characterization of its biological functions, as a means of recognizing possible isolated or epidemiological instances of nutritional deficiency of the metal.
Scaling the performance of an air-cooled loop heat pipe with the addition of modular condensers

We report the performance of a novel air-cooled loop heat pipe with a planar condenser and planar evaporator, and the performance improvement expected from a multiple-condenser version of the device. The condensers are developed in a modular design, and the heat pipe is configured to allow the installation of multiple, stacked condensers. An analytical model is developed to predict the scaling of convective thermal resistance with the addition of condensers. The result of the model is compared with the thermal resistance measured from a single-condenser prototype (0.18–0.23°C/W), and the effect of condenser count on thermal resistance is discussed. The heat pipe is intended for the integration into a high-performance air-cooled heat sink.
Effects of Bran, Lignin and Deoxycholic Acid on the Permeability of the Rat Cecum and Colon

The ability of dietary fiber to modify the effects of a bile acid on per meability of the cecum and colon was studied. A cecal catheter, which permits admin istration of test materials to conscious, unrestrained rats over a period of several weeks, was designed. Rats were fed fiber-free diet or diets containing 20% bran or lignin. Per meability of the lower intestine was assessed indirectly by infusing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and measuring excretion of PEG in urine Under these conditions there was little effect of diet on permeability of PEG. However, when sodium deoxycholate was infused with the PEG, permeability was increased in rats fed fiber-free and lignin diets. In contrast, rats fed the bran diet showed no such response to the bile acid. The interaction among type of dietary fiber, presence of bile acid and intestinal perme ability may have important implications for the etiology of intestinal disease. J. Nutr. 113: 2300-2307, 1983.
Health Policy Considerations in Treating Mental and Behavioral Health Emergencies in the United States

In recent years, health care providers have sounded the call that the US mental health system is in crisis. With decreases in funding and eroding access to care, the availability of psychiatric services has become increasingly limited, failing to meet growing needs. This article provides a brief history of mental health services in the United States and describes the current landscape of US psychiatric care; it touches upon some of the most important policy considerations, describing some of the glaring issues in US mental health care today. Last, it offers some potential remedies to improve care in acute behavioral emergencies.
Mild hypothermia reduces infarct size resulting from temporary but not permanent focal ischemia in rats.

Mild hypothermia (32-35 degrees C) has been repeatedly shown in laboratory models to reduce damage resulting from global cerebral ischemic insults. Little information is available, however, regarding the protective potential of mild hypothermia against focal ischemia. We designed the present study to determine whether mild hypothermia influences outcome from either temporary or permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion in the rat.In experiment 1 (permanent occlusion), mechanically ventilated, halothane-anesthetized spontaneously hypertensive rats underwent permanent ligation of the middle cerebral artery. Pericranial temperature was maintained at either 37 degrees C (n = 11) or 33 degrees C (n = 11) during the first 2 hours of occlusion. In experiment 2 (temporary occlusion), the vessel was occluded for 1 hour only. Pericranial temperature was controlled at either 37 degrees C (n = 12) or 33 degrees C (n = 14) during ischemia and for 1 hour after reperfusion. In both experiments, the rats were allowed to...
Restricted equivalence of paired epsilon–negative and mu–negative layers to a negative phase–velocity material (aliasleft–handed material)

Summary The time–harmonic electromagnetic responses of (a) a bilayer made of an epsilon–negative layer and a mu–negative layer, and (b) a single layer of a negative phase–velocity material are compared. Provided all layers are electrically thin, a restricted equivalence between (a) and (b) exists. The restricted equivalence depends on the linear polarization state and the transverse wavenumber. Implications for perfect lenses and parallel–plate waveguides are considered.
Designing digitial optical computing systems: power distribution and cross talk

Complex optical computer designs must implicitly or explicitly allow for power budgeting to compensate for cross talk and loss both in devices and in interconnections. We develop algorithms for calculating the system cross talk and power loss in optical systems by using a graph-theoretic model. Devices are modeled as directed graphs with nodes that represent inputs and outputs, and edges are weighted with the power relationships between nodes. Systems are modeled by interconnecting the individual device graphs in a manner that reflects the connectivity of the system. A system's power budget is efficiently computed by a depth-first search of its graph. The algorithms have been incorporated in an optical computer-aided design system that is presently being used to design a bit-serial optical computer that contains hundreds of components.
Economic and environmental analysis of extrusion processing of grains into foods and feeds

One of the major problems facing our planet with such a rapidly growing population is a need for cheap and healthy food in developing countries. Although there have already been many valiant attempts at helping this crisis, a “cure-all” solution is still not likely. A common nutrient lacking from many people’s diets in developing countries is protein. One way in which this problem can be mitigated is through the use of Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP). This product is produced from the grain extrusion process, is lightweight, and carries highprotein content. It is important to analyze if this product can act as a suitable, sustainable option for protein in developing countries. In order to examine this we have focused on Brazil and Bolivia specifically. In this project, we have five scenarios and we will conduct technoeconomic analysis and life cycle assessment to compare all scenarios.
Giant saphenous vein graft pseudoaneurysm: treatment with a vascular occlusion device

We report the case of a 74-year old male who was evaluated for progressively enlarging right heart border on serial chest radiographs. Computed tomography of the chest revealed a pseudoaneurysm arising from the saphenous vein graft (SVG) to the posterior descending artery with mass effect on the right atrium. Coronary angiography showed severely compromised distal flow and an angiographically small territory at risk. Using a minimally invasive, catheter-based approach, an Amplatzer Vascular Plug II occlusion device was utilized successfully for embolizing the SVG pseudoaneurysm.
Genome size distributions indicate variability and similarities among marine viral assemblages from diverse environments

Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was used to determine the size distributions of virus-like DNA in seawater from diverse environments (Arctic Ocean, Ross Sea, coastal Pacific Ocean, and northern Adriatic Sea). Changes in DNA banding patterns indicated that shifts in the viral assemblage composition occurred on the order of # 2d during an intense dinoflagellate bloom in coastal Pacific waters. Different DNA banding patterns from diverse locations also indicated spatial variability in composition, but all of the samples analyzed had similar features. Size frequency distributions for virus-like genomes (VLGs) were multimodal, with major peaks occurring around 31‐ 36 kilobases (kb) and 58‐63 kb. The smallest discrete band resolved was 26 kb, the largest was .200 kb, and the overall mean VLG size was 50 6 4 kb (mean 6 SD, n 5 30). On average in surface seawater, .90% of the VLGs occurred in the 26‐69 kb size range, and at least half were between 28 and 45 kb. This first extensive survey of viral genome sizes in seawater indicates that most marine viruses have physical properties similar to other known viruses. The distributions revealed that the vast majority of the detected VLGs had sizes typical of bacteriophages, whereas only a few percent were in the size range of known algal viruses. The abundance, distribution, and dynamics of viruses in various aquatic environments have been extensively investigated at the assemblage level (Wommack and Colwell 2000). In contrast, the diversity within natural viral assemblages and how assemblage composition changes over space and time are less well known. Studies of host range, morphology, and genetic variability using traditional culturebased and new PCR-based techniques all suggest that viral diversity in seawater is quite high (reviewed by Wommack and Colwell 2000). However, since many potential host organisms have not yet been cultivated and the range of genetic variability among aquatic viruses is still poorly known, it has been argued that many viruses of potential ecological importance could be missed by these techniques (Steward and Azam 2000). Pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was introduced as another useful technique for resolving different viruses in complex assemblages based simply on their genome size (Klieve and Swain 1993). Such an approach allows an overview of the viral diversity that is faster and less expensive
Comparison of computerized surveillance and manual chart review for adverse events

Objective To understand how the source of information affects different adverse event (AE) surveillance methods. Design Retrospective analysis of inpatient adverse drug events (ADEs) and hospital-associated infections (HAIs) detected by either a computerized surveillance system (CSS) or manual chart review (MCR). Measurement Descriptive analysis of events detected using the two methods by type of AE, type of information about the AE, and sources of the information. Results CSS detected more HAIs than MCR (92% vs 34%); however, a similar number of ADEs was detected by both systems (52% vs 51%). The agreement between systems was greater for HAIs than ADEs (26% vs 3%). The CSS missed events that did not have information in coded format or that were described only in physician narratives. The MCR detected events missed by CSS using information in physician narratives. Discharge summaries were more likely to contain information about AEs than any other type of physician narrative, followed by emergency department reports for HAIs and general consult notes for ADEs. Some ADEs found by MCR were detected by CSS but not verified by a clinician. Limitations Inability to distinguish between CSS false positives and suspected AEs for cases in which the clinician did not document their assessment in the CSS. Conclusion The effect that information source has on different surveillance methods depends on the type of AE. Integrating information from physician narratives with CSS using natural language processing would improve the detection of ADEs more than HAIs.
Acquisition-analysis system for the DANCE (detector for advanced neutron capture experiment) BaF/sub 2/ gamma-ray calorimeter

The DANCE detector is a segmented 4pi gamma-ray calorimeter for measuring (n, gamma) and (n, fission) cross-sections of stable and long-lived radioactive isotopes. DANCE uses waveform digitization to acquire the basic gamma-ray data, which maximizes the information available for event reconstruction, but has necessitated the development of several techniques for handling the resulting high data rates. This paper describes the basic experimental requirements for acquisition and analysis and how we have satisfied these requirements primarily by extending existing acquisition and analysis frameworks
Acute Bacterial Meningitis Cerebrospinal Fluid Differential Count

A retrospective analysis of 112 cases of pediatric bacterial meningitis over a 3-year period was performed to determine the rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lymphocytosis at initial evaluation. Of 14 neonates and 98 children older than 1 month of age not receiving preadmission antibiotic therapy, only one instance of CSF lymphocytosis occurred. This patient's CSF exhibited pleocytosis, hypoglycorrhachia, abnormally elevated protein content, and organisms visualized on gram stain smear. In children with bacterial meningitis not receiving antibiotic therapy at the time of evaluation, CSF differential cell count with relative lymphocytosis is rare.
Comparison of biochemical failure rates between permanent prostate brachytherapy and radical retropubic prostatectomy as a function of posttherapy PSA nadir plus ‘X’

Background: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir + 2 ng/mL, also known as the Phoenix definition, is the definition most commonly used to establish biochemical failure (BF) after external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer management. The purpose of this study is to compare BF rates between permanent prostate brachytherapy (PPB) and radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) as a function of PSA nadir plus varying values of X and examine the associated implications. Methods and materials: We retrospectively searched for patients who underwent PPB or RRP at our institution between 1998 and 2004. Only primary patients not receiving androgen-deprivation therapy were included in the study. Three RRP patients were matched to each PPB patient on the basis of prognostic factors. BF rates were estimated for PSA nadirs + different values of X. Results: A total of 1,164 patients were used for analysis: 873 in the RRP group and 291 in the PPB group. Patients were equally matched by clinical stage, biopsy Gleason sum, primary Gleason grade, and pretherapy PSA value. Median follow-up was 3.1 years for RRP patients and 3.6 years in the PPB group ( P= .01). Using PSA nadir +0.1 ng/mL for the definition of BF, the 5-year BF rate was 16.3% for PPB patients and 13.5% for RRP patients ( P= .007), whereas at nadir + 2 ng/mL or greater, the BF rates were less than 3% and were indistinguishable between PPB and RRP patients. Conclusions: In a cohort of well-matched patients who had prostatectomy or brachytherapy, we examined BF as a function of nadir +X, where X was treated as a continuous variable. As X increases from 0.1 to 2.0 ng/mL, the BF curves converge, and above 2.0 ng/mL they are essentially indistinguishable. The data presented are of interest as BF definitions continue to evolve.
Effects of ascites on perioperative and postoperative outcome in epithelial ovarian cancer

e16567 Background: A third of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients (pts) present with ascites at the time of diagnosis. Though not universally accepted, ascites has been reported to be a poor p...
Prevalence and progression of chronic kidney disease in adult patients with sickle cell disease.

Aim We evaluated the prevalence and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) during the 5-year period in a cohort of patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) aged 18 years and older. Methods We studied 98 patients with SCD. Chronic kidney disease stages I through V were defined based on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and albuminuria grades were defined based on spot urine protein-to-creatinine ratio according to the 2012 Kidney Disease Improving Global Outcomes recommendations. In patients with eGFR of greater than 60 mL/min per 1.73 m2, CKD was diagnosed if grade A2 or A3 albuminuria was present. Chronic kidney disease progression was defined as an increase in CKD stage with an additional eGFR reduction of more than 25% from baseline. Results At baseline, 28.6% of patients had CKD. After a mean follow-up of 5.0 (SD, 0.9) years, 17 patients developed new CKD and the overall CKD prevalence increased to 41.8%. In addition, 8 patients experienced CKD progression. The following baseline variables were associated with the development and progression of CKD in univariate analysis: older age (P = 0.003), higher systolic blood pressure (BP; P = 0.003), lower eGFR (P = 0.001), higher serum creatinine (P = 0.001), and A3 albuminuria (P = 0.008). In multivariate analysis, baseline A3 albuminuria (adjusted odds ratio, 5.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.1-24.3; P = 0.048) and each 1-mm Hg increase in systolic BP (adjusted odds ratio, 1.04; 95% confidence interval, 1.0-1.07; P = 0.039) predicted CKD development and progression. Conclusions Chronic kidney disease is common in patients with SCD and its prevalence increases with age. Several baseline modifiable and nonmodifiable factors were associated with the development and progression of CKD in patients with SCD. Strategies targeting BP control and proteinuria may be beneficial for individuals with SCD.