cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of mupirocin for Staphylococcus aureus decolonization on the microbiome of the nose and throat in community and nursing home dwelling adults.

OBJECTIVE To characterize the microbial communities of the anterior nares (nose) and posterior pharynx (throat) of adults dwelling in the community and in nursing homes before and after treatment with intranasal mupirocin. METHODS Staphylococcus aureus-colonized adults were recruited from the community (n = 25) and from nursing homes (n = 7). S. aureus colonization was confirmed using cultures. Participants had specimens taken from nose and throat for S. aureus quantitation using quantitative PCR for the nuc gene and bacterial profiling using 16S rRNA gene sequencing over 12 weeks. After two baseline study visits 4 weeks apart, participants received intranasal mupirocin for 5 days with 3 further visits over a 8 week follow-up period. RESULTS We found a decrease in the absolute abundance of S. aureus in the nose for 8 weeks after mupirocin (1693 vs 141 fg/ul, p = 0.047). Mupirocin caused a statistically significant disruption in bacterial communities of the nose and throat after 1 week, which was no longer detected after 8 weeks. Bacterial community profiling demonstrated that there was a decrease in the relative abundance of S. aureus (8% vs 0.3%, p<0.01) 8 weeks after mupirocin and a transient decrease in the relative abundance of Staphylococcus epidermidis in the nose (21% vs 5%, p<0.01) 1 week after mupirocin. CONCLUSIONS Decolonization with mupirocin leads to a sustained effect on absolute and relative abundance of S. aureus but not for other bacteria in the nose. This demonstrates that a short course of mupirocin selectively decreases S. aureus in the nose for up to 8 weeks.
Financial Crisis, Trust, and Religious Intensity

An extant literature rooted in Iannaconne’s club-theoretic approach, advances a social insurance channel via which financial crises lead to increases in religious intensity defined to include religious affiliation and participation. Since variation in religious intensity has implications for; savings behavior, the incidence of religiously motivated terrorism, and the fraction of total resources allocated to religious practice, this social insurance channel implies that the socioeconomic effects of financial crises extends beyond the effects suggested by traditional channels. However, the absence of a demand for supernaturalism in the club-theoretic approach, -- despite the widely held view that religiosity reflects a fundamental demand for supernaturalism -- raises doubt about the adequacy if not validity of the social insurance channel. In light of the foregoing, we deploy an alternative theoretical framework which explicitly incorporates a demand for supernaturalism and implies a relative trust channel in which financial crises affect religious intensity by altering laypeople’s trust in religious organizations relative to their trust in secular institutions. Using responses to survey questions from the General Social Survey for the years 2006, 2008, and 2010, and the yield spread between Baa corporate bonds and ten-year US government bonds as a proxy for financial crisis, we assess the empirical validity of the relative trust channel by deploying Zellner’s SUR approach to test the joint hypothesis that the 2007-2009 financial crisis induced changes in religious participation and affiliation in the US and that it did so by affecting relative trust. Overall, our results confirm the existence of the relative trust channel.
Examining the role of demographic characteristics, attachment, and language in preschool children’s executive function skills

Executive function (EF) skills play a crucial role in young children’s academic and social-emotional development. Given that factors associated with poverty can compromise the development of EF ski...
Romanticising the poor harms the poor

A libertarian movement that emphasises free markets to reduce poverty has grown strong in recent years. It views the poor as ‘resilient and creative entrepreneurs and value-conscious consumers’. This romanticised view of the poor is far from the truth and harms the poor in two ways. First, it results in too little emphasis on legal, regulatory and social mechanisms to protect the poor who are vulnerable consumers. Second, it results in overemphasis on microcredit and under-emphasis on fostering modern enterprises that would provide employment opportunities for the poor. More importantly, the libertarian proposition grossly under-emphasises the critical role and responsibility of the state for poverty reduction. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Radiation and Checkpoint Inhibition Amongst HCC Patients With Portal Vein Invasion.

Purpose/Objective(s) Recent studies established atezolizumab and bevacizumab as a new standard of care for Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) stage C patients. However, many patients are not candidates for this combination and progression-free survival was only 6.8 months, suggesting that local therapy might be beneficial. This study explores combination radiotherapy and nivolumab for HCC with portal vein thrombus (PVT). Materials/Methods We retrospectively reviewed charts of patients with HCC and PVT treated with nivolumab and radiation at a single institution from 2016-2020. Patients were eligible if they had at least one follow up imaging scan to assess response. Progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were assessed. Baseline characteristics were used to predict for outcomes. Results 64 patients met inclusion criteria with a median follow up of 7 months (0.13-39.0 months). 42 (65.6%) patients were de novo diagnoses of HCC with PVT, and the remainder had prior therapy. 37 (57.8%) patients received nivolumab prior or concurrent with start of RT, while 27 (42.2%) received the first dose of nivolumab > 1 month post RT. Median radiation dose was 40 Gy (range: 30-50 Gy) with 44 (68.8%) patients being treated with SBRT. Median PFS was 3.8 months (95% confidence interval: 2.3–5.4). Median OS was 9.6 months (95% confidence interval: 5.2–14.0). On log-rank analysis, median OS and PFS did not differ between patients receiving therapy for a de novo diagnosis vs. previous therapy (OS: 12.9 vs 8.7 months, P = 0.46; PFS: 4.9 vs 2.9 months, P = 0.99), between patients with VP1-2 vs. VP3+ PVT (OS: 18.3 vs 9.4 months, P = 0.53; PFS: 3.3 vs 3.8 months, P = 0.44), between patients receiving SBRT vs. fractionated RT (OS: 9.2 vs 14.5 months, P = 0.69; PFS: 4.2 vs 3.2 months, P = 0.30), and between patients receiving nivolumab before/concurrent with RT vs. patients receiving nivolumab after RT (OS: 10.7 vs 9.6 months P = 0.41; PFS: 4.2 vs 2.9 months, P = 0.73). Patients with HCV trended for better OS than those with other etiologies but PFS was not improved (OS: 33.3 vs 8.7 months, P = 0.064; PFS: 4.8 vs 2.8 months, P = 0.16). 8 (12.5%) of the patients had OS times > 2 years. Conclusion In this retrospective series, combination nivolumab and radiation produced promising OS and PFS for HCC patients with PVT. Prospective studies are needed to know when this approach might be beneficial in the evolving landscape of immunotherapy in HCC.
XLAYER: An Expert System Providing Management Advice to Commercial Layer Managers

XLAYER, an expert/knowledge-based microcomputer program, was designed and developed to diagnose layer management problems and recommend expert remedial management advice. The program also provokes management action by calculating the economic loss attributed to major management problems. It analyzes data generated by a commercially marketed layer performance financial microcomputer program and has demonstrated the ability to emulate poultry management experts in the diagnoses of 80 individual layer management problems. The program provides scarce expert poultry management advice to poultry layer managers regardless of size and scale of operation.
Recent Results on Generalized Baumslag-Solitar Groups

Generalized Baumslag-Solitar groups are the fundamental groups of finite graphs of groups with infinite cyclic vertex and edge groups. These groups have interesting group the- oretic and algorithmic properties and they also have close connections with algebraic topology. Here we present an introduction to the theory with an account of recent results.
Definition and Diagnostic Criteria for Metabolic Syndrome

1. Kylin E. Studien. Hypertonie-Hyperglykamie-Hyperurikamiesyndrome. Zentralblatt fur Innere Medizin 1923; 44. 2. Vague J. La differenciation sexuelle, facteur determinant des formes de l’obesite. Presse Med 1947;30:339–40. 3. Adlersberg D, Wang C-I. Syndrome of idiopathic hyperlipemia, mild diabetes mellitus, and severe vascular damage. Diabetes 1955;4:210–8. 4. Avogaro P, Crepaldi G, Enzi G, et al. Associazione di iperlipemia, diabete mellito e obesita’ di medio grado. Acta Diab Latina 1967;4:572–90. 5. Reaven GM. Banting Lecture 1988. Role of insulin resistance in human disease. Diabetes 1988;37:1595– 1607. 6. Kaplan NM. The deadly quartet. Upper-body obesity, glucose intolerance, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypertension. Arch Intern Med 1989;149:1514–20. 7. Bjorntorp P. Metabolic implications of body fat distribution. Diabetes Care 1991;14:1132–43. 8. Resnick HE, Jones K, Ruotolo G, et al. Insulin resistance, the metabolic syndrome, and risk of incident cardiovascular disease in nondiabetic American Indians: The Strong Heart Study. Diabetes Care 2003;26:861–7. 9. Lillioja S, Mott, Spraul M, et al. Insulin resistance and insulin secretory dysfunction as precursors of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus: prospective studies of Pima Indians. N Engl J Med 1993;329:1988–92. 10. Ford ES. Risks for all-cause mortality, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes associated with the metabolic syndrome: a summary of the evidence. Diabetes Care 2005 Jul;28(7):1769–78. 11. Wilson PW, D’Agostino RB, Parise H,et al. Metabolic syndrome as a precursor of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Circulation 2005:3066–72. 12. Cameron AJ, Shaw JE, Zimmet PZ. The metabolic syndrome: prevalence in worldwide populations. Endocrinol Metab Clin North Am 2004;33:351–75. 13. Howard BV, Lee ET, Cowan LD,et al. Coronary heart disease prevalence and its relation to risk factors in American Indians: The Strong Heart Study. Am J Epi 1995;142:254–68. 14. World Health Organization. Definition, diagnosis and classification of diabetes mellitus and its complications: Report of a WHO Consultation. Geneva: World Health Organization; 1999. 15. Balkau B, Charles MA. Comment on the provisional report from the WHO consultation. European Group for the Study of Insulin Resistance (EGIR). Diabetes Med 1999 May;16(5):442–3. 16. Alberti KG, Zimmet P, Shaw J. The IDF Epidemiology Task Force Consensus Group. The metabolic syndrome: a new worldwide definition. Lancet 2005;366:1059–1062. 17. Lorenzo et al. The National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel II, International Diabetes Federation, and WHO Definitions of the Metabolic Syndrome as Predictors of Incident Cardiovascular Disease and Diabetes. Diabetes Care 2007;30:8–13. 19. de Simone G, Devereux RB, Chinali M, et al. Strong Heart Study Investigators. Risk factors for arterial hypertension in adults with initial optimal blood pressure: the
Inductively powered implantable microcoil temperature measurements: safety implications and operational guidelines

In this paper, we report on the temperature variations on the surface of a microcoil that is inductively powered by a strong magnetic field generated by a Class-E transmitter. It is shown that microcoil temperature increase cannot be neglected and can cause tissue damage in continuous mode operations if adequate cooling is not provided by a nearby blood vessel. The microcoil operated in the air shows a temperature increase of 4.5, 2.2, and 1/spl deg/C at the distances of 5, 10 and 20mm, respectively. Submerging the coil in saline resulted in 2, 1, and 0.2 /spl deg/C temperature increase at similar distances. We also measured the time to reach 1 /spl deg/C increase to provide an operational guideline in order to protect heat sensitive tissues from serious damage.
The Future of Family

The State organizes society into families, implicating and often ignoring various liberty and equality interests while fortifying a “traditional” family structure comprised of one man, one woman, and their mutually and exclusively conceived offspring. This structure has historically benefited the heterosexual elite within the United States, but modern advancements for sexual minorities suggest a new standard for State recognition of family. Queer liberation will erase the traditional family by rewriting its legal and social dimensions, resulting in laws and policies that track more closely with familial bonds outside a heteronormative, man-woman binary. This Article explores the ramifications of enhanced queer liberty beyond the lives of sexual minorities and establishes how these civil rights advancements stand to dismantle exclusionary notions of family. As an example, and in light of the rapid growth of familial creation in the context of donated embryos, ova, and sperm, this Article argues that queer liberation benefits donor-conceived family communities, which are familial groups that have connected on the basis of donated reproductive materials but which persist with various unmet legal needs. Finally, by highlighting dignity as the historical and contemporary link between the Equal Protection Clause and the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment, this Article asserts that liberty as dignity connects rights across society, including donor-conceived family communities. By moving all communities away from the traditional family, a queer redefinition of family stands to unleash personal agency in the legal construction of all citizens’ familial lives.
8. Adsorbed Monolayers and Intercalated Compounds

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses that an enormous increase of research in the area known as “surface physics” or “two-dimensional physics,” and rapid growth in this area continues to this day. This interest has been fueled partly by the technological importance of understanding the properties of surfaces and thin films, partly by some of the novel features of physics in dimensions less than three, and partly by the richness and variety of the phenomena available for study. The most prevalent investigative tool for the study of surface structure has been low-energy electron diffraction (LEED). It also discusses that the biggest problem in such studies is to find ways to detect the weak diffraction signal from the surface and to prevent it from being overwhelmed by scattering from the bulk. This may be accomplished in two ways; (1) to use materials that have very large specific surface areas and (2) to use the technique of total external reflection, that is, with the grazing angle that the incident radiation makes with the surface being less than the critical angle for total reflection. The chapter discusses that neutron scattering has been a surprisingly successful probe for studying surface phenomena, particularly in physisorbed systems. This has been due to the existence of graphite substrates with large and homogeneous surface areas that provide excellent model substrates with a low bulk signal in the regions of interest for the study of a variety of physisorption phenomena.
Solving satisfiability in ground logic with equality by efficient conversion to propositional logic

Ground Logic with Equality (GL=) is a subset of First-Order Logic (FOL) in which functions or quantifiers are excluded, but equality is preserved. We argue about GL='s unique position (in terms of expressiveness and ease of decidability) between FOL and Propositional Logic (PL). We aim to solve satisfiability (SAT) problems formulated in GL= by converting them into PL using a satisfiability-preserving conversion algorithms, and running a general SAT solver on the resulting PL Knowledge Base (KB). We introduce two conversion algorithms, with the latter utilizing the former as a subroutine, and prove their correctness - that is, that the translation preserves satisfiability. The main contribution of this work is in utilizing input fragmentation to yield PL KBs that are smaller than possible prior to our work, thus resulting in the ability to solve GL= SAT problems faster than was possible before.
Emerging trends and converging technologies in data intensive scalable computing

There is today wide agreement that data-intensive scalable computing methods are essential to advancing research in many disciplines. Such methods are expected to play an increasing important role in providing support for wellinformed technical decisions and policies. They are therefore of great scientific and social importance.
Towards a Frequency Distribution of Effective Permeabilities of Leaky Wellbores

Abstract The risk of leakage along existing wellbores associated with CO 2 sequestration depends strongly upon the leakage path permeabilities. If enough buildups of surface casing pressure (SCP) and rates of surface casing vent flow (SCVF) recorded on intermediate wellbore casing strings are available, a frequency distribution of leakage path permeability values can be obtained. Uncertainty about the location of the leak source results in a range of leakage path permeability values for each measurement of SCP or SCVF. Most permeability values exceed intact cement permeability, consistent with the presence of cracks or other defects in the formation/cement/casing interface. Assuming the gas migration path through leaky wellbores in hydrocarbon reservoirs is analogous to the leakage path for CO 2 plumes, the distribution of inferred permeabilities enables quantitative estimation of CO 2 leakage fluxes.
Work in progress: How engineering students define innovation

Innovation is defined in diverse ways in the literature and often assessed in ways synonymous with creativity. As these arguments continue it is also important to identify student perspectives. In this pilot study, we examine how engineering students define innovation. Fifty-four first-year engineering students were asked to define innovation in an open response survey. Their answers were first reviewed to identify emerging patterns and then a detailed coding method was used to categorize students' responses. The analysis examined students' focus on feasibility, desirability, and viability as well as other important aspects of innovative design. The findings from this open-ended survey will be used to develop an assessment tool that is easy to administer and score.
On bridge response build-up beyond the critical wind velocity for stability

Abstract The paper discusses bridge flutter and buffering response build-up by high velocity turbulent winds that exceed the critical flutter speed. Most bridge flutter is occasioned by net negative aerodynamic damping in a critical torsion mode, as identified by the corresponding flutter derivatives of the deck section. An estimate can then be made, first, of the duration of a high wind-gust of any velocity, and, second, of the level of increase in deck response amplitude occurring during the same period. The first process uses micrometeorological gust information, and the second, flutter derivative information.
Optimizing online spatial data analysis with sequential query patterns

The exponential growth of the usage of geographic information services leads to an extensive popularity on spatial data analysis in both industrial and academic communities. However, it is quite challenging for users to efficiently analyze and quickly understand the spatial data due to the inherently complex and dynamic nature of GIS applications. To address the challenges, this paper presents an approach to optimize the online spatial data analysis by mining the sequential query patterns from the user query logs of GIS applications. The sequential query patterns are used to automatically generate the query template, from which the users are able to quickly compose new queries. The sequential query patterns contribute to the workflow construction for complex spatial data analysis tasks as well. Our proposed approach takes advantage of the generated workflow to parallelize the independent spatial analysis tasks. As a result, the throughput of our system has been increased greatly and more efficient geographic information services are made available to the users. We present a case study to demonstrate the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed approach by integrating two software systems at Florida International University (FIU): TerraFly (an GIS application) and FIU-Miner (a distributed data mining framework).
BOUTS OF RESPONDING FROM VARIABLE-INTERVAL REINFORCEMENT OF LEVER PRESSING BY RATS

Four rats obtained food pellets by lever pressing. A variable-interval reinforcement schedule assigned reinforcers on average every 2 min during one block of 20 sessions and on average every 8 min during another block. Also, at each variable-interval duration, a block of sessions was conducted with a schedule that imposed a variable-ratio 4 response requirement after each variable interval (i.e., a tandem variable-time variable-ratio 4 schedule). The total rate of lever pressing increased as a function of the rate of reinforcement and as a result of imposing the variable-ratio requirement. Analysis of log survivor plots of interresponse times indicated that lever pressing occurred in bouts that were separated by pauses. Increasing the rate of reinforcement increased total response rate by increasing the rate of initiating bouts and, less reliably, by lengthening bouts. Imposing the variable-ratio component increased response rate mainly by lengthening bouts. This pattern of results is similar to that reported previously with key poking as the response. Also, response rates within bouts were relatively insensitive to either variable.
Invited Review: Intradialytic Parenteral Nutrition: A Useful Therapy?

Malnutrition in hemodialysis patients is common and may affect as much as 40% of this population of patients. There are many causes of malnutrition and all must be considered before utilizing nutrition support to reverse the malnutrition. Intradialytic parenteral nutrition (IDPN) is a therapy that has become popular among US nephrologists despite the fact that there are no clear data that support its use or efficacy. A thorough review of published articles suggests a relationship between the use of IDPN and improved patient outcome measured by hospitalization rate and a decrease in mortality in certain subgroups. However, these studies have many confounding factors that prevent a definitive conclusion concerning the true efficacy of IDPN. This is very problematic since reimbursement changes for parenteral and enteral nutrition have been proposed by HCFA. The best recommendation that can be made for IDPN is that it may represent a useful form of nutrition support in the malnourished hemodialysis patient who has no other active disease processes, cannot ingest adequate nutrition by mouth, and has a contraindication to or a serious complication from enteral feeding. It is clearly not a therapy to be considered as the first line of nutrition support in these patients.
Increased cerebrovascular sensitivity to endothelin-1 in a rat model of obstructive sleep apnea: a role for endothelin receptor B

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is associated with cerebrovascular diseases. However, little is known regarding the effects of OSA on the cerebrovascular wall. We tested the hypothesis that OSA augments endothelin-1 (ET-1) constrictions of cerebral arteries. Repeated apneas (30 or 60 per hour) were produced in rats during the sleep cycle (8 hours) by remotely inflating a balloon implanted in the trachea. Four weeks of apneas produced a 23-fold increase in ET-1 sensitivity in isolated and pressurized posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) compared with PCAs from sham-operated rats (EC50=10−9.2 mol/L versus 10−10.6 mol/L; P<0.001). This increased sensitivity was abolished by the ET-B receptor antagonist, BQ-788. Constrictions to the ET-B receptor agonist, IRL-1620, were greater in PCAs from rats after 2 or 4 weeks of apneas compared with that from sham-operated rats (P=0.013). Increased IRL-1620 constrictions in PCAs from OSA rats were normalized with the transient receptor potential channel (TRPC) blocker, SKF96365, or the Rho kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, Y27632. These data show that OSA increases the sensitivity of PCAs to ET-1 through enhanced ET-B activity, and enhanced activity of TRPCs and ROCK. We conclude that enhanced ET-1 signaling is part of a pathologic mechanism associated with adverse cerebrovascular outcomes of OSA.
Subunit structure of l-asparaginase from Escherichia coli B

Abstract 1. 1. l -Asparaginase ( l -asparaginase amidohydrolase, EC 3.5.1.1) isolated from Escherichia coli B and possessing antilymphoma activity is composed of subunits. 2. 2. A decrease in molecular weight from 255 000 ( s 0 20,w = 8.6 S ) to 132 000 daltons ( s 0 20,w = 5.6 S ) is caused by dilution with 0.2 M NaCl−0.02 M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.85) or by the addition of NaCl to 1 M. 3. 3. A further decrease to a molecular weight of 65 000 daltons ( s 0 20,w = 4 S occurs by adding 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate, 0.1 M cysteine or NaCl to 5 M, or by adjusting the pH below 4. This indicates that the parent 8.6 S molecule is a tetramer of four 65 000-dalton subunits. 4. 4. The addition of urea, guanidium chloride or formamide yields an apparent molecular weight of 19 000–24 000 daltons and an s 0 20,w value of 1.5–1.8 S. The 65 000-dalton subunit is composed of at least two smaller subunits. Three smaller subunits per 65 000 daltons are indicated by the minimum molecular weight of 22 000 daltons, calculated from amino acid analyses.
Students' Motivation in Choosing Classes with Televised Instructional Delivery

The use of televised instruction is often justified, at least partially, by the claim that there is a demand by some existing or potential constituency. Preliminary results based on a survey of 59 MBA students in a state-supported university suggest students motivation for taking TV classes does not closely match this suggested need
Evaluation of [11C]hemicholinium-15 and [18F]hemicholinium-15 as new potential PET tracers for the high-affinity choline uptake system in the heart

Abstract [ 11 C]Hemicholinium-15 ([ 11 C]HC-15) and [ 18 F]hemicholinium-15 ([ 18 F]HC-15) have been synthesized as new potential PET tracers for the heart high-affinity choline uptake (HACU) system. [ 11 C]HC-15 was prepared by N -[ 11 C]methylation of the appropriate precursor, 4-methyl-2-phenyl-morpholin-2-ol, using [ 11 C]CH 3 OTf in 55–70% radiochemical yield decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB) and 2–3 Ci/μmol specific activity at end of synthesis (EOS). [ 18 F]HC-15 was prepared by N -[ 18 F]fluoromethylation of the precursor using [ 18 F]FCH 2 OTf in 20–30% radiochemical yield decay corrected to EOB and >1.0 Ci/μmol specific activity at EOS. The biodistribution of both compounds was determined in rats at 20 min post-intravenous injection, and the results show the heart region uptakes 1.32 ± 0.75%ID/g in R-ventricle for [ 11 C]HC-15 and 1.28 ± 0.81%ID/g in L-ventricle for [ 18 F]HC-15, respectively. The dynamic PET imaging studies of [ 11 C]HC-15 in rats were acquired 60 min post-intravenous injection of the tracer using the IndyPET-II scanner. For the blocking experiments, the rats were intravenously pretreated with 3.0 mg/kg of unlabeled HC-15 prior to [ 11 C]HC-15 injection. [ 11 C]HC-15 rat heart PET studies show rapid heart uptake to give clear heart images. The rat heart PET blocking studies found no significant blocking effect. The dynamic PET studies in normal and ablated dogs were performed using Siemens PET scanner with [ 13 N]NH 3 , [ 11 C]HC-15, and [ 18 F]HC-15. PET studies in dogs of both [ 11 C]HC-15 and [ 18 F]HC-15 also show significant heart uptake and give images of the heart. However, there is no significant change in [ 11 C]HC-15 L-ventricle uptake following radiofrequency ablation in the dog. These results suggest that the localization of HC-15 tracers in the heart is mediated by non-specific processes, and the visualization of HC-15 tracers on the heart is related to non-specific binding of HACU.
Heavy ion projectile fragmentation: A reexamination

We consider the physical effects responsible for the momentum distribution parallel to the beam of nuclides arising from projectile fragmentation. A simple model relates the widths of these distributions to separation energies and an absorptive cutoff radius rather than Fermi momentum. A one-parameter successful treatment of these widths is explored. Coulomb distortions are found to dramatically influence the observed widths at low bombarding energies, leading to a reduction of width with decreasing energy. A simple model for isotope yields from fragmentation reactions is presented and compared with high energy data.
Pseudo-self-affine tilings in ℝd

It is proved that every pseudo-self-affine tiling in ℝd is mutually locally derivable with a self-affine tiling. A characterization of pseudo-self-similar tilings in terms of derived Voronoi tessellations is a corollary. Previously, these results were obtained in the planar case, jointly with Priebe Frank. The new approach is based on the theory of graph-directed iterated function systems and substitution Delone sets developed by Lagarias and Wang. Bibliography: 18 titles.
Polymerization of styrene and cyclization to macrocyclic polystyrene in a one-pot, two-step sequence

Abstract Dibrominated polystyrene (BrPStBr) was produced by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) at 80 °C, using the bifunctional initiator benzal bromide to afford the telechelic precursor. The ATRP reaction was stopped around 40% monomer conversion and directly converted into an radical trap-assisted atom transfer radical coupling (RTA-ATRC) reaction by lowering the temperature to 50 °C, and adding the radical trap 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP) along with additional catalyst, reducing agent, and ligand to match ATRC-type reaction conditions. In an attempt to induce intramolecular coupling, rather than solely intermolecular coupling and elongation, the total reaction volume was increased by the addition of varying amounts of THF. Cyclization, along with intermolecular coupling and elongation, occurred in all cases, with the extent of ring closure a function of the total reaction volume. The cyclic portion of the coupled product was found to have a 〈 G 〉 value around 0.8 by GPC analysis, consistent with the reduction in hydrodynamic volume of a cyclic polymer compared to its linear analog. Analysis of the sequence by 1 H NMR confirmed that propagation was suppressed nearly completely during the RTA-ATRC phase, with percent monomer conversion remaining constant after the ATRP phase.
Registration of 'UF Tito' and 'UF Peace' Rhizoma Peanut Cultivars with High Dry Matter Yields, Persistence, and Disease Tolerance

‘UF Tito’ (Reg. No. CV-107, PI 262826) and ‘UF Peace’ (Reg. No. CV-108, PI 658214) rhizoma perennial peanut (RP; Arachis glabrata Benth.) cultivars were released by the University of Florida in 2008. After introduction into the United States in 1936 from Brazil, evaluations showed RP to be well adapted to the U.S. Gulf Coastal Plains region. UF Tito originated from Paraguay and was collected in 1959. This plant introduction resembles the plant type of ‘Florigraze’. It was identifi ed as having high dry matter yields, highest percent pure peanut, and greatest vigor based on the amount of spread in a 10-yr evaluation experiment. In subsequent multilocation experiments over a 5-yr period, yields were generally equal to or higher than Florigraze. UF Peace was received in Florida in 1986 from Charles Simpson at the Texas AgriLife Research Center at Stephenville, TX, as collection no. P-2352. The ID numbers when the material was received trace it to PI 262839, an introduction subsequently released as the germplasm Arblick. Amplifi ed fragment length polymorphism evaluation indicates that the molecular profi le of this line is different from Arblick and all other known A. glabrata germplasm. It resembles the plant type of Florigraze, and its dry matter yields and competitiveness with weedy bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] are comparable. UF Peace appears to have better adaptability to the upper Coastal Plains. Both cultivars show improved fi eld tolerance to peanut stunt virus compared with Florigraze.
Beyond Missing Heritability: Prediction of Complex Traits

Despite rapid advances in genomic technology, our ability to account for phenotypic variation using genetic information remains limited for many traits. This has unfortunately resulted in limited application of genetic data towards preventive and personalized medicine, one of the primary impetuses of genome-wide association studies. Recently, a large proportion of the “missing heritability” for human height was statistically explained by modeling thousands of single nucleotide polymorphisms concurrently. However, it is currently unclear how gains in explained genetic variance will translate to the prediction of yet-to-be observed phenotypes. Using data from the Framingham Heart Study, we explore the genomic prediction of human height in training and validation samples while varying the statistical approach used, the number of SNPs included in the model, the validation scheme, and the number of subjects used to train the model. In our training datasets, we are able to explain a large proportion of the variation in height (h2 up to 0.83, R2 up to 0.96). However, the proportion of variance accounted for in validation samples is much smaller (ranging from 0.15 to 0.36 depending on the degree of familial information used in the training dataset). While such R2 values vastly exceed what has been previously reported using a reduced number of pre-selected markers (<0.10), given the heritability of the trait (∼0.80), substantial room for improvement remains.
Construction of a shortwave near-infrared spectrofluorometer with diode laser source and CCD detection

Spectrofluorometers employing xenon arc lamp excitation and photomultiplier tube detectors afford sensitivity over the UV/VIS spectral region for which these instruments were designed, but suffer sensitivity limitations in the short-wave near infrared (NIR) region (800 - 1000 nm) because of their limited source energy and low detector quantum efficiency. To achieve high sensitivity in the NIR region, a 30 mW diode laser source, an imaging spectrograph, and a cryogenically cooled charge-coupled device (CCD) have been combined in a spectrofluorometer specifically designed for use in the NIR region. The diode laser source incorporates integral source filters, optics, and a beam trap, and utilizes a vertical beam geometry which provides an illuminated volume oriented conveniently for the imaging of fluorescence emissions on the entrance slit of the spectrograph. Data is presented which demonstrates that the temporal and spectral stability of the source is equal or superior to that of an arc lamp for solution-phase fluorometry. In addition to spectral information, the CCD detector provides spatial resolution of fluorescence emissions along the vertical path of the excitation beam. An absolute photometric calibration of the CCD detector, and measurement of its read noise, fixed pattern noise, and linear dynamic range is performed using the photon transfer technique of Janesick, et al. Improvement in the instrument performance by more than six decades is demonstrated by measured LOD of NIR dyes using a commercial SLM 4800 instrument and the new diode laser/CCD arrangement. Origin of the present detection limits is discussed.
Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Modulation of the Glucocorticoid-lnduced Cytolytic Response in Murine T-Lymphoma Cells

The antiproliferative effect of glucocorticoid hormones on lymphoid tissue serves as the basis for their use in chemotherapy of lymphomas and leukemias. The effectiveness of the steroid-mediated response is potentially contingent upon a variety of factors, including the cellular level of glucocorticoid receptors. This report demonstrates that differences in the expression of the glucocorticoid receptor gene can modulate steroid sensitivity of individuals within a population of lymphoma cells. We have also found that loss of cAMP-dependent protein kinase activity caused a measurable decrease of steroid sensitivity in the murine T-lymphoma WEHI-7 without producing a significant change in steroid binding capacity. However, the extent of this change in sensitivity was dependent upon the level of glucocorticoid receptor expression. Lymphoma cells containing few spare steroid receptors became significantly resistant to glucocorticoids through loss of cAMP-dependent kinase function. On the other hand, elevated l...
Association analysis of fibre traits in Gossypium arboreum accessions

Advances in the use of diploid Asiatic species in cotton breeding require an understanding of the relatedness and ancestry of diploid cotton accessions, and identification of simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers associated with agronomically important phenotypic traits, for example, fibre quality. Fifty-six Gossypium arboreum germplasm accessions introduced from nine regions of Africa, Asia and Europe were evaluated for eight fibre characters (lint percentage, lint colour, elongation, micronaire, strength, 50% span length, 2.5% span length and maturity%) and genotyped with 98 SSR markers. When viewed across all accessions most of the SSR markers were polymorphic. Population structure analysis identified six main clusters for the accessions which corresponded to different geographic regions, indicating agreement between genetic and predefined populations. The general linear model method was used to disclose marker–trait associations. Marker–trait associations were investigated by fitting single marker regression models for phenotypic traits on marker band intensities with correction for population structure. This paper illustrates the potential of association mapping in diploid cotton, because existing phenotypic data, a modest number of SSR markers, and a pioneering statistical analysis, identified interesting associations.
Opportunities and Challenges in Omics

Recent advances in “omics” technology have provided a powerful set of tools and concepts that allow us to dissect the entire phenotypic and functional network of genes and proteins present in a cell or organism. Decades of technological development has finally allowed biology and technology to meet each other half way as “omics” are being utilized to probe systems in a wide spectrum of biology and medicine. This special issue of TSR gives examples of how genomics and proteomics are used to study mechanisms and disease states—demonstrating advances and challenges of “omics” in translational neurovascular disease. Specifically, the authors present both bench and bedside examples of mechanismand disease-driven inquiry. Studies probe cell– cell signaling of extracellular secretomes [1], intracellular mechanisms [2], and central vs. peripheral responses after stroke [3]. Efforts are made to understand human diseasespecific states by finding biomarkers for the diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy of hemorrhagic [4] and ischemic stroke [5–8]. Taken together, this issue showcases omics inquiries utilizing target-driven [4, 6], discovery-driven [1, 2, 5, 7], and combination approaches [8]. Dr. Sharp's accompanying commentary provides an insightful and detailed summary of these articles and their interpretations [9].
Estimation of total body chloride in young infants by radiobromide dilution.

Conclusion1.) Values for total body chloride, as determined by radiobromine83 dilution, averaged 51.1 meq/kg body weight for a series of normal newly born infants. Total body chloride, on a per kilogram basis is far higher in young infants than adults. 2.) Values obtained by this method show excellent agreement with those obtained by earlier workers employing direct chemical analysis. Therefore, the bromide dilution method would appear to be valid for the measurement of total body chloride in young infants.
Localized ileus of the proximal jejunum: A new sign for acute appendicitis

A focal dilatation of a loop of small bowel has been identified in the left upper quadrant in a series of individuals with suspected appendicitis. Retrospective review of 100 cases of surgically proven appendicitis demonstrated this sign in 51. No previous description of this sign has been found. This finding is believed to be an early sign of appendicitis and may be a valuable adjunct in combination with a clinical history without other radiologic signs of appendicitis. The more conventional signs of appendicitis such as appendicolith and focal ileus of the terminal ileum reinforce the diagnosis.
Recruiting rural dentally-avoidant adolescents into an intervention study.

AIM: To carry out a study designed to test an intervention to increase dental attendance in rural dentally-avoidant adolescents, to identify and recruit eligible adolescents. STUDY DESISN AND METHODS: This study used a cross-sectional design to identify eligible adolescents. A total of 2,762 adolescents (60% of the enrolled students) from junior high and senior high schools in a rural county in Washington State (USA) were given a dental examination with a light and mirror by calibrated dental examiners using WHO criteria. Parents of children with serious dental needs were urged to seek dental care for their adolescent children. They were offered the chance to enrol their child in a study comparing two programs designed to help the adolescent decide whether to seek out dental care. A second group of emancipated adolescents and young adults (aged < 26 years) receiving services at the local college and health department was also screened, and eligible individuals were also offered the chance to enrol. RESULTS AND STSTISTICS: Only 23 (6%) of 357 eligible junior and senior high school adolescents enrolled, compared with 24 (67%) of the 36 eligible emancipated adolescents and young adults. A second follow-up letter was sent to the 85 parents of un-enrolled adolescents with the most severe caries, offering direct assistance in obtaining dental care for their children; only 3 families responded. CONCLUSIONS: This study illustrates the difficulty in engaging adolescents in their oral health and utilization of oral health interventions. The results also suggest that slightly older rural individuals are more interested in and/or able to overcome barriers to seeking out dental care. Alternative strategies are suggested for recruiting avoidant adolescents.
Artistic Impressions: Figure Skating, Masculinity, and the Limits of Sport

Artistic Impressions: Figure Skating, Masculinity, and the Limits of Sport, by Mary Louise Adams, Toronto, University of Toronto Press, 2011, 239 pp., bibliography, index, pictures, US$27.95 (hardb...
Quantitation of harringtonine and homoharringtonine in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Harringtonine and homoharringtonine are naturally occurring alkaloids with demonstrated antineoplastic activity against certain types of leukemias in cell cultures, experimental animals, and initial clinical trials. Sample preparation consists of addition of the internal standard (one compound used as the internal standard for the other), solvent extraction with methylene chloride, washing with ammonium formate, and evaporation to dryness. The residue is dissolved in the mobile phase (40% methanol—60% 0.1M ammonium formate) and an aliquot is chromatographed on μC18 reversed-phase column (flow-rate 1.5 ml/min). Peaks are detected with a spectrophotofluorimeter by monitoring the emission at 320 nm with excitation wavelength of 280 nm. Limit of detection is 10 ng/ml (20 nM) for both compounds; reproducible quantitation can be made to 30 ng/ml (60 nM).
Size-dependent electrical conduction in bismuth

Abstract The variation of resistivity with sample thickness in Bi single crystals was studied. A new feature in this variation was found with thickness less than 1.0 mm at 4.2°K.
Role models in surgery

Our present training models date back almost 100 years. It is very apparent that trying to reshape an ageing system to meet the demands of today's patients and their physicians is just not going to be effective or efficient. In the past educators cared little about the working conditions for trainees such as the living and learning environment, social support and compensation models. You were just fortunate to be "chosen". Surgical educators in the 21st Century must reexamine their roles and consider what message they are sending to future generations on these and other critical issues that impact on safe patient care.
The Mixed Alkali Effect in Sodium Rubidium Germanate Glasses

The lack of general applicability of the many theoretical models for the mixed alkali effect (MAE) in glasses is briefly reviewed. Although the MAE appears to be related to the bonding affinity of alkali ions to charge compensating centers in the glass network, experimental scatter and the difficulty of comparing different glass networks have prevented systematic tests of this relationship. The present paper discusses why the mixed alkali germanate glasses should provide a glass system where the concentration and strength of charge-compensating centers can be systematically varied and the relationship to the MAE tested. Such tests are only possible if the ionic conductivity of a series of mixed alkali germanate glasses can be measured in a reproducible manner. The measurements of the ionic conductivity of two series of X(Na,Rb)2O:(1−X)GeO2 glasses, with X = 0.19 and X = 0.29, respectively, suggest the necessary reproducibility can be attained.
DETERMINATION OF CEFPIROME IN HUMAN PLASMA BY HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract Cefpirome is an investigational third-generation cephalosporin, which appears promising for the treatment of various pediatric infections. A high performance liquid chromatographic method was developed to measure cefpirome in small volumes of plasma for conducting pharmacokinetics studies in infants and children. the assay involved precipitation of plasma proteins with acetonitrile, using cefaclor as an internal standard. Chromatographic separation was accomplished using a reverse-phase
Regio-controlled synthesis of 4α-(3H3}methyl-5α-cholestan-3β-ol

4α-(3H3)Methyl-5α-cholestan-3β-ol was regioselectively prepared from 5α-cholest-1-en-3-one via alkylation with methyl iodide, hydrogenation, and LAH reduction. Details of this synthesis are given. The final and intermediate products were characterised by spectroscopic methods.
Latina Immigrant Victims of Interpersonal Violence in New Jersey: A Needs Assessment Study

Recent studies have stressed the seriousness of male-female intimate partner violence (MFIPV) suffered by Latina women and the need for more comprehensive and culturally sensitive services for this population. This article provides an overall understanding of the type and severity of abuse suffered by examining Latina victims in New Jersey, a state that has a remarkably diverse and numerous Latino population. Socio-economic and residence statuses are considered, and self-help seeking behaviors and the challenges of women's social isolation are addressed. In addition, risk factors related to MFIPV, such as substance abuse and witnessed/experienced violence in childhood, are explored. The understanding of these characteristics and risk factors are critical to the design of prevention and intervention programs.
Evidence for dopamine D-2 receptors on cholinergic interneurons in the rat caudate-putamen

The aziridinium ion of ethylcholine (AF64A) is a neurotoxin that has demonstrated selectivity for cholinergic neurons. Unilateral stereotaxic injection of AF64A into the caudate-putamen of rats, resulted in a decrease in dopamine D-2 receptors as evidenced by a decrease in [3H]-sulpiride binding. Dopamine D-1 receptors, labeled with [3H]-SCH 23390, were unchanged. The efficacy of the lesion was demonstrated by the reduction of Na+-dependent high affinity choline uptake sites labeled with [3H]-hemicholinium-3. These data indicate that a population of D-2 receptors are postsynaptic on cholinergic interneurons within the striatum of rat brain.