cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Axillary Reverse Mapping: Mapping and Preserving Arm Lymphatics May Be Important in Preventing Lymphedema During Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Background Several recent reports have shown a lymphedema rate of about 7% with sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) only. We hypothesized that this higher than expected rate of lymphedema may be secondary to disruption of arm lymphatics during an SLNB procedure. Study Design This IRB-approved study, from May 2006 to June 2007, involved patients undergoing SLNB with or without axillary lymph node dissection. After sentinel lymph node (SLN) localization with subareolar technetium was assured, 2 to 5 mL of dermal blue dye was injected in the upper inner arm for localization of lymphatics draining the arm (axillary reverse mapping, ARM). The SLNB was then performed through an incision in the axilla. Data were collected on identification rates of hot versus blue nodes, variations in ARM lymphatic drainage that might impact SLNB, crossover between the hot and the blue lymphatics, and final pathologic nodal diagnosis. Results Median age was 57.6±12.5 years. Lymphatics draining the arm were near or in the SLN field in 42.7% (56 of 131) of the patients, placing the patient at risk for disruption if not identified and preserved during an SLNB or axillary lymph node dissection. ARM demonstrated that arm lymphatics do not cross over with the SLN drainage of the breast 96.1% of the time and that none of the ARM lymph nodes removed were positive, even when the SLN was (5 of 12). Seven (5.5%) blue ARM lymphatics were juxtaposed to the hot SLNBs. Conclusions Disruption of the blue ARM node because of proximity to the hot SLN may explain the surprisingly high rate of lymphedema seen after SLNB. Identifying and preserving the ARM blue nodes may translate into a lower incidence of lymphedema with SLNB and axillary lymph node dissection.
Studies on the structure of intracellular bacteriophage T4 DNA

Abstract We have studied DNA metabolism in cells infected with bacteriophage T4 mutants producing different temperature-sensitive proteins required for T4 DNA replication. In general, the structure of the normal, 600 to 1000 S intracellular DNA is maintained when DNA synthesis is blocked by shifting such mutant-infected cells to a non-permissive temperature. However, in cells infected with a phage producing a thermolabile gene 32 protein (T4 DNA-unwinding protein), we find that the intracellular DNA is completely converted to simple DNA pieces ranging from one-fourth to two genomes in length (39 S to 80 S) within two minutes after a shift to high temperature. This conversion appears to require the presence of an active T4 gene 49 product. We present evidence that these DNA pieces are generated from the normal intracellular DNA by cutting at single-stranded regions uncovered by thermal inactivation of gene 32 protein, and that these single-stranded regions are greatly reduced or missing in a gene 49-deficient infection. The entire conversion can be closely mimicked in vitro by incubation of the intracellular DNA in detergent-treated lysates with the single-strand specific endonuclease, S 1 . Striking features are the apparent first-order kinetics with which DNA is removed by S 1 nuclease from the normal rapidly sedimenting conformation, and the absence of appreciable quantities of normally sedimenting, oligomeric DNA intermediates in this breakdown process. The data suggests a “brush-like” model for the intracellular T4 chromosome, with the DNA held at roughly genome-length intervals by some non-DNA core material resistant to both strong detergent and protease treatments.
Akinesia in Parkinson's disease. II. Effects of subthreshold repetitive transcranial motor cortex stimulation

We studied the effects of repetitive transcranial stimulation of the motor cortex (rTMS) on choice reaction time (cRT), movement time (MT), and error rate (ER) in a serial reaction-time task in six medicated patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and 10 age-matched normal controls. In normal subjects, subthreshold 5-Hz rTMS did not significantly change cRT, slightly shortened MT, but increased ER. In the patients, rTMS significantly shortened cRT and MT without affecting ER. These effects did not impair procedural learning. Performance on a grooved peg-board test was improved by rTMS in the same PD patients, especially when they were off medications, but worsened in the normal subjects. Repetitive, subthreshold motor cortex stimulation can improve performance in patients with PD and could be useful therapeutically.
Numerical model of wavelength converters based on cross-gain modulation in semiconductor optical amplifiers

A steady state numerical model of wavelength conversion through cross-gain modulation in semiconductor optical amplifiers is de- veloped. Increased understanding and accuracy over previous studies are achieved by including the spatial variations and wavelength depen- dence of the carrier density, gain coefficient, differential gain, and wave- guide internal loss. The model is used to evaluate the performance of up-converters and down-converters for long and short device lengths. A comparison is made between the model developed in this work with other theoretical and experimental studies. © 2006 Society of Photo-Optical In-
Recovery and long-term function after hematopoietic cell transplantation for leukemia or lymphoma

ContextHematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is an effective and widely used treatment for hematologic malignancies. The rate and predictors of physical and emotional recovery after HCT have not been adequately defined in prospective long-term studies.ObjectiveTo examine the course of recovery and return to work after HCT.Design, Setting, and PatientsProspective, longitudinal cohort study at a US academic center specializing in HCT. Function was assessed from pretransplantation to 5-year follow-up for 319 adults who had myeloablative HCT for treatment of leukemia or lymphoma and spoke English. Of the 99 long-term survivors who had no recurrent malignancy, 94 completed 5-year follow-up.Main Outcome MeasuresPhysical limitations, return to work, depression, and distress related to treatment or disease were evaluated before transplantation, at 90 days, and at 1, 3, and 5 years after HCT.ResultsPhysical recovery occurred earlier than psychological or work recovery. Only 21 patients (19%) recovered on all outcomes at 1 year. The proportion without major limitations increased to 63% (n = 57) by 5 years. Among survivors without recurrent malignancy, 84% (n = 74) returned to full-time work by 5 years. Patients with slower physical recovery had higher medical risk and were more depressed before HCT (P≤.001). Patients with chronic graft-vs-host disease (P = .01), with less social support before HCT (P = .001), and women (P<.001) were more depressed after transplantation. Transplant-related distress was slower to recover for allogeneic transplant recipients and those with less social support before HCT (P≤.01). Patients who had more experience with cancer treatment before beginning HCT had more rapid recovery from depression (P = .04) and treatment-related distress (P = .009).ConclusionsFull recovery after HCT is a 3- to 5-year process. Recovery might be accelerated by more effective interventions to increase work-related capabilities, improve social support, and manage depression.
The effect of verbalization of relevant and Irrelevant dimensions on discrimination-shift learning

This study explored both the effects of mixed verbalization on shift learning and the possible prepotent stimulus dimensions for 7-year-old children. Significant main effects were found for reversal and nonreversal shifts (p lt.05) and discrimination variables (p lt.05). Although no significant interaction was found, the data indicated that during transfer learning, verbalization of both dimensions facilitated the acquisition of a size discrimination to a greater extent than a brightness discrimination.
The organizational concept and vertebrates without sex chromosomes.

The diversity in vertebrate reproductive patterns provides natural experiments that yield new insights into behavioral endocrinology. Discussed here is the generality of the concept of an organizing s
A preconditioning technique for Schur complement systems arising in stochastic optimization

Deterministic sample average approximations of stochastic programming problems with recourse are suitable for a scenario-based parallelization. In this paper the parallelization is obtained by using an interior-point method and a Schur complement mechanism for the interior-point linear systems. However, the direct linear solves involving the dense Schur complement matrix are expensive, and adversely affect the scalability of this approach. We address this issue by proposing a stochastic preconditioner for the Schur complement matrix and by using Krylov iterative methods for the solution of the dense linear systems. The stochastic preconditioner is built based on a subset of existing scenarios and can be assembled and factorized on a separate process before the computation of the Schur complement matrix finishes on the remaining processes. The expensive factorization of the Schur complement is removed from the parallel execution flow and the scaling of the optimization solver is considerably improved with this approach. The spectral analysis indicates an exponentially fast convergence in probability to 1 of the eigenvalues of the preconditioned matrix with the number of scenarios incorporated in the preconditioner. Numerical experiments performed on the relaxation of a unit commitment problem show good performance, in terms of both the accuracy of the solution and the execution time.
Zn(tbip) (H2tbip= 5-tert-Butyl Isophthalic Acid): A Highly Stable Guest-Free Microporous Metal Organic Framework with Unique Gas Separation Capability

A novel guest-free metal organic framework (GFMMOF) is synthesized and structurally characterized. It contains one-dimensional close-packed open channels with a pore diameter of 4.5 A. It demonstrates a remarkable thermal stability, a unique ability to separate methanol from dimethyl ether or water, and is among the microporous MOFs having the highest adsorbed hydrogen density (0.054 g/cm3 at 77 K and 1 atm).
Allocating AUVs for Mine Map Development in MCM

When cooperating AUVs are used for large area MCM, it is important for each vehicle to have a map of the entire search area. If each AW only has a map of the area it has covered, that information will he lost if the vehicle is lost. To build a complete coverage map in each A UV, a scheduling algorithm, language, and logic were developed. The scheduling algorithm is an optimized fuzzy logic system that assigns the formations AUVs to inspect MLOs while keeping the formation together. The language was developed to communicate the information needed to build a map and deal with the limited bandwidth of underwater communication. The vehicle logic takes the communicated information and compiles it into a map. The fuzzy logic scheduling algorithm significantly improved how the formation allocated its resources and the map generated in each of the vehicles closely matched the actual map.
Infrared Spectroscopy of Human Cells and Tissue: Detection of Disease:

An objective method for the analysis of tissue section is described that uses the chemical composition of the tissue, rather than cell morphology, as an indicator for the state of health of the cells in the tissue. The chemical composition of cells and tissue, and small variations therein, are determined by an objective, quantitative spectral measurement carried out in the infrared spectral region. This method does not utilize any stains or chemical treatment of the sample, but uses an inherent optical property of all materials. The spectral information is converted to false color images by unsupervised mathematical methods. The false color maps reveal the same anatomical features of the tissue that can be confirmed using a variety of common histopathological procedures, and may be used to differentiate between normal and diseased areas of the tissue.
Family Health, Children's Own Health, and Test Score Gaps

Gaps in educational performance between whites and racial minorities are not present at early ages but do emerge early in the schooling years and increase over time (Roland Fryer and Steve Levitt 2006, forthcoming). James Heckman (2007) assembles evidence from both the bio logical and social sciences which highlights the "dynamic complementarity" of the learning pro cess?the notion that early learning is vital for learning later on. A recent literature in econom ics finds evidence that the returns to early invest ments in children yield high returns to society (Heckman and Dimitriy Masterov 2007). That educational gaps exist and worsen over time is troubling as educational attainment is associated with a host of socioeconomic outcomes such as health, earnings, and wealth (David Cutler and Adriana Lleras-Muney 2008). At the same time, gaps in educational performance and outcomes are but one dimension of racial inequality. One area of research has been with respect to racial health disparities, which unlike educational dis parities appear at very early ages and increase over time (Linda Dynan (2009) provides a lit erature review). Little work, however, directly analyzes how health disparities in children may impact other outcomes.1 The fact that health out comes may lead to socioeconomic differences which themselves may lead to further health and
Astrocytic hamartoma: a case report

A 13-year-old Romanian boy presented to the eye clinic with a chief complaint of blurred distance and near vision. The patient reported a history of a boil on his neck that was removed in Russia one year ago. Cover testing demonstrated bilateral end point nystagmus and exotropia. Ocular health evaluation revealed an astrocytic hamartoma and oculo-rotary nystagmus. Referral to a retinal specialist helped confirm the diagnosis of astrocytic hamartoma but did not elucidate on the possible aetiology of the lesion or rule out tuberous sclerosis as the causative agent, as the patient was lost to follow-up. Based on fundus signs along with the nystagmus, neuro-imaging studies are indicated to rule out any intracranial masses that may be present. The most important differential diagnosis that must excluded is retinoblastoma, which can closely resemble astrocytic hamartoma. The suspicion of tuberous sclerosis was also considered as a potential cause of the retinal lesion, based on clinical signs. The prognosis for astrocytic hamartomas is relatively good, although until tuberous sclerosis is ruled out, caution should be exercised and serial ophthalmic evaluations should continue.
An Ada-LISP interface generator

It has been recognized that neither of the two major programming approaches, procedural and non-procedural, can be optimal for every application. The availability of both paradigms in the same environment enables the programmer to choose the appropriate paradigm for each subtask, thereby leading to more efficient programs. In this paper we describe a system that has been developed for interfacing Franz LISP, a language particularly suitable for the non-procedural style of programming, and Ada, a powerful procedural language. This system enables the user to call Ada subprograms from within the Franz LISP environment. The system incorporates a generator which takes as input certain information about the Ada subprogram and then dynamically generates an Ada main unit which is utilized for interfacing. The system allows the user to take advantage of the power of the Ada programming language from within the Franz LISP environment.
Serotonergic modulation of eye blinks in cat and monkey

Serotonergic modulation of spontaneous and reflexive blinking was studied in four cats and one monkey. In cats, facial nucleus injections of the type-2 serotonin receptor (5-HT2) antagonist ketanserin tended to increase the latency of the first (R1) and second (R2) components of the blink reflex to supraorbital nerve stimulation. Injections of serotonin tended to increase and of ketanserin, to decrease the duration and amplitude of R2. Serotonin also produced unilateral blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm. In the monkey, the 5-HT2 agonist 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine increased spontaneous blink frequency while ketanserin decreased both peak blink velocity and spontaneous blink frequency. These findings in cat and monkey indicate that serotonergic innervation of the facial nucleus has a behaviorally important role in modulation of spontaneous and reflexive blinks and suggest that dysfunction of serotonergic systems could be important to the pathophysiology of some cases of blepharospasm.
The international system of units (SI) in historical perspective.

American medical journals are shifting to selected SI (Systeme International d'Unites) units for reporting measurements. Limitation of SI units deemed suitable for use in reporting clinical laboratory results stems from recommendations put forth by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry. Limitations are: 1) the liter as sole recommended unit of volume in concentration measurement; 2) substance concentration (unit mole) favored over mass concentration (submultiples of the kilogram); and 3) discouraging the use of the prefixes hecto-, deca-, deci-, and centi-. Further discussion by the American Medical Association and other organizations is required before consensus in the US medical community can be reached as to extent of and time frame for conversion to SI for reporting clinical laboratory measurements.
Psychosocial Progression Through Normal Pregnancy: A Model for Sonographer-Patient Interaction

Social, cognitive, and psychologic aspects of normal pregnancy are discussed verbally and in a model format. The major anxieties arising from pregnancy, typical activities, and maternal-fetal attachment typical of each trimester are discussed. Ways in which sonographers can support pregnant patients during an ultrasound examination and further questions related to the development of optimum interaction strategies are explored.
Optimizing the performance of a relational algebra database interface

An approach for implementing a “smart” interface to support a relational view of data is proposed. The basic idea is to employ automatic programming techniques so that the interface analyzes and efficiently refines the high level query specification supplied by the user. A relational algebra interface, called SQUIRAL, which was designed using this approach, is described in detail. SQUIRAL seeks to minimize query response time and space utilization by: (1) performing global query optimization, (2) exploiting disjoint and pipelined concurrency, (3) coordinating sort orders in temporary relations, (4) employing directory analysis, and (5) maintaining locality in page references. Algorithms for implementing the operators of E. F. Codd's relational algebra are presented, and a methodology for composing them to optimize the performance of a particular user query is described.
The Role of Supervisors in Developing Clinical Decision-Making Skills in Child Protective Services (CPS)

SUMMARY Due to the often chaotic and overwhelmed work environment of most CPS units in the state of Tennessee, staff are concerned that critical decisions made throughout the life of any given case are made quickly, with scant information, and with little time given to thoughtful analysis of information that is known. Since the eyes and ears of the frontline case manager are the primary tools in gathering case information, and given that many case managers may have only a few months of experience, we posed the question “how can specific supervisory behaviors better support the work of staff in the field, helping to educate case managers and improve their basic skills of interviewing and observation?” The purpose of this article is to examine the applicability of clinical decision-making as a tool for effective skills building in child protective services supervision. Based on a training intervention methodology designed to teach child protective services supervisors 'best practices' approaches as it relat...
Submicrometer CMOS device fabrication using gas immersion laser doping (GILD)

The first successful fabrication of submicrometer CMOS devices using the gas immersion laser doping (GILD) process. It consists of placing a suitably masked silicon wafer in a gas cell containing the desired dopant gas and then incorporating the dopant species in one or more melt/regrowth steps initiated by a XeCl ( lambda =308 nm) pulsed excimer laser. High-quality ultrashallow (200-to-1500-AA) n/sup +//p and p/sup +//n junctions with concentrations of >4*10/sup 20/ cm/sup -3/ for n/sup +/ and >5*10/sup 21/ for p/sup +/ result from this process. In addition, ideal diode behavior for forward bias and low leakage currents (I/sub R/ >
Cross Metathesis Assisted Solid-Phase Synthesis of Glycopeptoids

A solid-phase synthesis of glycopeptoids was explored through olefin cross metathesis (CM). Peptoids and sugar derivatives with appropriate olefin moieties were coupled in the presence of an olefin metathesis catalyst to afford glycopeptoids in good yields. This systematic solid-phase CM study can provide facile access to the molecular sources of glycopeptidomimetics and postchemical modifications on various molecular scaffolds.
A histochemical analysis of vascular and nonvascular smooth muscles in the canine lung.

Abstract Histochemical techniques were utilized to determine the metabolic profiles of the smooth muscle of the large and small bronchial and pulmonary arteries, bronchial smooth muscle, and bronchial epithelium of the canine lung. The results indicate that bronchial smooth muscle and smooth muscle of the small pulmonary arteries may utilize anaerobic glycolysis and the hexose monophosphate shunt for much of their energy requirements. The smooth muscles of the large pulmonary artery, large bronchial artery, and small bronchial artery were found to have both aerobic and anaerobic potentials. The bronchial epithelium was found to demonstrate a very high potential for every substrate and enzyme studied except for myosin ATPase, cytochrome oxidase, and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase.
Competitiveness in the Southern Euro Area: France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain

This collection of studies analyzes developments in nonprice external competitiveness of France, Greece, Italy, Portugal, and Spain. While France, Italy, and Portugal have experienced substantial export market share losses, Greece and Spain performed relatively well. Export market share losses appear associated with rigidities in resource allocation (sectoral, geographical, technological) relative to peers and lower productivity gains in high value-added sectors. Disaggregated analysis of goods and services export markets provides insights on aspects such as quality, market concentration, growth of destination markets, and geographical and sectoral diversification. Also, increased import penetration, offshoring and FDI could improve productivity and export performance.
Multivariate statistical approach to estimate mixing proportions for unknown end members

Summary A multivariate statistical method is presented, which includes principal components analysis (PCA) and an end-member mixing model to estimate unknown end-member hydrochemical compositions and the relative mixing proportions of those end members in mixed waters. PCA, together with the Hotelling T 2 statistic and a conceptual model of groundwater flow and mixing, was used in selecting samples that best approximate end members, which then were used as initial values in optimization of the end-member mixing model. This method was tested on controlled datasets (i.e., true values of estimates were known a priori ) and found effective in estimating these end members and mixing proportions. The controlled datasets included synthetically generated hydrochemical data, synthetically generated mixing proportions, and laboratory analyses of sample mixtures, which were used in an evaluation of the effectiveness of this method for potential use in actual hydrological settings. For three different scenarios tested, correlation coefficients ( R 2 ) for linear regression between the estimated and known values ranged from 0.968 to 0.993 for mixing proportions and from 0.839 to 0.998 for end-member compositions. The method also was applied to field data from a study of end-member mixing in groundwater as a field example and partial method validation.
Non-histone chromosomal proteins in normal and abnormal growth

Summary When quiescent populations of cells are stimulated to proliferate functional and structural changes occur in the chromatin of stimulated cells within the first hour after stimulation. Non-histone chromosomal proteins are responsible for the functional and structural changes occurring in chromatin of stimulated cells. Non-histone chromosomal proteins also seem to be responsible for the differences detectable between the chromatin of normal diploid cells in culture and the chromatin of their SV-40 transformed counterparts.
Cluster and propensity based approximation of a network

The models in this article generalize current models for both correlation networks and multigraph networks. Correlation networks are widely applied in genomics research. In contrast to general networks, it is straightforward to test the statistical significance of an edge in a correlation network. It is also easy to decompose the underlying correlation matrix and generate informative network statistics such as the module eigenvector. However, correlation networks only capture the connections between numeric variables. An open question is whether one can find suitable decompositions of the similarity measures employed in constructing general networks. Multigraph networks are attractive because they support likelihood based inference. Unfortunately, it is unclear how to adjust current statistical methods to detect the clusters inherent in many data sets. Here we present an intuitive and parsimonious parametrization of a general similarity measure such as a network adjacency matrix. The cluster and propensity based approximation (CPBA) of a network not only generalizes correlation network methods but also multigraph methods. In particular, it gives rise to a novel and more realistic multigraph model that accounts for clustering and provides likelihood based tests for assessing the significance of an edge after controlling for clustering. We present a novel Majorization-Minimization (MM) algorithm for estimating the parameters of the CPBA. To illustrate the practical utility of the CPBA of a network, we apply it to gene expression data and to a bi-partite network model for diseases and disease genes from the Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). The CPBA of a network is theoretically appealing since a) it generalizes correlation and multigraph network methods, b) it improves likelihood based significance tests for edge counts, c) it directly models higher-order relationships between clusters, and d) it suggests novel clustering algorithms. The CPBA of a network is implemented in Fortran 95 and bundled in the freely available R package PropClust.
Gallium phosphide epitaxial films for silicon-based multi-junction solar cells grown by liquid phase epitaxy

The growth of thin layers of III–V semiconductors on a silicon platform for multijunction solar cell applications has the benefits of reduced materials cost and standing on the well-developed silicon integrated circuit and solar cell technology. A prime candidate for developing such a platform is gallium phosphide (GaP) because it has a 0.37% lattice mismatch with Si which is favorable for epitaxial growth. Using liquid phase epitaxy (LPE), we grew GaP films on Si (111) substrates. These GaP/Si structures were characterized for physical properties and further processed into solar cells. In order to investigate the affect of GaP growth on a Si solar cell, we also grew GaP layers on Si solar cells fabricated by a phosphorus diffusion process and compared this structure with a baseline Si solar cell with no GaP layer. The GaP/Si and Si solar cell devices were measured for quantum efficiency and IV characteristics and compared to baseline solar cells without a GaP layer. A GaP layer grown on a Si solar cell deteriorated the current and efficiency. A GaP layer grown on a p-type substrate had lower VOC but currents comparable to that of the baseline Si solar cell.
Advancing the Next Generation of Applied Developmental Science

Many of the public health and social challenges confronting our society have their basis in child and adolescent development. Understanding the developmental underpinnings of such issues as obesity...
Anthropological Approaches to Modern Societies in the 1940s

At the time that Julian Steward was formulating the Puerto Rico Project, several other approaches to complex societies were being pursued by American anthropologists. Beginning in the 1920s, funders'—and subsequently, New Deal agencies'—interest in addressing social problems impelled microcosmic community studies in the United States. That approach, essentially functionalist and ahistorical, was extended to village studies in other countries, and Redfield's folk-urban continuum became the dominant theoretical framework for comprehending regions within nations. Concurrently, acculturation theory legitimized anthropological interests beyond “primitives” and offered an alternative, two-way cultural contact model. With the onset of World War II, the culture and personality approach was applied to strategic nations, providing holistic configurational depictions of national character. Steward's effort can be seen as a critique of, and alternative to, these approaches that were prevalent in the late 1940s. Build...
Simultaneous measurement of coronary venous blood flow and oxygen saturation during transient alterations in myocardial oxygen supply and demand

Abstract Continuous simultaneous measurements of coronary venous oxygen saturation and coronary venous blood flow were performed in 10 open chest dogs and 13 conscious human patients, using a combination of fiberoptic oximetry and thermodilution. Measurements were made during transient coronary arterial occlusion and during the intracoronary administration of nitroglycerin or isoproterenol. Two patterns of coronary vasodilation were distinguished: In primary (demand-independent) vasodilation, both coronary flow and coronary venous oxygen saturation increased, while myocardial oxygen consumption remained constant. In secondary (autoregulatory) vasodilation, coronary flow increased as coronary venous oxygen saturation decreased, corresponding to an increase in myocardial oxygen consumption. These observations could not have been made if either coronary venous blood flow or oxygen saturation had been measured alone; thus, this investigation demonstrates the utility of this combination of techniques in the study of the coronary circulation.
Longitudinal trends in organophosphate incidents reported to the National Pesticide Information Center, 1995–2007

Regulatory decisions to phase-out the availability and use of common organophosphate pesticides among the general public were announced in 2000 and continued through 2004. Based on revised risk assessments, chlorpyrifos and diazinon were determined to pose unacceptable risks. To determine the impact of these decisions, organophosphate (OP) exposure incidents reported to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC) were analyzed for longitudinal trends. Non-occupational human exposure incidents reported to NPIC were grouped into pre- (1995–2000) and post-announcement periods (2001–2007). The number of total OP exposure incidents, as well as reports for chlorpyrifos, diazinon and malathion, were analyzed for significant differences between these two periods. The number of informational inquiries from the general public was analyzed over time as well. The number of average annual OP-related exposure incidents reported to NPIC decreased significantly between the pre- and post-announcement periods (p < 0.001). A significant decrease in the number of chlorpyrifos and diazinon reports was observed over time (p < 0.001). No significant difference in the number of incident reports for malathion was observed (p = 0.4), which was not phased-out of residential use. Similar to exposure incidents, the number of informational inquiries received by NPIC declined over time following the phase-out announcement. Consistent with other findings, the number of chlorpyrifos and diazinon exposure incidents reported to NPIC significantly decreased following public announcement and targeted regulatory action.
A method for calculation of soil structural pressure values

Abstract The values of soil structural pressures may serve as identifiers of boundaries of deformation zones below foundations. Under soil structural pressure, σsz, we will understand the maximum stress value for which only recoverable deformations may be observed. The paper presents a method for determination of structural pressures using oedometer test results. Experimental data published in literature were used for demonstration of the proposed method.
Amyloid beta peptide formation in cell-free preparations. Regulation by protein kinase C, calmodulin, and calcineurin.

Amyloid β peptide (Aβ) is a short peptide that is the major constituent of the amyloid plaques and cerebrovascular amyloid deposits found in Alzheimer's disease. The lack of availability of a cell-free system in which to study Aβ formation has limited our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in its production. We report here the reconstitution of such a cell-free system. The reconstituted Aβ formation was temperature-dependent and required ATP. Preincubation with purified protein kinase C (PKC) induced a pronounced inhibition of Aβ formation, similar to that observed in intact cells upon stimulation of PKC. The calmodulin antagonists W-7 and trifluoperazine inhibited Aβ formation and enhanced the action of PKC in both the cell-free system and intact cells. A role for the calcium/calmodulin-activated protein phosphatase calcineurin in the regulation of Aβ formation was demonstrated using a specific peptide inhibitor of calcineurin in vitro as well as cyclosporin A, a cell-permeant inhibitor of calcineurin, in intact cells. Our results suggest that a single substrate might mediate opposing actions of PKC and calcineurin in the regulation of Aβ formation.
Antibodies of the ABO System and the Metabolism of Human Spermatozoa

Antibodies of the ABO system can affect the metabolism of human spermatozoa. The main effect is that the anaerobic glycolysis of sperm from men with A or AB secretor phenotypes is lowered in anti-A or anti-B antisera. Respiration, on the other hand, is increased
An Analysis of Post-Pacing R-R Intervals During Atrial Fibrillation

Bursts of ventricular pacing at cycle lengths of 350-260 ms were introduced during atrial fibrillation in nine patients, and the post-pacing R-R intervals were compared to the R-R intervals of spontaneous QRS complexes. In eight of nine patients, the mean post-pacing R-R interval was 126-199 ms longer than the mean spontaneous R-R interval (p less than 0.005). Spontaneous runs of aberrantly conducted supraventricular complexes were recorded during atrial fibrillation in one patient. The mean R-R interval following the runs of aberrantly conducted supraventricular complexes was significantly longer than the mean R-R interval of spontaneous narrow QRS complexes (p less than 0.001), but not significantly different than the mean post-pacing R-R interval. The findings of this study suggest that the R-R interval that follows a wide-complex tachycardia during atrial fibrillation is unlikely to be of value in differentiating ventricular tachycardia from aberrantly conducted supraventricular complexes. Analysis of R-R intervals that follow bursts of ventricular pacing suggests that there is likely to be considerable overlap between the R-R intervals that follow runs of ventricular tachycardia and the spontaneous R-R intervals during atrial fibrillation. Furthermore, even when the post-tachycardia R-R interval clearly exceeds the longest spontaneous R-R interval during atrial fibrillation, this is still of little diagnostic value, because a long pause may occur after either a run of ventricular tachycardia or a run of aberrantly conducted QRS complexes of supraventricular origin.
Gender differences in the effects of personality traits on voter turnout

Abstract This study examines whether the Big Five personality traits have different effects on male and female turnout. Previous research has reported an association between personality traits and turnout, but their results have been inconsistent. Nevertheless, there is a solid evidence of gender differences in personality traits and past studies have not taken into consideration the option that personality–turnout relationship might be gender-differentiated. The current study empirically finds that conscientiousness and emotional stability can significantly increase female turnout, but have no effect on male turnout. Furthermore, openness to experience exerts opposite effects on male and female turnout. As openness to experience increases, men become more likely to vote, whereas women become less likely to cast their ballots. However, extraversion and agreeableness are not associated with turnout, regardless of gender. To sum up, this study provides robust evidence that the effects of personality traits on turnout vary by gender and suggests that any future study of the topic must include interaction between gender and personality in order to estimate the effect of personality on turnout in a more accurate manner.
Semi-empirical APW calculation of the band structure of silicon☆

Abstract We propose a modification to the usual augmented-plane-wave muffin-tin approximation approach which fits exactly the measured value of the band gap of Si. The method involves one adjustable parameter which is introduced by a uniform shift of the s -like logarithmic derivatives. The results are in good agreement with those of the empirical pseudopotential method not only for the gap but also for an energy range of approximately 3eV from the top of the valence band.
Synthesis of polyethylene hybrid copolymers containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane prepared with ring‐opening metathesis copolymerization

Ring-opening metathesis copolymerizations of cyclooctene and the polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) monomer 1-[2-(5-norbornen-2-yl)ethyl]-3,5,7,9,11,13,15-heptacyclopentylpentacyclo[9.5.1.13,9.15,15.17,13] octasiloxane (POSS–norbornylene) were performed with Grubbs's catalyst, RuCl2(CHPh)(PCy3)2. Random copolymers were formed and fully characterized with POSS loadings as high as 55 wt %. Diimide reduction of these copolymers afforded polyethylene–POSS random copolymers. Thermogravimetric analysis of the polyethylene–POSS copolymers under air showed a 70 °C improvement, relative to a polyethylene control sample of similar molecular weight, in the onset of decomposition temperature based on 5% mass loss. The homopolymer of POSS–norbornylene was also synthesized. This polymer had a rigid backbone according to 1H NMR evidence of broad olefinic signals. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 39: 2920–2928, 2001
Heritability of diurnal changes in food intake in free-living humans.

Abstract OBJECTIVES: The time of day of meal ingestion, the number of people present at the meal, the subjective state of hunger, and the estimated before-meal contents in the stomach have been established as influences on the amount eaten in a meal, and this influence has been shown to be heritable. Because these factors intercorrelate, the possibility that the calculated heritabilities for some of these variables could result indirectly from their convariation with one of the other heritable variables was assessed. METHODS: The independence of the heritability of the influence of these four factors was investigated with 110 identical and 102 fraternal same-sex and 53 fraternal mixed-sex adult twin pairs who were paid to maintain 7-d food intake diaries. From the diary reports, the meal sizes were calculated and subjected to multiple regression analysis using the estimated before-meal stomach contents, the reported number of other people present, the subjective hunger ratings, and the time of day of the meal as predictors. Linear structural modeling was applied to the β coefficients from the multiple regression to investigate whether the heritability of the influences of these four variables was independent. RESULTS: Significant genetic effects were found for the β coefficients for all four variables, indicating that the heritability of their relationship with intake is to some extent heritable. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the influences of multiple factors on intake are influenced by the genes and become part of the total package of genetically determined physiologic, sociocultural, and psychological processes that regulate energy balance.
Preionization for a high beta toroidal device

It has been noted (Graffman et al., 1975; Koppendorfer et al., 1977; Soldner et al., 1977) that the performance of pulsed, high beta experiments is strongly dependent on the nature of the preionized plasma. This study reports on the optimization of the capacitor discharge preionization of the Columbia Torus 1 belt pinch (Chu et al., 1977). The level of ionization achieved in the first pulse of the capacitor discharge could be increased substantially by provision of a large number of well-distributed free electrons before the onset of plasma current. The capacitor discharge itself was optimized to give maximum ionization levels and low impurity content by appropriate choices of electric and magnetic fields and discharge timing. The belt pinch dynamics and temperature were strong functions of the preionization, pointing to the benefits of optimizing this aspect of the experiment.
IS THERE A NATURAL HOMICIDE RATE

Arguing by analogy from economic theory which suggests that the unemployment rate could never be zero in a nation but that there is a rninimum value which it could reach, the natural unemployment rate, Yang and Lester (1991) asked whether the suicide rate of a nation could ever be zero. They investigated this by looking at a multiple linear regression equation predicting the suicide rate of the 48 continental states from social variables, setting the predictor variables to zero, and noting that the predicted suicide rate was positive. The present study explored this methodology for homicide. Lester (1994) identified six orthogonal factors of social variables for the 48 continental states of America in 1980. Two variables with the highest loadings from each of the first three factors and one variable from each of the three minor factors were selected and entered into a backward multiple regression for the homicide rate in such a way that the sign of each regression coefficient was positive. Six variables contributed significantly to the prediction of the homicide rate (with a multiple R of 0.93), and setting the variables to zero resulted in a predicted homicide rate which was negative. This suggests that in a "sociologically ideal" society, the homicide rate could be zero.
Sendero Luminoso and the Threat of Narcoterrorism

Sendero Luminoso and the Threat of Narcoterrorism. Gabriela Tarazona-Sevillano (with John B. Reuter). The Washington Papers/144. Published with the Center for Strategic and International Studies. New York: Praeger, 1990. 184 pp. $35.00 (cloth), $12.95 (paper). ISBN 0-275-93642-2, ISBN 0-275-93643-0.
Neuroendocrine response patterns in dominant and subordinate mice.

Abstract The sequence and type of neuroendocrine and behavioral patterns resulting from the development of a social hierarchy in colonies of mice were studied. It was found that dominant males were more active and responded to social interaction with predominantly a sympathetic adrenal-medullary pattern. Subordinate males were less active and predominantly responded with a pituitary adrenal-cortical pattern. The neuroendocrine patterns were reversed when the social position of the animal was reversed. Also the subordinate males demonstrated greater plasma corticosterone responsiveness to ACTH administration and immobilization stress as compared to dominant males.
Nuclear Factor-κB-inducible Death Effector Domain-containing Protein Suppresses Tumor Necrosis Factor-mediated Apoptosis by Inhibiting Caspase-8 Activity

Activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) has been found to play an essential role in the inhibition of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-mediated apoptosis. NF-κB regulates several antiapoptotic molecules including inhibitors of apoptosis, Bcl-2 family proteins (A1 and Bcl-XL), and IEX-IL. Here we report that the expression of a small death effector domain (DED)-containing protein, NDED (NF-κB-inducible DED-containing protein), depends on the activation of NF-κB. The inhibition of NF-κB by IκBα, a natural inhibitor of NF-κB, suppressed NDED mRNA expression induced by TNF. The restoration of NDED in NF-κB null cells inhibited TNF-induced apoptosis. Intriguingly, unlike the caspase-8 inhibitor cellular FADD-like interleukin-1β converting enzyme-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP), NDED suppressed TNF-mediated apoptosis by inhibiting TNF-induced caspase-8 enzymatic activity but not the processing of caspase-8. Furthermore, NDED could not inhibit etoposide-mediated apoptosis that is independent of caspase-8 activation. Our results provide the first demonstration that NF-κB transcriptionally induces the DED-containing protein to suppress TNF-mediated apoptosis by inhibiting caspase-8 activity, which offers new insight into the antiapoptotic mechanism of NF-κB.
Clients' need for social approval and perceptions of counseling relationship and outcomes.

The present study examined the relationship between clients' need for social approval and clients' ratings of counseling process and outcomes. A group of 52 junior high, secondary school, and college student counselees anonymously completed the Barrett-Lennard Relationship Inventory and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale at the conclusion of a second interview with a counselor. 2 wk. after termination of counseling the clients anonymously completed the Counseling Evaluation Inventory. Clients' scores on the Social Approval Scale were used to assign them to a high approval-need group or a low approval-need group. Ratings of counseling process and outcome made by the 2 groups showed clients with high need for social approval rated their counselors as more empathic and their counseling experiences as more satisfactory. Results suggest that clients' need for social approval should be controlled in research utilizing clients' ratings.
Response of Four Broiler Strains to Dietary Phosphorus Above and Below the Requirement When Brooded at Two Temperatures

Abstract Four strains of broilers (1,200 birds) were fed diets containing .14, .51, and .88% available phosphorus. The birds were raised for 3 wk at two brooding temperatures, 29.4 C and 35 C, with each being reduced 2.8 degrees per week. Feed consumption, feed conversion, body weight, bone weight (tibia), strength and percentage ash, and mortality were measured in order to assess broiler response. An increase or improvement in each measurement was observed from feeding diets containing .51% rather than .14% available phosphorus, but no further increase or improvement was observed in measurements by feeding diets containing .88% rather than .51% available phosphorus. The values for feed consumption, weight gain, and bone weight were significantly lower at the higher temperatures than at the lower temperatures. There were interactions of broiler strain-by-phosphorus with feed consumption, BW gain, and bone weight and strength; also, of temperature-by-phosphorus with bone strength, bone ash, and mortality. These interactions indicate that the bird's response to phosphorus is influenced by strain and environmental temperature.