cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Elasticity of factorization in number fields

Let R be a noetherian domain which is not a field. Define ϱ(R), the elasticity of R, to be sup(X), where X is the subset of Q defined by X={m/n: there exist irreducibles π1, π1, …, πm, t1, t2, …, tn ∈ R with π1π2⋯ πm = t1π2⋯tn} Thus ϱ(R) in part measures the failure of R to be a unique factorization domain. Let A denote the integers of K, a number field with class group C and class number h. By elementary number theory and a theorem of L. Carlitz (Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 11 (1960), 391–392) one knows that ϱ(A) = 1 if, and only if, h ≤ 2. We show here that 1. (i) ϱ(A) is bounded from above by h2, provided that C is nontrivial. 2. (ii) ϱ(A) is bounded from below by an expression which depends only on the elementary divisor decomposition of C and which is greater than or equal to half the exponent of C; in particular, this agrees with the upper bound given in (i) in the special case that C is cyclic. 3. (iii) ϱ(A) → ∞ as h → ∞. The actual bound in (i) is somewhat sharper and involves a newly defined group invariant called sequential depth, which is fundamental to our discussion.
Growth and radiation sensitivity of the MLS human ovarian carcinoma cell line grown as multicellular spheroids and xenografted tumours.

The growth characteristics and the radiation sensitivity of multicellular spheroids of the MLS human ovarian carcinoma cell line grown in spinner culture in atmospheres of 5% CO2 in air or 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2 were studied and compared to that of MLS xenografted tumours. The spheroids grew exponentially with a volume-doubling time of approximately 24 h up to a diameter of approximately 580 microns and then the growth rate tapered off, more for spheroids grown at the low than at the high oxygen tension. Thirty days after initiation, the spheroid diameters were approximately 1,500 microns at the low and 2,100 microns at the high oxygen tension. The tumour volume-doubling times were approximately 8 days (V less than 200 mm3) and 17 days (V = 1,000-4,000 mm3). The histological appearance of the spheroids and the tumours was remarkably similar; both developed large central necrosis and both were composed of epithelial cells and showed pseudoglandular structures with lumen. The spheroids were slightly less differentiated than the tumours. The intrinsic, cellular radiation sensitivity was independent of whether the cells were grown in vitro as spheroids or in vivo as tumours, as revealed by irradiating single cells from dissociated spheroids and tumours under aerobic conditions and intact spheroids and tumours under hypoxic conditions. Studies of 1,600 microns spheroids grown in 5% CO2 in air showed that the intrinsic radiation sensitivity of the chronically hypoxic cells was the same as that of acutely hypoxic cells. The fraction of radiobiologically hypoxic cells under these conditions was approximately 15% and similar to those of 9% (V = 200 mm3) and 28% (V = 2,000 mm3) found for the tumours. Spheroids with diameter of 1,200 microns did not show survival curves parallel to those for acutely hypoxic cells, i.e. they did not contain a measurable fraction of clonogenic cells at complete radiobiological hypoxia. The final portion of their survival curves represented partially hypoxic cells; the OERs were 1.6 and 1.3 for spheroids grown at the high and the low oxygen tension, respectively. The considerable similarity between the spheroids and the tumours suggests that MLS spheroids constitute a valuable in vitro model for studies of human tumour radiation biology and related physiological processes. MLS spheroids may be particularly useful in studies of therapeutic consequences of partial radiobiological hypoxia since complete hypoxia and different levels of partial hypoxia can be studied separately by varying spheroid size and the oxygen tension in the culture medium.
Quantifying the Importance of Micellar Microstructure and Electrostatic Interactions on the Shear-Induced Structural Transition of Cylindrical Micelles

Using static light scattering (SLS) and small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) in conjunction with rheological measurements, the significance of electrostatic interactions and micellar microstructure to the formation of shear-induced structures (SIS) in systems of dilute aqueous cylindrical micelles is investigated. This is accomplished through a systematic study of the influence of increasing NaCl concentration on the dilute aqueous micellar system of 11 mM cetyltrimethylammoniump-toluenesulfonate (CTAT). Concurrent with increases in the zero-shear viscosity (η o ), low NaCl concentrations lead to the growth of micelles through increases in the degree of screening of electrostatic interactions. These systems, which exhibit discernible electrostatic or correlation peaks in the SANS results, undergo shear-induced structural transitions, whereby critical shear rates tend to increase with NaCl concentration. With further increases in the NaCl concentration, intermicellar electrostatic interactions are adequately screened, and no SIS is observed. The addition of NaCl to these systems increases the micellar flexibility, as shown by SLS. The η o of these systems decreases, and the critical shear rates for these shear-thinning systems increases, consistent with expectations for dilute polyelectrolyte systems.
Destabilization of collagen in hide and leather by anionic surfactants. II. Calorimetry of the reaction of collagen with sulfates

Leather, a textile based on collagen, usually requires the addition of sulfated oils that have been recently found to cause instability when heated in critical manufacturing processes. Here reactions between collagen and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sulfated castor oil, or a synthetic sulfated oil are studied calorimetrically. Sodium lauryl sulfate below its critical micelle concentration (cmc) displayed an immediate exotherm due to equilibrium binding of the reagents with stoichiometry n = 12.6 ± 0.2, K = (2.02 ± 0.8) x 10 7 M -1 , and enthalpy ΔH = 62 ± 2 Kcal/mol; and a delayed endotherm due to denaturation of collagen. The endotherms accompanying the reactions with sulfated oils with longer chains were smaller, with no apparent denaturation of collagen. The micellar nature of these surfactants was apparent from very large n for sulfated castor oil, 4082 ± 11 and a very small value of AH, 0.77 ± 0.01 cal/mol. The binding of sulfated castor oil at the polar bands of collagen crystallites, comprising extended molecules arranged side-by-side, was shown directly by electron microscopy.
Topical Azithromycin 1% in acute management of inflammatory pterygium

The purpose of the article is to investigate the effects of topical azithromycin 1% (Azasite) in treating acute ocular inflammation related to long standing pterygium. A prospective interventional study of 8 consecutive cases with pterygium presenting to our University Eye Clinics over the period of one month with acute symptoms of red eye(s) and irritation. After patient education and receipt of consent to the study, patients were treated with topical azithromycin 1% (Azasite) twice a day for the first two days and once a day for the next 12 days. Anterior segment photo was taken before treatment and 3-day and/or 7-day after treatment in addition to eye examination. Six out of the eight cases reported of significant improvement or resolution of signs and symptoms on the follow up visits. One severe case did not respond as well after a week of treatment and was successfully managed by topical prednisolone. Another case did not comply with the study protocol. In this small pilot study, Azasite was effective in management of acute mild to moderate ocular inflammation triggered by ocular surface disease, including pterygium. Severe ocular inflammation may require more potent anti-inflammatory therapy like topical steroids.
Cingulate sulcus development in preterm infants.

ABSTRACT: Cranial ultrasounds performed during the first 3 d of life on 211 infants of 24 to 40 wk gestational age were examined to determine the in utero development of the cingulate sulcus. The sulcus was identified between 24 and 28 wk of gestational age as fragmented echoes in the region between the thalamus and the anterior fontanelle. Over the next several weeks, these fragments coalesced into a single linear echo. Branches then appeared off of the primary cingulate sulcus, increasing in number until a complex pattern of branching was noted near term gestation. This maturational sequence was similar to postnatal cortical development determined from serial ultrasounds performed on 144 infants who were ≤ 32 wk of gestational age at birth. The timing of postconceptional cingulate sulcus development was independent of gestational age at birth. However, severe brain insult, defined as intraventricular hemorrhage complicated by ventriculomegaly or intraparenchymal extension or periventricular leukomalacia, was associated with significant delays in all stages of cingulate sulcus development. Cranial ultrasound examinations in preterm infants allow a noninvasive means of staging qualitative brain development during the early postnatal period.
Fifteen-Year Outcome Trends for Valve Surgery in North America

Background Although results in valvular heart surgery may be improving, too few cases are available in most centers to quantify changes, especially for uncommon procedural categories. This study examined comprehensively national trends in valve surgery outcomes over the past 15 years. Methods From 1993 through 2007, 623,039 valve procedures were grouped into single aortic (A), mitral (M), and tricuspid (T) operations, along with AM, MT, AT, and AMT multiple valves ± coronary artery bypass graft surgery. Pulmonary valve surgery was excluded. Trends in baseline characteristics were documented, and logistic regression adjusted for differences in patient profiles. Outcomes were expressed as unadjusted operative mortality, adjusted odds ratios for mortality, and a composite of mortality and major complications. Results Single valves comprised 89% of valve surgery and multiple valves, 11%. Preoperative patient risk profiles worsened over time. Mortality rates were higher for multiple valves, but all mortality rates fell significantly over the 15 years (p Conclusions Preoperative patient profiles for cardiac valve procedures have worsened over time. Risk-adjusted mortalities have fallen for all valve surgery, but remain higher for multiple valves. The finding of increasing pulmonary deaths and complications suggests that prevention and improved management of pulmonary and infectious complications could be an important focus for quality improvement.
A summary of responses and actual treatment outcomes

Leading researcher-practitioners in the assessment and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) were invited to provide a case conceptualization and formulate a treatment plan for a client diagnosed with this syndrome. Common themes in the three responses are summarized, and a synopsis of the actual treatment process is also presented. In general, the case conference demonstrates the complexity of CFS, and that individuals with this syndrome require an individualized and integrative approach to cognitive-behavioral therapy that addresses both medical and psychological aspects of the illness. Cognitive-behavioral therapy can serve as an important component of a client's overall treatment, building coping skills and facilitating the lifestyle changes necessary to improve overall life quality. Respondents appeared to view the client as severely and legitimately disabled and as having an understandably difficult time coping with his illness.
Frustration-induced two-dimensional quantum disordered phase in piperazinium hexachlorodicuprate

Piperazinium hexachlorodicuprate is shown to be a frustrated quasi-two-dimensional quantum Heisenberg antiferromagnet with a gapped spectrum. Zero-field inelastic neutron scattering and susceptibility and specific- heat measurements as a function of applied magnetic field are presented. At $T=1.5 \mathrm{K},$ the magnetic excitation spectrum is dominated by a single propagating mode with a gap, $\ensuremath{\Delta}=1 \mathrm{meV},$ and bandwidth of $\ensuremath{\approx}1.8 \mathrm{meV}$ in the $(h0l)$ plane. The mode has no dispersion along the ${b}^{*}$ direction indicating that neighboring $\mathbf{a}\ensuremath{-}\mathbf{c}$ planes of the triclinic structure are magnetically decoupled. The heat capacity shows a reduction of the gap as a function of applied magnetic field in agreement with a singlet-triplet excitation spectrum. A field-induced ordered phase is observed in heat capacity and magnetic susceptibility measurements for magnetic fields greater than ${H}_{c1}\ensuremath{\approx}7.5 \mathrm{T}.$ Analysis of the neutron-scattering data reveals the important exchange interactions and indicates that some of these are highly frustrated.
Organization and recognition accuracy: The effect of context on blocked presentation

The effect of blocking related items at presentation on recognition memory was examined. When individual words were presented, blocking was found to facilitate recognition accurracy, but no facilitation was found when the words were presented in sentences which included the category name. The results were discussed in terms of the confounding of organizational effects and context effects.
Double minute chromosomes and myelodysplastic syndrome: A case report and literature review

Double minute chromosomes (dmin) occur in about 3.3-10.6% of acute leukemia, especially in the elderly. However, dmins are relatively rare in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). We describe a case of refractory anemia with excess blasts associated with complex cytogenetic abnormalities, dmins, and brief survival.
Factors influencing the developmental capacity of Galleria larval epidermis

Abstract The nature of the cuticle secreted by integument from a day-1 penultimate instar larval Galleria when cultured in vivo in the abdomen of a last instar larva varied with the age of the host. When placed in a day-5 last instar larva, the implanted integument secreted a pupal cuticle at the time the host metamorphosed and became a pupa. However, when placed in a day-7 last instar larva the implant, from the same stage donor, secreted a larval cuticle at the time the host pupated. Experimental studies involving implantation of the integument for a 24 hr period, into various developmental stages of normal and ligated last instar larvae, pupae, and pharate adults, prior to placing it in a day-7 last instar larva suggest that a non-hormonal factor present in day-4 and -5 last instar larvae is important to initiate pupal syntheses.
Tracking neighborhood development and behavioral trends with building permits in Austin, Texas

Local area datasets are becoming more frequently used by planners and policy-makers in analyzing land use and development trends. Records kept by cities and towns are popular for this purpose because they often provide continuous and detailed data. This investigation utilized municipal records to explore how local area datasets and spatial analysis tools, specifically building permits and GIS, may be used to study land development. In order to assess the effectiveness of this analytical method, programs and changes related to development were evaluated to demonstrate potential uses of this municipal data. The City of Austin, Texas, was the context for this study, and the permit records used spanned two decades from 1990 to 2009. The permit dataset was first used to review overall construction activity within the City. The locations of all permits issued in the study period were mapped. The next part of this research consisted of two case studies used to demonstrate how a spatial assessment of growth and d...
Interactive effects of nitrogen and phosphorus on verticillium wilt of Russet Burbank potato

A three-year field study was conducted during 1984–1986 to determine the interactive effects of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization on Verticillium wilt, and yield and quality of continuously-cropped Russet Burbank potato. The experiment was conducted on a calcareous, silt loam soil with low initial levels of NO3-N (0.9 mg/kg), P (3.5 mg/kg), andVerticillium dahliae (9 cfu/g of soil). The experimental design consisted of a factorial combination of three N treatments (unfertilized check, preplant N or split N) and three P treatments (0,120, or 240 kg P/ha) applied to the same plots during the three-year study. Nitrogen was applied at 0 or 300 kg N/ha in 1984 and 0 or 240 kg N/ha in 1985 and 1986. By the spring of 1986, soil P concentrations for the 0,120, and 240 kg P/ha treatments had increased to 7, 25, and 50 mg/kg and no additional P was applied.
Continuous time control of Markov processes on an arbitrary state space: Average return criterion

Abstract The paper deals with continuous time Markov decision processes on a fairly general state space. The economic criterion is the long-run average return. A set of conditions is shown to be sufficient for a constant g to be optimal average return and a stationary policy π ∗ to be optimal. This condition is shown to be satisfied under appropriate assumptions on the optimal discounted return function. A policy improvement algorithm is proposed and its convergence to an optimal policy is proved.
Dentists Consider Medical Screening Important and are Willing to Incorporate Screening Procedures into Dental Practice

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Dentists’ attitudes toward chairside screening for medical conditions. Greenberg BL, Glick M, Frantsve-Hawley J, Kantor ML. J Am Dent Assoc 2010;14(1):52-62. Reviewer Brian Laurence, DDS, PhD Purpose/Question The purpose of the study was to obtain information about dentists’ attitudes toward, acceptance of, and perceived barriers regarding screening for medical conditions in a dental setting. Source of Funding Information not available. Type of Study/Design Survey Level of Evidence Level 3: Other evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable
Understanding Marital Violence in the Black Community

The limitations of theory and the dearth of well-controlled, empirical research on the relationship of race and race-by-class differences to the incidence of marital violence has resulted in an insufficient data base with which to construct useful and valid conclusions regarding the Black community. Consequently, the effects of social class, violence in the family of origin, and sources of conflict were examined in a comparative study of marital violence experienced by 155 Black women across three social class positions who lived in a southeastern metropolitan city. In contrast to previous characterizations of marital violence among Black couples, the results of this study revealed some significant differences between the proportion of Black women and men by social class who were victims of marital violence. The data did suggest that when social class positions were controlled, Black middle-class women experienced more violence than their lower- and upper-class counterparts. This investigation highlights ...
Nonlinear analysis of SC-FDMA spectrum for LTE up-link

The nonlinearity of power amplifiers is one of the principal reasons degrading the transmission quality in the wireless communication systems comprising the single-carrier frequency-division multiple access (SC-FDMA) utilised for the up-link in the LTE system. In this letter, we analysed and predicted the nonlinearity of SC-FDMA signals in spectrum respect. Owing to the nonlinearity of radio frequency (RF) power amplifiers, an analytic model is established on the basis of a third-order intercept point (), which is fit for weakly nonlinear systems and devices. The research results confirm that the spectrum regrowth with RF power amplifier is specified and measured efficiently. This sort of design inherits the advantages of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) and is of great help for both designing RF power amplifiers and further improving the spectrum regrowth with pre-distortion outside channels, extended to other wireless systems based on SC-FDMA modulation.
Hyperfine Pressure Shift and Van der Waals Interaction. III. Temperature Dependence

A theoretical study of the temperature dependence of the pressure shifts of the hyperfine constants (HPS) for hydrogen-helium and nitrogen-helium systems over the temperature range 30 to 1000\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} K indicates that the temperature variations are well above the limits of detect-ability. An interesting peak is observed for the HPS in the hydrogen-helium system at 325\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} K and it is suggested that the occurrence of such peaks provides an experimental handle on the relative signs of the long-range and short-range contributions to HPS.
Autoantibodies against human tropomyosin isoform 5 in ulcerative colitis destroys colonic epithelial cells through antibody and complement-mediated lysis.

Abstract Introduction. Patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) have IgG1 antibodies in serum and colon against human tropomyosin isoform 5 (hTM5), a cytoskeletal microfilament protein found intracellularly and on the surface of colonic epithelial cells (EC). These antibodies may be pathogenic in UC. Methods. Sera from patients with UC (n = 110) or Crohn’s disease (CD) (n = 50) and from healthy individuals (Hl) (n = 30) were preincubated with recombinant hTM5 or bovine serum albumin (BSA), then cultured for 4 h with 51Cr-labelled colonic adenocarcinoma cells (LS180). Cytotoxicity was determined by 51Cr release assay. Results. All serum samples lysed up to 36% of LS180 cells regardless of the source of the serum. However, adding hTM5 to UC, but not to CD or HI, sera reduced cytotoxicity by up to 75%. This hTM5-induced inhibition of cytotoxicity was found especially with sera from UC patients with active disease, and was found even after total colectomy. The hTM5-induced inhibition was mediated by purified IgG from UC sera. Complement was involved since hTM5-induced inhibition of cytotoxicity declined with either heat inactivation of the sera or premixing sera with Fc fragments. Conclusions. This study shows that hTM5-specific IgG autoantibodies present in UC sera destroy LS180 cells by antibody and complement-mediated lysis. Such a phenomenon was not seen in CD or HI. This suggests an autoantigenic role of hTM5 and anti-hTM5 antibodies in the pathogenesis of UC. This observation may lead to novel diagnostic and therapeutic possibilities.
High-resolution infrared spectroscopy of solid hydrogen.

A rich spectrum composed of hundreds of sharp features (HWHM ~< 20 MHz) has been observed in the fundamental Q branch of solid H2, representing the first case of solid phase linear spectroscopy in which the high-resolution capabilities of laser spectroscopy have been fully exploited. These features are interpreted as splittings of o-H2 pairs based on the work by Hardy, Berlinsky, and Harris.
Proton-deuteron radiative capture and the two-body photodisintegration of 3He

Abstract We investigate the two-body photodisintegration of 3 He and its inverse, radiative p-d capture using bound-state functions corresponding to the N-N interaction being given by the Reid soft-core potential. For the two-body photodisintegration of 3 He Coulomb effects and the final-state interactions between the proton and deuteron are not included. At low energy the shape of the angular distribution agrees well with experiment, but the 90° cross section exhibits an anomalous peak at 15 MeV due to electric dipole transitions connecting the deuteron and 3 He D-states. The low-energy cross section is 25–40 % too small. The intermediate-energy angular distribution peaks too near the forward direction, and, contrary to experiment, has a minimum at 100°. At higher energy the 90° cross section in the center-of-momentum frame is at least an order of magnitude too small, but does display the correct energy dependence. This energy dependence is related to the properties of the bound-state wave functions and it is plausible that it will persist in an improved treatment (e.g. one which includes exchange currents) which properly accounts for the magnitude of the cross section. Contributions from the 3 He S-states are negligible for photon energies between 100 and 150 MeV, but are dominant outside this energy region.
On an infinite population matrix

Abstract An infinite-dimensional generalization of the Leslie matrix is introduced, and conditions for the existence of a stationary age distribution are derived.
Categorizing temporal events: A case study of domestic terrorism

In many emergency incidents, multiple reports and information sources are often used to help intelligence and security personnel to understand the situation during a short time period. Proper categorization and analysis of this information could enhance the efficiency of handling this large amount of potentially conflicting information, thus contributing to saving lives. The study of categorization of temporal events in cyber security application is, however, not widely found. In this research, we developed an automated approach to categorizing temporal events described in textual documents. The approach consists of automatic indexing, term extraction, and automatic categorization. We conducted a case study of domestic terrorism where we analyzed 96 online news articles about a shooting tragedy that resulted in 6 deaths and 1 seriously injured. Analyses of different numbers of extracted textual features (from 20 to 100) used in the temporal categorization revealed a gradual improvement of classification accuracies across different algorithms used. Naive Bayes and SVM classification provided stable improvement (from 47% to 68%), whereas Neural Network had the highest accuracy when 70 features were used. The results provide new insights for researchers and intelligence personnel to understand the relationship between textual features and emergency event evolution.
The effect of glyceollin on soybean (Glycine max L.) tonoplast and plasma membrane vesicles

Abstract An improved method for the isolation of transport-competent plasma membrane and tonoplast vesicles from soybean (Glycine max L., Co. Harsoy) is presented. When resolved on linear sucrose gradients, the soybean membrane vesicles displayed two peaks of ATP-dependent H+-transport activity that were inhibited by either vanadate (plasma membrane) or nitrate (tonoplast). That the vanadate and nitrate sensitive H+-transport activities were representative of plasma membrane and tonoplast vesicles was further supported by their differing pH optima for ATP-dependent H+-transport. Membrane vesicles displaying vanadate sensitive H+ transport showed optimal activity at pH 6.5 while membrane vesicles displaying nitrate sensitive H+-transport showed optimal activity at pH 7.5. When ATP-dependent H+-transport was examined as a function of Mg:ATP concentration, both vesicle types displayed simple Michaelis-Menten type kinetics and Km-values of 0.56 and 0.97 mM were observed for plasma membrane and tonoplast vesicles, respectively. Incubation of plasma membrane or tonoplast vesicles with glyceollin resulted in an inhibition of ATP-dependent H+-transport. While ninety percent inhibition of ATP-dependent H+-transport was observed with tonoplast vesicles when incubated with 25 μM glyceollin, a 4-fold higher concentration of the phytoalexin was required to produce a similar inhibition with plasma membrane vesicles. Although glyceollin had only small effects upon ATP hydrolytic activity, this compound increased the H+-conductance of the vesicles in a manner consistent with the relative inhibition of ATP-dependent H+-transport.
Perturbation of biochemical transmethylations by 3-deazaadenosine in vivo

Elevated levels of adenosylmethionine (AdoMet) and adenosylhomocysteine (AdoHcy) were observed in livers of rats injected with 3-deazaadenosine, an inhibitor of adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase. A marked appearance of 3-deazaadenosylhomocysteine was observed. The ratio of AdoMet/AdoHcy in the liver was reduced from a normal value of 4.5 to 1.6 after two injections, and to 1.3 after three injections. Perturbation of biochemical transmethylations was achieved in rats injected with 3-deazaadenosine, as evidenced by: (a) a reduction in the level of creatine in the liver; (b) a decrease in the urinary excretion of 3-methoxy-4-hydroxymandelic acid; and (c) a drastic reduction in the methylation of lipids, as measured by methyl-3H-incorporation from [methyl-3H]AdoMet. These observations support the hypothesis that the ratio AdoMet/AdoHcy may be of critical importance in the regulation of biological methylations. The enzyme, adenosylhomocysteine hydrolase, therefore, may be considered a prime biological target in terms of in vivo regulation of transmethylation reactions.
Then and Now: 125 Years of Dryland Wheat Farming in the Inland Pacific Northwest

This article is a history of dryland wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) farming in the low-precipitation (<300 mm annual) region on the Columbia Plateau of the Inland Pacific Northwest (PNW) of the United States. Numerous technological advances, environmental problems, and sociological factors influenced wheat farming since its inception in 1880. The wheat-based economy traces back to the pioneers who faced many challenges that included scarcity of water and wood, unprecedented wind erosion, drought, and minimal equipment. Throughout the years, major technological breakthroughs include: (i) horse (Equus caballus) farming to crude crawler tractors to the 350+ horse power tractors of today, (ii) transition from sacked grain to bulk grain handling, (iii) nitrogen fertilizer and herbicides, (iv) the rotary rodweeder, and (v) the deep furrow split-packer drill to allow early planting of winter wheat into stored soil water. Cultural practices have evolved from repeated passes with high-soil-disturbance tillage implements to today's conservation tillage management. The 2-yr winter wheat-summer fallow rotation continues as the dominant cropping system as it is less risky and more profitable than alternative systems tested so far. Improved wheat cultivars for deep furrow planting continue to be developed with good emergence, disease resistance, winter hardiness, grain quality, and other values. In the past 125 yr, average farm size has grown from 65 to 1400 ha and wheat grain yield increased from < 1.0 to 3.4 Mg h -1 . Since the 1930s, government farm programs have provided unwavering support that, in the last several decades, accounts for about 40% of gross farm income.
Decline of Tuberoinfundibular Dopaminergic Function Resulting from Chronic Hyperprolactinemia in Rats

The effect of hyperprolactinemia on tuberoinfundibular dopaminergic (TIDA) neurons was studied after sc transplantation of a PRL-secreting pituitary tumor (MtT.Wis) to young female rats. TIDA activity was determined by measuring 1) the concentration of dopamine (DA) in pituitary stalk portal blood, 2) the uptake and release of [3H]DA by the median eminence in vitro, and 3) the presynaptic DA receptor activity. Eight weeks after transplantation of the tumor, serum PRL increased to approximately 100 times higher values than those in nontumor-bearing animals. Both the DA concentration and the content in pituitary stalk blood collected from rats bearing tumors for 6 weeks were significantly lower than those in nontumor- bearing rats. Injection of a DA uptake blocker, nomifensine, significantly increased stalk blood DA in nontumor-bearing rats, but did not increase DA release in tumor-bearing rats. The uptake of [3H]DA in vitro by the median eminence of rats bearing pituitary tumors for 8 weeks was lower than ...
Intermediate Vector Bosons and Neutrino Cosmology

We present decay properties of W± and Zo, and give numerical estimates of their decay rates and branching ratios for leptonic, hadronic and higher order rare decays in the standard SU(3)c × SU(2)L × U(1) model. In addition we discuss bounds on the number of neutrino species and their cosmological implications.
Resistant bacteria in the adenoids: a preliminary report.

Objective To determine the incidence of resistant bacteria in adenoid cultures from children with and without middle ear disease and rhinosinusitis symptoms. Design Children meeting the requirement for tympanostomy tube placement underwent an adjuvant adenoidectomy for symptoms of adenoid hypertrophy or recurrent rhinosinusitis. Adenoid tissue and coexisting middle ear fluid, if present, were cultured. Setting Tertiary referral children's hospital with community-based satellite clinics. Patients Forty-six patients ranging in age from 1 to 11 years (68% Interventions Tympanostomy tube placement and adenoidectomy. Main Outcome Measures Presence or absence of resistant bacteria. Results Resistant bacteria were found in cultures of the adenoids in 56% (26/46) of the study group compared with 22% (4/18) of the control patients ( P Streptococcus pneumoniae , Haemophilus influenzae , or Moraxella catarrhalis were found in cultures from 78% (36/46) of the study group, compared with 44% (8/18) of those from the control group ( P S pneumoniae , 37% (18/49) of the H influenzae , and 100% (19/19) of the M catarrhalis cultures from the adenoids or middle ear spaces. Conclusion Resistant bacteria are present in significant amounts in the adenoids of children with middle ear disease and rhinosinusitis symptoms compared with patients without those diseases or symptoms.
Preoperative esophageal manometry and outcome of laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB) for morbid obesity has been reported to provide long-term weight loss with a low risk of operative complications. Nevertheless, esophageal dilation leading to achalasia-like and reflux symptoms is a feared complication of LASGB. This study evaluates the clinical benefit of routine preoperative esophageal manometry in predicting outcome after LASGB in morbidly obese patients. Method: A review of prospectively collected data on 77 patients who underwent routine esophageal manometry prior to LASGB for morbid obesity from February 2001 to September 2003 was performed. Aberrant motility, abnormal lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressures, and other nonspecific esophageal motility disorders noted on preoperative esophageal manometry defined patients of the abnormal manometry group. Outcome differences in weight loss, emesis, band complications, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) resolution or improvement were compared between patients of the abnormal and normal manometry groups after LASGB. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and chi-square tests were performed to determine the significance of these outcomes. Results: Of the patients tested, 14 had abnormal esophageal manometry results, whereas 63 had normal manometry results before LASGB. There was no significant difference in percent excess weight loss (%EWL) at 6 and 12 months between the groups after gastric banding. Severe postoperative emesis occurred more frequently in patients with abnormal manometry results than in those with normal manometry results. There were two band-related complications, both of which occurred in patients of the normal manometry group. Conclusions: Preoperative esophageal manometry does not predict weight loss or GERD outcomes after LASGB in morbidly obese patients. Postoperative emesis was more common in patients with abnormal manometry findings, but such symptoms were manageable and did not lead to poor weight loss or to band removal or increased band-related complications.
Vasopressin stimulates Ca2+ spiking activity in A7r5 vascular smooth muscle cells via activation of phospholipase A2.

Abstract [Arg8]-vasopressin (AVP) is both a potent vasoconstrictor and a mitogen for vascular smooth muscle cells. AVP binds to a single class of receptors (V1a) in the A7r5 rat aortic smooth muscle cell line (Kd ≈2 nmol/L). Stimulation of these cells with AVP results in an increase in cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) by releasing intracellular Ca2+ stores and increasing Ca2+ influx; the EC50 for these effects is ≈5 nmol/L. AVP has recently been reported to stimulate arachidonic acid release in primary cultures of rat aortic smooth muscle over a much lower concentration range (EC50 ≈0.05 nmol/L). The present study examined the effects of varying concentrations of AVP on spontaneous Ca2+ spiking activity in fura 2–loaded A7r5 cells. Frequency of Ca2+ spiking increased with increasing [AVP] in the range of 10 to 500 pmol/L. Higher concentrations of AVP inhibited spiking but elicited the characteristic [Ca2+]i changes ascribed to the release of Ca2+ stores and increased Ca2+ entry. The effects o...
In vitro assembly and GTP hydrolysis by bacterial tubulins BtubA and BtubB.

Arecent study identified genuine tubulin proteins, BtubA and BtubB, in the bacterial genus Prosthecobacter. We have expressed BtubA and BtubB in Escherichia coli and studied their in vitro assembly. BtubB by itself formed rings with an outer diameter of 35–36 nm in the presence of GTP or GDP. Mixtures of BtubB and BtubA formed long protofilament bundles, 4–7 protofilaments wide (20–30 protofilaments in the three-dimensional bundle). Regardless of the starting stoichiometry, the polymers always contained equal concentrations of BtubA and BtubB, suggesting that BtubA and B alternate along the protofilament. BtubA showed negligible GTP hydrolysis, whereas BtubB hydrolyzed 0.40 mol GTP per min per mol BtubB. This GTPase activity increased to 1.37 per min when mixed 1:1 with BtubA. A critical concentration of 0.4–1.0 μM was indicated by light scattering experiments and extrapolation of GTPase versus concentration, thus suggesting a cooperative assembly mechanism.
Enhanced brainstem and cortical evoked response amplitudes: single-trial covariance analysis.

The purpose of the present study was to develop analytic procedures that improve the definition of sensory evoked response components. Such procedures could benefit all recordings but would especially benefit difficult recordings where many trials are contaminated by muscle and movement artifacts. First, cross-correlation and latency adjustment analyses were applied to the human brainstem frequency-following response and cortical auditory evoked response recorded on the same trials. Lagged cross-correlation functions were computed, for each of 17 subjects, between single-trial data and templates consisting of the sinusoid stimulus waveform for the brainstem response and the subject's own smoothed averaged evoked response P2 component for the cortical response. Trials were considered in the analysis only if the maximum correlation-squared (r2) exceeded .5 (negatively correlated trials were thus included). Identical correlation coefficients may be based on signals with quite different amplitudes, but it is ...
Age-related greater Achilles tendon compliance is not associated with larger plantar flexor muscle fascicle strains in senior women

The aim of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the age-associated decrease of tendon stiffness would necessitate greater muscle fascicle strains to produce similar levels of force during isometric contraction. Greater fascicle strains could force sarcomeres to operate in less advantageous regions of their force-length and force-velocity relationships, thus impairing the capacity to generate strong and explosive contractions. To test this hypothesis, sagittal-plane dynamic velocity-encoded phase-contrast magnetic resonance images of the gastrocnemius medialis (GM) muscle and Achilles tendon (AT) were acquired in six young (YW; 26.1 ± 2.3 yr) and six senior (SW; 76.7 ± 8.3 yr) women during submaximal isometric contraction (35% maximum voluntary isometric contraction) of the plantar flexor muscles. Multiple GM fascicle lengths were continuously determined by automatically tracking regions of interest coinciding with the end points of muscle fascicles evenly distributed along the muscle's proximo-distal length. AT stiffness and Young's modulus were measured as the slopes of the tendon's force-elongation and stress-strain curves, respectively. Despite significantly lower AT stiffness at older age (YW: 120.2 ± 52.3 N/mm vs. SW: 53.9 ± 44.4 N/mm, P = 0.040), contraction-induced changes in GM fascicle lengths were similar in both age groups at equal levels of absolute muscular force (4–5% fascicle shortening in both groups), and even significantly larger in YW (YW: 11–12% vs. SW: 6–8% fascicle shortening) at equal percentage of maximum voluntary contraction. These results suggest that factors other than AT stiffness, such as age-associated changes in muscle composition or fascicle slack, might serve as compensatory adaptations, limiting the degree of fascicle strains upon contraction.
Autoimmune Diabetes and the Circle of Tolerance

The concept of immunological tolerance is central to our understanding of type 1 diabetes and the development of strategies for its prediction, prevention, and cure. Tolerance simply refers to the absence of an immune response. Most of us are born with an immune system that develops tolerance to all the other systems of our bodies as well as to the things that we eat. It is the loss of immunological tolerance that leads to autoimmunity. And when that autoimmune response directly or indirectly targets the beta-cell, type 1 diabetes is the result. In the U.S., 1 in 600 of us loses tolerance to pancreatic beta-cells. Interference with T-cell function after the loss of tolerance, as can be achieved with immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporin, arrests the disease, but the cost in side effects is high. Clearly, stopping the loss of tolerance would be preferable. If we can stop the loss of tolerance, we can prevent the disease. We and many others have investigated both approaches. But what of the people who already have diabetes? For them a separate but related strategy, tolerance induction, is required. Specifically, islet transplantation tolerance induction holds out the promise of being able to cure the disease. This has been the ultimate goal of our laboratory's work for the past two decades.
Women's Representation in National Legislatures: The Hungarian Case

Women constitute over half of the world's population and enjoy, at least in the eyes of the law, full participatory political license-the right to vote and run for any elective office-in nearly all nation states. Despite this apparent environment of opportunity, women remain grossly underrepresented in national legislatures throughout the world. Exactly why nearly worldwide de jure political equality has not translated into a comparable increase in women's representation in elected office is a question often addressed in current political research. If the prevailing attitude toward women has changed enough to afford women the legal opportunity for participation, why is this impetus for involvement not borne out in the ranks of the world's legislatures?
Predictors of CABG within one year of successful PTCA: a retrospective, case-control study.

Abstract Background . We previously have established characteristics predictive of the need for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) over many years after successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA). In this study, we examined the factors associated with the need for CABG within 1 year of successful PTCA, and the recent impact of newer, catheter-based technologies. Methods . From January 1982 through December 1995, 234 patients underwent CABG within 1 year of a successful "index" PTCA at our hospital. Emergency operations within 12 hours of index PTCA were excluded. These cases were matched with 234 controls who underwent a successful index PTCA but did not require a subsequent CABG during the next year. Cases were matched by the date of their index PTCA, and 1-year follow-up was complete for all patients. Results . Before index PTCA there were no differences between the groups in terms of age, sex, diabetes, prior myocardial infarction, ejection fraction, duration of anginal symptoms, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, family history, or obesity (all nonsignificant). At index PTCA the cases had a greater mean number of lesions measuring 70% or greater compared with the controls (2.8 versus 1.8, respectively; p p = 0.35). Complete revascularization was achieved in significantly fewer of the cases than the controls (91 versus 156, respectively; p The cases underwent CABG at a mean of 3 months (86% within 6 months) after PTCA. Among those who had a diagnostic catheterization, 52% of the patients had both restenosis of a dilated lesion and progression of other disease. Only 5 of 75 patients who had restenosis of a dilated lesion had a stent or an atherectomy device used at index PTCA. Of note, 13% (30 of 234) required an emergency operation, with an overall operative mortality rate of 3% (7 of 234). Conclusions . Although the likelihood of local restenosis is decreased by newer interventional techniques, the need for CABG within 1 year after successful PTCA is not diminished. The number of critical lesions and their location are the best predictors of the need for early CABG. If early post-PTCA CABG is to be avoided, patients who cannot be completely revascularized by PTCA should be revascularized by CABG.
Food Safety Knowledge and Beliefs of Middle School Children: Implications for Food Safety Educators

ABSTRACT: To create effective educational interventions that address the food safety informational needs of youth, a greater understanding of their knowledge and skills is needed. The purposes of this study were to explore, via focus groups, the food-handling responsibilities of middle school youth and obstacles they face in practicing safe food handling and develop recommendations for the design of food safety interventions for youth. Most youth reported that they prepared food at least once weekly and rated learning to prevent foodborne illness as important. Youth knew that food could make them sick, described foodborne illness as resulting from “something” getting into food, not cooking food “right,” or the food going bad. Most responses lacked details, suggesting knowledge was basic. Nearly all were interested in learning about food safety. Barriers that deterred them from learning about food safety were time and feeling they were not susceptible to foodborne illness. To overcome barriers, youth suggested focusing on the seriousness of and risks for foodborne illness, using a serious but comical educational approach, and using hands-on educational media. Parents highly rated the importance of and degree to which they wanted youth to learn about food safety. Parents felt that their children had moderate levels of food safety knowledge, but many questioned whether they practiced food safety procedures when unsupervised. Parents felt that food safety education needed to be taught and reinforced in school and at home. After having reviewed youth and parent data, food safety experts proposed recommendations for youth-focused food safety education that paralleled current consumer food safety initiatives.
The distribution of the invasive New Zealand mud snail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum) in streams in the Lake Ontario and Lake Erie watersheds

The invasive New Zealand mudsnail, Potamopyrgus antipodarum, is a small freshwater hydrobiid snail with populations in western US rivers and streams and in the Laurentian Great Lakes. The snail has had established populations in the Great Lakes since at least 1991 and in one stream emptying into Lake Ontario since at least 2007. This study’s purpose was to broadly survey streams and rivers emptying into Lakes Ontario and Erie to determine the extent of the species’ lotic invasion in the Eastern US. In the summer of 2011, over 100 sites were sampled from the Niagara River, NY to Oswego, NY along Lake Ontario and over 80 sites from Buffalo, NY to the Pennsylvania-Ohio State line along Lake Erie. At each site, general observations of the stream were made and the organisms living in the stream were surveyed for the presence of New Zealand mud snails. Potamopyrgus was found at the site of original discovery and at one additional location along Lake Ontario. In addition an unusual snail was discovered that was a hybrid between a native species (Pleurocera livescens) and an invasive (Pleurocera virginica). This hybrid was extremely abundant in several locations and may be invasive.