cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Glycemic control of type 2 diabetes and severe periodontal disease in the US adult population

Objective: We investigated the association between glycemic control of type 2 diabetes mellitus (type 2 DM) and severe periodontal disease in the US adult population ages 45 years and older. Methods: Data on 4343 persons ages 45–90 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study III were analyzed using weighted multivariable logistic regression. Severe periodontal disease was defined as 2 + sites with 6 + mm loss of attachment and at least one site with probing pocket depth of 5 + mm. Individuals with fasting plasma glucose > 126 mg/dL were classified as having diabetes; those with poorly controlled diabetes (PCDM) had glycosylated hemoglobin > 9% and those with better-controlled diabetes (BCDM) had glycosylated hemoglobin ≤ 9%. Additional variables evaluated in multivariable modeling included age, ethnicity, education, gender, smoking status, and other factors derived from the interview, medical and dental examination, and laboratory assays. Results: Individuals with PCDM had a significantly higher prevalence of severe periodontitis than those without diabetes (odds ratio = 2.90; 95% CI: 1.40, 6.03), after controlling for age, education, smoking status, and calculus. For the BCDM subjects, there was a tendency for a higher prevalence of severe periodontitis (odds ratio = 1.56; 95% CI: 0.90, 2.68). Conclusion: These results provide population-based evidence to support an association between poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus and severe periodontitis.
ABO hemolytic disease of the newborn as a selection mechanism at the ABO locus.

Data from the period 1951 to 1967 were collected from the records at the Milwaukee Blood Center on 380 cases of ABO hemolytic disease to determine if ABO incompatibility may be regarded as a selection mechanism at the ABO locus. In comparison with infants of ABO compatible parents the affected infants had significantly lower hemoglobin and hematocrit values and higher bilirubin concentrations. Forty-eight percent of the affected showed a positive direct antiglobulin test, 81% showed increased numbers of reticulocytes and 92% had spherocytosis. Since affected infants are considered to be in grave danger when high concentrations of bilirubin are present it is significant that 169 individuals (44%) required exchange transfusions. Compared with the number of live births in Milwaukee for the same period this represents a frequency of one in every 1,654 live births so that ABO incompatibility may be regarded as an important mechanism of natural selection. Since it was found that 98.7% of the mothers of the affected infants are of blood group O, the affected infants are therefore heterozygous (AO or BO) and selection due to ABO incompatibility would have its greatest effect upon the lowest allele frequencies in a population.
Stellate Iron Lines in the Corneal Epithelium After Radial Keratotomy

Biomicroscopic examinations of the corneal epithelium of 54 patients who had consecutive radial keratotomy operations in the National Eye Institute Prospective Evaluation of Radial Keratotomy (PERK) study showed that abnormal stellate epithelial iron lines had appeared at the junction of the middle and inferior thirds of the cornea in 13 of 16 eyes (81%) examined six months after surgery, in 43 of 50 eyes (86%) examined 12 months after surgery, and in seven of nine eyes (78%) examined 24 months after surgery. The density and pattern of the deposits varied from a faint tan horizontal iron line studded with small branches to a dense yellow-brown deposit with eight radiating arms that extended between all of the incisions. Analysis of the configuration of the iron line and the central keratometric readings 12 months after surgery showed that the greater the reduction in the central keratometric measurement postoperatively, the more prominent the iron line. We attribute the occurrence and variation of the stellate epithelial iron line to irregularities in the surface of the cornea present in the first year after radial keratotomy.
Presolar grains from novae: their isotopic ratios and radioactivities

Abstract Five SiC and two graphite presolar grains exhibit isotopic ratios characteristic of ONe nova nucleosynthesis: low 12C/13C (4–9), low 14N/15N (5–20), high 26Al/27Al, high 30Si/28Si (2×solar) with close-to-normal 29Si/28Si. The upper limit of 20Ne/22Ne (
The Races of maize iv: tentative grouping of 219 Latin American races

Using principal component and cluster analyses of 20 ear characters for 219 Latin American races and subraces of maize, 14 groups of races are delimited. The relationships among these groups are indicated, and some subdivisions of the 14 racial groups are described. Only two of the 14 groups of races have been widely used in breeding; several groups have only been slightly studied and a number of their component races verge upon extinction. There is a very small, but perhaps highly significant, amount of overlap between the groups to which the Mexican and indigenous South American races belong.
Newly identified GABAergic neurons in regions of the ventrolateral medulla which regulate blood pressure

Abstract Glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD), the enzyme which synthesizes the inhibitory transmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), was localized immunocytochemically within cells and processes distributed throughout the ventrolateral medulla. In caudal regions, GAD-stained cells were adjacent to the ‘precerebellar’ lateral reticular nucleus and partially overlapped the A1 area of norepinephrine synthesizing neurons. The largest number of labeled neurons filled the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVL), coinciding with and extending beyond the C1 adrenergic area. GAD-positive cells also occupied the nucleus reticularis parvocellularis, raphe magnus (RM) and lateral wings of RM in the region of the pararaphe. Intrinsic GAD-containing cells in the ventrolateral medulla may tonically inhibit sympathoinhibitory neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVL) and sympathoexcitatory neurons in the RVL.
Grape seed extract for foodborne virus reduction on produce.

Abstract Grape seed extract (GSE) is reported to have antibacterial properties with few current studies on antiviral activity. Recently, we reported the effects of GSE against foodborne viral surrogates in vitro. This study evaluated the application of GSE (commercial Gravinol-S) against hepatitis A virus (HAV) and human norovirus surrogates, feline calicivirus (FCV-F9) and murine norovirus (MNV-1), on model produce. Washed and air-dried lettuce (3 × 3 cm2) and jalapeno peppers (25–30 g) were inoculated with FCV-F9, MNV-1, or HAV at high (∼7 log10 PFU/ml) or low (∼5 log10 PFU/ml) titers, and treated with 0.25, 0.5, 1 mg/ml GSE or water for 30 s to 5 min. Treatments were stopped/diluted with cell-culture media containing 10% heat-inactivated fetal bovine serum and evaluated using plaque assays. At high titers, FCV-F9 was reduced by 2.33, 2.58, and 2.71 log10 PFU on lettuce; and 2.20, 2.74, and 3.05 log10 PFU on peppers after 1 min using 0.25, 0.50, and 1 mg/ml GSE, respectively. Low FCV-F9 titers could not be detected after 1 min at all three GSE concentrations. Low titer MNV-1 was reduced by 0.2–0.3 log10 PFU on lettuce and 0.8 log10 PFU on peppers, without reduction of high titer. GSE at 0.25–1 mg/ml after 1 min caused 0.7–1.1 and 1–1.3 log10 PFU reduction for high and low HAV titers, respectively on both commodities. Instrumental color analysis showed no significant differences between treated and untreated produce. GSE shows potential for foodborne viral reduction on produce as part of hurdle technologies.
DIFFERENTIAL RECOGNITION BY PROTEINS OF ALPHA -GALACTOSYL RESIDUES ON ENDOTHELIAL CELL SURFACES

The binding of proteins to cell surface carbohydrates contributes to cell-cell interactions in development, immunity, and various physiologic processes. Such interactions are presumably dictated not only by the chemical structure of the carbohydrate but also reflect the properties of the protein and the microenvironment in which the protein-carbohydrate interaction occurs. To explore the factors influencing the recognition of cell surface carbohydrates by proteins, the extent to which three classes of proteins--anti-Gal alpha 1-3Gal IgM found in higher primates, Griffonia simplicifolia type I lectin, isolectin B4 (GS-IB4), and alpha-galactosidase--interact with Gal alpha 1-3Gal on porcine cell surfaces was tested. Although the Gal alpha 1-3Gal residues expressed on porcine endothelial cells and recognized by anti-Gal alpha 1-3Gal IgM and GS-IB4 were both sensitive to cleavage by alpha-galactosidase, the sites recognized by GS-IB4 were more sensitive to cleavage than sites recognized by anti-Gal alpha 1-3Gal IgM. Cross-blocking studies on porcine cell surfaces revealed that a significant proportion of anti-Gal alpha 1-3Gal IgM bound to sites not recognized by GS-IB4; however, anti-Gal alpha 1-3Gal IgM and GS-IB4 recognized the same sites on solubilized membrane proteins and model compounds. These results suggest that features of the cell surface such as the three-dimensional arrangement of Gal alpha 1-3Gal and characteristics of the protein such as size and valency play critical roles in specific interactions on cell surfaces.
The Economics of the Television Market for Theatrical Movies

The new bargaining strategy of network bidding for feature films before their theatrical release is a logical extension of the networks' activities in the regular TV programming market.
Field Calibration of Water Content Reflectometers

Field monitoring of volumetric soil water content (VWC) is critical for a variety of applications. Recently developed electronic soil water sensors provide a relatively inexpensive monitoring option. However, the calibration of these sensors is more sensitive to variations in soil properties than for time domain reflectometry (TDR), which is generally regarded as the best electronic means of VWC measurement and which has a relatively robust calibration. Field calibration incorporates the effects of within-profile and between-site soil variations and individual variability on sensor response. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using TDR to field-calibrate the Campbell Scientific water content reflectometer (WCR), or CS-615, which is an example of a newly developed sensor in widespread use. We found that (i) there was a strong, linear correlation between the WCR-measured period and TDR-measured VWC; (ii) the WCR calibration varied with soil type; (iii) calibration of individual sensors resulted in excellent agreement between TDR and the WCR measurements; and (iv) calibration resulted in improved description of soil water dynamics and improved precision of VWC estimates.
ULYSSES—a knowledge-based VLSI design environment

Abstract Ulysses is a VLSI computer-aided design (CAD) environment which effectively addresses the problems associated with CAD tool integration. Specifically, Ulysses allows the integration of CAD tools into a design automation system, the codification of a design methodology, and the representation of a design space. Ulysses keeps track of the progress of a design and allows exploration of the design space. The environment employs artificial intelligence techniques, functions as an interactive expert system, and interprets descriptions of design tasks encoded in the scripts language. The architecture of Ulysses is described in detail. Ulysses has been successfully used to perform a VLSI chip floor planning and layout task and has produced an example chip.
Protecting human research participants in the age of big data

Susan T. Fiske, chair of the National Research Council Committee on Revisions to the Common Rule for the Protection of Human Subjects in Research in the Behavioral and Social Sciences, and Eugene Higgins Professor of Psychology and …
Investigation of Radiation Effects and Hardening Procedures for CMOS/SOS

Ionizing radiation effects and hardening procedures have been investigated using simple CMOS/SOS circuits fabricated with SiO2 gate insulators. A modified gate oxidation process using steam and HCl has resulted in improved gate oxide hardness -- with threshold voltage shifts of less than two volts up to a total dose of 106 rads(Si). Radiation-induced n-channel leakage currents were reduced by more than two orders of magnitude by using a deep boron ion implant and appropriate process ing techniques. Post-irradiation values of less than 0.5?A/mil have been obtained using this procedure. Studies of charge buildup at the silicon-sapphire interface indicate an effective positive charge in the range of 1011 cm-2 to 1012 cm-2 - peaking at a total dose of about 105 rads (Si). This effective charge decreases for increasing doses above 5×105 rads(Si). The decrease is attributed to radiation-induced interface states.
Simultaneous schlieren and Rayleigh interference optics in analytical ultracentrifugation

Abstract A simple modification of the light source jaws permits simultaneous registration of the schlieren and the interference patterns in the commercially available analytical ultracentrifuge. This system obviates the inconvenience of the usual transformations of the conventional optical systems while at the same time yields photographs of comparable quality and accuracy. The combined system should be useful in those experiments that utilize data from both Rayleigh and schlieren patterns.
Is enough oxygen too much

Human cells require O2 for their energy supply, and critical illness can threaten the efficient delivery of O2 in accordance with tissue metabolic needs. In the accompanying article, Martin and colleagues point out that hypoxia is a normal and well-tolerated stress during embryonic development. A better understanding of how fetal cells survive these conditions and how adult cells adapt to high altitude exposure may provide insight into how these mechanisms might be engaged in the treatment of hypoxemic patients. They suggest that 'permissive hypoxia' represents a therapeutic possibility. But before we turn down the inspired O2 levels we should consider the broader effects of hypoxia on tissue repair in critical illness.
3′,5′-Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate Response Element Binding Protein Up-Regulated Cytochrome P450 Lanosterol 14α-Demethylase Expression Involved in Follicle-Stimulating Hormone-Induced Mouse Oocyte Maturation

Cytochrome P450 lanosterol 14alpha-demethylase (CYP51) is a key enzyme in sterols and steroids biosynthesis that can induce meiotic resumption in mouse oocytes. The present study investigated the expression mechanism and function of CYP51 during FSH-induced mouse cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) meiotic resumption. FSH increased cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) RIIbeta level and induced cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and CYP51 expression in cumulus cells before oocyte meiotic resumption. Moreover, CYP51 and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like factor [amphiregulin (AR)] expression were blocked by (2)-naphthol-AS-Ephosphate (KG-501) (a drug interrupting the formation of CREB functional complex). KG-501 and RS21607 (a specific inhibitor of CYP51 activity) inhibited oocyte meiotic resumption, which can be partially rescued by progesterone. These two inhibitors also inhibited FSH-induced MAPK phosphorylation. EGF could rescue the suppression by KG-501 but not RS21607. Furthermore, type II PKA analog pairs, N(6)-monobutyryl-cAMP plus 8-bromo-cAMP, increased PKA RIIbeta level and mimicked the action of FSH, including CREB phosphorylation, AR and CYP51 expression, MAPK activation, and oocyte maturation. All these data suggest that CYP51 plays a critical role in FSH-induced meiotic resumption of mouse oocytes. CYP51 and AR gene expression in cumulus cells are triggered by FSH via a type II PKA/CREB-dependent signal pathway. Our study also implicates that CYP51 activity in cumulus cells participates in EGF receptor signaling-regulated oocyte meiotic resumption.
Sustainability of three apple production systems

Escalating production costs, heavy reliance on non-renewable resources, reduced biodiversity, water contamination, chemical residues in food, soil degradation and health risks to farm workers handling pesticides all bring into question the sustainability of conventional farming systems. It has been claimed, however, that organic farming systems are less efficient, pose greater health risks and produce half the yields of conventional farming systems. Nevertheless, organic farming became one of the fastest growing segments of US and European agriculture during the 1990s. Integrated farming, using a combination of organic and conventional techniques, has been successfully adopted on a wide scale in Europe. Here we report the sustainability of organic, conventional and integrated apple production systems in Washington State from 1994 to 1999. All three systems gave similar apple yields. The organic and integrated systems had higher soil quality and potentially lower negative environmental impact than the conventional system. When compared with the conventional and integrated systems, the organic system produced sweeter and less tart apples, higher profitability and greater energy efficiency. Our data indicate that the organic system ranked first in environmental and economic sustainability, the integrated system second and the conventional system last.
Theoretical study of synthetic bianisotropic materials

The electromagnetic properties of artificial molecules composed of small linearly loaded antennas embedded in a host medium are derived and discussed. It is demonstrated that the electromagnetic characteristics of these artificial materials can be designed by carefully selecting their loads. Various previously known material models (Debye, Lorentz) are recovered and their properties are generalized to more complex behaviors (Time Derivative Debye and Lorentz). Inherent duality between the dielectric and magnetic molecules allows us to derive a matched material satisfying ∈r =μr over broad frequency bandwidths. The electromagnetic properties of bianisotropic molecules composed of two antennas in tandem are presented. The electromagnetic characteristics of composite materials derived from these bianisotropic molecules are derived through an application of the Maxwell-Garnett Law.
Type IV p-type ATPases distinguish mono-versus diacyl phosphatidylserine using a cytofacial exit gate in the membrane domain

Type IV P-type ATPases (P4-ATPases) use the energy from ATP to “flip” phospholipid across a lipid bilayer, facilitating membrane trafficking events and maintaining the characteristic plasma membrane phospholipid asymmetry. Preferred translocation substrates for the budding yeast P4-ATPases Dnf1 and Dnf2 include lysophosphatidylcholine, lysophosphatidylethanolamine, derivatives of phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine containing a 7-nitro-2-1,3-benzoxadiazol-4-yl (NBD) group on the sn-2 C6 position, and were presumed to include phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine species with two intact acyl chains. We previously identified several mutations in Dnf1 transmembrane (TM) segments 1 through 4 that greatly enhance recognition and transport of NBD phosphatidylserine (NBD-PS). Here we show that most of these Dnf1 mutants cannot flip diacylated PS to the cytosolic leaflet to establish PS asymmetry. However, mutation of a highly conserved asparagine (Asn-550) in TM3 allowed Dnf1 to restore plasma membrane PS asymmetry in a strain deficient for the P4-ATPase Drs2, the primary PS flippase. Moreover, Dnf1 N550 mutants could replace the Drs2 requirement for growth at low temperature. A screen for additional Dnf1 mutants capable of replacing Drs2 function identified substitutions of TM1 and 2 residues, within a region called the exit gate, that permit recognition of dually acylated PS. These TM1, 2, and 3 residues coordinate with the “proline + 4” residue within TM4 to determine substrate preference at the exit gate. Moreover, residues from Atp8a1, a mammalian ortholog of Drs2, in these positions allow PS recognition by Dnf1. These studies indicate that Dnf1 poorly recognizes diacylated phospholipid and define key substitutions enabling recognition of endogenous PS.
Crack growth in cement-based composites

Abstract A model that can be used to predict Mode I crack growth in cement-based composites is presented. The region ahead of a crack tip, where nonlinear deformations and aggregate interlock occur, is modeled as an extension of the actual stress-free crack subjected to a closing pressure that depends on the crack face displacements. In the case of concrete, crack propagation is assumed to occur when the crack opening displacement at the tip of the actual crack reaches a critical value. To predict results, the elastostatics problem of a layer containing a vertical edge crack was solved using a Green's function approach together with integral transform techniques. Stress intensity factors and crack opening displacements were obtained by numerically solving a singular integral equation. The closing pressure function and critical crack tip opening displacement were taken from experimental data for various materials, and the model was applied to the analysis of experiments performed on initially notched concrete and fiber-reinforced mortar beams.
Super Yang-Mills with flavors from large-Nf matrix models

We consider the exact effective superpotential of = 1 U(Nc) super Yang-Mills theory with Nf massive flavors an additional adjoint Higgs field. We use the proposal of Dijkgraaf and Vafa to calculate the superpotential in terms of a matrix model with a large number of flavors. We do this by gauging the flavor symmetry and forcing this sector in a classical vacuum. This gives rise to a 2-matrix model of ADE type A2, and large flavors. This approach allows us to add an arbitrary polynomial tree level superpotential for the Higgs field, and use strict large-N methods in the matrix model.
Colloidal Occlusion Template Method for Micromanufacturing of Omniphobic Surfaces

An efficient strategy to produce forests of aligned nanowires and nail-like micrometer-sized structures, whose density can be tuned in a broad range, is reported in this study. It relies on a combination of two template-assisted nanofabrication/patterning methods: electrochemical growth of metal nanowires in nanoporous sacrificial templates and partial masking of a surface with a self-assembled colloidal monolayer. A great potential of this novel approach, termed here colloidal occlusion template method, is demonstrated on the example of the fabrication of omniphobic surfaces comprised of nickel micronails whose density is varied to approach highest possible contact angles. After chemical modification to reduce their surface tension, these microstructures with reentrant geometry support the non-wetting Cassie state for both high-surface-tension water and low-surface-tension hexadecane. In particular, superhydrophobic behavior (contact angles exceeding 150°) is found for water, while oleophobicity (contact angles approaching 110°) is observed for hexadecane. The proposed approach can be exploited for the fabrication of a large variety of supported high-aspect-ratio nano/microstructures in applications where a surface density of features has to be several orders of magnitude lower than can be obtained with conventional template methods.
Multimodal microscopy with sub-30 fs Yb fiber laser oscillator

Nonlinear optical microscopy with sub-30 fs pulses from an Yb-fiber laser, approximately three times shorter than typical fiber laser pulses, leads to an order of magnitude brighter third harmonic generation imaging. Multiphoton fluorescence, second and third harmonic generation modalities are compared on stained microspheres and unstained biological tissues.
Philosophy of Science, Political Engagement, and the Cold War: An Introduction

There have been hints in the literature for over a decade that something funny happened to logical empiricism on the way to becoming the dominant North American philosophy of science. But we had not had a sustained treatment of the topic until the publication of George Reisch’s recent book, How the Cold War Transformed Philosophy of Science: To the Icy Slopes of Logic. There is nothing like a substantial single-author book to focus the attention of an academic discipline, and Reisch’s book has certainly done this. There is now something for the discipline to use as a starting point in analyzing its history, to diverge from, or even to react against. If for nothing else, philosophy of science owes Reisch gratitude for this. However, as the contributions to this special issue indicate, Reisch’s book is more than just the first monograph published on this topic. It is also very carefully researched and thought-provoking. All of the authors here (including Reisch himself) have used it to go beyond the book. Thus, what is collected here are not only summaries of the book and its several claims, but reflections upon those claims and the philosophical lessons we might draw from them. Readers will also find challenges for future work that is historical, philosophical and—perhaps most challenging of all—responsive to the ways in which history and philosophy shape each other. In the first essay, Thomas Uebel provides a careful examination of Reisch’s main contentions while commenting on their scope and implications. He argues that Reisch’s main thesis is properly centered on logical empiricism, not philosophy of science writ large, and that, even among logical empiricists, there were important differences of opinion, differences which Reisch noted in his book and on which Uebel elaborates. Dividing logical empiricism into at least two camps, Uebel and Reisch both see the ‘‘left wing’’ of the logical empiricists (Neurath, Frank, Hahn, and Carnap) holding a similar
Haemodynamics and durability of mitral bioprostheses — an in vitro study

The haemodynamic characteristics and durability of mitral bioprostheses were evaluated and compared in vitro in a pulse duplicator and in a fatigue test system. Porcine xenografts were shown to be the most stenotic of all bioprostheses studied at rates simulating both rest and exercise; on the other hand the new generation of biological valves showed a clear improvement in haemodynamics compared with the standard porcine and pericardial prostheses so far used clinically. Durability tests performed at a rate of 1600 to 1800 beats per minute and with a closing pressure ranging from 80 to 100 mmHg showed that the Ionescu-Shiley and Edwards pericardial xenografts last significantly longer than the Hancock and Carpenlier Edwards porcine valves and Hancock pericardial bioprosthesis. Correlation between the mode of failure of pericardial and porcine valves in vitro and in vivo clearly demonstrates that a major role in valve failure is played by mechanical stress. This can be either a consequence of the continuous trauma sustained by the tissue hitting against the bare dacron cloth of the sewing ring during the movements of the cusps, or a result of fatigue occurring and the bending points of the leaflets. The results of this study underline the importance of a continued in vitro evaluation of both haemodynamics and durability of bioprostheses, since some of the pericardial valves which had the best haemodynamic performance showed the worst resistance to fatigue-induced failure. A careful selection of he tissue, modification of the stent design and avoidance of a dacron covered frame are suggested to improve long-term durability of biological prostheses.
Epidermal growth factor and neurotensin induce microvillus hypertrophy following massive enterectomy

The compensatory hypertrophy that develops after massive enterectomy is rarely adequate to prevent the development of short bowel syndrome. Trophic hormones such as epidermal growth factor (EGF) and neurotensin (NT) may be useful in improving and accelerating this adaptive response. This study delineates the effects of NT and EGF on remnant, small bowel at the microvillus cellular level, which is the prime determinant of surface area. New Zealand white rabbits (2 kg) underwent midgut transection (sham) or 70% jejunoileal resection. Alzet pumps containing saline solution (control), EGF (1.5 μg/kg/hr), or NT (900 μg/kg/day) were implanted in resected animals after which they underwent 1 week of infusion. A second group of EGF animals was killed 2 weeks after infusion completion to assess delayed effects (EGF-delayed). Proximal jejunum was fixed for light and electron microscopy; villus and microvillus parameters were read in a blinded fashion. EGF (2.17±0.05 μm), EGF-delayed (2.26±1.5. μm, and NT (1.96±0.02 μm) animals had significantly increased microvillus heights compared to the control group (1.49±0.04 μm). Calculated brush-border surface areas were increased in a similar fashion. EGF and NT failed to elicit increases in jejunal gross villus heights. EGF and NT induce enterocyte microvillus hypertrophy and increase absorptive surface area in remanant bowel after massive enterectomy. In addition, the trophic effects of EGF persist after cessation of infusion. These peptides may be useful in accelerating small bowel adaption and preventing the development of short gut syndrome.
Implementing HAVA's Voter Education Requirement: A Crisis and a Federal Mandate Improve State-Local Cooperation in Florida

The political fallout from the presidential election of 2000 that landed on both state and local officials, HAVA's broadly written voter education requirement giving the state great latitude in defining education, and the act's block-grant funding allowing more programmatic decisions to be made by county supervisors of elections each played a role in improving voter education in Florida. Relationships between state and local election officials also improved, even though the state legislature expanded the rule-making and coordination roles of the state Division of Elections. Voter education efforts in the 2002 and 2004 election cycles, much more extensive than in 2000, were judged to be quite effective by both the voters and the county election supervisors. Improvements in voter confidence and participation paralleled the expanded voter education efforts in this highly competitive battleground state. Copyright 2005, Oxford University Press.
Low Temperature OFET (Organic Field Effect Transistor) Fabrication by Metal Nanoparticle Imprinting

The low temperature fabrication of OFET (organic field effect transistor) is presented in this paper. PDMS imprinting mold was used to pattern gold nano-particles suspended in Alpha-Terpineol solvent. After imprinting, nanoparticles was dried and then sintered at plastic compatible low temperature. Finally, air stable semiconductor polymer (modified polythiophene) in dichlorobenzene (o-DCB) solution to fabricate OFETs on flexible polymer substrates. The performance of the transistors were characterized and discussed.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Epidemiology of infections due to extended-spectrum Beta-lactamase-producing bacteria in a pediatric intensive care unit.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the proportion of infections caused by extended-spectrum s-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Klebsiella or Escherichia coli Gram-negative organisms in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), and to identify risk factors for these infections. METHODS: A retrospective, single-center chart review of patients admitted to a PICU in a 5-year period with infections caused by Klebsiella species or E coli was completed. Data collected include demographics, length of stay, outcome, and relevant risk factors previously defined in the literature. RESULTS: A total of 110 isolates were cultured from 94 patients. A total of 53% of the isolates were E coli, and the remainder were Klebsiella subspecies. Of the 110 isolates, 13 isolates (11.8%) in 7 patients were ESBL positive. The ESBL-producing isolates were equally distributed amongE coli and Klebsiella and were primarily cultured from tracheal aspirates. Most of the ESBL-positive isolates (9 of 13; 69%) were cultured from patients who received cefta...
Single-Conformation and Diastereomer Specific Ultraviolet and Infrared Spectroscopy of Model Synthetic Foldamers: α/β-Peptides

Resonant two-photon ionization (R2PI), UV hole-burning (UVHB), and resonant ion-dip infrared (RIDIR) spectroscopies have been used to record single-conformation infrared and ultraviolet spectra of three model synthetic foldamers with heterogeneous backbones, α/β-peptides Ac-β3-hAla-l-Phe-NHMe (βαL), Ac-β3-hAla-d-Phe-NHMe (βαD), and Ac-l-Phe-β3-hAla-NHMe (αβL), isolated and cooled in a supersonic expansion. βαL and βαD are diastereomers, differing only in the configuration of the α-amino acid residue; βαL and αβL contain the same residues, but differ in residue order. In all three α/β-peptides the β3-residue has S absolute configuration. UVHB spectroscopy is used to determine that there are six conformers of each molecule and to locate and characterize their S0−S1 transitions in the origin region. RIDIR spectra in the amide NH stretch region reflect the number and strength of intramolecular H-bonds present. Comparison of the RIDIR spectra with scaled, harmonic vibrational frequencies and infrared intensiti...
Formation of the first monolayers of CdTe on Au(111) by electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy (EC-ALE): studied by LEED, Auger, XPS, and in-situ STM

Abstract The two-step alternated electrodeposition of Cd and Te atomic layers to form CdTe monolayers, electrochemical atomic layer epitaxy (EC-ALE), was studied on Au(111) using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), in-situ scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Well ordered (√7×√7) R 19.1°-CdTe and (3×3)-CdTe structures were formed using either Te or Cd as the first layer, and model structures are proposed for both. STM images suggest that previously proposed hexagonal structures based on a plane of zinc blende CdTe may be incorrect. A chain structure is suggested to account for the (√7×√7) R 19.1°, based on 3/7 (0.43) ML each of Cd and Te. The (3×3)-CdTe structure results from the deposition of a CdTe sandwich: first an atomic layer of Cd on Au, followed by a layer of Te, and then a second Cd layer. Based on this three layer model for the (3×3), a three step deposit was formed, starting with Cd, then Te, and finally Cd. This resulted in an excellent quality LEED pattern, suggesting a well-ordered (3×3)-CdTe deposit and strongly supporting the proposed model. The importance of deposit stoichiometry was also investigated using STM, which indicated that too low a coverage in the first atomic layer resulted in cluster formation and the degradation of surface morphology.
Insecticide Resistance in Glasshouse Whitefly

DURING the autumn and winter of 1971 several nurserymen in south-east England reported failure to control glasshouse whitefly (Trialeurodes vaporariorum Westw.) with malathion and parathion at recommended rates of application; this suggests the possibility of chemical resistance to organophosphorus insecticides. Krause1 has since reported similar suspicions of resistance in the Netherlands, but no experimental evidence has been published.
INFORMATION CHARACTERIZATION OF COMMUNICATION CHANNELS FOR SYSTEM IDENTIFICATION

This paper studies identification of systems in which the system output is quantized, transmitted through a digital communication channel, and observed afterwards. The concept of the CR Ratio is introduced to characterize impact of communication channels on identification. The relationship between the CR Ratio and Shannon channel capacity is discussed. Identification algorithms are further developed when the channel error probability is unknown.
Nonlinear dynamics of charged particles in the magnetotail

An important region of the earth's magnetosphere is the nightside magnetotail, which is believed to play a significant role in energy storage and release associated with substorms. The magnetotail contains a current sheet which separates regions of oppositely directed magnetic field. Particle motion in the collisionless magnetotail has been a long-standing problem. Recent research from the dynamical point of view has yielded considerable new insights into the fundamental properties of orbits and of particle distribution functions. A new framework of understanding magnetospheric plasma properties is emerging. Some novel predictions based directly on nonlinear dynamics have proved to be robust and in apparent good agreement with observation. The earth's magnetotail may serve as a paradigm, one accessible by in situ observation, of a broad class of boundary regions with embedded current sheets. This article reviews the nonlinear dynamics of charged particles in the magnetotail configuration. The emphasis is on the relationships between the dynamics and physical observables. At the end of the introduction, sections containing basic material are indicated.
Measurement of ammonia in blood.

Abstract The measurement of ammonia, now known to be a normal constituent of all body fluids, is fraught with problems. An elevated ammonia level in blood (100 μmol/L or higher) is an indicator of an abnormality in nitrogen homeostasis. The collection, handling, storage, and analysis of blood samples, their limitations, and potential sources of error are discussed. New techniques that permit continuous or real-time estimates of systemic ammonia levels over a broad range are also discussed. The aim should always be to minimize the release of ammonia from the collected sample before analysis. Recommendations are made on the collection and processing of blood samples, for it is by standardization and rigid adherence to these techniques that the reliability of the test results will be improved. (J Pediatr 2001; 138:S11-S20)
Ovarian β-adrenergic receptors during the onset of puberty: Characterization, distribution, and coupling to steroidogenic responses

In an attempt to study the involvement of an adrenergic mechanism in the control of ovarian function at puberty, the presence of β-adrenergic receptors wets demonstrated, and the receptors were characterized in pre- and peripubertal ovaries. Using [125I]iodohydroxybenzylpindolol (IHBP) as a ligand, a single class of high affinity, low capacity β-adrenergic sites was found in both granulosa cells and residual ovary. Analysis of Scatchard plots derived from saturation curves or kinetic analysis of association curves provided identical equilibrium dissociation constant (Kd) values for the ligand-receptor binding. Dissociation experiments showed that the ligand binding to the receptor had the presence of both loosely bound, easily displaceable and tight, nondisplaceable components. IHBP binding was inhibited by L-propranolol [inhibition constant (Ki) = 10.5 nM], isoproterenol (Ki = 696 nM), and zinterol, a β2-adrenergic agonist (Ki = 187 nM). Metoprolol, a β1-antagonist, exhibited a much higher Ki (5.3 μM). C...
Anticonvulsant drugs and their antagonism of kindled amygdaloid seizures in rats.

Abstract The kindling phenomenon has become a useful animal model for studying the processes in the central nervous system involved in one type of epileptiform seizure response. A systematic, multipledose evaluation of 20 drugs known to have anticonvulsant properties and two new compounds (WB-CPI and SHK-I-11) is reported using a standard protocol with rats kindled by amygdaloid stimulation. Drugs which have a wide anticonvulsant spectrum of activity against various animal models of epilepsy were the most effective. The barbiturates, the benzodiazepines, a piperazine, an acetate derivative and WB-CPI (a significantly modified phenacylurea), were found to be the most effective in attenuating the induced seizures. Kindled amygdaloid seizures in the rat can be characterized as a model useful for the detection of a wide variety of anticonvulsants likely to be effective in many types of experimental seizures. The compound WB-CPI merits further neuropharmacological and psychopharmacological testing due to its activity in rats.
Human Resource Issues in American Firms in China

ABSTRACT A survey of human resource practices in American firms-both wholly-owned and joint ventures-in China indicate that these practices tend to change over time as the firm gains experience in the local environment. The types of benefits offered to employees vary by the size of the firm and the length of time the firm has been functioning in China. Human resource practices also differ between wholly-owned firms and joint ventures. Statistical analysis indicates that certain practices are more likely to positively impact on the enterprises' productivity, profitability, strategic goals. The implications of the study for managers in the context of a rapidly changing business environment are discussed.
Molecular Structure of the Complex Formed Between the Anticancer Drug Cisplatin and d(pGpG): C2221 Crystal Form

Abstract The three dimensional molecular structure of the adduct formed between the anticancer drug cisplatin and a DNA dinucleotide d(pGpG) has been determined by x-ray diffraction analysis at 1.37 A resolution and refined to a final R-factor of 0.11. This structure, solved by using data from a previously reported crystal form in the space group C2221, resembles that found in the space group P21212 (Sherman, et al., Science, 230, 412–417, 1985; ibid, J. Amer. Chem. Soc. 110, 7368–7381, 1988). In both structures, four crystallographically independent cis-[Pt(NH3)2 {d(pGpG)}] molecules aggregate into a tetrameric cluster that is stabilized by a large number of intermolecular hydrogen bonds and base-base stacking interactions. In each molecule, the platinum atom is coordinated to the N7 atoms of two guanine bases arranged in a head-to-head orientation, resulting in a large dihedral angle between the guanines. Intermolecular guanine-guanine base pairings between different intrastrand crosslinked molecules ar...
The role of clopidogrel in the management of acute coronary syndromes.

Abstract Background: Despite significant advances in the management of coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction (MI) is still associated with a mortality rate of 45%. Acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) has been the oral antiplatelet drug of choice until recently. Thienopyridines such as clopidogrel have been shown to provide significant benefits in the management of acute coronary syndromes (ACS), either as an alternative to or in combination with ASA therapy. Objective: The purpose of this article was to review the available scientific literature evaluating the use of clopidogrel in the management of ACS. Methods: Relevant published data were identified through searches of the English-language literature indexed on MEDLINE and International Pharmaceutical Abstracts through April 2003. Search terms included thienopyridines, platelet aggregation inhibitors, clopidogrel, ticlopidine, acute coronary syndrome, myocardial infarction , and percutaneous coronary intervention . Pertinent conference abstracts were also included. Results: The results of 3 large clinical trials-Clopidogrel in Unstable Angina to Prevent Recurrent Events (CURE), Effect of Pretreatment with Clopidogrel and Aspirin Followed by Long-Term Therapy in Patients Undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI-CURE), and Clopidogrel for the Reduction of Events During Observation (CREDO)-support prolonged use of clopidogrel (up to 12 months) in combination with ASA in patients with non-ST-segment elevation MI and patients undergoing a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A significant increase in bleeding events was observed in the group that received clopidogrel plus ASA compared with ASA alone in the CURE (major bleeding, P = 0.001; minor bleeding, P P = 0.03) trials. Use of the combination of clopidogrel and ASA with other antiplatelet and/or anticoagulant agents has not been studied extensively. Conclusions: Use of the combination of clopidogrel and ASA for up to 9 months is recommended for the medical management of non-ST-segment elevation MI and after a PCI. The increased risk of bleeding must be taken into account, and use of this combination with other agents that affect bleeding risk should be considered carefully.
Vagus nerve stimulation for medication-resistant generalized epilepsy

We treated 24 generalized epilepsy patients with vagus nerve stimulation (VNS), comparing seizure rates during a 1-month baseline with 3 months of VNS. Median seizure rate reduction was -46%. Sixteen of the 24 patients had better than a -30% reduction and 11 of the 24 patients had better than a -50% reduction in seizure rate. A mild cough during stimulation occurred in six patients. Patients with higher baseline seizure rates and later ages at epilepsy onset had the best responses to VNS. Our findings suggest VNS is an effective treatment for medication-resistant generalized epilepsy even in patients as young as 4 years.
The atomic weight of lead of radioactive origin: A confirmation of the concept of isotopy and the group displacement laws Part I

The development of the concept of isotopy from the discovery of radio-thorium by Otto Hahn in 1905 to Soddy’s proposal of the term ‘isotope’ in 1913 is presented along with a brief review of the Fajans-Soddy group displacement laws. This is followed by a discussion of the work of Kasimir Fajans, Frederick Soddy, and others in verifying two major predictions of these laws, viz., the origin of actinium and the atomic weight of lead of radioactive origin. Within about a single month in 1914 the existence of isotopes by determination of the atomic weight of lead of radioactive origin was confirmed experimentally in four independent laboratories in four different countries — Soddy and Hyman (England, May 7), Richards and Lembert (USA, May 21), Curie (France, June 8), and Honigschmid and Horovitz (Austria, June 15) — a tribute to the international character of science. Richards and Lembert’s work has been called ‘the final act of the dramatic events surrounding the clarification of the place of the radioelements in the periodic table’.
Renal cell carcinoma and interferon at the millennium.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is a frequent cause of cancer morbidity and mortality, constituting approximately 2% of all malignant adult tumors [[1]]. There are more than 30,000 new cases of RCC diag...
New additions to the psychopharmacopia: extended release formulations.

In the past 18 months, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved several new products for the treatment of mental health disorders. (See Roman, 2011) of this journal for a discussion o...
La Crosse Virus Infection Alters Blood Feeding Behavior in Aedes triseriatus and Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae)

The effects of La Crosse virus (LACV) infection on blood feeding behavior in Aedes triseriatus (Say) and Aedes albopictus (Skuse) were investigated in the laboratory by measuring the size of the bloodmeal imbibed and the extent of refeeding by virus-infected and uninfected mosquitoes. LACV-infected Ae. triseriatus and Ae. albopictus took significantly less blood compared with uninfected mosquitoes. Twice as many virus-infected Ae. triseriatus mosquitoes refed compared with uninfected individuals (18 vs. 9%; P < 0.05); however, virus infection had no significant effect on the refeeding rate of Ae. albopictus. Reduction in bloodmeal size followed by an increased avidity for refeeding may lead to enhanced horizontal transmission of the LACV by its principal vector, Ae. triseriatus.