cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High density lipoprotein and coronary artery disease risk factors in children with different lipoprotein profiles: Bogalusa heart study

Serum high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) and apoprotein A-1 (apo A-1) profiles were examined in subgroups of children (n = 338), initially aged 2-14 years, whose earlier beta-lipoprotein cholesterol (beta-LPC) and pre-beta-lipoprotein cholesterol (pre-beta-LPC) measurements were in extreme percentiles of values from a biracial community. Relationships of HDL-C and apo A-1 to serum lipoprotein lipids, apoprotein B (apo B), subscapular skinfold thickness, fasting and 1/2 hr postglucose plasma insulin, and fasting and 1 hr postglucose plasma glucose and free fatty acids were examined. Clustering of several coronary artery disease risk factors in these children was observed. HDL-C levels tended to be low in children having high pre-beta-LPC levels and apo A-1 levels were low in boys having high pre-beta-LPC levels. Within beta- and pre-beta-LPC strata, differences were also observed with respect to race, but not sex, in the mean levels of both HDL-C and apo A-1. HDL-C and apo A.1 were related inversely to subscapular skinfold thickness and plasma insulin levels in all children except those with low levels of both beta-LPC and pre-beta-LPC. Ratios of low density lipoprotein-cholesterol/HDL-C and of apo B/apo A-1 were related positively with other coronary artery disease risk factors except in children having low levels of both beta-LPC and pre-beta-LPC. The magnitude of these associations was greater in whites than in blacks. These observations may help to identify, at an early age, children at high risk of developing coronary artery disease in adulthood.
Non-uniform distribution of lesions and biochemical abnormalities within the retina of diabetic humans.

Objective. Microaneurysms, acellular capillaries, pericyte ghosts, and thickening of retinal capillary basement membrane are characteristic of diabetic retinopathy, and are believed to be sequelae of excessive blood glucose. Previous studies by us in dogs demonstrated that lesions of diabetic retinopathy were not uniformly distributed across the retina, but were significantly more numerous in the superior/temporal areas of the retina. In the present study, the distribution of these lesions and the biochemical abnormalities postulated to play a role in their pathogenesis have been evaluated in retinas collected at autopsy from diabetic patients. Methods. Retinas were divided into quadrants (nasal, temporal, superior, inferior), the vasculature exposed by the trypsin-digest method, and the frequency of the lesions compared among the quadrants. Homogenates taken from the midretina of nasal and temporal quadrants of retina were used to explore regional differences in expression of Glut1, PKCs, and iNOS (Weste...
Potential Multiple Endonuclease Functions and a Ribonuclease H Encoded in Retroposon Genomes

Among the retroposons, the source of the endonuclease activity is known to be variable and can be provided as either a retroviral-like integrase or a protein similar to the cellular apurinic-apyrimidinic endonuclease. It has also been reported that other retroposon and retrointron sequences have limited similarity to various eubacterial endonucleases. We investigated whether any retroposon genomes possibly encode multiple endonuclease functions. Amino acid alignments were generated and analyzed for the presence of the characterized ordered-series-of-motifs (OSM) representative of four different endonuclease functions. The results indicate that SLACS, CZAR, CRE1, CRE2, and some Trypanosoma brucei retroposon sequences encode multiple putative endonuclease functions. Interestingly, one of the endonuclease functions is embedded within the potential ribonuclease H sequence found in SLACS, CZAR, CRE1, CRE2, and R2BM retroposons.
Chemical Changes and Fluid-Rock Interaction in Faults of Crystalline Thrust Sheets, Northwestern Wyoming, U.S.A.

We investigate the degree of fluid-rock interaction in two thrust faults which formed at 4-7 km and 10-12 km depth in crystalline thrust sheets in northwestern Wyoming using whole-rock geochemistry. The fault zones consist of undeformed and unaltered protolith which bounds damaged zones with increased fracture, fault and vein density and chemical alteration, and a fault core comprised of zones of gouge, cataclasite and ultracataclasite. Whole-rock geochemical analyses of major, minor and trace elements in 26 samples document the fluid-rock interactions in the fault zones. Fault-related rocks from the shallow East Fork fault exhibit IWO% depletion of Si, Al, K, Na and Ca as measured against immobile Ti as reference in the damaged zone, 40-60% depletion of Ca and Na, and O-20% depletion of Si, Al and K in the fault core. Rocks from the deeper level White Rock thrust exhibit IO-30% depletion of these elements in protocataclasites at the edge of the fault core and up to 65% depletion in the cataclasites and ultracataclasites of the fault core. We interpret these results to show that soluble elements were removed from the fault zones by syntectonic fluid flow. Estimated volume losses in the shallow fault range from 0 to 22%, whereas the deeper level fault experienced 5065% volume loss in the fault core. Silica loss is used to estimate fluid-rock ratios in the fault zones by assuming a range of temperatures and silica solubilities in the faults during deformation. Volumetric F/R ratios range from Id-lo? for both faults, which yield fluid fluxes in the fault zones of 10-6-10-9 m s-' using geologic constraints on the life and geometry of the fault. Depletion and volume loss at deep levels was greater due to hotter fluids and finer grain-size generated by mixed brittle-plastic deformation, whereas at shallow levels, cooler temperatures and purely brittle deformation resulted in vein formation and less chemical fluid-rock interaction.
Whole-edifice ice volume change A.D. 1970 to 2007/2008 at Mount Rainier, Washington, based on LiDAR surveying

Net changes in thickness and volume of glacial ice and perennial snow at Mount Rainier, Washington State, have been mapped over the entire edifice by differencing between a high-resolution LiDAR (light detection and ranging) topographic survey of September–October 2007/2008 and the 10 m lateral resolution U.S. Geological Survey digital elevation model derived from September 1970 aerial photography. Excepting the large Emmons and Winthrop Glaciers, all of Mount Rainier9s glaciers thinned and retreated in their terminal regions, with substantial thinning mainly at elevations
E2 core polarization for sd-shell single-particle states calculated with a skyrme-type interaction

Abstract We have studied the core-polarization effect on the 1s0d-shell single-particle electromagnetic quadrupole transitions due to coupling with the quadrupole giant resonances. The self-consistent Hartree-Fock + RPA method is applied for the calculations of the single-particle wave functions and the response functions of the giant resonances. The particle-vibration-coupling model is used to calculate the core-polarization effect in the vicinity of 16 O and 40 Ca. The effective coupling hamiltonian is determined by the SGII Skyrme-type interaction which is used in the HF + RPA and particle-vibration-coupling calculation. The results are discussed for the proton and neutron effective charges and for the longitudinal and transverse form factor for the 0 d 3 2 −1 → 1 s 1 2 −1 pro single-particle transition in 39 K. Good agreement with recent longitudinal data for this transition is obtained.
Where the votes come from: An analysis of electoral coalitions, 1952-1968

This paper describes how the contributions that different groups make to a party's total strength can be specified by breaking down each contribution into its three components—size, turnout, and loyalty. Through the use of survey data on reported vote rather than party identification, the voting coalitions of the Democrats and Republicans are analyzed. By means of examples of selected groups, the actual magnitude of these contributions and their components are presented for each of the last five presidential elections. Major attention is given to a group-by-group evaluation of the generally accepted view that the Democrats are a coalition of diverse overlapping minorities including the poor, Blacks, union members, Catholics and Jews, Southerners, city dwellers and perhaps the young; and the view that the Republicans have appeal for the corresponding non-minorities. The empirical results show which aspects of these views are valid and which are not. Some implications for the party system as well as the strategic considerations inherent in this approach are also discussed.
Metabolism and disposition of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin in guinea pigs.

Abstract Marked interspecies variability exists in the acute toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD), with the guinea pig being the mammalian species most sensitive to the acute toxicity of TCDD. The metabolism and disposition of TCDD was investigated in guinea pigs for 45 days following a single exposure to purified [ 3 H]TCDD (0.56 μg/kg, ip). Guinea pigs included in the toxicokinetic study gained body weight, maintained a normal relative body composition, and exhibited no gross signs of toxicity during the 45-day study. Approximately 36% of the dose of TCDD-derived 3 H remained in the adipose tissue at 45 days following exposure to [ 3 H]TCDD, while the liver, pelt, and skeletal muscle and carcass each contained about 7% of the administered dose. Although most of the TCDD-derived radioactivity in liver, kidney, perirenal adipose tissue, and skeletal muscle represented unchanged TCDD, from 4 to 28% of the 3 H was associated with metabolites of TCDD. This unexpected finding suggests that TCDD metabolites are not efficiently excreted from guinea pigs. The urinary and fecal excretion of TCDD-derived radioactivity followed apparent first-order kinetics, with an elimination half-life of 93.7 ± 15.5 days (mean ± SD). HPLC analysis of urine and bile from [ 3 H]TCDD-treated guinea pigs showed that all of the radioactivity represented metabolites of TCDD, indicating that these routes of elimination are dependent on prior metabolism of TCDD. However, 70 to 90% of the radioactivity in fecal samples was found to represent unmetabolized TCDD throughout the 45-day excretion study. The presence of TCDD in feces and its absence in bile suggest that the fecal excretion of unchanged TCDD resulted from the direct intestinal elimination of the lipophilic toxin. Furthermore, the cumulative excretion of TCDD-derived radioactivity over 45 days indicated that 74.3% of the 3 H was excreted in feces as unchanged TCDD, while 25.7% of the 3 H was excreted in urine and feces as TCDD metabolites. Thus, TCDD is primarily eliminated unchanged in the feces of guinea pigs, indicating that the metabolism of TCDD does not play a major role in the ultimate elimination of the toxin from the guinea pig. This may in part explain the relatively long excretion half-life for TCDD in the guinea pig and may contribute to the remarkable sensitivity of the guinea pig to the acute toxicity of TCDD.
Comparison of White Dwarf Models with STIS Spectrophotometry

Computed flux distributions for four white dwarf (WD) stars with nearly pure hydrogen atmospheres are tied to the Vega flux scale with V-band Landolt photometry. With broadband photometric precision in the range 0.2%–0.4%, Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) low-dispersion spectrophotometry tightly constrains the relative continuum fluxes of the various model atmosphere computations. The set of non-LTE (NLTE) model continua has residuals that are slightly less than the residuals with respect to LTE models or with respect to a NLTE set that includes a metal line–blanketed model for G191B2B. The LTE models have Balmer line profiles that are matched to ground-based observations, while a consistent NLTE Balmer line analysis has not been published for all four stars. Residuals with respect to the LTE model continua are less than ~1% from 2000 to 9000 A. Total uncertainties in the adopted absolute flux distributions for the four WD standard stars decrease from 4% at 1300 A to 2% at 5000–10000 A and include estimates for all systematic effects. The STIS sensitivity in the broad hydrogen lines is uncertain with respect to the adjacent continuum by 2%–3% in the wings and by up to 5% in the line cores, because the flux in the wings differs among the various models and because the observed cores are contaminated by out-of-band light in the wide 52'' × 2'' calibration slit.
Unapproved Pediatric Drugs: Evidence for Use

T he subspecialty of pediatric anesthesiology and critical care has seen remarkable growth over the past 20 to 30 years with establishment of fellowship programs, the recognition of the need for accreditation of these programs, the institution of a formal written examination and board certification in pediatric critical care, and the increasing recognition of the value of such subspecialists outside of our own arena. The recognition that neonates, infants, and children may require subspecialists to provide their intraoperative care has partly grown from the acceptance that the anatomy, physiology, and pharmacology of pediatric patients differ from those of their adult counterparts. That being said, it becomes obvious that children are not just ‘‘little adults’’ and that variability in the response to many pharmaceutical agents is just one of many variations that may exist in this population. The following article reviews the potential for and history of unrecognized toxicity of newly released pharmaceutical agents; discusses the birth of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and its current role in the regulation of drug use in pediatric patients; and presents data regarding three potentially useful yet non–FDA-approved medications in infants and children, including dexmedetomidine, recombinant factor VIIa, and nesiritide.
Rapid Quantitative Method for Determination of Acetaldehyde in Lactic Starter Cultures

Abstract The 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolone hydrazone test was adapted for the spectro-photometric determination of acetaldehyde in lactic starter cultures. The method was modified, so that it utilized the same equipment as a recently reported method for determination of diacetyl in starter cultures. Reaction conditions, uses, and limitations of the method are discussed. The procedure was applied in conjunction with diacetyl measurements in studying single- and mixed-strain lactic starter cultures.
Thrombolytic therapy for women with myocardial infarction: Is there a gender gap?

Abstract Objective. The goal of this study was to investigate whether femele gender portends an adverse prognosis independent of the severity of the underlying disease after acute myocardial infarction treated by thrombolysis. A total of 348 women were compared with 1,271 men enrolled in the Thrombolysis and Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction (TAMI) trials. Background. The reasons for gender differences in the management and prognosis of acute coronary artery syndromes remain poorly defined. The extent to which gender itself explains observed differences in outcome and use of diagnostic procedures remains unclear because confounding factors have not been specified. Methods. Patients Results. Women were older than men (61.0 ± 9.7 vs. 55.8 ± 10.1 years, mean ± SD) and had a higher incidence of many risk factors for adverse outcome after myocardial Infarction, There were no differences in baseline hemodynamic variables or time to thrombolytic treatment. Rates of acute and predischarge infarctrelated artery patency and global and regionl left ventricular function were similar in the two groups. Rates of in-hospital coronary angioplasty (52.6% and 54.1%) and bypass graft surgery (10.4% and 22.0%) were comprable in women and men, respectively, Women had higher unadjusted rates of mortality (9.2% vs. 5.4%, p = 0.014), reinfarction (6.4% vs. 2.6%, p = 0.005) and hemorrhagic stroke (2.0% vs. 0.55%, p = 0.017) than did men during the hospital period. When adjusted for clinical and angiographic variables, differences in mortality and hemorrhagic stroke did not reach statistical significance, and the risk of reinfarction was only marginally associated with gender. Conclusions. In selected patients undergoing thrombolytic therapy and cardiac catheterization for acute myocardial infarction, adjusted mortality rates and utilization of postlysis revascularization are similar in women and men. However, women may be at increased risk for reinfarction.
Evaluation of the Use of Ammonium Bicarbonate and Oregano (Origanum vulgare ssp. hirtum) Extract on the Control of Apple Scab

In vitro experiments showed that ammonium bicarbonate and aqueous extracts of oregano were effective in inhibiting conidia germination and germ-tube elongation of Venturia inaequalis. Complete inhibition was achieved by 1% ammonium bicarbonate, 2% oregano extract and 0.01% synthetic fungicide difenoconazole. Two orchard experiments were conducted on the highly susceptible cv. Mutsu to apple scab to investigate the efficacy of ammonium bicarbonate alone or in combination with an aqueous extract of oregano for the control of apple scab. In 2008 and 2009, except for the applications of 1% aqueous extract of oregano, the applications of ammonium bicarbonate (0.5 and 1%) and difenoconazole (0.01%) to trees at 10-day intervals significantly reduced disease incidence and severity on leaves and fruit compared to the water-treated control. In both years, the efficacy of 0.5 and 1% ammonium bicarbonate in inhibiting both disease incidence and severity on leaves and fruit was equally effective in all monthly assessments from June to September. Combining 0.5 and 1% ammonium bicarbonate with 1% aqueous extract of oregano did not significantly improve the efficacy of stand-alone applications of treatments in the final assessment in 2008 and 2009. All treatments were neither phytotoxic to leaves and fruit nor did they adversely affect quality parameters of fruit including physiological disorders and taste both at harvest and after storage. These results indicate that ammonium bicarbonate treatment may be applied as an alternative chemical for the control of apple scab.
Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple Resections) in Patients Without Malignancy: Are They All `Chronic Pancreatitis'?

Pancreaticoduodenectomy (Whipple resection) has evolved into a safe procedure in major high-volume medical centers for the treatment of pancreatic adenocarcinoma and refractory chronic pancreatitis. However, some Whipple resections performed for a clinical suspicion of malignancy reveal only benign disease on pathologic examination. We evaluated the frequency of such Whipple resections without tumor in a large series of pancreaticoduodenectomies and classified the diverse pancreatic and biliary tract diseases present in these specimens. Of 442 Whipple resections performed during 1999-2001, 47 (10.6%) were negative for neoplastic disease and, in 40 cases, had been performed for a clinical suspicion of malignancy. Most Whipple resections revealed benign pancreatic disease, including 8 (17%) alcohol-associated chronic pancreatitis, 4 (8.5%) gallstone-associated pancreatitis, 1 (2.1%) pancreas divisum, 6 (12.8%) "ordinary" chronic pancreatitis of unknown etiology, and 11 (23.4%) lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis. In particular, patients with lymphoplasmacytic sclerosing pancreatitis were all thought to harbor malignancy, whereas only 13 of 19 (68.4%) of Whipple resections showing histologically "ordinary" forms of chronic pancreatitis were performed for a clinical suspicion of malignancy. Benign biliary tract disease, including three cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis, two cases of choledocholithiasis-associated chronic biliary tract disease, and four fibroinflammatory strictures isolated to the intrapancreatic common bile duct, was a common etiology for clinically suspicious Whipple resections (22.5% of cases). Pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PanIN) was a common finding among all pancreata, whether involved by pancreatitis or histologically normal. Overall, PanIN 1A/1B was present in 68.1%, PanIN 2 in 40.4%, and PanIN 3 in just 2.1%. These findings indicate that "benign but clinically suspicious" Whipple resections are relatively common in high-volume centers (9.2%) and reveal a diverse group of clinicopathologically distinctive pancreatic and biliary tract disease.
Green roof plant species diversity improves ecosystem multifunctionality

Summary Constructed ecosystems such as green roofs often contain monocultures or low-diversity plant communities, but adding more plant species to these systems can increase ecosystem service provisioning. Mixture advantage, when species-rich treatments outperform the best monocultures, is desirable in constructed ecosystems due to the cost of increasing diversity. However, there have not been any studies in constructed ecosystems that have quantitatively compared mixtures with the best monocultures for multifunctionality, and there have been few studies that have examined how provision of ecosystem services changes over time as plant communities develop. In a green roof system, I predicted (i) that the mixture advantage would be stronger for ecosystem multifunctionality than for single ecosystem functions and (ii) that ecosystem service provisioning and complementarity in above-ground biomass would increase over time. Fifteen monocultures of plant species from five life-form groups (succulents, tall forbs, dwarf shrubs, creeping forbs, grasses) were compared with three-species mixtures of the same life-form and mixtures of species from three and five different life-forms in a modular green roof system. Indicators of ecosystem services including above-ground production, thermal regulation, stormwater retention, nutrient uptake and carbon sequestration and two indices of ecosystem multifunctionality were compared. Canopy density increased over time while substrate temperature decreased, suggesting higher provisioning of valuable ecosystem services. For single services, the positive relationship between planted species richness and ecosystem service grew stronger over time, but was consistently strong over time for multifunctionality. Quantile regression indicated a weak mixture advantage for several services including both multifunctionality indices. While the effects were small, different species optimized different functions, thus multifunctioning is enhanced in more diverse mixtures by combining species that maximize different functions. Tripartite partitioning of canopy density showed that overyielding and trait-independent complementarity fluctuated between years in response to shifts in species abundances, but dominance and trait-dependent complementarity increased over time. Synthesis and applications. This study provides the first evidence in a constructed ecosystem that mixtures can outperform the best monocultures for multiple ecosystem services. Mixtures of plant life-forms can improve green roof performance. The biodiversity–ecosystem function relationships observed in natural ecosystems can also occur in novel and highly simplified engineered ecosystems.
The impact of climate change on continuous corn production in the southern U.S.A.

The Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS) General Circulation Model (GCM) has been used in conjunction with a field level plant process model (CERES-Maize) and a field level pesticide transport model (PRZM) to study the impacts of doubled levels of atmospheric CO2 on various aspects of corn production in the Southern U.S.A. Grid-box scale GCM output has been applied to a 38-year time series of historical weather data at 28 different locations for several typical soil profiles throughout the South. Limitations on the use of the climate scenario in conjunction with the process models are discussed. Major shortcomings include: 1) no direct impacts of atmospheric CO2 on plant growth and development in the plant process model; 2) neither macro-pore solute transport nor chemical decay rate response to temperature are included in the pesticide transport model; and 3) the climate change scenario output does not provide information concerning changes in temperature extremes and variability or precipitation frequency, intensity or duration. The latter are particularly critical parameters for the detailed simulation of hydrological processes. In spite of these omissions, the combination of the three models facilitates the study of the impacts of GCM modeled climate change on several inter-related agro-climatic issues of interest to agricultural policy makers. These issues include: changes in dryland and irrigated corn yields; changes in sowing and harvest dates; modification of crop water demand; and estimates of effects on pesticide losses from the soil surface and through leaching from the bottom of the active corn root zone. Model generated results which address these issues are presented but must be used with caution in light of the GCM and process model limitations. The results of this study suggest that substantial changes in agricultural production and management practices may be needed to respond to the climate changes expected to take place throughout the Southern U.S.A.
The Stimulation of HSD17B7 Expression by Estradiol Provides a Powerful Feed-Forward Mechanism for Estradiol Biosynthesis in Breast Cancer Cells

Our laboratory has previously cloned and purified an ovarian protein found to be a novel 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 7 enzyme (HSD17B7) (formerly prolactin receptor-associated protein) that converts the weak estrogen, estrone, to the highly potent estradiol. The regulation of this enzyme has not yet been explored. In this report, we show high expression of HSD17B7 in human ductal carcinoma and breast cancer cell lines and present evidence for a strong up-regulation of this enzyme by estradiol at the level of mRNA, protein expression, and promoter activity in MCF-7 cells. The effect of estradiol is mediated by estrogen receptor (ER)α, whereas ERβ prevents this stimulation. ER antagonists, ICI 182,780 and 4-hydroxytamoxifen, prevent estradiol-induced stimulation of the endogenously expressed HSD17B7, suggesting that these inhibitors not only block estradiol action but also its production. We have identified a -185-bp region of the hsd17b7 promoter that is highly conserved among rat, mouse, and human and confers regulation by estradiol in MCF-7 cells. This region is devoid of a classical estradiol-response element but contains a nuclear factor 1 (NF1) site that is essential for estradiol action. We found that estradiol stimulates the recruitment and DNA binding of NF1 to this region of the hsd17b7 promoter. Furthermore, knockdown of NF1 family members, NF1B, NF1A, and NF1X, completely prevents induction of this gene by estradiol. In summary, our findings demonstrate that estradiol stimulates HSD17B7 transcriptional activity in breast cancer cells through a novel mechanism requiring NF1 and strongly suggest a positive feedback mechanism to increase local estradiol synthesis causing growth of estrogen-dependent breast cancers.
Task motivation: Learner selection of intrinsic versus extrinsic orientations

The choice behavior of 24 college-age subjects within a computer problem-solving task was investigated as they controlled and selected problem difficulty levels which either maximized intrinsic interest or extrinsic reward. While playing a computerized version of the game “Mastermind,” subjects selected and attempted problems from a variety of difficulty levels during 18 15-minute sessions. Within selected periods of extrinsic reward availability, subjects were shown to select problems which were most efficiently solved, thus maximizing extrinsic reward; however, repeated task exposure produced selections that increased the task's challenge levels and its subsequent intrinsic interest. Following the removal of the extrinsic rewards, subjects immediately returned to their pre-reward intervention levels of difficulty.
Single-chain antibodies in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer is a therapeutic challenge for surgical and medical oncology. Development of specific molecular tracers for the diagnosis and treatment of this lethal cancer has been one of our major goals. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) have been successfully used as selective carriers for delivering radionuclides, toxins or cytotoxic drugs to malignant cell populations; therefore, monoclonal antibody technology has led to a significant amount of research into optimizing targeted therapy. This targeted therapy results in the selective concentration of cytotoxic agents or radionuclides in tumors and should lessen the toxicity to normal tissues, which would normally limit the dosage and effectiveness of systemically administered drugs. The MAb CC49 reacts with a unique disaccharide, Sialyl-Tn, present on tumor-associated mucin (TAG-72) expressed by a majority of human adenocarcinomas. The unique Sialyl-Tn epitope has provided a potential target for immunotherapy of cancer. A single chain Fv (scFv) recombinant protein from CC49 MAb was prepared by engineering the DNA fragments for coding heavy-chain and light-chain variable regions with an appropriate oligonucleotide linker. scFv molecules, when compared to intact MAbs and the more conventional enzymatically derived F(ab')2 and Fab' fragments, offer several advantages as carriers for the selective delivery of radionuclides to tumors. The divalent antibody fragments (sc(Fv)2 or (scFv)2) display an affinity constant similar to that of the intact CC49 IgG and are stable with storage, and after radiolabeling. In preclinical studies, both the covalent and the non-covalent dimeric scFvs exhibit excellent tumor targeting properties with characteristics similar to those of the monomer, e.g., the rapid blood clearance, low kidney uptake and small size suitable for rapid penetration through tumor tissue. Increased tumor targeting of the dimers are probably due to their increased functional affinity attributable to valency, coupled with their higher molecular weight and fewer interactions with normal organs. These properties make these constructs superior to monovalent CC49 scFv. The relatively high tumor uptake, the in vitro and in vivo targeting specificity, and the stability in storage demonstrated by the dimeric CC49 sc(Fv)2 makes it a promising delivery vehicle for therapeutic applications in pancreatic cancer.
Aspects of a Population Study of Cavern-Dwelling Bats

In the course of a year's investigation (September, 1952, to August, 1953) of the habitat selection behavior of four species of cavern-dwelling bats, some data regarding aspects of the population dynamics of these bats were gathered. This paper is primarily concerned with Myotis velifer incautus (J. A. Allen), although Corynorhinus rafinesquei pallescens Miller, Eptesicus fuscus pallidus Young, and Antrozous bunkeri Hibbard are secondarily mentioned. The classification of Cockrum (1952) has been followed. These bats were studied in gypsum caverns in south-central Kansas and north-western Oklahoma (Fig. 1). These caverns vary from small tunnels to rather extensive underground passageways, and are quite variable in their climate and physiography. Those that are named are colloquially called “caves” although caves typically have but one entrance whereas caverns have two or more. In order to avoid confusion, these caverns have been designated by Roman numeral, but those with names that have been used in scientific literature of the region are listed as follows: Cavern II, Merrihew Cave; Cavern IX, Double Entrance “S” Cave (Hibbard, 1934), McMoran Cave of Cockrum (1952); Cavern XI, Natural Bridge; Cavern XII, Dancer's Cave (Hibbard, 1934); Cavern XIII, Triple Arch Cave (Hibbard, 1934); Cavern XIV, Havard Cave; and Locality XV, an unused mineshaft of a gypsum mine still in operation. Fig. 1 The locations of the caverns where bats were studied. I would like to acknowledge the freedom allowed me by landowners of the region, without whose cooperation this problem could not have been completed. Particularly, I would like to thank Mr. and Mrs. John McMoran of Coldwater, Kansas, and Mr. and Mrs. Dewey Merrihew of Alva, Oklahoma. This paper is a part of a doctoral dissertation submitted to the graduate school of the University of Michigan. I would like to thank Professors Marston Bates, Dugald E. S. Brown, William H. …
A forebrain atlas and stereotaxic technique for the lizard, Anolis carolinensis.

A forebrain atlas and stereotaxic neurosurgical techniques were developed for use in anatomical and behavioral experiments on the green anolis lizard (Anolis carolinensis). Green anoles are convenient and robust experimental subjects with a rich behavioral repertoire, the social components of which are partly under hormonal control. The technique and atlas were devised to conduct neuroethological investigations of the effect of lesions on species-typical display behavior. The atlas consists of 12 transverse sections from an average size adult male. The figures (4-15) are based on Nissl material and supplemented with fiber-stained material from adjacent sections. They appear at the end of the article. Limitations on the accuracy of stereotaxic coordinates are discussed and tables of correlative nomenclature for principal telencephalic and diencephalic nuclei are provided.
Response to “Comment on ‘Soil Moisture Response to Snowmelt and Rainfall in a Sierra Nevada Mixed-Conifer Forest’”

We appreciate the comments by [Graham and Hubbert (2012)][1] regarding our finding ([Bales et al., 2011][2]) that water stored in deeper soils and weathered granitic rock (regolith) provides a significant fraction of water for forest evapotranspiration. Our multi-year hydrologic measurements confirm
Synthesis of earthquake-generated T-waves

T-phases excited by earthquakes propagate with low transmission loss along the ocean sound channel, and are characterized by long duration wavetrains, often having multiple peaks associated with bathymetric highs in the source region. Although T-waves were first identified almost fifty years ago, their activation has not been adequately explained. In this paper we show that, for continental margin earthquakes, realistic T-phase coda can be computed by expressing the acoustic energy in terms of several low order modes excited by point sources distributed uniformly over the seafloor. The conversion of seismic energy to acoustic energy is thus consistent with seafloor scattering.
Diagnosis and treatment of anaphylactic reactions to Hymenoptera stings in children

Forty-four children (mean age 9.6 years) with a history of an allergic reaction(s) to an insect sting and with positive insect venom skin tests were studied. IgE antibodies (RAST) to honeybee phospholipase A and to yellow jacket venom were found in the sera of 78% and 77%, respectively, of these patients. The patients were immunized with the appropriate venoms over a 15-week course and most were then subjected to an in-hospital sting; there was a 3% reaction rate (1/37). Clinical protection was associated with a fivefold increase in anti-venom IgG. Five patients did not develop a significant increase in IgG antibody and they were treated more vigorously; four were stung subsequently without reaction. Two patients dit not react when stung in the field; positive identification of the culprit insect was obtained. Twenty patients were re-stung after one year of maintenance therapy; there was a single mild, delayed reaction. Immunotherapy also increased the IgE antibody against venom 3.7-fold at three months; after one year of therapy the IgE antibody level had decreased but was still 40% greater than at the outset. Immunotherapy was associated with a 25% incidence of local pain and swelling and a 6% incidence of systemic reactions. We conclude that venom therapy in children is safe and effective. The indications for initiating immunotherapy require further definition.
On‐line estimation and path planning for multiple vehicles in an uncertain environment

A unified approach to cooperative target tracking and path planning for multiple vehicles is presented. All vehicles, friendly and adversarial, are assumed to be aircraft. Unlike the typical target tracking problem that uses the linear state and nonlinear output dynamics, a set of aircraft nonlinear dynamics is used in this work. Target state information is estimated in order to integrate into a path planning framework. The objective is to fly from a start point to a goal in a highly dynamic, uncertain environment with multiple friendly and adversarial vehicles, without collision. The estimation architecture proposed is consistent with most path planning methods. Here, the path planning approach is based on evolutionary computation technique which is then combined with a nonlinear extended set membership filter in order to demonstrate a unified approach. A cooperative estimation approach among friendly vehicles is shown to improve speed and routing of the path. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
First Steps Toward Modeling ADHD Under a Dual-Task Paradigm Using a Markovian Framework for Diagnosis

Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common cognitive disorder afflicting many children and adults. Since most ADHD diagnostic procedures are based on subjective assessments, the goal of this study was to develop an objective assessment that takes into account performance differences between ADHD and non-ADHD individuals under a dual-task paradigm. Specifically, a model using a Markovian framework was used to determine the probability people with and without ADHD would switch between two tasks. Two studies were used, one to develop the model and one to validate the model. The values from the Ewen et al. (2012) study were used to determine the values of interest: the percentage of time spent on the each task, the probabilities remaining on each task, and the probabilities of switching between tasks. The developed multiplier value equations, which established the predicted values, were validated using the values from the Cepeda et al. (2000) study. The differences between the predicted value...
The association between emergency department crowding and analgesia administration in acute abdominal pain patients.

Objectives: The authors assessed the effect of emergency department (ED) crowding on the nontreatment and delay in treatment for analgesia in patients who had acute abdominal pain. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of prospectively enrolled nonpregnant adult patients presenting to an urban teaching ED with abdominal pain during a 9-month period. Each patient had four validated crowding measures assigned at triage. Main outcomes were the administration of and delays in time to analgesia. A delay was defined as waiting more than 1 hour for analgesia. Relative risk (RR) regression was used to test the effects of crowding on outcomes. Results: A total of 976 abdominal pain patients (mean [±standard deviation] age = 41 [±16.6] years; 65% female, 62% black) were enrolled, of whom 649 (67%) received any analgesia. Of those treated, 457 (70%) experienced a delay in analgesia from triage, and 320 (49%) experienced a delay in analgesia after room placement. After adjusting for possible confounders of the ED administration of analgesia (age, sex, race, triage class, severe pain, final diagnosis of either abdominal pain not otherwise specified or gastroenteritis), increasing delays in time to analgesia from triage were independently associated with all four crowding measures, comparing the lowest to the highest quartile of crowding (total patient-care hours RR = 1.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.32 to 1.80; occupancy rate RR = 1.64, 95% CI = 1.42 to 1.91; inpatient number RR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.36 to 1.81; and waiting room number RR = 1.53, 95% CI = 1.31 to 1.77). Crowding measures were not associated with the failure to treat with analgesia. Conclusions: Emergency department crowding is associated with delays in analgesic treatment from the time of triage in patients presenting with acute abdominal pain. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2009; 16:603‐608 a 2009 by the Society for Academic Emergency
Nitrogen Recycling and Flowering Time in Perennial Bioenergy Crops

Perennials have a number of traits important for profitability and sustainability of a biofuel crop. Perennialism is generally defined as the ability to grow and reproduce in multiple years. In temperate climates, many perennial plants enter dormancy during winter and recycle nutrients, such as nitrogen, to below-ground structures for the next growing season. Nitrogen is expensive to produce and application of nitrogen increases the potent greenhouse gas NOx. Perennial bioenergy crops have been evaluated for biomass yields with nitrogen fertilization, location, year, and genotype as variables. Flowering time and dormancy are closely related to the N recycling program. Substantial variation for flowering time and dormancy has been identified in the switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) species, which provides a source to identify the genetic components of N recycling, and for use in breeding programs. Some studies have addressed recycling specifically, but flowering time and developmental differences were largely ignored, complicating interpretation of the results. Future studies on recycling need to appreciate plant developmental stage to allow comparison between experiments. A perennial/annual model(s) and more environmentally-controlled experiments would be useful to determine the genetic components of nitrogen recycling. Increasing biomass yield per unit of nitrogen by maximizing recycling might mean the difference for profitability of a biofuel crop and has the added benefit of minimizing negative environmental effects from agriculture.
Smart structures and actuators: past, present, and future

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) currently supports several programs with a focus on smart materials and structures. Two of these programs, the Smart Materials and Structures Demonstration Program and the Compact Hybrid Actuators Program (CHAP), will be described and reviewed. The Smart Materials and Structures Demonstration projects aim to show the value of smart materials-based actuation systems in realistic applications. The CHAP efforts focus on the development of new types of useful electro-mechanical and chemo-mechanical actuators that exceed the specific power and power density of traditional electromagnetic and hydraulic-based actuation systems by a factor of ten for a range of applications. Outlined are the expected capabilities, significant technical challenges, and performance advantages foreseen in successful development and transition of the technologies targeted for exploration. The primary focus of the DARPA Smart Materials and Structures Demonstrations projects has been to apply existing smart materials in an appropriate device form to reduce noise and vibration and to achieve aerodynamic and hydrodynamic flow control in a variety of structures. Achievement of the program objectives will potentially create paradigm shifts for the design of undersea vehicles, helicopter rotor blades, aircraft wings, and engine inlets. Examples of these devices include small, high bandwidth devices for acoustic signature reduction; small, powerful actuators capable of fitting into the confined interior space of a rotating helicopter rotor blade for noise reduction; and flexible smart material driven control surfaces that will permit seamless and discrete span-wise shape changes for improved aerodynamic performance. Expected performance benefits are quantified and technical issues, especially those related to the smart materials and devices, will be identified and highlighted. In addition to the Smart Demos program, DARPA is sponsoring a new research effort entitled Compact Hybrid Actuator Program and several related SBIR topics. These projects focus on the development of electro-mechanical and chemo-mechanical actuators. In order to achieve efficiencies over those of electromagnetic actuators, these devices will take advantage of the high energy density of smart material transduction elements as well as innovative and efficient energy conversion of hydrocarbon fuels. These technologies include smart material-driven hydraulic systems, duty-cycle combustion systems, mechanically amplified systems, the control and drive electronics associated with these systems, as well as development efforts for magnetic shape memory alloys. The advantages of reduced volume, reduced power consumption and the high system reliability afforded by distributed actuation may allow compact hybrid actuation to supplant traditional actuation systems in many military and commercial platforms. It is for this reason that applications such as adaptive airframes, robotic locomotion, Unmanned Air Vehicles, and small-scale guided munitions have been targeted for transition.
Polymer electrolyte membranes from fluorinated polyisoprene-block-sulfonated polystyrene: Structural evolution with hydration and heating

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and ultra-small-angle X-ray scattering (USAXS) have been used to study the structural changes in fluorinated polyisoprene/sulfonated polystyrene (FISS) diblock copolymers as they evolved from the dry state to the water swollen state. A dilation of the nanometer-scale hydrophilic domains has been observed as hydration increased, with greater dilation occurring in the more highly sulfonated samples or upon hydration at higher temperatures. Furthermore, a decrease in the order in these phase separated structures is observed upon swelling. The glass transition temperatures of the fluorinated blocks have been observed to decrease upon hydration of these materials, and at the highest hydration levels, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has shown the presence of tightly bound water. A precipitous drop in the mechanical integrity of the 50% sulfonated materials is also observed upon exceeding the glass transition temperature (Tg), as measured by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA).
Predicting Female Absenteeism

Summary Three items normally found on any job application blank were used on a sample of 220 female clerical workers in an attempt to predict an absenteeism criterion. Age and Marital Status showed no relationship to the criterion, while Number of Dependents was significantly and positively related to absenteeism in both the primary and hold-out groups. This supports the hypothesis that employee selection may be simplified by using information already possessed by the company.
An Assessment of the Effectiveness of Simulation as an Instructional System in Foodservice

This study explores the effectiveness of a Foodservice Instructional Simulation Technique (FIST) to educate foodservice managers in the dynamics of a foodservice operation. A FIST is presented that attempts to increase dynamic knowledge by immersing learners in an experiential learning environment created through a simulation model. Following the Interservice Procedures for Instructional Systems Design, an assessment instrument is then created that relies on the classifications within the cognitive domain of Bloom’s Taxonomy of Educational Objectives as a framework for differentiating cognitive abilities. Students of hospitality management (N = 243) are assessed using this instrument. Results indicate that the FIST significantly increased dynamic knowledge in participants of the study. Furthermore, participants who used the FIST showed a negative relationship between maturity—as identified by their age and managerial experience in foodservice—and gains in dynamic knowledge.