cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
New Classes of Residue Supplementary Difference Systems

Supplementary difference systems are a generalization of difference sets. We consider such generalizations of the residue difference sets. An infinite family of difference systems is obtained by forming the union of certain cosets of theeth powers in F*q2for prime powersq=4m+3. Applications to coding theory are given.
Human uses of ultrasound: ancient and modern.

Abstract For untold millennia certain animals have used ultrasound to probe places where light is unavailable, echo-locating bats being among the most adept. With ultrasonics, bats can quickly and safely ‘see’ at night in pursuing insects or flying in dark caves. Unable to hear ultrasound, humans have nevertheless made use of it. They did this anciently by taming wolves, with their keen ultrasonic hearing, for aiding in the hunt. Currently, they are doing this by developing technology to detect, generate and process ultrasound for searching in air or other gases, in water or other liquids, and in solids. The story of these technological developments is a large and fascinating mirror of human history involving the advent of such discoveries and inventions as magnetostriction, piezoelectricity, sonar, ultrasonic microscopy, etc. – the list is long. By now we are skilled in probing for underwater objects, the internal structure in materials, organs inside the human body, etc. – again the list is long. A number of different ultrasonic systems can be categorized into one of three key generic approaches: pulse–echo exploration, intensity mapping, and phase–amplitude measurement. In addition, each of these categories can be combined with the others to produce hybrid systems for which an unambiguous categorization is difficult or impossible. Challenging problems remain but solutions are being found. New principles and techniques are being discovered that will improve the use of ultrasound. Employing tomo-holographic techniques to reduce ambiguity in probing three-dimensional objects, near-field techniques to boost resolution and using limited-diffraction beams to provide image construction with ultra high frame rates are cases in point.
Extracorporeal Life Support in Severe Propranolol and Verapamil Intoxication

Combined poisoning with calcium-channel blockers and beta-blockers is usually associated with severe heart failure. This report shows the effectiveness of emergency extracorporeal life support in treating life-threatening simultaneous propranolol and verapamil intoxication. A 15-year-old girl presented in cardiogenic shock after alcohol consumption and a propranolol and verapamil overdose; plasma concentrations: propranolol, 0.53 m/mL; verapamil, 1.06 mg/mL. She was successfully resuscitated with extracorporeal life support. Therapeutic plasma exchange was initiated. Extracorporeal support was discontinued 70 hours later. The patient made a full recovery. Simultaneous verapamil and propranolol overdoses can cause severe hemodynamic compromise and arrest of electrical and mechanical function of the heart. Emergency extracorporeal life support can successfully maintain vital organ blood flow and allows time for drug metabolism, redistribution, and removal. Therapeutic plasma exchange may reduce the time of emergency extracorporeal life support. Emergency extracorporeal life support should be considered early in cases of near-fatal intoxications with cardiodepressive drugs.
Geosorbent organic matter and its relationship to the binding and sequestration of organic contaminants

Abstract A dual reactive domain model (DRDM) for sorption of hydrophobic organic contaminants by soils, sediments, and other geosorbents is described. The model is predicated on the hypothesis that heterogeneous natural sorbent organic matter (SOM) comprises two principal chemostructurally different domains; a highly amorphous domain and a relatively condensed domain. The existence of two chemically and phenomenologically different SOM domains is evidenced by observations of a glass transition for a soil-derived humic acid. Extensive examinations of phenanthrene sorption and desorption for a broad range of soils, sediments, shales, and kerogens reveal that sorption by condensed SOM matrices is nonlinear and hysteretic while sorption by amorphous SOM domains is linear and completely reversible. Semi-quantitative correlations between SOM oxygen/carbon (O/C) atomic ratios and isotherm linearity ( n ), single-point K OC values, and degrees of sorption–desorption hysteresis indicate that the geochemistry of SOM determines binding and sequestration of organic contaminants by soils and sediments. The model reconciles observations of, and provides predictability for, various complex sorption phenomena associated with soils and sediments
Long-Term Tillage and Poultry Litter Impacts Soil Carbon and Nitrogen Mineralization and Fertility

Long-term tillage and manure application can alter a soil's ability to sequester nutrients and mineralize C and N. A laboratory incubation study (C and N mineralization) evaluated the long-term impact of poultry litter (PL) application (> 10 yr) and tillage practice (>25 yr). Soil chemical properties (pH, total C, total N, and Mehlich-1 extractable P, K, Ca, and Mg) were also assessed. Soil was collected (0-5-, 5-10-, and 10-20-cm depths) from continuous soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.] and corn (Zea mays L.) systems managed under conventional tillage (CT) or no-till (NT) with either PL or inorganic fertilizer (IF) applications. The study was located in northeast Alabama on a Hartsells fine sandy loam (a fine-loamy, siliceous, subactive, thermic Typic Hapludult). Poultry litter and NT increased soil nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg), primarily at the 0- to 5-cm depth. No-till concentrated nutrients near the soil surface as opposed to the more even distribution seen under CT. The NT-PL treatment had higher soil C for corn and soybean (2.25 and 1.83 g kg -1 C, respectively), followed by NT-IF (1.73 and 1.11 g kg -1 C, respectively). Carbon and N mineralization was higher at the 0- to 5-cm depth for NT and CT compared with lower depths. Long-term PL application increased C and N mineralization more than IF. As depth increased, more C and N mineralization occurred under CT due to plow layer mixing. Results indicated that long-term tillage with PL application can increase soil C and N mineralization, nutrient retention, and organic matter.
Nurse Jackie and the politics of care

Abstract This essay considers Nurse Jackie , one of several recent television shows, including HawthoRNe , and Mercy , that features a nurse as the main character. All 3 shows premiered in 2009 and challenged nursing's longstanding invisibility and misrepresentation on television. Although the plots of each show corrected problematic aspects of nursing's usual media representation, only Nurse Jackie remains on the air. In this paper, I analyze why Nurse Jackie succeeded where the other 2 shows did not, considering the representational politics of care on television and in the national context where health care remains a significant concern.
Multiple frequency resolution using stressed liquid crystal as a Fourier transform spectrometer

Stressed liquid crystals are tested with two-wavelength sources and varying intensity inputs in order to further examine their functionality as phase modulating elements in Fourier transform spectroscopy.
Treatment perceptions and attitudes of older human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults.

Abstract Objective To apply the Health Belief Model (HBM) in assessing the association of health beliefs, perceived benefits, perceived barriers, alternative therapy use, and sexual risk behaviors in relation to the treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a group of older HIV-infected patients. Methods A convenience sample of 100 older (50 years and above) HIV-infected patients in 2 Washington, DC, clinics was enrolled. A cross-sectional methodology used structured interviews to investigate the association among antiretroviral adherence, use of alternative therapies, treatment perceptions, and risk behaviors. Student t tests were conducted to examine significant relationships between HBM perceptions and demographic characteristics. Logistic regressions were conducted to assess likelihood of antiretroviral and alternative therapy use. Results The majority of the participants were black and had a high school education. Although participants believed that HIV was a severe disease, they did not perceive themselves to be susceptible to early progression to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Participants believed that antiretrovirals were beneficial, and they were not particularly burdened by perceived costs of antiretrovirals. The perceived costs (or barriers) of antiretrovirals were inversely associated with CD4 count ( r =−0.25, P =.01) and positively associated with viral load ( r =0.33, P Conclusions In general, the benefits of taking antiretrovirals were clear to most patients, and the same patients did not view access to antiretrovirals as a significant barrier to treatment. Many patients, although aware of the severity of HIV disease, were not seeking modifications to sexual behavior. Furthermore, the actual medication-taking behavior of these patients resulted in significant impacts to their clinical status. Study results can be applied in the development of specific interventions that are intended to decrease HIV transmission among older adults and to improve medication-taking behavior among those who are already infected with HIV.
Installation and operation of a large scale RAPS system in Peru

Abstract In 1997, International Lead Zinc Research Organization Inc. (ILZRO), Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA), and the Ministry of Energy and Mines (MEM) of Peru signed a Memorandum of Understanding to facilitate the installation of hybrid remote area power supply (RAPS) systems in the Amazon region of Peru. Many remote villages in this vast region have either no or limited electricity supplied by diesel generators running a few hours per day. Subsequently, ILZRO sponsored the engineering design of the hybrid RAPS system and SEIA supported a socio-economic study to determine the sustainability of such systems and the locations for pilot installations. In mid-1998, the Peruvian government approved the design of the system. ILZRO then began efforts to obtain governmental and inter-governmental funding to supplement its own funds to underwrite the cost of manufacture and installation of the systems in two villages in the Amazon region. Additional major funding has been received from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) administered by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and from the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC). Funds have also been received from the US Department of Energy, the International Greenhouse Partnership (Australia) and the Peruvian government. The RAPS system consists of modules designed to provide 150 kW h per day of utility grade ac electricity over a 24 h period. Each module contains a diesel generator, battery bank using heavy-duty 2 V VRLA GEL batteries, a battery charger, a photovoltaic array and an ac/dc inverter. The batteries and electrical components are housed in modified shipping containers. The modules can be installed with a new generator or retrofitted to an existing generator. The charging and discharging regime of the batteries has been recommended by a study carried out by CSIRO, which has simulated the RAPS operation. The system will employ a partial-state-of-charge (PSOC) regime in order to optimize the life of the batteries, which have a projected life of 8–10 years. A remote monitoring system will consist of a satellite link between each of the remote area power systems and one or more central hosts. The system operator will be able to obtain actual operational status of the system and will be able to change set points and to force operation of certain functions in order to test the system. Preliminary cost analyses indicate that such RAPS systems are more economically attractive to provide electricity to remote villages than other alternatives, including 24 h diesel generation and grid extension. The past 5 years have provided a number of lessons learned, particularly related to dealing with government agencies in a developing country, overcoming logistical problems such as shipping long distances and dealing with difficult climate and terrain. Despite difficulties encountered, the promise of RAPS systems as a rapidly growing market for lead-acid batteries appears to be bright given the demand for sustainable remote electrification.
Antagonistic synergy: Process and paradox in the development of new agricultural antimicrobial regulations

There is currently great controversy over the contribution antimicrobial use in animal agriculture has made to antimicrobial resistance in pathogenic bacteria with negative consequences for human health. In light of this, the approval process for antimicrobials used in US animal agriculture, known as New Animal Drug Application or NADA, is currently being revised by the federal government. We explore the public deliberations over the development of these new policies focusing our attention on the interaction between pharmaceutical companies and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. What appears to be an antagonistic public discourse is examined in terms of its ability to simultaneously legitimate the roles of the Food and Drug Administration as the official arbiter of policy on antimicrobial use in animal agriculture and as a protector of the public welfare, as well as the role of pharmaceutical companies as the producers of safe and effective products necessary for the protection of public well-being.
Pediatric surgery workforce: population and economic issues.

Abstract Background Whether a shortage of pediatric surgeons exists in the United States, such as those observed in the total physician and general surgical workforces, is an important issue that will affect decisions regarding training, credentialing, and reimbursement. Our goal was to update information regarding the demand and supply of pediatric surgeons. Methods Online American Pediatric Surgical Association (APSA) membership directory gave numbers of pediatric surgeons and their residence by metropolitan statistical areas (MSA), defined by the US census. Population and economic data were obtained from appropriate US government agencies. Results There were 835 APSA members and 375 MSA. Eliminated were 86 MSA (with 12 APSA members) with incomplete data, 14 MSA (0 members) with populations less than 100,000, and 25 members with listed locations outside an MSA. The remaining 798 members and 275 MSA comprised the study. The number of APSA members in an MSA correlated closely with MSA population ( R 2 = 0.836) and 2006 births ( R 2 = 0.767). Metropolitan statistical areas without an APSA member had a smaller population and birth rate than those with one or more members ( P = .0001). An MSA with 1 APSA member had a higher population ( P = .0003) and births per APSA member ratios ( P = .0014) than MSA with 2 and 3 or more members. The presence of a medical school or a pediatric training program had no effect on population or births-to-APSA member ratios. There was no correlation between numbers of APSA members and state GDP or state GDP per capita. We used a low, medium, and high threshold to predict the need for pediatric surgeons based upon population per APSA member ± 1 SD (272,466 ± 163,386) to predict a need of 82 to 1344 pediatric surgeons, an increase in the APSA membership by 10% to 168%. Conclusion Based on population estimates and APSA membership, a current shortage of pediatric surgeons exists. Measures should be taken to address this workforce issue.
Immediate effects of intravenous IgG administration on peripheral blood B and T cells and polymorphonuclear cells in patients with myasthenia gravis

Five patients with myasthenia gravis, who received treatment with intravenous 7S gamma-globulin were monitored for changes in immunological status. Serum immunoglobulin G increased from an average of 1.4 to 4.7 g/dl during the 5-day course of therapy. Specific antibody to the acetylcholine receptor present in three of five patients did not change. A transient decrease in total peripheral blood leukocytes was observed in five patients due to decreases in the absolute number of polymorphonuclear cells and lymphocytes in the circulation. Lymphocyte surface marker studies revealed that the percentage of surface immunoglobulin positive cells increased in all patients from an average of 13 to 26% by day 5 of therapy; however, the percentage of HLA-Dr- and Leu 12 (CD19)-positive B cells did not change. Lymphoid cells positive for the Leu 11 (CD16) marker doubled from an average of 11 to 24% during the 5-day course of therapy. Surface Ig-positive cells and Leu 11 (CD16)-positive cells returned to pretreatment values by 7 days posttherapy. Helper/suppressor cell ratios slowly decreased in all patients from an average of 2.9 to 2.2 by 1 week posttherapy and remained low for several weeks.
The effects of N7-methylguanine on duplex DNA structure

Abstract Background: Non-enzymatic methylation of DNA by endogenous and exogenous agents produces a variety of adducts, of which the predominant one is N7-methyl-2′-deoxyguanosine (m 7 dG).Although it is known that living organisms counter the deleterious effects of m 7 dG by producing adduct-specific DNA repair proteins, the molecular basis for specific recognition and catalysis by these proteins is poorly understood. In addition to its role as an endogenous DNA adduct, m 7 dG is also widely used as an in vitro probe of protein-DNA interactions. We set out to examine whether incorporation of m 7 dG into DNA affects duplex DNA structure. Results: We carried out a large-scale synthesis of a dodecamer containing the m 7 dG adduct at a single, defined position. Because the instability of m 7 dG precludes its incorporation into oligonucleotides by standard solid-phase methods, a novel strategy employing chemical and enzymatic synthesis was used. Characterization of the m 7 G-containing dodecamer by NMR reveals no structural distortion; indeed, m 7 dG appears to encourage a modest shift toward a more characteristically B-form duplex. Conclusions: These results argue strongly against induced DNA distortion as a mechanism for specific recognition of m 7 7dG by adduct-specific repair proteins. The broad substrate specificity of these repair proteins disfavors a model involving direct recognition of aberrantly placed methyl groups; hence, it may be that m 7 dG is recognized indirectly, perhaps by its effects on the dynamics of DNA. On the other hand, the evidence presented here suggests that m 7 dG interferes directly with sequence-specific recognition by DNA-binding proteins by steric blockage or by masking of required contact functionalities. The synthetic methodology used here should be generally applicable to high-resolution structural studies of oligonucleotides bearing adducts that are unstable to the conditions of solid-phase DNA synthesis.
Some thoughts on “some thoughts on task analysis and objectives in educational psychology'’ 1

Abstract A response to an article concerning objectives and task analysis in educational psychology enumerates points of agreement and disagreement between the authors. The author of the response recommends two categories of objectives for an educational psychology course.
The effect of transcendental meditation on right hemispheric functioning

This study reports two experiments investigating the effects of transcendental meditation on right hemispheric functioning. The task used in both experiments was the Seashore Tonal Memory Test. In the first experiment a nonmeditator group and an experienced meditator group were run. The design involved three periods: a pretest, a meditation or rest period, and then a posttest. The results showed the experienced meditators were significantly better in both pretest and posttest performance. There were no pretest-posttest differences. The second experiment was done to replicate the first experiment and to control for possible selection bias. The design was the same as the first experiment, except that an additional group of inexperienced meditators was included. The results again showed significantly superior performance for the experienced meditators compared to the nonmeditators. In addition, the experienced meditators were superior to the inexperienced meditators. There were no significant differences between the nonmeditators and the inexperienced meditators. These results support the hypothesis that meditation facilitates right hemispheric functioning. Alternative explanations, such as selection bias, are also discussed.
The Effect of Ownership in NGOs’ Commercial Ventures

: Amidst pressure to become self-financing, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have become increasingly involved in profit-generating business ventures. Because NGOs are traditionally financed by donations with the expectation that they focus on their social mission, the commercialization of NGOs has generated criticism. This paper examines the effect of ownership on investment incentives in NGOs’ commercial ventures, using an incomplete contracts framework. NGO-ownership helps minimize the tension between primary social mission and managerial decisions. However, external ownership provides better incentives to invest in mission-enhancing innovations. Finally, because relationships with firms are repeated, NGOs may use relational contracts to align their ventures’ incentives. However, such contracts need to be credible to work.
Comparative and Functional Characterization of Intragenic Tandem Repeats in 10 Aspergillus Genomes

Intragenic tandem repeats (ITRs) are consecutive repeats of three or more nucleotides found in coding regions. ITRs are the underlying cause of several human genetic diseases and have been associated with phenotypic variation, including pathogenesis, in several clades of the tree of life. We have examined the evolution and functional role of ITRs in 10 genomes spanning the fungal genus Aspergillus, a clade of relevance to medicine, agriculture, and industry. We identified several hundred ITRs in each of the species examined. ITR content varied extensively between species, with an average 79% of ITRs unique to a given species. For the fraction of conserved ITR regions, sequence comparisons within species and between close relatives revealed that they were highly variable. ITR-containing proteins were evolutionarily less conserved, compositionally distinct, and overrepresented for domains associated with cell-surface localization and function relative to the rest of the proteome. Furthermore, ITRs were preferentially found in proteins involved in transcription, cellular communication, and cell-type differentiation but were underrepresented in proteins involved in metabolism and energy. Importantly, although ITRs were evolutionarily labile, their functional associations appeared. To be remarkably conserved across eukaryotes. Fungal ITRs likely participate in a variety of developmental processes and cell-surface-associated functions, suggesting that their contribution to fungal lifestyle and evolution may be more general than previously assumed.
The Impact of Legal Systems on Trade Flows in Western and Eastern Europe - An Empirical Evaluation

This article examines the effect of legal improvement and convergence on international trade in Europe. The underlying idea is that contract enforcement is better when two countries have more similar (and stricter) legal systems, and it affects trade flows positively. We test the hypothesis that, if the improvement in the quality of the legal system of one country/region is biased toward another one, this acts to increase trade between them. It respectively leads to trade diversion away from a third country/region that does not improve its legal system. The accession into the EU (or lack thereof) of Central and Eastern European and Former Soviet Union countries provides a good “natural” experiment for examining this prediction, as some of them are required to bring their laws into conformity with the European Union system of laws, while others are not. The empirical strategy is to look at East-West trade flows during the period of this legal convergence to assess the effect of biased legal reforms on trad...
Assessing Attitudes toward Grandparents Raising Their Grandchildren

This article describes the assessment of attitudes toward grandparent caregivers held by noncaregiving grandparents. Six hundred two grandparents not currently caring for grandchildren completed an 18-item measure of such attitudes. This attitude scale was both internally consistent and multidimensional in nature. Attitudes were more positive for grandparents reporting previous experience caring for a grandchild and such attitudes were in part predicted by one's attitudes toward the current grandparent role, which was also complex in nature. Being able to assess and understand attitudes toward custodial grandparents can contribute to the reduction of others' biases about them and may influence grandparents' future willingness to assume the caregiving role.
Myocardial function and perfusion assessment with exercise stress cardiovascular magnetic resonance using an MRI-compatible treadmill in patients referred for stress SPECT

Background Exercise stress cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) has recently become feasible with the development of a fully MRI-compatible treadmill system along with improvements in imaging techniques. The utility of this setup has not been systematically compared with nuclear perfusion imaging. The study objective was to evaluate the accuracy and prognostic value of exercise stress CMR with a treadmill placed immediately next to the MRI scanner table in patients referred for treadmill stress nuclear perfusion imaging. Methods
The mental possible worlds mechanism and the lobster problem: an analysis of a complex GRE logical reasoning task

An attempt is made to provide a new psychological mechanism, the mental possible worlds mechanism (MPWM), for analysing complex reasoning tasks such as the logical reasoning tasks in the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). MPWM captures the interaction between syntactic and semantic processes in reasoning, and so it also technically supports the new mental metalogic theory which studies the bridging relations between two major competing theories in the field, mental logic and mental models, whose accounts are also discussed. An empirical study of MPWM is also given.
The 14C AMS system at The University of Georgia

Abstract The Center for Applied Isotope Studies at the University of Georgia has installed a compact 14C accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) system manufactured by the National Electrostatics Corporation, Middleton, Wisconsin. The system utilizes a 134 sample ion source and a 500 kV Pelletron. In terms of cost and size, the new system is a significant advance over previous technology. Details and performance of the new system will be presented.
Nonverbal decoding skill and attention to nonverbal cues: A research note

A measure of differential preference for attending to three channels of nonverbal communication was developed, with which scores for differential attention to face, body, and voice tone were generated for 17 college subjects. These scores were correlated with subjects' nonverbal decoding accuracy in the same three channels as measured by a standard test of decoding nonverbal cues. Significant positive relationships between channel preference and accuracy were found for the two video channels; no relationship was found for the audio channel.
Influence of Nanoparticles on the Thermoelectric Properties of Magnesium Silicides

A significant fraction of energy is lost during power generation for transportation as a form of waste heat. Approximately over three quarters of waste heat have the temperature range from 200 to 700 ° C. Solid solution materials made of magnesium silicide and magnesium tin have the potential of utilization in thermoelectric (TE) devices in such temperature ranges due to their availability, relatively low density (3.02 g/cm3), non-toxicity compared to classical Te-Pb TE materials and high stability from room temperature (RT) to 600 ° C. The environmentally friendly n-type Mg2 (Si, Sn) thermoelectric solid solution bulk materials were prepared from powder elements via direct melting and current-assisted hot-press sintering. For the direct melting method, raw element magnesium, tin, and silicon powders were homogeneously mixed and put into a stainless steel container. Then, the sample was heated under a vacuum condition at 500–600 ° C for several hours to obtain crystalline Mg2Si, Mg2Sn, and Mg2 Si0.4Sn0.6 ingots respectively. These ingots were ground by using a high energy ball miller to obtain their particles whose sizes are distributed from tens of nanometers to micro-meters. Several doping material with different doping ratio were added to compare doping effect on Mg2 (Si, Sn) solid solutions. The samples were hot-pressed with electrical current (400–600A) in order to create phonon scattering centers such as nano-size particles and lamellar structures for improving the dimensionless figure of merit, ZT value. Samples were cut into slender pieces flash method. Then, ZT value was calculated from ZT = α 2 Tσ /κ and plotted as a function of temperature. The results were also compared with the results obtained from to test electrical conductivity, by using a four-probe method as well as the Seebeck coefficient,. Thermal conductivity measured as a function of temperature from RT to 600 °C by using a the Harman technique. The nano-structure size, size distribution as well as crystallinity were characterized by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x-ray diffraction (XRD). The chemical composition was examined by energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS).Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Suppressed oxidant-induced apoptosis in cadmium adapted alveolar epithelial cells and its potential involvement in cadmium carcinogenesis

Apoptosis involves a series of genetically programmed events associated with endonucleolytic cleavage of DNA. This process is triggered by a variety of agents, including oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) and it plays a key role in eliminating pre-neoplastic cells from the lung. Failure to do so could favor tumor promotion. The current study demonstrated that alveolar epithelial cells, adapted to cadmium (CdCl(2)) by repeated in vitro exposure, exhibit lower levels of H(2)O(2)-induced apoptosis than similarly challenged non-adapted cells. An immunologic assay, measuring cytoplasmic histone-associated DNA fragments, indicated maximal apoptosis 24 h after exposure to 400 microM H(2)O(2). Non-adapted cells showed a 13-fold increase in oxidant-induced apoptosis while Cd-adapted cells had only a 4-fold elevation. A terminal deoxyribonucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method was used to assess the percentage of cells with DNA breaks consistent with apoptosis. Cd-adapted and non-adapted cells that were not exposed to H(2)O(2) did not differ in TUNEL positivity. However, after H(2)O(2) treatment, the percentage of TUNEL positive cells was 4-fold higher in non-adapted cultures than in adapted ones. Suppression of oxidant-induced apoptosis is due, in part, to up-regulation in the gene expression of several resistance factors including metallothioneins (MT-1 and MT-2), glutathione S-transferases (GST-alpha and GST-pi), and gamma-glutamylcysteine synthetase catalytic subunit (gamma-GCS). These steady-state mRNA changes, determined by Northern blotting, were accompanied by increased levels of MT and gamma-GCS protein, GST activity, and glutathione (GSH). Suppressed oxidant-induced apoptosis, resulting at least in part from these response modifications, could leave pre-neoplastic or neoplastic cells alive, favor clonal expansion, and ultimately lead to cancer development.
Limits to sympathetic evaporative cooling of a two-component Fermi gas

We find a limit cycle in a quasi-equilibrium model of evaporative cooling of a two-component fermion gas. The existence of such a limit cycle represents an obstruction to reaching the quantum ground state evaporatively. We show that evaporatively the \beta\mu ~ 1. We speculate that one may be able to cool an atomic fermi gas further by photoassociating dimers near the bottom of the fermi sea.
Neighborhood, Family, and Work: Influences on the Premarital Behaviors of Adolescent Males

The authors report their findings from a study of the effects of neighborhood family and individual characteristics upon teenage males premarital sexual and contraceptive behaviors and upon their experiences with pregnancy or fatherhood. The investigation also systematically compares the effects of related personal and neighborhood traits in multilevel analysis including employment income education welfare receipt family composition and race/ethnicity. Micro-level data on respondents personal and family characteristics come from the 1988 National Survey of Adolescent Males a nationally-representative survey of 1880 never-married noninstitutionalized males aged 15-19 years. Blacks and Hispanics were oversampled. Each participant was interviewed for one hour on sexual and contraceptive behaviors family and personal background knowledge and attitudes about pregnancy AIDS and other risks. Neighborhood data derive from the 1980 census. Analysis found young men who worked more hours to be more sexually active and more likely to have caused a pregnancy. Higher neighborhood unemployment rates were also independently associated with a greater risk of impregnation. Greater financial resources at the personal level may therefore enable teen males to attract more partners thereby increasing their risk of impregnating a female sex partner. Comparatively limited economic opportunities at the community level also seem to increase the risks of paternity.
Recursive scaled DCT

Among the various image data compression methods, the discrete cosine transform (DCT) has become the most popular in performing gray-scale image compression and decomposition. However, the computational burden in performing a DCT is heavy. For example, in a regular DCT, at least 11 multiplications are required for processing an 8 X 1 image block. The idea of the scaled-DCT is that more than half the multiplications in a regular DCT are unnecessary, because they can be formulated as scaling factors of the DCT coefficients, and these coefficients may be scaled back in the quantization process. A fast recursive algorithm for computing the scaled-DCT is presented in this paper. The formulations are derived based on practical considerations of applying the scaled-DCT algorithm to image data compression and decompression. These include the considerations of flexibility of processing different sizes of DCT blocks and the actual savings of the required number of arithmetic operations. Due to the recursive nature of this algorithm, a higher-order scaled-DCT can be obtained from two lower-order scaled DCTs. Thus, a scaled-DCT VLSI chip designed according to this algorithm may process different sizes of DCT under software control. To illustrate the unique properties of this recursive scaled-DCT algorithm, the one-dimensional formulations are presented with several examples exhibited in signal flow-graph forms.
Contraceptive Use and Perceptions of Chance and Ability of Conceiving in Women Electing Abortion

A convenient sample of 32 women seeking abortion was studied to determine the relationship between a woman's use of birth control and her perception of her chance and ability of conceiving. Subjects were between the ages of 16 and 29 years, white, unmarried, and gravida one. The Consistency Chance and Ability Inventory, a self-report questionnaire, was completed by each subject. The data show a relationship between a woman's use of birth control and her perception of her chance and ability of conceiving. How nurses can assist women in making choices about contraceptive use is discussed.
Effect of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone analogs containing cytotoxic radicals on the function of rat pituitary cells: tests in a long term superfusion system.

A novel class of targeted chemotherapeutic agents based on cytotoxic compounds linked to LHRH analogs was tested in a long term superfusion system in order to determine their effects on different types of rat pituitary cells. The compounds investigated included two cytotoxic LHRH agonists, T-98 ([D-Lys6]LHRH coupled to glutaryl-2-(hydroxymethyl)anthraquinone (G-HMAQ)) and T-107 ([D-Lys6]LHRH linked to doxorubicin (DOX) through glutaric acid spacer), and two cytotoxic LHRH antagonists T-121 and T-144, both containing two residues of G-HMAQ. The analogs were infused for 24 h at pharmacological (micromolar) concentrations. The secretions of LH, GH, and PRL cells after a short (2-h) and a long (20-h) recovery period following the treatment were compared to those before the analog infusion. All four cytotoxic LHRH analogs selectively decreased the stimulated LH response, while basal secretions of LH, GH, and PRL as well as the stimulated release of GH and PRL were not influenced in spite of the high doses appl...
Characterization of aminoacyl-adenylates in B. subtilis tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase, by the fluorescence of tryptophan analogs 5-hydroxytryptophan and 7-azatryptophan.

Abstract The tryptophan analogs 5-hydroxytryptophan (5HW) and 7-azatryptophan (7AW) are capable of being biosynthetically incorporated into bacterial proteins and can be used as intrinsic fluorescence probes of protein structure, function and dynamics. A prerequisite for analog incorporation is their recognition by tryptophanyl-tRNA synthetase (TrpRS) and the formation of the analog aminoacyladenylate in the enzyme's active site. The binding of 5HW and 7AW to B. subtilis TrpRS and the stability of the corresponding aminoacyladenylates of 5HW and 7AW were examined using their unique spectroscopic properties. The adenylate of 7AW in the active site of TrpRS exhibited intense fluorescence with a 10.5 ns fluorescence decay time. Enzyme-bound 7AW-adenylate was a long-lived intermediate with a half-life of over 9 hours. Enzymebound 5HW-adenylate fluorescence was quenched compared to that of 5HW in solution. The 5HW-adenylate/TrpRS complex was much less stable than that of 7AW, with a half-life of 33 minutes. Rapid hydrolysis of the 5HW-adenylate may explain the apparent proofreading observed which prohibits 5HW incorporation into proteins in the presence of tryptophan. Hydrolysis of the adenylates of both analogs restored the fluorescence parameters towards those of the analogs in solution. Neither 1-methyltryptophan nor 5-methoxytryptophan were capable of forming long-lived aminoacyladenylate intermediates in TrpRS. This study provides perspectives on the usefulness of 5HW and 7AW as intrinsic fluorescence probes of protein structure. The enhanced fluorescence of 7AW suggests its location in a buried hydrophobic environment in the protein. Exposure to water results in significant fluorescence quenching. These studies clearly demonstrate the utility of Trp analogs for the elucidation of molecular details of protein structure and dynamics.
An examination of corporate social responsibility and processing fluency in a service context

Purpose – This study aims to examine the joint effect of processing fluency and service quality in a service context. In recent years, companies have become increasingly interested in supporting corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. While most prior research focus on the positive effect of CSR initiatives on consumer behavior, the current study identifies a new boundary condition – processing fluency – for the positive impact of CSR messaging. In addition, this examines its impact across two situations – a successful service delivery and a failure. Design/methodology/approach – This study used a 2 (processing fluency: high vs low) × 2 (service delivery: failure vs success) scenario-based experimental design. A total of 152 adult consumers participated in this study. Findings – The results show that in the service failure condition, participants exposed to a CSR message with high processing fluency exhibited more positive attitudes and higher repurchase intentions, as compared to their counterp...
11q23 acute leukemias: Recent progress and new questions

T he 11q23 translocation associated leukemias are a remarkable group of diseases. The same 1 lq23 gene forms translocations with at least 17 different partner loci, and these lranslocations are seen in three clinicopathologic syndromes. The use of the modern cloning techniques has lead to an understanding of these translocations at a molecular level, which offers a potential for better diagnosis and management. In this review I will discuss this new molecular understanding of these fascinating diseases and how it has been and may be applied.
Bazedoxifene/conjugated estrogens for managing the burden of estrogen deficiency symptoms.

Abstract The bothersome vasomotor and vaginal symptoms and bone loss that accompany the menopausal transition are associated with significant direct costs due to physician visits and medication, as well as indirect costs from reduced health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and work productivity. With life expectancies increasing, the number of postmenopausal women is also increasing, and more women are remaining in the workforce. These factors have led to an increased burden of menopausal symptoms on healthcare systems. Hormone therapy (HT) has been shown to effectively reduce menopausal symptoms and significantly increase quality-adjusted life years in postmenopausal women, particularly in women experiencing severe symptoms. However, many women discontinue use of HT before their symptoms have dissipated due to safety and tolerability concerns. The tissue selective estrogen complex (TSEC) that pairs bazedoxifene (BZA) with conjugated estrogens (CE) has been developed to provide relief of menopausal symptoms and prevent bone loss without stimulating the breast or endometrium, and to have improved tolerability compared with HT. In this context, BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 and 0.625 mg were shown to prevent bone loss and effectively treat menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women with an intact uterus, while also demonstrating a favorable safety/tolerability profile. BZA 20 mg/CE 0.45 and 0.625 mg were further associated with clinically significant improvements in HRQoL, sleep, and treatment satisfaction. Taken together, the reduction in menopausal symptoms, improvement in HRQoL, and favorable safety/tolerability profile associated with BZA/CE suggest that it is a cost-effective alternative to HT for managing the burden of menopausal symptoms.
The effect of grading on the electrical behavior of Np AlGaAs/GaAs heterojunction diodes

Abstract We have studied the effect of compositional grading on the characteristics of N AlGaAs p GaAs heterojunction diodes, and have found that the elimination by grading of the heterojunction spike leads to a factor of 10 difference in the magnitude of current density. The behavior of heterojunction diodes has also been compared to GaAs homojunction diodes. Ideality factors for graded diodes were as good as n = 1.12, while those for the abrupt diodes were n = 1.25−1.30. At low forward-bias voltages the I–V characteristics are dominated by a recombination mechanism which leads to a temperature-independent logarithmic slope with applied bias. We also observe a difference in the built-in voltage between the graded-, abrupt- and homojunction diodes. By comparing the built-in voltage between abrupt heterojunction diodes and homojunction diodes, a value of ΔE c = 0.64 ΔE G for the conduction-band-edge discontinuity was obtained in excellent agreement with recent measurements on other device structures. An understanding of the current conduction mechanisms of these pN heterojunction diodes is essential for the understanding of GaAs/AlGaAs heterojunction bipolar transistors.
Surface hopping and fully quantum dynamical wavepacket propagation on multiple coupled adiabatic potential surfaces for proton transfer reactions

Abstract A general method for fully quantum mechanical wavepacket propagation on multiple adiabatic potential surfaces is developed. An analytical expression is derived for the second-derivative nonadiabatic coupling terms that arise in the adiabatic representation. Both this fully quantum mechanical wavepacket propagation method and the mixed quantum/classical surface hopping method “molecular dynamics with quantum transitions” (MDQT) are applied to a one-dimensional two-state model system for a proton transfer reaction. The remarkable agreement between the wavepacket and the MDQT methods justifies the use of MDQT for simulation of proton transfer reactions in solution.
Photosynthetic 14CO2 Fixation Products and Activities of Enzymes Related to Photosynthesis in Bermudagrass and Other Plants

After a 5-second exposure of illuminated bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L. var. ;Coastal') leaves to (14)CO(2), 84% of the incorporated (14)C was recovered as aspartate and malate. After transfer from (14)CO(2)-air to (12)CO(2)-air under continuous illumination, total radioactivity decreased in aspartate, increased in 3-phosphoglyceric acid and alanine, and remained relatively constant in malate. Carbon atom 1 of alanine was labeled predominantly, which was interpreted to indicate that alanine was derived from 3-phosphoglyceric acid. The activity of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, alkaline pyrophosphatase, adenylate kinase, pyruvate-phosphate dikinase, and malic enzyme in bermudagrass leaf extracts was distinctly higher than those in fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.), a reductive pentose phosphate cycle plant. Assays of malic enzyme activity indicated that the decarboxylation of malate was favored. Both malic enzyme and NADP(+)-specific malic dehydrogenase activity were low in bermudagrass compared to sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.). The activities of NAD(+)-specific malic dehydrogenase and acidic pyrophosphatase in leaf extracts were similar among the plant species examined, irrespective of the predominant cycle of photosynthesis. Ribulose-1, 5-diphosphate carboxylase in C(4)-dicarboxylic acid cycle plant leaf extracts was about 60%, on a chlorophyll basis, of that in reductive pentose phosphate cycle plants.We conclude from the enzyme and (14)C-labeling studies that bermudagrass contains the C(4)-dicarboxylic acid cycle and that pyruvate-phosphate dikinase does not exist exclusively in C(4)-dicarboxylic acid cycle plants, and we propose that in C(4)-dicarboxylic acid cycle plants the transfer of carbon from a dicarboxylic acid to 3-phosphoglyceric acid involves a decarboxylation reaction and then a refixation of carbon dioxide by ribulose-1, 5-diphosphate carboxylase.