cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The quasibound state model for self-consistent characteristics of semiconductor intersubband devices

Abstract The quasibound state model (QBSM) for determining the self-consistent conduction band profile and space charge density of semiconductor intersubband devices is presented. This new method is based on the quasibound (QB) state resonances of quantum structures. For heterostructures, the traditional self-consistent energy continuum model (ECM) calculates space charge by integration over the entire energy continuum, weighted by Fermi–Dirac statistics. In the present approach, the continuum of energy states of the heterostructure is accurately represented by a small number of QB states, and the space charge calculations are performed only at these eigen-energies. This approach significantly reduces the computational burden associated with all self-consistent algorithms. Theoretical formulation of QBSM is compared with the traditional ECM approach. The bound (B) and QB eigenenergies of the structure are obtained by solving the single-band effective-mass Schrodinger equation using the argument principle method. The performance and the accuracy of the QBSM are evaluated for a double-barrier resonant structure and an asymmetric Fabry–Perot electron-wave interference filter. The self-consistent electron density and potential profiles calculated by the present method are shown to be in excellent agreement with the results obtained from the traditional ECM model. In addition to requiring less computational time, the present method is easily implemented and may be applied equally well to biased/unbiased, symmetric/asymmetric heterostructures.
2,4,5-Trimethylbenzoic Acid

The X-ray structure of the title compound, C10H12O2, has been determined. The carboxyl and its o-methyl group display typical evasive in-plane splaying away from each other. The carboxyl is coplanar with the benzene ring and displays some minor disordering; the para-methyl group shows rotational disorder. Pairs of molecules form centrosymmetric carboxyl dimers [O⋯O 2.640 (2) A].
Differential effect of prostaglandins and other products of arachidonic acid metabolism on measles virus replication in Vero cells

The influence of cyclic adenosine 3', 5'-monophosphate (cAMP) and prostaglandin (PG), E1, E2, F2 alpha, A2 and thromboxane B2 (TxB2) and measles virus infection was investigated. Addition of PGE1, E2 and cAMP (10(-3)-10(-)8M) inhibited measles virus replication in Vero cells. TxB2 and PGA2 enhanced replication. Cytotoxic effects were not observed. Inhibition of infectious titers (98%) was most pronounced when agents were present throughout replication. Treated cells exhibited hemadsorbing antigen, but the size and number of cytoplasmic inclusions was decreased by cAMP. Pre-treatment of cells with PGE1 or presence of PGE1 during virus adsorption enhanced infectious titers (30%). Results suggest that cAMP and PGE1 inhibit measles virus production infection. That both enhancing and inhibiting effects of PGs were seen suggest that measles virus may require PG at specific times during the replicative cycle.
The header stack-barge: Folk technology on the north American plains

Abstract The header stack-barge was a device that farmers on the American and Canadian plains invented to adapt wheat harvesting machinery to the special requirements of their semi-arid region. Although it appeared at points scattered throughout the length of the North American plains, its greatest use was in Alberta and Saskatchewan during the 1930s. The development of the header stack-barge was an outstanding example of folk technology in the agricultural history of the Great Plains, showing the conditions under which folk invention might flourish and the way it might interact with government extension agents. The case of the header stack-barge then is of consequence both to folklore and to concepts of Great Plains regionalism.
Superior−subordinate dyads : dependence of leader effectiveness on mutual reinforcement contingencies

Task contingencies were modeled from bureaucratic organizations in which vague job descriptions provide incomplete contingency specifications. Response rates within dyads were examined using two nonsocial, two social, and two control contingencies. In the first social contingency, responses by the superior produced monetary reinforcement for a subordinate while the superior received no reinforcement from his subordinate. A second social contingency was identical to the first except that the subordinate's rate of responding determined the rate of reinforcement delivered to his superior. Within this contingency, mutual reinforcement occurred whenever rates of superior and subordinate responding were correlated. Two control contingencies were identical to the second social contingency except that either the superior or the subordinate received a rate of response-independent reinforcement virtually identical to the rate received during the second social contingency. Leadership, in this context, was the difference between rates of subordinate responding produced by a nonsocial contingency and rates produced by each of the two social contingencies. The two nonsocial contingencies supported almost no responding among subjects. The first social contingency produced minimal levels of leadership within every dyad. The second social contingency produced high levels of leadership. Response-independent reinforcement generally reduced or eliminated responding.
Liquid chromatographic separation of enantiomers of adrenergic agonists.

Many established and experimental adrenergic agonists are derivatives of 2-aminoethanol with a phenol or catechol moiety in the 1-position. There is considerable interest in the stereochemical aspects of the actions of such chiral drugs. Surprisingly, however, little has been published on the chromatographic separation of the enantiomers of these compounds, and what has been published involved nearly exclusively capillary gas-liquid chromatography. In this report, the resolution of the racemates of ten adrenergic agents using reversed-phase liquid chromatography is described. The procedure is based on derivatizing the racemic mixture of each agent with the chiral reagent 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl isothiocyanate, followed by separation of the resulting diastereomers on octadecylsilane columns using methanol-aqueous ammonium acetate mixtures as mobile phase. Detection was at 254 nm. The separation of the enantiomers of norphenylephrine and of octopamine was less than complete; the resolution of the other agents, i.e., synephrine, N-ethylnorphenylephrine, p-hydroxyephedrine, p-hydroxynorephedrine, metanephrine, normetanephrine, isoproterenol, and nordefrin, was complete. The derivative of (-)-isoproterenol eluted before that of its antipode. The procedure may be applicable to other similar agents.
Pyrene as a photophysical probe for intermolecular interactions of water-soluble polymers in dilute solutions

Abstract Poly(acrylic acid) containing 1.5 mole% pyrene groups in side chains [P(H)] was prepared by a free-radical initiated copolymerization of acrylic acid and 2-[4-(1-pyrene)]butanoylaminopropenoic acid. The u.v. absorption and fluorescence emission spectra of P(H) showed that interactions of pyrene groups took place in solutions of P(H). A random distribution of the pyrene groups, in isolated and neighbouring repeat units, was assumed in the microstructure of P(H). The ratio of the intensities of monomer and excimer emission ( I M I E ) was found to be related to the structure of P(H) in aqueous solutions; an increase in I M I E value was indicative of the expansion of polymer chain. The variation of I M I E values were consistent with polymer chain expansion as a result of increasing charge density of P(H) main chain. The association of P(H) with complementary polymers, namely, poly(ethylene oxide), poly(1-vinyl-2-pyrrolidinone) and poly(vinylamine hydrochloride), was revealed in a characteristic manner by measurement of the I M I E values. The I M I E values in the emission spectra of P(H) in the presence of complementary polymers were used to study the extent of interpolymer association, specific association of P(H) and polymer displacement reactions for terpolymer systems in aqueous solutions. Emission lifetime measurements on solutions of P(H) alone and in the presence of complementary polymers were also performed.
Geometry of depolarizing channels

Depolarizing maps acting on an $N$-dimensional system are completely positive maps resulting into compression of the Bloch ``ball'' along ${N}^{2}\ensuremath{-}1$ polarization directions. In the qubit case these maps are a convex sum of four extremal maps and form a simplex in the space of compression coefficients along the three polarization directions. We calculate the compression domain for three- and four-level systems. For a three-level system the region has curved surfaces, but it is a simplex for a four-level system. We conjecture that it is a simplex in the case of ${2}^{n}$-level systems.
Comparing a few SNP calling algorithms using low-coverage sequencing data.

Many Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) calling programs have been developed to identify Single Nucleotide Variations (SNVs) in next-generation sequencing (NGS) data. However, low sequencing coverage presents challenges to accurate SNV identification, especially in single-sample data. Moreover, commonly used SNP calling programs usually include several metrics in their output files for each potential SNP. These metrics are highly correlated in complex patterns, making it extremely difficult to select SNPs for further experimental validations. To explore solutions to the above challenges, we compare the performance of four SNP calling algorithm, SOAPsnp, Atlas-SNP2, SAMtools, and GATK, in a low-coverage single-sample sequencing dataset. Without any post-output filtering, SOAPsnp calls more SNVs than the other programs since it has fewer internal filtering criteria. Atlas-SNP2 has stringent internal filtering criteria; thus it reports the least number of SNVs. The numbers of SNVs called by GATK and SAMtools fall between SOAPsnp and Atlas-SNP2. Moreover, we explore the values of key metrics related to SNVs’ quality in each algorithm and use them as post-output filtering criteria to filter out low quality SNVs. Under different coverage cutoff values, we compare four algorithms and calculate the empirical positive calling rate and sensitivity. Our results show that: 1) the overall agreement of the four calling algorithms is low, especially in non-dbSNPs; 2) the agreement of the four algorithms is similar when using different coverage cutoffs, except that the non-dbSNPs agreement level tends to increase slightly with increasing coverage; 3) SOAPsnp, SAMtools, and GATK have a higher empirical calling rate for dbSNPs compared to non-dbSNPs; and 4) overall, GATK and Atlas-SNP2 have a relatively higher positive calling rate and sensitivity, but GATK calls more SNVs. Our results show that the agreement between different calling algorithms is relatively low. Thus, more caution should be used in choosing algorithms, setting filtering parameters, and designing validation studies. For reliable SNV calling results, we recommend that users employ more than one algorithm and use metrics related to calling quality and coverage as filtering criteria.
Use of the Concept of the “Corporation”: A Choice Between Colloquialism or Distortion

The choice facing anthropologists wishing to use the concept of corporateness has been to use either a model unique to the law of property in Western societies or a looser definition which does not justify replacement of traditional terms. This paper suggests that alternative models may be more appropriate where it is necessary to depict arrangements involving group tenure.
Administration of queuine to mice relieves modified nucleoside queuosine deficiency in Ehrlich ascites tumor tRNA.

Abstract The tRNA from Ehrlich ascites tumor cells is deficient in the modified nucleoside Q (queuosine). Continuous infusion of Q base (queuine) to tumor-bearing mice reverses the deficiency of Q in Ehrlich ascites tRNA, and coincidently, causes an inhibition of tumor growth.
Evolution of barriers to crossing of self-incompatible with self-compatible species of Solanum

Evolution of barriers to crossing of self-incompatible with self-compatible species of Solanum
Paired tumor biopsy analysis and safety data from a pilot study evaluating Tremelimumab - a monoclonal antibody against CTLA-4 - in combination with ablative therapy in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)

Meeting abstracts Tremelimumab is a fully human monoclonal antibody that binds to CTLA-4 expressed on the surface of activated T lymphocytes and results in inhibition of B7-CTLA-4-mediated down regulation of T cell activation. Both transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) and radiofrequency
Homo erectus—who, when and where: A survey

The state of information bearing on Homo erectus as developed since about 1960 is surveyed, with the resulting effects on problems. Definitions of H. erectus still rest on the Far Eastern samples (Chou-k'ou-tien/Java), and thus relate to late Lower to middle Middle Pleistocene material. Numerous important individual finds, however, have expanded the total: extension of the early and very early Sangiran material; very early to later in Africa, and relatively late in Europe. Datings remain uncertain or controversial within broad limits, but with some important successes and revisions. Discussion by authors of problems concerns degree of divergence among H. erectus populations and rate of evolutionary change; both appear relatively slight, but the data are inadequate for much present judgment. The apparent zone of transition to more advanced morphology (H. sapiens, sensu lato) by the late Middle Pleistocene better reflects signs of regional divergence. Some writers—not all—believe that even the earliest European fossils known (e.g., Petralona) had already advanced to a H. sapiens basic level, with later change in the direction of Neanderthals. A separate African phylum, from OH 9, is also suggested; recent Chinese finds may provide a third different post-erectus population before the Upper Pleistocene. Taxonomic expression of all this gives some problems.
Is the T-wave alternans magnitude in apparently healthy subjects and in different subsets of patients with ischaemic heart disease T-wave amplitude dependent?

It has been established that T-wave alternans (TWA) is heart rate dependent. Also it has been previously hypothesized that TWA magnitude (TWA-MG) may be T-wave amplitude (TW-AMP) dependent.1Such a speculation is supported by the variation in the TWA-MG in different electrocardiogram (ECG) leads of the same subject, the larger TWA-MG in the ECG precordial among the ECG leads, which are characterized by larger TW-AMP, and the larger TWA-MG in ECGs of patients with bundle branch blocks with large secondary T waves, than in the ones with normal intraventricular conduction. If this hypothesis proves to be valid, adjustment of the different TWA-MG values in a single ECG by the corresponding TW-AMP is in order. Also such adjustment of TWA-MG in serial ECGs or …
The Effect of Habitat Edges on Nest Survival of Sprague's Pipits

Abstract We explored the relationship between Sprague's Pipit (Anthus spragueii) nest (n = 125) survival and the distance from their nests to grassland edge and other linear features on Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge in north-central Montana from 1997 to 2007. Specifically, we studied the effect of distance to roads (secondary paved road and tertiary improved and unimproved dirt roads), an agriculture field, an active railroad right-of-way, and lacustrine shoreline on nest daily survival rate (DSR). The overall DSR was 0.95 ± 0.0057 (SE) with a 95% confidence interval of 0.94–0.96. We considered how models with distance thresholds (within 50, 100, 200, or 300 m) affected DSR while controlling for important covariates. None of the distance models improved the model over the minimum AICc model containing only non-distance covariates. There was no support for distance to any of the edges, including roads, having an effect on DSR relative to the minimum AICc model that contained three non-distance covariates.
Carbon gain and hydraulic limits on water use differ between size classes of Larrea tridentata

Abstract Juvenile woody desert perennials often exhibit higher rates of transpiration than co-occurring adults, which may facilitate establishment by increasing carbon gain when water is plentiful, but increase the risk of hydraulic failure during drought. We tested three hypotheses regarding the role of hydraulic limits in two size classes of Larrea tridentata : 1) small plants grow faster and use more water per unit leaf area than large plants, 2) small and large plants have similar hydraulic limits on transpiration, and therefore, 3) small plants more closely approach hydraulic limits on transpiration than large plants. We used a hydraulic model, parameterized with plant and soil characteristics from field measurements of a single population, to predict maximum transpiration rate ( E crit ) for each size class and compared E crit with measured transpiration over fluctuations in predawn plant water potential ( Ψ PD ). At high Ψ PD small plants had higher E crit , gas exchange and growth than large plants, and maintained larger safety margins from E crit than large plants. At low Ψ PD , all measured and modeled characters were similar for the two sizes. Our data indicate that higher transpiration in small plants facilitates increased carbon gain when water is available without increasing the risk of hydraulic failure during drought.
Gender Concepts: Convergence in Cross-Cultural Research and Methodologies:

Gender concepts are salient aspects of sociocultural experience. Gender concepts have been examined by trained researchers who collect data in their cultures as part of a larger cross-cultural comp...
TRANSMISSION AND SEGREGATION OF A NON-CHROMOSOMAL FACTOR CONTROLLING STREPTOMYCIN RESISTANCE IN DIPLOID CHLAMYDOMONAS.

CHROMOSOMAL and non-chromosomal mutations to streptomycin resistance have been described in Chlamydomonas reinhardi1–3. The chromosomal mutants, sr-1, are resistant to low levels of streptomycin (50–100 µg/ml.), possess a Mendelian pattern of inheritance, are closely linked or allelic, and lie in the left arm of linkage group IX. The non-chromosomal mutants, sr-2, are resistant to high levels of streptomycin (500 µg/ml.) and exhibit a uniparental pattern of inheritance. When a mating is made between wild-type cells (ss) and cells of an sr-2 mutant, all the progeny in each tetrad are, with rare exceptions1,4, endowed with the resistance-level of the mating type plus (mt+) parent. The purpose of the present communication is to show that this pattern breaks down when diploids are made between sr-2 and ss cells and that a large proportion of the diploid clones segregate both resistant and sensitive cells during vegetative growth.
Soldier attitudes about technology-based approaches to mental health care.

Abstract Technology-based treatments (e.g., video teleconferencing, Internet-based treatments, and virtual reality) are promising approaches to reducing some barriers that Soldiers often face to receiving necessary mental health care. However, Soldiers' knowledge and experiences with such technologies are unknown, and there is no research on their acceptability for use in military mental health care. The current study examined 352 U.S. Soldiers' knowledge of and attitudes toward using technology to access mental health care. Results indicated that Soldiers were quite experienced with a wide variety of technology-based tools commonly proposed to facilitate mental health care. In addition, the majority of participants stated that they would be willing to use nearly every technology-based approach for mental health care included in the survey. Notably, 33% of Soldiers who were not willing to talk to a counselor in person were willing to utilize at least one of the technologies for mental health care. These r...
A +TIP for a smooth trip.

Is there a cellular mechanism for preventing a depolymerizing microtubule track from “slipping out from under” its cargo? A recent study in budding yeast indicates that when a chromosome is transported to the minus end of a spindle microtubule, its kinetochore-bound microtubule plus end–tracking protein (+TIP) Stu2 may move to the plus end to promote rescue; i.e., to switch the depolymerizing end to a polymerizing end. The possibility that other +TIPs may play a similar role in sustaining a microtubule track during vesicular transport deserves investigation.
Enhanced β-lactam antibiotic production by coimmobilization of fungus and alga

It was determined thatCephalosporium acremonium, an oxygenconsuming fungus, had a symbiotic relationship withChlorella pyrenoidosa, an oxygen-generating alga. The fungus and the alga were coimmobilized by entrapment in calcium alginate beads. The production rate of β-lactam antibiotics was evaluated at various ratios of the fungus and the alga cells in the free and immobilized states. When the ratio of fungus to alga was one to eight in free mixed culture, the production rate of β-lactam antibiotics was 240% of the rate in the presence of fungus alone in the free state. In coimmobilized cell system, the increased amount was 370% in comparison with immobilized fungus alone.
Therapy-related myeloid leukemia after treatment for epithelial ovarian carcinoma: an epidemiological analysis.

Abstract Objective Therapy related acute myeloid leukemia (t-AML) is a potential late complication of cytotoxic therapy, and it is of particular concern in the treatment of patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma (EOC) exposed to multiple courses of chemotherapy during the course of their disease. This study examines the incidence, characteristics and clinical outcomes of patients who developed secondary myeloid-type leukemia after a diagnosis of EOC. Methods National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database was pooled for diagnosis of secondary myeloid leukemia after an initial diagnosis of EOC. This group of patients was compared to patients with de novo AML, and to EOC patients who did not develop secondary myeloid leukemia. Demographic, cytopathological and survival data were recorded. Cox Proportional Hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR) for developing secondary leukemia and to determine the statistically significant variables impacting survival. Kaplan–Meier estimates of survival were obtained and comparisons between the groups were performed using log-rank test. Results One hundred and nine myeloid leukemia cases were identified among 63,359 patients with a prior diagnosis of EOC for an overall incidence of 0.17%. The median latency to development of leukemia was 4years (range 0–27years). Median survival from the time of secondary leukemia diagnosis was 3months and significantly worse than the 6month median survival in patients with de novo AML ( p vs . de novo leukemia had a statistically worse prognosis on multivariate analysis (HR of 2.69, 95%CI 2.60–2.78 and 1.81, 95%CI 1.49–2.20 respectively). The development of secondary leukemia was more common with EOC diagnosis made prior to the platinum/taxane era (HR 6.70, 95%CI 3.69–12.18). There was no difference in median survival between EOC patients who developed AML and those who did not. Conclusion Development of t-AML is a rare but lethal event among EOC patients, and its incidence has decreased significantly since the use of platinum/taxane-based chemotherapy became the standard of care.
The economics of solar sea power plants

Of the many novel solar energy schemes being investigated in the United States, the Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Concept, OTEC, appears to be the one most likely to put the U.S. on the road towards energy self-sufficiency in the shortest possible time. The paper will illustrate how a solar sea power plant will convert the thermal energy stored in the tropical oceans into electricity. The main emphasis will be on capital plant cost and energy cost. Comparison with conventional nuclear plants will be made based on cost, energy pay-back and development time.
Out of Sight, Out of Mind: Pantry Stockpiling and Brand Usage Frequency

Both researchers and brand managers have suggested that price promotion induced stockpiling can increase a household's usage frequency of a product. Empirical findings, however, contradict this relationship. In reconciling this inconsistency, laboratory results reported in this paper suggest that stockpiling may have the greatest effect on a product's usage frequency when usage-related thoughts about the product are highly salient. These results also suggest that when stockpiling stimulates usage frequency, it can do so by increasing perceptions of a product's versatility. These findings have implications for the advertising versus promotion debate. They suggest that consumer promotions and advertising might play a joint and complementary role in increasing product usage: promotions by encouraging stockpiling, and advertising by building the usage-related salience needed to deplete the stockpiled inventory.
A study of four methods of recording the path of insertion of removable partial dentures.

lh e path of insertion has been defined as “the direction of movement of an appliance or prosthesis from the point of initial contact of its rigid parts with the supporting teeth to the place of final rest.“’ The record of the path of insertion on the dental cast is part of the dentist’s work authorization to the dental laboratory technician for a removable partial denture. The dentist places the cast on the surveyor, selects the path of insertion, and records the path of insertion on the cast. The path-of-insertion record enables the dental technician to re-place the cast on a surveyor in the same position that the dentist selected. The denture may then be constructed according to the dentist’s prescribed path of insertion. This study investigated four methods that a dentist may use to record the path of insertion on the cast. The purpose of the study was to determine how well each of the four methods enabled dental technicians to re-place the cast on a surveyor in the dentist’s prescribed path of insertion.
The transcription termination site at the end of the early region of bacteriophage T7 DNA

Abstract The nucleotide sequence through the transcription termination site for Escherichia coli RNA polymerase at the end of the early region of T7 DNA has been determined. RNA chains terminate at adjacent residues in the DNA sequence: about 2/3 of the chains end in C and 1/3 in G. A potential stem and loop structure, containing a stem of eight uninterrupted base pairs and a four-base loop, is centered 17-18 bases ahead of the chain termini. Transcription by E. coli RNA polymerase terminates efficiently at this site in vivo and in vitro, but transcription by T7 RNA polymerase is essentially unaffected. There are no primary cleavage sites for RNase III near the transcription termination site. The site of termination lies within HpaI fragment Q of T7 DNA, whose entire 446-nucleotide long sequence was determined. Cleavage sites for other restriction endonucleases are located conveniently for manipulating the DNA sequence around the termination site. The coding sequence for the last 82 amino acids of the T7 DNA ligase protein was identified, as was the beginning of a coding sequence for a possible late T7 protein from beyond the termination site.
Mechanisms of Suppression of α-Synuclein Neurotoxicity by Geldanamycin in Drosophila

Parkinson's disease is a common neurodegenerative disease characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta and the accumulation of the protein α-synuclein into aggregates called Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites. Parkinson's disease can be modeled in Drosophila where directed expression of α-synuclein induces compromise of dopaminergic neurons and the formation of Lewy body-like aggregates. The molecular chaperone Hsp70 protects cells from the deleterious effects of α-synuclein, indicating a potential therapeutic approach to enhance neuron survival in Parkinson's disease. We have now investigated the molecular mechanisms by which the drug geldanamycin protects neurons against α-synuclein toxicity. Our studies show that geldanamycin sensitizes the stress response within normal physiological parameters to enhance chaperone activation, offering protection against α-synuclein neurotoxicity. Further, geldanamycin uncouples neuronal toxicity from Lewy body and Lewy neurite formation such that dopaminergic neurons are protected from the effects of α-synuclein expression despite the continued presence of (and even increase in) inclusion pathology. These studies indicate that compounds that modulate the stress response are a promising approach to treat Parkinson's disease.
Edge instabilities in thin plates studied by in situ transmission electron microscopy

Abstract The morphological instability of thin foil edges at elevated temperature is studied by in situ TEM. Quasi-periodic instabilities in the edge profile are observed to develop with a distinct growth direction perpendicular to the original foil edge direction. This results in the development of relatively thick rods perpendicular to the original edge. The rods are then observed to undergo spheroidization. The use of in situ techniques allows the direct study of the thickness changes associated with the formation and propagation of this instability. Such examination of the details of the thickness changes is critical to a full understanding and perhaps the control of the phenomenon.
Ultra-low-loss whispering gallery delay lines and resonators on a silicon chip

Using a wet etch process, 7 meter long waveguides having optical loss of 0.055dB/m are demonstrated. The same process produces resonators having Q factors as high as 750 million. Applications to microwave photonics are reviewed.
Parasitic infections and psychopathology: a preliminary hypothesis

The relationship between chronic parasitic loads and psychopathology is examined. Research suggests that: (1) psychiatric disorders are more prevalent in less developed countries where parasitic loads are more endemic; (2) individual patients with parasitic loads are more likely to exhibit mental status changes; (3) there is an improvement in the mental status of a subset of psychiatric patients following treatment for parasites. Inasmuch as the prevalence of parasitic content is underestimated in both more developed and less developed countries, an awareness of this relationship should increase understanding of the needs of infected individuals, and be taken into consideration when evaluating psychiatric patients.
Medical Mystery: Abdominal Pain — The Answer

To the Editor: The Medical Mystery in the August 4 issue1 involved a 40-year-old man who presented with a four-day history of pain in the left upper quadrant of the abdomen, accompanied by fatigue,...
A study of Wilson's determination of ferrous iron in silicates

Abstract The chemical factors affecting the accuracy of Wilson's procedure for determination of ferrous iron in silicates have been investigated. This procedure utilizes pentavalent vanadium to oxidize ferrous iron as it is set free from the silicate by hydrofluoric acid. The quadrivalent vanadium produced is more resistant to oxidation by oxygen than ferrous iron, and conserves the reducing power of the silicate. The procedure is done at room temperature. Recovery of ferrous iron under various conditions has been studied to elucidate the chemical mechanisms of loss in the procedure. Some improvements have been made. The studies indicate that the procedure is of high accuracy. An effect resulting in loss of ferrous iron titre has been found, involving the chemical attack of solids by solutions containing oxygen and pentavalent vanadium. This loss does not appear to take place if all ion species are in solution.
Differentiation of the chorionic epithelium of chick embryos maintained in shell-less culture

In order to determine whether the chorionic epithelium (CE) of the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) of chick embryos maintained in shell-less culture might be suitable for studies of calcium translocation and/or tissue grafting, membranes from 10- to 18-day embryos were studied histologically using Nomarski differential interference optics on living, unfixed tissue and ultrastructurally using scanning and transmission electron microscopy. Differentiation of the CAM of cultured embryos appeared similar to thatin ovo. At 10 days, an electron-lucent squamous cell layer covered much of the CE. Intraepithelial capillaries were separated from the chorionic surface by a relatively thick (>5-μm) cytoplasmic layer. By 12 days, dense, vacuolated, apparently degenerating cells covered much of the CE. At later stages (14 to 16 days), degenerating cells were seen infrequently and most capillaries were covered by thin (
Electronic control units for automotive electrical power systems: communication and networks

The last decade has seen a resurgence of advanced technologies being implemented in automobiles. Functions that were considered highly complex and difficult to be implemented are not only being provided but various other facilities are also being built on those very functions. Everything from engine control to multimedia and infotainment services are implemented in today's automobiles. This has been due largely to the strides made by the electronics as well as the communications industry. The emergence of the concept of providing the customer with all possible services has led to an explosion of implementation of high-end electronics, each providing a facility of its own. When so many devices are being embedded in a car, there also has to be a mechanism that should regulate the way in which data transfer takes place. It is the objective of this paper to provide an insight into most of the communication protocols that are being used, as well as technologies that are under development in the automobile industry of today. Various protocols and their modus operandi are explained, with schematics completing the picture.
Bioligand Interaction Assay by Flow Injection Absorptiometry

A novel technique for the study of bioligand interactions based on combining flow injection on renewable surfaces with UV−visible absorptiometry is introduced. The concept is proven by monitoring the binding of various proteins to protein G and the binding of various insulin analogs to a monoclonal anti-insulin antibody, thus providing a comparison with the performance of surface plasmon resonance (SPR)-based techniques. The advantages of the bioligand interaction flow injection absorptiometry approach are speed, low cost, no need for regeneration of solid substrate, and spectral resolution not available with SPR sensing. It is believed that this technique will have an impact on the entire biosensor field since it allows simultaneous monitoring of labeled as well as nonlabeled species in real time over a wide spectral range with high sensitivity.
Restricted access to markets characterizes women-owned businesses

Abstract Growth of women business enterprises (WBEs) has been rapid in fields like manufacturing, where their presence has traditionally been low. This movement partly reflects a growing emphasis on serving corporate and government customers. Women business owners complain that they have less access to clients than male-owned firms, when they seek to operate in markets beyond their traditional household clientele. This study empirically tests the hypothesis that WBEs are discriminated against, when they seek to sell their products to government agencies and other businesses. When WBE traits such as firm size, age, and industry of operation are controlled for statistically, WBEs are shown to have less access to business clients than male-owned firms.
Enhancing cardiac protection after myocardial infarction: rationale for newer clinical trials of angiotensin receptor blockers.

Abstract Treatment of acute myocardial infarction (MI) has been advanced considerably in the past 20 years with the advent of acute reperfusion strategies such as thrombolytic therapy or primary angioplasty and the use of adjunctive medical therapies such as aspirin, β-blockers, and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins); each has been proven to reduce morbidity and mortality rates after MI. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have earned an important place in this list of winners, particularly in patients clinically assessed as being at higher risk for cardiovascular death. The benefits of treating such patients with an ACE inhibitor have clearly shown significant improvements in survival that are both complementary and additive to the other proven therapies. However, a significant subset of patients treated with ACE inhibitors will die or have worsening congestive heart failure despite adequate therapy. Appropriate risk stratification can help guide the clinician in identifying patients at greatest risk for cardiovascular events after MI. Fortunately, investigators are currently exploring the potential benefits of more specific and selective blockade of the renin-angiotensin system with AT 1 receptor blockers (ARBs) in the hope of enhancing survival beyond that evidenced with ACE inhibition alone. These agents pharmacologically inhibit the renin-angiotensin system at the angiotensin (Ang) II type 1 receptor level. Although there are theories postulating why blocking the harmful effects of Ang II at this receptor would be more effective than inhibiting ACE-mediated conversion from inactive Ang I to Ang II, extrapolation to the clinical setting remains highly speculative. These hypotheses can only be tested by direct comparisons of ACE inhibitors and ARBs in the appropriate patient populations. The VALIANT (Valsartan in Acute Myocardial Infarction) trial is testing the hypothesis that interruption of the renin-angiotensin pathway by using the ARB valsartan alone or in combination with an ACE inhibitor will be more effective in saving lives than an ACE inhibitor alone in treating patients at high risk. This trial will enroll patients with symptoms of congestive heart failure or depressed left ventricular ejection fraction and randomly assign them to either captopril, valsartan, or the combination. Other proven conventional post-MI therapies are encouraged. This study will definitively determine whether the use of valsartan offers additional benefits over those achieved with ACE inhibitor monotherapy in patients at high risk after MI. (Am Heart J 2000;139:S23-S28.)
Phase transitions in quantum dots.

We perform Hartree-Fock calculations to show that quantum dots (i.e., two-dimensional systems of up to twenty interacting electrons in an external parabolic potential) undergo a gradual transition to a spin-polarized Wigner crystal with increasing magnetic-field strength. The phase diagram and ground-state energies have been determined. We tried to improve the ground state of the Wigner crystal by introducing a Jastrow ansatz for the wave function and performing a variational Monte Carlo calculation. The existence of so-called magic numbers was also investigated. Finally, we also calculated the heat capacity associated with the rotational degree of freedom of deformed many-body states.
Stability of Elastic Glass Phases in Random Field XY Magnets and Vortex Lattices in Type-II Superconductors

A description of a dislocation-free elastic glass phase in terms of domain walls is developed and used as the basis of a renormalization group analysis of the energetics of dislocation loops added to the system. It is found that even after optimizing over possible paths of large dislocation loops, their energy is still very likely to be positive when the dislocation core energy is large. This implies the existence of an equilibrium elastic glass phase in three-dimensional random field XY magnets, and a dislocation-free, bond orientationally ordered {open_quotes}Bragg glass{close_quote}{close_quote} phase of vortices in dirty type-II superconductors. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
Development and preliminary evaluation of a behavioural HIV-prevention programme for teenage girls of Latino descent in the USA

National data suggests that teenage girls of Latino descent in the USA are disproportionately affected by HIV, with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting the rate of new infections being approximately four times higher compared to White women of comparable age . This paper highlights the need for an effective single-sex HIV-prevention programme for teenage girls of Latino descent and describes the development and preliminary evaluation of Chicas Healing, Informing, Living and Empowering (CHILE), a culturally-tailored, HIV-prevention programme exclusively for teenage girls of Latino descent that was adapted from Sisters Informing, Healing, Living and Empowering (SiHLE), an evidence-based HIV- prevention program that is culturally tailored for African American young women. Theatre testing, a pre-testing methodology to assess consumer response to a demonstration of a product, was utilised to evaluate the relevance and utility of the HIV programme as well as opportunities for the integra...
Differences in Amplified Fragment-Length Polymorphisms in Fall Armyworm (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) Host Strains

Amplified fragment-length polymorphic (AFLP) loci were examined in the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (J. E. Smith), to assess their ability to distinguish 2 host-associated strains. Cluster analyses of variation at 10 AFLP loci amplified with 5 primer pairs revealed 2 groups. Each group contained a majority of individuals from 1 or the other host-associated strain as defined by habitat and mtDNA type. Discordance between habitat / mtDNA strain assignments and AFLPs occurred more frequently in the rice strain (8%) than in the corn strain (3%), and at a frequency of 5% overall. Results indicate that AFLPs exhibit strain-specific variation comparable to that of mtDNA and allozymes. In combination with other markers, AFLP loci will be useful for developing a system for identification of fall armyworm strains and hybrids.
Targeted expression of des(1-3) human insulin-like growth factor I in transgenic mice influences mammary gland development and IGF-binding protein expression.

To test the hypothesis that insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) regulates mammary gland development and lactation, the expression of both human (h) IGF-I and des(1-3)hIGF-I was targeted to the mammary gland in transgenic mice using a novel exon replacement strategy and the rat whey acidic protein (rWAP) gene regulatory sequences. Both transgenes expressed a 0.7-kilobase messenger RNA (mRNA). The abundance of WAP-IGE-I and WAP-DES mRNA on day 10 of lactation ranged from 0.2-1.0% and 0.2-13% of the endogenous mouse WAP mRNA, respectively. For WAP-DES mice, transgene expression was greatest from midpregnancy throughout lactation. Western blot analysis showed the presence of correctly processed hIGF-I in milk from these transgenic mice. This hIGF-I was capable of stimulating protein synthesis in cultured rat L6 myoblasts. Ligand blotting indicated changes in mammary gland secretion of IGFBP in response to WAP-DES expression. Histological analysis of mammary tissue from mice overexpressing des(1-3)hIGF-I show...
Aluminum decreases muscarinic, adrenergic, and metabotropic receptor-stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis in hippocampal and cortical slices from rat brain

Abstract Effects of alumiinum chloride (AlCl3)(0.1 to 1000 μM) on inositol phosphate (IP) accumulation stimulated by carbachol (CARB), norepinephrine (NE) or quisqualate (QUIS) were examined in rat hippocampal and cortical slices. In the absence of agonist, only 1000 μM AlCl3 significantly reduced basal accumulation of IPs. For CARB-stimulated IP accumulation, 100 μM and greater AlCl3 significantly inhibited IP accumulation. In cortical slices, 1000 μM AlCl3 reduced CARB-stimulated IP accumulation by 55% and in hippocampal slices 1000 μM AlCl3 inhibited IP accumulation by 40%. Similar effects of AlCl3 were observed for NE-stimulated IP accumulation. In cortical slices, the concentration-response for AlCl3 effects on agonist-stimulated IP accumulation was significantly different from that in hippocampal slices. For QUIS-stimulated accumulation of IPs, 1000 μM AlCl3 significantly inhibited IP accumulation in hippocampal slices. However, in cortical slices a biphasic effect of AlCl3 was observed. 500 and 1000 μM AlCl3 significantly inhibited IP accumulation, whereas 10 and 50 μM AlCl3 significantly enhanced QUIS-stimulated IP accumulation. In both hippocampal and cortical slices, 500 μM AlCl3 significantly inhibited CARB-, NE- or QUIS-stimulated IP accumulation at all agonist concentrations (0.1 to 10000 μM) tested, indicating a post-receptor effect on agonist-mediated IP accumulation. Stimulation of G-proteins with NaF (5–30 mM) resulted in accumulation of IPs in hippocampal and cortical slices in the absence of added agonists. NaF (5–30 mM) plus 1 mM CARB produced increased accumulation of IPs over CARB or NaF alone. AlCl3 inhibited CARB- and NaF-stimulated IP accumulation, suggesting that AlCl3 decreases IP accumulation by inhibiting G-protein or phospholipase C (PLC) activity. To determine the influence of the form of aluminum salt on IP accumulation, the effects of equinolar concentrations of AlCl3, aluminum citrate (Al(Cit)), and aluminum lactate (Al(Lac)) on CARB-stimulated IP accumulation were determined. AlCl3 and Al(Lac) produced similar inhibition of IP accumulation, whereas Al(Cit) did not inhibit receptor-stimulated IP accumulation. These results suggest that: (1) AlCl3 disrupts IP accumulation mediated by different pharmacological classes of receptors; (2) differences in sensitivity to AlCl3 exist in the hippocampus and cortex; (3) AlCl3 and AlF−4 influence IP accumulation through separate mechanisms and AlF−4 is not responsible for effects of AlCl3 on receptor-stimulated IP accumulation; (4) AlCl3 appears to exert its action on IP accumulation ‘downstream’ of the receptor and receptor-G-protein interaction; and (5) Effects of aluminum on IP accumulation are dependent upon the aluminum salts used.
Host specificity in phytophagous insects: selection pressure from generalist predators

The narrow host range of insect herbivores is noted, and some of the reasons why specificity has evolved are reviewed. Works indicating the need for new approaches are pointed out including the possibility that generalist predators provide a suitable pressure. Experiments to test the hypothesis that generalists are more vulnerable than specialists to predators are described. They involve a vespid wasp and over thirty species pairs of caterpillars, matched for size and density. Overall, generalists were taken more readily than specialists: some but not all reasons could be detected. The results are discussed in ecological and evolutionary terms.
Adenomyosis: Review of the Literature

Adenomyosis usually occurs in women in their reproductive years, predominantly in those with menorrhagia and dysmenorrhea. The etiology and pathophysiology remain unclear; however, recent advancements in diagnostic methods and new investigations of treatment options have changed how clinicians manage adenomyosis. A review was performed using PubMed and cross-references of reviews, case reports, and prospective and retrospective studies published from 1958 to 2010 to provide an overview of the etiology, diagnosis, prevalence, risk factors, clinical signs and symptoms, and treatments of adenomyosis.