cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Exposure to Mn/Zn Ethylene-bis-Dithiocarbamate and Glyphosate Pesticides Leads to Neurodegeneration in Caenorhabditis elegans

Epidemiological evidence suggests positive correlations between pesticide usage and the incidence of Parkinson's disease (PD). To further explore this relationship, we used wild type (N2) Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) to test the following hypothesis: Exposure to a glyphosate-containing herbicide (TD) and/or a manganese/zinc ethylene-bis-dithiocarbamate-containing fungicide (MZ) may lead to neurotoxicity. We exposed N2 worms to varying concentrations of TD or MZ for 30 min (acute) or 24h (chronic). To replicate agricultural usage, a third population was exposed to TD (acute) followed by MZ (acute). For acute TD exposure, the LC(50)=8.0% (r(2)=0.6890), while the chronic LC(50)=5.7% (r(2)=0.9433). Acute MZ exposure led to an LC(50)=0.22% (r(2)=0.5093), and chronic LC(50)=0.50% (r(2)=0.9733). The combined treatment for TD+MZ yielded an LC(50)=12.5% (r(2)=0.6367). Further studies in NW1229 worms, a pan-neuronally green fluorescent protein (GFP) tagged strain, indicated a statistically significant (p<0.05) and dose-dependent reduction in green pixel number in neurons of treated worms following each paradigm. This reduction of pixel number was accompanied by visual neurodegeneration in photomicrographs. For the dual treatment, Bliss analysis suggested synergistic interactions. Taken together, these data suggest neuronal degeneration occurs in C. elegans following treatment with environmentally relevant concentrations of TD or MZ.
Museos, Conversaciones y Aprendizaje

En este estudio participaron 178 grupos de visitantes a museos. Tres tipos de elementos mostraron una fuerte influencia en el aprendizaje: la identidad del visitante, la respuesta al ambiente de aprendizaje y el involucramiento explicativo durante la visita. Un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales que incluia estas variables tuvo un buen nivel de ajuste. Una revision mas profunda revelo que no toda la conducta conversacional respaldo el aprendizaje; algunas acciones, como hablar sobre historias personales, lo afectaron negativamente. Ademas, la contemplacion silente estuvo asociada con el aprendizaje. Estos descubrimientos son el resultado del analisis de las experiencias de cuatro parejas cuyo desempeno estuvo ubicado en los extremos de la distribucion de aprendizaje.
Saturation of the Electric Field Transmitted to the Magnetosphere

We reexamined the processes leading to saturation of the electric field, transmitted into the Earth's ionosphere from the solar wind, incorporating features of the coupled system previously ignored. We took into account that the electric field is transmitted into the ionosphere through a region of open field lines, and that the ionospheric conductivity in the polar cap and auroral zone may be different. Penetration of the electric field into the magnetosphere is linked with the generation of the Alfven wave, going out from the ionosphere into the solar wind and being coupled with the field-aligned currents at the boundary of the open field limes. The electric field of the outgoing Alfven wave reduces the original electric field and provides the saturation effect in the electric field and currents during strong geomagnetic disturbances, associated with increasing ionospheric conductivity. The electric field and field-aligned currents of this Alfven wave are dependent on the ionospheric and solar wind parameters and may significantly affect the electric field and field-aligned currents, generated in the polar ionosphere. Estimating the magnitude of the saturation effect in the electric field and field-aligned currents allows us to improve the correlation between solar wind parameters and resulting disturbances in the Earth's magnetosphere.
Increased risk of death in young African American dialysis patients.

Context: Many studies have reported that black individuals undergoing dialysis survive longer than those who are white. This observation is paradoxical given racial disparities in access to and quality of care, and is inconsistent with observed lower survival among black patients with chronic kidney disease. We hypothesized that age and the competing risk of transplantation modify survival differences by race. Objective: To estimate death among dialysis patients by race, accounting for age as an effect modifier and kidney transplantation as a competing risk. Design, Setting, and Participants: An observational cohort study of 1 330 007 incident end-stage renal disease patients as captured in the United States Renal Data System between January 1, 1995, and September 28, 2009 (median potential follow-up time, 6.7 years; range, 1 day-14.8 years). Multivariate age-stratified Cox proportional hazards and competing risk models were constructed to examine death in patients who receive dialysis. Main Outcome Measures: Death in black vs white patients who receive dialysis. Results: Similar to previous studies, black patients undergoing dialysis had a lower death rate compared with white patients (232 361 deaths [57.1% mortality] vs 585 792 deaths [63.5% mortality], respectively; adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.83-0.84; P Conclusions: Overall, among dialysis patients in the United States, there was a lower risk of death for black patients compared with their white counterparts. However, the commonly cited survival advantage for black dialysis patients applies only to older adults, and those younger than 50 years have a higher risk of death.
Cauchy integrals on Lipschitz curves and related operators.

Abstract In this note, we establish certain properties of the Cauchy integral on Lipschitz curves and prove the Lp-boundedness of some related operators. In particular, we obtain the recent results of R. R. Coifman and Y. Meyer [(1976) “Commutateurs d'integrales singulieres:” Analyse harmonique d'Orsay no 211, Universite Paris XI] on the continuity of the so-called commutator operators.
Mechanical Insufflation-Exsufflation: Comparison of Peak Expiratory Flows With Manually Assisted and Unassisted Coughing Techniques

Pulmonary complications are major causes of morbidity and mortality for patients with severe expiratory muscle weakness. The purpose of this study was to compare peak cough expiratory flows (PCEFs) during unassisted and assisted coughing and review the long-term use of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E) for 46 neuromuscular ventilator users. These individuals used noninvasive methods of ventilatory support for a mean of 21.1 h/d for 17.3±15.5 years. They relied on manually assisted coughing and/or MI-E during periods of productive airway secretion. They reported a mean of 0.7±1.2 cases of pneumonia and other serious pulmonary complications and 2.8±5.6 hospitalizations during the 16.4-year period and no complications of MI-E. A sample of 21 of these patients with a mean forced vital capacity of 490±370 ml had a mean maximum insufflation capacity (MIC) achieved by a combination of air stacking of ventilator insufflations and glossopharyngeal breathing of 1,670±540 ml. The PCEFs for this sample were: following an unassisted inspiration, 1.81 ± 1.03 L/s; following a MIC maneuver, 3.37±1.07 L/s; with manual assistance by abdominal compression following a MIC maneuver, 4.27±1.29 L/s; and with MI-E, 7.47±1.02 L/s. Each PCEF was significantly greater than the preceding, respectively (p
Time-dependent leak behavior of flawed Alloy 600 tube specimens at constant pressure☆

Abstract Leak rate testing has been performed using Alloy 600 tube specimens with throughwall flaws. Some specimens have shown time-dependent leak behavior at constant pressure conditions. Fractographic characterization was performed to identify the time-dependent crack growth mechanism. The fracture surface of the specimens showed the typical features of ductile fracture, as well as the distinct crystallographic facets, typical of fatigue crack growth at low Δ K level. Structural vibration appears to have been caused by the oscillation of pressure, induced by a high-pressure pump used in a test facility, and by the water jet/tube structure interaction. Analyses of the leak behaviors and crack growth indicated that both the high-pressure pump and the water jet could significantly contribute to fatigue crack growth. To determine whether the fatigue crack growth during the leak testing can occur solely by the water jet effect, leak rate tests at constant pressure without the high-pressure pump need to be performed.
Accounting for Network Effects in Railway Asset Management

AbstractSystem-level infrastructure management involves determining optimal maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction activities for a system of facilities over a planning horizon to maximize the level of service subject to system constraints. In railway networks, different types of facilities (such as tracks, and bridges) comprise the system, and maintenance of one facility may affect the maintenance of other facilities, both economically and functionally. Therefore, when developing an asset management system for railway networks, it is essential to take into account heterogeneity and interdependency in the network. In this paper, a two-stage, bottom-up methodology is formulated to capture these interdependencies and heterogeneities in railroad infrastructure management. Numerical experiments are presented to examine the effects of economic and functional interdependencies on network optimization and to demonstrate the validity of the proposed model. The results show that accounting for heterogenei...
Fine Structure of Vortex Sheet Rollup by Viscous and Inviscid Simulation

Numerical simulations of the large amplitude stage of the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability of a relatively thin vorticity layer are discussed. At high Reynolds number, the effect of viscosity is commonly neglected and the thin layer is modeled as a vortex sheet separating one potential flow region from another. Since such vortex sheets are susceptible to a short wavelength instability, as well as singularity formation, it is necessary to provide an artificial “regularization” for long time calculations. We examine the effect of this regularization by comparing vortex sheet calculations with fully viscous finite difference calculations of the Navier-Stokes equations. In particular, we compare the limiting behavior of the viscous simulations for high Reynolds numbers and small initial layer thickness with the limiting solution for the roll-up of an inviscid vortex sheet. Results show that the inviscid regularization effectively reproduces many of the features associated with the thickness of viscous vorticity layers with increasing Reynolds number, though the simplified dynamics of the inviscid model allows it to accurately simulate only the large scale features of the vorticity field. Our results also show that the limiting solution of zero regularization for the inviscid model and high Reynolds number and zero initial thickness for the viscous simulations appear to be the same.
Living with Food Allergy: Allergen Avoidance

The primary treatment of food allergy is to avoid the culprit foods. This is a complex undertaking that requires education about reading the labels of manufactured products, understanding how to avoid cross-contact with allergens during food preparation, and communicating effectively with persons who are providing allergen-safe meals including relatives and restaurant personnel. Successful avoidance also requires a knowledge of nuances such as appropriate cleaning practices, an understanding of the risks of ingestion compared to skin contact or inhalation, that exposure could occur through unanticipated means such as through sharing utensils or passionate kissing, and that food may be a component of substances that are not ingested such as cosmetics, bath products, vaccines and medications. The authors review the necessary tools of avoidance that physicians and medical practitioners can use to guide their patients through the complexities of food avoidance.
Cardiac acceleration in response to stimulation of the segmental nerves in the adult cockroach, Periplaneta americana

Abstract 1. 1. Cardiac acceleration to stimulation of one, two and three segmental nerves was studied. 2. 2. Preparations in which the heart was partially isolated from the central nervous system and preparations in which the heart was completely isolated from the central nervous system were used. 3. 3. Simultaneous stimulation of two segmental nerves was more effective in causing acceleration than stimulation of the third or fourth segmental nerve singly. 4. 4. The fifth abdominal segmental nerve when stimulated singly always illicited acceleration.
Impact of a Multiple Mice Holder on Quantitation of High-Throughput MicroPET Imaging With and Without Ct Attenuation Correction

The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of scanning multiple mice simultaneously on image quantitation, relative to single mouse scans on both a micro-positron emission tomography/computed tomography (microPET/CT) scanner (which utilizes CT-based attenuation correction to the PET reconstruction) and a dedicated microPET scanner using an inexpensive mouse holder “hotel.” We developed a simple mouse holder made from common laboratory items that allows scanning multiple mice simultaneously. It is also compatible with different imaging modalities to allow multiple mice and multi-modality imaging. For this study, we used a radiotracer (64Cu-GB170) with a relatively long half-life (12.7 h), selected to allow scanning at times after tracer uptake reaches steady state. This also reduces the effect of decay between sequential imaging studies, although the standard decay corrections were performed. The imaging was also performed using a common tracer, 2-deoxy-2-[18 F]fluoro-d-glucose (FDG), although the faster decay and faster pharmacokinetics of FDG may introduce greater biological variations due to differences in injection-to-scan timing. We first scanned cylindrical mouse phantoms (50 ml tubes) both in a groups of four at a time (multiple mice mode) and then individually (single mouse mode), using microPET/CT and microPET scanners to validate the process. Then, we imaged a first set of four mice with subcutaneous tumors (C2C12Ras) in both single- and multiple-mice imaging modes. Later, a second set of four normal mice were injected with FDG and scanned 1 h post-injection. Immediately after completion of the scans, ex vivo biodistribution studies were performed on all animals to provide a “gold-standard” to compare quantitative values obtained from PET. A semi-automatic threshold-based region of interest tool was used to minimize operator variability during image analysis. Phantom studies showed less than 4.5 % relative error difference between the single- and multiple-mice imaging modes of PET imaging with CT-based attenuation correction and 18.4 % without CT-based attenuation correction. In vivo animal studies (n = 4) showed 0.686) and 0.4 except for brain image data p = 0.029) relative mean difference with respect to percent injected dose per gram (%ID/gram) between the single- and multiple-mice microPET imaging mode when CT-based attenuation correction is performed. Without CT-based attenuation correction, we observed relative mean differences of about 11 % for 64Cu and 15 % for FDG. Our results confirmed the potential use of a microPET/CT scanner for multiple mice simultaneous imaging without significant sacrifice in quantitative accuracy as well as in image quality. Thus, the use of the mouse “hotel” is an aid to increasing instrument throughput on small animal scanners with minimal loss of quantitative accuracy.
Antitumor activity of G3139 lipid nanoparticles (LNPs).

G3139, an antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide (ODN) against Bcl-2, contains two CpG dinucleotides and has shown immunostimulatory activities in preclinical studies. It has been suggested that immunoactivation, rather than antisense activity, is primarily responsible for the therapeutic efficacy of G3139. Nanoparticle formulations naturally target phagocytic antigen presenting cells and therefore might enhance the immunological effects of G3139. In this study, a novel formulation of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) encapsulating G3139 was synthesized and evaluated in mice bearing L1210 subcutaneous tumors. Intravenous injection of G3139-LNPs into mice led to increased serum levels of IL-6 and IFN-γ, promoted proliferation of natural killer (NK) cells and dendritic cells (DCs), and triggered a strong antitumor immune response in mice. The observed effects were much greater than those induced by free G3139. Correspondingly, the G3139-LNPs more effectively inhibited tumor growth and induced complete tumor regression...
Observations of contemporary arroyo cutting near Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S.A.

Arroyo cutting that began in the American Southwest in the 1880s is associated with sudden runoff, a circumstance characteristic of this semiarid region in which occasional intense rainfall exceeds the capacity of the ground to absorb water. This report describes two arroyos in an area of moderately dissected bolson deposits southwest of Santa Fe, Canada de la Cueva and Pueblo Canon, where arroyo cutting since 1970 has been closely related to runoff from summer rain. The area is vegetated chiefly by grama grass and scattered juniper. Cutting is monitored by repeated surveys of channel floors, cross-sections, and headcuts, and by repeated photographs taken as stereopairs. Rainfall and discharge are measured simultaneously in 5-minute intervals by dual digital recorders at a gauging station on Canada de la Cueva (drainage area 4.64 km2). Discharge has been as much as 18.2 m3/s from rainfall of 25.2 mm. The maximum 15-minute intensity for this storm was 64.0 mm/hr, and runoff was 7.9 mm. The flood peak arrived in 20 minutes, by which time 80 per cent of the rain had fallen, and the flow subsided to a tenth of its maximum in less than an hour. This storm at Pueblo Canon (drainage area 13.3 km2 above the place of measurement) resulted in an estimated discharge of 140 m3/s, and features produced by hail on the channel floor suggest that the duration of flow could have been as brief as 30 minutes. Observed increments of headward cutting at Canada de la Cueva range from 0.28 m for 1.8 mm of runoff to 4.9 m for 12 mm of runoff. Aggregate cutting in 5 years has been as much as 13.7 m, resulting in erosion of 570 m3 of alluvium. Headward cutting near the mouth of Pueblo Canon has been observed in increments of 10.3, 14.6, and 20.7 m, for an aggregate of 45.6 m, as measured from 1971 to 1974. This cutting removed 1,770 m3 of alluvium.
The expression of the essential nuclear splicing factor SC35 is altered by human immunodeficiency virus infection

Abstract In order to identify cellular genes differentially expressed during human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection, we conducted a screen using differential display. The sequence of one of the clones, 0085, was identical to a sequence present in the RNA splicing factor SC35. Since splicing is an essential point of control during HIV gene expression, we carried out additional experiments to examine SC35 expression during HIV infection. RNA blots confirmed that SC35 RNA was induced following HIV infection; a 2–3-fold increase in expression of SC35 RNA was detected by day 2 of HIV infection. Fluorescence-activated cell-sorting revealed concomitant increases in SC35 protein and double staining studies demonstrated that increases in SC35 protein occurred specifically in the HIV-infected cells. Laser scanning confocal microscopy revealed SC35 was associated with 2 μm ‘nuclear speckles’ in both infected and uninfected cells, suggesting that increases in SC35 accumulated in these nuclear structures and that HIV infection did not alter the intracellular distribution of SC35. These findings indicate that an essential splicing factor is induced after HIV infection, suggesting that the consequences of HIV infection include alterations in relative levels of a splicing factor.
Assembly behaviour by the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae), to tick excreta is not species-specific and influenced by relative humidity

This study tested the lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, vector of ehrlichiosis, tularemia, Southern tick-associated rash illness borreliosis, for arrestment to excreta from different tick species. The purpose was to explore off-host clustering along with spread and establishment into habitats occupied previously by other ticks. This response was analysed in relation to relative humidity since this is environmental. Females had the greatest responses towards natural excreta, and excreta components guanine and uric, and nymphs behaved like adults but with lower response levels. Response was poor by larvae, by showing inconsistent, or no response to excreta exposure. Clustering occurred on excreta from Amblyomma maculatum, Dermacentor variabilis, Ixodes scapularis, and Rhipicephalus sanguineus. This indicates there is unlikely a species-specific assembly component in excreta of A. americanum. In fact, highest level of assembly by A. americanum was to I. scapularis excreta. Greater speed and intensity for...
Rules of Thumb: Three Simple Ideas for Overcoming the Complex Problem of Childhood Obesity

hildhood obesity correlates with increased internalizing disorders, externalizing C disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, learning disorders, and academic underperformance. However, families rarely present to mental health practitioners to treat obesity directly, and minimal guidance exists regarding how to address this multifaceted problem during a time-limited office visit. Moreover, many behavior patterns associated with obesity, such as sedentary lifestyles, excessive media exposure, and inappropriate diets, also correlate with psychiatric diagnosis or psychological distress. Thus, clinicians may want to consider an approach that focuses on educating parents or other caregivers about some common factors driving these harmful modern lifestyles. The following method emphasizes to caregivers 3 simple family-oriented goals (authoritatively labeled “rules”) to assist navigating a complex, ever-evolving world that is often averse to healthy behaviors. The “rules” aim to lead caregivers toward decisions that promote physical health and mental health and are suitable as part of treatment and prevention (for a sample handout for caregivers, see Supplement 1, available online). This approach makes use of heuristics, or mental shortcuts, such as “rules of thumb.” Heuristics are a set of learned or hardwired internal cognitive biases that drive a surprisingly large amount of human choices. They have the advantage of being straightforward and practical, although imperfect, decision-making tools. Innate heuristics make us irrational in certain ways, including being susceptible to manipulation by
Asymptotic distributions for self-avoiding walks constrained to strips, cylinders, and tubes

A transfer matrix method for treating self-avoiding walks on a lattice is developed. Single walks confined to infinitely long strips, cylinders, or tubes are considered, particularly in the limit where the length of the walk becomes infinite compared to the transverse dimensions. In this case relevant distributions are demonstrated to be asymptotically Gaussian. Explicit numerical results are given for a few of the narrower systems. Similar results for self-avoiding cycles are indicated, too. Finally, the behavior of the various distributions as a function of strip width is discussed.
Spectra and structure of small ring compounds. Part L VIII: Structural parameters for chlorocyclobutane from combined microwave data and ab initio calculations

The structural parameters of chlorocyclobutane,c-C4H7Cl, have been obtained fromab initio Hartree-Fock calculations employing the 6–31G* basis set for both the more stable equatorial and the high energy axial conformers. The determined carbonhydrogen distances were adjusted by 0.010 A and held fixed while a weighted least-squares adjust was used to obtain all of the heavy atom parameters for the equatorial conformer by fitting the rotational constants of nine isotopic species. The determinedr0 parameters are:r(Cα - Cβ) = 1.535(8) Ar(Cβ - Cγ) = 1.548(3) Ar(Cα - Cl) = 1.788(9) A\(< )\)CβCαCβ, - CL = 132.0(2)°;\(< )\)CβCγCβ, = 89.7(6)°;\(< )\)CαCβCγ, = 87.1(2)°, and\(< )\)CβCγCβ, = 88.7(2)°. These results are compared to the calculated values as well as those obtained earlier from electron diffraction and microwave studies.
Sraffa, interdependence and demand: the Gramscian influence

The influence of Sraffa' early commitments to Gramscian Marxism on his subsequent economic analysis have been little investigated by Sraffa scholars. The discussion here argues for a philosophical connection. Specifically, it is argued that organicist ideas found their way into Sraffa's thinking about interdependence in his 1926 critique of Marshall, in his reported critique of Wittgenstein's early philosophy, and in his 1960 Production of commodities. In each instance, atomist views were challenged in an understanding of agent or sectoral interdependence that made use a single criterion for agent or sectoral autonomy: that such autonomy depends upon the fulfilment of identify conditions for the individuation of autonomous agents or sectors. It is suggested that Sraffa's thinking in this regard ses the attempted fulfilment of these conditions in neoclassical theory as self-contradictory, thus allowing the characterization of his thinking as a form of impossibility logic. This impossibility logic is contra...
High‐Field Losses of Adulterated Lead Zirconate‐Titanate Piezoelectric Ceramics

The high-field losses of adulterated lead zirconate-titanate ceramics were compared on the basis of rates of temperature rise of standard-size samples in the same transducer configuration. Systematic chemical modification in light of the ionic model of the perovskite structure was used to produce ceramics with widely varying high-field behavior. High-field losses could be greatly reduced by adulteration of either cation site with ions of lower than normal valency. At 1 at.% concentration, lowest losses were found with adulterants whose valence was one unit less than normal. The results are explained as stoichiometric effects. Normal air-fired lead zirconate-titanate ceramics are considered to be deficient in metal tons. Adulteration with subvalent cations reduces the iotal oxygen content of the ceramic and brings it toward true ABO3 stoichiometry. Lowest losses are postulated for truly stoichiometric bodies.
Correlation of Histopathologic Findings with Clinical Outcome in Necrotizing Fasciitis

Background. Necrotizing fasciitis is an uncommon disease with high morbidity and mortality rates. Little is known about the role of histopathologic examination in disease prognosis. Methods. A retrospective study was conducted to determine what correlations, if any, exist between the histopathologic features of resected tissue in patients with necrotizing fasciitis and clinical outcome. Results. Eighty-two cases of necrotizing fasciitis that occurred between January 1990 and December 2002 were identified. Histopathologic findings were available for review in 63 cases. A novel histopathologic classification scheme, based on hematoxylin-eosin and Gram stain results, was developed. The classification scheme included 3 stages: stage I, characterized by an intense neutrophilic response and an absence of bacteria in infected tissue; stage II, characterized by the presence of a moderate-to-severe neutrophilic response and positive Gram stain results or by minimal to absent neutrophilic response with a negative Gram stain result; and stage III, characterized by the presence of few or no polymorphonuclear leukocytes and a Gram stain result positive for bacteria during histopathologic examination. Patients with stage I findings had a significantly lower risk of death than patients with stage III findings (7.1% vs. 47%; odds ratio [OR], 0.1; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.01-0.8; P = .03). Patients with stage II findings had a significantly lower mortality rate than patients with stage III findings (14.2% vs. 47%; OR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.04-0.9; P = .04). Due to the small number of deaths (n = 11) in patients for whom histopathologic examination of resected tissue was performed, multivariate analysis was not done. Conclusions. Results of this study suggest that histopathologic findings may correlate with clinical outcome in cases of necrotizing fasciitis. Because the histopathologic scheme is based on results of commonly available stains, it could be easily adopted for use in other institutions that could further evaluate its usefulness as a prognostic tool.
Dependency of Cotton Leaf Nitrogen, Chlorophyll, and Reflectance on Nitrogen and Potassium Availability

plants may be estimated from measured changes in leaf pigmentation (e.g., chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, etc.). In-season assessment of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) leaf N Less-than-optimum N availability is well correlated with
252 DISPOSITION OF CHLORAMPHENICOL IN NEWBORN INFANTS

Time-concentration curves were determined following intravenous administration of chloramphenicol sodium succinate (CL) to 11 infants with suspected septicemia, using a gas-liquid chromatographic assay. 2 groups of infants were studied. Group I, consisting of 6 infants 2-8 days of age and between 0.9 and 2.5 kg, received 25 mg/kg once daily. Group II, consisting of 5 infants 11 days to 8 weeks of age and between 0.9 and 2.2 kg, received 50 mg/kg/day in 2-3 divided doses. Three key observations were made. First, 5 group I infants cleared CL so slowly that half-lives could not be calculated on the basis of serial serum levels determined in the interval between doses, whereas group II infants cleared CL much more rapidly, with half-lives ranging from 5.2 to 12.8 hours. These observed differences in CL disposition are consistent with maturational differences in hepatic uptake and/or glucuronidation. Second, within group II, there was no consistent corelation between half-life and gestational age. Third, in both groups, there were some patients whose peak CL levels were markedly lower than anticipated. Since only hydrolyzed CL is detected by our assay, this observation is consistent with the concept that CL esterase activity may vary among neonates. Significant interpatient variability in CL disposition within postnatal/gestational age categories mandates monitoring of CL levels in neonates treated with this drug.
Application-Specific Bridging Fault Testing of FPGAs

In this paper, a new technique for testing the interconnects of any arbitrary design mapped into an FPGA is presented. In this technique, only the configuration of logic blocks used in the design is changed, and the structure of the design remains unchanged. The test vector and configuration generation problem is systematically converted to a Boolean satisfiability (SAT) problem, and state of the art SAT-solvers are exploited for test vector and configuration generation. Experimental results on various benchmark circuits show that only two test configurations are required to test for all bridging faults, achieving 100% fault coverage, with respect to the fault list. Moreover, test vector and configuration generation time is less than a second for all benchmark designs.
Macro and Micro Mineral Content of Some Wild Edible Leaves Consumed in Eastern Anatolia

Wild plants play an important role in the diet of inhabitants in different parts of the world. These plants tend to be drought-resistant and are gathered both in times of abundance and times of nee...
Cardiovascular Effects of Weight Reduction

Weight reduction programs usually improve the exercise capacity of patients with chronic exogenous obesity. However, the reversibility of left ventricular hypertrophy and dysfunction associated with obesity is unknown. Accordingly, an analysis was made of hemodynamic data obtained by cardiac catheterization and standard chest roentgenograms in nine markedly obese patients before and after weight loss of 39 to 84 kg (24 to 55% of control weight) over periods of 4 to 34 months. In each case body oxygen uptake (360 to 297 ml/min), blood volume (7.8 to 6.1 liters), cardiac output (7.9 to 6.2 liters/min), and arteriovenous oxygen difference (4.6 to 4.0 vol. %) were significantly reduced after weight loss. Systemic arterial pressure declined (102 to 87 mm Hg) while systemic vascular resistance changed insignificantly (1,067 to 1,141 dynes-sec-cm-5). In seven subjects comparable chest roentgenograms before and after weight reduction revealed decrease in the cardiothoracic ratio, suggesting a reduction in left ventricular dimensions. These results have been interpreted as indicating that the circulatory effects of gross obesity are largely reversible with weight loss. Despite reductions in left ventricular stroke work, stroke volume, and cavity size at rest, the average left ventricular filling pressure rose with exercise to a comparable and abnormal level (20 mm Hg) both before and after weight loss. Thus, evidence of left ventricular dysfunction persisted, suggesting that myocardial hypertrophy and reduced ventricular compliance did not regress significantly with weight loss over periods as long as 3 years.
Pathogen Transmission in the Child Care Setting Using Cauliflower DNA as a Surrogate Marker • 718

Objective. This study describes use of specifically designed DNA markers as surrogate indicators of transmission of enteric pathogens in child care settings and from the settings to homes of children. Methods. Two regions of cauliflower CaMV 35S promoter DNA were designed as markers and were introduced into the environment through sensitized objects. Spread of markers in the environment was traced by detection of the markers using PCR technique. Studies of marker transmission were conducted in a child care home, in a child care center (CCC), and in homes of children attending CCC.Results. The DNA markers were stable for at least one month on a dried surface at room temperature. In the child care home, DNA markers spread rapidly in the environment following introduction. Hand touching of the contaminated areas was the major factor leading to spread of the markers. Hand washing and wiping of contaminated surfaces decreased spread of the markers. In the CCC infant room, 62% of 13 infant's hands, 70% of 10 surfaces and 100% of 10 toys were positive at 24 hours. In the toddler room, 73% of 15 toddler's hands and 100% of 10 toys and 10 surfaces were positive at 24 hours. Two weeks later <10% of toys and surfaces in the infant room were positve, while 40% of toys and 30% of surfaces in the toddler room remained positve. The markers spread minimally from room to room in the center. In children's homes the day after introduction of markers in the CCC, 7/9 (78%) car seats, 6/9 (67%) high chairs, 15/45 (33%) toys and 2/9 (22%) cribs were positive.Conclusion. DNA markers provide safe and effective surrogate indicators for studying transmission of enteric pathogens in child care settings and for evaluating methods of intervention.
The extraction of lactic acid with sulfur dioxide

Abstract This paper studies the reaction between SO 2 and calcium lactate, which potentially can be used to recover lactic acid from the anaerobic fermentation broth of an SO 2 waste stream. The conversion of given amounts of calcium lactate to lactic acid was evaluated under different reaction temperatures and flow rates of SO 2 . Analyses of concentrations of the produced lactic acid indicated that the reactions between SO 2 and calcium lactate were complete under all experimental conditions.
The internal norm approach to influence diagnostics

Cook and Weisberg (1982) describe the external and internal norm approaches to assessing the influence of a subset of data on least squares regression estimates. External norms base influence measurement on the repeated sampling theory of the assumed model, while internal norm measures judge the influence of a size-k subset relative to all size-k subsets within the given data. Although intuitively appealing, intemal norms have been largely ignored in favor of external norms due to computational considerations. The purpose of this article is to present the internal norm approach as a viable alternative to external norm influence measurement. In addition to discussing conceptual and computational issues, empirical evidence is provided to show that the internal norm interpretation of influence is different from that of its external counterparts. Finally, comparisons are drawn between external calibration and internal scaling for evaluating influence measure values.
Characteristic for reflexive relations

Poincare characteristic for reflexive relations (oriented graphs) is defined in terms of homology and is not invariant under transitive closure. Formulas for the Poincare characteristic of products, joins, and bounded products are given. Euler's definition of characteristic extends to certain filtrations of reflexive relations which exist iff there are no oriented loops. Euler characteristic is independent of filtration, agrees with Poincare characteristic, and is unique. One-sided Mobius characteristic is defined as the sum of all values of a one-sided inverse of the zeta function. Such one-sided inverses exist iff there are no local oriented loops (although there may be global oriented loops). One-sided Mobius characteristic need not be Poincare characteristic, but it is when a one-sided local transitivity condition is satisfied. A two-sided local transitivity condition insures the existence of the Mobius function but Mobius inversion fails for non-posets.
Impact of renal donation. Long-term clinical and biochemical follow-up of living donors in a single center.

Abstract Forty-six renal donors who responded to a questionnaire and two additional donors with nephrotic syndrome and renal insufficiency were studied. The mean age was 46 ± 2.0 years (mean ±SE). Duration of follow-up was 6 ± 0.5 years. Serum creatinine levels increased from 1.0 ± 0.03 mg/dl before donation to 1.2 ± 0.04 mg/dl at follow-up. The incidence of proteinuria (more than 150 mg over 24 hours) was 39 percent. The serum creatinine level was 1.0 ± 0.08 mg/dl and 1.2 ± 0.06 mg/dl in the proteinuric and nonproteinuric groups, respectively. The incidence of hypertension was 31 percent with a serum creatinine level of 1.1 ± 0.11 mg/dl and 1.2 ± 0.07 mg/dl in the hypertensive and normotensive groups, respectively. One patient with nephrotic syndrome had proliferative glomerulonephritis. It is concluded that renal donation is associated with a minimal but statistically significant increment in serum creatinine levels. The incidence of mild hypertension and proteinuria is increased, but impact on renal function is minimal as assessed by serum creatinine determination.
Risk of Colorectal Adenomas in Women with Prior Breast Cancer

Longer life expectancy in patients with prior breast cancer may increase their risk of developing other primary cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). Whether the risk of developing CRC in this patient population is higher in comparison to those with no prior cancer remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of colorectal adenomas and any CRC in breast cancer survivors with those who have no history of prior cancer and assess any difference with use of antiestrogen therapy. We compared the prevalence of colorectal cancer and adenomas in breast cancer survivors with that of a group of matched controls. Eligible survivors were ≤85 years of age; had initially been diagnosed with stage 0, I, II, or III breast cancer; had completed all cancer treatments with the exception of adjuvant antiestrogen therapy; and had no evidence of recurrence on follow-up. We used the screening colonoscopy database at our institution to identify age-, sex-, and race-matched controls with no history of cancer. We identified 302 study-eligible breast cancer survivors and 302 matched controls. No colorectal cancers were found in either group. Forty-one breast cancer survivors and 30 controls had tubular adenomas; four survivors and three controls had villous adenoma; and eight survivors and ten controls had advanced adenoma. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that adjuvant antiestrogen therapy was not significantly associated with an increased risk of advanced adenoma. The prevalence of colorectal adenomas in breast cancer survivors and controls was similar. Breast cancer survivors, including those receiving adjuvant antiestrogen therapies may follow the colorectal screening guidelines used for average-risk population.
THEORETICAL STUDY OF VIBRATIONAL EXCITATION OF AMMONIA SCATTERED FROM CU

Abstract A time-dependent quantum-mechanical method is used to study the vibrational excitation of ammonia scattered from the Cu(111) surface. The two-dimensional model includes the translational coordinate and the umbrella vibrational coordinate of ammonia. Empirical potential energy surfaces are used in the calculation. It is found that the vibrational excitation probabilities of the scattered NH 3 increase linearly with the normal incident kinetic energy above the excitation threshold. However, the vibration-translation correlation for the ND 3 deviates somewhat from linearity. A much larger overall vibrational inelasticity is found for the deuterated isotope, which is attributed to its heavier mass and lower vibrational frequency. The mechanism for vibrational excitation is analyzed by the scattering of single channel wave packets. It is shown that vibrational excitation occurs almost exclusively for the initially nitrogen-up wave packet. Our theoretical results are in reasonably good agreement with experimental observations, in support for an electronically adiabatic, translational-to-vibrational energy transfer mechanism.
Virial coefficients for soft disks

Abstract The second to fourth virial coefficients for the repulsive inverse potential r − m are reported for a two-dimensional fluid for m = 3–15. It is noticed that the fourth virial coefficient becomes negative for m = 3.
Underlying event multiplicity in jet and vector-boson production: A measure of quark and gluon spatial distributions

In nucleon-nucleon collisions, constituent-constituent interactions, such as the production of jets, W 's, Z's, Drell-Yan pairs, etc., favor small nucleon impact parameters with high spatial overlap, thereby enhancing the production of associated low-${p}_{t}$ hadrons which make up the ``underlying'' event. We use a simple model, which reproduces the measured minimum-bias multiplicity distributions, to determine the multiplicity--impact-parameter relationship and to estimate the underlying event multiplicity in constituent-constituent interactions as compared with the minimum-bias multiplicity. Measurement of these distributions will reflect the spatial distribution of the hadron constituents.
Increased Expression and Secretion of Interleukin-6 in Patients with Barrett’s Esophagus

Purpose: Barrett’s esophagus (BE) is a common premalignant lesion of the distal part of the esophagus that arises as a consequence of chronic duodenogastroesophageal reflux. Interleukin (IL)-6 is a pleiotropic cytokine that regulates immune defense mechanisms and hematopoiesis. In addition, IL-6 may also be involved in malignant transformation and tumor progression. IL-6 has been shown to inhibit apoptosis. The major aim of this study was to evaluate expression of IL-6 in BE at the protein and mRNA levels. In addition, we tested whether proteins that are associated with IL-6 signaling, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 and two antiapoptotic proteins, Bcl-x L and Mcl-1, are also expressed in the same tissues. Experimental Design: Biopsies of duodenum, BE, and squamous epithelium were evaluated by using a human cytokine protein array, ELISA, real-time PCR, and immunohistochemistry. Results: Increased IL-6 levels were found to be secreted from BE tissue compared with duodenum or squamous epithelium from sites adjacent or 5 cm away from the BE lesion. IL-6 mRNA was also elevated in BE compared with duodenum or squamous epithelium in five of seven patients. Immunohistochemical studies confirmed IL-6 expression in intestinal glandular epithelium in BE tissue. Activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, Mcl-1, and Bcl-x L are present at higher levels in BE glands, with lower levels being found in duodenum or squamous epithelium Conclusions: These data, taken together, suggest that elevated IL-6 levels in BE may contribute to the development of apoptosis resistance, thereby placing this epithelium at higher risk of developing malignancy.
Determination of Antibiotic Hypersensitivity among 4,000 Single-Gene-Knockout Mutants of Escherichia coli

We have tested the entire Keio collection of close to 4,000 single-gene knockouts in Escherichia coli for increased susceptibility to one of seven different antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, rifampin, vancomycin, ampicillin, sulfamethoxazole, gentamicin, or metronidazole). We used high-throughput screening of several subinhibitory concentrations of each antibiotic and reduced more than 65,000 data points to a set of 140 strains that display significantly increased sensitivities to at least one of the antibiotics, determining the MIC in each case. These data provide targets for the design of "codrugs" that can potentiate existing antibiotics. We have made a number of double mutants with greatly increased sensitivity to ciprofloxacin, and these overcome the resistance generated by certain gyrA mutations. Many of the gene knockouts in E. coli are hypersensitive to more than one antibiotic. Together, all of these data allow us to outline the cell's "intrinsic resistome," which provides innate resistance to antibiotics.
Quality of life in keratoconus

Abstract Purpose Keratoconus is a chronic, noninflammatory disease of the cornea with onset in early adulthood. As these years are important to financial and social health, keratoconus may have more severe impact on quality of life than would be expected given its clinical severity. We examined the vision-related quality of life of patients in the Collaborative Longitudinal Evaluation of Keratoconus (CLEK) Study. Design Cross-sectional study. Methods The National Eye Institute-Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI-VFQ) was administered to 1166 CLEK Study patients at their first annual follow-up examination. Associations between clinical and demographic factors and NEI-VFQ scale scores were evaluated. Results Binocular entrance visual acuity worse than 20/40 was associated with lower quality of life scores on all scales except General Health and Ocular Pain. A steep keratometric reading (average of both eyes) >52 diopters (D) was associated with lower scores on the Mental Health, Role Difficulty, Driving, Dependency, and Ocular Pain scales. Scores for CLEK patients on all scales were between patients with category 3 and category 4 age-related macular degeneration (AMD) except General Health, which was better than AMD patients, and Ocular Pain, which was worse than AMD patients. Conclusions Keratoconus is a disease of relatively low prevalence that rarely results in blindness, but because it affects young adults, the magnitude of its public health impact is disproportionate to its prevalence and clinical severity.