cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Impedance-Based Biosensing of Pseudomonas putida via Solution Blow Spun PLA: MWCNT Composite Nanofibers

Quantifiable sensing of common microbes in chronic wounds has the potential to enable an objective assessment of wound healing for diagnostic applications. Sensing platforms should be robust, simple, and flexible to provide clinicians with a point-of-care tool. In this work, solution blow spun poly (lactic acid)/multiwalled carbon nanotube nanofiber composites are used to detect the presence and concentration of Pseudomonas putida in vitro using changes in impedance. Impedance microbiology (IM) is a well-documented diagnostic technique used in many applications, including cancer detection, tuberculosis screening and pregnancy tests. Twenty-four hour real-time measurements of the equivalent circuit of three culture media were taken with an inductance, capacitance, and resistance (LCR) meter. Variations in impedance were calculated to correspond to the growth of P. putida. Additionally, instantaneous measurements of bacterial cultures were taken over a one-minute time point to display the fast sensing of bacterial load via IM. This proof-of-concept shows that conductive solution blow spun fiber mats is a valid fabrication technique to develop in situ wound dressing impedance sensors. Study results indicate successful measurement and quantification of bacterial growth in this proof-of-concept study.
Establishing Data Integrity in a Large Decentralized School District to Support Research on Equity in Computer Science Enrollments

This experience report highlights the benefits and costs associated with a decentralized organizational model in the early adoption of Computer Science curriculum in secondary schools. Cleveland Municipal School District (CMSD), a large urban school district, in partnership with Cleveland State University, and other community partners has implemented a district-wide initiative to implement opportunities for all students in all secondary schools to participate in a variety of Computer Science courses. CMSD’s organizational structure supports local decision-making, which has afforded a high level of flexibility to schools to explore a range of traditional and emerging CS courses.While this flexibility has been advantageous to innovative approaches to CSforALL, it is not without a cost. Foundational research needed within this RPP is to study the size and diversity of student enrollment across the district. Course codes and names are created in a centralized location with little consideration to character sequence or formatting, but are assigned locally through decentralized curriculum decisions. Without codes for similar courses, we cannot determine with reliability what type of experience the students had and thus cannot speak to equitable access.To address this, this work documents a systematic review of the course data. Results include short term fixes, recommended solutions, and best practices.
Strong legacy effects of prior burn severity on forest resilience to a high-severity fire

Legacy effects from one disturbance may influence successional pathways by amplifying or buffering forest regeneration after the next disturbance. We assessed vegetation and tree regeneration in non-serotinous Sierra lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. murrayana) stands after a 1984 wildfire which burned with variable severity and again after a high-severity subsequent fire in 2012. The legacy effects of the 1984 fire were amplified; seedlings and saplings were abundant in areas initially burned at low severity (1267 stems ha−1) despite high reburn severity, but regeneration was low in areas twice burned at high severity (31 stems ha−1). Our results suggest that the severity of the 1984 fire may have influenced post-2012 tree regeneration by creating variable fuel loading, which may have affected soils, litter cover and shade after the 2012 fire and therefore affected seedling establishment and survival. A canopy seed bank of unburnt cones from trees killed by the 2012 fire potentially contributed to a strong effect of prior burn severity on regeneration after the 2012 fire despite a lack of serotinous or resprouting tree species, although the influence of this canopy seedbank was likely limited to the year following the fire. Our results suggest that a low- to moderate-severity fire increases forest resilience relative to a high-severity fire even when the next fire burns at high severity.
Neural Correlates of Safety Learning

Accurate discrimination between safe and dangerous stimuli is essential for survival. Prior research has begun to uncover the neural structures that are necessary for learning this discrimination, but exploration of brain regions involved in this learning process has been mostly limited to males. Recent findings show sex differences in discrimination learning, with reduced fear expression to safe cues in females compared to males. Here, we used male and female Sprague Dawley rats to explore neural activation, as measured by Fos expression, in fear and safety learning related brain regions. Neural activation after fear discrimination (Discrimination) was compared between males and females, as well as with fear conditioned (Fear Only) and stimulus presented (Control) conditions. Correlations of discrimination ability and neural activation were also calculated. We uncovered a correlation between central amygdala (CeA) activation and discrimination abilities in males and females. Anterior medial bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST) was the only region where sex differences in Fos counts were observed in the Discrimination condition, and the only region where neural activation significantly differed between Fear Only and Discrimination conditions. Together, these findings indicate the importance of fear expression circuitry in mediating discrimination responses and generate important questions for future investigation.
Ahí va mi héroe: figuras heroicas, discurso utópico e identidad cultural en Aires de Familia de Carlos Monsiváis

In his 2000 essay Aires de familia, Carlos Monsivais traces two narrative arcs that extend across the seven chapters or shorter essays within: the first is the evolution of utopismo or the concept of utopia in the Latin American context. The second arc, which is contained within the first, shows the evolution and impact of the heroic figure in Latin America from roughly the last half of the 19th century until 2000. To paraphrase Voltaire, Monsivais seems to suggest at first that if heroes did not exist, it would be necessary to invent them, asking: “?Son concebibles las sociedades sin personajes emblematicos?” (79) The question seems rhetorical; the others that he poses after it seem less so, which in turn casts doubt upon the first.
The Effect of Early Circumcision on Breastfeeding Duration Using Sibling Comparisons

Background: Male circumcision is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the world and current evidence indicates that it prevents urinary tract infections, penile cancer, and transmission of some sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Circumcision performed during the newborn period has considerably lower complication rates and health costs than when performed later in life. However, the very early neonatal period, the first 3 days of life, is when infants and …
The impact of stigma on psychosocial outcomes following spinal cord injury: A cross-sectional analysis of stigma-mediated relationships

Purpose/Objective: The purpose of this study was to (a) assess the relationship between stigma and psychosocial outcomes and (b) examine the potential mediating influence of stigma on the relationship between sociodemographic and injury-related characteristics and psychosocial outcomes after spinal cord injury (SCI). Research Method/Design: This cross-sectional, observational study included participants enrolled in the Rocky Mountain Regional Spinal Cord Injury Model System. Questionnaires were administered via telephone. Stigma was assessed using the Spinal Cord Injury Quality of Life Stigma Short Form. Results: Questionnaires were completed by 225 participants (78% male; 22% female). Stigma was significantly, positively associated with depression symptoms, perceived disability, injustice appraisals, and participation (physical independence and mobility). Stigma was significantly, negatively associated with quality of life and self-efficacy. Stigma partially mediated several relationships between sociodemographic or injury-related characteristics and psychosocial outcomes. Stigma fully mediated the relationships between each time since injury and self-efficacy, length of rehabilitation stay and injustice appraisals, wheelchair use and self-efficacy, and wheelchair type and quality of life. Conclusions/Implication: Stigma is an important psychological factor associated with several person- and injury-related characteristics and psychosocial outcomes. Furthermore, stigma mediates particular relationships between sociodemographic or injury-related characteristics and outcomes. These findings will inform the development of interventions designed to mitigate stigma's negative impact on outcomes such as mood, quality of life, and participation after SCI. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
Efficient linked list ranking algorithms and parentheses matching as a new strategy for parallel algorithm design

The goal of a parallel algorithm is to solve a single problem using multiple processors working together and to do so in an efficient manner. In this regard, there is a need to categorize strategies in order to solve broad classes of problems with similar structures and requirements. In this dissertation, two parallel algorithm design strategies are considered: linked list ranking and parentheses matching. Deterministic and randomized linked list ranking algorithms are presented for the exclusive-read exclusive-write (EREW) parallel random access machine (PRAM) model. They are based on a technique unlike the traditional reduction method. The randomized algorithm is work-optimal, and, although the deterministic is not, the technique is quite simple in comparison to previously proposed algorithms and has the advantage of small constant factors in terms of time and space requirements. Another contribution of this dissertation is the establishment of parentheses matching as a general strategy for designing efficient parallel algorithms. This is accomplished through the development of a class of tree related algorithms for the PRAM model which are solved using parentheses matching as a major component. The problems solved include the heights and extreme values of the nodes of a tree, the least common ancestor problem, inorder traversal of a tree, tree contraction, and balancing binary trees. Finally, a hypercube implementation for parentheses matching and its application to the nearest enclosing parentheses problem are presented.
Human Laterality Disorders: Pathogenesis, Clinical Manifestations, Diagnosis, and Management

Human laterality disorders comprise a group of diseases characterized by abnormal location (situs) and orientation of thoraco-abdominal organs and vessels across the left-right axis. Situs inversus totalis is mirror image reversal of thoraco-abdominal organs/great vessels. Situs ambiguus, better known as heterotaxy, is abnormal arrangement of thoraco-abdominal organs across the left-right axis excluding situs inversus totalis. Heterotaxy, also referred to as atrial or atrial appendage isomerism, is characterized by abnormal location of left-sided or right-sided organs with loss of asymmetry of normally paired asymmetric organs. It is associated with a variety of anomalies involving the heart, great vessels, lungs and intra-abdominal organs. Right and left atrial isomerism are associated with multiple complex congenital cardiac and vascular anomalies, many of which are lethal when untreated. Isomerism may also affect the lungs, spleen, liver, gall bladder, and intestines. Innovative surgical therapy of heterotaxy/isomerism has reduced early mortality and markedly improved long-term prognosis.
Fibroblast-specific IKK-β deficiency ameliorates angiotensin II–induced adverse cardiac remodeling in mice

Cardiac inflammation and fibrosis contribute significantly to hypertension-related adverse cardiac remodeling. IκB kinase β (IKK-β), a central coordinator of inflammation through activation of NF-κB, has been demonstrated as a key molecular link between inflammation and cardiovascular disease. However, the cell-specific contribution of IKK-β signaling toward adverse cardiac remodeling remains elusive. Cardiac fibroblasts are one of the most populous nonmyocyte cell types in the heart that play a key role in mediating cardiac fibrosis and remodeling. To investigate the function of fibroblast IKK-β, we generated inducible fibroblast-specific IKK-β-deficient mice. Here, we report an important role of IKK-β in the regulation of fibroblast functions and cardiac remodeling. Fibroblast-specific IKK-β-deficient male mice were protected from angiotensin II-induced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and macrophage infiltration. Ablation of fibroblast IKK-β inhibited angiotensin II-stimulated fibroblast proinflammatory and profibrogenic responses, leading to ameliorated cardiac remodeling and improved cardiac function in IKK-β-deficient mice. Findings from this study establish fibroblast IKK-β as a key factor regulating cardiac fibrosis and function in hypertension-related cardiac remodeling.
Primary Central Nervous System Leukemia Presenting as Altered Mental Status.

Abstract Background Altered mental status is a common cause for presentation to the emergency department with a broad differential diagnosis. Case Report We present a unique case of altered mental status in a previously healthy man that was found to be secondary to primary central nervous system acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Why Should an Emergency Physician Be Aware of This? Lumbar puncture remains a critical tool for emergency physicians in the diagnosis of central nervous system pathologies.
Adolescent Mental Health, Connectedness, and Mode of School Instruction During COVID-19

Abstract Background Since COVID-19 was declared a pandemic in March 2020, nearly 93% of US students engaged in some distance learning. These school disruptions may negatively influence adolescent mental health. Protective factors, like feeling connected to family or school may demonstrate a buffering effect, potentially moderating negative mental health outcomes. The purpose of the study was to test our hypothesis that mode of school instruction influences mental health and determine if school and family connectedness attenuates these relationships. Methods The COVID Experiences Survey was administered online or via telephone October –November 2020 to adolescents ages 13-19 using NORC’s AmeriSpeak Panel, a probability-based panel recruited using random address-based sampling with mail and telephone non-response follow-up. The final sample included 567 adolescents in grades 7-12 who received virtual, in person, or combined instruction. Unadjusted and adjusted associations among four mental health outcomes and instruction mode were measured, and associations with school and family connectedness were explored for protective effects. Results Students attending school virtually reported poorer mental health than students attending in-person. Adolescents receiving virtual instruction reported more mentally unhealthy days, more persistent symptoms of depression, and a greater likelihood of seriously considering attempting suicide than students in other modes of instruction. After demographic adjustments school and family connectedness each mitigated the association between virtual vs. in-person instruction for all four mental health indicators. Conclusion As hypothesized, mode of school instruction was associated with mental health outcomes, with adolescents receiving in-person instruction reporting the lowest prevalence of negative mental health indicators. School and family connectedness may play a critical role in buffering negative mental health outcomes.
EFFECT OF PARTICLE CHARACTERISTICS ON WAVE VELOCITY

In an effort to establish a quantitative evaluation of the effect of the variables of particle size, shape and distribution on the compression wave velocity in a variety of different sands, the propagation velocity was determined of a rod wave under 112 different conditions i.e. 24 different dry sands plus four different damp sands, each at four different confining stresses. As used herein. A rod wave is a special form of compression wave that appears only in a rod like specimen subjected to particular boundary conditions where the confining stress is held constant and lateral strains are allowed to occur. The tests were divided into 4 series and details are given of sands. The test results are summarized in a table. Specimen geometry and confining stress are discussed and test equipment and procedure are described. The rod wave velocity was measured with a commercial electronic system which combines a pulse generator, source and receiver transducers, and an oscilloscope into one unit. The data obtained is reviewed. When plotted on a log-log scale, the data for any given test sequence exhibit a straight line relationship between the wave propagation velocity and confining stress. The relationship between the propagation velocity of a rod wave and the confining stress is given by a power law. It was also found that the void ratio exerts some influence on the wave propagation velocity, but the range of data is too limited to deduce any specific relationship. The effect of particle size, shape and distribution on the rod wave velocity is negligible, except insofar as they affect the void ratio.
Chapter 2 – Measure Theory

The concept of measure is an extension of the concept of length. The essential properties of the length of an interval are (1) a measure is always nonnegative (nonnegativity); (2) the measure of the union of a countable number of nonoverlapping sets equals the sum of their measures (countable additivity); (3) the measure of the difference of a set and a subset is equal to the difference of their measures (monotonicity); and (4) every set whose measure is not zero is uncountable. H. Lebesgue presented a mathematically rigorous description of the class of sets for which he defined a measure satisfying Borel's postulates. This measure is well known as Lebesgue measure and is the most important and useful concept of a measure found on the set of real numbers to date. The chapter discusses a general procedure for constructing measures by first defining the measure on a ring of subsets of an arbitrary abstract nonempty set, then obtaining a measure on a s-ring using an outer measure. The chapter discusses the application of this procedure to construct Lebesgue measure on a set of real numbers, R as a concrete example.
The Adaptive Markets Hypothesis: Market Efficiency from an Evolutionary Perspective

One of the most influential ideas in the past 30 years is the Efficient Markets Hypothesis, the idea that market prices incorporate all information rationally and instantaneously. However, the emerging discipline of behavioral economics and finance has challenged this hypothesis, arguing that markets are not rational, but are driven by fear and greed instead. Recent research in the cognitive neurosciences suggests that these two perspectives are opposite sides of the same coin. In this article I propose a new framework that reconciles market efficiency with behavioral alternatives by applying the principles of evolution - competition, adaptation, and natural selection - to financial interactions. By extending Herbert Simon's notion of "satisficing" with evolutionary dynamics, I argue that much of what behavioralists cite as counterexamples to economic rationality - loss aversion, overconfidence, overreaction, mental accounting, and other behavioral biases - are, in fact, consistent with an evolutionary model of individuals adapting to a changing environment via simple heuristics. Despite the qualitative nature of this new paradigm, the Adaptive Markets Hypothesis offers a number of surprisingly concrete implications for the practice of portfolio management.
Molecular Mechanisms of Sex Determination in Monoecious and Dioecious Plants

Abstract In order to enhance outcrossing, plants have evolved a variety of different mechanisms to promote sex determination, a process by which flowers become male or female. Sex determination has evolved multiple times independently, and thus there is no single sex determination mechanism or gene. There is, however, a common set of pathways involving plant hormones that has been uncovered through the cloning of sex determination genes from both monocots and dicots. Why these pathways were selected for presents an interesting puzzle that links hormone signalling to multiple developmental pathways including those involving floral homeotic genes as well as small RNAs.
Elastic partial matching of time series

We consider a problem of elastic matching of time series. We propose an algorithm that automatically determines a subsequence b′ of a target time series b that best matches a query series a. In the proposed algorithm we map the problem of the best matching subsequence to the problem of a cheapest path in a DAG (directed acyclic graph). Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed algorithm outperforms the commonly used Dynamic Time Warping in retrieval accuracy.
Chapter 28 Effects of Snow and Landscape Attributes on Bison Winter Travel Patterns and Habitat Use

Theme Movement patterns evolved among animal species in response to diverse ecological pressures, including to find new resources, escape predation pressure, find new mates, and improve reproductive potential (Dobson 1982). As the bison ( Bison bison ) population in Yellowstone National Park increased following the cessation of intensive management in the late 1960s, bison began moving from isolated herds in the interior of the park to contiguous habitat along the western and northern boundaries. Climate ( e.g. , winter severity) may have exacerbated such movements by reducing the availability of forage (Clutton-Brock et al. 1985, Gaillard et al . 2000, Saether 1997). Also, human actions to the landscape ( e.g. , roads, fences) can modify habitats in ways that result in profound changes in ungulate distribution. However, the underlying ecology of bison movements and the influence of natural and anthropogenic features in the Yellowstone landscape are not well documented in the peer-reviewed literature (Gates et al. 2005). We instrumented 30 adult female bison from the central herd with Global Positioning System collars during three winters (2003–2004 through 2005–2006) to quantify how snow, topography, habitat attributes, and roads influenced bison travel patterns and non-traveling activities ( i.e. , foraging, resting). We used a behaviorally-based resource selection analysis to document: (1) spatial trends in bison travel and non-traveling activities, (2) dynamic and static landscape attributes affecting these patterns, and (3) the influence of snow pack on the odds of bison travel and non-traveling activities.
Oxidative Phosphorylation in Fractionated Bacterial Systems XXIX. THE INVOLVEMENT OF NONHEME IRON IN THE RESPIRATORY PATHWAYS OF MYCOBACTERIUM PHLEI

Abstract Spectrophotometric evidence for the reduction of nonheme iron in the respiratory particles of Mycobacterium phlei was obtained by trapping the metal as ferrous o-phenanthrolinate. The protein-bound iron-o-phenanthroline complex had an absorption maximum at 510 mµ, and the extent of reduction of nonheme iron was followed by observing the increase in absorbance at 510 to 540 mµ on the addition of the chelating agent. When succinate was used as the electron donor, part of the nonheme iron present in the particles was found to undergo reduction. The amount of nonheme iron undergoing enzymatic reduction was found to increase with increasing concentrations of particle protein, and was about 3 to 4 times the enzymatically reducible cytochrome c in the preparation. Irradiation of the particles did not affect the nonheme iron content. However, irradiated particles did not show nonheme iron reduction. The reduction of nonheme iron, as well as succinate oxidase activity, was restored on the addition of the supernatant fraction to the irradiated particles. This indicated that the light-sensitive site was on the substrate side of nonheme iron on the succinate pathway. The nonheme iron of the supernatant fraction was not reducible with succinate, but was partially reducible with NAD+-linked substrates like β-hydroxybutyrate and malate. The particulate nonheme iron did not appear to be reducible with β-hydroxybutyrate. The particles, however, contained iron that was accessible to reduction with malate. But it was not known whether this iron was respiratory chain-linked or was a component of the bypass enzyme, malate-vitamin K reductase, present in both the particulate and the supernatant fractions.
Electrical analysis to fault isolate defects in 6T memory cells

A simple defect localization scheme for 6 transistor SRAM cells was presented. Parametric measurements for all transistors forming the pull ups and pull downs enable the understanding of the change in feedback behaviour of the memory cell, leading to failure models and defect behaviour. This technique leads to an intuitive and time efficient method to identify failing areas in the memory cell. It underscores the importance of circuit analysis before embarking on physical failure analysis to reduce the area for physical analysis and increase chances of finding the actual defect.
Extent of the microbial biosphere in the oceanic crust

We estimate the depth of the 120°C isotherm by constructing crustal thermal gradients based on theoretical and observed conductive heat flux as a function of lithospheric age. We chose the 120°C isotherm because it is close to the upper limit for prokaryotic life, and therefore, the isotherm approximates the maximum depth at which life can persist in the ocean crust. The depth of the potential microbial biosphere increases with lithospheric age from approximately 0.5 to 1 km for 1 Ma lithosphere to as much as 5 km at a subduction age of 180 Ma. We use global models of oceanic plate creation to estimate the volume of crust occupied by the biosphere today and throughout geologic time. Presently, the volume of the ocean crust that is capable of containing life is similar to the volume of the oceans (∼1018 m3). Depending on the model used for the growth of continental crust, the volume of rock available to house the subsurface biosphere may have remained constant or doubled since the Archean. Although the thermal models presented here provide estimates for the potential depth and volume of rock in which microbes may live, the biomass in this volume is not well constrained. Using a previously published model, the prokaryotic biomass in the igneous ocean crust is estimated to exceed that in all aquatic and soil environments and is similar to that in the continental subsurface and in marine sediment. Most of the crustal biomass beneath the sediments is likely contained within the extrusive layer, and this has probably been the case since microbes first colonized the oceanic crust in the Archean.
Spatiotemporal patterning of polyamines in Drosophila development

While several studies have implicated polyamines (PAs) in development, little research has been done in genetically tractable model systems like Drosophila. Here, we integrate transcriptional and metabolic data across Drosophila development, and are the first to show temporal, stage-specific regulation of PA accumulation in embryonic trachea and eye discs using immunohistochemistry. Understanding the regulation driving this accumulation can provide insight into PA metabolism and transport. Our findings suggest that Drosophila has great potential for investigating PAs in developmental biology.
Lab VIEW based implementation of remedial action for DC arcing faults in a spacecraft

In this paper remedial action for DC arcing faults in spacecraft has been designed and implemented using Lab VIEW. The Lab VIEW is an innovative graphical programming system designed to facilitate computer controlled data acquisition and analysis. DC arcing faults in spacecraft has been designed and implemented using the experimental data obtained at NASA Glenn research center. It is important to keep the continuity of the power supply and at the same time increase the reliability of spacecraft energy power system. In the frequency domain, fast Fourier transformation (FFT) is used for the feature extraction of the fault signal and odd harmonics frequency components of the phase currents are analyzed.
Bremsstrahlung effects in energetic particle detectors

[1] The energetic charged particles of the Earth's magnetosphere are routinely detected by solid-state satellite instruments. Quantitative data are increasingly required for engineering dose calculations and for space weather science. However, the design of some energetic particle detectors can be severely constrained. Background effects must be accurately modeled in such cases to extract quantitative information. In particular, bremsstrahlung radiation from electrons impacting the detector and the satellite often dominates the background noise. Numerical tools are presented here to calculate total bremsstrahlung effects in energetic electron detectors. The calculations are illustrated for the low-energy particle detector of current Global Positioning System satellites.
835 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DEXTROSTIX, PLASMA AND WHOLE BLOOD GLUCOSE IN THE RANGE 0 - 100 MG/DL

Two laboratory measurements frequently made in the newborn period are Dextrostix (Ames) and hematocrit; yet the relationship between Dextrostix, plasma glucose and whole blood glucose values has not been described. Umbilical vein and peripheral vein blood samples were studied for whole blood, plasma and red cell glucose (YSI Model 23A) and were compared to values obtained using the Dextrostix read by eye. Dextrostix predicted whole blood glucose (R = .83, slope of regression = 1.1, not significantly different from 1.0). Plasma glucose was underestimated by the Dextrostix (R = .64, slope = .70 in the range measured in vivo (30-100 mg.dl−1). Measurements in vitro were carried out using umbilical vein blood during incubation with and without added glucose to determine the relationship between plasma and whole blood glucose at the lower glucose levels. No statistically significant difference was observed between plasma and whole blood glucose at these low levels. Dextrostix reflected both of these levels. No clinically significant error would have been made using the Dextrostix. In vivo, red cell glucose fell more quickly than plasma glucose at values greater than 100. Below that level, plasma and red cell glucose fell at similar rates. However, preliminary data from infants with polycythemia/hyperviscosity reveal red cell glucose values lower than would be predicted by the plasma glucose value alone.
Effects of gender on vitamin C pharmacokinetics in man.

The pharmacokinetics of vitamin C (VC) were compared in young and elderly male and female subjects following 500 mg oral doses to each subject in two states of VC nutriture: a depleted state achieved by 4-5 weeks on a diet containing less than 10 mg VC/day and a supplemented state which was achieved following 500 mg/day doses of VC for 3 weeks. The males were taller and heavier than their female counterparts and consequently had a greater body surface area (BSA). The body mass index (BMI) and fat mass did not differ between genders within an age group, whereas only the young females exhibited a greater percent body fat. The males exhibited a larger fat-free mass (FFM) than the females. None of the pharmacokinetic parameters differed due to gender in depleted subjects. In the supplemented state the female subjects exhibited a significantly greater peak VC concentration (Cmax), a longer absorption lag time (tlag), apparent volume of distribution (AVd) in L/kg, clearance (CL) in ml/hr/kg, and renal clearance (CLr) in ml/hr/kg. When AVd, CL, and CLr were expressed in absolute terms (i.e., L or ml/min), no gender-related differences were observed. A stepwise multiple linear regression indicated that Cmax was inversely linearly related to body weight, tlag was directly related to BSA and dose, and AVd (L/kg) was inversely linearly related to BSA. CL (ml/hr/kg) and CLr (ml/hr/kg) were not significantly related to any of the body composition parameters examined. Overall, these results indicate that there are few gender-related differences in the pharmacokinetics of VC in humans and that a portion of the observed differences can be explained by body composition differences between the sexes.
Baltic National Bibliography

Abstract This paper is an overview of national bibliography in the Baltic states. Its purpose is to present the main lines of development and discuss the major publications that contributed to and currently make up the national bibliographies, current and retrospective, of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. With the growth of printed material from the sixteenth century, there were early efforts by individuals to provide general coverage of Estonian, Latvian, and Lithuanian publications long before national bibliography was politically viable. The nineteenth and early twentieth centuries saw a shift from the languages of ruling elites to vernacular language in publications, and emerging expressions of national consciousness that fostered the development of national bibliography. During the periods of independence in the inter-war period, national bibliography flourished, influenced largely by individuals and independent organizations. Soviet-era national bibliographies, despite their ideological focus, were n...
Cyclic AMP synthesis in rabbit graafian follicles and the effect of luteinizing hormone.

Abstract The Graafian follicle of the estrous rabbit synthesizes cyclic [8- 3 H]AMP in vitro from [8- 3 H]adenine. The accumulation of the radioactive cyclic AMP is stimulated by luteinizing hormone and this stimulation appears to be specific. These studies suggest that cyclic AMP mediates the action of luteinizing hormone on steroidogenesis in the Graafian follicle.
1626 ANALYSIS OF FOCAL SEGMENTAL GLOMERULOSCLEROSIS IN CHILDREN-IMPORTANCE OF CLINICAL PRESENTATION

Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) may present with nephrotic syndrome (NS) or asymptomatic proteinuria (AP). We examined whether 16 children with FSGS and NS (Group A) had a worse outcome than 10 children with FSGS and AP (Group B). Initial clinical comparisons revealed: age (A-9.0±0.4 vs B-10.3 ± 1.4 yrs), U protein excretion (A-267±51.6 vs B-123.1±30.7 mg/m2/hr, P-0.05), U protein/U creatinine ratio (A-35.5±14.03 vs B-5.13±1.46 mg/mg, P-0.001), total serum protein (A-4.39±0.21 vs B-5.79±0.43gm/dl, P-0.01), serum albumin(A-1.85±0.19 vs B-3.34±0.3gm/dl, P-0.001) and serum cholesterol (A-390.7±24.6 vs B-267±36.5mg/dl, P-0.02). Diagnostic renal biopsies revealed more prominent mesangial proliferation in Group A, P-0.016, more tubular atrophy in Group B, P-0.007, and no difference in percent sclerotic glomeruli (A-21.8% vs B-24.2%). Patients were followed for A-39.6±13 vs B-37.6±6.0mos. 7 of 15 Group A patients have serum creatinine values (Scr)>1SD from mean for age and 3 of 15 have end stage renal disease. Only 2 of 10 Group B patients have (Scr)>1SD from mean for age and none have end stage renal disease. Scr in Group A were higher, 2.01±0.92mg/dl, than Group B, 0.71±0.08mg/dl, but were not statistically different, P<0.2, Nephrotic syndrome in FSGS appears to be a poor prognostic sign in children. These data support the concept that hyperfiltration of protein adversely affects renal function.
Methods for image guided and intensity modulated radiation therapy in high-risk abdominal neuroblastoma

Abstract Purpose Our purpose was to determine methods for image guided intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in pediatric abdominal high-risk neuroblastoma and to quantify the degree of normal tissue dose reduction by using volumes compliant with International Commission on Radiation Units and Measurements (ICRU) Report 62. Methods and Materials Eight consecutive children with high-risk abdominal neuroblastoma (median age, 2.5 years; range, 20 months-5 years) were treated with IMRT using volumes accounting for physiologic motion (IMRT_phys) and daily pretreatment cone beam computed tomographic localization. Comparative IMRT planning using conventional volumes (IMRT_std) provided quantification for dose reduction to normal tissues. Results The IMRT_phys plan reduced the mean planning target volume from 668.8 ± 200.6 cc to 393.0 ± 132.5 cc (P Conclusions For IMRT planning, ICRU 62-compliant volume definition with image guidance in the pediatric abdomen enables volumetric reduction of the planning target volume and reduces normal tissue dose. These methods provide a framework for more conformal treatment planning in the pediatric abdomen.
Effects of magnetic ordering on the anisotropy and temperature dependence of the optical conductivity in LaMnO 3 : A tight-binding approach

A tight-binding parametrization of the band structure, along with a mean-field treatment of the Hund, electron-electron, and electron-lattice couplings, is used to obtain the full optical conductivity tensor of ${\mathrm{LaMnO}}_{3}$ as a function of temperature. We predict striking changes with temperature in the functional form and magnitude of the optical absorption. Comparison of our results with existing data makes it possible to determine the electron-lattice and electron-electron couplings. The effective ``Hubbard U'' is found to be $\ensuremath{\approx}1.6$ eV, rather less than the full bandwidth $\ensuremath{\approx}3.6$ eV, putting the material in the weak-intermediate coupling regime.
Preparation and evaluation of a series of α‐hydroxy ethers from 9,10‐epoxystearates

Several novel α-hydroxy ethers were prepared by treatment of isobutyl 9,10-epoxystearate with a number of aliphatic alcohols in the presence of acid catalyst in good overall yield from oleic acid. The low-temperature behavior of each material was analyzed through cloud point (CP) and pour point (PP) determination. The most desirable α-hydroxy ether prepared in this study was isobutyl 9(10)-(2-ethylhexoxy)-10(9)-hydroxystearate. Therefore, additional α-hydroxy-2-ethylhexyl ethers were produced from alkyl 9,10-epoxystearates (alkyl: butyl, hexyl, 2-methylpentyl, 2-ethylbutyl, 2-ethylhexyl) to explore the effect of ester variability on CP and PP of the optimized 2-ethylhexyl ether moiety. The most bulky ester group, 2-ethylhexyl, exhibited the most favorable low-temperature performance, which in the case of 2-ethylhexyl 9(10)-(2-ethylhexoxy)-10(9)-hydroxystearate yielded a CP of –26 °C and a PP of –29 °C. An improved synthesis of 2-ethylhexyl 9(10)-(2-ethylhexoxy)-10(9)-hydroxystearate was then developed from oleic acid. Lastly, in an effort to optimize yield, sulfuric acid at 10 mol-% was found to be the most effective acid catalyst in the conversion of epoxides to α-hydroxy ethers.
A NOVEL IMAGING PROBE FOR THE DETECTION OF SUBCLINICAL BACTERIAL INFECTIONS INVOLVING CARDIAC DEVICES

Infection of implantable cardiac devices is a significant clinical entity that poses a diagnostic challenge. We have developed a novel approach to specifically detect bacteria using a fluorescent imaging probe. In bacteria unlike mammalian cells, maltohexaose is taken up as a major energy source. We
Polycythemia vera in an oral surgical patien A case report

Polycythemia vera is a stem cell disorder that results in an increase in the production of red blood cells. Although numerous mechanisms have been suggested, the cause of the disease is unknown. Diagnosis is based on clinical and laboratory presentation. This article reviews the history of polycythemia vera and illustrates a representative case report of the disease process. Postoperative morbidity in the surgical patient is discussed with respect to preoperative therapeutic control. Recommendations are made for preoperative therapy in patients undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery.
p21 is Required for Dextrose-Mediated Inhibition of Mouse Liver Regeneration

The liver has remarkable regenerative potential, which permits recovery from functional deficits induced following hepatic injury (1–3). Partial hepatectomy in rodents has been the most extensively used experimental model for investigating the molecular, cellular, and physiologic mechanisms that control this highly regulated response (4). Analyses using this system have led to the identification of a number of signals that are regulated during and necessary for normal liver regeneration. For example, the early hepatic regenerative response is characterized by initiation of Wnt (5–7), growth factor- (8–12), and cytokine-dependent (13–15) signaling, induction of p42/44 extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) activity (16) and activation of transcription factors including β-catenin, NFκB, and STAT3 (17–19). These events direct an immediate-early gene expression program (20) culminating in hepatocellular re-entry into and progression through the cell cycle. Ultimately, this leads to restoration of normal hepatic mass. Despite this knowledge, an integrated understanding of the precise mechanistic regulation of the hepatic regenerative response remains incomplete. Indeed, the nature and identities of the most proximal and distal signals that initiate and terminate hepatic regeneration are still largely unknown. Liver mass is maintained in health or recovered by regeneration following injury in precise proportion to body mass (21). This well known observation suggests that the signals that initiate and terminate the hepatic regenerative response might be coupled to systemic demands on hepatic function. Consistent with this idea, previous studies have shown that rodents become hypoglycemic following partial hepatectomy, and that either intravenous or enteral dextrose-supplementation markedly suppresses the hepatic regenerative response (22–26). Although these observations were first made more than four decades ago, neither their functional significance nor mechanistic basis has yet been elucidated. In this manuscript, we describe our analyses of the molecular mechanisms responsible for dextrose-mediated inhibition of liver regeneration.
SIMS study of deuterium distribution in chemically charged aluminum containing oxide layer defects and trapping sites

Abstract Hydrogen (deuterium) distribution that occurred during electrochemical and chemical charging in a high purity single aluminum crystal (grown in [1 1 0] direction) was studied, using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS). Deuterium distribution was measured for specimens that were electrochemically charged in H2SO4 solutions or chemically charged in NaOH solutions, for various charging times at room and higher temperatures. The effect of “aging” related defect formation in aluminum was determined. In the hydrogenation of aluminum under high fugacity conditions (such as electrochemical and chemical charging), non-steady state diffusion produces concentration–distance profiles that may not be calculated by assuming simple diffusion behavior. Moreover, the hydrogen–vacancy interactions and microstructural changes (defect formations) must be taken into account in the process of the characterizing the state of hydrogen in aluminum. Interstitially hydrogen enters the aluminum lattice poorly. Hydrogen penetrates the aluminum matrix accompanied by vacancies formed at the surface during conditions of high fugacity. Aluminum hydroxide and hydrogen interactions form hydrogen–vacancy complex at the surface, which diffuses into the volume and then clusters to form H2 interior bubbles in the aluminum. The SIMS technique was used to characterize hydrogen (deuterium) distributions in chemically charged aluminum in the order to obtain concentrations–depth profiles. The advantages of this method are that the actual concentrations–depth profiles are obtained and they include microstructural changes, such as defects (vacancies, voids, bubbles, micro-cracks, dislocations and surface oxides) formed during the electrochemical and chemical reactions in aluminum with aqueous solutions.
Primary gastrointestinal tract lymphoma in the pediatric patient: review of 265 patients from the SEER registry

Abstract Objective The objective of this study is to determine outcomes of pediatric patients with primary gastrointestinal tract lymphoma (PGTL) and the impact of surgery or radiation on survival. Methods The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Result database was queried from 1973 to 2006 for patients younger than 20 years with PGTL. Results 265 patients with PGTL were identified. Overall 5- and 10-year survivals were 84% and 83%, respectively. Tumors of the stomach (9%) and rectum/anus (2%) had the worst and best 10-year survivals, respectively (59% vs 100%, P = .023). There was no significant difference in 10-year survival for patients younger than 10 years of age who had surgical extirpation (83% vs 85% no surgery, P = .958) or radiotherapy (76% vs 85% no radiotherapy, P = .532). However, there was a significantly decreased 10-year survival in patients 10 years or older who had surgical extirpation (79% vs 100% no surgery, P = .013) or radiotherapy (49% vs 87% no radiotherapy, P = .001). Under multivariate analysis, tumor location was an independent predictor of improved survival (small bowel, HR 0.21, P = .002; large bowel, HR 0.23, P = .004). Conclusion We found no significant survival advantage for surgical extirpation or radiotherapy in patients younger than 10 years with PGTL, whereas either treatment modality was associated with lower survival in patients 10 years or older.
Adrenal gland involvement in synchronizing the preovulatory release of LH in rats.

Adrenal gland involvement in synchronizing the preovulatory release of luteinizing hormone (LH) in rats was investigated. Acute adrenalectomy (1000 hours on proestrus) had no effect on the release of LH on proestrous afternoon whereas chronic adrenalectomy resulted in the loss of some factor responsible for synchronizing the preovulatory LH surge. LH secretion appeared to be synchronized to the time of progesterone injection (0930 hours on proestrus) which demonstrates the ability of progesterone to influence the timing of the preovulatory release of LH.
Supply chain agility: scale development

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop an instrument to measure supply chain agility.Design/methodology/approach – The development of this supply chain agility scale utilizes an examination of supply chain agility literature, experience surveys, and expert judges. The result is a 12‐item instrument with six dimensions.Findings – The instrument has been rigorously tested and validated, which generates a high degree of confidence in the scale's validity and reliability.Originality/value – This paper fulfills an identified need for the development of an empirically validated instrument to measure supply chain agility. This reliable and validated instrument enables and facilitates future studies in the supply chain agility research stream.