cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ploidy of Feral Grass Carp in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed

Abstract We examined the ploidy of feral grass carp Ctenopharyngodon idella captured from open waterways of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. Using flow cytometry, we determined the ploidy of blood and gonads (when mature ovaries or testes were present) to elaborate upon several issues associated with stocking grass carp, namely, escapism, illegal stockings, and the reproductive potential of triploid grass carp. During a 3-year period (1994–1997), ploidy was determined for 11 of 16 feral individuals, 2 of which were diploid (18%). In the survey, we detected gonadal development in one diploid female, three triploid females, and one triploid male. Flow cytometry analysis revealed multiple ploidy in the gonadal tissue of both sexes of triploids. This is the first examination of gonad ploidy in feral triploids, and we provide evidence that although some triploid grass carp may produce gametes, viable offspring would be produced only under extremely unlikely conditions.
Electron microscopic observations on antibody-producing cells in lymph and blood.

Antibody-producing cells have been identified among cells obtained from efferent lymphatic vessels, the thoracic duct, and peripheral blood. These cells, which produced plaques of hemolysis and which were quite rare (20 to 50 per million), due in most instances to 19S antibody, were located and studied by electron microscopy. Of the antibody-producing cells found in these three sites there were several features common to all: small size (5 to 8 µ), generally spherical shape, approximately central position of the nucleus, and retention in the nucleus of the condensations of chromatin characteristic of the lymphocyte. The differences among the cells of these sources were largely in the relative amount and state of organization of the organelles of the cytoplasm. In cells of the efferent lymphatic vessel and the thoracic duct, the endoplasmic reticulum showed a range from relative scarcity to considerable numbers of well organized channels. Between these extremes were cells with a considerable amount of endoplasmic reticulum, the channels disorganized and sectioned at various angles. The cytoplasmic matrix of all of these contained a profusion of polyribosomes. Antibody-producing cells obtained from peripheral blood showed, around the roughly spherical nucleus, a ring of cytoplasm which was narrow, but wholly organized into parallel lamellae of endoplasmic reticulum, with many polyribosomes between these, and a large Golgi body. Some similarities and some differences of these cells, in comparison with antibody-producing cells obtained from lymph nodes, have been indicated.
Bird song as a signal of aggressive intent

A central question in animal communication research concerns the reliability of animal signals. The question is particularly relevant to aggressive communication, where there often may be advantages to signaling an exaggerated likelihood of attack. We tested whether aggressive signals are indeed reliable signals of attack in song sparrows (Melospiza melodia). We elicited aggressive signaling using a 1-min playback on a male’s territory, recorded the behavior of the male for 5 min, and then gave him the opportunity to attack a taxidermic mount of a song sparrow associated with further playback. Twenty subjects attacked the mount and 75 did not. Distance to the speaker was a significant predictor of attack for both the initial recording period and the 1 min before attack. For the initial recording period, none of the measures of singing behavior that we made was a significant predictor of attack, including song-type matching, type-switching frequency, and song rate. For the 1-min period immediately before attack, only the number of low amplitude “soft songs” was a significant predictor of attack. Although most aggressive signals contained little information on attack likelihood, as some models suggest should be the case, the unreliability of these signals was not caused by convergence of individuals on a single signaling strategy, as those models argue should occur.
The Van der Waerden conjecture for mixed discriminants

We prove that the mixed discriminant of doubly stochastic n-tuples of semidefinite hermitian n×n matrices is bounded below by n!nn and that this bound is uniquely attained at the n-tuple (1nI,…,1nI). This result settles a conjecture posed by R. Bapat in 1989. We consider various generalizations and applications of this result.
URETEROSCOPIC ENDOPYELOTOMY AT A SINGLE SETTING

AbstractPurpose: Endopyelotomy has become the initial treatment of choice for ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Debate persists regarding the preferred approach (percutaneous or ureteroscopic) and the need for preoperative stenting. We review our experience with ureteroscopic endopyelotomy without preoperative stenting.Materials and Methods: We treated 21 patients a mean of 37 years old who had ureteropelvic junction obstruction with ureteroscopy and without preoperative stenting. Endoluminal ultrasound was performed in all cases for imaging the periureteral anatomy. A minimum of 1 year of followup is available in all cases. Success was defined as pain-free status with resolution of obstruction on diuretic renal scintigraphy.Results: Success was achieved in 17 of 21 patients (81%). Complications included stent irritation, postoperative urinary infection and stent displacement requiring repositioning in 1 cases each. Crossing vessels in 57% of the patients affected success (67 versus 100% in those with a...
Connoisseur's Choice: Muscovite, Shannon Canyon, Inyo County, California

Rocks are made up of minerals. Some, such as dolomite, are made up of one mineral, but most, such as granite, are made up of two or more minerals. The members of the amphibole, pyroxene, and mica g...
Screening incarcerated juveniles using the MAYSI-2

The high prevalence of mental health disorders among incarcerated juveniles is a matter of national and global concern. Juvenile justice personnel need accurate screening measures that identify you...
Penetration of C14-labelled mannitol from serum into cerebrospinal fluid and brain

Fifty microcuries of radioactive labelled mannitol (d-mannitol-1-C14) was administered to each of eight dogs. In six it was mixed with unlabelled mannitol (3 gm/kg); in two, it was mixed with an equivalent volume of normal saline. Determination of concentration of radioactivity in serum, urine, CSF and brain was done at intervals up to 6 hours. Seventy-five per cent of the C14 introduced with inert mannitol was excreted in 6 hours. The peak concentration of radio-activity in the CSF was reached at about 2 hours from the start of the infusion. However, the serum radioactivity concentration at this time was considerably higher than CSF. The maximum ratio of CSF/serum concentrations of C14 was 0.37, at 6 hours, and the brain/serum ratio of C14 concentrations at this time was 0.62. If a small percentage of mannitol undergoes metabolism in the body, the actual concentration of mannitol may be even lower than assumed from counting the C14 tracer. At no time during the study of the six animals given tracer with unlabelled mannitol did the CSF or brain concentration of C14 approach that in the serum.
An immersive virtual environment for learning sign language mathematics

In this paper we describe the development of a new immersive 3D learning environment to increase mathematical skills of deaf children. The application teaches mathematical concepts and ASL (American Sign Language) math terminology through user interaction with fantasy 3D virtual signers and environments. The program can be displayed in immersive devices and includes a gesture control system comprised of a pair of pinch gloves and a 6-degrees-of-freedom wrist tracker.
Automated measurement of proteolytic enzymes

Abstract Automated analyses of proteolytic enzymes by the following methods are described: biuret-phenol, fluorescence, and spectral absorbance at 280 mμ. The effects of pH, substrate concentration, salts, and glycogen on the tyrosine standard in the biuret-phenol determination have been determined. The application of dye substrates, chromogenic substrates, and the ninhydrin technique to automated analysis of proteolytic enzymes is discussed.
Linear assemblies of nanoparticles electrostatically organized on DNA scaffolds

A significant challenge faced in the use of nanoscale building blocks is developing parallel methods for interconnecting and patterning assemblies of the individual components. Molecular or polymeric scaffolds hold promise as a means of preparing closely spaced, specifically arranged nanoscale assemblies. Here we show how a biopolymer, DNA, can be used as a scaffold for the assembly of extended, close-packed, ligand-stabilized metal nanoparticle structures, including several desirable architectures (such as lines, ribbons, and branches). Electrostatic binding of ligand-stabilized nanoparticles to the DNA backbone results in extended linear chain-like structures, ribbon-like structures composed of parallel nanoparticle chains, and branched structures. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy shows that the particles are evenly spaced, separated only by the 15 A imposed by the intervening ligand shell. These studies demonstrate that biomolecular nanolithography (the arrangement of nanoscale building blocks on biomolecular scaffolds) is a viable approach to interconnecting individual devices into extended, closely spaced assemblies.
Time lag systems — A bibliography

In a recent issue of these Transactions, Weiss1 has given an excellent annotated bibliography on the subject of transportation lag. He was kind enough to refer to a previous bibliography which appeared in this author's thesis (his reference number [Ch 5]). Since the latter is not generally available, the bibliography therein is given here. The items which have already appeared in Weiss' listing have been omitted; items which have appeared since the thesis was written have been included. While most of the items here were found by library searches, acknowledgment must be made to Bellman's2 bibliographies as a source. If there are items which have not been mentioned either here or in Weiss' paper, the author of the present paper would appreciate being informed about it by either a complete reference or a copy of the paper (or papers) in question. A short introduction on the mathematical characterization of time lag systems is given before the bibliography.
Feature mapping and state estimation for highly automated vehicles

The past decade has witnessed an acceleration of autonomous vehicle research and development, with technological advances contributed by academia, government, and the industrial and consumer sectors. These advancements hold the potential to improve society by enhancing transportation safety and throughput, where decreased congestion saves time and reduces vehicle emissions. Two of the key technologies to enable vehicle infrastructure interaction, advanced traffic management, and automated vehicles are automated roadway mapping and reliable vehicle state estimation. In this paper, we present an overview and new methods for the problems automated roadway mapping plus a discussion of the extension of these methods to the problem of vehicle state estimation. Results from the application of these methods to feature mapping and state estimation are presented.
Diversification and Measures of Performance: Additional Empirical Evidence

The article focuses on a study which explored diversification, financial performance and other issues involved in corporate strategy. A discussion is presented about corporate management and proces...
Nonlinear adjustment of a localized layer of buoyant, uniform potential vorticity fluid against a vertical wall

Abstract The nonlinear evolution of a localized layer of buoyant, uniform potential vorticity fluid with depth H , width w 0 and length L released adjacent to a wall in a rotating system is studied using reduced-gravity shallow-water theory and numerical modeling. In the interior, far from the two ends of the layer, the initial adjustment gives, after ignoring inertia–gravity waves, a geostrophic flow of width w ∞ and layer velocities parallel to the wall directed in the downstream direction (defined by Kelvin wave propagation). This steady geostrophic flow serves as the initial condition for a semigeostrophic solution using the method of characteristics. At the downstream end, the theory shows that the fluid intrudes along the wall as rarefaction terminating at a nose of vanishing width and depth. However, in a real fluid the presence of the lower layer leads to a blunt gravity current head. The theory is amended by introducing a gravity current head condition that has a blunt bore joined to the rarefaction by a uniform gravity current. The upstream termination of the initial layer produces a Kelvin rarefaction that propagates downstream, decreasing the layer depth along the wall, and initiating upstream flow adjacent to the wall. The theoretical solution compares favorably to numerical solutions of the reduced-gravity shallow-water equations. The agreement between theory and numerical solutions occurs regardless of whether the numerical runs are initiated with an adjusted geostrophic solution or with the release of a stagnant layer. The latter case excites inertia–gravity waves that, despite their large amplitude and breaking, do not significantly affect the evolution of the geostrophic flow. At times beyond the validity of the semigeostrophic theory, the numerical solutions evolve into a stationary array of vortices. The vortex formation can be interpreted as the finite-amplitude manifestation of a linear instability of the new flow established by the passage of the Kelvin wave. The Kelvin wave ultimately reduces the flux into the downstream gravity current and the vortices retain buoyant in the neighborhood of the initial layer.
Quantitation of dialysis. The importance of membrane and middle molecules.

Despite the availability of calcitriol and recombinant erythropoietin to replace two major endocrine functions of the kidneys, mortality in chronic hemodialysis patients remains substantially higher t
Disseminated Mycobacterium marinum infection in a hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipient

Mycobacterium marinum is a photochromogenic mycobacterium that is ubiquitous in the aquatic environment. In the general population, exposure to aquaria is the most common cause of M. marinum infection. Known as "swimmer's granuloma" or "fish tank granuloma," M. marinum is an occupational hazard for aquarium cleaners and fishermen. There are several reports in the literature of M. marinum infection in immunocompromised hosts, including those with solid organ transplants, but none in patients who have received stem cell transplants (SCTs). To our knowledge, this is a first report of disseminated M. marinum infection in an SCT recipient who continued to develop new skin lesions even after months of targeted therapy. The implications are that elderly patients who receive T-cell-depleted SCTs may be at prolonged risk for pathogens dependent on cellular immunity, and the presentation of illness with such pathogens may be more severe and widely disseminated than might otherwise be expected.
Variability of trauma transfer practices among non-tertiary care hospital emergency departments.

Objectives: To assess both the variability of interhospital trauma transfer practices and nonclinical factors associated with the transfer of injured patients from emergency departments (EDs) of non–tertiary care hospitals. Methods: The authors analyzed a retrospective cohort of trauma patients initially presenting to one of 42 non–tertiary care hospitals (Level 3 or 4 hospitals) and requiring admission or transfer from January 1998 to December 2003. Twenty-one clinical, demographic, and hospital-level variables were included in multivariable logistic regression models (outcome = ED transfer to a tertiary care hospital), with hospital and year included as fixed effects to adjust for clustering. Classification and regression tree analysis was used to determine the importance of different covariates in predicting whether or not a patient was transferred from the ED. Results: Included in the analysis were 10,176 persons, of whom 3,785 (37%) were transferred to a tertiary care hospital from the ED. The hospital of initial presentation was the factor of greatest importance in predicting transfer, and there was substantial variability in transfer practices between hospitals. Several additional nonclinical variables were independently associated with transfer, including type and level of hospital, patient age, increasing distance from the nearest higher-level hospital (a measure of geographic isolation), and the patient’s insurance status (particularly among Level 3 hospitals). Conclusions: The non–tertiary care hospital of initial presentation is the strongest predictor for whether an injured patient is transferred to a tertiary center from the ED. There is substantial variability in transfer practices between hospitals after accounting for important clinical factors, and several nonclinical variables are independently associated with transfer. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2006; 13:746–754 a 2006 by the Society for Academic Emergency
Varying the Electronic Structure of Surface-Bound Ruthenium(II) Polypyridyl Complexes

In the design of light-harvesting chromophores for use in dye-sensitized photoelectrosynthesis cells (DSPECs), surface binding to metal oxides in aqueous solutions is often inhibited by synthetic difficulties. We report here a systematic synthesis approach for preparing a family of Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes of the type [Ru(4,4′-R2-bpy)2(4,4′-(PO3H2)2-bpy)]2+ (4,4′(PO3H2)2-bpy = [2,2′-bipyridine]-4,4′-diylbis(phosphonic acid); 4,4′-R2-bpy = 4,4′-R2-2,2′-bipyridine; and R = OCH3, CH3, H, or Br). In this series, the nature of the 4,4′-R2-bpy ligand is modified through the incorporation of electron-donating (R = OCH3 or CH3) or electron-withdrawing (R = Br) functionalities to tune redox potentials and excited-state energies. Electrochemical measurements show that the ground-state potentials, Eo′(Ru3+/2+), vary from 1.08 to 1.45 V (vs NHE) when the complexes are immobilized on TiO2 electrodes in aqueous HClO4 (0.1 M) as a result of increased Ru dπ–π* back-bonding caused by the lowering of the π* orbitals on...
Analysis of faulting in porous sandstones

Abstract Faults in porous sandstones occur in three forms: deformation bands about 1-mm thick and tens of m long and across which offsets are a few mm; zones of deformation bands constituted of many closely spaced deformation bands across which offsets are a few cm or dm; and slip surfaces , that is, distinct surfaces within zones of deformation bands across which offsets are a few m to a few tens of m. Deformation bands represent highly localized deformation; analogous localization within a field of homogeneous deformation is theoretically possible in inelastic materials with certain ranges of constitutive parameters. Crushing and consolidation of sandstone within a band cause the material there to become stiffer than the surrounding porous sandstone. A zone of deformation bands behaves mesoscopically much as a stiff inclusion in a soft matrix. According to the constitutive model assumed to investigate the formation of deformation bands, an instability can develop, and strain increments within the zone of deformation bands can become boundlessly large when the far-field stresses reach critical values. This instability is here associated with the formation of slip surfaces.
The Basis Number of a Graph

Abstract MacLane proved that a graph is planar if and only if it has a 2-fold basis for its cycle space. We define the basis number of a graph G to be the least integer k such that G has a k -fold basis for its cycle space. We investigate the basis number of the complete graphs, complete bipartite graphs, and the n -cube.
Clinical teaching: The joy of teaching

Teaching younger physicians the art of medicine should be an activity that engenders joy, satisfaction, and pride for the teacher. It is important to not that technical knowledge of medicine is complemented by special skills in facilitating reflective learning. Methods for teaching and learning the art of medicine are not easy but can be developed for such an important goal.
Attitudes and Knowledge about Drinking: Relationships With Drinking Behavior among Pregnant Teenagers.

Data were collected on the drinking behavior of 415 pregnant adolescents from 1990 to 1994. The relationships between knowledge and attitudes about drinking and drinking behavior were examined. Knowledge about drinking was not related to average daily volume of alcohol before or during pregnancy. Those with specific knowledge about fetal alcohol effects drank less before pregnancy, and in the first trimester, and were also less likely to drink to intoxication. Among drinkers, general knowledge about drinking was significantly related to a decrease in drinking between pre-pregnancy and first trimester, as well as between first and third trimesters. Those with more intolerant attitudes about drinking drank less before and during pregnancy. They had fewer episodes of binge drinking, intoxication, negative consequences, and problem drinking during pregnancy. They were more likely to decrease drinking from the first to third trimesters. These relationships are relevant to developing effective education programs for the high-risk group of pregnant teenagers who drink.
Neuropathologic examination after 91 ECT treatments in a 92-year-old woman with late-onset depression

Whereas pathological seizure states, such as temporal lobe epilepsy, are commonly associated with cell loss and glial scarring in the hippocampus, seizures induced via electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) have not been associated with histological evidence of neuronal damage. We present a case report including the late-life medical history and postmortem histology of an elderly woman with major depression who received 91 sessions of ECT during the last 22 years of her life. Given the large number of ECT sessions, and her advanced age, this case provides a strong test of whether ECT causes detectable evidence of neuronal damage. We examined the gross morphology of the hippocampus, hippocampal cytoarchitecture, and measures of neuropathology. We found no pathological changes that could be attributed to ECT. Only expected, age-related features were present. Corpora amylacea and rare neurofibrillary tangles were evident, but we failed to detect any obvious evidence of cell loss or gliosis. Cognition in this patient was intact as indicated by a perfect score on a Mini-Mental Status Examination administered 6 days before death at the age of 92. This case adds to the considerable evidence for the safety of ECT.
Analogs: a concept for the research and management of urban wildlife

Abstract Examples, such as skyscraper window sills vis-a-vis cliff ledges, are presented to advance the concept that some components of urban environments can be viewed as analogs of exurban habitat, thereby offering cues for urban planning, management and research.
Lipids and carbohydrates in symbiotic and aposymbiotic Crithidia oncopelti and Blastocrithidia culicis

Abstract 1. 1. Normal and aposymbiotic Crithidia oncopelti and Blastocrithidia culicis were compared as to neutral and polar lipid, total lipid, total lipid fatty acid, mono- and polysaccharide compositions using thin-layer (TLC) and gas-liquid (GLC) chromatography and cellulose acetate electrophoresis. 2. 2. Blastocrithidia possessed a major neutral lipid, lacking in Crithidia, with a TLC mobility similar to that of a monoglyceride. GLC of total lipid fatty acid methyl esters revealed that a major (20:4) components of Blastocrithidia was lacking in Crithidia. 3. 3. Blastocrithidia displayed one more toluidine blue-stainable glycosaminoglycan, separable by cellulose acetate electrophoresis, than did Crithidia. 4. 4. GLC of alditol acetate derivatives of monosaccharides revealed relatively more fucose than manose in whole-cell and protein fractions, but not in lipid, in normal compared to aposymbiotic Crithidia. 5. 5. Differences in carbohydrate composition may help explain the differential susceptibility of normal and aposymbiotic flagellates to agglutination by lectins which recognize fucosyl or mannosyl linkages.
The impact of the public library on early reading achievement: using the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study (ECLS) 1st grade student sample

This study explored the effect of public library activities on reading achievement of 1st grade students, using the ECLS-K (Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Kindergarten). The results from Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) indicate that children's reading Item Response Theory (IRT) scores were significantly related to whether their parents had a library card and visited the public library with them. In addition, the reading IRT scores of 1st grade students who had their own library cards were significantly higher than those of non-library card holding students. The location of the public library also played an important role in the number of times parents and their children visited it. Students who visited the public library also had significantly higher reading IRT score than students who did not visit the public library. These findings suggest that accessibility and utilization of public libraries contribute to the growth of reading abilities of 1st grade students.
Ionic Conduction in Alkali and Thallium Silicate Glasses

Electrical conductivities of binary alkali and thallous silicate glasses have been measured as a function of composition, temperature, and frequency. The best approximation to the activation energy for dc conduction can probably be obtained by extrapolating its frequency dependence to zero frequency, although values obtained at frequencies below 2500 hz do not differ greatly from the dc values. The plot of activation energy for conduction against modifier content consists of two straight lines of different slope. For all the alkali silicate glasses the break in slope occurs near 25 mole % alkali oxide and at an activation energy near 14.7 kcal/mole. The slope of the line below 25 mole % alkali oxide is proportional to the alkali ion radius. The behavior of thallous silicate glass is similar but not identical to that of the alkali silicates. It is concluded that (1) the reported conduction behavior does not result primarily from phase separation, (2) the principal contribution to the activation energy is probably the work required for a mobile ion to pass through the glass network rather than to leave its initial position, and (3) a structural change independent of the nature of the modifier cation occurs near a modifier content of 25 mole %.
Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in children

Implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD) have become an integral component in the management of children with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias complicating a variety of different inherited and congenital cardiovascular conditions. Implantation often requires novel approaches and configurations to overcome the size and anatomic limitations posed by many children needing ICDs. While their use has undoubtedly saved many lives, ICD use may be associated with significant morbidity, so detailed case selection and individualised postimplant programming is critical.
Preferential loss of the paternal alleles in the 18q‐ syndrome

Individuals with the 18q- syndrome have variable deletions from the long arm of chromosome 18. They also exhibit a highly variable phenotype. To correlate genotype with phenotype accurately, extensive molecular and phenotypic analyses are needed on each affected individual. As a part of this analysis, we have determined the parental origin of the deleted chromosome in 34 individuals with the 18q- syndrome. We have found that 85% of the de novo deletions are paternal in origin. The percentage of fathers of individuals with paternally derived deletions who were >30 years old was (not significantly) greater than that of the general population. The mothers of individuals with maternally derived deletions were near an average age for childbearing compared to the general population. Individuals with maternally derived terminal deletions had breakpoints as varied as those with paternally derived deletions. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the reduced incidence of maternally derived deletions is not due to reduced viability, since individuals with large maternally derived deletions of chromosome 18q were found. We hypothesize that the prevalence of paternally derived deletions is due to an increased frequency of chromosome breakage in male germ cells. These results are consistent with results observed in other segmental aneusomies in which there is a high incidence of paternally derived deletions. Am. J. Med. Genet. 69:280‐286, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The current use of Phellinus igniarius by the Eskimos of Western Alaska

The Inupiaq and Yup'ik Eskimos of western Alaska have used Phellinus igniarius for hundreds of years by burning the basidiocarps and mixing the ashes with tobacco. A previous publication (Mycologist 15: p.4) reported the historic use of this fungus and documented natural history museum collections of sporophores and special ornate boxes for holding the fungus ashes. When the ashes of P. igniarius were mixed with tobacco it added “a powerful kick” to the chewing tobacco. We now report new information that is disconcerting about the current widespread use of P. igniarius in many Alaska native communities. The use of the mixture of fungus ash and tobacco is being studied and treated as a serious health concern.
On the fuel and energy consumption optimization problem in aircraft path planning

Optimal trajectories for aircraft in terms of fuel consumption and energy consumption are analyzed and proven to exist by means of necessary and sufficient conditions. In some cases solutions in closed analytical form are found. Environmental models account both for aerodynamic forces and moments acting on aircraft modeled as 6 DOF rigid bodies.
Decreasing laboratory turnaround time and patient wait time by implementing process improvement methodologies in an outpatient oncology infusion unit.

Streamlining workflows and placing a phlebotomy station inside of the Comprehensive Treatment Unit (CTU) decreased laboratory turnaround times by 53% for patients who required same-day laboratory and CTU services.
Immunoextraction–Tandem Mass Spectrometry Method for Measuring Intact Human Chorionic Gonadotropin, Free β-Subunit, and β-Subunit Core Fragment in Urine

BACKGROUND: Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) stimulates testosterone production by the testicles. Because of the potential for abuse, hCG is banned (males only) in most sports and has been placed on the World Anti-Doping Agency list of prohibited substances. Intact hCG, free β-subunit (hCGβ), and β-subunit core fragment (hCGβcf) are the major variants or isoforms in urine. Immunoassays are used by antidoping laboratories to measure urinary hCG. Cross-reactivity with isoforms differs among immunoassays, resulting in widely varying results. We developed a sequential immunoextraction method with LC-MS/MS detection for quantification of intact hCG, hCGβ, and hCGβcf in urine. METHODS: hCG isoforms were immunoextracted with antibody-conjugated magnetic beads and digested with trypsin, and hCGβ and hCGβcf unique peptides were quantified by LC-MS/MS with the corresponding heavy peptides as internal standard. hCG isoform concentrations were determined in urine after administration of hCG, and the intact hCG results were compared to immunoassay results. RESULTS: The method was linear to 20 IU/L. Total imprecision was 6.6%–13.7% (CV), recovery ranged from 91% to 109%, and the limit of quantification was 0.2 IU/L. Intact hCG predominated in the urine after administration of 2 hCG formulations. The window of detection ranged from 6 to 9 days. Mean immunoassay results were 12.4–15.5 IU/L higher than LC-MS/MS results. CONCLUSIONS: The performance characteristics of the method are acceptable for measuring hCG isoforms, and the method can quantify intact hCG and hCGβ separately. The limit of quantification will allow LC-MS/MS hCG reference intervals to be established in nondoping male athletes for improved doping control.
“Wicked Problems,” Public Policy, and Administrative Theory Lessons From the GM Food Regulatory Arena

As societies worldwide struggle to address what policy analysts call “wicked problems” such as world hunger, malnutrition, and ecological sustainability, analysts from a variety of perspectives have questioned the administrative state’s abilities to deal with them. Ascendant since the early 1990s as a prescription for remedying these shortcomings is a market, technocratic, and non-deliberative theory of administration that some have called “neo-managerialism” and others the “managerialist ideology.” This study uses European attitudes toward promoting the use of genetically modified (GM) foods as a “policy window” for exploring how well or ill-suited the neo-managerialist philosophy informing the U.S. government’s promotional campaign was with the factors driving European opposition to GM foods. Causal modeling of the “calculus of dissent” that led to a the European Union (EU) moratorium on GM foods suggests that deliberative (rather than neo-managerialist) theories of administration are better suited for ...
Deterministic Built-in TPG with Segmented FSMs

We propose a built-in scheme for generating all patterns of a given deterministic test set T. The scheme is based on grouping the columns of T, so that in each group of columns the number ri of unique representatives (row subvectors) as well as their product R over all such groups is kept at a minimum. The representatives of each group (segment) are then generated by a small finite state machine (FSM) with log2 ri flip-flops. As all FSMs run through their states, all patterns of T are generated in time R. Experimental results show that with appropriate filling of the don't cares to reduce the number of representatives in each segment, and with the use of standard sequential synthesis tools, the scheme can offer low hardware overhead as well as low number R of test cycles.
Nitrotyrosine formation in splenic toxicity of aniline.

Abstract Splenic toxicity of aniline is characterized by vascular congestion, hyperplasia, fibrosis and development of a variety of sarcomas in rats. However, the mechanisms of this selective splenic toxicity are not well understood. Previously we showed that aniline exposure causes oxidative damage to spleen. To further explore the oxidative mechanisms of aniline toxicity, we evaluated the contributions of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide reacts with superoxide anion to form peroxynitrite, a powerful oxidant that converts the tyrosine residues of proteins to nitrotyrosine (NT). Therefore, aim of this study was to establish the role of nitric oxide through the formation and localization of NT in the spleen of rats exposed to aniline. Male Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were given 1 mmol/kg per day aniline hydrochloride in water by gavage for 7 days, while the controls received water only. Immunohistochemical analysis for NT showed an intense staining in the red pulp areas of spleen from aniline-treated rats, localized in macrophages and sinusoidal cells. Occasionally mild NT immunostaining was also evident in the white pulp. Western blot analyses of the post-nuclear fraction of the spleens showed major nitrated proteins with molecular weights of 49, 30 and 18 kDa. Immunohistochemical analysis of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) also showed increased expression in the red pulp of the spleens from aniline-treated rats; the cellular localization was similar to nitrated proteins. These studies suggest that oxidative stress in aniline toxicity also includes aberration in nitric oxide production leading to nitration of proteins. Functional consequences of such nitration will further elucidate the contribution of nitric oxide to the splenic toxicity of aniline.
A New Method of Estimating Intracranial Elastance

article i nfo Objective: Current methods of calculating Intracranial Elastance Index (IEI) depend from CSF pulse-wave, whose shape may deeply change during ICP rising. The main aim of this study was to evaluate the reliability and specificity of a novel method to calculate IEI (method C), based on the integral of the CSF pulse-wave area. Method: Twenty ventricular infusion-tests of patients with idiopathic NPH were re-evaluated. We have compared method C with the most widely used methods to calculate IEI: a modified Szewczykowski method (diastolic ICP against CSF pulse-wave amplitude-method A) and a modified Czosnyka method (diastolic ICP against the fundamental harmonic-method B). R-squared (R 2 ) was calculated for each test. Means were compared through ANOVA and t-test. Results: Mean R 2 values for methods A, Ba nd Cw ere 0.91 ±0 .06,0.9 ± 0.06 and 0.96 ± 0.03, respectively. Mean R 2 values obtained through method Av s Ca nd through method Bv s Cw ere significantly different (p = .006 and p = .001, respectively), while values obtained through method A vs B were not (p = 1). Analysis of ICP tracks demonstrated that 9 patients showed no different shape of the ICP wave during the infusion test, while the remaining 11 did. The mean R2 values obtained through method A vs C and through methodBvsCweresignificantly different (p b .001 for both) for patients showing a different shape of the ICP wave during the infusion test. Conclusions: Method C seems to be the most reliable method to calculate IEI, as it is independent from CSF pulse wave modifications.
Tracheobronchial disruption: Delayed diagnosis

Traumatic rupture of the tracheobronchial tree is an increasingly occurring complication of blunt chest trauma. Early detection and surgical repair are important for definitive and successful reconstruction. Bronchoscopy is the most reliable diagnostic procedure. Use of a rigid bronchoscope is difficult and traumatic to the patient, and the flexible fiberoptic bronchoscope, with its greater technical simplicity, is more easily applied. We report the case of a patient who suffered bronchial stenosis and total atelectasis before discovery of a fracture was made.
Channel and source/drain engineering in high-performance sub-0.1 /spl mu/m NMOSFETs using X-ray lithography

Channel lengths are continually scaled to smaller dimensions to improve performance and packing density. In recent years this has led to demonstrations of MOSFETs with effective channel length of 0.1 /spl mu/m and below. The key technology challenges at these linewidths include the lithography to reproducibly achieve fine dimensions, source and drain engineering to reduce device parasitics, and channel engineering to control short-channel effects. In this work, we demonstrate a high-performance NMOS technology that utilizes X-ray lithography to achieve channel lengths below 0.1 /spl mu/m; a novel cobalt salicidation (CoSi/sub 2/) technique using a titanium/cobalt laminate to achieve very low parasitic source/drain resistance; and shallow junctions and an optimized super-steep retrograde (SSR) channel profile to achieve very high transconductance devices with excellent control of short-channel effects. >
Implicit and explicit prejudice in the 2008 American presidential election

The 2008 US presidential election was an unprecedented opportunity to study the role of racial prejudice in political decision making. Although explicitly expressed prejudice has declined dramatically during the last four decades, more subtle implicit forms of prejudice (which come to mind automatically and may influence behavior unintentionally) may still exist. In three surveys of representative samples of American adults, explicit and implicit prejudice were measured during the months preceding the election. Both explicit and implicit prejudice were significant predictors of later vote choice. Citizens higher in explicit prejudice were less likely to vote for Barack Obama and more likely to vote for John McCain. After controlling for explicit prejudice, citizens higher in implicit prejudice were less likely to vote for Obama, but were not more likely to vote for McCain. Instead, they were more likely to either abstain or to vote for a third-party candidate rather than Obama. The results suggest that racial prejudice may continue to influence the voting process even among people who would not endorse these attitudes.
Differential Drag-Based Reference Trajectories for Spacecraft Relative Maneuvering Using Density Forecast

Abc = element of matrix Ad to which aDcrit is the most sensitive Ad = stable linear reference state-space matrix As = Schweighart and Sedwick model state-space matrix aDcrit = magnitude of the differential drag acceleration ensuring stability aDrel = magnitude of the differential aerodynamic drag acceleration aPrelx, aPrely = differential accelerations caused by orbital perturbations excluding drag, along x and y directions of the local vertical/local horizontal frame CDC, CDT = chaser and target spacecraft’s drag coefficients e = tracking error vector it = target’s initial orbit inclination J2 = second-order harmonic of Earth gravitational potential field (Earth flattening) lb, ub = lower and upper bounds for the optimization mC, mT = chaser and target spacecraft’s mass Re = Earth mean radius Rt = position vector of the target in relation to the Earth SC, ST = chaser and target spacecraft’s crosswind surface area u = on/off control signal V = Lyapunov function vs = spacecraft velocity vector magnitude with respect to the Earth’s atmosphere xn = state-space vector of the nonlinear system including relative position and velocity between the spacecraft in the local vertical/local horizontal orbital frame xt = reference state-space vector in the local vertical/ local horizontal orbital frame δAop = modifications made to matrix Ad for the optimized adaptation μ = Earth’s gravitational parameter ρ = atmospheric density ω = magnitude of the orbital angular velocity of the target
Interleaved and entangled divalent metal thiophenedicarboxylate coordination polymers with an extremely long-spanning and flexible dipyridylamide ligand

Abstract Hydrothermal reaction of metal nitrates, 2,5-thiophenedicarboxylic acid (H2tdc) and the conformationally flexible and very long spanning dipyridylamide ligand propane-1,3-diylbis(piperidine-4,1-diyl)bis(pyridin-4-ylmethanone) (4-ppbp) produced three new coordination polymers which were structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. [Cu(tdc)(4-ppbp)(H2O)]·2H2O}n (1) manifests a slab topology with pairs of interleaved (4,4) layer motifs. [Co(tdc)(4-ppbp)(H2O)]n (2) shows a 2,4-connected 1-D tubular structure that engages in very rare 1D + 1D → 2D parallel polycatenation. [Ni(tdc)(4-ppbp)2(H2O)]n (3) possesses a unique system of 2D + 2D → 2D interpenetrated 2,6-connected layers, derived from the edge-crossed SP 2-periodic (4,4)IIb net, when O–H⋯N hydrogen bonding patterns are taken into account. The conformational flexibility of the 4-ppbp ligand affords the requisite loops for the unique polycatenation patterns in 2 and 3. Thermal decomposition properties of these three new materials are discussed.
Assessment of Cognitive Impairment and Complaints in Individuals With Colorectal Cancer.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES To assess cognitive function in individuals with colorectal cancer (CRC) and identify factors associated with cognitive effects. DESIGN Cross-sectional, comparative design. . SETTING Midwest hospital. . SAMPLE Men and women with (n = 50) and without (n = 50) CRC. METHODS Comparative and regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between cognition and CRC. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES Attention, cognitive control, and memory function were assessed with neuropsychological tests and self-report. . FINDINGS Compared to healthy volunteers, individuals with CRC performed worse and reported more problems on tasks requiring attention and cognitive control (p < 0.05). After controlling for covariates, poorer performance on tasks of attention and cognitive control was associated (p < 0.001) with having CRC, older age, and less education. In contrast, poorer perceived attention and cognitive control were associated (p < 0.001) with greater fatigue but not CRC. CONCLUSIONS Individuals with CRC are vulnerable to cognitive problems. In addition, older age, less education, and fatigue can increase risk for worse cognitive performance and self-reported cognition. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING Cognitive problems can profoundly affect an individual's ability to function in everyday life and cope with cancer. Nurses should assess for cognitive problems in patients with CRC and intervene to reduce distress.
Synthesis of Wide Bandgap β-Ga2O3 Rods on 3C-SiC-on-Si

This paper presents the synthesis of single crystalline, self-catalytic β-Ga2O3 rods by a low pressure chemical vapor deposition technique. The effects of oxygen concentration and growth temperature on the morphology and growth rate of β-Ga2O3 rods were studied. The β-Ga2O3 rods were synthesized on a 3C-SiC film deposited on a silicon substrate utilizing high purity gallium (Ga) metal and oxygen (O2) as source materials, and argon (Ar) as a carrier gas. X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy measurements were performed for the as-grown β-Ga2O3 rods, which revealed a monoclinic phase of β-Ga2O3 with single crystalline microstructure. The selected area electron diffraction pattern recorded on a single β-Ga2O3 rod further verified their single crystalline nature. Because of their high crystalline quality and large surface area to volume ratio, these β-Ga2O3 rods have a great potential for surface related applications such as photocatalysis, chemical sensin...
Preview-Based Stable-Inversion for Nonlinear Nonminimum-Phase Aircraft Tracking: VTOL Example

In this article, we demonstrate the use of the preview-based stable-inversion technique in online ouput-tracking of nonlinear nonminimum-phase aircraft systems. Although exact output tracking of nonlinear nonminimum-phase systems can be achieved by using the stable-inversion techniques, challenges exist to implement this technique to track onlinegenerated output trajectory. This is because the computation of the bounded, exactoutput-tracking input (at the current time instant tc) requires the knowledge of the entire future desired output for time [tc,1), restricting the stable-inversion technique to trajectory-planning applications (e.g., aircraft take-off operation). However, it is intuitive that the previewed information of the desired output within a finite-time window [tc,tc+Tp] should be sufficient to compute the inverse input (at current t (tc)) with an arbitrarilysmall error if the preview time Tp is sufficiently large. In this paper, we present a previewbased stable-inversion technique on a VTOL aircraft model. We illustrate the procedure to quantify the preview time Tp that guarantees the desired accuracy in the inverse input for VTOL aircraft. Simulation results are presented and discussed to demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed approach in achieving precision tracking of online-generated trajectory.