cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No Map to Manhood: Male and Female Mindsets Behind the College Gender Gap

This study explores the basis of the gender gap in postsecondary enrollment through qualitative interviews with 99 high school seniors who are making decisions about college. While individual differences occurred, female high school seniors were far more apt to have well-developed plans to attend college based on their views that education is a vital educational investment, that the occupations they seek require a college education, and that they want to make a difference to society. Male high school students evidenced two different mindsets. Those from families whose parents had graduated from college saw higher education just as the expected path. Those from working class families had little knowledge of the labor market, the likelihood of obtaining “dream jobs,” and the income they would need to live comfortable adult lives. Far more young men disliked schooling. Both sexes have developed a stereotype of males as “lazy,” a label which covers a host of problems reducing college enrollment.
Location and happiness in the United States

Abstract The effect of living in a less urban area on the probability of being happy is estimated. It is shown that less urban areas are associated with higher levels of happiness. Further, it is shown that respondents in the north region are less happy. Data from the National Opinion Research Center’s “General Social Survey” are used.
Cryopreservation of embryogenic cultures of Picea mariana (black spruce) using vitrification

This study reports on the first use of a vitrification procedure for the successful cryopreservation of embryogenic cultures of a coniferous species. Using Picea mariana embryogenic cultures, we obtained the highest survival by first preculturing embryogenic masses on semi-solid medium containing 0.8 M sorbitol for 48 h followed by incubation in PVS2 cryoprotective vitrification solution at 0°C for 30 min and direct immersion in liquid nitrogen. The replacement of sorbitol with 1.6 M glycerol also resulted in high survival. When sorbitol and glycerol were used in preculture treatments, 9 of 11 embryogenic lines survived liquid nitrogen treatments. We also demonstrated that 100% post-liquid nitrogen survival of mature somatic embryos could be obtained without pretreatments. A brief desiccation pretreatment, however, increased uniformity of somatic embryo germination.
An Interspecies Comparison of the Temporomandibular Joint Disc

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disc plays a critical role in normal function of the joint, and many disorders of the TMJ are a result of disc dysfunction. Previous quantitative TMJ characterization studies examined either the human or a specific animal model, but no single study has compared different species, in the belief that differences in joint morphology, function, and diet would be reflected in the material properties of the disc. In this study, we examined topographical biochemical (collagen, glycosaminoglycan, and DNA content) and biomechanical (tensile and compressive) properties of the human TMJ disc, and also discs from the cow, goat, pig, and rabbit. Regional and interspecies variations were identified in all parameters measured, and certain disc characteristics were observed across all species, such as a weak intermediate zone under mediolateral tension. While human discs possessed properties distinct from those of the other species, pig discs were most similar to the human, suggesting that the pig may be a suitable animal model for TMJ bioengineering efforts.
Quel est le risque de maladie veineuse thrombo-embolique en cas d’épisode artériel ?

Peu de donnees etant disponibles apres une analyse exhaustive de la litterature, la reponse est scindee en 3 parties selon les etudes disponibles. Les facteurs de risque (FDR) habituels de l’atherosclerose sont-ils aussi des FDR de maladie veineuse thrombo-embolique (MTEV) ? Les cohortes prospectives identifient les FDR a l’inclusion et colligent les evenements au cours du suivi. Pour Tsai (ARIC et CHS, 2002), seule l’obesite etait liee au risque de survenue de MTEV. Dans la Copenhagen City Heart study (2010), l’obesite, le tabagisme actif, le sexe masculin, le niveau de revenu et une pression arterielle diastolique elevee etaient des FDR de MTEV. Dans la Tromso Study (2012), la survenue d’un evenement au cours du suivi etait correlee a l’âge eleve et au BMI. En actualisant les FDR au cours du suivi, Wattanakit (ARIC, 2012) retenait l’obesite et le tabagisme actif. D’autres auteurs analysent les FDR presents chez les patients lors de l’episode de MTEV. Goldhaber (1997) identifiait l’obesite, le tabagisme actif et l’HTA comme FDR d’embolie pulmonaire chez la femme. Dans la meta-analyse d’Ageno (2008), les FDR retrouves etaient l’obesite, l’HTA, le diabete et une dyslipidemie. L’atherosclerose infra-clinique est-elle un marqueur de risque de MTEV ? Pour Prandoni (2003), le risque d’avoir des plaques carotides asymptomatiques etait plus eleve en cas de MTEV non provoquee par rapport a une MTEV provoquee ou aux sujets controle. En revanche, dans la Tromso Study (2014), l’ARIC (2006) et la CHS (2006), l’atherosclerose infra-clinique n’etait pas associee a la survenue d’une MTEV au cours du suivi. Y a-t-il un risque accru des MTEV apres un evenement arteriel ? Les antecedents arteriels sont retrospectivement analyses lors de l’episode de MTEV. Pour Sorensen (2009), chez les patients ayant une MTEV, le risque d’avoir eu un antecedent d’IDM ou d’AVC, en particulier au cours des 3 derniers mois, etait plus eleve par rapport aux sujets controle. La prise de statine etait associee a une baisse du risque de MTEV. Dans le travail de Milan (2014), le risque combine d’antecedent de coronaropathie, de maladie cerebrovasculaire ou d’arteriopathie peripherique etait plus eleve chez les patients ayant une MTEV, provoquee ou non, comparee au groupe controle. Les donnees disponibles dans la litterature sont contradictoires, en partie du fait de methodologies differentes. Le risque de MTEV en cas d’episode arteriel est mal connu et un suivi prospectif des patients est indispensable.
On the genesis of somatization disorder: the role of the medical profession

The development of somatization disorder is supported by the way physicians focus on somatic complaints but fail to effectively diagnose and relieve them if a specific anatomic or biochemical lesion is not found. This inadequate treatment of somatizing patients may related to the focus of medical teaching as well as male skills, styles and vulnerabilities.
Total nitrogen inflow and outflow from a large river swamp basin to the Gulf of Mexico

Abstract River corridor wetland restoration and freshwater diversion from the lower Mississippi River are being considered as two major options to reduce nitrogen input to the Gulf of Mexico. However, it is largely uncertain how much nitrogen can actually be retained from the overflowing waters by these wetland systems. This study quantified the nitrogen inflow and outflow for the largest distributary basin of the Mississippi River, the Atchafalaya River Swamp basin. The goal of the study was to seek answers to three critical questions: (a) Does the Atchafalaya River Swamp remove a significant amount of nitrogen from the overflowing water, or is it releasing more nitrogen into the Gulf? (b) How do the nitrogen removal or release rates fluctuate seasonally and annually? (c) What are the relationships between the nitrogen removal capacity and the hydrological conditions in the basin such as river stage and discharge? By utilizing the long-term (1978–2002) river discharge and water quality data, monthly and ...
Optical and magnetic resonance measurements of a segmented poly(ester urethane)

Abstract X-ray-induced damage in Estane®5703 has been studied by luminescence, optical absorption and electron spin resonance techniques in the temperature interval ≈ 10–300 K. Molecular motion of the polymer soft segment, as determined by viscoelastic measurements, is correlated with features in the glow curve, indicating charge detrapping via thermal destruction of cavity traps. Spectral emission is characterized by four Lorentzian bands with maxima at 2.38, 2.55, 2.74 and 2.93 eV, which are attributed to triplet-to-singlet ( π, π * ) electronic transitions of the phenyl group in the polymer hard segment. Absorption peaks at 3.97, 4.29 and 4.46 eV are also assigned to transitions within this group. Several radicals with overlapping resonances are induced at 35 K, which, with increasing temperature, evolve into the relatively stable peroxy free-radical at room temperature.
Information retrieval with APL by adaptive index and user guidance

A system is described applicable for information retrieval and update both in formatted and unformatted files containing non-numerical data. It uses a new reference-string indexing technique which supports partial-match queries and similar-record search. The reference-string index is adapted to data usage or data. Those parts of records which are estimated by the program to be specified very often in queries are included as reference strings and inverted. For data access in the retrieval phase, the specified attribute values and their logical expressions are transformed into a logical expression between reference strings. Primary and secondary (index) data are stored as external files using auxiliary processors for access. The retrieval and update functions are combined with the user-guidance component used to describe data (dictionary), to teach system use, and to assist as a permanently available Help feature. As an internal structure it uses a semantic net to navigate the user from general to more specific information. A new interesting feature is the use of selected reference strings and selected combinations of them as a more detailed data description extracted automatically from the data or even data usage.
Pre- and postoperative imaging of adolescents undergoing laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding surgery

As childhood obesity rates rise, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is being investigated as a bariatric surgical option in adolescents. To examine pre- and postoperative imaging in adolescents undergoing LAGB, describe the most common abnormal preoperative imaging findings, and illustrate the typical appearance and variants on postoperative upper-gastrointestinal (UGI) examinations. A retrospective chart review was performed of all adolescents from 2008 to 2010 undergoing LAGB at a single tertiary-care pediatric hospital. The picture archiving and communication system was queried for all imaging obtained before and after surgery. Postoperative UGI studies were analyzed for common patterns. Twenty-seven obese adolescents who underwent LAGB were identified. Twenty-five had preoperative imaging, most commonly a UGI study (81.5%). Eight UGI studies were abnormal but did not impact surgery. Preoperative chest and neck radiographs were also common. Intraoperative imaging was rare. Seventy-three postoperative UGI studies were performed on 22 children (range, 2–12 studies). A common postoperative imaging pattern was observed in 19/22 (86%) children. No complications were observed. The most common pre- and postoperative imaging studies in adolescents undergoing LAGB are UGI studies. Pediatric radiologists should be familiar with the imaging of LAGB as this procedure becomes increasingly common.
Electron-hole liquids in transition-metal oxide heterostructures

Appropriately designed transition-metal-oxide heterostructures involving small band-gap Mott insulators are argued to support spatially separated electron and hole gasses at equilibrium. Spatial separations and carrier densities favoring the formation of excitonic states are achievable. The excitonic states may exhibit potentially novel properties. Energetic estimates are given, candidate material systems are discussed, and the possibility of large photovoltaic effects is mentioned.
Temporal Stability of Time Preferences

Abstract The preferences assumed to govern intertemporal trade-offs are generally considered to be stable economic primitives, though evidence on this stability is notably lacking. We present evidence from a large field study conducted over two years, with around 1,400 individuals using incentivized intertemporal choice experiments. Aggregate choice profiles and corresponding estimates of discount parameters are unchanged over the two years and individual correlations through time are high by existing standards. However, some individuals show signs of instability. By linking experimental measures to administrative tax records, we showthat identified instability is uncorrelated with both levels and changes in sociodemographic variables.
DISSOLUTION BEHAVIOR OF KAOLINITIC TROPICAL SOILS

Abstract Batch experiments at controlled pH and ionic strength were conducted with representative kaolinitic soils from Brazil to investigate their short-time dissolution behavior. The release of Al and Fe from the soils showed similar pH dependence, exhibiting a minimum value (p.m.d.) just above the point of zero net charge for the soils. Both Al and Fe release rates below the p.m.d. were correlated positively with soluble organic C, proton concentration, and net proton surface charge, the last two relationships being power-law functions similar to those observed for the dissolution rates of specimen metal oxides and aluminosilicates. Below the p.m.d., release of Si from the soils exhibited a pH dependence very much like that observed for specimen kaolinites and the molar ratios, Si Al and Fe Al released, were smaller than 1.0, probably because of the rapid solubilization of organic Al forms. Above the p.m.d., colloidal dispersion occurred and Al, Si, and Fe were released in both dissolved and microparticulate forms.
Inherent flexibility in a potent inhibitor of blood coagulation, recombinant nematode anticoagulant protein c2

Nematode anticoagulant proteins (NAPs) from the hematophagous nematode Ancylostoma caninum inhibit blood coagulation with picomolar inhibition constants, and have been targeted as novel pharmaceutical agents. NAP5 and NAP6 inhibit factor Xa by binding to its active site, whereas NAPc2 binds to factor Xa at a different, as yet unidentified, site and the resultant binary complex inhibits the tissue factor–factor VIIa complex. We have undertaken NMR studies of NAPc2, including the calculation of a solution structure, and found that the protein is folded, with five disulfide bonds, but is extremely flexible, especially in the acidic loop. The Hα secondary shifts and 3JHNHα coupling constants indicate the presence of some β structure and a short helix, but the intervening loops are highly conformationally heterogeneous. Heteronuclear NOE measurements showed the presence of large amplitude motions on a subnanosecond timescale at the N-terminus and C-terminus and in the substrate-binding loop, indicating that the conformational heterogeneity observed in the NMR structures is due to flexibility of the polypeptide chain in these regions. Flexibility may well be an important factor in the physiological function of NAPc2, because it must interact with other proteins in the inhibition of blood coagulation. We suggest that this inhibitor is likely to become structured on binding to factor Xa, because the inhibition of the tissue factor–factor VIIa complex requires both NAPc2 and factor Xa.
Designing Programs for Teacher Educators

(1974). Designing Programs for Teacher Educators. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 13, The Education of Teacher Educators, pp. 167-176.
Hodgkin's disease, stages I and II occurring below the diaphragm.

Between February 12, 1968 and August 17, 1977, 473 consecutive patients with Hodgkin's disease were entered into protocol studies at Stanford University Medical Center (SUMC). 242 of these 473 patients were pathological Stage I or II; 223 patients had disease above the diaphragm and 19 patients had disease confined below the diaphragm. When compared to patients with disease above the diaphragm, patients with Hodgkin's disease below the diaphragm were more frequently male (74% vs. 53%, p = 0.14), were on the average older (40 vs. 27, p less than .005) and more frequently had the histologic subtype of mixed cellularity (32% vs. 12%, p = .04). There was no difference in either survival or relapse-free survival between patients with Hodgkin's disease above the diaphragm and patients with disease below the diaphragm receiving similar treatment plans.
The unsettled land: State-making and the politics of land in Zimbabwe 1893–2003

The unsettled land: State-making and the politics of land in Zimbabwe 1893-2003, by Jocelyn Alexander, Oxford, James Currey, 2006, 230 pp., ISBN 97-80821417355 In 2000 Zimbabwe plunged into a perio...
Discovery of novel cross-protective Rickettsia prowazekii T-cell antigens using a combined reverse vaccinology and in vivo screening approach

Rickettsial agents are some of the most lethal pathogens known to man. Among them, Rickettsia prowazekii is a select agent with potential use for bioterrorism; yet, there is no anti-Rickettsia vaccine commercially available. Owing to the obligate intracellular lifestyle of rickettsiae, CD8(+) T cells are indispensable for protective cellular immunity. Furthermore, T cells can mediate cross-protective immunity between different pathogenic Rickettsia, a finding consistent with the remarkable similarity among rickettsial genomes. However, Rickettsia T cell antigens remain unidentified. In the present study, we report an algorithm that allowed us to identify and validate four novel R. prowazekii vaccine antigen candidates recognized by CD8(+) T cells from a set of twelve in silico-defined protein targets. Our results highlight the importance of combining proteasome-processing as well as MHC class-I-binding predictions. The novel rickettsial vaccine candidate antigens, RP778, RP739, RP598, and RP403, protected mice against a lethal challenge with Rickettsia typhi, which is indicative of cross-protective immunity within the typhus group rickettsiae. Together, our findings validate a reverse vaccinology approach as a viable strategy to identify protective rickettsial antigens and highlight the feasibility of a subunit vaccine that triggers T-cell-mediated cross-protection among diverse rickettsiae.
Potential pathogenic factors produced by a clinical nontoxigenicVibrio cholerae O1

A clinical isolate of nontoxigenicVibrio cholerae O1 that caused intestinal fluid accumulation (FA) in adult mice produced proteolytic, hemolytic, and cytotoxic activities in in vitro assays. The linkage of these secreted factors to the FA activity was studied by transposon (TnphoA) mutagenesis. Ten of the 12 TnphoA insertion mutants that were defective for proteolytic activity produced FA, hemolytic and cytotoxic activities; the remaining two mutants lost these latter three activities. These results indicate that FA activity is independent of proteolytic activity but closely associated with cytotoxic and hemolytic activities. Our results with the adult mouse model and a nontoxigenicV. cholerae O1 are in general agreement with previous studies that demonstrated linkage of cytotoxin and hemolysin of toxigenicV. cholerae O1 and non-O1 with FA activity in rabbit ileal loops.
New Texas Instruments Electroluminescent Integrated Circuit Chip Set

The new electroluminescent (EL) display drivers introduced by Texas Instruments were developed using the patented B I DFET process which incorporates bipolar, double-diffused, N-channel and P-channel MOS transitors on the same monolithic substrate. The integrated circuit designs were facilitated by experience gained designing reliable high voltage ac plasma drivers. Functionality of these devices IA as based on what currently appears to be the most feasible approach to driving EL panels. This paper will discuss the important device characteristics and system considerations required to use these drivers.
Magnetic Fields of a Dipole in Special Volume Conductor Shapes

Expressions are presented for the magnetic fields produced by current dipoles in four basic volume conductor shapes. These shapes are the semi-infinite volume, the sphere, the prolate spheroid (egg-shape), and the oblate spheroid (discus-shape). The latter three shapes approximate the shape of the human head and can serve as a basis for understanding the measurements of the brain's magnetic fields. The semi-infinite volume is included in order to investigate the effect of the simplest boundary between a conductor and nonconductor. The expressions for the fields are presented in a form which separates the total field into two parts. One part is due to the dipole alone (the dipole field); the other is due to the current generated in the volume conductor by the dipole (the volume current field). Representative plots of the total field and the volume current field are presented for each shape. The results show that for these shapes the component of the total field normal to the surface of the volume conductor is produced completely or in large part by the dipole alone. Therefore, measurement and use of this component will greatly reduce the complexity of determining the sources of electrical activity inside a body from measurements outside the body by removing the necessity of dealing with the volume current field.
Development and characterization of normal colonic epithelial cell lines derived from normal mucosa of patients with colon cancer

Background Researchers have tried for at least 20 years to develop a normal human colonic cell line suitable for in vitro studies of human colonic diseases. We report a break-through development of two normal colon-derived cell lines. They are designated NCM356 and NCM425. Materials and methods The cells were collected from the histologic ally normal colonic margin of patients undergoing resection for colon adenocarcinomas and grown in culture. Results Since NCM356 and NCM425 have now been subcultured 22 and 19 times, each has undergone more than 40 population doublings. Neither cell line has shown evidence of terminal differentiation. Immunohistochemical characterization studies demonstrated that they are epithelial cells. They variably expressed subsets of other markers, including tumor markers, but did not grow in soft agar. NCM356 did not form tumors, whereas NCM425 was tumorigenic in immunodeficient mice. Conclusion These two cell lines represent the first successful in vitro culture of human colonocytes derived from normal mucosa. NCM356 is closer to normal, but seems to represent an early stage of cell transformation, possibly correlated with immortalization. In contrast, in vitro culture of the NCM425 cell line appears to have selected for later progression to malignancy. These lines are important resources for studying colon cancer and the physiology of intestinal cells.
Structural studies on the specific capsular polysaccharide from Rhizobium trifolii, TA-1.

The repeating unit of the specific capsular polysaccharide from the bacterium Rhizobium trifolii (TA)-1 has been shown to contain (a) terminal 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-D-galactose (1 residue), (b) (1 → 3)-linked 4,6-O-(1-carboxyethylidene)-D-glucose (1 residue), (c) (1 → 4)-(1 → 6)-linked D-glucose (1 residue), (d) (1 → 4)-linked D-glucuronic acid (1 residue), and (e) (1 → 4)-linked D-glucose (4 residues). The pyruvylated sugars were shown to be positioned sequentially, and at least one other unit was interposed between them and the branch point.
An autoradiographic, semistereotaxic mapping of major projections from locus coeruleus and adjacent nuclei in Macaca mulatta.

Abstract The autoradiographic method was used to trace projections from the monkey locus coeruleus (LC) and adjacent nuclei (nn. parabrachiales, n. tractus mesencephalicus nervus trigemini, substantia grisea centralis). Pathways attributed to LC are presented diagrammatically in a set of 26 coronal sections. They include a descending pathway along the tractus tegmentalis centralis, a caudal pathway entering the corpus medullaris cerebellaris via the lateral wall and roof of ventriculus quartus, and an ascending pathway along the tractus tegmentalis centralis giving off branches to the commissura posterior, tractus habenulo-interpeduncularis, centrum medianum and n. ventralis posteromedialis thalami, fasciculus lenticularis, lamina medullaris thalami lateralis, capsula interna, commissura supraoptica dorsalis, tractus supraoptico-hypophyseus, stria terminalis, laminae medullaris interna and medialis and pars interna of globus pallidus, corpus subfornicale, capsula externa, stria longitudinalis, cingulum, and gyrus rectus. A contribution to the branches entering n. ventralis posteromedialis thalami and the commissura supraoptica dorsalis was attributed to the nn. parabrachiales. Axons entering trigeminal structures via the tractus mesencephalicus nervus trigemini were attributed to labeling of cells in the nucleus of that tract. Terminal areas attributed to labeling of LC axons were evident in decreasing order of density in the bed nucleus of stria terminalis, substantia innominata, nn. amygdalae anterior, centralis and basalis (dorsal portion), nn. paraventricularis, supraopticus and dorsomedialis hypothalami, and n. antero-ventralis thalami.
MULTAN: a program to align multiple DNA sequences

I describe a computer program which can align a large number of nucleic acid sequences with one another. The program uses an heuristic, iterative algorithm which has been tested extensively, and is found to produce useful alignments of a variety of sequence families. The algorithm is fast enough to be practical for the analysis of large number of sequences, and is implemented in a program which contains a variety of other functions to facilitate the analysis of the aligned result.
Contralesional neural plasticity and functional changes in the less-affected forelimb after large and small cortical infarcts in rats

Some studies have found that unilateral cerebral damage produces significant deficits in the ipsilesional, "less-affected", body side. Other studies have found that such damage results in a paradoxical hyperfunctionality of the ipsilesional body side and a facilitation of learning-induced neuroplastic changes in the contralesional motor cortex. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these effects co-exist and/or vary with lesion severity. After small or large unilateral ischemic lesions of the sensorimotor cortex (SMC) or sham operations, adult male rats were trained for 20 days to acquire a motor task, skilled reaching for food, for the first time with the ipsilesional forelimb. Analyses of movement patterns indicated lesion-size-dependent ipsilesional abnormalities in grasping, retrieving and releasing food pellets. Despite these impairments, success rates were significantly increased and aiming errors reduced in lesion groups compared with sham operates. Performance was best in rats with small lesions that had more minor ipsilesional impairments. In the motor cortex contralateral to the lesion and trained limb, there were significant increases in the density of dendrites immunoreactive for microtubule-associated protein-2 (MAP2) and of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunit 1 (NMDAR1) immunoreactivity compared with sham operates. These effects were correlated with reaching performance. Therefore, enhanced motor skill learning in the "less-affected" forelimb and contralesional neuroplastic changes are muted after larger lesions and co-exist with ipsilesional impairments. These effects may be related to a denervation-induced neural restructuring of the contralesional cortex that both disrupts pre-existing motor engrams and facilitates the establishment of new ones.
Creatine-creatinine metabolism in radiation myopathy.

MUSCULAR weakness is one of the well-known clinical sequelae of exposure of mammals to ionizing radiation. The degree of myasthenia is determined by the radiation dose to which the individual has been exposed. The present report deals with observations which may give a clue to some of the biochemical mechanisms underlying this radiation-induced myopathy.
Hydrogen release properties of lithium alanate for application to fuel cell propulsion systems

Abstract In this paper the results of an experimental study on LiAlH 4 (lithium alanate) as hydrogen source for fuel cell propulsion systems are reported. The compound examined in this work was selected as reference material for light metal hydrides, because of its high hydrogen content (10.5 wt.%) and interesting desorption kinetic properties at moderate temperatures. Thermal dynamic and kinetic of hydrogen release from this hydride were investigated using a fixed bed reactor to evaluate the effect of heating procedure, carrier gas flow rate and sample form. The aim of this study was to characterize the lithium alanate decomposition through the reaction steps leading to the formation of Li 3 AlH 6 and LiH. A hydrogen tank was designed and realized to contain pellets of lithium alanate as feeding for a fuel cell propulsion system based on a 2-kW Polymeric Electrolyte Fuel Cell (PEFC) stack. The fuel cell system was integrated into the power train comprising DC–DC converter, energy storage systems and electric drive for moped applications (3 kW). The experiments on the power train were conducted on a test bench able to simulate the vehicle behaviour and road characteristics on specific driving cycles. In particular the efficiencies of individual components and overall power train were analyzed evidencing the energy requirements of the hydrogen storage material.
Use of a culture-independent gastrointestinal multiplex PCR panel during a Shigellosis outbreak: considerations for clinical laboratories and public health

Shigella is estimated to cause nearly 500,000 infections annually in the United States ([1][1]). This estimate for the nationally notifiable disease is much higher than the actual 7,746 laboratory-confirmed cases of Shigella reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) by state
Fine structure of the edge of the Gulf Stream

Purpose—The purpose of the following investigation is to obtain a detailed description of conditions in a region of great lateral shear and to attempt to represent synchronous conditions on surfaces in a lateral plane. Previous indications—Two sections through the edge of the Gulf Stream made in 1939, namely, (a) with the bathythermograph (July) and (b) with the bathythermograph and pressure-operated sea-sampler (August), had shown, from (a), a complex temperature-structure suggesting the presence of eddies and, from (b), that the complex temperature-structure was the result of lateral juxtaposition of different water-types probably by eddying motion [see 4 of “References” at end of paper].
Epigenetic changes at gene promoters in response to immune activation in utero.

Abstract Increasing evidence suggests that maternal infection increases the risk of psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and autism in offspring. However, the molecular mechanisms associated with these effects are unclear. Here, we have studied epigenetic gene regulation in mice exposed to non-specific immune activation elicited by polyI:C injection to pregnant dams. Using Western blot analysis, we detected global hypoacetylation of histone H3, at lysine residues 9 and 14, and histone H4, at lysine residue 8, in the cortex from juvenile (∼24 days of age) offspring exposed to polyI:C in utero , but not from adult (3 months of age) offspring, which exhibit significant behavioral abnormalities. Accordingly, we detected robust deficits in the expression of genes associated with neuronal development, synaptic transmission and immune signaling in the cortex of polyI:C-exposed juvenile mice. In particular, we found that several genes in the glutamate receptor signaling pathway, including Gria1 and Slc17a7 , showed decreases in promoter-specific histone acetylation, and corresponding gene expression deficits, in polyI:C-exposed offspring at both juvenile and adult ages. In contrast, the expression of these same genes, in addition to Disc1 and Ntrk3 , was elevated in the hippocampus of juvenile mice, in concordance with elevated levels of promoter-specific histone acetylation. We suggest that these early epigenetic changes contribute to the delayed behavioral abnormalities that are observed in adult animals after exposure to polyI:C, and which resemble symptoms seen in schizophrenia and related disorders.
Improving Dietary Patterns and Physical Activity Levels Among Children and Adolescents

To the Editor. —Although some may be disappointed that the Child and Adolescent Trial for Cardiovascular Health (CATCH) 1 did not accomplish the blood cholesterol reductions it set out to achieve, we view the findings of this ambitious endeavor positively. Indeed, the CATCH results present encouraging findings for those who are concerned about the relentless and possibly accelerating increase in obesity in the United States. Bad news about the obesity epidemic 2 continues to accumulate as numerous publications document increases in over-weight in adults 3,4 and, most disturbing, in children. 5 As evidence mounts that "caloric balance as well as diet composition, from childhood on, has great potential for contributing to the prevention and control of hyperlipidemia" 2 and thus cardiovascular disease, the success of CATCH in lowering food energy intake and total fat intake is welcome news. CATCH succeeded in limiting increases in total energy intake to 1.6%
Lymphohematopoietic graft-vs.-host reactions can be induced without graft-vs.-host disease in murine mixed chimeras established with a cyclophosphamide-based nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen

Abstract Mixed hematopoietic chimerism can be induced in mice receiving allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) after nonmyeloablative host conditioning with depletion T cells with of anti-T cell monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), low-dose (3 Gy) total-body irradiation (TBI), and local thymic irradiation (7 Gy). These mice are specifically tolerant to donor and host antigens. When nontolerant donor T cells are given to chimeras several months after BMT, full donor-type chimerism develops, but graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD) does not occur. The induction of such lymphohematopoietic GVH reactions without GVHD could provide an approach to separating graft-vs.-leukemia (GVL) from GVHD in patients with hematologic malignancies. To make the nonmyeloablative conditioning regimen described above more cytoreductive for such malignancies, we have now modified it by replacing TBI with cyclophosphamide (CP). Treatment with anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 mAbs on day -5, 200 mg/kg CP on day -1, and 7 Gy thymic irradiation on day 0 was only slightly myelosuppressive and allowed fully major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-mismatched (with or without multiple minor antigen disparities) allogeneic bone marrow to engraft and establish long-term mixed chimerism in 40 to 82% of recipients in three different strain combinations. The administration of nontolerant donor spleen cells at 5 weeks or at 5, 8, and 11 weeks posttransplant was capable of eliminating host hematopoietic cells, leading to full or nearly full donor chimerism in six of six and two of four chimeric animals in two different strain combinations. No clinical evidence of GVHD was observed in any recipients of these donor leukocyte infusions (DLI). These studies demonstrate that induction of mixed chimerism with nonmyeloablative conditioning followed at appropriate times by DLI might allow lymphohematopoietic GVH reactions, and hence GVL effects, to eliminate chronic hematologic malignancies without causing clinically significant GVHD. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 1999;5(3):133-43.
Realizable algebraic Reynolds stress closure

Abstract The normalized Reynolds (NR-) stress is a symmetric, non-negative, dyadic-valued operator. An analysis of the hydrodynamic equation governing velocity fluctuations of a constant property Newtonian fluid shows that this operator is related to a prestress operator that is also symmetric and non-negative. The prestress operator accounts for local spatial changes in the fluctuating pressure and in the fluctuating instantaneous Reynolds stress. The Cayley–Hamilton theorem from linear algebra is used to complete the closure with a non-negative mapping of the normalized Reynolds stress into the prestress. The non-negative mapping between the prestress operator and the Reynolds stress depends on a scalar-valued turbulent transport time related to the relaxation of a Green's function associated with a convective–viscous parabolic differential operator and the relaxation of a two-point, space–time correlation related to turbulent velocity fluctuations. The preclosure equation also depends on a kinematic operator related to the average velocity gradient and a rotational operator related to the angular velocity of the frame. The resulting universal realizable anisotropic prestress (URAPS-) closure is realizable for all non-rotating and rotating turbulent flows, provided the complementary transport equations for the turbulent kinetic energy and the turbulent dissipation are formulated to yield non-negative solutions. Experimental data and DNS results previously reported in the literature for non-rotating homogeneous simple shear and for non-rotating and rotating homogeneous decay are used to determine the closure constants. For rotating homogeneous simple shear, the URAPS-closure predicts the existence of self-similar states for finite positive and negative rotation numbers. The URAPS-closure for the NR-stress predicts anisotropic states consistent with expected behavior.
Radiological Safety of Accelerators a Comparison of Performance Standards

The recommendation/requirements of the Suggested State Regulations are not out of line with those of the NCRP, IEC, or the proposed Canadian regulation. The 1982 Edition of the Suggested State Regulations, which reflect the philosophy of the NCRP, has the most stringent requirements for leakage radiation, both to the patient area and outside the patient area. The Canadian standard has the most stringent requirements for leakage radiation through the beam limiting devices. The IEC voluntary standard is less stringent than both the 1982 Edition of the Suggested State Regulations and the proposed Canadian regulation but is more stringent that the NCRP for leakage through the beam limiting devices. The NCRP has the least stringent requirement for leakage radiation through beam limiting devices, and at the present time does not address neutron leakage for accelerators.
An evaluation of order picking routeing policies

Order picking, the assembly of a customer’s order from items in storage, is an essential link in the supply chain and is the major cost component of warehousing. The critical issue is to simultaneously reduce the cost and increase the speed of the order picking activity. The main objectives are to: evaluate various routeing policies in a random storage environment; evaluate the impact of warehouse shape and pick‐up/drop‐off location; and examine the interaction of the routeing policies, warehouse shape, and pick‐up/drop‐off location under different pick list sizes. The experimental results clearly indicate that the optimal routeing procedure generates significantly shorter routes than heuristic methods. The composite and largest gap routeing policies are, however, significantly better than simpler heuristic procedures. Further testing, in addition, indicates that the shape of the warehouse and the location of the pick‐up/drop‐off point can affect the picking efficiency.
Are unrealistic weight loss goals associated with outcomes for overweight women

LINDE, JENNIFER A., ROBERT W. JEFFERY, EMILY A. FINCH, DEBBIE M. NG, AND ALEXANDER J. ROTHMAN. Are unrealistic weight loss goals associated with outcomes for overweight women? Obes Res. 2004;12:569–576. Objective: To examine cross-sectional correlates of current, goal, and dream weight and their prospective associations with weight loss in treatment. Research Methods and Procedures: Goal and dream weights, demographic characteristics, and psychosocial factors were assessed by self-report questionnaire in 302 adult women enrolled in a weight loss trial. Height and weight were assessed at baseline, after 8 weeks of active treatment, and at 6- and 18-month follow-up. Regression techniques examined associations among baseline, goal, and dream weights, psychosocial factors, and treatment outcomes. Results: On average, goal and dream weight losses were unrealistically high (24% and 30%, respectively). High goals were associated with greater expected effort and greater expected reward but were not associated with psychological distress. Goal and dream weight losses were only weakly associated with behavioral or weight outcomes. An association between higher dream weight losses and greater weight loss at 18 months was the only outcome result to reach statistical significance. Discussion: Results suggest that lack of realism in weight loss goals is not important enough to justify counseling people to accept lower weight loss goals when trying to lose weight.
School Connectedness Buffers the Effects of Negative Family Relations and Poor Effortful Control on Early Adolescent Conduct Problems

This study examined the unique and interactive contributions of school connectedness, negative family relations, and effortful control to subsequent early adolescent conduct problems. Data were collected from 476 adolescents when they were initially in the 6th and 7th grades and again 1 year later. Results from hierarchical regression analyses showed that even after controlling for negative family relations, effortful control, baseline levels of conduct problems, and gender, school connectedness contributed to decreasing subsequent conduct problems. Examination of 2- and 3-way interactions indicated that high levels of school connectedness offset the adverse effects of negative family relations for boys and girls and the adverse effects of low levels of effortful control for girls. Findings underscore the role of school connectedness as a protective factor for early adolescent conduct problems.
Services and prevention: pharmacoepidemiology of antidepressant use.

Between 1988 and 1994, data from 3 large sites revealed a 3-5 fold increase in the prevalence of antidepressant (ATD) treatment for U.S. youths aged 2-19 years. In 1994, the ATD prevalence for youths of this age ranged from 13 per 1000 (in the HMO) to 18 per 1000 (in 2 state Medicaid systems). Males predominated in the 10-14-year-olds treated with ATDs, whereas females predominated among 15-19-year-olds. Caucasians were more than twice as likely to receive ATD therapy than their African-American counterparts. Primary care providers were the major source of ATD prescriptions for youths. The leading diagnoses in primary care were ADHD followed by depression, whereas the diagnostic order was reversed for youths who received psychiatric services. This review provides details concerning these patterns and trends in ATD treatment of youths from community-based clinical data sources. In addition, the role of these data in an expanded, comprehensive psychotropic knowledge base is discussed. Finally, the implications of an expanded knowledge base for ATD treatments are discussed in regard to generating research questions on effectiveness and safety and to improve treatment consensus within a public-health perspective.
Elsinoe on Southern Red Oak.

During 1948-54 several specimens of minutely as well as abundantly spotted leaves of southern red oak (Quercus falcata Michx.) from Georgia and North Carolina were received for identification in the Department of Plant Pathology and Plant Breeding, College of Agri? culture, University of Georgia. Sphaceloma was identified on the earliest specimen (see "Specimens cited") and the disease recorded by Jenkins and Bitancourt (1) as a spot anthracnose. With the Elsinoe stage of the fungus present on specimens subsequently received, the organism is here recognized as a new species of that genus.
Adult medulloblastoma: prognostic factors and patterns of relapse.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the patterns of relapse and the prognostic factors for adult medulloblastomas treated in the magnetic resonance imaging era. METHODS: Between 1986 and 1996, 32 adult patients (age, ≥16 yr) with medulloblastomas confined to the craniospinal axis were treated in our institutions. Twenty cases involved classic histological features and 12 involved the desmoplastic variant. The Chang staging distribution was as follows: T1, 2; T2, 17; T3, 10; T4, 3; M0, 24; M1, 1; M2, 4; M3, 3. Brainstem invasion was present in nine patients. Lesions were midline in 13 cases and lateral in 19. Resection was complete in 17 cases, subtotal in 6, and partial in 5, with biopsy only in 4 cases. All patients received postoperative radiotherapy, with median doses of 36 Gy to the entire craniospinal axis and 55 Gy to the posterior fossa. Twenty-four patients received chemotherapy (20 before radiotherapy, 3 after radiotherapy, and 1 before and after radiotherapy). RESULTS: With a median follow-up period of 5.4 years, 17 patients experienced recurrences. At 5 and 8 years, overall survival rates were 83 and 45% and disease-free survival rates were 57 and 40%, respectively. The 5- and 8-year posterior fossa control rates were 67 and 59%, respectively. Twenty-nine percent of all relapses occurred more than 5 years after treatment. The posterior fossa was the most common site of relapses. In univariate analyses, factors adversely affecting posterior fossa control were less than complete resection (P < 0.001), the presence of brainstem invasion (P = 0.02), and the use of chemotherapy (P = 0.03). The overall radiotherapy duration was marginally significant in predicting posterior fossa control, with 5-year posterior fossa control rates of 81 and 49% for durations of less than 48 days and 48 days or more, respectively (P = 0.06). In a multivariate analysis, complete resection was predictive of improved posterior fossa control (P = 0.02) and disease-free survival (P = 0.02) rates. Of the eight low-risk patients who received radiotherapy alone, three experienced recurrences in the bone as the only site of relapse. CONCLUSION: Late relapse is common among adult patients with medulloblastomas, and long-term follow-up monitoring is important. Because of the high risk of systemic failure among the low-risk patients treated with radiotherapy alone, the role of chemotherapy for this group of patients needs to be further investigated. Complete resection, the absence of brainstem invasion, and an overall radiotherapy duration of less than 48 days are important prognostic factors.
An improved method of ferrographic quantitation

Abstract Previous investigators assumed that ferrographic area coverage data were linearly related to the quantity of sample analyzed. However, theoretical examination of ferrographic deposition of wear debris and treatment of published data confirm that coverage varies with sample quantity by a power law relationship. Imrpved normalization and wear trending procedures based upon power curve fitting of area covered measurements vs. sample quantities are developed. The new procedures should increase confidence and reliability in both ferrographic measurement and wear severity index trending.
Masturbation Uncovered: Autoeroticism in a Female Prison:

The topic of male and female masturbation both in free society and in prison has received very little academic attention. In fact, no study has been conducted on female masturbatory practices in correctional facilities. The present study examined the amount and frequency of masturbation in a Southern female prison. In addition, the authors uncovered predictor variables associated with female masturbation in prison. The most salient variable associated with female inmate masturbation was homosexual behavior (partnering with another female inmate) while incarcerated. Factors such as age and religious affiliation (which have consistently been found to have a significant relationship with masturbation in free society studies) did not have an effect on female masturbation in prison.