cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Naloxone does not prevent vasovagal syncope during simulated orthostasis in humans.

Abstract The mechanism of vasovagal syncope during orthostasis in humans is unknown. Opioid receptors have been implicated in the vasovagal-like responses to hemorrhagic hypotension in conscious animals. We sought to determine if opioid receptor blockade with naloxone (μ receptor antagonist) would prevent or delay the onset of vasovagal syncope in humans. Three protocols were performed in which heart rate, arterial pressure, sympathetic nerve activity, thoracic impedance and forearm vascular resistance were measured during stepwise steady-state increments of lower body negative pressure (LBNP) in nine healthy volunteers. In protocol 1, duplicate trials of LBNP to syncope or −60 mmHg were performed with a 30–45 minute rest period separating the trials. No significant differences in any physiologic responses or cumulative stress tolerance were found. In protocol 2, graded LBNP was repeated after administration of saline or naloxone (0.1 mg/kg) in six subjects in which vasovagal syncope occurred prior to −60 mmHg LBNP. The peak increase of sympathetic nerve activity during LBNP was augmented after naloxone ( P = 0.02), but the occurrence of vasovagal syncope was not prevented nor was the cumulative stress tolerated affected ( P = 0.42). The heart rate and arterial pressure responses to LBNP were not affected by naloxone. Similarly, in protocol 3, naloxone given just prior to the onset of pre-syncopal symptoms did not alter the physiologic response or the occurrence of vasovagal syncope. These data show that naloxone does not prevent or delay the onset of vasovagal syncope in humans which suggests that μ opioid receptors do not mediate the vasovagal response.
Peeling the Onion of Auditory Processing Disorder: A Language/Curricular-Based Perspective

Purpose This article addresses auditory processing disorder (APD) from a language-based perspective. The author asks speech-language pathologists to evaluate the functionality (or not) of APD as a ...
Postoperative pulmonary atelectasis.

Atelectasis is still an important postoperative pulmonary complication which threatens the patient who has undergone major surgery. It is generally agreed that the predominant causal factor is a complete bronchial occlusion by secretions, although reflex nervous stimuli have also been implicated to contribute greatly to the occlusion. The role of postoperative hypoventilation in the etiology of atelectasis remains a controversial one. The diagnosis of atelectasis depends chiefly upon a study of the signs and symptoms, but is aided by the findings of physical examination, x-ray films, and occasionally, bronchoscopy. Treatment and prevention of atelectasis are simple and effective, consisting chiefly of measures to remove the obstruction, such as, coughing, postural drainage, or bronchial catheterization.
Is there any link between legal central bank independence and inflation? Evidence from Latin America and the Caribbean

Abstract This paper explores the effects of central bank independence (CBI) on inflation in a sample of 24 Latin American and Caribbean countries during 1985–2002. Using panel regressions, the paper finds a negative relationship between CBI and inflation. This result holds for three alternative measures of legal CBI, as well as for a measure of effective CBI, after controlling for international inflation, banking crises, and exchange rate regimes. However, the result is not entirely robust to the inclusion of an indicator of structural reforms that typically accompany changes in central bank legislation. In addition, evidence of causal relationship running from CBI to inflation is only supported by the results associated with the measure of effective CBI.
Removal of heme from cytochrome P-450CAM by hemopexin and apomyoglobin associated with loss of P-450 hydroxylase activity

Cytochrome P-450CAM in purified form loses Sorret spectrum and enzymatic activity when incubated at 25° with heme deficient hemopexin or horse apomyoglobin and the ferriheme spectra of the latter appear. The addition of ferriprotoporphyrin IX restores the P-450CAM methylene hydroxylase activity, and indicates a capacity to bind more than the ca. 0.6 moles heme in the enzyme as currently prepared.
Utilization of dried blood spot citrulline level as a noninvasive method for monitoring graft function following intestinal transplantation.

Background. Citrulline concentrations have been proposed as a marker for intestinal allograft rejection. We instituted dried blood spot (DBS) specimen monitoring of citrulline to simplify sample collection posttransplant. This study demonstrates the correlation between plasma and dried blood spot specimen citrulline concentrations after intestinal transplantation. Methods. Plasma and DBS samples were analyzed by hydrophilic interaction chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Comparison of the strength of linear correlation was made according to the type of surgery, sonication time, DBS citrulline levels, and the time interval between the blood sample collection and the assay date. Results. A very strong linear correlation exists between the plasma and DBS citrulline concentrations (r 2 =0.87; P<0.001). The correlation between plasma and DBS citrulline concentrations was maintained when evaluating only the intestinal transplant recipients. There was no significant difference in the strength of linear correlation according to sonication time, cirtrulline concentrations, or length of time to assay date. Conclusions. DBS citrulline monitoring will ease sample collection following intestinal transplantation and improve the ability to detect intestinal dysfunction and rejection by a noninvasive means.
A Numerical Study of Lapse-Rate Adjustments in the Tropical Atmosphere

Abstract Observations in the tropics have shown that the lapse rate of virtual Potential temperature θv normally resembles that of a reversible moist adiabat. In the present study, a mesoscale numerical model with parameterized convection is used to examine the adjustment to equilibrium of the tropical atmosphere in the presence of large-scale forcing. The physical processes that enable the model to produce an equilibrium lapse rate similar to what is observed are examined. The results indicate that a spectrum of cloud sizes, which is produced by a variable entrainment rate, is essential to enable the atmosphere to approach an equilibrium state of small conditional instability in the presence of large-scale destabilization. Lateral detrainment is not essential for modeling the large-scale stability of the atmosphere, despite its significance for modeling individual mesoscale convective systems. When downdrafts are removed from the parameterized convection, the model only temporarily produces a realistic l...
Slow inward calcium currents have no obvious role in muscle excitation–contraction coupling

It has been proposed1 that an influx of calcium ions into twitch muscle fibres during an action potential might initiate contraction. However, when external Ca2+ is lowered to 10−8 M with EGTA, the fibres can produce normal twitches for many minutes2,3. Nevertheless, a clear Ca2+ influx during contraction has been demonstrated4,5, and it has been found that phasic skeletal muscle has an inward calcium current (ICa)6,7 which can give rise to calcium spikes8. In certain conditions, a reduction in external Ca2+ with 80–90 mM EGTA results in reversible blockade of excitation–contraction (e–c) coupling9, leading some authors to suggest7,9–11 that extracellular Ca2+ moved into the myoplasm due to ICa may be involved in the e–c coupling mechanism that triggers contraction. This proposition was further supported by the localization of ICa in the T-system, which circumvented the problem of the delay due to calcium diffusion from the surface membrane. We have now investigated whether ICa has a clear role in initiating or sustaining contractions in twitch muscle fibres. Our approach was to decrease or eliminate ICa with the calcium-blocking agent diltiazem (Herbesser) and to see how the twitch, tetanic and potassium-contracture tensions were affected. We found that ICa could be decreased or cancelled with the calcium-blocking agent, but that the same concentration of the drug potentiated the twitch, tetanus and contractures. We conclude, therefore, that ICa has no role in e–c coupling. A preliminary report of these results has been presented elsewhere12.
Hybridization and the Extinction of Rare Plant Species

Much has been written about the role of interspecific competition, disease, herbivory, and the loss of key mutualisms in the extinction of rare plant species. Interspecific hybridization rarely is considered among the biotic interactions that promote extinction. We show how hybridization may contribute to the demise of rare plant species through demographic swamping and genetic assimilation by an abundant congener. We contend that the growth of the hybrid subpopulation is the key to rare species assimilation, and we show how the production of hybrid seed, the fitness of hybrids, and pest pressure affect hybrid proliferation. We also discuss how habitat disturbance, unspecialized pollinators, and weak crossing barriers promote hybridization, and how the negative consequences of hybridization are unlikely to be compensated for by immigration from conspecific populations. We also illustrate stages in the demise of species in island floras. We suggest that hybridization is an increasing threat to rare species because ecological barriers are being disrupted by human activities. Se ha escrito bastante sobre el papel que han jugado en la extincion de las especies vegetales raras, factores tales como la competencia interspecifica, las plagas y las enfermedades, la presencia de herbivoros y la perdida de claves de mutualismo. Sin embargo en pocas ocasiones la hibridacion interespecifica se ha incluido entre las interacciones de tipo biotico que promueven la extincion. El objetivo de este trabajo es el de demostrar que la hibridacion puede contribuir a la extincion de una especie determinada, a traves de su eliminacion demografica y su asimilacion por otra especie congenerica que sea mucho mas abundante. Se sugiere que la clave para la asimilacion de la especie rara se encuentra en la formacion de subpoblaciones hibridas y se discuten aquellas variables que afectan a la proliferacion de los hibridos. Se muestra que el grado de abundancia de los hibridos depende en gran medida de la produccion de semilla hibrida, la adaptabilidad de los hibridos y la presion que ejercen las plagas y enfermedades. Asi mismo se discute como la hibridacion se ve favorecida por el grado de alteracion del habitat, la existencia de polinizadores no especializados y de barreras debiles de cruzamiento. Es poco probable que las consecuencias negativas de la hibridizacion se vean compensadas por la inmigracion de individuos desde poblaciones coespecificas. Damos ejemplos de este proceso en la flora de islas. Se sugiere que la hibridizacion es una amenaza creciente para la persistencia de las especies raras debido a que muchas de las barreras ecologicas han sido severamente alteradas por actividades humanas.
Docetaxel in combination with platinum compounds for non small-cell lung cancer.

Abstract Assessing the combination of docetaxel with cisplatin or carboplatin was based on their activity as single agents, their nonoverlapping toxicity profiles, and their lack of cross-resistance. Phase I studies of docetaxel in combination with cisplatin established that 75 mg/m 2 of each agent could be administered with reasonable safety and appeared to be active in non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). We evaluated the docetaxel/cisplatin combination in patients with advanced NSCLC. The response rate was 32%, and the median survival was 11.5 months. Efficacy was comparable to that observed in the Australian and French trials with the same combination. This is now being evaluated further in two large randomized trials for patients with advanced NSCLC and has been incorporated into the combined modality programs for earlystage disease. Carboplatin, devoid of the nephrotoxicity and neurotoxicity associated with the parent cisplatin, was then combined with docetaxel. The recommended dose of docetaxel for further evaluation in combination with carboplatin (AUC=6 mg/mL.min) was 90 mg/m 2 with filgrastim support and 80 mg/m 2 without filgrastim support. Our phase II trial of the combination of docetaxel and carboplatin in advanced NSCLC demonstrated an overall response rate of 36%; median survival was 13.9 months, and 1-year survival was 52%. Comparable activity has been seen by other investigators, and the regimen is being evaluated in two randomized trials. The combination of docetaxel with either of the two platinum agents has reasonable activity in NSCLC, though the carboplatin/docetaxel doublet appears to have a better therapeutic index.
Photoactive coatings for a photolytic artifical lung device

Photoactive anatase TiO2 films developed for use in photolytic artificial lung. PAL capable of facilitating gas exchange in blood, thereby bypassing alveolar-capillary interfaces. Device will eventually be used in ex-vitro and in-vitro devices.
Nonequilibrium work theorem for a system strongly coupled to a thermal environment

In a recent paper (2004 J. Stat. Mech.: Theor. Exp. P07006), Cohen and Mauzerall (CM) have argued that the derivation of the nonequilibrium work relation given in a previous work of Jarzynski (1997 Phys. Rev. Lett. 78 2690) is flawed. Here I attempt to answer their criticisms, both by presenting a detailed version of that derivation and by addressing specific objections raised by CM. The derivation presented here is in fact somewhat stronger than the one I gave in 1997, as it does not rely on the assumption of a weak coupling term connecting the system of interest and its thermal environment.
CLASSIFYING FINITE GROUP ACTIONS ON SURFACES OF LOW GENUS

Abstract The problem of classifying all finite group actions, up to topological equivalence, on a surface of low genus is considered. Several new examples of construction and classification of actions are given. A program for enumerating all finite group actions on a surface of low genus is outlined and the complete classification is worked out for genus 2 and 3. As a by-product all conjugacy classes of finite subgroups of mapping class groups for genus 2 and 3 are determined.
Comparing a Convenience Sample Against a Random Sample of Duck Hunters

State wildlife agencies frequently host public meetings to gather feedback from stakeholders. We investigated differences between duck hunters attending public open houses and duck hunters statewide regarding changes in the regulatory framework for duck hunting seasons in Illinois. We administered two separate surveys to investigate potential differences between attendees at the open houses and a random sample of waterfowl hunters in Illinois. Open-house participants hunted significantly more days than mail-back participants and harvested more mallards than mail-back participants. Additionally, open-house participants hunted significantly more counties than mail-survey participants and had been hunting for more years. It is important that state wildlife agency managers understand participants in public meetings may not represent the general population, and interpreting input received from these forums should be used with caution.
Cardiovascular effects of intrahypothalamic injections of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone

Abstract Injection of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH, 0.6–12 nmol in 100–300 nl) into the rostral dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus of the halothane anesthetized rat resulted in a 12% increase in heart rate (41 ± 4bpm) which was accompanied by a slight increase in blood pressure (5 ± 1mm Hg). The response was characterized by a gradual onset, with a peak increase at 7 ± 1 min and a duration of 51 ± 6 min. Tachyphylaxis to the response was apparent for at least 180 min following initial exposure to the peptide. In contrast to the increase in heart rate observed following α-MSH injection into the dorsomedial nucleus, injections into the medial preoptic, anterior, paraventricular or posterior hypothalamic nuclei had no significant effects on blood pressure and heart rate. These data suggest a possible role for brain α-MSH in the central control of heart rate at a site within the dorsomedial nucleus of the hypothalamus.
MOLECULAR ANALYSIS OF P16Ink4/CDKN2 AND P15Ink4B/MTS2 GENES IN PRIMARY HUMAN TESTICULAR GERM CELL TUMORS

AbstractPurpose: p16 (MTS 1) and p15 (MTS 2) are negative regulators of cell cycle progression at the G1 cell cycle checkpoint and function as tumor suppressor genes (TSG). Both p15 and p16 are located on chromosome 9p21 and alterations have been demonstrated in a variety of human malignancies and human cancer cell lines. In testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT) loss of heterozygosity of 9p21 to 23 has been observed in 41% to 72% of informative cases. The aim of our study was to examine TGCT and testicular cancer cell lines for deletions and mutations of the p15 and p16 genes.Materials and Methods: 24 testicular germ cell tumors, 4 testicular cancer cell lines (TERA I, TERA II, HTE, HTH), 8 benign testicular tumors and 9 samples of normal testicular parenchyma were examined. Examinations for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 9p21 were performed for IFNA, D9S171, D9S126, D9S161, D9S1748 and PKY9 locus using Southern Blot analysis. Southern Blot analysis of the p16 gene to examine gross alterations was done usin...
On the Power of Macroeconomic Linkages to Explain Events in U.S. Agriculture: Discussion

I am very pleased to see a paper on the macroeconomic setting of agriculture in the 1980s on the program. We agricultural economists tended to take a provincial sectoral or partial equilibrium view of the world until events of the early 1970s forced us to recognize that there exist some strong linkages between the agricultural sector and the rest of the economy. We found that agriculture's small percentage of the gross national product (GNP) generated, and of the labor force employed, did not qualify it for such partial equilibrium treatment after all. Macroeconomists discovered at about the same time that they needed to worry about agriculture. At the time this was realized, no macromodel contained a simultaneous agricultural component, and no agricultural sector model contained simultaneous links to the macroeconomy except through deflated prices. Gardner's paper contains basically three parts: (a) a review of the growing theoretical and empirical literature on the links between agriculture and the rest of the economy, (b) some original empirical analysis on the subject, and (c) some conclusions and implications concerning forecasting in the 1980s. I will comment briefly on each of the three sections.
In situ AFM observations of Ca–Mg carbonate crystallization catalyzed by dissolved sulfide: Implications for sedimentary dolomite formation

Abstract It has been observed that the metabolism of sulfate-reducing bacteria can overcome the energy barrier to Mg 2+ incorporation into growing Ca–Mg carbonates and enhance dolomite precipitation, although the role of SRB in dolomite formation is still under debate. In this study, we presented in situ AFM observations of Ca–Mg carbonate {1 0 4} surface growing from supersaturated solutions. Our data showed that not only can Mg 2+ modify the morphology of the polygonal growth hillocks and impede step growth, but it can also inhibit 1-D step nucleation, resulting in the inability for spirals to continue their vertical growth. However, in the presence of dissolved sulfide, both the 1-D step nucleation and step growth which had been retarded by Mg 2+ ions were significantly enhanced. For example, in the presence as low as 0.13 mM dissolved sulfide, the step velocity can be increased by more than 9 times compared to that in contact with solutions containing Mg 2+ ions but no dissolved sulfide. The Ca–Mg carbonate growth hillock in contact with dissolved sulfide-bearing growth solutions eventually developed a micromosaic-like structure. Based on our observations, we propose that the overall catalytic effect of dissolved sulfide may be twofold, one to stabilize the critical nuclei during 1-D step nucleation by the adsorption of dissolved sulfide on Ca–Mg carbonate surfaces and two to facilitate the dehydration of surface Mg 2+ –water complexes during growth. We hypothesize that dissolved sulfide may adsorb on crystal faces through hydrogen bonding between the H in HS − /H 2 S and the O in calcite CO 3 2 - to weaken the rigid Mg 2+ hydration shell, resulting in an elevated activation entropy for particle attachment and hence a larger kinetic coefficient for step growth. Together with previous studies on disorder dolomite precipitation induced by dissolved sulfide, we demonstrate the catalysis role of dissolved sulfide in sedimentary dolomite formation associate with SRB, which may shed new light on the long-standing “dolomite problem”.
A Wideband 100 GHz Low Noise Amplifier with Slow‐Wave CPW in 65 nm LP CMOS

A 100 GHz low noise amplifier (LNA) utilizing the slow-wave coplanar waveguide (SW-CPW) is presented in 65 nm low power (LP) CMOS process. A multistage wideband LNA is designed with minimal power gain degradation by carefully selecting degeneration inductance. Interstage matching networks are implemented with characterized SW-CPW which has effective permittivity (ɛeff) equal to 13. The fabricated 100 GHz LNA achieves 8.8 dB of power gain and 6.9 dB of the noise figure including RF pads. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 55:1954–1957, 2013
Restricting the orthogonal frequency division multiplexing peak-to-mean envelope power ratio by a new set of sequences of length 16

A new set of 136 binary sequences of length 16 applied to reducing the peak-to-mean envelope power ratio of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing systems is reported. A non-systematic encoder is developed. This set of sequences can be used with the existing 384 binary Golay sequences of 16. The resultant set will consists of 512 sequences, an integer power of 2, which expedite implementation.
Sources of guns to dangerous people: What we learn by asking them

Gun violence exacts a lethal toll on public health. This paper focuses on reducing access to firearms by dangerous offenders, contributing original empirical data on the gun transactions that arm offenders in Chicago. Conducted in the fall of 2013, analysis of an open-ended survey of 99 inmates of Cook County Jail focuses on a subset of violence-prone individuals with the goal of improving law enforcement actions. Among our principal findings: *Our respondents (adult offenders living in Chicago or nearby) obtain most of their guns from their social network of personal connections. Rarely is the proximate source either direct purchase from a gun store, or theft. *Only about 60% of guns in the possession of respondents were obtained by purchase or trade. Other common arrangements include sharing guns and holding guns for others. *About one in seven respondents report selling guns, but in only a few cases as a regular source of income. *Gangs continue to play some role in Chicago in organizing gun buys and in distributing guns to members as needed. *The Chicago Police Department has a considerable effect on the workings of the underground gun market through deterrence. Transactions with strangers and less-trusted associates are limited by concerns over arrest risk (if the buyer should happen to be an undercover officer or a snitch), and about being caught with a "dirty" gun (one that has been fired in a crime).
Methamphetamine Abuse and Impairment of Social Functioning: A Review of the Underlying Neurophysiological Causes and Behavioral Implications

The highly addictive drug methamphetamine has been associated with impairments in social cognitions as evidenced by changes in users' behaviors. Physiological changes in brain structure and functioning, particularly in the frontal lobe, have also been identified. The authors propose a biopsychosocial approach to understanding the effects of methamphetamine addiction by relating the physiological effects of the drug to the behaviors and social cognitions of its users, through the application of the theory of mind paradigm. Although onset of methamphetamine use has been linked to the desire for socialization, chronic use has been associated with an increase in depression, aggressiveness, and social isolation, behaviors that also implicate involvement of the frontal lobe. The reviewed literature provides strong circumstantial evidence that social-cognitive functioning is significantly impacted by methamphetamine use and that the social isolation, depression, and aggressiveness associated with chronic use is due to more than just the social withdrawal associated with addiction. Treatment considerations for methamphetamine must therefore consider the role of social cognition, and pharmacological responses must address the documented impact of the drug on frontal lobe functioning.
The Effect on Milk Production of Feeding More than the Haecker, Eckles, and Savage Requirements

Summary The results taken together indicate that feeding cows according to the Savage or Haecker standard, that is, so that they will just maintain uniform body weight, does not keep them at their maximum milk yield. The three experiments cited are in close agreement in showing that an above standard ration very materially increases production. The two short time experiments with cows well along in lactation give a 16 per cent increase in milk yield as the result of feeding 12 per cent more than the requirements; while the third experiment in which whole lactation period comparisons are used, showed from 14 per cent to 16 per cent increase in production as the result of feeding 17 per cent more than the requirements.
Modes of Classroom Delivery of Organization Theory: Implications for Management Education

The author espouses a classroom delivery of organization theory largely based on a "combined" mode of naturalism and phenomenology. Such a mode should take into account the differing assumptions concerning the multifaceted nature of organizational reality, including subjective conceptions. To achieve a useful and truly meaningful delivery, it is suggested that at the initial phases of delivery, we should encourage the propensity to reify constructs as if they were objective entities. Then, depending on how much reification is achieved in the classroom, we should opt for de-reification using the phenomenological approach.
Early clinical results with the uncut roux reconstruction after gastrectomy: Limitations of the stapling technique

Background: The aim of this study was to review our early clinical experience with the uncut Roux gastrectomy, a modified Billroth II gastrojejunostomy in which four rows of staples occlude the afferent jejunal lumen, while biliary and pancreatic secretions are diverted distally through a jejunojejunostomy. Methods: Between September 1991 and April 1993, 9 women and 5 men underwent uncut Roux gastrectomy for gastric adenocarcinoma (5), postvagotomy or idiopathic gastroparesis (7), Roux stasis syndrome (1) or anastomotic ulceration with gastric outlet obstruction (1). Subsequently, patients were seen or contacted by phone within the 6 months prior to March 1994. Results: Eight of the 14 patients (57%) had excellent results with stable weight and no nausea, vomiting, heartburn, abdominal pain, or postprandial symptoms. One patient continued to have early satiety and vomiting but maintained stable weight for 19 months postoperatively. Five patients (36%) had poor results with alkaline reflux gastritis or esophagitis. All 5 had documented staple line dehiscence. Four of them were reoperated on and converted to a standard Roux operation with relief of symptoms. Conclusions: The uncut Roux operation prevents the Roux stasis syndrome, but the current technique has an unacceptably high incidence of dehiscence of the staple lines with subsequent reflux gastritis or esophagitis.
Refractory heartburn: comparison of intercellular space diameter in documented GERD vs. functional heartburn.

Refractory Heartburn: Comparison of Intercellular Space Diameter in Documented GERD vs. Functional Heartburn
The pure rotational spectrum of TiS (X3Δr) at submillimeter wavelengths

Abstract The pure rotational spectrum of TiS in its X3Δr ground state has been measured using millimeter–wave direct-absorption techniques in the frequency range of 313–425 GHz. This free radical was created by the reaction of titanium vapor, produced in a high-temperature Broida-type oven, with H2S. Eight to ten rotational transitions were recorded for the main titanium isotopologue, 48TiS, in the v = 0 and v = 1 levels, as well as for the v = 0 state of 46TiS, observed in natural abundance (48Ti:46Ti = 74:8). All three Ω components were observed in almost every recorded transition, with no evidence for lambda-doubling. The data were fit with a Hund’s case(a) Hamiltonian, and rotational, spin–orbit, and spin–spin constants were determined, as well as equilibrium parameters for 48TiS. Relatively few fine structure parameters were needed for the analysis of TiS (A, AD, and λ), unlike other 3d metal species. The rotational pattern of the three fine structure components suggests the presence of a nearby excited 1Δ state, lying ∼3000 cm−1 higher in energy. From the equilibrium parameters, the dissociation energy for TiS was estimated to be ∼5.1 eV, in reasonable agreement with past thermochemical data.
Total Protein Isolate from Milk by Ultrafiltration: Factors Affecting Product Composition

Abstract Skim milk (prepared from reconstituted NDM) was ultrafiltered by a combination of concentration and diafiltration to produce purified total protein isolates with the desired protein: lactose ratio. The rejection of protein and lactose followed expected trends. However, rejection of ash increased to 100% toward the end of the process due to insolubility of salts or their binding to proteins. At the natural pH of skim milk, the minimum ash content was 7 to 8% of the retentate solids, resulting in a limiting protein content of 90%.
Conformal symmetry and reverberations

We show that the operator conformal invariance breaks down for zero-mass fields unless they are free fields in even space-time dimension. This phenomenon is linked to the occurrence of "reverberations." We are led to the concept of weak conformal symmetry. In theories with anomalous dimensions we have reverberations and can only maintain weak conformal invariance.
Characterization of the hypercoagulable state in patients with sickle cell disease.

Abstract Background The pathophysiology of sickle cell disease (SCD) is complex, with increasing evidence of a pronounced prothrombotic state. Objective We investigated thrombin generation in SCD utilizing calibrated automated thrombography (CAT) and D-dimer, with subsequent correlation to clinical disease. Patient/Methods The study included 51 patients homozygous for hemoglobin S, either admitted for vaso-occlusive crisis (VOC) (n = 34) or while in steady state and being seen in outpatient clinic (n = 37). Twenty patients had blood drawn during both VOC and steady state. Mean values for CAT and D-dimer were compared between groups. Mean values for patients with and without clinical complications such as avascular necrosis and stroke were also compared. Linear regression was used to evaluate correlation to number of hospitalizations and for all pediatric patients, transcranial doppler (TCD) velocities. Results The mean D-dimer during VOC (2743 ± 3118 ng/ml) was significantly higher than during steady state (1151 ± 802, p 2 = 0.32, p = 0.02) and thrombin-antithrombin complex (r 2 = 0.28, p = 0.04. Conclusion Hypercoagulable markers distinguish between patients with SCD during and between VOC, but do not correlate with specific clinical phenotypes.
High temperature thermoelectric properties of Sr1−xLaxPbO3

Abstract The high temperature thermoelectric properties of 310–1160 K in air for the polycrystalline of Sr 1− x La x PbO 3 ( x =0–0.025) were investigated. The samples were prepared from the powder mixture of SrCO 3 , La 2 O 3 and PbO, and the changes with the La contents of the thermoelectric properties, conductivity and thermopower, of Sr 1− x La x PbO 3 showed that La acts as a dopant. Considering the temperature dependence of the thermoelectric properties of this oxide, the conduction mechanism for high temperature region could not be explained by broad band model adopted for low temperature region, but was similar to small polaron hopping and metallic. The electrical conducting mechanism at higher temperature region was discussed as reviewing from that of lower temperature.
NER Systems that Suit User's Preferences: Adjusting the Recall-Precision Trade-off for Entity Extraction

We describe a method based on "tweaking" an existing learned sequential classifier to change the recall-precision tradeoff, guided by a user-provided performance criterion. This method is evaluated on the task of recognizing personal names in email and newswire text, and proves to be both simple and effective.
Partial Purification of Pde1 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Enzymatic Redundancy for the Repair of 3‘-Terminal DNA Lesions and Abasic Sites in Yeast

Earlier work indicates that the major DNA repair phosphodiesterase (PDE) in yeast cells is the well-characterized Apn1 protein. Apn1 demonstrates both Mg2+-independent PDE activity and Mg2+-independent class II apurinic/apyrimidinic (AP) endonuclease activity and represents greater than 90% of the activity detected in crude extracts from wild-type yeast cells. Apn1 is related to Echerichia coli endonuclease IV, both in its enzymatic properties and its amino acid sequence. In this work, we report the partial purification of a novel yeast protein, Pde1, present in Apn1-deficient cells. Pde1 is purified by sequential BioRex-70, PBE118, and MonoS chromatography steps using a sensitive and highly specific 3‘-phosphoglycolate-terminated oligonucleotide-based assay as a measure of PDE activity. Mg2+-stimulated PDE and Mg2+-stimulated class II AP endonuclease copurify during this procedure. These results indicate that yeast, like many other organisms studied to date, has enzymatic redundancy for the repair of 3‘-...
Diagnostic imaging in 2009: update on evidence-based practice of pediatric imaging. What is the role of imaging in sinusitis?

Acute sinusitis is bacterial infection of the paranasal sinuses. Under normal circumstance, the paranasal sinuses are assumed to be sterile. However, the paranasal sinuses are continuous to nasal mucosa or nasopharynx that are heavily colonized with bacteria. These bacteria are present in low density and removed by the normal mucociliary function of the paranasal sinuses. Normal mucous secretions contain antibodies, and together with mucociliary clearance, work to clear bacterial from the paranasal sinuses. Thus, maintaining the mucociliary flow and an intact local mucosal surface are key host defenses against infection [1]. The common predisposing events that set the stage for acute bacterial sinusitis are an acute viral upper respiratory infection that results in a viral rhinosinusitis (predisposes to approximately 80% of bacterial sinus infections), and allergic inflammation (that predisposes to 20% of bacterial infection). Once the mucosa of the paranasal sinuses swells due to either viral infection or allergy, it causes sinus ostia obstruction, thus interfere with the normal mucociliary clearance. This leads to low pressure within the paranasal sinuses thus further exaggerate mucosal thickening and poor sinus clearance, resulting in acute bacterial sinus infection. Streptococcus pneumonia and Hemophilus influenza are two common organisms for acute bacterial sinusitis. Since the widespread use of the heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV7) in 2004, pneumococcal strains have declined thus, H influenza has become a more prevalent organism [2, 3]. Other organisms include Moraxella catarrhalis, other Streptococcus species, and Staphylococcus.
Bank acquisition and stockholders' wealth

Abstract Bank mergers are a control mechanism for reallocating resources because regulation has a pervasive influence on bank decision making. Unlike industrial firms, bank mergers are subject to regulatory approval. Bank shareholder returns are analyzed at the time of Federal Reserve approval of mergers to assess whether regulation reduces differential information between bank managers and outsiders or reduces managers' ability to take advantage of differential information. Empirical tests indicate there are negative returns to acquiring banks for external mergers but normal returns for internal mergers; emergency mergers generate positive returns before and upon announcement; more negative results occur in states with branching restrictions and in cases when equity financing is used.
Allometric Scaling of the Active Hematopoietic Stem Cell Pool across Mammals

Background. Many biological processes are characterized by allometric relations of the type Y=Y0M b between an observable Y and body mass M, which pervade at multiple levels of organization. In what regards the hematopoietic stem cell pool, there is experimental evidence that the size of the hematopoietic stem cell pool is conserved in mammals. However, demands for blood cell formation vary across mammals and thus the size of the active stem cell compartment could vary across species. Methodology/Principle Findings. Here we investigate the allometric scaling of the hematopoietic system in a large group of mammalian species using reticulocyte counts as a marker of the active stem cell pool. Our model predicts that the total number of active stem cells, in an adult mammal, scales with body mass with the exponent L. Conclusion/Significance. The scaling predicted here provides an intuitive justification of the Hayflick hypothesis and supports the current view of a small active stem cell pool supported by a large, quiescent reserve. The present scaling shows excellent agreement with the available (indirect) data for smaller mammals. The small size of the active stem cell pool enhances the role of stochastic effects in the overall dynamics of the hematopoietic system.
Effects of Home Environment, SES, and Maternal Test Scores on Mathematics Achievement

Abstract Determinants of young children's mathematics skills—home environment, socioeconomic status (SES), and maternal cognitive test scores—were statistically analyzed in a simple model. Four hypotheses were tested: (a) Home environment, SES, and maternal cognitive test scores each have independent effects on children's mathematics scores, controlling for the other factors; (b) the two-way relationship between maternal test scores and children's mathematics scores will be attenuated by controlling for home environment; (c) the two-way relationship between maternal test scores and children's mathematics scores will be attenuated by controlling for SES; and (d) the two-way relationship between SES and children's mathematics scores will be attenuated by controlling for home environment. The analysis supported each hypothesis. The effect of home environment on children's mathematics test scores was large, even when SES and maternal test scores were controlled. The effects of SES and maternal test scores wer...
Neighborhood deprivation, vehicle ownership, and potential spatial access to a variety of fruits and vegetables in a large rural area in Texas

There has been limited study of all types of food stores, such as traditional (supercenters, supermarkets, and grocery stores), convenience stores, and non-traditional (dollar stores, mass merchandisers, and pharmacies) as potential opportunities for purchase of fresh and processed (canned and frozen) fruits and vegetables, especially in small-town or rural areas. Data from the Brazos Valley Food Environment Project (BVFEP) are combined with 2000 U.S. Census data for 101 Census block groups (CBG) to examine neighborhood access to fruits and vegetables. BVFEP data included identification and geocoding of all food stores (n = 185) in six rural counties in Texas, using ground-truthed methods and on-site assessment of the availability and variety of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables in all food stores. Access from the population-weighted centroid of each CBG was measured using proximity (minimum network distance) and coverage (number of shopping opportunities) for a good selection of fresh and processed fruits and vegetables. Neighborhood inequalities (deprivation and vehicle ownership) and spatial access for fruits and vegetables were examined using Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank test and multivariate regression models. The variety of fruits or vegetables was greater at supermarkets compared with grocery stores. Among non-traditional and convenience food stores, the largest variety was found at dollar stores. On average, rural neighborhoods were 9.9 miles to the nearest supermarket, 6.7 miles and 7.4 miles to the nearest food store with a good variety of fresh fruits and vegetables, respectively, and 4.7 miles and 4.5 miles to a good variety of fresh and processed fruits or vegetables. High deprivation or low vehicle ownership neighborhoods had better spatial access to a good variety of fruits and vegetables, both in the distance to the nearest source and in the number of shopping opportunities. Supermarkets and grocery stores are no longer the only shopping opportunities for fruits or vegetables. The inclusion of data on availability of fresh or processed fruits or vegetables in the measurements provides robust meaning to the concept of potential access in this large rural area.
A qualitative characterization of the competitive nonrenewable resource extracting firm

Abstract Using variational differential equations, a systematic qualitative analysis is carried out for the competitive nonrenewable resource extracting firm. The parameters of interest are the output price, variable input price, discount rate, lease length, initial resource stock, and various tax rates. The effects of changes in these parameters on the entire optimal time paths of the current shadow value of the stock, the resource stock, and the extraction rate are characterized in the perturbed phase plane.
PHARMACOKINETICS OF HALOGENATED HYDROCARBONS

Pharmacokinetic modeling is being applied to chemicals posing health hazards because of their presence as contaminants in our environment. This paper presents a rationale for constructing mathematical models based on anatomic and physiological principles. Pharmacokinetic investigations incorporating such models are illustrated for two halogenated hydrocarbons that exhibit different patterns of disposition in the rat: 2,2',4,4',5,5'-hexachlorobiphenyl and Kepone. The models permit interspecies comparison and prediction of normal pharmacokinetic behavior and alterations induced by intervention measures. As an example a theoretical limit is predicted in the case of a treatment for Kepone poisoning involving oral administration of adsorbents.
GDNF regulates the Aβ-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress response in rabbit hippocampus by inhibiting the activation of gadd 153 and the JNK and ERK kinases

Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) is a potent survival agent for neurons, however, its effect on A beta-evoked neuronal death has not been examined. We show that the injection of A beta into New Zealand white rabbit brain activates the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) chaperones, grp 78 and grp 94, and the transcription factor, gadd 153. These effects correlate with the activation of JNK and ERK as well as of microglia and with the phosphorylation of tau protein. Treatment with GDNF inhibits the activation of gadd 153, reduces the phosphorylation of JNK, abolishes the phosphorylation of ERK, prevents microglial activation, greatly reduces apoptotic cells, and does not affect the phosphorylation of tau. Our data suggest that the tau hyperphosphorylation and apoptosis triggered by A beta are two independent events, and that the neuroprotective effect of GDNF against A beta may result either directly by the inhibition of ER stress or indirectly through the inhibition of JNK and ERK activation.
Factors Associated With Persistence in Science and Engineering Majors: An Exploratory Study Using Classification Trees and Random Forests

Many students who start college intending to major in science or engineering do not graduate, or decide to switch to a non-science major. We used the recently developed statistical method of random forests to obtain a new perspective of variables that are associated with persistence to a science or engineering degree. We describe classification trees and random forests and contrast the results from these methods with results from the more commonly used method of logistic regression. Among the variables available in Arizona State University data, high school and freshman year GPAs have highest importance for predicting persistence; other variables such as number of science and engineering courses taken freshman year are important for subgroups of the student population. The method used in this study could be employed in other settings to identify faculty practices, teaching methods, and other factors that are associated with high persistence to a degree.
COUPLED PCR-RESTRICTION ENZYME ANALYSIS FOR RAPID IDENTIFICATION OF STRUCTURAL GENE RELATIONSHIPS AMONG STRAINS OF EASTERN EQUINE ENCEPHALITIS VIRUS

Abstract We have used restriction endonuclease digestion analysis of polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-amplified gene regions to rapidly examine individual structural gene relationships among field isolates of estern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus. The E1 + (E1 gene plus 292 nucleotides 3′ of the coding region), E2, and C gene regions from North American (NA) variety and the E1 and C gene regions of South American (SA) variety viruses were successfully amplified by RT-PCR using a single primer set for each locus. The products were then digested with a panel of restriction endonucleases and the resulting DNA fragments electrophoretically compared. Our findings revealed marked similarity among the E1 + and the E2 gene restriction patterns, respectively, of most NA strains. In contrast, the restriction patterns exhibited by the E1 + gene of SA strains differed substantially from those of NA strains and also appeared more heterogeneous. The digestion patterns of the C gene were generally similar for all strains of the virus examined. These results thus demonstrate that EEE viral E1 + and C structural gene sequences can be amplified from an assortment of both NA and SA varieties of the virus by RT-PCR using a single primer set per locus, and that both varietal and individual isolate distinctions can be identified by comparison of subsequent restriction digestion patterns. This technique should prove useful as an epidemiological tool for rapid identification of EEE isolates from clinical and field specimens, and as a rapid screen for alterations within structural gene regions.
THE TROUBLE WITH GETTING AHEAD: YOUTH EMPLOYMENT, LABOR ORGANIZING, AND THE HIGHER EDUCATION QUESTION

Wages and working conditions for youth in the low-end service sector are notoriously dismal. Recent attempts to use collective action to improve these conditions, however, have been limited in number and effectiveness. Addressing the situation requires attention to many of the same issues that concern labor overall. But sooner or later, youth labor organizing must also deal with the “higher education question”—indeed, it is the engagement with higher education that helps define young workers as a distinctive group in the first place. The question is this: What should a social and economic justice movement demand of higher education? Or, what do we need from higher education to move toward a just society? Until we have a clear answer, it is likely that we will continue to struggle to understand and address the problem of low-wage youth employment.