cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prevalence of potential risk factors for stroke assessed by transesophageal echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography: The SPARC study

Objectives The SPARC (Stroke Prevention: Assessment of Risk in a Community) study was designed to identify risk factors for stroke and cardiovascular disease using transesophageal echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography. This protocol was undertaken to establish a cohort in which putative risk factors for stroke were identified so that subsequent follow-up could discern the roles these risk factors play in stroke incidence. Subjects and Methods This was a prospective, population-based study. A randomly selected cohort comprised 1475 Olmsted County, Minnesota, residents aged 45 years or older, of whom 588 agreed to participate. Transesophageal echocardiography and carotid ultrasonography were used for evaluation of the subjects. Prevalences of various cardiovascular and cerebrovascular conditions were determined. Results Transesophageal echocardiography was successfully completed in 581 subjects. The prevalence (±SE) of patent foramen ovale was 25.6% (±1.9%), and that of atrial septal aneurysm was 2.2% (±0.6%). The prevalence of aortic atherosclerosis increased with age and was most common in the descending aorta, particularly in subjects 75 to 84 years old. The prevalence of strands on native valve was 46.4% (±2.2%). Carotid ultrasonography data for 567 participants revealed minimal atherosclerotic disease. Most subjects had minimal or mild carotid occlusive disease. The prevalence of moderate (50%-79%) and severe (80%-99%) stenosis was 7.7% (±1.1%) and 0.3% (±0.2%), respectively. Conclusions This prospective study defines the prevalence of multiple potential cardiovascular and cerebrovascular risk factors, providing population-based data for ongoing follow-up of the risk of stroke.
Estimation of effective pressure and water saturation by viscoelastic inversion of synthetic time-lapse seismic data for a gas sandstone reservoir

Summary Inversion of synthetic seismic data for a viscoelastic reservoir model produces estimates of changes in effective pressure (Pe) and water saturation (Sw). Application is to analysis of time-lapse seismic data for a gas sandstone reservoir. To generate synthetic time-lapse viscoelastic seismic data, reservoir properties [porosity (�-), clay content, permeability (k), Pe and Sw] are used to define the corresponding viscoelastic seismic properties [compressional and shear velocities (Vp and Vs), density (�! ) and compressional and shear quality factors (Qp and Qs)] using petro-seismic modeling. It is assumed that porosity, clay content and permeability do not change during production and are known. Full wavefield inversion is performed for different production scenarios, on synthetic viscoelastic time-lapse seismic data, using a grid search refined by a conjugate gradient solution. Estimation of unique values of Pe and Sw from two independent data (such as Vp/Vs and Qs/Qp) is feasible, if the other reservoir properties are known. Noisy data produces a range of solution values. The composite effect of ®Pe and ®Sw is approximately equal to the sum of the two separate effects. Seismic time-lapse changes are less sensitive to the pressure change than to changes in saturation. For the reservoir properties (�- , clay content, k), and the dominant seismic frequency used in the example, �! and Qs/Qp are most sensitive to Sw, Vp is most sensitive to Pe, and Vs, Qp and Qs and Vp/Vs are sensitive to both Sw and Pe.
Data Collection: The Achilles Heel of Evaluation Research

Recent advances in design, measurement, and analysis can have only a marginal impact on the integrity of evaluation studies because the evaluation of social programs is fundamentally dependent on t...
Optimal foraging in bumblebees: Calculation of net rate of energy intake and optimal patch choice

To test many predictions of “optimal foraging theory” it is necessary to calculate the rate of net energy intake of a foraging animal. Equations are derived for the calculation of the rate of net energy intake of a foraging bumblebee. The assumptions that form the basis of these energy equations are discussed. As examples, the rates of net energy intake are calculated for Bombus flavifrons workers foraging on neighboring patches of Aconitum columbianum and Delphinium barbeyi. If the bumblebees forage optimally, their net rates of energy intake in the two patches should be equal. The observed rates are consistent with this hypothesis. The application of an optimality approach to pollination biology is briefly discussed.
Physical and biological approaches to the improvement of dosimetry and delivery of brachytherapy treatments

The linear quadratic model has been successfully used to describe the biological effects of radiation on normal tissue and tumors. In the first part of this study a generalized extrapolated response dose equation has been developed based on the linear quadratic model to account for the variation of dose rate, including incomplete repair of sublethal damage during and between fractions of irradiation. In addition, this equation can deal with treatment times that are not identical for different fractions. This equation has been applied to pulsed brachytherapytreatments. The therapeutic advantage over low dose rate brachytherapy has been studied. It is seen that a therapeutic advantage of greater than unity is possible. This equation has also been used to suggest pulsing schemes that would maximize the therapeutic advantage while complying with the requirement of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission without increasing hospital personnel hours. The second aspect studied relates to permanent implantation of the prostate. The ultrasound guided technique of implantation has improved the ease of effective radioactive source placement. The prostate base dose coverage, the issue of differences in prostate volume as imaged using ultrasound and CT, techniques to perform CT-based post-implant dosimetry, and finally various treatment strategies have been proposed, evaluated, and discussed.
Acoustically evoked radial current densities in scala tympani

We have developed a method for measuring current density within the fluid spaces of the cochlea and report the existence of stimulus evoked radial currents in scala tympani of the guinea pig cochlea. The spatial distribution of electrical potentials in scala tympani was measured along a radial path parallel to the basilar membrane. Click evoked potentials were recorded at successive points separated by a fixed increment as the electrode was either advanced from the spiral ligament or withdrawn from a position near the modiolus. Potential differences were found to exist between recording points and gradients were calculated from the evoked potential measurements. Evoked potential gradients are observed at the same position along the path of the electrode both on advancing and on withdrawing the electrode. The largest potential gradients are located beneath the organ of Corti. Condensation and rarefaction clicks produce radial currents in opposite directions at a given location along the electrode’s path. T...
Labeled methionine as an indicator of protein formation in children with lipoid nephrosis.

Summary1. The rate of serum protein formation as indicated by the incorporation of methionine labeled with S35 was determined in 4 patients with lipoid nephrosis and in two control subjects. 2. The rate of serum protein formation thus determined would appear to be greater in the nephritic patients than in the control subjects.
Phase transformation during annealing of rapidly solidified Al- rich Al- Fe- Si alloys

Thermal decomposition of rapidly solidified microstructure of three Al-Fe-Si alloys (Al-10,12, 14Fe-2Si wt pct) has been studied by DTA and TEM. The initial microstructure consists mostly of aluminum and a smaller volume fraction of an amorphous phase. During heating the amorphous phase first transforms to the metastable α(AlFeSi) cubic phase (Im\(\bar 3\),a = 1.25 nm) at ∼ 380°C. At higher temperature ∼ 430 °C the α(AlFeSi) phase transforms by ordering to a trigonal phase (two modifications, α′ and α ″,were found). The crystallography of the α′(AlFeSi) and α″(AlFeSi) phases is analyzed using selected area and convergent beam electron diffraction technique.
On Nonlinear System Invertibility and Learning Approaches by Neural Networks

In many system control application areas, neural networks are often used to learn the inverse of a given system in terms of the system output information. The study of system invertibility becomes necessary for design of control systems incorporated with neural networks. A class of nonlinear dynamic systems, such as robotic systems, has been investigated in finding a lower bound of the system relative orders. This study turns out a useful criterion for determining the least number of excitations to a neural network to be designed for learing the system inverse. It has also been investigated by many researchers that through learning, a three-layer neural network can implement a function of certain types within any error accuracy. In this paper, utilizing all previous results in considerations of the least number of excitations, function approximations and the least number of hiden processing elements, the design of neural network architectures and learning approaches are further studied. A supervised learning strategy used to train a neural network to be a functional block for controlling robotic systems are also explored and discussed.
EDITH STEIN, ONTOLOGY AND BELIEF

An analysis of the Christian writings of Edith Stein helps to show how her philosophical training enabled her to develop a Christian epistemology and concomitant metaphysics. Special emphasis is placed on some of her shorter works in their translation by Hilda Graef.
Some Experimental Tests of Holland's Congruency Hypotheses: The Reactions of High School Students to Occupational Simulations.

This experiment used a repeated-measures design to test congruency hypotheses about the reaction of high school students to simulated jobs. Students experienced six diverse jobs in random order and gave their reactions to each job by filling out a standard questionnaire. The results strongly support Holland's (1985) formulations of how people react to jobs. The degree of congruency a student experiences in using a standard work simulation usually coincides with the degree of congruency estimated from the hexagonal model. The results are statistically significant and substantial for both girls (n = 92) and boys (n = 127).
Prospects for Nanowire-Doped Polycrystalline Graphene Films for Ultratransparent, Highly Conductive Electrodes

Traditional transparent conducting materials such as ITO are expensive, brittle, and inflexible. Although alternatives like networks of carbon nanotubes, polycrystalline graphene, and metallic nanowires have been pro- posed, the transparency-conductivity trade-off of these materials makes them inappropriate for broad range of applications. In this paper, we show that the conductivity of polycrystalline graphene is limited by high resistance grain boundaries. We demonstrate that a composite based on polycrystalline graphene and as ubpercolating network of metallic nanowires offers as imple and effective route to reduced resistance while maintaining high transmittance. This new approach of "percolation-doping by nanowires" has the potential to beat the transparency- conductivity constraints of existing materials and may be suitable for broad applications in photovoltaics, flexible electronics, and displays.
Volume of new-onset thrombus is associated with the development of postimplantation syndrome after endovascular aneurysm repair.

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of contrast medium volume, inferior mesenteric artery (IMA) patency, and pre-existing as well as new-onset thrombus on the inflammatory response after elective endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). Methods The study included 87 patients undergoing elective endovascular repair of asymptomatic infrarenal aneurysms between January 2011 and November 2011. The patency of the IMA was determined by preoperative computed tomography angiography; the volume of the contrast medium used during the procedure was measured, and the volumes of chronic mural as well as new-onset thrombus were calculated from the preoperative and postoperative computed tomography angiograms with dedicated imaging software. The results were correlated to the occurrence of postimplantation syndrome (PIS) as well as to the main clinical and laboratory components of PIS: fever; increased white blood cell (WBC) count and C-reactive protein (CRP) level; decreased platelet count; and increased interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 levels. Results Postoperatively, a statistically significant increase was recorded in the mean values of body temperature, WBCs, CRP, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10, and a statistically significant decrease was recorded in the number of platelets. After adjustment for endograft type, the volume of new-onset thrombus was found to be significantly correlated with the peak postoperative temperature (β = .307; P P P P Conclusions The volume of new-onset thrombus is associated with the development of PIS after EVAR, whereas chronic mural thrombus appears to be an inert material. IMA patency and contrast medium volume are irrelevant to the inflammatory response after EVAR.
Mass transfer cooling on a porous flat plate in carbon-dioxide and air streams

Transpiration cooling of porous flat plate by injection of carbon dioxide or air into carbon dioxide and air free streams
Race, Control, Mastery, and Caregiver Distress

This study investigated the relationship between race, psychological resources of sense of control and caregiver mastery, and distress outcomes of caregiver depression and role stain among 77 African American and 138 White spouse caregivers of persons with dementia. Patterns of association between psychological resources and caregiving distress outcomes varied by type of outcome. Sense of control had a direct negative relationship with depression. Caregiver mastery moderated the effects of stressors on depression and was the only significant psychological resource predicting role strain. Although African American caregivers were less likely to report caregiver depression and role strain, there were no race differences in the process influencing caregiver distress.
The energy stored during the cold working of a gold-silver alloy

Abstract Strips of an alloy of 75 wt. per cent gold and 25 wt. per cent silver were cold worked by rolling. The stored energy was released by dissolution of the samples in liquid tin and found calorimetrically by comparison with annealed samples. The total energy expended in rolling was determined from a stress-strain diagram applicable to the rolling process. The stored energy increases with the strain, but shows a tendency toward saturation at high strains. The ratio of the stored energy to the total energy expended decreases at high strains.
Transport of cycasin by the intestinal Na+/glucose cotransporter.

Abstract The medicinal and food use of seed from the cycad plant ( Cycas spp. ), which contains the neurotoxin cycasin, is a proposed etiological factor for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis/Parkinsonism dementia complex (ALS/PDC), a prototypical neurodegenerative disease found in the western Pacific. Cycasin, the β- d -glucoside of methylazoxymethanol might enter neurons and other cells via a glucose transporter. Since the intestinal brush-border Na + /glucose cotransporter plays a major role in the absorption of monosaccharides, the following studies were conducted to determine if cycasin, the β- d -glucoside of methylazoxymethanol, is a substrate for the transporter. We measured the ability of cycasin to (i) inhibit Na + /glucose uptake into rabbit intestinal brush-border membrane vesicles, and (ii) to generate current by the cloned Na + /glucose cotransporter (SGLT1) expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes. The results show that cycasin inhibits Na + -dependent sugar transport in the vesicles, and cycasin generates phlorizin-sensitive currents in oocytes. We conclude that cycasin is a substrate for the intestinal brush-border Na + /glucose cotransporter, albeit with a lower affinity than d -glucose. This suggests that cycasin may be absorbed from the gut lumen by the cotransporter, and as a result either cycasin or the aglycone is presented to the blood-brain barrier for uptake into the brain.
Abstract 2482: Bat3 facilitates histone H3 lysine 79 dimethylation by DOT1L to promote ionizing radiation-induced 53BP1 foci formation during G1- and G2-phases of the cell cycle

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL DOT1L is a unique histone methyltransferase involved in normal cellular metabolism and in the initiation of certain leukemias. DOT1L specifically methylates histone H3 at K79, promoting the interaction of H3 with various binding partners. 53BP1, a component of the DNA damage response machinery, has been shown to interact with H3 K79-diMe following exposure to ionizing radiation; however, it remains unclear if this modification is required for 53BP1 foci formation as 53BP1 interacts with histone H4 K20-diMe with a much higher efficiency. Here, we clarify the role of H3 K79-diMe by demonstrating that this modification contributes to IR-induced 53BP1 foci formation during G1- and G2-phases of the cell cycle, but is negligible during S-phase. Further, we describe an essential role for HLA-B-associated transcript 3 (Bat3) in regulating this process. Bat3 co-localizes with DOT1L at histone H3, and Bat3 knockdown results in decreased DOT1L-H3 interaction and H3 K79-diMe, leading to a reduction in IR-induced 53BP1 foci formation. Bat3-depleted cells also exhibit defects in DNA repair and increased sensitivity to IR. We demonstrate that a conserved ubiquitin-like motif of Bat3 and a conserved DOT1L ubiquitin interacting motif are required for DOT1L-Bat3 interaction, which promotes efficient H3 K79-diMe and IR-induced 53BP1 foci formation. Taken together, our data identify a novel role for Bat3 in regulating DOT1L function. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2482. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-2482
Home‐Based Asthma Self‐Management Education for Inner City Children

Abstract Optimal home self-management in young children with asthma includes accurate symptom identification followed by timely and appropriate treatment. The objective of this study was to evaluate a home-based asthma educational intervention targeting symptom identification for parents of children with asthma. Two hundred twenty-one children with asthma were enrolled into an ongoing home-based clinical trial and randomized into either a standard asthma education (SAE) or a symptom/nebulizer education intervention (SNEI). Data included home visit records and parent's self-report on questionnaires. Symptom identification and self-management skills significantly improved from preintervention to postintervention for parents in both groups with the exception of checking medications for expiration dates and the frequency of cleaning nebulizer device and equipment. However, significantly more parents of children in the SNEI group reported treating cough symptoms as compared with the SAE group (p = 0.05). Of concern is that only 38% of all parents reported having an asthma action plan in the home. A targeted home-based asthma education intervention can be effective for improving symptom identification and appropriate use of medications in children with asthma. Home asthma educational programs should address accurate symptom identification and a demonstration of asthma medication delivery devices.
Resistance fluctuations in the integral- and fractional-quantum-Hall-effect regimes.

We report on our measurements of resistance fluctuations as a function of magnetic field B in an ${\mathrm{Al}}_{\mathit{x}}$${\mathrm{Ga}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathit{x}}$As/GaAs heterostructure of etched width w=2.5 \ensuremath{\mu}m in the integral- and fractional-quantum-Hall-effect regimes. High-frequency fluctuations are observed near the longitudinal resistance (${\mathit{R}}_{\mathit{x}\mathit{x}}$) minima for \ensuremath{\nu}=1, 2, 3, 4, and 1/3. The quasiperiods \ensuremath{\Delta}B(\ensuremath{\nu} = integer) of the fluctuations for integer \ensuremath{\nu} are all \ensuremath{\sim}0.016 T, while for \ensuremath{\nu}=1/3, the quasiperiod \ensuremath{\Delta}B(\ensuremath{\nu} = 1/3) is \ensuremath{\sim}0.05 T, or a factor of 3 larger. The fluctuations at integer \ensuremath{\nu} are consistent with inter-edge-state tunneling via magnetically bound states encircling a potential hill of a diameter roughly equal to the conducting width of the channel. A similar model, with the difference that the tunneling is by quasiparticles of fractional charge ${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{*}}$=e/q, predicts a scaling of the quasiperiod as \ensuremath{\Delta}B(\ensuremath{\nu}=1/q)=q \ensuremath{\Delta}B(\ensuremath{\nu} = integer).Interpreted in terms of this model, the data provide direct evidence of the existence of quasiparticles of charge ${\mathit{e}}^{\mathrm{*}}$=e/3 in the \ensuremath{\nu}=1/3 fractional quantum Hall effect. For both \ensuremath{\nu}=1/3 and \ensuremath{\nu}= integer, the individual fluctuation patterns for different pairs of voltage probes are strongly correlated only if the pairs share a length of the channel, indicating that the source of the fluctuations is local, as predicted by the model. A Coulomb blockade as the origin of the fluctuations is ruled out by the fact that for \ensuremath{\nu}=1 and 2 the fluctuation amplitudes saturate at temperatures ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$(\ensuremath{\nu}=1)\ensuremath{\simeq}66 mK and ${\mathit{T}}_{\mathit{c}}$(\ensuremath{\nu}=2)\ensuremath{\simeq}121 mK, and also saturate at currents ${\mathit{I}}_{\mathit{c}}$(\ensuremath{\nu}=1)\ensuremath{\simeq}0.5 nA and ${\mathit{I}}_{\mathit{c}}$(\ensuremath{\nu}=2)\ensuremath{\simeq}1.7--3.0 nA. These results indicate that for integer \ensuremath{\nu}, the bound-state-energy spacing \ensuremath{\Delta}\ensuremath{\varepsilon}(\ensuremath{\nu}) scales as \ensuremath{\nu} or ${\mathit{B}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, inconsistent with a Coulomb blockade.
The spectral signal-to-noise ratio resolution criterion: Computational efficiency and statistical precision

Abstract This note describes a practical improvement in the computational efficiency of the spectral signal-to-noise ratio (SSNR) resolution criterion for correlation-averaged images. The total set of N images is randomly partitioned into ng subsets, each subset is separately averaged, and a reduced form of the SSNR is computed from these average images. In general, larger values of ng achieve lower statistical uncertainty, while smaller values of ng are computationally more expedient. It is shown that, for negatively stained data, a judicious compromise is achieved with 10 ≤ ng ≤ 20, regardless of how large N may be.
Summary of IEEE Computer Standards Committee Activities

The current status of standardization efforts proceeding under the IEEE Computer Standards Committee of the IEEE Computer Society is summarized as of May 1979. Names and addresses are listed as sources for further information.
ACM SIGMM retreat report on future directions in multimedia research

The ACM Multimedia Special Interest Group was created ten years ago. Since that time, researchers have solved a number of important problems related to media processing, multimedia databases, and distributed multimedia applications. A strategic retreat was organized as part of ACM Multimedia 2003 to assess the current state of multimedia research and suggest directions for future research. This report presents the recommendations developed during the retreat. The major observation is that research in the past decade has significantly advanced hardware and software support for distributed multimedia applications and that future research should focus on identifying and delivering applications that impact users in the real-world.The retreat suggested that the community focus on solving three grand challenges: (1) make authoring complex multimedia titles as easy as using a word processor or drawing program, (2) make interactions with remote people and environments nearly the same as interactions with local people and environments, and (3) make capturing, storing, finding, and using digital media an everyday occurrence in our computing environment. The focus of multimedia researchers should be on applications that incorporate correlated media, fuse data from different sources, and use context to improve application performance.
NIST display interface testbed: the development of a centrally controlled testing system for the automated generation of stimuli and control feedback

Impressive advances are being made in the field of display metrology, as illustrated in standards such as the Video Electronics Standards Association's Flat Panel Display Measurement standard. However, issues remain regarding the technology-dependent response of display to large-scale signal eros such as noise-induced errors on the data and control lines. The NIST Display Interface Testbed can be used in conjunction with a graphics controller, test generator, or other standard signal source, to inject a user-specified controlled sequence of errors into the interface of a display under test, permitting observation and measurement of the response of the display. In addition to its function as an interface tester, the Testbed effectively serves as a non-intrusive probe into the operation of the display. the programmed control structure of the Testbed permits the convenience of automated test sequences. Development of a feedback mechanisms which allows the test stimulus to be modified in real time, as a function of measurement result and user commands is planned for 1999.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Dog catchers: A descriptive study

This ethnographic study examines the dog catcher in regard to work duties and role performances inherent in the occupation. Meanings associated with the occupation are considered in the light of the Sociology of Occupations. Dogcatchers were found to have devised mechanisms to subtly “get back at” an unappreciative public, behaviors which appear similar to those found in other low status or status inconsistent occupations.
Pedestrian Bridge Collapse and Failure Analysis in Giles County, Virginia

A pedestrian suspension bridge over Walker Creek near Route 749 in Giles County, Virginia, partially collapsed in October of 2008, causing 10 people to fall into the creek below. The failure occurred when one of the anchors holding a suspension cable fractured. This paper presents the investigation of the failure, including a structural analysis of the bridge to determine cable forces, material property testing of the fractured anchor, laboratory testing of a different anchor from the bridge, and a simple strength evaluation of the anchor under combined axial force and moment. Based on the results of the study, it was concluded that the anchor should not have failed carrying the loads on the bridge on the day of failure. The anchor failed in brittle fracture because of a local defect in the material at the perimeter of a corrosion pit on the surface of the anchor hook. The structural analysis and laboratory testing indicated that the material around the defect was at yield before fracture initiation. The material flaws significantly influenced the bridge failure after yielding and inelastic deformation of the anchor material at the inside of the hook radius occurred.
Specific fractionation of human anti-dextran antibodies—III: Fractionation of anti-dextran by sequential extraction wit oligosaccharides of increasing chain length and attempts at subfractionation☆

Abstract Elution of human antidextran absorbed on sephadex with oligosaccharides of increasing chain length has yielded purified antibody fractions which vary in their binding affinity for oligosaccharides of the isomaltose series as measured by their capacities to inhibit complement fixation of the antibody with dextran. The data are interpreted as indicating that these antibody molecules are heterogeneous and that with one antiserum the bulk of such heterogeneity in complementarity occurs in the region from the first α-glucosyl linkage to the fourth glucose from the non-reducing end of the hapten; with another antiserum the fifth glucose was involved. Attempts at subfractionation to obtain more homogeneous fractions were relatively unsuccessful.
Equity and Accountability: The Impact of State Accountability Systems on School Finance

Using an 11-year panel data set containing information on revenues, expenditures, and demographics for every school district in the United States, we examine the effects of state-adopted school accountability systems on the adequacy and equity of school resources. We find little relationship between state implementation of accountability systems and changes in school finance equity, though we do find evidence that states in which courts overturned the school finance system during the decade exhibited significant equity improvements. Additionally, while implementation of accountability per se does not appear linked to changes in resource adequacy, states that implemented strong accountability systems did experience improvements.
Fate of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from contaminated manure slurry applied to soil surrounding tall fescue.

Aim: To investigate the potential transfer of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella from contaminated manure slurry into the tissue of tall fescue plants. Methods and Results: Tall fescue plants (n = 50) were fertilized with a manure slurry inoculated with E. coli O157:H7 and Salmonella. Soil was collected and tall fescue plants (n = 10 per day) harvested on day 1, 2, 4, 8, and 14 after manure slurry fertilization. Soil samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7 on all days and on day 1, 2, 8, and 14 for Salmonella. None of the plant tissue samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7 on day 1 or 2; however, 20%, 30% and 40% of plant tissue samples were positive for E. coli O157:H7 on day 4, 8, and 14, respectively. Conclusions: It may be possible that E. coli O157:H7 can become transmitted and internalized into tall fescue plant tissue within 4 days after exposure to an E. coli O157:H7-contaminated manure slurry. Salmonella did not appear to be transferred to tall fescue plant tissue. Significance and Impact of the Study: Faeces contaminated with E. coli O157:11H7 may be one means by which grazing ruminants spread bacterial pathogens to additional animals.
An Evaluation of Casting Alloys Used for Restorative Procedures

Dental casting alloys have played a major role in the restorative process for three-quarters of a century. Gold-based compositions were used almost exclusively for most of that time-but because of their relatively high cost, they began to be replaced by a number of base metal alloys. This article discusses some of the most recent findings about the composition of alloy systems and the possible tissue responses to those systems.
Single pyramidal-tract fiber analysis of neocortical propagated seizures with reference to inactivation responses.

Abstract Intracellular records from pericruciate pyramidal-tract cells and extracellular records from ipsilateral medullary pyramid pyramidal-tract axons were obtained during major propagated neocortical seizures initiated by repetitive electrical stimulation of the homotopic contralateral pericruciate cortex. Comparisons of the soma-dendritic with the axonal responses during the ictal event was possible because of the close temporal correspondence between these and cortical surface EEG. During seizures, the majority of pyramidal-tract cells responded with “inactivation responses” when the soma-dendritic membrane depolarized by 25–30 mv above the pre-ictal steady state value. However, the axonal output of the pyramidal-tract cells consisted of high-frequency bursts of spikes during all phases of the ictal event. It is suggested that axonal recordings more accurately reflect the neuronal output during major neocortical seizures and that inactivation responses of neocortical neurons are due, in large part, to the trauma of microelectrode penetration.
Acetate utilization and fatty acid metabolism in phorbol ester and dimethyl sulfoxide-differentiated human leukemia cells.

Abstract Cultured human promyelocytic leukemia cells were incubated with [1- 14 C]acetate to assess the predominant mode of fatty acid synthesis (de novo vs. chain elongation) in these cells and in chemically differentiated populations. 12- O -Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) will induce differentiation of this leukemic cell line to macrophage- and granulocyte-like cells, respectively. Human peripheral and rat peritoneal macrophages were employed as controls for the TPA-induced counterpart. Labeling of the carbonyl carbon (C-1) was determined by Schmidt degradation and used to distinguish between chain elongation of pre-existing cellular fatty acids and de novo synthesis. Cultured leukemia cells and the TPA-derived macrophage only incorporated from 16% to 23% of the total radioactivity into the C-1 position, indicating an operable de novo pathway. Cells differentiated by exposure to DMSO displayed a preference for the chain elongation mechanism (89% 14 C in C-1 position) of fatty acid synthesis. Both rat peritoneal and human peripheral macrophages likewise incorporated > 80% of the radioactivity in the C-1 position of the fatty acyl chains. Thus, DMSO-treated leukemia cells resemble normal differentiated cells, whereas phorbol ester-induced cells, in contrast, retain biochemical features of the undifferentiated cancer cell.
Phospholipid changes during hepatic injury caused by carbon tetrachloride.

Abstract Male rats were fed carbon tetrachloride by stomach tube. Four hours later the animals were sacrificed, their livers removed and total lipid extracted. Phospholipids were chromatographed on silicic acid columns. The fraction which eluted with 9 per cent methanol in cholorform was hydrolyzed with alkali and the hydrolysis products were subjected to ion exchange chromatography on Nalcite SAR. Phosphatidyl glycerol was increased 4 times over the control value to become a significant component. Phosphatidic acid increased slightly, cardiolipin and phosphatidyl choline remained almost unchanged, phosphatidyl serine and phosphatidyl ethanolamine declined, the latter considerably, whereas phosphatidyl inositol and the combined sphingomyelin and lysophosphatidyl choline fraction increased slightly in treated rats. Fatty acid analysis indicated a considerable reduction in the polyunsaturated fatty acid content of phospholipids in carbon tetrachloride-treated rats.
WhoAmi: profiling attendees before meetings

Mobile phones have been widely used to access, retrieve and organize information. In this paper, we present the meshin system, an intelligent personal assistant that organizes messages, notifications and appointments for mobile phone users. To help users prepare for meetings, meshin automatically creates a profile for each meeting attendee. The meshin system searches the Internet with the attendee's name and the domain of the email address, then retrieves and aggregates information for this attendee. To get a better understanding of the attendee, it further estimates the personality profile based on the emails he/she wrote. Our experimental results show that our system can predict personality with reasonable accuracies (95%).
A program for machine learning of counting criteria: empirical induction of logic-based classification rules

Abstract A program has been developed which derives classification rules from empirical observations and expresses these rules in a knowledge representation format called ‘counting criteria’. Decision rules derived in this format are often more comprehensible than rules derived by existing machine learning programs such as AQ11. Use of the program is illustrated by the inference of discrimination criteria for certain types of bacteria based upon their biochemical characteristics. The program may be useful for the conceptual analysis of data and for the automatic generation of prototype knowledge bases for expert systems.
Efficient computation of radiances for optically thin media by Padé approximants

Abstract This paper solves the multi-layer multiple-scattering plane-parallel radiative transfer problem for solar and thermal sources. Efficient calculation of radiances for optically thin media is made possible by the method herein called PARTM—“Pade approximation radiative transfer method”. The algorithm calculates the matrix exponential and the global reflection and transmission operators using Pade approximants with an accuracy prescribed by the user. In a multi-layer atmosphere, these operators can be combined using the adding method. Computational gain is enhanced by exploiting the symmetry inherent in the exponential solution and then exploiting the structure of this matrix to halve the order of the matrix solution. A range of numerical tests were performed that demonstrate the accuracy and speed of PARTM relative to widely used DISORT model. Finally, the method was applied for two example cases, one for a multispectral instrument such MODIS and one for an instrument similar to the 0.76 ‐ μ m GOSAT and OCO O2 A-band spectrometers.
Decidual and Placental Histologic Findings in Patients Experiencing Spontaneous Abortions in Relation to Pregnancy Order

PROBLEM: In investigating possible immunologic causes of miscarriage, we hypothesized a more frequent maternal immune response in placental tissue in women miscarrying their first pregnancy, compared to woman miscarrying following at least one full-term delivery. METHOD OF STUDY: We reviewed the medical charts of 273 consecutive women who had treatment for miscarriage. After application of the exclusion criteria, 32 patients were selected who had a full-term pregnancy outcome following the index miscarriage. The patients were divided into two groups based on the pregnancy order of the index miscarriage. Group 1 (n=16) included women who lost their first pregnancy. Group 2 (n=16) included women who miscarried a pregnancy after at least one full-term delivery. Miscarriage tissue was evaluated for placental and decidual histologic features of uteroplacental vasculopathy and chronic inflammation. RESULTS: Lesions of chronic inflammatory and uteroplacental vasculopathy were generally more common in Group 1 as compared to Group 2, and the presence of more than one of the histopathologic lesions was significantly more frequent in Group 1 (37.5%, 6/16) than in Group 2 (0/16, P=.02, Fisher's Exact). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates more frequent lesions of chronic inflammation and uteroplacental vasculopathy in miscarriage patients with a first pregnancy loss, compared to those patients who have had a pregnancy loss following at least one full-term delivery.
Boundary effects in quantum field theory

Electromagnetic and scalar fields are quantized in the region near an arbitrary smooth boundary, and the renormalized expectation value of the stress-energy tensor is calculated. The energy density is found to diverge as the boundary is approached. For nonconformally invariant fields it varies, to leading order, as the inverse fourth power of the distance from the boundary. For conformally invariant fields the coefficient of this leading term is zero, and the energy density varies as the inverse cube of the distance. An asymptotic series for the renormalized stress-energy tensor is developed as far as the inverse-square term in powers of the distance. Some criticisms are made of the usual approach to this problem, which is via the "renormalized mode sum energy," a quantity which is generically infinite. Green's-function methods are used in explicit calculations, and an iterative scheme is set up to generate asymptotic series for Green's functions near a smooth boundary. Contact is made with the theory of the asymptotic distribution of eigenvalues of the Laplacian operator. The method is extended to nonflat space-times and to an example with a nonsmooth boundary.
Optimizing glioblastoma resection: intraoperative mapping and beyond

The management of glioblastomas starts with surgical resection if possible, along with subsequent chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Several retrospective studies have suggested that extent of resection plays a role in the prognosis of glioblastoma patients. The importance of extent of resection must be balanced with preserving patient's functional status for tumors in eloquent areas. Here we review the preoperative imaging modalities such as functional MRI and magnetoencephalography (MEG), and the intraoperative techniques such as motor and language mapping, intraoperative MRI, and intraoperative techniques such as 5-aminolevulinic acid administration, that allow maximal safe operative resection of glioblastomas.
Factors affecting the oligomeric structure of yeast external invertase

It has been assumed that yeast external invertase is a dimer, with each subunit composed of a 60-kDa polypeptide chain. We now present evidence that at its optimal pH of 5.0, the predominant form of external invertase is an octamer with an average size of 8 X 10(5) Da. During ultracentrifugation the octamer dissociated to lower molecular weight forms, including a hexamer, tetramer, and dimer. All forms of the enzyme were shown to possess identical specific activities and to contain a similar carbohydrate to protein ratio. Although the monomer subunits (1 X 10(5) Da) were heterogenous in carbohydrate content, each subunit possessed nine oligosaccharide chains. When stained for protein and enzyme activity following sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, only the oligomeric form of the enzyme appeared to be active. Thus, on partially inactivating invertase with 4 M guanidine hydrochloride both octamer and monomer were evident on the gels but only the former was active. Similarly, incubating at pH 2.5 in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate yielded only inactive monomer. The monomer, unlike the active oligomeric aggregate, was unable to hydrolyze sucrose after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Consistent with the in vitro studies, freshly prepared yeast lysate was shown to contain the octameric species of external invertase as the major active form of this enzyme. From these studies and others which employed deglycosylated invertase, it is concluded that the carbohydrate component of external invertase contributes not only to stabilizing enzyme activity, but also to maintaining its oligomeric structure.
Creep of Polycrystalline Thorium Dioxide

The creep rate of polycrystalline thorium dioxide is reported for 1400° to 1800°C and for 4000, 7500, and 11,000 psi. The microstructure of deformed specimens contained intergranular voids which formed by the apparent growth and coalescence of pores along the grain boundaries. Grain-boundary sliding also occurred during creep. The strain rate-stress relation indicates a viscous type of creep process. A mechanism of creep is proposed which involves a diffusional transport of material and which accounts for the appearance of the intergranular voids.
Topological supergravity in two dimensions

Abstract The topological theory of OSp(2|1; R ) flat gauge connections is shown to be equivalent to two-dimensional supergravity. By choosing a particular gauge fixing of the SL(2; R ) (OSp(2|1; R ) invariance we make contact with the Liouville theory approach to two-dimensional gravity (supergravity). We discuss the scaling and multriritical behavior of two-dimensional supergravity.
Copper/TEMPO-Catalyzed Aerobic Alcohol Oxidation: Mechanistic Assessment of Different Catalyst Systems

Combinations of homogeneous Cu salts and 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) have emerged as practical and efficient catalysts for the aerobic oxidation of alcohols. Several closely related catalyst systems have been reported, which differ in the identity of the solvent, the presence of 2,2′-bipyridine as a ligand, the identity of basic additives, and the oxidation state of the Cu source. These changes have a significant influence on the reaction rates, yields, and substrate scope. In this report, we probe the mechanistic basis for differences among four different Cu/TEMPO catalyst systems and elucidate the features that contribute to efficient oxidation of aliphatic alcohols.
Developmentally regulated systemic endopolyploidy in succulents with small genomes

Nuclei from Mesembryanthemum crystallinum (ice plant) exhibit multiple levels of ploidy in every tissue as revealed by flow microfluorometric analysis of isolated nuclei stained with mithramycin. Multiples of the haploid nuclear genome complement (1C) corresponding to 2C, 4C, 8C, 16C, 32C, and 64C were observed. The distribution of nuclei among the different ploidy levels is tissue-specific and in leaves is characteristic of the stage of development. This type of genome organization has been identified in eight other succulent CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) plant species with small genomes. Multiploidy may be a common property of this type of plant.
Concurrent stereotactic radiosurgery and bevacizumab in recurrent malignant gliomas: A prospective trial

Purpose Virtually all patients with malignant glioma (MG) eventually recur. This study evaluates the safety of concurrent stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and bevacizumab (BVZ), an antiangiogenic agent, in treatment of recurrent MG. Methods and Materials Fifteen patients with recurrent MG, treated at initial diagnosis with surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy/temozolomide and then at least 1 salvage chemotherapy regimen, were enrolled in this prospective trial. Lesions Results One grade 3 (severe headache) and 2 grade 2 CNS toxicities were observed. No patients experienced grade 4 to 5 toxicity or intracranial hemorrhage. Neurocognition, quality of life, and Karnofsky performance status did not change significantly with treatment. DCE-MRI results suggest a significant decline in tumor perfusion and permeability 1 week after SRS and further decline by 2 months. Conclusions Treatment of recurrent MG with concurrent SRS and BVZ was not associated with excessive toxicity in this prospective trial. A randomized trial of concurrent SRS/BVZ versus conventional salvage therapy is needed to establish the efficacy of this approach.
Infrared and Raman Group Frequencies of Cyclic Imides

Infrared and Raman spectra of several examples of each of three classes of cyclic imides have been examined. Spectra-structure correlations have been sought for each of the classes, with particular emphasis being placed on the 1600-1800 cm−1 region. The spectra in this region are often complex, reflecting subtle structural features in the condensed phases. Group frequencies for substituted succinimides, phthalimides, and maleimides are proposed.
SUBURBAN VOTING AND SYMBOLIC COMMUNITIES: A CASE STUDY

Hailed as a major conceptual advance, Gerald Sullies' notion of nested communities of sentiment and interaction has rarely been tested in empirical research and never in studies of suburban-dwellers. This paper attempts to redress that gap. Using data on voting turnout in the election districts of one suburban New Jersey community, the paper offers an ecological analysis of the social bases for participation in elections of leaders for different symbolic communities. The analysis yields support for a set of propositions derived from Suttles' scheme, thus demonstrating its generality beyond the big-city context in which it was originally formulated.