cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fluconazol: Vergleich von Pharmakokinetik, Therapie und Empfindlichkeit der Sproßpilze in vitro

Zusammenfassung. Fluconazol penetriert gut in die untersuchten Gewebe bzw. Korperflussigkeiten und erzielt eine schnelle Aquilibrierung der Konzentrationen zwischen unterschiedlichen Kompartimenten. Die nach intravenoser oder oraler Applikation dosisproportionale Pharmakokinetik und die nur langsame Elimination (t1/2 30 h) des Triazols aus dem Korper erleichtern eine Voraussage fur die therapeutisch wirksame Dosierung. Die im Blut gemessenen Fluconazol-Konzentrationen konnen auch bei Patienten auf verschiedene Gewebe (Lunge, Gehirn, gynakologische Proben) bzw. andere Korperflussigkeiten (Sputum, Speichel, Vaginalsekret) oder Exsudate projiziert werden. Im Liquor cerebrospinalis und Kammerwasser des Auges betragen die Konzentrationen des Antimy-kotikums etwa 80% der Blutspiegel. Die uberwiegend renale Ausscheidung von unverandertem Fluconazol bewirkt hingegen im Urin 10–20fach hohere Konzentrationen als im Blut. Dieses pharmakokinetische Profil, das Fluconazol in der Behandlung mykotischer Harnwegsinfekte per se begunstigt, erfordert allerdings bei Patienten mit eingeschrankter Nierenfunktion die Anpassung der systemischen Therapie an eine niedere Dosierung. Die Empfindlichkeit der Sprospilze korreliert in vitro und in vivo mit den in verschiedenen Kompartimenten des Korpers gemessenen Fluconazol-Konzentrationen. Summary. Fluconazole penetrates well into the tissues and body fluids which were examined and achieves rapid equilibration between the different compartments. The pharmacokinetics of fluconazole are independent of the dose after oral or intravenous administration. This finding, together with the drug's slow elimination (t1/2 30 h) facilitate the estimation of the therapeutically effective dosage. The concentrations of fluconazole measured in blood can be extrapolated to the concentrations in tissue (lung, brain, gynecological tissues), body fluids (sputum, saliva, vaginal secretions) and exudates. The concentration of fluconazole in cerebrospinal fluid and in the vitreous humour of the eye is ca. 80% of that in blood. Fluconazole is predominantly excreted in the urine in the unchanged form, which explains the 10 to 20 fold higher concentration of the drug in urine relative to blood. Although this pharmacokinetic profile favours the use of fluconazole in mycotic infections of the urinary tract it also means that the dose of the drug may have to be adapted to lower regimens in the systemic treatment of patients with restricted kidney function. The in vitro and in vivo susceptibility of the yeasts correlates with the concentrations of fluconazole measured in the different compartments of the body.
Skilled Support Within Intimate Relationships

The literature on social support within dyadic intimate relationships raises a seeming paradox: The availability of support tends to reduce distress, but its actual receipt is often unhelpful and at times engenders feelings of inadequacy, indebtedness, and inequity—unintended but potent side effects of the support transaction. Our review organizes this literature in order to solve the apparent paradox. Specifically, we theorize that, because support attempts are often unskilled and miscarried, they lead to greater costs than benefits. We identify four ways in which dyadic support can be unskillful, ways pertaining to its timing, content, process, or reciprocation. We suggest that when these are addressed, support can regain its intended goals of enhancing dyadic coping, reducing stress, and strengthening relationships.
Radioimmunoassay of human salivary amylase: Cross-reactivity with human and porcine pancreatic amylase and other salivary proteins

A radioimmunoassay (RIA) of human salivary amylase was developed. Human salivary and pancreatic amylases were purified by Sephacryl S-200 gel filtration and by cation-exchange chromatography. Human salivary amylase antibody, raised in New Zealand white rabbits, did not crossreact with other salivary proteins and there was also no crossreactivity with purified porcine pancreatic amylase. The antibody crossreacted with human pancreatic amylase to the extent of 25%. Amylase concentrations, estimated by RIA, in human saliva, serum, and urine were compared with enzymatic activity. Correlation of results obtained by the two techniques was best for estimation of amylase in saliva, least for serum and intermediate for urine. Amylase concentrations and enzymatic activity in stimulated parotid saliva were not correlated with flow rate of secretion. There was no correlation between amylase concentrations (and enzymatic activity) in parotid saliva and those found either in serum and urine. Amylase comprises approximately 5% of the total parotid salivary protein in humans.
Enhancing Undergraduates' Capabilities through Team-Based Competitions: The Edward Jones Challenge.

The Edward Jones Company recently initiated financial sponsorship of team-based competitions in six undergraduate business core classes at Baylor University. The challenges were chosen to take place in an introductory freshman business class, Managerial Accounting, Principles of Marketing, Corporate Finance, Operations Management, and Strategic Management. Teams of students in each course competed for monetary awards ranging up to $1,000 per team member. This article describes the rationale behind the Edward Jones Challenge, reviews the literature as to the expected benefits of the group projects involved in the competition, summarizes the projects used in the various classes, analyzes the results of a student survey, tests a set of hypotheses relating project structure to the expected benefits, examines the positive results derived from the Edward Jones initiative, and discusses the lessons learned from the experience.
TH‐A‐217BCD‐08: BEST IN PHYSICS (IMAGING) ‐ Quantification of Breast Density with Spectral Mammography

Purpose: To investigate the feasibility of quantification of volumetric breast density using photon‐counting spectral mammography.Methods: A computer simulationmodel using polyenergetic spectra from a tungstenanode x‐ray tube and a Si‐based photon‐counting detector has been evaluated for breast density quantification. The figure‐of‐merit (FOM), which was defined as the signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) of the dual energy image with respect to the square root of the mean glandular dose (MGD), was chosen to optimize the imaging protocols, in terms of beam energy and splitting energy. A scanning multi‐slit photon‐counting spectral mammography system was used in the experimental study to quantitatively measure breast density using dual energy decomposition with glandular and adipose equivalent phantoms of uniform thickness. Four phantom studies were designed, which covered various thicknesses ranged from 2.0 to 8.5 cm and densities ranged from 0% to 100%. In addition to the standard calibration fitting function used for dual energy decomposition, a modified third order fitting function was also investigated. Results: The optimal splitting energies for breast density quantification with clinically relevant beam energies were suggested from the FOM simulation for various breast thicknesses. In the physical phantom studies, the RMS errors in breast density quantification were approximately 1.54% and 1.35% for measurements using the standard and the modified calibration fitting function, respectively. Conclusions: The results of the current study suggest that photon‐counting spectral mammography can be implemented in screening exam to measure volumetric breast density with high accuracy, which can potentially have a high impact in the assessment of breast cancer risk.
Quantitative three-dimensional photoacoustic tomography of the finger joints: phantom studies in a spherical scanning geometry

In this paper, we present a series of phantom experiments that aim to systematically evaluate the possibility of quantitative three-dimensional (3D) photoacoustic imaging of the finger joints in a spherical scanning geometry. The 3D absorption coefficient images of the joint-mimicking phantoms are obtained using our finite-element-based photoacoustic image reconstruction algorithm coupled with the photon diffusion equation. The results show that a 1 mm thick 'cartilage' can be accurately differentiated from the 'bones' with a 1 MHz transducer. In addition, the absorption coefficient of the 'cartilage' can be effectively recovered when this optical property is varied from 0.015 to 0.04 mm(-1). The phantom images shown in this paper suggest that 3D photoacoustic tomography in a spherical scanning geometry has the potential to image a realistic human joint.
Normal modes and specific heat of a lattice of undamped pancake vortices in thin superconducting mulitlayers

Recent high-field ([ital B][le]8 T) experiments on single crystals of Bi[sub 2]Sr[sub 2]CaCu[sub 2]O[sub [ital x]] (BSCCO-2:2:1:2) have found a significant anisotropy in the specific heat, with an excess contribution for perpendicular field (along the [ital c] axis) relative to that for parallel or zero field. One possible explanation for these observations is the undamped vibrational modes of the lattice of pancake vortices, which occur only for the perpendicular orientation. The London model of thin superconducting layers provides a simple theoretical picture that allows a direct evaluation of the elastic energy for small deformations of the vortex lattice. For typical temperatures, the resulting vortex contribution [ital C][sub [ital v]] to the heat capacity has a Debye form for two-dimensional phonons, with a Debye temperature [Theta][sub [ital v]]=1/2[h bar][omega][sub [ital c]]/[ital k][sub [ital B]], where [omega][sub [ital c]] is the electron cyclotron frequency (for [ital B]=10 T and free electrons, [Theta][sub [ital v]][approx]6.7 K). For [ital T][gt][Theta][sub [ital v]], the resulting [ital C][sub [ital v]] approaches [ital k][sub [ital B]] per pancake vortex, as appropriate for vortex dynamics and in qualitative agreement with the experimental observations; for [ital T][lt][Theta][sub [ital v]], the theory predicts that [ital C][sub [ital v]][proportional to][ital T][supmore » 2], but this particular power law remains to be verified experimentally. If an inertial mass [ital m][sub [ital c]] is ascribed to each pancake vortex, an additional set of (Newtonian) normal modes yields a further (Einstein) heat capacity, with [Theta][sub [ital E]][proportional to][ital m][sub [ital c]][sup [minus]1]. The presence (absence) of such a contribution to [ital C][sub [ital v]] could help determine (bound) the value of the currently controversial quantity [ital m][sub [ital c]].« less
New transformations between crystalline and amorphous ice

High-pressure optical and spectroscopic techniques were used to obtain directly the ice I(h) - hda-ice transformation in a diamond-anvil cell, and the stability of the amorphous form is examined as functions of pressure and temperature. It is demonstrated that hda-ice transforms abruptly at 4 GPa and 77 K to a crystalline phase close in structure to orientationally disordered ice-VII and to a more highly ordered, ice-VIII-like structure at higher temperatures. This is the first time that an amorphous solid is observed to convert to a crystalline solid at low temperatures by compression alone. Phase transitions of this type may be relevant on icy planetary satellites, and there may also be implications for the high-pressure behavior of silica.
Novel cytotoxic agents from an unexpected source: bile acids and ovarian tumor apoptosis.

Abstract Objective Unique biologic activities have been identified for the 4 different bile acids: cholic acid (CA, chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), deoxycholic acid (DCA), and ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). The aim of this study was to examine and compare the effects of these 4 bile acids on the human ovarian cancer cell lines A2780 and A2780-CP-R(cisplatin-resistant) and to evaluate mechanisms of action. Methods Antiproliferative effects were determined by the cytotoxic MTT assay. Cells undergoing apoptosis were identified by morphologic analysis of cells stained using Diff-Quick and nuclear staining with DAPI and by quantitative nucleosome ELISA assay. Cells were lysed in buffer after 24 h of exposure to three different concentrations of bile acid (50 mM, 200 mM, and 400 mM) and protein concentrations were determined. Cell extracts containing 25 mg of protein were assayed for protein kinase C (PKC) enzyme activity. Results None of the bile acids stimulated proliferation of ovarian cancer cells. CA and UDCA had only minimal cytotoxic effect even at maximum concentrations. In contrast, DCA and CDCA administration resulted in statistically significant dose-dependent cytotoxicity in both platinum sensitive and platinum-resistant cell lines ( p p p Conclusions CDCA and DCA have significant cytotoxic activity in ovarian cancer cells via induction of apoptosis. The mechanism of apoptosis appears to be mediated by alternative kinases distinct from PKC. CDCA and DCA may have clinical utility in the treatment of ovarian cancer pending in vivo confirmation of activity especially in cisplatin-resistant disease.
The effect of enhanced gravity levels on microstructural development in Pb-50 wt pct Sn alloys during controlled directional solidification

The Pb-50 wt pct Sn alloys were directionally solidified at 21.1 µm s−1 through a temperature gradient of ∼3.5 K mm−1. With the aid of a centrifuge, the solidifying dendritic interfaces were subjected to constant gravity levels, opposite to the growth direction, up to 15.3 times that of Earth’s. Microstructural examination revealed no significant change in the secondary dendrite arm spacing, the interdendritic eutectic spacing, or the primary dendrite trunk diameter as a function of increasing gravity level; the primary dendrite arm spacing, however, decreased significantly. The primary spacing decrease is argued to result from suppressing convection in the bulk liquid or by modification of the rejected solute layer as a result of enhanced buoyancy.
Heterosis in Sweet Sorghum and Selection of a New Sweet Sorghum Hybrid for Use in Syrup Production in Appalachia

Although heterosis is well established in grain and forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench], reports of heterosis in sweet sorghum are limited to results from grain sorghum × sweet sorghum hybrids. Recent development of cytoplasmic male-sterile sweet sorghum lines allows creation of sweet sorghum hybrids for research and industry. Male sterility may also affect allocation of photosynthate to plant parts, creating the potential to increase sugar content in stems by eliminating seed as a sink. The objectives of this study were to compare performance of A 3 cytoplasmic male-sterile lines and A 3 cytoplasmic male-sterile hybrids to fertile B 3 counterparts and to each other. A 3 cytoplasmic male-sterile ‘Dale’, ‘Wray’, ‘Sugar Drip’, and N100 were crossed in all combinations to their male-fertile counterparts, resulting in 20 genotypes including the male-fertile lines. The 20 genotypes were grown in a randomized complete block in 2004 and 2005 at Lexington, KY. Male-sterile hybrids and lines had higher brix than male-fertile lines. Hybrids produced greater stalk yield due to taller plants with greater stem diameter. Juice fraction and juice composition remained relatively unchanged. Only six hybrids showed positive heterosis for brix. The greater juice yield and higher sugar content of selected hybrids such as A 3 N100 × Dale could produce more total syrup or ethanol than current pureline sweet sorghum varieties.
Heterogeneous Expression of Multiple Putative Patterning Genes by Single Cells from the Chick Hindbrain

The metameric organization of the vertebrate hindbrain into rhombomeres appears to result from the patterned expression of several transcription factors and putative signaling molecules. We have applied a refined single-cell reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction strategy to examine the molecular logic proposed to pattern the hindbrain at the single-cell level. This technique allows analysis of the concurrent expression of several genes within an individual cell at higher sensitivity than byin situhybridization. Our results demonstrate that cells in rhombomere (r) 4 and r5 are heterogeneous in their expression of Hoxa-3, Hoxb-2, Sek-1, and Krox-20, suggesting that single cells are dynamically regulating their rhombomere-specific gene-expression profiles. Furthermore, the strong correlation between Sek-1 and Krox-20 expression at stage 12 was greatly diminished by stage 16, suggesting that the proposed interdependence of these two genes is present only at early stages of hindbrain development.
Letter from the Editor: The Importance of Frames of Reference

Follow this and additional works at: http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/ojot Part of the Medical Education Commons, and the Occupational Therapy Commons Copyright transfer agreements are not obtained by The Open Journal of Occupational Therapy (OJOT). Reprint permission for this article should be obtained from the corresponding author(s). Click here to view our open access statement regarding user rights and distribution of this article. DOI: 10.15453/2168-6408.1039
ESTIMATION OF GLOBAL LOGISTICS EXPENDITURES USING NEURAL NETWORKS

Measuring the size of global logistics expenditure is a difficult task. What is an estimate of logistics expenditures for the global economy? The objective of this research is to answer this question. Using neural networks, an artificial intelligence methodology, logistics expenditures have been estimated at the country level. There are two main contributions from this research. The first is an update of previous estimates of global logistics expenditures. The second is continuous improvement of the estimation method, including information quality and availability as well as mathematical model refinement.
A method for the unambiguous determination of the fuel composition from combustion gases

Abstract The Jones-Trickett ratio is shown to be incompatible with the rigorous use of the elemental balances for hydrogen and carbon. A method is developed using the elemental balances for both hydrogen and carbon which is shown to be effective for the reconstruction of the empirical formula of the original hydrocarbon fuel using a single gas analysis of the combustion products. An application is given showing that this method is valid. The procedure has never before been described in the literature, possibly because of the general lack of internally consistent chemical analyses for its illustration. The method should prove valuable in the on-site investigations of gas explosions, fires, and sundry combustion processes.
Myeloablative Intravenous Busulfan/Fludarabine Conditioning Does Not Facilitate Reliable Engraftment of Dual Umbilical Cord Blood Grafts in Adult Recipients

Abstract The efficacy of once-daily intravenous busulfan with fludarabine as a preparative regimen for partially matched umbilical cord blood transplantation has not been formally studied. We randomized 10 adult patients with myeloid malignancies to receive either concurrent or sequential administration of intravenous busulfan 130 mg/m2 once daily × 4 days and fludarabine 40 mg/m2 daily × 4 days, followed by dual umbilical cord blood transplantation. The median combined cryopreserved total nucleated cell dose was 3.6 × 107/kg recipient body weight (range: 2.8-4.5 × 107/kg). Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis was provided by tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). Donor-derived neutrophil recovery was observed in only 2 of 10 patients, resulting in premature closure of the study as per graft failure stopping rules. We conclude that the myeloablative conditioning regimen of once-daily intravenous busulfan with fludarabine provides insufficient immunosuppression to allow for engraftment of partially matched, dual umbilical cord blood grafts.
Optimizing pulsed-chemical exchange saturation transfer imaging sequences.

Chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) provides a new imaging contrast mechanism sensitive to labile proton exchange. Pulsed-CEST imaging is better suited to the hardware constraints on clinical imaging systems compared with traditional continuous wave (CW)-CEST imaging methods. However, designing optimum pulsed-CEST imaging sequences entails complicated and time consuming numerical integrations. In this work, a simplified and computationally efficient technique is provided to optimize the pulsed-CEST imaging sequence. An analysis was performed of the optimal average irradiation power and the optimal irradiation flip angle (FA) as a function of the acquisition parameters and sample properties in both a two-pool model and a three-pool model of endogenous amine exchange. Key simulated and experimental results based on a creatine/agar tissue phantom include: 1) that the average irradiation power is a more meaningful sequence metric than is the average irradiation field amplitude, 2) that the optimal average powers for CW and pulsed-CEST imaging are approximately equal to each other for a relevant range of solute frequency offsets, exchange rates, and concentrations, 3) that an irradiation FA of 180° is optimal or near optimal, independent of the other acquisition parameters and the sample properties, and 4) that higher duty cycles yield higher CEST contrast.
Contoured LCDC plating of the proximal ulna

Comminuted fractures of the proximal ulna, particularly in combination with dislocation of the radial head, represent complex injuries which threaten both elbow and forearm motion. Thirty-seven complex proximal ulna fractures were treated with a dorsally applied, limited-contact titanium plate, contoured to fit the anatomy of the olecranon and proximal ulna. Twenty-four patients had Monteggia fracture/dislocations, and 13 had isolated but complex fractures of the proximal ulna. After an average follow up of 24 months, good or excellent functional results were achieved in 27 patients.
Abstract: Multiple Pairwise Sequence Alignments with the Needleman-Wunsch Algorithm on GPU

Pairwise sequence alignment is a method used in bioinformatics to determine the similarity between DNA, RNA and protein sequences. The Needleman-Wunsch algorithm is typically used to perform global alignment, and has been accelerated on Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) on single pairs of sequences. Many applications require multiple pairwise comparisons over sets of sequences. The large sizes of modern bioinformatics datasets leads to a need for efficient tools that allow a large number of pairwise comparisons. Because of their massive parallelism, GPUs are an appealing choice for accelerating these computations. In this paper, we propose an efficient GPU implementation of multiple pairwise sequence alignments based on the Needleman-Wunsch algorithm. Compared to a well-known existing solution, our implementation improves the memory transfer time by a factor 2X, and achieves a ~3X speedup in kernel execution time.
The effect of perceived and actual social support on the mental health of HIV-positive persons

The purpose of this paper is to compare the ways in which perceived and actual social support affect the mental health of gay men, straight or bisexual men, and women living with HIV/AIDS. Participants included 125 women and 232 men with an HIV-positive or AIDS diagnosis involved in three larger investigations of HIV, disclosure and mental health. Results suggest each sub-group experienced perceived social support as significantly predictive of better mental health while the effect of actual social support was minimal.
Transgender Subject Access: History and Current Practice

This article evaluates representation of transgender people and experiences in Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH). It compares LCSH treatment of transgender topics to that of controlled vocabularies developed to describe lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) collections, as well as their treatment by scholarly LGBT encyclopedias. The appraisal of these knowledge domains demonstrates the continued relevance of subject descriptors as a mode of knowledge production both for information professionals and for those we serve. It also suggests strategies available to librarians to render transgender people more visible and accessible in library catalogs, including incorporating new technologies as well as modifying established cataloging instruments.
Sociodemographic and geographic variability in smoking in the U.S.: a multilevel analysis of the 2006-2007 Current Population Survey, Tobacco Use Supplement.

Abstract Because smoking is a pervasive risk factor for numerous health outcomes, it is essential to understand smoking patterns in different populations and places. Previous studies have described sociodemographic and geographic variation in smoking across the U.S., providing insight to public health scientists aiming to identify high-risk populations and places in the absence of local data. This study extends previous research by considering the influence of a combination of covariates at the U.S. state, core-based statistical area (CBSA), and individual levels, focusing on a time period when smoking prevalence has decreased significantly but disparities remain. We applied multilevel regression to the 2006–2007 Current Population Survey–Tobacco Use Supplement. We conducted a four-level logistic regression model and evaluated fixed and random effects to quantify the contribution of sociodemographic characteristics at the individual level, area poverty at the CBSA level, and indoor smoking legislation and cigarette taxes at the state level, to the probability of smoking at the individual level and the variance in smoking at the state and CBSA levels. Sociodemographic covariates were significant predictors of smoking and explained 67% of variance at the CBSA level alone but only 41% at the state level. Contextual covariates alone, such as indoor smoking legislation and cigarette taxes at the state level and area poverty at the CBSA level, explained a larger proportion of state variance (82%) but individually had modest statistical significance. Our findings emphasize the continued disparities in smoking patterns in the U.S. despite the decrease of smoking prevalence in the past decade; as well as the ongoing necessity to consider associations with both compositional and contextual factors. Patterns of residual variance emphasize the continued need to identify and evaluate appropriate contextual covariates, with more refined geographic resolution than that available from national surveys at present.
Testing for covariate effects in the fully nonparametric analysis of covariance model

Traditional inference questions in the analysis of covariance mainly focus on comparing different factor levels by adjusting for the continuous covariates, which are believed to also exert a significant effect on the outcome variable. Testing hypotheses about the covariate effects, although of substantial interest in many applications, has received relatively limited study in the semiparametric/nonparametric setting. In the context of the fully nonparametric analysis of covariance model of Akritas et al., we propose methods to test for covariate main effects and covariate–factor interaction effects. The idea underlying the proposed procedures is that covariates can be thought of as factors with many levels. The test statistics are closely related to some recent developments in the asymptotic theory for analysis of variance when the number of factor levels is large. The limiting normal distributions are established under the null hypotheses and local alternatives by asymptotically approximating a new class...
Basic design and cost optimization of a hybrid power system for rural communities in Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a mountainous country with a significant amount of snow during the winter and once it melts the water runs into rivers, lakes and streams. Therefore it does not face any shortage of running water during the year. Also, Afghanistan has plentiful wind and solar energy potential. Therefore, small hydro-power, wind turbines and solar energy are attractive renewable energy sources for remote communities. The development of such a hybrid power system is a complex process. This paper will give an insight into design, cost-effectiveness and feasibility of a hybrid power system using Hybrid Optimization Model for Electric Renewable (HOMER) with two different scenarios in order to encourage private investors and local community people to take advantage of this potential available in Afghanistan and ensure sustainability of investments in micro-hydro power, wind and solar.
Seeking improvement in bioengineering education: academic and organizational concerns

Interest in reform in engineering education has led to an examination of the roles of learning science and learning technology in developing effective education in bioengineering. Institutions seeking to improve bioengineering education should consider structural changes that will provide learning science and learning technology support for faculty efforts. Experience in the VaNTH ERC indicates that a strong emphasis on bioengineering subject matter is necessary for faculty motivation, but learning science and technology can provide methods and tools for efficient realization of new approaches to instruction.
Relationship Between Temperature and Carbon Dioxide Loss from Shell Eggs

ABSTRACT REFRIGERATION has long been the primary method of retaining market quality in shell eggs. The fundamental reasons for employing lower temperatures have not been adequately elucidated. This lack of information has indirectly resulted in the development of practices which are designed mainly to lower the temperature without adequate consideration for other effective means of retaining specific quality attributes. Gathering and holding eggs in baskets affords rapid cooling. However, excessive ventilation before, during, and after cooling fosters the loss of carbon dioxide (CO2). Cotterill and Gardner (1957) compared the results of gathering and holding eggs at 58°, 74°, and 94°F. in baskets and in sealed buckets. The buckets contained a desiccant to retard microbial growth. They reported that eggs gathered in buckets had higher candled scores, higher Haugh units, lower pH, and comparable shell surface bacterial counts, except when stored at 94°F. for periods longer than four days. Storage temperature had . . .
Structural Development of the Hippocampus and Episodic Memory: Developmental Differences Along the Anterior/Posterior Axis

The hippocampus is critically involved in episodic memory, yet relatively little is known about how the development of this structure contributes to the development of episodic memory during middle to late childhood. Previous research has inconsistently reported associations between hippocampal volume and episodic memory performance during this period. We argue that this inconsistency may be due to assessing the hippocampus as a whole, and propose to examine associations separately for subregions along the longitudinal axis of the hippocampus. In the present study, we examined age-related differences in volumes of the hippocampal head, body, and tail, and collected episodic memory measures in children ages 8-11 years and young adults (N = 62). We found that adults had a smaller right hippocampal head, larger hippocampal body bilaterally, and smaller right hippocampal tail compared with children. In adults, but not in children, better episodic memory performance was associated with smaller right hippocampal head and larger hippocampal body. In children, but not in adults, better episodic memory was associated with larger left hippocampal tail. Overall, the results suggest that protracted development of hippocampal subregions contribute to age-related differences in episodic memory.
Small Menu Costs and Large Business Cycles: A Macroeconomic Model of Monopoly

I. INTRODUCTION The conflict between modern neoclassical and traditional Keynesian theories of the business cycle centers upon the pricing mechanism.' In neoclassical models, prices are fully flexible. They represent the continuous optimization of economic agents and the continuous intersection of supply and demand. In Keynesian models, prices are often assumed to be sticky. They do not necessarily equilibrate all markets at all times. One of the reasons for the resurgence of the equilibrium approach to macroeconomics has been the absence of a theoretical underpinning for this Keynesian price stickiness. This note shows that sticky prices can be both privately efficient and socially inefficient. The business cycle results from the suboptimal adjustment of prices in response to a demand shock. To the extent that policy can stabilize aggregate demand, it can mitigate the social loss due to this suboptimal adjustment. In some Keynesian models, prices are simply exogenously fixed.2 In others, agents must set their prices in advance of the transaction date.' The act of altering a posted price is certainly costly. These costs include such items as printing new catalogs and informing salesmen of the new price. Yet these "menu" costs are small and, therefore, generally perceived as providing only a weak foundation for these fixed-price models. However, this inference is flawed. Small menu costs can cause large welfare losses. The claim that price adjustment costs are small does not rebut the claim that they are central to understanding economic fluctuations.
Pressure-volume studies in human lumbar spinal discs

A continuous pressure-volume relation is determined within the nucleus pulposus of the human spinal disc by infusing saline solution. The data show that the nucleus pulposus has the properties of a tight hydraulic space in which a large pressure rise results from a small increase in volume and the opposite is also true.
E2F3 Loss Has Opposing Effects on Different pRB-Deficient Tumors, Resulting in Suppression of Pituitary Tumors but Metastasis of Medullary Thyroid Carcinomas

The E2F transcription factors are key downstream targets of the retinoblastoma protein (pRB) tumor suppressor. We have previously shown that E2F3 plays a critical role in mediating the mitogen-induced activation of E2F-responsive genes and contributes to both the inappropriate proliferation and the p53-dependent apoptosis that arise in pRB-deficient embryos. Here we show that E2F3 also has a significant effect on the phenotype of tumor-prone Rb(+/-) mice. The absence of E2F3 results in a significant expansion in the life spans of these animals that correlates with a dramatic alteration in the tumor spectrum. E2F3 loss suppresses the development of the pituitary tumors that normally account for the death of Rb(+/-) mice. However, it also promotes the development of medullary thyroid carcinomas yielding metastases at a high frequency. This increased aggressiveness does not seem to result from any change in p53 levels or activity in these tumors. We show that, instead, E2F3 loss leads to an increase in the rate of tumor initiation. Finally, analysis of Rb(+/-); E2f3(+/-) mice shows that this tumor-suppressive function of E2F3 is dose dependent.
Daptomycin failure in a neutropenic leukemia patient with staphylococcous aureus meningitis

Daptomycin is a cyclic lipopeptide antibiotic with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and other gram-positive pathogens [1]. Daptomycin is approved by the Food and ...
Human-machine interfaces for minimally invasive surgery

Increasing numbers of surgical procedures are performed using minimally invasive techniques, in which trauma to external tissue is minimized. Unfortunately, reduced access reduces dexterity, limits perception, increases strain and the likelihood of error, and lengthens procedure time. Surgical technology must improve the interface between task requirements and human abilities. This paper describes three projects to evaluate and improve the human interface in laparoscopic surgery, or minimally invasive surgery of the abdomen: (a) measurement of movement trajectories under different visual conditions to determine the effect of viewing geometry, (b) the development of virtual environments for training, and (c) the development of haptic interfaces and control algorithms for teleoperative surgery.
“Changing Childbirth” in the United Kingdom: Lessons for U.S. Health Policy

This article examines the process that led to the "changing childbirth" initiative in the United Kingdom and its possible lessons for U.S. health policy making. Changing childbirth involves substantial changes in maternity care policy, including increased independence for midwives; greater choice for mothers of birthplace and attendant; and a narrower, more specialized role for obstetricians. Potential lessons for U.S. health policy include the following points: Even narrow, targeted reform is generally slow to develop, and bureaucracies continue to show ingenuity in delaying their response to initiatives; systematic research and control over problem definition powerfully shapes the policy debate (in the United Kingdom the debate focused on normal birth, rather than on the traditional inquiry into perinatal death); a few well-placed individuals (e.g., female legislators) can bring maternity care issues to the policy agenda; and politically skilled consumer groups (which in the case of maternity care essentially do not exist in the United States) can influence the process.
A theorem for qualitative deductions in organic or inorganic chemistry regarding the relative stabilities, distortions and reactions of molecules

Abstract Regardless of symmetry, the qualitative behavior of molecules, individually or in classes, may be predicted vis-a-vis their relative stabilities, defor
An Examination of Organizational Ethics

Explanations of organizational behavior that encompass conventional views of business ethics are overly simplistic and limited in their ability to provide constructive guidance for managers to understand and to manage moral problems in organizations. A construct of the organization as a political community wherein moral action and behavioral outcomes may be assessed using the organization’s constitution is presented. The guiding question is ‘why do management effectiveness programs rarely work?’.
Progress in the Development of Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Parainfluenza Virus Vaccines

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and human parainfluenza viruses (hPIVs) are leading causes of viral lower respiratory tract illness in children and in high-risk adult populations. Despite decades of research, licensed vaccines for RSV and hPIVs do not exist. Recently, however, genetically engineered live attenuated RSV and hPIV candidate vaccines have been generated, several of which are already being evaluated in clinical trials. Recombinant technology allows candidate vaccines to be "fine-tuned" in response to clinical data, which should hasten the development of vaccines against these important respiratory pathogens.
Simple algorithms for nonlinear calibration by the classical and standard additions methods

In univariate calibration by both the classical method and the standard additions method, calibration data are fitted to a response function y = f(x), from which the amount of an unknown x0 is estimated by solving an equation of form y0 = f(x0). Most such calibrations are limited to linear response functions f, for which the uncertainty in x0 can be estimated from well-known expressions. The present work describes and illustrates one-step algorithms, in which x0 is treated as an adjustable parameter in a nonlinear fit of the calibration data, with its standard error thus obtained numerically as a direct outcome of the fit. The computations are easily implemented with a number of data analysis programs and are illustrated here for a representative one, KaleidaGraph™. The methods handle heteroscedastic data as easily as homoscedastic and nonlinear functions as easily as linear, permitting the analyst to experiment with different response functions in the quest for an optimum calibration. The estimates of σx0 are obtained from the variance–covariance matrix V for the fit, so for weighted fitting with commercial programs, it is important to know which V—a priori or a posteriori—is being used.
Extension of inverse design techniques for multicomponent airfoils

On utilise l'approche fonction de courant de Kennedy et Marsden. On calcule la position reelle du bord de fuite puis on utilise une interpolation lineaire pour determiner les points a la surface. On evite ainsi la generation de profils en dents de scie
AN EVALUATION OF THE TREATMENT OF PHENYLKETONURIA WITH DIETS LOW IN PHENYLALANINE

Essentially all cases of phenylketonuria treated with a low phenylalanine diet and published up to December, 1959, were reviewed and evaluated. All untreated individuals with phenylketonuria with an I.Q. above 60 that have been recorded were tabulated. The number of these (20) verifies as reasonable the incidence of 2.5% of 466 untreated cases of phenylketonuria that have an I.Q. above 60. This figure was used as one basis of evaluation of the treatment. Forty-four patients with phenylketonuria, over 3 years of age, have been treated without impressive change in mental or neurologic status. These were not considered further. Forty-three patients with phenylketonuria, treated before 3 years of age, were tabulated and evaluated in detail. The mean age at start of treatment was 16.2 months, and the mean duration of treatment was 16.8 months. The treated group had 18 times as many with an I.Q. above 60 and twice as many with a normal electroencephalogram as the untreated group. These differences were highly significant. The treated group also had fewer seizures. Those treated before 16 months of age, compared with those treated between 16 months and 3 years of age, had four times as many with an I.Q. above 60 and fewer (none) with seizures. These differences were highly significant. The early treated group also has more with normal electroencephalograms. For the whole group the final I.Q. was negatively correlated with age at the start of treatment in a highly significant manner (r = -0.67, P The low phenylalanine diet started in the early months of life is therefore effective as a preventative of mental deficiency and neurologic abnormalities. The diet is less effective in reversing changes which have already developed.
Probabilistic modelling of replica divergence

It is common in distributed systems to replicate data. In many cases this data evolves in a consistent fashion, and this evolution can be modelled. A probabilistic model of the evolution allows us to estimate the divergence of the replicas and can be used by the application to alter its behaviour, for example to control synchronisation times, to determine the propagation of writes, and to convey to the user information about how much the data may have evolved. In this paper, we describe how the evolution of the data may be modelled and outline how the probabilistic model may be utilised in various applications, concentrating on a news database example.
Confronting the Gender Myth: An Exploration of Variance in Male Versus Female Experience With Sibling Abuse

Research on family violence has overwhelmingly focused on a patriarchal model, which inaccurately depicts men as exclusively perpetrators and women as exclusively victims of abusive family acts. In addition, empirical research on sibling abuse in families has been significantly absent from the professional literature. This exploratory study used a survey instrument based on an altered version of the Conflict Tactics Scale (CTS) to investigate the question of whether significant gender differences exist in the experience of sibling abuse as a child, either as perpetrator or victim. MANOVAs (multivariate analyses of variance) indicate that there are no gender differences related to surviving sibling abuse or perpetrating emotional and physical abuse, whereas it was found that women had a significantly higher rate of perpetration related to sibling sexual abuse. Specific results related to the gender variance of perpetrators are explored. Limitations as well as implications of these findings on treatment, counselor education, and future research are discussed.
Does Seniority Matter? The Conditional Influence of State Methods of Judicial Retention*

Objective. Capitalizing on attention directed to judicial agreement and the associated consequences of judicial elections, this article conducts an examination of the effects of seniority and state methods of judicial retention on decisions by state supreme court justices to dissent. Methods. Using data drawn from the State Supreme Court Data Archive, this research analyzes decisions by individual justices to dissent in 33,582 tort cases from 1995 to 1998. GEE logistic analysis with cases as the clustering unit is the estimation procedure. Results. While the seniority of justices is positively connected to dissent, the findings illustrate that seniority's effect is nuanced and conditioned by a state's method of judicial retention. The impact of a justice's seniority relative to his or her colleagues is most powerful in appointive courts where justices serve without fear of electoral retaliation. Alternatively, within elective courts, justices respond to elections by pursuing a consensual approach regardless of their seniority. Conclusion. The dissent characteristics of justices in state supreme courts are intricately tied to the length of careers and the methods by which states keep justices in office.
Large displacement transient analysis of flexible structures

A new approach for numerical analysis of flexible space frames subjected to impact forces is presented. The method is particularly effective in the analysis of large-amplitude vibration and dynamic stability found in extremely flexible structures. The proposed method of analysis is based on a concept of updated material frame, which allows the algorithm of handling large rotations exceeding 360° and extensions longer than 100 per cent without numerical difficulty and the need for iterations. Thus, an efficient explicit integration finite element algorithm can be adopted. The method is convenient for non-linear and inelastic material models. The basic coding procedure is similar to the popular co-rotational approach. Existing codes can be easily modified to solve transient dynamic problems. The modification steps necessary for the implementation are outlined in the paper. Several numerical examples are presented. Comparison with the standard co-rotational approach and large deformation finite element formulations, such as the updated Lagrangian approach, are presented.
Abstract #LB-297: BRCA2 interaction with DSS1 is critical for homologous recombination

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO The BRCA2 tumor suppressor plays an important role in the repair of DNA damage by homologous recombination (HR). Human BRCA2 is 3,418 amino acids and is composed of several domains. The central part of the protein contains multiple copies of a motif that binds the Rad51 recombinase (the BRC repeat), and the C terminus contains domain which binds DNA and small protein DSS1. DSS1 has been implicated in HR in various organisms but the precise function of DSS1 through the interaction with BRCA2 is still unclear in mammalian cells. To gain insight into the role of the DSS1-BRCA2 interaction in the repair of DNA damage, we put mutations into BRCA2 peptides which restore HR in Brca2 mutant hamster cells. BRCA2 with mutations which reduced DSS1 binding impaired the ability of these peptides to promote HR when compared to wild type peptides. Excessive DSS1 expression partially restored HR activity of BRCA2 mutants which weakly bind DSS1. We currently performing experiments to determine the role of DSS1 in BRCA2-mediated HR. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr LB-297.