cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An attempt to use progesterone treated XO mares as embryo recipients

Summary XO mares were evaluated as potential embryo transfer recipients. In the first part of the study, they were treated with oestrogen and progesterone for 10 and 14 consecutive days. During this course of steriod treatment, their endometria changed in histological appearance from anoestrous to dioestrous and their peripheral plasma progesterone levels rose from below 0.3 ng/ml to above 2 ng/ml. Plasma LH concentrations also rose during the period of oestrogen administration but declined again to baseline when progesterone treatment began. Urinary oestrogen concentrations rose and fell in conjunction with oestrogen treatment. In the second part of the study 16 Day 7 embryos were transferred non-surgically to seven XO mares given daily injections of progesterone and 12 embryos were transferred to eight ovariectomised mares treated similarly with progesterone. Pregnancies were established in five of the ovariectomised mares but not in any of the XO mares. The possible reasons for the failure to establish pregnancy in the XO mares are discussed.
The Navy's Numerical Hurricane and Typhoon Forecast Scheme: Application to 1967 Atlantic Storm Data

The article of record as published may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0450(1969)008 2.0.CO;2
Analysis of complex bursting in cortical pyramidal neuron models

Abstract Burst firing is a prominent feature of cortical pyramidal cells and is thought to have significant functional roles in reliable signaling and synaptic plasticity. Modeling studies have successfully elucidated possible biophysical mechanisms underlying complex bursting in pyramidal cells. Based on these results (Pinsky, Rinzel, J. Comput. Neurosci. 1 (1994) 39–60), we have built a simplified two-compartment burst model. Using the fast- and slow-variable analysis method, we show that complex bursting is an instance of square-wave bursting, where the dendritic slow potassium conductance is the single slow variable. The coupling parameters between the two compartments change the topological class of bursting thereby altering the firing patterns of the neuron. These results explain the diverse set of firing patterns seen with different dendritic morphologies (Mainen, Sejnowski, Nature 382 (1996) 363–366).
Push and pull rules for dispatching automated guided vehicles in a flexible manufacturing system

Abstract Automated guided vehicle (AGV) systems are widely used in flexible manufacturing systems (FMSs) for material handling purposes. Although the AGV systems have provided high flexibility, the design issues on AGV dispatching rules are still to be resolved. The AGV-dispatching rules in an FMS are generally based either on a push or a pull concept. A Petri-net-based simulation was used to investigate the effect of different dispatching rules on the FMS performance. The developed simulation model consists of two modules: a Petri net model and an AGV dispatcher. The two modules are integrated so that the AGV dispatcher controls AGV tokens in the Petri net model. It was shown that there was no significant difference in output rate between push- and pull-based AGV-dispatching rules for a busy FMS.
Investigation and application of the frustrated-total-internal-reflection phenomenon in optical fibers

A detailed investigation of the frustrated-total-internal-reflection (FTIR) phenomenon in silica-glass-based optical fibers and its application to simple intensity-modulated strain and pressure sensors is presented. Such sensors may be readily fabricated with silica-based fibers and can be easily modified with sapphire fibers for high-temperature industrial applications where conventional silica-based fiber sensors are not feasible. We present the all-fiber FTIR sensor and show good correlation between theory and experiment. We also present results for the design and implementation of a prototype FTIR-based fiber pressure sensor.
Exacerbation of sickle cell disease by obstructive sleep apnea.

• It is difficult to recognize and treat the factors that exacerbate the vascular crises of sickle cell disease. We describe a 12-year-old black girl with sickle cell anemia who, since the age of 9 years, has been repeatedly hospitalized for pain associated with vaso-occlusive disease. A diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea was suggested by the history and physical examination and was confirmed by polysomnography. Following preoperative transfusion, the patient underwent elective tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy. She has been free of vaso-occlusive pain and crises for over two years and has not been hospitalized since her surgery. Postoperative polysomnography has shown no evidence of obstructive sleep apnea. It is our hypothesis that repeated oxygen desaturation during periods of obstructive sleep apnea was the cause of this patient's frequent vaso-occlusive crises. She not only obtained complete relief of her symptoms, but objective sleep study measurements were normal following surgery. Obstructive sleep apnea is a recent diagnosis, and its pathologic effects are only beginning to be known. Physicians taking care of patients with hemoglobinopathies need to be aware of possible contributing factors to their patients' disease, and an aggressive approach to their diagnosis and possible relief should be sought. ( Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1988;114:916-917)
Modeling of TES X-ray microcalorimeters with a novel absorber design

We have successfully modeled our new TES (transition-edge sensor) X-ray microcalorimeters with a novel X-ray absorber design that is suitable for close-packed array with high quantum efficiency. We have determined device parameters that reproduce complex impedance curves and noise spectra throughout the transition. Observed pulse height, decay time and baseline energy resolution were in good agreement with simulated results using the same parameters.
Occipitocervical fracture-subluxation

Except for frank occipitoatlantal dislocation, injuries of the occipitovertebral junction usually are invisible on the lateral cervical spine radiograph and are heralded by changes in the cervicocranial prevertebral soft tissues. The latter require computed tomography for further evaluation. With a minimal degree of subluxation of the occipital condyles relative to C1, the appearance on the lateral radiograph may be deceptively normal. The occipital condyles are poorly seen on the lateral plain films of the cervical spine owing to overlying structures, and occipital condylar fractures may not be visible.
Photoperiod and gender affect adipose tissue growth and cellularity in juvenile Syrian hamsters.

Abstract Adult Syrian hamsters are reproductively active and at their annual body and lipid mass nadirs in long ‘summer-like’ days (LDs), whereas they are reproductively quiescent and at their annual body and lipid mass peaks in short ‘winter-like’ days (SDs). Because hamsters are born in the SDs of fall in the wild, the development of the reproductive system of juvenile Syrian hamsters exposed to SDs has been studied in the laboratory, but not the development of body and lipid mass. Therefore, we tested the effect of SDs on white adipose tissue (WAT) growth and cellularity (fat cell number, FCN; fat cell volume, FCV) in 3–15-week-old male and female Syrian hamsters. SDs increased body fat in both genders.This effect was partially independent of the decline in gonadal steroids because gonadal regression was only beginning in males (Week 11) and females (Week 15) when carcass lipid content was significantly increased in males, and nearly so in females. This SD-induced increased adiposity was reflected in few regional differences in WAT growth, and then only in males (increased mesenteric and inguinal WAT masses). SDs increased FCV for all non-gonadal WAT and increased FCN only in retroperitoneal WAT. SDs blunted the LD-induced increased FCV and FCN of parametrial and epididymal WAT, respectively. For nearly all conditions and pads, FCV peaked first, followed by increased FCN, the latter accounting for nearly all WAT growth. These data appear to support the view that adipocyte proliferation is stimulated once a ‘critical’ FCV is reached.
Acoustic Eavesdropping Attacks on Constrained Wireless Device Pairing

Secure “pairing” of wireless devices based on auxiliary or out-of-band (OOB)-audio, visual, or tactile-communication is a well-established research direction. Specifically, authenticated as well as secret OOB (AS-OOB) channels have been shown to be quite useful for this purpose. Pairing can be achieved by simply transmitting the key or short password over the AS-OOB channel, avoiding potential serious human errors. This paper analyzes the security of AS-OOB pairing. Specifically, we take a closer look at three notable prior AS-OOB pairing proposals and challenge the assumptions upon which the security of these proposals relies, i.e., the secrecy of underlying audio channels. The first proposal (IMD Pairing) uses a low frequency audio channel to pair an implanted RFID tag with an external reader. The second proposal (PIN-Vibra) uses an automated vibrational channel to pair a mobile phone with a personal RFID tag. The third proposal (BEDA) uses vibration (or blinking) on one device and manually synchronized button pressing on another device or simultaneous button pressing on two devices. We demonstrate the feasibility of eavesdropping over acoustic emanations associated with these methods and conclude that they provide a weaker level of security than was originally assumed or desired for the pairing operation.
SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF CUTANEOUS PHOTOSENSITIZING AGENTS—II. SPIN TRAPPING OF PHOTOLYSIS PRODUCTS FROM SULFANILAMIDE AND 4‐AMINOBENZOIC ACID USING 5,5‐DIMETHYL‐1‐PYRROLINE‐1‐OXIDE

— The photodecomposition of sulfanilamide, 4-aminobenzoic acid and related analogs in aqueous solution has been studied with the aid of spin traps 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) and CH3NO2 as well as by direct electron spin resonance techniques. The NH2 radical was trapped by DMPO during the photolysis of aqueous solutions of sulfanilamide with a Xe arc lamp. Studies with [15N1]-sulfanilamide indicated that the NH2 radical was generated by homolytic fission of the sulfur-nitrogen bond. Under the same conditions DMPO trapped the H and SO−3 radicals during photolysis of sulfanic acid. Direct photolysis of sulfanilamide, sulfanilic acid and Na2SO3 in the absence of any spin trap yielded the SO−3 radical. Photolysis of 4-aminobenzoic acid at pH 7 gave the H radical which was trapped by DMPO. At low pH values OH and C6H4COOH radicals were generated during the photolysis of 4-aminobenzoic acid. No e−aq were trapped by CH3NO2 when acid (pH 4) and neutral aqueous solutions of sulfanilamide or 4-aminobenzoic acid were photoirradiated. The mechanism of formation of known photoproducts from the free radicals generated by sulfanilamide and 4-aminobenzoic acid during irradiation are discussed. The free radicals generated by these agents may play an important role in their phototoxic and photoallergic effects.
Intergranular stress corrosion cracking initiation and growth in mill-annealed alloy 600 tubing in high-temperature caustic

Abstract Stress corrosion cracking (SCC) crack initiation and crack growth rates (CGR) were measured in mill-annealed alloy 600 (UNS N06600) tubing as a function of the stress intensity factor (K) ...
Dosimetry aspects of proton therapy.

High-energy photons and high-energy protons are very different in the ways they interact with matter. These differences lead to distinct advantages of protons over photons for treatment of cancer. Some aspects of proton interactions with tissue that make this modality superior for treating cancer are: (i) Initially, the protons lose energy very slowly as they enter the body; this results in a low entrance dose and low doses to the normal tissues proximal to the tumor. (ii) Near the end of range, protons lose energy very rapidly and deposit all their energy over a very small volume before they come to rest. This is the Bragg peak, a property that results in delivery of the maximum dose to the tumor. (iii) Beyond the Bragg peak, the energy deposited by the protons is zero; no dose is received by normal tissues distal to the tumor. Therefore, protons deliver their maximum dose to the tumor, a low dose to normal structures proximal to the tumor, and no dose to the normal structures beyond the tumor, ideal pro...
A Method for Accelerating the Iterative Solution of a Class of Fredholm Integral Equations

The present paper extends the synthetic method of transport theory to a large class of integral equations. Convergence and divergence properties of the algorithm are studied analytically, and numerical examples are presented which demonstrate the expected theoretical behavior. It is shown that, in some instances, the computational advantage over the familiar Neumann approach is substantial.
Forced to Leave: Forced Termination Experiences of Assemblies of God Clergy and Its Connection to Stress and Well-Being Outcomes

Although forced termination has been a subject of interest to clergy for some time, social scientists have generally studied job loss as if it was the same phenomenon regardless of occupation. Ministry work by itself has always been difficult and stressful, and termination from this occupation has been reported to be the result of a demeaning and systematic process of involuntary removal of paid and non-paid clergy-persons that includes psychological, socio-emotional, and spiritual abuse. This pilot project sampled 227 active ministers from the Assemblies of God denomination via an online survey and asked about their experiences with forced termination, as well as measures of their personal and family well-being. In general, ministers who had been forced from a ministry position had less family well-being and more health problems than those who had not been forced out.
Antimineralocorticoid action of progesterone in the rat: correlation of the effect on electrolyte excretion and interaction with renal mineralocorticoid receptors.

The ability of progesterone to increase sodium excretion only in the presence of active mineralocorticoids has led to the suggestion that progesterone antagonizes mineralocorticoid action at the renal tubular level. We have examined the effects of progesterone and aldosterone on sodium and potassium excretion in adrenalectomized rats and have compared these results with the ability of progesterone to inhibit the binding of aldosterone to cytoplasmic and nuclear mineralocorticoid receptors. The administration of aldosterone to saline-loaded, adrenalectomized male rats resulted in a dose-dependent fall in the urinary sodium to potassium ratio with a near maximum effect produced by 1 μg aldosterone. Progesterone alone in doses of 10, 100, and 1000 μg had no significant effect on the sodium to potassium ratio, but when administered simultaneously with 1 μg aldosterone, the same concentrations of progesterone inhibited the effect of aldosterone in a dose-dependent manner; 1 mg progesterone completely blocked t...
Boys in poverty: A framework for understanding dropout

Boys in poverty: A framework for understanding dropout, by Ruby K. Payne and Paul D. Slocumb, Bloomington, Indiana, Solution Tree Press, 2011, 136 pp., US$24.95 (paperback), ISBN-978-1-935542-22-3 ...
Determination and comparison of nitrated-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons measured in air and diesel particulate reference materials.

Abstract The National Institute of Standards and Technology has issued numerous environmental matrix standard reference materials (SRMs) for the measurement of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; however, only one SRM (diesel particulate material) was issued with certified and reference values for four nitrated-polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (nitro-PAH). The objective of this study was to develop an improved analytical procedure to quantify 28 mononitro- and dinitro-PAHs, including numerous isomers, in air and diesel particulate SRMs. Two air particulate matrix SRMs, SRM 1649a Urban Dust and SRM 1648 Urban Particulate Matter, and fine particulate matter, collected from Baltimore MD for use as an “interim reference material” for the determination of organic contaminants, have been characterized for nitro-PAHs. Concentrations of nitro-PAHs in all three air particulate materials were at the ng/g level with the highest nitro-PAH concentration being 2-nitrofluoranthene (range between 246 and 340 ng/g). For the three diesel particulate-related SRMs, SRM 1650a Diesel Particulate Matter, SRM 1975 Diesel Particulate Extract, and SRM 2975 Diesel Particulate Matter (Industrial Fortlift), concentrations of nitro-PAHs were in the μg/g range, with 1-nitropyrene as the dominant nitro-PAH (range between 18 and 40 μg/g). Distinct nitro-PAH isomer patterns were present between the air and diesel particulate materials. These results will provide isomer identification and reference concentrations for a large number of nitro-PAHs in the existing diesel and air particulate SRMs.
“Clean your Room!”: A Longitudinal Investigation of Adolescent-Parent Conflict and Conflict Resolution in Middle-Class African American Families

Middle-class African American adolescents' and parents' (n = 82 families) everyday conflicts were examined longitudinally over 2 years. The number and frequency of conflicts did not change from early to middle adolescence, but mothers rated conflicts as less intense and adolescents rated conflicts as more intense over time. Conflicts over home-work increased and conflicts over the adolescents' rooms declined from early to middle adolescence. African American adolescents primarily justified conflicts on the basis of personal jurisdiction, and personal reasoning increased significantly with age. Mothers' pragmatic justifications for conflicts increased and their social-conventional justifications decreased over time. Across ages, nearly all conflicts were resolved by adolescents' giving in to parents. Compromise was relatively infrequent but increased with age, whereas reported use of punishment decreased. Although conflict may reflect normative developmental processes of individuation, the cultural and eco...
THE PURSUIT OF HEALTHCARE

In the United States, all people are constitutionally awarded the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In the past few years, our political leaders have assailed these rights in the name of a “War Against Terrorism,” and they have done little to establish the public’s assumed right to have even basic healthcare. This right should be undeniable, even if it is not promulgated in the Constitution of the United States of America or in the United Nations Charter. Most countries and the United Nations are redolent with healthcare agencies, but self-centered political agendas, poor funding, and pitiless protectionism too often thwart their good intentions and plans.
Exact calculation methods for systems of interlinked columns. Part I: Separation of binary heterogeneous azeotropes

A mathematical model and iterative correction algorithm are described for the exact solution of separation systems which contain interlinked columns in which some stages have two liquid phases and others have a vapor and liquid phase. The correction algorithm is based on Newton's method and provides for simultaneous correction of all iteration variables. The derivatives are calculated analytically from the model equations. The separation of a binary mixture which forms a heterogeneous azeotrope is analyzed. Modifications to the correction algorithm which provide for fixed condenser temperature and fixed product flows are described. The separation of butanol and water is used to illustrate the method.
Probing Dynein and Kinesin Stepping with Mechanical Manipulation in a Living Cell

We report a label-free assay for simultaneous optical manipulation and tracking of endogenous lipid droplets as actively transported cargoes in a living mammalian cell with sub-millisecond time resolution. Using an EM-CCD camera as a highly sensitive quadrant detector, we can detect steps of dynein- and kinesin-driven cargoes under known force loads. We can distinguish single and multiple motor-driven cargoes and show that the stall forces for inward and outward transported cargoes are similar. By combining the stall force observable with the ability to detect individual steps, we can characterize kinesin- and dynein-driven active transport in different force regimes.
Estimating Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Well‐Functioning Older Adults: Treadmill Validation of the Long Distance Corridor Walk

OBJECTIVES: To determine criterion validity of the 400-m walk component of the Long Distance Corridor Walk (LDCW) and develop equations for estimating peak oxygen consumption (VO 2 ) from 400-m time and factors intrinsic to test performance (e.g., heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP) response) in older adults. DESIGN: Cross-sectional validation study. SETTING: Gerontology Research Center, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, Maryland. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy volunteers (56 men and 46 women) aged 60 to 91 participating in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging between August 1999 and July 2000. MEASUREMENTS: The LDCW, consisting of a 2-minute walk followed immediately by a 400-m walk "done as quickly as possible" over a 20-m course was administered the day after maximal treadmill testing. HR and SBP were measured before testing and at the end of the 400-m walk. Weight, height, activity level, perceived effort, and stride length were also acquired. RESULTS: Peak VO 2 ranged from 12.2 to 31.1 mL oxygen/kg per minute, and 400-m time ranged from 2 minutes 52 seconds to 6 minutes 18 seconds. Correlation between 400-m time and peak VO 2 was - 0.79. The estimating equation from linear regression included 400-m time (partial coefficient of determination (R 2 ) = 0.625), long versus short stride (partial R 2 = 0.090), ending SBP (partial R 2 = 0.019), and a correction factor for fast 400-m time (<240 seconds; partial R 2 = 0.020) and explained 75.5% of the variance in peak VO 2 (correlation coefficient = 0.87). CONCLUSION: A 400-m walk performed as part of the LDCW provides a valid estimate of peak VO 2 in older adults. Incorporating low-cost, safe assessments of fitness in clinical and research settings can identify early evidence of physical decline and individuals who may benefit from therapeutic interventions.
Immersed and virtually embedded π1-injective surfaces in graph manifolds

We show that many 3-manifold groups have no nonabelian sur- face subgroups. For example, any link of an isolated complex surface sin- gularity has this property. In fact, we determine the exact class of closed graph-manifolds which have no immersed 1 -injective surface of negative Euler characteristic. We also determine the class of closed graph manifolds which have no nite cover containing an embedded such surface. This is a larger class. Thus, manifolds M 3 exist which have immersed 1 -injective surfaces of negative Euler characteristic, but no such surface is virtually embedded (nitely covered by an embedded surface in some nite cover of M 3 ). AMS Classication 57M10; 57N10, 57R40, 57R42
Using stereotypes in the automatic generation of natural language summaries for C++ methods

An approach to automatically generate natural language documentation summaries for C++ methods is presented. The approach uses prior work by the authors on stereotyping methods along with the source code analysis framework srcML. First, each method is automatically assigned a stereotype(s) based on static analysis and a set of heuristics. Then, the approach uses the stereotype information, static analysis, and predefined templates to generate a natural-language summary for each method. This summary is automatically added to the code base as a comment for each method. The predefined templates are designed to produce a generic summary for specific method stereotypes. Static analysis is used to extract internal details about the method (e.g., parameters, local variables, calls, etc.). This information is used to specialize the generated summaries.
Application of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry in clinical diagnostic microbiology

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) has recently emerged as a powerful technique for identification of microorganisms, changing the workflow of well-established laboratories so that its impact on microbiological diagnostics has been unparalleled. In comparison with conventional identification methods that rely on biochemical tests and require long incubation procedures, MALDI-TOF MS has the advantage of identifying bacteria and fungi directly from colonies grown on culture plates in a few minutes and with simple procedures. Numerous studies on different systems available demonstrate the reliability and accuracy of the method, and new frontiers have been explored besides microbial species level identification, such as direct identification of pathogens from positive blood cultures, subtyping, and drug susceptibility detection.
Intensity of Emotions Conveyed and Elicited by Familiar and Unfamiliar Music

WE REPLICATED PREVIOUS FINDINGS AND DEMONSTRATED that familiarity with musical stimuli increased 9liking9 or 9preference9 for the stimuli. We also demonstrated that familiarity increased the intensity of emotional responses to music, but only when the stimuli were made highly familiar through en masse repetitions (Experiment 3) rather than through interspersed repetitions (Experiment 1). In addition, intensity ratings were higher when participants were asked to judge the emotion conveyed by the music than when they were asked to judge the emotion elicited by the same music (Experiments 2 and 3). Finally, positive emotions (i.e., happy and calm) were rated higher compared with negative emotions (i.e., sad and angry) for both types of ratings (i.e., conveyed or elicited). The findings suggest that familiarity plays a role in modulating a listener9s emotional response to music.
Wissenschafts- und Technikforschung

Der Methode moderner westlicher (Natur)Wissenschaft wurde unterstellt, dass sie wertneutrale, objektive, unvoreingenommen Fakten uber die naturliche Ordnung hervorbringe. Feministische Analysen konnten jedoch zeigen, wie diese Methoden und Fakten von vergeschlechtlichten Werten und Interessen durchdrungen sind. Naturlich gilt dies fur die unterschiedlichen Wissenschaften (ich beziehe mich hier im Wesentlichen auf die Naturwissenschaften) in unterschiedlichem Mase und auf unterschiedliche Weise. Dennoch scheint es, dass die ublichen Verfahren der Konzeptualisierung und Anwendung wissenschaftlicher Methode die Forschung unfahig machen, kulturelle Neutralitat zustande zu bringen, und zwar grundsatzlich und nicht nur in der Praxis. Auserdem konnten Gender-Analysen aufzeigen, dass kulturelle Neutralitat zumindest in einigen Forschungskontexten gar nicht wunschenswert ist. Kultur ist nicht nur ein Hindernis fur die Produktion von Wissen, sie bringt auch Wissen hervor. Wer wissenschaftlich arbeitet, ubt Einfluss aus auf das, was wir von der Welt wissen werden.
Risk of Dementia Among White and African American Relatives of Patients With Alzheimer Disease

ContextEvidence exists that the incidence of Alzheimer disease (AD), as well as risk attributable to specific genetic factors such as apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype, may vary considerably among ethnic groups. Family studies of probands with AD offer an opportunity to evaluate lifetime risk of dementia among relatives of these probands.ObjectiveTo compare lifetime dementia risk estimates among relatives of white and African American probands with probable or definite AD.Design and SettingRisk analysis using data collected by questionnaire and supplemental records between May 1991 and March 2001 at 17 medical centers contributing to the Multi-Institutional Research in Alzheimer's Genetic Epidemiology Study.ParticipantsA total of 17 639 first-degree biological relatives and 2474 spouses of 2339 white AD probands, and 2281 first-degree biological relatives and 257 spouses of 255 African American AD probands.Main Outcome MeasuresCumulative risk of dementia by age 85 years, stratified by ethnicity and sex of relatives and by APOE genotype of probands.ResultsCumulative risk of dementia in first-degree biological relatives of African American AD probands by age 85 years was 43.7% (SE, 3.1%), and the corresponding risk in first-degree biological relatives of white AD probands was 26.9% (SE, 0.8%), yielding a relative risk (RR) of 1.6 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.4-1.9; P<.001). The risk in spouses of African American AD probands of 18.5% (SE, 8.4%) was also higher than the risk in white spouses of 10.4% (SE, 1.7%) but did not reach statistical significance (RR, 1.8; 95% CI, 0.5-6.0; P = .34), likely due to the smaller sample size of African Americans. The proportional increase in risk of dementia among white first-degree biological relatives compared with white spouses of 2.6 (95% CI, 2.1-3.2) was similar to that of 2.4 (95% CI, 1.3-4.4) in African American first-degree biological relatives compared with African American spouses. Female first-degree biological relatives of probands had a higher risk of developing dementia than did their male counterparts, among whites (31.2% vs 20.4%; RR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.7; P<.001) as well as among African Americans, although this was not significant among African Americans (46.7% vs 40.1%; RR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.9-1.7, P = .30). The patterns of risk among first-degree biological relatives stratified by APOE genotype of the probands were similar in white families and African American families.ConclusionFirst-degree relatives of African Americans with AD have a higher cumulative risk of dementia than do those of whites with AD. However, in this study, the additional risk of dementia conferred by being a first-degree relative, by being female, or by the probability of having an APOE ∊4 allele appeared similar in African American and white families. These data provide estimates of dementia risk that can be used to offer counseling to family members of patients with AD.
In vivo characterization of brain iron with magnetic field correlation imaging

Center for Biomedical Imaging, Department of Radiology & Radiological Science, Medical University of South Carolina, 96 Jonathan Lucas St, MSC 323 Charleston, SC 29425, USA *Author for correspondence: Tel.: +1 843 876 2467; Fax: +1 843 876 2469; jense@musc.edu
Murine B1 B cells require IL-5 for optimal T cell-dependent activation.

T helper cell-driven activation of murine B cells has been shown to depend upon CD40-CD40 ligand (CD40L) interactions and a defined set of cytokines. These observations are primarily based on the use of conventional B cells obtained from the spleen. Therefore, it is presently unclear whether all mature B cell subsets found in the mouse have an equal dependence upon CD40-CD40L interactions and use the same T cell-derived cytokines. The present study tested the response of splenic follicular and marginal zone as well as peritoneal B2 and B1 B cells to Th cell stimulation. Splenic and peritoneal B cell subsets were sort purified based on CD23 expression, and cultured with rCD40L and cytokines or Th2 cells. The results demonstrate that follicular, marginal zone, and peritoneal B2 B cells require CD40-CD40L interactions and preferentially use IL-4 for optimal proliferation, differentiation, and isotype switching. In contrast, peritoneal B1 B cells use IL-5 in conjunction with CD40-CD40L interactions for maximal Th cell-dependent responses. Furthermore, B1 B cells are capable of proliferating, differentiating, and isotype switching in the absence of CD40-CD40L interactions. B1 B cells are able to respond to Th2 clones in the presence of anti-CD40L mAb as well as to Th2 clones derived from CD40L−/− mice. The CD40-CD40L-independent response of B1 B cells is attributable to the presence of both IL-4 and IL-5, and may explain the residual Ab response to T cell-dependent Ags in CD40L- or CD40-deficient mice, and in X-linked hyper-IgM (X-HIM) patients.
Modern plastic packings for more efficient separation processes

Des etudes de transfert de masse et d'hydraulique sont realisees a l'universite de la Ruhr (RFA) afin d'estimer les avantages et les caracteristiques de quelques garnissages en matiere plastique utilises lors d'absorption, de stripping ou de distillation sous basse temperature. Cet article presente les resultats experimentaux de ces etudes ainsi que le developpement de modeles decrivant la performance de ces garnissages
On factorization invariants and Hilbert functions

Abstract Nonunique factorization in cancellative commutative semigroups is often studied using combinatorial factorization invariants, which assign to each semigroup element a quantity determined by the factorization structure. For numerical semigroups (additive subsemigroups of the natural numbers), several factorization invariants are known to admit predictable behavior for sufficiently large semigroup elements. In particular, the catenary degree and delta set invariants are both eventually periodic, and the omega-primality invariant is eventually quasilinear. In this paper, we demonstrate how each of these invariants is determined by Hilbert functions of graded modules. In doing so, we extend each of the aforementioned eventual behavior results to finitely generated semigroups, and provide a new framework through which to study factorization structures in this setting.
Regression of Atherosclerosis in Man: Current Data and Their Methodological Limitations

The current technology with greatest precision and statistical efficiency for studying the natural course of coronary atherosclerosis is the quantitative analysis of lesion change from serial arteriograms. We have performed serial computer-assisted measurements of virtually all atherosclerotic lesions in 47 patients who were prospectively enrolled and electively recatheterized 18 months after the initial, clinically indicated, arteriogram. There were 629 coronary segments analyzed, representing the entire spectrum of minimal-to-severe atherosclerosis. The frequency distribution of change in the “percent stenosis” parameter was a bell-shaped curve centered at 1.6% (average progression in 18 months), with a standard deviation of ± 8%. Using three standard deviations of the shortterm variability of the method as a criterion for “true” lesion change, we found that 12% of all lesions progressed and 4% regressed (improved by at least 10.2% in percent stenosis). The probability of lesion change is most strongly affected by initial lesion severity and, to a lesser extent, by patient age and by hyperlipidemia. Regression thus occurred about one-third as frequently and was of lesser magnitude than progression.
Green landscapes in China

These paintings are a collection of green landscapes in China selected from my art works (Figures 1-7). The collection demonstrates my focus on lines. Straight or curved lines, which follow silhouettes of the landscapes, are like emotional changes hidden inside a human being—the ups and downs. Inner peace is part of human health. Whenever I am creating an art piece, face to face with nature, I indulge myself in such peaceful circumstances.
Olfactory insights into sleep-dependent learning and memory.

Abstract Sleep is pervasive throughout most of the animal kingdom—even jellyfish and honeybees do it. Although the precise function of sleep remains elusive, research increasingly suggests that sleep plays a key role in memory consolidation. Newly formed memories are highly labile and susceptible to interference, and the sleep period offers an optimal window in which memories can be strengthened or modified. Interestingly, a small but growing research area has begun to explore the ability of odors to modulate memories during sleep. The unique anatomical organization of the olfactory system, including its intimate overlap with limbic systems mediating emotion and memory, and the lack of a requisite thalamic intermediary between the nasal periphery and olfactory cortex, suggests that odors may have privileged access to the brain during sleep. Indeed, it has become clear that the long-held assumption that odors have no impact on the sleeping brain is no longer tenable. Here, we summarize recent studies in both animal and human models showing that odor stimuli experienced in the waking state modulate olfactory cortical responses in sleep-like states, that delivery of odor contextual cues during sleep can enhance declarative memory and extinguish fear memory, and that olfactory associative learning can even be achieved entirely within sleep. Data reviewed here spotlight the emergence of a new research area that should hold far-reaching implications for future neuroscientific investigations of sleep, learning and memory, and olfactory system function.
Correlation of the lung microbiota with metabolic profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid in HIV infection

While 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) sequencing has been used to characterize the lung’s bacterial microbiota in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals, taxonomic studies provide limited information on bacterial function and impact on the host. Metabolic profiles can provide functional information on host-microbe interactions in the lungs. We investigated the relationship between the respiratory microbiota and metabolic profiles in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected outpatients. Targeted sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used to analyze the bacterial community structure and liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry was used to detect features in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Global integration of all metabolic features with microbial species was done using sparse partial least squares regression. Thirty-nine HIV-infected subjects and 20 HIV-uninfected controls without acute respiratory symptoms were enrolled. Twelve mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) features from C18 analysis were significantly different between HIV-infected individuals and controls (false discovery rate (FDR) = 0.2); another 79 features were identified by network analysis. Further metabolite analysis demonstrated that four features were significantly overrepresented in the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid of HIV-infected individuals compared to HIV-uninfected, including cystine, two complex carbohydrates, and 3,5-dibromo-l-tyrosine. There were 231 m/z features significantly associated with peripheral blood CD4 cell counts identified using sparse partial least squares regression (sPLS) at a variable importance on projection (VIP) threshold of 2. Twenty-five percent of these 91 m/z features were associated with various microbial species. Bacteria from families Caulobacteraceae, Staphylococcaceae, Nocardioidaceae, and genus Streptococcus were associated with the greatest number of features. Glycerophospholipid and lineolate pathways correlated with these bacteria. In bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, specific metabolic profiles correlated with bacterial organisms known to play a role in the pathogenesis of pneumonia in HIV-infected individuals. These findings suggest that microbial communities and their interactions with the host may have functional metabolic impact in the lung.
Quantifying Observation Impact for a Limited Area Atmospheric Forecast Model

Adjoint models calculate the first order sensitivity of a scalar output parameter to an input vector. Adjoint numerical weather prediction models have been used for a variety of sensitivity and data assimilation studies to provide a gradient for a measure of error with respect to the model’s analysis variables. Recent work has shown that the adjoint of the data assimilation system can map the gradient information in analysis space onto individual observations to provide a quantitative estimate of an observation’s influence on short-term forecast error. This chapter will review the framework of an adjoint observation impact system and some reported applications. Aspects of the framework particular to limited area atmospheric models will be the main focus of this chapter and results from a specific system will be presented. Issues discussed include: the effect of horizontal grid spacing on observation impact, the influence of lateral boundaries on forecast error, the relative importance of observations for different physical locations, and appropriate error metrics for limited area forecast models.
Characterizing Errors and Evaluating Performance of Transient Simulations Using Multi-Time-Step Integration

AbstractThe multi-time-step method of time integration for problems in structural dynamics allows one to decompose the problem domain into small subdomains and use different time steps within each subdomain to reduce the computational cost of solving such problems. However, the number of possible decompositions and their associated time steps for a given model is huge and grows exponentially with the number of elements. To find an optimal decomposition that minimizes error in the solution while maintaining a bound on the computational cost is challenging. In this work, existing multi-time-step methods are used and, for the first time, a systematic approach for traversing the space of possible decompositions to characterize the nature of how solution errors and computational costs vary for different decompositions is devised. Through numerical examples for three different types of structures, trusses, frames, and continuum solid bodies, it is shown that the characteristics of these error and cost functions...
A new species of Neocorynura from Ecuador (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), with notes on taxonomy of the genus

A new species of the Neotropical bee genus Neocorynura (Halictinae: Augochlorini) is described and figured. Neocorynura miae, new species, combines characters traditionally used to distinguish Neocorynura from its relative Andinaugochlora (sensu Michener, 2000). The taxonomic placement of N. miae in the genus is presented and a revised diagnosis of Neocorynura is provided.
Fear, Reverence and Ambivalence: Divine Snakes in Contemporary South India

In contemporary South Indian Hinduism, nāgas are ambivalently imaged. They are divine beings with the capacity to bless as well as to curse. In addition to their primary association with fertility, these divinised non-human animals are perceived as particularly receptive to women’s concerns (healing and familial prosperity) and are widely worshiped to obtain these blessings. The ritual propitiation of snake deities is overwhelmingly the practice of women in Tamil Nadu today, where nāga deities take multiple manifestations, including that of divine snakes who live in anthills and anthropomorphic goddesses who are installed in temples. Yet nāgas who are disturbed or harmed cause a malefic astrological condition called nāga dōṣam (snake blemish). This astrological flaw, which manifests in inauspicious planetary configurations in an individual’s horoscope, is faulted for late marriage and infertility as well as an array of additional negative effects. Drawing on many years of ethnographic fieldwork and textual study in Tamil Nadu, this article describes and analyses myths and narratives that reveal the dual character of nāgas as divine beings capable of dispensing blessings, as well as blocking marriage and withholding much-desired offspring. The article also analyses the critical dimension of gender in nāgas’ narratives, where human males often beat or kill their household’s reptilian visitor, while females respond with offerings and reverence.
School-based adolescent hepatitis B immunization programs in the United States: strategies and successes.

Background. To increase hepatitis B vaccination coverage of adolescents, a public/private partnership was organized in the greater Baton Rouge area of Louisiana in 1992 to fund and implement school-based vaccination programs. Methods. Initial programs utilized schools with existing school-based clinics and administered 2 to 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine to up to 76% of eligible students. During 1996 to 1997, expansion from 4 schools to 68 schools was facilitated by the use of temporary clinics set up in open school space. This multifaceted program administered 3 doses of hepatitis B vaccine to 3232 students (75%) and 2 doses to 171 students (4%). Administration of the 3-dose regimen of hepatitis B vaccine was aided by the use of a dosing schedule at 0, 2 and 4 months. This accelerated dosing has been shown to provide seroprotection for greater than 95% of healthy adolescents. Results. In the Baton Rouge area, the hepatitis B adolescent vaccination program has immunized approximately 5000 adolescents during a 5-year period with minimal use of financial and personnel resources. Conclusions. The success and growth of this program demonstrate that school-based vaccination programs can be highly efficient and effective.
Right Relation and Right Recognition in Public Health Ethics: Thinking Through the Republic of Health

The further development of public health ethics will be assisted by a more direct engagement with political theory. In this way, the moral vocabulary of the liberal tradition should be supplemented-but not supplanted-by different conceptual and normative resources available from other traditions of political and social thought. This article discusses four lines of further development that the normative conceptual discourse of public health ethics might take. (i) The relational turn. The implications for public health ethics of the new 'ecological' or 'relational' interpretation that is emerging for concepts such as agency, self-identity, autonomy, liberty and justice. (ii) Governing the health commons. The framework of collective action problems is giving way to notions of democratic governance and management of common resources. (iii) The concept of membership. Membership is specified by the notions of equal respect and parity of voice and agency. (iv) The concept of mutuality. Mutuality is specified by the notions of interdependent concern and care.
A Rebeccamycin Analog Provides Plasmid-Encoded Niche Defense

Bacterial symbionts of fungus-growing ants occupy a highly specialized ecological niche and face the constant existential threat of displacement by another strain of ant-adapted bacteria. As part of a systematic study of the small molecules underlying this fraternal competition, we discovered an analog of the antitumor agent rebeccamycin, a member of the increasingly important indolocarbazole family. While several gene clusters consistent with this molecule’s newly reported modification had previously been identified in metagenomic studies, the metabolite itself has been cryptic. The biosynthetic gene cluster for 9-methoxyrebeccamycin is encoded on a plasmid in a manner reminiscent of plasmid-derived peptide antimicrobials that commonly mediate antagonism among closely related Gram-negative bacteria.
Evaluation of Traditional and Technology-Based Grocery Store Nutrition Education

Background: A literature gap exists for grocery interventions with realistic resource expectations; few technology-based publications exist, and none document traditional comparison. Purpose: Compare grocery store traditional aisle demonstrations (AD) and technology-based (TB) nutrition education treatments. Methods: A quasi-experimental 4-month intervention was implemented in rural/Midwest grocery stores (n = 6) with 8 equivalent content/duration lessons. Dietitians engaged shoppers during AD. In-store advertising and Facebook posts recruited TB participants. Data collected included intervention usage and a 1-month postintervention shopper survey. Outcome measures included intervention awareness, touch, engagement, nutrition knowledge, and dietary behaviors. Descriptive survey analysis included Pearson's χ2 and Mann-Whitney U. Significance was set at P < .05. Results: Shopper awareness (n = 133) was 64% for AD and 58% for TB treatments (P = .54). AD (67%) was the majority of intervention touch (n = 1302...