cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factors associated with publication of plenary presentations at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists annual meeting.

Abstract Objective To determine the rate and factors associated with publication of plenary abstract presentations from the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists annual meeting. Methods Plenary presentations were reviewed from 2000 to 2005. A PubMed search was performed to identify subsequent peer-reviewed publication of these presentations. Chi-squared test and logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. Results Of 378 main, focused or express plenary presentations, 173 (45.8%) involved multiple and 205 (54.2%) single institutions. The types of study include: chart review (29.4%), cohort study (28.0%), translational (23.5%), and randomized clinical trial (6.9%). 309 (81.7%) of presentations were subsequently published. The median time from presentation to publication was 14months (range: 1–85). Studies from multiple vs. single institutions were more likely to be published (87.9% vs. 76.6%; p=0.005). In addition, randomized controlled trials were more likely to be published compared with chart review, cohort, and translation research (92.3% vs. 83.8%, 77.4%, and 74.2%; p Conclusions A high percentage of plenary presentations at the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists annual meeting resulted in subsequent publication. Multi-institutional studies and randomized clinical trials were more likely to be published.
Biomechanical evaluation of assistive devices for transferring residents

This is the first of two articles to report a biomechanical evaluation and psychophysical assessment of nine battery-powered lifts, a sliding board, a walking belt, and a baseline manual method for transferring nursing home residents from a bed to a chair. The objectives of the biomechanical evaluation were: (1) to investigate the effects of transfer method and resident weight on the biomechanical stress to nursing assistants performing the transferring task, and (2) to identify resident-transferring methods that could reduce the biomechanical stress to the nursing assistants. Nine nursing assistants served as test subjects; two elderly persons participated as residents. A four-camera motion analysis system, two force platforms, and a three-dimensional biomechanical model were used to measure biomechanical load. The results indicate that transfer method and resident weight affect a nursing assistant's low-back loading. The basket-sling and overhead lift devices significantly reduced the nursing assistants' back-compressive forces during the preparation phase of a resident transfer. In addition, the use of basket-sling, overhead, and stand-up lifts removed about two-thirds of the exposure to low-back stress (lifting activities per transfer) as compared to the baseline manual method. Thus, the use of these devices reduces biomechanical stress, and thereby will decrease the occurrence of resident-handling-related low-back injuries. Furthermore, lifting device maneuvering forces were found to be significantly different and a number of design/use problems were identified with various assistive devices. The second article will detail the psychophysical assessment of the same resident-transferring methods.
Role of collagen in terahertz absorption in skin

Reflective terahertz (THz) imaging may potentially become a valuable tool in determining skin hydration due to its non-ionizing photon energy, high sensitivity to water concentration and ability to penetrate through clothing. The high absorption coefficient of water in the THz range is responsible for contrast between substances with lesser or higher degrees of water saturation. Water content, as well as collagen fiber arrangement, varies between different layers of skin. This study sought to determine whether the high THz absorption in water could be exploited to distinguish between these layers. Porcine skin specimens were sectioned into samples of increasing thickness, with the undersides corresponding to different layers in skin. The undersides of the samples were scanned using a THz imaging system operating at a center frequency of 0.5 THz with 0.125 THz of noise-equivalent bandwidth at a standoff of 4 cm and a spot size of 13 mm. Collagen solutions of varying hydrations were also prepared and raster scanned with the same system. The reflectivity of the deeper layers of skin was found to be higher than that of the upper layers, indicating that the deeper layers are more hydrated. The collagen solutions with higher hydration also had higher THz reflectivity. These results suggested that THz is able to distinguish between different layers of skin based on water content and the nature of its association with components in skin.
The Gradient in Pressure Across the Pulmonary Vascular Bed During Diastole

By means of right and left heart catheterization 70 patients with congenital or acquired heart disease were examined to determine whether or not a gradient in pressure existed between the pulmonary artery and the left ventricle at the end of diastole. In the absence of mitral valvular obstruction in 56 patients there was a statistically significant correlation of pulmonary artery diastolic, left ventricular end-diastolic, and left atrial mean pressures less than 15 mm Hg which was independent of heart rate. Diastolic pressures at identical levels as high as 40 mm Hg were demonstrated in the presence of aortic insufficiency without left ventricular failure, and as high as 47 mm Hg during pulmonary edema in one patient with aortic stenosis and insufficiency. A diastolic gradient in pressure between the pulmonary artery and the left ventricle existed in 14 patients with pulmonary hypertension. These patients all had congenital intracardiac shunts and it may be assumed that they had some obstruction in the pu...
Cardiac effects of 1-α-acetylmethadol. V. Possible involvement of the autonomic nervous system☆

The cardiovascular responses to 1-α-acetylmethadol (LAAM) and its two major metabolites, 1-α-acetylnormethadol (N-LAAM) and 1-α-acetyldinormethadol (DN-LAAM), were examined in anesthetized dogs. LAAM, N-LAAM, and DN-LAAM caused significant decreases (p < 0.05) in mean arterial blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), and myocardial contractile force (CF). N-LAAM appeared to be approximately 10 times more potent than LAAM or DN-LAAM in producing these effects. The cardiovascular responses to LAAM were also studied in vagotomized (VAGOT), chemically sympathectomized (SYMX), and vagotomized + chemically sympathectomized (VAGOT + SYMX) dogs. VAGOT had little effect on the responses to LAAM, SYMX and VAGOT + SYMX caused a decrease in the magnitude of the bradycardia produced by LAAM relative to that observed in intact animals and also increased the threshold dose required to produce significant decreases in BP; however, statistically significant (p < 0.05) decreases in BP, HR, and CF were observed. The data suggest that part of the hypotension and bradycardia produced by LAAM may be the result of sympathetic nervous system depression, but there also appears to be a direct component to the cardiovascular effects of LAAM and congeners.
Focusing of light following a 4- f pulse shaper: Considerations for quantum control

The focusing of coherent light, modified by a spatial light modulator SLM based 4-f pulse shaper, is discussed in the context of scalar diffraction theory. Diffractive effects including space-time coupling in SLMs may alter the size and shape of a subsequent laser focus. A numerical approach is used to investigate the effects of some common phase masks on the properties of the laser focus. The extreme case of an alternating phase mask is considered in some detail, as it clearly illustrates the effects of space-time coupling. The results are compared to a simple analytic model. The potential influence of SLM diffractive effects on multiphoton quantum control studies is discussed and some approaches to minimizing undesirable diffractive effects are suggested.
Assessing the Web-Based Destination Marketing Activities: A Relationship Marketing Perspective

This study aims to assess the Web-based destination marketing activities employed by American Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs). Empirical data was collected via a survey from 260 CVBs in the USA. The research results reveal that organizational size, financial resources and management team's technological expertise are the dominating factors affecting the effective implementation of each of the four functions of Web-based marketing activities (i.e., information, communication, transaction, and assurance) as well as the overall effectiveness of these activities. The findings suggest that CVBs should use Web-based marketing activities under the guidance of relationship marketing principles. However, the research findings further imply that this is a challenging process which requires investment of considerable resources and organizational support. This study contributes to the body of knowledge by providing empirical evidence on this relatively under researched area. The research findings will be of in...
Seasonal study of planktonic copepods and their benthic resting eggs in northern California coastal waters

Few investigations have examined the occurrence of zooplankton resting eggs in the sea bed of waters deeper than 20 m. In this study the distribution and abundance of planktonic copepods and their benthic resting eggs in coastal waters off northern California, U.S.A., were determined and related to environmental parameters (temperature, salinity, depth, and sediment grain size). Sediment cores, net tows, and CTD profiles were obtained in April and October 1989, and February, April, and October 1990. Water depths in the study area ranged from approximately 60 to 120 m. The mean abundance of eggs was as high as 1.2×105 m-2 for Acartia clausi Giesbrecht and 1.9×105 m-2 for Tortanus discaudatus Thompson and Scott. These egg concentrations are comparable to those reported previously for shallower more protected regions. The abundance of eggs in the sediments decreased with increasing depth of the water column. For the region as a whole, eggs were least abundant in muddy sediments. The mean abundance of eggs in the sea bed also varied seasonally and annully. Benthic resting eggs of A. clausi were more abundant in April 1989 than in April 1990, and adults of the species were never found in the plankton samples. The lack of adults is not unusual since results of previous studies indicate that A. clausi is a cold-water species, and in this region water temperatures are colder in summer, than in winter, due to upwelling. Temperature and salinity data indicated that the upwelling season had commenced by the time of the April 1990, but not the April 1989 sampling. Thus, the reduced abundance of benthic eggs in April 1990 may have been due to egg-hatching in response to reduced temperatures. The results suggest that the presence of A. clausi in coastal waters off northern California is linked to recruitment from benthic resting eggs.
Phosphatidate releases calcium from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

Abstract Phosphatidate (PA) inhibits calcium accumulation by cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and enhances its Ca ++ ATPase activity. These effects seem to be related to a phosphatidate-induced increase in the calcium permeability of the SR membrane with resultant calcium release. The amount of calcium released by phosphatidate is dependent both on the calcium concentration outside the SR vesicles and the internal calcium concentration. The ionophoric effects of phosphatidate on the sarcoplasmic membrane provide a novel pathway for controlling Ca ++ transport in the cardiac cell.
Mercerization of cellulose. IV. Mechanism of mercerization and crystallite sizes

Using the Guinier plot, the 200 reflection profile of ramie cellulose I was resolved into two components. One component represented a crystallite size of ∼ 20 A, and the other component represented a crystallite size of ∼ 61 A. These components were followed during the conversion of cellulose I to Na–cellulose I, in order to estimate the contribution of the smaller crystallites to the early rapid stage of conversion. From the intensity ratio of the two components, it appears that during the first ∼ 20% conversion the formation of Na–cellulose I occurs mainly in the oriented amorphous regions of the fiber. Following this, up to ∼ 65% conversion the destruction and transformation of small crystallites takes place. The small average size of the ∼ 20 A crystallites, as well as their relatively high reactivity to alkali, appear to facilitate the conversion of the parallel-chain cellulose I structure to an antiparallel one.
The reduction of vinyl side-chains of Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester in vitro.

Abstract Portions of crude homogenates of etiolated wheat seedlings incubated with Mg-protoporphyrin IX and S- adenosyl - L - methionine and then added to other portions of the same crude homogenates that were pretreated with [1- 3 H]ethanol and yeast alcohol dehydrogenase provided, after a short reaction period, 3 H-labeled Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester. The 3 H-labeled Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester thus obtained was shown to contain the 3 H in one reduced (to ethyl) vinyl side-chain. Subsequently, 3 H-labeled Mg-monoethyl-(monodivinyl)-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester was obtained when Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester and [ 3 H]NADH were added to dialyzed crude homogenates of etiolated wheat seedlings. Insignificant amounts of 3 H were incorporated into poprhyrin substrates when Mg-2,4-divinylpheoporphyrin a 5 or [ 3 H]NADPH were substituted in reaction mixtures for Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester or [ 3 H]NADPH, respectively. The results of these and further experiments suggest that an NADPH-dependent enzyme in the crude homogenates of etiolated wheat seedlings was capable of catalyzing the reduction to ethyl of one vinyl side-chain of Mg-protoporphyrin IX monomethyl ester. These findings suggest that the 4-vinyl side-chain reductive reaction likely occurs after the biosynthesis IX monomethyl ester, but before isocyclic ring formation in the pathway to chlorophyll a .
Chronic reduction of myocardial ischemia does not attenuate coronary collateral development in miniswine.

BACKGROUNDMyocardial ischemia is considered to be a possible stimulus for development of the coronary collateral circulation. We therefore hypothesized that chronic reduction of myocardial oxygen demand to lessen ischemia would attenuate coronary collateral development over an 8-week period using left circumflex coronary artery (LCx) ameroid-induced constriction in pigs.METHODS AND RESULTSCollateral development was assessed by myocardial blood flow (radioactive microspheres) and left ventricular regional function (sonomicrometer dimension gauges). beta-Adrenoceptor blockade with propranolol (160 or 320 mg b.i.d.p.o.) was initiated in 15 animals 1 day after surgery. Compared with 16 untreated animals, beta-adrenoceptor antagonism was documented in the treated group by 1) pharmacological stimulation with isoproterenol, 2) physiological stimulation during graded treadmill exercise, and 3) repeated long-term biotelemetry recordings of oxygen demand (heart rate and blood pressure) and regional myocardial funct...
Microwave digestion of plant samples for sulfur analysis.

Abstract The goal was to develop an easy, fast, and economical procedure to produce plant digests that can be accurately analyzed by plasma emission spectrometry for foliar sulfur content. The closed vessel microwave procedure described requires less than 2 hours to produce 12 digested 0.5 gram samples from the point of weighing the samples to applying them to plasma emission spectrometry analysis. The procedure utilizes nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide as a predigestion. The predigested samples are then each microwaved for 2.25 minutes. With this procedure, sulfur levels are within an average of 1.27% of that reported for the NBS Citrus Standard, are within 102.25% to 99.44% of the values determined for wet ash digested materials and display recovery rates of 96 to 98% for known levels of sulfur in the range expected in plant foliage.
Percutaneous Endovascular Management of Occluded HeRO Dialysis Access Device

The Hemodialysis Reliable Outflow (HeRO) device is a novel alternative for dialysis access in patients with no suitable veins in the upper extremities. We placed a HeRO device in a 67-year-old woman with end-stage renal disease and 2 months later, it was being used for hemodialysis. After 1 month of uneventful use, the device thrombosed and it was rescued with a percutaneous endovascular approach. The device remains patent 6 months after the intervention.
William H. Tillinghast, John K. Wright, and some antecedents of American humanistic geography

Abstract The antecedents of twentieth century humanistic geography in America lie in part in the cultivation of geography by classicists, historians, librarians, and other nineteenth and early twentieth century humanistic scholars and writers. One of them, William H. Tillinghast, a Harvard College librarian trained both in classics and history, wrote an exemplary essay in the 1880s on ‘The Geographical Knowledge of the Ancients’ that provided a model analysis of early Western geographic ideas anticipating that of John K. Wright in the 1920s. Institutional analysis suggests their common rootage in an evolving Harvard ‘school’ of humanistic geography based in history and classics, the product both of a sequence of mentor/disciple relationships and a broader institutional environment shaping Wright's early concepts concerning the history of geography. 2003 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.
Redo esophageal surgery: the diagnosis and management of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistula

This article presents a 30-year review of 38 recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas. The initial 26 cases were presented in 2009 at the annual meeting of the British Association of Pediatric Surgeons and the European Association of Pediatric Surgeons Joint Conference and published in the Journal of Pediatric Surgery (Bruchet al. J Pediatr Surg 45:337–340, 2010). In the initial cohort of 26 patients, 18 had a leak after their primary operation and 22 had respiratory symptoms leading to the discovery of the recurrent fistula. The diagnosis was made by a contrast study in 24. The repairs entailed replacing a catheter through the fistula, separating the trachea and esophagus completely using sharp dissection and placing vascularized tissue, either pleura or pericardium between the suture lines. Postoperative complications included seven anastomotic leaks, four strictures and three recurrent fistulas. Long-term follow-up (median of 84 months) showed that 21 took all of their nutrition by mouth, three were tube fed and two required a combination of both. Of the 23 patients with growth chart data, 16 fell into the first quartile of the growth chart, whereas none fell between the 75th and 100th percentile. In conclusion, this initial series of 26 patients along with the updated additional series of 12 patients is the largest series thus far reported in the literature. All 38 patients represent the characteristics of recurrent tracheoesophageal fistulas, including techniques to make the diagnosis and to provide a secure closure of the fistula, and the long-term outcomes of these patients.
Serious pediatric infections

Third-generation cephalosporins are important additions to the range of antibiotics available for treating children with serious bacterial infections. They are highly active against the common pathogens, which cause bacterial meningitis in children. Strains of Haemophilus influenzae type b resistant to both ampicillin and chloramphenicol, and Streptococcus pneumoniae relatively resistant to penicillin remain susceptible to cefotaxime and ceftriaxone. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter diversus, as well as the other more common gram-negative bacilli isolated from neonates and children are susceptible to these agents. However, Listeria monocytogenes is not cephalosporin-sensitive. Ceftazidime is the only third-generation cephalosporin useful for treating serious infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa in children. As with other beta-lactam antibiotics, the clearance of cephalosporins is prolonged in neonates, particularly premature babies. Cefotaxime and ceftriaxone are equivalent to ampicillin and chloramphenicol for the treatment of bacterial meningitis in children over two to three months of age with respect to neurologic outcome and safety, despite the in vitro activity of cefotaxime and ceftriaxone being much greater than the standard antibiotics for the meningeal pathogens. Cefotaxime and ceftriaxone are effective in the treatment of serious gram-negative infections in children. In many instances, ceftriaxone can be administered once daily, which allows for more convenient therapy, particularly on an outpatient basis. Although controversial, ceftazidime has been used as single-agent therapy for empiric treatment of neutropenic immunocompromised children with fever.
Examination of Different Control Strategies of Heavy-Vehicle Performance

Heavy vehicles play an economically important role in the transportation process, and their numbers have been increasing for several decades. The active safety of the highway system is an important consideration in the design of a heavy vehicle combination. In this paper, the handling characteristics of a 5-axle tractor-semitrailer is examined and used to test for the desired features of the vehicle's handling and stability. Using these results the optimal control criterion is derived for the vehicle. Four different control strategies are examined by using the Linear Quadratic Regulator (LQR) approach. These are, active steering of the rear wheels of the tractor; active steering of the wheels of the trailer; active torque control in the fifth-wheel joint; and active yaw torque acting on the tractor. These controllers are designed and examined using a simplified linear vehicle model. In addition to discussing the above-mentioned approaches, this paper discusses a method of modifying the slip angles at the tractor's rear (driven) axles, however the yaw torque at the tractor cg also can be controlled using what is called unilateral braking. As well, the replacement of the active torque control at the fifth wheel joint, by a control strategy based on the usage of controllable dampers at the fifth-wheel joint, will also be examined. In this case, a nonlinear mathematical model of the vehicle is used and a modified control strategy called the RLQR/H∞ approach is used to ensure the vehicle's performance in the presence of parametric uncertainties. The examination of these control strategies is conducted by using a sophisticated non-linear vehicle model, and the influence of these control strategies on the vehicle's directional and roll stability during severe path-follow lane-change manoeuvre is discussed.
Removal of Tetramethylammonium Cations from Zeolites

Abstract Zeolite α (high-silica LTA), a potential shape-selective catalyst, is synthesized in the presence of tetramethylammonium (TMA) ions. Since TMA+ ions are incapable of forming olefins at low temperature, temperatures in excess of 500 °C are required to thermally decompose them and burn off the carbonaceous deposits, frequently causing damage to the structure. In this paper, the thermal decomposition of zeolitic TMA+ ions is investigated. This work led to a less severe method for removing TMA+ ions by stepwise reaction with ammonia at low temperatures. TMA+ ions located in the supercage can easily be removed at a temperature as low as 250 °C, generating mono- and dimethylamine. Sodalite cage TMA+ ions require a temperature of not more than 400 °C to be degraded. Although this treatment raises the Si/Al ratio somewhat, damage to the structure is minimal. Since the size of the zeolitic pores defines the type of molecules capable of escaping from the zeolite cavities, decomposition of TMA+ ions in NaTMA-Y and NaTMA-high-silica sodalite have been included for comparison.
Associations between the prevalence of Mollicutes and Mycoplasma bovis and health and performance in stocker calves

A longitudinal cross-sectional time-series study was carried out to determine the prevalence of nasal mycoplasma carriage, serostatus and seroconversion, and to evaluate the associations between these parameters and health and performance in weaned beef calves during a 42-day feeding period. Nasal swabs and serum were collected on days 0 (arrival), 10, 42 and at the first incidence of bovine respiratory disease complex. The samples were evaluated for Mollicutes (by culture), Mycoplasma bovis (by PCR) and serum antibody to M. bovis. On day 0, 90.4 per cent of the calves were Mollicutes nasal culture-positive. The seroprevalence of M. bovis was 26.6 per cent on day 0 and 98.2 per cent by day 42 (P<0.05). Seroconversion to M. bovis between days 0 and 42 was significantly associated (P=0.04) with lower weight gain. Weight gain was greater in calves that were PCR-negative for M. bovis on day 10 (P=0.01). The percentage of calves seropositive to M. bovis increased throughout the study, indicating exposure and an immunological response to the organism. Although associations with health outcomes were not identified, seroconversion to M. bovis was associated with a decreased rate of weight gain during the study period.
The Social Maps of Children Approaching Adolescence: Studying the Ecology of Youth Development.

This article reports the first results of the three-year longitudinal study of the social maps of children beginning the transition to adolescence. This exploratory study is guided by Bronfenbrenner's conception of the ecology of human development, stressing the importance of a phenomenological orientation to development in the context of ecological transitions. The study focuses on characteristics of children's social networks (the web of relationships in which the individual is involved) as a function of neighborhood type, socioeconomic status, and level of physical maturation. The social heterogeneity of the social network (e.g., the relative salience of peers versus adults) is a primary concern. The child's and parent's perceptions of the network, of the people available to help the child, and the child's friends are compared within the context of ecological, socioeconomic, and maturational factors. The results (for 111 sixth-grade children from three contrasting neighborhood schools) shed some light on age segregation and the overall heterogeneity of the social environments of children facing the transition to adolescence. They provide a context and a baseline for the longitudinal study.
Diversity of fast myosin heavy chain expression during development of gastrocnemius, bicep brachii, and posterior latissimus dorsi muscles in normal and dystrophic chickens

The expression of fast myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms was examined in developing bicep brachii, lateral gastrocnemius, and posterior latissimus dorsi (PLD) muscles of inbred normal White Leghorn chickens (Line 03) and genetically related inbred dystrophic White Leghorn chickens (Line 433). Utilizing a highly characterized monoclonal antibody library we employed ELISA, Western blot, immunocytochemical, and MHC epitope mapping techniques to determine which MHCs were present in the fibers of these muscles at different stages of development. The developmental pattern of MHC expression in the normal bicep brachii was uniform with all fibers initially accumulating embryonic MHC similar to that of the pectoralis muscle. At hatching the neonatal isoform was expressed in all fibers; however, unlike in the pectoralis muscle the embryonic MHC isoform did not disappear. With increasing age the neonatal MHC was repressed leaving the embryonic MHC as the only detectable isoform present in the adult bicep brachii muscle. While initially expressing embryonic MHC in ovo, the post-hatch normal gastrocnemius expressed both embryonic and neonatal MHCs. However, unlike the bicep brachii muscle, this pattern of expression continued in the adult muscle. The adult normal gastrocnemius stained heterogeneously with anti-embryonic and anti-neonatal antibodies indicating that mature fibers could contain either isoform or both. Neither the bicep brachii muscle nor the lateral gastrocnemius muscle reacted with the adult specific antibody at any stage of development. In the developing posterior latissimus dorsi muscle (PLD), embryonic, neonatal, and adult isoforms sequentially appeared; however, expression of the embryonic isoform continued throughout development. In the adult PLD, both embryonic and adult MHCs were expressed, with most fibers expressing both isoforms. In dystrophic neonates and adults virtually all fibers of the bicep brachii, gastrocnemius, and PLD muscles were identical and contained embryonic and neonatal MHCs. These results corroborate previous observations that there are alternative programs of fast MHC expression to that found in the pectoralis muscle of the chicken (M.T. Crow and F.E. Stockdale, 1986, Dev. Biol. 118, 333-342), and that diversification into fibers containing specific MHCs fails to occur in the fast muscle fibers of the dystrophic chicken. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that avian muscular dystrophy is a developmental disorder that is associated with alterations in isoform switching during muscle maturation.
The politics of interest in post-communist East Europe

The demise of communism in East Europe means that politics must be constructed anew. Those who toppled the old regimes and have come to head the new ones like to assure people that political life will be organized completely differently from the way it's been organized in the past. Where civil society was subordinated to the state, now the state will be subordinated to society. Where politics ruled over markets, now markets will allocate resources. Where politics was largely the purview of the ruling party, now it will be open to all parties and interest groups. Where communism repressed particular interests, post-communism will embrace them. In short, where the communist system was state-centered, the new system will be society-centered.1
Mapping the U.H.E. sky in search of point sources

Abstract Techniques are presented for mapping the sky to search for density excesses attributable to point sources. By incorporating event-by-event angular resolution information, a scatter plot of arrival directions becomes the map of a smooth density function. Methods are discussed for quantitatively comparing that observed density function with the expected density function and evaluating the statistical significance of density excesses. Analysis of Fly's Eye data provides examples of the techniques.
The NMDA Receptor Gating Machine: Lessons from Single Channels

The slow component of the excitatory postsynaptic current in the central nervous system is generated by the activity of NMDA receptors. The activation properties of this class of glutamate receptor determine key features of the synaptic response and have important consequences for synaptic plasticity and cell physiology. NMDA receptor activation is complex and involves ligand binding, protein conformational changes, and channel blockade. Recently, two groups have proposed state models that encapsulate the essential features of NMDA receptor gating conformational changes. These models provide insight into the NMDA receptor as a molecular machine and should help us understand and manipulate NMDA receptor mediated synaptic function and pathologies.
Preparing Principals as Instructional Leaders: Perceptions of University Faculty, Expert Principals, and Expert Teacher Leaders.

Although research has established links between the principal’s instructional leadership and student achievement, there is considerable concern in the literature concerning the capacity of principal preparation programs to prepare instructional leaders. This study interviewed educational leadership faculty as well as expert principals and teacher leaders to determine their perceptions concerning applicant screening; content to be taught, including functions, knowledge, skills, and dispositions; teaching and learning strategies; field experiences; and induction support. The researchers found considerable agreement across the three groups.
Analytic model to predict the strength of tendon repairs

We developed an analytic model to predict suture load-sharing immediately after flexor tendon repair in the hand. Tendon repair was mathematically modeled as two nonlinear springs in parallel, representing separate core and peripheral sutures that were in series with a third nonlinear spring representing the tendon. To serve as a basis for, and validation of, our analytic model, fresh human flexor digitorum profundus tendons were harvested and mechanically tested either intact or after surgical repair in a variety of ways: core suture alone, superficial peripheral suture alone, deep peripheral suture alone, core suture plus superficial peripheral suture, and core suture plus deep peripheral suture. The stiffness and strength of the composite repairs predicted with use of the analytic model were comparable with those determined experimentally. Furthermore, the model predicted inequities in suture load-sharing, with 64% of the applied load carried by the peripheral suture when it was placed superficially, as compared with 77% when the peripheral suture was placed deep. Our results demonstrate a disparity in load-sharing within composite suture systems, the rectification of which may lead to significant improvement in the repair strength. To this end, we expect that our analytic model will serve as a basis for the design of more efficient, and consequently stronger, suture techniques.
Pharmacokinetic Characterization in Xenografted Mice of a Series of First-Generation Mimics for HLA-DR Antibody, Lym-1, as Carrier Molecules to Image and Treat Lymphoma

Despite their large size, antibodies (Abs) are suitable carriers to deliver systemic radiotherapy, often molecular image–based, for lymphoma and leukemia. Lym-1 Ab has proven to be an effective radioisotope carrier, even in small amounts, for targeting human leukocyte antigen DR (HLA-DR), a surface membrane protein overexpressed on B-cell lymphoma. Pairs of molecules (referred to as ligands), shown by computational and experimental methods to bind to each of 2 sites within the Lym-1 epitopic region, have been linked to generate small (,2 kDa) molecules (referred to as selective high-affinity ligands [SHALs]) to mimic the targeting properties of Lym-1 Ab.Methods: A lysine-polyethylene glycol (PEG) backbone was used to synthetically link 2 of the following ligands: deoxycholate, 5-leuenkephalin, triiodothyronine, thyronine, dabsyl-L-valine, and N-benzoyl-L-arginyl-4amino-benzoic acid to generate a series of 13 bidentate SHALs with a biotin or 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-N,N9,N$,N%tetraacetic acid (DOTA) chelate attached to the linker. These SHALs have been assessed for their selectivity in binding to HLA-DR10–expressing cells and for their pharmacokinetics and tissue biodistribution in mice. Biotinylated versions of these SHALs discriminated cell lines positive for HLA-DR10 expression with near-nanomolar affinity. The DOTA versions of 4 SHALs were labeled with 111In for pharmacokinetic studies in mice with HLADR10–expressing malignant Raji xenografts. Results: The bidentate, biotinylated, and DOTA-SHALs were synthesized in high-purity, multimilligram amounts. Mean radiochemical and product yields and purities were 90%, 75%, and 90% at mean specific activities of 3.9 MBq/m g( 105mCi/mg) for the 111 In-labeled SHALs. As expected, rapid blood clearance and tumor targeting were observed. The pharmacokinetics of the SHALs was influenced by the component ligands. Biliary clearance, kidney localization, and serum receptor binding contributed to less favorable tumor targeting. Conclusion: A series of SHALs was readily synthesized in multimilligram amounts and showed the expected selective binding in vitro. Better selection of the SHAL components should provide second-generation SHALs with improved properties to fulfill the substantial potential of these novel molecular carriers for targeting.
The Permian Paradox

This paper arose out of discussions that took place during sessions of the Fourth Perm Economic Forum. A theme-based event, the Forum is held annually every September. In 2008, the theme of the Forum was urban development, including, naturally, development strategies for the city as a regional capital. The Forum took place before the economic crisis took hold and circumstances have changed significantly since that time, but the issues discussed have remained relevant. The problems facing cities worldwide are strategic ones and Russia is no exception. Economic fluctuations may affect priorities or the urgency with which particular problems are dealt with, but in their nature these problems remain unchanged.
Photoaffinity Labeling of the Ouabain Binding Site of Na.K-ATPase

Publisher Summary The chapter discusses the affinity and photoaffinity labeling of the ouabain binding site of Na, K-ATPase. In all cases, specific covalent labeling of the α-subunit ( M r = 95,000–100,000) has been found, indicating that the subunit of the Na, K-ATPase contains the ouabain binding site. To probe systematically the “sugar specific” region of this site, high affinity, tritiated diazomalonyl derivatives of digitoxin, bisdigitoxoside, and monodigitoxoside were prepared in which the photoactive group is esterified to the 4”’-, 4”-, and 4’-hydroxyls respectively, of the terminal sugars. When equal amounts of Lubrol-purified electric eel Na,K-ATPase were photolyzed at 1°C with saturating concentrations of each photolabel in both the Type I and Type II complexes and the α- and β-subunits separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), the chapter provides the graphical results. The α-subunit was exclusively labeled in both the Type I and Type II complexes with the 4’-[ 3 H]ethyldiazomalonyl digitoxigenin monodigitoxoside (3’-[ 3 H]DAM-mono). These data are consistent with a model of the ouabain binding site of the detergent-purified eel Na, K-ATPase in which portions of the β-subunit occur in close proximity to the α-subunit in the “sugar” region of the cardiac glycoside binding site.
Staphylococcus aureus is More Prevalent in Retail Beef Livers than in Pork and other Beef Cuts

Staphylococcus aureus is one of the top five pathogens contributing to acquired foodborne illnesses causing an estimated quarter million cases every year in the US. The objectives of this study were to determine the prevalence of Methicillin Susceptible S. aureus (MSSA) and Methicillin Resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in retail beef livers, beef, and pork meats sold in Tulsa, Oklahoma and to characterize the recovered strains for their virulence and antimicrobial resistance. Ninety six chilled retail beef (50 beef livers and 46 beef other cuts), and 99 pork meat samples were collected. The prevalence in beef livers was 40/50 (80%) followed by other beef cuts 23/46 (50%) then pork 43/99 (43.3%). No isolates were positive for MRSA since none harbored the mecA or mecC gene. A total of 334 recovered S. aureus isolates (143 beef livers, 76 beef, and 115 pork isolates) were screened for their antimicrobial susceptibility against 16 different antimicrobials and their possession of 18 different toxin genes. Multidrug resistance was more prevalent in the pork isolates followed by beef then beef livers. The prevalence of enterotoxin genes such as seg, seh, and sei and the toxic shock syndrome gene tst was higher in the pork isolates than in the beef ones. The hemolysin genes, particularly hlb, were more prevalent in isolates from beef livers. Molecular typing of a subset of the recovered isolates showed that they are highly diverse where spa typing was more discriminatory than PFGE. The alarmingly high incidence of S. aureus in retail beef livers in this study should raise awareness about the food safety of such meat products.
Forest stand composition and impacts associated with Agrilus auroguttatus Schaeffer (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) and Agrilus coxalis Waterhouse in oak woodlands

From 2009–2011, we assessed the impact of the goldspotted oak borer, Agrilus auroguttatus Schaeffer, or its sibling species, Agrilus coxalis Waterhouse, at locations in southern California (denoted infested: ICA and uninfested: UCA), southeastern Arizona (AZ), and southern Mexico (MX). Our surveys examined forest composition of oak woodlands; the degree of injury and proportion of oaks infested with either A. auroguttatus (ICA and AZ) or A. coxalis (MX); and the progression of aerially mapped oak mortality in San Diego Co. (ICA). By most measures of impact that we evaluated, the effect on oaks by the two Agrilus spp. was relatively low in their native regions, but significantly higher by A. auroguttatus at ICA sites. Larger diameter red oak species have been the preferred hosts of A. auroguttatus in AZ and ICA sites, and red oaks greater than approx. 13 cm in DBH throughout California are likely at risk of injury from this invasive pest. At sites in AZ there was no evidence of infestation by A. auroguttatus on living or dead white oak species, whereas at ICA sites we recorded a minor amount of infestation by A. auroguttatus on living individuals of a white oak species (Quercus engelmannii Greene), but no mortality. In contrast, a white oak from MX sites (Quercus peduncularis) was more frequently infested by A. coxalis than were indigenous red oaks. Across all ICA sites, A. auroguttatus has infested 61% of the live larger diameter oaks and killed 13% of the oak component of the forest (vs. 4% infested and 2% dead in AZ, respectively). At survey plots near the predicted origin of the outbreak in CA, over 90% of the larger diameter red oaks have been infested. Nearly 90% of the dead oaks surveyed across all ICA sites showed evidence of previous injury symptoms from A. auroguttatus. Aerial oak mortality polygons associated with A. auroguttatus have expanded � 50 km in nine years, but our analysis confirms that the outbreak appears to still be confined to San Diego Co. The distance of oak mortality polygons from the predicted origin of the outbreak explained the most variance in a principal component analysis. The invasive population of A. auroguttatus is a significant conservation and ecological threat to the oak woodlands of California and should be managed accordingly, especially by restricting firewood movement. Published by Elsevier B.V.
How healthy are your nursing students

Abstract This study surveyed the health behaviors of 159 nursing students. The major finding of this study is that there is a need for improvement in the areas of physical activity and weight control. Recommendations include nursing educators addressing these behaviors within the curriculum if future nurses are to model healthy behaviors for patients, as well as encouraging staff educators to continue to emphasize healthy behaviors.
Biomass of Witches' Brooms Caused by Douglas-Fir Dwarf Mistletoe in Northern Arizona

ABSTRACT Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium douglasii) is a parasitic flowering plant that infects Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) throughout the western United States. Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe induces the formation of witches' brooms which alters infected host branch biomass and architecture. Little work has quantified the effects of this parasite on branch morphology and biomass. This study obtained pairs of broomed and non-broomed Douglas-fir branches for estimating and comparing the biomass of each branch type. Branch pairs meeting 9 specific criteria were randomly selected from a pool of broomed and non-broomed branches from three mixed conifer study sites on the San Francisco Peaks, Arizona severely infested with Douglas-fir dwarf mistletoe. A total of 17 branch pairs were sampled. Branch pairs were carefully collected, dissected into smaller segments based on branch and twig diameter classes, needles, and loose debris. Branch material was then dried and weighed to determine total biom...
Reversal of streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice by cellular transduction with recombinant pancreatic transcription factor pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1: a novel protein transduction domain-based therapy.

Objective: The key pancreatic transcription factor Pdx1, known to control development and maintenance of pancreatic β-cells, possesses a protein transduction domain (PTD) that facilitates its entry into cells. We therefore sought to evaluate the capacity of in vivo -administered recombinant Pdx1 (rPdx1) to ameliorate hyperglycemia in a streptozotocin (Stz)-induced diabetic mice. Research Design and Methods: Cell entry and transcriptional regulatory properties of rPdx1 and its PTD-deletion mutant rPdx1Δ, as well as a PTD-GFP reporter protein were evaluated in vitro . After intraperitoneal rPdx1 injection into Stz-diabetic mice, we assessed the its action on blood glucose levels, insulin content, and IPGTT, as well as Pdx1 distribution, pancreatic gene expression, islet cell proliferation, and organ histology. Results: Restoration of euglycemia in Pdx1-treated diabetic mice was evident by improved IPGTT and glucose-stimulated insulin release. Insulin-, glucagon-, and Ki67-immunostaining revealed increased islet cell number and proliferation in pancreata of rPdx1-treated mice. Real-time PCR of pancreas and liver demonstrated up-regulation of INS and PDX1 genes as well as other genes relevant to pancreas regeneration. While the time-course of β-cell gene expression and serum/tissue insulin levels indicated that liver- and pancreas-derived insulin contributed to restoration of normoglycemia, near-total pancreatectomy resulted in hyperglycemia, suggesting that β-cell regeneration played the primary role in rPdx1-induced glucose homeostasis. Conclusions: rPdx1 treatment of Stz/diabetic mice promotes β-cell regeneration and liver-cell reprogramming, leading to restoration of normoglycemia. This novel PTD-based protein therapy offers a promising way to treat patients with diabetes, while avoiding potential side-effects associated with the use of viral vectors.
Skeletal Benefits of Pre-Menarcheal Gymnastics Are Retained After Activity Cessation

Mechanical loading during childhood and adolescence may yield skeletal benefits that persist beyond activity cessation and menarche. At 1 year pre- and 2 years post-menarche, nondominant forearm areal bone mineral density (aBMD), bone mineral content (BMC) and projected area (area) were compared in gymnasts (n = 9), ex-gymnasts (n = 8) and nongymnasts (n = 13). At both observations, gymnasts and ex-gymnasts had higher forearm aBMD, BMC and area than nongymnasts. Gymnasts had higher postmenarcheal means than ex-gymnasts for all three parameters. Childhood mechanical loading yields skeletal advantages that persist at least 24 months after loading cessation and menarche. Continued postmenarcheal loading yields additional benefit.
The Palearctic species Bembidion femoratum and Amara communis (Coleoptera: Carabidae): new records and notes on modes of introduction to North America

Les especes palearctiques Amara communis (Panzer) et Bembidion femoratum Sturm ont toutes deux ete signalees pour la premiere fois en Amerique du Nord en 1992. Depuis lors, un nombre important de specimens supplementaires des deux especes ont ete recoltes, ce qui augmente considerablement leur aire de repartition connue sur le continent. On en trouvera ici la compilation succincte. La discussion porte sur les voies d'introduction de ces deux especes dans le contexte de l'etablissement d'autres insectes exotiques, particulierement ceux signales pour la premiere fois dans la region altantique du Canada. Dans le cas d'A. communis, les nombreuses localites cotieres ou elle se retrouve sembleraient indiquer une introduction reliee au transport maritime transatlantique, probablement dans les materiaux secs utilises pour le ballastage. Le mode d'introduction de B. femoratum est moins clair; des associations possibles avec les stocks de pepinieres, les materiaux secs de ballastage et les deplacements des aeronefs sont considerees.