cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dispersal of Steinernema scapterisci (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) after Inoculative Applications for Mole Cricket (Orthoptera: Gryllotalpidae) Control in Pastures

Abstract The passive dispersal of Steinernema scapterisci Nguyen & Smart by its hosts was monitored and quantified after inoculative releases consisting of 1-ha applications in each of six pasture sites in Florida. Pitfall trap catches of Scapteriscus spp. mole crickets were used to determine levels of infection, dispersal of the nematode from release areas, and effects on mole cricket abundance for 2 years after the releases. The nematode was established at five of the sites and dispersed at least 150 m from release areas at three of them. Mean maximum cumulative distance dispersed (60 m) and cumulative area occupied (4.2 ha) by the nematode occurred within 21 months after application. The relationship between mean cumulative distance dispersed and time is described most accurately by the polynomial equation Y = 0.453 + 0.030 X 2 − 0.0002 X 3 where Y = mean cumulative distance dispersed (m) and X = number of weeks after treatment. Mean infection levels for mole crickets collected from within the treated area, on the edge of the treated area, and 50 and 150 m from the treated area were 14.6, 12.1, 5.0, and 2.8%, respectively. Twenty-four-hour trap catches, mole cricket tunnel estimates, and soap-flushes of mole crickets failed to reveal consistent effects of the nematode on mole cricket abundance. However, our study has shown that an entomopathogenic nematode species, in particular, S. scapterisci , can be used as a classical biological control agent. Inoculative release of this nematode is a viable alternative to inundative release for mole cricket suppression.
Is further evaluation for growth hormone (GH) deficiency necessary in fibromyalgia patients with low serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I levels?

Abstract Objective Fibromyalgia (FM) is characterized by diffuse pain, fatigue, and sleep disturbances; symptoms that resemble the adult growth hormone (GH) deficiency syndrome. Many FM patients have low serum GH levels, with a hypothesized aetiology of dysregulated GH/insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I axis. The aim of this study was to assess the GH reserve in FM patients with low serum IGF-I levels using the GH-releasing hormone (GHRH)-arginine test. Design We retrospectively reviewed the GHRH-arginine data of 77 FM patients with low serum IGF-I levels referred to our tertiary unit over a 4-year period. Results Of the 77 FM patients, 13 patients (17%) failed the GHRH-arginine test. Further evaluation with pituitary imaging revealed normal pituitary glands ( n =7), coincident microadenomas ( n =4), empty sella ( n =1) and pituitary cyst ( n =1), and relevant medical histories such as previous head injury ( n =4), Sheehan's syndrome ( n =1), and whiplash injury ( n =1). In contrast, the remaining 64 patients (83%) that responded to the GHRH-arginine test demonstrated higher peak GH levels compared to age and BMI-matched controls ( n =24). Conclusion Our data shows that a subpopulation of FM patients with low serum IGF-I levels will fail the GHRH-arginine test. We, thus, recommend that the GH reserve of these patients should be evaluated further, as GH replacement may potentially improve the symptomatology of those with true GH deficiency. Additionally, the increased GH response rates to GHRH-arginine stimulation in the majority of FM patients with low serum IGF-I levels further supports the hypothesis of a dysregulated GH/IGF-I axis in the pathophysiology of FM.
Design of transmission line driven slot waveguide Mach-Zehnder interferometers and application to analog optical links

Slot waveguides allow joint confinement of the driving electrical radio frequency field and of the optical waveguide mode in a narrow slot, allowing for highly efficient polymer based interferometers. We show that the optical confinement can be simply explained by a perturbation theoretical approach taking into account the continuity of the electric displacement field. We design phase matched transmission lines and show that their impedance and RF losses can be modeled by an equivalent circuit and linked to slot waveguide properties by a simple set of equations, thus allowing optimization of the device without iterative simulations. We optimize the interferometers for analog optical links and predict record performance metrics (Vπ = 200 mV @ 10 GHz in push-pull configuration) assuming a modest second order nonlinear coefficient (r33 = 50 pm/V) and slot width (100 nm). Using high performance optical polymers (r33 = 150 pm/V), noise figures of state of the art analog optical links can be matched while reducing optical power levels by approximately 30 times. With required optical laser power levels predicted at 50 mW, this could be a game changing improvement by bringing high performance optical analog link power requirements in the reach of laser diodes. A modified transmitter architecture allows shot noise limited performance, while reducing power levels in the slot waveguides and enhancing reliability.
On the problem of optimal thrust programming for a lunar soft landing

The problem of minimal fuel thrust programming for the terminal phase of a lunar soft landing mission is shown to be equivalent to the minimal time problem for the mission. The existence of an optimal (minimal fuel) thrust program for the problem is then assured by appealing to existence theorems for time optimal controls, and the optimal thrust program is developed by application of the Pontryagin maximum principle. It is shown that the optimal thrust program consists of either full thrust from the initiation of the mission until touchdown, or a period of zero thrust (free-fall) followed by full thrust until touchdown. An approximate switching function which is adequate for a large number of cases is derived, and a preliminary system design is presented.
Hippocampal volumetry and functional MRI of memory in temporal lobe epilepsy

This study examined the utility of structural and functional MRI at 1.5 and 3 T in the presurgical evaluation and prediction of postsurgical cognitive outcome in temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Forty-nine patients undergoing presurgical evaluation for temporal lobe (TL) resection and 25 control subjects were studied. Patients completed standard presurgical evaluations, including the intracarotid amobarbital test (IAT) and neuropsychological testing. During functional imaging, subjects performed a complex visual scene-encoding task. High-resolution structural MRI scans were used to quantify hippocampal volumes. Both structural and functional imaging successfully lateralized the seizure focus and correlated with IAT memory lateralization, with improvement for functional imaging at 3 T as compared with 1.5 T. Ipsilateral structural and functional MRI data were related to cognitive outcome, and greater functional asymmetry was related to earlier age at onset. These findings support continued investigation of the utility of MRI and fMRI in the presurgical evaluation of TLE.
The Influence of Religiosity on Well-Being and Acceptance in Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study was designed to investigate religiosity, parental well-being, stressors in raising a child with autism, and acceptance of the disorder. Previous research states that religiosity can buffer the effects of stressors on well-being (Friedrich et al., 1988), and provide support and peace of mind (Tarakeshwar and Pargament, 2001). Parents of children with autism (n = 177) participated by completing an Internet-based questionnaire. Results revealed correlations between most of the variables, and the association between stress and well-being was stronger for parents with lower religiosity. Implications for parents and religious organizations and directions for future research are discussed.
The American History of Rett Syndrome

Rett syndrome (RTT) was first recognized more than fifty years ago in Europe. Andreas Rett, a neurodevelopmental pediatrician in Vienna who first described RTT, is credited for his attempts to raise awareness of physicians in Europe as to their understanding of this unique neurodevelopmental disorder.1 Unfortunately, most of Rett’s papers were written in German and not widely circulated. At about the same time, Bengt Hagberg, a Swedish child neurologist, was also noting girls with similar features. At a meeting of European child neurologists in the late 1970s, Bengt raised this clinical issue and was informed of Andy Rett’s publications in Vienna regarding girls with similar hand stereotypies, as well as a recent publication of Andy’s in the Handbook of Clinical Neurology that described RTT but associated it with hyperammonemia.2 Nevertheless, Bengt, together with colleagues from France and Portugal, moved forward in planning the publication of what became the first widely-read English language publication of RTT. Then, he discovered that the hyperammonemia described by Andy had turned out to be a spurious finding. Indeed, the two were recognizing exactly the same disorder. Subsequently, he met Andy in Toronto in 1981 and learned of the experiences in Vienna first-hand. Bengt and colleagues then decided that this disorder should be known by the eponym, Rett syndrome. Their paper, published in the Annals of Neurology in 1983, spurred the worldwide search that raised this diagnosis to prominence as the leading cause of significant cognitive disability among females.3
The effect of chronic levodopa on haloperidol induced behavioral supersensitivity in the guinea pig

Abstract The effect of chronic levodopa-carbidopa administration (200 mg/kg for 21 days) on guinea pigs rendered behaviorally supersensitive by the prior administration of haloperidol (.5 mg/kg for 21 days) was examined. Animals who showed an increased behavioral response to apomorphine after chronic haloperidol administration were treated with levodopa-carbidopa and then apomorphine - induced stereotypy was reexamined. Although the chronic levodopa control groups and the chronic haloperidol control remained supersensitive to the behavioral effect of apomorphine, the haloperidol-levodopa group's behavioral response to apomorphine returned to normal. Both chronic dopaminergic antagonist and agonist administration have been demonstrated to induce heightened apomorphine-induced stereotypy and this has been interpreted as a reflection of altered striatal dopamine receptor site sensitivity. The finding that the serial administration of a chronic dopaminergic antagonist followed by a chronic dopaminergic agonist results in a return to normal of a striatal dopamine receptor-dependent behavior suggests that these chronic treatments affect dopamine receptor sites by different mechanisms of action. Since neuroleptic induced dopaminergic supersensitivity in animals is an accepted model of tardive dyskinesia, levodopa may also reverse dopaminergic supersensitivity in patients and might be a potential therapeutic agent in tardive dyskinesia.
RF properties of high-T/sub c/ superconductors

An investigation was conducted of the RF properties of high-T/sub c/ superconductors over a wide range of temperatures, frequencies and RF field amplitudes. Both bulk polycrystalline samples and thick films on silver substrates were tested. At 150 MHz and 4.2 K, surface resistances of 18 mu Omega at low RF field and 3.6 m Omega at an RF field of 270 G were measured. All samples showed a strong dependence of the surface resistance on RF field. However, no breakdown of the superconducting state was observed up to the highest field achieved (320 G). >
Improved quality of life after bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for Cushing's disease: a 10-year experience.

Harvey Cushing first described Cushing's disease (hypercortisolism caused by an ACTH-secreting pituitary adenoma) in 1912 in his book entitled: The Pituitary Body and its Disorders. Endogenous glucocorticoid excess causes devastating sequelae in the patient, including marked central obesity, facial fullness, proximal muscle weakness, hypertension, diabetes, hypogonadism, osteoporosis, mood disorders, and cognitive impairment.1–4 Transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection is without dispute the best first line treatment option for these patients. Unfortunately, 10% to 30% of patients will fail to achieve long-term remission of their Cushing's disease.5 Four treatment options exist for these patients: 1) repeat transsphenoidal resection, 2) medical therapy, 3) radiation therapy, and 4) bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy. Optimum treatment or sequence of different treatments has not yet been established in the literature and often presents a considerable challenge to both the patient and the physician.5 Few studies examine long-term outcomes, including quality of life, in patients requiring additional therapy for persistent Cushing's disease.6,7 At our institution, patients who fail repeated transsphenoidal adenomectomy are offered bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy in the hopes of minimizing the adverse effects caused by chronic hypercortisolism. The purpose of this study was to determine the safety, efficacy, and long-term outcomes in patients who underwent bilateral laparoscopic adrenalectomy for persistent Cushing's disease. We assessed all patients for biochemical cure of their Cushing's disease and evaluated their quality of life with both a general and a Cushing-specific questionnaire.
How Immigration Enforcement Affects the Lives of Older Latinos in the United States

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of U.S. immigration enforcement on the lives of older Latinos in the United States. Data were drawn from the 2007 Pew Hispanic Center National Survey of Latinos. The sample consisted of 326 participants who were age 55 years or older. Multivariate ordinal logistic regressions indicated that participants who had greater hardships as a result of U.S. immigration enforcement (a) had lower use of government services, (b) perceived the situation for Latinos worse today, (c) had a greater fear of deportation, and (d) perceived a lower quality of life for themselves.
Pain responses in Nepalese porters

When tested by the method of limits, Nepalese had much higher pain thresholds to electrical stimulation than Occidentals did. Discriminability was the same for both groups, however, indicating that there were no neurosensory differences. Nepalese had higher (stoical) criteria for reporting pain but were not less sensitive to noxious stimulation. The battery of sensory measurement procedures described may be applied to any modality and are particularly applicable to difficult field conditions.
Assessing a Child’s Experience of Multiple Maltreatment Types: Some Unfinished Business

Available research indicates that maltreated children frequently experience multiple types of maltreatment, although relatively few studies examine this issue directly. Review of existing studies also shows that, when investigated, maltreatment types are often correlated. However, from study to study the strength of associations among maltreatment types varies considerably, apparently due to methodological differences, such as differences in operational definitions of the maltreatment types, composition of samples and/or method of scaling used. Failure to account for overlap among maltreatment types can result in a misleading picture of a child’s trauma history. This in turn can lead to an inaccurate evaluation of the relationship between a child’s victimization experiences and later developmental outcomes. The wide variation in correlations among the maltreatment types from study to study raises questions about the validity of the different operational definitions used. Improving the construct validity of the maltreatment type measures is proposed as the means to obtaining more consistent results. Steps by which to achieve this objective are outlined.
Local recipes or distant commodities? Lead isotope and chemical compositional analysis of glaze paints from the Salinas pueblos, New Mexico

For nearly four hundred years, Pueblo potters in the Rio Grande Valley of New Mexico produced technologically innovative glaze-decorated bowls and exchanged them widely among different villages. While potential sources of lead ores used to make glaze paints are found throughout the Rio Grande Valley region, researchers have only recently begun to identify which ore sources potters exploited and to understand the social and economic factors underlying patterns of ore resource use. In this paper we use stable lead isotope and electron microprobe analysis of glaze paints on Rio Grande Glaze Ware made at two Salinas pueblos to identify ore sources and glaze recipes used by their potters. Despite some isotopic overlap of ore sources, the lead isotope data point to regular exploitation of ores from the Socorro area of the southern Rio Grande. Salinas potters apparently used other sources as well, and likely mixed ores from different sources. We also identify four local glaze recipes that appear to incorporate multiple ore sources, suggesting that Salinas potters obtained raw ores rather than finished glaze paints.
PRIMARY IMMUNIZATION OF LYMPH NODE CELLS IN MILLIPORE CHAMBERS BY EXPOSURE TO HOMOGRAFT ANTIGEN

Normal Dutch rabbit lymph node and spleen minces, lymph node cell suspensions, and residues from lymph node cell suspensions were cultured in Millipore chambers with slices of autologous or homologous (New Zealand) ear skin. for varying time intervals. Lymphoid cells exposed to New Zealand ear skin for more than 4 days were found capable of producing typical "transfer reactions" in the specific New Zealand ear skin donor, similar in every way to reactions produced by cells from lymph nodes sensitized in the intact Dutch animal. Heat-killed cells and cells exposed to New Zealand ear skin for less than 4 days (in chambers or in the intact animal) or to Dutch ear skin for any period of time were incapable of eliciting such reactions. It is concluded that normal lymphoid tissues undergo primary sensitization when exposed to homografts in Millipore chambers for suitable periods of time.
Cell aggregation: Properties of cell surface factors from five species of sponge

Aggregation factors isolated from the cell surface of five species of sponge are shown to be specific in their ability to enhance cell aggregation. Factors from Haliclona viridis, Haliclona variabilis, Tedania ignis, Homaxinella rudis, and Dysidea crawshayi each exhibit the species specific enhancing effect and have no such effect in heterospecific cell-factor combinations. Radioactively labeled cell free supernatant materials are shown to bind selectively to homospecific cells suggesting that cells contain specific receptors for attachment of the aggregation mediating materials. Finally, in several heterospecific combinations there was an inhibition of cell aggregation. The inhibitory agent was separated from the enhancing factor chromatographically. After removal of the inhibitory substance, the enhancing factor was still active in promoting cell aggregation of the homospecific cells only.
Revision of circumcision in children: Report of 56 cases.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Circumcision is the most commonly performed surgical procedure in the United States today. Despite the large number of specialists who perform this procedure, only occasionally are the results unsatisfactory. The purpose of this study is to review the indications for circumcision revision, attempt to identify the specialists who are performing unsatisfactory circumcisions, describe the authors' surgical technique for circumcision revision, and review current coding and billing issues related to this procedure. Methods: The authors reviewed the charts of 56 consecutive children who underwent circumcision revision over a 4-year period (1995 to 1999). They also reviewed their current coding and billing practices for this procedure. Results: Children undergoing revision of circumcision ranged in age from 6 weeks to 11 years with a mean of 26.7 months. Redundant foreskin was the most common indication for circumcision revision. In 38 patients (68%) the authors were able to identify the specialist who performed the procedure. Pediatricians were most commonly identified (n = 26), followed by residents in training (n = 10) family physician (1), and nurse midwife (1). The authors were unable to identify the type of neonatal circumcision originally performed. Their surgical procedure was the conventional sleeve technique without variation in 55 cases. A gomco clamp was utilized in one patient under local anesthesia and resulted in significant difficulty in the performance of the revision. All patients had a satisfactory cosmetic outcome. There was one complication in a child who required a return to the operating room for postoperative bleeding and hematoma. In review of the authors coding practices they found that there was an appropriate diagnosis code available for redundant foreskin but a specific procedure code was lacking before 2002. The authors also found that midwives perform circumcisions throughout the United States. Conclusions: Considering the number of neonatal circumcisions performed in the United States, revision of circumcision uncommonly is required. The most common indication for circumcision revision is redundant foreskin. Although pediatricians were most commonly implicated in this study as the source of unsatisfactory circumcisions, that finding probably is more a reflection of local practices and referral patterns. Our recommended surgical procedure, the conventional sleeve technique, is familiar to pediatric surgeons, produces a satisfactory cosmetic result, and is easy to teach to residents and fellows. The authors do not recommend the use of a gomco clamp for circumcision revision. The authors do not feel that a circumcision revision should be delayed expecting that the child will grow into the redundant foreskin. Appropriate diagnosis codes have been available, but a new and more specific procedure code has just been introduced in 2002. J Pediatr Surg 37:1343-1346. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Radar interferometry studies of the Earth's topography

Digital elevation models (DEMs) which have been acquired using the TOPSAR interferometric radar sensor are directly applicable to geological and geophysical studies. Attention is presently given to three illustrative examples of the use of DEMs: the correction of remote-sensing observations for local slope and topographic effects, topographic expressions of erosion and uplift in alluvial fans, and volcanology. The greatest advantages of TOPSAR over conventional photogrammetry include rapidity of data collection, high spatial and vertical resolution, and the ability to obtain contiguous data independent of cloud cover.
Concurrent Student-Managed Discussions in a Large Class.

Abstract Is it feasible to hold concurrent, small-group, peer-managed discussions in large elementary school classes? We sought an initial answer to this question in a fifth-grade class in Hefei, China. The 52 students in the class were divided into seven small groups. The seven groups held four simultaneous discussions without immediate supervision or guidance from the teacher. The discussions employed the Collaborative Reasoning format, which is designed to promote children's skills of argument as well as skills of discussion management. Analysis of videos and transcripts of the discussions of two groups showed that a core sequence of rhetorical moves characteristic of argumentation emerged in the children's talk. In terms of social dynamics, the two groups had different developmental trends across discussions, perhaps because of the contrasting styles of the emergent child leaders of the groups. Students who experienced Collaborative Reasoning wrote essays with better-developed arguments than comparable children who did not experience Collaborative Reasoning. Responses to a survey showed that the students held positive attitudes toward small-group discussions in the Collaborative Reasoning format because they liked the opportunity to reason together as a team.
Insulin sensitivity and arterial stiffness in youth with type 1 diabetes: the SEARCH CVD study.

Abstract Aims Decreased insulin sensitivity is a cardiovascular risk factor (CVRF) in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Whether baseline insulin sensitivity is independently associated with changes in early arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity (PWV)) over time in youth with T1D is not known. Methods Two hundred ninety-eight youth with T1D in the SEARCH CVD study had PWV measured~five years apart. Insulin sensitivity and other CVRFs were measured at baseline. The association between baseline insulin sensitivity with PWV over time was explored using linear mixed models. Models were adjusted for baseline age, sex and race, with subsequent adjustment for CVRFs. Results There was a significant interaction (p=0.0326) between baseline insulin sensitivity and time on PWV, independent of CVRFs, indicating that higher insulin sensitivity levels were associated with lower rate of change in PWV over time. Other significant predictors of PWV change were baseline age [β=0.007 (p=0.03) increase in logPWV/year increase in age] and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) [β=0.005 (p Conclusions Lower insulin sensitivity at baseline appears to be an important risk factor for increased arterial stiffness over time in youth with T1D. This identifies a potentially modifiable therapeutic target.
ON MATROIDS WITH MANY COMMON BASES

Abstract Let B (M) denote the collection of bases of a matroid M. Truemper showed that if M1 and M2 are connected matroids having the same ground set and the symmetric difference B (M 1 ) Δ B (M 2 ) has cardinality one, then one of M1 and M2 is obtained from the other by relaxing a circuit-hyperplane. This paper shows that, apart from a trivial exception, a pair of connected matroids M1 and M2 having the same ground set and the property that | B (M 1 ) Δ B (M 2 )|=2 must also be related via the relaxation operation.
Full-Wave Analysis of an Imperfectly-Conducting Stripline

In this paper, the discrete principal-mode propagation constant of an imperfectly-conducting stripline field applicator is investigated. Specifically, a complex correction to the ideal (i.e., perfectly-conducting) propagation constant is sought using a full-wave spectral-domain analysis. First, the electric-field dyadic Green's function for a general three-dimensional (3D) current source immersed within an imperfectly-conducting stripline background environment is determined with the aid of Hertzian-potential impedance boundary conditions. These boundary conditions, which are developed in the paper, follow from a Leontovich boundary condition and include important coupling terms that are absent in the perfectly-conducting case. Next, the stripline structure is realized by specializing the general 3D current to a 2D current flowing in an imperfectly-conducting center strip. Boundary conditions are subsequently enforced on the center strip, leading to an electric field integral equation (EFIE). The complex ...
Spectrally resolved fluorescence cross sections of BG and BT with a 266-nm pump wavelength

The spectrally resolved absolute fluorescence cross sections of Bacillus globigii (BG) and Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) were measured with a 266nm Nd:YAG laser source. The aerosol samples were prepared in dilute aqueous suspensions for measurement and the absolute cross section was found by use of the Raman scattering line from water. Integrated cross sections for BT and BG were found to be 1.1864 × 10-12 cm2(spore sr) and 3.251 × 10-13 cm2/ (spore sr) respectively.
Formulating matrix equations in the context of MoM by using the Dipole Moment (DM) method instead of Green's functions

In this paper we introduce a universal Method of Moment (MoM)-based formulation, which overcomes some of the drawbacks of conventional frequency domain techniques. Formulating the problem in a way that bypasses the evaluation of the electric field as a summation of scalar and vector potential terms enables us to overcome the low-frequency breakdown when applied to the solution of the Surface Electric Field Integral Equation (S-EFIE). The direct evaluation of the electric fields reduces the impedance matrix fill time compared to the conventional MoM. The Equivalent Medium Approach (EMA) can be applied in conjunction with the proposed formulation for the solution of microstrip circuits embedded in stratified environments.
The short- and long-term impact of the Asian financial crisis on Las Vegas Strip baccarat revenues

Abstract This study investigates the short- and long-term impact of the Asian crisis on Las Vegas gaming revenues. Without timely information on Asian visitor volumes and expenditures, we use aggregate Las Vegas baccarat wins and economic information for Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong, areas from which most Asian high-rollers to Las Vegas come from, and estimate an ARCH/GARCH model. Fluctuations in exchange rates are utilized as economic determinants. We find that baccarat wins have experienced a temporary decline since the Asian Crisis began. Fluctuations in exchange rates, do not, however, fully explain this decline. Furthermore, the model's findings suggest the devaluation of the currencies of Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong has no significant long-term impact on baccarat revenues in Las Vegas. However, we found a permanent increase in volatility of baccarat wins, which represents an increased risk that may need to be addressed by casino managers and owners. Future research should include the search for other factors that may influence the magnitude of baccarat wins, in general, and the portion derived from Asian customers, in particular.
Quantitative vibrational sum-frequency generation spectroscopy of thin layer electrochemistry: CO on a Pt electrode

Simultaneous electrochemical and vibrational sum-frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy measurements are made of oxidation of CO on a polycrystalline Pt electrode with both CO-free and CO-saturated electrolytes. A femtosecond broad-band multiplex SFG apparatus permits rapid spectral acquisitions (5 s � 1 ) synchronized with the potential sweep at a rate of 5 mV/s. The electrochemical cell has an ideal configuration, where the thickness of the supporting electrolyte (here 25 lm) was controlled by a spacer. The SFG lineshape is analyzed with a method that extracts the amplitude, peak frequency and Lorentzian linewidth of the CO stretch resonance as well as the nonresonant contribution from the Pt electrode. With a CO-free electrolyte, it is shown that the loss of SFG signal from CO quantitatively tracks the CO surface coverage, as determined by the integrated current or charge. The CO peak shift undergoes Stark tuning at a rate of 27.5 ± 1 cm � 1 V � 1 until an electrode potential slightly below the onset of CO oxidation. As CO is oxidized, the peak frequency dips and then recovers, while the peak linewidth broadens and then narrows. These effects are more pronounced with CO-saturated electrolyte. The relationships between the CO peak shift and linewidth and the microscopic dynamics of CO at the electrochemical surface are discussed briefly. � 2005 Published by Elsevier B.V.
A model of microbial survival after exposure to pulsed electric fields.

Survival curves of microorganisms exposed to pulsed electric fields have a characteristic sigmoid shape when plotted in linear coordinates. They can be described by the phenomenological model S(V, n) - 100/(1 + exp(V - Vc(n)) /a((n))) where S(V, n) is the percent surviving organisms, V the field intensity, n the number of pulses, Vc(n) critical field intensity corresponding to 50% survival and a(n) a constant representing the curve's steepness (about 90% of the loss in number occurs within Vc ± 3a). Testing the model with published data showed an excellent fit. Moreover, both Vc(n) and a(n) could be described in terms of a single exponential decay term, indicative of the increased lethality of the field as the number of pulses increases. These enabled the creation of three dimensional plots of the survival-field intensity-number of pulses relationships, with linear or semi-logarithmic scales, from which similarity and differences in resistance can be revealed at a glance. The tabulated model's constants can also be used for quantitative comparison of the survival curves of different organisms. WhenV ≫ Vc the model is reduced to log[S(V, n)/100] = -V/a(n), that is it entails the same type of semi-logarithmic relationship between survival and field intensity, a relationship that is traditionally used to present survival curves.
Pancreatic resection for carcinoma of the pancreas: Whipple versus total pancreatectomy—An institutional perspective

The collective term “pancreatic cancer” should be replaced by more specific terminology indicating the histological subtype, e.g., pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, ampullary adenocarcinoma, duodenal carcinoma, pancreatic cystadenocarcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and malignant islet cell carcinoma. Each of these tumors has its own inherent prognostic and therapeutic characteristics-95% of ampullary lesions being resectable in contrast to ±10% of pancreatic ductal malignancies and comparable 5-year survival figures for these two subtypes are 40% and 5%, respectively. Since the results of adjuvant therapy (chemo- and/or radiotherapy) have been dismal, the only chance of cure remains resective therapy, either by the performance of a total or subtotal pancreatectomy (Whipple procedure). The operative mortality rate for these procedures at our institution has been 12% and 4%, respectively, with corresponding 5-year survival rates of 2% and 4%. Despite earlier promise that total pancreatectomy only would be a superior procedure (elimination of the pancreatojejunal anastomosis, wider lymphadenectomy, irradication of multicentric disease), the operation has thus far not fulfilled these expectations. The Whipple procedure remains the resective procedure of choice at our institution—total pancreatectomy being performed principally in those patients in whom a safe pancreatojejunal anastomosis cannot be constructed. Value of early diagnosis in patients with ductal adenocarcinoma does not appear to imply improved prognosis. Energies should be diverted toward etiological identification of this lethal malignancy which is steadily increasing in incidence.
The Morrill act and education

(1963). The Morrill act and education. British Journal of Educational Studies: Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 19-40.
Membrane associated nonmuscle myosin II functions as a motor for actin‐based vesicle transport in clam oocyte extracts

Nonmuscle myosin II (Myo2) has been shown to associate with membranes of the trans-Golgi network and to be involved in Golgi to ER retrograde protein transport. Here, we provide evidence that Myo2 not only associates with membranes but functions to transport vesicles on actin filaments (AFs). We used extracts from unactivated clam oocytes for these studies. AFs assembled spontaneously in these extracts and myosin-dependent vesicle transport was observed upon activation. In addition, actin bundles formed and moved relative to each other at an average speed of ˜0.30 μm/s. Motion analysis revealed that vesicles moved on the spontaneously assembled AFs at speeds greater than 1 μm/s. The motor on these vesicles was identified as a member of the nonmuscle Myo2 family based on sequence determination by Edman chemistry. Vesicles in these extracts were purified by sucrose gradient centrifugation and movement was reconstituted in vitro using skeletal muscle actin coated coverslips. When peripheral membrane proteins of vesicles including Myo2 were removed by salt stripping or when extracts were treated with an antibody specific to clam oocyte nonmuscle Myo2, vesicle movement was inhibited. Blebbistatin, a Myo2 specific inhibitor, also blocked vesicle movement. Myo2 light chain kinase activity was found to be essential for vesicle movement and sliding of actin bundles. Together, our data provide direct evidence that nonmuscle Myo2 is involved in actin-dependent vesicle transport in clam oocytes. Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Biogenesis of Lysergic Acid in Ergot

SEVERAL schemes have been proposed for the biogenesis of the medicinally valuable lysergic acid moiety of the ergot alkaloids1–5. Recently, it was shown by Taber and Vining6, and later verified by Baxter et al. 7, that tryptophan (β-14C) serves as a precursor for lysergic acid. Groger and co-workers8 demonstrated that tryptophan (β-14C) is also a precursor for the chemically related clavine alkaloids, which are produced by certain strains of ergot ; but the carboxyl group of tryptophan does not enter the molecule. The nature of the precursor of the remaining portions of lysergic acid and of the clavine alkaloids has remained a puzzle. Groger2 demonstrated that, when acetate (1-14C) was fed to saprophytic cultures of ergot, the radioactivity was incorporated into the clavine alkaloids. Since the alkaloids were not degraded, the biogenetic significance of this work is not clear.
The Role of Programmed Cell Death as an Emerging New Concept for the Pathogenesis of Autoimmune Diseases

Activation-induced apoptosis is a primary mechanism for downmodulation of an immune response leading to immune homeostasis and deletion of T cells with specificities which may be harmful. These include deletion of T cells with self-specificities (autospecific) and excessively high affinity for foreign antigen which may lead to an excessively heightened immune response and septic shock. Surface molecules involved in activation-induced apoptosis involve Fas and Fas ligand (FasL), as well as the T-cell receptor (TCR) which modulates the expression and function of these molecules. Fas signaling mechanisms include the hematopoietic cell phosphatase (HCP) and sphingomyelinase, while TCR-signaling mechanisms include Nur77 and fyn kinase and unknown molecules that modulate expression of FasL. Apoptosis signals are further modulated by inhibitors or inducers of apoptosis including Bcl-2, p53, and interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE). Further understanding of the interaction of these molecules in autoimmune disease may lead to more specific therapies for immunosuppression tailored to the genetic or environmentally induced, activation-induced apoptosis defect in patients.
Bacteriological studies of resected pulmonary tuberculosis lesions.

SUMMARY 1Sixty-two per cent of the cases included in this study had positive cultures for Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Solid lesions gave 28 per cent, while cavitary lesions gave 66 per cent of the total positives obtained. Length of treatment had little effect on the number of positive cultures obtained on resection, this being affected somewhat by the nonsusceptible and persistent cavitary cases which were resected. 2Chemotherapeutic susceptibility results in tuberculosis may vary slightly in the same individual, depending upon the type of lesion and source from which the tubercle organisms are obtained, as shown by our data comparing sputa or gastrics (preoperative) and resected material studied. These were noted where nonsusceptible (intermediate) variants occurred and, therefore, should not deter clinical interpretations of susceptibility findings.
Molecular Dynamics at Constant Pressure: Allowing the System to Control Volume Fluctuations via a ``Shell'' Particle

Since most experimental observations are performed at constant temperature and pressure, the isothermal-isobaric (NPT) ensemble has been widely used in molecular simulations. Nevertheless, the NPT ensemble has only recently been placed on a rigorous foundation. The proper formulation of the NPT ensemble requires a “shell” particle to uniquely identify the volume of the system, thereby avoiding the redundant counting of configurations. Here, we review our recent work in incorporating a shell particle into molecular dynamics simulation algorithms to generate the correct NPT ensemble averages. Unlike previous methods, a piston of unknown mass is no longer needed to control the response time of the volume fluctuations. As the volume of the system is attached to the shell particle, the system itself now sets the time scales for volume and pressure fluctuations. Finally, we discuss a number of tests that ensure the equations of motion sample phase space correctly and consider the response time of the system to pressure changes with and without the shell particle. Overall, the shell particle algorithm is an effective simulation method for studying systems exposed to a constant external pressure and may provide an advantage over other existing constant pressure approaches when developing nonequilibrium molecular dynamics methods.
Village labor markets in Sheikan district, Sudan

Abstract This paper examines salient features of village labor markets in western Sudan. Labor markets are well established, contrary to conventional impressions that labor markets do not exist in villages of the semi-arid tropics. Wages vary considerably, and are not uniform across workers or villages or the agricultural season. Transactions are short term and casual; there is no long-term attached labor. Most transactions are on a task basis, rather than time rate. Work parties are primarily held by wealthier villagers, and are considerably less expensive than hired labor. These observations contrast with other descriptions of village labor markets.
Asymmetries of comparison.

Tversky’s (1977) seminal work on directionality in judgments of similarity demonstrated that people may not judge the similarity of A to B to be equal to the similarity of B to A. In a series of studies, we investigated comparison asymmetries. In Experiment 1, our aim was to extend Tversky’s findings to a heterogeneous stimulus set, but no reliable asymmetries were observed. Experiment 2 employed a variety of comparison judgments, and, although some of these measures showed asymmetries, we still failed to observe asymmetries in rated similarity. A final attempt to obtain asymmetries used direction as a within-subjects factor, and for the first time, rating asymmetries were observed. Our data reinforce the idea of comparison asymmetries but suggest that similarity rating asymmetries are only observed under quite circumscribed conditions.
The potent hepatocarcinogen methapyrilene induces mutations in L5178Y mouse lymphoma cells in the apparent absence of DNA adduct formation

Abstract The antihistamine methapyrilene hydrochloride has been shown to be a potent hepatocarcinogen in Fischer 344 rats. It has also been evaluated in a number of short-term in vivo and in vitro genotoxicity assays with conflicting results. We studied its ability to form DNA adducts in the L5178Y/TK +/- mouse lymphoma cells, an assay system in which methapyrilene is a moderately active mutagen and appears to induce mutations predominantly of chromosomal origin. Methapyrilene failed to induce formation of DNA adducts in L5178Y cell DNA at doses which induced mutations at the thymidine kinase locus. These data suggest that methapyrilene induces mutations in this system through an indirect genotoxic mechanism; e.g., via an oxidative mechanism or interaction with chromosomal proteins.
The impact of job loss on professional and managerial employees and their families

Despite the recent economic boom, layoffs of professional and managerial employees in the United States continue to affect millions of individuals and their family members. This paper presents the findings of an exploratory study of the impact of unemployment on ten displaced professionals and managers and their families. A seven-stage typology describing reactions of the unemployed and their families to long-term unemployment is presented. Impact on the family, differences in reactions to loss of employment based on gender and on age, and information regarding re-employment status of these individuals are discussed. Implications for work-based programs, clinical services, and policy are provided.
Modelling the cardiovascular effects of ephedrine

Aims Recent reports have called into question the safety of ephedra supplements especially with regards to their cardiovascular effects. The purpose of this analysis was to characterize, via pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic modelling, the cardiovascular effects of ephedrine, the main active ingredient of ephedra, in apparently healthy, overweight volunteers. Methods In a randomized, double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study, eight subjects received either placebo, 0.25, 0.5 or 1.0 mg kg−1 ephedrine sulphate by mouth with a 7-day washout between treatments. Plasma ephedrine concentrations, heart rate and blood pressure were determined for 8 h postdose. Results The pharmacokinetics of ephedrine were best described by a one-compartment model with first-order absorption and elimination. The percentage change in heart rate was described by a linear model with a resulting slope of 0.14%·l µg−1 (CV = 59%). The percentage change in systolic blood pressure demonstrated clockwise hysteresis, and a sigmoidal tolerance model was used to describe the data. The mean maximum predicted effect (Emax) was 53.7% (CV = 41%) with an EC50 of 107 µg·l−1 (CV = 65%) and an inhibitory maximum (Imax) of 39.8% (CV = 60%). Tolerance developed with a mean half-life of 15 min (range 6–140 min). Conclusions This is the first study to apply a comprehensive pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic model to the cardiovascular effects of orally administered ephedrine. Although systolic blood pressure increases quickly after administration, the increase is nearly abolished by compensatory mechanisms.
The nasal response to histamine challenge: effect of the pollen season and immunotherapy.

To evaluate changes in the nasal response to histamine, we challenged 19 subjects with allergic rhinitis caused by ragweed (RW) before, during, and after the RW season with increasing doses of histamine diphosphate. We compared their response, as measured by symptoms and the levels of TAME-esterase activity and albumin recovered in the nasal lavage fluid, with response of two groups with allergic rhinitis undergoing immunotherapy with moderate-dose (N=16) and high-dose (N=11) RW (2 and 24 μg of antigen E [ Amb a I] as maintenance dose, respectively). Four challenges with histamine were performed in each group: before, at the peak of, near the end of, and 2 weeks after the RW season. The three groups of subjects has similar skin sensitivity to antigen and levels of TAME-esterase activity and albumin recovered from nasal lavages after histamine challenge performed before seasonal exposure. Symptom diaries obtained throughout the season revealed a significant reduction only in the high-dose immunotherapy-treated group. At the peak of the season, the untreated group had more symptoms in response to the challenge compared with the challenges before and after the season ( p =0.04 for both groups). The saline challenge occurring before challenging with histamine also demonstrated a significant increase at the peak of the season compared with increases before the season ( p =0.02). This observation was also true for the levels of albumin and TAME-esterase activity. If the response after saline challenge was subtracted from each response after histamine challenge, no difference was found in the results between any of the visits. No changes occurred for the net albumin and TAME-esterase activity scores through the season. The saline challenges for the two immunotherapy-treated groups did not reveal a significant change, nor did the overall challenge vary during the season. We speculate that the increased responsiveness of the nasal mucosa during the allergen season may represent an increase in the baseline reactivity of the mucosa and not an increased responsiveness to histamine. Immunotherapy prevents this change in baseline reactivity.