cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of end-expired breath sampling to estimate carboxyhemoglobin levels in community air pollution exposure assessments

Abstract Measurement of carbon monoxide (CO) in end-expired air after breath-holding permits the estimation of blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) levels. Some literature suggests that the precision of the method decreases at low COHb levels. As part of a community exposure and health study, the end-expired breath method was applied to estimate COHb levels in 28 men with ischemic heart disease. Paired samples of blood and breath were collected at the beginning and end of the 24-h CO monitoring periods. The aggregate regression of all subjects' COHb on breath CO displayed high variability. However, the variability was substantially reduced for any particular subject, promoting the use of individualized blood-breath standard curves to improve the precision of COHb estimates made from breath CO. The ultimate accuracy of the blood-breath relationship could not be resolved by our data. Two major sources of error are identified. The observed person-to-person variability may be caused by physiologic factors or differences in ability to deliver an end-expired breath sample representative of alveolar air. This variation may also be due to instrumentation factors, specifically the accuracy of the IL282 CO-Oximeter at 0–3% levels. Further research into the sources of variability in the end-expired breath method is recommended. Epidemiologists using similar end-expired breath measurements to predict COHb levels should be cognizant of the magnitude and probable direction of the error in COHb estimates. This non-invasive method should continue to allow evaluation of the success of personal monitoring efforts and pharmacokinetic modeling of CO uptake in community exposure research.
A method for double-sided friction stir spot welding

Abstract A rotating anvil similar to a pinless friction stir welding (FSW) tool can be applied to friction stir spot welding (FSSW) of thin metal plates. FSSW is a solid-state joining process that is currently being used by automotive manufacturers as an alternative to rivets and traditional resistance spot welding. The principal detractor of this process is the keyhole left by pin extraction, which can be detrimental to the weld strength. A pinless tool can be used to eliminate the keyhole. However, this approach is limited to joining thin sheet (≤1 mm). Using a rotating anvil with the FSSW process permits the joining of thicker cross sections, improves the mechanical strength of the spot weld and reduces the reaction forces on the spot welding frame. A numerical model of the process, tensile shear tests and macrosection analysis are used to evaluate the spot welds. Macrosection and numerical analysis reveals that the material flow between the pinless tool and rotating anvil is complex and unique to this process. It has been found that the use of a rotating anvil for FSSW is a viable means to create quality spot welds in thicker weldments.
Tubulin tyrosylation in invertebrates

Abstract 1. 1. A post-translational modification of tubulin, hitherto detected only in vertebrates, has now been shown to occur in sea urchins. 2. 2. The activity of the tubulin tyrosylating enzyme in unfertilized eggs was about 3% of that in mammalian brain. 3. 3. The relative affinities for tyrosine, phenylalanine and DOPA were similar. 4. 4. Both cytoplasmic tubulin from eggs and outer doublet sperm tubulin could be tyrosylated. 5. 5. Substrate and enzyme from mammal and sea urchin were interchangeable in all combinations, but both showed qualitative species specificity. 6. 6. In Tetrahymena , however, we could not detect tyrosylating enzyme, and Tetrahymena tubulin, which was competent to selfassemble, could not serve as a substrate for mammalian enzyme.
Novel iron complexes of [2.2]paracyclophane

Abstract The synthesis of [2.2]paracyclophane-iron complexes 4 (R=H or Me) is described.
The use of piecewise quadratic polynomials for the solution of singular integral equations of Cauchy type

Abstract A method for the numerical solution of singular integral equations of Cauchy type is developed. The unknown function is expressed as a product of a weight function and a continuous function φ( t ). The continuous function φ( t ) is approximated by piecewise quadratic polynomials, and the singular integral equation is reduced to a linear algebraic system. Numerical examples are given, and comparisons are made with the widely used Gauss-type methods.
The effects of carotid sinus pressure in re-entrant paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia

Abstract The effect of carotid sinus pressure (CSP) on paroxysmal atrial tachycardia (PAT) was studied in eighteen patients. In twelve of the thirteen patients in whom CSP terminated the arrhythmia, gradual slowing occurred prior to conversion to sinus rhythm. With the use of His-bundle electrograms it could be demonstrated that this slowing was due to prolongation of conduction through the A-V nodal re-entrant pathway (increased A-H interval). Thus, slowing of a supraventricular tachycardia in response to CSP does not rule out the possibility that the arrhythmia is PAT. Further vagal maneuvers may, therefore, be indicated in the diagnosis and management of such an arrhythmia.
Organization of Nursing and Quality of Care for Veterans at the End of Life

Context The Veterans Health Administration (VA) has improved the quality of end-of-life (EOL) care over the past several years. Several structural and process variables are associated with better outcomes. Little is known, however, about the relationship between the organization of nursing care and EOL outcomes.
Deuteron-Induced Radioactivities

Bombardment of several elements with 5-MEV deuterons produces the following radioactivities. Commercial copper decays with a half-life of 130\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 days, emitting gamma-rays and very slow electrons. Attempts at chemical identification of probable radioactive products have been inconclusive, and the activity may be due to some unknown impurity in the copper. Zinc emits electrons with half-lives of 97\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10 hours, 25\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 hours, 12\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 hours and 1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.3 hours; the third of these is possibly due to radio ${\mathrm{Cu}}^{64}$ which has the same period. Antimony exhibits electron activities with half-lives of 50\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}4 days, 68\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 hours (confirming the 2.5 day period found by Fermi with neutrons) and 24\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 hours. Ruthenium shows half-lives of 46\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}3 days, 11\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 days, 39\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 hours and 4\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 hours, all due to electrons. Bismuth yields electrons of 5 days half-life and alpha-particles which increase in number for three weeks and then remain practically constant. This is interpreted as the synthesis of radium E through the reaction $_{83}\mathrm{Bi}^{209}$+$_{1}\mathrm{H}^{2}$\ensuremath{\rightarrow}$_{83}\mathrm{Bi}^{210}$ (i.e., Ra E)+$_{1}\mathrm{H}^{1}$, followed by its natural decay to polonium and thence to lead. The range of the alpha-particles agrees with that of the alphas from natural polonium to within 0.5 mm, and the time required to reach maximum alpha-activity is consistent with the 140 day half-life of polonium.
Stress-induced inhibition of triglyceride secretion in vivo in sand rats (Psammomys obesus)

Abstract The effects of acute stress upon circulating triglyceride, glucose, insulin, free fatty acids, and glycerol were investigated in obese desert sand rats. Three groups of animals, designated “nonstress,” “nonexertional stress,” and “exertional stress,” were studied. Acute stress, with or without accompanying exercise, was associated with significant decreases in circulating triglyceride; significant increases in circulating glucose, free fatty acids, and glycerol; and variable changes in circulating insulin. Since these data indicated that substrate availability and hepatic insulization were adequate and therefore could not explain the observed fall in circulating triglyceride, endogenous triglyceride secretion rates were examined by the Triton method. Compared to predicted rates based upon earlier studies, both nonexertional and exertional stress were associated with significantly decreased endogenous triglyceride secretion. Thus, acute stress in the sand rat, with or without accompanying exercise, appears to induce an immediate decrease in endogenous triglyceride secretion and circulating triglyceride.
Self-evaluation and suicide potential.

This study reports on the presence and extent of self-evaluation among 60 acute and 60 low suicide-risk subjects and whether self-evaluation decreases from 60 nonsuicidal subjects to acute suicide ...
An assessment of the effect of TRU waste definition on the cost of transporting contact handled transuranic defense wastes to a repository

Abstract Transuranic (TRU) defense wastes are being, and will continue to be, moved between a number of locations in the United States. The DOE is sponsoring the development of safe, efficient, licensable, and cost-effective transportation systems to handle these wastes. One system being developed for transporting contact-handled TRU wastes has been named TRUPACT which stands for TRansUranic PACkage Transporter. The first packaging design in the TRUPACT family will be identified as TRUPACT-1, and will be bimodal, capable of truck or rail carriage. TRUPACT-I will be compatible with Type A packagings used by waste generators, interim storage facilities, and repositories. The TRUPACT packagings are required to be Type B packagings since larger than Type A quantities of some radionuclides (particularly plutonium) are often contained in the Type A packagings in which the wastes are placed for storage and disposal. TRUPACT must provide structural and thermal protection to the waste when exposed to normal transport and hypothetical accident environments specified in Federal regulations. The TRUPACT-I is described in this paper. The costs associated with transporting contact-handled TRU wastes produced as part of the defense program from waste sources to a terminal waste repository for the first 20 years of repository operation are defined. The effects on the costs of changing the definition of transuranic wastes from greater than 10 to greater than 100 nCi/g are also presented.
Diagnostic and prognostic value of molecular cytogenetic analyses of sextant biopsies from prostate cancer suspects.

Prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent human malignancies and a common cause of cancer-related morbidity and mortality. The great variation in clinical behavior of these tumors creates a major dilemma in the treatment-decision process, since not all men with microscopic carcinoma require aggressive radical therapy. Given the present-day absence of a reliable way to predict which cancers will remain indolent and which are going to kill the host if left untouched, identification of molecular markers that could stratify these patients according to risk of disease progression would have a strong health and socioeconomic impact. Through six original reports, this thesis describes the application of molecular cytogenetic techniques, namely, chromosomal comparative genomic hybridization (cCGH), array-based CGH (aCGH), and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), to diagnostic needle-biopsy samples from prostate cancer suspects, with the goal of identifying genetic markers with diagnostic or prognostic significance in this neoplasia. The same analyses were additionally performed on normal, benign, premalignant, and malignant lesions of the prostate collected from patients diagnosed with cancer (prostatectomy specimens), in order to better characterize the spectrum of aberrations underlying prostate cancer development and progression. We show that most prostate carcinomas display genomic copy number changes, as opposed to benign hyperplasias and premalignant lesions, and that several genetic aberrations confer a more aggressive phenotype to these tumors. Specifically, increased genomic complexity, gain at chromosome arms 7q and 8q, and loss at 6q, 10q, and 13q were associated with progression into locally invasive and/or metastatic disease. More importantly, we demonstrate that it is possible to reliably detect these alterations in ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies from prostate cancer suspects, enabling us to obtain relevant information at a stage in which it may aid the therapeutic decision process for these patients. In particular, gain at 8q detected in sextant biopsies was independently associated with poor disease-specific survival, identifying patients at a higher risk of dying from the disease even after a short follow-up time. We conclude that molecular cytogenetic analysis of diagnostic sextant biop-
Separation/Divorce and Child and Adolescent Completed Suicide

Abstract Objective To investigate factors that may modify the effect of separation/divorce on youth suicide. Method A case-control, psychological autopsy study of 120 of 170 consecutive suicides younger than age 20 and 147 community age-, sex-, and ethnic group-matched controls living in the greater New York area was conducted. Fifty-eight suicide victims and 49 community controls came from nonintact families of origin, indicating the permanent separation/divorce of the biological parents. Potential modifiers of separation/divorce include youth's age at separation, custodial parent's remarriage, nonresidential parent's frequency of contact, parent-child relationships, and parental psychopathology. Results The relatively small impact of separation/divorce was further diminished after accounting for parental psychopathology. An interaction of separation/divorce and the father-child relationship emerged. Conclusions The dramatic increase in youth suicide during the past three decades seems unlikely to be attributable to the increase in divorce rates.
The α4 Regulatory Subunit Exerts Opposing Allosteric Effects on Protein Phosphatases PP6 and PP2A

The protein Ser/Thr phosphatase family contains three enzymes called PP2A, PP4, and PP6 with separate biological functions inferred from genetics of the yeast homologues Pph21/22, Pph3, and Sit4. These catalytic subunits associate with a common subunit called alpha4 (related to yeast Tap42). Here, we characterized recombinant PP6 and PP2A catalytic monomers and alpha4.phosphatase heterodimers. Monomeric PP6 and PP2A showed identical kinetics using either p-nitrophenyl phosphate (pNPP) or 32P-myelin basic protein (MBP) as substrates, with matching Km and Vmax values. Using pNPP as substrate, PP6 and PP2A gave the same IC50 with active site inhibitors okadaic acid, microcystin-LR, calyculin A, and cantharidin. However, with MBP as substrate, PP6 was inhibited at 5-fold lower concentrations of toxins relative to PP2A, suggesting PP6 might be a preferred in vivo target of toxins. Heterodimeric alpha4.PP6 and alpha4.PP2A were starkly different. With MBP as substrate the alpha4.PP2A heterodimer had a 100-fold higher Vmax than alpha4.PP6, and neither heterodimer was active with pNPP. Thus, these phosphatases are distinguished by their different responses to allosteric binding of the common regulatory subunit alpha4. Transient expression of alpha4 differentially increased or decreased phosphorylation of endogenous phosphoproteins, consistent with opposing effects on PP2A and PP6.
Familial caregivers of older adults.

SUMMARY Caregivers of older adults face many obstacles as they balance family, career, and caregiving demands. Caregivers are at an increased risk for burden, stress, depression, and a variety of other mental and physical health complications. It is not uncommon for caregivers to receive some form of pharmacological therapy to treat the physical and mental health changes that may occur throughout their caregiving career. However, while pharmacological forms of treatment are invaluable, medications only may not be sufficient to treat the needs of caregivers. As such, geriatric professionals also have a responsibility to intervene with caregivers through psychosocial interventions. This paper provides an overview of caring, a summary of evidence-based psychosocial interventions for family caregivers of older adults, and recommendations for future interventions.
Environmental Testing Of A Prototype Open-Loop Fiber Optic Gyro For Space Applications

Fiber Optic Gyro performance has progressed sufficiently to allow productization for sp8ce applications. Data is presented showing a stable bias (<0.1 deg/hr) over 0 to 40oC environment with low random noise (0.006 deg/J) and modest scale factor stability (0.2%). Its low power consumption, light weight, and potential for low cost and high reliability make it ideal for the space environment.© (1988) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Genomic medicine and neurological disease.

“Genomic medicine” refers to the diagnosis, optimized management, and treatment of disease—as well as screening, counseling, and disease gene identification—in the context of information provided by an individual patient’s personal genome. Genomic medicine, to some extent synonymous with “personalized medicine,” has been made possible by recent advances in genome technologies. Genomic medicine represents a new approach to health care and disease management that attempts to optimize the care of a patient based upon information gleaned from his or her personal genome sequence. In this review, we describe recent progress in genomic medicine as it relates to neurological disease. Many neurological disorders either segregate as Mendelian phenotypes or occur sporadically in association with a new mutation in a single gene. Heritability also contributes to other neurological conditions that appear to exhibit more complex genetics. In addition to discussing current knowledge in this field, we offer suggestions for maximizing the utility of genomic information in clinical practice as the field of genomic medicine unfolds.
Interatomic potentials from velocity-changing collision kernels.

Measurements of velocity-changing collision kernels have recently been reported. Here we describe the results of calculations which demonstrate that interatomic potentials can accurately be derived from such data. It is important to analyze the kernel directly in terms of an interatomic potential and not in terms of a traditional energy-averaged differential cross section. We use experimental results to determine the Rb-He potential and compare it to calculated potentials.
Luminescence from a sandwich dimer of anthracene

Luminescence of a sandwich pair of anthracene, produced by photolytic cleavage of dianthracene, was investigated in methylcyclohexane glass at 77 K. The polarization of fluorescence indicates that the lowest energy excimer singlet state is derived from the 1La molecular exciton state, while the absence of a monomer-like phosphorescence suggests that the triplet state is very probably bound in the sandwich pair. The changing polarization of the fluorescence throughout its spectrum appears to show differing dependence of charge resonance and excitation resonance contributions upon the intermolecular separations.
Scale economies in manufacturing: Problems of robust estimation

The purpose of the paper is to develop a cost frontier model and its robust estimation for analyzing the impact of scale economies in the manufacturing sector. Indirectly our estimates provide a test of the new growth theory which emphasizes the role of increasing returns to scale as a major force in the sustained growth process. An illustrative application to the South Korean manufacturing sector finds strong supportive evidence for significant scale economies, though in recent years it may be declining for the Korean economy.
NITRIC OXIDE DELIGATION FROM NITROSYL COMPLEXES OF TWO TRANSITION METAL PORPHYRINS : A PHOTOKINETIC INVESTIGATION

The results of an investigation of the ultrafast dynamics of photoinduced deligation in two transition metalloporphyrin−nitrosyl complexes, TPPFeIINO and TPPCoIINO, in conjuction with the results o...
GnRH stimulates acth and immunoreactive β-endorphin release from the rat pituitary in vitro

Abstract An in vitro perifusion system was used to investigate the effects of GnRH stimulation on LH, ACTH, and immunoreactive β-endorphin (iβ-END) release from ovariectomized (1 week) rat anterior hemipituataries. Either 0, 8 or 80 nM GnRH was administered as a 15 min pulse followed 30 min later by a prolonged 45 min infusion. Both 8 and 80 nM GnRH induced comparable LH release in response to the 15 min as well as the 45 min GnRH stimulation. The initial 15 min exposure to either 8 or 80 nM GnRH did not induce significant changes in ACTH or iβ-END release. In contrast, the subsequent 45 min exposure to 8 nM GnRH induced a significant (p in vitro , apparently by a GnRH receptor mediated mechanism independent of actual LH release. Although the time course of these responses appears to be consistent with the hypothesis that GnRH-stimulated gonadotropes release paracrine factor(s) which stimulate corticotrope activity, the mechanism of these responses remains to be determined.
Mercury embrittlement of Cu-Al alloys under cyclic loading

The effect of mercury on the room temperature, high cycle fatigue properties of three alloys: Cu-5.5 pct al, Cu-7.3 pct Al, and Cu-6.3 pct Al-2.5 pct Fe has been determined. Severe embrittlement under cyclic loading in mercury is associated with rapid crack propagation in the presence of the liquid metal. A pronounced grain size effect is noted under mercury, while fatigue properties in air are insensitive to grain size. The fatigue results are discussed in relation to theories of adsorption-induced liquid metal embrittlement.
Throwing out the rules: Anticipatory alpha-band oscillatory attention mechanisms during intersensory task-set reconfigurations

When individuals are required to switch rapidly from execution of one task to another, goal-related task networks and attentional mechanisms are engaged to reconfigure task-specific networks, suppressing activity within circuits responsible for performance of the old task and amplifying preparatory neural processes for the anticipated novel task. That is, competition between two potential task-set configurations must be resolved so that an effective strategy shift can be enacted. In this study, we investigated the neural processes involved in switching between visual and auditory tasks, where both potentially task-relevant sensory inputs were presented simultaneously. As such, the two sensory systems were competing for processing resources. We were specifically interested in the role of oscillatory neural mechanisms in these task-set reconfigurations. We principally examined alpha-band oscillatory activity (10–14 Hz) in the periods preceding switches of task, compared to periods preceding repeats of a given sensory task. The need to switch tasks across the senses resulted in significant behavioral costs (slower and less accurate performing) than when just one task was engaged in for protracted periods of time. Anticipatory alpha-band suppressive mechanisms, in the form of substantially amplified oscillatory synchronizations, were implicated in the successful switching of attention to the auditory stream. In contrast, vigorous alpha-band desynchronization characterized periods preceding switches to the visual domain. The major cortical generators of this alpha-band activity were found in parieto-occipital and fronto-central regions, suggesting involvement of the well-known fronto-parietal attention network in resolving competition between two competing sensory tasks.
Adolescence in evolutionary perspective

This article reviews progress in the application of evolution theory to human growth and development, particularly adolescence. Evolution theory includes a variety of topics and only two of these are treated here: life history and biocultural modelling. “A broad definition of life history includes not only the traditional foci such as age–related fecundity and mortality rates, but also the entire sequence of behavioural, physiological, and morphological changes that an organism passes through during its development from conception to death” (1). This approach may be applied to both the study of the stages of life of modern people and to the evolution of the human pattern of growth.
Droplet and slug formation in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell flow channels: The role of interfacial forces

Abstract A microfluidic device is employed to emulate water droplet emergence from a porous electrode and slug formation in the gas flow channel of a PEM fuel cell. Liquid water emerges from a 50 μm pore forming a droplet; the droplet grows to span the entire cross-section of a microchannel and transitions into a slug which detaches and is swept downstream. Droplet growth, slug formation, detachment, and motion are analyzed using high-speed video images and pressure–time traces. Slug volume is controlled primarily by channel geometry, interfacial forces, and gravity. As water slugs move downstream, they leave residual micro-droplets that act as nucleation sites for the next droplet-to-slug transition. Residual liquid in the form of micro-droplets results in a significant decrease in slug volume between the very first slug formed in an initially dry channel and the ultimate “steady-state” slug. A physics-based model is presented to predict slug volumes and pressure drops for slug detachment and motion.
Synaptogenesis and amino acid release from long term embryonic rat spinal cord neuronal culture using tissue culture inserts.

Abstract In the present study, using tissue culture inserts (TCI) coupled with a primary spinal cord neuronal culture, we characterize a new perfusion system, which permits continuous perfusate collection from cultured neurons. Primary spinal cord neurons were isolated from the lumbar portion of E14 spinal cords of Sprague–Dawley rats, plated on TCI and fed with DMEM/B27/10% FBS. At 1–4 weeks after isolation the development of synapses and neurotransmitter phenotype in cultured neurons was verified using immunofluorescence. A time-dependent development of synapses (Syn) was seen with a dense Syn-positive network identified at 3–4 weeks after plating. A sub-population of plated neurons (35–40%) showed GABA immunoreactivity and expressed NMDAR1 receptor. To measure neurotransmitter release, a chamber accommodating TCI was constructed permitting perfusion of the insert across the membrane. To evoke amino acid release from cultured neurons, NMDA (10 mmol/l) was added into the perfusion buffer. Stimulation with NMDA evoked a significant GABA (4050 ± 950%) and glutamate release (130 ± 42%) during first 10 min after exposure. In control non-stimulated cells no significant changes were measured. These data show that by using TCI it is possible to maintain embryonic spinal cord neurons for an extended period and that this system may represent a simple tool to identify neurotransmitter and/or peptides associated with a specific population of cultured brain and/or spinal cord neurons.
On model-free accommodation of actuator nonlinearities

A unique method of dealing with various nonlinearities, particularly those associated with actuators, is proposed, implemented and tested in simulation and hardware. It is shown that the nonlinearities, even without mathematical models, can be effectively dealt with based on the concept of active disturbance rejection, by which the effect of the nonlinearities is estimated and cancelled in real time. Simulation and hardware tests give promising results.
Signalling via receptor tyrosine kinase modulates the expression of the DNA repair enzyme XPD in cultured cells.

Oxidative damage to DNA has been documented in cells isolated from subjects with diabetes. Herein, we evaluate the mechanism(s) that regulate the expression of the DNA repair enzyme XPD. CHO cells transfected with the human insulin receptor (CHO/HIRc) showed a threefold increase in the level of XPD mRNA when compared to control CHO/neo cells (P<0.01). The addition of insulin to serum-starved cells led to an increase in XPD mRNA levels in both CHO/neo and CHO/HIRc cells, in a time and dose dependent fashion. Insulin acted primarily by inducing XPD transcription. Moreover, inhibition of protein synthesis by cyclohexamide induced a marked degradation of XPD mRNA levels in insulin treated cells. Site-directed mutagenesis of the tyrosine-kinase domain of the insulin receptor abolished the increase in XPD mRNA resulting from the transfection with wild type insulin receptors (P<0.001). Western blot analysis of cell extracts from CHO/neo and CHO/HIRc cells revealed an increase in XPD counterpart protein was also induced by transfecting cells with the human insulin receptor. Evaluation of DNA damage by means of internucleosomal fragmentation showed a dramatic decrease in DNA fragmentation in CHO cells transfected with wild-type insulin receptor compared to control CHO/neo cells. DNA fragmentation was further decreased by the addition of insulin in the culture medium. In summary, our data indicates that activation of the insulin receptor plays an important role in the cellular response leading to repair of damaged DNA.
Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide-coated silica and its effect on metal adsorption

To accurately model metal mobility and bioavailability in soils and sediments, systematic adsorption studies are needed in considering heterogeneous, well characterized minerals. Two important surfaces are iron oxide and silica, which are ubiquitous and associated with one another in the environment playing important roles in metal distribution. This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of such a system, iron oxide-coated silica. A three-level fractional factorial study was used to determine the optimum conditions for producing goethite-coated silica. The amount of coating achieved was between 0.59 and 21.36 mg Fe g(-1) solid. The most significant factor in coating using either adsorption or precipitation was the particle size of silica, where Fe increased from an average of 0.85 to 9.6 mg Fe g(-1) solid as silica size decreased from 1.5 to 0.2 mm. Other factors investigated, including coating temperature, initial iron concentration, and contact time, were of less importance. The iron oxide coatings were observed to be non-uniform, concentrated in rough concave areas. FTIR revealed a band shift as well as a new band indicating changes in the chemical environment of FeO and SiO bonds; these results along with abrasion studies suggest that the interaction between the oxide coating and silica surface potentially involves chemical forces. Because the nano-sized iron oxide coatings increased surface area, introduced small pores, and changed the surface charge distribution of silica, the coated system demonstrates a greater affinity for Ni compared to that of uncoated silica.
Optically Anomalous Crystals

The optical symmetry of many crystals is lower than would be expected from their external form and X-ray diffraction data. Recently such optical anomalies have been attributed to nonequilibrium structures resulting from kinetically controlled crystal growth. Impurities are incorporated to different extents at various surface sites that would otherwise have become symmetry-related within the bulk crystal. After their discovery by Brewster in 1815, optically anomalous crystals were the subject of lively debate throughout the 19th century among some of the most distinguished contributors to the development of crystallography including Biot, Berzelius, Herschel, Mitscherlich, Frankenheim, Pasteur, Mallard, Klein, Groth, Wyrouboff, Barlow, Brauns, Rinne, Pockels, and Friedel. From a sea of wild speculation two conflicting postulates emerged: that the symmetric form resulted from accidental twinning of segments with lower symmetry, or that the optical peculiarities resulted from stress due to impurities or external perturbations. Neither postulate expresses the present view. Interest in this research waned at the turn of the century, and after 1917 no one pursued Tammann's alternative correct insight. The problem of anomalous double refraction attracted no attention for more than half a century until its recent solution. This review discusses both mineral and organic systems with particular emphasis on the phyllosilicate apophyllite and on 1,5-dichloro-2,3-dinitrobenzene. These nonequilibrium structures relate to questions of crystal order, crystal growth, molecular recognition, and the design of new materials. The review provides a reminder of the enduring value of the polarizing microscope as a research tool in chemistry.
Geography and Vintage Predicted by a Novel GIS Model of Wine δ18O

Wine hydrogen and oxygen stable isotopes record the climatic conditions experienced by the grape vine and the isotopic composition of the vine's source water during berry development. As such, stable isotopes have been explored extensively for use in detecting wine adulteration or for independently verifying claims of origin. We present the results of a study designed to evaluate the relationships between wine water δ18O and spatial climate and precipitation δ18O patterns across the winegrape-growing regions of Washington, Oregon, and California. Retail wines produced from typically small vineyards across these regions were obtained from the 2002 vintage, and the δ18O of wine water was analyzed using a CO2 equilibration method. Significant correlations were observed between the measured wine water δ18O from 2002 and the long-term average precipitation δ18O and late season 2002 climate, based on a spatial join with continuous geographic information system (GIS) maps of these drivers. We then developed a re...
On the set coincidence game

Abstract In the Set Coincidence Game G ( V , W ), two players alternately choose elements not previously chosen from a finite, nonempty set V , and W is a given family of nonempty subsets of V (the ‘winning sets’). The winner is that player who first adds an element to the set of ‘chosen’ elements S , so that S ∈ W . This game is closely related to and generalizes Ringeisen's Isolation Game on graphs. We develop the theory of G ( V , W ), present and support a conjecture about the structure of minimal forced wins, and then prove a weakened form (the Weak Filter Theorem). It is hoped that the indicated themes about optimal design of forced wins will prove of interest for a variety of combinatorial games.
Pelvic injuries in child abuse

Three cases of child abuse are described in which pelvic injuries were prominent findings on radiologic examination: Two patients had pelvic fractures, and one was found to have heterotopic ossification of the soft tissues of the pelvis and thighs corresponding to extensive bruising in the pubic, genital, buttock, and thigh areas, resulting from physical and sexual abuse. These represent uncommon radiographic findings. Skeletal survey in cases of suspected child abuse should include the entire pelvis, and special attention should be paid to the ischiopubic rami the most common site of these rare pelvic injuries.
Disparities in allergy testing and health outcomes among urban children with asthma

Background Previous research has found that treating allergies and reducing exposure to allergens can reduce asthma morbidity. Objective We sought to examine whether urban asthmatic children were receiving care for allergies as part of a comprehensive asthma management plan. Methods A cross-sectional study, consisting of a parent-reported questionnaire, was conducted in 26 randomly selected New York City public elementary schools during the 2002-2003 school year. Results In a sample of 5250 children aged 5 to 12 years, 13.0% were found to have current asthma. The prevalence of allergy diagnosis was 21.0%. Less than half (47.3%) of the subjects with current asthma reported a physician's diagnosis of allergies. The frequency of a reported allergy diagnosis varied with race/ethnicity, ranging from 14.4% in Mexican American children to 67.9% in white children. Only 54.9% of asthmatic children with an allergy diagnosis reported allergy testing. Children from lower-/middle-income households and children with public forms of health insurance were the least likely to report testing (adjusted odds ratios, 0.18 and 0.46). Higher frequencies of reported allergy testing were associated with education on allergen avoidance, use of allergy medications, lower exposure to household allergens, and lower prevalence of wheezing. Conclusions Many children do not receive comprehensive asthma treatment that includes management of allergies and education on avoidance of household allergens. Lower reported allergy testing might indicate lower access to medical care among middle-income families who are ineligible for public programs but who do not have the income to access higher-quality care. Interventions aimed at improving medical care and adherence to treatment guidelines are necessary to decrease asthma morbidity.
Solubility of drugs in aqueous solutions: Part 4. Drug solubility by the dilute approximation

As in our previous publications in this journal [Int. J. Pharm. 258 (2003a) 193; Int. J. Pharm. 260 (2003b) 283; Int. J. Pharm. 267 (2003c) 121], this paper is concerned with the solubility of poorly soluble drugs in aqueous mixed solvents. In the previous publications, the solubilities of drugs were assumed to be low enough for the so-called infinite dilution approximation to be applicable. In contrast, in the present paper, the solubilities are considered to be finite and the dilute solution approximation is employed. As before, the fluctuation theory of solutions is used to express the derivatives of the activity coefficient of a solute in a ternary solution (dilute solute concentrations in a binary solvent) with respect to the concentrations of the solvent and cosolvent. The expressions obtained are combined with a theoretical equation for the activity coefficient of the solute. As a result, the activity coefficient of the solute was expressed through the activity coefficients of the solute at infinite dilution, solute mole fraction, some properties of the binary solvent (composition, molar volume and activity coefficients of the components) and parameters reflecting the nonidealities of binary species. The expression thus obtained was used to derive an equation for the solubility of poorly soluble drugs in aqueous binary solvents which was applied in two different ways. First, the nonideality parameters were considered as adjustable parameters, determined from experimental solubility data. Second, the obtained equation was used to correct the solubilities of drugs calculated via the infinite dilution approximation. It was shown that both procedures provide accurate correlations for the drug solubility.
How we know universals: retrospect and prospect

Abstract A new perspective on three papers coauthored by Warren McCulloch emphasizes the paradigmatic role to be played in brain theory by action-oriented studies of distributed computation in somatotopically organized neural networks.
Hierarchical views of anxiety: What do they profit us?

Zinbarg (1998) revisits the widely accepted triple-response mode conceptualization for assessing and treating anxiety and fear. The scientific validity of these constructs has been undermined considerably by empirical findings of Lang (1978) and others that they do not exist all of a piece, and are made up of distinguishable responses broadly categorizable as cognitive, motor, and physiological. Zinbarg argues that these constructs can still be useful if viewed as unitary latent traits at a higher level, coexisting with several distinguishable response systems at lower levels of a hierarchical model. Two major difficulties with his argument are discussed: (a) methodological and (b) conceptual. The first deals with the highly complex multicontent-multimethod-multibehavior analyses needed to validate triple response mode logic. The hierarchical model appears to require the addition of multisystem comparisons, further complicating the analysis. Given that there are as yet no studies showing the separate and joint contributions of method and behavior to response system relationships, it is questionable whether even more difficult analyses will be undertaken. Conceptually, the hierarchical model looks like a return to abstract, highly inferential, medical model logic, which behavioral assessors and therapists have historically found distasteful. More parsimonious behavioral approaches are available for dealing with “anxiety” and “fear.” Practitioners and researchers are encouraged to consider them before adopting a model that takes us even further from the actual behavior of clients.
Aging, regularity and variability in maximum isometric moments

This study examined the variability and regularity of maximum isometric moment production of the plantar flexors in young and old subjects. It was hypothesized that in the development of maximum isometric moments there would be greater regularity in the moment profiles for older subjects compared with young subjects, due to the reduced number of motor units present in elderly muscle. Two groups of subjects produced three maximal isometric plantar flexions (young: n=11, mean age 23.8+/-2.8 years, mean mass 81.2+/-10.4 kg, mean height 1.78+/-0.05 m; elderly: n=13, mean age 74.0+/-3.3 years, mean mass 78.5+/-3.4 kg, mean height 1.73+/-0.05 m). The plateau of the moment-time curve was analyzed for each trial. A repeat measures analysis of variance showed the young subjects produced statistically greater peak plantar flexion moments than the elderly subjects, but similar coefficients of variation. Signal regularity was determined by computing the signal's approximate entropy, which demonstrated that the older group had greater regularity in their generation of moment profiles. The hypothesis was accepted, with a potential explanation for this increased regularity in old age being the reduced number of motor units to coordinate.
The Madden-Julian Oscillation and the relative value of deterministic forecasts of extreme precipitation in the contiguous United States

AbstractThe Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is the most prominent form of tropical intraseasonal variability that impacts weather and climate. Forecast skill of extreme precipitation in the contiguous United States (CONUS) during winter is higher when the MJO is active and has enhanced convection over the Western Hemisphere, Africa, and/or the western Indian Ocean. This study applies a simple decision model to examine the relationships between the MJO and the relative value of deterministic forecasts of extreme precipitation. Value in the forecasts is significantly higher and extends to longer leads (2 weeks) during active MJO.
Inhibition of the soluble form of testis adenylate cyclase by catechol estrogens and other catechols.

AbstractThe soluble form of rat germ cell adenylate cyclase was inhibited by compounds with a catechol moiety. Among the naturally occurring catechols tested, catechol estrogens were the most potent inhibitors. Catechol estrogens at 2–6 μM inhibited enzyme activity by 50% and almost completely at 30–100 μM concentration. The inhibitory activity of catechol estrogens depends on the catechol moiety of the molecule. Catechol per se also inhibited the activity of this enzyme, 50% inhibition being achieved at about 11 μM. The two hydroxyls of the catechol moiety are essential for the inhibitory interaction with the enzyme. Thus, aromatic compounds containing only one hydroxyl group in the benzene ring, such as tyrosine, phenylephrine, estradiol, and 6α-hydroxyestradiol were either completely inactive or had marginal inhibitory activity at concentrations up to 0.3–1 mM. Moreover, methylation of the hydroxyl groups of the catechol moiety of the catechol estrogens as in 2-methoxyestradiol 3-methyl ether rendered ...
Emergence of Candida parapsilosis as the Predominant Species Causing Candidemia in Children

An increase in the rate of isolation of Candida parapsilosis, relative to other Candida species, in our children's hospital led us to analyze the clinical and epidemiological variables associated with candidemia. We sought to determine if these variables are different for patients infected with C. parapsilosis. All episodes of candidemia occurring over a 7-year period were analyzed retrospectively. Of 81 episodes in 80 patients, 35 (43%) were in neonates, and 46 (57%) were in nonneonates. C. parapsilosis was isolated in 40 episodes (49%). C. parapsilosis was significantly more likely than non-C. parapsilosis species to be associated with prematurity (P = .001), presence of a central venous catheter (P = .002), and use of total parenteral nutrition (P = .03). C. parapsilosis has emerged as the predominant species in our children's hospital. The mortality rate associated with candidemia in children is lower than previously reported and may be associated with the high rate of isolation of C. parapsilosis.
Characterization of a High-Molecular-Weight Notch Complex in the Nucleus of Notchic-Transformed RKE Cells and in a Human T-Cell Leukemia Cell Line

Notch genes encode a family of transmembrane proteins that are involved in many cellular processes, such as differentiation, proliferation, and apoptosis. It is well established that all four Notch genes can act as oncogenes; however, the mechanism by which Notch proteins transform cells remains unknown. Previously, we reported that both nuclear localization and transcriptional activation are required for neoplastic transformation of RKE cells. Furthermore, we identified cyclin D1 as a direct transcriptional target of constitutively active Notch molecules. In an effort to understand the mechanism by which Notch functions in the nucleus, we sought to determine if Notch formed stable complexes using size exclusion chromatography. Herein, we report that the Notch intracellular domain (Nic) forms distinct high-molecular-weight complexes in the nuclei of transformed RKE cells. The largest complex is approximately 1.5 MDa and contains both endogenous CSL (for CBF1, Suppressor of Hairless, and Lag-1) and Mastermind-Like-1 (Maml). Nic molecules that do not have the high-affinity binding site for CSL (RAM) retain the ability to associate with CSL in a stable complex through interactions involving Maml. However, Maml does not directly bind to CSL. Furthermore, Maml can rescue ΔRAM transcriptional activity on a CSL-dependent promoter. These results indicate that deletion of the RAM domain does not equate to CSL-independent signaling. Moreover, in SUP-T1 cells, Nic exists exclusively in the largest Nic-containing complex. SUP-T1 cells are derived from a T-cell leukemia that harbors the t(7;9)(q34;q34.3) translocation and constitutively express Nic. Taken together, our data indicate that complex formation is likely required for neoplastic transformation by Notchic.