cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Insertional mutagenesis enables cleistothecial formation in a non-mating strain of Histoplasma capsulatum

Histoplasma capsulatum is a pathogenic ascomycete fungus that rapidly loses mating ability in culture. Loss of mating ability, as well as the organism's low rate of targeted gene replacement, limits techniques available for genetic studies in H. capsulatum. Understanding molecular mechanisms regulating mating in this organism may allow us to reverse or prevent loss of mating in H. capsulatum strains, introducing a variety of classical genetics techniques to the field. We generated a strain, UC1, by insertional mutagenesis of the laboratory strain G217B, and found that UC1 acquired the ability to form mating structures called cleistothecia. The aim of this study was to determine the mechanism by which UC1 gained the ability to form cleistothecia. We also present initial studies demonstrating that UC1 can be used as a tool to determine molecular correlates of mating in H. capsulatum. The strain UC1 was found to have increased RNA levels of the mating locus transcription factor (MAT1-1-1), and the putative alpha pheromone (PPG1) compared to G217B. Agrobacterium-mediated transformation and integration of T-DNA from the vector pCB301-GFP-HYG were found to be partially responsible for the increased RNA levels of these genes; however, the site of integration appeared to play the largest role in the strain's ability to form cleistothecia. Silencing HMK1, a putative FUS3/KSS1 homolog, had no effect on cleistothecial production by UC1. Protein kinase C (PKC1) RNA and protein levels were increased in UC1 compared to G217B, and pheromone production was found to be linked with Pkc1 activity in H. capsulatum. The site of the T-DNA integration event appears to play the largest role in UC1's ability to form cleistothecia. We show that the UC1 strain can be used as a tool to study cleistothecia production in H. capsulatum by manipulating the strain, or by identifying differences between UC1 and G217B. Using these approaches, we were able to link Pkc1 activity with pheromone production in H. capsulatum; however, further studies are required to determine molecular mechanisms behind this. These studies may reveal regulatory mechanisms that can be manipulated to restore mating ability in H. capsulatum laboratory strains.
Opioid antagonist-induced receptor upregulation: Effects of concurrent agonist administration

The present study examined whether opioid antagonist-induced receptor upregulation could be antagonized by simultaneous treatment with opioid agonists. Mice were treated concurrently with opioid agonists (morphine, fentanyl, etorphine) and antagonists (naloxone, naltrexone) over a period of 7-8 days. Concurrent morphine (1 or 4, 75 mg SC implanted pellets), fentanyl (5.0 mg/kg/day, infusion) or etorphine (0.25 mg/kg/day, infusion) administration were unable to inhibit upregulation of mu opioid (DAMGO) receptors by either naloxone (1 mg/kg/day, infusion) or naltrexone (15 mg or 2 mg SC implanted pellet). Only a very high infusion dose of etorphine (10 mg/kg/day) inhibited upregulation by naltrexone (2mg SC implanted pellet). These results indicate that antagonist-induced upregulation is a robust, receptor-mediated phenomenon.
HUMAN FACTORS AND HIGHWAY-ACCIDENT CAUSATION: SOME THEORETICAL CONSIDERATIONS

Traditional correlational analyses of human skills and highway accidents have not been very productive. Some of the likely reasons for this are discussed. An alternative approach to accident-causation research is outlined in which the importance of a skill with good face validity to driving is assessed in terms of its sensitivity to frequently occurring transient human states such as fatigue, stress and alcohol intoxication.
Effects of cholinergic depletion on experience-dependent plasticity in the cortex of the rat

Clinical and functional studies have strongly suggested that acetylcholine input from the nucleus basalis of Meynert is important for the cortex's adaptive response to experience. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of depletion of acetylcholine inputs from nucleus basalis of Meynert on experience-dependent plasticity in the cortex of young adult male rats. The posteromedial barrel subfield in the primary somatosensory cortex was studied. Experience-dependent plasticity was elicited using a whisker-pairing paradigm in which all whiskers except D2 and D3 were trimmed daily. Plasticity within barrel D2 of the posteromedial barrel subfield was measured using the electrophysiological extracellular recording technique. An index of plasticity was determined in two ways: as an increase in the magnitude of evoked activity to stimulation of whisker D2 and as a bias in the ratio of evoked activity for stimulation of paired whisker D3 and cut whisker D1 (D3/D1). Whiskers D2, D3 and D1 were stimulated (deflected) by a Chubbuck electromechanical stimulator. Cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert were selectively lesioned with an immunotoxin, 192 IgG-saporin, injected into the left lateral ventricle. Lesions of cholinergic neurons in the nucleus basalis of Meynert were verified using choline acetyltransferase immunocytochemistry and radioenzymatic assay. Experience-dependent plasticity was significantly reduced in cholinergic-depleted animals. The magnitude of evoked activity to stimulation of whisker D2 increased by 16-100% in control animals compared with 0-20% in cholinergic-depleted animals. Similarly, compared to a 60-100% increase in the D3/D1 ratio of evoked activity for phosphate-buffered saline-injected control animals, cholinergic-depleted rats showed no significant increase in the D3/D1 ratio (0-15%) after undergoing the whisker-pairing paradigm. After whisker trimming, the D3/D1 response ratio in immunotoxin-treated animals was essentially the same as in control animals that had not been subjected to the whisker-pairing paradigm. This study showed that no significant plasticity response was observed in the absence of cholinergic input from the nucleus basalis of Meynert. The mechanisms of the action of acetylcholine in cortical plasticity are still not known, but we hypothesize that this type of plasticity is activity dependent and is significantly enhanced in the presence of acetylcholine.
Integrative network analysis identifies key genes and pathways in the progression of hepatitis C virus induced hepatocellular carcinoma

Incidence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has been increasing in the United States and Europe during recent years. Although HCV-associated HCC shares many pathological characteristics with other types of HCC, its molecular mechanisms of progression remain elusive. To investigate the underlying pathology, we developed a systematic approach to identify deregulated biological networks in HCC by integrating gene expression profiles with high-throughput protein-protein interaction data. We examined five stages including normal (control) liver, cirrhotic liver, dysplasia, early HCC and advanced HCC. Among the five consecutive pathological stages, we identified four networks including precancerous networks (Normal-Cirrhosis and Cirrhosis-Dysplasia) and cancerous networks (Dysplasia-Early HCC, Early-Advanced HCC). We found little overlap between precancerous and cancerous networks, opposite to a substantial overlap within precancerous or cancerous networks. We further found that the hub proteins interacted with HCV proteins, suggesting direct interventions of these networks by the virus. The functional annotation of each network demonstrates a high degree of consistency with current knowledge in HCC. By assembling these functions into a module map, we could depict the stepwise biological functions that are deregulated in HCV-induced hepatocarcinogenesis. Additionally, these networks enable us to identify important genes and pathways by developmental stage, such as LCK signalling pathways in cirrhosis, MMP genes and TIMP genes in dysplastic liver, and CDC2-mediated cell cycle signalling in early and advanced HCC. CDC2 (alternative symbol CDK1), a cell cycle regulatory gene, is particularly interesting due to its topological position in temporally deregulated networks. Our study uncovers a temporal spectrum of functional deregulation and prioritizes key genes and pathways in the progression of HCV induced HCC. These findings present a wealth of information for further investigation.
Δ9-Tetrahydrocannabinol disrupts mitochondrial function and cell energetics

We have observed rapid and extensive depletion of cellular energy stores by Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in the pulmonary transformed cell line A549. ATP levels declined dose dependently with an I...
Synthesis and characterization of the dimethyl-substituted bisbenzimidazole ligand and its manganese complex.

Macrocycles with unique properties provide new avenues for the design of novel catalysts and materials. Here, we report, for the first time, the synthesis and characterization of the dimethyl-subst...
Report to the American Physical Society of the Study Group on Radionuclide Release From Severe Accidents at Nuclear Power Plants

The release of radioiodine during the Three Mile Island (TMI) accident was more than an order of magnitude smaller than what had been predicted from analyses of hypothetical nuclear accidents. The Reactor Safety Study of 1975 (RSS), which carried out the analyses, is a fundamental factor in formulating regulations concerned with such accidents. This American Physical Society (APS) study group report is a result of the obvious need to reevaluate the RSS analysis of the “source term,” that is, the amount of various radionuclides that are predicted to be emitted under various reactor failure scenarios. The report includes an introductory background to the history of nuclear reactor accidents and accident studies and to the health aspects of radionuclide releases. It then describes nuclear reactors and reactor failure modes, including reasonably detailed descriptions of particular modes thought to be especially critical. The most extensive discussion concerns the chemical and physical processes important in the generation, transport, and release of radionuclides. The large computer codes used to model these processes are considered and evaluated. The results of some of the computer runs are examined in the light of a simplified but informative model to evaluate those features of an accident that are most likely to affect the source term. A review of the research programs currently underway precedes both the study group conclusions about the need to revise the source terms from those in the RSS and recommendations for further studies that are necessary to better evaluate the source term.
Evaluation of Indicators of Weight-Carrying Ability of Light Riding Horses

To answer the question of whether horse height, cannon bone circumference, and loin width can be used as indicators of weight-carrying ability in light horses, eight mature horses underwent a submaximal mounted standard exercise test under four conditions: carrying 15, 20, 25, or 30% of their body weight. Heart rate was monitored, plasma lactate concentration was determined in jugular blood samples pre-exercise, immediately post-exercise, and 10 minutes post-exercise, with serum creatine kinase activity determined at the same times as plasma lactate concentrations, with additional samples collected at 24 hours and 48 hours post-exercise. Muscle soreness and muscle tightness scores were determined using a subjective scoring system 24 hours before and 24 hours after exercise. Heart rates remained significantly higher when the horses carried 25 and 30% of their body weight. Plasma lactate concentrations immediately and 10 minutes after exercise differed when horses carried 30% of their body weight compared with 15, 20, and 25% weight carriage. Horses tended to have a greater change in muscle soreness and muscle tightness when carrying 25% of their body weight, and a significant change in soreness and tightness scores was found in horses carrying 30% of their body weight. Loin width and cannon bone circumference were found to be negatively correlated to the changes in muscle soreness and tightness scores. In conclusion, the data suggest that horses with wider loin and thicker cannon bone circumference became less sore when carrying heavier weight loads.
New directions for corporations: Conditions for successful renewal

Abstract Winning companies must renew themselves by growing beyond present markets and products. Each growth path has its own risk/return profile that needs careful management. By reference to companies such as Pitney-Bowes, 3M, Proctor and Gamble, and Campbell Soup, George Day sets out five key success factors that are the clue to the renewal process.
A survey of Louisiana hospital ethics committees

Objectives: To obtain a picture of hospital ethics committees (HECs) in the State of Louisiana. Compare results to other published studies. Gauge interest and participation in HECs by otolaryngologists. Study Design: Mail in questionnaire to all hospitals in Louisiana. Minisurvey distributed to randomly selected otolaryngologists. Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to the 194 hospitals identified by the Louisiana State Hospital Association. Questions included the presence and description of HECs plus the demographic data for the hospitals. Results: Eighty-eight hospitals returned the survey. A HEC was present in 69. Membership was most often multidisciplinary. The annual growth rate ranged from 1.7% to 6%–8%. Teaching hospitals and larger hospitals tended to have a higher frequency rate of HECs. Like most US HECs, this state's committee primary functions included case consultation, education, and policy review. About 30% of otolaryngologists surveyed had some experience with a HEC. Conclusions: Louisiana's HEC construction and function appear similar to those committees found in other US hospitals. Membership is multidisciplinary. The three major functions are education, policy development and case consultation. Larger institutions tend to have a higher frequency of HECs. The growth rate of HECs increased in the early 1990s. As the ethical issues in contemporary medicine become more complex, especially with technological advances, HECs can anticipate constant new challenges. Future direction may focus on the evaluation of how well HECs function and on how improvements can be made. Laryngoscope, 119:330–340, 2009
Basic proteins of cohn fraction III of normal human plasma

Abstract A new class of proteins consisting of at least nine members was discovered in normal human plasma. These proteins, which were isolated from Cohn fraction III, are characterized by their basic properties. On electrophoresis at pH 8.6, they separated well from each other and formed a regular pattern comparable to that of the major plasma proteins. A nomenclature is proposed for these proteins designating them as B1 to B9. One of these basic proteins was isolated in homogeneous state and its molecular weight was calculated to be 11,000.
Viral regulatory region sequence variations in kidney tissue obtained from patients with BK virus nephropathy

Viral regulatory region sequence variations in kidney tissue obtained from patients with BK virus nephropathy. Background The polyomavirus genome contains a noncoding control region (NCCR), which is believed to contain the enhancer elements that are important activators of viral transcription. We hypothesized that DNA sequence variations in this region play a role in the pathogenesis of BK virus allograft nephropathy (BKVAN). Methods Tissue sections were prepared from 26 paraffin-embedded biopsies with BKVAN obtained from 15 patients. The sections were lysed in a proteinase K buffer and subjected to DNA sequencing using Big Dye cycle sequencing reactions run on an automated DNA sequencer (ABI 310). NCCR anatomy was compared to the genomic sequence of archetype BKV strain WW . Results Twelve putative transcription factor binding sites showed nucleotide substitutions, deletions, or duplications in at least one of the biopsies studied. Changes were most commonly found in binding sites for granulocyte/macrophage stimulating factor promoter (24/26 biopsies) and nuclear factor-I (NF-I) transcription factor (21/22 biopsies). Less frequent changes were seen at other binding sites, including T antigen (3/22 biopsies) and the cytomegalovirus immediate early (CMV IE-1) promoter (3/22 biopsies). Five biopsies showed complex rearrangements reminiscent of those described in JC virus–associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Conclusion The regulatory region of BKV shows sequence heterogeneity in biopsy tissue with viral nephropathy. Sequence variations frequently affect putative transcription factor binding sites, with potential implications for promoter activity related to genes important in viral replication. Architectural rearrangements were found in some cases but did not appear to be a prerequisite for the pathogenesis of BKVAN.
A theoretical analysis for determining the nonlinear hydraulic permeability of a soft tissue from a permeation experiment

The nonlinear nature of the hydraulic permeability, as well as the corresponding pressure and displacement fields, in a soft tissue are studied for steady-state permeation. From a two-phase continuum model analytical expressions are derived that can be used with the results from a permeation experiment to determine the dependence of the permeability on the strain. In the process it is found that, because of the compaction of the tissue arising from fluid flow, it is necessary to distinguish between the apparent and intrinsic permeability. The former, which is an averaged quantity, is the permeability usually obtained in permeation studies. However, as shown from the analysis, it can differ substantially from the latter, which is the local permeability in the tissue.
The Long and Winding Road

Examining the nature and fate of efforts to reform the healthcare system in the United States, Starr describes how it has become such a politically charged topic there.
Masculinization of the female rat spinal cord following a single neonatal injection of testosterone propionate but not estradiol benzoate

Summary We previously reported that a motor nucleus of the rat spinal cord, the spinal nucleus of the bulbocavernosus (SNB), has more and larger neurons in males than females. The SNB is significantly masculinized in adult female rats receiving 1 mg of testosterone propionate (TP) on the second day of life, compared to that of their oil treated sisters. This masculinization consists of more neurons in the region of the SNB. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the action of androgens during the early perinatal period is responsible for the sexually dimorphic development of the SNB. Neonatal TP caused no detected masculinization, i.e. enlargement of the size of individual neurons in this region in females. Male rats given TP on day 2 had significantly smaller testes and smaller SNB somas in adulthood than oil treated males. In female rats given 100 μg of estradiol benzoate (EB) on day 2, the SNB was not masculinized in either number or size when observed in adulthood. The lack of a masculinizing effect of EB suggests that the aromatization of testosterone to estradiol is not sufficient for this dimorphic development.
Product Resynthesis as a Reverse Logistics Strategy for an Optimal Closed-Loop Supply Chain

With continued emphasis on sustainability-driven design, reverse logistics is emerging as a vital competitive supply chain strategy for many of the global high-tech manufacturing firms. Various original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and multi-product manufacturing firms are enhancing their reverse logistics strategies in order to establish an optimal closed-loop supply chain through which they can introduce refurbished variants of their products back into the market. While a refurbished product strategy helps to mitigate environmental impact challenges as well as provide additional economic benefits, it is limited to an existing product market, possibly a subset of the existing market, and fails to commercialize/target new markets. In addition to refurbishing, the alternatives available for utilizing End-Of-Life (EOL) products are currently restricted to recycling and permanent disposal. In this work, the authors propose employing a new EOL option called “resynthesis” that utilizes existing waste from EOL products in a novel way. This is achieved through the synthesis of assemblies/subassemblies across multiple domains. The “newly” synthesized product can then be incorporated into the dynamics of a closed-loop supply chain. The proposed methodology enables OEMs to not only offer refurbished products as part of their reverse logistics strategy, but also provide them with resynthesized product concepts that can be used to expand to new/emerging markets. The proposed methodology provides a general framework that includes OEMs (manufacturers of the original product), retailers (distributors of the original product and collectors of the EOL products) and third-party firms (managers of the EOL products) as part of a closed-loop supply chain strategy. The proposed methodology is compared with the existing methodologies in the literature wherein a third-party supplies the OEM only with refurbished products and supplies products unsuitable for refurbishing to another firm(s) for recycling/disposal. A case study involving a multi-product electronics manufacturer is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed methodology.© 2013 ASME
Proton-enhanced 13C NMR of normal human erythrocytes: characterization of motionally restricted molecules.

Abstract Solid-state natural abundance 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy demonstrated the presence of physically immobilized material in intact human erythrocytes. The NMR signal was shown to originate in bilayer lipid, with a minor portion from membrane-associated protein. This technique is potentially useful in studying physical changes of membranes in intact cells under physiological conditions.
Place-identity: Physical world socialization of the self

At this point what is needed is a brief review of the social and cultural processes involved in the development of self-identity. From this discussion, the theoretical signi cance of physical settings and their properties in regard to self-identity will clearly emerge. Paradoxically, what will also emerge is the realization of an almost complete neglect of the role of places and spaces in this aspect of human psychological development.
Integrating bank profit and risk-avoidance decisions for selected European countries: A micro–macro analysis

Abstract A two-equation integrated model is developed to capture bank profit and risk-avoidance decisions. Output is limited to customer loans. The profit function is based on output and selected inputs. Risk-avoidance (using the capitalization ratio) depends on micro and micro ∗ macro interactive variables. The SUR method is used to test the hypothesis that the two functions are interdependent. Also, a single reduced-form equation is derived from the SUR model to analyze the volatility of the capitalization ratio. Five European countries and their banks for the period 1991–2001 are used to run the regressions and to test the hypothesis. The individual statistical results were generally consistent with similar results found in the literature. The Breusch–Pagan test of independence was rejected. A key finding from the volatility analysis suggests that bank profit rates are inversely related to the volatility of the banks' capitalization ratios as measured by their variances.
Gabapentin maintenance decreases smoked cocaine-related subjective effects, but not self-administration by humans.

Abstract Data from research with laboratory animals indicate that cocaine self-administration can be reduced by λ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists. Yet, the effectiveness of GABA agonists to decrease human cocaine self-administration has not been investigated under controlled laboratory conditions. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of gabapentin, a GABA agonist, on cocaine-related behaviors, including self-administration, in human research participants under controlled laboratory conditions. During this 48-day double-blind, crossover design study, the effects of gabapentin (0, 600, and 1200 mg/d) maintenance on response to cocaine (0, 12, 25, and 50 mg) were investigated in seven cocaine abusers. Active cocaine significantly increased choice to self-administer cocaine, subjective-effect ratings (e.g., “Good Drug Effect”), blood pressure and heart rate (HR). Gabapentin did not reduce cocaine choice or cardiovascular measures, but it did decrease some subjective effects of cocaine (e.g., “Good Drug Effect” and “Anxious”). These data suggest that the cocaine–gabapentin combination was well-tolerated, and because some cocaine-related subjective effects were reduced by maintenance on relatively low gabapentin doses, future studies should test higher gabapentin doses.
Yield and Plant Growth Response of Peanut to Midseason Forage Harvest

Harvesting of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) foliage during the growing season may increase farm revenue through the sale of peanut hay; however, it is unknown how the peanut plant will respond to forage removal with respect to plant characteristics, pod yield, quality, and revenue. Th is experiment was a randomized complete block design where peanut foliage was harvested or sprayed with a plant growth regulator prohexadione calcium (PHDC; Ca salt of 3, 5-dioxo-4-propionylcyclohexanecarboxylic acid). Th ere were nine treatments replicated fi ve times. Peanut ‘Georgia Green’ was planted in twin rows during 2005 and 2006 on Tift on loamy sand. Peanut foliage was harvested at 20-cm height at 60, 90, and 120 days aft er planting (DAP). Th e PHDC was applied at recommended rates and timing. Leaf density was higher for peanut plants treated with PHDC compared with plants cut for forage. Leaf-to-stem ratios were higher with plants harvested early (60 DAP) compared with those harvested later (120 DAP). Total forage mass was lowest at 60 DAP and increased with single or multiple harvests. Total forage removed with one single midseason harvest was not diff erent from an associated multiple harvest. Peanut pod yield decreased about 12% for each harvest. Peanut grade (total sound mature kernels, TSMK) decreased as the number of harvests increased, conversely, other kernels (OK) increased as the number of harvests increased. Pod and forage revenue was highest for the nonharvest and singleharvest treatments and decreased with the multiple harvests.
Single-agent and combination chemotherapy with etoposide in the acute leukemias of childhood

Summary In clinical trials conducted at St Jude Children's Research Hospital, etoposide has proved to be an effective agent for the treatment of advanced childhood leukemias. When combined with 5-azacytidine, it induced complete remissions in about one-half of patients with refractory ANLL. The same induction rate was achieved in patients with refractory ALL receiving etoposide with prednisone and vincristine. Results of continuing studies should help to identify the optimal schedules and dosages for this epipodophyllotoxin. The acceptance of new antileukemic drugs into clinical practice has slowed over the past decade. Etoposide is but one of several new agents that hold promise of moving leukemia therapy beyond its present barriers.
Sporulation of Clostridium perfringens (welchii) in Four Laboratory Media

Summary. Sporulation of 7 strains of Clostridium perfringens (welchii) was investigated in 4 laboratory media. A method to induce rapid and simultaneous sporulation was attempted which involved obtaining a purely vegetative culture to inoculate the test media. Heat resistance of spores produced in the individual media by each of 4 selected strains was investigated. The clean spores for the heating tests were obtained by a special procedure which included chilling to 6° for a minimum of 1 week immediately following the usual incubation period, then centrifuging, resuspending to volume in 0.85% NaCl solution and pasteurizing at 75° for 20 min before subjecting to the heating tests. Morphology of each strain was studied using stained microscopic preparations from the 24 h sporulating cultures. In the Ellner medium spore counts approaching 107/ml were recorded and this medium appeared to be the most efficient when judged in terms of numbers of spores produced. In other media the counts were in the range 104-105 spores/ml. Cooked meat medium yielded slightly higher spore counts than did either SEC broth or modified Wagenaar & Dack medium, the latter contained in a dialysis sac apparatus. A period of chilling to 6° for a minimum of 1 week following incubation enhanced maturation in all cultures except those grown in SEC broth for 24 h or 15 days and those grown 15 days in the modified Wagenaar & Dack medium. Considerable heat resistance, expressed as percentage spore survival, was recorded for spores of 4 strains when heated at 80°, and heat resistance generally increased with lengthening of incubation time for the culture. Survival of spores heated at 100° for 10 min was usually less than 0.01% but spores in SEC broth after 15 days showed a somewhat greater heat resistance than the others. In no instance did total destruction of spores occur at 100°.
Decision making in dentistry. Part I: A historical and methodological overview

The study of clinical decision making provides a common model on which to base dental practice and thus promotes standardization of care and treatment. Decision analysis can assist in identifying missing data in clinical problems and thus generate clinically relevant research agendas. In Part I of this article several of the leading methods of decision analysis are briefly described with examples of how they can be applied in dentistry. The methods presented are Bayes' theorem, decision-tree design, receiver-operating-characteristic curves, sensitivity analysis, and utilities assessment.
Incidence of low birth weight among Love Canal residents

The incidence of low birth weight among white live-born infants from 1940 through 1978 was studied in various sections of the Love Canal. A statistically significant excess was found in the historic swale area from 1940 through 1953, the period when various chemicals were dumped in this disposal site. Potential confounding factors such as medical-therapeutic histories, smoking, education, maternal age, birth order, length of gestation, and urban-rural difference did not appear to account for this observation. Low birth weight rates were comparable to those of upstate New York from 1954 through 1978, the period when there was no deposition of chemical wastes.
Growth Spirals on Synthetic Magnetoplumbite Crystals

IN connexion with a study of crystal growth from lead oxide and lead oxide–lead fluoride melts, we have recently observed growth spirals on (0001) faces of tabular magnetoplumbite (PbFe12O19) crystals. The spirals on crystals obtained from lead oxide–lead fluoride melts are polygonal, relatively open, and show concave growth fronts as well as reversed curvatures near the outer edges of the crystals. The step heights appear to be small multiples of the unit cell dimension in the c direction. The spirals on crystals grown from lead oxide melts are polygonized to various degrees, are more tightly wound, and exhibit greater step heights.
An Experimental Approach for Thermal Characterization of Water-Cooled Heat Sinks Using Fourier Analysis Techniques

As power electronic applications continue to switch higher levels of voltage and current in smaller-sized component packages, the resulting increase in power density requires efficient thermal management. This paper compares the thermal performance for operating a metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor on a water-cooled pole-arrayed heat sink versus a novel water-cooled microchannel heat sink. Details are presented on an innovative technique using Fourier analysis techniques for determining the thermal capacitance modeling parameter for the heat sinks from experimental data.
Thermal Imaging of Laser Powder Deposition for Process Diagnostics

Thermal imaging is an important tool for future developments in Laser Powder Deposition (LPD). Thermal imaging of the LPD process is typically used for the verification of mathematical models describing the process and/or dynamic melt pool control. The research discussed here shows how thermal imaging can be used to improve our understanding of the connection between deposition parameters, thermal gradients, and final part quality. Data gathered from melt pool and bulk-part thermal images were used to correlate deposition parameters to final part quality. The results presented here are for applications in internal barrel cladding and laser brazing.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The Origin of the Method of Iterated Consensus

Quine shows [2], [3] that a logical formula expressed as a sum of products may be transformed into the sum of all its prime implicants by repeated application of the following two rules.
Socio-demographic and geographic variations in the utilization of hormone therapy in older women with breast cancer after Medicare Part-D coverage.

No study has previously reported the utilization and adherence to hormone therapy for Medicare Part-D beneficiaries with breast cancer. This study was conducted using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare-linked data to assess socio-demographic, geographic, and other variations in the receipt of hormone therapy among patients with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and to assess adherence to hormone therapy within 1-year follow-up. The percentage of patients who received hormone therapy was calculated and stratified by chemotherapy status (yes or no). Logistic regression models were performed to assess the variations associated with the use of selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), aromatase inhibitors (AIs), and hormone therapy (SERMs or AIs). Of 25,128 women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer in 2006–2009 who were enrolled in Medicare Part-D program, 70.8 % received hormone therapy, 22.2 % received SERM, and 56.9 % received AIs. Among those receiving chemotherapy, significant predictors of receiving hormone therapy included age, tumor stage, surgery type, radiation therapy; significant predictors of receiving SERM included race, year of diagnosis, and tumor stage; and significant predictors of receiving AI included age, race, socioeconomic status, geographic location, tumor stage, and radiation therapy. For those without receiving chemotherapy, most of the above factors were significant, but differed across each drug class. In conclusion, over two-thirds of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients received hormone therapy, and still 29.2 % of patients did not receive it. Tumor and clinical factors are the most significant predictors for the receipt of hormone therapy.
Digoxin bioavailability during quinidine administration

Digoxin scrum concentration rises in the presence of quinidine. To determine whether quinidine alters digoxin bioavailability, six subjects received 1.0 mg of digoxin intravenously alone and by mouth on alternate weeks during steady-state oral quinidine administration. The area under the digoxin concentration:time curves (AUC) and the amount of digoxin excreted in the urine (Xxu) were determined for the 96 hr after each of the four experiments. Values for digoxin bioavailability relative to the corresponding intravenous study in the absence and presence of quinidine were (±S.D.) 73.5 ± 8.6% and 79.5 ± 22.69c (P > 0.05) for serum and 69.8 ± 6.8% and 70.2 ± 10.5% (P > 0.05) for urine. There was no difference in the steady-state quinidine serum concentration during the 4 days after intravenous and oral digoxin. We conclude that quinidine does not alter digoxin bioavailability and therefore that altered absorption does not explain the rise in digoxin serum concentration in the presence of quinidine. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1981) 30, 594–599; doi:10.1038/clpt.1981.209
Anthropometric Estimations of Percent Body Fat in NCAA Division I Female Athletes: A 4-Compartment Model Validation

Anthropometric equations, based on 2-compartment models, have been routinely used to estimate body composition in female college athletes; however, these equations are not without error. In an attempt to decrease the error associated with anthropometric equations, updated equations were developed using multiple-compartment models, although the validity of these equations has not yet been established. The purpose of the current investigation was to determine the validity of the updated anthropometric equations and compare them with previously validated generalized equations for estimating percent fat (%fat) in female athletes. Twenty-nine white female NCAA Division I athletes (20 +/- 1 years) volunteered to have their %fat estimated using anthropometric measurements. Skinfold equations included generalized and updated equations and a height and weight-based equation. %fat values were compared with a criterion 4-compartment model. All equations produced low total error (TE) ( or = 0.78). The 2 updated skinfold equations produced the highest constant error (CE) values, but the tightest limits of agreement (< or = -1.58 +/- 4.86%fat; CE +/- 2SD) compared with the 3 generalized Jackson et al. equations (< or =0.92 +/- 5.34%fat), whereas the limits of agreement for the height and weight-based equation (+/- 6.00%fat) were the widest. Compared with the updated skinfold equations, the generalized Jackson et al. skinfold equations produced nearly identical TE values. Results suggest that the updated skinfold equations are valid but not superior to the generalized Jackson et al. equations, and the height and weight-based equation of Fornetti et al. is not recommended due to the large individual error in this population. Additionally, more than 3 skinfold sites did not improve %fat values. Therefore, the Jackson et al. sum of 3 skinfold equation is the suggested skinfold equation in the white female NCAA Division I athletes.
Sacrococcygeal teratomas: A review of 68 cases

Sixty-eight cases of sacrococcygeal teratoma were reviewed and graded according to the quantity of immature tissue present. Seventy-five percent were benign (grade 0), 11.8% immature (Grades 1-3), and 13.2% malignant. Although the immature component in most tumors was neuroepithelial, in two cases it was exclusively renal. There were no instances of local recurrence or metastasis of immature elements. The malignant lesions were all endodermal sinus tumor, stained positively for alpha-fetoprotein and were uniformly fatal, with an average duration of survival of 8.9 months. Early adequate treatment of sacrococcygeal teratomas results in a favorable prognosis. This experience is different from that reported for immature ovarian teratomas. Immature metanephric tissue in sacrococcygeal teratomas should be interpreted the same way as immature neuroepithelial elements. Immature sacrococcygeal teratomas should be separated from tumors containing malignant elements because of their vastly different prognoses.
Determining Height of the Nocturnal Boundary Layer

Abstract Theories and formulations for determining heights of the stable atmospheric boundary layer are reviewed. The performance of prognostic and diagnostic equations for parameterizing the nocturnal boundary layer heights are evaluated with observational data taken from the Wangara field experiment. The observed boundary layer heights are correlated with the values specified by the prognostic and diagnostic equations. It is concluded that use of the prognostic equations is very unsatisfactory. The diagnostic formulas are found to be appropriate, however, only during slightly and extremely stable conditions. None of the diagnostic formulas appears useful for other stability classes.
Effect of length and number of interlinking molecules on the strength of adhesion

The fracture energy G of an adhesive bond appears to be a product of two terms : G = G 0 [1 + f(R, T)], where G 0 is the intrinsic (chemical) strength of the interface and f(R, T), usually much larger than unity, reflects energy dissipated within the adherends at a crack speed R and temperature T. Values of G 0 have been determined for interlinked sheets of an SBR elastomer by measuring the peel strength at low rates and high temperatures, and in the swollen state, to minimize internal losses. Both the density AN and molecular length L of interlinking molecules were varied. G 0 was found to increase in proportion to (ΔN)L 3/2 , in accord with the molecular theory of Lake and Thomas. As the peel rate was raised and the test temperature lowered, G was considerably increased by internal dissipative processes, becoming as much as 1000 X G 0 near the glass transition. The loss function f(R, T) was found to depend somewhat upon the strand length L, being about twice as large at intermediate peel rates when L was increased by 40%. It also depended on the density ΔN of interlinking molecules, being about twice as large at high peel rates when the density of interlinks was reduced by a factor of six. Thus, the loss function f(R, T) is greater when the interlinking molecules are few and long, and it is lower when they are many and short. However, it is mainly governed by two parameters : peel rate R and temperature difference (T - T g ), in accord with a viscoelastic loss mechanism.
Problems in Silverman's Work Indicate the Need for a New Approach to Research on Subliminal Psychodynamic Activation

The basic assumption in subliminal psychodynamic activation research is that participants can unconsciously perceive the psychodynamic meaning of a complete message as it is intended by the experimenter. In attempts to account for negative findings Silverman contended that this assumption holds only under certain luminance conditions and visual field positions of a message. Paradoxically, almost all of his findings, his major evidence in support of the basic assumption, came from experiments in violation of those strictures. Further, Silverman never presented MOMMY AND I ARE ONE under a critical condition required for it to be effective. These and other considerations identify the need for an account of empirical findings other than his and for changes in his experimental method. Such research must take into account the encoding of subliminal stimuli, an area neglected almost completely by Silverman. Shevrin and his colleagues' 1996 work is outlined as a model for the use of subliminal stimuli to investigate psychoanalytically generated hypotheses.
Getting Older and Getting Happier with Work: An Information-Processing Explanation

Job attitudes and subjective well-being (SWB) have important relationships with one another. Moreover, job attitudes and, to an extent, SWB are related to chronological age. Owing to a “graying” workforce in industrialized countries, uncovering how age influences job attitudes is increasingly important. The present work explores the effects of cognitive-aging research on the item response process during attitude measurement. Research finds that older individuals attend selectively to positive affective experiences and weigh affective experiences more heavily during judgment than younger individuals. Based on cognitive-aging research, we propose an item-response process and hypothesize that chronological age results in a specific form of measurement non-equivalence. Our hypothesis is tested on 2 different samples of university employees, across 3 different job attitudes rooted in emotional experiences. Results indicate age-related measurement non-equivalence across all 3 attitudes such that older employees report more positive job attitudes than younger employees even when controlling for the latent attitude construct. Our findings suggest caution in interpreting of age-satisfaction correlations, focusing greater attention on understanding item response processes of older versus younger individuals and increased attention to job-related emotional experience for older employees.
Voltage dependence of membrane charge movement and calcium release in frog skeletal muscle fibres.

Voltage dependent membrane charge movement (gating current) and the release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores have been measured simultaneously in intact frog skeletal muscle fibres. Charge movement was measured using the three microelectrode voltage clamp technique. Ca2+ release was measured using the metallochromic indicator dye arsenazo III. Fibres were bathed in 2.3×hypertonic solutions to prevent contraction. Rb+, tetraethylammonium and tetrodotoxin (TTX) were used to eliminate voltage-dependent ionic currents. The maximum rate of Ca2+ release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum in response to voltage-clamp step depolarizations to 0 mV was calculated using the dye-related parameters of model 2 of Bayloret al. (1983) and a method described in the Appendix for calculating a scaling factor (1+p) that accounts for the additional Ca2+ buffering power of the indicator dye. The estimates of the maximum rate of Ca2+ release at 5–6° C ranged from 3 to 19 µM ms−1 in the 17 fibres examined. The mean value was 8.9±1.1 µM ms−1 (S.E.M.) The maximum rate of Ca2+ release was linearly related to the magnitude of the nonlinear membrane change moved during suprathreshold depolarizing steps. The voltage dependence of charge movement and the maximum rate of Ca2+ releases were nearly identical at 6° C. The voltage-dependence of the delay between the test step and the onset of Ca2+ release could be adequately described by an equation having the same functional form as the voltage dependence of nonlinear charge movement. The relationship between the test pulse voltage and the delay was shifted to more negative voltages and to shorter delays as the temperature was raised from 6° C to 15° C. The inactivation of Ca2+ release was found to occur at more negative holding voltages and to be more steeply voltage dependent than the immobilization of nonlinear membrane charge movement. The above data are discussed using the ‘hypothetical coupler’ model of excitation-contraction coupling (Milediet al., 1983b) applied to the specific case in which each mobile charge group controls the gating of one Ca2+ release site in the sarcoplasmic reticulum.
Pediatric refractive surgery review.

1. Spectacle and contact lens intolerance are requisite before any refractive surgery. 2. Refractive surgeons should collaborate with pediatric ophthalmologists—and in more complex cases, pediatricians—to refine clinical measurement and assessment before and after surgery; provide helpful guidance for management, such as the treatment of amblyopia; and sustain broader support for the family and other caretakers, including the refractive surgeon. 3. The precision of visual results achievable with refractive surgery in adults who can fixate during diagnostic testing and surgery cannot be achieved in children. 4. An overriding outcome variable is the change in the child’s binocular visual function in everyday life, in addition to standard visual acuity and refractive measures. Their improved vision should enhance their visual awareness, decrease their tentativeness in life, and expand their social interactions. 5. Each author avoids defining the pediatric age group, and the reader is left to assume that they are referring to preteens, since refractive surgery in teenagers (with its inevitable retreatments) is becoming more accepted by refractive surgeons. In spite of these agreements, the authors’ assessments diverge. Tychsen advocates refractive surgery for children with special needs, such as central nervous system problems, craniofacial disorders, and behavioral difficulties, who cannot have vision corrected by optical devices. Selecting such a narrowly defined population easily bolsters his argument. The surgery helps ensure that they are not assigned to a life