cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Varicocelectomy Treatment: An Updated Critical Analysis

This article provides an updated analysis of the varicocele literature published since 1994. The present authors have followed the format of the previous review and have included a summary of the results from the 1994 article at the end of each section.
Depositional and microfaunal response to Pliocene climate change and tectonics in the eastern Gulf of Alaska

Abstract The Yakataga Formation provides an excellent record of Pliocene paleoclimate in the Gulf of Alaska and northeastern Pacific Ocean. Evidence for glaciomarine influence and paleoclimatic change includes the distribution of ice-rafted debris and diamictite, planktic and benthic foraminiferal biofacies, and variable sediment accumulation rates. Three paleoclimatically defined intervals within the Pliocene Yakataga Formation are recognized in onshore and offshore sections. Interval P1 (5.35 to 4.2 Ma) contains the first evidence of Neogene glaciomarine deposition in the form of ice rafted debris and rare diamictite. Interval P2 (4.2 to 3.0–3.5 Ma) exhibits a reduction in glaciomarine influence and warming to cool temperate conditions. Interval P3 (3.0–3.5 to 1.8 Ma) contains massive amounts of glaciomarine diamictite and correlates with other evidence indicating the onset of major northern hemisphere glaciation. Sediment accumulation rate and foraminiferal based paleobathymetric curves show some correlation to the above paleoclimatic subdivision, but also significant independent relationships, indicating a strong tectonic influence on those parameters. Comparison of the Yakataga record to ODP sites in the North Pacific shows that there is good agreement in the ice-proximal (Yakataga) and deep-sea records of Pliocene paleoclimate change.
A Hemolytic Plaque Assay for the Detection of Red Blood Cells Carrying Abnormal or Mutant Hemoglobin

A simple hemolytic plaque assay for the detection of red blood cells carrying abnormal or mutant hemoglobin is described. The assay is based on the use, as indicator cells, of sheep red blood cells coated with monospecific antibody against the hemoglobin variant, another complement fixing multispecific anti-hemoglobin antibody as developing serum and an antibody against red cell ghosts which can lyse only the red cells of the species being studied and not the indicator sheep red cells. The test red cells are mixed with the indicator sheep red cells, the developing antiserum and the anti-ghost antibody. The mixture is transferred into thin chambers prepared with 2 microscope slides and incubated at room temperature (25 degrees C). The indicator sheep red cells around each test red cell carrying abnormal or mutant hemoglobin are lysed resulting in the formation of a plaque. Instead of anti-hemoglobin-coated sheep red blood cells, protein A-coated sheep red blood cells may be used as indicator cells provided the developing antiserum is monospecific for the hemoglobin variant. When sheep red blood cells coated with an antibody specific for DBA/2J mouse hemoglobin were used in the assay, only red cells from DBA/2J mice (carrying d hemoglobin) formed plaques while C57BL/6J red cells (carrying s hemoglobin) did not.
Application of rheology to polymer processing

This paper describes examples of application of rheology to polymer processing. The examples are chosen among less known problems or inadequately understood ones. The importance of correct diagnosis is emphasized as against rigorous probing required in the fundamental rheology. In explaining the problems commonly held misconceptions are pointed out. Both plastics and rubber processing are included.
Tinzaparin prophylaxis against venous thromboembolic complications in brain tumor patients

The purpose of this study was to determine the safety of tinzaparin for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis in newly diagnosed grade III–IV malignant glioma patients. Patients were initiated on daily tinzaparin at a fixed dose of 4,500 IU subcutaneously between 48 h and 4 weeks post-operative for planned duration of 12 months. During chemotherapy cycles, blood counts were monitored weekly and tinzaparin was held if the platelet count decreased to 100,000. Forty patients were enrolled into the study, 35 with glioblastoma multiforme and 5 with anaplastic astrocytoma. Possible attributable toxicity was limited to two patients who developed CNS hemorrhages (one grade 1 and one grade 2) and one patient with an increase in liver enzymes (grade 3). There were no patients with a grade 4 or 5 CNS hemorrhages or systemic hemorrhages ≥grade 2. The median time on prophylactic tinzaparin was 161 days (range of 5 to 601 days). One patient developed a deep venous thrombosis while taking tinzaparin, and three patients developed thromboembolic complications while off tinzaparin. Tinzaparin at a fixed prophylactic dose is safe and may decrease the incidence of thromboembolic complications in brain tumor patients.
Synthesis of 2-(6-aminohexanamido)ethyl 1-thio-β-d-galactopyranoside and 1-thio-β-d-glucopyranoside, and related compounds

Abstract 2-(6-Aminohexanamido)ethyl 1-thio-β- d -galactopyranoside ( 5 ) and 1-thio-β- d -glucopyranoside ( 9 ) were prepared by the following scheme: 2,3,4,6-tetra- O -acetyl-1-thio-β- d -aldopyranoses, generated from 2- S -(2,3,4,6-tetra- O -acetyl-β- d -aldopyranosyl)-2-thiopseudourea hydrobromides, were aminoethylated with ethylenimine, followed by N -acylation of the products with 6-(trifluoroacetamido)hexanoic acid ( 1 ), and O -deacylation. These reactions could be carried out consecutively without isolation of intermediates, and the products obtained after gel chromatography were de(trifluoroacetyl)ated to obtain the final products. The chain lengths of the aglycons were further extended by repeating the acylation and the de(trifluoroacetyl)ation. An analog containing glycerol in lieu of a sugar was prepared by a similar reaction-scheme.
Volatile emissions from an epiphytic fungus are semiochemicals for eusocial wasps.

Microbes are ubiquitous on plant surfaces. However, interactions between epiphytic microbes and arthropods are rarely considered as a factor that affects arthropod behaviors. Here, volatile emissions from an epiphytic fungus were investigated as semiochemical attractants for two eusocial wasps. The fungus Aureobasidium pullulans was isolated from apples, and the volatile compounds emitted by fungal colonies were quantified. The attractiveness of fungal colonies and fungal volatiles to social wasps (Vespula spp.) were experimentally tested in the field. Three important findings emerged: (1) traps baited with A. pullulans caught 2750 % more wasps on average than unbaited control traps; (2) the major headspace volatiles emitted by A. pullulans were 2-methyl-1-butanol, 3-methyl-1-butanol, and 2-phenylethyl alcohol; and (3) a synthetic blend of fungal volatiles attracted 4,933 % more wasps on average than unbaited controls. Wasps were most attracted to 2-methyl-1-butanol. The primary wasp species attracted to fungal volatiles were the western yellowjacket (Vespula pensylvanica) and the German yellowjacket (V. germanica), and both species externally vectored A. pullulans. This is the first study to link microbial volatile emissions with eusocial wasp behaviors, and these experiments indicate that volatile compounds emitted by an epiphytic fungus can be responsible for wasp attraction. This work implicates epiphytic microbes as important components in the community ecology of some eusocial hymenopterans, and fungal emissions may signal suitable nutrient sources to foraging wasps. Our experiments are suggestive of a potential symbiosis, but additional studies are needed to determine if eusocial wasp–fungal associations are widespread, and whether these associations are incidental, facultative, or obligate.
Long-term use of clonidine in a critically-ill infant.

Summary We report the use of clonidine in an infant as an adjunct to sedation and analgesia for 4 months in the critical care setting. Advantages, potential side effects, and dosing for multiple modes of delivery are discussed.
A multilevel parallel and scalable single-host GPU cluster framework for large-scale geospatial data processing

Geospatial data exists in a variety of formats, including rasters, vector data, and large-scale geospatial databases. There exists an ever-growing number of sensors that are collecting this data, resulting in the explosive growth and scale of high-resolution remote sensing geospatial data collections. A particularly challenging domain of geospatial data processing involves mining information from high resolution remote sensing imagery. The prevalence of high-resolution raster geospatial data collections represents a significant data challenge, as a single remote sensing image is composed of hundreds of millions of pixels. We have developed a robust application framework which exploits graphics processing unit (GPU) clusters to perform high-throughput geospatial data processing. We process geospatial raster data concurrently across tiles of large geospatial data rasters, utilizing GPU co-processors driven by CPU threads to extract refined geospatial information. The framework can produce output rasters or perform image information mining to write data into a geospatial database.
An Electron Backscattered Diffraction Study of Grain Boundary-Engineered INCOLOY Alloy 800H

Grain-boundary engineering (GBE) as a viable approach to improve material properties has been extensively investigated in the last 2 decades. This article explicates attempts to alter the grain-boundary (GB) orientation of INCOLOY Alloy 800H by means of thermomechanical processing. The deviations from the exact Σ3 value were found to be correlated with Σ3 frequency. The annealing-induced grain-size change plays an important role in the low-Σ coincidence-site lattice boundaries (CSLBs).
Reclosure of sternotomy disruption produced by hiccups.

Severe hiccups in the postoperative period in a patient who had a sternotomy can result in sternum disruption as a major surgical complication. In this patient reclosure was done using K wires. The results were excellent with prompt stabilization of the sternum.
Vessel Volumetrics and the Myth of the Cyclopean Bronze Age Ship

The largest seagoing sailed merchantmen in the Mediterranean and Gulf during the Bronze Age (c. 3000-1150 BC) were probably not much larger than the ship that wrecked at Uluburun—about 20 tons capacity and 16 meters long. A 13th c. letter from Ugarit, long interpreted as indicative of much larger ships, is reinterpreted in the context of available texts, archaeology, and iconography. Available iconographical evidence points toward a 20 meter maximum length, and the evidence of the Uluburun shipwreck only nominally exceeds the maximum size of seagoing ships appearing in Mesopotamian records. Storage jars from shipwrecks, including those found at Uluburun, are used to address problematical aspects of the textual evidence, wherein the capacity of ships is given in volumetric units. Though problematic, all available evidence suggests that reconstructions of Bronze Age trade networks should assume smaller ship capacities. On se doute que les navires de commerce les plus larges – il s'agit des voiliers – naviguant sur la Mediterranee et le Golfe a l'Âge du Bronze (vers 3000-1150 av. J.-C.) ne furent pas plus grands que le vaisseau qui coula au large d'Uluburun (cote meridionale de la Turquie). Ce bateau-la a du avoir une contenance d'environ 20 tonnes et une longueur de 16 metres. Un passage se trouvant dans une lettre d'Ugarit datant du XIIIe s. av. J.-C. longuement interprete comme refletant l'existence des vaisseaux beaucoup plus larges a cette epoque-la, a ete reinterprete dans le contexte des temoignages textuels, archeologiques et iconographiques disponibles. Tandisque l'iconographie suggere une longueur maximale de 20 metres, l'epave d'Uluburun par contre correspond a peu pres a la largeur maximale des navires de mer tels qu'ils figurent dans les documents Mesopotamiens. Les amphores sorties des epaves, y inclus celles d'Uluburun, servent a aborder des aspects problematiques des textes donnant la capacite des vaisseaux sous forme d'unites volumetriques. Or, en admettant que les l'interpretation des sources disponibles posent des difficultes, tout se porte a croire que la reconstruction des reseaux de commerce de l'Â ge de Bronze devrait etre fait a base des capacites plus modestes.
A Longitudinal Examination of Maternal Emotions in Relation to Young Children's Developing Self-Regulation

SYNOPSIS Objective . This study examines how young children's emotion and behavior relate to maternal emotions concurrently and as a function of children's developmental changes in self-regulation. Design . Mothers and their children (N = 120) participated in an 8-min waiting task at children's ages 18, 24, 36, and 48 months. Children's emotion expressions, misbehavior, and regulatory efforts were observed, and mothers rated their own emotions during the wait. Results . Children's emotion and behavior and maternal emotions related in expected directions at most time points. Over time, maternal positive emotion increased more if children were less angry, more content, or more engaged in regulatory efforts relative to age mates. Maternal negative emotion decreased more if children engaged more in regulatory efforts but less if children were angrier relative to age mates. Conclusions . Individual differences in children's emotions may influence parental emotions. Over time, only the intra-individual decline ...
The prospects for traveling magnetic fields to affect interface shape in the vertical gradient freeze growth of cadmium zinc telluride

Abstract The influence of a traveling magnetic field (TMF) on vertical gradient freeze (VGF) growth of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) is studied using a coupled model of magnetic induction, fluid dynamics, and heat transfer. Simulations are performed to determine the influences of current, phase shift, and frequency on melt flow and growth interface shape. A downward traveling electromagnetic wave drives flow downward at the wall, which tends to flatten the interface, whereas an upward traveling wave has the opposite effect. An optimum phase shift that maximizes Lorentz force is found to depend only on system geometry. Large currents ( ∼ 300 A ) and high frequencies ( ∼ 500 Hz ) make a significant impact on interface shape in the absence of thermal buoyancy, but are ineffectual under realistic conditions in a 4 in.-diameter ampoule, for which buoyancy dominates Lorentz force throughout the melt. The results indicate that interface shape in this CZT growth system is strongly governed by furnace heat transfer and is difficult to modify by TMF-driven forced convection.
Acceptability and Usability of an Ambulatory Health Monitoring System for Use by Military Personnel

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONS A physiological status monitoring system was evaluated for use by soldiers in the field. Two different designs were evaluated, with the design based on previous human factors evaluations proven to be more comfortable and acceptable for use. This study demonstrated that the advanced design of the EQ-02 physiological status monitoring system met dismounted soldier needs. Furthermore, this study validated the use of a usability evaluation in the successful design/advancement of a physiological status monitoring system. TECHNICAL ABSTRACT Background: Previous research has shown that the form factor of a physiological status monitoring system, the Equivital™ EQ-01 (Hidalgo Ltd., Cambridge, UK) had problems associated with comfort and usability of the system for soldiers. Previous data gathered was used to guide improvements in the physiological status monitoring system. Purpose: Assess whether the previous feedback from usability evaluations helped guide improvements in comfort, accep...
Control of avoidance by a discriminative stimulus

Four rats were exposed to an avoidance procedure in which shocks were scheduled at 10 sec intervals and light and darkness alternated every 2 min. In light (SD), a response prevented all shocks programmed for that SD period; shocks were unavoidable in S△. Response latencies and distribution in SD and S△ indicated that the contingencies had established discriminative control of responding. Differential responding was eliminated during extinction.
Portable XRF analysis of occupational air filter samples from different workplaces using different samplers: final results, summary and conclusions

This paper concludes a five-year program on research into the use of a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyzer for analyzing lead in air sampling filters from different industrial environments, including mining, manufacturing and recycling. The results from four of these environments have already been reported. The results from two additional metal processes are presented here. At both of these sites, lead was a minor component of the total airborne metals and interferences from other elements were minimal. Nevertheless, only results from the three sites where lead was the most abundant metal were used in the overall calculation of method accuracy. The XRF analyzer was used to interrogate the filters, which were then subjected to acid digestion and analysis by inductively-coupled plasma optical-emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). The filter samples were collected using different filter-holders or “samplers” where the size (diameter), depth and homogeneity of aerosol deposit varied from sampler to sampler. The aerosol collection efficiencies of the samplers were expected to differ, especially for larger particles. The distribution of particles once having entered the sampler was also expected to differ between samplers. Samplers were paired to allow the between-sampler variability to be addressed, and, in some cases, internal sampler wall deposits were evaluated and compared to the filter catch. It was found, rather surprisingly, that analysis of the filter deposits (by ICP-OES) of all the samplers gave equivalent results. It was also found that deposits on some of the sampler walls, which in some protocols are considered part of the sample, could be significant in comparison to the filter deposit. If it is concluded that wall-deposits should be analyzed, then XRF analysis of the filter can only give a minimum estimate of the concentration. Techniques for the statistical analysis of field data were also developed as part of this program and have been reported elsewhere. The results, based on data from the three workplaces where lead was the major element present in the samples, are summarized here. A limit of detection and a limit of quantitation are provided. Analysis of some samples using a second analyzer with a different X-ray source technology indicated reasonable agreement for some metals (but this was not evaluated for lead). Provided it is only necessary to analyze the filters, most personal samplers will provide acceptable results when used with portable XRF analysis for lead around applicable limit values.
Considering Linguistic and Orthographic Features in Early Literacy Acquisition: Evidence from Korean.

This study investigated (1) the role of syllable awareness in word reading and spelling after accounting for the effects of print-related skills (letter-name and letter-sound knowledge, and rapid serial naming), and (2) unique contributions of orthographic, semantic (vocabulary and morphological awareness), phonological, and print-related predictors to word reading and spelling for 4- and 5-year old Korean-speaking children (N = 168). Syllable awareness was found to be positively related to word reading and spelling after accounting for print-related skills and phoneme awareness. Letter-name knowledge and orthographic awareness were uniquely related to word reading and spelling after accounting for other language and literacy-related skills. In addition, phoneme awareness was uniquely related to spelling whereas rapid serial naming was uniquely related to word reading, after accounting for other language and literacy-related skills. Semantic knowledge such as vocabulary and morphological awareness were not related to either word reading or spelling after accounting for other language and literacy-related skills. Word reading and spelling remained uniquely and positively related to each other. These findings are discussed in light of crosslinguistic variation in early literacy acquisition.
Analysis of the interaction of partially polarized light with dielectric plates.

This paper is concerned with a matrix formulation and solution of the interaction of partially polarized light with transparent dielectric plates. Fresnel’s equations for transmission and reflection at a dielectric interface are expressed in the form of Mueller-Stokes matrices. These matrices are then applied to (1) transmission and reflection of a light beam by m parallel dielectric plates and (2) multiple reflections within a dielectric plate. It is shown that a diagonalized representation of the Mueller-Stokes polarizing matrix greatly facilitates the calculations.
A RESEARCH NOTE CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID CONCENTRATION IN SEMIMEMBRANOSUS MUSCLE OF GRASS- AND GRAIN-FED AND ZERANOL-IMPLANTED BEEF CATTLE1

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a potential anticarcinogen, found in higher concentration in ruminant than in nonruminant products. The concentration of the biologically active 9 cis, 11 trans CLA in semimembranosus muscle from cattle on pasture (without added grain, 7.4 mg/g fat) was significantly higher (p<0.05) than in grain on grass fed (5.1 mg/g fat) and implanted animals (5.2 mg/g fat). Among the other polyunsaturated fatty acids, linolenic and docosahexaenoic acid were higher (p<0.05) in grass-fed animals. The lower linoleic acid concentration (23.2 mg/g fat) in grass-fed cattle compared to the grain on grass fed (26.6 mg/g fat) and implanted (27.5 mg/g fat) animals may result from conversion to CLA. The type of feed could thus be manipulated to increase the levels of anticarcinogenic CLA in beef.
Tractable Cre-lox system for stochastic alteration of genes in mice

We developed a cell division–activated Cre-lox system for stochastic recombination of loxP-flanked loci in mice. Cre activation by frameshift reversion is modulated by DNA mismatch-repair status and occurs in individual cells surrounded by normal tissue, mimicking spontaneous cancer-causing mutations. This system should be particularly useful for delineating pathways of neoplasia, and determining the developmental and aging consequences of specific gene alterations.
Partial purification and some properties of guinea pig kidney 17 β-hydroxy-C19 steroid dehydrogenase

Abstract Guinea pig kidney 17β-hydroxy-C19-steroid dehydrogenase was partially purified by a combination of streptomycin sulfate and ammonium sulfate fractionation, Sephadex filtration, DEAE-cellulose chromatography and a second Sephadex filtration. The specific activity of both TPN- and DPN-linked activities was increased fifty-fold and thirty two-fold for the respective recovered enzyme activities. The purest fraction was increased two hundred thirty-fold in specific activity. The partially purified enzyme sedimented as one symmetrical peak on ultracentrifugation. The s020, w was 3.0S and the D020, w was 7.89×10−7 cm2 sec−1. On disc electrophoresis the TPN- and DPN-linked 17β-OH C19-steroid dehydrogenase activities were revealed in five prominent bands; three weakly stained protein bands showed no enzyme activity. The two cofactor linked activities were not separated throughout the purification steps and had a ratio of 1 to 8 in favor of the TPN-linked activity. The molecular weight was 35,100, 31,600 and 31,200 by ultracentrifugation, Sephadex filtration, and disc electrophoresis respectively. No bound cofactor was detected in the partially purified enzyme fraction. Testosterone produced the highest activity among the steroids tested; 17β-estradiol elicited only slight activity. A crude preparation of the enzyme in 0.25 M sucrose was stable but readily lost activity after purification. Addition of 7mM β-mercaptoethanol and 0.25 M sucrose or 20% glycerol prevented the loss in activity. The enzyme activity was lost on making cytosol 4 M in urea or on dialysis against 8 M urea. The partially purified enzyme was labile to heat but was stable at 4° or −20°. Thiol-blocking agents inhibited the enzyme activity. There were 2.8 moles−SH/mole protein.
Using Webcasts for Earth sciences classroom instruction: Lessons learned

Webcasts are a potential way to reach a large number of people simultaneously, and therefore, have the potential to transform classroom instruction. A recent Webcast aimed at secondary school students in Ohio, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New York demonstrated the possibilities of this technology in teaching Earth sciences. It also demonstrated some of the real-life obstacles to be overcome for its effective utilization.
Confocal, 3D Tracking of Single Quantum Dots: Following Receptor Traffic and Membrane Topology

We have constructed a new confocal fluorescence-microscope that uses active feed-back and a unique spatial filter geometry to follow individual fluorescent quantum dots as they diffuse throughout 3 dimensional space at rates faster than most intracellular transport processes (∼microns/second) {Lessard et al. Appl. Phys. Lett., 91, 2007; Wells et al. Anal. Chem., 80, 2008}. This system can follow individual molecular motion over an extended X, Y, and Z range (tens of microns), enabling one to study the transport of individual fluorescently labeled biomolecules (proteins, DNA, or RNA) performing their functions inside living cells. Our preliminary investigations in this area are focused on the spatial dynamics of the IgE receptor Fc{epsilon}RI on rat mast cells, an important signaling molecule for the allergic response. We find the types of motion of this receptor on the surface are highly heterogeneous, with substantial and measurable excursions in all three spatial dimensions (X, Y, and Z). The types of motion seen are consistent with prior studies of two dimensional membrane diffusion of this receptor {Andrews et al., Nat. Cell Biol., 10, 2008}. In contrast to CCD camera based approaches to single particle tracking, the use of single element detectors enables one to record the arrival time of individual photons with ∼100 picoseconds resolution, enabling time-resolved spectroscopy to be performed on the molecules being tracked. We have used this added temporal information to measure changes in the emission lifetime as a function of position and positively identify single quantum dots via photon-pair correlations (photon anti-bunching). Since the timing of individual photons are recorded with 100 picoseconds resolution and 3D trajectories are recorded for periods up to minutes, this system bridges the enormous time-scale difference between fast biomolecular conformational fluctuations and cellular signaling processes.
Write and present persuasive reports

Two crucial aspects of creating persuasive reports are (1) knowing and expressing the main message and (2) organizing the material in a logical, complete, thought sequence. The report can be a figurative pyramid of progressively involved detail with conclusions and recommendations up front (at the top) followed by methods, explanations, proofs, data, etc. Critical revision and refinement must precede the finished product.
A lower degree of PBMC L1 methylation in women with lower folate status may explain the MTHFR C677T polymorphism associated higher risk of CIN in the US post folic acid fortification era.

Background Studies in populations unexposed to folic acid (FA) fortification have demonstrated that MTHFR C677T polymorphism is associated with increased risk of higher grades of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN 2+). However, it is unknown whether exposure to higher folate as a result of the FA fortification program has altered the association between MTHFR C677T and risk of CIN, or the mechanisms involved with such alterations. The current study investigated the following in a FA fortified population: 1) The association between MTHFR C677T polymorphism and risk of CIN 2+; 2) The modifying effects of plasma folate concentrations on this association; and 3) The modifying effects of plasma folate on the association between the polymorphism and degree of methylation of long interspersed nucleotide elements (L1s), in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) DNA, a documented biomarker of CIN risk. Methods The study included 457 US women diagnosed with either CIN 2+ (cases) or ≤ CIN 1 (non-cases). Unconditional logistic regression models were used to test the associations after adjusting for relevant risk factors for CIN. Results The 677CT/TT MTHFR genotypes were not associated with the risk of CIN 2+. Women with CT/TT genotype with lower folate, however, were more likely to be diagnosed with CIN 2+ compared to women with CT/TT genotype with higher folate (OR = 2.41, P = 0.030). Women with CT/TT genotype with lower folate were less likely to have a higher degree of PBMC L1 methylation compared to women with CT/TT genotype with higher folate (OR = 0.28, P = 0.017). Conclusions This study provides the first evidence that the MTHFR 677CT/TT genotype-associated lower degree of PBMC L1 methylation increases the risk of CIN 2+ in women in the US post-FA fortification era. Thus, even in the post-FA fortification era, not all women have adequate folate status to overcome MTHFR 677CT/TT genotype-associated lower degree of L1 methylation.
Three Hen Strains Fed Photoisomerized trans,trans CLA-Rich Soy Oil Exhibit Different Yolk Accumulation Rates and Source-Specific Isomer Deposition

Most CLA chicken feeding trials used cis,trans (c,t) and trans,cis (t,c) CLA isomers to produce CLA-rich eggs, while reports of trans,trans (t,t) CLA enrichment in egg yolks are limited. The CLA yolk fatty acid profile changes and the 10-12 days of feeding needed for maximum CLA are well documented, but there is no information describing CLA accumulation during initial feed administration. In addition, no information on CLA accumulation rates in different hen strains is available. The aim of this study was to determine a mathematical model that described yolk CLA accumulation and depletion in three hen strains by using t,t CLA-rich soybean oil produced by photoisomerization. Diets of 30-week Leghorns, broilers, and jungle fowl were supplemented with 15% CLA-rich soy oil for 16 days, and eggs were collected for 32 days. Yolk fatty acid profiles were measured by GC-FID. CLA accumulation and depletion was modeled by both quadratic and piecewise regression analysis. A strong quadratic model was proposed, but it was not as effective as piecewise regression in describing CLA accumulation and depletion. Broiler hen eggs contained the greatest concentration of CLA at 3.2 mol/100 g egg yolk, then jungle fowl at 2.9 mol CLA, and Leghorns at 2.3 mol CLA. The t,t CLA isomer levels remained at 55% of total yolk CLA during CLA feeding. However, t-10,c-12 (t,c) CLA concentration increased slightly during CLA accumulation and was significantly greater than c-9,t-11 CLA. Jungle fowl had the smallest increase in yolk saturated fat with CLA yolk accumulation.
Nuclear quantum Monte Carlo: Expanding into the continuum

I discuss calculations of nuclear properties using the variational Monte-Carlo (VMC) and Green’s function Monte-Carlo (GFMC) methods in combination with realistic two- and three-nucleon interactions. Work to date has emphasized energies of bound and narrow states, and the results agree well with measured masses and energies. We are now directing more effort toward other nuclear properties, including weak decay rates and nuclear charge radii. The main new direction is the computation of low-energy scattering and reaction properties. We have incorporated R-matrix-like boundary conditions into GFMC calculations, and our first calculation of this kind has yielded phase shifts for neutron scattering on 4He up to a few MeV. We find strong dependence of the results on the three-nucleon interaction used.
On a magnetic anomaly origin for the braids of Saturn's F-Ring

From the numerator of the expression for thetorsion of a space curve a necessary and sufficient condition for the existence of aplanarity in a closed periodic orbit is derived. It is shown thatonly the component of force orthogonal to the velocity can contribute to aplanarity. The aplanarity is thus associated with a force which does no work and this suggests a magnetic force anomaly as the cause of the braid configurations of the F-Ring. Following this suggestion one finds that such a magnetic field cannot be oriented parallel or orthogonal to the velocity.
Mallard Duckling Response to Distress Calls with Reduced Variability: a Constraint on Stereotypy in a “Fixed Action Pattern”

Mallard duckling distress calls consist of a series of stereotyped notes and are usually given in calling bouts. When two or more ducklings are separated from their brood and begin to distress call, they alternate their calls, with each bird inhibiting its own vocalizations during those of another bird. In two playback experiments we reduced the acoustic variability found in distress calls and examined the effect this had on the alternation response of ducklings. In Exp. 1, one treatment involved an unedited tape-recording of a natural bout of 8 distress calls. Three other treatments involved edited tapes in which (a) the original 8 calls were presented, but at a constant intercall period, or (b) a single call was repeated 8 times at the natural (variable) intercall periods, or (c) a single call was repeated 8 times at a constant intercall period. The two tapes on which the same call was repeated 8 times elicited significantly weaker alternation responses from ducklings than the two tapes on which the original 8 calls were presented; the manipulation of the intercall period had no significant effect on the alternation response. In Exp. 2, analogous manipulations were performed to remove the variability between the notes within a single distress call or between the internote periods within that call. Ducklings alternated significantly better with the unedited distress call than with the distress calls in which variability had been removed. These results suggest that the variability found within many “Fixed Action Patterns” may serve an important antihabituation function.
Integrin αvβ5 is a primary receptor for adenovirus in CAR-negative cells

Viruses bind to specific cellular receptors in order to infect their hosts. The specific receptors a virus uses are important factors in determining host range, cellular tropism, and pathogenesis. For adenovirus, the existing model of entry requires two receptor interactions. First, the viral fiber protein binds Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor (CAR), its primary cellular receptor, which docks the virus to the cell surface. Next, viral penton base engages cellular integrins, coreceptors thought to be required exclusively for internalization and not contributing to binding. However, a number of studies reporting data which conflicts with this simple model have been published. These observations have led us to question the proposed two-step model for adenovirus infection. In this study we report that cells which express little to no CAR can be efficiently transduced by adenovirus. Using competition experiments between whole virus and soluble viral fiber protein or integrin blocking peptides, we show virus binding is not dependent on fiber binding to cells but rather on penton base binding cellular integrins. Further, we find that binding to low CAR expressing cells is inhibited specifically by a blocking antibody to integrin αvβ5, demonstrating that in these cells integrin αvβ5 and not CAR is required for adenovirus attachment. The binding mediated by integrin αvβ5 is extremely high affinity, in the picomolar range. Our data further challenges the model of adenovirus infection in which binding to primary receptor CAR is required in order for subsequent interactions between adenovirus and integrins to initiate viral entry. In low CAR cells, binding occurs through integrin αvβ5, a receptor previously thought to be used exclusively in internalization. We show for the first time that integrin αvβ5 can be used as an alternate binding receptor.
ANALYSIS OF SLOW GAS-LIQUID REACTIONS IN CONTINUOUS STIRRED TANK REACTORS

Generalized criteria are developed for identifying the various reaction-mass transfer regimes that might be encountered in the analysis of gas-liquid reactions in continuous stirred-tank reactors. These criteria are based on approximations to the governing differential equations (boundary value problem). The approximate criteria are shown to be in good agreement with the exact criteria obtained by solving the boundary value problem. It is not necessary to solve the boundary value problem to evaluate the approximate criteria, so numerical work can usually be avoided. Calculation of the utilization factor in the various reaction-mass transfer modes is discussed. The approximation of van Krevelen and Hoftijzer3 is applicable in all regimes.
Studies of the mechanism of vitamin E action. II. Inhibition of unsaturated fatty acid oxidation catalyzed by hematin compounds.

Further studies of the possible biological role of α-tocopherol as an inhibitor of unsaturated fatty acid oxidation catalyzed by hematin compounds are reported. The phenolic antioxidants: α-tocopherol, nordihydroguaiaretic acid, propyl gallate, and butylated hydroxyanisole were effective inhibitors of linoleate oxidation catalyzed by hemoglobin and cytochrome c. Vitamin A and carotene were cooxidized during hemincatalyzed oleic acid oxidation. α-Tocopherol inhibited vitamin A and carotene cooxidation and the rate of total oxidation. Methylene blue strongly inhibited hemin-catalyzed oxidation of oleic acid, cod-liver oil, and linseed oil emulsions but was not an effective inhibitor of autocatalytic oxidation. The compounds which have in vivo vitamin E activity or their structural analogs strongly inhibited hemin, hemoglobin, and cytochrome c-catalyzed oleic acid oxidation. The evidence in favor of α-tocopherol functioning as an in vivo inhibitor of unsaturated fatty acid oxidation catalyzed by hematin compounds is discussed.
The increased protein-bound blood iodine in patients with hyperthyroidism.

GLEY and Bourcet (1) dialyzed dog serum as early as 1900 and concluded that the serum iodine, for the most part, existed in protein combination. Veil and Sturm (2) separated the whole-blood iodine into alcohol-soluble and alcohol-insoluble fractions. Hoist (3) and Lunde (4) reported that the alcohol-insoluble fraction was related to the thyroid hormone and that its concentration was proportional to the basal metabolic rate. Reports, confirming the finding that the PBI1 is elevated in patients with hyperthyroidism, followed (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10). Salter and Bassett (11) divided the plasma or serum iodine into inorganic, thyroxine-like and diiodotyrosine-like fractions, the latter two composing 30 to 40 per cent and 60 to 70 per cent of the protein-bound fraction respectively. The PBI concentration of plasma or serum normally averages approximately 5.0 micrograms per cent when the proteins are precipitated by heat and acetic acid (9), the Somogyi reagents (12, 13) or methanol followed by acetone washing (8).
Strong evidence for a genetic contribution to late-onset Alzheimer's disease mortality: a population-based study.

Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an international health concern that has a devastating effect on patients and families. While several genetic risk factors for AD have been identified much of the genetic variance in AD remains unexplained. There are limited published assessments of the familiality of Alzheimer’s disease. Here we present the largest genealogy-based analysis of AD to date. Methods We assessed the familiality of AD in The Utah Population Database (UPDB), a population-based resource linking electronic health data repositories for the state with the computerized genealogy of the Utah settlers and their descendants. We searched UPDB for significant familial clustering of AD to evaluate the genetic contribution to disease. We compared the Genealogical Index of Familiality (GIF) between AD individuals and randomly selected controls and estimated the Relative Risk (RR) for a range of family relationships. Finally, we identified pedigrees with a significant excess of AD deaths. Results The GIF analysis showed that pairs of individuals dying from AD were significantly more related than expected. This excess of relatedness was observed for both close and distant relationships. RRs for death from AD among relatives of individuals dying from AD were significantly increased for both close and more distant relatives. Multiple pedigrees had a significant excess of AD deaths. Conclusions These data strongly support a genetic contribution to the observed clustering of individuals dying from AD. This report is the first large population-based assessment of the familiality of AD mortality and provides the only reported estimates of relative risk of AD mortality in extended relatives to date. The high-risk pedigrees identified show a true excess of AD mortality (not just multiple cases) and are greater in depth and width than published AD pedigrees. The presence of these high-risk pedigrees strongly supports the possibility of rare predisposition variants not yet identified.
Titan's 2 μm surface albedo and haze optical depth in 1996–2004

[1] We observed Titan in 1996–2004 with high-resolution 2 μm speckle and adaptive optics imaging at the W. M. Keck Observatory. By observing in a 2 μm broadband filter we obtain images that have contributions from both Titan's surface and atmosphere. We have modeled Titan's atmosphere using a plane-parallel radiative transfer code that has been corrected to agree with 3-D Monte Carlo predictions. We find that Titan's surface albedo ranges from ≤0.02 in the darkest equatorial region of the trailing hemisphere to ≃0.1 in the brightest areas of the leading hemisphere. Over the past quarter of a Saturnian year haze optical depth in Titan's Southern hemisphere has decreased substantially from a value of 0.48 in 1996 down to 0.18 in 2004, while the northern haze has been increasing over the past few years. As a result of these changes, in 2004 the North/South haze asymmetry at K' band has disappeared.
Divided Storage in an Indirect Integral Collector Storage With Immersed Heat Exchanger

Experiments are presented to demonstrate the benefit of dividing an indirect integral collector storage into two storage compartments. Transient discharge experiments were conducted in an undivided and equally divided 126 liter rectangular storage vessel with a height to depth aspect ratio of 9.3:1 and inclined at 30 degrees. A 240-tube copper heat exchanger with a total surface area of 2.38 m2 was immersed in the storage fluid. For the divided storage, the tube-side now path was in series through the two compartments. Water flow rate through the heat exchanger was varied from 0.05 to 0.15 kg/s to demonstrate the effect of the number of transfer units (NTU) on comparative performance of undivided and divided storage vessels. Reported measurements include transient storage temperature distribution, heat exchanger outlet temperature, and delivered energy of the divided and undivided storage. Results are generally in agreement with a prior analytical model. The divided storage provides higher heat exchanger outlet temperatures during most of the discharge and higher cumulative delivered energy. The benefit increases with increasing NTU. For a flow rate of 0.05 kg/s, corresponding to a nominal NTU of 7, the divided storage delivers approximately 11% more energy than the undivided storage when 126 liters of hot water, representing 76% of the stored energy, has been delivered.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Modified magnet test for a reversed automatic implantable cardioverter defibrillator.

GERING, L.E., et al.: Modified Magnet Test for a Reversed Automatic Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator We present the case of a 55-year-old man with atrial septal defect and cardiomyopathy who underwent implantation of an automatic cardioverter defibrillator (AICD) for ventricular tachycardia resulting in collapse. This case demonstrates multiple unusual complications related to AICD, including rotation of the pulse generator unit about its long axis requiring a “left-handed” magnet test to determine the appropriate counts.
Commentary on: The Osseocartilaginous Vault of the Nose: Anatomy and Surgical Observations.

The study by Palhazi, Daniel, and Kosins is a thorough anatomical and clinical analysis of the osseocartilaginous vault of the nose. The authors begin the article with some of the finest anatomical dissections of the nose currently in the literature. Their photography and measurements provide a high level of detail. On the basis of the data they collected in the cadaver laboratory, they were able to draw evidence-based conclusions with substantial clinical implications for humpectomy—a persistent problem for many surgeons. For example, they clearly show that whereas the shape of the hump is determined largely by the cartilaginous component prehumpectomy, the sides of the resultant nasal bones, posthumpectomy, determine the dorsal aesthetic lines. This anatomic finding reinforces the need to fashion the bones as much as or more than the cartilages to create the desired dorsal aesthetic lines. They also introduce the concept that the bony component of the dorsal hump should be thought of as a “cap” covering the cephalic part of the cartilaginous hump. They make the case that this cap can be removed easily enough with a rasp, although they indicate later in the paper that they occasionally use a power tool. This description is, perhaps, the single most important practical contribution from their anatomic studies. It provides encouragement for the beginning rhinoplasty surgeon to duplicate this seemingly atraumatic technique …