cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical biochemistry of pregnant and nursing mares

Background: Pregnancy and lactation result in increased metabolic demands. Although homeostatic mechanisms function to keep substances in blood at relatively constant levels, some changes in the concentrations of routine clinical chemistry analytes are likely to occur. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine what physiological changes occur in serum clinical biochemistry analytes in pregnant and nursing mares, and to determine whether the changes were substantial enough to warrant separate reference intervals for pregnant or lactating horses. Methods: Forty-two Quarter Horse, Thoroughbred, Saddlebred, Standardbred and Morgan mares were entered into the study while pregnant. They were bled once each month through birth. Studies were continued on 20 mares until their foals were weaned. Test results were tabulated by time before or after birth. Serum biochemistry values were determined by standard methods using automated analyzers. Test results were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis 1-way ANOVA on ranks. If a significant difference was found (P < .05), Dunn's multiple comparison procedure was performed on all pairs. Results from pregnant and nursing mares also were compared with a reference group of 19 open, nonlactating mares. Results: Serum triglyceride, potassium, creatinine, and total bilirubin concentrations were lower during lactation than during pregnancy. Serum calcium concentration also was slightly decreased at 2 time points during lactation. Triglyceride concentration was highest during midgestation, while bilirubin and creatinine values increased, and potassium and calcium remained constant during pregnancy. Serum urea concentration also remained constant during pregnancy but increased during lactation. Serum phosphate concentration was lowest during midgestation and highest during lactation. Total CO2 values were highest, and anion gaps were lowest, during midgestation. No significant differences were found in serum albumin, globulin, albumin:globulin ratio, total protein, or glucose values. When compared with the reference group of open mares, serum triglyceride, potassium, bilirubin, and total CO2 concentrations were lower, and anion gap was higher in horses that were nursing. Conclusions: Although most biochemical values remained relatively constant, significant differences were observed during pregnancy and lactation. Changes in the concentrations of triglycerides, potassium, bilirubin, total CO2, and anion gap during lactation were substantial enough to warrant separate reference intervals for lactating horses.
Astrophysical bounds on very-low-mass axions

We consider the contribution to stellar energy loss that would result from the existence of a recently proposed very-low-mass (\ensuremath{\lesssim}1 eV) axion. We calculate the energy loss rate of hydrogen-burning stars and of red giants from very-light-axion production through the Primakoff process. The result is an upper bound of about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}2}$ eV on the mass of such a particle. We also consider briefly the cosmic background produced by the decay products of primordial axions, and the possibility of laboratory measurements of the long-range force a low-mass pseudoscalar boson would create.
Radiosensitization of Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. in ready-to-eat baby spinach leaves.

: The FDA recently approved irradiation treatment of leafy greens such as spinach up to 1 kGy; however, it is important to reduce the dose required to decontaminate the produce while maintaining its quality. Thus, the objectives of this study were: (1) to assess the radiation sensitivities of Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. inoculated in ready-to-eat baby spinach leaves under modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) and irradiated using a 1.35-MeV Van de Graff accelerator (the leaves were irradiated both at room temperature and at –5 °C); and (2) to understand and optimize the synergistic effect of MAP and irradiation by studying the radiolysis of ozone formation under different temperatures, the effect of dose rate on its formation, and its decomposition. Results showed that increased concentrations of oxygen in the packaging significantly increased the radiation sensitivity of the test organisms, ranging from 7% up to 25% reduction in D10-values. In particular, radiosensitization could be effected (P < 0.05) by production of ozone, which increases with increasing dose-rate and oxygen concentration, and reducing temperatures. Radiosensitization was demonstrated for both microorganisms with irradiation of either fresh or frozen (−5 °C) baby spinach. These results suggest that low-dose (below 1 kGy) e-beam radiation under modified atmosphere packaging (100% O2 and N2: O2[1 : 1]) may be a viable tool for reducing microbial populations or eliminating Salmonella spp. and Listeria spp. from baby spinach. A suggested treatment to achieve a 5-log reduction of the test organisms would be irradiation at room temperature under 100% O2 atmosphere at a dose level of 0.7 kGy. Practical Application: Decontamination of minimally processed fruits and vegetables from food-borne pathogens presents technical and economical challenges to the produce industry. Internalized microorganisms cannot be eliminated by the current procedure (water-washed or treated with 200-ppm chlorine). The only technology available commercially is ionizing radiation; however, the actual radiation dose required to inactivate pathogens is too high to be tolerated by the product without unwanted changes. This study shows a new approach in using MAP with 100% O2, which is converted to ozone to radiosensitize pathogens while improving the shelf life of minimally processed fruits and vegetables. The process results in a high level of microorganism inactivation using lower doses than the conventional irradiation treatments.
Clinical and imaging features of mixed Alzheimer and vascular pathologies

The co-occurrence of both Alzheimer disease (AD) pathology and vascular brain injury (VBI) is very common, especially amongst the oldest of old. In neuropathologic studies, the prevalence of AD, VBI, and mixed AD/VBI lesions ranks ahead of Lewy bodies and hippocampal sclerosis. In the modern era of structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) imaging, this review examines 1) the prevalence of mixed AD and VBI pathology, 2) the significance of these pathologies for cognitive impairment (AD and vascular cognitive impairment (VCI)), and 3) the diagnosis and treatment of mixed AD/VCI. Although epidemiologic studies report that vascular risk factors for arteriosclerosis increase the risk of incident AD, both autopsy and amyloid PET studies indicate that AD and VBI contribute additively, but independently, to the risk of dementia. The literature confirms the malignancy of AD and highlights the adverse effects of microinfarcts on cognitive function. For the clinical diagnosis of mixed AD/VCI, the presence of AD can be recognized by neuropsychological profile, structural imaging, cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers, and glucose PET and amyloid PET imaging. The diagnosis of VBI, however, still hinges predominantly on the structural MRI findings. Severe amnesia and atrophy of the hippocampus are characteristic of early AD, whereas the cognitive profile for VCI is highly variable and dependent on size and location of VBI. The cognitive profile of mixed AD/VBI is dominated by AD. With the notable exception of microinfarcts (which elude in vivo detection), infarcts, hemorrhages, and white matter hyperintensities on structural MRI currently represent the best markers for the presence VBI. Better markers that reflect the health and reactivity of intracerebral blood vessels are needed. For prevention and treatment, the type of underlying cerebrovascular disease (for example, arteriosclerosis or cerebral amyloid angiopathy) should be considered. It is likely that reduction of vascular risk factors for arteriosclerosis can significantly reduce vascular contributions to mixed dementia.
Linear least-squares formulation for operation of booster disinfection systems

Maintaining a disinfectant residual in drinking water distribution networks is a challenge for water utilities. These challenges arise from the spatial and temporal distribution of water usage, and from chemical reactions that cause disinfectants to decay. A potential solution is booster chlorination, a strategy where disinfectant is reapplied within the network. Here, a linear least-squares problem is formulated to determine the optimal disinfectant injection rates that minimize variation in the system residual space-time distribution. Locations of booster stations are assumed known. The solution is simple and can be analytically derived in some cases. The problem formulation allows an arbitrary weight on the contribution of each consumer node disinfectant residual to the overall objective function; two possible weighting schemes are suggested. In a planning context, the method is shown to apply to network flows whose first and second moments are stationary. In contrast to previous approaches, the number...
Simultaneous gas chromatographic determination of four toxic gases generally present in combustion atmospheres

The measurement of combustion gases produced by burning aircraft cabin materials poses a continuing limitation for smoke toxicity research. Because toxic effects of gases depend on both their concentrations and the duration of exposure, frequent atmosphere sampling is necessary to define the gas concentration-exposure time curve. A gas chromatographic (GC) method was developed for the simultaneous analyses of carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulfide (H2S), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and hydrogen cyanide (HCN). The method used an MTI M200 dual-column gas chromatograph equipped with 4-m molecular sieve-5A and 8-m PoraPlot-U wall-coated capillary columns and two low-volume, high-sensitivity thermal conductivity detectors. Detectability (in parts per million [ppm]) and retention times (in seconds) for the gases were as follows: CO, 100 ppm, 28 s; H2S, 50 ppm, 26 s; SO2, 125 ppm, 76 s; and HCN, 60 ppm, 108 s. The method was effective for determining these gases in mixtures and in the combustion atmospheres generated by burning wool (CO, HCN, and H2S) and modacrylic fabrics (CO and HCN). Common atmospheric gaseous or combustion products (oxygen, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, water vapor, and other volatiles) did not interfere with the analyses. However, filtration of the combustion atmospheres was necessary to prevent restriction of the GC sampling inlet by smoke particulates. The speed, sensitivity, and selectivity of this method make it suitable for smoke toxicity research and for evaluating performance of passenger protective breathing equipment. Also, this method can potentially be modified to analyze these gases when they are liberated from biosamples.
GlpD and PlsB Participate in Persister Cell Formation in Escherichia coli

Bacterial populations produce dormant persister cells that are resistant to killing by all antibiotics currently in use, a phenomenon known as multidrug tolerance (MDT). Persisters are phenotypic variants of the wild type and are largely responsible for MDT of biofilms and stationary populations. We recently showed that a hipBA toxin/antitoxin locus is part of the MDT mechanism in Escherichia coli. In an effort to find additional MDT genes, an E. coli expression library was selected for increased survival to ampicillin. A clone with increased persister production was isolated and was found to overexpress the gene for the conserved aerobic sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase GlpD. The GlpD overexpression strain showed increased tolerance to ampicillin and ofloxacin, while a strain with glpD deleted had a decreased level of persisters in the stationary state. This suggests that GlpD is a component of the MDT mechanism. Further genetic studies of mutants affected in pathways involved in sn-glycerol-3-phosphate metabolism have led to the identification of two additional multidrug tolerance loci, glpABC, the anaerobic sn-glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and plsB, an sn-glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase.
The rectovaginal septum revisited : its relationship to rectocele and its importance in rectocele repair.

Using the descriptions of Uhlenhuth, and Milley and Nichols, we have been able to identify a sheet of strong connective-type tissue between the rectum and vagina. This layer has been named the rectovaginal septum, referred to, by some, as the rectovaginal fascia. As it is considered to be analogous to the rectovesical septum in men, first described by Denovilliers, some refer to it as Denonvilliers' fascia in the female. This layer is immediately beneath the vaginal mucosa and clearly is what many would consider part of the vaginal wall. Its principal attachments are peripheral--it merges superiorly with the cardinal/uterosacral complex, fuses laterally with the fascia over the levator muscle, and merges distally into the perineal body. Histologically, it contains collagen that is quite dense in places, some strands of smooth muscle, and a very dense network of heavy elastin fibers. It is this layer that acts as a supporting structure for the perineal body and prevents the rectum from bulging into the vagina. Rectoceles represent a defect in this layer that allows the rectum to bulge inward. The defects are usually isolated breaks that can be repaired directly with excellent and predictable results.
International-Business Political Behavior: New Theoretical Directions

Alternative assumptions are advanced regarding the political nature of international business and the role of government as a factor of production, which firms must manage in their international value-added chains. Based on a model of business political behavior, various propositions are developed regarding the interactions among firm, industry, and nonmarket factors as well as the impact they have on various forms and intensities of political behavior, as affected by strategic objectives. Finally, the strategic-theorizing implications of such behavior are discussed in the context of the recent emphasis on resource-based models of strategy management.
Unsteady separation and heat transfer upstream of obstacles

The development of a laminar boundary layer upstream of both two- and threedimensional obstacles mounted on a plane wall is considered. The motion is impulsively started from rest, and it is shown that the boundary layer upstream of the obstacle initially develops independently from that on the obstacle itself. Numerical solutions for the unsteady boundary-layer flow on the plane wall are obtained in both Eulerian and Lagrangian coordinates. It is demonstrated that in both situations the flow focuses into a narrow-band eruption characteristic of separation phenomena at high Reynolds number. For the three-dimensional problem, results are obtained on a symmetry plane upstream of the obstacle which indicate the evolution, and subsequent sharp compression, of a spiral vortex in the near-wall flow in a manner consistent with recent experimental studies. The eruptive response of the two-dimensional boundary layer is found to be considerably stronger than the corresponding event in three dimensions. Calculated results for the temperature distribution are obtained for the situation where the wall temperature is constant but different from that of the mainstream. It is shown that a concentrated response develops in the surface heat transfer rate as the boundary layer starts to separate from the surface.
The Mechanism of Myosin VI Translocation and Its Load-Induced Anchoring

Myosin VI is thought to function as both a transporter and an anchor. While in vitro studies suggest possible mechanisms for processive stepping, a biochemical basis for anchoring has not been demonstrated. Using optical trapping, we observed myosin VI stepping against applied forces. Step size is not strongly affected by such loads. At saturating ATP, myosin VI kinetics shows little dependence on load until, at forces near stall, its stepping slows dramatically as load increases. At subsaturating ATP or in the presence of ADP, stepping kinetics is significantly inhibited by load. From our results, we propose a mechanism of myosin VI stepping that predicts a regulation through load of the motor's roles as transporter and anchor.
Mitochondrial Function in Diabetes: Novel Methodology and New Insight

Interpreting mitochondrial function as affected by comparative physiologic conditions is confounding because individual functional parameters are interdependent. Here, we studied muscle mitochondrial function in insulin-deficient diabetes using a novel, highly sensitive, and specific method to quantify ATP production simultaneously with reactive oxygen species (ROS) at clamped levels of inner mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨ), enabling more detailed study. We used a 2-deoxyglucose (2DOG) energy clamp to set ΔΨ at fixed levels and to quantify ATP production as 2DOG conversion to 2DOG-phosphate measured by one-dimensional 1H and two-dimensional 1H/13C heteronuclear single quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These techniques proved far more sensitive than conventional 31P nuclear magnetic resonance and allowed high-throughput study of small mitochondrial isolates. Over conditions ranging from state 4 to state 3 respiration, ATP production was lower and ROS per unit of ATP generated was greater in mitochondria isolated from diabetic muscle. Moreover, ROS began to increase at a lower threshold for inner membrane potential in diabetic mitochondria. Further, ATP production in diabetic mitochondria is limited not only by respiration but also by limited capacity to use ΔΨ for ATP synthesis. In summary, we describe novel methodology for measuring ATP and provide new mechanistic insight into the dysregulation of ATP production and ROS in mitochondria of insulin-deficient rodents.
Aortic compliance indices in the assessment of hypertension

Changes in compliance has been used to diagnose cardiovascular diseases. Their use for the evaluation of different types of hypertension, however, has been limited. The authors examine this aspect. Results indicate the mean decrease in compliance is more pronounced in systolic hypertensives than either the diastolic hypertensives or the systolic/diastolic hypertensives. >
Commercial moss harvest in the Appalachian Mountains of West Virginia: targeted species and incidental take

We examined "moss" (mosses and liverworts) purchased from commercial harvesters at a regional buying shed and in potentially harvestable field sites to find out which species are impacted by the moss harvest trade in West Virginia. First, we found that 60% of mats from 15 commercial quality bags were gathered from rocks. Thuidium delicatulum comprised 65% of total cover, with 77% of the mats from rocks and 23% from logs. Hypnum species (mainly H. imponens and H. curvifolium) comprised 25% of total cover, with 59% from logs and 41% from rocks. Although most of the commercial quality bags were dominated by Thuidium or Hypnum, 73 other bryophytes of low commercial value were incidentally harvested. Thuidium was associated with more incidental bryophytes than Hypnum and these associates often indicated very mesic to aquatic habitats. Commercial quality bags differed in composition from bags culled by the buying shed for low quality. Five such culled bags included Anomodon attenuatus and Metzgeria conjugata and a large number of walking ferns (Asplenium rhizophyllum). Second, we conducted limited field sampling at four sites on or near the Monongahela National Forest to determine the composition of bryophyte communities vulnerable to harvest, including one site thought to have been recently commercially harvested for moss. Results of field studies, albeit preliminary, generally corroborated our bag studies with regard to the ecology of moss harvest (what species are harvested together and from what habitats) and with regard to the prevalence of patchy harvest from rocks. Nevertheless, it was clear that a much greater variety of habitats and/or a larger geographic area is impacted by moss harvest than was sampled, and that direct study of harvesting practices is needed. In addition to the large number of incidentally collected bryophytes, which species-area curves suggest are still not fully captured, many incidentally collected vascular plants and animals were observed in both the buying shed bags and field sampling. We present outstanding information needs and preliminary management recommendations for the Appalachian region.
Selection of the PWM algorithm for 3-phase interleaved converters

One solution for high current applications consists of paralleling power stages of lower power. This paper analyzes and justifies the selection of the PWM algorithm used within interleaved three-phase power inverters with respect to the resulting phase current harmonics, DC link current harmonics, neutral point voltage and inter-converter circulation currents. Analytical aspects of different current control structures used within interleaved power electronics systems and effects of selecting various PWM algorithms are revealed. Finally, analysis of the DSP implementation for different practical solutions is shown.
Degradation of n-Hexadecane and Its Metabolites by Pseudomonas aeruginosa under Microaerobic and Anaerobic Denitrifying Conditions

A strategy for sequential hydrocarbon bioremediation is proposed. The initial O2-requiring transformation is effected by aerobic resting cells, thus avoiding a high oxygen demand. The oxygenated metabolites can then be degraded even under anaerobic conditions when supplemented with a highly water-soluble alternative electron acceptor, such as nitrate. To develop the new strategy, some phenomena were studied by examining Pseudomonas aeruginosa fermentation. The effects of dissolved oxygen (DO) concentration on n-hexadecane biodegradation were investigated first. Under microaerobic conditions, the denitrification rate decreased as the DO concentration decreased, implying that the O2-requiring reactions were rate limiting. The effects of different nitrate and nitrite concentrations were examined next. When cultivated aerobically in tryptic soy broth supplemented with 0 to 0.35 g of NO2−-N per liter, cells grew in all systems, but the lag phase was longer in the presence of higher nitrite concentrations. However, under anaerobic denitrifying conditions, even 0.1 g of NO2−-N per liter totally inhibited cell growth. Growth was also inhibited by high nitrate concentrations (>1 g of NO3−-N per liter). Cells were found to be more sensitive to nitrate or nitrite inhibition under denitrifying conditions than under aerobic conditions. Sequential hexadecane biodegradation by P. aeruginosa was then investigated. The initial fermentation was aerobic for cell growth and hydrocarbon oxidation to oxygenated metabolites, as confirmed by increasing dissolved total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations. The culture was then supplemented with nitrate and purged with nitrogen (N2). Nitrate was consumed rapidly initially. The live cell concentration, however, also decreased. The aqueous-phase TOC level decreased by about 40% during the initial active period but remained high after this period. Additional experiments confirmed that only about one-half of the derived TOC was readily consumable under anaerobic denitrifying conditions.
Correlation of reduced chilling injury with Increased spermine and spermidine levels in zucchini squash

The development of chilling injury symptoms in zucchini squash (Cucurbita pepo L. cv. Ambassador) was reduced by preconditioning the fruit for 2 days at 10°C. In the control group, held continuously at 2.5°C, increasing chilling injury correlated with an increase in putrescine and decreases in spermidine and spermine. Preconditioning led to a significant increase in spermidine arid spermine levels, beginning after the initiation of storage at 2.5°C and lasting for 5 days, after which the levels decreased but remained elevated relative to the control. The elevation of polyamine levels by direct treatment of the fruit with spermine prior to storage resulted in reduced chilling injury, indicating that polyamines may be involved in the protective mechanism of preconditioning. We have also examined the extent of lipid peroxidation by determining the levels of chloroform-soluble fluorescent products in the skin of the fruit subjected to chilling. The chilling injury in the control group resulted in an increase in the fluorescent products. The levels of fluorescent products were significantly reduced by the preconditioning treatment. These results may indicate that polyamines can act to prevent chilling injury in squash by a mechanism which involves protecting membrane lipids from peroxidation.
Kinematics effectively delineate accomplished users of endovascular robotics with a physical training model.

Objective Endovascular robotics systems, now approved for clinical use in the United States and Europe, are seeing rapid growth in interest. Determining who has sufficient expertise for safe and effective clinical use remains elusive. Our aim was to analyze performance on a robotic platform to determine what defines an expert user. Methods During three sessions, 21 subjects with a range of endovascular expertise and endovascular robotic experience (novices 20 hours) performed four tasks on a training model. All participants completed a 2-hour training session on the robot by a certified instructor. Completion times, global rating scores, and motion metrics were collected to assess performance. Electromagnetic tracking was used to capture and to analyze catheter tip motion. Motion analysis was based on derivations of speed and position including spectral arc length and total number of submovements (inversely proportional to proficiency of motion) and duration of submovements (directly proportional to proficiency). Results Ninety-eight percent of competent subjects successfully completed the tasks within the given time, whereas 91% of noncompetent subjects were successful. There was no significant difference in completion times between competent and noncompetent users except for the posterior branch (151 s:105 s; P = .01). The competent users had more efficient motion as evidenced by statistically significant differences in the metrics of motion analysis. Users with >20 hours of experience performed significantly better than those newer to the system, independent of prior endovascular experience. Conclusions This study demonstrates that motion-based metrics can differentiate novice from trained users of flexible robotics systems for basic endovascular tasks. Efficiency of catheter movement, consistency of performance, and learning curves may help identify users who are sufficiently trained for safe clinical use of the system. This work will help identify the learning curve and specific movements that translate to expert robotic navigation.
A review of 243 errors possible during the fabrication of a removable partial denture: part I.

Everyone who participates in any step of the fabrication of a removable partial denture must share in the success or failure of the restoration. Some seemingly innocuous deviations can be accumulative and cause serious problems, so everyone should review the procedures that they use on a regular basis. Parts I through III of this article present a personal and generic (but by no means comprehensive) list of errors that can occur when a removable partial denture is fabricated. Results that can be attributed to these errors are identified, and a possible solution for each error is described. This information is useful to the entire dental team: the dentist, dental assistant, office manager, and dental technician. The articles also include 18 notes that may be beneficial to personnel in the office and/or in the laboratory. (J Prosthet Dent 2001;86:251-61.)
Live and Inactivated Influenza Vaccines Induce Similar Humoral Responses, but Only Live Vaccines Induce Diverse T-Cell Responses in Young Children

Background. Two doses of either trivalent live attenuated or inactivated influenza vaccines (LAIV and TIV, respectively) are approved for young children ($24 months old for LAIV and $6 months old for TIV) and induce protective antibody responses. However, whether combinations of LAIV and TIV are safe and equally immunogenic is unknown. Furthermore, LAIV is more protective than TIV in children for unclear reasons. Methods. Children 6‐35 months old were administered, 1 month apart, 2 doses of either TIV or LAIV, or combinations of LAIV and TIV in both prime/boost sequences. Influenza-specific antibodies were measured by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI), and T cells were studied in flow cytometric and functional assays. Highly conserved M1, M2, and NP peptides predicted to be presented by common HLA class I and II were used to stimulate interferon-c enzyme-linked immunospot responses. Results. All LAIV and/or TIV combinations were well tolerated and induced similar HAI responses. In contrast, only regimens containing LAIV induced influenza-specific CD4 1 , CD8 1 , and cdT cells, including T cells specific for highly conserved influenza peptides. Conclusions. Prime/boost combinations of LAIV and TIV in young children were safe and induced similar protective antibodies. Only LAIV induced CD4 1 ,C D8 1 ,a ndcd T cells relevant for broadly protective heterosubtypic immunity.
Protestant Episcopal Church Archives

AMONG the major archival collections in Austin, Tex., are the archives of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. These are now housed on the second floor of the library of the Episcopal Seminary of the Southwest, where they occupy approximately 6,300 square feet and are available to researchers in conjunction with the library itself. The archives have been a major responsibility of the Church Historical Society, which was founded in Philadelphia on May 17, 1910, by a handful of laymen who felt that the church had an obligation to preserve the records of its own development. The society is one of the very few official organizations of the church that were founded entirely by laymen, and the chief architect in that founding was the late William Ivcs Rutter, Jr., who served as its secretary for over 40 years and as secretary emeritus from 1951 until his death. The Rev. Walter H. Stowe succeeded a roll of distinguished presidents in 1936 and is the society's leader today. A 1940 statement by the General Convention designated the society as
Analytical control of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in food and food additives.

In a comprehensive survey of contamination of the human environment by potentially hazardous polynuclears, GUNTHER and BUZZETTI ( 1965 ) dealt primarily with the analytical problems and special aspects of isolating and determining specific members of this class of compounds. The development of analytical control of such potential contaminants in food and food additives has not, however, been reviewed comprehensively. For adequate control, the analytical requirements are dictated by the toxicological significance of the contaminants and by the extent of the potential exposure of the consumer, that is, the specific food products concerned, their dietary significance, and their liability to contamination. The special toxicological and regulatory problems associated with the control of carcinogenic contaminants, particularly “weak carcinogens,” have been reviewed by Oser (1962). RAMSEY (1967) reviewed the contribution to the analytical problem of zero residues provided by a more recent amendment to the Food Additives Amendment of 1958. He points out that although it provides only a partial resolution of the general problem, the new amendment nevertheless establishes a practical statutory guideline by defining “no residue” in terms of an adequate method of examination. Thus, whenever the law requires that safe conditions of use for a food additive must be established by regulation, the conditions in the regulation may be framed in such a way that any deleterious substances occurring in food as a result of use of the additive will, in effect, be limited to negligible (toxicologkally insignificant) quantities. Accordingly, no matter how minute the toxicologically insignificant quantity of a substance, it is finite and therefore definable in terms of an acceptable method of determination.
A general approach to categorizing a continuous scale according to an ordinal outcome

In practice, disease outcomes are often measured in a continuous scale, and classification of subjects into meaningful disease categories is of substantive interest. To address this problem, we propose a general analytic framework for determining cut-points of the continuous scale. We develop a unified approach to assessing optimal cut-points based on various criteria, including common agreement and association measures. We study the nonparametric estimation of optimal cut-points. Our investigation reveals that the proposed estimator, though it has been ad-hocly used in practice, pertains to nonstandard asymptotic theory and warrants modifications to traditional inferential procedures. The techniques developed in this work are generally adaptable to study other estimators that are maximizers of nonsmooth objective functions while not belonging to the paradigm of M-estimation. We conduct extensive simulations to evaluate the proposed method and confirm the derived theoretical results. The new method is illustrated by an application to a mental health study.
SPARC Expression Is Selectively Suppressed in Tumor Initiating Urospheres Isolated from As+3- and Cd+2-Transformed Human Urothelial Cells (UROtsa) Stably Transfected with SPARC.

Background This laboratory previously analyzed the expression of SPARC in the parental UROtsa cells, their arsenite (As(+3)) and cadmium (Cd(+2))-transformed cell lines, and tumor transplants generated from the transformed cells. It was demonstrated that SPARC expression was down-regulated to background levels in Cd(+2)-and As(+3)-transformed UROtsa cells and tumor transplants compared to parental cells. In the present study, the transformed cell lines were stably transfected with a SPARC expression vector to determine the effect of SPARC expression on the ability of the cells to form tumors in immune-compromised mice. Methods Real time PCR, western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence were used to define the expression of SPARC in the As(+3)-and Cd(+2)-transformed cell lines, and urospheres isolated from these cell lines, following their stable transfection with an expression vector containing the SPARC open reading frame (ORF). Transplantation of the cultured cells into immune-compromised mice by subcutaneous injection was used to assess the effect of SPARC expression on tumors generated from the above cell lines and urospheres. Results It was shown that the As(+3)-and Cd(+2)-transformed UROtsa cells could undergo stable transfection with a SPARC expression vector and that the transfected cells expressed both SPARC mRNA and secreted protein. Tumors formed from these SPARC-transfected cells were shown to have no expression of SPARC. Urospheres isolated from cultures of the SPARC-transfected As(+3)-and Cd(+2)-transformed cell lines were shown to have only background expression of SPARC. Urospheres from both the non-transfected and SPARC-transfected cell lines were tumorigenic and thus fit the definition for a population of tumor initiating cells. Conclusions Tumor initiating cells isolated from SPARC-transfected As(+3)-and Cd(+2)-transformed cell lines have an inherent mechanism to suppress the expression of SPARC mRNA.
Electronic and steric Tolman parameters for proazaphosphatranes, the superbase core of the tri(pyridylmethyl)azaphosphatrane (TPAP) ligand

The Tolman electronic parameters (TEP) and cone angles were experimentally measured for a series of substituted proazaphosphatrane ligands by synthesizing their respective Ni(L(R))(CO)3 complexes, where L = P(RNCH2CH2)3N and R = Me, iPr, iBu and Bz. The complexes Ni(L(Me))(CO)3 (), Ni(L(iPr))(CO)3 (), Ni(L(iBu))(CO)3 () and Ni(L(Bz))(CO)3 () display CO vibrational frequencies (A1 mode) at 2057.0, 2054.6, 2054.9 and 2059.1 cm(-1), respectively. The TEPs for the phosphine ligands in are among the lowest measured, with values close to P(tBu)3 the most donating phosphine measured by Tolman. The cone angles of L(R) measured in are 152, 179, 200 and 207° for R = Me, iPr, iBu and Bz, respectively. The substituted proazaphosphatranes have larger cone angles compared to the analogous trialkyl subsituted monophosphines. Our study demonstrates that while the cone angles have a significant dependence on R, all of the substituted proazaphosphatranes are strong electron donors. Additionally, in order to determine the electronic donor strength of our previously reported multidentate ligand, TPAP, Ni(TPAP)(CO)2 () (TPAP = tris(2-pyridylmethyl)azaphosphatrane) and Ni(L(Me))2(CO)2 () were also synthesized and evaluated in a similar fashion.
Senescence, Alzheimer's Dementia, and the Semi-Subjective in Ignacio Ferreras's Film Arrugas

Based on the acclaimed graphic novel of the same name, the animated feature film Arrugas (Wrinkles) (Ferreras 2011) captures the everyday lives and frustrations of elderly residents in a transitional care facility. The film’s central protagonist is the recent arrival Emilio, who has Alzheimer’s disease, but Arrugas addresses not only his blossoming friendships and newfound hardships, but also a range of characters and everyday situations that characterize the textures of senescence. Building on recent scholarship on senescence and intellectual disability in Spanish film, cultural studies of Alzheimer’s dementia, and work on interdependency within disability studies approaches more broadly, the article explores key formal cinematic aspects of the feature. In particular, the semi-subjective shot is employed in the film as a way of linking the individual experience of dementia with the social processes that inform it.
Controlling the Chemical Order in PMN-Type Relaxors

Investigations of pure and chemically substituted tantalate and niobate members of the Pb(Mg1/3 Nb2/3)O3 (PMN) family of perovskite relaxors demonstrate that the degree of cation ordering and size of the chemically ordered domains can be extensively modified by thermal treatment. These observations and refinements of the cation occupancies in well ordered samples conflict with the predictions of the widely accepted “space charge model”, and instead support a “random site” model for the 1:1 B-site ordering. In this model one of the positions in the ordered structure is occupied by Ta (or Nb) and the other contains a random distribution of Mg and the remaining Ta cations. The stability of the order and magnitude of the domain growth can be enhanced by relatively small concentrations of selected solid solution additives (e.g. Zr in Pb(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 (PMT); Th or Sc in PMN). Correlations between the stability of the 1:1 order and the size of the solid solution additive can be used to understand the different responses of the cation order in PMN and PMT to thermal treatment. Results are also presented for the dielectric response of fully ordered relaxors in the (l-x) Pb(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 - (x) Pb(Sc1/2 Ta1/2)O3 system. While large domain samples of PMT-rich compositions exhibit a relaxor response, a crossover to normal ferroelectric behavior is observed for x = 0.5. The change in the dielectric response can be rationalized in terms of the effect of the chemistry of the random site sub-lattice on the correlation length of the ferroelectric coupling.
Quantitative models linking igneous amphibole composition with magma Cl and OH content

Minerals of the amphibole group are found in igneous rocks on Earth and other rocky bodies. Since the O(3) site of amphibole can contain OH, O 2− , F, and Cl, amphibole composition provides important information about water and halogen contents, oxidation state, and other features of its formation and alteration environments. However, the complexity of amphibole crystal chemistry means this information is difficult to extract. Furthermore, it has been regular practice in the era of the electron microprobe to neglect H and Fe 3+ analyses for amphibole, critically reducing the amount of information available in amphibole analyses in the literature. We have assembled models and insights from previous work to create a methodology that allows the estimation of magmatic H 2 O and Cl contents from existing amphibole analyses. Since the methodology requires use of a cation norm, we begin with a deeper investigation of the consequences of different cation normalization schemes for amphibole analyses, and provide grounds for deciding which scheme best fits a given amphibole analysis. We then show how the existing model of Popp and coworkers can be reversed to estimate the OH and [O(3)] O 2− contents of amphiboles in synthesis experiments. Using a synthetic data set collected from the literature (39 amphibole analyses), we calibrate a partitioning model for the OH/Cl competition on the O(3) site of igneous amphiboles K Cl = ( X Cl / X OH ) amphibole / ( [ Cl ] / [ OH ] ) melt ln K Cl = 6.59 K / ( Na + □ [ A ] ) - 0.679 Mg + 0.487 F [ 6 ] e where X signifies a mole fraction of an anion on the O(3) site; [Cl] and [OH] signify melt mole fractions of the anion in question on a one-oxygen (Stolper-Zhang) basis; K, Na, [A] □, Mg, and [6] Fe signify the amount of each component in the amphibole in atoms per amphibole formula unit, with [A] □ denoting vacancies on the amphibole A site. We then combine the Popp et al. model with our new model to link the occupancy of the amphibole O(3) site and other crystal chemical parameters to the Cl and H 2 O content of melts crystallizing amphibole. The competition between OH and Cl for this site can be used to calculate the melt and amphibole OH/H 2 O contents, as well as the speciation of Fe in amphibole, provided that the Cl content of both the amphibole and its coexisting melt is known, without analyzing either phase for H or Fe 3+ /Fe 2+ . While the models in this paper should be recalibrated using future experimental data, this work shows that considerably more information about the volatile contents of magmas can be gleaned from amphibole than previously shown and provides additional information about the crystal chemistry of amphibole and how it affects Cl partitioning into minerals of this group.
The Embryonic Development of the Corn Earworm, Heliothis Zea (Boddie) (Lepidoptera, Phalaenidae)

Although considerable work has been done on the embryology of various Lepidoptera, a complete account of the development of a phalaenid is not available in the literature. In addition, this information should prove to be of value from an economic standpoint since the earworm is an important agricultural pest in the United States. For these reasons the present work on the corn earworm, Heliothis zea (Boddie) was carried out.
Cognition and Behavior with Idiopathic Epilepsies

Cognition and behavior in 42 mainstream school children with newly diagnosed idiopathic or cryptogenic epilepsy ('epilepsy only') were compared with 30 healthy gender-matched classmate controls in a 3.5-year study at Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Food supply and government: A ‘victualized’ reading of European modernity

The food supply has been a formative space in the creation and exercise of centralized governing authority in Western Europe. Similar to warmaking, bureaucratization or market integration, governing agriculture has had a constitutive importance to modern European politics. One goal of this essay is to elucidate the often forgotten agrarian underpinnings of European modernity. A concurrent goal is to investigate, through a set of detailed empirical cases, some of the decisive strategic configurations through which ‘the agrarian’ and ‘the political’ have been conjoined across a history that spans a period of time from the Absolutist State to the European Union. Specifically, the essay interrogates how the management of the food supply and agrarian life were central to the projects of state formation, urban policing, imperial geopolitics, and Europe’s postwar reconstruction.
STUDIES ON THE ANTIGENICITY OF ß- AND α1-LIPOPROTEINS OF HUMAN SERUM

The techniques of agar immunoelectrophoresis and agar double diffusion were applied to the study of the antigenicity of s- and α1-lipoproteins separated by ultracentrifugation from normal human sera. The effects of delipidation were also investigated. It was shown that s- and α1-lipoproteins are antigenically distinct. For each class of lipoprotein studied, a single antigenic component was demonstrated. In some, but not all, preparations of α1-lipoprotein a second, small antigenic component was detected, and identified as albumin. Absorption with lipoprotein-free serum or albumin removed this component without changing the lipoprotein band. Delipidation did not affect the antigenicity of either s- or α1-lipoproteins. Immunoelectrophoresis, because of its high sensitivity and specificity, provides an additional criterion of purity for antigenic proteins in addition to the data that can be obtained from ultracentrifugal and free electrophoretic analysis.
A variant of beta fibrinogen is a genetic risk factor for coronary artery disease and myocardial infarction.

BACKGROUND: Coronary artery disease is a complex trait caused by a number of genetic and environmental factors. Genes involved in hemostasis and coagulation are excellent candidate genes for CAD and its thrombotic complications, i.e., myocardial infarction (MI) and unstable angina. METHODS: We determined the frequency of beta-fibrinogen genotypes in a homogenous patient population with CAD undergoing coronary angioplasty and in a comparable group in the general population. DNA was extracted from the blood and genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reaction, restriction mapping with Hha-1 and gel electrophoresis. Cases and controls were also genotyped for a G17382T polymorphism in the (beta-Myosin heavy chain) (beta-MyHC) gene, which is not a candidate gene for CAD. RESULTS: The distribution of beta-MyHC G/T genotypes and the frequency of alleles were similar in cases and controls. However, the beta-fibrinogen G/G genotype was present in 71% of patients with CAD as compared to 54% in the general population (p = 0.00001, OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.7-2.8). Seventy-one percent of patients with MI and 72% of patients with unstable angina had G/G genotype (p = 0.003, OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.3-3.3, and p = 0.005, OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3-3.7, respectively). Sixty-nine percent of male and 82% of female patients with CAD had the G/G genotype as compared to 56% and 53% in in general population, respectively (p = 0.0381, and 0.0003, respectively). Multivariate regression analysis showed that the allele G was an independent predictor of case-control status or risk of MI in a codominant manner (F = 86.8 p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: beta-fibrinogen G/G genotype is a genetic risk factor for predisposition to CAD and its thrombotic complications.