cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Biodegradable magnesium alloys

Abstract Magnesium (Mg) and its alloys attracted most of the recent attention in research attempting to develop nonpermanent biomedical devices due to their biodegradable nature and acceptable biocompatibility. Also, Mg alloys offer a low modulus of elasticity, close to that of the human bone, and low density resulting in low-weight devices. However, these alloys undergo a considerably fast degradation process in a physiological environment that could limit their biomedical applications. The degradation process may take place in different forms such as galvanic, pitting, and stress corrosion modes. In addition, the relatively low strength of Mg alloys compared to the conventional biocompatible metallic alloys (e.g., Ti-6Al-4V and CrCoMo) limits the use of these alloys to low load-bearing applications. In order to improve their mechanical/chemical functionality and suitability for bio-applications, a deep understanding of various Mg alloys, their fabrication processes, and their capabilities is needed. To this end, this book chapter presents the potential, manufacturing, and properties of Mg alloys for biomedical applications. Researchers have proposed different experimental and numerical methods to achieve an engineered Mg alloy with controlled degradation and mechanical properties after implantation inside the human body. It has been proven that a good selection of alloying elements and manufacturing processes is key to attaining the desired properties and to qualify these materials for biomedical applications. For instance, a set of protective post-processes might be needed to reduce the corrosion rate and to diminish the adverse effects of corrosion byproducts of Mg alloys. These post-processes can be in form of coating deposition, heat treatment, or mechanical/chemical modification of substrates. Besides the experimentations, finite element analysis/modeling (FEA/FEM) can be useful to predict the degradation behavior of Mg alloys in the human body. These modeling processes enable scientists to save time and costs. However, a number of factual data-sets are needed to sharpen the prediction models and simulations, which have to be provided by experimental investigations. Simultaneous consideration of material science, fabrication methods, characterization techniques, and numerical analyses of Mg-based alloys is crucial to achieve the ultimate engineered functionality of a designed implant.
Co-morbid mental health issues in a clinical sample of Latinx adults: implications for integrated behavioral health treatment

Latinx adults in the U.S. encounter barriers to quality behavioral healthcare despite high rates of trauma exposure and co-morbid mental health issues in clinical samples. Engaging Latinx adults in...
Massive Pleural Effusion

This chapter introduces massive pleural effusion as one of the causes for an opacified hemithorax seen on chest x-ray. It discusses the radiographic presentation of massive pleural effusion, introduces the concept of the silhouette sign, includes a brief differential diagnosis for underlying etiology, and outlines general management strategies for the training radiologist to be aware of.
A Rare Case of Mollaret's Meningitis Complicated by Chronic Intractable Migraine and Papilledema: Case Report and Review of Literature.

Mollaret’s meningitis is characterized by recurrent episodes of aseptic meningitis that last two to seven days and resolve spontaneously without any residual neurological deficit or complication. Viruses are the most common cause of aseptic meningitis and herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 2 has been noted as the most commonly associated virus in Mollaret’s meningitis. We describe a rare case of a female who had four episodes of meningitis in a five-year period associated with chronic intractable migraine and papilledema attributed to Mollaret’s meningitis.
Acute kidney injury after multiphase imaging for lesions detected on hepatocellular carcinoma surveillance in patients with cirrhosis.

Objective The risk difference between multiphase multidetector contrast-enhanced CT and MRI for developing acute kidney injury (AKI) has not been previously evaluated in patients with cirrhosis undergoing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) surveillance. We aimed to compare the rate of AKI after CT and MRI for evaluation of these lesions. Design A retrospective chart review of all patients with cirrhosis who underwent either multiphase multidetector liver protocol CT or MRI for lesions detected on HCC screening was conducted at West Virginia University. The rate of AKI after imaging was compared between the two groups. Results A total of 416 patients were included. Hepatitis C was the most common aetiology (34.6%) of cirrhosis. Thirty-six patients had chronic kidney disease at the time of imaging. CT imaging was conducted for 173 (41.5%) patients, while 58.5% underwent MRI. Nineteen (4.6%) patients developed AKI after imaging. The incidence of AKI was 2.89% for CT and 5.76% for MRI (p value = 0.25). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that inpatient status (p value = 0.015) and Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score (p value = 0.02) were independently linked to the development of AKI following imaging, while the type of imaging modality was not. Conclusions There is no difference in the risk of AKI after CT or MRI for evaluation of lesions identified on HCC surveillance. The rates of AKI after these imaging studies are low and are attributable to other aetiologies in most cases. We propose that the choice of imaging should be made based on availability, cost, and other patient-related and facility-related factors.
A Dream Deferred? An Examination of Black Education in the United States

The history of education in the United States abounds with double themes and purposes for education: schooling for democratic citizenship and schooling for second-class citizenship. Conceived as a means for great equalization, history echoes the intense disapproval of formal education for African Americans since the conception of the United States. The article places the discussion against the larger backdrop of national events within a political, cultural, and economic context. It further offers fresh insights into the African American commitment to education as they persisted in their struggle to develop an educational system in accordance with their own needs and desires with the hope that their work would transcend generations to come.
The Financial Origins of the Rise and Fall of American Inflation

We propose and test a new explanation for the rise and fall of the Great Inflation, a defining event in macroeconomics. We argue that its rise was due to the imposition of binding deposit rate ceilings under the law known as Regulation Q, and that its fall was due to the removal of these ceilings once the law was repealed. Deposits were the dominant form of saving at the time, hence Regulation Q suppressed the return to saving. This drove up aggregate demand, which pushed up inflation and further lowered the real return to saving, setting off an inflation spiral. The repeal of Regulation Q broke the spiral by sending deposit rates sharply higher. We document that the rise and fall of the Great Inflation lines up closely with the imposition and repeal of Regulation Q and the enormous changes in deposit rates and quantities it produced. We further test this explanation in the cross section using detailed data on local deposit markets and inflation. By exploiting four different sources of geographic variation, we show that the degree to which Regulation Q was binding has a large impact on local inflation, consistent with the hypothesis that Regulation Q explains the observed variation in aggregate inflation. We conclude that in the presence of financial frictions the Fed may be unable to control inflation regardless of its policy rule.
Assessment of Incidence of and Surveillance Burden for Hepatocellular Carcinoma Among Patients With Hepatitis C in the Era of Direct-Acting Antiviral Agents

Importance In the US, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), primarily associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, is the fastest rising cause of cancer-related death. Wider use of highly effective direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) substantially reduces the burden of chronic HCV infection, but the subsequent impacts with HCV-associated HCC remain unknown. Objective To assess projected changes in the incidence rate of and surveillance burden for HCC in the era of DAA treatment for HCV. Design, Setting, and Participants This decision analytical model study was performed from January 2019 to February 2020, using an individual-level state-transition simulation model to simulate disease progression, screening, and different waves of antiviral treatments for HCV in the US from 2012 to 2040. Interventions Current clinical management for chronic HCV infection. Main Outcomes and Measures Model outcomes were projected temporal trends and age distribution of incident HCC cases and candidates for HCC surveillance among patients with viremia and patients with virologically cured HCV. Results The simulation model projected that the annual incidence of HCC among patients with viremia and patients with virologically cured HCV will continue increasing to 24 000 (95% uncertainty interval [UI], 18 000-31 000) cases until 2021. In patients with virologically cured HCV, incident HCC cases are projected to increase from 1000 (95% UI, 500-2100) in 2012 to the peak of 7000 (95% UI, 5000-9600) in 2031 with a subsequent decrease to 6000 (95% UI, 4300-8300) by 2040. The proportion of incident HCC cases that occur in individuals with virologically cured HCV is estimated to increase from 5.3% in 2012 to 45.8% in 2040. The number of candidates for HCC surveillance in the population with virologically cured HCV is projected to increase from 106 000 (95% UI, 70 000-178 000) in 2012 to the peak of 649 000 (95% UI, 512 000-824 000) in 2030 and decrease to 539 000 (95% UI, 421 000-687 000) by 2040, while the proportion of all candidates for surveillance who are virologically cured is estimated to increase from 8.5% to 64.6% during the same period. The average age of HCC incidence and surveillance candidates is estimated to increase from 55 in 2012 to 72 and 71, respectively, by 2040. Conclusions and Relevance The results of this study suggest that the burden of HCC will shift from patients with viremia to patients with virologically cured HCV, and to older populations. Appropriate management may be warranted for early detection of HCC in patients who may no longer be receiving specialty care for liver conditions.
Development and Characterization of High-Throughput Caenorhabditis elegans - Enterococcus faecium Infection Model

The genus Enterococcus includes two Gram-positive pathogens of particular clinical relevance: E. faecalis and E. faecium. Infections with each of these pathogens are becoming more frequent, particularly in the case of hospital-acquired infections. Like most other bacterial species of clinical importance, antimicrobial resistance (and, specifically, multi-drug resistance) is an increasing threat, with both species considered to be of particular importance by the World Health Organization and the US Centers for Disease Control. The threat of antimicrobial resistance is exacerbated by the staggering difference in the speeds of development for the discovery and development of the antimicrobials versus resistance mechanisms. In the search for alternative strategies, modulation of host-pathogen interactions in general, and virulence inhibition in particular, have drawn substantial attention. Unfortunately, these approaches require a fairly comprehensive understanding of virulence determinants. This requirement is complicated by the fact that enterococcal infection models generally require vertebrates, making them slow, expensive, and ethically problematic, particularly when considering the thousands of animals that would be needed for the early stages of experimentation. To address this problem, we developed the first high-throughput C. elegans-E. faecium infection model involving host death. Importantly, this model recapitulates many key aspects of murine peritonitis models, including utilizing similar virulence determinants. Additionally, host death is independent of peroxide production, unlike other E. faecium-C. elegans virulence models, which allows the assessment of other virulence factors. Using this system, we analyzed a panel of lab strains with deletions of targeted virulence factors. Although removal of certain virulence factors (e.g., Δfms15) was sufficient to affect virulence, multiple deletions were generally required to affect pathogenesis, suggesting that host-pathogen interactions are multifactorial. These data were corroborated by genomic analysis of selected isolates with high and low levels of virulence. We anticipate that this platform will be useful for identifying new treatments for E. faecium infection.
Evaluating Measures of Intimate Partner Violence Using Consensus-Based Standards of Validity.

The assessment of intimate partner violence (IPV) by mental health, medical, and criminal justice practitioners occurs routinely. The validity of the assessment instrument they use impacts practiti...
Food Insecurity, Associated Health Behaviors, and Academic Performance Among Urban University Undergraduate Students.

Abstract Objective To explore associations between food insecurity, health behaviors, and academic performance among undergraduates at a private, urban US university. Methods A cross-sectional web-based survey was conducted among a convenience sample of New York University undergraduates. Multivariable logistic regression estimated associations of food security (using the 6-item US Household Food Security Survey Module) and health behaviors (fruit/vegetable, beverage and alcohol intakes, and sleep), self-rated health, and academic performance. Results Of the 257 students who completed the survey, 41% reported food insecurity. Food insecurity was associated with approximately 2-fold higher odds of sugar-sweetened beverage consumption (adjusted odds ratio, 1.97; 95% confidence interval, 1.14–3.41) and fair/poor health (adjusted odds ratio, 2.29; 95% confidence interval, 1.23–4.25). Conclusions and Implications Increased awareness of food insecurity and associated health behaviors among students has implications for higher education's provision of on-campus food support programs.
Evaluation of factors associated with successful 5-year outcomes following arthroscopic Bankart repair in athletes.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of athletes 5-years post-operatively following arthroscopic Bankart repair, and to evaluate factors associated with satisfaction and shoulder function, as defined by subjective shoulder value. METHODS A retrospective review of athletes who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair, with a minimum of 5-year follow-up was performed. Recurrence, Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score, Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), satisfaction, and whether they would undergo the same surgery again, and rate, level and timing of return to play, and Shoulder Instability-Return to Sport after Injury (SIRSI) score were evaluated. Multi-linear regression models were used to evaluate factors affecting postoperative Satisfaction, and SSV level. RESULTS Overall, 144 athletes who underwent arthroscopic Bankart repair were included, with a mean age of 26.9 years (SD: 8.1), 132 (91.7%) were males, and mean follow-up of 75.7 months. At final follow up, 82.6% were satisfied/very satisfied, and the mean SSV was 85.8 (SD: 14.4). Overall, the rate of return to play was 80.5%, with 63.9% returning at the same level at a mean of 6.2 months (SD: 2.7). Overall, there was 18 (12.5%) had recurrent instability, and a further procedure was performed in 15 (10.4%) patients. Linear regression revealed that the SIRSI score (p < 0.0001), SSV (p < 0.0001), VAS (p < 0.0031), no sleep trouble (p = 0.0129) was associated with satisfaction. Logistic regression revealed whether a patient required revision surgery (p = 0.0029), or had re-dislocation (p = 0.0031) was also associated with satisfaction. Linear regression revealed that the SIRSI score (p < 0.0001), VAS score (p < 0.0001), and no sleep trouble (p < 0.0001), were associated with SSV score. CONCLUSION There was a high rate of satisfaction at 5-year follow-up, with excellent patient-reported outcomes and a high rate of return to play among athletes. However, there was a moderate rate of recurrent instability and further revision surgery. This study identified that the SIRSI score, VAS score, no sleep trouble and ability to return to play at the same level were associated with both satisfaction and SSV score. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE III.
Respondent Superior as an Affirmative Defense: How Employers Immunize Themselves from Direct Negligence Claims

Most courts hold that where a defendant employer admits that it is vicariously liable for its employee's negligence, a plaintiff's additional claims of negligent entrustment, hiring, retention, sup...
High Duty Cycle (HDC) sonar processing interval and bandwidth effects for the TREX'13 dataset

Unlike conventional Pulsed Active Sonar (PAS), which listens for target echoes in between short-burst transmissions, High Duty Cycle (HDC) sonar attempts to detect echoes amidst the continual interference from source(s) transmitting with nearly 100% duty cycle. HDC sonar presents an additional processing parameter, not available with PAS, which is the processing interval. The processing interval is a selectable subset of time within a CAS repetition cycle used for coherent processing. Hence, the choice of processing interval may be used to tune the performance of the sonar to local environmental conditions and to the operational scenario. Theoretically, increasing the processing interval increases target detectability, but in practice other factors should also be considered. In real acoustic environments, sound propagation is subject to temporal and spectral spreading effects, and these may limit the processing gains to lower levels than expected. Target Doppler can also become a more significant issue with longer processing intervals. Shorter processing intervals provide an increased number and rate of detection opportunities, which can be a significant advantage, leading to improved target holding, localization, tracking, and classification. This paper describes the various expected effects of the processing interval on performance for continuous-time LFM signals. It presents an analysis conducted on the TREX'13 sea trial dataset, and shows various results achieved as a function of processing interval. The results are explained and compared with theoretical expectations, and show the complicating effects of a real acoustic environment. In particular, we see the limitation on performance gains with increasing the processing interval due to acoustic environmental spreading effects, the target's physical extent and Doppler effects. Comparisons are shown between echoes from three different targets: mobile compact, mobile extended, and fixed. The evaluation describes performance using the quantities of Received Level, SNR, echo time-extent, and delay bias.
Precomputing Oblivious Transfer

Alice and Bob are too untrusting of computer scientists to let their privacy depend on unproven assumptions such as the existence of one-way functions. Firm believers in Schrodinger and Heisenberg, they might accept a quantum OT device, but IBM's prototype is not yet portable. Instead, as part of their prenuptial agreement, they decide to visit IBM and perform some OT's in advance, so that any later divorces, coin-flipping or other important interactions can be done more conveniently, without needing expensive third parties.Unfortunately, OT can't be done in advance in a direct way, because even though Bob might not know what bit Alice will later send (even if she first sends a random bit and later corrects it, for example), he would already know which bit or bits he will receive. We address the problem of precomputing oblivious transfer and show that OT can be precomputed at a cost of ?(k) prior transfers (a tight bound). In contrast, we show that variants of OT, such as one-out-of-two OT, can be precomputed using only one prior transfer. Finally, we show that all variants can be reduced to a single precomputed one-out-of-two oblivious transfer.
Biometrics, Certified Software Solutions, and the Japanese Consumption Tax: A Proposal for the Tax Commission

Significant change is anticipated in the Japanese Consumption Tax. The Japanese Tax Commission is recommending that the rate should double, multiple rates should be employed, and the "bookkeeping method" of accounting should be abandoned in favor of the European "invoice method." The Tax Commission faces a tax policy dilemma. The aging population drives the need for a tax increase (making the Consumption Tax an obvious target for revenue enhancement) at exactly the same time the population is shrinking in overall size, thereby reducing the number of working-consumers who can pay the higher tax. These are dramatic changes for the Japanese Consumption Tax. While revenue needs drive the primary change (the rate increase), it is the inherent regressivity of the tax that drives the second (the adoption of multiple rates). The third change (the use of an invoice method of accounting) is an inevitable consequence of multiple rates. Thus, aside from the rate increase itself it is the structural regressivity of this tax on consumption that is the driver of the most significant of the proposed structural changes. Can this inherent characteristic be changed? This paper proposes a way out of this dilemma. It proposes the adoption of certified transaction tax software at the point of (final) sale, and the distribution (for voluntary use by the needy) of IDs embedded with (a) digitally recognized biometric identifiers and (b) digital tax exemption certificates. Rates could then rise without excessively burdening the poor, elderly and handicapped. The Australian use of a software registry, and the Brazilian experiments in e-invoicing are contrasted.
A STUDY OF THE OXYGENATION OF THE FETUS AND NEWBORN AND ITS RELATION TO THAT OF THE MOTHER.

Abstract This report deals with oxygen concentrations in maternal (artery and uterine vein), fetal (umbilical vein and artery), and newborn (umbilical artery) blood samples. Studies were made in 63 pregnant women at term, not in labor, and delivered by cesarean section. The results indicate a wide range of variation in the various samples. Data are also included for calculation of respiratory quotient and coefficient of oxygen utilization across the intact uterus. No relationship was found between Apgar scoring and percentage oxygen saturation in fetal vessels and blood in newborn infants.
Simulation of GaAs MESFET process yield from RF large signal figures-of-merit

A simulator for calculating MESFET large-signal figures of merit and their sensitivities with respect to various device design, material, and operational parameters has been developed. User-defined large-signal figures-of-merit, such as the linear gain, the RF output power at various gain compression levels, and the maximum power-added efficiency, can be calculated over any range of process, material, parasitic, and bias parameters. This capability allows, for the first time, process yield under large-signal RF conditions to be investigated before fabrication. In this manner, computer-aided design centering for high process yield is made possible. >
CRASH TESTING OF HUMANS IN AUTOMOBILE SEATS

THE DESIGN OF THE AUTOMOBILE INTERIOR IS LARGELY BASED UPON DESIGN DATA GATHERED UNDER STATIC CONDITIONS, WHERE THE INERTIAL PROPERTIES OF THE HUMAN BODY DO NOT ENTER INTO CONSIDERATION. ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA BASED ON STATIC MEASUREMENTS ARE VALID FOR DESIGN OF CLEARANCE AND ACCESS FOR NORMAL OPERATION OF THE VEHICLE, AND HAVE BEEN WIDELY COLLECTED AND USED FOR THESE PURPOSES. THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE HUMAN OPERATOR OR PASSENGER DURING A CRASH ARE NOT AS WELL DOCUMENTED. CLEARANCES, PATHS OF TRAVEL, VELOCITIES ALONG THE PATH AND OTHER DYNAMIC DATA ARE OF VITAL INTEREST TO THE DESIGNER. BECAUSE OF THE DIFFICULTIES IN OBTAINING INFORMATION ABOUT HUMANS UNDER CRASH CONDITIONS, MOST OF THE AVAILABLE GUIDELINES ARE BASED UPON DUMMY OR CADAVER TESTS. UNTIL ADEQUATE HUMAN DATA ARE AVAILABLE, THE DESIGNER MUST USE THE INFORMATION OBTAINED FROM HUMAN SIMULATORS AND CONSIDER IT ONLY AN UNCONFIRMED APPROXIMATION. TO ALLEVIATE THIS SHORTAGE OF HUMAN IMPACT DATA, THE NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS INITIATED A RESEARCH PROGRAM IN COOPERATION WITH THE 6571ST AEROMEDICAL RESEARCH LABORATORY. TESTS WERE CONDUCTED ON THE DAISY DECELERATOR AT HOLLOMAN AFB TO GATHER COMPARATIVE DATA ABOUT HUMAN AND DUMMY TEST SUBJECTS UNDER CRASH CONDITIONS USING AUTOMOTIVE SEATING AND RESTRAINT SYSTEMS. THE DATA PRESENTED IN THIS REPORT INCLUDE 32 HUMAN TESTS OF CONTROLLED IMPACTS OF APPROXIMATELY THE SAME MAGNITUDE. VARIABLES ARE THE TYPE OF RESTRAINT EITHER LAP BELT PLUS SINGLE DIAGONAL, AND SUBJECT SIZE. ALL TESTS WERE CONDUCTED IN THE -GX ORIENTATION USING A PRODUCTION AUTOMOBILE BUCKET SEAT. DATA PRESENTED INCLUDE THE DISPLACEMENT PATHS OF THE SUBJECTS DURING THE IMPACT, THE MAXIMUM VELOCITY ALONG THE PATH, ANTHROPOMETRIC DATA, LOADS GENERATED IN THE RESTRAINT SYSTEM AND MEDICAL AND SUBJECTIVE EVALUATION OF THE IMPACTS. /AUTHOR/
Biosynthesis of the monoguanidinated inositol moiety of bluensomycin, a possible evolutionary precursor of streptomycin.

Abstract The general pattern of biosynthesis of the bluensidine (1D-1-O-carbamoyl-3-guanidino-3-deoxy-scyllo-inositol) moiety of bluensomycin, a monoguanidinated analogue of dihydrostreptomycin, has been studied in extracts of Streptomyces hygroscopicus forma glebosus ATCC 14607 (S. glebosus). Our results are consistent with the following biosynthetic pathway: myo-inositol (C)/→ keto-scyllo-inositol (D)/→ aminodeoxy-scyllo-inositol (E)/→ 1-amino-1-deoxy-scyllo-inositol-4-P (U)/→ 1D-1-O-carbamoyl-3-amino-3-deoxy-scyllo-inositol-6-P (F)/→ 1D-1-O-carbamoyl-3-guanidino-3-deoxy-scyllo-inositol-6-P →→ bluensomycin. A major uncertainty concerns the step (U) at which the carbamoyl group is introduced. Carbamoylation might occur, for example, prior to phosphorylation or following transamidination. myo-Inositol:NAD oxidoreductase activity (C) is reported for the first time in extracts of Streptomyces; activity was assayed by two radiochemical methods, both involving coupling with aminotransferase (D). l-Glutamine:keto-scyllo-inositol aminotransferase (D) was also found to catalyze aminodeoxy-scyllo-inositol:keto-scyllo-inositol, aminodeoxy-scyllo-inositol:pyruvate, and 1,3-diamino-1,3-dideoxy-scyllo-inositol:keto-scyllo-inositol transaminations. l-Arginine:inosamine-P amidinotransferase (F) catalyzed transamidinations with the following compounds as amidino acceptors: NH2OH, 1-amino-1-deoxy-scyllo-inositol-4-P, 1D-1-guanidino-3-amino-1,3-dideoxy-scyllo-inositol-6-P, 1D-1,3-diamino-1,3-dideoxy-scyllo-inositol-6-P, 1D-1,3-diamino-1,2,3-trideoxy-scyllo-inositol-6-P, and a compound present in S. glebosus extracts believed to be 1D-1-O-carbamoyl-3-amino-3-deoxy-scyllo-inositol-6-P. The latter transamidination is markedly enhanced in crude extracts by carbamoyl-P. S. glebosus extracts also have 1-guanidino-1-deoxy-scyllo-inositol-4-P phosphohydrolase activity; neither this enzyme nor the corresponding enzyme from streptomycin producers can dephosphorylate the transamidination product presumed to be bluensidine-6-P. Acid hydrolysis of the latter compound gave a compound which, unlike the unhydrolyzed compound, was converted to 1D-1-guanidino-3-amino-1,3-dideoxy-scyllo-inositol by enzymes from a streptomycin producing strain. S. glebosus cannot carry out the above conversion since it apparently lacks at least two enzymes which occur in streptomycin producers: guanidinodeoxy-(scyllo)-inositol dehydrogenase and l-alanine:1D-1-guanidino-3-keto-1-deoxy-scyllo-inositol aminotransferase. It is suggested that streptomycin producing strains might be descendents of an ancestral strain which, like S. glebosus, produced the monoguanidinated inositol derivative, bluensomycin. It is further suggested that gene duplication and subsequent evolutionary divergence resulted in biosynthesis of the diguanidinated inositol derivative, streptomycin, which is 10 times more effective than bluensomycin as an antibiotic and inhibitor of protein biosynthesis.
“Womb for Rent”: International Service Trade Employing Assisted Reproduction Technologies (ARTs)

Infertility affects approximately 2–3 million married couples in the USA and a larger cohort of unmarried men and women. For those not inclined to adopt, science has provided another option, one based on assisted reproduction through artificial insemination, commonly known as in vitro fertilization (IVF). Under this framework a woman, designated as a “surrogate”, bears a baby on behalf of the intended parents with the objective of relinquishing her rights to the child after birth. The subcontract for the services of a “surrogate” or more specifically for the use of her “womb” can be viewed as part of the literature on outsourcing of production by a vertically integrated family. The lack of universal enforcement of “surrogacy” contracts in the USA creates a demand for outsourcing of surrogacy services. One beneficiary of this uncertainty in enforcement is India which provides gestational services to intended international parents.
Isolation of Coumestrol and Other Phenolics from Alfalfa by Countercurrent Distribution

Countercurrent distribution (CCD) procedures are described for the isolation of coumestrol and 12 other phenolic compounds from alfalfa. Three of these were identified as trifoliol, tricin, and salicylic acid. Elemental analysis indicated empirical formulas for four of the other compounds. Rf values on paper chromatograms and fluorescent characteristics under ultraviolet light are presented for all the compounds isolated.
A satellite-based Daily Actual Evapotranspiration estimation algorithm over South Florida

article i nfo Article history: Accepted 8 February 2008 Available online 3 January 2009 Water resources and agricultural applications require the knowledge of evapotranspiration (ET) over a range of spatial and temporal scales. Due to paucity of surface based hydro-meteorological stations, the spatial resolution of ET estimates is fairly coarse and is not particularly suitable or reliable for hydrologic modeling, water resources planning and decision making. An ET estimation algorithm has been developed by combining data from satellite and ground observations. The method extends the applicability of a commonly used energy balance formulation of ET and utilizes the contextual relationship between remotely sensed surface temperature and vegetation index. The required parameters are derived from the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) aboard NOAA-14 satellite. First, the Evaporative Fraction (EF )i s estimated by utilizing the relationship between a vegetation index and radiometric surface temperature observed from AVHRR for each day. Then spatio-temporal interpolation and filtering techniques are applied to obtain daily EF values for cloudy pixels to produce the EF map for the entire region. Daily Actual ET (DAET) maps are derived from these EF maps and net radiation maps obtained from ground-based observations. The comparisons between satellite derived DAET and ground measurements showed overall low bias and root- mean-square-error for both clear and cloudy days at South Florida in 1998 and 1999. The proposed satellite- based DAET (SatDAET) algorithm has its EF component primarily estimated from satellite data and the resulting DAET has been validated using multi-year ground observations over the South Florida region. The SatDAET algorithm appears to be robust and has the potential to provide near real-time land surface evapotranspiration monitoring over large heterogeneous areas at a very fine spatial and temporal resolution.
Compassion Needs Reason Too

A GROWING number of physicians today believe that it is morally permissible, perhaps even required, to assist certain of their patients in the act of suicide. 1-4 They take their inspiration from Quill's account of the way he assisted his young patient, Diane, to kill herself. 5 They are impressed by Quill's compassion and respect for his patient. Like him, they would limit the physician's participation in suicide to extreme cases in which suffering is unrelenting, unrelievable, and unbearable. Like him, they follow a flawed line of moral reasoning in which a compassionate response to a request for assisted suicide is deemed sufficient in itself to justify an ethically indefensible act. See also pp 870 and 875. In his article 6 in this issue ofThe Journal, Quill provides a more formal and systematic outline of what he believes the appropriate response of physicians should be to a request for
Chemiluminescence detection of nitric oxide production from rat cerebral cortical endothelial cells in culture.

Abstract Cultured brain microvascular endothelial cells have been used to study blood–brain barrier properties in vitro. Among several endothelial derived factors the gaseous free radical nitric oxide (NO) has been shown to regulate both vascular tone and blood–brain barrier permeability. Due to its short half-life and high reactivity with many other molecules, effects of NO have preferentially been investigated using NO synthase inhibitors, NO donors or, more recently, in NO synthase knock-out animals. In the present study we describe a rapid, sensitive and reliable protocol for chemiluminescence detection of NO 2 − , the stable oxydation product of NO, from the supernatant of rat cortical endothelial cells in culture. After suppression of inducible NOS activity brain endothelial cells showed low basal NO levels. After stimulation with calcium ionophore NO levels increased and were attenuated again by NOS blockade. NO release was also elicited by bradykinin or acetylcholine, albeit to a lesser extent. This protocol might prove useful to investigate calcium-dependent NO formation in cerebral endothelial cells and blood–brain barrier models in vitro. In principle, the same protocol can be applied to virtually any cell type in culture. Themes : Neurotransmitters, modulators, transporters, and receptors Topics : Other neurotransmitters
Human tooth mortality: a clinical-statistical study.

Why do people of different ages have their teeth extracted? This clinical study investigates 1,030 patients to find the reasons for the M of the DMF index in order to provide dentistry with a more accurate background for effective preventive measures.
Survey of Organosilicone Compounds, Including Cyclic and Linear Siloxanes, in Personal-Care and Household Products

The determination of organosiloxanes in consumer products is important for the evaluation and characterization of sources of human and environmental exposures. In this study, we determined concentrations of cyclic siloxanes [octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D4), decamethylcyclopentasiloxane (D5), dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane (D6)], tetradecamethylcycloheptasiloxane (D7)] and linear siloxanes (L4 to L14) in a variety of consumer products (n = 76), including hair-care products, skin lotions, body washes, cosmetics, nursing nipples (i.e., pacifiers), cookware, and household sanitation products such as cleansers and furniture polishes, using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry with selected ion monitoring. Prior to the analysis of samples, a method was developed to reduce the contamination arising from organosiloxanes present in certain gas chromatograph (GC) parts, such as the inlet septum; use of a Restek BTO septum at an inlet temperature of 200°C gave the lowest background level (D4: 0.8 pg; D5: 0.3 pg; D6: 0.2 pg). Concentrations of cyclic siloxanes in consumer products analyzed ranged from <0.35 to 9380 μg/g, from <0.39 to 81,800 μg/g, from <0.33 to 43,100 μg/g, and from <0.42 to 846 μg/g for D4, D5, D6, and D7, respectively. Concentrations of linear siloxanes varied from <0.059 to 73,000 μg/g. More than 50% of the samples analyzed contained D4, D5, or D6. Cyclic siloxanes were predominant in most of the sample categories; D5 was predominant in hair-care products, skin lotions, and cosmetics; D6 or D7 was predominant in rubber products, including nipples, cookware, and sealants. Potential daily exposure to total organosiloxanes (sum of cyclic and linear siloxanes) from the use of personal-care products by adult women in the United States has been estimated to be 307 mg. Significant positive correlations (p < 0.01) existed in our study between D4 and D7, D4 and linear siloxanes, D5 and D6, and D5 and linear siloxanes. The correlations can be related to the composition of organosiloxanes used in consumer products. The results of our study suggest that a wide variety of consumer products that are used on a daily basis contain cyclic and linear siloxanes and these products can contribute considerably to human exposures.
MUSCLE DYSFUNCTION IN THE INTENSIVE CARE UNIT

Muscle weakness, particularly impairment of the respiratory muscles, is a frequent abnormality in ICU patients. This is more relevant in some clinical situations--for example, in weaning patients from mechanical ventilation. Intensive care procedures that are designed to "rest" respiratory muscles, such as mechanical ventilation, may also contribute to impaired muscle function. Pharmacologic administration of glucocorticoids, several antibiotics, NMB agents, and so on has the potential to cause untoward effects. The development of myopathy and prolonged paresis has been increasingly recognized after prolonged use of these drugs in the ICU. Pathophysiologic changes in the nerve, muscle, or neuromuscular junction associated with the patient's underlying condition may also play a role in the development of impaired function. The assessment of muscle function is difficult and inaccurate. The techniques developed have a poor predictive value because of the difficulty in making the measurements in uncooperative patients and the lack of standardization. Furthermore, it is likely that some voluntary maneuvers underestimate muscle strength. Invasive procedures such as phrenic nerve stimulation or EMG recording are also of limited value.
Hyperglycemia-induced O-GlcNAcylation and truncation of 4E-BP1 protein in liver of a mouse model of type 1 diabetes.

4E-BP1 is a protein that, in its hypophosphorylated state, binds the mRNA cap-binding protein eIF4E and represses cap-dependent mRNA translation. By doing so, it plays a major role in the regulation of gene expression by controlling the overall rate of mRNA translation as well as the selection of mRNAs for translation. Phosphorylation of 4E-BP1 causes it to release eIF4E to function in mRNA translation. 4E-BP1 is also subject to covalent addition of N-acetylglucosamine to Ser or Thr residues (O-GlcNAcylation) as well as to truncation. In the truncated form, it is both resistant to phosphorylation and able to bind eIF4E with high affinity. In the present study, Ins2Akita/+ diabetic mice were used to test the hypothesis that hyperglycemia and elevated flux of glucose through the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway lead to increased O-GlcNAcylation and truncation of 4E-BP1 and consequently decreased eIF4E function in the liver. The amounts of both full-length and truncated 4E-BP1 bound to eIF4E were significantly elevated in the liver of diabetic as compared with non-diabetic mice. In addition, O-GlcNAcylation of both the full-length and truncated proteins was elevated by 2.5- and 5-fold, respectively. Phlorizin treatment of diabetic mice lowered blood glucose concentrations and reduced the expression and O-GlcNAcylation of 4E-BP1. Additionally, when livers were perfused in the absence of insulin, 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in the livers of diabetic mice was normalized to the control value, yet O-GlcNAcylation and the association of 4E-BP1 with eIF4E remained elevated in the liver of diabetic mice. These findings provide insight into the pathogenesis of metabolic abnormalities associated with diabetes.
Benzimidazole resistance in Cercospora beticola sampled from sugarbeet fields in Michigan, U.S.A.1

Sugarbeet (Beta vulgaris L.) leaves infected with Cercospora beticola Sacc. were collected in 44 and 48 grower fields in Michigan in 1998 and 1999, respectively, following reports of the inadequacy of benzimidazole fungicides in controlling leaf spot disease. Spores resistant to thiophanate methyl (TM), a representative benzimidazole fungicide, could be obtained from the leaves. Resistance was determined by radial mycelial growth on potato dextrose agar amended with 5 µg/mL TM. In 1998, viable conidia of C. beticola were isolated from 556 individual leaf spots; 115 of these isolates, from 21 of the 44 growers' fields, were resistant to TM. In 1999, viable conidia were isolated from 441 leaf spots; 365 of these isolates were resistant to TM, and resistant isolates were obtained from all but one of the fields sampled. This is the first report of detection of TM resistance in C. beticola, in Michigan, indicating that alternative measures should be implemented to reduce resistance to benzimidazole and other f...
A reexamination of gender-based attitudes toward group projects: Evidence from the Google Online Marketing Challenge

Using data from the Google Online Marketing Challenge participant survey, we reexamined the notion that women have a universal preference for group work. Our data suggest that there are gender differences in respondents' answers to group-related questions. However, our analysis suggests that - in most cases - these differences are accounted for by the tendency of males to have greater confidence in their Internet-related skills than females. For the most part, our results are consistent with expectations. That is, males, or more specifically those with greater confidence in their technical skills, are more likely to prefer working alone on difficult tasks or tasks in which the needed information is spread across several sources (e.g., the Internet, journals, and books). When asked about a generic project, however, the results contradicted expectations, indicating that women are more likely to prefer working alone. More importantly, the data suggest that confidence in Internet skills also plays a role in explaining this counter-intuitive result. That is, females with low confidence in their skills prefer to work in groups, while those with greater confidence are more independent. Finally, female participants, of all confidence levels, reported that their groups were less cooperative during the Challenge.
Transforming Growth Factor-β Controls Development, Homeostasis, and Tolerance of T Cells by Regulatory T Cell-Dependent and -Independent Mechanisms

The role of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) in inhibiting T cell functions has been studied with dominant-negative TGF-beta receptor transgenic models; however, the full impact of TGF-beta signaling on T cells and the mechanisms by which TGF-beta signals remain poorly understood. Here we show that mice with T cell-specific deletion of TGF-beta receptor II developed lethal inflammation associated with T cell activation and differentiation. In addition, TGF-beta signaling positively regulated T cell development and homeostasis. Development of CD8+ T cells and NKT cells, maintenance of peripheral Foxp3-expressing regulatory T cells, and survival of CD4+ T cells all depended on TGF-beta signaling. Both T helper 1 (Th1) differentiation and survival of activated CD4+ T cells required T-bet, the TGF-beta-regulated transcription factor, which controlled CD122 expression and IL-15 signaling in Th1 cells. This study reveals pleiotropic functions of TGF-beta signaling in T cells that may ensure a diverse and self-tolerant T cell repertoire in vivo.
Liberal and conservative dissensus in areas of domestic public policy other than business and economics

This research is part of a project that examines the nature of political ideology in the United States and its impact on the formulation of public policy. Here we explore the bases of liberal – conservative dissensus in areas of domestic policy other than business and the economy using a model developed by Janda, Berry, and Goldman. We find that the major elements of dissensus are: a strong conservative disposition to defend order; with a few exceptions a liberal indifference to order as conservatives define it; conservative opposition to the expansion of federal power over states or individuals and/or expansion in federal (and often state and local government) spending unless order is threatened; much greater liberal emphasis on equality; and varying conceptualizations of basic values to the degree that liberals and conservatives seem almost to be talking past each other using two different languages.
Paleoecology grand challenge

(Platt, 1964). Simply stated, Platt’s view ofscientiﬁc research in its highest form pro-ceeds through three steps: developmentof alternative hypotheses; design of cru-cial experiments to exclude one or morehypotheses; execution of careful studies toobtain clear-cut results. It was a powerfulreminder of how problem solving can beperformed, written in a style both infor-mal and authoritative. In those days it wasnot unusual for the most prestigious sci-entiﬁc outlets to publish articles whoselanguageseemstonowadayshavebeenrel-egated to blog posts. Just seven years ear-lier, another
EFFICACY OF AZOXYSTROBIN FUNGICIDE AGAINST SORE SHIN OF SHADE TOBACCO CAUSED BY RHIZOCTONIA SOLANI

Azoxystrobin fungicide was evaluated for efficacy against Rhizoctonia solani, causal agent of tobacco sore shin, in greenhouse and in vitro tests. Azoxystrobin significantly increased root weights and reduced disease ratings compared with untreated controls in 2004 and 2005, and also reduced the percent of the stem girdled in 2005 (not measured in 2004). Some phytotoxicity (observed as flecks) was visible on 1 or 2 leaves of Quadris-treated transplants about 1 week after treatment. Leaves that expanded after treatment did not show symptoms. Activity of azoxystrobin fungicide in vitro was not as effective as might be expected from field observations and greenhouse experiments. Dose– response experiments of R. solani mycelial growth rate on azoxystrobin-amended half-strength Potato dextrose agar measured mycelial growth inhibition of only 30% by 1,000 mg/ ml ai. Salicylhydroxamic acid (SHAM), used to inhibit the alternative oxidase pathway in a number of fungi, was tested at 100 mg/ml SHAM in media to determine the efficacy of azoxystrobin against 2 isolates of R. solani in the absence of the alternative oxidase pathway. In the presence of SHAM, the inhibition of mycelial growth was over the LD50 for all concentrations tested, indicating that R. solani does use an alternative oxidation pathway in vitro. However, the observed inhibition decreased over time; inhibition averaged over all azoxystrobin concentrations was 63.3% after the first 24 hr, 52.0% after 48 hr and only 26.5% during the third–fourth day of exposure (P 5 0.001). It appears that an additional mechanism of alternative oxidation may become active over time in R. solani. Azoxystrobin (Quadris) is registered for management of tobacco blue mold and should be valuable as a transplant band treatment to protect shade-grown tobacco plants from sore shin caused by R. solani. Additional key words: alternative oxidase pathway, Nicotiana tabacum, Quadris, sore shin
POSSIBLE METHODS FOR THE DETERMINATION OF STRANGE-PARTICLE PARITIES

Two possible experiments are pointed out that may shed light on the intrinsic parities of strange particles. Consider the capture reaction K/sup -/ + d yields Y + N. It has been suggested that the capture of K/sup -/ in liquid hydrogen and deuterium occurs mostly from bound s states. Considering this as a working hypothesis, a theorem is derived that may be used to obtain information regarding the parity of the K meson relative to the YN system. (A.C.)