cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Suprofen Concentrations in Human Breast Milk

Six healthy females who had been nursing their infants for 6 to 11 months received a single, 200-mg oral dose of suprofen, an analgesic which has been evaluated clinically. Blood and milk samples were collected at discrete times over an 8-hour period and suprofen concentrations in milk and plasma were determined by HPLC. The binding of suprofen to milk and plasma proteins was determined by equilibrium dialysis. The maximum concentrations of suprofen in the milk ranged from 0.118 to 0.232 microgram/ml and occurred from 1 to 2 hours after dose administration. The maximum plasma suprofen concentrations ranged from 13.8 to 28.3 micrograms/ml and occurred from 0.5 to 2 hours after dosing. Within any subject, the peak suprofen concentration in milk was 0.5 to 0.9 per cent of the peak concentration in plasma. Suprofen was extensively bound to plasma proteins (99.4 per cent) and minimally bound to milk proteins (10 per cent). The average milk/plasma ratio based on area-under-the-curve measurements was approximately 0.014, or 1.4 per cent. This ratio agrees well with an estimated value of 1.2 per cent for the pH-dependent, passive diffusion of suprofen from plasma into milk. From these data, it appears that there would be minimal suprofen exposure to a nursing infant after administration of recommended doses to the nursing mother.
Effects of justice and utilitarianism on ethical decision making: a cross-cultural examination of gender similarities and differences

This study investigates the relationship between intention to behave ethically and gender within the context of national culture. Using Reidenbach and Robin’s measures of the ethical dimensions of justice and utilitarianism in a sample of business students from three different countries, we found that gender is significantly related to the respondents’ intention to behave ethically. Women relied on both justice as well as utilitarianism when making moral decisions. By contrast, men relied only on justice, and did not rely on utilitarianism when faced with the same ethical issues. Further, women’s intention to behave was contextual, significantly affected by two national culture dimensions (uncertainty avoidance and individualism), whereas men’s decisions were more universal, and not related to national culture dimensions.
Greek women in Latin households of fourteenth-century Venetian Crete

Of all the inhabitants, both Latin and Greek, of the colony of Crete, Greek women of the elite and the poorest unfree Greek women were the most vulnerable to the process of colonization after the Venetian conquest of the island in 1211. An examination of wills and marriage contracts from the fourteenth century offers evidence of the change brought about by the entrance of Greek women as wives into Latin households. The presence there of Greek servant women and slaves, who bore the illegitimate children of Latin fathers, also modified the character of Latin households. The sanctioned and non-sanctioned unions between Greek women and Latin men gave rise, in large part, to a colonial society whose constituent communities displayed more characteristics in common than has previously been thought.
Discussion: A psychoanalyst's perspective on multiple personality disorder

(1992). Discussion: A psychoanalyst's perspective on multiple personality disorder. Psychoanalytic Inquiry: Vol. 12, Perspective on Multiple Personality Disorder, pp. 112-123.
Risk factors for spontaneous bladder perforation after augmentation cystoplasty.

Abstract Objectives To present our experience with the use of stomach, ileum, and colon for augmentation cystoplasty to examine the incidence of, and risk factors for, spontaneous perforation. Spontaneous bladder perforation is a potentially life-threatening complication of augmentation cystoplasty with a reported incidence of up to 13%. Methods A retrospective review of medical records from 1988 to 2001 identified 107 children (57 males and 50 females) who underwent augmentation cystoplasty at our institution. The etiology for bladder dysfunction included myelomeningocele, VATER (vertebral defects, imperforate anus, tracheoesophageal fistula, radial and renal dysplasia) syndrome, bladder and cloacal exstrophy, posterior urethral valves, and pelvic malignancy. Thirteen patients also had end-stage renal disease. Results The median follow-up was 7.4 years. Gastrocystoplasty was performed in 50 children (47%), ileocystoplasty in 37 (35%), colocystoplasty in 18 (17%), and gastric-ileal composite neobladder in 2 (2%). Augmentation cystoplasty procedures were performed using a standard technique that included a two-layer anastomosis. Additional procedures at the time of reconstruction included Mitrofanoff neourethra in 66 patients (62%) and bladder neck repair in 44 (41%). Postoperatively, most patients started a strict incremental catheterization regimen. The overall incidence of bladder perforation was 5%, with one traumatic (1%) and four spontaneous (4%) perforations. All patients recovered uneventfully after exploratory laparotomy. Conclusions We believe that the relatively low incidence of spontaneous bladder perforation encountered in this series may be explained by the large number of patients with gastrocystoplasty, as well as our strict adherence to a postoperative incremental catheterization program.
Gating Pore Currents from S4 Mutations of NaV1.4: A Common Pathomechanism in Hypokalemic Periodic Paralysis

The mechanism whereby missense mutations in charged residues of the S4 segments of CaV1.1 and NaV1.4 cause the skeletal muscle disorder hypokalemic periodic paralysis (HypoPP) remains poorly understood. Recent work suggests a possible common functional defect, in which HypoPP mutations produce aberrant ionic conductances flowing through the aqueous gating-pore in which the mutant S4 segment resides. We observed low-amplitude gating-pore currents for HypoPP mutations in the R1 and R2 positions of S4 in domain II in NaV1.4. Several features of these HypoPP-associated gating pore conductances were unexpected, and may provide insight into S4 segment function. For instance, gating pores exposed by mutations at the R2 site exhibited marked current saturation at hyperpolarized voltages. Saturation can be accounted for by a model with a single cation binding site very near the external surface of the electrical field. The ionic selectivity of different HypoPP gating pores is dependent on the substituted residue: histidine substitutions causing proton-selectivity, whereas other substitutions result in limited selectivity among monovalent cations. The pathophysiological significance of this dichotomy remains unclear. In addition, the low amplitude of the disease-associated gating pore currents (∼.1% of the peak Na current through the central pore) is probably insufficient to directly cause the large depolarization of affected muscle fibers during a paralytic attack. These small currents might predispose to episodic paralysis by potentiating the normal sarcolemmal propensity to depolarize upon reduction of external K+. This paradoxical depolarization is a consequence of the K+ dependence for the inward rectifier K+ conductance, which causes Vrest to deviate from Nernstian behavior. Thus, muscle fibers with an inward gating-pore current may function normally at most times, but may be poised for massive depolarization in the setting of minor perturbations of extracellular [K+].
Boron isotopic geochemistry of the McMurdo Dry Valley lakes, Antarctica

Abstract The geochemistry of boron was investigated in the ice-covered lakes and glacier meltwater streams within Taylor and Wright Valley of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (MCM), Antarctica, in order to achieve a greater understanding of the source of boron to these aquatic systems and how in-lake processes control boron concentration. Selected lake depths (surface and bottom water) and streams were analyzed for boron geochemistry. Boron stable isotope values in these waters span the range of + 12.3‰ to + 51.4‰, which corresponds to the variations from glacier meltwater streams to the hypolimnion of a highly evaporated hypersaline lake. The data demonstrate that the major sources of B to the aquatic system are via terrestrial chemical weathering of aluminosilicates within the stream channels, and a marine source, either currently being introduced by marine-derived aerosols or in the form of ancient seawater. Lakes Fryxell, Hoare, and upper waters of Lake Joyce, which experience more terrestrial influence of aluminosilicate chemical weathering via glacial meltwater streams, display a mixture of these two major sources, while the source of B in the bottom waters of Lake Joyce appears to be primarily of marine origin. Lakes Bonney and Vanda and the Blood Falls brine have a marine-like source whose δ11B values have become more positive by mineral precipitation and/or adsorption. Don Juan Pond displays a terrestrial aluminosilicate influence of a marine-like source. These hypersaline lake waters from Antarctica are similar in δ11B to other hypersaline lake waters globally, suggesting that similar processes control their B geochemistry.
Experiences and Correlates of HIV Self-Testing Among Men Who Have Sex with Men in Jiangsu Province, China

Substantial numbers of Chinese men who have sex with men (MSM) do not access facility-based HIV testing. Self-testing could promote testing uptake among this population. We describe experiences and identify correlates of self-testing among Chinese MSM. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among MSM in Jiangsu from November 2013 to January 2014. Participants were recruited through time-location sampling and from online. Participants were asked a series of questions about HIV self-testing uptake and associated experiences. Logistic regression was used to identify correlates of having ever self-tested for HIV. Of 522 participants, 26.2 % had ever self-tested. Finger stick was the most common self-testing modality (86.1 %). A majority of participants reported that it was "very easy" (43.1 %) or "somewhat easy" (34.3 %) to perform self-testing while lower proportions reported "very confident" (24.1 %) or "somewhat confident" (36.5 %) in the accuracy of their test results. Having ever self-tested was significantly associated with having had 2-5 and 6 or more male anal sex partners in the past 6 months (AOR 2.12, 95 % CI 1.00, 4.49; AOR 4.95, 95 % CI 1.90, 12.87), having ever tested for HIV (AOR 4.56, 95 % CI 1.66, 12.55), and having a friend or friends who self-tested (AOR 7.32, 95 % CI 3.57, 15.00). HIV self-testing can reach untested Chinese MSM and/or increase testing frequency. Peer- or social network-based interventions could futher help encourage self-testing. Monitoring systems should be strengthened to ensure the quality of self-testing kits and provision of essential support services, including post-test counseling and linkage-to-care.
Morphologic predictors of papillary carcinoma on fine-needle aspiration of thyroid with ThinPrep preparations.

Although the cytologic features of papillary carcinoma of the thyroid are well-known, none is entirely specific. We conducted this study to determine the minimal criteria necessary to achieve 100% specificity for the diagnosis of papillary carcinoma on fine-needle aspiration (FNA). Forty patients with histologically confirmed papillary carcinoma and 17 patients with other thyroid lesions who underwent preoperative FNA at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center during a 4-yr period were included in the study. All cytology slides were prepared with the ThinPrep processing technique. Various architectural and nuclear features were evaluated, with a score assigned to each feature, and correlated with the histologic diagnosis of papillary carcinoma. Intranuclear inclusions, papillary and/or sheet arrangements, nuclear grooves, powdery chromatin, nuclear molding, high cellularity, and small nucleoli were significantly associated with papillary carcinoma (P < 0.05). The requirement of any intranuclear inclusions and many nuclear grooves, or a minimum of sum of scores (of the above eight features) of 10, yields 100% specificity and approximately 70% sensitivity. Cases with fewer features can be reported as suspicious or indeterminate for papillary carcinoma. A quantitative/probabilistic approach in the reporting of thyroid FNA provides a practical guide for management of patients with thyroid nodules.
Isolation of cDNAs encoding four mouse FGF family members and characterization of their expression patterns during embryogenesis.

Abstract To initiate a study of the role of the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family in mammalian development, we have isolated cDNAs encoding four mouse FGF family members, aFGF, bFGF, kFGF, and FGF-5. This was achieved by a process that circumvents the use of cDNA libraries: for each family member, a cDNA fragment containing the conserved portion of the coding region was amplified from a pool of embryonic and teratocarcinoma cell cDNAs using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and cloned; the remaining coding sequences 5′ and 3′ to the conserved region were cloned using the RACE method. The cDNA clones obtained were used as probes to analyze the expression of these genes at the RNA level in teratocarcinoma cells and embryos at 10.5 to 17.5 days of gestation. Fgfk appears to be specific to undifferentiated teratocarcinoma stem cells. Fgf5 transcripts were detected at every stage and in every tissue tested, but showed a dramatic 15-fold increase in abundance as teratocarcinoma stem cells differentiated to simple embryoid bodies. Fgfb expression showed the greatest tissue-specific variability in abundance, with the highest levels detected in the developing limbs and tail. Fgfa showed the least variable pattern of expression, with transcripts detected at roughly equivalent levels in almost all samples analyzed. On the basis of these data we speculate on some possible roles that the different FGF family members may play in the developing embryo.
The Effects of Certain Drugs on Phonation

Five young adult male subjects with normal larynxes were recorded as they sustained phonation during one normal and three drug conditions. The vocal tasks included obtaining the total fundamental f...
On Extremism in our Time

Extremism—in attitudes and actions—appears to be expanding. What makes one prone to extremism? Umberto Eco’s The Prague Cemetery, a narrative built on diary entries of the man who forged the Protocols of the Elders of Zion, exposes the two-self nature of extremists. It also exposes the two-self nature of the Narrator, who imposes coherence on the diary entries. This essay peels off the layers of images that allow extremists of all kind to appear other than they truly are.
Amber nonsense mutations in regulatory and structural genes of the nitrogen control circuit of Neurospora crassa.

Neurospora crassa possesses a set of nitrogen-regulated enzymes whose expression requires a lifting of nitrogen catabolite repression and specific induction. The nit-2 gene is a major regulatory locus which appears to act in a positive way to turn on the expression of these nitrogen-related enzymes whereas the nit-4 gene appears to mediate nitrate induction of nitrate and nitrite reductase. The nit-3 gene specifies nitrate reductase and is subject to control by both nit-2 and nit-4. Many new nit-2, nit-3, and nit-4 mutants were isolated in order to obtain amber nonsense mutations in these loci which were suppressible by the suppressor gene, Ssu-1. A nit-2 nonsense mutant was isolated which has altered regulatory properties for control of nitrate reductase, L-amino acid oxidase, and uricase, and which may encode a truncated regulatory protein. Four nit-3 nonsense mutations were isolated, each of which completely lacks nitrate reductase activity, which is restored to markedly different levels by suppression with Ssu-1. Studies of heat activation and thermal lability of nitrate reductase suggest a qualitative alteration of the enzyme occurs in two of the Ssu-1 nit-3 strains.
Going for the Gold versus Distributing the Green: Foreign Policy Substitutability and Complementarity in Status Enhancement Strategies

Status and the relative ranking of states in international politics seem to be salient concerns for most foreign policymakers.2 Yet, the literature on how status rankings are attributed to states remains as scarce as research on the strategies utilized by states to maintain or enhance the status they are attributed. While there is more research conducted on both status attribution and status competition regarding major powers and rising powers,3 little systematic attention has focused on the larger population of states in international politics.4 One of the latest contributions to this literature is an analysis of successful competition in the summer Olympics as a state status-seeking strategy (Rhamey and Early 2013). The authors find that winning Olympic medals and hosting the Olympics have significant impacts on states' status rankings. We do not question these results and, in fact, applaud the effort to map out one strategy of status enhancement. However, we raise a cautionary note about the complex foreign policy choices faced by states as they may pursue additional status. Within the toolbox of policymakers, there are a variety of policies with which to pursue the same objective in international politics, be it status enhancement or other goals. Typically, this interchangeability of strategies has been referred to in the literature as foreign policy substitutability (Most and Starr 1984; Morgan and Palmer 2000; Palmer and Bhandari 2000). If in fact there are numerous policy options available for seeking enhanced status, then these policies should be examined—and evaluated—using a comparative policy perspective in order to determine whether or not they are substitutable and possibly complementary policies. The notions of substitutability and complementarity should be salient for both policymakers and researchers. For policymakers, substitutability provides flexibility in choosing policies that may have variable costs, effects, and consequences. Establishing complementarity …
Experimental demonstration of prism coupling of infrared waves into planar photonic crystal waveguide devices

We demonstrate an efficient prism coupling method to couple nonplanar infrared waves into a 2-D planar photonic-crystal PhC de- vice, such as a PhC waveguide PhCW. A coupling efficiency of 31.1% is obtained experimentally. Results from finite-difference time-domain FDTD modeling are shown to closely match the results measured in a fabricated sample. © 2005 Society of Photo-Optical Instrumentation Engineers.
Using gaming platforms for telemedicine applications: A cross-platform comparison

The goal of this project was to compare the functionality of the most widely used gaming platforms in terms of their applicability for telemedicine applications and to demonstrate the possibility of implementing a comprehensive telemedicine system using these platforms. We implemented a Home Automated Telemanagement (HAT) system for patients with chronic diseases to provide support in following their individualized treatment plans as well as to monitor symptoms, medication use, and quality of life, while educating the patient on their disease. The system was developed for use on the Nintendo Wii, the Microsoft Xbox 360, and the Sony Playstation 3. All three current generation videogame consoles allow for development of internet-based applications designed to be delivered via the console's web browsers. The HAT system was implemented to be placed in the patient's home and to communicate all patient data to a central server implementing real-time clinical decision support. The system questions patients daily on their condition, monitors their vital signs, and provides the patient with instant feedback on their condition. Cognitive walkthrough was used to see what challenges were posed by each platform and interface. We demonstrated that using any of the three gaming platforms it is possible to build a comprehensive telemedicine system that may be usable by patients with no prior computer or videogame experience.
Simulation of the transport processes in a thermal manufacturing system using symbolic computation

Abstract This paper presents a study on the simulation of a system for the thermal processing of materials, using symbolic computation. The governing equations are obtained as a system of ordinary and partial differential equations, after employing several simplifications and assumptions regarding the transport processes. A Prolog-based software is developed to undertake logical decisions, implement numerical constraints, discretize the governing equations, which are entered interactively by the user, and carry out symbolic computations. The software uses symbolic manipulations to classsify a given equation as an ordinary differential equation or as a partial differential equation of a particular type, and to decide on the numerical approach and the relevant numerical variables, such as grid size and time step. The Prolog program then obtains the relevant finite difference equations in symbolic form. The computations for the solutions are carried out by relevant algorithms stored in the various modules attached to the main program. The results obtained for a few typical circumstances are presented and the relevance of symbolic computation in such practical applications is discussed. The basic scheme employed for the symbolic computation of the relevant heat transfer processes is discussed in detail. Various other aspects that can be incorporated into such a scheme to fully utilize the power of symbolic computation are outlined.
Effects of L‐Asparaginase on Plasma Amino Acid Profiles and Tumor Burden in Cats with Lymphoma

Background: L-Asparaginase (Elspara), is an Escherichia coli-derived enzyme that depletes lymphoma cells of asparagine, inhibiting protein synthesis and resulting in cell death. The single agent response rate in cats with lymphoma and impact of L-asparaginase on plasma amino acid concentrations is unknown. Hypotheses: L-Asparaginase significantly reduces plasma asparagine concentrations and has demonstrable efficacy against untreated lymphoma in cats. Animals: Thirteen cats with confirmed lymphoma (LSA) of any anatomic site were given 1 dose 400 IU/kg IM) of L-asparaginase for initial LSA treatment. Methods: Plasma collected at 0, 2, and 7 days after L-asparaginase therapy was assayed for ammonia, asparagine, aspartic acid, glutamine, and glutamic acid concentrations. Cats were restaged 7 days later to assess tumor response. Results: Eight cats had T-cell LSA, 4 cats had B-cell LSA, and 1 cat's immunophenotype was unknown. Two complete and 2 partial responses to L-asparaginase were seen. Four cats had stable disease, and 5 cats had progressive disease. Ammonia and aspartic acid concentrations were increased from baseline at 2 and 7 days posttreatment. Asparagine concentrations were decreased from baseline at 2 days but not 7 days posttreatment. Glutamic acid concentrations were increased at day 2 compared to day 7 posttreatment but not compared to baseline. Glutamine concentrations were unchanged. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: L-Asparaginase significantly reduced asparagine concentrations within 2 days of treatment, but this effect was lost within 7 days. The apparent overall response rate of feline LSA to L-asparaginase in this study was 30%.
Observed and modeled seasonal trends in dissolved and particulate Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in a mining-impacted stream.

North Fork Clear Creek (NFCC) in Colorado, an acid-mine drainage (AMD) impacted stream, was chosen to examine the distribution of dissolved and particulate Cu, Fe, Mn, and Zn in the water column, with respect to seasonal hydrologic controls. NFCC is a high-gradient stream with discharge directly related to snowmelt and strong seasonal storms. Additionally, conditions in the stream cause rapid precipitation of large amounts of hydrous iron oxides (HFO) that sequester metals. Because AMD-impacted systems are complex, geochemical modeling may assist with predictions and/or confirmations of processes occurring in these environments. This research used Visual-MINTEQ to determine if field data collected over a two and one-half year study would be well represented by modeling with a currently existing model, while limiting the number of processes modeled and without modifications to the existing model's parameters. Observed distributions between dissolved and particulate phases in the water column varied greatly among the metals, with average dissolved fractions being >90% for Mn, ∼75% for Zn, ∼30% for Cu, and <10% for Fe. A strong seasonal trend was observed for the metals predominantly in the dissolved phase (Mn and Zn), with increasing concentrations during base-flow conditions and decreasing concentrations during spring-runoff. This trend was less obvious for Cu and Fe. Within hydrologic seasons, storm events significantly influenced in-stream metals concentrations. The most simplified modeling, using solely sorption to HFO, gave predicted percentage particulate Cu results for most samples to within a factor of two of the measured values, but modeling data were biased toward over-prediction. About one-half of the percentage particulate Zn data comparisons fell within a factor of two, with the remaining data being under-predicted. Slightly more complex modeling, which included dissolved organic carbon (DOC) as a solution phase ligand, significantly reduced the positive bias between observed and predicted percentage particulate Cu, while inclusion of hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) yielded model results more representative of the observed percentage particulate Zn. These results indicate that there is validity in the use of an existing model, without alteration and with typically collected water chemistry data, to describe complex natural systems, but that processes considered optimal for one metal might not be applicable for all metals in a given water sample.
Spin dynamics and spin counting in the 13C CP/MAS analysis of Argonne Premium coals

Abstract The carbonyl-labelled compound, [3.2.1]bicyclo-4-pyrrolidino- N -methyl-octan-8-one triflate ( 13 CO-123), has been used as an intensity standard for quantitative 13 C cross-polarization magic angle spinning (CP/MAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (n.m.r.) analysis (including spin counting) of Argonne Premium coals. The cross-polarization time constants, T CH , and the rotating-frame proton spin-lattice relaxation times, T 1 ϱ H , have been determined for each major 13 C peak of each coal via a combination of variable contact-time and variable spin-lock experiments. Two or three components of rotating-frame 1 H relaxation decay and two or three components of T CH behaviour have been observed for each major 13 C peak of each coal. These data have been used to determine the number of carbon atoms detected in each coal; these values are in the range 77–87% of the amount of carbon known to be in each coal from elemental analysis data, except for Pocahontas No. 3, for which only 50% of the carbon was detected.
Infrared spectroscopic investigation of the reaction of hydrogen-terminated, (111)-oriented, silicon surfaces with liquid methanol.

Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and first principles calculations have been used to investigate the reaction of atomically smooth, hydrogen-terminated Si(111) (H−Si) surfaces with anhydrous liquid methanol. After 10 min of reaction at room temperature, a sharp absorbance feature was apparent at ∼1080 cm^(-1) that was polarized normal to the surface plane. Previous reports have identified this mode as a Si−O−C stretch; however, the first principles calculations, presented in this work, indicate that this mode is a combination of an O−C stretch with a CH_3 rock. At longer reaction times, the intensity of the Si−H stretching mode decreased, while peaks attributable to the O−C coupled stretch and the CH_3 stretching modes, respectively, increased in intensity. Spectra of H−Si(111) surfaces that had reacted with CD_3OD showed the appearance of Si−D signals polarized normal to the surface as well as the appearance of vibrations indicative of Si−OCD_3 surface species. The data are consistent with two surface reactions occurring in parallel, involving (a) chemical attack of hydrogen-terminated Si(111) terraces by CH_3OH, forming Si−OCH_3 moieties having their Si−O bond oriented normal to the Si(111) surface and (b) transfer of the acidic hydrogen of the methanol to the silicon surface, either through a direct H-to-D exchange mechanism or through a mechanism involving chemical step-flow etching of Si−H step sites.
Death in the Family and HIV Risk‐Taking among Intravenous Drug Users

The objective of this study was to ascertain the relationship among intravenous drug users between high levels of HIV risk-taking and both (a) deaths of significant others experienced before age 15, and (b) unresolved mourning; 592 out-of-treatment intravenous drug users (71.4% male; mean age = 40.5), stratified as to zip code, were recruited in San Jose, CA, as part of a CDC multisite investigation of access to sterile needles and HIV infection. HIV serostatus tests were obtained and an individual, structured interview administered covering demographics, employment, mental health, HIV risk-taking behavior, family contacts/closeness, and family deaths/mourning. Multivariate analyses indicated that the extent of HIV risk-taking in adulthood was highly and positively related to (a) the number of close-family-member deaths participants experienced as youth, (b) the extent to which respondents effectively mourned sudden family losses, (c) the extent to which those lost were emotionally close to the respondent, and (d) whether or not the respondent attended the funerals of lost relatives. Canonical correlations between sets of death/mourning and HIV risk-taking variables were .55 for the total sample (p < .001) and .70 for the subsample who experienced early and sudden family deaths (p < .001). In both analyses, it made little difference if age and gender were partialed out. These findings give credence to the importance of (a) unexpected deaths experienced early in life, and (b) related, inadequate mourning, as factors in progressively higher adult HIV risk-taking. They suggest that treatment for such individuals and their families should involve grief work dealing with unresolved losses within the family of origin. In addition, prevention efforts may have to revise their modus operandi toward both more focused and more family-based methods of outreach and engagement.
A dye-dilution method for estimating solids content of plastic fats

Solids content of a plastic fat can be estimated by adding a weighed quantity of oil-soluble dye to a known weight of fat, separating a portion of the dyeoil phase in the ultracentrifuge, and determining the concentration of the dye in the separated oil by absorbance measurements. Since the dye is distributed throughout the oil phase, this yields the amount of oil in the spread; solids represent the difference between the amount of spread taken and the amount of oil determined. Of 37 dyes tested, 1,4-bis-methyl aminoanthraquinone and 1,4-bis-isopropyl aminoanthraquinone gave satisfactory results for global edible spreads in which solids contents were known from the formulation. The method also was applied to the estimation of solids in butter, margarine, lard, and shortening. Except for lard, results were in good agreement with solids content determined by dilatometric measurements. The measure of true solids which is obtained by this technique, without prior melting of the fat sample, would be valuable in the study of consistency changes arising from diverse processing conditions.
Fate of tetracycline resistant bacteria as a function of activated sludge process organic loading and growth rate.

The objective of this research was to elucidate the fate of tetracycline resistant bacteria as a function of activated sludge organic loading rate and growth rate. Techniques employed to evaluate the effect of these factors on the fate of tetracycline resistant bacteria were: (1) resistant bacteria concentrations in the SBR biomass; (2) production of tetracycline resistant bacteria as measured by a combination of effluent efflux and intentional solids wasting; (3) net specific growth rates as determined by an SBR population balance; and (4) percentage of resistance as determined by normalising resistant concentrations to total concentrations. Based on these evaluation parameters, increases in organic loading and growth rate both resulted in amplification of tetracycline resistance. These trends were observed for activated sludge reactors loaded with typical municipal background tetracycline concentrations (∼1 μg/L) and those receiving influent augmented with 250 μg/L tetracycline. Accordingly, biological wastewater treatment plants, such as the activated sludge process, may be significant sources of antibiotic resistance to the environment.
Adult Day Programs versus Supported Employment (1988-2002): Spending and Service Practices of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities State Agencies.

While supported employment has made significant gains since its formal introduction in 1984 (P.L. 98–527), segregated services continue to outpace the growth of supported employment. We discuss the...
Functional Characteristics, Fatty Acid Composition, and Palatability of Bacon from Pigs Fed Canola

Thirty-six pigs were fed diets containing 20% intact canola (IC), 20% ground canola (GC) or 0% canola (C). Processing yields and proximate composition of bacon were not affected by diet. Bacon from pigs fed GC had less saturated fatty acids and more monounsaturated fatty acids than bacon from pigs fed the IC or C diets. Bacon from pigs fed the C diet had less polyunsaturated fatty acids than bacon from pigs fed the IC or GC diets. Palatability of bacon from C, IC or GC treatments after 0 or 4 weeks storage was not different. After 8 weeks of storage, panelists tended to prefer control bacon over bacon from pigs fed the GC diet. Bacon from pigs fed the GC diet had higher 2-thiobarbituric acid values than bacon from pigs fed the IC or C diets.
Using groups in adult learning: Theory and practice

The use of groups in adult education has a long history. The focus, however, has been on group process rather than on learning. Recently, adult educators have begun exploring learning in groups. Other areas that have received attention are how power issues are manifested in groups and the role of the facilitator. Selected aspects of learning in groups, power, and the role of the facilitator are discussed and some suggestions for structuring group learning for adults are provided.
The effect of lateral crack growth on the strength of contact flaws in brittle materials

The effect of lateral cracks on strength controlling contact flaws in brittle materials is examined. Inert strength studies using controlled indentation flaws on a range of ceramic, glass, and single crystal materials reveal significant increases in strength at large contact loads, above the predicted load dependence extrapolated from strength measurements at low indentation loads. The increases are explained by the growth of lateral cracks decohesing the plastic deformation zone associated with the contact from the elastically restraining matrix, thereby reducing the residual stress field driving the strength controlling radial cracks. A strength formulation is developed from indentation fracture mechanics which permits inert strengths to be described over the full range of contact loads. The formulation takes account of the decreased constraint of the plastic deformation zone by lateral crack growth as well as post-contact nonequilibrium growth of the radial cracks. Simple extensions permit the strengths of specimens controlled by impact flaws to be described, as well as those failing under nonequilibrium (fatigue) conditions. The implications for materials evaluation using indentation techniques are discussed and the dangers of unqualified use of strength measurements at large indentation loads pointed out. The work reinforces the conclusion that a full understanding of the residual stress field at dominant contact flaws is necessary to describe the strength of brittle materials.
Inducible Microsomal Prostaglandin E Synthase Is Overexpressed in Colorectal Adenomas and Cancer

Recently, an inducible microsomal human prostaglandin E synthase (mPGES) was identified. This enzyme converts the cyclooxygenase (COX) product prostaglandin (PG) H 2 to PGE 2 , an eicosanoid that has been linked to carcinogenesis. Increased amounts of PGE 2 have been observed in many tumor types including colorectal adenomas and cancers. To further elucidate the mechanism responsible for increased levels of PGE 2 in colorectal tumors, we determined the amounts of mPGES and COX-2 in 18 paired samples (tumor and adjacent normal) of colorectal cancer. With immunoblot analysis, mPGES was overexpressed in 83% of colorectal cancers. COX-2 was also commonly up-regulated in these tumors; marked differences in the extent of up-regulation of mPGES and COX-2 were observed in individual tumors. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased mPGES immunoreactivity in neoplastic cells in both colorectal adenomas and cancers compared with adjacent normal colonic epithelium. Cell culture was used to investigate the regulation of mPGES and COX-2. Chenodeoxycholate markedly induced COX-2 but not mPGES in colorectal cancer cells. Tumor necrosis factor-α induced both mPGES and COX-2, but the time course and magnitude of induction differed. As reported previously for COX-2 , overexpressing Ras caused a several-fold increase in mPGES promoter activity. Taken together, our results suggest that overexpression of mPGES in addition to COX-2 contributes to increased amounts of PGE 2 in colorectal adenomas and cancer. The mechanisms controlling the expression of these two enzymes are not identical.
Comparison of the responses to hypoxia, ischaemia and ischaemic preconditioning in wild marmot and laboratory rabbit hearts

Marmots (Marmota flaviventris) are burrowing mammals that may be subjected to low levels of oxygen and high levels of carbon dioxide in their underground environment. Since marmots successfully deal with this physiological challenge, we hypothesized that the isolated perfused marmot heart would be damaged less and recover better from a bout of induced hypoxia or ischaemia than would the heart of a comparison animal, the New Zealand laboratory rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Isolated marmot and rabbit hearts were made hypoxic by a 30 min perfusion with an oxygen-deficient buffer. The hearts were then perfused with an oxygen-replete buffer and measurements of heart rate, left ventricular pressure and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release (an indicator of cell damage) were made over 5 or 10 min intervals for 30 min of hypoxia and 30 min of recovery. There were no species differences in the responses, except that the heart rate in marmots was about 50% of the rate in rabbits during the hypoxia part of the experiment. There was no evidence that the marmot hearts were damaged less or recovered better from hypoxia and reoxgenation than the rabbit hearts. Marmot and rabbit hearts were also subjected to 30 min of total ischaemia; measurements of heart rate, left ventricular pressure and LDH release were obtained during 30 min of reperfusion and compared with the pre-ischaemia values for these variables. There were no significant species differences. When the 30 min ischaemic period was preceded by a 5 min period of ischaemia and a 10 min reperfusion period (preconditioning), the rabbit hearts were protected by this brief ischaemic insult and recovered better than the hearts that had not been subjected to the preconditioning ischaemia. This was not true in the marmot hearts, however, as the preconditioning ischaemia did not promote a greater recovery over that in its absence. When preconditioned marmots hearts were compared with preconditioned rabbit hearts, there were no statistical differences in the responses. The hypothesis that marmot hearts would be damaged less and recover better from hypoxia and ischaemia was not supported by the experimental data.
Computer‐assisted motion analysis of neuronal cell growth

Characterization of neuronal cell growth provides key information about the development of neural pathways during embryogenesis as well as their regeneration following postnatal nerve injury. However, very active cell types like growing neurons are difficult to track in detail because their motion is complex and cellular features have a tendency to move out of the focal plane or occlude one another. Due to these difficulties, characterization of neuronal growth dynamics has been less quantitative than desired. To address this problem, we developed a method for the automated motion analysis of neuronal growth based on image analysis and shape correspondence techniques. This method increases the rate at which we can obtain dynamic data by at least an order of magnitude. We focus specifically on the growth cone, a specialized, cell-like structure at the growing neurite tip whose behavior is believed to be a key determinant of neuronal growth. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 63: 1413–1422, 1997
Comparison of Brinell and Vickers Hardness Tests on Dental Casting Gold Alloys

The relationship between Vickers and Brinell hardness numbers of dental casting gold alloys was found to be linear; the addition of 19 to the Brinell number approximated the Vickers number fairly well. The coefficient of variation for the Brinell test was about 1 % less than that of the Vickers test. Effects of reading error, sample inhomogeneity, and other factors on the precision of the Vickers values were evaluated.
Experience of Optimizing FFT on Intel Architectures

Automatic library generators, such as ATLAS, Spiral and FFTW, are promising technologies to generate efficient code for different computer architectures. The library generators usually tune programs using two layers of optimizations: the search at the algorithm level, and the optimization for micro kernels. The micro optimizations are important for the performance of library, because the optimized micro kernels are the bases of algorithm level search, and have a great impact on the overall performance of the generated libraries. A successfully optimized micro kernel requires thorough understanding of the interaction between architectural features and highly optimized code. However, literature on library generators focus more on the algorithm level optimization, and usually give only simple discussion of how kernel codes are generated and tuned. As a result, the optimization of micro kernels is still an art that depends on individual expertise, and is insufficiently documented. In this paper, we study the problem of how to generate efficient FFT kernels. We apply a series of micro optimizations, for example, memory hierarchy locality enhancements, to several FFT routines, and use hardware counters to observe the interactions between those optimizations with Intel Pentium 4 and the latest Intel core 2 architecture. We achieve good speedups, and more importantly, we present methods that can be used to generate high-performance FFT kernels on different architectures.
Statistical analysis of a spatio-temporal model with location-dependent parameters and a test for spatial stationarity

. In this article, we define a spatio-temporal model with location-dependent parameters to describe temporal variation and spatial nonstationarity. We consider the prediction of observations at unknown locations using known neighbouring observations. Further, we propose a local least squares-based method to estimate the parameters at unobserved locations. The sampling properties of these estimators are investigated. We also develop a statistical test for spatial stationarity. To derive the asymptotic results, we show that the spatially nonstationary process can be locally approximated by a spatially stationary process. We illustrate the methods of estimation with some simulations.
The Effect of Renin-Angiotensin System Inhibitors on Mortality and Heart Failure Hospitalization in Patients With Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Abstract Background Although renin-angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors have little demonstrable effect on mortality in patients with heart failure and preserved ejection fraction (HF-PEF), some trials have suggested a benefit with regard to reduction in HF hospitalization. Methods and Results Here, we systematically review and evaluate prospective clinical studies of RAS inhibitors enrolling patients with HF-PEF, including the 3 major trials of RAS inhibition (Candesartan in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure and Preserved Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction [CHARM-Preserved], Irbesartan in Patients with Heart Failure and Preserved Ejection Fraction [I-PRESERVE], and Perindopril in Elderly People with Chronic Heart Failure [PEP-CHF]). We also conducted a pooled analysis of 8021 patients in the 3 major randomized trials of RAS inhibition in HF-PEF (CHARM-Preserved, I-PRESERVE, and PEP-CHF) in fixed-effect models, finding no clear benefit with regard to all-cause mortality (odds ratio [OR] 1.03, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.92-1.15; P =.62), or HF hospitalization (OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.80-1.02; P =.09). Conclusions Although RAS inhibition may be valuable in the management of comorbidities related to HF-PEF, RAS inhibition in HF-PEF is not associated with consistent reduction in HF hospitalization or mortality in this emerging cohort.
Specificity mechanisms in the control of transcription

Abstract In this overview we analyze and illustrate the principles underlying some of the specificity mechanisms that control the initiation, elongation, and termination phases of transcription. Thermodynamic mechanisms dominate in the first steps of initiation, where promoters at various levels of activation can be considered to be in competition for a limiting supply of core RNA polymerase. In the later stages of initiation, as well as in elongation and termination, the regulatory mechanisms that control specificity are largely kinetic, involving rate competition between branching reaction pathways where the outcome depends on the rates (and equilibria) of reaction and interconversion of different forms of the transcription complex. Elongation complexes are very stable at most positions along the DNA template, meaning that only RNA chain elongation (and editing) can occur at these positions. However, the stability of transcription complexes decreases abruptly when termination sequences are encountered, and here the outcome can be easily swiched between elongation and termination (RNA release) by minor changes in the relative rates of these competing processes. Cis effectors, defined as sites at which regulatory proteins bind to upstream activation loci on either the DNA or the nascent RNA, play important roles in the control of both initiation and of the elongation-termination decision. Examples, drawn from studies of phage λ N-dependent antitermination and E. coli rho-dependent termination processes, illustrate the flexibility and additivity of regulatory components within control mechanisms in transcription that involve multiple determinants. The generality of such regulatory principles are stressed.
Quantitative Analysis of Raman Spectra in Si/SiGe Nanostructures

We present comprehensive quantitative analysis of Raman spectra in two-(Si/SiGe superlattices) and three-(Si/SiGe cluster multilayers) dimensional nanostructures. We find that the Raman spectra baseline is due to the sample surface imperfection and instrumental response associated with the stray light. The Raman signal intensity is analyzed, and Ge composition is calculated and compared with the experimental data. The local sample temperature and thermal conductivity are calculated, and the spectrum of longitudinal acoustic phonons is explained.