cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diet Soda Intake Is Associated with Long‐Term Increases in Waist Circumference in a Biethnic Cohort of Older Adults: The San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging

Objectives To examine the relationship between diet soda (DS) intake (DSI) and long-term waist circumference (WC) change (ΔWC) in the biethnic San Antonio Longitudinal Study of Aging (SALSA). Design Prospective cohort study. Setting San Antonio, Texas, neighborhoods. Participants SALSA examined 749 Mexican-American and European-American individuals aged 65 and older at baseline (baseline, 1992–96); 474 (79.1%) survivors completed follow-up 1 (FU1, 2000–01), 413 (73.4%) completed FU2 (2001–03), and 375 (71.0%) completed FU3 (2003–04). Participants completed a mean of 2.64 follow-up intervals, for 9.4 total follow-up years. Measurements DSI, WC, height, and weight were measured at outset and at the conclusion of each interval: baseline, FU1, FU2, and FU3. Results Adjusted for initial WC, demographic characteristics, physical activity, diabetes mellitus, and smoking, mean interval ΔWC of DS users (2.11 cm, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.45–2.76 cm) was almost triple that of nonusers (0.77 cm, 95% CI = 0.29–1.23 cm) (P < .001). Adjusted interval ΔWCs were 0.77 cm (95% CI = 0.29–1.23 cm) for nonusers, 1.76 cm (95% CI = 0.96–2.57 cm) for occasional users, and 3.04 cm (95% CI = 1.82–4.26 cm) for daily users (P = .002 for trend). This translates to ΔWCs of 0.80 inches for nonusers, 1.83 inches for occasional users, and 3.16 for daily users over the total SALSA follow-up. In subanalyses stratified for selected covariates, ΔWC point estimates were consistently higher in DS users. Conclusion In a striking dose-response relationship, increasing DSI was associated with escalating abdominal obesity, a potential pathway for cardiometabolic risk in this aging population.
Differential redox and sorption of Cr (III/VI) on natural silicate and oxide minerals: EXAFS and XANES results

Synchrotron-based X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy was used to investigate the reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) to Cr(III) in magnetite-bearing soils from Cr-contaminated sites. Soils from two field sites were examined, showing that mixed-valence Cr(III/VI) effluent is reduced to Cr(III) when associated with the magnetite fraction of the soil, whereas the Cr effluent associated with non-Fe(II)-bearing minerals results in mixed Cr(III/VI) adsorbates or precipitated phases. The Fe{sup 2+} in magnetite, Fe{sup 2+}Fe{sub 2}{sup 3+}O{sub 4}, may act as an electron source for heterogeneous Cr(VI)-to-Cr(III) reduction, converting magnetite topotactically to maghemite, {gamma}-Fe{sub 2}{sup 3+}. The ratio of Cr(VI)/total Cr was determined by the height of the Cr(VI) XAFS pre-edge feature, which is due to a Is to 3d electronic transition. This pre-edge feature was calibrated as a function of Cr(VI)/Cr(III) using mixtures of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) model compounds. Environmental remediation of Cr-contaminated sites requires knowledge of chromium oxidation and speciation, and XAFS spectroscopy may be used to supply both types of information with minimal sample processing or data analysis. 36 refs., 9 figs., 2 tabs.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of Solid Implant Casts

Purpose Materials used to fabricate the most dimensionally accurate implant casts have not been identified experimentally. The purpose of this investigation was to examine the dimensional accuracy of implant casts fabricated with different materials. Measurements of linear horizontal dimensional change and strain produced on a master framework were evaluated and correlated. Materials and Methods A master framework was fabricated to fit an aluminum five-implant model. Forty polyether implant impressions of the aluminum model were randomly grouped and poured in either Vel-mix, Die Keen, Resin Rock, or Low Fusing Alloy. A digital veneer caliper was used to measure linear distance between the most distal abutments on each of the experimental implant casts and the master model. In addition, strain values were recorded from strain gauges bonded in the mesiodistal axis of the framework, which was secured by prosthetic retaining screws torqued to 10 Ncm. Results A one-way ANOVA showed a significant difference among the four die materials in dimensional change of the experimental casts (p= .0001). A post-hoc Duncan's multiple-range test (p < .05) showed that casts fabricated with Low Fusing Alloy had the least linear dimensional change from the master cast, but the material exhibited the greatest dimensional variability. A MANOVA (Wilks' Lambda) showed significant differences in strain on the framework based upon die material (p= .015). A post-hoc Duncan's multiple-range test (p < .05) showed that Resin Rock casts induced significantly less strain on the framework than the other materials. Negligible correlation was found between the linear horizontal dimensional change and the total absolute strain on the framework. Conclusion Experimental implant casts made of Resin Rock minimized strain on the master framework and decreased the amount of framework distortion on casts of this material. Low Fusing Alloy yielded accurate casts, but highly variable linear dimensional changes in the horizontal dimension may preclude its clinical benefit.
Geosmin biosynthesis. Mechanism of the fragmentation-rearrangement in the conversion of germacradienol to geosmin.

Geosmin (1) is responsible for the characteristic odor of moist soil. Incubation of farnesyl diphosphate (2, FPP) with recombinant Streptomyces coelicolor germacradienol/geosmin synthase generated geosmin (1), germacradienol (3), germacrene D (4), octalin 5, and acetone, which was trapped as 2,2-dimethylthiazolidine (9) by reaction with cysteamine. The acetone was shown to be derived by fragmentation of the 2-hydroxypropyl moiety of germacradienol by incubation with [13,13,13-2H3]FPP (2a), giving rising to the corresponding derivative of d3-acetone, 9a. GC−MS analysis of the labeling pattern of [6-2H]geosmin (1b) resulting from the incubation of germacradienol/geosmin synthase with [2-2H]FPP (2b) revealed that the H-2 proton on FPP undergoes the predicted 1,2-hydride shift to ring B of geosmin. Both sets of experimental results are consistent with a proposed mechanism of geosmin formation involving protonation-cyclization of germacradienol with loss of the 2-hydroxypropyl moiety as acetone by a retro-Prin...
Xenobiotic biotransformation systems in fishes.

Abstract The early speculations that fishes would not possess detoxication sytems because of the excretory activity of the gill have been shown to be wrong. Indeed, fishes are capable of xenobiotic metabolism by both microsomal oxidation, reduction and conjugation. Enzyme characteristics appear to be similar between fishes and mammals, with the exception of typically lower temperature optima in fishes which may reflect the usual lower operating temperatures of heterotherms as compared to homeotherms. Early reports of litte or no enzyme activity in fishes may very well have reflected a lack of knowledge of the lower temperature optima in fishes. However, even under optimized conditions, fishes demonstrate lower enzyme activities than mammals. Although reports are fragmentary, evolutionary trends can be observed among fishes with some biotransformation systems absent or less developed in the more primitive fishes as compared with more advanced fishes. The less effective induction system in fishes as compared to mammals might reflect the fact that fishes live in an environment in which toxicants are diluted, thereby reducing the response of enzymes to a xenobiotic challenge. The real significance of the xenobiotic biotransformation enzymes to the fish from an in vivo standpoint has not been extensively investigated. In a few cases the metabolism of a xenobiotic by fishes is known to affect its toxicity and it is entirely possible that the lower enzyme activities that fishes possess are sufficient for the disposition of the concentrations of toxicants that fishes ordinarily encounter. However, the aquatic environment is becoming more contaminated than ever before. From the little information available, we cannot predict whether fishes have the capability to adapt to and process these higher concentrations of toxicants. Therefore, further study of the biotransformation systems is essential so that an evaluation of fish-toxicant interactions can be made.
Spatial probability learning in the Virginia opossum

Virginia opossums were given 600 trials in a T-maze on a 70–30 spatial probability problem. The opossums maximized the percentage of their responses to the 70% alternative, choosing it on more than 90% of the trials at asymptote. The learning curve of opossums did not differ from the learning curve of a control group of rats. It was concluded that in the Bitterman fish-rat dichotomy, the opossum is classified as a rat on this problem.
Scheduling unit processing time jobs on a single machine with multiple criteria

Abstract We examine single machine scheduling problems when all jobs have identical processing times and there are two measures of performance. The measures of performance considered are flow-time, tardiness, number of tardy jobs, the weighted counterparts for these three measures and maximum tardiness. Using the assignment model as a basis, we provide efficient algorithms for the problem when a utility function is given, when one criterion is considered to be primary and the other one secondary. We also develop algorithms that arc polynomial in the number of nondominatcd schedules to generate all nondominated schedules. Finally, we show that the methods can easily be extended to handle more than two criteria, as well as nonzero release dales.
Increased abundance of snails and trematode parasites of Fundulus heteroclitus (L.) in restored New Jersey wetlands

The Hackensack Meadowlands District is a large heavily degraded, brackish marsh system in the urbanized northeastern region of New Jersey, USA. Six study sites were used, three of which were restored (Mill Creek, Skeetkill Creek and Vince Lombardi), and three others were unrestored (Richard DeKorte Park, Cedar Creek and Kingsland Creek). Highly significant differences were found with respect to snail abundance and gill parasite abundance. In the three restored sites, significantly more Littoridinops tenuipes were found, and Fundulus heteroclitus had significantly more digenean trematode metacercariae gill infections than at unrestored sites. As habitat quality improves following restoration, the number of suitable digenean trematode parasite hosts multiplies as substrate for benthic invertebrates (first intermediate host) increases and usage by other species, such as Fundulus spp. (second intermediate host), is encouraged, which then attracts more wading birds (definitive host). Though the restoration process enhances trophic complexity, including primary consumers (gastropods), secondary consumers (fish) and tertiary consumers (wading birds), and ultimately parasite diversity, restoration also helps facilitate parasite life cycles.
Epoxidation of olefins by oxaziridines

Abstract The first examples of the epoxidation of olefins by oxaziridines, 2-benzenesulfonyl-3-aryloxaziridines ( 1a-b ) is described.
On the pollination mechanism of some eurysaline potamogetonaceae

Abstract The pollination mechanism in three eurysaline Potamogetonaceae was studied. These species were Zannichellia peltata Bertol., Ruppia megacarpa Mason and Lepilaena cylindrocarpa (Koernicke ex Walp.) Benth. In Zannichellia peltata pollination occurs underwater. When Ruppia megacarpa flowers, the pollen is released at the water surface and floats in clumps and the stigmata come in close contract with the floating clumps. The flowers are situated at the end of a fast-growing peduncle which spiralizes after flowering. As a consequence, the fruits develop underwater. In Lepilaena cylindrocarpa pollination also occurs at the water surface. Here, the stigmata are in close contact with the water surface. The anther is released from its peduncle and rises to the water surface where it dehisces and releases its floating pollen. The clumps of pollen are attracted by the somewhat depressed water surface around the neighbouring stigmata.
Beyond PV isolation for ablation of persistent AF.

A novel three-catheter radiofrequency ablation system has been reported to reduce procedure time, but maintain ablation success rates, in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation. The findings are promising; however, important limitations and concerns must be overcome before use of this system can be considered the standard-of-care for catheter treatment of persistent atrial fibrillation.
Concept-oriented video skimming via semantic video classification

Effective video skimming requires a good understanding of the semantics of video contents. However, more existing systems for content-based video retrieval (CBVR) can only support low-level video analysis, but they have limited effectiveness on achieving semantic-sensitive video understanding. In this paper, we have developed a novel framework to achieve concept-oriented video skimming and it consists of three parts: (a) using salient objects for semantic-sensitive video content representation; (b) using finite mixture models for semantic video concept modeling and classification; (c) enabling concept-oriented video skimming via semantic video classification.
DC SQUID series arrays with intracoil damping to reduce resonance distortions

Abstract We report on low-noise DC SQUID series arrays incorporating intracoil damping, which show smooth DC characteristics. The voltage-flux characteristics of these devices are reproducible upon repeated cooling and do not require multiple heating/cooling cycles to maximize peak-to-peak output voltage modulation depth. The devices consist of 100 DC SQUIDs with individual signal and feedback coils connected in series. The total input inductance is 600 nH, and the peak-to-peak output modulation is 4 mV with a transfer function of 350 V/A. The bandwidth is 5 MHz and the equivalent input current noise is approximately 2.5 pA/√ Hz . With these characteristics, these devices are useful as preamplifiers for microcalorimeter X-ray detectors.
The wonderful sky at night

The Cambridge Atlas of Astronomy. By Jean Audouze and Guy Israel. Cambridge University Press: 1985. Pp.432. 329.95, 75.
Group file operations for scalable tools and middleware

Group file operations are a new, intuitive idiom for tools and middleware — including parallel debuggers and runtimes, performance measurement and steering, and distributed resource management — that require scalable operations on large groups of distributed files. The idiom provides new semantics for using file groups in standard file operations to eliminate costly iteration. A file-based idiom promotes conciseness and portability, and eases adoption. With explicit semantics for aggregation of group results, the idiom addresses a key scalability barrier. We have designed TBON-FS, a new distributed file system that provides scalable group file operations by leveraging tree-based overlay networks (TBONs) for scalable communication and data aggregation. We integrated group file operations into several tools: parallel versions of common utilities including cp, grep, rsync, tail, and top, and the Ganglia Distributed Monitoring System. Our experience verifies the group file operation idiom is intuitive, easily adopted, and enables a wide variety of tools to run efficiently at scale.
The Role of Attachment in Children's Adjustment to Divorce and Remarriage

It is not uncommon for children to exhibit adjustment problems following their parents' divorce or remarriage, with many children also demonstrating a sense of resiliency throughout the adjustment process. An often overlooked factor related to children's adjustment following martial transitions is the attachment bond children experience with their parents. Secure parents encourage effective affect regulation, are emotionally available and responsive, and provide appropriate discipline, most of which are factors that have been found to relate to resilience following divorce and remarriage. It may be that attachment security provides a buffer and encourages resiliency for children experiencing divorce. This article illustrates how attachment theory provides a strong theoretical foundation for clinically assessing and treating children of divorce and remarriage in terms of reducing adjustment problems and fostering resiliency.
Pineal region tumors: Analysis of treatment results

Abstract This article represents a review of 32 patients with pineal region tumors seen and treated at the University of Michigan Medical Center from January 1950 to December 1980. All patients presented with manifestations of increased intracranial pressure: limitation of the upward gaze (Parinaud's syndrome), hydrocephalus and a mass in the posterior aspect of the third ventricle. The tumor was demonstrated by pneumoencephalography, ventric ulography, angiography or CT scans. Ventricular decompression was performed in all patients. Eighteen of the 32 patients (56%) had a histological diagnosis of germinoma, one patient had a diagnosis of hamartoma; no histological diagnosis was obtained in the remainder of the patients. Twenty-seven patients received post-operative irradiation. Irradiation dosage ranged between 30 and 55 Gy. The overall 10 year survival for evaluable patients was 16 24 (67%). The low incidence of spinal cord metastasis in these patients does not justify routine use of spinal irradiation.
Reexamination of vanadium for allotropy

The possibility of allotropy in vanadium at subambient temperatures has been investigated by measuring electrical resistivity in the [110] direction of a single crystal, by measuring elastic constants, and by X-ray diffractometry. All studies indicated no allotropy.
VAM association in the shrub Myrica cerifera on a Virginia, USA barrier island

A combined laboratory and field study examined the potential for a symbiotic association between the actinorhizal shrub Myrica cerifera and vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi on a Virginia barrier island. M. cerifera seedlings and two test species, Zea mays and Strophostyles umbellata, were grown in an environmental chamber on soils collected from four sites differing in soil age (< 5 to over 130 years), salinity (1–35 μg/g total soil chloride), and edaphic characteristics. Seedling root infection was significantly lower for all three species in the youngest soils from the beach where salinity was highest. Stained M. cerifera roots revealed all the components for a functional VAM association; however, there were significantly fewer arbuscules and vesicles relative to the test species. Among field-collected M. cerifera, infection was not detected in mature shrubs from the bay side of the island, where M. cerifera thickets were in a state of degeneration. Infection was highest in soils from the young, developing thickets, and in the most stable thickets of the island interior. Despite the dynamic nature of the barrier island environment, VAM associations with M. cerifera appear to be present, especially in seedlings and developing shrub thickets.
The effects of sigma ligands on protein release from lacrimal acinar cells: a potential agonist/antagonist assay.

Abstract Sigma (σ) receptor antagonists have been proposed as leading clinical candidates for use in various psychotic disorders. Prior to clinical testing, it is imperative that a new agent be correctly identified as an antagonist and not an agonist since the latter may worsen the psychosis. For σ-ligands many behavioral and pharmacological assays have been developed in an attempt to classify agonist/antagonist activity. These assays evaluate a response or a behavior in an animal model that can be related to clinical efficacy. However, is the action by the presumed antagonist a consequence of σ-receptor activity? Previously we have identified σ-receptors in acinar cells of the main lacrimal gland of the New Zealand white rabbit and have measured protein release after the addition of various N,N-disubstituted phenylalkylamine derivatives known to be σ-ligands by receptor binding studies. Although protein release from acinar cells has been attributed to either muscarinic or a-adrenergic stimulation, protein release from σ-receptor stimulation was also confirmed. In the reported studies here, we isolated and incubated acinar cells with varying concentrations of known σ-ligands and measured protein concentration. A knowledge of the receptor profile for the disubstituted phenylalkylamines permitted experiments to be designed in which various α, muscarinic, serotonergic and dopaminergic antagonists could be added in equimolar concentrations. Under the conditions of these experiments, statistically significant increases in protein release for σ-ligands could be attributed to stimulation of a-receptors. Haloperidol, an apparent σ-antagonist, caused a statistically significant decrease in protein release and also inhibited protein release when tested with a known σ-ligand, AF2975 [N,N-dimethyl-2-phenylethylamine]. In this system, stimulation and inhibition of protein release were defined as agonist and antagonist behavior, respectively. Of particular interest were the results for BMY 14802 and +/- pentazocine, both of which were found to be agonists. Various antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs were measured for their agonist/antagonist behavior. Because of multireceptors present in acini, their agonist or antagonist behavior could not be attributed solely to interaction with the σ-receptor unless specific antagonists were added.
Modal analysis of flexible aircraft dynamics with handling qualitiesimplications

A multivariable modal analysis technique is presented for evaluating flexible aircraft dynamics, focusing on meaningful vehicle responses to pilot inputs and atmospheric turbulence. Although modal analysis is the tool, vehicle time response is emphasized, and the analysis is performed on the linear, time-domain vehicle model. In evaluating previously obtained experimental pitch tracking data for a family of vehicle dynamic models, it is shown that flexible aeroelastic effects can significantly affect pitch attitude handling qualities. Consideration of the eigenvalues alone, of both rigid-body and aeroelastic modes, does not explain the simulation results. Modal analysis revealed, however, that although the lowest aeroelastic mode frequency was still three times greater than the short-period frequency, the rigid-body attitude response was dominated by this aeroelastic mode. This dominance was defined in terms of the relative magnitudes of the modal residues in selected vehicle responses.
Sound generated by a jet-excited spherical cavity

Abstract An analysis is made of the sound generated by the impingement of a high-speed ventilating gas jet on the gas–water interface of a ventilated supercavity. A precise analytical problem is formulated and solved in which the supercavity is modelled by a spherical cavity of equal interior volume and the jet consists of a planar, radially symmetric flow from the centre of the sphere. The gas content of the sphere is assumed to be maintained at a constant mean level by steady exhaust into the water from the ‘rear end’ of the cavity. It is estimated that the damping of jet-induced oscillations by this outflow is negligible compared with conventional losses produced by acoustic radiation and by viscous and thermal dissipation. The sound radiated into the water is omnidirectional at low frequencies, but with increasing frequency it progressively exhibits the directional characteristics of an acoustic dipole with axis centred on the radial axis of the gas jet.
DYNAMIC NONLINEAR FORCING OF ELASTIC RINGS

Equations of motion are derived that govern the large-deformational dynamics of thin-walled elastic rings due to arbitrary forcing. The derivation follows an ‘exact’ nonlinear shell theory. Traditional small-order assumptions, usually associated with linear shell theory, are not made, nor is the ring material assumed to be circumferentially ‘inextensible’. Of particular note is the retention of rotary inertia, the rational inclusion of shear deformation and the identification of the undeformed shell. Conservation of mass and the first Piola-Kirchhoff identity are used to express the continuum mechanics in terms of the known undeformed geometry. At any time, the shell is the mass-weighted average of the continuum particle positions. Particle positions relative to the shell satisfy a dynamic consistency condition. Because the shell is the centre-of-mass axis, the equations of motion are dynamically uncoupled. This uncoupling of accelerations renders the equations amenable to explicit numerical integration in time using the method of lines.
Local Movements and Inshore Population Sizes of American Eels in Lake Champlain, Vermont

Abstract Local movements of 16 radio-tagged American eels Anguilla rostrata were monitored in Lake Champlain, Vermont. Within water depths to 10 m, total displacement distances (sum of straight-line distance between successive position fixes) ranged from 0.6 to 4.9 km per fish; these distances were not well correlated with tracking times (4 to 67 days). Displacement polygons defined by individual tracks had areas of 2.4 to 65.4 hectares. Some American eels showed substantial movement in the first few days after release, whereas others did not; most remained in shallow water, but some moved into deeper water. Fish were displaced up to 0.9 km between capture and release; only two returned to within 500 m from their capture site, indicating that little precise homing occurred. Inshore population-size estimates from multiple mark-and-recapture methods varied from 232 to 636 fish/hectare (161–421 kg/hectare). Seven tagged individuals have been recaptured outside the study area: five at St. Jean, Quebec, one in...
3D 3-C full-wavefield elastic inversion for estimating anisotropic parameters: A feasibility study with synthetic data

Traveltime-based inversions cannot solve for all of the anisotropy parameters for orthorhombic media. Vertical velocities cannot be recovered simultaneously with the dimensionless anisotropy parameters. Also, the density cannot be solved because it does not affect the normal moveout of P and S reflections. These limitations can be overcome using full-wavefield inversion for anisotropy parameters for orthorhombic media and for transversely isotropic media with vertical and horizontal symmetry axes. Tsvankin’s parameters and the orientation of the local (anisotropic) coordinates are inverted from three-component, wide-azimuth data sets containing P reflected and PS converted waves. The inversions are performed in two steps. The first step uses only reflections from the top of an anisotropic layer, whichdoes not constrain the trade-offs between the vertical velocities, the anisotropies, and density, as shown by parameter correlation analysis. The results from the first step are refined by using them as the s...
Fabrication and characterization of stable high efficiency (Cd,Zn)S/Cu2S solar cells

Abstract The present work reports on the method by which a device-oriented materials study of CdS/Cu 2 S and (Cd,Zn)S/Cu 2 S solar cells was used to increase the efficiency and to improve the stability in (Cd, Zn)S/Cu 2 S solar cells. The topography of the (Cd, Zn)S/Cu 2 S heterojunction provides the key link between the electrical performance and the materials properties of the cell. The details of the heterojunction are delineated by examining the Cu 2 S surface at the heterojunction. The materials properties are altered to change the topography of the heterojunction in order to improve the electrical performance of the cell. Deep Cu 2 S intrusions into the (Cd, Zn)S film and intrusions with sharply pointed tips result in cells with unstable open-circuit voltages. The stability can be improved by using NiFe as the substrate to match the thermal expansion coefficient of the (Cd, Zn)S film, by developing a substrate texture that results in a smooth as-deposited (Cd, Zn)S surface and by etching the surface of the (Cd, Zn)S film lightly before the growth of the Cu 2 S film.
Emergence of the Information Technology Discipline

IT has matured rapidly and, thanks to an extremely active and tight-knit academic community, undergone a transition unlike any other computing discipline.
Tetracycline Rapidly Reaches All the Constituent Cells of Uropathogenic Escherichia coli Biofilms

We have developed a method for visualizing Escherichia coli cells that are exposed to tetracycline in a biofilm, based on a previous report that liposomes containing the E. coli TetR(B) protein fluoresce when exposed to this antibiotic. By our method, cells devoid of TetR(B) also exhibited tetracycline-dependent fluorescence. At 50 microg of tetracycline ml(-1), planktonic cells of a uropathogenic E. coli (UPEC) strain developed maximal fluorescence after 7.5 to 10 min of exposure. A similar behavior was exhibited by cells in a 24- or 48-h UPEC biofilm, as examined by confocal laser microscopy, regardless of whether they lined empty spaces or occupied densely packed regions. Further, a comparison of phase-contrast and fluorescent images of corresponding biofilm zones showed that all the cells fluoresced. Thus, all the biofilm cells were exposed to tetracycline and there were no pockets within the biofilm where the antibiotic failed to reach. It also appeared unlikely that niches of reduced exposure to the antibiotic existed within the biofilms.
A Comparison of Quality and Retail Price of Domestically Produced and Imported Blazers

There has been increasing interest in the relationships among country of origin and the price and quality of apparel items. The purpose of this study was to investigate price and quality difference...
Intraoperative Adrenocorticotropin Levels During Transsphenoidal Surgery for Cushing’s Disease Do Not Predict Cure

Recently, intraoperative rapid immunochemiluminometric assay (ICMA) ACTH measurements have been used to evaluate the completeness of resection of ectopic ACTH-secreting tumors. This study evaluates whether this method can be applied to patients undergoing transsphenoidal surgery (TSS) for Cushing's disease to predict complete pituitary tumor resection. Eighteen patients with Cushing's disease undergoing TSS had plasma ACTH concentrations measured by a standard ICMA every 10 min for 1 h immediately after pituitary tumor removal. Patients were evaluated postoperatively for cure by standard criteria. ACTH levels were evaluated for percentage decrease from baseline at each time point. Patients who were cured (n = 11) had statistically greater decreases in ACTH levels (mean decrease 54%) than patients who were not (n = 7; 26% mean decrease, P < 0.04). By Receiver-Operator Characteristic (ROC) analysis, a reduction of at least 40% best predicted which patients were cured and which were not cured. This level of reduction was observed in 82% of cured patients, and a reduction of less than 40% was observed in 71% of those not cured. The analysis misclassified 4 of the 18 patients, resulting in a diagnostic accuracy of 78%. Although the mean maximal decrease in ACTH concentrations after tumor removal was significantly different between cured and not cured patients with Cushing's disease, it was less dramatic than results in the previous ectopic ACTH study. This may relate to incomplete suppression and/or surgical manipulation of normal pituitary corticotrophs in patients with pituitary disease. In summary, in contrast to the ectopic ACTH syndrome, decline of plasma ACTH during TSS does not accurately predict complete tumor resection.
From Hospital to Home: Assessing the Transitional Care Needs of Vulnerable Seniors

Purpose: This qualitative study assessed the needs of patients and caregivers during the transition from hospital to home. We specifi cally identifi ed unmet needs of ethnic minorities, recent immigrants, and seniors with limited English profi ciency (LEP). Findings are translated into recommendations for improving services to these groups during health care transitions. Design and Methods: This needs assessment included extensive analysis of qualitative data collected from 20 language-, culture-, and ethnic-specifi c focus groups with caregivers who recently assisted a senior after a hospital discharge. Findings from these focus groups were supplemented by 5 in-depth, longitudinal case studies of recently hospitalized seniors and their caregivers. Results: Inadequate information and training at discharge were themes that spanned all groups, despite ethnicity or language. Additional unmet needs were identifi ed for ethnic minorities, those with LEP, and recent immigrants, including lower levels of social support than might be expected, lack of linguistically appropriate information and services, and cultural and fi nancial barriers to using long-term care services. Implications: As ethnic diversity increases among older Americans, it will become increasingly important to design health care services to meet the needs of diverse groups. Recommendations include assessments of informal care, bilingual information and services, partnerships with community agencies providing culturally competent services, and expansion of home- and communitybased services to near-poor seniors.
Multiple sclerosis and risk-taking.

Sir, Multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be a multifactorial disease, and a plethora of putative environmental risk factors have been studied, with inconsistent results.1 Hawkes takes a novel approach to this question, proposing risk-taking behaviour as a unifying theme capable of linking together several potential risk factors for multiple sclerosis. However, this ‘hypothesis’ paper illustrates many of the difficulties inherent in studying risk factors for a chronic disease with a long latency …
Periodically Fully-Developed Flow and Heat Transfer Over Flat and Oval Tubes Using a Control Volume Finite-Element Method

A Control Volume Finite-Element Method in conjunction with imposed periodically fully-developed flow conditions was used to perform a two-dimensional, laminar, steady-flow numerical study comparing the performance of a flat tube and an oval tube to that of a round tube in a simulated heat exchanger device for the case of specified heat flux along the tube walls. The Reynolds number range for the study was 50 to 350. Fluids of Prandtl number 0.7 and 7.0 were considered. For the cases studied, the heat transfer enhancement ratio was less than one indicating that the round tube outperformed both the flat tube and the oval tube based on heat transfer considerations alone. However, for all cases studied, the heat transfer performance ratio was greater than one indicating that if both heat transfer performance and required pumping power are considered, both the flat tube and oval tube outperformed the round tube.
Interactive Effects of Church Attendance and Religious Tradition on Depressive Symptoms and Positive Affect

Using a survey of adults in Nebraska, we find that the association between church attendance and mental health varies across religious traditions and across two distinct dimensions of mental health...
Light-governed capillary flow in microfluidic systems.

Light-based flow systems for point-of-care devices are of interest because, in principle, sunlight could be used to operate them, potentially allowing for high functionality with minimal device complexity and expense. A light-operated method to drive flow using poly(N-isopropylacrylamide), a 'smart' polymer that changes wettability as a function of temperature, is introduced. It is grafted onto a carbon black-polydimethylsiloxane surface, which converts light into a thermal pattern that valves flow at user-defined locations. Flow rates are demonstrated ranging from 4 μL min(-1) at 25 °C to 0.1 μL min(-1) at 40 °C. The valving dynamics are also characterised, and a response time of less than 4 s is shown. Light-operated flow could provide the simple architecture and advanced functionality needed in low-resource point-of-care devices.
A Disservice to the Ideas of Theory, Research, and Expertise

A student casually states that he is going to the library to do some research when he is simply going there to read and retrieve a few documents. Finding and reading written materials by themselves are not research.A businessperson claims to be doing action research when in fact she is simply solving a difficult workplace problem. Solving a problem by itself is not research.A professor directs a brainstorming session and then helps the group to classify its ideas as well as choose the best option. Generating new ideas or hypotheses is not by itself research.The successful executive or sports coach writes a book on leadership to expound on his personal theory of leadership. Personal theories by themselves do not qualify as sound theory.A mortgage banker who can efficiently and accurately complete mortgage transactions is deemed by his colleagues as an expert. Because a person can do a job well does not constitute expertise.
Conformal switchable superhydrophobic/hydrophilic surfaces for microscale flow control

The development of microvalves is essential to realize a fully integrated system for nano/microliter fluid handling in microfluidic devices. Microvalves that utilize passive fluidic manipulation employ a hydrophobic surface in a microchannel network in which the operation is controlled by the interfacial tension of the liquid–air–solid interface. In order to obtain a switchable valve in microfluidic channels, conformal hydrophobic/hydrophilic and superhydrophobic/hydrophilic thermal switchable surfaces were fabricated by the layer-by-layer deposition of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and silica nanoparticles followed by the functionalization of a thermosensitive polymer-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and perfluorosilane. A fully integrated microfluidic valve using a thermal switchable superhydrophobic/hydrophilic polymer patch has been fabricated. At 70
Biaxial strength of paperboard predicted by hill-type theories

AbstractPaperboard strength under biaxial normal plus shear stresses is predicted using Hill-type criteria (including Tsai-Hill, Norris, Fischer, and Ashkenazi). Results are compared throughout all four quadrants with experimental data obtained from on- and off-axis uniaxial coupons, cylinders, and cruciform specimens. The Norris and Fischer theories predict observation quite well except at higher values of shear stress where they become too conservative. The Tsai-Hill theory is conservative throughout. Simplicity of both analysis and implementation, plus need for only minimal experimental input data, are signficant advantages of Hill-type criteria. Moreover, their reliability for paper is comparable to that of other published results. Other strength theories will be addressed in subsequent papers.
Motivation to Think and Order Effects in Persuasion: The Moderating Role of Chunking

Two studies examined the hypothesis that chunking—defined as the degree to which information is grouped into explicitly labeled categories of distinct valence—moderates the impact of motivation to think on order effects in persuasion. Studies 1 and 2 examined motivation to think in terms of perceived personal relevance and need for cognition, respectively. In both studies, participants read arguments for and against a hypothetical exam policy. These arguments were presented in varying orders and in either a chunked or an unchunked format. Results were consistent with the predictions: Under chunked conditions, participants who were highly motivated to think were more susceptible to primacy effects than were those low in motivation to think. Under unchunked conditions, this pattern was reversed—those highly motivated to think were more susceptible to recency effects than those low in motivation to think.
Sentence Interpretation in Bilingual Speakers of English and Dutch.

Speakers of English and Dutch vary in how strongly they use various syntactic (e.g., word order, prepositions, case inflection) and semantic (e.g., noun animacy) cues to interpret native language sentences. For example, in simple NVN sentences, English speakers rely heavily on word order, while Dutch speakers rely on case inflection. This paper compares the cue usage of English/Dutch and Dutch/English bilinguals with varying amounts of second language exposure to that of native speaker control groups. For all constructions tested, dative constructions, simple NVN sentences, and relative clauses, it was found that with increasing exposure, cue usage in the second language gradually shifts from that appropriate to the first language to that appropriate to the second. A model of cue learning originally proposed to account for monolingual data is found to be compatible with the learning pattern exhibited by bilinguals.
Changes in incidence of sexual intercourse of unmarried teenagers following a community‐based sex education program

(1987). Changes in incidence of sexual intercourse of unmarried teenagers following a community‐based sex education program. The Journal of Sex Research: Vol. 23, No. 4, pp. 527-533.
Brain cognition and metabolism in Down syndrome adults in association with development of dementia

To identify changes in brain functions associated with the development of dementia, brain metabolism and cognition were assessed repeatedly in 12 adults with Down syndrome (DS) using positron emission tomography and neuropsychological tests. Ten subjects remained non-demented (ND) and showed no significant changes over time in cognitive measures or in cerebral metabolism. Two subjects developed dementia after 7 years. Brain functions were relatively stable prior to the onset of dementia; after the onset of dementia, both cognitive function and glucose metabolism in parietal and temporal brain regions known to be vulnerable to Alzheimer disease (AD) showed a rapid linear decline. These findings support the concept that brain functions are stable over time in ND individuals with DS and that decline of brain functions in DS subjects with dementia follows two distinct phases that correspond to the clinical progression of AD. This may have implications for timing of new therapeutic strategies.
Excitation Pathways in Four-level N-Scheme Atomic Systems

In this work, we reveal the physical origin of three resonances that are at the root of observed characteristics of four-level N-Scheme atomic systems. Explicit excitation pathways are associated with the resonances of interest.
Human immunodeficiency virus infection risk among female sex partners of intravenous drug users in southern Arizona

Epidemiologic data suggest that women who are sexual partners of intravenous drug users (IVDUs) are at increasing risk for infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The article reports a study describing living conditions, sex risk behaviors, knowledge about acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), and perceptions of AIDS risk among female sexual partners of IVDUs living in southern Arizona. One hundred and twenty-three women who did not use IV drugs but had had sex with an IVDU in the last 6 months were interviewed. Eighty percent belonged to an ethnic minority, and 20% were white. Condom use was infrequent regardless of the number of sexual contacts. Sex was primarily heterosexual, with unsafe vaginal intercourse being the most common practice. Barriers to condom use were self-related and partner related. Some women lacked knowledge about sexual transmission of AIDS. All women reported getting AIDS information in the last 6 months and felt some risk of contracting the disease. AIDS risk reduction interventions should include HIV education and focus on barriers to condom use.
Completion thyroidectomy in a patient with low-risk papillary cancer

Recent adoption of a new thyroid cytopathology reporting system (the Bethesda system) and current clinical practice guidelines have led to a large number of patients with indeterminate thyroid nodules who undergo diagnostic thyroid lobectomy. If such patients are found to have papillary thyroid cancer on final pathology, the question of completion thyroidectomy is often raised. In general, patients who have undergone a lobectomy in this situation who are found to have thyroid cancer will typically have low-risk disease. In such cases, there is little compelling evidence to recommend completion thyroidectomy, to either decrease recurrence rates, or to allow radioiodine remnant ablation. Therefore, for patients with low-risk thyroid cancer who have undergone lobectomy, follow-up without additional surgery, using serum thyroglobulin measurements and neck ultrasound to monitor for recurrence, is recommended.
Endocannabinoid signaling in neural plasticity.

Plasticity refers to a physiologically measured change that may last for short or long periods of time. Endocannabinoids (ECBs) are prevalent throughout most of the brain, and modulate synaptic transmission in many ways. This chapter will focus on the roles of ECBs in neural plasticity in the mammalian brain. The topics covered can be divided loosely into two themes: how ECBs regulate synaptic plasticity, and how ECBs’ actions themselves are regulated by neuronal activity. Because ECBs regulate synaptic plasticity, the modifiability of ECB mobilization constitutes a form of “metaplasticity” (as reported by Abraham and Bear (Trends Neurosci 19:126–130, 1996)), i.e., an upstream process that determines the nature and extent of synaptic plasticity. Many of their basic functions are still being discovered, and while there is consensus on large issues, many points of divergence exist as well. This chapter concentrates on developments in the roles of ECBs in synaptic plasticity that have come to light since the major review by Chevaleyre et al. (Annu Rev Neurosci 29:37–76, 2006).
Synovial chondrosarcoma of the knee joint.

A chondrosarcoma of the synovium of the knee joint of five years' duration is described. The lesion invaded soft tissues and, in the initial biopsy specimen, was difficult to diagnose. Roentgenographically and grossly the tumor may be mistaken for synovial chondromatosis. The patient reported was well thirteen months after amputation.
The Production of Vitamin B6 by Microorganisms in Corn Meal

Five microorganisms out of 22 cultures previously isolated from fermenting corn meal produced vitamin B6. These included Hansenula subpelliculosa (strain 1), Moraxella sp. (strain 4), and Bacillus licheniformis (strains 6, 9, and 10). Microorganisms not producing vitamin B6 were: Streptococcus faecalis (strains 3, 8, 25, and 34); Lactobacillus brevis (strains 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 3, 38, 41, 43, 44, and 45); Agrobacter spp. (strains 22 and 23). B. licheniformis strains 6 and 10 were studied further to establish optimum conditions for vitamin B6 production in corn meal. For strain 6, optimal initial pH and temperature were 7 and 45°C, respectively. For B. licheniformis strain 10, there was no initial pH effect and the optimal temperature was also 45°C.
Efficient Processing of Uncertain Data Using Dezert-Smarandache Theory: A Case Study

Dezert-Smarandache Theory (DSmT) of plausible and paradoxical reasoning has excellent performance when the data contain uncertainty or conflicting. However, the methods developed in DSmT are in general very computationally expensive, thus they may not be directly applied to multiple data sources with high cardinality. In this paper, we explore the feasibility of using DSmT in practical applications through a case study. Specifically, we propose a DSm hybrid model with reduced number of classes and thus low computational cost to analyze temperature and humidity data received from multiple sensors to determine comfort zones in a smart building. Data from each sensor is considered as individual evidence that can be uncertain, imprecise and even conflicting. Several types of combination rules are applied to calculate the total mass function. Then the belief, plausibility and pignistic probability are deduced. They are used as metrics for decision making to determine comfort levels of the monitored environment. Both simulation and real data experiments demonstrate that the proposed method would make DSmT feasible for practical situation awareness applications.