cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Monomer [1-(isobutoxy)ethyl methacrylate] that can undergo anionic polymerization and can also be an initiator for the cationic polymerization of vinyl ethers. Preparation of comblike polymers

1-(Isobutoxy)ethyl methacrylate (BOEMA) was prepared by the reaction between isobutyl vinyl ether and methacrylic acid. It can be used both as an initiator for the cationic polymerization of vinyl ether and as a monomer that can undergo anionic polymerization. Using zinc chloride as activator, BOEMA can induce the cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether or ethyl vinyl ether in toluene at 0°C to generate an end-functional polymer. On the other hand, BOEMA can be polymerized itself by using (1,1-diphenylhexyl)lithium as an initiator, in tetrahydrofuran, at -60°C, in the presence or absence of lithium chloride. The poly(BOEMA) obtained possesses a very narrow molecular weight distribution (M w /M n = 1.04-1.09). It can also be employed as a macroinitiator for the cationic polymerization of isobutyl vinyl ether or ethyl vinyl ether, by using zinc chloride as activator in toluene at 0 °C. Thus a graft copolymer consisting of polymethacrylate as the main chain and poly(isobutyl vinyl ether) or poly(ethyl vinyl ether) as side chains can be prepared.
Labour supply effects of unemployment insurance benefits

Data from the 1976 wave of the Panel Study of Income Dynamics are employed to study the effect of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits on weeks worked. OLS regressions to model labour supply behaviour are estimated for both recipients and nonrecipients of UI benefits. We find some inteesting differences between the labour supply behaviour of UI recipients and nonrecipients.
Growth factor genes as oncogenes.

The oncogenic retroviruses can be divided into two main categories: those that induce neoplasia after a long latent period (chronic leukemia viruses) and those that induce neoplasia relatively rapidly (acute transforming viruses). Chronic leukemia viruses do not transform cells in tissue culture and contain only the virally encoded genes. By nucleotide sequence comparison, it was possible to show that all retroviruses have a common evolutionary origin. In contrast, acute transforming viruses have substituted viral genes with genetic information specifically implicated in the oncogenic process. These genetic elements (oncogenes) were derived from uninfected host genomes. It was shown that one of the oncogenes, c-sis protooncogene, is the structural gene for the B-chain polypeptide of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF). Furthermore, high level expression of human c-sis resulted in transformation of recipient cells. Similar results have been subsequently obtained for other growth factors, including granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, transforming growth factor α, epidermal growth factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor. It is possible that growth factor gene activation represents one of the steps leading toward malignancy in vivo.
The cryoprotective action of synthetic glycolipids

Egg PC vesicles frozen and thawed in the presence of carbohydrate derivatives do not incur damage normally associated with freeze thawing. Treated vesicles maintain membrane integrity as evidenced by the lack of lipid intermixing and maintenance of vesicle size following freezing and thawing. This protection is conferred at a derivative:lipid ratio of 0.4 mol/mol, significantly lower than the amount of carbohydrate required when not attached directly to the vesicle. This result indicates that only the carbohydrate at the vesicle surface is responsible for imparting stability to the membrane. This effect can be modulated by variations in the nature of the surrounding medium or alterations in the structure of the carbohydrate, suggesting that direct interactions between the carbohydrate and membrane occur at the membrane interface which are sensitive to bulk phase properties.
Cognitive deficits in the families of patients with schizophrenia.

Purpose of reviewStudies of first-degree relatives of patients with schizophrenia over the past 25 years have reported a number of cognitive deficits, primarily in the domains of memory and executive function. Nevertheless, due to a number of methodological issues, such as including different types
Microfluidic module for blood cell separation for gene expression radiobiological assays

Advances in molecular techniques have improved discovery of biomarkers associated with radiation exposure. Gene expression techniques have been demonstrated as effective tools for biodosimetry, and different assay platforms with different chemistries are now available. One of the main challenges is to integrate the sample preparation processing of these assays into microfluidic platforms to be fully automated for point-of-care medical countermeasures in the case of a radiological event. Most of these assays follow the same workflow processing that comprises first the collection of blood samples followed by cellular and molecular sample preparation. The sample preparation is based on the specific reagents of the assay system and depends also on the different subsets of cells population and the type of biomarkers of interest. In this article, the authors present a module for isolation of white blood cells from peripheral blood as a prerequisite for automation of gene expression assays on a microfluidic cartridge. For each sample condition, the gene expression platform can be adapted to suit the requirements of the selected assay chemistry.
COMMUNITY CONCENTRATION OF POVERTY AND ITS CONSEQUENCES ON NONMETRO COUNTY PERSISTENCE OF POVERTY IN MISSISSIPPI

ABSTRACT In this article we examine differences in the spatial distribution of poverty within nonmetro counties in Mississippi, and the extent to which such differences might be related to the probability that a nonmetro county might be classified as persistently poor. This study contributes to the current literature by dividing the low-income population of the county between those residing in open territory and those within urban and rural census defined places (e.g., towns, villages, and municipalities). The premise is that the higher the share of the low-income population in a county residing within places, the higher the probability that the county will be persistently poor. The results indicate that, across counties with similar poverty rates, those with higher concentration of poverty are more likely to be classified as persistently poor. The results also show that concentration of poverty is especially problematic when low-income people are concentrated in rural places (less than 2,500 persons).
Sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone for chronic pain in at-risk patients: Development and pilot test of a clinical protocol

Objective: Sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone (Bup/Nx) is approved for addiction treatment and may be useful for pain management, particularly in opioid-treated patients with pain with nonadherence behaviors. The transition of opioid-treated patients with pain to buprenorphine carries the risk of precipitated withdrawal and increased pain. This study convened pain and addiction specialists to develop and pilot a clinical protocol for safe transitioning to Bup/Nx. Design: The protocol was revised three times based on outside expert review and pilot study observations. The pilot was conducted with a prospective cohort of 12 patients with moderate to severe chronic pain, who were receiving long-term opioid therapy with any full µ-agonist drug, and had exhibited one or more aberrant drugrelated behaviors. Patients were followed up for 3-6 months with the expectation that they would experience few adverse events (AEs) and report lower pain severity. Results: The three patients on the highest baseline opioid dose (equivalent to 303-450 mg of oral morphine) and the three on the lowest doses (=20 mg) had early AEs when switched to Bup/Nx and did not complete the trial. Of the remaining six, one withdrew due to AEs; one responded well, then withdrew; and four completed a 3-month trial. A mixed-effects model controlling for dropouts found that average and worst pain significantly decreased after the switch to Bup/Nx (both p < 0.01). Conclusion: Based on this experience, the protocol recommends Bup/Nx for pain only when baseline opioid doses are within bounds that reduce AEs at transition and incorporates dose flexibility to further reduce risks. This protocol warrants further testing. Keywords: buprenorphine, chronic pain, treatment guidelines, opioid therapy, withdrawal DOI:10.5055/jom.2012.0137
High capacity production of >65% spin polarized xenon-129 for NMR spectroscopy and imaging.

Abstract A rubidium spin exchange optical pumping system for high capacity production of >65% spin polarized 129 Xe gas is described. This system is based on a fiber coupled multiple laser diode array capable of producing an unprecedented 210 W of circularly polarized light at the pumping cell with a laser line width of 1.6 nm. The 129 Xe nuclear spin polarization is measured as a function of flow rate, pumping cell pressure, and laser power for varying pumping gas compositions. A maximum 129 Xe nuclear polarization of 67% was achieved using a 0.6% Xe mixture at a Xe flow rate of 2.45 sccm. The ability to generate 12% polarized 129 Xe at rates in excess of 1 L-atm/h is also demonstrated. To achieve production of 129 Xe gas at even higher polarization will rely on further optimization of the pumping cell and laser beam geometries in order to mitigate problems associated with temperature gradients that are encountered at high laser power and Rb density.
The Backus—Gilbert approach to the three-dimensional structure in the upper mantle — I. Lateral variation of surface wave phase velocity with its error and resolution

Summary. The Backus–Gilbert method is applied to obtain the phase velocity variations on a sphere from the measured phase velocity. Narrow peak kernels, with radii of about 2000 km, are obtained for almost everywhere on the sphere. The phase velocity results are thus interpreted as an average within such regions. The most trouble comes from the antipodal peak in the resolution kernel. This is evaluated as contamination and is incorporated in the error estimation. The total error, which is a root mean square of contamination from the antipodal peak and statistical error estimated from the data covariance matrix, is about 1 per cent of the phase velocity in the average earth model, which is the Preliminary Reference Earth Model (PREM). However, there is about a factor of 2 variation of errors on the sphere. Maximum variations of phase velocity are about 3–4 per cent of the phase velocity in the average earth model, and thus there still remain anomalies which exceed estimated errors. The estimated errors correspond to one standard deviation under the assumptions of uncorrelated Gaussian distribution. For high confidence interval, they show that statistically significant anomalies are scarce for the current data set. Generally, Love-wave phase velocity maps show more resolved features than Rayleigh-wave maps and we can see, in high confidence maps, fast velocities in old oceans and old continents and slow velocities in tectonically active regions like the East Pacific Rise and various back-arc regions.
Mechanically robust amine derivatized polystyrene for pH sensing based on polymer swelling

Abstract Beads that change size as a function of pH have been prepared by suspension polymerization of vinylbenzyl chloride crosslinked with divinyl benzene followed by reaction with pure diethanolamine. Toluene is added to induced porosity, and Kraton G1652, a styrene-ethylene,butylene-styrene triblock copolymer, is included to increase mechanical robustness. The optimum formulation includes 48% toluene by volume and 2% (w/w) Kraton G1652. As the pH decreases, protonation of the amine puts a charge on the amine, causing the polymer to swell due to electrostatic repulsion between charged sites on the polymer. After the polymer is conditioned by exposure to acid, the ratio of the diameter in acid to the diameter in base is as high as 1.6 at an ionic strength of 0.10 M. The diameter ratio decreases with increasing ionic strength as predicted by theory. The diameter changes continuously from pH 6.0 to 8.0. This means that immobilization shifts the p K a of the amine. The polymer beads undergo many swelling and shrinking cycles without degrading mechanically but are softer than desired for use in a pH sensor based on polymer swelling.
Chromosome losses in tumorigenic revertants of EJ/ras-expressing somatic cell hybrids.

Tumorigenic transformation of SV40-immortalized human uroepithelial cells (SV-HUC) after transfection with EJ/ras was previously reported to be a rare event. To test the hypothesis that ras transformation requires loss of suppressor genes, somatic cell hybrids were generated between a rare tumorigenic transformant and an isogeneic nontumorigenic EJ/ras transfectant obtained in the same experiment. Both parental cell lines, as well as all hybrid progeny, expressed mutant p21 ras protein, but injections of three such independent hybrids into athymic nude mice at passage (P) 4 demonstrated that tumorigenicity was suppressed at 20 of 22 sites. Two tumors developed, after a relatively long 17-week latent period, as compared with a 4-week latent period for the tumorigenic parent. All three hybrids produced tumors at P8, but these showed different latent periods (3-14 weeks). Revertant hybrid tumors were high-grade carcinomas. Cell lines derived from these tumors expressed mutant p21 ras and retained at least 1 EJ/ras integration site. Karyotypic analysis of six independent hybrid tumor revertants showed that each had a unique clonal karyotype. Losses of two or more homologues of 1p, 3p, 4, 8, 10p, 11p, 13q, and 18 were identified in one or more tumorigenic revertants. Losses of all these chromosomes were previously associated with transformation of SV-HUC by EJ/ras, but were also associated with chemical transformation of SV-HUC in tumors that did not express mutant ras. Genetic losses involving most of these chromosomes have also been identified in clinical bladder cancers (i.e., 1p, 3p, 8, 11p, 13 and 18q). These data show that expression of EJ/ras does not negate or significantly alter requirements for multiple genetic losses in HUC tumorigenesis.
A novel GC-rich human macrosatellite VNTR in Xq24 is differentially methylated on active and inactive X chromosomes.

A novel GC–rich human macrosatellite VNTR in Xq24 is differentially methylated on active and inactive X chromosomes
Functional Consequences of ROMK Mutants Linked to Antenatal Bartter's Syndrome and Implications for Treatment

The antenatal variant of Bartter's syndrome is an autosomal recessive kidney disease characterized by polyhydramnios, premature delivery, hypokalemic alkalosis and hypercalciuria. It is genetically heterogeneous, having been linked recently to mutations in an ATP-sensitive, renal outer medullary K+channel, ROMK, and earlier to mutations in the Na-K-2Cl co-transporter, NKCC2. We characterized four of the mutations reported in three heterozygous ROMK variants of antenatal Bartter's and found that each expressed a distinct phenotype in Sf9 cells. One mutation expressed normal function and appears to be an allelic polymorphism. The other three mutations produced channels with significantly reduced K+fluxes. However, the mechanisms in each case were different and reflected abnormalities in phosphorylation, proteolytic processing or protein trafficking. The different mechanisms may be important in the design of appropriate therapy for patients with this disease.
Hormonal contraception and risk of bacterial vaginosis diagnosis in an observational study of women attending STD clinics in Baltimore, MD

Abstract Background The protective effect of hormonal contraception may offer a potential intervention against bacterial vaginosis (BV). Study Design Three hundred thirty reproductive-age women enrolled in a contraceptive program from April 2005 to October 2006 at two sexually transmitted diseases clinics in Baltimore, MD. Participants were supplied with hormonal contraceptives of their choice and followed prospectively. BV was diagnosed by Amsel's criteria. Results from population-level analysis were compared to a case-crossover analysis. Results BV was diagnosed in 189 (13.0%) of the visits among 133 (40.3%) women. In the population-level analysis, the use of progestin-only and combined contraception was associated with a decreased risk of BV compared to intervals of no hormonal contraceptive use [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 0.42 (95% CI: 0.20–0.88) and AOR: 0.66 (95% CI: 0.39–1.10), respectively]. The case-crossover analysis demonstrated a similar trend in findings. Conclusion Hormonal contraception was associated with a decreased risk of BV in an STD clinic cohort.
The effect of delay distortion on data transmission

DATA TRANSMISSION can generally use with economy portions of the extensive common-carrier plant set up for telephony. However, this plant has been largely equalized for amplitude response and not for phase, because of the insensitivity of the ear to phase distortion. Thus, it is important to consider effects of phase and delay distortion on the data signal.
The Single-Angle Plane-Wave Spectral Response of One-Dimensional Photonic Crystal Structures

The multiple-incident-angle transmittances or reflectances of fabricated 1-D photonic crystal (PC) structures are measured. Regularization methods are applied to these measurements to determine the single-angle plane-wave spectral response of the structure.
Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein E3 modestly activates splicing of tau exon 10 via its proximal downstream intron, a hotspot for frontotemporal dementia mutations

Abstract The microtubule-associated protein tau is important to normal neuronal activity in the mammalian nervous system. Aggregated tau is the major component of neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs), structures present in the brains of people affected by neurodegenerative diseases called tauopathies. Tauopathies include Alzheimer's disease (AD), frontotemporal dementia with Parkinsonism (FTDP) and the early-onset dementia observed in Down syndrome (DS; trisomy 21). Splicing misregulation of adult-specific exon 10 results in expression of abnormal ratios of tau isoforms, leading to FTDP. Positions + 3 to + 19 of the intron downstream of exon 10 define a hotspot: Point mutations in it result in tauopathies. All these mutations increase exon 10 inclusion except for mutation + 19, which almost entirely excludes exon 10. To investigate the tau connection between DS and AD, we examined splicing factors located on chromosome 21 for their effect on tau exon 10. By co-transfections, co-immunoprecipitations and RNAi constructs, we discovered that one of them, hnRNPE3 (PCBP3), modestly activates splicing of exon 10 by interacting with its proximal downstream intron around position + 19. These results, coupled with the developmental profile of hnRNPE3, suggest a pathogenic role for splicing factors on chromosome 21 in neurodegenerative diseases with tangles and create a connection between tau splicing and the early-onset dementia of Down syndrome.
Saltation threshold on Mars: The effect of interparticle force, surface roughness, and low atmospheric density

Results are reported for wind-tunnel experiments performed to determine the threshold friction speed of particles with different densities. Experimentally determined threshold speeds are plotted as a function of particle diameter and in terms of threshold parameter vs particle friction Reynolds number. The curves are compared with those of previous experiments, and an A-B curve is plotted to show differences in threshold speed due to differences in size distributions and particle shapes. Effects of particle diameter are investigated, an expression for threshold speed is derived by considering the equilibrium forces acting on a single particle, and other approximately valid expressions are evaluated. It is shown that the assumption of universality of the A-B curve is in error at very low pressures for small particles and that only predictions which take account of both Reynolds number and effects of interparticle forces yield reasonable agreement with experimental data. Effects of nonerodible surface roughness are examined, and threshold speeds computed with allowance for this factor are compared with experimental values. Threshold friction speeds on Mars are then estimated for a surface pressure of 5 mbar, taking into account all the factors considered.
Shear Aligning Properties of a Main-Chain Thermotropic Liquid Crystalline Polymer

We report the first direct, quantitative measurements of the shear aligning properties of a main-chain thermotropic liquid crystalline polymer (LCP). We find that a model thermotrope with alternating mesogen and spacer structure is of the shear aligning type throughout its nematic range. The director rotates uniformly in the shear flow toward the Leslie alignment angle as probed by in situ flow conoscopy. The Leslie alignment angle becomes progressively closer to the flow direction as temperature decreases, corresponding to a decrease of the tumbling parameter λ with increasing order parameter S. Our measurements of λ(S) enable direct comparison with predictions from molecular models, which predict that shear alignment prevails in the limit of flexible nematic chains. This is in direct contrast to rodlike lyotropic LCPs for which director tumbling is the rule.
Expression of a potential metastasis suppressor gene (nm23) in thyroid neoplasms

Identification of multiple clinical and pathologic prognostic factors in differentiated thyroid cancer has permitted some degree of risk stratification. However, these clinical indices fail to distinguish potential intrinsic differences in tumor virulence. The nm23 gene has been identified as a potential metastasis suppressor gene that is homologous to nucleoside diphosphate kinases. Studies in human breast cancer have shown a significant inverse correlation between nm23 levels and nodal involvement/tumor recurrence. Given the possible clinical utility of a marker of metastatic potential in the management of thyroid carcinoma, we examined 34 thyroid neoplasms and a human medullary thyroid cancer (MTC) cell line (TT) for nm23 expression. Normalized nm23 expression was assessed by Northern analysis of tumor RNA. nm23 Expression (tumor expression/TT cell expression, mean ±SE) was 1.14 ±0.15* in MTCs (n =5), 0.70 ±0.10* in follicular cancers (n=6), 0.51 ±0.11 in papillary cancers (n=19), and 0.31 ±0.03 in follicular adenomas (n=4) (*p< 0.05 when compared to adenomas). Within histologicgroups, we found no correlation between nm23 expression and nodal involvement or distant metastases. Our results indicate that thyroid neoplasms of different histologies express varying levels of the nm23 transcript. Although nm23 expression seems diminished in metastatic breast cancer, it appears not to be the case in metastatic thyroid cancer. The nm23 gene may therefore have different roles in the evolution and metastases of different neoplasms.
A neglected facet of island biogeography: The role of internal spatial dynamics in area effects

Abstract The classical theory of island biogeography has as its basic variable the presence or absence of species on entire islands, and as its basic processes colonization and extinction rates on entire islands as functions of island area, distance, and so forth. Yet for many organisms with limited dispersal abilities, it may be more reasonable to consider larger islands as comprised of an ensemble of local populations coupled by within-island dispersal. Conceptual arguments and a simple patch occupancy model are used to examine the potential relevance of such internal spatial dynamics in explaining area effects, expressed via the probability that a species is present per unit area as a function of total island area. The model suggests that strong area effects depend on a rather fine balance between local colonization and extinction rates. A fruitful direction of future research should be the application of patch dynamic theory to classic island biogeographic questions and systems.
Diagnostic and Prognostic Implications of Left Ventricular Cavity Obliteration Response to Dobutamine Echocardiography

Left ventricular (LV) cavity obliteration during dobutamine echocardiography (DE) indicates a vigorous inotropic response to stress. Such a response may suggest the absence of coronary artery disease (CAD), but a small LV cavity may also preclude recognition of wall motion abnormalities. We sought to determine the frequency, correlates, accuracy, and prognostic value of the LV cavity obliteration response in 336 consecutive patients who underwent coronary angiography within 1 year of DE. Cavity obliteration was defined by contact of the opposite walls in the apical views during DE, and ischemia by detection of a new or worsening wall motion abnormality. Sensitivity was based on comparison with coronary anatomy in 220 patients without prior revascularization. The prognostic implications of cavity obliteration were examined by follow-up of 324 patients (96%) over 23 +/- 9 months for death, myocardial infarction, and late revascularization. Cavity obliteration was present in 86 of the 336 DE studies (26%). Baseline and stress hemodynamics were not predictive of cavity obliteration, which was associated with LV hypertrophy and female gender (p <0.0001), and inversely related to LV systolic dysfunction and use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or diuretics (p <0.02). The sensitivity of DE was less in patients with cavity obliteration than the remainder, especially in single vessel (46% vs 92%, p <0.001) but also in multivessel CAD (73% vs 95%, p = 0.01). Irrespective of DE and angiographic results, cavity obliteration was a negative predictor for cardiac events (RR 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21 to 0.87, p = 0.02) and death (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.02 to 1.09, p = 0.06). Even after exclusion of patients with LV dysfunction, cavity obliteration was an independent predictor of freedom from events (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.88, p = 0.02). Thus, LV cavity obliteration is a frequent response to DE, which compromises the sensitivity of DE but is correlated paradoxically with a favorable clinical outcome.
Acute and intermediate outcomes, and evaluation of injury to the aortic wall, as based on 15 years experience of implanting stents to treat aortic coarctation.

Background Stenting for aortic coarctation has been shown to be effective in the short term. The safety and longer term efficacy of transcatheter therapy, however, must be well established if the technique is to be widely accepted as an alternative to surgery. In order to determine the frequency, spectrum, and outcome of injury to the aortic wall caused by angioplasty or stenting of aortic coarctation, the nomenclature of mural injury in these patients must be adapted to the conditions of transcatheter therapy. Methods and results Between 1989 and July 2005, we inserted stents in 153 patients with aortic coarctation, their median age being 15.8 years. Prior aortic interventions had been performed in 98 patients, and preexisting aneurysms were observed in 19. Stenting resulted in a significant reduction of the gradient across the site of coarctation, from a median of 30 millimetres of mercury to zero (p less than 0.001), with a residual gradient within the aortic arch of 20 millimetres of mercury or more in 5% of patients. Acute injuries to the aortic wall, other than therapeutic tears, were observed in 3 patients (2%), none of whom required surgery. At median follow-up of 2.5 years, this being more than 5 years in 30 patients, 4 patients had died, albeit none from complications relating to stenting or catheterization. Acute injuries to the aortic wall did not progress, and new aneurysms were observed in 6% of patients subsequent to follow-up imaging. Stent fractures, and jailed or partially covered brachiocephalic vessels, were observed in 12, and 49, patients, respectively, but did not result in haemodynamic or embolic complications. Conclusions Stenting for aortic coarctation results in consistent relief of the gradient, and few serious complications in the short and intermediate term. Serious injuries to the aortic wall are uncommon in our experience, and can be minimized with a focus on technical measures, such as pre-dilation before stenting.
A comparison of the effective two-nucleon interaction in 2s121d32-shell nuclei with a surface delta interaction

Abstract It is shown that the effective two-nucleon interaction in 2s 1 2 -1d 3 2 -shell nuclei can be well approximated by a delta function which acts only at the nuclear surface.
Ethyl linoleate in meconium: a biomarker for prenatal ethanol exposure.

BACKGROUND: Fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol effects, alcohol-related neurodevelopmental disorder, and alcohol-related birth defects, all terms referring to the spectrum of consequences of in utero exposure to ethanol, are a major public health burden. There is currently no laboratory test to identify newborns exposed to ethanol in utero. Meconium was analyzed for ethyl linoleate, a metabolite of ethanol, as a biological marker for fetal ethanol exposure. METHODS: Samples of meconium were obtained from 248 infants and analyzed for fatty acid ethyl esters. Detailed maternal alcohol, tobacco, and drug use histories were obtained within 1 month of giving birth. RESULTS: The detection of ethyl linoleate in meconium was called a positive test. The mean number of drinks reported per week in the month before pregnancy, the first trimester, and overall were significantly higher in the positive group (unadjusted: 9.2 +/- 1.9 vs. 4.3 +/- 1.4, p = 0.004; 7.3 +/- 1.7 vs. 3.8 +/- 1.2, p = 0.03; and 6.1 +/- 1.3 vs. 3.0 +/- 1.0, p = 0.006). A positive test was not associated with marijuana, cocaine, or tobacco use. Sensitivity and specificity of the test were 72% and 51% to distinguish women who reported 1 or more drinks/week in the third trimester from women who denied use, and 68% and 48% to distinguish women who used > or =1 drink/week from women who used <1 drink/week in the month before pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of ethyl linoleate in meconium is the first reported biological marker for maternal ethanol use during pregnancy. Because of the inherent inaccuracy associated with the use of self-reporting, the establishment of true values of sensitivity and specificity will require validation where the presence, quantity, and timing of exposure to alcohol is known. Further validation of this marker will permit identification and intervention of at-risk infants.
The US Food and Drug Administration Cardiorenal Advisory Panel and the Drug Approval Process

New chemical entities developed by the pharmaceutical industry as potentially useful drugs undergo extensive preclinical evaluation followed by clinical trials to evaluate efficacy and safety in human subjects. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is charged with evaluating requests from pharmaceutical sponsors for approval to market new drugs or to expand indications for marketed drugs. Some of these decisions are relatively straightforward. Thus, a new drug that shows clear efficacy and little actual or theoretical risk for serious adverse effects and that represents a significant addition to the therapeutic armamentarium does not present a major problem for FDA regulators. Conversely, approval will not be granted for a new drug the efficacy of which cannot be demonstrated, a drug with serious adverse effects that are not shared by alternative treatments, and a drug that does not add importantly to available treatment in at least some patients. In many cases, however, efficacy may not be so clear-cut, risks may be (or may appear to be) more than minimal, and the pharmaceutical sponsor and the FDA may differ in their evaluation of each of these issues. In such cases, the FDA through its Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER) has since 1972 been able to call on panels of experts to provide advice. For cardiovascular drugs, this advice is offered by the Cardiovascular and Renal Drugs Advisory Committee (CRAC). The goal of this article is to summarize how the deliberations of this committee have affected not only individual new drug submissions but also more generally the way in which new drugs are developed and evaluated. Advisory committees do not actually “decide” whether drugs should be approved; rather, they provide advice to the FDA, where the final decisions with regard to drug approval rest. The FDA is not obliged …
Geography Standards in the United States: Past Influences and Future Prospects.

The purpose of this article is to examine how geography is represented and positioned in primary and secondary (referred to here as K-12) education in the United States through a critical analysis of the content and implementation of the National Geography Standards, Geography for Life. We begin by providing context on the organization of education in the United States and offering a brief account of changes in geography in this complex system over the past three decades. Next, we describe the Standards, originally published in 1994 and recently revised, highlighting the forces driving innovations in both documents, both within the geography community and outside. The institutionalization of the Standards is discussed in the context of state and local adoption of their key features, framing a discussion on the struggles geography has claiming space in an already crowded curriculum. Finally, we conclude by offering ideas on where we think Geography for Life – and geography education – may go in the near an...
Professional Development and Teacher Efficacy: Contexts of What, When, and How in Serving ELLs

AbstractThe increasing numbers of ELLs (English Language Learners) in U.S. classrooms has prioritized into building quality teacher education programs for teachers so that they have the pedagogical tools necessary to support their students. A continued focus with professional development at the local, state, and national level has gained momentum to ensure that mainstream teachers have appropriate cultural competence skills and research-based practices to meet students’ diverse linguistic and academic needs. This mixed method study on 144 PK-12 teachers with five or less years of experience highlighted the importance of teachers’ perceptions and efficacy beliefs in working with ELLs. Five in-depth cases illustrated a support for professional development in creating high efficacious behaviors for teaching ELLs. Additionally, a quantitative finding augmented teacher narratives to reveal a statistical significance in efficacy beliefs for teachers who received adequate inservice professional development as op...
COMPARING MARKET ORIENTATION CULTURE OF BUSINESSES AND SCHOOLS OF BUSINESS: AN EXTENSION AND REFINEMENT'

This study extends previous work concerning the market orientation culture within specialty businesses and schools of business. Specifically, member schools of the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business International are separated into public and private universities. Data were collected via a mailed survey to business schools holding membership. 106 public school deans and 35 private school deans responded, for a 23% response rate. Input from the deans was sought on their perceptions of the market orientation culture within the schools. Respondents' perceptions, rated on a 7-point scale, measured four dimensions of market orientation: customer orientation, competitor orientation, organizational coordination, and overall market orientation. Data for specialty businesses were drawn from a previous study. Comparison testing between the public and private business schools' deans and business managers was conducted. Analysis indicated perceived market orientation was significantly higher for deans of private business schools than public business schools. Compared with business managers, private school deans were statistically different on only one of the four dimensions, whereas public business school deans' scores were significantly different from those of business managers on all four. Compared with each other, business school deans were statistically different on three dimensions, with private school deans reporting greater market orientation.
A definition of bovine rotavirus virulence.

Rotaviruses are accepted as enteric pathogens of calves but many natural infections are subclinical. In the present paper, the outcome of inoculation of gnotobiotic calves of three ages (the second day of life, the second week of life and calves aged 6 weeks and over) with doses of 105.0 to 106.5 TCID50 was compared for three bovine rotavirus isolates (C3-160, 17/4 and 39/58). The clinical outcome of infection was dependent on both calf age and rotavirus isolate. Age-dependent resistance to infection was not found. By contrast, age-dependent resistance to disease was found with rotavirus isolates C3-160 and 17/4 but not with 39/58. All three isolates caused disease in calves inoculated on the second day of life but only one, 39/58, caused disease in the two older groups. Peak levels and duration of virus excretion were similar in clinically normal (106.7 ± 1.08 TCID50 per g of faeces for 4.6 ± 1.2 days) and diseased (107.45 ± 0.94 TCID50 per g of faeces for 5.3 ± 0.98 days) calves of all ages, but the onset of virus excretion occurred sooner in clinically affected calves (1.6 ± 0.63 days in clinically affected compared with 3.7 ± 1.5 days in clinically normal calves, P < 0.01). The present study confirmed the findings of an earlier study (Bridger & Pocock, 1986) which showed that bovine rotaviruses differ in virulence for calves in the second week of life and that older calves are susceptible to rotavirus infection and disease. In addition, the present study demonstrated for the first time, that differences in rotavirus virulence are not apparent with calves inoculated on the second day of life, an age which has been used commonly to assess rotavirus virulence. It is suggested that rotaviruses that cause disease in calves only on the second day of life should be described as of low virulence whereas those that cause disease in all ages should be described as virulent.
Circulation Control Model Experimental Database for CFD Validation

A 2D circulation control wing was tested in the Basic Aerodynamic Research Tunnel at the NASA Langley Research Center. A traditional circulation control wing employs tangential blowing along the span over a trailing-edge Coanda surface for the purpose of lift augmentation. This model has been tested extensively at the Georgia Tech Research Institute for the purpose of performance documentation at various blowing rates. The current study seeks to expand on the previous work by documenting additional flow-field data needed for validation of computational fluid dynamics. Two jet momentum coefficients were tested during this entry: 0.047 and 0.114. Boundary-layer transition was investigated and turbulent boundary layers were established on both the upper and lower surfaces of the model. Chordwise and spanwise pressure measurements were made, and tunnel sidewall pressure footprints were documented. Laser Doppler Velocimetry measurements were made on both the upper and lower surface of the model at two chordwise locations (x/c = 0.8 and 0.9) to document the state of the boundary layers near the spanwise blowing slot.
Density functional theory investigation of physical properties of the OCCN radical and the cation

Abstract Structural and thermodynamic properties for the OCCN radical and its cation were estimated with hybrid, gradient-corrected and local density functional theory methods by using three various Gaussian type basis sets. It was estimated that the radical structure should be a zig-zag structure, which corresponds to the sp2 hybridization of the carbonyl carbon, while the OCCN cation is linear. The radical ionization potential should be between 8.7 and 9.1 eV with the enthalpy of formation at approximately 51 kcal/mol. It was computed in the infrared spectra that there were two strong absorptions at 1863 and 2080 cm−1 for the CO and the CN functionalities and they should be observable for the OCCN radical.
The cochlear duct of lizards and snakes.

The gross morphology of the cochlear ducts of approximately half (150) of the living genera of lizards and a third (130) of the living genera of snakes have been studied. The differences in the structure of the cochlear duct are related to both the acoustical capacities and the taxonomic relationships of certain lizards and snakes. The cochlear duct of lizards consists of fairly well joined lagenar and limbic portions. By contrast, the cochlear duct of snakes consists of a lagenar sac somewhat constricted from the limbus. Each family of lizards has a morphologically characteristic cochlear duct, but taxonomic relationships are indicated by certain anatomical similarities. The cochlear duct of snakes is more primitive than that of lizards, and, unlike lizards, does not exhibit marked specializations of its various parts. Differences in morphology of the cochlear duct in snakes are much more related to habitat than family. The limbus and papilla basilaris of snakes regardless of family, are most elongated in bin rowing species, are only moderately elongated or ovoid in terrestrial species, and are small or reduced in certain arboreal and aquatic species.
Interlobular distribution of hepatic xenobiotic-metabolizing enzyme activities in cattle, goats and sheep.

Microsomal and cytosolic enzymes that metabolize xenobiotics were measured in composite samples representing entire livers and in samples from three lobes, using livers of cattle, goats and sheep. Within individual species, concentrations of cytochrome P-450 and b s and activities of NADPH cytochrome c reductase, aldrin epoxidase, aminopyrine N-demethylase, ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase, microsomal and cytosolic stilbene oxide (epoxide) hydrolase and glutathione S-transferase were not different (P>.05) among the various hepatic lobes. Among species, several activities differed (P<.05), with cattle livers generally having lower values than sheep or goats.
FLT: Measuring Tumor Cell Proliferation In Vivo With Positron Emission Tomography and 3′-Deoxy-3′-[18F]Fluorothymidine

Positron emission tomography (PET) using the radiotracer 3=-deoxy-3=-[ 18 F]fluorothymidine (FLT) can image cellular proliferation in human cancers in vivo. FLT uptake has been shown to correlate with pathology-based proliferation measurements, including the Ki-67 score, in a variety of human cancers. Unlike pathology-based measurements, imaging-based methods, including FLT-PET, are noninvasive, easily repeatable, and less prone to sampling errors. FLT-PET may therefore be a useful tool for assessing tumor aggressiveness, predicting outcome, planning therapy, or monitoring response to treatment. Three recent clinical studies have reported that FLT-PET can accurately predict response very early after the initiation of chemotherapy. Especially with the advent of cytostatic chemotherapy agents, methods of biologically assessing a tumor’s response will take on increasing importance, since changes in tumor size will not always be expected. To date, most studies of FLT-PET have focused on validating it as a means of quantifying cellular proliferation and testing its ability to accurately stage cancer. In some settings, FLT-PET has shown greater specificity for cancer than 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG)-PET, which can show false-positive uptake in areas of infection or inflammation. However, because of FLT’s lower overall uptake and higher background activity in liver and bone marrow, FLT-PET should not be considered a potential replacement for staging by FLT-PET. Instead, FLT-PET should be considered a powerful addition to FDG-PET, providing additional diagnostic specificity and important biological information that could be useful in predicting prognosis, planning treatment, and monitoring response.
Localization of transforming growth factor β isoforms in the normal murine small intestine and colon

Abstract Background: The transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) proteins are key regulators of cellular growth and differentiation. Previous studies have shown that TGF- β 1 is a potent growth inhibitor of cultured jejunal epithelial cells. The reported distribution of TGF- β 1 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression along the intestinal villus has been controversial. The purpose of the current study is to determine the loci of TGF-β protein expression in the normal small intestine and colon. Methods: Intestinal localization of TGF-β isoform mRNA and protein was examined by Northern blot analysis and immunohistochemistry using isoform specific reagents. Results: TGF- β 1 , TGF- β 2 , and TGF- β 3 mRNA were found in homogenates from the intact mouse jejunum and colon. The three isoforms colocalized in these tissues. Expression in the small intestinal epithelium was most prominent in cells located on the villus tip, and no staining was detected in the crypt. Occasional lymphocytes in the lamina propria were immunopositive, and all layers of the muscularis were moderately stained. This pattern was seen in all regions of the small intestine. The surface epithelium of the colon was intensely immunopositive, whereas cells in the glands were only weakly stained. Conclusions: TGF-β molecules may serve overlapping functions in the intestinal tract, and expression in the epithelium may function to arrest growth of cells emerging from the crypt and induce or maintain the terminally differentiated state.
Vision-Aided Inertial Navigation for Spacecraft Entry, Descent, and Landing

In this paper, we present the vision-aided inertial navigation (VISINAV) algorithm that enables precision planetary landing. The vision front-end of the VISINAV system extracts 2-D-to-3-D correspondences between descent images and a surface map (mapped landmarks), as well as 2-D-to-2-D feature tracks through a sequence of descent images (opportunistic features). An extended Kalman filter (EKF) tightly integrates both types of visual feature observations with measurements from an inertial measurement unit. The filter computes accurate estimates of the lander's terrain-relative position, attitude, and velocity, in a resource-adaptive and hence real-time capable fashion. In addition to the technical analysis of the algorithm, the paper presents validation results from a sounding-rocket test flight, showing estimation errors of only 0.16 m/s for velocity and 6.4 m for position at touchdown. These results vastly improve current state of the art for terminal descent navigation without visual updates, and meet the requirements of future planetary exploration missions.
Gender Structure and the Effects of Management Citizenship Behavior

We draw on gender structure theory, along with ideas about stereotyping and status characteristics, to develop hypotheses about how the gendered behaviors of male and female managers differentially impact the organizational commitment and mental health of their employees. We predict that the generally positive effects of management citizenship behaviors (Hodson 1999) will be less so in the case of female managers, especially for their male employees. Analyses of the 2002 National Survey of the Changing Workforce provide substantial support for our hypotheses despite the fact that we find no significant differences in the perceived management citizenship behaviors of male and female managers. We discuss the importance of these findings for organizational inequality and their relevance to ongoing discussion of the “stalled revolution” in gender equality.