cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Constant composition dissolution of mixed phases. I. Synthetic calcium phosphates

The applicability of the dual constant composition (DCC) method, using two ion-specific electrodes, is investigated for studies of the dissolution rates of mixed phases of octacalcium phosphate and tricalcium phosphate. The DCC dissolution of these crystals is compared with the results of parallel constant composition (CC) investigations using a single-ion probe. The DCC dissolution rates were also independent of which electrodes (pH or pCa) controlled the titrant additions. This provides experimental confirmation that, in the concomitant dissolution of hypothetical BA and BC salts (e.g., octacalcium phosphate and tricalcium phosphate), the rate data for each salt can be calculated from the titrant addition curves in the same undersaturated solutions.
Adaptive and nonlinear techniques for visibility improvement of hazy images

In outdoor video processing systems, the image frames of a video sequence are usually subjected to poor visibility and contrast in hazy or foggy weather conditions. A fast and efficient technique to improve the visibility and contrast of digital images captured in such environments is proposed in this paper. The image enhancement algorithm constitutes three processes viz. dynamic range compression, local contrast enhancement and nonlinear color restoration. We propose a nonlinear function to modify the wavelet coefficients for dynamic range compression and uses an adaptive contrast enhancement technique in wavelet domain. A nonlinear color restoration process based on the chromatic information of the input image frame is applied to convert the enhanced intensity image back to a color image. We also propose a model based image restoration approach which uses a new nonlinear transfer function on luminance component to obtain the transmission map. Experimental results show better visibility compared to those images enhanced with other state of art techniques.
Sphingolipids and lipid rafts: Novel concepts and methods of analysis

About twenty years ago, the functional lipid raft model of the plasma membrane was published. It took into account decades of research showing that cellular membranes are not just homogenous mixtures of lipids and proteins. Lateral anisotropy leads to assembly of membrane domains with specific lipid and protein composition regulating vesicular traffic, cell polarity, and cell signaling pathways in a plethora of biological processes. However, what appeared to be a clearly defined entity of clustered raft lipids and proteins became increasingly fluid over the years, and many of the fundamental questions about biogenesis and structure of lipid rafts remained unanswered. Experimental obstacles in visualizing lipids and their interactions hampered progress in understanding just how big rafts are, where and when they are formed, and with which proteins raft lipids interact. In recent years, we have begun to answer some of these questions and sphingolipids may take center stage in re-defining the meaning and functional significance of lipid rafts. In addition to the archetypical cholesterol-sphingomyelin raft with liquid ordered (Lo) phase and the liquid-disordered (Ld) non-raft regions of cellular membranes, a third type of microdomains termed ceramide-rich platforms (CRPs) with gel-like structure has been identified. CRPs are "ceramide rafts" that may offer some fresh view on the membrane mesostructure and answer several critical questions for our understanding of lipid rafts.
Optimal maternal and neonatal outcomes and associated hospital characteristics.

Background This study aims to examine hospital variation in both maternal and neonatal morbidities and identify institutional characteristics associated with hospital performance in a combined measure of maternal and neonatal outcomes. Methods Using the California Linked Birth File containing data from birth certificate and hospital discharge records, we identified 1 322 713 term births delivered at 248 hospitals during 2010-2012. For each hospital, a risk-standardized rate of severe maternal morbidities and a risk-standardized rate of severe newborn morbidities were calculated after adjusting for patient clinical risk factors. Hospitals were ranked based on combined information on their maternal and newborn morbidity rates. Results Risk-standardized severe maternal and severe newborn morbidity rates varied substantially across hospitals (10th to 90th percentile range = 67.5-148.2 and 141.8-508.0 per 10 000 term births, respectively), although there was no significant association between the two (P = 0.15). Government hospitals (non-Federal) were more likely than other hospitals to be in worse rank quartiles (P value for trend = 0.004), whereas larger volume was associated with better rank among hospitals in the first three quartiles (P = 0.004). The most prevalent morbidities that differed progressively across hospital rank quartiles were severe hemorrhage, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and heart failure during procedure/surgery for mothers, and severe infection, respiratory complication, and shock/resuscitation for neonates. Conclusions Hospitals with low maternal morbidity rates may not have low neonatal morbidity rates and vice versa, highlighting the importance of assessing joint maternal-newborn outcomes in order to fully characterize a hospital's obstetrical performance. Hospitals with smaller volume and government ownership tend to have less desirable outcomes and warrant additional attention in future quality improvement efforts.
Statistical Modeling of Non-Linearity in Decision Feedback Equalizer-Based Mixed-Signal Receivers

This paper develops a PDF decomposition-based statistical modeling methodology that captures front-end compressive nonlinearity in a high-speed link receiver with a multi-tap DFE, allowing for excellent matching with transient simulations for a 56Gb/s PAM-4 link.
ACS NSQIP Surgical Risk Calculator: Pilot Analysis on Feasibility in an Academic Safety Net Hospital.

Abstract Background Hospitals are looking for effective methods to track outcomes that are risk-adjusted for patient population characteristics. This is especially relevant for safety net hospitals (SNHs) servicing high-risk populations and in an era of quality-based reimbursement incentives. One such program with these goals is the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP). This is an institution-based quality audit whereby we determined the presence and consistency of charted data required to compute perioperative risk in the ACS NSQIP risk calculator. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review of 28 elective colorectal procedures was performed at an urban, academic SNH over a 1-y period. For each case, it was determined whether the required NSQIP variables were readily presented via preoperative documentation. Univariate and bivariate statistics were employed to compare data field completion rates. Results Of the 28 reviewed patient charts, none (n = 0) had all preoperative risk documentation required to complete an ACS NSQIP risk analysis. 89.3% of charts (n = 25) had ≤ 55% of required data to complete a risk assessment. However on bivariate analysis, demographic variables were more likely to have been recorded (P Conclusions Preoperative risk assessment and corresponding charting practices at the SNH reviewed was fragmented and incomplete. There was lack of definitive documentation of risk factors and preoperative interventions used to modulate risk. Under current reimbursement models such as the MACRA Quality Payment Program, these findings are crucial for like-institutions to consider to critically evaluate their own documentation practices.
An Air Quality Modeling System Providing Smoke Impact Forecasts for Health Protection in Southeastern USA

The HiRes-2 system, operational since 2015, provides daily forecasts of potential prescribed fire impacts on air quality. The system uses the WRF and CMAQ models for meteorology and air quality computations. A decision tree model predicts prescribed fire activity based on the weather forecast by analyzing historical burning patterns under similar meteorological conditions. Prescribed fire emissions are estimated using land-based but satellite-enhanced fuel load maps, consumption forecasts, and emission factors derived from laboratory and field measurements. The DDM-3D feature of CMAQ is used to calculate the impacts of prescribed fire emissions on pollutant concentrations. The expanded new system, HiRes-X, has many extensions for dynamic air quality and human exposure management. Daily forecasts of air quality and prescribed fire impacts are disseminated through an online interactive tool, which uses webGIS technologies to display the forecasting products in real time and retrospectively, along with relevant earth observation datasets. These datasets can be overlapped with geographical and population information to visualize the air pollution impacts on sensitive places and vulnerable communities.
Factors associated with exacerbations among adults with asthma according to electronic health record data

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that affects 18.7 million U.S. adults. Electronic health records (EHRs) are a unique source of information that can be leveraged to understand factors associated with asthma in real-life populations. In this study, we identify demographic factors and comorbidities associated with asthma exacerbations among adults according to EHR-derived data and compare these findings to those of epidemiological studies. We obtained University of Pennsylvania Hospital System EHR-derived data for asthma encounters occurring between 2011 and 2014. Regression analyses were performed to model asthma exacerbation frequency as explained by age, sex, race/ethnicity, health insurance type, smoking status, body mass index (BMI) and various comorbidities. We analyzed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2001 to 2012 to compare findings with those from the EHR-derived data. Based on data from 9068 adult patients with asthma, 33.37% had at least one exacerbation over the four-year study period. In a proportional odds logistic regression predicting number of exacerbations during the study period (levels: 0, 1–2, 3–4, 5+ exacerbations), after controlling for age, race/ethnicity, sex, health insurance type, and smoking status, the highest odds ratios (ORs) of significantly associated factors were: chronic bronchitis (2.70), sinusitis (1.50), emphysema (1.39), fluid and electrolyte disorders (1.35), class 3 obesity (1.32), and diabetes (1.28). An analysis of NHANES data showed associations for class 3 obesity, anemia and chronic bronchitis with exacerbation frequency in an adjusted model controlling for age, race/ethnicity, sex, financial class and smoking status. EHR-derived data is helpful to understand exacerbations in real-life asthma patients, facilitating design of detailed studies and interventions tailored for specific populations.
Effects of Leader Style, Leader Sex, and Subordinate Personality on Leader Evaluations and Future Subordinate Motivation

Past research has shown that when leader styles were dichotomized as autocratic versus democratic, female leaders were evaluated more harshly for using autocratic styles than their male counterparts (Eagly, Makhijani, & Klonsky, 1992). The present study investigated whether or not the personality characteristic of Agreeableness interacted with leader gender and leader style (autocratic versus democratic) to affect subordinate reactions to the leader. A 2 (autocratic versus democratic leader style) × 2 (male versus female leader) × 2 (high versus low subordinate Agreeableness) factorial design was used with leader evaluation, future effort, and future interest as dependent variables. A three-way interaction was predicted for these variables such that leaders would be penalized most for behavior that was inconsistent with gender roles by participants low in agreeableness. Participants were 165 undergraduates at a large midwestern urban university. Results generally supported the hypothesized three-way interaction for the effort and interest variables. Overall, the results partially supported the notion that disagreeable participants would rate gender inconsistent behavior more harshly.
Hemorrhagic morbidity in placenta accreta spectrum with and without placenta previa.

The incidence of placenta accreta spectrum (PAS; pathologic diagnosis of placenta accreta, increta or percreta) continues to rise in the USA. The purpose of this study is to compare the hemorrhagic morbidity associated with PAS with and without a placenta previa. This was a retrospective cohort study of 105 deliveries from 1997 to 2017 with histologically confirmed PAS comparing outcomes in women with and without a coexisting placenta previa. We used the Wilcoxon rank sum test to compare continuous data and Chi-square or Fisher’s exact test for categorical data. We also performed log-binomial regression to calculate risk ratios adjusted for depth of invasion (aRR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). We identified 105 pregnancies with PAS. Antenatal diagnosis of PAS was higher in women with coexisting placenta previa (72.3%) than those without (6.9%, p < 0.001). Women with coexisting placenta previa had greater median estimated blood loss and more units of packed red blood cells transfused (both p ≤ 0.03). Women with placenta previa were more likely to undergo a hysterectomy (RR 2.7; 95% CI 1.8–3.8) and be admitted to the intensive care unit (aRR 3.3; 95% CI 1.1–9.6). Among women with PAS, those with a coexisting placenta previa experienced greater hemorrhagic morbidity compared to those without. In addition, PAS without placenta previa typically was not diagnosed prior to delivery. This study further supports the recommendation for multi-disciplinary planning and assurance of resources for pregnancies complicated by PAS. In addition, our results highlight the need for mobilization of resources for those pregnancies where PAS is not diagnosed until delivery.
Fabrication of a Biocompatible Mica/Gold Surface for Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) is a promising technique for structural studies of biological systems and biomolecules, owing to its ability to provide a chemical fingerprint with sub-diffraction-limit spatial resolution. This application of TERS has thus far been limited, due to difficulties in generating high field enhancements while maintaining biocompatibility. The high sensitivity achievable through TERS arises from the excitation of a localized surface plasmon resonance in a noble metal atomic force microscope (AFM) tip, which in combination with a metallic surface can produce huge enhancements in the local optical field. However, metals have poor biocompatibility, potentially introducing difficulties in characterizing native structure and conformation in biomolecules, whereas biocompatible surfaces have weak optical field enhancements. Herein, a novel, biocompatible, highly enhancing surface is designed and fabricated based on few-monolayer mica flakes, mechanically exfoliated on a metal surface. These surfaces allow the formation of coupled plasmon enhancements for TERS imaging, while maintaining the biocompatibility and atomic flatness of the mica surface for high resolution AFM. The capability of these substrates for TERS is confirmed numerically and experimentally. We demonstrate up to five orders of magnitude improvement in TERS signals over conventional mica surfaces, expanding the sensitivity of TERS to a wide range of non-resonant biomolecules with weak Raman cross-sections. The increase in sensitivity obtained through this approach also enables the collection of nanoscale spectra with short integration times, improving hyperspectral mapping for these applications. These mica/metal surfaces therefore have the potential to revolutionize spectromicroscopy of complex, heterogeneous biological systems such as DNA and protein complexes.
A Single Transcription Factor Drives Toxoplasma gondii Differentiation.

Microbes that cause persistent infections (e.g., herpes viruses) do so by switching from fast-growing lytic states to slow-growing latent states. Waldman et al. have identified a single transcription factor that governs the switch between the lytic and latent forms of Toxoplasma gondii, a parasite that causes a persistent brain infection.
Prolyl-tRNA synthetase inhibition reduces microsporidia infection intensity in honey bees

Nosema ceranae is a microsporidian parasite that is pathogenic to honey bees, causing disease at the individual and colony level. N. ceranae infection can be controlled by treatment with Fumagillin, but as this the future of this drug is uncertain, alternative treatment strategies are critical. Genomic examination of proteostasis pathways in N. ceranae and its host, Apis mellifera, has revealed key differences in component conservation. One example is the amino acid response (AAR), which responds to amino acid limitation through the sensing of uncharged tRNA molecules. The AAR is conserved in the honey bee, but not in N. ceranae. Pharmacological inhibition of prolyl-tRNA synthetase activity resulted in a substantial reduction in N. ceranae infection intensity. Evident toxicity to bees suggests further work is required to make this approach safe and feasible. However, these results provide proof of principle that tRNA synthetase inhibition could be an effective future treatment strategy.
Chapter 1 – Produced Water

Publisher Summary Water remains trapped during millions of years with the oil and gas. This water is derived from ancient fresh or seawater and often is as old as the fossil fuels in the reservoir. When the hydrocarbon reservoir is tapped by a well, the produced fluids may contain water. Also, in some oil fields, fresh or seawater may be injected into the reservoir through injection wells to displace oil into the production wells. Sometimes, this injection water channels through to the production well and is produced with the oil and gas. The water produced with oil and gas is called produced water, formation water, or oilfield brine. Before the crude oil can be refined or the gas processed, the water must be removed. During offshore operations, separation of the produced water from the oil and gas may take place on the production platform, or the oil/gas/water mixture may be sent through a pipeline to a shore facility where the produced water is separated from the oil and gas. If not re-injected into another well, the produced water is treated to meet local regulatory limits for oil and grease before it is discharged to the ocean from the platform or from an ocean outfall from a shore-based treatment facility. In most of the world, national or regional regulatory agencies have set limits on the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons (or total oil and grease) that can remain in produced water destined for ocean disposal.
Neural Tube Defects

Neural tube defects are a diverse group of disorders affecting the brain and spine, unified by their clinical symptoms of spinal cord dysfunction and distinguished by their developmental mechanisms and involvement of different tissue types. The nomenclature for neural tube defects is confusing and various terms are used inconsistently in this article. Correct diagnosis and treatment is important to maximize quality of life for these patients and prevent complications from hydrocephalus, neurogenic bladder, neurogenic bowel, and lack of sensation.
Functional outcomes of ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction with a novel double suspensory fixation.

Background Ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction (UCLR) has allowed the return of overhead athletes to throwing sports. We describe a new double suspensory (DS) technique using a single tunnel in the ulna and humerus, achieving fixation with adjustable loop buttons. Methods Inclusion criteria included skeletally mature baseball players with clinical and magnetic resonance imaging diagnosis of UCL insufficiency who failed a trial of structured nonoperative treatment. A total of 36 baseball players underwent DS UCLR, between 2011 and 2017, by 1 surgeon with minimum 2-year follow-up. The graft was fixated with an adjustable button loop on the humeral side and a tension slide technique with a button on the ulnar side. Pre- and postoperative Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic and Single Assessment Numerical Evaluation and postoperative Conway scores were obtained. Results The mean age was 19.8 ± 4.6 years (range, 14-35 years). All were male. Mean years played before surgery was 14.3 ± 4.6 years (range, 8-28 years). There were 32 (89%) pitchers and 4 (11%) position players. There were 13 (36%) high school, 20 (55%) college, 2 (6%) minor league, and 1 (3%) adult league athletes. The mean follow-up was 55.3 ± 23.7 months (range, 26-97 months). There was significant improvement in Kerlan-Jobe Orthopaedic Clinic (33.2 ± 19.9 to 89.7 ± 15.1, P Conclusion DS fixation for UCLR in baseball players can lead to excellent clinical results and early return to play.
Firm age and crude oil returns: Stock price sensitivity of oil-producing and consuming companies

This study aims to identify firm characteristics that affect the cross-firm variation in oil–stock interactions. A panel data analysis with a sample of U.S. and Canadian firms reveals that the stoc...
Pre-Announcement Risk

I propose and test a new explanation for the pre-FOMC announcement drift puzzle. I show that such a drift arises in a model where investors interpret a given FOMC action differently based on recent news. If recent news has been good, FOMC announcements are seen as signals about economic conditions; if recent news has been poor, they are seen as signals about the Fed's own policy stance. Consistent with the model, I demonstrate that the market return prior to the announcement—a proxy for recent news—predicts the interpretation of Fed action. In the model the pre-FOMC drift represents a risk premium associated with the resolution of uncertainty about announcement type. The model does not require informational leaks or biased beliefs and can account for the seasonality of aggregate returns over the FOMC calendar.
Type 2 Myocardial Infarction: CURRENT CONCEPTS AND OUR EXPERIENCE WITH CARDIAC REHABILITATION.

Background Type 2 myocardial infarction (T2MI) is commonly encountered in clinical practice, yet little is known about this challenging condition. Outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is an integral component in the care of patients with MI. However, specific recommendations for CR, information on the feasibility of participation, and outcome measures for patients with T2MI are lacking. Clinical considerations The frequency of T2MI is markedly variable and depends on the studied population, disease definition, adjudication process, cardiac troponin assays, and cutoff values used to make the diagnosis of T2MI. Clinically, it is difficult to distinguish T2MI from type 1 MI or myocardial injury. Type 2 myocardial infarction occurs due to myocardial oxygen supply-demand mismatch without acute atherothrombotic plaque disruption and is associated with adverse short- and long-term prognoses. Currently, there are substantial gaps in knowledge regarding T2MI and there are no clear guidelines for the optimal management of these patients. Summary In this article, we present important current concepts surrounding T2MI including the definition, pathophysiology, epidemiology, diagnosis, prognosis, and management. We also discuss referral patterns to CR and participation rates and provide our experience with a case series of 17 patients. Very few patients with T2MI are referred to and participate in CR. Our small case series indicated that patients with T2MI respond favorably to CR and that exercise training following standard guidelines appears safe and is well tolerated.
Mixing Management Fee Waivers with Mayo

This Article examines whether the management fee waiver strategy used by private equity firms to drop their tax rates actually works. Scholars have almost uniformly condemned the strategy, calling it "extremely aggressive," "profoundly piggish," or otherwise "illegal." However, this Article shows that the critics substantially overstate their case. The provision of law most frequently cited by the critics doesn't even exist, and their arguments seem particularly inapposite, given the changes in the tax-administrative law landscape wrought by Mayo v. United States.
Concluding Remarks and Outlook

In this chapter, we provide reflections on the material presented in this book. The chapter ends with the authors’ view of future developments and suggests some conclusions.
Poor efficacy of oral iron replacement therapy in pediatric patients with heart failure.

INTRODUCTION Iron deficiency is associated with worse outcomes in children and adults with systolic heart failure. While oral iron replacement has been shown to be ineffective in adults with heart failure, its efficacy in children with heart failure is unknown. We hypothesised that oral iron would be ineffective in replenishing iron stores in ≥50% of children with heart failure. METHODS We performed a single-centre retrospective cohort study of patients aged ≤21 years with systolic heart failure and iron deficiency who received oral iron between 01/2013 and 04/2019. Iron deficiency was defined as ≥2 of the following: serum iron 300 ng/mL, transferrin saturation <15%. Iron studies and haematologic indices pre- and post-iron therapy were compared using paired-samples Wilcoxon test. RESULTS Fifty-one children with systolic heart failure and iron deficiency (median age 11 years, 49% female) met inclusion criteria. Heart failure aetiologies included cardiomyopathy (51%), congenital heart disease (37%), and history of heart transplantation with graft dysfunction (12%). Median dose of oral iron therapy was 2.9 mg/kg/day of elemental iron, prescribed for a median duration of 96 days. Follow-up iron testing was available for 20 patients, of whom 55% (11/20) remained iron deficient despite oral iron therapy. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report on the efficacy of oral iron therapy in children with heart failure. Over half of the children with heart failure did not respond to oral iron and remained iron deficient.
A Political History of Tudor and Stuart England : A Sourcebook

A Political History of Tudor and Stuart England draws together a fascinating selection of sources to illuminate this turbulent era of English history. From the bloody overthrow of Richard III in 1485, to the creation of a worldwide imperial state under Queen Anne, these sources illustrate England's difficult transition from the medieval to the modern. Covering a period characterised by conflict and division, this wide-ranging single-volume collection presents the accounts of Yorkists and Lancastrians, Protestants and Catholics, and Roundheads and Cavaliers side by side. A Political History of Tudor and Stuart England provides a crucial opportunity for students to examine the institutions and events that moulded English history in the early modern era at first-hand.
THERMAL RESCUE OF UV-IRRADIATED BACTERIOPHAGE T4 AND BIPHASIC MODE OF ACTION OF THE WXY SYSTEM

When ultraviolet-irradiated bacteriophage T4 is assayed at plating temperatures ranging from 20° to 40°, its survival increases at the higher temperatures. This "thermal rescue" requires an intact WXY system but not the denV pyrimidine dimer excision system. Mutation rates decrease with increasing temperature, indicating that some lesions processed in a mutagenic manner at lower temperatures are accurately repaired or circumvented at high temperatures. When both the cold sensitivity of UV survival in the wild type and the temperature sensitivity of newly isolated ts mutants of uvsX and uvsY were used, expression of the WXY system was monitored in temperature shift UV survival experiments and was found to be biphasic: the uvsX and uvsY functions increase UV survival in two increments, one at an early and another at a late stage of infection. The uvsW function, however, increases UV survival only early in infection.
Mulling Over Shapes, Rules and Numbers

This paper explores the relationships between geometric constructability, numbers, shapes and shape grammars. Shapes are based on compositional constructs in geometry, which rely upon drawing instruments. Implementing shape grammars relies upon numeric encodings, properties of which specify whether shape algorithms are decidable and/or tractable.
Transforming growth factor‐β1 preserves epithelial barrier function: Identification of receptors, biochemical intermediates, and cytokine antagonists

Freshly isolated human mucosal T lymphocytes in vitro can markedly diminish an important property of intestinal epithelium—its barrier function. On the other hand, cytokines and their cellular receptors, which maintain homeostasis of epithelia, limit epithelial permeability, and preserve barrier function, are not well characterized. Using a described human colonic epithelial cell monolayer system, we found that transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) preserved 75% or more of epithelial barrier function, quantitated electrophysiologically, even in the presence of cytokines generated by a high density of barrier-disruptive mucosa-derived mononuclear cells. In opposing the TGF-β1 effect, cytokines able to reduce barrier function were spontaneously secreted by mucosal T cells and were increased in their barrier effect after T-lymphocyte activation. Further, neutralization of individual cytokines with specific monoclonal antibodies abrogated the lymphocyte-induced reduction in epithelial barrier function, and identified interferon gamma (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10, but not IL-6, as the primary cytokines whose barrier effects were curtailed by TGF-β1. Receptors (RI and RII) for TGF-β1 were found to be localized primarily to the apical and basal membranes of surface epithelium in colonic crypts. These findings provide the scientific basis for new strategies to pharmacologically enhance the barrier function of epithelia in mucosal organs regularly exposed to environmental antigens and to T-lymphocyte products. J. Cell. Physiol. 181:55–66, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Methods for the spiral Salmonella mutagenicity assay including specialized applications

An automated approach to bacterial mutagenicity testing - the spiral Salmonella assay - was developed to simplify testing and to reduce the labor and materials required to generate dose-responsive mutagenicity information. This document provides the reader with an overview of the spiral assay and a discussion of its application for examining the mutagenic potential of pure compounds, complex environmental mixtures, and interactive effects. Guidelines for performing a routine spiral assay are presented, and alternative test methods intended to overcome a variety of technical difficulties (such as restricted sample availability, sample viscosity or volatility, etc.) are recommended. Methods for the computerized analysis of data and the interpretation of results are discussed.
12-GHz-Bandwidth SBS Slow Light in Optical Fibers

We increased the bandwidth of SBS slow light in an optical fiber to 12.6 GHz. We delayed 75-ps pulses by up to 47 ps and studied the data pattern dependence of the broadband SBS slow-light system.
The structure of the [C2H5O]+ ion in the mass spectrum of diethyl ether

The structure of the [C2H5O]+ ion in the spectrum of diethyl ether was examined by use of deuterated ether, CH3CD2OCH2CH3. The results show that, at all electron energies from threshold to 70 eV, the predominant ion is a rearrangement ion, probably protonated acetaldehyde, with very little of the [C2H5O]+ being formed by direct carbon-oxygen bond cleavage. Appearance potential measurements made on the m/e 45, m/e 46 and m/e 47 ions in the deuterated ether show that the threshold structure of the rearrangement ion is protonated acetaldehyde.
Biophysical controls on surface fuel litterfall and decomposition in the northern Rocky Mountains, USA

Litterfall and decomposition rates of the organic matter that comprise forest fuels are important to fire manage- ment, because they define fuel treatment longevity and provide parameters to design, test, and validate ecosystem models. This study explores the environmental factors that control litterfall and decomposition in the context of fuel management for several major forest types in the northern Rocky Mountains (Idaho and Montana), USA. Litterfall was measured for more than 10 years using semiannual collections of six fine fuel components (fallen foliage, twigs, branches, large branches, logs, and all other canopy material) collected from a network of 1 m 2 litterfall traps installed at 28 plots across seven sites. Decomposition of foliage, twigs, branches, and large branches were measured using litter bags installed on five of the seven sites. Measured litterfall and decomposition rates were correlated with major environmental and vegeta- tion variables using regression analysis. Annual foliage litterfall rates ranged from 0.057 kgm -2 � year -1 for dry Pinus pon- derosa Dougl. ex Laws. stands to 0.144 kgm -2 � year -1 on mesic Thuja plicata Donn ex D. Don stands and were correlated with the vegetation characteristics of leaf area index, basal area, and tree height (r > 0.5), whereas decomposition rates were correlated with the environmental gradients of temperature and relative humidity (r > 0.4).
β-Glucuronidase from amphibian tails

Abstract 1. 1. Extracts of tails of Rana grylio froglets show seventeen times the β-glucuronidase activity per gram when compared with tadpoles of this species. 2. 2. Comparison of properties of partially purified enzyme preparations from tadpole and froglet tails resulted in no demonstrable differences in thermal sensitivity or heats of activation. 3. 3. Some slight differences in apparent Km and pH dependency were noted, but may be due to the presence of modifiers in the preparations. 4. 4. A time study of the thermal decay at 73·5°C showed two decays, suggesting the existence of two components in each extract, each comprising about 50 per cent of the total activity in tadpole and in froglet preparations.
Physical Activity and Osteoporotic Fracture Risk in Older Women

Background: Physical activity has been related to enhanced bone mass and improved physical functioning and thus may reduce the risk for osteoporotic fracture. Objective: To determine whether higher...
A nanoscale drug delivery carrier using nucleic acid aptamers for extended release of therapeutic.

Abstract We have synthesized, characterized, and optimized a novel nano drug-delivery carrier that utilizes the versatile properties of nucleic acid for programmable and on-demand drug release. The drug-delivery carrier consists of 15 nm gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) functionalized with drug binding DNA aptamers via single-stranded (ss) anchor DNA. The presence of anchor DNA makes the nanocarrier flexible to be reprogrammed with various aptamers. Under the optimum binding conditions (0.4 M NaCl and 4 μM DNA), a maximum of 101 ± 8 anchor DNA strands were conjugated per particle. On binding DNA-aptamer:drug complexes to AuNPs, a maximum of 35 neomycin molecules were bound per AuNP. Controlled and extended release of drug from the synthesized carrier was obtained by temperature and affinity modulations. Furthermore, for the first time, we demonstrated that neomycin could bind to DNA with very high affinity (Kd = 98.101 nM). This DNA-based nanocarrier, designed using the principles of molecular biology, is expected to impact a number of treatment strategies. From the Clinical Editor In this basic science work, the authors demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing a novel nano drug-delivery carrier with the versatile properties of nucleic acid for programmable and on-demand drug release.
Psychopathology and Nonmedical Drug Use: A Comparison of Patient and Nonpatient Drug Users

This investigation examined the hypothesis that high-rate drug use is not always related to high levels of psychological discomfort. High-rate drug users who were actively involved in treatment are compared to a group of high rate drug users who had never been in treatment nor did they desire it at the time of the investigation. Although both groups used drugs with high frequency, actual patterns of drug use differed. Comparison of MMPI and CAPPS data suggested that the patients were experiencing significantly more distress than were nonpatients. The data further suggest that the patient group had a poorer premorbid level of adjustment. Based on these data patterns of drug use, possible implications for treatment are discussed.
Questioning the Role of a Neutropenic Diet following Hematopoetic Stem Cell Transplantation

The use of a neutropenic diet (ND) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) was instituted more than 30 years ago as a means of preventing infection from organisms colonizing the gastrointestinal tract. Evidence supporting this practice is lacking, however, and the actual efficacy of the ND remains unknown. Institutional policy at Northwestern Memorial Hospital discontinued the use of ND in 2006. We conducted a retrospective study of 726 consecutive HSCT recipients, 363 who received an ND and 363 who received a general hospital diet, to determine the incidence of microbiologically confirmed infections during and after transplantation. Our findings indicate a higher rate of infections in the HSCT recipients who received an ND.
Risk factors for smoking among adolescents with asthma.

Abstract Purpose: To examine the prevalence of smoking among youth with asthma and explore potential risk factors for smoking among these youth, compared with youth without asthma. Methods: In March 1997, a questionnaire assessing risk factors for smoking was administered to students attending public high school in Memphis, Tennessee. The sample (n = 3234) ranged from 15 to 18 years of age, was predominately African-American (76.7%), and 56.7% female. Based on a single self-reported item, 15.7% of youth reported having asthma. Logistic regression analyses assessed asthma status differences in current smoking and the association between risk factors and smoking. Results: Nearly 20% of youth reported current smoking. Adolescents with asthma (current or past) were nearly 1.5 times more likely to smoke than peers without asthma. The association between risk factors and current cigarette smoking was equivalent for youth regardless of whether they had asthma and did not differ for those youth with current vs. past asthma. Conclusions: Results suggest that adolescents with or without asthma smoke for similar reasons. Research is needed to elucidate whether there are unique risk factors, not examined here, for smoking among adolescents with asthma. Smoking prevention and cessation programs are needed for youth with asthma.
The vanilloid receptor and hypertension

Mammalian transient receptor potential (TRP) channels consist of six related protein sub-families that are involved in a variety of pathophysiological function, and disease development. The TRPV1 channel, a member of the TRPV sub-family, is identified by expression cloning using the "hot" pepper-derived vanilloid compound capsaicin as a ligand. Therefore, TRPV1 is also referred as the vanilloid receptor (VR1) or the capsaicin receptor. VR1 is mainly expressed in a subpopulation of primary afferent neurons that project to cardiovascular and renal tissues. These capsaicin-sensitive primary afferent neurons are not only involved in the perception of somatic and visceral pain, but also have a "sensory-effector" function. Regarding the latter, these neurons release stored neuropeptides through a calcium-dependent mechanism via the binding of capsaicin to VR1. The most studied sensory neuropeptides are calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP), which are potent vasodilators and natriuretic/diuretic factors. Recent evidence using the model of neonatal degeneration of capsaicin-sensitive sensory nerves revealed novel mechanisms that underlie increased salt sensitivity and several experimental models of hypertension. These mechanisms include insufficient suppression of plasma renin activity and plasma aldosterone levels subsequent to salt loading, enhancement of sympathoexcitatory response in the face of a salt challenge, activation of the endothelin-1 receptor, and impaired natriuretic response to salt loading in capsaicin-pretreated rats. These data indicate that sensory nerves counterbalance the prohypertensive effects of several neurohormonal systems to maintain normal blood pressure when challenged with salt loading. The therapeutic utilities of vanilloid compounds, endogenous agonists, and sensory neuropeptides are also discussed.
The Annual Wind-driven Rossby Wave in the Subthermocline Equatorial Pacific

Abstract The annual cycle of temperature in the subthermocline equatorial Pacific is studied using a new compilation of historical hydrographic profiles. The observations have several characteristics suggestive of a vertically propagating, first meridional mode (l=1) long-wavelength Rossby wave: phase lines that slope downward from east to west indicative of upward and westward phase propagation amplitude maxima parallel to phase lines, and nearly symmetric off-equatorial maxima of annual amplitude. Estimates of zonal wavenumber, vertical wavenumber, and the location of maxima of isotherm displacements are consistent with those of the l = 1 Rossby wave. A solution to a linear continuously stratified model, driven by a version of the observed annual wind field, confirms this interpretation. The solution is dominated by a vertically propagating, l = 1 Rossby wave. The wave is generated primarily by the westward-propagating component of the equatorial zonal wind field; it carries energy along WKB ray paths i...
Viral evasion of antigen presentation: not just for peptides anymore.

Viruses have evolved several strategies to subvert host defenses. New evidence indicates that herpes simplex virus 1 prevents glycolipid antigen presentation to natural killer T cells by downregulating CD1d expression.
Hexosaminidases in cell-free amniotic fluid

Abstract By heat denaturation at 50° C. serum and amniotic fluid hexosaminidase behave very similarly. pH optima and Michaelis-Menton constants are almost identical for the hexosaminidases from these two sources. The hexosaminidase from amniotic fluid, serum and white blood cells show the same migration on polyacrylamide gel. These studies suggest that amniotic fluid hexosaminidase is the same enzyme as that found in serum and, as such, its determination may be a valuable tool in the rapid prenatal diagnosis of Tay-Sachs disease.
Hispanic Adults and ESL Programs: Barriers to Participation

Hispanic adults represent a significant proportion of the lowliterate population in the United States and are thus a group of great potential concern to educators. Attempts to increase the English literacy levels of this group are limited by lack of empirical data regarding variables that affect Hispanics' participation in educational programs. The purpose of the study reported in this article was to gather information about barriers to participation in ESL programs for these adults. Data were obtained from 200 Hispanic ESL students with the Deterrents to Participation Scale-Form LLS (adapted from Hayes & Darkenwald, 1988). Four orthogonal factors were identified through principal components analysis of the data: Self/School Incongruence, Low Self-Confidence, Lack of Access to Classes, and Situational Constraints. Through disjoint cluster analysis, five types of low-literate Hispanic adults were identified according to their scores on the four deterrent factors. These findings provide information that can be used as the basis for developing strategies and programs to meet the ESL needs of specific subgroups of the adult Hispanic population.
Effect of additives and formulation techniques on controlled release of drugs from microcapsules

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the effects of polysorbate 20 and a poly-electrolyte dispersing agent on the release of solids from microcapsules and to formulate microcapsules which, when subjected to gastrointestinal fluids, would release the encapsulated material at a predictable rate. Samples of microcapsules were subjected to simulated gastric fluid for 0.5 hr. and transferred to simulated intestinal fluid for an additional 2-hr, period. The filtered gastrointestinal fluids were compared spectrophotometrically to known absorption spectra in order to determine the quantity of solid released after each time interval. Results snowed that the additives generally increased the release rate and that a large differential in release rate could be obtained without additives.
Asia in a global war

Abstract This article discusses the role of Asia in a future large‐scale war between the United States and the Soviet Union. The Soviet military buildup in the Far East and Asia's growing economic importance have led some observers to suggest that Asia rather than Europe may become the locus for a future U.S.‐Soviet war. In spite of these changes, however, a “big” U.S.‐Soviet war remains less likely to arise in Asia through escalation of local conflicts in the Far East than through the spread of clashes originating elsewhere, e.g., in Europe or the Persian Gulf. There are a number of reasons, historical and strategic, for thinking that the Soviet Union would not deliberately attack U.S. forces or allies in the Far East in a war that had begun outside of Asia. The United States is therefore likely itself to face the choice of whether to expand a European or South West Asian conflict to the Far East. This can be done in a number of ways, for example, through attacks on Soviet naval forces in the Sea of Okho...
A distinction between exact and approximate nonparametric methods

Nonparametric tests are discussed in relation to parametric tests. A distinction is made between two types of nonparametric tests. One type leads to an exact significance level, the other to an approximate significance level. The failure to distinguish between these two types has led to confusion and error. Examples are cited.
Data Envelopment Analysis Approach to Compare the Environmental Efficiency of Energy Utilization

Due to increasing financial and environmental concerns, governmental rules, regulations and incentives, alternative energy sources are expected to grow at a faster pace than conventional sources of energy. However, the current body of research providing comparative decision-making models for conventional and alternative energy sources is limited. Furthermore, existing literature also falls short in offering a unifying model that benchmarks the technical efficiencies of countries in terms of their energy usage in relation to environmental impact. This paper proposes two sets of Data Envelopment Analysis DEA models to calculate and rank the technical efficiencies of i conventional and alternative energy sources for the United States, and ii energy usage of selected countries depending on various criteria. The first set of DEA models considers both the economics of energy sources and additional environmental criteria such as CO2 emissions and damage cost. The second set evaluates the relative technical efficiencies of the top 25 petroleum consuming countries in the world in terms of the environment. Numerical examples are also included to demonstrate the functionality of the proposed models.