cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coarsening of oxide inclusions in low alloy steel welds

Abstract Oxide inclusions that form in low alloy steel weld metal influence the microstructure development. This work investigates the mechanisms of inclusion coarsening in low alloy steel melts considering fluid flow in the melt. Controlled isothermal localised melting experiments on low alloy steel weld metal samples showed rapid inclusion coarsening as a result of collision and coalescence. The average diameter of the inclusions increased rapidly, resulting in a decrease in the overall number density of the inclusions as a function of holding time. These results are examined to understand weld metal inclusion formation in the presence of convective fluid flow. Investigation of the feasibility of oxide formation showed no oxidation reaction in the solid state.
Metabolic signals regulate SIRT1 expression

SIRT1 is a key metabolic regulator in response to nutrient availability. Here, Chalkiadaki and Guarente comment on a report published online this month in which J. Auwerx and colleagues show how SIRT1 transcription is controlled by the antagonistic actions of CREB and ChREBP in response to the energetic status of the cell.
Defining the public health threat of food fraud.

Abstract: Food fraud, including the more defined subcategory of economically motivated adulteration, is a food risk that is gaining recognition and concern. Regardless of the cause of the food risk, adulteration of food is both an industry and a government responsibility. Food safety, food fraud, and food defense incidents can create adulteration of food with public health threats. Food fraud is an intentional act for economic gain, whereas a food safety incident is an unintentional act with unintentional harm, and a food defense incident is an intentional act with intentional harm. Economically motivated adulteration may be just that—economically motivated—but the food-related public health risks are often more risky than traditional food safety threats because the contaminants are unconventional. Current intervention systems are not designed to look for a near infinite number of potential contaminants. The authors developed the core concepts reported here following comprehensive research of articles and reports, expert elicitation, and an extensive peer review. The intent of this research paper is to provide a base reference document for defining food fraud—it focuses specifically on the public health threat—and to facilitate a shift in focus from intervention to prevention. This will subsequently provide a framework for future quantitative or innovative research. The fraud opportunity is deconstructed using the criminology and behavioral science applications of the crime triangle and the chemistry of the crime. The research provides a food risk matrix and identifies food fraud incident types. This project provides a starting point for future food science, food safety, and food defense research. Practical Application: Food fraud, including the more defined subcategory of economically motivated adulteration, is a food protection threat that has not been defined or holistically addressed. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, led to the development of food defense as an autonomous area of study and a new food protection discipline. As economically motivated adulteration grows in scope, scale, and awareness, it is conceivable that food fraud will achieve the same status as an autonomous concept, between food safety and food defense. This research establishes a starting point for defining food fraud and identifying the public health risks.
Radical cystectomy in patients previously treated for localized prostate cancer.

Objectives To present outcomes of a contemporary series of patients undergoing radical cystectomy (RC) for bladder cancer after previous treatment for localized cancer of the prostate (CaP). Methods A retrospective review of more than 1000 RCs performed for bladder cancer between 1995 and 2008 identified 49 patients previously treated for localized CaP. Patients were stratified according to the type of primary therapy received for CaP: any form of primary or adjuvant radiotherapy (brachytherapy or external beam radiotherapy) versus radical prostatectomy (RP) monotherapy. Perioperative data were analyzed and compared between the 2 groups. Results Of 49 patients, 40 (82%) underwent primary or adjuvant radiotherapy and 9 (18%) RP alone. Eleven (22%) patients received a continent diversion. Mean estimated blood loss (EBL) and hospital stay were 979 mL and 12 days, respectively. Extravesical disease (≥pT3a) was present in 23 patients (57.5%) in the radiotherapy group and in 2 patients (22%) in the RP group. Ten patients (all in the radiotherapy group) had a positive margin, 9 (90%) of whom had pathologic T4 disease. The overall major perioperative complication rate was 41%. Of the 6 patients with an ONB (all after RP), 4 had severe incontinence. Conclusions Patients undergoing RC after previous treatment for localized CaP are at increased risk for perioperative morbidity. Patients should be counseled that orthotopic diversion after RP may be associated with significant incontinence. Extravesical disease is more prevalent in patients treated with previous radiation. We observed a high rate of positive margins associated with pathologic T4 disease in this cohort.
A Comprehensive Study of Three Delay Compensation Algorithms for Flight Simulators

This paper summarizes a comprehensive study of three predictors used for compensating the transport delay in a flight simulator; The McFarland, Adaptive and State Space Predictors. The paper presents proof that the stochastic approximation algorithm can achieve the best compensation among all four adaptive predictors, and intensively investigates the relationship between the state space predictor s compensation quality and its reference model. Piloted simulation tests show that the adaptive predictor and state space predictor can achieve better compensation of transport delay than the McFarland predictor.
Histological and neurochemical effects of fetal treatment with methylazoxymethanol on rat neocortex in adulthood.

Summary Forebrain microencephaly results when developing rats are exposed to methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) at 15 days of gestation (DG). This potent alkylating agent is selectively cytotoxic for dividing cells. Since distinct neuronal populations in neocortex vary greatly with respect to timing of mitotic activity during gestation, it was predicted that some groups would be differentially reduced by treatment. Histological examination of neocortex from treated rats grown to adulthood revealed major losses of laminae II–IV with relative preservation of deeper layers. The atrophic adult neocortex was further characterized by assay of several defined pre- and postsynaptic neurochemical markers. Total markers for GABAergic neurons were greatly reduced (glutamate decarboxylase —71%, [3H]GABA synaptosomal uptake —63% and endogenous GABA —59%). Total [3H]GABA binding to cortical membranes was reduced 67%. Total [3H]glutamate synaptosomal uptake and endogenous glutamate were reduced 71% and 65% respectively. In contrast, total presynaptic markers for noradrenergic innervation were minimally altered but concentration of tyrosine hydroxylase, [3H]norepinephrine synaptosomal uptake and endogenous norepinephrine were increased by 275%, 130% and 133%, respectively. Concentration of cholinergic presynaptic markers was also increased (choline acetyltransferase +97%, endogenous acetylcholine +64%) in atrophic cortex, but to a lesser degree than for noradrenergic innervation. Specific binding of muscarinic cholinergic antagonist [3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate and the β-adrenergic receptor antagonist [3H]dihydroalprenolol was reduced 25% and 29% respectively in treated cortex. Thus, MAM treatment at 15 DG severely reduces intrinsic neuronal populations including GABAergic and glutamatergic neurons, and produces a shrunken cortex relatively hyperinnervated by noradrenergic and cholinergic neurons. MAM-induced micro-encephaly is a useful model system for producing relatively selective lesions of telencephalic neurons and for study of altered neurochemical relationships following developmentally incurred brain damage.
Paper Chromatography of Flax Fibre Polyuronide Hemicellulose

IT is well known that pectic substances are broken down during the retting of flax. There is evidence that other polyuronides also occur in flax straw and are attacked in retting1. Their constitution is therefore of great interest in flax research. The sugar constituents of the polyuronide hemicellulose have been investigated. This substance was obtained from fibre separated from flax straw by purely mechanical means without previous retting. Finely ground fibre was extracted successively with ether, petroleum ether, ethanol and water. Pectic substances were removed with seven 30-min. extractions with boiling 0.5 per cent ammonium oxalate solution. The residue, after washing with water, ethanol and ether followed by air-drying, was extracted twice for 24 hr. with cold 4 per cent sodium hydroxide solution. The filtered extract was acidified with glacial acetic acid and the hemicellulose was precipitated with ethanol. The precipitate was well washed and dried from ethanol and ether. Approximately 3 gm. of polyuronide hemicellulose was obtained as a slightly greyish powder, lignin content 1.8 per cent, uronic acid anhydride content 7.1 per cent (19 per cent hydrochloric acid method2).
Effect of dose on bioavailability of oral digoxin

Nine healthy volunteers received single 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 mg doses of oral digoxin tablets in random sequence on five occasions separated by at least 4 weeks. Urinary excretion of immunoassayable digoxin was determined from 8 consecutive 24 h urine samples collected after each dose. Mean values of cumulative urinary excretion of digoxin at the 5 doses were: 40.9, 35.6, 36.4, 34.1, and 33.5% of the dose (F=0.64; d. f.=4.32; N. S.). Mean values of urinary excretion half-life were: 2.48, 2.03, 2.20, 2.07, and 1.87 days (F=2.87; d. f.=4.32;p=0.05). Thus, the bioavailability of orally administered digoxin tablets in healthy volunteers is dose-independent over an 8-fold range of doses.
Gluing Langmuir−Blodgett Monolayers onto Hydrocarbon Surfaces

This paper describes a new approach for modifying hydrophobic surfaces that is based on the use of ionically cross-linked (i.e., “glued”) Langmuir−Blodgett monolayers. Specifically, this work shows how monolayers of 5,11,17,23,29,35-hexa(trimethylammonium methyl)-37,38,39,40,41,42-hexakis-n-hexadecyloxy-calix[6]arene (1a), which have been ionically cross-linked with poly(4-styrene-sulfonate) (PSS, MW 30,000−50,000), can be deposited onto silylated silicon wafers with their polar headgroups extending outward into air. This work also demonstrates the feasibility of using glued monolayers of 1a as “anchors” for attaching alternating layers of poly(diallyldimethylammonium) [PDADMA] and PSS ions onto these same hydrocarbon surfaces.
On the nature of intraindividual personality variability: Reliability, validity, and associations with well-being.

Intraindividual personality variability is a construct that reflects the extent to which a person's self-reported personality changes over time or across social roles. Past studies have linked variability with important outcomes such as adjustment and well-being. However, existing variability measures conflate mean-level variance with true change over time, and thus these past findings are questionable. Three studies were conducted to examine the psychometric properties of existing variability indexes and to develop a new index that does not suffer from the problem of conflated variance. This new index is reliable and valid and can predict actual changes in self-reports over time. However, once mean-level variance is removed, intraindividual variability is no longer related to well-being.
SVG for navigating digital news video

Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) is a language for describing two-dimensional graphics in XML, specifically vector graphic shapes, images, and text. SVG is a new World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) Candidate Recommendation as of November 2000, and this paper describes how SVG provides an ideal framework for presenting manipulable, interactive summarizations into a multimedia information repository. Specifically, we present VIBE and map SVG interfaces into a digital news video library for delivery through web browsers. Pan-and-zoom visualizations of video through SVG are discussed.
Focus+Context sketching on a pocket PC

Current Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) such as Pocket PCs provide little support for sketching. This is due, no doubt, to the limited screen size and relatively poor resolution of these devices. To support sketching on these devices, we describe a Focus+Context technique using fisheye views integrated into a sketching application on Pocket PCs. Our technique creates a distorted display view of a canvas that is larger than a Pocket PC screen. Users draw in a high resolution focus area that is smoothly embedded into the distorted context. We have conducted a modest user trial that validates user preference for this drawing technique over a traditional scroll-bar based interface.
Preselection of Child's Sex: Technological Utilization and Feminism

A survey of 236 undergraduates was conducted to assess preference for sex of firstborn. Respondents also indicated their support for the women's movement and their willingness to use sex-selection techniques when these become available. Results confirm earlier findings of significant preference for boys by both female and male college students, although almost half of all respondents indicated they had no preference. There was no relationship between support of the women's movement and sex preference by females in this sample, but those males who indicated “strong support” were unanimous in indicating no preference for sex of firstborn. Among students who indicated a willingness to use sex-choice technology there was an overwhelming preference for boys. Possible implications of these stated choices were discussed, as were limitations of the present sample.
Draft genome sequence of an Actinobacterium, Brachybacterium muris strain UCD-AY4.

ABSTRACT Here we present the draft genome of an actinobacterium, Brachybacterium muris UCD-AY4. The assembly contains 3,257,338 bp and has a GC content of 70%. This strain was isolated from a residential bath towel and has a 16S rRNA gene 99.7% identical to that of the original B. muris strain, C3H-21.
Sigmoidal creep of Ni3(Al, Ta)

Abstract Incremental creep tests have been used to explore the time-dependent plastic behavior of single-slip oriented Ni 3 (Al, Ta) at low temperatures in the anomalous flow regime. For selected incremental creep experiments at 20 and 100 °C, it was discovered that Ni 3 Al exhibited sigmoidal creep, where there is a significant time delay before the plastic strain rate accelerates to a maximum value during a creep experiment. Several of the factors that affect the sigmoidal creep response have been identified. The origin of sigmoidal creep is accounted for using a simple model of work hardening in Ni 3 Al, where the acceleration of the creep rate is a direct result of the annihilation of the existing dislocation substructure.
Evidence for sexual isolation as a prezygotic barrier to gene flow between morphologically divergent species of Rhagoletis fruit flies

1. Certain groups of fruit flies in the genus Rhagoletis (Diptera: Tephritidae) are exemplars for sympatric speciation via host plant shifting. Flies in these species groups are morphologically similar and overlap in their geographic ranges, yet attack different, non-overlapping sets of host plants. Ecological adaptations related to differences in host choice and preference have been shown to be important prezygotic barriers to gene flow between these taxa, as Rhagoletis flies mate on or near the fruit of their respective host plants. Non-host-related assortative mating is generally absent or present at low levels between these sympatrically diverging fly populations. 2. However, some Rhagoletis taxa occasionally migrate to ‘non-natal’ plants that are the primary hosts of other, morphologically differentiated fly species in the genus. These observations raise the question of whether sexual isolation may reduce courtship and copulation between morphologically divergent species of Rhagoletis flies, contributing to their prezygotic isolation along with host-specific mating. 3. Using reciprocal multiple-choice mating trials, we measured sexual isolation among nine species pairs of morphologically differentiated Rhagoletis flies. Complete sexual isolation was observed in eight of the nine comparisons, while partial sexual isolation was observed in the remaining comparison. 4. We conclude that sexual isolation can be an effective prezygotic barrier to gene flow contributing to substantial reproductive isolation between many morphologically distinct Rhagoletis species, even in the absence of differential host plant choice and host-associated mating.
Challenges to children's research: The road ahead. Sponsored by SIG USE

The study of children's information-seeking behavior bears many challenges. Children are information seekers with needs and development characteristics that vary from those of adults. Cognitive developmental ability, memory and recall levels; emotional, social, and physical developments are factors that influence use of various information retrieval systems. Reliable, multiple inquiry methods are needed to elicit children's information-seeking behavior. What research methodology would best be suited for the study of children's information seeking? Federal regulations require that researchers submit an application to an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to request permission for using children as subjects in research projects. The IRB guidelines may discourage many researchers from conducting such research due to complexity and time involved to comply with the regulations. The presenters will report on the results of recent studies that employed various types of inquiry methods to examine children's information-seeking behavior, and will discuss the IRB regulations relating to use of children as human subjects in research projects.
Oil Wealth, Colonial Legacies, and the Challenges of Economic Liberalization

This article examines the relationship between oil wealth and the adoption of economic liberalization, specifically financial and investment reforms. It argues that volatility in the international oil market renders oil-producing countries less likely to adopt financial and investment liberalization. This is particularly the case for long-term oil producers in the developing world who had firsthand experience with colonialism. A statistical analysis confirms these hypotheses after controlling for rival factors. Despite pressures for countries to work toward greater economic liberalization, oil wealth and the legacy of colonialism can lead countries away from reform in certain policy areas.
Metaphase chromosomes from primary culture of human amniotic fluid cells

A new growth medium is specially designed for reliable and reproducible primary culture of human amniotic fluid cells. In comparison with many conventional media at 15 to 20% serum, this medium at 4% serum provides actively growing primary cultures for cytogenetic studies in less time with a larger number of metaphase cells present.
Analyticity of scattering for the $\phi^4$ theory

We consider scattering for the equation (□+m2)ϕ+λϕ3=0 on four-dimensional Minkowski space. Form>0, one-to-one and onto wave operatorsW±λ:H→H are known to exist for all λ≧0, whereH denotes the Hilbert space of finite-energy Cauchy data. We prove that the maps (λ,u)↦W±λ (u) and (λ,u)↦(W±λ)−1 (u) are continuous from [0, ∞)×H toH, and extend to real-analytic functions from an open neighborhood of {0}×H∪ℝ×{0}⊂ℝ×H to the Hilbert spaceH−1 of Cauchy data with Poincare-invariant norm. Form=0, wave operatorsW±λ are known to exist as diffeomorphisms ofH for all λ≧0, where hereH denotes the Hilbert space of finite Einstein energy Cauchy data. In this case we prove that the maps (λ,u)↦(W±λ) (u) and (λ,u)↦(W±λ)−1 (u) extend to real-analytic functions from a neighborhood of [0, ∞)×H⊂ℝ×H toH.
Internal cardiac massage and mediastinal irrigation in hypothermic cardiac arrest.

Abstract Two unconscious patients with unknown past medical histories were found to be severely hypothermic, with core temperatures of 80.2°F and 86.7°F, respectively. During the course of active internal rewarming, both patients sustained a cardiac arrest. Emergency throacotomies were immediately done, and internal cardiac massage with warmed mediastinal irrigation was performed. Spontaneous cardiac activity developed in both patients. Within 24 hours after resuscitation, both patients were responsive and following commands.
Clinical pharmacology of intermediate-dose oral methotrexate

The clinical pharmacology of intermediatedose oral methotrexate (MTX) was studied in nine patients receiving 18 courses of treatment. Serum and urine MTX concentrations were measured by means of a competitive protein binding assay after oral aqueous solution (3 courses), 50-mg tablets (13 courses) or IV drug (2 courses) had been administered in four doses of 100 mg/m2 at 6-h intervals or in four doses of 200 mg/m2 at 6-h intervals and followed by citrovorum factor rescue. Levels above 150 ng/ml (3.3x10-7 M) were maintained throughout all treatment cycles, with rapid disappearance of drug after the last dose. A 100% increase in administered dose resulted in only a 42% increase in the concentration-time level. Methotrexate was absorbed well from both aqueous solutions and 50-mg tablets, but serum levels after 50-mg tablets were only 20% of those achieved after IV administration. We conclude that significant serum MTX concentrations can be achieved for prolonged periods of time after oral administration of intermediate doses, but that the proportion of drug absorbed is much less than is seen with lower doses.
Preliminary study of N2O flux over irrigated bermudagrass in a desert environment

Abstract The increase of atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) is believed to be related to human activities, including increased agricultural use of nitrogen (N) fertilizers and irrigation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate N2O flux (FN) into the atmosphere using chamber and gradient profile methods over an irrigated, N fertilized, bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon cv. ‘Midiron’) field in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona. For the gradient profile method it was hypothesized that locally stable atmospheric conditions would enhance N2O concentration differences sufficiently (more than approximately 4 nl 1−1) to be resolved by gas chromatographic analysis of air samples collected at two heights (0.05 and 3.3 m) over the field. Significant differences (205 and 30 nl 1−1) in mean concentration occurred during two sampling intervals in late afternoon and early morning of a 24 h period on 18–19 July 1991. During those intervals the surface layer was stable and relatively large FN estimated by the chamber method (371 and 48 ng m−2 s−1) were comparable with FN estimated by the gradient profile method (283 and 101 ng m−2 s−1). Simulations based on similarity theory indicate that resolution of N2O concentration differences less than 1 nl 1−1 was required, but could not be achieved, when the surface layer was unstable and/or FN was small. Analysis also indicates that uncertainty of FN estimated by the chamber method was reduced slightly by estimation of temporal variation of vapor pressure in chamber air.
Continuous analogs of the gradient projection metrod in nonlinear programming

A class of gradient descent algorithms is described for the minimization of a differentiable function on Rn subject to nonlinear constraints. The method is based on autonomous systems of differential equations which represent continuous versions of gradient projection and reduced gradient descent. A distinctive feature of the approach is a special provision that corrects for constraint violation by means of a modified Newton method.
Comparison of gynecologic history and laboratory results in HIV-positive women with CD4+ lymphocyte counts between 200 and 500 cells/μl and below 100 cells/μl

OBJECTIVE To assess rates of sexual activity, contraceptive use, genital infections and dysplasia, and other gynecologic symptoms among well-characterized populations of HIV-seropositive women enrolled in two Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (AACTG) randomized studies. METHODS Gynecologic data were collected using standardized interview and examination forms from women enrolled in two protocols: ACTG 175, an antiretroviral trial (CD4+ lymphocyte counts 200-500 cells/microl) and ACTG 196, a Mycobacterium avium complex prophylaxis trial (CD4+ counts < or =100 cells/microl). RESULTS Women enrolled in the two studies were similar in age, race, weight, and history of illicit or injection drug use, but women in ACTG 196 (n = 67) had lower median CD4+ counts (median, 35 cells/microl; range, 0-135 cells/microl versus median, 356 cells/microl; range, 131-620 cells/microl; p < .0005), were less likely to be antiretroviral naive (6% versus 38%; p < .0005), and were more likely to have a Karnofsky score <80 (28% versus 5%; p < .0001) than women in ACTG 175 (n = 185) at baseline. Recent changes in menstrual cycle were not different between groups. Women enrolled in ACTG 196 were less likely to be sexually active (40% versus 61%; p < .005), but both groups reported high levels of contraceptive use. Papanicolaou smear results in ACTG 196 and ACTG 175 respectively, were: normal, 38% and 50%, atypia, 24% and 39%, low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL), 27% and 10%, and high-grade SIL, 11% and 0.7% (p < .001). CONCLUSIONS Gynecologic complications are common among HIV-seropositive women with CD4+ lymphocyte counts < 500 cells/microl and are more common and severe among those with more advanced immunosuppression.
A Synthetic Connexin 43 Mimetic Peptide Augments Corneal Wound Healing

The ability to safely and quickly close wounds and lacerations is an area of need in regenerative medicine, with implications toward healing a wide range of tissues and wounds. Using an in vivo corneal injury model, our study applied a newly developed peptide capable of promotion of wound healing and epithelial regeneration. The alpha-carboxy terminus 1 (αCT1) peptide is a 25 amino acid peptide from the C-terminus of connexin 43 (Cx43), modified to promote cellular uptake. Previous studies applying αCT1 to excisional skin wounds in porcine models produced tissues having an overall reduced level of scar tissue and decreased healing time. Rapid metabolism of αCT1 in previous work led to the investigation of extended release on wound healing rate used in this study. Here we delivered αCT1 both directly, in a concentrated pluronic solution, and in a sustained system, using polymeric alginate-poly-l-ornithine (A-PLO) microcapsules. Cell toxicity analysis showed minimal cell-loss with microcapsule treatment. Measurement of wound healing using histology and fluorescence microscopy indicated significant reduction in healing time of αCT1 microcapsule treated rat corneas compared with controls (88% vs. 38%). RT-PCR analysis showed an initial up regulation followed by down regulation of the gene keratin-19 (Krt19). Zonula occludens 1 (ZO-1) showed an opposite down regulation followed by an up regulation whereas Cx43 showed a biphasic response. Inflammatory indexes demonstrated a reduction in the inflammation of corneas treated with αCT1 microcapsules when compared with pluronic gel vehicle. These results suggest αCT1, when applied in a sustained release system, acts as a beneficial wound healing treatment.
Gravitational artifact in accelerometric measurements of tremor.

Abstract Objective To illustrate the problem of gravitational artifact in accelerometric recordings of tremor. Methods Gravitational and inertial accelerations were computed for a triaxial accelerometer that was attached to a hand, oscillating vertically about the wrist. Mathematical equations for hand motion were solved with commercial software. Results Accelerometer output contains proportionately larger gravitational artifact at lower frequencies of oscillation and when the accelerometer is mounted closer to the wrist. A vertical accelerometer axis contains nearly constant gravitational artifact when the amplitude of wrist oscillation is less than ±20°. Proportionately large gravitational artifact can occur in accelerometer axes that are perpendicular to the path of motion. Gravitational and inertial oscillations at twice the frequency of wrist oscillation emerge from the equations of motion. Conclusions When the hand is horizontal, the vertical accelerometer axis contains nearly constant gravitational artifact during the recording of most tremors, and high-pass filtering effectively removes this artifact. Gravitational artifact is more problematic when the hand is vertical, as during the measurement of Parkinson rest tremor, particularly if the accelerometer is mounted close to the wrist. Significance Two accelerometers, mounted in parallel, are needed to capture hand rotation in a single plane of motion, free of gravitational artifact.
Oestrogen, its receptors and function in the male reproductive tract — a review

Oestrogen is synthesized in the male reproductive system by at least three different cell types; Sertoli, Leydig and germ cells. Although testosterone is recognized as the primary sex steroid in man, oestrogen is produced in sizable quantities in the testis, as well as the brain and is found in extremely high concentrations in the semen of several species. The high concentration of oestrogen in rete testis fluid of the rodent is now thought to be derived from the conversion of testosterone to estradiol by P450 aromatase in germ cells of the testis and spermatozoa traversing the reproductive tract. This new major source of oestrogen would target oestrogen receptors in the male reproductive tract, in particular the efferent ductules, which contain the highest concentration of oestrogen receptor-alpha. This recent data raises new hypotheses regarding the role of oestrogen in the function of the male reproductive system. The oestrogen receptor-alpha knockout mouse was used to help define the function of oestrogen in the male. It was found that oestrogen receptor-alpha is essential for fluid reabsorption in the efferent ductules and in the absence of expression the male is infertile.
Generalized arousal of mammalian central nervous system.

A fundamental capacity of the mammalian CNS is becoming amenable to study with the techniques of functional genomics. Emphasized in this review are ascending connections from the medullary reticular formation and descending connections from the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus. In particular, sex hormone effects on neurons allow us to relate generalized arousal to a specific form of arousal which is required for reproductive behaviors. J. Comp. Neurol. 493:86–91, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A new pharmaceutical concept for the treatment of oropharyngeal and oesophageal candidosis with fluconazole

Summary. Administration of fluconazole in capsule form has proved effective in the prophylaxis and treatment of mucosal candidosis, particularly in immunosuppressed patients. An additional topical effect in oropharyngeal and oesophageal candidosis might be expected with a fluconazole suspension. This hypothesis was therefore tested in a crossover study in 12 healthy volunteers in whom the concentrations of the antimycotic were measured in saliva and plasma after oral administration of 100 mg flaconazole as either a capsule or a suspension. The time courses of the fluconazole concentrations were very similar with the two formulations in plasma, but significantly different in saliva. Thus, the mean Cmax for fluconazole in saliva of 551 μg ml-1was reached 5 min after ingestion of the suspension, compared with a value of 3 μg ml-1some 4 h after taking the capsule. The mean concentration of the antimycotic in saliva over the observation period (0–96 h) was more than 80% higher with the suspension than with the capsule. Zusammenfassung. Die Applikation von Fluconazol-Kapseln hat sich in der Prophylaxe und Therapie von Schleimhaut-Candidosen insbeson-dere auch immunsupprimierter Patienten bewahrt. Von der Darreichungsform einer Fluconazol-Suspension wird ein zusatzlicher topischer Effekt auf den Verlauf der oropharyngealen und oesophagealen Candidose erwartet. Deshalb wurde die Pharmakokinetik des Antimykotikums im Speichel und Blut nach oraler Applikation von 100 mg Fluconazol als Suspension bzw. Kapsel im Uber-kreuzversuch an 12 gesunden Probanden verglichen. Dabei zeigten die nach Einnahme der Suspension oder Kapsel gemessenen Fluconazol-Konzentrationen ein sehr ahnliches Blutspiegel-profil, wahrend sich die pharmakokinetischen Daten beider Daireichungsformen im Speichel der Probanden signifikant unterschieden. Fluconazol Cmax im Speichel betrug 551 μg ml-1funf Minuten nach Einnahme der Suspension bzw. 3 μg ml-1vier Stunden nach Applikation der Kapsel. Die Ergebnisse zeigten, das bei entsprechender Anwendung der Suspension die im Speichel vorliegenden mittleren Konzentrationen des Antimykotikums uber den Beobachtungszeitraum (0-96h)>80% hoher sind als nach Medikation der Kapsel.
988 HEART RATE AND HEART RATE VARIABILITY IN NORMAL AND ABORTED SIDS INFANTS DURING SLEEP

Heart rate (HR) and HR variability were studied in 15 normal infants and 6 infants with aborted Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) during sleep at monthly intervals through 4 months of age. The RR interval (inverse of heart rate) was measured to an accuracy of 0.2 msec. Sleep was staged using EEG, EOG, EMG and behavioral criteria. The median HR was 4 to 10% greater in the aborted SIDS infants at each age in both sleep states and this was significant at 2,3 and 4 months in quiet and at 3 months in REM sleep (p < 0.05, Wilcoxon Rank Sum test). The beat to beat variability of the HR (Δ RR) in the aborted SIDS infants was 6 to 40% smaller than in the normal infants in both REM and quiet sleep at each age studied. The interquartile range of the HR, a measure of overall variability in HR, was the same in the aborted SIDS and normal infants. In both groups, the HR and its interquartile range were greater in REM sleep. These studies indicate that the group of infants with aborted SIDS may be differentiated from the normal infants by their increased heart rate and decreased beat to beat variability, and that these findings may reflect abnormal autonomic regulation of the heart rate.
Atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor in a patient with Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome

Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) is a genetic disorder associated with an increased risk of childhood tumors. Here we describe a patient with BWS who developed a central nervous system atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor (AT/RT). To our knowledge, despite the known cancer predisposition, this patient is the first described with BWS to develop an AT/RT. Due to the high propensity of these patients to develop childhood tumors, in addition to routine diagnostic tests, analysis of the tumor DNA using the Illumina Infinium whole-genome genotyping 550K Beadchip was performed to investigate a possible common underlying mechanism for his BWS and AT/RT. The only alteration detected was monosomy 22, which was accompanied by a somatic mutation in the INI1 rhabdoid tumor gene. These results suggest that, despite an underlying cancer predisposition, the occurrence of BWS and AT/RT in this patient may be unrelated.
Convenient Analytic Form for the Deuteron Wave Function

A convenient analytical form for the deuteron wave function is presented which reproduces the static properties of the deuteron, and is in accord with numerical wave functions which fit neutron-proton scattering data up to 300 MeV.
Early Primary Care Provider Follow-up and Readmission After High-Risk Surgery

Importance Follow-up with a primary care provider (PCP) in addition to the surgical team is routinely recommended to patients discharged after major surgery despite no clear evidence that it improves outcomes. Objective To test whether PCP follow-up is associated with lower 30-day readmission rates after open thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) repair and ventral hernia repair (VHR), surgical procedures known to have a high and low risk of readmission, respectively. Design, Setting, and Participants In a cohort of Medicare beneficiaries discharged to home after open TAA repair (n = 12 679) and VHR (n = 52 807) between 2003 to 2010, we compared 30-day readmission rates between patients seen and not seen by a PCP within 30 days of discharge and across tertiles of regional primary care use. We stratified our analysis by the presence of complications during the surgical (index) admission. Main Outcomes and Measures Thirty-day readmission rate. Results Overall, 2619 patients (20.6%) undergoing open TAA repair and 4927 patients (9.3%) undergoing VHR were readmitted within 30 days after surgery. Complications occurred in 4649 patients (36.6%) undergoing open TAA repair and 4528 patients (8.6%) undergoing VHR during their surgical admission. Early follow-up with a PCP significantly reduced the risk of readmission among open TAA patients who experienced perioperative complications, from 35.0% (without follow-up) to 20.4% (with follow-up) ( P P = .31). In comparison, early follow-up with a PCP after VHR did not reduce the risk of readmission, regardless of complications. In adjusted regional analyses, undergoing open TAA repair in regions with high compared with low primary care use was associated with an 18% lower likelihood of 30-day readmission (odds ratio, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.71-0.96; P = .02), whereas no significant difference was found among patients after VHR. Conclusions and Relevance Follow-up with a PCP after high-risk surgery (eg, open TAA repair), especially among patients with complications, is associated with a lower risk of hospital readmission. Patients undergoing lower-risk surgery (eg, VHR) do not receive the same benefit from early PCP follow-up. Identifying high-risk surgical patients who will benefit from PCP integration during care transitions may offer a low-cost solution toward limiting readmissions.
Thermal Chemistry of 1-Methyl-1-cyclohexene and Methylene Cyclohexane on Pt(111) Single-Crystal Surfaces

The reactivity of 1-methyl-1-cyclohexene (1MC6=) and methylene cyclohexane (MeC6) on a Pt(111) single-crystal surface was investigated by means of temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) and reflection−absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS). Dehydrogenation of both compounds occurs via the formation of a common 1-methyl cyclohexenyl species, as corroborated by supporting data from cyclohexene dehydrogenation and 3-bromo cyclohexene thermal activation on Pt(111), and leads to the ultimate formation of toluene, which desorbs at 430 K. On the other hand, hydrogenation, isomerization, and H−D exchange reactions all take place by following the so-called Horiuti−Polanyi mechanism and involve a common 1-methyl cyclohexyl surface intermediate. 1MC6= and MeC6 display different reactivities, with MeC6 isomerizing to 1MC6=, but both hydrogenate to methyl cyclohexane (MC6). These reactions are enhanced by the presence of predosed hydrogen on the surface and undergo extensive early H−D exchange if deuterium is used ...
Image Algebra: A Rigorous And Translucent Way Of Expressing All Image Processing Operations

An image algebra has been defined which is capable of expressing all finite image-to image gray level transformations. The purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) to prove the sufficiency of the algebra, and (2) to introduce the reader to the basic concepts of the algebra.
Revisiting the research–practice gap in HR: A longitudinal analysis

Abstract Over 6300 articles published in 4 HR-focused journals over a 30-year period of time (1976–2005) were content analyzed according to 14 topic areas. The purpose of the study was to examine changes that have taken place over a 30-year time frame. Specifically, what HR issues dominate the field during the past and the present? And to what extent has the HR research–practice gap narrowed or widened over time? The results indicate that HR Development and Staffing were dominant HR issues throughout the past 30 years. In addition, some HR topics demonstrated a stable research–practice gap (Motivation-related issues), and other topics were characterized by an increasing gap (Compensation & rewards), a decreasing gap (Employee/Labor relations), or no significant gap (HR Developments, Staffing). These findings are discussed in the context of key human capital trends.
(1,3-Propanediyl) silylene-bis(1-indenyl) dichlorozirconium. Synthesis and polymerization catalysis

Abstract Reaction of indenyllithium with 1,1-dichlorosilacyclobutane gave a mixture of diastereomeric isomers of 1,1-bis(10ineenyl)-1-silacyclobutane (1), and the product was in turn converted into diastereomeric (1,3-propanediyl)silylene-bis(1-indenyl)dichlorozirconium complexes (2) in a 5:2 racemic:meso ratio. Complex 2 was activated with either methyl aluminoxane (MAO) or Ph3CB(C6F5)4 to perform ethylene and propylene polymerization over a very board range of temperature of polymerization (−55°C ≤ Tp ≤ 85°C). Variations of the polymerization activity (A) and molecular weight (MW) with Tp were investigated as well as the isotactic yield (IY) in the case of propylene polymerizations. Comparisons of those results with other closely related ansa-zirconocene precursors were also made.
Acute effects of hydrocortisone on the human brain: An fMRI study

Cortisol is essential for regulating all cell types in the body, including those in the brain. Most information concerning cortisol’s cerebral effects comes from work in nonhumans. This is a first effort to use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to study the time course and locus of cortisol’s effects on selected brain structures in resting humans. We repeatedly scanned 21 healthy young adults over 45 min to examine changes in the brain’s activity 5 min before, and for 40 min after, an IV injection of 10 mg of hydrocortisone (N = 11) or saline placebo (N = 10). At 15–18 min postinjection we observed in the hydrocortisone group reduced activity in the hippocampus and amygdala that reached a peak response minimum at 25–30 min postinjection (−1 Standard Deviation) relative to placebo. No such effect was seen in the thalamus. Functional MRI appears to be a safe, noninvasive method to study the time course and anatomical effects of glucocorticoids in the human brain.
A population-based study of severity in patients with acute on chronic pancreatitis.

ObjectivesThe objectives of this study were to evaluate the severity of patients with acute pancreatitis (AP) on chronic pancreatitis (CP) and compare this to patients with AP without CP.MethodsThe Maryland Health Services database was queried for all adult inpatient discharges with a primary diagno
Shaping a new society: Immigration, integration, and schooling in Germany

Germany’s immigrant population has dramatically increased since World War II, bringing a new need for immigrant-centered policies and programs. How has Germany responded to the needs of its growing immigrant population? This article provides brief historical highlights of German immigration policy, with a focus on how policies have affected education and academic achievement. Implications of such policies for social work practice are discussed, and recommendations for ways in which social workers can take an active role in fostering integration of immigrant families into German society are offered.
Comparative studies of taxol and taxotere on tumor growth and lymphocyte functions.

Abstract Taxotere, a semisynthetic derivative similar to taxol, has shown promising results in vitro and in preliminary in vivo studies. We have previously reported that taxol at 10 μg/ml suppressed the cytotoxic function and activation of natural killer cells and major histocompatibility nonrestricted (MHC-NR) T cells against the ovarian cell line OV-2774 and the erythroleukemia cell line K-562. In this paper, we investigated the effect of taxotere on lymphocyte function and found that a suppression of MHC-NR cytotoxicity of naive lymphocytes is only seen at higher doses of taxotere (50 μg/ml). At the concentrations of 10 and 50 μg/ml, taxotere did not have any effect on the cytotoxic function of IL-2-preactivated lymphocytes. On the contrary, both taxol and taxotere caused a significant suppression of lymphocyte growth and activation with IL-2 at 10 and 50 μg/ml. Both drugs (at the concentration of 10 μg/ml) were potent inhibitors of the growth of the tumor cell lines OV-2774 and K-562. In conclusion, despite the fact that taxotere shares with taxol a potent antitumor effect, it seems to be less suppressive for lymphocyte cytotoxicity, an effect clearly desirable in cancer therapy.
GLC Determination of 17α‐Ethynylestriol 3‐Cyclopentyl Ether

A rapid, sensitive, and accurate GLC method of analysis of a new estrogenic drug, 17α‐ethynylestriol 3‐cyclopentyl ether, was developed. The drug and the internal standard, tetratri‐acontane, are dissolved in chloroform, and an aliquot is heated with N‐trimethylsilylimidazole at 80° for 30 min. The silylated sample is chromatographed using a column packed with 1% methyl vinyl silicone gum on Gas Chrom Q. Quantitation is achieved by computer calculation of the peak area ratios. The observed peak is the 16α, 17β‐bistrimethylsilyl derivative of the new drug substance. The GLC method was applied to the quantitative determination of the estrogenic compound in a tablet formulation containing 25 μg/tablet.
Correlates of team success in higher education.

(2001). Correlates of Team Success in Higher Education. The Journal of Social Psychology: Vol. 141, No. 1, pp. 135-136.
The early supra-additive apoptotic response of R3327-G prostate tumors to androgen ablation and radiation is not sustained with multiple fractions.

Abstract Purpose: The treatment of R3327-G tumor-bearing rats with androgen ablation (AA) via castration results in a supra-additive increase in apoptosis when 2–8 Gy γ-irradiation (RT) is given as a single dose 3–14 days afterwards. We report here the dose response and effect of multiple fractions on this supra-additive apoptotic response. Materials and Methods: Dunning R3327-G tumors were grown in the flanks of Copenhagen rats and the experiments were initiated at a tumor volume of 1.0–1.5 cc. Androgen ablation was achieved by castration 3 days prior to γ-irradiation. Apoptosis was measured with a terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP-biotin nick end-labeling assay 6-h after RT, unless otherwise specified. Results: The dose response of the supra-additive apoptotic response was assessed by irradiating castrated animals with single doses of 2, 4, 8, or 16 Gy ( n = 5 per group); tumor cell apoptosis at 6-h following irradiation was 2.4% ± 0.7% (± SEM), 4.2% ± 0.8%, 6.5% ± 1.4%, and 1.6% ± 0.3%, respectively. The RT only and AA only controls had Conclusion: The early supra-additive apoptotic response from AA and single fraction radiation is not seen at high single fraction doses and is not sustained with repeated fractions. Therefore, the classical apoptotic response that occurs within 24 h of irradiation is not likely to be the main mechanism responsible for any clinical benefit seen with this combination.
Achilles Tendon Disorders

Achilles tendon disorders include tendinosis, paratenonitis, insertional tendinitis, retrocalcaneal bursitis, and frank rupture. Patients present with pain and swelling in the posterior aspect of the ankle. Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound are helpful in confirming the diagnosis and guiding treatment. Nonsurgical management of Achilles tendon disorders includes nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, bracing, and footwear modification. Surgical treatment includes debridement of the diseased area of the tendon with direct repair. Tendon transfer may be necessary to augment the strength of the Achilles tendon.