cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Translational energy release in dissociative electron attachment to CH3I, CD3I, CF3I AND CF3Br

Abstract Translational energy release in dissociative electron attachment to CH3I, CD3I, CF3I and CF3BR has been investigated at subthermal electron energies using K(nd) Rydberg atoms and a novel time-of-flight technique incorporating position-sensitive detection of the ions. The data show that, for each target, the major portion of the energy released by electron capture appears in translation, indicating that the electron is captured directly into an antibonding orbital localized on the I or B atom followed by immediate dissociation before redistribution of the excess energy can occur within the molecule.
Approximate variance-stabilizing transformations for gene-expression microarray data.

Author(s): Rocke, David; Durbin, Blythe | Abstract: Motivation: A variance stabilizing transformation for microarray data was recently introduced independently by several research groups. This transformation has sometimes been called the generalized logarithm or glog transformation. In this paper, we derive several alternative approximate variance stabilizing transformations that may be easier to use in some applications. Results: We demonstrate that the started-log and the loglinear- hybrid transformation families can produce approximate variance stabilizing transformations for microarray data that are nearly as good as the generalized logarithm (glog) transformation. These transformations may be more convenient in some applications.
Chemical species produced in fires near the limit of flammability

Sustaining a diffusion flame requires sufficient concentrations of fuel and oxidizer to maintain the combustion reaction. When the quantity of oxygen in the environment falls below a minimum value, combustion processes will be extinguished. An experimental technique is described which was used to determine the oxygen concentration in a vitiated environment of combustion products mixed with air which only just supports a large-scale diffusion flame. Measurements were taken of limiting oxygen concentrations and chemical species produced in fires near this flammability limit for methane (natural gas) and ethylene fuels. As limiting conditions were approached, radiation from soot in the reaction zone became imperceptible, leaving only a weakly luminous blue flame. Even with significant reductions in both the flame height and luminosity at these conditions, the fire completely consumed the fuel and generated no measurable amounts of products of incomplete combustion. A comparison of limiting oxygen concentrations and limiting flame temperatures for these experiments with the results of other investigations shows reasonably good agreement despite widely varying experimental techniques.
Reconstruction of upper lip avulsion after dog bite: case report and review of literature

Abstract Importance Upper lip avulsion after traumatic dog bite is a serious cause of facial disfigurement for which there is no consensus on management in the acute setting. Objective This review was prompted by a case at our institution and is intended to display the available evidence in the management of the patient after dog bite injury to the upper lip. Our main goals are to create a management algorithm using current evidence and to stimulate further clinical investigation to improve outcomes in patients with facial dog bite injuries. Evidence Review A review of English literature was performed using Pubmed/MEDLINE for case reports and case series of lip replantation using microvascular anastomosis. Additional review of hyperbaric oxygen therapy, medicinal leech therapy, lip reconstruction methods, and reapproximation was performed. Reference searches were performed for all retrieved articles. Findings Microvascular replantation is a successful method of acute management in dog bite injuries of the lip. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and medicinal leech therapy improve outcomes. Immediate cross-lip flaps and immediate reapproximation are alternative techniques that can be performed in the acute setting, but further investigation is required. Conclusions The repair of the upper lip after a dog bite is a priority due to the functional and psychiatric sequelae associated with facial disfigurement. Microvascular replantation should be considered first-line. Immediate reapproximation without microvascular reanastomosis and immediate reconstruction may also be performed. A stepwise clinical algorithm may aid the surgeon in the acute management of dog bite trauma to the lip.
Changes in progesterone and oestrogen receptor mRNA and protein during maternal recognition of pregnancy and luteolysis in ewes

This study characterized changes in levels of mRNA and protein for endometrial oestrogen receptors (ERs) and progesterone receptors (PRs) during luteolysis and maternal recognition of pregnancy. For cyclic and pregnant ewes, endometrium was collected on days 10, 12, 14, or 16 post-oestrus (4 ewes/day for each status) for the measurement of ER and PR mRNA and protein. The amount of receptor mRNA is expressed in relative units above background, measured from radiographs of dot-blot hybridization of total endometrial RNA with ER and PR cDNAs. At hysterectomy, jugular vein blood samples were collected and assayed for progesterone, total corpus luteum weight was recorded and, in vitro, endometrial oxytocin-stimulated inositol phosphate formation was estimated. In pregnant ewes, plasma progesterone increased gradually between days 10 and 16 (P < 0.01), corpus luteum weight was stable at approximately 0.8 g and oxytocin did not stimulate endometrial formation of inositol phosphates in vitro. In contrast, in cyclic ewes, plasma progesterone decreased from day 10 to day 16 (P < 0.01), corpus luteum weight decreased after day 14 to approximately 0.48 g (P = 0.05) and oxytocin stimulated an increase of approximately 1300% in the endometrial formation of inositol phosphates on day 16. cDNAs specifically hybridized with 1.6 and 3.1 kb transcripts for PR mRNA and a 6.5 kb transcript for ER mRNA. In cyclic ewes, the amount of PR mRNA increased from day 10 to maximum levels on days 14-16. The number of PRs decreased from day 10 (2.25 pmol/mg DNA) to day 12 (0.98 pmol/mg DNA) and then increased from day 14 to day 16 (2.8 pmol/mg DNA). In pregnant ewes, PR mRNA levels were greatest on days 10-12 and decreased by approximately 50% by day 16. In contrast, the number of PRs was relatively unchanged from day 10 to day 16 (1.53 to 1.03 pmol/mg DNA). In cyclic ewes, the amount of ER mRNA was lowest at day 10 and increased fivefold by day 16. The number of ERs remained relatively unchanged from day 10 to day 14 (6.07 pmol/mg DNA) and increased by day 16 (16.12 pmol/mg DNA). In pregnant ewes, ER mRNA decreased by approximately 80% from day 12 to day 16. Similarly, the number of ERs decreased from day 10 to day 16 (5.41 to 2.05 pmol/mg DNA). Correlations between ER mRNA and PR mRNA (r = 0.68), ERs and PRs (r = 0.50) and ER mRNA and ERs (r = 0.50) were high (P < 0.01).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Cognitive outcome following traumatic brain injury.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether an association exists between traumatic brain injury (TBI) sustained in adulthood and cognitive impairment 6 months or longer after injury. DESIGN: Systematic review of the published, peer-reviewed literature. RESULTS: From 430 articles, we identified 11 primary and 22 secondary studies that examined cognitive impairment by using performance measures for adults who were at least 6 months post-TBI. There was clear evidence of an association between penetrating brain injury and impaired cognitive function. Factors that modified this association included preinjury intelligence, volume of brain tissue lost, and brain region injured. There was also suggestive evidence that penetrating brain injury may exacerbate the cognitive effects of normal aging. We found clear evidence for long-term cognitive deficits associated with severe TBI. There was suggestive evidence that moderately severe brain injuries are associated with cognitive impairments. There was inadequate/insufficient evidence to determine whether an association exists between a single, mild TBI and cognitive deficits 6 months or longer postinjury. CONCLUSION: In adults, penetrating, moderate, and severe TBIs are associated with cognitive deficits 6 months or longer postinjury. There is insufficient evidence to determine whether mild TBI is associated with cognitive deficits 6 months or longer postinjury. Language: en
The Degrees of Freedom in RLC Networks

It is shown here that the number of degrees of freedom, or what is equivalent-the number of natural frequencies-of any RLC network can readily be determined from the number of energy-storing elements and the topology of the network. The effect of loss (resistance) in altering the number of degrees of freedom is explained.
Duffing's equation and its applications to the Hirota equation

In this Letter, we illustrate a connection between the Duffing's equation and the Hirota equation. By applying the exact solutions of the Duffing's equation, we obtain two periodic wave solutions in terms of Jacobi elliptic functions to the Hirota equation.
Transoral Technique for Gastrojejunostomy in Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (LRYGBP) Can Accelerate Learning Curve and Reduce Cost

Background The stapled gastrojejunostomy of the laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGBP) can be created by linear and circular stapling techniques. In the circular-stapled technique, the anvil of the stapler can be introduced into the gastric pouch transabdominally or pulled down the esophagus (transorally) by attachment to a modified gastric tube. The purpose of this study is to determine if the transoral technique to introduce the anvil will reduce operative time and cost compared with the transabdominal technique, which requires creating a new gastrotomy to insert the anvil and followed by its closure.
Isoflurane potentiates metocurine via peripheral not central nervous system action

SUMMARY Inhalational anaesthetics potentiate neuromuscular blocking drugs. The exact sites are not known, but may include the central nervous system, the neuromuscular junction or muscle. Anaesthetic action in the brain could potentiate neuromuscular block directly, or indirectly by altering plasma catecholamine concentrations. In 5 goats anaesthetised with fentanyl and pentobarbitone, an experimental preparation was used in which isoflurane (end-tidal/exhaust 1.2–1.3%) was selectively delivered to either the torso (via the lungs) or brain (via an oxygenator/roller pump) during a stable ≅60% metocurine blockade (≅= 4–8 μg/min). Bilateral evoked gastrocnemius muscle twitch was accomplished with electrical stimulation (0.1 Hz) of the sciatic nerves, one of which was cut proximal to the stimulation site; output from the force transducer was digitised and stored on a computer. Blood samples were taken for metocurine, noradrenaline and adrenaline analysis. When isoflurane was added to the brain, % depression of the muscle twitch was unchanged at 64 ± 13% on the uncut side; the cut side was also unchanged. When isoflurane was added to the torso, % depression increased from 68 ± 14% to 82 ± 12% (P These data suggest that the periphery (neuromuscular junction or muscle) is the important site where isoflurane potentiates metocurine-induced neuromuscular blockade.
Cuticular lipids of two resistant and a susceptible strain of houseflies

A study was made of the composition of the cuticular lipids of two resistant strains of houseflies (Rutgers and Fc), both of which show a reduced rate of absorption of insecticides as a partial mechanism of resistance and a susceptible strain (CSMA). Total lipids, monoglycerides, diglycerides and sterol esters (except in the Fc strain), sterols, fatty acids and phospholipid phosphorus were higher in resistant strains than in the susceptible strain. Phosphatidyl-ethanolamine and phosphatidyl-choline were major constituents of the phospholipid fractions and were appreciably higher in the resistant strains. Cuticular wax contents did not differ among strains. Incorporation of lipid precursors, [U-14]acetate and [32P]orthophosphate, was greater in the cuticle of one or both resistant strains, depending on the lipid component examined.
Regulation of mRNA expression in breast cancer - a cis-tematic trans-action

Large research consortia such as the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC), The Cancer Genome Atlas and International Cancer Genomics Consortium are systematically interrogating large sets of tumor samples through integrated analysis of genome-wide DNA copy number and promoter methylation, transcriptome-wide RNA expression, protein expression and exome-wide sequencing. A recent METABRIC study explored the effects of cis-acting and trans-acting factors of gene expression regulation in breast cancer. By making their data sets publicly available, these large consortia are inviting new types of analysis that have the potential to drive breast cancer research into previously unexplored avenues.
Interaction of clindamycin and cefpimizole (U63196E) in vitro against aerobic Gram-negative rods and aerobic Gram-positive cocci

The combination of clindamycin plus a new semisynthetic cephalosporin, U63196E for which the United States approved name is cefpimizole, was tested against 47 aerobic Gram-negative rods and 30 aerobic Gram-positive cocci. Synergy was seen with Klebsiella pneumoniae (3 of 19 isolates) and Escherichia coli (2 of 21 isolates). All isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant Staph. aureus, and enterococci demonstrated either indifference or antagonistic reactions to the drug combination.
Effects of human resource systems on manufacturing performance and turnover

Using an empirical taxonomy identifying two types of human resource systems, “control” and “commitment,” this study tested the strategic human resource proposition that specific combinations of policies and practices are useful in predicting differences in performance and turnover across steel “minimills.” The mills with commitment systems had higher productivity, lower scrap rates, and lower employee turnover than those with control systems. In addition, human resource system moderated the relationship between turnover and manufacturing performance.
Spatial Multiplexing Architectures with Jointly Designed Rate-Tailoring and Ordered BLAST Decoding - Part I: Diversity-Multiplexing Tradeoff Analysis

The V-BLAST (vertical Bell Labs layered space-time) architecture involves independent coding/decoding per antenna (layer) with equal rate and power per antenna and a fixed order of nulling/canceling decoding but is known to suffer from poor performance; for example, in a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) Rayleigh fading channel with Mt transmit and Mr receive antennas (Mr ges Mt), the diversity-multiplexing gain (D-M) tradeoff is just (Mr-Mt+1)(1-r/Mt) for risin[0, Mt]. There are two remedies available, namely, (i) channel-dependent ordered decoding at the receiver and (ii) allocation of rates and powers across the transmit antennas. However, the former doesn't improve the D-M tradeoff curve and while the latter does (with maximum diversity gain Mr and maximum multiplexing gain Mt), its tradeoff curve is still significantly inferior compared to the D-M tradeoff curve of the optimum (unconstrained) MIMO architecture. In this two-part paper, it is shown that a dramatically better D-M tradeoff and error (e.g. outage) probability can be obtained if the two remedies, i.e., ordered BLAST decoding and rate/power allocation, are judiciously combined. Indeed, a framework is developed for jointly designing channel-dependent ordered decoding at the receiver and decoding order-dependent rate/power allocation at the transmitter. The framework encompasses a large class of new spatial multiplexing architectures (SMAs). In this part, an upper bound to the D-M tradeoff for this class is obtained and found to be quite close to the optimal D-M tradeoff of the MIMO channel. Two special SMAs are proposed corresponding to two different decoding orderings. One is called the norm ordering rate tailored SMA (NRT-SMA), and the other is called the greedy ordering rate tailored SMA (GRT-SMA). The latter is shown to have the D-M tradeoff equal to the upper bound and is hence optimal in D-M tradeoff among the proposed class of SMAs. Compared to the traditional V-BLAST architecture, the only added complexity of these SMAs is due to (i) feeding back the decoding order information (leslog2(Mt!) bits) per channel realization, and (ii) applying rate and power allocation according to a pre-computed lookup table.
A public health nursing research agenda

Public health nurses (PHNs) use many interventions to prevent illness and promote the health of populations. Unfortunately, generating evidence regarding PHN practice is not explicitly identified as a research priority area of the major national funding agencies. Nor has PHN, as a profession, had a strong enough research agenda to drive practice improvement on a population-level and to drive funding to support such areas of research. To further advance the science needed to guide PHN practice, a national conference to set the research agenda was held in October 2010 with grant support from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The conference was part of a multimethod, participatory, multistage approach taken to generate the final research priority themes and corresponding priority research questions. The process yielded four high priority PHN research themes: PHN intervention models, Quality of population-focused PHN practice, Metrics of/for PHN, and comparative effectiveness and PHN outcomes. As the agenda is adopted by funding agencies, researchers, and practice-based partners, a more focused program of research will produce evidence that can guide population-focused PHN practice.
Optimization on a Budget: A Reinforcement Learning Approach

Many popular optimization algorithms, like the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm (LMA), use heuristic-based "controllers" that modulate the behavior of the optimizer during the optimization process. For example, in the LMA a damping parameter λ is dynamically modified based on a set of rules that were developed using heuristic arguments. Reinforcement learning (RL) is a machine learning approach to learn optimal controllers from examples and thus is an obvious candidate to improve the heuristic-based controllers implicit in the most popular and heavily used optimization algorithms. Improving the performance of off-the-shelf optimizers is particularly important for time-constrained optimization problems. For example the LMA algorithm has become popular for many real-time computer vision problems, including object tracking from video, where only a small amount of time can be allocated to the optimizer on each incoming video frame. Here we show that a popular modern reinforcement learning technique using a very simple state space can dramatically improve the performance of general purpose optimizers, like the LMA. Surprisingly the controllers learned for a particular domain also work well in very different optimization domains. For example we used RL methods to train a new controller for the damping parameter of the LMA. This controller was trained on a collection of classic, relatively small, non-linear regression problems. The modified LMA performed better than the standard LMA on these problems. This controller also dramatically outperformed the standard LMA on a difficult computer vision problem for which it had not been trained. Thus the controller appeared to have extracted control rules that were not just domain specific but generalized across a range of optimization domains.
Degradation and persistence of metolachlor in soil: effects of concentration, soil moisture, soil depth, and sterilization.

The present study evaluated the influence of soil depth, soil moisture, and concentration on the persistence and degradation of metolachlor in soil. Greater percentages of metolachlor persisted in subsurface soils than in surface soil regardless of the soil moisture or initial herbicide concentration. Larger quantities of bound residues and extractable degradation products were found in the surface soils as a result of the increased soil sorption and biodegradation of metolachlor associated with the surface soil, which had more organic matter. Saturated soil favored the dissipation of metolachlor and the formation of soil-bound residues. Significantly greater quantities of a dechlorinated metabolite were measured in the saturated surface soil compared to the unsaturated soil. Mineralization of metolachlor to CO2 and volatilization of metolachlor or metolachlor degradates was minimal in surface and subsurface soils at both soil moistures and herbicide concentrations. Increased metolachlor concentrations did not inhibit microbial activity; however, the greater rate of application did result in the reduced percentage of applied [14C]metolachlor that was bound to surface or subsurface soil. A significant reduction in the quantity of extractable metolachlor degradates and unextractable soilbound residues in sterile soil revealed the significance of biodegradation to the dissipation of metolachlor in soil.
Electrical characterization of low defect density nonpolar (11¯20) a-plane GaN grown with sidewall lateral epitaxial overgrowth (SLEO)

We studied the effect of extended defects on electrical characteristics of Si doped n-type nonpolar a-plane GaN films. The n-type GaN layers were grown on co-loaded reduced defect density sidewall lateral epitaxial overgrowth (SLEO) a-plane GaN templates and high defect density planar a-plane GaN templates by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD). The highest conductivity value was observed at the carrier concentration of 1.05 × 1019 cm−3 as 261.12 cm2/Vs for SLEO a-GaN and 106.77 cm2/Vs for the planar a-plane GaN samples. At the same doping level, the carrier compensation for SLEO samples was ∼12% less than planar samples.
Slot waveguide cavities for electrically-pumped silicon-based light sources

We fabricate horizontal slot waveguides and resonators using layers of polycrystalline and single crystalline silicon. We demonstrate waveguide propagation losses of 7.3 dB/cm and ring resonators with an intrinsic quality factor of 76,000.
HIV/AIDS: Measuring an Evolving Virus

Many social work journal articles portray HIV as a chronic illness. Although HIV medical management has evolved, it is far from chronic for most of the world. With such rapid developments in the field of HIV/AIDS, this article examines validity of knowledge measurements developed pre-HAART. Further, what place does validity hold in the maintenance of these measurement devices? The authors review several widely used measurement scales utilized in developed nations—The Beliefs About Preventing AIDS, The HIV Knowledge Questionnaire, and The International IADS Questionnaire-English Version—to answer these questions and to promote understanding for social workers in the field of HIV/AIDS regarding validity of the instruments.
Rifampin Is a Selective, Pleiotropic Inducer of Drug Metabolism Genes in Human Hepatocytes: Studies with cDNA and Oligonucleotide Expression Arrays

We used expression microarrays to test the effects of rifampin on the overall pattern of mRNA expression of multiple metabolic enzymes in primary human hepatocytes. Two microarrays were utilized, a cDNA-based array and one that is oligonucleotide-based. The cDNA-based expression arrays showed that rifampin caused a 7.7 +/- 6.6-fold induction in CYP2A6 and a 4.0 +/- 2.0-fold increase in the CYP2C family of enzymes while having little effect on CYP2E1 or CYP2D6. Many non-P450 enzymes were also induced including FMO-4 and -5, UGT-1A, MAO-B, and GST-P1. The oligonucleotide-based array made it possible to detect different levels of induction within the CYP2C family, with rifampin causing a 6.5-fold increase in expression of CYP2C8 and a 3.7-fold increase in CYP2C9 while having no effect on the level of CYP2C18 mRNA. Rifampin also induced other CYP enzymes including CYP2B6 and all three members of the CYP3A family, with CYP3A4 showing the highest level of induction at 55.1-fold. RNase protection assays were used to validate results from the arrays and a comparison of all three methods of mRNA detection showed qualitatively similar results. These data make it clear that rifampin treatment brings about broad changes in the pattern of gene expression, rather than increased expression of a small number of metabolic enzymes. Clinicians and researchers who use and study rifampin and other drugs that induce drug metabolism should be alert to the possibility of multiple effects.
Nematic liquid crystal film with a nonlinear index coefficient of over 10 cm/sup 2//watt and ms response speed

We have previously reported the observation of an extremely nonlinear optical effect in aligned methyl-red doped nematic liquid crystal [NLC] film, associated with optically induced liquid crystal director axis reorientation. Unlike the so-called photorefractive effect in other dye or C 60 doped film, no dc bias voltage is required. The response times are on the order of milliseconds, depending on the optical intensity and film geometry. The effect has been demonstrated in both planar and homeotropic aligned films. The effect can be enhanced by an ac field of appropriate frequency applied along the director axis in a homeotropically aligned NLC film.
Kinetics of substitution reactions of dihalogenotetracarbonyliron (II) compounds with different reagents

Abstract A kinetic study of the reactions of Fe(CO) 4 X 2 (X Br, I) with Y(YCO, P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 , As(C 6 H 5 ) 3 , Sb(C 6 H 5 ) 3 , P(OC 6 H 5 ) 3 to yield the monosubstituted products FeY(CO) 3 X 2 and disubstituted products FeY 2 (CO) 2 X 2 is reported. The rate of formation of FeY(CO) 3 X 2 does not depend on the concentration of Y, but the reaction is light catalysed and is inhibited by adding X 2 . It is suggested that the mechanism for this reaction involves the initial formation of Fe(CO) 4 , followed by its reaction with Y and then with YX 2 to generate the product FeY(CO) 3 X 2 . This then reacts more slowly with Y to yield FeY 2 (CO) 2 X 2 by a dissociation process.
On locating steganographic payload using residuals

Locating steganographic payload usingWeighted Stego-image (WS) residuals has been proven successful provided a large number of stego images are available. In this paper, we revisit this topic with two goals. First, we argue that it is a promising approach to locate payload by showing that in the ideal scenario where the cover images are available, the expected number of stego images needed to perfectly locate all load-carrying pixels is the logarithm of the payload size. Second, we generalize cover estimation to a maximum likelihood decoding problem and demonstrate that a second-order statistical cover model can be used to compute residuals to locate payload embedded by both LSB replacement and LSB matching steganography.
Effect of Endocrine Therapies on Bone in Breast Cancer Patients

Endocrine therapies for breast cancer alter bone density, dynamic bone markers, and fracture rates, problems often requiring therapeutic intervention.
Simulating grasping behavior on an imaging interactive surface

We present techniques and algorithms to simulate grasping behavior on an imaging interactive surface (e.g., Microsoft Surface). In particular, we describe a contour model of touch contact shape, and show how these contours may be represented in a real-time physics simulation in a way that allows more realistic grasping behavior. For example, a virtual object may be moved by "squeezing" it with multiple contacts undergoing motion. The virtual object is caused to move by simulated contact and friction forces. Previous work [14] uses many small rigid bodies ("particle proxies") to approximate touch contact shape. This paper presents a variation of the particle proxy approach which allows grasping behavior. The advantages and disadvantages of this new approach are discussed.
In vitro and in vivo antistaphylococcal activities of L-695,256, a carbapenem with high affinity for the penicillin-binding protein PBP 2a.

L-695,256 is a synthetic carbapenem beta-lactam antibiotic that binds with a high degree of affinity to penicillin-binding protein (PBP) PBP 2a, the protein that mediates staphylococcal resistance to methicillin. The concentration of L-695,256 that inhibited binding of radiolabeled [3H]penicillin to PBP 2a by 50% was 1.2 micrograms/ml, whereas they were 14 and 68 micrograms/ml for penicillin and imipenem, respectively. Cell wall synthesis, determined by incorporation of [14C]N-acetylglucosamine into whole cells, was inhibited by 50% at concentrations of 1.3, 26, and 132 micrograms/ml for L-695,256, penicillin, and imipenem, respectively, for the methicillin-resistant strain COL. Growth of cells of each of two homogeneously resistant strains, COL and 76, was completely inhibited by 4 micrograms of L-695,256 per ml, whereas growth was inhibited by 100 micrograms or more of penicillin or imipenem per ml. The efficacies of L-695,256 (10 mg/kg given three times daily [t.i.d.]), imipenem (37.5 mg/kg t.i.d.), penicillin (300,000 units/kg t.i.d.), and vancomycin (25 mg/kg given twice daily) were compared in the rabbit model of aortic valve endocarditis established with these homogeneous strains. After 4 days of treatment, mean bacterial densities in aortic valve vegetations were reduced by 4.0 to 5.8 log10 CFU/g for L-695,256, 1.0 to 1.8 log10 CFU/g for imipenem, -1.1 to 3.9 log10 CFU/g for penicillin, and 1.1 to 3.0 log10 CFU/g for vancomycin in comparison to the densities of controls. Compounds such as L-695,256 that are bound by PBP 2a with a high degree of affinity are likely to be extremely effective in the treatment of infections caused by methicillin-resistant staphylococci.
Upper Albian OAE 1D Event in the Chihuahua Trough, New Mexico, U.S.A.

Oceanic anoxic events are clues to ocean processes and are correlation datums. In North America only OAE 1a and 2 are well documented. Based on a low-resolution sampling program, a multi-proxy geochemical approach constrained by a biostratigraphic framework was utilized to identify OAE 1d in the upper part of the upper Albian Mesilla Valley Formation near El Paso, Texas. Chronostratigraphic and biostratigraphic evidence indicate that the OAE 1d event in the Mesilla Valley section is located in the lower part of the upper AlbianeCenomanian Ovoidinium verrucosum zone, which correlates with the uppermost Albian Parathalmanninella appenninica and Stoliczkaia dispar zones. The chronostratigraphic age of the geochemical event in the Mesilla Valley Formation is uppermost Albian (97.39e97.30 Ma). The classic geochemical signatures for OAEs are enriched total organic carbon (TOC) concentrations and coupled positive d 13 C excursions. OAE 1d at this location records TOC values ranging from 0.25 to 0.69 wt.% throughout the Mesilla Valley Formation, where TOC increases during the OAE (21.0e40.0 m) to more than 0.40 wt.%. Interestingly, the organic matter in the Mesilla Valley is dominantly type III, which indicates a pervasive terrigenous source. Although marine organic matter is abundant from the base into the middle of the proposed OAE interval, it is progressively replaced by terrestrial material above the OAE section during progradation. The d 13 Corganic values record a positive d 13 C shift of þ1.6& from � 26.41 to � 24.80& across the stratigraphic interval from 21.0 to 40.0 m, which correlates with OAE 1d. Mn and Fe geochemistry suggest the depositional conditions of the Mesilla Valley Formation were dominated by anoxic and possibly Fe-rich bottom waters, specifically during the time period associated with the OAE 1d event. This interpretation is supported by the presence of Fe enrichment recorded by FeTotal/Al and FeHighly Reactive/FeT with the lack of Fepyrite/FeHighly Reactive associated with Mn depletion.
Geographic variation in song of the bright-rumped Attila (Tyrannidae: Attila spadiceus): Implications for species status

Bright-rumped Attilas (Attila spadiceus) have two song forms, one sung primar- ily at dawn, the other primarily during the rest of the day. Both songs consist of a main phrase and an optional terminal phrase. Our recordings of dawn and day songs in Costa Rica were very similar to those made elsewhere in Central America. However, Central American dawn songs were signifi cantly different than dawn songs from South America, both in terms of quantitative features (temporal and frequency variables) and qualitative characteristics (note shape). Day songs from Central and South America were similar. Song differences suggest that the Bright-rumped Attila may be two species, one in Central America, the other in South America. Received 25 January 2002, accepted 25 August 2002. RESUMEN.—Attila spadiceus tiene dos tipos de canto, uno emitido principalmente al aman- ecer y otro emitido durante el resto del dia. Ambos cantos consisten de una frase principal y una frase terminal opcional. Nuestras grabaciones de cantos del amanecer y el dia fueron muy similares a otros hechos en otros lugares de Centro America. Sin embargo, los cantos del aman- ecer centroamericanos fueron signifi cativamente diferentes de los suramericanos, en terminos de caracteres tanto cuantitativos (variables de tiempo y frecuencia) como cualitativos (forma de las notas). Los cantos del dia de Centro y Sur America fueron similares. Las diferencias en el canto sugieren que A. spadiceus podria comprender dos especies, una centroamericana y una suramericana. 1
Orthodontic treatment acceleration with corticotomy-assisted exposure of palatally impacted canines.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a new surgical technique in the treatment of palatally impacted canines. Materials and Methods: Six consecutive patients presenting with bilaterally impacted canines were compared. One canine was surgically exposed using a conventional surgical technique while the contralateral canine was exposed using a corticotomy-assisted technique. Results: After tooth movement was completed, statistical comparisons of the two methods revealed a reduction of treatment time of 28–33% for the corticotomy-assisted canines. No significant differences were observed in final periodontal condition between the canines exposed by these two methods. Conclusion: This preliminary study supports the concept that a corticotomy-assisted surgical technique helps reduce orthodontic treatment time for palatally impacted canines.
Inhaled Isobutyl Nitrite Produced Lung Inflammation with Increased Macrophage TNF-α and Nitric Oxide Production

Isobutyl nitrite is representative of a group of nitrite inhalants, commonly called “poppers.” When inhaled, these chemicals cause vasodilation and relaxation of smooth muscles. The principal abusers are male homosexuals and adolescents. Abuse of nitrite inhalants has been correlated with seropositivity to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)1 and to Kaposi’s sarcoma among AIDS patients.2 It is possible that abuse of these drugs might increase susceptibility to infectious agents.
Evidence for photosensitive regulation of prolactin secretion in prepubertal bulls.

AbstractChanging daily exposure of prepubertal bulls from 8 hr of light: 16 hr of dark (8L: 16D) to 16L:8D or 6L:8D:2L:8D increased basal secretion of prolactin 418% 6 weeks later. When daily exposure was changed from 8L:16D (6 weeks) to 6L:14D:2L:2D (6 weeks), basal secretion of prolactin increased only 173%. Among photoperiod exposures, prolactin released into blood after injection of 33 μg/100 kg body weight of thyrotropin-releasing hormone paralleled the changes described for basal conditions. There was no repeatable diurnal secretory pattern for secretion of prolactin. The data support the hypothesis that cattle possess a photosensitive rhythm for secretion of prolactin.
Distribution of blood flow to the canine heart.

SummaryA known quantity of radioactive glass microspheres either 20 or 50 ± in diameter were injected into the coronary system of the dog heart being perfused at a known and physiological rate with oxygenated blood at 38°C. With the assumption that spheres were distributed at arterial bifurcation in the same proportion as blood, the fraction which appeared in the venous drainage was taken as a measure of arteriovenous shunts the size of or larger than the spheres injected. Those spheres which remained in the tissue provided a measure of flow through vessels smaller than the spheres. Since the spheres were small enough to pass through all arteriovenous shunts except capillaries, the radioactivity of the tissue was a measure of tissue capillary flow (less than 20 μ for the purposes of the present study). There was a uniform distribution of spheres in the normal dog heart. A calculated tissue blood flow of approximately 1.2 cc/g/min existed in the right ventricle and throughout the left ventricle. This flow ...
Research in Enhancing the Economic Efficiency of Biodiesel

In this paper,different methods for producing biodiesel are compared briefly,measurements are explored for decreasing the cost of biodiesel from the aspects of production technology improvement、process conditions optimization、decreasing the cost of raw materials and producing together with byproducts after the main factors in leading high cost of biodiesel are analyzed;The viewpoints of overall coordination,macroscopic view assurance are put forward to increase the economic efficiency,and improve the economic feasibility when producing biodiesel.
A snapshot in time: Does exercise training impact the muscle circadian clock in patients?

In this issue of the European Journal of Preventative Cardiology Steidle-Kloc and colleagues (2016) 1 investi- gate whether exercise training can impact the expres- sion of circadian clock genes in the skeletal muscle of patients with coronary artery disease and type 2 dia- betes. The authors should be commended on attempt- ing to determine whether work done in rodents translates to humans. Indeed, this study is one of the few that endeavors to determine how long-term exercise impacts the expression of several, core molecular clock and clock-controlled genes. Although the authors find an interaction between long-term exercise training and the expression of the putative clock-controlled gene ALAS1, this study highlights the difficulties investiga- tors have in studying the biological clock in humans. Circadian rhythms are approximate 24-hour oscilla- tions in physiology and behavior, which enable organ- isms to anticipate daily environmental changes. The mammalian circadian pacemaker is located in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the anterior hypothal- amus. The SCN receives and utilizes photic input to entrain circadian oscillators in many different periph- eral tissues throughout the body. Although the mech- anism(s) that underlie circadian synchrony between the SCN and peripheral oscillators is poorly understood, it has been demonstrated that peripheral tissues express self-sustained circadian oscillations in the absence of input from the SCN. 2 These circadian oscillations in gene expression result from the auto-regulatory tran- scriptional/translational feedback loop termed the molecular clock. The mammalian core molecular clock is composed of several genes including, but not limited to, Bmal1, Clock, Per1, Per2, Per3, Cry1, Cry2. In recent years, disruption of circadian rhythms has been linked to increased incidence of diabetes and car- diovascular disease. 3,4 An increased prevalence of both is demonstrated in people involved in different types of shift work, including factory workers and physicians. 5
Abstract IA28: Community-based stress management intervention for black breast cancer survivors: A follow up

Project CARE, an NCI-funded randomized clinical trial, examined whether participation in an adapted cognitive-behavioral stress management (CBSM) and enhanced breast cancer wellness and education (CW) program improved psychological outcomes among a sample of underserved Black breast cancer survivors. Both group-based, 10-week interventions used in the trial were culturally adapted for Black women in the community from evidence-based interventions used in previously successful clinical trials. Participants were randomly assigned to CBSM or CW. Participants were 114 Black women (mean age = 51.1, 27-77 years) who had completed breast cancer treatment 0-12 months prior to enrollment (all stages of disease, mean time since cancer diagnosis = 14.1mo). Women were assessed at baseline, immediately post-intervention and at a six-month follow-up. We previously reported that there was a remarkable 94% retention rate from baseline to six month follow-up (mean attendance rate = 7.5 sessions, only 9 participants did not attend any intervention sessions). Participants in both conditions showed statistically significant improvement on indices of psychological well-being, including mood (Profile of Mood States-Short Version), quality of life (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer), intrusive thoughts (Impact of Event Scale-Revised), depressive symptoms (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression), and stress levels (Perceived Stress Scale) over the six-month post-intervention follow-up (all repeated measures ANOVA within subjects time effects: p Next, we examined potential mediators of the change over time to account for the findings. Using quality of life as the main outcome, we explored candidate mechanisms in mediation models (including session attendance, pain, fatigue, sleep, mood, intrusive thoughts about breast cancer, depressive symptoms, burdens of poverty, perceived stress, ability to relax, and stress management skills). None of the potential mediator models met criteria. Findings suggest that improvements in multiple measures over time may have been due to other, unmeasured factors, such as participation in intervention groups with of individuals from a similar racial background who are undergoing similar stressors or consistent attention from a supportive research team. The wide-reaching implications of this research program include decisions about appropriate control groups and the timing of intervention delivery during the cancer treatment trajectory. Citation Format: Suzanne C. Lechner. Community-based stress management intervention for black breast cancer survivors: A follow up. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Seventh AACR Conference on The Science of Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; Nov 9-12, 2014; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2015;24(10 Suppl):Abstract nr IA28.
Uh-oh: Glottal Stops and Syllable Organization in Sulawesi 1

Glottal stops pattern differently than other consonants in a number of languages spoken on the Indonesian island of Sulawesi. In the Makassar languages of South Sulawesi, glottal stop alternates with [k]; in the Kaili-Pomona language Uma of Central Sulawesi, stem-final glottal stop is mobile, apparently metathesizing with material suffixed to the stem; and in the Central Sulawesi Saluan language Balantak, glottal stop is invisible with respect to a particular affix which is normally suffixed to vowel-final stems but infixed to consonant-final stems. I will argue that the various anomalies of the glottal stop result from the fact that glottal stops lack oral place specification; this lack of oral place allows consonants to coalesce with neighboring vowels without loss of place information, and makes glottal stops undesirable onsets in languages (like these) which prefer to locate place contrasts in syllable onsets. 1. Glottal Stop Alternation: Makassar languages The Makassar languages of South Sulawesi include Standard Makassarese (Lakiung), Selayarese, Konjo, Bantaeng, and Turatea. These languages are mutually intelligible but differ in some vocabulary and exhibit some systematic differences in structure. Our focus here is on Makassarese, Selayarese, and Konjo. All three share a restricted syllable structure, allowing only [] and [] in syllable coda, and all three exhibit an alternation between [ ] and [k]. In Makassarese, these two segments are in complementary distribution, [] appearing in coda and [k] in onset position: (1) Makassarese baji ‘good’ bajik-a ‘better’ bajik-a ‘I am good’
Morphogenesis of the Mammalian Egg Cortex

The final maturation processes of the mammalian oocyte leading to ovulation include events of germinal vesicle breakdown, i.e., the disappearance of nucleoli, nuclear envelope breakdown, and chromosome condensation. The chromosomes are assembled on the first meiotic spindle, which then migrates to the oocyte cortex; this is followed by the formation of the first polar body and development of the second meiotic spindle, at which time meiosis is arrested until the egg is fertilized. Recent studies have demonstrated that these nuclear changes are accompanied by, and in some instances causal to, specific rearrangements of organelles and cytoskeletal elements comprising the cell cortex (Longo and Chen, 1984, 1985; Maro et al., 1984, 1986c; Van Blerkom and Bell, 1986; Longo, 1987).
Characterizing Caregiving Intensity Among Mexican-origin Women Caregivers

Purpose of the Study Objective (physical) caregiving burden has not often been associated with subjective (emotional) burden among Mexican-origin women caregivers. Yet, many studies show that Latina caregivers suffer from negative psychological outcomes related to caregiving at a higher rate than non-Latino Whites. This study considered whether self-rated intensity of ADL/IADL support explained the relationship between number of care recipient illnesses and caregiver emotional drain among Mexican American women caregivers. Design and Methods Participants included Mexican-origin women caregivers (n = 132) in East Los Angeles, CA who completed a survey that asked culturally appropriate questions about their experiences caring for elderly relatives. Results Logistic regression models indicated that ADL/IADL supports ranked as difficult were also chosen as causing emotional drain. Mediation models revealed a significant indirect effect of number of care recipient illnesses on caregiver emotional drain for English-speaking caregivers but not for Spanish-speaking caregivers. These results indicate that Mexican-origin women caregivers do experience subjective burden associated with specific objective ADL/IADL supports and suggest that culturally relevant survey design can assist in better understanding the emotional drain among this population. Implications Cultural values should be considered when discussing aspects of care provision with Mexican-origin women caregivers in order to elicit an accurate description of their informal caregiving experiences that may contribute to caregiver burden.
The Institutional Paradigm in Economic Anthropology

Karl Polanyi is probably best known in economic anthropology as the founder of the substantivist school. In fact, it was not until Polanyi published his now famous essay ‘The Economy as Instituted Process,’ that the formalist-substantivist controversy established economic anthropology as a subfield worthy of theoretical consideration. By the 1970s, however, the debate had grown old and Marxism dominated discussions of economies across cultures. Formalists and substantivists alike became converted Marxists and in their zeal for the new religion severed their ties with former faiths. While a few acknowledged that there might be a relationship between Marxism and substantivism, Polanyi’s concepts dropped out or were dismissed summarily. This chapter reconnects the links between substantivism and Marxism in the form of the institutional paradigm, and is predicated on several controversial assumptions. The first is that the critical debates for economic anthropology in the 1980s are not between formalists and substantivists, as they were in the 1960s, but between substantivists and Marxists. By critical I mean those debates which are likely to direct the field toward cross-cultural, comparative analysis, that is, toward explaining how and why economies in different societies take particular forms, maintain their basic structures, or change into forms qualitatively different from the previously existing ones.