cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Contribution to the discussion on the shape of the polystyrene molecule in dilute solutions by means of flow birefringence measurements

Abstract It is usually assumed that a chain molecule like polystyrene in dilute solutions is bent, and the question as to whether it is more or less rolled together has been put forward some time ago. Flow birefringence studies should be a fruitful approach to this question, but the theory of the Maxwell effect for chain molecules is very unsatisfactory. The author has recently developed the theory of the Maxwell effect for a solution of elastic impenetrable spheres. This model represents a limiting case like the model of a rigid sphere used successfully by Sadron and by Flory in the interpretation of viscosity measurements. The model could be a reasonable first approximation for flexible chain molecules, inasmuch as Debye and Bueche, as well as Kirkwood and Riseman find the impenetrable sphere as a limiting case in their more general theory of viscosity. The theory of the elastic sphere leads to some conclusions which are in agreement with experiments on the temperature dependence of the extinction angle at low gradients carried out with two samples of polystyrene. These results constitute a strong argument in favor of the model of a rather compact sphere for the polystyrene molecule. Also, the observed effect is completely different from the orientational effect characteristic of rigid molecules like tobacco mosaic virus; for polystyrene the origin of the phenomenon seems to be much more a deformation of an initially isotropic particle rather than an orientation of an elongated molecule. The results are on the other hand in disagreement with the theory of W. Kuhn and H. Kuhn based on a dumbbell model. In this short paper the author will summarize the results and put the emphasis on the possibilities of the flow-birefringence technique in the field of flexible chain molecules for the determination of the elasticity and the internal viscosity of these particles. Finally, a general method is suggested in order to check whether a chain molecule in solution is more or less rigid or flexible (extinction angle measurements at low gradients for several solvents with different viscosities).
Prognostic Significance of Grading in Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background Although grading has prognostic significance for many tumor types, a prognostically significant grading system for lung adenocarcinoma has not yet been established. The aim of this study was to evaluate histologic characteristics included in tumor grading systems, establish optimal cutoff values that have the strongest association with overall survival, and develop a grading system incorporating the histopathologic characteristics that we found to have prognostic significance in patients with lung adenocarcinoma.
Association Between Neurotrophin 4 and Long-Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Levels in Mid-Trimester Amniotic Fluid

The omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and the omega-6 LCPUFA arachidonic acid (AA) are essential nervous system components that increase in concentration throughout gestation. The neurotrophins, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), nerve growth factor (NGF), neurotrophin 3 (NT3), and neurotrophin 4 (NT4) are small basic peptides crucial for fetal brain development. The DHA supplementation during pregnancy has been suggested to enhance neural development. We evaluated whether amniotic fluid DHA and AA concentrations correlated with intra-amniotic neurotrophin levels. Amniotic fluid, obtained at 15 to 19 weeks gestation from 62 women, was tested for BDNF, NGF, NT3, and NT4 by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Concentrations of DHA and AA, and saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, were determined by gas chromatography. Associations were analyzed by the Spearman rank correlation test. Median levels of AA and DHA were 2.3% and 1.3% of the total intra-amniotic fatty acids, respectively. Median neurotrophin levels (pg/mL) were 36.7 for NT3, 26.8 for BDNF, 5.2 for NT4, and 0.8 for NGF. Intra-amniotic NT4 and BDNF levels were correlated (P = .0016), while NT3 and NGF levels were unrelated to each other or to BDNF or NT4. Only NT4 was positively correlated with amniotic fluid DHA (P < .0001) and AA (P = .0003) concentrations. There were no associations between DHA, AA, or any neurotrophin and maternal age, gestational age at time of amniocentesis, amniocentesis indication, parity, or gestational age at delivery. Elevations in intra-amniotic NT4 with increasing levels of DHA and AA suggest that these LCPUFAs may specifically influence the extent of NT4-mediated fetal brain neurogenesis.
HERPES IN DYADIC RELATIONSHIPS: PATTERNS AND TREATMENT

This paper explores the variety of ways in which dyadic relationships can be affected when one partner suffers from genital herpes. Six specific patterns are described: When One Partner Does Not Know, The Compromise Relationship, The Enraged Partner, The Mark of Guilt, Problems in Risk Management, and Herpes Used as a Weapon. Treatment strategies for dealing with each of these patterns are offered.
On the occurrence, trace element geochemistry, and crystallization history of zircon from in situ ocean lithosphere

We characterize the textural and geochemical features of ocean crustal zircon recovered from plagiogranite, evolved gabbro, and metamorphosed ultramafic host-rocks collected along present-day slow and ultraslow spreading mid-ocean ridges (MORs). The geochemistry of 267 zircon grains was measured by sensitive high-resolution ion microprobe-reverse geometry at the USGS-Stanford Ion Microprobe facility. Three types of zircon are recognized based on texture and geochemistry. Most ocean crustal zircons resemble young magmatic zircon from other crustal settings, occurring as pristine, colorless euhedral (Type 1) or subhedral to anhedral (Type 2) grains. In these grains, Hf and most trace elements vary systematically with Ti, typically becoming enriched with falling Ti-in-zircon temperature. Ti-in-zircon temperatures range from 1,040 to 660°C (corrected for a TiO2 ≈ 0.7, a SiO2 ≈ 1.0, pressure ≈ 2 kbar); intra-sample variation is typically ~60–150°C. Decreasing Ti correlates with enrichment in Hf to ~2 wt%, while additional Hf-enrichment occurs at relatively constant temperature. Trends between Ti and U, Y, REE, and Eu/Eu* exhibit a similar inflection, which may denote the onset of eutectic crystallization; the inflection is well-defined by zircons from plagiogranite and implies solidus temperatures of ~680–740°C. A third type of zircon is defined as being porous and colored with chaotic CL zoning, and occurs in ~25% of rock samples studied. These features, along with high measured La, Cl, S, Ca, and Fe, and low (Sm/La)N ratios are suggestive of interaction with aqueous fluids. Non-porous, luminescent CL overgrowth rims on porous grains record uniform temperatures averaging 615 ± 26°C (2SD, n = 7), implying zircon formation below the wet-granite solidus and under water-saturated conditions. Zircon geochemistry reflects, in part, source region; elevated HREE coupled with low U concentrations allow effective discrimination of ~80% of zircon formed at modern MORs from zircon in continental crust. The geochemistry and textural observations reported here serve as an important database for comparison with detrital, xenocrystic, and metamorphosed mafic rock-hosted zircon populations to evaluate provenance.
The Development and Validation of the Measure of Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution Instrument

A biology teacher's acceptance or rejection of evolutionary theory as a scientifically valid explanation is potentially important to the role that evolution takes in the high school biology curriculum. Due to the nature of available instrumentation, our understanding of teacher acceptance of this complex overreaching biological theory may be incomplete or confounded. This paper describes the development and validation of the Measure of Acceptance of the Theory of Evolution (MATE)—a 20-item Likert-scaled instrument that assesses teachers' overall acceptance of evolutionary theory. Chronbach alpha reliability of the MATE is also reported.
The Effect of Differentiation on 1,25 Dihydroxyvitamin D-Mediated Gene Expression in the Enterocyte-Like Cell Line, Caco-2

We examined 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)(2)D(3))-induced expression of 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) 24-hydroxylase (CYP24) and apical calcium channel (TRPV6) mRNA levels in 2-, 9-, and 15-day cultures Caco-2 cells that model proliferating, post-proliferative, and differentiated enterocytes. 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced (10 nM, 8 h) CYP24 and TRPV6 mRNA levels were significantly greater in differentiated and post-proliferative than proliferating Caco-2 cells (>16X and >3X, respectively). Neither CYP24 mRNA half-life nor induction of a -298 bp rat CYP24 promoter-luciferase reporter construct (10 nM 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), 24 h) were different between proliferating and post-proliferating Caco-2 cells. We next tested whether the blunted response of natural genes to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in proliferating Caco-2 cells is due to altered chromatin remodeling. VDR and coactivator protein levels do not increase with differentiation but the level of the co-repressor Alien falls by 50% with differentiation. Over-expression of Alien reduced 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced activity of a minimal VDRE containing promoter-luciferase construct by more than 60% in differentiated Caco-2 cells while siRNA knockdown of Alien in proliferating Caco-2 cells increased 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced CYP24 mRNA level by 40%. These observations suggest that Alien is a regulator of VDR-mediated gene transcription in Caco-2 cells. In addition, we found that 1,25(OH)(2)D(3)-induced association of VDR with chromatin and with the CYP24 promoter was lower in proliferating cells. This suggests that decreased recruitment of VDR to vitamin D response elements also contributes to the blunted transcriptional responsiveness to 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in proliferating Caco-2 cells.
Embodiment Meets Metamemory: Weight as a Cue for Metacognitive Judgments.

Weight is conceptualized as an embodiment of importance, according to recent research on embodied cognition (Ackerman, Nocera, & Bargh, 2010; Jostmann, Lakens, & Schubert, 2009). Is importance as embodied by weight used as a cue that items are memorable? Four experiments varied participants’ perceptual experiences of weight as they studied words and predicted later memory performance via judgments of learning (JOLs) for a recall (Experiment 1) or recognition (Experiments 2– 4) memory test. Greater weight was associated with higher JOLs, although weight did not affect actual memory performance. The relationship between weight and JOLs disappeared when participants were primed to think of cases where lightweight is a positive attribute and heavyweight is a negative attribute (Experiment 4). Even cognition about our own cognition is embodied.
Quantitative analysis of grain boundary fracture in the breakage of single multiphase particles using X-ray microtomography procedures

Abstract Direct determination of intergranular fracture during multiphase particle breakage is a difficult task to achieve. Perhaps the only method of analysis is measurement of interphase area before and after comminution. Conservation of interfacial area after crushing is indicative of transgranular random breakage. On the other hand, if interfacial area is diminished after breakage some degree of preferential grain boundary fracture has occurred. For complete liberation of all grains after crushing the interfacial area goes to zero. Thus the interfacial area criterion is an important metric to assess the significance of preferential grain boundary fracture for different breakage conditions. This study describes the development of procedures for detailed analysis to quantify the extent of preferential grain boundary fracture for different breakage conditions using X-ray microtomography (XMT). The breakage of single multiphase copper ore particles (3 mm cubic particles) by slow compression is examined. Procedures developed for interfacial area measurements are discussed and determination of the extent of grain boundary fracture of multiphase particles for different breakage conditions is presented. For the copper ore studied, it is shown that preferential grain boundary fracture occurs at low energy dissipation rates.
Silicon nitride oxidation based on oxynitride interlayers with graded stoichiometry

The oxidation kinetics of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} were modeled by describing the simultaneous diffusion and reaction of interstitial oxygen that is believed to occur inside of the silicon oxynitride interlayer. The oxynitride was assumed to have a variable composition, and oxidation was described as a reaction where interstitial oxygen is incorporated into the network structure of the oxynitride and nitrogen is removed. It was assumed that both the diffusion coefficient and the solubility of interstitial oxygen decrease as the nitrogen content of the network structure increases. The results accurately describe both the formation of an oxynitride layer during oxidation, and the relatively slow oxidation kinetics of Si{sub 3}N{sub 4} (compared to Si and SiC).
Positional language models for information retrieval

Although many variants of language models have been proposed for information retrieval, there are two related retrieval heuristics remaining "external" to the language modeling approach: (1) proximity heuristic which rewards a document where the matched query terms occur close to each other; (2) passage retrieval which scores a document mainly based on the best matching passage. Existing studies have only attempted to use a standard language model as a "black box" to implement these heuristics, making it hard to optimize the combination parameters. In this paper, we propose a novel positional language model (PLM) which implements both heuristics in a unified language model. The key idea is to define a language model for each position of a document, and score a document based on the scores of its PLMs. The PLM is estimated based on propagated counts of words within a document through a proximity-based density function, which both captures proximity heuristics and achieves an effect of "soft" passage retrieval. We propose and study several representative density functions and several different PLM-based document ranking strategies. Experiment results on standard TREC test collections show that the PLM is effective for passage retrieval and performs better than a state-of-the-art proximity-based retrieval model.
A low-power analog correlation processor for real-time camera alignment and motion computation

A design is presented for a low-power switched-current block correlation processor, which produces a set of feature matches between pairs of binary edge images. The novelty and usefulness of the processor stem from the reliability of its outputs. Statistical tests are included to minimize the probability that the correspondences found have occurred by chance. The results may be used without further refinement to accurately compute the epipolar geometry between two camera positions. The primary applications of this processor are computing camera motion and providing coarse alignment of two images acquired from similar sensors. An analog design was chosen to reduce circuit area in order to accommodate both large template blocks and search areas. Switched current sources at each pixel are summed on a single wire, while analog comparators implement the validation tests and track the minimum score. A prototype 5/spl times/5 block processor with a 9/spl times/9 search area was fabricated as a "Tiny Chip" through MOSIS in a 1.2-/spl mu/m complimentary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process. The chip correctly determined the correct matches for the given patterns and dissipated no more than 12 /spl mu/W of static power per pixel in continuous operation. In a full-scale implementation, an array of several large (e.g., 24/spl times/24) block processors could be placed single 1 cm/sup 2/ die. Measurements indicate that the computations for each block offset can be processed in less than 200 ns, implying that a 200/spl times/200 area can be searched in 8 ms.
Occipital Bone Abnormality Causing Recurrent Posterior Circulation Strokes

We report the case of a young man with recurrent posterior circulation strokes over the course of 6 years. Standard stroke evaluation was unremarkable until careful review of catheter angiogram and CT angiogram images revealed a bony protuberance from the occiput impinging on the left vertebral artery. Local vessel injury with thrombosis and distal embolization is the presumed etiology of the recurrent infarcts. Surgical removal of this developmental anomaly was accomplished, with no subsequent neurological events.
Intestinal Parasite Survey of Kindergarten Children in New Orleans

Extract: A survey of intestinal helminths and protozoa was conducted on 887 5-year-old Negro kindergarten children from New Orleans public schools. Thirty-one percent of the children were found to be infected with one or more species of parasites. Nineteen percent harbored one or more species of medically important parasites. Seven pathogenic and four nonpathogenic species were identified. Speculation: The prevalence of intestinal parasites in New Orleans kindergarten children was found to be high, although the average intensity of infection was found to be low. The prevalence of intestinal parasitism in the lower socioeconomic strata of the United States will continue to decline as living conditions and educational levels of this group are improved.
Is warfarin sodium contraindicated in the lactating mother

Chez 2 nouveau-nes alimentes au sein par des meres recevant des doses efficaces de warfarine sodique on n'a pas observe d'effet biologique immediat ou tardif sur les tests de coagulation
5HT2 receptor activation facilitates P2X receptor mediated excitatory neurotransmission to cardiac vagal neurons in the nucleus ambiguus

Abstract Parasympathetic preganglionic cardiac vagal neurons (CVNs) which dominate the control of heart rate are located within the nucleus ambiguus (NA). Serotonin (5HT), and in particular 5HT2 receptors, play an important role in cardiovascular function in the brainstem. However, there is a lack of information on the mechanisms of action of 5HT2 receptors in modulating parasympathetic cardiac activity. This study tests whether activation of 5HT2 receptors alters excitatory glutamatergic and purinergic neurotransmission to CVNs. Application of α-methyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (α-Me-5HT), a 5HT2 agonist, reversibly increased both the frequency and amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs) in CVNs. Similar responses were obtained with α-methyl-5-(2-thienylmethoxy)-1H-indole-3-ethanamine hydrochloride (BW723C86), and m-chlorophenylpiperazine (m-CPP), 5HT2B and 5HT2B/C receptor agonists, respectively. The facilitation evoked by α-Me-5HT was prevented by the 5HT2B/C receptor antagonist SB206553 hydrochloride (SB206553). Interestingly, the blockage of both NMDA and non-NMDA glutamatergic receptors did not prevent α-Me-5HT-evoked facilitation of mEPSCs, however, the responses were blocked by the P2 receptor antagonist pyridoxal-phosphate-6-azophenyl-2′,4′-disulfonic acid (PPADS). The responses evoked by α-Me-5HT were mimicked by application of α,β-methylene ATP (α,β-Me-ATP), a P2X receptor agonist, which were also blocked by PPADS. In summary, these results indicate activation of 5HT2 receptors facilitates excitatory purinergic, but not glutamatergic, neurotransmission to CVNs.
Transcriptional induction of the p69 isoform of 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase by interferon-β and interferon-γ involves three regulatory elements and interferon-stimulated gene factor 3

The 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetases are key enzymes that mediate antiviral actions of interferon (IFN). The mRNAs for the intermediate isoforms (p69) of human 2',5'-oligoadenylate synthetase are rapidly induced 10- to 20-fold in HT1080 glioma cells by IFN-beta and induced 3-fold at 24 h by IFN-gamma. Induction is mediated by three regulatory elements, an IFN-stimulated response element and two identical sites resembling interferon response factor binding sites that are located within 300 bp of the transcriptional start site. Maximal induction requires all three elements, yet mutation in the most distal IRF-1-like site diminishes transcription only slightly. Mutation in the ISRE substantially decreases constitutive expression but does not abrogate the response to IFNs. Simultaneous mutation in all three elements abolishes responsiveness to both IFN-beta and IFN-gamma. Both constitutive and IFN-beta-induced expression from the p69 promoter is blocked in mutant cell lines deficient in components of the transcription factor, interferon-stimulated gene factor 3, suggesting that it is the primary factor controlling IFN-beta induced expression of this gene.
Clinical efficacy of a synergistic combination of cefotaxime and amikacin against multiresistant Pseudomonas and Serratia infections

The synergistic activity of cefotaxime and amikacin against 21 highly resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens isolates was evaluated in-vitro by the checkerboard tube dilution method and in-vivo in five patients with serious infections caused by these organisms. All isolates were resistant to gentamicin, tobramycin, amikacin, and cefotaxime. Synergy was observed in 90% of isolates and occurred when the MIC of amikacin was less than 256 mg/l and of cefotaxime less than 1024 mg/l. A clinical response occurred in 100% and bacteriological cure in 80% of patients. Our results demonstrate a high degree of synergism between amikacin and cefotaxime in-vitro and clinical efficacy in the treatment of infections due to multiply-resistant Pseudomonas and Serratia species.
Dawn: An Ion-Propelled Journey to the Beginning of the Solar System

The Dawn mission is designed to perform a scientific investigation of the two most massive main-belt asteroids Vesta and Ceres. These bodies are believed to preserve records of the physical and chemical conditions present during the formation of the solar system. The mission uses an ion propulsion system to enable the single Dawn spacecraft and its complement of scientific instruments to orbit both of these asteroids. Dawn's three science instruments - the gamma ray and neutron detector, the visible and infrared mapping spectrometer, and the primary framing camera - were successfully tested after launch and are functioning normally. The ion propulsion system includes three ion thrusters of the type flown previously on the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) Deep Space 1 mission. A minimum of two ion thrusters is necessary to accomplish the Dawn mission. Checkout of two of the ion thrusters was completed as planned within 30 days after launch. This activity confirmed that the spacecraft has two healthy ion thrusters. While further checkout activities are still in progress, the activities completed as of the end of October indicate that the spacecraft is well on its way toward being ready for the start of the thrusting-cruise phase of the mission beginning December 17, 2007.
Substrates for cytochemical demonstration of enzyme activity IV. Kinetics of the hydrolysis of thymidine-5′(5-bromo-4-chloroindol-3-yl) phosphate by snake venom phosphodiesterase

Abstract 1. 1. A comparison of the action of purified spleen phosphodiesterase II (orthophosphoric diester phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.4.1) on two synthetic substrates thymidine 3′-(p-nitrophenyl) phosphate (III) and thymidine 3′-(5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indol-3-yl) phosphate (V) is described. The utility of the latter (V) derives from a chromogenic reaction sequence that leads to the highly colored 5,5′-dibromo-4,4′-dichloro-indigo (VII) via aerobic oxidation of the enzymically released intermediate 5-bromo-4-chloroindoxyl (VI). It is demonstrated that the rate of oxidation of VI to VII is significantly greater at pH 7.0 than enzymic release of VI. Therefore the oxidation step is not rate determining. 2. 2. The rates of enzymic hydrolysis of III and V, effected at a substrate concentration of 150 μg/ml in 4.1 M acetate (pH 5.5) in accord with established procedures, are of the same order of magnitude (370 and 235 μmoles/h per mg protein, respectively). The Km with III is about 0.25·10−3 and differs by a factor of approx. 10 from that (3·10−3) recorded by Razzell and Khorana. The difference is ascribed to the improved method of purification which affords a stable enzyme free of contaminants. 3. 3. A comparison of the kinetic parameters Km and V for the two substrates indicates that V is an acceptable substrate for assay of phosphodiesterase II.
Length-of-day changes and mountain torque during El Niño

Abstract Values of mountain pressure torque are calculated for the Rocky and Andes Mountains and for the Tibetan Plateau in order to evaluate their conuibufion to the observed anomalous length-of-day (LOD) and atmospheric angular momentum (AAM) change during the period from late January to mid-February 1983. A period of rapid increase in AAM and LOD is found to coincide with unusually high values of mountain torque on the Rocky Mountains, associated with a midcontinent high-pressure event and a sequence of Pacific frontal cyclone lows hitting California. A subsequent decrease in AAM is not correlated with mountain pressure torquesover the three regions tested, thus implicating other regions or other transfer mechanisms.
Preparation of LiVO2 crystals

Abstract The synthesis of LiVO2 crystals exhibiting two different morphologies is reported. Black hexagonal platelet-type and octahedral-like dendritic crystals were obtained using a fused-salt electrolytic method. DSC, TGA, magnetic susceptibility, and X-ray diffraction data are presented. Weak reflections observed in X-ray precession photographs of the platelets indicate a hexagonal superstructure with a unit cell a = 9.838(4) A = 2√3a′, where a′ = 2.84A, and c = 14.755(6) A. Observed systematic absences are consistent with the space groups P6222 and P6422. The dendrites appear to be a pseudocubic phase with a face-centered unit cell, a = 8.31(1) A.
Higher commutators, ideals and cardinality

For an associative ring R, we investigate the relation between the cardinality of the commutator [R, R], or of higher commutators such as [[R, R], [R, R]], the cardinality of the ideal it generates, and the index of the centre of R. For example, when R is a semiprime ring, any finite higher commutator generates a finite ideal, and if R is also 2-torsion free then there is a central ideal of R of finite index in R. With the same assumption on R, any infinite higher commutator T generates an ideal of cardinality at most 2cardT and there is a central ideal of R of index at most 2cardT in R.
Notes on the ecology of Aphanius dispar (Pisces, Cyprinodontidae) in the Sultanate of Oman

SUMMARY. Aphanius dispar was observed in the field and some simple laboratory studies were undertaken in Oman. A. dispar is almost totally ubiquitous in all bodies of fresh water where it occupies a wide range of habitats differing in stream flow, water chemistry, temperature and substrate quality. It often is found in association with one or both of two cyprinid fishes. Cyprinion and Garra. Aphanius is tolerant of wide ranges of salinity up to full marine water and has a wide temperature range. A. dispar resembles Cyprinodon species in a number of particulars, probably reflecting phylogenetic relationships and a common evolutionary response to desert conditions. It breeds throughout the year with a probable peak in the months of April to June.
Worker centers: defending labor standards for migrant workers in the informal economy

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to examine the role of day labor worker centers in improving wages and working conditions of migrant casual workers in the USA.Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports the results of a survey of worker center executive directors and senior staff, with particular attention to the ways in which centers maintain wage rates, allocate jobs, and redress grievances.Findings – Day labor worker centers are now an important presence in construction industry casual labor markets, performing HRM functions that benefit employers and workers.Research limitations/implications – The research was undertaken during a time when the US construction industry was enjoying an expansion. It is unclear what a macroeconomic downturn might mean for the effectiveness of worker centers to maintain labor standards.Practical implications – Conditions of instability and the violation of basic labor standards that occur in casual labor markets in the USA exist in other countries as well. Day ...
Social Sources of Information in the Development of Self

Interpersonal and cultural sources of information in the development of self are compared. Specifically, this involves the comparison of the effects of the appraisals of significant others and self...
Acquired resistance to the Shwartzman phenomenon.

Summary and conclusions1. The resistance to the Shwartzman phenomenon which develops when the reaction is elicited at short intervals is transient, disappearing after a rest period of 21-28 days. 2. This resistance was found to be effective against Shwartzman active materials from heterologous bacterial species. 3. It was found that a transient state of non—reactivity could be produced by repeated inocuilation of bacterial substances intracutaneously, intravenously or intramuscularly, evidence that the resistance is not depeneded on the development of skin hemorrhage. 4. The resistance which develops by repetitive injections could be overcone by in creasing the provocative intravenous dose but not by increasing the preparatory intracutaneous dose. 5. Attempts to transfer this resistance passively with homologous serum were unsuccessful.
Detection of Hazardous Cavities Below a Road Using Combined Geophysical Methods

Assessment of the risk arising from near-surface natural hazard is a crucial step in safeguarding the security of the roads in karst areas. It helps authorities and other related parties to apply suitable procedures for ground treatment, mitigate potential natural hazards and minimize human and economic losses. Karstic terrains in the Salento Peninsula (Apulia region—South Italy) is a major challenge to engineering constructions and roads due to extensive occurrence of cavities and/or sinkholes that cause ground subsidence and both roads and building collapse. Cavities are air/sediment-filled underground voids, commonly developed in calcarenite sedimentary rocks by the infiltration of rainwater into the ground, opening up, over a long period of time, holes and tunnels. Mitigation of natural hazards can best be achieved through careful geoscientific studies. Traditionally, engineers use destructive probing techniques for the detection of cavities across regular grids or random distances. Such probing is insufficient on its own to provide confidence that cavities will not be encountered. Frequency of probing and depth of investigation may become more expensive. Besides, probing is intrusive, non-continuous, slow, expensive and cannot provide a complete lateral picture of the subsurface geology. Near-surface cavities usually can be easily detected by surface geophysical methods. Traditional and recently developed measuring techniques in seismic, geoelectrics and georadar are suitable for economical investigation of hazardous, potentially collapsing cavities. The presented research focused on an integrated geophysical survey that was carried out in a near-coast road located at Porto Cesareo, a small village a few kilometers south west of Lecce (south Italy). The roads in this area are intensively affected by dangerous surface cracks that cause structural instability. The survey aimed to image the shallow subsurface structures, including karstic features, and evaluate their extent, as they may cause rock instability and lead to cracking of the road. Seismic refraction tomography and ground-penetrating radar surveys were carried out along several parallel traverses extending about 100 m on the cracked road. The acquired data were processed and interpreted integrally to elucidate the shallow structural setting of the site. Integrated interpretation led to the delineation of hazard zones rich with karstic features in the area. Most of these karstic features are associated with vertical and subvertical linear features and cavities. These features are the main reason of the rock instability that resulted in potentially dangerous cracking of road.
Renal Dysfunction as an Independent Predictor of Outcome After Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage A Single-Center Cohort Study

Background and Purpose— Acute kidney injury occurs in 1% to 25% of critically ill patients with small increases in creatinine adversely affecting outcome. We sought to determine the burden of acute kidney injury in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage and whether this dysfunction affects outcome. Methods— Between 1996 and 2008, 787 consecutive patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage were enrolled in our prospective database. Demographics, serum creatinine levels, and discharge modified Rankin scores were recorded, and changes in creatinine clearance were calculated. A multiple logistic regression was performed using known predictors for poor outcome after aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage in addition to burden of contrast-enhanced imaging and change in creatinine clearance. Results— One hundred seventy-nine (23.1%) patients were at risk for renal failure during their hospitalization. In a multivariate model, those patients who developed risk for renal failure were twice as likely to ...
Elastic and inelastic scattering of 79.5 MeV 11B and 87.5 MeV 10B ions

Abstract The elastic scattering of 79.5 MeV 11 B ions has been studied for seven targets ranging in mass from 24 Mg to 197 Au and of 87.5 MeV 10 B ions for three of these targets ( 24, 25 Mg, 60 Ni). Angular distributions were measured from ~10° c.m. in steps of 0.5°, to angles beyond 40° c.m. where the elastic cross sections are ≲ 10 −3 of the Rutherford values (except for 197 Au). Inelastic data for exciting the lowest 2 + states of 24,26 Mg and 60 Ni were also obtained. Important odd- A -even- A differences are observed in the 11 B elastic angular distributions for the Mg and Al targets; for 10 B scattering these are obscured by projectile quadrupole moment effects on the elastic scattering. The elastic data were analyzed using the optical model with potentials of both Woods-Saxon and double-folding form. The data for both 10 B and 11 B are consistent with the potential obtained in the folding model with the M3Y interaction without renormalization. The inelastic data were analyzed by the distorted-waves method.
Studies of the growth-inhibitory action of cortisone on chick embryos.

A histological study of the action of cortisone on developing chick embryo tibial cartilage revealed that the chondrocytes were smaller and the intercellular substance was diminished. Autoradiographic experiments demonstrated less accumulation of 35S in the diaphysis of cortisone-treated cartilage, but not in the metaphysis or epiphysis.
Interview: Tam Dalrymple

I decided to interview Tarn Dalrymple after reading comments she made about an article intended for the Public Services column. I noticed her protective approach to OCLC services. I could tell that she really feels strongly about OCLC and their references services. But the obvious plus for interviewing Tarn is the opportunity to get an inside perspective of references services at OCLC. During the interview, I asked questions about the past, present, and future of OCLC Reference Service products, along with some miscellaneous items just for fun and interest. Here is what she said.
Identifying and Using a Teacher-Friendly Learning-Styles Instrument.

This study assesses the validity and reliability of the Learning Styles Preference Indicator (LSPI), an instrument developed by the author. The LSPI identifies students' preferences for analytical or global approaches to learning new and difficult material. This instrument is easy to administer, quick to score, and produces information that will help teachers understand the way their students process information. By using information from the LSPI, teachers can design more appropriate learning strategies for the benefit of each student. This article reports reliability and validity correlation scores for elementary through adult students.
A convenient preparation of aryltrifluoromethylketones

Abstract The reaction of aryllithium reagents prepared by halogen metal exchange or direct metallation with α,α,α-trifluoro-N,N-dimethylacetamide give the corresponding aryltrifluoromethylketones in good yield.
Leptin: a new growth factor for the small intestine.

Abstract Purpose: This study was designed to evaluate the potential growth factor effects of systemic administration of leptin on mucosal mass and absorptive function in normal rat intestine. Methods: Twenty male Sprague-Dawley rats underwent placement of a jugular venous catheter connected to a subcutaneous osmotic pump designed to deliver its contents at a constant rate. The rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 5 per group) based on the contents of the osmotic pump: group 1, 0.1% bovine serum albumin; group 2, leptin, 6.25 [mu ]g/kg/d; Group 3, leptin, 18.75 [mu ]g/kg/d; Group 4, leptin, 43.75 [mu ]g/kg/d. After a 14-day infusion, [ 14 C] galactose and [ 14 C] glycine absorption were determined using a closed, recirculation technique. DNA content was determined from mucosal biopsies. Total RNA was extracted from mucosal samples, reverse transcribed, and amplified via polymerase chain reaction for the following primer pairs: sodium/glucose cotransporter (SGLT-1), fructose transporter (GLUT-5), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH, internal standard). Statistical analysis was performed by analysis of variance and expressed as mean [plusmn] SEM. Results: Systemic administration of increasing doses of leptin enhanced DNA content when compared with the appropriate control (group 2, 1.06 [plusmn] 0.04 [ P [lt ] .05]; group 3, 1.1 [plusmn] 0.05 [ P [lt ] .01]; and group 4, 1.07 [plusmn] 0.06 [ P [lt ] .05]. Leptin enhanced mucosal absorptive function (galactose: group 2, 2.31 [plusmn] 0.15 [ P [lt ] .01]; group 3, 2.71 [plusmn] 0.06 [ P [lt ] .01]; group 4, 2.19 [plusmn] 0.28 [ P [lt ] .05]; glycine: group 2, 2.34 [plusmn] 0.31 [ P [lt ] .05]; group 3, 3.32 [plusmn] 0.14 [ P [lt ] .01]; group 4, 3.1 [plusmn] 0.27 [ P [lt ] .01]) in the normal intestine when compared with the appropriate control animals. Also, leptin enhanced the gene expression of the carbohydrate transporters when compared with the appropriate control rats. Conclusions: These data show that systemic leptin administration enhances mucosal mass and absorptive function in normal rat intestine. Thus, leptin appears to be a growth factor for normal small intestine and may play a role in patients who acquire intestinal dysfunction.
6β-Hydroxytestosterone, a Cytochrome P450 1B1 Metabolite of Testosterone, Contributes to Angiotensin II–Induced Hypertension and Its Pathogenesis in Male Mice

Previously, we showed that Cyp1b1 gene disruption minimizes angiotensin II-induced hypertension and associated pathophysiological changes in male mice. This study was conducted to test the hypothesis that cytochrome P450 1B1-generated metabolites of testosterone, 6β-hydroxytestosterone and 16α-hydroxytestosterone, contribute to angiotensin II-induced hypertension and its pathogenesis. Angiotensin II infusion for 2 weeks increased cardiac cytochrome P450 1B1 activity and plasma levels of 6β-hydroxytestosterone, but not 16α-hydroxytestosterone, in Cyp1b1(+/+) mice without altering Cyp1b1 gene expression; these effects of angiotensin II were not observed in Cyp1b1(-/-) mice. Angiotensin II-induced increase in systolic blood pressure and associated cardiac hypertrophy, and fibrosis, measured by intracardiac accumulation of α-smooth muscle actin, collagen, and transforming growth factor-β, and increased nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase activity and production of reactive oxygen species; these changes were minimized in Cyp1b1(-/-) or castrated Cyp1b1(+/+) mice, and restored by treatment with 6β-hydroxytestoterone. In Cyp1b1(+/+) mice, 6β-hydroxytestosterone did not alter the angiotensin II-induced increase in systolic blood pressure; the basal systolic blood pressure was also not affected by this agent in either genotype. Angiotensin II or castration did not alter cardiac, angiotensin II type 1 receptor, angiotensin-converting enzyme, Mas receptor, or androgen receptor mRNA levels in Cyp1b1(+/+) or in Cyp1b1(-/-) mice. These data suggest that the testosterone metabolite, 6β-hydroxytestosterone, contributes to angiotensin II-induced hypertension and associated cardiac pathogenesis in male mice, most probably by acting as a permissive factor. Moreover, cytochrome P450 1B1 could serve as a novel target for developing agents for treating renin-angiotensin and testosterone-dependent hypertension and associated pathogenesis in males.
Benefits of Allocentrism for the Subjective Well-Being of African Americans

This study examines the relationship between allocentrism and subjective well-being among African Americans and European Americans. In addition, for these groups we tested the relationship between idiocentrism and subjective well-being. Eighty-four African Americans and 122 European Americans completed measures of allocentrism, idiocentrism, self-esteem, extraversion, life satisfaction, and general positive affect. The results show that the relationship between allocentrism and subjective well-being is of greater magnitude for African Americans than for European Americans. Similarly, there is a tendency for idiocentrism to be more highly negatively related to subjective well-being for European Americans than for African Americans. The results are discussed in terms of Baldwin and Hopkins’s theory of African American and European American worldview.
Thyrotropin-Releasing Hormone Activity in the Human Placenta

ABSTRACT TRH immunological and biological activities were found in extracts of human placentas. Eight term placentas delivered by cesarean section were extracted with 2 N acetic acid, followed by glacial acetic acid. Lyophilized samples were resuspended in phosphate-buffered saline. TRH activity, identified in each placental extract by specific RIA, averaged 19.8 ± 3.3 pg/mg protein. TRH in the placental extracts was similar to synthetic TRH by four criteria. 1) Serial dilutions of placental extracts defined an immunoassay inhibition curve with a slope (-1.93) identical to synthetic TRH (-1.88). 2) When placental extract or synthetic TRH was chromatographed on Sephadex G-10, TRH immunoreactivity was found in similar fractions of the eluate. 3) Both placental extract and synthetic TRH stimulated TSH release from rat pituitaries in vitro. 4) Human serum degraded placental extract and synthetic TRH in a qualitatively similar manner. Placental minces did not accumulate exogenous [3H]TRH, suggesting that the p...
Discordance in body size, colour pattern, and advertisement call across genetically distinct populations in a Neotropical anuran (Dendropsophus ebraccatus)

Patterns of intraspecific geographic variation in morphology and behaviour, when examined in a phylogenetic context, can provide insight into the microevolutionary processes driving population divergence and ultimately speciation. In the present study, we quantified behavioural and phenotypic variation among populations from genetically divergent regions in the Central American treefrog, Dendropsophus ebraccatus. Our fine-scale population comparisons demonstrated regional divergence in body size, colour pattern frequencies, and male advertisement call. None of the characters covaried with phylogenetic history or geographic proximity among sampled populations, indicating the importance of highly localized selection pressures and genetic drift in shaping character divergence among isolated regions. The study underscores how multiple phenotypic characters can evolve independently across relatively small spatial scales. © 2009 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2009, 97, 298‐313.
Approximation of certain multivariate integrals

A Taylor series approximation to multivariate integrals taken with respect to a multivariate probability distribution is proposed and applied to the computation of multivariate normal probabilities and conditional expectations. The approximation does not require that the multivariate distribution have a structured covariance matrix and, in its simplest form, can be written as the product of univariate integrals. The approximation is compared to that of Mendell and Elston (1974) for computing bivariate normal probabilities.
Timely administration of prophylactic antibiotics for major surgical procedures.

Background Prophylactic antibiotics (PA) given within 60 minutes before surgical incision decrease risk of subsequent surgical site infection. Nationwide quality improvement initiatives have focused on improving the proportion of patients who receive timely prophylactic antibiotics. Study design This is a cohort study of major surgical procedures performed in 108 Veterans Affairs hospitals between January and December 2005. Using data from the External Peer Review Program and the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, we examined factors associated with timely PA administration. Univariate and multivariable analyses were performed. Results There were 8,137 major surgical procedures: cardiac (2,664), hip and knee arthroplasty (3,603), colon (1,142), arterial vascular (606), and hysterectomy (122). Timely PA occurred in 76.2% of patients, 18.2% received them too early, and 5.4% received them too late. Early administration accounted for 79% of untimely PA. Differences in timeliness were seen by procedure type (68% to 87%; p Conclusions Early PA administration accounted for the majority of inappropriately timed PA. Efforts to improve performance on this measure should focus on administering antibiotics in the operating room.
Ethical issues in registry research: in-hospital resuscitation as a case study.

Research based on registry studies involves significant ethical issues. Using detailed information about one registry concerning in-hospital resuscitation, we present issues concerning informed con...
Caspase-1 Inhibitor Prevents Neurogenic Pulmonary Edema After Subarachnoid Hemorrhage in Mice

Background and Purpose— We examined the effects of a caspase-1 inhibitor, N-Ac-Tyr-Val-Ala-Asp-chloromethyl ketone (Ac-YVAD-CMK), on neurogenic pulmonary edema in the endovascular perforation model of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) in mice. Methods— Ninety-seven mice were assigned to sham, SAH+vehicle, SAH+Ac-YVAD-CMK (6 or 10 mg/kg), and SAH+Z-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethylketone (Z-VAD-FMK, 6 mg/kg) groups. Drugs were intraperitoneally injected 1 hour post-SAH. Pulmonary edema measurements, Western blot for interleukin-1β, interleukin-18, myeloperoxidase, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, MMP-9, cleaved caspase-3 and zona occludens-1, MMP zymography, terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining, and immunostaining were performed on the lung at 24 hours post-SAH. Results— Ten- but not 6-mg/kg of Ac-YVAD-CMK significantly inhibited a post-SAH increase in the activation of interleukin-1β and caspase-3 and the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end la...