cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for a Fenton-type mechanism for the generation of .OH radicals in the reduction of Cr(VI) in cellular media.

Electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy has been employed to examine the role of tetraperoxochromate (V) ions (CrO3-8) and other Cr(V) species in the generation of hydroxyl (OH) radicals in the reaction of Cr(VI) with H2O2 in biological media. In contrast to earlier suggestions, the present ESR studies using crystalline K3CrO8 as a source of CrO3-8 show that decomposition of CrO3-8 in water or in H2O2 does not generate significant amounts of OH radicals. Addition of NADH to a solution containing CrO3-8 yields a Cr(V)-NADH complex, which readily reacts with H2O2 to generate OH radicals. Similar results obtained from several other biological reductants, including vitamin B2, indicate that a vacant coordination site on a Cr(V) complex facilitates its reaction with H2O2 to generate .OH radicals. We thus suggest that in biological media, reaction [3] instead of [1] or [2] is the major pathway for the .OH radical generation: [formula, see text]
Isolation and base composition of DNA from normal and tumorous carrot tissues

Abstract A method is described for the isolation, of undegraded, relatively pure deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) from normal and tumorous carrot tissues. Both types of DNA had the same base composition characterized by a high 5-methylcytosine content.
Dynamics of microorganism populations in recirculating nutrient solutions

This overview covers the basic microbial ecology of recirculating hydroponic solutions. Examples from NASA and Soviet CELSS tests and the commercial hydroponic industry will be used. The sources of microorganisms in nutrient solutions include air, water, seeds, plant containers and plumbing, biological vectors, and personnel. Microbial fates include growth, death, and emigration. Important microbial habitats within nutrient delivery systems are root surfaces, hardware surfaces (biofilms), and solution suspension. Numbers of bacteria on root surfaces usually exceed those from the other habitats by several orders of magnitude. Gram negative bacteria dominate the microflora with fungal counts usually much lower. Trends typically show a decrease in counts with increasing time unless stressed plants increase root exudates. Important microbial activities include carbon mineralization and nitrogen transformations. Important detrimental interactions include competition with plants, and human and plant pathogenesis.
Distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis: risk factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula.

One of the most common complications after distal pancreatectomy is a fistula from the pancreatic remnant. Factors influencing the development of a pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy have not been clearly elucidated. The records of 91 patients who underwent distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis between 1995 and 2003 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Average daily volume and amylase concentration between postoperative days 2 and 20 from drains located at the pancreatic resection site were compared to clinical variables. Out of 137 pre- and intraoperative clinical variables, multivariate analysis showed serum creatinine (t = 3.05, p = 0.004), history of intraabdominal operation (t = −2.68, p = 0.01), right-sided pancreatic duct dilation (t = 2.65, p = 0.01), synchronous cholecystectomy (t = 2.53, p = 0.02), and serum albumin (t = −2.19, p = 0.04) to be independently associated with drain volume. Drain amylase concentration was linked to serum creatinine (t = 8.55, p < 0.001), blood urea nitrogen (t = −3.43, p = .001), preoperative parenteral nutrition (t = 2.56, p = .01), and serum alkaline phosphatase (t = 2.51, p = 0.01). There was no correlation between the degree of fibrosis and drain output. Technique of pancreatic transection and presence of suture closure of the pancreatic duct did not affect drain output. In conclusion, the amount and amylase concentration of postsurgical drainage after distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis is dependent on markers of renal dysfunction, malnutrition, biliary disease, and possibly inflammation. These factors, if medically reversible, should be addressed in patients who are candidates for distal pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis.
Expanded criteria for liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma: a report from the International Registry of Hepatic Tumors in Liver Transplantation.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common indication for liver transplantation (LT). Currently, deceased donor LT is approved by the United Network for Organ Sharing for patients with HCC who meet the Milan criteria of a single tumor up to 5 cm or up to 3 tumors up to 3 cm as determined by imaging studies. We analyzed data in the International Registry of Hepatic Tumors in Liver Transplantation from 1,206 patients with HCC. Tumor size and number were determined by gross pathologic examination. Kaplan-Meier recurrence-free survival in patients with a single tumor ≤5 cm or 2-3 lesions all ≤3 cm in diameter was 84.7% at 1 year and 61.8% at 5 years. Overall, patients whose tumor or tumors exceeded these limits had worse survival (67.2% at 1 year and 42.8% at 5 years, P < 0.001); however, not all patients in this group did poorly. Patients with 2-4 tumors ≤5 cm or single lesions ≤6 cm had recurrence-free survival equivalent to patients with a single tumor of 3.1-5.0 cm or 2-3 lesions all ≤3 cm in diameter. These data suggest that current criteria for selecting tumor patients for LT may be too restrictive and could be expanded. Liver Transpl 13:391–399, 2007. © 2007 AASLD.
The branch with the furthest reach

How should a given amount of material be moulded into a cantilevered beam clamped at one end, so that it will have the furthest horizontal reach? Here, we formulate and solve this variational problem for the optimal variation of the cross-section area of a heavy cantilevered beam with a given volume V, Young's modulus E, and density ρ, subject to gravity g. We find that the cross-sectional area should vary according a universal profile that is independent of material parameters, with both the length and maximum reach-out distance of the branch that scale as (EV/ρg)1/4, with a universal self-similar shape at the tip with the area of cross-section a~s3, s being the distance from the tip, consistent with earlier observations of tree branches, but with a different local interpretation than given before. A simple experimental realization of our optimal beam shows that our result compares favorably with that of our observations. Our results for the optimal design of slender structures with the longest reach are valid for cross-sections of arbitrary shape that can be solid or hollow and thus relevant for a range of natural and engineered systems.
Buprenorphine maintenance therapy in opioid-addicted health care professionals returning to clinical practice.

To the Editor: Hamza and Bryson1 argue against health care professionals returning to clinical practice while taking buprenorphine, based on purported neurocognitive effects. Their argument is based on weak science and flawed assumptions. Studies examining neurocognitive effects associated with buprenorphine are mostly based on small, selected samples and frequently fail to account for preexisting neurocognitive function or to distinguish between short- and long-term effects (after development of full tolerance) of the drug. Most studies use weak, ie, nonrandomized study designs. None of the studies was based on health care professionals. These limitations preclude firm conclusions regarding the presence or absence of neurocognitive effects associated with buprenorphine. More important, the impact of purported neurocognitive effects on job performance is not clear. Laboratory tests that show subtle effects cannot be extrapolated to real work performance. This would require direct measures of job task performance after long-term use of the drug—ideally using randomized study designs. Furthermore, many factors affect neurocognitive performance. Examples include baseline ability, age, previous head injury, impaired sleep, chronic illness, viral infection, and many commonly prescribed medications (including those that are not controlled). Thus, even if buprenorphine is shown through scientifically valid studies to have meaningful effects on neurocognitive performance after long-term use, it would be wrong to single out health care professionals taking this medication. Rather, the same standards for evaluation of neurocognitive performance would have to be uniformly applied to all health care professionals regardless of the cause for any decrement in performance. It is doubtful that most health care organizations are prepared to undertake such mass neurocognitive screening given its high costs and uncertain benefit.
Isospin properties of the X state near the DD̄* threshold

The $D{\overline{D}}^{*}$ scattering amplitude and the production of the final states ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ near the ${D}^{0}{\overline{D}}^{*0}$ threshold are discussed following the recent suggestion that the observed peaks $X(3872)$ and $X(3875)$ in the decays $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}XK$ are due to a virtual state $X$ in the ${D}^{0}{\overline{D}}^{*0}$ channel. The strong interaction is treated using the small interaction radius approximation. It is shown that the mass difference between the charged and neutral ${D}^{(*)}$ mesons results in a distinctive behavior of the relevant isotopic amplitudes. In particular, the shape of the peak in the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ channel should be significantly narrower than in the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{+}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}J/\ensuremath{\psi}$ channel, which property can be used for an experimental test of the virtual state hypothesis.
Effects of machining parameters on surface integrity of hard machined surfaces

AbstractThis study investigates the effects of machining parameters on the surface integrity of hard machined surfaces. The residual stress distribution of hard machined surfaces is characterized by compressive stresses in the range between 150 and 1000 MPa. Typically, residual stresses in the feed direction are more compressive above a depth of 12.7 μm, while residual stresses in the cutting direction are more compressive below a depth of 12.7 μm. The micro-hardness distribution of hard machined surfaces is characterized by a lower surface hardness and a stable bulk hardness. It is noted that a higher cutting speed induces a more softened layer. The machining-induced residual stress and micro-hardness distribution can increase the crack initiation life by 39 per cent, while increasing the crack propagation life by more than four times. Accordingly, it can increase the fatigue life by more than three times. The results are presented that demonstrate that the machining parameters significantly influence th...
Ionic control of the rupture of fetal membranes

Preterm premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membrane frequently leads to preterm birth and perinatal mortality. To ascertain whether the rupture of these membranes is influenced by variations in environmental pH and sodium concentration, we punctured 180 specimens from 9 membranes that were equilibrated in solutions of different pH, and 196 specimens from 10 membranes that were equilibrated in solutions with different sodium concentrations. Whole-membrane mechanical characteristics—strength, stiffness, toughness and ductility—were measured. These characteristics were defined based on a variant of the weakest-link theory: from a pool of three to five specimens, the specimen that had the lowest values of strength and concomitant values of stiffness, toughness, and ductility represents the mechanical characteristics of the entire membrane section. Strength-related mechanical characteristics—strength, stiffness and toughness—correlated negatively with pH (p<0.001, p<0.001, and p<0.02, respectively), while ductility did not correlate significantly with pH. Membrane hydration and thickness correlated positively with pH (p<0.001). The greatest increase in hydration accompanied by the greatest drop in strength, stiffness and toughness was observed between pH values of 3.68 and 5.58, suggesting that insufficient quantities of vaginal H+ could cause—as well as mark—premature rupture of the chorioamniotic membrane. No whole—membrane mechanical characteristics correlated significantly with changes in sodium concentration. Membrane hydration and thickness had slight positive correlations with sodium concentration (p<0.05). Changes solely in the sodium concentration of the amniotic fluid during normal pregnancy are not sufficient to facilitate rupture at term.
Perceived Control of Drinking and Other Predictors of Alcohol Use and Problems in a College Student Sample

Perceived efficacy in controlling drinking has occupied a central place in theories of the acquisition, treatment, and maintenance of drinking behavior. Two measures of perceived control over drink...
Knowledge and Action, Reason and Habit, in Jewish and Muslim Philosophies of Education

Jewish and Muslim philosophers, alike, regarded the formation of proper habits to be the key to effective education. They also considered rational acceptance of religious obligation to be mandatory for successful observance. This essay examines the relationship between these two dimensions of religious education: knowledge and reason on the one hand, and habit and action on the other hand, in the philosophical and pedagogical works of Abu Hāmid al-Ghazāli (1058–1111,) Moses Maimonides (1135–1204), and the anonymous Sefer Ha-Hinnukh (13th century).
Evaluation of an eye-movement controlled wheelchair--a preliminary report.

A motorised wheelchair controlled by the user's eye movements was evaluated regarding its practicability for extensively paralysed individuals. The observed merits of the wheelchair included the unobtrusiveness of the Sight Switches and the rapidity with which individuals learned to control it with reasonable facility. Liabilities included the sensitivity of the control system to changes in the level of ambient illumination, occasional spontaneous changes in the state of the logic circuits and lack of a control capability that would enable the occupant to stop the chair in case the normal controls malfunction. It was concluded that until these deficiencies are overcome, this wheelchair guidance system cannot be recommended for patients' use.
A GNU Radio based testbed implementation with IEEE 1609 WAVE functionality

Wireless Access in Vehicular Environments (WAVE) is comprised of multiple IEEE standards, including 1609.1 through 4 and 802.11p. In this paper, a testbed implementation of the 1609.3 and 1609.4 standards will be discussed. GNU Radio and the USRP version 1 will be used to implement a 802.11p-like physical layer, the application management of 1609.3, and the channelization features of the 1609.4 draft which are unique to the WAVE stack. This implementation is meant to provide a testbed for testing communication between multiple single transceiver WAVE devices. GNU Radio allows us to easily modify different layers in the protocol stack as the drafts continue to be standardized and its modularity allows us to easily breakdown the complex WAVE stack into manageable pieces. While it should be possible to implement a standardcompliant version of 1609.4 (and above) with GNU Radio, only a low bitrate version of the physical layer can be implemented due to communication limitations between the processing PC and the USRP.
Stochastic Processes in Science, Engineering and Finance by Frank Beichelt — Chapmann & Hall / CRC (2006)

(2007). Stochastic Processes in Science, Engineering and Finance by Frank Beichelt - Chapmann & Hall / CRC (2006) Journal of Statistical Theory and Practice: Vol. 1, No. 2, pp. 285-287.
Marcus E. Ravage’s An American in the Making, Americanization, and New Immigrant Representation

An American in the Making: The Life Story of an Immigrant (1917), an unconventional immigrant memoir by Marcus Eli Ravage (1884-1965), a Jewish American writer and journalist from Romania, has received little critical attention despite its popularity and favorable reception in the early twentieth century. Conceived at a time when the immigrant writer was competing with sociological accounts of “the immigrant story,” An American in the Making tells an unexpected story of Americanization. Speaking in part to his contemporaries’ theories of Americanization and against the growing nativism of the late 1910s and 1920s, Ravage also writes back, responding to previous representations of “the immigrant” by both immigrant and American writers and critics of the social scene. Ravage’s memoir, now in its fourth edition, affords us the opportunity to explore how the work of a first-generation or new immigrant writer, public intellectual, and journalist engages the political and cultural debates surrounding Americanization at the beginning of the twentieth century. Along with the cultural work of the immigrant press in the ideological context of the nationalist debates over American identity in the early twentieth century (especially the melting pot versus cultural pluralism), this memoir dramatizes the unsettled facets of Americanization discourses and practices. I argue that Ravage rewrites not only what he considers the immigrant’s “tragedy of readjustment” but also the genre of immigrant autobiography. In a polemical work, which often challenges the dialectic of Americanization, he shows the reader “an American in the making,” neither fully Americanized nor a greenhorn but a subject of literary production, aware of his objectification in contemporaneous sociological studies and photojournalistic exposes (such as Jacob Riis’s How the Other Half Lives [1890]). Furthermore, the demands of the genre of immigrant autobiography (established by the literary market) mirrored the coercive demands of Americanization
Use and Toxicity of the Colony-Stimulating Factors

The colony-stimulating factors (CSFs) have emerged as effective drugs in a variety of clinical situations. These drugs stimulate the production and activity of haematopoietic cells in vitro and in vivo. Two members of this group, granulocyte CSF (G-CSF) and granulocyte-macrophage CSF (GM-CSF), have been approved in the US and Europe for use following cytotoxic chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation. Other uses of the CSFs include myelodysplastic syndromes, aplastic anaemia, the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and cyclic and congenital neutropenias. Although CSFs have generally been well tolerated in clinical use there are a number of theoretical concerns, including disease acceleration, biased stem cell commitment and bone marrow exhaustion. New CSFs are currently under development. Combinations of growth factors in the future may maximise effectiveness while minimising toxicity.
How to successfully merge two corporate cultures

Many mergers fail when corporate cultures clash. But how do you integrate two companies with very different traditions? © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Multisurgeon, multisite validation of a trajectory planning algorithm for deep brain stimulation procedures

Deep brain stimulation, which is used to treat various neurological disorders, involves implanting a permanent electrode into precise targets deep in the brain. Reaching these targets safely is difficult because surgeons have to plan trajectories that avoid critical structures and reach targets within specific angles. A number of systems have been proposed to assist surgeons in this task. These typically involve formulating constraints as cost terms, weighting them by surgical importance, and searching for optimal trajectories, in which constraints and their weights reflect local practice. Assessing the performance of such systems is challenging because of the lack of ground truth and clear consensus on an optimal approach among surgeons. Due to difficulties in coordinating inter-institution evaluation studies, these have been performed so far at the sites at which the systems are developed. Whether or not a scheme developed at one site can also be used at another is thus unknown. In this paper, we conduct a study that involves four surgeons at three institutions to determine whether or not constraints and their associated weights can be used across institutions. Through a series of experiments, we show that a single set of weights performs well for all surgeons in our group. Out of 60 trajectories, our trajectories were accepted by a majority of neurosurgeons in 95% of the cases and the average acceptance rate was 90%. This study suggests, albeit on a limited number of surgeons, that the same system can be used to provide assistance across multiple sites and surgeons.
FGF is required for posterior neural patterning but not for neural induction.

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) has been implicated in a variety of developmental processes including posterior mesoderm and neural patterning. Previous work has led to contradictory roles for FGF in neural induction and anteroposterior neural patterning. Launayet al.(Development122, 869–880, 1996) suggested a requirement for FGF in anterior neural induction. In contrast, Kroll and Amaya (Development122, 3173–3183, 1996) and Banget al.(Development124, 2075–2085, 1997) proposed that FGF is not required for early neural patterning. Here we use a loss-of-function assay to examine whether FGF is required for neural patterning in three experimental situations: (i) inXenopusearly embryos, (ii) in embryonic explants consisting of presumptive dorsal mesoderm and neurectoderm (Keller explants), and (iii) in explants of dorsal ectoderm and posterior mesoderm in which FGF signaling is specifically blocked in the ectoderm. When cultured until tailbud stages, Keller explants develop neural tissue with normal anteroposterior pattern. Overexpression of the dominant-negative FGF receptor (XFD) in Keller explants inhibited the posterior neural markers En-2, Krox-20, and HoxB9, but not the panneural marker nrp-1 and the anterior neurectodermal markers XAG-1 and Xotx-2. Similar results were seen in whole embryos, but only when XFD RNA was targeted to both the dorsal and lateral regions. In contrast, addition of FGF to Keller explants resulted in a shift of the midbrain–hindbrain boundary marker En-2 to a more anterior position normally fated to become cement gland. We also determined whether FGF is required specifically by the neurectoderm for anteroposterior neural patterning. Recombinants of dorsal ectoderm and posterior mesoderm were made in which FGF was specifically blocked in the ectoderm. Spinal cord and hindbrain markers were inhibited in these recombinants, whereas anterior markers and cement gland development were enhanced. Our results demonstrate that FGF is important for posterior development in both mesoderm and neurectoderm and that neural induction and posteriorization represent separable developmental events.
With or without you: Preliminary evidence that attachment avoidance predicts nondeployed spouses' reactions to relationship challenges during deployment

Although much is written about the impact of deployment on nondeployed spouses (NDSs) and couple relationships, few empirical studies address this directly. Using attachment theory as a guiding framework, this study followed 32 NDSs across a military deployment. We examined the prospective association between NDSs’ attachment avoidance and their response to relational challenges (assessed using both correlational and experimental designs) during a deployment. Two weeks before deployment, NDSs provided self-reports of their attachment avoidance and relationship satisfaction. During the deployment, they provided stream-of-consciousness speech samples regarding (a) the deployment and (b) their anticipated reunion with their spouse: after each speech sample they reported on their subjective anxiety. Based on random assignment, NDSs then completed either an experimenter-led “personal” or “relational” memory savoring task, reporting on their emotional state before and after the task. Two
A simple method for production of slides of CT images from multiformat radiographs.

Abstract Sixteen on 1 multiformat images of CT scans can be mounted directly into special “super slide” 2 by 2 in. mounts. Use of special photographic equipment is thus avoided.
Minimal algorithms for bilinear forms may have divisions

Abstract We present a minimal algorithm for computing a set of bilinear forms which uses divisions.
Assessment of the Metabolic Capabilities of Haemophilus influenzae Rd through a Genome-scale Pathway Analysis

The annotated full DNA sequence is becoming available for a growing number of organisms. This information along with additional biochemical and strain-specific data can be used to define metabolic genotypes and reconstruct cellular metabolic networks. The first free-living organism for which the entire genomic sequence was established wasHaemophilus influenzae . Its metabolic network is reconstructed herein and contains 461 reactions operating on 367 intracellular and 84 extracellular metabolites. With the metabolic reaction network established, it becomes necessary to determine its underlying pathway structure as defined by the set of extreme pathways. The H. influenzae metabolic network was subdivided into six subsystems and the extreme pathways determined for each subsystem based on stoichiometric, thermodynamic, and systems-specific constraints. Positive linear combinations of these pathways can be taken to determine the extreme pathways for the complete system. Since these pathways span the capabilities of the full system, they could be used to address a number of important physiological questions. First, they were used to reconcile and curate the sequence annotation by identifying reactions whose function was not supported in any of the extreme pathways. Second, they were used to predict gene products that should be co-regulated and perhaps co-expressed. Third, they were used to determine the composition of the minimal substrate requirements needed to support the production of 51 required metabolic products such as amino acids, nucleotides, phospholipids, etc. Fourth, sets of critical gene deletions from core metabolism were determined in the presence of the minimal substrate conditions and in more complete conditions reflecting the environmental niche of H. influenzae in the human host. In the former case, 11 genes were determined to be critical while six remained critical under the latter conditions. This study represents an important milestone in theoretical biology, namely the establishment of the first extreme pathway structure of a whole genome.
Online Qualitätssicherung an Laserverbindungen in der Automobilindustrie

Seit dem Jahr 2000 setzt die Volkswagen AG im grosen Umfang, lasergestutzte Verbindungstechniken im Karosseriebau ein. Die Steigerung der Schweis- und Lotverbindungen nahm mit dem Polo, uber den Touran, den Golf und dem aktuellen Passat deutlich zu. Im aktuellen Golf sind rund 50 m Laserschweisnaht zu finden. Die Schweisnahte sind alle als Uberlappverbindung ausgelegt. Trotz des weiten Parameterfensters und der Sicherheit der Schweisprozesse, ist eine kontinuierliche Kontrolle der Verbindungsqualitat notig. Am Markt sind Systeme erhaltlich, die die Prozesse automatisch uberwachen und im Fehlerfall eingreifen konnen. Trotzdem sind in der Fertigung nur wenige dieser Systeme im Einsatz, da hier das Angebot der Qualitatssensoren, die tatsachlichen Bedurfnisse der Automobilhersteller noch nicht befriedigt.
Urban trauma transport of assaulted patients using nonmedical personnel.

Objective: To describe one urban trauma transport system to clarify the impact of transport by nonmedical personnel on patient outcome. Methods: Retrospective data were assembled over a six–year period through the use of the state trauma registry for an urban county served by seven state–accredited trauma centers. A subset of 4,767 consecutive assaulted patients was analyzed using the TRISS method to estimate survival probability. An unexpected death index (UDI), calculated as the difference between expected (TRISS method) and observed death rates, also was determined. Outcomes for patients transported by fire medics (FMs) vs nonmedical, police personnel (NPs) were compared. Results: FMs transported 2,108 (44%) and NPs transported 1,356 (29%) of the injured assault victims. The FM–transported patients had a lower expected probability of survival than had the NP–trans–ported patients (p < 0.001). This also was true within the penetrating–injury subgroup (p < 0.001), but not the blunt–injury subgroup. The observed death rate was higher for all the FM–transported patients than it was for the NP–transported patients (15% vs 11%; p < 0.01). The UDIs were not different overall, although the NP–transported patients who had blunt trauma had a significantly lower UDI (p < 0.01). Conclusions: NP transport of assaulted patients is generally associated with equivalent outcomes in comparison with FM transport in this urban environment. However, these data also provide evidence of an on–scene implicit triage with more severely injured patients generally transported by FMs.
Effect of Prolonged Use of Estrogens on Circulating Lipids in Patients with Idiopathic Hyperlipemia or Idiopathic Hypercholesteremia

The low incidence of atherosclerosis in premenopausal women and the effects of gonadal extracts on serum lipids indicate the desirability of further clinical and biochemical studies. Ethinyl estradiol was administered to 12 persons with idiopathic hyperlipemia or idiopathic hypercholesteremia. Medication was given for an average period of 16 months and was well tolerated, despite moderate gynecomastia, diminished libido, or uterine bleeding. The effects on the levels of circulating lipids and the clinical feasibility of this therapy are discussed.
Two Case Studies of Wintertime Cloud Systems over the Colorado Rockies

Abstract The economical importance of the winter snowpack to the Colorado Rocky Mountain region (e.g., weather modification potential, ski industry, avalanche prediction, snow removal, etc.) calls for an understanding of how the mountain environment and synoptic weather systems interact to produce precipitating orographic cloud systems. This may be achieved by recognizing that each cloud system can be broken down into individual cloud components. In each of the case studies, a synoptic cloud component, an orographic cloud component and a convective cloud component were identified through the analysis of rawinsonde data, vertically pointing radar data, and visual observations. This study shows that wintertime cloud systems over mountainous terrain can be thought of as being composed of cloud components that form when vertical velocity components act on different size and time scales (synoptic, orographic, convective). The following atmospheric phenomena are shown to be important factors which contribute to...
Transition-Metal Hydrides as Hydrogen Atom Donors: Stronger Metal−Hydrogen Bonds Can Be Advantageous

The tungsten hydride complex (η5-C5H5)W(CO)3H (1-W) functions as a hydrogen atom donor in the [(η5-C5Me5)Ru(NCMe)3]PF6-mediated Bergman cycloaromatization reaction of (Z)-dodeca-4,8-diyn-6-ene. The strong M−H bond in 1-W does not react with the enediyne substrate but does react with the diradical arising from cyclization, thereby demonstrating the advantages of strong metal−hydrogen bonds in the hydrogen atom transfer reactions of metal hydrides with substrates involving alkenes and alkynes.
Remeasurement of the neutron polarization from the 7Li(p, n)7Be reaction for 3 to 4 MeV protons

Abstract Polarizations of the neutrons emitted at 50° in the reaction 7 Li(p, n) 7 Be were obtained in 50 keV steps for proton energies from 3 to 4 MeV to an accuracy of 0.014 for the n o group. The solenoid spin-precession technique was employed to reduce instrumental asymmetries. Scattering through 90° to 110° from gaseous helium enclosed at high pressure in a thin walled cell was used as an analyzer. A search program was used to fit Gaussian functions to the asymmetries for both the n 0 and n 1 groups. At the lowest energies a time-of-flight system was employed to measure the polarization of the n 1 group. A polynomial is fit to the polarization values to provide an accurate calibration of the polarization at 50° lab in the range from 3 to 4 MeV proton energy.
A Passive Sampling Study of Small-Scale Variations in Ambient Acetaldehyde and Formaldehyde Concentrations:

Radiello passive diffusive aldehyde samplers were used to measure ambient formaldehyde and acetaldehyde levels, approximately every 0.7 km in a 10 km2 sampling area in Hillsborough County, Florida from January 21 to 28, 2010. Samples were analyzed for aldehyde-DNPH derivatives via high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. Concentrations were compared with values at a regulatory fixed-site monitor. Distribution statistics, concentration ratios, and spatial contours were calculated to investigate spatial variability. Mean aldehyde concentrations were 2.4 and 1.1 µg/m3 for formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, respectively. Observed spatial concentration patterns were similar for both aldehydes and suggest the influence of nearby roadway emissions. Overall, the spatial variation was small, with coefficients of variation of 13% and 22%, respectively. Results here provide methods and data for understanding exposures to aldehydes at high spatial resolution.
Metabolism of the prostagland in pertility regulator sulprostone in monkeys

Abstract The prostaglandin imide analog sulprostone (I) was labeled with tritium in the phenoxy ring to trace the face of the prostanoic acid portion of the molecule and with carbon-14 in the methanesulfonimide moiety to trace the fate of that portion of the molecule. Disposition was studied after intravenous administration to female cynomolgus monkeys. The excretion and plasma pharmacokinetics of total radioactivity indicated that the prostanoic acid and methanesulfonimide moieties were disposed of differently, implying that hydrolysis of sulprostone was extensive and that the hydrolysis products were treated independently. The urinary excretion of tritium (prostanoic acid) was consistent with that observed for other prostaglandins. The urinary excretion and plasma pharmacokinetics of carbon-14 were consistent with those expected for methanesulfonamide. Urinary metabolites identified in 0–2 hr urine include a trace amount of unchanged drug, methanesulfonamide, and two products of β-oxidation — the tetanor and dihydrotetranor prostanoic acids.
Acute Hyperglycemia Attenuates Endothelium-Dependent Vasodilation in Humans In Vivo

Background—Endothelial function is impaired in patients with diabetes mellitus. However, the factors contributing to this defect are currently unknown. Hyperglycemia attenuates endothelium-dependen...
A Comparison Study of Homeless and Non-Homeless HIV-Positive Persons Enrolled in Mental Health Care

Abstract Homelessness and HIV are significant social problems that exacerbate one another. While the literature contains a number of descriptive studies on the persons who struggle with these issues, there is a dearth of comparative studies to help social workers better understand the differences between individuals who are HIV-positive and homeless and those who are HIV-positive and domiciled. This study examined the differences in psychological distress, medical illness, care, insurance, and social service acquisition and the impact on service delivery that these differences imply. This study employed a correlational design to examine a sample of 528 HIV-positive persons, 193 homeless and 335 domiciled, who had self-enrolled into care at an HIV-focused mental health clinic. The findings suggest that there are more similarities between homeless and non-homeless HIV-positive persons than were expected. HIV-positive homeless persons were also more likely to access social services such as transportation, ho...
Substitution mechanisms at metal carbonyl centers; conversion of Ph3P(CO)4ReBr to Ph3P(CO)4ReCH3 via an anionic acyl intermediate

Abstract The substitution reaction Ph 3 P(CO) 4 ReBr + CH 3 Li → Ph 3 P(CO) 4 ReCH 3 is shown to occur by initial CH 3 Li attack upon coordinated CO.
Student Engagement or Simply Participation: How Does a Beginning Teacher Know?

AbstractStudent engagement that yields positive learning outcomes may be tricky to measure. While teachers might consider behaviors such as hand raising as evidence of engagement, observation alone fails to capture motivational factors behind true engagement. To measure engagement, the authors developed an informal tool that allows teachers at all levels to assess their effectiveness in delivering engaging instruction across varying classroom activities and topics.
Another Look at the Demand for Higher Education: Measuring the Price Sensitivity of the Decision to Apply to College.

Abstract Previous estimates of the price elasticity of college enrollment demand derived from individual-level data have treated the application decision as exogenous by focusing only on the influence of price on the college-going behavior of admitted applicants. Thus they ignore the possibility that a change in tuition may affect enrollments through its effect on the applicant pool. Using a sample of the high school seniors included in the National Longitudinal Survey of the High School Class of 1972 this paper presents estimates of the price elasticity of the decision to apply to college. Calculations which incorporate this price effect into earlier estimates of the tuition elasticity of enrollments suggest that the true elasticity may be double the size reported in the literature.
Upstream short sequence repeats regulate expression of the alpha C protein of group B Streptococcus.

Summary Group B streptococci (GBS) express a family of repeat-containing surface proteins, the prototype of which is the alpha C protein expressed in type Ia/C strain A909. We have isolated a series of mutant GBS strains by mouse-passage of A909 that do not produce normal levels of the alpha C protein. Polymerase chain reaction amplification and sequencing of the gene encoding the alpha C protein, bca, from four mutant strains revealed the presence of a full-length gene in each strain. However, Northern and RT-PCR analysis revealed greatly reduced levels of RNA encoding the alpha C protein. Sequence analysis of the mutant genes found the coding region unchanged from the wild-type gene in each case, but variation was observed in a specific locus located 110 bp upstream of the start codon. The presence of a 5-nucleotide repeat, AGATT, and a string of adenine residues mark this locus. Both deletion and expansion of the AGATT motif were associated with the complete null phenotype. Deletions in the string of adenine residues were associated with both a decreased-production phenotype and a complete null phenotype. Cloning of this upstream region into a green-fluorescent protein (GFP) reporter system in GBS demonstrated promoter activity that was completely abolished by changes in the pentanucleotide repeat or adenine string. Primer extension studies of the wild-type strain revealed one dominant and two minor transcription start sites. Primer extension studies of the null and low-expression mutant strains revealed that the dominant transcript is completely absent in each mutant. The short sequence repeat locus is located at position − 55 to − 78 relative to the start site of the dominant transcript. We have demonstrated in vitro phase variation in expression of the alpha C protein associated with variation at the pentanucleotide repeat locus. We conclude that this short sequence repeat motif is located upstream of the dominant promoter for the alpha C protein and represents a regulatory site for alpha C protein expression. This is the first evidence of transcriptional regulation by short-sequence repeats in a Gram-positive organism.
pocrm: An R-package for Phase I trials of combinations of agents

This paper presents the R package pocrm for implementing and simulating the partial order continual reassessment method (PO-CRM; [1,2]) in Phase I trials of combinations of agents. The aim of this article is to illustrate, through examples of the pocrm package, how the PO-CRM works and how its operating characteristics can inform clinical trial investigators. This should promote the use of the PO-CRM in designing and conducting dose-finding Phase I trials of combinations of agents.
An anaerobic spectroelectrochemical cell for studying the spectral and redox properties of flavoproteins.

Abstract An improved spectroelectrochemical cell has been developed in which both coulometric and potentiometric titrations of flavoproteins can be performed. Simultaneous acquisition of spectral data in these titrations enables measurements of molar absorptivity, number of electrons transferred and redox potentials. This cell has an oxygen leak rate of 0.02 nmol/min, a factor of 20 slower than that reported for the cell of Hawkridge and Kuwana (R. Szentrimay, R., P. Yeh, and T. Kuwana, 1977, in Electrochemical Studies of Biological Systems, American Chemical Society Symposium No. 38 (Sawyer, D. T., ed.), pp. 142–169, American Chemical Society, Washington, D. C.) in which similar measurements can be made. Oxygen leakage from the electrodes was minimized by pretreating the electrodes with dithionite and by including glucose and glucose oxidase in the auxiliary electrode. Oxygen in the atmosphere was scrubbed by the glucose-glucose oxidase system in a sidearm. The initial oxygen concentration is comparable to that of Hawkridge and Kuwana. The cell is simple in design, easy to construct, and fits into an unmodified spectrophotometer. The cell was tested on methyl viologen where n = 1.00 was obtained, and on flavodoxin where n = 1.04 ± 0.02 and n = 1.03 ± 0.02 were obtained for the two electrons. The two electrons of glucose oxidase which are transferred within 2 mV of each other were transferred with 95–100% efficiency. Using the potentiometric titration and four mediator dyes, we were able to measure redox potentials of both electrons of flavodoxin in pH range from 5.3 to 9.3. Redox potentials for glucose oxidase were measured at pH 5.3. Values for both flavoproteins agreed with published data.
Prolonged relief of tic douloureux from partial root destruction is associated with localized analgesia

Fifty-eight patients who had been relieved of tic douloureux (TD) for at least 3 years after partial destruction of the trigeminal sensory root by injection of minimal amounts of alcohol were reexamined 31/2 to 21 years after treatment. Of 41 patients still in remission at a median of 10 years after treatment, 32 had analgesia; i.e., sensation of pain from pinprick was absent in all 52 originally neuralgic areas. The other 9 patients in remission had some pain on pinprick in their neuralgic areas. In contrast, of 17 patients with recurrence of TD 31/2 to 11 years (median, 6 years) after treatment, at least 15 had demonstrable pain on pinprick in the neuralgic areas. It is concluded that continuing absence of pain on pinprick in the affected facial mucocutaneous area (or areas) is associated with prolonged relief of tic douloureux.
LS14: A Novel Human Adipocyte Cell Line that Produces Prolactin

Adipose tissue is an integral component within the endocrine system. Adipocytes produce numerous bioactive substances, and their dysregulation has serious pathophysiological consequences. We previously reported that human adipose tissue from several depots produces significant amounts of prolactin (PRL). To study locally produced PRL, we sought an acceptable in vitro model. Consequently, we developed an adipocyte cell line derived from a metastatic liposarcoma. The cell line, designated LS14, has been in continuous culture for 2 yr. These cells exhibit many properties of primary preadipocytes, including the ability to undergo terminal differentiation, as judged by morphological alterations, lipid accumulation, and increase in glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. LS14 cells express many adipose-associated genes, such as adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein (aP(2)), hormone-sensitive lipase, lipoprotein lipase, preadipocyte factor 1, adiponectin, leptin, and IL-6. Similar to primary adipocytes, LS14 cells also produce and respond to PRL, thus making them an attractive model to study adipose PRL production and function. The expression of PRL was confirmed at the transcriptional level by RT-PCR, and PRL secretion was determined by the Nb2 bioassay. Addition of exogenous PRL to LS14 cells resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of IL-6 release. In summary, we have established a novel human adipocyte cell line with many characteristics of primary adipocytes. The LS14 cells open up new avenues for research on human adipocyte biology and add to the repertoire of nonpituitary, PRL-producing cell lines.
The day it rained in Fort Collins, Colorado

Le 28 juillet 1997, une inondation detruisit une partie importante du fonds de la bibliotheque universitaire de Fort-Collins : la bibliotheque fut fermee pendant 2 semaines. Cependant le departement de pret interbibliotheque ne subit qu'une interruption de tres breve duree en raison des precautions prises, concernant en particulier la portabilite des equipements
MORPHOLOGIC AND FUNCTIONAL CHARACTERIZATION OF CHAGASIC HEART DISEASE IN NON-HUMAN PRIMATES

Chagasic heart disease has been documented in non-human primates, but noninvasive characterization of systolic and diastolic function has not been previously reported. Seventeen seropositive (12 females; mean age, 20) and 13 age- and gender-matched seronegative baboons underwent Doppler echocardiography. Systolic function indices included left ventricular (LV) fractional shortening (FS %), velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCF, circ/sec), LV mass index, and left and right ventricular ejection fractions (RVEF %). Diastolic function indices included trans- mitral E-wave, A-wave, E/A ratio, E-deceleration time, and isovolumic relaxation time. Twelve-lead electrocardio- graphic (ECG) recordings were obtained. There were no significant differences between groups for body size or blood pressure. Seropositive and seronegative groups revealed diffuse non-specific T wave changes precluding differentiation; however, tall "P" waves were seen in four seropositive and two seronegative baboons. Four of the 17 (24%) seropositive baboons had decreased FS (25 ± 8% versus 40 ± 5%, P < 0.005) and VCF (1.05 ± 0.36 circ/sec versus 1.84 ± 0.23 circ/sec, P < 0.0001), prolonged isovolumic relaxation time (71 ± 16 msec versus 5 5±9m sec, P < 0.02), and reduced RVEF (44 ± 9% versus 54 ± 4%, P < 0.05), as compared with the other seropositive baboons. We conclude that chagasic heart disease is present in 24% of the naturally infected baboons in this study. ECG evidence of right atrial enlargement was more common in the seropositive animals. There were systolic and diastolic abnormalities of both ventricles. The LV systolic dysfunction may be segmental or diffuse.
Analytic second- and third-order achromat designs

An achromat is a transport system that carries a beam without distorting its transverse phase space distribution. In this study, we apply the Lie algebraic technique to a repetitive FODO array to make it either a second-order or a third-order achromat. (Achromats based on reflection symmetries are not studied here.) We consider third-order achromats whose unit FODO cell layout is shown. The second-order achromat layout is the same except the octupoles are absent. For the second-order achromats, correction terms (due to the finite bending of the dipoles) to the well-known formulae for the sextupole strengths are derived. For the third-order achromats, analytic expressions for the five octupole strengths are given. The quadrupole, sextupole and octupole magnets are assumed to be thin-lens elements. The dipoles are assumed to be sector magnets filling the drift spaces.