cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Identification and synthesis of a male-produced sex pheromone from the stink bug Chlorochroa sayi.

The reproductive behavior of the stink bug Chlorochroa sayiwas studied in the laboratory. There was a sexual maturation period of about 10 days before bugs began mating. Sexually mature adult bugs engaged in courtship consisting of antennation and head-butting of the female by the male, before the female adopted a receptive posture and copulation occurred. Both sexes mated multiple times during their life-spans, with the mean duration of copulations of virgin bugs (42.3 ± 19.6 min) and experienced bugs (37.3 ± 28.4 min) being similar. Most matings were initiated in the late afternoon or evening, when pheromone production by males was greatest. Males transferred sperm and nutrients constituting about 17% of their body weight to females during mating. Three male-specific components, methyl geranate, methyl citronellate, and methyl (E)-6-2,3-dihydrofarnesoate in a ratio of 100 : 0.45 : 1.6, were first detected in volatiles collected from male bugs on green beans about 9–12 days after the final molt to the adult stage. In vertical Y-tube bioassays, females were attracted to odors from mature male bugs, and to a blend of the three male-produced components. Low numbers of females also were attracted in field trials with the three-component blend. The relatively weak attraction may be a result of other, as yet unknown cues being required in addition to the pheromone, such as visual or substrate-borne vibrational cues.
Seeing complexity: visualization tools in global environmental politics and governance

Can visualization tools and applications help scholars of global environmental politics and governance understand problems that are complex, linked, and cross-scalar—the critical characteristics of contemporary environmental problems? Surprisingly, such tools have been rarely used in this literature despite widespread availability and use in other fields to make sense of complex data. We trace the history of visualizations from the early work of Minard and Snow up to the sophisticated, web-based interactive graphics we have today, and identify forms of visualization and their uses. We apply these tools to a specific preliminary case study: the number, location, and timeline of waste disposal projects in developing countries registered with the Clean Development Mechanism as climate offsets. This preliminary case gets at unexpected linkages across climate and waste governance at the international level, and allows us to start to see local impacts of global mitigation and market mechanisms. Using Tableau, we have generated a series of maps and other visualizations that make trends and patterns visible—helping to spark further research. We conclude by discussing the implications of visualization tools for fields of global environmental politics and governance, and critiques of visualization from practical and theoretical viewpoints. We note their connection to wider political debates around accessibility of data and science.
Cope, Oxy-Cope and Anionic Oxy-Cope Rearrangements

The Cope rearrangement,1 discovered in 1940 by Arthur C. Cope early in his outstanding career, comprises the thermal rearrangement of 1,5-dienes to isomeric 1,5-dienes (equation 1). Today it is recognized as the prototype all-carbon member of a large family of related rearrangements which include the Claisen, aza-, thia- and phospho-Claisen rearrangements, rearrangements of allylic esters, and a number of other variations collectively classified as 3,3-sigmatropic rearrangements.
Menstrual Disruption with Exercise Is Not Linked to an Energy Availability Threshold.

ABSTRACTIntroductionChronic reductions in energy availability (EA) suppress reproductive function. A particular calculation of EA quantifies the dietary energy remaining after exercise for all physiological functions. Reductions in luteinizing hormone pulse frequency have been demonstrated when EA u
Factor analysis of symptoms among subjects with unexplained chronic fatigue: What can we learn about chronic fatigue syndrome?

Abstract Objective: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) case definitions agree that fatigue must be unexplained, debilitating and present for at least 6 months, but they differ over accompanying symptoms. Our objective was to compare the 1994 CFS case-defining symptoms with those identified by factor analysis. Methods: We surveyed the Wichita population and measured the occurrence of 21 symptoms in 1391 chronically fatigued subjects who did not report fatigue-associated medical or psychiatric conditions. We used factor analyses to identify symptom dimensions of fatigue and cluster analysis to assign subjects to subgroups. Results: Forty-three subjects had CFS. We confirmed three factors: musculoskeletal, infection and cognition–mood–sleep, essentially defined by CFS symptoms. Although factor scores were higher among CFS subjects, CFS and non-CFS distributions overlapped substantially. Three clusters also showed overlap between CFS and non-CFS subjects. Conclusion: CFS symptomatology is a multidimensional phenomenon overlapping with other unexplained fatiguing syndromes and this must be considered in CFS research.
Cytochromes and Oxidative Phosphorylation

The electron transport systems of brain include mitochondrial and nonmitochondrial bound cytochromes. The nonmitochondrial (microsomal) systems are involved in the oxidation of NAD(P)H, with eventual transfer of electrons to some acceptor either natural or artificial.
MECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF ALPHA TITANIUM AS AFFECTED BY STRUCTURE AND COMPOSITION

The effects of grain size and shape on alloys of titanium with nitrogen and aluminum have been determined. Increasing α grain size decreases strength and hardness and increases impact resistance. Quenching from the β field produces subgrain markings delineating α plates in Ti-N alloys but not in Ti-Al alloys. This suggests a precipitation from the high nitrogen alloys.
Multiscale divergence between Landsat- and lidar-based biomass mapping is related to regional variation in canopy cover and composition

Satellite-based aboveground forest biomass maps commonly form the basis of forest biomass and carbon stock mapping and monitoring, but biomass maps likely vary in performance by region and as a function of spatial scale of aggregation. Assessing such variability is not possible with spatially-sparse vegetation plot networks. In the current study, our objective was to determine whether high-resolution lidar-based and moderate-resolution Landsat-base aboveground live forest biomass maps converged on similar predictions at stand- to landscape-levels (10 s to 100 s ha) and whether such differences depended on biophysical setting. Specifically, we examined deviations between lidar- and Landsat-based biomass mapping methods across scales and ecoregions using a measure of error (normalized root mean square deviation), a measure of the unsystematic deviations, or noise (Pearson correlation coefficient), and two measures related to systematic deviations, or biases (intercept and slope of a regression between the two sets of predictions). Compared to forest inventory data (0.81-ha aggregate-level), lidar and Landsat-based mean biomass predictions exhibited similar performance, though lidar predictions exhibited less normalized root mean square deviation than Landsat when compared with the reference plot data. Across aggregate-levels, the intercepts and slopes of regression equations describing the relationships between lidar- and Landsat-based biomass predictions stabilized (i.e., little additional change with increasing area of aggregates) at aggregate-levels between 10 and 100 ha, suggesting a consistent relationship between the two maps at landscape-scales. Differences between lidar- and Landsat-based biomass maps varied as a function of forest canopy heterogeneity and composition, with systematic deviations (regression intercepts) increasing with mean canopy cover and hardwood proportion within forests and correlations decreasing with hardwood proportion. Deviations between lidar- and Landsat-based maps indicated that satellite-based approaches may represent general gradients in forest biomass. Ecoregion impacted deviations between lidar and Landsat biomass maps, highlighting the importance of biophysical setting in determining biomass map performance across aggregate scales. Therefore, regardless of the source of remote sensing (e.g., Landsat vs. lidar), factors affecting the measurement and prediction of forest biomass, such as species composition, need to be taken into account whether one is estimating biomass at the plot, stand, or landscape scale.
Usability Evaluation of Alzheimer’s mHealth Applications for Caregivers

As the sixth leading cause of death within the United States, Alzheimer’s disease affects over 15 million caregivers administering home-based care for loved ones having this illness. The rise in ad...
Should Investors Care About Mutual Fund Governance Quality?: Evidence From Morningstar Stewardship Ratings

This article utilizes Morningstar Governance Ratings (MGRs) to analyze mutual fund expenses and create an indirect proxy for mutual fund performance. The results differ across ratings type and fund structure. In general, multiple share class (MS) funds do not have lower expenses, which is surprising since MS funds were created explicitly to have lower expenses. Additionally, MGRs impact expenses differently for each fund structure type: a higher board quality rating is only correlated with lower expense ratios for MS funds, while higher managerial incentive ratings are correlated with higher expenses for Non-MS funds and lower expenses for MS funds. When considering that a main impetus for creating MS funds is to lower investor expenses, it is of interest that only funds with higher stewardship ratings seemingly have lower expenses.
Forum: Iterative-Adaptive Management and Contingency-Based Restoration Planning in Variable Environment☆

Abstract Millions of hectares of sagebrush/bunchgrass rangeland in the western United States are undergoing type conversion to systems dominated by introduced annual grasses that proliferate after wildfire. Postfire rehabilitation and restoration are problematic in these complex systems, but restoration difficulties are exacerbated by high annual and seasonal variability in precipitation and persistent drought. Successful restoration of compositional, structural, and functional diversity in these weather-limited systems may require relatively long-term, iterative management that incorporates flexibility in the definition of the aspirational/goal state. Restoration planning should also explicitly accommodate a lack of predictability of individual-year management results and expectations of only partial success of individual-year management treatments. This planning environment may require rapid assessment and contingency planning in the short term but also long-term persistence to overcome expected failures and setbacks. New methodologies are needed to increase biodiversity without damaging previously established plants, and new metrics need to be developed to monitor successional trajectories between initial and multiple-potential goal states.
Pharmacological Management of Dementia with Lewy Bodies

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is a complex disease that involves a variety of cognitive, behavioral and neurological symptoms, including progressive memory loss, visual hallucinations, parkinsonism, cognitive fluctuations and rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (RBD). These symptoms may appear in varying combinations and levels of severity in each patient who is seen in the clinic, making diagnosis and treatment a challenge. DLB is the third most common of all the neurodegenerative diseases behind both Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease (PD). The median age of onset for DLB (76.3 years) is younger than that seen in PD dementia (81.4 years). New pathological studies have shown that most DLB patients have variable amounts of Alzheimer’s changes in their brains, explaining the wide variability in this disease’s clinical presentation and clinical course. This review discusses the three cholinesterase inhibitors that have been shown to be effective in managing the cognitive and behavioral symptoms of DLB: rivastigmine, galantamine and donepezil. Memantine is able to improve clinical global impression of change in those with mild to moderate DLB. Levodopa can treat the parkinsonism of some DLB patients, but the dose is often limited due to the fact that it can cause agitation or worsening of visual hallucinations. A recent phase 2 clinical trial showed the benefit of zonisamide when it is added as an adjunct to levodopa for treating DLB parkinsonism. While atypical antipsychotic drugs may not always be helpful as monotherapy in managing the agitation associated with DLB, low doses of valproic acid can be effective when added as an adjunct to drugs like quetiapine. Pimavanserin may prove to be a useful treatment for psychosis in DLB patients, but like other antipsychotic drugs that are used in dementia patients, there is a small increased risk of mortality. RBD, which is a common core clinical feature of DLB, can be managed with either melatonin or clonazepam. Two agents targeting alpha-synuclein (NPT200-11 and ambroxol) currently hold promise as disease-modifying therapies for DLB, but they are yet to be tested in clinical trials. An agent (E2027) that offers hope of neuroprotection by increasing central cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) levels is currently being examined in clinical trials in DLB patients.
Quantitative Analysis of a Drug in an Animal Feed Employing Sample Preparation by Supercritical Fluid Extraction

A pharmaceutical agent has been quantified in a rat feed matrix wherein sample preparation was achieved by supercritical fluid extraction. Spiking levels ranged from 0.0335% to 1.12%. Pure carbon dioxide, solid phase trapping on stainless steel with acetonitrile and liquid chromatographic assay yielded recoveries greater than 90% with relative standard deviations less than 5% in all cases except for the lowest spiking level. In this case recovery was 89.6% with an RSDof 9.6.
Moderate-vigorous physical activity and health-related quality of life among Hispanic/Latino adults in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos (HCHS/SOL).

Physical activity is a modifiable healthy behavior that has been shown to positively influence health-related quality of life. However, research examining the link between physical activity and health-related quality of life among Hispanic/Latino adults is limited and inconsistent. The purpose of this study is to assess whether accelerometer-measured moderate-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) is associated with self-reported (a) mental health-related quality of life, and (b) physical health-related quality of life among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults in the US. Cross-sectional data from 12,379 adults ages 18–74 years in 2008–2011, who participated in HCHS/SOL and had complete data were analyzed using complex survey design methods. Accelerometer data were categorized into no MVPA, low, moderate, and high MVPA. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the Short-Form 12 and we used the mental and physical component subscales where higher scores indicate better health-related quality of life. Multivariate linear regression models were used to derive adjusted means with 95% confidence intervals and linear trends. We observed no significant linear trend between accelerometer-measured MVPA and mental health-related quality of life (ptrend = 0.73). There was a significant positive association between MVPA and physical health-related quality of life (ptrend < 0.001) where higher MVPA corresponded with higher scores in physical health-related quality of life. The adjusted means were 46.67 (44.85–48.48) for no MVPA, 49.33 (49.03–49.63) for low MVPA, 50.61 (50.09–51.13) for moderate MVPA, and 51.36 (50.86–51.86) for high MVPA. Among diverse Hispanic/Latino adults in the US, accelerometer-measured MVPA was associated with physical health-related quality of life, but not mental health-related quality of life. Future interventions should evaluate if increases in MVPA lead to improvements in health-related quality of life.
Systematic review and meta-analysis of the moderating effect of rs1799971 in OPRM1, the mu-opioid receptor gene, on response to naltrexone treatment of alcohol use disorder.

Background and aims There is wide inter-individual variability in response to the treatment of alcohol use disorder (AUD) with the opioid receptor antagonist naltrexone. To identify patients who may be most responsive to naltrexone treatment, studies have examined the moderating effect of rs1799971, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) that encodes a non-synonymous substitution (Asn40Asp) in the mu-opioid receptor gene, OPRM1. The aims of this study were to: (1) conduct a systematic review of randomized clinical trials (RCTs); (2) assess the bias of the available studies and gauge publication bias; and (3) meta-analyze the interaction effect of the Asn40Asp SNP on the response to naltrexone treatment. Methods We searched for placebo-controlled RCTs that examined the effect of Asn40Asp on the response to naltrexone treatment of heavy drinking or AUD. We tested the hypothesis that the minor (Asp40) allele was associated with a greater reduction in five alcohol consumption measures (relapse to heavy drinking, abstinence, percentage of heavy drinking days, percentage of days abstinent and drinks per day) in naltrexone-treated participants by meta-analyzing the interaction effects using a random effects model. Results Seven RCTs met the study criteria. Overall, risk of bias was low and we observed no evidence of publication bias. Of the five alcohol consumption outcomes considered, there was a nominally significant moderating effect of the Asn40Asp SNP only on drinks per day (d = -0.18, P = 0.02). However, the effect was not significant when multiple comparisons were taken into account. Conclusions From the evidence to date, it remains unclear whether rs1799971, the OPRM1 Asn40Asp single nucleotide polymorphism, predicts naltrexone treatment response in individuals with alcohol use disorder or heavy drinking.
A Survey to Assess Agreement Between Pelvic Surgeons on the Outcome of Examination Under Anesthesia for Lateral Compression Pelvic Fractures

Objectives To assess agreement among pelvic surgeons regarding the interpretation of examination under anesthesia (EUA), the methodology by which EUA should be performed, and the definition of a positive examination. Design Survey. Patients/participants Ten patients who presented to our Level 1 trauma center with a pelvic ring injury were selected as clinical vignettes. Vignettes were distributed to 15 experienced pelvic surgeons. Intervention Examination under anesthesia. Main outcome measurements Agreement regarding pelvic fracture stability (defined as >80% similar responses), need for surgical fixation, definition of an unstable EUA, and method of performing EUA. Results There was agreement that a pelvic fracture was stable or unstable in 8 (80%) of 10 cases. There was agreement that fixation was required or not required in 6 (60.0%) of 10 cases. Seven (46.7%) surgeons endorsed performing a full 15-part EUA, whereas the other 8 (53.3%) used an abbreviated or alternative method. Eight (53.3%) surgeons provided a definition of what constitutes a positive EUA, whereas the remaining 7 did not endorse adhering to a strict definition. Conclusions Pelvic surgeons generally agree on what constitutes a positive or negative EUA but not necessarily the implications of a positive or negative examination. There is no clear consensus among surgeons regarding the method of performing EUA nor regarding the definition of a positive EUA. Level of evidence Prognostic Level IV. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Co-design of an Integrated Direct-drive Electric Motor and Ducted Propeller for Aircraft Propulsion

This paper discusses the co-design of an electric aircraft propulsion system for minimum weight and maximum power-to-thrust efficiency. The system under consideration for preliminary exploration of the methodology consists of a fully superconducting synchronous motor and a ducted, fixed-pitch propeller. In order to ensure a viable propulsor, a minimum required thrust bound is imposed on the system design. Both analytical methods and finite-element analysis (FEA) are used to size the motor, and a blade-element momentum (BEM) model is implemented for predicting performance of the ducted propeller. A genetic algorithm optimization scheme is applied on a hydrogen-powered electric aircraft propulsion system proposed for the Center for High-Efficiency Electrical Technologies for Aircraft (CHEETA) project. Sensitivity of the combined system efficiency to motor weight is evaluated.
Snapshot multi-PSF 3D single-molecule localization microscopy using deep learning

We propose a neural point spread function (PSF) engineering approach for 3D single-molecule localization microscopy. Our approach jointly optimizes the PSFs of multiple optical paths in a microscope with a differentiable localization algorithm.
Performance of Aneurysm Wall Enhancement Compared with Clinical Predictive Scales: PHASES, ELAPSS, and UIATS.

Objective To correlate the presence of objectively measured wall enhancement on high-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) with the clinical predictive scales PHASES, ELAPSS, and UIATS. Methods Patients with unruptured intracranial aneurysm (UIAs) prospectively underwent HR-VWI on a 3-T magnetic resonance imaging scanner at diagnosis. Aneurysmal wall enhancement was objectively quantified on T1 postcontrast magnetic resonance imaging using signal intensity values adjusted for the pituitary stalk to calculate a contrast ratio (CRstalk). UIAs with CRstalk ≥0.60 were considered “enhancing.” Patients' demographics, comorbidities, and aneurysm morphology were reviewed to calculate PHASES, ELAPSS, and UIATS scores. Pearson coefficients were applied for statistical correlation. Univariable and multivariable logistic regressions were performed to assess for confounders. Results One-hundred and twenty-three patients harboring 178 UIAs underwent HR-VWI. A total of 101 patients with 135 UIAs were analyzed. Enhancing UIAs were larger (8.4 ± 5.5 mm vs. 5.5 ± 2.3 mm; P Conclusions Enhancing UIAs score higher in PHASES and ELAPSS scales. This association is largely explained by aneurysm size, aspect, and size ratios. Morphologic UIA features should be accounted for in clinical predictive scales of aneurysm instability.
Comparison of stock price prediction ability based on GARCH and BP_ANN

This article first summarizes the history and development of two types of methods in the field of forecasting, GARCH model and artificial neural network ANA; then conducts data analysis and research in the Chinese stock market background which use matlab software and eviews software to run the double types respectively. This obvious BP-ANN model and GARCH model use to predict then continue to determine the trend of the Shanghai index which is A-share, and the price trend of a stock of Great Wisdom respectively. In the end, compare the output results to deepen the understanding of financial data analysis methods. Through the research of this article, it can be polished, whether it is in terms of stock index forecasting or single stock forecasting.
Quantiles naïve, ratio and difference estimators for efficient stratified sampling designs

This paper proposes and investigates the bivariate, the marginal distribution functions and quantiles estimators and their asymptotic properties for naive, ratio, and difference estimators based on the bivariate stratified simple random sampling (BVSSRS) and bivariate stratified ranked set sampling designs (BVSRSS). We demonstrate that the proposed estimators using BVSRSS and BVSSRS are consistent and asymptotically normally distributed. Improved performance of the proposed estimators using BVSRSS compared to BVSSRS supported through an intensive simulation study. The derivation of the optimal allocation based on BVSSRS and BVSRSS is provided. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data is used to illustrate the methods.
Isolation and structural characterization of the polymetallic zirconium alkoxide complexes, Zr3O(OCH2CMe3)9Cl, Zr3O(OCMe3)9(OH), and Na4Zr6O2(OEt)24

Abstract Three polymetallic zirconium alkoxide complexes have been isolated and structurally characterized which show that by proper combination of zirconium precursor and alkoxide, this small class of compounds can be expanded. The trimetallic neopentoxide complex [(NpO)2Zr]3(μ-ONp)3(μ3-Cl)(μ3-O), 1, (NpCH2CMe3) can be isolated from the reaction of ZrCl4 with four equivalents of KOCH2CMe3 in THF. The trimetallic tert-butoxide complex, [ ( t BuO ) 2 Zr ] 3 (μ- O t Bu ) 2 (μ- OH )(μ 3 - O t Bu )(μ 3 O ) , 2, can be isolated from the reaction of ZrCl4 with 3.3 equivalents of LiOCMe3 in THF. The reaction of Zr(OEt)4 with one equivalent of NaOSiMe3 in THF formed the mixed-metal polymetallic complex. {Na2[(EtO)Zr]3(μ-OEt)7(μ3-OEt)2(μ3-O)}2, 3. These results show that the common M3(μ-E)3(μ3-E)2 structural motif with E being a ligand donor atom can be obtained with zirconium alkoxides.
Brown-Séquard, Charles Edouard (1817–1894)

This article has no abstract. Keywords: Brown-Sequard, Charles Edouard (modern hormone replacement therapy); sensory pathways in spinal cord
Tumor Markers in Pancreatic Cancer: 2013

Amongst the tumor markers for pancreatic cancer CA 19-9 is being used most widely and newer clinically useful applications of this tumor marker are being researched. We will discuss four abstracts presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting which contribute to expanding the application of CA 19-9 measurement (Abstracts #4042, #4058, #e15082, #e15146).
Teaching students to learn in the computer science and information systems curriculum: creating a distinction between content and methods

Students entering into college today may not be as prepared as previous generations to handle the rigor of the Computer Science and Information Systems (CS/IS) curriculum due to several factors including lowered admission standards at schools, poor prerequisite preparation prior to entry and other factors that ultimately have an impact on student performance. To mitigate the problem of ill-prepared students, this paper discusses a pedagogically sound teaching strategy for CS/IS faculty at smaller teaching institutions that includes Teaching Students to Learn (TSTL). By creating a distinction between "teaching content" and "teaching about learning" in the CS/IS curriculum, this article discusses the potential positive impacts for student learning. Furthermore, this paper suggests additional curriculum development and presents several class technique examples that may be considered by the instructor in the CS/IS curriculum.
A Systematic Evaluation of Four-Year College Courses in Meetings and Conventions Management

A study was conducted to systematically evaluate the collegiate courses in meetings and conventions management currently offered by hospitality & tourism management programs in the United States. Through a survey of leading meetings management professionals, the subject matters which were regarded most important for inclusion in collegiate meetings management courses were determined. Based on the survey results, current meetings management courses were systematically evaluated. The findings of this study provide recommendations for future development of meetings and conventions management courses.
Repeated administration of angiotensin II reduces its dipsogenic effect without affecting saline intake.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) acts at central type 1 (AT1) receptors to increase intake of water and saline. In vitro studies demonstrated rapid desensitization of the AT1 receptor after Ang II exposure, and behavioural studies in rats suggest that exposure to Ang II decreases the dipsogenic potency of subsequent Ang II. Nevertheless, the effect of repeated Ang II injections on saline intake remains untested, and a reliable protocol for examining this purported behavioural desensitization has not emerged from the literature. To address these issues, we established a reliable approach to study Ang II-induced dipsetic desensitization and used this approach to test the requirement of central AT1 receptors and the specificity of the effect for water intake. Rats given a treatment regimen of three injections of Ang II (300 ng, intracerebroventricular), each separated by 20 min, drank less water than control rats after a subsequent test injection of Ang II. The effect was relatively short lasting, dependent on the dose and timing of Ang II, and was almost completely blocked by the AT1 receptor antagonist losartan. In further testing, when rats were given access to both water and 1.5% saline, animals that received an Ang II treatment regimen drank less water than control animals, but saline intake was unaffected. These data support previous suggestions that Ang II-induced water and saline intakes are separable. Given the role of G protein uncoupling in desensitization of the AT1 receptor, these data are consistent with the emerging hypothesis that AT1 receptor G protein-dependent intracellular signalling pathways are more relevant for water, but not saline, intake.
Use of econometric selection models to describe non-completion of treatment for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) among the Ethiopian and Somali immigrant populations

Tuberculosis (TB) is a global health concern, with 2 million deaths each year. Treating immigrants with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) has become a priority in the U.S., as active TB rates decline. The study investigates treatment adherence for LTBI via econometric selection models for two reasons: only the healthiest of immigrants migrate and LTBI patients choose whether or not to receive treatment, constituting a non-random sample. Our hypothesis was to determine whether patients who chose not to complete treatment vary systematically from those who did in a way that increased their future probability of disease activation. For individuals who did (not) immigrate, we assume that the risk of developing active TB disease is lower (higher) than the risk of developing a latent TB infection. We expect the demand among non-immigrants for TB prevention to be high in endemic countries. We never realize this demand because these individuals do not migrate. Therefore, Heckman's sample selection model was used to estimate returns to migration. Initiation and duration of treatment is significantly associated with length of time in the United States (p<.05). Among immigrants who did not complete treatment, HbA1c/vitamin D levels were significantly greater/lower than those who did complete treatment (p<.05). After correcting for the biases of the “healthy immigrant effect” and the self-selection into treatment, immigrants who do not complete treatment for LTBI are at greater risk for developing active disease. Better outreach is needed to convince these immigrants of the benefits of LTBI treatment.
Reassessment of the interactions of guanylate kinase and 6-thioguanosine 5'-phosphate.

Abstract Contrary to published studies, 6-thioguanosine 5'-phosphate (6-thioGMP) was found to be a relatively weak inhibitor of the phosphorylation of GMP catalyzed by guanylate kinase. The inhibition constant for 6-thioGMP was 2.3 mM for the enzyme from human erythrocytes. This Ki value is 30-fold larger than previously reported values. The weak inhibition by 6-thioGMP is related to the alternate substrate activity of this compound. It has an apparent Km value of 2.1 mM and a maximal velocity of 3 per cent of that attainable with GMP as the saturating substrate. The discrepancy between these findings and those previously reported was found to be due to a spectrophotometric artifact that was associated with the high absorbance of 6-thioGMP at the wavelength previously used for the velocity measurements. Guanylate kinase from rat liver, hog brain, Sarcoma 180 tumor cells and Ehrlich ascites tumor cells was also inhibited by 6-thioGMP with a Ki in the mM range.
A numerical and asymptotic investigation of structures of hydrogen-air diffusion flames at pressures and temperatures of high-speed combustion

The structure and extinction of counterflow diffusion flames of hydrogen and air are investigated for pressures from 0.5 to 10 atmospheres and for initial temperatures from 300 K to 1200 K. Numerical integrations are performed for air-side strain rates from 60 s −1 to extinction. The numerical results are compared with predictions of an asymptotic analysis that involves reduction to one-step chemistry through introduction of steady-state and partial-equilibrium approximations. Reasonable agreement is found for concentrations in the main reaction zone at low strain rates. Predicted extinction strain rates appear to be less than found in earlier numerical integrations but greater than experiment, for reasons identified herein.
Prevention of murine EAE by oral hydrolytic enzyme treatment

Clinical trials that test the efficacy of Phlogenzym (consisting of the hydrolytic enzymes bromelain and trypsin and the anti-oxidant rutosid) as a treatment for T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis (MS), type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis are presently ongoing. We tested the effects of Phlogenzym treatment in the murine model for MS, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a disease induced in SJL mice by immunization with proteolipid protein (PLP) peptide 139-151. Oral administration of Phlogenzym resulted in complete protection from EAE. In Phlogenzym-treated mice, the dose response curve of the PLP:139-151-specific T cell response was shifted to the right, that is, the primed T cells required higher peptide concentrations to become activated. Additionally, the T cell response to this peptide was shifted towards the T helper 2 cytokine profile. Both effects are consistent with an increased T cell activation threshold. In support of this interpretation, we found that the accessory molecules CD4, CD44, and B7-1 (all of which are involved in T cell co-stimulation) were cleaved by Phlogenzym, while CD3 and MHC class II molecules (which are involved in the recognition of antigens by T cells) and LFA-1 were unaffected. These data show the efficacy of oral Phlogenzym treatment in an animal model of T cell-mediated autoimmune disease and suggest that the protective effect might be the result of an increase in the activation threshold of the autoreactive T lymphocytes brought about by the cleavage of accessory molecules involved in the interaction of T cells and antigen presenting cells.
ETS on “Golden Rule”

In this response to “Golden Rule on ‘Golden Rule,’” Greg Anrig reasserts his position that the “Golden Rule settlement” was a mistake. He argues that its application in Illinois has not improved the passing rate for black candidates relative to white candidates and that it has inappropriately been used as a precedent for proposed legislature mandates in other states.
"Container" MIB for end-to-end management of ADSL networks

This document presents a MIB (Management Information Base) for use in the end-to-end management of networks which utilize ADSL (Asymmetric Dual Subscriber Line) technology for the 'last mile' (i.e. communication between the PSTN central office and users' premises.) The 'Container' MIB is useful to the Network Management System (NMS) in abstracting information derived from lower network layers and in cross-referencing elements of disparate network layers. The Container MIB is described here in the context of networks which use ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) technology for the backbone. Conceptually, the Container MIB is above the ATM, ADSL, and entity MIBs in the management hierarchy, and bridges between ATM and ADSL network segments. We demonstrate how the Container MIB can be used in the implementation of several unique network management functions endemic to ATM/ADSL networks.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Brillouin spectroscopy of multilayer films

Abstract The elastic properties of molybdenum films, Cu/Nb and Mo/Ta superlattices and cadmium arachidate Langmuir-Blodgett films have been measured using Brillouin scattering. Specifically the in-plane shear constant of Cu/Nb superllatices was obtained through the first observation of the Love modes by Brillouin scattering. The Rayleigh and Stoneley waves, confined to the air-molybdenum and substrate-molybdenum interfaces respectively, were measured to determine the mechanical homogeneity of a molybdenum film. The elastic constants of Langmuir-Blodgett organic films of cadmium arachidate were also evaluated and an anomalously small shear constant was observed.
Two radicals in group representations

(1994). Two radicals in group representations. Communications in Algebra: Vol. 22, No. 12, pp. 5105-5115.
A practical guide to study directing

The Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) regulations are designed to provide regulatory guidance and oversight of nonclinical studies that prospectively study the effects of test articles in test systems under laboratory conditions to determine their safety. These regulations are designed to assure quality, accountability, and reliability of safety data, and provide guidelines for improving the scientific validity of the studies. A key element of the GLP regulations is with respect to the role of the Study Director, who is the individual assigned as the single point of study control and has overall responsibility for the entire nonclinical study. Experience has shown that unless responsibility for the proper conduct of a study is assigned to a single individual, the potential exists for personnel to receive conflicting instructions, and for study events and issuance of the final report to occur in an uncoordinated fashion. While serving as the Study Director can be a challenging position with numerous demands and expectations, it is a role that allows an individual the opportunity to combine project management with technical and scientific skills in the pursuit of a single goal. Individuals who serve as Study Directors in the nonclinical laboratory typically represent a diverse range of educational and professional backgrounds, and oftentimes learn to become Study Directors on the job. The goal of this paper is to provide a concise description of the Study Director's responsibilities and give guidance for planning, initiating, and completing a nonclinical study. While this paper focuses on test articles that are evaluated in the pharmaceutical/biotechnology industry and regulated by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) GLPs, much of the information presented should apply to other GLP and non-GLP studies. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
HTLV-III ELISA testing of cadaveric sera to screen potential organ transplant donors.

To the Editor.— Approximately 25 000 corneal transplants are performed annually in the United States. 1 Demographic studies based on data from eye banks in California and Maryland indicate that the mean age of donors used for transplantation is 34.5 years and the male-to-female ratio is 3:1. Of these donor corneas, 78.2% were obtained from medical examiner's offices, 21.4% from hospitals, and 0.4% from funeral homes. 2 In many urban areas, single males who meet violent deaths make up a significant portion of donors and only a minimal medical history may be available. Such donors may come from groups at high risk for harboring human T-cell lymphotropic virus type III (HTLV-III) infection. The efficacy of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) to detect antibodies against HTLV-III has been well established for testing premortem serum samples, 3 but not for testing postmortem samples to screen potential organ donors (eg, cornea or kidney donors).
On the thermodynamic stability of nanocrystalline ceramics

Abstract Nanomaterials have intrigued the scientific community for many years due to their unique and unexpected properties. Though the number of technological applications has impressively increased in the past years, a fundamental understanding of the behavior of nanomaterials is still incomplete. This is particularly true from a thermodynamic viewpoint, which defines the nanostructure overall thermal stability, polymorphism, and is ultimately connected to an optimal exploitation and reliability of the nano-features. This short review presents recent advancements on the understanding of the energetics of nanocrystalline ceramics and how they relate to nanoscale stability phenomena by focusing on the latest experimental evidences. The role of interface energetics as a key instrument to enable stability prediction and control is discussed based on a quantitative description of nanoscale phase diagrams and coarsening processes. Techniques to assess interface energies of ceramic nanostructures are also briefly discussed, in particular addressing the highly sensitive calorimetric methods recently used to acquire unprecedented interface energy data for oxides. A short collection of experimental evidences and trends on the thermodynamic understanding of nanocrystalline oxides, focusing on aluminum oxide, titanium dioxide, zirconium oxide, and tin dioxide, concludes this review.
Einstein's Diploma

In his Letter to the Editor to “set the record straight” about Albert Einstein ( Science 's Compass, 21 May, p. [1273][1]), Harold I. Brown, citing Abraham Pais's splendid biography ([1][2]), writes that “Einstein had received a diploma from the Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, which indicated that he was qualified to teach physics at the university level.” Although Einstein, upon graduation, repeatedly sought a university position (unsuccessfully), the 4-year curriculum, according to Pais ([1][2], p. 41), qualified Einstein “as a Fachlehrer, a specialized teacher, in mathematics and physics at a high school.” And until he got the patent office job, Einstein did teach at high schools. 1. [↵][3]1. A. Pais , Subtle Is the Lord: The Science and the Life of Albert Einstein (Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, UK, 1982). [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.284.5418.1273b [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text"
Absent Pulmonary Valve Syndrome: A Two-Stage Operation

A successful two-stage surgical repair of tetralogy of Fallot with absent pulmonary valve is reported. A newborn with hyperinflated lungs and tachypnea underwent pulmonary artery banding and an aortopulmonary artery shunt, which reversed the air trapping. A successful corrective operation was performed at 28 months of age, and the patient remains asymptomatic at 44 months of age. We believe that infants with signs of tracheobronchial compression should undergo pulmonary artery banding, with or without a Blalock-Taussig shunt, to relieve airway compression by the pulsatile, aneurysmal pulmonary arteries. Corrective operation can be delayed.
Coagulation studies after transfusion of hydroxyethyl starch protected frozen blood in primates.

This-study evaluates the effects of the transfusion of frozen-thawed blood protected by hydroxyethyl starch (HES) on shocked monkeys. Particular attention is directed toward the study of coagulation in view of previous reports of coagulopathies caused by hydroxyethyl atarch. In vivo studies were done in 13 shocked monkey that received either homologous or autologous blood which had been from and thawed with 14 per cent HES aa the cryoprotective agent. Multiple coagulation studies were obtained on the monkeys, and histopathological evaluations were performed. There wa8 no evidence of increased bleeding or bleeding tendencies in the monkeys transfused with HES preserved blood. Serum chemistry values were not significantly altered in animals that received blood pre SCN~ by HES nor in those that received large quantities of HES alone. Histopathological examination of biopsy and autopsy material demonstrated no changes which could be related to hydmxyethyl starch. CRYOPROTECTIVE agents used in freeze preservation of whole blood can be divided into two major groups: those that protect by intracellular mechanisms and those that are primarily extracellular in action.18 The intracellular agents, glycerol been shown to produce a satisfactory degree of cryoprotection. These substances must be thoroughly removed postthaw by washing. Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) is a plasma expander similar to Dextran and PVP1.
Energy transport in the inductively coupled plasma

Time- and space-resolved electron density measurements, made both above the load coil and in the load coil region of a pulsed inductively coupled plasma, are presented. These data, coupled with argon and calcium emission data, give values for the rates of both radial and vertical transport in the plasma. The data indicate that analyte emission behavior is governed primarily by the rate at which the central channel can be heated through radial transport processes. The electron densities measured in the load coil region agree well with electron densities calculated by models assuming local thermodynamic equilibrium, but agree poorly with non-equilibrium models. Some of the timedependent emission behavior observed in previous work with modulated plasmas is explained by non-uniform heating of argon in the load coil region.
Radiative and convective transfer in a cylindrical enclosure for a real gas

Analyse de l'interaction entre le transfert radiatif et les transferts par conduction et convection pour un ecoulement de gaz reel dans une conduite circulaire a parois noires. Presentation des profils axiaux et radiaux de temperature du gaz, des repartitions des flux thermiques a la paroi et des temperatures de paroi pour differents parametres
Measurement of radial deformation of single-wall carbon nanotubes induced by intertube van der Waals forces

A cylindrical single-wall carbon nanotube (SWCNT) deforms in a nanotube bundle by van der Waals forces. The deformation is hard to measure, but is required in order to understand the properties of bundles. Here, we show that such deformations can be measured from changes in electron diffraction intensities. We demonstrate this for a bundle of two SWCNTs ($d=2.05$ and $1.56\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$). Deformation model predicted by atomistic simulations is scaled to fit the experiment. We show that the best fit gives flattening values of 0.7 and $0.35\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{\AA{}}$ at the middle of the binding surface for the two SWCNTs.
Digital Recording For Electra-Optical Imagery

An overview is presented of digital recording technology for storing electronic imaging system data. Image sensors characteristically produce very high rate data and require very high density storage devices. Of the technologies currently available, magnetic recording represents the only viable techniques for many imaging requirements. The advantage of magnetic recording over competing technologies is expected to continue well into the 1990's. Although optical recording on a tape media is an interesting alternative to magnetic recording, this technology is currently in the research stage and is not expected to be a production technology for some time to come.