cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
An outbreak of Salmonella Paratyphi A in a boarding school: a community-acquired enteric fever and carriage investigation

Salmonella Paratyphi A (SPA) is rapidly becoming a common cause of enteric fever in South East Asia. A large outbreak of SPA occurred in a boarding middle school in China in 2004. There were 394 suspected cases; 95·5% were students. The highest incidence was in the youngest children (7th grade). Forty-four of 151 (29%) blood cultures and 4/54 (7·4%) rectal swabs were positive for SPA; three were from kitchen workers. The geometric mean levels of serum IgG anti-lipopolysaccharide (anti-LPS) from patients was higher than from healthy individuals [35·25 vs. 5·20 ELISA units (EU), P<0·001]. A kitchen worker with a positive rectal swab, negative blood culture and a high level of serum IgG anti-LPS (529·65 EU), was identified as a possible SPA carrier. No SPA was isolated from water or food samples. A survey of students' habits indicated drinking unboiled water as being the main reason for contracting the disease. Hand washing was the second most important factor. A food handler with possible SPA carriage could also have been a risk factor. Attention to maintaining a safe water supply, enhancing food-handler hygiene and proper hand washing can help to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.
The clinical aspects of estrogen and the cardiovascular system

Extensive epidemiologic and postmortem studies have identified a link between menopause and cardiovascular disease. The relation is especially strong in surgically menopausal women who do not receive estrogen replacement. More than 30 observational studies and one small randomized, controlled clinical trial have provided evidence that estrogen replacement reduces cardiovascular risk by approximately 50%. Four studies that used coronary arteriography to document the presence of coronary atherosclerosis have provided some of the most compelling evidence that estrogen replacement reduces cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women. One study of survival in women undergoing coronary arteriography found that the greatest improvement in total mortality took place in those women with substantial coronary stenosis; less benefit was observed in those without disease. Angiographic studies have also confirmed the importance of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in mediating the effect of estrogen and the beneficial effect of estrogen on endothelial function. Although the addition of progestins to estrogen attenuates estrogen's effect on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, limited observational daa have suggested that the cardioprotective effect is not reduced.
Metabolic effects of zinc in intact cells--comparative studies of zinc chloride and the zinc chelate of kethoxal bis(thiosemicarbazone).

Abstract Kethoxal bis(thiosemicarbazone)Zinc(II) [Zn(II)KTS] and zinc chloride were both cytotoxic to sarcoma 180 ascites cells; equivalent quantities of zinc administered in chelate form were considerably more toxic to the neoplastic cells. This correlated with the finding of greater accumulation of zinc by cells treated with Zn(II)KTS, as compared to those exposed to ZnCl 2 . In general, however, the metabolic consequences of ZnCl 2 appeared to be greater than those of Zn(II)KTS. The biosynthesis of DNA as measured by the incorporation of [ 3 H]thymidine and [8- 14 C]adenine into DNA was markedly sensitive to both agents; although thymidine was converted to the triphosphate level at a rate comparable to controls in cells in which the biosynthesis of DNA was initially inhibited by Zn(II)KTS or ZnCl 2 , at later times after drug treatment the degree of phosphorylation of thymidine was markedly depressed. Shortly after exposure of cells to Zn(II)KTS, the incorporation of [6- 14 C]orotic acid into RNA was strongly inhibited, while the utilization of [5,6- 3 H]uridine and [U- 14 C]aspartic acid for the biosynthesis of these macromolecules was unaffected. In contrast, ZnCl 2 initially caused inhibition of the incorporation of [ 3 H]uridine into RNA, concomitant with pronounced stimulation of the conversion of [6- 14 C]orotic acid and [ 14 C]aspartic acid to RNA. Inhibition of the incorporation of all labeled precursors into RNA accompanied prolonged exposure to either of these agents. Significant blockage of equal magnitude of the incorporation of [1- 14 C]leucine into protein and of glycolysis was produced by Zn(II)KTS or ZnCl 2 ; however, Zn(II)KTS caused greater inhibition than ZnCl 2 of the respiration of sarcoma 180 cells.
The Rise of Cyberactivism: Implications for the Future of Advocacy in the Human Services

These are hard times for social welfare advocates. Globalization, devolution, and a conservative political climate have challenged our traditional approaches to advocacy. New advocacy methods that use technology to change public policy have been developed and provide us with new avenues to address the changed political economy of social welfare. Collectively called cyberactivism, these techniques can be used to advantage by social work advocates. This article looks at recent cyberactivist campaigns, examines barriers to cyberactivism, and suggests actions that social work advocates can take to use these new tools and ideas. We conclude that these techniques have been widely used by social activists to contribute to policy change and have excellent potential as part of the social work advocacy arsenal.
Nanoslits in silicon chips.

Potassium hydroxide (KOH) etching of a patterned oriented silicon wafer produces V-shaped etch pits. We demonstrate that the remaining thickness of silicon at the tip of the etch pit can be reduced to ~5 µm using an appropriately sized etch mask and optical feedback. Starting from such an etched chip, we have developed two different routes for fabricating 100 nm scale slits that penetrate through the macroscopic silicon chip (the slits are ~850 µm wide at one face of the chip and gradually narrow to ~100–200 nm wide at the opposite face of the chip). In the first process, the etched chips are sonicated to break the thin silicon at the tip of the etch pit and then further KOH etched to form a narrow slit. In the second process, focused ion beam milling is used to etch through the thin silicon at the tip of the etch pit. The first method has the advantage that it uses only low-resolution technology while the second method offers more control over the length and width of the slit. Our slits can be used for preparing mechanically stable, transmission electron microscopy samples compatible with electrical transport measurements or as nanostencils for depositing nanowires seamlessly connected to their contact pads.
First Asymmetric Total Synthesis of (+)-Sparteine

The total synthesis of (+)-sparteine was accomplished from 2,5-norbornadione in 15 steps and 15.7% overall yield. The key steps were two ring-expansion reactions, one involving an intramolecular Schmidt reaction and one using a novel variant of the photo-Beckmann rearrangement.
Protein structural studies by paramagnetic solid-state NMR spectroscopy aided by a compact cyclen-type Cu(II) binding tag.

Paramagnetic relaxation enhancements (PREs) are a rich source of structural information in protein solid-state NMR spectroscopy. Here we demonstrate that PRE measurements in natively diamagnetic proteins are facilitated by a thiol-reactive compact, cyclen-based, high-affinity Cu2+ binding tag, 1-[2-(pyridin-2-yldisulfanyl)ethyl]-1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (TETAC), that overcomes the key shortcomings associated with the use of larger, more flexible metal-binding tags. Using the TETAC–Cu2+ K28C mutant of B1 immunoglobulin-binding domain of protein G as a model, we find that amino acid residues located within ~10 A of the Cu2+ center experience considerable transverse PREs leading to severely attenuated resonances in 2D 15N–13C correlation spectra. For more distant residues, electron–nucleus distances are accessible via quantitative measurements of longitudinal PREs, and we demonstrate such measurements for 15N–Cu2+ distances up to ~20 A.
Structural Repair of Composite Structural Armor

Composite structural armor (CSA) is a multifunctional material that provides ballistic protection, stiffness, and strength at minimum weight. It consists of a multilayered architecture of polymer composites, rubber and ceramic tiles, stacked in a precise manner to obtain optimal performance. During its lifetime, CSA will experience manufacturing defects and be subjected from low to high velocity impact threats that will reduce the performance of the structure. The ability to repair a CSA is consequently an important factor in the future deployment of the CSA. The present study addresses the problem of the repair of CSA in a minimum number of steps. Several potential repair methods are introduced, and an adhesively bonded plug repair scheme is then further analyzed. Virgin (control) and repaired CSA beams are manufactured and their static behaviors are compared in a four-point bend test. The performance of a scarf patch repair is assessed. The effect of three scarf angles and two repair adhesive systems, o...
Non-linear mechanics for the gravitational equilibrium of granular materials

Abstract We discuss a non-linear mechanical formulation for the gravitational equilibrium of granular materials with incompressible grains and show that, regardless of the existence of a free energy for such situations, one can derive a non-linear first order ordinary governing differential equation for the variation of porosity with depth. Various solutions to this ordinary non-linear differential equation are then discussed. In particular, a Taylor's series expansion is presented as a solution to this equation.
Swallow syncope in association with Schatzki ring and hypertensive esophageal peristalsis: report of three cases and review of the literature.

Syncope caused by swallowing-induced cardiac arrhythmia is an uncommon condition. The recognition of this syndrome is paramount but often difficult. We report three cases of deglutition syncope evaluated at our institution over a three-year period. Two patients had distal esophageal (Schatzki) ring and two had hypertensive peristaltic waves (commonly referred to as “nutcracker esophagus”), neither of which had been described before in association with deglutition syncope. Two patients underwent placement of a demand cardiac pacemaker with subsequent resolution of their syncopal symptoms, while the third patient refused any further intervention. Swallow syncope usually follows a benign course from a cardiac standpoint. Placement of a demand cardiac pacemaker can prevent recurrence of presyncopal and syncopal attacks and their untoward consequences.
Anxiety goes under the skin: Behavioral inhibition, anxiety, and autonomic arousal in speech-anxious males

This study examined the physiological correlates of behavioral inhibition and trait anxiety in speech-anxious male college students. We hypothesized that behavioral inhibition and trait anxiety would be associated with an increase in skin conductance level (SCL), but not heart rate, in response to an impromptu speech task. Hierarchical multiple regressions revealed that trait anxiety, but not behavioral inhibition, predicted SCL. Neither behavioral inhibition nor trait anxiety predicted heart rate reactivity. These findings support the notion that SCL is a better autonomic indicator of trait anxiety than heart rate.
The modeling of cartwheel flexural hinges

Abstract Cartwheel hinges, formed by two flexible leaves intersecting at their mid points, have been used in compliant mechanism applications, especially when high precision and large-deflection are required. To analyze their kinematic motion, two pseudo-rigid-body models are proposed: a bar model and a pin-joint model, which are validated by the result of non-linear Finite Element Analysis (FEA). Our data shows that both models are accurate in predicting the load-deflection, rotational precision and stress characteristics of the hinge even for large deflection applications. Though the bar model provides a slightly better result, the pin-joint model is more convenient in analysis and design of compliant mechanisms.
Cryogenic Single-Phase Heat Transfer in a Microscale Pin Fin Heat Sink

A combined experimental and computational fluid dynamics study of single-phase liquid nitrogen flow through a microscale pin-fin heat sink is presented. Such cryogenic heat sinks find use in applications such as high performance computing and spacecraft thermal management. A circular pin fin heat sink in diameter 5 cm and 250 micrometers in depth was studied herein. Unique features of the heat sink included its variable cross sectional area in the flow direction, variable pin diameters, as well as a circumferential distribution of fluid into the pin fin region. The stainless steel heat sink was fabricated using chemical etching and diffusion bonding. Experimental results indicate that the heat transfer coefficients were relatively unchanged around 2600 W/m2-K for flow rates ranging from 2–4 g/s while the pressure drop increased monotonically with the flow rate. None of the existing correlations in literature on cross flow over a tube bank or micro pin fin heat sinks were able to predict the experimental pressure drop and heat transfer characteristics. However, three dimensional simulations performed using ANSYS Fluent showed reasonable (∼7 percent difference) agreement in the average heat transfer coefficients between experiments and CFD simulations.© 2013 ASME
Evaluating the separation of amphetamines by electrospray ionization ion mobility spectrometry/MS and charge competition within the ESI process.

The rapid increase in amphetamine abuse for recreational purposes has created a need for fast analysis and detection methodologies. For the first time, we show the separation of six amphetamines by ESI-IMS/MS. A complete analysis can be performed in 70 s, which is faster than traditional chromatographic techniques. In addition, ESI-IMS/MS was found to provide low detection limits for the six compounds (15.4 ppb for ethylamphetamine). Charge competition between amphetamines was found to occur at high amphetamine concentrations. The degree of preferential ionization was dependent on the functional group placed on the amine. Both one-analyte and two-analyte calibration curves were evaluated on the basis of the ion evaporation model. Evaporation rates were determined for the six amphetamines, and the rates were correlated with the degree of selective ionization. Evaluation of three typical ESI solvent compositions showed that the addition of a modifier (acetic acid and formic acid) enhanced the degree of pref...
CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF CANDIDATES' DIVERSITY COMPETENCE: RIGOROUS AND SYSTEMATIC ASSESSMENT OF CANDIDATES' EFFICACY TO TEACH DIVERSE STUDENT POPULATIONS

The National Center for Educational Statistics (NCES, 2010) continues to report substantial underachievement of diverse student populations in the nation's schools. After decades of focus on diversity and multicultural education, with integrating field and clinical practice, candidates continue to graduate without adequate knowledge, skills and dispositions to teach diverse students. The National Council of Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) requires teacher education programs to engage in assessment practices that examine candidates' competence to teach diverse students and to inform the unit. In this article the authors discuss the need to triangulate the results of performance-based assessment and to systematically examine the growth of candidates' competence to teach every student. They propose a rigorous and systematic unit (i.e., teacher education program unit) assessment practice, using reliable and valid instruments to measure candidates' efficacy to teach diverse students, which will prov...
CRUCIAL ROLE OF APOPAIN IN THE PEROXYNITRITE-INDUCED APOPTOTIC DNA FRAGMENTATION

Peroxynitrite, a cytotoxic oxidant formed in the reaction of superoxide and nitric oxide is known to cause programmed cell death. However, the mechanisms of peroxynitrite-induced apoptosis are poorly defined. The present study was designed to characterize the molecular mechanisms by which peroxynitrite induces apoptosis in HL-60 cells, with special emphasis on the role of caspases. Peroxynitrite induced the activation of apopain/caspase-3, but not ICE/caspase-1 as measured by the cleavage of fluorogenic peptides. Considering the short half-life of peroxynitrite and the kinetics of caspase-3 activation (starting 3-4 h after peroxynitrite treatment), the enzyme is not likely to become activated directly by the oxidant. Caspase-3 activation proved to be essential for DNA fragmentation, because pretreatment of the cells with the specific tetrapeptide inhibitor DEVD-fmk completely blocked peroxynitrite-induced DNA fragmentation. Peroxynitrite-induced cytotoxicity was also significantly altered by the inhibition of caspase-3, whereas phosphatidylserine exposure was unaffected by DEVD-fmk treatment. Because many of the effects of peroxynitrite are mediated by poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase (PARS) activation, we have also investigated the effect of PARS-inhibition on peroxynitrite-induced apoptosis. We have found that PARS-inhibition modulates peroxynitrite-induced apoptotic DNA fragmentation in the HL-60 cells. The effect of the PARS inhibitors, 3-aminobenzamide and 5-iodo-6-amino-1,2-benzopyrone were dependent on the concentration of peroxynitrite used. While PARS-inhibition resulted in increased DNA-fragmentation at low doses (15 microM) of peroxynitrite, a decreased DNA-fragmentation was found at high doses (60 microM) of peroxynitrite. PARS inhibition negatively affected viability as determined by flow cytometry. These data demonstrate the crucial role of caspase-3 in mediating apoptotic DNA fragmentation in HL-60 cells exposed to peroxynitrite.
The alleviation of short-term retention decrements with reactivation☆

Abstract Retention of spatial information by rats was shown to decrease significantly over a 90-sec retention interval. However, this decrement was alleviated significantly when a reactivation or cueing treatment was presented during the 90-sec interval. Further, the rate of forgetting following reactivation was shown to be similar to that which occurs following original information input. The implications of these findings for information loss models of forgetting were discussed.
The protective action of normal serum against placental extract in vitro.

SummaryWe believe that if normal serum and tissue extract are incubated together for one to two hours and then added to citrate plasma, the clotting time will be decidedly longer than if added immediately; but that eclamptic sera (although our series is small) if taken at the optimum time, will not increase the clotting time, thus indicating that the blood of eclamptic patients either is lacking or does not contain the usual amounts of certain substances always present in normal sera∗.
Gastrointestinal carcinoid tumors - Current management strategies

BACKGROUND: Carcinoid or neuroendocrine tumors of the gastrointestinal tract, although characteristically indolent, are also quite heterogeneous both with respect to histologic and endocrine features and with respect to clinical presentation and behavior. PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to review and summarize the current literature on classification controversies, site-specific carcinoid presentation and behavior, and diagnostic and management strategies for primary and advanced carcinoid tumors and the carcinoid syndrome. RESULTS: For carcinoid tumors, oncologic results depend on the location of the primary tumor, extent of locoregional and metastatic disease, functioning status of the tumor, and the feasibility of complete surgical extirpation. Whereas favorable survival rates are typically observed for appendiceal and rectal primaries, less favorable rates are often observed for colonic and ileal tumors. A search for additional tumors is generally advised because multiple carcinoids and second neoplasms are not uncommon. Because of the indolent nature of the tumor and because these therapies have been shown to improve quality and quantity of life, otherwise fit patients with advanced carcinoid disease should be treated with aggressive medical and surgical therapies. Development of a malignant carcinoid syndrome indicates the presence of a functionally active carcinoid tumor and portends a poor prognosis. CONCLUSION: Gastrointestinal carcinoids, although malignant, behave differently from other carcinomas. Results are highly variable and must be individualized according to the site of the primary tumor, extent of spread, and general condition of the patient. A prolongation of quality life can often be accomplished through aggressive medical and surgical therapies.
Sub-meter indoor localization in unmodified environments with inexpensive sensors

The interpretation of uncertain sensor streams for localization is usually considered in the context of a robot. Increasingly, however, portable consumer electronic devices, such as smartphones, are equipped with sensors including WiFi radios, cameras, and inertial measurement units (IMUs). Many tasks typically associated with robots, such as localization, would be valuable to perform on such devices. In this paper, we present an approach for indoor localization exclusively using the low-cost sensors typically found on smartphones. Environment modification is not needed. We rigorously evaluate our method using ground truth acquired using a laser range scanner. Our evaluation includes overall accuracy and a comparison of the contribution of individual sensors. We find experimentally that fusion of multiple sensor modalities is necessary for optimal performance and demonstrate sub-meter localization accuracy.
Cell proliferation as a determining factor for the carcinogenicity of chemicals: studies with mutagenic carcinogens and mutagenic noncarcinogens.

Recent work in our laboratory has examined mechanisms whereby chemicals produce mutagenicity in short-term in vitro assays yet fail to produce carcinogenesis in 2-year rodent bioassays. These studies have used mutagenic structural analogs of carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic chemicals for comparison. Our previous studies have determined that differences in the metabolism and disposition of these chemicals were not responsible for their observed carcinogenic differences, but that carcinogenicity correlated with the ability of the respective isomer to induce cell proliferation in the target organ. Mutagenic noncarcinogens such as 2,6-diaminotoluene (DAT), 1-nitropropane (NP), dimethoate, dioxathion, and dichlorvos failed to induce an increase in cell turnover in the target organs. An increase in cell proliferation was observed following exposure to the mutagenic carcinogen analogs 2,4-DAT (liver), 2-NP (liver), and tris(2,3-dibromopropyl)phosphate (kidney). Our recent studies have used transgenic (Big Blue®) mice to detect in vivo mutagenesis induced by DAT isomers. Results of these studies demonstrate that administration of the carcinogenic isomer, 2,4-DAT, resulted in an increase in in vivo mutation frequency, whereas administration of the noncarcinogenic isomer, 2,6-DAT, failed to do so. These results indicate that cell proliferation may be requisite for expression of chemical-induced mutagenicity in vivo and thereby accommodate expression of carcinogenicity.
Electric Field Dependence of the Atomic-Hydrogen Hyperfine Separation

The Stark shift of the atomic-hydrogen hyperfine separation has been measured in a hydrogen maser, designed to study in particular the dependence of the shift on the angle $\ensuremath{\theta}$ between the external electric and magnetic fields. A method of designing shielded solenoids to produce arbitrary magnetic fields is presented. The result of the experiment is $\ensuremath{\delta}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{stark}}=(\ensuremath{-}7.1\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.1)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}5}{E}^{2} (\ensuremath{\theta}=0)$ using electrostatic units for the electric field $E$, and $\frac{\ensuremath{\delta}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{stark}}(\ensuremath{\theta}=0)\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\delta}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{stark}}(\ensuremath{\theta}=\frac{\ensuremath{\pi}}{2})}{\ensuremath{\delta}{\ensuremath{\nu}}_{\mathrm{stark}}(\ensuremath{\theta}=0)}=\ensuremath{-}1%\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}10%.$
Further studies on the effects of lesions in the rostral hypothalamus on gonadotropin secretion in the female rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta).

Bilateral radiofrequency lesions were stereotaxically placed in the rostral hypothalamus of four adult female rhesus monkeys. These lesions resulted in extensive destruction of the ventromedial preoptic-anterior hypothalamic area (POAAHA) and included the suprachiasmatic nucleus as well as, with the exception of one animal, the organum vasculosum of the lamina terminalis. In three of these four animals, gonadotropin surges similar to those observed before surgery were elicited in response to either a spontaneous increment in serum estrogen concentration or an estradiol benzoate injection. This stimulatory action of estradiol on LH and FSH release was not demonstratable in the remaining lesioned animal, but estradiol benzoate injections also failed to elicit a gonadotropin discharge in one of a series of five normal control animals. These findings fail to support the view that destruction of the ventromedial POAAHA in this species compromises the ability of the hypothalamicohypophysial apparatus to respond...
Obesity induced by a high-fat diet is associated with increased immune cell entry into the central nervous system.

Obesity is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation in peripheral tissues caused, in part, by the recruitment of inflammatory monocytes into adipose tissue. Studies in rodent models have also shown increased inflammation in the central nervous system (CNS) during obesity. The goal of this study was to determine whether obesity is associated with recruitment of peripheral immune cells into the CNS. To do this we used a bone marrow chimerism model to track the entry of green-fluorescent protein (GFP) labeled peripheral immune cells into the CNS. Flow cytometry was used to quantify the number of GFP+ immune cells recruited into the CNS of mice fed a high-fat diet compared to standard chow fed controls. High-fat feeding resulted in obesity associated with a 30% increase in the number of GFP+ cells in the CNS compared to control mice. Greater than 80% of the GFP+ cells recruited to the CNS were also CD45+ CD11b+ indicating that the GFP+ cells displayed characteristics of microglia/macrophages. Immunohistochemistry further confirmed the increase in GFP+ cells in the CNS of the high-fat fed group and also indicated that 93% of the recruited cells were found in the parenchyma and had a stellate morphology. These findings indicate that peripheral immune cells can be recruited to the CNS in obesity and may contribute to the inflammatory response.
Adsorption of CO on Cu layers adsorbed on a W(110) surface

Changes in work functionas function of absolute CO coverage, sticking coefficients as function of coverage and surface temperature, as well as LEED structures and equilibrium isobars were determined for CO adsorption on W(110)/Cu 1 . Isothermal desorption measurements were also made. Δ versus CO flux was also determined on thicker Cu deposits and isobars were taken on W(110)/Cu 6 . For W(110)/Cu 1 Δ increases monotonically reaching 390 meV for CO/Cu∼0.75 the maximum coverage. There is also some CO adsorption on tungsten sites, and this can be increased by exposure at T >250 K and finite CO pressure. For two or more Cu layersdecreases initially, goes through a minimum and then increases. There are significant differences between annealed and unannealed Cu deposits. For W(110)/Cu 1 sticking coefficients are nearly unity at low coverage up to T s =250 K but fall rapidly with increasing coverage. On this surface isobars show a plateau at CO/Cu=0.5, corresponding to completion of a binding state, with increased adsorption occurring only when T is lowered below 210–170 K depending on pressure (in the range 10 −8 to 10 −6 Torr). For CO/Cu
Surface mercury geochemistry as a guide to volcanic vent structure and zones of high heat flow in the valley of ten thousand smokes, Katmai National Park, Alaska

Abstract A reconnaissance survey of Hg° was designed to model the 1912 Novarupta vent structure and delineate zones of near-surface high heat flow. Statistical analysis of 294 regolith samples collected at 127 sites from fossil/active fumaroles and relatively unaltered ash-flow tuff and air-fall ejecta indicates two Hg° sample populations; one associated with fumarole deposits and the other corresponding to the relatively unaltered regolith. Measured Hg° concentrations range from 12 to 6913 ppb. Sample threshold (upper limit of background Hg° concentrations; fumarole deposits: 351 ppb, unaltered regolith: 110 ppb) and contrast (sample value/threshold) determinations enable differentiation between relict and actively accumulating Hg° contents. All significant Hg° anomalies (contrast values > 1.5) occur within Novarupta Basin. High-magnitude, active Hg2 enrichment was found on the Turtle, a dome-like feature northeast of the Novarupta extrusive dome. The Hg° data, coupled with available geologic and geophysical evidence, suggest a shallow intrusion beneath the Turtle. Results from two Novarupta Basin sample traverses do not support the presence of a near-surface magma feeder dike connecting the proposed intrusion beneath the Turtle with the Novarupta dome. Based on the Hg° data, the preferred vent model is one generated by collapse of supporting walls after the major eruptive phase into a cored-out explosive vent. Collapse of vent walls is initiated along a series of deep-extending faults which subsequently serve as migration pathways for Hg° to the surface. The overall vent morphology is funnel-like with subsidence concentrated in the narrow funnel center. Results of this study show that Hg° surveys can further constrain the morphology of the 1912 vent and aid in delineating zones of near-surface high heat flow in this region.
Interactions of water-soluble metalloporphyrins with nucleic acids studied by resonance Raman spectroscopy

Abstract The resonance Raman spectra of water-soluble porphyrins, M(TMpy-P4) (M = Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(III] and their mixtures with poly(dG-dC)2, poly(dA-dT)2 and calf thymus and salmon DNAs were measured using a divided rotating cell to determine the magnitudes of frequency shift and intensity variation resulting from M(TMpy-P4)-nucleic acid interactions. Bands II(C beta-H bending, approximately 1100 cm-1) and VIII(C beta-C beta stretch, approximately 1570 cm-1) show a large and small upward shift, respectively, when Cu(TMpy-P4) and Ni(TMpy-P4) are intercalated at the G-C sites. In contrast, these bands show a small upward and downward shift, respectively, when Co(TMpy-P4) is groove-bound at the A-T sites of nucleic acids. Both Bands V (approximately 1260 cm-1) and IX (approximately 1646 cm-1) which originate in the N-methylpyridyl group always show small downward shifts due to coulombic interaction between the N-CH3+ group of TMpy-P4 and the PO2 group of the nucleic acid.
Effects of formaldehyde treated soybean meal on milk yield, milk composition, and nutrient digestibility in the dairy cow

The nutritional value of soybean meal that had been treated with formaldehyde (.3 g/100 g) to inhibit microbial degradation of soybean meal protein in the rumen was investigated. Four experimental diets were fed ad libitum during wk 4 to 43 of lactation to Holstein cows randomly assigned to diets in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement of dietary crude protein (12 and 14%) and formaldehyde treatment (untreated and treated soybean meal). Concentrate, corn silage, and alfalfa-grass hay provided 53.0, 35.4, and 11.6% of the daily intake of dry matter. Analysis of covariance revealed that digestibility of dietary crude protein by cows fed formaldehyde treated soybean meal was lower than by cows fed untreated soybean meal (62.4 versus 65.4%). Similar quantities of milk, 4% fat-corrected milk, milk fat, and milk solids-not-fat (overall means of 7998, 7402, 281, and 660 kg/301 days of lactation) were produced by cows fed different diets. This was true whether the data were summarized during peak production (day 22 to 63), during days 22 to 119 when crude protein intake did not meet requirements, or during the complete experiment (days 22 to 301 of lactation). Milk protein (total nitrogen x 6.38) produced by cows fed soybean meal treated with formaldehyde was less than by cows fed untreated soybean meal during days 22 to 63 and during days 22 to 119 (47 versus 44 kg/cow and 103 versus 97 kg/cow). Changes in body weight of cows during lactation were similar among treatments. Treating soybean meal with .3 g formaldehyde/100 g may decrease availability of soybean meal protein for use by lactating dairy cows.
The effect of nickel on the growth of the freshwater diatom Navicula pelliculosa

Abstract The effect of nickel on the growth of the freshwater diatom Navicula pelliculosa was determined by noting differences in the growth rate and number of cells present in laboratory cultures exposed to 0, 100, 300 and 600 μg/litre nickel for 14 days. Nickel concentrations as low as 100 μg/litre (1·7 × 10 −6 M) reduced the population growth rate by 50% and led to decreased 14-day cell numbers. Calculation of the equilibrium composition of the culture medium showed that 99·8% of the total nickel added existed as Ni +2 . The occurrence of Ni +2 in the medium was associated with reduced algal growth.
Failure to activate transcription factor NF-kappaB in corneal stromal cells (keratocytes).

PURPOSE Freshly isolated cultures of corneal stromal cells (keratocytes) are incompetent to synthesize the tissue remodeling proteinase, collagenase, in response to agents such as cytochalasin B (CB) or phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), which are strong stimulators of collagenase expression in subcultured fibroblasts of all types, including those from corneal stroma. Incompetence is due to failure to activate an autocrine interleukin (IL)1alpha feedback loop required to mediate cell response. The goal of the present study was to investigate the mechanism for this failure. METHODS A cell culture model of freshly isolated corneal stromal cells and subcultured stromal fibroblasts from rabbits was used for these studies. RESULTS Competence to synthesize collagenase in response to CB was acquired as a differentiation property by corneal stromal cells placed in culture, and did not require subculture. Competence acquisition correlated with transition to a fibroblastic spindle shape, assembly of actin stress fibers, and the acquired capacity to collapse in response to CB. It was demonstrated that competence could be more precisely defined as the capacity to express IL-1alpha in response to IL-1, making possible activation of the feedback loop. Investigation into the signaling pathway for IL-1alpha expression in response to IL-1 revealed a requirement for reactive oxygen species and activity of the transcription factor nuclear factor (NF)kappaB. Importantly, freshly isolated stromal cells were found to be relatively incompetent to activate NF-kappaB in comparison to subcultured stromal fibroblasts. CONCLUSIONS Failure to activate NF-kappaB explains incompetence for expression of IL-1alpha in corneal stromal cells. Because NF-kappaB regulates many cell functions with potential to disturb corneal structure, including expression of inflammatory, stress, and degradative proteinase genes; protection against apoptosis; and cell replication; this seems likely to be an important mechanism protecting corneal stasis and preserving function.
Extended X-ray absorption fine structure of interfaces of layered structures☆

Abstract This research is concerned with characterizing impurity level elements in interface conditions. Impurity elements such as gallium and arsenic, when in ppm to less than 1.0 wt.% concentrations are not easily investigated without exposing the interface as a free surface. With extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy, one can characterize the impurity level elements as to their local structure in the in situ condition. Samples of alternating layers of AlGa and AlAs were made using a molecular beam epitaxy system where gallium and arsenic layers were half monolayer thickness. The gallium in the AlGa samples was characterized to be in solution in the aluminum. The arsenic was well ordered with a near neighbor AlAs structure. The impurity interfaces were identified to be locally diffuse. The EXAFS results were complemented by Auger electron spectroscopy analysis.
The coupled‐cluster method with a multiconfiguration reference state

The coupled-cluster approach to obtaining the bond-state wave functions of many-electron systems is extended, with a set of physically reasonable approximations, to admit a multiconfiguration reference state. This extension permits electronic structure calculations to be performed on correlated closed- or open-shell systems with potentially uniform precision for all molecular geometries. Explicit coupled cluster working equations are derived using a multiconfiguration reference state for the case in which the so-called cluster operator is approximated by its one- and two-particle components. The evaluation of the requisite matrix elements is facilitated by use of the unitary group generators which have recently received wide attention and use in the quantum chemistry community.
Simultaneous observation of first and second field free region metastable transitions in a double-focusing mass spectrometer of reversed Nier-Johnson geometry

Abstract The presence of an unexpected and interfering metastable signal has been detected during the application of a double-focusing reversed-geometry mass spectrometer in the accelerating-voltage scan mode of metastable analysis. The signal has been attributed to the decomposition of voltage-focused main beam ions in the second field free region. A detailed analysis of the origin of this signal and methods for its identification are provided.
Sleep Disordered Breathing as an Independent Predictor of Post-Discharge Mortality in Patients with Acutely Decompensated Heart Failure

Introduction: Aldosterone promotes sodium and water retention and mediates inflammation and fibrosis. Aldosterone may be inappropriately high in hypertensive patients and recent studies have established that it may be higher in obese subjects and in the metabolic syndrome (MetS), although within the normal range. To date, aldosterone concentrations in the general population and the relationship to co-morbidities as well as metabolic and cardiorenal parameters have not been well defined. Hypothesis: We hypothesized that aldosterone levels correlate with the prevalence of cardiorenal and metabolic diseases in a general community including metabolic parameters and cardiac structure.Methods:We evaluated the association between aldosterone levels, cardiometabolic parameters and cardiorenal disease in a general community-based cohort from Olmsted County, MN (1674 subjects 45 years and older). We also assessed cardiac structure and function by echocardiography. Results: Median level of aldosterone was 4.6 ng/dl (Q1 2.50, Q3 8.00 ng/dl). Multivariate analysis adjusted for age, gender, BMI and ANP showed a significant correlation between aldosterone levels and hypertension (p!0.0001, OR52.28, CI:1.91-2.71), atrial fibrillation (p!0.01, OR51.53, CI:1.11-2.11), chronic kidney disease (CKD) (p!0.0001, OR51.64, CI:1.33-2.02), central obesity (p!0.0001, OR51.61, CI:1.27-2.05), hypertriglyceridemia (p!0.003, OR51.27, CI:1.08-1.48), prevalence of MetS (p!0.0007, OR51.40, CI51.15-1.71) and obesity (p!0.0001, OR51.48, CI:1.27-1.73). These associations remained significant even after including BNP levels in the multivariate regression models. Aldosterone levels were also associated with concentric hypertrophy and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction. Conclusions: In a general community-based cohort from Olmsted County MN, aldosterone is powerfully associated with cardiovascular, renal and metabolic diseases including alterations in cardiac structure. Specifically, aldosterone was strongly associated with hypertension, CKD, atrial fibrillation, obesity, MetS per se as well as its individual components. This study strongly supports aldosterone as a marker for human cardiorenal and metabolic diseases and/or as a potential mediator of these diseases even in the general adult population prior to over disease. Further studies are warranted to evaluate possible therapeutic interventions targeting aldosterone as a strategy to delay disease progression.
Association of Adherence Support and Outreach Services with Total Attrition, Loss to Follow-Up, and Death among ART Patients in Sub-Saharan Africa

Background Loss to follow-up (LTF) after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation is common in HIV clinics. We examined the effect of availability of adherence support and active patient outreach services on patient attrition following ART initiation.
Multiple stream tracker: a new hardware stride prefetcher

Data prefetching is a very important technique for hiding memory latency and improving performance in modern computer processors. Existing techniques are not able to find all or best data streams to prefetch. This paper proposes a new prefetching technique, Multiple Stream Tracker (MST), that improves over state-of-the-art by identifying strided accesses in a cache miss stream. Targeting the lower levels of cache it searches for the best among all possible strided streams to prefetch. A technique to efficiently search and rank multiple strided streams is proposed. The proposed technique can identify streams that subsume streams generated by both delta correlated and standard stride prefetchers. The MST pefetcher can also significantly improve performance in parallel programs. The Multiple Stream Tracker applied at the L3 cache improves the IPC by up to 173% (14% on average) over stride prefetching for SPEC CPU2006 benchmarks. The improvement is up to 92% over delta correlation (5% on average). The speedup for SPEComp programs is up to 300% over delta correlation (22% on average). MST also has lower average memory bandwidth requirements compared to prior techniques.
“Age” determination of irradiated materials utilizing inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP-MS) detection

A gas pressurized extraction chromatography (GPEC) system has been developed to perform elemental separations on radioactive samples to determine total and isotopic compositions of Cs and Ba from an irradiated salt sample, fuel sample and two sealed radiation sources. The GPEC system employs compressed nitrogen to move liquid through the system, compared to gravity or pumped liquids that are typically used for separations. A commercially available Sr-Resin™ was used to perform the separation for the above mentioned analytes. A 1% acetic acid solution was determined to be the best extractant for Ba. A flow rate of 0.1 mL/min was determined to be optimal for the separation of Ba. Complete recovery of the Cs and Ba was achieved, within the systematic uncertainties of the experiments.
Insight into the g ≈ 16 EPR Signals of Reduced Diiron-Oxo Proteins. Structure and Properties of [FeII2BPMP{O2P(OC6H5)2}2]Cl

The diiron complexes [Fe II 2 BPMP{O 2 P(OC 6 H 5 ) 2 } 2 ]X (1 (X=Cl), 2 (X=BF 4 ), 3 (X=X=BPh 4 )) and [Fe II 2 BPCP-(O 2 CC 2 H 5 ) 2 ]BPh 4 (4), where BPMP is the anion of 2,6-bis[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4-methylphenol and BPCP is the anion of 2,6-bis[(bis(2-pyridylmethyl)amino)methyl]-4-chlorophenol, have been synthesized to provide insight into the integer-spin EPR signals found in the diferrous forms of diiron-oxo proteins
UNEMPLOYMENT AS A DRAMATURGICAL PROBLEM: TEACHING IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT IN A WORK INCENTIVE PROGRAM

This article is an analysis of aspects of everyday life in a Work Incentive Program (WIN). It is intended to apply and extend Adam's (1978) political phenomenology of domination by analyzing inferi...
The Bureaucratic Approach to the Financial Revolution: Japan's Ministry of Finance and Financial System Reform

While all industrialized countries have enacted financial reforms over the past decade, Japan's Ministry of Finance (MoF) officials have crafted a distinctive approach to reform. They have managed to pursue their own agenda while at the same time responding to international market pressures and domestic political demands. This article examines Japan's “financial system reform,” the process by which the MoF has recast the regulatory barriers between different types of financial institutions, such as banks and securities houses. Financial system reform represents an extreme case of a common Japanese policy pattern—the bureaucratic-led bargain—in which Japan's bureaucrats, rather than its politicians, organize the bargains that eventually emerge as policy. Two ministry policy councils deliberated for seven years before the Diet passed comprehensive reform legislation in 1992, and the ministry continues to redefine the reform at the stage of implementation today. While MoF officials have been forced to make concessions to industry groups and to adjust to unforeseen developments along the way, they have maintained overall control of the reform process. In fact, this article suggests that they have been remarkably successful in promoting their own peculiar interpretation of the public interest and in preserving and, in some cases, enhancing their own power.
Process-Induced Stress and Deformation in Thick-Section Thermoset Composite Laminates:

A study of process-induced stress and deformation in thick-section thermosetting composite laminates is presented. A methodology is proposed for predict ing the evolution of residual stress develop...
Ambient Concentrations and Elemental Compositions of PM10 and PM2.5 in Four Chinese Cities

Three size fractions of particulate matter (PM), i.e., fine particles (PM2.5), coarse particles (PM2.5-10), and PM10, were measured at the school yards of eight elementary schools in four large Chinese cities during 1995 and 1996. These schools, one located in an urban district and one in a suburban district in each city, served as principal bases for an air pollution epidemiologic study. All PM samples were collected on Teflon filters using dichotomous samplers and analyzed gravimetrically for PM mass concentrations. A subset of the samples collected were analyzed for elements using a standard XRF technique. Annual means of PM10 concentrations, in which 52−75% were PM2.5, ranged from 68 to 273 μg/m3 across the eight sampling sites. Within each city, the urban site had higher annual means of all measured PM size fractions. Reported in the paper were also the concentrations of eight elements which were likely to be associated with urban pollution sources. The concentrations of these elements were found to ...
Effect of electroconvulsive shock on 5-HT2 and α1-adrenoceptors and phosphoinositide signalling system in rat brain

We studied the effect of repeated administration of electroconvulsive shock (ECS) on alpha 1-adrenoceptor subtype (alpha 1A and alpha 1B) and 5-HT2 (serotonin-2) receptors and receptor-mediated phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis in rat cerebral cortex. We observed that repeated administration with ECS significantly increased the density of 5-HT2 receptors, as labeled by [3H]ketanserin, as well as 5-HT-stimulated [3H]inositol-1-phosphate ([3H]IP1) in rat cerebral cortex. We also observed that repeated ECS administration caused a significant increase in the number of alpha 1-adrenoceptors and the alpha 1B-adrenoceptor subtype as measured by (+/-)-beta-([125I]iodo-4-hydroxyphenyl)-ethyl-aminomethyl-tetralone binding. However, it had no significant effects on norepinephrine (NE)-stimulated [3H]IP1 formation or alpha 1A-adrenoceptor subtype. These results thus suggest that up-regulation of 5-HT2 receptors after administration with ECS is associated with increased 5-HT-stimulated [3H]IP1 formation. The lack of effects on NE-stimulated PI turnover in ECS treated rats may be due to its lack of effect on the alpha 1A-adrenoceptor subtype.