cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Enhancements in laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry based on laser properties and ambient environment

Analytical performance of laser ablation inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) depends critically on the interaction between the laser light and the sample. The analyte emission line intensity in ICP-AES depends on the quantity of mass ablated. The effect of laser parameters (wavelength, pulse duration, and power density) was investigated for increasing the quantity of ablated mass. For fixed laser beam energy, the ablated mass can change 2 to 3 orders of magnitude by changing the laser beam spot size on the sample. The ablated mass quantity also depends on laser pulse duration and wavelength; and on ambient gas in the sample chamber. The shorter the pulse duration and wavelength, the higher the quantity of ablated mass. By using He in the chamber, the amount of mass increases by a factor of 2 for 30 ns excimer laser ablation and by an order of magnitude for ps-laser ablation.
Worry About Cancer Progression and Low Perceived Social Support: Implications for Quality of Life Among Early-Stage Breast Cancer Patients

Background Worry about cancer progression and perceived social support can affect cancer survivors’ quality of life (QOL).
F1 sterile insect technique: A novel approach for risk assessment of Episimus unguiculus (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae), a candidate biological control agent of Schinus terebinthifolius in the continental USA

Abstract Federal regulations mandate that researchers in the field of classical weed biological control follow the precautionary principle when proposing the release of an organism that can affect our environment. However, laboratory risk assessment experiments often predict a much broader host range than that which occurs in the field. Because open-field tests are prohibited in the area of introduction, the application of the F1 sterile insect technique (F1SIT) could be used to conduct field testing in the proposed release area in a safe and temporary manner. In this study, we determined the minimum dose of radiation required to field test the tortricid Episimus unguiculus (Clarke), a candidate for biological control of Brazilian peppertree, Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi (Anacardiaceae) in Florida. Male and female virgin E. unguiculus adults were treated with increasing doses of gamma radiation and either inbred or outcrossed to non-treated E. unguiculus adults. Pairs of adults were placed in ovipositio...
Weak localization: The quasiclassical theory of electrons in a random potential

Abstract The recent subject of weak localization is an important area of research in condensed matter physics which has received a considerable amount of experimental and theoretical attention. In its existing form, the theory is founded entirely on the impurity technique of Green's function. In this paper, we present a theory of weak localization which is put rigorously on a quasiclassical basis thus providing a more intuitive understanding. For example, it becomes apparent that much of the underlying physics is a result of quantum mechanical interference effects in a very elementary sense. It is one of those unique cases where the superposition principle of quantum mechanics leads to observable consequences in the properties of macroscopic systems. In addition, all the important quantitative results obtained so far are recovered in the present quasiclassical approach.
Boxing technique for rubber base impressions.

Abstract A technique has been described for utilizing polyether interocclusal registration material in place of utility wax to form a border prior to boxing an impression. The material is simple to use, readily adheres to the impression size and shape, and can be used with polyether as well as vinyl polysiloxane impression materials. (The adhesive supplied with the vinyl polysiloxane must be used with that material.)
Hox proteins coordinate peripodial decapentaplegic expression to direct adult head morphogenesis in Drosophila.

Abstract The Drosophila BMP, decapentaplegic ( dpp ), controls morphogenesis of the ventral adult head through expression limited to the lateral peripodial epithelium of the eye-antennal disc by a 3.5 kb enhancer in the 5’ end of the gene. We recovered a 15 bp deletion mutation within this enhancer that identified a homeotic (Hox) response element that is a direct target of labial and the homeotic cofactors homothorax and extradenticle . Expression of labial and homothorax are required for dpp expression in the peripodial epithelium, while the Hox gene Deformed represses labial in this location, thus limiting its expression and indirectly that of dpp to the lateral side of the disc. The expression of these homeodomain genes is in turn regulated by the dpp pathway, as dpp signalling is required for labial expression but represses homothorax . This Hox-BMP regulatory network is limited to the peripodial epithelium of the eye-antennal disc, yet is crucial to the morphogenesis of the head, which fate maps suggest arises primarily from the disc proper, not the peripodial epithelium. Thus Hox/BMP interactions in the peripodial epithelium of the eye-antennal disc contribute inductively to the shape of the external form of the adult Drosophila head.
Human Platelet Myosin: ISOLATION AND PROPERTIES

Abstract A rapid purification procedure for myosin from human blood platelets is described. The isolated protein was found to be homogeneous by ultracentrifugation, free diffusion, and immunochemical criteria. The following physical parameters of the protein were established; sedimentation coefficient (s20, w0) 6.8 S; diffusion coefficient (D20, w) (from boundary spreading during free diffusion), 1.13 x 10-7 cm2 sec-1; partial specific volume (v), 0.731 ml g-1; molecular weight, 542,700 g mole-1; and frictional ratio (f/f0), 3.48. The amino acid composition of platelet myosin is reported. Divalent cations such as Ca++ and Mg++ activated the myosin ATPase activity, whereas EDTA inhibited the enzyme activity. Succinylation of platelet myosin indicated the presence of a large subunit with sedimentation coefficient (s20, w0) of 4.9 S. In addition, electron micrographs of two types of negatively stained (uranyl acetate) polymerized platelet myosin (types I and III) are shown.
Vital cross-functional linkages with marketing

Abstract Despite their importance, the linkages between marketing and other functional areas of a business remain relatively unexplored. This article develops a nine-step integrated framework that explicitly takes into account the impact of managing cross- functional linkages within the firm on marketing and other function's plans. Issues and benefits of adopting an integrative cross-functional framework are discussed.
Ecoenzymatic stoichiometry of recalcitrant organic matter decomposition: the growth rate hypothesis in reverse

The flow of carbon and nutrients from plant production into detrital food webs is mediated by microbial enzymes released into the environment (ecoenzymes). Ecoenzymatic activities are linked to both microbial metabolism and environmental resource availability. In this paper, we extend the theoretical and empirical framework for ecoenzymatic stoichiometry from nutrient availability to carbon composition by relating ratios of β-1,4-glucosidase (BG), acid (alkaline) phosphatase (AP), β-N-acetylglucosaminidase (NAG), leucine aminopeptidase (LAP) and phenol oxidase (POX) activities in soils to measures of organic matter recalcitrance, using data from 28 ecosystems. BG and POX activities are uncorrelated even though both are required for lignocellulose degradation. However, the ratio of BG:POX activity is negatively correlated with the relative abundance of recalcitrant carbon. Unlike BG, POX activity is positively correlated with (NAG + LAP) and AP activities. We propose that the effect of organic matter recalcitrance on microbial C:N and C:P threshold element ratios (TER) can be represented by normalizing BG, AP and (NAG + LAP) activities to POX activity. The scaling relationships among these ratios indicate that the increasing recalcitrance of decomposing organic matter effectively reverses the growth rate hypothesis of stoichiometric theory by decreasing carbon and nutrient availability and slowing growth, which increases TERN:P. This effect is consistent with the narrow difference between the mean elemental C:N ratios of soil organic matter and microbial biomass and with the inhibitory effect of N enrichment on rates of decomposition and microbial metabolism for recalcitrant organic matter. From these findings, we propose a conceptual framework for bottom-up decomposition models that integrate the stoichiometry of ecoenzymatic activities into general theories of ecology.
Analysis of congestion control mechanisms in an intelligent network

An SCP overload control method is proposed and its characteristics are evaluated and compared with other methods lwindow and call gappingr under various overload traffic patterns by using the network simulator that models SCP, SSPs, and their relationships in the IN. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Low-Frequency Vibrational Spectra of Molecular Crystals. XXII: Cyclobutane-do and Cyclobutane-d8

Abstract The Raman spectra (0-300 cm–1) of the two crystal modifications of cyclobutane-and cyclobutane-rf8 were recorded at various temperatures. The infrared spectra (30 to 300 cm–1) were also recorded at various temperatures. Lattice modes were observed at 109, 106, 93, 46 and 33 cm–1 for cyclobutane in crystal phase II at 20°K. From the shift factors with deuteration, it is concluded that the highest three bands are librational modes whereas the two bands of lowest frequency are optical translations. The number and activity of the lattice modes are consistent with the previously proposed crystal symmetry of Ccea (D22 2h) with two molecules per primitive cell for phase II. The ring-puckering vibration is observed at 255 cm–1 and shifts to 201 cm–1 with deuteration. The temperature dependency of these bands is discussed and it is shown that the ring-puckering vibration is intimately involved in the phase transition II → I.
Virtual Electron Capture in Ni 59

A careful measurement of the gamma-ray spectrum of ${\mathrm{Ni}}^{59}$ has been performed. The analysis of the data indicates that the inner bremsstrahlung spectrum is slightly distorted near the end point. This distortion is ascribed to destructive interference with a virtual ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ capture through the firxt excited state in ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$. The probability of the virtual transition is found to be in the range of 0.0005 to 0.006 relative to the direct, second forbidden, inner bremsstrahlung to the ground state of ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$. The product of the width of the first excited state in ${\mathrm{Co}}^{59}$ and the $log(\mathrm{ft})$ value for the virtual ${e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ capture is determined.
Caspase-3 inhibition partially protects oxidant production in apoptotic human neutrophils.

Abstract Apoptotic PMN lose functional activity, which emphasizes the tissue injury limiting potential of PMN apoptosis. Caspase-3 activation is the first step in the execution phase of apoptosis. We hypothesized that PMN functional activity, as evidenced by oxidant production, can be restored in apoptotic PMN by inhibition of caspase-3. Methods. To accelerate PMN apoptosis, PMN were UV-irradiated for 15 min as previously described. PMN were pretreated with the caspase-3 inhibitor DEVD-fmk (100 μM) for 30 min prior to UV. PMN apoptosis was quantitated by flow cytometry with CD16 staining. Oxidant production in response to 10 μM PMA was quantitated fluorometrically using the method of Hyslop and Sklar. Caspase-3 activity was quantitated fluorometrically using a commercially available assay. Results. UV-treated PMN demonstrated a 3-fold increase in caspase-3 activity. This was associated with a significant increase in apoptotic PMN and a 10-fold decrease in oxidant production compared to control PMN. DEVD-fmk blocked increases in caspase-3 activity and significantly reduced PMN apoptosis. Oxidant production was increased 5-fold compared to UV-treated PMN but was still significantly less than control PMN. Conclusions. In UV-accelerated PMN apoptosis, inhibition of caspase-3 activity partially protects oxidant production in apoptotic PMN. This suggests that signaling events in the initiation phase of PMN apoptosis, which are proximal to caspase-3 activation, may in part be responsible for loss of oxidant production in apoptotic PMN independent of caspase-3 activity.
Subclinical thyroid disease

Widespread use of improved measurements for serum thyroid hormones and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) has resulted in characterization of the syndromes of subclinical hypothyroidism, characterized by normal free T4 estimate and raised serum TSH, and subclinical hyperthyroidism, in which patients have normal serum free T4 estimate and decreased serum TSH. Therapy for these two disorders is generally recommended but must be individualized according to the patient's general medical condition. Additional studies are needed to assess the benefits of treatment. This report reviews subclinical hypothyroidism and subclinical hyperthyroidism, describing their causes, diagnostic criteria, complications, and indications for treatment. A brief review of testing for thyroid function is presented, and each of the subclinical disorders is compared with the classic syndromes of hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism.
Restoration of voluntary muscle strength after 3 weeks of cast immobilization is suppressed in women compared with men.

Abstract Clark BC, Manini TM, Hoffman RL, Russ DW. Restoration of voluntary muscle strength after 3 weeks of cast immobilization is suppressed in women compared with men. Objective To investigate sex-related differences in the loss and recovery of voluntary muscle strength after immobilization. Design Longitudinal, repeated measures. Setting Research laboratory. Participants Healthy men (n=5) and healthy women (n=5). Intervention Three weeks of forearm immobilization. Main Outcome Measures Voluntary wrist flexion muscle strength was assessed at baseline and weekly during the immobilization protocol and 1 week after cast removal. Central activation was assessed before and after immobilization and after 1 week of recovery to determine what percentage of the muscle could be activated voluntarily. Results Men and women lost voluntary strength at a similar rate during immobilization. However, after 1 week of recovery voluntary strength had returned to within 1% of baseline in the men, but remained approximately 30% less than baseline in the women ( P =0.03). Both sexes displayed reduced central activation after immobilization ( P =0.02), but the decrease was similar in both sexes ( P =0.82). Conclusions These findings suggest sex-dependent adaptations to and recovery from limb immobilization, with voluntary strength recovering slower in women. As such, sex-specific rehabilitation protocols may be warranted, with women requiring additional or more intensive rehabilitation programs after periods of disuse. Future work is needed to determine the extent and mechanisms of these differences.
Library Inventory Using Palm Pilot

ABSTRACT Reducing user frustration over the failure to find a book in the library catalog, eliminating missing titles, and cleaning up other common database errors are tasks facing all libraries. Recently, the staff at Southern Polytechnic State University undertook a collection inventory using Palm Pilot technology. This article describes the one-year project and provides a detailed discussion of the procedures and equipment required to undertake this task. The experience at Southern Polytechnic State University suggests that library inventory is feasible and manageable.
Damage to the Pore Structure of Hardened Portland Cement Paste by Mercury Intrusion

Microstructural changes due to mercury intrusion porosimetry were documented in a 6-month-old sample of ordinary portland cement paste made with a water/cement ratio of 0.5. Specimens before and after mercury intrusion were viewed at 60% relative humidity using an environmental scanning electron microscope. Specimens were intruded to a pressure just below the critical threshold pressure, removed for observation, then intruded to a pressure well above the critical threshold pressure. Significant damage caused by relatively low pressures of 10–20 MPa was found in the interior of the sample. The connectivity of pores in the 10–1 μm size range was much higher after intrusion.
Drug deaths involving propoxyphene-an assessment in metropolitan Detroit.

Abstract Drug deaths attributed to propoxyphene have been reported to be on the increase throughout the country. This trend has been observed in the greater Detroit (Wayne County) area as well. Analysis of the toxicological data, however, reveals that in the majority of instances propoxyphene is not the sole offending agent. An observation which should be brought to the attention of the clinician is that very often alcohol and /or other drugs are found in combination with propoxyphene, thereby increasing the potential danger of the drug. An evaluation of the propoxyphene deaths which occurred in Wayne County from 1973 through 1975 revealed that ethanol alone was found in 22% of the cases, ethanol and other drugs were found in 16% of the cases, and other drugs were found in 40% of the cases. Drugs most frequently found in deaths involving propoxyphene were diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), and barbiturates. This observation is consistent with the frequency of prescription of these drugs.
Homelessness among older adults in a Texas border town.

Abstract This paper documents a descriptive pilot study utilizing a “point-in-time” or “point prevalence” method to determine the characteristics of those older adults living in homeless shelters in the city of El Paso. Of the 227 individuals who agreed to be involved in the survey, 53 (23% of the total sample) were 50 years and older. The characteristics of those 53 individuals ranging in age from 50-80 are presented. The profile is that of a poorly educated, Hispanic, Catholic male born in Mexico, who identifies Spanish as a first language, and who attributes his homeless state to joblessness or poverty. Key issues with regard to homelessness are employment and retraining. The article discusses the policies relevant to homelessness and employment retraining options as well as local initiatives. Implications for research, policy, and for social work intervention are also suggested in an effort to address needs of these homeless older adults.
Cyclostratigraphy of the Upper Cretaceous Niobrara Formation, Western Interior, U.S.A.: A Coniacian–Santonian orbital timescale

Abstract The Turonian–Campanian Niobrara Formation of the Western Interior basin, U.S.A., is characterized by decimeter-scale rhythmic alternations of chalk and marl beds and decameter-scale oscillations of chalky and marly facies. This study applies recent advances in quantitative cyclostratigraphic analysis to high-resolution geophysical records in order to test for an orbital signal. We studied records of the entire formation (~ 85 m) from two wells in Colorado (40° 17′ N, 104° 38′ W; 40° 14′ N, 104° 41′ W). The study utilized high-resolution time series of borehole resistivity measured from Formation MicroImager tools (FMI). Advanced spectral techniques indicate the presence of eccentricity, obliquity, and precession periodicities throughout the study interval. Deviations of bundling ratios in the lower Fort Hays Member from those predicted by simple eccentricity modulation of precession, previously reported in the literature, are likely due to the influence of obliquity. Deconvolution and frequency tracking of orbital components were used to reconstruct sedimentation rates for the Niobrara Formation and thus develop a high-resolution orbital timescale, which permits calculations of accumulation rates for sedimentary components and the duration of inclusive stages, substages, and, in some cases, biozones. The Niobrara Formation in the studied cores appears to be hiatus-free and therefore provides a continuous record of rhythmic deposition for astronomical timescale development. The relationship between carbonate content and sedimentation rate throughout the Niobrara Formation indicates that the decameter-scale oscillations of chalk and marl are dominantly driven by variations in siliciclastic flux (dilution). The duration, derived from the orbital timescale, between the Turonian–Coniacian and Coniacian–Santonian boundaries is 3.40 ± 0.13 myr, which is generally consistent with radiometric estimates for the Coniacian. The orbitally derived duration of the Santonian Stage is 2.39 ± 0.15 myr, which is very similar to estimates based on curve fitting between radiometric dates. Development of high-resolution orbital chronometers provides excellent time-resolution in intervals that lack radiometric-time control or where control points are widely spaced.
Helical and linear [K(As11)]2― chains: Role of solvent on the conformation of chains formed by Zintl anions

Abstract Two chains of [K(As 11 )] 2− clusters, one helical and one linear, have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography. The stoichiometries of the two conformations differ only in the number of solvent: 3 ethylenediamine per cluster for the helix and 2 for the straight chain. The solvent molecules interact with the potassium cations which link the Arsenic clusters. Theoretical investigations reveal that without solvent, the linear chain is most stable, because the K–As 11 distances are minimized while the helix has increased spacing between the K cation and As 11 which enhances binding between ethylenediamine and the potassium cations, stabilizing the helical assembly.
Amphibolitization of calc-silicate metasedimentary rocks

Diopside granofels layers are associated with other metasedimentary rocks and gneisses near McMurdo Sound, Antarctica. Disrupted diopside granofels layers form tectonic inclusions which may have reaction rims of amphibolite. This amphibolite may either be a typical hornblende-plagioclase amphiholite or a hornblende-quartz amphibolite according to the initial composition of the diopside granofels. Chemical analyses of the reaction rims show that some of the amphibolites have major element compositions near tholeiitic basalt but that a sedimentary origin could be recognized for others that are high in silica. During amphibolitization, the diopside granofels loses Ca and gains Fe and Mg by mutual exchange of material with the surrounding rock over short distances. The metasomatic amphibolites fall on the “igneous differentiation trend” in a Niggli mg-c plot. At least small volumes of metasedimentary rock can attain the composition of basalt by amphibolitization in a metasomatic reaction rim.
Reversing Lipopolysaccharide Toxicity by Ligating the Macrophage Fcγ Receptors

Our laboratory has previously demonstrated that the ligation of phagocytic receptors on macrophages can influence cytokine production. In this study, we examine the cytokine responses to multiple inflammatory stimuli following FcγR ligation. Macrophages were stimulated in vitro with LPS, lipoteichoic acid, CD40 ligand, or low molecular mass hyaluronic acid. All of these stimuli were proinflammatory in character, inducing the production of high levels of IL-12, but only modest amounts of IL-10. The coligation of FcγR along with these stimuli resulted in an anti-inflammatory profile, abrogating IL-12 production and inducing high levels of IL-10. The modulation of these two cytokines occurred by two independent mechanisms. Whereas the abrogation of IL-12 biosynthesis was a property shared by several macrophage receptors, the induction of IL-10 was specific to the FcγR. The biological relevance of these observations was examined in murine models of endotoxemia, in which FcγR ligation induced the rapid production of IL-10 and prevented IL-12 synthesis. Mice could be passively immunized with Abs to LPS to reverse inflammatory cytokine production, and the transfer of macrophages whose FcγR had been ligated could rescue mice from lethal endotoxemia. Thus, the ligation of the macrophage FcγR can be exploited to prevent inappropriate inflammatory cytokine responses.
The African Imagination: Literature in Africa and the Black Diaspora

F. Abiola Irele. The African Imagination: Literature in Africa and the Black Diaspora. New York: Oxford University Press, 2001. xviii + 296 pp. Notes. Bibliography. Index. No price reported. Paper. Abiola Irele's critical examination of African literature is an interesting collection of essays written from 1981 to 1994. Published in 2001, these essays come across as a nice way to review some of the essential literary and cultural events that have influenced contemporary African literature. In other words, Irele is not breaking new ground, but rather refreshing one's memories. His intellectual insights, as always, are well worth the reading time. In the preface and again in chapter 1, Irele informs us of his purpose in putting together The African Imagination. The work responds to two ways of looking at African literature. The first is to challenge the view of the African experience, both on the African continent and in the New World, as a collective experience, a type of cultural monolith. This position, he notes, has been taken by Europeans such as Janheinz Jahn and by those Africans who garner their literary experience from the negritude movement or who have at least been influenced by this Francophone phenomenon. The other cultural monolith he notes is the Black Aesthetic movement of the 1960s found primarily in the United States. A second group that Irele challenges comprises the contemporary literary critics of the 1980s and 1990s who have grown out of structuralism, deconstruction, and Marxism. These critics, he explains, are more interested in literature as a form of sociological development than of aesthetic expression. He does not ignore or deny these other positions, he comments, but he will not pursue them for their own sake. He has decided, rather, "to explore the terrain of African literature in the widest acceptance of the term and to arrive at a sense of its possible boundaries" on both the African continent and in the New World (4). Further, he maintains that the term "African imagination" is more appropriate than "African literature" because it allows for a "wider scope of expression of Africans and people of African descent, which arises out of . . . historical circumstances" (7). Chapter 2 addresses the issues of orality and literacy and their relation to the two interpretations of African literature, Western and African. Irele allows Ruth Finnegan, Jack Goody, and Walter J. Ong to state the European view of the orality-literacy connection, while the African perspective is conveyed by D. O. Fagunwa, Thomas Mofolo, J. P. Clark-Bekederemo, and Irele himself. This discussion sheds light on the cultural complexity of literature, especially on the African continent with its hundreds of languages. Often the critics that Irele questions in the preface, especially structuralists and poststructuralists, lose sight of this complexity because of their own redefined cultural perspectives. …
Role of gene 10 protein in the hierarchical assembly of the bacteriophage P22 portal vertex structure.

The portal vertex structure of the phage P22 is a 2.8 MDa molecular machine that mediates attachment and injection of the viral genome into the host Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium. Five proteins form this molecular machine: the portal protein, gp1; the tail-spike, gp9; the tail-needle, gp26, and the tail accessory factors, gp4 and gp10. In order to understand the assembly of the portal vertex structure, we have isolated the gene encoding tail accessory factor gp10 and defined its structural composition and assembly within the portal vertex structure. In solution, monomeric gp10 is a β-sheet-rich protein with a stable conformational structure, which spontaneously assembles into hexamers, likely via a dimeric intermediate. This oligomerization enhances the structural stability of the protein, which then becomes competent for assembly to a preformed portal protein:gp4 complex, and acts as a structural adaptor bridging the nascent phage tail to gp26 and gp9. Notably, in vitro purified tail accessory...
Carbendazim (MBC) disrupts oocyte spindle function and induces aneuploidy in hamsters exposed during fertilization (meiosis II)

Peri-fertilization exposure to Carbendazim (MBC; a microtubule poison) induces infertility and early pregnancy loss in hamsters. Presently, both in vivo and in vitro techniques were employed to characterize the effects of MBC on cellular aspects of fertilization in hamsters. Exposure to MBC during either in vivo or in vitro fertilization (IVF) induced identical morphological abnormalities in the maternal chromatin of zygotes and embryos. These abnormalities included either multiple second polar bodies (PB2), and/or multiple small female pronuclei (PN), or meiotic arrest. Multiple PB2, multiple female PN, multiple PB2 with multiple female PN, or meiotic arrest were exhibited by approximately 31%, 15%, 12%, and 2% of the in vivo zygotes; and 3%, 16%, 36%, and 20% of IVF zygotes, respectively. The effects of MBC persisted to day 2 of pregnancy as indicated by decreased (P ≤ 0.05) embryo development to the two-cell stage and the presence of micronuclei in 6% of two-cell embryos from MBC-treated females. Immunofluorescence analysis of microtubules (MTs) confirmed that MBC disrupted spindle MTs during IVF. Numerical chromosome analysis revealed that a single dose of MBC administered during in vivo fertilization induced aneuploidy in the resulting pronuclear-stage zygotes. The present data point to two mechanisms by which peri-fertilization MBC exposure may induce early pregnancy loss: 1) arrested meiosis with no zygotic cleavage; or 2) induction of zygotic aneuploidy with subsequent developmental arrest. © 1995 wiley-Liss, Inc.
Seeing the forest and the trees: multilevel models reveal both species and community patterns

Studies designed to understand species distributions and community assemblages typically use separate analytical approaches (e.g., logistic regression and ordination) to model the distribution of individual species and to relate community composition to environmental variation. Multilevel models (MLMs) offer a promising strategy for integrating species and community-level analyses. Here, we demonstrate how MLMs can be used to analyze differences in species composition of communities across environmental gradients. We first use simulated data to show that MLMs can outperform three standard methods that researchers use to identify environmental drivers of the species composition of communities, redundancy analysis (RDA), canonical correspondence analysis (CCA), and nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS). In particular, MLMs can separate the effects of collinearity among environmental drivers and factor out the effect of changes in overall species abundances or occurrences that do not involve changes in c...
Correlation between Thermal Oxide Breakdown and Defects in n-Type 4H-SiC Epitaxial Wafers

In this work, the correlation between thermal oxide breakdown and dislocations in n-type 4H-SiC epitaxial wafers has been investigated. Thermal oxide was grown by oxidation in N2O at 1250°C followed by annealing in NO atmosphere. The electron beam induced current (EBIC) technique was employed to find correlations between the electrically active defects in epitaxial layers and regions where the oxide breakdowns occurred. The test measurements of leakage currents in MOS devices were performed in order to correlate the leakage currents with number of defects in the epi-layer detected by EBIC technique.
Facts and fears regarding blood transfusions in decision making for thrombolytic therapy

Abstract With current clinical strategies for managing acute myocardial infarction, red blood cell transfusions are required to treat approximately 0.6 % to 4.0 % of patients who receive thrombolytic therapy and suffer hemorrhagic complications. The actual risk of serious subsequent morbidity (e.g., AIDS or chronic hepatitis) associated with such transfusions is small, occurring in only 0.018% to 0.12 % of patients who receive thrombolytic therapy. Despite a small actual risk of transfusion-related morbidity, patients may perceive the risk associated with transfusions to be substantial. Accordingly physicians have an obligation to assuage patients' fears regarding transfusions during the process of obtaining informed consent for treatment with thrombolytic therapy. The clinical setting of acute myocardial infarction, however, makes it difficult to obtain truly informed consent that includes the risks of receiving a transfusion, as well as the risk of transfusion-related morbidity. Given this difficulty, several suggestions for physicians to enhance patient involvement in medical decision making for thrombolytic therapy are provided.
The Impact of Two‐ and Three‐Generational Black Family Structure on Perceived Family Climate

This study examined the effect of black family structure on the perceived social climate as measured by the Family Environment Scale. The 64 black families were selected to fill the four cells of a 2 × 2 factorial design of 1- versus 2-parent black families by grandmother residing in the home of the family versus living 10 or more miles away. The family climate was significantly different among the four family structures and between this sample and the normative sample of Moos and his associates. No significant differences were found among the family structures on their Family Incongruence scores. The subscale scores of this black sample were similar to the scores of other black and partly black samples. These results suggest that black families are not a homogeneous group, but rather different black family structures are associated with different family climates. Further research is needed to understand the impact family climate has on child-rearing practices and child outcomes within these diverse family structures.
Angiographic predictors of a rise in serum creatine kinase (distal embolization) after balloon angioplasty of saphenous vein coronary artery bypass grafts.

Abstract Distal coronary embolization is thought to be increased in the balloon angioplasty of coronary bypass vein grafts. One hundred fifty-five procedures of balloon angioplasty involving single vein graft dilatation were successfully performed. Distal coronary embolization was defined as an elevation of creatine phosphokinase greater than twice the preangioplasty value and positive MB fraction. Twenty procedures were found to have embolism by this definition. Forty preangioplasty angiograms were randomly selected from the remaining procedures and analyzed as a control group. Eight angiographic features were evaluated as possible risk factors for distal coronary embolization, i.e., diffusely diseased vein graft, presence of thrombus, ulcerated lesion surface, marked eccentricity, large plaque volume, lesion angulation, abrupt proximal face and ectasia. A diffusely diseased vein graft (p = 0.002), presence of thrombus (p = 0.006), irregular or ulcerated lesion surface (p = 0.007), large plaque volume (p = 0.02) and marked eccentricity (p = 0.03) were found to be important predictors by univariate analysis. A diffusely diseased vein graft and a large plaque volume were found to be important independent predictors by multivariate analysis. The presence of thrombus and an irregular or ulcerated lesion surface frequently coexist with a diffusely diseased vein graft. It is concluded that a diffusely diseased vein graft and a large plaque volume are important independent predictors of distal embolization, and thrombus and an ulcerated lesion surface are also important.
Child Outcomes and Risk Factors in U.S. Homicide-Suicide Cases 1999–2004

Intimate partner homicide-suicide (IPHS) represents the most severe form of domestic violence, and often results in multiple fatalities. This paper examines outcomes of children in households that experience IPHS. Reports of 325 IPHS cases among adults age 18–44 in the U.S. between 1999 and 2004 were collected and examined. Results indicate children were often fatally wounded, but were most likely to witness the eventthen be absent or killed. Difficult financial conditions during times of economic downturn may increase the possibility of stress-related suicide, and subsequent familicide. Children with a suicidal parent are at increased risk of harm, so identification is of vital importance. Children are most likely harmed or killed by a primarily suicidal male perpetrator, who is usually their biological father. Firearms were used more than other methods in IPHS events. Even those perpetrators with protective orders more often utilized a firearm, which reflected a weakness in Violence Against Women Act gun ban enforcement. In this research, regions of the U.S. with less stringent firearm regulations were disproportionately likely to contain IPHS events. Findings illustrate the importance of making distinctions among perpetrators of IPHS, and assessing firearms policies, in order to improve child death prevention efforts.
p27 cell‐cycle inhibitor is inversely correlated with lymph node metastases in right‐sided colon cancer

p27, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor, suppresses proliferation of normal and neoplastic cells. Expression of p27 is correlated with survival in colon cancer. To some degree, right-sided colon cancers differ biologically and clinically from left-sided colon cancers. We analyzed 41 patients with right-sided colon cancers, including 18 cases with regional lymph node metastases and 23 cases with negative lymph nodes. Immunostaining for p27 was performed on histologic sections of primary cancers and scored. Correlation of p27 protein expression with histologic parameters was performed by t-test and multivariate analysis. Decreased p27 protein expression was associated with large tumor size. As percentages of positively stained tumor cells decreased from 70 to 29%, the mean tumor size increased from 1.9 to 7.3 cm. p27 protein expression significantly decreased in primary cancers with angiolymphatic invasion or with positive lymph nodes in comparison with those without angiolymphatic invasion (26 +/- 6 vs. 44 +/- 5%, P < 0.03) or with negative lymph nodes (23 +/- 4 vs. 47 +/- 6%, P < 0.003). p27 expression was not statistically different in terms of depth of tumor invasion (T1/T2 vs. T3/T4), tumor type or tumor differentiation. Multivariate analysis revealed that low p27 expression in primary cancers was correlated with lymph node metastases (P = 0.01). However, it did not correlate with any other histologic parameters. In summary, decreased p27 expression was associated with an increased likelihood of lymph node metastases in colon cancers, independent of depth of tumor invasion. This implies that p27 is a potentially important predictor for tumor metastasis and patient's prognosis in right-sided colon cancers.
Immunohistochemical and electron-microscopic studies of functional and non-functional pituitary adenomas including one TSH secreting tumor in a thyrotoxic patient

Twenty-nine pituitary adenomas were studied by histologic, electron-microscopic, and immunohistochemical techniques. By conventional histological stains, 19 cases were considered chromophobe, five cosinophilic, and five mixed chromophobe and eosinophilic adenomas. Immunohistochemistry, with specific antibodies against human GH, PRL, FSHβ, LHβ, and TSHβ showed, clearly, secreting and non-secreting groups of tumors: growth hormone-secreting adenomas (four cases), prolactin-secreting adenomas (eight cases), thyrotropin and/or gonadotropin-producing tumors (seven cases), and non-secreting adenomas (ten cases). Electron microscopy showed secretory granules of varying numbers, sizes, and shapes in all tumor cells in all 29 cases. The endoplasmic reticulum appeared markedly increased in 5/8 of the prolactin producing tumors; mitochondria also appeared markedly increased in 3/7 of the thyrotropin-gonadotropin group. These three cases could be considered “oncocytomas” by electron-microscopic criteria.
Six-Membered Ring Systems: Pyridine and Benzo Derivatives

Abstract The pyridine scaffold and its benzo derivatives are present in a number of natural products, biologically active materials, as well as in materials with interesting physical and chemical properties. Descriptions of their preparation and application as ligands, solvents, and catalysts increase each year. Synthetic and naturally derived pyridine-based materials are valued for their optical and physical properties as well as their medical potential. As such, their preparation and properties continue to be thoroughly examined. This chapter will not provide a full coverage of all the advances in the chemistry of pyridines and their benzo derivatives reported in 2012, but will provide a summary and overview of the key areas of uses, preparations, and reactions of pyridines and their benzo derivatives.
Ultrastructure of sperms in Acoela (Acoelomorpha) and its concordance with molecular systematics

Abstract. The sperms of the Acoela, a group of lower worms, are filiform cells with 2 flagella incorporated into the cell body. Their axonemes can variously have 9+2, 9+1, or 9+0 patterns of microtubules; and singlet microtubules in the cell body can be arranged in axial or cortical positions. An analysis of phylogenetic relationships of acoels based on molecular characters (18S rDNA sequence data) showed that these patterns of microtubules, where known, fell into discrete monophyletic groups. To test this hypothesis, we have expanded the database of sperm characters by examining the ultrastructure of a further 10 species representing 4 acoel families. As expected, the Convolutidae fell into 2 unrelated groups: “small-bodied convolutids”(Convoluta pulchra, Praeconvoluta tigrina, Pseudaphanostoma smithrii) having 9+2 axonemes and cortical microtubules, and “large-bodied convolutids” (including Wulguru cuspidata) having 9+0 axonemes and axial microtubules. Also, as expected, a member of the Mecynostomidae (Paedomecynostomum bruneum) has 9+1 axonemes and axial microtubules. Members of a family that appears intermediate by molecular characters, the Otocelididae, significantly have a variety of patterns: axonemes with both 9+2 and 9+0 patterns (Notocelis gullmarensis) or just 9+2 (the other species), and either axial (Philocelis brueggemanni), both axial and cortical (N. gullmarensis) microtubules, or microtubules that bend between axial and cortical positions along the length of the sperm (Otocelis sandara). Members of the Dakuidae (Daku woorimensis) also belong to this intermediate group, having 9+2 axonemes and axial microtubules, while in a fifth otocelidid (Stomatricha hochbergi), sperm characters are like those of the “large-bodied convolutids” (9+0 axonemes and axial microtubules). Characters of sperm morphology generally support the molecular hypothesis of relationships and confirm a suspected polyphyly of the families Convolutidae, Otocelididae, and Actinoposthiidae.
Attitudes toward women executives: A longitudinal approach.

The article presents a longitudinal study which measured the positive and negative attitudes toward women executives in the U.S. for the 1975 to 1983 period. The Managerial Attitudes toward Women E...
Goods retailers and service providers: comparative analysis of web site marketing communications

Abstract Retailers may engage in a range of marketing communications on their web sites. Our content analysis of web sites for 152 Fortune 500 retailers showed that more profitable retailers were more likely to use company specific, shareholder, web specific and customer service elements. We also found differences in the use of advertising, shareholder, company specific and web specific elements among goods, financial and services retailers.
Group therapy in an outpatient setting with borderline and narcissistic delinquents on probation

DSM-III criteria are used to describe the pathological manifestations of narcissistic and borderline disorders. The former gives rise to the Grandiose Self and the need to control the world. The delinquent act is an attempt to gain such control. The latter demonstrates ego splitting, primitive terror and rage stemming from the failure of the primary maternal introject. The attempt to compensate for inner turmoil and lack of object relatedness leads to delinquent acts. Citing three probationers referred by the court for group therapy, benefits and obstacles encountered in the use of outpatient group therapy are discussed as an approach to solving the unique problems presented by these delinquents.
Studies of the Delayed Neutrons. I. The Decay Curve and the Intensity of the Delayed Neutrons

The delayed neutrons resulting from slow neutron fission of uranium have been found to decay as a combination of exponentials with half-lives of 0.4, 1.8, 4.4, 23, and 56 seconds and respective initial relative intensities when activated to saturation of 0.4, 0.5, 1.1, 1.0, and 0.14. Under equilibrium conditions the delayed neutrons are 1.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2 percent as abundant as the instantaneous fission neutrons.
Biodegradation of RDX and MNX with Rhodococcus sp. strain DN22: new insights into the degradation pathway

Previously we demonstrated that Rhodococcus sp. strain DN22 can degrade RDX (hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine) aerobically via initial denitration. The present study describes the role of oxygen and water in the key denitration step leading to RDX decomposition using 18O2 and H218O labeling experiments. We also investigated degradation of MNX (hexahydro-1-nitroso-3,5-dinitro-1,3,5-triazine) with DN22 under similar conditions. DN22 degraded RDX and MNX giving NO2−, NO3−, NDAB (4-nitro-diazabutanal), NH3, N2O, and HCHO with NO2−/NO3− molar ratio reaching 17 and ca. 2, respectively. In the presence of 18O2, DN22 degraded RDX and produced NO2− with m/z at 46 Da that subsequently oxidized to NO3− containing one 18O atom, but in the presence of H218O we detected NO3− without 18O. A control containing NO2−, DN22, and 18O2 gave NO3− with one 18O, confirming biotic oxidation of NO2− to NO3−. Treatment of MNX with DN22 and 18O2 produced NO3− with two mass ions, one (66 Da) incorporating two 18O atoms and ano...
Selective growth and regrowth of high Al content AlGaAs for use in BH lasers

We demonstrate an enabling technology approach for fabricating selectively grown BH lasers by MOCVD based on selectively growth and regrowth of AlAs and AlGaAs. Carrier and light confining layers as well as current blocking layers in ultralow threshold current VCSELs and WDM VCSEL arrays are enabled by our results. We present techniques for regrowth of active layers of lasers as well as selective growth of AlAs current blocking layers (CBL). The techniques are employed for the growth of a three step AlGaAs/GaAs/InGaAs laser with comparable performance to devices grown in a single step and to demonstrate the use of selectively grown AlAs native oxide layers as CBL in BH lasers. Three step BH InGaAs quantum well edge emiting lasers with an AlAs native oxide CBL have been fabricated using selective growth and regrowth techniques. We also demonstrate a three step grown vertical cavity surface emitting laser with an AlAs native oxide CBL using these techniques.
Adiabatic variation—Part V: Nonlinear near-periodic oscillator

The slow modulation of a near-periodic, but otherwise arbitrarily nonlinear, dynamic system of one degree of freedom is studied. The action is shown to be a first-order invariant for barely smooth modulation, and to be invariant to exponential precision, if the Hamiltonian is analytic in time and amplitude.