cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Everglades Fish Tissue Mercury Concentrations to Those for Other Fresh Waters

The purpose of this chapter is to provide information to resource managers about the distribution of Hg in fish within the Everglades ecosystem. To understand the causes of the variability and often elevated fish mercury levels in the Everglades and south Florida, the myriad environmental factors that influence Hg methylation and its bioavailability must be considered. The unique characteristics of the Everglades across both fresh and marine waters result in strong spatial gradients in fish Hg concentrations that vary by species that occupy different habitats and trophic regimes within the ecosystem. This chapter provides descriptions of the spatial and species distributions of Hg in fish and provides a comparison of Hg in Everglades predatory fish to level in fish from other areas of Florida and the United States.
Engineered Nanomaterial Interaction with Epithelial and Immune Cells upon Mucosal Drug Delivery

The mucosal membranes (i.e. oral, and nasal cavities, gut and female reproductive tract) throughout the body are ideal locations for drug delivery as they result in rapid uptake of the pharmaceutical into the blood system; however, these membranes are protected by the mucosal immune system (MIS). This intricate network of epithelial cells, microbiota, immune cells and mucus present a unique challenge for drug delivery due to their barrier functions and responses to foreign pathogens. There is a constant need to improve drug delivery methods, particularly in regard to mucosal drug delivery. The application of engineered nanomaterials (ENM), due to their unique physicochemical properties, have significant potential to improve mucosal drug delivery. This chapter will discuss key physicochemical properties (i.e. size, shape, surface functionalization, and solubility) and how modification of these properties can alter the biological impact of ENMs. Finally, a brief overview of the normal function of key MIS cells (i.e. epithelial cells, goblet cells, Paneth cells, dendritic cells, macrophages, T and B lymphocytes, mast cells, and endothelial cells) and how ENM exposure alters their function will be presented.
Design and application of high risk factor evaluation table for the hospitalized children with aspirations

Objective To explore the high risk factors of aspiration in children, and to provide an objective basis for the clinical practice. Methods According to the aspiration high-risk factors and the children characteristics, our hospital designed the evaluation sheet of risk factors for aspiration of children hospitalized in pediatric from the following eight factors including the age, history of vomiting frequency, aspiration history, shortness of breath and choke to cough, postures, vocal cord damaging, nasal gastric tube and the consciousness. The scoring range was 8-30 points, and the evaluation score was < 13 and classified as low risk. The evaluation score was ≥13 score as high risk degree. Meantime we made the different-degree prospective intervention measures of nursing intervention in advance. We selected 20 265 pediatrics discharged children from June to December 2014 in our hospital as the control group, and selected 19 826 pediatrics discharged children from June to December 2015 in our hospital as the observation group. We observed the protective effect of aspiration among children in two groups. Results Comparing clinical application effects before and after using high risk factors aspiration assessment table in pediatrics children, the incidence of aspiration/ asphyxia in the two groups was statistically significant (P<0.01) . Conclusions The application of aspiration high-risk factors assessment in pediatrics hospitalized children can improve the nurses' ability to identify and judge the risk of aspiration and reduce the incidence of aspiration/suffocation among high-risk children. Key words: Pediatrics patients; Aspiration high risk-factors assessment table; High-risk degree; Low-risk degree; Preventive care
Gemcitabine-retinoid prodrug loaded nanoparticles display in vitro antitumor efficacy towards drug-resilient human PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells.

Abstract The treatment of pancreatic cancer with gemcitabine is hampered by its rapid metabolism in vivo, the dense stroma around the tumor site which prevents the drug from reaching the cancerous cells and drug resistance. To address these challenges, this study describes the preparation of a retinoid prodrug of gemcitabine, GemRA (gemcitabine conjugated to retinoic acid), and its formulation into a nanoparticulate system applicable for pancreatic cancer treatment. Retinoic acid targets stellate cells which are part of the stroma and can thus augment the delivery of gemcitabine. GemRA dissolved in dimethylsulfoxide presented efficacy towards PANC-1 (human) and mT4 (mouse) pancreatic cancer cell lines but its poor solubility in aqueous solution affects its applicability. Thus, the preparation of the nanoparticles was initially attempted through self-assembly of GemRA, which resulted in the formation of unstable aggregates that precipitated during preparation. As a result, encapsulation of the drug into micelles of polyethylene glycol-retinoic acid (PGRA) amphiphilic conjugates was accomplished and resulted in successful incorporation of GemRA into nanoparticles of ca. 33 nm by dynamic light scattering and 25 nm by transmission electron microscopy. The nanoparticles had good stability in aqueous media and protected gemcitabine from the enzymatic action of cytidine deaminase, which converts gemcitabine to its inactive metabolite upon circulation. Cellular uptake of the nanoparticles by PANC-1 cells was confirmed by fluorescence spectroscopy and flow cytometry. Treatment of PANC-1 cells in vitro with the prodrug-loaded nanoparticles resulted in a significant reduction in cell viability (IC50 ca. 5 μM) compared to treatment with gemcitabine (IC50 > 1000 μM). The ability of the GemRA-loaded nanoparticles to induce cellular apoptosis of treated PANC-1 cells was ascertained via a TUNEL assay suggesting these nanoparticles are effective in pancreatic cancer treatment.
Resonant Tunneling through quantum wells up to 2.5 THz

We have observed resonant tunneling through a single quantum well of GaAs between two barriers of GaAlAs. The current singularity and negative resistance region are dramatically improved over previous results. Approximate agreement with a simple theory has been obtained. Detection and mixing experiments carried out at frequencies as high as 2.5 THz show the intrinsic response time to be less than 10−13 sec.
Lipoblastoma: computed tomographic and magnetic resonance imaging features correlate with tumor behavior and pathology

Lipoblastoma is a rare benign neoplasm of immature fat cells in children. Imaging appearances are frequently complex, sometimes simulating liposarcoma. To characterize features of lipoblastoma on MRI and CT in comparison with recurrence risk. We identified cases via retrospective review of histopathology-proven lipoblastoma cases in a large referral database and a pediatric medical center. Two radiologists scored CT and MRI on the basis of lesion features. We included a total of 56 children (32 boys and 24 girls) with a mean age of 2.6 years (range 0.1–13 years). Extremity lesions were most common (27%), followed by neck (19%), gluteal region (18%), chest (14%) and mesentery (14%). Children most commonly presented with painless masses (73%), followed by dyspnea (9%), distension (9%) and pain (7%). Non-adipose soft-tissue components were identified on CT and MRI in 78% of cases. Significant (moderate or marked) septations were noted in 59% and enhancement in 35%. Compartmental invasion was present in 43% of cases. Of paraspinal cases, 38% involved the neural foramina or central canal. Lesion complexity did not significantly correlate with age. Recurrence was observed in 9% of cases and was significantly correlated with compartmental invasion (correlation: 0.303, P=0.009) and septation complexity (correlation: 0.227, P=0.038) on initial imaging. Although lipoblastoma is a fat-containing entity, many lesions demonstrate marked complexity and local infiltration that resemble liposarcoma, which is exceedingly rare in younger children. Compartmental invasion and thicker septations appear to confer greater risk of recurrence following resection.
Carcinoid Crisis: History, Dogmas, and Data

Patients with neuroendocrine tumors are at risk for carcinoid crises, which have no strict definition, but are generally described as sudden events of hemodynamic instability in patients typically undergoing invasive procedures. Many dogmas exist about crises: crises are due to massive release of hormones in patients with functional tumors, crises can be prevented and treated with octreotide, and avoid the use of catecholamines in patients with neuroendocrine tumors as they can precipitate crises. Given the sudden and life-threatening nature of carcinoid crises, only a handful of studies have been conducted so the data to support these dogmas are sparse and include only retrospective reviews and a single prospective study. A systematic dismantling of these dogmas has begun to form from recent study: crisis can occur in patients without carcinoid syndrome, it is not necessarily associated with a massive release of hormones, octreotide neither prevents nor treats carcinoid crisis, and the use of beta-adrenergic agonists does not precipitate crises. The data for supporting and leading to questioning these dogmas on carcinoid crisis will be discussed in this chapter, as well as future directions for related research.
Chronic Intermittent Hypoxia Enhances Pathological Tau Seeding, Propagation, and Accumulation and Exacerbates Alzheimer-like Memory and Synaptic Plasticity Deficits and Molecular Signatures.

Abstract Background Obstructive sleep apnea, characterized by sleep fragmentation and chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH), is a risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) progression. Recent epidemiological studies point to CIH as the best predictor of developing cognitive decline and AD in older adults with obstructive sleep apnea. However, the precise underlying mechanisms remain unknown. This study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of CIH on pathological human tau seeding, propagation, and accumulation; cognition; synaptic plasticity; neuronal network excitability; and gene expression profiles in a P301S human mutant tau mouse model of AD and related tauopathies. Methods We exposed 4- to 4.5-month-old male P301S and wild-type mice to an 8-week CIH protocol (6-min cycle: 21% O2 to 8% O2 to 21% O2, 80 cycles per 8 hours during daytime) and assessed its effect on tau pathology and various AD-related phenotypic and molecular signatures. Age- and sex-matched P301S and wild-type mice were reared in normoxia (21% O2) as experimental controls. Results CIH significantly enhanced pathological human tau seeding and spread across connected brain circuitry in P301S mice; it also increased phosphorylated tau load. CIH also exacerbated memory and synaptic plasticity deficits in P301S mice. However, CIH had no effect on seizure susceptibility and network hyperexcitability in these mice. Finally, CIH exacerbated AD-related pathogenic molecular signaling in P301S mice. Conclusions CIH-induced increase in pathologic human tau seeding and spread and exacerbation of other AD-related impairments provide new insights into the role of CIH and obstructive sleep apnea in AD pathogenesis.
Racial inequity in preterm delivery among college-educated women: The role of racism.

BACKGROUND Non-Hispanic Black (NHB) women face a 50% increased risk of delivering preterm compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) women in the United States. Sociodemographic and pregnancy risk factors do not fully explain this inequity. This inequity exists even among women with a college education, although recent empirical analysis on racial inequities in preterm delivery (PTD) among college-educated women is lacking. Furthermore, the contribution of preconception risk factors to the racial inequity in PTD has not been examined. OBJECTIVES To determine whether: (i) there is a NHB-NHW inequity in PTD among college-educated women; (ii) the prevalence of known, measured sociodemographic, pregnancy, and preconception PTD risk factors differs between NHB and NHW college-educated women; (iii) equalising the distribution of risk factors between college-educated NHB and NHW women reduces or eliminates the racial inequity in PTD. METHODS We analysed US natality data from 2015 to 2016 among women with a college degree or higher (n = 2 326 512). We calculated frequencies of sociodemographic, pregnancy, and preconception risk factors among all women and separately by race/ethnicity. We used modified Poisson regression models to estimate the association between race/ethnicity and PTD controlling for known, measured sociodemographic, pregnancy, and preconception factors. RESULTS The largest percentage point differences in risk factors between NHW and NHB women were observed for marital status, trimester of care initiation, body mass index, and birth interval. Among college-educated women, the unadjusted risk of PTD for NHB women was 1.77 (95% CI 1.74, 1.79) times the risk for NHW women. After controlling for sociodemographic, pregnancy, and preconception factors, this attenuated to RR 1.47 (95% CI 1.45, 1.49). CONCLUSIONS A racial inequity in PTD persists among college-educated women. Racism contributes to the NHB-NHW inequity in PTD, in part, through its influence on known sociodemographic, pregnancy, and preconception risk factors for PTD and, in part, through unmeasured pathways.
The 2020 Rutgers Business School General Impact Index for Business Journals

We present the Rutgers Business School (RBS) General Impact Index for business journals. The RBS General Impact Index is intended to measure the extent to which business journals contribute to the knowledge base of the business world and to the general public. The index has two dimensions: the Classroom Impact Index and the Popular Impact Index. The Classroom Impact Index reflects the number of citations a journal receives in business textbooks, while The Popular Impact Index is based on the number of citations a journal receives in popular business books.
Protection of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer Matrix (CFRP) Composite Laminate Against Lightning Strike Using Nano-Fillers

Carbon Fiber Reinforced Matrix (CFRP) composites are promising alternatives of metal panels for various industries owing to their advantages. However, one of the main disadvantages of using CFRP composites compared to metal panels is their susceptibility to lightning strike, which is mainly due to the low electrical conductivity of resins used as the matrix for binding the carbon fiber fabrics. Since the low electrical conductivity causes substantial amount of Joule heating that damages CFRP composites, increasing the conductivity of the material would reduce the damage causes by lightning strikes. Nano-fillers such as Carbon Black (CB) and Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) are materials that can enhance the electrical conductivity of CFRP composites. A thorough understanding on impact of conductive nanofillers on the lightning strike damage characteristics is necessary for potentially reducing the lightning strike damage of the CFRP composites. There are numerous research groups that investigated the effect of adding the conductive materials to reduce the damage of lightning strike, but the ideal composition of the material for CFRP composites has not been determined yet.
Predictive modeling of bovine respiratory disease outcomes in feedlot cattle: A narrative review

Abstract Predictive modeling, which aims to predict a current or future event, is a potential way to improve identification of cattle at-risk for new onset bovine respiratory disease (BRD) and other BRD-related outcomes, including mortality, treatment response, relapse, and disease severity. Although recently there has been increased interest in predictive models for BRD-related outcomes, this research area remains largely unexplored. Many known risk factors and biomarkers for BRD have yet to be tested for their predictive value for BRD-related outcomes. Of the risk factors and biomarkers that have been assessed for predictive ability, many have not been externally validated in new samples (e.g. other feedlots or in new cohorts of cattle) or implemented in multivariable predictive models. This narrative review aims to discuss 1) special considerations for selecting and implementing predictive models for BRD-related outcomes in feedlot cattle, 2) the current research on predictive modeling for BRD-related outcomes in feedlot cattle, and 3) potential predictor variables. This narrative review highlights the need for research that focuses on developing accurate predictive models for BRD-related outcomes that are both practical and cost-effective for use at the feedlot. Potential predictor variables and methods are suggested.
Teaching in the Middle East

A Fulbright Scholarship provides one nurse with a yearlong opportunity in Amman, Jordan. Editor's note: This column chronicles the author's experience teaching abroad this past year.
Thermodynamics of Structural Changes

In this chapter we will discuss some fundamentals of thermodynamics and then apply the knowledge to elucidate the rates of reactions, phase changes, diffusion, and surface properties.
Record Linkage: A Research Strategy for Developmental Epidemiology*

Publisher Summary Calendar time constitutes the central dimension upon which human development progresses; it is a limiting factor for developmental researchers. Creative cross‐sectional and cross‐sequential research designs have been invented to compress time by combining short‐term longitudinal and cross‐sectional data. Combined use of data and record linkage can effectively compress time and efficiently study full life‐span development. The electronic recording and linkage of life events allows identifying important risk and protective factors that influence human developments, within the academic lifetime of a developmental researcher. With the affordable technology available at the desktop, developmental epidemiologists evaluate hundreds of variables, over millions of people, across long periods. Using record linkage technology leads the way to a better understanding of human development and helps to understand, treat, and develop effective policies for children with mental retardation/developmental disabilities (MR/DD) and their families.
Granulocytosis associated with tumor cell production of colony- stimulating activity

A patient with metastatic soft tissue sarcoma presented with a leukemoid reaction. The elevated white blood cell count was due to an increase in bands and mature segmented neutrophils. The degree of granulocytosis correlated with the tumor burden. There was no evidence of superimposed infection and the degree of bone marrow involvement by metastatic tumor was minimal. A cell line derived from the sarcoma produces granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating activity (CSA) in vitro. Although CSA could not be detected in serum, the findings in this patient suggest that the leukemoid reaction was due to tumor production of CSA.
SELECTIVE EXTRACTION OF TRIVALENT ACTINIDES FROM LANTHANIDES WITH DITHIOPHOSPHINIC ACIDS AND TRIBUTYLPHOSPHATE

A variety of chemical systems have been developed to separate trivalent actinides from lanthanides based on the slightly stronger complexation of the trivalent actinides with ligands that contain soft donor atoms. The greater stability of the actinide complexes in these systems has often been attributed to a slightly greater covalent bonding component for the actinide ions relative to the lanthanide ions. We have investigated several synergistic extraction systems that use ligands with a combination of oxygen and sulfur donor atoms to achieve a good group separation of the trivalent actinides and lanthanides. For example, the combination of dicyclohexyldithiophosphinic acid and tributylphosphate has shown separation factors of up to 800 for americium over europium in a single extraction stage. Such systems could find application in advanced partitioning schemes for spent nuclear fuel and nuclear waste.
Feedforward Augmentation of Internal Model Control for Tracking

In this paper constant gain feedforward is used to minimize the transient tracking error for the linear quadratic based robust multivariable servomechanism. This approach augments the internal model control and quadratic cost minimization with feedforward gains which minimize the infinite time horizon tracking error.
Techniques for analysis of micturition reflex disturbances in childhood.

During the past two decades, improvements in technology and changes in conceptualization have contributed to greater objectivity in the assessment of micturition reflex disturbances.1,2 These changes have been applied principally to analysis of adult dysfunction and have recently been implemented in evaluation of neuromuscular dysfunction of the urinary bladder in infancy and childhood. These newer methods include gas cystometry,3 integrated sphincter electromyography (EMG),4 measurement of reflex-evoked potentials in micturition reflex pathways,5 and electroencephalography (EEG).6 Complementary urodynamic methods include uroflowmetry,7 measurement of urethral pressure profiles,8,9 and observation of pressure-flow relationships during voiding.10 These studies, when appropriately selected and individualized to the patient as a result of the history and examination, provide valuable information. They delineate the site and nature of the impairment of the nervous mechanisms used in the neural and muscular infrastructure in micturition during infancy and childhood. Finally, they provide a rational basis for selection of pharmacologic agents11 and surgical techniques12 to restore urinary continence. Gas cystometry technique Gas cystometry has replaced water cystometry in the evaluation of patients for detrusor reflex instability. The patients are catheterized, and the bladder is inflated with carbon dioxide at room temperature at a constant flow rate of up to a maximum of 200 ml/min. Intravesical pressure is recorded by an isovolumetric strain gauge and transducer amplifier calibrated in centimeters of water.4 Because of the high perfusion rate and brief test interval, additional testing for reflex instability is facilitated. These additional procedures include (1) change in posture from supine to upright, (2) determination of response to subcutaneous injection of bethanechol, and (3) sleep cystometry.
A Teaching Scholar Program in Chiropractic Education

Over the course of the past 20 years, there has been growing acknowledgement that there is a significant need to provide faculty development which enhances the teaching skills and scholarship of the healthcare education community. This is certainly equally true within the chiropractic profession specifically but far less research exists which is addressed to the needs of the chiropractic academic community. As noted by Rosenbaum et al1, a number of challenges exist in providing opportunities for faculty to obtain training in teaching skills. These include the need for there to be someone with faculty development expertise to lead such a program, lack of locally-based advanced educational training programs, interest solely coming from highly motivated educators and lack of departmental members who can assist or take on such training opportunities. They conclude that institutions need to seek ways to expand resources available for training. They recommend increasing the number of faculty with advanced expertise in education, and to use peers to offer training once they have gained that expertise (as noted below). At several chiropractic colleges, there are also challenges arising from the nature of their collective bargaining agreements, each of which has specifications for faculty performance that may at times be at odds with the need to implement faculty development programs. Few programs have been reported in the healthcare literature with the specific purpose of helping faculty develop expertise in providing teaching skills to their peers. Most follow train-the-trainer models.2 As part of Palmer College’s R25 grant award, we are using a train-the-trainer model for implementing enhanced use of evidence-based methods in the classroom setting. We are first training a small number of interested faculty in the use of EBP; those individuals will then be placed in position to provide training to their peers. But it is important to note that most faculty development programs still focus on developing participant skills for their own teaching. The goal of the teaching scholar program (TSP) described here is to combine teaching effectiveness training with leadership skills to develop a cohort of teachers with increased personal skills who can transmit them to their peers. This program is designed to provide skills directed at the higher level components of health care education as opposed to general education theory and methodologies, and thus will serve as a means of providing advanced teacher training. Further, it is designed to be a selective program. This paper first reviews other teaching scholar programs before describing a proposed program for faculty educational training.
Ovulation and ovarian cancer: a comparison of two methods for calculating lifetime ovulatory cycles (United States).

Objective: To compare two methods for calculating lifetime ovulatory cycles (LOC) to determine if more detailed menstrual cycle information results in stronger associations with ovarian cancer. Methods: Using data from 232 cases and 242 controls in a population-based study of ovarian cancer, we compared a standard method for calculating LOC with a second method that had more detailed information on menstrual characteristics. Odds ratios for ovarian cancer by number of LOC were estimated using unconditional logistic regression. Results: The average number of LOC was 29 fewer for the second method that had more detailed menstrual cycle information, as compared to the standard method (p < 0.0001). The difference was due primarily to the second method considering episodes of missed/irregular periods. Associations between LOC and ovarian cancer were weaker for the second method than the standard method. Further analyses suggested that a reduced number of ovulatory cycles due to menstrual irregularity was associated with increased ovarian cancer risk, in contrast to the protective effects observed for fewer ovulatory cycles due to pregnancy or oral contraceptive use. Conclusion: Obtaining additional details on menstrual factors that affect LOC, particularly missed or irregular cycles, provides important information on ovarian cancer risk. Our data suggest that episodes of anovulation due to menstrual disturbances should be evaluated separately from anovulation due to pregnancy or oral contraceptive use.
Outcome and Process Differences Between Professional and Nonprofessional Therapists in Time-Limited Group Psychotherapy

ABSTRACTThe outcome of clients who saw one of four “expert” professional group therapists selected by peer nomination or four “natural helper” nonprofessionals nominated by students is contrasted i...
Variations in nuclear waste management performance of various fuel-cycle options

The variations in the nuclear waste management performance have been assessed for 40 fuel-cycle examples with the calculation of the mass, activity, toxicity and decay heat of spent nuclear fuel an...
On-line Consumer Standard-Form Contracting Practices: A Survey and Discussion of Legal Implications

In a recent article, Standard-Form Contracting in the Electronic Age, 77 N.Y.U. L. Rev. 429 (2002), Jeffery Rachlinski and I analyzed whether contract law's approach to the problem of paper standard forms can effectively govern electronic forms. We thought the rational and cognitive reasons consumers fail to read their paper forms apply in the e-environment. Further, although e-consumers do not face manipulative sales agents or impatient customers waiting in line but, instead, largely contract at home in the evening without time constraints, e-consumers are impatient, even click happy, and therefore still do not read their forms or shop for the best terms. Relying on these assumptions about how consumers treat their e-standard forms and evidence concerning how e-businesses use the Internet, we concluded that Internet contracting is not fundamentally different from the paper world. Accordingly, major changes in the approach of contract law are not imperative. This paper tests our assumptions about consumer behavior when agreeing to e-standard forms by offering some empirical evidence of consumer practices. I report on a survey of 92 contracts students' e-standard form practices. The survey inquired about all aspects of their practices, including frequency of contracting, the place and time of such contracting, whether they read their e-forms or shop for terms, the reasons for reading or failing to read, and the factors that would promote reading. Although the survey results reinforce our assumption that consumers generally do not read their e-standard forms, the truth is a bit more complicated. A large majority of respondents purchase at night and at home. Nevertheless, few respondents read their e-standard forms beyond price and description of the goods or services "as a general matter." Further, beyond price and description, a large minority of respondents do not read their forms at all. However, more than a third of the respondents read their forms when the value of the contract is high and more than a third read when the vendor is unknown. Further, a small cadre of respondents read particular terms beyond price and description, primarily warranties and product information warnings. On the other hand, virtually no respondents read choice of law/forum or arbitration clauses. The survey also reveals that impatience accounts most often for the failure of respondents to read their forms. Not surprisingly, respondents rarely shop for advantageous terms, despite the greater availability of terms on the Internet. The paper concludes by analyzing possible legal responses to e-standard form contracting in light of the survey results.
The Accumulation of α- and β-Carotene in Serum and Tissues of Preruminant Calves Fed Raw and Steamed Carrot Slurries

The preruminant calf model was used to evaluate the effects of mild heat treatment on the serum and tissue accumulation of alpha- and beta-carotene from carrots. Twenty-four 1-wk-old Holstein male calves were assigned to one of four groups and fed a milk replacer diet. Negative control animals received no additional supplement. The three remaining groups received an additional 20 mg beta-carotene/d from either water-soluble beadlets, homogenized raw carrots or homogenized steamed carrots. Serum samples were obtained daily, and calves were killed after 7 d and samples of serum, liver and adrenal collected. Tissue and serum alpha- and beta-carotene concentrations were not significantly higher in steamed carrot-fed animals than in raw carrot-fed animals. The molar ratios of beta-carotene to alpha-carotene in both raw carrot-fed and steamed carrot-fed groups were highest in adrenal tissues, intermediate in serum and lowest in the diets. None of these differences were statistically significant. When the serum, liver and adrenal beta-carotene data were pooled, the mean relative accumulation of beta-carotene, expressed as a percentage of the mean response of calves receiving water-soluble beadlets, was 46.8% for calves fed raw carrots and 74.0% for calves fed steamed carrots. These results suggest a small enhancing effect of mild heat treatment of carrots on the serum and tissue accumulation of carotenoids.
Experimental Pertechnetate Mammography

Localization of pertechnetate ion in malignant breast tumors has been described by several groups. The authors tested pertechnetate mammography (scintigraphy following intravenous 89mTc pertechnetate) in a group of 36 volunteers with palpable breast nodules, and compared diagnostic results with roentgen mammograms obtained for each patient. A significant incidence of “false–negative” pertechnetate mammograms (1 of 6 proved carcinomas) and “false-positive” (6 of 30 proved or presumed benign nodular disease) suggests that this procedure does not fulfill requirements for a successful screening test.
Acute ischemic stroke in a child due to basilar artery occlusion treated successfully with a stent retriever

Ischemic strokes in childhood are rare. Thrombolytic therapy with intravenous (IV) tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has been the main intervention for the management of pediatric stroke patients, but safety data are lacking and efficacy has been questioned. Recently, successful endovascular treatments for acute ischemic stroke in children have been reported with increasing frequency, suggesting that mechanical thrombectomy can be a safe and effective treatment. We present the case of a 22-month-old child with acute ischemic stroke due to basilar artery occlusion that was successfully treated with a stent retriever.
Vortex Pinning by an Inhomogeneous Magnetic Field

We discuss the transport properties of a superconducting film under the influence of a tesla range spatially alternating magnetic field created by magnetic nanostructures placed outside a superconducting film with an insulating barrier between both so that they interact only via the magnetic field. A simple model for pinning by the spatially periodic magnetic field from the magnetic nanostructure qualitatively describes the data.
Gods and Corporations: Fifth-Century B.C.E. Athena and the Economic Utility of Extraordinary Agents

Gregory D. Alles has suggested that economic theory can be a valuable supplement to cognitive theories of religion. The cult of Athena at Athens supplies evidence to support this suggestion. Athena may have origins in the cognitive structures of the human mind as an extraordinary agent. However, she developed economic functions in fifth-century B. C. E. Athens. The sanctuary of Athena served as a bank that funded Athenian civic endeavours. Athena's sanctuary was able to do this because she was a disembodied agent with functions similar to those of a modern United States corporation, which is also a disembodied agent.
A High Swing Low Power CMOS Differential Voltage-Controlled Ring Oscillator

This paper presents the design of a two-stage CMOS differential voltage-controlled ring oscillator (VCO). The VCO is designed to operate as a module of the frequency synthesizer in a PLL to generate the local oscillator (LO) of a multi-band acquisition system, providing quadrature output. The goal is a wide operating frequency tuning range of 440 MHz-1.4 GHz in the VCO with low power consumption, 90 dBc/Hz @ 600 KHz phase-noise performance and good linearity between the frequency and control voltage. Simulation results verify the theoretical development as well as the final layout design. The symmetric load transistor operation region controls the frequency behavior achieved by the ring VCO, which shows a monotonic relation with the control voltage when the loads are operated in saturation. The circuit was designed, implemented and simulated in a 0.18 mum IBM CMOS technology.
An Empirical Evaluation of the Assimilation of Industry-Specific Data Standards Using Firm-Level and Community-Level Constructs

Vertical standards focus on industry-specific product and service descriptions, and are generally implemented using the eXtensible Markup Language XML. Vertical standards are complex technologies with an organizational adoption locus but subject to inter-organizational dependence and network effects. Understanding the assimilation process for vertical standards requires that both firm and industry-level effects be considered simultaneously. In this paper, the authors develop and evaluate a two-level model of organizational assimilation that includes both firm and industry-level effects. The study was conducted in collaboration with OASIS, a leading cross-industry standards-development organization SDO, and with ACORD, the principal SDO for the insurance and financial services industries. Results confirm the usefulness of incorporating firm-level and community-level constructs in the study of complex networked technologies. Specifically, the authors' re-conceptualization of the classical DoI concepts of relative advantage and complexity are shown to be appropriate and significant in predicting vertical standards assimilation. Additionally, community-level constructs such as orphaning risk and standard legitimation are also shown to be important predictors of assimilation.
Effects of melatonin and serotonin on the release of FSH and prolactin.

Melatonin as well as serotonin, when injected into the third ventricle of the brain of male rats, appeared to stimulate the release of prolactin and inhibit the release of FSH as judged by the changes in the concentrations of these hormones in the plasma of the recipient animals. (FSH and prolactin were determined by radioimmunoassay.) For example, 30 min after the injection into the third ventricle of doses of 1, 5 and 50 μg melatonin, the plasma prolactin concentrations were 199 ± 11.3 % (mean and SE), 235±16.1% and 304±12.7%, respectively, of the pre-injection levels. The corresponding FSH values were 88±3.7%, 85±3.7% and 74±2.6%. After 2 hr, the plasma prolactin concentration had returned to the pre-injection level; however, the plasma FSH concentration after 2 hr was only 50% of the pre-injection level. The effects of intraventricularly administered serotonin were similar to those seen with melatonin. Isotonic saline solution (2.5 μl) had no effect on the release of prolactin and FSH. When melatonin ...
Design of a general class of Takagi-Sugeno fuzzy control systems

The TS fuzzy controllers in this study are general: they use arbitrary continuous input fuzzy sets, any type of fuzzy logic AND, fuzzy rules with linear rule consequent and the generalized defuzzifier which contains the popular centroid defuzzifier as a special case. We prove that the general TS fuzzy controllers are nonlinear time-varying controllers with variable gains continuously changing with controllers' input variables. Using Lyapunov's linearization method, we establish a necessary and sufficient condition for analytically determining local stability of any TS fuzzy controller of the general class which controls a nonlinear plant. We utilize the stability condition to design locally stable TS fuzzy control systems.
Differential effects of oleic acid, sodium dodecyl sulfate, and protease inhibitors on the endopeptidase activities of the lobster multicatalytic proteinase.

Abstract 1. 1. Lobster muscles contain a latent multicatalytic proteinase; heating at 60°C for 1–2 min converts the latent form to a heat-activated form with enhanced proteolytic activity. Both forms have three endopeptidase activities, which are classified as the trypsin-like, chymotrypsin-like, and peptidylglutamylpeptide bond hydrolyzing activities. 2. 2. Sulfhydryl reagents (mersalyl acid, N -ethylmaleimide, hemin, iodoacetamide, and p -chloromercurisulfonic acid), benzamidine, and chloromethyl ketones inhibited all three activities of the heat-activated form. Leupeptin and antipain inhibited only the trypsin-like activity, while the chymotrypsin-like activity was the most sensitive to diisopropyl fluorophosphate, phenylmethanesulfonyl fluoride, aprotinin, and soybean trypsin inhibitor. Pepstatin and l -trans- epoxysuccinylpeptides had little effect on the peptidase activities. 3. 3. Sodium dodecyl sulfate and oleic acid preferentially activated the peptidylglutamyl-peptide hydrolyzing activity of the latent form, whereas N -ethylmaleimide stimulated both the trypsin-like and peptidylglutamyl-peptide hydrolases. These results suggest that the lobster enzyme is an atypical serine proteinase.
Haemorrhagic hydrops of the gallbladder

The gallbladder is afforded anatomical protection from external blunt injury, being cushioned by the surrounding omentum and intestines. Partially embedded in the liver substance and shielded by the bony cartilaginous rib cage, it is rarely injured. Although 70 per cent of injuries to the extrahepatic biliary tract involve the gallbladder, injury to this hollow viscus occurs in only 2-3 per cent of all blunt abdominal injury’,‘. The reason for this rarity is the ability of the surrounding structures to dissipate the kinetic energy that might otherwise damage the gallbladder. Indeed, the traumatized gallbladder is most often recognized incidentally during laparotomy performed for other intra-abdominal injuries. Isolated gallbladder trauma resulting from nonpenetrating injury is difficult to diagnose. The physical examination signs are not as evident as with other hollow organ injuries. This paper describes a case of isolated gallbladder injury in which acute cholecystitis developed as a result of blunt injury with spontaneous haemorrhage into the gallbladder lumen. Pathological examination did not reveal any wound of the gallbladder. The use of radiographic imaging techniques to facilitate early diagnosis is emphasized.
HIV-1 Infection and Low Steady State Viral Loads

Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) reduces the viral burden in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infected patients below the threshold of detectability. However, substantial evidence indicates that viral replication persists in these individuals. In this paper we examine the ability of several biologically motivated models of HIV-1 dynamics to explain sustained low viral loads. At or near drug efficacies that result in steady state viral loads below detectability, most models are extremely sensitive to small changes in drug efficacy. We argue that if these models reflect reality many patients should have cleared the virus, contrary to observation. We find that a model in which the infected cell death rate is dependent on the infected cell density does not suffer this shortcoming. The shortcoming is also overcome in two more conventional models that include small populations of cells in which the drug is less effective than in the main population, suggesting that difficulties with drug penetrance and maintenance of effective intracellular drug concentrations in all cells susceptible to HIV infection may underlie ongoing viral replication.
Laboratory diagnosis of ethylene glycol poisoning: the cup is half full?

The major toxic alcohols that pose a risk to human health and for which measurement of levels is requested from the clinical laboratory include ethanol, ethylene glycol, isopropanol, and methanol. Most clinical laboratories are equipped to accurately quantitate ethanol levels, mainly by an enzymatic assay on an automated chemistry analyzer platform. However, the measurement of the other 3 alcohols is more challenging.1,2 Some relevant laboratory tests that assist in the differential diagnosis are listed in Table 1. An increase in the osmolal gap is evident in the presence of all of the alcohols. In addition, methanol, ethanol, and ethylene glycol also result in an increase in metabolic acidosis with an increased anion gap, separating them from isopropanol. A relevant clue to isopropanol ingestion is positivity for acetone in the urine or blood without attendant hyperglycemia. In addition to an increase in the osmolal gap and anion gap acidosis, ethylene glycol ingestion can result in a positive urine analysis for the presence of calcium oxalate crystals (monohydrate and dihydrate) because it is converted to oxalate, which can chelate calcium and result in hypocalcemia. However, it needs to …
Multifractal characterization of flow in circulating fluidized beds

Abstract The intermittent flow in a circulating fluidized bed is shown to possess a multifractal character. The voidage signals at different solids concentrations and radial positions are characterized by defining an intermittency measure selected from a hierarchy of multifractal exponents. The intermittency profiles based on the raw measured data are consistent with the bindings of Brereton and Grace ( Chem. Eng. Sci., 48 (14) (1993) 2565–2572), while the results obtained after removing the contribution from clusters match those of Jiang et al. ( Circulating Fluidized Bed Technology IV , AIChE Publications, 1994, pp. 111–117). The success of multifractal characterization of CFB flow suggests that the cluster motion may behave as a multiplicative cascade process.
Soluble Surfactants Undergoing Surface Phase Transitions: A Maxwell Construction and the Dynamic Surface Tension

Abstract The dynamic surface tension of a soluble surfactant which undergoes a surface phase transition from a gaseous to a liquid expanded state is described. The application of a Maxwell construction to the surface equation of state is used to implicitly locate C *, the bulk concentration at which the surface phase transition occurs, and the binodal surface concentrations Γ G and Γ L . The dynamic surface tension is assumed to reflect the instantaneous surface concentration. The mass transfer of surfactant to the interface is modeled as being controlled by bulk diffusion, or the kinetics of adsorption–desorption, or both, in a manner that accounts for the constant chemical potential as the interface undergoes the phase change and the differing interaction energies in the surface phases. As an example, using the Frumkin equation, equilibrium data for the surfactant 7-tetradecyn-6,9-diol are fitted for the maximum surface concentration Γ ∞ , the ratio of the characteristic kinetic constants for adsorption and desorption β/α, and intermolecular interaction parameter K . The Maxwell construction then dictates C *, Γ G , and Γ L . These constants are then used to interpret dynamic surface tension data. The binodal concentrations are discussed in terms of the characteristic area swept out by the adsorbed molecule at the interface. Finally, the surface tension evolution is shown to be consistent with diffusion-controlled adsorption.
Extinction retention and fear renewal in a lifetime obsessive–compulsive disorder sample

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD), like other illnesses with prominent anxiety, may involve abnormal fear regulation and consolidation of safety memories. Impaired fear extinction memory (extinction recall, ER) has been shown in individuals with current symptoms of OCD [1]. However, contrary to expectations, the only previous study investigating this phenomenon showed a positive correlation between extinction recall abilities and OCD symptomology (i.e., as OCD symptoms worsened, extinction memory improved). The purpose of the current study was to determine if patients with a lifetime diagnosis of OCD (not necessarily currently symptomatic) also demonstrate impairments in extinction memory, and the relationship between OCD symptomology and extinction memory in this type of sample. In addition, we also examined fear renewal, which has never been investigated in an OCD sample. We enrolled 37 patients with OCD, the majority of whom were on serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and 18 healthy control participants in a 2-day paradigm assessing fear conditioning and extinction (Day 1) and extinction retention and renewal (Day 2). Skin conductance responses (SCRs) were the dependent measure. Results, as in the prior study, indicated that the only between-group difference was impaired ER in OCD patients relative to controls. Contrary to our prediction, OCD symptom severity was not correlated with the magnitude of extinction recall. There were no differences in fear renewal between OCD patients and controls.
The n-Queens Problem

The n-queens problem, originally introduced in 1850 by Carl Gauss, may be stated as follows: find a placement of n queens on an n×n chessboard, such that no one queen can be taken by any other. While it has been well known that the solution to the n-queens problem is n, numerous solutions have been published since the original problem was proposed. Many of these solutions rely on providing a specific formula for placing queens or transposing smaller solutions sets to provide solutions for larger values of n (Bernhardsson, 1991 and Hoffman et al., 1969).