cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of phase-angle histograms from equilibrium radionuclide studies: correlation with semiquantitative grading of wall motion.

Abstract Quantitative wall motion assessment from gated radionuclide left ventriculograms using phase analysis was studied in 14 subjects (6 normal volunteers and 8 patients with previous acute myocardial infarction). The standard deviation and skewness of the phase-angle histograms were determined from both global and segmental left ventricular (LV) regions of interest (septal, apical and posterolateral). Studies were performed at rest, after administration of atropine and after combined administration of phenylephrine and atropine. Both the standard deviation and skewness showed significant correlations with semiquantitative wall motion scoring. From the global analyses, the highest correlations were found after atropine administration (r = 0.86, p 14.5) identified 13 of 28 wall motion disorders (sensitivity 46%), whereas an abnormal skewness (>1.4) identified 1 of 28 wall motion disorders (sensitivity 4%). In conclusion, the presently implemented methods of phase-angle analysis in clinical use are insensitive in characterizing wall motion disorders. This limitation is most profound in the assessment of directional changes in wall motion.
Trichinella spiralis:Synthesis of Type IV and Type VI Collagen during Nurse Cell Formation

The portion of skeletal muscle fiber (Nurse cell) harboring Trichinella spiralis is surrounded by an acellular capsule susceptible to digestion with collagenase. Antibodies recognized type IV and type VI collagen in the capsule, while the periodic acid Schiff reagent stained the capsule differentially, revealing at least two distinct layers. RNA analysis showed that mRNA specific for type IV and type VI collagen was present in muscle tissue on Days 9 and 15, but not on Day 3, following intracellular infection. In situ hybridization showed that most of the mRNA for both types was within the Nurse cell, and all enlarged Nurse cell nuclei were transcriptionally active for those messages. Synthesis of type IV collagen mRNA was absent by Day 24. In contrast, type VI collagen mRNA was still present at 24 days and 8 months. These results support the hypothesis that T. spiralis, either directly or indirectly, influences the synthesis of these two collagen types throughout its own developmental cycle in the Nurse cell.
Linear Stress Relaxation Behavior of Amorphous Ethylene−Styrene Interpolymers

Amorphous ethylene-styrene interpolymers (ESIs) provide an excellent model system for testing contemporary concepts of molecular dynamics. Moreover, the results can be extrapolated to the chain reptation dynamics of amorphous polyethylene at ambient temperature which cannot be assessed by direct experimental techniques. Previous studies of creep and nonlinear stress relaxation were extended to test theoretical relaxation functions for monodisperse polymers and proposed combining rules against the linear stress relaxation behavior of ESIs in the plateau and terminal regions. Master curves were constructed by time-temperature superposition of data at temperatures from Tg to Tg + 30. The temperature dependence of the shift factor was independent of molecular weight and styrene content and was well described by the WLF equation. The master curves were satisfactorily fit by the empirical KWW equation. Relaxation master curves were modeled with theoretical relaxation functions for monodisperse polymers, appropriate combining rules, and known molecular weight distributions. The Doi-Edwards single reptation model did not give satisfactory results. However, the des Cloizeaux double reptation approach successfully described the relaxation master curves. Excellent agreement was found between the resulting plateau moduli and those from a previous study of creep in the glass transition region. The calculated entanglement molecular weight (1250-2290 g mol -1 ) was much closer to that of polyethylene (480-860 g mol -1 ) than to that of polystyrene (13 500 g mol -1 ) due to the unique chain microstructure of these ESIs with no head-to-tail styrene chain insertions.
SU-E-T-389: Energy Deposition Characteristics of Beta-Emitter P-32 and Photon Emitter Pd-103

Purpose: Comparing the energy deposition characteristics of beta‐emitter P‐32 and photon emitter Pd‐103 to evaluate potential improvement in prostate brachytherapydosimetry.Materials /Methods: Energy deposited by an activity A after total decay is calculated by 1.44T1/2AE, where E is the energy emitted by a single disintegration. The total energy deposited in the target will be 1.44T1/2AE F, where F is the absorbed fraction (AF). Absorbed fraction is defined as the fraction of emitted energy absorbed in the target. It increases monotonously with target volume. Monte Carlo calculated AF data for uniformly distributed spherical targets , 1 for P‐32 and clinically obtained AF , 2 from Pd‐103 permanent prostate brachytherapy are used in this study. Results: A unity activity (1 mCi) of P‐32 will deliver 7.38 joules, while the same activity of Pd‐103 will deliver 0.26 joules. The total energy deposited in a volume of 20 cc will be 6.90 joules for P‐32 and 0.11 joules for Pd‐103. As the volume of the target increases to 60 cc, the total energy deposited for P‐32 will be 7.06 joules, and 0.14 joules for Pd‐103 respectively. Conclusion: From the preliminary comparison, P‐32 is about 50 to 60 times more efficient in utilizing energy than Pd‐103. This high efficiency will reduce total activity needed to achieve desired dosage in the target. Also, the fact that most energy is absorbed locally in the target suggests that the dose to healthy tissue outside the target can be significantly reduced. Further study is needed in order to fully realize these potential dosimetric advantages.
Repair of DNA double-strand breaks in UV-irradiated Escherichia coli uvrB recF cells is inhibited by rich growth medium.

Ultraviolet (UV)-irradiated uvrB recF and uvrB recB cells of Escherichia coli K-12 showed similar radiation sensitivities when plated on minimal growth medium (MM), however, the uvrB recF cells were much more UV radiation-sensitive than the uvrB recB cells when plated on rich growth medium. Sedimentation analysis of the DNA from UV-irradiated uvrB recF cells suggests that the rich medium killing of uvrB recF cells is due to the inhibition of the repair of UV-radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks, i.e., the killing is due to the inhibition of the recB-dependent pathway of postreplication repair. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the DNA double-strand breaks that were formed in UV-irradiated uvrB recA200(Ts) cells incubated at 42 degrees C in rich growth medium were not repaired whether the medium during subsequent repair incubation at 30 degrees C was MM or rich growth medium, while DNA double-strand breaks that were formed in MM at 42 degrees C could be repaired in MM or in rich growth medium at 30 degrees C. How the absence of an abrupt slowing of DNA synthesis when UV-irradiated cells are held in rich growth medium (Sharma and Smith, 1985b) may prevent the repair of these DNA double-strand breaks is discussed.
High-frequency Percussive Ventilation Improves Oxygenation in Patients With ARDS

Study objectives To evaluate changes in respiratory and hemodynamic function of patients with ARDS and requiring high-frequency percussive ventilation (HFPV) after failure of conventional ventilation (CV). Design Retrospective case series. Setting Surgical ICU (SICU) and medical ICU (MICU) of an academic county facility. Measurements and results Thirty-two consecutive patients with ARDS (20 from SICU, 12 from MICU) who were unresponsive to at least 48 h of CV and were switched to HFPV were studied. Data on respiratory and hemodynamic parameters were collected during the 48 h preceding and the 48 h after institution of HFPV and compared. Between the period of CV and the period of HFPV, the ratio of Pa o 2 to the fraction of inspired oxygen (F io 2 ) increased ([mean ± SE] 130 ± 8 vs 172 ± 17; p = 0.027), peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) decreased (39.5 ± 1.7 vs 32.5 ± 1.9 mm Hg; p = 0.002), and mean airway pressure (MAP) increased (19.2 ± 1.2 vs 27.5 ± 1.4 mm Hg; p o 2 /F io 2 per hour was also significantly improved between the two periods. The same changes in Pa o 2 /F io 2 , PIP, and MAP were observed when the last value recorded while the patients were on CV was compared with the first value recorded after 1 h of HFPV. This improvement was sustained but not amplified during the hours of HFPV. The patterns of improvement in these three parameters were similar in SICU and MICU patients as well as in volume-control and pressure-control patients. There were no changes in hemodynamic parameters. Conclusion The HFPV improves oxygenation by increasing MAP and decreasing PIP. This improvement is achieved soon after institution of HFPV and is maintained without affecting hemodynamics.
The Costs of Depression

The data reported herein show clearly that major depression is a commonly occurring and burdensome disorder. The high prevalence, early age of onset, and high persistence of MDD in the many different countries where epidemiologic surveys have been administered confirm the high worldwide importance of depression. Although evidence is not definitive that MDD plays a causal role in its associations with the many adverse outcomes reviewed here, there is clear evidence that depression has causal effects on a number of important mediators, making it difficult to assume anything other than that depression has strong causal effects on many dimensions of burden. These results have been used to argue for the likely cost -effectiveness of expanded depression treatment from a societal perspective. Two separate, large-scale, randomized, workplace depression treatment effectiveness trials have been carried out in the United States to evaluate the cost effectiveness of expanded treatment from an employer perspective. Both trials had positive returns on investment to employers. A substantial expansion of worksite depression care management programs has occurred in the United States subsequent to the publication of these trials. However, the proportion of people with depression who receive treatment remains low in the United States and even lower in other parts of the world. A recent US study found that only about half of workers with MDD received treatment in the year of interview and that fewer than half of treated workers received treatment consistent with published treatment guidelines. Although the treatment rate was higher for more severe cases, even some with severe MDD often failed to receive treatment. The WMH surveys show that treatment rates are even lower in many other developed countries and consistently much lower in developing countries. Less information is available on rates of depression treatment among patients with chronic physical disorders, but available evidence suggests that expanded treatment could be of considerable value. Randomized, controlled trials are needed to expand our understanding of the effects of detection and treatment of depression among people in treatment for chronic physical disorders. In addition, controlled effectiveness trials with long-term follow-ups are needed to increase our understanding of the effects of early MDD treatment interventions on changes in life course role trajectories, role performance, and onset of secondary physical disorders.
Comment on comment by Markus Rapp and Franz‐Josef Lübken on “Ice iron/sodium film as cause for high noctilucent cloud radar reflectivity”

Rapp and Lubken (RL09) state that there is excellent, precise agreement between observations and polar mesosphere summer echo (PMSE) models based on radar reflection by gas‐phase electrons and conclude that because of this excellent, precise agreement other models should not be considered. In particular, they provide figures demonstrating quantitative agreement between observations and a heating/overshoot model. Careful consideration of the models presented by RL09 shows that there are inconsistencies in the assumptions regarding Lambda (i.e., the ratio of the number density of electrons attached to aerosol particles to the number density of free electrons) and there are quantitative errors in the calculation of the radar reflection. In addition, RL09’s claim that the correlation between PMSE maximum and bite‐outs is either spurious or misrepresentative is refuted using radar measurements. Finally, it is shown that there is a shortcoming (not discussed by RL09) in the Bellan 2008 model, and a modification addressing this shortcoming is briefly described.
Computational modeling of laser thrombolysis for stroke treatment

Many aspects of the physical process involved in a pulsed laser interacting with an occlusion in the intra-cranial vascular system are included in the simulation codes LATIS and LATIS3d. Laser light propagation and thermomechanical effects on the occlusion can be calculated by these codes. The hydrodynamic response uses a realistic equation of state which included melting and evaporation. Simple material strength and failure models now included in these codes are required to describe clot breakup. The goal is to ascertain the feasibility of laser thrombolysis, and to help optimize the laser parameters for such therapy. In this paper detailed numerical results for laser interaction with water is considered as an initial model for laser thrombolysis of soft blood clots which have high water content.
Identification of a Carotenoid Oxygenase Synthesizing Acyclic Xanthophylls: Combinatorial Biosynthesis and Directed Evolution

Summary A carotenoid desaturase homolog from Staphylococcus aureus (CrtOx) was identified. When expressed in engineered E. coli cells synthesizing linear C 30 carotenoids, polar carotenoid products were generated, identified as aldehyde and carboxylic acid C 30 carotenoid derivatives. The major product in this engineered pathway is the fully desaturated C 30 dialdehyde carotenoid 4,4′-diapolycopen-4,4′-dial. Very low carotenoid yields were observed when CrtOx was complemented with the C 40 carotenoid lycopene pathway. But extension of an in vitro evolved pathway of the fully desaturated 2,4,2′,4′-tetradehydrolycopene produced the structurally novel fully desaturated C 40 dialdehyde carotenoid 2,4,2′,4′-tetradehydrolycopendial. Directed evolution of CrtOx by error-prone PCR resulted in a number of variants with higher activity on C 40 carotenoid substrates and improved product profiles. These findings may provide new biosynthetic routes to highly polar carotenoids with unique spectral properties desirable for a number of industrial and pharmaceutical applications.
Atsdr Evaluation of Health Effects of Chemicals. Iv. Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs): Understanding a Complex Problem:

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of chemicals that are formed during the incomplete burning of coal, oil, gas, wood, garbage, or other organic substances, such as tobacco and charbroiled meat. There are more than 100 PAHs. PAHs generally occur as complex mixtures (for example, as part of products such as soot), not as single compounds. PAHs are found throughout the environment in the air, water, and soil. As part of its mandate, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) prepares toxicological profiles on hazardous chemicals, including PAHs (ATSDR, 1995), found at facilities on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) National Priorities List (NPL) and which pose the most significant potential threat to human health, as determined by ATSDR and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These profiles include information on health effects of chemicals from different routes and durations of exposure, their potential for exposure, regulations and advisories, and the adequacy of the existing database. Assessing the health effects of PAHs is a major challenge because environmental exposures to these chemicals are usually to complex mixtures of PAHs with other chemicals. The biological consequences of human exposure to mixtures of PAHs depend on the toxicity, carcinogenic and noncarcinogenic, of the individual components of the mixture, the types of interactions among them, and confounding factors that are not thoroughly understood. Also identified are components of exposure and health effects research needed on PAHs that will allow estimation of realistic human health risks posed by exposures to PAHs. The exposure assessment component of research should focus on (1) development of reliable analytical methods for the determination of bioavailable PAHs following ingestion, (2) estimation of bioavailable PAHs from environmental media, particularly the determination of particle-bound PAHs, (3) data on ambient levels of PAHs metabolites in tissues/fluids of control populations, and (4) the need for a critical evaluation of current levels of PAHs found in environmental media including data from hazardous waste sites. The health effects component should focus on obtaining information on (1) the health effects of mixtures of PAHs particularly their noncarcinogenic effects in humans, and (2) their toxicokinetics. This report provides excerpts from the toxicological profile of PAHs (ATSDR, 1995) that contains more detailed information.
Destructive Interference Effects in D(p, 2p)n at E p =39.5 MeV

Publisher Summary The chapter describes an experiment in which the Texas A&M multidetector scattering chamber was used to measure the cross section for p-d breakup in the form of a partial Dalitz plot. The direction of emission of proton-4 was held fixed at approximately 43°, whereas all the directions of emission of particle - 3 were included to measure the cross section for p-d breakup. The final state interaction (FSI) and qasifree scattering (QFS) effects are expected from break-up studies when performed with conventional two detector apparatus. The Dalitz plot cross section is over-simplified to the extent that it ignores the fact that FS and Fd are in general different for different spin states in the three nucleon system. In addition, Fd is actually the sum of several multiple scattering terms rather than just the double scattering term alone.
The Passion of Self‐interest: The Development of the Idea and Its Changing Status

Abstract. Contemporaries who evoke the passion of self-interest and cite Adam Smith as its most prominent defender have exhibited little appreciation for the speckled history of this passion. Moreover, they have demonstrated little awareness of how Smith did not view this passion as a virtue. Some of the major reasons are explained for the changes in our attitude toward self interest. A philosophical refutation of the thesis that self-interest is our only motive for acting as we do is offered and the record is set straight on how Smith viewed the State's role in imposing limits on, and giving direction to, self-interest as a testimony to man's failure at self-legislation. Today the contenders for power—the special interests—are pitted against the guardians of public order.
X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy: Progress and perspectives

Abstract In this overview, I will briefly explore some of the basic concepts and observable effects in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, including references to some key first publications, as well as other papers in this issue that explore many of them in more detail. I will then turn to some examples of several present and promising future applications of this diverse technique. Some of the future areas explored will be the use chemical shifts, multiplet splittings, and hard X-ray excitation in the study of strongly correlated materials; photoelectron diffraction and holography for atomic structure determinations; standing wave and hard X-ray excited photoemission for probing buried interfaces and more bulk-like properties of complex materials; valence-band mapping with soft and hard X-ray excitation; and time-resolved measurements with the sample at high ambient pressures in the multi-torr regime.
Modeling Fluid Flow Through Single Fractures Using Experimental, Stochastic and Simulation Approaches

A fracture is usually assumed as a set of smooth parallel plates separated by a constant width. However, the flow characteristics of an actual fracture surface would be quite different, affected by tortuosity and the impact of surface roughness. Though several researchers have discussed the effect of friction on flow, their efforts lack corroboration from experimental data and have not converged to form a unified methodology for studying flow on a rough fracture surface.
Prostaglandins and inflammation: Enhancement of monocyte chemotactic responsiveness by prostaglandin E2

The effects of prostaglandins on human monocyte chemotaxis were studied in vitro. None of the prostaglandins tested, including members of the A, B, E or F series, were chemotactic for monocytes. Prostaglandin E2 however, enhanced the chemotactic responsiveness of monocytes to complement - activated human serum by almost 200%. The enhancement of chemotaxis was not directly related to the ability of PGE2 to raise intracellular cyclic AMP levels. These studies support a role for prostaglandins as modulators of the inflammatory response.
A positive correlation between oocyte production and ecdysteroid levels in adult Aedes

. The ecdysteroid titre of adult females resulting from a cross of Aedes epactius females, an anautogenous mosquito, with Aedes atropalpus males (an autogenous strain) was determined using a radioimmunoassay. The F1 hybrid is autogenous and produces mature oocytes without the benefit of a blood-meal. The ecdysteroid profile of this hybrid revealed a smaller early peak and a second larger one. Qualitatively the overall hormonal profile appeared quite similar to the ones previously obtained using A.atropalpus females and blood-fed A.aegypti. Quantitatively, the amount of endogenous hormone exhibited, and the total number of mature oocytes produced, may be positively correlated.
Solution precursor plasma deposition of nanostructured CdS thin films

Abstract Cadmium sulfide (CdS) films are used in solar cells, sensors and microelectronics. A variety of techniques, such as vapor based techniques, wet chemical methods and spray pyrolysis are frequently employed to develop adherent CdS films. In the present study, rapid deposition of CdS thin films via plasma spray route using a solution precursor was investigated, for the first time . Solution precursor comprising cadmium chloride, thiourea and distilled water was fed into a DC plasma jet via an axial atomizer to create ultrafine droplets for instantaneous and accelerated thermal decomposition in the plasma plume. The resulting molten/semi-molten ultrafine/nanoparticles of CdS eventually propel toward the substrate to form continuous CdS films. The chemistry of the solution precursor was found to be critical in plasma pyrolysis to control the stoichiometry and composition of the films. X-ray diffraction studies confirmed hexagonal α-CdS structure. Surface morphology and microstructures were investigated to compare with other synthesis techniques in terms of process mechanism and structural features. Transmission electron microscopy studies revealed nanostructures in the atomized particulates. Optical measurements indicated a decreasing transmittance in the visible light with increasing the film thickness and band gap was calculated to be ∼2.5 eV. The electrical resistivity of the films (0.243 ± 0.188 × 10 5 Ω cm) was comparable with the literature values. These nanostructured polycrystalline CdS films could be useful in sensing and solar applications.
Effects of calcium and resistance exercise on body composition in overweight premenopausal women.

Objective: To examine the combined treatment effect of a mild energy restriction, high dairy calcium intake, and resistance exercise on promoting favorable body composition changes in overweight women with a low dairy intake. Combined treatment strategies may produce synergistic effects on increasing fat loss and preserving bone in a population at risk for obesity and osteoporosis.Methods: Overweight, sedentary women consuming a diet low in dairy calcium (≤1 serving of dairy per day) were randomized either (1) to maintain a low-calcium diet (LOW; ≤ 500 mg; n = 15) or (2) to increase dairy calcium (HIGH; ≥1200 mg; n = 14) for 16 weeks. Both groups began resistance training 3 days per week and received dietary counseling to reduce energy intake by 250 kcal per day. Body composition was measured at the beginning and at the end of the study with dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. Two 24-hour dietary recalls were measured at baseline, midpoint, and end of study with Nutrition Data System for Research software.R...
Traumatic Rhinoplasty in the Non-Caucasian Nose

Traumatic injury resulting in nasal deformity poses unique challenges to the surgeon. Optimal management requires careful preoperative analysis and thoughtful surgical planning. The goals of rhinoplasty are to correct both cosmetic and functional problems that may not have otherwise been an issue prior to the injury. Although it is overly simplistic to group all individuals from one ethnicity as having one type of nose, the rhinoplasty surgeon must understand the common variations of nasal anatomy seen in various races of individuals. This article discusses ethnic anatomic differences in the non-Caucasian nose in the context of posttraumatic nasal deformity. The various rhinoplasty techniques and strategies to address these issues are reviewed.
Flexible ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy for single intrarenal stones 2 cm or greater--is this the new frontier?

Purpose: Percutaneous nephrolithotomy has been the standard of care for intrarenal calculi greater than 2 cm. Flexible ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy is a minimally invasive treatment modality that is able to treat large intrarenal calculi with the potential to decrease morbidity, while maintaining a high level of efficacy.Materials and Methods: A total of 15 patients with a single intrarenal calculus 2 cm or greater were treated with retrograde ureteroscopic nephrolithotripsy. Lithotripsy was performed with a 7.2Fr flexible ureteroscope and 200 μ laser fiber. The stone-free rate was defined as the absence of any stones in the kidney or residual stone fragments less than 1 mm, which is too small to be extracted with a basket or a grasper. All patients underwent followup ureteroscopy within 15 days after the last procedure and renal ultrasound 30 days after the last treatment.Results: There were a total of 15 intrarenal calculi 20 to 25 mm (mean 22) in diameter. The mean number of procedures w...
HLA DR2 in narcolepsy with sleep-onset REM periods but not cataplexy

Abstract To determine the association of HLA DR2 in patients with narcolepsy without cataplexy, a case-control study was performed. Patients receiving the diagnosis of narcolepsy without cataplexy had excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and polysomnographic findings consistent with narcolepsy but no clinical evidence of cataplexy. Of 28 patients identified, 12 agreed to return for HLA typing. Respondents did not differ from nonrespondents in demographic, clinical, or sleep laboratory data. The comparison group was 503 individuals, those 30 years and older, on the Michigan Kidney Transplant Registry. The odds ratio obtained from logistic regression indicated a strong association between narcolepsy without cataplexy and HLA DR2. To control for potential confounding variables, multivariate models were constructed to explore the joint effects of HLA DR2 and each one of the covariates (age, sex, and race), their possible combinations, and the effect of all three covariates. The odds ratios decreased minimally and the association bertween the disease and HLA DR2 remained significant.
Comparison of the costs of fine-needle aspiration and open surgical biopsy as methods for obtaining a pathologic diagnosis.

BACKGROUND A pathologic diagnosis is usually required to determine definitive management for a palpable lesion. In this era of cost control, fine-needle aspiration (FNA) provides a low-cost alternative to open excisional biopsy. Using a broad range of cases collected over 20 years, the authors of this study sought to quantify the savings resulting from the use of FNA on superficial palpable lesions to obtain a pathologic diagnosis. METHODS 12,452 cases collected by the cytopathology service at the Medical College of Virginia during the period 1972-1991 were used to produce a profile of case type, diagnosis, and indication for surgery. Charge-based cost estimations or Relative Value Units were calculated using the 1995 Physicians' Fee Reference or published Medicare participant fees. The charges for the FNA procedure and open surgical biopsy were compared, and all other biopsy-related costs were omitted. RESULTS FNA provided a sufficient pathologic diagnosis to obviate open surgical biopsy in 63-85% of the cases. Estimation of cost savings on the basis of the distribution of cases and indications for surgery suggested a savings of $250,000 to $750,000 per 1000 FNA performed, or approximately 5500 Relative Value Units. CONCLUSIONS This study quantifies the substantial savings that result from obtaining a pathologic diagnosis by the FNA procedure rather than open surgical biopsy. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 1997; 81:51-6. © 1997 American Cancer Society.
Long-term effect of cow congregation zone on soil penetrometer resistance: implications for soils and forage quality

Higher degree of soil penetrometer resistance can reduce forage yields and can lead to water and soil quality degradation due to increased runoff and soil structure destruction. The inability of roots to penetrate in soils with high penetrometer resistance will result in decreased yield. With less root penetration into the soil, root mass is reduced and plant’s ability to take up nutrients is reduced. To test whether cattle congregation sites typical on most forage-based cow-calf ranches, such as mineral feeders, water troughs, and shaded areas are more compacted and have greater soil penetrometer resistance than in other pasture locations under Florida conditions, soil penetrometer resistance data around and beneath three cattle congregation sites in established (>10 yr) grazed beef cattle pastures were collected in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Penetrometer readings were collected from two soil depths (0–20 and 20–40 cm) at different locations around the cattle congregation sites following radial (every 90 degrees: north, south, east, and west direction) sampling patterns at 0.9, 1.7, 3.3, 6.7, 13.3, 26.7 and 53.3 m away from the approximate center of cattle congregation sites. Results showed that area around or near cattle congregation sites tended to have higher soil penetrometer resistance values than in other locations within pasture field because of the frequent concentration of cattle around the different cattle congregation sites. Soil penetrometer resistance decreases linearly with distance away from the center of mineral feeders and water troughs; however, soil penetrometer resistance at the shaded areas was showing slight increase with distance away from the center. The least soil penetrometer resistance in all years were observed from shaded areas (1 200 × 103 Pa) while soil penetrometer resistance at water troughs was about 1 600 × 103 Pa and at mineral feeders of 1 800 × 103 Pa. These values were in the “fair” range of root penetration. Penetrometer resistance of soils can be a good predictor of root system performance and especially useful in predicting root extension into the deeper regions of the root zone at the congregation zone and grazing zone in pasture.
Speech: Another facet of technical communication

Three hundred sixty-seven engineering graduates responded to a survey by ranking 30 communication tasks according to their job importance and frequency of performance. The statistical result was that speaking tasks were rated slightly higher than writing tasks for all engineering fields surveyed, independent of whether the respondent spent more time in engineering or in management. Also, more than 50 percent had job-related spoken communication with technical personnel at least daily and with nontechnical personnel at least weekly.
Does the presence of adenomyosis and lymphovascular space invasion affect lymph node status in patients with endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium

Objective We sought to determine the prevalence of adenomyosis and assess its effect on lymph node status in endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium (EAC). Study Design Hysterectomy specimens from a single institution were reviewed for the presence of adenomyosis, lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), tumor grade, histology, and lymph node status. Standard statistical analysis was used to compare variables. Results Adenomyosis was present in 42% of total and 66% of malignant hysterectomy specimens ( P = .009). Adenomyosis was most commonly associated with EAC histology ( P = .023). LVSI was found to be an independent predictor of lymph node metastasis in EAC patients without adenomyosis, but not in those with coexisting adenomyosis (odds ratio, 58.7; P = .03; and odds ratio, 4.98; P = .15; respectively). Conclusion Adenomyosis was associated with a lower risk of lymph node metastasis in EAC patients with LVSI. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of adenomyosis in lymphatic tumor infiltration.
Defects in Cytoskeletal Signaling Pathways, Arrhythmia, and Sudden Cardiac Death

Ankyrin polypeptides are cellular adapter proteins that tether integral membrane proteins to the cytoskeleton in a host of human organs. Initially identified as integral components of the cytoskeleton in erythrocytes, a recent explosion in ankyrin research has demonstrated that these proteins play prominent roles in cytoskeletal signaling pathways and membrane protein trafficking/regulation in a variety of excitable and non-excitable cells including heart and brain. Importantly, ankyrin research has translated from bench to bedside with the discovery of human gene variants associated with ventricular arrhythmias that alter ankyrin–based pathways. Ankyrin polypeptides have also been found to play an instrumental role in various forms of sinus node disease and atrial fibrillation. Mouse models of ankyrin deficiency have played fundamental roles in the translation of ankyrin-based research to new clinical understanding of human sinus node disease, atrial fibrillation, and ventricular tachycardia.
“Count me in”;: Dracula, hypnotic participation, and the Late‐Victorian gothic of reading

(1994). “Count me in”;: Dracula, hypnotic participation, and the Late‐Victorian gothic of reading. Lit: Literature Interpretation Theory: Vol. 5, Horror, pp. 1-18.
Effects of Surface Monolayers on the Electron-Transfer Kinetics and Adsorption of Methyl Viologen and Phenothiazine Derivatives on Glassy Carbon Electrodes

Five organic redox systems were examined in aqueous electrolytes on polished and chemically modified glassy carbon (GC), to evaluate the effects of surface structure on the heterogeneous transfer rate constant, k°. Methyl viologen reduction to its cation radical exhibited a voltammetric peak potential difference which was insensitive to surface modification, with k° decreasing by only 50% when a chemisorbed monolayer was present. Methylene blue and three other phenothiazines adsorbed to polished GC, but the adsorption was suppressed by surface modification. For all four phenothiazines, chemisorbed or physisorbed monolayers of electroinactive species had minor effects on k°, with a compact nitrophenyl monolayer decreasing k° by 50%. This minor change in k° was accompanied by a major decrease in adsorption, apparently due to inhibition of dipole−dipole or π-π interactions between the phenothiazine and GC. Chlorpromazine oxidation to its cation radical was studied in more detail, under conditions where adsor...
Ultrafast synthesis of poly(methyl acrylate) and poly(methyl acrylate)-b-poly(vinyl chloride)-b-poly(methyl acrylate) by the Cu(0)/tris(2-dimethylaminoethyl)amine-catalyzed living radical polymerization and block copolymerization of methyl acrylate initiated with 1,1-chloroiodoethane and α,ω-Di(iodo)poly(vinyl chloride) in dimethyl sulfoxide

ABA block copolymers containing poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) as the A segment and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as the B segment (PMA-b-PVC-b-PMA) were synthesized by the Cu(0)/tris(2-dimethylaminoethyl)amine (Me6-TREN)-catalyzed living radical block copolymerization of methyl acrylate (MA) initiated with α,ω-di(iodo)poly(vinyl chloride) [α,ω-di(iodo)PVC] in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 90, 50, and 25 °C. 1,1-Chloroiodoethane, a model compound for the chain ends of the α,ω-di(iodo)PVC macroinitiator, was used as an initiator for the Cu(0)/Me6-TREN-catalyzed living radical polymerization of MA in DMSO at 70, 50, and 25 °C. Ultrafast block copolymerization and living radical polymerization methods for MA and other acrylates were discovered. These ultrafast methods provided access to the synthesis of PMA-b-PVA-b-PMA in reaction times, which depended on the temperature range, of 3–20 min. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 43: 1948–1954, 2005
Processing Capacity under Perceptual and Cognitive Load: A Closer Look at Load Theory.

Variations in perceptual and cognitive demands (load) play a major role in determining the efficiency of selective attention. According to load theory (Lavie, Hirst, Fockert, & Viding, 2004) these factors (a) improve or hamper selectivity by altering the way resources (e.g., processing capacity) are allocated, and (b) tap resources rather than data limitations (Norman & Bobrow, 1975). Here we provide an extensive and rigorous set of tests of these assumptions. Predictions regarding changes in processing capacity are tested using the hazard function of the response time (RT) distribution (Townsend & Ashby, 1978; Wenger & Gibson, 2004). The assumption that load taps resource rather than data limitations is examined using measures of sensitivity and bias drawn from signal detection theory (Swets, 1964). All analyses were performed at two levels: the individual and the aggregate. Hypotheses regarding changes in processing capacity were confirmed at the level of the aggregate. Hypotheses regarding resource and data limitations were not completely supported at either level of analysis. And in all of the analyses, we observed substantial individual differences. In sum, the results suggest a need to expand the theoretical vocabulary of load theory, rather than a need to discard it.
Presidential mission to Africa.

The US Secretary of Health and Human Services visits 8 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to determine what needs to be done by the US and the world to improve health and further child survival in Africa. AIDS is the most significant health problem. Indeed as many as 10 million children will be infected with AIDS by 2000. Moreover AIDS may even increase child mortality rates in Africa 50% thereby reducing life expectancy in Sub-Saharan Africa to 19 years. This may occur despite profound progress in health in the 4 decades since 1950. Cross national influences socioeconomic development and national health strategies have been largely responsible for any progress. The US Department of Health and Human Service and other governments are devoting much resources to studying the causes and prevention of AIDS and HIV related diseases. Indeed Africa receives the largest proportion of funds for international AIDS activities. USAID contributes $14 million to AIDS prevention and child survival in Uganda and $242000 to the Township AIDS Programme in Soweto South Africa for AIDS prevention and treatment. Strong policies and systems should center on sustainability for primary health care and child survival programs. African health workers must have access to public health information and resources. The international medical community should work to improve medical education in Africa such as building and staffing more medical schools. Medical schools in Africa need to incorporate primary care education into the curriculum. Another means to improve the quality of medical graduates is for the US to support their schooling both in Africa or the U.S. In fact a US based organization provides such opportunities for black students from South Africa where only 900 black physicians serve >27 million blacks.
Microbial Iron Uptake and the Antimicrobial Properties of the Transferrins

Most if not all microorganisms including the fungi require ferric iron for growth, where iron concentration in the medium must be between 0.4 and 4 × 10−6 M (Weinberg, 1978). Yet, because the solubility product of ferric hydroxide, which is present at pH values of about 6 and above, is near 4 × 10−36, ferric iron concentrations in the growth medium are near 10−15 M. Moreover, many biological fluids contain one or several proteins of the transferrin class, which have association constants of around 1036 with respect to iron. Indeed, it has been said that the frequency of iron dissociation from human serum transferrin in the absence of small chelating agents or a specific biological system designed to abstract iron from this protein is one iron atom per 10,000 years (see Chapter 4). To overcome such obstacles, microorganisms have evolved the ability to synthesize small-molecular-weight chelators, which seek out iron in the environment and return it to the microorganism. Such chelators are termed siderochromes or, alternately, siderophores. It has been argued that the latter is the preferred term (Neilands, 1977), and we shall use it in this chapter.
Trials of 9‐Amino‐20(S)‐Camptothecin in Boston

9-Amino-20(S)-camptothecin (9-AC) is an analog of camptothecin with limited water solubility which has shown significant preclinical activity in a variety of human solid tumor xenografts. A Phase I trial using a soluble formulation of 9-AC, given as a 72-hour continuous infusion, has been completed. Thirty-one patients with resistant cancers received 5-60 micrograms/M2/h at three week intervals. The Maximum Tolerated Dose (MTD) was 45 micrograms/M2/hour. Neutropenia was the dose limiting toxicity, with few significant non-myelosuppressive toxicities. Minor responses were seen in 3/31 patients. Pharmacokinetic studies of 9-AC lactone (closed ring) showed substantial interpatient variability with a predicted half-life of 36 hours. A phase I/II trial of the same formulation of 9-AC is ongoing in refractory leukemia. Stomatitis and diarrhea are the non-myelosuppressive dose limiting toxicities. Evidence of antineoplastic activity has been seen in 3/15 patients. A Phase II trial in previously untreated metastatic breast cancer is also underway. A Phase I trial of a colloidal dispersion formulation, not yet completed, is better tolerated with a MTD > 45 micrograms/M2/h as a 72-hour continuous infusion. Evidence of antineoplastic activity has also been demonstrated.
G6PC2: A Negative Regulator of Basal Glucose-Stimulated Insulin Secretion

Elevated fasting blood glucose (FBG) is associated with increased risk for the development of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular-associated mortality. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have linked polymorphisms in G6PC2 with variations in FBG and body fat, although not insulin sensitivity or glucose tolerance. G6PC2 encodes an islet-specific, endoplasmic reticulum–resident glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit. A combination of in situ perfused pancreas, in vitro isolated islet, and in vivo analyses were used to explore the function of G6pc2 in mice. G6pc2 deletion had little effect on insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, whereas body fat was reduced in female G6pc2 knockout (KO) mice on both a chow and high-fat diet, observations that are all consistent with human GWAS data. G6pc2 deletion resulted in a leftward shift in the dose-response curve for glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). As a consequence, under fasting conditions in which plasma insulin levels were identical, blood glucose levels were reduced in G6pc2 KO mice, again consistent with human GWAS data. Glucose-6-phosphatase activity was reduced, whereas basal cytoplasmic calcium levels were elevated in islets isolated from G6pc2 KO mice. These data suggest that G6pc2 represents a novel, negative regulator of basal GSIS that acts by hydrolyzing glucose-6-phosphate, thereby reducing glycolytic flux.
Rapid Gains in Speed of Verbal Processing by Infants in the 2nd Year

Infants improve substantially in language ability during their 2nd year. Research on the early development of speech production shows that vocabulary begins to expand rapidly around the age of 18 months. During this period, infants also make impressive gains in understanding spoken language. We examined the time course of word recognition in infants ages 15 to 24 months, tracking their eye movements as they looked at pictures in response to familiar spoken words. The speed and efficiency of verbal processing increased dramatically over the 2nd year. Although 15-month-old infants did not orient to the correct picture until after the target word was spoken, 24-month-olds were significantly faster, shifting their gaze to the correct picture before the end of the spoken word. By 2 years of age, children are progressing toward the highly efficient performance of adults, making decisions about words based on incomplete acoustic information.
Accounting for interlanguage subject pronouns

In this paper we reopen the controversy surrounding subject pronoun usage in the English of non-native speakers. Much recent research has attempted to account for non-native pronoun usage through Universal Grammar-based explanations. In this paper, we argue that in considering the issue of subject pronouns, one must take into account the input to the learner. Specifically, we examine transcripts of the English of two native speakers of Spanish (one adult and one child) and show that the pattern of learner-language subject pronoun use closely parallels native speaker use. We closely examine the input provided to these learners and show how learners can be led to believe that their incorrect learner-language forms are correct. Our data suggest that considering princi ples of Universal Grammar devoid of context is insufficient and often mis leading in accounting for how L2 grammars develop.