cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ecological fitness of acetolactate synthase inhibitor–resistant and –susceptible downy brome (Bromus tectorum) biotypes

Abstract Studies were conducted to determine the relative fitness and competitive ability of an acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibitor–resistant (R) downy brome biotype compared with a susceptible (S) biotype. In previous research, the mechanism of resistance was determined to be an altered ALS enzyme. Seed germination of the R biotype was compared with that of the S biotype at 5, 15, and 25 C. There were no different germination characteristics between R and S biotypes at 15 and 25 C. However, the R biotype germinated 27 h earlier than the S biotype and had reached over 60% germination when the S biotype initially germinated at 5 C. Under noncompetitive greenhouse conditions, growth of the R biotype was similar to that of the S biotype on the basis of shoot dry weight, leaf area, and plant height. Seed production of the R biotype was 83%, when compared with the S biotype, but seeds of the R biotype were larger than those of the S biotype. Replacement series experiments were conducted in the greenhouse to ...
Intensity and bandwidth of multiphonon vibronic transitions of rare-earth ions in crystals

The theory of multiphonon vibronic coupling to electronic transitions is applied in analysing fluorescence spectra of Eu2+ in BaFCI, which consist of the 4f7(6P7/2,) → 4f7(8S7/2) and 4f65d → 4f7 transitions, and the 4f7-4f65d excitation spectrum of Ce3+ in YPO4. The 4f electrons are weakly coupled to lattice vibration modes so that only weak one- and two-phonon sidebands are observable in the 4f-4f optical transitions, whereas the electron-phonon coupling is significantly stronger for a 5d electron. Accordingly, intensive multiphonon vibronic transitions overwhelmingly dominate the 4f65d → 4f7 spectrum. It is shown that the extended Judd-Ofelt theory for weak vibronic coupling in the framework of the M-process is equivalent to the Huang-Rhys theory for the δ-process. In the analysis of experimental data, contributions from local ligand modes and lattice acoustic modes are separated, and the coupling strength is evaluated, in terms of the Huang-Rhys parameter S, for the 4f-4f and 5d-4f vibronic transitions.
Effect of Consumption of Shavings on Hematology of Turkey Poults

Abstract The effects of consumption of new wood shavings on hematology of turkey poults was studied in the response of groups fed commercial turkey starter rations with added folic acid, with wood shavings (ad libitum), with both or neither. There were no significant differences in the hematological parameters of mean cell volume, erythrocyte numbers, packed cell volume, hemoglobin concentration or mean cell hemoglobin concentration indicating that the consumption of new shavings was not related to a folic acid deficiency severe enough to cause the classical macrocytic anemia.
Electronic properties of the quaternary semiconductor alloy GaSb 1 − x − y As x P y : Coherent-potential approximation

A coherent-potential-approximation (CPA) calculation, based upon a generalization of the Chen-Sher formalism to the quaternary alloy case, is presented for the electronic properties of the quaternary semiconductor alloy ${\mathrm{GaSb}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{y}}$${\mathrm{As}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{P}}_{\mathrm{y}}$. The results obtained indicate that alloy disorder effects, as measured by the CPA self-energy, are large for this alloy.
Gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin in patients with recurrent or refractory aggressive histology B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a Phase II study by the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group (NCIC-CTG).

BACKGROUND Gemcitabine has been shown to have activity as a single agent in lymphoma and, when combined with cisplatin, is effective therapy for a number of solid tumors. The authors wished to determine the response rate and toxicity of gemcitabine, dexamethasone, and cisplatin for recurrent or refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). METHODS Patients with recurrent or refractory diffuse large B-cell NHL or variants (REAL classification), measurable disease, and one previous chemotherapy regimen were eligible. Treatment consisted of gemcitabine 1000 mg/m2 intravenously (i.v.) on Days 1 and 8, dexamethasone 40 mg orally on Days 1–4, and cisplatin 75 mg/m2 i.v. on Day 1 (GDP), every 21 days as an outpatient. The primary end point was a response after two cycles. Patients could then proceed to stem cell transplantation (SCT) or receive up to six treatment cycles. RESULTS Fifty-one eligible patients were evaluable for toxicity and response. The median age of the patients was 57 years (range, 18–84 years) and most had diffuse large-cell lymphoma. After 2 cycles, there were 8 complete responses (CR; 16%) and 17 partial responses (PR; 33%). There was an overall response rate (RR) of 49% (95% confidence interval = 37–63%). The RR afer completion of all protocol chemotherapy (including those who received > 2 cycles of GDP) was 53% (11 CR, 16 PR). Grade 3 and 4 neutropenia occurred in 33% and 39% of patients, respectively. Grade 3 and 4 thrombocytopenia occurred in 24% and 4% of patients, respectively. Seven patients (14%) experienced febrile neutropenia. Of the 35 patients < 66 years, 22 (63%) proceeded to SCT. CONCLUSIONS GDP is an active regimen in B-cell NHL and can be administered with acceptable toxicity to outpatients. A Phase III trial comparing GDP with standard cisplatin-based chemotherapy is now ongoing through the National Cancer Institute of Canada Clinical Trials Group. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
A requirement for cholesterol for phorbol ester-induced adhesion of a human monocyte-like cell line

The human monocyte/macrophage-like cell line U937, which is a cholesterol auxotroph, is nonadherent. However, it becomes adherent after treatment with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (phorbol ester). We investigated the effects of cellular cholesterol depletion and repletion on the effectiveness of phorbol ester to induce adhesion to substratum. Almost 70% of cellular cholesterol is depleted by incubation of the cells for 24 hrs in the growth medium in which delipidated fetal calf serum is substituted for fetal calf serum without affecting viability or the rate of growth. The use of delipidated fetal calf serum inhibited phorbol ester-induced adhesion by 40%. If the cells were preincubated in the medium containing delipidated fetal calf serum 6 hrs prior to addition of phorbol ester, adhesion was inhibited by 90%. Addition of cholesterol to the medium containing delipidated fetal calf serum, which replenishes cellular cholesterol, restored the ability of phorbol ester to induce adhesion to levels seen in cells cultured in the medium containing fetal calf serum. Epicholesterol was not as effective as cholesterol in supporting adhesion. Cholesterol depletion did not inhibit phorbol ester stimulation of superoxide anion production. These observations indicate a function for cholesterol in phorbol ester-induced adhesion that is independent of phorbol ester-induced superoxide anion production. It is proposed that cholesterol is required for synthesis and/or proper orientation and distribution, in the plasma membrane, of macromolecule(s) that mediate phorbol ester-induced adhesion.
Discrete-Time Linear-Quadratic Dynamic Games

Finite-dimensional, time invariant, linear quadratic dynamic games are perhaps the best understood and researched class of dynamic games. This is particularly true for continuous-time linear quadratic differential games. In this paper, the application of the theory of dynamic games to signal processing is considered. We are interested in digital signal processing and therefore we confine our attention to discrete-time linear-quadratic dynamic games (LQDG). In discrete-time the cost function contains product terms between the decision variables which complicates the analysis compared to its continuous-time analogue. With a view to facilitate the application of the theory of dynamic games to digital signal processing, and in particular, disturbance rejection, the complete solution of the discrete-time LQDG is worked out and explicit results are obtained. Thus,discrete-time LQDGs have the distinct advantage of being amenable to analysis, closed-form solutions are possible, and one is in tune with modern digital signal processing techniques. In this paper, minimal necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of a solution to the discrete-time LQDG are provided and its explicit, closed-form, solution is worked out. This opens the way to designing novel digital signal processing algorithms for disturbance rejection. Information plays a critical role in game theory and in particular in dynamic games. Using our explicit solution of the deterministic LQDG, a hierarchy of three zero-sum stochastic LQDGs characterized by a sequence of information patterns which increase in complexity is analyzed.
Cross-relations of Escherichia and Human Red Cells

IT is well-known that certain strains of Escherichia coli (particularly 086:B7) are antigenically related to human red cell group A and group B substances. There have been differences in the results reported by different workers. Springer1,2 found only anti-B activity in the sera of rabbits injected with Escherichia coli 086:B7 which was phenolized and then vacuum-dried. Using both living and treated preparations, Gonano et al.3 showed both anti-A and anti-B activity, but in rather low titre, and their absorption studies gave rather disappointing results.
What is the effect of bid-rigging on prices?

Abstract This paper develops and applies a method for estimating the price effects of bid rigging and price fixing conspiracies. A fairly typical bid-rigging scheme is found to have raised prices by over 20% for over 4 years.
Differential Effects of Ethanol on Permissive versus Nonpermissive Macrophages Infected with Legionella pneumophila

The effect of ethanol treatment was studied in terms of effect on permissive versus nonpermissive macrophages for growth of Legionella pneumophila, which is an intracellular bacterium causing pneumonia in immunocompromised patients. It was found that ethanol treatment of permissive macrophages from L. pneumophila-susceptible A/J mice evinced a decrease in replication of the bacteria compared with nontreated infected macrophages. Whereas there was more than a 100-fold increase in Legionella growth over a 48-hr culture period in infected A/J mouse macrophages, treatment of the macrophages with 0.5% ethanol depressed the ability of the macrophages to be infected by Legionella approximately 45%. A lower concentration of ethanol had a lesser effect but still resulted in inhibition of the ability of the cells to replicate Legionella. In contrast to ethanol-induced inhibition of the A/J mouse macrophages to replicate Legionella, macrophages from Legionella-resistant BALB/c mice, which only minimally replicated Legionella (i.e., only a 2-fold increase or less over a 48-hr replicated Legionella (i.e., only a 2-fold increase or less over a 48-hr period), treatment with ethanol resulted in their greater replication of the Legionella. This effect was most marked with the 1.0% concentration of ethanol after 7 days of pretreatment, while the 0.5% and 0.1% concentrations of alcohol caused less enhancement of bacterial growth in the cells, but these concentrations still had a significant enhancement effect. Thus, ethanol had differing effects on growth of the opportunistic intracellular bacterium Legionella in macrophages from permissive versus nonpermissive mice. Studies on the mechanisms involved are in progress.
Microscopic Factors that Control β-Sheet Registry in Amyloid Fibrils Formed by Fragment 11–25 of Amyloid β Peptide: Insights from Computer Simulations

Abstract Short fragments of amyloidogenic proteins are widely used as model systems in studies of amyloid formation. Fragment 11–25 of the amyloid β protein involved in Alzheimer's disease (Aβ11–25) was recently shown to form amyloid fibrils composed of anti-parallel β-sheets. Interestingly, fibrils grown under neutral and acidic conditions were seen to possess different registries of their inter-β-strand hydrogen bonds. In an effort to explain the microscopic origin of this pH dependence, we studied Aβ11–25 fibrils using methods of theoretical modeling. Several structural models were built for fibrils at low and neutral pH levels and these were examined in short molecular dynamics simulations in explicit water. The models that displayed the lowest free energy, as estimated using an implicit solvent model, were selected as representative of the true fibrillar structure. It was shown that the registry of these models agrees well with the experimental results. At neutral pH, the main contribution to the free energy difference between the two registries comes from the electrostatic interactions. The charge group of the carboxy terminus makes a large contribution to these interactions and thus appears to have a critical role in determining the registry.
The indusium griseum in Alzheimer's disease: an immunocytochemical study.

Abstract The immunocytochemical features of the indusium griseum (IG) were compared with the corresponding hippocampus in 5 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and 5 age-matched nondemented individuals using antibodies against β-amyloid, the A68 protein (Alz-50 antibody), tau, ubiquitin and synapsin I. β-Amyloid-positive plaques were prominent in the AD hippocampus but were not present in the IG. Numerous Alz-50, tau and ubiquitin-positive neurofibrillary tangles and dystrophic neurites were observed in the AD hippocampus but were infrequent in the IG. Synapsin I immunoreactivity was significantly reduced in both the AD hippocampus and the AD IG when compared to age-matched patients. These findings suggest that the IG may be resistant to factors that trigger production of abnormal AD-associated proteins. Loss of synaptic input alone may not account for the AD-associated changes in the hippocampus since synaptic depletion was seen in both the hippocampus and the unaffected AD IG.
Cyclic Mechanical Stretch Decreases Cell Migration by Inhibiting Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase- and Focal Adhesion Kinase-mediated JNK1 Activation

Epithelial cell migration during wound healing requires coordinated signaling pathways that direct polarization of the leading and trailing ends of the cells, cytoskeletal organization, and remodeling of focal adhesions. These inherently mechanical processes are disrupted by cyclic stretch (CS), but the specific signaling molecules involved in this disruption are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrate that inhibition of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) or expression of a dominant-negative form of PI3K caused inhibition of airway epithelial cell wound closure. CS caused a sustained decrease in activation of PI3K and inhibited wound healing. Expression of constitutively active PI3K stimulated translocation of Tiam1 to the membrane, increased Rac1 activity, and increased wound healing of airway epithelial cells. Increased Rac1 activity resulted in increased phosphorylation of JNK1. PI3K activation was not regulated by association with focal adhesion kinase. Restoration of efficient cell migration during CS required coexpression of constitutively active PI3K, focal adhesion kinase, and JIP3.
Physical measurements on gutta-percha

Abstract Various physical measurements have been made on gutta-percha, including changes in hardness with temperature, linear expansion with increasing temperature, expansion from soaking in water, and tip-thrust values of endodontic gutta-percha points at various temperatures. Gutta-percha was found to expand slightly with increased temperature, a desirable trait for an endodontic filling material. Although guttapercha points have superior thrust resistance at low temperature, this quality is rapidly lost at room temperature.
Alterations in aortic vascular reactivity to angiotensin 1–7 in 17-β-estradiol-treated female SD rats

Estrogen's suggested cardio-protective effects have come into question following the results of recent clinical trials. Two major components of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) that are modulated by estrogen are angiotensin converting enzyme, and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor. Further research has revealed several new components of the RAS, including angiotensin converting enzyme 2, its peptide product angiotensin 1-7 (Ang 1-7), and that peptide's receptor, Mas. These components appear to oppose the classical effects of the RAS, and may act to buffer the RAS in vivo. Recent work has shown that during pregnancy, when estradiol levels are elevated, renal and urinary Ang 1-7 are greatly increased. This study examined the effects of estradiol on the efficacy of Ang 1-7 in the rat aorta. Female Sprague-Dawley rats were ovariectomized and a subgroup was chronically treated with subcutaneous pellets of estradiol for 3 weeks. Thoracic aortas were harvested for assessment of in vitro vascular reactivity to Ang 1-7. The results demonstrated that increased estradiol exposure attenuated the relaxation response to Ang 1-7 in a dose-dependent manner. These findings are in contrast to recent work showing potentiated responses to Ang 1-7 in mesenteric arteries from estrogen-manipulated rats, and may suggest a regional specificity in estradiol-mediated changes in the RAS.
Optical diagnostics of a low power—low gas flow rates atmospheric-pressure argon plasma created by a microwave plasma torch

We employ a suite of optical techniques, namely, visual imaging, optical emission spectroscopy and cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS), to characterize a low power, low gas flow rates, atmospheric-pressure argon microwave induced plasma. The plasma is created by a microwave plasma torch, which is excited by a 2.45 GHz microwave with powers ranging from 60 to 120 W. A series of plasma images captured in a time-resolution range of as fine as 10 µs shows that the converging point is actually a time-averaged visual effect and the converging point does not exist when the plasma is visualized under high time resolution, e.g. <2 ms. Simulations of the emission spectra of OH, N2 and in the range 200–450 nm enable the plasma electronic excitation temperature (Texc) to be determined at 8000–9000 K, while the vibrational temperature (Tv), the rotational temperature (Tr) and the gas temperature (Tg) at different locations along the axis of the plasma column are all determined to be in the range 1800–2200 K. Thermal equilibrium properties of the plasma are discussed. OH radical concentrations along the plasma column axis are measured by CRDS and the concentrations are in the range 1.6 × 1013–3.0 × 1014 cm−3 with the highest density at the tail of the plasma column. The upper limit of electron density ne is estimated to be 5.0 × 1014 cm−3 from the Lorentzian component of the broadened lineshape obtained by ringdown spectral scans of the rovibrational line S21 of the OH A–X (0–0) band.
Diminished and erratic absorption of ergocalciferol in adult cystic fibrosis patients

Background: Osteoporosis diminishes the quality of life in adults with cystic fibrosis (CF). Vitamin D deficiency resulting from malabsorption may be a factor in the etiology of low bone mineral density (BMD) in patients with CF. Objective: Absorption of oral ergocalciferol (vitamin D2) and the consequent response of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in 10 adults with CF and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency was compared with that of 10 healthy control subjects. Design: In this pharmacokinetic study, CF patients and control subjects were pair-matched on age, sex, and race. Each subject consumed 2500 � g oral vitamin D2 with a meal. The CF group also took pancreatic enzymes that provided ≥ 80 000 U lipase. Blood samples were obtained at baseline and at 5, 10, 24, 30, and 36 h after vitamin D2 consumption to measure serum vitamin D2 and 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations. Results: Vitamin D2 concentrations in all subjects were near zero at baseline. CF patients absorbed less than one-half the amount of oral vitamin D2 that was absorbed by control subjects (P < 0.001). Absorption by the CF patients varied greatly; 2 patients absorbed virtually no vitamin D2. The rise in 25-hydroxyvitamin D in response to vitamin D2 absorption was significantly lower over time in the CF group than in the control group (P = 0.0012). Conclusions: Vitamin D2 absorption was significantly lower in CF patients than in control subjects. These results may help explain the etiology of vitamin D deficiency in CF patients, which may contribute to their low BMD. Am J Clin Nutr 2001;73:602‐6.
Fiberoptic Temperature Probe Utilizing a Semiconductor Sensor

There are several applications for fiberoptic temperature sensors in biological and clinical studies. For example, in thermodilution measurement of cardiac output, their use instead of thermistors in heart catheters precludes the possibility of patient electrical shock. They are also finding application in multipurpose fiberoptic catheters for the monitoring of blood P02, PCO2, pH, and pressure in critical care patients.
A work-performing heart preparation for myocardial performance analysis in murine hearts.

The mouse has become the animal of choice for genetic manipulations resulting in altered myocardial function, but assessment of cardiac function is extremely difficult due to the animal's size. This study was designed to establish a work-performing isolated mouse heart preparation to objectively investigate myocardial performance in murine hearts. Isolated work-performing cardiac functional studies were performed on a modified Langendorff apparatus using 15 mice [25 to 28 g, ±0.4 (SEM)]. The hearts were instrumented with a transonic flow meter and micromanometers to measure on-line aortic flow (AF), aortic pressure, and left atrial pressure (preload). A VAX cardiac function analyzing system was used to determine cardiac parameters including heart rate, contractility (max dP/dt), stroke volume (SV), and stroke work (SW) at various preload levels compared to a baseline preload of 5 mm Hg before and after 7 min of warm ischemia. AF increased from 1.01 ml/min (±0.26) at 5 mm Hg of preload to 4.15 ml/min (±1.03,P< 0.05) at 20 mm Hg of preload and decreased to 3.64 ml/min (±0.62) at 25 mm Hg. SV, dP/dt, and SW increased with higher preload levels. There was a significant decrease in cardiac function postischemia. Conclusions: A valid isolated work-performing preload-dependent murine heart preparation involving minimal instrumentation of the heart is established to measure cardiac function and myocardial performance. Significant ischemia–reperfusion injury occurred after 7 min of ischemia. This model is a reliable and objective tool by which to evaluate murine cardiac function and to study ischemia–reperfusion injury.
Sex-exclusive quantitative trait loci influences in alcohol-related phenotypes.

During the past half century, researchers have identified and examined sex differences in alcohol-related phenotypes, focusing more recently on understanding of the mechanisms underlying these differences. In general, the genetic contributions influencing these differences are not consistent with an interpretation of sex linkage and must, therefore, reflect some form of sex limitation in which allelic differences at particular autosomal loci have different consequences in males and females. Significant sex differences in measures of alcohol consumption in mice have been demonstrated in previous work in our laboratory. To investigate these differences further, we explore the limiting case of sex-exclusive effects using data from (BXD) recombinant inbred (RI) strains of mice and from an intercross derived from the same progenitors, C57BL/6J (B) and DBA/2J (D). By the use of two statistical approaches (examination of residual scores as a sex-exclusive phenotypic value for the RI strains and multivariate regression on sex and genotype in the F(2)) we have identified and confirmed female-exclusive markers for alcohol acceptance on chromosomes 9 and 12 and one marker for alcohol preference on chromosome 2. Am. J. Med. Genet. (Neuropsychiatr. Genet.) 88:647-652, 1999.
The Primary/Secondary Quality Distinction: Berkeley, Locke, and the Foundations of Corpuscularian Science

Recent interpretations of Locke's primary/secondary quality distinction have tended to emphasize Locke's relationship to the corpuscularian science of his time, especially to that of Boyle. Although this trend may have corrected the unfortunate tendency to view Locke in isolation from his scientific contemporaries, it nevertheless has resulted in some over- simplifications and distortions of Locke's general enterprise. As everyone now agrees, Locke was attempting to provide a philosophical foundation for English corpuscularianism and one must therefore look not only at the current scientific hypotheses but also at the nature of the philosophical foundation Locke was attempting to erect. In particular, Locke made an attempt, based on epistemological principles, to give a philosophical justification of atomistic corpuscularianism. Moreover, he was not content to give this justification post hoc—the epistemological foundation was prior to, and determined the framework for, the details of the correct scientific theory. Locke's epistemology made legitimate an atomistic theory, one making crucial use of the notion of solidity in the definition of the elementary particles, although it did not prejudge the details of this theory.
Reconfigurable wavelength add-drop filtering based on a Banyan network topology and ferroelectric liquid crystal fiber-optic switches

This paper presents a modular optical implementation of a Banyan network by using the physical flexibility of the optical fiber to form the interconnections between compact switching stages based on bulk polarization optics. Specifically, these switching stages use total internal reflection (TIR) prisms with ferroelectric liquid crystal (FLC) polarization rotators to form compact modules. Using this Banyan network implementation, a reconfigurable multiwavelength add-drop filter for wavelength division multiplexed (WDM) applications is proposed. Experimental results for our fiber connected 2 in-2 out FLC-based bulk-optic switching stage gives a /spl sim/6.7 dB optical insertion loss and a /spl sim/-40 dB optical interchannel crosstalk level. A low 2 dB optical insertion loss design number is expected with optimized components, realizing high (e.g., 35 /spl mu/s) switching speed and low crosstalk switching networks.
Measurement of deprivation and poverty based on the proportion pent on food : an exploratory exercise

This paper attempts to broaden the scope of poverty measurement. First, a brief review of measurements based on nutritional and monetary norms is presented. Then, it is suggested that data on the proportion spent on food (PSF) by per capita expenditure can be exploited to measure the incidence of deprivation and the incidence of poverty. It is postulated that until the food needs are satisfied, people spend relatively more of their incremental income on food and this behavior reveals itself as increasing or invariant PSF as income increases up to a critical level. The proportion of people up to that critical level is deprived of the required food and the proportion constitutes the incidence of deprivation. The average expenditure at the deprivation point can be used to develop an arbitrary poverty line. Data for rural India are used to illustrate the measurement of deprivation and poverty.
Sociocontextual Circumstances in Daily Stress Reactivity Among Caregivers for Elder Relatives

Using a daily diary design, we examined whether emotional and physical reactivity in the face of care-related stressors is more intense for caregivers (CGs) living with lower levels of available socioemotional support and higher numbers of extrinsic stressors. Sixty-three CGs reported their experiences based on the past 24 hr (i.e., number of caregiving tasks, care recipient problem behaviors, family disagreements regarding care, depressive symptoms, feelings of burden, physical symptoms) on eight consecutive survey days; they also reported on extrinsic stressors and available socioemotional support. Multilevel analyses indicated significant moderator effects: within-person patterns of reactivity to care-related stressors were especially strong for CGs with lower levels of available socioemotional support and higher numbers of extrinsic stressors. For example, managing additional care recipient problem behaviors on a given day was more strongly associated with increased depressive and physical health symptoms as well as feelings of burden for CGs with relatively high numbers of extrinsic stressors. Implications for intervention are discussed.
Interaction between Warfarin and Trazodone

BACKGROUND:It is well known that there are many drug interactions involving warfarin. However, few data have been supplied to guide clinicians concerning the interaction between trazodone and warfarin.CASE SUMMARY:Three clinically significant cases of suspected trazodone and warfarin interactions were identified in a retrospective chart review based on changes in the prothrombin time (PT) and international normalized ratio (INR) that were not explained by other factors. In each of the cases, the INR changed by ≥1.0 after the initiation or discontinuation of trazodone. In the patients who started trazodone, a subsequent decrease in the PT and INR resulted; conversely, the PT and INR increased in the patient who stopped trazodone therapy. Although none of the patients experienced adverse effects due to the marked changes in PT and INR, the warfarin dosages had to be adjusted accordingly on initiation and discontinuation of trazodone.DISCUSSION:These cases show that there is a potentially clinically signific...
Prevention of autoimmunization to spermatozoa by passive antibody.

Abstract The objective of this investigation was to determine if sperm antibody formation after vasectomy in guinea pigs can be inhibited by passive administration of antiserum to spermatozoa. Sperm antibody was obtained by bleeding vasectomized guinea pigs which had spermagglutinating antibody titers of 1:16 or higher. Gamma globulin was obtained by ammonium sulfate precipitation. Vasectomized guinea pigs were injected with immune gamma globulin and normal gamma globulin for a period of two weeks after vasectomy. In the group receiving normal gamma globulin the serum titer of sperm-agglutinating antibody reached 1:32 and remained at that level for the duration of the study. In guinea pigs receiving immune gamma globulin detectable serum titers of sperm-agglutinating antibody did not develop. The investigation suggests that sperm antibody formation can be prevented by treating vasectomized animals with passive sperm antibody to spermatozoa.
Physicians' Beliefs About the Benefits and Risks of Adjuvant Therapies for Stage II and Stage III Colorectal Cancer

Physicians agreed that the benefits of adjuvant chemotherapy for stage III colon cancer and chemotherapy, and radiation for stage III rectal cancer, outweigh the risks, but were divided over the net benefit of adjuvant therapies for stage II colorectal cancer.
The correlation between lightning and DSD parameters

The number of lightning strokes that struck a fixed region about the Clemson Atmospheric Research Laboratory (CARL) in Clemson, SC were recorded. These were correlated to characteristics of the drop size distribution (DSD). The DSD was parameterized in the usual way, using a two-parameter exponential function, where the two parameters are /spl Lambda/ and N/sub 0/. The results showed that a power law fit adequately correlates both /spl Lambda/ and N/sub 0/ to the number of lightning strokes per hour per square mile. A linear fit performs poorly in this regard. The results also showed that the rain rate R was well-correlated to the number of lightning strokes per hour per square mile if a power law fit is employed. The use of lightning flash polarity was not found to be useful in relating R to lightning. These results are used to develop an understanding of the relationship between drop size statistics and lightning characteristics. The future utility of these findings to the remote sensing of rain rate is discussed.
John Cupid: We Have Been Called Carnival People

CUPID: It means everything to me. I see it as the one big thing that distinguishes us as a group of people. We are about a million and a half, no more than that, making up this twin nation of Trinidad and Tobago. Carnival distinguishes us from anybody else I have met, anywhere in the world. And from what I have been able to research, this Trinidad Carnival is unique. It is part of us, and, like a passport, we go with it everywhere.
Peptide and Indoleamine Modulation of Spatial Response Properties in Turtle Retinal Ganglion Cells

A number of peptides have been localized in the turtle retina by histochemical techniques. Among these, enkephalin (metENK), somatostatin (SS), and neurotensin (NT) are found in distinct subsets of amacrine cells (AC) (Zucker and Adolph, 1987, 1988; Weiler and Ball, 1984; Eldred and Karten, 1983). The AC processes, apparently confined within the IPL, have trilaminar (metENK,SS) or diffuse (NT) distributions. These include laminae in the outer and inner IPL, a feature which may be functionally significant relative to the segregation of ON- and OFF-pathways. There are histochemical and localization differences in the characteristics of the peptides within the retina. Ten percent of metENK-AC contain colocalized GABA, based on GAD-IR light microscopy and GABA-IR, EM immunohistochemistry (Zucker and Adolph, 1988). NT-AC have a specific uptake mechanism for, and may be colocalized with, glycine (Weiler and Ball, 1984). There is a distinct distribution of SS-AC bodies:they lie only within the visual streak region;their processes are, by contrast, widespread over the retina (Adolph and Zucker,1988). Serotonin (5HT) appears to be localized, in addition to a subset of AC, to certain bipolar cells (BC) (Witkovsky et al, 1984; Weiler and Schutte, 1985). These 5HT-BC have processes always stratifying in the outer IPL with varying degrees of inner IPL stratification, leading to the inference that they are OFF-BC. Weiler finds that the 5HT-BC but not the 5HT-AC have kainate-type receptors (presumably for inputs from photoreceptors and other BC).
Capturing the Dynamic, Heterogeneous Response of Microbes to their Environment in the Human Microbiome

It has long been recognized that microorganisms play a central role in our lives. Excitingly, new biophysical methods like super-resolution imaging are letting us see inside cells, and we can understand the complexity that leads to bacterial subcellular function with increasing detail (Tuson and Biteen, 2015). Still, most bacteria cells do not live alone in petri dishes. Rather, the majority are members of microbial communities that live both in and on us, and profoundly influence our well-being. Thus, we need to understand the unique features of individual species that give rise to population-level observations, yet it is no longer sufficient for us to study cells in isolation. Rather, interactions between a cell and its environment are key factors in understanding the microbiome function and mechanism. There exists a fundamental knowledge gap between the molecular-scale understanding of isolated proteins in bacteria cells which can be determined from single-cell measurements and the cell- and community-level knowledge gleaned from discovery-based biochemical approaches. We have been bridging this gap by using single-molecule imaging in living cells to capture the dynamic response of enzymes in human gut microbes to their surroundings in real time on the nanometer scale. In particular, we are measuring the molecular-level response of key starch utilization proteins involved in glycan catabolism by a prominent human gut bacterium Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (Karunatilaka et al., 2015). Overall, by developing a mechanistic framework in which to understand how individual species respond to environmental factors such as glycan concentration, we will understand the complex function of a microbiome.
Effect of Organic Content in the Larval Medium on the Production of Two Species Hippelates

Larvae of Hippelates pusio Loew were reared in media containing different proportions of C.S.M.A. (Chemical Specialties Manufacturers Association) medium and oven-dried sand. Mixtures with 25% of the C.S.M.A, medium produced more adults than those with larger percentages and mixtures with 1%, 5%, 10% and 15% were superior to others with 20%. Observations made in the field showed that Hippelates pusio and H. bishoppi Sabrosky bred in soil that contained as little as 2% and as much as 27% of organic matter. It was apparent that these species can mature in media containing very low amounts of organic material.
The Imperfect State of Aphanoascus

SUMMARY The type culture ATCC 26215 of Aphanoascus cinnabarinus, type species of the genus, is found for the first time to produce enteroblasticphialidic conidia, and Paecilomyces cinnabarinus is described to accommodate this conidial state. Light is essential for production of the Paecilomyces state but not for the Aphanoascus state. The fungus is proven to be homothallic and nonkeratinophilic. The separation between Aphanoascus and its closely related genera Byssochlamys, Talaromyces, Dactylomyces, Eupenicillium, and Hemicarpenteles is discussed. The genus Aphanoascus was erected by Zukal (1890) to accommodate a single species, A. cinnabarinus Zukal, which was isolated from alligator dung in Vienna in 1889. The fungus has recently been rediscovered by Udagawa and Takada (1973). Their isolates were forwarded to the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC) for conservation as ATCC 26215, ATCC 26216, and ATCC 26696. Apparently these collections are the only extant representatives of the species. Since none of Zukal's specimens exist, the ATCC 26215 was designated as the neotype. Udagawa and Takada placed Aphanoascus in the family Eurotiaceae of which, according to Malloch and Cain (1971, 1972), the conidial state is of the enteroblastic-phialidic type. However, no conidial state of A. cinnabarinus was reported. It is therefore of particular interest to know if Udagawa and Takada's isolates show a conidial state developmentally akin to the type now expected for the members of Eurotiaceae. The cultures of ATCC 26215, ATCC 26216, and ATCC 26696 were run through a series of tests on different media and substrates, including horse hair, under various environmental conditions. The results showed that all the cultures tested produced enteroblastic-phialidic conidia belonging to Paecilomyces Bainier on rabbit food agar under controlled temperature and light conditions and were not capable of colonizing and
13 PNEUMOCOCCAL SEPTIC ARTHRITIS AS THE INITIAL PRESENTATION OF MULTIPLE MYELOMA.

Septic arthritis induced by Streptococcus pneumoniae is an uncommon manifestation of pneumococcal infection. Pneumococcus has been identified as the inciting pathogen in only 6% of cases of septic arthritis in recent retrospective studies. We report a case of polyarticular septic arthritis as the first manifestation of an underlying disease. Our literature review discloses that this is the first reported case of multiple myeloma initially presenting as pneumococcal septic arthritis in the United States and the second internationally. A 75-year-old black male with a past medical history of hypertension, adenocarcinoma of the prostate, osteoarthritis, diverticulosis, and dyslipidemia presented to the emergency department with a 3-day history of pain in the lower back, knees, hands, and feet that was atypical for his usual joint pain and was associated with subjective fevers and chills. Over the next 24 hours he became unable to stand independently. Physical examination revealed bilateral warm, erythematous knee joints with associated effusion. Significant laboratory showed a white blood cell count of 12,700/μL, hematocrit of 29%, creatinine of 1.8 mg/dL, and a globulin fraction of 6.1 g/dL. Arthrocentesis produced grossly purulent fluid with microscopic diplococci. Four bottles of blood cultures grew Streptococcus pneumoniae. The patient began a 30-day course of intravenous ceftriaxone and received serial arthrocenteses. His renal function rapidly deteriorated with a rise in creatinine to 12.7 mg/dL over 5 days. Serum protein electrophoresis showed monoclonal IgG kappa gammopathy with quantitative IgG of 4,640 mg/dL, and urine protein electrophoresis revealed an IgG kappa level of 16 mg/dL. No lytic lesions were seen on skeletal survey. Multiple myeloma was diagnosed and treatment was initiated with high-dose oral dexamethasone. The patient9s renal function improved with hemodialysis and thalidomide was started. The patient had a good response to this therapy with decline in IgG level to 1,070 mg/dL. In a review of 190 cases of patients with pneumococcal arthritis, 6% had underlying multiple myeloma. In this case, multiple myeloma was diagnosed promptly with rapid initiation of chemotherapy, which led to a more favorable outcome.
TEMPERATURE EFFECT AND ANTISEDIMENTATION OF POLYANILINE/MONTMORILLONITE ELECTRORHEOLOGICAL FLUID

Polyaniline-montmorillonite nanocomposite particles were synthesized by using an emulsion intercalation method and were characterized by IR, XRD and TEM spectrometry. The diameter of MMT-PANI particles is about 100 nm. The antisedimentation of PANI-MMT nanocomposite particles is excellent, and the sedimentation ratio of PANI-MMT ERF after 60 days was about 99%. In the range of 10~100 ℃, the shear stress changed slightly (about 6.5%) with the increase of temperature. The electrorheological behavior of the suspensions of PANI-MMT nanocomposite particles in silicone with a 30% mass fraction was investigated under DC electric fields. It was found that the mechanical performance of MMT-PANI ER fluids displays a notable ER effect under DC current field. The shear stress is 8.26 kPa (3 kV/mm, DC, 5 s-1), and much higher than that of pure polyaniline (PANI), montmorillonite (MMT) and mixture of polyaniline with clay (MMT+PANI).The dielectric constant of PANI-MMT nanocomposite increased 2.7 times than MMT and 5.5 times than PANI (1000 Hz, 20 ℃). In the meanwhile, the electric conductivity of PANI-MMT particles increased 8.5 times. The relevantinfluential factors between shear stress and electric fields, between shear stress and temperature were discussed preliminarily.
Analyzing the Religious War of Words over Climate Change

This study examines the websites of two religious organizations representing opposing sides of the religious response toward environmentalism and climate change. This research seeks to understand how each side communicates with followers. Using rhetorical framing analysis, it is shown the religious right advocates a dominion stance and uses a romance genre filled with stories, contrast, spin, appeals to logic, and rhetoric of hope and fear. The religious left advocates a stewardship stance and uses a romance genre filled with stories, appeals to logic, and rhetoric of hope. Cultural cognition theory of risk perception reveals each side subscribes to opposing cultural worldviews of an ideal society. The hermeneutical analysis suggests that the debate is not a conflict over the science of climate change but instead is a conflict over cultural worldviews of an ideal society. This manuscript offers suggestions for macromarketing in confronting the conflicting views exhibited in this study.
Understanding the Mechanisms of Resistance to Rituximab: Paving the Road for the Development of Therapeutic Strategies to Overcome Rituximab-Resistance

Rituximab-resistance is an emerging challenge for both the scientific community and the practicing oncologist. Parallel to the improvement clinic outcomes, the incorporation of rituximab into the management of patients with B-cell lymphoma appears to be changing the biology of relapsed/refractory disease. At least in the patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), previously established salvage rituximab-chemotherapy-based treatments [including high dose chemotherapy and autologous stem cell support (HDC-ASCS)] are less effective in patients failing rituximab immunochemotherapy induction. The estimated 3-year failure free survival in previously treated R-CHOP DLBCL following HDC-ASCT is only 33 %, stressing the need to: (1) understand the mechanisms responsible for rituximab-resistance, (2) identify cellular pathways playing a pivotal role in acquired resistance and (3) develop novel therapeutic strategies to overcome or circumvent rituximab-resistance in B-cell lymphoma. Pre-clinical models to study rituximab-resistance have been generated and characterized. Moreover, repeated exposure of lymphoma cells to rituximab, not only results in a decrease in rituximab anti-tumor activity, but also cross-resistance to multiple chemotherapy agents (suggesting shared pathways of resistance). Insightful information regarding the biological basis for rituximab-resistance is paving the next generation of clinical trials evaluating novel monoclonal antibodies, immunoconjugates, and/or targeted agents aimed at blocking key-regulatory proteins associated with acquired resistance. Here, we provide a general overview of the mechanisms associated with rituximab-resistance that have been identified so far and review some of the early therapeutic interventions being tested in pre-clinical models and in early clinical trials for patients with rituximab-resistant B-cell lymphoma.
The Internal Consistency of Importance Ratings on Research and Service Activities Used to Evaluate Marketing Faculty

The internal consistency of multiple importance measures, elicted for 25 activities used to evaluate marketing faculty, is examined. It is concluded that reward policies are internally consistent and work to reinforce one another; further, it is suggested that confidence in past research not specifying the reward context is enhanced.
Women’s Sexual and Reproductive Health

Recent advances in women’s health have been encouraging (Goldman & Hatch, 2000; Alexander & LaRosa, 1994; Blechman & Brownell, 1998). Major strides have been made in a myriad of health-related areas. One domain that has experienced marked advances in early detection of disease, prevention, and treatment is women’s sexual and reproductive health. The chapters in this book describe promising advances in the field of women’s sexual and reproductive health: screening, prevention, and treatment, both primary and secondary, both biomedical and psychological. Notwithstanding these advances, complex research challenges and significant sociopolitical hurdles remain to be surmounted. This chapter, unlike its predecessors, attempts to highlight key areas of research and discern fruitful directions for building a science of women’s sexual and reproductive health.