cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vitamin Nutrition and Gastroesophageal Cancer

Nitrosamines have been suspected in the etiology of esophageal/gastric cardia cancer in the high incidence area of Linxian of the Henan Province in northern China, but marginal deficiencies in riboflavin, vitamins A and C, and other micronutrients may also be involved. A joint U.S.-China nutritional intervention study with investigators from the Cancer Institute of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and the U.S. National Cancer Institute tested the effects of the following four combinations of nutrients on 29,584 subjects in an eight-group design: 1) retinol and zinc; 2) riboflavin and niacin; 3) vitamin C and molybdenum; and 4) vitamin E, beta-carotene and selenium. Supplementation with Group 4 nutrients significantly decreased mortality rate from stomach cancer, primarily due to the decrease in deaths resulting from adenocarcinomas of the gastric cardia; it lowered the total mortality rate and showed signs of other beneficial effects. Another study of nutrition and gastric cancer in a high incidence area of Linqu of the Shangdong province in northern China (in collaboration with the Beijing Institute for Cancer Research and the U. S. National Institutes of Health) found significantly lower serum concentrations of vitamin C and beta-carotene among individuals with intestinal metaplasia; an intervention trial with vitamins C and E and selenium (combined) is ongoing in Linqu. Other studies are also elucidating the mechanisms for the pathogenesis of adenocarcinoma at the gastroesophageal junction with the use of a rat model. Such studies are expected to shed light on the etiology and prevention of gastroesophageal cancers in humans.
The Effects of Organizational Characteristics and State Environmental Policies on Sulfur-Dioxide Pollution in U.S. Electrical Energy Corporations

Objective This article examines the effects of organizational characteristics of parent companies in the electrical energy industry and state environmental policies on environmental pollution. By focusing on parent companies, the study draws attention to the managers who have the authority to make decisions that affect environmental pollution. Methods The study employs a cross-sectional ordinary least squares regression design to examine three measurements of the dependent variable, SO2 emission rates. Results While controlling for several potential effects, the findings support all four hypotheses, which maintain that greater structural complexity, profits, dividend payments to increase shareholder value, and lower state-level environmental standards resulted in greater environmental pollution. Conclusions The findings suggest that policymakers should focus on capital allocation decisions in parent companies and reexamine the neofederalist policies that provided states with greater autonomy for environmental regulation of corporations in the electrical energy sector.
A characteristic of the rate response which is common to several compounds that stimulate the heart.

Abstract Chronotropic effects of increasing concentrations of histamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine (when catecholamine uptake is blocked by amitriptyline), theophylline and caffeine were observed using isolated atrial pairs. Linear transformations of the dose-response curves for all the agents revealed similar straight line relationships. Inverse plots of the data of the chronotropic response to these compounds produces a series of linear curves analogous to similar plots of enzymatic activity. It has been well documented that all these agents have the common property of increasing cyclic AMP levels. Therefore, the present results lend support to the concept that cyclic AMP may play a critical role at some step in the regulation of the heart rate.
Development of new hepaticoenteric collateral pathways after hepatic arterial skeletonization in preparation for yttrium-90 radioembolization.

Purpose Development of new hepaticoenteric anastomotic vessels may occur after endovascular skeletonization of the hepatic artery. Left untreated, they can serve as pathways for nontarget radioembolization. The authors reviewed the incidence, anatomy, management, and significance of collateral vessel formation in patients undergoing radioembolization. Materials and Methods One hundred thirty-eight treatments performed on 122 patients were reviewed. Each patient underwent a preparatory digital subtraction angiogram (DSA) and embolization of all hepaticoenteric vessels in preparation for yttrium-90 ( 90 Y) administration. Successful skeletonization was verified by C-arm computed tomography (CACT) and technetium-99m macroaggregated albumin ( 99m TcMAA) scintigraphy. During the subsequent treatment session, DSA and CACT were repeated before administration of 90 Y, and the detection of extrahepatic perfusion prompted additional embolization. Results Forty-two patients (34.4%) undergoing 43 treatments (31.2%) required adjunctive embolization of hepaticoenteric vessels immediately before 90 Y administration. Previous scintigraphy findings showed extrahepatic perfusion in only three cases (7.1%). Vessels were identified by DSA in 54.1%, by CACT in 4.9%, or required both in 41.0%. The time interval between angiograms did not correlate with risk of requiring reembolization ( P = .297). A total of 19.7% of vessels were new collateral vessels not visible during the initial angiography. Despite reembolization, three patients (7.1%) had gastric or duodenal ulceration, compared with 1.3% who never had visible collateral vessels, all of whom underwent whole-liver treatment with resin microspheres ( P = .038). Conclusions Development of collateral hepaticoenteric anastomoses occurs after endovascular skeletonization of the hepatic artery. Identified vessels may be managed by adjunctive embolization, but patients appear to remain at increased risk for gastrointestinal complications.
Polymorphism in the assembly of polyomavirus capsid protein VP1

Polyomavirus major capsid protein VP1, purified after expression of the recombinant gene in Escherichia coli, forms stable pentamers in low-ionic strength, neutral, or alkaline solutions. Electron microscopy showed that the pentamers, which correspond to viral capsomeres, can be self-assembled into a variety of polymorphic aggregates by lowering the pH, adding calcium, or raising the ionic strength. Some of the aggregates resembled the 500-A-diameter virus capsid, whereas other considerably larger or smaller capsids were also produced. The particular structures formed on transition to an environment favoring assembly depended on the pathway of the solvent changes as well as on the final conditions. Mass measurements from cryoelectron micrographs and image analysis of negatively stained specimens established that a distinctive 320-A-diameter particle consists of 24 close-packed pentamers arranged with octahedral symmetry. Comparison of this unexpected octahedral assembly with a 12-capsomere icosahedral aggregate and the 72-capsomere icosahedral virus capsid by computer graphics methods indicates that similar connections are made among trimers of pentamers in these shells of different size. The polymorphism in the assembly of VP1 pentamers can be related to the switching in bonding specificity required to build the virus capsid.
Influence of sulphamerazine on gastrointestinal serotonin in the normal Sprague-Dawley rat.

APPROXIMATELY 60 per cent of the total body serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine) in the rat is present in the gastrointestinal tract1, and rises in the argentaffin cells2 which lie deep in the crypts of Lieberkuhn3. The intestinal content of serotonin increases in mice after treatment with several antibiotics4,5, and there is a significantly higher concentration of serotonin in the ileum of germ-free chicks than of control birds6. Similar findings have been reported for rats, mice and chicks7, but it also appears that polymyxin B depletes bowel serotonin levels in the rat when treatment with the drug is continued for more than three days8. We report here the concentration of serotonin in the bowel mucosa of rats pretreated with Sulphamerazine.
When good relationships go bad

Mycorrhizal associations of fungi and plants are usually viewed as mutually beneficial, but some non-photosynthetic plants cheat their fungal partners. Molecular tools can now be used to identify the fungi being exploited.
Atmospheric carbon: The importance of accelerator mass spectrometry

Abstract Knowledge of the sources, transport and sinks for carbonaceous gases and particles in the atmosphere is of great concern both for understanding the carbon cycle and for assessing man's influence on atmospheric visibility, health effects and climate. Carbon isotopes (notably 14C) are quite important in tracing such species and in validating models based on emissions inventories, dispersion algorithms, and trace inorganic or organic mass balance. Accelerator mass spectrometry (AMS) offers considerable promise to this field, for useful sample size may be decreased by three orders of magnitude, resulting in greatly improved spatial, temporal and chemical resolution. Special problems which have been addressed with the use of 14C-AMS are reviewed, including the study of sources of elemental, organic (paniculate), and gaseous carbon compounds in the atmosphere. This report concludes with a brief review of techniques which have been used for 10–100 μg carbon samples, and a discussion of special atmospheric (urban particulate) Standard Reference Materials.
Sensitivity of electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular hypertrophy according to type of cardiac disease

Abstract The sensitivity of 30 electrocardiographic criteria for left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy, isolated or combined, was examined to determine the relation to the underlying disease. Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), systemic hypertension, valvular heart disease and cardiomyopathy were evaluated. A cardiac partition technique was used to define ventricular hypertrophy. Single electrocardiographic criteria often showed high sensitivity for 1 disease state, but not for others. Precordial voltage criteria were most sensitive for those with hypertensive and valvular disease. A QRS axis of more than −30 ° occurred most often in patients with CAD. Both left atrial abnormality and abnormal T-wave inversion of more than 1 mm in V6 occurred with a high sensitivity in general; however, T-wave inversion of more than 1 mm in V6 had a low sensitivity in cardiomyopathy. Methods using combinations of various electrocardiographic criteria improved sensitivity. Using these methods, sensitivity of the electrocardiogram for LV hypertrophy was excellent for patients with systemic hypertension and valvular heart disease and acceptable by usual standards for patients with CAD and cardiomyopathy. Because the use of a single criterion is often ineffective, methods using multiple electrocardiographic criteria to detect LV hypertrophy are recommended when the patients under study have diverse cardiac diseases.
Comparison of open and endovascular treatment of acute mesenteric ischemia.

Introduction Acute mesenteric ischemia (AMI) is a commonly fatal result of inadequate bowel perfusion that requires immediate evaluation by both vascular and general surgeons. Treatment often involves vascular repair as well as bowel resection and the possible need for parenteral nutrition. Little data exist regarding the rates of bowel resection following endovascular vs open repair of AMI. Methods Using the National Inpatient Sample database, admissions from 2005 through 2009 were identified according to International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision codes correlating to both AMI (557.0) and subsequent vascular intervention (39.26, 38.16, 38.06, 39.9, 99.10). Patients with a diagnosis of AMI but no intervention or nonemergent admission status were excluded. Patient level data regarding age, gender, and comorbidities were also examined. Outcome measures included mortality, length of stay, the need for bowel resection (45.6, 45.71-9, 45.8), or infusion of total parenteral nutrition (TPN; 99.10) during the same hospitalization. Statistical analysis was conducted by χ 2 tests and Wilcoxon rank-sum comparisons. Results Of 23,744 patients presenting with AMI, 4665 underwent interventional treatment from 2005 through 2009. Of these patients, 57.1% were female, and the mean age was 70.5 years. A total of 679 patients underwent vascular intervention; 514 (75.7%) underwent open surgery and 165 (24.3%) underwent endovascular treatment overall during the study period. The proportion of patients undergoing endovascular repair increased from 11.9% of patients in 2005 to 30.0% in 2009. Severity of comorbidities, as measured by the Charlson index, did not differ significantly between the treatment groups. Mortality was significantly more commonly associated with open revascularization compared with endovascular intervention (39.3% vs 24.9%; P = .01). Length of stay was also significantly longer in the patient group undergoing open revascularization (12.9 vs 17.1 days; P = .006). During the study time period, 14.4% of patients undergoing endovascular procedures required bowel resection compared with 33.4% for open revascularization ( P P = .025). Conclusions Endovascular intervention for AMI had increased significantly in the modern era. Among AMI patients undergoing revascularization, endovascular treatment was associated with decreased mortality and shorter length of stay. Furthermore, endovascular intervention was associated with lower rates of bowel resection and need for TPN. Further research is warranted to determine if increased use of endovascular repair could improve overall and gastrointestinal outcomes among patients requiring vascular repair for AMI.
Photoacoustic imaging: a potential new tool for arthritis

The potential application of photoacoustic imaging (PAI) technology to diagnostic imaging and therapeutic monitoring of inflammatory arthritis has been explored. The feasibility of our bench-top joint imaging systems in delineating soft articular tissue structures in a noninvasive manner was validated first on rat models and then on human peripheral joints. Based on the study on commonly used arthritis rat models, the capability of PAI to differentiate arthritic joints from the normal was also examined. With sufficient imaging depth, PAI can realize tomographic imaging of a human peripheral joint or a small-animal joint as a whole organ noninvasively. By presenting additional optical contrast and tissue functional information such as blood volume and blood oxygen saturation, PAI may provide an opportunity for early diagnosis of inflammatory joint disorders, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, and for monitoring of therapeutic outcomes with improved sensitivity and accuracy.
Short‐term effects of aerobic exercise on executive processing, memory, and emotional reactivity

Abstract The effect of individual bouts of aerobic exercise on young adults’ performance of an executive processing task (The Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test, PASAT) and on ratings of emotion and workload (NASA‐Task Load Index, TLX) was assessed in two experiments. In Experiment 1, nine men completed two test sessions during which the PASAT and the TLX were administered prior to and following a 40‐minute bout of cycling. A cold medication (Phenergan VC) was administered prior to exercise in one session; a placebo was given in the other session. PASAT performance increased following exercise, both after the ingestion of the cold medication and following the placebo. TLX ratings changed with practice but were not influenced by exercise. In Experiment 2, 10 women performed the PASAT and provided TLX ratings prior to and following four 120‐minute sessions of cycling and a control session. Participants were given one of three carbohydrate electrolyte drinks or a placebo drink prior to, during, and followin...
TH‐A‐103‐10: Improved Segmentation of Low‐Contrast Fibroglandular Structures in High‐Noise Breast CT Volumes for XCAT Modeling

Purpose: This work improves the accuracy and realism of automated breast computed tomography (bCT) tissue segmentation by refining the detection of low‐contrast fibroglandular structures to produce high‐resolution realistic computer‐generated (XCAT) breast phantoms from empirical human subject data. Methods: Previous work by Hsu et al. [Med. Phys. 38, 5756‐5770 (2011)] produced high‐resolution realistic computer‐generated breast phantoms from empirical human subject data but challenges were encountered with the accurate segmentation of fine, low‐contrast glandular structures. The current work addresses those challenges. A 3‐D anisotropic diffusion algorithm was used to denoise fourteen bCT datasets. After breast masking, two adipose non‐uniformity correction techniques were applied. The first has been described by Altunbas, et al. [Med. Phys. 34, 3109‐3118 (2007)]. The second approach employed an original technique using higher‐order polynomials to correct for residual adipose non‐uniformity. Histogram thresholding then produced initial gland and skin segmentations. This was followed by a novel glandular linking and extension protocol based on skeletonization of the skin and glandular segmentations and a pixel gray‐level‐weighted distance transform. Skin mask definition and glandular density differentiation completed the segmentation. Results: Volumetric denoising reduced the standard deviation of the adipose background by an average of 60.4%. The Altunbas method corrected for radially symmetric, quadratic non‐uniformities in breasts with circular coronal cross sections, but performed poorly on high‐density breasts and breasts with asymmetric adipose non‐uniformity. Follow‐up correction using the novel method improved adipose uniformity by an average of 24.6%. The new fibroglandular linking and extension protocol improved the detection of low‐contrast fibroglandular structures, including Cooper's ligaments. The total number of fibroglandular tissue islands was also reduced. Conclusion: The semi‐automated bCT segmentation protocol improved low‐contrast glandular fiber detection in high‐noise reconstructions. Linking of disparate fibroglandular tissue islands and capture of Cooper's ligaments will contribute to the overall accuracy and realism of empirically‐derived XCAT breast phantoms. This work was supported by NIH Grant 5R01‐CA‐134658.
RCS analysis of tree trunk above rough surface using reaction theorem

In this paper, a theoretical platform for analysis of radar cross section of a finite stratified dielectric cylinder, representing a tree trunk, above a smooth distributed rough surface using reaction theorem is demonstrated. In this analysis, the second order interaction among targets is included in the modeling platform. An extensive set of Monte Carlo simulations have been utilized to calculate and validate the average scattered power against analytical formulation. We demonstrate that a 2D taper resistive sheet around the rough surface eliminates the edge diffraction due to the truncation of the surface.
STABILITY OF THE NATIONAL ASSESSMENT SCORING METHODS

National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) is a census-like project which collects achievement data on a national probability sample. NAEP has collected data in ten different learning areas from three in-school age classes (9 year-olds, 13 year-olds, 17 year-olds). In some years, a sample of young adults between the ages of 26 and 35 is also assessed. The major purpose of NAEP is to measure changes across time in performance on objectives-referenced exercises. Many of the exercises are open-ended and must be hand scored. Generally, NAEP's hand scoring does not consist of assigning responses to points on an ordinal scale. Instead, responses are usually assigned to nominal (descriptive) categories within a basic acceptable/unacceptable framework. National Assessment data are used to make comparisons. The assessment's major goal is to determine the progress of education over time. It's major application by external users is to compare state or local results with national benchmark. Because the data are used repeatedly for comparisons, it is important that hand scoring not depend heavily on the scorers or the time of the scoring. It is known that when essays are scored for quality on ordinal scales, the scores vary with the context in which the papers are read (Coffman, 1971). If these findings are true also for NAEP's scoring model, measurement of change would require that previous responses be reread whenever comparison data are collected. Each state or local replication would also entail the rescoring of NAEP national data. This is not only expensive, it is also likely that the NAEP benchmark performance level would change in each new scoring context and complicate the interpretation of the data. The purpose of this study, then, was to begin to answer the question: How reliable are National Assessment scoring procedures? Questions about reliability of data can be asked at a variety of levels. At the most general level, for the assessment, one may ask how reliable are the results reported for the nation on any particular assessment item or group of items. How different would the results be if we had chosen a different sample or administered on different days or used a different set of scorers? Because any one National Assessment result is based on the performance of at least 2,500 students from 500 schools in 75 geographical areas on any one of 40 days by 100 administrators and scored by anywhere from 2 to 20 scorers, the estimate of random variability-the standard error--of the result gives an excellent answer to that general question (see Folsum, 1977, for a discussion of how NAEP standard errors are computed). The present study was designed for the more specific purpose of estimating the contribution of three major aspects of the National Assessment open-ended scoring practices. It was concerned with the robustness or stability of the scoring procedures over
Theoretical study of hydrogen transport during plastic deformation in iron

Abstract In order to model hydrogen transport during plastic deformation, it is essential to take into account the combined effect of several interactions: the interaction of hydrogen with newly generated dislocations, the interactions between hydrogen in lattice sites and moving dislocations, and the effect of both of these on the diffusion process. Both atomistic and macroscopic diffusion models, which take into account all of the above interactions, have been developed. The results show that the hydrogen flux due to moving dislocations strongly depends upon the kinetics between hydrogen in moving dislocations and that in lattice. It was also found that the dynamic trapping effect, i.e. trapping associated with an increase in the population of dislocations, should be taken into account to properly model hydrogen transport during plastic deformation.
Effects of cytosine arabinoside on differential gene expression in embryonic neural retina. I. Accumulation of glutamine synthetase with suppression of macromolecular synthesis.

The analogue of cytidine, cytosine arabinoside (Ara-C), elicited a significant increase in the level of glutamine synthetase (GS) in embryonic chick neural retina in the absence of the steroid inducer of the enzyme. The increase was due to de novo synthesis of GS and was mediated by RNA which accumulated in the presence of the effective concentration of Ara-C. Accumulation of GS did not result from the inhibition of DNA synthesis for which Ara-C is best known. This new effect of Ara-C involves differential suppression of macromolecular synthesis in this system: the concentration of Ara-C which caused maximum GS accumulation suppressed overall protein and RNA syntheses 65–75% without inhibiting the transcription and translation of templates essential for GS synthesis. Withdrawal of Ara-C resulted in restoration of RNA synthesis and cessation of GS accumulation, even though preformed templates for the enzyme were present; however, if all RNA synthesis was arrested with actinomycin D at the time of Ara-C withdrawal, GS continued to accumulate. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that Ara-C differentially affects the activity of structural and regulatory genes involved in the regulation of GS levels in the retina: Ara-C allows transcription of the enzyme-specific templates, but reversibly inhibits the expression of regulatory genes which limit the accumulation of GS.
Inhibition of microsomal drug metabolic pathways by chloramphenicol.

Abstract Chloramphenicol can prolong the hypnotic action of hexobarbital in mice and also slow its rate of biotransformation. Added in vitro, chloramphenicol inhibits a number of pathways for drug metabolism present in liver microsomes. Data presented indicate that this inhibition by chloramphenicol may be noncompetitive and irreversible with acetanilid and hexobarbital as substrates. These same pathways are also blocked by SKF 525-A and certain other compounds.
The first-course conundrum

Recently, the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) has decided to redesign the Advanced Placement (AP) examination in computer science (CS) so that AP courses will be forced to switch from Pascal to C++ starting around 1998.
Enhanced Photoelectrochemical Generation of Hydrogen from Water by 2,6-Dihydroxyantraquinone-Functionalized Titanium Dioxide Nanotubes

Titanium dioxide, TiO2, nanotubes prepared by sonoelectrochemical anodization method are functionalized with 2,6-dihydroxyantraquinone (anthrafavic acid). The functionalization takes place by chemical condensation of the Ti−OH hydroxyl groups present on the TiO2 nanotubular surface with the phenolic hydroxyl groups of anthrafavic acid forming an inorganic−organic hybrid material. The condensation results in an intramolecular ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transition that leads to an enhancement in absorption, and an absorption band is observed in the visible region. This hybridization is responsible for an increase in the photoelectrochemical generation of hydrogen from water up to 30%.
Synergistic effects of the GATA-4-mediated miR-144/451 cluster in protection against simulated ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiomyocyte death.

Abstract Among the identified microRNAs (miRs) thus far, ~ 50% of mammalian miRs are clustered in the genome and transcribed as polycistronic primary transcripts. However, whether clustered miRs mediate non-redundant and cooperative functions remains poorly understood. In this study, we first identified activation of the promoter of miR-144/451 by GATA-4, a critical transcription factor in the heart. Next, we observed that ectopic expression of miR-144 and -451 individually augmented cardiomyocyte survival, which was further improved by overexpression of miR-144/451, compared to control cells in response to simulated ischemia/reperfusion. In contrast, knockdown of endogenous miR-144 and -451 revealed opposite effects. Using luciferase reporter assay and western blot analysis, we also validated that both miR-144 and miR-451 target CUG triplet repeat-binding protein 2 (CUGBP2), a ubiquitously expressed RNA-binding protein, known to interact with COX-2 3′UTR and inhibit its translation. Accordingly, protein levels of CUGBP2 were greatly reduced and COX-2 activity was markedly increased in miR-144-, miR-451-, and miR-144/451-overexpressing cardiomyocytes, compared to GFP cells. Furthermore, inhibition of COX-2 activity by either NS-398 or DUP-697 partially offset protective effects of the miR-144/451 cluster. Together, these data indicate that both partners of the miR-144/451 cluster confer protection against simulated I/R-induced cardiomyocyte death via targeting CUGBP2–COX-2 pathway, at least in part. Thus, both miR-144 and miR-451 may represent new therapeutic agents for the treatment of ischemic heart disease.
Magnetic hardening in FePt nanostructured films

FePt films have been prepared by sputtering Fe/Pt multilayers onto glass or silicon substrates. The thickness of the Fe and Pt layers was adjusted with the Fe:Pt atomic ratio from about 1:1 to 2:1. Magnetic hardening is observed after heat treatment at elevated temperatures, which led to coercivity values exceeding 20 kOe in samples with an Fe:Pt ratio around 1.2:1. The hardening originates from the formation of the tetragonal FePt phase with high magnetocrystalline anisotropy and a favorable microstructure. Two-phase composite films containing hard and soft phases were obtained when the Fe:Pt ratio increased. Under optimized processing conditions, composite films with energy products larger than 30 MG Oe at room temperature have been successfully produced.
Discussion on “Likelihood Ratio Identities and Their Applications to Sequential Analysis” by Tze L. Lai

The likelihood ratio identity is essentially the definition of the likelihood ratio. It is a simple identity with an amazing variety of consequences. Thus when I saw the title of this manuscript, “...
Elliptical seromuscular resection for tapering the proximal dilated bowel in duodenal or jejunal atresia

The authors developed a surgical technique to taper the proximal dilated bowel in patients with duodenal or jejunal atresia. An appropriately wide elliptical piece of the seromuscular layer along the antimesenteric border is resected, with its underlying submucosa and mucosa kept intact. The muscular margins are approximated by sutures, with the mucosa either inverted or imbricated into the bowel lumen. This technique has the advantage of avoiding infection, leakage, or protrusion of thick bowel wall into the bowel lumen, which may produce a motility disorder.
Creativity in Later Life: The Poetry of Maxine Kumin and Linda Pastan

Literature provides a window into what Randall and McKim's Reading Our Lives describes as the “inside of aging,” what is going on in the cognitive and emotional lives of the elderly. The late life poetry of Maxine Kumin, age 84, and Linda Pastan, age 77, offers just such an account of this inside story. Using analysis of these poems and insights from gerontology and literary scholarship, this study explores how Kumin and Pastan's late-life poems reinterpret past relationships and experiences, express fear of death, and find affirmation in links to future generations and the larger world.
Weathering of the New Albany Shale, Kentucky, USA: I. Weathering zones defined by mineralogy and major-element composition

Abstract Comprehensive understanding of chemical and mineralogical changes induced by weathering is valuable information when considering the supply of nutrients and toxic elements from rocks. Here minerals that release and fix major elements during progressive weathering of a bed of Devonian New Albany Shale in eastern Kentucky are documented. Samples were collected from unweathered core (parent shale) and across an outcrop excavated into a hillside 40 year prior to sampling. Quantitative X-ray diffraction mineralogical data record progressive shale alteration across the outcrop. Mineral compositional changes reflect subtle alteration processes such as incongruent dissolution and cation exchange. Altered primary minerals include K-feldspars, plagioclase, calcite, pyrite, and chlorite. Secondary minerals include jarosite, gypsum, goethite, amorphous Fe(III) oxides and Fe(II)-Al sulfate salt (efflorescence). The mineralogy in weathered shale defines four weathered intervals on the outcrop—Zones A–C and soil. Alteration of the weakly weathered shale (Zone A) is attributed to the 40-a exposure of the shale. In this zone, pyrite oxidization produces acid that dissolves calcite and attacks chlorite, forming gypsum, jarosite, and minor efflorescent salt. The pre-excavation, active weathering front (Zone B) is where complete pyrite oxidation and alteration of feldspar and organic matter result in increased permeability. Acidic weathering solutions seep through the permeable shale and evaporate on the surface forming abundant efflorescent salt, jarosite and minor goethite. Intensely weathered shale (Zone C) is depleted in feldspars, chlorite, gypsum, jarosite and efflorescent salts, but has retained much of its primary quartz, illite and illite–smectite. Goethite and amorphous FE(III) oxides increase due to hydrolysis of jarosite. Enhanced permeability in this zone is due to a 14% loss of the original mass in parent shale. Denudation rates suggest that characteristics of Zone C were acquired over 1 Ma. Compositional differences between soil and Zone C are largely attributed to illuvial processes, formation of additional Fe(III) oxides and incorporation of modern organic matter.
Influence of porcine somatotropin administration and sex on glucose and endocrine responses in obese pigs.

The endocrine and hyperglycemic responses to chronic administration of exogenous porcine somatotropin (pST) were investigated in genetically obese intact and castrate male (boars and barrows) and female (gilts) swine. Somatotropin was administered at a dose of 4 mg.pig-1/day by daily im injection. After a 26-hr fast on Day 22 of treatment, a loading dose of glucose (0.5 g/kg body wt) was administered iv, and blood samples were collected to determine parameters of glucose clearance and responses to a glucose bolus. Blood samples were assayed for glucose, insulin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-I, IGF-II, and pST. On Day 24 of treatment, blood samples were similarly collected every 15 min for 8 hr, to examine metabolic and endocrine measures in the fed state. After collection of the 6-hr sample, porcine growth hormone-releasing factor (pGHRF, 0.5 microgram/kg body wt) was administered iv. Administration of pST reduced feed consumption, increased gain, and resulted in 50% greater efficiency of gain. Plasma glucose was increased with pST treatment in both fasted (44%) and fed (64%) pigs. After administration of glucose bolus, glucose distribution volume and half-life (t1/2) were approximately doubled and MCR was reduced 75% in pST-treated pigs. Peak glucose-induced insulin concentrations were increased in pST-treated gilts and barrows but not boars. Concentrations of IGF-I were increased with pST treatment. Concentrations of pST during the sampling periods were influenced by sex and pST treatment. Control pigs responded to GHRF administration with increased plasma concentrations of pST, whereas, no pST response to GHRF administration was observed in the pST-treated pigs. The glucose and insulin results indicate chronic administration of pST to gilts and barrows induces insulin insensitivity and enhances insulin responses to a glucose challenge. The differences among the sexes in pST concentrations in the pST-treated pigs suggest differences in sexual differentiation or activation of the mechanisms of pST clearance.
Flow injection amperometric detection of OP nerve agents based on an organophosphorus-hydrolase biosensor detector.

Abstract A flow-injection system with an organophosphorus–hydrolase (OPH)-biosensor detector has been developed and characterized for the rapid detection of organophosphorus (OP) nerve agents. The enzyme was immobilized onto a thin-film gold detector through a cystamine–glutaraldehyde coupling. Factors influencing the performance were optimized. The resulting flow system offered a fast, sensitive, selective, and stable response. The peak current increased linearly with the concentration of paraoxon and methyl parathion over the 1–10 μM range (sensitivity, 2.29 and 1.04 nA/μM, respectively). The OPH-biosensor flow injection systems offered low detection limits (e.g. 0.1 μM paraoxon), along with a good precision (R.S.D. of 3.6% for 20 successive injections of a 1.0 μM paraoxon solution). The OPH-biosensor flow detector offers great promise for rapid field screening of OP pesticides and nerve agents.
Nonlinear correlation with Gaussian filtering in the Fourier domain

The performance of nonlinear joint transform correlators (JTCs) are experimentally tested with respect to in-plane and out-of-plane rotation distortions. Optical experiments are presented for both linear and nonlinear joint transform correlators. The robustness of these systems to rotation distortions is investigated. The results show that nonlinear JTCs perform similarly to linear JTCs in the presence of out- of-plane rotation distortions, but that nonlinear JTCs are more sensitive than linear JTCs to in-plane rotation distortions. However, it is well known that nonlinear JTCs have the desirable properties of illumination tolerance and discrimination sensitivity. To reduce the sensitivity of nonlinear JTCs to in-plane rotation distortions, the nonlinear joint power spectrum is multiplied by a circularly symmetric Gaussian function. This is equivalent to applying a Gaussian filter to the nonlinear JTC output. The experimental results show that using such a Gaussian filter provides nonlinear JTCs with similar in-plane rotation tolerance to that of linear JTCs.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Immune Responses to HCV and Other Hepatitis Viruses

Five human hepatitis viruses cause most of the acute and chronic liver disease worldwide. Over the past 25 years, hepatitis C virus (HCV) in particular has received much interest because of its ability to persist in most immunocompetent adults and because of the lack of a protective vaccine. Here we examine innate and adaptive immune responses to HCV infection. Although HCV activates an innate immune response, it employs an elaborate set of mechanisms to evade interferon (IFN)-based antiviral immunity. By comparing innate and adaptive immune responses to HCV with those to hepatitis A and B viruses, we suggest that prolonged innate immune activation by HCV impairs the development of successful adaptive immune responses. Comparative immunology provides insights into the maintenance of immune protection. We conclude by discussing prospects for an HCV vaccine and future research needs for the hepatitis viruses.
Food biotechnology: is this good or bad? Implications to allergic diseases.

Background Food biotechnology represents advancement in the traditional interspecies and intergeneric breeding methods for improving food supplies worldwide. With respect to safety, foods developed through biotechnology techniques represent one of the most extensively reviewed agricultural advancements in history. Objective To review the relevant issues with respect to foods from genetically modified crops and allergenicity. Data Sources To impart this information, the author will rely upon his experiences with investigations into food allergy and food allergens, participation in various workshops designed to determine allergenicity of novel proteins introduced into the diet, web sites, issue papers, and articles relevant to the topic. Results Given that there are no validated methods or models to determine potential allergenicity of novel proteins, criteria have been established based upon characteristics of known food allergens. The combination of genetic and bioinformatics information available from known food allergens applied to foods developed from genetically modified crops to avoid the inadvertent introduction of allergens into foods should pose no significant allergenic concern to individuals with a genetic predisposition to food allergy. Education and sound scientific evaluation provided to the consumer should alleviate any fear of emotionalism as implied by "Frankenfoods." Conclusions The estimation that more than two trillion transgenic plants have been grown in 1999 and 2000 alone, with no overt documented adverse food reactions being reported, indicates that genetic modification through biotechnology will not impose immediate significant risks as food allergen sources beyond that of our daily dietary intake of foods from crop plants.
Survival of Salmonella in a high sugar, low water-activity, peanut butter flavored candy fondant

Abstract This study examined the survival of a two strain mixture of Salmonella serovar Typhimurium in peanut butter flavored candy fondant during ingredient mixing and after storage up to 7 weeks. The sample was further tested for the presence or absence of Salmonella after six and twelve months of storage. Fondant ingredients mixed with inoculated peanut butter at a starting temperature of 70 °C led to 2.2 and 2.9 log cfu reduction in level of surviving Salmonella after 10 and 20 min of mixing respectively. A lower mixing temperature (65 °C) resulted in 1.2 log cfu reduction at both 10 and 20 min. Flavored fondant from both mixing temperatures were then stored at room temperature. During storage for up to 7 weeks, there was reduction in the level of surviving salmonellae by an average of 0.58 log cfu/week. The combination of heated mixing and storage for 5 weeks resulted in a 5-log reduction in the colony counts of salmonellae. In comparison, the average reduction of the inoculum in peanut butter was 0.45 log cfu per week totaling 3.16 log cfu after 7 weeks of storage. This study suggests that common candy industry mixing temperatures will not lead to a significant lethality of Salmonella in this product. Although the heated mixing followed by storage of flavored fondant for five weeks at room temperature provided a 5-log reduction in Salmonella survival, there was a presence of Salmonella in samples for up to twelve months of room temperature storage. Therefore, the need for good sanitation practices exists.
Reflecting on the military's best practices

We asked two leaders with experience in both military and corporate leadership, Dr. Ervin J. Rokke andWalter F. Ulmer Jr., to describe their perceptions of the differences between these two arenas. Both believe that compared to most corporate entities, the military provides greater opportunities for early leadership, uses participation and feedback to strengthen communications, prioritizes the welfare of subordinates, and emphasizes a foundation of core values.They also note that the transparency of both corporate and military approaches to leadership has led to shared learning and that despite operating in different environments, military and business have much to learn from eachother.©2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
LIQUID DYNAMICS THEORY OF THE VELOCITY AUTOCORRELATION FUNCTION AND SELF-DIFFUSION

In equilibrium liquid dynamics theory, the potential energy surface is supposed to consist of a large number of many-particle nearly harmonic random structural valleys. The passage of the system from one valley to another is a transit, and the transit motion has to be accounted for in order to apply liquid dynamics theory to nonequilibrium processes. The role of transits in liquid dynamics theory is equivalent to the role of collisions in gas dynamics theory. In a classical monatomic liquid, transits are so frequent that each ion ``sees'' a rapidly fluctuating well during one mean vibrational period. This condition is represented approximately by an independent ion model, in which each ion moves in a smooth harmonic well of frequency \ensuremath{\omega}, and at each classical turning point the ion enters a new well with probability \ensuremath{\mu}, or returns in its old well with probability $1\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\mu}.$ The corresponding velocity autocorrelation function, which depends on \ensuremath{\omega} and a simple function \ensuremath{\xi}(\ensuremath{\mu}), can be made to fit previously published computer calculations. The frequency \ensuremath{\omega} is close to the mean phonon frequency of the crystalline state, confirming a prediction of equilibrium liquid dynamics theory, and the transit probability \ensuremath{\mu} is around $\frac{1}{2}.$ Analysis of experimental diffusion data suggests that \ensuremath{\xi} is approximately a universal function of ${T/T}_{m}.$
Protein synthesis and transport in the regenerating goldfish visual system.

The nature of the proteins synthesized in the goldfish retina and axonally transported to the tectum during optic nerve regeneration has been examined. Electrophoretic analysis of labeled soluble retinal proteins by fluorography verified our previous observation of a greatly enhanced synthesis of the microtubule subunits. In addition, labeling of a tubulin-like protein in the retinal particulate fraction was also increased during regeneration. Like soluble tubulin, the particulate material had an apparent MW of 53–55K and could be tyrosylated in the presence of cycloheximide and [3H]tyrosine. Comparison of post-crush and normal retinal proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis also revealed a marked enhancement in the labeling of two acidic 68–70K proteins. Analysis of proteins slowly transported to the optic tectum revealed changes following nerve crush similar to those observed in the retina, with enhanced labeling of both soluble and particulate tubulin and of 68–70K polypeptides. The most striking change in the profile of rapidly transported protein was the appearance of a labeled 45K protein which was barely detectable in control fish.
Norovirus Outbreak Management Applied to Pandemic Influenza Planning

PROJECT: The EOC was activated by the Infection Control Practitioner (ICP) and the Emergency Preparedness Coordinator (EPC) when clusters of ill patients and employees with similar symptoms were reported in multiple patient units and the hospitals nursing home (NH). EOC consisted of the hospital director, ICP, EPC, NH director, managers from Occupational Health (OH), inpatient units, patient and employee food services, housekeepers, police, human resources (HR), and public relations (PR). The EOC met daily to assess new cases and determine additional interventions. An all staff electronic bulletin was posted after each meeting to communicate recommendations. Contact Precautions were used with all suspected patients. A bleach solution was used for cleaning areas with symptomatic patients. The NH closed to new admissions and visitors. Employees called OH if ill or if family members were ill. HR supported 48 hours of paid time off after last symptom for self or family member. PR communicated with local media. An inpatient isolation unit was established to cohort symptomatic patients with designated staff. Outpatients were screened at check in for symptoms to triage ill patients to an isolation room. Group eating was discouraged. The EPC provided Incident Command management expertise during EOC meetings and recorded decisions to analyze post outbreak to determine applicability to influenza planning activities.
Characterization and analysis of thermoelectric transport in n-type Ba_(8)Ga_(16−x)Ge_(30+x)

The thermoelectric transport properties of polycrystalline, Ba_(8)Ga_(16−x)Ge_(30+x) were characterized from 300 to 1000 K. The carrier density was found to vary precisely with the experimental x as expected from simple electron counting. The experimental data are analyzed within the framework of a single parabolic band model, which is found to accurately describe transport for the compositions of interest for thermoelectric application. The lattice thermal conductivity, calculated with a degeneracy adjusted Lorenz number, does not show a trend with composition and a value of ~1 Wm^(−1) K^(−1) is observed at 300 K. A maximum figure of merit zT = 0.86 is obtained at 950 K, and the optimal doping level for thermoelectric application is predicted to be ~2 × 10^(20) cm^(−3), which corresponds to Ba_(8)Ga_(15.75)Ge_(30.25_ by electron counting. An unexpected transition event is observed near 650 K, which results in a significant increase in the heat capacity.