cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serum-mediated Immune Cellular Responses to Brucella melitensis IV. Infection of Macrophages Under Anaerobic Conditions

Immune mechanisms active against Brucella were studied under conditions of oxygen deficiency. B. melitensis grew in rabbit serum-Tyrode medium flooded with N2 and CO2 gas mixtures. Immune sera from rabbits injected with B. melitensis strain Rev I possessed growth-inhibitory activity that operated in anaerobic environments against Rev I and virulent strain 6015. When mixed with macrophages, immune sera mediated even greater inhibition of bacterial growth and slowed the spread of infection throughout the tissue culture. Although under anaerobic conditions the rate of phagocytosis was reduced, the macrophages in immune serum killed significant percentages of Brucella, suggesting that an antibacterial mechanism had been activated. Sonic extracts of macrophages prepared and tested under anaerobic conditions depressed the growth rate of strain Rev I. The extracts, however, exhibited no immediate killing capacity when tested in Tyrode solution. A factor from serum was required for depression of the growth rate.
Arenas of power in climate change policymaking.

This article investigates the potential linkage between particular policy design ideas and distinctive patterns of politics and power relations. The research examines a sequence of four cases involving the use of the cap-and-trade policy design principally to combat global climate change through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Through the lens of arenas of power framework, the comparative case analysis suggests the existence of consistent linkages between particular cap-and-trade design ideas, and distinct patterns of political conflict and empowerment. The article concludes with a brief consideration of what the findings suggest about the national politics of climate change policymaking in the United States in the near term, and more important, an assessment of the implications for the further development and refinement of policy theory.
Segmenting China's Consumer Market

SUMMARY China as one of the Big Emerging Markets (BEMs) has attracted increasing trade and foreign investment in the past two decades. The emergence of China as a viable consumer market has created tremendous opportunities for multinational corporations (MNCs). Meanwhile, continuous evolution of the economy and increasing heterogeneity of Chinese consumers challenge foreign marketers to accurately assess market demand and to enact effective marketing strategies. This research proposes to segment China's consumer market using a hybrid approach including demographics, psychographics and geographics. It also examines several other notable characteristics of the Chinese consumer market and draws marketing strategy implications for MNCs.
An Update on the Consequences of EU Sugar Reform

Since its formation the European Union (EU) has employed a rather complicated policy to ensure high prices to domestic sugar growers and trade preferences to certain sugar exporting countries, e.g. the African Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) group. One result of this policy is that the EU has been both the second largest importer and second largest exporter in the world market. Under pressure from the World Trade Organization (WTO), the EU agreed to reform its policies toward sugar in 2001, with the full effect of the reforms being fully implemented in 2006. In this paper, the impact of the sugar reform on EU production, consumption, imports, and exports is examined especially with regard to how it all affects the ACP countries who receive preferential treatment regarding access to EU sugar markets. Preliminary analysis indicates that lowering domestic EU prices, while quotas requirements for ACP countries remain intact might have negative revenue implications for poor sugar producers.
An Application of Differential Reinforcement of Other Behavior and Self-Monitoring to Address Repetitive Behavior

Differential reinforcement of other behavior (DRO) and self-monitoring was used to reduce repetitive challenging behavior in the form of eyelash, eyebrow, and hair pulling exhibited by a 19-year-old woman with an autism spectrum disorder. Treatment evaluation included DRO with competing and non-competing stimuli in a private therapy room. Once the DRO interval exceeded 10 min, treatment was conducted in the participant’s classroom. Results of the study suggested DRO was successful in both environments and across both stimulus types.
The Effects of Fuel Injection Pressure and Fuel Type on the Combustion Characteristics of a Diesel Engine

In an effort to understand the effects of injection system pressure on alternative fuel performance, a single cylinder diesel engine was outfit with a modern common rail fuel injection system and piezoelectric injector. As future new fuels will likely be used in both older mechanical injected engines as well as newer high pressure common rail engines, the question as to the sensitivity of a new fuel type across a range of engines is of concern. In this study conventional diesel fuel (Navy NATO F76) was compared with the new Navy HRD (Hydro-processed Renewable Diesel) fuel from algal sources, as well as the high cetane reference fuel nC16 (n-hexadecane CN=100). It was seen that in general, IGD (Ignition Delay) was shortened for all fuels with increasing fuel injection pressure, and was shortened with higher CN fuels. The combustion duration for all fuels was also significantly reduced with increasing fuel injection pressure, however, longer durations were seen for higher CN fuels at the same fuel pressure due to less pre-mixing before the start of combustion. Companion modeling using the LLNL (Lawrence Livermore National Lab) heavy hydro-carbon and diesel PRF chemical kinetic mechanisms for HRD and nC16 was applied to understand the relative importance of the physical and chemical delay periods of the IGD. It was seen that at low fuel injection pressures, the physical and chemical delay times are of comparable duration. However, as injection pressure increases the importance of the chemical delay times increases significantly (longer), especially with the lower CN fuel.
Pain Management in Geriatric Fellowship Training

Abstract This article reports the results of a survey of 78 accredited geriatric fellowship training programs to explore pain management curricula. Most programs provide settings where pain is a major focus of care while only half required experiences or rotations in these settings. Forty-three percent of programs had no faculty identified as having training or expertise in pain management and few had curriculum focused on pain management. Pain was cited as a curriculum area in need of improvement while major barriers were lack of faculty expertise and competing curriculum content. Optimum training methods were perceived as experience or rotations on inpatient hospice or palliative care units and “bedside” training by geriatrics faculty with expertise in pain management. Development of geriatric faculty with expertise in pain management along with cultivation of hospice or palliative care training settings are needed for geriatric medicine training programs to improve pain management curricula.
Busy Perceivers and Ineffective Suppression Goals: A Critical Role for Distracter Thoughts

With limited cognitive resources, suppressing thoughts can be ineffective. The detrimental effects of cognitive load on suppression have typically been attributed to increased accessibility of avoided thoughts. However, little research has examined distracter thoughts and their contribution to these effects. In three studies, participants pursued suppression goals related to social judgments (e.g., avoid negative thoughts about a target's performance) with sufficient or diminished cognitive resources. Compared to suppressors not under cognitive load, suppressors under load drew more negative social inferences when pursuing a negative suppression goal and more positive inferences under a positive suppression goal; load did not similarly disrupt a concentration goal (i.e., focus on positive thoughts). Across studies, load reduced high-quality oppositely valenced distracter thoughts, and these distracter thoughts mediated the detrimental effects of load on social inferences. The discussion focuses on mechanisms underlying the effects of load on suppression, implications, and future directions for research on ironic processes.
Draft Genome Sequence of Pantoea sp. Strain MBLJ3, Isolated in a Laboratory Environmental Control Study.

ABSTRACT This report describes the draft genome sequence of a newly isolated strain, Pantoea sp. MBLJ3. The genome is 4.8 Mb in size, with a G+C content of 54.27%, and it contains 4,522 protein-coding sequences, 69 tRNA genes, and 5 rRNA genes.
Does ‘Civic Duty’ ‘Solve’ The Rational Choice Voter Turnout Puzzle?

Rational choice models of voter turnout try to account for why people vote by including on the ‘benefits’ side of the cost-benefit calculus some term representing either the collective benefits of voting or the satisfaction the individual derives from the very act of voting, a strategy subject to a number of telling criticisms. After a background discussion of three competing perspectives on this rational choice strategy, which we term the ‘accepter,’ ‘yes, but’ and ‘rejecter’ views, we address the following issues. First, how one’s view of ‘rationality’ affects the appropriateness of including ‘satisfaction from voting’ and related concepts in the rational choice model. Second, as a formal analytical matter, can a ‘sense of civic duty to vote’ be comfortably incorporated into the rational choice model of turnout? What other recent related embellishments have been made to that model? Third, even if ‘civic duty’ can be formally incorporated, would this defeat the efficacy of the rational choice model? Four...
Structural and magnetic phase transitions in Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape-memory crystals

We detail crystal growth and characterization of Ni-Mn-Ga ferromagnetic shape-memory alloys (FSMA). Structural characterization includes X-ray Laue diffraction and X-ray diffraction (XRD) using /spl theta/-2/spl theta/ scans. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and DC magnetization measurements have been used to probe structural and magnetic phase transformations in these materials. For the first time, the temperature dependence of magnetic torque reveals a variation of the magnetic anisotropy in stoichiometric Ni/sub 2/MnGa crystals. We also report on the effect of post-annealing on the martensitic phase transition (MPT) temperature. A Ni/sub 52.7/Mn/sub 22.6/Ga/sub 24.7/ crystal exhibits an onset of the transformation at 304 K. The temperature hysteresis during a heating-cooling process and the full width of the transition are observed to be 2 and 10 K, respectively, for this crystal.
International Federation of Competitive Eating

(2003). International Federation of Competitive Eating. Journal of Agricultural & Food Information: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 3-8.
Functional Role of Residue 193 (Chymotrypsin Numbering) in Serine Proteases: Influence of Side Chain Length and β-Branching on the Catalytic Activity of Blood Coagulation Factor XIa

In serine proteases, Gly193 (chymotrypsin numbering) is conserved with rare exception. Mutants of blood coagulation proteases have been reported with Glu, Ala, Arg or Val substitutions for Gly193. To further understand the role of Gly193 in protease activity, we replaced it with Ala or Val in coagulation factor XIa (FXIa). For comparison to the reported FXIa Glu193 mutant, we prepared FXIa with Asp (short side chain) or Lys (opposite charge) substitutions. Binding of p-aminobenzamidine (pAB) and diisopropylfluorphosphate (DFP) were impaired 1.6-36-fold and 35-478-fold, respectively, indicating distortion of, or altered accessibility to, the S1 and oxyanion-binding sites. Val or Asp substitutions caused the most impairment. Salt bridge formation between the amino terminus of the mature protease moiety at Ile16 and Asp194, essential for catalysis, was impaired 1.4-4-fold. Mutations reduced catalytic efficiency of tripeptide substrate hydrolysis 6-280-fold, with Val or Asp causing the most impairment. Further studies were directed toward macromolecular interactions with the FXIa mutants. kcat for factor IX activation was reduced 8-fold for Ala and 400-1100-fold for other mutants, while binding of the inhibitors antithrombin and amyloid beta-precursor protein Kunitz domain (APPI) was impaired 13-2300-fold and 22-27000-fold, respectively. The data indicate that beta-branching of the side chain of residue 193 is deleterious for interactions with pAB, DFP and amidolytic substrates, situations where no S2'-P2' interactions are involved. When an S2'-P2' interaction is involved (factor IX, antithrombin, APPI), beta-branching and increased side chain length are detrimental. Molecular models indicate that the mutants have impaired S2' binding sites and that beta-branching causes steric conflicts with the FXIa 140-loop, which could perturb the local tertiary structure of the protease domain. In conclusion, enzyme activity is impaired in FXIa when Gly193 is replaced by a non-Gly residue, and residues with side chains that branch at the beta-carbon have the greatest effect on catalysis and binding of substrates.
A relationship between deep-sea benthic oxygen demand and oceanic primary productivity

Abstract A diagenetic model of porewater O 2 was used to examine the relationship between organic carbon flux to the sediments and benthic oxygen demand (BOD). The model predicted that the organic carbon influx to sediments balances BOD as long as sediments are oxygenated. The critical rate occurs when O 2 at infinite depth disappears. With influxes exceeding the critical rate, the O 2 flux into the sediments via molecular diffusion can not consume all incoming organic matter, and anaerobic conditions result in BOD underestimating the carbon influx. Given that low rates of deep-sea BOD approximate the carbon influx below 9 g·C·m −2 ·y −1 , a significant multilinear regression was found between published BOD, primary productivity (P p , both in g·C·m −2 ·y −1 ), and water depth (X, m), BOD=19.6537*X −0.936411 *P p 1.139487 . Using this, BOD and the carbon flux to 1 000 m were mapped worldwide. Global organic carbon fluxes to 1 000 m totaled 2 328 MT·C·y −1 (1 MT C=10 12 g), 6 % of the overlying primary productivity. The global BOD was 739 MT·C·y −1 , 32 % of the 1 000 m flux. For southern and northern hemispheres, the 1 000 m carbon flux was similar (1 178 and 1 149 MT·C·y −1 ), while BOD differed (356 and 383 MT·C·y −1 ). Polar regions did not differ in their relationship of vertical carbon export to productivity. © 2000 Ifremer/CNRS/IRD/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS deep-sea / oxygen / primary productivity / respiration / sediments
Chemical Transformation of Prostaglandin-A2: A Novel Series of C-10 Halogenated, C-12 Hydroxylated Prostaglandin-A2 Analogues

[reaction: see text] Synthesis of a novel class of C-10 halogenated and C-12 oxygenated prostaglandin-A(2) derivatives (6a-6c) has been accomplished. (15S)-Prostaglandin-A(2) (1), from the gorgonian Plexaura homomalla, served as the starting material for the synthesis. The absolute configuration was determined using NMR.
Endosymbionts (Buchnera) from the aphids Schizaphis graminum and Diuraphis noxia have different copy numbers of the plasmid containing the leucine biosynthetic genes

The prokaryotic endosymbiont (Buchnera) of the aphid Schizaphis graminum contains 24 copies of a plasmid that has genes encoding enzymes of the leucine biosynthetic pathway while the endosymbiont of the related aphid Diuraphis noxia has only one copy of this plasmid. These results, in conjunction with similar results for the trpEG-containing plasmids, suggest that D. noxia has a reduced demand for endosymbiont-derived essential amino acids.
The Pediatric Airway

In addition to the various developmental and normal physiologic factors that influence the airway, certain diseases and congenital defects may cause structural abnormalities. Many of these may present with upper airway obstruction. The differential diagnosis for extrathoracic airway obstruction is extensive and includes obstructions of the nasal passages, oropharynx, larynx, and the glottis. Anatomic abnormalities of the chin and tongue, such as micrognathia and macroglossia, can cause obstruction. In the naso-pharynx, obstruction is caused by nasal polyps and a persistence of the bucconasal membrane, as seen in choanal atresia or nasal piriform aperture stenosis. Within the oropharynx, adenoid-tonsillar enlargement, as well as peri-tonsillar and retropharyngeal abscesses, can obstruct the airway.
Photo Definable High Dielectric Constant Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Material

Photo definable high dielectric constant organic-inorganic hybrid material has been developed. BaTiO3 submicron particles were heavily loaded as much as 87 vol% to photo sensitive polyimide. Patternability of line / space 20 /20 μm were demonstrated. Some of material characteristics of the cured films were investigated. The relative dielectric constants were 53 at 1 kHz and 42 at 12 GHz. The volume resistivity was .7 x 10-12Ωcm. 5 %weight loss temperature was 420°C. Insulation reliability test was also implemented and there was no degradation in the test of Cu 10 μm gap comb type electrodes with applied voltage 20 V at 85°C/85%Rh for 1000 hours.
Multiple molecular forms of certain lysosomal enzymes separated by isoelectric focusing on cellulose acetate membranes

Abstract Analytical isoelectric focusing on cellulose acetate membranes offers greater resolution of the enzyme pattern than does standard electrophoresis and offers numerous advantages over other support media in isoelectric focusing. A series of lysosomal enzymes, deficiencies of which cause lethal storage diseases in infants and children, can be shown to exist as multiple molecular forms by analytical isoelectric focusing on cellulose acetate membranes. This analytical technique should be a valuable tool in the investigation of enzyme polymorphism and genetically determined enzyme deficiency diseases.
Sulfuric Acid and Sulfuric Acid Hydrates in the Gas Phase: A DFT Investigation†

The gaseous sulfuric acid and its hydrates play an essential role in the formation and evolution of atmospheric aerosols via nucleation of binary sulfuric acid−water vapors. Recently, it has been pointed out that the dipole moment of vapor molecules and small preexisting clusters is a new parameter controlling the nucleation rates. In this paper, the dipole moments of the mono-, di-, and trihydrates of the sulfuric acid are calculated for the first time. We also report on the molecular structures, energies, vibrational frequencies, absorption intensities and dipole moments of the hydrates and compare our model predictions with the results of other studies. The density functional theory (DFT) calculations have been carried out using the PW91 method and TZP basis set. We have determined the optimized conformations of gas-phase sulfuric acid and mono-, di-, and trihydrates of sulfuric acid using different starting scenarios and computed their dipole moments. The obtained results can be utilized directly in t...
Advances in Applying Treatment Integrity Research for Dissemination and Implementation Science: Introduction to Special Issue

This special series focuses upon the ways in which research on treatment integrity, a multidimensional construct including assessment of the content and quality of a psychosocial treatment delivered to a client as well as relational elements, can inform dissemination and implementation science. The five articles for this special series illustrate how treatment integrity concepts and methods can be applied across different levels of the mental health service system to advance dissemination and implementation science. In this introductory article, we provide an overview of treatment integrity research and describe three broad conceptual models that are relevant to the articles in the series. We conclude with a brief description of each of the five articles in the series.
Undergraduate Business Education: It's Time to Think Outside the Box

For more than 100 years, institutions of higher learning in the United States have provided millions of students with an education in business. Presently, business ranks as one of the most popular undergraduate majors on American college campuses, awarding over 20% of all undergraduate degrees granted each year. Despite its popularity, many people question whether these students receive the type of education needed to effectively compete in a rapidly changing world. The authors report the findings of an extensive study of undergraduate business curricula in the United States, the results of which suggest that very little has changed since the Ford and Carnegie Foundations Reports were published in 1959. The authors conclude with some suggestions on how to improve business education for future graduates.
ON INITIATION REACTIONS OF ACETYLENE OXIDATION IN SHOCK TUBES A QUANTUM MECHANICAL AND KINETIC MODELING STUDY

Abstract Reaction between acetylene and molecular oxygen was analyzed using quantum mechanical calculations and kinetic modeling of acetylene oxidation in shock tubes. Calculations at the G2(B3LYP) level of theory show that the direct attack of molecular oxygen on the π bond in acetylene has a larger energy barrier than acetylene↔vinylidene isomerization, such that this isomerization followed by the reaction of vinylidene with molecular oxygen is the energetically favorable initiation reaction of acetylene oxidation. It is further shown that detailed kinetic models of acetylene oxidation including this initiation process predict well the experimental shock tube ignition delay data.
Separation of mesophyll from non-mesophyll cell wall tissue in indiangrass leaf blades

A method to isolate large quantities of non-mesophyll cell wall material for studying factors that limit the susceptibility of these cell wall polysaccharides to microbial degradation was evaluated. Mesophyll cells were separated from non-mesophyll cells in indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans [L.] Nash) leaf blades by ball milling to separate cells and then sieving to isolate non-mesophyll cells. The mesophyll fraction was comprised of non-lignified mesophyll cells contaminated with some fiber (sclerenchyma, xylem, and bundle sheath) particles. The non-mesophyll fraction was virtually free of mesophyll cells and consisted primarily of lignified cell wall material. The weight ratio of mesophyll to non-mesophyll cell wall material was 1.21. Non-mesophyll cell walls were similar to mesophyll cell walls in their concentrations of arabinose, mannose, and galactose, and higher in their concentrations of xylose, glucose, p-coumark acid, and ferulic acid. The ratio of xylose to arabinose was significantly greater for the non-mesophyll fraction. Compositional differences between non-mesophyll and mesophyll cell walls may in part explain the lower susceptibility of non-mesophyll cell wall material to microbial degradation compared to mesophyll cell wall material. Contribution from the Missouri Agnc. Exp. Stn. journal paper no. 10,960
Variation in the ability of Didemnum sp. to invade established communities

Abstract Over the past 30 years southern New England, USA has been invaded by several species of ascidians, including Botrylloides violaceus , Diplosoma listerianum , Styela clava , and Ascidiella aspersa . These species have become dominate in coastal embayments and marinas but are usually absent from more open water coastal areas. A colonial ascidian, Didemnum sp. has invaded southern New England during the past 10 years and we first observed this species in eastern Long Island Sound in 2000. It has become the dominant at several field sites while remaining in low abundance at others. We conducted an experiment at two places, a protected marina and an open coast site, to examine its ability to compete with the established fouling community. Small colonies of Didemnum were transplanted onto panels with communities that varied in age from one to four weeks old and these treatments along with controls with only Didemnum were exposed at both sites. In most treatments Didemnum became a dominant species in the communities at both sites but it reached higher abundances at the open coast site. Potential causes of the observed differences are predation on other species of ascidians at the open coast site reducing recruitment of these species and competition, lower tolerance for elevated temperatures at the marina site, or other environmental parameters that might affect growth rates.
Stress-induced c-Jun-dependent Vitamin D receptor (VDR) activation dissects the non-classical VDR pathway from the classical VDR activity.

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that mediates vitamin D3-induced gene expression. Our previous work has established that stress MAPK signaling stimulates VDR expression (Qi, X., Pramank, R., Wang, J., Schultz, R. M., Maitra, R. K., Han, J., DeLuca, H. F., and Chen, G. (2002) J. Biol. Chem. 277, 25884–25892) and VDR inhibits cell death in response to p38 MAPK activation (Qi, X., Tang, J., Pramanik, R., Schultz, R. M., Shirasawa, S., Sasazuki, T., Han, J., and Chen, G. (2004) J. Biol. Chem. 279, 22138–22144). Here we show that c-Jun is essential for VDR expression and VDR in turn inhibits c-Jun-dependent cell death by non-classical mechanisms. In response to stress c-Jun is recruited to the Vdr promoter before VDR protein expression is induced. The necessary and sufficient role of c-Jun in VDR expression was established by the fact that c-Jun knock-out decreases VDR expression, whereas c-Jun restoration recovers its activity. Existence of the non-classical VDR pathway was suggested by a requirement of both c-Jun and VDR in stress-induced VDR activity and further demonstrated by VDR inhibiting c-Jun-dependent cell death independent of its classical transcriptional activity and independent of vitamin D3. c-Jun is also required for vitamin D3-induced classical VDR transcriptional activity by a mechanism likely involving physical interactions between c-Jun and VDR proteins. These results together reveal a non-classical mechanism by which VDR acts as a c-Jun/AP-1 target gene to modify c-Jun activity in stress response through increased protein expression independent of classical transcriptional regulations.
Recovery following sensorimotor cortical damage: evoked potentials, brain stimulation and motor control.

Abstract Measurements of somatosensory evoked potentials, movements evoked by brain stimulation, and fine motor control were taken from cats with arrays of 30 electrodes chronically implanted in sensorimotor cortex, before and after electrolytic destruction of part of this area. Such damage was followed by clear deficits and then by concurrent progressive partial recovery in all three measures. The recovery is attributed to recuperation of the original functions of tissue adjacent to the ablated areas rather than to a redistribution or reorganzation of function.
Hormone dependency and histological types of prostatic carcinoma

In comparative histological and cytological studies on 270 prostatic carcinoma patients highly and moderately differentiated tumors were found to be more frequent histologically than cytologically. An early and reliable sign of response to hormone therapy proved to be reticularization and vacuolization of the nuclear chromatin. Follow-up studies by means of multiple aspiration biopsies with cytologic examinations seem to be more reliable in prognostic terms than examination of the histological tumor structure.
Effect of tenderizers combined with organic acids on Escherichia coli O157:H7 thermal resistance in non-intact beef.

Non-intact beef products include beef cuts that have been ground, mechanically tenderized, restructured, or have been injected with solutions to enhance tenderness and/or flavor. This study examined the effects of tenderizing salts and organic acids on thermal inactivation of Escherichia coli O157:H7 in a ground beef model system simulating non-intact beef products. Ground beef (95% lean; 700 g batches) was mixed (2 min) with nothing (C) or solutions (22 ml) of water (WA), calcium ascorbate (CaA, 0.86%; wt/wt), calcium chloride (CaC, 0.23%; wt/wt), acetic acid (AA, 0.3%; v/wt), citric acid (CA, 0.2%; wt/wt), NaCl (NA, 0.5%; wt/wt), and mixtures of CaA/NA, CaC/NA, AA/NA, CA/NA, CaA/CaC/NA, CaA/AA/NA, CaA/CA/NA, CaC/AA/NA and CaC/CA/NA. Samples (30 g) were extruded into test tubes, inoculated (7 log CFU/g) with E. coli O157:H7 (5-strain mixture), and stored (4 °C) overnight. Samples were then cooked to 60 °C or 65 °C, in a water bath, to simulate rare or medium-rare doneness of beef, respectively. Weight, fat and moisture losses, total bacterial (tryptic soy agar) and E. coli O157:H7 (modified eosin methylene blue agar, and modified sorbitol MacConkey agar) populations were determined after inoculation, storage, and cooking. Fat and moisture losses were not affected by treatment and temperature, while weight losses increased at 65 °C and in acid treated samples (60 °C). E. coli O157:H7 survivors were generally lower (P < 0.05) in acid treated than non-acid treated samples. Pathogen counts in samples treated with tenderizers (CaA, CaC) and NA were not different (P ≥ 0.05) than those of control samples. Thus, inclusion of organic acids in beef tenderizing recipes may help in thermal inactivation of E. coli O157:H7 that may been transferred to the interior of non-intact products during their production.
Forensic Applications of Nitrogen and Oxygen Isotopes in Tracing Nitrate Sources in Urban Environments

Ground and surface waters in urban areas are susceptible to nitrate contamination from septic systems, leaking sewer lines, and fertilizer applications. Source identification is a primary step toward a successful remediation plan in affected areas. In this respect, nitrogen and oxygen isotope ratios of nitrate, in conjunction with hydrologic data and water chemistry, have proven valuable in urban studies from Austin, Texas, and Tacoma, Washington. In Austin, stream water was sampled during stremflow and baseflow conditions to assess surface and subsurface sources of nitrate, respectively. In Tacoma, well waters were sampled in adjacent sewered and un-sewered areas to determine if locally high nitrate concentrations were caused by septic systems in the un-sewered areas. In both studies, sewage was identified as a nitrate source and mixing between sewage and other sources of nitrate was apparent. In addition to source identification, combined nitrogen and oxygen isotopes were important in determining the si...
Literary Critics at Work and their Information Needs: A Research-Phases Model.

This article focuses on the information needs of literary critics when producing literary criticism. A fundamental aspect of this research, the six-stage model of producing literary criticism, was developed from interviews with literary critics. Using a mail survey, the model was tested and substantiated. The research-phases model provides the context to understand the function of information at each of the identified stages of literary criticism, that is, idea generation, preparation, elaboration, analysis and writing, dissemination, and further writing and dissemination. The model is contrasted with research-phases models of other disciplines. This holistic approach, linking information functions to research stages, advances the study of information-seeking behavior in context.
Urban-Rural Flows of Physicians

ABSTRACT: Context:Physician supply is anticipated to fall short of national requirements over the next 20 years. Rural areas are likely to lose relatively more physicians. Policy makers must know how to anticipate what changes in distribution are likely to happen to better target policies. Purpose: To determine whether there was a significant flow of physicians from urban to rural areas in recent years when the overall supply of physicians has been considered in balance with needs. Methods: Individual records from merged AMA Physician Masterfiles for 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2003 were used to track movements from urban to rural and rural to urban counties. Individual physician locations were tracked over 5-year intervals during the period 1981 to 2001, with an additional assessment for movements in 2001-2003. Findings: Approximately 25% of physicians moved across county boundaries in any given 5-year period but the relative distribution of urban-rural supply remained relatively stable. One third of all physicians remained in the same urban or rural practice location for most of their professional careers. There was a small net movement of physicians from urban to rural areas from 1981 to 2003. Conclusions: The data show a net flow from urban to rural places, suggesting a geographic diffusion of physicians in response to economic forces. However, the small gain in rural areas may also be explained by programs that are intended to counter normal market pressures for urban concentrations of professionals. It is likely that in the face of an overall shortage, rural areas will lose physician supply relative to population.
Preparing the Oral Version of a Technical Paper

The presentation of technical information in print and by word of mouth before professional groups should be regarded as different techniques. Some practical suggestions for the preparation of material for oral presentation are offered.
Selecting target conditions for quality of care improvement in vulnerable older adults.

OBJECTIVE: To identify a set of geriatric conditions as optimal targets for quality improvement to be used in a quality measurement system for vulnerable older adults. DESIGN: Discussion and two rounds of ranking of conditions by a panel of geriatric clinical experts informed by literature reviews. METHODS: A list of 78 conditions common among vulnerable older people was reduced to 35 on the basis of their (1) prevalence, (2) impact on health and quality of life, (3) effectiveness of interventions in improving mortality and quality of life, (4) disparity in the quality of care across providers and geographic areas, and (5) feasibility of obtaining the data needed to test compliance with quality indicators. A panel of 12 experts in geriatric care discussed and then ranked the 35 conditions on the basis of the same five criteria. We then selected 21 conditions, based on panelists' iterative rankings. Using available national data, we compiled information about prevalence of the selected conditions for community-dwelling older people and older nursing home residents and estimated the proportion of inpatient and outpatient care attributable to the selected conditions. RESULTS: The 21 conditions selected as targets for quality improvement among vulnerable older adults include (in rank order): pharmacologic management; depression; dementia; heart failure; stroke (and atrial fibrillation); hospitalization and surgery; falls and mobility disorders; diabetes mellitus; end-of-life care; ischemic heart disease; hypertension; pressure ulcers; osteoporosis; urinary incontinence; pain management; preventive services; hearing impairment; pneumonia and influenza; vision impairment; malnutrition; and osteoarthritis. The selected conditions had mean rank scores from 1.2 to 3.8, and those excluded from 4.6 to 6.9, on a scale from 1 (highest ranking) to 7 (lowest ranking). Prevalence of the selected conditions ranges from 10 to 50% among community-dwelling older adults and from 25 to 80% in nursing home residents for the six most common selected conditions. The 21 target conditions account for at least 43% of all acute hospital discharges and 33% of physician office visits among persons 65 years of age and older. Actual figures must be higher because several of the selected conditions (e.g., end-of-life care) are not recorded as diagnoses. CONCLUSIONS: Twenty-one conditions were selected as targets for quality improvement in vulnerable older people for use in a quality measurement system. The 21 geriatric conditions selected are highly prevalent in this group and likely account for more than half of the care provided to this group in hospital and ambulatory settings. J Am Geriatr Soc 48: 363–369, 2000.
GAUGINO CONDENSATION IN THE CHIRAL AND LINEAR REPRESENTATIONS OF THE DILATON

String effective theories with N=1 supersymmetry in four dimensions are the subject of this discussion. Gaugino condensation in the chiral representation of the dilaton is reviewed in the truncated formalism in the UK(1) superspace. By the use of the supersymmetric duality of the dilaton the same investigation is made in the linear representation of the dilaton. We show that for the simple case of one gaugino condensate the results concerning supersymmetry breaking are independent of the representation of the dilaton.
An isotopic labeling study of the growth of thin oxide films on Si(100)

The mechanism of thin (<8 nm) oxide growth on Si(100) has been studied by high‐resolution medium energy ion scattering in combination with oxygen isotope substitution in the T=800–900 °C and 0.1–1 Torr oxygen pressure regime. Isotopic labeling experiments demonstrate that the Deal–Grove model breaks down for these films. In addition to the traditional oxidation reaction at the Si/SiO2 interface, two other spatially specific reactions take place during thermal oxidation: an exchange reaction at the oxide surface and an oxidation reaction in the near‐interfacial region.
English Participial Adjectives and Arabic Agentive and Patientive Nouns

This paper is intended to conduct a fairly detailed contrastive linguistic analysis of the English participial adjectives: present participle and past participle, and their Arabic counterparts, namely, ?ismulfā9il/ agentive noun or active participle, and ?ismulmaf9ūl / patientive noun or passive participle. The process of contrast will be based on morphological, syntactic and semantic criteria. The analysis carried out in the study aims at investigating and scrutinizing, and exploring and revealing any points of convergence and / or divergence in the linguistic behavior of both English and Arabic participials. The paper falls into three sections. The first section incorporates a detailed analysis of the English participial adjectives: present participle and past participle in terms of morphological, syntactic and semantic perspectives. The second section is concerned with their Arabic counterparts: ?ismulfā9il / agentive noun , and ?ismulmaf9ūl / patientive noun in terms of the above mentioned perspectives . The third section is devoted to any possible conclusion that may be arrived at through an overall contrastive analysis of both English participial adjectives and their Arabic counterparts.
Mixture of expert artificial neural networks with ensemble training for reduction of various sources of false positives in CAD

Our purpose was to reduce false-positive (FP) detections generated by a computerized lesion detection scheme by using a "mixture of expert" massive-training artificial neural networks (MTANNs). Multiple MTANNs were trained with "ensemble training" for reduction of diverse types of non-lesions. We started from a seed MTANN trained with lesions and non-lesions of a seed type. We applied the trained seed MTANN to lesions and various types of non-lesions to analyze the weakness of the seed MTANN. We arranged the output scores of the MTANN for lesions and non-lesions in an ascending order to form the score scale representing the degree of difficulty in distinction between lesions and non-lesions by the seed MTANN. The score scale was divided into several segments, and ten non-lesions were sampled from the center of each segment so that sets of non-lesion samples covered diverse difficulties. We trained several MTANNs with several sets of non-lesions so that each MTANN became an expert for the non-lesions at a certain level of difficulty. We then combined expert MTANNs with a mixing ANN to form a "mixture of expert" MTANNs. Our database consisted of CT colonography datasets acquired from 100 patients, including 26 polyps. We applied our initial CAD scheme to this CTC database. FP sources included haustral folds, stool, colonic walls, the ileocecal valves, and rectal tubes. The mixture of expert MTANNs distinguished all polyps correctly from more than 50% of the non-polyps. Thus, the mixture of expert MTANNs was able reduce one half of the FPs generated by a computerized polyp detection scheme while the original sensitivity was maintained. We compare the effectiveness of ensemble training with that of training with manually selected cases. The performance of the MTANNs with ensemble training was superior to that of the MTANNs trained with manually selected cases.
Skeletal Rearrangement during Rhodium-Promoted Ring Opening of 1,2-Diphenyl-3-vinyl-1-cyclopropene. Preparation and Characterization of 1,2- and 2,3-Diphenyl-3,4-pentadienediyl Rhodium Complexes and Their Ring Closure to a 1,2-Diphenylcyclopentadienyl Complex

Under conditions of kinetic control, 1,2-diphenyl-3-vinyl-1-cyclopropene undergoes ring opening with the [Rh(Cl)(PMe3)2] fragment to give two isomeric η3:η1-1,3-pentadienediyl compounds: the expected 1,2-diphenyl isomer, and the 2,3-diphenyl isomer resulting from an apparent skeletal rearrangement reaction. The latter complex has been characterized by X-ray crystallography. Both complexes underwent ring closure to give the same 1,2-diphenylcyclopentadienyl complex on treatment with silver ion. Addition of a third equivalent of trimethylphosphine to the 2,3-diphenyl isomer produced two meridional rhodacyclohexadienes, which exhibit facile solvent-dependent chloride dissociation. In contrast, phosphine added reversibly to the 1,2-diphenyl isomer to give only the chloride-dissociated compound, and the tris(phosphine) product could only be isolated after anion exchange with hexafluorophosphate. No deprotonation to give rhodabenzene complexes could be achieved. The mechanism of rearrangement is proposed to in...
Identification of Mutations in the PYRIN-Containing NLR Genes (NLRP) in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC) encompasses malignancies that arise in the mucosa of the upper aerodigestive tract. Recent high throughput DNA sequencing revealed HNSCC genes mutations that contribute to several cancer cell characteristics, including dysregulation of cell proliferation and death, intracellular proinflammatory signaling, and autophagy. The PYRIN-domain containing NLR (Nucleotide-binding domain, Leucine rich Repeats – containing) proteins have recently emerged as pivotal modulators of cell death, autophagy, inflammation, and metabolism. Their close physiologic association with cancer development prompted us to determine whether mutations within the NLRP (PYRIN-containing NLR) gene family were associated with HNSCC genome instability and their clinicopathologic correlations. Catastrophic mutational events underlie cancer cell genome instability and mark a point-of-no-return in cancer cell development and generation of heterogeneity. The mutation profiles of 62 patients with primary conventional type HNSCC excluding other histologic variants were analyzed. Associations were tested using Fisher's Exact test or Mann-Whitney U test. Mutations in NLRP were associated with elevated genome instability as characterized by higher mutation rates. Clinically, NLRP mutations were more frequently found in HNSCC arising in the floor of mouth (50.0%) in comparison with HNSCC at other head and neck locations (14.8%). These mutations were clustered at the leucine rich repeats region of NLRP proteins, and affected NLRP genes were mostly localized at chromosomes 11p15.4 and 19q13.42-19q13.43. Twenty novel NLRP mutations were identified in HNSCC, and mutations in this group of genes were correlated with increased cancer cell genome mutation rates, and such features could be a potential molecular biomarker of HNSCC genome instability.
Evaluation of Fluoride Prophylaxis Pastes

The fluoride (F) uptake from two commercial prophylaxis pastes and a newly formulated prophylaxis paste was compared. The enamel fluoride uptake of 26 extracted sound human molars was measured using an acid etch biopsy method. The F uptakes in ppm (mean ± SEM) for the control prophy pastes (C), Zircate treatment paste (Z), an APF paste (Nupro, A), and a new experimental paste (N) were 1145 ± 65, 1245 ± 72, 1857 ± 296, and 1841 ± 321, respectively. The enamel biopsy depths in μm (mean ± S.D.) for the control, Zircate, APF pastes, and Newpaste were 6.64 ± 1.75, 7.4 ± 2.32, 6.55 ± 2.23, and 7.69 ± 1.80. The Newpaste appeared to give a significantly higher fluoride uptake than Zircate and control pastes, but was very similar to an APF paste.
A Review of Current Bipolar Disorder Treatment Guidelines

Abstract With the help of the Texas Implementation of Medication Algorithms (TIMA) and the American Psychiatric Association (APA) practice guidelines, primary care physicians can devise a treatment plan for their patients with bipolar disorder. Clinicians should keep in mind the goals of treatment, engage the patient in the treatment plan, and encourage the patient to keep a mood log and undertake psychoeducation or cognitive therapy. Patients who are unable to participate in treatment, who are suicidal, who have psychotic symptoms, or who require advanced treatments should be referred to a psychiatrist or hospital.
Regularity-based Perceptual Grouping

This paper investigates perceptual grouping from a logical point of view, defining a grouping interpretation as a particular kind of logical expression, and then developing an explicit inference theory in terms of such expressions. First, a regularity-based interpretation language is presented, in which an observed configuration is characterized in terms of the regularities(special configurational classes, e.g. nonaccidental properties) it obeys. The most preferred interpretation in such a system is shown to be the most-regular (maximum “codimension”) model the observed configuration obeys, which is also the unique model in which it is generic(typical). Inference then reduces to a straiightforward exercise in LogicProgramming. Because generic model assignment involves negation, this reduction requires that a version of the Closed World Assumption (CWA) be adopted. Next, this entire regularity-based machinery is generalized to the grouping problem: here an interpretation is a hierarchical recursive) version of a model called a parse tree.For a given number of dots and a fixed choice of regularity set, it is possible to explicitly enumerate the complete set of possible grouping interpretations, partially ordered by their degree of regularity (codimension). The most preferred interpretation is the one with maximum codimension (i.e., the most regular interpretation), which we call the qualitative parse. An efficient procedure (worst case $O(n^2)$) for finding the qualitative parse is presented. The qualitative parse has a unique epistemic status: given a choice of regularity set, it is the only grouping interpretation that both (a) is maximally regular, and (b) satisfies the CWA. This unique status, it is argued, accounts for the perceptually compelling quality of the qualitative parse.