cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of 2,4-dimethyl-3-hydroxy-5-hydroxy-methylpyridine (desoxypyridoxine) upon experimental toxoplasmosis in mice.

Abstract 1. 1. The Vitamin B 6 antagonist, desoxypyridoxine, has been shown to delay the death of mice experimentally infected with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii . Some animals appeared to be freed of infection. 2. 2. Pyridoxine HCl reversed the inhibitory effect of desoxypyridoxine when fed simultaneously to toxoplasma-infected mice. The antivitamin B 6 action of desoxypyridoxine for the mouse was also reversed by pyridoxine HCl.
Recognition and Delineation of Fluvial Sedimentary Bodies in Subsurface: ABSTRACT

A new method of recognition and delineation of ancient stream channels is based on the interpretation of subsurface sedimentary structures. A study of the Columbia Formation (Pleistocene) was conducted in a small area in northern Delaware. Forty holes were drilled through the formation and 486 samples were collected. In the absence of definite correlation between sedimentary units in various holes, and in the absence of any dependable horizon markers, the Columbia sediments have been thought of as divided into horizontal layers spaced 5 ft apart, and referred to their height above sea level. Primary sedimentary structures (crossbedding in sands and gravels, horizontal bedding in coarse sands, and horizontal lamination in clayey silts) determined from the drilling samples were mapped for each layer separately. This mapping made possible the recognition and delineation of Pleistocene stream channels. The behavior of these ancient streams, interpreted from the maps, is suggestive of low, flat topography, easily eroded banks, shallow and wide channels, frequent change in water and sediment discharges, and flooding. All these are the characteristics of a braided stream system. In spite of frequent lateral shifts of stream courses, the channel bodies of the Columbia Formation are vertically continuous. The method of subsurface investigation of fluvial sedimentary bodies described here could be applied to the exploration for oil and gas in areas where sufficient well control and sampling are available. End_of_Article - Last_Page 655------------
Thermal Profiles Of Thermite Reactions

Thermite is a mixture of a metal and oxide which is consolidated to form a composite chemical heat source. Thermal profiles of reacting thermite composites were generated and analyzed to determine the burn rate and the heat propagation during and after the reaction. These thermal profiles are used to establish rates of heat transfer. A time-expanded "infra-red thermography video will be used to show burn rate, heat propagation, and burn uniformity of consolidated thermite during reaction.
Intrinsic Branching Effects in Syndiotactic Copolymers of Propylene and Higher α-Olefins

Copolymers of propylene with higher α-olefins (4-methyl-1-pentene, 1-hexene, 1-octene, and 1-decene) have been synthesized at 0 °C using the syndioselective catalysts Me2C(η5-C5H4)(η5-C13H8)ZrCl2 (...
A large acceptance cylindrical drift chamber detector

Abstract This paper describes a large acceptance cylindrical drift chamber detector designed and built for the study of the np → pp π − reaction at neutron beam energies in the range 500–800 MeV. Details of construction, electronics, testing, and detection efficiencies and resolutions are presented.
P‐C Bond Cleavage in Platinum Complexes Containing bis (Diphenylphosphino) Methane Promoted with a Phase‐Transfer Catalyst

With a phase-transfer catalyst, Pt-dppm (dppm = Ph2PCH2PPh2) complexes undergo basic hydrolysis, in which a dppm ligand is hydrolyzed to produce PPh2Me and PPh2OH (or PPh2O). The ease of this hydrolysis reaction depends partly on the molecular charges of the metal complexes. Hydrolysis of neutral [Pt(dppm)(L-L)] (L-L = S2CO2, S2P(O)(OEt)2− and mnt = S2C2(CN)22−) is slower than that of monocationic [Pt(dppm)(L′-L′)]Cl (L′-V = S2CNEt2-, (CH2)2S(O)Me and acetylacetonate) compounds. Among the neutral compounds, hydrolysis of [Pt(dppm)(mnt)] is more rapid than that of the other two. These results are rationalized according to the ease with which partial positive charges are induced on the dppm phosphorus atoms. The steric effect due to ligands trans to dppm also influences the rate of hydrolysis of Pt-dppm compounds. When trans ligands are Ph2P(CH)2PPh2, Ph2P(CH2)3PPh2 and (Ph2PO2)H, no hydrolysis of dppm occurs. Hydrolysis of Pt-dppm compounds depends further on the concentrations of both the phase-transfer catalyst and OH− ions. All these results are consistent with nucleophilic attack of OH− on dppm phosphorus atoms to release strain in the Pt-dppm ring.
Seizures and societal attitudes: a teaching tool for children, siblings, classmates, parents, and classroom teachers.

The clarification of beliefs and perceptions about seizures is imperative and an integral part of provision of care of the child with a seizure disorder and the child's family. The development of a teaching tool about seizure disorder for the public at large will facilitate the modification of attitudes and perceptions toward seizure disorders that may be impinging on both the child the child's significant others.
Bacterial endocarditis due to Neisseria flava.

E N D O (3 A R D I T I S m a y be caused by highly pathogenic microorganisms such as Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pyogenes, or Neisseria gonorrhoaeae, or it may be caused by bacteria of low virulence such as Streptococcus viridans or Streptococcus faecalis (enterococcus). Among the less common agents are the nonpathogenic Neisseria which normally inhabi t the h u m a n upper respiratory tract. The following is a report of a case caused by such an organism.
Small-Sample Comparisons for the Power Divergence Goodness-of-Fit Statistics

Abstract The small-sample properties of the power divergence family of goodness-of-fit statistics (Cressie and Read in press) are examined. The asymptotic χ2 and three alternative approximations are used to obtain appropriate test levels for comparison with the exact level. It is shown that if the χ2 approximation is to be used, then there are many preferable statistics to the log-likelihood ratio G 2 (including Pearson's χ2). Furthermore, exact power comparisons under specific alternatives to the symmetric null hypothesis show that the power of the well-known tests based on G 2 and χ2 can be improved by choosing other statistics from the family. An explanation is proposed in terms of the effect of relative deviations between observed and expected counts.
Association of aflatoxin B1 with plasma components in vitro

The in vitro association of [3H]aflatoxin B1 with plasma from man, pig and rat was compared. The uptake of aflatoxin B1 into plasma was rapid and did not differ between species. Its association with lipoprotein fractions was minimal when incubated with whole plasma; column chromatography of plasma from all 3 species resulted in the elution of the aflatoxin B1 with the low Mr plasma proteins. It is concluded that although aflatoxin B1 is a hydrophobic compound, it does not partition into the plasma lipoproteins and that its in vitro uptake into plasma does not differ among the 3 species studied. Plasma transport is probably not one of the factors determining species specificity for carcinogenesis by aflatoxin B1.
Silicon photonics for next generation computing systems

Although InP-based photonic ICs (PICs) have been researched for many years, widespread acceptance of the viability of such technologies has not occurred until recently. A few relatively new commercial existence proofs have now proven that multiple functions can be successfully performed on a single InP chip with advantages in cost, size, performance, and power dissipation. As a result of these, as well as some market realities and an ever growing body of research existence proofs, the development of viable PIC products now seems to be a key goal of many component suppliers. This tutorial will review current integration approaches and results, with some slight emphasis on our UCSB work.
Evaluation of Listeria innocua as a suitable indicator for replacing Listeria monocytogenes during ripening of Camembert cheese

The suitability of Listeria innocua for use as an indicator for replacing Listeria monocytogenes during the cheese-making and ripening of Camembert cheese was evaluated. Pasteurized whole milk inoculated with either L. innocua or L. monocytogenes was used to make Camembert cheese, which were ripened in three stages. All cheese was ripened in three stages: room temperature (∼20 °C) and relative humidity of 60% for 36 h; 12 °C and relative humidity of 93% for 2 weeks; and 7 °C and relative humidity of 85% for 3 weeks. Results showed that population values of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes on day 1 were 7.16 and 6.11 log 10 CFU/g, respectively, which declined to 6.54 and 5.45 log 10 CFU/g, respectively, during subsequent 20 days. Thereafter, L. innocua and L. monocytogenes populations increased to 7.38 and 6.06 log 10 CFU/g on day 35 of ripening, respectively. During ripening, surface and interior of cheeses were analysed for populations of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes, respectively. The data were collected on day 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, and 35 of ripening. Generally, the growth of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes is faster in surface than in centre. Top centre, bottom centre and bottom surface locations had similar population values during ripening. There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between batch and section of cheese. The ripening time and locations had significant effect (P < 0.05) on the survival and growth of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes. The trends of survival and growth of L. innocua and L. monocytogenes were similar. These results indicated that L. innocua can be considered as an indicator for L. monocytogenes during ripening of Camembert cheese.
Accretion of the Moon from non-canonical discs.

Impacts that leave the EarthMoon system with a large excess in angular momentum have recently been advocated as a means of generating a protolunar disc with a composition that is nearly identical t...
Valuing the Effects of Water Quality on Recreational Resources: Discussion

some sites are desired, a broader array of resource issues require knowledge of how these values change when the quality of recreation sites changes. The latter task is more complicated because, in addition to estimating the demand for water-based recreation, analysts must relate demand to water quality variables. Through weak complementarity, shifts in demand that are associated with changes in water quality are used to value changes in quality. Each article addresses some aspect of how recreational fishing demand is related to water quality. Jakus, Dadakas, and Fly explore how variable definition and awareness of water
Acidic tumor microenvironment downregulates hMLH1 but does not diminish 5-fluorouracil chemosensitivity.

Abstract Human DNA mismatch repair (MMR) recognizes and binds 5-fluorouracil (5FU) incorporated into DNA and triggers a MMR-dependent cell death. Absence of MMR in a patient's colorectal tumor abrogates 5FU's beneficial effects on survival. Changes in the tumor microenvironment like low extracellular pH (pH e ) may diminish DNA repair, increasing genomic instability. Here, we explored if low pH e modifies MMR recognition of 5FU, as 5FU can exist in ionized and non-ionized forms depending on pH. We demonstrate that MMR-proficient cells at low pH e show downregulation of hMLH1 , whereas expression of TDG and MBD4 , known DNA glycosylases for base excision repair (BER) that can remove 5FU from DNA, were unchanged. We show in vitro that 5FU within DNA pairs with adenine (A) at high and low pH (in absence of MMR and BER). Surprisingly, 5FdU:G was repaired to C:G in hMLH1 -deficient cells cultured at both low and normal pH e , similar to MMR-proficient cells. Moreover, both hMSH6 and hMSH3, components of hMutSα and hMutSβ, respectively, bound 5FU within DNA (hMSH6 > hMSH3) but is influenced by hMLH1. We conclude that an acidic tumor microenvironment triggers downregulation of hMLH1 , potentially removing the execution component of MMR for 5FU cytotoxicity, whereas other mechanisms remain stable to implement overall 5FU sensitivity.
Factors Affecting Developmental Changes in the Speed of Processing.

Abstract Although many studies have found developmental changes in the speed of various processes, they have potentially confounded the subject's age with his knowledge of the task domain and use of strategies. In this study, the strategies used by the subject and his domain knowledge were independently assessed by a number of tasks. Subsequently, processing rate measures were obtained for a task (the “same/different” judgment task of simultaneously presented stimuli) in which domain knowledge was manipulated independently of age while controlling for strategy usage. It was found that the usual adult superiority in speed of processing could be markedly reduced if children possessed equivalent amounts of domain knowledge and this effect was domain specific. Further, it was found that differences in knowledge affected processing rates in both knowledgeable adults and children and to about the same extent. It was concluded that some part of the typical adult superiority in processing rate was due to knowledge differences.
Evaluation of processing effects in injection-molded amorphous and crystalline thermoplastics using an excimer laser

The ablation behavior of amorphous [polystyrene (PS), polycarbonate (PC)] and crystalline [PET, glass-filled poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT)] polymers by 248-nm KrF excimer laser irradiation were investigated for different injection-molding conditions, namely, injection flow rate, injection pressure, and mold temperature, as a possible method for evaluating processing effects in the specimens. For this purpose, dumbbell-shaped samples were injection-molded under different sets of processing conditions, and weight loss measurements were carried out for the different injection-molding conditions. Some of the crystalline (PET) samples were annealed at different annealing times and temperatures. For PET, the weight loss decreased with increasing mold temperature and remained insensitive to injection flow rate. Annealing time and temperature significantly reduced weight loss in PET. For PBT, the weight loss due to laser ablation decreased with increasing material packing due to pressure, and it also showed some sensitivity to flow rate variation. The major effect was seen with glass-filled PBT samples. The weight loss decreased drastically with increasing glass fiber content. Laser ablation allowed us to observe process-induced fiber orientation by scanning electron microscopy in PBT samples. For PS and PC, the weight loss increased with increasing injection flow rate and mold temperature and decreased with increasing injection pressure. The position near the gate showed higher ablation than the position at the end for all the conditions. A decrease in the material orientation with injection speed and mold temperature led to an increase in the weight loss, whereas an increase in the injection pressure, and consequently orientation, led to a lower weight loss for PS and PC. Higher residual stress samples showed higher weight losses. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 2006
Radiation doses in cone-beam breast computed tomography: A Monte Carlo simulation study

Purpose: In this article, we describe a method to estimate the spatial dose variation, average dose and mean glandular dose (MGD) for a real breast using Monte Carlo simulation based on cone beam breast computed tomography (CBBCT) images. We present and discuss the dose estimation results for 19 mastectomy breast specimens, 4 homogeneous breast models, 6 ellipsoidal phantoms, and 6 cylindrical phantoms. Methods: To validate the Monte Carlo method for dose estimation in CBBCT, we compared the Monte Carlo dose estimates with the thermoluminescent dosimeter measurements at various radial positions in two polycarbonate cylinders (11- and 15-cm in diameter). Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of 19 mastectomy breast specimens, obtained with a bench-top experimental scanner, were segmented and used to construct 19 structured breast models. Monte Carlo simulation of CBBCT with these models was performed and used to estimate the point doses, average doses, and mean glandular doses for unit open air exposure at the iso-center. Mass based glandularity values were computed and used to investigate their effects on the average doses as well as the mean glandular doses. Average doses for 4 homogeneous breast models were estimated and compared to those of the corresponding structured breast models to investigate the effect of tissue structures. Average doses for ellipsoidal and cylindrical digital phantoms of identical diameter and height were also estimated for various glandularity values and compared with those for the structured breast models. Results: The absorbed dose maps for structured breast models show that doses in the glandular tissue were higher than those in the nearby adipose tissue. Estimated average doses for the homogeneous breast models were almost identical to those for the structured breast models(p=1). Normalized average doses estimated for the ellipsoidal phantoms were similar to those for the structured breast models (root mean square (rms) percentage difference=1.7%;p=0.01), whereas those for the cylindrical phantoms were significantly lower (rms percentage difference=7.7%;p<0.01). Normalized MGDs were found to decrease with increasing glandularity. Conclusions: Our results indicate that it is sufficient to use homogeneous breast models derived from CBCT generated structured breast models to estimate the average dose. This investigation also shows that ellipsoidal digital phantoms of similar dimensions (diameter and height) and glandularity to actual breasts may be used to represent a real breast to estimate the average breast dose with Monte Carlo simulation. We have also successfully demonstrated the use of structured breast models to estimate the true MGDs and shown that the normalized MGDs decreased with the glandularity as previously reported by other researchers for CBBCT or mammography.
HIV induces the expression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AICDA) in B cells through a direct interaction between virion-associated CD40L and CD40

NHL is a common AIDS-associated cancer. NHL is thought to occur due to errors in Class Switch Recombination (CSR) and Somatic Hypermutation (SHM); both of these events occur in Germinal Center (GC) B cells. Activation-Induced Cytidine deaminase (AICDA) is an enzyme required for both CSR and SHM. Since errors in both CSR and SHM lead to the seminal molecular lesions in NHL development, it is thought that AICDA plays a central role in the genesis of these cancers. It has been shown by us and others that several oncogenic viruses (EBV, HCV, HPV) can induce AICDA expression. We have also shown that AICDA expression in PBMC is elevated prior to AIDS-NHL diagnosis. Additionally, several studies have shown that exposure of B cells to HIV can result in their activation. Based on this, we assessed the ability of HIV to induce AICDA expression in normal human B cells. We hypothesized that the HIV virion itself might be inducing AICDA expression, through a direct interaction between the virus and B cells involving the ligation of CD40 on B cells by CD40L. CD40L classically induces AICDA expression in B cells. It is known that CD40L is incorporated into the HIV envelope membrane. We observed that HIV grown in PBMC induces AICDA mRNA expression in B cells and that these virions express CD40L. Additionally, we created HIV that do not express CD40L, as well as HIV that does contain CD40L. Only viruses expressing CD40L induced AICDA expression in B cells. AICDA expression in B cells exposed to viruses expressing CD40L was abrogated by anti-CD40L blocking antibody, but not by exposure to AZT. In conclusion, HIV viruses that express CD40L on their surfaces induce AICDA expression in B cells, and this induction is due to a direct interaction between the CD40L on these virions and CD40 on B cells. Also, HIV infection of the B cells does not play a role in this induction. CD40L-expressing viruses induced AICDA expression at both the mRNA and protein levels. These findings are of great interest as they confirm a direct role for HIV in B cell activation, and in the induction of a gene (AICDA) that plays a central role in NHL development. Therefore, HIV has the potential to contribute to NHL development through a direct interaction with B cells.
Is High Harmonic Generation a Single-Electron Process?

We argue that the bound electrons, set to motion by the recolliding electron, emit much of the radiation during high harmonic generation. This may explain the significantly higher conversion efficiencies found with heavier noble gases.
Effects of ovine conceptus secretory proteins and progesterone on oxytocin-stimulated endometrial production of prostaglandin and turnover of inositol phosphate in ovariectomized ewes.

This study examined the effects of progesterone and intrauterine injection of ovine conceptus secretory proteins (oCSP) on endometrial responsiveness to oxytocin. Twelve ewes were ovariectomized on day 4 of the cycle (oestrus = day 0) and assigned in a 2 x 2 factorial arrangement, to receive either 1.5 mg ovine serum proteins (SP) or oCSP containing 25 micrograms ovine trophoblast protein 1 (oTP-1) (by radioimmunoassay) in 1.5 mg total protein into each uterine horn, via catheters, twice a day on days 11, 12, 13 and 14. Ewes received 200 mg progesterone per day (i.m.) from day 4 to day 10 or 15. Oxytocin-induced prostaglandin F2 alpha was measured as 13,14-dihydro-15-keto-prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGFM) on days 11, 12, 13 and 14 in plasma from three integrated, 10 min (10 ml) blood samples (0-10, 10-20, 20-30 min) obtained after intravenous injection of 20 iu oxytocin, and in a pre-oxytocin (-10 to 0 min) sample collected via an indwelling jugular catheter. The pre-oxytocin samples were also assayed for progesterone. Oxytocin-induced turnover of inositol phosphate was determined in endometrium on day 15 after hysterectomy. In ewes receiving progesterone to day 10, plasma progesterone decreased from about 12 to 2 ng ml-1 (SEM +/- 2.6) during the treatment period (days 11-14), but remained high (12-20 +/- 2.6 ng ml-1) in ewes that received progesterone to day 15. Intrauterine injection of oCSP resulted in high basal concentrations of PGFM on days 12 and 13 compared with SP-treated ewes (P less than 0.01). Treatments with progesterone did not affect basal PGFM concentrations. Treatment with oCSP abolished oxytocin-induced endometrial secretion of prostaglandin only if progesterone was maintained to day 15 (P less than 0.01); in ewes receiving such treatment, oCSP inhibited (P less than 0.01), but SP did not inhibit, oxytocin-induced endometrial turnover of inositol phosphate (P less than 0.06), which was greater in ewes treated with progesterone to day 10 than in those treated to day 15 (P less than 0.05). Ewes that responded to oxytocin with increased PGFM exhibited increased oxytocin-stimulated turnover of inositol phosphate on day 15. These results indicate that the antiluteolytic action oTP-1 exerts on the endometrium requires progesterone and that this mechanism involves inhibition of oxytocin-stimulated turnover of inositol phosphate.
Dose-dependent binding of trichloroethylene to hepatic DNA and protein at low doses in mice.

Trichloroethylene (TCE) is a widely used industrial chemical and a low level contaminant of surface and ground water in industrialized areas. It is weakly mutagenic in several test systems and carcinogenic in rodents. However, the mechanism for its carcinogenicity is not known. We investigated the binding of [1,2-14C]TCE ([14C]TCE) to liver DNA and proteins in male B6C3F1 mice at doses more relevant to humans than used previously. The time course for the binding was studied in animals dosed with 4.1 micrograms [14C]TCE/kg body weight (b.w.) and sacrificed between 0.5 and 120 h after i.p. injection. A dose response study was carried out in mice given [14C]TCE at doses between 2 micrograms/kg and 200 mg/kg b.w. and sacrificed 2 h post-treatment. [14C]TCE associated with the DNA and protein extracts was measured using accelerator mass spectrometry. The highest level of protein binding (2.4 ng/g protein) was observed 1 h after the treatment followed by a rapid decline, indicating pronounced instability of the adducts and/or rapid turnover of liver proteins. DNA binding was biphasic with the first peak (75 pg/g DNA) at 4 h. However, the highest binding (120 pg/g DNA) was found between 24 and 72 h after the treatment. Dose response curves were linear for both protein and DNA binding. The binding of TCE metabolites to DNA was ca. 100-fold lower than to proteins when calculated per unit weight of macromolecules and when measured 2 h post-exposure. This study shows that TCE metabolites bind to DNA and proteins in a dose-dependent manner in liver, one of the target organs for its tumorigenicity. Thus, protein and DNA adduct formation should be considered as a factor in the tumorigenesis of TCE.
Family Dynamics and Child Outcomes in Early Intervention: The Role of Developmental Theory in the Specification of Effects.

Abstract Evaluations of early intervention for children facing biological and/or socioeconomic risk have tended to focus most directly on change in the child, treating family variables primarily as mediators of change. In contrast, the current study used developmental theory to articulate hypotheses that address one way in which a focus on the relationship between mother and child may be related to intervention efficacy. This study examined maternal control strategy and child compliance as a function of early intervention beginning at birth for low birth weight, preterm infants and their families and related these aspects of mother–child interaction to behavioral outcomes at age 3 ( n =645). Overall, mothers receiving early intervention were no more likely to use a preferred control strategy, guidance orientation, in a structured compliance task than were mothers participating in a follow-up only condition. However, an association between early intervention and maternal guidance was observed among mothers of children who were consistently noncompliant during the task. As a result, maternal guidance as observed in the compliance interaction was associated with reduced externalizing and internalizing behavior at program end for children participating in the intervention but not the follow-up only condition. Findings highlight the value of focusing on the mother–child dyad and illustrate one way in which developmental theory can assist in the specification of treatment effects.
Receipt of Recommended Therapy by Patients with Advanced Colorectal Cancer

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate utilization of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy among patients with stage II or III colon cancer and stage II/III rectal or rectosigmoid cancer, as recommended by current national guidelines. METHODS: This cross-sectional study at the Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs Medical Center (Houston, TX) used 1999-2003 administrative data to identify patients with a diagnostic code for colorectal cancer. Medical charts were then abstracted to identify an incident cohort with stage II or III cancer. Outcome of interest was receipt of recommended therapy defined as surgery only (stage II colon) or surgery with adjuvant chemo- or radiotherapy (stage III colon or stage II/III rectal/rectosigmoid cancer). Potential determinants of receipt of recommended therapy were analyzed using logistic regression RESULTS: Among 197 incident cases diagnosed or treated, mean age of patients was 66 yr (SD, 11 yr), 64% were Caucasian, and 98.5% were men. A gastroenterologist diagnosed 72.5% tumors including 62 stage II colon, 62 stage III colon, and 73 stage II/III l rectal cancers. Referral to oncology occurred in 76% of stage II colon, 92% of stage III colon, and 99% of rectal cancers. 87% of stage II and 71% of stage III colon cancer patients received recommended therapy, compared to only 42.5% of rectal cancer patients. Predictors of receipt of recommended therapy among rectal cancers included being married (OR, 5.3; 95% Cl: 1.6-17.1), presentation at tumor board (OR, 3.6; 95% Cl: 1.2-11.2), or age < 65 yr (OR, 3.5; 95% Cl: 1.3-9.3). When patient's comorbidity and physician's decision-making process were considered in the assessment of the outcome, only presentation at tumor board remained predictive of receipt of recommended therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Most colon cancer patients at a major VA medical center receive recommended therapy. Among rectal cancer patients, those presented at tumor board are most likely to receive recommended therapy.
Burden-Shirking, Burden-Shifting, and Burden-Sharing in the Emergent European Asylum Regime

When the global refugee protection regime was constructed between the two world wars and was consolidated into the existing regime with the signing of the 1951 Geneva Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, signatories committed to the protection on asylum seekers by refraining to return them to areas where their safety could be in jeopardy. They also recognized the importance of burden-sharing in refugee protection and assistance. Assisting recipient states both through financial and service provision through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as through resettlement and repatriation programs were formulated as ways to mediate the tensions between the sovereign prerogatives of recipient states on the one hand, and their humanitarian obligations on the other. This paper examines the context and content of these shared global norms with respect to asylum seekers and refugee protection in the EU. It illustrates the development of new practices, absent in the global regime, in the European context and highlights their diffusion to other contexts such as Central and Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, and North Africa. It highlights patterns of shirking as well as shifting of responsibilities, made possible by the emergent shared norms and argues that these new shared (and partly exported) norms present an uneasy fit with the global regime and stand to weaken it.
Consequences of extended work hours: A comparison of moonlighters, overtimers, and modal employees

Stringent corporate controls on employee moonlighting and/or overtime are not uncommon. But are they necessary? Even the concept of overtime may need to be rethought—what about the “normal working hours” of managers and professionals who work hours at home or on the road—hours typically uncompensated?
Changes in the Proportions of Soluble and Insoluble Calcium During the Ripening of Cheddar Cheese

Abstract In cheese, the concentration and form of residual Ca greatly influences texture. Two methods were used to determine the proportions of soluble (SOL) and insoluble (INSOL) Ca in Cheddar cheese during 4 mo of ripening. The first method was based on the acid-base buffering curves of cheese and the second was based on the extraction of the aqueous phase (“juice”) of cheese under high pressure and determining the concentration of SOL Ca in the juice using atomic absorption spectroscopy. When cheese was acidified there was a strong buffering peak at pH ∼4.8, which was due to the solubilization of residual colloidal calcium phosphate (CCP) of milk that remained in cheese as INSOL Ca phosphate. The area of this buffering peak in cheese was expressed as a percentage of the original area of this peak in milk and was used to estimate the concentration of residual INSOL Ca phosphate in cheese. There were no significant differences between the 2 methods. The proportions of INSOL Ca in cheese decreased from ∼73 to ∼58% between d 1 and 4 mo. These methods will be useful techniques to study the role of Ca in cheese texture and functionality.
Conditional deletion reveals a cell-autonomous requirement of SLP-76 for thymocyte selection

The SH2 domain containing leukocyte phosphoprotein of 76 kD (SLP-76) is critical for pre-TCR–mediated maturation to the CD4 + CD8 + double positive (DP) stage in the thymus. The absolute block in SLP-76null mice at the CD4 − CD8 − CD44 − CD25 + (double-negative 3, DN3) stage has hindered our understanding of the role of this adaptor in αβ TCR-mediated signal transduction in primary thymocytes and peripheral T lymphocytes. To evaluate the requirements for SLP-76 in these events, we used a cre-loxP approach to generate mice that conditionally delete SLP-76 after the DN3 checkpoint. These mice develop DP thymocytes that express the αβ TCR on the surface, but lack SLP-76 at the genomic DNA and protein levels. The DP compartment has reduced cellularity in young mice and fails to undergo positive selection to CD4 + or CD8 + single positive (SP) cells in vivo or activation-induced cell death in vitro. A small number of CD4 + SP thymocytes are generated, but these cells fail to flux calcium in response to an αβ TCR-generated signal. Peripheral T cells are reduced in number, lack SLP-76 protein, and have an abnormal surface phenotype. These studies show for the first time that SLP-76 is required for signal transduction through the mature αβ TCR in primary cells of the T lineage.
Computational genetics analysis of grey matter density in Alzheimer’s disease

Background Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of progressive dementia and there is currently no known cure. The cause of onset is not fully understood but genetic factors are expected to play a significant role. We present here a bioinformatics approach to the genetic analysis of grey matter density as an endophenotype for late onset Alzheimer’s disease. Our approach combines machine learning analysis of gene-gene interactions with large-scale functional genomics data for assessing biological relationships.
Cumulant expansion treatment for ternary solid solutions

Abstract The free energy of a ternary solid solution in which one dilute component occupies interstitial sites, and one component is dissolved substitutionally has been investigated by the semi-invariant cumulant technique. The first two moments have been derived and the corresponding thermodynamic functions have been discussed.
A biological macromolecule crystallization database: A basis for a crystallization strategy

Abstract A crystallization database, the Biological Macromolecule Crystallization Database, containing crystal data and the crystallization conditions for more than 1000 crystal forms of over 600 biological macromolecules, has been compiled from the scientific literature. Data for proteins, protein: protein complexes, nucleic acids, nucleic-acid: nucleic-acid complexes, protein: nucleic-acid complexes and viruses have been included. The general information catalogued for each macromolecule. The crystal data molecular weight, the subunit composition, the presence of prosthetic group(s), and the source of the macromolecule. The crystal data include the unit cell parameters, space group, crystal density, crystal habit and size, and diffraction limit and lifetime. The crystallization data consist of the crystallization method, chemical additions to the crystal growth medium, macromolecule concentration, temperature, pH, and growth time. A result of the compilation of the crystallization data was the development of a general strategy for the crystallization of soluble proteins. The strategy employs vapor diffusion experiments with the most frequently used crystallization agents and microdialysis against low ionic strength to maximize the possiblity of obtaining crystals. A detailed outline of this strategy is presented.
On MCMC sampling in hierarchical longitudinal models

Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) algorithms have revolutionized Bayesian practice. In their simplest form (i.e., when parameters are updated one at a time) they are, however, often slow to converge when applied to high-dimensional statistical models. A remedy for this problem is to block the parameters into groups, which are then updated simultaneously using either a Gibbs or Metropolis-Hastings step. In this paper we construct several (partially and fully blocked) MCMC algorithms for minimizing the autocorrelation in MCMC samples arising from important classes of longitudinal data models. We exploit an identity used by Chib (1995) in the context of Bayes factor computation to show how the parameters in a general linear mixed model may be updated in a single block, improving convergence and producing essentially independent draws from the posterior of the parameters of interest. We also investigate the value of blocking in non-Gaussian mixed models, as well as in a class of binary response data longitudinal models. We illustrate the approaches in detail with three real-data examples.
Direct Measurement of Calcium Transport across Chloroplast Inner-Envelope Vesicles

The initial rate of Ca2+ movement across the inner-envelope membrane of pea (Pisum sativum L.) chloroplasts was directly measured by stopped-flow spectrofluorometry using membrane vesicles loaded with the Ca2+-sensitive fluorophore fura-2. Calibration of fura-2 fluorescence was achieved by combining a ratiometric method with Ca2+-selective minielectrodes to determine pCa values. The initial rate of Ca2+ influx in predominantly right-side-out inner-envelope membrane vesicles was greater than that in largely inside-out vesicles. Ca2+ movement was stimulated by an inwardly directed electrochemical proton gradient across the membrane vesicles, an effect that was diminished by the addition of valinomycin in the presence of K+. In addition, Ca2+ was shown to move across the membrane vesicles in the presence of a K+ diffusion potential gradient. The potential-stimulated rate of Ca2+ transport was slightly inhibited by diltiazem and greatly inhibited by ruthenium red. Other pharmacological agents such as LaCl3, verapamil, and nifedipine had little or no effect. These results indicate that Ca2+ transport across the chloroplast inner envelope can occur by a potential-stimulated uniport mechanism.
A Note on LÉvÊque and Telatar's Upper Bound on the Capacity of Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

An alternative proof of the Leveque-Telatar (2005) upper bound on the maximum achievable information rate per communication pair in a wireless ad hoc network is presented. The argument exploits the spatial structure of the random point process representing the location of the nodes, and it is based on a simple geometric ldquostrippingrdquo construction that avoids complicated large deviation estimates.
Drought stress influences leaf water content, photosynthesis, and water-use efficiency of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis at three potassium concentrations

The influence of drought stress (DS) upon whole-plant water content, water relations, photosynthesis, and water-use efficiency of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cv. Leprechaun (Hibiscus) plants at three levels of potassium (K) nutritional status were determined after a 21-d gradually imposed DS treatment. Compared to K-deficient plants, adequate K supply improved the leaf water content (LWC) and leaf water relations of Hibiscus by decreasing the Ψ π, and generally sustained rates of net photosynthesis (PN) and transpiration (E), and stomatal conductance (gs), both in DS and non-DS plants. In K-deficient Hibiscus, LWC, turgor potential (Ψ P), and PN, E, and gs as well as instantaneous water-use efficiency, WUE (PN/E) were consistently lower, compared to K-sufficient plants. Carbon isotope discrimination (Δ) was lower (i.e. longterm WUE was greatest) in DS than non-DS plants, but K had no effect on Δ during the 21-d drought treatment period under glasshouse conditions. However, the trend in the Δ value of DS plants suggests that Δ could be a useful index of the response of Hibiscus to DS under glasshouse growing conditions. Thus the incorporation of a properly controlled fertilization regime involving sufficient levels of K can improve the acclimation of PN to low Ψleaf, increase PN/E of Hibiscus, and may have potential benefit for other woody plants species.
Introduction (Successful Societies: How Institutions and Culture Affect Health)

Why are some societies more successful than others at promoting individual and collective well-being? This book integrates recent research in social epidemiology with broader perspectives in social science to explore why some societies are more successful than others at securing population health. It explores the social roots of health inequalities, arguing that inequalities in health are based not only on economic inequalities, but on the structure of social relations. It develops sophisticated new perspectives on social relations, which emphasize the ways in which cultural frameworks as well as institutions condition people's health. It reports on research into health inequalities in the developed and developing worlds, covering a wide range of national case studies, and into the ways in which social relations condition the effectiveness of public policies aimed at improving health.
Terahertz Pioneer: Sir John B. Pendry “Theoretical Physics for a Practical World”

Sir John Pendry leaves one with the impression of being in the presence of a person of quiet determination, with the resolve to take on challenges that would place most scientists well out of their comfort zone. Although a theoretical physicist by degree, his early training, and whatever free time he had in his youth, were spent on a wide variety of experimental endeavors. These included electronics, chemistry, wireless, and solid-fuel rockets, which he was able to launch, cows and sheep notwithstanding, from the farms surrounding his family home in Manchester, U.K. His parents ran a Sweet Shop (one can only imagine the delight this must have been to a young lad growing up in the deprivations of WWII England), with a cellar in which he could do his experiments. John’s uncle was an engineer by training and taught in a local school. He often brought John to the school lab, unquestionably influencing his early leanings towards science.
Lyman-alpha transfer in primordial hydrogen recombination

Cosmological constraints from the cosmic microwave background (CMB) anisotropies rely on accurate theoretical calculations of the cosmic recombination history. Recent work has emphasized the importance of radiative transfer calculations due to the high optical depth in the H i Lyman lines. Transfer in the Lyalpha line is dominated by true emission and absorption, Hubble expansion, and resonant scattering. Resonant scattering causes photons to diffuse in frequency due to random kicks from the thermal velocities of hydrogen atoms, and also to drift toward lower frequencies due to energy loss via atomic recoil. Past analyses of Lyalpha transfer during the recombination era have either considered a subset of these processes, ignored time dependence, or incorrectly assumed identical emission and absorption profiles. We present here a fully time-dependent radiative transfer calculation of the Lyalpha line including all of these processes, and compare it to previous results that ignored the resonant scattering. We find a faster recombination due to recoil enhancement of the Lyalpha escape rate, leading to a reduction in the free electron density of 0.45% at z=900. This results in an increase in the small-scale CMB power spectrum that is negligible for the current data but will be a 0.9sigma correction for Planck. We discuss the reasons why we find a smaller correction than some other recent computations.
Sedation of Children for Technical Procedures Current Standard of Practice

We sought to define the current standard of care for children undergoing sedation for painless diagnostic procedures by sending questionnaires to 284 pediatric residency program directors in North America. From the 89 responses, we determined that departments of pediatrics set sedation policies for children in most institutions, often with formal written guidelines for these procedures. Most require that children have some form of cardiorespiratory monitoring while under sedation and that they are attended by individuals trained in cardiorespiratory resuscitation until the child is fully recovered. The use of parents to transport and monitor the sedated child is uncommon, and total lack of monitoring is rare. Chloral hydrate in dosages of 25 mg/kg to 100 mg/kg is the most common drug used for sedation; DPT, a combination of parenteral Demerol(meperidine), Phenergan (promethazine), and Thorazine (chlorpromazine), at a maximum dose of 2 mg/lmg/lmg/kg is the second; and pentobarbital in a dosage of 5 mg/kg t...
Litter quality is in the eye of the beholder: initial decomposition rates as a function of inoculum characteristics.

Summary 1. The chemical composition of plant litter is commonly considered to indicate its quality as a resource for decomposer organisms. Litter quality, defined in this way, has been shown to be a major determinant of litter decomposition rates both within and across terrestrial ecosystems. Notably, the structure of the microbial community that is directly responsible for primary decomposition is rarely considered as an empirical predictor of litter decay rates. 2. Microbial communities are generally assumed to perceive litters of the same chemical composition to be of equivalent resource quality but evidence from field studies suggests that these same communities may adapt to the prevalent litter types at a given site. Here, we tested this assumption by assessing how microbial communities sourced from different forest- and herbaceous-dominated ecosystems perceive the quality of novel, foliar litters derived from a tree ( Rhododendron maximum ) and from a grass ( Panicum virgatum ) species. Based on chemical composition, we would expect R. maximum litter to be of lower quality than P. virgatum litter. 3. We used an experimental litter‐soil system which employs a ‘common garden’ approach and measured rates of CO 2 production across 50 days; higher rates of production were assumed to indicate higher quality (i.e. more easily degradable) litter. 4. We found that communities sourced from habitats under differing plant cover perceived litter quality differently. Those communities sourced from herbaceous habitats perceived the grass litter to be of higher quality than the tree litter, whereas communities from forest habitats decomposed both litter types similarly. Within a litter type, differences in both community composition and nutrient availability of the source habitat were related to decomposition rates. 5. Our results suggest that litter quality cannot necessarily be predicted solely from chemical characteristics; instead the perceived quality is dependent on the quality of past resource inputs a community has experienced and the structure of those microbial communities responsible for the initial stages of litter decomposition.
Crinkles in the last scattering surface: Non-Gaussianity from inhomogeneous recombination

Theperturbationsin theelectron num berdensityduringrecom bination contributestothecosm ic m icrowave background bispectrum through second order term s. Perturbations in the electron density can be a factor of � 5 larger than the baryon density uctuations on large scales as shown in the calculationsby Novosyadlyj. Thisraisesthe possibility thatthe contribution to the bispectrum arising from perturbationsin the opticaldepth m ay be non-negligible. W e calculate �
Estimation and localization of multiple dipole sources for noninvasive mapping of muscle activity

In this paper, we develop a method for estimating and localizing multiple current-dipole sources within a finite-element arm model from surface EMG measurements. This extends previous work (Jesinger and Stonick, 1994 and LoPresti et al., 1995) in which we developed a realistic finite-element arm model from magnetic resonance images and then solved the single source localization problem via exhaustive search. Exhaustive search, however, is unacceptable for the multi-source localization problem due to the combinatorial nature of the number of solutions. (Our finite-element arm model has on the order of 10/sup 13/ possible solutions.) Thus, we present an iterative technique which alternately pares down the size of the solution space and then locates sources one at a time. Examples demonstrating the power of our algorithm are included.