cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The use of distribution mixtures for dose–response modeling in toxicological experiments

In toxicological experiments, animal bioassays are conducted to estimate the risk from exposure to toxic substances. A critical step in the process of risk assessment is the development of a dose-response model which provides a mathematical relationship between the exposure level and the probability of incidence of an adverse effect. Here, we consider the use of mixture models as dose-response functions in animal bioassay experiments. Mixtures of distributions provide a rich and flexible class of models that can be used in a variety of settings and have received a significant amount of attention in recent years. Moreover, because of the existence of susceptibility in toxicological experiments-that is, the fact that some animals appear to be more susceptible to a drug than others-distribution mixtures seem to be a natural choice for dose-response models. Here, we consider various types of toxicological experiments and demonstrate how mixture models can be utilized to describe the relationship between dose and incidence rate.
A Staging System to Predict Prognosis Among Methadone Maintenance Patients, Based on Admission Characteristics

As U.S. general internists play an increasing role in providing opioid maintenance therapy in practice offices, they are having to face the challenge of identifying patients who need specialized services especially at the outset of treatment. In methadone maintenance treatment, prognostic studies have failed to find robust predictors on the basis of single predictive variables. We hypothesize that a multivariable staging system will predict treatment outcome more accurately than single variables. We reviewed baseline and treatment data regarding 226 consecutive patients admitted to a methadone maintenance program in New Haven, Connecticut, from January 1, 1993 to March 28, 1994, and followed until December 1, 1996. The staging system was developed from the data on the first 112 patients, confirmed in the remaining 114 patients, and then applied to the entire cohort of 226 patients. Retention was the main outcome measure used in developing the staging system. The staging system was also validated as a predictor of illicit drug use during treatment and adverse discharge. In the staging system one point is scored for each of the following: use of more than two bags of heroin daily, previous prison term, previous period in reform school, and a history of diseases related to substance use, e.g., endocarditis, hepatitis, abscesses, and overdose. The total score classifies patients as Stage I (0 and 1 points), Stage II (2 points), or Stage III (3 and 4 points). This staging system was significantly associated with retention in a proportional-hazards model, and no other variable added any additional predictive influence. The specific stage was also found to be a significant predictor of adverse discharge. Although additional validation is necessary in other populations, we found the staging system to be a useful and simple way of identifying patients at risk for early attrition and adverse discharge.
Direct analysis of 18O in glucose by mass spectrometry

Abstract The direct analysis of both the position and abundance of 18 O in d -glucose was accomplished by mass spectrometry of the pentaacetyl derivative. Synthetically prepared [1— 18 O]-, [2— 18 O]-, [3— 18 O]- and [6— 18 O]pentaacetylhexoses were prepared and used as standards to aid in the elucidation of fragmentation patterns. Ions were identified which contained specific oxygen atoms of glucose, permitting the measurement of 18 O incorporated into these positions. This technique was used in the analysis of [4— 18 O] glucose prepared enzymatically.
Tracheary Element Formation from Single Isolated Cells in Culture

Friable callus tissue of Centaurea cyanus L. was grown on a solidified synthetic nutrient medium (EBM-1) to produce a tissue with a low frequency of differentiated tracheary elements. Tissues were then suspended in liquid nutrient medium with agitation to produce a suspension which was filtered and the single-cell suspension resulting was used as inoculum for either cell suspension cultures or for plating of cells into solidified medium in Petri plates. Media for the suspension cultures were selected to favor cytodifferentiation of tracheary elements. Differentiated tracheary elements formed as early as 10 days and numbers of tracheary elements increased with time roughly in relation to the increase in total cell number. From plating experiments it was shown conclusively that single isolated parenchyma cells differentiated directly into single isolated tracheary elements, although this event was rare. More usual was the division of isolated cells to form small colonies and then the differentiation of one, several or all of the cells into tracheary elements. Comparisons are made between results with cell plating experiments and cell suspension cultures. Optimism is expressed for finding a cell suspension culture system for studying cytodifferentiation.
Ethanol dependence and the pituitary adrenal axis in mice II. Temporal analysis of dependence and withdrawal.

Abstract The effects of ethanol dependence and withdrawal on pituitary hormone content and corticosterone release were investigated in AKR/J male mice in a vapor chamber. Both chronic ethanol inhalation and ethanol withdrawal were associated with increased adenohypophyseal-adrenocortical activity. Operationally, ethanol exposure was a stressor. Both physical dependence and withdrawal led to increased secretion/synthesis ratios of peptide hormones. The temporal pattern of pituitary ACTH-IR content changes was different from that of β-endorphin-IR and α-MSH-IR. Differences in the pattern of ACTH-IR and α-MSH-IR most probably represent lobe-specific differences in the response to chronic ethanol exposure and withdrawal.
Methyl inosine monophosphate (MIMP), a new purine immunomodulator for HIV infection.

Abstract Prior work has documented the thymomimetic and immunotherapeutic activity of purine molecules related in structure to inosine. Synthesis of a series of new structures has yielded a stable methylated form of IMP resistant to hydrolysis by 5′ nucleotidase. With both human peripheral blood lymphocytes and murines splenocytes, Methyl Inosine Monophosphate (MIMP) augments proliferative responses to T-cell mitogens like phytohemagglutinin (PHA), but less so, or not at all, to B-cell mitogens like pokeweed or endotoxin (LPS). MIMP does not directly stimulate lymphocytes alone in the absence of mitogen. The optimal effects of MIMP parallel the optimal effects of PHA. The magnitude of the effect is greater and more consistent than with other purine immunomodulators. MIMP is non-toxic in vitro and in vivo and is orally active in mice. Significant effects are observed as low as 0.1 and 1 μg/ml in vitro and 0.1 or 1 mg/kg in vivo . MIMP is a candidate third generation purine under development for immunotherapeutic purposes.
The hydrides of NdCo3 and GdCo3

Abstract Hydrogen desorption isotherms of the systems NdCo3-H at 80°C and GdCo3-H at 20°C are reported. Pressure plateaus on both isotherms indicate the existence of two hydride phases in addition to the hydrogen-saturated metal α phase. The α and β phases are very narrow whilst the two two-phase regions are 2 atoms mol−1 wide in both systems. Isopleths were also measured at the centers of both plateaus in both systems. The heats of absorption on the two plateaus are −15.33 and −13.07 kcal (mol H2)−1 for NdCo3, and −12.78 and −10.22 kcal (mol H2)−1 for GdCo3. Plateau pressures at 20°C are 0.0189 and 0.292 Torr for NdCo3, and 0.518 and 11.4 Torr for GdCo3.
Abdominal aortic surgery in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection.

Abstract Purpose Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is known to cause acquired immune deficiency syndrome, which has been associated with a wide array of cardiovascular pathologies. This report examined the clinical outcome of patients infected with HIV who underwent abdominal aortic reconstruction for aneurysm or occlusive disease. Methods Hospital and clinic records of all patients with HIV infection who underwent an abdominal aortic operation were reviewed during an 11-year period. Relevant risk factors and clinical variables were assessed for surgical outcome. Results Forty-eight HIV patients (mean age 54 ± 13 years) were identified who underwent abdominal aortic bypass grafting during the study period. Indications for aortic operation included aneurysm (n = 20) and aortoiliac occlusive disease (n = 28). All patients underwent successful aortic reconstructions without intraoperative mortality. Postoperative complications and in-hospital mortality occurred in 16 patients (33%) and 7 patients (15%), respectively. The mean follow-up period was 41 months. Life-table survival rates in aneurysm and occlusive patients at 60 months were 43.2% ± 5.3% and 46.3% ± 7.4% (not significant), respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that low CD4 lymphocyte counts ( P P Conclusion Perioperative morbidity and mortality rates are high in HIV patients undergoing an abdominal aortic operation. Low CD4 lymphocyte counts and hypoalbuminemia are associated with poor clinical outcomes in HIV patients undergoing abdominal aortic reconstruction.
Biochemical Individuality: The Next Generation

Abstract This paper provides an historical assessment of the development of the concepts of pharmaco- and ecogenetics, including their relationship to major developments in the areas of pharmacology, industrial hygiene, and cancer research in animal models as well as the assessment of inborn metabolic disorders. How this information may be used to evaluate the range of human genetic diversity and its relationship to differential responses to environmental toxins is also considered. The paper concludes by providing a brief summary of several specific conditions in which human genetic traits affect susceptibility to toxic substances.
Determinants of regional intramyocardial pressure.

Abstract Regional myocardial flow becomes dependent on intramyocardial pressure after maximal coronary vasodilatation occurs. Thus, knowledge of the determinants of intramyocardial pressure magnitude and distribution across the ventricular wall is important. If the ventricle is represented by concentric thin-wall spheres, the magnitude and distribution of intramyocardial pressure is dependent upon (a) the spherical geometry of the ventricle and (b) the distribution of circumferential wall stress. Theoretical solutions obtained on a computer for various geometries and wall stress distributions predict intramyocardial pressure to be less than intraventricular cavitary pressure and decrease from endocardium to epicardium unless subendocardial compressive stress is present. When there is subendocardial compression intramyocardial pressure exceeds intracavitary pressure over most of the ventricular wall, and smaller ventricular cavity volumes and hypertrophy increase the intramyocardial pressure further. Hypertrophied, contracted, or near-empty ventricles such as occur during hypovolemic shock and cardiopulmonary bypass are, therefore, more subject to myocardial ischemic injury—particularly in the subendocardial and middle myocardial layers—than are normal beating ventricles, because of higher intramyocardial pressures which may impede coronary flow.
Extracellular Recordings from Human Retinal Ganglion Cells

Ganglion cells were studied in the isolated retina, with extracellular recordings. Activity was found similar to that seen in the retinas of other animal species.
H3-THYMIDINE DERIVATIVE POOLS IN RELATION TO MACRONUCLEAR DNA SYNTHESIS IN TETRAHYMENA PYRIFORMIS

The formation of a soluble H3-thymidine derivative pool has been examined in Tetrahymena pyriformis as a function of macronuclear DNA synthesis during the cell life cycle. An autoradiographic technique which allows the detection of water-soluble materials within a cell has shown that these cells do not take up and retain exogenous H3-thymidine during G1 or G2. Uptake of H3-thymidine is restricted to the S period of the cell cycle. Additional autoradiographic experiments show, however, that a soluble pool of H3-thymidine derivatives persists from the end of one DNA synthesis period to the beginning of the next synthesis period in the subsequent cell cycle. Since this persisting pool cannot be labeled with H3-thymidine, the pool does not turn over during non-S periods.
Muscle Function and Mobility Biomechanics in the Elderly: An Overview of Some Recent Research

Many old adults have difficulty in performing activities of daily living, in maintenance of postural balance, and in recovering from impending falls. It is not yet fully clear to what extent these difficulties arise from age, or disease-related declines in muscle function. The strength requirements for the performance of many common physical tasks are not often large. When the time available to make an appropriate response is short, maximum joint torque strengths may not be as important a consideration as abilities to develop joint torques rapidly. Even old adults who are fit and healthy, compared to young adults, have substantially diminished abilities to do this. Recent findings suggest that the source of this decline, at least sometimes, lies in muscle physiology more so than in central processing delays. A considerable amount of research to explore the issues relevant to the relations among muscle function and mobility is currently underway, but much remains to be learned.
Induction Machine Modeling for Distribution System Analysis - Test Case Description

This panel is the initial effort by the Distribution System Analysis Subcommittee to establish reference cases for induction machine modeling for distribution system analysis of unbalanced three-phase systems. A simple test case has been addressed. The test case consists of a power flow case and a single line-to-ground fault case. Results and modeling difficulties are discussed
Geochemistry of sulfides in Hawaiian garnet pyroxenite xenoliths: Implications for highly siderophile elements in the oceanic mantle

article i nfo Two dominant petrographic types of sulfides occur in Hawaiian garnet pyroxenite xenoliths — Type I occurs as globular, poikilitic inclusions only in clinopyroxenes, and Type II occurs interstitially between silicate phases. Chemically, the two types are essentially identical and their compositions are consistent with Fe-Ni monosulfide solid solution (Fe=55-57%, Ni=3-10%, Cu=0.5-2.0%, S=35-37% and Zn=0.01-0.5%). Both types of pyroxenitic sulfides have a factor of 10 to 1000 lower PGE contents than sulfides found in peridotites elsewhere (e.g. Os ∼ 1t ob0.01 ppm), show fractionated PGE patterns (Pd(n)/Ir(n) ∼1-35; n=chondrite- normalized) and very high Re(n)/Os(n) ratios (∼10-400). The Ni and the total PGE (Os+Ir+Pt+Pd) contents of the sulfides correlate positively with the Mg# of clinopyroxene in the host rock, which points to a genetic link between the sulfides and silicates and a high-temperature mantle origin. The Hawaiian sulfides formed from an immiscible sulfide melt that separated from a silicate melt, which formed the host garnet pyroxenite. Experimental constraints place this sulfide-silicate melt immiscibility at 1530±100 °C and 3.1± 0.6 GPa, i.e. near the base or slightly below the Pacific lithosphere. Melt/mineral partition calculations suggest that the parental silicate melts (prior to immiscibility) were similar to the Honolulu Volcanics (HV) alkali lavas that host the xenoliths, and that limited (0.1-0.3%) sulfide fractionation from a parental HV-type melt can account for the observed HSE variability in the sulfides. The relatively low Pt/Re ratios (b10) suggest that, upon "aging", such sulfides cannot generate the coupled
The “silver net of civilization”: Aesthetic Imperialism in Mary Shelley’s The Last Man

This essay examines the interrelations of religion, civilization, and imperialism in Shelley’s The Last Man. Though Shelley may envision the negative effects of imperialism in this novel, I argue that she does not critique the discourse of civilization itself, which helped justify imperialist designs. Furthermore, by viewing the aesthetic in Shelley’s novel as enmeshed with the political, I see Shelley’s aesthetic imperialism curiously aligned with the Evangelicals’ version of middle-class religion. Shelley would reject the Evangelicals’ arguments for the moral norms of Christianity as the means of civilization, but her aesthetic imperialism, through its emphasis on the self-regulation and discipline produced by literature and culture, also becomes a means to train the uncivilized in these bourgeois values.
Alterations of biochemical parameters by acute and repetitive stress situations in mice

Abstract (1) Mice were subjected to acute or repetitive exposure to cold, immobilization, or amphetamine stress and changes in plasma levels of corticosterone, fatty acids, and glucose were measured. (2) The results obtained indicate that plasma corticosterone is the only valid stress marker of the three tested. (3) When mice were subjected to repetitive stress for 14 days, acute challenges showed dramatic effects only in plasma corticosterone.
Using Liquid Crystals to Reveal How Mechanical Anisotropy Changes Interfacial Behaviors of Motile Bacteria

Bacteria often inhabit and exhibit distinct dynamical behaviors at interfaces, but the physical mechanisms by which interfaces cue bacteria are still poorly understood. In this work, we use interfaces formed between coexisting isotropic and liquid crystal (LC) phases to provide insight into how mechanical anisotropy and defects in LC ordering influence fundamental bacterial behaviors. Specifically, we measure the anisotropic elasticity of the LC to change fundamental behaviors of motile, rod-shaped Proteus mirabilis cells (3 μm in length) adsorbed to the LC interface, including the orientation, speed, and direction of motion of the cells (the cells follow the director of the LC at the interface), transient multicellular self-association, and dynamical escape from the interface. In this latter context, we measure motile bacteria to escape from the interfaces preferentially into the isotropic phase, consistent with the predicted effects of an elastic penalty associated with strain of the LC about the bacteria when escape occurs into the nematic phase. We also observe boojums (surface topological defects) present at the interfaces of droplets of nematic LC (tactoids) to play a central role in mediating the escape of motile bacteria from the LC interface. Whereas the bacteria escape the interface of nematic droplets via a mechanism that involved nematic director-guided motion through one of the two boojums, for isotropic droplets in a continuous nematic phase, the elasticity of the LC generally prevented single bacteria from escaping. Instead, assemblies of bacteria piled up at boojums and escape occurred through a cooperative, multicellular phenomenon. Overall, our studies show that the dynamical behaviors of motile bacteria at anisotropic LC interfaces can be understood within a conceptual framework that reflects the interplay of LC elasticity, surface-induced order, and topological defects.
Privatization and Performance of the Czech Republic's Komerčnı́ Banka☆☆☆

Abstract The transactional structure that created the Czech Republic's largest commercial bank determined the bank's management, endowed its massive loan portfolio, eschewed splitting the bank into smaller organizational units, and relied on voucher privatization. Most striking, however, is the government's continued control of Komercni Banka. The opportunity to privatize a strong bank and harden enterprise-level budget constraints was foregone, or postponed, in favor of maintaining a bank that would deal leniently with politically vested commercial clients. Komercni Banka's transactional structure and subsequent performance have, therefore, contributed to the Czech Republic's deliberate rather than quick move toward market-driven decision making. J. Comp. Econom., August 1997, 25 (1), pp. 97–128. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 and The William Davidson Institute at the University of Michigan Business School, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109.
Chromatofocussing and centrifugal reconstitution as tools for the separation and characterization of the Na+-cotransport systems of the brush-border membrane☆

Abstract Chromatofocussing was used for the separation of brush-border membrane proteins from calf kidney into 4 or 5 fractions over the pH range 4.0 to 7.4. These fractions were reconstituted into proteoliposomes by gradient centrifugation. Determination of the sodium-dependent solute uptake by proteoliposomes reconstituted from different chromatofocussed fractions showed that the sodium- d -glucose cotransport system was present in the fraction eluted between pH 5.3 and 5.8, and that the sodium-phosphate cotransport was present in fractions eluted between pH 4.6 and 5.3 and between pH 5.8 and 6.6, sodium-alanine cotransport could be detected in almost all fractions. Marker enzymes of the brush-border membrane, such as alkaline phosphatase. γ-glutamyltransferase and aminopeptidase M etc. were also found to be eluted at pH 7.0–7.4, 4.0–4.1 and 5.6–5.8, respectively. These results suggest that chromatofocussing is a promising tool for the separation membrane proteins and for pre-purification of the sodium- d -glucose cotransport system. It can be further concluded that the sodium-dependent phosphate transport across the brush-border membrane is not dependent upon alkaline phosphatase activity.
Heat Transfer Study on Multiple Walls of an Impingement Channel With Variable Jet Heights

The present work studies the relationship between target and sidewall surfaces of a single row impingement channel at various jet-to-target distances. Temperature sensitive paint and constant flux heaters are used to gather heat transfer data on the target and side walls. Jet-to-target distance is set to 1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9 jet diameters. The spanwise jet spacing is 4 jet diameters and the streamwise jet spacing is 5 jet diameters. All cases were run at average jet Reynolds numbers ranging from 5,000 to 30,000. Pressure data is also gathered and used to calculate the channels mass flux profiles, used to better understand the flow characteristics of the impingement channel. While target plate heat transfer profiles have been thoroughly studied in the literature, side wall data has only recently begun to be studied. The present work shows the significant impact the side walls provide to the overall heat transfer capabilities of the impingement channel. When only the target wall heat transfer is considered, the Z/D = 2 channel performs the best; however, it was found that, when both the target and side wall channels were taken into account, the Z/D = 3 channel provides with the largest overall heat transfer rate through the target wall and the side walls out of all channel heights.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Treatment of overweight children: The relationship between dependent measures and a clinically significant outcome

Behavioral treatments for overweight children have not fared well in achieving or maintaining clinically significant weight losses. The use of more appropriate dependent measures which also take height, sex, and age into consideration is suggested. A multiple-baseline analysis of the behavioral treatment of seven overweight children was conducted. Results support the contention that a more clinically significant outcome emerges when appropriate measures are used.
Why do electric fishes swim backwards? An hypothesis based on gymnotiform foraging behavior interpreted through sensory constraints

Fishes producing high-frequency wavelike electrical discharges maintain a relatively rigid body axis and swim forwards and backwards with equal ease. Using stop-action videotape filming we have observed the gymnotiform Apteronotus albifrons feeding on zooplankton and oligochaete annelids. Here it is reported that reverse swimming is characteristic of two foraging behaviors: searching for prey and assessing it. In assessing a potential prey item, fish typically scan it from tail to head by swimming backwards, then ingest it after a short forward lunge. A scan in the opposite direction-from head to tail by forward swimming-would have the prey located near the tail and out of position for the final lunge. Food choice experiments indicate that these electrosensing fish feed equally well, and take larger rather than smaller zooplankton, under light and dark conditions. Furthermore, electric fish take normal (light) colored and darkened prey (Daphnia) in a 50: 50 ratio under both dark and light conditions. These results are consistent with the interpretation that electrosensory cues are being used to detect zooplankton and other prey. Together, our observations support Lissmann's (1958, 1974) and Lissmann & Machin's (1958) assertion that backwards swimming is a component of a locomotory pattern guided by the constraints produced by an active electrical sense.
Photographing Washington's Highways

When I first heard about this seminar, I had optimistically planned to demonstrate "The Uses of Photologging in Washington State".
Doses of prostaglandin F2α effective for induction of parturition in goats

Abstract Twelve mixed breed does were injected with different doses of prostaglandin F 2 α (PGF 2 α) or saline on day 144 of gestation. Four each received single intramuscular injections of 5.0 or 2.5 mg PGF 2α , or 1.0 ml saline (controls). Systemic progesterone (P 4 ) concentrations were determined daily from day 144 until the day of kidding. Does receiving 5.0 mg PGF 2 α, 2.5 mg PGF 2 α, or saline kidded within mean (± SD) hours and range (hours) of 35 ± 8.6 and 28–48, 43 ± 11.8 and 29–57, and 111 ± 79.1 and 41–200, respectively. Mean (± SD) concentrations of P 4 (ng/ml) on the day of injection and on day 1 postinjection were 5.2 ± 2.6 and 0.7 ± 0.9, 5.3 ± 2.2 and 1.1 ± 1.0, and 6.4 ± 3.9 and 4.1 ± 2.6 for does receiving 5.0 mg PGF 2 α, 2.5 mg PGF 2 α, or saline, respectively. It was concluded that 5.0 mg and 2.5 mg PGF 2 α effectively shortened the interval from injection to parturition, but that this interval was not as predictable as that previously reported with 20 mg PGF 2 α.
Avian intrapulmonary chemoreceptors: respiratory response to a step decrease in PCO2.

Abstract The contribution of intrapulmonary chemoreceptors (IPC) to the respiratory response following a step decrease in P I CO2 was assessed in anesthetized and unidirectionally ventilated chickens. Step changes in the PCO2 of the ventilatory gas (P I CO2) to a single lung were introduced with P I CO2 to the contralateral lung held constant. Respiratory amplitude and frequency were monitored. Experimental series were conducted under conditions such that (I) both systemic chemoreceptors and IPC, (II) systemic chemoreceptors alone and (III) IPC alone contribute to the ventilatory response. The results indicate (1) that a rapid component of the transient response (complete in 25 sec) is eliminated by sectioning the pulmonary nerves (Series II), and (2) within the rapid component, a localized minimum in respiratory amplitude was observed which was not seen in either Series II or Series III experiments. We conclude that the rapid component of the transient response is due to the CO2-sensitive IPC and that intrapulmonary and systemic chemoreceptors are not simply additive in the generation of respiratory amplitude and frequency, but a more complex interaction must be involved.
Calculating the effective permeability tensor of a gridblock

The authors propose an analytical method to calculate effective block permeabilities as a full tensor based on the geometry, block size, full local tensorial permeabilities, and the geology within the block. The method was validated with a finite-element numerical simulator and was applied to a simulation of flow through an outcrop of the eolian Page sandstone. Results show that the relative positions of the main geologic features and the ratio between the grain-flow and wind-ripple permeabilities are more important than bounding surfaces and dispersion in determining flow behavior.
Population regulation in Bromus rubens and B. mollis: Life cycle components and competition.

A series of Bromus rubens and B. mollis populations were sampled in the coastal range and northern part of the Central Valley of California in order to study their population ecology in demographic terms. Quantitative estimates were obtained on plants collected directly in nature, and their progenies in controlled environments with randomized block design in the greenhouse. Two parameters of population growth — the intrinsic rate of increase, r, and the carrying capacity, K-were estimated by using the logistic model (r=ln R and K=equilibrium population size). It was found that B. mollis is a relatively K-type species, while B. rubens is a relatively r-type species. The effects of density on competition between individuals in pure and mixed populations of B. mollis and B. rubens were studied. In both species, increasing density induced greater mortality and a striking plastic reduction in the size and reproductive potential of the individuals. Further, B. rubens showed a relatively greater mortality and less plastic response to densities than B. mollis in both pure and mixed stands. Two different types of plasticity were considered: one in response to changing density (d-plasticity); and the other in response to changing enironmental conditions (e-plasticity). High plasticity in one of them need not imply that the other one is high too. B. rubens showed higher e-plasticity, but lower d-plasticity than B. mollis. The relationships between r, K and competitive ability were discussed. Two types of K-strategy were distinguished: one involving greater nonreproductive effort with longer life span, or lowered mortality (Type-I) and the other with density-induced adjustments in body size along with survival in higher numbers (Type-II). Different populations of these two Bromus species showed different values of r and K (Type-II) and different competitive abilities. It was found that higher r was usually accompanied by lower K (Type-II), while higher K (Type-II) was accompanied by lower competitive ability, which in turn is correlated with higher d-plasticity. In general, coexistence was predicted on the basis of estimates derived from the interspecific competition experiments.
Fertilization of guinea pig eggs in vitro

Guinea pig eggs can be fertilized in vitro in a chemically defined medium originally developed by Biggers, Whitten and Whittingham for the cultivation of fertilized mouse eggs. When unfertilized eggs were inseminated in this medium (abbr. BWW) with fresh epididymal spermatozoa, sperm penetration occurred not earlier than two hours after insemination. Quick and efficient sperm penetration occurred when the eggs were inseminated with spermatozoa pre-incubated in BWW for 11-18 hours. Spermatozoa started to pass through the zona pellucida as early as 10-15 minutes following insemination and all the eggs were penetrated by spermatozoa within one hour. The time needed for functional capacitation of guinea pig spermatozoa is estimated to be no less than two hours under the experimental conditions used, the optimal time possibly being 8-12 hours or even longer. The possibility of in vitro sperm capacitation and fertilization of eggs in media much simpler than BWW (e.g., Earle's solution with or without albumin) is suggested.
Tool with Road-Level Crash Prediction for Transportation Safety Planning

The growing use of packages based on geographic information systems (GISs) in transportation planning is assisting in the development and implementation of methods that facilitate consideration of safety. This paper presents a method of predicting safety for planning alternatives. Although applicable to large road networks, the method predicts crashes at the road facility level (intersections and segments). Thus it is suitable for joint evaluation of modifications of the road network, changes in network traffic flows, and improvements in road geometry considered by planners. A complete set of crash prediction models was developed by the authors for seven types of road segments and four types of road nodes on the basis of crashes reported on Indiana highways from 2003 to 2005. A mainstream research method has been used: negative binomial regression with a stepwise method for variable selection and the Akaike information criterion. The obtained equations are transparent to transportation planners and allow efficient computations for large road networks. The crash prediction equations have been implemented in the GIS-based planning package TransCAD as an add-on tool. The calibration procedure included in the tool allows a planner to search for optimal values of calibration factors if calibration of crash prediction models is needed.
Turbidity of a near-critical ionic fluid

We report the critical behavior of osmotic compressibility (% T ), that was deduced from turbidity, in an ionic fluid mixture comprised of tetra-n-butyl ammonium picrate in a low dielectric solvent, 1-dodecanol. The liquid-liquid phase separation in this system is driven, predominantly, by Coulombic interactions. Measurements covered the reduced temperature, t, range 7 x 105 ⩽ / ⩽ 7 × 10− 2. The critical behavior of Z, indicates acrossover from the mean-field to the Ising critical exponent, as the critical temperature (T c) is approached.
Demonstration of exopolysaccharide production by enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli.

EnterohemorrhagicEscherichia coli O157∶H7 produces visibly slimy colonies when grown on Sorbitol/MacConkey or Maloney's agar plates at room temperature, indicative of exopolysaccharide (EPS) production. Eighteen of 27 (67%) wild-typeE. coli O157∶H7 isolates produced enough EPS to be visually distinguishable. Of five strains that showed no visible EPS production on these media, four (80%) did produce slimy colonies on media containing higher salt concentrations. Measurements of EPS production by colorimetric determination of uronic acid indicated that EPS production was affected by growth temperature, atmosphere, and medium. Wild-typeE. coli O157∶H7 strain 932 produced the greatest amounts of EPS when grown anaerobically at 37°C, whereas its plasmid-cured derivative 932P produced large quantities of EPS when grown aerobically at room temperature. Electron micrographs revealed thin, flexible fibers extending from the bacterial cell surface. Cells of strain 932P grown aerobically at room temperature were completely encased in a thick EPS matrix. Chemical analysis of purified EPS revealed that it is very similar or identical to colanic acid.E. coli O157∶H7 adheres better to INT 407 cells when grown under conditions that favor high EPS production than when grown under conditions that repress EPS production.
Extraction of fixed, stained protein bands form gels for micro amino acid analysis using o-phthaldialdehyde

Abstract A method is presented for extraction of fixed, stained protein bands from polyacrylamide gels suitable for automated fluorescence analysis of amino acids using o -phthaldialdehyde. Bands, containing microgram quantities of protein and stained with Coomassie blue, are extracted from homogenized gel slices with sodium dodecyl sulfate. The Coomassie blue and sodium dodecyl sulfate do not interfere with the amino acid determination, and contamination by ammonia from the gels is low. The method has been applied to the analysis of human carbonic anhydrase C, and the amino acid composition is found to be similar to that obtained by other methods requiring larger amounts of protein.
Cesarean section use and source of payment: an analysis of California hospital discharge abstracts.

This study assessed the relation between payment source and cesarean section use by analyzing California data on hospital deliveries. Of 461,066 deliveries in 1986, cesarean sections were performed in 24.4 percent. Women with private insurance had the highest cesarean section rates (29.1 percent). Successively lower rates were observed for women covered by non-Kaiser health maintenance organizations (26.8 percent), Medi-Cal (22.9 percent), Kaiser (19.7 percent), self-pay (19.3 percent), and Indigent Services (15.6 percent). Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) occurred more than twice as frequently in women covered by Kaiser (19.9 percent) and Indigent Services (24.8 percent), compared to those with private insurance (8.1 percent). Sizable, although less pronounced, associations between payment source and cesarean section use were noted for the indications of breech presentation, dystocia, and fetal distress. Accounting for maternal age and race/ethnicity did not alter these findings. Variations in the use...
Maternal Age and Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection: Screening of Two Diverse Newborn Populations, 1980–1990

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the leading cause of congenital viral infection in the United States. To prevent damaging congenital CMV infections, it is necessary to have accurate population estimates of prevalence and to identify maternal factors associated with an elevated risk of congenital infection in the newborn. From 1980 through 1990, 17,163 offspring of predominantly low-income nonwhite women who delivered at a public hospital and 9892 newborns of predominantly mid- to upper-income white women who delivered at a private hospital were screened for congenital CMV infection. Women < 20 years old (adjusted prevalence odds ratio [POR], 4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.6-8.9) at the public hospital and all nonwhite women (adjusted POR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.1-2.2) had an increased risk of delivering an infected newborn. Newborns of adolescent women in both populations had the highest prevalence of clinically apparent infection. Offspring of nonwhite low-income adolescents are at greatest risk for congenital CMV infection and more damaging sequelae.
Energy spectrum and effective mass using a nonlocal 3-body interaction

We recently proposed a nonlocal form for the 3-body induced interaction that is consistent with the Fock space representation of interaction operators but leads to a fractional power dependence on the density. Here we examine the implications of the nonlocality for the excitation spectrum. In the two-component weakly interacting Fermi gas, we find that it gives an effective mass that is comparable to the one in many-body perturbation theory. Applying the interaction to nuclear matter, it predicts a huge enhancement to the effective mass. Since the saturation of nuclear matter is partly due to the induced 3-body interaction, fitted functionals should treat the effective mass as a free parameter, unless the 2- and 3-body contributions are determined from basic theory.
Instantaneous flux control analysis for biochemical systems.

Abstract Linear sensitivity analysis of steady-state control of enzymic systems has been extended to non-steady states yielding sensitivity coefficients which provide non-intuitive insights into the behavior of the system and the sites of metabolic control, and which are quantitative counterparts to traditional qualitative concepts. Because this information is provided in a readily understood format, these coefficients serve as convenient indices of metabolic control. This treatment was applied to a simple test system, consisting of two enzymes and one non-enzymatic reaction, which exhibits oscillatory behavior. The results indicate that oscillations in the concentrations of the intermediate metabolites are regulated almost exclusively by the second enzyme. Control of the flux through the pathway is apportioned equally among the three reactions during periods of low net flux, but it is due almost exclusively to the second enzyme during periods of high net flux.
New results on moist CO oxidation: high pressure, high temperature experiments and comprehensive kinetic modeling

The kinetics of moist carbon monoxide oxidation have been studied experimentally for pressures from 1 to 9.6 atm, temperatures from 960 to 1200 K, and equivalence ratios from 0.33 to 2.1. New data were used in combination with prior flow reactor, shock tube, and static reactor data to develop a revised comprehensive reaction mechanism for the CO/H 2 O/O 2 system. In particular, the new data span the explosion limit behavior of the system and place significantly increased emphasis on the kinetics involving the hydroperoxyl radical. Revisions of the rates recommended in an earlier comprehensive mechanism are needed in order to reproduce experimental observations. While six reaction recommendations were modified, the most important were the kinetic parameters for H 2 O+O=OH+OH and HO 2 +OH=H 2 O+O 2 . Experimentally, the second limit for this reaction system was determined at much higher pressure thanpreviously studied. Near the limit, an increase in pressure results in a two order of magnitude decrease in the oxidation rate. Away from the limit, the pressure dependence of the rate is similar in both the nonexplosive and explosive regimes. In the nonexplosive regime, the kinetics are straight chain in nature and governed by the reactions H+O 2 +M=HO 2 +M, CO+HO 2 =CO 2 +OH, and CO+OH=CO 2 +H. The overall temperature dependence of the oxidation is very large (77 kcal/mol). In the explosive regime, chain-branching phenomena dominate and are controlled by the reactions H+O 2 =OH+O, CO+OH=CO 2 +H, and O+H 2 O=OH+OH. The overall temperature dependence of the oxidation is significantly lower (40 kcal/mol). The sensitivity of the reaction rate to moisture saturates at much lower moisture concentration in the nonexplosive regime. At high pressures (>25 atm), the oxidation of CO through CO+OH=CO 2 +H and CO+HO 2 =CO 2 +OH is numerically predicted to approach a limiting ratio of one-half.
Monovalent indium in a sulfur-rich coordination environment: synthesis, structure and reactivity of tris(2-mercapto-1-tert-butylimidazolyl)hydroborato indium, [TmBut]In.

[TmBut]In, the first structurally-characterized monovalent indium compound that features a sulfur-rich coordination environment, has been synthesized via treatment of InCl with [TmBut]K; in contrast to the thallium counterpart, the lone pair of [TmBut]In is a site of reactivity, thereby allowing formation of [TmBut]In→B(C6F5)3 and [TmBut]In(κ2-S4) upon treatment with B(C6F5)3 and S8, respectively.
Is Atherectomy the Best First-Line Therapy for Limb Salvage in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia?

Objective: To determine the efficacy of atherectomy for limb salvage compared with open bypass in patients with critical limb ischemia. Methods: Ninety-nine consecutive bypass and atherectomy procedures performed for critical limb ischemia between January 2003 and October 2006 were reviewed. Results: A total of 99 cases involving TASC C (n = 43, 44%) and D (n = 56, 56%) lesions were treated with surgical bypass in 59 patients and atherectomy in 33 patients. Bypass and atherectomy achieved similar 1-year primary patency (64% vs 63%; P = .2). However, the 1-year limb salvage rate was greater in the bypass group (87% vs 69%; P = .004). In the tissue loss subgroup, there was a greater limb salvage rate for bypass patients versus atherectomy (79% vs 60%; P = .04). Conclusions: Patients with critical limb ischemia may do better with open bypass compared with atherectomy as first-line therapy for limb salvage.
Harnessing a community for sustainable disaster response and recovery: An operational model for integrating nongovernmental organizations

OBJECTIVE: Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) are important to a community during times of disaster and routine operations. However, their effectiveness is reduced without an operational framework that integrates response and recovery efforts. Without integration, coordination among NGOs is challenging and use of government resources is inefficient. We developed an operational model to specify NGO roles and responsibilities before, during, and after a disaster. METHODS: We conducted an analysis of peer-reviewed literature, relevant policy, and federal guidance to characterize the capabilities of NGOs, contextual factors that determine their involvement in disaster operations, and key services they provide during disaster response and recovery. We also identified research questions that should be prioritized to improve coordination and communication between NGOs and government. RESULTS: Our review showed that federal policy stresses the importance of partnerships between NGOs and government agencies and among other NGOs. Such partnerships can build deep local networks and broad systems that reach from local communities to the federal government. Understanding what capacities NGOs need and what factors influence their ability to perform during a disaster informs an operational model that could optimize NGO performance. CONCLUSIONS: Although the operational model needs to be applied and tested in community planning and disaster response, it holds promise as a unifying framework across new national preparedness and recovery policy, and provides structure to community planning, resource allocation, and metrics on which to evaluate NGO disaster involvement. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2012;0:1-8). Language: en
Clastic sequences developed during late Quaternary glacio-eustatic sea-level fluctuations on a passive margin: Example from the inner continental shelf near Barnegat Inlet, New Jersey

Analysis of 100 km of seismic reflection (GEOPULSE) profiles from a 47-km 2 grid on the New Jersey low-mesotidal inner continental shelf near Barnegat Inlet reveals that the upper 30 m is composed of 3 unconformity-bounded units. Vibracores (1-6 m long) recovered from 12 sites contain several lithofacies, reflecting a variety of depositional environments that existed during late Quaternary glacioeustatic sea-level fluctuations on this slowly subsiding passive margin with low sediment supply. Environments include rivers during glacial and stadial lowstands of the sea, and a barrier island-lagoon complex, as well as pro-barrier ebb-tidal delta, shore-attached and -detached ridges, and below storm-wave-base shelf during interglacial or inter-stadial highstands. Following the last major interglacial (∼125 ka), sea level fell and rivers eroded a planar, seaward-dipping surface (R1) by early Wisconsinan time (∼70 ka). As sea level rose during the mid-Wisconsinan (∼55 ka), a barrier island system migrated to within 0.2-1.7 km of the modern barrier shoreline, leaving a 4- to 6-m-thick record (depositional sequence I). Maximum highstand of the mid- Wisconsinan sea level was 20 m below present. Sea level fell again during the late Wisconsinan (∼20 ka), and rivers again flowed across the exposed shelf, creating an unconformity (R2). A barrier/lagoonal system developed under rising sea level by at least early middle Holocene time, based on peats (8810 ± 170 yr B.P.) cored from -12 m. The mid-Wisconsinan (∼55 ka) barrier system was preserved under these early Holocene transgressive sediments (lower unit of depositional sequence II, lower transgressive tract). The modern barrier and inner continental shelf deposits (upper unit of depositional sequence II, upper transgressive tract) are relatively thin (average 3-4 m) pebbly sands overlying a prominent unconformity (a transgressive surface, R3) formed by marine erosion during the Holocene sea-level rise. Both the ebb-tidal delta and shore-attached linear sand ridges act as partial shields to wave and tidal- current erosion of the muddy sub-strate below R3. In the nearshore area, this shielding is creating a transgressive surface (marine unconformity) of relatively high relief (3-7 m).