cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Poor preservation potential of organics in Meridiani Planum hematite-bearing sedimentary rocks

[1] Life is composed of organic compounds, and characterizing preserved compounds provides insights into the presence of specific types of life, including early life on Earth. With growing evidence for a wet early Mars, excitement over the potential of an early Martian biosphere strongly motivates Mars exploration. However, the preservation potential of organic compounds in rocks on either Earth or Mars depends critically on mineralogy. Results from elemental, mineralogical, and morphological characterization of sedimentary rocks by the Opportunity rover team in the vicinity of the Challenger Memorial Station, Meridiani Planum, demonstrate an abundance of Fe(III) and sulfate minerals that formed from liquid water. The composition of these sedimentary rocks suggests that organic compounds are unlikely to be preserved within them, even if present when the rocks were deposited, based on comparisons with iron formation, acid lake deposits, and iron-containing concretions from Earth. No evidence consistent with the presence of organic compounds, such as the presence of Fe(II) minerals, has been reported from Meridiani Planum to date. Thus these Martian sedimentary rocks are not a good target to explore for organic compounds on Mars.
Rethinking Security: Organizational Fragility in Extreme Events

Providing public security is a fundamental function of government. As the class and degree of threat vary, government agencies must adapt to changing conditions or risk failing their basic mission. The events of September 11, 2001, illustrated the limits of governmental performance in identifying and interrupting actions intended to harm innocent citizens. These events are examined against the resources, range, and limits of governmental capacity to adapt to the emerging threat of terrorism, and an alternative perspective on administrative performance as a complex adaptive system is proposed. This perspective redefines the search for public security as a dynamic process that balances mechanisms of control with processes of information search, exchange, and feedback among public, private, and nonprofit organizations and is supported by a well–designed information infrastructure. The article concludes that the search for public security is an interactive learning process that, while guided by public organizations, must involve responsible participation by private and nonprofit organizations as well as an informed citizenry.
The role of self-help clubs in adaptation to chronic illness and disability.

Abstract The paper discusses the establishment, growth, organization, services and programs of self-help health groups and their articulation with the institution of medicine. The recent proliferation of self-help groups constitutes a social movement of consumer-initiated services. Self-help groups provide assistance, encouragement and needed services for those with chronic, disabling conditions involving a number of emotional and social adaptive problems. These are problems that are not being adequately dealt with through the acute-illness physician-patient relational model. The groups are varied in organizational structure and services provided; in degree and style of affiliation with national organizations; and relationships with hospitals and medical practitioners. In view of the functions they perform, they seem to fill an important gap in the network of agencies and professional practitioners making up the health service delivery system.
Developing Sheet Beam Klystron Simulation Capability in AJDISK

AJDISK is a 1-D large signal klystron simulator developed at Stanford Linear Accelerator Center. A brief discussion of AJDISK's simulation algorithm is given and fully developed to show how AJDISK was extended to enable sheet beam klystron simulations. The primary requirement for extending disk simulators to sheet beam simulators is a space charge equation. Therefore, the electric field due to an infinitely thin plate of charge (infinitely thin in the direction of propagation) in a rectangular drift tube is derived. The derivation is extended to a 2-D space charge equation in which the plate is split into a series of rods with varying positions in $y$ . The derived equations are compared with the numerical simulations and measurement.
Retinoid Effects on the Epidermis

Since metaplasia and gap junction stimulation are prominent features of retinoid activity in embryonic and neoplastic epidermis, it is ironic that the mechanism(s) of retinoid action in postnatal tissues, where these drugs are employed clinically, appears to be different. Histologic studies in both animals and man with both topical and systemic retinoids demonstrate acanthosis, hypergranulosis, and changes in the thickness and organization of the stratum corneum, due to a boost in cell turnover. On an ultrastructural level, desmosomes are actively shed at the level of the spinous layer, leading to many new attachment points along the cell membranes of the outer epidermis. This change coupled with decreased tonofilaments, enhanced keratinocyte autolysis, and intercellular deposition of glycoconjugates (not mucin by standard histochemistry and lectin binding) lead to loosening and fragility of the stratum corneum. The biochemical basis of retinoid activity (in addition to increased cell turnover) appears to be global enhancement of glycoconjugate synthesis and the generation of less mature keratins. These epidermal effects of retinoids can be exploited therapeutically: (1) to cause loosening of thickened stratum corneum, e.g., in psoriasis or ichthyosis; (2) to enhance penetration of pharmacologic agents, e.g., 5-FU, across hypertrophic actinic keratoses; and finally (3) in neoplastic epidermis, where mucous metaplasia and gap junction proliferation occur, retinoids can normalize differentiation.
Hydrogen Peroxide Concentrations in Hatchery Culture Units and Effluent during and after Treatment

Abstract A raceway in a fish hatchery was treated with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), as 1-h flow-through treatments, to simulate the New York State maximum allowable concentration (11.5 mg/L) in the receiving stream. Hydrogen peroxide concentrations were measured at various locations in the hatchery and in the receiving stream over a 96-h period. At the discharge pipe opening in the receiving stream, maximum mean H2O2 concentration was 9 mg/L at the end of the 1-h treatments and 2 mg/L 1 h later; at a point 15 m downstream (midstream) from the discharge pipe, maximum mean H2O2 concentrations were 2 mg/L at discharge and 1 mg/L or less (method detection limit) 1 h later. In a second set of experiments, a desired 100 mg H2O2/L was achieved in 1-h flow-through treatments only when the test tank was pretreated to initially establish an H2O2 concentration of 100 mg/L before initiating the flow-through treatment. When the 1-h flow-through treatment was administered without pretreatment of the test tank, a maximum H...
Unlike haloperidol, clozapine slows and dampens rats' forelimb force oscillations and decreases force output in a press-while-licking behavioral task.

In order to detect putative differences in the behavioral effects of clozapine and haloperidol, rats were trained to use a single forelimb to exert continuous pressure on a force-sensing operandum. Behavior was maintained by presenting a water-filled dipper for consumption only as long as the force remained above a specified level (the water fountain task). Effects of clozapine (2.0, 4.0, 8.0 mg/kg) and haloperidol (0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.12 mg/kg) on the forelimb force oscillations manifested during the operandum pressing episodes were analyzed with power spectral analysis and other quantitative methods. All rats exhibited force oscillations with a fundamental frequency near 7 Hz. Clozapine shifted the frequency to lower values (i.e., oscillation slowing), while haloperidol shifted oscillations to slightly higher frequencies. Moreover, clozapine reduced power in the region of the spectrum above 5 Hz. In contrast, haloperidol tended to increase power in these regions. Time domain analyses of the force-time waveforms indicated that haloperidol increased force emission during the hold phase of the forelimb response, and clozapine decreased this measure. The results are congruent with the high extrapyramidal side effects of haloperidol and the lack of such effects of clozapine in the clinic. In addition, clozapine may have antitremor effects in rats as it does in humans.
Some College-age Students are Unable to use the Food Guide Pyramid Without Instruction.

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To assess usability of the Food Guide Pyramid graphic by college-age students. Usability of the Food Guide Pyramid (FGP) by the consumer is essential for optimal dietary choices. The ability to use concepts as illustrated by the graphic of the FGP was studied in college-age students. A qualitative survey designed to assess the usablity of the FGP was administered to 120 (60 females/60 males) students aged 18-24 years at Pepperdine University. Participants were randomized into a control group (n=60) that had received prior instruction on the implementation of the FGP concepts and an experimental group (n=60) previously exposed to the FGP but without any supplemental instruction. Questions were designed to determine whether each subject could apply the concepts of: number of food groups; serving size; appropriate food group for specific food; and which food group should compose the most or least of an individual daily diet, as illustrated by the FGP graphic. Of significance, 60% of subjects who had received prior instruction were able to use the FGP whereas only 17% of the participants without prior instruction were able to follow the FGP (p
Effects of butylated hydroxytoluene and acetylaminofluorene on NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity in rat liver microsomes

Cytochrome P-450 content and NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase activity were measured in liver microsomes prepared from male weanling rats fed low-fat, high-saturated fat or high-polyunsaturated fat diets with or without butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and 2-acetylaminofluorene (AAF). The inclusion of BHT and/or AAF in the diets consistently produced marked decreases in cytochrome P-450 reductase activity, regardless of the amount and type of dietary fat. In contrast, there was no inhibition of reductase activity when the compounds were added in vitro to liver microsomes.
The virtual haptic back for palpatory training

This paper discusses the Ohio University Virtual Haptic Back (VHB) project, including objectives, implementation, and initial evaluations. Haptics is the science of human tactile sensation and a haptic interface provides force and touch feedback to the user from virtual reality. Our multimodal VHB simulation combines high-fidelity computer graphics with haptic feedback and aural feedback to augment training in palpatory diagnosis in osteopathic medicine, plus related training applications in physical therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic therapy, and other tactile fields. We use the PHANToM haptic interface to provide position interactions by the trainee, with accompanying force feedback to simulate the back of a live human subject in real-time. Our simulation is intended to add a measurable, repeatable component of science to the art of palpatory diagnosis. Based on our experiences in the lab to date, we believe that haptics-augmented computer models have great potential for improving training in the future, for various tactile applications. Our main project goals are to: 1. Provide a novel tool for palpatory diagnosis training; and 2. Improve the state-of-the-art in haptics and graphics applied to virtual anatomy.
Theories of Institutions and Economic Reform in Africa

Abstract The paper presents and critically examines the theories of institutions that can be used as a guide to economic reform in Africa. Three approaches to institutions are initially discussed: the model of structural adjustment, new institutional economics and the old institutionalist tradition. Five institutions related to the development of markets in Africa are examined from the three perspectives. The institutions include property rights (including their role in agriculture), money and financial institutions, prices and markets, firms and industrial organization, and markets and states. The main conclusion of the paper is that structural adjustment due to its neoclassical roots is basically ainstitutional and therefore ill-equipped to promote the development of markets in Africa. While new institutionalism provides interesting insights, it is also limited by its neoclassical economic foundations. Thus if African governments desire to promote market reform they would be best advised to consult the old institutionalist literature, particularly the very interesting recent work of proponents of this tradition.
Current impact of the confidential unit exclusion option

BACKGROUND: In 1986, the FDA recommended using a confidential unit exclusion (CUE) option in blood centers; this was rescinded in 1992. The American Red Cross (ARC) has continued using the option. This study assessed its current impact. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Donor records from ARC for 1995 through 2001 were examined for CUE use in association with the prevalence and frequency of seroconversion of infectious disease markers. The likely yield of CUE was also estimated. RESULTS: Donations with CUE use had a higher prevalence of HIV, HBV, HCV, and syphilis markers than those without CUE use, although both the sensitivity and positive predictive value (PPV) of CUE were low. Seroconverters had a higher frequency of using the CUE option than nonseroconverters. Similarly, the sensitivity and PPV of CUE were low. Based on analysis of infectious disease residual risk, the CUE option was estimated to have prevented the collection of 0.2 to 1.3 window-period units annually within the entire ARC system. CONCLUSION: The CUE option had minimal effective-ness in further reducing the transmission of infectious diseases through window-period units. Further study of its current impact on reduction of units from risky but test-negative donors, as well as on loss of safe donors, may be warranted.
Theory in religion, aging, and health: an overview.

This paper provides an overview of theory in religion, aging, and health. It offers both a primer on theory and a roadmap for researchers. Four “tenses” of theory are described—distinct ways that theory comes into play in this field: grand theory, mid-range theory, use of theoretical models, and positing of constructs which mediate or moderate putative religious effects. Examples are given of both explicit and implicit uses of theory. Sources of theory for this field are then identified, emphasizing perspectives of sociologists and psychologists, and discussion is given to limitations of theory. Finally, reflections are offered as to why theory matters.
Properties of the C-terminal Domain of Enzyme I of the Escherichia coli Phosphotransferase System

The bacterial phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP):glycose phosphotransferase system (PTS) mediates uptake/phosphorylation of sugars. The transport of all PTS sugars requires Enzyme I (EI) and a phosphocarrier histidine protein of the PTS (HPr). The PTS is stringently regulated, and a potential mechanism is the monomer/dimer transition of EI, because only the dimer accepts the phosphoryl group from PEP. EI monomer consists of two major domains, at the N and C termini (EI-N and EI-C, respectively). EI-N accepts the phosphoryl group from phospho-HPr but not PEP. However, it is phosphorylated by PEP(Mg2+) when complemented with EI-C. Here we report that the phosphotransfer rate increases ∼25-fold when HPr is added to a mixture of EI-N, EI-C, and PEP(Mg2+). A model to explain this effect is offered. Sedimentation equilibrium results show that the association constant for dimerization of EI-C monomers is 260-fold greater than the Ka for native EI. The ligands have no detectable effect on the secondary structure of the dimer (far UV CD) but have profound effects on the tertiary structure as determined by near UV CD spectroscopy, thermal denaturation, sedimentation equilibrium and velocity, and intrinsic fluorescence of the 2 Trp residues. The binding of PEP requires Mg2+. For example, there is no effect of PEP on the Tm, an increase of 7 °C in the presence of Mg2+, and ∼14 °C when both are present. Interestingly, the dissociation constants for each of the ligands from EI-C are approximately the same as the kinetic (Km) constants for the ligands in the complete PTS sugar phosphorylation assays.
Transient Shear Flow Behavior of Dilute Solutions of Side-Chain Liquid-Crystalline Polysiloxanes in 4,4‘-(n-Pentyloxy)cyanobiphenyl

The transient stress response of homeotropic monodomains of dilute nematic solutions of side-chain liquid-crystalline polysiloxanes (LCPs) in 4,4‘-(n-pentyloxy)cyanobiphenyl (5OCB) is investigated. In contrast to the flow-aligning behavior of 5OCB, strong stress oscillations are observed for the dilute LCP solutions, characteristic of flow-tumbling behavior. The dependence of the oscillation periodicity on LCP concentration and LCP structure (molecular weight and spacer length) is presented. From analysis of the stress transients, the Leslie viscosity coefficients, α2 and α3, are calculated. For all LCP structures, the increment δα2 on dissolution of LCP is negative, whereas the increment δα3 is positive. The magnitude and signs of these viscosity increments are strictly inconsistent with earlier electrorheological measurements of the Miesowicz viscosity increments, δηb and δηc, of these solutions, using as a guide a hydrodynamic model that computes the contribution of the chains to viscous dissipation in...
In Situ Measurements of Secondary Road Flexible Pavement Response to Vehicular Loading

In June 1994, a secondary road pavement section 150 m long was instrumented in Bedford County, Virginia. This pavement section was composed of nine individual sections each 15 m long. Sections 1 through 3 had a limestone base course 100 mm thick (VDOT 21-B); Sections 4 through 6 had a base course 150 mm thick; and Sections 7 through 9 had a base course 200 mm thick. Three sections were stabilized with geotextiles, three were stabilized with geogrids at the base course-subgrade interface, and the other three were kept as control sections. One section from each stabilization category was included in each base course thickness group. The outside wheel path of the inner lane was instrumented with strain gauges, pressure cells, piezoelectric sensors, thermocouples, and moisture sensors. A Keithley 500-A data acquisition system was used to collect instrument responses on-site. Some of the data collected by the instruments are discussed. Section performances based on the instrumentation response to controlled and normal vehicular loading indicated that geosynthetic stabilization provided significant improvement, which was found to be in agreement with rut-depth measurements.
The PA domain is crucial for determining optimum substrate length for soybean protease C1: structure and kinetics correlate with molecular function.

Abstract A subtilisin-like enzyme, soybean protease C1 (EC 3.4.21.25), initiates the degradation of the β-conglycinin storage proteins in early seedling growth. Previous kinetic studies revealed a nine-residue (P5–P4′) length requirement for substrate peptides to attain optimum cleavage rates. This modeling study used the crystal structure of tomato subtilase (SBT3) as a starting model to explain the length requirement. The study also correlates structure to kinetic studies that elucidated the amino acid preferences of soybean protease C1 for P1, P1′ and P4′ locations of the cleavage sequence. The interactions of a number of protease C1 residues with P5, P4 and P4′ residues of its substrate elucidated by this analysis can explain why the enzyme only hydrolyzes peptide bonds outside of soybean storage protein's core double β-barrel cupin domains. The findings further correlate with the literature-reported hypothesis for the subtilisin-specific protease-associated (PA) domain to play a critical role. Residues of the SBT3 PA domain also interact with the P2′ residue on the substrate's carboxyl side of the scissile bond, while those on protease C1 interact with its substrate's P4′ residue. This stands in contrast with the subtilisin BPN′ that has no PA domain, and where the enzyme makes stronger interaction with residues on the amino side of the cleaved bond. The variable patterns of interactions between the substrate models and PA domains of tomato SBT3 and soybean protease C1 illustrate a crucial role for the PA domain in molecular recognition of their substrates.
Centromeres of filamentous fungi

How centromeres are assembled and maintained remains one of the fundamental questions in cell biology. Over the past 20 years, the idea of centromeres as precise genetic loci has been replaced by the realization that it is predominantly the protein complement that defines centromere localization and function. Thus, placement and maintenance of centromeres are excellent examples of epigenetic phenomena in the strict sense. In contrast, the highly derived “point centromeres” of the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its close relatives are counterexamples for this general principle of centromere maintenance. While we have learned much in the past decade, it remains unclear if mechanisms for epigenetic centromere placement and maintenance are shared among various groups of organisms. For that reason, it seems prudent to examine species from many different phylogenetic groups with the aim to extract comparative information that will yield a more complete picture of cell division in all eukaryotes. This review addresses what has been learned by studying the centromeres of filamentous fungi, a large, heterogeneous group of organisms that includes important plant, animal and human pathogens, saprobes, and symbionts that fulfill essential roles in the biosphere, as well as a growing number of taxa that have become indispensable for industrial use.
Subpopulations of Illicit Drug Users Reached by Targeted Street Outreach and Respondent-Driven Sampling Strategies: Implications for Research and Public Health Practice

Purpose To determine whether illicit drug users recruited through respondent-driven sampling (RDS) and targeted street outreach (TSO) differ by comparing two samples recruited concurrently with respect to sample selection and potential recruitment biases. Methods Two hundred seventeen (217) heroin, crack, and cocaine users aged 18–40 years were recruited through TSO in New York City (2006–2009). Forty-six RDS seeds were recruited similarly and concurrently, yielding a maximum of 14 recruitment waves and 357 peer recruits. Baseline questionnaires ascertained sociodemographic, drug use, and drug network characteristics. Descriptive statistics and log-binomial regression were used to compare RDS and TSO samples. Results RDS recruits were more likely to be male (prevalence ratio [PR]:1.28), Hispanic (PR:1.45), black (PR: 1.58), older (PR: 1.02), homeless (PR: 1.19), and crack users (PR: 1.37). RDS recruited fewer injectors (PR:0.35) and heroin users (PR:0.74). Among injectors, RDS recruits injected less frequently (PR:0.77) and were less likely to use Needle Exchange Programs (PR:0.35). Conclusion These data suggest that RDS and TSO strategies reach different subgroups of drug users. Understanding the differing capabilities of each recruitment strategy will enable researchers and public health practitioners to select an appropriate recruitment tool for future research and public health practice.
Initial state selection and intramolecular vibrational relaxation in reacting polyatomic molecules. Neopentylcyclobutane precursor

Abstract In order to confirm and extend the kinetic and intramolecular vibrational relaxation features observed in the isopropylcyclobutane system (KR), the sub
The influence of brand trust and brand identification on brand evangelism

Purpose – The purpose of this study is to examine how the nature of consumers' relationship with a brand influences brand evangelism, which represents an intense form of brand support behavior. Specifically, the study investigates the influence of two consumer-brand relational constructs, brand trust and brand identification, on brand evangelism. Brand evangelism, conceptualized as an amalgam of adoption and advocacy behaviors, is operationalized in terms of three supportive behaviors: purchase intentions, positive referrals, and oppositional brand referrals. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing from prior research on consumer-brand relationships, a framework of brand relationships and brand evangelism is developed. To provide a more robust test of theory, consumers' extraversion, gender, and brand experience are included as control variables. Structural equation modeling is used to test the proposed hypotheses. Findings – The findings reveal that consumer-brand relationships influence brand evangelism, ...
Differential Regulation and Transcriptional Control of Immediate Early Gene Expression in Forskolin-Treated WEHI7.2 Thymoma Cells

Agents that increase intracellular cAMP are frequently growth inhibitory for lymphocytes and induce apoptosis in cortical thymocytes by regulating gene expression. In the present study, immediate early gene expression was examined in WEHI7.2 thymoma cells undergoing cAMP-mediated apoptosis. Temporal differences in c-fos, junB, and inducible cAMP early repressor (ICER) steady-state mRNA levels were observed after forskolin exposure. Maximal induction of c-fos and junB occurred within 1 h, returning to basal levels by 3.5 h. In contrast, a 1.5-h time lag was observed before ICER transcript levels increased, reaching maximal levels after 3.5 h. This rise in expression, correlating with the decrease in c-fos and junB levels, preceded apoptotic DNA fragmentation by 1.5 h. Transient expression of ICER promoter constructs demonstrated that cAMP responsiveness occurred through cAMP-autoregulatory response element (CARE)3/4, two of the four proposed response elements in the ICER promoter. In contrast to the cAMP-r...
Simultaneous infrared determination of sulphate, nitrate and nitrite in water samples

Abstract Small quantities of nitrate, nitrite and sulphate ions may be determined simultaneously by infrared spectrophotometry, utilising the potassium bromide disk technique. The solid samples are prepared by freeze-drying aqueous solutions of these ions containing potassium bromide. An anion-exchange procedure is readily coupled with the infrared measurement through the freeze-drying step. This permits the concentration of very dilute sample solutions, and eliminates the interferences of phosphate, carbonate, and organic matter. The method has been applied to the determination of nitrate, nitrite and sulphate in water samples, where it is found to compare favourably with other methods.
Density and apparent location of the sodium pump in frog sartorius muscle.

The binding of the cardiosteroid3H-ouabain to frog skeletal muscle was determined by studying the kinetics of its uptake and release. The amount of ouabain bound as a function of drug concentration in the external medium follows a hyperbolic relationship with a maximum binding (B max) of the order of 2500 molecules per square micrometer of surface membrane and an affinity constant (K) of 2.2×10−7 m. The data do not suggest a drug-receptor (Na pump site) relation other than one-to-one. Ouabain molecules are released from whole muscle into ouabain-free media very slowly. The release is a single exponential function of time (τ≃25 hr). When re-binding is prevented by the presence of unlabeled ouabain in the external medium, the loss of labeled ouabain is increased (τ≃15 hr). Increasing [K+]0 from 2.5 to 10mm slows the time course of binding without any significant change in binding capacity of the muscle fibers. Experiments on detubulated muscles indicate that the density of pump sites is considerably higher in the surface than in the T-tubular membrane. These findings agree with the report by Narahara et al. [Narahara, H.T., Vogrin, V.G., Green, J.D., Kent, R.A., Gould, M.K. (1979)Biochim. Biophys. Acta 552:247] on the distribution of (Na++K+)-ATPase among different cell membrane fractions from frog skeletal muscle.
A gossip algorithm for aggregative games on graphs

We consider a class of games, termed as aggregative games, being played over a distributed multi-agent networked system. In an aggregative game, an agent's objective function is coupled through a function of the aggregate of all agents decisions. Every agent maintains an estimate of the aggregate and agents exchange this information over a connected network. We study the gossip-based distributed algorithm for the exchange of information and computation of equilibrium decisions of agents over the network. Our primary emphasis lies in proving the convergence of the algorithm under an assumption of a diminishing (agent-specific) step-size sequence. Under standard conditions, we establish the almost-sure convergence of the generated sequence to the unique equilibrium point.
Long-segment coronary ulcerations in survivors of sudden cardiac death.

Abstract Angiographically irregular coronary stenoses usually represent plaque rupture with or without superimposed thrombi. Long-segment coronary stenoses with diffuse irregularities (type IIB morphology) have been shown to be more prevalent than focal irregular lesions (type IIA morphology) in survivors of cardiac arrest without acute myocardial infarction. To further understand the pathogenetic importance of type IIB morphology, the clinical and angiographic characteristics in 59 such patients were analyzed. Type IIB lesions accounted for 63% of all type II lesions. Type IIB patients were older than type IIA patients ( p p
The Excess of Modernity: Garbage Politics in Oaxaca, Mexico

In the last several decades, garbage strikes have taken place around the world. In this article, I examine the case of garbage strikes in Oaxaca, Mexico, a rapidly growing city. Here, garbage, which is normally considered a hazard, is revealed also to be an effective political tool for people demanding “rights to the city.” Processes of modernization that have produced an expectation of cleanliness in modern cities have, at the same time, relied on production and consumption patterns that create more and more garbage. It is this inherent contradiction that provides a space for marginalized people to use garbage as a political tool.
Exercise training attenuates progressive decline in brachial artery reactivity in heart transplant recipients

Background Heart transplantation normalizes central hemodynamics, but endothelial dysfunction persists after transplantation. Methods To investigate the effects of aerobic exercise on arterial function, oxidative stress, lipid profile, and sympathetic nervous system activity, 20 heart transplant recipients (age, 54.3 ± 9.1 years; 17 men, 3 women) were randomly assigned to 12 weeks of supervised treadmill exercise (Trained; n = 10) or standard medical care (Control; n = 10). Supervised exercise was initiated at 8 weeks after transplant. Brachial artery reactivity was assessed using flow-mediated dilation. Results The VO 2 peak increased 26% in the Trained patients (15.4 ± 4.3 vs 19.4 ± 5.5 ml/kg/min; p ≤ 0.05) but did not change in the Controls (16.2 ± 5.2 vs 16.8 ± 2.8 ml/kg/min; p ≥ 0.05). Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (10.1% ± 6.1% vs 9.6% ± 6.2%) and absolute brachial diameter (0.48 ± 0.22 vs 0.42 ± 0.24 mm) did not change in Trained patients, but brachial flow-mediated dilation (10.5% ± 2.8% vs 7.9% ± 5.1%) and the absolute change in brachial diameter (0.48 ± 0.16 vs 0.36 ± 0.24 mm) decreased significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) in the Control patients. Resting norepinephrine decreased significantly ( p ≤ 0.05) after training (0.32 ± 0.19 vs 0.22 ± 0.22 ng/ml), but there was a nonsignificant trend toward increased norepinephrine in the Controls (0.26 ± 0.17 vs 0.53 ± 0.41 ng/ml; p = 0.07). The lipid profile and marker of oxidative stress did not differ between the groups before or after the intervention. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first prospective, randomized study to investigate the effects of heart transplantation and aerobic exercise on peripheral artery function in the same cohort of heart transplant recipients. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation increased early in the post-operative period. Aerobic exercise preserved but did not improve brachial artery flow-mediated dilation. Heart transplant recipients who did not participate in supervised exercise showed a progressive decline in brachial artery flow-mediated dilation.
BLOCK: a black-box approach for detection of state violation attacks towards web applications

State violation attacks towards web applications exploit logic flaws and allow restrictive functions and sensitive information to be accessed at inappropriate states. Since application logic flaws are specific to the intended functionality of a particular web application, it is difficult to develop a general approach that addresses state violation attacks. To date, existing approaches all require web application source code for analysis or instrumentation in order to detect state violations. In this paper, we present BLOCK, a BLack-bOx approach for detecting state violation attaCKs. We regard the web application as a stateless system and infer the intended web application behavior model by observing the interactions between the clients and the web application. We extract a set of invariants from the web request/response sequences and their associated session variable values during its attack-free execution. The set of invariants is then used for evaluating web requests and responses at runtime. Any web request or response that violates the associated invariants is identified as a potential state violation attack. We develop a system prototype based on the WebScarab proxy and evaluate our detection system using a set of real-world web applications. The experiment results demonstrate that our approach is effective at detecting state violation attacks and incurs acceptable performance overhead. Our approach is valuable in that it is independent of the web application source code and can easily scale up.
Influence of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) on ripening and cell-wall matrix polysaccharides of avocado (Persea americana) fruit

Abstract West Indian-type avocado (Persea americana Mill. cv. ‘Simmonds’) fruit were treated with two different concentrations (0.09 and 0.45 μl l−1) of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP) for three exposure times (6, 12, and 24 h) at 20 °C. The fruit were then stored at 20 °C in ethylene-free air for ripening assessment. Firmness, weight loss, respiration and C2H4 production, peel color, cell-wall enzymes (polygalacturonase (PG), pectinmethylesterase, α-,β-galactosidase, and Cx-cellulase) and cell-wall matrix polysaccharides (polyuronides and hemicellulose) were monitored during storage. 1-MCP treatment at 0.45 μl l−1 for 24 h at 20 °C delayed the ripening of avocado fruit by 4 days at 20 °C. This delay was characterized by a significant reduction in the rate of fruit softening and in the timing and intensity of the ethylene and respiratory climacterics. Avocado treated with 1-MCP (0.45 μl l−1) for 24 h at 20 °C also showed significantly less weight loss and retained more green color than control fruit at the full-ripe stage (10–20 N). The delay in avocado ripening was influenced by 1-MCP concentration, exposure duration, and exposure temperature. 1-MCP treatment affected the activity trends of all cell-wall enzymes measured and completely suppressed increases in PG activity for up to 12 days. Consistent with the activity trends of PG, polyuronides from 1-MCP treated fruit when fully ripe exhibited less extensive molecular mass downshifts compared with the control fruit. The data indicate that the primary phase of avocado fruit softening occurs in the absence of appreciable PG activity. 1-MCP treatment also delayed and slightly reduced the depolymerization of 4 M alkali-soluble hemicelluloses, including xyloglucan.
Ultraviolet/Infrared Imaging System

An existing Barnes Engineering,Inc, slow scanning infrared spectral imaging system has been modified to accent an ultraviolet detector, thereby allowing for a two channel ultra-violet or infrared imagery acquisition system. The infrared optical channel has been al-tered to accept a beam splitter for redirecting ultraviolet scenery and transmitting infrared scenery. The ultraviolet optical channel further incorporates a relay lens, optical filters, and a photomultiplier tube detector. The imagery system controller has been changed to allow for interfacing to several data acquisition systems for increased mission flexibility. In existing data acquisition control system program has been modified to acquire and record data on computer compatible digital tape. Digital image data and synchronizing signals were extended from the original Barnes interface and made available for use by an external digital video real-time display. Existing data editing programs were rewritten to accommodate imagery data, and data reduction programs were written for gray level data reduction. Preliminary ultraviolet and infrared measurements have been conducted with some apparent optical performance and throughput degradations in the ultraviolet channel. References to ultraviolet negative/positive contrasts, atmospheric effects, and system optical performance were analyzed. Video and computer reduced gray scale plots have been acquired, and photographs of video gray scale scenery are presented.
Surface Electromyographic Activity of the Submental Muscles During Swallow and Expiratory Pressure Threshold Training Tasks

The use of expiratory muscle strength trainers improves parameters related to pulmonary function, speech, and cough in both healthy and patient populations. Recently, it has been speculated that expiratory strength training may alter the force generation of muscles used during the swallow process. Specifically, the use of the trainer may result in increased activation of the submental muscle complex. Support for this hypothesis was tested by examining the timing and amplitude of submental muscle activity obtained using surface EMG. These muscles are known to be important for normal swallow function. Twenty participants (10 males, 10 females; mean age = 29 years) were recruited to participate in a one-session study. Participants were asked to perform two swallows (saliva swallow and water swallow) and develop an expiratory pressure set at 25% and 75% of their maximum expiratory pressure (MEP) using an expiratory muscle strength trainer. These tasks allowed comparison of muscle activity during both the swallow and expiratory tasks completed with the trainer. Results indicated that the patterns of activation in the submental muscle group while training on the expiratory device had longer duration of activation with higher amplitude of EMG activity when compared with the swallowing condition. These findings indicate that expiratory muscle strength training (EMST) increases motor unit recruitment of the submental muscle complex. Discussion centers on the potential benefit of EMST as a treatment modality for dysphagia characterized by decreased amplitude of hyoid movement during swallowing.
Trends in Clinicopathologic Characteristics and Prognostic Predictors of Survival Outcome in Black Patients with Gastric Carcinoma: A Single Institution's Experience

Background Age, gender, and ethnic group-related differences influence the outcome of gastric cancer. Our aim was to analyze the trends and association of clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors of gastric cancer in black patients over a period of 28 y. Methods A retrospective analysis of all black patients treated for gastric cancer from 1979 to 2007 at Howard University Teaching Hospital. This period was divided into two time frames, 1979–1993 and 1994–2007. Results Of 286 patients in our study, there were 160 (55.9%) males versus 126 (44.1%) females. For the period 1979–1993, there were a total of 169 (59.1%) patients versus 117 (40.9%) for 1994–2007. A significant increase in the incidence of cardia/fundus tumors and stage IV tumors was noted between the two periods ( P P versus 12% and 71.4% versus 50.8%. The median survival time for the period 1979–1993 was 30.5 mo versus 39.2 mo for 1994–2007. The median survival time for males was 35.7 mo versus 34.9 mo for females. Significant independent predictors of a shorter gastric cancer-specific survival include tumor stage IV (HR 8.4 95% CI 2.0–35.0, P P Conclusion Increased incidence of cardia/fundus tumors and stage IV disease may contribute to the sustained higher gastric cancer-specific mortality observed amongst black patients. Female gender emerged as an independent predictor of a shorter survival time.
Check Your Orientalism at the Door: Edward Said, Sanjay Seth, and the Adequacy of Western Pedagogy

Western pedagogy and its preconceived notions of the non-Western world can limit scholars from developing accurate understandings of culturally different societies. Western academics teaching at foreign and Western institutions abroad must be mindful of how ingrained and subconscious Orientalist thinking can distort and hinder their interactions with local students.
The interaction of bombesin and corticotropin-releasing hormone on ingestive behavior in the domestic fowl

Abstract An experiment was conducted to investigate if bombesin (BM) elicits its effects on feeding through the release of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF). Single Comb White Leghorn (SCWL) and broiler cockerels were stereotaxically implanted with a 23-gauge stainless steel cannula in the right lateral ventricle. Birds were infused with 0 or 0.5 μg BM, 5 μg αCRF (a CRF antagonist), or a combination of both. Food and water consumption were monitored at 15-min intervals through 3 h postinjection. Food and water consumption were both significantly decreased by BM in both SCWL and broilers. In SCWL, αCRF had no effect on food intake by itself, but attenuated the effects of BM. In broilers, αCRF caused a slight, but significant, decrease in food intake, but also attenuated the effects of BM. Water consumption was not affected by αCRF in either broilers or SCWL. We conclude that BM may mediate its central effects on food intake in chickens through the release of CRF.
Otolith microchemistry of tropical diadromous fishes: spatial and migratory dynamics

Otolith microchemistry was applied to quantify migratory variation and the proportion of native Caribbean stream fishes that undergo full or partial marine migration. Strontium and barium water chemistry in four Puerto Rico, U.S.A., rivers was clearly related to a salinity gradient; however, variation in water barium, and thus fish otoliths, was also dependent on river basin. Strontium was the most accurate index of longitudinal migration in tropical diadromous fish otoliths. Among the four species examined, bigmouth sleeper Gobiomorus dormitor, mountain mullet Agonostomus monticola, sirajo goby Sicydium spp. and river goby Awaous banana, most individuals were fully amphidromous, but 9–12% were semi-amphidromous as recruits, having never experienced marine or estuarine conditions in early life stages and showing no evidence of marine elemental signatures in their otolith core. Populations of one species, G. dormitor, may have contained a small contingent of semi-amphidromous adults, migratory individuals that periodically occupied marine or estuarine habitats (4%); however, adult migratory elemental signatures may have been confounded with those related to diet and physiology. These findings indicate the plasticity of migratory strategies of tropical diadromous fishes, which may be more variable than simple categorization might suggest.
Bicomponent Microneedle Array Biosensor for Minimally-Invasive Glutamate Monitoring

This article describes the design of a new and attractive minimally-invasive bicomponent microneedle sensing device for the electrochemical monitoring of the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate and glucose. The new device architecture relies on the close integration of solid and hollow microneedles into a single biosensor array device containing multiple microcavities. Such microcavities facilitate the electropolymeric entrapment of the recognition enzyme within each microrecess. The resulting microneedle biosensor array can be employed as a minimally-invasive on-body transdermal patch, obviating the extraction/sampling of the biological fluid, thereby simplifying device requirements. The new concept is demonstrated for the electropolymeric entrapment of glutamate oxidase and glucose oxidase within a poly(o-phenylenediamine) (PPD) thin film. The PPD-based enzyme entrapment methodology enables the effective rejection of coexisting electroactive interferents without compromising the sensitivity or response time of the device. The resulting microneedle-based glutamate and glucose biosensors thus exhibit high selectivity, sensitivity, speed, and stability in both buffer and undiluted human serum. High-fidelity glutamate measurements down to the 10 µM level are obtained in serum. The attractive recess design also serves to protect the enzyme layer upon insertion into the skin. This simple, yet robust microneedle design is well-suited for diverse biosensing applications in which real-time metabolite monitoring is a core requirement.
A spectrophotometric resin competition procedure to determine dissociation constants for metal ion-nucleotide complexes☆

The resin competition method for determining the dissociation constants of metal ion-nucleotide complexes was modified to take into account the fact that some metal nucleotide complexes are anionic and thus, like the free nucleotide, will bind to the resin. A simple, rapid spectrophotometric titration procedure is given for the determination of both the metal ion-nucleotide complex dissociation constant and the ratio of the affinities of the nucleotide and its complex for the resin.
ELectrical Characterization of Beryllium Doped Low Temperature MBE Grown GaAs

The electrical properties of low temperature MBE grown GaAs (LT-GaAs) in the n-i-n configuration have been studied. The mechanism of current rise in beryllium doped LT-GaAs is found to fit Frenkel-Poole type emission with a barrier height of 0.26 eV. However, this model does not fit undoped LT-GaAs. The breakdown field is considerably higher (up to 5.2* 105 V/cm) for beryllium doped films than undoped films, and depends on both growth temperature and beryllium concentration. Beryllium doping is also found to increase the resistivity of the preannealed films to values > 109 ω-cm.
On the use of a continuous metabolic syndrome score in pediatric research

Background The constellation of elevated levels of abdominal adiposity, blood pressure, glucose, and triglycerides and lowered high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol has been termed the metabolic syndrome. Given the current pediatric obesity epidemic, it is perhaps not surprising that recent reports suggest the emergence of the metabolic syndrome during childhood and adolescence. The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the derivation and utility of the continuous metabolic syndrome score in pediatric epidemiologic research.
Power Electronic Transient Load Model for Use in Stability Studies of Electric Power Grids

This paper develops a new large-signal transient load model to represent the composite power electronic load at a network bus. Traditional load models do not account for the transient responses of power electronic loads which occur at the onset and clearing of voltage sags. The new model is supported with actual utility fault response data and laboratory controlled tests. This paper shows that power electronic loads have a unique impact on generator rotor angle swings compared to those using conventional load models.