cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ammoniation of corn contaminated with aflatoxin and its effects on growing rats.

Corn naturally contaminated with 2,000 ppb total aflatoxin was adjusted to 17% moisture and ammoniated (Am) with 1.5% (w/w) anhydrous ammonia in an attempt at detoxification. The ammonia treatment reduced the detectable concentration to 510 ppb total aflatoxins. Ninety-six male Sprague-Dawley rats (75 g avg) were randomly divided into eight treatment groups with 12 rats per treatment. A fortified 12%-protein corn-soybean meal diet served as the control (C) diet. The corn used in the C diet contained no detectable aflatoxin. Treatment 2 contained 1,670 ppb aflatoxin; treatments 3 and 4 were similar to treatments 1 and 2, respectively, except the corn used was ammoniated. Treatments 5 through 8 contained 830, 420, 210 and 100 ppb total aflatoxin, respectively. Liver weights expressed as a percentage of final live weight were increased (P less than .05) in rats consuming diets containing 1,670 ppb aflatoxin compared to the other treatments. Serum albumin, IgG and IgM concentrations were not affected by ammoniation or by concentration of aflatoxin in the corn. At the end of 4 weeks, total serum protein was increased (P less than .05) in rats consuming diets containing aflatoxin-contaminated (AfC) corn and Am corn compared to those consuming the C diet. Average daily gain and average daily feed consumption were reduced (P less than .01) in rats consuming the diet containing 1,670 ppb aflatoxin. The growth of rats consuming AfC corn that was Am was equal to that of rats consuming a similar concentration of aflatoxin by dilution. From these results and the results of others, it appears that ammoniation of corn contaminated with aflatoxin may be a practical and economical method for detoxification.
Dryland organic farming increases floral resources and bee colony success in highly simplified agricultural landscapes

Abstract Agricultural intensification has contributed to declines in wild bee populations at local and regional scales. The Northern Great Plains is a key region for small grain, forage, pulse, and oilseed production, yet the impact of available floral resources on colony success of eusocial bees is unknown. To assess the effects of farming system on bee colony success (relative growth rate and fecundity) and worker condition (lipid content and wing wear), we placed 60 mini-colonies of Bombus impatiens in six conventional and six organic spring wheat fields near Big Sandy, Montana, USA over two growing seasons. Consistent with our expectations, we found that flower density and forb richness were positively associated with colony relative growth rate and fecundity. Similarly, flower density, forb richness, and the relative growth rate and fecundity of B. impatiens colonies were greater in organic fields when compared to conventional fields. Workers from organic fields had lower mean wing wear and marginally greater average body lipid content. However, there were no differences in the number of reproductives (queens, workers, and males) between two systems. Lastly, though the overall composition of colony-collected pollen was not different across the farming systems, colony-collected pollen species richness was greater in organic fields in one of the two sampled growing seasons. We conclude that by increasing B. impatiens colony success and individual worker condition, the greater floral resources observed in organic systems can contribute to better biodiversity-based indirect ecosystem services in the highly simplified agricultural landscapes that dominates the Northern Great Plains.
Introduction to the Hartree-Fock method

Abstract Introduction to the Hartree-Fock (HF) methods is the starting point for the vast majority of computational work on the electronic structure of atoms and molecules. The basic idea is that each electron in an atom or molecule interacts with the average field of every other electron. This leads to a set of simultaneous integro-differential equations for the electron spin-orbitals, which can be solved iteratively, until a self-consistent field is attained. The Roothaan equations transform a HF computation to a problem in matrix algebra, for which modern computers are highly adept. Good HF results can account for over 99% of the total energy. But the remaining 1% error, due to electron correlation, is essential to account for the chemical properties of atoms and molecules. Computation of the correlation energy is then the objective of several post-HF methods.
Quercetin confers protection of murine sepsis by inducing macrophage M2 polarization via the TRPM2 dependent calcium influx and AMPK/ATF3 activation

Abstract M2 macrophage polarization plays a crucial role in counteracting inflammatory disorders such as sepsis. Quercetin is a dietary flavonoid that possesses robust anti-inflammatory properties. However, it is not known whether quercetin takes effects by directly promoting M2 polarization in macrophages. In this study, we observed that quercetin enhanced macrophage M2 polarization and exerted anti-inflammatory activity in LPS stimulated murine peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, quercetin triggered TRPM2 dependent calcium influx and induced calcium dependent activation of AMPKα and ATF3, both were required to mediate M2 macrophage polarization and facilitate the anti-inflammatory activity by quercetin. In a murine endotoxaemia model, quercetin improved survival and ameliorated acute lung injury. Quercetin also induced AMPKα phosphorylation, upregulated ATF3 expression and promoted M2 macrophage polarization in model mice. In conclusion, our results suggest that quercetin promotes macrophage M2 polarization and confers protection of murine sepsis by inducing calcium dependent activation of the AMPK-ATF3 pathway.
A Method to Identify the Difference in Kinematic Behavior of Human Model Lower Extremities with Respect to Muscle Activation During Crash Impact

The main objective of this study is to develop a computational human musculoskeletal model, used to investigate the change in the kinematic behavior of the model’s lower extremities under the influence of activated (active) and deactivated (passive) muscles, during a representative frontal collision using the OpenSim software. Since OpenSim is seldom used in crash simulations, an appropriate model evaluation is performed by comparing the model’s kinematics, obtained from the OpenSim’s inverse dynamic simulation, against the LS-DYNA’s explicit non-linear side impact simulation of a finite element model for a car-pedestrian collision. The required musculoskeletal model is constructed in OpenSim and scaled to meet the requirements of the Hybrid III 50th percentile crash test dummy. For evaluating the developed model, the kinematics from both programs (OpenSim and LS-DYNA), containing identical displacement data, are compared by visual observation of identical time frames. Using the evaluated model in the forward dynamics domain of OpenSim, representative frontal crash simulations are conducted for the active and passive muscle states of the musculoskeletal model, and the kinematic differences in the human model’s lower extremities are extracted and compared.
Chamber probe position effects on controlled rate freezing

Background & Aim Background: Controlled Rate Freezers (CRF) enable long-term cryopreservation of cellular therapy products. Freezing curves record that cryopreservation temperatures are following optimized protocols. Two abnormal freezing curves were investigated. Methods, Results & Conclusion Method Retrospective case reviews. Results In the first case, the standard freezing protocol was followed with minor cyclic oscillations. Product integrity was not compromised. The CRF has a wire chamber temperature probe that makes a 90 degree bend and descends through a six inch metal straw which prevents liquid nitrogen vapor from directly contacting the probe. The insulated probe is uncoated for 3 mm on the distal protruding end allowing for accurate measurements. The straw and probe end are not visible in the CRF due to a metal plate. Upon inspection by the vendor after first abnormal curve, the chamber probe was not protruding far enough out of the straw. Repositioning counteracted the observed oscillations. Several months later, a second abnormal freezing curve was observed. Ten minutes into the run, it was noted that the chamber temperature was having drastic, wide-ranging swings. The sample temperature did not show the irregular swings, but indicated warming. Upon inspection, the uncoated tip of the probe was making contact with the metal straw. Both types of oscillation were reproducible by varying the position of the chamber probe. The exposed temperature probe allows the CRF to measure the temperature of the chamber and inject liquid nitrogen vapor into the system to allow for cooling. When the probe is not in the proper position it is either insulated by the straw (probe within the straw) or the probe is grounded and produces erroneous temperature swings (when the probe touches the metal straw). In the latter case, erroneously cold chamber temperatures occurred, producing large-scale temperature oscillations on the chamber probe which caused the CRF to respond with rapid warming. Product integrity was compromised by the second, more severe event. The vendor was called to discuss the findings and they reported other clients had similar experiences with the grounding of the probe. Currently, we ensure the chamber probe is pulled at least 1 cm through the straw and bent at a 90 degree angle. Conclusion: Probe position is essential for proper function of the CRF which may affect cryopreservation of products. Any oscillations in the freezing curve necessitate evaluation of the chamber probe position.
P69 Takayasu arteritis presenting in an 11-year-old boy

Introduction We present a case of Takayasu arteritis in a Caucasian Irish 11 year old male. Background Takayasu Arteritis, which usually involves the Aorta and it’s main branches is an idiopathic granulomatous vasculitis of unknown aetiology with significant associated morbidity and mortality. It is rare in children, usually presents in Asian adult females and has a worldwide incidence of 2.6/1000,000. Case Presentation A previously well Caucasian eleven year old boy, with no past medical history of note, presented with an insidious onset of persistent, intermittent abdominal, flank and back pain, wakening him form sleep and exacerbated by exercise. Histologically confirmed appendicitis with appendicectomy was made 4 weeks prior to presentation to his local hospital. Examination was normal, including pulses and 4 limb Blood Pressure measurements. Inflammatory markers on presentation- CRP(90) and ESR(120)- were markedly raised. Full blood count, renal and liver profiles were normal. CT Angiogram showed upper periaortic soft tissue surrounding the origin of the coeliac axis and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) causing marked stenosis of the SMA. A working diagnosis of an inflammatory or infective Aortitis involving the proximal intra-abdominal Aorta, extending from the diaphragm to the renal vessels was made. An extensive infectious work up was performed which proved negative including exclusion of tuberculosis. C3 and IgA were marginally raised. Serum Anti Nuclear Antibodies, Anti-Double Stranded DNA Antibodies, Rheumatoid factor and urinary catecholamines were all within normal limits. PET scan confirmed uptake in the proximal abdominal aorta with associated periaortic soft tissue suggestive of Aortitis. A diagnosis of Takayasu arteritis- large vessel granulomatous vasculitis, was made. Treatment was instigated with high dose intravenous methylprednisolone for three days followed by high dose oral prednisolone and subcutaneous methotrexate at a dose of 15 mg/m2 weekly. Inflammatory markers slowly began to normalise with immunosuppressive treatment. Follow up ultrasound at one month showed interval improvement in the aortic mass with increase in the aortic lumen size. On corticosteroid wean a further ultrasound 6 weeks later showed no improvement in the mass and was associated with a rise in inflammatory markers. Biologic therapy with adalimumab subcutaneously has since been added with plan for serial imaging to assess response to therapy. Conclusion This is a rare presentation of a large vessel vasculitis- Takayasu arteritis in a male child of Caucasian origin.
A Novel Single-Input-Multiple-Output DC/DC Converter for Distributed Power Management in Many-Core Systems

We propose a novel single-input-multiple-output DC-DC converter as a distributed power management solution for large-scale many-core systems. As power consumptions of cores vary significantly based on applications, dynamically voltage frequency scaling (DVFS) is necessary to optimize performance. Compared to centralized powering solutions that rely on dynamically reconfiguring the power delivery network, the proposed converter provides three local independent output channels that can respond to various workloads during runtime fast and reliably. From 1V input, output voltages range from 0.33V to 0.94V and supports up 60V/µs transitions. Maximum voltage ripple is limited within 50mV and three output voltages remain stable with a worst-case voltage droop of 30mV during load transitions. Cross regulation is minimized and only 28mV shift is observed at low-power Channel-3. Simulated in 32nm SOI CMOS technology with three customized in-package air-core inductors, peak efficiency achieved at Channel-1 is 92% and peak overall efficiency is 87.6% when all channels are delivering full power.
Competitive pricing is not a barrier to meaningful use of patient portals and personal health records among adolescent patients

Purpose: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act does not prevent patient portals or personal health records from sharing access to information with adolescents and their personal representatives. Yet huge variations exist in the type and amount of information made available to this specific age demographic. A notable barrier in the pediatric community is the inconsistent availability of meaningful information access for adolescent patients …
“No One’s Coming to Save Us”: Centering Lived Experiences in Rural Food Insecurity Organizing

This essay draws on fieldwork with a nonprofit organization in Southeast Ohio in order to gain insight into the unique challenges of rural food insecurity. A series of narrative vignettes illustrat...
Tobacco Smoke Exposure, Respiratory Health, and Health-care Utilization Among US Adolescents.

Background Tobacco smoke exposure adversely affects respiratory health. However, the effects of exposure on adolescents without asthma are not well known. Research Question To what degree are biochemically measured and self-reported tobacco smoke exposure associated with pulmonary function and health-care utilization among US nonsmoking adolescents? Study Design and Methods We analyzed 2007-2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data (N = 2,482). Tobacco smoke exposure was assessed with serum cotinine and self-reported home exposure. We built multiple regression, logistic regression, and Poisson regression models, depending on the outcome. Results Approximately 3% of adolescents had high cotinine (3.00-15.00 ng/mL), 35.7% had low cotinine (0.05-2.99 ng/mL), and 10.9% had home exposure. Adolescents with high cotinine had significantly lower FEV1% (mean, 97.4; SE, 2.09; β, −8.99; 95% CI, −15.64 to −2.33) and FVC% (mean, 97.4; SE, 2.06; β, −8.42; 95% CI, −14.74 to −2.11) than adolescents with no/minimal cotinine ( Interpretation Detectable serum cotinine levels and self-reported home exposure were distinctively associated with decreased pulmonary function and increased health-care utilization.
Understanding Intimate Partner Violence Perpetration Involving the Deaf Population

There has been an increase in intimate partner violence (IPV) research regarding the deaf population; however, no studies to date obtained data directly from members of the deaf population who disclose IPV perpetration. This community-based participatory research study explored the social context of IPV perpetration involving the deaf population through interviews with deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals who self-identified as perpetrating either physical or sexual abuse in an intimate relationship where at least one partner was deaf. Through semi-structured interviews using video relay, an interdisciplinary research team, which included deaf investigators, explored questions which included IPV triggers, types of IPV, weapon use, childhood victimization, and interactions with first responders and response systems (e.g., criminal justice, medical). The types of IPV abuse, resulting injuries, and systems used are discussed. The team collectively identified key elements of abuse and their relationships to each other through concept mapping of each interview. Through a method of constant comparison, we identified several themes: intergenerational transmission of violence, fund of information concerns, communication barriers with family and friends and resulting frustration, and help-seeking challenges. Many of these themes are specific to the deaf population, illustrating the need for continued research to understand IPV in diverse communities. Findings are compared with IPV trends in the general (hearing) population, and prompt concerns that universal IPV interventions may not effectively address the needs of the deaf population. Recommendations for diversifying screening efforts, modifying screening tools, and tailoring interventions to better address IPV involving deaf and hard-of-hearing populations are discussed.
Characterization of a Chlamydomonas reinhardtii mutant strain with tolerance to low nitrogen and increased growth and biomass under nitrogen stress

Abstract Nitrogen is a common limiting nutrient for growth and biomass production in algae and plants. Understanding uptake, assimilation, and regulation of nitrogen metabolism to maximize biomass production with minimal nitrogen input is of great interest environmentally, for large-scale algal culturing, and for crop plants. We have characterized a new strain of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii that has a tolerance to low nitrogen (TLN) with higher growth under nitrogen stress compared to an isogenic wild-type (WT) strain. When grown in reduced ammonium the TLN1 strain has a significantly higher cell density, viable cell count, and biomass than WT. In 0.75 mM ammonium (one tenth the normal concentration in TAP medium) TLN1 has 30–40% more growth and ~55% higher biomass than WT. In 1.8 mM ammonium (one fourth the normal concentration in TAP) TLN1 has ~17% more growth and ~28% higher biomass than WT grown in normal high ammonium (7.5 mM), suggesting an altered regulation of nitrogen metabolism when under nitrogen stress. TLN1 also showed higher growth under nitrogen stress with urea and arginine as alternative sources of nitrogen. Genetic analysis indicates that the tln1 trait is inherited and due to a loss-of-function recessive mutation. In addition to the TLN1 phenotype, this strain is nonflagellated and non-motile. When compared to five known C. reinhardtii flagellar and basal body mutants, TLN1 was unique in having higher growth under nitrogen stress. The tln1 trait has potential benefits to large-scale algal and plant culturing under reduced nitrogen.
A Case of Phlegmasia Cerulea Dolens.

Phlegmasia cerulea dolens (PCD) is a rare presenting condition that carries a high mortality and morbidity risk. It is a cannot miss diagnosis with potentially deadly sequelae, and we highlight the importance of a thorough physical examination and initiation of empiric treatment to help prevent such.
The covid-19 pandemic: Challenges faced and lessons learned regarding distance learning in lebanese higher education institutions

In the past few months, due to the Covid-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, most educational establishments in Lebanon, including schools and higher education institutions, made the transition to distance learning. This research sought to explore the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the challenges that it currently poses to higher education. More specifically, it aimed to evaluate the views of language teachers with regards to online teaching to better understand both its advantages and disadvantages in comparison to face-to-face education. The study also offered insight on the educator’s feedback and their presented solutions that will lead to a better experience with online learning. A quantitative cross-sectional online survey was implemented for the purpose of this study.
Self-efficacy and belonging: the impact of a university makerspace

In recent years, makerspaces have become increasingly common venues of STEM education and are rapidly being incorporated into undergraduate programs. These spaces give students and instructors access to advanced design technology and facilitate the incorporation of a wide variety of projects into the curriculum; however, their impacts on students are not yet fully understood. Using matched survey responses (i.e., repeated measures) from undergraduate students enrolled in engineering courses that assigned a makerspace-based project, we evaluate how the use of a university makerspace impacts students’ attitudes towards design, engineering, and technology. Further, we examine whether there are differences based on students’ year in program, gender, and race. Paired t-tests were used to analyze whether and how nine factors changed within individual students over one semester. Analyses revealed that students who visited the facility showed significant gains in measures of innovation orientation, design self-efficacy, innovation self-efficacy, technology self-efficacy, belonging to the makerspace, and belonging to the engineering community. Subsequently, repeated measures analyses of variance (RMANOVAs) on the students who visited the makerspace revealed significant main effects of students’ year in program, gender, and race, as well as interactional effects of both year in program and race with time. These results affirm the value of incorporating makerspace-based projects into STEM curricula, especially during early coursework. However, our analyses revealed consistent gender gaps in measures of self-efficacy before and after using the makerspace. Similarly, gains in belonging to the makerspace were not equal across racial groups. We conclude that while makerspaces are fulfilling some of their promise for educating innovative problem solvers, more attention needs to be paid to avoid reproducing disparities in STEM education that are already experienced by female students and racial minorities.
L-Moments: Analysis and Estimation of Distributions Using Linear Combinations of Order Statistics

L-moments are expectations of certain linear combinations of order statistics. They can be defined for any random variable whose mean exists and form the basis of a general theory which covers the summarization and description of theoretical probability distributions, the summarization and description of observed data samples, estimation of parameters and quantiles of probability distributions, and hypothesis tests for probability distributions. The theory involves such established procedures as the use of order statistics and Gini's mean difference statistic, and gives rise to some promising innovations such as the measures of skewness and kurtosis and new methods of parameter estimation
Successful Use of Endovascular Robotics in Failed Treatment of Central Venous Stenosis

Central venous stenosis can be a significant issue for hemodialysis patients and other individuals with trauma to their central veins; indwelling catheters as well as pacemaker leads or other foreign bodies can stimulate intimal hyperplasia and stenosis. Endovascular treatment of these patients with either angioplasty or stenting is not very durable, with primary patency rates of around 20-30% at one year1, but with repeated interventions vessels can be kept patent and major open surgery can be avoided. While endovascular treatment is a good first-line therapy, some studies have reported technical failure in around 10% of patients2, leading to open repair.
I/O-efficient construction of constrained delaunay triangulations

In this paper, we designed and implemented an I/O-efficient algorithm for constructing constrained Delaunay triangulations. If the number of constraining segments is smaller than the memory size, our algorithm runs in expected $O(\frac{N}{B}{\rm log}_{M/B}\frac{N}{B})$ I/Os for triangulating N points in the plane, where M is the memory size and B is the disk block size. If there are more constraining segments, the theoretical bound does not hold, but in practice the performance of our algorithm degrades gracefully. Through an extensive set of experiments with both synthetic and real data, we show that our algorithm is significantly faster than existing implementations.
cis-Terpin Hydrate Metabolism by a Brevibacterium: Patterns of Enzyme Induction, and Accumulation of α-Terpineol in Growth Media

A brevibacterium, strain TH-4, previously isolated by aerobic enrichment on the monocyclic monoterpenoid cis-terpin hydrate as a sole carbon and energy source, was found to grow on α-terpineol and on a number of common sugars and organic acids. Oxidation of these terpenoids was shown to occur via an induced enzyme system, as measured manometrically by oxygen uptake and prevention of protein synthesis with chloramphenicol or puromycin. Oxidation of terpin hydrate by cell suspensions appeared to be coincidentally induced by growth on α-terpineol, and oxidation of α-terpineol similarly appeared to be induced by growth on terpin hydrate. Culture fluids in which the TH-4 organism was grown at the expense of cis-terpin hydrate were found to contain (−)-α-terpineol in combined butanol-ether extracts. The isolated compound was shown to be chromatographically and spectrophotometrically identical to an authentic sample of α-terpineol. The stereospecificity of an enzymatic dehydration of terpin hydrate to α-terpineol is considered.
Has Physical Education Achieved a Scholarly Dimension

(1978). Has Physical Education Achieved a Scholarly Dimension? Journal of Physical Education and Recreation: Vol. 49, Including Leisure Today, pp. 21-24.
Optical rotatory dispersion of some c' and cc' cytochromes.

Abstract The optical rotatory dispersion behavior of the oxidized, reduced, and carbon monoxide-reduced forms of cytochrome c' from Rhodopseudomonas palustris and cytochrome cc' from Chromatium strain D, Rhodospirillum rubrum, and Pseudomonas dinitrificans, was studied in the range from 600 to 185 nm. These cytochromes exhibited an apparent positive Cotton effect in the Soret region characteristically different from other c-types cytochromes. The experimental ORD curves were resolved into individual Cotton effects plus the protein backbone rotations which were then also transformed into circular dichroic spectra. The results showed that in all three states, the anomalous rotations occurring within the Soret band were composed of at least two or three positive Cotton effects of relatively narrow band width and large rotational strength; a negative Cotton effect, evidently composed of multiple transitions, was resolved in the 300- to 330-nm region. For both the reduced and the carbon monoxide-reduced forms, the main Cotton effects were shifted towards longer wave length and in the carbon monoxide-reduced form, with the exception of R. rubrum, these Cotton effects occurred at positions close to the absorption maximum of the cytochrome and possessed very narrow band width. The net rotational strength (sum of Cotton effects I, II, and III) was significantly decreased for R. palustris cytochrome c' when reduced and for Chromatium and R. rubrum cytochrome cc' when reacted with carbon monoxide. The Shechter-Blout parameters (A'193 nm and A'225 nm) were found, in general, to be dependent upon not only the oxidation state of the cytochromes but also the ligand coordinated with the heme iron. These observations suggested that changes in the heme chromophore or chromophores also resulted in alterations of the heme environment. No evidence of heme-heme interactions was evident for the diheme cytochromes from Chromatium, R. rubrum and P. dinitrificans in contrast to a diheme cytochrome from Chromatium, cytochrome c552. Distinct differences were noted in the optical rotatory dispersion spectra and in the resolved Cotton effects between cytochrome cc' from Chromatium and R. rubrum, and between the monoheme (R. palustris) and the diheme cytochromes.
Growth from Spores of Clostridium perfringens in the Presence of Sodium Nitrite

The method by which sodium nitrite may act to prevent germination or outgrowth, or both, of heat-injured spores in canned cured meats was investigated by using Clostridium perfringens spores. Four possible mechanisms were tested: (i) prevention of germination of the heat-injured spores, (ii) prior combination with a component in a complex medium to prevent germination of heat-injured spores, (iii) inhibition of outgrowth of heat-injured spores, and (iv) induction of germination (which would render the spore susceptible to thermal inactivation). Only the third mechanism was effective with the entire spore population when levels of sodium nitrite commercially acceptable in canned cured meats were used. Concentrations of 0.02 and 0.01% prevented outgrowth of heat-sensitive and heat-resistant spores, respectively. Nitrite-induced germination occurred with higher sodium nitrite concentrations.
The Complementary Brain (Abstract)

How are our brains functionally organized to achieve adaptive behavior in a changing world? This talk will survey evidence supporting a computational paradigm that radically departs from the computer metaphor suggesting that brains are organized into independent modules. Evidence is reviewed that brains are organized into parallel processing streams with complementary properties. This perspective clarifies, for example, how parallel processing in the brain leads to visual percepts and object recognition, and how perceptual mechanisms differ from those of movement control. Multiple modeling studies predict how the neo-cortex is organized into parallel processing streams such that pairs of streams obey complementary computational rules (as when two puzzle pieces fit together). Hierarchical interactions within each stream and parallel interactions between streams create coherent behavioral representations that overcome the complementary deficiencies of each stream and support unitary conscious experiences. For example, visual boundaries and surfaces seem to obey complementary rules in the Interblob and Blob streams from area V1 to V4. They interact to generate visible representations of 3D surfaces in which partially occluded objects are mutually separated and completed. Visual boundaries and motion in the Interblob and Magnocellular cortical processing streams seem to obey complementary computational rules in cortical areas V2 and MT. They interactively form representations of object motion in depth. Predictive target tracking (e.g., targets moving relative to a stationary observer) and optic flow navigation (e.g., an observer moving relative to its world) seem to obey complementary computational rules in ventral and dorsal MST.
Studies on thyroxine-binding globulin: IV. The interaction of thyroxine with thyroxine-binding globulin

Abstract 1. 1.|The quenching of thyroxine-binding globulin intrinsic protein fluorescence by ligands was used to demonstrate the binding of 0.85 ± 0.06 mole of thyroxine per mole of purified thyroxine-binding globulin and 0.91 ± 0.06 mole of triiodothyronine per mole of thyroxine-binding globulin. 2. 2.|Ultrafiltration studies showed the affinity constant of thyroxine-binding globulin for thyroxine to be 2.3·1010 M−1 at 23 °C. 3. 3.|Thermodynamic parameters of the binding of thyroxine to thyroxine-binding globulin indicate only a small enthalpic change of −0.210 kcal/mole accompanying binding, but a large entropic contribution of +46 cal/degree per mole. These characteristics are typical of hydrophobic interactions.
Glutathione transferase from human erythrocytes. Nonidentity with the enzymes from liver.

Glutathione transferase ϱ has been purified to homogeneity from human erythrocytes. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 47,500 and is composed of two subunits of the same apparent molecular weight. The enzyme is active in catalyzing the reaction of glutathione, as a nucleophile, with a variety of compounds bearing an electrophilic center. Thioether formation with 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene and with ethacrynic acid are among the most rapid reactions under standard assay conditions. The erythrocyte enzyme has a different amino acid composition from that of glutathione transferases from human liver, whereas all of the liver enzymes appear to have the same composition. The erythrocyte transferase also differs from the liver transferases in its low isoelectric point of 4.5, its lack of reactivity with antibody produced against a liver glutathione transferase, and its more limited spectrum of substrates. The enzyme is present at a concentration of about 1.2 mg/100 ml of packed human erythrocytes.
Uncertain Allies: Understanding the Boundaries of Race and Teaching.

In this article, Marilyn Cochran-Smith reflects on her experiences as the director of a teacher education program that is attempting to open the unsettling discourse of race in the pre-service curriculum. She suggests that teacher educators need to examine how they and their students construct this discourse and how they interpret its implications for particular schools, communities, and classrooms. Cochran-Smith further offers that teacher educators may convey contradictory messages about the responsibilities of teachers who work with students who are similar to and different from them in race, culture, and ethnicity through the powerful messages implicit in the pedagogy of pre-service education itself. She concludes with the caution that unless teacher educators engage in the unflinching interrogation of pre-service pedagogy and then work to alter their own teaching and programs, it is unlikely that they will be able to effectively help student teachers do the same.
Captain Planet and the Planeteers: Kids, Environmental Crisis, and Competing Narratives of the New World Order

The environmental crisis is presented as a contested cultural discourse with conflicting social and political narratives pervasively targeted at children. Textual analysis of an environmental cartoon, and interviews with the cartoon's producers and child viewers, are used to deconstruct popular themes being transmitted to children in the name of “saving the planet”. The cartoon is critiqued as representing and promoting a liberal environmental paradox espousing: a simultaneous call for children to both conserve and consume; a diffusion of responsibility that supports the notion of environmental crisis as everybody's fault; simplistic, individualistic solutions to complex corporate and bureaucratic problems. Narratives of nature as a social actor are proposed as rhetorical and epistemological alternatives for the recreation of children's social, political, and environmental awareness.
The Judiciary and European Governance

The Judicial Construction of Europe. By Alec Stone Sweet. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. 294 pp., $99.00 cloth (ISBN: 0-19-927552-1), $39.95 paper (ISBN: 0-19-927553-X). Alec Stone Sweet's The Judicial Construction of Europe is an evaluation of the integration process within the European Community (EC) and an attempt to empirically document the causal role of the judiciary in this process. According to Sweet (p. 235), his book endeavors to achieve two primary objectives: First, I have sought to demonstrate that the course of European integration has been profoundly shaped by a system of adjudication managed by the Court of Justice … Second, I have sought to test a range of propositions about how the legal system operates, and to trace the effects of the ECJ's case law on policy outcomes, and on the policy-relevant behavior of nonjudicial actors. Sweet's argument ultimately concludes that the role of the European Court of Justice (ECJ) is not to serve as a “perfect” agent for EC member states but, instead, to act as an independent catalyst for the integration process. This analysis places The Judicial Construction of Europe within a plethora of literatures, some acknowledged and some not. However, it is interesting to note that even though these literatures tend to parallel each other, they generally fail to engage one another. This engagement, although possibly unintended, is one of the major strengths of Sweet's narrative. The primary backdrop for The Judicial Construction of Europe is the European integration literature. Sweet establishes his narrative as a counter-argument to the agent-based integration literature. This literature discusses integration as a state-dominated process (Moravscik 1991; Tsebelis and Garrett 2001), whereas Sweet wishes to emphasize the causal role of the ECJ and the national …
The prevalence of pain in a pediatric and young adult cancer population

The prevalence and nature of pain in the population of children and young adults with malignancy treated by the Pediatric Branch of the National Cancer Institute were assessed over a 6 month period. One hundred and thirty-nine patients were evaluated during 161 in-patient days and 195 out-patient clinic visits. Approximately 50% of the patients assessed in the hospital and 25% of the patients assessed in the out-patient clinic were found to be experiencing some degree of pain at the time of assessment. Therapy-related pain predominated in both in-patients and out-patients; only one-third of the pain experienced by in-patients and less than 20% of the pain experienced by out-patients was due to tumor. Tumor pain was due primarily to bony invasion. In order to control pain in those individuals experiencing pain, narcotic analgesics were being used by one-half of the in-patients and one-third of the out-patients. Overall pain control was good, with the medium visual analogue scale score being 26 mm on a 0-100 mm scale. During the study period 7 patients were identified to have chronic pain for greater than 1 year following eradication of all known tumor from the site of pain. One was receiving massive doses of narcotics (120 mg/day of methadone) apparently out of proportion to his underlying pain.
A preconditioned dual-primal finite element tearing and interconnecting method for solving three-dimensional time-harmonic Maxwell's equations

A new preconditioned dual-primal nonoverlapping domain decomposition method is proposed for the finite element solution of three-dimensional large-scale electromagnetic problems. With the aid of two Lagrange multipliers, the new method converts the original volumetric problem to a surface problem by using a higher-order transmission condition at the subdomain interfaces to significantly improve the convergence of the iterative solution of the global interface equation. Similar to the previous version, a global coarse problem related to the degrees of freedom at the subdomain corner edges is formulated to propagate the residual error to the whole computational domain at each iteration, which further increases the rate of convergence. In addition, a fully algebraic preconditioner based on matrix splitting is constructed to make the proposed domain decomposition method even more robust and scalable. Perfectly matched layers (PMLs) are considered for the boundary truncation when solving open-region problems. The influence of the PML truncation on the convergence performance is investigated by examining the convergence of the transmission condition for an interface inside the PML. Numerical examples including wave propagation and antenna radiation problems truncated with PMLs are presented to demonstrate the validity and the capability of this method.
The effect of beta-blockers on the diagnostic accuracy of vasodilator pharmacologic SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging

The effect of beta (β) blockers on the accuracy, particularly the sensitivity, of vasodilator radionuclide myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) is not entirely clear. This study aimed to further assess the effect of β-blockers on the ability of MPI to identify significant and high-risk coronary artery disease (CAD). For 555 patients who underwent vasodilator MPI and had coronary angiography within 90 days, global and per-vessel sensitivities and specificities were calculated, and were found to be similar between patients taking β-blockers and those who were not. β-blockers did not decrease the ability to detect patients with multivessel disease. Summed stress scores and summed rest scores were likewise similar in both groups. To account in part for catheterization referral bias and the potential of false-negative MPI studies in patients receiving β-blockers, survival analysis was performed on 2646 patients with normal MPI studies who did not undergo cardiac catheterization and failed to demonstrate significant mortality difference related to the taking of β-blockers. β-blocker therapy does not diminish the ability of vasodilator stress MPI to detect clinically significant CAD, nor hide the mortality risk of patients with normal studies not referred for catheterization.
Cottonseed Meal Studies

Summary The results of this investigation lend further support to the theory that cottonseed meal injury in dairy cattle is due to the lack of a factor or factors carried by good quality hay. Liberal feeding of cottonseed meal to dairy cattle from three months to four years of age along with ample hay of high quality and corn silage had no apparent effect on health, reproduction or lactation. Liberal feeding of cottonseed meal to lactating cows did not increase susceptibility to udder infection.
Individual Perceptions of Task Conflict and Relationship Conflict

We rely on the existing conflict literature and self-verification theory to examine perceived task and relationship conflict. We set out to contribute to the discussion of whether relationship conflict is dysfunctional and task conflict is functional in terms of the individual evaluations of group efficacy and group mind. Our sample is a field setting of 127 individuals within a Fortune 500 company. Individual perceptions of group efficacy and group mind scores were significantly higher when neither type of conflict was perceived to occur often as compared with when both types of conflict were perceived to occur often. After decoupling types of conflict, we found when only task conflict occurred often, the perceived efficacy and mind scores were significantly higher than when both types of conflict occurred often. This is a contradictory finding based on the existing literature that suggests task conflict negatively impacts emergent states.
Sensitivity and specificity of commonly used electrocardiographic criteria for left atrial enlargement determined by m-mode echocardiography

Abstract To assess the sensitivity and specificity of 6 commonly used electrocardiographic criteria for left atrial (LA) enlargement, the rest ECGs of 99 patients in normal sinus rhythm were analyzed. Fifty-seven of the patients had LA enlargement and 42 had a normal LA dimension as determined by M-mode echocardiography. The 6 criteria studied and their respective sensitivities and specificities were as follows: (1) duration of the negative phase of the P wave in lead V 1 >40 ms: sensitivity, 83%; specificity, 80%; (2) notched P wave in any standard lead with an interpeak duration >40 ms: sensitivity, 15%; specificity, 100%; (3) P terminal force (depth X duration of the terminal portion of the P wave) in lead V 1 more negative than —0.04 mm·s: sensitivity, 69%; specificity 93%; (4) depth of the negative phase of the P wave in lead V 1 >- 1 mm: sensitivity, 60%; specificity, 93%; (5) total P-wave duration >110 ms in any standard lead: sensitivity, 33%; specificity, 88%; (6) total P wave duration/P-R interval duration >1.6: sensitivity, 31%; specificity, 64%. Combining 2 or more of these criteria did not substantially improve sensitivity and specificity.
Synthesis, structure, and properties of randomly mixed and layer-ordered SrMn1-xGaxO3-δ perovskites

Abstract We report the synthesis of SrMn 1− x Ga x O 3− δ perovskite compounds and describe the dependence of their phase stability and structural and physical properties over extended cation and oxygen composition ranges. Using special synthesis techniques, we have extended the solubility limit of Ga 3+ in the cubic perovskite phase to x ≈0.33. Higher Ga concentrations lead to mixed phases until a single-phase ordered double-perovskite structure is obtained at x =0.5, i.e., Sr 2 MnGaO 6− δ . In the cubic perovskite phase the maximum oxygen content is 3− x /2, which corresponds to 100% Mn 4+ . All maximally oxygenated solid solution compounds are found to order antiferromagnetically, with the transition temperature linearly decreasing as Ga content increases. Reducing the oxygen content introduces frustration into the magnetic system and a spin-glass state is observed for SrMn 0.7 Ga 0.3 O 2.5 below 30 K. The brownmillerite phase at low oxygen content, Sr 2 MnGaO 5 , is found to have Icmm crystallographic symmetry. At 12 K its magnetic structure is found to order in the Icm′m′ magnetic symmetry corresponding to a G-type antiferromagnetic structure of Mn 3+ ions. At higher oxygen content, Sr 2 MnGaO 5.5 is found to have Cmmm crystallographic symmetry with disordered oxygen vacancies. At 12 K two competing long-range magnetic structures are found for the Mn 4+ sublattice having C I m′m′m symmetry (G-type), and C P m′m′m symmetry (C-type), together with a G-type short-range magnetic correlations.
A Study of Log‐Logistic Model in Survival Analysis

In survival analysis when the mortality reaches a peak after some finite period and then slowly declines, it is appropriate to use a model which has a nonmonotonic failure rate. In this paper we study the log-logistic model whose failure rate exhibits the above behavior and its mean residual life behaves in the reverse fashion. The maximum likelihood estimation of the parameters is examined and it is proved analytically that unique maximum likelihood estimates exist for the parameters. A lung cancer data set is analyzed. Confidence intervals for the parameters as well as for the critical points of the failure rate and mean residual life functions are obtained for the high performance status (PS) and low PS subgroups, where the term performance status is a measure of general medical status.
THE GEOGRAPHY OF AIR PASSENGER VOLUME AND LOCAL EMPLOYMENT PATTERNS BY US METROPOLITAN CORE AREA, 1973-1996

The purpose of this paper is to determine if a statistically significant relationship exists between administrative and auxiliary employment levels and air passenger volume for the top 50 urban-airport complexes in the United States from 1973 to 1996. The goal of this paper is a fairly modest one — to refine and expand the current literature's focus by conducting a broader investigation of the links that exist between air passenger volume and employment levels within local economies. Based on data from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the US Census Bureau County Business Patterns, the major findings of this paper were that the correlation between administrative and auxiliary employment and enplaned passenger volume over time are statistically significant at the 1% level.