cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Maintenance of a captive flock of house finches free of infection by Mycoplasma gallisepticum.

SUMMARY. Since the beginning of an epidemic of conjunctivitis in wild house finches caused by Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG), all captive colonies established by capturing freeranging house finches from the eastern population have also either been infected at the time of capture or developed infection shortly after capture. In an attempt to avoid this infection in captive flocks being maintained for studies of the finches' behavior and ecology, we compared two different flock management strategies and were able to prevent the development of mycoplasmal conjunctivitis with one of the strategies. Single-sex flocks were built by introducing only seronegative wild-caught birds showing no clinical signs of conjunctivitis and covering their outdoor flight cages with netting to prevent interaction with other wild birds although only the female flocks were initially treated with a 6-wk course of tylosin tartrate (0.3 mg/ml). The female flocks never developed conjunctivitis although the disease did develop in the male flocks. Furthermore, serologic assessments of the healthy flock by serum plate agglutination assays for MG indicated that the females remained free of MG infection in the final 7 wk of the study, during which they were unmedicated. We conclude that any low-level MG infection not diagnosed by the initial test for seroconversion was cleared by the prolonged drug treatment.
Predictions of dendritic growth rates in the linearized solvability theory

We obtain explicit predictions for velocity selection in two- and three-dimensional, symmetric, and one-sided models of dendritic solidification. We do this by using WKB techniques to derive a solvability condition, which is then solved numerically, for the existence of steady-state needle crystals. The comparison with available numerical results is reasonably good. We also discuss the comparison with experiments.
Ostomy Closures in Children: Variations in Perioperative Care Do Not Change the Outcome

This study aimed to evaluate ostomy closure applications and outcomes and determine the effect of personal differences among surgeons on patient postoperative course. Ninety-eight patients who underwent elective ostomy (ileostomy and colostomy) closure for 8 years at a pediatric surgery training department were investigated. Postoperative complications included superficial surgical site infection (SSI; 9.4 %), organ/cavity infection (1 %), small bowel adhesions (8.2 %), and incisional hernia (1 %). SSI and postoperative complications were not affected by the preoperative antibiotic regimen used. Operation duration, pre- and postoperative antibiotic use durations, postoperative inpatient period, ostomy type, primary diagnosis, performance of abdominal exploration, SSI, and postoperative complications were not significantly different. However, the time of nasogastric (NG) tube withdrawal, time to oral feeding initiation, abdominal closure method used, and preoperative antibiotic regimen were significantly different among different surgeons. We conclude that while surgeons used different preoperative antibiotic regimens and abdominal closure methods and stipulated different times for NG tube withdrawal and oral feeding initiation, the postoperative course and prognosis were unaffected Thus, the pre- and postoperative inpatient period and antibiotic use duration can be decreased in children by procedure standardization using practice guidelines; the procedures can also be performed with a more aesthetic, acceptable incision.
An adjustment procedure for predicting systematic risk

This paper looks at the currently available beta adjustment techniques and suggests a multiple root-linear model to adjust for the regression tendency of betas. Our empirical investigate on indicates that cross-sectional betas are not normally distributed, but their distribution tends to normal after a square-root transformation. The evidence from the Box-Cox regression model and the multivariate normality observed among betas after the transformation, make the functional form of our model correct. Also, we observe that the disturbance term of the multiple root-linear model is well behaved. These findings make the ordinary least squares estimates unbiased and efficient. Finally, the mean square and extreme errors are found to be lower when our adjustment procedure is used vis-a-vis the existing procedures.
Phosphorylase α Activity in Rat Uterine Homogenates: Protection by Estrogen in Vivo and Inhibition of the Estrogen Effect by Actinomycin D

Ovariectomized and ovariectomized-adrenalectomized rats were treated for 36 hr with estradiol benzoate, actinomycin D and combinations thereof. From each rat, one uterine horn (designated as quick-frozen) was removed, frozen immediately and trimmed of extraneous tissue; the other (designated as manipulated) was removed, trimmed, rubbed with forceps and then frozen. Phosphorylase a activity was assayed at 37 C in homogenates having the following composition; 0.05m NaF, 0.014m glucose-1-phosphate, pH 6.1, 0.5% glycogen, 10 mg tissue, wet weight, per ml. The liberation of phosphate in the synthesis of glycogen from glucose-1-phosphate was determined at intervals during each assay reaction. The assay reactions were not linear with time but followed curves that fit the general equation: P = A(1−e−kt), where P is the phosphorus liberated after t minutes of incubation, A and k are constants. The values of these constants were significantly affected by the estrogen and/or actinomycin D treatment that had been giv...
Force deficits after stretches of activated rat muscle-tendon complex with reduced collagen cross-linking.

The forces produced during stretches of passive and activated muscles, and isometric force deficits after stretching of activated muscles were examined in rat plantor flexor muscle-tendon complexes with reduced collagen cross-links (pyridinoline). Female Sprague-Dawley rats (n=6, age 87 days) were injected twice daily for 43 days with β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN, 333 mg/kg/day i.p.), an inhibitor of lysyl oxidase, which is responsible for the production of collagen cross-links. The relative weights of the plantar flexor muscles were similar for BAPN and saline-injected (control, C) rats (n=6). Pyridinoline was lower in the tendon (22.9%), and in the plantaris (17.1%), and soleus (7.4%) muscles (P<0.05), with no changes observed in collagen content (hydroxyproline), as determined by high-pressure liquid chromatography. At an ankle position of 90°, groups had similar forces at 5, 10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 Hz before stretching. Forces at 40° with stretches of the passive muscles (five times from 90° to 40°) were lower for all stretches in BAPN-injected rats (P<0.05). Isometric force deficits resulting from stretches of activated muscles (80 Hz, 20 times from 90° to 40°, rest intervals 3 min) followed similar courses for BAPN-injected and C rats, and were 51.1 (2.4)% (C) and 54.7 (4.6)% (BAPN) before the last stretch. After 1 h of rest, isometric force deficits were 26% and 29% larger at 10 Hz and 5 Hz, respectively, in BAPN-treated rats (P<0.05). The reduction in BAPN-injected collagen cross-linking of the skeletal muscle-tendon complex reduced the forces produced during stretches without muscle stimulation (i.e. passive stretch), and stretching of activated muscles produced larger isometric force deficits only at low stimulation frequencies.
Nutrition Beliefs and Weight Loss Practices of Lakota Indian Adults

Abstract Primary objectives were to describe beliefs about diet and health, weight perceptions, and weight loss practices among Lakota Indian adults. In-person interviews were conducted with a total of 219 adults from two reservations in South Dakota. Overall, 55.5% of the sample was overweight. When asked how they perceived their body weight, 6% felt they were “too thin,” 43.4% thought they were “about right,” and 50.2% felt they were “too fat.” When asked what they were doing about their weight, 74% said they were either trying to lose weight or trying to keep from gaining more weight. Reducing the amount of food eaten (90%), eating more fruits and vegetables (86%), increasing physical activity (84%), and skipping meals (82%) were reported to have been used by most of those who had dieted. Of those who felt they needed to lose weight, 78% said they would join a weight loss program if one were offered. Findings indicate that most Lakota adults are concerned about obesity and are attempting to either lose excess weight or avoid gaining weight. Intervention efforts for this population should focus on providing individuals with guidance on effective strategies for weight loss or obesity prevention. Weight loss programs should include features identified as important by survey participants, such as information on how to fit a healthful diet and exercise into daily life.
The Relation of Mood and Behavior to Alcohol Use in Adolescent Suicide Attempters

ABSTRACT Background: Substance use has been shown to be an important risk factor for suicidal behavior in adolescence. In this study, rates of substance use in a sample of adolescents who had attempted suicide were examined as were the relationships of mood state and behavior problems to substance use. Method: Adolescents (N = 106) treated in an emergency department or pediatric inpatient unit following a suicide attempt were administered a standardized clinical assessment battery including detailed measures of alcohol involvement. Results: Seven percent of the sample reported alcohol or other drug use at the time of the attempt. About one third of the sample reported having been drunk at least once and one fifth reported at least one alcohol-related problem; 6% of the sample met diagnostic criteria for either alcohol abuse or dependence. Behavior problems were more strongly related to quantity and frequency of alcohol use than mood state. Hopelessness and behavior problems were both related to the severi...
Stalking and anti‐stalking legislation: A guide to the literature of a new legal concept

One of the newest crimes to be put on the books is stalking, usually defined as repeatedly being in the presence of another person with the intent to cause emotional distress or bodily harm after being warned or requested not to do so. Stalking must be done over a period of time to indicate a pattern or continuity of purpose. Threats against a person or person's family may be stated or implied in stalking. Stalking victims are followed and harassed at work, at school, and at home. Stalking can also be done electronically, either using computers to send harassing e‐mail messages or by jamming telefacsimile machines with unwanted transmissions. There have been numerous high‐profile stalking cases that gained a great deal of publicity and focused attention on stalking. “Celebrity stalking” cases came to the public's attention in 1982 when actress Theresa Saldana was stabbed by a stalker. In 1989 actress Rebecca Schaeffer was shot and killed by a man who had stalked her for two years. In the 1990s the assault on skater Nancy Kerrigan, television talk shows and movies, and nonfiction works on stalking, including cases that ended with the death of the stalking victim, have focused public attention on this issue.
The major integral membrane glycoprotein in adipocytes is a novel 200-kDa heterodimer.

The major glycoprotein in adipocytes was purified from rat adipocyte membranes by affinity chromatography with wheat germ agglutinin-agarose followed by DEAE-Sepharose ion exchange chromatography. The protein had an apparent molecular weight of 200-kDa when analysed by SDS-PAGE under non-reducing conditions. When electroeluted from the gel, boiled in the presence of β-mercaptoethanol, and re-analysed by gel electrophoresis, it was found to be composed of 100- and 160-kDa subunits. The N-terminal sequences were determined through 20 amino acids for each subunit, were found to be identical, and were homologous with no previously described protein sequences. The protein was not extractable from the membrane by high salt concentrations, indicating it was an integral membrane protein. Membrane fractionation by differential ultracentrifugation showed it was present predominantly in the plasma membrane fraction. The protein was susceptible to cell surface radiolabelling, further suggesting it was a plasma membra...
Effects of Employee Ownership on Employee Attitudes: A Test of Three Theoretical Perspectives

Research on the effects of employee ownership on employee attitudes has yielded differing results. One reason is the use of alternative theoretical perspectives to guide research efforts. Three theoretical perspectives have been identified in previous research: the Intrinsic Satisfaction model, the Instrumental Satisfaction model, and the Extrinsic Satisfaction model. These three perspectives were compared in a study of employees in an employee-owned company. Results indicated the greatest support for the Instrumental Satisfaction perspective, in which ownership affects employee attitudes primarily through providing greater perceived influence and control. Additional support was found for the Extrinsic Satisfaction perspective, with employee attitudes affected by the financial value of ownership. No support was found for the Intrinsic Satisfaction perspective.
Language comprehension in schizophrenia: Trait or state indicator?

Language comprehension, measured by the Luria-Nebraska Relational Concepts Factor Scale, was evaluated twice in 15 male DSM-III-R schizophrenic patients during a controlled double-blind haloperidol maintenance (without anticholinergics) and placebo replacement protocol. Fifteen male normal controls were tested once. Patients and controls were matched on age and education. Language comprehension was significantly reduced in patients under both pharmacologic conditions, as compared with controls. Patients' comprehension accuracy did not differ significantly between neuroleptic-treatment and placebo replacement conditions. Patients' comprehension accuracy was independent of positive symptoms, anxiety-depression, measures of clinical course, and CSF and plasma monoamines. Comprehension accuracy was also not associated with patients' educational level or WAIS-R measures of their intellectual and short-term memory functioning. Patients' comprehension performance was significantly associated only with the negative symptom anhedonia-asociality during haloperidol maintenance. Thus, language comprehension in schizophrenic patients was independent of changes in pharmacologic treatment and the positive symptoms of psychosis. Results suggest language comprehension may represent a stable or trait characteristic in schizophrenia.
(Hyper)polarizabilities of GaN, GaP, and GaAs Clusters: An Ab Initio Time-Dependent Hartree−Fock Study†

The (hyper)polarizabilities of GaN, GaP, and GaAs clusters have been calculated using an ab initio time-dependent Hartree−Fock method and an even-tempered Gaussian basis set. The geometries of the clusters used in the study were optimized by ab initio Hartree−Fock calculations using the same basis set. The clusters used in this calculation are of the type GamXn (m = 1, 3, 4 and n = 1, 3, 4) where X = N, P, or As. The GamXn clusters are in a charge neutral (q = 0) state for m = n and in an appropriately charged state for m ≠ n. All of the clusters studied are stable in a nearly tetrahedral geometry. The magnitude of the calculated (hyper)polarizabilities appears to depend on the size of the cluster. The cluster-size dependence of calculated (hyper)polarizabilities is more pronounced for the first hyperpolarizability, β, than for the polarizability, α. The calculated frequency-dependent polarizability, α(ω), exhibits a small but finite dispersion with the frequency of the optical field. The magnitude of the...
Covering properties and Følner conditions for locally compact groups

LetG be a locally compact group with left Haar measurem G on the Borel sets IB(G) (generated by open subsets) and write |E|=m G (E). Consider the following geometric conditions on the groupG. (FC If ɛ>0 and compact setK⊂G are given, there is a compact setU with 0 0 and compact setK⊂G, which includes the unit, are given there is a compact setU with 0<|U|<∞ and |K U ΔU|/|U|<ɛ. HereA ΔB=(A/B)⌣(B/A) is the symmetric difference set; by regularity ofm G it makes no difference if we allowU to be a Borel set. It is well known that (A)⇒(FC) and it is known that validity of these conditions is intimately connected with “amenability” ofG: the existence of a left invariant mean on the spaceCB(G) of all continuous bounded functions. We show, for arbitrary locally compact groupsG, that (amenable)⇔(FC)⇔(A). The proof uses a covering property which may be of interest by itself: we show that every locally compact groupG satisfies. (C) For at least one setK, with int(K)≠O and $$\bar K$$ compact, there is an indexed family {x α∶αeJ}⊂G such that {Kx α} is a covering forG whose covering index at each pointg (the number of αeJ withgeKx α) is uniformly bounded throughoutG.
Validation of the Functional Assessment Inventory Against a Multidisciplinary Home Care Team

Systematic multidimensional assessment techniques such as the Functional Assessment Inventory (FAI) are increasingly used with the elderly for outcome measurement, prediction of service needs, and accurate description for comparative purposes. The FAI is a structured interview followed by a rating process which compares patient status against standard descriptive phrases. Patients are assessed in five areas: mental health, physical health, social resources, economic resources, and activities of daily living (ADL). The validity of the FAI was tested by comparing ratings of patient health obtained by a single investigator using only the instrument with ratings obtained by consensus from an interdisciplinary home care team providing long-term care for the patients studied. An excellent level of agreement (weighted kappas from .583 to .780) was found in all areas studied. A single significant difference in ADL rating with a high correlation coefficient (r = .85) was interpreted as due to a difference between the single rater and the team in the definition of ADL. The ease of obtaining summary ratings from clinical personnel suggests that further exploration of this rapid quantification of patient health is warranted.
Distributed Atmospheric Sensing using Small UAS and Doppler Radar

A distributed sensing system has been developed to probe an atmospheric airmass boundary with simultaneous dual-Doppler sensing and in-situ sampling using an Unmanned Vehicle System (UAS). In support of this effort, a suite of software was developed to allow for real time visualization of radar and UA information. Through this interface, controllers were able to effectively control a UA to an area of interest based upon meteorological information. An existing ad-hoc network was augmented to allow for the effective dissemination of telemetry, sensor data, and control throughout the multi-user network. Furthermore, a UA was developed that could carry the various sensors and conduct the required mission. These efforts were verified by flight operations conducted at the Pawnee National Grasslands under CoA 2008-WSA-51.
Anticonvulsant Activity of Some 4-Aminophenylacetamides

A series of 4-aminophenylacetamides was prepared and evaluated for anticonvulsant activity. These compounds were prepared during studies designed to determine the relationship between benzamide-like compounds and anticonvulsant effects. Unlike benzamides, these phenylacetamides have a methylene group between the aromatic ring and the amide carbonyl. Consequently, formal conjugation is lost, and the number of conformational degress of freedom has increased. The compounds were tested in mice against seizures induced by eletroshock and pentylenetetrazol, and in the rotorod assay for neurologic deficit. The more active and selective anticonvulsants prepared in this study were those having an additional aromatic ring as part of the substituent on the amide nitrogen. Compound 16, the 4-aminophenylacetamide derived from 2,6-dimethylaniline, was the most potent compound observed (ED50 = 50.50 mg/kg against eletroshock-induced convulsions and (ED50 = 93.20 mg/kg against pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsions).
User-following displays

Traditionally, a user has positioned himself/herself to be in front of a display in order to access information from it. In this information age, life at work and even at home is often confined to be in front of a display device that is the source of information or entertainment. The paper introduces another paradigm where the display follows the user rather than the user being tied to the display. We demonstrate how steerable projection and people tracking can be combined to achieve a display that automatically follows the user.
SOUTH CAROLINA'S EXPERIENCE WITH CERTIFICATION AND ACCREDITATION

About 5 years ago, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SC DOT) started the certification process for their asphalt program. The decision was made to conduct all of its courses and the certification program at Clemson University. Five courses (levels) are offered; most of the courses have an enrollment limit of 12 people, which enables the participation in the discussion. Based on comments from participants, the courses are seen a welcome addition to the industry.
Inner core tilt and polar motion

SUMMARY A tilted inner core permits exchange of angular momentum between the core and the mantle through gravitational and pressure torques and, as a result, changes in the direction of Earth’s axis of rotation with respect to the mantle. We have developed a model to calculate the amplitude of the polar motion that results from an equatorial torque at the inner core boundary which tilts the inner core out of alignment with the mantle. We specifically address the issue of the role of the inner core tilt in the decade polar motion known as the Markowitz wobble. We show that a decade polar motion of the same amplitude as the observed Markowitz wobble requires a torque of 10 20 N m which tilts the inner core by 0.07 degrees. This result critically depends on the viscosity of the inner core; for a viscosity less than 5 × 10 17 Pa s, larger torques are required. We investigate the possibility that a torque of 10 20 N m with decadal periodicity can be produced by electromagnetic coupling between the inner core and torsional oscillations of the flow in the outer core. We demonstrate that a radial magnetic field at the inner core boundary of 3 to 4 mT is required to obtain a torque of such amplitude. The resulting polar motion is eccentric and polarized, in agreement with the observations. Our model suggests that equatorial torques at the inner core boundary might also excite the Chandler wobble, provided there exists a physical mechanism that can generate a large torque at a 14 month period.
Therapeutic targeting of the MEK/MAPK signal transduction module in acute myeloid leukemia

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway regulates growth and survival of many cell types, and its constitutive activation has been implicated in the pathogenesis of a variety of malignancies. In this study we demonstrate that small-molecule MEK inhibitors (PD98059 and PD184352) profoundly impair cell growth and survival of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cell lines and primary samples with constitutive MAPK activation. These agents abrogate the clonogenicity of leukemic cells but have minimal effects on normal hematopoietic progenitors. MEK blockade also results in sensitization to spontaneous and drug-induced apoptosis. At a molecular level, these effects correlate with modulation of the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (p27Kip1 and p21Waf1/CIP1) and antiapoptotic proteins of the inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAP) and Bcl-2 families. Interruption of constitutive MEK/MAPK signaling therefore represents a promising therapeutic strategy in AML.
Non-Local Modeling with a Mixture of PCFGs

While most work on parsing with PCFGs has focused on local correlations between tree configurations, we attempt to model non-local correlations using a finite mixture of PCFGs. A mixture grammar fit with the EM algorithm shows improvement over a single PCFG, both in parsing accuracy and in test data likelihood. We argue that this improvement comes from the learning of specialized grammars that capture non-local correlations.
Renal morphologic lesions reminiscent of diabetic nephropathy.

Context.—Nodular, intercapillary glomerulosclerotic lesions resembling Kimmelstiel-Wilson nodules commonly observed in diabetic nephropathy can also be seen in patients without any clinical history or evidence of diabetes. Objectives.—To discuss the pathobiology of lesions reminiscent of diabetes nephropathy, including light-chain deposition disease, amyloidosis, immunotactoid nephropathy, the membranoproliferative form of glomerulonephritis, and idiopathic nodular glomerulosclerosis, and how to differentiate them from diabetic nephropathy. Data Sources.—Published literature and authors' personal experience. Conclusions.—The well-formed, intercapillary, nodular mesangial lesions, along with thickened glomerular basement membranes and tubular basement membranes, and hyaline arteriolosclerosis are virtually pathognomic of diabetic nephropathy. However, the pathologist must exclude lesions reminiscent of diabetic nephropathy by performing special stains on histologic sections, immunofluorescence, and electro...
A world-wide survey of genetic variation in the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti.

Thirty-four populations of Aedes aegypti representing the world-wide distribution of the species, were analysed for genetic variation at 19–22 isozyme loci. The species has an average expected heterozygosity of 0·129±0·045 based on 19 loci analysed in every population. Based on this genetic information, two major groups can be defined: the dark, often sylvan, African subspecies formosus and the light domestic subspecies aegypti in Africa and the New World. Asian populations do not fall easily into either group. These results are related to models which have been proposed for the evolution of this species. Although A. aegypti was introduced into the New World c. 350 years ago and has recently recolonized many areas following eradication programmes, no signs of founder effects are evident in this region. Asian populations, on the other hand, do show a significantly lower level of genetic variation compared to other populations. This may be related to the time of introduction of A. aegypti into Asia and historical absence of yellow fever on the Asian continent.
Educating the CALL specialist

Abstract Recent years have seen a growing interest in technology in language teacher education, including the publication of two edited volumes, the creation of special interest groups in both the Computer Assisted Language Instruction Consortium and European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning, and a technology standards initiative for language teachers and learners by teachers of English to speakers of other languages (TESOL). Building on that rising interest in computer-assisted language learning (CALL) education, this article looks at a domain of expertise in CALL beyond that of the typical classroom teacher: the CALL specialist. The article begins by motivating the concept of the CALL specialist, defined as an institutional role embodying deep knowledge and elaborated skill sets in language learning and technology applications within a given subfield. Examples of three CALL specializations are then briefly discussed: pronunciation specialist, distance education specialist, and classro...
Resolution improvement and detail enhancement for computed tomography scout images

New applications currently demand utilizing computed tomography (CT) scout images for diagnostic purposes. However, many CT scout images cannot be used diagnostically due to their poor resolution, particularly in the direction of table movement, and loss of detail when displayed with one view. We present two methods to address these two problems. First, spatial resolution generally can be improved with image restoration techniques. Based on the principles of Wiener filtering and inverse filtering, a modified Wiener filtering approach is presented in the frequency domain. The concept of an equivalent target point spread function is also introduced, which makes the restoration process steerable. Consequently, balancing resolution improvement with noise suppression is facilitated. Relevant experiments compare the image quality with traditional inverse filtering and Wiener filtering. The modified Wiener filtering method has been shown to restore the scout image with higher resolution and lower noise. In addition, CT scout images have a wide dynamic range, from 0 to 105 intensity values. They are difficult to display in full detail with only 8 bits (256 intensities). An image fusion approach is developed to preserve and enhance details of CT scout images. The enhanced image is obtained by high-boosting one fused image from another, both of which are computed by fusing a set of preenhanced subimages which derived from the original, using different fusion rules. Image fusion is performed pixel by pixel by the discrete wavelet transform. Final experiments compare the image quality of the resolution-improved and detail-enhanced image and the noise level with those of the original image. Results show that more details, easily observed by a radiologist, are present in the restored and enhanced image than in the original.
Cholinergic synapses and the organization of contrast detection in the crayfish optic lobe

The actions of acetylcholine (ACh) were examined on 4 classes of multicolumnar interneurons whose dendrites lie in close proximity to the putative cholinergic transmedullary neurons described in the companion report. ACh-elicited responses in each cell type resemble visually elicited synaptic events and persist following synaptic blockade with 20 mM CoCl2. Tangential cells exhibit a hyperpolarizing response to ACh that resembles the visual response in reversal potential and dependence on extracellular chloride. The visual response is potentiated by the anticholinesterase, neostigmine (0.1 mM). Visual and carbachol-elicited responses are blocked by nicotinic ganglionic antagonists (e.g., 10(-6) M pempidine) that are 10–100 times more potent than D-tubocurarine. Medullary amacrine cells exhibit depolarizing responses to ACh (10(-6) M) and light with similar reversal potentials. The visual response is potentiated by neostigmine. Dimming fibers respond to light and ACh with a hyperpolarization that inhibits the maintained discharge. The sustaining fiber response to ACh reflects both direct responses and indirectly elicited synaptic actions. The direct action is a hyperpolarization possibly related to the visual “off-response.” It is associated with an increased conductance and a reversal potential negative to the dark potential. The off-response is abolished by curare and pempidine and potentiated by neostigmine. ACh appears to orchestrate several aspects of the dual- channel contrast detection system of the optic lobe. The actions of ACh on tangential cells, amacrine cells, and dimming fibers are all consistent with the effects of a spatially localized increment in light intensity and a corresponding local release of ACh in the retinotopic columnar array.
Evaluation of hydrogen sulphide concentration and control in a sewer system.

This study focused on monitoring hydrogen sulphide (dissolved and atmospheric) generation and wastewater volumetric flow in a 21.4 km sewer line of the City of San Antonio, Texas. The results were used to evaluate daily and seasonal trends of atmospheric and dissolved sulphide, and to better apply sulphide control using ferrous sulphate to prevent odour and sewer pipe deterioration. As part of this study, the evaluation of a cost-effective dosing strategy with ferrous sulphate was performed to better control the sulphide contents in wastewater. Dosing studies were performed in the laboratory to find the required ratio of ferrous sulphate for acceptable sulphide removal. The results indicate a 1.25 mole ratio requirement, to reduce sulphide by 93%. Over a typical daily diurnal cycle, necessary dosing rates to maintain sulphide concentrations below 2 mg varied between 0 and 36,777 mol d−1 with a daily average rate of 14,438 mol d−1. If, instead of dosing at the maximum required rate, dosing was matched over...
Enhanced nutty flavor formation in cheddar cheese made with a malty Lactococcus lactis adjunct culture.

Abstract Nutty flavor in Cheddar cheese is desirable, and recent research demonstrated that 2- and 3-methyl butanal and 2-methyl propanal were primary sources of nutty flavors in Cheddar. Because malty strains of Lac-tococcus lactis (formerly Streptococcus lactis var. malti-genes ) are characterized by the efficient production of these and other Strecker aldehydes during growth, this study investigated the influence of a malty L. lactis adjunct culture on nutty flavor development in Cheddar cheese. Cheeses made with different adjunct levels (0, 10 4 cfu/mL, and 10 5 cfu/mL) were ripened at 5 or 13°C and analyzed after 1 wk, 4 mo, and 8 mo by a combination of instrumental and sensory methods to characterize nutty flavor development. Cheeses ripened at 13°C developed aged flavors (brothy, sulfur, and nutty fla-vors) more rapidly than cheeses held at 5°C. Additionally, cheeses made with the adjunct culture showed more rapid and more intense nutty flavor development than control cheeses. Cheeses that had higher intensities of nutty flavors also had a higher concentration of 2/3-methyl butanal and 2-methyl propanal compared with control cheeses, which again confirmed that these compounds are a source of nutty flavor in Cheddar cheese. Results from this study provide a simple methodology for cheese manufacturers to obtain consistent nutty flavor in Cheddar cheese.
Maternal Infections Are Depressing

Neonatal encephalopathy (NE) is the best very early predictor for term infants of later cerebral palsy (CP), the most common acquired disorder of movement and tone in children.1 Although CP was once attributed to adverse perinatal events, population-based studies identify antenatal rather than intrapartum antecedents.1,2 Recent studies suggest that the disease process may be active postnatally.3,4 Half of all CP occurs in children born at term. The few studies available strongly support the association of maternal intrauterine infection with CP in term infants.5 There is an even stronger association (10 of 10 studies …
It's Not Your Heart: Group Treatment for Non-Cardiac Chest Pain

This article presents a brief group psychoeducational treatment for non-cardiac chest pain, supplemented with a composite case study. Patients present to emergency rooms for chest pain they believe is a heart attack symptom. When cardiac testing is negative, this pain is usually a panic symptom, often occurring with a cluster of other panic symptoms. Group therapy challenges faulty beliefs about the origin of their chest pain and offers an alternate explanatory model. Breathing retraining and other strategies to lower physical arousal reduce the duration and frequency of panic (chest pain) episodes. These new skills can eventually break the continual cycle of panic and anxious apprehension.
Immunochemical characterization of the distinct monocyte cyclic AMP-phosphodiesterase from patients with atopic dermatitis

Abstract Background: Previous findings have suggested that the immunopathology of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) results from altered cellular responses caused by cyclic nucleotide regulatory abnormalities. One such defect is the increased degradation of the second messenger, cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), by elevated cAMP-phosphodiesterase (PDE) activity in patients with AD. Methods: We used two monoclonal antibodies to identify the major PDE isoform in AD blood monocytes. We have also characterized the abnormal PDE activity by means of chromatofocusing and sucrose gradient centrifugation. Results: The chromatofocusing technique allowed the separation of a PDE-containing fraction (isoelectric point=6.1) from AD monocytes but not from normal cells. This monocyte fraction accounted for most of the elevated leukocyte-PDE activity and was a cytosolic, cAMP-specific, low Michaelis constant, calcium-calmodulin-dependent enzyme, inhibited by the cAMP-PDE inhibitor, Ro 20-1724. The majority of the PDE activity in this chromatofocused fraction was immunoadsorbed by the solid-phase immobilized antibodies against calcium-calmodulin-dependent PDE. Conclusions: The increased degradation of cAMP by a unique form of PDE may cause defective regulation of intracellular functions of AD monocytes, leading to the characteristic hyperreactive immune and inflammatory events. Characterization of PDE isoenzymes from different leukocyte subpopulations may allow further expansion of cell-directed therapy for inflammatory disease.
Measure and Topology

A measure µ is nonnegative unless otherwise qualified. If µ is complex then L|µ| is the measure defined by the equation: $$\left| \mu \right|\left( E \right) = \sup \left\{ {\sum\limits_{{n = 1}}^{\infty } {\left| {\mu \left( {{{E}_{n}}} \right)} \right|:\left\{ {{{E}_{n}}} \right\}_{{n = 1}}^{\infty }} } \right. $$ .
Broiler breeder survivors of chronic unilateral pulmonary artery occlusion produce progeny resistant to pulmonary hypertension syndrome (ascites) induced by cool temperatures

Chronic occlusion of one pulmonary artery triggers a high incidence of pulmonary hypertension syndrome (PHS, ascites) in broilers. In the present study, the left pulmonary artery was chronically occluded in 295 male and 255 female chicks pedigreed from 18 sire families, leading to PHS in 74% of the males and 45% of the females. Survivors were reared to breeding age and served as parents for the resulting PHS-resistant chicks (Resistant), whereas control chicks were produced from the base population for this line (Base). In two experiments, male and female Resistant and Base chicks were reared separately by sex but mixed by group within environmental chambers, where they were exposed to cool (14 C) temperatures. In both experiments, the incidence of PHS was at least 50% lower in the Resistant males and females than in the Base males and females, respectively. When compared within a sex, the Base and Resistant broilers surviving to the end of both experiments did not differ in final body weight or body weight gain, nor did their right:total ventricular weight (RV:TV) ratios differ. These results demonstrate that broiler breeders capable of thriving after having their entire cardiac output forced to flow through one lung, subsequently produced male and female progeny with substantially improved resistance to the onset of PHS induced by fast growth and exposure to cool environmental temperatures. Fast growth and cool temperatures are primary triggers for PHS under most conditions of commercial broiler growout. In both experiments, final necropsies revealed higher RV:TV ratios in ascitic than in nonascitic broilers, whereas normalizing the left ventricle plus septum weight for differences in body weight generated similar values for ascitic and nonascitic males or females, respectively. These results support a primary role for pulmonary hypertension but not cardiomyopathy in the pathogenesis of ascites triggered by cool temperatures in both the Base and Resistant populations.
Ventromedial hypothalamic lesions abolish compensatory reduction in energy expenditure to weight loss

Weight loss through caloric restriction produces compensatory reductions in the whole body energy expenditure of normal rats. The present experiment determined whether rats who had become obese after ventromedial hypothalamic (VMH) lesions displayed this metabolic defense of body weight. Obese VMH-lesioned and normal-weight control female rats were assigned to one of three weight maintenance conditions (100, 90, and 80% of previously maintained body weight). Postabsorptive oxygen consumption was then measured by open-circuit respirometery while, simultaneously, behavioral activity was measured by stabilimeter. A marked decline in resting energy expenditure and behavioral activity, seen in control rats after weight loss, was absent in VMH-lesioned rats. These results suggest that VMH lesions impair the ability to adjust energy expenditure in response to alterations in nutritional status, a response that normally serves to stabilize body weight at a regulated level.
Effect of Delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol on Mitogenic and Antigenic Stimulation of Lymphoid Cells from Inbred Hamsters Infected with Treponema Pallidum Subsp. Pallidum

The currently increased incidence of syphilis appears to be associated with drug abuse in adults and, when congenital syphilis occurs, with a lack of prenatal care in drug-abusing, pregnant women. Advances in understanding of the immune response to Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum (T. pallidum hereafter), the etiologic agent of syphilis, and in identification of protective, treponemal immunogens suggest that a vaccine may become available for prevention of syphilis. Therefore, it would be of value to know whether the population at highest risk is capable of responding immunologically to T. pallidum.
Revenue Maximization Under Two-Dimensional Buyers with Type Uncertainty Using Dynamic Mechanism Design

I study a decision problem to maximize seller revenue under a two-dimensional buyer with multiple type space with private information. I consider the general case of a single seller with a single good to sell to buyers with private attribute values arriving over 2 time periods. The seller's problem is to determine the optimal time period of allocation. I use mechanism design theory to find an optimal policy for the seller and investigate structural conditions for the optimal seller policy. This paper aims to show that there are tractable and relatively simple ways to deal with multidimensional type space in Revenue Management problems through the application of mechanism design.
Support Seeking or Familial Obligation: An Investigation of Motives for Disclosing Genetic Test Results

Genetic test results reveal not only personal information about a person's likelihood of certain medical conditions but also information about the person's genetic relatives. Given the familial nature of genetic information, one's obligation to protect family members may be a motive for disclosing genetic test results, but this claim has not been methodically tested. Existing models of disclosure decision making presume self-interested motives, such as seeking social support, instead of other-interested motives, like familial obligation. This study investigated young adults' (N = 173) motives to share a genetic-based health condition, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency, after reading a hypothetical vignette. Results show that social support and familial obligation were both reported as motives for disclosure. In fact, some participants reported familial obligation as their primary motivator for disclosure. Finally, stronger familial obligation predicted increased likelihood of disclosing hypothetical genetic test results. Implications of these results were discussed in reference to theories of disclosure decision-making models and the practice of genetic disclosures.
Acrosomal Proteinase Inhibitors in Rhesus Monkey (Macaca Mulatta) Oviduct Fluid

Acrosomal proteinase inhibitors were found in rhesus monkey fallopian tubes. Spermatozoa contain a proteolytic enzyme in their acrosomal heads and which would be adversely affected by the presence of acrosomal proteinase inhibitors. The inhibitor concentration was high before ovulation decreased to low levels around the time of ovulation and rose to high levels again within 1-3 days after ovulation. Alpha-1-antitrypsin alpha-2-macroglobulin and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin all followed this high-low-high pattern. Alpha-1-antitrypsin in human cervical mucus is found to follow a similar waxing and waning according to progesterone secretion.
Intraoperative Laparoscopic Near-Infrared Fluorescence Cholangiography to Facilitate Anatomical Identification: When to Give Indocyanine Green and How Much

Recent technological advances have enabled real-time near-infrared fluorescence cholangiography (NIRFC) with indocyanine green (ICG). Whereas several studies have shown its feasibility, dosing and timing for practical use have not been optimized. We undertook a prospective study with systematic variation of dosing and timing from injection of ICG to visualization. Adult patients undergoing laparoscopic biliary and hepatic operations were enrolled. Intravenous ICG (0.02-0.25 mg/kg) was administered at times ranging from 10 to 180 minutes prior to planned visualization. The porta hepatis was examined using a dedicated laparoscopic system equipped to detect NIRFC. Quantitative analysis of intraoperative fluorescence was performed using a scoring system to identify biliary structures. A total of 37 patients were enrolled. Visualization of the extrahepatic biliary tract improved with increasing doses of ICG, with qualitative scores improving from 1.9 ± 1.2 (out of 5) with a 0.02-mg/kg dose to 3.4 ± 1.3 with a 0.25-mg/kg dose (P < .05 for 0.02 vs 0.25 mg/kg). Visualization was also significantly better with increased time after ICG administration (1.1 ± 0.3 for 10 minutes vs 3.4 ± 1.1 for 45 minutes, P < .01). Similarly, quantitative measures also improved with both dose and time. There were no complications from the administration of ICG. These results suggest that a dose of 0.25 mg/kg administered at least 45 minutes prior to visualization facilitates intraoperative anatomical identification. The dosage and timing of administration of ICG prior to intraoperative visualization are within a range where it can be administered in a practical, safe, and effective manner to allow intraoperative identification of extrahepatic biliary anatomy using NIRFC.
Single-transverse-photon contributions of order α 6 ln (α) to the energy levels of positronium

Some of the calculational techniques used to compute the order [alpha][sup 6]ln([alpha][sup [minus]1]) contribution to the energies of the 1[ital s] and 2[ital s] states of positronium reported in an earlier paper [Fell, Phys. Rev. Lett. 68, 25 (1992)] are demonstrated. Recently, this same calculation was done by an independent group [Khriplovich, Milstein, and Yelkhovsky, Phys. Lett. B 283, 237 (1992)]. Although the initial results of the two calculations did not agree, this discrepancy has since been resolved in favor of the calculation presented here. We discuss the two calculations and then compare the theoretical and experimental values of the [ital n]=2 fine structure and the triplet 2[ital s]-1[ital s] splitting.