cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tilting for Windmills: Climate Change, Websites, and Ecocritical Pedagogy

Key words: digital media, multimedia technology, climate change, cyber ecocriticism, pedagogy Ecocriticism in general has concentrated on literary texts and has relegated other types of texts, particularly digital and interactive texts which are those which arguably have the greatest influence and readership in the 21 st century. Thus, the need for ecocritical study of digital media, which would combine the investigation of the rhetorical and narrative features both of websites as a totality and of their specific content, as well as reception and reader response analyses. Using the experience of a graduate course, the multiple benefits of this approach illustrates how the ecocritique of digital media can achieve numerous objectives in a variety of pedagogical situations and provide a way to integrate environmental issues into skill dominant courses. Palabras clave: medios audiovisuales y digitales, tecnologia multimedia, cambio climatico, ecocritica cibernetica, pedagogia La ecocritica en general se ha centrado en textos literarios y ha relegado otros tipos de textos, en particular textos digitales e interactivos que podria decirse que son los de mayor influencia y mayor numero de lectores del siglo XXI. Por ello es necesario el estudio ecocritico de los medios de comunicacion digitales, que combinaria la investigacion de las caracteristicas retoricas y narrativas de tanto las paginas web en su totalidad como de su contenido especifico, asi como de los analisis de la recepcion y de la respuesta del lector. Usando la experiencia de un curso de postgrado, los multiples beneficios de este enfoque ilustran como la ecocritica de los medios de comunicacion digitales pueden conseguir numerosos objetivos en una variedad de situaciones pedagogicas y proporcionar una manera de integrar los temas medioambientales en cursos predominantemente centrados en la adquisicion de destrezas.
Parallel Knowledge Base Development by Subject Matter Experts

This paper presents an experiment of parallel knowledge base development by subject matter experts, performed as part of the DARPA’s Rapid Knowledge Formation Program. It introduces the Disciple-RKF development environment used in this experiment and proposes design guidelines for systems that support authoring of problem solving knowledge by subject matter experts. Finally, it compares Disciple-RKF with the other development environments from the same DARPA program, providing further support for the proposed guidelines.
The goal of epilepsy therapy: no seizures, no side effects, as soon as possible.

Epilepsy is a significant health problem. Ten percent of people living a normal lifespan will experience at least one epileptic seizure and one third will develop a chronic epileptic condition. At any given time, 0.5% to 1% of the world's population has active epilepsy, amounting to over 40 million people. A World Health Organization-sponsored study determined that epilepsy accounts for 1% of the global burden of disease, measured as disability-adjusted life years equivalent to the global burden of lung cancer in men and to breast cancer in women. Disability-adjusted life years measure years of productivity lost as a result of disability or death, which is relatively high for epilepsy because this condition often begins in childhood. The cost of epilepsy in the United States has been estimated at $12.5 billion/year, and 80% of this cost is borne by the 30% of patients whose seizures are not controlled.The cost of uncontrolled epileptic seizures to society, and to individuals with epilepsy and their families, is measured not only in economic terms, but also in terms of human suffering. In this month's first article, Michael R. Sperling, MD, who has authored seminal papers on consequences of epilepsy, provides evidence that epilepsy is not a benign disorder; that early control of epileptic seizures is important to avoid irreversible disability due to the development of psychological and social disturbances and progressive cerebral dysfunction, as well as epilepsy-related death. The burden imposed on society and on individuals by uncontrolled epileptic seizures is all the more tragic because many suffer needlessly. For a significant number of adults who have had recurrent seizures since infancy, childhood, or adolescence, more aggressive early intervention might have rescued them from a lifetime of disability. Consequently, the goal of therapy today should be no seizures and no side effects, as soon as possible.
RISK INSTRUMENTS IN THE MEDIEVAL AND EARLY MODERN ECONOMY

This paper describes the evolution of financial risk instruments in Europe before 1600. It discusses the evolution of marine insurance and its displacement of the sea loan, as well as early examples of forward transactions, options, and futures contracts. In contrast to business, households had only limited access to financial risk instruments-mainly in the form of life-contingent annuities.
Engineering heterojunctions with carbon nanostructures: towards high-performance optoelectronics

Low-dimensional carbon nanostructures such as nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene have excellent electronic, optoelectronic and mechanical properties, which provide fresh opportunities for designs of optoelectronic devices of extraordinary performance in addition to the benefits of low cost, large abundance, and light weight. This work investigates photodetectors made with CNTs and graphene with a particular focus on carbon-based nanohybrids aiming at a nanoscale control of photon absorption, exciton dissociation and charge transfer. Through several examples including graphene/GaSe-nanosheets, graphene/aligned ZnO nanorods, SWCNT/P3HT, and SWCNT/biomolecule, we show an atomic-scale control on the interfacial heterojunctions is the key to high responsivity and fast photoresponse in these nanohybrids optoelectronic devices.
Handbook of Soil Acidity

Soil acidification - the world story the role of carbon, nitrogen and sulphur cycles in soil acidification role of plant cation/anion uptake ration in soil acidification acid inputs into the soils from acid rain quantifying the acid balance for broad-acre agricultural systems modelling acidification processes in agricultural systems using geographic information systems (GIS) in soil acidification risk assessments micro- and macro-scale heterogeneity of soil acidity measurements of H+ fluxes and concentrations in the rhizosphere toxic elements in acid soils - chemistry and measurement using lime to ameliorate topsoil and subsoil acidity role of organic matter in alleviating soil acidity.
Ultrasonic Effects in Semiconductors

Publisher Summary A useful technique for investigating the physical properties of materials in the solid state is to measure the characteristics of the propagation of mechanical waves in the solid. These characteristics are the velocities of propagation and the spatial or temporal rates of absorption of energy from the mechanical wave. Data on the attenuation of mechanical waves have been interpreted over a range from 70 Gc sec -1 , in quartz at low temperatures, to frequencies corresponding to the time required for geological processes to take place. This chapter discusses the exploitation of this technique in the elucidation of the physical properties of semi-conductors. Particular emphasis is placed on the 1 to 200 Mc sec -1 frequency range. The term “ultrasonic” is used to describe mechanical waves of frequency greater than 1 Mc sec -1 ; waves of frequency greater than 500 Mc sec -l have been described in the literature as hypersonic and microwave ultrasonic. The usefulness of the ultrasonic technique is demonstrated in discussions of a wide variety of experiments in which ultrasonic is the research tool. This chapter discusses the classical analysis, including elasticity theory, wave propagation, scattering, and diffraction. Measurement and laboratory techniques are then discussed briefly. This chapter discusses the interpretation of experiments on a variety of semiconductors, both piezoelectric and nonpiezoelectric.
Toxic Shock Syndrome— Scientific Uncertainty and the Public Media

After languishing in relative obscurity since its description in 1978,1 toxic shock syndrome has recently been thrust into the public domain by its reported association with tampon use.2,3 The myths, partial truths, and gross misconceptions promulgated in the media, presumably with the intent of informing the public, must now be brought into the perspective of existing data, necessitating a reconsideration of the balance between the public9s "right to know" and the evolutionary process of scientific knowledge. Toxic shock syndrome is an acute febrile ifiness with mucocutaneous manifestations and multisystem involvement, the most severe manifestations being hypotension, renal failure, myocardial failure, and "shock lung syndrome."
Painting Andean Liminalities at the Church of Andahuaylillas, Cuzco, Peru

The church of Andahuaylillas located near Cuzco, Peru, is frequently hailed for its lush interior decorations and seventeenth-century mural paintings. One mural image in particular has captured the sustained attention of scholars for decades: the entrance wall mural entitled Camino del cielo e infierno depicting a complex allegory of good and bad faith. This article explores the mural's connections to a Flemish print and a Spanish auto sacramental (a one-act play associated with Corpus Christi), demonstrating the hitherto unexamined relationships between mural painting, print culture, and religious theatre in the Andes. It also considers the inclusion of local indigenous and Inca references in the mural that were simultaneously subsumed within discourses of idolatry while at the same time granting visibility and legitimacy to indigenous Andeans. This article brings to light the plurality of meanings invested in Heaven and Hell as both destination and journey among Spanish ecclesiastics and their indigenou...
Functional Imaging for Prostate Cancer: Therapeutic Implications

Functional radionuclide imaging modalities, now commonly combined with anatomical imaging modalities computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (single photon emission computed tomography [SPECT]/CT, positron emission tomography [PET]/CT, and PET/magnetic resonance imaging), are promising tools for the management of prostate cancer, particularly for therapeutic implications. Sensitive detection capability of prostate cancer using these imaging modalities is one issue; however, the treatment of prostate cancer using the information that can be obtained from functional radionuclide imaging techniques is another challenging area. There are not many SPECT or PET radiotracers that can cover the full spectrum of the management of prostate cancer from initial detection to staging, prognosis predictor, and all the way to treatment response assessment. However, when used appropriately, the information from functional radionuclide imaging improves, and sometimes significantly changes, the whole course of the cancer management. The limitations of using SPECT and PET radiotracers with regard to therapeutic implications are not so much different from their limitations solely for the task of detecting prostate cancer; however, the specific imaging target and how this target is reliably imaged by SPECT and PET can potentially make significant impact in the treatment of prostate cancer. Finally, although the localized prostate cancer is considered manageable, there is still significant need for improvement in noninvasive imaging of metastatic prostate cancer, in treatment guidance, and in response assessment from functional imaging, including radionuclide-based techniques. In this review article, we present the rationale of using functional radionuclide imaging and the therapeutic implications for each of radionuclide imaging agent that have been studied in human subjects.
Flood hazard in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka: Individual attitudes vs collective action

Abstract In Ratnapura monsoonal flooding is a chronic problem of which the residents are acutely aware. Responses to structured interviews indicated that a wide range of actions are employed to reduce flood impact, although these actions are not perceived as specific adjustments to flooding. The only widely acknowledged means of mitigating the flood threat is government action. Dependency on government action reflects the government's role in dispensing aid to flood victims. While relief programmes do reduce personal, short-term losses, they simultaneously encourage resettlement in high-risk areas. In seeking a viable, long-term management policy, the Sri Lankan government recently adopted a plan to move the municipality of Ratnapura to invulnerable high ground. In making the decision to relocate, however, the attitudes of the residents were not evaluated, and government officials seemed unconcerned that residents viewed relocation as an unacceptable solution to the problem. Although individual attitudes concerning residential satisfaction in the context of the flood hazard varied with factors such as income, length of residency and land tenure, an overwhelming number of residents adamantly maintained that they would not move to the new town.
Pseudocyst of the pancreas

Five patients with pseudocyst of the pancreas have been treated at St. Louis Children's Hospital in the last 45 years. The rarity of this disease in the pediatric age group is apparent; only 47 cases were found in the literature of the last 57 years. The hospital course of these five patients is discussed in the light of the findings in the other reported cases. A review of the literature includes a discussion of the age, sex, histology, pathogenesis, etiology, signs and symptoms, laboratory findings, differential diagnosis, and treatment of pseudocyst of the pancreas.
Acquisition of competence for floral development in Nicotiana buds

Grafting experiments were used to investigate the relative roles of strength of flowering signal(s) and competence of buds to respond to flowering signal(s) in the development of photoperiodic and day-neutral species of Nicotiana. At the time of commitment to floral development, a flowering signal (inhibitory or promotive) could reach a critical level or terminal buds could gain competence to perceive and-or respond to an existing signal. The latter hypothesis appears to be true for day-neutral N. tabacum L. cv. Wisconsin 38, while signal strength appears to be a more critical factor for long-day N. silvestris L. Nicotiana tabacum and N. silvestris differ in terms of signal intensity at anthesis of the terminal flower. Stocks of N. silvestris promote more rapid flowering in seedling scions of both genotypes. Terminal buds of seedlings of both genotypes have the same competence to respond to the signal affecting floral development. The competence of the terminal bud of both species to respond to this signal(s) changes as a function of age.
Zinc Protoporphyrin Upregulates Heme Oxygenase-1 in PC-3 Cells via the Stress Response Pathway

Zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP), a naturally occurring molecule formed in iron deficiency or lead poisoning, is a potent competitive inhibitor of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1). It also regulates expression of HO-1 at the transcriptional level. However, the effect of ZnPP on HO-1 expression is controversial. It was shown to induce HO-1 expression in some cells, but suppress it in others. The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of ZnPP on HO-1 expression in prostate cancer PC-3 cells. Incubation of PC-3 cells with 10 μM ZnPP for 4 h showed only a slight induction of HO-1 mRNA and protein, but the induction was high after 16 h and was maintained through 48 h of incubation. Of all the known responsive elements in the HO-1 promoter, ZnPP activated mainly the stress response elements. Of the various protein kinase inhibitors and antioxidant tested, only Ro 31-8220 abrogated ZnPP-induced HO-1 expression, suggesting that activation of HO-1 gene by ZnPP may involve protein kinase C (PKC). The involvement of PKC α, β, δ, η, θ, and ζ isoforms was ruled out by the use of specific inhibitors. The isoform of PKC involved and participation of other transcription factors remain to be studied.
RADIATION INDUCED APOPTOSIS IN NEUROBLASTOMA DOES NOT DEPEND ON INDUCTION OF BAX. • 925

Wild type p53 is a transcriptional activator which plays a crucial role in the control of radiation induced apoptosis. Recent evidence suggests that p53 modulates apoptosis by upregulating the expression of Bax, a bcl-2 gene family member which functions to facilitate cell death. Importantly, Bax was only induced following radiation in cells which express wt p53. In the pediatric malignancy neuroblastoma (NB) p53 mutations are rare and most NB cell lines express wt p53. In previous studies we have determined that some NB cell lines fail to upregulate p53 following gamma radiation and are resistant to radiation induced apoptosis. Single gene transfection studies have demonstrated that induction of p53 beyond threshold levels following radiation can initiate apoptosis in NB cells. The aim of the present study was to study the kinetics of Bax induction following radiation in parental and p53 transfected NB cell lines. Western blot analysis of parental Shep-1 cells radiated at 25 Gy revealed Bax was induced and maximally expressed at 24 hours. This increase in Bax expression was seen in the absence of p53 induction. These same experiments were conducted in cell lines transfected with a temperature sensitive p53 expression construct. For these experiments cells were radiated at 25 Gy and p53 was pulse induced by placing cells at the permissive temperature(32.5°C). High level p53 expression was confirmed by quantitative immunoprecipitation. In contrast to parental cells, Shep-1 cells transfected with the temperature sensitive p53 expression construct failed to demonstrate any p53 dependent increase in Bax levels following radiation and high level p53 expression. These results suggest induction of Bax is not critical for radiation induced apoptosis in NB and that the pathway of p53-mediated apoptosis does not require Bax expression in this system.
Frequency of gastrointestinal involvement and its clinical significance in mantle cell lymphoma

BACKGROUND The reported frequency of gastrointestinal (GI) tract involvement in patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) is 15–30%. However, this figure most likely is an underestimate because most patients with MCL involving the GI tract previously reported were examined endoscopically only if they had GI tract symptoms. The impact of endoscopic assessment on the management of MCL patients is unknown. METHODS From March 1998 to May 2001 baseline upper and lower endoscopy of the GI tract was performed in consecutive untreated patients with MCL as part of a prospective therapeutic trial. Biopsies were performed on abnormal as well as macroscopically normal mucosa. Endoscopy was repeated during treatment and as part of follow-up evaluations. RESULTS Only 26% of patients presented with GI symptoms at the time of diagnosis. MCL was present histologically in the lower GI tract of 53 of 60 patient (88%) and in the upper GI tract of 28 of 58 patients (43%). Microscopic evidence of MCL was found in 84% of patients with normal visual (macroscopic) findings by lower endoscopy and in 45% of patients with macroscopically normal findings by upper endoscopy. Despite this high frequency of GI tract involvement, the use of upper and lower endoscopy with biopsies in this group of patients resulted in changes in clinical management in only three (4%) patients. CONCLUSIONS Gastrointestinal tract involvement was found to be present in most patients with MCL, usually at a microscopic level involving macroscopically normal mucosa. The use of aggressive staging evaluation of the GI tract was found to have little impact on patient management decisions in the current study. Cancer 2003;97:586–91. © 2003 American Cancer Society. DOI 10.1002/cncr.11096
The Role of Ethnicity in the Disability and Work Experience of Preretirement-Age Americans

Using the 1992 HRS, this study examines the effects of social and demographic risk factors, including ethnicity, as well as health and job characteristics on disability and work status among 8,701 preretirement-age Americans with work history. Analytic results indicated that non-Anglo ethnicity was not a significant predictor of disability status but that being African American was a strong significant predictor of being a past versus current worker. The primary predictors of disability and work status were health behaviors, effects of health conditions, job characteristics, and workplace adaptations, factors that lend themselves to policy manipulation.
Biogenic Sedimentation and Alteration of Argillaceous Sediments in Shallow Marine Environments

The feeding activities and excretory products of the marine decapod Callianassa major Say and the marine annelid Onuphis microcephala Hartman have been studied in shallow marine environments of the southern Atlantic and eastern Gulf of Mexico coasts of the United States. These filter-feeding organisms produce depositionally significant quantities of argillaceous fecal pellets that are transported and deposited as granular clay with hydraulically equivalent quartz sand grains. At average population densities observed in shallow marine environments, these organisms are calculated to be capable of removing and pelletizing approximately 12 metric tons of suspended materials per square kilometre per year and of depositing fecal pellet mud as thick as 4.5 mm yearly. Recent deposits of Onuphis pellets up to 30 cm thick and Callianassa pellets as thick as 60 cm have been observed. The complex, species-specific, sand-sized fecal pellets are composed of 80 to 90 percent clay-mineral particles and 5 to 10 percent undigested organic particles and small amounts of quartz sand and silt grains. The digestive systems of the organisms significantly alter the clay mineralogy of the sediments extracted from suspension, and Callianassa major produces fecal pellets of different clay-mineral compositions from fecal pellets produced by Onuphis microcephala . The digestive processes wholly or partly destroy chlorite. Mixed-layer clay minerals are partly destroyed, and kaolinite and illite are in part disordered. Fecal pellets, rich in organic matter, enter the coprophagic cycle where further clay-mineral alteration takes place. Decay of the organic matter creates microreducing conditions within the pellets, thus promoting the processes of glauconitization. Whereas flocculation is the important process in the deposition of argillaceous sediments in deltaic environments, biogenic pelletization may be the most important process in depositing argillaceous sediments in shallow marine interdeltaic environments.
The Importance of the Ratio between Effector and Target Cells for Detection of Serum Blocking of Tumor Lymphocytolysis

Sera from tumor-bearong guinea pigs were tested for their capacity to influence the magnitude of lymphocytolysis of tumor cells in vitro as measured by 51Cr release. Thirty-three sera were tested in 124 experiments in which the effector to target cell ratio (E:T) was 200:1. Significant blocking of cell-mediated lysis occurred in 62% of the experiments, whereas significant potentiation occurred in 7%. Six sera were found which showed significant blocking in some experiments and significant potentiation in other experiments. One of these sera was further evaluated by varying E:T, using lymphocytes from three immune donors. For each of the three populations of immune lymphocytes, significant blocking was demostrable only at one of three E:T tested. Blocking was observed only with an E:T of 200:1 in two cases. In a third case, blocking was observed at an E:T of 50:1, whereas an E:T of 200:1 gave rise to significant potentiation. The effect of these sera on lymphocytolysis in vitro is clearly dependent upon the E:T ratio.
Levels of protein, RNA, DNA, glycogen and lipid during growth and development of Daphnia magna Straus (Crustacea: Cladocera)

1. Protein, RNA, DNA, glycogen and lipid content were determined in Daphnia magna on days 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 21 of growth and development. The composition of D. magna as percentage of reconstituted dry weight was similar to other zooplankton with the exception of DNA content, which was lower than values previously reported. 2. The relative content of protein, RNA, DNA and reconstituted dry weight changed during the 21-day growth period, and these changes were related to growth rate and total growth of D. magna. RNA:protein, RNA: reconstituted dry weight, and protein:RNA : DNA ratios were highly correlated to relative growth rate and total growth as measured by protein content or reconstituted dry weight. 3. Addition of progeny biomass to adult biomass increased correlations between biochemical ratios and absolute growth rate, but had little effect on relationships involving relative growth rate or total growth. 4. The relationship between biomolecule ratios and growth established for D. magna grown under optimal conditions was not successful in predicting growth of D. magna reared under crowded conditions. 5. These data indicate that variation in biochemical ratios among life, stages of D. magna may be used to predict growth of organisms grown under similar conditions, but may not be extended to other situations. It is suggested, however, that variation in biochemical ratios in a particular life stage of a zooplankton species may be related to the productivity for that species.
Regulator of G-Protein Signaling 3 isoform 1 (PDZ-RGS3) Enhances Canonical Wnt Signaling and Promotes Epithelial Mesenchymal Transition

The Wnt β-catenin pathway controls numerous cellular processes including cell differentiation and cell-fate decisions. Wnt ligands engage Frizzled receptors and the low-density-lipoprotein-related protein 5/6 (LRP5/6) receptor complex leading to the recruitment of Dishevelled (Dvl) and Axin1 to the plasma membrane. Axin1 has a regulator of G-protein signaling (RGS) domain that binds adenomatous polyposis coli and Gα subunits, thereby providing a mechanism by which Gα subunits can affect β-catenin levels. Here we show that Wnt signaling enhances the expression of another RGS domain-containing protein, PDZ-RGS3. Reducing PDZ-RGS3 levels impaired Wnt3a-induced activation of the canonical pathway. PDZ-RGS3 bound GSK3β and decreased its catalytic activity toward β-catenin. PDZ-RGS3 overexpression enhanced Snail1 and led to morphological and biochemical changes reminiscent of epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT). These results indicate that PDZ-RGS3 can enhance signals generated by the Wnt canonical pathway and that plays a pivotal role in EMT.
Expanded application of selective neck dissection with regard to nodal status

Background The efficacy of extending the application of selective neck dissection to include more-extensive neck disease in patients with squamous carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract remains controversial. Methods A review of all patients undergoing selective neck dissection at a single institution during a 5-year period was undertaken. The analysis was conducted on 82 patients who received 94 selective neck dissections as part of initial therapy for management of squamous carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract, including: oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx. Results Forty-six of the 94 dissected necks were supraomohyoid dissections, and 48 were lateral neck dissections. Sixty-five percent of patients were followed a minimum of 2 years and formed the cohort for final analysis. There were eight regional recurrences, three of which occurred in the contralateral, undissected neck. The regional recurrence rate for all patients undergoing selective neck dissection, with or without radiotherapy, according to pathologic N status was as follows: N0 (1/33), 3%; N1 (1/8), 12.5%; and multiple positive nodes (3/26), 11.5%. A comparison of recurrence rates with respect to extent of neck disease (N0–N1 versus multiple positive nodes) for both types of neck dissection did not demonstrate significant differences; supraomohyoid neck dissection, p < .5; lateral neck dissection, p < .25. Conclusions There exists an expanded role for selective neck dissection in selected patients with primary squamous cell carcinoma of the upper aerodigestive tract and multiple N+ cervical disease. The selection of patients who are candidates for selective lymphadenectomy should be based on pathoanatomic considerations with reference to the primary site of tumor and demonstrated level(s) of metastatic involvement. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck19: 260–265, 1997.
The thermal expansion of anhydrite to 1000° C

The thermal expansion of anhydrite, CaSO4, has been measured from 22° to 1,000° C by X-ray diffraction, using the Guinier-Lenne heating powder camera. The heating patterns were calibrated with Guinier-Hagg patterns at 25° C, using quartz as internal standard. Heating experiments were run on natural anhydrite (Bancroft, Ontario), which at room temperature has lattice constants in close agreement with those of synthetic material. The orthorhombic unit cell at 22° C (space group Amma) has a=7.003 (1) A, b=6.996 (2) A and c=6.242 (1) A, V=305.9 (2) A3. At room temperature, the thermal expansion coefficients α and β (α in °C−1×104, β in °C−2×108) are for a, 0.10, −0.69; for b, 0.08, 0.19; for c, 0.18, 1.60; for V, 0.37, 1.14. Second-order coefficients provide an excellent fit over the whole range to 1,000° C.
Human tissue cholinesterases: Rates of recovery after inhibition by neostigmine; Michaelis-Menten constants

Abstract The kinetics of inhibition of acetylcholinesterase by neostigmine is briefly reviewed. The acid-transferring mechanism of inhibition which is similar to that of diisopropylfluorophosphate and tetraethylpyrophosphate has recently been shown to be also appropriate for neostigmine. Both solutions and suspensions of cholinesterases were obtained from human brain, skeletal muscle, and red cells. Using in vitro techniques, it was demonstrated that the half-time for the recovery of catalytic ability after inhibition by neostigmine was similar in both the suspensions and the solutions for the three tissues and averaged 34 min. The Michaelis-Menten constants for the tissue acetylcholinesterases were also shown to have similar values, about 2 × 10 −4 M. These constants had not previously been reported for human brain or skeletal muscle enzymes. Both the recovery times and the Michaelis-Menten constants are of the same order as reported by Wilson for eel acetylcholinesterase. These studies indicate the kinetic similarity of human and eel acetylcholinesterase with respect to carbamate inhibition. The relationship of these investigations to clinical observations of patients treated with neostigmine is discussed.
Biochemical and immunohistochemical localization of alpha and beta keratin in avian scutate scales

We have determined the distribution of alpha and beta keratins in avian scutate scales using SDS-PAGE and indirect immunofluorescence with non-cross-reacting rabbit antisera prepared to both alpha and beta keratins. Contrary to previous studies, we find that alpha keratin is definitely present in the epidermis of the outer scale surface as well as that of the inner surface and hinge region of the scale. In fact, all six alpha keratin polypeptides found in the whole scale epidermis are also present in epidermis taken exclusively from the outer scale surface. Three of these polypeptides demonstrate a specific enrichment in the epidermis of the outer scale surface when compared to the polypeptides of the entire scale epidermis. Immunofluorescence studies specifically localize the alpha keratins of the outer scale epidermis in the Stratum Basale and Stratum Intermedium, but the beta keratins are restricted to the Stratum Intermedium and Stratum Intermedium and Stratum Corneum.
Trends in Blood Lead Levels and Blood Lead Testing Among US Children Aged 1 to 5 Years, 1988–2004

OBJECTIVES. To evaluate trends in children9s blood lead levels and the extent of blood lead testing of children at risk for lead poisoning from national surveys conducted during a 16-year period in the United States. METHODS. Data for children aged 1 to 5 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey III Phase I, 1988–1991, and Phase II, 1991–1994 were compared to data from the survey period 1999–2004. RESULTS. The prevalence of elevated blood lead levels, ≥10 μg/dL, among children decreased from 8.6% in 1988–1991 to 1.4% in 1999–2004, which is an 84% decline. From 1988–1991 and 1999–2004, children9s geometric mean blood lead levels declined in non-Hispanic black (5.2–2.8 μg/dL), Mexican American (3.9–1.9 μg/dL), and non-Hispanic white children (3.1 μg/dL to 1.7 μg/dL). However, levels continue to be highest among non-Hispanic black children relative to Mexican American and non-Hispanic white children. Blood lead levels were distributed as follows: 14.0% were CONCLUSIONS. Children9s blood lead levels continue to decline in the United States, even in historically high-risk groups for lead poisoning. To maintain progress made and eliminate remaining disparities, efforts must continue to test children at high risk for lead poisoning, and identify and control sources of lead. Coordinated prevention strategies at national, state, and local levels will help achieve the goal of elimination of elevated blood lead levels.
Effects of ryanodine on skeletal muscle lactate and pyruvate in malignant hyperthermia-susceptible and normal swine as assessed by microdialysis.

Background The caffeine/halothane contracture test in North America and the in vitro contracture test in Europe are currently the only validated bioassays for diagnosing malignant hyperthermia susceptibility and phenotyping families. Both tests are invasive requiring surgical muscle biopsy. Here, we report first use of the selective ryanodine receptor type I agonist ryanodine in a percutaneous microdialysis protocol designed to test whether microdialysis-induced local metabolic responses of skeletal muscle due to ryanodine receptor activation can differentiate between malignant hyperthermia-sensitive and normal pigs. Methods Six microdialysis catheters were implanted percutaneously into the adductor muscles of the right and left thighs of malignant hyperthermia-susceptible ( n = 9) and normal ( n = 8) anaesthetized (ketamine/propofol) and mechanically ventilated swine. Systemic blood gases, haemodynamic parameters and creatine kinase levels were measured before, during and after microdialysis perfusion of ryanodine. After a post-implantation equilibration period of 30 min, one catheter perfused (2 μL min −1 ) with 0.9% NaCl (control) and was compared with the remaining five catheters perfused with increasing concentrations of ryanodine (0.2–100 μmol). Lactate and pyruvate levels were measured enzymatically. Results Continuous perfusion with ryanodine revealed dose-dependent sigmoidal increases in the dialysate lactate and lactate–pyruvate ratio parameters; these effects were greatly augmented in malignant hyperthermia-susceptible pigs compared to normal pigs (two- to threefold): estimated EC 50 greatly decreased (>19-fold) while the maximum effect increased (>twofold) in the malignant hyperthermia-susceptible group. Conclusion The in vivo percutaneous microdialysis protocol for skeletal muscle, using ryanodine as the ryanodine receptor type I agonist and dialysed lactate–pyruvate parameters as metabolic index, can reproducibly differentiate between malignant hyperthermia-susceptible and normal swine.
Behavioral Interventions and Pharmacotherapies for Cannabis Use Disorder

Millions of Americans develop cannabis use disorder, which requires treatment to prevent numerous associated adverse outcomes. There are several evidence-based behavioral interventions, including motivational interviewing, motivational enhancement therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, contingency management, and multidimensional family therapy, all with moderate effectiveness. None of the behavioral interventions are clearly superior to any of the others, whether in combination or alone. Thus, individual patient and therapist factors, such as patient preference and therapist expertise, should determine which is used. Currently, there are no FDA-approved medications for treatment of cannabis use disorder. Some pharmacologic agents have shown promise in early studies, most notably n-acetylcysteine and gabapentin, but none have been replicated. Given that gabapentin and buspirone have been widely used in psychiatric populations and have relatively few side effects, either could be considered as an augmenting agent to behavioral interventions, but neither should be continued for more than 12 weeks unless there is clear evidence of reduction in use. Evidence suggests venlafaxine and naltrexone are not effective in reducing use.
Poor weaning transition average daily gain in pigs is not correlated with pathological or immunological markers of enteric disease during a porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus outbreak.

Previous research suggests that enteric disease and poor gut health interact to decrease pig performance. Our objective was to determine if light birth weight pigs or those from the bottom 10th percentile of transition ADG (tADG) have a higher incidence of pathogen presence or enteric lesions than heavier or faster-growing contemporaries. A total of 1,500 pigs were weighed at birth and divided into 5 birth weight (BRW) categories: 1.76 kg. At weaning, 1,054 random pigs were moved to a commercial wean-to-finish barn. Pigs were weighed individually at 0 and 3 wk postweaning. Transition ADG was calculated as the ADG between wk 0 and 3 postweaning. One pig from each of the 10th, 30th, and 70th percentiles of tADG was used to create 1 set of 3 pigs with the same litter size and from the same parity sow. Forty pigs from each of the 3 tADG percentiles were matched for sex, litter size, and sow parity but not BRW to create 20 matched sets of 60 pigs. This allowed for the main effects of BRW and tADG to be studied as a 5 × 3 factorial design. At 3 and 22 wk postweaning, pigs were euthanized for organ system tissue evaluation. Lung, lymph node, and digesta were analyzed for presence of pathogens and for severity of microscopic lesions (0 = not present, 1 = present, with slight erosion, 2 = present, with moderate erosion, and 3 = present and severe erosion). Data were analyzed using PROC GENMOD and GLIMMIX, where pig served as the experimental unit. The fixed effects were BRW and tADG and the random effects were pen and set. There were no BRW × tADG interactions (P = 0.16). There was no correlation (P = 0.12) between tADG and pathogen presence at either 3 or 22 wk postweaning. Incidence and severity of microscopic lesions in the large intestine at 3 wk postweaning decreased linearly with increasing tADG (P = 0.01). Lesion incidence and severity were also affected (P < 0.04) by tADG at 22 wk postweaning, with greater stomach incidence in the 10th percentile. Birth weight affected (P = 0.02) haemolytic Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. B (includes Salmonella typhimurium) isolation at 3 wk postweaning as well as Brachyspira spp. isolation at 22 wk postweaning (P = 0.05) but in mixed directions. There were no effects (P = 0.21) of BRW or tADG on serum or ileum mucosa immune markers. In summary, it is apparent from this research that neither BRW nor tADG are likely causes of pathogen or lesion incidence.
Plaque assays for myxoma and fibroma viruses and differentiation of the viruses by plaque form.

Abstract It was shown that myxoma virus produced plaques on monolayers of rabbit kidney cells or rabbit heart fibroblasts and that fibroma virus produced visible foci of infection on monolayers of rabbit kidney cells. This allowed development of plaque-count assays for the two viruses. With each virus the numbers of plaques produced were linearly related to virus concentration, and plaque formation was inhibited by specific antiserum. The plaque assay for each virus was at least as sensitive as the intradermal assay in rabbits, and the plaque assay for myxoma virus was more sensitive than the pockcount assay on the CAM of the chicken embryo. The fibroma virus focus of infection on monolayers of rabbit kidney cells under agar consisted of a small pile of cells easily differentiated from the focus of damaged cells produced by myxoma virus.
Cyclic denitrogenation of N-heterocycles applying a homogeneous titanium reagent.

A transient titanium alkylidyne (PNP)Ti⋮CtBu (PNP = N[2-P(CHMe2)2-4-methylphenyl]2-) offers an excellent opportunity to study an industrially important reaction such as the hydrodenitrogenation (HDN) of N-heterocycles present in crude oil. This type of molecule has allowed us to quantitatively remove the nitrogen, in a cyclic manner and under mild conditions, from heterocycles such as pyridine and picolines, resulting in formation of the corresponding arene and a titanium nitrogen-based product. Applying this complex for N-removal of pyridines avoids the use of drastic reaction conditions, over saturation of substrate (hydrogenation), and the use of hydrogen, all of which are common limitations in the HDN industrial setting. Isotopic labeling and mechanistic insights into both the C−N bond rupture and denitrogenation of N-heterocycles are also discussed in this report.
Research needs in the American agricultural equipment industry Results of a survey and some personal observations

A survey of research needs in the US agricultural equipment industry was conducted during the latter part of 1983. The purpose of the survey was to determine what information gaps existed in the human factors data base as far as agricultural engineers were concerned and to attempt to stimulate research in those areas where gaps were found to exist. Survey results indicate that answers to some problems can be found in existing human factors references but that survey respondents are not aware of where they can find them. Other survey results point out some interesting problems, possibly unique to agriculture, that need research inputs.
Numerical investigation of Magnus effect on dimpled spheres

Direct numerical simulations of spinning dimpled spheres at three distinct flow regimes, subcritical, critical, and supercritical, are reported. A highly efficient, structured, and finite-difference solver in cylindrical coordinates is utilized, together with an embedded boundary formulation to impose the proper boundary conditions on the solid surface. The results exhibit all the qualitative flow features that are unique in each regime, namely the drag crisis and the alternation of the Magnus effect. In the critical regime, and for a certain range of rotation rates and Reynolds numbers, a negative lift force is produced. For all cases we provide quantitative evidence and analysis of the detailed mechanics of separation and its impact on the aerodynamic force generation.
Comparison of haplotype inference methods using genotypic data from unrelated individuals.

Objective: Haplotypes are gaining popularity in studies of human genetics because they contain more information than does a single gene locus. However, current high-throughput genot
An investigation of the microstructure and strength of open-cell 6101 aluminum foams

This article presents the results of a study of the microstructure and strength of open-cell 6101 aluminum alloy fans with three different levels of pore size (measured in pores per inch (PPI)). The macrostructures and microstructures of open-cell foam struts are characterized using a combination of optical and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The compositions of the individual phases are also determined via energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The variations in strut microhardness are then measured using Vickers microindentation techniques. Following the measurement of the mechanical properties of foams, a modified model is used to estimate the relative density from measured strut dimensions. The mechanisms of compressive deformation are then elucidated before presenting a discussion on unit-cell modeling, strut plastic deformation, and the relationships between strut microstructure and microhardness.
Today the earwig, tomorrow man?

Abstract A startling amount of intelligent activity can be controlled without reasoning or thought. By tuning the perceptual system to task relevant properties a creature can cope with relatively sophisticated environments without concepts. There is a limit, however, to how far a creature without concepts can go. Rod Brooks, like many ecologically oriented scientists, argues that the vast majority of intelligent behaviour is concept-free. To evaluate this position I consider what special benefits accrue to concept-using creatures. Concepts are either necessary for certain types of perception, learning, and control, or they make those processes computationally simpler. Once a creature has concepts its capacities are vastly multiplied.
The CLFM: A Method of Generating Linear Frequency-Coded Radar Pulses

A simple method of generating a coherent linear frequency-modulated pulse, suitable for use in a radar pulse-compression system, is described. The method, termed CLFM, employs a swept-frequency oscillator with closed-loop control of its phase. The phase-error voltages for the loop are obtained by sampling the waveform at regular intervals. The sampling technique itself is unconventional and avoids the need for large bandwidth circuitry. Results obtained with a demonstration model of the CLFM, generating a signal with a time-bandwidth product of 1000, are described.
PEG-based hydrogels as an in vitro encapsulation platform for testing controlled β-cell microenvironments

Abstract An in vitro encapsulation platform for systematically testing the effects of microenvironmental parameters on encapsulated islets was developed. The base encapsulation matrix was a biocompatible hydrogel formed via the photoinitiated polymerization of dimethacrylated poly(ethylene glycol) (PEGDM). The resulting inert encapsulation matrix affords control over the biochemical and biophysical cellular microenvironment and the introduction of systematic changes to this environment. The compatibility of the PEG-based encapsulation platform with pancreatic β-cells was first established using a murine β-cell line, MIN6. When cell–cell contacts were introduced via aggregation of MIN6 β-cells prior to encapsulation, MIN6 β-cells remained viable within the PEG hydrogel platform throughout 3 weeks of in vitro culture. Proliferating cells were observed within encapsulated MIN6 aggregates qualitatively with bromodeoxyuridine staining and quantitatively by measuring the DNA content of encapsulation samples with time. MIN6 β-cells were encapsulated in hydrogels formed from three PEGDM macromers of varying molecular weights ( M ¯ n = 4000 , 8000, 10,000 g/mol), and the resulting differences in hydrogel crosslinking density, which influences transport properties, did not affect encapsulated β-cell survival. Encapsulated MIN6 β-cells transplanted into diabetic mice returned blood glucose levels to normal levels, indicating in vivo function. Finally, the compatibility of the PEG encapsulation system with freshly isolated islets was confirmed.
Homodimerization of the PAS-B Domains of Hypoxia-Inducible Factors

The Per–Arnt–Sim (PAS) domains of hypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF) mediate heterodimer formation between the HIF-α forms that are induced in the event of cellular hypoxia and the constitutive HIF-β variants. Previous efforts toward structural characterization of the HIF-1α PAS domains were limited by protein stability. Using homology modeling based on the published crystal structure of the PAS-B domain of the homologous protein HIF-2α in complex with the partner HIF-β (also known as ARNT), we have identified a variant of HIF-1α with improved solubility, monodispersity, and stability. Purified solutions of the PAS-B domains of HIF-1α and HIF-2α differ in their propensity for homodimer formation. In an attempt to understand the structural basis for this difference, and to document the structural changes that accompany homodimer formation, we have undertaken a comparative NMR study of the PAS-B domains of HIF-1α and HIF-2α and mutants of HIF-1α that mimic the behavior of HIF-2α. The NMR spectra ...